LONG time lurker here...

I've started to watch some tamil flicks(mainly because of a.r. rahman's amazing music), and wanted some suggestions.

I saw Alai Payuthey and Kandukondain Kandukondain. THe first was a great film, and the latter was great entertainment.

So, whaddya guys say? THe next one I'm gonna watch is 12B, so I'd appreciate any more...
I'd also appreciate it if you could comment on the DVD quality.

Thanks.

The quality of 12B is up to Ayngaran's usual high standards. The soundtrack is very good and the picture is also good, though there is some video noise reduction sometimes, which sometimes blurs the image whenever there is movement. Easily one of the best Indian DVDs I've seen.

I'd also recommend pretty much most Ayngaran DVDs for good quality Tamil DVDs (though some of the films, of course, are not good). Avoid Pyramid's DVDs like the plague.

Tamil Films I would recommend you since your a newbie
These film have repeatative value which you would watch again and again (thus making the dosh you spend well worth it)

* Thenali
A great comedy flick with Kamal Hassan, and wonderful experimental music from Rahman. The fights are also well directed.

* Dumm Dumm Dumm
A Mani Ratnam produced flick of a simple modern love story, a great soundtrack by Karthik Raja, and some top notch technical values.

* Anandam
A wonderful family film that would put K3G to shame when it comes to melodrama, and some overly polt details. Yet the film still manages to be very emotional and never embrassing. Technical values are wonderful and actor Mamooty shines.

* Friends
A small film which looks at the issue of friendship bewteen three guys in a village. The scenes here are warm and plot is quite engaging.

* Dheena
An excellent action filck, with warm romantic scenes, brilliant performances from Ajith (Asoka) & Laila along with some phat tunes from Yuvan Raja.

* Kushi
Another impressive tale about two people in love, who have ego problems. The film is both warm and funny. Jothika and Vijay give good performances.

* Mugavari
A wonderful tale of a musician dying to make it as a music director, with no luck. The film is a professionally made drama, with great performances from Raghuvaran (Anjali) and Ajith (Asoka). If you liked Kandukodian Kandukodian you'll enjoy this flick.

These are just a handful of films I would recommend you first view. 12B is a great movie too, but would go for the films above first so you get much more better entertainment. Reviews for all the mentioned films can be found at my website (along with the DVD quality review) and at a Tamil movie review website.

Tamil flicks I found decent (being a non-Tamil and not understanding a word of the language!!)

Mudhalvan - starring Arjun and Manisha Koirala - original version of Nayak

Citizen - decent action flick with AjithKumar, Nagma and Vasundara Das

Sinehithiye/Snegithiye (can someone help with this title!!!) - an excellent thriller (in my opinion) starring Tabu, Jyothika, Sharbani Mukherjee and Mita Vashisht. Directed by Priyadarshan with an all female cast. (Sunny, how come you have never mentioned this movie?!?!)

The DVDs are all by Ayngaran, and of a high standard.

Hope this helps,
Bhaskar

Snegithiye is IMO a weak film, and not one I would recommend. The only decent thing in this film is that fact that there are no male leads in it (just women) - and a real surprise ending that really fooled me.

If you want a good thriller then watch Vaali with Ajith coming soon from Ayngaran. Also good is Kruntipunal (which I feel the BBFC will cut for its bloody violence that even makes me cringe).