Movies to watch in 2012
Year: 2012
No of Film Released : 161, of which 51 are dubbed films
Shockingly, only a tenth of films have managed to make any kind of impact at the box office. Worse, there are fewer films that could be categorized as quality films.
However, there is hopes amidst ruins. 2012 had on offer many films made by film-makers who had innate talents and an eye for detail while making their films. Shankar, Balaji Sakthivel, Prabhu Solomon, Vasantha Balan, Mysskin, Pandiraj, A.R. Murugadoss, M. Rajesh, Sundar C, Chakri Taloti, Seenu Ramaswamy, Gawtham Vasudev Menon and A.L. Vijay were the prominent film-makers whose films adorned theatres in the year.
There were some fresh talents who made everyone sit up and watch. Balaji Tharaneetharan, Karthick Subburaj, Lakshmi Ramkrishnan, Ranjith, P.R. Prabhakaran, and Balaji Mohan were among the few who had made some memorable mark in their first attempts.
To say that Balaji’s Vazhakku Enn 18/9 was soul-searching would be an under-statement. The film was an eye-opener in many aspects, especially pertaining to the safety of school and college-going girls. Vazhakku Enn 18/9 was also declared as the best film of the year at the Chennai International Film Festival. The movie also had a decent run in theaters. This can easily be termed as the best movie of the year.
It is very difficult to say which film comes second and third in terms of quality, as there are many films that were impressive in different levels. With no clear favorites, let us just go through the films without rating them.
Seenu Ramaswamy has once again proved his worth as a meaningful filmmaker with his Neerparavai. He has touched a sensitive political issue and depicted the livelihood and culture of fishermen community in Tamil Nadu. He has also presented a beautiful love story in his script. The movie would have been an outstanding experience if he had avoided a few loopholes in the script.
Solomon’s year-end offering Kumki has opened to huge responses in theatres and critics say the film falls just short of his own Mynaa in terms of quality. The movie has Solomon’s stamp of realistic portrayal and visual beauty.
Shankar’s Nanban has a strong message on our education system. The movie on the while was presented well. However, the movie cannot be compared with other movies, as it is a perfect remake of Hindi movie 3 Idiots.
Newcomers Karthick Subburaj and Balajee Tharanitharan hit the bull’s eye with their respective debut directorial ventures in the form of Pizza and Naduvula Konjam Pakkathai Kaanom.
Siddharth-Amala’s Kaadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Eppadi directed by Balaji Mohan (debutant) too impressed with its presentation.
The common factor in these three directors is that they have come from the arena of experimental short films.
Also got noted was Ranjith who made Attakathi starring newcomers. The movie talked about the lives of lower class people living in the suburban areas of Chennai. Ranjith’s realistic portrayal and the fun filled narrative were received well.
Lakshmi Ramakrishnan is another director who impressed in maiden venture. Her Arohanam may not be termed as a wholesome movie experience but the movie has shown that the director has a lot of potential.
Sundarapandian by another debutant P.R. Prabhakaran has impressed as an entertainer despite some flaws and castiest overtones.
Anbazhagan, another promising new director, has delivered a strong message on our education system through his Sattai
Murugadoss’ Vijay-Kajal Aggarwal Thuppakki, the year’s biggest grosser, was appreciated for its content as well despite the controversy surrounding request by Islamic movements to delete some sequences in the film.
Magizh Thirumeni’s Arun Vijay starrer Thadaiyara Thaakka was appreciated as a neat entertainer. The crime thriller has been narrated well.
Kalakalappu (Sundar C) and Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (Rajesh) have been appreciated as comedy entertainers. Both movies had a successful run in the box office too.
While Sundar C tasted with success as director with Kalakalappu, Rajesh hit a hat-trick by making another mass entertainer that had Udhayanidhi Stalin as hero.
Vasanthabalan’s much-awaited period-flick Aravaan was an honest attempt but it failed to impress as a whole thanks to some serious bungling in the second half despite the presence of Aadhi, Pasupathy and a much-improved Dhansika.
Disappointing/Failed
Suriya, Karthi, and Vikram had disappointing outings with Maatraan, Saguni, and Thandavam respectively. All the three movies were not received well by both the masses and critics.
Ajith’s much-awaited Billa-2 by Chakri Taloti tuned out to be the biggest disappointment of 2012. The young director has wasted the opportunity by not presenting a neat entertaining despite having a man who has a huge fan following. The director has taken too many things for granted.
Mysskin’s Jiiva-Pooja Hegde starrer Mugamoodi, Dhanuh-Shruti Haasan’s Aishwarya-directed 3, Elred Kumar’s much-touted thriller Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal which had Atharva and Amala Paul in the lead, Sundar C’s Murattukkalai were joined by director Perarasu’s Bharath-Sunaina starrer Tiruthani as ‘failed projects’.
2012 Overall outcome
The year hasn’t seen many movies that could be termed as quality movies but it has seen a few new talents and that is quite encouraging news for the future. It has once again been proved that mere presence of big stars does not ensure quality or successful movie. Strong story element, genuine attempt, novelty, and engaging factors are the main factors that could make a good movie. A star can only add value to these aspects but he or she cannot compensate for the lack of these things. One wises that the failures of the movies with big stars must serve as a wakeup call for the entire industry.
In nutshell, 2012 is not a promising year in terms of quality but is has offered some hopes for the futures through some newcomers.
