Malayalam, 2021, 8.7/10 IMDB, Sony Liv, Directed by Manu Ashokan A drama turned thriller, catches more than just your attention, for its distinct premise and plot. The screenplay and the overlapping narrative pattern glues you to the screen. Before you even realize, the characters are etching your heart, leaving you with this novel warmth and … Read moreKaanekkaane
2021, Tamil, Anthology, Netflix, 6.7/10 IMDB, Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Priyadarshan, Karthick Naren, Vasanth, Karthik Subbaraj, Arvind Swami, Rathindran R Prasad, Sarjun KM, Gautham Vasudev Menon The finest craftsmen of the industry coming together to present the deliberately designed series of short stories to evoke the nine states of emotions in the viewers, ends up … Read moreNavarasa
2021, Malayalam, Amazon Prime, 7.9/10 IMDB, Directed by Manu Warrier A petite daring sample that addresses the perspectives of the socio-political issues of the large population of the country. The home invasion thriller tauntingly questions and clarifies the beliefs, finding its parallels to the country’s long invasion history from where the issues had rooted many … Read moreKuruthi
2021, Tamil, Amazon Prime, 9.1/10, Directed by Pa. Ranjith A sport film that does complete justice to the Boxing sport it features and sweeps the audiences with its authentic representation of the intriguing ‘Boxing Clans’ that existed in north madras in the 70’s. A talented ensemble that lets you sample the lives of people of … Read moreSarpatta Parambarai
2021, Amazon Prime, 8.8/10 IMDB, Directed by Mahesh Narayanan Malayalam industry’s pragmatic representation of ‘The Godfather’ premise, that attempts to breath life in to the classic template, with its very own coastal politics backdrop, touching upon Manirathnam’s Nayagan. The film’s soul remains truly loyal to the God’s own country’s peculiar notion of realism and might … Read moreMalik
2015, French, Netflix, 7.2/10 IMDB, Jacques Audiard A honest hard-hitting story on political asylum seekers, that leaves you dumbstruck with its authentic representation of the predicaments of the unfortunates, whose pain we pretended to be ‘aware of’ all these days. The winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2015 Cannes, showcases incredible talents on screen … Read moreDheepan
2021, Malayalam, Amazon Prime, 6.9/10 IMDB, Directed by Rohith V. S A brutal version of a simple tale, that urges you to avert the screen quite often, but the proficiency in making, glues you right back, as it is riveting to see ‘nature’ being a silent onlooker to the consequences of the genetically hard-wired human … Read moreKala
English, Documentary, Netflix, 8.1/10 IMBD, Directed by Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed An intriguing log book, that turns a memoir, when God’s creativity flabbergasts the viewers with the similarities of the intelligent invertebrates to the humans. Life never ceases to teach you- not only the fittest survive but also the smartest. It does seem an extension … Read moreMy Octopus Teacher
2021, Malayalam, Netflix, 8.2 IMDB, Directed by Martin Prakkat An atypical backlash that interestingly represents the faceless bureaucrats, who are customarily tainted, both in films and the real lives. A genuine attempt to unveil the truth ‘on the other side of the story’ that, forever remains gray – a horrifying paradox of the impotent ‘protectors’ … Read moreNayattu
2020, Marathi, Netflix, 7.2/10 IMDB, Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane A compendium of a young boy’s misplaced tenacity, who is ‘lost’ in the process of mastering an art form, as he finds himself trapped in a vicious routine of attempting to become the best. A hard hitting crux, a universal prototype of the ‘lacklustre-beings’ who are … Read moreThe Disciple
2020, English, Disney Hotstar, 7.5/10 IMDB, Directed by Chloé Zhao While the pandemic ridden world around you speak, what a fine work of art this Oscar winning film ‘Nomadland’ is, the film is deeply disturbing as it communicates volumes of personalized emotions. The film calmly challenges the very basic driving force of millions across the … Read moreNomadland
2021, Tamil, Netflix, 8.5IMDB, Directed by Madonne Ashwin A satire that doesn’t just stop at mocking the infamous tryst of cash-for-votes in the state, but also comes a full circle in chalking out a plan to outsmart the politicians, thwacking some sensitive issues on the go, from rural toilets to caste discrimination. The debut director … Read moreMandela
2021, Tamil, 9/10 IMDB, Directed by Mari Selvaraj A rumination of the forgotten people’s war of a 90’s village, captured artistically, turning the table for the oppressed. Albeit the disclaimer trying to cover up the anxiety of seeking justification and safely calls their work a fictional one, the makers succeed in reiterating and voicing out … Read moreKarnan
2021,Malayalam, Netflix, 7/10 IMBD, Directed by Naseef Yusuf Izuddin Besides the concoction of semiotic denotations and connotations, and a deal of intertwining indexes and symbols- there seems a sincere attempt to denaturalize the myth of conveying terror ideologies, through a refreshing brew of innovative templates. The film opens, sans any boring prologue, with Alex’s (Soubin … Read moreIrul
2019, Hindi, Netflix, 7.4/10 IMDB, Directed by Prateek Vats A prying gaze in to the devolution of humans, aping the apes, for a living, in the name of ‘Monkey-Repelling’ jobs in the capital city. The film blurs the already thin divide that exists between the lives of the downtrodden and that of the animals on … Read moreEeb Allay Ooo
2021, Malayalam, Amazon Prime, 8.8/10 IMDB, Directed by Jeethu Joseph The resumption sequel is nearly at par with the nine year old flick that caused a stir in the pan Indian film industry, except for the wearisome sequences that lay hold of nearly one-third of the film. The aesthetics, the characters, the house, the tea … Read moreDrishyam 2
2021, Tamil, 7.7/10 IMDB, Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj A mafia story of juvenile delinquency, starts as a copy of the film ‘Petta’. Travels in an untrodden terrain for its lead actor and even manages to gain mileage with the overpowering antagonist. Sadly, the epilogue succumbs to wordplay rather than remaining truthful to resolving the crux … Read moreMaster
2021, Malayalam, Neestream, 8.4/10 IMDB, Directed by Joe Baby Moral authorities of patriarchy, de-skinned without much melodrama, through the perspective of a young woman of the 3rd millennium. The 2020 film ‘Thappad’ focused on patriarchy that was instilled in the system of young girls, since their childhood. Whereas, the maker of ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ … Read moreThe Great Indian Kitchen
10th Jan 2021, Book A workshop, Namrata Joshi A two hour online discourse celebrating the film festivals across the globe- A handbook on how to choose a film festival from the perspective of a critic, a cinephile and a film maker. The friendly introduction of the participants hinted on the mixed group comprising of movie … Read moreA 360 Degree Guide to Film Festivals
23 November to 19 December 2020, FTIIONLINE, Film and Television Institute of India, ARUNARAJE PATIL A well structured comprehensive masterclass, that left a remarkably lasting impact in making the journey of a cine enthusiast like me, complete. The Course Director looked effortless, at the helm of affairs. The most interesting fact about the course was, … Read moreWinter Film Appreciation By ARUNARAJE PATIL