Angel John

Cast: Mohanlal, Santhanu

Direction: Jayasurya

Music: Ouseppachan

The movie has Santhanu Bhagiyaraj debuting into Malayalam as Maradona, a spoilt brat who fools around doing all nonsense for just a fun (''Oru Rasam'', as it is heard repeatedly all through in the film which paradoxically offers not much ''Rasam''). Being a failure in his studies, this commerce student, the only son of Bank manager Joseph (Lalu Alex) and Mary (Ambika) is now after ways to make easy money, to prove himself before his dad. His company of bad friendship and attitudes makes him fail in every endeavors like the internet cafe business and even drugs trading.

Maradona's father who is heavily affected by his son's ways suffers a heart attack, while Maradona is finally thrown out of his house. Much shattered with this, the young boy now decides to commit suicide by jumping into the sea from a light house, but is miraculously held back from the deed by a divine angel who appears from the skies. The angel now enter into an agreement with the prankster and decides to grant him a boon, every day. The film follows to tell how the association with the guardian angel spell wonders in Maradona's life, changing him to some one whom he never was.

Bottom Line

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Angel John - is a passable fare

S L Puram Jayasurya's ‘Angel John’ opens as a racy youthful story with plenty of directorial gimmicks and style in the very first hour. But with the advent of a too unrealistic angel, the movie suddenly appear to be in the genre of kids films, that isn't trying to be anything else. That too with the super star Mohanlal as the angel, the director is left with no choices but to fill in the later half to satisfy the star's fans, with the angel throwing himself into all kinds of star tantrums, fights and slow motions. And for those who feels it likable enough to right this point have that fatal third act, where the movie abruptly and unapologetically turns into the kind of predictable handkerchief-friendly melodrama-sentimental fest. And with that, we are pretty sure that we have a downer in our hands, though made with much noble intentions.

Pazhassi Raja

Banner: Gokulam Films

Cast: Mammootty, Sarath Kumar, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Jagathy Sreekumar, Captain Raju, Lalu Alex, Manoj K Jayan, Biju Menon, Kalabhavan Mani, Suresh Krishna, Subair, Siddique, Roshan, Manikuttan, Kanika, Padmapriya, Urmila Unni, Valsala Menon, Nikhila

Direction: Hariharan

Production: Gokulam Gopalan

Music: Ilayaraja

The movie begins with the Britisher's decision to levy heavy takes from the local people under the rajahs. Pazhassi who belonged to the Kottayam Royal family of Thalassery region oppose this and becomes the first ruler from the state for British, to be branded as a big enemy to fight it out on battles. Pazhassi who is forced to flee from the his palace starts a carefully planned counter action, with the aid of his trusted lieutenant Edachena Kunkan, (Sarath Kumar)and Kaithery Ambu (Suresh Krishna). He gets the full fledged support from the kurichiers and tribals headed by Thalakkal Chandhu and Neeli who fights the Britishers with their sort of Guirella warfare, with tribal weapons. British face heavy setbacks in various confrontations and as many as five hundred from British army are killed in fight with Pazhassi. Though Pazhassi was able to surprise the British with his tactics and bravery, traitors like Pazhayaveedam Chandhu (Suman) helps the British to gain momentum in the later part of the warfare and capture each of Raja's men.

Bottom Line

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Pazhassi Raja - is majestic

For a Mollywood cinephile, there are quite a number of reasons to watch ‘Pazhassi Raja’. Not only that it is made in the biggest budget ever in Mollywood, it is also an offering from the masters of the media, including Mammootty, M T Vasudevan Nair and Hariharan. Moreover, there are a plenty of other great names including Resul Pookutty, Illayaraja, Sarath Kumar and a plenty of others whose credits itself demand interest. Above all, it is the first visual rendering of the most fascinating epoch making fight of the great leader, against tyranny and oppression of the British.

Loud Speaker

Cast: Mammootty, Renjith

Direction: Jayaraj

The movie offers Mammootty an excellent chance to tide over the recent mimicry, child-play movies and characterisations with a solid role of uneducated Mike Philippose, a barefooted simpleton who lands in the city, armoured with his loud voice, opinions and dazzling wit to stand up with the different level of etiquette's he find in the flats of the city. His arrival is as a kidney donor to ailing Anand Menon, an astrophysicist who returned to his home nation after working in US for the last forty six years. A dejected man who wants to run away from his memories, Menon is turned into the reverse track by Mike, who lives with his memories and snobs about his deceased father and about the silent hamlet of Thopramkudy.

The movie packs a lot of characters like the old man (Janardhanan) in legal tussle with his children, the fighting couple (Kalpana and Reghu) who even doesn't like to see face to face, a secretary of the flat residents (Jagathy) who only has a dog for his company, a group of loud bachelors and a kid who turns a brat, left alone and away from her parents. Some of these laudable characteristics are balanced by weak characters, and superficial emotions but the central character of Mike infuses in all of them the spirit of genuine humanness and to live with temperamental ease.

Bottom Line

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Impressive and light-hearted

With no conventional story and is more character-driven, National award winning director Jayaraj's new film ‘Loudspeaker’ is a simple movie with its heart exactly at the right place. Decorated with no special comedy tracks or even a traditional romance, the first screenplay from the director has that inherent goodness that speaks volumes of life in a go.

Loud Speaker

Rithu

Cast: Nishan, Rima, Asif Ali

Direction: Shyamaprasad

Music: Rahul Raj

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The movie tells the story of three childhood friends Sarath, Varsha and Sunny who dreams about making it big in their own ways . However when they reunite for a new IT firm after drifting apart for a short while , they realize that the peculiar chemistry that they had between themselves has vanished .The associated revelations about the hideouts in their personalities and irretrievable depths of their friendship proves the focus of the movie . Trying to catchup with what they have lost in between time and space , Sharath realises that it is finally a day to call himself out of their memories and dreams and to start afresh. Shyamaprasad has given a mature unhurried treatment to the theme that comes out of a well flushed up scriptlines by Joshua newton,armed with sensitive dialogues and emotional subtexts. With references to sexual freedom, hypocrisy and gay life, this could well be a welcome rebellion against the shackles of formula that had been with the Mollywood cinema for quite some time .There is not much an indifference when narrating these subtexts as they never seems much imposed upon the characters .

And in the little downside the characters could have more gelled well ,if it would have avoided the stereotype of flirting females working in IT sector .Also is the socialist tirade that sprouts up in intervals about the capitalist SEZ and IT parks constructed on poor man's ' lands looting them for being sincere . Few dialogues in certain scenes also remain dramatic and pointless and could have been trimmed .

Bottom Line

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Rithu - Refreshing

Agnisakshy, Akalae, Ore kadal ,.. and now Rithu'' , Director shyamaprasad is once again proving that he is a sensitive filmmaker without prejudices , always aiming to find the best out of the themes that he embarks upon, His former movies were all based on famous literary works , but this time his belief in the journo tuned scriptwriter Joshua Newton has really paid off...

Daddy Cool

Banner: Ananya films

Cast: Mammootty, Richa Pallod, Bijumenon, Ashish Vidyarthy, Vijayaraghavan, Raadhika, Saikumar

Direction: Aashiq Abu

Production: Alwin Antony

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The movie doesn't have that multi layered story, but is a simple tale about Antony Simon, a laid back officer in the crime Branch, who is more interested in spending time with his son, watching cricket on television. He is often a ridicule for his easy going attitude, even for his wife Annie who is much worried about Antony's languorous attitudes, which even fetch him a suspension. But for his son Adi, Antony is the super hero officer, who is into any dashing thrills and commotion at any given moment. He projects it to his friends and expects his daddy to fulfill his aspirations. One night after a movie, they happen to save the international cricketer Srikanth from the attack of a gang of goons thereby igniting further troubles. But the father - son duo are ultimately forced to prove themselves at a point, when everything is going beyond their control into a terribly wrong path.

Bottom Line

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This Daddy is Cool and 'stylish'

Let's admit it.....Films can be made watchable, even though they does not offer a genuine strong storyline. ‘Daddy Cool’ is one such effort from the debutante Aashiq Abu planned with trendy costumes, bright colours and amazing visuals. Had it been decorated with a thick screenplay, it would have ended up as an eminently watchable fare. For now, it has the chic packaging, peppy songs and racy first half.

Calendar

Cast: Prithviraj, Navya Nair, Sarina Wahab ,Jagadheesh, Jagathy, Vijayaraghavan

Direction: Mahesh

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The movie from the actor turned director Mahesh,has a stellar star cast with Prithviraj, Navya Nair,Mukesh and yesteryear heartthrob Zarina Wahab donning the pivotal roles .Calender '' has Zarina as a college lecturer Thankom George,a lady widowed at an younger age ,who desisted to remarry, to take care of her daughter .Building her whole world around her and sharing an intense relation with her daughter, Kochurani ,Thankom is not even able to sleep one night without her. Into the life of Kochurani ,who is now at college arrives Sojappan, a fun-loving ,businessman,who is but a school dropout.Through their mutual friend Manjoorana(Jagathy),sojappan makes a proposal ,but Thankaom tries to discourage him from the relation , as she doesn't like to get separated from her daughter .

Three years after, in another town ,the viewers witness Dr.RoyPhilip (mukesh), a medical officer in Manjooran's hospital ,who starts a liking for kochuRani. Again the same problem of possessiveness between the mother and daughter arises , which together with some mysteries associated with their past ,builds up the tension that finally explodes between Thankom and Kochurani.

Bottom Line

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Calendar - is a watchable fare

Calender is all about feelings. Mostly 'real emotions,' about the psyche of a single mother ,who hates to face loneliness.And when the handpicked moments essaying the obsession between the mother and her daughter ,fails to relate with the viewers who resist to laugh and cry with the characters ,the movie turns overly melo- dramatic with out the needed intensity.

Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonuu

Cast: Rajasenan, Sitharaa. Jagathy Sreekumar, Kalpana, Mukesh, Indrans, Sindhumenon, Janett, Drishya, Sumithra

Direction: Rajasenan

Music: M Jayachandran-Rajeev Alumkal

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Thampi is a postmaster leading a happy life with his wife Lisamma(Sithara) and their three children. In short but regular flashbacks, we are shown Chandru's father, Sachidanandan Thampi (Sivaji Guruvayoor), a retired IG who throws him out of the house, as he chose to marry Lisamma, a christsian girl with cardiac ailment. And puts a garland on Chandru's photograph hanging on the wall, to consider him dead.

But Chandru who always loves and respect his father always longs for a day, when they reunites with his father and family consisting of his younger brother Rajamohan Thampi(Rehman) and his wife (Sindhu Menon).

Lisamma has undergone an open-heart surgery after her marriage with Chandru and the later is secretly repaying the debts although it is accumulating day after day. He always makes way for his family and children to live in better conditions which also create him further financial problems. Chandru who is respected by everyone in his office is often helped by many among them, especially by Thankachan (Jagathy) who often finds out odd ideas to clear off the debts. Finally Chandru decides to get to Dubai with the help of his old friend G K (Mukesh), now well settled at Dubai. He finds a good job there and gradually clear off his debts, but never realises that fate was holding something different for him, a varied way for his family to reunite with his father, who was never ready to forgive him.

Bottom Line

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Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonuu - Another emotional drama

Coming from the maker of family films, ‘Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu’, is an emotional tearjerker which move in through well sketched out regular routes. The movie which tells the story of a virtuous man who lives devotedly to prove himself to be a good son, husband and father, has the director himself playing the role of the protogonist, Chandra Mohan Thampi.