PaulsonPhilip
Joined Mar 2022
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Kerala Crime Files was a recent Malayalam-language online release. So far, two seasons have been released, but I liked KCF 1 the most. Even though the second season isn't a direct continuation of the first, nearly all the actors from the first season played small or large roles in this new season as well. By the time I watched episode 4 of the season 2, I had already guessed how the climax would play out.
The first season of KCF revolves around the investigation into a murder that took place in a lodge, which eventually leads the police to a criminal named "Shiju Parayil." The series impressed me with its natural acting and realistic storytelling. It was released in June 2023.
The second season is about the investigation into the disappearance of senior constable Ambili Raju. A new team handles this case, but members from the first season join the investigation at one point.
It was enjoyable to see Harisree Ashokan, who is mainly known for comedic roles, take on such a character role here-and he performed well. Another notable actor is Indrans. Although I had watched his roles before (like in Jackson Bazaar Youth), even though he didn't have as prominent a role throughout, he delivered justice in KCF 2 as well. Both Lal and Aju delivered performances that could be described as average or slightly above.
Arjun, who played a key role, acted a bit above average, but at several points, I felt his facial expressions didn't always match the situation. For example, when standing before his senior officer played by Lal, or in a certain scene with Aju, there seemed to be some lag in his performance.
The worst, or at least my least favorite, was Noorin's portrayal as the hero's wife. It felt as if not even Noorin was clear about her character's intentions.
About the Team and Season 2: Kerala Crime Files is directed by Ahammed Khabeer and written by Ashiq Aimar in season 1; the writing for season 2 was led by Bahul Ramesh, who is praised for crafting a nuanced, realistic narrative stripped of unnecessary commercial elements. The main cast across both seasons includes Lal, Aju Varghese, and Arjun Radhakrishnan, joined by other prominent actors like Indrans and Harisree Ashokan. The series is produced for JioHotstar.
The first season of KCF revolves around the investigation into a murder that took place in a lodge, which eventually leads the police to a criminal named "Shiju Parayil." The series impressed me with its natural acting and realistic storytelling. It was released in June 2023.
The second season is about the investigation into the disappearance of senior constable Ambili Raju. A new team handles this case, but members from the first season join the investigation at one point.
It was enjoyable to see Harisree Ashokan, who is mainly known for comedic roles, take on such a character role here-and he performed well. Another notable actor is Indrans. Although I had watched his roles before (like in Jackson Bazaar Youth), even though he didn't have as prominent a role throughout, he delivered justice in KCF 2 as well. Both Lal and Aju delivered performances that could be described as average or slightly above.
Arjun, who played a key role, acted a bit above average, but at several points, I felt his facial expressions didn't always match the situation. For example, when standing before his senior officer played by Lal, or in a certain scene with Aju, there seemed to be some lag in his performance.
The worst, or at least my least favorite, was Noorin's portrayal as the hero's wife. It felt as if not even Noorin was clear about her character's intentions.
About the Team and Season 2: Kerala Crime Files is directed by Ahammed Khabeer and written by Ashiq Aimar in season 1; the writing for season 2 was led by Bahul Ramesh, who is praised for crafting a nuanced, realistic narrative stripped of unnecessary commercial elements. The main cast across both seasons includes Lal, Aju Varghese, and Arjun Radhakrishnan, joined by other prominent actors like Indrans and Harisree Ashokan. The series is produced for JioHotstar.
After a long break, BJP MP and Union Minister Suresh Gopi has acted as a lawyer in the film JSK. The movie was originally titled Janaki vs State of Kerala. Later, due to the interests of certain members in the censor board, it was changed to Janaki. V vs State of Kerala. I couldn't understand what difference that change made. But after watching the film, it becomes clear why a ruling party's censor board member worked against it.
There are several dialogues in the film that damage the government's image-references like "Manja Kutty", "Irattachankan", and the news scrolls mentioning "Robin Bus" etc. All these highlight, in the eyes of the public, nothing but the government's failures.
The story revolves around Janaki, a girl who suffers sexual assault, goes to court seeking justice, and eventually wins by relying on the Constitution and its articles. I felt that some of the characters did not fully do justice to their roles. Anupama, who played Janaki, delivered an average performance. But Shruti Ramachandran, who appeared in the final part as the pregnant lawyer Nivedita, was quite disappointing. Her courtroom arguments and counterarguments looked as if she was simply reading them from somewhere. Similarly, Divya Pillai's acting also felt mechanical. Both of them need significant improvement.
Interestingly, no one in the film has a full-fledged role. The one with the maximum screen presence is Askar Ali. Many newcomers were part of JSK-some in their first, second, or third films-and it is undeniable that they all remained loyal to the movie.
Suresh Gopi did not heavy scenes in this film, and most of his screen time is in the first half. Yet, whatever part he had, he executed it gracefully.
Direction maintained a quality that was above average. Editing, cinematography, music, and background score were all fairly good. However, there are several areas that need improvement-especially the background score, which should have been better. The final action scenes were poorly executed, though the art direction of those sequences was excellent. The climax was completely unexpected. I never thought there would be another case and another accused (Ranjith Menon, Venkitt) before even knowing who the villain was.
The director managed to connect many small scenes very well. He also demonstrated a good understanding of laws, constitutional articles, and courtroom procedures, which was evident throughout the film.
There are several dialogues in the film that damage the government's image-references like "Manja Kutty", "Irattachankan", and the news scrolls mentioning "Robin Bus" etc. All these highlight, in the eyes of the public, nothing but the government's failures.
The story revolves around Janaki, a girl who suffers sexual assault, goes to court seeking justice, and eventually wins by relying on the Constitution and its articles. I felt that some of the characters did not fully do justice to their roles. Anupama, who played Janaki, delivered an average performance. But Shruti Ramachandran, who appeared in the final part as the pregnant lawyer Nivedita, was quite disappointing. Her courtroom arguments and counterarguments looked as if she was simply reading them from somewhere. Similarly, Divya Pillai's acting also felt mechanical. Both of them need significant improvement.
Interestingly, no one in the film has a full-fledged role. The one with the maximum screen presence is Askar Ali. Many newcomers were part of JSK-some in their first, second, or third films-and it is undeniable that they all remained loyal to the movie.
Suresh Gopi did not heavy scenes in this film, and most of his screen time is in the first half. Yet, whatever part he had, he executed it gracefully.
Direction maintained a quality that was above average. Editing, cinematography, music, and background score were all fairly good. However, there are several areas that need improvement-especially the background score, which should have been better. The final action scenes were poorly executed, though the art direction of those sequences was excellent. The climax was completely unexpected. I never thought there would be another case and another accused (Ranjith Menon, Venkitt) before even knowing who the villain was.
The director managed to connect many small scenes very well. He also demonstrated a good understanding of laws, constitutional articles, and courtroom procedures, which was evident throughout the film.
Hunt tries hard to be a supernatural thriller, but ends up being mostly a test of patience.
As a regular viewer of Shaji Kailas film, I am totally disappointed with this film. I feel it's like a comdey film
Bhavana as Dr. Keerthy looks like she'd rather be anywhere else; her acting is lifeless, her delivery is robotic, and her "comeback" is so dull it makes you wonder why she bothered. Scenes demanding emotion turn into awkward monologues, and her chemistry with anyone else on screen is non-existent.
Aditi Ravi floats through the film as Sarah, barely leaving any impression at all. Most viewers will struggle to remember she was even part of the story, with her acting stuck on "default expression" for two hours. It's a wasted opportunity in every sense.
Renji Panicker's Dr. Padmanabhan Ramaswamy is intended to bring weight, but it backfires. His exaggerated performance is unintentionally funny, featuring too much stuttering and forced seriousness-making you miss older actors who actually knew how to carry authority.
Ajmal Ameer does his best as ASP Sairam IPS but is stuck with weak writing and direction. Instead of being a sharp police officer, his character ends up looking confused and out of place, with nothing memorable to offer.
Chandhunadh as Dr. Shanavas is present, but just like background props. His role, much like his performance, is so small and indistinct it could've easily gone missing-no one would notice.
The real cherry on top is the climax. Instead of any real tension, the "spirit kills the villain while the hero and heroine characters stand aside" turns into pure accidental comedy. Whatever suspense the movie tried to build collapses as everyone basically watches the ghost do a silly wrestling move-leaving the audience either confused or laughing.
All in all, Hunt is a masterclass in how not to make a thriller: disconnected acting, pointless characters, and a climax that's more comic than scary. If you want to enjoy a good movie, this one is best left unwatched.
As a regular viewer of Shaji Kailas film, I am totally disappointed with this film. I feel it's like a comdey film
Bhavana as Dr. Keerthy looks like she'd rather be anywhere else; her acting is lifeless, her delivery is robotic, and her "comeback" is so dull it makes you wonder why she bothered. Scenes demanding emotion turn into awkward monologues, and her chemistry with anyone else on screen is non-existent.
Aditi Ravi floats through the film as Sarah, barely leaving any impression at all. Most viewers will struggle to remember she was even part of the story, with her acting stuck on "default expression" for two hours. It's a wasted opportunity in every sense.
Renji Panicker's Dr. Padmanabhan Ramaswamy is intended to bring weight, but it backfires. His exaggerated performance is unintentionally funny, featuring too much stuttering and forced seriousness-making you miss older actors who actually knew how to carry authority.
Ajmal Ameer does his best as ASP Sairam IPS but is stuck with weak writing and direction. Instead of being a sharp police officer, his character ends up looking confused and out of place, with nothing memorable to offer.
Chandhunadh as Dr. Shanavas is present, but just like background props. His role, much like his performance, is so small and indistinct it could've easily gone missing-no one would notice.
The real cherry on top is the climax. Instead of any real tension, the "spirit kills the villain while the hero and heroine characters stand aside" turns into pure accidental comedy. Whatever suspense the movie tried to build collapses as everyone basically watches the ghost do a silly wrestling move-leaving the audience either confused or laughing.
All in all, Hunt is a masterclass in how not to make a thriller: disconnected acting, pointless characters, and a climax that's more comic than scary. If you want to enjoy a good movie, this one is best left unwatched.