Saavi a Hitchcockian Thriller(1985)

  Dial M For Murder Meets Kollywood:

It revolves around couple,Vijay(played by Sathyaraj a cold and cunning Anti-hero) and Latha(played by Saritha, a controlled & vulnerable performance).Vijay a former Tennis fame who quit tennis after falling into alcohol addiction and his wife is a socialite who takes care of her father's business , she happens to see her college love Anand(played by Nizhalgal Ravi) it was Anand who confessed his feeling to her in their college days, however Latha rejects him politely.

After Vijay's alcohol addiction and atrocious behavior  towards her she finds solace in Anand. Vijay gets to know about their affair and plots a cruel plan to get rid of her and gain her wealth which eventually belongs to Vijay post her death.

Vijay hires a drug dealer whom he blackmails and asks him to murder his wife while he is at the party with Anand thereby proving his alibi. The twist of fate that leads to the death of hitman and accusing Latha of murder with circumstantial evidences, and to vijay's luck he gets hold of his wife's bank balance.

Then comes in inspector shankar(Jaishankar with his cid persona) who is suspicious about Vijay and his behaviour accompanied by Anand they bring out Vijay's ploy and climax sequence pays homage to "Dial M For Murder" and executed flawlessly.

A Classic 1980's Mystery Thriller.

A Power- Packed Punch Sarpatta Prambarai(2021)

 

Arya is a "RAGING BULL in Pa. Ranjith's Picture:

The movie begins with a Kabilan(Arya) a worker at port who is eager to leave work to watch a boxing match.The story takes place 1970's Madras, the director takes nearly 15 to 20 mins for exposition of his story ie. rivalry between two clans namely Sarpatta Parambarai headed by Rangan(Pasupathy "Powerful acting") and Idiyappa Parambarai(G.M.Kumar Effective.), Sarpatta is unable to beat Idiyappa Parambarai's Main board player Vembuli the unbeatable(Jhon Kokken) for a long period of time. The Camera work is Masterclass as it not only supports the story but also effectively helps the audience understand it ,for instance in the exposition sequence after Sarpatta is again faced with defeat and the rival clan celebrates their victroy, Rangan pitch one final fight a crucial one,the camera work is outstanding in this sequence as rival celebrates their victory and who is gonna make sarpatta break the jinx the camera slowly moves vertically by shifting the focus from Idiyappa parambarai to Kabilan who is the sole focus in the picture visually answering the question ,a powerful use of cinematography.

Eventhough the beats are cliche the viewer never gets bored of it due to masterclass directions and story telling accompanied by epic set works.The supporting characters are simply superb and the list is real big viz. Dancing Rose(Shabeer), Daddy aka. Kevin(John Vijay), Mariamma(Dushara Vijayan), Vetriselvan the hot head(Kalaiarasan).

The boxing drama touches every nuances politics ,discrimination, redemption etc. The powerful and crucial character "Beedi Rayappan" who is a real - life boxer adds value to the picture.

Santosh Narayanan at his best a enthralling and charging score which enhances the viewer experience.

A Epic Tale from the Master.    

Peak Paruthiveeran (2007)

Kollywood's "A West Side Story":

The opening shot sets the tone of the film, right from the very first frame the director grabs the audience into the screen and takes them to paruthiyur(rural area around Madurai). We are introduced to the Protagonist veera aka. Paruthiveeran (Karthi(Dream Debut)) who is no good youth and a usual suspect who frequents police station along with his uncle Sevaazhai (Saravanan).

Then comes the fulcrum/crux of the film Muthazhagu (Priyamani) who is devoted to Paruthiveeran and wants to marry him frantically. The childhood love portions which are highly sensitive to be handled, but the director handles it effortlessly and top-notch execution.

Veera who constantly refuses muthazhagu's advances and is hell bent on hurting her and working towards his ambition of landing in central prison Chennai. Kazhuvathevan (Ponvanan) is cruel casteist who wants his daughter Muthazhagu to get married into his own caste and educated lad. He hates Veeran eventhough they are relatives, he is a son born out of Inter- Caste Marriage.

Paruthiveeran commits all ill- deeds alcohol, women etc. Kanja Karuppu a comic relief who was used pitch-perfectly and still remembered for his role Douglas. The Tragedy ensues when Veeran who finally wants to reform and marry Muthuazaghu and is refused by Muthuazaghu's family and people, they finally decide to elope one night.

The sins of Veeran are acted upon Muthazaghu and viewer is left shattered by this Shakesperean ending(Romeo Juliet).

Yuvan Shankar Raja's score are still a banger which enhances the movie, and the camera works in the film is masterpiece for its raw depiction and colour tone. The Editor bagged national award and Priyamani too bagged a national award for her masterclass acting. 

  

A Criminally Underrated Art "Kuttramae Thandanai"(2016)

 

A Ingenious neo-noir thriller:

Film begins with Ravi(vidharth),who has rare condition of Tunnel vision syndrome ie.(his sight diminishes gradually and leads to blindness). who is a peeping tom like character who happens to see his neighbor's particularly his opposite house lonely tenant swetha(Aishwariya rajesh). Reminds us of hitchcock's rear window.

The plot kicks in when Ravi visits ophthalmologist who informs Ravi that his condition can be cured only through eye transplantation and it would costs him much. Ravi who is constantly refused loan at his office and other sources has his chance finally when swetha gets killed and Ravi begins to blackmail Vijay Prakash(Rahman) swetha's boss who happens to be in illicit relationship with swetha.As he was the one among the last to see her alive.

Vijay Prakash too keeps the deal fair and gentlemen's way. There arises another obstacle ie.more money is needed. Actor Nassar plays Ravi's client who happens to be mentor to Ravi ,and Ravi confides in him. When Vijay Prakash refuses to pay more money ,Ravi goes to police station to blackmail him. There he gives his statement against another suspect who happens to be swetha's boyfriend. Guru Somasundaram plays the suspects layer who bribes a mere amount to Ravi and Ravi leaves him without answering.

Ravi's love interest Anu (Pooja devariya) to helps him unofficially by providing him details about Vijay Prakash's whereabouts. Ravi threatens him and extracts further money from him. The eye hospital further turns Ravi down by saying he is one among 331 patient to receive eye transplant and it may take nearly years time to take place and they will let him know, infuriated Ravi fights the hospital premises and they ask him for further 5 lakh for immediate transplantation.

Another side police officer keen on closing the case played by Late actor Marimuthu, gets to know Ravi has issues with his eyes. Ravi takes final Gamble of 25 lakhs from Vijay Prakash and Vijay Prakash reluctantly gives him money and ask him to stay away permanently.

Ravi twists his statement at court and leaves to his Residence.

There we get to see picture of Ravi and Swetha(who were in love), haunting sequence revealing Ravi is the killer(according to my p.o.v).cut to few years later Ravi sipping coffee at his verandah in kolkata. He is later assisted by his wife Anu to get down the stairs we get to know he turned blind.

INDIAN ADAPTATION OF RUSSIAN CLASSIC CRIME & PUNISHMENT

Thangalaan a exotic experience(2024)

A Realism - Fantasy:

Thangalaan takes the audience to 1850 North Arcot Veppur village.We are introduced to oppressed people who work on the field of cruel landlords & Thangalaan(Chiyaan Vikram) and his family who have their own piece of land.

Plot thickens when Clement a British who offers the people job and daily wage in turn they extract gold for him from the mysterious place guarded by Aarathi(Malavika Mohanan). Thangalaan who has disturbing nightmares and visions and constantly talks to himself joins Clement on the journey and insists his fellow villagers to join.

Though the film is set in the backdrop of Kolar Gold Fields(KGF), it is treated as a historical fantasy, and its portrayal is nearly realistic. It also discusses class, the right to land, God, etc.

Standout sequence is a day and night intercut sequence between nagas headed by Aarathi(Malavika Mohanan) and villagers headed by Thangalaan(Chiyaan Vikram), it is a never-seen sequence. The Tamil spoken in the film too can be achieved only through deep and thorough research. Amongst the contemporary movies released that year, Thangalaan stands out in offering a different cinematic experience that will be cherished in the years to come.

The filming locations viz Maldives, Hogenakkal Falls, and Kadappa are perfect and add to the film's richness. The Lead actors Chiyaan Vikram, Pasupathy, Paravthi Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, Hari Krishnan, and Preethi Karan are irreplaceable in their respective roles. A scintillating work from G.V. Prakash Kumar.

 

 

Eternal masterpiece Gladiator(2000)

 

Powerful Period Drama:

The film opens with soothing imagery of a hand caressing the field while walking, followed by an imminent and violent war sequence between the Romans headed by Maximus(Russell Crowe) against barbaric tribes. It is considered one of the greatest battle sequences ever conceived in Hollywood. Post the enthralling war sequence we are introduced to Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) & his sister Lucilla(Connie Nielsen) on their way to meet their father who had summoned them.

Then starts the plot, Commodus's long-time desire is shattered when his father Marcus Aurelius announces Maximus as the next heir to the throne, this ultimately leads Commodus to kill his father in cold blood. Maximus knows for sure that Commodus's hand in death and Commodus orders his troop to kill Maximus and his family for treason.

Maximus however manages to escape the assassination and hurries towards his home only to find his wife and son burnt and hanged to death. Maximus falls unconscious and is sold as a slave ie. gladiator.

Meanwhile, in Rome, Commodus starts his cold and cruel reign. His first and foremost notions are the dissolution of the Senate and entertaining and engaging people with festivities.

Time brings the victim(Maximus) & perpetrator(Commodus) together, and Maximus enters Rome as a Gladiator. There takes place the iconic monologue by Russel Crowe(Maximus)"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son. Husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next".

Lucilla who happens to be Maximus ex- love interest helps Maximus kill Commodus because of his immoral acts against her and the nation. Even though many people team up against Commodus, he stands tall & powerful defeating their schemes and plays.

Finally, the tearjerking climax portion where we root for protagonist's death because at least in the afterlife he can join his family and get rid of war and bloodshed.

Hans Zimmer music enhances every visual of the movie and particularly the lead actors are remarkable in their respective roles. Ridley Scott will be remembered for this masterpiece.

Presents the viewers with the opportunity to cherish the Colosseum.

What we do in life echoes in eternity 

-Maximus