one time wanderer

The only reason I didn't leave this movie midway was because of Dulquer Salmaan. Even Sai Pallavi could do nothing for me this time- I don't know if it's because of the way her character was written or what, but she just didn't bring what I have come to expect from her to this role. Everything else was... boring. That's it. The last movie I watched was Pa Ranjith's Sarpatta Parambarai and there I was speechless because it was so good that I couldn't stop thinking about it long enough to pen down coherent sentences. This one I'm speechless for because I just couldn't care about anything. Not even Sid's anger problem. Which was the main point. And hello, making me uninterested in a character called Sid with anger issues?? That's both rude and offensive and I think I dislike this movie even more now.  Also, Sai Pallavi and Dulquer Salmaan had no chemistry whatsoever. If ONLY they had cast people with good chemistry, this could have been easier t...

My only regret with this movie was that I couldn't watch it in one sitting. The way both Kabilan and Arya evolve throughout the movie, the way the movie is shot, the way the women characters are written, the way the supporting cast just kills it in every single scene- it's probably my favourite 2021 movie so far, and I will not stop whining about how it should have been experienced in the theatre. It's also easily one of my favourite sports movies, and I just know it's going to get better with every rewatch. I don't even grudge it its almost 3-hour long runtime, every minute of Pa Ranjith's story was worth it.  I guess I really don't have much to say, because I am still overwhelmed by the journey Sarpatta Parambarai took me on. I guess I'll have more concrete thoughts once I rewatch.

The way this movie begins, with Srividya's character singing "Yezhu Swarangalukkul" in Vani Jairam's beautiful voice, I fell in love right there. There was something so ethereal in the way this movie was shot, I completely lost myself in its world. On top of it, Srividya and Kamal Haasan's chemistry... my god, the word "insane" was probably invented for it. And the way this movie is so full of sexual tension that it's tangible after a point?? Like I said, it's hard not to get sucked into it.  I don't really have any more thoughts, except that the music is too good, and that Srividya-Kamal Haasan... I really hope they got together or something, I don't care. And Rajinikanth!! In his very first appearance in a movie!!! This movie was just meant to be a classic, and that is it. 

A perfect example of a pure, commercial entertainer that doesn't pretend to be more than what it is. A major bright spot is how the acting performances elevate the movie, especially Suriya's, who as the leading man gets the lion's share of screen-time and does most of the work in keeping you invested throughout the run-time. I simply LOVE how the man can act with his eyes, and I hope his upcoming projects really bring out the actor in him in a way we have never seen before.  Back to Aaru  though- despite all the problematic gender dynamics and even r*pe jokes, I couldn't find it in myself to hate the movie. I don't know okay, maybe I am problematic!! This is to clarify I didn't find those "jokes" funny at all, I actually hated them so much that I vowed I wouldn't enjoy the rest of the movie, but... it was just the kind of mass I need right now. I'm sorry. The main conflict was so well done, and Suriya-Ashish Vidyarthi really brought the anger t...

I'm gonna be real: the only reason I had for watching this movie was the fact that as of now, it's the only one that has both Vijay and Ajith in it. And despite that being the "only" reason, my expectations were quite high, not gonna lie. Don't ask me why, I just love the 90s. And Vijay. And Ilaiyaraaja. And the film mostly lived up to them.  Let's start with the first of the three things I mentioned above: the 90s. This is such a typical 90s part-melodrama part-action part-romance part-bromance full-entertainment package. I knew how everything would play out 5 minutes before it did, but that has its own charm when done well. As for the second reason, I really don't think I have it in me to ever hate a Vijay performance (I feel like I've written this elsewhere too, had a very strong sense of déjà vu) (oh wow, that rhymed). But no, he just carries the movie on his beautiful shoulders so well and I enjoyed watching him immensely. Also, his chemistry with...

This movie felt like a warm, cozy, and cleansing hug at the end of a long, exhausting week. I loved its gentle pacing, I loved the music, and I loved how real Taeko and the people around her felt. The movie's treatment of both the vagaries of growing up and the dilemmas faced by someone looking back was incredible- even though I am closer in age to the older Taeko, I still felt all the pain, embarrassment and joys of 10-year old Taeko keenly. As for the older one, I feel like I am in a whole other existential crisis quite different from hers, so I probably couldn't relate to her so much. Yes I know it's futile to carry your own baggage to "reviewing" movies but give me a break. It's been a long time since I have related to a character in a movie, that too female, and I will talk about it.  Anyway, this movie is as close to a "must-watch" as it gets for me, and I think all women my age should watch it. And all Beatles fans too! The references made me ...

Nothing like extreme tone-deafness from your favourite actor and his producer brother to ruin a movie you've been waiting to enjoy for months. I mean, why would you remake a movie that is EXPLICITLY about caste conflict and not even have a single mention of the word "caste" in your own product? What were those hints about being related to someone? We are way past that. And that bit in the opening that said a poor person has no caste or religion... okay, I don't even have the mental energy to comment on it because it is just wilfully ignorant. It's almost as if the movie is mocking generations of oppressed people who have been trying to achieve justice, since one clearly cannot count on the oppressors to hand it over.  I will take a breather now and comment on how insanely good Venkatesh is as the eponymous character. Truly, one of his career-best performances... but at what fucking cost?? His own relative was involved in the Karamchhedu massacre (please read up on...