Naan Kadavul

Abandoned by his father in Varanasi when in his teens on the sayings of astrologers, Rudra now roams the Earth as an Aghori. Fueled by guilt, the father brings his reticent and brutal son back to his town in Tamil Nadu. The same town has a “thriving” beggar community that haunt the foothills of a temple. Their suffering is shown in excruciating detail that leaves very little to the imagination. The film is sandwiched between the lives of beggars and the way of the Aghoras. The spread between the two is blood that gushes with brute force. Bala has played his usual hand, questioning God, justice, life and death. However the manner of posing the question does leave you worn out in spite of the “uplifting” ending.

Rating: * *

Passenger

What happens when a common man is presented with a complex situation. One fraught with peril, danger and of no personal gain. Most men would walk away without feeling a tiny prick to their conscience. Then there are those who like to sleep undisturbed at night. The situation here is a tad improbable but then again in today's world it is definitely a possibility.

Sathyanathan (Srinivasan) is one of those regular train travelers you would have seen if you have ever taken a train to Ernakulam. Riding the train every working day between the "suburbs" of Cochin to the city for work. His trips are usually filled with card games, gossip and gentle abuse. However, one fateful night he finds himself embroiled in a situation that involves the media, politics and the plight of the common people. A refreshing throwback to the days when mainstream Malayalam cinema ruled the roost.

Ranjith Sankar has definitely burst on to the scene with this venture. No doubt having Srinivasan and Dilip at the helm and Nedumudi Venu as support helped but the script and direction is what carried the film through.

Rating: * * *

Naalu Pennungal

Four shorts centered on women from the lower castes in rural Kerala that highlight their sorry plight. Each character fills a “traditional” role forced upon woman like that of house wife, prostitute and spinster. Sadly, little has changed today with what has been portrayed in film. Kerala is still rife with hypocrisy and double standards in all strata of society. But as a package the film does not meet the usual high standards of Adoor Gopalakrishna.

Rating: * *

Zombieland

The backdrop for the film is an oft repeated post zombie outbreak apocalyptic world. Two men are riding across this bleak landscape in search of the land untouched by the cannibals. They are soon joined by a hot girl and her younger sister. Funny at times especially the cameo by a certain comedian but for some reason there is not a single line or incident that takes you back to your humor place.

Rating: * +

The Night Buffalo

A tightly written thriller by the highly acclaimed Guillermo Arriaga who also gave us Amores Perros, Babel,  The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, centers around the aftermath of a suicide by a recovered schizophrenic, Gregorio. His main links to the outside world are his girl friend, Tania and best friend Manuel who unbeknown to him (or maybe not) have been carrying out an affair. Soon he starts speaking to Manuel from the grave through hand written notes and forgotten pictures. Some casual erotica and a hint of magic realism only continue to round the movie out. However, as we careen towards the climax you are left unsatisfied with many unanswered questions. But little can be blamed on the acting or directing which have been superb. Maybe Arriaga's novel will contain the answers...

Rating: * +