Sometimes (Tamil: Sila Samayangalil)–NETFLIX

Seven strangers are anxiously waiting for their HIV test results. They have to wait for over 6 gruelling hours before they will know the result. None of them want to let the others know the circumstances which led them to test for HIV. Social stigma and personal, personal embarrassment,  fear of society and family retribution.  Soon they start to talk to each other. They  decide to bribe the clinic receptionist to get the report early. And what a result!.

Prakash Raj, as usual steals the limelight. He is supported by the rest of the cast. This is a Netflix movie and failed to release on the mainstream,

It is suspense thriller of different sort. Movie for matured adult and keeps you glued.

This is movie for adults and somewhat bleak. The acting and the overhaul suspense makes it watchable.

I liked it for it is different, It is a Tamil movie with no songs, no forced silly comedy, no fight sequence, no punch dialogue and just movie.

Rating: MA15+

Thriller

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Ramante Edanthottam–Malayalam

Ramante Edanthottam (transl. Raman’s Garden of Eden) is a visual treat and a feel good movie. Smoothly and softly it handles the personal turmoil of a married women treated insensitively by her husband and becoming good friends with another man who makes her feel like the special women she is. The friendship borders close to more deep man woman affection. Let me not give away too much.

The movie is shot in the hill station in Vagamon, Kerala and is a lovely visual treat. Sitting in your entertainment room you can travel this beautiful land captured in vivid colour on the celluloid (or chip!). The camera entwines the beauty of this green hill station with the flow of the movie and forms the backcloth for the canvas.

The story is told in simple realistic way with no sentimental over drive. Portrayal by  Kunchacko Boban and Anu Sithara ( the camera loves her !) are typical Malayalam movie trade mark of underperformance true to real life.

The movie is easy on the eye and senses and casual with splendid outdoor shots exclusive to Kerala.

The song  “ Akale Oru Kaadinte” by Shreya Ghoshal proves once again that she is an extraordinary singer in any language.

Lovely Friday Night movie to watch.

Rating: MA15+ – Adult Themes.

Happy Happy Movie.

Aravindante Athidhikal–Malayalam

Looking for a movie to watch and feel good afterwards ?

There are days when you want  a window seat  (in front of the TV) to watch a drama unfolding, making you feel part of the happening. At the end, you want to getup with a feeling of time well spent. Here is your opportunity. In the traditional Malayalam movie mould, yet another fine movie for the whole family.

This is a  movie in classic Malayalam style.  Underplayed and close to real life, this movie is about an orphan who grows into a cheerful personality who is longing for his mother  who abandoned him. The movie happens around the  Mookambika Temple in Kollur.

While the rest of the Indian mainstream movie actors strain and deliver boringly unnatural,  and mental chewing gum  performances, Malayalam cast just appear and be their normal selves. This movie is no exception. The lead characters Vineeth Sreenivasan and Nikhila Vimal are people you will meet in your every day life.

I laughed a lot at the many jokes and scenes sprinkled all over the movie.

Friday nighter for the family and friends.

If you are watching with small kids make sure they don’t fear being abandoned.

Rating: G

Nathicharami–Kannada

Saying

“Dharmecha, Arthecha, Kamecha, Mokshecha.. Naati Charaami!!”   “Righteously, financially, by desire, or spiritually, I will not walk away from her!!”  and reciting

“Mangalyam tantunanena mama jivana hethuna Kanthe badhnami subhage twam jeeva sarada satam”

“This is a sacred thread. This is essential for my long life. I tie this around your neck, O maiden having many auspicious attributes!   May we live happily for a hundred years”

he marries her.

But he dies shortly after.

Leaving a young, smart, sensitive and modern career women alone in Bangalore. With no support from both sides of the family her struggles starts. However, this is not the run of the mill young widow struggling in a society story. I was completely surprised by the boldness to handle such an intense, sensitive  topic. Might I add, for the for the first time in Indian cinema. Hats Off!

 

This is a story of a young widow in prime struggling with the dilemma of her own  sexual needs, and her desire to remain faithful to the memory of her late husband.

I quote

“ There isn’t a better actor than Sruthi Hariharan to bring grace and seriousness to a character that throws light on the sexual needs of single women in urban middle-class societies.Whenever her face swims in the drudgery of everydayness, you feel her! “

Sruthi Hariharan and Kanada film industry  has delivered a memorable milestone movie. The portrayal is honest, simple and realistic with a level headed performance. You feel for her and thousands of young women who suffer the fate of widowhood at an young age with no support from family nor society. The struggle is very personal and painful.

Watch the movie on Netflix.  Its likely to be ‘I love or I hate it”

The theme,scenes and handling is strictly for adults.

Rating: MA15+ – Adult Theme, Sexual references.

Crazy Rich Asians

See it in a cinema. Feel good movie and luxurious.

You will almost feel it is a Bollywood movie. But few differences. The cast is entirely Asians. The location is lush and beautiful Singapore and the movie is about super rich and it feels super rich. The plot is is about a ‘fish-out-of water’ girl and her super rich Singapore boy friend.

Easy and breezy movie for good fun. The locations are sensational.

Good family movie for watching with young adults.

Happy Happy Movie
Rating: G

Oopam (Malyalam)

Oopam (Together) is a Malayalam crime thriller. The plot revolves around Jayaraman (Mohanlal), a blind lift operator and caretaker in an apartment building framed for a murder.

You see a simple blind lift operator with a good music sense. You hardly notice Mohan Lal. Time and time again he transforms as the part he his playing and drags you along his journey.  He, in my opinion, is a very good actor of present day Indian films. I am a fan of his acting and like his breezy style and realistic portrayals characteristic of many Malayalam heroes. He is special though.

The movie is intriguing with many sub plots and revolves around the abilities of Jayaraman to resolve the case. Some of the Kerala outdoor scenes will impres you.

Interesting movie and lives up to regular movie watcher’s expectations.

Watch it.

Rating: MA

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Maheshinte Prathikaaram (Malayalam)

 

The movie is about revenge. Revenge of a every day garden variety photographer in a small town. Don’t imagine violence, guns, blood shed and gory killings. Instead the revenge creates lots of humour and  an enjoyable comedy movie. The hero vows that he will not wear his slippers again until he has avenged the humiliation. That is it!

Fahadh Faasil, the hero, believe it or not is clad in a lungi most of the times and occasionally in simple pant and a shirt and as usual lives the part. Simple clean and a typical good Malayalam movie. Good Friday night watching.

Rating: PG

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