How old are you (2014) - Malayalam Movie Review

'How Old Are You' is a 2014 Malayalam movie directed by Rosshan Andrews which was slated to be the comeback of one of Malayalam's most adored actors, Manju Warrier. If Manju had wished for more, it could not be better than having the story written by the most popular duo of Screenwriting in Malayalam, Sanjay-Bobby.  She is joined by Kunjako, in the role of her husband. 

 

Manju is Nimmi, a regular housewife with no life other than her husband and kid. She is a lazy government staff  and has high blood pressure because of her present lifestyle. Rosshan Andrews carves up a story about a 'nobody' who realizes her potential and becomes the 'somebody' in a linear storyline with no heavy plot-twisting. The focus therefore lies in how he does that without the tried and tired routines. Rosshan and his team of writers concentrated on several current topics in Kerala, and he did it so carefully, unlike many others, by not swaying away from the scope of the film. Every relevant information was closely knit into the perspective of a working house-maker. Poisonous vegetable markets, bringing up kids in the internet age, role of women in family and society and health took the prime slots in this social drama about women empowerment. He also got to take a dig on the 'highly-opiniated' individuals on Facebook. All this encapsulated in a story that was not much of brain teaser. But, it got his work done.

The film gained much by the popularity of Manju Warrier, and rightly so. This movie paved a way to create more opportunities for women leads who are not in their sixteens. New directors are trying newer and bolder stories with matured women in lead, which reminds me of the malayalam movie industry of the 90's with 'Manichitra Thazhu's Shobana, or 'Kakkothikavile Apoopan Thaadigal's Revathy...Why, Manju in her last movie 'Kannezhuthi Pottum thottu'.

 In here, Manju was not only convincing as the undermined housewife, but she also brings in her charm that would grip your melting hearts during her scenes of confrontation with her husband. Kunjako Boban on the other hand doesn't mind being over shadowed by the protagonist most of the time, but still does justice to his role. Smaller roles of Kanika, Vinay Forrt and Devan were important too. Though stereotypical, Thesni Khan donned the role of the jealous co-worker to viewers satisfaction.

The movie promised to be a engaging social drama on women empowerment and it does just that without being too much conscious about the logic in some places. This movie is not a limelight on intelligent plot creation and suspense, which seems to be the norm for malayalam movies these days, but a simple non-pretentious attempt at bringing the women in the homes to the centre. A lesson in creating a respect towards them. The background music was loud enough and repetitive, but it was jelling with the story. Cinematography is commendable; especially the aerial shots of iron bridge in Willington Island and the Marathon.

I rate the movie a 4/5, and strongly recommend it to viewers.

'Gotham' pilot review

The 2014 fall TV premiere season has started and the newest and one of the most promising entrant in TV this year is 'Gotham'. It is based on the pre-life in the city of Gotham before Batman incarnates, as in the DC comics. The series had garnered a lot of attention after its announcement due to the huge success of yet another DC based TV show, the 'Arrow'. The pilot was premiered in San Diego Comic con too, where a few fans got the first glimpse of the forthcoming series.

The pilot was rated not so favorably then. Some people felt the series missed the charm of the other DC adaptations. Now as the pilot has been released to viewers, we can now see it for ourselves. The first impression for me was similar, but before you stop reading and concluding about the show, I would like to note that there could be a silver lining in the end. The episode races against time to establish its world. It starts with a couple (exactly a couple) of shots of the city Gotham, and rushes off to bring in the characters of the show. Before you know it, Bruce Wayne's most important turning point in life is over and done with, and there enters the main character of the show, Det. Gordon. Then comes Riddler, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Fish mooney, Gordon's partner Harvey, Alfred, and by the end all the characters have been not just established, but most of their origin stories have been completed. Yes, in just one episode.

Now the silver lining I was talking about was in the realization that what has been promised in the trailers and  other promotions have already been delivered. Now that leaves you with a season full of the 'unknown'. You thought this was all the season was about but, you have mistaken. Obviously now there has to be more, and each of these characters have more important roles to play; some will bring more menace, while some will save the city.

Back to the pilot, if the acting and writing were any indication for the future episodes, I would say without any doubt that this will be the single season of 'Gotham'. An episode that dashes to the finish line has writing so bad, that you could yawn in between certain scenes. The scene where Gordan tells little Wayne that he will capture the killer is one such moment. Gordon's love interest is equally lame, but of course she has secrets of her own(for the sake of the show). So is the background music. Too loud and unnecessary in most parts. For a show of this concept, why hasn't anybody felt concerned for some good music??? The show in great measures lack originality.

The show clearly indicates that it won't be focusing on Wayne or Batman at all. If it had, it wouldn't have messed up the scene where young Batman's parents are murdered. We would have seen why that moment was so life changing for Wayne. It would have touched upon the relation of his with his parents. The pilot doesn't do that, but I hope future episodes do. I have a feeling Det. Gordon wouldn't be able to carry the show on his own for long.

The acting side has also been terrible. The only saving grace according to me was Jada-Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney. Even if her lines were not good enough, she salvaged it from ruining her character. But the same cannot be said of any of the others. I look forward to more from Robin Taylor as Penguin, but bad writing can destroy him too.

But as I mentioned I am ready to give 'Gotham' another chance, and so waiting to get a peek on the next episode. Here it is, the trailer of episode 2 'Selina Kyle'.

'Crossbones' on NBC seems stale and outdated

The new series that opened on NBC the last week, based on the pirate legend BlackBeard, managed very few good reviews. The content was old, and the making proved to be abysmal. The series named 'CrossBones' seemed to stagger from the very beginning, with the screenplay racing towards an invisible finishing line, gulping up almost enough content that could have made a season worth of stuff on TV. The introductions to the characters were bad, only to be saved the shame, by even worse use of actors. Imagine a man of John Malkovich's demeanour, delivering a threat to someone, and we as audience feel nothing, but ordinary words coming out of a bald man's mouth.

The immediate comparison to Starz 'Black Sails' would make it more difficult for this series. 'Black Sails' achieved the status of moody pirate tale, with plots that delivered its darkness to the audience, unlike 'Crossbones', which linger in a space between comedy and stupidity. The actors are almost pathetic, and nothing they do seems to work.

Its upto the writers now, to change the fate of this new series, else we might not really want it to return again.

'Crossbones' coming on NBC on May 30

The above is the trailer of NBC's new pirate show based on the character of BlackBeard, the legendary pirate king. It is called the 'Crossbones'. It feature John Malkovich as the pirate.

If you loved this year's previous pirate outing with Starz's 'Black Sails', then you are more or less likely to love this premise too. While some of the pirate characters have been already introduced to you in 'Black Sails' and the other pirate movies we got before, 'Crossbones' is more likely to follow only Blackbeard.

The trailer looks more bright and funnier than the dark 'Black Sails', but I wouldn't put it as a good thing here for 'Crossbones'. Lets wait and see if John can bring in fresh approach to this pirate saga. We will get to see it on May 30, when it premieres on NBC. Until then, wait patiently.

'Gotham' comes this fall on FOX network

After DC's ground breaking and successful outing with their 'Arrow' series, now they have extended their hard-hitting tv arena from Starling city to Gotham city. Introducing 'Gotham', a series based on the pre-Batman times in the crime-ruling city of Gotham. The main focus of this series would be on Detective Gordan, and his relationship with the boy who lost his parents, Bruce Wayne. The first season trailer has already come out, and we are promised more than just Batman and Gordon. We also see the earlier versions of Catwoman, Penguin and Riddler. I promise you, this trailer is more than enough to get your pulse racing. Come fall, and they would come to you on your television sets. Until then, brace yourselves for this riveting trailer.

Game of Thrones : Two Sword s04 e01 review

**SPOILERS**

Finally, we are back at Westeros, and the fun has already begun. Starting with a beautifully edited recap, with the climax having Ned Starks head sliced with his sword, just leads us to the marvellous start this season has just made. The sword of Ned Stark is the beginning, and is the first sword as mentioned in the title. We see Tywin Lannister melting the blade to forge two new ones. He presents one to his favourite son, Jaime, but is clearly unhappy with the turn of events, where he got his sword hand severed (in the last season). The crowd favourite Tyrion is brought in very next, giving an impression, that he is there to stay.

This episode does bring in a load of new characters. To begin with, as the Dornish men marches in to attend Joffrey's wedding, they bring the hot headed brother of the king of Dorne, Oberyn Martell. Now he is not a big fan of the Lannisters and he is come with a heart for revenge. Along with him, the beautiful paramour of his, Ellaria Sand. As Tyrion puts it, "It means more trouble".

Danearys marches to Mereen with her huge army and her dragons. The dragons flutter and growl dangerously, as Danaerys wonders if she would be able to tame these beasts. Her romances with Daario Naharis continues, and we therfore get to see the man who has been recast. Well, lets say he is an upgrade.

Sansa is traumatized, and tries to hide away from the world, but meets a new friend. Shae is getting irritated with Tyrion, as he restricts her advances, and this reaches the enemies ears. Cersei is looking for chances to get the thing she loves most, Power, and Jon Snow faces a trial in front of the crows where he reveals Mance's attack plans.

The wildlings are gathering, and a new group has joined Tormund. Enter Thenns, and their leader the Magnar. Down south, the preparations for wedding is going on with grand enthusiasm. But not to forget, the hurt wolf, the little Arya riding with the Hound. They see a group of King's people vandalising an Inn, and one of them has got Arya's blade. Yes, the second blade in the title, The Needle. As they attack them, Arya grabs her blade back, and with cold eyes, and vengeance in her tongue, puts the blade through yet another name in her checklist.

Who was missing this episode was, Bran, Theon, Asha and the Stannis battalion, along with the two masterminds of King's landing, Littlefinger, and Varys. But you can see them coming soon. Watch the next episode's trailer.

Wait till next week,to carry on with their exciting journeys through Westeros.

'The Flash' displays his full costume

Since Grant Gustin appeared on the CW's hit series 'Arrow', based on the DC comics character the 'Green Arrow', as Barry Allen, there was an excitement in air about the new show CW was churning out. This new show will be fully based on the heroics of another one of DC's comic superheroes; 'The Flash'. Two episodes were dedicated to the establishment of this character in CW's TV world, where he disappeared after being hit by a lightning.

A few weeks later, CW came out with the first photograph that shows Gustin in the mask. The mask of 'The Flash'. Internet was buzz with talks about this new look, and there were many feedbacks given. Now another photo has been revealed which shows Gustin in his full attire. The one big long shot of 'The Flash'. Right below!

 

What do you think? This guy will be hitting your screens soon. So get ready for some super action.