Spyder Movie Review

Movie:         Spyder

Cast: Mahesh Babu, Rakul Preet Singh, SJ Suryah, Bharat, Priya dharshi, Shiyaji Shinde, RJ Balaji and Others

Direction and Writing: AR Murugadoss

Producer: NV Prasad

Music: Harris Jairaj

Cinematographer: Santosh Sivan

Editor: Sreekar Prasad

Banner: NVP Cinemas

Censor certificate: UA

Runtime: 148.15 minutes

Release Date: September 27th, 2017

Watched at Prasads IMAX, Hyderabad

పక్కనున్న మనిషిని ల్యేక్ చేయండి, మనలోని మంచిని షేర్ చేయండి

Behind the Screens:

Superstar Mahesh Babu’s last film, Brahmotsavam is a big disaster at Box-office. Later He decided to comeback with good film. Then he joined hands with director Murugadoss for his next, Spyder. Let us see how the movie was??

Story-line:

Shiva (Mahesh Babu) is an Officer in Intelligence Bureau who devises a software which will find out the people in trouble. In an attempt to save a teenage girl, Shiva is led to two Psycho Brothers (Bharath and SJ Suryah) who are hellbent on killing people due to their past. The rest of the story is all about how Shiva manages to stop them.

Performances:

Mahesh Babu settled in his character in the movie. He cake-walks into the character effortlessly. Rakul Preet Singh is limited to songs. SJ Suryah is sensational in the role of a baddie. Bharath is okay in his short role. Priyadarshi and RJ Balaji were seen as MaheshBabu’s friends. Rest of characters did thier job well.

Analysis:

Director AR Murugadoss has come up with an okay story for the film. Spyder is a thriller film which needs to keep the audience at the edge of their seats to make sure it works. He seems to have missed a trick in handling it as the story passes off without any high. We also find too much of Tamil flavour here and there. He handled few episodes in the film in his typical style. But the much-hyped roller coaster fight in the first half is not so effective.

Technical Values:

Harris Jairaj’s songs are not bad and the background score is effective. Santosh Sivan’s camera work is the major highlight of the film. Editor SreekarPrasad had chance to trim few cuts. The CG work for few of the sequences in the film like Lanco Hills Episode, Hospital Fight etc is too good. Production Values are rich.

Final verdict:

Spyder is a disappointing thriller from AR Murugados.

The first half is just okay. The flashback sequence is lengthy. The Interval bang gives a feel that all set for a perfect duel between Mahesh babu and SJ Suryah. But the second half drags with slow narration. Few episodes like Ladies team work, Lanco hills and hospital scenes are highlights of the film. The climax is technically good. 

Spyder is weakest of director AR Murugadoss till date.

Review by Manikick

Rating : 2.5/5

Jai Lava Kusa Review

Movie :        Jai Lava Kusa

Cast: NTR, Rashi Khanna, Niveda Thomas, Tamannah, Hamsa Nandini, Bramhaji, Sai kumar, posani, Prabhas Seenu, Praveen, Priya dharshi and Others

Story, Screenplay, Dialogues: Bobby, Kona Venkat, K Chakravarthy

Direction: KS Ravindra (Bobby)

Producer: Kalyan Ram

Music: Devi Sri Prasad

Cinematographer: Chota K Naidu

Editor: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao

Banner: NTR Arts

Censor certificate: UA

Runtime: 158.15 minutes

Release Date: September 21st, 2017

Behind the Screens:

Young Tiger NTR who is on a high with back to back successes in the recent times with movies and TV show hosting. Now he is coming in a Triple role for the first time in his career with Jai Lavakusa film. Let us see how the movie was??

Story line:

Jai Lava Kusa is the story of three twin brothers. Jai is an evil guy who has a stammering problem. Lava is a bank manager who is known for his honesty while Kusa wants to fly abroad at any cost and settle in life. But then, Jai has a problem with his other brothers and tries to seek revenge on them. He also tries to use them for his political ambitions.What happens between three of them forms the rest.

Performances:

NTR is seen in a Triple Role for the first time in his career. This is the first time any of the current generation hero portraying a Triple Role in Telugu cinema. He excelled and impressed in all three roles. Out of three characters, Jai Character stands out as it challenges NTR as an actor. The way he pulled off the stammering and typical cruel character is so impressive. Kusa character is cake walk for NTR as we witnessed energetic NTR before in Adhurs film. In Lava Character, he settled and acted as typical innocent guy. Heroines raashi Khanna and Niveda Thomas are limited to songs. Comedian Priyadarshi did a decent job with Telangana slang. None of the villains have cruel and brutal on screen. Tamannah enthralls the masses with her oomph in Swing Zara song.

Analysis:

Director Bobby succeeded in writing terrific Characterizations on paper and on the other side he would more concentrate on story narration. Story flow is predictable as Twin brothers stories are confusion comedies.The reasoning behind some of the game-changing moments are not convincing. Bobby and his team failed to justify the anger of Jai and how it got pacified at the end.

Technical Values:

Music director Devi Sri Prasad does a good job with the background score especially for Jai character scenes. The songs are not to the level of expectations. Tring Tring and Nee Kallalone are good on screen. Chota K Naidu’s camera work is not bad. He added colors to Dochestha song. Editot Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao had chance trim few cuts in second half. Production Values of NTR Arts are appropriate.

Thumbs Up:

- NTR in triple roles

- Characterizations

- Interval bang

- Stage drama episode

Thumbs down:

- Predictable Story

- Dragged second half

 - Weak female characters

- Villains 

Final Verdict:

Jai Lava Kusa is a regular commercial Telugu movie.

The first half is good with entertainment and superb interval bang. The second half is more about Jai character. The stage drama episode is the major highlight in the second half and dragged narration towards pre climax and the climax is okay. 

Overall, Jai Lava Kusa is an One Time Watchable Film with NTR’s hard work showed on screen.

Review by Manikick 

Rating:  2.75/5

Kathalo Rajakumari Movie Review

Movie :        Kathalo Rajakumari

Cast: Nara Rohit, Naga Shourya, Namitha Pramod, Ajay, Thanikella bharani, Paruchuri venkateswarulu, prabhas srinu,  and Others

Director: Mahesh Surapaneni

Producers: Soundarya Narra, Prashanti, Beeram Sudhakar Reddy and Krishna Vijay

Music: Ilaiyaraja and Vishal Chandra Sekhar

Cinematographer: Naresh K Rana

Editor: Karthika Srinivas

Banner: Aarohi Cinema and Aran Media Works

Release Date: September 15th, 2017

Watched at Cine town, miyapur

Behind the Screens:

Hero Nara Rohit is known for selecting good subjects but the actor is yet to get the much-need commercial success at box office. He is trying his luck every time with his movies but he didn't get chance to taste the success. He has full hopes on his latest release Kathalo Rajakumari. Let us see how the movie was??

Story-line:

Arjun Chakravarthy (Nara Rohit) is an arrogant film star who always degrades his staff. But then, one major car accident completely changes his mindset and perception towards his staff. Arjun takes a break from his career and goes to his village to get his bad character back since he would need that to play villain roles perfectly. What happens next in his life forms the rest of the story.

Performances:

Nara Rohit performed well in an arrogant film actor role. But he disappointed in emotional scenes. He looks totally out of shape as the movie was shot a long ago. Naga Shourya is wasted in the cameo role. Namitha Pramod is good as a village girl but her face is not suitable for heroine. Prabhas Seenu's punches worked here and there. Ajay wasted in friend role. Rest of characters are okay in their roles.

Analysis:

Debut director Mahesh Surapaneni has come up with an okay concept but failed to handle it properly. He should more focus on screenplay and story. He focused more on dialogues than narrating the film well. 

Technical Values:

Music by Maestro Ilayaraja for two songs is good. Another music composer Vishal Chandershekar did a decent job with his background score. Naresh’s cinematography is good and he capture good locales of Araku. Editing is okay. Production Values are okay.

Thumbs up: 

- Music

Thumbs Down:

- Story

- Screenplay

- Predictable Narration

- No interesting elements

- Direction 

- Bad theme

Final Verdict:

'Kathalo Rajakumari' fRoutine and Boring

The first half of the film is not bad. Predictable and routine narration tests the patience of the audience. Second half is full disappointment as the hero going to the village itself is not convincing. The Pre-Climax and Climax portions are even disappointing.

Strictly skip this film.

Review by Manikick

Rating:  1.5/5

Ungarala Rambabu Movie Review

Movie:   Ungarala Rambabu

Cast: Sunil, Miya George, Prakash Raj, Posani, and Others

Writer and Director: Kranthi Madhav

Producer: Paruchuri Kireeti

Music: Ghibran

Cinematographer: Sarvesh Murari

Editor: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao

Banner: United (Kireeti) Movies Ltd

Release Date: September 15th, 2017

Censor certificate: UA

Runtime: 140 minutes

Watched at Galaxy theatre, Toli chowchi

Behind the Screens:

Hero Sunil is in bad phase as he had Back to Back disaster films in his kitty and film by film his market is getting eroded. He had full hopes on his latest Release, Ungarala Rambabu to get back to winning stream. Let us see how the movie was??

Storyline:

Rambabu (Sunil) is born in a very rich family but all his 200 Crore assets disappear after his grand father’s sudden demise. He seeks the help of Badam Baba (Posani Krishna Murali) who says a plan to regain his lost treasure and it works. Rambabu cultivates a belief in astrology and what problems it brings forms the rest of the story.

Performances:

There is no change in Sunil's acting and body language in recent films whatever the story is. He impressed in dances once again. Miya George is limited to few dialogues and songs. Prakash Raj looked pale due to poor characterization in the film. Posani as Badam Baba and his disciples – Venu, Ashish Vidyarthi and Vennela Kishore managed a few laughs here and there. Other are okay in their roles.

Analysis:

Director kranthi madhav gave some meaningful stories in the past but he looked totally out of touch this time. He has come up with a story which does not have Sunil mark comedy. Superstitious Rambabu, Badam Baba and Communist Rana Nayar (Prakash Raj) have the scope for a good story but the director failed improvise their characters. There is an influence of many stories on the film. He should have worked more on the story and screenplay. 

Technical Values:

Songs composed by Ghibran are just about okay. Sarvesh Murari’s cinematography is decent. Editor had chance to trim many cuts in the film and he totally disappointed. Production Values are okay.

Thumbs up:

- Sunil

Thumbs down:

- Editing

- Poor characterisations 

- Story

- Screenplay

- Direction

Final Verdict:

Ungarala rambabu film is a bore-fest. 

Sensible directors like Kranthi Madhav should stick to their strengths, if not the result generally would be crap-commercial like this film. 

Strictly skip this film.

Bootom line: Bo’Ring’ Rambabu

Review by Manikick

Rating:  1.75/5

Yuddham sharanam movie review

Movie:      Yuddham Sharanam

Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Lavanya Tripathi, Srikanth, Rao Ramesh, Revathi, Priya dharshi, Raja Ravindra, Murali Sharma, Ravi Varma and Others

Direction: Krishna

Story: David R. Nathan

Dialogues: Abburi Ravi

Producer: Sai Korrapati

Music: Vivek Sagar

Cinematographer: Niketh Bommireddy

Editor: Kripakaran

Banner: Varahi Chalana Chitram

Release Date: September 8th, 2017

Runtime: 141 minutes

Certificate: UA

Watched at Galaxy theatre, Toli chowchi

Behind the Screens:

Naga Chaitanya still in dilemma to impress the viewers with his mass movies. He proved in love and class movies. His Career is disappointing except for very few hits here and there. He is still looking for a solid hit which will put himself into the star league. He has full hopes on his release Yuddham Sharanam. Let us see how the movie was??

Story-line:

Naga Chaitanya is on a mission of searching his missing parents. In the process, he comes to know about some terrible and unfortunate truths involving some big politic names. Rest of the story is all about how he saves his family fighting the baddies.

Performances:

Naga Chaitanya is an apt fit for the character and he performed well. Lavanya Tripathi is okay in limited role. Director under-utilized Srikanth's character with limited screen space. The supporting cast includes big names like Murali Sharma, Rao Ramesh, Revathi and others did their characters well.

Analysis:

David R Nathan wrote the action thriller story and helped in screenplay. While debut director Krishna handled this film badly. Film's content looks very promising but the director failed to deliver in interesting way. He tried to make a mixture of Romance, Action, Thriller and Family Drama but failed to impress the viewers. The writing and narration are disappointing. Director missed the few logics in the film.

Technical Values:

The music composed by Vivek Sagar flows with the narration and the background score is good. The camera work by Niketh is okay and most of the film runs in Night Mode. Editor had chance to trim few scenes in second half. Abburi Ravi's dialogues are not bad but very few are good. Production values of Vaarahi Chalana Chitra are good.

Thumbs up:

- Naga Chaitanya

- Screen play

- First half

Thumbs down:

- Climax

- Srikanth character design

- Second half

Final Verdict: 

Yuddham Sharanam is an action revenge thriller. The first half of the film gives us an okay feel but the second half test the patience of the audience. Climax is not so good. Except for few interesting episodes here and there, there is nothing great in the film.

Review by Manikick

Rating : 2.5/5

Paisa Vasool Movie Review

Movie:      Paisa Vasool

Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Shriya Saran, Musskan Sethi, Kyra Dutt, Ali , Kabit Bedi, Vikramjeet Virk and Others

Director and Writer: Puri Jagannadh

Producer: V Anand Prasad

Music: Anoop Rubens

Cinematographer: Mukesh G

Editor: Junaid Siddiqui

Banner: Bhavya Creations

Release Date: September 1st, 2017

Certificate: UA

Runtime: 142 minutes

Watched at Galaxy theatre, Toli chowchi

Behind the Screens:

From the starting day when we hear this Balakrishna and Puri Jagannath combo announced, there is so much of curiosity about the project. First look posters, teaser and trailer boosted the expectations very much. Let us see how the movie was??

Story-line:

Theda Singh (Balakrishna) came to hyderabad from Tihar Jail, who is brave and ruthless. He is deployed to Portugal by a Senior RAW Officer (Kabir Bedi) to nab Bab Marley (Vikramjeet Virk), a mafia don who creates trouble for India sitting there. Rest of the story is if Theda Singh is successful in the mission and how.

Performances:

Bala Krishna seen as a live wire through out the film which is a delight for his fans. His manerisms, body language and dialogue delivery are in typical Puri Jagannadh's style. His comic expressions are good. He is seen in a new avatar as Theda Singh.

There are three heroines in the film and Shriya gets the important role.The chemistry between Balayya and Shriya worked out. Muskaan Sethi is limited to a song and very few scenes. Kyra Dutt is seen in the item song. Ali appears in a very small role and he wasted. Kabir Bedi came up with an impressive performance. Vikramjeet Virk is just okay in negative role. Rest of characters did their job well.

Analysis:

Puri Jagannadh is successful in redesigning Balayya’s Character. We can see a new Balayya in the film. Puri succeeded in giving a good characterization to the hero role but failed to handle the story and screenplay well. Even the dialogues do not work totally. His dialogues worked only in parts which were showed in trailer. Portugal Action Sequence is impressive. The story, however, is routine Mafia story used by Puri in several films and the screenplay also runs on predictable lines. 

Technical Values:

Music by Anoop Rubens is good. 'Mama ek peg la...' song sung by balayya will excite the fans. Cinematography by Mukesh G is good. Editing by Junaid is sharp and would better if editor took special care on second half. Production Values by Bhavya creations are okay.

Thumbs Up:

- Balayya's new avatar

- Few Dialogues

Thumbs down:

- Routine mafia story

- Predictable narration

- Climax

Final Verdict:

The first half is good but the second half drags with too much of lag. Highlight is Balayya’s makeover. 

Paisa Vasool will be enjoyable for fans but may not appeal as such to the normal audience. 

Bottom-line: Only for fans, Outers not allowed.

Review by Manikick

Rating:     2.5/5