We checked out Tarot to see if it’s better than the trailers suggested, and surprisingly the answer is yes.

*warning: minor spoilers for Tarot

I need to start this review with total honesty: my expectations for Tarot going in were pretty low. In fact the only reason I went to see it is because tarot cards were heavily featured in the plot and I wanted to see what they were doing with it.

The plot follows a group of friends who decide to mess around with a mysterious deck of tarot cards after finding them at a house they’re renting for the weekend. It’s all fun and games until the predictions start coming true in the most gruesome way possible.

To my surprise, Tarot was actually fun to watch. To be fair, how the characters get into this mess is still predictably idiotic, but really a bit of stupidity from the characters is usually required for most horror films to work. Once the story is set in motion though, it plays very well. The writers put some thought into the “why” of how this story works and it shows in the final result. I’m sure real practitioners of tarot would roll their eyes at several aspects of this story, but I really think what the writers came up with worked for the sake of the overall story.

One thing Tarot does very well is with the jump scares, of which there are many. It becomes a bit predictable towards the end, but this doesn’t make them any less scary. The main enemy of this story, who will remain nameless for spoiler reasons, is very terrifying with how they’re presented. It would be interesting to see this character explored more deeply in another story. While the ending of the film seemed quite final, it wouldn’t be the first time a story has been reworked to let a monster reappear in another entry. I’m not sure if that will happen with Tarot, but I wouldn’t mind if it did.

Tarot also did a good job with its characters. A lot of times in films of this genre, most of the characters are barely fleshed out, with only the final girl and maybe the penultimate survivor getting the most development. That’s not the case here though. Enough time is spent with the characters before terrible things begin to happen that the audience develops a bond, albeit a slim one, with all of them. This makes their horrific fates all the harder to watch, especially toward the end of the film.

I will say that Tarot didn’t quite stick the landing. For a minor spoiler, there’s a last second twist that, while funny, also takes the audience right out of the dramatic moment that just finished. I commend the writers for sticking so closely to the story’s premise, but there was surely a better way to go about it.

All in all, while not the most original story, Tarot is good spooky fun. Check it out if you have a free afternoon, you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

Fahadh Faasil’s latest release, Aavesham, directed by Jithu Madhavan, is now streaming on Prime Video. Let’s see how the film is.

Story:

Bibi (Mithun Jai Shankar), Aju (Hipzster), and Shanthan (Roshan Shahnavaz) hailing from Kerala, join an engineering college in Bangalore. They get beaten up by their college seniors, and the trio decides to settle scores. Aju opines that having local support will help them take revenge against their seniors. Soon they befriend Ranga (Fahadh Faasil), a local gangster. How did the companionship with Ranga affect the lives of Bibi, Aju, and Shanthan is what the film is about.

Plus Points:

A few films heavily rely on the lead actor’s characterization, and Aavesham falls into this category. Director Jithu Madhavan has created one of the craziest characterizations in recent times without a shadow of a doubt, but the best part is that he chose Fahadh Faasil for it.

The Malayali actor has hit it out of the park with his unhinged performance. Whatever Fahadh does in the film is very amusing, and even his minute gestures will tickle the funny bones. Fahadh unleashes the beast in him and makes Aavesham an enjoyable flick. The actor’s performance is so good that it is difficult to imagine anyone else in the shoes of Ranga.

Mithun Jai Shankar, Hipzster, and Roshan Shahnavaz are solid in their respective roles. The trio doubts Fahadh Faasil’s capability and believes that the goons are bragging too much about him. These scenes will create doubt in our minds, making the proceedings interesting. In one way, the director created an element of suspense in this action comedy.

There are a good number of enjoyable moments in both halves, and the fun scenes work to a large extent. Sajin Gopu is fantastic as Fahadh’s side-kick. The emotional moments at the end are handled neatly without going overboard.

Minus Points:

As said earlier, the film is all about the protagonist’s characterization and has a wafer-thin plot. Those who expect solid content might get disappointed a bit. More time is taken for the world-building and establishment of characters.

The pacing is slow in certain sequences in the second half, and a few portions could have been edited out. Mansoor Ali Khan’s role needed more depth. Due to writing issues, the actor couldn’t make any impact.

Technical Aspects:

Sushin Shyam’s songs and background score are solid and in tune with the film’s theme. Sameer Thahir’s cinematography is brilliant, and the fight sequences are superbly captured. The production values are neat, but the editing could have been much better.

Though the plot is thin, Jithu Madhavan handled the film nicely by infusing entertaining moments at regular intervals. The battle is half won with the director choosing Fahadh Faasil for Ranga role, and the actor has taken the movie to a whole new level with his electrifying act.

Verdict:

On the whole, Aavesham offers a wild ride, and this action comedy majorly benefits from Fahadh Faasil’s high-spirited performance. The actor lights up the screens with his remarkable screen presence, and Ranga is one of the most unconventional roles to have come out recently. The movie has a wafer-thin plot, and the pacing gets slow in the second half. A few scenes could have been trimmed. The movie’s strength lies in its crazy moments, which outshine its flaws. Hence, Aavesham ends up being an enjoyable fare.

123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

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A staff report

As Mother’s Day approaches, many of us are searching for the perfect way to celebrate the incredible women in our lives. One timeless way to honor moms is by spending quality time together, and what better way to do that than by cozying up for a movie night? Here are five heartwarming movies that are perfect for watching with your mom on her special day:

1. “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
This feel-good musical is a celebration of love, family, and friendship. Set on a picturesque Greek island, the film follows a young woman named Sophie who invites three of her mother’s former lovers to her wedding in the hopes of discovering her true father. With catchy ABBA tunes, stunning scenery, and a message of unconditional love, “Mamma Mia!” is sure to put a smile on your mom’s face.

2. “Little Women” (2019)
Based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, this adaptation tells the timeless story of the March sisters as they navigate the trials and tribulations of growing up in Civil War-era America. With its strong female characters, themes of sisterhood and resilience, and beautiful cinematography, “Little Women” is a poignant tribute to the enduring bond between mothers and daughters.

3. “The Joy Luck Club” (1993)
Adapted from Amy Tan’s bestselling novel, “The Joy Luck Club” explores the complex relationships between four Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters. Through a series of interconnected stories, the film delves into themes of cultural identity, generational conflict, and the enduring power of maternal love. It’s a moving and thought-provoking film that will resonate with mothers and daughters alike.

4. “Brave” (2012)
In this animated adventure from Disney Pixar, a fiery-haired Scottish princess named Merida defies tradition and sets out to change her fate, inadvertently putting her mother’s life in jeopardy. Filled with humor, heart, and stunning animation, “Brave” celebrates the bond between mothers and daughters while sending a powerful message about courage, independence, and the importance of understanding and respecting one another’s perspectives.

5. “Steel Magnolias” (1989)
This beloved ensemble drama follows a group of Southern women as they navigate love, loss, and friendship in a small Louisiana town. At its heart is the enduring bond between M’Lynn, played by Sally Field, and her daughter Shelby, portrayed by Julia Roberts, as they face the challenges of Shelby’s health and the unbreakable spirit of their community. “Steel Magnolias” is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, with performances that will leave you reaching for the tissues.

No matter which movie you choose, the most important thing is spending quality time with your mom and showing her how much she means to you. So grab some popcorn, cozy up on the couch, and enjoy a memorable movie night together this Mother’s Day.

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