Rediff
Reviewing since 2014 · Last review Jul 2016
Films
Scoring fingerprint
42 scored reviews · 0–10
Most given: 5 (13 reviews)13% of reviews not scored
In step with the room
Within a point of the Monk Score on 84% of 32 films
Closest peer
Agrees with S Saraswathi on 93% of 28 shared films
Divergence
From the archive
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−0.5
Director Vikram's 24 is a cleverly crafted entertainer that is worth your time and money.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6−0.6
Overall, director Ahmed's Manithan is a rather ordinary remake of a brilliant film.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−1.5
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2
Despite the compelling plot, Kanithan is an uninspired action thriller that has little to offer.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
Director Arivazhagan's Aarathu Sinam is a decent crime thriller with plenty of exciting moments that make it worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4
But the half-baked script, ordinary VFX and inept execution make director Shakti Soundar's Miruthan a tedious watch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9−0.9
Lockup deaths and police encounters will no longer be mere newspaper reports after watching Visaranai, as the film sends across a chilling message.
Full review ↗TRM 7.2+0.8
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2−0.2
Director Thirukumaran's Gethu fails to live up to its interesting premise; the film is all show and no substance.
Full review ↗TRM 4.8−0.8
...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.
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
The director has loaded the first half with plenty of comedy, romance and sentiments, but seems to have run out of ideas in the second with the film ending on a tame note. The performance of the lead actors, some good music and the engaging first half makes director Velraj's Thanga Magan a decent entertainer.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3
Overall, director Ravi Arasu's Eetti is a lighthearted commercial entertainer that is worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6
...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.
Full review ↗TRM 6.2
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...
Full review ↗TRM 4.8+1.2
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
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.
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−0.1
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.
Full review ↗TRM 6.6+0.4
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.
Full review ↗TRM 7.5−0.5
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.2
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.
Full review ↗TRM 7.7+0.3
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.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−1.3
...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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.5−0.5
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.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3+0.7
...the never-ending violence and the one-man army that is Karthi get extremely tedious.
Full review ↗TRM 4.7
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...
Full review ↗TRM 5.0
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.
Full review ↗TRM 4.5
A decently paced, well scripted film with plenty of humour and great music makes Sivakarthikeyan's Kaaki Sattai worth a watch...
Full review ↗TRM 4.9+0.1
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.9
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.
Full review ↗TRM 6.5−0.5
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.6+1.4
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.4+0.6
A thoughtfully-written script packed with honest emotions, plenty of humour, potent dialogues and excellent performances make Kayal worth a watch.
Full review ↗TRM 6.00.0
...works only because of the charisma and enigmatic screen presence of the Superstar.
Full review ↗TRM 5.8−0.8
TRM 6.5+0.5
Whatever its faults, director Shakti Soundar Rajan's Naaigal Jaakirathai is a decent fun-filled entertainer.
Full review ↗TRM 5.7−0.7
Director Jai Krishna's Vanmham is just another ordinary, highly predictable and melodramatic revenge drama that seriously tests your patience.
Full review ↗TRM 4.9
TRM 5.4+0.6
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.
Full review ↗TRM 5.0−1.0
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.
Full review ↗TRM 6.3−0.3
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...
Full review ↗TRM 4.1−0.1
TRM 6.0
A well-executed film with good performances, Sigaram Thodu is definitely worth watching.
Full review ↗TRM 6.0
Director Jeeva Sankar has attempted to portray an intense love story and he does succeed to some extent...an unmemorable love story.
Full review ↗TRM 5.3−0.3
Jigarthanda is an engrossing gangster film with a series of bizarre twists and turns that keeps you guessing...
Full review ↗TRM 6.4+0.6
