Desert Rose

Whenever I watch a film, it is always the story telling that fascinates me. I just cannot stop thinking of how they came up with a certain story and developed it into a script. And lately it has been getting better – how an event or a certain something that we never thought was significant enough to be developed into a full-fledged engaging script actually gets made into such interesting films with technicality, creativity and yet realistic nature. And that is one of the many respects I consider myself lucky to be a malayali because Malayalam cinema’s affair with experimentation producing some avant-garde projects featuring both unknown and established stars has been striking our hearts and the box office! So the latest I watched was Parava, the directorial debut of Soubin Shahir. Having spent a significant period living in Cochin and exploring Fort Kochi, it was a feel good watch for the fact it was all happening in familiar frames. During my days there, I’ve come ...

Certain creations stand the test of time and still weaves a magic.  I happened to watch ‘Nammukku Parkkan Munthirithoppugal’ on television a few days back. The freshness. The magic. It was all as engaging as it was when I first watched it. Then a few days later I happened to see another master piece. This time while watching it, it hit me that much before Deepa Mehta, there was this legend, Padmarajan. Much before ‘Fire’, there was ‘Deshadanakkili Karayarilla’. Unlike the former where the protagonists probably became lesbians because of their uncaring husbands, Padmarajan made no bones about the fact that his protagonists were probably lesbians. Wasn’t he a genius film maker? I don’t know if this film was a success at the box office. Was it? Then yesterday I happened to watch yet another favourite of mine on telly – ‘Thoovanathumbigal’. It is not always that a cinema becomes immensely intriguing and grows on you each time you watch it – there are probably so many inte...

Last night I saw Spotlight. I still feel numb!  I don’t always update my blog after a movie but yes, some make exceptions. Spotlight is an American drama film directed by Thomas McCarthy and written by McCarthy and Josh Singer and won the award for the best film at the prestigious Oscars.  The story is about The Boston Globe's "Spotlight" team, a newspaper investigative unit and the real Spotlight Team earned the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. The story takes us back to 2001, when a team of journalists from The Boston Globe methodically uncovered a pattern of sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests.  The film was an excellent watch! The journalists’ initial unbelief, the journey to awareness, their commitment and desire to uncover the truth, their sensitivity to the victims, their dedication and persistence, their questioning of established religious systems were all so compelling. I could not help but identify with so...

So yes. Here is me completing the list that I left halfway through. Some picked out from my many favourite Mohanlal characters. The top 5 for me! 5. PATTANAPRAVESHAM - The Restaurant Scene  The surprised face as Balakrishnan orders 20 chappathis and 4 chilly chicken, the fear and anxiety as he pulls his chair close to his suspect, the cunning look as he rolls his eyes around while fitting the syringe, the delight when he thinks he had injected the syringe and pulled the blood, finally the shock to find no blood in syringe - all expressions flash in Mohanlal's face within the gap of just seconds. To add to all that, the downright hilarious tone in which he says only dialogue in this scene -'Yes Omelette yes' - I never get tired of watching this scene! 4. KIREEDAM Climax Mohanlal’s performance as Sethumadhavan was the perfect example of how an actor can infuse life into the character he portrays flawlessly .The scenes like where he leaves his hous...

When someone came up with  a list of  '50+ things only a Proud Mallu will understand', the first on list was a photo of Mohanlal with the caption - 'This man is part of your daily life. Literally!’ That says it all. Even after a series of uninspiring movies, how his brilliance on screen continues to leave so many in admiration.  So this particular post will cater to a smaller group. To be specific – malayalis and those who follow Malayalam cinema. To be a little more specific – malayalis who likes the actor in Mohanlal. I thought when I say he is my personal favourite, I should be able to pick some screen moments that made me a lalettan fan!   Here's a look back at some of the magical acting moments - my most favorite ones - from a career that has entertained , enlightened and amazed us for last 30+ years. 10. SUMMER IN BETHLEHEM - The Stunning Cameo As Niranjan  'Naalu vayassukaariyaya ayalude makalude attu poya kunjikkai ente dehathaanu vannu veena...