Friday, February 1, 2013
Men are all monkeys with a tail in the front
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Three is one and half
The strange, keep guessing title, THREE, didn't even alarm me what to guess about the tile even after watching the movie. Read some news or others view on the title depicting the three icons of Tamil Cinema industry, namely, Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan and Kasthoori Raja. Oh yes, the last name is Kasthoori Raja. Forget about the title, it won't allow you to draw any comparison to the movie either. If someone says, it depicts three phases of one's life; I must ask the person to name the three phases. So, let's not worry about the title unless it's renamed as 3 Idiots, it doesn't make any sense to me.
Before I start, tearing the movie, I wanted to alert the readers, there will definitely be some spoiler alert in my review, so, if you desperately wanted to watch the movie, better go to the verdict and decide or continue reading. To keep the story in two liner, the movie is about a guy called Ram (Dhanush), who suffers from a weird disease called Bipolar disorder and the tale is been explained as a narrative flashback throughout the movie. And there are three important characters in the movie namely Ram, Janani (Shruthi) and Senthil, so another comparison for the title is on the list.
Whatever that is done very well in the first half has been crafted exactly opposite in the second half. It has started becoming so hard to find patience to sit through the movie when the frame moves on. There are various contributors to the second half which can easily make one leave the theatre or close your VLC player.
- Shruthi Hassan - OK, I have to repeat the same what I said in my review for 7aum arivu. Agreed that you are trying to be odd man out amongst the Tamil cinema heroines by dubbing yourselves, but think! Imagine what happened to a movie called 'Vigneshwar' when Kushbu attempted to dub for her. Imagine what happened to Devayani when she attempted to dub for her in 'Vinnukkum Mannukkum'. Please, for Kamal sake! It's not about the voice; it's about the clarity in speech and the fluency in Tamil. There are awesome dubbing artists in Tamil cinema industry and don't ruin them by ruining us.
- Aishwarya Dhanush - Firstly, this is a debut movie! You can do wonders with having a nice first half and it could have been taken with some other subject being dealt instead of this weird portrayal. What are you trying here? Do you want to showcase your husband's talent in acting? Madam, he has already done a lot with such similar character. And the rib tickling part of the movie is the climax message stating suicide is not the solution for blah blah...come on!
- Predictable, repeatitive, irritating dialogues - 'Machi hospital-a admit aagidalaam da', 'appa naan unga kitta pesanam, life matter pa'. The occurances of these two dialogues in the latter half of the movie can be even predicted by your child if they have managed to sit through the movie.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Neeya Naana - Episode April 1st (Vijay TV)
Scene podradhu yaaru? Boys or Girls
Monday, March 26, 2012
Lollu Sabha - Season 1
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Neeya Naana - Episode March 25th (Vijay TV)
Monday, March 19, 2012
Athu Idhu Edhu - 17th March 2012 - Vijay TV
Neeya Naana - Episode March 18th (Vijay TV)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Nanban - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
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.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Bodhidharma or Vela
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Vaagai Sooda va - A National award winner
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.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Engeyum Eppodhum - Cute always
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Mankatha - Ulle Veliye!!!
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.
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!
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.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
REPENTANCE - Episode IV
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.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Repentance - Episode III
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.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
From Suriya Sivakumar to Suriya to Suriya Jothika
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.
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. Monday, May 30, 2011
Hangover! Proves the theorem of Hollywood’s Sequel Law of movies!
| 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! |
Saturday, May 28, 2011
REPENTANCE - Episode 2
EPISODE III - Will be posted on 03 June 2011













