Sound Thoma - Exclusive Malayalam Movie Review

Sound Thoma - Exclusive Malayalam Movie Review

Directed by     Vyshakh
Produced by     Anoop
Screenplay by     Benny P Nairambalam
Story by     Benny P Nairambalam
Music by     Gopi Sundar
Cinematography     Shaji Kumar
Editing by     Mahesh Narayanan
Studio     Priyanjali Films
Distributed by     Priyanjali Films
Release date(s)         April 5, 2013
Country     India
Language     Malayalam
Budget     INR 5 Crore

 

Cast

    Dileep as Thoma
    Mukesh as Mathai
    Namitha Pramod as Sreelakshmi
    Nedumudi Venu
    Saikumar as Plapparambil Paulo
    Suraj Venjaramoodu
    Shiju as Joykutty
 

Story

'Sound Thoma' is the story of Thoma who sounds weird thanks to his cleft lip which his father left untreated. The film deals with Thoma, his pranks and antics, his romance with Sreelakshmi, who is an RJ in a local FM station, and the small/big tiffs & conflicts with his rich aristocratic modern age Shylock father Plapparambil Paulo.

Evaluation 

Ever since the first look of the film was launched there was immense hype related to the film. Vysakh the super-mass director, joining for the first time with Dileep who always takes special interest in portraying such unique characters and making them work - much was expected from this combo, but the end product turned to be damn squib thanks to the un interesting screenplay.

 

The character of Thoma had great potential and Dileep tried his level best to save the movie but the serious flaws in the scripts couldn't be covered. May be its timew for him to understand that characters alone will not make a movie work.  Even Vysakh looked of color,  whose direction played a big role in all his past successful ventures. 

People who expect a complete comedy entertainer like My BOss or Mayamohini or Karyasthan will be hugely disappointed. Its inferior to even Pappi apacha. The film is more a serious drama than comedy. The story is a mix of various other films written by Benny, but still could have saved the movie had the screenplay been good. Gopi Sundar too couldn't do much in terms of Back Ground score, but 3 songs in the film (1 with titles) are good, with 'Thoma Style' being the stand out. And at 2hr 35mins felt like the movie didn't had any editor.The last 30 mins are really unbearable.

Dileep was superb, as i said before. Sai Kumar is the another noted performer in this unholy mess of a movie. Namitha was OK, but she had nothing much to either. rest of the cast were OK.

The movie needs trimming immediately for any chance to survive at the box office. Like all other recent Dileep hits if Kids and Ladies (his major fan base) likes the title character then the movie may sail through the box office, other wise an average fare.

The movie tagline say "Financially sound,but.....". Its sure that the producer is financially sound by selling all the rights to exuberant price, but......content wise its not so sound......

Rating

2.25/5


Box Office - Average may be above

Verdict: Go with zero expectations, you may not hate it......

Kammath & Kammath - Movie Review

Evaluation

Any multistarrer is associated with the baggage of huge excpectations and no exceptions here as well. The songs posters and trailers were well received by public.

Story

Story is of Kammath brothers and things that happen with following the inaguartion of a restaurant in Palakkad.
Mammootty plays big brother Kammath, Raja Raja Kammath. Dileep plays Deva Raja Kammath. Rima Kallingal is the Palakkad muncipal commissioner and Karthika is her sister. The film is about Kammaths involvement with the sisters and the problems that accompany them. Narain is there in a cameo role. Baburaj plays the faithful assistant of the Kammaths in a full length role.

Evaluation

First things first, the review is based on the fact that the movie was promoted as a mass movie, so the review will also be  written with that aspect in mind.

The movie is a half baked, non-mass entertainer. The biggest crime reggarding KnK was promoting it as a MASS movie, when its not even remotely close enough to be called one. Its a film intended to be mass but failed miserably at the direction and script side.

The movie had a decent start with titles showing history of Konkini people and the flash back story of Kammath's. The into with Dileep also gave a feel that we might have the second hit of the year. But there after there is nothing in the film noteworthy.

The Story is as i explained above not interesting at all. But the script also failed to give the film a much needed lifeline. Dileep excelled as Kammath ans was a treat to watch. Baburaj, surprisingly, came 2nd in terms of impact with an absolute mass portrayal, with punchlines and actions (as Mammooty most of the time relaxed on top of his car in action scenes). Mammooty couldn't match upto Dileep (whoi looked comfirtable) in dialogue delivery, for most parts of the film. most of the comedy action scenes that he should have done was done by his side-kick Baburaj. Other than that Ikka did a good job, but remember its a Mass Masala Multi starrer.

The two heroines had some what lengthy role and they did a decent job. Narein's cameo was laughable. [Even more laughbale is the fat that even he was portrayed more massy way than Ikka].

Dhanush's cameo was completely un-necessary, he had no clue what was doing, he was reportedly paid 2crore for this [total expense] and it prooved to be a damb squib.

The songs in the film are hummable. Gopi sundar for the first time disappointed as BG scorer. Camera, direction was avg [should take tips from Vysakh immediately]. Editing was bad, ruined most of the scenes.

The first film of director Thomson was a hit eventhough critics thrashed it, but it was a full on Dileep-suraj show, here due to the constraints of multi starrer, he gets limited scope to save this movie.

But this doesnt mean that its a completely unwatchable flick. Its an avg watch, with full on DejaVu sequences that you can watch, with out getting bored for most of its run time

A Mass less Mass Entertainer

Verdict -- A generous Average tag

Rating 2.5/5

Box Office - If not for the 4.75cr payed by Mazhavil Manorama for satellite rights, this would have been a big disaster budgeted at close to 9crore

Top 10 Mollywood (Malayalam) Hits of 2012

Based on what ever information available here are the top hits from Mollywood in the year 2012

1. Mayamohini - All time Blockbuster

With a distributor share close to 9 crores its not only the biggest hit of the year, but also the 2nd biggest hit of all time

2. Run Babby Run - Blockbuster

This Mohanlal starrer had the biggest ever collections for a Malayalam film from markets outside Kerala. It has got distributor share close to 7crores according to various sources.

3. Ordinary - Blockbuster

The first genuine Box Office hit of the year, with no superstars, a debutant director Ordinary really rocked Kerala BOx Office. It started of slowly and caught on like wild fire. Distributor share close to 6.5-7 crores

4. Thattathin Marayathu - Blockbuster

 

Super hit songs and strong youth appeal made, Mollywood's 1st Rom-Com in years, an instant smash hit with unconfirmed reports claiming a distributor share of close to 6 crores

5. My Boss - Blockbuster

With this Dileep becomes the only actor to have 2 Blockbusters this year. Un-Official remake of 'The Proposal' is still running to packed houses in selected theaters across Kerala. From sources close to the producer the film has got distributor share of 5cr+ till now.

6. Ustad Hotel - Super Hit

Super hit music, direction, perfomances made this film of relatively new comers a super hit. Got a distributor share of about 5crore


7. Spirit - Super Hit

This could easily be the biggest non-commercial hit of the year, the film also enjoyed superb run outside Kerala as well. The film contrary to expectations took an outstanding opening considering the genre and publicity. The film also makes Dir.Ranjith's 2nd biggest hit ever.


8. Mallu Singh - Hit

Despite average initial reviews the film held on nicely and attained a hit status. Distributor share around 4cr

9. Grandmaster - Hit

Mohanlal's 1st hit of the year also marked the entry of UTV into Mollywood. The film enjoyed better run outside run than in Kerala. Distributor share 3.74-4 crore

10. Diamond Necklace - Hit

Undoubtedly the best movie of 2012, alo features in the top 10 hit list.


Overall it has been a great year for Malayalam Cinema, release count per calendar year crossing 100 [about 130 in total] and among with 30 odd films recovering investments. Small films getting accepted, Social media is being used more to promote movies are positive signs.



Well there goes the top 10 Malayalam Box office hits of 2012 according to what ever information I had.

Please comment your suggestions, corrections below

NB: Haven't considered Christmas releases as it takes time to get an actual picture of their Box Office performances.

My Boss - Exclusive Movie Review

Directed by     Jeethu Joseph
Produced by     East Coast Vijayan
Written by     Jeethu Joseph

Starring

     

Dileep
Mamta Mohandas

Music by     Sejo John
M. Jayachandran

Cinematography     Anil Nair
Editing by     V. Saajan
Studio     East Coast
Distributed by     East Coast Release
Manjunatha & Kas
Release date(s)    

    November 10, 2012
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Expectations

Was not so excited till the Trailers and Song Videos were out. But all those videos gave a ray of hope, a decent family entertainer after a long time from Dileep with a meaty role for Mamta too.

Story

Fisrt things first,  the story is inspired from Hollywood film The Proposal (2008). Manu (Dileep) eventhough from a rich family wants to make his own living and settle in the US. priya (Mamta) is his Boss who is very arrogant and takes the life out of employees working under her.

Priya owns an Australian citizenship and her working visa in India is about to expire which the Govt refuses  to give an extension. So she seeks te help of Manu to sort things out. what hapens when these two extreme ideoligies clash and what fate has in store for them is the rest of the story.


Its an out an out Dileep-tainer. everything that his fans, mainly ladies and kids, expect from his films are there in plenty. Mamta did a good job as the arrogant, rude,strict Boss. Kalabhavan Shajon was super rocking, eventhough his role is confined to just the first half, ts definitely his career best role/perfomance.
Saikumar who acted as Dileep's father also did a good job so as the other supporting cast.

The direction and scripting was good. Camera and editing was neat. Music was OK.

Could have made the movie a bit shorter, at 2.40hr it feels bit dragged out in  the end.


Over all a decent, clean, perfect family-romantic-comedy entertainer that you can watch with entire family

Verdict: Good

3.25/5

Box Office: Super Hit

Mr. Marumakan - My Movie Review

Directed by     Sandhya Mohan

Produced by     Maha Subair, Nelson Eapen 

Written by     Udayakrishna, Siby K. Thomas

 

Starring    

 Dileep
Sanusha
Bhagyaraj
Khushboo
Sheela
Biju Menon
Nedumudi Venu

Music by     Suresh Peters, Rajamani

Cinematography     P. Sukumar

Studio     Varnachitra Big Screen

Release date:     18 August 2012
 

Language     Malayalam

Story

Mr.Marumakan deals with Ashok Chakravarthy (Dileep) & his attempts to save his family properties from bank seizing them by marrying millioanire childhood friend Raja Lakshmi (Sanusha) and in the process teaching the lesson of love and life to Lakshmi's arrogant rich mother Raja Mallika (Khushbu) & grand mother Raja Kokila (Sheela) with the help of Balasubrahmanyam (Bhagyaraj) Mallika's husband.

The film is a non-stop rollicking no brainer entertainer with enough mass elements to make everybody happy, clap & whistle.

The film is once again an out an out Dileep-tainer. He is once again in top form after blockbuster Mayamohini. But its better than Mayamohini & Karyasthan , both again written by Udayakrishna, Siby K. Thomas duo. There is a deliberate attempt to project him as a superstar but without deviating from the comedy angle which made him click big time, especially with ladies & kids, and it worked to a T. Loved the way the flash back scenes were shown with clips from old films. Also loved the way they showed the titles with photographs everyone along with the names.

Khusbhu as the rich, arrogant mother in law was superb. She simply rocked in the role with grey shades and  stood along with Dileep in terms of screen presence. It was a treat to watch a near perfect Lip Sync eventhough Bagyalakshmi's sound felt a bit odd for her.

Bhagyaraj also did a very good job, a lengthy role after a while i think. The supporting cast of Biju Menon, Suraj, Baburaj, etc were also good, eventhough Sheila was bit over the top.

The BG was massy enough and suited the genre of the film pretty much eventhough a bit loud at times. 

The Songs were average except the title track.

Like all Dileep films this one is also not free from double meaning jokes, eventhough few in number, but we saw even ladies ROFLing in Mayamohini, so not a big issue now a days i think.

The film at 2 hours 57 minutes drags at many places in the second half, need to trim by a good 15-20 minutes. There was no need of that rain song. 

The story is a mix of many Tamil movies, which even featured Khusbhu & her husband Sundar.C !!

So All in all a perfect festive entertainer, Go and have a BALL this festive season

Verdict: 

Festive Entertainer

Rating: 

3.5/5

Box Office 

 Looking at the response after the show & the queue in front of theaters , it should be a Super Hit

Kerala State Film Awards 2011 - Complete Winners List

Jury Chief

Minister for Cinema, Sports & Forest

Kerala State Film Awards 2011 - Complete Winners List

സംസ്ഥാന ചലച്ചിത്ര അവാര്‍ഡുകള്‍ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു


BEST ACTOR : DILEEP (VELLARIPRAVINTE CHANGATHI)

BEST 2ND ACTOR : FAHAD FAZIL (AKAM, CHAPPA KURISHU)

BEST ACTRESS : SWETHA MENON (SALT N' PEPPER)

2nd BEST  Actor: FAHAD FAZIL [CHAPPA KURISHU, AKAM]

2nd BEST ACTRESS: NILAMBUR AISHA

BEST MOVIE : INDIAN RUPEE

MOST POPULAR MOVIE : SALT N' PEPPER

BEST DIRECTOR : BLESSY

BEST 2nd MOVIE : IVAN MEGHAROOPAN

BEST SCRIPT : BOBBY-SANJAY

BEST COMEDYACTOR : JAGATHI SREEKUMAR

BEST BACKGROUND SCORE : DEEPAK DEV

BEST MUSIC: SHARRETH

BEST SINGER (MALE) : SUDHEEP

BEST SINGER (FEMALE) : SHREYA GOSHAL

SPECIAL JURY AWARD : Dr. BIJU (AKASHATHINTE NIRAM)

BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR : SHERRY (AADHIMADHYANTHAM)

Arike - Exclusive Movie Review [*ing Dileep, Mamta, Samvrutha]

Have only seen few of Shyamaprasad's work before & only Ritu was entertaining among the lot. But still went to watch Arike FDFS due to the star cast, the refreshing trailer and good music and now after watching the film i should say i made the right choice - a good, sweet entertaining love story.

The story is of Shanthanoo [Dileep] who is love with Kalpana [Samvrutha] & Anuradha  [Mamta Mohandas] who acts as a mediator/messenger between the other two. Santhanoo & Kalpana are madly in love and are planning to get married soon, if her parents object to it, while Anuradha even though is helping these lovebirds, has no idea of getting in a relationship due to a bitter past. What happens in the life of these three forms the rest of the story.

Personally this is Shyamaprasad's most entertaining flick, better than ritu. There was no intention from the director to give this an 'arty' touch [Thank God !!]. The film has been beautifully shot and presented. Its runlength is also short. The beautiful script is backed well by very good performances from entire cast. The music is good and used beautifully. Camera & editing were also good.  Sync sound has been used perfectly , looks like the technology advanced a lot from the 'loudspeaker' days. A month ago Dileep came witha crass/mass 'Mayamohini' which created history at the box-office, one month later he gives us Arike one of his career best performance which i personally think shouldn't go unnoticed. It  also features the career best perfomace of both Mamta & Samvrutha. Go enjoy this slow superb modern romantic tale

Positives

Script, direction

Music, BG, editing

Performance from entire cast

Music

Sync sound

run length

No Arty feel

Negatives

little bit dragging @ parts

no mass elements

not everyones cup of tea

.Verdict:

Go watch this short, sweet modern love story with a clear mind. Recommended for lovers of good movies sans any elements of a regular commercial potboiler 

Rating 

3.5/5

Box Office

A multiplex Hit [may be]