"Sapthamashree Thaskaraha" - 7 reasons for watching it !

Rating : 3.5/5

1) Inspired from Oceans .. but not copied

The moment I saw the first poster of this movie I smelled Ocean's 11. The teaser only made the feeling stronger. There are of course some Ocean's 11 style here and there like the idea of thieves stealing from a bigger and stronger thief, a team with each having specific skills, a calm and peaceful boss whom others don't question much etc. But thats it ... apart from those little 'inspirations' movie keeps its own soul and its own style. If you like Ocean's style of movies, you are surely going to love this (but it goes with out saying - "Don't go with an 'Ocean'ic expectation)

2) Genuine Comedy

We saw it in Pranjiyettan and later in Punyaalan, how Thrissur slag can by itself create some comedy. Add to that a director who knows how to make comedy with out a lot of slapstick and double meanings and what you get is a pleasant humorous mood through out

3) Performance - Its not just about Hero

For Pritvi and Asif its comparatively less challenging role. The one who actually scores and gets applauds are some of the other thieves especially Sudheer, Vinod, Neeraj etc

4) Cut-the-crap editing

There is hardly a drag anywhere and the best part is the way certain cliché scenes were totally avoided thereby trusting the common sense of viewers. Like for example there is a scene where simple paper cutting is shown and avoided a whole set of flash back explanations(which a viewer can easily guess any ways). This helped the movie to carry on its pleasant fun ride with out disturbance

5) Music/Background score - Hits the right note

Its important not to overuse BGM especially in thrillers. Here BG score and music are used in right amounts and only when it is needed

6) Cinematography - Fresh & colourful

Well, I would say the camera did its job neatly, which of course is to make the scenes more fresh and watch-able

7) Light hearted time pass !

This movie might not carry the fuel for a detailed philosophical/idealogical dissection by reviewers and its not a movie which haunts you or injects you with pain (emotional or a bad head ache). The movie does at times peeks in to certain debatable topics like the ideal punishment for a rapist, the morality of stealing from a thief etc. But it manages to bring the focus back to its original track which nothing but a light hearted comedy thriller.

And DON'T watch it if ...

If you are expecting any of the below things, then better don't waste your time and money on this movie

•  A Pritvi/Asif action thriller
•  A touching emotional drama
•  Comedy inspired from Tom&Jerry and Adult jokes

'Oru Indian Pranayakadha'

Short version : 

Take out Fahad Fazil from the equation and its just another big yawn. I call it another one of those typical Anthikad soaps, may be in a better, colorful pack this time !

Detailed version: 

There was a time when Sathyan Anthikad was one of my favorite directors who delivers simple and fresh feel good movies. But with all due respect to the veteran, I felt his engine ran out of gas(a.k.a 'creativity') at some point around early 2000's. Our actor Salim kumar put it in a better way by comparing it with buses running in the same route ...

Because of all these I was reluctant to go to Anthikad movies lately, but this time after seeing the humorous 'Netavu' song and Fahad's guarantee I finally fell it to it. The movie started promisingly by depicting the life of a young ambitious leader pretty well and the bus seemed to travel in a different direction . The apolitical 'Sandesham' model view of director was quite evident but I can still live with that. As it went on, towards midway the shades of familiar route slowly started to show it signs. And by second half the movie begin to follow the predictable direction with those boring sentimental scenes, cliched farewell moments etc and I started my chain of yawns

There are certain predefined notions in our movies and when you don't have a lot of creative ideas, you tend to move towards safer side and stick to these rules. Like the case of so called 'interval punch' which is defined as a twist or a suspense just before the interval (may be to make sure audience return back to the movie after the break). There was not much hope for it with the way the story was going on. But hang on, here comes some totally unwanted scenes which were cooked up just to get that punch, which unfortunately miss the target. After interval you pretty much know what to expect and all I wanted was the movie to end some how.

You can argue that movie finally gives out a positive political message that politics should not be considered as a primary profession by politicians but rather should be a service. But for political tuition class alone, I would rather tune in to one of those FB groups where these ideas are discussed in more detail and in a more convincing way

(+) Fahad as always was exceptional and Amala paul was pretty good (except for those crying scenes which resembled more like Appukuttan's crying in 'In harihar nagar')

(+) Some hearty comedy in the first half

(-) Pretty much the complete second half and the predictable and boring  ending

Verdict - Had a promising take off and a descent flight till interval. After that it was nothing but a gradual decline. It fulfills the promise of a safe family tour, but if you ask about the ride I can only sum it up as 'boring' !

Tail piece : Some of you might be wondering "who gives right to this prick to judge an experienced and proven director like 'Sathyan Anthikad'. Well the truth is that when I spent my hard earned money for these movies, along with those 2.5 hours, I also deserve this right to show my frustration .. fare enough ??

"Escape from Uganda" - Movie Review

Prison breaks are not very easy to present in a movie. Mainly because of its predictable ending  and also since a prison escape in reality is supposed to be a near impossible event, the story should present some seemingly impossible scenes in a convincing fashion with the help of some innovative tactics not seen previously or at-least not expected by the viewers. Its tough to get it right !

You might be wondering why I am taking this kind of anticipatory bail on behalf of the "Escape from Uganda" team. Well it spun out from my respect to all the pain and efforts taken by those folks and the bail is needed more than anything to satisfy my conscious before I gave the movie a disappointing  thumps down !!

What I liked in 'Uganda' ?

Bold attempt : A movie solely based on a jail break theme, as far as I know is first of its kind in Malayalam (not forgetting Lalettan's classical "Moonnaam mura" and "Jana priya Nayakan's" pathetic "Love and war"). Hail the makers for taking the risk and trying out some thing different

Rima's performance : Unlike others characters in the movie, Rima as usual, was living as Shika and once again giving her 100%

What I didn't like in 'Uganda' ?

Almost every thing else : You take any jail break/escape movie/series, the first hero is always the 'plan'. It can be revealed before the escape (as in "Prison Break  series) or after the escape  (as in 'Shawshank Redemption') , but either way the highlight of the whole movie is often the method used for escape and the way its explained and executed .. 

But here .....  first of all the plan is vague, add to it an average direction on top of a story/screen play that lacks any sort of imagination and above all a horrible back ground score that makes you seriously wonder if the Music Director was trying out some sound tests which accidentally became part to the movie. In short during the much awaited 'escape from prison' sequence I was also looking for an escape, but out of the theatre

Verdict : If you are expecting thrills of a jail break movie, better avoid this. Get a good version of Shawshank redemption's DVD or get it from torrent and watch it (even for a second time) instead !

Tail piece : Many times after reading reviews where a movie is criticized left right and centre,  I wondered what the reviewer would have done differently. Any ways here is Sam's view on what I would have done to make it better,

SPOILER ALERT : If you still want to see the movie, avoid reading further

1. Reduce Build up phase (which here almost consumes the first half) and use that time in showing a better planning and execution of escape. May be a failed first attempt would be good
2. Take out that totally unwanted 'Suresh Gopi style'  action piece for Parthiepan's  intro and replace it with some thing more cool and simple (some show off with a gun for instance)
3. Take out the romantic song, and instead put a song that focus on their life in Uganda which could help in avoiding many scenes in build up as well as given more intensity on their relations
4. Replace background score to something that slowly increases your heart beat rather than the current one which could create a heart attack instead
5. Advise Mr Vijay Babu to relax a bit and avoid the 'over' part from his acting
6. Avoid the 'DDLJ' style run in the climax. It was seriously funny though :)
7. Refine the script and fix many gaps so that it won't give a feeling to the viewers that some part of reel might have been lost during editing 
8. etc etc

"Mumbai Police" - Movie review

The crime investigation movies in Mollywood usually follows a similar pattern right from the hero's personality to the final twists ... It will also be decorated by some predictable cliches ... 'Mumbai Police' has got a lot of plus points like its story, performance, suspense ... but above everything else I simply loved the movie for the bold effort to break some of these boring routine patterns and leave you with a fresh visual treat !!!

+ives
- Story/Direction : A completely 'different' suspense thriller story which is done in a neat, stylish manner. A commendable job by Roshan Andrews and Boby-Sanjay team

- Performance : Police officer role is not the cup of tea for every one. Even our super/mega stars are not their best when it comes to Khakee roles. Prithviraj somehow fits in to the uniform quite effortlessly and renders one of his best recent performances. All other characters rally around him and did justice to their roles ..

- Editing : This is one area which a lot of recent Mollywood flicks lagged back. But in this movie most of the waste (read unwanted songs, action sequences, emotional side stories etc) are trimmed off and movie is made crisp and up to the point

-ives (not much)
- Kunjan's 'oath speech' scene could have been avoided (even it got a applause from theater  )

Tail end : Heard some complaints about people disclosing the suspense of this movie publicly and that affecting the movie's prospects .. but trust me, the final twist (if any) is not the 'only' highlight of the movie .. and if you observe closely enough you can yourself guess the twist even before the interval 

"Hotel California" - Movie review

Don't go to this movie expecting another 'Beautiful' ... its definitely not a classic or a master piece from Anoop/Jayasurya team. But at the same time, at no point it is trying to become one either. The movie is claiming as a comedy entertrainer and in that area it scores full marks 

+ives 
- Comedy : a lot of good comedy sequences that makes you laugh loud 
- Style : Stylish direction/camera work
- Acting : good performances from same team as Trivandrum Lodge + Comedy stars 

-ives 
- Editing : this is ideally a 2 hour movie which is dragged to an extra 30 mins. Flesh out that extra weight and the movie might have got its perfect pace

Verdict : Go for it if you are looking for a 2.5 hours time pass. If you expect more u would probably be disappointed 

Tail Piece : The movie is rated as (A). Agreed that there are enough new generation style sex comedies in the movie (not even close to the classic 'Trivandrum Lodge' though) , but its hard to believe that in todays age if these level of comedies are actually considered as Adult only. May be sensor board folks need to grow up a little

"22 Female Kottayam" - Movie review

Its not a great Entertainer... rather u feel it more like a Disturbing movie .. But the good thing is that all those disturbance is in the right direction and is for a right reason ....

A bold subject with an even bolder treatment ... A big salute to Aashiq Abu for taking such a risky move especially after a hugely successful Salt'n Pepper ... But surely he hit the nail on the head ...

Final word : A must watch ... 

Warning ; Don't go for it expecting our usual filmi gimmicks OR those soaping feel good affect !!!

"Second Show" - Movie review

In one word its NOT any old wine in new bottle, but rather some new fresh wine served on a normal good old bottle ... 

My verdict : Goes neck in neck with Beautiful and Salt n Pepper, and may an inch higher for avoiding all those boring typical Cliches as well....

And for those who still live in M&M nostalgia and complains that Malayalam movies are dead .. my advice is Go, Watch and Wake up ... There is still hope, a lot of them !!!