Latest Malayalam Movie Reviews

Back in the 1960s, far away in the woods of Ooty, patients of a mental asylum have been brutally killing themselves. Men in dungeons, nuns chanting death wishes, painters predicting the unknown and a screeching cry of a woman resonates in the middle of the night. All under one roof. These are just a handful of the underworld like creatures among the many locked away from the outside world. These patients are shut inside the infamous mental asylum perched in the middle of nowhere singlehandedly controlled by a tall lean Psychiatrist in his early 60s, Dr Benjamin Diaz (Atul Kulkarni).

Dr Benjamin’s evil ways of treating his patients are similar to the haunting images displayed on the walls of his premises. From restraint chairs, electroshock treatments & electronic head equipments to lobotomy (which involves drilling a hole into the mental patient’s skull). This asylum sets the right mood for a horror movie. But, just as you take a sigh of relief after a series of disturbing sequences, the story takes an unexpected turn. Or maybe a bit predictable one.

In the beginning the film takes us into the daily lives of the mental patients through the eyes of Dr M.K. Nair (Fahadh Faasil) who has been sent by the government to inspect the hospital. All five patients go about their days inside the asylum until it is revealed to us that there seems to be a sixth patient, named Nitya, unknown in records. Nitya is an autistic patient who is hidden away from the rest. Quite a look alike of Annabelle from “The Conjuring”. Director Vivek releases the girl into the world through Dr Nair and her story into the minds of his audience.

The movie jumps back and forth from Nitya’s past to her present, teleporting us to a whole new world of an autistic child. Once Dr Nair tries to revive her memory, the evil Doctor Benjamin’s asylum wouldn’t be as smooth sailing as he expected. So, he plants booby traps to lure him away. Dr Nair manages to escape the asylum alongside Nitya who doesn’t belong there. The rest is a mystery.

As far as I can remember, autism is not a mental illness. And an autistic child does not belong in a mental asylum. As a matter of fact, most autistic children are smarter than others. Sai Pallavi as Nitya unveils the symptoms of an autistic child serving justice to the film. Yes! There were scenes where the symptoms wore off. But, nobody could have done it better than her. Nitya’s special strength was the art of Kalari. Sai Pallavi doesn’t disappoint in kalari either. She fights her way through her action set pieces like a war goddess.

I couldn’t help but notice, the super natural feel to the movie which echoes the American drama series, “Teen Wolf”. Teen wolf fans watch out; the asylum does give a bit of a Lydia (Holland Roden) vibe. Another character that comes to my mind when I think of Dr Benjamin is Doctor Faustus from DC comics. While I try to match so many familiar characters with the ones in the movie, I’am reminded of the secretary role smoothly executed by actress Lena. Lena plays the sweet poison which drove away government inspectors from the asylum in the past.

Athiran certainly has peculiar characters, breathtaking performances & solid cinematography but in the end leaves behind a bitter taste. The several loopholes, untimely sound edits and a blurry plot twist irks its audience. The story even takes the form of a romantic mystery in the end which ruins the entire 2 hours of the movie. If swooping visuals and stunning creative conceptualisations are what pleases your taste buds, give this one a try.
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Growing older piles up decades of memories. The corridors you’ve once strolled through hand in hand with your classmates were now in the past. It’s pretty scary to know how quick time flies. 57 years later my grandma and 30 years later my aunt together set off to relive their nostalgic days at Maharaja’s college. And what they experienced was a walk down geriatric lane. Poomaram, teared them up, cheered them up & made them proud. They glared at the screen reminiscing bits & pieces of their college days while I sat there vexed. I was wondering why something that looked like an earnest feature film felt more like a monotonous talent show. That’s when it hit me that I shared no sentimental longing with the characters in the film and their urge to win the coveted championship cup.

Mahatma Gandhi Youth Festival is reckoned as the epitome of college life. Legend has it that the infamous tiff between St Teresa’s college & the Maharaja’s college for the trophy continues for eternity. In Poomaram, leaders of both the colleges chaperone their teams and the
team mates bid to do their best. The students strategize all night, practise all day and spend numerous days dreaming of bringing home the championship trophy. The preparations for the competition sets the mood of the film from the very beginning.

The sisterhood between the St. Teresa’s girls and the closely knit bond between the Maharaja’s students and their leader captures our unattended attention. Kalidasan Jayaram plays Gautham, the Benevolent leader of Maharaja’s who works in close liaison with his team mates. He is an aspiring poet who spends most of his time on screen either leaning on pillars crooning poems or having his team’s back. Even the slightest mishaps that happen within the team lands on his shoulders. Neeta Pillai as Irene is clearly cut out for her role. She delivers a promising performance as the chairperson of her team leading the team
steadfast with iron fists.

There are a few moments when love sparks between team mates and cupids fly across college boundary walls other than that the story is pretty much free from lingering feelings. The main leads on the other hand are busy chasing the championship title crossing paths with each other from time to time. The story flows in the form of a musical with snippets of the good old college days which you can flip through your brains in chronological order.

If youth festivals are your thing, then Poomaram will unshakle your treasure chest of memories.

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the movie was a simple one but it was not bad to degrade it...because of the over promotion that was given by mohanlal fans of kerala was one of the biggest mistake..but the movie was not up to the promotions...its doesnt says about the real odiyan...its a good one..an average movie..the acting of moahanlal was also very good..but the direction was so bad..the camera mevements and songs are also nice.. less

very good cinema after a long time i have seen hats of to everyone who made this happen . i almost cried .sathyan anthikad has his magic wand again thru this movie less

In India when we think Travel movies, we tend to picture cool dudes whizzing off on roaring bikes or in even cooler cars with some moments of manly bonhomie thrown in. It’s very rare that we come across a movie about a girl backpacking her way about....And two girls?? Almost never! Which’s precisely why this next movie is like a breath of minty fresh air! Rani Padmini is a 2015 road film by Aashiq Abu on two females- Rani & Padmini (enacted by the supremely talented duo- Manju Warrier & Rima Kallingal), as different from each other as chalk from cheese, who cross one another’s paths in the midst of their respective diverse, personal journeys.
Growing up, Padmini was the quintessential “Miss Goody Two shoes” who had always lived her life traditionally by the rule book. So also, later when it comes to potentially life-changing decisions, she docilely lets her close ones decide for her, only to realise to her naivety that if one doesn’t speak up or put one’s foot down when required, one will be expected to toe the line forever & live the rest of your life living somebody else’s idea of life!
Rani, in contrast, was always the rebellious tomboy at heart- forever getting into fist fights with boys. They both embark separately on a trip to Himachal for very different reasons- Padmini to meet her husband who’s participating in the Himalayan car Rally there & resurrect their failing marriage, while Rani is forced to be on the run to flee from some local Delhi gangsters with whom she had a run-in with! The crux of the film lies in the coming together of both these diverse characters & the warm camaraderie & joie-de-vivre shared by them on this journey to self-discovery, whilst also learning some invaluable Life-lessons along the way, from each other as well as from the people they encounter. As Padmini reasons to herself before setting out “The dangers a girl would encounter on the road are not much different from the ones she would perhaps encounter sitting at home”!
The film’s plus point lies in the fact that it doesn’t take its lead characters too seriously, unlike the typical movies with female leads; not hesitating to laugh at itself and finding humour in the unintentionally comical situations they find themselves in. And while at it, it takes the viewer on an invigorating trek through the lush green carpeted valleys of serene Manali & jaw-dropping vast expanses of Leh-Ladakh to the awe-inspiring visuals of the snow-peaked majestic Himalayas- This is one of those movies which makes you wanna crave to set out back packing yourself ! The downside is the script, which could have been a tad tighter, with a more engrossing storyline. After all, all the king's horses can't save a film from tanking if the content itself is weak- and this is the weakest link of this on-road flick. less

Premam, a 2015 release directed by Alphonse Puthren, is a typical coming-of-age movie treated in an ‘atypical’ manner to dish out an engrossing, adorable affair. The storyline is fairly simplistic like its tagline that reads 'nothing extraordinary in it' and deals with the heartaches & infatuations George (Nivin Pauly again), your average young man, goes through growing up, while scouting for the elusive “true love”. The film traces his life & heart’s journey over a period of two decades, via his three crushes :–
First, a pretty girl from his school, who is basically sought after by most of the boys from his neighborhood but who is in a relationship with another guy- thus leading to his first heartbreak. His second crush is his young & sassy college professor, a Tamilian lass (a charming act by newcomer Sai Pallavi), for whom he falls hook, line & slinker. She also seems to reciprocate his feelings but in a tragic turn of events, loses her memory in an accident and can barely recognize him or even recall her present, leave alone the special bond they shared. This leaves him devastated for a very long time. Eventually with time and some maturity, George mellows down and gets over this traumatic loss . Setting up his own business, he immerses himself into it completely. And that is when he runs into his final lady love, who eventually ends up as the love of his life!

This movie reflects the Director’s competence to raise a mediocre plot to a ground breaking level, purely based on its content-detailing & treatment. The film has been made with a perfect blend of comical elements which keep the tempo of the film zingy & entertaining. Some of its characters and punch lines have acquired cult status among the masses, with the film going on to become the highest grossing Malayalam movie at the worldwide box office! Its phenomenal success has propelled its remakes in other South Indian languages like Telugu.
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The movie Vikramaditya is the completion of the slogan the weakest can be successful. The movie showcases the story of 2 brothers who want to become SI. But the life takes a turn for Adityan and he becomes an ACP. The movie has been directed with precision and in keeping in mind the theme the movie wants to show. The movie also shows how life can be successful with hard work and determination. The movie also breaks the stereotype fo the job roles for certain people less

Good action by Manju. Mature direction by SAJID. Good script. Good music. Title song awesome. Good to watch all age groups. One thing is an over exaggeration. Overall nic to watch less

A good movie watchable with family members. Suspense and timing of the story well maintained. All characters have justified their roles. Climax well handled with a social message by Mamooty. Villain's role played well by Stunt Silva. less

When the world doesn't run the way we want it to; we tend to relieve it's frustrations on others through Rage. The daily struggle with the missing keys, annoying colleagues and noisy relatives is not rocket science which gobbles up your brains but these are tiny dollops of fuel which contribute to a raging fire. For instance, when you are on a treasure hunt for your car keys in the morning and miserably fail in finding them, travel all the way to your workplace by foot and to your worst nightmares you're welcomed by a vexing co-worker with an irksome body language followed by a truckload of scum-bags impatiently waiting in line to prick you with infuriating questions, I reckon after all this capos trophy you'll be back home with a volcano head all set to erupt. Director Sameer Thahir's movie Kali sails through a similar context washing us overboard with a thrilling climax.

Dulquer Salman plays Sidharth who has been possessed by short-temper at a very tender age. His sneaky affair with anger-management continues all the way from school to his college days and his married life. Sai Pallavi plays Anjali Sidharth's college sweetheart who is his backbone throughout his battle with anger. With hardly airbrushed blemishes Anjali wins a place in the hearts of her audience as the young wife struggling with her husband's anger intolerance. Whether it's in public, at home or workplace Sidharth loses his temper. And when he does things get ugly.

It was one such night which led to an array of life threatening consequences in Sidharth and Anjali's life. (SPOILER ALERT) From thugs seizing Sidharth to a low life groping Anjali the story with a face of a down-to-earth drama swaps seats with an action thriller to keep its audience on the edge of their seats. (SPOILER ALERT) As the movie nears its end it even shifts gear to an unexpected twist and ends with a note on feminism.

It is the innovative way of placing the bits and pieces of the story together into a movie which is interesting to sit through. Despite starring alongside the super hero of Mollywood Sai Pallavi's dynamic performance was at par with Dulquer's power pact debut. With a little bit of sugar and spice from the supporting actors Kali flies to the pinnacle of its success. Seasoned with the right style of Cinematography which alone deserves a standing ovation and top-end execution of stunts as well as the blood-boiling background scores cooks up a wholesome three course satisfactory entertainer for its viewers.

A must watch if you do or do not face anger issues cause it's just worth the time! less

The Director -Actor duo Fahadh Faasil and Dileesh Pothen's most awaited comedic thriller 'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' is Pothen's second directorial venture after Maheshinte Prathikaaram which was an enormous commercial success.

A movie with a warm heart of a humble villager, carefully crafted to tickle your funny bones until you burst out laughing. The story welcomes its audience with wide open arms shedding some light into the love story of the main leads Nimisha Nair who plays the bold and beautiful Village girl Sreeja and Suraj Venjaramoodu who plays the timid and kind hearted lover boy next door.

After sailing the backwaters of Alappuzha, post Sreeja and Prasad's (Suraj Venjaramoodu) romantic tale the movie strolls us through the roads of Kasaragod where a thief is painted into the picture. In a bright red KSRTC bus where Sreeja dozes off unknowingly at the window seat, in shades of black and grey Fahadh faasil steals the thunder with his sneaky eyes, effortlessly slipping a gold chain off Sreeja's neck. Followed by a barrage of wolf hoots and applauds.

The story shifts focus to Sreeja and Prasad's inter cast wedding and their financial crisis and hurdles after which the thief steps in to cause a complete commotion in their married life testing their time and patience. Ever since the theft, Sreeja and Prasad spent tiresome days at the police station fighting for justice trying to retrieve their priced possession.

But, a theft case which could have been easily mortified was later on scaled up as a robbery by the police. Just as the title suggests 'The evidence and the eyewitness' this is when the movie picks up its insanely slow pace. Despite the award winning cinematography and the witty but neatly written script the movie drags miserably till the end. A story which should have been beautifully played out within the first half of the feature film was monotonously stretched out into a 135 minutes long cinema while losing out on all the glory with which the movie hit off in the first half.

Regardless of its flaws 'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' backed by fresh peppy background scores is a very down-to-earth flick driven by corruption.

Three Cheers to all the actors who did justice to their roles throughout the movie. Even though the Brownie points definitely go to Fahadh for his Billion dollar expressions, Nimisha Nair successfully saves herself some praises for her promising debut in the film.

Walk in with a clear head for this one cause you're in for a truck load of patience! less

Movies striving to motivate its viewers to chase after their dreams are dime a dozen. And Despite Manju Warrier's efforts to carry the movie on her own two shoulders; the overcooked doze of spur served with a sprinkle of happiness is nothing more than a jarring flick.

Amidst the serene and scenic backdrop of Kodaikanal director Rojin Thomas tells a tale of Joan Mary John (Manju Warrier) a bubbly babe who gallivants around her tropical neighbourhood snapping pictures on her DSLR aspiring to follow the footsteps of Walter Elias Disney. Growing up midst the misty hues of a hill town Joan develops a knack for sketching. But, her dreams which were mere doodles on a piece of paper came to life only when a whiz kid, Chris (Sanoop) showed up at her door step.

From developing Artificially Intelligent Animated Characters (AIAC) to jumping every little bump on the road while paving the way to rocketing success, the movie which starts off as a gentle wind hurls into a hurricane but slowly subsides to a dusty breeze by the time it reaches the second half.

The lack of visual execution of the verbally blabbered Dream Job, the disturbing but, delusional drift between Jo and the Boy and the meagre Animation which drives international media like BBC all the way across the country to cover Joan's work is all utter ruckus!

The cinematography earns the brownie points for this feature film and sadly Manju Warrier's attempt to blend in as Jo/Joan went awry as the movie diverts into complications galore. Sanoop as Chris was as adorable and mischievous as expected like in his previous movie 'Philips and monkey pen.' Even though the movie revolves around the eponymous, Lalu Alex as Joan's dad as well as the rest of the supporting cast like Pearly Mannie, Rekha, Sudheer Karamana, Kiran and Sunil Sukhada pulls off a promising performance.

Setting aside the monotonous motivational cliches 'Jo and the Boy' definitely follows an engaging theme for young toddlers and a visual relief for adults. less