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......

Thappana - My Exclusive Movie Review

 

Directed by     Johny Antony

Produced by     Milan Jaleel

Written by     M. Sindhuraj

Starring     

Mammootty

Charmy Kaur

Murali Gopy

Music by     Vidyasagar

Editing by     Ranjan Abraham

Distributed by     Galaxy Films

Release date    August 19, 2012

Language     Malayalam

Plot

 

 

The story is about two convicts, Samson [Mammootty] and Mallika [Charmee Kaur],  are released from jail on the same day & together. Due to some circumstances Samson had to accompany Mallika to her home town 'Karippa'. First half is about their journey &  the second half deals with the problems that awaits them in Karippa.

Did the film which was believed to be Megastar's come back into winning ways before release live upto the huge expectations? Lets see...

First of all its an out an out Mammooty show, he simply rocked as Samson who has difficulty in pronouncing the letter 'സ (SA)' properly. He always had great command over such nuances of dialect and all such films were huge hits. Most of his dialogues were clap-worthy.

Charmee as Mallika, may be her first ever non-glamorous role with minimal or zero make up, did a commendable job. Her Lip sync & emotions were almost perfect.

The rest of the cast especially Murali Gopi, Kalabhavan Shajon, Mala Aravindan etc also did good job.

The camera work & editing was good, action choreography was intelligent, done very well understanding Mammootty's limitations. The song 'aaro' is already a chart buster.

The story [whatever i found in the film] is pretty much similar to that of Mammotty's blockbuster 'Mayaavi'. The Script which was reasonably entertaing in first half some how goes weary in the second half, felt as if the writer didnt know how to reach the climax, which was predictable miles away. So he introduced many characters and sub plots which think affected the movie a great deal.

While the first half was good and reasonably entertaining, the second half felt pretty average where Samson the crux of the movie takes a back seat.

For a regular movie goer there may not be nothing much apart from Mammootty's performance. But it is the stars best outing since 'Best Actor (2010)' there is no 2 ways about it.

For a Mammootty fan it will be a 3/5 film & for a neutral person it will be a 2.5/5 film


So will it be the long awaited come-back of 'Ikka' lets hope so

Verdict:
Above Average


Rating 
I am Going with a generous 3/5 for one & one reason only 'Ikka is backkk'




Box Office: Should be Above Average atleast, but depends upon other Eid/Onam releases

Allu Arjun's Gajapokkiri [Julai] - Exclusive Movie Review

Directed by     Trivikram Srinivas

Produced by     S. Radha Krishna
D.V.V. Danayya
Redakh Arts [Malayalam]

Story,  Screenplay    Trivikram Srinivas

Starring     

Allu Arjun
Ileana D'Cruz
Rajendra Prasad
Sonu Sood

Music by     Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography     Chota K. Naidu, Shyam K. Naidu

Editing by     Prawin Pudi
Studio     Haarika & Hassine Creations

Distributed by    Redakh ArtsFicus Inc.

Release date         August 17, 2012

Running time     160 minutes

Country     India
Language     Malayalam [Dub]

Its after 1 year 2 months and 7 days [as the posters say] a Mallu arjun film is releasing in Kerala. Also Positive reports which the original Telugu version 'Julai' got raised the expectations. Allu Arjun has got a huge fan following among youth of Kerala, which is evident from the way each of his films open in Kerala. Huge Excitement was there among the fans as the last 3 ventures of the star were flops here.

Plot

The story is a revenge saga between Bittu (Sonu Sood) & Ravindra Narayan (Allu Arjun), whose paths cross during a bank robbery which Bittu is doing for  Political Leader Varada Raj (Kota Srinivasa Rao). Both men are looking for revenge and the rest of the story is the cat & mouse game between Bittu & Ravi. Illeana plays his love interest, Rajendra Prasad, Brahmanandam etc forms the rest of the cast.

First of all, the film is very much a watchable entertainer, especially when compared to last few films of Allu (Vedam was ruined by the Kerala Producer/Distributor.)

The character of Ravi, a happy go lucky guy, was tailor made for Allu Arjun, kind of role that made him famous here and he did full justice to the rule. Its an out an out Allu Arjun film. Rajendra Prasad was terrific as ACP Sitaram. Brahmanandam, R.Prasad, Allu Combo literally brought the entire house down in many occasions. 

The movie is more of an intellectual thriller/comedy/revenge type rather than the usual telugu mass films with heavy doss action & massy punch lines

The Dubbing was really good, as always Redakh Arts invested lot of money & effort to make it look like a Malayalam movie, which is a great relief. They have even changed the name boards, slogans, posters, wordss etc written in Telugu, seen in the movie here and there, to Malayalam digitally.

The Songs were good, but too many of them proved to be speed breaker. Choreography was good even though not terrific, expected some jaw droppig moves bay Allu. Editing was crisp. Visuals looked fresh kudos to cameraman, Trivikrams Direction was ok. 

The lyrics of the songs were too bad, to attain lip sync they compromised on quality.

The Script even though pretty much entertaining for most of the time and moves in rocket speed, has plenty of holes, more than what you find in a fisherman's net. Many action sequences were not just illogical, but downright ridiculous. The movie loses steam towards climax and director looked desperate to finish the movie some how. There are plenty of 'How the hell did he ....? moments in the film. But the biggest disappoinment was Illeana, in her chakkar to enter & sustain in Bollywood she lose lot of weight and looked anorexic. Lost all her charm, even the famous hips failed to do any magic, her role was half baked and she did an average job too.

So all in all GP is a one time watch and a perfect entertainer for Allu Arjun fans.

Verdict: Above Average

Rating 2.75/5

Box Office: - Film is getting mixed response, so should be above average or Hit at max

Kya Super Kool Hain Hum - Exclusive Movie Review

Kya Super Kool Hai Hum - Guest Movie Review, by Sree Prasad Nair

Theater - Abu Dhabi National Cinemas, 

July 26 9:30 PM - House Full

Kya Super Kool Hai Hum is the story of two friends Adi & Sid played by Tushar Kapoor & Ritesh Desh Mukh & their confused girlfriends played by Neha Sharma & Sarah Jane Dias. 

Adi (Tushar Kapoor)  is the aspiring hero who falls in love with Simran (Neha Sharma), a call-center agent. Sid (Riteish Deshmukh) is an inspiring DJ who is waiting for a big break meets his match Anu (Sarah Jane Dias) at a Fashion Show . Things get mixed up when the two girls go to Goa to meet Sarah's father. Marlo(Anupam Kher)  thinks his mother is reincarnated as a dog coz Baba 3G (Chunky Pandey) tells him so. Things take hilarious turn when Sid's breeding dog takes things in his own hands.

KSKHH is a is a Zany Crazy Double Meaning Bonaza Entertainer that belongs to the 'hardcore commercial cinema' category !!!It  made fun of all actors - Amitabh, SRK, Salman, Akshay, John & even Sunny Leone and all those scenes are well executed.  Both Tushar Kapoor & Riteish are in terrific form. You can't imagine any other actors to pull of those witty scenes. Both heroines  are fantastic too and hats off to deliver those witty dirty dialogue.  Anupam Kher is superb so the rest of the cameos by Chunky Pandey, Rohit Shetty & Mushtaq Shiekh. 

Music is OK & the lyrics of the songs are ROFTL ' Hum Toh Hain Cappuccino (U P Bihar Lootne) & Tera Shirt K Button. Ist Half is excellent , 2nd Half is average & climax is over the top where Ritesh's Dog F****g every dogs on wedding ! It will work due to 3 factors. Terrific chemistry & comedy of Ritesh & Tusshar, more & more adult jokes &  EKTA KAPOOR Brand. 

At B.O, film ll find its audience 'YOUTH' which s enough to make @Riteishd 5th HIT n a row & Hatrick for @TusshKapoor. 

VERDICT - MACHO-DE HIT 

 3.5/5 - [3 for the movie and .5 for the sexless sex comedy film]  

The Reviewer can be contacted here: https://twitter.com/i_spn

Ek Tha Tiger - My Exclusive Music Review

Ek Tha Tiger Music Review

Expectations

Just Like any Salman Khan Project the music of ETT was also eagerly awaited & anticipated mainly because all his films have chartbuster songs catering to the masses. The expectations regarding ETT music even higher [apart from being a Salman Khan project]because

It’s a Yashraj Film

1.Salman for the 1^st time as a hero in a YRF film !!

2.Sohail Sen who gave superb music in ‘MBKD’ last year

3.Katrina Kaif who also has a track record of chartbuster songs

Review

Mashallah - Wajid, Shreya Ghosal [Music by Sajid-Wajid]

This was the first official song/video to be released by YRF & it proved to be instant chartbuster. A Song which looks like set in Egypt has a strong flavor of Egyptian/Arabian music which has been perfectly blended to suit Bollywood style. The Video has already crossed 20 lakh views in YouTube & the song is topping the charts in TV, FM, iTunes etc. , so don’t think there is any need to tell more.

Banjaara - Sukhwinder Singh

This was the most awaited track of the album, thanks to the small leaked clip on YouTube & looks like its going to be the song of the year. An absolutely infectious track sang superbly by Sukhwinder Singh. Groovy music, superb singing – One Word – SONG OF THE YEAR!! Can’t Wait for the Video !!!

Saiyaara - Mohit Chauhan & Taraannum Malik 

Just like Banjaara colud the all class song of the year, Saiyaara could very well be the Romantic song of the year. Mohith chauhan is back in business after ‘Rockstar’ to bowl over masses & classes. Superb singing,  nice orchestration great feel & lyrics – Another chartbuster

 Laapata - K.K., Shreya Ghosal

This song could take some time to top the charts. It need multiple listening to get into the groove of the song, once video is out it will be there in top as well. A feel good song shot in Cuba. KK & Shreya has done a good job.

Overview

The music of all recent Salman Khan films has been chartbusters, but it took multiple listening or video to reach the heights it did, but in the case of ETT the songs are already a rage among everyone within hours after the audio released in stores & available digitally [iTunes, Ovi etc]. It’s the best album of the year easily along with Cocktail & the best album, among big mass highly anticipated films, to hit stalls since Ra.one.

Rating: 4/5

Verdict: Buy it !!!!

NB: I am just an ordinary Indian Music Lover with no Musical expertise, so all my rating are purely based on likeability after listening to the songs multiple times. Also not a fan of Remix songs, so not rating them.

Thattathin Marayathu - My Movie Review 4/5

Directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan

Produced by Sreenivasan Mukesh

Written by Vineeth Sreenivasan 

Starring Nivin Pauly Isha Talwar Aju Varghese Manoj K. Jayan Sreenivasan

 Music by Shaan Rahman 

Cinematography Jomon T. John 

Editing by Ranjan Abraham 

Studio Lumiere Film Company 

Distributed by LJ Films Release

date(s) July 6, 2012 

Country India 

Language Malayalam 

Thattathin Marayathu

Expectations

A Feel good Romantic film after a long time from Mollywood, directed by multi-talented Vineeth Sreenivasan with superb songs was bound to create expectations, especially among youngsters.

Story

It’s the Story of Vinod a Hindu, Nair who is in love with Aisha a Muslim Girl & how the society, religion etc. plays a big role in their destiny in the backdrop of Thalasseri [Kannur, Kerala]

The story of ‘Thattathin Marayathu may be simple & seen umpteen times before, but it’s the presentation that scores big time & makes this film a MUST WATCH. Full Credits to Vineeth Sreenivasan for Packaging this movie beautifully.  Very Good script, Excellent dialogues & Brilliant direction – it’s an out an out VS film.  Nivin Pauly did a terrific job as Vinod, Isha Talwar looked breath taking as Aisha. All the supporting cast also did a nice job. Songs, Camera, Background, Editing also deserves Special mention. Most of the dialogues got thunderous response from the viewers.

Youth is simply loving the movie, they will watch it at least 2 times for sure, The Word of Mouth is Excellent, could very well be the next ‘Classmates’

Positives

Vineeth Sreenivasan – The all-rounder [Direction, Script, Dialogues]

Nivin Pauly, Isha Talwar

Supporting cast

Background & Music

Camera & Editing

Thalasseri

Cameo by Sunny Wayn was a Scream

Not even a single dragging moment

Negatives

Usual Love Story

Sudden Climax with not a strong justification

Verdict

Come, Watch it & Fall in Love

Rating

4/5

Box Office – Block Buster [Minimum a Super Hit]

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]

Rowdy Rathore - Movie Review - Commercial Mega Blast 3/5

Directed by     Prabhu Deva

Produced by     Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ronnie Screwvala

Screenplay by     Shiraz Ahmed

Story by     Vijayendra Prasad, N Prakash

Music by     Sajid-Wajid

Cinematography     Santosh Thundiyil

Studio     UTV Motion Pictures

Distributed by     SLB Films

Release date(s)         1 June 2012

Rowdy Rathore - the immensely hyped return of Akshay Kumar as Actiok ka BAAP - delivers what it promised - a Mass Action fiesta with a heavy dose of South Indian [which now loved in Noth as well] Masalas.

The story is about Shiva (Akshay Kumar), a small 'Rowdy' who charms & steals not only wealth but also every ladies heart in a blink. Shiva falls in love with Priya (Sonakshi Sinha), a pretty and smart girl from Patna. Into this enters six year old Neha who  believes Shiva to be her father -Vikram Rathore [Akshay Kumar]. The further movie deals with what changes and responsibilities does this little girl brings to his life and how he becomes the only hope for people of a small town in Bihar to get rid of a ruthless MLA [Nasser] and his mafia goons.

Those who have seen the original either Vikramarkudu or Siruthai may find this one less appealing [provided you are not an Akshay Fan]. But for the majority of its core target audience this will be a perfect entertainment treat post IPL season that everyone was looking for.Its the perfect blend of comedy,over the top action, songs, dance, dialogues etc-  everything that we were expecting from such a movie

Positives

1. Akshay Kumar - Rocked as rowdy but tad disappointing as Rough & Tough Vikram Rathore [even though its short in Length]

2. Songs - Eventhough every single one of them is lifted from various hit South Indian tracks, its full on Masti 

3. Prabhudeva's direction - he sticked to the original, didn't try to many experiments [just like 'Wanted']

4. Comedy, Action, Dance etc

5. Camera Editing BG everything suited the mood of the film

6. South Indian actor Nasser rocked  as the villain goon/land lord - one of his best perfomance

Negatives

1.Sonakshi Sinha - Big Disappoinment - She went from Terrific in Dabangg to Terrible no where near Anushka Shetty eventhough better than Tamanna [in Siruthai]

2. 'Dadang Dang' Song -Horrible Choreography, Sonakshi looked terrible

3. Too much violence for family audience

4. Strong Telugu Flavour

5. On Comparison with the original this is an inferior product, Akshay couldn't match upto Ravi Teja

6. The hyped cameos by Tamil superstar Vijay & Kareena Kappor turned out to be duds [just like chitti in ra.one] - even fans like me didn't get the energy seeing them on screen thanks to the screwed up editing & camera 

Verdict

 A full on commercial mass masala action blast from Prabhudeva & Akshay

Box-Office 

 Already taken a thunderous opening, should break some records if Multiplex audience didn't reject the movie coz of the violence factor.

Rating: 3/5

[for those who have seen Vikramarkudu 2.5/5]

Son of Sardar - Exclusive HQ First Look Posters & Stills - *ing Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha

Run Baby Run - Exclusive Gallery, Stills, Posters - *ing Mohanlal, Amala Paul