Reviews
Padakkalam (2025)
An entertaining tale with a unique story.
From the very beginning, Padakkalam grabs your attention. The opening scenes create a strong hook, and the audience connects with it instantly.
The performances by Safboi, Arun, Sandeep, and Arun (the fourth actor) are all good. Among them, Sandeep truly stands out. This is easily his best performance so far.
Sharafudeen and Suraj bring a healthy competition to the screen, each trying to give their best.
The story is completely fictional, but it's interesting and unique. If you don't connect with the story, then this movie may not be for you. It's that important to the overall experience.
The humour in the movie works really well. There are moments where the jokes truly land, and you'll find yourself laughing from the heart.
One of the best things about Padakkalam is the curiosity it maintains throughout. It keeps you engaged and wondering what's next. Although the second half has a small slowdown, the overall journey is still enjoyable.
Director Manu Swaraj, in his debut, has done an excellent job. He proves himself as another promising talent from Friday Film House.
In short, Padakkalam is a decent watch if you're looking for a light, entertaining movie with laughs, emotions, and a bit of suspense. A good choice for a fun time at the theatre.
Prince and Family (2025)
A Joyride of Laughs with a Punch of Reality
"Prince and Family" is a true entertainer that kicks off with fun from the very beginning. Dileep is back doing what he does best-making us laugh out loud. It's been a long time since his comedy made me laugh this much.
One of the big highlights is the combination of Dileep and director Jhonny Antony. In many films, I've felt Jhonny Antony sometimes misses the mark, but here, he is used perfectly. The comic timing between the two is spot-on, and it keeps the film moving at a lively pace.
Dileep's strength in expressional comedy truly stands out. The way he handles those moments-nobody else quite does it like him.
The second half shifts gears with full energy. It boldly mocks the entire YouTube influencer culture while staying socially relevant. There's a strong message about the dangers of modern social media behaviour, which is woven smartly into the storyline.
It's not all laughs, though-the emotional scenes in the second half work really well. The lead actress takes full control during this part of the film and proves she's a strong performer. Her presence adds depth to the movie.
While the story takes the lead more than the performances, everyone in the cast brings their best. And once again, just like in Jana Gana Mana, Sharif Mohammed comes through with a story that has solid social relevance.
With a good balance of humour and message, Prince and Family is definitely worth watching.
Sarkeet (2025)
A Soulful Journey Through Dreams, Struggles, and the Challenges of Parenthood
Sarkeet is a simple, emotional, and beautifully made film that touches your heart in a quiet way. Right from the beginning, the movie sets the tone with a small incident shown along with the title card. This clever start gives you a clear idea of the mood and emotions you can expect throughout the film.
The songs in Sarkeet are very enjoyable. They bring a fresh feeling and help you connect with the scenes better. The background music is also well done-it blends smoothly with the story and never feels too loud or out of place.
The movie has two main storylines in the first half. One is about Asif Ali's character and his struggles to find a job in a Gulf country. The other story follows Deepak, his wife (played by Divya), and their child who has ADHD. Their daily struggles are shown in a very realistic and touching way. The emotions in both stories are portrayed naturally and reach the audience without overacting.
However, the first half does feel a bit longer than expected, and the second half moves slowly. But if you are emotionally invested in the movie within the first 30 minutes, you will enjoy the rest of the journey.
All the actors have done a fantastic job in Sarkeet. Asif Ali truly shines in his role-he perfectly captures the pain, hope, and silent struggles of a common man chasing his dream abroad. His performance feels very real and relatable. Deepak and Divya deliver strong and touching performances, especially in the emotional moments. The child actor is a standout too, giving a very natural and moving performance that stays with you.
Director Thamar has created a small but beautiful film that will definitely appeal to family audiences. If you enjoy feel-good movies like Philips and the Monkey Pen, then Sarkeet is the perfect choice for you. It's a movie made with love and care, and it shows.
Retro (2025)
A Stylish Ride Let Down by a Weak Story
The movie Retro started off well with very nice title credits that caught our attention. Surya's acting was strong and impressive throughout the film. However, the story did not match his performance. His efforts felt wasted, as even his powerful acting seemed to sink with the weak storyline.
The first half of the movie was okay. The pace was steady, and things moved neutrally. But in the second half, it felt like director Karthik Subbaraj lost control. The story became confusing, and nothing seemed to work properly. We just waited for it to end.
There were some good parts too. The action scenes were well-made and exciting. As usual, Karthik Subbaraj gave the hero a negative shade at first, only to glorify him later. The use of many single-shot scenes was interesting and added a unique touch to the film.
The cinematography was beautiful and definitely deserves praise. The music score was also good, though a few scenes didn't fit well with the background music.
Some scenes were fun to watch, but the overall result didn't meet expectations. The villain and his father were more like comedy characters than real threats. Instead of fear, they brought boredom, which spoiled the impact.
In short, Retro had good visuals and solid performances, but the weak story and poor second half made it fall flat.
Thudarum (2025)
A Gripping Family Drama Fueled by Powerful Performances
Thudarum starts with a warm and feel-good vibe, perfect for a family watch. It was very exciting to see Mohanlal and Shobana sharing the screen again after a long time, and the humour part worked out almost 90% well.
The movie smoothly moves into the main story without any confusion. It catches our attention quickly and makes us think about what could happen next. The small reference jokes here and there also worked nicely, giving us some good laughs.
As the movie goes on, it slowly changes its tone and becomes more serious, making us curious about what is really happening. The interval block was very interesting and left a lot of questions in our minds, which made the second half even more exciting.
In the second half, the background music (BGM) really lifts the screenplay, especially during the emotional scenes. It was a treat to see a different side of Mohanlal after a long time - his performance alone is worth the ticket price.
The songs in the movie are energetic and catchy, and I believe every song will become a hit soon. Though the story is something we have seen many times before, Mohanlal's amazing acting makes it feel fresh and different.
At times, the movie reminded me of Drishyam, especially during scenes where the family faces brutal situations. Even small details like eye movements and camera shots were carefully done.
There are also a few action scenes, and the BGM during those moments was just perfect. Every actor in the movie did a decent job and played their roles nicely.
Overall, Thudarum is a well-made, emotional, and thrilling family movie that is definitely worth a watch!
Bazooka (2025)
Trigger Pulled, Target Missed !
Bazooka had an interesting idea in the beginning, and it felt like the plot had something exciting to offer. But sadly, the movie didn't deliver well in the making.
The background music was also below average. It didn't add any tension or excitement to the scenes. It just felt flat.
There were a lot of action sequences, but they had too much movement of camera. Because of that, the scenes looked messy and confusing. Also, there were too many slow-motion shots and unwanted action scenes, which made the movie drag unnecessarily.
Mammootty, who usually impresses with his looks and performance, didn't really stand out here. His look wasn't as impactful, and the climax scenes with him were the most irritating part of the movie. Too much unwanted expressions.
To be fair, the beginning of the second half gave some hope. The story was building up some curiosity, and it felt like things might get better. But sadly, it didn't last long.
Overall, Bazooka had the potential to be a good thriller, but the weak execution, poor jokes, confusing action, and slow pacing made it a disappointing experience. The film offers nothing special for a theatre experience.
Alappuzha Gymkhana (2025)
A Knockout Entertainer with Style and Soul
Alappuzha Gymkhana arrives like a surprise uppercut, smooth in its build-up and explosive in delivery. Director Khalid Rahman crafts a film that blends athletic grit with youthful charm, and the result is a surprisingly entertaining and stylish sports drama that packs in both punches and personality.
Let's start with the casting, absolutely on point. Every character feels like they belong to the world of Gymkhana. There's an authenticity in their performances, and it's crystal clear that the team put in serious off-screen effort, especially in the physically demanding sequences. And boy, does it pay off.
Lukman's entry is nothing short of electric. The pacing of the film suddenly shifts gears the moment he steps in, and from there, the boxing segments become the heartbeat of the movie. His scenes are pure class, intense, calculated, and incredibly engaging. Paired with the BGM that roars through every punch, dodge, and takedown, the boxing sequences achieve a cinematic high. It's no exaggeration to say that the background music is the soul of this movie, not just elevating scenes, but becoming a character in itself. Complete credits go to Vishnu for such an engaging score.
Ganapathi's character truly feels like the hero of the film. With his commanding presence and quiet strength, he anchors the story in a way that draws you in. Speaking of which, while the movie may lack typical "heroic highs" in the early half, Khalid masterfully saves that big punch for the climax, delivering exactly what the audience is waiting for. Though, fair warning, not all jokes land perfectly. A few flat moments break the rhythm, but they're fleeting and forgivable.
Another pleasant surprise is Anagha. She doesn't just appear - she steals the show. Her screen presence and flair light up the film. I just loved watching her moves on ring.
Interestingly, even though Naslen is a fan favorite, he isn't the main focus of the story. Instead, Khalid smartly uses him as the narrator, which brings a fresh touch to the film and allows more attention to be given to the whole group and the world of Gymkhana.
All in all, Alappuzha Gymkhana is a feel-good, festive treat with enough style, sound, and soul to make it one of the finest watches this vishu season. Whether you're here for the action, the style, or just a good cinematic experience, this one's definitely worth a watch.
Marana Mass (2025)
Maranamass - A Misfire in Every Direction
Maranamass is a film that leaves you confused-not because it's deep or thought-provoking, but because it struggles to decide what it wants to be. It's neither grounded in realism nor does it dive fully into fantasy. Instead, it floats awkwardly in a middle space where nothing really sticks.
The first half is a chaos of trending social media references thrown in one after the other-memes, reels, etc. While this might have been intended to connect with a younger audience, it doesn't quite land.
Basil Joseph, who once gave us the much-loved Ponnman, feels like a completely different person here. Sadly, it's a massive downgrade. Paired with the lead actress-who also delivers a wooden performance-the duo fails to carry any scene, be it emotional or comedic.
The film tries to do a lot: mixing comedy with emotional drama, introducing several new faces, and throwing in plot after plot. Unfortunately, nothing lands. The comedy feels forced, and the emotional scenes are just... boring. At times, the two are blended together, and instead of striking a balance, it becomes a mess where neither emotion nor humor works.
Repetitive scenes, irrelevant subplots, and a frustrating climax only add to the disappointment. Maranamass is buried under weak performances, poor storytelling, and a painfully unengaging screenplay.
If you're a fan of experimental movies, you can give it a try. Otherwise, stay home and wait for it to hit OTT.
Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 (2025)
A High-Intensity Ride with Unanswered Questions
From the very first scene, Veera Soora Dhreeran feels intense and keeps the audience hooked. The movie builds pressure step by step, making it exciting to watch.
SJ Suryah plays his usual loud and strong character. He is full of energy and takes over every scene he is in. Suraj, on the other hand, looks completely different from his past roles, which is a nice surprise. The movie also features many Malayalam actors, which is interesting to see in a Tamil film.
Vikram's physique is just amazing! He looks powerful, and his action scenes are fantastic. The second half of the movie starts with emotional moments, which is a good change. However, some of the emotions felt confusing, and I couldn't fully connect with them. The actress's acting felt too much in many scenes, making it hard to enjoy certain moments.
Towards the climax, the movie starts to feel a bit slow and confusing. From the beginning, the film drops hints that make us think everything will be explained in the end. But by the time the movie finishes, some things are still unclear. This might be because the movie is in two parts, and we may get answers in the next one.
Overall, Veera Soora Dhreeran is an intense action drama with strong performances. But some emotional scenes feel disconnected and the ending leaves many questions unanswered. If you enjoy action-packed films, it's worth watching in theatres.
L2: Empuraan (2025)
A Visual Spectacle That Falls Short on Story
Empuraan is a visually stunning film that pushes the boundaries of Malayalam cinema, but it falls short in terms of storytelling.
The movie starts with a violent action sequence, setting the tone for what follows. The Hollywood-style cinematography and fight scenes are something never seen before in Malayalam cinema. The explosion shots are brilliantly executed, adding to the grand scale of the film. However, there are several repeated shots, which make some parts feel stretched.
The music, compared to other mass masala films, doesn't quite hit the mark. While the makers took a different approach, it worked well in some places but fell flat in others. The background score elevates certain scenes but lacks the energy needed for a film of this scale.
The film cleverly mocks modern politics in Kerala, which adds an interesting layer to the screenplay. The first half keeps the audience engaged by maintaining a sense of mystery. But when it comes to the story, it doesn't feel as strong as expected. There is a lack of a true "wow factor" after watching the movie, leaving a slight disappointment.
Prithviraj's introduction scene stands out and even feels more impactful than Mohanlal's. Speaking of Mohanlal, his costumes didn't work for me, as they didn't match the larger-than-life character he portrays. Stephan gives me goosebumps but A. K was disappointing.
Visually, this is unlike any Malayalam film before. But despite the technical brilliance, the overall film doesn't fully meet expectations. That said, Empuraan is a must-watch in theatres because OTT won't deliver even half of its cinematic impact.
Adios Amigo (2024)
An exciting plot ultimately ruined by its length and predictable screenplay.
The two-and-a-half-hour runtime of this movie felt excessively long, as it stretched out a single plot without introducing any other exciting scenarios. Several unnecessary scenes inside the bus during the first half could have easily been trimmed. The first half was little too lengthy which made me bored even before the first half.
The performances of the asif and suraj were engaging, but the excessive duration and repetition made it frustrating. Some of the humor landed well, while most of them fell flat. They might thought that, "Bosse" will be new trending thing but I feel irritated when I hear that now. Overall, it was a below-average experience and didn't work for me as well.
Level Cross (2024)
A psychological thriller bringing a completely fresh experience to Mollywood.
*Levelcross,* starring Asif Ali, Amala Paul, and Sharafudheen, directed by Arfaz Ayub, offers a completely new experience in Mollywood with a storyline full of twists and turns. The film provides a decent amount of thrilling moments without spoon-feeding the audience, making viewers actively engage their brains to solve the puzzle. Asif Ali's portrayal of his character is remarkable, maintaining a consistent performance from start to finish. However, Amala Paul's performance felt somewhat boring in the middle, and Sharafudheen delivered an average performance. Arfaz Ayub's direction was different and new, and I appreciated his unique approach.
On the downside, the set design felt artificial in many places, which detracted from the movie's overall realism. Despite these flaws, *Levelcross* is a decent one-time watch with a lot of new experiences for the audience. The film's unique approach to storytelling and its engaging plot twists make it worth watching, even if there are areas where it could have been better.
Golam (2024)
Intense Thriller with Superb Direction and Strong Performances
The story of the movie begins with the opening title itself. During the opening credits, they portray each character and their surroundings. Each character in the movie has their own significance. I like the storyline; it seems like a normal death at first, but then the ASP officer enters the scene and the way he handles the situation is awesome. A big shoutout to Ranjith Sanjeev (Mike fame); he is a pure example of how an actor can perform under the proper guidance of a brilliant director. The way he solves the puzzle of the crime is so good. It was thrilling to watch as well. In the end, each of the scenes is interconnected, and the way it is portrayed on screen is nothing but brilliant direction. Samjad, the director, you have a long way to go, man. The special thing about the end of this movie is that there is obviously a second part, but they have multiple options to go into it. There are different stories to hit on for the second part. Also, a lot of newbie actors and actresses have been given opportunities in this movie, and none of them failed on screen. Each of them delivered a good performance. Movies like this should be promoted instead of the false promotions happening on social media currently. Golam was silent before its release but is now getting enough appreciation. Go watch it in theatres; it is value for money.
Mandakini (2024)
Waste of money & waste of time !!!
Two hours of complete irritation. From the beginning to the end, each character on the screen made me irritated at least once. I just want to mention that Jaffar Idukki made me feel like leaving the theatre without completing the movie. So much irrelevant content was put together to make the movie. The second half of the movie was so, so boring since there was no hook for the viewers to concentrate on. The story itself doesn't have anything interesting. There are a couple of so-called mass sequences for Altaf's mother's character, where they put up a mass background score, and those scenes literally made me laugh.
Thalavan (2024)
A perfect crime thriller!
Jis joy has proved he is not only for the feel good movies, he can deal with thrillers as well. From the start to the end, the movie is very engaging and we will keep searching for that culprit. He gives us various of suspects throughout the movie. I want to mention his casting, which is brilliant and each of them perform upto the mark. This is a comeback of Asif ali, after couple of failures recently. The golden combo of Biju Menon and Asif Ali's once again proved what they are capable of. At the end, I felt like would have better if they chose someone else as the culprit. Felt like the motive behind the murder is not strong enough. But it's not too bad. After all it's a good crime thriller I have watched after a while. I recommend you to watch it in theatres, I guarantee you, you won't disappoint.
Turbo (2024)
A below-average script was converted into a mass masala entertainer by Vyshak.
Surely another hit for Mammootty in 2024. It's unbelievable that someone at the age of 72 can perform such fight sequences throughout the movie without making any scene boring. Hats off to you, Mammookka. From start to end, the movie is completely dedicated to action. Sometimes, I felt like the action was unnecessarily placed just to maintain the movie's pace. The story is just a cliché, but director Vyshak gives it another dimension. As usual, cliché scenes and twists are part of the movie, which is a bit of a turn-off. The cinematographer, Vishnu Sharma, plays a vital role in making this such an impactful action film with his skills, especially the chase scene in the second half. Cristo Xavier's BGM throughout the movie provides a fresh take on action background scores. Bindu Panikkar's role is the origin of many comedy sequences, but throughout the movie, it was predictable, so there was no thrilling experience. Also, I felt like actor Raj B. Shetty was not used to his actual potential. If you are a mass masala movie lover, hey lads, this movie is for you.
Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil (2024)
Fun to watch, but it slows down in the middle.
A fun entertainer by Vipin Das, where Basil and Prithvi peak in their comedy combo on screen. The plot itself is funny, so from the beginning onwards, the theatre started laughing. The main attraction of the movie is the music and background music, especially when they use old songs as the background, which syncs with the shots so smoothly. Vipin's reference game is strong, especially the Drishyam reference, the Nandanam reference, and that Kalyanam invitation shot of Prithvi. There are only a few songs in the movie, but each of them blends seamlessly into the core of the movie. After Amar Akbar Anthony, this is the movie that made me laugh for Prithvi's comedy sequences, even though some scenes didn't quite hit the mark. The combination scenes of Siju Sunny and Safboy also worked for me; their screen presence always excited me throughout the movie. I would like to add Joemon's epic performance as well. However, the Yogi Babu scene didn't work for me personally. I was laughing out loud for about 60% of the movie, but after that, it didn't go as smoothly. After all, it's a great watch in the theatre if you enjoy comedy entertainers.
Nadikar (2024)
An entertaining escape, but not a blockbuster sensation.
I like the plot of the movie, which is cinema inside cinema, and we have witnessed such films before, but this is slightly different. I see a lot of resemblances to multiple movies like "Thallumala," "Driving Licence," "Saroj Kumar," and "Udayananutharam." Since the movie deals with a superstar sensation and their lifestyle, they successfully portrayed it on screen. The first half of the movie is very engaging; I liked it. A shout out to Ekta, the costume designer of the movie. She has done a brilliant job. There are a couple of scenes that went below average in the first half, especially Ganapathi's scene. I felt like he couldn't pull off the character. Talking about Bhavana's character, it was neutral, which didn't give any impact to the movie. In the climax of the movie, they were trying to communicate an emotional story between real and reel characters, which didn't work out for me personally. If they had switched the climax to something else, it would have been much better. You won't regret watching this in theaters.
Malayalee from India (2024)
Another disaster from Nivin
The first half of the movie is filled with combination scenes between Dhyan and Nivin, along with a lot of unnecessary political content that left me frustrated. I don't get what Anaswara Rajan's role significance the movie. When it comes to the second half, the movie deal with the a malayali outside india. Try to include a lot of emotional connect between an indian and pakistani. A sentimental drama they have tried to portray in the second half eventually made the audience numb with their feelings. It's surprising that the same writer and director of "Jana-Gana-Mana" created this movie. Personally, I found myself eagerly awaiting the interval during the first half and wishing for the movie to end during the interval. I wouldn't recommend watching this in theaters, but ultimately, the choice is yours.
Varshangalkku Shesham (2024)
Not the best from Vineeth !!!
The movie tells the story of two friends in the film industry, facing challenges and conflicts early on. I found most parts of the movie dull, especially the second half, except for a few scenes. The song "Nyabagam" is the heart of the film; they played it many times, but it remained enjoyable. Kudos to Amrit for the fantastic composition. Dhyan's acting was good. Kalyana is becoming a crunch queen and Pranav's transformation into an old person was funny. However, the storyline didn't meet my expectation. Nivin pauly scenes reminds me love action drama and vadakkan selfies nivin's mix, I personally didn't like it as well.
Aavesham (2024)
Oru fafa ayinjattam
The first half of the movie lived up to the hype, offering complete entertainment, but the second half fell short in comparison. While some emotional sequences didn't work for me, the comedic moments were well-executed. Jithu Madhavan's frames were have his own mass, and the music perfectly complemented each scene by Susin. I want you guys to watch Fafa's performance in theaters. Jithu Madhavan seems to have another hit on his hands after Romancham, showcasing the talent of yet another promising director in the Malayalam industry. I would like to add those three debutants, who is the central character of the movie. They done an amazing job as well.
The Goat Life (2024)
A blessly movie
A Blessy movie. First of all, I'm not a big fan of slow-paced movies, and this movie didn't fully satisfy me as well. In the first half, I just loved the combination of scenes between Prithviraj and Amala Paul. In the second half of the movie, I was amazed by the transformation put in by Prithvi. I bow down to his dedication towards the work. The emotion didn't convey through the conversation between Gokul and Prithvi since it sounded like something outside the movie. There are certain scenes from the movie that are just wow. Since it is a realistic movie, I felt it was more like a cinematic one, which is also a drawback. I recommend watching this movie in the theatre itself; otherwise, you'll finish the 3-hour movie in 1 hour 😐.