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Thirakkadha (Screenplay) is quite an apt title that 'we all live our lives like actors who are not briefed their roles and acting under a directionless director'. I wanted to watch this movie for a long but it was destined for me to be watched in Dubai with my friend. The movie was supposed to be based on the affair of Kamal Hassan and Sri Vidya in 70's. The story is about the search by Akki (Prithviraj) for Malavika (Priyamani), once demi Goddess on screen and the startling facts he comes across during his research. In the zenith of her career Malavika had married AjayChandran (Anoop Menon) and gave up her glorious career. Their marriage breaks and Malavika fades into oblivion. What happened to her? The story has strong resemblences of Sri Vidya and the ending had been tweaked because the 'other party' is still alive and famous. This is the only jarring factor of this otherwise well made movie. Priyamani pitches in an award winning performance, especially after when she resurfaces. Regarding Priya's performances, one could wish that the 'age factor' & 'illness factor' should have been considered. A stellar performance indeed. Prithviraj's intensity in his eyes and sensibility echoes in his performance through out. Again an effortless performance by Prithvi. Anoop Menon as Ajaychandran is a welcome addition. - {oshits} readers

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Just now watched his 'Pakal' on DVD to kill sometime till I update my iPod software. Pakal (the dawn) is a realistic movie on the backdrop of farmer suicides in Wayanad, Kerala. The movie deserved a better reception at the box office for its noble intentions. Quite consice (1:45 hrs) with an abrupt ending, 'Pakal' tells the heart wrenching tale of farmers affected by globalisation, modernisation and falling in the wicked hands of money lenders. Prithvi's honesty in portraying the role, of a TV journalist who comes to that village, is evident in every scene... esecially his helplessness while watching the protagonists crying and his dilemma to let them continue or stop the camera... He had best used his powerful assest - his eyes. Give it a try on moserbaer DVD collection (Rs. 34/-). I know that malayalees doesn't like Prithviraj much as they think he is bit 'jaada' (throwing attitude), but after seeing / reading his interviews and choice of movies, I really fell in love with Prithviraj... So much to the extent that till date by seeing any on screen hero I never felt "God wish I was like him... have a passion like him", but I couldn't resist feeling so with Prithviraj. - {oshits} reads.

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This Satyan Anthikaud directed Mohanlal-Revathy starrer is a long pending due for me, until I catched up with Moserbaer's series. Scripted by Sreenivasan, 'Varavelpu' is more of a satire, than a routine Satyan Anthikaud comedy, taking digs at the rampant labour unions that prove to be a nightmare for the capitalists in Kerala. This movie is a micro level testimony for why there is no big industries coming up in one of the most literate states of India. 'Varavelpu' is about Murali (Mohanlal) a Gulf returned NRI who blows up all his bank account to start his own business - a bus transport. More than making money, his venture lands him in trouble thanks to the unfriendly labour unions, forcing Murali to reconsider his options & opinions about the people around him and leave back to Gulf for making money. The best part of the movie is that it not only makes you laugh but pinches at the same time with hard hitting truth. Also 'Varavelpu' makes you to see the other side of the fence - the plight of investors in Kerala. At the end we all empathise with Murali's state of affairs. A lovely movie to watch that holds relevence even after 20 years of its theatrical release, that's why it is still hailed as a classic. Revathy has very little to do but the supporting cast by Janardhanan, 'Oduvil' Unnikrishnan, Murali and KPAC Lalitha floor you with their overwhelming presence. With good picture quality and simple English subtitles and a throw away price of Rs. 34/-, please give it a try.

{oshits} people might catch up 'Varavelpu' on DVD or TV

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If you want to see good thrillers in India, you must straightly head towards the God's Own Country. Many of the best thrillers in Indian cinema I had seen are from the stable of Malayalam cinema. 'CBI series', 'The King', Commissioner, Ekalayvyan, Pathram and many investigative movies I had seen are honest to the plot with no mundane comedy or with item girls gyrating their wet pelvic on bar or at villian's den, even though there were ample scope and sex bombs to perform them. After a lull, there came an investigation thriller 'Nadiya Kollappetta Raathri', which was novel in quite a few ways. This K. Madhu directed Suresh Gopi (who else???) flick follows the cliched path of thrillers in the characterisation, scenes as well as dialogues delivery. Still "Nadiya..." is watchable for power packed performances of Kavya Madhavan, Suresh Gopi (even though he goes quite overboard). What makes 'Nadiya..." work?

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Recently Sify.com posted an article on the dismal show of Vidyasagar this year. It also had raised concerns about Vidyasagar's future in this 'Nakka Mukka' generation. We have to admit that Vidyasagar is going through a rough patch, his creativity running out by rehashing his old tunes and malayalam works. They say success and failure defies everything... Some of the nice songs of Vidyasagar is going unnoticed. This playlist has the collection of Vidyasagar's recent songs, that lives true to his reputation - Melody maker. We just hope that Vidyasagar bounces back with soulful songs without buckling to the peer pressures. All the best Vidya!!! My playlist contains the melodies from Abhiyum Naanum, Raman Thediya Seethai and (undeserving flop) Alibaba.

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Thanks Anis... I happened to see this amazinggggggggggggg movie "Kadhaparayumpol" through your DVD only. Even though this was lying with me for past 10 days, I was stubborn of seeing it today before the release of "Kuselan". Every time when malayalam cinema is in ICU, Sreenivasan infuses some fresh blood to keep the hopes alive. This time he literally resurrecated the malayalam cinema's dying image single handedly. "Kadhaparayumpol" is a touching tale of friendship between a broken barber and a reigning superstar. Even with a pirated poor printed DVD, I couldn't stop the tears rolling over my cheeks during the climax of the movie, then think how effective it would have been in theatre. Stellar performances by Sreenivasan, Meena, Innocent, Jagadheesh and a powerful cameo by Mamooty. A powerful movie with all the emotions in a subtle but heart tugging manner. Along with the happy tears, some more tears followed when I thought how it would have got raped by P. Vasu and Rajinikant team. Kadhaparayumpol is crisp, sweet and definitely strikes a chord... Don't miss this original version even if you had seen "Kuselan". A MUST WATCH!!!!!!{oshits} reads

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Cm'on guys... don't be so critical... Mulla is not that bad as the critics make out through the reviews. Admitted Mulla is not in the league of Lal Jose's earlier ventures "Arabhikadha" or "Achan Urangatha Veedu", but definitely it is good within the commercial parameters of an entertainer. Lal Jose had tried to be different and the effort shows at most of the parts. Call it co-incidence, when I went to Trivandrum last time I saw Lal Jose - Dileep - Vidyasagar team's blockbuster "Meeshamadhavan" and this second time I happened to see the same team's "Mulla" in Anjali theatre. I went to the theatre well aware of the negative criticisms through the internet. But Lal Jose had kept me thoroughly entertained for the 2 1/2 hours even though the movie comes no where near the same team's "Meesha Madhavan".

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Et tu Blessy? Despite being a highly prolific film maker of recent Malayalam cinema, he flunks this time by a huge margin. Albeit having a terrific start, Blessy's dilemma in moving 'Calcutta News' forward as a thriller or a love story is clearly evident. The movie talks about human trafficking, the young village girls being lured into marriages for flesh trade exploring the murky underbelly of Calcutta. Barring some rivetting visuals in the climax (especially the kid with the mobile phone), the movie just sucks big time, thanks to the romantic track bewteen Meera and Dileep. The second half is yawn inducing. How come a Dileep movie is devoid of comedy? His dialogue delivery and 'introductory' scenes like making a documentry on cellphone just makes up for it. The lead peformances leave you desiring for more. Meera Jasmine had perfected the portrayal of a dasmel in distress, Dileep unintentionally evokes laughter by playing a metroite, Vimala Raman being wasted completely. Debjyoti Mishra's music, S. Kumar's cinematography and locations are the saving graces. Looks like Blessy got lost in Kolkatta crowd.

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A lone guy swarmed around by a bevy of beauties in a college.... Wow! What a nice imagination the malayalam script writers Rafi & Mecartin had, to conceive the last year's biggest malayalam hit "Chocolate", starring Prithviraj, Roma, Samvruta Sunil and Ramya Nambeeshan. The first half of the movie was a laugh riot replete with gags and pun, whereas the second half slips to a "typical love story" meets "Khushi" style but fortunately returns to the familiar comedy terrain once again in the climax. Hunk Prithviraj is sooooo HOT amidst the pretty lasses and among the female leads Roma easily beats the competition with her snooty expressions. Amply supported by Jayasurya and Salim Kumar, "Chocolate" is clearly miles ahead of the recent craps dished out in Malluwood. Given a chance either to watch in DVD or some TV channels, I seriously suggest - "DON'T MISS THIS MOVIE". A novel concept and well etched performances outweigh the sluggish paced post interval, which means the movie deserves a viewing. The Hindi remake (named "College Campus")is already on the way, if you delay you might even end up watching its Tamil / Telugu versions. This Chocolate is really chuweeeet.

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Shubhayatra - Long back I saw this old Malayalam movie starring Jayram & Parvathi on a late night in Asianet, just for only one reason - Kamal. It was directed by my favourite director Kamal. Midway in the movie I slept because I was too tired that day. Since then 'Shubayatra' was haunting me, until I found it on the catalogue of Moserbaer Home Video. I bought it pronto and watched the rest of the movie a couple of days ago. It was a sweet and simple movie of two Malayalees played by Jayram & Parvathy, falling in love amidst the bustling life of Mumbai. They get married in a rushed ceremony, but Jayram and Parvathy live in their bachelor accomdation & ladies hostel respectively due to lack of home. Their struggle to set up a home was touching but told in a lighter vein. Especially when they land in a brothel case when trying to have sex in a lodge & get a friend's house to "spend" a night but they forget the lock code, so end up in the platform that night, we laugh at them but feel sorry for them at the same time. Now real life couple Jayaram & Parvathy were cute in their roles. A well made film from Kamal. If possible catch up in Moserbaer Home DVD, costing just Rs. 34/-.

{mosimage}Thanks to Anish, I managed to catch up with the long due - malayalam hit "Classic" in DVD. I expected a nostalgic movie instead Lal Jose has dished out a real thriller. Even though I have heard spoilers about the suspect much earlier, the reason it unfolded on screen was mind blowing. For those who hadn't seen / heard about "Classmates", it is all about a group of friends Prithviraj, Kavya Madhavan, Indrajith, Radhika, Jayasurya meeting after a long 15 years in connection with inaugration of a music hall in rememberance of their dead friend Narein. On that party night an attempt is made on the life of Prithviraj. The investigation takes the story back to the early 90's where the campus politics were prevalent. "Classmates" could go down as a perfect screenplay in the Malayalam cinema, establishing itself as a cult classic in a shorter span. We have a few people in mind for prospect suspect, but the scenes that repeat in the last flashback from the convict just surprises you like a hell. Functional music, cinematography and a commendable performance from the lead players makes this movie a viewer's delight.

{mosimage}Operation success but patient dead... A popular saying used to say that intentions are not met. When I left 'Mayajaal' after watching latest Mamooty - Meera Jasmine starrer 'Ore Kadal', when my friends asked how the film was, I said 'Good performances but I can't understand anything'. Shyamaprasad's much anticipiated arty 'Ore Kadal', which itself is based on Bengali novel 'Heerak Deepti', is definitely for critics. I went to see the movie ONLY for Meera Jasmine's performance. As expected she gives a power packed performance standing against a veteran in the business. She was wonderful as struggling Deepti. The movie was disgusting where the lust overtakes the responsibilities of a marriage. May be I am less intellectual than Bengali or Malayali audiences to identify with the story itself. Meera Jasmine, Mamooty and the film might get an award or two as it have appealed to critics, but had left a hole in my purse and a fun weekend evening. I am not guilty being an average below intellect Bollywood film goer so no apologies...