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Reviews
Lucifer (2019)
Lucifer A.K.A the Saviour-A formula we have seen over and over but this time in a new avatar
The story takes almost half an hour to unwind completely and the rest of the story is about solving the knots. From the beginning to the end, you are left to wonder "Who, What, Why, How?". No, not in a negative context but in a n intriguing and engaging way. You will be left wondering and that gives the director a chance to get you hooked to the screen until the end.
Predictability is the case in formula oriented template movies. However, that was the case in maybe 4-5 scenes of this entire 2 hour 40+ minutes movie. Though I would have loved a shorter version short by at least 10 mins. The screenplay was really good, and the writing deserves a round of applause. This is because, you will never feel bored anywhere. No unnecessary scenes. So the editor as well deserves to be lauded.
The main character's {that is mohanlal} mysterious back story can leave audience scratching their head. As for me, it was kind of like John Wick where the character's backstory is only told through dialogue and not shown. However, here the makers have left certain questions unanswered which they hopefully will in the second part. In terms of acting, Mohanlal has done his job perfectly. The good guy anti hero who can be a villain to the villain or should I say, the Devil's Devil. In some places though, the hype for the hero did not workout as much as it should have. There are certain scenes which will appeal to Lalettan's fans but to the general audience will fall flat.
The same is true for many other characters as well. Like the drug lord Fyodor, Abdul, or the main villain Bobby Nair aka Vivek Oberoi although he aces his role flawlessly.
The movie seems to have an ensemble cast just to support the main character as the story arch is around him.
Director Prithviraj has a real scope for a commercial entertainer director. He should continue his filmmaking by expanding into other languages as well. For people who may ask, how is one kind of smuggling ok, but the other not? Well the director has the answer in a dialogue from the main character "Politics is not good vs. Evil, it is lesser evil vs. Greater evil". Leaves you wondering, who is the greater evil here?
Taking advantage of the communal politics happening in the country, the makers have used a lot of communal words and have ridden the clichéd {Tolerance, we are Indians before any religion, every god is the same} kind of dialogues. Since it is a political thriller, the politicians using these words isn't uncommon. But every now and then dialogues about this topic trying to make the audience understand that every religion is one kind of makes you puke as they shove it down your throat.
Coming to the cinematography, the style was excellent especially in the fight sequences. Lot of slow-motion shots not overused though. Single shot sequence, rolling motions, and circular cinematography can cause your eyes to roll yet be hooked to the screen.
Music could have been better. Composition and a rap in a certain fight sequence seemed wannabe.
Overall, a one-time watch you will not regret. Watch it again if you are a Lalettan fan.
Vikram (2022)
Once upon a time there lived a ghost
For every predictable scene there are 3 unpredictable surprises. Go watch it for the action, bgm, story, and most importantly the performance from each character.
If the movie was promoted intensely like rrr or kgf it would have stormed the Indian bo by now. Breaking an making records.
A well made movie frame by frame. You wouldnt get a second to look away from the screen.
Lokesh is the new boss in town. So much of effort from him into the script and direction.
Frame by frame effort from the team! Kudos to them.
Taanakkaran (2022)
Why Indian police system needs a rehaul
The movie is a not about a good guy cop vs. A thief. It is about good guy aspirant cop vs. The bad guy cop . The corruption within the department of police. If you are looking for a commercial movie, then it is better to skip this one. If you want a movie that "ENGULFS" you completely into the world of the story, then this one is definitely for you.
It is a critics winner for a reason.
The plot starts within the first 5 minutes of the title card. The hero a simple aspiring cop enters the training ground like it is a temple. Little does he know that it is the temple of the devil(s). The role of Vikram Prabhu is well sculpted by debutant Tamizh. He definitely does his role so well. The backstory for him is simple yet powerful within the 5 minutes its played on screen.
Every character from Lal to M. S. Bhaskar have done their part perfectly. They have lived the role. For instance, there is a scene where, M. S. Bhaskar speaks about the injustice he has faced as a righteous cop which can push your eyes to shed tears. Even the minor characters were well played by the artists portraying them. The cinematography was top notch. Many aerial shots the right place at the right time.
The entire plot takes place inside a police training ground. But you never feel it as each character telling their story will take you into a world within a world.
Now for the negatives, the movie could have done off with a bit faster screenplay. The length of the movie though not too much could have been shorter by 10 minutes.
Overall the movie is worth watching to know some truth and will irk your emotions for the better.
Chhorii (2021)
Not your typical Horror movie
If you are bored of the same old template of dead person's spirit coming to get their revenge, this movie will refresh you. The movie begins with some clichés and within 15 to 20 minutes you start sensing horror with some eerie atmosphere.
In the first half, you are made to wait for the horror to kick in. Once in it, you are in for a guessing "what is the true story of the ghost" ride. After many twists and turns, we are revealed the truth. One of the most unpredictable movies in recent times. Kudos to the original Marathi movie "Lapachhapi". The location of the movie, the camera work, and acting were all to the point. However, the director should have stuck to the original in the climax sequence. What started of as a horror ended as some social cause movie.
Technically, there is not much to speak about. The makeup and costumes were all well done. Especially some of the ghost sequence did give scares.
Overall, it is a good one time watch movie if you want a different kind of horror.
Breaking Bad (2008)
If you want to learn storytelling, this is it.Spoiler alert- Very Addictive show!
A few weeks ago, if you had told me that BB is better than GOT, I would have probably laughed. Or even thought you are mad. It is funny how perspectives change with time. My long pending desire to watch the show came to an end a month ago. And just yesterday, I completed the entire series.
What a terrific acting performance from the cast. Be it Bryan Cranston or Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, or Dean Norris. As I am not an expert on acting, I am not going to delve deeper into it.
My favorite part of the series is the storytelling part. Vince Gilligan is a master. he has proven it with this series. from the very beginning to the end of the series, there was not an instance of boredom. For a guy who gets easily bored like me, this was surprising. If you want to know how to write stories for a movie, this show is the academy of it. You can learn flashforward tricks, foreshadowing, and many more such things.
I wouldn't be surprised if 20 years from now, teenagers speak highly about this show. so addictive it is that I feel like I lost something when the show ended. I didn't feel this way even when my favorite show game of thrones ended. Now it is time for me to cope up with the BB hangover.
Petta (2019)
Sureshot entire entertainment for all types of Fans. For those of you who waited for the real Rajini!
Sure Pongal Winner Petta Paraak! If Kabali was 40% Rajinism, Kaala was 50% and 2.0 70%. But this movie has the entire gift that Rajini fans and neutral audience alike, who have been asking for a Rajini movie. It is a 100% "Rajinism" filled movie. What we missed in kaala, kabali and even 2.0 is here in this movie. Superstar Rajini as Kaali/Pettai Velan takes us back to the 90s with his charisma. Similarly, Karthik Subbaraj has given us what he promised. In fact more to be honest. He has taken us to the nostalgic 90s era Rajini movie times.
Each and every frame is all about Rajinism. You will feel like every scene is an intro, climax, with the mass Rajini element that we all loved and missed in the past few years. However, Karthik Subbaraj must be appreciated for not compromising the script for Rajini element or vice versa. He has also given necessary screen space for all the cast with each outlaying their role. Be it Simran, bobby simha, Vijay Sethupathi, adukalam Naren or muniskanth, they have aced it beside the superstar. The flashback was of necessary length and not too draggy or too short. But the last few scenes unpredictability makes up to the draagy 5-10 minutes. From the starting scene till the end, Karthik Subbaraj keeps us engaged with unpredictable twists and turns.
Except for the few minutes of draggy feel in the end of the second half, there is not much of negative to talk about this movie. Not just Rajini fans, even neutral audience, family audience and movie buffs will enjoy this movie from the start to the end. Even neutrals and family audience will feel like watching this movie more than once. Vijay Sethupathi has aced his role as Jithu with his smooth acting skills. You might feel bad for him after the ending climax scene but Thalaivar Rajini will give you some fun to help you walk out with energy and a happy smile on your face.
Petta (2019)
Sureshot entire entertainment for all types of Fans. For those of you who waited for the real Rajini!
Sure Pongal Winner Petta Paraak! If Kabali was 40% Rajinism, Kaala was 50% and 2.0 70%. But this movie has the entire gift that Rajini fans and neutral audience alike, who have been asking for a Rajini movie. It is a 100% "Rajinism" filled movie. What we missed in kaala, kabali and even 2.0 is here in this movie. Superstar Rajini as Kaali/Pettai Velan takes us back to the 90s with his charisma. Similarly, Karthik Subbaraj has given us what he promised. In fact more to be honest. He has taken us to the nostalgic 90s era Rajini movie times.
Each and every frame is all about Rajinism. You will feel like every scene is an intro, climax, with the mass Rajini element that we all loved and missed in the past few years. However, Karthik Subbaraj must be appreciated for not compromising the script for Rajini element or vice versa. He has also given necessary screen space for all the cast with each outlaying their role. Be it Simran, bobby simha, Vijay Sethupathi, adukalam Naren or muniskanth, they have aced it beside the superstar. The flashback was of necessary length and not too draggy or too short. But the last few scenes unpredictability makes up to the draagy 5-10 minutes. From the starting scene till the end, Karthik Subbaraj keeps us engaged with unpredictable twists and turns.
Except for the few minutes of draggy feel in the end of the second half, there is not much of negative to talk about this movie. Not just Rajini fans, even neutral audience, family audience and movie buffs will enjoy this movie from the start to the end. Even neutrals and family audience will feel like watching this movie more than once. Vijay Sethupathi has aced his role as Jithu with his smooth acting skills. You might feel bad for him after the ending climax scene but Thalaivar Rajini will give you some fun to help you walk out with energy and a happy smile on your face.