Top Ten Malayalam movies of 2011

Here is my list of Top Ten Malayalam movies of 2011, in the same order:

1. Adaminte Makan Abu
   
   
   Top-drawer performances by Salim Kumar and Zarina Wahab coupled with an excellent script and no-loss direction. As the story developed, came along with it a comforting realisation of the film director in Salim Ahmed. To top it all, a wonderfully positive climax!
   
   
2. Beautiful
   
   
   One to add to the revival of Malayalam cinema in 2011. Such films started bringing "Traffic" to the theatre and ended "Beautiful"ly! A simple story told lucidly and effectively. Neat portrayal of a strong script. VK Prakash's best yet.
   
   
3. Pranayam
   
   
   A movie that made me travel with the characters and experience what they felt. Excellent casting and great direction. A sigh, a gleam in the eye, a fleeting smile, an averted face, all conveyed meanings hundred dialogues cannot express. The director proved yet again why his parents christened him "Blessy"!
   
   
4. Indian Rupee
   
   
   A movie that provided ample space for an amazing comeback by Thilakan, by utilising his acting skills to its limits. He may have been banned from the industry for a long time, but I just got the feeling that he has been honing his skills further, inside the four walls of his house! Ranjith's directorial skills made the film even more interesting! Worth every single Indian Rupee you spent on the ticket!
   
   
5. Melvilasam
   
   
   I was very late to watch this one. In fact, I watched this one only today. My eyes were glued to the screen for the entire length of the movie. Easily one of the best performances by Parthipan. An example for how an actor can perform even if he gets only very limited screen space in a movie. Also the film gave a strong "melvilasam" (address) to the debutant director Madhav Ramadasan!
   
   
6. Salt N' Pepper
   
   
   A classic example of the Malayalam cinema of 2011. No big stars, no fancy dialogues, no great-impact story, nothing. There wasn't even a tinge of salt or pepper in the movie; it was all sweet! Matured acting combined with excellent direction is what made Salt N' Pepper taste sweet!
   
   
7. Traffic
   
   
   The movie that paved way for a change in 2011. Again, no stars or fancy dialogues. Crisp script, brilliant editing, and superb direction! I had only one confusion after the movie ended - should I call it Traffic or Terrific?
   
   
8. Urumi
   
   
   A period movie that did justice to the effort put into its making. Good casting, scenic locations, and brilliant camera added to the visual pleasure. A movie is a director's. But some movies are the screenwriters', some are the actors', and yet some are the technicians'. If there ever is a Malayalam movie that is a combination of all these, call it Urumi!
   
   
9. Khaddama
   
   
   Shocking stories from the life of a (or many?) housemaid in a Gulf country. Kavya Madhavan literally lived as the character and displayed the sense of fear and helplessness in the maid's mind brilliantly. One of the best shows in her career thus far!
   
   
10. Manikyakallu
    
    
    I would have placed Chaappa Kurish here, but the simplicity of Manikyakallu made me think again. A film need not necessarily convey a message, but if it does, "wow"! And Manikyakallu was just that, a simple story which retains its relevance in any society, anytime!

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Movie review: Arabeem Ottakom P Madhavan Nairum in Oru Marubhoomi Kadha

Watched the Malayalam movie "Arabeem Ottakom P Madhavan Nairum in Oru Marubhoomi Kadha". Learnt a few things about the Arabs. The movie can be reviewed based on those precious learnings.

Here are the learnings:

• In order to catch you, the Arab police may follow you in a number of vehicles; but you need not panic. They may shoot several rounds at you; but no shot will find even a strand of your hair. 
• Arab security guards can hear soft sounds coming from a room, for example when a vase falls on the floor. But they cannot hear loud sounds, for example when a person wrecks a furnished office room by vehemently whacking everything he sees there. 
• Arab police doesn't have the sense to authenticate a video tape from a security camera, however tampered it may appear to be. 
• Arab police does not know anything about checking the fingerprints at a crime scene. 
• You may be the Chief Accountant in a company and the only member of staff who has access to the strongbox. But you can afford to be absent from work without informing anybody for any number of days. Nobody will complain even if you are not available on your phone. 

But one thing that happens in one way elsewhere happens the same way in the Arab world too! You may not know the lines of a song or the steps of a dance, for example a dance performance at the bride's house on the eve of the marriage day. But the protagonists will learn the lyrics and steps automatically and will take the roles of the lead performers. Nobody, not even the actual performers, will complain!

Thanks Priyadarshan for educating me on the Arabs! I give the film 4/10.

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