UNNAM- An average thriller with good nio noir sequences.(Movie Review By Yoonus Mohyudhin)

In a straight review UNNAM is not what you expect after seeing the promising promos. It’s a mixture of thriller and nio-noir sequences. Whereas the nio-noir sequences are highly enjoyable, there is no thrill in the suspense and murder mystery element of the script. The film is said to be a remake of a HIT Hindi film JOHNY GADDAR [2007]. The Hindi original must be more enjoyable fare as it was a big hit but the malayalam version lacks the right punch needed for a blockbuster.

In fact director Siby Malayil seems confused in whether to make a family film or a fast paced thriller. Many plots and characters are deliberately inserted, which are clearly spotted by a average filmgoer too.

For instance :

Aasifali’s character of aloshi is the most unimpressive one. He just plays the role and doesn’t seem to be interested in the movie at all.

The murder mystery has no surprise element in it .

The most disappointing thing is that Nedumudi Venu, an actor of endless capabilities has got no definite role and he is just included in the movie to add to its project value. He has no involvement in the script and is just wasted as a supporting character. However it is his own brilliance that he again comes up as the best thing in the movie with his excellent sentimental timing.

Even Lal, is not given the mileage he needed and he is also just another character in the script.

The action sequences  and the last song of “Aasif Ali” are clearly added as the last moment insertions. The director could have easily avoided them.

Rima Kallingal  as Jennifer is given unwanted footage. She just acts in the movie as a routine work.

The script surely has a new concept, but is not handled in a promising manner. Music is also below average.. The only enjoyable moments in the movie are the scenes with Lal & Nedumudi Venu. They both are highly entertaining together and the viewer keeps waiting for them to come on screen again.

In all, Unnam is certainly not a good thriller movie but can only be seen once for the neo-noir by the talented pair – Lal & Nedumudi Venu.

Ratings : 2.5 / 5

Be Kind Rewind(2008)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Comedy)

Michel Goundry shook the whole American Film Industry, critiques and viewers all, with his comedy movie “Be Kind Rewind” in 2008. This is the  brainchild of Michel Gondry the one time video maker turned director of 'Eternal Sunshine..' and 'The Science of Sleep' and once again there's a visual feast on offer.

 On many levels this is just a clever comedy but on many others its much more than that, it is a homage to film-making as a whole, the death of artistry in the face of technology, the sense of community that cinemas can bring in a world where cinema is struggling against the internet and apathy. Jack Black and Mos Def play at odds friends who have an outlet running the local video store 'Be Kind Rewind', with the huge DVD emporium down the road the business is struggling and in danger of being pulled down to make way for condos. After a freak accident wipes all the tapes in the shop the pair decide to remake all the films rather than get caught and lose the shop and this then is where Gondry et al step up to the mark and let their imaginations run wild with hilarious consequences.

 The first film they make is 'Ghostbusters' and it sets the premises of what is to come as they do their own versions of 'Robocop, Lion King, Rush Hour 2 and Men in Black to name but a few. Black and Def play off each other really well but it's the ingenuity in the sets and lo-fi costumes that make all these little twenty minute 'Swedes' (The tapes are described as having come from Sweden as an excuse for higher rental fees and longer wait times) brilliantly funny. They are even available to watch online and you're also encouraged to make your own! The story is for want of a better word silly and my only criticism I have is that Gondry tends to be too whimsical and over idealistic at times but that said he is portraying a fantasy world where he can play like a child with bits of old rubbish and sticky back plastic and come up with stunning arty creations that shine on screen. With so much subject matter to work with Gondry picks films that he is sure most people will have seen, although I hadn't seen 'Rush Hour 2' and so struggled to find all of that section funny, so on the off chance you haven't seen any of the films being Sweded you may wonder what the hell is going on. Strongly recommended for comedy cinema lovers, to be seen as a must.

Directed By Michel Goundry

Starring : Jack Black, Mos Def & Others 

 

Music By Jean Michel Bernard

The Third Man(1949)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Film Noir)

 

Carol Reed’s sensitive movie on the Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime.This movie owes a debt of gratitude to Graham Greene, a writer who had the most developed sense of intrigue among his contemporaries and one of the best writers of the last century. The movie brought together two young villains of that era, Joseph Cotten & Alida Valli and together they were just firs on the screen.

Alida Valli  made the strongest impact in the movie and her one liner dialogues are still famous till date. Orsen Wales portrayed the role of Harry Lame. And he once again proved that the sea of talent within himself still unexplored.

 It also helped that a great director, Carol Reed, brought it to the screen.  It is rated as one of the Top 5 movies made by the one & only Carol Reed. And therefore is a must see especially for the younger generation. Also watch out for Trevor Howard in a completely different get up giving a light  performance.

Directed By Carol Reed

Starring : Orsen Wales, Joseph Cotten & Alida Valli

Music By Anton Karas

 

 

Reservoir Dogs(1992)(Movies To See Before You Die-Crime)

It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond heist, but not the heist itself.  It incorporates many themes that have become Tarantino's hallmarks - violent crime, pop culture references, profuse profanity, and a nonlinear storyline.

From the opening moments of "Reservoir Dogs" you sense that you are watching a different kind of crime drama. The style and dialog of this picture bestows a level of intelligence upon it's characters that defies the reality of their chosen profession. One of the best crime thrillers with violent crime and rich content. Having said that,this movie is absolutely riveting in it's movements from the ordinary, to the grim, to the horrific aspects of a career criminal.

Directed By Quentin Tarrantino

Starring : Harvey Keital & Tim Roth

 

 

 

 

 

Second Show-Shrinath Rajendran's Above Average Movie.(Movie Review By Unus Hashmi P.P)

In few words, the movie doesn’t seem to be a product of good. If you are expecting something on the lines of “Stop Violence” or “Subrahmanyapuram”, then you will not only be disappointed big time but would also feel shocked to see such a mediocre product for the debut of mega star's son.

He tries his hand on a biographical gangster subject for the first time in malayalam after seeing Ridley Scott's   drama“American Gangster”. But the latest one can be termed as the weakest movie made be him  which is neither a biographical nor an enjoyable drama movie.

It seems as Shrinath Rajendran started the movie with only Dulquar Salman in mind and with no script at all. The film is about young Hari who rises from an illicit sand miner to a smuggling baron in a short time. It stars  That’s the main story with many unattended plots which the director just forgets to take care of.

Dulquar Salman, just reach to jail, leaving behind his mother on the merci of God.

Sudhesh Berry comes in first half as the Top Gangster and then killed off to do some another movie I suppose.

A very weird love affair is shown between a rapper gangster and the nurse. This could have been a romantic plot but is not capable of generating any love.

Dulquar is just ok in his act and he is also helpless since the script itself has nothing to offer. Gouthami Nair (The Debutant heroine) is more expressive in emotional scenes and does her part well. The best act is there from the Sunny Vain character ‘Nelson Mandela’. In fact he is the only enjoyable element in the movie with some good scenes.

The songs have some unusual lyrics and they are used only as fillers. The otherwise beautiful city is shown as some dirty sea side village if we talk about the cinematography. The only impact the film can make is that it will be an insight into the quatation gang of Kochi for the people who have not been there and now they will be more excited to be a gunda.

In all, I just couldn’t figure out what Shrinath Rajendran was thinking to make out of this movie and what section of the movie lovers he wanted to target this time. He would surely like to forget about his debut attempt and move on to his more promising future projects.

Ratings : 3 Star (you can give it a miss easily)

No Man's Land(1987)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Crime)

This film was a vehicle for the talented CHARLIE SHEEN and D B SWEENY before the did 8 MEN OUT with JOHN SAYLES.The filmis a commentary on action adventure gun play and car theft in the age of "me" the 1980's.A rookie cop goes undercover and infiltrates a car thief ring.

 This one was released hot on the heels of PLATOON to capitalize off CHARLIE SHHENS performance in that and WALL STREET. The female characters have more to say in the movie and they all have done a commendable job. D.B Sweeney as Benjamin is classy and elegant with a style of his own. Lara Harris looks gorgeous specially in the song sequences. If you are not into crime movies then this would be a completely different kind of experience all together. A good choice for experimental cinema lovers. 

Romio and Juliot(1936)-(Movies To See Before You Die-Drama)

Undoubtedly considered the World Famous, No.1 Film, representing American Cinema all over the globe. More than enough has been said and written about this movie and every American knows and loves this movie without any exception. It’s a story of Young love is poisoned by a generations long feud between two noble families. The idea of the movie may be borrowed from Classic play of the same name & other adaptations of the play, but it should be only taken as an inspiration since the end result is classy and impressive on its own.

 Not to be missed is the fantastic background score by Herbert Stohart used brilliantly in the most famous scenes of the movie. In u.s.a, romio&juliot is treated as a cult classic, all time favourite english movie.

A must see for all., though you must have already seen it several times.

Directed By George Cukor

Starring : Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, John Barrymore, Edna Mayoliver, Basil Rathbon & C.Aubrey Smith. 

Music Herbert Stohert