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Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Lokesh Kanagaraj Films Ranked: Worst to Best cinematic ventures directed by Coolie helmer
Lokesh Kanagaraj has been one of the most prominent names in the Tamil cinema industry ever since the success of his films and the cinematic universe he has created, known as the Lokesh Kanagaraj Cinematic Universe, or LCU. With his rise in movies as the helmer of various interesting ventures, it only feels right that a ranked list of films exists, covering from his weakest to the best. Lokesh Kanagaraj Films Ranked 5. Leo (2023) Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Madonna Sebastian IMDb Rating: 7.2/10 Where to watch: Netflix Starting off, the film that I would consider his weakest venture in Tamil cinema to date is the Thalapathy Vijay starrer Leo. A partial adaptation of the 1997 DC graphic novel, A History of Violence, the film tells the tale of Parthiban, a cafe owner who is misidentified by many as a gangster presumed to be dead years ago. While the story portrays the tale of a man fighting for his family against uncertain individuals, it stood firm due to Vijay's performance, but it was a letdown from a writing perspective. Despite already having an American version based on the same novel, the film became redundant to meet commercial elements. The story tropes, the lack of momentum in the second half, and the connection it tried to create with Lokesh's cinematic universe felt forced; the movie suffered from squandering the potential of a superb cast being reduced to stereotypical tropes. However, it was still entertaining, especially with Anirudh Ravichander's musical prowess. 4. Maanagaram (2017) In my opinion, Lokesh Kanagaraj's debut venture, Maanagaram, was a refreshing movie in Tamil cinema when it was released in 2017. The action thriller hyperlink film focuses on several unnamed characters who reside in the metropolis of Chennai. Taking the movie from the perspective of several individuals, the entertaining and engaging thriller showed us various facets of storytelling. An experimental and bold attempt, the film captured every emotion as characters were drawn into each other's fights, unfolding comprehensively. Despite being a peak dream for writers, the film does suffer from a debutant director's limits of expertise, but it is still a worthy watch. The flick was remade in Hindi as Mumbaikar. 3. Master (2021) A film that had every Vijay fan in the town hyped up was the action thriller, Master. The movie tells the tale of JD (John Durairaj), a college professor and alcoholic who prioritizes the welfare of his students despite being considered a menace by the management. After an altercation at the college, the professor is unwillingly assigned to teach at a juvenile home, where he comes to the truth about kids being used as pawns by a goon, Bhavani. How the two come face-to-face in this Hero's Journey film sets up the rest of the flick. A solid venture for the audience, Master was able to balance brilliant storytelling with commercial plot points. With Vijay's character, JD, and Vijay Sethupathi 's character, Bhavani, being fleshed out to the best extent, this movie showcased the stylization of both the actors, with the former being a favorite for many, including me. However, I think the film remains stagnant in the second half, suffering from the same bland and grey-shaded nature of the characters, and eventually becomes an average commercial pot-boiler. 2. Vikram (2022) Cast: Kamal Haasan, Fahadh Faasil, Vijay Sethupathi, Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, Gayathrie, Chemban Vinod Jose, Santhana Bharathi IMDb Rating: 8.3/10 Where to watch: JioHotstar A spiritual sequel to the 1986 movie of the same name, Kamal Haasan starrer Vikram was a massive storm in theaters. The return of the veteran star to the big screens after a short time away, the movie presented him as an aging but fearless man trying to fulfill a mission that his son had started. If you've ever seen any interview featuring Lokesh Kanagaraj, you would know how hardcore of a fan he is of Kamal Haasan. With the fanboy director at the helm, the movie hit it out of the park with its execution, writing, pacing, visuals, and music. The natural progression of the events, with adequate screen time for every single character, the film may not have been subtle, but it was a firecracker when watched and even re-watched. 1. Kaithi (2019) Cast: Karthi, Narain, Arjun Das, Harish Uthaman, George Maryan IMDb Rating: 8.4/10 Where to watch: JioHotstar Hands down, Kaithi starring Karthi in the lead role is like the best movie to come under Lokesh Kanagaraj's directorial to date. The film, featuring the story of an ex-convict being dragged into a night-long mission with a policeman, starts off as the beginning of an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Layered and nuanced, the character of Dilli, played effortlessly by Karthi, balances the emotions of a torn father eager to meet his daughter and carries the grandeur of someone who once was someone not meant to be trifled with. Subtle and engaging, Kaithi was one of those sweet surprises that movie lovers enjoyed from Tamil cinema, proving how big of a filmmaker Lokesh could become and being the first installment of LCU. Rajinikanth in Coolie.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Chris Brown arrested in UK on 'bodily harm' charge after alleged 2023 incident
Chris Brown arrested in UK on 'bodily harm' charge after alleged 2023 incident Chris Brown has been arrested in the U.K. The Metropolitan Police confirmed to USA TODAY on May 15 that a 36-year-old man was arrested at a Manchester hotel just after 2 p.m. on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. While the department does not release names of possible suspects, they confirmed that "the arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square (London)" from Feb. 19, 2023. "The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit." "He has been taken into custody where he remains," the statement added. The Crown Prosecution Service, a government agency overseeing criminal prosecutions, confirmed Brown's arrest in a May 15 press release. Brown's first court appearance is scheduled for May 16 at Manchester Magistrates' Court. "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial," the agency said. "It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings." The arrest comes months after Brown, 36, took legal action following the release of a documentary that explored his alleged history of violence. USA TODAY reached out to reps for Brown for comment. Brown's Breezy Bowl XX World Tour begins June 8 in Amsterdam with support from fellow R&B singer Bryson Tiller. Chris Brown sues Warner Bros. for $500M over 'A History of Violence' documentary In January, the singer-songwriter sued Warner Bros. Discovery and several others for their role in the production of "Chris Brown: A History of Violence," a documentary film chronicling Brown's alleged pattern of abuse. He is seeking $500 million in damages, alleging libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Brown's star was heavily tarnished in 2009 when fans learned that he had assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna on the night of the Grammy Awards. Photos showing Rihanna bloodied and bruised after the attack were leaked to the public at the time, forever altering Brown's reputation and kicking off more than a decade of legal troubles. Chris Brown's history of alleged violence Brown's history of violence against women has ratcheted up in recent years. In 2017, a restraining order was granted to ex-girlfriend and "Claws" actress Karrueche Tran, mandating that Brown stay away from her after she alleged that he was abusive toward her. In 2018, an anonymous accuser represented by women's rights lawyer Gloria Allred sued Brown, alleging he had trapped her in his home and forced her to perform sex acts for his friends. In 2019, the singer was accused of raping a woman in Paris, but he was released without charges. This was followed by a July 2024 lawsuit, which alleged Brown and members of his crew severely assaulted four men after a concert in Texas.
New York Times
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Riff Raff' Review: These Jokes Don't Kill
Watching this progressively tedious comedic thriller, one's mind is apt to wander, and to recall the better films and television series of the past from which it lifts. The story device of the former stone-cold killer (portrayed here by Ed Harris) who trades in the assassin's lot for that of the family man, which is this picture's main thread, was done in a superior fashion in 'A History of Violence' (2005). The doe-eyed and beautiful European woman who somehow manages to be at least slightly annoying, here incarnated by Emanuela Postacchini, brings to mind Maria de Medeiros in 'Pulp Fiction' (1994). And this film's good-hearted, moderately nerdy and slightly inept teen character, DJ (Miles J. Harvey), seems spun off from Steve Urkel of the TV show 'Family Matters.' On top of it all is a pronounced Tarantino influence. Directed by Dito Montiel from a script by John Pollono, 'Riff Raff' sees a very motley group of criminals converging on the Maine sanctuary of the retired assassin who Harris plays, Vincent. (Harris also had a prominent role in 'A History of Violence,' which amplifies the déjà vu vibes.) Despite the abundance of flashbacks and the complicated histories of the characters, the movie is largely a series of mini-standoffs both emotional and physical. As Vincent's first wife, Ruth, Jennifer Coolidge is an inexhaustible fount of vulgarity. She ultimately winds up as one of the main perpetrators of tedium. Bill Murray and Pete Davidson play hit men whose persistent slaying of ordinary citizens isn't nearly as hilarious as Montiel seems to think it is. For all that, Harris and Murray are such reliably engaging screen presences that they provide a few glimmers of entertainment, provided you're able to set aside the movie's practically all-encompassing repulsiveness. Riff RaffRated R for violence, language, themes and yes, riff raff. Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes. In theaters.
