FOR THE LOVE OF MOVIES

PRADHAMA DRISHTIYA KUTTAKAR (2026) (MALAYALAM)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:27:20 +0000

Another fine thriller from Malayalam cinema.

Director Shahad Nilambur along with writers P. S. Subramanian and Vijesh Thottungal have conjured up a movie that cleverly subverts the premise of Dhrishyam in the way a death is sought to be covered up.

The ever-dependable Parvathy is in fine form and heads a competent cast that includes Unnimaya Prasad, Mathew Thomas, Vijayaraghavan and Vinay Fort.

AN ENGROSSING THRILLER !

RATING - 3/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix

THE ODYSSEY (ENGLISH) (2026)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:34:42 +0000

In his many interviews accompanying the release, director Christopher Nolan has characterised the Odyssey as a foundational story which serves as the origin point for almost the entire western storytelling tradition. The epic poem which is almost 3000 years old, predating any written language and passed on orally, contains within itself almost every possible narrative arc which we have grown familiar with. True to his statements, Nolan's The Odyssey is at once a rich tapestry of a wide range of elements - epic war; rise, fall and redemption of a hero who suffers through hubris, regret, guilt; magic; adventure; love story with longing for the return of/to loved ones; long, arduous, perilous and spiritual journey of the protagonist; fabled homecoming; underdog fighting against heavy odds (in this case, no less than the mighty Gods).

Yet, within such a massive narrative, loaded with layers upon layers of material, Nolan strikes a masterly balance between scale and sensitivity. He puts the humans and their emotions in close focus and ensures that the scale of the superlative spectacles he conjures up are orchestrated to support the emotional chords.

The story follows Odysseus (Matt Damon), king of Ithaca who serves as a general under emperor Agamemnon as he wages a multi-year war to defeat Troy. After winning the war, Odysseus is eager to return home with his soldiers - a home which they had left almost two decades ago. On their way, they anger the gods, and consequently, have near-fatal encounters with deadly monsters, a witch, a detour to Hades where they meet their dead brethren in their afterlife, a giant whirlpool, giant adversaries, and much more. Meanwhile, his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland) try to steer clear of a rowdy bunch of ravenous suitors including Antinous (Robert Pattinson) who seek to win her hand and claim throne of Ithaca.

While Nolan continues with his signature trope of inter-weaving multiple timelines, there is no lack of clarity and the entire narrative remains highly accessible to the viewers which is no small feat given the sheer volume of material and characters. Matt Damon has lived the part of Odysseus, breathing life into the part as the haggard and tired hero longing to return home. The stellar supporting cast laden with A-lister stars including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, Lupita Nyong'o, Mia Goth deliver aces - especially, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Samantha Morton and Zendaya. Nolan's regular collaborators cinematographer - Hoyte van Hoytema - and composer - Ludwig Goransson - create visuals and soundscapes that are immersive and transports the viewers to the scene of action from the very first frame to absolutely amazing set of sequences that follow including the one involving Trojan Horse, Cyclops, whirlpool, the sequence in Hades and the final action set-piece.

This is Nolan's very own magnum opus - a retelling of an epic that has stood the test of times; yet, he delivers a deeply personal message on hubris, human failings, vulnerabilities and ultimate redemption. In many ways, this resonates deeply with anti-war echoes from his previous movie Oppenheimer which also dealt with a smart protagonist who conjures up a brilliant move to end a long-drawn war, ends up feeling remorse for his actions and seeking redemption. This is perhaps Nolan's best and most accessible work till date; it deserves all the commercial and critical success along with several laurels that are sure to come its way in the upcoming award season.

A TOUR DE FORCE ! A MUST WATCH (preferably, in the BIGGEST IMAX) !!

RATING - 4/5

29 (TAMIL) (2026)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:30:49 +0000

Writer-Director Rathna Kumar explores love between a 29-year old confused Satya (Vidhu) and a career-focused Viji (Preethi Asrani) in ways that are relatable. The performances of the the leads are top notch; especially, from Preethi who is excellent in conveyinga wide range of emotions. A competent supporting cast along with good songs and score by Sean Roldan accentuate the lived-in feel of this movie.

Certain bits in the latest half involving a social cause or sudden appearance of a character feel not so organic to the narrative which otherwise flows like a clear unassuming stream for the most part. Writing by a Rathnakumar sparkles in several moments and keeps you invested in the fate of the characters.

A GOOD ONE TIME WATCH !

RATING - 3/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix

DISCLOSURE DAY (ENGLISH) (2026)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 09:26:32 +0000

Spielberg returns to over of his favourite arenas - the realm of human interface with extra terrestrial life forms.

His take on aliens and superpowers is so distinct from what we are used to in by-now staple MCU and extended DC universe movies.

Reuniting with his long time collaborators - Jaunsz Kaminski and John Williams, he recreates big screen magic like only he can which is quite spectacular in some parts and moderately impressive overall.

A largely engaging popcorn entertainer !!

RATING - 3.5/5

ANDHRA KING TALUKA (TELUGU) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 12:47:00 +0000

Set in 90s and early 2000s in East Godavari district of undivided Andhra, this is the story of Saagar (Ram Pothineni) who is a diehard fan of Surya (Upendra). Saagar lives is from a community of laborers in a tiny island - Godapalli Lanka - which is yet to have electricity connection.

Yet, in his undiluted admiration to a middle aged star who himself is challenged with waning days of glory, Saagar goes through a journey that transforms him, his near and dear ones, his tiny village and even the star he revers so ardently.

While we might have seen and would be familiar with biopics of many stars from diverse fields, this is the biopic of a fan. The writing by debutante director Mahesh Babu P, despite its convenient contrivances, sparkles in the way it roots the emotions, sets up the locales, builds character arcs and neatly connects the dots.

Ram Pothineni delivers an earnest performance as the fanboy and Upendra is his apt foil as the star who is past his prime. The rest of the cast consisting of Bhagyashri Borse, Murli Sharma, Rao Ramesh, Rahul Ramakrishna excel in their respective parts. The subtle score along with few good numbers from the duo of Vivek-Mervin and the immersive visuals of Sidharth Nuni which transport us to that specific time and space benefit the movie.

Like a desi recipe rich in flavours, this is simultaneously the triumph of an underdog, a coming-of-age story, a tale of love, self discovery and redemption; all cooked into a delectable feel-good entertainer. Above all, in the way it uniquely explores the relationship between a fan and his star idol, this is a story that would resonate with every cinephile.

A CHARMING ODE TO CINEMA & FANDOM !

RATING 3/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix

BISON KAALAMAADAN (TAMIL) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 02:37:00 +0000

Bison is loosely based on the life of a real life Arjuna award winning Kabaddi player, Manathi Ganesan. Mari blends fiction in a superbly scripted sports drama that captivates the viewers in rapt attention throughout the near three hour duration of the movie.

In his latest offering Bison, Director Mari Selvaraj is truly unbound and breaks free from all shackles of screenwriting and in the true style of a wild bison running amok, he tramples over and shatters

- the lazy template tropes that bedevil the genre;

- simplistic storytelling about social stratification and schisms which paints people in plain blacks and whites;

- mundane melodrama and oft-heard loud preachy messaging

to deliver a tour de force sports drama loaded with layers of nuanced social commentary.

Mari's story, set in the 80s-90s, transports us to south Tamil Nadu's blood-soaked badlands steeped in caste-based hostilities rooted deep in the history. While members of rival factions bay for the blood of the other, too eager to dismember or even slaughter their rivals for the slightest of slights (real and often, imaginary), almost none of them appear to know or even care for the reasons for such mutual hatred beyond the recent links in the unending chain of violence and vengeance. Nevertheless, they live and breathe the toxic air of acrid rancor towards "the other".

Mari is supported by a superlative cast and crew who deliver an exceptional performance in almost every department. Bison heralds the arrival of Dhruv Vikram to the BIG league as he lives and breathes the titular character with a visceral physicality and a simmering intensity that is palpable. The ever-reliable Pasupathy with his glimmering gaze plays the fiercely protective father an excellent and leads the supporting cast that includes Ameer, Lal, Rajisha Vijayan, Anupama Parameswaran and Azhagam Perumal. The songs and score by Nivas K Prasanna embrace every moment of the movie and seasons them with the rustic fragrance while cinematographer Ezhil Arasu captures the landscapes as well as kinetic kabbadi matches with equal finesse.

In Bison, Mari has created a masterpiece which is at once

- an emotional drama,

- an outstanding sporting triumph of the underdog,

- a helpless yearning for peace in a land plagued by unending bloodshed,

- the perennial clamour for securing one's rightful place from those crushed casually at the bottom of the pyramid,

- along with a dash of tender love that is barely whispered

and in each of these dimensions, every emotional beat feels just right. Even scenes which would stick out as convenient contrivances or cop-outs in a lesser movie seems deservedly well-earned here.

Mari's movie soars majestically like a phoenix into the clear blue skies where resilient bull-headed efforts could realise dreams leaving behind the smoldering embers of social ills that seek to chain and singe the aspirational wings of the under-privileged.

A WINNING RAID !

RATING - 4.5/5

KANTARA - A LEGEND - CHAPTER 1 (KANNADA)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 03:34:00 +0000

When Kantara released in 2022, it was an incredible achievement as it became a sleeper hit capturing the imagination of viewers across the country and catapulting Kannada cinema to exceptional heights. While it is always a challenge to make such a successful movie, creating a sequel to such a blockbuster is indeed a tough act to follow since it would have to satisfy enormous expectations. Several sequels which arrived with more funding, mega star cast along with mega marketing campaigns based on the success of the original end up sinking like Titanic as they hit the iceberg of heightened expectations of an audience who loved the original. They fail to recreate the magic mainly because they are essentially cash-grab exercises which lack the spark of the original and have very little to offer as entertainment except nostalgia.

However, despite such steep odds stacked against him, Rishabh Shetty who has written, directed and leads this movie has largely succeeded in this mission impossible. His sequel, which is actually a prequel is set several centuries ago in the age when Kadambas ruled over Karnataka and Tulunadu, dwells deep into the origins of the mythology of mystic spirits of Panjuruli, Guliga and many more that were introduced in Kantara.

This is a ambitious and audacious venture in terms of the sheer scale on which it is mounted, the level of spectacle in its action set pieces, the number of themes that are densely packed into its engaging storyline including deities from the folklore, class struggles, slavery, economic exploitation of the tribes, power struggles, betrayals and even some twisted black magic. It is an eclectic mix of action, emotion, spirituality and bits of comedy which is immensely engrossing despite its runtime of nearly three hours.

The technical team - especially, production and sound design, VFX, action choreography, cinematography and background score - are top notch in crafting a rich visuals spectacle that makes for spectacular big screen experience and the stellar cast that includes Rukmani Vasanth, Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, Prakash Thuminad have delivered in aces. Rishabh Shetty deserves rich laurels for his vision, courage, conviction and herculean multitasking efforts for delivering such an extraordinary entertainer that is superlative in so many aspects.

A MUST WATCH ! (preferably on a BIG screen)

RATING - 4/5

LOKAH - CHAPTER 1 - CHANDRA (MALAYALAM) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:17:00 +0000

This is an ambitious amalgam of local myths, legends with superhero world building that works to a large extent.

Kalyani is convincing in the titular role of Chandra and Naslen, with his buddies, presents an apt foil for her more serious part. The surprise cameos spike up the narrative flow and kindle our interest in future movies from this universe.

Director Dominic Arun is able to mix familiar elements from popular cinema with a narrative which one usually associates with Hollywood fare.

The production design, cinematography and VFX complement each other to belie the limited budget and succeed in creating rich visuals. There is no comparison to MCU or DC movies in terms of the budget and spectacle value. But, the success of the movie is finding a happy balance between remaining rooted while daring to tread a road less traveled which is enough to overlook its faults.

In true MCU style, there is a mid-credit and post-credit scene too hinting at future movies.

Malayalam cinema, which has hitherto found its forte in deeply affective, albeit, simple human dramas, makes a formidable mark in its initial foray into superhero-verse.

AN IMPRESSIVE FIRST STEP INTO AN EXCITING NEW WORLD !

RATING - 3.5/5

COOLIE (TAMIL) (20225

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:10:00 +0000

Coolie is a POWERHOUSE which, when it hits its peak output - in patches, packs a punch with loads of nostalgia, an ensemble starcast and above all, vintage Rajni vibes.

It is also a powerhouse that struggles and sputters to keep the spark on consistently.

Nag & Soubin make a mark. But, Loki fails to soar.

Overall, an above average outing, at best, that doesn't actually have an "Arangam Adhirattume" outcome.

SUPER (on & off) !

RATING - 3/5

3BHK (TAMIL) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000

This is the story of a middle class family's quest to rise up the economic ladder and realise their long cherished dream of buying a home that they can call their own.

An affective drama that unfolds at an unhurried pace radiating lived-in feelings and warmth. It is elevated by the pitch-perfect performances of the entire main cast lead by Sarath Kumar and Siddarth. They are ably supported by Devayani, Meetha Ragunath and Chaitra Achar.

Director Sri Ganesh who had made an impressive debut with 8 Thottaakkal is in fine form.

Overall, this is a simple drama done neatly without exaggerated melodrama and nowadays, that is indeed rare.

WORTH A WATCH !

RATING - 3/5

PS - Streaming on Amazon Prime.

SU FROM SO (KANNADA) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 03:02:00 +0000

Horror comedies are a done-to-death genre by now, and can barely squeeze a laugh for the life of the makers. But, Su From So, which is more a comedy with just a hint of horror, comes as a refreshing new entry to this league and succeeds spectacularly.

Set in Marlur in rural Karnataka, populated with a plethora of characters with their own eccentricities, the story follows the sequence of unfolding events when a love-struck young man's risqué behaviour goes sideways.

Debutante director JP Thuminad keeps his narrative simple and firmly rooted in the rural milieu with its own peculiar social dynamics as well as belief systems. He has filled his canvas with a rich palette of colourful characters played by an excellent cast of non-stars, including himself, who render full justice to their respective parts.

Thuminad mines the quirks of this setting and the characters for a near non-stop laugh riot. It has been a long time that I had laughed so hard in any movie. He also sneaks in an affective story arc that resonates without overpowering the lighter note that movie intends to strike and that underlines his calibre as a creator to look forward to.

A MUST WATCH !

RATING - 4/5

F1 - THE MOVIE (ENGLISH) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 13:40:00 +0000

F1 - The Movie follows the classic movie template of maverick washed out "star that never was" coming back to the arena for a last hurrah and juxtaposes him with a young, cocky rookie who is yet to prove his mettle, as they are forced to work together for a team that is scrapping at the bottom of the charts.

Yet, despite the dead-beat predictability of the premise, director Joseph Kosinski, who delighted us with his last feature - (another retelling of a classic - Top Gun : Maverick) - creates movie magic by brilliantly harnessing the charm quotient of Brad Pitt along with a stellar supporting cast that includes Javier Bardem & Kerry Condon.

The racing sequences come alive on the big screen and even someone like me, who has never had any interest in the sport, could feel the rush of adrenaline as the mean machines whizz past on the tracks.

RATING - 3.5/5

A HELL OF A RIDE ! (Best enjoyed on an IMAX)

GOOD BAD UGLY (TAMIL) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 03:20:00 +0000

Self referencing to past glory days is a tested trope for fan service in big star movies, especially in recent times. But, when a trope is given a too long a rope to span an entire movie, to feel like self reference Pro Max level, the end product is this (இது🤦🏽‍♂️).

It is, at best, GOOD, if you are a Thala fan(atic) Pro Max, which director Adhik Ravichandran clearly appears to be.

If you are not, as is the case of unlucky majority, this LOUD movie veers wildly between a BAD & UGLY mishmash of a messy drive down memory lane of Thala filmography.

Remix of past hit numbers, presence of not one, but two of evergreen divas of Tamil cinema, Thala seeming to have a ball of a time with a steady stream of super solo-mo shots - nothing seems to come to the aid here as the movie sinks beyond any scope for salvage.

BAD / UGLY - Depends on your tolerance !

(Grrrrr)RATING - 2/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix

STOLEN (HINDI) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:24:00 +0000

The movie kicks off in the very first minute when a five-month old baby is stolen from a lone and seemingly hapless mother sleeping on a railway platform in the wee hours of the night. Two wealthy brothers who happen to be at the station get embroiled in the search for the missing baby along with the mother as they venture into the wilderness of somewhere in rural India.

What follows is a search that, in its near ninety minute rollercoaster ride, is nerve-racking and deeply unsettling. It is unsettling because we know that such incidents are not uncommon, especially to those who get stuck in the bottom rungs of the socioeconomic pyramid or for the unfortunate few of those from the higher echelons who happen to get caught in such situations. If one happens to inhabit the privileged upper rungs of that pyramid, there is a sanguine hope that one is shielded from such misfortune, especially when one carefully hones the skill of remaining resolutely indifferent to the plight of those unfortunate others. The narrative here smartly short-circuits this false sense of security as the two brothers of privilege are thrown into the thick of things with a desperate mother.

While one of the brothers is eager to lend a helping hand, the other is unwilling to step out of his carefully constructed cocoon and get any grime on his designer-ware in helping a stranger - that too, someone who belongs to a class of expendables who could as well be entirely invisible to his field of vision except for a few moments when they happen to serve some functional utility.

Debutante director Karan Tejpal designs a textured narrative where the surface level layer of being a tense thriller about the search for a missing baby transcends seamlessly into a search to understand one another and in some deeper sense, understand oneself along with the instincts that remain hidden underneath the masks we wear as civilized citizens or the cocooned existence to preserve oneself from those who are not so fortunate.

The lead cast consisting of Abhishek Banerjee, Harish Khanna and Mia Maelzer ace their respective parts with their rich shades of grey, moral ambiguity, vulnerability and transformative arcs.

Karan Tejpal delivers a movie which is a near relentless odyssey that is also several things at the same time - a gripping thriller, crisp drama, redemptive role-reversal, a sharp social commentary on our starkly different worlds inhabited by those on either side of class divide as well as rural-urban divide along with difficult moral dilemmas. That a director could achieve all this in a debut feature without being preachy, judgmental or adding even an ounce of narrative flab while keeping the viewers engrossed with bated breath on what is coming next indicates a rare talent worth cheering.

Inspired by real events, this gritty multi-faceted thriller has won several global accolades before its much delayed debut in India.

A CHILLING, THRILLING & UTTERLY FULFILLING QUEST !

RATING - 4/5

PS - Streaming on Amazon Prime

KOHRRA (PUNJABI) (2023)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:47:00 +0000

Set in a small town in Punjab, Kohrra (Mist), a six part web series, is, at its surface level, a slow burn investigation into the mysterious murder of a young NRI man shortly before his marriage.

What makes it exceptional is the way it constructs its universe of characters - all flawed in some measure - and succeeds in taking a deep dive into their lives scarred with deep-seated traumatic episodes and struggles set against the wider landscape of today's Punjab with its issues like addiction, feudal and patriarchal society, and much more.

The emotions are affective even as the mystery builds on the viewers - engrossing us like a winter's mist that shrouds an entire city, gradually in the beginning and building steadily to engulf it entirely.

Excellent casting who deliver in aces and fine writing which builds in several layers make this one of the best series in recent times.

A MUST WATCH !

RATING - 4/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix

DAHAAD (HINDI) - Season 1

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:38:00 +0000

A police investigative thriller, set in a small town of Rajasthan, follows the journey of a bunch of cops on the trail of a serial killer who preys on desperate women.

Gripping for the most part, this 8-part series has sincere performances from a stellar cast headlined by a feisty Sonakshi Sinha and chilling Vijay Verma who are supported ably by Gulshan Devaiah, Sohum Shah and others.

Series creators Reema Kagti and Zoya Akthar who had earlier collaborated on Talaash have delivered a solid thriller that is firmly grounded in the small-town landscape. They have layered the narrative with seamlessly woven strands of a searing commentary on the oppressions based on caste and gender into the narrative. My major grouse was on their failure to amp up the final act.

WORTH A WATCH !

RATING - 3.5/5

Streaming on Amazon Prime

SINNERS (ENGLISH) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:25:00 +0000

Michael Jordan plays twins (Smoke & Stack) returning to their rural Mississippi home after making a minor fortune in Chicago. They purchase an abandoned factory and convert it into a juke club for their fellow coloured folks. What begins as night of revelry with mind-blowing music and more soon descends into madness as few bloodthirsty vampires come calling to the party as uninsured guests.

Director Ryan Coogler (Creed & Black Panther movies) creates a layered narrative blending visual splendour, delicious groovy blues music, stellar cast, themes of blacks-ploitation, crime and vampire action in this blockbuster entertainer.

AN ENGROSSING ENTERTAINER !

RATING - 3.5/5

TOURIST FAMILY (TAMIL) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 04:21:00 +0000

A Sri Lankan Tamil family of four flee the financial crisis of the island nation's failing economy looking for greener pastures across the Palk Strait. They manage to slip through the border patrols and reach a Chennai colony to make a living while covering their tracks of being identified as illegal immigrants.

Can they find a safe abode and survive in a colony filled with families who appear strangers to one another despite living in close quarters for several years..?

Movies about refugees generally fall into a tired and often torturous template of heightened melodrama that magnifies the suffering of the lot - both in the homeland that they escape and the new-found homes in the alien shores where they try to fit into.

Debutant director Abhishan Jeevinth steers clear of this traditional narrative structure and presents the plight of this family with a rare and refreshing light touch that radiates a feel-good vibe in almost every frame.

He strikes a brilliant balance between effusive comedy that keeps the flow light and sharply written drama that avoids the pitfalls of being preachy or pandering to popular notions on this emotional issue.

Sasikumar and Simran along with the two debutant actors playing their sons as well as an ensemble cast of noted character artists provide a lived-in feel while composer Sean Roldan peppers the narrative with some warm heartfelt numbers that sound just apt.

A WHOLESOME ENTERTAINER !

RATING - 4/5

KA (TELUGU) (2024)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:36:00 +0000

Set in the 70s in a quaint and remote village, the story kicks off with Vasudev, the village postman getting abducted by masked men to an unknown location. He is interrogated about his past using a machine that has hypnotizing powers. Apparently, Vasudev has been secretly reading letters addressed to others which has unexpected consequences.

Who are these masked men who seem to have no connection to the village ..? What is their interest in Vasudev..?

Debutant director duo - brothers Sujith and Sandeep - have crafted a unique thriller that builds gradually on its simple setting to culminate in an ending that is unexpected and exceptional.

Not saying much else, lest I might tread into spoiler territory.

AN ENGROSSING WATCH !

RATING - 3/5

PS - Streaming on Amazon Prime

L2 - EMPURAAN (MALYALAM) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:28:00 +0000

As a sequel to a blockbuster, this is definitely grander - perhaps, twice as larger in scale - spanning several locations across multiple continents much like a Bond or Bourne movie, even as it builds on the basic narrative arc set in the politics of God's own country.

One can decipher multiple influences from home and abroad, as in the action set pieces - inspired from the universe of Prashant Neel or Telugu / Tamil flicks with generous dose of blood as well as Hollywood-esque heavy duty armaments with mighty explosions. All these elements are assembled to serve a reasonably coherent narrative arc with occasional goosebumps moments for the fans.

Mohanlal shines through as the titular dark angel as he looms over the entire film casting an oversized shadow on every frame. The rest of the ensemble cast including Manju Warrier, Tovino and others put in their best despite their limited character arcs.

Prithviraj continues to make his mark as a director as he handles the scale hitherto unseen in Malayalam movies. He delivers a pretty good masala flick which does not bore you despite its three hour long runtime.

Alas, bigger is not synonymous to better and the grander scale does not deliver the emotional beats of the first installment. Nevertheless, this is a commendable sequel that sets the tone for a fitting finale to cap the trilogy.

A SPECTACLE MOVIE (best enjoyed on a BIG screen) !

RATING - 3/5

NARAYANEENTE MOONNAANMAKKAL (MALAYALAM) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:15:00 +0000

Three estranged brothers reunite with their families after decades in their ancestral home as their mother is drawing her final breaths. Beneath the courteous efforts to forge forgotten connections, unforgotten and unforgiven tensions from the past simmer. Could the siblings succeed in overcoming their differences..? How does the gen-next of the family, in their impressionable years and meeting for the first time connect..?

This is a movie that manages to achieve a difficult balancing act of being subtle and sensitive to the subjects being depicted without being judgmental on any of the characters who are all flawed at some level, as humans tend to be.

Director Sharan Venugopal displays remarkable restraint throughout as he skillfully steers his narrative away from the usual desi pitfalls of getting lewd (exploitative or exposing to titillate) or loud (melodramatic or emotionally manipulative). This is no small achievement in itself and to achieve all this within a crisp running time of less than two hours is a mark of his brilliance.

While the two young leads playing next generation of the family (especially, Garggi Ananthan, playing Athira) are perfectly cast for their respective roles, the seniors - Joju, Suraj & Lopez - are excellent too, carrying all their shades without hitting a wrong note.

The music by Rahul Raj - songs as well as the score - is another highlight.

Overall, it is yet another lovely addition to the ever-growing pantheon of Malayalam cinema that continues to excel in exploring the oft-overlooked dimensions of our collective human coexistence.

A SUBTLE & SENSITIVE MASTERPIECE !

RATING - 4/5

GAME CHANGER (TELUGU) (2025)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:03:00 +0000

A sort of return to form for Director Shankar who stumbled badly and delivered a disaster in Indian sequel which was his previous outing. The story from director Karthik Subbaraj pits an upright and dynamic bureaucrat against a power hungry politician buttressed by a corrupt system.

The writing and execution follows Shankar's familiar template with some contemporary updates. Yet, it largely works and delivers the wares for a commercial potboiler, thanks largely to Ram Charan firing on all cylinders and powering it through a double role. He gets able support from an ensemble cast including SJ Suryah as a menacing antagonist, a goofy Jayaram, Srikanth, Samuthirakani, Anjali, and Kiara Advani besides several others who appear in a blink-n-miss minor roles like Achyuth Kumar, Vennela Kishore, and Brahmanandam.

Shankar has continued to splurge on the making including songs mounted on grandiose scale with eye popping colours that saturate the large screen from edge to edge. Ditto for his mandatory emotional flashback stretch which is at best average and is utterly predictable despite dramatic gravitas of Ram Charan and Anjali trying their best. Nevertheless, the cat and mouse game between the leads has enough drama and punchy twists to sustain momentum and interest.

While Shankar has upped his game from his previous debacle, this is still a far cry from his yesteryear blockbusters which find several echoes through the movie. If you keep your expectations limited, this is a fairly engaging game.

WORTH A ONE TIME WATCH !

RATING - 3/5

KISHKINDHA KAANDAM (MALAYALAM) (2024)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 03:09:00 +0000

Ajay (Asif Ali), a forest officer, lives with his father Appu Pillai (Vijayaraghavan), a retired army officer, in their family villa deep in the verdant jungles of Wayanad. The movie begins with hints of a missing pistol belonging to Appu Pillai that is required to be surrendered in the police station due to the forthcoming elections. This is intercut with the scene of Ajay getting married to Aparna (Aparna Balamurali) in a simple court marriage where the couple appear to be going through the motions unemotionally.

As the search for the missing gun intensifies, Aparna and us - the viewers - are hooked to the the gently unpeeling layers of this household including details about Ajay's earlier marriage, his deceased wife who succumbed to cancer, their 10-year old son who has been missing for 3 years, as well as the apparent eccentricities of Appu Pillai. What happens to the missing gun and the missing son ? The narrative adopts a gentle and measured pace that nevertheless, keeps us engaged till its culmination in an emotional and gripping finale. Even the dramatic reveals of the climax are delivered with a measured tone which ironically land like a sucker punch.

Director Dinjith Ayyathan along with the cinematographer Bahul Ramesh who has also written the story, screenplay and dialogues have crafted a narrative that builds gradually to a crescendo without resorting to any gimmickry or loud melodrama. It is like watching a blank canvas coming alive at the hands of a brilliant artist who transforms into a masterpiece - one assured brushstroke after another - all the while keeping us guessing till the very end.

The narrative expertly focusses on the nature of memories which are central to our survival and existence as they are the basic building blocks of our life. Our memories are the filter through which we see and understand the world. We perceive and live our everyday experience of reality through what we have remembered thus far. Yet, our memories remain fallible as they are seldom an accurate record of events and also continue to diminish as we age. Nevertheless, we continue our valiant, albeit vain, efforts to clutch at the straws of this fast-fading scaffolding that is central to our constructs of self as well as our social connections.

The writer-director duo weave their storyline to explore these dimensions without missing out on the mystery that captivates our attention as we continuously search for answers. The central cast comprising of Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, and Vijayaraghavan ace their respective parts with just the right dose of pathos, mystery, curiosity, madness and vulnerability. The score by Mujeeb Majeed subtly underlines the unfolding drama without drawing too much attention to itself.

The movie serves a perfect cocktail of an intelligent drama dense with emotions and multi-faceted mystery that lingers with you long after the viewing.

ANOTHER GEM FROM GOD'S OWN COUNTRY !

RATING - 4.5/5

PS - Streaming on Disney+HotStar

AMARAN (TAMIL) (2024)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 05:20:00 +0000

Biopics, especially of army veterans, are an unexplored genre in Tamil cinema. Director Rajkumar Periasamy takes this road less traveled as he narrates the story of Major Mukund Varadarajan who was martyred in Kashmir shortly after celebrating his 31st birthday.

The unusual casting of leads - Siva Karthikeyan (SK) and Sai Pallavi - has worked exceptionally well as both provide stellar performances. SK undergoes a spectacular transformation in his muscular physicality as well as a controlled performance that is as distant from his usual casual self as snowy Kashmir is from sunny shores of Kanyakumari. Sai Pallavi is once again phenomenal as the emotional anchor to this film.

Amaran is a fine attempt as it blends the personal life comprising of an affecting love story along with a valorous life of a professional army man with exemplary leadership skills. The director deserves credit for steering clear of the usual pitfalls of loud jingoism and teary melodrama that mire most movies of this genre.

RATING - 3.5/5

A VERY GOOD WATCH !

PS - Streaming on Netflix

RIFLE CLUB (MALAYALAM) (2024)

noreply@blogger.com (Senthil Nathan S) — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 14:14:00 +0000

Two love birds on the run from predatory gangsters seek refuge in a rifle club nestled in the verdant Western ghats. The club traces its lineage to Tipu and colonials with its proud members transcending age or gender stereotypes. When the gangsters in pursuit land at the gates of the club, all hell breaks loose.

Director Ashiq Abu orchestrates a mayhem manufactured in malevolent Malyali gunslinger heaven set to a thumping score from Rex Vijayan.

The stellar cast including Dileesh Pothan, Anurag Kashyap, Varni Vishwanath, Vijaya Raghavan, Surabhi Lakshmi, Dharshana Rajendran and many more hit the bulls-eye delivering their roles with comic panache.

Overall, this is a stylish thriller mounted on a wafer thin premise where the count of bullets matter much more than the body count.

A DOUBLE-BARRELLED DELIGHT !

RATING - 3.5/5