10 BEST MALAYALAM MOVIES 2019
Disclaimer: This list is created as I felt these 10 movies are worth watching and could be recommended as well. Hope you would like those movies and if you have any comments or add any other movies, do post it in the comment box. The ranking will be according to the Indian release dates of these films.
2019 was a blessing for Malayalam Cinema industry for some impeccable performances, in terms of quality and content-packaged films, box office collections, actor's performances and vice-versa. This year had some best films from the debutant team. Here are the best 10 Malayalam movies of this year.
(Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Director: Madhu C Narayanan
Director: Madhu C Narayanan
Release Date: 07.02.2019
When I witnessed this film for the first time, I couldn't relate to the film, but when I watched it again (through OTT platform), the movie did feed me some visual grammar and the aesthetics of the screenplay by Syam Pushkaran. The movie worked well, due to the Syam Pushkaran's charismatic approach to the character-driven plot and some fabulous performances from the actors, especially Soubin Shahir (portrayed as Saji).
When I witnessed this film for the first time, I couldn't relate to the film, but when I watched it again (through OTT platform), the movie did feed me some visual grammar and the aesthetics of the screenplay by Syam Pushkaran. The movie worked well, due to the Syam Pushkaran's charismatic approach to the character-driven plot and some fabulous performances from the actors, especially Soubin Shahir (portrayed as Saji).
(Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran
Release Date: 28.03.2019
The movie gave me the ultimate goosebumps, as a fan of Mohanlal, also the effortless dynamics of the director-scriptwriter duo, Prithviraj Sukumaran - Murali Gopy. The movie unfolds in a commercial treatment, appeal to every audiences' section, along with the hidden aspects of the dark secret society, Illuminati and the political aspects of Indian politics, centred with a notorious, suspicious character called Stephen Nedumbally (played by Mohanlal). The phenomenal success of the movie led to the announcement of the sequel named, L2: Empuraan, which is tentatively expected in 2021.
Release Date: 28.03.2019
The movie gave me the ultimate goosebumps, as a fan of Mohanlal, also the effortless dynamics of the director-scriptwriter duo, Prithviraj Sukumaran - Murali Gopy. The movie unfolds in a commercial treatment, appeal to every audiences' section, along with the hidden aspects of the dark secret society, Illuminati and the political aspects of Indian politics, centred with a notorious, suspicious character called Stephen Nedumbally (played by Mohanlal). The phenomenal success of the movie led to the announcement of the sequel named, L2: Empuraan, which is tentatively expected in 2021.
(Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Director: Anuraj Manohar
Director: Anuraj Manohar
Release Date: 17.05.2019
The movie also had a tagline saying, "Not a love story", that's exactly what the movie portrays on the screen. The movie showcases the "moral policing" concept in a well-narrative approach, which hooked up the viewers throughout. It also depicts the typical male chauvinists' ideology, and how it makes a woman take her own stand. The strong performances of Shane Nigam, Shine Tom Chacko and debutant Ann Sheetal, is one of the backbones of the film.
(Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Director: Aashiq Abu
Director: Aashiq Abu
Release Date: 07.06.2019
Based on the 2018 Nipah outbreak in northern Kerala, Virus is an outstanding semi-fictional medical thriller, that depicts the story of some individuals and how this outbreak has affected their lives. Each character and their characterisation has a strong foundation on the screenplay and Aashiq's effort to portray their vision effectively on the screen, with the help of the performances of star-studded casts.
Based on the 2018 Nipah outbreak in northern Kerala, Virus is an outstanding semi-fictional medical thriller, that depicts the story of some individuals and how this outbreak has affected their lives. Each character and their characterisation has a strong foundation on the screenplay and Aashiq's effort to portray their vision effectively on the screen, with the help of the performances of star-studded casts.
(Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Director: Khalid Rahman
Director: Khalid Rahman
Release Date: 14.06.2019
The movie had a similar story structure of Bollywood movie Newton (2017), narrates about few police officers that were assigned to guard the Chhattisgarh election duty, then follows up their hardships, the real faces of vulnerable people over there, and the political agenda of some people. Except the commercial angle on the climax (even though it did worked for me), Unda stands out as a well-made cop drama movie. It was the first time, Mammootty was seen in a vulnerable cop character and he nailed his character with ease, along with the other casts like Shine Tom Chacko, Arjun Ashokan, Gokulan, Bhagwan Tiwari (portrayed as officer Kapil Dev) and Omkar Das Manipuri (portrayed as Kunalchand).
The movie had a similar story structure of Bollywood movie Newton (2017), narrates about few police officers that were assigned to guard the Chhattisgarh election duty, then follows up their hardships, the real faces of vulnerable people over there, and the political agenda of some people. Except the commercial angle on the climax (even though it did worked for me), Unda stands out as a well-made cop drama movie. It was the first time, Mammootty was seen in a vulnerable cop character and he nailed his character with ease, along with the other casts like Shine Tom Chacko, Arjun Ashokan, Gokulan, Bhagwan Tiwari (portrayed as officer Kapil Dev) and Omkar Das Manipuri (portrayed as Kunalchand).
(Hasn't streamed yet)
Director: Gireesh A D
Director: Gireesh A D
Release Date: 26.07.2019
Translated as Water Melon Days, this coming-of-age comedy movie brings back the nostalgic feel of those school days that you miss (especially for Malayalis). The peer age characters were so relatable and gets easily connected with the audience. Every single actor in this film was damn good, especially the main star attraction, Ravi Padmanabhan, portrayed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, perhaps his one of the best characters in his career. If you miss your school days, this movie for you.
Translated as Water Melon Days, this coming-of-age comedy movie brings back the nostalgic feel of those school days that you miss (especially for Malayalis). The peer age characters were so relatable and gets easily connected with the audience. Every single actor in this film was damn good, especially the main star attraction, Ravi Padmanabhan, portrayed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, perhaps his one of the best characters in his career. If you miss your school days, this movie for you.
(Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery
Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery
Release Date: 04.10.2019
Jallikkattu is a chaotic movie that makes you hooked up into the screens until the end credit rolls up. It's a hypothetical script (like 2001: A Space Odyssey) that focuses about a whole village goes pandemonium when a bull escapes from the butcher shop, and creates chaos among the villagers. Although there aren't any strong character sketches for the main roles, the movie stands out for it's hypothetical presentation and a neat work from its technical team, especially the DoP and Animatronics/VFX team.
Jallikkattu is a chaotic movie that makes you hooked up into the screens until the end credit rolls up. It's a hypothetical script (like 2001: A Space Odyssey) that focuses about a whole village goes pandemonium when a bull escapes from the butcher shop, and creates chaos among the villagers. Although there aren't any strong character sketches for the main roles, the movie stands out for it's hypothetical presentation and a neat work from its technical team, especially the DoP and Animatronics/VFX team.
(Hasn't streamed yet)
Director: Geetu Mohandas
Director: Geetu Mohandas
Release Date: 08.11.2019
The best movie of this year is definitely Moothon (The Elder One), for me. The movie begins with Mulla (debutant Sanjana), a young lad who begins his quest to find his estranged brother, from the beautiful Lakshadweep to the dark, gritty streets of Mumbai. There, he encounters Akbar Bhai (Nivin Pauly), the gangster from Kamathipura, and follows the crux of the movie. Like her debut directorial film Liar's Dice (2013), this movie too is all about a search, for living, to overcome the character crisis from themselves. It's like you're deep down into the shoes of Mulla, Akbar and Ameer, and gets immersed into it.
Once when it releases on streaming platforms, do watch this masterpiece of this decade.
The best movie of this year is definitely Moothon (The Elder One), for me. The movie begins with Mulla (debutant Sanjana), a young lad who begins his quest to find his estranged brother, from the beautiful Lakshadweep to the dark, gritty streets of Mumbai. There, he encounters Akbar Bhai (Nivin Pauly), the gangster from Kamathipura, and follows the crux of the movie. Like her debut directorial film Liar's Dice (2013), this movie too is all about a search, for living, to overcome the character crisis from themselves. It's like you're deep down into the shoes of Mulla, Akbar and Ameer, and gets immersed into it.
Once when it releases on streaming platforms, do watch this masterpiece of this decade.
(Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Director: Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval
Director: Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval
Release Date: 08.11.2019
This sci-fi comedy drama movie focuses into the story of a youngster Subramani (Soubin Shahir) gets a humanoid robot to look after his father Bhaskaran Poduval (Suraj Venjarmoodu), and how the arrival of the robot effects their surrounding people follows the crux of the movie. The movie is moreover a comedy drama movie than the sci-fi aspect. It showcases several layers of relationships through situational comedies and drama too. The scenes between Bhaskaran Poduval and Kunjappan robot worked out really well. Suraj Venjarmoodu did an image-breaking role as Bhaskaran Poduval, was the one who uplifts the movie on his shoulders along with screenplay, direction and DoP.
Movies based on survival, are rare in Malayalam Cinema. Hence, a successful attempt on this genre has registered, in the name of Helen. Kumbalangi Nights fame, Anna Ben did a matured performance as the titular character that overshadowed her debut performance as Babymol. Along with Lal (actor), Aju Varghese, Binu Pappu and debutant Noble Babu Thomas, the movie was such intense to portray the genre with due respect.
This sci-fi comedy drama movie focuses into the story of a youngster Subramani (Soubin Shahir) gets a humanoid robot to look after his father Bhaskaran Poduval (Suraj Venjarmoodu), and how the arrival of the robot effects their surrounding people follows the crux of the movie. The movie is moreover a comedy drama movie than the sci-fi aspect. It showcases several layers of relationships through situational comedies and drama too. The scenes between Bhaskaran Poduval and Kunjappan robot worked out really well. Suraj Venjarmoodu did an image-breaking role as Bhaskaran Poduval, was the one who uplifts the movie on his shoulders along with screenplay, direction and DoP.
(Streaming on Amazon Prime)
Director: Mathukkutty Xavier
Director: Mathukkutty Xavier
Release Date: 15.11.2019
Movies based on survival, are rare in Malayalam Cinema. Hence, a successful attempt on this genre has registered, in the name of Helen. Kumbalangi Nights fame, Anna Ben did a matured performance as the titular character that overshadowed her debut performance as Babymol. Along with Lal (actor), Aju Varghese, Binu Pappu and debutant Noble Babu Thomas, the movie was such intense to portray the genre with due respect.
Honourable Mentions:
(Streaming on Hotstar)
Director: Jenuse Mohammed
Director: Jenuse Mohammed
Release Date: 07.02.2019
A sci-fi thriller movie focuses on the global crisis where a comet passes very close to the earth for nine days, and how this affects Albert, a widower astrophysicist and his son, Adam.
A sci-fi thriller movie focuses on the global crisis where a comet passes very close to the earth for nine days, and how this affects Albert, a widower astrophysicist and his son, Adam.
(streaming on Hotstar)
Director: Ahammed Khabeer
Director: Ahammed Khabeer
Release Date: 15.02.2019
Another coming-of-age movie about the titular character, that follows from her teenage to her adulthood.
Another coming-of-age movie about the titular character, that follows from her teenage to her adulthood.
(streaming on Netflix)
Director: Manu Ashokan
Director: Manu Ashokan
Release Date: 26.04.2019
Focuses on Pallavi (Parvathy Thiruvothu), an acid attack survivor fights back against her toxic masculinity relationship, the challenges she has to face in the society, and to be more bold.
Focuses on Pallavi (Parvathy Thiruvothu), an acid attack survivor fights back against her toxic masculinity relationship, the challenges she has to face in the society, and to be more bold.
(Streaming on ManoramaMAX)
Director: Ashraf Hamza
Director: Ashraf Hamza
Release Date: 05.06.2019
A honest remake of Ondu Motteya Kadhe (2017), the movie focuses on Shreenivasan, a young, bald Malayalam professor tries to find his love lady.
A honest remake of Ondu Motteya Kadhe (2017), the movie focuses on Shreenivasan, a young, bald Malayalam professor tries to find his love lady.
Comments
Post a Comment