[Rajeevraj]

Watched Annathe. Only good thing was that I was able to fast forward my way through the movie and finish it in 1.5 hrs. No further comments.

[jkrishnakj]

I realise through this thread that’s it’s very hard for me to listen or appreciate feedback coming from others.

Despite several warnings here from many about Churuli and Annathhe, I definitely wasted a lot of time on these both, yesterday. I’m telling myself that I should hear and listen more.

[greyhound82]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

I realise through this thread that’s it’s very hard for me to listen or appreciate feedback coming from others.

In art individual experience has a role to play and it differs from person to person. I think it is always good to experience it yourself and share those experiences with the group

I am dyslexic(using as I didn't get a proper word to explain) in art, design(for me the functionality is the key) and even music to an extent though my daily work is in an abstract field of applied mathematics(computational topology) . Churuli movie didn't engage me and I got bored but couple of my friends loved the same

[jkrishnakj]

I fully agree with your view grey hound and loved that perspective.

Just that, mostly, my view and liking of movies has been more or less in alignment with the majority view/thought/rating by several members here. My point was more from that sense.

[WindRide]

Contrary to most reviews here, i actually ended up enjoying the Annathe experience . It had all the elements one would expect from a Rajini movie - over-the-top emotions, comedy, noise, fights, songs, etc etc. Yes, i did ensure my brain was switched off before switching on the TV, maybe it helped. All in all i have seen much worse tamil movies, so this wasn't all that bad. Nice time pass stuff.

[Pequod]

Originally Posted by dragonfire

Pretentious is the right way to describe Churuli. I have watched several movies that leave the storyline open to interpretation, and it is commendable that somebody attempted it in Malayalam cinema. But all the effort is useless if the movie fails to communicate. I see people parroting interpretations that are being circulated by some movie reviews. If somebody needs to tell you what you saw, then there is no point in seeing it.
…
Now coming to the language used - again, I am not averse to some bad language used in movies as long as it helps the story. Here what the writer uses the language for is obvious, but he takes it and goes overboard with it. Even the most vile, morally corrupt person will not use so many expletives in everyday language. The writer end up making the movie an expletive porn.

Interpretation of art is always subjective, there’s always something the observer brings to the table. However I wouldn’t go as far as to call the movie ‘pretentious’ - inspired, definitely. Maybe LJP all along intended to take us for a ride, huh?

As for the language - well, remember the first time Jake Sully awakens as Navi in Avatar? Or the first sight of the brontosaurus in Jurassic Park? Unfortunately, Malayalam cinema doesn’t have those kind of budgets, and the shock and awe of the language drives home the ‘alienness’ of Churuli. Low blow, but then - artistic license. Also, if one were to spend an evening in any of the numerous local toddy shops in our state, the language is much more colourful, trust me. Not to mention the language of bonhomie among real friends.

Anyway, no offense brother, to each their own . Cheers!

[Sebring]

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (4/5)
The film is a realistic presentation of the rise and fall of two gangsters in the coastal City of Mangaluru in Karnataka. The gritty portrayal and unusual story has you hooked right from the start. Writer/Director/Actor Raj Shetty has done an admirable job donning many hats. The movie has even caught the eye of Anurag Kashyap who has heaped praises on it, as well as eminent Bollywood reviewers and that's a huge achievement. Do try and catch it

[naveen.raju]

Star - Malayalam



The "horror" element was really unnecessary here for such a sensitive subject. Prithiviraj was wasted but he just had 10 minutes. The lead female actor known for her pathetic acting was less irritating in this as she had only couple of dialogues but her expressions meant to scare people was just too comical. Also too many songs for a psychological thriller.

The only thing I liked in the movie was the Ford Endeavour .

Available on Amazon Prime.

Rating - 1/5. Avoid it. (Giving it for Joju and the Ford)

[mazda4life]

Originally Posted by Sebring

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (4/5)
The film is a realistic presentation of the rise and fall of two gangsters..

Is it streaming or in theatres ?

[Sebring]

New release. In theatres now

Originally Posted by mazda4life

Is it streaming or in theatres ?

[whitewing]

Originally Posted by Sebring

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (4/5)
The film is a realistic presentation of the rise and fall of two gangsters in the coastal City of Mangaluru in Karnataka. The gritty portrayal and unusual story has you hooked right from the start. Writer/Director/Actor Raj Shetty has done an admirable job donning many hats.

Was interested in watching it.
Have thoroughly enjoyed Raj Shetty's earlier movies - ondu motteya kathe/Sarkari hirya prathmika shale etc. Very creative chap.

Does this have a lot of gore?

[Sebring]

Well yes, there is gore and to be expected in gangster movies I guess. But the violence is not in your face, but implied ... rather

Originally Posted by whitewing

Was interested in watching it. Have thoroughly enjoyed Raj Shetty's earlier movies - ondu motteya kathe/Sarkari hirya prathmika shale etc. Very creative chap. Does this have a lot of gore?

[rbp]

Originally Posted by Sebring

Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (4/5)
The film is a realistic presentation of the rise and fall of two gangsters in the coastal City of Mangaluru in Karnataka. The gritty portrayal and unusual story has you hooked right from the start. Writer/Director/Actor Raj Shetty has done an admirable job donning many hats. The movie has even caught the eye of Anurag Kashyap who has heaped praises on it, as well as eminent Bollywood reviewers and that's a huge achievement. Do try and catch it

Raj B Shetty is definitely a director to watch out for in future, do check this interview from BR, Raj's clarity and thought process is mind blowing.

https://youtu.be/5Ld_MYNqL8c

[benbsb29]

Churuli - Malayalam (Sony Liv)

I had the privilege of watching this, thanks to my newly acquired Sonly Liv subscription. I took up the temporary membership to catch up on Thinkalazcha Kazchakal and Scam 1992, both of which are absolute legends when compared to the subject at hand.

I went into the movie expecting choice language, as well as absolute disregard to the warnings on this thread as well as friends over PM. I now know why the warning bells were sounded.

My summary : I am ok with the language, i am ok with the visuals, the sound effects as well as the storyline in general. They did manage to keep us engaged to what was unfolding on screen. The ending was the letdown, and massively!

At this point we can call it art or beauty being in the eye and head of the beholder, and so on. I felt lost. Cheated. No clue on what just happened. If this was supposed to be a freak show, then atleast I'd come prepared.

Rating : 2/5 (Giving it this rating, as i just recalled the absolute horror called Meenakshi Sundareshwar that i watched)

[DicKy]

Not a regular in this thread, but since I couldn't find anything on Kurup, here it goes

My excitement- Everyone in Kerala would have heard of India's longest absconding fugitive. I was merely curious about the movie until I saw a teaser of the movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ere0wfYzRsQ

Got me hooked. Checked the director of the movie, Srinath Rajendran plus DQ and their history in Second Show (2012), I knew we could expect some tasteful car collection, plus some proper recreation of 1980s Gelf. Which brings me to.

Production quality- I am a sucker for high production quality in malayalam movies, even at the expense of good storyline. We have a history of good story telling, but budget constrained production quality. So no quad light, plastic bumper Contessas or Ambys with plastic dashboard, pull type door handles or crystal clear lights. Everything is period correct; from the sets, buildings, locations, dress, style of speaking. Ofcourse, if we have to nitpick, we would be expecting some normal 70s/80s cars in front of a hospital in 1980s Abu Dhabi, instead of 80s sportscars lined up. Also stuff like how DQ is allowed to keep his hairstyle, while others have a military cut in the Air Force.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVZIH4Ud3hU

Story- In short. The first half builds on the real life story that we know, but the second half just takes off on steroids!!! Ofcourse, creative liberty. But if it was some slow burning stuff or like Catch me if you can, the movie would have been on another level.

As of now, it is an entertainer. Not the massy, cheesy masala entertainer (DQ doesn't even have one fight scene), but nevertheless a good one. Plus I don't really feel like the movie is glorifying Kurup or not caring about the real life victims. Shades+jackets+BGM doesn't equal glorification. I felt it was more like a man was condemned to run for his entire life. But I did feel it was problematic that they are trying to build on the Alexander name aiming to be a sequel to Samrajyam (1990). But then, we didn't see the sequal to Second Show, so...