Badlapur Movie Review

Sriram Raghavan’s Badlapur draws a line between the usual run-of-the-mill revenge sagas and the psychological effect that mishaps have over individuals. After the completely crappy Agent Vinod, the director returns to make a film with revenge as the plot. But how different is it from other films, and is that difference worth your two hours at the cinema hall? Read on to know.

Badlapur takes you through the life of Raghav, aka Raghu. As seen in the trailer, Raghu goes on finding the guys who killed his wife and son. What happens over the journey, which lasts for a period of about 20 years is what Badlapur is all about. When the title card says ‘Don’t Miss the Beginning’, they did mean every bit of it. The best part of the film is its opening 15 minutes, which is a terrific live sequence captured efficiently on camera. Once that is done, the film starts to crawl on a slower note. Badlapur has its fair share of moments, but the film does miss out on a lot of opportunities where it could have caught up on some really exciting sequences.

Varun Dhawan isn’t the perfect pick for a role of this sort, as he looks like a misfit in the latter half of the movie where he plays the 40 year old. Though he has worked on his physical appearance to depict the time-gap, his facial expressions are stale and fails to evoke emotions. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a scream, for he has a brilliant role in which he performs pretty well. The girls are probably the USP of the film, especially Huma Qureshi and Radhika Apte who are lucky to have some powerful scenes to enact. The rest of the cast is apt, and fit the bill well.

Cinematography is the pillar of Badlapur, for the film does possess some praiseworthy camerawork. As for the editing, the film does suffer some abrupt cuts at places. But that does not wind the flow of the movie at any point. Music is decent, with a special mention to Jee Karda which is arguably the song of the year so far.

Badlapur is not bad. But at the same time, it isn’t good either. Sriram’s direction might earn him some brownie points, but it is the screenplay which lacks finesse and is lightly haphazard. It is left to the viewer to make or break his verdict on the film, based on his thoughts after the climax. In my case, it didn’t work so well.

Verdict: Decently written, badly executed.

2.75 / 5 

Follow @sidhuwrites

Anegan Movie Review

However solid a script may be, the final product will not be upto the mark in the absence of stellar execution. After a leggy offering in the name of Maattrraan, KV Anand hits back with Anegan, a well engineered psychological thriller. By taking immense care in the scripting department and maintaining complete clarity with his ideas, the director has achieved what he set out to, quite convincingly.

Anegan traverses through four different avatars of the lead pair which are interconnected to each other. Though one has to watch the film with utmost concentration, the end result is a compelling one with all questions answered. The ability of the director to keep his vision clear while dealing with a complicated screenplay is the king's move here, as KV Anand delicately mixes the core story with the everyday commercial elements. The film gets better and better with the passing minute, only to suffer from a slight drag in the pre-climax sequences. However, the intriguing tug of war between Dhanush and the villain in the climax emits laughter, thrills, spills and what not.

The three musketeers in Anegan's cast card are Dhanush, Karthik and Amyra who come up with knockout performances. Dhanush is extremely comfortable enacting the avatars, thereby doing full justice to his roles. His portions as Kaali along with the Dangamaari number in the second half will surely excite audiences, revoking whistles and claps. Amyra equally stands up to her counterpart with cute expressions and emotions, wherever required. More fun on the table when Karthik joins the party, as the veteran provides a fresh angle to the film and is a scream towards the end. And we just cannot leave out the other important characters who chip in with defining performances at the right places.

Kudos to Om Prakash for wonderfully aiding KV Anand with the visuals. The film has a rich and vibrant Bollywood feel overall with a special mention to the songs. The cuts are decently done in a film which could have easily been spoiled by bad editing. Harris Jayaraj's music is apt and is thankfully not overdone at any point.

Amidst a flurry of biggies, Anegan comes in as a whiff of fresh air. Writers Subha and KV Anand have to be applauded for their paperwork which is devoid of a loose end. Albeit being a little confusing, Anegan ends up on the safe side and is a comeback of sorts for the director. While watching Dangamaari, I realized that it is much more than a kuthu song. Anegan too, is much more than just Dangamaari. This film, might make merry.

Verdict: An engaging, cerebral ride! 

3.25 / 5

Follow @sidhuwrites

Shamitabh Movie Review

First posted on ONLYKOLLYWOOD.COM

Ever since Dhanush forayed into Bollywood with Raanjhnaa and bagged awards for it, the actor has made heads turn and look forward to his next outing on the upper side. As lucky as he could get, Dhanush landed himself a role with none other than Amitabh Bachchan himself, where Akshara Haasan too makes a debut. What does the movie offer? Time to find out from my Shamitabh review.

As we all know, Shamitabh is the story of a mute bus conductor who aspires to become a hero. With the help of Akshara Haasan and some technology, Dhanush befriends Amitabh Bachchan and convinces him to lend his voice for his films. What follows is the rise and fall of the new character called Shamitabh. Director R.Balki had a stellar cast, strong technical team and the Maestro's music. But one does feel that he did not put the talent to best use here, as the end result is slow paced and predictable. There are a lot of interesting moments throughout the film, here and there. But at the same time, the infusion of a few inane Bollywood sequences make you question the intention of the director. What is the need to introduce unnecessary elements into a story which could be beautifully molded between the three top characters?

Dhanush and Amitabh Bachchan have truly competed with each other to perform better onscreen. When Dhanush emotes laughter without saying a word, Amitabh hits back with a strong riposte in his drunk, hung over voice. His voice is the USP of the film, more than anything else. You just cannot afford to miss the scene where he recites a dialogue from Mughal e Azam. Only veterans hold their place for long and Shamitabh shows you why he is one. Dhanush's role too, requires a lot of homework and the actor has given his best for the film, just like every other. But the show stealer definitely is Akshara Haasan who throws in a surprise with her act. Enacting long shots looks like a cakewalk to the little girl, for she has made her mark standing between two powerhouses. There are a lot of other faces and cameos in the film, but nobody seems to care when these three are on song.

PC Sreeram's cinematography is once again a treat to the eyes. Each of his frames are wallpaper material and capture the proceedings from a different perspective. Editing is apt for a film of this kind, and a special mention for the costume designers too. Ilaiyaraaja's music complements Balki's visions superbly, as the maestro brings in lovely cues in the background score. The mesmerizing music gets better onscreen with the impressive visuals.

On the whole, Shamitabh is belted with impressive performances which will steal your heart. What it lacks, is the heart in the screenplay, without which the film doesn't connect very well at the end. While Shamitabh should not be missed for the cast, it could have scaled higher with a better second half. A good film, but not a great film.

Verdict: Power packed performances in a slow narrative.

3 / 5

Follow @sidhuwrites

Yennai Arindhaal Movie Review

First posted on ONLYKOLLYWOOD.COM 

The wait is over. After tons of conclusions and postponements, Yennai Arindhaal finally hits the screens today, with expectations at the zenith. This is a film where Gautham Vasudev Menon finishes his cop trilogy with a man who he had originally planned to start it with, Thala Ajith. Does the film manage to fulfil the expectations of the innumerous cinephiles worldwide? Lets find out in our Yennai Arindhaal movie review.

Yennai Arindhaal traverses through the life of a man named Sathyadev. The film dwells into his dreams and ambitions, love angles, friends, enemies, frenemies and much more. Walking through this film with the central character and Gautham Menon's narration, the viewer tastes a little bit of all the joy, sorrow and challenges that are thrown at Sathyadev. The director has taken immense care in carving out an action thriller which satisfies all sections of the audience. After getting off to a slow start, the proceedings accelerate and halt at a likable interval block. Post the interval, breakneck is the word for the pace at which the screenplay flies. Gautham Menon throws in one surprise after another with a strong emotional connect. Albeit the film being devoid of a mindwhacking twist, it never goes off track or tries too hard.

Thala Ajith's performance in Yennai Arindhaal is nothing less than fantastic. Present in almost every scene of the film, he swoops into the skin of the characters and literally lives the role of Sathyadev. Be it the young and local character or the matured man with the salt and pepper hairdo, Ajith's acting is near perfect and easily helps you connect with the cloak. Frankly speaking, Yennai Arindhaal is one of Thala's best, coming at a great point in his career. While Ajith scores on one side, it is Arun Vijay who equally complements him on the other. To grab some attention while standing with a man like Ajith is a herculean task in itself, and that will definitely take Arun Vijay's career upwards from here on. Gautham Menon's films have strong feminine characters, and Yennai Arindhaal is no less. Be it Trisha, Anushka or the petite Parvathy Nair, all of them have made their mark in the film. While Trisha leaves an impact with her performance, Anushka takes the cake in a light role. Vivek has been aptly used with the right amount of one liners at the right places. Finally, it is Baby Anikha who is a heartwarming addition to the cast. Touchy, from the little one.

Yennai Arindhaal is good on the technical side too. Dan Macarthur's cinematography is on par with Hollywood films in the action sequences, and he skillfully brings in a dreamy flavour to the song montages. Watch out for the action sequences in the second half. The guerrilla run surely deserves a pat on the back of the cinematographer, in addition to GVM. But Yennai Arindhaal surely deserved some better editing for the flow is affected with some sloppy jump cuts at many places.

Music by Harris Jayaraj is just over the line. While the songs work well thanks to the visuals, the BGM is loud, noisy and electronic. Probably the pressure to finish the film has taken an adverse effect in these two departments. Without forgetting, we have to give it to Silva for the raw and realistic stunts which prevent the film from going over the top.

Gautham Menon's homework for Yennai Arindhaal is the key to the good result. By keeping the script strong, the director stands up to his reputation of directing solid action films. There are a handful of beautifully executed scenes in the second half. Some get you teary-eyed, some push you from your seat, but not one will make you squirm. I'm not sure if your respect for GVM will rise after Yennai Arindhaal, but I can guarantee that it will stay intact.

Yennai Arindhaal is not a flawless film. There are blips here and there like an unwanted song or a clichéd scene. But they are negligible keeping the fact in mind that this is a honest attempt from the director. GVM completes his cop trilogy in style. Its just the beginning, of good things to come. 

Verdict : Solid and satisfying action thriller.

3.75 / 5

Follow @sidhuwrites

Looking Back at 2014 - Ten Favourite English Films of the Year

2014 was the year where I kept chasing English films. There were a truckload of movies which caught my attention, for I just couldn’t keep myself off the marquee and finally ended up watching more than I actually planned to. While a lot of films were good while they lasted, few left an impact on me and called for a re-watch or a discussion with a buddy. Down below, is the list of my top ten personal favourites of the year. These films aren’t just films, they are ‘special’.

10) The Guest – Directed by Adam Wingard, Written by Simon Barrett

This film is a cracker, right from the word go. Coming with the little twists thrown in at the right instants, the director manages to keep you guessing for most parts of the film. Playing the lead role, Dan Stevens as David Collins is terrific. The attitude which he flaunts adds some more spice to the film, along with the calm and composed dialogue delivery. The music comes off as another asset, albeit being simple and not too noisy. With something in it for everybody, The Guest offers entertainment on high levels. Badass is the word.

09) Nightcrawler – Written and directed by Dan Gilroy

Undoubtedly the surprise package of 2014. Helmed by a first timer who has taken care of both the writing and the direction, Nightcrawler belts you with two hours of exhilarating fun. Jake Gyllenhaal is simply superb in this film. Stitching himself into the shoes of Lou Bloom, he delivers a fantastic performance in a role which is hard to like. The cinematography is flawless too, as it easily sweeps you into the mood of the scene. Though the film is devoid of twists and possesses a linear narrative pattern, it gallops at a solid pace and ends on a high. Crawl is just in the name.

08) The Imitation Game – Directed by Morten Tyldum, Written by Andrew Hodges & Graham Moore

Benedict Cumberbatch. Now this guy is an absolute freak. Acting runs in his blood, and that is evident in The Imitation Game, where the man comes up with arguably the best performance of the year. Reliving the role of the infamous Alan Turing, the film traverses on an interesting path built with strong performances, good making and a few uncanny jolts. Really wish the director had concentrated on the detailing to make this a better film, rather than the over-emotional final moments.

07) Fury – Written and directed by David Ayer

Unlike the majority of war films, Fury dealt with just a short episode in the lives of five soldiers and a Sherman tank. However, what makes this click is the brilliant performances of Brad Pitt and Logan Lerman, in addition to the healthy emotional connect that the film leaves you with. The war scenes are skilfully choreographed; there are a couple of edge-of-the-seat moments too. Except for the logic tosses, Fury is a highly recommended watch which is definitely worth your time.

06) Enemy – Directed by Dennis Villeneuve, Written by Jose Saramago & Javier Gullon

After watching this film, the reaction on your face will be nothing less than a ‘WTF’. Even a 100 re-watches will still leave you pondering over the actual plot of the film. Mind-numbing to the core, Enemy deserves a non-distracted viewing, some brain boggling and finally a debate to arrive at a conclusion, which still might be wrong. Jake Gyllenhaal knocks you out with his stupendous performance in a dual role. The body language, facial expressions and the confidence levels which he exhibits are on a different level. The gloomy and yellowish tone of the film is yet another bullet in this gun which will shoot you off your seat, sans a doubt.

05) Gone Girl – Directed by David Fincher, Written by Gillain Flynn

An intense, disturbing and impactful film about marriage and its darker side. David Fincher’s ability to keep the audience glued with the dialogue driven narrative is the USP of the film. The twists are unveiled in brilliant fashion, as the director keeps you guessing on what is going to happen next. Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike come up with career defining performances, for I wouldn’t be surprised if the latter goes on to win the Oscar. Visually stunning too, Gone Girl will scare you on the very thought of marriage. You have to watch it to know it.

04) The Grand Budapest Hotel – Written and directed by Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson’s films are known for their peculiarity. The director has a style of his own. The Grand Budapest Hotel walks in as a film which is wonderfully scripted, narrated, edited and presented. Boasting of a breath-taking act from Ralph Fiennes, the film brims with light humour all the way. The colourful tone of the film and the aspect ratio do bring in the feel of the olden days, along with the music which deserves a special mention. With interesting cameos at the high points, The Grand Budapest Hotel deserves a watch, for the making if not for anything else.

03) Interstellar – Directed by Christopher Nolan, Written by Jonathan Nolan

A 100 words aren’t enough to describe this film. Acclaimed worldwide on various terms, Interstellar takes you on a journey of a lifetime within the three hours at the cinema hall. Christopher Nolan’s idea of combining science with the undying concept of love worked wonders in his favour, as the film turned out to become one of the biggest success stories of 2014. Matthew McConaughey’s performance will leave you smiling, crying and rooting at different instances; nothing less than a spellbinding one that. Interstellar, truly an out of the world experience.

02) Whiplash – Written and directed by Damien Chazelle

Shot over a span of just 19 days, Whiplash is a tense and gut-wrenching tale packed with goosebumps. With the astounding performances of Myles Teller and JK Simmons, the director pulls you into the film and drops you into the room of the proceedings. While the music of the film is highly professional, the editing truly deserves an Oscar. The climax is an ultimate ripper and immediately rings bells for a re-watch. Whiplash is sublime, it is something much more than a good job.

01) Boyhood – Written and directed by Richard Linklater

Boyhood follows the life of a young man from age 5 to 18. Thoughts of that going to be boring, and here comes the twist – Boyhood was shot with the same characters over a period of 11 years. Yes, Richard Linklater and his team deserve every bit of appreciation and more for this painstaking, herculean effort which is unfortunately one of the lesser known films of the year. The film is so close to reality that it actually feels like the events onscreen have taken part on the other side of the globe. The amount of detailing and the point that the director never makes a single wrong move is absolutely amazing. Boyhood has to be watched for the effort. It has to be watched for the perfection. It has to be watched for the experience. You just, have to watch it.

Reaching the end of the list, there are a few films which deserved a place on the list but just missed the cut. Here they are,

Locke – Two hours of Tom Hardy driving a car and you don’t get bored for a single minute. The Buried of 2014.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Though I badly missed James Franco in this one, it was a highly compelling biggie.

John Wick – Plain, hardcore action. Kickass comeback for Keanu Reeves.

Million Dollar Arm – Always loved the Indian connect in Hollywood’s films. This one was a harmless watch.

Foxcatcher – Steve Carrell. What an actor!

The Fault in Our Stars – Probably the best romantic film of 2014.

The Mule – Interesting attempt from the Aussies.

Predestination – Except for Ethan Hawke who looked out of place, this film works.  

Notable films I still haven't watched - Selma, Inherent Vice

There are two films of 2014 which didn’t work for me, although it did for the majority of the people around me. They are Birdman and American Sniper. While the first one is appreciable for its concept and the cinematography, the second is a complete yawnfest barring a few war scenes. These two, were the biggest disappointments of 2014 to my eyes.

We have now reached the end of this long piece and it’s finally time to say thank you. I hope you enjoyed reading my list, and do go back to watch the films you’ve missed out. You can catch me on FB or Twitter to drop in your feedback. Cheers!

Siddarth Srinivas

Follow @sidhuwrites