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Watched Anveshippin Kandethum with a lot of expectations. The whole thing is a treat to watch and we never get bored one bit during the movie. BUT, I really dislike this kind of investigative thrillers where we are only shown only a part of the investigation and then suddenly they go for the big reveal and the whole mystery is explained to us in a couple of minutes wth quick flashbacks. It delivers the shock value but spoils the overall experience.

Please note that the above are not your regular whodunnits. They go into much deeper issues and the "whodunit" is just a medium to discuss something else. This method of storytelling was pioneered by KG George with Yavanika. And he does it even better with Ee Kanni Koodi. Kariyilakkaattu Pole does it in a more mainstream way and the final "reveal" simply spoils what the movie really intended to discuss. Yet it is a very powerful film.

I have to mention a bit about two TV Chandran movies here - Alicinte Anveshanam and Kathavasheshan. These movies also use investigation as a medium to tell very poingent stories.

Anyway all am saying is that please don't reduce these classics to regular whodunits.

Most of the recent crop of investigative/suspense thriller movies in Malayalam use dialogue as the primary means of exposition - the resort of a lazy writer and an insult to the discerning viewer. Cinema as a medium is about showing, not telling.

Garudan, Kannur Squad, Anweshippin - you name it, all of them failed in this aspect - and consequently the reveals felt outright boring to me.

This is one example of how contrast a reviews can become when watched in theatre and when watched in mini screen. This movie got into this category I guess.

I have no answer on what exactly this movie had in it to rave about, but there was something when watched in theatres, and trust me, this movie ran houseful for several days and the response in theatre was amazing. It is more about the guts of the makers to come up with such a theme. Not sure why it doesn't come out when watched in mini screen. Probably the undivided attention on to the screen and theatre vibe makes the difference.

Bramayugam - (M), now in Sony Liv (4/5)

Repenting on missing this to watch in theatre.

Rani: The Real Story - Malayalam



An investigative thriller but something that's straight forward and predictable. A good lineup of actors especially the women but felt some of them were not fit for the role. The maid acted pretty and so did Indrans. Some of the scenes were over the top but doesn't spoil the viewing experience. A bit slow to my liking and could have definitely made it better with a reworked screenplay.

Rating - 3/5
Source - Manorama Max
Verdict - Watchable

Aattam - The Play (Malayalam)



Been hearing positive reviews from viewers from various film festivals and was waiting for it. Starts off like any whodunit movies but deviates a bit after a while. Pretty good screenplay and acting by all especially the new faces (not actually new as they are part of a theater group). The movie keeps you guessing and leaves us with many questions. Not fast paced but keeps you glued to the screen till the end.

Some facts:
1. All 11 guys except Shajohn are part of the same drama/theater group.
2. All have used their real name except for Shajohn and Zarin.

Rating - 4.5/5
Source - Amazon Prime
Verdict - Highly recommended

Thundu - Malayalam



You have movies with a bad trailer but good movie, good trailer but a bad movie and good trailer and good movie. This movie falls under - Super bad trailer and super bad movie.

Totally watched just for any comedy that would be there since it's been a week filled with investigative thriller movies. Well, the movie is bad but not as bad as what the reviews say. Biju Menon was the only saving grace. The movie doesnt follows a story, it just deviates from one to another track and gets lost. They could have made the ending better as this just portrays a negative message.
Just watch with an empty head in case you make the mistake of watching it. It can definitely bore you to the core.

Rating - 1.5/5
Source - Netflix
Verdict - Can skip it.

Just to add a comment on this. One of the major wow factors for Bramayugam was the music and sound track. I specifically made sure to watch it in a Dolby Atmos theater.

I was actually eager to rewatch it on OTT and did so with family who had not seen the movie. Unfortunately Sony Liv completely spoilt the experience with respect to the audio. The audio track was regular 2 channel stereo and not even 5.1, let alone Atmos(Apparently Sony does not support Dolby 5.1 or Atmos yet). So in spite of having a good surround sound system, the effect of the audio was lost. Pretty poor from Sony's part when Prime, Hotstar, Zee5, Netflix all offer even Dolby Atmos Audio now.

Folks who saw it in theater and then watch even a part on OTT will understand what I am talking about.

Not just OTT. I had a chance to watch it the second time in theater since my wife wanted to watch. The first time I went alone, it was Atmos and it was really good. But the second time, it was just Dolby and I did notice a huge difference.
And I did watch few scenes on OTT and it was very disappointing. They should have gone with some other OTT platforms.

No wonder! I watched it on TV over the weekend, and did not like at all. Other than the B&W thing, did not find anything special about the movie. And the rendering of the songs somehow felt way too polished for the movie. Can watch it just for Mammootty's performance though!

Malaikottai Vaaliban on Disney Hotstar was a better experience.

Bramayugam ( Sony LIV )

Solid movie with power packed performance from all actors ( just 4 of them in whole movie). This movie can be enjoyed to the fullest only with a good audio setup. OTT watch may dampen the experience as movie requires one to be wholly involved.

The movie also highlights the versatility of great actor Mammootty and places him a notch above the rest.

I am not sure how much non-keralites may be able to understand / relate with the concept. The original story is said to be from Aithihyamala / Ithihyamala which is alien even to present generation of many keralites.

Manjummal Boys (Malayalam):

A well-made thriller based on a real incident. The movie is quite fast-paced, and it benefits from having no scenes that don't somehow move the narrative forward. Kudos to the writer/director. The artwork deserves a special mention.

The performances are good. The "boys" are all main characters in the movie, and the director has given all of them space to perform. The supporting cast have also done a good job.

After watching the movie, I was wondering how somehow could survive such a fall. An interview with the real-life Manjummal Boys gave me the answer.

The movie is labelled a survival thriller, but I am not sure if it falls in that genre.

Eagerly waiting for this one Aadujeevitham (the Goat Life)! Benyamin-Blessy-Prithviraj-AR Rahman combo!

Releasing on 28th March

https://youtu.be/qvsiJKdDxPs?feature=shared

Though being a Malayalee, I find that I cannot understand a lot of the dialogues without having the subtitles on. Is it just me or does anyone else have the same issue?

Abraham Ozler



I didnt keep my expectations high on this one as the reviews said it was nothing like Anjaam Pathira or any other investigative thrillers. But it turned out to be a good one. Unlike other thrillers, here you will get to know the modus operandi right after the interval but that scene was the highlight. Sort of gives you the goosebumps. Although some reviews did mention that, I wish not to reveal more. Should really appreciate the choice of "his" movies now.

All actors did a really good job and the movie keeps you engaged although we have seen similar storyline before. I hope this will encourage Jayaram to do more movies like this. Waiting for the next instalment.

PS - that bike accident scene looked very real.

Rating - 4.5/5 (Hotstar). Highly recommended.

Simon Daniel



Oh boy, what a pathetic movie. Dude who is an archaeologist is sent to find his missing friend and a treasure. The dude filled with attitude reaches there and begins flirting with the ladies and forgets about his mission. After fulfilling his flirting mission, he remembers of his "original mission" , finds some pathetic clues and solves it in few hours.

Acting is out of this world (in a bad way).

Rating - 1/5 (YouTube - Saina Play Channel). AVOID

PARKING - HOTSTAR

What a movie!! Two tenants fight over a parking spot. An eye opener how rigid we have become and our inability to adjust over small things. No unwanted drama or songs, you keep thinking what kind of revenge is next rl: The message is clear, don't let your ego take over you. Revenge is nothing but a result of ego and taking your self respect too seriously.

4/5, must watch!!!

Abraham Ozler - Malayalam



Watched this movie with no expectations and no idea about what lies ahead. Investigative thriller with surprises thrown in, although at certain phases i was left wondering why some loose ends were left as is.

I won't go into details much so as not to spoil it for others. Definitely worth a watch, you can't be bored.

Rating : 4/5 from me, for being entertaining.

Seriously hoping this to be a Huge hit across India. The director spent almost 11 years for this movie.

My only worry is Prithviraj's dubbing. He is a brilliant actor, but dubbing emotional scenes is his Achilles heels. And he did dub himself in all language versions of this movie :D