Vedalam Movie Review

 A Telugu style commercial Mass entertainer with enough elements to excite Thala fans. It's Siva & Ajith's version of Baasha (Though cannot be compared with the original). Fans went crazy for Ajith's marana mass scenes, his more than usual dance moves and for more importantly his different shades of emotions. Shruthi Hassan takes up the role of one of the comedians, while Laxmi Menon scores much better with a stronger role. Missing Santhanam in comedy department as it did not work out well here. Anirudh gave Theri BGM for mass scenes while Ajith's presence saved the songs for otherwise an ordinary stuff. Story wise its run of the mill but would make you to live with that as Ajith carried the movie single handed. 

Overall Ajith's perfect and Mass Deepavali gift to his fans!!

Thoongavanam Movie Review

You know the movie is an adapted one from french thriller 'Sleepless Night' but not many would care since watching Kamal on the screen is always delightful. Movie has a simple plot with no great twist and turns but what makes interesting is performances and decent narration. Ghiran's background score suits the mood of the film. A decent debut by Director Rajesh. Overall, A Racy & Slick action thriller worth watching.

Shamitabh Movie Review

A movie where performances of lead actors  take front seat along with great and original music.

Amitabhji steals the show throughout the movie and marks his presence quite strongly.  Dhanush at the same time did extraordinary as mute hero while Akshara Haasan made a very good debut. 

Kudos to director Balki for coming up with a fresh idea but what it lacks is engaging screenplay esp the second half. I was able to connect emotionally only during the climax where Amitabh cries but other wise it was missing in the movie.

To me this movie could have been named as 'Ishamitabh' where Maestro Ilayaraaja was talking through his music through out the film. Here is a link to the BGM of end titles:

https://soundcloud.com/navin-mozart/illayaraja-shamitabh2015-soundtrack-end-credits

Special mention for cinematographer PC Sreeram for his splendid work.

Overall a decent watch for extra-ordinary performances and music!

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Yennai Arindhaal Movie Review

One of the much awaited combo in Tamil cinema is Thala Ajith and Gautham Menon. When the project kicks off,  expectation goes to sky level and to add spice Harris Jayaraj joins back with Gautham after a long time.

Yennai Arindhaal is a typical Gautham Menon's movie, period. It is very healthy to see Ajith as a Director's actor not worrying about his Thala Image and this movie is an attempt to bring the actor Ajith out.

You may not find a new story and In fact movie might remind you of Gautham's previous works but he (along with Sridhar Raghavan and Thiagarajan Kumararaja) made it interesting with racy screenplay and obviously presence of Ajith factor. It feels fresh when Ajith does it again on the screen.

Cinematography as expected is in international standards with Dan Macarthur in place and editing  is done in typical Gautham's movie. Harris Jayaraj's special effort is distinctive but felt the BGM is little loud in few places. Mazhai Varapogudhey and Unakenna Venum Sollu songs which was shot brilliantly are my favourites.

Arun Vijay may have found a role of his life, he just steals the show in second half and in many places out performing Ajith.

Gautham's heroines always find a special place in his movies and same happens here for Anushka and Trisha. Undoubtedly Ajith-Trisha episode was shot so beautifully.

Overall I liked the movie! Go for it, If you are a GVM fan and want to see Ajith in it. 

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Enakkul Oruvan Tamil Movie Songs Review

Prabalamagavey

Singer: Siddarth

Very Interesting composition!! Gives you the feel of 80's disco. Reminds me of so many songs…like Introduction resembles Illamai Idho Idho, Initial Rhythm might remind Vikram.. Vikram song, Tune when the line Prabalamagavey starts is same as Paruva kaalangalin song from Moodu Pani and Violins when the  line 'Ulaga medayil starts' reminds me of Boney M songs.

  

Poo Avizhum Pozhudhil (Song of the Album)

Singer: Pradeep Kumar

This one is a classy!! Excellent composition from Santhosh Narayanan, while you expect to continue the melody that started well in charanam but it ends with just two lines and switches back to pallavi tune. Though shorter version (~3.5 mins) of songs are not new format but Santhosh Narayanan pretty much follows this for many songs in his movies. Magic happens when Santhosh Narayanan, Pradeep Kumar and Keba Jeremiah (Guitar) joins.

Reference: Whistle pattern could remind you of Thoda Thoda song from Indira and also the drop sounding rhythm in the same song, beautifully made as strumming guitar chords when En Moochu Kuzhazhilae starts. 

Endi Ipadi

Singer: Santhosh Narayanan

The intro video game tone sets the mood of the song to be peppy and energetic. Santhosh Narayanan's 'local style singing is gaining popular after 'Baby' song in Jigarthanda. Again it cannot go without resemblance, the core tune of Endi is 'Thaana vantha santhanamey' from Ooru vittu ooru vandhu film, in fact would have used the same words "Thaana Vantha"..kanaku. Overall an energetic and powerful kuthu number.

Kutti Poochi

Singer: Manicka Vinayagam

I guess Gana Bala would have been the first choice but roped in Manicka Vinayagam to give a folk flavour. A good fusion with the use of folk style singing, Nathaswaram, western orchestration. Special mention to Keba Jeramiah for his guitar works esp. the bass.

Yaar

Singer: Dhibu Ninan Thomas

A pathos song nicely rendered by Dhibu (who is a music composer himself) accompanied by piano. A situational song which will go well along with picturisation.

Verdict: Santhosh Narayanan stands out in his latest release and as usual continues to astonish me with his sound quality.  Overall an impressive album!!

'I' Tamil Movie Songs Review

Movie: 'I'

Director: Shankar 

Music: AR Rahman 

Producer: Ascar Ravichandran

Cast: Vikram, Amy Jackson

Mersalaayitten

Singers: Anirudh Ravichander, Neeti Mohan

Lyrics: Kabilan

For moment I thought it was Simbhu singing when the song opened, thanks to Techno effect.  Overall the song sounds like Kadal Rasa from Mariyaan to me, may be another composer (Anirudh) sung like Yuvan did for Kadal Rasa, the high notes and rhythm. We cannot call it as Innovation, just using melodic Violin in interlude. I am sure this song would be chartbusters, thanks to our young Tamil music lovers.

Ennodu Nee Irundhaal

Singers: Sid Sriram, Sunitha Sarathy

Lyrics: Kabilan

Another attempt by ARR on R&B (Rhythm & Blues) after Adiye from Kadal, probably used to signify the intense cry of the actor. Nice rendition by Sid Sriram (Graduated from Berklee college of Music, USA and trained singer in Carnatic, Blues, Jazz..). I felt the tune or singing in few places, had traces of modern western pop singing like Travie McCoy. Short Sangathi by Sunitha Sarathy is addictive. Over all I liked this number.

Ennodu Nee Irundhaal (Reprise)

Singers: Sid Sriram, Chinmayi

Lyrics: Kabilan

This is a beautiful reprise. Girl's soft and romantic reply to the guy's outcry (in Original Ennodu Nee Irundhal). Mesmerising singing from Chinmayi and Sid with soft strumming guitars.

Ladio

Singers: Nikita Gandhi

Lyrics: Madhan Karky

Instead of listening to this song, I could probably listen to Katy Perry, Beyonce's numbers.

Pookkalae Sattru Oyivedungal

Singers: Haricharan, Shreya Ghoshal

Lyrics: Madhan Karky

Hearing lot of Haricharan in ARR music in back to back albums, already I feel little bored. Wondering how could the legendary composers like MSV, Ilayaraja sounded different in each film with same singers. It will be a hit number even though nothing great about this song, typical Shankar format duet numbers like I am Kadhal Anukkal, Sahara song.

Aila Aila

Singers: Aditya Rao, Natalie Di Luccio

Lyrics: Madhan Karky

This is the song of the album to me. Probably a romance number between Beast and the Beauty. A Brilliant fusion from ARR with Western, Jazzy Piano, Opera, Carnatic & Bhangra. I am imagining this would be a 'Arima Arima' of Ai with grandeur sets. Though In few places it resembles strawberry kanne song from Minsara Kanavu. Lyrics from Carnatic portion is completely dumped, poor Karky.

Kalyana Samayal Saadham Movie

 

Kalyana Samayal Saadham is funny, thought provocative and well executed. It clearly shows the modern day attitude towards marriage and its rituals behind. Many sensitive things were conveyed subtly, which could be eye-opener to many. Prasanna, well known for soft roles, played the character at ease and performed brilliantly. All other leading characters did very well esp Delhi Ganesh as modern Brahmin father.Though few melodies were inspired, Music complemented the movie very well. On the whole a good entertainer and kudos to the entire team. 

Verdict - A perfect South Indian meal!