kaya_natarajan Reviews

Jailer (I) (2023)

Only Style.. No Substance

[5/10 · 10 September 2023]

Before I write this review.. I'm an out and out Rajnikanth fan.. He is a brilliant actor but unfortunately caught in this image and unable to break off that mould. Same happens here.. mediocre story, unconvincing plot and rides solely on elevating Rajnikanth's mass image.

I saw all the guns from PUBG mobile / BGMI here. No logic, Why the blazes would someone run with his sniper rifle towards a guy having an automatic rifle?

Pointless cameos in having Shivaraj Kumar, Jackie Shroff and Mohan Lal. The villain was utterly unconvincing.. if that guy was in business for forty years how wouldn't he have not know anything about Jailer!! No logic.

Ok movie.. Rajnikanth has better movies from in the past and they are a better watch, for one watch Thillu Mullu.

Thandatti (2023)

Good Movie.. Could have been better

[5/10 · 28 July 2023]

Before I get into the review.. I watched the trailer, sometime back, and found it quite interesting..it also brought back memories of my grand mother wearing these.. but then I forgot about the movie until my mum said she was watching it.. so that made me look it up on OTT

Now, the movie's plot about a (pair of) thandatti missing from a dead woman's corpse, a cop getting involved in this and the development is perhaps a neat one-liner. I actually enjoyed the movie but somehow was not very convinced with the story telling. No offence to the the director / producer, applaud them for the subject, the story, the intricacies but definitely could have been a tighter, gripping presentation.

The cast did a fantastic job. Literally everyone. They delivered their roles to a T. Not just the main cast but the extras also. The music and background score was good but could be better.

End of the day, a good movie to watch (but would have stayed in memory if the treatment was better).

Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two (2023)

What a load of tripe?

[1/10 · 28 April 2023]

My review for the first movie was titled "Purists will be upset". This should have been titled "Purists will die".

I have immense respect for Mr. Maniratinam as a film maker. Technically, I do not have any qualms. The cinematography, the costumes, the art design etc. Are fabulous. The actors excel in their craft and deliver what is required of them. But I seriously wonder how many among these actors have actually read the book and thought what is happening here?!!!?

If you haven't read the book you wouldn't mind it. Unfortunately, I have and this book deserves better. This movie (and the first) should probably not have been named after the book by Mr. Kalki Krishnamurthy.

Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022)

Purists may be upset..

[6/10 · 30 September 2022]

Ponniyin Selvan : Part One is director Maniratnam's vision of the epic Tamil novel by Kalki. True to the poster the movie is based on the novel but is purely Maniratnam's movie. It does have some minor deviations in plot narrative which might upset purists.

The good part about this movie is one does not have to have read the book. Viewers can experience a version of director Maniratnam's PS:1. It does feel a little bit rushed, however those uninitiated to the PS landscape will be able to catch up. The entire cast and crew deserve a major round of applause and kudos. The visuals, cinematography and performances are the highlights of the movie.

Dare I say, but the parts that annoyed me were that I found the movie highly rushed. I'm no one to judge casting decisions but somehow Lal as Thirukovilur Malayamaan and Mohan Raman as Anirudha Bhramayar didn't quite cut it. Personally, some of the scenes could be a tad brighter and action at times shorter. And Yes, someone else could've played Vanathi.

But above all, this is a wonderful movie. Director Maniratnam's effort has to be appreciated. I gave the movie an 8 based on cast, cinematography, costume and art but have changed it to a 6 for being fragmented.

The book trumps the movie and I'm sure viewers have ample time to read the epic before the next release.

Kadaseela Biriyani (2021)

Not your average Tamil movie..

[7/10 · 19 December 2021]

Kadaseela Biriyani is not your average Tamil movie and may not appeal to all. To surmise, within every simple man lies a beast and within every beast lives a simple man. The movie (teaser) poster is rife with details of the plot and core. This is a multilayered movie that lets the viewer decipher it to their own perceptions.

The cast and crew have done a terrific job in all departments. Kudos to the director on his debut movie. When one thinks that he was roped in for a narrative voice over, Vijay Sethupathi's cameo comes in as a surprise.

A good watch if you leave behind all expectations of a traditional movie format.

Annaatthe (2021)

One liner story - Brother saves Sister in Trouble - that has been seen before..

[1/10 · 28 November 2021]

Well that's about it.. if you've read the title of my review you've watched the movie. If you still insist on sitting through the 161 minutes of the movie then please use the following speed run guide..

The movie is 2 hours 41 minutes long.. so set the speed run at 2.5X and quickly get over it.

I'm an out and out Rajnikanth fan but this is abysmal to the core. If you are a Rajnikanth fan please avoid at all costs.

Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum (2021)

Tries to be too many things...

[6/10 · 23 October 2021]

What is "Raame Aandalum Raavane Aandalum"? It is a movie about a villager who has lost his bullocks, the events leading to it and the aftermath. The movie has a brilliant plot but gets mired and bogged down by touching too many issues. Sticking to the plot could have produced a gritty watch.

The movie is quite engaging till the intermission. The second half veers away and tries to carry too much on the shoulders without being able to do justice to everything. Comparisons can't be avoided, as the political mockery and media spectacle has been seen in (similar) movies such as Joker.

What really sets this movie apart is the production and the cast. The cast does a fantastic job, especially the appatha(s). Makes me wonder if these people are actors or were taken from the nearby villages. Cinematography and sound capture a bare bones village exquisitely. The characters are well developed that even the village wastrel does a brilliant job of still sleeping at the chavadi though there is a funeral procession and band playing right next to him. The political and media circus make for a funny watch. The resemblance to certain politicians is obvious.

The movie is definitely a good watch. Though it tries to be too many things, it can't be dismissed.

Oh Manapenne (2021)

A Feel Good RomCom

[6/10 · 22 October 2021]

A feel good romantic comedy after a long time. I haven't seen the Telugu version so will not be able to say if it is ripped frame to frame. The casting is perfect and the actors don't overdo the dramatics. The only place I felt cringy (and harassing) was the part where Arjun (Ashwin) tries to woo Sruthi (Priya). The background sound processing / recording was spot on. Happy to see there are no item songs or distasteful scenes (Thanks to the director for keeping it clean). And, skip to 3:15 seconds on OTT platforms to get directly into the movie. The opening credits kept going on and on and on. Overall, a good movie that is watchable but not sure if it will have repeat viewing potential unless you have the blues (or have been recently dumped).

Annabelle Sethupathi (2021)

Watch at your own risk!

[2/10 · 17 September 2021]

Watching the trailer should suffice or speed run the movie. Watch at your own risk.

Sarpatta Parambarai (2021)

Rocky chased Chickens.. Kabilan chases Crabs

[7/10 · 26 July 2021]

Sarpatta Parambarai is a period sports drama by Pa Ranjith showcasing the rise-fall-rise of a boxer and two feuding boxing schools in 70s Madras. Kabilan (Arya), a dock worker, is a loyal fan of the Sarpatta boxing school led by Rangan Vathiar (Pasupathy). Bakkiyam (Anupama Kumar), Kabilan's mother, believes boxing will eventually lead to one becoming a rogue and get killed like her husband. Kabilan's passion to don the gloves is hindered by this belief but he manages to follow and watch the local bouts with Daddy (John Vijay). A chance encounter has Kabilan exhibit his pugilistic skills and win the respect of Rangan Vathiar and earn the wrath of others. The rest of the story revolves around his trials set to the political backdrop of the period.

Featuring an ensemble cast, each character is crafted with depth and is done justice by the artistes. Pasupathy as Rangan Vathiar and John Vijay as Daddy excel in their roles. The entire cast actually deserves merit for the convincing portrayal of their roles. However, Shabeer Kallarakkal as Dancing Rose punches way above his weight (and steals the show).

Sarpatta Parambarai is an audio-visual treat and the crew deserve an extra round of applause for the effort in recreating the period. The boxing choreography is top-notch and physical transformation from the leads is dedication to the craft. Kabilan running after crabs reminds one of Rocky chasing down chickens in the coop.

With a running time of 2 hours and 54 minutes, the movie tends to drag at places but manages to keep you glued to the seat. One of the scenes that felt predictable and dull was Kabilan's emotional breakdown to Bakkiyam and her charged response egging him on to rise up again. In contrast, a very subtle scene, when Rangan Vathiar, comes back home after a long time in jail, is being served food by his wife (Geetha Kailasam). As he eats, she sits beside him and gently presses/ holds his feet. They both look at each other exchanging a myriad of emotions.

However, with many (outside Chennai and the younger generation) being unaware of this boxing heritage could find being pushed in to the deep end. The director could've focussed on a small account of the clans before jumping in to the ring. Though some shots feel off the target, Pa Ranjith could've very well got the youth out of their lockdown blues and pick up their mitts.

Jagame Thandhiram (2021)

A movie that tries to lift too much on it's shoulder!

[1/10 · 18 June 2021]

I'm not the kind of person to write reviews and pass scathing comments about movies. In fact, this is my first review. I've wanted to write reviews but kept myself away at the last moment. However, this movie got me to it.

Every movie made definitely goes through an intense process of work from all concerned parties before being displayed on screen, be it the cinema or OTT. Kudos, to all actors and the crew on the genuine effort put in.

I'm from Madurai and have also studied and lived in the UK. Mr. Karthik Subburaj (Director), another Maduraite, I like it that you try to include our town and its varied nuances in your movies. I enjoyed the Madurai in Jigarthanda, kinda (forcibly) liked it in Pettai (for Thalaivar) but not again. While Mr. Dhanush is a wonderful actor, I still feel he can't get the Madurai kaaran vibe spot on.

The refugee issue that forms the latter half of the movie (or is supposedly the core crux) is a sensitive and heavy topic that the movie tries to lift on its shoulder but barely does justice. I understand Mr. Subburaj has good intentions and wishes to highlight the plight of refugees. This could have been achieved on a tighter and focussed script. However, all that gets lost in the bombs, swag and unmoving sentiments.

Bottomline - "Jagame Thandiram" is a commercial watch once at your own risk that is definitely unlike or deserves such a high rating as "Pizza" or "Jigarthanda".