Movie: In Ghost House Inn
Language: Malayalam
Date: 25th March, 2010
Review
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'In Ghost House Inn' has the by now Lal formula in place. A first half that tries to be comical. A second half which turns serious and delves deeper in to the premises of the story. A pre-climax conundrum and finally the grand twisted climax. The only differences this time around are that the foursome from 'Harihar Nagar series' are not chasing girls but they are chasing (or being chased by) ghosts. The premise is horror. Playing with Nostalgia which was a major part in the previous edition is completely non existent. So does the formula work this time around? Yes, to some extent.
The backdrop - Horror
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'Horror' is always an interesting backdrop to have for a comical movie and Lal has presented the setting well. As the first half begins with the story explaining the 'Ghost House the mood is perfectly set. Then begins the jokes and gags which are not that great but you still feel the fun because its quite creepy setting to say the least. The proceedings move at a smooth pace and as the interval arrives the feeling is about not a great movie but still engaging watch. Second half is when Lal last time caught the viewer in surprise with the pace. This time around things start to take creepy edges. Pre-climax conundrum is where Lal almost looses the game but salvages it with a wonderfully executed twist and end credits.
Director's Game
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'In Ghost House Inn' is whatever it is only because of one man and that is Lal. Like a master chess player and a captain tightly holding his ship against raging seas, Lal manages to engage the viewer and keep him hooked for most parts of the movie. A good director is always a good story teller and Lal uses such tools, techniques and takings to move the story forward, that its impressive to say the least. The kind of scenes designed to give the horror backdrop and presentation is worth mentioning. Lal will have a tough time breaking away from the formula he has set especially the famous 'twist' in his forthcoming movies. His amazing story telling ways should be applauded big time.
Cast
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The foursome have nothing much to do. Its Nedumudi Venu who takes the cake with the best role of the movie. Followed by Radhika who is somewhat competent with a not so easy role. Execution could definitely have been better though. The four leading ladies also are passé.
Negatives
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None of the four characters actually have a growth in 'In Ghost House Inn'. They remain where they were after the 2nd part. None of them have a proper sketch neither they play a major part or role in the movie. It is the horror setting and the Ghost house which is the main character followed by Nedumudi. This aspect may leave the foursome's fans tad disappointed.
The pre-climax portion is very loud and over the top. Could have been better executed seeing the way Lal has command over rest of the movie. This is the only time the audience feel like giving it all up and the only time when the director who
is a master story teller looses his grip on the audience. Screeching and Screaming with gory scenes and stunts. Nothing looks good, subtle or deft here.
Technically the movie is good. You may wonder whether some such horror scenes have ever been done in Malayalam before. But the music is pathetic to say the least. Tracks have been forced in. Looks completely formulaic and out of place.Background score is better.
Finally, 'In Ghost House Inn' is not a good or great cinema. You can watch it once because its engaging. Its like 2 hours spent in some fake haunted house ride. It will keep you hooked when it lasts and once you are out of it you will soon forget it as well. That is kind of ok in these transient and fast times. Isn't it?
Verdict - 3/5 as Rating
'Engaging' as an Opinion
'In Ghost House Inn' - A Director's Game Plan
Movie: Thaanthonni
Language: Malayalam
Date 19, March, 2010
Review
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Imagine a movie in which the script writer is hell bound at telling all the stories in the world within that one single movie, combined with a director who has no control where the movie is heading to. Looks like a Combustible Combination in over drive. Right? This is exactly what T.A Shahid and George Varghese do in the latest Prithviraj movie 'Thaanthonni'. There are not one, but three 'Thaanthonnis' (Disobidient ones) in the movie. T.A Shahid, George Varghese and Prithviraj. And what results is ‘movie mayhem’!
The Story - Over Written
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TA Shahid believes in over writing this story to the point that no one cares beyond a point. The first one hour is the saving grace in the movie. Its watchable.The antics of Prithviraj as 'Kochukunju' are kind of bearable and the first flash back arrives. You still feel that though everything happening is formulaic, its all as expected. But soon the interval scene arrives and what is clearly inspired from 'Puthiya Mugham' goes all sour in a poorly written and executed scene.After the interval, all hell breaks loose and its a downward spiral from then on. To a point, when it becomes a torture chamber where you are forced to watch the second flashback story, Prithviraj's 'Sagar Alias Jackey' act, tear-jerker family scenes and reunion of the old couples. Oh my God, they can use this one for the Guantanamo Torture Chambers, if they still have them open.
Directon - Lack of One
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George Varghese has no clue where the movie is going for once. He completely has given the reigns over to TA Shahid's story and script which keeps on over running. Most of the scenes are so poorly executed that from the word go, you get the idea that this new director lacks vision of his kind of cinema. A story has to be told in its sincerity and trueness. Everything of that sort is missing here. It seems director thinks that too many flashbacks means a great story or at least the scriptwriter has impressed that point on him. We surely do not need poor clones of Joshy. The original one is still alive and kicking.
Scene after scene you understand that not even chopping off 30-45 minutes of the movie can save it. Its was never destined to be a sane movie. At a running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes, 'Thaanthooni' is torture.
The Rebel Hero
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No Mincing words here. Prithviraj is below par in 'Thaanthooni'. He has charm in many portions, agreed but it cannot be called even as a good performance in a bad movie.
His scenes in the first half as a drunkard, poorly ape Mohanlal. Its almost as if you can see Lal performing in all his drunakrd mannerisms. And he commits criminal
mistakes in the kind of scenes that he has agreed to do. He is over stylish and loads of reels are wasted to show him as some 'super power'. Horrendous!
Finally, all the good will which 'Puthiya Mugham' and 'Robinhood' (to certain extent) had created has been vanished. No longer one can believe that the young star has a sane head on his shoulders. The script selection , the director, everything is shoddy. 'Puthiya Mugham' was sincere, precise, to the point and a performance well delivered in a commercial set up. 'Thaanthonni' takes him a few years backwards. He delivers 4-5 minutes long dialogues trying to be like Mammotty and Lal in One man hero movies, but haven't we seen that all with them. This is not the change that we are looking for. We thought the new generation star would think like the new generation and have better sensibilities. This is like back to square one.
Rest of the Bits and Pieces
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Ambika in a tear jerker mother role is filling up the screen space - literally. Loads and loads of characters but none leaves an impression. Poor old Suraj cracks some
one liners and scores. Jagathy is funny in a short role. Heroine is wasted for a song and few scenes. Cinematography is amateurish. Gopi Sundar does a decent job and
is one of the positive points of this movie. Tej Mervin's poor tunes remind us of Deepav Dev's valuable contribution in the success of Puthiya Mugham.
Finally, 'Thaanthonni' has neither soul or sincerity nor purpose. Its like those 'B' grade movies wrapped in to a family tearjerker. No one expected a master piece. Frankly, even an average movie would have been a positive surprise. But even with such low expectations, 'Thaanthonni' fails miserably. Sorry, to say the young super star, you have a long way to go in choosing scripts and getting them executed.
Verdict - 1.5 / 5 as Rating
'Torture' as Opinion
'Thaanthonni' - Get ready to be Tortured.
Movie: Vinnaithaandi Veruvaaya.
Language: Tamil
Date: 06th Mar, 2010
Review
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Good Love stories are like rain in the summer. Heart warming and Refreshing. And it makes you feel that it has been a long summer all the while.Goutham Menon's New Movie 'Vinnaithaandi Veruvaaya' is special because probably its a pure romantic movie after a long long time. A perfect two character play in all its complexities, the movie takes itself very seriously when it comes to telling a true love story.And for that one factor, it rises above being just good.
A Lasting Love Story
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The tale of Karthik (Chimbu) and Jessie (Trisha) is a love story that is not only true and realistic but also creates a lasting impression. Karthik is the quintessential next door boy. Young, Lacklustre and without much of an aim in life except for his love of cinema. Karthik is not different from many other heroes that you have often seen in movies. He is daring when it comes to love and ready to go the extra mile to make things happen. The twist comes in the second portion of this 2 way tale.
And that is Jessie. Completely unsure of what she wants for her, fearful of her father, she is that modern day girl who tries to be different when she is outside home. She is ever afraid to show her love or even accept it. Confused between whether to commit or reject even though she loves Karthik. As she tosses up Karthik's life and plays around with it, Jessie creates a beautiful character out of herself.
VTV is memorable because of the love story between these 2 well defined characters. Kudos to Goutham for writing such beautiful characters.
Director - All about Trust
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Goutham believes strongly in the movie and the theme that he has made. Its visible in how genuine and true he has been to the subject. VTV is not an action - romance or a romantic comedy or anything else but it is a pure romantic movie. Goutham takes his time building his characters and as an audience you get to know their various untold facets which reveal slowly. You grow with these characters as an audience. For the sheer sincerity with which the subject has been treated, I rate it at par with his best movies till date.
Jessie - Drives you Crazy
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For me, VTV belongs to Jessie. Trisha's career best role till date, is a revelation. She is so perfectly cast that she lives through the role. Looks simple and gorgeous as Jessie. She looks completely deceptive when seeing Karthik's love. Charming and lovable when she accepts Karthik's love. Helpless and Restless in love when her father rejects Karthik. Calm, composed and mature towards the end. All rolled in to one, the movie is interesting beyond a point only due to the spice which Jessie adds to it. Chimbu has put in perhaps his career best role and taking nothing away from him, he also stands his space and holds on. Chimbu's Karthik is almost a routine role done well but 's Trisha's Jessie is special.
Music that makes your heart skip a beat
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The soul of any love story is probably the songs and the music and for me this is the best album (in terms of the number of good tracks) for atleast 2 years now. In an era when each movie has hardly one or two good tracks, VTV boasts of 5-6 really beautiful tracks. AR Rehman is stupendous and his compositions are breaking the barriers of culture and fusion. Hats off to Goutham for extracting such an awesome album from him. The rerecording is mint cool especially the 'Jessie drives me crazy' bit.
Cinematography is good and Editing could have been tighter at some instances but movie has a nice pace of its own.
Negatives
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The interval scene and dialogues could have been handled way better. It quite looks silly and abrupt in a poetic movie. Same is the case with the sudden love interest from Karthik's Cinema Colleague. Songs are soulful but 3 of them (Omana Penne, Hossanna and Kannukkul Kannai) have been picturised in the very same way (road dancers). Some more imagination, thought and effort could easily have been applied to make these songs have different identity. May be Goutham can learn it from Shanker or Mani Ratnam. He has done proper justice only to 3 songs (Aromale, Mannipaya and Anbil Avan). Some dialogues are completely silly and Trisha's dubbing inaudible at times.
'Vinnaithaandi Veruvaaya' is not devoid of shortcomings but the sheer sincerity of the movie, truthfulness to the subject, interesting character sketches, superb performances and breath taking music leaves an impression for some time ahead. After all when did we see the last genuine love story?
Verdict - 4/5 as Rating. 'A Treat for your Heart' as an opinion.
Vinnathaandi Veruvaaya - ' Crossing the realms of Love'