MovieCrow Annual Rankings - Best Tamil Movies of 2017
2017 was more of content-driven, debut directed and heroine-centric films rather than just starry affairs and established names. Of the approximate 200 Tamil films that were released in the bygone year, the ones which made it to the top favourites of our annual rankings are listed below.
Aruvi - Arun Prabhu (MC Rating - 80%)
Aruvi is a brilliant debut by Arun Prabhu where he made the film both poetic and hard hitting. The tale of a woman in existential crisis conveyed in an engaging manner is what made Aruvi so likeable.
Baahubali: The Conclusion - S. S. Rajamouli (MC Rating - 74%)
This sequel of a magnum opus reminded everyone that big screen entertainment can never be dismissed altogether. With a pretty straight-forward commercial plot-line as its core, the film reiterated two important things - 1) Masala movies are not all bad 2) Strong screenplay is an important requisite for "Mass Movies" in addition to a glittery star-cast.
Vikram Vedha - Pushkar, Gayathri (MC Rating - 74%)
Vikram Vedha had the the age old cop vs don tale delivered in the Guy Ritchie / Tarantino style and a new dimension of folklore. Both the lead actors exuding a certain mass appeal on screen with minimal fuss, was what additionally worked for the film.
Aramm - Gopi Nainar (MC Rating - 72%)
Another brilliant debut of this year, Aramm showcased the irony of how our country has the technology to launch rockets but doesn't have enough facilities to recover life from a bore-well accident. A slap on our country's system, Aramm addressed an important issue while remaining engaging.
Maanagaram - Lokesh Kanagaraj (MC Rating - 71%)
Too good a film from a debut director, Maanagaram was new age cinema riding through the underbelly of Chennai. The film was like the exact bridge between what you want to see on screen in a movie and what happens in the real world.
Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu - Suresh Sangiah (MC Rating - 70%)
This year's best rural drama was told from a perspective of a goat (yes, the animal) and more than constituted for a brave attempt from a debut director. The film had important things to say, but never gave the impression of teaching from a moral high ground.
Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru - H. Vinoth (MC Rating - 68%)
Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru was the closest we have got to in experiencing a hardcore action film in recent times. Both Karthi and Vinoth were in fine form here.
Kurangu Bommai - Nithilan Swaminathan (MC Rating - 66%)
In his very first venture as a director, Nithilan Swaminathan pulled off a disturbing crime drama while maintaining a palpable tension throughout.
Taramani - Ram (MC Rating - 66%)
Despite revolving a narrow-minded man and a too practical for this society girl, Taramani gave us an intriguing peek into the male psyche. The film did not say what was right and wrong but emphasised that right and wrong does not differ with the gender.
Aval - Milind Rau (MC Rating - 66%)
A true-blue horror film, Aval stood out from the rest of Tamil horror attempts for not following a cliched pattern and upping the product with credible technicalities.
Mersal - Atlee (MC Rating - 65%)
Arguably Vijay's best commercial performance till date, Mersal had Atlee extract the best out of every cast and technician. A transformation-al Vijay movie from multiple perspectives.
Kavan - KV Anand (MC Rating - 65%)
Kavan threw light on what goes into sensationalising a piece of news while remaining a pop-corn entertainer. A very important film just for the issue it took up.
Thupparivaalan - Mysskin (MC Rating - 64%)
Thupparivaalan was engrossing film with Myskkin's stamp throughout. This investigative drama was delivered in Mysskin style with no non-linear narration or twists at every end.
Lens - Jayaprakash RadhaKrishnan (MC Rating - 63%)
An extremely pertinent film of this day and age, first time director Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan delivered a Hard hitting and slightly preachy movie but it was cleverly presented as a thriller. The movie dealt with how one should be aware and vigilant about online voyeurism.
Rangoon - Rajkumar Periasamy (MC Rating - 63%)
A solid debut from the director, Rangoon is a well made thriller with the backdrop of smuggling. The film stands apart because it maintains middle ground between mainstream cinema and art house films.
Pa Pandi - Dhanush (MC Rating - 63%)
A debut directorial from an industry veteran, Pa. Paandi was an extremely heartwarming film and is about a retired stunt-man setting out in search of his long-lost love. The film has likeable performances and some very good music.
8 Thottakkal - Sri Ganesh (MC Rating - 61%)
The film was not an average thriller but more of a fascinating character study. Inspired from a list of films, debutant Sri Ganesh tells the story of a depressed policeman who looses his gun to a circumstantial killer.
Pandigai - Feroz (MC Rating - 61 %)
Feroz makes an impressive first outing as he narrates how a man who is desperate for money, takes to the illegal world of street-fighting. A gripping and well made film with an element of heist-thriller too in it.
Meyaadha Maan - Rathna Kumar (MC Rating - 61%)
Meyaadha Maan had some good performances by the four main characters and the film's composer. Debutant Rathnakumar with his fine sensibility gave us a fun rom-com, which was palatable for the mainstream audience as well.
Notable Mentions
- Despite being a dubbed film, Ghazi was a brilliant attempt at war-drama by debutant Sankalp Reddy. A reminiscent of a Chess game between the Indian Navy and Pakistan, Ghazi appealed to the Tamil audience and hence makes it our list of mentions.
- C.V. Kumar's directorial debut Maavayan had an interesting screenplay and deserves a word of mention for retaining the suspense factor throughout.
- Velaikkaran, Mohan Raja 's follow up film after Thani Oruvan was a content-rich message film. Sivakarthikeyan's performance as a man with a purpose worked very well for the film.
- Kuttram 23 was a well made mainstream thriller with relatable characters and apt casting. Director Arivazhagan had enough suspense pointers to keep us engaging till the climax.
- Kadugu which is a story of a man going against corrupt politicians saw Vijay Milton back in form. The movie's interesting core was presented in a David Vs Goliath manner.