Movie Crow First Quarter Report – 2013

by Raven

The first quarter of this year saw some dramatic happenings not only on screens, but also off-screen. Kamal Haasan’s magnum opus Vishwaroopam faced a lot of controversies and the movie released in Tamil two weeks after it released across rest of the World. The movie took an earth shattering opening when it released and it turned out to be one of the biggest grossers in Tamil. Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya became an instant hit, thanks to brilliant chemistry between Powerstar Srinivasan and Santhanam. Bala’s Paradesi received appreciation from public, critics and film fraternity. 

Movie Crow Picks for First Quarter of 2013

• Film – Paradesi

• Director – Bala (Paradesi)

• Wholesome Entertainer – Vishwaroopam 

• Actor – Kamal Haasan (Vishwaroopam) 

• Actress – Vedhika (Paradesi)

• Comedian – Power Star Srinivasan (Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya)

• Debut actor – Gautham Karthik (Kadal)

• Cinematographer – Chezhiyan (Paradesi)

• Editor – Mahesh Narayanan (Vishwaroopam)

Music 

• Music Director – A R Rahman (Kadal)

• Lyricist – Vairamuthu (Paradesi)

• Female Singer – Shakthisree Gopalan (Nenjukkulley, Kadal)

• Male Singer – Gangai Amaren (Senneer Thana, Paradesi)

(only movies released between Jan 1 to March 31 and not based on music album release date)

Bala delivers his best

Director Bala’s last film ‘Avan Ivan’ received lukewarm response at the box-office and the critics wrote it off. But, his latest offering Paradesi was a world class attempt to show the pages of forgotten past without commercial compromises. No other director might dare to take such a gamble other than Bala. The movie received rave reviews and was celebrated by critics. However, the movie became an average grosser at the box-office.

Disappointments

The biggest disappointment of the first quarter was Mani Ratnam’s Kadal. The movie had some great music from A. R. Rahman and pleasing cinematography from Rajeev Menon, but Mani Ratnam’s magic was surely missing. Ameerin Aadhi Bhagavan did not live up to its expectations, becoming the first miss for director Ameer. Bejoy Nambiar’s David looked like a dubbed film, more than a bilingual. The nativity was missing and the plot lacked any excitement.

Novel Attempts

Haridas was a bold attempt to showcase autism in children but the screenplay could have focused more on the autism part. Vana Yuddham, biopic of Veerappan, was well made but the movie was heavily butchered, due to political reasons and conservative censor board. Chennaiyil Oru Naal, which released last week, is receiving good reviews from the audience as well as critics. 

Glimpse of Promise

Samar had an interesting storyline but the treatment could have been better. Vathikuchi had some interesting scenes but could not sustain the excitement level throughout.  Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga is funny at places, but has its share of low moments too. However, the movie might become yet another Sivakarthikeyan special that will turn out to be a hit at the box-office. Sundaattam was based on board game carom, but too many sub-plots played spoilsport.

Damp Squibs

Alex Pandian takes the honor for the most hated movie of the quarter closely followed by Onbadhula Guru. Alex Pandian was a poorly made crass commercial entertainer, with many double entendres and illogical sequences.