akhilaraheem Reviews

Pulan Visaaranai (1990)

Shelvamani's best

[28 December 2009]

This was Director Shelvamani's first movie and the best. Vijaykant played the honest cop 'Honest Raj'. Sharat Kumar supported in a villanious role as a handsome villain doctor. The climax fight between Vijaykant and Sharat Kumar was highly inspired and followed in many tamil movies after that. (reminds Chuck and Bruce fight in Enter the Dragon?). This movie helped Vijaykant to establish as a 'one man fighter' in his career. But my vote was and still for Sharat Kumar for playing such a wonderful villain who at the end shows his body and fights the hero! Shelvamani and Vijaykant duo worked fine or even better with his next movie Captain Prabhakar too. These two movies are must watch for any tamil movie lover. Highly recommended!

Passenger (2009)

Here's a Director!

[12 December 2009]

Here he is; Ranjith Shankar, a débutant director, has ability to deliver! Upon seeing the posters and lines many were confused, including myself, what genre this movie would be. You get the answer before interval; it's a well executed soft thriller. The movie keeps you edge of your seat post interval. All characters are interesting. No-nonsense. Jagathy excelled as the cool villain. Valsala Menon character as Sreenivasan's mother is well thought! There are loose ends, very minor though. But it still does the purpose. A new breed to Malayalam Cinema. We need director's like Ranjith Shankar who thinks off the usual. Watch it!

13B: Fear Has a New Address (2009)

Something new to Tamil Cinema!

[28 June 2009]

Wow! This is not the usual Tamil movie you've been watching in the recent past. The script, direction, and even the camera angles are different. It's a mix of horror, thriller, suspense and mystery. All characters have done their job wonderfully. Background score needs a special mention. The scene Madhavan realizes the 'peys' are inside his house by clicking his self picture on the mobile facing both inside and out is an excellent thought. And the Inspector character telling Madhavan to ask his family to 'close watch the police officer's character in the serial' adds some dark humour! This movie can definitely thrill, frighten, and keep you edge of your seat. Don't miss it! One request: If you were not able to watch it in a theater, then wait for the DVD or Bluray with surround sound.

True Crime (1999)

Not a bad one..try it

[11 May 2009]

One of my bad habit is; I use to check the reviews here when I rent my movies before actually watching it. Upon reading the reviews I too was a bit reluctant in watching this. OK..I thought of giving it a try anyway. And surprisingly; this movies turns out to be very engaging, fast moving, and keep you 'glued' to your seat one! There is humour, suspense, emotional at times and keep you edge of your seat climax. Eastwood plays and directs Steve Everett, a womanizer and a broken husband who accidentally gets the chance to interview Beechum (Washington)behind bar and who is on his last minutes to death sentence. Everett believes that Beechum is innocent and then tries to find the truth himself before it gets too late. Story is good, characters are interesting. The scenes between Washington; the soon-to-be-died husband and his wife (Hamilton) and their kid is well written and done. The 'suspense factor' revealing scene could have been better.

Not definitely a must watch but a not to be missed one to an extend!

Moonnam Mura (1988)

Good actioner

[6 April 2009]

I wish this movie is remade with latest camera techniques and surround technology (preferably by my favourite director, Amal Neerad). This movie was one of of a kind that time. Though it wasn't a huge it, it captured the attention of action lovers. The theme music was excellent and were remembered for a long time. The story was simple. A group of VIPs are kidnapped by some criminals (headed by Lalu Alex) and held for ransom. The smart police officer (Sukumaran) brings down his ex-colleague Ali Imran into scene (Lal) to hunt the criminals and bring the hostages home. What else you need? Our hero starts his game... A must watch for all Lal fans!

2 Harihar Nagar (2009)

They've done it again!

[6 April 2009]

It's definitely the Director's movie. Lal excelled in all aspects; story, script, direction etc. Movie starts with a flashback how our heroes become friends in a believable way. Then titles appears with Harihar Nagar old version scenes insets. Now you're all set for the fun ride. Appukkuttan (Jadadish) is still the same as you've seen 18 years ago! (how can one ever forget 'kaakka thoori') Somewhere before first half ends, you might predict that Maya (Laxmi Rai) character could be the old villain John Honai's (Riza Bava) daughter came to revenge the four. And at the interval scene Maya discloses her name as 'Christina Honai'. And you'll sit back proud thinking 'yes I've been watching movies for years I knew what will happen'. But wait...that's where our Director rocks. What really surprise you is the suspense towards the end!

go and watch it with family. Laugh like kids.

Yamakinkarudu (1982)

One of Chiranjeevi's best action movie

[3 February 2009]

I don't think I can ever forget this movie. This movie was dubbed into Malayalam in 1984 under name of 'KALAN' at a time I was 11th or 12th years old. Like any kid of that age in 80s, I too wanted too much fights on movies! Well, there's KALAN. It was the first movie I've seen with extreme stunts and Chiranjeevi becomes my hero (I didn't know his name was Chiranjeevi that time). Lately I understand that this movie was a huge hit in Andra and made Chiru the superstar. Thinking of this movie, I always gets very nostalgic and deeply misses those golden days....... This is a must watch for all Chiranjeevi fans. I am giving 10 out of 10. You guys please excuse me.

Laaga Chunari Mein Daag: Journey of a Woman (2007)

Plain and simple

[1 February 2009]

This is not a must watch. But definitely worth your time. I don't know why this movie was so underrated. Excellent performance from every characters. Somehow, in the early scenes of 'happy days' I felt that Konkona as 'chutki' has outclassed Rani in performance! Also the acting of (by Taraana?) as the character 'sophie' needs mention. All in all everyone performed very well. Abhishek's entry as Kunal's elder brother in the end is predictable. The thing I most like is the simple happy ending. Usually, a movie with such high voltage drama ends in a certain way but this is not.

So at least watch it for the sake of climax!

Final Contract: Death on Delivery (2006)

Surprisingly good!

[18 October 2008]

I was just thinking of passing sometime by watching this on DVD and the surround quality on the DVD was bad too! But the very second scene itself it turns out to be interesting. Story plot is interesting, script is fine but the surprise is the action. You'll never expect such blowing scenes from a low-profile movie. Tanja(Jenny) has to improve her acting skills. Others were fine including the Hero (Fuller). Car jumping scenes building to building reminds one of Lethal Weapon movies. Watch it if you like action flicks. It will surprise you. Good car chases. So my recommendation is; WATCH IT WITHOUT ANY HOPE AND YOU WILL LOVE IT!

Vantage Point (2008)

A gripping Thriller!

[2 June 2008]

That's what it is! It's must watch for those who like turns and twists.

The story is not new. We've seen it before. But the way the Director unfold the story is excellent. An assassination plot told in different character point of views by rewinding the same scene. Every time it rewinds you find something new and will keep you edge of your seat! The car chase towards the climax is well made. Something very close to Bourne Supremacy (my favourite yet) and Italian Job. Acting wise,Whitaker excels, Quaid seem upset throughout the film (in fact he is).

It's a fast ride so hold tight!

Big B (2007)

First in its kind in Malayalam

[4 December 2007]

Alright. First of all if you're always proud and only watch the 'award winning' Malayalam movies, then this is definitely not for you. Please stay away. There is no heart breaking background score, no eye-tearing sentiments, nor earth shattering dialogues. Instead it's brilliant camera work and moves, wonderful action sequences, superb editing - a total slo-mo technical perfection. The first in it's kind in Malayalam. Forget the simple story plot. Just sit and watch the show if you're an action lover. I enjoy this movie much much more than 'Four Brothers' the English inspired version. Mammootty is cool. The duet between Bala and Mamta is sweet to hear and well shot. The interval scene is excellent. The only thing I see missing a little is; Bala is a great fighter. The director should have given him couple of kick scenes! And Pasupathy's character little bit annoying at the first place. But these silly things won't affect the overall result. It's a visual treat. Being a great fan of director John Woo and his type of movies, I would call Amal Neerad the 'John Woo' of Malayalam Cinema!

Well done Amal!