Filmy 2011

Watching film is delight more than a mere time pass and 2011 too brought out certain delights, watchable and disappointments. New comers are promising and experienced ones are at falter.

Engeyum Eppothum - The list can be begin with a new comer Saravanan’s balanced, clear-cut yet engaging movie Engeyum Eppothum. It had a local flavour with an underlined message. Kalavaani , by Sargunam, in 2010 served the purpose of having local flavour but with rib tickling comedy. I, personally, prefer movies with local or our own content so definitely these two films had our own essence and its neither had any resemblance or “inspiration” from any world movies

Aadukalam - Most expected movie as Vetrimaran and Dhanush paired up again after a successful movie Polladhavan. Yes , this movie too had our local content but not without heavy inspiration from world movies by Alejandro Inarritu and Vetri did quite a good job by crediting his name in the end titles.

Aaranya Kandam - A tailor made gangster movie sans songs and usual gimmicks and its definitely a delight to watch with Yuvan’s gripping BGM and lead actors performance. It wasn’t a box-office success and I am least worry about that but many hard core fans worry more than the producer, distributors and theatre owners if their screen idol’s films doesn’t show well.

Vaagai Sooda Vaa – A great and well deserved attempt by “Kalavaani” fame Sargunam about child labour and villagers life during 60’s.

Deivathirumagal - An emotional drama served locally by Vijay with great inspiration from “I am Sam”. Child Sara is the main protagonist and Vikram is as usual and as good as him. GV Prakash also to be applauded equally despite plagiarism complaints

Yuddham Sei – Nipponese Kurosawo inspired Myskin’s thriller film is worth a mention for his “until the climax suspense” script.

Ko – A mass and a bit of deceptive screenplay by KV Anand is entertaining and had good songs to back it up. This film is also said to be inspired by “State of Play”.

Porali – Sasikumar and Samuthrakani’s combo proved to be good once again with this first half laugh riot and predictable second half movie. BGM is good but not so is the case with songs.

Payanam – Not an usual Radhamohan movie but an usual Radhamohan screenplay which had humour and happy ending even in the thriller drama. A watchable one.

7am Arivu – I find this film only to be good for its narration of forgotten or untold history in the first twenty minutes and rest is highly predictable. Songs and BGM are biggest letdown

Films like Mankatha,Vaanam are watchable. I missed watching Mayakam Enna, Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai, Muran, Kancahna,Osthe, Rajapattai

Biggest disappointment of the year is Bala’s Avan Ivan and similarly Gautham’s Nadunisi Naaigal,
Engeyum Kadhal.

Year 2012 is awaited with expections from Kochadaiyaan, Nanban, Vishwaroopam, Billa 2, Maatran, Vada Chennai, Aadhi Bhagavan, Eriyum Thanal, Karikaalan,Irandaam Ulagam.

Top Melodies - 2011 -Tamil

The Year 2012 has delivered some good Tamil melodies via Harris Jayaraj, Yuvan, Joshua Sridhar, GV Praksah, Gibhran, Nikki,et al.Kuviamillah - Top pick,of mine, of the whole lot of melodies would be "Kuviamillah"" - yes, Ennamo Edho from KO by Harrris with lyrics by emerging Madhan Karky and sung by Aalap Raju. If it is haunting "Hossana", the previous year, with simple rhythm yet catchy and lovable lyrics this year definitely the same effect have been delivered by Kuviamillah

Yaathe Yaathe - from Aadukalm , composed and sung by GV himself is both melodic and peppy, backed with native lyrics

Lolita - Karthik's rendering and Thamarai's lyrics make this song hummable from the movie Engeyum Kadhal

Rasathi Pola - Yuvan's only top melody of this year would be this song from Avan Ivan. "Kaattu chirukiye kaatu chirukiye" - lines by Na.Muthukumar and vocals by Haricharan

Mazhai varum, Kaatril Eeram - These two melodies from Veppam by Joshua Sridhar has delivered what it intends to be

Vizhigalil oru - Once again GV Prakash from the movie Dheivathirumagal and a similar catchy tune can be listened from Mayakkam Enna -"Pirai Thedum"

Sara sara saarakaathu - Newcomer Gibhran scored high with this tune, beautiful singing by Chinmayi from Vaagai Sooda Vaa

Maalai Mangum - Another newcomer Nikki's melodic tune from Rowthiram was backed by good vocals by Bombay Jayshree

Vizhigaliley Vizhigaliley - Selva Ganesh's catchy tune has simple lyrics but backed highly by Karthik & Chinmayi's vocals from Kullanari Kuttam

Anjana - Thaman's simple rhythmic tune grabbed more lovers' attention

Karthik(Lolita, Vizhigaliley) and Chinmayi(Saarakaathu, Nenjil Nenjil, Vizhigaliley) - the singers of 2011. Its sad that Shreya Ghosal,my favorite, haven't delivered any top tunes this year in Tamil but still her's "Tere Mere" from Bodyguard(Hindi) is the ultimate favorite of this year.

When coming to composer , If it was Yuvan,for his Idhuvarai, En Kadhal Solla, Iragaipole , last year despite A.R.Rahman's Endhiran, Raaavan and VTV this year definitely it is GV Prakash Kumar for his Aadukalam, Dheivathirumagal, Mayakkam Enna despite Harris' Ko,7am Arivu and Engeyum Kadhal.

His "Life is Beatiful" from Dheivathirumagal,"Love Blossoms" from Aadukalam, and "Mayakkam Enna Theme", which are plain musical, still the occupying the mobile ringtones.

Biggest disappointment was Yuvan - His Vaanam, Pathinaaru, Mankhatha,Avan Ivan are just average and his latest releases(Vettai, Rajapattai, Kazhugu) too failed to impress and is less than average. His Telugu release "Paanja" is much more better.Another thing would be ARR's absence in the Tamil music scenario but he nullified with his Hindi release "Rock Star"

Notable mention would be "Innum Enna Thozha" from 7am Arivu by Harris Jayaraj, for its inspirational lyrics by Pa.Vijay, about and for World Tamils

Anirudh's "Kolaveri di" was not included in this list as it has its own competition, various versions of it are competing with itself.

Let’s hope 2012 has more and more from our own Tamil composers