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THANGALAAN (2024)

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Critic 325 Director: Pa. Ranjith Written by: Pa. Ranjith Produced by: K.E. Gnanavel Raja Casts: Vikram, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Malavika Mohanan, Pasupathy, Hari Krishnan Anbudurai Music: G.V. Prakash Kumar Language: Tamil Genre: Historical Action Drama SYNOPSIS: Set in the pre-independence era, Thangalaan tells the story of the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) and the lives of the oppressed laborers who worked in the mines. The film explores the struggles and resistance of these workers against the British colonial rulers and local elites, led by the fierce and determined Thangalaan (played by Vikram), who rises to become their leader. REVIEW: Pa. Ranjith has come a long way from his debut film Attakathi (2012) , where he explored the coming-of-age narrative in North Madras, to creating socio-political star vehicles like Kabali (2016) and Kaala (2018) , and reaching his recent best with the exploration of deep-seated caste issues in sports in Sarpatta Parambarai (2021) . Thangalaan , Ran
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RAAYAN (2024)

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Critic 324 Director: Dhanush Written by: Dhanush Produced by: Sun Pictures Casts: Dhanush, S.J. Suryah, Dushara Vijayan, Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Aparna Balamurali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Music: A.R. Rahman Language: Tamil Genre: Action, Crime, Drama SYNOPSIS: "Raayan" follows Kathavarayan "Raayan," a man thrust into the criminal underworld of North Madras after his parents disappear, leaving him to care for his younger siblings. The film charts his journey of survival and vengeance as he navigates gang conflicts and personal betrayals to protect his family and achieve a peaceful life. REVIEW: With "Pa Paandi," Dhanush demonstrated his ability to direct films centered on relatable emotions and everyday characters. In "Raayan," he ambitiously expands his vision, creating a larger-than-life narrative while maintaining the emotional core that resonates with audiences. Although "Raayan" fits the mold of a masala
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INDIAN 2 (2024)

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Critic 323 Director: S. Shankar Written by: S. Shankar, Jeyamohan, Kabilan Vairamuthu Produced by: Lyca Productions Casts: Kamal Haasan, Siddharth, Vivek, Bobby Simha, Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Nedumudi Venu, Delhi Ganesh Music: Anirudh Ravichander Language: Tamil Genre: Action, Thriller SYNOPSIS: "Indian 2" continues the journey of the vigilant Senapathy (Kamal Haasan), fighting against corruption, this time targeting the newer generations involved in higher echelons of power and digital crime. REVIEW: "Indian," released in 1996, was a cinematic sensation, effectively introducing the vigilante theme into Indian cinema—a genre that director S. Shankar has mastered over the years. After several setbacks including the pandemic, the tragic loss of crew members, and financial hurdles, Shankar and Kamal Haasan reunite to bring "Indian 2," marking a monumental effort spanning nearly 7 years. The film sets up a solid premise: Senapathy, agi
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MAHARAJA (2024)

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Critic 322 Director:  Nithilan Saminathan Written by:  Nithilan Saminathan Produced by:  Passion Studios, The Route, Think Studios Casts:  Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap, Natarajan Subramaniam, Abhirami, Singampuli, Mamta Mohandas, Aruldoss, Munishkanth, Manikandan, Kaalaiyan, Sachana Namidass Music:  B. Ajaneesh Loknath Language:  Tamil Genre:  Thriller, Drama SYNOPSIS: Maharaja, a barber, seeks vengeance after his home is burglarized, cryptically telling police his "Lakshmi" has been taken, leaving them uncertain if it's a person or an object. His quest to recover the elusive "Lakshmi" unfolds together with an underlying mystery that he is hiding. REVIEW: Director Nithilan Saminathan made his directorial debut in 2017 with "Kurangu Bommai," a well-woven crime thriller that had critics raving. He comes back to the screen after seven years with "Maharaja," another thriller, which is also incidentally Tamil star Vijay Sethupathi’s 50th film
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96th Academy Awards Predictions

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  WW = Will Win DH = Dark Horse Best Picture -         Oppenheimer (WW) -         The Zone of Interest (DH) Best International Feature -         The Zone of Interest (WW) -         Perfect Days (DH) Best Animated Feature -         Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (WW) -         The Boy and the Heron (DH) Best Documentary Feature -         20 Days in Mariupol (WW) -         To Kill a Tiger (DH) Best Director -         Christopher Nolan , Oppenheimer (WW) -         Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest (DH) Best Leading Actor -         Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer (WW) -         Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers (DH) Best Leading Actress -         Lidy Glastone , Killers of the Flower Moon (WW) -         Emma Stone, Poor Things (DH) Best Supporting Actor -         Robert Downey Jr,   Oppenheimer (WW) -         Ryan Gosling , Barbie ( DH) Best Supporting Actress -         Da’Wine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers (WW) -     
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SALAAR: PART 1 - CEASEFIRE (2024)

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Critic 321 Director: Prasanth Neel Written by: Prasanth Neel Produced by: Hombale Films Casts : Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Easwari Rao, Sriya Reddy, Jagapathi Babu, Tinnu Anand, Devaraj, Brahmaji, Bobby Simha, Ramachandra Raju, MS Chowdary, Ramana, Mime Gopi, John Vijay Music: Ravi Basrur Language: Telugu Genre: Action SYNOPSIS: Set in the fictional dystopian city-state of Khansaar, the film follows the friendship between Deva (Prabhas), a tribesman, and Varadha (Prithviraj), the prince of Khansaar. When a coup d'état is planned by his father's ministers and his relatives, Varadha enlists Deva's help to become Khansaar's undisputed ruler. REVIEW: In the world of Prashanth Neel's "Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire," a dark and violent canvas unfolds, marked by the intricacies of Khansaar, a realm ruled by three tribes with elaborate customs and density. The director's commitment to upping the ante in tone and texture is evident, transi
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CAPTAIN MILLER (2024)

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  Critic No. 320 Director: Arun Matheswaran Written by: Arun Matheswaran, Madhan Karky Produced by: Sathya Jyothi Films Casts : Dhanush, Shiva Rajkumar, Sundeep Kishan, Priyanka Mohan, Aditi Balan, John Kokken, Nivedhithaa Sathish, Elango Kumaravel, Viji Chandrasekhar Music: G.V Prakash Kumar Language: Tamil Genre: Action SYNOPSIS: In a remote Tamil Nadu village, the Koranar deity, guardian of tribes for 600 years, faces a threat as the king and prince eye the tribal land. Forbidden from their temples, the oppressed villagers hope for freedom. The British, intrigued by the deity's power, aim to take it to England. To reclaim it, the cunning local king enlists Captain Miller (Dhanush), promising money and temple access. The plot thickens as Captain Miller's true intentions unfold, blurring the lines between loyalty, deception, and the fate of the sacred Koranar deity. REVIEW: "Captain Miller" is a riveting addition to Arun Matheswaran's filmography, showcasin
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