Movie Marathon

I had this sudden urge to jot down all the movies I’ve been watching because there are some gems that I caught!!

There was some really good cinema I watched in the last year. By this I don’t mean that I haven’t watched bad cinema at all. But when you watch a LOT of movies and the percentage of good movies is greater than 60-70%, I think that’s a good success rate.

The way Malayalam cinema has progressed is beyond admirable. I’m so proud to be part of this state that has not just produced such exceptional talent in such large numbers, but has also recognized this talent. It’s a time when even supporting actors to supporting actors are noticed!! And the music!!!! Its to die for. I just go to Saavn & open the current Malayalam play list & every song is a pleasure to listen to.

While I did catch up on other languages too, Malayalam still stands out as the dominant percentage.

Here’s a list of some that I watched over the last couple of years – not in any particular order but I will put Malayalam first:

MALAYALAM:

Kumbalangi Nights: The preview & plot really did not entice me & it really isn’t my kind of movie to be honest. I watched it only because of the rave reviews. I’m so glad I did. What a beauty!!! & the climax! I did not know whether to laugh or to be scared! Fahadh!!! You’re an absolute gem & the best thing that happened to Mollywood! Thank u! Who else could make us love a villain more?!

Varathan: Fahadh again & he cannot go wrong. A little too tacky/overdone at the end .. but I’ll still take it. Totally worth my money. And I’m beginning to warm up to Aishwarya Lakshmi. I was jumping in my seat during the second half :D

Athiran: Fahadh. I feel like that's all there is to be mentioned!! This one is copied from a couple of English movies but it was ok.

Vijay Superum Pournamiyum: Asif Ali & Aishwarya Lakshmi keep it real & engaging. Not too bad

Uyare: I hate serious movies & this of an acid attack victim - not my cup of tea. I almost missed this gem. Asif as villain was such a beauty while Tovino never ceases to entertain. I know I should mention Parvathi here but some people are so brilliant that you get so used to it and stop noticing it. Its a given!

Luca: Decent love story. Tovino was good as expected. Aahana – expected better.. but ok.

Virus: How can they manage to keep a crowd enthralled with a documentary?! But they did it! I was so happy to learn about Kerala govt’s competence handling Nipah.

Ishq: Shane Nigam! So proud of this young guy. The only unfortunate thing is that his supremely talented dad died without seeing either his own success or the success of his son. The movie is just about Ok. Even the new comer Ann Sheetal was ok-ok. The movie started well & the 2^nd half was a bit too unreal. But entertainment quotient was still good. Above average movie for sure.

Joseph: O what a gem! Joju George progressed from being in the background to being the hero… all while being everything a usual movie hero is not. I watched this movie at least 5 times in the process of playing it for our visitors but I never got bored. The suspense is nothing like we’ve seen before.

Mera Naam Shaji: Decent entertainment. Laughed so much. Helped relieve my PMS blues.

Allu ramendran: Entertaining & gripping! I’m glad Chackochan is getting some of his movies right. Varnyathil aashanka was another gem that he did. But at the end of the day Kunchacko Boban is always close to my heart. & this is his year! All of us adore you Izahaak!

Aadhi: Pranav Mohanlal – I had so many expectations from you since you’ve been acting from your childhood & you’re the son of a star. You somehow remind me of my bil too. So I cant not love you. The movie was super in spite of your acting but o! do you have a long way to go before we accept you as an actor!!

Njan prakashan: Fahadh! 😊

Theevandi: Tovino! 😊 A movie about a ciggy addict! And yet I liked it!! Very original concept. Worth a watch. 

Other mentions:

Vaarikuzhiyile kolapathakam (not a single star but engaging suspense & decent direction), June (coming of age story of a girl after all the ones of boys we’re seeing; decent; Rajisha is good), Street lights (did not expect a Mammootty movie to be good, but this was decent), Aanakallan (decent suspense, Biju Menon was engaging as usual), Drama (very heavy; made me think a lot; was good but I don’t want to watch it again), Padayottam (decent Biju Menon flick), Maradona (decent direction; Tovino shines as we expect him to; like it more for the songs), Ramante Edan thottam (portrayed a married woman’s life well; her relationship with her husband is a failure & she meets someone who really connects with her; dialogues are beautiful), Takeoff (decent real life story of a nurse’s escape from Iraq), Thondi muthalum Driksakshiyum (Fahadh), Godha (Tovino), Ezra (Prithviraj as usual loses his wife & his head :D.. but I like supernatural), Jomonte suvisheshangal (very well-made feel-good family drama. Dulquar in his element; kids have watched this on repeat mode just like they did Om Shanti Oshana, Bangalore days and Ann Mariya Kalippilaanu), Velipadinte pusthakam (I liked this one although a lot of others didn’t; Mohanlal’s quirky drama; the jimmiki kammal movie), Njandukalude naatil oridavela (very nice subtle take on the serious drama of a household dealing with cancer), Punyalan Pvt. Ltd (Jayasurya reprises his role & I liked this better than part 1), Munthirivalli thalirkumbol (Makes sense as a person married for more than 10 years, much like the movie James & Alice which also made sense only coz of the same reason), Adam Joan (I really enjoyed this; theme is the same Rajappan premise– Prithviraj loses his wife as the story unfolds), Oru Mexican Aparatha (I liked this because it was produced & directed by my friend’s sister & hubby; it was the realization of their dream; decent movie, this is how Tovino arrived), Sunday holiday (decent family entertainer), Puthan panam (decent suspense), Alamara (family entertainer; I liked the 1^st half better), Sherlock toms (comedy & suspense; watchable).

Movies that are on my list to catch up on: Unda, Oru Kuprasidha Payyan, KGF (maybe I’ll catch the Kannada version of this since thats the original one)

Now I also want to record the time I wasted.

Movies I watched in theatre & cringed: Oru yemandan prema katha, Lucifer (this was a hit apparently!), Pretham2, My story, Ee Ma Yau, Sakhavu, Kuttymama (this last one was ok but I still wish I had avoided it)

Movies I watched at home (ok but wish I had avoided): Nine, Lonappante mamodisa, Argentina fans, Kayamkulam kochunni, Koode, Queen (just the one scene with Salim Kumar is to die for; the rest of the movie is .. meh...)

Movies I watched at home that have decreased my life span: Thattumpurath Achuthan, Johny Johny Yes Appa, Abrahaminte santhathikal, Kuttanandan marpappa, Mohanlal, Mayaanadhi (was a big hit & Tovino & Aishwarya were good, but I hate tragedies), Angaamaly diaries (this again was a hit & I cant imagine why; not my type - that's why), Parava (another hit; Dq, Shane & Arjun need a mention for their flawless acting but entertainment quotient.. :(), Rakshadhikari Baiju oppu, Solo, Ramaleela, Master piece, Comrade in America, Vimaanam, Kodathi samaksham Balanvakeel, Mikhael, Ranam, Oru kuttanandan blog, Pokkiri simon. The last 5 I gave up during the first half hour & so managed to save at least some of my time.

HINDI:

Secret Superstar: Watched this with my kiddos. It was long pending considering that my co-brother was following up on this for more than a year. But it was good. Wonder if this was the movie that led to Zaira Wasim quitting Bollywood.

Baahubali 1 & 2: Although this should be listed as a Telugu movie, I watched the Hindi dubbed version. I just loved the fairy tale & so did my kids.

Bareilly ki barfi: What an awesome movie! Light weight & still strong.

Raazi: Aalia Bhatt never fails to impress. And Vicky Kaushal arrived with this one.

Uri, Parmaanu: Both interesting movies but I hated the accreditation to the saffron power.

Andhadhun: Had me at the edge of my seat for the full time I watched it!!!! I was so stressed out that I slept 12 hours straight after, to recover. Awesome movie!

Sthree: It's such a beautiful movie when you understand all the subtle references it makes and the beautiful message it delivers.

Newton: Pure art. I needed patience to watch this one. Very intriguing & disturbing while being so close to reality. Rajkumar Rao proves that even if its Bollywood, if you are talented, you can make a mark.

Mom: Reasonably good suspense thriller. A lot of it has glaring loopholes but it's still watchable. The last one from Sridevi… so..!

Badla: Was ok but when I watched the Spanish original I realized it was much better.

Some overrated ones: Jab Harry met Sejal, Veere di wedding, Tumhari Sulu, Badhaai ho – with only the first one being a total waste of time.

ENGLISH:

Jumanji 2: I have always been a fan of Jumanji 1 since I watched it as a kid but it was scary & still is. I watched this one with my kids on our movie night & 3 of us bonded over that movie big time. It was one of our best ever movie nights! Dwayne Johnson radiates so much warmth. Really looking forward to Jumanji 3. I might just catch up on that in the theatre with my kids.

Wonder Woman: I’m not really a Marvel fan but I enjoyed this one. Gal Gadot is smoldering hot & I have a woman crush on her!

Widows: I loved the plot but as I started watching it, I got impatient & jittery with all the violence. I almost gave up on this movie but I’m glad I didn’t. Watched it in multiple iterations & the last part was when the movie really came to its own. It was a wonderful suspense & a beautiful ending.

Other decent ones: Mission Impossible fallout, Fantastic Beasts, Oceans 8, Aladdin, Kingsman 1 & 2

Ones that didn’t work: John Wick (too violent :( but I still love Keanu <3), Mummy (the Tom Cruise version totally failed)

TAMIL

96: Watched this one with a friend & we both ended up wondering why this was such a huge hit!

KANNADA

Ulidavaru Kandanthe: Heard rave reviews. I also like Rakshit Shetty. This movie was remade in Tamil with a Malayalam Hero Nivin Pauly. It was Nivin’s attempt at conquering Tamil cinema & it miserably failed. I can understand why. I also am part of the audience that could not identify with this movie. Too violent & too boring.

SPANISH:

Contratiempo: This movie I watched because of Badla. I really enjoyed it & it also led me to the next one.

El cuerpo: Awesome movie. Much better than Contratiempo. Suspense was out of this world.

And that's it for this marathon blog! :)