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Reviews19
bijupillai73-1's rating
Little did I know that at the age of 8 or 9, a sneak peek through the crack of the door into the living room where my parents were watching a gruesome horror movie on a National Panasonic VCR and a Philips CTV (ahh...those were the years!), would open a Pandora's box in my mind, filled with fear, sleepless nights, a rush, excitement, and a full-on love for horror movies later on in life. So I think this initial exposure to the series as a child sparked my fascination with horror movies.
This was in Kuwait. Early 80s. I knew that Dad brought home a video cassette after work and that I wasn't supposed to watch it, as it was a horror movie. Strictly not for kids! It was called "Evil Dead." So when I was told to go to the bedroom and study, I was disappointed. But my face and ears were plastered on the closed door of the bedroom, straining hard to hear the sounds from the movie. The thrill of opening the door softly and peeking out made me do it anyway. The rest, as they say, is history. I managed to watch the whole of "Evil Dead" at some friend's place later on, along with many other horror movies. I was damn scared, and that was the rush! I watched "Evil Dead 2" and its third part, "Army of Darkness," later on. One or both of them are probably at our school hostel in Kerala, I think. My school hostel used to arrange movie screenings for the hostel kids on weekends on the premises. I just have vague memories of how and where I watched them for the first time. Later on, I got to watch all three parts multiple times.
The original Evil Dead series, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell, is indeed a classic in the horror genre.
So when Director Fede Alvarez and Sam Raimi brought out a reboot of "Evil Dead" in 2013, I was the first to rush to the cinema here in the UAE. It was a crowded Novo Cinema in Sharjah, and I tell you, it was an experience! The 2013 reboot of Evil Dead was well-received by both audiences and critics alike. It had successfully captured the dark and horrific atmosphere of the original series while adding its own unique twists. The collective experience of watching such a terrifying film in a crowded theater truly enhanced the fear and excitement. That reboot was one of the best reboots for a horror movie ever! It was marketed as the most terrifying film that you will ever experience! It was director Fede Alvarez's second movie after his much-acclaimed horror "Lights Out". The Evil Dead (2013) reboot was a banger!
10 years later, my excitement to watch the new "Evil Dead Rise" knew no bounds. Ever since they announced this movie, I have been eagerly waiting. It's been a long time! Only die-hard horror fans, especially the Evil Dead fan base, will understand this! Before going to see the movie, I anticipated another thrilling installment in the franchise. The director, Lee Cronin, was a big fan of the original Evil Dead. So the OG team of Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, and Bruce Campbell handing over the reigns to direct this one was a dream come true for him. It was exciting to see a new director take on the project while staying true to the legacy of the series. His previous and debut movie as a director was "A Hole in the Ground", which was a hauntingly beautiful horror movie about a mother and son building a new life in a rural town and a sinister sinkhole that's buried deep in the forest near their home. I had watched it and was impressed by it, but I didn't know much about the director back then.
"Evil Dead Rise" was everything I wanted and hoped it would be and much more. Evil Dead Rise has all the tropes that one expects from the so-called "Evil Dead" universe. So by staying true to the legacy of the franchise, Cronin gives us the ultimate gore fest, but at a new location. The change in setting to a high rise in Los Angeles instead of a cabin in the woods adds a fresh and intriguing element to the story. Bringing the story to a household environment,a condemned building, creates extreme tension and chaos in the family setup, and when it's in the closed walls of an apartment, the way Cronin has made use of the limited space gives a sense of claustrophobia!
And of course, the gore and shocks that are expected from an Evil Dead film are unleashed on screen like there is no tomorrow, along with a nod to The Shining, as there is a scene with gallons of blood in the movie! If you are a Stephen King and The Shining fan, you will know!
The movie does have a welcome nod to its predecessors with an intro scene at a cabin in the woods, but then quickly shifts to the city once the title card appears! And what a title revelation! Goosebumps just for that scene!
The movie goes to great lengths to provide a new experience for the audience, especially in the choice of weapons! Apart from using kitchen knives, vinyl records, and even a drone, the most talked-about weapon is the cheese grater! It was quite shocking and gory, but at the same time, we experienced the twisted pleasure that one desires from a good horror movie!
Australian actress Alyssa Sutherland was a delight to watch on screen. As Ellie/Mommy, who turns into a Deadite, she was initially sweet and then the most terrifying and dreaded person ever! The playfulness she brought to her killing spree made it all the more horrific! She was terrific, and as an actress, this is definitely a feather in her cap.
Lily Sullivan as Ellie's sister Beth is very good and effective in her initially vulnerable and helpless girl role before taking the reins and kicking ass. Almost like Mia from the 2013 reboot, but standing her ground in her own way.
To bring in a family atmosphere with kids into this franchise is a refreshing take, and hence we kind of root for them to escape and be safe from the Deadites!
The kids Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and the ever-so-cute Nell Fisher have all wonderfully performed, with Morgan and Gabrielle bringing out their vulnerability and devilish deadite transformation with aplomb and Nell being the sweet innocent child that she is.
I should not forget to mention the voice cameo of Bruce Campbell, which feels like this franchise could go on to take much weirder and more mysterious routes in the future. Maybe the next one goes to the past?
Practical effects, VFX, make-up, cinematography, music, and BG are all top-notch. All these, together with a marvelous performance by the actors, quench every horror aficionado's thirst!
With "Evil Dead Rise," I can definitely say that the Evil Dead franchise is still one of the greatest of all time. Though this isn't a sequel but kind of a stand-alone movie, it's still a solid one and one of the best horror movies to come out in recent times. I can say this with confidence, as I have watched almost all the good horror movies out there to date.
Director Lee Cronin has definitely created a memorable and horrifying gorefest with "Evil Dead Rise." The Evil Dead franchise holds a special place in my heart, and it's wonderful how it has continued to provide me with thrilling and enjoyable experiences over the years.
Enjoy watching Evil Dead Rise and the terrifying journey it takes you on! A must watch theatre experience!
Trivia:
Cronin mentioned in an interview that he reminded Sam Raimi that in Army of Darkness, Ash finds three books. So one book was used in the first Evil Dead. Another one in the 2013 reboot, and so he wanted to take the third book, utilize it as his own, and give it its own sense of personality.
The book in the first Evil Dead is called Necronomicon Ex-Mortis.
The book in the 2013 reboot movie as well as in Evil Dead Rise is known as Naturom Demonto.
Naturom Demonto (also known as "The Book of the Dead") is an ancient tome bound in flesh and inked in human blood. One volume in a series of three, this book used in Evil Dead Rise was found by the Catholic Church in the early 1920s before being locked away in a secret vault beneath a Los Angeles bank.
(Courtesy: Evil Dead fandom/Evil Dead Wiki.)
Tail End : I really loved Evil Dead Rise but without taking anything away from this one, let me confess that I still love the original 1981 movie and the 2013 Reboot movie a tad bit more, especially the 2013 Reboot (for being extremely dark/gruesome to the core & giving us one hell of a twist).
This was in Kuwait. Early 80s. I knew that Dad brought home a video cassette after work and that I wasn't supposed to watch it, as it was a horror movie. Strictly not for kids! It was called "Evil Dead." So when I was told to go to the bedroom and study, I was disappointed. But my face and ears were plastered on the closed door of the bedroom, straining hard to hear the sounds from the movie. The thrill of opening the door softly and peeking out made me do it anyway. The rest, as they say, is history. I managed to watch the whole of "Evil Dead" at some friend's place later on, along with many other horror movies. I was damn scared, and that was the rush! I watched "Evil Dead 2" and its third part, "Army of Darkness," later on. One or both of them are probably at our school hostel in Kerala, I think. My school hostel used to arrange movie screenings for the hostel kids on weekends on the premises. I just have vague memories of how and where I watched them for the first time. Later on, I got to watch all three parts multiple times.
The original Evil Dead series, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell, is indeed a classic in the horror genre.
So when Director Fede Alvarez and Sam Raimi brought out a reboot of "Evil Dead" in 2013, I was the first to rush to the cinema here in the UAE. It was a crowded Novo Cinema in Sharjah, and I tell you, it was an experience! The 2013 reboot of Evil Dead was well-received by both audiences and critics alike. It had successfully captured the dark and horrific atmosphere of the original series while adding its own unique twists. The collective experience of watching such a terrifying film in a crowded theater truly enhanced the fear and excitement. That reboot was one of the best reboots for a horror movie ever! It was marketed as the most terrifying film that you will ever experience! It was director Fede Alvarez's second movie after his much-acclaimed horror "Lights Out". The Evil Dead (2013) reboot was a banger!
10 years later, my excitement to watch the new "Evil Dead Rise" knew no bounds. Ever since they announced this movie, I have been eagerly waiting. It's been a long time! Only die-hard horror fans, especially the Evil Dead fan base, will understand this! Before going to see the movie, I anticipated another thrilling installment in the franchise. The director, Lee Cronin, was a big fan of the original Evil Dead. So the OG team of Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, and Bruce Campbell handing over the reigns to direct this one was a dream come true for him. It was exciting to see a new director take on the project while staying true to the legacy of the series. His previous and debut movie as a director was "A Hole in the Ground", which was a hauntingly beautiful horror movie about a mother and son building a new life in a rural town and a sinister sinkhole that's buried deep in the forest near their home. I had watched it and was impressed by it, but I didn't know much about the director back then.
"Evil Dead Rise" was everything I wanted and hoped it would be and much more. Evil Dead Rise has all the tropes that one expects from the so-called "Evil Dead" universe. So by staying true to the legacy of the franchise, Cronin gives us the ultimate gore fest, but at a new location. The change in setting to a high rise in Los Angeles instead of a cabin in the woods adds a fresh and intriguing element to the story. Bringing the story to a household environment,a condemned building, creates extreme tension and chaos in the family setup, and when it's in the closed walls of an apartment, the way Cronin has made use of the limited space gives a sense of claustrophobia!
And of course, the gore and shocks that are expected from an Evil Dead film are unleashed on screen like there is no tomorrow, along with a nod to The Shining, as there is a scene with gallons of blood in the movie! If you are a Stephen King and The Shining fan, you will know!
The movie does have a welcome nod to its predecessors with an intro scene at a cabin in the woods, but then quickly shifts to the city once the title card appears! And what a title revelation! Goosebumps just for that scene!
The movie goes to great lengths to provide a new experience for the audience, especially in the choice of weapons! Apart from using kitchen knives, vinyl records, and even a drone, the most talked-about weapon is the cheese grater! It was quite shocking and gory, but at the same time, we experienced the twisted pleasure that one desires from a good horror movie!
Australian actress Alyssa Sutherland was a delight to watch on screen. As Ellie/Mommy, who turns into a Deadite, she was initially sweet and then the most terrifying and dreaded person ever! The playfulness she brought to her killing spree made it all the more horrific! She was terrific, and as an actress, this is definitely a feather in her cap.
Lily Sullivan as Ellie's sister Beth is very good and effective in her initially vulnerable and helpless girl role before taking the reins and kicking ass. Almost like Mia from the 2013 reboot, but standing her ground in her own way.
To bring in a family atmosphere with kids into this franchise is a refreshing take, and hence we kind of root for them to escape and be safe from the Deadites!
The kids Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols, and the ever-so-cute Nell Fisher have all wonderfully performed, with Morgan and Gabrielle bringing out their vulnerability and devilish deadite transformation with aplomb and Nell being the sweet innocent child that she is.
I should not forget to mention the voice cameo of Bruce Campbell, which feels like this franchise could go on to take much weirder and more mysterious routes in the future. Maybe the next one goes to the past?
Practical effects, VFX, make-up, cinematography, music, and BG are all top-notch. All these, together with a marvelous performance by the actors, quench every horror aficionado's thirst!
With "Evil Dead Rise," I can definitely say that the Evil Dead franchise is still one of the greatest of all time. Though this isn't a sequel but kind of a stand-alone movie, it's still a solid one and one of the best horror movies to come out in recent times. I can say this with confidence, as I have watched almost all the good horror movies out there to date.
Director Lee Cronin has definitely created a memorable and horrifying gorefest with "Evil Dead Rise." The Evil Dead franchise holds a special place in my heart, and it's wonderful how it has continued to provide me with thrilling and enjoyable experiences over the years.
Enjoy watching Evil Dead Rise and the terrifying journey it takes you on! A must watch theatre experience!
Trivia:
Cronin mentioned in an interview that he reminded Sam Raimi that in Army of Darkness, Ash finds three books. So one book was used in the first Evil Dead. Another one in the 2013 reboot, and so he wanted to take the third book, utilize it as his own, and give it its own sense of personality.
The book in the first Evil Dead is called Necronomicon Ex-Mortis.
The book in the 2013 reboot movie as well as in Evil Dead Rise is known as Naturom Demonto.
Naturom Demonto (also known as "The Book of the Dead") is an ancient tome bound in flesh and inked in human blood. One volume in a series of three, this book used in Evil Dead Rise was found by the Catholic Church in the early 1920s before being locked away in a secret vault beneath a Los Angeles bank.
(Courtesy: Evil Dead fandom/Evil Dead Wiki.)
Tail End : I really loved Evil Dead Rise but without taking anything away from this one, let me confess that I still love the original 1981 movie and the 2013 Reboot movie a tad bit more, especially the 2013 Reboot (for being extremely dark/gruesome to the core & giving us one hell of a twist).
RORSCHACH - Malayalam Movie
"I will hurt you for this. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid." -George R. R. Martin, A Clash of Kings
When rage consumes you at an extremely disastrous point in your life, when everything you loved and depended on is at stake or lost, when you feel you have no reason to go forward in life, revenge raises its ugly head. It is a deeply satisfying thought, but a tragedy waiting to happen and a point of no return. Unless...!
The Rorschach test, or Inkblot test, is a psychological personality test where the subjects' responses to the inkblots are evaluated. It was specially designed to look for patterns of thought disorder in schizophrenia by Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach.
Rorschah (the movie) is a psychological thriller in the Neo-noir genre. A Masterclass article on this genre says that "Neo-noir films build off classic genre tropes and update them for a new generation." This is exactly what director Nissam Basheer did for the audience of this generation, which proves why Rorschach is a global success. The whole movie is like an experiment, if you look back at it that way once the end credits start rolling. It attacks your senses in such a way that each person will perceive the movie in a different way. And that is exactly what happens in an Inkblot test! A simple story told with decent pacing goes beyond all realms of the human imagination, resulting in quite shocking revelations, jump scares, and what not! It sucks you into its whirlpool of a story pretty soon, provided you are invested and alert. If you don't, you could be swimming near the border in shark-infested waters, unsure whether the sharks or the whirlpool were a better option! Now, am I sounding conflicted?
Here, Mammootty is Luke Antony, a sombre man with a dark and mysterious past. An NRI from Dubai? With haunting and sombre English songs playing in the background, he drives into a small town in a Ford Mustang. Even that grey-colored Mustang is a character with a broody and ominous look! Mammootty is incredible. He's on fire. His recent outings like Bheeshma Parvam, Puzhu, etc. Have brought out more new faces of his that we haven't seen before. As an actor, at 71, the way he manages to always stay relevant in the industry, choosing unique scripts and giving chances to new and young directors, shows his thirst for acting that can never ever be quenched! As he himself said in an interview, it's his greed for good roles and not the money that keeps him going.
A seemingly ordinary accident that Luke gets into; Luke's missing pregnant wife and related investigation; certain questionable town folk that include an overbearing mother and her obedient sons, one of whom died and left a grieving but emotionally strong wife whose eyes convey mysteries of her own; a cop on his own personal quest into Luke's history; another person who doesn't believe a word Luke says and is out to prove his back story wrong; and many more. Such are the characters in this movie. The lines between good and bad are blurred here, and it is up to us, the audience, to figure out who is good, bad, innocent, and guilty! Luke walks into the lives of these people. Does he have an agenda? Do they all have agendas? As Luke gets to know each of the main characters in this small town, the story unravels slowly, showing us their true colors!
The movie is a trip into your psyche. Once you are in, it hooks you and won't let go until the shocking climax! And yes, that climax definitely jolted me in my seat! A certain character's transformation was astounding! Along with the psychological elements, the director plays around with a little bit of horror as well. Or did he?
By now, I believe everyone knows who the masked person is, and as Mammootty himself said, congrats to that actor for donning such a role where all you see are his two eyes! And it's his eyes that give out his identity to the audience!
Rroschach is written by Sameer Abdul, with outstanding and haunting cinematography by Nimish Ravi. It's superb writing and an excellent choice of shots. Set pieces in the classic Neo-Noir style. The music and BGM by Midhun Mukundan elevate the mood of this thriller to a whole other level. His choice of electronic music for fight scenes gave it all the more juice. Using English songs was a new and innovative thought. It sets the mood for the scenes and the movie as a whole. This is Mithun Mukundan's debut Malayalam movie and he rocked! Previously, he has primarily worked in Kannada films.
The movie is edited by Kiran Das, who has previously worked on Ishq, Joji, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Joseph, and Ambili. His choice of editing decisions, along with the director, made way for a near perfect thriller. The movie boasts some brilliantly choreographed high-voltage action sequences by stunt choreographer Supreme Sundar. It is mesmerizing to watch Mammootty indulge completely in the action scenes. Shaji Naduvil is the art director, and the set pieces for the movie are something to marvel at. Some odd, some strange, but all adding up to the grand scheme of things.
Standout performances all around.
Mammootty is on his A-game. His eerie smile was enough to give you goosebumps. It confuses you into thinking whether he is actually the protagonist or the antagonist! Everything is an act or borderline psycho! This man never ceases to shock and surprise us!
But it is Bindu Panicker as Seetha who steals the scenes, apart from Mammootty. Both were brilliant performances as masters of misleading the audience. Bindu Panicker's cold demeanor at times will give you the chills.
Grace Antony's Sujatha is awesome. She gives a stellar performance as a widow who doesn't give up on life and stands her ground in front of her mother-in-law, Seetha, as well as Luke. Her scenes with Mammootty are simply brilliant. Grace will go a long way towards entertaining us in every way, be it comedy, drama, or extremely serious roles like this one.
Jagadish, as the police officer who smells something fishy about Luke and gets the ball rolling for his own investigation, is in a different ball game altogether. This is a new and unique Jagadish and I would love to see him in these kinds of roles more often.
A nosey Sharaffudin, with a different get-up and look, is very convincing as someone who is steadfast in exposing Luke as he feels everything about him is mysterious. He is a very good actor. Sanju Sivram, who plays Anil, is excellent as Seetha's hot-headed but obedient son. Someone who is ready to go to any length for their mother. Sometimes too far!
Nazeer gets to do a rare and memorable performance as Shashankan. He is also a man with a motive, but struggling within as he borders between good and evil.
Mani Shornur as Balan gave a natural performance and I'm glad to see him in this movie.
Directed by Nissam Basheer, this is his second movie after the successful "Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha." There too, he has some definite messages for us. In terms of plot and genre, these two films are diametrically opposed. That itself shows his immense talent and capability as a director. Congrats to Nissam. I'm looking forward to his next.
Produced by Mammootty under the banner of Mammootty Kampany, Rorschach is a must watch. Give it your attention for the first few minutes, and then you're in for the ride. An awesome theatre experience. But if you missed it in the theaters, then definitely watch it when it comes on OTT.
Such rare gems from the Malayalam film industry shouldn't be overlooked!
"I will hurt you for this. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid." -George R. R. Martin, A Clash of Kings
When rage consumes you at an extremely disastrous point in your life, when everything you loved and depended on is at stake or lost, when you feel you have no reason to go forward in life, revenge raises its ugly head. It is a deeply satisfying thought, but a tragedy waiting to happen and a point of no return. Unless...!
The Rorschach test, or Inkblot test, is a psychological personality test where the subjects' responses to the inkblots are evaluated. It was specially designed to look for patterns of thought disorder in schizophrenia by Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach.
Rorschah (the movie) is a psychological thriller in the Neo-noir genre. A Masterclass article on this genre says that "Neo-noir films build off classic genre tropes and update them for a new generation." This is exactly what director Nissam Basheer did for the audience of this generation, which proves why Rorschach is a global success. The whole movie is like an experiment, if you look back at it that way once the end credits start rolling. It attacks your senses in such a way that each person will perceive the movie in a different way. And that is exactly what happens in an Inkblot test! A simple story told with decent pacing goes beyond all realms of the human imagination, resulting in quite shocking revelations, jump scares, and what not! It sucks you into its whirlpool of a story pretty soon, provided you are invested and alert. If you don't, you could be swimming near the border in shark-infested waters, unsure whether the sharks or the whirlpool were a better option! Now, am I sounding conflicted?
Here, Mammootty is Luke Antony, a sombre man with a dark and mysterious past. An NRI from Dubai? With haunting and sombre English songs playing in the background, he drives into a small town in a Ford Mustang. Even that grey-colored Mustang is a character with a broody and ominous look! Mammootty is incredible. He's on fire. His recent outings like Bheeshma Parvam, Puzhu, etc. Have brought out more new faces of his that we haven't seen before. As an actor, at 71, the way he manages to always stay relevant in the industry, choosing unique scripts and giving chances to new and young directors, shows his thirst for acting that can never ever be quenched! As he himself said in an interview, it's his greed for good roles and not the money that keeps him going.
A seemingly ordinary accident that Luke gets into; Luke's missing pregnant wife and related investigation; certain questionable town folk that include an overbearing mother and her obedient sons, one of whom died and left a grieving but emotionally strong wife whose eyes convey mysteries of her own; a cop on his own personal quest into Luke's history; another person who doesn't believe a word Luke says and is out to prove his back story wrong; and many more. Such are the characters in this movie. The lines between good and bad are blurred here, and it is up to us, the audience, to figure out who is good, bad, innocent, and guilty! Luke walks into the lives of these people. Does he have an agenda? Do they all have agendas? As Luke gets to know each of the main characters in this small town, the story unravels slowly, showing us their true colors!
The movie is a trip into your psyche. Once you are in, it hooks you and won't let go until the shocking climax! And yes, that climax definitely jolted me in my seat! A certain character's transformation was astounding! Along with the psychological elements, the director plays around with a little bit of horror as well. Or did he?
By now, I believe everyone knows who the masked person is, and as Mammootty himself said, congrats to that actor for donning such a role where all you see are his two eyes! And it's his eyes that give out his identity to the audience!
Rroschach is written by Sameer Abdul, with outstanding and haunting cinematography by Nimish Ravi. It's superb writing and an excellent choice of shots. Set pieces in the classic Neo-Noir style. The music and BGM by Midhun Mukundan elevate the mood of this thriller to a whole other level. His choice of electronic music for fight scenes gave it all the more juice. Using English songs was a new and innovative thought. It sets the mood for the scenes and the movie as a whole. This is Mithun Mukundan's debut Malayalam movie and he rocked! Previously, he has primarily worked in Kannada films.
The movie is edited by Kiran Das, who has previously worked on Ishq, Joji, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Joseph, and Ambili. His choice of editing decisions, along with the director, made way for a near perfect thriller. The movie boasts some brilliantly choreographed high-voltage action sequences by stunt choreographer Supreme Sundar. It is mesmerizing to watch Mammootty indulge completely in the action scenes. Shaji Naduvil is the art director, and the set pieces for the movie are something to marvel at. Some odd, some strange, but all adding up to the grand scheme of things.
Standout performances all around.
Mammootty is on his A-game. His eerie smile was enough to give you goosebumps. It confuses you into thinking whether he is actually the protagonist or the antagonist! Everything is an act or borderline psycho! This man never ceases to shock and surprise us!
But it is Bindu Panicker as Seetha who steals the scenes, apart from Mammootty. Both were brilliant performances as masters of misleading the audience. Bindu Panicker's cold demeanor at times will give you the chills.
Grace Antony's Sujatha is awesome. She gives a stellar performance as a widow who doesn't give up on life and stands her ground in front of her mother-in-law, Seetha, as well as Luke. Her scenes with Mammootty are simply brilliant. Grace will go a long way towards entertaining us in every way, be it comedy, drama, or extremely serious roles like this one.
Jagadish, as the police officer who smells something fishy about Luke and gets the ball rolling for his own investigation, is in a different ball game altogether. This is a new and unique Jagadish and I would love to see him in these kinds of roles more often.
A nosey Sharaffudin, with a different get-up and look, is very convincing as someone who is steadfast in exposing Luke as he feels everything about him is mysterious. He is a very good actor. Sanju Sivram, who plays Anil, is excellent as Seetha's hot-headed but obedient son. Someone who is ready to go to any length for their mother. Sometimes too far!
Nazeer gets to do a rare and memorable performance as Shashankan. He is also a man with a motive, but struggling within as he borders between good and evil.
Mani Shornur as Balan gave a natural performance and I'm glad to see him in this movie.
Directed by Nissam Basheer, this is his second movie after the successful "Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha." There too, he has some definite messages for us. In terms of plot and genre, these two films are diametrically opposed. That itself shows his immense talent and capability as a director. Congrats to Nissam. I'm looking forward to his next.
Produced by Mammootty under the banner of Mammootty Kampany, Rorschach is a must watch. Give it your attention for the first few minutes, and then you're in for the ride. An awesome theatre experience. But if you missed it in the theaters, then definitely watch it when it comes on OTT.
Such rare gems from the Malayalam film industry shouldn't be overlooked!
Ponniyin Selvan - Part 1 (Tamil with English Subs)
The first of a two-part movie. Spectacular cinema from master craftsman Mani Ratnam. His "Dream Project" from the time "Nayakan" was released! A made-for IMAX spectacle. A movie MGR (M. G. Ramachandran) wanted to make in the 50s. A movie Mani Ratnam himself wanted to make in the 90s. It never materialized both times due to budget and technical constraints. To adapt Kalki's most beloved epic 5-volume Tamil novel onto the big screen isn't an easy task. The novel is a mix of history and imagination. It is about power and succession in the 10th century Chola Dynasty. Unfortunately, I haven't read the book. Yet! But I truly believe that Mani Ratnam didn't disappoint in adapting the novel. He rarely does disappoint as a Director. He is a great storyteller and here too he succeeds in tucking us into the seats and enamoring us with his style of storytelling. Right from his fifth movie "Mouna Ragam", he's been on a roll with slight misses here and there but they too were likable movies according to me. I've known haters of "Thiruda Thiruda" and I believe it wasn't a big box-office hit, but to me, that movie was a breath of fresh air in Tamil cinema. Something new from him back then. Technically brilliant, well framed, fun thriller with awesome music/songs by ARR!
To all those who plan to watch this, try to watch it in the Tamil language itself, with English subtitles if possible. I don't know if the dubbed ones will do full justice to this gem! Unless you prefer your own language! And try to read up on the basic story and who's who if possible. You can enjoy it much more with an idea of what's happening and who the characters are. And believe me, there are plenty of characters here to confuse you if you happen to look away for a second!
PS-1 is a masterclass in cinematography and directing. The cinematography by Ravi Varman was astounding. Honestly, I did not miss Mani Ratnam's favorite Cinematographer Santhosh Sivan at all. Ravi Varman killed it with his brilliant angles and shots! No surprise that people compare "PS" to the "Game of Thrones" series! Though on a lighter note, Mani Ratnam said in a recent interview with Anupama Chopra that "GOT" could have been influenced by the story of PS! I agree with the chatter that this could have been a series, taking its sweet time to tell the story. But then, how would we get the cinematic magic on a big screen? That is exactly why I feel Mani Ratnam has succeeded to a great extent in capturing every essence of the book. And the positive reviews I see from those who have read the book say the same.
The female actors/characters in this movie were terrific. I have to say they were the driving force. Yes, it's the men who are out there on the battlefield but it's these females who pull the strings......in a patriarchal era!
Aishwarya Rai as Nandhini had so much power, that you could actually feel it! One look from Nandhini was enough! Enough to melt her husband, actor R. Sarathkumar as Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, the chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom along with the audience as well. And she looked so stunningly beautiful on screen. Mani Ratnam concentrated a lot on the lighting for the female stars. The same goes for Trisha as Kundhavai. Extremely beautiful, elegant, and an excellent performance that could elevate further in Part 2. Sobhita Dhulipala as Vaanathi, a Princess looked beautiful and seemed to have a funny bone. Sobhita has already proven herself to be a versatile actress with Raman Raghav 2.0, the Amazon Prime series Made In Heaven, the Malayalam movie Kurup, etc. Though she didn't have as much screen space as Aishwarya Rai and Trisha in Part 1, she might have a meatier role in Part 2.
Aishwarya Lekshmi did well as Poonguzhali, also known as Samuthirakumari, a boat woman who happened to help Arulmozhi once and also helps Karthi's character later on. She is another intriguing character who probably has some revelations in Part 2.
Jayam Ravi as Arulmozhi Varman / Ponniyin Selvan was majestic. Though I like him and his movies a lot, I did have doubts about this choice by the director. But not only did he surprise me but he was a perfect choice for the level-headed Prince who is quite soft-spoken with words but mightier with the sword.
Vikram was magnetic as Chola Prince, Aditha Karikalan. His monologue scene is superb and I loved the way it was shot. One could feel his angst and remorse for losing his childhood love. One of the best scenes in the movie. The interval block was terrific. The shock on Vikram's face at seeing something unbelievable and the sorrow in his eyes at the same time, leaves us scratching our heads as to what happened beyond that closed door!
And now to the most entertaining character of the movie. The person who takes the story forward right from the get-go. Our guide all throughout Part 1. That's Karthi as Vallavaraiyan / Vanthiyathevan, warrior prince of Vaanar Clan with no Kingdom of his own. Brave, charming, playful, a messenger for all, loved by everyone, especially women, he is the whole package. A natural performer, he went through his role like a breeze. An instant likeability factor. His scene with Nandhini(Aishwarya Rai) was on another level! The innocent flirting with Nandhini was both cute and sexy!
Jayaram was both funny and terrific as Azhwarkadiyan Nambi / Thirumalaiappan, a loyal servant and spy who works for the Prime Minister. He is also the foster brother of Nandhini and slowly develops a close friendship with Vandiyathevan (Karthi). Great choice by Mani Ratnam. In good hands, Jayaram never fails.
PS-1 is a movie with an ensemble cast. Every character has some importance in the grand story. You get to see so many actors like Babu Antony, Lal, Rahman, Prakash Raj, Sarath Kumar, Prabhu, Vikram Prabhu, Sara Arjun, Parthiban, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, Riyaz Khan, Nizhalgal Ravi, Ashwin Kakumanu and many many more...
The movie is fast-paced and hence there isn't a dull moment. To cram a 2000+ page book into two parts of around 6 hours is a very difficult task but Mani Ratnam didn't over simplify it as "PS-1 for Dummies" nor did he go overboard. The right balance of everything was displayed. Almost 40 years as a Director and he is still a master of his craft, if not better than most contemporaries! The movie's pace also brings me to Editor Srikar Prasad. 36 years as an independent Editor and he is as sharp as ever. After his recent success with RRR, here his editing decisions can be made out in crucial scenes of the movie. Another maestro! I believe that PS-1 is an honest tribute to Kalki. Srikar Prasad in a recent interview said that the war scenes were choreographed to look different from the usual and more realistic in nature. They did not want people to find similarities. He also added that the action choreographers did shoot some larger-than-life action scenes, but it was sacrificed during editing for believability. A big thank you for that! I did not want to watch a Bahubali/RRR kind of sequence again in PS-1. I enjoyed the over-the-top action in those movies but truly wished PS-1 to have a more "Braveheart" approach. The first shot of Vikram riding a horse through dense fog reminded me of "Braveheart." One of my favorite Mel Gibson movies, with "The Patriot" being a close second. Both are historical action dramas. Dhilip Subburayan, Kaecha Kampakdee, and Shyam Kaushal were the action choreographers. A beach battle scene with the camera pulling away was kind of like a reminder of the Omaha Beach scene in "Saving Private Ryan".
The Mozart of Madras, A. R Rahman's association with Mani Ratnam has always given us melodious songs, right from his first outing with Mani, ROJA. Here too almost all the songs are beautiful. In the movie, they are shortened versions mixed with the story and I enjoyed that. This technique was perfect. As the full songs would have dampened the overall impact of the movie as well as the pacing. Well, you can enjoy the full songs on YouTube. ARR's BGM for PS-1 elevated the movie to another level.
Art Director Thotta Tharani's Set design was as real as it gets. Beautiful, raw, and on IMAX we are actually transported to those forts and locations. Eka Lakhani is the costume designer and all I can say about the costumes is Wow! They looked very real, grand and heavy. Some of the jewellery used were absolutely beautiful. The actresses said in an interview that all the jewellery used in the movie were real gold and that they had bodyguards just to protect those priceless ornaments! Vfx for most sequences while pretty good, could have been better. But it didn't deter me one bit because of a solid screenplay. NY VFXWaala backed by Ajay Devgn and Reflection Pictures Studio are behind the visual effects for PS-1.
I say, just be engrossed in the story and enjoy what unfolds on screen. The Novo Imax theatre I went to here in Dubai had a mixed crowd of South and North Indians with young and old couples, children, parents, grandparents, etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy this 2.50 hr epic. A cliffhanger climax added to the intrigue and now I can't wait for Part 2 which comes out sometime in 2023! It has already been shot, so I believe post-production work is going on. And I did read somewhere that Mani Ratnam wants to release Part-2 6 to 8 months after Part-1.
One major thing I took away from PS-1 is that everything about this 1000-year-old story is contemporary! You have people like these with such characters all around you even now! And they will be there forever!
Do not miss PS-1. It's a very good movie, I guarantee! A must watch! I would love to watch it again. On Imax or when it comes out on Amazon Prime in the future.
To all those who plan to watch this, try to watch it in the Tamil language itself, with English subtitles if possible. I don't know if the dubbed ones will do full justice to this gem! Unless you prefer your own language! And try to read up on the basic story and who's who if possible. You can enjoy it much more with an idea of what's happening and who the characters are. And believe me, there are plenty of characters here to confuse you if you happen to look away for a second!
PS-1 is a masterclass in cinematography and directing. The cinematography by Ravi Varman was astounding. Honestly, I did not miss Mani Ratnam's favorite Cinematographer Santhosh Sivan at all. Ravi Varman killed it with his brilliant angles and shots! No surprise that people compare "PS" to the "Game of Thrones" series! Though on a lighter note, Mani Ratnam said in a recent interview with Anupama Chopra that "GOT" could have been influenced by the story of PS! I agree with the chatter that this could have been a series, taking its sweet time to tell the story. But then, how would we get the cinematic magic on a big screen? That is exactly why I feel Mani Ratnam has succeeded to a great extent in capturing every essence of the book. And the positive reviews I see from those who have read the book say the same.
The female actors/characters in this movie were terrific. I have to say they were the driving force. Yes, it's the men who are out there on the battlefield but it's these females who pull the strings......in a patriarchal era!
Aishwarya Rai as Nandhini had so much power, that you could actually feel it! One look from Nandhini was enough! Enough to melt her husband, actor R. Sarathkumar as Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, the chancellor and treasurer of the Chola kingdom along with the audience as well. And she looked so stunningly beautiful on screen. Mani Ratnam concentrated a lot on the lighting for the female stars. The same goes for Trisha as Kundhavai. Extremely beautiful, elegant, and an excellent performance that could elevate further in Part 2. Sobhita Dhulipala as Vaanathi, a Princess looked beautiful and seemed to have a funny bone. Sobhita has already proven herself to be a versatile actress with Raman Raghav 2.0, the Amazon Prime series Made In Heaven, the Malayalam movie Kurup, etc. Though she didn't have as much screen space as Aishwarya Rai and Trisha in Part 1, she might have a meatier role in Part 2.
Aishwarya Lekshmi did well as Poonguzhali, also known as Samuthirakumari, a boat woman who happened to help Arulmozhi once and also helps Karthi's character later on. She is another intriguing character who probably has some revelations in Part 2.
Jayam Ravi as Arulmozhi Varman / Ponniyin Selvan was majestic. Though I like him and his movies a lot, I did have doubts about this choice by the director. But not only did he surprise me but he was a perfect choice for the level-headed Prince who is quite soft-spoken with words but mightier with the sword.
Vikram was magnetic as Chola Prince, Aditha Karikalan. His monologue scene is superb and I loved the way it was shot. One could feel his angst and remorse for losing his childhood love. One of the best scenes in the movie. The interval block was terrific. The shock on Vikram's face at seeing something unbelievable and the sorrow in his eyes at the same time, leaves us scratching our heads as to what happened beyond that closed door!
And now to the most entertaining character of the movie. The person who takes the story forward right from the get-go. Our guide all throughout Part 1. That's Karthi as Vallavaraiyan / Vanthiyathevan, warrior prince of Vaanar Clan with no Kingdom of his own. Brave, charming, playful, a messenger for all, loved by everyone, especially women, he is the whole package. A natural performer, he went through his role like a breeze. An instant likeability factor. His scene with Nandhini(Aishwarya Rai) was on another level! The innocent flirting with Nandhini was both cute and sexy!
Jayaram was both funny and terrific as Azhwarkadiyan Nambi / Thirumalaiappan, a loyal servant and spy who works for the Prime Minister. He is also the foster brother of Nandhini and slowly develops a close friendship with Vandiyathevan (Karthi). Great choice by Mani Ratnam. In good hands, Jayaram never fails.
PS-1 is a movie with an ensemble cast. Every character has some importance in the grand story. You get to see so many actors like Babu Antony, Lal, Rahman, Prakash Raj, Sarath Kumar, Prabhu, Vikram Prabhu, Sara Arjun, Parthiban, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, Riyaz Khan, Nizhalgal Ravi, Ashwin Kakumanu and many many more...
The movie is fast-paced and hence there isn't a dull moment. To cram a 2000+ page book into two parts of around 6 hours is a very difficult task but Mani Ratnam didn't over simplify it as "PS-1 for Dummies" nor did he go overboard. The right balance of everything was displayed. Almost 40 years as a Director and he is still a master of his craft, if not better than most contemporaries! The movie's pace also brings me to Editor Srikar Prasad. 36 years as an independent Editor and he is as sharp as ever. After his recent success with RRR, here his editing decisions can be made out in crucial scenes of the movie. Another maestro! I believe that PS-1 is an honest tribute to Kalki. Srikar Prasad in a recent interview said that the war scenes were choreographed to look different from the usual and more realistic in nature. They did not want people to find similarities. He also added that the action choreographers did shoot some larger-than-life action scenes, but it was sacrificed during editing for believability. A big thank you for that! I did not want to watch a Bahubali/RRR kind of sequence again in PS-1. I enjoyed the over-the-top action in those movies but truly wished PS-1 to have a more "Braveheart" approach. The first shot of Vikram riding a horse through dense fog reminded me of "Braveheart." One of my favorite Mel Gibson movies, with "The Patriot" being a close second. Both are historical action dramas. Dhilip Subburayan, Kaecha Kampakdee, and Shyam Kaushal were the action choreographers. A beach battle scene with the camera pulling away was kind of like a reminder of the Omaha Beach scene in "Saving Private Ryan".
The Mozart of Madras, A. R Rahman's association with Mani Ratnam has always given us melodious songs, right from his first outing with Mani, ROJA. Here too almost all the songs are beautiful. In the movie, they are shortened versions mixed with the story and I enjoyed that. This technique was perfect. As the full songs would have dampened the overall impact of the movie as well as the pacing. Well, you can enjoy the full songs on YouTube. ARR's BGM for PS-1 elevated the movie to another level.
Art Director Thotta Tharani's Set design was as real as it gets. Beautiful, raw, and on IMAX we are actually transported to those forts and locations. Eka Lakhani is the costume designer and all I can say about the costumes is Wow! They looked very real, grand and heavy. Some of the jewellery used were absolutely beautiful. The actresses said in an interview that all the jewellery used in the movie were real gold and that they had bodyguards just to protect those priceless ornaments! Vfx for most sequences while pretty good, could have been better. But it didn't deter me one bit because of a solid screenplay. NY VFXWaala backed by Ajay Devgn and Reflection Pictures Studio are behind the visual effects for PS-1.
I say, just be engrossed in the story and enjoy what unfolds on screen. The Novo Imax theatre I went to here in Dubai had a mixed crowd of South and North Indians with young and old couples, children, parents, grandparents, etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy this 2.50 hr epic. A cliffhanger climax added to the intrigue and now I can't wait for Part 2 which comes out sometime in 2023! It has already been shot, so I believe post-production work is going on. And I did read somewhere that Mani Ratnam wants to release Part-2 6 to 8 months after Part-1.
One major thing I took away from PS-1 is that everything about this 1000-year-old story is contemporary! You have people like these with such characters all around you even now! And they will be there forever!
Do not miss PS-1. It's a very good movie, I guarantee! A must watch! I would love to watch it again. On Imax or when it comes out on Amazon Prime in the future.