Arathi Arivayutham

This series was like a breath of fresh air. Hye-Jin is a dentist from the city, who moves to a seaside village to open up her own practice. There, she meets the colorful residents of Gongjin, which includes Chief Hong, who seems to be everywhere and doing the oddest jobs. Though she struggles at first to adjust to the intrusive nature of a rural community, she comes to find herself at home and she is accepted by all as one of them. Hye-Jin and Chief Hong deal with their emotional struggles and come out together on the other side, healed. With a brilliant side cast of full-fledged characters, supporting the romantic lead, there is so much to love in this series. It is a relatable slice of life drama that leaves you feeling happy and hopeful.

I absolutely loved The Wild Robot. It is the best animated movie that I have watched in recent times, with splendid visuals and a lot of heart. The film follows Roz, a robot who is swept ashore on an island after a shipwreck. Programmed to seek out tasks from its owners, Roz ventures amongst the island’s animal inhabitants, looking for someone who needed her. As she struggles with her lack of purpose and the animosity of the creatures who view her as a monster, she decides to return back to the factory. She is stopped from doing so when she encounters an orphaned gosling that imprints on her and now finds herself parenting him. The story follows her struggles and triumphs as she, with the help of a few animals that warm up to her, like the fox Fink, helps Brightbill prepare himself for the upcoming winter migration. There is something wonderful in watching characters soften towards each other and come together, and there is plenty of that here. Having the ensemble cast be one of animals and an evolving robot, these emotions and relationships feel ever more universal and beautiful.

The Buckingham Murders is a whodunit thriller against the backdrop of communal tensions, grievances in a minority neighborhood towards police aggression, and deeply held grudges that lie under the surface. Kareena Kapoor is brilliant as the grieving cop who struggles to keep her emotions in check as she joins an investigation into a kid’s disappearance, still reeling from the death of her own son in a mindless shooting incident. The movie prods us to question our own prejudices as the mystery unravels, showing how injustices add up and pushes some to the brink. With an intriguing story, neat screenplay, strong performances from the supporting cast and Kareena Kapoor, the movie is a must-watch for thriller lovers with a penchant for subtle social commentaries.

Raayan is not the typical revenge drama. Dhanush and his siblings find themselves in the crosshairs of the power plays between opposing gangs. But these gangsters aren't the real antagonists here. S J Surya lights up the screen, even in the much subtler performance that he has given in this movie. Dhanush too plays a more mature role here, bringing across the responsibility he carries as the father figure in his family. The relationship between Dhanush and his sister, played by Dushara, is the best portrayal of the brother-sister trope in recent times, with no unnecessary melodrama. The two brothers played by Sundeep and Kalidas are also perfectly cast and carry their characters well. The movie does have its share of violence, but the frames don’t fixate on the bloodiness. There is a scene where a character sits in a room, listening to the fighting happening elsewhere, anticipating what his fate may be in the next few minutes. It is a perfect example of how you need not spell out every act of aggression and yet be able to convey the emotions and full impact of the story brilliantly. Dhanush in his second outing as a director has proven once again why he is one of the best talents in the industry.

Raghu Thatha is a delightful breezy comedy set in the 60s. It is a spirited embrace of feminism that pokes fun at the idiosyncrasies of the patriarchal society but never broods or preaches. Keerthy Suresh effortlessly makes us laugh and relate with her as she struggles to stick to her principles against pressures at home and work. The movie also touches upon the movement against Hindi imposition in that era, which was interesting to watch and compare with current times as the state continues to be known for its fierce loyalty to its beautiful language. Overall, the movie was a treat to a viewer who has been fatigued by the increased violence in mainstream Tamil cinema.

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba is a fun and solid sequel. Sunny Kaushal is a perfect complement to the twisted lead couple and the slow reveal of his diabolical nature makes for a great watch. Taapsee and Vikrant continue to shine in their roles. The twists in the plot were good but not as shocking as in the first. Overall it is definitely worth a watch for anyone who enjoyed the original and is looking for something dark and entertaining.