The year is about to draw to a close, and it’s that time of the year when you loll on the couch and recount the best cinematic experiences that you have had in the course of the past twelve months that had swiftly flitted by. It has been one eventful year for sure, that saw many an appealing and inventive film, making it to the theatres and readily being applauded and acknowledged as first-rate efforts. What follows is anything but a comprehensive list, and what it endeavors to do instead, is to lay out five films that I deem as movies that are certainly not to be missed, and which make it to my final December chart this year!
The year is about to draw to a close, and it’s that time of the year when you loll on the couch and recount the best cinematic experiences that you have had in the course of the past twelve months that had swiftly flitted by. It has been one eventful year for sure, that saw many an appealing and inventive film, making it to the theatres and readily being applauded and acknowledged as first-rate efforts. What follows is anything but a comprehensive list, and what it endeavors to do instead, is to lay out five films that I deem as movies that are certainly not to be missed, and which make it to my final December chart this year!
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum
2017 saw the Dileesh Pothen magic at work again, and with ‘Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum’, Pothen reaffirmed that he has got an ingenious movie making tool box stored up his cupboard . Hardcore Pothen enthusiasts got real busy unearthing the ‘Pothettan brilliance’ that underlay each scene, and this odd tale that involved a couple and a petty thief received a massive ovation in the theatres. Splashing around an enchanting charm of its own, ‘Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum’ excitedly left behind only a single question on everyone’s lips – What is Pothen coming up with next?
Read the Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum Review!
Mayanadhi
What a stunning way to finish off a cinematic year, and of the five films that have been listed here, ‘Mayanadhi’ is one film that I wouldn’t mind watching time and again, the primary reason being that it’s a movie that grows on you, each time you see it unfurl on screen. Aashiq Abu’s poetic take on unrequited love is not only the film maker’s best as yet, but also marks his daring ingress into untried cinematic territory. Perhaps it’s just the beginning of the journey for Mathan and Aps and their woeful tale of love, that will continue to be discussed for several days to come.
Read the Mayanadhi Review!
Angamaly Diaries
One of the most brilliantly designed films to have come out in 2017, Lijo Jose Pellissery’s ‘Angamaly Diaries’ was an elaborate portrayal of the gang wars in the quaint town of Angamaly that smelt of pork and sloshed human blood. The wonders in craftsmanship spilled over to the final scene of the film that was analysed and applauded both for the outstanding thought behind it and its exceptional implementation. Restrictive dimensions took to the wind, and ‘Angamaly Diaries’ emerged as a fierce tale on human rivalry, spun to perfection by the visual stylist that Lijo is.
Read the Angamaly Diaries Review!
Take Off
Mahesh Narayanan’s epic story of the Malayali nurses caught in an ISIS occupied Iraq, was a start-to-finish treat of a film that played its cards so perfectly well, almost on all levels. Emotionally rich and evocatively eloquent, it resourcefully broke out of the confines of a routine tale, drawing in the very best out of its material rooted in real life. Huge in scope and rousing in tone, this haunting tale of survival is bound to be remembered for long, as a celebration of the feisty human spirit.
Read the Take Off Review!
Kaattu
Probably the most conventional among the lot, and yet one which established sans any doubt that playing conformist need not necessarily be construed as regressive, Arun Kumar Aravind’s ‘Kaattu’ was a film that took us way back to those long lost times, when sturdy, simple narratives ruled the roost. Fortified with ground breaking performances from Murali Gopy and Asif Ali, ‘Kaattu’ was raw story telling at its very best.
Read the Kaattu Review!