Memories-Review

Everyone has memories.Some may be bad.Some may be good.Jeethu Joseph's Prithviiraj starrer is undoubtedly one of the finest thrillers ever produced in mollywood.Here we encounter a protogonist and antogonist both living in their eventful memories.when one of them takes solace in alcohol,other one finds his solace in revenge.Memories changes colors like a chameleon.At one moment its a romantic tragedy,while in the next moment its a nail biting thriller.Thats the most fascinating thing about this flick.
Sam Alex was once a happy man with a lovable wife and a beautiful little girl.However in a terrorist attack,they were brutally killed right infront of his eyes.This sends him to depression and Sam takes his solace in alcohol.But no one can escape from their destiny.A new serialkiller is on the town and IG puts Sam to run a parallel enquiry in an unofficial manner.Although he was reluctant at first.He eventually agree on the insistence of his mother.The rest of the story is about how Sam manages to trace out the killer.
Once again, treatment given to subject made all the difference.Although script is a good one,direction and acting made all the difference.Jeethu Joseph done a brilliant job here.In a subject of this much serious overtones,director used the situations to evoke laughter.The director is back with a bang after two unimpressive attempts-'my boss' and 'mummy&me'.Sejo Johns' music is another good thing about the film.'Thirayum theeravum..'is one of the best melodies in recent years.When it comes to acting,Prithviraj overshadows all others.It's an outright prithviraj show.He carries the film on his shoulders right from the beginning till the end.He is fastly emerging as mollywoods' New superstar.Nedumudi Venus' priest,madhupals' doctor are other good factors.Meghna raj and Mia George who played the female leads did their part well.
But I feel the actor who played antogonist was not good for the job.He tried to bring his best ,and 'scare' people,but I found myself laughing my wits out watching his performance.Apart from this and a slightly draggy narration in the first half,memories is one of the best films ever made in mollywood.An engaging script,best performances and a brilliant direction makes memories a must watch.
RATING:9/10
VERDICT:A must watch..go for it..memories won't disappoint you.

NEELAKASHAM PACHAKADAL CHUVANNABHOOMI- REVIEW

Sameer Thahirs' Neelaksham Pachakadal Chuvannabhoomi  is beautiful like a Paulo Coelhos' novel.In an interview given to "The Hindu" after ' Chappa kurishu',Sameer Thahir said that his new movie will be based on a " soul-searching journey".Touted to be the first road movie in mollywood,NPCB takes along a journey of love,friendship and life.

It is the story of Kasi aka Kasim(Dulquer) who setsout on a roadtrip from Calicut to Nagaland.He is joined by his long time friend Suni(Sunny Wayne).Along the way,Kasi acquaints new people,new places and new culture. At one point of the story, one girl named Ishitha proposes to him,but he declines..It is revealed that the whole journey to Nagaland was about Kasis’ lost love Assi and meeting her.Reasons behind Kasi and Assis’ seperation,Thahirs' leftist ideology and his views on various social issues like naxalite attacks,tribal problems,technological alienation etc..also form the plot.In the end,Kasi realises that each one has a story for him,more aptly each lesson for him.

Dulquer had once again delivered,big time.NPCB may be his best performance to the date.Sunny Wayne once again steals the show with his Kannur dialect and body language.Manipur actress Surji Bala Hisham also did a good job.Other actors also delivered strong supporting performances.

 DOP is brilliant.Many scenes reminded me of "Due Date", especially the scene in which Dulquer and Sunny wayne waits to get  their  bike repaired in an Orissa ruralhood.Sreekar Prasad had to be appreciated for his crisp editing which reduced the running time to approximately 2 hr 10 mts.Rex Vijayan had once again impressed with his music and BGM,both seems to be perfect to the general tone and mood of the film.'Doore Doore' and 'Neelakasham' are my favourites.Hashir Mohammed had proved himself to be a 'Lohithadas' of our times.

But the film is bit dragging in the second half.Like his previous movie,Sameer failed to avoid his draggy narration.Also certain sequences like Shyams' death and the long chase between Suni and a trucker (kinda reminded me of spielsburgs' duel!) are incomplete and not well developed.Apart from these minor flaws,NPCB is an enjoyable ride overall.The film maynot be of a festival mood,but all those who love good films should go for it.

RATING:8/10

VERDICT:WORTH A RIDE