Ulsaha Committee - Malayalam Movie Review - Jayaram, Isha Talwar

Cast

 Cast: Jayaram (Apoorvan), Sheela (Rossamma), Baburaj (Chopra) , Kalabhavan Shajon (Babumon), Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vinaya Prasad, Lakshmipriya, Shaju, Kochupreman, Sunil Sugatha, Joy Mathew, Kalinga Sasi, Nelson

Crew

Director: Akku Akbar
Producer: Arun Ghosh & Binoy Chandran
Production House: Chand VCreations
Music: Bijibal
Lyrics: Rafeeq Ahmed, Jophi Tharakan, Engadyoor Chandrashekaran
Cinematography: Anil Nair
Editing: Lijo Paul
Art Direction: Nandan Mannoor
Story/Writer: Shyju Anthikad
Costume Design: Kumar Edapal

 Apoorvan is the self proclaimed scientist of Mantharakadavu Village, who is pretty much interested in inventing various things. Babumon, his financial support and Chopra, his henchman, are his close buddies. Even though many of the inventions are useful for the villagers, the three when join together create mess that than anything. So one day the villagers are forced to kick them out of the village. The 3 thus end up in Rosamma's house, who is a millionaire. What happens next forms the rest of the story.

Akku Akbar with Jayaram has given 2 family hits in the past, the Producers gave the 2nd biggest hit of last year too. But when they united for a mad comic caper, the resultant product is an utter failure.

The film not only lacks a credible story line is a disaster in the scripting department too. There are only few good one liners  in the entire movie, every thing else falls flat. The acting too is over the top here. Jayaram has tried Palakkadan slang in the movie, which is not patch to Biju Menon in 'Ordinary'. Baburaj, Suraj often goes to 'Unsahikkable' levels. Isha Talwar had nothing much to do and her acting/lip sync hasn't improved much from her 'Thattam' days.

Director had no clue about the proceeding and did a below average job. Cinematography was Good. Music was disappointing while Background score was interesting at parts. Editing was okay. 

In all, Ulsaha Comitte, is a crassier crass comedy that you might wanna check out when its premiered on TV

Rating: 1.5/5

Verdict: Escape.....

Last Word: This committee will rip apart your 'Ulsaham' and burn it on the floor....

Pauly Technique - Malayalam Movie Review - Kunchako Boban, Bhavana

Pauly Technique - Malayalam Movie Review - Kunchako Boban, Bhavana

Crew

Director:  M.Padmakumar

Script:  Nishad Koya

Producers:  Kala Nair and Liyakath Tirur

Banner:  Mrinalini Gandhi Cinemas

Distributor:  Percy Pictures

Music:  Gopi Sundar

Editor:  Ranjan Abraham

Cinematographer:  Pramod K Pillai

 Lyrics:  Rajeev Nair

Cast

Kunchacko Boban - Pauly

 Bhavana - Aswathy

Vijayaragavan - Sukumaran Nair 

Aju Varghese - Becker

 Ambika 

Devi Chandana 

Shiju 

Kochupreman 

Thesni Khan 

Idavela Babu

Pauly is a jobless youth, who along with his childhood friends are members of the communist party youth wing. He is involved in all the social activities of his villages and often gets in the way of Panchayath President Sukumaran Nair, who is at logger heads with Pauly from his school days. In a terrorist attack happened in Mumbai Pauly's father, a Commando, gets killed  With the compensation money he got from the Govt., Pauly decides to buy the closed 'Dakshyani' Biscuits factory and reopen it as agro Processing and storing facility. Sukumaran Nair understanding this puts up road blocks, one after the other, to disrupt Pauly at any cost. The feud intensifies when Asawthy, daughter of Sukumaran Nair, Pauly's sweet heart from child hod refuses to marry anybody other than Pauly. The techniques that Pauly adopts to fight the corrupt politicians and officials, win over his love and make the factory run forms the rest of the story.

PAuly Technique resembles many Malayalam movies of the past, like Mithunam, Punyalan agarbathis etc, but still is able to stand on its own thanks to the interesting script by Nishad Koya, who also wrote 'Ordinary'. There wasn't much hype surrounding the film leading to its release, and even the release wasn't sure till the last moment, but finally the makers can relax as they have managed to deliver a good entertainer.

The film is predictable and we can predict every single twist and turn. Plus there aren't much 'techniques' that we don't predict coming. It gets melodramatic here and there and drags at places. The songs prove to be hindrances than anything else.

The light humor sprinkled through out the film is what makes PT works.Plus its a clean family entertainer without any double meaning dialogues or cuss words. Kunchako Boban shines as Pauly and is from the start to finish. Aju Varghese is a treat and gets almost equal footage as Boban. The rest of the cast also did a good job. Bhavana was looking great, but didn't had much to do.


This is the first time Padmakmar will be handling a Comedy subject and did an okay job is presenting a neat film. Its the second film of writer Nishad Koya, and already he is proving to be some one producers can bank upon. The predictable story has been narrated interestingly by him. Cinematography and editing also adds flavor to the film. Music and BG were average.

In all Pauly Technique is a clean family comedy entertainer that should appeal to all. The definitely have some techniques up in its sleeve.

Verdict: Good

Rating 3/5

Last Word: Entertaining Techniques.....

Ring Master - Malayalam Movie Review - Dileep, Honey Rose, Keerthy Suresh

Ring Master - Malayalam Movie Review - Dileep, Honey Rose, Keerthy Suresh

Crew 

Director: Raffi  
Producer: Vyshakha Rajan  
Music: Gopi Sunder  
Cinematography: Shaji  
Editing: Shyam Sasidharan  
Art Direction: Rajan Akkulam  
Story/Writer: Rafi  
Costume Design: S. B. Satheesan

Studio     Vaishaka Cynyma
Release dates     April 12, 2014
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Cast

Dileep as Prince
Honey Rose as Diana
Keerthi Suresh as Karthika
Mohan Jose
Kalabhavan Shajon as Dr.Muthu
Aju Varghese
Suraj Venjaramoodu
Sai Kumar
Kalabhavan Haneef
Saju Kodiyan

Dileep's mass entertainers rarely miss their mark at the Box Office, thanks to reach the star has amongst Ladies and Kids. Ring Master is another Vishu release from Dileep, aiming at his target audience. The posters featuring Dogs have helped the curiosity factor to work out and gives a feel of the actor's cult comedy hit CID Moosa.

Prince has been fond of animals from child hood. His father was animal trainer in a circus company. Circumstances make Prince too a dog trainer, and the dog he trains, Diana, become a popular movie canine star. One day Diana gets a chance to act in a movie, in which Prince's lady love, Super Heroine Diana plays the female lead, who dumped him for movies. This creates confusion and chaos in the sets and the two are at loggerheads. Karthika is a blind who is living with her guide dog Toby, who is the father of Diana the Dog. How all the mess gets sorted out forms the rest of the story.

Ring Master is a typical mass comedy vehicle that one expects from Dileep. Even though the story line is down right silly, Dileep, the dogs and the supporting cast makes it a time pass watch. The movie takes a bit of time to get in the groove, but then is a laughathon for the entire 1st half. In the 2nd half the pace is uneven, especially toward the climax portions. With no story to tell the film relies heavily on the shoulders of its cast who did a great job.The Dogs are a treat to watch on screen to, special credits to the trainers and the VFX team.

RM is definitely on of the better theater outings for Dileep in a short while. Shajon once again impresses with his comic timing. Suraj also impresses in a extended cameo length role. The heroines too did their part well. The Script and dialogues written by Rafi are no patch to his earlier works (which he did in partnership with Meccartin). There are some dialogues aimed at a 'certain some one' which I felt was unnecessary. There are quintessential double meaning dialogues and cuss words, which I think the family audiences have accustomed to from Dileep movies.

The technical crew did an Okay job, nothing great or extraordinary to mention. Music and BG were average.

In all its a leave your brain at home and have fun at theaters kinda film which most people like to watch. Being a Dileep movie, a summer release, and the crowd reaction, looks like this will keep the cash registers ringing.




Rating: 2.75/5

Verdict: Above Average

Last Word: Mindless Fun.....

Punyalan Agarbathis - Movie Review

Crew

Directed by     Ranjith Sankar
Produced by     Jayasurya, Ranjith Sankar
Written by     Ranjith Sankar
Music by     Bijibal
Cinematography     Sujith Vasudev
Editing by     Lijo Paul
Studio     Dreams N Beyond
Distributed by     Central Pictures
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

 Cast

    Jayasurya as Joy Thakkolkaran
Nyla Usha as Anu
Aju Varghese as Greenu Sharma
Innocent as John Thakkolkaran
Rachana Narayanankutty as Advocate Sai
Sreejith Ravi as Abhayakumar
TG Ravi as Achuthan Master
Mala Aravindan as Ayyappan
Idavela Babu as KC Mathews
Vinod Kovoor as Pappan Kottapuram
Lishoy as Pauly

 

 'Punyalan Agarbathis' tells the story of an ambitious, wannabe Ambani of Thrissur, businessman. After trying out may ventures he finds his last resort in 'Punyalan Agarbathis', special kind of incense sticks made from elephant dung. The efforts to acquire the 'raw material' makes him ruffle feathers with few big-wigs which turns his life for ever. Will Joy succeed in the battle of & for his life, forms the rest of the story.

80s-90s are said to be the Golden period of Malayalam cinema which produced movies which common people could much identify with, dealing with issues faced by common man in his daily lives, like Mithunam, Varavelpu, Vellanakalude Naadu etc. 

Punyalan Agarbathis belongs to such series of movies. It tells the issues a common middle class man has to face to make his dream come true, without resorting to illegal paths. 

It also discuses how bureaucracy, politics etc which are meant for the benefit of people, in many cases end up being the road block, for petty reasons.

Story wise its simple, its the entertaining scrip that works big time for PA. The film is a total rocking entertainer, in the first half with plenty of humor. In the second half, especially towards the end, where the movie gets serious a tone & try to tell too many things, it dags a bit.

Jayasurya has given one of his best performance till date
 and got the 'Thrissur slang' to a 'T', a major highlight of the movie. Most of his one liners brought the house down. Another name worth mentioning is Sreejith Ravi who also got tremendous reaction from the crowd in his debut comic role. Rest of the cast did what was required of them, but wish Nyla had got a substantial role, after a superb debut in Kunjananthante Kada.

Have liked all his previous works, but Ranjith Shankar the writer has finally got the perfect blending of Commercial entertainer and social message drama in PA, which was lacking in his previous attempts preventing them from becoming HUGE box office successes. His direction was good too, presenting the cultural capital of Kerala as an important part of narration. Cinematography by Sujith Vasudev was good, presenting Thrissur in all its glory. Editing by Lijo Paul was efficient, may be a bit of trimming towards the end could have been nice. Music & BG by Bijibal were good too.

 Punyalan Agarbathis is a clean, perfect commercial treat for the entire section of audience - mass or class, family or youth - this season. A well made entertainer.

Rating 3.5/5

Verdict - Good

Last Word - Greene, veedu povoolanna tta thonae.......

Punyalan Agarbathis - Exclusive HD Posters Set

North 24 Kaatham - Malayalam Movie Review

 

North 24 Kaatham - Malayalam Movie Review

 

 Writer, Director: Anil Radhakrishnan Menon
Produced by: E 4 Eentertainment
DOP: Jayesh Nair
Music: GovindMenon
Editor: Dilip Dennies
Costumes: Sameera Saneesh
Make up: Ranjith Ambadi

CAST

    Fahadh Faasil as Harikrishnan
    Swati Reddy as Narayani
    Nedumudi Venu as Gopalan

  Premgi Amaren as Vyomkesh [Cameo]

Chemban Vinod
    Sreenath Bhasi
    Srinda Ashab
    Prigi Abigail Benger
    Deepak Nathan
 

 Story

 'North 24 Katham' [1 katham = 16 KMs] narrates the story of a journey by 3 strangers [Harikrishnan (Fahad Fazil), Gopalan (Nedumudi Venu), and Narayani (Swati Reddy)] through the heartlands of Kerala, on a 'Harthal' day & the incidents that takes place on course. Harikrishnan is an IT professional. Gopalan is a yesteryear Marxist & Narayani a social worker.
It also the journey of Hari in which he breaks the shell which he himself created around him and finally gets a feel of the life & word out there.

People of Kerala celebrates Harthal,Strike,Bandh etc like festivals & Holidays. Roads will be empty, shops will be shut and most remain in their home. Those who can't avoid traveling in such days will have to go through Hell before reaching destination. The film also throws light into the condition, but in a lighthearted manner.

The story line is similar to Steve Martin starrer Planes, Trains & Automobiles, which film like Anbe sivam, Due Date have also used. But the Director who is also the writer have adapted the screenplay according to our conditions and discuss some socially relevant issues.

N24K is a nice, slow, breezy entertainer which begins as a typical New-Gen film, but later changes its track. The main highlight of the film is the performances of the lead cast. Nedumudi Menu was excellent as Gopalettan, especially in the climax portions. Fahadh Faasil once again has given a superlative performance as the OCD IT professional. Swati Reddy also was good. All the supporting cast were very efficient. Premgi Amaren who comes in a cameo, with his typical punchline, wins claps. Liked the title card which very much explains the entire film in photo cards.

The film is slow for the liking of Masses. Its not everyone's cup of tea. Those who prefers crass/mass formula films may stay away from this. Even though it runs just over 2hours, it drags here and there. There is no spoon feeding in n24k which might leave viewers with some unanswered questions once the film get over, even I would have preferred some sort of clarifications on some points. Also the pre-climax portions seemed bit far stretched.

Direction was very good, a confident debut by Anil. Camera work was excellent, captured the heart of Kerala with al its grandeur. Music & BG were very good too. Editing could have been a bit sharper.

SO all in all, its a different entertainer that may not be of every body's liking. As far I am concerned, I liked it, think you should check it out too.

Verdict - Good

Rating 3.25/5

Last Word - Its Different !!!

Sringaravelan - Malayalam Movie Review

 Sringaravelan - Malayalam Movie Review

 

 Directed By : Jos Thomaas

Produced by Jaison Elamgulam

Script By : Udayakrishna- Sibi K Thomas

Music by: Berny Ignatious, Nadirsha

Lyrics by  Rafeeq Ahmed

Cinematographer Shaji

Banner: RJ Creations

Distributed by Manjunatha & RJ Release [Kerala]

 Cast

 Dileep - Kannan

Vedhika - Radha

Lal - Yesu

Shammi Thilakan - Ookkan Tintu

Babu Nambootiri  - Ayyappanasan

Shajon

Baburaj

Joy Mathew

Chembil Asokan

Sreedevi Unni

Story

Sringaravelan tells the story of Kannan, whose sole ambition in life is to make some quick bucks. His father, Ayyappanasan who is a weaver by profession wants his son to excel in the field of clothes & fashion. Rada is Kannan's love interest and Yesu, his partner in crime. What all troubles these various characters get into and how they solve all of them in the end forms the rest of the story.

Any Dileep movie is associated with lots of expectations, same was the case with Sringaravelan. Especially when coming from the team that gave you Malayalam cinemas 2nd biggest hit ever, Dileep - Jose Thomas - Sibi  Thomas - Baburaj.. But the film kind of failed to meet that expectations.

The biggest problem with the movie is its length. The film runs close to 3hours and is lower in humor content compared to previous Dileep hits. Dileep-Lal-Shajon trio raises laughter whenever they appear on screen, like the scene in which Lal enters as an Astrologer, which brings the house down. But that doesn't happen in the entire movie. SV turns into a romantic-drama track once the heroine is introduced. The romantic track didn't work out well like in Bodyguard or many other films. It should have been better had the writers sticked on more to the comedy genre. The tagline says 'Romantic fighter', but there is only one action block in the movie which only comes in the climax. Like most Dileep mass entertainers, this one too have lots of double meaning dialogues.

Despite these flaws the film is neither a disappointment or it makes you cringe on your seats. It is a very much watchable entertainer, especially in this festive mood. Dileep's target audience, Ladies & Kids, who have received even craps with open arms before will sure lap up this one too.

Dileep have once again given a good clean performance, but his contribution to humor is fewer this time. Lal has given a complete knock-out performance, wish his character was lengthier, it could have taken the movie to greater heights. Shajon who had a great chemistry with Dileep, bit of disappoints this time, Suraj would have been a better option. Vedhika has given avery good performance, getting the emotions and lip sync right. She has a significant role too, comparing the roles heroines gets in usual mass films. Only -ve was her nake up, felt was bit over the top, could have looked prettier even without make up, like she proved in Paradesi.

Directionm camera were good. Songs are complete disappointment, not even a single hummable track. BG was okay, felt bit loud at times. Editing could have been crispier, needs a trimming of 10-15mins. 

Sringaravelan is a typical festival entertainer aimed at masses. Don't go with huge expectations (like I did) and chances are that you might enjoy this ride, the crowd response shows that.

Verdict: Above average

Rating: 2.75/5

Box Office: Should be a HIT

Last word: TIME PASS 'Dileeptainer'

Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum - Malayalam Movie Review

 Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum - Malayalam Movie Review

 Directed by     Lal Jose
Produced by     Zulfi Hasis
Shebin Backer
Written by     M. Sindhuraj
Music by     Vidyasagar
Cinematography     S. Kumar
Studio     Balcony 6
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

 Cast

    Kunchako Boban as Chakkattutharayil Gopan (Chakka Gopan)
    Namitha Pramod as Kainakari Jayasree
    Irshad as Chakka Maniyan
    Shiju as Chakka Vijayan
    Joju as Chakka Suku
    Shammi Thilakan as Kavalykal Kuriyachan
    Suraj Venjaramoodu as Mamachan
    Harisree Asokan as Suseelan
    Subeesh as Babu
    Chali Pala as S.I.George
    Sivajy Guruvayoor as Kapyar
    Dinesh Nair as Vakkeel Asokan
    Anusree as Kochurani
    K. P. A. C. Lalitha as Madhavi
    Bindu Panicker as Kainakari Revamma
    Reena Bhasheer as Lizy
    Thesni Khan as Jalaja
    Seema G. Nair as Vimala
    Ponnamma Babu as Kapyar's wife
    Anjana as Ramani

'Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum' is the story of four brothers, 3 of them interested only in making troubles

(Pullipulikal) & one (Aatinkutty) who gets tangled up in the mess that his brothers creates. Kunchako Boban plays Chakkattutharayil Gopan aka 'Aatinkutty'. His nemesis Kavalykal Kuriyachan is played by Shammi Thilakan & Kainakari Jayasree, his love interest by Namitha Pramod.


The film is made as a festive entertainer for the masses and families, a no logic one ulike the previous Lal Jose movie. But the movie which looks similar (vague) to 'Marykundoru Kunjaadu' failed to entertain me. The ages old story by Sindhuraj itsel is a big disappointment. His script was entertaining in the first half, but sufferes heavily in the second half, with nothing much to show it drags like a soap opera. Also touted as the highlights of the movie, the 'Pullipulikal' gang gets lost in the proceedings as the movie turns its focus on the silly rivalry with Kuriachan and romantic angle with Jaishree. The last 30mins it drags like hell.

The title role I think was tailor made for Dileep, it is not that Boban was bad, but Dileep who excels in such films and roles with his on contribution could have lifted the movie to better heights. The supporting cast has done a very good job especially the 'Pullipulis'. Suraj manages few laughs after quite a while. And its after a long gap Harishree Ashokan & Bindu Panicker got something interesting to do. Namitha Pramod looked beautiful did a good job, sad that she couldn't dub it for herself.

Music by Vidyasagar was average, but the Background score was very good. Camera work was very nice, capturing 'Kuttanad' in all its glory. Editing was crisp.Direction by Lal Jose was Good, packaged it as a festive entertainer.

All these are my view points about the movie, but at Box Office most probably this will be the biggest hit of the season, coz such films works big time with masses and families. Looking at the crowd, it is definitely their first choice this EID.

An average fare

Watchable for few laughs in the first half

VKP's next starring Indrajith titled 'A-Ku-Pu'

One of the complaints that most Malayalam film/language lovers had regarding recent Mollywood films is the trend of using English titles. They felt the good old titles with 'scent of the soil' is missing. Then came some new generation films with titles like 'Ninne Kollum Njanum Chavum, 'Natholi Oru Cheriya Menalla' 'Otta Oruthiyum sheriyalla' etc which also these so called people couldn't agree upon. Now the latest entry in the bandwagon of weird/catchy titles is VKP. His next film has been titled 'A-Ku-Pu' [Asooya Kushumbu Pucham].

According to the Director he film will be a Cynical satire in the likes of the cult classic 'Panchavadi Palam (1984)'. The film will portray certain 'typical' characters of Malayalis adds him. The film will be scripted by two Civil servants Prashanth & Ambady. Indrajith plays the title character Shankaran Vatsyayanan who is an aspiring politician. Rest of the cast will be announced later.

According to the writers the film will be socio-political drama with a hint of magical realism. Shooting begins this November & releasing planned for early 2014

SRK's Chennai Express - Exclusive Theatrical Trailer & New Set of Posters

 

Chennai Express | Official Trailer | Shah Rukh Khan | Deepika Padukone