Change Your Image
rakeshmr2017
Reviews
Soorarai Pottru (2020)
A movie that missed the theatre's big screen
Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams". Surya's new movie Soorarai Pottru can be handily deciphered using that quote.
Well, the story is loosely based on the life of G.R Gopinath, the founder of Simplifly Deccan, formerly known as Air Deccan. But the story penned by Sudha Kongara took the liberty of changing the whole atmosphere to suit the cinematic language, where Gopinath became Maaran along with the portrayal of other characters.
The story is no different from the usual inspirational movies that garner the viewer's appreciations. The story goes like this. A man from the lower section of society tries to achieve his dream, and while striving to make it a reality, he had to follow a path of thorns and sharp stones. Yes, it's the same old story.
However, the characters are strong and their profundity makes the movie engaging. The stellar performances from the likes of Surya, Aparna, Urvashi, Paresh, Mohan Babu and many others take the movie to another level. The music by GVP is also worth mentioning. The soul of the movies like this finds the way with tunes like this.
The presence of bold female characters and depictions of lower Indian society tries to talk more than the story of a person trying to fly high. Certain caricatures like Ballaiyya (Vijay Mallya) and the likes of many others are in the movie.
Since the movie is loosely based, let's say that these characters are arranged for enhancing the cinematic experience. Wait, there is a scene from one of these characters that give goosebumps. Watch the movie and experience it. Let's keep it a secret.
Apart from prominent features, I felt a lack of WOW factor at times. Especially, the climax should be more worked in that way. But Sudha's version went for melodrama in those places. As mentioned earlier, this story is meant to be an inspirational one, and when such a story is presented on-screen it should be able to provide in full with horripilation. But that was missing from the climax.
Meanwhile, when we look at the bigger picture the movie as a whole is thought-provoking and enthralling that compels the viewers to experience the hardships that Maaran confronted in his way to achieve his dream.
This is a movie that deserved a theatrical release. Sudha Kongara's directorial debut provided a quality OTT release among the likes of many who provided lacklustre experiences to the viewers. As a fan of the OTT platform, I expect much more quality movies to reach the comfort of our home.
Welcome Home (2020)
Well, it was too hard to live the life of Prerna!!!
Welcome Home (Hindi, 2020)
Horror, Thriller
The new SonyLiv flick is filled with emotions of fear and blood. This creepy movie tells the story of 2 ladies named Anuja and Neha who had frightening experiences when they went to take census count in a secluded house in the middle of nowhere. They went to take the census and felt something was out of place when they had met Prerna, a pregnant lady who told 'Children were born and they die thereafter' when asked about her other kids. There they met 3 more adults who were suspicious of the way they behaved.
They stepped out of the house. Later, Anuja had a feeling to go back to that house and Neha at first wasn't interested. But their instincts made them go there. This time, everything is changed. A downpour made them stay for the night and, that was the beginning of their ultimate fears. What happened to them thereafter is the rest of the movie's story.
Apart from dealing with a horror subject, the movie directed by Pushkar Mahabal and penned by Ankita pictures the Indian community dominated by men. For example, Anuja's fiance and Neha's brother were the same apart from living in different Indian cities. Their attitude towards women can be seen at the beginning of the film. The sex-starved villainous characters also depict another section called psychos who are not common, yet they consider women as tools for just sex. The male characters in the movie are mostly awful. Maybe they too exist!!
At end of the movie, when we realize that the whole incident is based on a true incident, we could feel chilling vibes through our flesh and bone. Welcome Home is well crafted and cut to the chase during the nearly 2 hours of its run time. Welcome Home shouldn't be missed if you are a movie fanatic, especially if you like the movies that chill down the spine that pervaded with an eerie atmosphere.
Well, it was too hard to live the life of Prerna!!!
Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)
Always follow the rule zero
What about someone sending a cut-off body part to the headquarters of the Conservative Party party and the Liberal party? How can this be related to the name of this documentary? This Netflix documentary tries to explain the creation of this heinous deed with cats.
After receiving both positive and negative reviews from critics, this documentary serves better as a crime flick rather than a usual documentary. Filmed with real-life characters, the film takes the viewer to a new level of watching crime thrillers in a different form. Remember watching the movie Searching by Aneesh Chaganty and similar movies that captivated the viewers by their unique way of making? They used the computer and the internet as a tool to present their ideas of a movie. Though Don't F k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer be called as a documentary, it also uses the very idea of these movies.
A limited-series from Netflix had its chilling moments as a crime thriller along with the twists one really need to enjoy such tape. I was literally glued to my seat while watching the movie. A blood-chilling experience due to the presentation of the timeline for the different incidents that happened for nearly three years.
The series illustrates how a group of so-called internet nerds who were amateurs became a part of a crime in a vast space. They predicted and sometimes could be blamed for their deeds, and they realize or try to intimidate the viewers about such actions. In that way too this series had a clear complexity on all the aspects they followed.
Getting deep into the storyline might not be a good idea as the series deserves to be watched without any prejudiced mentality to keep up the thrill of what you are going to watch on the screen. Yet this is based on true facts and happenings that one could find more online. But go for it to experience a new presentation of a crime thriller.
Simran (2017)
Simran;The story of Sandeep Kaur with a note"Tick Tick,I have a bomb"
Sandeep Kaur,an NRI nurse got her media attention when she was revealed as the 'Bombshell Bandit' by the US Police.'Simran',the Kangana starred movie is a fictional representation of the Story of Sandeep Kaur.The name is changed to Praful patel for the sake of the movie along with her profession altered to a house keeping staff in a Hotel.The circumstances sometimes makes someone a criminal.But how can one become a criminal due to their foolishness?And that too adapting never heard simple way of bank robbery in life?
Praful Patel,daughter of traditional Gujarati parents had an ambition to own her house in US.Praful,who was divorced tried to make money for it along with a bank mortgage.But her fate had other ways.Her trip to Los Vegas shattered all her plans.She won at first at the Casino,then lost her money,then tried to get them back.Along with this,she owed money from lenders,This led her to rob banks.Here,instead of heavily planned heists with hi-fi weapons and plans,she just used a piece of paper,lipstick and some mediocre make up.
The story looked promising all over.But on the screen,it was not.The director and the crew failed miserably to bring life to the movie.While,Kangana tried her best to enact the role of Sandeep Kaur to Praful Patel.But she was not even supported by her co-stars who seemed to be acting in an Indian soap opera.With all the confusions caused by Kangana with her personal remarks,it appears that Kangana won't be able to share screen with familiar names for the time being I think.Or else,with a better screenplay and actors Simran had everything to be a 'Queen'.
Finalizando:Except the story and Kangana,what entertained me was her dialogue at the end where he thought about the usual Indian girl.Oh man!!That is something everyone needs to face an caught up in an act if living outside India.Simran is a movie which failed to make a mark with it's flawed execution.
Aruvi (2016)
Aruvi-The girl who wanted to live!!
Awe-inspiring reviews from a majority of the viewers made me to watch the movie with high hopes.But,initially the movie was a bit confused.At times,felt it like a coming of age movie of a girl from a village who had to shift to a bigger city due to her dad's job.The scenes leading to interrogation was too mysterious to begin with.There were some incomplete statements in between.Most of those statements were flashbacks.I thought that I missed something and had to rewind the video.Then,a question came.What is so special about this movie which made it a sensation last year?
These were my impressions of the movie 'Aruvi' at start.But when the 'Green Room' was transformed to 'Interval' in the movie,I was absolutely stunned by what I just saw on the screen.An amazing work by Arun prabhu Purushothaman,which made viewers confused,mysterious and thrilled at times until interval was about a cause which needed attention from the society all the time.A theme,which was always narrated as a near to documentary type ,brimful with over sentiments got unveiled in a contemporary way.
Aruvi(Aditi Balan) ,born and lived as a normal girl who was loved by her parents and brother got into trouble at a certain period of her life.It wasn't her fault,but there was none to believe her.Then she left her family and started a way of living in her on way and terms,later to be caught up into some situations.Then she reacted to all the misfortunes and hatred she had to bear in her life in a unique way
.Sorry,the story can't be too elaborated than this.'Coz,'Aruvi' is a movie which demands actual movie experience.If one is unaware of the story,this is an absolute piece of breathtaking experience.this movie will tickle your sense of thrill,mystery ,downcast and even make you laugh at times.
Last Word: Aditi Balan enacted her role so brilliantly that one wouldn't surprise if she gets some Elite Awards for the role.The movie really deserves more appreciation form the nation,as it concerns everyone.Buckle up to watch one of the best movies of our time,if you haven't watched it yet.
Aramm (2017)
Aramm-What India needs the most,Rockets or equipment to save life;in a common man's view
Aramm ,directed by Gopi Nainar with Nayanthara is about a rescue mission by a Collector to save a kid who accidentally fell and trapped in a bore-well.The movie started off with Nayanthara as Madhivadhani IAS being interrogated by her superior officer.Right from there,statements were made on the socio-political scenario in India.The politicians who never show any consideration for those who voted for them was seen all over the movie.Her conflicts between those who rule made her to take decision on her career,while the Superior Officer had to take some stern actions on how she worked during the emergency situation,under political influences.
When Dhanishka,the daughter of Yugendran and Sumathi lived in a Village,where water valued more than anything.The scarcity of water made the Villagers to raise protest against the government.During one hot day,Dhanishka got trapped into a bore-well.The movie focuses on the a developing India,where achievements in Science and Technology makes everyone proud in one side while,there are no necessary devices to do rescue services in such cases.When surplus amount of money is spend on Rocket launching and all,no care is given to these issues.Though the statement looks negative with political considerations from the film maker,attempts were there to explain the situations as a talk-show in a news channel.The movie then focus on the risky rescue attempts under the supervision of the Collector.They failed at times,never had the villagers believe them.But Madhivadhani was confident abou saving the life Dhanishka. Dramatic incidents lead to the actions towards the climax.
Finalizando:Aramm describes the 2 faces of social conditions in India and from the climax,one could doubt that a sequel is on the cards.Aramm is a good attempt to show off the inequalities in a society which promises equality for all.Moreover,the movie rather than the initial parts narrated the horror without much compromises that were seen in a normal Tamil movie.After his allegations on a story theft of the Kaththi movieGopi Nainar made a brave attempt to make one in a big canvas.Go for it!!
Maayavan (2017)
If you love to read odd detective stories and eager to watch one on screen,here you have one to watch!!
The murders happening in the city which had similar gestures, perplexed the Police authorities.Inspector Kumaran (Sundeep Kishan) who himself witnessed one of the 'near-live-murder' had trauma after that ,which got mixed with an accident occurred in his young age.The people who were murdered , Dr.Pramodh;a Scientist,his gym trainer,an actress,her makeup man and the rest to follow were part of some mysterious web whom the Police needs to sort out to solve the case.
'Maayavan',a variety murder mystery movie following the way of super-natural,sci-fi movie is an experimental attempt in Tamil cinema.Especially,considering it an Indian regional language movie,there were many chances for it to commit to the compromises.Instead,the emphasis is given to the story structure,which made it a good watch.The first half mainly concentrated on the character formation of Inspector Kumaran,his life and fears without giving any clue on what was happening around.Later,when the mystery was revealed,the story became fast-paced with thrilling sequences.The super-natural,sci-fi elements which formed the major part of the movie had chances to flaw in a big way.But the debutant C V Kumar,with his team was able to make-believe those scenes in a perfect way. Especially,the way in which the 2037 scene at the start which connected the dots towards the climax was worth to watch.The cameo from Jackie Shroff really made the climax a lot powerful than it would have been.
Finalizando: If you love to read odd detective stories and eager to watch one on screen,here you have one to watch!!
Kurangu Bommai (2017)
Kurangu Bommai:The story on how the bag with monkey face became important in the life of some people!!
It all started when Sundaram(Bharathiraja),an old-aged loyal man of Ekambaram,a local Don carried something of value form Thanjavur to Chennai.'Kurangu Bommai' is a non-linear representation of all the incidents that happened before his travel to Chennai and after. Kathir(Vidharth),Sundaram's son who is a taxi driver got mixed up in events that follow unknowingly.He was joined by an ambitious local thief who was exploring easy ways to become rich.The movie then follows bloodshed and later became a revenge thriller.
Most of the people try to survive their life by toiling hard each day.While,there are some who awaits their one shot of their life.But Karma becomes a bitch a times and waits for them.'Kurangu Bommai' takes a turn at one point of time and towards the end it became a perfect revenge thriller.The legendary director Bharathiraja was a perfect for the role of Sundaram.,One would remember his sharp narrations during most of his movies.But here,he enacted Sundaram according to requirements of the role.One would feel sympathy on his character,especially when he narrated his story on how he joined Ekambaram.Vidarth is a specialist in these type of roles.Especially his role Kathir was quite similar to that of 'Kuttrame Dhandanai'.The movie was unpredictable at times and later with the non-linear narration,lots of mysterious flavors were added and when the dots were connected it took a fast paced turn to end as revenge thriller.
Finalizando:'Kurangu Bommai' is a flawlessly designed revenge thriller which will hook up the viewers to their seats for the thrilling experience!!