Fab Four

The golden period of Tamil cinema is here!
4 Movies, 4 Genres, 4 Stories and so, here's 4 Reviews...


#1

CCV Movie Review

Here's the review of much-awaited action movie of the year 2018...

Now-a-days, Gangster movies are deserving a special attention!
What was your reaction, when you heard that Mani Sir will be doing a Gangster movie with star-cast comprising Arvind Swamy, STR, Arun Vijay, Vijay Sethupathi, Prakash Raj, and many more?

The expectations should have went somewhere, out of Exosphere!

Has the expectations met?
Did Mani Sir give a comeback??
Is it a blockbuster???

Hope so!

Plot
In short and sweet, Three brothers fight for the throne, and Who got it finally?
The movie answers this straight forward question with lot of twist and turns in an engaging way, through a 143-minute action-packed entertainer!!!




Review

Mani Sir
One of the legendary directors in the Indian Film industry.
He is an artistic director and never compromise with his art and love for cinema.
His movies teach us a lot, will take us to the other world and engage us throughout the end.
His direction is commendable and managed to pull off this money-minting blockbuster!
The biggest strength of this film is its technical crew and the cast.
He has given equal space for all the male leads to perform without any partiality.
His direction is flawless and yet, a small worry is that, this particular film could not be felt either by heart or mind!
I felt like 'Something is missing', Mani Sir's magic is missing, unlike his previous masterpieces like Uyire, Bombay, Roja, Kannathil Muthamittaal and so on...
The trailer should not have come, as it made the movie more predictable.
There was no room for emotions except in one scene where Ethi begs his mother to be with him, and the romance portions were good only between Senapathi and his wife, but not with the remaining pairs.
Some of the dialogues were good and enjoyable like "Avanoda Punngai romba Kooramiya irundhuchu (His smile was sharp [like knife])", "College Princy kitta maatikitaa maadhiri (Caught red-handed by College Principal)", etc.
Good writing from both Mani Sir and Siva Ananth!
The lyrics was found to be highly interactive with the screenplay in many sequences!
Some of the instances are, When Senapathi dies of heart-attack, the lyrics at the backdrop was "Idhaiyam Thaangumaa (Will Heart bear it?)" and When Chaaya's (Ethi's wife) coffin was placed in the pit, the lyrics went on like, "Pirindhen, Pirindhen (Separated, Separated)".
Mani Sir has done his job perfectly and entertained us with this performance-lit action drama!
Thanks Mani Sir for the visual treat!!!

AR Rahman
He is the real hero of this movie.
From the beginning of the film, till the end, Rahman Sir carried the entire film on his shoulders.
His Background score was priceless and drove the movie along with it.
"Bhoomi Bhoomi", "Sevandhu Pochu Nenje" and the flute version of "Bhoomi Bhoomi" were played at the background of almost every scenes, that fit in nicely with the screenplay, as I mentioned earlier.
The Tabla BGM in the red-light area fight scene, and the violin behind the chasing scene involving Ethi and a sniper were pleasing to our ears.
Sakthisree Gopalan's rendition was priceless!
The songs were chart-busters already, and the surprise tracks like "Hayati" and "Praaptham" were placed beautifully.
Sound Mixing team were too supportive to Rahman Sir, as they produced very intense sounds like iphone's touch sound, gun shots throughout the movie, especially two gun shots heard at the backdrop during the flashback narrated by Rasool.
This film would have been like 'Fill in the blanks' without Rahman Sir's music.

Santhosh Sivan
He should have been the first person to see this blockbuster (through his camera).
The climax sequence is the best example to show his dedication towards this movie.
The close-up shots came out well.
Each and every frame was very bright and colorful, and in a particular scene, When Varadhan asks to put the lights off, there, lighting team used the powerful beams of cars to illuminate the frame, which the camera lens captured superbly.
An another frame, where Varadhan and his girlfriend look at each other, one upstairs and the other downstairs remembered the epic scene from the movie 'Bombay', where the same Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala exchange their looks.
Amazing work from the legendary cinematographer!

Sreekar Prasad
Sreekar did his job well, as we didn't feel any lags or bored anywhere.
Mani Sir should have forced the editor to trim the scenes at various instances, like Ethi's intro, "Mazhai Kuruvi" song and so on, in order to trim the run-time of the film.
So, We couldn't see some beautiful visuals captured by Santhosh Sivan's camera.

Cast

Arvind Swamy as Varadhan
He is the eldest son of Senapathi,who looks after his father's possession.
He is man of feelings, who is ferocious to his enemies, romantic to his girlfriend, and affectionate towards his wife and children.
His body language is well-suited to his character and he did justice to his role.

Arun Vijay as Thyagu
He is the second son of Senapathi, doing a hi-fi business in Dubai with Sheikhs.
His creed for his father's throne was portrayed well on-screen, as he always love to relax himself on his father's couch.
He is very stylish, emotional and brainy, who is affectionate towards his wife.
His role in the movie can be placed next to his career-best role as Victor in Gautham Menon's movie 'Yennai Arinthaal'.

STR as Ethi
He is the youngest son of Senapathi, who deals with illegal weapon trade in Serbia.
He doesn't seems to have acted in the movie, as if he lived the role.
He has got a cool attitude, who doesn't fear to take any risks in life.
He is one of the pillars of the movie.

Vijay Sethupathi as Rasool
He is the best friend of Varadhan, since his childhood, who knows everything about Senapathi's family.
He is a cop by profession, who is executing 'Operation Red Sky', that makes up the movie.
He can be considered as the best male lead among the four!

Prakash Raj as Senapathi
He is the don of the city, who masterminds the major crimes of the city.
He looks after his business and family like his eyes.
He is the most-loved person in his family and deserves a big respect (result of fear) in the society.
He shines with his role, like how he has done in his previous Mani Sir's films.

Jyothika as Chitra
Finally, she got a chance to do a role in Mani Sir's film.
She is the wife of Varadhan.
Since, she is one of the members of Senapathi's family, she could easily adapt herself to the heat of the situation.
She knows everything, that, a Gangster should know, like, in one particular scene, she warns her husband to be careful with the open window, as the enemy can fire at him anytime.
She added enough emotions to her role.

Dayana Erappa as Chaaya
She is the most blessed one in this crew, for making her acting debut in this movie!
She is the lover-turned-wife of Ethi.
Her expressions were so cute, especially, in her very first scene, where she raises her eyebrows and looks at Ethi,
The dubbing artist for Chaaya did an amazing job!
She has a great journey ahead in her career...

Aditi Rao Hydari as Parvathi
She is a reporter and she has an affair with Varadhan.
After Kaatru Veliyidai, she continues her run for Mani Sir.
Her role was short and sweet one.
She did it as such how it was sketched.

Aishwarya Rajesh as Renu
She is the wife of Thyagu.
She is such a talented actress, but, I don't know, why Mani Sir didn't utilize her properly?
She didn't have a big scope in this movie.
She was wasted!

Supporting cast

Jayasudha as Lakshmi
She is the wife of Senapathi.
She is an apt choice to do this role!

Thiagarajan as Chinnappadasan
He is the rival of Senapathi.
I haven't seen his movies earlier, but I feel that he is no less than any.
His body language and slang was interesting to watch out for.

Mansoor Ali Khan should have been very happy to get a role in this movie!

Lyrics
Vairamuthu Sir's lyrics were soothing and the shocking fact is that these lyrics were written some years back!
Mani Sir-ARR-Vairamuthu, this combo should come up with more films...

Stunts
The fighting sequences were realistic, but there were more guns blazing than physical touches here.
Good job, Dhilip master!

Overall, this movie can be watched as many times for 100% guaranteed entertainment!


Blurb: A sound film from Mani Sir!!!


#2`

Pariyerum Perumal Review

Kurinji flowers bloom once in 12 years, and Pariyerum Perumal is the Kurinji of Indian Cinema..!

Plot
What happens, When someone tries to push a ball into the water?
Certainly, it comes up, right?
That's the plot experimentally!




Review

Director
Welcome to the Indian cinema, Mari Selvaraj!
A dream debut for a sincere assistant of my favorite Director Ram!
The final frame of the movie was enough to show his brilliance and dedication towards the film...
He converted his thoughts into magical frames on-screen.
Each and every characters in this movie were sketched prefectly, especially the characters like father of protoganist and the antoganist!
Every songs were pictured with striking visuals, especially "Karuppi" and "Naan Yaar".
He also showed the attitude of High and Low people as such, that made us to feel disgusting and pity.
This particular subject should be spoken loud and Mari shouted out at the right time through this unforgettable movie!
A movie should not only entertain, but also make us feel and Mari succeeded in that aspect in his very first film itself!
I am damn sure that Mari Selvaraj is going to scale bigger altitudes in his career!!!
All the Best, Sir!

A heart-felt thanks to Pa.Ranjith for producing this epic under his banner 'Neelam Productions'..!

Music Director
Santhosh Narayanan
He is the technical hero of the movie.
His BGM elevates the film.
The songs were very apt for the movie.
Firstly, I heard the song "Karuppi" and started to listen again and again...
After watching the film, I fell in love with every songs of the movie!
The placement of the song "Vaa Rail vida polaama" was superb!
"Vanakkam Vanakkamunga" song was sung by the natives of the Puliyankulam itself!
It is one of the best albums of Santhosh Narayanan's career!!!

Cinematography
Sridhar captured the emotions of every characters perfectly and the frames made us to erupt with emotions as well.
Each and every important sequences and it's root causes were shown to us clearly.
The aerial shots and distant shots were shot beautifully!

Editor
RK Selva's editing played a crucial role for this movie.
Each and every scenes were adequate and we cannot feel any stretch or drag throughout the movie!
The visuals of the songs were shown frame by frame without any jitter!
The interval and pre-climax sequences were visually striking!!!

Cast

Kathir as Pariyerum Perumal B.A.B.L (mela oru kodu [in progress])
This role was like a piece of cake for him.
He gave life to the role and represented all the people, who are denied their rights in this society.
He delivered his dialogues without any flaws and his attitude was his strength!
He was very calm at the beginning and becomes a rebel-for-a-cause towards the end!
He is a great performer, since his first movie, especially in "Kirumi" and I'm eagerly waiting to see him in "Sigai".

Anandhi as Jo
This particular character is one of the best lively characters for a female lead in the recent times.
Her character was very lovely and her tone was so cute and kiddish as well.
This is her career-best performance, without any doubts!
Please select scripts like this and you can shine brighter than any.

Yogi Babu as Anandh
Unlike his previous works, He is travelling along with the male lead throughout the movie as a supporting actor!
His comic timings, appearance and voice should never go off from him.
From Best Comedian to Best Supporting Actor, he has lifted himself a bit in his career!

Pari's father
I bet, nobody would have seen such a character like this in World cinema!
His role was so pathetic and helpless.
He almost brought tears in the eyes of audience.
In a meeting, he said he was a street artist and doesn't know anything about acting!
He didn't act at all, actually he was himself!

Venkatesan as Mesthri Thatha (Mason grandpa)
A different kind of villain, the Tamil cinema haven't seen before.
Whenever he comes on-screen, he makes us to feel nervous and makes us to develop more hatred for him.
Everyone would scold him black and blue, when he executes innocents.
His role made us to react and that's his first victory as an actor!

Marimuthu as Jo's father
He played an emotional father role who always boast about his respect and caste in the society.
His mood changes according to the situations around him.

Other supporting cast

The roles like co-mason (played by Shanmugaraj), whose role is same as his real life, the staffs at college, Principal, Jo's cousin, Pari's mother and so on.

The choreography by Sandy Master was rocking for the song "Engum Pugazh Thuvanga", where Anthony Dasan scored full marks, both as a singer and a dancer as well!

The dialogues were so socialistic, thought-provoking and funny at some places.
Especially the conversation between Pari and Principal got big round of applause!

Overall, Pariyerum Perumal is a gem and the pride of Indian Cinema!


Blurb: A must watch film before you die!!!


#3

96 Movie Review

This review is filled with tonnes of love!
96 is not a movie, but a romantic poem!!!

Plot
Does love fade with time?
This beautifully-crafted masterpiece will answer this question in a 157-minute lovely journey!





Spoiler alert!

Story-cum-Poem
96

He follows his heart
That takes him to places
Something freezes this moment-freezer
That's nothing, but, his High school
Plans for a reunion

Meanwhile,
Goes back to his past
Lives a nostalgic life
Falls for a Nightingale
Enjoys the spring
A gale splits the two
22 hard years moves on

Now,
At reunion
Sees his girl
The past strikes them both
Dissolving some time
Remembering the memories
The two could have become one
Circumstances didn't permit this one
The fault was hers
Pleads for the guilt

She asks,
What if they have joined?
A smile goes off before she rejoice
There's no choice

Time's up
Have to part now
Her heart longs for the lost love

He says,
Life has to move on
With lot of worries
Started to move on their ways

Yet,
Their love stands still!


Review

Director Prem Kumar
Wow! Love is there in his name itself.
Cinematographers have become directors in this industry!
And, Prem Kumar is not an exception.
He started his career as a cinematographer, and made his debut with critically acclaimed 'Naduvula Konjam Pakatha Kaanom', which was his own life story!
His directorial journey has begun well as the film is being praised by all.
He has beautifully handled the cinematographers, editor, music director and the entire crew. 
The movie was very pleasant to watch from the start and till the end.
The school days were beautifully filmed and it really took us back to our past!
Here, the mysterious thing is that, there was not even a single Christian name on the attendance sheet (of the class), in the school, which is named All Saints! 
The Whatsapp conversation scene was superb!
The placement of the song 'Kadhale Kadhale' was stunning and the theater erupted with whistles!
The love between Ramachandran and Janaki Devi was pure like the rain!
90's kids can be proud of this film, who can compare the film with their lives!
Hats off Prem Kumar and All the best for your future!

Cinematographer Shanmuga Sundaram
He has captured beautiful moments and the very first song of the film is the standing example for his love for camera!
The photographs shot by Ram in the movie were prize-worthy ones.
It was like National Geographic stuff!
The film looked very beautiful, not even a single frame was wasted by the camera man.
Great job, Sundaram!

Editor Govindaraj
He used black off effect to migrate from one scene to another, which was very classic and neat.
The switch between past and present couldn't be felt as it was executed with perfection.
Kudos to Govindaraj!

Music Director Govind Menon
He hails the popular band 'Thaikudam Bridge'.
The song "Kadhale Kadhale" was added to the playlist of many youngsters, after its release.
The violin tone flowed into the ears like a river!
He should be an ardent fan of 'Musical Maestro' Ilayaraja, as he used Raja Sir's bit-songs in many places in the movie.
Each and every song sung by Janaki in the movie were pleasing, and every songs were originally sung by Janaki Mam.
Each and every songs of the movie were soothing and his music is the soul for the movie!

Cast

Vijay Sethupathi as Ram aka Ramachandran
He began to score right from his intro song as a travel photographer!
His acting was very natural and he did it very relaxed like a pro!
His reaction, when Jaanu calls him 'Aambala Naatukatta' and when he meets Jaanu after a long gap were so cute and kiddish!
He is one of the best script chooser in the industry!

Trisha as Jaanu aka Janaki Devi
After VTV, 96 is an another milestone in her career!
Her expressions were so good and the audience went crazy in her intro scene!
Chinmayi absorbed her role and delivered a lovely voice-over!
She has to do more films like this!

Adithya and Gouri as Young Ram and Jaanu
They are the finds of the year!
The casting team has chosen the perfect faces to play younger versions of VJ Sethupathi and Trisha! 
Both of them excelled in their own way.
Gouri's expressions, while singing songs, were very natural as a professional singer!
Adhithya scored in many scenes without uttering the dialogues!
It's not a big surprise that Adithya is our MS Bhaskar's son! Good son and Great father!!!
Congratulations to both of you!

Supporting cast

Devadarshini and her daughter, who played her Mom's younger version were the another surprise pack in the movie!
In addition to them, Bagavathi aka Bugs, 'Aadukalam' Murugadoss, Janakaraj, Kavithalaya Krishnan and Varsha added more beauty to this movie!

A special thanks to Art department for extending your hands in making this movie a most beautiful and unforgettable one!

Overall, 96 is capable of digging out the feelings from your heart!


Blurb: An art from heart!!! 


#4

Ratsasan Movie Review

Mathematically,
2xHorror+Crime+Thriller = Ratsasan!

Plot

A Psycho kills 15 year-old school going girls in the city. Did someone stop him or he continued killing?
You will find the answer through this 170-minute disturbing psychological thriller!





Review

Director
It's surprising to see Ramkumar with Ratsasan after his critically acclaimed 'Mundasupatti'!
Ramkumar was played by the protagonist Arun, who is a director-cum-cop!
Arun's dedication and love for film-making is same as Ramkumar's!
The back-end research involving the crimes of serial killers all over the world is really appreciable!
He handled the script well and the characters were finely sketched!
The dialogues were straight-forward and the protagonist's dialogues were bullet-ed in some instances.
He used few actors from his previous work, who performed well again.
Ramkumar glued the audience to the corner of the seat throughout the movie!

Music Director
Ghibran's score was phenomenal!
His background score increased the heartbeat at various circumstances.
The music, that came from his piano was very disturbing and scary one!
His music plays a vital role in this movie.
The sound engineering team made the background score more effective!
A surprise is that, he played an interesting cameo in the movie!
He can be considered as one of the Best Background scorers in the industry, undoubtedly!

Cinematographer
P.V.Sankar's cinematography was very strange and raw!
He captured some horrific images of corpse, that can affect us very easily.
I guess, he must be a good product photographer!
His cinematography helped the director a lot to visualize his movie from his very own perspective!
So, this is not only the director's movie, but also the cinematographer's!

Editor
San Lokesh's editing was very sharp and crisp!
The magic tricks performed by the artist were edited beautifully, in one particular flashback portion, the actions of magician were showed with reduced frame-rate, that made a difference in screenplay.
Some sequences looked clueless, which turned out to be the nightmares of the protagonist, were cut inappropriately to add deliberate confusions!
Excellent work from San!

Cast

Vishnu Vishal as Arun
This is one of the best roles in his career!
He looked perfect in the cop outfit, and his voice modulations were good as both director and cop!
His intentions were clear and he just lived the role!
Vishnu loves to choose interesting scripts and he should continue with this.

Amala Paul as Viji
She got an important role in the movie and she did it beautifully.
Her role didn't look uninteresting like the other female lead roles in the recent films.
She has given a strong comeback with her role!

There are 3 Psychos in this movie.
1. Antagonist
2. Maths Teacher
3. Lady Inspector

Antagonist
He played the roles of  Magician, Serial killer and a Student.
This particular should have been the inspiration from the title role of the film 'The Curious case of Benjamin Button'.
His appearance was haunting enough, to fit into the movie!
He made us to feel pity and scary as well, with his expressions.
Good casting choice!

Maths Teacher
He made us to feel irritating and disgusting toward him.
His role should be feared and respected!
Already, many doesn't like maths, and after seeing this movie, they will hate the maths teachers too!

Lady Inspector
She is a bloody psycho, who is very fond to her daughter and no one else.
Her role was stubborn and she never takes anyone's advice and their ideas either.
Whenever she comes on-screen, we feel like, she should be killed first before the villain!
Such was her acting!

Other Supporting cast

Munishkanth Ramdoss and Kali Venkat were very serious with the script and done their roles with utmost sincerity.
The girls who played the characters Ammu and Sanjana were lovely to watch.
Radha Ravi sir played a very short, yet an important role in the movie!

The stunt sequences were powerful and realistic!

Overall, Ratsasan is a must-watch psychological thriller for its technical brilliance and a hard hitting screenplay!


Blurb: Beware of this Ratsasan (Psycho)!!!

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