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Saturday, 28 December 2013

Mollywood Roundup Part 2 - Top 10 Malayalam Movies of 2013

Mollywood 2013 Roundup Part 2 - My Top 10 Malayalam Movies

1. Drishyam

The best movie of 2013 was reserved for the penultimate week. Released 0n 19th Dec the movie is growing from strength to strength. The number of Family/Lady audience thronging theaters to watch the film is something we haven't seen in past decade or so. With 100% positive reviews the film is also set to be the biggest hit of 2013.

2. Left Right Left

Easily the most discussed movie of 2013. One of the boldest [regarding the issues it discussed] movie ever to hit the big screen. You may love it or hate it, but you just cannot ignore it.

3. Celluloid

Biopics are rare in Indian cinema. Celluloid is a movie that narrated story of the birth of Mollywood and the sad story of its Director, the father of Malayalam cinema. A must watch for every fan/admirer/student of Malayalam cinema

4. Mumbai Police, 101 Chodyangal

A good emotional investigation thriller with a bold climax & a riveting performance from Prithviraj

State & National award winner finally hi the screens this year. The film was also appreciated at this years IFFI & IFFK. A must watch movie told from the POV of a child.

5. Shutter

Voted best film @ IFFK last year, the film hit the screens in 2013 to glowing reviews.

6. Amen

People lapped up and made big what is said Said to be Mollywood's first 'Fantasy Rom-Com' & gave the extremely talented Lijo Jose his first hit.

7. Philips & the Monkey Pen

The film which theaters refused to screen at first, later caught on thanks to the tremendous WOM and the non-stop hard work by its producers. Easily one of the best movie for Children's made in Malayalam

7. Thira, Memories

A strong theme, Shobana's knock-out performance, Vineeth's direction made this a great watch.

2nd Investigative thriller for Prithviraj this year, 2nd Jeethu Joseph film to feature in the list & hit charts.

8. Nadan

Arguably Jayaram's best ever performance, Kamal backed Celluloid with another good film

9. Annayum Rasoolum

A Romantic drama that is more rooted to reality, a perfect directorial debut for Rajiv Ravi.A must watch for Brilliant Fahad, Beautiful Andrea and interesting songs.

10. 5 Sundarikal

5 Directors, 5 themes, 5 short films. A good Tribute to Women-hood

Special Mentions: Tourist Home, North 24 Kaatham, Romans, Neram, Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, Artist, Punyalan Agarbathis

Films that held up well even after multiple viewing's got better positions in the list. These are my top 10 Malayalam movies of 2013 and may not necessarily be the best 10 of 2013. You can read My FDFS reviews of most of these movies by clicking the respective title.

Read Mollywood 2013 Roundup Part 1 - Analysis of Malayalam Film Industry in 2013 Here

Sunday, 1 December 2013

Sunday, 24 November 2013

Nadan - Malayalam Movie Review

Directed by    Kamal
Produced by    Anilkumar Ambalakkara
Written by    S. Suresh Babu
Music by    Ouseppachan
Cinematography    Madhu Neelakandan
Editing by    K.Rajagopal
Studio    Ambalakkara Global Films
Country    India
Language    Malayalam

Cast

    Jayaram as Devadas Sargavedi
    Remya Nambeesan as Jyothi
    Sajitha Madathil
    Joy Mathew
    K. P. A. C. Lalitha
    P. Balachandran
    Hareesh Peradi
    M.Mukundan
    Jayaraj Warrier
    Shankar Ramakrishnan
    Balaji Sarma

Kamal is one such among the bunch of legendary directors on 90-2000's who has still got his strong grip in the changing tides of Malayalm cinema. After the much appreciated, National/state award winning 'Celluloid' he is back with his next. Kamal usually balances commercial and non-commercial movies with each of his release, but by doing Nadan & Celluloid back to back, he has broken that pattern.

If 'Celluloid' told us the story about the birth of Malayalam cinema and the struggles its first director had to go through, this time Kamal deals with 'Drama' & Theater Artists. The film through the title character Devadas Sargavedi portrays the current fate of the once immensely popular art form, in Kerala.

Devadas Sargavedi belongs to the 3rd generation of theater artists in his family, who also owns the troupe 'Sargavedi' which his father found after a split in Communist party & KPAC [

Kerala People's Arts Club]. The struggles that Devadas had to face to keep the troupe going and make two ends meet forms the crux of the story.

The major plus point of the movie is the incredible performances that every artist associated with the movie had to offer. Leading the pack is Jayaram, who undoubtedly gave his career best performance as Devadas, especially in the later half. Equally good was KPAC Lalitha, she was living as the character with many of the dialogues that we can very much connect with her real life too. The movie features many of the state's best drama artists, which was a great tribute in itself to them.

The story, because is a fiction [even though based on reality] may find a normal one, but its the skill full direction, dialogues and performances that makes the movie an engaging watch. The movie do get bit of over melodramatic towards climax and gets to drag a bit. where the focus shifts to love, infidelity etc. There is nothing much for mass audience in the movie and is a must watch for all others and especially those who have enjoyed, at least once, the experience of watching a dram in an open stage surrounded by charged up crowd.

Kamal the director once again showed how one can make a class movie, without art house narration., that is equally entertaining and enlightening with out depending upon commercial elements. Kamal once again prooved that when it comes to real life stories, he is master class. Equally supported by his efficient crew, with pleasing cinematography by Madhu Neelakandan, smooth editing by Rajagopal, Soothing music & apt back ground score by Ouseppachan [think he did both]. The art, costumes and make-up department also deserves a pat on their back for their work, especially in the drama portions.

'Drama' was one of the most celebrated art forms of Kerala and many of them had such huge impact that Govt. were forced to ban them [as explained in the movie]. With the onslaught of new-age entertainment art forms like Mimicry, Serials, Ganamela etc Drama lost its significance and going through a pretty low phase now. But still there are many who consider this as their life and ready to even die on the stage for the art form they love. 'Nadan' is a dedication to such people and a homage to the golden period of Drama & theater artists.

'Nadan' may not be a perfect film, but is definitely one of the best of 2013.

Rating 3.5/5

Last Word: For the noble intentions and excellent acting, just give it a try