POOJAI MOVIE REVIEW

Vishal is back in action for Deepavali once again and he has joined hands with director Hari, who is fresh from the blockbuster success of 'Singam II'. After a lengthy 7-year gap with 'Thaamirabarani', this duo is back in action with a typical, commercial "masala" film, full of sentiments, action, glamour, song-and-dance and comedy and produced under Vishal's own Vishal Film Factory banner. With the usual huge supporting cast and his trusted technicians, can Hari and Vishal score back to back hits in their respective careers with 'Poojai' ?

This is a perfect platform for Vishal to flex his muscles and showcase the machismo side of his. This is a very apt and comfortable setup for Vishal and he has come out clean, with an energetic yet subtle performance. He has matured more as an actor and manages to stamp his mark with his screen presence. Job, well done ! Shruti Haasan is only making her third appearance in Tamizh, after a two year absence from '3'. She replicates her Telugu cinema act, with a simple modern-day, girl-next-door performance and ups the ante in the glamour department, for the songs. Mukesh Tiwari as the main antagonist was passable, though a better actor would have created an heavier impact. Soori, 'Black' Paandi and Immanuel Annachi takes care of the comedy portions, and though one or two scenes are funny, thanks to the quirky dialogues, their tracks were redundant, on an overall basis. The huge supporting cast, consisted of some of the best character artistes such as Sathyaraj, Raadhika Sarathkumar, Jayaprakash, 'Thalaivasal' Vijay, Prathap Pothen, and also other artistes such as Manobala, R.Sundarrajan, Abhinaya, Kausalya, Renuka, Sithara, Aishwarya, Janaki Sabesh, Awadesh Mishra, Vinay Bihari, Mathumila Mano, Sanjay Singh, Sounthara Raja, Barath Raj and etc. Most of them do fill up the spaces but their relevance and importance to the film, is another question entirely. 

Costume designing by Vasuki Bhaskar and Chaitanya Rao fits the bill, and the lead pair looked natural and realistic. Shruti Haasan was particularly, glamorous in the sons sequences. Some of the character artistes, costumes could have been better and not over-done. Action choreography is by the once-in-demand-once-upon-a-time, Kanal Kannan. As it has mostly been with Kanal, the action sequences were over-the-top, repetitive and unwarranted. The opportunities were there in the screenplay for an pulsating action choreography, alas it was wasted for good ! K.Kadhirr's art direction was splendid, especially with the elaborate market set-work, which looked realistic and also with the grand & posh mansion, apartment and office settings, which had all the necessary props to enhance the setting. Veteran V.T Vijayan and T.S Jay duo takes care of the editing department, and their quick-cuts helped overcome the obvious flaws of the action sequences. The film moves at a good and steady pace, but there are many redundant scenes, which could have been edited out, to make it racier. Hari's right-hand man and regular, Priyan is the cinematographer here as well, and his work suffices the need of the script and complements, Hari's presentation style, very well. Especially with the top-angle and chopper shots.

Yuvan Shankar Raja's musical score is below average for his standards and only a couple of the songs are really hummable numbers. "Soda Bottle" is the opening item-number song, shot on Vishal and has a cameo appearance from Andrea Jeremiah, who had a glamorous make-over for this song. K.Kadhirr's market set was well shot by Priyan for this song and most of the detailing of the art work was visible on screen. "Devathai" is the pick of the lot and was shot on Vishal and Shruti Haasan, dancing in scenic urbane and hill stations of Switzerland. Shruti Haasan was at her glam-best, for the first time in Tamizh cinema. Some montage sequences were interspersed along the choreographed portions. "Ippadiye" is a folk dancer number, with elements of trance music from Yuvan Shankar Raja. Its an atypical Hari song, shot on the lead pair, in a simple yet colorful set, accompanied by colorfully-attired group dancers. "Uyire" is a situational pathos song, also shot on the lead pair and comes at two different places. "Odi Odi" is the final situational song and was had plenty of chases and sentimental scenes, and serves as the prelude for the climax portion. Yuvan Shankar Raja's background score was functional enough but for his standards, it could and should have been way much better.

As with all Hari films, 'Poojai' too has the commercial, mass "masala" template with its script. Hari has repeated the same formula for the umpteenth time and arranges the screenplay in an sequence of comedy, action, song, sentiment and this sequence repeats throughout the whole screenplay. There are no twists and turns in the script and the story has a very linear and straightforward timeline. The story only picks up pace just before the interval and stutters occasionally after that, with some redundant songs and comedy portions. There's no cohesion nor coherence in the screenplay and many scenes do not gel well and sticks out like sore thumbs. There's not enough of emotional depth, be it in the hero/villain episode nor the hero/heroine portions, as well. The action sequences tire you after a point of time and it doesn't really fire up the emotion in us. Though all of Hari's films has the same template, he gets it right with some scripts, which has the right proposition and proportions of the "masala" quotients. But with 'Poojai' there seems to be miscalculation and obvious flaws, in the execution of the script and even in the directorial department as well. 

'Poojai' - An average 'darshan' with some working bits and pieces !


Ratings: 2.5/5 STARS

BY:TAMIL

ENNA SATHAM INDHA NERAM MOVIE REVIEW

The evergreen song from 'Punnagai Mannan' has its title borrowed for this film featuring a quadruplets for the first time in Indian cinema ! Besides that we have popular director & elder brother of 'Jayam' Ravi, 'Jayam' M.Raja making his acting debut alongside with Maanu, of 'Kadhal Mannan' fame. So, what is this film about and will it catch the attention of audience ?

'Jayam' M.Raja and Maanu has very less screen timing and their importance of their role is a big question mark. Both of them appears to have poorly written roles and M.Raja managed to somehow pass through thanks to the director in him. Maanu is just there for the sake of it. Nithin Sathya's role was such a poorly written characterization, it just irritates us the moment we see him on screen ! Sorry dude, but that's the sour truth. Debutante Malavika Wales, looks confident in her role and has a good screen presence, due to her experience in the Malayalam film industry. The quadruplets of V.Aditi, V.Aakriti, V.Akshiti, & V.Aapti looks very identical and performs cutely, but why they were limited to being deaf & dumb is another big question mark. Some of the other artistes who appear in the film are Manobala, Sivashankar Master, Immanuel Annachi, Vaiyapuri, Swaminathan, Puralavan and etc.

Sai Naresh's costume work was very functional and it fits the story, since the the script's story takes place in a single day. Rajesh Kanna's action choreography also was more functional and there are no fight scenes, actually. Art direction is taken care by Suresh Kallery and his work for the properties of the interiors of the female characters' homes, were spot on. Also, the office set was well propped too, alongside the entrance set-up of the depicted zoological park. Editing is taken care of by veteran V.T Vijayan and T.S Jay and their cuts has no gimmicks whatsoever and the veteran has kept the duration of the film, very short. Sanjay B.Lokanath's camerawork sufficed the needs of the script. The shots on animals were good, but apart from that everything else looks normal. Naga takes care of music and only one song appears in the film, titled "Vizhiyaal", which was shot on the kids and their adventures in the zoo. 

Now, this film's content has no relevance at all to its beautiful title, but what irks us the most is the below-par standard of the script and its making ! The film is about a dangerous monstrous snake, which is on the loose in the national zoo and the quadruplets who are stuck in the zoo ! The idea might sound good, but the attempt was worse than amateurish, especially with the screenplay and the characterizations. There's no logic, no continuity, no maturity and no attempt to convince us at all, with the script. The cute quadruplets have nothing to do, except for the climax and the whole film is filled with unwarranted sequences and elements. The helpless police officer, the idiotic news reporter, the unintentionally funny minister, and etc adds more discontentment to the audience ! John Mahendran's dialogues, especially for the comedy portions involving Vaiyapuri and Immanuel Annachi are okay but apart from that, the rest are just below average. Hope Guru Ramesh comes up with a story & screenplay and direct it, the next time !

'Enna Satham Indha Neram' - Nothing said is much better than less said !


Ratings: 1.25/5 STARS

BY:TAMIL

SINGAM II MOVIE REVIEW

Sequels are a pretty pain-in-the-ass for most director, as there will be the omnipresent expectations and heavy pressure, due to the success of the first installment. What more when it has one of the most important artiste of the film industry as its protagonist. Director Hari has taken the daring plunge in coming up with a sequel to his 2010 blockbuster, 'Singam' starring the smashing Suriya in the titular role. The first installment did end up with a promise of a sequel, and finally Hari has indeed delivered one. Will this be a springboard for Suriya to regain his place in the blockbuster arena after two under-performed films in '7am Arivu' and 'Maattrraan' ?

With the majestic and awe-inspiring larger-than-life persona and screen presence, Suriya shoulders the weight of the entire script on his well-built shoulders. His passion and dedication in living the role of Duraisingam, is evident with his strong and powerful emotions, dialogue delivery and expressions, especially with his eyes ! The actor handled the pressure with relative ease and he performs even meaner and power-packed. His cinematic role as a police officer, brings great stature and respect to the khaki uniform he donned. A raw and powerful, inspiration perhaps ! Suriya has proved big time, that he is capable of handling commercial, 'masala' protagonist roles with conviction and the necessary oomph factor. Way to go, Suriya ! There is a long, long list of ensemble cast, atypical of Hari's films. International artiste, Danny Sapani plays the main antagonist role and aided by veteran Rahman and Mukesh Rishi. Danny's role was projected off well initially, but peters out towards the end. Rahman and Mukesh, play the quintessential commercial cinema villains, to 'perfection' ! Anushka and Hansika Motwani charms in their respective sequences, though the latter has a more meatier role here. Vivek, who rocked as 'Erimalai' in the preceding film, has a limited screen timing, but still delivers the goods. The current 'Comedy Superstar' Santhanam, never fails to rock and he continues his fine form here as well with some side-splitting comedy portions, especially when he does a Suriya and Kamal Haasan in the film ! Radha Ravi, Nassar, Rajendran, Mansoor Ali Khan, Manorama, Vijayakumar and etc, etc, etc, performed their roles to a T, in limited and inconsequential roles.

Sai and Perumal Selvam's costume designing was apt for a commercial pot-boiler like this, especially for the lead pair in the songs, and for the rest of the character artistes, as well. 'Rocky' Rajesh and Anal Arasu's stunt choreography was well suited for such loud and larger-than-life films, which is a little low in terms of logic and common sense. Suriya performs with great energy and vigor, which actually helps us to overlook the flaws of the choreography. Editing by V.T Vijayan and T.S Jay, was efficient and neat, though the second half was a little prolonged, except for the abrupt ending ! K.Kathir has done a brilliant work with his production design. Most the sets looked perfect, especially the small town jails and lock-ups, interiors of the character's homes or the colorful but simple sets for the song sequences. Job, well done ! Priyan has tried some roving camera tricks here and his camera doesn't seem to rest at all ! However,there are no fantastic or outstanding visuals from him and his works were mostly functional, except for some action sequences.

Devi Sri Prasad, who has been retained for the sequel, has performed badly with his scores and almost all the songs are below average, for current standards. "Vaale Vaale" is the opening song, shot in a boat and around the port of Tuticorin, with a special appearance from a rather flabby-looking Anjali. The song also has some minor shots, featuring the vigilante work of the protagonist. "Puriyavillai" is a montage song for Hansika Motwani, who develops a crush for the masculine protagonist. "Singam Dance" is a peppy club song, shot on Suriya and Anushka and has colorful blue-themed sets by Kathir and good lighting from the cinematographer. "Kannukkulle" also follows the same style, with a more simpler sets. "Achamillai" and "Vidhai Pole" are situational songs, praising the histrionics of the protagonist, shot in montages. The background score is unimpressive, with loud and familiar sounds most of the time !

Director Hari's successful films, have one thing in common. A racy screenplay. From the word go, Hari did not stop for a single moment, and has scripted a screenplay which is full of power-packed action sequences, which were very convincingly played out by Suriya. What differs between 'Singam' and this sequel, is the lower importance given to the other commercial elements of a 'masala' film. Sentiments, romance, and comedy portions were evenly proportioned in the first half, but the sequel highlighted more and more of the brain and brawn of Duraisingam, rather than the other elements in/surrounding him. The antagonists roles, especially of Danny's was ill-written and lacks the necessary counter-effect to the heroics of the hero. Though the duration of the film, especially the second half is a little draggy, Hari keeps his scenes, tight and short, which gives us the impression of a speedy story telling. Some continuity factors were not properly ironed out, and raises a few questions pertaining to logic. The ending was handled in a very abrupt and rushed manner, it spoils the good-ride one was enjoying all the while !

'Singam II' - A near-perfect 'masala' concoction. A thoroughly enjoyable film, but strictly for commercial enthusiasts. A powerful and kingly show from Suriya !


Ratings: 3.25/5 STARS

BY:TAMIL

EPPADI MANASUKKUL VANTHAI MOVIE REVIEW

'Eppadi Manasukkul Vanthai' is a film long in the process which marks the next directorial venture of the "Naaka Mukka" director P.V Prasath. 'Kadhalil Vizhunthen' attained great media coverage for its chartbuster songs and also for the dark thriller aspect. With a totally fresh cast and crew, P.V Prasath treads the same path with another dark thriller this time, as well.

As mentioned earlier, the acting cast is entirely fresh and new. Vishwa makes his debut as a hero through this film. With good height and decent physique, he should have capitalized on his plus points. His dancing is okay and dialogue delivery is not too bad but his expressions and emoting skills need to be improved vastly, if he intends to pursue a career in this acting field. His character loses the depth and emotional connectivity it needed, due to his lack of emoting talent. Tanvi Vyas, a former Miss India Earth, makes her debut too. A pretty face was required and she pretty much fits the bill. With standard expressions and scope of performance in this film, she has to work with better directors if she wants to improve her acting capability. Irfan, the television personality, Ravi Kale, Mahendran, Satish and others makes up for the rest of the cast.

Technical wise, this film carries some good and decent work. 'Supreme' Sundar's stunt sequences are well choreographed, especially, the one shot in a half-built building, at night. Veteran V.T Vijayan's editing is flawless, compact and concise. Paulraj, the art director has done a decent job with the art department, especially with the interiors of the heroine's posh apartment, keeping in mind with the fashion designing background of the heroine's character. S.D Vijay Milton has done a very well in the cinematography department. His long shot, camera movement, angles and color tone used for scenes were very apt. Especially in the songs and night sequences, he captures the moment and intensity very well with his camera. A.J Daniel, the music director is also a newcomer. A former assistant to Harris Jeyaraj, he has delivered good songs in this film. Funnily, the film director has structured the format and song pattern, resembling the same situation and mood as his previous film ! "Oorakaali" is a typical loud and abrasive dance song, with quirky movements from Sridhar and some interesting camera movements and lighting from Vijay Milton, shot in warehouse, streets and dhobi ghat areas. The pick of the album is certainly the "Oru Paarvaiyile" number. A melody rendered by Harish Raghavendra, it was shot in montage sequences with some dance movements in between, set in Bangalore. "Eppadi Manasukkul Vanthai" song comes in a bit-song format. "Yen Kadhal" is another hummable song, sung by Karthik. Again, Vijay Milton uses fine camera movements and breezy color tone throughout the song, with minimal and subtle artwork by Paulraj, with couple of montage sequences. "Kannakuzhi Azhagi" is another dance routine number, picturized on open-top bus and the college areas, featuring the hero dancing in unique dance movements. "Uyire" is another bit-song, picturized with the heroine against the heroine and finally "Muthangal" song is shot in the apartment set with very romantic mood and lighting created by S.D Vijay Milton and Paulraj's art work enhances the feel-good look of the song.

As mentioned earlier, P.V Prasath has gone for a similar dark theme as with his debut venture. This time it has couple of interesting twists and knots. The problem with the script is that, it has gaping holes in the plot and a unnecessarily long drawn-out climax. Questionable circumstances are aplenty in the film and the performance of the lead artistes are not engaging or powerful enough, but it is watchable to certain extent, due to the interesting twists, here and there. Surprisingly, S.D Vijay Milton handles the dialogues as well and he has done a good job with it, as the dialogues are sharp and crisp. Also, the songs are eerily similar in structure with his previous film, with same situations and mood. His casting is not so strong as well, because with a better cast, especially for the lead pair roles, the performance would have lessened the damage of the weak script.

P.V Prasath, came up with a interesting idea but his loophole-filled scripting work and weak performances of lead artistes brought down the film, which has good technical values.


Ratings: 2/5 STARS

BY:TAMIL