TheReviewMonk
S Saraswathi

S Saraswathi

Rediff

47Reviews
5.4Avg from 41 scored
1Publication

Most Divergent Takes

Kabali

Kabali

2016 · Rediff · Jul 2016

Kabali is definitely not your regular Rajini film and is most likely to disappoint his fans. The film is also not as gripping as Ranjith's critically acclaimed Madras.  If not for the hype and stunning trailer, which promised an all-out Rajini masala entertainer, the film would have been far more enjoyable.

5.0
TRM 5.4
Full review ↗
24

24

2016 · Rediff · May 2016

Director Vikram's 24 is a cleverly crafted entertainer that is worth your time and money.

6.0
TRM 6.3
Full review ↗
Manithan

Manithan

2016 · Rediff · Apr 2016

Overall, director Ahmed's Manithan is a rather ordinary remake of a brilliant film.

4.0
TRM 5.5
Full review ↗
Pichaikkaran

Pichaikkaran

2016 · Rediff · Mar 2016

Sasi's Pichaikkaran may have overdosed on action and sentiment but the director manages to portray life from the other side. The humiliation and pain of people we meet and choose to ignore on a daily basis stays with you.  The film is definitely worth your time.

5.0
TRM 5.3
Full review ↗
Aarathu Sinam

Aarathu Sinam

2016 · Rediff · Feb 2016

Director Arivazhagan's Aarathu Sinam is a decent crime thriller with plenty of exciting moments that make it worth a watch.

Kanithan

Kanithan

2016 · Rediff · Feb 2016

Despite the compelling plot, Kanithan is an uninspired action thriller that has little to offer.

4.0
TRM 4.9
Full review ↗
Sethupathi

Sethupathi

2016 · Rediff · Feb 2016

Despite some predictable clichés, director Arun Kumar scripts an entertaining tale packed with refreshing characters and great music. But it is the terrific performance of Vijay Sethupathi that makes it worth a watch.

5.0
TRM 5.7
Full review ↗
Miruthan

Miruthan

2016 · Rediff · Feb 2016

But the half-baked script, ordinary VFX and inept execution make director Shakti Soundar's Miruthan a tedious watch.

4.0
TRM 5.3
Full review ↗
Visaranai

Visaranai

2016 · Rediff · Feb 2016

Lockup deaths and police encounters will no longer be mere newspaper reports after watching Visaranai, as the film sends across a chilling message.

8.0
TRM 6.8
Full review ↗
Bangalore Naatkal

Bangalore Naatkal

2016 · Rediff · Feb 2016

Remakes are never easy and director Bhaskar's Bangalore Naatkal is far from perfect, but the film does have its moments, especially for those who missed the original.

5.0
TRM 5.2
Full review ↗
Gethu

Gethu

2016 · Rediff · Jan 2016

Director Thirukumaran's Gethu fails to live up to its interesting premise; the film is all show and no substance.

4.0
TRM 5.0
Full review ↗
Pasanga 2

Pasanga 2

2015 · Rediff · Dec 2015

...there are several innocently uttered dialogues from the mouth of little children that hit you hard and leave you feeling guilty. This is Suriya's second production after the successful 36 Vayadhinile and he definitely has another winner in his hands.

6.0
TRM 5.8
Full review ↗
Eetti

Eetti

2015 · Rediff · Dec 2015

Overall, director Ravi Arasu's Eetti is a lighthearted commercial entertainer that is worth a watch.

5.0
TRM 5.5
Full review ↗
Vedalam

Vedalam

2015 · Rediff · Nov 2015

Though loaded with fantastical commercial elements catering to Ajith's mass hero image, the decent plot, stunning music by Anirudh and spectacular visuals captured by cinematographer Vetri make director Siva's Vedalam an enjoyable Diwali treat...

6.0
TRM 4.9
Full review ↗
Thoongaavanam

Thoongaavanam

2015 · Rediff · Nov 2015

...the intriguing plot, good performances, Ghibran's innovative background score and camera angles of Sanu Varghese make director Rajesh M Selva's Thoonga Vanam worth a watch.

Masala Padam

Masala Padam

2015 · Rediff · Oct 2015

The film keeps you engrossed for most part and the director does make his point, but perhaps a stronger defense would have made the film more meaningful.

5.0
TRM 5.1
Full review ↗
Puli

Puli

2015 · Rediff · Oct 2015

Director Chimbu Deven is known for his simple, yet unconventional films, most of which have done quite well. But working with a mass hero like Vijay seems to have taken its toll. The film ends a compromise that does justice to neither the director nor the actor.

4.0
TRM 4.3
Full review ↗
Thani Oruvan

Thani Oruvan

2015 · Rediff · Aug 2015

The film does revolve around the age-old conflict between good versus evil, but the contemporary twist to this slick and stylish racy thriller takes it to a whole new level.

7.0
TRM 6.3
Full review ↗
Papanasam

Papanasam

2015 · Rediff · Jul 2015

A well-written screenplay, brilliantly executed, with clever music, stunning cinematography, and, above all, the hugely talented Kamal Haasan, make Jeethu Joseph's Papanasam a must watch.

7.0
TRM 7.2
Full review ↗
Indru Netru Naalai

Indru Netru Naalai

2015 · Rediff · Jun 2015

But it is undoubtedly the director, who deserves all the credit. His skilful writing and deft direction, coupled with some fitting music and great all round performances, make his debut venture worth watching.

7.0
TRM 5.6
Full review ↗
Romeo Juliet

Romeo Juliet

2015 · Rediff · Jun 2015

Lakshman's Romeo Juliet is just a rehash of old clichés. He pitches love against money and there are no prizes for guessing which one wins.

4.0
TRM 5.3
Full review ↗
Kaaka Muttai

Kaaka Muttai

2015 · Rediff · Jun 2015

The director has touched upon many issues: the class divide, poverty, desires, the root of anti-social behaviour, the fickleness of society, the lure of advertisements, the influence of film stars, and the insensitive media. But he has chosen to do it discreetly. He has generously peppered the narrative with fun moments without undermining the underlying concern. Kaaka Muttai is totally worth it, definitely a must watch.

8.0
TRM 7.3
Full review ↗
Demonte Colony

Demonte Colony

2015 · Rediff · May 2015

Almost entirely shot in a single room with no gruesome ghosts or unnecessary build up, the director has skilfully created the eerie atmosphere, with incessant rain, a subtle aura of menace, unsophisticated characters and underlying hint of truth. The film is undoubtedly a fine attempt by the debutant director. Definitely worth a watch.

6.0
TRM 5.8
Full review ↗
Vai Raja Vai

Vai Raja Vai

2015 · Rediff · May 2015

Gautham gives a good performance and so have the others in the cast. But even at under two hours, the film appears rather slow and unexciting. Dhanush's entry at the climax as Kokki Kumar, definitely makes the end more entertaining. But he perhaps comes in a little too late to save the film. Aishwarya Dhanush's Vai Raja Vai is a let down.

4.0
TRM 5.3
Full review ↗
Kanchana 2

Kanchana 2

2015 · Rediff · Apr 2015

...is an enjoyable horror comedy about six ghosts who are out to avenge their deaths. The plot may be out of date and the comedy absurd, but the antics of the familiar characters and their enthusiasm make you laugh despite yourself.

5.0
TRM 5.4
Full review ↗
O Kadhal Kanmani

O Kadhal Kanmani

2015 · Rediff · Apr 2015

The simple dialogues that are the director's trademark, the unique narrative style, realistic characters, and excellent performances coupled with great music and stunning visuals make Mani Ratnam's O Kadhal Kanmani a must-watch.

7.0
TRM 6.1
Full review ↗
Komban

Komban

2015 · Rediff · Apr 2015

...the never-ending violence and the one-man army that is Karthi get extremely tedious.

4.0
TRM 5.0
Full review ↗
Valiyavan

Valiyavan

2015 · Rediff · Mar 2015

Valiyavan is a slow-paced, ordinary romantic comedy that intends to spread a message of patriotism against the backdrop of the special bond shared by a father and his grown up son...

Katham Katham

Katham Katham

2015 · Rediff · Mar 2015

Though Katham Katham moves at a brisk pace, it is predictable and long. There are a few well-written dialogues, but a cliché ridden script, and ordinary execution by the debutant director makes Katham Katham a total waste of time.

3.0
TRM 4.8
Full review ↗
Kaaki Sattai

Kaaki Sattai

2015 · Rediff · Mar 2015

A decently paced, well scripted film with plenty of humour and great music makes Sivakarthikeyan's Kaaki Sattai worth a watch...

5.0
TRM 5.0
Full review ↗
Anegan

Anegan

2015 · Rediff · Feb 2015

The director has left it to the viewers to decide whether the film is actually about eternal love that transcends death, or a dopamine-induced crazy make-believe world of a stressed out IT professional.

Yennai Arindhaal...

Yennai Arindhaal...

2015 · Rediff · Feb 2015

The backdrop is new, and the plot engaging but the characters, the situation, and even the dialogues are reminiscences of his previous cop films. With Yennai Arindhaal, director Gautham Menon perhaps completes his cop trilogy.

6.0
TRM 6.3
Full review ↗
I

I

2015 · Rediff · Jan 2015

Shankar's I is not to be missed, it should be watched in all its glory on the silver screen. Definitely, a treat for Pongal.

7.0
TRM 5.6
Full review ↗
Meaghamann

Meaghamann

2014 · Rediff · Dec 2014

With a power-packed screenplay, with enough twists and turns to make your head spin, Magizh Thirumeni's Meaghamann is high on suspense and drama. That coupled with deft direction and good all round performance, makes the film worth watching.

6.0
TRM 5.4
Full review ↗
Kayal

Kayal

2014 · Rediff · Dec 2014

A thoughtfully-written script packed with honest emotions, plenty of humour, potent dialogues and excellent performances make Kayal worth a watch.

6.0
TRM 5.8
Full review ↗
Lingaa

Lingaa

2014 · Rediff · Dec 2014

...works only because of the charisma and enigmatic screen presence of the Superstar.

5.0
TRM 5.9
Full review ↗
Naaigal Jaakirathai

Naaigal Jaakirathai

2014 · Rediff · Nov 2014

Whatever its faults, director Shakti Soundar Rajan's Naaigal Jaakirathai is a decent fun-filled entertainer.

5.0
TRM 5.6
Full review ↗
Vanmham

Vanmham

2014 · Rediff · Nov 2014

Director Jai Krishna's Vanmham is just another ordinary, highly predictable and melodramatic revenge drama that seriously tests your patience.

Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe

Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe

2014 · Rediff · Nov 2014

In just 114 minutes, Lakshmy has touched upon several issues: disastrous inter-caste love affairs, fragile relationships ruined by misunderstandings, the bond between father and son, mother and daughter, and political corruption. Despite all these elements, a good cast and excellent music, the film fails to hit the right notes.

4.0
TRM 5.1
Full review ↗
Kaththi

Kaththi

2014 · Rediff · Oct 2014

Regardless of the excessive masala moments catering to Vijay's mass hero image, the film does convey an important social message. This, coupled with the stunning music by Anirudh, definitely makes A R Murugadoss' Kaththi worth a watch.

6.0
TRM 6.2
Full review ↗
Yaan

Yaan

2014 · Rediff · Oct 2014

Yaan is a long, tedious and completely over-the-top action drama of a fun- loving unemployed youngster, whose life turns upside down when he sets out to prove himself for his love...

4.0
TRM 4.3
Full review ↗
Jeeva

Jeeva

2014 · Rediff · Sep 2014

While Jeeva may not be one of his best works, it is still worth a watch.

5.0
TRM 5.7
Full review ↗
Sigaram Thodu

Sigaram Thodu

2014 · Rediff · Sep 2014

A well-executed film with good performances, Sigaram Thodu is definitely worth watching.

Amara Kaaviyam

Amara Kaaviyam

2014 · Rediff · Sep 2014

Director Jeeva Sankar has attempted to portray an intense love story and he does succeed to some extent...an unmemorable love story.

5.0
TRM 5.3
Full review ↗
Jigarthanda

Jigarthanda

2014 · Rediff · Aug 2014

Jigarthanda is an engrossing gangster film with a series of bizarre twists and turns that keeps you guessing...

7.0
TRM 6.2
Full review ↗