Tag Archives: Chemban Vinod

Oppam Movie Review: Priyadarshan and Mohanalal reassure us…to an Extent

It is a little surprising and also comforting to see a new Malayalam film begin with a scene involving veteran actors like Innocent and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. The introduction to the film begins with a family gathering in the ancestral home and we get to realize that the protagonist who is visually impaired is seen to be the near perfect son of the family, ever sacrificing for his siblings. And if you are wondering if this is going to be the tone for the rest of the film, then let me assure you that there is more to the film than just this aspect. As the protagonist prepares to return back to the city, he goes on to talk to someone on the way and just for a brief moment there is a mention of Kalaripayattu. And wait, there’s more to follow, he goes on to follow that with a semi classical rendition while on the ferry ride back to the city.Continue reading “Oppam Movie Review: Priyadarshan and Mohanalal reassure us…to an Extent”

Kali Movie Review: Keep Your Rage in Check

While I generally do not lose my cool all that easily and claim to have a relatively high level of patience, there are rare occasions when on hitting the threshold level I have gone on to really get upset and vent out my anger. Looking back in time I wouldn’t say I am proud of those instances, especially those where unpleasantness set in. In fact a few years ago I actually ended up getting into a tight situation, something that could have easily been avoided. After that I have tried to be a lot more careful especially when I am outdoors. I’m sure if you look around it is always easy to spot people with a clear short fuse, you can find such people arguing with other motorists on a busy road, or screaming and abusing someone over his/her mobile or even appearing to fight or quarrel with their own family or friends. Stress is certainly one major reason for people to get provoked easily these days, thanks to the busy lifestyle that we are leading and the kind of pressure that we face, both in our professional and personal lives.Continue reading “Kali Movie Review: Keep Your Rage in Check”

Paavada Movie Review: A Tale of Alcoholism and Soft Porn Films That’s Effective and Non Sleazy

The Malayalee obsession with booze is something that by now people across the Country and perhaps even overseas are aware of. With all the drama over the closure of bars and the recurrent courtroom battles over the same, even those who weren’t aware of Kerala being the highest alcohol consuming state in India, now know the same. No wonder that the topic is subtly being touched upon in films as well, after all for a state that has always looked at drinking as a social past time, it’s not really easy to show scenes of drinking in bars in Malayalam cinema now. Another topic that has some special relevance to the state of Kerala is that of soft porn films, after all this is a phenomena which has been in existence for a very long time, even having its own periods of highs and lows to talk of. Now when someone attempts a film which in a way brings a connection between these two aspects, how would you expect the film to be? If your answer is boisterous, raunchy and maybe even crass, well then that’s exactly what G.Marthandan’s Paavada is not.
Continue reading “Paavada Movie Review: A Tale of Alcoholism and Soft Porn Films That’s Effective and Non Sleazy”

Charlie Movie Review: A Zestful Journey of Two Soulmates

I’ve always wondered how it would be to roam around carefree impulsively and to listen to the call of my heart. Added with the prospect of living life on one’s own terms, it’s made me wonder how if not for the typical societal norms and the compulsions of having some semblance of stability in life, a lot many more people would be thinking like me. Normally one tends to look down upon the select few lucky people who manage to do this, even going to the extent of calling them escapists. But what if they could afford to do so, or couldn’t care less about how the World perceived them? Oh! How I would cringe every time a certain elder would try to caution me saying, look you can’t be living bindaas anymore, you need to get more responsible. And how happy do I feel now that the tides have changed and that I don’t have to listen to that comment from that person anymore. Having seen Martin Prakkat’s Charlie I can’t but help think along these lines.Continue reading “Charlie Movie Review: A Zestful Journey of Two Soulmates”

Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi: Trailer

Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi Poster 2Anil Radhakrishnan Menon has been noticed for his 2 Malayalam films, North 24 Kaatham (2013) and Sapthamashree Thaskaraha (2014),films which appealed to the critics as well as the audience. He is now ready with his third film, Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi, a fantasy film produced by Prem Menon. The star cast includes Kunchacko Boban, Chemban Vinod, Sunny Wayne, Bharath, Nedumudi Venu, Reenu Mathews, Jacob Gregory, Sudheer Karamana etc. Music is by Rex Vijayan,while Jayesh Nair is the DOP and Manoj Kannoth is the editor.Continue reading “Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi: Trailer”

Kohinoor: Sneak Peek

Kohinoor Poster 3Vinay Govind who made his director with the Malayalam film Kili Poyi (2013) now returns with Kohinoor which is produced by Asif Ali, Sajin Jaffer and Brijeesh Mohammad. Written by Ranjeet Kamala Sankar and Salil Menon, Kohinoor features Asif Ali, Indrajith, Aju Varghese, Vinay Forrt, Aparna Vinod, Chemban Vinod etc. Music is by Rahul Raj while Pradeesh Varma is the DOP and Arju Benn is the editor.Continue reading “Kohinoor: Sneak Peek”

Double Barrel: Trailer

Double Barrel Poster 4Double Barrel aka Iratta Kuzhal has been in the news from the time it was announced. Lijo Jose Pellissery who started off as a filmmaker with Malayalam films like Nayakan (2010) and City of God (2011), hit the big league with Amen (2013). Earlier Double Barrel was supposed to be a film featuring Prithviraj and Indrajith along with Fahadh Faasil, later on Fahadh moved out and was replaced by Arya. Produced by August Cinema, the film also features Asif Ali, Isha Sharvani, Swati Reddy, Chemban Vinod etc. Music is by Prashant Pillai while Abhinandan Ramanujam is the DOP and Sathyaraj is the editor.Continue reading “Double Barrel: Trailer”

Nee-Na Movie Review: Two’s company, three’s a crowd

Imagine for a moment that you are on top of the World; you are doing well professionally and perhaps received the promotion or the dream job that you were aspiring for. Your personal life also seems to be going very well, with a relationship being totally in control and providing you with joy and satisfaction. Now what if someone/something were to come along the way and in the process bring about a shift in the scenario; what if this was to go on to create ripples in your life in a manner that you would have never envisioned? Wondering what’s wrong with me? Don’t worry as I am still reeling under the impact of Lal Jose’s latest Malayalam film, Nee-Na. After the lacklustre Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal (2013) he bounced back commercially with Vikramadithyan (2014), but there wasn’t anything novel about the film as such. Considering the success of the film though, I wondered if he would continue on the same track but was surprised when I heard of his new film Nee-Na, as it certainly didn’t sound like another Vikramadithyan like attempt.Continue reading “Nee-Na Movie Review: Two’s company, three’s a crowd”

Chandrettan Evideya and Chirakodinja Kinavukal: Films with a good intent but with mixed results

When I landed in Kerala recently for a short vacation I was a little disappointed that there was not a single film playing in theatres which I hadn’t watched before. That was when I realized that extending my vacation by a few more days made sense as May 1st would see the release of Kamal Haasan’s Uttama Villain along with 3 Malayalam films, Chandrettan Evideya, Chirakodinja Kinavukal and She Taxi. All the 3 Malayalam films looked promising for various reasons. Sidharth Bharathan who had earlier remade one of his own father’s films Nidra (both the original and the remake carry the same title) was now attempting a family entertainer with Chandrettan Evideya featuring Dileep in the lead. Now Dileep hasn’t really been working on good films of late and the trailer and the songs from Chandrettan Evideya indicated that his search for a good film could end over here. Continue reading “Chandrettan Evideya and Chirakodinja Kinavukal: Films with a good intent but with mixed results”