Unwinding The Reel

Nanban - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

2012-01-17T11:38:00.000Z

It is not the first time we had such remakes or rather as others say a successful or a faithful remake. Can't understand what is a faithful remake?? Well, basically there are two things here when it comes to remake. A very popular wholesome entertainer remake like Bommarilu, Pokkiri and a class movie remake just like A wednesday. It's quite obvious here that Shankar preferred the first which is quite a safe bet but a risky one as well because we all know what happened to Sholay. But to put it simple, what Shankar has done is what Raja had done in the past. I am not degrading Shankar here but the considering the films that he has done in the past, he is certainly capable of more than this copy paste thing. But in the end of the day, it's the quality of the final product matters to the audience. In that aspect, Shankar really had cherished.

The Original production '3 Idiots'. Well, first and foremost, 3 Idiots is not an EPIC movie. I would rather say this is an overrated movie. But that doesn't stop the entertainment the movie gave to us. It's a full fledged wholesome entertainer which as Shankar said in the audio release function, will entertain you for the whole 3 hours nonstop. It's quite hard to find out the boring scenes in 3 Idiots which will leave the director who is going to remake the movie unclear on whether or not to cut/remove any portion from the original product. It is also a good gesture that Shankar in the audio release function clearly given full credit to the original script writer of the movie and the outcome of Nanban should be credited to him and not him.

The Blondie

The actor Vijay. Probably the first time, I am using the term ACTOR adjacent to Vijay. With the stereo typed roles that Vijay was doing in the past and the mass that the actor carried from all his previous movies, I guess there isn't a single movie which has done without action sequences. It is indeed an appreciable fact that the actor leaving his mass fan following and gave his full liberal to the director for the movie. I hope this continues in his usual movies as well. The comparison is something you cannot stop and that too for a movie like 3 Idiots which I guess many would have seen. On that note, has Vijay given justice to Aamir? Hmmmm, I would say partially yes. Why partial? I can come in detail on the TUCO part in my review.

The director has not changed anything from the original production. Which is good as well as bad. Good for the people who have seen 3 Idiots (once or twice) will be satisfied that it is a genuine remake. It is very good for the people who haven't watched 3 Idiots and they will be satisfied to the core.

Jiiva, probably the one person, who has tried to be original instead of 'dittoing' his character from 3 Idiots. At nowhere in the movie, with his screen presence, he has given a slightest feel of Sharman Joshi. I would say he is the best cast in the character for Nanban without any doubt.

The Tuco

You enroll all good actors who are capable of doing more or rather have their own style brand. And when you ask them to succumb it becomes artificial to an extent. That's what happened to Vijay, Sathyan and even Sathyaraj. Before watching the movie, I was seeing reviews and comments that these three actors have given their best exceeding the expectations. But, honestly what I felt was they were asked to imitate from their respective characters in 3 Idiots. But I am not trying to say that they didn't do well, but they looked artificial in many scenes. Sathyaraj was pick of the lot where the way he tried to stress 'S' as 'issss' trying to imitate Boman Irani. Initially when he was introduce with the lecture lesson at the hostel, it sounded interesting but when it was moving along, it started a bit annoying. Same goes with Sathyan. His talents are left unused by many directors. This guy is actually capable giving stunning performances. He has done really well in this movie but just because the script is being ripped even he too had to render the same as his character counterpart in 3 Idiots. Had he given his standard way, I felt it would have been livelier and even more entertaining.

Vijay on the other hand, had tried to imitate Aamir Khan but didn't work as expected. We all know the character of Aamir and we all know the capability of Vijay especially in such character. He has given his best in Kushi which is more or less similar character. I am not trying to call the roles enacted by these actors are bad but I am trying to say that the movie would have been even more brisk and entertaining or rather a new look if they were asked to play their natural game.

The Angel Eyes

First character to spoil the sport is Ileana. PERIOD. The runner up is Srikanth. I wonder what made Shankar to pick this guy who is pretty important in the movie because he is the narrator. Basically, he lags in expression and he has got more screen presence where he has to express when he talks to his parents and in the climax. The way Maddy brought the feel is completely missing in Srikanth.

And comes the Legend 'Harris'. Be it his background score or his songs, at nowhere in the movie it synchronizes with the movie. Two of his songs were saved because of the picturization which are 'Asku Asku' and 'Heartiley Battery'.

Verdict

A neat remake of 3 Idiots. If you have not seen 3 Idiots, this movie is a perfect entertainer. If you have seen 3 Idiots (once), this movie is a good entertainer. If you have seen 3 Idiots many times, better to SKIP.

Bodhidharma or Vela

2011-10-26T12:41:00.000+01:00

Instead of writing two different reviews, I shall try to put both in one review and also, the thought of comparing these stories struck my mind while watching Velayudham. 7aum arivu, the movie which created buzz in the cine industry right from its poster release till the irritating publicity gimmicks by the production house was released a day before the diwali to create more buzz and it was not just the special show, instead almost all the theaters screened the movie continuous shows from matinee to early morning. With all the anxiety, I watched the matinee show of 7aum arivu and after coming back from the movie, '7 aum arivu is samma entertainer' was my status message on my wall. Hmmmm, slightly makes me think if I had over bored a bit with the movie.

Expectation matters certainly! Creating so much expectation on 7aum arivu had a slight disappointment from many whereas, the unusual dark horse Velayudham, with no big publicity and very less expectation, turning out to get positive scribbles. Adding more to the factor is the vengeance on Suriya by both the fans of AJ and VJ. I was surprised to see audience in a C class theater abusing Surya on hearing positive comments from the people who came out of the theater after watching the morning show of Velayudham.

Ok, now coming to drawing the similarities on these two stories. In 7aum arivu, china wanted to start a bio war in India by means of a virus and connecting that to the 6th century and the concept of triggering the DNA of a person who lived in 6th century. In Velayudham, the usual ordinary formula of Pakistan - India war in the form of terrorist. 7aum arivu had to trigger DNA of Bodhidharma to kill Dong Lee, here; sentiment dialogue is all needed to bring back Velayudham.

First 16 mins gimmick. Before I went to 7aum arivu, all talks were about never miss the first 16 mins, every minute is 1 crore and it is the most important part of the movie. Agreed, it is the most important part of the movie, but 1 minute = 1 crore makes me to think the way to spend money in the most unknown way!! In Velayudham, if I am not wrong, for the first 16 mins will not have Vijay but it tested the patience of his fans longing to celebrate his first screen presence. It also conveyed what the movie is all about in just 16 minutes.

Forget the first 16 mins now and move on. 7aum arivu had sluggish start after that it had the introduction of Suriya with a costly song 'Oh ringa ringa' roping 1000s of artists and dancers, shot with several random cameras in the busiest places of chennai, heavy beats, unknown lyrics, etc., After which, the movie had a dull screenplay until the Villain's entry point. But, Velayudham just had 'sonna puriyathu' with no 1000 dancers, normal camera, awesome dance and a peppy number. The pace of the movie is so swift and smart. Surprisingly, this time, there was some logic in the play.

Pakkuru, Circus, Suriya all tried to bring out laughter but not even a bit had come. Santhanam PERIOD. Vijay PERIOD. I guess these would have answered. Santhanam particularly rocked throughout the movie with his timing sense and witty dialogues. He was given a good company by the hero himself and along with the other artists in the movie.

Munandhi Charal and Emma Emma overtakes Chillax and Maayam Seidhayo as a song but as a visual appeal, everyone should succumb to Hansika. I haven't seen Engeyum Kadhal, but I wanted to watch it immediately. Not just these songs where she scores, overall, in each and every frame, she kills us with her beauty. On a serious note, Shruthy, though I feel she is not a heroine material at all, ARM had given good scope for the heroine role in this movie, but she sounded so artificial in most of the places. I should appreciate that she had dubbed for herself, but sometimes, it makes us feel that they ruining the dubbing artist. On still a serious note, she is neither hot nor sexy.

Post interval, it was quite obvious to have Vijay's usual formula like HIS movies. Praising dialogues from the common people, extra ordinary over reaction from a couple of actors, Oruthan varuvaanda, Velayudham anna da, Avan ungala saagadippan da kinda dialogues disturbs a bit. Also, quite heavy action dosage was added in the second half which was quite bad. Same holds good for 7aum arivu as well. Jonny is the villain roped in from Thailand, the master of Martial arts. Also agreed is that he is capable enough to control others mind. But ARM, you cannot keep throwing away vehicles like this in the name of Nokku Varmam. Learn to use the right talent from right people.

Surya had six packs. The climax triggered the DNA of Bodhidharma and he was reborn as Suriya. It had martial arts. It had some magic. Of course it was good to watch it on screen as well. Vijay on the other hand had no packs, the usual Villain beating hero, but it was more powerful to watch on screen. Pre release of the movie, ARM kept chanting Tamil and it will trigger the DNA of the audience as well which will bring Tamil patriotism, but to be real honest, the play was not so powerful to bring that patriotism. Ramana gave Goosebumps, 7aum arivu failed to do that.

7aum arivu is an OKish entertainer as I initially said I may have to think rewriting what I wrote on my wall. It had brave concept, unsteady screenplay, some wasted talents.

Velayudham is a pakka family masala entertainer which has got all possible elements driving the standard commercial formula of action, comedy, romance and sentiments.

Verdict - 7aum arivu had Six pack suriya, Red Giant Udhayanidhi, Giant promotion, AR Murugadoss, Harris Jeyaraj, Jhonny, Ravi K Chandran.

Velayudham had VIJAY.

Vaagai Sooda va - A National award winner

2011-10-01T06:52:00.000+01:00

After a pathetic Vedi for the first show, we thought we will end up watching Muran for the night show but later because of a friend, we watched Vaagai Soodava and I came to know about the movie called Vaagai Soodava and felt quite difficult to remember this name until I watched the movie. We would have often seen many movies that carry 'for the namesake message' but I don't recollect any recent movie that has taken a very good plot and conveys a message that benefits child labor in India in rural villages.

The story is set back in the 60s, where Vimal goes to a 'pottakaadu' in order to teach the children there so that he gets a certificate which will help him in getting a government job. This is actually the basic plot of the movie from which the director has beautifully taken the story to tackle the characters giving everyone equal share in the screen. The village where Vimal goes is an absolute 60s village where the children were kept illiterate and were asked to cut the bricks where they work for JP, the person who rules these people to work under him as slaves or utilize the illiterate people.

What I liked in the movie is not exaggerating things or deviating from what the director has intended to convey. You have the coin. Hero, Herione, Villain, people who work as slaves and children. Move the coin in such a way that hero and villain meets. First instance, the slaves support the villain unknowingly. Later reveal the super power of the hero. NO, the same happens even in this movie, but the way it was told is awesome. The character of the protagonist is actually to get the certificate which will help him to get a government job as a teacher and hence, the movie revolves around him and focus is being given on that character and what was his motto during that time. Heroine slowly starts to fall for the hero but without telling him her love.

Casting is playing a vital role in many feel good movies these days. This movie is no exception. You just name a character in the movie and each and everyone in the movie were damn apt casted. I never felt anyone being misplaced here and I am seriously not over exaggerating here. So as their acting which comes quite naturally. The children were handpicked by the director I guess. He made them look like real life brick cutters who are from remote parts of Tamil Nadu. Vimal has done a neat job following Kalavaani, an apt 1960 teacher with the style of that period, he looked neat and clean. The heroine is another beauty without makeup but I sincerely hope to see these people with their actual face to see and get surprised.

I never knew Poraale Poraale belongs to this movie, somewhere in the radio in the night while sleeping; I have listened to this song which didn't attract me at that time. Watching it on screen, learn from this song how to shoot a romantic song. The music director, even now I do not know his name and but I suspect this could be his debut film, is packed with talents in him. The background score is adding more value to the movie and its elevating the scenes as needed. Only in some occasions, I slightly feel that the BGM has over used to make you not understand the dialogue; otherwise it is picture perfect music that soothes you.

Art and cinematography adds another list in the good aspects of the movie. The entire movie is shot in a village; I would say approximately 2 or 3 grounds of land with a few huts here and there. Cinematography is particularly good in the songs and gives a good feel especially the night scenes where the lighting is used precisely.

After giving a feel good entertainer in the name of Kalavaani, the director has come with up a hard message driven movie. As I have mentioned it earlier, the movie never was shifted to a different route even a slightest moment and the screenplay was crafted to utmost perfection. The dialogues, acting, casting everything should be credited to the director and more importantly at this period and giving a period movie of early 60s, the director definitely has done a significant job here.

Verdict - Mark my words, it is a clear National award winner.

Engeyum Eppodhum - Cute always

2011-09-22T02:03:00.001+01:00

We would have heard about different road accidents or perhaps even seen some huge accidents but none would have put us as one of the victims of the accident. That is what the movie is all about. I do not see any message or awareness being promoted in this movie as I read tweets and wall posts from other film viewers who think the movie is telling some message about driving lessons. Yes, to answer the next question, I am completely against the climax message carry over in the movie or the end credits. The way I have seen the movie or rather I understand the movie is to think ourselves as one of the victims of the accident and carry a heavy heart when you leave after the movie.

That's how the movie starts basically with a collision of two buses and the story takes a rewind of 4 hours describing the passengers who were travelling in these two buses and giving the narration of a few lead characters with a flash back. Not just that, the director also makes us feel for the other characters in the movie by showing just glimpses of their whereabouts. I liked this special touch from the director instead of using a physically challenged person or a cute lovely girl dying in the end. So, the narration that happens with the passengers of these buses takes us till the death, sorry the accident.

The director has typically shown a normal life story throughout the movie not exaggerating any scene or situation. Un-crowded bus from the usual movies, change in the share autos (one who has travelled in share autos will know the difference that I am talking about), using the A/C bus, Trailer bus. These things though many wouldn't worry or concentrate much, this doesn't give the audience any stereotype feel when watching the movie. Likewise goes with the other flashback in the movie that talks about the love affair of Jai and Anjali. The worker changing the uniform and more importantly coming to the shift in casual dress of the colour of their lover's costume and getting changed, the auto driver asking Jai 'Is this the first time you are coming in auto'.

Screenplay is simple amazing in this journey. What's the interesting factor is, when the director takes us to a flashback of one pair, he doesn't continue till the end instead, he abruptly stops with a flash and return to the live journey and moves to the other bus to come in a different route. This is actually a clever screenplay that will leave the audience to be keen on what has happened to them and why are they in this bus.

Also the way the director has narrated the flashback scenes makes me to write the caption for my review as 'Cute'. The instances in Ananya and Sharvanand pair are really cute with Ananya behaving. A new girl from village comes to Chennai, not trusting anyone but being supported by a totally unknown stranger and her suspicious character are just cute. If for Ananya, so for Jai in the flashback of Jai and Anjali. I just wanted to stress a few lines and if you have not seen the movie, I bet you will get reminded of these lines while watching the movie. ESPIRIT hospital, Bru coffee, drinking coffee in bulk, these are just awesome.

Often, these days, the directors have improved a lot when it comes to casting the characters. I haven't seen a single misplaced cast in the movie or probably they must be negligible. A Dubai return eager to see his daughter who even has got her voice asking to pick the phone as a ringtone is top notch. Casting of other characters apart from the lead (doesn't mean they are not apt) is ultra.

SPOILER ALERT

Acting becomes so easy when you have a strong screenplay that keeps going with a pace and momentum. Jai and Anjali have especially done their job perfect. Jai's character and his acting will leave everyone enjoyable in the movie and carry a heavy heart in the end. Anjali as a different forecast lover has done very well in the movie. The new comer Sharavanand is also blended nicely to the character who reveals his name at the end. Ananya facial expression is enough to make her look cute and needless to say anything extra.

I never knew 'Govinda Govinda' belongs to this movie. I was excited to see the song in the movie and so as 'Maasama maasama' song. Other songs could have made a bit peppier to make them remember or murmer. CG sequences during the collision are something nice or more like Final destination sort of revealing what exactly an accident means.

First movie for the director, he should be thanking the producers to believe his script as this script if told in the form of storytelling would probably make the producers yawn. All we expect is 'a long way to go and give us more feel good entertainers'.

Verdict - Please do not miss this journey!

Mankatha - Ulle Veliye!!!

2011-09-01T12:20:00.001+01:00

Something on a personal front, I am missing those days in Chennai, particularly these first day first show or rather first day early morning shows that too for a Ajith movie. Sleepless night spending time on all the social networking site, hearing all the rumors of relatives/friends abroad commenting the first word of mouth, neutral fan/ajith fan/ vijay fan review from abroad and getting up early in the morning and watching the 5 AM show in a pakka mass theatre! Priceless - but just for that moment! What happens after that show gets over? Game ON!

Certainly, the expectations are high for various reasons! Obviously the 50th game for Ajith, which he has landed with an OKish director this time bearing in mind what Vijay did for his 50. Strangely, the songs turned out to be good this time, which I felt after a long time, say Kireedom. The trailer - just increased the expectations to reach sky high! Before the game actually begun, there were games started well in advance for the release of the movie where the movie was tossed to different hands.

Venkat Prabhu known for his clever steals from Hollywood movies and he has already let the audience to determine what movie is Mankatha ripped, by the promos and the trailer. But, at least, I can say this is not a RIP OFF of any Hollywood movie thought it had glimpses of Italian Job. So, I basically wanted to put this review in terms of what I felt are IN and what I felt were OUT.

Don't shout at me for it. I very much understand 'Strictly no logic' for a commercial movie but having a heist plan and going with a logicless screenplay seriously is annoying. The Heist plan is absolutely yuck and just for bike stunts which we all know Ajith can do wonders, you cannot have a pretty logic less stupid plan using a magnet to lift a giant carrier when the driver is JUST speaking or showing his papers! And another logic less factor that irked me was the police character involved in the heist. Having been caught red handed that he is involved and he still manages to get help from the police department! Where are you with movie boss??

Songs, they just proved the typical formula in Tamil Cinema. But having had a good response for the audio release, I must say except for the opening Song 'Vilayadu Mankatha', the other songs weren't picturized well and particularly, the placement of the songs are speed breakers. You don't have smoking facility inside the theatre premises these days Venkat Prabhu and please bear in mind when you place the songs in your next movie at least. Moving further, did you ever see the song 'Bin Laden' and where you convinced with the singer-actor synchronization? Or did you at least feel if it's a mandatory factor at that place? And the much hyped Open the bottle is a bizarre! We all know Ajith cannot dance and you are not making any Guinness record here Mr Venkat Prabhu. Lastly, my favorite Ballelakka has landed to the ugliest characters (except Rai) in the movie!

Trisha, Andrea, Anjali, Lakshmi Rai...hang on! I am not typing the heroine names in Tamil Cinema, as a matter of fact, these bunch of ladies are part of the movie and trust they come not more than 10 minutes in the movie. There were 4 item girls in the song 'Open the bottle' and I don't see any difference from the screen share between these 4 and the other 4. Well of course, the item numbers rocked. You could have at least saved our souls with the help of Lakshmi Rai but you had to get convinced for the censors by doing a smudge effect for close up shots. Poor we are man!

You had 50 bunches of characters in Chennai 28. You had 40+ in Saroja by roping in all the television serial actors. You had 30+ in Goa. See, you can't just keep having the same bunch of folks in all your movies and that especially, when you think they don't fit the bill. Prem Ji was seriously annoying but I can admit the IIT factor and 'Kirukkan' look alike match. But man, we are seriously tired of his Ilayaraja numbers and pathetic punches. I am sure most of us will agree here with the cast you believed in the boy called Mahat! Only one question that I can ask you, 'Where on earth you found him'? He doesn't know to act. He doesn't know to smile. He doesn't know to romance. He doesn't know to dance. We wonder what made you to choose him other than the money factor (if at all). Even if someone can tolerate these, when someone ask ' Mahat, be ready' for which replies 'Naan porandhulendhe reddy dhaan da'. UFFF this is atrocious.The problem is when you have too many characters, this gives you less scope for the main characters to contribute or even if they have done that, it will go unnoticed. Ganesh as the police SI is a good choice though and he has lived up to the expectations. I can probably detail on the lead characters in the para to come.

So having said all these, we have Ajith Kumar! He has done in Vaali. He contributed in Varalaaru. I should thank you for utilizing the skills of the actor which he is good at. But still, with due respect to the character played by him and the performance of Ajith, I still feel, there is more which you can extract from him and there are some which you can avoid him doing that. Throughout the movie, the saracacism shown by Ajith Kumar is bloody brilliant! But when the same sarcacism comes in the form of comedy, this is where the actor is a letdown. For instance, sarcacism between Ajith and Arjun was top notch whereas it was a big let down in the car scene between Ajith and Premji. Certain things which you could have avoided are the wicked smile, the chess scenes could have been made shorter in length. Arjun, on the other hand, I felt is an extended guest role kind. But yes, he has done it pretty neat with what was asked from him. As I mentioned earlier, though he had done his job, with the amount of characters in the movie and their background not explained properly, it will leave the contribution made by the main characters unnoticed.

Music as such also has been the same as the title of my review. It was OK in parts and noisy in some scenes. There are a few interesting things tried for the stunt sequences which I felt didn't go well. But he managed with the title roller being a catchy one. Same holds good for the cinematography as well.

All these above talks indirectly the direction and I guess I must thank him for not giving an absolute shit but at the same time, he needs to get out from the stereotype casting and improve on the loop holes to increase the pace of the movie.

Verdict - One Man Show

REPENTANCE - Episode IV

2011-06-12T17:20:00.001+01:00

Days rolled by and it had been close to 7 months now. Haritha made a few decisions not to think about her past and was getting accustomed to the new life. One evening she was checking her mails. There were around ten mails floating on top of her mailbox received in the past one week, all from the same person. Yes, they were from Vimal, Haritha’s ex boy friend. She was so thrilled for a moment but then realised that she did not belong to him anymore.

She decided to delete all of them at one shot, but that was not easy for her to do. She quickly clicked on one of them which read,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

’’ Just a formal Hi or an affectionate dear, I don’t know how to address you Haritha. I can only blame my fate and bad luck. It’s too late now and I have been living a depressed life all through. It is just too hard to be away from you and I mean it.

I know you will be surprised to receive a letter from me but I had no choice. Your thoughts have been constantly running in my mind for months now gushing like a wind in my heart. Every time I think of you, I am hit with conflicting emotions and I do not know how to express myself. My day starts and ends with you.

My passion towards you in an extreme state can be scary; I know you would almost want to shut it away for the fear that it will eventually destroy you. But, I can only think of my feelings and love for you. You opened my eyes and made me realise how love should feel. Now when I wish to perceive it the way you wanted me to see, you’re not with me.

Even though sadness and desperation are with me all the time, I always hope that you would drive them out from my life. I apologize to you a thousand times. Please do not consider this mail as nonsense. I know it is ridiculous but I m crying in pain.

Haritha, can you imagine the pain of something that you had virtually owned for years, now being snatched away? That is how I lost you. I only want you to be with me as a friend, and help me cope up with my life. This sentence may sound really funny.... but I m forced to name it this way.

All that I want is to hear from you once. Will you speak to me? Don’t leave me alone. Understand that I m not being a barrier between you and your partner, I m just pleading you not to jump out of your past life when I m still drowning in it.

Haritha’s Vimal (Couldn’t help this one Haritha)

(This was the signature Vimal used when they shared mails before her marriage)

At this juncture, Haritha was all tears. She at once logged off. Her head began to spin and she was unable to rest at one place. But she was not emotionally strong to delete the mail. The night went by and she dint reveal this to her husband. The next morn she again sat down to read it. This time she was much more patient and intended to reply as well.

Vimal,

I don’t want you to suffer. It’s high time now for you to realise that we are more like strangers because of the kind of past relationship we had, which cannot transform and take any shape now. Please have a positive approach towards your life and I ll pray for you. Take care.

Bye,

Haritha

Though Haritha made her mail simple and clear, she felt like speaking lots to Vimal. She made herself aware of the position she was in. She didn’t want to invite trouble into her smoothly running life as she was happy with Aurav’s approach on this issue. She tried to forget but with slight anticipation, she kept checking her mails for Vimal’s reply. At times her mind became numb about the thoughts of her present life and she frequently remembered her past.

As expected she did receive a mail back from Vimal.

Haritha,

I am really happy. Thanks for the reply. It feels as if I m isolated from everyone and worried that I would die without hearing your voice. Can you please call me once? Just once and then I am deciding on my destiny. I m waiting.....Please don’t make this wait unsuccessful like the one I made for you and finally gave up.

Call me at +07433356798

Vimal

This time it was tough for Haritha. She was not for it. She had a wavering mind and realised that it wouldn’t be right if she decided to speak to him. Some gut feeling in her kept forcing her to call him but she was very conscious not to. She tried to be ignorant about this but she really couldn’t. Finally after a lot of thinking, it was just NO, NO and NO. She kept receiving mails from Vimal for the next 3 days, requesting her to call him.

This didn’t seem to end and so Haritha gave up. She as well couldn’t rest her mind in anything. ‘’Let me call him once and get everything sorted’’, she said to herself. The next day as soon as Aurav left to work, she took her mobile and started dialing Vimal’s number. It was too early to call him, thinking of this, she finished all her work and then called him. The mobile rang thrice and reached voice mail. She dropped the call and in a few minutes, she got a call. Vimal’s number was flashing on her mobile screen.

Haritha was very nervous. Her Heart beat tremendously fast. With slightly trembling fingers, she pressed the green button on her phone.

Repentance - Episode III

2011-06-05T16:54:00.000+01:00

It was Friday and this was exactly two months after Aurav and Haritha got wedded. They used to spend time out on Friday nights. They generally visit a friend’s house or step into a restaurant for dinner. But Aurav was disturbed because of his wife’s prolonged silence and had no idea of making it out for dinner that evening. He was crushing his brain to somehow know what was wrong. He tried to recollect if it was anything to do with his past that was affecting her but no; he had hardly any affairs or noticeably strong incidents.

Haritha always had the memory of Vimal in her mind, heart and soul and it kept reappearing now and then. It was unimaginable for her to realise that she was married to a stranger. But on the other hand, she pitied her husband. He was so patient with her and she wanted to confess whatever was in her mind. Haritha also realised that in the two months that they were together now, Aurav had not troubled her for any reason nor had he been harsh to her under any circumstance.

Aurav returned home late that evening. He prepared his coffee as usual and went in to see what Haritha was doing. She was penning down something in her diary. He went closer, sat next to her and said ‘Listen Haritha, I m sure I have been loyal to you. If there is something that’s troubling you, please tell me.... I m your better half and I m ready to share any kind of emotion that you have suppressed within you’’. He further added,’’ I had imagined a very cheerful married life, but till now it has only been grey. If you wish to spend some time home, please visit India and be back once you get a feeling that your husband is longing for you’’.

‘’I m worried that both of us have lost our lives for no reason, Is it a sin for a newly wedded guy to dream about spending joyful days with his girl. Every time I touch you, I just want you to feel my expression of love for you, but you are trying to get away from me’’. Haritha could realise the pain in his voice. At once she held him close and cried out loud as if she was shedding all her worries and pains on him. Her cry continued for about five minutes and Aurav tried to pacify her.

Haritha wiped her eyes and said, ‘’some relationships like ours are fast-paced and result in hurried weddings. But I always had a feeling that mine seemed almost choreographed to follow a certain path that was prepared long ago by destiny. When I tried to be sincere and honest in demanding it, I was cheated.

Aurav sensed a slight shiver by what his wife said. ‘’Just the way my parents cheated me, I cheated Vimal’’, sighed Haritha. Aurav felt heavy on hearing the reason behind his wife’s silent protest. On the other hand, he also had great hope and confidence that he could bring her out of this mindset.

She continued, ‘’Vimal was an articulate and intelligent guy. We studied together in the same college. As I grew to know him better, I was astounded at my need to share things with him as a friend and partner. We decided to take up the journey of life together’’. She lowered her tone and continued,’’ My mind spun when we were together as we talked of our personal goals and our desires for life in the future.......... Fate separated us and we are now miles apart’’.

Haritha further shared her entire past with Aurav. ’’All that you have to do now is to accept me as your partner and get going dear. I understand the suffering your going through and I m sure I can fill the gap’’, assured Aurav. He felt this was the usual pre-marriage happening and it did not mean something big. Haritha was surprised by her husband’s approach and she was feeling much better.

Haritha spoke to her mom regarding all that had happened and Madhu had a big burden thawed out of her mind. She was really satisfied and happy with the way Aurav had taken things. She further insisted Haritha to live a compatible life with Aurav and be an ideal partner to him. Haritha realised this and gradually settled into the new life.

Now the days seemed more colourful and bright for the couple. However, Haritha did not give her 100 pct living with Aurav. Outings were more frequent and the couple had taken quality time now in understanding each other.

From Suriya Sivakumar to Suriya to Suriya Jothika

2011-05-31T23:15:00.001+01:00

14 years back, we had seen a boy making his debut with the dream girl Simran as his pair when he had Vijay who was one of the box office stars during that time. How many of us will have such a golden chance? Well it was Vasanth who roped in this man to Tamil cinema and all because of gem of tamil cinema, Mr. Sivakumar.

First few movies of a popular celebrity’s son will obviously result in a tragedy and comedy for the audience. Aval varuvala, aval varuvala song was mimicked by many teasing Suriya Sivakumar. Except for carrying the chocolate boy look, he didn’t do anything strange to attract big directors or try a different subject. From acting to dancing to fighting, what he did in Nerukku Ner was seriously funny.

But the man took 5 years. From Nerukku Ner, he switched to another double hero subject and paired with the late Murali, in Kadhale Nimmadhi. But both the movies had a decent run with Deva, the music director who was at the peak in that time with his sensational peppy numbers. One cannot forget the song ‘Vidha Vidha ma soppu seepu kannaadi’. And then, he continued give some path breaking movies like Periyanna, Sandhippoma, Uyirile Kalandadhu. I honestly don’t remember a bit of Sandhippom or Uyirile Kaladadhu but I remember Vijay singing two songs for the movie Periyanna under the most talented director of Tamil Cinema, SAC.

In between these, Suriya Sivakumar had two decent movies which had a good story and music. They are Poovellam Kettupar and Friends, the latter being a remake of a Malayalam movie and eventually become one of the blockbuster of Tamil cinema. As I said, both had decent script but absolutely no scope of acting and Suriya Sivakumar continued to be emotionless actor sans expression and verbatim dialogue delivery.

Many would still argue, what was the path breaker for Suriya Sivakumar to become Suriya. I would still stand on the movie Nandhaa and not Khakka Khakka, of course the latter had much better acting. But, it was the movie Nandhaa, though didn’t do well in the box office, established or rather made a change to his name by throwing his dad’s name. It was Nandha which gave him Mounam Pesiyadhe which again was by the director Bala’s school of education, Ameer. Nandhaa didn’t go well with the box office but was critically acclaimed movie but Mounam Pesiyadhe had success in both areas. Also, in between the see-saw went the other side of cinema and tasted two bunch of garbage Shree and Unnai Ninaithu, the latter being the closest remake of a movie by the same director (Poove Unnakaaga).

2003 – 2005 is a period in which everyone started praising Suriya for the type of roles and the movie he selected. It is this period in which he started to concentrate more on his character than blindly selecting the movies like how he did in the past. He started with Khakka Khakka and it not only unearthed the talent of Suriya but also the director GV Menon who gave a romantic story Minnale. The movie did well at the box office and also attracted the critics. Suriya was praised for doing a cop role in more practical was than we had seen a cop before in tamil cinema.

Immediately after Khakka Khakka, he again went to the man who molded him, Bala. This time, it was not a main character, but the character which unearthed another talent, rather a difficult thing for a hero, comedy. He did the character with so much perfection, that people expected a National award for his role but poor fellow didn’t get one but Vikram bagged one for the movie.

For any actor, working under Mani Ratnam is a boon. Suriya too had that boon in Ayutha Ezhuthu. Though Madhavan did a fantastic role in that movie, Suriya was quite good enough for his character and did a decent job. Also, he did a remake of Kunju Koonan, the famous Malayalam movie as Perazhagan. The role that he did needs some effort of pain which Suriya learnt good lessons from Dilip and did a good job.

Ghajini, the plot stealer from Memento, yet again proved Suriya’s caliber. All is well known that Aamir Khan requested A.R Murugadoss to direct the same movie in Hindi which eventually become a blockbuster of all time in Indian cinema. Even though the comparison between the two Ghajini favored the Hindi version, Suriya Suriya dhaan. Another decent movie to his credit was Vaaranam Aayiram but again, because of the forth coming para, the value of his role in the movie was teased rather than being appreciated.

Now, at this point in life, he had earned a decent fame, and again he switched the cards to do some commercial pot boilers like Aaru, Sillunu Oru Kadhal, Vel. And this is another turning point in his career when added the name Suriya Jothika. He started to use his wife name in all possible areas. He started act everywhere apart from the movies. He started acting the stage, awards function, started attending regular television shows, started doing guest appearances, become stardom. This was the time when started using Jothika to earn popularity. Hope, he comes out of this sooner and get back to the period 2003-2005.

Hangover! Proves the theorem of Hollywood’s Sequel Law of movies!

2011-05-30T00:27:00.000+01:00

SPOILER ALERT only for the minor group of people who never knew about a movie called Hangover in the past! Well, if you fall under the majority of the world who had seen the part one, there is no question of spoilers here.

It was a real pleasure meeting you!

Fuck Off!

I am thinking about getting my bartender’s license.

Suck my dick!

No, thank you!

I can keep going on with such witty dialogues from the Hangover and I must say I have seen this movie at least 50 times and I never get bored or turn to a different channel. That’s the amount of wittiness the movie had offered you and one who has seen this movie, will definitely expect at least the sequel with an equal pace if not a dull one. But the trailer literally shattered the expectations with unwinding the script, a replica of Las Vegas and with same old missing and hangover with less and boring screenplay.

Las Vegas was awesome.	Bangkok was dull and boring
The wedding boy Doug was missing and it was gripping until they find him.	Bride’s little brother comes in a scene and leaves no interest in the hunt
Stu’s missing tooth is sensational and had a great Dentist touch to it.	Tattoo, give it a break!
Mike Tyson’s tiger! There is a jungle cat in the bathroom. He is not kidding; there is a fucking tiger in the bathroom.	Boring monkey again! With a cameo role, its better Mike could have avoided it.
Jade was well apt for the movie and had a touching end.	QUESTION MARK!
Carlos! And the interesting scenes in the pool side table by Alan. ‘Not at the table Carlos’	Sticking a bottle and making a monkey sucking the penis. Ahhhhh! Please!
Melissa!	We have an empty space here as none at the reception end could make these guys rush for the wedding!
Casino, Roof, Villa Suite, Mike Tyson, Strip club, Wedding, Hospital is equal to LAS VEGAS	I will have to watch the movie again to recollect the places. Most of them which I could remember were the Dull gloomy hotel.
The approach of recollect the last night by enquiring different people with little evidences made the screenplay thrilling and captivating.	I was blown in the scene when the monk asked to meditate so that they can recollect the past!

I didn’t want to draw a comparison at all. But I had a thought if it would attract the people who had not seen the part one! But, I certainly don’t think it would be that appealing and interesting as the part one offered us. And for the people who had watched part one and a fan of part one, I certainly thought of leaving the theatre much quicker than the climax.

As I mentioned, rather than focusing on the title and standing on the same story with absolutely same casting, they must have thought something different to make it fresh and entertaining. Hangover is certainly not a worthy peg!

REPENTANCE - Episode 2

2011-05-28T11:23:00.003+01:00

Episode II

Keshav and Madhu got back home after sending off their daughter and son in law. The house really seemed empty. Madhu realised that it had been this way from the time Haritha’s marriage proposal had come in. She intensely felt the guilt but time and again she kept telling herself ‘’ let’s move on, time will heal the pain’’.

Next day Madhu went to temple and was getting back home when she got a call in her cell phone. She had been waiting to hear that Haritha and Aurav had reached safely. As she expected, it was a call from Aurav, ‘’Aunty we just reached home’’ he said. ‘’I was just waiting for your call Aurav’’ responded Madhu. All through the journey Haritha dint seem to have spoken to Aurav and he felt really upset about it. However he always assumed that it could be because she was being taken away so far from home. He couldn’t think of any other reason though. ‘’Alright Aunty, Haritha is taking a shower, I ll ask her to call you once she is done’’. Saying this he hung the phone and went down to get refreshed.

Minutes later he entered the bedroom and was surprised to see Haritha still bathing. ‘’Dear, is everything alrite?’’ he asked his wife, standing close to the door. ‘I m coming’’ She replied. He lolled in the couch waiting for his girl. He dint want her to be cheerless. With his eyelids shut, he was dreaming about wrapping her in his arms and cuddling her, giving her a secure and warm feeling. Disturbed by the sound of the door, he opened his eyes and saw her heading towards the mirror.

He got up slowly and reached his wife. ‘I m happy, you decided to share your life with me. I feel such love for you and I m contented with my life now. More than anything, I have an amazing level of respect for you’. Saying this he slowly inclined towards her to embrace her.’ Haritha at once snatched herself away from him and with enormous flow of nerves nous she asked ‘Did u call up mom, she must be waiting for our call’. Aurav replied’ oh yea, I did tell her that you will call her back’. She immediately took the phone and left the room.

‘Would you stop crying Haritha’ the voice on the other end sounded anxious. It was Madhu who could hear only a cry over the phone. After a few seconds, Haritha cleared up her voice and said ‘‘my mind is flooding with mixed emotions mumma, I m totally confused and lost’’. ‘’I just can’t live life this way. I m unable to cope up. I just can’t believe I m married’’ she added ‘’Haritha, these things are not something unusual in life, and this does not sound in fact wise to get struck and crib. Please be amicable with Aurav and I m sure he will take good care of you just like how papa and I did’’ Madhu shared few more talks before the call ended.

Haritha cleared her tears and was re-winding whatever she spoke with her mom, she was seated in the balcony; meanwhile Aurav had prepared coffee, ‘’I m good at making coffee and here is yours’’, handing over the mug to her he smiled and said ‘I hope you get impressed’’. There was a long pause, after which he continued, ‘’well...that was no joke; I can understand that it takes time to settle in a new place with a new person Haritha, but you can always find a good companion in me. Through any tribulations that we might have in life, I look forward to facing them hand in hand with you’’..... He got closer and said, ‘‘you are my better half. I hope and wait for the laughter and happy times that we will share together ‘’. Saying this he left the place and got busy unpacking the baggage.

Days of stillness, weeks of tranquillity and months of silence. Days kept quietly creeping out of their lives. Aurav soon realised that there was something seriously going wrong. Every time he attempted to ask her, she wasn’t giving him a firm reply. Occasional talks with parents and dinner out would change her frame of mind. Few friends would drop in and Haritha would mingle well with them and take all efforts in preparing dinner for them. But this was not good enough. In spite of asking her numerous times, he was confused and ultimately decided to speak to Haritha’s mother.

05 June 2003: At 8AM as soon as Aurav reached his work place, he called up Madhu. ‘’Aunty, this is Aurav, how are you all doing?’’he asked. ‘’Ya Aurav, we are fine. Calling up early.. is everything fine there?’’ Madhu enquired back. ‘’Well aunty..., I have been truly wanting to convey something important to you’’. ‘’I think’’ he continued, ‘’Haritha under no circumstance intends to live a happy life with me’’.

At this juncture Madhu was taken aback, ‘’She was perplexed and worried not knowing what Haritha did.

At every point in her conversation with her daughter, somewhere stuck a bit of advice and counselling, but she realised that it did not in fact help. ‘’What’s wrong Aurav? Any misunderstanding between you guys?’’ asked Madhu. ’’I cannot scan her mind and see what is troubling her aunty, but in spite of the enormous attempts that I have made, she is ignorant with me’’, I feel sorry telling you this, but I m not left with a choice’’. Can you please try speaking to her?’’ he asked Madhu. ‘’You don’t worry Aurav, I will take it with her and put things right’’. With this reassurance from Madhu, the conversation ended.

==================================================================================

EPISODE III - Will be posted on 03 June 2011

Click here for EPISODE I

Kandaen - Stinks a bit!

2011-05-27T13:32:00.001+01:00

The story is pretty old for Tamil Cinema. To summarize the plot, Vasanth (Shanthanu) wants to escape from his grandfather (Vijaykumar) who has arranged a marriage and hence convinces Vijaykumar that he is already in love and comes to Chennai promising that he will bring his beloved within a month’s time. But the real factor is that he needs a hunt for his girl. How he hunts what happens next is the simple plot spoiler of the movie.

It's been long time since I have seen such classic pile of shit! Every time, I see Shanthanu, his magnum opus Sakkarakatti strikes my mind hard and believe me, I am still struggling to come out from the Hangover! But I must say Kandaen is not in the same league of Sugar cube. As a matter of fact, no other movie can ever come close to Sugar cube. Alright, back to business on Kandaen.

It has become a trend these days to pull Santhanam to boost the show. It’s at least good for the audience when the screenplay is dull. But, to make the optimum use of the comedian is another let down. He evoked laughter then and there with his share of space that was given to him and did a good part. Overall, when you come out of the theatre, you will certainly tend to feel that more space should have been given to the comedian.

I was thinking if I can think of any other positives for the movie, believe me, I cannot crush my mind anymore. But the negatives are available in bundles.

Screenplay

I accept that for the screenplay to be a kick ass it often needs twists and turn and more importantly the pace should never decrease to make the audience scratch their ass. The director has made a tug of war play. To validate this phrase, I have quoted the following lines from the movie.

அப்பா! நான் வசந்த்-அ ரொம்ப LOVE பண்றேன் பா! அவன தான் கல்யாணம் பண்ணிப்பேன்.
அப்பா! என்ன மன்னிச்சிடுங்க பா, நான் ஏமாந்து போய்ட்டேன். சத்தியமா நான் இனிமேல் அவன பாக்கமாட்டேன்.
அப்பா! சாரி பா, அவன் என்ன ஏமாத்தள, என்மேல இருக்கிற லவ் நால தான் அப்படி பண்ணான்.
அப்பா! அவன் ரொம்ப மோசம் பா!

And this doesn’t stop between the lead characters, but it continues to their parents as well. Till climax, we could see the battle between the two parties.

Now coming to what the characters have done, Shanthanu, forget him, if he is going to do such scripts, I could see a new Vijay and Ajith in the new future, clearly with respect to selection of scripts. The scope doesn’t demand acting caliber for Shanthanu, even otherwise I have confidence in him. Narmada, played by Reshmi is good except for the scenes where she comes in saree or half saree. She impresses with her beauty and definitely a worthy candidate for so-called Tamil cinema heroines. Santhanam has been discussed initially in the positives but again, he is not utilized to the fullest. Vijaykumar was desperately fit to the movie with an aim to bring the Nattamai fame. Some point in time, it becomes very boring and irritating. Aasish Vidyarthy is wasted abruptly for not using his villain skill in which he would have done a cake walk.

Music and camera needn’t to be discussed at all! But certainly these songs especially in this movie are a serious pain! I didn’t get a relief with the songs after a dull screenplay. Camera! Come on, stop being a technical critic. For a debutant director, he has to make more effort to capitalize the chance and he eventually failed here. Illogical scenes, unnecessary shots, boring screenplay make Kandaen a boring place to spend time.

Stanley Kubrick - The Greatest of all time. PERIOD.

2011-05-23T22:43:00.000+01:00

"If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed".

How many directors will accept this or boldly quote this? I bet, you can use your fingers to count. Crediting himself 16 titles with two documentaries and a short from the period 50 to 99 leaves you with only one word to his films, QUALITY. Though he had some trademark shots and characters in his movies, each and every film will leave us unwind multi-million nuances and benchmarks for the budding directors to learn from the Greatest.

The Killing, based on the novel Clean Break, film noir and may be first of a kind for a film noir to keep the plot simple and sweet with no fat on it. Even though it had non linear sequences, of course unique for its time, it's a very straightforward movie. The Heist plan is a Kubrick killer and trademark factor. It is indeed inspired many including the Tarantino who worshiped this movie.

Point to be noted is that this is the third movie of Kubrick and the first one which showed there is a man in the making. The Killing is certainly an exquisitely timed masterpiece and the first certified classic from Kubrick. Though, other Kubrick thriller over shadowed this movie, I want to highlight this movie as this is the first movie which I saw of Kubrick's direction that motivated me to start the journey and I completed and enjoyed Kubrick's journey.

As I mentioned earlier, though you will see some common trademark I must say in all his movies, the man almost touched and mastered all the genres. Can we call that as a classic entry in each genre? What about Dr Strangelove, the classic satire comedy? Or the real definition of horror in 'The Shining'? or Anti-war controversy in Full Metal Jacket, or a period drama touch in 'Barry Lyndon' or the famous, innovative, Sci-Fi in 2001 Space Odyssey or the classic film noir in 'The Killing' or or or I am bored with typing this OR. You name the rest and I will map the genre. This unique calibre has made him never to repeat. A dozen movies over the span of 50 odd years, the director distinguished him unique and never made any sequels.

The controversial 'Paths of Glory'. I would say the best of Kirk Douglas which was banned in France for its corrupt depiction on French authority. Probably one of the best controversial anti-war movies ever made. The usage of the artists is another feather in the cap for the master. And Paths of Glory is an evident example but let's also not forget our Jack for his attempt on the psychological horror The Shining.

Dr Strangelove: Or How I Learned to stop worrying and Love the Bomb! needs a certain mention when we speak about Kubrick. Simply one of the funniest and cleverest political satires ever made. Who else can take a serious subject like cold war and tell the story like a comedy? The clever and witty dialogues need some special mention here. I could recollect the Major King Kong statement 'Well boys, we got three engines out, we got more holes in us than a horse trader's mule, the radio is gone and we are leaking fuel and if we was flying any lower why we would need sleigh bell on this thing??? LOLS

The man who turned a dumb shit into a classic. Yes, I am speaking about Spartacus. It was Anthony Mann who should have taken Spartacus who fell out with Kirk approached the master to fix the product. In fact, Kubrick did not like the screenplay but eventually churned the cream into butter. It was this movie and the success of this movie gave Kubrick an artistic control for his future movies which he didn't get at this one though.

The famous Arthur Clarke said 'If you understand '2001', we failed'. Now mera favorite Space Odyssey. Many critics would have used the word roller coaster ride, breathtaking visuals, cinematic imaginary, etc., the same critics had they seen 2001 Space Odyssey wouldn't mind admitting that these words came from this movie. This sci-fi adventure is a brilliant meditation on existence of mankind in the never ending universe. There is no dialogue in the first 25 minutes nor in the last 23 minutes where the director let the audience to understand and read the movie. Another brilliant thing that Kubrick carefully moulds is that if you observer the space scenes, all you can hear is the film's music and no other sound or noise is heard in the space parallel with the fact.

What's it going to be then, eh? A Clockwork Orange, a movie that joins the list of movies that was banned in several countries for the controversy and horrific scenes. But certain movies will take some time to get appreciation which may not come timely. This one will fall under that cater. But the movie was primarily banned for the graphic violence becomes the least surprising aspect of the entire picture. Indefinitely a timeless classic.

One of a few directors who innovated the music used in movies. The favourite Blue Danube in Space Odyssey and draft shift to Beethoven in Clockwork Orange. Certainly left many followers, inspiring the way music is used in movies.

The Shining. Someone ask a good film buff what according to him/her is a horror movie or put in different words, which movie will they quote as an example of an horror movie. If I had to hear a different movie other than The Shining, well, I am bowled there. The ominous opening shot that follows Jack's car on his journey to the mysterious hotel is simple a magnificent with the background score adding such a cliff to the start of a horror movie.

Kubrick joins the league of Hitchcock, Griffith and the almighty Kurosawa. Hope you got what I am referring to! Yes, Kubrick never won an Oscar and so as the other great talented directors whom were acknowledged by the Academy. Yet, I stand on the point saying that Oscar isn't lucky enough to get clenched by the magic hands.

Charlie Chaplin - The Genius

2011-05-21T23:36:00.000+01:00

First of all, the idea behind this article is not to talk about the work done by the little master. As a matter of fact, I found an article in a local newspaper here in the UK which had a column allotted for the Great Dictator. After reading the column, I just had to recollect the movies, silent movies and stage dramas of Chaplin and I wanted to give a short jist about the genius with some good pictures (credited to the actual source sites).

More than 70 years since he last appeared on the screen, Charles Chaplin's Little Tramp remains a supreme icon not just of the movies but of the 20th century - still he is recognized and loved every part of the world. If there can be an explanation for his success, it's his capability to transmuting the anxieties and concerns of human life into comedy. Certainly, it would have had some reflections of his personal life experiences.

Chaplin was an orphan at the age of 3 when his parents were separated and he indeed grew up in extreme poverty. But at the age of 10, he became a professional performer. His interest was not only as an artist, but he soon started showing interest in every department in drama. For every Kamal hassan, there will be a K. Balachandar. Likewise for Chaplin, he met Mack Sennett, the famous Keystone studios which was the major production house during early 90s. It was him, how implanted the idea into Chaplin's mind that he must direct himself which will give him freedom to perform and think and innovate.

Chaplin mastered the craft of film with phenomenal speed, and after the first three months in pictures was to direct all his own films. The first four years in pictures saw him develop from the carefree knockabout of the keystone comedies, to introduce irony and sentiment, and to progress to the Mutual masterpieces that included The Pawnshop (1916), Easy Street (1917) and The Immigrant (1917). It was First National who gave the breakthrough for Chaplin and came Shoulder Arms (1918) where he transmuted the horrors of the First World War into comedy.

The time of the giants is the year 1919 where the four the giants of the Hollywood at that time formed something called United Artists. For those who are not aware about the giants, they are Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Griffith. Chaplin's first release through the company was 'A Woman of Paris (1921), a dramatic film designed to start Edna Purviance.

Those who had watched his comical drama in many television channels must have noticed the same heroine in almost all his movies/dramas. Yes, Edna Purviance, the most faithful lady whom Chaplin trusts a lot and there were some rumors as well involving them.

Arrival of the talking pictures, the year 1927. It was a big challenge to Chaplin than to most other directors. His wordless pantomime had won a universal audience, which would inevitably shrink if he now spoke in English. Chaplin's response was to continue making silent films. It was when 'City Lights' (1931) and Modern Times (1936) with the sound track used only for the sound effects and musical work came. In fact, the little master who had touched every department in film making had revealed his new avatar in musical department when he composed musical score for the movie 'Modern Times'.

In 'Modern Times', Chaplin brought the comic weapon to bear on burning issues of the day at that time particularly the industrialization and the confrontation. Then comes my favorite of them all 'The Great Dictator' where his targets were fascism and its leaders. In fact, he got some complaints from the critics that the comic sense was exceeding the boundary.

He continued with 'Monsieur Verdoux' and 'Limelight' for The United Artists and did a few other movies for some British Production pictures and it was the Christmas day 1991 when our genius left the world leaving us with no such icon for his replacement. PERIOD.

REPENTANCE - Episode 1

2011-05-20T22:09:00.009+01:00

Episode I

The dawn cracked out to a gloomy day in Denver, North America and 28 year old Haritha sat beside the windowpane leisurely sipping coffee from her cup. Her palms wrap the coffee mug with extreme passion to get the cosy feeling tuning the external weather and her doldrums. Gazing at the landscape in front of her, she sits back thinking of the strong decision that she has taken to lay things in the right track. Tears occasionally roll down from her puffy eyes. What is running in her mind? She takes herself 5 years back to remember what made her take this verdict...

‘’Haritha was an Indian, born and brought up in Bangalore city. She was the daughter of Madhu and Keshav, a naval officer. She was the most loved one among all, since the couple made almost a decade’s wait to have her in their arms. Haritha was a very pleasant girl with an admirable character; she grew up with Ashwath who was younger to her by 3 years. She was a loving sister to her sibling and a very obedient daughter. People would always praise Keshav for his efforts in bringing up both children in an elegant way. She graduated from IIT, Bombay and was a consultant by profession.

‘’Madhu, I feel it’s high time we find a guy for Haritha, she’s getting older’’ said Keshav. ‘’Well....., I had always wanted to discuss this with you’’ Madhu replied in a stumpy tone. She kept moving her eyes around with her palms clasped. It felt as if she had been waiting for such a circumstance and there was an instinct from within pushing her to reveal whatever she knew. ‘’She has already made a pick and we aren’t left with a choice now’’ she finally conveyed this and exhaled as tears rolled through her cheeks. Keshav was stunned, he sprang up at once and said ‘’come on Madhu, that cannot happen, stop telling me these usual stories and be sensible, I just can’t tolerate such craziness in my own family’’.

Madhu knew what had happened with her daughter and so she tried to console her husband, but all in vain. He was not interested to listen. All that was running in Keshav’s mind was to get Haritha married to someone and send her off his house civilly.

During college days, Haritha developed an intense friendship with Vimal, a highly proficient boy, who studied with her. As days passed by, the accompaniment turned into acute companionship. Vimal was of her age and from a mediocre family. His dad was a bank employee and had struggled hard to get Vimal educated up to this height. College days had exhausted and it was time to bid adieu. Vimal and Haritha confessed to each other that it was time to focus on their career before sharing talks with families about their marriage. In order to proceed with this decision, they were certain not to make any kind of discussion and decided to wait until they got to see the fruits of success in their career. Shortly, Vimal got placed as a university lecturer in London.

Before even they got a chance to discuss with their parents, Keshav fixed up his daughter’s marriage with Aurav, a software engineer who worked in the US. Events that followed after the confession of her love affair were unstoppable and the marriage arrangements seemed to have happened within the wink of an eye. Haritha was pushed into a situation where Vimal couldn’t get back to India and take her along with him. They were deprived of time and she had no guts to open her mouth and discuss this with her dad. She had always hoped that it wouldn’t be a problem if Vimal had a good job and that was the main reason for making a long wait. Finally, the day came when the wedding between Haritha and Aurav took place as desired by Keshav.

23^rd of February 2003: It was getting dusky outside, and Keshav called out to his daughter, ‘’Dear, are you done with all your packing? Ensure you carry enough woollens, emergency medicines, and yes not to forget your certificates, and ...............................’’. Madhu interrupted ‘’Come on Keshav, She has them all safely packed, Aurav has already prepared a list of all the essentials’’.

‘’Listen Haritha, you got to be very careful as you’re going to lead a new life’’ this time Madhu intended to deliver some valuable advice to her daughter, ‘’ Aurav is a very good person and we wish to see you leading an idyllic life with him.’’ She held Haritha’s hand tight and said ‘’Hope is life and don’t bother yourself with your past’’. On hearing this, Haritha cried out and replied in a shrill tone, ‘’mumma, I have always tried to be honest with you, and all of you have cheated me by getting this marriage done’’.

It was time to leave and the final packing was done. All set to fly. Aurav and Haritha got blessings from both their parents and were about to step out of the house. Madhu wanted to share a few words with her son in law, ‘’Aurav, can you please come here?’’.He stepped into the room and said, ‘’You don’t have to worry about Haritha aunty, I will take care of her..Trust me’’. Madhu’s eyes were filled with tears as she bid adieu to her daughter.

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Click here for Episode 2

58th National Award - Is it justified?

2011-05-19T17:19:00.001+01:00

I was at work this morning and my colleagues knew that I am a movie freak and one of them asked a close ended question 'Enna boss Aadukalam super la?' That's when I came to know that 58th National awards were announced and I was in complete shock on seeing Facebook pouring with wall posts that it's a clean sweep for Tamil Cinema.

That's something to feel proud being a Tamilian and all these years we were corned by the Bollywood cine industry, where the preference was primarily given to them be it whatsoever. But, I must say there was a slight increase in the attention to the south film industry in the past couple of years where we had seen Bala, Ilayaraja getting National awards which was long time due. But the key question that I had was about Aadukalam which was released in this year 2011 and obviously had censored last year bagged 4 prestigious awards which includes the main category of Director, actor and screenplay.

I had to refer sites in order to get the statistics as I am not regularly following movies being in a different country. A quick view on the deserving candidates movie wise, I could see very minimum numbers. The names include Angadi Theru, Madarasapattinam and Mynaa. Well, I must say Aadukalam is quite lucky have censored last year because as movie, Aadukalam is definitely a better production than the other possible contenders in Tamil Cinema. Now, let's try focusing on the buttering industry Bollywood. I am not a lover of Hindi films; hence, I had asked my friend to have a look at the list of movies released in 2010 and list the movies which is a worthy bet for National Award. Only two movies which he thought were Udaan and Peeply Live. Moving to the industry which is always a dark horse and wins the primary category hands down, Bengali industry, I have seen the movie Autograph which is a remarkable movie involving the plot of remaking the Master of director Ray's Nayak. That's definitely a worthy contender. And not to forget our closest state Malayalam industry, which had won the award for the best movie 'Adhaminde Magan Abu'. That again is a neat and clear winner. Just like how the award for the Best Actor was shared, I expected the same in the Director and screenplay category as well. The sad part is that if you search for this movie, all you get it the recent details on the National Award that it won and you can't even find the movie poster online.

Dhanush, a national award actor. 50-50 choice to accept to be honest. Leaving aside the tamil industry for the year 2010 as I earlier mentioned the term LUCK factor, there were arguably good performance in other industry. Paresh Rawal, Prasenjit Chatterjee and of course Salim Kumar had an edge over the performance of Dhanush in Aadukalam.

There is a balancing factor that 'Thenmerku Paruva kaatru' was recognized nationally. This movie went unnoticed by many and now you will see leechers and seeders hunting the movie from the torrent portal for sure. On the whole, it's a good sign and clever message to the nation that there is a fantastic talented industry in South when it comes to Film making.

Captain does it again and he's back again

2011-05-18T15:52:00.000+01:00

Dropping the two key protagonists without any explainations is a risky thing but Rob Marshall was so confident with Jack Sparrow this time and he had cleverly picked Penelope to match the missing adventure. Also, he picked a different novel instead of the famous ones just for casting the characters to perfection. Even if had missed the previous series of the Pirates, Rob often brings back the memories and it's not a mandatory case that you must have watched the previous series.

To give the plot, Jack and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it as well. [Ctrl+c from IMDb]. Jack is in London in search of a ship where he is pursued by the local authorities. There he joins Angelica, our Penelope, from the past without being sure whether it's love to find the fabled Fountain of youth. When she forces him aboard the ship of the Blackbeard, it's there the Captain finds himself on an unexpected adventure where Jack is in a dilemma whom to believe.

It was Depp all the way from the beginning but it was co-opted by the one-legged Barbossa who literally stole the show with his comical one liner and beautiful reaction. Blackbeard on the other hand has been very good enough to be a bad guy. Penelope is gorgeous, excellence screen presence but yet her accent sometimes just kicks us out of an English movie. But still people who love her will love her ;-)

Well, I forgot to say that I saw this movie in 3D. But I somehow feel that the 3D effect knocks the pace of the action sequences. I must try to catch the movie in normal 2D to see if that's the real reason or the factor. Hans background score is needless to mention his power pulling capability. You could see the same flow right from the part one without any diminishing factor.

There is a very less chance to be disappointed if you are fan of POC and Jack.

Vaanam

2011-05-17T20:13:00.001+01:00

I had no big expectation on this movie and I didn't know that this one is a remake, neither I have seen Vedham, nor I heard the song Evandi Unna Pethaan prior watching this movie and lastly, I never knew that this is the story of some 5 different people how they were forced to meet in the end.

It's actually a good experience to watch a movie without knowing or having any expectation so that you needn't blame it on the expectation factor. Well, having said about the pre movie facts, the screenplay revealed the story will run in 5 directions with 5 set of characters. It was evident with the motto/situation/requirement/ambition of the individuals in the movie. Situation demanded the old man and the mother to sell the kidney in order to save the boy. Dream led Bharath to do a live-in-concert. Requirement made Simbhu to snatch the jewel. A new life plan made a prostitute to come out. So these coinciding contributors reveals the gist of the movie.

This gives a relief that Simbhu is not major lead in the movie, so one can start having some expectation that there will not be too much dump on Simbhu which can go in either way, VTV was an exception though ;). But still he made a little contribution with the opening scene by having his traditional punch 'Evalo mela ponaalum vida maateengale' and unnecessary pulling of Ajith and Vijay. Well, that end straight there. Then comes a combo Simbhu-Santhanam who will keep the audience engaged.

The journey of the other characters run pretty parallel and the combo will turn into a trio pack with the inclusion of VTV Ganesh. That's when the pace shifts gear and moves swiftly. We had seen them as a combo in VTV but with inclusion of Santhanam, it will never let the audience down.

The main lead characters had contributed equally good. The old man was a perfect choice for the character. The movie should have a heroine!!! Yes, Vaanam too had one. But it's mere waste of money and could have invested on alternate plans. She was neither hot nor worthy candidate :P and I also felt Prakash Raj was a bit over acting to his role.

Yuvan never disappoints Simbhu. Two songs that will eventually become chart busters of the year 'Evan di unna pethan' and 'No Money Honey' has been placed well to match the pace of the screenplay. But, they could have made Bharath's introduction song as the title song which could have minimized irritation.

The director was quite good throughout the movie but in the climax after a tragedy, he made the audience laugh with some dumb scene of mathematical calculation which all of a sudden turned a villian!

A Worthy watch

Azhagar Samiyin Kudhirai

2011-05-17T00:29:00.004+01:00

It's been so long since I had watched a 'keep it short and silly' movie. Recollecting such movie is...well forget it! Suseendran, the director of Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu and Naan Mahan Alla, shows some versatility in the genres. It's a good show by an upcoming director not to fall in the same league. In fact, though Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu was good, I was disappointed with the climax as I felt it was forced tragedy. And I had some similar expectation in ASK as well. But I never expected the climax to be so simple and especially the antagonist.

I can try to make the story much simpler in two lines. A village follows the traditional way of celebrating a festival for rain, God's vaaganam is stolen, a connector comes into the picture via the Protagonist, Climax with a neat finish. Ain't that simple? But I bet you, to make such simpler plot is not that easy because it leaves to the audience's taste. One may hate or love such movies. I mean, it can make someone to feel very bore or it can make someone to glue.

Suseendran has described the characters cleverly depicting them with an introduction and of course following a traditional village life characters. You will have an absolutely nothing president, smart young literate men, love between different caste, mamool Inspector is alone an exception here.

Protagonist, appu kutty, is a smart choice for the character Azhagar Samy and I am very surprised to see Saranya accepting to be pair for appu kutty. Appu Kutty has done his part very well utilizing to the fullest what he can. In fact, the entire casting has been really apt except for the annoying Samiyaar part.

Though the director kept everything simple and smart; including the flashback of Appu Kutty who wanted to get the horse desperately back to his place, the Background score elevates the movie in several places. The scene were Appu Kutty sees Saranya and walks out to talk to the horse, the background score in that place gives us a feel of what the character wants to convey. Photography is another thing which gives a feel green to the movie.

Job neatly done! Go for it!

A Pleasant Journey

2010-12-02T19:13:00.000Z

One who was waiting in the bus stop for years for the right bus to come and eventually when the right bus came to the bus stop, he couldn't board the bus on time! But this special bus did not wait for him and made him to wait for another week or so to get the ride. Yes! that was my situation with respect to watching Nandalala. I nearly anticipated the movie to hit the screen much earlier and waited for a long time and eventually, when the movie hit the screens, I was unable to grab the first ride of the movie and at last somehow, I managed to watch this Travelogue.

I went literally overbore in praising Mysskin's earlier works. Chitthiram Pesudhadi didn't unveil in depth before I met Mysskin to speak about Nandalala and Anjadhey during the shoot of Nandalala. Anjadhey, during its release didn't either create a big impression before I completed watching the movie. After its release, it was vice versa on my view about the director. That's how came the hype and expectation for Nandalala in me which made me to wait for years, very eagerly!

Mysskin, here has started to kick off at the very moment the movie starts with the title card itself. As soon as the title rolls, we could see the musical genius name 'Ilayaraja' to indicate the importance of his work in this special movie and the title 'Nandalala' carries equal importance to the subject of the movie. It's about a journey of two children, who wants to meet their mother with two different reasons. I said two children as they both though physically of two leagues, mentally one and the same. Each and every scene until the first 20 mins will have equal ratio distribution for the two lead characters in the movie namely Baskar Mani (mentally ill person residing in an Asylum) and Aggi (10 year old student under the guidance of his grandmother). With the given 20 mins until when the two lead characters meet each other, the director has given a beautiful description about the character and their motto and the reason for the journey and the instances that motivates them to see their mother.

Aggi

* Everyone returns from school with their parents but he is left alone standing in front of the school.
* He never likes to be kissed by others even though it's real love.
* He likes MOTHER, be it whatsoever.
* An incident triggers him to see his mother.
* Excursion in his school gives him a chance.

Basker Mani

* Never likes MOTHER.
* Never likes if someone addresses him as Mental.
* He doesn't like to be in Asylum as he thinks he is alright.
* An incident triggers to him to meet his mother.
* He manages to escape from the Asylum.

This is when the two characters meet each other to take the journey with both being selfish in the beginning to meet their mother but later getting convinced due various incidents that occur during their journey. When their journey becomes difficult because of shortage of money, they decide to walk along to depend on the people who pass by. They eventually meet many people with different personalities and fall under different situations. With almost every strangers being important, there are many who steals our heart. I am not going explain each and every situations as it end by typing the whole story. But the director introduces a prostitute on their journey played by Snigdha, who in turn turns out to be an important character for the movie.

The director has cleverly bisected the movie into perfect halves with routing the screenplay with enough evidences. With incidents that introduce more characters, the director increases the pace of the movie in their journey. I could remember a few clichés in the movie. When the lead meets a physically disabled person who directs them a route, Baskar Mani calls him 'Nondi' which then the person ceases to help them. It's a fantastic scene after which the disabled person goes to help another woman who was in the verge of getting raped by two persons. I also loved the scene when Baskar Mani utters where Aggi's mother is when Aggi urges him to tell where his mother is. The shot was composed beautifully allowing Baskar Mani to think for a while and utters 'Thaaivaasal'. The climax scene needs no explanation which has been composed excellently well. The scene when he kneels down in front of his mother and Aggi runs towards Baskar Mani is simply magnificent. With that scene, he explains how Baskar Mani's mind has changed as his intention on the visit is to slap his mother on not coming to see him during his stay in the Asylum. Also, the boy, who kisses the prostitute on seeing his real mother, is top notch.

The strangers have done pure justice to their role and each one of them has been used in the right scene and their synchronisation is clever, where they were utilized in the later part of the movie. Mysskin as an actor is yet another brilliant debut by a director-actor trend and hope it could continue whenever it's required alone. The boy has got a great calibre and will run places. The item girl, Snigdha who was used for an item song has done good justice for a character role.

Mahesh Muthusami's camerawork continues to speak and stand alone in this Mysskin movie as well. The amount of hard work involved in handling the camera is evident in many scenes where the cameraman literally has to run/walk/crawl/roll along with the lead characters to make it a real look. His closes up shots, semi-shots, long shots were cleverly advised by the director to make it come real. The entire journey wouldn't have been so realistic without his intense work behind the camera.

The journey would be incomplete or rather wouldn't have even started without the Third lead character in the movie, the Musical genius Ilayaraja. One would know in the end, why HIS name came first in the title card with HIS top notch terrific background score. If the scenes were composed by the director, Ilayaraja's music elevates those scenes with his background score to give the audience the feel of the character and the scene. The songs literally give you goose bumps and ideal usage of silence yet again proved the power of silence. As I said, the movie would have looked like a trash without the Maestro's magical work.

Mysskin, as a director, scores again and in every movie, he goes a step ahead and sure to go places with his upcoming movies.

Verdict - Tamil Cinema needs such movies more frequently! Please watch it!

ENDHIRAN - MAGNUM OPUS

2010-10-04T13:25:00.000+01:00

From almost sticking to a stereotype formula with his core plot, the social awareness director, Shankar has finally come up with a pure Sci-Fi genre with a tag 'Asia's costliest movie' and with the costliest cast. I am not a great fan of the director but most of his movies have provided enough entertainment be it any form. The director was quoted as someone equivalent to KB in yielding the required input for the movie from any potential cast. I was one among the people who had ROTFL for this statement given by Rajnikanth during Sivaji's silver jubilee celebration. But I was awestruck that the director has got that calibre though not to the extent of KB. If one has to do a quick brush up, almost all his movies carried the same core plot but told to us in much more interesting way so that one wouldn't feel it's a replica. So, does the costliest movie in Asia worth the money spent on it? You must have known Shankar on how he spends money lavishly on areas where it's absolutely not worth of, but Endhiran is an exception. The maker didn't invest his bet on unwanted irrelevant sets. Neither had he spent on disco camera for the stupid stunts nor for the roll over camera for songs. Every money spent of animatronics is worth each and every penny.

The name is Rajnikanth

Be it any Rajni movies, one would mostly talk about his screen presence, style, punch dialogues, action stunts but hardly one talks about his acting or the performance. It had been made by the man himself as he chosen the path to comfort his calibre. Forget about the path he choose, there will be a much or major impact because of his screen presence. There were movies which ran just because for the magic man. But hardly a very few directors uses the acting skills in him. In the 80s, we have seen the BAD ASS Rajni in Netrikan, Moondru Mugam, Moodru Mudichi, Avargal etc., Shankar has significantly used his potential and it's where Rajni just took over from the director for a period of 30 mins in the movie with his magnificent performance as a bad ass. Not many carry that villainous wicked look. Many villains require dialogue delivery or voice modulation or aggressive roughness to make them call a Villain. But, the opening scene of the version 2.0 is evident from the wicked look followed by his ultra laughter. It's not just the bad ass role where Rajni outshined. There has been enough hard work from the man. If you observe Chitti throughout the movie, you could make out the way he walks, the way he hugs, the way he talks, the way he moves his body signifies the amount of hard work the man has put. Why Endhiran is different from other Rajni movies? Can you think of any Rajni movies where there is no introduction song with a mass opening scene and sans punch dialogues? Well, watch Endhiran DOT

Shreya was superb. Nayantara was plump. Trisha was sexy. But for some reason, I just HATE Ash to the core. I used to text message during her screen presence in Raavan. But in Endhiran, she didn't even allow me to answer my phone. I am not ashamed to admit that she is indeed a HEART THROB. Good that unlike other heroines of Tamil cinema, she managed her presence to a significant part of the movie. Her lip sync was near perfect and an apt voice selection to dub for her. Though there isn't anything to talk about the chemistry, the pair looked individually great as the movie doesn't demand intimate relationship except for the songs.

Danny as Dr Borra was strictly OK to his role. But the director should have at least helped to work with his lip sync. Except for the dialogues in English, he was having a very tough time with his lip sync. But most of the scenes where kept as a long shot to hide it. There aren’t any special characters to talk about the other cast in the movie. The whole movie was run by Rajni-Ash-Rajni with some mind blowing visuals from the maker.

Creativity Emperor Shankar

I will never call him a great director. Neither I call James Cameron or Andy Wachowski a great director. But these directors are known for their creativity. Of course, it's too early to map Shankar on par with these legends or the benchmark directors. But at least in India, Shankar earns that respect for directing a movie like Endhiran. The story is perfect. Screenplay waves from good to better to worse to best as the movie progresses. Dialogues are simple and smart. Especially the one liners delivered by Chitti is magic. Direction again waves in a similar sinusoidal pattern. But at the end of the day, his creativity stands tall diluting the areas of miss hit. The way he choreographed the stunt sequences in the climax is simply magnificent and top notch. There are enough scenes where there is Shankar's magic touch to speak about his creativity. The scene where Rajni portrays as Amman has a beautiful correlation to the start of the scene where speakers chant Amman song. The way how the Robots manipulates and unites to form different pattern makes one spellbound. The usage of Animatronics is excellent in almost all the scenes and the graphics is something a bonanza for the audience. We had seen a decent CG work in his recent movies and we have seen hardcore desi CG works in many Indian movies as well. The man's strongest power in film making, Visuals, has helped him in Endhiran brilliantly though there was an over dosage it was much appreciated.

What are the SIGHS in Endhiran?

The man behind the camera, Randy has easily the unluckiest guy in the planet, who has wasted the opportunity given to him. After coming from a rich Sivaji (talking with respect to the cinematography) Endhiran is a damp squib. The visuals of the songs were strictly OK with a mind-blowing location carrying more value. The man should try to learn what to show and how to show! Good that he has shown Ash as a beauty prince!

Another master to contribute to the sigh is our renowned Editor Anthony. When every other crew wants Tamil cinema to be taken to the next level, our editor wants to go back a step. There is a pause many places and people are enlightened that there will be a song in another 3 seconds with an abrupt cut. The switch over doesn't really happen in a smooth manner between scenes and this makes the quality diminished.

The long run of the movie is yet another factor to sigh. When you have plenty of visuals towards the end, why not place the song appropriately or leave a few unwanted songs and release it as a separate album? The first 30 minutes where kept for the sake not to miss two songs! When Shankar can understand the strength of Rajni and kept the bad ass character, he could have captivated to run long by shortening other sequences.

Jarring BGM is another pain in the ass. Credit for making an effective audio should goto the sound engineers for making the Robot voice clear with robotic sound. I am strictly against the version 1.0, 2.0 BGM track. Thanks to the Arima song which has moulded quite efficiently for the climax background score. But suprisingly the songs which I thought would be pathetic have come out good. I never expected Boom Boom Robot da to be choreographed well but it ended with a good note. We lost the opening song as it was segmented as the movie required. Irumbile was just OK whereas Arima Arima had massive visuals. Kilimanjaro was saved because of its location.

Verdict - Step inside a theatre to experience a roller coaster ride DOT

An example for Cheap Direction!

2010-09-08T08:54:00.000+01:00

SPOILER ALERT

The controversial director Saami, who loves making movies with disgusting themes, has paraded his perversion yet again. All his movies have been certified as 'Adult only', which, I am sure Saami would feel proud about. I liked his earlier films, not for his film-making but for its brave concept. His films evoke interesting discussion on public forums and on blogs. One should know what and how to make a movie. He is a perfect example for students of film-making on how not to make a movie.

Sindhu Samaveli is about a forbidden relationship within the family but except for Saami, none would understand what the director has tried to showcase in the film. He is brave enough to reveal his inspiration, Ivan Turgenev's First love . But it looks like Saami wanted to present the Tamil audience with perfect B-grade soft porn film. The movie is about a relationship between daughter-in-law and her father-in-law. One shouldn't question how pervert the director can be? Well, that's not the point here. There are millions of instances and incidents that happen across the country. In fact, there are relationships which are much more disgusting. But when it comes to film making, there needs to be some sort of finesse.

Balachandar's Aboorva Raagangal too dealt with such a theme. But Balachandar's handled the issue well with well-etched out emotions sans vulgarity. And there are millions of such movies which even got nominated for Oscars from world cinema. There are movies describing the intimate relationship between a mother and son have been conveyed poetically.

The director has shown the love between the lead pair (actual pair), a boy who is younger than his beloved by 3 years. The hero's dream of becoming a teacher makes him to go out of the city for a teacher training institute. This makes his wife and his father to be alone in the house. Earlier instances have shown the father character to be a service man and he has lost his wife in an accident. The director has also shown the father character as someone who had very less chance to enjoy sexual pleasures since he was fighting for the country in far away lands. When these two characters were alone, the father character who never really had any intentions, suddenly changes when he gets to see her assets. Such series of instances makes him go wild and mistake happens. But the daughter-in- law also started to have similar feelings and the next sequences of scenes show them as husband wife relationship. To explain the way the scenes were picturised gives the audience a feeling or even a message that 'Do not leave your wife alone and go to a different place'.

Either the director should have shown such a relationship as real love and not just longing for their bodies. The movie had the following to make it an example for non-sense movie making.

They are:

• Poor acting

• Non sense music

• Sick screenplay

• Irritating comedy

• Cheap direction

Verdict : Careful where you want to watch this movie!!!!

In the Name of Entertainment

2010-08-26T09:31:00.000+01:00

I was quite surprised to see positive reviews everywhere. Have I missed except for the first 10 mins of the movie? I cannot watch it one more time for this ONLY reason. Looks like, Suseendharan who carried Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu quite pleasantly until the climax has decided that its time to join the commercial bandwagon. It is certainly has nothing new to offer. A typical middle class family with an unemployed youth with a sister waiting to get married. A father, who struggles to make ends meet working as a call taxi driver. Desparate coincidence of a group of villain to get interfered in hero's family. Final countdown to climax where hero quenches victory. Very recently, we would have seen a similar tag in 'Polladhavan'. Wonder what made the director to choose the title 'Naan Mahan Alla'.

Karthi, the lead in the movie, has done quite well, although the role does not offer much scope. The run-of-the-mill boy next door character looked out of place and unpleasant. In the first half, he makes the audience laugh with his wit. In the later half, he transforms into a rampaging lion out for revenge. The action sequences in the climax had a liberal dose of exaggeration, but the short comings were compensated by the conceptualisation. In Tamil cinema, there is no need to talk about heroine except in very few cases. Well, I am certainly not talking about the exceptional cases here. Applause for Suseendran for getting the casting right. Especially, the Goondas. Especially the guy who plan's the murder was an outstanding piece of work, in terms of casting. And the big henchman in the city was top notch. After scoring high in the casting department, one wonders why their screen space was reduced.

Yuvan Shankar Raja should be walking away with most of the accolades the movie receives for the mood. His background score is quite brilliant and adds more flavour to the screenplay. Cinematography was pretty decent and nicely done in the busy streets of the city.

The director should probably take up refreshing concepts and handle it in a better way. Just like his earlier venture, Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu which was a welcome and refreshing movie for Tamil Cinema.

Verdict - Mindless in-the-name-of Entertainment

A Romantic ride from Chennai to Madras

2010-07-13T21:55:00.000+01:00

Tamil Cinema had History movies as well as period movies but you can easily hand pick them. If you have to take History movies, a few brilliant numbers that strike first are Siraichaalai, directed by Priyadarshan, taking a portion of patriotic struggle in a prison as well as tagging a love story. Also we had many biographies like Bharathi, Periyaar, Iruvar, etc., which again portray about them. If you have to pick real period movies, we have our Hey Raam from our Master Kamal Haasan which was again a research on a truth. In the recent times, we had several 'in-the-name-of-period-movies' like Subramaniapuram and a few others which had very less use of art work but more dependant on Ilayaraja to show case them as a period movie. But Madarasapattinam holds a clear Period tag with appreciable research on Vintage madras.

The story should not be confused as a patriotic movie as marketed or as shown in the trailers. This is purely a romantic story 'PERIOD'. This is a clever take for a period movie. Quite often, when you make a period or a history movie, 99% will fall under patriotism. Yes, even this movie has such scenes but the romance was given more importance and Vijay has clearly conveyed at right situation. August 15, 1947 is THE day for the Indians, but when Paridhi hears about the British will be leaving the town, you could see a sigh! Even in scenes when Indians were eagerly expecting the Independence Day, you could see the lead in search for their love. But, Vijay has also touched many political areas during that time of Madras pretty carefully.

Before I dig the cast, I must appreciate the art director and the whole team's research work for taking us a tour to ancient Madras. The immense hard work in the art direction elevated a big higher with Nirav's magic in the form of camera. Check out the tone of color being used to differentiate Madras from Chennai. Lastly, I saw such a work in Kanchivaram thought it didn't have scope to show the present. Both were sensational throughout the movie. They don't just merely show us the hand pulled vehicles, trams, motor vehicles, etc., but they have concentrated on the tag or the advertisement it carries. Bravo! Adding more to it, they also tried to cover a few political events that happened during that era. We could see Nasser (Wrestling teacher) being an ardent follower of Nethaji, where he still believes that he is alive. And whenever an airplane flies, people started shouting 'kundu poduraanga' to imply the bombing in Madras during 1940s.

Talking about the cast and in particular about the support cast needs a special mention here. Late VMC Haneefa, man, we just lost a brilliant actor! As usual he made us laugh with his remarkable sense of humor and witty dialogues and of course his dialogue delivery. Aarya as Paridhi did a neat role. But the ample scope was put on Amy who carried the movie from the beginning till the end credits. If you know that she dubbed her own voice, she danced, she sang, will you believe? Not just that, her acting was sensational. She did right reactions at right places. The old Amy was magnificent. She had a dignified appearance which she carried very well. Balaji and the other comedian were seriously good in evoking laughter than the so-called Vivek & Vadivelu's irritation screen presence with a separate track for them. The taxi driver did a good role with stressing on donation part again and again. So, the casting was rightly chosen and quite neatly placed by the director.

I seriously had no hopes in the music when I heard GVP. But after listening to tracks pre release time, my hopes were quite decent. I can see maturity in this movie. The love theme was very clever and smart one which elevates the screen. His BGM in other scenes were also quite good and importantly not irritating. First thing that strike me at the cinema hall was the work of the editor Anthony. The screenplay travels from London to Chennai to Madras to Chennai to Madras to London to Chennai. The travel is smooth as a Benz car ride. The connector for the period switch like Sudhesi Mithran to Hindu or the Coovam to the Thames River is top notch! I never felt any jumps in the scene or any disturbance when a switch over is made. Great work in the editing department.

Vijay, the director after remaking scripts has proved that he has got some caliber and stuff. The opening scene seriously made me to think if it's going to be another Titanic but he just erases our thought soon. When you think that he has come to pre interval Lagaan, he comes again and ceases your thought immediately. I am just trying to say that one cannot take these scenes as evidences to equate it to Lagaan or Titanic. Though he still carried Priyadarshan flavor in the movie, I could see a new entry to the group of good film makers.

Verdict - Go for the pleasant romantic ride from Chennai to Madharasapattinam

Review posted @ www.clapsandboos.com

Where is the REAL VAALMIKI?

2010-06-19T23:45:00.003+01:00

Raavanan falls for Sita and probably a kind of vice versa as well which makes Raavan, an unexpected love triangle. Well, there must be various country dependant factors in MR’s(Mani Ratnam) mind to carefully adapt Ramayan. But the man who made Dalapathi which is a clear inspiration of Mahabharath, the Karnan episode fails to render something which is of Mani’s standard. Focus is given more on the making rather than the film making, the STORY!

Fresh time, an antagonist is being given a heroism opening which indirectly MR tries to convey the hero of the movie or rather, the mould that he has deliberately done to the epic which is a MYTH. Ramayan as everyone knows is a battle between Rama and Raavana and here MR has tries to portray the other side of Raavan or probably the actual nature of Raavan. One myth or truth which I heard from my grand parents is Raavan was a perfect man and never harass women. Throughout the movie Veera, the Raavanan character never touches the Sita, Raagini. This piece of screenplay I expected it from the beginning and MR does justice to it. So what were the aspects that stopped or interrupted MR’s freedom in film making? I feel MR tried to show the vice versa part which I have explained earlier but you know the freedom struggle to showcase the myth in INDIA J

Where and all I have seen MR’s touch in the movie? First scene that I can remember is the conversation between Aish and Vikram in front of Lord Vishnu who is also an avatar of Lord Venkatesh according to the Hindu mythology. The dialogues were brilliant in that scene and perhaps the only scene where I felt MR’s trademark in dialogues. The person who claimed credits for a master class dialogues in probably the best of MR’s movie failed here with HER sluggish dialogues and unwanted poem in interesting places. Another piece of interesting narrative in a MR’s movie from the others is the scenes that speak for themselves. When we see Vikram with a plaster in his neck, there isn’t a voiceover on the whereabouts of the wound. But with a flashback sequence, MR let the audience to connect the screenplay. The voiceover or the introduction given to Veera is probably what the director wants to mould the actual myth. He desperately wants to portray Raavanan as a good humble and honest person and Raam, has been shown as a clever and cunning person with his own Male Chauvinistic character as that to the actual myth. Here in Raavanan, MR has adapted the play Ramayan with clever spots. The exile of 14 days in the forest, the forest itself, the Bridge connects Raam and Raavanan, Soorpanaka being threatened by the cops that her nose will be cut and the Hanuman character played by Karthik with clear or rather annoying experience of jumping from trees to vehicle and what not?

But why would he want to show the character Raam has too badly? I agree he has a mindset to showcase something contradictory, but shouldn’t they follow with some acceptable evidences? We saw MR in Iruvar, though there was a slight corner favoring MGR, it still remains a cult classic under MR’s cap. The reason behind killing Raavanan’s brother who has come to talk for peace and the torture done by him to a guy who has already lost his arm is seriously sick!

It’s quite usual to make people talk about the cinematography when it has some breathtaking visuals and never seen or impossible to shoot scenes. But I am not saying those weren’t shot poor! Many forget to think the composition of the shots being used. Whenever Raavanan is shot, the shot is made jarring or shaky indicating how mad he is! And also the conversation between two persons was shot in a rotary motion capture just to indicate the raise over. Of course the shots in the initial and the final sequences of the movie were seriously breathtaking visuals and make everyone to talk more on cinematography. Also cinematography talks on the lights as well. From the usual Tamil cinema trend, MR chooses a different track but he has got his own trend to follow which I feel he never comes out of it. MR showed dark light for an introduction of an antagonist and the kidnap is done on a day light! Also MR has done neat justice on the costume as well. Throughout the movie, you could see the black shade in Raavanan’s character and white shade in Vikram’s character. But these costumes explicit their character to the outer nature but signifies indirectly as the narrative goes.

ARR for any movie is a big plus, but the songs were placed in some positions that caused an obstacle to the pace of the movie. They literally acted as a speed breakers as I witnessed a series of speed breakers as if I am traveling in a road where you have 4 schools. I could see 3 songs in a span of 14 minutes. The background score had it bits and pieces from various historic movies from Hollywood but they were still good for the movie.

Though the movie had many interesting parts, I feel that Mani should have either gone for an Iruvar Style or a totally different adoption! This half baked product is something no one will expect from Mani’s caliber. There were many open ended questions about the logical connection in the movie on how Karthik was able to find Sita’s place. Also he could have shown his trademark stress on the screenplay. We needn’t be taught more on Karthik’s character by jumping in every scene and the way he sits. We needn’t be taught on Soorpanaka in the form of Priyamani to be stressed on cutting her nose.

Verdict : Making speaks more than the screenplay! Mani, is it seriously under you belt?

Review posted at www.clapsandboos.com

Orr Iravu - Indian answer to Paranormal Activity

2010-06-14T22:22:00.000+01:00

Orr Iravu initially called ‘ERAA’ comes with a tag ‘India’s first viewpoint film’ also called ‘camera point of view’ movie. Perhaps we have seen and astonished at the recent Paranormal Activity or the classic Blair Witch Project. In the lines comes an Indian answer to Paranormal Activity, Orr Iravu.

Movie starts with a serial and never goes or drags like an usual serial. The momentum keeps going with awesome non linear play. The movie takes break between the reality show and the protagonist’s narration. What I mean by Protagonist is the camera itself. The story is pretty simple and cool about the mystery involved in the death of Nakulan Ponnusamy, a Paranormal Investigator. A dead man narrating his death is something unusual but that’s excellently connected with the help of the reality show in the form of evidences and proofs.

For Tamil Cinema, we have literally drenched on seeing White Ujaala Saree, Fox howling, Blood shed faces, etc., We keep telling ourselves when will we change from these portrayal of ghosts! Well, we have finally a movie of such kind, which really speaks about reality. This is just to stress the fact that the amount of investigation and ground work has been done by the team for talking a movie which is very much lacking in many potential directors. Now days, we hardly see a movie without song, glamour, lip lock scenes, etc., These are just bitter facts about the trend that we have and there are movies like this which needs a welcome.

There are so many things in the movie to be enjoyed. First thing that will make everyone to speak is the camera man! The hero himself has handled the camera and this is an excellent work. Beautiful usage of natural lights and thoroughly maintained the realism throughout the movie. Another thing to be loved is the narration and dialogues. We have very less cast in the movie and most of the play was occupied the camera himself. I started enjoying the dialogues when Nakulan started to feel from the moment he walked out of Anand’s house after collecting his assignment. He takes us a ride along side with him explaining how he enjoyed things as he sees. There were witty dialogues and teasers kept then and there. Lovable haunting back ground score. If I had to name one horror movie in which I enjoyed and literally haunted by the music, I would say ‘Rosemary’s Baby’. A background score for a movie earns full marks when it buzzes your ear after several hours of the movie. Rosemary’s Baby’s BGM score haunts me even now! But now I have watched Orr Iravu. Period. Well, it’s not just the BGM alone, there are 3 brilliant men behind the scenes as well as in the scenes, the directors of this paranormal thriller. Handheld camera shoot is probably the toughest work for the editing department. But Hari has made it look so smooth and pleasant without any abrupt jumps. The directors of the movie have done a remarkable job by keeping the audience engaged every minute. It’s seriously a roller coaster experience, as the movie makes you yourself what will happen next? Thought it’s quite evident that Nakulan will die, it’s quite commendable job to make the audience engaging even though they knew what’s gonna happen at the end.

Verdict – A must watch for the brave attempt and a roller coaster experience!

Review posted @ www.clapsandboos.com

And the name is Ilayaraja

2010-06-03T16:49:00.000+01:00

This article doesn’t talk about the great work of the Maestro and one cannot summarize praising his works in a single article as the MAN has achieved something that easily touches the sky. This article is about the Love, the Madness, and the Respect I have for the Genius ‘Isaignani’ Ilayaraja.

Sir, I feel privileged to live in your era. I can proudly tell my grand children that I lived in the period where one of the world’s greatest composers lived. I can even tell them the magic you have in your music, which is always unique, and I am sure your music will still haunt them and their future generations to come. And I also wish you be there at their period as well. And that’s probably one of the reasons why I don’t want your birthday come every year!

Sir, every individual will feel happy when they have a unique identity. Of course, I am no exception. But I will feel happier if someone addresses me as Ilayaraja’s Fanatic. Likewise Sir, everyone will definitely feel flying high when someone praises him or her. I will fly high when I hear people wishing you, praising you, talking about you and even when your name is heard. The happiness at that moment is seriously incomparable Sir and I feel standing tall and punch my cheeks when people chant you.

Sir, I was not born Atheist. But I practiced atheism as I grew. But still, I worship you Sir! These are not just phrases, I mean it Sir. And I am sure there are a lot of atheists turned into theists after 1976, with your divine music! My bad luck Sir, I was born a bit late in the 80s to get converted. I never had the habit of chanting Mantras or prayers Sir, but these vanished when I heard your Thiruvasagam. Do you know Sir, since the age I can recollect and remember, no single day I have been without listening to Janani Janani Song from Thaai Mookambigai. I seriously don’t know Sir, whenever I hear this song, I tend to forget everything what I am doing and dedicate myself to the song. Is it because of your divine voice Sir? Likewise how many songs should I name Sir? If one talks about getting Goosebumps whenever they hear a song, I think it’s solely belong to you and the magic in your voice! I couldn’t even imagine if someone can be in a normal state of mind when they hear ‘Poovar Senni Mannan’ from Thiruvasagam. This particular song haunted me for years and even now Sir.

Sir, why didn’t you go to Bollywood Sir? I have no other cheap thoughts but honestly Sir, if you were at Bollywood, I couldn’t even imagine the number of laurels and awards and honors that you would have got! Is it because of the fact that you were doing close to 50 films a year Sir? Sir, I would like to stress that statistical fact that a year consists of 52 weeks. I know Sir, during 80s and early 90s, you did 40+ movies a year and 99.9% turning out to be chartbusters and evergreen hits. Or is it because the musicians in Bollywood couldn’t match your pace Sir? I remember what SPB told in your concert Sir. When you went to Bombay for composing Thalapathy songs, the musicians and technicians over there couldn’t play for your composition and politely told you not to come to Bollywood. Is it true Sir? I know Sir, apart from all these things, the love you have for your mother and your motherland is the kernel factor. Still Sir, I am very angry on the awards and honors you got Sir. I was thinking Sir, a MAN who has 800+ movies with everlasting evergreen numbers, has got just 3 National Awards and no international awards? Later I came to know the rules and criteria for the National Awards Sir. They cannot give 40+ awards for Best Music Director in a year isn’t it?

How many singers have you introduced Sir? How many directors and how many music directors you have introduced sir? More than that, how many lead heroes earned name because of your song Sir? Will Tamil Cinema remember actors like Mohan, Murali, Ramarajan, etc., sans Ilayaraja? Music be it in any form, the technicians will pick at least one of your song as their favorite and difficult composition.

‘Pudhu Raagam Padaippadhaaley Neeyum Iraivane’ isn’t it Sir? How much have you explored in music Sir? How many ragas have you introduced and invented and redefined? Recently, you composed a song with just 3 swaras ‘Sa’ ‘Ri’ ‘Ga’. I am truly amazed! I don’t know proper music Sir, nor I have learnt carnatic. But still your experiments surprise me and make me astonish. I am just trying to imagine what will happen to people who learnt proper music. How many renovations have you made from your own songs? And how many music directors said you are their inspiration! Retuned songs from Paa and Cheeni Kum made Bollywood to praise your great evergreen hits! How many dimensions have you given to a single song? You did something, which no other music director has ever done. You went to Hungary and Budapest and did Symphony. Doing a Symphony is something a lifetime ambition and dream for many music directors but you surpassed everything Sir.

Finally, as Odysseus says in Troy, If they ever tell my story let them say I listened to great musicians. Let them say I lived in the time of Ilayaraja!

Morning Walk!!!

2010-05-31T04:06:00.003+01:00

It’s Sunday night 10 o clock and we just returned from Chola Sheraton after having a decent dinner with the gift coupon valid Rs 2000 but we ended paying additional 3200 as the bill amount! Goodness a buffet costs 800 but it had quite a lot menu items. So, I searched for my mobile to keep alarm at 4:30 AM. Everyone at my home was in a shock and the first question was “Are you planning to watch any movie? It’s not even a Friday and what’s special?” I got pissed off! I said ‘I am planning to go for jogging and walking’. Everyone laughed wickedly! This time I didn’t even turn on my monitor because this stupid facebook and orkut always ask me to sit in front of it. So it’s snoring time!

Morning Raaga started to play in my mobile!

Shivah shakthya yukto yadi bhavati shaktah prabhavitum
Na chedevam devo na khalu kusalah spanditumapi
Atas tvam aradhyam Hari-Hara-Virinchadibhir api
Pranantum stotum vaa katham akrta-punyah prabhavati

Now you know why I never turn off or snooze the alarm signal! I took my mobile to the hall and let it play and started to brush my teeth! I went and changed to sporty fit. Citibank round neck Tee, Tracks and the new-born Nike Shoe J with Nike socks. I know I will sweat like a pig even if it’s early morning 4:30 hence I took a handkerchief and I stole 20 rupees from my dad’s wallet! All set ready! I opened the door and I didn’t wake anyone at home and went down! I loved climbing down the stairs and I kept watching my new-born shoes all the way! I open the main gate and something stopped me! I forgot my ‘vappaati’ my mobile! My baby has got an application called Walk mate and it’s quite amazing as it counts the number of steps and sets me a goal for everyday! By default the goal set was 10000 steps a day and I thought it’s quite easy to achieve. So I went back and took my mobile and started Walk Mate! Baba counting starts!!! I just crossed my street walking and I didn’t want to jog because of stray dogs! Counting showed 45. I was calculated 10000 in the mind and I don’t have 45 in my fingers :P. And now the running begun!

Oru sooravali kalambiyadheyyyy

Siva thaandavan thodangiyadheyyyy

I ran, jogged, ran, jogged but never stopped. May be because of the new shoe and I didn’t want to stop and I felt very comfortable and I never looked straight instead my eyes focused my shoes always! I started from 13^th Main road, crossed Karthik Tiffin Center, crossed KFC, still I didn’t stop, crossed Santhosh stores, crossed LKS Jewelers, Crossed Hi Style, Reached Blue star signal, now I am trembling a bit but I didn’t want to stop and I continued, crossed HSB and reached Ayyapan Temple! I know I shouldn’t stand or take rest and hence I continued walking slowly. Let’s see what does the walk mate shows? 857, Holy EFFFFFF!!! Now I valued the walking and I know it’s not an easy thing to achieve 10000. I entered Anna Nagar tower and the time was around 4:50.

Anna nagar tower is not the old one anymore. It has been renovated superbly and they are yet to fully open the park to the public and still some renovation work is going on! Early morning 5:00 had quite a decent crowd and but I couldn’t even see a single youth except me! All I could see fall over 50s and 60s. I never say anyone running or jogging and everyone were walking! So after coming from a long jog I decided to walk for a while! Interesting people! Very interesting people! The surrounding would approximately be around 2kms and I decided to take the longest boundary! I had many company! When people carried a stick in their hand, I carried my mobile and kept seeing the count every now and then! There is levels 2k 4k 6k 8k and you have the goal 10k. I am at 1389. After walking for a while and I decided a jog and the surface was very good to jog as it had a mosaic laid in the pathway. As usual, my eyes started to search for good looking figures but poor thing it was too dark! I checked the time it was quarter passed 5 and I still couldn’t believe why it’s too dark! “Otha specs marandhuta da pannnada” But it’s OK if I had to wear my specs, I would certainly a wiper fixed to my specs. There was an aunty who was walking very briskly. I had a strong feeling that she is walking in a very strange way after getting some advice on how to walk briskly from someone! I laughed and surpassed her! Now I had a company. One uncle with blue tee was jogging and I was confident that people will also jog in the park J but the man who was jogging, people who were walking could easily overtake this man!

I successfully completed one full round and I could make out the path. Now I started to have a feeling as if I am walking here daily. There was an old man who was greeting everyone he surpassed! And he was walking or rather coming in the anti clockwise direction so that he can greet many! He said Morning Sir! Morning Madam! Good Morning Saab! But when I crossed him, he said Welcome! “okkaali ivar aayul kaapteedu pola” When I came to see many greeting each other, I felt I am a new comer! But I wish that way and I never mingle with others and too all oldies J

Now it was almost 6o clock and the crowd has increased. People started groups and there was one bloody group of men who were walking blocking everyone’s way. They were speaking non sense and laughing bull shit and clapping craps. They must belong to the Nitrogen Oxide family in the name of ‘Laughing therapy’. I wanted to over take them so that I can jog for a while! I did and started to jog! I slowly stopped! “iyyyyy Ladies ladies ladies!!!” at last, God is great! I saw someone of my age! ‘Super figure illenaalum oru pakkuvamaana figure’. Now there is no time for slow walking! Come on Vicky! But she didn’t stay even for a round! Wonder where she went so soon! Every time I kept meeting an old man near the gate no 2 and he walks anti clock wise direction and this time I was a bit slow that I met him sooner before gate no 2 came! An old man can walk faster than me!

I completed 4-5 rounds and after which I couldn’t. My walk mate showed 7500 and I know I couldn’t reach the goal. So I decided to call it a day! Came out of the park and stepped inside a tea shop! Ordered for a tea! Near that Tea shop there was a bunk shop where they kept a lot of vessels filled with colorful water. Everyone who was coming out from the park was having the juice and per glass it costs 5 rupees. I was so curious to ask him what it is, but another man overtook me! I came to know they were herbal juices. They had at least 10 different types and you can mix them have it in a single glass as well. But I didn’t want to have so I started back home! I never thought I will wake up so early and I could complete walking approximately 10 km. But in the end, I made it. I came walking all the way home! It was a good show for a debutant and let’s see what’s there for tomorrow onwards!

Crazy Crazy Crazy ALL THE WAY

2010-05-23T08:57:00.001+01:00

If there is an expectation or rather an attraction for this movie 'Kola Kolaya Mudhirika', there can be only one man, Crazy Mohan, the story and dialogue writer for this movie. Apart from him, there is absolutely nothing or none from the crew who can attract the audience to watch this movie. The director certainly won't feel good to tag 'From the director of Vallamai Thaarayo' and I feel except for the Crazyest part, the other two namely direction and screenplay are probably amateur and contributed its share to the flip side of the movie.

The story is about a treasure hunt told in a comical way and Crazy has just used all characters on earth to connect the story and make the treasure hunt a valuable one. Of course, the verbal master, the man who contributed a lump some in most of Kamal's movie has yet again proved that he can use his vocabulary skills at the best comical way. But we didn't have a Kamal who literally mastered each and every slang and quite brilliant in dialogue delivery so that it doesn't spoil the actual content. Well, the actors of KKM did a fair job thought I personally felt a few can be replaced with many others.

We had Munnadi Pinnadi Kannadi in Panchathanthiram and we have Theriyaadhu Theriyum here! There are other numerous worthy mention dialogues that play with words. The way how he drags to tell that the 'Kadhal Dhaadha' died because of the fish thorn! It's just amazing and clever play of words. I can't still stop laughing when I think of the conversation.

Avalo periya dhaadha-nu solreenga, oru saadharana mullu kuthi sethi poitaara??
Mulla kaalula kuthalapa thondaila kuthichu!
Edhuku thala keezha nadakkanam?
Saapdumbodhu kuthichipaaa!!!
Edhukku mullu laam saaptaaru?
Iyyo meen saapdumbodhu mullu kuthichu paaa!!

Of course, like this there are numerous witty dialogues and one can discover more such interesting dialogues probably at the second or third watch! So without a second thought, people who love Crazy's work can definitely watch the movie million times as we even see Panchathanthiram thousand and odd times just for the witty dialogues.

Talking about the performance and casting, we have loads. Since the story tend to connect more and more characters. As I said earlier, the lead role done by Karthik could have been given someone else. It doesn't mean that he didn't do his job well but in some areas he over reacted to the scenes. The same holds good for the heroine Shikha. MS Bhaskar utilizes efficiently for the minimal scenes given to him and he has done very effectively. The comical villains Anand Raj, Vaasu Vikram and others did a very good job. Jayaram comes as a cop and his performance needs no explanation as we have already seen him with Crazy's work in Panchathanthiram. There were quite a few guest appearances from Radha Ravi, Sarath Kumar and the man himself Crazy Mohan. No matter how many characters were there, they did a great work and more importantly they didn't spoil the play.

Now we have the area Direction and Screenplay! Probably the only area which is on the other side. We knew the general trend in Tamil Cinema to include songs here and there in the screenplay. There should be at least one of the two conditions to accept this inclusion.
1) There should be a demand for the song in the screenplay.
2) Even if there is no demand, the song should be pleasant to listen.

In KKM, both the conditions are ruled out. There is absolutely no necessary or need for songs and moreover, the songs were seriously horrible! Adding to that, it even spoils the play. Also, it's the director's responsibility to divide the first half and the second half in a sensible way. It took about 90 mins for the interval to come and the second half just went in a flash. The climax, I felt that it was kind of amateurish to finish it like that.

So, where are you crazy fans? Grab it quickly before the ugly Lion starts to roar!

Review posted @ www.clapsandboos.com

SURA that's rotten to even smell

2010-04-30T10:24:00.000+01:00

I have seen many reviews for many movies where there will be a precautionary warning stating SPOILERS AHEAD, but the spoilers are strictly applicable for movies that has something in the name of story or suspense thrillers. But when it comes to Vijay's movies, the term called spoilers rules out based on the following two criteria. Firstly, following the same old story template without deviating any format other than the costume and secondly absolutely no story. Sura falls in the first category of using the perfect story template from his previous 49 movies. I often tend to remind about the story board template in most of the Vijay movies just to set a reminder to all movie buff about the trend or rather the stereotyped stories that's followed in his movies and I have to present the same here as well.

Story Board Template

Title Credits (5 mins being 50th movie) - Hero Introduction with comical scenes - Opening Song with a mass message - Heroine Introduction - Hero's so called Dream project - Villain Introduction - Unnecessary Duet - In between connectionless Comedy - Villain - Hero Clash - A promise to revenge - Intermission (best part in the movie) - Rise of a Phoenix - Another Duet number - In between comedy scenes part 2 - Final battle - At last, THE END.

This time as Vijay quoted in the audio release function, he mentioned about what's different in the movie. The fact he mentioned has got nothing to do with the story but he thought that it's a different story where he fights for a village rather than fighting for his lover/friends/sister etc., Being the 50th movie, there isn't no shortage for punch dialogues and politics aimed dialogues and scenes. As any other Vijay movie, he never fails to entertain us with his comical stunts and illogical scenes. But there are a few scenes that literally beat me to death. I should have seen close to 500 movies in the past 3 years and I never seen such a poor screenplay and illogical scenes in those movies.

There are movies, in fact, loads of movies where love blossoms between Hero and Heroine. In most of the cases, it would be either one of them falling for the others power/courage/smartness/nature/sympathy. I heard love is blind and concluded it after watching this movie. Heroine decides to commit suicide for losing her pet named Ramesh and hero saves her from the suicide attempt. Next day Hero helps a poor man by buying the pens he wanted to sell and that impressed heroine. Come on! Now don't tell me the love blossomed because of helping tendency or the bubbly character of heroine. And pity fact is Tamanna's role as usual is meant only for these cheap and silly romance scenes and of course the Villain has to kidnap her in order to black mail the hero so there comes another presence of Tamanna.

Villain, in the name of a Minister is actually the funniest part of the movie. In Tamil Cinema, we have seen lip mis-sync for heroines and for songs where it usually happens. Here, the villain does the job wherein there is absolutely no lip sync for his powerful dialogues. There is a special package missing here where his movies carry a bunch of different Villains al together. But somehow he managed to pull back a Police Inspector villain, Riyaz Khan towards the end for a revenge attempt situation. Poor guy he has just two scenes in the whole movie. Adding to that, the villain also proved in this movie about his capability and power that he is not a weak guy with his force which is evident from the introduction scene where he identifies a third person in his godown with the help of the perfume which his henchmen doesn't use. Isn't it funny?

Vadivelu, well after a roaring success of Pokkiri, he is back with Vijay in this movie to fill the humour. But the director failed to understand the fact that when a whole movie can deliver a comical stuff why would he need a specialist in the name of Vadivelu to add salt in the wound. But actually, the comedy scenes are enjoyable in bits and pieces but the poor thing is the synchronization of these comedy scenes to the play of the movie. It sometimes connects well if it comes with the combo Vijay-Vadivelu but often it tends to deviate with totally irrelevant sidetrack comedy scenes. A few scenes made me to serious think what made the director to have such irrelevant comedy tracks. With such a tremendous combo, I still enjoy each and every comedy scenes in Pokkiri but it has successfully played havoc in Sura.

This could probably be the only good part in the review as it speaks about the music and choreography. There were many other actors who wanted to showcase themselves as a great dancer by asking their choreographers to give tough movements which literally makes the song to fit in dance reality shows. But the silent man does it so easily. I was stunned with his movements for the song 'Naan Nadandhal Saravedi'. Credits should also be given to the dance master Robert for giving such a beautiful movements and Vijay has danced brilliantly for the song. Another good number in the music is Bommayee song, which is rich with the sets and the catchy hip lift dance movements. But the background score is not that great in the movie. Unlike Pokkiri, though it's a straight lift from the telugu original, it was sensational for the movie and added a great energy to the screenplay. But I bet, if Vijay doesn't possess this skill, he would probably join hands in opening another Jewellery shop storey building along with Top Star Prashanth.

We had 23-am Pulikesi in Pokkiri, we had a Bharathiyar in Villu, we had a Michael Jackson in Vettaikaran. But these are used only for songs. Why the hell we had an Avtar Singh as a customs officer in Sura? Will he not check in the mirror for the so-called get-ups that he pick? And did the director think that the audience are so dumb? Can anyone imagine if a group of henchmen smuggling goods in the ship can mistake a cracker rocket for bullet? Can't they even distinguish between a rocket launcher and an ordinary Sivakasi rocket? It was rib tickling comedy as Vijay's people started firing or rather bursting crackers and that made the smugglers to think that it's customs firing shot guns and rocket launcher. Thank God, Vijay didn't opt for any comical stunts to diffuse the bomb in any other means in the climax.

Now we have to give some respect to the critically acclaimed director SP Raajakumar. Immediate question that came to my mind as soon as I heard about this 50th movie was why did Vijay choose this man to direct his 50th movie? On what basis or on what ground rule he selected or trusted or had faith on this wonderful man. The man has given some movies, which many wouldn’t even, heard about it. Even when a debutant makes mistakes we can excuse him being his first movie or when a critically acclaimed director makes a mistake we can excuse him or blame him to own the result. Upon knowing the success of Azhagar Malai and En Purushan Kozhandai Maadhiri and if you are still adamant to work with him, what should I call you in spite of being your 50th film?

Verdict: SA Chandrasekar trusted on Vijay, Vijay trusted on SP Raajakumar, SP Raajakumar trusted on Sun Pictures. It's up to you whom you should trust, but if you trust me, I can save Rs 100.

ரெட்டை சுழி - மெகா சீரியல் எவ்வளவோ தேவலை!

2010-04-23T15:18:00.000+01:00

படம் பார்க்கும் போது எனக்கு ஏற்பட்ட சந்தேகம் இந்த படத்திற்கு எதற்காக இயக்குனர் சிகரத்தையும் இமயத்தையும் நடிக்க வைத்துள்ளனர்? நல்ல Character artist நடிக்க வைத்திருக்கலாமே!! வீனா போச்சு ரூ 430. இவர்கள் மட்டும் போதாது என்று S Pictures வேற. அப்படி என்ன தான் கதை இதுல? சுமார் கி பி 40 வருடங்களாக தோழர் என்கிற நம்ம பாரதிராஜாவுக்கும் ராமசாமி என்கிற பாலச்சந்தருக்கும் பகை. உங்க வீடு பகை இல்ல எங்க வூட்டு பகை இல்ல அப்படி ஒரு பகை. இந்த வீட்டில் ஒரு பயிங்கிலி அந்த வீட்டில் ஒரு பட்டாலத்தானை லவ்ஸ் பண்றாங்க. அட ஆமாங்க சின்ன வயசுலேந்து லவ்ஸ்! அவங்க சேர்வார்களா இல்லையா?

இதுக்காக படத்த பாருங்கன்னு சொல்ல வரல, கண்டிப்பா சேருவாங்க! படத்தில் ஒன்றாவது சொல்ற அளவிற்கு நல்லா இருக்கும்னு பார்த்தா ஒன்னு கூட தேரல! இயக்குனர் தாமிரா ரொம்ப தந்திரமா யோசிச்சு பெரும் புலிகளுடன் சின்ன வாண்டுகளையும் சேத்து நடிக்க வச்சிருக்கார். ஆனால் பசங்களை வச்சி படம் எடுத்தா பாண்டிராஜ் ஆகமுடியாது சார்.

படம் தான் மொக்கைனு பார்த்தா மியூசிக் டாப் டக்கர். ஒரு பாட்டும் மனசுல நிக்கல. இதுல வேற அவங்களே அவங்களை கலாயக்குறாங்க. படத்தோட Editor பாராட்டணம். ஒரு முழு நீல சீரியல் கொடுதிருகாறு. Camera அது இதுனுலாம் போக வேண்டிய அவசியமே இல்லை. படத்தோட கதை எல்லாத்தையும் மறக்கடிக்க வச்சிடுச்சு. பாலச்சந்தருக்கு ஒரு 4 பக்கம் dialogue. பாரதிராஜாவிற்கு என்ன ஒரு 8 பக்கம் இருக்கும். சின்ன சின்ன வாண்டுகளுக்கு சேர்த்து ஒரு 10 பக்கம் அம்புட்டுத்தான்.

நானும் எத்தனையோ படங்கள் பார்த்திருக்கேன், அவ்வளவு ஏன் கோலங்கள் மெகா சீரியல் கூட பார்த்திருக்கேன் சார்! இப்படி ஒரு காவியத்த என் வாழ்நாளில் பார்த்ததில்லை! மிக்க நன்றி தாமிரா அவர்களே! நீர் வாழ்க! சமீபத்தில் ஒரு புதிய விதிமுறை போட்ருக்காங்க loss ஆனா மறுபடியும் அதே producer கூட இன்னுரு படம் பண்ணிதரனம்னு. எப்போ அது இயக்குனர்களுக்கு தகும்னு தெரியல!

Review posted @ www.clapsandboos.com

Quarter-Quarter-Quarter

2010-03-29T15:02:00.000+01:00

FRIDAY, the day in which most of the Tamil movies operate their child to be born in the silver screen. This has become a custom with some actual funda behind it. When a movie hits the silver screen on Friday, which is the last working day in India, the production unit rely on the fact that people tend to approach cinema malls during Friday weekend followed by two weekly holidays. Hence, the production unit tosses the movie on Friday to get good profit immediately in the first three days of the release so that it can act as a psychological advantage to showcase the box office report in the news and media sites. Well this year was quite a boon as it started with FRIDAY, 01-01-2010. But unfortunately not many producers were ready to compete with last year biggies, AVATAR which continued to dominate the box office for nearly 8-10 weeks running at packed houses. All we had was just 3 income tax releases on the opening day of the year, namely, Pugaipadam, Thunichal and Nil Kavani Kadhali. No one even knows that these duds were released on the auspicious day of the year but as usual they did their part not to run more than a week doing justice to their producers.

Now comes the Pongal clash with no movies from the leading stars Ajith and Vijay. It was a peaceful Pongal but we had the Magnum Opus Aayirathil Oruvan, the much-awaited release at last hit the silver screen on Pongal, the Tamil New Year. The movie had mixed reviews from the day it was released and it had also created rich interest amongst the audiences of quality cinema who went a step higher in decoding the nuances in the movie. But in the end, Selva has to re operate his child as the audience failed to understand most of the second half and also chopped a few unnecessary scenes. But the movie made a good show in the business and it was clear winner in the Pongal battle with other movies Kutty, Dhanush starrer failing to do enough business and Porkkalam, which was nothing other than waste of money. The other dark horse in the pongal battle was the Capital Cine Work's Naanayam, which earned decent reviews, but the movie failed to run well because of poor marketing.

Moving to the end of the month, we had close to 5 movies with screens swarming to get the biggies. We had the much-publicized Tamil Padam, a spoof of popular movies. The movie and the marketing strategy has created enough hype to attract the audience with it's pre release interviews and the famous 'Mirchi' Shiva, doing the lead role, which is a in deed quite a controversy role as he had to spoof the most popular heroes of south. But quite surprisingly the team has managed to keep up their expectations and I would say they lived to their expectations. They spoofed in each and every form from the trailers, songs, names and even the newspaper advertisements. Along with Tamil Padam, we had another Production debutant, Soundarya Rajnikanth came with Venkat Prabhu's Holiday 'Goa'. Venkat Prabhu carried the hopes from Chennai 28 and Saroja but this time, it was more close to a spoof and dry humour. The movie didn't do good business in the box office as it lacked in the fundamental story. Not all movies with Prem Ji can fetch you good profit in the box office is what Venkat Prabhu learned from this movie. The movie which created controversy in the internet media, which was leaked in the internet even before the movie hit the silver screen, Jaggubhai, from KSR and Sarath combo with the comedy legend Goundamani getting back to acting also released along with these two movies. When you don't have content, no matter you create as much hype as you can, Tamil audience has been matured enough to place the movie in the garbage when it does not have any content to satisfy their money that they spent. Jaggubhai clears grabs a place in the wastebasket. Now a days, it has become a principle of telecasting trailors imitating Sun Pictures with a few taglines and punch dialogues from the movie. It was 'Vaaaa Daaaaa' with Vettainkaran where Sun Pictures kept shouting in all their channels to promote their production. We had an english version of 'Vaaa Daaaa' with Dhairiyam, P Kumaran starrer shouting 'Come Onnnnnnnnnnn'. Who can answer the following question? Name the list of theatres in which Dhairiyam was released? Hint: No of days the movie ran is equal to the list of theatres the movie was released.

Perfect month February first witnessed Ajith's Aasal. With no major hopes because of the production company and with not much pre release hype, the movie literally bombarded at the box office. The fans and the neutral audience did not have any relieving factor that they can cherish for except for the factor 'Ajithkumar' and his so-called screen presence. Another humorous part of the movie was the promotion that they made or rather the promotion from an actor to a co-director Ajith kumar. Sluggish dry humour, senseless songs, irrelevant fights, not-at-all-necessary screenplay has made the movie to find the next place in the waste basket. With this, I hope the end of Charan can soon come. A quarter without Sun Pictures? Defintely not, this time they had an interesting impossible combo of Vishal playing a play boy character in TVP - Theeratha Vilayaatu Pillai. Once again, Sun Pictures proved and stand strong in claiming that 'We will promote only movies with rubbish masala'. Can someone please show them quality movies please?

Failed to release on the Valentine's Day, Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya was released towards the end of February. With Gautam's magic the movie stood tall and won several critics and also made good money at the box office. The movie, for the first time had Simbhu with a neat acting and has showcased Trisha as a good and hot heroine. The X factor of the movie is that it made the audience to feel their presence in the movie as it was taken in such a manner that it would have happened in every man's life. Not to forget the Oscar Winner's return to Tamil Cinema after a long gap. The songs are still ruling the box office and each and everyone's hello tune.

The month of March, where every producer scared to release their baby because of the violent IPL season 3 also had a few releases. We had Jai starrer 'Aval Peyar Tamizharasi'. The movie was pretty decent and also did arguable money in the business because of the killer IPL that literally made every human being to sit and watch the match. We also had other few duds like Thambikku Endha Ooru, Veerasekaran, Kumarin Pennin Ullathile and Yaadhu Maagi which won the straight seat in the waste basket. With Chennai Super Kings, literally failing in most of the matches, hope started to shift its focus towards cinema again. At the right time was released Vasantha Balan's Angadi Theru. The movie gave a brilliant portrayal of the Angadi Street and it earned excelled reviews from all corners of the world. With the quarter almost getting over, we wish to see more Angadi Therus and more 1000 in 1 movie to come.

Article posted @ http://www.clapsandboos.com/

A Brilliant Portrayal of Angadi Theru

2010-03-26T14:08:00.000Z

Angadi Theru audience can never have a negative mindset as Vasantha Balan gave a stunner called 'Veyyil' a few years back under Shankar's banner. Now with international recognition with various awards that Veyyil fetched him, he doesn't need the banner anymore. With expectation comes responsibility and the responsibility was held perfect by Vasantha Balan who has portrayed the Angadi Theru. Often, when you give a decent movie, you tend to see shades of the same movie in your upcoming movies as well. But Vasantha Balan stands as an exception in the street of Angadies. I am sure there is tremendous homework behind this attempt. It's not an easy task to portray the inner life of the sales guys working in famous all-in-one shops that too located in the busy bee of Chennai.

The movie is about the life of people working in a Angadi Street (Street that has got only shops). It doesn't focus only on the lead pair but also describes how people live a life managing a business in this street. There are many brilliant scenes to describe both shades of people. The platform shopkeepers, the individual sellers, the cruel supervisors, the physically challenged people and also the policemen who safeguards the public from cheaters and thieves.

The movie would have been a zombie if importance is not give to the casting. Vasantha Balan scores high here. We saw his casting brilliance in Veyyil, especially the flashback episode of choosing the child artists. I am not at all surprised to see the same brilliance in Angadi Theru. If I had to pick someone who was mega brilliant, it would go to the director A. Venkatesh. I was shocked to his stunning performance. The character that he played, the ruggedness that he had and of course the look made it to say that the casting of his character can never be replicated by anybody else. I in fact felt, instead of directing horrible commercial movies, he can do such meaningful character roles. The other significant factor about other cast involved in the movie is that they resembled as if the real sales guys were asked to act. Only odd feel about the cast that I felt was the character Kani played by Anjali. Her glamy look doesn't make her an apt character to play a salesgirl role. But still, she did role to perfection. Also, the typical 'Annatchi kadai' slag was maintained fantastically throughout the movie. One can notice the slang on how it differs when rendered at different emotion.

Paandi, the KKK fame needs some special mention for his humor in the movie. In general, we often see the screen presence occupied by the lead pair of a movie. But here, we could see that more than two cast shares the screen presence throughout the movie. Paandi, in this movie is not meant for filling the comedian role alone. He shares some significant screen space in many scenes. Along with Paandi, there are other casts like Shophie Mary, other supervisor, the Great Annatchi and many others who have done a neat job.

Vasantha Balan has also taken a dig at many real life incidents or rather accidents and cleverly connected to his child, the screenplay. None can forget the accident that caused the life of the platform livers when a lorry overrun on the platform resulting in many lives. Also, another accident in the improper level crossing. He has used these real accidents into the screenplay apt and certainly not to create tragedy like how we had seen in several movies in the past. He has also taken a dig at Saravana Stores describing how cruel they are with poor illiterate people from village and how rude they are to these people. He has also concentrated on describing how people come to a different city to earn for their family, which is entirely dependant on the person for bread and butter. There are quite a few scenes where Vasantha Balan has literally made the audience to move with the screenplay and fantastic dialogues by Jayamohan. When a dwarf worries that his kid was born resembling him with crippled legs and hands, his wife was very much happy with the way the kid was born resembling him. Asked why, she replied, none can question her on her chastity as they live in the streets and moreover her husband is a dwarf. This specific scene took the audience off their seat and got accolades.

Who can take an open challenge to go and shoot with your mobile camera in the Ranganathan Street? I bet, you will immediately delete the video from your mobile on seeing the quality of capture. Imagine the shoot, which took place in the same street with no sets. Normally, when you shoot in public, it will attract the crowd, but you are in a street where you can see 4 people per square meter. These are more than enough challenges for the debutant Richard. Be it the busy Ranganathan Street or the clean drought village, the debutant scores significantly high and claim due credits for his phenomenal work behind the camera.

Music and the background score for the movie did not let the momentum of the movie to go down. In this aspect, both Vijay Antony, who has also handled the background score and G V Prakash has done a decent job with neat songs and rhythmic clear BGM.

Vasantha Balan scripts each and every frame brilliantly. The continuity has been maintained very well with Sreekar Prasad doing a crisp work with his scissors. Vasantha Balan gave valid justification and also did not over bore the audience with too much emotion or too much humor. He is just 3 movies old director and he has got the ability to maintain the pace and calculate the pulse of the audience. You get to see a lot of beggars who can bring soft corner as soon as you see them. But Vasantha Balan did not bring the emotion in just showing them but also used them along with the screenplay to bring in emotion. Overall, the product is a very neat and genuine attempt and a welcome movie for the Tamil Cinema Audience.

Review posted @ http://www.clapsandboos.com/

Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa - A Romantic Journey

2010-03-14T19:36:00.002Z

In order to start a review for this romantic journey of Gautam Vasudev Menon's Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa, I had to go back and refresh during the initial promotions of this movie. It did create a lot of expectations when Gautam interestingly cast his cast with popular romantic movies such as Kandukondain Kandukondain, Alaipaayudhey, Uyire and his own Kaakka Kakka. And the tag after these stills goes as 'A different Romantic Story' AGAIN. Now after watching the movie, if one can recollect these stills and promos made, the tag which said AGAIN was genuinely a ‘A Different Romantic Story’.
Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa??????
So what's Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa? It's romantic journey and the chemistry between Karthik and Jessy. It's so poetic that the feel has been given in the form of narration in the first half where Karthik (Simbhu) explains about the cyclone that hit him in his life and it moves on the same life cycle during the second half. Not often you see concentration on the screenplay in Tamil Cinema or at least in the recent Tamil Cinema. But Gautam disproves the fact that Tamil Cinema is not stereotype. Karthik, the lead character in the movie, is an aspiring movie maker and he makes uses of this lead throughout the movie without any point of discontinuity in the screen play. At the end, he eventually becomes a director, yet another time, when you have a love failure, you tend to be successful in your career.
Simbhu - Keep it up!!!
I was under a complete shock when I heard Simbhu is doing the lead character is Gautam's romantic movie. But he has done exceptionally well for the character. It will be even better if he continues to do the same in other movies as well. The main problem is the mass gimmick, over shadowing these stars thereby making them to do cheap stunts in the movie which will definitely be totally irrelevant. But wonder how many Gautams or Selvas would be needed for our mass heroes??? Even in the stunt scene, clear narration was given to showcase the talent he possesses as a boxer in his school days. More importantly, the stunt scene or rather a threatening scene was actually a real life threatening scene. Simbhu has deviated from his usual roles and has given something which I would say it as a neat and clean role.
Ganesh - Worth-a Worth-illaya??
I should definitely talk about casting and I cannot forget the man, Ganesh, who does the role of a Cinematographer in the movie. The man is known for his ultimate voice which initially was a bit irritating and but later it went hilarious and interesting. People would be able to identify him as the librarian with a peculiar voice informing Simran about Krishnan in the movie Vaaranam Aayiram. Yes, we have the same man here doing a lengthy role as a person who comes along with the lead character throughout the movie. He has even reduced the role for a separate comedian with his interesting sighs and discomfort ness. "Worth-a Worth-illaya" it's simply great to listen and see such dialogues rendered from his voice.
She is beautiful - She is Sexy too!!!
What about the doll 'Trisha' as Jessy? My goodness, I should thank Gautam Menon for making her come in saree 90% of the movie. As Karthik says in the movie, She is beautiful, She is Sexy and of course she is hot. Probably this should be her first film which I can think of where she has really ACTED. All that is needed for the role is a confused state of mind and more importantly a character which one would probably hate for the decision that she takes and the way she confuses and gives reason to Karthik. I think she has got full marks but again, the same principle holds good for Trisha too just like Simbhu. Rather than being a mere doll in all the movies.
Oscar Winner's decent show!
Now comes the Oscar winner ARR. Well, I could probably remember only one director who has effectively utilized ARR for a musical treat. None other than Mani is whom I was talking about. Here, Gautam Menon has used Rahman to at least good if not the best. The songs were clear chartbusters before the movie was released and still ruling the music office. Gautam was reasonably well in picturising the songs though not great. Here, we tend to notice that more or less all the three songs in the first half were picturized in a more similar manner. Poor Rahman failed to create magic in the background score. I agree the BGM was good, but not perfect in many places. Wonder what made Rahman to go for a rock music for the scenes that portrays Trisha's confused state of mind. That piece of note is seriously jarring and irritating to hear that it disturbs the entire scene.
Manoj was brilliant with the camera. Initial scenes, especially in the sets where Karthik tries to meet directors were shot on a hand motion camera is really catchy one. Also the songs were beautifully shot in many locations. Not to forget the close up and out of focus shots were shot really well. Of course, it was directors’ way of thinking and style of making.
Gautam Vasudev Menon
The man behind all the credits, Gautam Vasudev Menon. In the masala times of Tamil Cinema, it's quite a relief factor with people like Gautam Menon, who can give sensible audience respect and quality movies. Courage is needed to mock your own movies. Gautam Menon does that in VTV where Karthik when he says that he wanted to work as an assistant director to Gautam Menon, Ganesh mocks him by saying "Why do you want to make a Tamil movie in English?" Also when he goes to Kerala to search Trisha, he mocks Vaaranam Aayiram mentioning about the travel to the US. The director has done brilliantly well especially the screenplay needs a special mention. I enjoyed the first half narrative style and the current on play technique for the second half. Especially the climax twist is really good. More than that, he has molded the cast to perform what he wanted is stunning. I said stunning because of the lead pair here who doesn't own anything to their credit in the name of acting.

Review posted @ www.clapsandboos.com

Pongala Pongal - A Look Back

2010-01-24T20:36:00.000Z

We had a good Pongal with Aayirathil Oruvan which was released nearly after 2 years of making. Though it had some mixed reviews in the beginning, later it started to pick up as the movie was trimmed by deleting a few unwanted scenes especially in the second half. Now that, the word of mouth has started to spread and it seems to be really good. But the trade reports however seems to be in favor of Aayirathil Oruvan. Let's see if it continue the same becomes a super hit.

Of the other movies that released along with Aayirathil Oruvan, it looks like Naanayam seems have to positive reviews for the concept and the screenplay. Kutty as well receives decent reviews. One sure shot disaster is Porkkalam which failed to attract the audience which created or rather made the audience to anticipate for the movie with its trailer and the promo stills.

So that's for this year. Can we also rewind back and check what happened for Pongal? We have some good old memories as well.

2006

It was a clash of titans. It was so designed to have their movies clashing most of the time during the Pongal season. And this year it was Aadhi and Paramasivam. Aadhi carried the hopes Vijay-Trisha winning combo from Ghilli and Thirupachi but it went nowhere since the content was empty. So surprisingly it turned out to be one of the worst disaster movies in Vijay's career. Well Paramasivan, it was P Vasu who carried the momentum from Chandramukhi. Expectations were high for this movie but it failed to satisfy the audience completely because of ridiculous script. Though it was not a fully satisfactory movie, it did manage to collect some money.

2007

It was the year, where the term Pongal was rephrased to Pokkiri Pongal. This time, Vijay joined hands with Prabhu Deva in remaking the Telugu blockbuster Pokkiri by Mahesh Babu. The team was able to replicated each and every thing from the telugu movie and with the inclusion of Vadivelu's awesome comedy track, the team was able to give a stunning block buster. We also had an Ajith movie which Ajith would never wanted to get reminded off, Alwar. Except for the lead pair Ajith-Asin, there wasn't any expectation for the movie and the movie turned out to be the best disaster in Ajith's career. But Ajith's Varalaaru which was released 2006 Diwali, still continued to run in major screens. Another movie which turned to be a success along with Vijay's Pokkiri was Thamarabarani. It was Vishal who paired with the new face Bhanu under Hari's direction. The movie also created expectations as Nadiya made a comeback again. The movie turned to be a super hit and ran for more than 100 days.

2008

The year which probably witnessed maximum releases because of the absence of Vijay or Ajith movie which usually share more screens if it had released. But we had Vikram's Bheema which was desperately waiting for years to hit the silver screen. Lingusamy carried his success after Run and the songs were ruling the radio stations pre release time. But the movie was a complete disaster for Lingusamy. Kaalai, the Simbu starrer was another big disaster which had absolutely nothing in the movie other than personal vengeance. Karu Pazhaniyappan's Pirivom Sandhipom had good response and it was actually the only movie which made a good profit of all Pongal releases. Other two movies were Pazhani and Vaazthukal. Pazhani, as usual had a typical Perarasu's story and it made decent money whereas Vaazthukal failed to cross even 10 days.

Please visit : www.clapsandboos.com

Decoding Aayirathil Oruvan

2010-01-24T20:31:00.000Z

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers and the author expects the readers to have watched the movie before reading the article. This article doesn’t proclaim that Aayirathil Oruvan is the greatest movie ever made in the history of Tamil Cinema. It’s a brave new welcome attempt which will promote new genre like this. As every other film, this film also has its own set of flaws and the content here only tries to bring out the flavor of the movie.

One of the most anticipated movies has finally arrived and opened to houseful shows with great expectations. But sooner, after the movie was screened, there were predominantly these kind of audience, a mixed response.

a) loved the movie so much that they wanted to watch it again to understand the nuances and other details about the movie.

b) Weren't impressed with the movie which fell short with their expectations.

c) Found the first half to be engaging while they couldn't make out what was being conveyed in the second half.

d) Found that the movie had gore and unwanted scenes in the movie.

e) Yet another movie

To answer them all, here is a conversation between Clap and Boo had after a few rounds of vodka at the local bar; Apparently, I snooped on them to find out their opinion. Guys, It cannot get bigger than this...Clap and Boo discussing the movie together!

Read on to know what they felt about this film!

Boo: What the hell? Are you going to tell me some connection to this scene of 'Therukoothu' and the storyline?

Clap: Hang on, Boo! One step at a time!

Boo: Aah! I think we must concentrate on the narration here! Now I know why Selva has kept that 'Therukoothu' scene. Oh man, looks interesting.

Clap: Wow! That was quick! Also note the credits title then and there in the movie. If you observe the first frame of the movie, you will have the credits indicating 'One small village' Tanjore (now). Immediately, the focus shifts to Tanjore in 1279 with the same story, where Parthiban recite, wait till the messenger comes and followed by the narration by Selva.

Boo: I guess I got watch the movie very keenly!

Clap: Of course you need to! I hope you don't shoot any question in the title credit!

Boo: Hopefully not! Seems like the adventure going to start! So this team headed by Reema will head to find the Professor as well as the Chola kingdom where they lived is it?

Clap: Bingo!

Boo: Do we really need this MGR song?

Clap: Come on man! Living in Tamil Nadu, are you not a fan of MGR? Stealing his title Aayirathil Oruvan, you should at least pay some justice!

Boo: Oh yea! I love this song!!!

Boo: How come Andrea can speak that Tribal language? Isn't it funny? Why does the head of the tribal people leave them without killing them???

Clap: I seriously don't know how a tribal language will be? Moreover, the guide who accompanies them will understand that language, so obviously, Andrea being an archeologist, would probably knew that language. The Tribal head is warning them and they just threaten them. This is quite evident from the guide who speaks to Azhagam Perumal.

Boo: Hmmm, yea, what about the slide what contains the painting?

Clap: Hold On! Like I said; one step at a time!

Boo: Wow, thank God, Karthi didn't die because of the Red Indians. Oh man, why did the leader of the Red Indians kill himself, what's there show a clip in black and white?

Clap: I myself don't know what's the reason behind this? Let's wait and see!

Boo: Who is this Azhagam Perumal? I thought he belong to Indian Army! Lols!

Clap: Did you notice that he was asking Reema Sen that he mistook them and he needed additional men from ex military army, private forces, mercenaries, armed forces and weapons.

Boo: What's there to notice this point?

Clap: Just a heads up!

Boo: Why are they threatening Karthi? Can't they just leave him when he is not interested?

Clap: I feel something fishy here!!!

Boo: Ah song!!! Can I get you something?

Clap: Hang on! Did you infer subtext from this song? Oh Eesa, which means Oh Shiva, The protector. They have realized that they have intruders in their path and a song for protection. Of course, it's not needed though!

Boo: Man!!!!!!!

Clap: Observe this closely Boo! Check out the traps Andrea says. It seems there are 7 traps and she says they have surpassed 3 traps. Kadal, Kaatuvaasi, Kaaval Veerargal, Sarpam, Pudhakuzhi, Pasi & Dhaagam and Grahamam. If you had noticed, initially they while coming to the island, they will be attacked by some sort of jelly fish followed by the threatening of the tribal and then the attack of Red Indians who are supposed to be the protector of the forest. Now it's the time to Sarpam, that's snakes.

Boo: Yea, I can co relate them buddy! I guess after escaping from this trap, these three might get separated!!

Clap: Wow, you can become a screenwriter too!!!

Boo: Reema and Karthi - why are they always out of sync??

Clap: Don't think too much dude!!!

Boo: Don't you think this is too much dude!!! She shot him and he didn’t die!!!! Funniest part of the movie with rubbish logic.

Clap: I guess, there should be some connection Boo! Remember, when the red indians tried to cut his neck his uncle rescued him and now Reema Sen shot him but nothing happened. Remember man! Selva is not a Perarasu!

To read more please visit - www.clapsandboos.com

Porkkalam - Loser in the battlefield

2010-01-16T11:17:00.000Z

The Polladhavan villain, the coach of Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu has finally emerged as an hero in the Porkkalam(Battle Field). I would sincerely advise him to do what he is best at. We never imagined when he did the role in Polladhavan. His slang is definitely a gift for Kishore. But the same slang will not help in donning a hero role. He was quite decent in Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu as a coach with regional slang to an accent.

A girl from Andhra escapes and come to Chennai because of forced marriage. She lands in the place of Kishore and he accompanies her. Later when she proposes him, he rejects her proposal and surrenders her to the police station where she was eventually taken to the place where she is supposed to go, Andhra. How Kishore fetches her back is the climax. Well, this template is quite common in Tamil Cinema.

Initial sequences of Kishore portrayal was rib tickling comedy but later the audience were given a so-called shocking surprise during the pre interval scene. The character was literally portrayed as a stupid common man who takes care of public nuisance. Later it was revealed during the climax that Kishore is a blind man. We also have a supporting flash back sequence why he went blind. But the flash back scene was so stupid considering the situation where he desperately need to held his girl from the villains. Well, the director stretches the story by taking Kishore to the Andhra in order fetch his girl back.

For more, please visit http://www.clapsandboos.com/user/Vikram

Kutty - Family entertainer

2010-01-15T19:50:00.000Z

The team Yaaradi Nee Mohini is back with a remake of another blockbuster movie 'Aarya'. I haven't seen Aarya, even if I had, I would have still watched the movie. I was wrong with my assumption and wish before watching the movie as I expected the movie bomb purely on a thought wishing Dhanush to stay away from remakes and masala entertainers and concentrate on feel good quality movies from different directors whom he had worked in the past. Anyway, even this time, the team managed to give a decent family entertainer with of course a few horrible exceptions.
Triangle love forms the basic plot of the story with Dhanush, Shriya and Sameer. Dhanush was portrayed a feel good lovable boy by almost all the characters in the movie except the villains. How Dhanush makes Shriya to feel his love is all about Kutty. The movie had almost all ingredients to make the family audience thoroughly enjoy the movie, though I personally feel the movie is just another run of the mill but definitely a good entertainer.
It was Dhanush all the way, who has carried the pace of the movie. His humor is good in parts but the dialogue delivery especially when he is attempting comedy is something getting stereotype right from Thiruda Thirudi to Thiruvilayadal Aarambam to YNM to Padikaadhavan and Kutty. One example of such dialogue delivery that I could remember was 'unga love sollitu avangalum love panna sonna adhu peru business, that's not love' and likewise 'Uyira koduppean sonna ennoda uyira illa...' Ah enough of such dialogue delivery man!

For more review, please see http://www.clapsandboos.com/user/Vikram

Naanayam - Value for the title

2010-01-15T18:23:00.000Z

A full length story on bankrupt makes us eager to know from which Hollywood movie was it inspired or copied as they have at least a couple of movies every year grinding the same plot with different fantasy technology to rob a bank. In Indian slang, a technical way of bank robbery.

A trustworthy bank called Trust bank is the target set here to rob and who/why/how it's done makes the story of Naanayam. Sakthi S Rajan, an assistant to Mysskin has handled this plot in the best possible way he can. He has designed the script with a bunch of suspense and he breaks them then and there to make the screenplay interesting. But before he does that we can easily predict a few at least and know what will happen next? He has inspired the concept of vault and the security systems from a bunch of holly flicks like Oceans series. But it's good on his part that he cared to explain about the plan in a better way so that the audience doesn't think it's yet another fantasy movie. But unveiling too many suspences in one short time could have been avoided during the climax. He has connected the series of incidents in a neat screenplay to justify the bottom-line.

For more please visit http://www.clapsandboos.com/user/Vikram

Aayirathil Oruvan - Still we need the real 'Aayirathil Oruvan'

2010-01-14T21:13:00.000Z

So we have one of the most expected movies which was in the making for nearly 2 years has finally arrived. This time Selvaraghavan has chosen fantasy genre with a travelling adventure. Not just Selva, we have Karthi, Andrea and Reema adding to our expectations.

It's an adventure fanatasy to discover the Chola dynasty. Isn't it quite a simple plot? But Selva doesn't leave it there, he has utilized the genre very well to give a good gripping adventure throughout the first half. The basic adventure which always starts with a big gang and gradually gets reduces because of various obstacles on their journey is well scripted. Of course, any adventure movie will certainly gets a share from the ace Indiana Jones and traces of National Treasure when the script deals with history treasure hunt. Aayirathil Oruvan is no exception. But the CG isn't satisfactory for this adventure fantasy. Did Selva by any chance thought whether he could at least get to this extent? The adventure goes through forest, sea, dessert, etc., and most of them where computer generated and it's quite evident from the poor graphics or at least not a satisfactory visuals. And when they finally discovers the dynasty where Chola live(d), we have a big surprise and then the story shifts from fantasy to a period movie. Selva, unweilds too many things in the Chola episode that it makes the audience to squeeze their brains to know what is what and who is who?

Of course, there are a few loop holes or rather illogical or how is it possible scenes in the movie, but let's not dig them hard in a fantasy movie as everything is left to our imagination. There are quite interesting scenes in the movie like the movie starts and ends with the same situation, where there will be a scene of elope of Cholo dynasty with different time intervals but with same intention by the same enemies. It was just beautifully designed by the director. It was a destiny for Karthi to be the 'Thoodhuvan'. Moving towards the Climax, there will be literally no dialogues and it's the scenes that speaks for themselves.

Talking about the performance, to be really honest, there isn't any big scope to unveil performance in the movie. But it doesn't mean that they have done a poor show either. They gave what the character needed. But it was certainly a big disappointment from Parthiban, as it was almost kept clueless about his get up in the movie and with minimum dialogues to the character, we couldn't see our usual non stop talking Parthiban. Reema Sen had a much more important role than Karthi and Andrea in the movie. She has done it neatly, though she still needs to improve on the accent and lip sync, but she had tried really hard to give that. Karthi had shades of Paruthiveeran with almost the same get up with the beard striking more Paruthiveeran. Andrea didn't have any big job for her role.

Fantasy? What about the visuals? Ramji has handled the camera and he has done a very good job shooting in the dessert and a few dark shots with gloomy environment. Oh Eesa song, though it was not needed at that situation, it was shot well with vampire effect. Also the red indians shot sequences were also shot brilliantly with proper color correction. Being a travel adventure, the day night, gloomy evening color corrections have been carefully done and had made the end product good. But as I said earlier, the CG was not upto the standards. But considering the budget of the movie, I would probably say they have done a fair job with the budget given to them.

It was a sheer disappointment from GVP when it comes to BGM. It was good in parts, only in certain scenes, but in most of the scenes, BGM sucked big time with poor instrumental. Being a fantasy film, it could have given some fantasy BGM for gripping adventure but it wasn't convincing for the audience to hear our typical stand alone BGM. I remember 3-4 songs being used from the album. Everyone disappointed with the exclusiong of Maalai Neram song. Out of the 3-4 songs used, they aren't needed for the story. Though they were good, they stand as odd man out while watching the movie.

Verdict : Go for it!

Review available at www.clapsandboos.com. Please support me there with your valuable comments.

Annual Report - 2009

2009-12-23T15:18:00.002Z

Year 2009, the year where again wasn't a very prominant year for Tamil Cinema. We have had big surprises in both forms. Most anticipated movies failing to satisfy the audience and we had a few dark horses as well. We also had a few stars to whom year 2009 was in deed a boon and likewise the other side shares a major space too.

So to the statistics, Tamil Cinema had seen approximately 103 movies this year, just marginal difference from the last year where we had close to 117 movies. This time we had around 8 movies officially considered as remakes from other language and of course there are a bunch of unofficial remakes as well. Out of the 8 movies, a special mention should go to 'Unnai Pol Oruvan' which was remade into tamil from the usual remake principle.
Sasikumar, the director turned producer turned actor had two of his products this year and both of them got a great response from the audience as well as the critics. His production venture 'Pasanga' satisfied many and also earned accolades. 'Nadodigal', a tale about friendship, directed by Samuthira Kani also tasted success at the box office with it's racy screenplay and a polite and clean acting by all the cast. It's very clear that this man has raised in a swift and become very popular in a short span.
Tamanna will anticipate every year to be a 2009 when she wakes up every morning. She had 4 movies released this year and out of which 3 were bagged by Sun Pictures and 1 turned out to be a block buster and other 2 were considered as hits. She has also got good list of movies in the pipeline with the next one 'Payya' pairing opposite to Karthi. Hope she continues to do the same in the years to come.
Coming to Music, it was Vijay Antony whose started with his peppy numbers to attract the listeners. He started with 'A Aa E Ee' and closed the year with another chart buster 'Vettaikaran'. Not to forget Sun Pictures who played a vital role in the field of marketting in media and in radio stations. But still, the music director earns full credit for his foot tapping numbers. Yuvan Shankar Raja also had 5 movies which released this year and turned out to be a good chartbuster. His Sarvam and Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puraavum songs literally occupied the hello tunes.
Now comes the master who literally rules the 2009. Yes, it's Sun Pictures. They were able to turn every movie released this year at least a hit. And they also have the year's biggest block buster 'Ayan'. But, they must also focus on a few quality movies which are desperately trying hard to get released because of various distribution reasons. If they start doing that, they can even promote those movies in the best way than any other distributor.

Official bombers
Every year, every site brings you the most anticipated movies in this year. 2009 is no exception we have had many expected movies from big stars and directors. Well, as usual, unfortunately, most of the movies failed to even just meet the expectation. It all started with the opener of the innings with Vijay's Villu. Coming from the expection Vijay-Prabhu Deva combo, it was trashed even by the actor's fans. Good nightwatchmen innings by Vadivelu and glimpse skin show by Nayan were just the condolence factor for the movie.
Sarvam, by Vishnu vardhan, carried the expectation from the block buster 'Billa' failed to even cross 25 days. Again, some good show by the camera man Nirav Shah and pleasant music by Yuvan which had left the movie songs to become a chartbuster and it was Nirav who had a good name with the critics for this fabulous photography especially the night shoot sequences in the movie. It also had Chakkravarthy who added more expectation, but eventually, it was all the script and the screenplay which the audience expect than the stars or the directors.
Cheran's Pokkisham was another bomber which had quite a reasonable expecation. The lengthy biography literally tested the patience of the audience. Repetitive scenes and dialogues added pain to the agony. Thought a few critics appreciated the movie, it still a loss for Nemichand Jabak.
Immediately following Pokkisham was 'Kanthasamy'. Perhaps, the most anticipated movie of the year I can call. Critics just ripped the movie to the maximum they can. Once again Kalaipuli Dhanu failed to witness profit with his yet another big budget movies. Susi ganesan, thinks he can become Shankar in his third movie like how Shankar become. This movie had nothing great except for some skin shows and songs.
Aadhavan, KSR-Surya combo is yet another bomber where Surya carried intense expecation from Ayan and also KSR who need no explaination for the anticipation he creates. The hype created for the 10 year role bombed again and KSR must seriously consider the fact that story is again a key element in movie making and he shouldn't depend on Ramesh Kanna. Vadivelu is again a life saver in this movie with his spontaneous comedy has just saved the movie to cross the bridge.

Worthy Numbers
Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, had all new faces and with the notable Villian Kishore doing a decent role of a coach was really a worthy watch exception to the artifical climax where the director unnecessarily planted a tragedy. Not many movies with having a subject as a sport has been seen in Tamil Cinema. The director has utilized the script in a proper way and mixed it with the native feel of village and given us a worthy product.
Naan Kadavul, 4th product from the macho man, Bala. Easily the best movie released in this year, though failed in the box office, it just swept every critics. This is also probably most anticipated movie this year, last year and the previous year as well as it was made for nearly 3 years because of various issues. I wish this movie and the cast and crew gets reasonable accolades for the fantafabulous performances.
Yaavarum Nalam, a long time no see from the actor Madhavan and a long time no see from the Horror genre to Tamil Cinema. Directed by Vikram Kumar, this horror flick tasted success in both forms. The film dominated the box office as well as it was acclaimed critically. This movie also differentiated itself from the usual in-the-name-of horror flicks where we saw gory horrifying blood shed faces in the name of ghost. Yaavarum Nalam is certainly one of the better products this year.
Delayed 'Kanchivaram' from Priya Darshan, story about a weaver during the freedom struggle. The movie has already fetched a National Award for Prakashraj for his fantastic performance. The movie which was censored years back finally hit the screens of Tamil Nadu this year.
Pasanga, from the school of Sasikumar, the director's assistant Pandiraj proved a different class. With just pasanga as the cast, he just moulded the movie perfectly to win the satisfaction amongst the audience. Sasikumar should be given a special mention for producing as well as encouraging such aspiring talents.
Eeram, from the production house of S Pictures, comes another talent in the name of Arivazhagan. Yet another horror genre, thought it had loop holes, it was still made very well. The concept for the product, Water, was efficiently used by the director with incorporating nuances and symbolism.
Unnai Pol Oruvan, the brilliant remake of 'A Wednesday'. Hardly we have seen a movie which runs for just 2 hours and it's very hard to see a movie without any songs in the current era. But the master who has done Ph.D was brave enough to give a fantastic remake also bringing in the ace actor Mohan Lal. UPO was certainly a standard movie that could possible be an inspiring movie for aspiring movie makers.
Peraanmai, the diwali cracker, has managed to blossom very well dealing with a patriotic script. SP Jananathan, yet again proved to be a class director with casting Jayam Ravi in an unusual role from his stereotyped character.

Hollywood Rulers
Titanic and Jurassic Park wave has just arrived in the form of 2012 and Avatar. Quite surprisingly these movies shattered all other regional movies not just in Tamil Cinema, but it just swept other movies to the corner in all the regions it got released in their regional dubbed version earning gross quite more than the big star movies.

So, let's hope the next year to be a better year than 2009 and we also have a few most anticipated movies eagerly waiting to hit the silver screens in the year 2010.

Vettaikaran - A jumbo pack of tortures

2009-12-21T12:30:00.002Z

Every fan of Tamil Cinema would love movies and directors who takes Tamil Cinema to the next generation. But there are a set of respectful artist in the industry who wants to refresh the audience with past memories. One such set is the team Vettaikaran.

Let me also refresh my viewers with the 70s and 80s story board template.

Hero Introduction with an opening song - What the motto of the hero - Heroine Introduction - Obstacles for motto - Life changes - Intermission - Revenge of the hero for the obstacle - One failure from hero's side - Final Fight.
Note : Unwanted song sequences in between is highly encourged.

Our director, Babu Sivan has strictly adhered to this template and has taken the audiences two decades back with this mind boggling movie. And not to forget the mass hero Vijay, who never disappointed the audiences. He started with one benchmark movie in the start of 2009 and he has maintained to deliver another benchmark in the end.

Story - Torture # 1
I have already shared the story board template and I have also mentioned the fact that the director did not deviate the policy. Well, let's not blame on this movie alone, there are quite a lot of inspiration for the movie which the director has cunningly capitalized for a few releases in the recent past. Surprisingly, all the inspiration were real blockbusters and official contenders for oscars. Even if someone had to miss any scenes while returning from the break can easily understand the continuity without troubling fellow viewer. More importantly, Babu Sivan has literally understood what Tamil audience wants and thinks and has brought the same on screen. One can even predict what will be the next dialogue while watching. Who else can better understand the audience mind than the director Babu Sivan???

Dialogues - Torture # 2
Enough!!! Is the word that the audience utters when some character in the movie starts speaking. Usually, the lengthy dialogues are meant for the hero but our director has slightly given chances for other artists in the movie so that they can also shine well in their future movies for the role of an advocate. Lengthly dialogues itself is a terrible pain, what do you say about lengthly dialogue with message and that message has absolutely no relevance to the sequence or the situation or the story or for the movie itself??? He starts telling message in the opening scene and continues till the end even after the climax. Another special mention should go to the punches in the movie. Slowly he started reducing these punches on screen, but now he has started doing that again with this movie.

Logical Screenplay - Torture # 3
I agree that one should not expect any sort of logic in Vijay's movie. The man is known for this and in fact, the audience are even ready to accept him doing a Superman character without the movie being a fantasy. He has given a big impression on the audience and made them to accept it. But I am not talking about that. I am talking about the exceptional logical reasons in the name of screenplay. +2 four attempts and clearing the 5th time like his idol is rib tickling. The villian can recognize Vijay only when he is wearing a scarf around his forehead and he don't even know who he is when he is not wearing the scarf is mind boggling. An assistant commissioner becoming an honest police man because villian took over his *keep* is out of the world. A bomb, I mean a real bomb, explodes and it's specifically designed to explode just the chair with doing no disturbances to the people standing an inch closer to the chair is sensible smart. Targetting the villian with his weak point where doesn't know swim is an exceptional twist. All these scenes can be excused, one can't forget the climax. A clear example for an edge of the seat thriller with an innovative twist is a real thunder.

Direction - Torture # 4
The captain of the movie has miserably failed with his direction as well. Cleverly following the template he also impresses his mentor Dharani in movie making. Most of the scenes you would have a flash that it would have seen a similar scenes elsewhere. A flying sequence before the interval, an item number song towards the end, most of the revenge sequences.. what not??? The so called change over pre and post interval for Vijay and the Devaraj IPS character had come in numerous movies in the past. The casting is another major area where he fails to impress. Funniest part is their character names and it makes us think again who is the director of the movie because there is already an established director who always keep such interesting names to the characters. Unnecessary message, I am not sure if it's the director's idea or whether he was forced to keep such dialogues. We need a rescue team here.

It's seriously high time Vijay should change the style. We never want Vijay to do a Hey Ram or Raam. We would want him to break this stereotype of following the same template in all his movies. This is seriously a miserable situation. Audience are not the same old audience who claps and whistles for everything. The movie has just two positives. One is Vijay Antony who has seriously given splendid numbers. Though they are relevant for the movie or not is a second thought, but he has certainly given good music for a Vijay movie. The another major advantage which overshadows this awful crap is the distributors Sun Pictures. It's quite obvious what the movie will be claimed to be in the near future. But this should not overshadow Vijay and make him to work with him again.
Image Courtesy : Cinesnacks

Kitchen Killadi - Fried Rice

2009-11-19T09:14:00.001Z

Here comes the ultra receipe from the world's ultimate chef, Vikram. How to prepare a Fried Rice? Often, when we attempt to prepare a fried rice, no matter however we prepare, we cannot even get close to how it's prepared in Fast Food or in any top star Hotels. But the following receipe will assure you that you get the actual FRIED RICE.

Deal-a No Deal-a?

Ingredients

Basmati Rice (Double Deer Brand) - 2 Cups

Chopped Onion - 1/2 Cup

Spring Onion - 2 nos
Chopped Capsicum - 1 Cup
Carrot (Cut Vertically) - 1 Cup
Cabbage (Shredded) - 2 Cups
Beans (Cut into tiny pieces) - 1 Cup
Egg - 2 Nos
Agino Moto - 2 Tbl Spoon
Sugar - 1 Tbl Spoon
Black Pepper - 2 Tbl Spoon
Soya Sauce - 1/2 Tbl Spoon
Oil - 2 Tbl Spoon
Salt - As needed (தேவையான அளவு)

Note : Ingredients quantity are subjected to ONLY one person. ஒரு ஆள் மட்டும் தான் சாப்பிட முடியும். Please increment the ingredients if you want to prepare for more people.

Instructions :
Take a frying pan. Before that please light the stove. Keep the frying pan (something that you use for frying pappad). Add oil in the pan and leave it for a minute. Now, add the chopped onions and fry the onions until the பச்சை வாசனை goes. Now take the raw egg and break it on to the pan. Keep beating the egg with a கரண்டி as the egg easily sticks to the pan which will make it difficult to scratch. Keep beating the egg in the pan so it becomes like a burjji. Now add the shredded cabbage, carrot, capsicum and beans to the pan and keep acting as if you are cooking something with the கரண்டி. This is very important or else அடி புடிச்சிடும்.
Now keep the stove in slim mode as you are going add a few more ingredients without disturbing the setup. Add the boiled basmati rice. Make sure the basmati rice is boiled in the correct format. I mean, the rice shouldn't stick. If you blow the rice, it should move and that's the பதம். After adding the rice to the pan, add salt, sugar, agino moto and soya sauce.
Why are we adding all these things? Salt, as everyone knows gives taste. Sugar will give color. Agino Moto gives flavour. Soya Sauce again gives color.
Now keep the stove in full flame and keep mixing the contents nicely and throughly. If you are an expert, you can even lift the pan and flip flop the contents but make sure you don't dump the contents on the floor by doing this circus.
இந்த மாறி பண்ணா சும்மா அந்தரா வரும்.

Please try to prepare fried rice in this format and write your valuable comments.

Meet you next time with another brilliant receipe!!!

Inglorious Basterds - Quentin Tarantino is the best of them all

2009-11-17T14:09:00.003Z

To start with, I am not a great fan of Tarantino's work. Of course his Pulp Fiction remains to be in my list of top 100 movies of all time, but with Inglourious Basterds, he defintely proved that he has not lost his bloody brilliant screenplay. Here goes the story as IMDb says so, In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers. If one would want to know details about World War II, please visit World War II. But that doesn't act as a pre requiste to understand the movie. The movie is in deed deals about WWII, but since this was made by Tarantino, one who mastered in non linear play, you don't see any visuals of a war battle except a few which is shown in a different way in the movie than it's actual content. But yes, this movie is highly fictious that WWII which is considered as one of the tragic event is conveyed probably in a more funnier way and more interesting manner.

Who is the best basterd? We have a huge list of top class actors in the movie from Brad Pitt to Diane Kruger to August Diehl. But there is one man who steals the show. Col. Hans Landa, performed by Chris Waltz literally steals the show with his witty nature and splendid performance. This is probably a clever and smart casting by Tarantino to pick a german speaking actor to play this role. This is in fact the first American movie for Mr. Waltz. The way he builds the anxiety towards the end of the scene is something remarkable. He just blew me in the very beginning of the movie in the chapter 'Once upon a time in Nazi-Occupied France'. In fact in most of the scenes in the movie, which is comprised of chapters, the chapter starts in a slow pace with an ordinary conversation and slowly it picks the pace and finally it ends with bang bang bang!!!

Trivia : Guess who was supposed to do this role? It's our chocolate boy DiCaprio supposed to play this role but later QT decided to stick to the tag that he wants a german speaking actor to play this role and The Jew Hunter just did a cake walk.

The first chapter gives us a lot of symbolism and some director's trademark sequences. Director gives us a realistic feel by allowing the English to speak English, Germans to speak German and French to speak French. Addition to that, when playing the subtitle in English while the characters converse in foreign language, you could notice a few words abdruptly translated in their native language. For instance, you can see 'Oui' meaning 'Yes' appearing as 'Yes' (translated term in English) in a few places and wanted appearing as 'Oui' in French-English in some places. Likewise, you could notice the same in other words in other chapters as well. As the conversation starts, Landa greets and treats the French family in a polite manner and opens a room to the family to speak about himself where he is of a character who wants to know what people speak about him. This is evident as he asks LaPadite to tell him about the rumours that he heard. As the conversation gets deeper, you can notice Landa once again asking for milk and once again greets his family and their cows in French. There is actually a different notation conveyed there. 'A votre famile et a voas vaches je dis Bravo' means he thanks the ladies in the family and the cows for the milk. 'Vache' in french means cows. 'Vache' also means Vagina. Hope you got what Landa wishes to convey to LaPadite. He somehow threatens politely to make LaPadite admit that he is hiding the Jews.

Now comes Aldo, the Basterds. Their clean aim to not just killing Nazis, but leaving a fear to the world that there is a group exists which brutally kills Nazis. This is clearly shown in the way they kill each and every Nazis that appear before them. And the scene where the Basterds teases the Nazis is one of the top notch funniest scene in the movie. The way Aldo introduces his men about their bravery and why were they part of the Basterds was conveyed in one of the most funniest manner. Special mention to Hugo Stiglitz. Not to forgot Donny boy who breaks the skull with his baseball tushy. We just missed his introduction scene like who Hugo had!

We have Shosanna, the girl who escaped from chapter 1 comes again in Chapter 3 after 4 years. Now she owns a cinema and changed her name. Mr Zoller, the german soldier who is known for his bravery in the recent war where he killed more than 300 enemies single handedly approaches Shosanna for a different reason. But this suspense was maintained in the initial scenes between the two. Our Jew Hunter doesn't miss Shosanna. He comes again as a security officer appointed for the premiere. We have the director's trademark here as well. Landa orders for a milk and that makes Shosanna to hiccup. He keeps increasing the anxiety when he asks Shosanna that he wanted to ask something to her! But alas, he says he forgot may be that's not important! Shosanna sighs with a big relief! This shows how fearful the Jew Hunter is!!!

Ah, I am getting more deeper into the chapters, let me just try to input a few thoughts and nuances alone. Let's get inside the premiere of 'Nation's pride', Shosanna's move, Aldo's plan and Landa's clever and cunning step. The final chapter of the movie, this has almost all the characters in the picture. The conversation between Landa and Bridget von Hammersmark is a great tease play inquiring about Mountain Climbing in Paris. The Italian character names played by the Basterds are real time directors and they are of course Tarantino favourites. The Nation's Pride movie which is a movie with-in the movie is actually directed by Eli Roth. Shosanna sends a message to the German with her footage at the end. The plan to burn the germans and kill Hitler are good to watch though they are very artificial if you had to think logically. Clever Landa goes for an agreement deal with Operation Kino via Aldo. All just happens in a GO.

Inglorious Basterds is truly a movie with great fun and real surprise.

Garbage Express - Rotten movies analysis Part 1

2009-11-13T19:38:00.000Z

Don't get surprised! It's about movies movies movies! Yes, the following movies have hit the silver screens and I had a chance or rather volunteered to watch them in big screen in some local theatres. I am sure, I will come with more bunch of stupid cinema of 2009 when I have time.So, where shall we start with!

Do you know that we have got a Tarantino already? Bala Ganesha is TN Tarantino with his debut movie 'Eesa' with non linear screenplay with something very close to Pulp Fiction. He has led a very good example to giant directors who really wanted to be QT. I should have recorded the comments when such irrelavant scenes hit the play. Well, you can and allowed to try QT, but you got to be little sensible at least with the jumble. You cannot insert an item number during the climax which is a tragedy climax. And surprisingly you call it a non linear narration. That's non linear bull shit! Anyways, even with a linear narration, the movie is definitely a trash product.

Next one in the list is 'Suryan Satta Kallori'. Well, all of a sudden I listened to one 'Gaana' song which had these lines 'Jeansu paanta avuthu puttu lungiyathaan katti puttu kitta vaaayendi'. But I did not watch the movie for this song, it was quite surprise that when I was watching this movie, I came to know that this song belongs to this movie. Director Pawan, tried to address the real life scenario that TN witnessed with Law College Students in the movie. But poor fellow, he doesn't know direction. Well, what did the actors do? Except for some known villians I seriously wonder whether the lead actor, oh yea, the hero is the producer for this movie!!!

Jagan (na)Mogini, the diwali's dark horse with once again Vadivelu who starred in all the three movies released for Diwali. Well I actually caught this movie a week after Diwali for lone reason :-P This one is the remake of yesteryear movie with the same title. We could recollect all faces whom we would have seen in Vittalaachaarya's movies. Though Namitha had to shed lot of weight in this movie, Jaya Malini, Jaya Malini dhaan. We also have Jothi lakshmi, yesteryear item queen casting as Nami's mom. For those who doesn't know about the story, we have Nami - Raja as lovers in the past, Nami will be killed by Raja's relatives. Madam takes a revenge after death. But now Raja will be in love with Nila. Who wins the battle is the story! The director blindly trusted on Namitha who can bring audience to this movie but he has chosen a wrong film to remake. It's a pain in the wrong place for die hard fanatics of Namitha.

This one that I am going to point is perhaps the Eiffel tower! Yes, it's the different man, Sivagiri! Holy christ, can a movie erupt laughter in the title card? Sivagiri does. Opening scene for the Macho Man, will defintely make you fall from the seat and roll on the floor and you need someone to control your laughter. Story about two men, one will be on a revenge mode and other obviously tries to save or defend. Well one guy is supposed to be an IPS with waist size scoring an half century and the other guy is a scientist. Now who is the good guy and who is the bad guy? I guess since the hero comes in the kakki uniform is the good guy, oh yes, I forgot to tell you that he is an IPS in the movie. You know something, first ever in Indian cinema, the IPS officer comes as a college student for an OPERATION KINO :-P The bad guy goes to an extent of making bio weapon. Did I tell about what the revenge is all about? National integrity? He wanted to kill the guy who married a girl whom he had a crush in the past! He goes to the extreme of making bio weapons. Holy Christ!!!

I promise many would wanted to watch this movie on seeing the posters on the road side. Yes, I am talking about 'Madhavi', the homely looking women in her bathroom costume poster! Well, for those who watched because of the posters, same pinch :-P The story is closely looped to K.B's classic 'Moondru Mudichu'. Please don't scold me, it's seriously have a similar or kinda similar plot. Well you don't have a role played by Kamal in 'Moondru Mudichu' but we have Rajni, Sri Devi and Rajni' dad. The anti hero's acting is more than enough to call this movie a piece of crap!

Hero - Heroine misunderstanding. Love blossoming between them. Deciding to marry. Girl's father against the marriage. Sending henchmen to kill the hero. Hero somehow escapes from them. Hero loses his girl. Hero dies/finds another girl/becomes mentally retarded. This theory of basic equation fits a movie called 'Nesi' where the director chooses the option C in the climax and has taken the movie from the climax to give a flash back feel. THE MOVIE IS A TRASH. PERIOD.

Peraanmai - Powerful Action Adventure

2009-10-17T14:08:00.002+01:00

When he directed 'E', the director wasn't known at all though his 'Iyarkai' is a very good movie. 'E' got an initial to this director and with that expectation, leaves him with his third venture 'Peraanmai'. This time, the director again used patriotism in its usual form. Saving the country's pride from terrorists reminds us none other than Vijaykanth, who is known and also done such a plot plenty. Well, there are reason for choosing Jeyam Ravi for the lead role. The Protagonist is seen with 5 lovely girls. Else, our captain would have made it a cakewalk.

That's the plot, saving the country's pride, launching a rocket, from unknown forces is the plot of Peraanmai and the director has written and executed the plot in a power packed action adventure and in a form of travelogue. 5 girls will 1 guy in a deep forest trekking makes us think how the story would have been connected in a justifiable manner. Yes, the director has done a remarkable justification to bring in 5 girls go with a man for a trekking. Jayam Ravi is the in-charge for NCC training camp for girls and he picks 5 girls from the group and take them for a one day trekking where they unleash the unknown forces trying to shatter India's pride and eventually they fight for the country's pride.

The above para is the main plot, but the director also shares a sub plot where he dictates a life of scheduled tribes and their education or rather the interest in education. He has shown how a guy from such caste behaves and also a portion shows their lifestyle. It was a surprise or rather a shock to see Jeyam Ravi in 'komanam'. In the same scene, the NCC girls, teases him. Also, when they hear the same person to be in-charge for them, they show a feeling of sigh because of his caste. A few other scenes were also used to showcase this underestimation of the caste.

First half of the movie focus primarily on the camp and the girls. It shows lifestyle of a women camp and the kind of language they use. Here is where, the censor board played a vital role. It tested the patience of the audience as most of the double meaning dialogues were muted. The director primary intention behind those dialogues are to imply the real lifetime scenario of what used to happen in a women training camp and in their rooms. And these 5 girls were not just picked for the sake of skin show and they have done a reasonable job. Immense focus is given to realism. And the director knows the importance of this realism and whenever he picturizes something, he comes up with an explanation. This is a good learning thing for the audience as they can come to various things about different things told in the movie.

Ponvannan character is shown very well in the first half as it acts as an important piece of justification towards the climax and also the second half where he hunts for Jayan Ravi in the forest. His character is shown as a person who earns popularity and at the same time he makes sure that his respect isn't disturbed. Presence of Vadivelu I would say kinda apt for the movie as it doesn't affect the pace of the movie much and also he did not use a separate track either that spoils the movie.

Moving onto the second half, the story primarily or rather completely shot in the deep forest. This is perhaps the first tamil movie which is shot extensively in forest. When the director called it a trekking, he meant trekking. Even when the team, when the so called trekking turned into a tragedy, uses the same situation as a learning experience for the NCC girls. He explains what to do and what not to do? Their travelogue instances leaves the latter portion of the second half to act as valid evidences.

The action sequences involved between the unknown forces and the NCC team is very realistic. Initially I felt it's gruesome to see some gory stunts but it's needed for this movie and well explained by the director. Again the director connects the first half instances with the second half sequences. It's shown how the girls practise during the training camp, how they shoot, how they react, etc., and accordingly the weapons will be distributed to them. It's a very good move by the director, where Jayam Ravi asks for the senior officer Kalpana's opinion on whom to distribute the weapons. As I said earlier, wherever the director says something, he makes it very logical with substantiating evidences.

With almost half of the movie shot in deep forest, with day/night scenes, it's not an easy job for the cinematographer. Unknown man, Sathishkumar steals the show. Amazing shot sequences. Shooting inside the forest itself is a very tough job and the color correction is used fantastically and more care is taken to enrich the shot especially during the night shots in the deep forest. Man, it's very difficult to shoot the chasing sequence inside the forest, and they have done it very well with the help of crane shots and run along shots.

Editing was real smooth throughout the movie. Again, the forest sequences and the switch over scenes from day/night has been cut brilliantly. Fast motion war game between the terrorist forces and the team has been cut crystal clear by VT Vijayan.

Action sequences again is amazing. Here, it's almost a carnivore strategy being used in all the fight sequences. A carnivore hunts its prey by grabbing the neck first and the prey eventually loses and surrenders. Likewise, in order to hunt a prey that's bigger than it's physical size, it hunts gradually making the prey immobile. Exactly the similar thing is followed in the stunt sequence where Jayam Ravi cuts the opponent's neck so that they don't shout which might alarm others and similarly, he takes a cunning movie with poisoned knife to hunt the giant Roland Kickinger.

Music is not bad and the BGM was OK in places. The songs were used effectively, what I mean effective is that they did not use the entire song. The climax song is really good with the voice of Madhu Balakrishnan giving more energy to the song.

Dialogues and the slang used in the movie is something noteworthy. As I said earlier, censor played a havoc in the first half but good that Sangam cinemas shares the muted dialogues and the reason why they muted. Anyway, they aren't very important though it gives a sigh to the audience when the audio goes mute then and there. Well, now the slang, literature tamil, 'Thooya Tamil' is used mostly in the movie. Another in direct and very good attempt by the director. One must know that, handling a plot where you have ammos, rocket launcher, directions, forest, landmines, rocket, computer, etc., it's quite tough to use literature tamil dialogues but it was done without any slightest glimpse of sighness from the audience. You can also observe, slowly the NCC girls starts speaking proper tamil after communication with Jayam Ravi. Why I am stressing so hard is because, towards the end of the movie, there will be scene where the girls come to know that Jayam Ravi speaks good english and wonder why he didn't speak to them in English. Jayam Ravi replies "Enga Makkaluku naan english pesina puriyaadhu, ungalukku naan english pesinaan pudikaadhu".

One area where the movie fails to the expectations is the CG. But the portions involving CG are minimum and it's negligible. Another thing which I often use for Jayam Ravi movies is his voice. I am still waiting for THE director who wants to experiment dubbing someone for Ravi. I often quote his voice doesn't sound mature. It's acceptable if it's a college boy, lover boy, chocolate boy role, but with a Captain's role, such a voice doesn't give us a complete result. But we have to appreciate the fact that he has done a good homework for the role he has taken.

Verdict : Peraanmai for Tamil Cinema

Aadhavan - Absolutely Horrible

2009-10-17T07:47:00.001+01:00

It has become a pattern in Tamil Cinema to have such stories where the hero, who initially is a goon turns into a good boy with a supporting flashback. Aadhavan too joins the list. With this traditional 'paarambariyamaana' story, KS Ravikumar with the help of Suriya and co, tried something which is NEVER NEW to us.

Suriya, the actor who has seen progressing his star status in the recent past, has also started the same formula followed by other top stars in the field. Too many self praises, favouring punch dialogues, dragging the line up MGR-Sivaji-Rajni-Kamal-?????, etc., Well let's get into the review.

Professional Assassin is our Aadhavan, SURIYA, who is shown immediately with an introduction song with one of the good old dialogue, "UNNA AZHIKKA ORUTHAN PORAKKANAM". Goodness, how long are we going to use this dialogue for the hero introduction??? He has been assigned a project to kill a judge and this happens to be the first target failure in Suriya's career. Suriya takes this as a challenge and enters into Judge's family and tries to kill him is all the story about. Well, there is a so-called suspense in the story, if not, then I would be contradicting that tag 'paarambariyam'.

The judge, late Murali's family will challenge someone to remember the names and the type of relation. I guess, remember, I guess the strength of the family will be close to 30 excluding the National Security Forces who safeguards the family on their vacation. The yesteryer actress, Saroja Devi, is the eldest in the family and her son is Murali and the rest and their relationship??? Even the director didn't bother to explain them as it might waste a length of reel in their introduction. Well, the main item, sorry, the main heroine is also a part of the family, our thaara, yes Nayanthaara. Assuming she is calling Murali as Uncle, we can come to a conclusion that she is not the daughter of Murali. These are small nuances in the movie which will make the audience to identify their relationship. Also seen are around 4 couples in their family. We shall Ramesh Kanna, what are they, who are they, when time permits!

The way Suriya enters into the family blackmailing Vadivelu leaves us a clear picture about some suspence which was very hard to find. Having shown Suriya as a professional assassin and the attempt that he makes to get inside the house and the series of attempts to kill the judge is horrific. But we need to assume that they are a part of the humour track. To be honest, the humour part of the movie is really good and full credit goes to the co-hero Vadivelu. It's probably the best part in the first half except the interval that comes immediately after the first half.

Just before the first half ends, we had a song, I couldn't even remember what the song was? Second half started with a song? Man, you just gave us the interval, why again??? Well, the interval will leave the audience go mad as Suriya breaks the suspense to Nayanthaara and of course the audience will still be clueless whether to believe what Suriya said is true or false!!! Well, it's been quite a while since Suriya has entered into the house, so, there should be something that strikes the actual villian to raise his tempo isn't it?? Yes yes, we never go disappointed. So now, the story breaks further deep as Suriya is almost caught and that is when, Surya unwinds the flashback. Remember, the flashback is actually about the connection between Nayanthaara's birthday & her mom Anu Haasan's death falling on the same day. But the 10 year old computer graphics Suriya makes each and every scene a roll on the floor laughter. Man, why do you need this? Just because your childhood photo is being used to describe your young age, we never asked you to come as a 10 year old boy. Please think something before you do and there are something in the world which is not possible and you must be knowing it or at least now learn.

Moving on to the technical aspects, cinematography is decent enough for this movie. Locations are pretty cool and attractive and makes it look rich. But again, they aren't mandatory thing for this movie. It's not worth spending money to shoot songs in foreign locations and that too places where they never shot any movie. But the attempt should be appreciated and overrall a decent photography.

Editing was strictly OK in the movie. The editor has used all possible effects in the song 'Hasli Pisli' song. Otherwise, the editing was kinda ok in the movie.

Stunts in the movie was horrific. It has become a trademark in Red Giant movies, where the hero keeps flying instead of other modes of transport. The climax fight choreography is absolute pathetic with 0% logic and 100% humour. The first choreography is nothing but the bond choreography with ropes and dupes playing a vital role.

Music, Harris, perhaps the first time, just 2 songs were good in the movie. Both the songs, comes in the second half out of which one is picturised very badly. Vaarayo song was amazing to listen, but horrible to visualize. Hasli Pisli is only the saving soul for his music. The first time ever in the history of Tamil cinema, there is a punch dialogue for the music director. It's been noted that Harris lifts tunes. In order to stop the bad mouthing, there is punch in the movie that says 'lifting tune is not the matter, all we need is a HIT'. BGM is nothing great in the movie. Often an english track is used for stunts, which doesn't elevates the scene at all. It's an average number for Harris.

K S Ravikumar fails to concentrate on the screenplay and he heavily used Vadivelu in the movie who almost occupies equal space in the movie with Suriya except for the songs. Too much of casting is seriously ridiculous and annoying. The same movie could have been moulded into a very good commerical entertainer if he hadn't followed this usual 'Paarambariyam' concept. But the cameo role of KSR and Udhayanidhi Stalin is a tip to the audience that 'Oru Nayaagan Udhayamaagiraan'

Verdict : Save your money

Unwinding the 'Singer Kamal'

2009-09-22T15:40:00.000+01:00

Unwinding the secret and exploring the unknown about Kamal Haasan

Often, when we utter the word Kamal Haasan, we tend to talk more about his *on screen* performance which primarily deals with acting and his experimental works *on screen*. We also talked plenty on screen writer Kamal Haasan and the director Kamal Haasan as well. Well, let's give some rest to the actor, writer, director Kamal Haasan and let's wake up the other facts about the Legend and also explore the hidden facts about this master mind with respect the songs IN GENERAL.

Now, the funniest thing when we say songs!!! Songs, Songs, Songs!!! What do we infer when we talk about songs? Is it just the music director? Certainly not! There are more and more sub classification!. Thanks to the recent programme in Vijay TV, where they touched, I repeat, they just touched about this field with respect to Kamal Haasan. Let me try my best to unwind more.

Our man started this at the age of 6. Yes, we are in deed talking about the Kalathoor Kannama fame Kamal, who rendered beautifully the song "Ammaavum Neeye, Appaavum Neeye". Of course, we have witnessed several other child artist to render singing for someone in many songs. But Kalathoor Kannama is unique. How is it unique? The screen presense and the camera focus on the subject in this song distinguishes from the rest of the world. You can notice the fact that, the camera deliberately focus on our star. To be in precise, assuming the song stretches for 5 minutes, camera would have focussed on our hero for 4+ minutes. This is not an easy task to do a lip sing at the age of 6. But the end result what achieved is nothing but PERFECTION. Is this all the beginning???

The next point is just for the fact. Kamal Hassan become a playback singer in the movie 'Andharangam', his mentor KB directed movie where he sung a beautiful song called "Naairu Oli Mazhaiyil" which gave him confidence and also recognition to sing more songs in the future line up. And the next movie that invited Kamal to sing happened to become his 100th movie, Raaja Paarvai, where he sung the song "Vizhiyorathu Kanavu". This is when Kamal got this offer more frequently because of the Maestro Ilayaraja, the combo, which always provided massive melodies.

It happened so soon, and that too with a National Award winner, Kamal Haasan song the famous "Kulla Nari" song in the movie "Moondram Pirai". Interesting fact is that, this song proved to be a benchmark song of story recite. It doesn't carry a rhythmic music or any raaga associated with it. It was composed more of a story recite with a nursery rhyme rhythm because of Sri Devi.

Kanne Thottukkavaa Kattikkavaa
Kattikkittu Ottikkavaa
Thottukkittaa Pathikkumae
Pathikkittaa Pathattumae
Anjugamae Nenju Enna Vittu Vittu Thudikkudhu
Kattazhagi Onna Yenni Kannu Muzhi Pidhungudhu
Kothi Vida Vendumendru Kokku Enna Thudikkudhu
Thappi Vida Vendumendru Kendai Meenu Thavikkudhu
Kulikkira Meenukku Kulir Yenna Adikkudhu
Pasi Thaangumaa Ilamai Ini
Parimaara Vaa Ila Maangani

Who can forget this beautiful prelude piece of fast number that comes before the song 'Vanidhamani Vana Mogini' song from the movie 'Vikram'. How often have we come across such a prelude piece with rhydhamic words ending each line and more importantly beautifully sung by the Legend followed by the ace singer SPB to contibue with the song. Oops! Did I miss the opening fusion number?? Vikram!!!! Vikram!!!! Vikram (Robotic voice)..... yes, the fusion number which apparantly comes as a title song is really sickening because we did not get enough chance to witness this song visually or even in radio! We have seen songs where the voice modulation takes place throughout the song. But this song is exception and the exception is because of the singer. The man, modulates his voice in Pallavi, Charanam1, Charanam 2 and even in the opening precursion.

Now comes THE song, which I bet, every soul who have seen Tamil movies wouldn't have failed to listen. Yes, we are talking about 'Then Paandi Cheemayile'. The song comes 4 times in the movie, the title, death of Saranya, death of Nizhalgal Ravi and the climax. The opening bit was sung by the Maestro, who needs no musical instrument and yes the song comes without any instrument and we happen to listen to just the voice of the Maestro. And then the three occasions, Kamal steals the show as a playback singer. You must concentrate on the verbal notes sung by Maestro and Kamal Haasan. Maestro uses 'Azhudha manasu thaangaadhey' stressing on the exact script 'Zha' phonetic sound, whereas, Kamal will use 'Aludha manasu thaangadhey' with the phonetic sound 'la'. This makes a lot of difference and quite obviously the latter sung by Kamal adds more value and life to the song. Another difference between the two is 'Yaar Adichaaro' and 'Yaar Adithaaro'. I leave to the readers to identify who uses what?

Here comes another benchmark song, which was never every utilized in Tamil Cinema before. And complete marks goes to the man, Kamal Haasan, who is the 100% inventor for this song. We are talking about 'Kanmani Anboda Kadhalan' from the movie Guna. I hope many would have heard the dramaticized version of the conversation between Kamal-Santhanabarathi-Ilayaraja. Assuming it to be true, you will get to know that, the concept of a conversation based number is purely because of Kamal Haasan. Can someone *try* to imagine the song sung by any ace singer other than Kamal himself? If it had happened, how would the song be? Good on Ilayaraja that he didn't let our imagination to become wild!

Another 'Vani thamani' number being used in 'Saandhu Pottu'. In both places, the ace singer SPB joins the club to make it beautiful. The latter one being a conversation with the villian and comes a teaser number with poetic stanzas. This also comes at the end of each Charanam with a sarcasatic smile to end the note.

Oru vaaikozhupedutha aduthavan varatu izhupitha
avan thol urippavan da tamizhachi paal kudichavanda
Ada vishayangal pala arindhavan naan vivarangal pala purinjavan naan
Sandaikku vandha savaal vitta
Thadiyathan Pudichuthaan
Kai viralula suthura suthula
Annaachi unnai naan punnaaku thinna vaippean

Kamal, never ends here in this movie. He joins with another legend S Janaki amma and challenges her with 'Inji Iduppazhagi'. Who can forget the opening style of note and the sarcastic comment for the same. 'Marandhuruveengalonnu nenaichean'. The singer Kamal Haasan, concentrate so much on the language with respect to the character/role in the movie. Devar magan, being a southern caste related role, he stresses on 'alagi' instead of 'azhagi'. Adding to that, he also stretches a few words to ensure the slang being used. Of course, S Janaki is no exception either in this song.

Rukku Rukku Rukku
Hare Baaba Rukku... Oh my darlinguuuu (coughs)

Yes, for people who doesn't know about the singer behind this song, it's the Ultimate Kamal Haasan. What else this man can try in a field where he has least experience. How can one imagine to sing like an old lady justifying to the role that he enacted in this movie. Thought this is purely a commercial movie, Kamal Haasan still wants to improvise on whatever he does and this is a clear example. Yet another old lady voice was again witnessed in Dasavatharam, where Krishnaveni Patty, the man, sings a small stanza 'Usurodu Irukkan Naan petha pilla'. Well, though both being a aged lady character, there is some significance difference in the voice modulation. The caste, the actual age, the tremble all being considered while singing.

Well is this too much? Well, I really stop because there are still more to explore. 'Aalavandhan' had the gigantic voice of Kamal singing 'Kadavul Paadhi Mirigam Paadhi'. The amount of base put in this song implies the seriousness in the character. Another song from the same movie is 'Siri Siri Siri' which is more a joke recite. The lyrics will have a mixture of english and tamil continuity and it will be beautifully rendered by Kamal. 'So kala kala kalavena siri Kannil neer vara siri...So Siri'.

Master in Malayalam as well. Perhaps the first song which was sung completely in Malayalam in a Tamil movie. The film is shortly called 'MMKR' and the song is 'Sundari Neeyum Sundara Nyaanum' where Kamal again joins with S Janaki who is again a native of Andhra. But the product was 101% perfect to the core. He makes sure that he properly stresses the words in Malayalam with proper phenotics. I, being a native of Kerala, precisely a Palakad Iyer, I can honestly comment on the slang which has come to the core perfection.

Now comes the expert in Madras Slang. We have witnessed our man, speaking in Madras slang in many movies. He steps further by singing in the same style as well. He started with 'Kandasamy Madaaamy Munnusaamy' in PKS. This song also discovered the lyricist Kamal. Yes, Kamal penned the lyrics for this song which takes a dig about Marriage and ties it beautifully with the Lords. Initial comparison between the usual *saamy* to the Lord *Saami* is simply top notch. Well, more importantly, the song comes as a real stunt man singing the song with the Madras Baashai. 'Iyyapan amsama kundhikittu irukkura style paar'. Another Madras slang that our man gave to us is 'Kaasu Mela Kaasu Vandhu' from the movie Kadhala Kadhala, where he sings along with a singer from North, Udit Narayanan. Even this song is so special that it will have some realistic glimpses. In the middle of the song, Delhi Ganesh will interrupt the song and Kamal will question "enna mudinju pocha". Also he tries to imitate the stammering in the song which is a short and catchy one. Well the man didn't stop there, he moves another step and did 'Aalwarpettai Aandava' in Vasool Raja MBBS. Another advice based song on love failure. This song proves the fact that a song can be so enjoyable even if nuances that happen in life is said in our local slang. "pannandu vayasu manasil pattamboochi parakkume" is something the lyrcists capitalize it using poetic lyrics.

Another highlight song in his career is 'Raja Kaya Vachaa' from Aboorva Sagodharargal. The prelude conversation with Aachi Manorama is so nice with typical Madras slang. This song draws a sensational comparison with car-women with tremendous analogy. The word *sogusu* in this song will be addressed in different phonetic in all the three places.

Not just Tamil, but also in English. Our man has also sung a pop number in the movie Nala Damayanthi for the promo. 'Stranded on the Streets' is the song and once again, he proved language is not a barrier for him at least. He also tried a different style in 'Aalankatti Mazhai' from Thenali is another unique number.

Our man doesn't stop here! He has also rendered his voice for songs which doesn't feature him. He started with 'Muthe Muthama' for Ajith in Ullasam with a peppy number under Karthik Raja music and travels to Yuvan for singing 'Neruppu Vaayinil' in Pudhupettai.

With Virumaandi, the lyricist Kamal shared more space in the lyricist ocean. The song 'Unnai Vida' made him a proper lyricist and not just another run of the mill. He wrote the song and he sung the song so beautifully with some pleasant music from the Genius. In the same movie, he also sung the song 'Kombula Poova Suthi' which is more a victory pleasure number claiming his glory. Again comes the voice modulation when he utters 'Ethana Thazhumbirukku' with a low base voice leaving the background singers to chant 'onnu rendu moonu'.

'Yele Machi Machi, Thala Suthi Suthi' from Anbe Sivam is another *yesapaatu* (competitive) song, where he competes with Madhavan on topic *Bodhai*. He steps as a choreographer in Hey Raam for the song 'Raaman Aanalum' again the man, gives his voice. This time it's a trio number.

Having said all these, having written for pages, it doesn't make a complete meal, if I leave 'Yaar Yaar Sivam' from Anbe Sivam. This song was so popular for the *M-A-G-N-I-F-I-C-A-N-T* voice of the Legend. The song was sung with a vibration that leaves goose bumps when you listen to this number. No wonder it leaves a deep impact on the listener and it gets registered in the heart of the listener purely because of the magical voice.

Unnai Pol Oruvan - Review

2009-09-18T21:20:00.001+01:00

"A remake of 'A Wednesday'. 'A Wednesday' is a superb movie. Kamal is remaking this master piece into tamil. It was the best movie of the year 2008. Oscar winning performances from the leads Nasser and Kher. Two legends joining hands in a movie.

Excuse me! I have at last watched 'A Wednesday' last wednesday."

Before I get into my review, one should thank, the legend, Kamal Haasan for choosing this movie to remake when we are in a period of stealing (remaking) masala blockbusters from other region. With his star value, he needn't choose to remake this movie but still he did and I congratulate for the passion this man has for Cinema. But the same HERO image has also been a disadvantage for him to choose this movie but at least, a few bunch of audience are always ready to accept a neat movie from anyone and Kamal is no exception.

Often when you remake a movie, the audience who has seen both versions, tries to draw a comparison and sometimes the audience can skip the comparison as well. But 'A Wednesday's comparison cannot be skipped. Hats off to the Story man, Neeraj Pandey whose original product was so honest and reliable though it had an another version release. And I am no exception that, I cannot stop myself comparing between the two. Having said that, 'A Wednesday' is not a *GREAT* movie. It's just a *GOOD* movie. It's a NEAT movie. The whole movie was carried by some stunning performances from the lead characters Nasser and Kher which added flavour to the movie and of course the script, the main strength for the movie. Alright, it's not a place to review the original! Move ON!

Story
Remaking a suspense thriller is one big risk in the industry and none seemed to care for that. Well, yes, people who witnessed both, it's sheer a frame by frame makeover. But the actual story as such carries a great momentum to the movie thought it starts dull with no clue of what's going on. The twist in the story steals the movie completely away from the performances of the characters. Talking about the changes been made to the story, there are pros and cons. There isn't much change in the main plot of the movie but a few changes were made to the screenplay.

I am completely against the opening scene. Why on earth one would show a common man preparing explosives? I agree the star value of Kamal being the reason, but does it make any justice to the story's suspense? Another introduction is that of the journalist or rather the Televison news channel, telecasting Bush-Musharaf models was irritating. Though the intention behind the scene was to give a justified answer to the journalist being called for the HEADLINES of the DAY, highlighting her with this example, dragging the scene was in deed irritating. On the other hand, the original had the 'Electric Baba' episode which was again irritating, but it at least shows how these news channel earn TRP for their channel with such cheap shows. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu's voice was one pathetic take. Adding to that is our Lakshmi, the Chief Secratariat. Especially the conversation that she will be having with Lal, the commissioner. Thought it was good only at some places, it was more irritating overall. Another good aspect was the names of the terrorists with an inclusion of an Hindu's name instead of having 4/4 Muslims. But again, the Hindu terrorist was a meare comedian when it comes to live or die situation and that's unlikely with the muslim terrorists.

Performances
Initially, after watching 'A Wednesday', I was seriously thinking if Lal could give a performance that was given by Kher. Lal showed his middle finger to me! One big minus he had was his accent when it comes to Tamil and English. But it was a good choice to make him as a native of Kerala who can be excused for his MTI. But this man has more screen presence in the movie just like the original version had. But there is a difference between Nasser and Kamal. Kamal being a popular artist let Lal steal the show and of course Lal did a great job. He was rough and tough as well as soft and jovial at places.

Kamal, who had one major portion of the picture in his hand had delivered it with his TOP NOTCH acting. Other than that piece, he did not have much scope to vent his talent but what was done by him was always perfect. But the so called *common man* picture which I saw very clearly in Nasserudin Shah, was not visible in Kamal. Thought this man had done minute corrections to that of a common man, I still cannot the see the clear picture. Though his body language tells him that he is just a common man, his star value overrides. Small corrections and additional gimmicks makes him NOT a common man. But isn't there a difference between Kamal and Nasseruddin Shah? The place where the ACTING between the two compete, Kamal steals it completely away from Nasser with his emotions and the non glycerine tears. Thought the short story that was rendered by Nasser had more connection and justification to what and why he does, Kamal's acting just makes the audience to AWWWWWE.

Another notable performance is Aarif, played by Ganesh. You must have seen this tall man with beard with a punjabi look in Abhiyum Naanum. It was a perfect casting for the character played by him. He has done a neat job and doesn't overreact being too discipline. The other cop has also shared a decent space and done his role perfect.

Dialogues
Dialogues though most of them are copied from the original version, it was Kamal who added the regional native to the dialogues tieing them with the incidents related to the native. Dialogues were more powerful especially during the major portion of the picture where Kamal had to speak about for 15 mins. It had some message being conveyed to the audience and it carried the pace and fire to make the audience realize what is what! Of course, it too had it's humour content as well. Lal has done a good job though some of them were little hard to accept the slang.

Shruti Haasan, she definitely needs some time to breathe before she touch any instrument and gives a name called BGM. Good that the movie did not give her a chance to do music. BGM was very bad in most of the places especially in scenes where a content based dialogues were rendered. She just mute the voice and turn on the karoke. She definitely needs time.

RED camera
It was quite funny and shocking that I forget RED camera was used throughout the movie and I got reminded because of the end credits. Well, I seriously didn't any difference in the camera except for some resolution change which is very much negligible change. But certainly it wasn't a bad show at all for the audience.

Direction
1) You have a Great Script. 2) You have India's best actors in front of you. 3) You have a DVD of the original version with you. Why the hell did you choose the third option?

Verdict 1 : For freshers, it can be a fantastic movie with a thrilling experience and some good performance.
Verdict 2 : For experienced, boys, you have Kamal Haasan and Mohan Lal. What else you do you need?

Eeram - A Justified Revenge

2009-09-13T08:23:00.001+01:00

A product from 'S' pictures, oops! Sorry, a genuine product from Arivazhagan, the debutant director from Shankar's school direction, add into the quality directors list of Tamil Cinema with his debut product 'Eeram'. One who watches the movie without knowing the technical crew details wouldn't believe that this movie is directed by a debutant. The quality of the movie reveals how much effort has been spent in shaping the story. Each and every frame of the movie tells us the hard work done by the respective technicians.

Aadhi, the mirugam fame, who had appeared literally like an animal in the movie Mirugam has come as a cop and believe it, this guy was apt for this character. There is a flash back sequence where he is played as a college going guy and he has played with almost perfection. His physique is his biggest plus for this role and he has dubbed for himself and it had the rough and tough feel for a cop. Occasionally he surprised me to think whether Prithviraj dubbed for him, but I was made a fool at the end. The dialogue delivery was so good and apt for both the roles he played in the movie. Why I am stressing on the dialogues is because it's simple brilliant in the movie. Aadhi's voice modulation from a village native character(Mirugam) to a cop character(Eeram) is an outstanding attempt. Nowhere in any scenes, he leaves a negative impact with his performance and at the end of the day, Aadhi has done the role with neat perfection.

Nandha, the man whose career swings between good and pathetic roles again chooses to do some good numbers. He has got some good line up in the near future. Well, the role that he has done in this movie top notch. It's an unusual role, of course such a role has been done in the past by a few great actors. Nandha's role is so important that I cannot reveal his role. Here again, the dialogue delivery is so calm and composed. The reaction in a few scenes are so good and the unusual portrayal of his character where he wants everything to be different is also catchy and it's been used as a key thing in the movie.

Sindhu Menon and Saranya has done a good job. Especially Sindhu Menon whose character is actually kernel for the movie. I am not sure how the director must have picked for casting this role who has not been seen in Tamil Cinema for the past 3-4 years and also she hasn't done any significant role in the past either. But Sindhu menon has utilized the chance given to her and has done exceptionally well. Both forms of her role, viz, lover girl and a house wife, she has showed the modulation in the body language but maintaining her mannerism. When I said maintaining her mannerism, yes, that's something important for the movie and you will know when you watch it. Saranya, though hasn't got enough scope for performance in this movie, she has done her best.

Rest of the cast were good but I wasn't quite impressed with a few cast living in the apartment. Aadhi's friend has again shown modulation in the body language from the college time and being a cop. While Nandha's friend Vicky who usually comes up with humour role has done some serious role and lived the expectation without spoiling the story pace.

Editing has been fantafabulous in the movie. The editor's job in this movie is very important as the directed has used Change Over techniques and Scene answer method in a few places. The editor has cut the movie in perfect places to make it smooth and look continuous. In one scene where I was spellbound by his work is the scene where there will be a enquiry session with Aadhi and a parallel conversation scene between Nandha and his friend. These two parallel scenes will be in a Scene Answer method where the questions asked in one scene will have a indirect answer from the other scene. It's was so smooth in this place and you never feel a discontinuity in the scenes. Similarly, the flash back scenes and the original current scene will have a change over with an element/subject/object interconnecting both the scenes. Once again, the editor has done a remarkable job here.

BGM for a movie like this is very important and almost the same track was used throughout the movie for a particular variety of scene. But never it was irritating and it was decent for this movie. The lover track was also good with some rhythmic number. Songs were definitely not needed for this movie and the director has to be appreciated for making the songs for minimal use.

Almost 85% movie was shot in blue tone and one would never get irritated or would sense artificial or unnatural in the scenes. The blue tone was used to implifiy the color of water which is used for an important purpose in the movie. The shots were selected so nice and it was also handled very well by the cameraman. As I was mentioning about the change over from flash back to the current play, you can notice a flash of the change over will be made black n white when it comes to the live play. The flash back scenes were shot with natural colors expect for the rain scenes and the change over to the current play which is in blue tone was matched by the black n white flash. The low angle shots, the bird eye shots, POVs, Underwater shot, Object's POVs, Mirror magic shots, well there are many shots like that which will defintely amuse you and surprise you.

Arivazhgan, the name indicates, isn't it? "Indha Kadhayil varum kadhaapathirangal annaithum VAZHAKAMPOL karapanaye", it is from here, the director makes the audience to think that there is something different in the movie. I was often stressing about the dialogues in the movie. It was beautiful and it was so good that it will increase or match the negative aspects of the scene. Dialogues were never direct in the movie and in a few scenes, it was just a MAGIC. The converstation between Sindhu's dad and Aadhi is one place where the exchange of words were top notch. Often the director gets a roaring claps from the audience for his dialogues. Sindhu menon was shown writing in left hand while filling the application form and the south paw thinge was utilized perfect and it plays an important role in the movie. Director's imagination and the camera man's angle will add suspense and surprises to the product. There isn't a separate comedy track in the movie, but the dialogues were humourous and sensible. The movie runs for about close to 170 minutes, which I feel is the only negative aspect in the movie. The director had some places to chop the scenes and make it look more crisp. Well, I am not allowed to write more on the director as I feel it would contain the spoiler :-)

Eeram - A Surprise Package

Pushpak - Post Morterm Analysis

2009-08-29T11:34:00.000+01:00

Note : This article is a complete post morterm analysis of the entire movie segmented into chapters. The author has explained the general terms as well as some nuances attached to it. The author recommends to watch this movie and then read the article.

Pushpak, directed by one of the underrated directed called Singeetham Sreenivasa Rao (SSR) is what I am going to do a post mortem. It was also dubbed, oops, sorry released in Tamil as Pesum Padam, which was very contrary to the movie. I in fact loved the tamil title more than than the hindi. It's quite funnier to use the language for a movie which actually needs no language to watch. Let's start the post morterm.

First and foremost, Pushpak is not *yet another movie* kind that it was taken just for the sake of entering into the history. It deals a lot. Each and every scene was conveyed with a brilliant body language from each and every cast in the movie. It's not a movie where the cast were purposely silent, it leaves the audience an impression that the cast in the movie perhaps didn't find a necessasity to speak. The scenes where shot brilliantly to follow the same formula.

Introduction - Overview of Anand Bavan
Playing the title card with a background score of a movie running in a talkies is the place where Kamal lives adjacant to it. It was a night shot and the title card ends with a bizarre string BGM in the movie and moves to the next morning. This scene depicts the serial flat system where Kamal lives. It was portrayed in the form a servant maid. She starts to sweep along the corridor and surpasses the rooms (houses) continuing to sweep. One should listen to the background music here. As and when she sweeps and surpasses the rooms, the music from the radio changes according to the caste of the people and the rooms she passes by. It starts with some unknown Indian language music and then moves to Tamil devotional song and then to news. The servant maid then passes an old man smoking and watching her assets since she was dressed in a Odissi style revealing her assets. Just to see more glimpses of her, the old man put the ash from his cigarrate and asks her to clean the place to watch her assets in a better angle. Here also if you notice, the old man puts a sodakku and ask her to clean, which can clearly convey her a message. Once she clean, the old man bends to catch her cleavage, but alas, she notices it and drops the dirt and move on. The siren signals at the background when she climbs up the ladder to sweep another room where Kamal stays indicating that the working hour has started and still the hero is sleeping. Obvious reasons indicating that he is an unemployed youth. She knocks the door and peeps into the key hole to see his position of sleep and Kamal opens the door from sleep and she gets in and immediately started to sweep leaving a wink in Kamal face!!! As she sweeps, she takes the newspaper and a photograph of Kamal with degree and keeps it on top of the newspaper and throw the sandals on top of it. Once again Kamal winks. Another symbolism to indicate that his education is of no value now a days. As she moves on to clean the other things on the table, Kamal tries to squeeze the toothpaste so hardly and manage to get the paste. Poverty at its peak. As he squeezes the toothpaste, the servant maid sees a debanoir magazine lying in the table, she sees Kamal and peeps into the magazine to see the pictures and gives an odd look. This leaves an impression on her character and what kinda woman she is. She ultimately has some feelings towards Kamal.

First In First Out - Toilet
The next scene is one of the best scene in the movie. Kamal wanted to go to the toilet and it's a common toilet used by all the people living in the apartment. There will be three toilets and three people standing in the queue. As and when people comes out, Kamal tries to get into the toilet but the other person standing next to him leaves him behind and enters. The same thing keep happening for multiple occasion. At last, it will end with him and a person standing outside. Kamal calculates based on FIFO system and covers the toilet door. But FIFO system fails and the other person enters the different toilet. Kamal again disappoints and when there was no competition to rush inside the toilet, he will be left with two choices (doors). Kamal peeps into each of them and sees which is better (clean) and enters. If you notice Kamal while he was standing outside, you can notice the urgency in his face expression and reaction and especially the way he stands. Again in this scene, there is no necessasity for verbal communication since it's not place where one would wish to argue.

Crow's idea
The very next scene where he discovers that his shirt stinks because of the sweat and the way he tries to invent a new deodrant using the soap foam tells us the poverty. He doesn't have a spare shirt. Of course he has one, but that will be even worser than this. And next comes the tea boy who brings the tea in a can and gives tea. People living in the apartment pays him the money and he gives the tea. Kamal initially keeps a rupee and later decides to keep 50p and the boy reacts to it and gives him half a glass with proper measurement. His neighbour in the next floor shows him a full glass of tea and kamal waves him back with a reaction but sees a crow cawing. Brilliant piece of narration.

Challenge the beggar
Kamal on his way for the job hunt stands on a bridge and sees a begger and teases him by spinning the 50p that he has and smiling at the beggar in a sarcastic way. What Kamal got in response to that is something strange, the beggar gives another sarcastic smile and takes money from all the places of his body and shows him a lot of money, which makes Kamal to feel bad for he did.

Handloom Episode
It's in this scene in an handloom shop, where Kamal meets Amala. The initial conversation of the movie actually begins here where Amala tries to select a earing for her and kamal, who is a complete stranger advises her as a well wisher in selecting the earing with the help of signals indicating dislikes and likes. But Amala will not respond for his likes and walk way. In the car park when Kamal tries to escape from the shop keeper, he sees Amala wearing the earing which he liked. They both share a sarcastic smile and kamal whistles and pass by.

No Vacancy
This scene where Kamal stands in the queue and when someone spits the pan, Kamal tries to occupy that place and eventually will be pushed to the end of the queue and gets frustrated and leans on a car. Again, 'da da da da da', that's the music used whenever Kamal meets Amala, especially when Amala is in the car. It also makes one to assume it as the car horn. Kamal again appreciate her earing which he indirectly selected. Amala in return, appreciates the car in which Kamal was leaning assuming that it's his car. Here it gives an impression on Kamal from Amala's POV. Even here, director has again justified that they can communicate without verbal exchange. This episode also introduces the rich man who stays in the Hotel Pushpak. This scene also gives us on how Pushpak came!

The Catch!
Now comes the catch of the story. Kamal finds the rich man lying in the street and plans an idea and bring him to his house and tie him and he goes to the hotel in place of him. These scenes will be just mind blowing to see. You must notice Kamal being very cautious when he brings him to his house. It's not an easy task to lift the fat guy to the terrace where he stays. You should also notice the pre cautionary method Kamal uses in the room. The director also maintains the reality with the movie sound being played in the talkies which will scare Kamal at the first instant. Having made the necessary arrangement, Kamal will enter the Hotel Pushpak with some discomfortness which is quite evident by the way he walks into the Hotel and when he meets the security, you can notice that he is kinda scared. Also the elevator scene where Kamal initially uses the staircase. Though these are just small instances, it's still great. The moment he enters the room, he makes sure that he locks the door and sees the food kept at the table and relishes with joy because he wouldn't have seen such a meal. The mirror scene is one awesome directorial touch. He is alone, he is cheating, he is precautious and all of a sudden he sees his face in the mirror. Shocked to death. Brilliant!!! And once again he sees the mirror in the bedroom of the hotel. This time, he faces it. And another casual common man thought between a suitcase and an ordinary cover. Kamal neglects the cover and open the suitcase and later when he finds liqour in the suitcase, he whinks and pulls the cover back and finds a wholesome amount.

Another mono act
Another brilliant piece of communication between Kamal and Amala being exchanged from their balcony. Since they cannot shout and speak, they mono act and communicate and in order to catch their action, they use binocular and a camera. The way Kamal uses actions to convey will be brilliant and easily understandable.

The Changeover
Now Kamal changes completely with the outfit and goes back to his room. On his way to his room, the other people living in the Bavan will look at him with a surprise because of his costume. It doesn't leave the servant maid as well. Kamal never wanted to kidnap the rich man and hence he treats him with all the basic things. The way he cuts the Easy Chair for him to pee is something real funny. Funniest thing is that after he cuts, he will check the size by keeping it on his bum. Once he is done, Kamal will take a cloth to clean his ass. The BGM says all in that scene. Initially he shows the cloth to him and later he himself will accept to clean.

Shitty Parcel
This is probably the USP of the movie, which would make the audiece to ROFL. The preparation to this scene is the main highlight of the movie. One would never know why Kamal comes to Anand Bhavan with a parcel, gift wrapped to his room. He utilizes it to wrap the shit and dump it. Once he cleans the rich man, he walks out of the room with the gift wrapped parcel in his hand. You must observe how he carries the gift parcel. He will maintain a distance and you can very well understand the face reaction of Kamal while carrying the gift parcel. The ultimate USP of the movie is here when Kamal tries to dump the parcel near a bus stop. The parcel will be packed in a grand way that it's not a dumping material and anyone for the matter of fact, who sees the parcel unattended, will obviously try to open it. Yes, we have a man who watches Kamal trying to dump the parcel and Kamal knows he cannot dump it treating it as a shit because of the attraction material. And the funniest thing is that, whenever he tries to dump the box, the man watching Kamal catches him and Kamal reaction to it will make the audience to burst of laughter. This instance doesn't end in just one scene but it has got the aftermath as well. A few other scenes when Kamal tries to dump the shit, the next day, he again sees the witness who will be eating something and started to puke after seeing Kamal with the parcel again. NOW!! It still doesn't end here, there will be another instance where Kamal sees him coming out from an Hospital because of the consequence of that incident.

Once Again the Beggar
Kamal once again meets the same beggar who teased him initially. Without any wait, kamal takes a bundle of currency and waves it infront of the beggar. But the beggar wasn't surprised but rather gave a sarcastic smile.

Peaceful Sleep
Though he has money, luxury, etc., still he won't be able to find some good sleep. Hence, decides to record the music of the talkies sound and play it in the room. As soon as the tape recorder stops, Kamal wakes up!!!

Enemity
Remember the scene where an introduction was given to the Richman, who kisses his wife and then makes a call and a scene at the other end shows that she will be enjoying with his lovable friend. Now this scene, shows some serious plans of a guy preparing himself for a murder. The idea being adopted is interesting. Killing with a ice knife, leaving no marks of finger prints. Immediately the next scene indicates the same. The kalla kadhalan Prathap Pothean orders the henchman to kill the rich man. Giving him just the room number!!! Isn't it a great way to move the screenplay??

Magic Show
One can easily predict the scene with the help of the BGM. Whenever the magician, Amala's father comes, he holds a separate BGM track for him. The henchmen tries to kill Kamal here. Often he misses the chances. You can notice the people clapping & laughing is coincided with the series of the attempts. And apparantly, Kamal himself will take the ice knife and give it to him. This is probably the scene where they missed the flow of the movie and there would be a verbal conversation between them.

Slap
Slap and clap, Kamal and Amala, mistaken identity, unable to convey the message due to circumstances. Brilliant narration. The series of scenes and the background for each of the incident matches and conveys a lot to the viewers. Disappointed by the show, Kamal leaves the place. Followed by the scene is where the continuity in the form of curtain goes in hand between Kamal and Amala. That's a nice piece of affection.

Pushpak Margaya
The man, who sits in the wheel chair and roams around the hotel, expires. Even in his ceremony, the director would have utilized humour. With just a smile, Amala conveys to Kamal what happened the other day was a mistake. They keep coming around the dead again and again. You can see some funny reactions from different people.

Telephone Conversation
Here Kamal tries to speak to Amala over the phone but again circumstances will not favour because of her dad and mom interfering. Kamal's reaction and the voice from the other line will be portrayed well.

Waiter
Kamal dresses like a waiter and comes to Amala's room in order to give the chain. The verbal conversation is reduced using distubances material. Here, Amala's mom will be coughing throughout the scene in order to surpress the verbal conversation.

Hangout
Amala signals kamal that they can meet since her parents have gone out. Here probably the first time you will hear dialogues. But that's from the movie in a theatre where they watch. Probably one of the interesting scene where Kamal wanted to do some mischievious thing. He shows her what others normally do in theatre and he himself tries to do it. Even in their hangout, they tend to have some verbal communication and wantedly surpressed. But the entire hangout is actually in the form of a sync out song and since, you cannot have the song in this movie, it was done in this way. This is the scene where Kamal realizes love and luxury with a flower and currency note.

Chasing the henchmen
Now Kamal knows the person who was trying to kill him and in an incident, he follows the henchmen who travels to a different state(shown by the train) and meets Prathap Pothan. The henchmen explains everything what happened and his failure attempt. The entire scene is shown in Kamal's POV who is seeing these incidents outside the house and he can't hear anything. The entire episode reveals a lot to us.

End of the Beggar
While returning back to the hotel, he sees the beggar who is dead and a brilliant incident where people scavanging for money leaving the dead body elsewhere. Kamal realizes and goes back to the hotel and finds his clothes which he pushed underneath the cot and comes back as the old Kamal. Pictures in the room on how the Hotel owner has developed this hotel gives more meaning to Kamal's life. He still has one more duty, his love, he need to tell his love is genuine to Amala. He does that in the form of a letter. And a mark of respect, he brings the rich man back to his place where he was lying down. Rich man returns back to his room and gets angry but then sees the letter and realizes about Kamal.

End of the show
Everything ends. Magician magic show, the rich man departs, his wive's arrival, Kamal's rich life. All of them have some connection to one another. Kamal sees Amala and the way they communicate reminds what they have done before. She writes her location in a letter but poor kamal misses it too. At the end of the day, he was left with the rose. And Kamal is back standing in the Q of employment exchange but with a flower in his hand.

Kanthaswamy - Review

2009-08-22T09:36:00.001+01:00

A movie that took 24 months for the making yielded us a 200 mins end product with huge expectations with a tag of Super Hero, carrying a heavy budget starting from the movie launch to the audio launch. What impression did it leave to the audience??? Here is the review.

Plot : Kanthaswamy just adds its name to the so called high budget movies plot sharing a space. Yes, take from the rich and give it to poor and needy is all about Kanthaswamy. Additionally, it also makes the audience remember what happened during the movie launch where the movie team adopted a village. Well, that message was conveyed or rather tried to convey during the climax of the movie. Eventually that message did not have any support from the screenplay of the movie.

Never a movie has given a sigh at the initial scene, but Kanthaswamy just broke that record. In all the movies that shared this plot, they would need some myth or an element to service the needy, Kanthaswamy uses the myth that happens in a temple and uses that as a medium of communication. Didn't it remind you the Anniyan website concept? Well the latter had a stylish introduction, but the way the so called Super Hero tagged Kanthaswamy's introduction scene is all enough to judge the quality of making and the strong basement for the plot. This could probably be the ugliest way to portray a Super Hero Introduction scene.

One way Kanthaswamy being a *different* from the other movies is that the director's justification for the Super Hero. He uses a team work behind the Super Hero theme to make the Super Hero's action *a possible* thing in reality. I was surprised to see the director's creative idea of using Tape Recorder to play Kanthaswamy BGM during the action sequences. But I never expected him to be so honest that literally he even used *clapping hands* as a re recording. He should have left that to the audience to decide, isn't it? One couldn't concentrate on the stunts rather everyone were focussing on the *making of the stunts* with ropes, pulleys, tape recorders, remote control, wireless, microphones, etc., But the director has given a fantastic justification to the role that he has given for each individual in the team in their flashback scene. He connects what they been doing in the past to the corresponding role alloted to them in the team. Bravo!!!

Coming to the interesting casting department. Except for Prabhu and Krishna to an extent, rest of the cast, including the Super Hero himself was so ridiculous. One should at least what the strength of the artist and use him appropriately for the movie. The reason why I am stressing hard on this is because Vikram is known for this acting skill and I really wonder why is he being used a doll in this movie where he had absolutely *no scope of acting*. Alas! he didn't even look good in this movie, he look very old in the movie. He lost his manliness in the movie. To put it simple, for such a character, he could have chosen anyone else other than Vikram, who had a lot of potential and has a good acting talent.
Shriya, a glam doll, the only saving soul in the movie for a group of audience who paid a lump amount for their ticket. Well, even then she irritates with her lip sync both when rendering dialogues as well as for the songs. But wonder why the producer who could lavishly spent for the making of the movie, couldn't be lenient for her wardrobe? Another stunning director's touch is bringing in each and every person into the cast and finally he himself emerged as CBI officer helping the Super Hero. We are set with different suprises by the director breaking the suspense often leaving us in Cloud nine.
Can anyone think of Alex the magician, in a DON getup? That's the extreme that director can go. It was a rib tickling comedy to see him donning a DON, that too an Internation Don with a funny character name *Mexican Pichumani*.
Prabhu has done a decent job and Krishna, the telugu actor comes as the Head of the CBI department was different for his voice and I thought he did a fair job too. Other casts that formed the team were literally doing the job of the crew members behind the scenes and nothing much scope for them showcase.

Coming to the technical department, where one would at least expect the movie to be rich and get a satisfaction in this area. The man behind the camera work, Ekaambaram, he was literally a night mare in the movie. Too much color correction literraly screwed our eyes. Even the natural things which should look natural were added colors to make it look very artificial. The mexican episode was literally a Disovery Travel & Living episode. One should wipe off the shade that shooting a movie in the helicopter doesn't make him a big shot and doesn't differentiate from others. Whereever he shoots, enormous amount of color correction was used which eventually made it look like one Eastman color movie in some parts.

Then comes the editor who shares another space in the movie adding salt to the wound. Abdrupt editing with shaky scenes left nothing but irritation. Fade In - Fade Out technique was over used in this movie to the core that too for the location title card. Gosh, this is the first time I am seeing a FI-FO technology being used in this area. Overall the editing wasn't smooth in all areas and it was really disturbing especially in the stunts sequence and in the initial scenes.

DSP, the music director, with sheer expectation of the movie, the songs were overrated and in the end became a hit. But the visualization of the songs were poorly picturized and as usual in Tamil Cinema, the songs were placed just for the sake of it with no proper reasons. Again the item number satisfied a set of audience because of Mumaith Khan. But Shirya's dance in Allega song was good though. Other songs weren't that great because of poor picturisation. BGM was decent enough for the movie but the arti numbers for Super Hero theme was like a rhyme though.

Now comes the Captain of the movie, Susi Ganesan. While playing the title card, I was amused with the way he used his name for Story, Screenplay, Dialogue and Direction. I wondered why it he scattered the credits, but the clever director wants the audience to realize that the story, screenplay, dialogue and direction play a vital role and we need to analyse them separately is what a clear picture left by the director. His creativity is very evident from the way he portrayed the Super Hero by stoping the critics often cribbing that the movie has no logic. Susi Ganesan comes with a strong FULL STOP for all the cribbing and has shown bravely the making of the action sequences. He draws a line between commercialism and realism and heroism and what else? Another area in which the audience patience was tested to the core is a dialogue conversation between Vikram and Shriya at his office. There would be a Q & A session between them that has seriously tested the audience to the core. What comes next to the scene is something extra ordinary. Fine, the director knew that the running length of the movie is big but still adamant because of his path breaking suspense spoilers at regular intervals. But the director really forgot that the normal interval for a movie should come in 90 mins. Adding to that, the master himself has casted in the movie in one of the important role when the movie was showing dull. He comes for a short span of time but makes us speak for hours.

To be honest, with a producer like Dhanu who is ready to spend money with no hesitation, I think Susi Ganesan failed to capitalize and misused his role in the movie.

Verdict : Spend the money for the needy instead of buying for this movie (Message of the movie)

Cheran's Pokkisham

2009-08-19T08:15:00.001+01:00

It's been really a very long time since I wrote a review for Tamil movies. Recently I got a chance to watch the movie 'Pokkisham'. I actually saw the movie the second day of the release and I have already witnessed 90% negative reviews about the movie. Amidst all these, I wanted to watch the movie badly and I finally managed to.

'Pokkisham' (Treasure) is about a love story set in the 70s and the lovers exchanged love letters and that is ultimately considered as the Pokkisham in the end. Having said about the plot, I would need to stress on the significance of these letters and the way it was portrayed on screen by the director-actor Cheran. As I said, since it was about the love story in 70s, writing letters to your relatives or friend was habitual those days and it was practised as a routine activity. If you recollect the past, we would know how we or our parents would have reacted to those letters. Well, if it's an ordinary routine letter from your relative, it's different, if it's a love letter, shouldn't that be something special? Yes, that's how the writer moves the play thoughout the first half. The lead pair, Cheran and Padmapriya belonging to different caste, meet each other as strangers helping each other's family on an incident becomes close to each other and love blossoms.

I feel, the exchange of love letters and the way it's portrayed is the best part in the movie. Though it's repetitive, you must understand the feeling of it to enjoy it. Cheran, eagerness, anticipation, enquiries for a letter that he expects to come projects him as a better actor from what he was doing in his earlier movies. These scenes were neatly shot and it has come in much more realistic way. In modern days, it's like sending a SMS to your lover and eagerly waiting for a reply SMS from the receiver within which you would have went to the Sent Messages to check if the message has been successfully delivered to the correct receipient and in turn sending the message again to re confirm. Those feelings have been portrayed in a much more realistic way with the type of facilities available during that period. This includes telegram, trunck dialling, letters, following up with the post man and post office, etc.,

Another stunning thing about the first half, in fact throughout the movie is the Art Direction. I actually missed the start and end credits of the movie as I went late to the show and I was keen to know the man behind the Art Direction. Vairabalan, call him for any period movies, he can rewind the classics. If it's just 70's in Chennai, yes it's possible, if it's just 70's in Tamil Nadu, yes, it's still possible. Here we have Tamil Nadu and Calcutta, Vairabalan must have said it's quite easy to rewind there. I was stunned how he must have brought back those trams, even it's still being used in Kolkatta, the design during that time was something extra ordinary reflection. I noticed quite a few and I was surprised that it was very keenly observed and carefully deployed. The tamil script during that age is different from what's being used now. If you notice the hoarding and name board in the hospital scenes, you can catch the script used there. Even in buses. The moped used by Cheran, the vehicles parked outside the hospital, the police men costume, the calendar being used, the tamil magazines used. This man deserves some special attention in this movie and he should be given good credits for his hardwork.

Rajesh Yadav, the man behind the camera has done a neat job to make the design gets projected without any disturbances. It's quite difficult to shoot a period film and that too when the art department has done a perfect job. One must carefully shoot and understand what to shoot and what not to. Well, the cinematographer has done his job to the perfection. Nagoor has been beautifully shot with the sea shores and a few low angle shots in the second half when Cheran desperately searches for Padma Priya has been shot good. Also he has used stand still photography during the hospital scenes which I felt quite good and different.

Performances pack has shown considerable amount of improvement from almost all the cast. Though Cheran sometimes makes us feel bored with a few emotional dialogues, I guess the realistic portrayal has been done neatly by him. I would definitely say he has improved a lot as an actor and more to come and way to go. Padmapriya has done just enough for her role, but it gives me a feel that just for the caste that she belongs to in the movie, she was casted the role. She resembles a typical Nagoor Muslim girl. She has carefully concentrated on the behaviour of a Muslim and she has done that well. Of course her make up during the climax was something one must not think about it. Vijayakumar, as Cheran's father, has also done justice for the casting and he was able to replicate a father that too during 70s. Ilavarasu comes as Cheran's neighbout at Kolkatta and has done a remarkable job.

Coming to the negative part of the movie, the music and the BGM. The background score is such a vital element in such an experimental movie, but this area is a major let down from the Deva Brothers Sabesh-Murali. Irrelavant bgms and disturbing bgms was annoying thoughout the movie. In some scenes, the BGM was so annoying that the main dialogues weren't clear and I had to ask the person sitting next to me. Songs were another major let down because it increases the running length of the movie and it's was pleasant either except a few. Only song that I can remember is 'Nila Nee Vaanam' and that was good for the lyrics.

Cheran as a writer-director, excels in this movie. One should need courage to take such an experimental movie and period based movie portraying love. More importantly, after a knock out attempt, he has taken such a movie which is a brave attempt. Well, the writer failed to keep the pace of the play in the second half thought he has cut the major portion of the story which if included would have taken another 5 feet reel. First half was poetic and colourful with the exchange of letters and second half was quite dragging with songs and some unnecassary scenes.

Cheran has inspired the ONE LINER from the Korean Romantic movie 'Classic' but he could/should have followed at least the important cast framework of 'Classic'. If it has been utilized in 'Pokkisham' it would have been even more interesting and who knows, he could have even managed to create suspence that would have made the audience to sit a little longer till the climax.

Verdict : Watch it

Naan Kadavul - Aham Brahmaasmi

2009-02-06T10:21:00.001Z

I ain't eligible enough to review this master piece, but as a fan, as a lover of good cinema, I would like to thank Bala for giving this wonderful movie. Just sharing a few of my thoughts about the movie. I will defintely come back with a thesis about the movie after watching more number of times.

I am not gonna talk about the story, as I feel even that will spoil the curiousity of the viewers who haven't seen the movie. Honestly speaking, the movie took three years to release. But the active days involved in the shooting is not all the three years, but it would certainly be a year or so. This proves the amount hard work and home work and research involved in the movie. The only man behind the scene is none other than the great Bala.

Who on earth could make the physically and mentally challenged people to ACT? Who on earth could make the same people to dubb their own voice? HATS OFF is just two simple words to describe the talent and homework he has done. Imagine how he could have caught those physically challenged people from different cities. Ah! man, this thought itself makes me to ask for the director's cut.

He not only describes the lives of the forced beggers, but also exposes their inner character in the form of dark humour. Even though they were forced to beg, they live united teasing amongst themselves. One should witness the dialogue rendered by the beggers especially those sarcastic ones. They keep their knowledge about the news updated. Quite strange, but listening knowledge.

Aarya's pain. Though he doesn't have much screen presence when compared to other cast, he has done a fabulous job. It's again purely because of the mentor who could get what he wanted from Aarya. No doubt the amount of hard work and pain that he has to undergo in order to practise and live like an Aghori. The voice modulation with an arrogance amplitude modulation. The way he inhales dope, chew pan, practise aasanas, fearsome look, brave walk....what not?

Pooja occupying more screen presence is a welcome change and hardly very few directors does this. A few areas of hers could have been cleverly done, but other than that she completely gave us a treat. Special mention to the scene where the Villian beats her and the climax. One should also know that she dubbed her own voice but she could have also sung the songs in the scenes. I predict she could fetch a few laurels to her name.

Editing was not perfect in the movie. Wonder if we need to blame the Censor board or is it because of poor editing? I had to partially accept the fact that the movie has various jump in editing, but later I had to convince that the jump was present in each reel. Probably a different technique being used. But this has affected the continuity of the movie in some places.

Censor is another major contributor in this movie. This guy has earned a bunch full of abuses from most of the audience for each and every censor sound in the movie. Many scenes were trimmed or joined. Had given an 'A' certificate and included those scenes, I would have been even more happier as the movie length would have increased by 15-20 mins.

I was not happy with Arthur Wilson being the cinematographer before watching the movie. I expected Thiru or Rathnavelu to be a part of this master piece. But the first scene showing the banks of Ganges, WITH NO COLOR correction, no light effect and no CG, he has given a natural feeling. If he had given a color correction, I am sure the scenes shot at Kasi would have no meaning. Don't whose idea it was, but it was just a great and clever thought and sensible camera work. Even the dark godown where the beggers were dumped, had a slight light effect which no one could predict it as artificial. The bird eye shot of the Village and the Villian's begger dump area was catchy.

Art direction is yet another area where immense care has been taken to portray the real nature of the place. The temple stair path was amazingly a strange and real feel with the shops and also the waste papers and used bottles and 'Dhonnai' loitered in the path way. I am not sure, if they have shown the real people in Kasi or have they erected sets? But Art direction needs a special credit.

Dialogues were amazingly unique, hard hitting in a few instances, controversial, sarcastic, humourous, powerful. As I mentioned earlier, the dialogues rendered by the beggers were ultimate. Aarya had a few controversial and hard hitting dialogues. They should have also followed the exact rudras and the mantras.

Bala, without Ilayaraja is an incomplete man. I am angry on Bala, that he should have used 'Maadha Un Kovil' song in a demanding scene, which was replaced by some other known earlier track and made the scene to look artificial. But still, his Ramana Maalai could easily move any person. A perfect apt song for the situation and a perfect choice from his Ramana Malai. Madhu Balakrishnan's voice added more energy to the song. The opening song was a perfect for the role he portrayed. I can see lot of heroism in that song, especially for the intro aaasana posture. And the most important part, BGM. As usual, HE rocked the movie. Interestingly, silence was chosen as the BGM and a double base or Sangu or Udukkai to get a goosebump effect among the audience. The climax left me dumbstruck as I was wiping my hands for 15 mins to avoid goosebump.

Last but not least. The man behind all of them, Bala, the dumb guy(with respect) who makes his audience dumb. Creators of tamil cinema, please learn to direct a movie from this GENIUS.

Verdict : Defintely, brilliant movie from the Macho Man Bala!

Villu - A special Review

2009-01-14T07:49:00.001Z

Sir, padam eppadi?????
Adhukulla climax ketta eppadi?? Have you seen the movie???
No sir, waiting in the queue to get the tickets.
Hmmm, ask someone to stand behalf of you and come out for a fag.
Sure sir, idho varean...
Hmmm, rendu Wills Kodupppa....
Apparam padam paaka poriyaa??
Sir, tell me, how is the movie??
I already told you, you can't ask the climax in the beginning itself...
Okay sir...so tell me, did it meet the expectations?
Hmmm, initially yes, when the first half ends, it was kinda of met the expectation.
Hmmm, super sir, so how are the songs in the movie? Are they picturized well??
Opening song is ok, nothing great, PD comes in that song as he did in Pokkiri..
Yes yes sir....
Hmmm, Daddy Mummy song was brilliantly choreographed and also nice shot.
Kalakkal Sir...Ilathalapathy na dance kekkave vendaam
Wait..wait.....but apart from that, no other songs were good, neither the choreography wasn't that great, it was ordinary.
Enna sir ippadi solliteenga?
Dance seri illenu sonnadhukku ippadinaaa ...
Ok sir...how are the fights?
Did they advertise this as a BOND movie???
Yes sir, eppadi sir, was he good and stylish like a bond?
Hmmmm, I have seen many bond movies, infact the recent ones as well, probably I guess a BOND movie should be shot in much more professional way.
Puriyale sir??? ....
Unbelievable stunts, impossible stunts, illogical stunts, etc stunts wont be there in a BOND movie...
Adhuvum pochaaa???
Camera, editing laam eppadi sir???
Enna thambi film course padikkava pora...anyhow, onnum perusa solra alavukku illa....
Comedy eppadi sir? Vadivelu kalakitaara?
Here there is big competion between Vadivelu and Vijay in the first half. Both have entertained the audience well with a mixture of sensible comedies along with Nayanthara's decent exposure comedies. Perhaps, Vijay is going back to the olden days romantic comedies in a much more stylish way.
Iyyaaayo....
But the comedy is good, enna vidaaaaaama comedy panna, pant-a soriyamaata???
Hmmm correct sir...
How is the screenplay??? Was it fast and racy?
Best adapted screenplay I should say.....
Pochaaaaaaa .... Vijay screen presence eppadi sir???
No much talks, only action, see him in action. He has attempted to romantic roles but it did not come out well.
What about Nayanthara sir???
Hmmmm, .....
Sir, double action-u kelvi patteane sir???? Unmayaa vaaa?
@^%#@%#!@^&^*&^$(%$*&%$^#^%#*()@**%)$#_@_@(&*!*&~&~*#()(#)$&#$^@#
Dai machaan, queueva vittu veliya da, Naan TASMAC la wait panrean....

Verdict : A poor start for this year...

Vaaranam Aayiram - Narrative masterpiece

2008-12-03T07:44:00.001Z

Very late review in deed, but I waited and watched as many number of time. I can also take the honour of watching this movie the uncut version before the release. Vaaranam Aayiram is a biopic, where it makes a son to refresh the life when his father passed away.

Surya, plays the role of the son as well as the father. I should say, he has done his job fair enough except for the father role, where he did not make it 100%. But the transition from a student of +2 to an army Major was given or shown picture perfect. If you notice the school student Surya, you can probably get an attention to his moustache. Normally at our school, we are left with a thin moustache (poonai mudi). And the instances, where he fights back with the fellow class mate for the girl and getting beatings from him is just a refreshing memorable experience.
Transition from a school boy to a college guy is also shown in a realistic way. A special thanks to the cinematographer Rathnavelu, who has shown Surya with a cool look especially at US. Even in songs, he had made sure that he is a guitarist where he swings his hand often.

Now the depressed Surya, who gets addicted to drug. You should perhaps notice, he has not only portrayed with unshaven face and long hair, but also built some extra pounds and looks a bit bulk. And now the change in his life after saving a kid, where he won the bravery award, which motivated him to join the Army. Again, the transition from a drug addict to an army major.

The same transition starting from a married life to the old life is what portrayed by the father surya. But I would say, it's not as good as what the son had performed. Even the scope of acting and the depth in the character is very minimal. But it's certainly not a bad attempt though, should be appreciated for doing such roles at this age.

Talking about the female cast, Simran has given a performance to her capability. She is no longer fit to be shown as a heroine. I am not at all happy with the way she was shown in Mun Dhinam Paarthaena Song, she was looking very bad and aged woman [:(]. But her performance as an aged woman was appreciable though not a great one. Sameera was catchy and clean, whereas Ramya was as usual hot and humid[;)].
Harris has always been an important contributor to Gautham's movies. VA is no exception. Chartbuster songs. A great picturisation of Adiye Kolludhey, though I am not happy with Sruthi Haasan singing for Sameera, which makes me feel that she is lip singing. Another neat picturisation is the depressed gana number, Anjala song, which had a good choreography striking balance to the lyrics. Last, Anal Mela is actually speaking, a very good melody, but spoiled because of the time the movie ran and the time that the song came. But the BGM is not that great in this movie. Most often, the duet or fav numbers were been used for the BGM both tragedy and happy moments. BGM is something variation in the tempo of the songs used in the movie.
Rathnavelu, the man. Amazing piece of work. Be it the opening cloudy scene of Surya intro in the helipad or the US with just enough space to reveal the purpose or the POVs, he has just excelled. Notice the POVs in the movie. It's just the amazing part in the movie as the narration goes. And if you notice, POVs are meant only for the son Surya as he is the one who is narrating the story. Of course, not all narration part has POVs, only those sequential cuts from the present to the past has the POVs, which indicates the narration. And POVs in this movie is even more powerful as the camera shakes or responds. This can been seen in scenes where Simran pats Surya's head when he returns to India or when Simran keeps Viboothi and blows off the excess from his face.

Now comes the direction piece. Movie is dull, movie is slow, movie is boring in the second half???? I wonder how can one expect a biography to be fast and racy? It's quite obvious that the movie will be slow and dull since it's being a biopic. Why is the transition between each phase of life is so short that it happens swiftly? Again, when the director wants to show the complete life cycle of a man, he cannot focus on each and every phase with a thorough basement or more depth to a particular phase. Frequent usage of english throughtout the movie. I can agree this to an extent, but still, it happens everywhere and most of the family where family members were qualified with some degree. Often, we tend to communicate in english. But still, if it has been reduced to an extent, I believe that it would have reached a few people as well.

A few scenes where he excelled. If you notice the scene where Surya composes a song sitting in his house and his sister comes and asks him from which movie does it come. Surya replies its a brand new composition after 15 years, it's gonna rock the town. If you clearly notice, try to identify what song or rather what's that composition is?

The scene where Surya calls his dad from US to inform that his girl expired, this scene is very natural from both son and the father. When his father is unable to bare, he gives off the phone to his wife, but Surya without knowing that he is speaking to his mom, he still continues to say Daddy. Great piece of direction and performance.

Surya often praises Ilayaraja in this movie then and there, it's quite evident that he is a Raja fan, as he inserts the guitar button in to his jeans tic pocket, you can find Maestro label there. This happens very next to the scene where he sings En Iniya Pon Nilaa Ve song.

Two stages of olden days has been shown in a great contrast. Mundhinam Paarthaena song is in the late 70s and Raja na Raja song is somewhere in the mid 80s-90s, again the transistion to the Madras City is shown perfect.

Verdict : Don't miss it. A great narration makes you rewind your past.

Kanchivaram

2008-11-27T11:48:00.001Z

Plot : A story of a common man caught by the forces of the society he live in and between the conflicting idols and individual dream.

The film is supposed to be based on an true incident happened during the peroid of independance. From the history, it tells us that during the time of independance, weavers at the silk city protested against their work lord to increase their wages and also some welfare for them monetary wise.

Priyadarshan picks this plot and mingles a story of a common man, Vengadam's (Prakash Raj) dream and it's consequence. I do not want to reveal the story anywhere. He dreamt big and how he manages to fulfil his dream and what path he choses and in what situation he overcomes are the key areas where the director proves.

To talk about the Camera, Thiru, has handled camera beautifully. In a few movies which showed the yesteryear, they were brilliant, but this one has become a master piece and benchmark for others. Of course, the art involved in the movie plays a vital role in this section, but you need to appreciate the lights handled by Thiru. He gave us a fresh and appealing 40s. Be it the rainy travel in the bus or the rich landlord's house or the city temple or the regular streets and the houses. Thiru should get an internation accolade for this brilliance.

Music and the BGM is simply apt and remarkable and perfect for the movie. When Thamarai, Prakash Raj's daughter is born, during the usual rituals, there will be a song and the same song will be tuned different for the climax which gets us goosebump. BGM too is outstanding for the movie. It had a meaning for the situation where it was used.

Art is another brilliant factor in the movie. They have concentrated heavily not to make even a single mistake with respect to the 40s style. I should say they have WON.

Priyadarshan, the man behind all the work, has done a remarkable job. The pace he takes us throughout the movie is excellent. Excellent continuty to the script. A special mention needed for the dialogues and the slang. Some noteworthy slang which is quite typical in those days are
ethana naal pa vidupu (holiday)
pattalam(military) vendaamya

Prakash raj's acting needs not explanation. After Iruvar, I just had a feeling that he has acted after Iruvar. Amazing man. Especially in scenes where he tries to convince his co workers to satisfy his greed and climax needs a special mention. I can even take a bet, the climax will make you feel the lump on the throat.
I REQUEST MEMBERS NOT TO REVEAL THE SCREENPLAY OF THE CLIMAX
Of course, other cast, Sherya Reddy, Thamarai and others have done their job neatly.

I am just waiting for the movie to release.

Verdict : Good things happens at right time, Kanchivaram is too late. A MUST WATCH for cinema lovers.

Sakkarakatti - A Terrific Masterpiece

2008-09-27T07:49:00.000+01:00

Please be patient enough to read the entire review.
From the makers of Kakka Kakka, Aalavandhan, Punnagai Poove. Here comes one of the greatest movie ever made in the history of Tamil Cinema, oops, in the history of World Cinema. For those who have seen this movie, ALL I ASK IS ONE QUESTION. WHAT THE HELL IS THE STORY? Or does something like that exist in this movie. I should refrain using the term movie to address Sakkarakatti, but alas! I have left with no other synonym.
Alright, on a serious note. Let me begin my review with serious apology whose critics were bad namely, Ajith's Aalwar, Vijay's Udhaya, Rajini's Baba, Kamal's Mumbai Express, Vikram's Vinnukum Mannukum, Surya's Sri, Madhavan's Ennavale, Jayam Ravi's Idhaya Thirudan, Vishal's Sathyam, Dhanush's Dreams, Simbhu's Alai and last but not the least JKR's Kaanal Neer. These above mentioned movies are rocker and stunner.
I seriously had a nice intention that the movie will be good after watching the credits and initial sequences. But as soon as the initial childhood scenes started to stretch, started an itching sensation. Apparantly I noticed the credits stating Graphics Producer as Soundarya Rajnikanth. She has almost lived as an additional character in the movie. She is certainly THE woman who can make Hollywood to peep into our movies. The initial song, was good to listen and was comical throughout with comical scenes. Agreed, may be because of children song, it's ok with the graphics part bringing Alauddin. Then the story, oops, then it moves to the younger current generation.
Hero - Love at first sight
Heroine - Love at 18th sight
As usual some remarkable coincidence ignites love between the couple. At this juncture, if we dont have a duet, arent we committing a crime? [:O] Chinnama Chillakkama sollu sollu sollu comes on the way [:d]. Ocher Studios has tried to prove that Indian cinema, especially Tamil Cinema can compete to any Special effects movie in the world. In order to prove that, Ocher studios has taken a tour and demonstrated us the art of CG. In just one song, we have overcome, Mummy, Vanheilsing, Matrix CGs. Believe me, she received a standing ovation for her CG. Then comes the twist in the tale. Another heroine is being introduces as the hero relative.
Director has left the audience no clue to judge or predict what could be the next move. No one can predict that the second heroine Vedhika will fall in love with the hero. Great great direction and ultra unpredictable screenplay. One should also note that in between these romantic sequences, there is a parallel comedy track running beside which has turned out to be year's best comedy liner.
NOW, this is the place where the director excels or differentiate from the other great directors. INTERMISSION. I guess this is first time in Indian Cinema. It shows the director is trying to connect Tamil Cinema with Hollywood Cinema. And any guess for the director's education. He did his course in Film Direction in the USA. Do you guys remember the famous one liner [b]"MA MA Philosophy Philosophy"[/b]. This one liner will be apt for the movie. And you need to note that the audience has witnessed just two songs in the first half. Still 4 rocking visuals are pending. As soon as the play starts, Marudhaani...Marudhaani...again Soundarya rajnikanth scores here too. She wanted everyone in the world to show what a CG should actually look like and how important it is to have CG which is very much coincide and correlate to the movie. Man! TC is gifted to have such a tremendous technician.
Now what? Hero and the heroine get united after a small misunderstanding because of the second heroine. Now again they will split. We were literally expecting another interval. But again the director failed that audience cannot predict his movie. MA Philosophy. Now another twist is that, they again unite, but with the second heroine, Vedhika. WOW, shouldnt we expect another CG. This is the only time where the audience were able to predict the movie. And likewise, Soundarya is proving that we are the best in CG with each and every song given to her. In this song, Miss You da, she has taken everyone to New York City Night Effects, with her splendid CG. I seriously has to watch Matrix again to check if that movie can be compared anywhere closer to Sakkarakatti CG. Quite a tough task indeed.
After this song, again they seperate because of another misunderstanding. How many interval expectation? [:o]. This time the hero plans to let Vedhika to go and speak his lover. Hence he plans to goto Vedhika's house. Just look at the scene carefully, it's night, dark, he silently jumps the wall and enters her garden, hurdle over a few obstacle in a more cunning way and FINALLY PRESSES THE CALLING BELL. Another standing ovation. When Vedhika opens the door, she expresses her love in her eyes and falls over him. Suddenly Helicopters flying high, reporters swarming her house. Everyone in the theatre in a moment thought if someother movie is being played. There stands our director, who made the scene as the hero's Dream. MA Philosophy. A few people literally fell down. Do we call this as ROTFL [:o]?
And the much awaited song of the century, Taxi Taxi...taxi taxi arrives with a heated meter. The only song where Ocher has less work to spoil this as well. But good (only good thing) that this song has shaped visually well. But we did not get a once more for this song[:(]. After which I couldnt watch the movie till the climax as audience started to scream as they were disappointed because they did not play once more for the Taxi song. Hence, in the violent atmosphere, we hardly hear anything, and decided to walk out of the theatre. I am still in deep sorrow as I was unable to watch the climax where there could have been another twist. [:(][:(][:(]
Verdict : Kalaa Prabhu (Director) has proved he is apt for the one liner, M.A Philosophy
Evaanuchum indha padatha paartheenga na, avangalukku sila vachitaarean.

SA RO JA 2:10:04 AM

2008-09-07T10:10:00.001+01:00

2:11:06 AM
PLOT : Four pals are on their way to watch a cricket match, but due to a road accident, they take another route to the venue and get stuck in an extra ordinary situation of a kidnap case.
2:13:43 AM
After giving a genuine film with a mixture of humour, romance and friendship, Venkat Prabhu has come up with a thriller. But more than a thriller, he has added slapstick comedy which I have witnessed the best so far. A risky attempt which turned out to have a great response.
2:18:22 AM
Technically I would rate the movie in a lower grade. Ameteurish at times with editing in the first half where the continuity lags. Switch over scenes were too much and the tool top message was a bit confusing the audience informing about the today, yesterday and the day before. The director could have avoided those confusing tool tip. It just diverts the attention. But the time tool tip was remarkable one and it reminds us a typical suspense thriller.
2:24:10 AM
Cinematography was better in songs and good in scenes. Special mention to Dosth Bada Dosth, which was picturised well and moreover, the same cartoonish camera was handled even in this song just like Chennai 28. It was attractive for the viewers. Entire second half was made so realistic that the complete half was shot dark. We can agree that it's kind of portray a realistic effect, but certain scenes makes us search what happened to who or who said to whom[:o]
2:32:19 AM
Music is apt for the movie and so as BGM. More than that the creativity of the director in this area is just mind blowing. He did the same in Chennai 28 especially in the scene where they lose their bat in the bet match, where Aboorva Sagodharagal theme music will be used or the Pottu Vaitha Malligai Mottu theme. Similarly Aayiram Thaamarai Mottukkale and few others golden hits used in this movie are just creativity at its best and its a laugh riot. As mentioned earlier, Dosth Bada Dosth is picturised well. Other songs weren't worth mentioning. I missed the item number from Nikitha [:(]
2:38:55 AM
Screenplay is pretty dull in the first half. As I said, the switch over sequences were quite annoying in the first and later the audiences were in the same page which the director intended to convey. I personally did not like the climax and it was tamilish feel, probably it could have been done better and moreover, it was much predicatable to me. Direction was fantastic and a special kudos to the director for experimenting slapstick comedy in a thriller and more importantly in a most serious scene. Great job and worthy risk.
2:47:54 AM
Each and everyone has done their role to their best. A tribute is given to the Chennai 28 cast and also the JODI NO:1 cast in a song, which was similar to OSO. Main leads, Shiva, SPB Charan, Vaibhav and Prem Ji were brilliant to the core. You cant separate them individually to praise them, they have done a neat job in carrying the expectation. Prakash Raj, Jayaram, Sampath and others also did their role to their fullest. I personally feel Jayaram was kinda childish acting towards the climax.
3:00:01 AM
Verdict : A must watch for a perfect entertainer.

P.S. : Later I came to know that it was a DvD Rip from the hollywood movie 'Judgement Day'. It's the slapstick comedy been added to taste the Indian audience and a few changes to the screenplay. Venkat prabhu, I hope I don't see him in TIC TAC DVD shop again :-P

Nayagan - The REAL HERO

2008-08-24T07:58:00.000+01:00

How many cop stories have you guys witnessed over the past two decades? Be it MGR's Ragasiya Police 100, Sivaji Ganesan's Thanga Padhakkam, Rajni's Moodru Mugam, Kamal's Vettayadu Viladu, Captain's movies, Vikram's Saami or Surya's Kakka Kakka. All the efforts and money put in these movies went in vain [:(] The MAN has arrived and has given us a benchmark COP story movie which has vanished the all time greatest cop story movies ever produced.

PLOT : A family is kidnapped and two persons try to save the family from the kidnappers.

Can you imagine how can a movie be made with this simple plot? The director has given us a racy entertainer. The movie begins with BANG. A covered cop fighting against goondas, later his face was revealed. Entire arena were astonished to their MAN, such an electrifying power he has got, where he can pull any big crowd with his look. Is this what we call SCREEN PRESENCE??? Later a couple elops from a marriage and decides to get married, where the guy ( Ramana ) receives a call from Sangeetha, who has been kidnapped. Initially he refuses to help her, but later she somehow convinces him to help her, so he decides to goto the police station to meet the INSPECTOR.

Yes, Yes, Yes. I searched my entire database to refer to any movie released world wide, if it has got such a MASS scene. When INSPECTOR was shown, OUR MAN, JKR, he actually sits on a guy, and guess what, he makes the guy to be a OONJAL and he sits on him and delivers a punch. Oh man, I felt the mass. But I person who has dubbed for the Superstar has done his job perfect. The voice matches his caliber and could maintain his professionalism. So, our inspector listens to Sangeetha, but was in serious confusion whether to believe it or not.

So the movies get going with scenes between Ramana and his girl friend and conversation with Sangeetha over the phone to help her. They meet various obstacles by various intruders, but they could able to manage whomsoever comes in their path. But these scenes were really annoying as the SCREEN PRESENCE NAYAGAN is not shown. The mass fans were eagerly waiting for this scenes, where he does something or the other to tighten the seat belts. All of a sudden, JKR's dad, shows JKR a snap. Check out this conversation. "Indha photo va paarupa, annikku nee edhukku vendaammnu sonnenna theriyala, aana inniku nee oru periya Inspector, ippa vaadhu sollupa". See how he makes the spectators so curious. Spectators went mad to see the photo, later it was a snap of a girl. And could you guys guess what did our MASS man replied. He just kept quiet and gave us a cute, heart throbing smile. A dream sequence song.

I can take an open bet, never ever in the Indian, why World Cinema history, such a fast number song has come for a duet sequence. And the dance, Oh man, Micheal Jackson will feel jealous. Ultra sexy costumes,perfection to the core in the steps, class steps, brilliant turn, hi fi smile, Eco Chemistry, Sensational Music and apt innovative lyrics. I seriously don't really remember after which scene the interval came. It was such a racy pack entertainer.

The way he riddles the clue has been handed well by the Super Hero. Especially the scenes where he suspects the Doctor Sandhya. He sends a few people asking for the doctor to help a patient, where the duplicate doctor has to succumb to Guru (JKR) intelligence behind the scene. Such a crime thrilling ride. The main highlight of the movie is the climax, which if revealed, will be the greatest mistake I have ever done. So, I am not going to reveal the climax, but just a scene, where he shoots the Villian. Can Matrix people come near to the Encounter Specialist GURU? He triggers the bullet, when he is flying (jumping) upside down and more importantly villian is behind him, so he has to bend and shoot him. And these cheap stunts are a Cake walk for the Master blaster, he triggers, such that the bullet, passes to the glasses of the aquarium, rubs the shoulder of the other hero (Ramana) and at last lands in the chest of the villian. After watching this breath taking stunt (for us), almost everyone inside the arena are dumbstruck. I am sure this man can do any number of action packed chasing adventures. Once everything is over, the reporters thronged the place to ask questions to the Encounter Specialist, where one of the question is " Eppovume police latea dhaana varuvaanga, neenga mattum eppadi sir?", JKR's response, [;)] watch the movie.

Verdict : A perfect racy entertainer. A MEGA mass film for JKR fans across the globe.

Subramaniyapuram

2008-07-05T18:57:00.001+01:00

Yet another Henchmen story, but promising. The plot resembles Pattiyal and glimpses of Paruthiveeran. But the director has done a fantastic job in the making. Amazing visual sense and natural look.

The movie starts with a murder with dark light and hidden faces and then shifts to 1980s. I bet if someone can ever find a fault or bloopers proving it's not 1980. Stunning job from the debutant Art Director Rembon. Be it the look with groovy hair style, the beard style, the houses at 80s, the radio talking about MG Ramachandran, the buses, the cycle rickshaws, the auto, the currency notes, the talkies. What not? I couldn't find a slightest resemblance of the current year. But, the style of light effects, the way the camera was handled and the street houses reminds me of a few Iranian movie formula making. But nothing wrong.

Talking about the performances in the movie, Jai, Sasikumar, Kanja Karuppu, the disabled friends, Ex Counsellor & Co, etc, satisfied the audience. The leads, Jai, Sasi Kumar and Kanja Karuppu all were treated equally. They did their job 101%. The heroine is cute and homely, a typical 80s girl. Though often their love exchange in the beginning were only by exchanging the looks, Ilayaraja's tune made it look pleasant.
Kadhir has done a great job in handling the camera. It's basically people's eye photography, often used in many Iranian and Spanish movies. The chasing scenes is where you can find his incredible work. Pleasant to watch.

Music by James Vasanthan, I came to know it's James Vasanthan only after the title display. We just missed one good music director. Kangal Thirandhal made to humm the song. Well BGM, was adaptable for the movie. Actually there is very less BGM and often silence is wonderfully utilized as a BGM. Appreciable and pleasant to hear.

Editing is neat and smooth. The connectivity was evidently handled and no mistakes paving way for the critics to blame the art director.
Coming to the most commendable credits, Story, Screenplay, Dialogue and Direction, Sasi Kumar. This guy has got a bright future. The dialogues were noteworthy. Especially when the leads were asked why they murdered a big shot, the leads respond, "Pazhakathukkaaga", amazing thought and style. I also liked the characters names, connecting the typical names in Madurai. Mentioning all these technical aspects, the direction speaks itself.
But the movie was certified "A". Agree, for a few violence involved scenes, it creates a group viewers to watch the movie. A few scenes were really fearsome to watch.
I dont worry whether this movie will become a HIT, or do a good show at BO. If you are a tamil cinema fan, watching this movie is worth your penny.

Verdict : Must Watch!

Ayudham Seivom - For Peace

2008-06-28T10:12:00.000+01:00

Yet another story preaching Ahimsa. Sundar C following the same trend after the success of Thalainagaram, Veerappu and Sandai. Same get up, same character...WTF? Can he change?
Plot was already given. I am not gonna touch that. Moving to the characters Anjali, the Tamil MA fame, god damn, why did she start to expose. She aint looking good though! But she got a super dad. No match for the character The director has to seriously concentrate on this--
Vivek - Ultra duper Traffic Police, often director makes us remember that he is a police. He just keep irritating man. I lost the taste with his humour.
Other charactes include Napolean, Nazar, Manivannan...etc., They did for they paid for. No big surprise.
Music : Ok Ok kinda music, nothing great or better even. But the song sequences were irritating esp the duet numbers. Thanks to the director he didnt put a duet in the climax.
The plot was good, but you need seriousation with supporting incidents to stress or promote the plot.
Hero and others quickly changes to Ahimsa. The director seriously worked the climax to stun the audience, just like Pudhiya Geethai and Tamizhan but quite surprisingly EVERYONE (21) in the theatre were laughing.

Verdict : Ayudham Seivom....Inimelaavadhu Nalla Padam Seivom