Critic-ഓമനക്കുട്ടൻ-A New Adventure-Review Pg 323

[yodha007]

Welcome yodha bhai. Pls don't compare ratings to the final fraction to decide on comparative likings. That's quite a tough ask when movies are average or there abouts.

Bhai......It does matter alot especially when it comes to rating below 3.......2.5 rating suggests it's an average, watchable movie.......whereas ratings like 2 are usually given for crap movies.......a watchable movie deserves 2.5 + rating!
I believe Fraud is a decent watch......

(I bring this to your notice because I admire you & your reviews.......No harm intended)

[bhat]

Bhai......It does matter alot especially when it comes to rating below 3.......2.5 rating suggests it's an average, watchable movie.......whereas ratings like 2 are usually given for crap movies.......a watchable movie deserves 2.5 + rating!
I believe Fraud is a decent watch......

(I bring this to your notice because I admire you & your reviews.......No harm intended)

Yup..I too disagree with Critic on Fraud...liked the film...it had enough novelty to keep me invested..few scenes were hadled with remarkable maturity......despite the problems two and half hours well spent

[ClubAns]

Half Hearted Drama
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Mr.Fraud
Carnival Cinemas - 17/5/14

Review
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Director B.Unnikrishnan's latest movie 'Mr.Fraud' gives you some promise, mainly because of his last outing with Mohanlal worked quite well (Grandmaster) and also because of the possibilities of the theme, lead actor. But sadly, when you walk out of the cinema, one may feel disappointed because it looks a lost chance at best.

Movie is promising and above average in the first half. It begins with the customary 'back story' seen in big movies a while back and then moves to some fake premises of a concert and robbery. But even with all that its Lal's sheer presence, mannerisms which keep the movie alive. He seems to be in a good form where is able to charm the audience, even with his light gestures. Many of the sequences, dialogues seem forced to the likability of the fans but still heading to the interval with a twist, it seems to be going a notch above from there.

Post interval all such thoughts go in vain as the proceedings come to a dead pan state. There is much happening on the screen but most of it looks quite lame. And one starts to slowly give up on the movie.Even Mohanlal has nothing much to do in the second half. The long drawn out climax thankfully arrives and the end portions inject the customary 'goodness' part, ending it with a 'James Bond' type dialogue.

Technically the making is quite slick and camera by Sateesh Kurup is good. Editing could have been better in the second half. Direction looks half hearted as well. Music is disappointing with no track making an impression. Background score has portions taken from earlier movies of Gopi Sundar.

The only performances that makes an impression is that of Sai Kumar, who disappears quite abruptly and to an extent Siddique. But whatever is the good part of 'Mr.Fraud' is an endearing phenomenon called 'Mohanlal'. With quite an ease which only the great actor can deliver, he wins you over in many a unconvincing scene.

To sum it up, 'Mr.Fraud' looks a lost chance at best. Watch it if you may but with lower expectations and Mohanlal's charming act may save your day a little bit.

Verdict - Disappointing
Rating - 2/5

How Inspired Are You?
-------------------------------
Movie - How Old Are You?
PVR Lulu - 17/5/14

Review
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Inspirational movies are quite a rare thing in Malayalam and when you get a good one, it actually tends to create quite a ripple. Director Roshan Andrews and writers Bobby- Sanjay have come up with one such awakening tale in their latest outing 'How Old Are You?'.

The setting is quite female oriented but creators have managed to camouflage it was an 'age issue' and make it look from exterior as generic. But many of the aspects raised, do apply to anyone who has a dream or does not have one. First half is quite a breezy ride with light comic moments thrown through out the narrative. The slight lag post Nirupama's special meeting could have been avoided. But despite that, the movie feels as Good by the Interval.

Second half starts bit on the down side and the new unexpected challenge in Nirupama's life seems like a wayward track. Soon the movie tends to become a bit preachy but the finale quite gets it back on track. Some of the scenes are really commendable and dialgoues top notch. The dialogues tend to overcome the logical flimsiness the scenes carry. Overall, 'How Old Are You' is quite an inspirational tale by time end credits roll.

Movie quite belongs to Sanjay Bobby for the wonderfully written scenes and dialogues. Roshan does some good work with the direction. Editing could have been tad better with the length. Cinematography is good.Musical score compliments the movie. Flip side the slight preachiness and tad melodrama can be a dampner for some.

Kunchacko Boban, Sethulakshmi, Muthumani, Kanika all put in decent performances but you know who the movie belongs to. From the starting frame to the closing one, Manju Warrier makes a commanding come back on screen. She has amazing screen presence and lifts 'Nirupama Rajeev' as a memorable character, identifiable to all women (and men). Her on stage speech,airport scene with daughter,visit to sethulakshmi's home, attempt to find the question from daughter and many more delightful scenes light up the screen. Even though acting goes over board at few places, she holds it all with much gusto. Welcome back to a great actor and waiting for much more on screen.

Finally, 'How Old Are You' is a self examination of how much do we think about our women. On who decides an expiry date to their dreams. At another level, its also the story of anyone who gave up on a dream at some stage in life. Its a movie with much goodness, that should not disappoint you.

Verdict - Good
Rating - 3/5

Thanks critic for the reviews...Repped...........

[critic]

Bhai......It does matter alot especially when it comes to rating below 3.......2.5 rating suggests it's an average, watchable movie.......whereas ratings like 2 are usually given for crap movies.......a watchable movie deserves 2.5 + rating!
I believe Fraud is a decent watch......

(I bring this to your notice because I admire you & your reviews.......No harm intended)

Thanks much Yodha. Well taken for sure :) My usual view is that a rating like 2 is for an attempt which did not get fulfilled.
For me craps are probably 1 or 1.5. Avg is something strictly at 2.5 and above average and good from above that.
May be our views differ but thats alright :)

Yup..I too disagree with Critic on Fraud...liked the film...it had enough novelty to keep me invested..few scenes were hadled with remarkable maturity......despite the problems two and half hours well spent

Great bhat ji. Liked the first half but after that it seemed to be too much things happening but with not much result.
May be its my taste. 'Run Baby Run' was another one like that. But had liked it better than this.

[yodha007]

@critic....
When you are a reputed critic in a forum, people tend to compare your reviews....that's what happened.....I can understand if someone rate geethanjali 2/2.5.....because it was a half hearted attempt from a legendary diector....it had many amateurish scenes, including climax.....but, how can you expect an average film maker like b.unnikrishnan to come up with a classic after the disaster like "I love me".....apart from having some cliched items, what is wrong with fraud?....it never had a dull monent....even many cliches like love track, long boring one liners were done away with....definitely, watchable!.....I know, consistency is tough to practice....but, if practised well, that would be great!.....One more point, posting negative review on the first day about a film that carries decent WOM is not good for any industry!

[yodha007]

@critic....
When you are a reputed critic in a forum, people tend to compare your reviews....that's what happened.....I can understand if someone rate geethanjali 2/2.5.....because it was a half hearted attempt from a legendary diector....it had many amateurish scenes, including climax.....but, how can you expect an average film maker like b.unnikrishnan to come up with a classic after the disaster like "I love me".....apart from having some cliched items, what is wrong with fraud?....it never had a dull monent....even many cliches like love track, long boring one liners were done away with....definitely, watchable!.....I know, consistency is tough to practice....but, if practised well, that would be great!.....One more point, posting negative review on the first day about a film that carries decent WOM is not good for any industry!

[critic]

@critic....
When you are a reputed critic in a forum, people tend to compare your reviews....that's what happened.....I can understand if someone rate geethanjali 2/2.5.....because it was a half hearted attempt from a legendary diector....it had many amateurish scenes, including climax.....but, how can you expect an average film maker like b.unnikrishnan to come up with a classic after the disaster like "I love me".....apart from having some cliched items, what is wrong with fraud?....it never had a dull monent....even many cliches like love track, long boring one liners were done away with....definitely, watchable!.....I know, consistency is tough to practice....but, if practised well, that would be great!.....One more point, posting negative review on the first day about a film that carries decent WOM is not good for any industry!

Oh apologies if it offended you, but its just my view. dont really think that individual online opinions decide the fate of a movie. please dont take it so seriously. we will agree to disagree on this.
have a good day ahead :)

[wayanadan]

thanxxx critic bhaiii

[Shivettan]

@critic....
When you are a reputed critic in a forum, people tend to compare your reviews....that's what happened.....I can understand if someone rate geethanjali 2/2.5.....because it was a half hearted attempt from a legendary diector....it had many amateurish scenes, including climax.....but, how can you expect an average film maker like b.unnikrishnan to come up with a classic after the disaster like "I love me".....apart from having some cliched items, what is wrong with fraud?....it never had a dull monent....even many cliches like love track, long boring one liners were done away with....definitely, watchable!.....I know, consistency is tough to practice....but, if practised well, that would be great!.....One more point, posting negative review on the first day about a film that carries decent WOM is not good for any industry!

so...its not tht u dunno al these facts...right....surprising.....

[josemon17]

@critic....
When you are a reputed critic in a forum, people tend to compare your reviews....that's what happened.....I can understand if someone rate geethanjali 2/2.5.....because it was a half hearted attempt from a legendary diector....it had many amateurish scenes, including climax.....but, how can you expect an average film maker like b.unnikrishnan to come up with a classic after the disaster like "I love me".....apart from having some cliched items, what is wrong with fraud?....it never had a dull monent....even many cliches like love track, long boring one liners were done away with....definitely, watchable!.....I know, consistency is tough to practice....but, if practised well, that would be great!.....One more point, posting negative review on the first day about a film that carries decent WOM is not good for any industry!