P V

Pushpa 2: A clear combination of mass and elevation that is aimed to reach wider audience. Director Sukumar has put big emphasis on duo characterization, and indeed has paid off. Allu Arjun just owns it with his swag, confidence, varied emotions and uplifts the role with an award winning performance. Fahaad Fahsil is fantastic with good screen space, and he steals the show. Their face off is pure treat to the eyes with equal weight which is rare. Rashmika has played a crucial role and pivots the storyline with key and casual ask. Background score is good and editing is well knit. Highlights include CM photo, cat and mouse chase game, bang on interval block, hilarious wildfire scene, goosebumps jaathara scene, high octane fight in the climax and a surprise. Lowlights include intro scenes, paper thin plot and couple of unnecessary songs. Pushpa 2 will create havoc in the box office given it has the right success ingredients and is here to stay for a long run.

Lubber Pandhu: An excellent and beautiful narration of human emotions and family drama in the form of cricket rivalry. Story is simple, but projected with the right spirit, blossoming into heart touching finale from director Tamizharasan. Dinesh’s and Harish’s ego clash is well projected and will surprise you as the movie progresses. Sanjana and Swasika portrays the lioness characters with full rigor and holds it strong with powerful acting. First 30 minutes is passable, but the story builds after that. Go watch it on Hulu (Disney Hotstar) to cherish childhood cricket rivalries, how to balance life priorities and how to inspire next generation. This movie is a diamond!

Kishkindha Kaandam: Another riveting psychological mystery thriller from Malayalam industry. Story is unique and unheard of, with a big reveal at the end that no one can imagine. Asif Ali just nails it beyond expectation with his grit and expressions. Vijayaraghavan embodies the character with immense intensity. Aparna has done well. Director Dinjith takes the audience on a slow thrill ride and gives the final splash with a big surprise. Another gem!

Kanguva Review: 1. Director Siva (in his mind): Let me make a high budget movie! 2. Producer Gnanavel: I want this movie to collect 1000 crores. 3. Siva: Ok. I will make a period film with action, fantasy adventure, tribes and VFX. Oh wait, violence is the new norm. I will give machete. Slashing, chopping etc. 4. Gnanavel: I am in. Let’s do it. 5. Siva: Let’s pick Surya who has tremendous talent and can emote well. 6. Gnanavel: We need to make pan India movie. 7. Siva: Ok. I will ask Bobby Deol and Disha Patani who represent Bollywood. Deal signed. 8. Gnanavel: We need a unique movie. 9. Siva: No one has done a scream fest. We should be the first. 10. Gnanavel: Scream fest? 11. Siva: I will put sound amplifiers for all actors. If normal voice is 55 decibels, it will be 70 decibels for most of the movie. I will ask most actors to scream 50% of the time. 12. Gnanavel: Wow! But we need a good musician with strong BGM. How about A.R.Rahman or Anirudh? 13. Siva: No. Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) has given many hits to Surya. Let’s go with him. 14. DSP: If everyone screams, my music won’t be heard. I will amplify BGM to 80 decibels. My music should win! 15. Siva and Gnanavel: Amazing. Let’s do this and give audience a scream and loud music feast as Deepavali feast is done. 16. Gnanavel: What about story? 17. Siva: We will show current era and 1000 years back. I will spend most money on good vfx, cinematography, cool crocodile fight and use forest things to attack. 18. Gnanavel: Oh wait. Will it have strong plot with emotions? 19. Siva: I will bring a teenager and make some connection with current and past. 20. Gnanavel: Ok. Will you show current era? 21. Siva: Yes. First 30 minutes, I want audience to think what the heck is happening and they should have zero clue. 22. Gnanavel: Super. What about fights? 23. Siva: Yes. We will give audience multiple fights from beginning to end where age 12+ (boy, girl, man, women), and even wild life will get a chance. And bring in a new character at the end. 24. Gnanavel: Super cool and I am loving it. Will there be part 2 so we can give more fun to audience? 25. Siva: Definitely, and so is the intro of new character. I want another 650 crores for part 2, so movie total budget for both parts will be 1000 crores as promised earlier 😉 (refer #2).

Amaran: Based on a real story, it’s a heartbreaking combination of patriotism and love story of Major Mukund, who dedicated his life to protect the country. Siva Karthikeyan’s career best acting where he delivers the right punch as an army officer. His commanding voice, valor and action sequences are in prime, and now joins the big league. Sai Pallavi is a gift to the movie industry with her extraordinary acting depicted in a natural manner. She is the soul of this movie and embraced wife’s character with poise and sincerity. BGM is on point, and screenplay is racy, except in the second half first portion where 15 mins could have been trimmed. This movie portrays an honest army officer and a family man who sacrifices everything for the country. Major Mukund, Ashok Chakra recipient is the pride of India, and this movie is dedicated to him and all army officers who stand tall and safeguard the nation. Such an inspiring and emotional movie for all ages!

Smile 2: One of the creepiest horror movie with a good story, that brings shivers down the spine. Several scenes are jump scary and popcorn could pop. Naomi Scott’s breathtaking acting is close to the best in Hollywood you will ever see. Her intensity and emotions are Oscar worthy. Parker Finn the director has up leveled second part with a nice plot, superb BGM and subtle screenplay. Go for it if you don’t want to smile and get scared. Halloween worthy!

Vettaiyan: One of the best Thalaivar movie in the last 10 years when it comes to non-massy, great content, and with a deep social message that hits the audience like a jolt. Gnanavel the director is rightfully the captain who steers the racy boat in the first half and puts a stunner before the interval. He tops the second half with a strong story and an important issue that a common man is currently facing. Screenplay is like a fighter jet and editing is top notch. Anirudh’s terrific background score keeps you at the edge. Shri Amitabh Bachchan ji has done complete justice for his role with grace. Rana Daggubati shows his ferociousness and anger with the right balance. Fahad Faasil is the charm with his wit, quirkiness, humor and intellect. He just owns the character and pushes the envelope with ease. Our Thalaivar Rajini brings fire on the screen with his style, swag, seriouness and emotions. Fans will have plenty of clap worthy moments from him as he smashes with intelligence. This is easily Thailavar’s career best investigative thriller with a deep social message, and where the law needs to kick in. “THE HUNTER HITS BULLS EYE”.

Inspiring and brilliant depiction of Srikanth Bolla’s real life journey from “impossible” to “ I am Possible”. The story is moving and awakens how we need to think about gifted persons who have superpowers and nothing can stop them if they dream big, and achieve with all the hardwork and specials skills. Rajkummar Rao steals your heart with his innocence, determination, vision and top notch acting. Jyothika, Alaya and Sharad Kelkar are the supporting pillars and strong. Director Tushar’s plot and screenplay is spot on. This movie shows you hope, courage, dream big attitude, fire within, can fly no matter what, not forgetting roots, not losing oneself and being grounded when you raise, and showing gratitude to others who have helped carved the path. Don’t miss this gem on Netflix. Watch it with kids!

Kalki 2898 AD - Majestic at scale, grandeur in VFX, and great blend of sci-fi & mythology taken at an eye popping level. Proud moment indeed for Indian cinema that stands tall as a mega mountain. Director Nag Aswin takes us through three different “never seen” worlds. First half is a bit drag with comedy elements and build up. Editing could have been better. Second half elevates to “PEAKS” with spectacular action sequences, strong story and crisp screenplay. Pre-interval and climax is a hair riser, and giving audience plenty of goosebumps. Prabhas is at his usual coolness and delivers. Deepika Padukone emotes well and binds to her character. Kamal’s getup and dialogue delivery will stun you. There are plenty of surprises in terms of star cast. Sir Amitabh Bachchan outweighs every other character and is the heart of the whole movie. His stature, voice, caring attitude & protective nature, and breathtaking action scenes will be remembered by all ages. Terrific BGM & technical aspects, and deeper mythological connection with a strong plot in second half will make audience go gaga. True cinematic triumph, and there will be a giant sea swell in the box office!

Mad Max Saga, Furiosa: One of the best visually stunning and “vroom” sound effects you would have seen on Dolby Atmos. The cars and chariot like motorcycles are displayed with pure human motions in a unique way- whether it’s anger or rage. The location in a desert like Wasteland, Gasland and other areas are projected in a different manner. George Miller’s (Director) storyline is good, and the screenplay is well projected from the start to finish. Editing could have been little crisp and could have shortened the movie by 20 mins. Anya Taylor steals the show with her expressions and rage, displayed magnanimously through the unique automobiles. Chris Hemsworth does his usual best with his uncanny attitude and gestures. If you are a motorcycle or automobile enthusiast, and want to experience the real sound of these going at 160 mph on a sand desert with amazing VFX in a Dolby atmosphere and where your mind will be blown, then go for it!