Ustad Hotel - Exclusive Movie Review 3.25/5

Directed by     Anwar Rasheed

Produced by     Listin Stephen

Story , Screenplay by     Anjali Menon

Starring     Dulquar Salman, Bhagath Manuel, Nithya Menon, Thilakan

Music by     Gopi Sunder

Cinematography     S.Lokanathan

Editing by     Mahesh Narayanan

Studio     Magic Frames

Distributed by     Central Pictures

Release date(s)     29 June 2012

Country     India

Language     Malayalam

Expectations

Anjali Menon's 3rd outing as writer after 2 brilliant stuffs [Manjadikkuru, Happy Journey in Kerala Cafe], Anwar Rasheed's next after an outstanding 'Bridge' [Kerala Cafe],  Mammootty's Son Dulquer Salman's 2nd film & the chart buster song 'Appangalembadum' [for me  an added attraction - Nithya Menon as heroine] - What more you need to have interest in one project. Was eagerly waiting from the moment the first look poster was launched.

Ustad Hotel is the story of Faizi [Dulquer Salman] and how few days with his grandfather Mosaakka [Thilakan] & Ustad Hotel changes his life for ever

Its a plain coming of story of  a youngster, how he understands the value of life, relatives etc.

The first thing that comes to my mind after watching the film is the BG [first time i am seeing claps for just the BG], Gopi Sunder has done a terrific job. Direction by Anwar Rasheed is of top class. Camera work is too good & treat to your eyes, Calicut has never been presented this beautifully. Anjali Menon as a writes has done a neat job, even-though it looses some grip in the second half, where the movie tend to be bit preachy and has a documentary feel. Perfomance of Thilakan stands out, good to see Maamookkoya in a lengthy role [in a commercial film] after a long gap. Dulquer was good, the role was not that demanding, he just had to be himself a happy go lucky guy. Nithya Menon looked fresh in a small role.

The first half is very good while the 2nd half a tad above average. Should be a pleasant watch for everyone, despite few shot comings.

Comparing with Happy Journey, Manjadikkuru [Anjali Menon] & Bridge [Anwar Rasheed] the movie may fall well short of expectations.

 Positives

Background score
Direction
Script
Camera
'Appangalembadum' [Huge Applause for the song]
Rocking 1st half 
'Kozhikkodan FOOD'

 

Negatives

Second half
Slow & dragging in parts - feel lengthy
The huge expectations
Other Songs 

Verdict

Even though the film couldn't meet the huge baggage of expectations it carry, Ustad Hotel is still a pleasant watch.

Rating

3.25/5 

Box Office 

Hit / Above 


“Every Sulaimani needs a bit of Mohabbat in it.” & this film is full of  'Mohabbat'- Go watch it, but let me warn you not in an empty stomach !!!

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - Exclusive Movie Reviews Compilation [25 Reviews in one]

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) - Exclusive Movie Reviews Compilation

Variety - "The Amazing Spider-Man," a mostly slick, entertaining and emotionally involving recombination of fresh and familiar elements

The Hollywood Reporter - This satisfying reboot slings a darker Spidey, a stronger romance and a welcome slew of tongue-in-cheek humor.

Time Out - 4/5 

Total Film - 4/5

SFX UK - 4/5

Empire Online - 3/5

Daily Mail - Dejavu all over again 3/5

The Telegraph - 4/5

The Guardian 4/5

The Times UK - 4/5

Evening Standard - 2/5

Blogmatic - 3.5/5

Movie Nerd - 6/10

Slump Film - 6.6/10

The Upcoming - 4/5

WL Swart - 6.5/10

Movie Section - 4/5

My Film - 5.5/10

Film Pilgrim 8/10

Filmosphere - 1.5/5

Film Boy - 7/10

Eat Live Sleep Film - 3.5/5

Down With Film - 8/10

Film Blog - 4/5

Blog Busters - 3/5

Saguni - Exclusive Movie Review - 3/5

Directed by N. Shankar Dayal 

Produced by Antony Xavier 

Written by N. Shankar Dayal 

Starring: Karthi, Pranitha, Prakashraj, Santhanam, Radhika, Kotta sreenivasa rao

Music by G. V. Prakash Kumar 

Cinematography P. G. Muthiah 

Editing by A. Sreekar Prasad 

Studio Dream Warrior Pictures 

Distributed by Studio Green 

Release date(s) June 22, 2012 

Saguni's big screen return after Smash-Hit 'Siruthai' which released about 18 months ago is a satisfying entertainer as far as I am concerned.

Frankly speaking didn't have much expectation from the movie, as long delayed movies always proove to be duds. The film was in the news for all the wrong reasons - Changing the Villain and reshooting all his scenes with Prakashraj, prodcution issues, long delays, re-written script, dubbing issues etc

The film is about Karthi, with the help of his side-kick Santhanam, going to all extents to save his ancestral house, which is about to be knocked down by Railways to construct a subway. On his journey he has to lock horns with the powerful villain, also happens to be the CM of TN played by Prakashraj.

The film is a complete KArthi show - he has got amazing screen presence & did it with Elan. His good old next door boy show should go well with ladies folks and kids who just adore him and form a major part of his fans. His combination with Santhanam should bring the house down in many scenes. As Rajni & Kamal they rocked the screen and made the pretty average first half a watchable one.

the Saguni aatam only begins in the 2nd half, but its not as thrilling or exciting as one would expect, but one wont think about all the negativites until the show is over. The writer intelligently could package everything neatly in rip-roaring speed in the 2nd half  giving viewers no time to think.

Radhika made a rocking comeback via Saguni. Nasser, Kota Sreenivasa Rao cameos were good. Prakashraj was superb as always, and thank god they changed the original villain (Vettaikaran fame), coz he couldnt have done justice to the evil CM's role. Heroine was a waste, eventhough her lip sync was perfect the over action spoiled it (just like Tamanna) - anyway she has got just 5/6 scenes only (+ songs)

Like all GVP films, songs in Saguni rocked before release, but after watching them on screen one is left wondering WTH is this

The movie is similar to 'Thiruvilayadal Aarambam' 'Dhool' etc, but not as exciting or pulsating

Positives

Karthi

Santhanam

Prakashraj

Radhika, Nasar, Kota Srenivasa Rao

2nd half

Comedy

Songs [audio]

Negatives

First Half

Heroine

Songs [Choreography  & Visuals except 'pottathu pathale' ]

length

direction 

 Cameos by Anushka [Eventhough i liked her being shown as a mallu] & Andreah

 

Overall its a watchable Political entertainer & a complete Karthi show, with a rocking Santhanam [Seriously, do u need more reasons to watch a popcorn entertainer?]

3/5

Box Office: Should be a hit considering a solo & wide release [2nd biggest after Enthiran]

Bachelor Party - My Movie Review - Extremely Disappointing 1.5/5

Just like all Amal Neerad films tremendous hype was associated with bachelor party too -- which reached immeasurable heights thanks to the trailer, posters and chart-buster song 'Kapa Puzhuukku'. But like always this one too bits the dust thanks to a faulty script and an absence of good [at-least watchable] story. All Amal's previous films were watchable, but this one beats everything and is just shear torture.

Its the story of 5 childhood friends who when end up turned up in the opposite sides, Kalabhavan Mani & Vinayakan is in search of Asif Ali who is living happily with wife (Nithya Menon) & a kid with the help of Indrajith & Rahman in a hill station. Instead of killling his best friend a Mani decides to join with Asif and turn the table on their boss (John Vijay). What happens next, who will win forms the rest of the story (?).

Amal Neerad hasn't learned a thing from his past experiences, in fact its grown worse, only this time he himself is the producer [co-produced by some Jayasurya]. To say the truth was expecting a watchable stylish entertainer in BP, he even failed to deliver that. 

Even the all hyped came of Prithviraj turned out to be damn squib, was just like an extension of his tarzan antony avatar from Hero for an unnecessary fight scene [only]

The first half began interestingly with lot of quirky [double meaning] one-liners by Rahman & Indrajith but after Mani's into the script writer looks like ran out of stock. The film crashed from that point like a pack of cards.

Positives

1. On-liners

2. camera

3. BG

5. Kappa Puzhukku song[not the visuals]

6. Indrajith Rahman Asif

Negatives

Everything else - even in 2hrs the movie drags like anything. a 15 min story told in 2hrs with 30mins of slow motions. 

Even if u plan to watch the movie please don't take ladies or kids to anywhere near the theater, the movie is violent, lot of double meaning, cuss words

Verdict: EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING

RATING 1.5/5

BOX - OFFICE - DISASTER???

PS: Completely exhausted after watching the movie, so the review may be filled with errors, please bear with me and don't write a review on my review !!!

Spirit - My Movie Review - A New GEM Movie 3.25/5

Spirit
	Directed by  Ranjith Produced by Antony Perumbavoor Written by Ranjith Starring Mohanlal, Kanika, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu Music by Shahabas Aman Cinematography Venu ISC Editing by Vijai Shankar Studio Aashirvad Cinemas Distributed by Maxlab Entertainments, Trinity Cinemas Release Release date(s) 14 June 2012 Language Malayalam
	After 5 years the biggest crowd puller combo of Malayalam cinema, Mohanlal-Ranjith, unites via Spirit. Even though the last couple of movies these two united where disasters Spirit had generated lot of curiosity & excitement thanks to Ranjith's last few films [Kayyoppu, Thirakadha, Paleri Manickyam, Pranchiyettan, Indian Ruppee] - The daring attempt to break free from the shackles of commercial cinema frame work & tell meaningful stories were evident in all these flicks, so Malayalam movie lovers were expecting a treat and their wish is granted to a larger extend via Spirit Spirit is the story of Raghunandan [Mohanlal]. He is a severe alcoholic & people call him 'lotus' coz he is always 'drunk'. His wife [Kaniha] divorced him due to this & married Alex [Shankar Ramakrishnan], but the 3 still remain good friends. How certain incidents in his life change the attitude towards life & drinking is the crux of the story. The film rests on the broad shoulders of acting genius Mohanlal & he has done an outstanding job as the drunkard Raghhunandan [We already know that nobody can beat him in the Drunken act in the whole wide world]. But its not just a one man show there all the supporting cast were impressive and all of them got claps in one or more scenes. Shankar Ramakrishnan has made an impressive debut , thanks Ranjith for finding the actor in the talented writer/director, he has done full jsutice to the rule which i believe was to be done by Prakashraj at the begining. Nandu as another 'lotus' Maniyan, Lena as DYSP, Kaniha, Sidarth Bharathan, Thilakan [in a small role] several unknown artists [sorry for my ignorence] from the theater field - all were excellent. Ranjith as a script writer has once again come out with flying colors. A laudable eefort considering the social message involved. Its not preachy, not a documentry a fairly entertaining 2hr 20min long flick which all Malayalees, who keep on breaking records at BEVCO counters during each X.mas & Onam season, should watch Had some confusions and doubts regarding the promos [attached below] they released before the release, but after watching the movie i think it was brilliant - its a well executed preview/teaser of the entire movie. Positives 1.Mohanlal 2.Songs 3.Social Message 4. Perfomances of all others 5. Script 6.non preachy 7.Dialogues Negatives 1. Slow, drags at places, not as entertaining aws Pranchi or Indian rupee 2. Direction, is not Ranjith's cup of tea 3. The baggage of all the mass film the lal-Ranjith combo has done before 4. need some trimming here and there A New-GEM movie which everyone needs to watch & applaud - Thanks Ranjith, Mohanlal & Aashirvaad for a wonderful movie 3.25/5 BOx Office - The movie has taken a thunderous opening throughout Kerala, which was unheard of  for such movies, hope the trend continues & the movie becomes a safe venture

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Kamal Haasan's 'Vishwaroopam' - Exclusive Posters, Stills, Trailers etc