Oru Indian Pranayakatha review

'Oru indian Pranayakatha' or OIP is the latest creation from one of the most admired directors of Malayalam Cinema, Mr. Satyan Anthikad. Mr. Anthikad has been a familiar name around many of the family audiences, as his movies usually concentrate on the bonding and morality of kerala relationships and families. In OIP, he has struggled to create the same magic that he usually brings. Here he has tried something different, as this film is not situated in a house in a village as the central location. He has wandered a bit and used several locations, which is normally not his style.

An aspiring youth party member in a big political party looks forward to his standing in the elections as an MLA, but various politics inside his group foils his plan. Now he has to look forward to something else, and that is when he meets a lady documentary maker from Canada of Indian origin. Now hearing this we might think the movie is about politics and its satire, or about making  a documentary about our state and its experiences changes the protagonist. but nothing like that. the story is something else, and it starts only by the second half, and it is boring. What constitutes the first half is the directionless storyline with some comedy and establishment of the characters.Well, if i had seen a couple of his earlier movies, i could have compared those with OIP, but i can't. I feel so sad to see that Malayalam movies can't concentrate on one topic for the whole 2-2 and a half hours. The scripts are loaded with unnecessary subplots and plots itself as fillers. (Of course, there are exceptions.)

The major attraction (the only one) in this move is Fahadh Fazil. He is not the guy you saw in 'Amen', or '24 Katham', but a lit up energetic party member, with all the qualities and cunningness of the world. His mannerisms and presentation of the character is so unique, and funny. His performance and certain dialouges are the saving graces of this movie.

On the other hand, Amala Paul as the documentary maker is very disappointing. She is totally out of place in a Satyan Anthikad movie, which usually produces natural actors. She can't even sit expressionless without looking fake, and not interested in the happenings in the movie. I don't know why i felt she was a decent actress in her tamil movies, especially 'Kadhal Sodhapuvadhu Eppidi'.

There are a few songs also in this movie, that could irritate you, but maybe the majority won't find it disturbing. Innocent does a major role and he is funny in most of the scenes. As i mentioned the dialouges in the first half, with the satires is beautiful, and helps the storyline, but the writer seems to have forced the storyline in the second half, with nothing special coming out of it, except some loud bgms. And well its supposed to be a 'Pranayakatha'(love story), but since i have not mentioned about it anywhere you can understand how much 'Pranayam' (love) is there.


 I would give it a 2/5, only and only for Fahadh.

Prisoners review

Prisoners directed by Denis Villeneuve, and featuring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhall, is one of those movies, which unravels slowly and takes you for a spin. Hugh Jackman plays a loving father, who finds his little girl kidnapped along with his neighbour's daughter. 

Jackman suspects a mentally unstable man behind all this and when he sees no action from the police, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Is he right about this man, is the question, isn't it?

This performance driven, suspense drama holds you back onto your seats till the very end of its 150 mins duration. Jack Hughman must have had academy nominations while doing this role, and so must have Jake Gyllenhall. Jack's countryside middle class father, who loves his family and god alike, and believes in punishing sinners. He is ruthless and paranoid at one point as he believes he is doing god's work. Jake on the other hand keeps his calm althrough the film, even as the character's personal life is in a turmoil. The neighbours played by Academy award nominee Viola Davis, and Terrence Howard, have a justified role to play. They play an alter ego to Jackman. While Maria Bello plays Jackman's wife. Paul Dano as the unstable man who is suspected of kidnapping the kids is a delight to watch. His quiet mumblings and unspoken mannerisms make him a worthy performer. Melissa Leo as his adopted parent has her own issues to fend to.

Denis' slow and intense treatment with too many emotional placements, work out in a way that the film looks to be too moody to be stated as a thriller. But we have seen slow investigative movies like 'Zodiac' and 'Insomnia', and therefore would find the patience to wait until the story works itself out. The tone and edit is very sombre as the theme of the film, and the film at no point feels the need to rush into any checkpoints soon. It brings in one character after another and keeps us guessing for the right answer. The film has already got rave reviews from the festival circles, and many of them were looking forward to seeing it in the big award nights. It's in line to get a nod for the Academy Awards too. 

The Hobbit : Desolation of Smaug review ... Soars high

I am a non-reader of the Hobbit books (i think its wiser to read after watching the movie, so that you enjoy both), and therefore the storyline and events were completely new to me; except for what has happened years later in the Lord of the rings timeline. Even then i thought the first movie in the 'Hobbit' series was a bit too prolonged and had less of content. All that happens in it was the introduction to the middle-earth, which we already were familiar with, having seen three 4 hour movies about it ten years back. Then there was the hobbit who we already knew, again as Frodo's grandfather. The movie was about how he got into this company of 13 dwarves and their quest to regain their kingdom, how he got a magical ring and an introduction about a problem maker called the Necromancer somewhere far away. Well, I didn't think that needed 3 hours on screen. But you know Peter Jackson. He is in awe of things awesome. Now, he is back again with the second instalment, and he wastes no time in any introductions here.

Now that we are all tucked in, he straight away begins with the chase of Wargs and Azog, who are summoned soon by the Necromancer for a new mission. The company continues their journey into the dark forest, and battling wild beings. Then the meeting with the 'Wild elves' who have not been in good terms with the dwarves since, you know, the desolation of Smaug. Its interesting to know that one of our favourite characters from the 'LOTR' series is back in this one, though his character never appeared in the actual book. Legolas, the elven prince, is swift and young as he has always been and was having a grudge against the dwarves which we know he carried till he met Gimli in 'LOTR'. Well Gimli does get a mention about him in this movie. Watch out for that ;) Along with Gimli is the Elven king, Thranduil, who abandons the dwarves during the seige by the dragon as shown in the first film, and a she-elf of lower heirarchy played by Evangeline Lily of 'LOST' fame. This character too was created by Jackson to add more flavour, with a bit romantic spin (well there is Legolas of course, but a triangle might soon be possible. Well, did you expect that?).

For those who thought Jackson was OK, in the first movie bringing in a few sequences of falling goblins on rope walkways and dwarves jumping off the cliff onto eagles, they will be treated to a more charged up Jackson treat with arrows flying around everywhere (yes, in 3D), and dwarves and hobbit driving hollow barrels through a steep current while orcs follow them, and some astonishing action happening all this time in the very persistent Jackson style; don't be surprised if you love it. Jackson is a master with such sequences, especially chases and escapes and wars, atleast in the Middle World.

Another character that comes to the fore is the Bard of the Lake-town, a trade city on the waters that lost its glow after the coming of the dragon. He helps the dwarves to cross the town to reach Erebor. But does he have a backstory? Yes, and I'm sure there's more of him in the next movie too. Played by Luke Evans of let's say 'Fast n Furious' fame, The Bard is an important character of the Hobbit.

Well, the movie is named 'Desolation of Smaug' and till now you thought it might just spring up sometime near to the climax, then you are wrong. You get a full visual treat to the 'Smaug', who is voiced by none other than many people's current favourite Benedict Cumberbatch. Smaug spreads its wings and stands up tall, and soars high. You are amazed by the enormity, as the Hobbit, and you look in awe of one of the reel versions finest, biggest and most detailed dragon ever. Its spews fire all across the Great Halls of Erebor, as the dwarves and Bilbo try to evade it, and you wish it never stopped. But it does; atleast in this movie, and it was sudden and unexpected of Jackson to have ended at a places where people are most attentive. Now you have to wait a full year to see this mighty dragon again.

Elsewhere, our beloved Gandalf the Grey is brought to notice of evil powers stirring and he goes a different path in the very beginning of the movie (as he always does) to enquire about the news. He faces disturbing facts and meets with the Necromancer, finding a huge army ready to fight the world. Well, we already know (even the non readers) about what's to come next, but we still have questions that need answering in the next movie. We know that after this, when 'LOTR' starts many of these characters do not appear then. We have seen what Erebor becomes. We do not know what Arkenstone does in the movie, though we have an idea about the ring. Desolation leaves us on a cliffhanger and the wait will surely kill us.

For those who thought Hobbit might not be a worthy successor to 'LOTR' movies after watching the first one, i recommend you watch this one anyway. You might e surprised what somebody like Jackson can spring onto you just when you think that you have seen it all. So whoever has seen Hobbit 1, i say, must surely catch this one too.

Thira - a new wave in malayalam cinema

Thira; wave.....is a fast paced thriller movie based on sex trafficking in our country. In the light of recent news, from Bangalore, and from various parts of Kerala, this film takes us through those territories in a more realistic way than any of its malayalam predecessors, and a very pleasant change from present malayalam Superhit movies that I really have no idea why people go and see.

 The immediate  resemblences to Hollywood, like 'Taken' and 'Whistleblower', comes to mind, but lets not indulge in that. For one, what else can a sex trafficking movie have if not for the leads searching the truth. Two, this is one great effort from Vineeth and his team, which satisfies a moviegoer in every department in terms of quality (not to be confused with entertainment). Anyway Vineeth accepts that it is inspired from a book.

The screenplay doesn't drag even for a moment. Thanks to the superb fast cuts and ever moving camera work. Both these helped the pace of the movie by a great deal. Not saying there are no flaws, but I am sure the director would have had a discussion about the techniques both the editor and cinematographer would be implementing, and would have thought a lot on the treatment. Some places the camera does go too unsteadily for even a handheld, but its quite understandable. Editing has been a tremendous relief for me, after seeing a number of latest 'new gen' malayalam movies, which use slow motion for hundreds of unnecessary scenes. Though the director has the urge for a little heroism and slow motion once or twice in the movie, he doesn't cave into those. I would like to congratulate Rakesh Mantodi for his story and pace, but let me wait till the sequels come out. 

The main lead is obviously Shobana, and its said her character is based on activists like Sunita Krishnan. She is powerful, dynamic and seemingly effortless in her character. She switches languages as any professional would do, and doesnot make it look like the actor doesn't know a single line of what he/she is saying, which is not the case with the other lead in the movie. Well, not bad for a newcomer, especially when pitted against someone like Shobana, Dhyan tries to hold his stead. But from the very start we feel an uncomfortability in his acting, more or less like actors in amateurish short films. For, there is no expression when its somebody elses lines or actions in focus, but when his lines come he gives a quick start to his emoting, which takes out the naturality flavour, which usually people overlook as it doesn't affect the story. I felt Vineeth could have used a better performer in such a strong storyline. My hope is that Dhyan wouldn't return in the sequel,(Well, you know its a trilogy) not because he is that bad, but this is a movie that has to be made right.

My only other complaint to the director is that the dialogues at some places seem very heroic or tragic, and therefore seems so very out of place. When there is a lot of action going around, places where people are tensed and frustrated, we really don't need grammatically correct, beautiful lines, or hero looking out with desperation in slow motion and music, and such stuff. Here also, its not too bad, or too much in excess, but still could be avoided.

Music has been level headed most of the times, never really overlooking the tone of the story and going in its own direction. You would not have anything to hum, but in this film that's not really necessary. So, good job to Shaan. Jomon's camerawork is a commendably worked out and visually is story-adhering. Its a great shift for him after 'Thattathin marayathu' and his work is impressive again.


I would say it was high time there was a movie on this subject in malayalam, that had a feel of realism in it. It should be hard hitting, as well as non-preachy. With its minor flaws, this movie just about does that. A welcome change from other movies in malayalam, and hopefully a time for hard and fast movies to come right up too. Well, its a trilogy...so two more fast paced movies will be there. Let this be a new wave :)

Bekas : homeless kid's dreams and realisations

Bekas is a Kurdish film by Karzan Kader, released in 2012 featuring Zamand Taha and Sarwar Fazil. They play two homeless brothers, living on the streets of Kurdistan. The elder brother Dana, is left to take care of his younger brother Zana, who helps him to fend for themselves by doing various little jobs, primarily, by polishing shoes. They have no parents and they live a care-free life. 

The village theatre lures them into the world of 'Superman', and these two boys starts dreaming of meeting the man of steel. Dana convinces his brother that 'superman' lives in America, and once they find him they would be able to relive a happy life with their parents. Dana guilty of filling his brother's mind with dreams of meeting the superhero, tries to push his story by planning a trip to America. For that, he has to have a vehicle. They buy a donkey.

Bekas, meaning Homeless, is a feature that is harsh and soft at the same time. There is no make-believe heaven out there in the movie, but the fearlessness and determination of the kids is so endearing that it makes the movie shed its hostile environment and turn it into a world filled with brotherly love. In the end, what the two brothers want is not to have a luxurious life in America, but to be around one another till they die.

Zamand Taha as the younger brother Zana, is pure joy to watch. His loud screeching voice, and an innocent face, added with the occasional emotions that he displays touches your hearts. Dana, played by Sarwar Fazil, is an immature father figure, but loves his brother so much, that he leaves his teenage fantasies for being with his little brother. Sarwar plays a romantic and a disciplinarian with great effortlessness, and the way his eyes brightens up sometimes is so cool. Many other characters come and go giving life lessons to these kids, and making them realise that whatever they need, most of all they need each other. 

The cinematography has captured the sands of Kurdistan beautifully. The landscapes and angles reflect the condition of the boys very well. 

The director is so very successful in procuring a thoughtful product, without being too preachy or philosophical. The hardships the children go through explains the situations people have to live through in Iraq. But instead of being a brooding tragic tale, this film is about unity and hope. 

'Philips and the Monkeypen' is an adults entertainment movie made at the cost of children

I went to watch this supposedly 'children's movie', because of the rave reviews it got from all fronts. In the end, i am disappointed that i might be the only one who writes a negative review about this one.

'Philips and the Monkeypen' fails at so many levels for me.

Its supposed to be the must-movie to show your children. Really? Why would you want your child to see that stabbing with a sharp pencil is a very ok thing, that happens daily in every school.

Its supposed to show some meaningful parenting. Yes, i am not surprised that it didn't really have any good parenting tips considering the very low parenting morals in Kerala these days. The film celebrates a dad who congratulates the cunningness of his son, who gets out of a suspension for stabbing another kid with a pencil by posing as a handicap. Well, the directors wanted to show an immature dad, but it looked like a retarded dad. So sad, that Jayasuryas father character hides all this from his wife. Good husband too you see.

Mukesh's principal character jumps around like a fool, and his character goes making one blunder to another. Did the director's really hate Mukesh so much? The principal is incapable of stopping violence in the school; He is incapable of teaching good values; and in a scene where the discussion is about filled school buses, he blames parents first for sending their children to school in this manner, and not the authorities of the school for shortage of buses. I was laughing my head off at the irony and stupidity of those dialogs.

Well, if this was just what i felt, maybe i could be wrong. But the 5 others who came with me was so angry at the end of this film, that they were shouting at me for dragging them into this movie. An angry mother confronted me and asked, 'Is this the movie you want our children to see?'


Now about the movie.

Slow motions have killed malayalam industry. Slow motion everywhere, for any nonsense. It drags the movie to bore you to death, unless used wisely. But our editors are so in love with this that they think they are making the scene beautiful. But as a whole film, it just drags and drags. Bachelor Party, and even the hit movie 'Neram' just does this.

The movie could very well have been a short film, and done with the whole thing in 40-50 mins. The directors( previously short film makers) have done a pretty shoddy work in adding a lot of unnecessary fillers. The movie started looking like a short film work, right 5 minutes into it. Only difference was they had lots more money, a better camera and some jibs, and good actors, which all sinks in the amateurish style of the directors. Some things which are okay to do while making a short film, do not necessarily work as a feature film.

Now acting in all fronts were quite good. But the unrealistic approach of the film, didn't add anything of value to the kids performance. Jayasurya as the crazy and incapable dad has given a decent performance, but the script misses the point that the audience would not see Jayasurya as incapable but as a loving dad, which is very dangerous parenting tip. Remya was not effective as the mother, for me. There were many other capable actors who could have done the role. Vijay babu as the cruel class teacher, was too over the board. I understand the teacher who is a scare, but this character seemed like was acting hard to keep a scary image. If you remember Amole Gupte in 'Stanley ka Dabba', you will understand what characterization is.

The kids could have done a good job with a decent script. Its so hard to understand the psyche of children and the directors have failed miserably to catch their innocence. Instead they portray them a gundas, and schemers. I am sure they must be watching too much of malayalam TV serials, which brings me to the background music of the film. I understand giving epic music, but this is a children's film. The music was loud, and the sound mix was horrible. I have never liked the dubbing in any of the recent malayalam films. The mix could have been far better, not just in this movie, but thats common in any malayalam movie today. The background music was so over the top 'hero' kinda music, that takes away the innocence of being a children's movie. At one point, I was even expecting Jack Sparrow to jump out from somewhere. That's the music available when kids are riding a bicycle.

Now, is the movie only about bad things. No. The director(s) wanted message in the movie. Lets see how successful he is in incorporating the messages. He says 'wish your teachers', and shows a whole class saying 'good morning'. Now that scene was so bad, that it looked like the karate kids bowing and instead of  the message what comes out really, is a joke. People were laughing, and not reacting to the message. In another scene the lead boy wishes his principal by calling him bad words....and then says sorry. I don;t think the children will learn to say sorry, but i am hundred percent sure more principals will now be called 'mathanga thalaya'. Then at some point, the film becomes too preachy, and too annoying by repeating one same dialouge again and again. Do good, Say the truth and stuff. A good movie should have been able to incorporate those messages in the plot of the story, and not make a character say those things.

In a time, when great children's movies have come out like Tare Zameen Par, or Chillar Party, or the recent 'Manjadikuru' for that matter, which makes us relate to kids, and see through their eyes. But, in this movie, we are forcing a bunch of kids to act like us for our entertainment. Very sad. And to see reviews saying this film is going to get the best children's film national award. Hope not.

I want to still support the newcomer directors, because even after all this I do consider they have potential for better projects. They are better than many others currently in the industry.

Well, this is my thought. I really do want to know how much kids enjoyed this movie. So i would love comments from kids of 10-15 years, because i for sure would not have enjoyed this movie even when i was a kid.

 I would say 'Monkeypen' was a concept with great potential had the script been able to keep the innocence of kids and made them act like fifth standard boys, and not like 'Pokiri' vijay.

True to the new title 'Goliyoon ki RaasLeela , Ram-Leela'

'Goliyoon Ki Raasleela, Ram-Leela', also previously known as 'Ram-Leela' is an intense love-hate story, that takes from the age-old 'rival leads fall in love' story, and tries to pull out an epic from giving it a 'mitti ka rang' (colour of the earth) feel by choosing the setting somewhere in barren Gujarat, and adding the colours of grandeur from the wealth of our bright and sparkly customs and architecture. 'Ram-Leela' is an exaggeration in all fronts. But that is exactly what we expect from Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Now I must admit that what you see on TV, multiplied a few dozen times on the big screen is a completely different experience. The songs and picturisation that looked okay on small screen, looked much more royal on the huge canvas. Add to it the quality of booming speakers in a good theatre. The grandness that SLB promised comes true here. Well, the first half goes through without any hitch wit lavish song sequences, a gorgeous Deepika and a decent Ranvir performance, and lot of raw sensual power games. Girls will look for the new color palettes for their new dresses and the jewellery that Deepika wears, while men will be ogling about Deepika's curves and thinking of  Ranvir's raw attitude. Film lovers will notice the scale of art work and design that has gone through, the director's need to ooze intense power packed performances and dialogs, and beautifully captured frames all through (no wonder as it is Ravi Varman).

By second half there is a serious change in mood in the plot, and the viewers will be satisfied with the visual extravaganza, that they will now start concentrating on the story. Here, SLB tries various things, and those do not necessarily reflect back positively from a confused viewer. Certain times logic would take a backseat, and the proceedings would ofter confuse the viewer. I was left to answer my friend occasionally who kept asking, 'why did he do like this?' or 'why deepika didn't say anything?' and i never had a good answer. So you just have to leave things at this is what the director wanted, so no questions please; Which, by the way is the image of a bad script. Certain twists seemed so forced into the script.



Ranveer provides ample entertainment with his actions, while Deepika should be on cloud nine by the way she looks in the movie, thanks to Ravi Varman and SLB, and the choreographers too please. She plays her part really well, being the bold woman of today with being the sexy lead who can give the film the required oomph factor. Supriya Pathak as Leela's mother, who is the Don on one side, has a very powerful presence all through. The very first scene where she is talking calmly to a police officer, suddenly bursts out at her servant when she hears something she dislikes from the officer's mouth, proves the mettle of her character. SLB has added yet two another strong female characters as the 'Bhabhi's (sister in law) of the two leads, Richa Chadda and Bharka Bisht.

The music is all over the movie. SLB and Monty have had a good run before, and though the songs, according to me, do not stand up to their previous work, it certainly does work for the film.  The beats and rythm of the songs fill the viewers imagination, which ofcourse, SLB overcame. 

The movie does have a not-so-new plot and a familiar SLB setting, but it comes packed with an intensity never seen before, and the entertainment a SLB movie can give. So do watch the movie in a theatre. Majority will be ok with it. I rate it with a 3/5.