If you have ever felt that “the boy meets girl on a trip” trope that you see in romantic entertainers is a safe bet idea that anyone can pull off, Ullasam will make you realize that even that needs the help of charismatic performance and solid writing. Soaked in cliches and cringe-worthy dialogues, Ullasam is… Continue reading Ullasam
Tag: Aju Varghese
Prakashan Parakkatte
The problem with Prakashan Parakkatte as a movie is precisely the problem of its central protagonist; lack of focus. With its episodic nature that lacks depth, Prakashan Parakkatte never gives you an idea of what it wants to depict. When the movie reached its interval, I thought the film was about to get some shape.… Continue reading Prakashan Parakkatte
Hridayam
Hridayam is Vineeth Sreenivasan’s attempt at making his kind of Vaaranam Aayiram. And it isn’t a perfect film, just like the Gautham Menon film. Coming-of-age dramas that depict a transition that lasts more than a decade are bound to have certain areas with hiccups. But it’s the totality that matters in these kinds of films.… Continue reading Hridayam
Meppadiyan
Meppadiyan by Vishnu Mohan is a mix of clichés and interesting plot twists. The story here will remind you of the family dramas prominent in Malayalam cinema almost two decades ago. Vishnu Mohan basically revamps that genre with a central conflict that is relatable to nearly all the middle-class people in society. Thus Meppadiyan becomes… Continue reading Meppadiyan
Oru Thathvika Avalokanam
Oru Thathvika Avalokanam from Akhil Marar is that superficial exploration of the political reality from the sensibility of someone who scrolls through the Facebook feed. Political satires are not an alien concept, and we have had classics like Panchavadippalam and Sandesham in that genre. Films have got read in different ways over time, and Sandesham… Continue reading Oru Thathvika Avalokanam
Minnal Murali
The best part about Minnal Murali is its creative smartness. Basil Joseph is not trying to create a film that will offer you back-to-back wow moments that depend on visual effects aided grandeur. Instead, he works on the possibilities of practical effects to create a narrative that remains engaging till the end. Yes, what you… Continue reading Minnal Murali
Tsunami
Tsunami, the new movie directed by Lal and his son Jean-Paul Lal aka Lal Jr., seems like a film they did just because they wanted to be on a film set. Off late, the movies that Lal wrote felt more like a series of skit jokes in stories that are wafer-thin. And Tsunami is no… Continue reading Tsunami
Saajan Bakery Since 1962
At its emotional core, Saajan Bakery Since 1962 by Arun Chandu is a film that wants to talk about the dynamics in siblings’ relationships. In one particular scene towards the end where Betsy and Bobin speak to each other in a calm and composed way, you would understand that the aim here was to talk… Continue reading Saajan Bakery Since 1962