P G CHERIAN

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Kishkindha Kaandam is undoubtedly a captivating addition to the mystery thriller genre. The story, while drawing parallels to Memento (2000), manages to craft an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere throughout its runtime. Bahul Ramesh's meticulously crafted narrative, coupled with Dinjith Ayyathan's adept direction, culminates in a suspenseful tale that maintains a steady pace and leaves viewers perpetually questioning the truth. Vijayaraghavan and Asif Ali gives stellar performances as the two male leads. The way they transform into their respective characters with unquestionable chemistry makes the viewing experience all the more enticing. The music and cinematography complements their performances resulting in a more immersive experience. The supporting cast, consisting of Aparna Balamurali, Ashokan and many others, does justice to their roles. Overall, Kishkindha Kaandam is a suspenseful and enthralling mystery thriller. Verdict: Definitely Worth Watching

'Vaazha' is a poignant biopic that explores the myriad challenges faced by young individuals who tussle with the levigating weight of parental, familial, and societal expectations. The movie effortlessly presents the good, the bad and the ugly facest of toxic parenting. Furthermore, it underscores the pivotal role of friendship and familial support in restoring confidence and self worth in an individual. The first half of the movie adopts a light-hearted approach focusing on character development and their social environments. This is accompanied with hillarious situational humor and melodious songs. As the story progresses into its second half, it transitions into a more emotional trajectory. Here it is revealed that the story isn't solely about a group of youngsters, but also about fathers grappling with their own identities while mending relationships with their sons. The narrative avoids succumbing to melodramatic fatigue through judicious doses of humor and carefully crafted songs. Though certains plot points appear similar to movies such as 3 Idiots, 'Vaazhai' successfully justifies its existence eand relevance. The performance of the cast is nothing short of exceptional. Each and every actor flawlessly embodies their role. Overall, 'Vaazha' is an emotionally throbbing film that is definitely worth watching with friends and family. Verdict: Worth watching

The movie, while a good entry in the crime thriller genre, does very little to break new ground. It positions itself as a grounded investigation thriller and by adhering to this framework it misses out on an opportunity to make itself distinctive. The opening act sets a very promising tone with a likeable and well -drawn protagonist. The second act builds upon this foundation presenting a compelling central conflict. Unfortunately, the third act falters by delivering a lackluster reveal that undercuts any real tension or suspense. Shajohn and the supporting cast deliver satisfactory performances. Overall, CID Ramachandran is a straightforward, yet forgettable, thriller, hampered by its lack of visual flair and narrative innovation. Verdict: Above Average

"Aavesham" succeeds in blending action, comedy and drama to create a dynamic cinematic experience. Even with a paper thin plot the director effortlessly manages to sail through such a lengthy runtime by injecting humor into almost every single scene. This is further complimented by placing well choreographed action sequences wherever the story slows down. The biggest highlight of the movie is the gangster "Ranga" portrayed effortlessly by Fahadh Faasil. His character's transition from a mercyless local goon to an emotionally deprived lonely human being is praiseworthy. This is best seen in the scene showcasing how Ranga was betrayed and abandoned throughout his life. This performance is wholeheartedly supported by his trusted sidekick "Amban" portrayed brilliantly by Sajin Gopu. The rest of the cast delivers outstanding performances. The technical aspects of the movie are well crafted. The action sequences are thrilling whereas the music always manages to match the high octane energy level of the characters as well as the emotional scenes. Overall, "Aavesham", despite having a simple plot, manages to come out as a thoroughly engaging action comedy. Verdict: Absolutely Watch Worthy

"Monstrous" boasts an enticing premise but sadly it goes unrealised. It could have been a good story about good versus evil with a lot of carnage and destruction, but unfortunately it fails to achieve this. It has a promising start as it sets its characters, setting and central conflict very fast. The problem arises when it starts to explore numerous subplots and becomes a mess. The story behind the cursed Buddha statue is presented as a mere exposition whereas, the back story of the main characters are presented as incomplete flashbacks, in between scenes, that fails to resonate by any means. Even though the characters are poorly written and fail to receive enough screen time to fully develop, the cast manages to deliver commendable performances to make them likeable. Overall, "Monstrous" is yet another supernatural horror series that squanders its potential. Verdict: Worth a watch

"Shaitaan" fails to break new grounds within the supernatural horror genre but it is entertaining nonetheless. The story follows a by the number approach with most of the plot points being predictable, especially the ending. The narrative would have been more engaging if the antagonist was given a credible backstory. Furthermore, the preaching at the end of the story by the hero felt extremely unnecessary. The characters all feel basic and generic by design. However, the performance of the cast, especially Madhavan, Jyothika and Janki, manages to breath life into them. The scenes involving possession and how it affects the emotional balance of the family are all well portrayed. The music plays a crucial role in hightening the tension, especially in emotional scenes, but it is overpowering at times. Overall, "Shaitaan" may not offer much in terms of originality but it is still an enjoyable supernatural horror film. Verdict: One Time Watchable

"Godzilla Minus One" roars into action as a delightful kaiju film. The story moves ahead in a gentle pace and strikes a good balance between human drama and kaiju mayhem. The cast delivers commendable performances. The meticulously monster design, its fluid movements, and the remaining special effects are all carefully catered to ensure a very engaging watch. The action sequences are well choreographed with intensity and grandeur. The music further adds-on to the on-screen tension, providing us with a more immersive experience. Overall, "Godzilla Minus One" is a strong addition to the Kaiju film genre. Verdict: Worth The Watch

"Dune: Part Two" is a visually stunning and immersive follow up to its predecessor by all means. The narrative unfolds in a steady pace allowing each character ample screen time to develop themselves and to propel the story forward. Director Denis Villeneuve exhibits patience in storytelling to make it a more immersive watch. However, the final battle could have been extended a little to give it a more dramatic ending. Everyone in the cast, returning and new faces, delivers beautiful and nuanced performances. The special effects are breathtaking, truly delving deep into the world of Arrakis. This is further complemented by the stunning cinematography and powerful background music of the movie. Overall, "Dune: Part Two" emerges as an excellent epic sci-fi film. Verdict: Watch Worthy

Manjummel Boys" tells a gripping story of love, friendship and sheer will to survive. The story excels in establishing its setting and characters very fast, yet convincingly such that no character feels inorganic. The camaraderie between the characters are so relatable and natural that nothing feels odd from the very beginning. The cast delivers an absolutely stunning performance, breathing life into their respective roles, irrespective of their screentime or character relevance. The recreation of the time period is done with precision. The set design, cinematography and colour grading, especially in scenes showing the cave entrapment and rescue, are outright brilliant and deserves a special appreciation. The music is also equally impressive perfectly complementing each scene and heightening the emotional impact. Overall, "Manjummel Boys" is a riveting survival thriller that will entertain audience irrespective of their genre preferences. Verdict: A Must Watch

Kung Fu Panda 4" has a very simple and entertaining story, but it is unable to recapture the emotional resonance and thematic depth of its predecessors that made the franchise such a success. The narrative fails to assert the required gravitas to the philosophical edeavours of the titular charaecter. The villain, despite being more powerful and menacing than the previous ones, fails to leave a mark. The animation, once vibrant, feels flat and lacks depth. The action sequences, though well choreographed, feels repetitive with the same moves and situations. On a positive note, Jack Black brings his signature enthusiasm to "Po". All the other supporting cast delivers solid vocal performances. Overall, "Kung Fu Panda 4" is a clear indication that the franchise is running out of steam. Verdict: Skadoosh, not.