Movies Around You

Cast: Vijay Sethupathy, Aravind Swami, Arun Vijay, STR, Jothika Music: A R Rahman Direction: Mani Ratnam *Spoiler Alert* Chekka Chivantha Vaanam(CCV) opens like is trailer, Rasool (Vijay Sethupathy) narrating about Senapathi (Prakash Raj). After the movie, when I think of it, it changes my view perspective of the film. The gagster drama written by Mani Ratnam and Siva Ananth (who also plays a role in this film) is a generic story of greed and revenge. But what made the change is the direction. Mani Ratnam once again proves why he is best in town. I always love the way he plays with emotional drama. I remember him saying in an interview that “Every film is a romance film”. This film is the romance of the three bothers. Mani Ratnam’s Agni Natchathiram was one of the most commercialized film and that happened to be a movie on brothers. CCV is again playing to the gallery film, but in Mani Ratnam’s way. He beautifully builds the drama. The scene where Lakshmi (Sena

Cast: Vikram, Aishwarya Rajesh, Keerthy Suresh, Bobby Simha Music: Devi Sri Prasad Direction: Hari Saamy, Hari’s second film and one of the best masala films ever made has its sequel after 14 years. Saamy2 (Saamy Square) is a proper sequel with a continuing from where the first film left.   This film opens with the story of first film, replacing the Trisha, the lead of first film, by Aishwarya Rajesh (who does not even fit to the role). I appreciate Hari for connecting the first part story to second part story logically. Before I talk about what I dint like about Saamy2, I would like to tell what worked for me. Vikram as Aarusaamy and Ramasaamy is flawless, carrying the whole film on his shoulders. I was convinced by the way he tries to justify the dialogue “Naan saamy illa, bootham” (I am not Saamy, Ghost). Bobby Simha is amazing as antagonist and another reason this passable film was entertaining. But his name is Ravana Pichai and I was like why should one alwa

Cast: Harish Kalyan, Raiza Wilson Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja Direction: Elan Pyaar Prema Kaadhal is a regular rom-com film that comes every year, but there is something that makes this film an enjoyable watching experience. That's direction. Elan, the director, shows the regular scene in an interesting way. Look at the opening scene where Sree's( Played by Harish Kalyan) parents are registering him for a matrimony site. Her mother is curious to know whether the girl registering for them is married or not. When she asks, the girl replies love marriage. Elan establishes Sree's mother is against love in just one shot. He portrays the dramatic scenes, more subtly. The scene that comes in later half, where Sree and Sindhuja (played by Raiza Wilson) breaks up is beautifully staged during a dance show. The parallel of their story and stage dance with Yuvan Shankar Raja music makes the scene beautiful. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score enhances Elan’s directi

Cast: Nayanthara, Atharva, Anurag Kashyap, Raashi Khanna Music: Hip Hop Thamizha Direction: Ajay Gnanamuthu Ajay gnanamuthu’s debut film ‘Demonte Colony’ was a brilliant horror film that happens inside a small house. That film did not have any flavor of AR Murugadoss, with whom he worked as assistant director. His second and the discussed film, ‘Imaikka Nodigal’ has a few flavors which is similar to Murugadoss’s films. Let’s start with the antagonist’s characterization. Here it’s Rudra (played by Anurag Kashyap). He loves killing (though he has other motives) as similar to Murugadoss’s Spyder antagonist, Sudalai. Ajay’s screenplay is well written with twists as Murugadoss’ screenplay. AR Murugadoss film usually will be logical and suddenly we start questioning the logic. Imaikka Nodigal had the same problem. The title Imaikka Nodigal, meaning blink less eye, is beautifully justified in the story. The film is well written. Rudra narrates a story to Anjali (pla