NEWS ONLINE

Oru Vadakkan Selfie

CAST:Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Vineeth Sreenivasan, ManjimaDIRECTION:G Prajith

SYNOPSIS: Engineering student Umesh is an academically lost soul, but wishes to be a filmmaker. After an attractive Daisy moves to his neighbourhood with her family, he feels motivated to scale greater heights so he can impress her. An incidental train journey with her changes his life forever.

REVIEW: Oru Vadakkan Selfie is two films in one. While its full-of-life first half is a humorous joyride depicting relatable life situations of an engineering college student, the second is a detective story. Set in locales popularized by Thattathin Marayathu and lining up more or less similar characters, one would feel it's a remix of the 'ummachikutty-loves-aimless-Nair' story. But midway, the film changes track into a thriller.

Umesh who has lost interest in academics is equally clueless when it comes to pursuing his filmmaking ambitions. When pretty girl Daisy moves in to his neighbourhood, a love-struck Umesh tells his friends that they are a couple. Fearing that he may have to join the family business upon failing in all subjects, Umesh runs away to Chennai, only to find Daisy on the train. A photo clicked with her lands him in dire straits and his life takes a new turn.

Nivin Pauly lights up the screen with his effervescence and steals every scene, playing the deadbeat Umesh. Though his mannerisms remind one of 'Rameshan' in 1983 who gives academics a backseat for the love of cricket, the actor's antics do not fail to entertain. Many dialogues mouthed by Aju's partner-in-crime character and Vineeth's private detective avatar are crafted with precision to evoke laughter.

Post interval, however, the narrative wobbles when it dons the garb of a detective thriller, though Aju's antics offer some comic relief. The story derails from what it started out to be and it seems as though the director did not know where to take his characters to. One can't help but wonder what the film was all about as the credits start rolling post the convoluted, abrupt climax.

Ennum Eppozhum Movie Review

CAST:Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Reenu Mathews
DIRECTION:Sathyan Anthikad

SYNOPSIS: Journalist Vineeth M Pillai's carefree nature does not go down well with his colleagues or new boss. Taking a comprehensive interview of advocate Deepa, an overnight celebrity, is his chance to set his image right. Vineeth shadows the tenacious lawyer to understand her better and what starts off as a news assignment transforms into something much more.

REVIEW: One of the most original and compelling storytellers in Mollywood, Sathyan Anthikad movies are often cinematic equivalents of feel-good neighbourhood chats. If similar expectations tag along as you book seats for his latest film, you may be in for many surprises. In Ennum Eppozhum, he presents a movie that has a refreshing plot moulded in an old-school kiln.

Chronic bachelor and senior journalist Vineeth N Pillai is a man-child. Be it in the orderliness expected in an adult's personal life or in observing the proprieties of a professional, he remains least bothered to be impressive. His new boss entrusts him with the task of interviewing celebrity lawyer Deepa and it is Vineeth's chance to save his credibility. As he follows her around, a never-before connection is forged with the brave woman and his assignment grows into something more profound.

As it is, the plot and the characters that give it life are new-fangled, and the director has attempted his signature style of entertaining through a hearty story. There are a handful of nostalgic moments in which Mohanlal fans can easily break into thunderous applause. Manju is convincing as a separated mother and smart career woman who stands up for herself and others. However, instances that tie the story together seldom seem plausible, which is often the touted characteristic of Sathyan Anthikad films.

To begin with, Mohanlal's character has all the time in the world for this single assignment and in the name of an obligation - the details of which are hardly known or convincing to the audience - his boss starts favouring him one fine day. For apparently no reason, an influential builder (Ranji Panicker), against whom Deepa moves legally, agrees to her conditions in sequences that are expected to be funny. One can't find any comic moment that would remotely stand up to the innumerable, evergreens gems of humour found in yesteryear Sathyan Anthikad movies. Here, they almost consistently fail to deliver. Besides, it gets a tad too boring when yet another filmmaker fashions Manju Warrier's character mirroring her real-life situation, throwing in a troubled relationship with dance for solace. In fact, her husband's name is Rajeev, just as it was in How Old Are You!

Ennum Eppozhum lacks the fluidity and penetration power that a Sathyan Anthikad film promises and is ultimately underwhelming. Nevertheless, it has moments to relish for fans of both stars.

Fast And Furious 7 Movie Review

CAST:Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Kurt Russell, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Djimon Hounsou, Nathalie Emmanuel

DIRECTION:James Wan
DURATION:2 hours 17 minutes

GENRE:Action

STORY: Dominic (Diesel), Brian (Walker), Letty (Rodriguez) Roman (Gibson) and Tej (Ludacris) are approached by Frank (Russell) to acquire a device called 'God's Eye' designed by a hacker, Ramsey (Emmanuel). This is a backdrop for the real confrontation - Deckard Shaw (Statham) who seeks revenge from Dominic for the death of his younger brother. From the US to Azerbaijan, then Dubai and back to LA, the fight is, indeed, both fast and furious.

REVIEW: Amazing stunts aside, James Wan (Insidious 2, The Conjuring) probably faced two big challenges when making this film. The first, crafting a movie that glorifies insanely reckless driving while also being sensitive to the fact that one of the leads (in a sad irony) died in a reckless sports car crash. Secondly, making a seamless film given the fact that Paul Walker - a name synonymous with this series - is no more. In both cases, he hits the sweet spot.

The plot of this film is just an excuse for some of the best car chase/action scenes recently seen on screen. You get a taste of what's to come in the beginning, when Shaw and Dom, much like two testosterone-fuelled bulls, ram their cars into each other head-on. No one backs away; no one bats an eyelid. They then step out of their mangled metal steeds and almost come to blows before Dom is rescued by Frank, who calls himself 'Mr Nobody'. A deal is struck: Dom and his crew will help Frank nab the terrorist Jakande (Hounsou, with some ridiculous lines) and the 'God's Eye' device and in return, Dom can use the device to locate Shaw. Ludacris is spot-on as the jester, whose cringing caution is a great counterfoil to the rampant machismo on display. The Rock packs some serious weaponry.

Furious 7 has a humane angle. The touching tribute to Walker puts the entire series into perspective and will make many eyes teary. The film's flaws suddenly vanish when you realise that if there is another film in this series, it just wouldn't be the same. RIP Paul.