ഉറുമി REVIEW

Santosh Sivan’s Urumi is a miniature masterpiece of moods, emotions, anxieties ruled by a thirst for revenge. The film unfolds like a ballad and is a sweet and simple fairy tale. The 170 minutes film works to a large extent to its perfect casting, fantastic performances, soothing score and technical brilliance.
--HarriE Madhu ArjuNN

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Santosh has made it like how a period drama should be made without too much talk about freedom struggle, no bombastic dialogues or playing to the gallery for heroism. His vision and concept gives this epic the feel of a Brave Heart or Gladiator.

It provides us a new insight into the hearts and minds of ancient heroes and shot in locations that reflect the period as everything looks fresh, green and clean and one can feel even the mist. Another major plus is that there are hardly any CG special effects that one would associate with a period war film.

Shankar Ramakrishnan’s script is simple and straightforward and keeps the narrative absorbing and inspiring. The film starts in the present day with a modern don’t care youth Krishna Das (Prithviraj) and his friend (Prabhu Deva) having a jolly good time. A big corporate offers Krishna Das a bomb for his ancestral property in Kerala.

On his arrival in Kerala to sign the papers, he learns the truth about his land and ancestors, which is told in a flashback. A brave warrior (Arya), wants to kill Vasco da Gama, the Viceroy of Portuguese Empire in India. But he is brutally killed by the invaders and his son Chirakkal Kelu Naynar (Prithviraj) is out to take revenge with a golden Urumi, that he makes with the ornaments of dead women and children who were burnt alive in a ship that was going to Mecca. It was set on fire and sunk under the instructions from Vasco Da Gama.

The film is spread between the second and third visit of Gama to India and chronicles a varied version of how Gama could have met a bloody death in 1524 AD. Kelu is supported by his childhood Muslim buddy Vavvali (Prabhu Deva). In the journey he meets warrior princess Ayesha (Genelia), who has her own axe to grind against the foreign invaders. Will they be able to kill Vasco Da Gama ?

The major highlight of the film is the performances of its lead actors. Prithviraj as Kelu Naynar is dashing. You cannot take your eyes of him, it’s a difficult role and he has come out with flying colours especially in the climax scene. Prabhu Deva is there in as many frames as Prithviraj, and is a real treat to watch. He does comedy and romance with ease and the chat song with Nithya is a scream.

However it goes without saying that this is Genelia’s show. She has shed her bubbly image for an out of the world controlled performance and her Kalaripayattu action scenes are thrilling. Nithya Menen looks pretty and is a scene stealer, while Jagathy is outstanding. Amol Gupte, Alex, Robin and others are lifelike. There is also walk in cameo appearances by Arya, Vidya Balan and Tabu.

Music of Deepak Dev enriches the film with Aaro nee aaro, Chimmi Chimmi and the theme music is haunting. A pat for Shankar Ramakrishnan for his intricately crafted script, super editing by Sreekar Prasad without any gimmicks and eye catching beautiful camera work by Sivan and his assistant Anjuli Shukla.

Santosh Sivan has come out with a story of valour with an admirable degree of craftsmanship and clarity. The producers Santosh, Prithviraj and Shaji Natesan can be proud of this epic.

Urumi is a fairy tale fantasy film that has a heart and technical artistry. Go for it.


Verdict- EXCELLENT....GO FOR IT...

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS_REVIEW

Super stars are back with a bang.Christian brothers is a high voltage entertainer in all respects.Ace scriptwriters Uday K Thomas-Sibi K Thomas and senior director Joshy has faithfully repeated their trademark recipes that made the big hit 'Twenty:20' for their new multistarrer 'Christian Brothers'.The movie as expected presents its four heroes in their stylish avatars, voicing punchlines and engaging in well choreographed action sequences.

--HarriE Madhu ArjuNN


ABOUT THE STORY

Christie (Mohanlal), Jojy (Dileep), Jessy (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy) and Stella (Kaniha) belong to the wealthy Palamattam Tharavadu. Their dad Capt. Varghese Mappilai (Sai Kumar) had pinned great hopes on his two sons, but both of them didn't live up to his expectations.

Christie became a high profile police informer based in Mumbai, after some disturbing incidents that happened in his life. Jojy had gone to Italy to become a priest but opted out of it, after falling in love with Meenakshi (Kavya Madhavan), the daughter of the state home minister.

The issues start with the murder of Kochuthoma (Jagathy Sreekumar), an honest village officer, after he refuses to agree to allow some murky land deals. The bad brigade is led by Thampy (Vijayraghavan) and his sons, one of whom is an IPS officer (Biju Menon). Sometime later Christie comes to Kerala to save Meenakshi, who is kidnapped on her way back from London. Things get more intriguing from then on and new characters are introduced one after the other.

Veteran director Joshiy has done a fine job in keeping the viewers glued on to the screen, as the heroes virtually go on a rampage.

The supeer star who impresses much is Sureshgopi, in his regular avatar like his role of 'Twenty:20'.Mohanlal, who is perhaps playing a superhero after a while, has a role cut out perfectly for his fans. He looks handsome and impresses with his trendy mannerisms, dialogue delivery and action. he movie has everything for the Lal fans to celebrate, except for an average introduction.

Dileep repeats his trademark act while Tamil star Sarath Kumar, though in a short role is effective. The heroines looks pretty but don't have much to do, though Kaniha appears to be the best among them.

Christian Brothers' is a definite prescription for all lovers of heavy masala fares of Mollywood.Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Verdict: Racy Entertainer

August 15

In 'August 15', the techniques of film making have moved forward by leaps and bounds, while the writing is still stuck at primitive level. It's doubtful if history would repeat itself, but Swamy needs to spice up his writing skill real quick, lest it becomes history.
- Harrie Madhu ArjuNN

In Shaji Kailas' 'August 15', the Chief Minister of Kerala (Nedumudi Venu) escapes an assassination attempt, and hotshot cop Perumal (Mammootty) is called in to investigate. Realizing that the CM was poisoned, Perumal decides to nab the assassin before he has another go at the CM's life.

What has backfired in 'August 15' is the lack of a clear cut ploy that is intriguing enough to keep you glued to the screen. Yes, the CM's assassination attempt is matter enough to craft some thrilling material, but the writing is often downright lackluster that you realize that Swamy is nowhere near his prime any more.

There is one particular scene where an exasperated Perumal, fires a series of bullets on to a wall that has been plastered with several possible pictures of the assassinator. Light floods in through the cracks on the wall. The entire investigation is punctured with similar loopholes, and a lack of logic runs all along. Some scenes are downright silly as well. It's quite odd, when Perumal gets up at the middle of the night and starts surfing Wikipedia for 'poison' entries.

The political standpoint that 'August 15' adopts, is slightly different in that it is not Chief Minister-obsessed as is the usual case. It talks of the alleged faction war in the Communist Party, and suggests that nothing is actually as wrong as it is being depicted by the media. All is well, says the CM and the Party Secretary (Saikumar).

The script has been stuffed with potentially suspicious characters, and these minor character portrayals are nothing but tiny disasters. Take for instance Aravindan (Jagathy Sreekumar), who hogs plenty of screen space towards the beginning of the film. The slightly strange personality attributes that this man is endowed with makes him the focus of attention for a while. What bothers us then, is the way he fizzles out with a trace not much later.

Another major disappointment is the climax that happens on August 15, and the makers have gone for a scene change as such, perhaps taking into consideration the pains of shooting on a parade ground. It's not the change in scenario that ends up being unsatisfactory, but the way it all ends. Swamy doesn't stop even with the assassin out of the picture. He drags in a further twist that looks and sounds like an appendage that has been severed off, and yet hangs on to the main part for its dear life.

Perumal has softened up a bit; matured perhaps. But then, this isn't a character that you know inside out, like Sethurama Iyer. He drinks gin, we are told, and has turned a bit flirtatious. He pays a fine for not wearing a helmet while driving. He doesn't have an office or personal staff, and of course he rides a Bullet. Mammootty is the man in action here, and no prizes for guessing that as Perumal, he looks swell! Siddiq and Saikumar are the two other actors worth a mention.

In 'August 15', the techniques of film making have moved forward by leaps and bounds, while the writing is still stuck at primitive level. It's doubtful if history would repeat itself, but Swamy needs to spice up his writing skill real quick, lest it becomes history.