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Ponniyin Selvan: Part One (2022)
3 hour journey to the 10th century Tamil heartland
Positives:
1) Each and every frame looked authentic. The costumes, locations, artwork, jewellery, side-crowds, were apt for the set time frame, which helped in immersion.
2) Movie is filled with Wide angle shots, beautifully self-explaining the tamil and lankan landscape.
3) The high points were organic, story and character driven. Interval sequence is one such, which was just bang on. Haven't witnessed such a sequence in any other movies. Wonderfully done.
4) Minimal CG. The film used real places and set-pieces and had to rely less on the cg work except for the ship and Indian ocean scenes.
5) Beautiful, powerful and intelligent women characters. Women characters such as Kundavai, Nandhini and Poongulazhi are given ample screen space and get their high points (more than what the male characters had) such as the first meet between Kundavai and Nandhini. And, they all look legit mesmerizing.
6) The portrayal the feudal administrative systems, politics and the intrigue and character relations part, AFAIK, is done the first time in Indian cinema. And is done wonderfully well. The scene between Kundavai and the Vassal kings, was just, WOW.
7) Vikram just lived as Aditha Karikalan. Period. Each minute nuances of Karikalan were also well portrayed and conveyed even to those who have not read the book. I would just watch his intro shot and chola chola song in a loop for a day.
8) Karthi is born for playing Vanthiyathevan character. The conversation between him and women were 👌. He stands as the representative of each viewer, whatever emotion we are experiencing through the movie, is what his emotions are as well. Relatable and memorable humane character.
9) War sequences and fight scenes looked realistic, raw and authentic.
10) All other actors did their part very well, especially Kishore as Pandiyan Assassin and Prakash Raj as Emperor. Both had less screen space, but impressed me with their acting prowess.
11) Kamal Hassan's voice in the intro and the visual sequence gave a good start and set the story space clear, similar to what he did for the Nambi character introduction in his movie Dasavatharam.
12) Choice of locations were amazing, despite the shooting was done inbetween COVID.
13) Songs and bgm were great. It's ARR afterall. Was hearing it on loop even before the movie release.
14) Semban and other animals did their part very well.
Negatives:
1( The main question is about the creative choices made for the film. Why is this not a film, why is this a drama? This choice doesn't makes sense as the screen time is just 6 hours combined for both parts.
2( No consistency in pace and editing. Which completely spoiled the immersion. I get that the movie is densely packed, it needs breathing time in between. But, idk, the pace gets slow, then gets fast, then gets slow, then gets fast and so on. It's as if, the whole movie is just a compilation of multiple episodes.
3( There's no proper beginning and ending for any scene or song. The scene starts somewhere in between and is being abruptly cut at some point and taken to the next scene. Filled with so many J cuts, again totally spoiled the immersion.
4( All characters except, Kundavai and Nandhini looked so dumb. Everyone is taking orders from someone else. It's as if everyone is just doing their side-missions.
5( Arunmozhi Varman or Santhosh from alternate universe's Santhosh subramanian. Since his introduction, he keeps on repeating "Dad said, I'm gonna obey and do it". C'mon man, he is one of the smartest character in the whole PS book but all the actions that he takes looks so meaningless, stupid and without his own brain. We get it, he is still Arunmozhi and not Raja Raja yet, but still. He is the title character afterall, his character should've been portrayed in depth similar to the lines of Karikalan and Vanthiyathevan.
6( Alwarkadiyan Nambi character was also a big letdown (even though a Jayaram was apt and did his role well) . He came off like yet another comedy relief character.
7( Climax was good. But everyone in Tamil Nadu knows about the king Raja Raja and his reign. And how can you expect people would get emotional and connect with this climax. Atleast you could've said Vanthiyathevan was dead or something.
8( BG score placement was a big let down. None of the BG score was played completely. Also, they're repeated so many times. It wasn't also consistent, scenes of silent melody followed by a upbeat bg followed by a silent melody followed by a upbeat bg.
9( Everything was clamped. The relationship between the characters were not established properly. Karthi just calls Sendan Amudhan his friend, whom he just met twice (that too once forcefully) in the film.
10( Scale in the war sequence. Only 100 soldiers were seen fighting in both sides (Again I get, budget problem). Impact of war was not there. Could've avoided these scenes also. They took down the quality of the film.
11( Goofy Pandian Assassin's. They're funny. All their scenes looked like they're taken from soap TV serial. That's it. Why are they waiting half an hour for killing Arunmozhi after capturing him, while the same Assassin killed several Lankan soldiers within few minutes.
Verdict:
Director like Maniratnam and Selvaraghavan should be given ample budget. They can really pull off world class films at ease. If Maniratnam can do this withing 150 days of shoot and within 500 crores, he can do wonders with ample money.
Movie is good, can show it as an evidence to future generations about how people lived 1000 years before us.
Thunive Thunai (1976)
Huge disappointment
First 20 mins was seat gripping. The music and songs by MSV were top notch. So good, haunting and had a lot of potential for the rest of the film. But the story deviated and went to become a trash.
Hero (2019)
First proper Superhero origin movie from Tamil
Well first things first, Plot is the real Hero of the movie. The movie had an original plot and environment setup which every Indian can relate to.
Technically also, no or only little compromises has been done. Cinematography is at top notch, only next to Super deluxe. Screenplay is slow (which most of the superhero origin movies are) yet gripping.
Bgm score elevates and emotes well for almost 90% of the movie. Songs are kept just to please the fans except Hero title track.
Character arc of main characters were likable and relatable too. Heroine, at first seems to be a typical Indian movie kinda heroine but she had her role in shaping up the lead character.
Arjun's acting was top notch and nailed it. He looks more fit, younger and stylish than Shiva. He carried his role so perfect and easily.
The villain role played by Abhay deol seems to be the mere personification of Indian education system, created the impact which it has to be.
To speak about negatives, there were few logical errors, some over the top unbelievable scenes, poor design of the Superhero costume and accessories, and Shiva's acting itself. Shiva's struggle to emote the character can be seen at many scenes. Even though, this was one of his best acting performance.
Tldr;
Worth to watch.
Irandam Ulagam (2013)
A film so ahead of its time with an old soul
This review is after 5 years of the film's release, I don't even know if someone would read it or not. (Tomorrow is Ngk's release)
Well, Love can't be described more purely in any film. This film had that soul, soul of the universe.
In first half, Arya and Anuska's love in Earth is pure Bliss. I can't take my eyes off Anuska, she was so charming and charismatic and carried forward the soul of the film. The movie non-linearly also tells about their love in parallel universe. Which was good, but we all know budget and time constraints so, Vfx was not that great, and it lacked the soul which can be felt in Earth scenes.
Songs and bgm were too awesome, I can keep on repeating this word soul for this film. Everything in this movie, actors, screenplay, songs, everything had contributed to the soul.
I loved it soooo much until first half.
But second half was .. t.e.r.r.i.b.l.e .. I expected much more. There's no problem in the story. But the way it was picturized. It was so cheesy. But this can also be due to budget and time constraint. But even though, all the foreign actors had perfect lip sync.
Climax was good.
Good attempt to be honest. But Parallel universe concept in Indian cinema is something so ahead of its time. Also, everyone can't feel the soul of love in this material world, you know, ..
Monster (2019)
Such a feel-good film
From the beginning to end, the film was kinda peaceful. It went in a smooth flow.
Plot was simple yet nice and well written. This is the first time, I can see the potential of S.J.Suriya coming out. His portions with the mouse were hilarious.
Heroine Priya bhavani Shankar is too damn cute, I can't take my eyes off her. She has done her part so gracefully.
Karanakaran as the comedian, maybe, is the only hope for Tamil cinema. He can pull out comedy so easily without shaming others or so, the laugh from him is genuinely laughable.
The main highlight of the film, the mouse. Cgi was so neat, it didn't seemed to be Cgi. So well done and applausabe.
Songs and background score were ok, did it's job when needed.
Climax was so good, made me satisfied, restored my faith in humanity.
Peechaankai (2017)
Very underrated movie but was good overall
Story was great, maybe it's original story or taken from somewhere, but the way it is told is very enjoyable.
Casting is kind of perfect, acting was ok.
Cinematography wasn't that great.
I liked few songs and background score at some places.
This is totally underrated movie, it should have got some attention for atleast it's script.
Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2018)
Perfect blend of visuals and music
Wow, simply. The acting was great from all side. Every character in the movie gave their best.
Arr and Rajiv Menon has sculpted this movie to be a masterpiece.
Sarkar (2018)
Visually pleasing solely taken by Vijay
If this movie is for Entertainment, which it kind of fulfills. 3⭐
If else this movie is for Vijay's entry in Politics, it fulfills. 4⭐
Good side:
1) Vijay
2) Vijay
3) Vijay
4) Bgm - captured the pulse of crowds
5) Varalaxmi
6) Plot
7) Promotion skills of Sun pictures
Bad side:
1) Songs - slowed down the flow
2) Keerthy Suresh - Yaedhukku
3) Editing - made it like a thread of independent scenes, complete flow was lacking
4) Every frame is not crafted, like in news scribes, there were lots of flaws
5) FB comments kept repeating
6) Plot holes, character error, characterisation and casting error
7) Lots of unwanted scenes
2.0 (2018)
Visual Extravaganza in Entertaining package
This movie is for Entertainment, which it fulfills.
Good side:
1) GRANDEUR - experience of visuals in native 3D was goddamn out of the world. Each frame was crafted so good.
2) Bgm and Song - There was no single experience of mine to hear great songs or native feeling music in Hollywood films. The music added life and uniqueness.
3) No compromise in saying it as a Tamil movie - When directors attempt to make a Hollywood kind of movie, they tend to forget its going to be watched by Tamil audience. But this 2.0 is basically a Tamil movie with all the jokes, references and of course atrocities of Rajini sir himself.
4) Logic - No scene was kept logically incorrect and mostly are connected so tightly
5) Editing - Made so perfectly that no scene felt laggy
6) Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar 😅
7) Plot had a wonderful message
8) Another thing is that, generally in superhero movies they won't show public reaction to the villain. That was shown here, people commenting on villain and his activities. That made the film to move more on realistic side.
9) Dialogues simply perfect in Tamil
Bad side:
1) Nothing, go watch this movie in 3D
*Edit after several months of film's release*
Ok there were more bad sides also that I didn't wanted to reveal during the running of the movie.
1) Plot holes, oh God, this movie is itself made out of Plot hole, if Aura can get into cell phones why can't they get inside of Chitti and control it. Boom.
2) How can Professor Bora's son can easily breach into some high security vault to take out Pakshirajan's Aura.
3) Chitti's initial scenes made him look like a toy.
4) Climax was not that great, you know, it was put off so simply, 3.0 comes, tortures birds, villain self destroys himself.