Showing posts with label cinema. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cinema. Show all posts

Friday, 11 October 2013

Idukki Gold - Malayalam Movie Review


Idukki Gold Malayalam Movie Review


Directed by Aashiq Abu 
Banner - Rajaputra Visual Media
Produced By M. Ranjith
Story by Santosh Echikkanam
Written By Syam Pushkaran , Dileesh Nair
DOP Shyju Khalid
Music Bijibal
Editor V Saajan
Costumes Sameera Saneesh
Production Controller Benny Kattappana
Distributed by Rajaputhra & Kaleeshwary
 




Cast


Prathap Pothen as Michael
Raveendran as Ravi
Babu Antony as Antony
Maniyanpilla Raju as Madan
Vijayaraghavan as Raman
Lal
Joy Mathew
Sajitha Madathil

The script of Idukki Gold is based on a short story written by Santosh Echikkanam under the same name. 'Idukki Gold' is the local name of 'Marijuana'. The main story is also set in Idukki

'Idukki Gold' is the story of camaraderie, 5 Men who are in their Golden 50s decides to get together like they used to do in their teens. The Events that follows on their get away to 'Idukki' for a 'nostalgic reunion' is the main theme of 'Idukki Gold'. The story switches back & forth between certain events in the past & present.

The online of IG gives one great expectations, a trip down memory lanes for every one, especially middle agers. Plus the charm of veteran actors uniting, beautiful locales of Idukki, a hit director-writer(s) combo etc also increases the hope and hype surrounding the movie. But unfortunately the film fails to meet any of those standards (Except the beauty of 'Idukki').

The film instead of being a nostalgic trip, turns out a trip just to smoke weed, drink alcohol & get high.
The first half of the movie is actually pretty decent, even though bit slow, but in the 2nd half all hell break loose. The movie drags like anything and goes on for ever, the climax twist also fells flat, it was very much predictable, especially if you have taken notice the cast & posters of IG. In order to satisfy the so called 'New-Gen' fans many things have been forcefully added into the film.

The biggest plus in the movie is the kids that play the younger version of the gang in the flashback episodes - they are simply outstanding. All of them have given  knock-out performances. One can't blame for hoping if the film was just about these kids.

 The 'vetrans' are the other saving grace of the film, especially Raju & Raveendran. Scene in which Babu Antony leaves hospital bed, walking down the hallway to the BG [which is also featured in trailer]. Idukki has been captured by Shyju Khalid like never before, it looked breath taking. There is just one song in the film which has been composed, written and shot beautifully. The movie definitely needs some editing, especially in the second half. Background score was impressive.

Aashiq Abu has done a decent job directing the movie, with whatever material he had.

There might be few out there who could identify with the movie, for whom the film might be entertaining enough. I am certainly not one of them. The film is low in content even for the likings of the so called 'New Gen' movie goers, who has been the main target.

The controversy/intelligent marketing have helped the film to get a decent opening, once the holidays are over If the movie still survives in theaters it will be a miracle, but this short run will be more than enough for the producer to break even I guess.

Hereby recommending 'Idukki Gold' for my 'Ganga' brothers, & as for others, please stay away, or just watch the 1st half and leave the theater

Verdict - Disappointing

Rating - 2.25/5

Pattam Pole - Malayalam Movie Review



Directed by     Azhagappan
Produced by     Karunakaran
Written by     Girish Kumar
Music by     M. Jayachandran
Cinematography     Jomon T. John
Editing by     Raja , Mohammed
Studio     Carlton Films
Release date(s)     11th October 2013
Country     India
Language     Malayalam


Cast

Dulquer Salmaan as Karthik
Malavika Mohanan as Riya
Anoop Menon
Archana Kavi as Sherin
Jayaprakash as Ramanathan
Lalu Alex as Mathews
Ilavarasu
Seetha as Sussan Mathews
Nandu as Father Alex
Shraddha Gokul as Rita




'Pattam Pole' is a Rom-Com told in the beautiful backdrop of 'Aleppey'. But unlike most films PP begins with a break up and tells the story of romance after break up. Karthik born in a Tamil-Brahmin family Ria born in a Christian family decides to part their ways finding themselves incompatible. If &  how fate reunites the couple forms the rest o the story.

Eventhough the one line is unique to Mollywod the film has been treated as any other Rom-Com, especially like the ones that Bollywood churns out in plenty ever year. The importance the families of her0 & heroine gets makes PP stand out. The first half was light breezy entertainer, in the second half the pace slows down and drags towards the end. There are no twists or turns, everything is quite predictable.

The film draws elements from various Tamil/Telugu movies of the past. The scenes between 'Karthik' & 'Varalakshmi' reminds Dhanush-Saranya love track in 'Yaaredi Ni Mohini'

Even though scripted in the predictable routine its the performances that makest the film stand out. Dulquer has once again given a convincing performance, where he had to underplay the character which e did beautifully. Malavika, daughter of noted cinematographer Mohanan has made a very good debut. She gets the dominant role which she delivered perfectly. (Credits should also go to her 'voice', if its not of her's). The supporting cast of Archana, Shradda, Jayaprakash etc have also done god job with their roles.


Azhagappan did a great job in his directorial job, the years of experience handling camera helped him a lot I think. Apart from acting & direction the superb visuals captured by Jomon T John also helps to cover the flaws in the script and makes the film engaging. Songs in the film are passable except the 'Mazhaye' number. 'Antha naalil' sounds exactly similar to 'Kannanayal Radhavenam'. Even though the run time is just about 124mins it drags towards the end, don't know if we can blame the editor for that. Background score was okay, suiting the mood of the film. 

So, Pattam Pole is a time pass Rom-Com flick, what could have been just average saved by the actors. 

PP is a must watch for all Dulquer fans, espeically female and all those who love good old Rom-Coms. for others its just a time pass or one time watch at the max.

Verdict - above Average

Rating - 2.75/5

Monday, 30 September 2013

Arm twisting by Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation continue - Bans a theater



This is what Crown Cinema, Calicut posted in their Facebook page

Sorry to announce that we have to stop the screening of RAJA RANI due to trouble from industry sources... So The Conjuring and Lunch Box get more screen time..

Well.. Last year the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation, of which we WERE a member, called for indefinite closure of Cinemas protesting Govt.Policies. Being a member of the body, we had decided to stick to the closure cos the demand of KFEF with the Govt was genuine. But they kept changing the date of the closure to favour the interests of certain parties. And then one fine day they announced the closure from 2nd Nov 2012. That we had committed to Sony Pictures to screen SKYFALL from Nov 1st 2012, the last Bond movie, we, along with other Cinemas in Kochi,requested the body to change the date again. They dint agree. So we were forced to stick to our commitment and stay away from the strike. We resigned the membership from the body too. But ever since, the KFEF has placed an UNWRITTEN embargo on us - that if we screen any Malayalam or Tamil movie, none of the theatres in malabar will screen it. We managed to screen some movies like Neram & Nee Ko Na Cha. But most distributors were forced to keep away from us. Now the distributors of Raja Rani showed the guts to supply the movie to us. But the Honchos of the KFEF arm twisted them and threatened them with dire consequences. So, to ensure that the distributor does not suffer losses cos of our screening the film, we decided to stop screening. Its a Mad Mad Mad World!!!