Recalling the Tamil films of 2015 that, even if not great in the overall sense, stood out for some reason(s). Here, in alphabetical order.
- 144: At first, I found the narrative a rhythmless mess, too “quirky” for its own good. But slowly, I tuned into the film’s vibe, and just thinking about the bits now — a gangster named ‘Feelings’ Ravi, the bemused cop who keeps saying “kandippa” — is making me smile.
- Baahubali: The year’s most spectacular film isn’t just about grandeur in visuals. It’s about grandeur in ideas. It’s proof that a talented, imaginative filmmaker can take a masala story as old as the hills and make us feel we’ve never seen anything like it. It’s why wolf whistles were invented.
- Bench Talkies: This collection of short films was a disappointingly mixed bag. But the fact that something this offbeat – with varied subjects, from an existentialist take on two men who lie bleeding on a hillside to Karthik Subbaraj’s tragic drama about fishermen in dangerous waters – made it to theatres makes me want to cheer a bit.
- CSK – Charles Shafiq Karthiga: A beautifully written thriller woven around the events of a single night. The making, hampered by obvious constraints (budgetary and otherwise), doesn’t match the writing, but that’s easy to overlook. Once the plot kicks in, the focus is laser-sharp.
- Indru Netru Naalai: Sci-fi isn’t easy to pull off in the Tamil mainstream, and there is a lot of spoon-feeding in this yarn about a time machine. But it all goes down smoothly, even if this is more of a comedy than the thriller it wants to be.
- Kaaka Muttai: Two children who live in a slum want to taste pizza. From this premise, we get something so entertaining — part crowd-pleasing art film, part arty crowd-pleaser — that it’s easy to forget how sad the undercurrents are. Stunningly made and performed.
- Kirumi: This story of a microscopic man who wants to become a big shot is a superb, low-key character study masquerading as a thriller. One-of-a-piece, free of false notes – and there’s attitude from start to finish.
- Kuttram Kadithal: This biting drama set in and around the school system (and the System) is about a number of things: Communism, Maxim Gorky, motherhood, religion, humanity… and a call for revolution. Very fine filmmaking, which immerses us in its world.
- Moone Moonu Varthai: This is on my list simply because it’s a reminder that we don’t get many easy-watch romantic comedies. Too low-key for some tastes, but it’s pleasantly nuts and full of little surprises – plus, there’s a nice little high concept tucked in.
- Naanum Rowdy Dhaan: A Kill Bill-like premise about a woman out to avenge herself on a gangster becomes an entertainingly silly comedy about an anti-rowdy. A welcome return to form for Vijay Sethupathi, who’s surrounded by a crack team of comics, including Parthiban in glorious form.
- O Kadhal Kanmani: The classiest romance of the year. I wish there had been a little more conflict in this story of a couple in a live-in relationship, but the leads are delightful and Mani Ratnam keeps you smiling through their ups and downs in the way only he can.
- Orange Mittai: A road movie. A drama about fathers and sons. And a moving exploration of loneliness in one’s advanced years. The title may refer to candy but the film is a quiet ode to the bittersweet life.
- Papanasam: The best of Kamal Haasan’s three releases this year. The thriller may have worked better for those unfamiliar with the Malayalam original, but the attraction for Tamil viewers was the opportunity to watch the rare common-man performance from the actor, who pitches his histrionics at the exact “cinematic” level the cinema-crazy character demands. He’s terrific.
- Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai: Despite some grippingly cinematic portions in his films, SP Jhananathan still comes off less a filmmaker than a pamphleteer. But the points he brings up are incendiary. One of the pleasures of this entertaining prison-escape drama is that it also makes you think.
- Rajathanthiram: A solid thriller about small-time crooks planning a big-time heist. It’s been a good year for first-time filmmakers, and director AG Amid, refreshingly, appears to be operating out of a love for cinema rather than fear of the box office.
- Thamizhukku Enn Ondrai Azhuthavum: While our big-name filmmakers refuse to budge from formula, it’s the newcomers, like Ramprakash Rayappa, who keep taking us someplace… well, new. The film isn’t quite the ticking-clock thriller the premise suggests, but with so many laughs, why complain?
- Thani Oruvan: Overlong and a tad preachy – but this is a pretty smart, pulpy thriller, a sustained cat-and-mouse game between hero and villain. And with far more style than you expect in a… Mohan Raja movie. Just what has he been having for breakfast?
- Thilagar: One way to regard this insightful, empathetic rural drama is as a rehash of Thevar Magan targeted at the C-centre audience. A pacifist is forced to take to violence when his brother is killed. Lots of action, and some bravura filmmaking, but the film is more about the emotional cost of violence.
- Trisha Illana Nayanthara: The year’s most honest movie. Director Adhik Ravichandran promised a cheerfully crude entertainer made with hormonal teens in mind, and he delivered exactly that. I wish he’d pushed the ‘A’ rating further, gotten his hands dirtier, but give the film credit for making the “virgin” hero the butt of all its jokes.
- Yennai Arindhaal: Despite the fine craftsmanship, somewhat disappointing as a Gautham Menon movie. But a first-rate Ajith outing, the rare star vehicle that showcases the leading man as not just a masala god but also a fairly ordinary human being.
An edited version of this piece can be found here. Copyright ©2015 The Hindu. This article may not be reproduced in its entirety without permission. A link to this URL, instead, would be appreciated.
Posted in: Cinema: Tamil
Venkatesh
December 26, 2015
I’ve watched only seven of these. I think this year’s ‘National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil’ is reserved for Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai!
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Jai
December 26, 2015
Maya? Uttama Villain?
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Anu Warrier
December 26, 2015
Nothing much to say here except ‘Welcome back!’ 🙂 Now I hope all the other blank pages will get their reviews.
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Vignesh
December 26, 2015
I agree with Jai. Both deserve to be in the list. Maya for it’s unique plot and packaging and Uttama Villain for the performance of Kamal and storyline. I am sure people would praise it many years later like Anbe Sivam.
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apala
December 27, 2015
BR-sir, Welcome back! Hope the break was worth it!
Agree with the list – but cannot believe you left out Uttama Villain – for the terrific acting and writing! It’s a gem which would be marveled maybe in another decade later (at least, hopefully before Kamal takes off from this planet!).
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neabs
December 27, 2015
Uttama villain is missing . 😦
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neabs
December 27, 2015
I have watched only 8 movies listed here. Pathetic situation 😦
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Raj Balakrishnan
December 27, 2015
Thanks for this list Baradwaj. I’ve seen some of the independent off beat films. Loved Rajathandiram, that was awesome. Indru Netru Naalai was OK but I thought Tamizhukku en ondrai was very poor, hardly a thriller. There was another movie, Sarabham ( I think this was in 2014), I thought that was awful – the lead actors were bad, the writing was awkward and ridiculous plot.
One more thing, I find that generally in Tamil films the lines written for the urban upper middle class characters to be very awkward and not believable. Gautam Menon movies being the exception. They seem to nail it when it comes to lower middle class characters, like in Rajathandiram or Soodhu Kavvum. Maybe this has got something to do with the actors or the background of the writers/ directors.
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Rajaram
December 27, 2015
I beg to differ as for as 144 is concerned.
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venkatesh
December 27, 2015
Am just glad that TIN is there.
A fantastically fun film…..
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rajandr
December 27, 2015
Thani oruvan screenplay and dialogue is by Subha. Mohan Raja is like a moon. He doesn’t have any source of illumination on his own. He just teamed up with the right person. Otherwise do you think he even understands in depth the dialogues of his movie which were left leaning and anti establishment. A Telugu masala copier you expected too much.
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rajandr
December 27, 2015
முன்னே மூன்று வார்த்தை – purely personal bias beyond evaluation by any cinematic parameters. Have all right to like that film but placing it in top 20 of the year neutral critic தொழிலுக்கு செய்யுற துரோகம் இல்லையா
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Rekha
December 27, 2015
My sincere thanks for not including UV ☺
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Gradwolf
December 27, 2015
Considering how mechanical this whole year end list making can get and that most critics love to hate it, I expected you to say – am on a break now so why don’t you make your own list and let me know.
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Ram Murali
December 27, 2015
Nice list. My favorite of the year was undoubtedly “Kaaka Muttai.”
Roger Ebert wrote this in his review of the movie FARGO – “Films like “Fargo” are why I love the movies.” Very simple but a very all-encompassing statement. I felt similarly about “Kaaka Muttai.” It’s one of the most immersive movie watching experiences that I have had in the past few years. I probably have to go back all the way to “Anbe Sivam” when I experienced this much of a transport to another world. The kids, the Amma, the Paati, the Pazharasam character, the world they live in, the humor that they manage to thrive on despite their difficulties, the casual acceptance of their reality without once showing self-pity, the courage to fight against odds, the generosity of spirit despite being bereft of financial comforts.
W
O
W!
I just felt so humbled watching this movie. Humbled by the fact that as a middle-class guy, I live in a world with far more privileges than these kids and their mother yet don’t always summon the courage to deal with adversities the way they do. Humbled by the fact that a debutant director (Manikandan) could show an aspiring writer like me how to tell a story with a message without being preachy.
Team Kaaka Muttai, you have done thamizh cinema PROUD!
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praneshp
December 27, 2015
rajandr: I have extra respect for a director who surrounds himself with the best team possible, instead of trying to do everything himself
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sanjana
December 28, 2015
I would like to know the best 100 tamil films till now from the beginning. From 1950s to 2015.
I know many cant go beyond the last 10 years and hence more movies will be from this period. But an equal distribution of honours considering the sensibilities and limitations of all past generations will be a fair list.
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ThouShaltNot
December 28, 2015
Naan indha padam paarkavillai. Aagaiyaal, idhai pattri enakku karuththu aedhum illai. Iruppinum, BRai oru “naduvar” endru karudhuvadhu thavaru. Maelum, kalai ulagathil sari-thavaru enbadhum, pidithadhu-pidikaadhadhu enbadhum vev vaeru. Sari-thavaru enbadhileyey vaerupaadu sahajam. Pidithadhu pidikaadhadhu thani manidhanin swaarasyam thaane? Oruvan pirandhu valarndha soozhnilaikkum adhil adhigamaana pangu undu enbadhu unmai. Idhey karuththukalai BR ingu pala murai valiurithirukkiraar. Avar potta pattiyalil oru padam ungalukku pidikavillai endra orey kaaranathirkaaga, adhai “thozhilukku seyyum droham” endru karudhavadhu thavaru.
Misstatements may be challenged. But, shouldn’t what one likes be unassailable (except when chaffing in good humor)?.
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Venkatesh
December 28, 2015
praneshp: But then, there is a difference between a Satyajit Ray and a Shankar. ‘Jayam’ Raja is neither!
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Abhishek
December 28, 2015
I think Maya deserved a mention in this list. It was a well directed movie considering that it was done by a crew that consist mainly of newcomers.
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tejas
December 28, 2015
Because now you officially review Tamil films for the paper, it seems obligatory that you compile a list of best films from that language. But do tell – which is your most favourite film of the year across all languages and why is it Fury Road?
PS: Will you be compiling such a list for Hindi films? Or at least top X awesome moments from Hindi films?
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venkatesh
December 28, 2015
ThouShaltNot : one small request , i think you have written a great comment (looking by the likes) except that i cant really understand it. Do you mind putting that in English please ?
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Rahini David
December 28, 2015
venkatesh: The translated version is not as half as good as the tamil original. But here goes.
Naan indha padam paarkavillai. – I have not watched this movie.
Aagaiyaal, idhai pattri enakku karuththu aedhum illai. – I have no comments on it.
Iruppinum, BRai oru “naduvar” endru karudhuvadhu thavaru. – But, it is wrong to think of BR as a judge.
Maelum, kalai ulagathil sari-thavaru enbadhum, pidithadhu-pidikaadhadhu enbadhum vev vaeru. – In the arts, Right/Wrong is quite different from Like/Dislike
Sari-thavaru enbadhileyey vaerupaadu sahajam. – It is common to have difference of opinion in Right/Wrong.
Pidithadhu pidikaadhadhu thani manidhanin swaarasyam thaane? – Like/Dislike is related to individual tastes.
Oruvan pirandhu valarndha soozhnilaikkum adhil adhigamaana pangu undu enbadhu unmai. – The life a person has lived and his experiences color his tastes a lot and that is the truth.
Idhey karuththukalai BR ingu pala murai valiurithirukkiraar. – BR has pointed this out often.
Avar potta pattiyalil oru padam ungalukku pidikavillai endra orey kaaranathirkaaga, adhai “thozhilukku seyyum droham” endru karudhavadhu thavaru. – It is wrong to say that he failed his Professional Duty, just because you do not agree to a single item in the list.
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ThouShaltNot
December 28, 2015
@venkatesh
Nothing of that sort. I simply regurgitated (or maybe what i said approximates) what BR has said about this topic before, except I chose Tamil, since the original comment had a Tamil word that stings (drOgam). But for the use of that word, I would not have joined issue.
Thanks Rahini, for the near perfect translation of expressed thoughts. I only say near perfect because I interpret “Thozhil Drogam” as “an act of betrayal to the profession” (implied profession: “neutral” criticism). Stronger than merely failing, IMO.
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Pady Srini
December 28, 2015
144 ? Yennai Arindhaal ??? TrishaIllanaNayantara ???
I think vedalam is a better movie than YA.
I think finding 20 good movies is just tough in Tamil every year. I do think “Uttama Villain” is much superior to many of the movies listed above. The Kamal expectation factor seems to play into most people rating it low.
You need to just look at the movies like one who has never seen Tamil movies or these actors and then rate them. Then definitely Kamal movies will come in the top 20 year after year.
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rajandr
December 28, 2015
@ ThouShaltNot
If this would have been a personal list of Mr Rangan’s best movies of 2015 I don’t have any problem. But when Mr Rangan dons the hat of a critic and “reviews” a work of art then we expect him to evaluate each movie against a certain set of parameters (these may vary over a period of time as art evolves) and provide a balanced unbiased review of the movie uninfluened by his personal opinions.
If this is not to be expected of a critic and it’s his only personal like/dislike which will be heavily biased as you have already noted then the credibility of what he writes suffers.
A critic is only worth as long as his unbiased neutral credentials are intact.
If you still believe that the work of critic will only be reflection of his taste and cannot be subjugated to any scrutiny there is nothing more to speak. We can end the conversation here. If not continue.
Why would I want to read a review of Mani Ratnam movie by Mr Rangan having very well known his fan following of the director. I expect Rangan will come out of his fan boy mould and give a fair review of Ratnam’s work irrespective of his devotion to the director. Rangan may support or be against capital punishment or capitalism. But that shouldn’t come in his way of reviewing the movie Purampoku. He judges the movie on whether the director has done justice to the subject aesthetics.
When Rangan is placing a movie in this list I am asking what parameters he choose to evaluate and justifies the inclusion of this movie in this list. This is what I am questioning as whether he has done enough justice when he included this movie.
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rajandr
December 28, 2015
@praneshp
I mentioned Subha’s name because Rangan didn’t credit him and was suprised as to how come Mohan Raja pull a script like this. I believe that’s what he meant by the phrase “what did he have for breakfast”
I pointed out Subha was a strong influence which might explain the tight pulp Fiction screenplay. I don’t have anything against directors surrounding themselves with capable technicians.
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rajandr
December 29, 2015
Someone mentioned how a comment is great as it got many likes. If the comments section is only for cheerleading and for exclaiming with the likes of அண்ணன் பனியன் size 56 inch தெரியுமா then I wanted to remind of what an old Tamil poet said.
இடிப்பாரை இல்லாத ஏமரா மன்னன்
கெடுப்பா ரிலானுங் கெடும். – திருவள்ளுவர்.
The king, who is without the guard of men who can rebuke him, will perish, even though there be no one to destroy him.
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praneshp
December 29, 2015
@rajandr: Re the subha discussion, Acc to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thani_Oruvan, the story was by Raja, only the screenplay and dialogue was by Subha. Screenplay alone doesn’t make a movie, so I think the phrase is still apt. Mohan Raja wasn’t known to make anything other than re-makes at that point.
Re. the popularity of the comment targeted at you, I think casually switching to Tamil in the middle of a comment for no reason and calling brangan a “dhrogi” makes you look pretentious.
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rajandr
December 29, 2015
Switching in Tamil in between was purely my stream of thoughts captured. I think in Tamil translate to English and write. When I am lazy to translate or I find I would be able to express it clearly in English I write it in Tamil considering people in this thread would be able to understand it. Not sure how its pretentious.
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venkatesh
December 29, 2015
@Rahini , @ThoushaltNot : Nandri nandri.
I can understand and speak Tamil very well, just cant understand the transliteration. I can’t read it either, which is a damn shame.
@rajandr: I was curious about the comment as it got many likes. This is a light-hearted (for the most part) forum of fairly like-minded folks , there is no reason to get onto a high horse and spout high-falutin philosophy. Time and Place dude.
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rajandr
December 29, 2015
@venkatesh
“Like minded folks”. That’s what the problem is. People from diverse streams and section of society should contribute in the comments section. Else it will look like a meet up of bros from T Nagar Mambalam and Beasant Nager in Elliots beach.
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ThouShaltNot
December 29, 2015
@rajandr
…we expect him to evaluate each movie against a certain set of parameters…provide a balanced unbiased review of the movie uninfluened by his personal opinions.
Your expectation calls for an out-of-body experience. Only saamiyaars can provide that, not movie critics.
If this is not to be expected of a critic and it’s his only personal like/dislike which will be heavily biased as you have already noted then the credibility of what he writes suffers. A critic is only worth as long as his unbiased neutral credentials are intact.
That species of critic with “unbiased neutral credentials” never existed. That doesn’t mean, we have to stop searching. So, please continue your search 🙂
When I say biases, these are all the beliefs and attitudes that color your perceptions about the world. IMO, that would be a function of everything you value in life and how much each means to you (e.g. “I value integrity, I value loyalty, I value friendship, I value women, I value rural life, I value Tamil…”) Your biases may change as you grow, as you learn and unlearn, but you will always have biases. Have you not heard the expression,”Where you stand depends on where you sit”? Where you sit is about your situation in life (all the different circumstances over time – economic,cultural,class etc. – that feed your biases), and this influences where you stand, which is about your opinions/positions on any issue.
If you still believe that the work of critic will only be reflection of his taste
Yes, the work of critics (or anyone) will always be a reflection of their biases/tastes. Not to mention, evaluation of art is highly subjective. Meaning, the criteria used for evaluation will differ from person to person. But, what you can demand is transparency about the criteria used and its consistent application by the person using such criteria.
and cannot be subjugated to any scrutiny there is nothing more to speak. We can end the conversation here.
Sure you can question a critic about their reviewing process or attempt to understand where they are coming from with regards to their stated positions. You can try and understand rhyme & reason behind even “predispositions” if you care (easier said than done and I include myself).
When Rangan is placing a movie in this list I am asking what parameters he choose to evaluate and justifies the inclusion of this movie in this list.
Fair enough and this is entirely within bounds. But, if you have seen his earlier full review of said movie, you would have an approximate sense of where he is coming from. Also, he seems to have held his nose longer (a qualified inclusion using tepid phrases such as “simply because”, “too low key for tastes”) for this movie. Further, right at the top of the article, he has left some hints about his general approach to compiling this list. A good starting point for knowing his criteria?
BR: “Recalling the Tamil films of 2015 that, even if not great in the overall sense, stood out for some reason(s). Here, in alphabetical order”
This is what I am questioning as whether he has done enough justice when he included this movie.
Is there a Kural somewhere within the 1330 about not doing below?
Ready. Fire. Aim. Reload. Ask questions.
BTW, there is a right way to ask and a wrong way to ask. Earlier, about this movie, you were asking and simultaneously insinuating before a response could be provided.
In any case, since you appear to like a good kural, here is one I like that you might appreciate:
idhanai, idhanaal, ivan mudikkum endraaindhu
adhanai, avan kan vidal
Trans: Entrust responsibilities to the person who is the best fit after proper research.
A responsible news organization, generally, picks the best person to fill a position. Even otherwise, I read and I parse, therefore, I trust. No, I am not Canute’s courtier 🙂
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rajandr
December 29, 2015
@ ThouShaltNot
“Earlier, about this movie, you were asking and simultaneously insinuating before a response could be provided”
Agreed. I shouldn’t have concluded before Rangan’s response. It was wrong.
The rest of your argument all I can say is agree to disagree. There isn’t even common grounds we seem to have to even have a discussion. So best left there.
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rajandr
December 29, 2015
@ ThouShaltNot
One more thing. That kural is perfect. But I don’t end where the kural ends. After அவன் கண் விடல் I still follow the Russian Proverb “Trust, but verify”.
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brangan
December 29, 2015
rajandr: There isn’t even common grounds we seem to have to even have a discussion.
Exactly. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t feel I could add much to your comments. We approach reviewing in very different ways.
I personally do not trust any reviewer who claims to be (or is held up as an example of being) objective. For me, the very SOUL of any discussion about art is the subjectivity, and the (hopefully) intelligent manner in which the writer defends/explains his subjective points of view.
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ThouShaltNot
December 30, 2015
Really? That is an absurd proverb. Think about it. Trust presupposes goodwill that has been earned based on some evidence. Generally applies to people whom you’ve come to know well over time (some way or the other) and have earned trust. Otherwise, it would be blind faith. Verification undermines trust and simply makes it moot. Might as well make up something like “Paranoia always triumphs”. Or it’s as absurd as saying “Speak the truth, except when you are not lying”. Duh.
Now, I believe this became popular in the West during the cold war. Reagan used it as a convenient cudgel with which to “beat up” the duplicitous Russians (who wouldn’t keep their end of a treaty). The cold war is over. Time to bury the proverb IMO. Guess, we’ll have one more disagreement . On that bright note 🙂
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Rahini David
December 30, 2015
Rajandr: I probably should not be taking this particular thread as everyone seems to have agreed to disagree. Still there is a thought I would put forth.
Whether critics should put forth their own thoughts in an elegant way or “the right thought” in the prettiest way is a different point. But if you are willing to explain why that movie doesn’t deserve to be in top 20, more interesting discussions will surely happen.
If all you say is that this is tholil droham, then people who disagree will disagree to that train of thought. People will “like” what they like. “Thou shall not” was eloquent in what she said. She sounded like Solomon papaiya’s troop member and I loved it.
Yes, most commenters are BR ‘s fans. That doesn’t mean we are not open to other thoughts. Isn’t this place better than other fan threads? Go to any ajith song video in YouTube and diss ajith. See the comments. That type of fanatism may be wrong. A few thumbs down are not.
What venkatesh was saying regarding like minded people is that we all love movie analysis. Not that we all love the same movies or bow down to BR in everything. Just my thoughts 🙂
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ThouShaltNot
December 30, 2015
“Thou shall not” was eloquent in what she said. She sounded like Solomon papaiya’s troop member
Rahini, please excuse the anonymity, but the pronoun referring gender above is incorrect (note: I realize the perils of anonymity, but no intent ever to conceal this aspect of my being). Gracias!
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Abhishek
December 30, 2015
Sir but dont you think maya is better than trisha illana nayanthara….???
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venkatesh
December 30, 2015
@Rahini: “What venkatesh was saying regarding like minded people is that we all love movie analysis. Not that we all love the same movies or bow down to BR in everything. “
Cannot better that. Amen.
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Amrit
January 2, 2016
Didn’t BR win a national award as a best film critic? So “Tholil droham” if not the right choice, BR does have a ethical and moral responsibility of being an award winning critic, since more than BR fans others are part of the 1.9 million visits to this blog (they may not be posting any comments) but do have a face value for his reviews to make their decision in watching a movie
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Rahini David
January 5, 2016
Amrit: As in “identify what most people will like”, right? When you see a movie and come out, can you accurately identify what most people will like? You may think so. But I don’t mean your own demographic of certain age, sex, education level. I mean what the real statistical average opinion is. Follow any critic’s work and you will find that nobody reviews it like that. In all cases, reviewers write what they personally feel about movies (or music or books etc) .
How was BR chosen as a best film critic? Did they say “BR’s reviews are as close to what the average Indian viewer will like as possible?” More often than not, they choose the “Most entertaining and thought provoking writing on movies in the India”. He lives up to that. Don’t you agree?
http://www.thetvcritic.org/about/ (The Big But)
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Rahini David
January 5, 2016
ThouShaltNot: My bad. I usually think of the commenters in a genderless way unless they specify otherwise. I don’t know what made me clasify you as female. Probably confused you with someone with a similar name.
My apologies.
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ThouShaltNot
January 6, 2016
Rahini, apologies weren’t warranted. Simply wanted to set the record straight. As I said earlier, an “anonymous” web name has some built-in “bad”. The first-person singular pronoun does not offer a fix for gender. And the third-person singular pronoun, for any self-reference, would have looked odd.
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Amrit
January 7, 2016
“How was BR chosen as a best film critic? Did they say “BR’s reviews are as close to what the average Indian viewer will like as possible?” More often than not, they choose the “Most entertaining and thought provoking writing on movies in the India”. He lives up to that. Don’t you agree?”
@ RD, you are asking a question and answering it yourself in a convenient way what appears to you as correct, My answer and question “How was BR chosen as a best film critic? “the answer is I don’t know, honestly you don’t know and many here don’t know or perhaps even BR doesn’t know, in this case we can’t say GOK definitely the jury will know, sorry long digression just wanted to bring our discussion back, I never questioned how was he chosen or why was he chosen.
May be “tholil dharmam ” should havebeen what the other commenter should have addressed instead of Tholil Droham because BR takes this as profession,
“Most entertaining and thought provoking writing on movies in the India”, we can only guess if this was the real basis.
He lives up to that, may be… no one can be certain except himself (BR) to 100%,
Vijay (one of the readers of this blog) or someone posted during Vedhalam review, critics not having honesty or guts to call a spade a spade when it comes to criticizing the mediocre movies of Vijay or Ajith despite the movies being bad (trying to convince themselves or the readers with word play saying the only saving grace his the Hero’s screen presence, adhu …idhu nnu), I am sure of the 1.9 million visits of BR’s review pages, most agree that BR is different than the run of the mill online reviewers or offline reviewers , hence the concern, when he included some (genuinely) and omitted some in the list,
Personally I have seen all but two from this list and many because of the commenters in his review page, because BR now regularly has spoiler alerts I avoid reading his review fully till I watch movie, mean time the commenters (that includes you also) for his reviews I think they do a fantastic job, supporting or criticizing his view as a critic and helps me decide on some.
All in all, as a regular reader, BR your review pages has been helpful to serious movie watchers like me.
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Kurinji
January 8, 2016
That is a great list sir .. I can’t believe I have watched only four of those . Need to cutback on American sitcom and hit the theatres more often in 2016 . I have developed a habit of opening your blog for your review after every movie I watch these days . I can’t help but wonder what would be review like for the old ones , those movies I grew up with .. say thevar magan or mudhal mariyathai .. just a thought 🙂
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