Mohanlal's Lokpal - Exclusive Movie Review

Lokpal Malayalam Movie Review

Directed by     Joshiy
Produced by     Ruby Vijayan
S. L. Vimal Kumar
Written by     S. N. Swamy

Starring    
  
    Mohanlal as Nandagopal / Lokpal
    Kavya Madhavan as Geetha
    Meera Nandan as Jain
    Thambi Ramaiah
    Manoj K. Jayan
    Shafna
    Thalaivasal Vijay
    Saikumar
    Krishna Kumar
    T. G. Ravi
    Maniyanpilla Raju
    Sivaji Guruvayoor
    Shammy Thilakan
    Pradeep


Music by     Ratheesh Vegha
Cinematography     Pradeep Nair
Editing by     Syam Sasidharan
Studio     Happy & Ruby Cinemas
Distributed by     Aashirvad Release through Maaxlab
Release date(s)    

    January 31, 2013

Running time     140 min
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Expectation

22 years after blockbuster 'Naduvazhikal the hit trio of Mohanlal-Joshiy-S.N.swami reunites in this film. The last film of Lal-Joshiy combo, Run Babby Run, was also a blockbuster. The different getups have raised expectations of fans sky high. But since the writer S.N.Swami was having a rough patch for the past few years the hype didn't go overboard.

Story

Lokpal is an Family-Crime-Drama-Thriller from Master writer of suspense S.N Swami

 Nandagopal (Mohanlal) who runs a restaurant by day, is also an undercover social activist. He is a on a mission to fight and eliminate corruption from the state. The different methods, get ups, looks that Nandan portrays to get to his aim, his past, tiff with the Police etc forms the rest of the story.

The 2 heroines in the movie, Meera Nandan, plays an investigative Journalist & Kavya Madhavan, plays a Doctor.

Evaluation

Lokpal is yet another half-baked script by S.N.Swami, who is just trying to survive in this industry some way somehow.  For that he used and damaged the reputation of the hit combo of Joshiy and Mohanlal.

The basic plot is inspired from Ramana, Anniyan, 4 the people etc. All these films were huge hits in Kerala too, so while going with such a story line the script should have been that much interesting, entertaining, racy with full of twists and turns. Instead it turns out to be damp squib. I have absolutely no Idea why either of Joshiy or Lal even agreed to do this project (may be because it deals with a current, socially relevant topic, just like Karmayodha). 

First half of the movie was average, while the second half was even worse coz nothing much was happening in the film. In the climax writer added few twists and turns, but it was too late by then.

The film has just one song which is not even worthy of mentioning, the BG/RR also offers nothing unique. Camera was good, especially the overhead HELI shots of Kochi city, were Good and seen in a Mollywood film for the first time I think.

Mohanlal looked uninterested and was sleep walking for most of the parts. His role was horribly written and the 7 getups failed to evoke any kind of response even from the fans (except the TTE getup).

Kavya Madhavan had a cameo length role and even In that short period she managed to get some boos from crowd. Meera Nandan did an okay job eventhough her role too was nothing to boast about.

Joshiy the director had a major role in making Run Babby Run a blockbuster, but here even he too was helpless.

Sai Kumar got a villain role with difference and he did an excellent job. Rest of the cast like T.G.Ravi, Krishna Kumar, Shammi Thilakan, Thambi Ramaiah [Dubbed by Marimayam fame Manikandan Pattambi] was OK.

Being a Mohanlal fan the movie is colossal disappointment.

For others it may be average or below

Rating 2/5

Box Office – Flop

NB: still perplexed by the decision of makers to release the film on a Thursday especially when a public holiday doesn’t fall on the first 2/3 days.

 

Vishwaroopam - Movie Review from Kerala

Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam is a film against Terrorism, against Al-Qaeda and not an anti-Islamic movie as many religious parties claim it to be.

Vishwanathan (Kamal Haasan) is a dance teacher with female traits living in the US and Nirupama (Pooja Kappor) is a his wife, a nuclear oncologist. Nirupama  who considers this as a marriage of convenience hires a private detective so that she can find some reason to get divorced and be with her love, her Boss.

One day the private investigator while following Visu from a Mosque/Muslim payer hall gets killed and  both Visu & Niru gets captured by few members of a terrorist outfit headed by Omar (Rahul Bose) who wants Visu dead desperately.

Who is Visu, why was he in a mosque, what the story between Omar & Visu etc. forms the rest of the story.

The biggest plus point in the film is of-course Kamal Haasan - The director, awriter, Lyricist etc - He, as usual, simply excelled in all departments. For the true fans of the star the movie will be a real treat. Kamal as the Kathak dancer in the first 30 mins was a scream, even the minutest expressions and body movements got people rupturing with cheers and applause. The 'Vishwaroopam' scene that soon follows will make fans scream their thought out [eventhough the action sequences was a bit over the top considering his standards]

His direction wass top class, was able to give the feel of a Hollywood movie, better than any other Indian movie in my opinion. Kamal the director was very well supported buy the D.O.P Sanu Varghese with some breath taking visuals. Editing and BG score also went hand in hand, eventhough i felt the movie could have been little bit more cripier.

Pooja Kumar was very good as Nirupama, got all the expressions even the slightes one correct.Lip sync was almost perfect, kudos to the dubbing artist too. Andreah had a small, cameo like role, so as Shekhar Kapoor.

Rahul Bose was terrifying as Villain in both avatars in the US and Afghanistan.

Kamal could have seeked the hel of somebody while directing the 'US Marine Coprs & FBI in action' sequences. For thos who frequent Hollywood movies, might find it average attempt. The supporting cast from US too were not up to mark.

VFX was average, especially the motion capture used in 'Kamal doing acrobatics' in Afganishtan

The script could have been more tighter, too many unnecessary pause, long shots etc in the film. Its not a start to end thrill ride like Dasavatharam. It gets to documentry mode often in the Afghan episode.

There is no spoon feeding in the film by Kamal, so you have to watch it carefully to understand things more clearly. Don't know how the core-mass audience of TN will receive the film once it releases there.You can find few loop holes in script as well.

Every religion will have good and bad people, in Vishwaroopam we have a Muslim Secret Agent fighting against Alqaeda terrorists. So its a story of Good vs Evil. Learn to see a movie as a movie and don't get too serious.

The Locations US, Canada, Jordan & studios in Chennai, Mumbai have been utilized brilliantly.

The interval scene & climax seemed haste and abrupt and lacks the twist or shock that usually associate with most films now a days.

Verdict: Watchable for Kamal Haasan and the Hollywood like making

Rating 3.25/5

The ending clearly indicates a Vishwaroopam 2 happening in the near future, where the mission shifts to India.

It was an experience to watch a film from Kerala, with the theater full of (about 90-95%) Tamil people, who were fans of Kamal, Rajni, Vijay, Ajith etc.

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

Race 2 - Exclusive Movie Review

Race 2 - Exclusive Movie Review

 

Directed by Abbas Mustan

                                  Produced by UTV / Tips Films

                                  Story by Shiraz Ahmed

                                 Starring Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Deepika Padukone & Jacqueline

                                          Race 2 - Movie Review by Sree Prasad Nair

                                              Theater – Grand Al Mariah, UAE

                                                        24/12/2013 – 11.45 am

                                                            Occupancy - 40%

Director Duo Abbas and Mustan are well known for directing films in the thriller - suspense genres in Bollywood. Be it Khiladi, Baazigar or Aitraaz & Naqaab, Suspense is the main usp of director duo’s films. However their last film (also the first biggie of 2012) Players sank without a trace. It was an epic disaster. So the question is what will be the verdict of director-duo’s new film and the first biggie of 2013 Race 2? Will it work? Or follow the same Players way???

Race 2 stars Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez & Ameesha Patel. Race 2 is the sequel to the 2008 musical-super hit film, Race! It’s a combined production of UTV Films & Tips Films.

Story

Race 2 is the story of Ranvir played by Saif Ali Khan who treads through the world of the Indian mafia in Turkey as he looks to avenge the death of his lover-partner in crime. Will he find his lover’s murderer? If yes who is the killer and for what reason she was murdered?

Let’s go straight to the Positives!

The first half of the Race 2 is truly entertaining with great twists & turns. Entry scene of every lead stars filmed brilliantly. It’s a Sailf Ali Khan show all the way. Saif Ali Khan is in terrific form and essayed the role of revenge chasing lover superbly. His dialogues followed by his entry scene, his sword-fighting scenes, and his acting especially in the first half is really good.  John Abraham acting is another plus point. His fighting sequences will be a treat to watch (good but long) STRICTLY for all his fans. Deepika Padukone looks drop-dead-gorgeous. Infact her sexy avatar can be easily considered as one of the sexiest avatar in recent years. Stylish & Sexy , yet Not Vulgar! Also she is really convincing as John Abraham’s sister role. Jacqueline Fernandez is strictly OK! Not good not bad either. Rajesh Khattar is good in a limited role. Another positive of the film is Ravi Yadav’s beautiful choreography (Turkey & Cyprus) Music is a mixed bag with couple of good songs by Atif Aslam. Choreography is good. Script by Shiraz Ahmed is good with some twists and turns. And of course director duo Abbas-Mustan’s direction is first-rate.       

Now to the negatives :

Film’s second half is boring, infact a complete let down. And for that a big thanks should be given to Anil Kapoor and Ameesha Patel ‘s irritating acting and poor jokes & vulgar dialogues by of course the writer Shiraz Ahmed himself. UNWANTED Anil Kapoor & Ameesha Patel 's Desperate Sex Joke-Scene SPOILED Race2 momentum! "You are solid, You are salad, come let's make Liquid Salaad?!?!?! Men are many… but Money is money! Are we watching an Abbas Mustaan film or Indra Kumar film? Poor Ameesha patel intentionally showined her assets for no reason! Sorry Ameesha not looking sexy!!! And John Abraham’s wrestling in the ring (treat for his fans) was good but bored with a long 6-7 minute time! Bipasha Basu was hardly there in the film for 20-30secs! Was it needed? If yes, then why the makers didn’t filmed her old story ? Because of her personal problems??? Climax is a total letdown with some horrible blunder stunts. Saif Ali Khan tried to do 1 Salman Khan Ek Tha Tiger style stunt… But Dear Saif, Salman Khan is Salman Khan! Final 10 mins is a copy-paste of Race 1! The lesser I say, the better it would be! Another negative of the film is , the film’s music is not yet launched officially, don’t forget it’s a TIPS Film!

Overall Race 2 is just about an average film. The film is sure to meet with mixed reactions. At the box office, film is all set to open big (thanks to the tag of Race sequal) Another good news for the makers is that 26^th January Saturday is a national holiday followed by Sunday. Huge weekend is on the cards for the film! Don’t think film will cross 100cr club, if it does, then makers are lucky!

Overall Race will be Safe!  

VERDICT – Race2 failed to win the race

Rating – 2.5/5

This Reviewer can be contacted on Twitter : @i_spn : https://twitter.com/i_spn

Pepsi IPL 2013 - Complete Schedule

 

58th Idea Filmfare Awards - Complete Winners List

 

 

 Costume: Manoshi Nath & Rushi Sharma  (Shanghai)
 Sound Design: Sanjay Maurya & Allwin Rego  (Kahaani)
 Production Design: Rajat Podar  (Barfi!)

Editing: Namrata Rao  (Kahaani)
Best Cinematography: Setu  (Kahaani)
Best Action: Sham Kaushal  (Gangs of Wasseypur)

Best Background Score: Pritam  (Barfi!)
Best Choreography: Bosco-Caesar  (Aunty Ji from Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu)
R.D Burman Award : Neeti Mohan
Best Playback Singer (Female): Shalmali Kholgade  (Pareshaan from Ishaqzaade)
Best Playback Singer (Male): Ayushmann Khurrana  (Paani Da Rang from Vicky Donor)
Best Lyrics: Gulzar  (Challa Jab Tak Hai Jaan)
Best Music Director: Pritam  (Barfi!)

Sony Trendsetter Of The Year Award: )Barfi)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female): Anushka Sharma  (Jab Tak Hai Jaan)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male): Annu Kapoor  (Vicky Donor)

Best Story: Juhi Chaturvedi  (Vicky Donor)
Best Screenplay: Sanjay Chouhan & Tigmanshu Dhulia  (Paan Singh Tomar)
Best Dialogue: Anurag Kashyap, Akhilesh Jaiswal, Sachin K Ladia & Zeishan Qadri  (Gangs Of Wasseypur)

Lifetime Achievement Award: Yash Chopra

Best Actor Female (Critics): Richa Chaddha  (Gangs Of Wasseypur)
Best Actor Male (Critics): Irrfan Khan  (Paan Singh Tomar)

Best Film (Critics): Gangs Of Wasseypur

Best Debut (Female): Ileana D’Cruz  (Barfi!)
Best Debut (Male): Ayushmann Khurrana  (Vicky Donor)

Best Debut Director – Gauri Shinde  (English Vinglish)
Best Director: Sujoy Ghosh  (Kahaani)

 Best Film: Barfi!

Best Actor (Male): Ranbir Kapoor ( Barfi! )
Best Actor (Female): Vidya Balan (Kahaani)