Sal1991 Reviews

Vivegam (2017)

The Modern version of Vijayakanth's Narasimha

[3/10 · 26 August 2017]

Vivegam is literally a parody of many Spy thrillers. This movie has such an awful outing with a rubbish screenplay flashed with illogical scenes and questions the viewers imagination whatsoever. The actors and technicians who looked genuine and worked hard but the execution of this movie went haywire. Especially the hype it has created before release were completely bombed with the poor outcome.

Story line: In Europe, there is a Counter terrorism squad of 5 friends who plans to stop the 3 Plutonium weapons which is buried in the lands of India. Obviously the well known fact in many Ajith movies and the cliché of Tamil movies, AK's friends betrays him as it is their plan of executing the weapon which is also headed by his close friend Vivek Oberai. The second half becomes like cat & mouse game and ends with similar fashion.

What went wrong?

1. The Story line is very simple but the execution went too ambiguous from the start. 2. The Chasing, investigation & the use of technology like Hacking & tracking is beyond a mess. It looked as easy and as simple as like eating our daily food. 3. Illogical action sequences like the Introduction sequence in the bridge was funny as hell, Fight scene with the Albanian thugs were comical, then the Tunnel scene followed by the train track sequence is out of logic and the redemption of Kajal Aggarwal is such a old fashioned scene. Of course the climax sequence was pure MGRish :P 4. The Fast editing hasn't worked well at all. The power of conveying the story and the emotions towards the audience hasn't gelled well enough. 5. I have never seen a Hero worshiping Villain in any of the film. This curbs the challenge for the hero. Poor stuff. 6. The Astounding heroism shown for AK has also curbed the soul of the movie. From the very first scene of Ak, we can understand there is going to be nothing challenging for him which makes the movie falls flat with low intensity. 7. Songs were poorly choreographed except Kadhalada & Never give up

What worked?

1. Ajith Kumar has done his job. Have seen his lots of efforts has been wasted. Kajal looked decent enough as per her character but screenplay played a mess with her especially with the climax part was like century old trash. Akshara was good with the pivotal role. 2. Cinematography was really promising. It was really pleasant to watch Europe which looked fresh with interesting visuals but also annoyed by its candid shaking stuffs. 3. Bike chasing scene is for Ajith fans but a solid made effort for a Tamil movie. 4. Songs & BGMs were good. Anirudh is the real life saver of this movie. His BGM carried the intensity throughout the end.

On the whole, this was such a poor product from the Writer & Director Mr.Siva. The promise he made us with the teaser and the trailer have proved wrong with the movie's outcome.

I would not recommend this movie to my friends and well wishers. Waste of money and your precious time.

Bairavaa (2017)

This movie is a disgrace to storytelling and screenplay

[3/10 · 14 January 2017]

Bairava may be the targeted film for Vijay fans but it holds the Pongal holidays so it does also have the responsibility to satisfy the Pongal movie fans since there is no other big movies are releasing on this occasion.

Crux: The movie is all about the irregularities and the violations of PK Medical college against the norms of a proper Govt. authorized institution. The story deals with the murder case filed by Keerthi Suresh(PK college student) as her friend Aparna, who was raped and lost her life between this chaos. The Chairman of PK college Jagapathi Babu is obviously against her action to keep up his college name. So, he kept her in a trap. But, Keerthi incidentally meets Vijay(a Bank agent) explains her problems. Vijay offers his help to Keerthi as he loves her. Then, Vijay fights against Jagapathy and the rest had its old-fashioned endings.

What worked

Very few. The theme song was entertaining as it was well placed with the action scenes. Interval block fight scene was good. The movie was colorful. See I am just cherry picking. There is nothing much in the movie.

What not worked

There are many. EXTREMELY PREDICTABLE MOVIE. But you have to completely blame the Director. He just underestimated the audience knowledge of cinema. The story line is seriously old fashioned and a very regular thin line. Amateurish and Completely a disaster screenplay. Songs were out-placed. Writing (dialogues) was so cringy. Editing was handicapped. Songs were poor. BGM was noisy. Comedy scenes were unnatural and compelling. There are many characters are unworthy and not used properly. The movie was lengthy and so boring to watch in many scenes.

Trivia (honest felt)

Actor Vijay was never looked like a seasoned actor. For a man who acted in 60 movies, was awful to watch him on screen. This guy had horrible voice modulations. It was rubbish and over acted to the core. Why does he survive on stupid Punch dialogues? No idea. Does he know that the movie industry has moved from MGR Movie templates? Even the former Rajinikanth has moved long back. Very very insecure and poor choice of script from him. The other poor thing in this movie was his messy hair. ( Sorry to say that looked it uglier than the Trump's one :P)

I would not recommend this movie to my friends and well wishers. Waste of money and precious time.

Uriyadi (2016)

Uncompromising story telling sets this film so high!!

[8/10 · 5 July 2016]

There are some films which are extremely relatable that anyone might have experienced or seen in real life. This film is damn one of them. The characters portrayed as four college students can be witnessed by anybody in their college life. The connection of Caste-politics pinned with the college backdrop is inevitably true and perfectly elevated. The movement of each scene are just like connecting the dots for the perfect situations which will get out of hands. On the course of the film, one might wonder whether it is a Docu-fiction, an Independent film or a Mainstream film. But the director clarifies with the songs and a surprising climax presentation that this movie is not alienating the live in audiences.

Postives:

* Screenplay and the length for the movie is biggest plus which is razor sharp and to the point.

* Story backdrop is apt to the core.

* Each character looks real and candid except the wannabe politician played by Mime Gopi looks little cinematic but accountable.

* Cinematography, Background score and the fight sequences are well poised and evenly matched.

Neutrals:

* College students killing the people so easily without any guilty is questionable.

On the whole, Uriyadi is the real honest good film by a debutante Vijay Kumar and will foresee a great future ahead.

I recommend this movie to anybody who is above 18 and is definitely not for the lighthearted ones. Thanks!!!

Tharai Thappattai (2016)

This movie is just an award bait gross!!!

[4/10 · 30 January 2016]

This film is surely made for Awards but unfortunately it is faaaar from doing that in real... We know every Bala movie packaged with the single template. But this one screams the weakest he has ever produced. Apart from the main plot, the narration moved to brutal, routine, dull and cliché'd stereotype of his own nature.

The lives involving the art form 'Karagattam' and their background difficulties in competing with the modern world is the main theme of the film. But half of the story traveled in explaining the addon villain's behavior and his unpleasant female trafficking business deals which the film reveals after the forced marriage of Sooravali is tented to be a bad exciting factor. So, the film's final part ends up with the personal vengeance from Sannasi in reason for Sooravali death.

Positives:

1. Main plot ( real deal of the film but completely a wasted opportunity)

2. Ilayaraja's Bgm

3. Cast performances

Neutrals:

1. Awful screenplay

2. Incomplete storyline

3. Routine vengeance garbage

Poor movie on the whole. I would not recommend this movie to my friends who either experience a forced torture or irritating story connect.

Paradesi is the Bala's best movie ever.

Pasanga 2 (2015)

Pasanga 2 is a decent craft with good entertainment

[7/10 · 26 January 2016]

Those who say this film is same as the portrayal of Hindi movie Taare Zameen Par are partly right but still the film is having the variety and feel in a different sense. Congrats to Pandiraj, the director who come up with the story of a children who have ADHD and their hyperactive nature. From the start to end, the film focused on the main theme which helps us to be completely involved with the film and the characters. Both the child artists have given phenomenal performances and the parents are as natural as any other upper middle class family. Suriya and Amala Paul did their hand support to add some more entertainment and alive. Cinematography sets the children theme as perfect. Editing as done fair. The Bgm and soundtrack is well poised. Overall the film delivered good message with an equal entertainment.

Positives:

1. Both the children were perfect for the cast.

2. Every character is apt and justified.

3. Look and feel of the film is good

Neutrals:

1. Either the screenplay or the climax is immensely predictable.

Overall, this is an healthy cinema for the Movie lovers as well as the general audiences. I recommend this film for anyone.

Vedalam (2015)

Disappointing...

[3/10 · 11 November 2015]

Let us be honest with, we are not here for an art movie or an independent cinema. As we clearly see the teaser (They didn't released the trailer)and previous Ajith movies that anyone can understand that we are here for an entertainment of a commercial masala. But the only question is how far we get entertained?

Story line: The story is pretty simple of a basic commercial lines. This movie resembles with the Brother-Sister relationship who are new to Kolkata and their dark side flashback in Chennai.

Ajith portrayed his character as soft spoken brother with the gray shades of devilish character as Don which he hides it from his sister and well-wishers. Though the transformation from a Normal man to Don looks amateur but makes it interesting for the fans to rejoice it for the rest of the movie. Lakshmi Menon was subtle and well balanced in her character as a sister. Rest of them were just casted to increase the time span.

What worked:

1. Ajith's screen presence.

2. Brother-sister portrayal and their family flashback to an extent.

3. Though editing was poor but it was fast paced to watch it at a stretch.

4. Couple of songs.

What not worked:

1. Sruthi Hassan(Not needed)

2. Soori's comedy(Never make us laugh)

3. Cliché'd villains(boring to watch)

4. Bgm(Too loud and noisy)

5. Screenplay(Very well-known screenplay. Many of them were watching like they have already watched this film couple of times)

6. Too much action (heavy dose) and absolutely illogical bullet scenes

7. Little lengthy to finish the line.

On the whole, Vedhalam failed to entertain the live in audience.

Kaaki Sattai (2015)

Never let your brain work for 2 1/2 hours so that it helps a bit to enjoy this film!!

[4/10 · 6 April 2015]

This movie is for people who wanna sit and enjoy just like they did it for MGR, Rajini, Vijay, Ajith or Surya. Routine formula worked for Siva to become the above mentioned fellas in future.

Storyline : Any third minded person can spill the beans for this type of story line. Thanks to MGR's directors who have created that formula, still the same mindset is working for Gen Z actors and directors.

Screenplay: Come on!! you know it. Right!!. The same formula (A+B)2 = A2 + B2 + 2AB. Unfortunately they even mentioned this formula in the movie.

Acting: Siva is entertaining but still irritates with the same way he did it in the past. Never mind the heroine. Prabhu is grinding the same roles again and again.

Music: Not memorable but you can enjoy the beats. BGM was a decent type.

Cinematography: Colorful and sets the mood of the film. Maybe this is the only dept. which anyone can say a clear winner of this movie.

Editing: crisp and clear cut.

Art direction: Nothing much to say about it which means decent.

Direction: Director can check Ajith, Vijay or Surya but make sure that you have to change the name of lead roles and also draw some sketches for lead role's haircut and costumes.

Punchline: Shiva's next will be a Romantic comedy, Village commercial and the city action thriller. Wait and watch!!

Anegan (2015)

Another horrible movie from K V Anand!!

[4/10 · 30 March 2015]

I think Kv Anand can go behind the Camera rather than directing a film to spend some valuable cash bundles. This is really a horrible movie from the start to end. I don't understand what obsession he has behind the medicines and some overtly intelligent heroes.

*Storyline: I think the story line is a good choice for a fantasy type celluloid but completely failed as a film in the making and a cruel letdown by the amateurish screenplay.

*Acting : Poor choice of heroine, who doesn't know what the heck acting is??. Not even a lip sync is worked for her. This movie just got buried its ashes because of her acting. Unfortunately the roles played by Dhanush which never fits the bill. Not an impressive work from Karthik but an OK for a role like this.

*Direction: Amateurish. No proper paperwork and sketches for each characterization played there. A complete Dejavu from his previous movies.

*Screenplay: Mediocre *Casting : Height of stupidity *Editing : Good job *Cinematography: Decent job *Art direction: Decent job

*Music: 1) Songs: Complete Dejavu (Harrish Jayaraj lost his essence for quite a long ago). Yes Dangamari is enjoyable to hear but seriously horrible to watch. 2) BGM: Poor throughout the film.

Final Verdict: My 150 bucks gone just like that and I wasted my 3 hours for some garbage.

To Producer: You can check some budding short film directors. They are very much impressive and extremely cost beneficiary.

I (2015)

A Beautiful cover with the Unhealthy Junk food inside...

[5/10 · 7 March 2015]

This is the worst movie ever from Shankar barring his Youth musical entertainer "Boys". The core idea of the film is appreciable but it gets weakened by the wafer thin script. Too much of creation, innovation and patch works have done for 30 minutes which is for "Songs". Apart from that, there is nothing really was shown for a "Typical Shankar movie"

Screenplay of this movie is a complete fail ( may be a disaster) and lengthy (3 hours) which made the movie unpleasant to watch and enjoy as a wholesome package.

Casting was by far the worst from Shankar.

BGM was Average (I am a hardcore fan of ARR)

The hard work of Vikram wasn't properly executed. There is no need of shedding kilos for the role of Hunch back as the WETA Team have worked hard and given the best. So, there is nothing really needed from Vikram's potential apart from transforming a gym boy to a model to a Hunch back man. The acting scope was completely diluted with the excellent makeups done by WETA. And Vikram's local language haven't fitted well for him ( seems like faking it).

Amy Jackson have done really well in parts. Justified performance.

Santhanam comedy was unrealistic and especially in climax was irritating..

POSITIVES: 1. Lead pair was good ( Both Vikram and Amy have done well) 2.Songs (both Audio and Video) were damn good 3. WETA makeovers were impeccable 4. Cinematography( both visuals and camera angles) was the best 6. Costumes were good.

NEGATIVES: Basic script and Of course screenplay, Surprisingly poor direction, Screen cast ( pivotal letdown), Editing( nothing you can't do as other departments failed).

Totally, I movie missed its way because of the main department.

Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014)

Best Tamil movie of the year or at least... would be in top 3

[9/10 · 21 December 2014]

Fictional Story of the popular Tamil drama artists and their troop who lived before and during the Indian Independent movement. The story is as close to the novel or real with the minor cinematic touches.

ACTING:

Not a big fan of Prithiviraj. But, he has done one of the best acting performance in this year in Tamil. If awards ceremonies have supporting actor category, he would bag all the awards including the National award (possible). Siddharth have done equal justice with his performance as the lead. Nasser, Vedhika and the troop has really done well.

TECHNICAL ASPECTS:

Cinematography gives the mood and settles down all the small glitches in the film. Color, tone, angles and execution is something close to astonishing ( par best to the Indian level).

Art direction is outstanding (awards are knocking the door). Editing is good.

Choreography is good. Dialogues are the best at any standard.

Music is soulful and admirable. This album and BGM would be considered for National awards or even it will win South Indian Filmfare.

Direction is good would have been better.

NEGATIVES: Screenplay is mediocre even the good editing doesn't help it. The film have some problems at the finishing line is dragged before the climax. The climax sequences are like stereotypical Tamil film. Still, I would say this as a better film than my words

1st HALF - Masterpiece. Pure cinematic experience. 2nd HALF - Could have been better but good.

Music, cinematography, Art direction and Dialogues will bag the awards.

Send this picture to Overseas film festivals would get honored from the real movie critics

This would be a Tamil Amadeus or Tamil Prestige

8.4*/10 for an International movie 9*/10 as a Indian/Tamil movie