manuscrypts

@manuscrypts.bsky.social

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Fractional CMO. Blue sky thinker. Talk to the handle 🖖🏾 www.manuprasad.com www.manuscrypts.com

If you really want to know how to make a movie that long, and still manages to hold one's interest, Mollywood Times is the one to watch. The screenplay is as unapologetic as its philosophy, and Naslen is able to do justice to the character. #malayalam #movies
Indrans finally met his match in the train wreck called Aashaan. The set up was interesting but the excruciating, self-indulgent screenplay after it became three movies in a run time of 2h40m left me absolutely disengaged. Why! #malayalam #movies
Athiradi was fun, though it could have edited the second half quite a bit. Basil is in excellent (required) over-the-top form in the beginning, and the movie has great chemistry between him, a fantasticTovino, and Vineeth Sreenivasan, all having fun. #malayalam #movies
I'm not entirely sure why Ithiri Neram was praised by critics. I felt the script dragged out a short film for too long. There is a limit to what nostalgic romance, progressiveness and supposed nuance can be stretched to. #malayalam
I'm just happy that Drishyam 3 felt closer to the 1 rather than 2. When you consider the franchise pressure, the script isn't bad. I think it did have at least one continuity problem, need to see it again. Mohanlal (have to say surprisingly) did a great job. #malayalam #movies
I thought Dridam did the combination of slow burn + an excellent climax twist very well. And the clues are around if you watch attentively! Shane Nigam manages the transformation of his character really well, and is ably supported by the rest of the cast. #malayalam #movies
Madhuvidhu is another example of how slice-of-life is making a comeback in #malayalam #movies Ensemble cast, excellent writing, and very well paced. You wouldn't think it's Kalyani Panicker's first movie. That line about Jagadish's old laugh was nostalgia gold #malayalam #movies
Without a large cast, Private gets Indrans and Meenakshi Anoop to lift a heavy and potent political thriller very well. This is one of those stories that must be told. A slow burn that shift gears, all you need is a little patience. #malayalam #movies
Oru Durooha Sahacharyathil is a fabulous movie that uses dark comedy to show how the people and politics of our time create victims who are forced into a path. Brilliantly moves from a satiric first half to deep poignance in the second. Terrific acting by all. #malayalam #movies
As a fan of the series, I was mentally prepared for the absurdity. It still was around 15-20 minutes too long, but I quite liked the #scifi direction in which they took the story to. The comedy was fun though a tad inconsistent. #malayalam #movies
Having stopped Bharathanatyam after 45 mins, I wasn't really expecting much from Mohiniyattam. But it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Nothing fancy, just some good old situational comedy. Baby Jean was 👌Happy for Saiju Kurup's production success. #malayalam #movies
I was a little wary of Vaazha 2's 2.45 hr runtime, but it somehow got the formula right again. Excellent screenplay that managed to freshen up the predictability, a talented cast portraying very realistic scenarios, and a fantastic music score. #malayalam #movies
Prathichaya was Nivin Pauly trying to be Lucifer Lite, but tech instead of aakri swarnam. Eyes rolled. Timed for the elections, it translates into a lazy and predictable screenplay, and wasted possibilities for Sharaf U Dheen and Harisree Ashokan. #malayalam #movies
I'm gonna say it. Patriot would've been fantastic if it had not included Mohanlal OR (not preferred but) changed the script to include him as a parallel lead. Fabulous theme in the first half wasted with a Lal-fanbase-pandering second & a woefully underutilised Fahadh #malayalam #movies
Sambhavam Adhyayam Onnu tried its best to create its version of the 'Dark' narrative in a Kerala forest. Conceptually, I thought it did well, but at some point the pacing and the repetition took away from what could have been a tight thriller #malayalam #movies
I think Jithu Joseph is in an unfortunate phase, where he thinks he needs to twist a plot every five minutes to make a good move. Valathu Vashathe Kallan falls into the same trap as Mirage. With the cast and the plot, it could have been a far better thriller #malayalam #movies
Pennu Case had a good idea, a lead pair who could pull it off, and enough characters and contexts to hold the intrigue, but the script unfortunately didn't have the gumption to go the distance. Flawed execution. :| #malayalam #movies
I think Dominic and the Ladies' Purse got mixed reviews because of the kind of movie one would typically expect from Mammootty X GVM. I quite liked it, despite the length. It set up intrigue, but didn't take itself seriously and yet, still worked. #malayalam #movies
I absolutely enjoyed watching Masthishka Maranam in a largely, sadly empty hall. Memories, content, voyeurism, set in Neo Kochi 2046. Whatay! It's an example of how ideas and storytelling can produce a good cyberpunk #scifi movie without extravagant budgets. #malayalam #movies
If you can survive the first 30 minutes of Theatre, you're in for a powerful commentary on multiple subjects - from forgotten traditions to exploitation of women to social media influencers. Rima Kallingal and Sarasa Balussery do a fantastic job! #malayalam #movies
Mindiyum Paranjum turned out to be quite the surprise package. I am not a fan of the lead pair, and the story is inspired by a famous short story, and yet, it clicked very well, thanks to some excellent chemistry, very good storytelling, and the setting. #malayalam #movies
Paathirathri had a bunch of things going for it - an ensemble cast, a credible whodunit, investigating officers struggling in their personal lives, all of which could have been made into an engaging movie - but wasn't. #malayalam #movies
I think Baby Girl had all the right ingredients - an interesting premise and Nivin Pauly, who played his character just right, but something about it felt off, possibly the uneven pace. Happy to see a 3rd gen Thilakan outside of Marco! #malayalam #movies
Nivin Pauly finally caught a script that plays to his strengths. But IMO, it was Riya Shibu who stole the show in Sarvam Maya. The screenplay keeps it light, engaging, and fun and yet manages to not be the typical Anthikad movie #malayalam #movies
I absolutely enjoyed Kalamkaval. Mammootty hits top form right from the get-go, and just doesn't let go until the end. Vinayakan is a good foil. A lot of credit for the screenplay and direction (including the geographical setting) for ensuring repetition fatigue doesn't set in. #malayalam #movies
Dinjith & Bahul first set up eko's unique ambience (time and place) beautifully drawing us in, then pace the screenplay perfectly, stack it up with an eclectic (and fantastic) cast, and finally provide a knockout climax punch. A very satisfying theatre visit. #malayalam #movies
I'm a fan of Senna Hegde's work and Avihitham does an excellent job of using a largely male cast and their male gaze to subvert itself and present a woman's pov. Also, brilliant title art. However I did feel that the slow burn was a little inconsistent. #malayalam #movies
Aabhyanthara Kuttavaali raises an increasingly pertinent issue, but first loses track while trying to make it a all-you-can-fit-in buffet, and then goes further downhill by getting into preach mode. Some focus and a shorter runtime might have made it better IMO #malayalam #movies
Arjun Ashokan carries Thalavara extremely well with a nuanced performance, and is helped along by a very solid support cast. Well-paced, believable screenplay and a story and protagonist one feels for. #malayalam #movies
I think Jeethu Joseph made a bet to make a movie with the maximum twists possible, and he won easily. In the last 45 minutes of Mirage, all you do is repeatedly ask "Say, what?" The audience, I suspect, had motion picture sickness thanks to the curves! #malayalam #movies
Sahasam is what you watch when you do not want to manage your brain, and simply want 2 hours of absurd mindlessness that will make you laugh. Narain and Babu Antony both deliver that perfectly, but don't try to keep track of things. #malayalam #movie
I really have to wonder why Oru Ronaldo Chithram didn't race through the first half and simply be a 1.5 hr movie that would have been worth a watch for that excellent last five minutes! Once again, amazing how Indrans manages to shine even in limited roles #malayalam #movies
Sumathi Valavu didn't work for me at all. A meandering screenplay that seemed to be going nowhere, song sequences stuffed in unnecessarily, and plot detours took the runtime to 2.5 hours, and spoiled that nice twist that they had in the end #malayalam #movies
I see what Althaf Salim tried with Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira. Excellent effort and a bold experiment, but it probably took the absurdness to an extreme that was difficult to rein in. Lal and some hilarious wordplay stole the show, and Suresh Krishna. #malayalam #movies
Hridayapoorvam stays in the recent Sathyan Anthikad template - warm comedy-drama with a unique protagonist story. What worked are some poignant moments that stayed with me, and what I thought was a good performance by Malavika Mohanan. #malayalam #movies
It was possibly because I saw Nadikar with the least of expectations that I was able to sit through it. I think they all got lost while trying to execute that interesting single line thread of unravelling they began with. #malayalam #movies
Myth അല്ല, മുത്താണ്! Lokah is OMG level amazing. Terrific script that weaves in folk lore in the contemporary era. Kalyani is fantastic. The collective ohs in the hall for the brilliant cameo setups - for the planned 'universe', made the theatre visit worth it #malayalam #movies
Dheeran is quite the surprise package - excellent build up, neat backstories, and very good performances from pretty much everyone. Also ridiculously hilarious when it wants to be. One of those movies, in which you feel everyone is comfortably competent. #malayalam #movies
JSK wastes a pertinent theme, and a potentially good plot with an inconsistent screenplay that seemed to have retrofitted random things into the narrative. I was more intrigued by Suresh Gopi's character going against the church, and quoting the constitution. #malayalam #movies
Vyasanasametham Bandhumithradhikal takes a little time to set the pace, but a perfectly cast set of supporting characters, and some very good situational comedy makes it an easy laugh riot when it does get going #malayalam #movies
Youthful exuberance, the nostalgia that the 90s ambience creates - complete with the music and props, and the sheer talent, ensures Moonwalk works, despite the simplistic underdog story and slightly inconsistent screenplay. #malayalam #movies
Dileesh Pothan crushes it in the intense Ronth. A slow burn start that sets the premise, key characters, their inner demons, morality, and their relationship morphs into a gripping, edge-of-the-seat climax. Brilliant. #malayalam #movies P.S. That contextual Nayattu reference👌
Pariwar does a great job of both situational and dialogue comedy in the midst of a not-so-new premise - four sons fighting while their father on his deathbed. Jagadish absolutely steals the show, and is supported well by Indrans and Prashanth Alexander. #malayalam #movies
Narivetta's intensity, I felt, came from the horrific incident it is based on, and not the screenplay. The performances, barring Pranav and Suraj, were average. It isn't a bad movie, but say, a Pada (2022) raised the bar in all respects. #malayalam #movies
Azadi, IMO, had an excellent idea of a plot but hyperextended it unnecessarily. A 1.5 hour screenplay with better casting would have elevated this movie. If you manage to stick on till the very end, you might still find it worth it. #malayalam #movies
Alappuzha Gymkhana does well to stay away from the standard underdogs becoming heroes plot, and still manages to give the audience a pay off in the end. Naslen does a good job of doing the heavy-lifting 😬 and is well supported by the hilarious sidekicks. #malayalam #movies
Padakkalam is thoroughly enjoyable - the plot is a three people variation of the typical body switch, creating a Mexican standoff. Sharaf U Dheen and Suraj are both in super form, the pace is gripping and the character switches ensure you have to stay engaged! #malayalam #movies
Abhilasham is quite a sweet movie, and largely works on the strength of Saiju Kurup's earnestness, and the slice-of-life nature of the overall screenplay. The <2hr runtime ensures that even the slightly convoluted plot doesn't cause fatigue. #malayalam #movies
Maranamass is inconsistently brilliant. The first 30 minutes are an absolute riot, I paused regularly to read the TV scroll hilarity, but the screenplay loses its grip in the second half. Basil shines again, and so does the eccentricity of the characters. #malayalam #movies
Ouseppinte Osiyathu does the slow burn very well, and the cast uses their acting chops to great effect, especially Vijayaraghavan. But IMO, the unraveling and the climax could have done with a bit more of imagination. A good watch nevertheless. #malayalam #movies
ED - Extra Decent creates an excellent set up in the first half, and then loses the plot altogether with a meh plot and random character additions. This is despite the best efforts of Suraj, Sudheer Karamana and Grace Antony. #malayalam #movies