Marykkundoru Kunjadu Malayalam Film Review

Malayalam commercial cinema,just like other language commercial  cinema has a structure,the films should have the necessary masala ingredients to make them a  boxoffice success.Usually these type of films do well at the boxoffice but will be cliche ridden and really a pain to sit through.To give credit to Marykkundoru Kunjadu,it is a film well steeped in the usual malayalam commercial structure with the usual cliches,but fortunately do not stoop too low to be considered as garbage.The film has its moments,works like a sort of fable with an innocent charm to it so that the obvious manipulations which is on your face can to some extend be exempted.

The setting is a remote picturesque village where you meet the hero Solomon who is a simpleton with dreams of becoming a film director.He is lazy and is a burden on his poor family since he is not serious about life and is not interested in helping his family.As such he is on constant lookout by brothers of the girl  he loves,who don't hesitate to take advantage of his meek character to subject him to  physical beatings when opportunity arises.When a stray stranger appears at his house,he takes his help to fight back against his tormentors.The film looks at the mystery behind the sudden appearance of this stranger and his connection to Solomon's family.The film interestingly sets up the mystery where the audience is subjected to probe on the true intention of this guy.

As I mentioned, the film is like a fable or a children's story where there is this setting of this village with God fearing people, a church with its missing golden cross,where hero is expected to bring back the golden cross and everything will turn out fine.As such this story line looks little bit implausible,but then this is a  fable  and at the end when mystery unfolds you feel that this film has touched the right chords  and as much implausible this story is, you feel that the film has succeeded in telling a story with its human touch intact.

For Dileep who has played similar characters before this role is cakewalk and is something tailor made for him.He has done justice to the role.At some point I had a fear that given the superhero image which is expected from our  heroes,he will ultimately fight back against his tormentors and teach them a lesson which our super heroes usually do.Fortunately director do not take that route and so there is no dilution in hero's character.Some minor flaws like excessive stunt scenes to generate sympathy for the hero should  have been avoided.As a director Shafi has been able to bring authenticity to the setting and has handled his job well.Performances are pretty uniform and Biju Menon,Innocent,Vijayaraghavan,Jagathy,Salim Kumar all have contributed to make this film pretty strong as far as acting department is concerned.You can't find fault with any of these performances.For me the standout scene in this film is the introduction of Salim Kumar through the character of government doctor.This is a really well thought out scene and here the intended humor is of high quality.Of course the same quality is not  maintained throughout but as  pure entertainer,the film do not disappoint.

My RATING: ABOVE AVERAGE

Sahasram Malayalam Film Review

Sahasram is a suspense thriller with an element of supernatural in the background.If an investigative murder mystery combined with a hint of supernatural in the form of a Yakshi(Ghost),makes an interesting premise,then the result can be termed as the story of Sahasram.

A film crew arrives to  shoot a horror film at a dilapidated old building in a remote village.When art director Vaishakh who is also addicted to drugs first visits this building,he meets some people and then tragedy strikes when a group of people attacks them.Vaishakh escapes from there and he later comes to know that the people whom he met happens to be the ghosts of people who got killed in that building years ago.When he explains this to others,everyone associates this as his hallucinations.While at the shooting site the main villain in the movie,Sudhir gets killed and suspicion falls on Vaishakh who had a previous history of enmity with Sudhir.Police officer Sahasranamam is entrusted with the task of unmasking the murderer.The film looks at how Sahasranamam sets about to achieve his objective and what we get is twists and turns,suspicion shifting from person to person and culminating in a surprising conclusion.

This film cannot be termed as a brilliantly executed murder mystery,but director has been able to maintain the suspense to some extent and thereby keeping the viewer interested enough to see through the unfurling of the mystery.It is also interesting that the supernatural element also fits in with the proceedings and add to the mystery element rather than meandering in a different direction.As such there are instances when you feel like it is an implausibe story,then again film as an art form especially when it comes to mystery movies,little bit of leeway can be given as long as director is able to maintain the suspense element with out taking the audience for too much of a ride.

Suresh Gopi of course has become the stereotyped murder investigator in Malayalam films.But then again nothing wrong with that since he does this job pretty well.Here I won't say he is perfect in that but can only say that he is just about adequate and has done his job.Bala as art director was pretty impressive and his interesting face and expressive eyes gave some depth to that tragic character.Some other good performances of note was that of Jagathi,Sudheesh and Suresh Krishna.Madhu is wasted in a small role.When it comes to music,the songs are really good even though background music which should play an important role in this type of films fail to rise up to expectation.

My Rating: ABOVE AVERAGE

Karyasthan Malayalam Film Review

Malayalam film industry always has this fascination for films related to warring families and then their happy reunion at the end.The story line of these type of films will be similar,there will be two powerful families in a village run by patriarchs with a dozen children who initially will be close friends,but due to some misunderstanding perpetuated by a villain,will become bitter enemies and their enmity will span decades until some one preferably from younger generation will set things right,whereby the villain is caught and at the end every one sings a happy song and all ends well.The story line of Karyasthan is also somewhat similar.Not only the story is one regurgitated many times before,I feel there is only one word to describe this film,and that is the word "silly".Yes this film is really silly,with its low standard comedy,manipulative emotional scenes,over acting and to add nail on the coffin,irritating songs.

Unni wants to reunite his father with his relatives,who banished him to a remote Tamil Nadu village when he married against their wish.So he sets on a journey along with his best friend Vadivelu to his grandfather's house to meet the objective of reuniting his grandfather's and his best friend's family.The film looks at the hilarious sequences that follow when he lands up at the house and take up the job of a caretaker.The film follows the usual pattern of love affairs,again misunderstanding,and it is of course the duty of the hero the emerge triumphant by demolishing the villain and needless to say everything is rosy at the end with every one singing the traditional family song in their best traditional attire.

Dilip is no doubt a good actor and this type of roles suit him,but if he wants to be taken as a serious actor,he should avoid this type of repetitive roles.Then again one cannot blame him,since he is typecast in this type of roles and if audience want this type of substandard stuff then who can blame him.Suraj as his best friend is able to evoke some laughs and that is only because of his natural talent rather than anything to do with the script.Two talented artists Salim Kumar and Harisree Ashokan are wasted in roles which require them to do overacting with the same set of expressions which they have done in countless movies before.

As such it was really a pain to sit through this boring film with tons of actors floating here and there and mouthing serial standard dialogues,there is no point in wasting time on analyzing the acting department.The direction is really poor,silly coincidences,poor script and thousands of other things I don't have time to point out.One of the worst films I have seen in my life.

My Rating: POOR    

Best Actor Malayalam Film Review

'Best Actor' is an example of a film,which on script looks promising but when implemented do not look as plausible or interesting as in the script.This is what happens here also.A film with many implausible scenes,weakness in script,attempt to play to the gallery by creating unnecessary melodramatic scenes,irritating background score when combination of all these factors come together,what you get is an interesting concept gone wrong.

Mohan is a school teacher with the ambition to become an actor in a movie.His entire life is dedicated to achieve this objective where by he even ignores his loving wife and son.When a group of assistant directors planning to make an action film make fun of him and insist that he should have real life experience of a thug,he literally believes it due to his innocent nature and starts living with four real life thugs.The film looks at the hilarious sequences that follow when he encounters professional thugs and his real life merges with the reel life he dreams on.

Credit has to be given that good actors like Venu,Lal,Salim Kumar have been able to master the local slang and make these colorful characters interesting,but a 2.5 hour movie just do not depend on just characterization,but should have an adept screenplay to hold the attention of viewer.This fact is sadly missing here.Also Lal's overacting at some scenes is off-putting.As a director Martin shines in parts,but not able to do justice in some scenes.An example which comes to mind is where the assistant directors indoctrinate Mohan with the Vivek Oberoi story.This scene do not come off naturally and seems to be fake and artificial.The actors also seems to be trying too hard to make an impact.Baiju in the role of police inspector is not convincing,and those scenes are also not handled properly.

Mammootty unfortunately is also not in his elements and in many scenes he looks stiff and uninterested.The hindi dialogue scene is really cringe worthy and embarrassing.The songs are not memorable and there is an irritating humming at melodramatic scenes.The objective seems to appeal to the emotional aspect of the viewer,but unfortunately I don't think anyone would be moved.As such I will concede that there are some really good,realistic dialogues which implies some hard work has gone into the dialogues.At least on that aspect the dialogue writer should be given credit.

My Rating: BELOW AVERAGE

Elsamma Enna Aankutty Malayalam film Review

Due to the untimely death of her father,Elsamma, eldest of four daughters is forced to be the breadwinner of the family.She works as a local newspaper reporter and agent to support her family.She is a strong willed woman who stands up against any injustice committed against her fellow villagers.Her fiery nature makes her enemies like the local liquor baron and corrupt Panchayat member.Her best friend is Unni who makes a living by selling milk.Pappan, an old man is a neighbor of Elsamma's family and both their families love each other.The film looks at the change in this equation when Pappan's grandson Aby comes to the village along with his friends and also the relationship between Elsamma and Unni with the arrival of Aby.

Eventhough on the story aspect it is the same old wine in new bottle,Lal Jose has to be applauded for creating some plausible characters and just about enough friction to maintain the interest of the viewers in the proc eedings.As such there are instances where he tries to play to the gallery by trying to milk emotional aspect of the audience.An example of this is the incident regarding Elsamma's mother which was placed for this effect.Lal Jose has succeeded to some extend to portray the village life with its share of bondage and enmity among the villagers in a realistic fashion with right amount of masala with a hold on screenplay which forces the viewer to maintain his interest.

Ann Augustine as Elsamma,I feel has not been able to nail the character to perfection.Rather than a natural actress,she seems to be more of a director's actress.In some of the scenes that is visible,but overall she is quite adequate and has done justice to the role.Surprise package of this film is definitely Kunchacko Boban.He has definitely stole many hearts with his natural portrayal of the character of Unni.Venu and Jagathi are of course actors who can portray any roles with perfection and result here also is nothing different.Vijayaraghavan in the villain role with comic touch really shines.Indrajith as a happy go lucky youngster inspite of not looking that young somehow pulls of that character without causing much damage.Suraj is in his elements and enlivens the film with his act.

My Rating : AVERAGE

The Thriller Malayalam film review

An young,rich businessman Simon is killed in a brutal knife attack.The last moments of Simon before death is witnessed by DCP Niranjan.Niranjan is mystified by the strange uttering by Simon before his death. The film focuses on this murder investigation by Niranjan to unmask the murderer.

It seems that this film is made to project Prithviraj as a some sort of Superhero rather than concentrating on the murder investigation.You get to see Prithvi walking in slow motion beating many villains to pulp and also mouth English dialogues that rival Suresh Gopi. Even though the premise was pretty much explosive and had great potential to be made into an engrossing fare,Unnikrishnan completely botches it with stereotype police characters and a typical villain.It also had the advantage of being inspired by a real event there by raising the curiosity factor to a high level but it seems director wants to only take advantage of this factor rather than come up with a credible,engaging film.I had a doubt whether I was watching a Malayalam movie,since most of the characters were conversing in English and to rub salt to wound,villain character in Tamil .An example of how filmmaker is hell bent on murdering English language is where Lalu Alex blurts out an English expression which I am sure native speakers of English may not be using in their daily life. The only redeemable feature of this completely forgettable film is the interesting twist towards the end, which takes you by surprise.

On the acting front Prithviraj is trying to ape Suresh Gopi and falls flat in this attempt. He is a capable actor,but here he looks completely out of sorts and cuts a pathetic figure.None of the actors impress and everyone seems to outdo one another to bring as much superficiality to their roles as possible.Background  music is irritating and only serves the purpose of shattering hapless viewers eardrums already battered  by  Prithvi's English dialogues. Unnikrishnan has proved in his previous attempts that he is a good director,but unfortunately here he is completely out of form.

My Rating : BELOW AVERAGE 

Again Kasargod Khader Bhai Malayalam Film Review

To celebrate sixtieth birthday of Fr.Tharakkandam,former artist Unni and his friends arrive at kaladarshana.They agree to do a programme at Viyyoor jail for jail inmates where their old enemy Kasim Bhai is lodged.Unfortunately for these artists Kasim Bhai is murdered and they become prime suspects.The film concentrates on this murder investigation with elements of humor.

This film is one example of a film where comedy is created just for the sake of it.Even though this film boasts of a huge cast of talented comic artists like Jagadish,Salim Kumar,Suraj,Innocent,none of them is impressive and film just drags and the murder investigation led by a police officer(a wooden,pathetic actor) seems juvenile and irritating.Even the reliable Suraj falling flat with his imitation of popular actors.Only one scene where he is impressive is the one where he imitates superstars singing film songs with him getting their mannerisms right.The new mimicry artists are also not impressive and not able to generate any impact.To add to the misery of audience,not only one has to endure low standard slapstick comedy,but also there is vulgar comedy for the sake of it.Thulasidas thoroughly disappoints as a director.This film seems to be made just to encash on the original movie which was a moderate success at the time of release.

My Rating : POOR

Pranchiyettan and the Saint Malayalam Film Review

Francis is a  businessman who in spite of finding success in business, is not happy with life since he is made fun of by people due to his lack of formal education. He also has a bete noire in the form of Jose who not only snatches his childhood love away from him but also defeats him in club election due to his better educational background.A freak incident at an awards ceremony prompts Francis to acquire status in the society by any crooked means.The film looks at this attempt by Francis and also at Francis's attempt at romance,his interaction with his favorite saint, a child prodigy with attitude problems,all with elements of humor embedded in them.

I would have termed this film a brilliant attempt,if not for some scenes which did not pan out well.The saint angle was really thought out and brilliantly executed,even though the actor who played saint seems lacking on the acting front in some scenes The film's satire works perfectly in Francis's attempt for that coveted honor. Ranjith as a director shines here  and the manipulations that go on behind the so called esteemed awards is brilliantly captured.My favorite scene here is the padding up of  Francis's resume  with secular credentials and the reactions to it from his associates. As long as the film concentrated on that aspect it worked well,but unfortunately the film starts going downhill when the romance angle was introduced.It just didn't fit with the flow of the movie.The child prodigy angle even though done with good intention did not pass muster,because the boy who played that role was annoying and the incidents to prove his genius looked juvenile and childish.There was no need for that child prodigy angle,rather on an emotional level it would have worked if that kid was just a normal one.

On acting front of course Mammootty  runs away with all the honours.He is in his element as the much maligned Pranchi. Innocent,Siddique,Priyamani all do justice to their roles.

My rating : GOOD     

Oru Naal Varum Malayalam Film Review

This film is about a corrupt building inspector and the effort of a vigilance officer to catch him in the act.Gopikrishnan is a building inspector with government who is in cohoorts with polititians and senior government officials in running a big corruption racket.But a vigilance squad is formed to catch the people involved in this.Meanwhile Gopikrishnan comes across Sukumaran who pesters him to give a building permit for which he is willing to pay bribe.Whether Gopikrishnan accepts bribe and allow Sukumaran to build his dream house,whether the vigilance squad will be able to bring out  Gopi Krishnan's corruption,these things are explored in this film with elements of humor.

The filmmaker seem to be confused whether to place it as a comedy movie or a serious drama and the film lands in a neither zone.In all aspects the film is a complete failure.Mohan lal is of course a great actor with great comic timing,but  his antics here fall flat.The parallel story of Sukumaran's marital problems is not convincing and drags the film to boredom.The court scenes look dramatical and do not make any impact.In the comedy aspect also film fails spectacularly  with none of the scenes registering any hearty laugh.Only saving grace is Suraj who is able to bring a smile with his portrayal of wily driver who wants his share from the loot Gopikrishnan is involved in.Venu is also impressive in a brief role.Sreenivasan is just about  adequate.Special mention on the performance of Kottayam Nasir who impressed.

My rating : POOR

Kutty Srank Malayalam Film Review

Kutty Srank is the story of a man who becomes part of life of 3 women from different backgrounds..The film looks at life of Kutty Srank through the eyes of these three women who narrate their association with him

For Revamma kutty Srank appears as loyal servant to her cruel,suppressive feudal landlord father.She adopts Buddhism and rebels against her father.Kutty Srank helps her in her  endeavour and helps her to escape.This segment was weak and poorly executed.This whole clash between father and daughter looked theatrical and over the top.Padmapriya also couldn't give a natural performance,rather her performance looked forced and stereotypical art film acting.

I had almost given up the movie and started thinking what is so great about this movie when fortunately second segement started.This story is told through eyes of Pemanna.Here Kutty Srank is in a village populated by Christians,where god fearing people are put into submission by the wily village priest.But there is common passion among villagers for drama spearheaded by Loni who wants Kutty Srank to play the pivotal character in drama.As such there is a villain lurking behind who with the help of priest,want to eliminate Kutty Srank and also want to marry Loni's sister,Pemanna.This segment is well executed.The acting here is of top class with Siddique,Suresh krishna,Kamalini in top form.Unlike the first segment the characters here look natural and credit should be given to Shaji for recreating that time period with authenticity.The way the priest connive with rich and try to manipulate simple folk using his power as messanger of God is well brought out.

The third story is told through the eyes of Kali.Here the film again goes downhill.Just like the first segment it is more into theatrical mood where you have a truck load of villains,a superstitious land lord,human sacrifice etc.To add to confusion you have a writer who is writing the story of Kali.As if splattering of blood in the movie is not enough,the film again ends with a couple of deaths.

I have to say I am disappointed with this movie.As such non linear narration is not such a novel thing,still all the stories had potential,but director forgets to execute it with subtlety.There are moments of brilliance like the second segment.The segment where three women tell these stories is also well executed.Mammootty is perfectly cast as Kutty Srank and he is able to do justice to different characters by adopting the mannerisms unique to each character effortlessly.This is a film which should have been told in a simple,straight forward way and it would have worked.But unfortunately by taking that art house approach it neither appeals to intelligentsia nor to common man.

My rating : BELOW AVERAGE

Sakudumbam Shyamala Malayalam Film Review

Urvasi who excels in playing eccentric woman characters with an element of humor,plays the role of Shyamala,a homemaker.Her brother Shekharan who is a high ranking government official is at loggerheads with her,since she married against his wish.The movie looks at this skirmish with elements of humor where her husband and son stand as innocent bystanders.The only goal of Shyamala is to become more famous than her brother who always make fun of her husband who works with him.By turn of fate she gets an oppurtunity to enter an election which opens floodgates for her to execute her revenge.The movie looks at the aftermath of this in a humorous way.


As a director,Radhakrishnan Mangalath for most of the part gets it right.One of the well directed scenes is the one when Shekharan announces election results and the subsequent reactions.Coming to acting front,there is no denying that Urvasi is apt for this role and she is convincing in it,but there are instances where her acting get into that over acting stage.Sai Kumar who is usually seen in blood thirsty villain roles,for a change plays the kind,understanding husband and pulls it of well.Nedumudi Venu,Kunjacko do justice to their roles.Suraj is outstanding as the wily,slimy politition.He enlivens the movie with his energetic performance.Jagadish with his baffoonery act was irritating.It seems like Malayalam film makers cannot do without some slapping scenes in movies to generate laughs and here Jagadish is at receiving end.This really puts a dampener on an otherwise  engaging and funny movie.

My Rating : ABOVE AVERAGE

Pathinonnil Vyazham Malayalam Film Review

This film talks about a superstitious millionaire who marries off his daughter to a fraudster to ward off a danger predicted in her horoscope and how his plan backfires in a humorous way.Appu is a good for nothing youth,who is looking for that big break in life when he comes in touch with a gullible millionaire,Chandran Pillai whom he was able to hoodwink and get a job as a driver.When he was forced to marry millionaire's daughter,he put in a condition to tranfer all wealth of Chandran Pillai to himself and this situation triggers a series of humorous situations.

CI Paul excels as superstitious millianaire.Mukesh and Jagathy do their jobs well.Manya overacts and was just about adequate.Director Suresh Krishna was able to maintain the humour well and keep the viewer interested.Inspite of usual plotline used for comedy films of this sort,credit has to be given especially to Mukesh,Jagathy and CI Paul for their fine performances which rise above an average script.

My rating : ABOVE AVERAGE

Shikkar Malayalam Film Review

This film tells the story of a truck driver haunted by his past,one who tries to escape from the aftermath of a deed which circumstances forced him to do.Balaraman is a lorry driver involved in transportation of bamboo.He is local hero who has no fear to take on local gangster who try to exploit poor bamboo workers.But he is shaken when an old friend of him visits him.Why Balaraman is frightened of his past,from what he is trying to escape,this suspense element take the movie forward.

Mohanlal as tough as nails truck driver impresses,he is also at ease playing the insecure father haunted by his past.Direction by Padmakumar is impressive and he is able to maintain suspense to some extend.But the back story seems to be forced when suspense unravels.Director's attempt to put red herrings to way lay audience succeeds but seemed to give an impression that it was created just to make an effect,rather than well thought out.Jagathy impresses as a good for nothing alcoholic.Rest of the cast Suraj,Lalu Alex is adequate.

My rating : AVERAGE

Review in Malayalam

Malarvadi Arts Club Malayalam Film Review

This film chronicles the life of 5 youngsters who lead a pointless life with the usual trappings of youth after their college life .Circumstances force them to take up their common passion of music as a career .One among them gets an opportunity to participate in a TV realty show where he emerges a winner.He gets many opportunities which help in establishing a successful career.This causes various misunderstandings among the group and the film focuses on this..

Direction by Vineeth is commendable but in terms of story  line there is nothing new.There are lot of excessive melodrama and playing to gallery type scenes which should have been avoided or done with subtlety..All 5 newcomers are adequate even though lack of experience in acting is clearly visible in many scenes..The weakness of movie is the done to death story line and stock characters which you can find in any other Malayalam movie.

My rating : BELOW AVERAGE

T. D. Dasan Std VI B Malayalam Film Review

A filmmaker,Nandakumar in Bangalore receives a letter addressed to Damodaran from a 11 year old boy from a remote village in Kerala.On enquiry Nandakumar finds that Damodaran was driver of the previous tenant of the house where he is staying now.Damodaran happens to be father of this boy who left him years ago when he was a small child.This letter is read by Nandakumar's daughter Ammu,who starts corresponding with the boy posing as Damodaran.The film chronicles this correspondence between two children and consequences of this due to this.

Director is able to capture the fatherless boy's life in a poor family well.Shweta Menon shines as the fiery single mother who has to ward off gossips about her as well as advances from well wishers.Biju Menon as Nandakumar and Tina rose as Ammu give great performance.Direction is top class with life in a remote village captured with realism.It is a heart warming film with its share of tender moments which capture the innocence of children.

My rating : GOOD

Kadha Thudarannu Malayalam Film review

Kadha Thudarunnu is the story of the struggles of a  single mother to survive in a world divided by religion.It also tells that there are kinder souls out there.Vidya a hindu marries,Shanawaz a muslim against opposition from their parents.Eventhough there is no support from their respective families,they decide to face life with courage.They are happy in their little world with their daughter,until fate plays a cruel game where Shanawaz is killed.After Shanawaz's death how Vidya copes up with life and struggle to give a comfortable life to her daughter forms the crux of the movie.


Jayaram plays the role of good samaritan autorikshaw driver and he does justice to his role.Eventhough film starts on a promising note after a while film drags and is not convincing as it progresses.Sathyan Anthikad as a director is in fine form here but same cannot be said about the screenplay.Innocent,KPAC Lalitha do their supporting parts well.Sathyan regular Mamukoya is in only one scene,but proves that he is such a natural performer.

My rating: AVERAGE

Review in Malayalam

Mummy and me Malayalam film Review

Mummy and me points a mirror to contemporary life of a middle class Malayalee family.The film deals with clash between a mother and teenage daughter about how they deal with their lives.Mother is possessive about her daughter and wants to have a say in each and every small thing she does and daughter as is the case of teenager rebels against it.This clash forms the crux of the movie and father is caught in between this fight and there is a mischievous brother who adds fuel to fire.

Director Jithu Joseph succeeds in telling this story with elements of humour convincingly.Mukesh is his usual self in the role of hapless father.Archana Kavi is passable in the role of teenager.In some of her scenes she overacts a bit but overall she is adequate as the troubled teenager.Urvasi is the star attraction of this movie,she is at her absolute best as the possessive mum.Kunjacko,Lalu Alex,Syari,Sudhish all do their respective parts well.

My rating: GOOD

Review in Malayalam