JHANGRI MOVIE REVIEW

When the avid movie-goers are grumbling over the lack of content over Indian films with high production value, here comes Jhangri for Malaysian audiences, like a breeze of fresh air, doing exactly the opposite!

Pre-release hype (4/10): Solid start over social medias and local radio channels. After the huge blockbuster storm of Mersal, the successfully running horror flick Aval and the newly released Aramm will offer tough competitions for Jhangri. Hopefully its comedy/romance genre stands out to the crowd in a busy market for tamil films right now. Hopefully, Malaysian will support their own local products as well...

Songs review (9/10): 'Enna Kaaranam' and 'Thooki Erinjittu' are the two tracks of the film. These songs, although had its released a month earlier, will stay in your head for months to come! Simple, melodious and powerful!

Story, screenplay, plot & dialogues (8/10): A film that succeeds to keep audiences glued to their screen till the very end credit scenes is an evidence of the impact of the film. It may not win the Oscars but it has enough to win your hearts over the 1 hour 45 minutes running time. Its witty, simple and natural comedic-romantic script has played a huge positive role in this Malaysian budget film.

Performances (7/10): Every actor on-screen had enough screen time for their characters to develop, heroes and villains alike. Surprisingly, they all managed to pull out a very natural and convincing act on. Vicran-DaView Puvanan's chemistry was a comedic riot while Agalyah Maniam executed her emotional/angry scenes beautifully.

Songs-in-movie sync & timing (8/10): Wishful thinking for another song in the movie, but two songs placed at the start and towards the end of the film had a solid overall impact already.

Technical team (-/10): Due to the low production budget of the film, the technicalities may be forgiven.

Cinematic value (-/10): Do not go in expecting mind-blowing surround sounds and picturesque scenes, you'll get none.

Conclusion: A movie you wished had the perfect budget to beautify a solid Malaysian product. Applauds for the performances. dialogues and songs. An honest attempt that would not disappoint. You'll leave the cinema hall humming a song with a smile. Will definitely look forward for another film from the team, with a better overall quality this time around!

TARAMANI MOVIE REVIEW & CLARIFICATION

Pre-release hype (1/10): Coming a week after India's release into Malaysia, hype was little to none. Slight buzz generated with good reviews and active social network marketing by distributors nudged the film up a little. Limited release in Malaysia.

Songs Review (-)

Story, screenplay, plot and dialogues (7/10): It had the ability to connect with audiences from the very first scene. Dialogues and plot was raw and direct. Sensitive real life issues were explored well. Enough pace to keep you hooked. Nothing to complain about and courage to delve into tabooed topics in society is a welcome.

Performances (10/10): For a script demanding natural and powerful performances, honestly, I'm not sure who else would have perfected their roles better than those in the film itself! From the main characters (Andrea & Vasanth) to cast with smaller roles (Anjali & Azhagam Perumal), it was their acting that made you not realize you were watching a movie!

Songs-in-movie sync & timing (9/10): No issues whatsoever as stumbling blocks to screenplay. No songs brought out of story and no commercial aspects to it. Huge plus for this film.

Technical team (8/10): BGM from Yuvan was mild, subtle yet powerful when it should be. Silent scenes spoke really well. No issues here whatsoever as well. 

Cinematic value (4/10): Although my watch was on 'Herotalkies' (legal streaming site), I don't see a need to watch it as a compulsory in cinemas. Lots of scenes that needs to be watched alone or in silent due to seriousness of matter and no heavy uses of surround system as well. Don't really have to watch it on the biggest screen + biggest sound. Honestly, I don't regret not being able to watch in cinemas. You won't miss much anyways.

Conclusion: Maybe not a must-watch on the big screen but definitely a must watch of the year!

Clarification: I need to add this because although cinema is just a form of entertainment and not to be taken so seriously in the first place, not many will have the same mindset while watching films. This movie however dealt with real life issues of LGBT and disloyalty in marriages, and therefore gives audiences a sense of reality and truthfulness. Therefore, I would like to clarify a scene of which Althiya will address her husband after finding out that he is a gay. Both of them, seemed to play their roles as Christians yet not a true Christian in walk of life. This is because Andrea as Althiya will state to her husband that being a gay isn't a sin and it isn't his fault. Biblical references on the other hand will support and agree of homosexuality being a sin.  

Homosexuality falsifies what God designed. Sin often means not only rejecting God but denying or rejecting how and why we are made. Though it may be considered acceptable by some today -- even in some churches -- it is not acceptable to God. And we need to take that seriously. In spite of the growing secular humanist trend to think "it's ok to be gay," it's not a righteous lifestyle. Most vocal Christians are not homophobic, but are trying to share Christ's love for homosexuals and trying to keep them from horrific judgment. REFERENCED FROM HERE

I'm not trying to create a ruckus here but would personally like to clarify with viewers who would have accidentally accepted this scene to be morally correct from a religious point of view. Thank you for your understanding.

VIVEGAM MOVIE REVIEW

Pre-release hype (9/10): It has been a long wait and a long build-up to it as well! Being promoted as an International Spy Thriller Film, hype has been high and healthy too. Expect huge box office collection in its first weekend due to advance bookings!

Songs review (6/10): Anirudh's music is loud and peppy, far from his best.

Story/screenplay/plot/dialogues (2/10): Under-developed plots, lots of logic loopholes and mistakes for an international film. Wish it focused more on the story. Dialogues on the other hand were mediocre. Some action scenes are influenced by Hollywood films as well. Writing for the villain role was a joke. Major disappointment in this category.

Performances (8/10): A full mark for Ajith sir for sure. Kajal was acceptable and Akshara Hassan brought freshness when the movie began to dull. Besides that, everyone played their part well without any major issues, in exception of Vivek Oberoi who was made more of a joker than a villain.

Songs-movie sync/timing (4/10): While Ajith singing with a mic over Yogi B's voice seemed unnecessary in 'Surviva' and 'Kadhaala' song being predictable, 'Veriyera' track at the climax was enough to spoil the film.

Cinematic value @ technical team (10/10): A major plus point of the film. Without it, Vivegam might just end up as the worst film of the year. Anirudh's background music, editing and camerawork at its best. Definitely worth the watch on a big screen!

Conclusion: One time watchable on the big screen. Applauds for grand set-pieces but a definite disappointment for cinema-lovers.