This Vishal-starrer is a template exercise for the most part Veeramae Vaagai Soodum pretty much shoots itself in the foot during the opening hour, as it seems frustratingly occupied with ticking the ‘commercial elements’ checkbox. So, you have a mother character who’s introduced like most mothers in our ‘commercial films’ are: She’s making dosas, for the…

The interest of this reunion special is, however, not so much on analysis of the story or on delineating filmmaking choices but on the dynamics of its cast members I remember it like it happened yesterday—hanging about the Landmark Store in Chennai about 15 years ago, standing in a serpentine line that stretched as far…

The twins switch places, but there’s no one to do it with us It never stops to astonish how it can be that a film like Anbarivu that runs for close to three hours can be devoid of a single truly honest emotional moment. There’s separation, death, isolation, parental neglect… And yet, Anbarivu, oblivious to the weight and…

Writer has plenty of important objectives, even if they all don’t come together to form an affecting whole There’s plenty interesting about Writer. It’s interesting that the protagonist is a middle-aged frail policeman, Thangaraj (Samuthirakani), who has somehow held on to his inherent goodness despite being an accessory to distortions of justice for decades. It’s interesting that the…

Arun Matheswaran’s Rocky is a gloriously bloody film bolstered by surreal imagery and strong moments of reflection Rocky may seem like it’s in love with violence. I mean, necks are slit, eyes are gouged, and intestines get worn like garlands. And yet, it’s crucial to note that this film encourages plenty of contemplation—the kind you see its self-deprecatory…