Drishyam

Georgekutty (Mohanlal) is a self made man running a cable service in an obscure town in Kerala. His wife and two kids lovingly fight against his frugality and age old ways. Other than his family the only thing Georgekutty cares about his movies. He spends every waking minute getting a tan from his television and going so far as to making life decisions based on movie plots. It is in this simple life that an unwelcome guest arrives as a form of complication and danger. What starts off as a family drama morphs in to a thriller albeit a predictable one. But given the recent history of Mohanlal films this is like a blast from the past and shows us that the man has not lost his skill. Give him a good director and a decent script he can still hold his old Kireedum on his head with pride.

Rating: * * +

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Spirit

Raghunandan (Mohanlal) is a journalist and the host of a TV talk show called "Show the spirit". The spirit of his life though is alcohol. The film is a chronicle of his fatal addiction and the effect it has on his life and those around him. The first half of the movie is tightly scripted but as the film proceeds it tends to loosen. Coupled with the length of the film, you are left feeling a little drained at the end. But given the poor quality of Malayalam cinema this past decade, the movie does stand out with a fine performance from Mohanlal and the courage of Ranjith in attacking a tough topic.

Rating: * * +

Thazhvaram

A lone man, Balan (Mohanlal) makes his way to a isolated hillside town. It is evident that he is out for revenge but his intent is a little hesitant and reason quite obvious. There is very little else to mention about the film. A very simple story but its in the telling that makes you want to forget the world and lose yourself in this movie. Having a very hot Sumalatha gracing every frame also helps. A film made during the heyday of Bharathan, M.T. Vasudevan Nair and Mohanlal.

Rating: * * *

Unnaipol Oruvan

A film is almost a scene by scene remake of A Wednesday, except for Kamal Hassan playing Naseeruddin Shah's role with loads of over acting. But Mohan Lal reprising Anupam Kher's part makes the film emminetly watchable. Lal ettan has shown that he still has it in him!

Rating: * * +

Varavelppu

A walk down the Mallu film lane of the 80s with a classic from Sathyan Anthikad and Sreenivasan. Like many films from that era it is a comedy drama infused with a streak of realism. Murali (Mohanlal) returns to his hometown after seven years in the gulf. His relatives clamor for his attention and money to invest in their nefarious schemes. But he takes matters in his own hands and buys a rural bus route along with a vehicle. What follows highlights the plight of most small business owners in the communist state of Kerala. Issues with government officials, workers and union leaders bring Murali to his knees in frustration. A situation that has not changed even today!

Rating: * * *

Manichitrathazhu

Newly weds Nakulan (Suresh Gopi) and Ganga (Shobana) arrive at their ancestral tharavad to live there for a few months. A legend surrounds the house that a spirit of a young dancer who was brutally murdered centuries ago, haunts it. Rumor is that her spirit is contained in part of a house that is no longer opened. Paying scant attention to the pleas of their relatives, the young honeymooners throw open the doors. Soon things start to go bump in the night and people suspect that the dancer's spirit has possessed someone in the household. In exasperation Nakulan persuades his psychiatrist friend Dr. Sunny (Mohanlal) to come down and put an end to all the nonsense. A rare thriller infused with graceful comedy that won critical acclaim and box success in 1993, holds it ground even today.

Rating: * * *

Lal Salaam

Venu Nagavalli's brilliant film that follows the birth and rise of communism in Kerala through the eyes of three party workers. Ushering the delivery of the political ideology are comrades Netturan (Mohanlal), DK (Murali) and Sethu (Geetha). Rather than focusing entirely on the political ideology, Nagavalli brings to the forefront the reality of politics in a politician's life. A trip down the vintage Malayalam movie lane that leaves you wondering where the Mohanlal of yesteryear disappeared...

Rating: * * *

Rasathantharam

Mohanlal dons a realistic throwback role for a change in this film. He plays a simple down to Earth carpenter, Prem, who does not throw villians to moon after spouting idiotic dialogues. He leads an idyllic life with his father (Kodiyetam Gopi) which is rudely shaken by a wave of sympathy and pity for a servant girl, Kanmani (Meera Jasmine). Kanmani is practically a slave in a household and her sorry plight moves Prem to help her out. But we all know that most people are punished for their kindness though it is with a dose of cunning humor in this case. The only gripe I have with the film which was moving down a lighthearted path is the rude infusion of melodrama and sentiment.

It is heartening to see that an albeit overweight Mohanlal can still act. Meera Jasmine is very impressive and I hope to see more of her. Kodiyetam Gopi too has done a stunning job in spite of the stroke that has affected his left side. Malayalam cinema needs more films of this nature to take it back to its glory days.

Rating: * * +