Sunday, May 8, 2011

Manikyakallu

Year: 2011
Genre: Drama
Direction: M Mohanan
Cast: Prithviraj and Samvrutha Sunil
Rating: Good

Watched the movie this Friday. I felt that it was worth a watch. Unlike other movies released recently, it was not with high hopes or expectations that I went to watch this movie. But indeed, the movie is a worth watch. When compared to the recent disastrous movies, Manikyakallu is conventional malayalam movie with a decent star cast, story, and a message.

The story is a usual one and we are sure to have watched stories similar to this in the past. Though it was more like the old wine in a new bottle, the new bottle was really good. Prithviraj seemed a normal human being and far better than what he portrayed in Urumi. All the characters, did commendable jobs, in the small roles offered. Samvritha had a new look and mannerisms, which she did with extreme effortlessness. Nedumudi, Jagathy, Salim Kumar, Indrans, and the entire cast was good. I would say that the cast itself seemed like a reason for a good watch. The children who played the student cast also were too good. It never seemed as though they were enacting, but just seemed like normal school students. There were no unwanted romantic scenes, supernatural stunt sequences, or exotic locations. Everything seemed perfect and just what a normal Malayalam audience can relate to.

The camera work also was commendable. The beauty of the locations stood out in many of the scenes. The characters also fit in place with the locations. The songs may not linger on after you leave the theater, but were apt for the situation.

All in all, a good movie and a perfect one for a thought.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Animated Movies!

I have been watching a lot of animated movies recently. It all started with Tangled. Before watching Tangled, I was not very fond of the animated movies. In other words, Tangled inspired me to go forward and watch all the good movie out there.

So to list all what I watched over the past few weeks:

- Ice Age (Dawn of the Dinosaurs)
- Ratatouille
- Finding Nemo
- Wall-E
- Monsters vs. Aliens

Well, to tell you the truth, I have been blown off my feet. I never knew I was turning myself away from such lovely movies. The stories are good and characters, awesome. Even after watching some of them, they linger on for a long and keep appearing in front of my eyes. Wall-e was one such character. I am highly impressed and loved the character to the core - his eyes, hands, and even the sounds he makes. Similarly, Nemo, Dory, and Marlin from Finding Nemo - all of these are wonderful characters.

And I still have some more movies to watch on my list now:
- Cars
- Up
- Sleeping Beauty

Will definitely keep you posted on how each movie is.