Munnariyippu - Movie Review

Directed by Venu

Produced by Renjith for Gold Coin Motion Picture Company

Screenplay by Unni R

Story by Venu

Music by Bijibal

Cinematography Venu

Edited by Beena Paul

Cast

Mammootty as C.K. Raghavan

Aparna Gopinath as Anjali Arakkal

Joy Mathew as Chandraji

Nedumudi Venu

Prathap Pothan

Renji Panicker

Joshy Mathew

Sreeraman

Sudheesh

Saiju Kurup

Went to watch the movie after hearing lots of positive reviews, and (only) because of that I felt slightly disappointed once the movie ended. 'Munnariyippu', ('Warning', even though the tag line reads 'The Deadline') is the story of CK Raghavan a convict who has been in prison for the past 20 years, spenting more time than what he was sentenced for. Anjali who enters the scene to ghost write the Jail Superintend, instead becomes more interested in CK's case, cause as he always says she too believes that he is innocent.
CK finallyy gets released and Anjali take him under her his protection, only to get the materials she need to pen a book on him, for which she had signed a contract with a huge publishing company. CK's inability to write brings trouble for Anjali as pressures for all quarters begin to crumble her. Will CK help Anjali finish the book, will we get to know the 'truth' etc forms the rest of the story.

The film begins interestingly and manages to grab our attention from the word go. The build up to the story is very good and by interval time the story is setup nicely. In the second half the writing looses its grip as it keeps on beating around the bush. Even with 115min run time it drags considerably in the 2nd half. adding to the woe was the completely unnecessary cameo by Prithviraj. The film do end with a shocking climax, but felt asif they just wanted to fill the screen time with random scenes till it reach a decent run time before shocking the audience with the climax, even though it got opposite reaction from the crowd.

The film is meant for serious movie goers who like to think deep into movies. The might be able to find the 'reasons' for things depicted in the movie which sadly goes unexplained in the film. 'Munnariyippu' may not be a majority's cup of tea but surely I will recommend this if u want to try something new, than the run of the mill stuff generally offered. The critics have unanimously given +ve reviews, but going by the audience response looks like the people are on the opposite corner this time.

Aparna is the character that drives the movie forward and gets more screen time. She excelled as Anjali , hope gets much better roles in the future to 'perform'. Mammootty had to underplay his actions and emotions to portray CK which he as always did beautifully. This is indeed one of the best outing of him in recent times, making the film a must watch for the fans of the legend's 'acting'. Rest of the cast also did good job. Evven though Unni's script had flaws the dialogues were very good. Venu directed the film very well too, kudos for not resorting to art house movie type narration. The BG score is a huge turn off. Gives a feel that we are watch an art movie event though the narration is much faster.

Rating 2.75/5

Recommending for serious movie lovers, thinkers and fans of Mammootty's acting !!

Manju Warrier returning to Big Screen via Mohanlal-Ranjith project ?

Manju Warrier returning to Big Screen with Mohanlal Ranjith project

Manju Warrier is one of the most loved actress that Malayalam cinema has ever seen. Even though she did only few films before leaving film field after getting married to Dileep, she could create a huge fan base, without age or mass-class difference.

The return of Manju has been in the news for more than a year now. Hiring a professional team as PR each and every step of her 'return' was made news. The photo shoot with a magazine, website and social media launches, AD shoot etc created enough hype among people. Every body knew that the news of 'return to big screen' was just around the corner.  There were all kinds of rumors spreading around the cyber space regarding her comeback project. She got linked to each and every new film getting announced.

Finally it has been announced, once again via news channels, that she is indeed coming back to big screen. The film which she reportedly picked is the upcoming Ranjith - Mohanlal flick. The news is beleived to be given to all news channels by her PR. According to them the film will be produced by Mohanlal's 'right hand' Antony Perumbavoor under the banner 'Aashirvaad Cinemas', distributed by his own Max Laab cinemas. Like all his previous films Director Ranjith himself  is expected to pen the script and dialogues. Filming is believed to begin some time in December after Lal completes his Jeetu Joseph project 'Drishyam'. If all goes according to plan, Film will hit the theaters in May/June 2014.

Stay tuned for more updates......

'Kadal Kadannoru Mathukkutty' - Movie Review

 

'Kadal Kadannoru Mathukkutty' - Movie Review

Directed by     Ranjith
Produced by     Shaji Nadeshan, Santhosh Sivan, Prithviraj Sukumaran
Music by     Shahabas Aman
Background Score: Thej Mervin
Cinematography     Madhu Neelakandan
Editing by     Sandeep Nandakumar
Studio     August Cinema
Distributed by     August Cinema
Release date(s)   8 August 2013
Running time     135 minutes
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Starring

Cast

    Mammootty as Mathukkutty

  Mohanlal (Cameo)
    Dileep (Cameo)
    Jayaram (Cameo)
    Sekhar Menon
    Meera Nandan as Kunjumol
    Alisha Mohammed as Rosy
    Muthumani
    Nedumudi Venu
    Nandhu
    Tini Tom
    Balachandra Menon
    Siddique
    Suresh Krishna
    Harisree Asokan
    P. Balachandran
    Balachandran Chullikad
    Kaviyoor Ponnamma
    Prem Prakash
    Krishna Prabha

 
Story

'Kadal Kadannoru Mathukkutty' is the story of a German Malayali Mathukutty, who comes to Kerala on a purpose and gets himself entangled with various Socio-Political issues and how those changes his life for ever.

Mammootty also appears as himself in the movie along with cameos by Mohanlal, Dileep, Jayaram etc.

Expectations were huge as Director Ranjith was having an impressive run for the past few years. Eventhough 'Bavooty' written by him was average stuff the buzz surrounding this film was quite strong. But unfortunately KKOM proooves to be Ranjith's worst script since 'Rock N Roll'.

The film began well with giving hopes that this might turn out to be another 'Pranchiyettan', but once the initial fun was over there was nothing left in the movie. It almost felt like a serial in the 2nd half. The title character, which Mammooty tried to portray honestly and efficiently unfortunately suffered from bad writing and character development. In the 2nd half the character almost gets lost in the crowd.

Just like Bavvoty a few 'comedy' scenes followed an incident just to make it to the climax is the pattern followed here too. All those scenes looks forced. The best part is definitely th first 45 mins, the only part where the director managed to grab audiences attention.
The other cast have also given a good perfomance. Balachandra Menon has made a good come back via KKOM. Muthumani was good as Mathukutti's nagging wife. 

There is just one song in the movie, which is a devotional one. Back ground score was fun in parts, but didn't had much scope thanks to the uninteresting proceedings, infact it made matters worse in 2nd half.

Camera work, editing were good. Ranjith as a writer failer completely, as a director he was okay. 

The most interesting scene in the movie are those with the real life stars, especially the ones with 'Mohanlal' & 'Mammootty'. The film is not horrible or completely bad. But just disappointing considering the amount of talents associated with it. 

The film can be a decent watch for the families, who prefer film with no vulgar comedies or dialogues, no item numbers, action etc. 

Don't go with too much expectations, you might ot get bored

Verdict: Average

'Kadal Kadannoru Mathukutty' - Kerala Paper AD with Theater List

 

'Kadal Kadannoru Mathukutty' - Kerala Paper AD with Theater List

Ranjith, Mammootty's 'Kadal Kadannoru Mathukutty' Censor Report, Release Date Changed

Ranjith's latest offering 'Kadal Kadannoru Mathukutty' has been censored today. The film got a clean 'U' certificate from CBFC. The total duration of the movie is 2 hours 13 minutes. The film is reportedly a feel good family entertainer with an underlying message.

Film was first scheduled to release on August 9th, on EID. But later preponed to 7th to avoid clashing with other Eid releases, now the film has been again postponed to 8th due to the heavy rains in he state.

The film stars Mammootty in double role (one as 'Mammootty' himself in a cameo) Sekhar Menon, Alisha Mohammed, Meera Nandan, Muthumani etc. Mohanlal, Dileep, Jayaram etc also makes cameo appearances