Category Archives: Comedy

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro – is a Hindi satirical comedy film released in 1983. Two photographers get involved in bringing a construction scam to light in association with a press editor. As they start gathering evidence they realize that the number of people involved in the scam keeps increasing.

The movie is filled with satirical comedy that is relevant even in the present day scenario as well. The screenplay is still enjoyable even though it has been taken in 1983. The cast ensemble is very phenomenal as you would see in the initial credits many of the names have gone a long way to influence Bollywood in their own areas all these years. The highlight of the movie is its climax where in the characters become part of the Mahabharata stage play and it is a ROFL comedy that would be evergreen forever. The movie is known for its ending which you may not see in many of the comedy movies. The movie has become a cult classic and still has many followers. Recently the movie has been digitally remastered and released. You can buy the DVD and watch it and do share your comments with me.

Must Watch – for a brilliant screenplay!

 

Nautanki Saala

Nautanki Saala – is a romantic comedy film released in 2013. The story is based on a French movie Après Vous. Ram is a talented theater artist who has the nature of carrying his theatrical skills into real life to help people. One night he comes across Mandar who is trying to commit suicide. He saves him and takes up the responsibility to rebuild his life. They become friends and the movie is about how their friendship builds, the problem they run into and how they solve it.

I am a fan of Rohan Sippy’s movies like Bluff master, Dum Maaro Dum. Nautanki Saala has many of the ingredients of a Rohan Sippy movie. It has got wonderful sets, great songs and a new canvas for the plot. The concept of the movie is absolutely brilliant where the real life incidents relate to the scenes in the theatrical play of Ramayan. The characters bring real life to reel life and reel life to real life to solve their problems. However the movie misses the usual punch. With cast like Ayushman Khuranna and Kunaal Roy Kapoor coming from Vicky Donor and Delhi Belly respectively you expect a ROFL comedy. However the movie is able to do this only in parts and it slows down during the build up phase. Ayushman’s acting is bit flat as there is no much variation as the characters go through the emotional turmoil. Kunaal Roy Kapoor is a treat to watch he has a done a great job, the scenes involving him are hilarious. The adaptation to Indian scenario could have been done a little bit better with respect to the sets they look a tad bit foreign. Overall this movie definitely has something in it and deserves a one time watch. It is coming up on TV this weekend watch it if you are in a mood for a light romantic comedy.

Wait for DVD/TV – for its Novelty

Thillu Mullu 2

Thillu Mullu 2 – is a remake of the 1981 classic Rajinikant starrer Thillu Mullu. The new one stars Shiva in the lead role, Isha Talwar playing his love interest, Prakash Raj playing the father of Isha Talwar.

It is hard to not keep comparing the remake with its original. If you were to compare it you may not be convinced with the output. If you were to treat this as a movie on its own merits then you would find there are enjoyable parts in the new one as well. The movie turns out to be a slap stick comedy and spoof of original in some parts. This might be because of the casting choice of Shiva playing the lead role and his previous outings. For the script they could have chosen a action hero who hadn’t done much of comedy scripts. Shiva has done a decent job, however he should be careful not getting stereotyped into the role. Prakash Raj and Kovai Sarala has done neat job in their roles. The introduction of Santhanam in the climax was a good improvisation and some good thinking. This is a much better attempt at the remake compared to Bol Bachchan. Overall if you aren’t comparing this with its original and treat the movie on its own merit as a slap stick comedy you would not regret watching it.

Watchable – for fans of slap stick comedy

Neram

Neram – A comedy thriller movie which had been made in Tamil and Malayalam simultaneously. The plot revolves around Vetri who has lost his job just before his sisters wedding. He  borrows money from a goon, who is known for his cruel acts when people fail to repay the dues.  3 months  later he is not able to repay as he has not found a job. His girl friend comes out of her house as her father is planning to get her married to someone else. The goon is after Vetri. His brother in law is asking for the remaining dowry money. Vetri somehow manages to get money from his friend but on the way loses it to a roadside thief. He is at cross roads where he has to get his girl friend, get money to repay the goon and his brother in law all in a matter of few hours. Will he be able to do it is the rest of the story.

Although the plot is simple the handling is very novel and the director Alphonse Putharen has done a very neat job with the narration. The movie starts slowly and builds up pace as it moves forward and engages with the audience. You would see a lot of influence of Tarantino and Guy Ritchie style of narration in parts. The characterization is a big plus for the movie. All of the characters have played their part very well. The director has created a complex knot in the build up phase and he has handled the climax very well to remove the knots in a very dramatic and comical yet convincing fashion. The movie and its narration style are fresh for Tamil and Malayalam audience. New directors coming up with such different scripts is a very welcome change for Indian Cinema. Watch it for its novel treatment.

Watchable

Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2 – A sequel to the Animation Movie Despicable Me released in 2010. Gru former villain turned father of 3 girls is occupied in family life. The Anti Villain League (AVL) organization is in search of a deadliest villain who has stolen a secret laboratory near the Arctic Circle. They convince Gru to help them find the villain. Was Gru able to leave his “happily ever after” family life to take on this adventure? Did he succeed? is the plot of the movie.

At a point of time in the movie I had my doubts if I was already watching Minions the Movie. The first part was about – what would happen if a super bad villain has to turn into a super dad?. The concept was new and the film was very interesting one. Minions, the mini creatures who work for Gru became very popular after the movie. The makers have rightly cashed in the popularity of the minions and rightly they have a significant role to play in this movie. Not only they are part of the main plot but also have helped the story move along acting as fillers. Their acts keep the audience entertained through the movie. This one may not be as good as the first one, but definitely not a bad sequel. It has its hilarious moments throughout the movie. The movie also ends with the teaser for Minions the movie during the credits. If you are a fan of Minions or have a kid who likes minions go for the movie… you will find yourself laughing throughout.

Watchable – for the Minions

 

Ghanchakkar

Ghanchakkar – An expert in opening lockers and stealing money goes into retirement. He is affected by partial memory loss and one of the things he forgets is where he has hidden the money from his last heist.  He has to remember this and find the money as it also has the share of his accomplices.

Ghanchakkar is a slang word commonly used to refer to a dumb person although its literal meaning is to spin fast. The movie is crazy and dumb in parts as its title. If you go in with the expectation of a ROFL comedy you would be disappointed. Ghanchakkar is one such movie which comes once in a while completely whacky in the way it is executed and catches you off guard. . The movie is brilliant in parts particularly the heist sequence and the characters of Emraan Hasmi and Vidya Balan. The pace of the movie is slow, it gives you enough time to savor the humor as you move along. Many of which you might miss as they are subtle. Despite its slow pace the McGuffin  (I had written about this in my Friday Facts) keeps you engaged with the script. The ending is completely unexpected and be ready to be caught off guard… Overall the movie is all about the journey not the ending… Soon you would find two groups of people who would just love the movie or those who simply hate it… If you are open for “not the usual script with song and dance” then Ghanchakkar is watchable…

Watchable – for its difference from the usual!

Theeya Vela Seyyanum Kumaru

Theeya Vela Seyyanum Kumaru – A boy who is not good at impressing girls takes the help of a consultant who is an expert in helping men woo women. Does he succeed in this remains the rest of the plot.

The plot has certain similarities to the Hollywood movie Hitch however director Sundar C has given a very well local adaptation that is enjoyable. In 1996 Sundar C directed a movie Ullathai Alli Thaa, a blockbuster that made people laugh out loud without worrying about any logic. Screen play based on comedy has been the home turf for Sundar C and he is very good at it. In between he shifted to movies centered around action which did not give him the same amount of success and accolades his comedy scripts had given. Glad to have him back on his home turf doing comedy scripts. After Kalakalappu he gives yet another movie that will make you laugh throughout if you are willing to not think too much about any logic around the incidents. The biggest risk had been Siddarth essaying the character of a boy next door as he already has an image of a romantic hero. However pleasantly he had played the role very convincingly. Santhanam is the life line for the script and he lights up the scenes very well. If you are a fan of movies like Ullathai Alli Thaa and Kalakalappu, you would enjoy this one as well. Watch it and have a hearty laugh!

Watchable

Monsters Inc.

Monsters Inc. – A 2001 Animated film from the Pixar. The film is about two monsters Sulley and Mike who work for a company Monsters Inc. The job of the monsters is to scare children at night by using their closet doors as portal. The scream generated from children produces electricity in the Monster city. But they have a weak point, they can cannot come in contact with the children or their belongings as they are toxic for them. The company is not doing great as the children no longer are frightened as they used to be. When they are devising up a plan to overcome this crisis, a child enters the monster world by mistake. Sulley and Mike try to hide the child and return it back to the human world without knowledge of anyone.

The movie plot, although written for children makes it a interesting watch for adults as well. Pixar raised the bar of computer graphics to the next level in this movie. The fur on the monster Sulley was a notable achievement then. The adventures of Mike and Sulley are hilarious and you wish you could take them back home with you. It is a Must Watch and do watch it with your kids, nephews, nieces or the kid in you!

Must Watch

After 12 years Disney Pixar is releasing “Monsters University” a prequel  to this movie.  The plot is again the adventures of Mike and Sulley when they went to college. With the success of the first movie there is a high expectation surrounding its prequel. Hope Disney Pixar is able to recreate the magic. 

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes – is a 1965 British comedy movie. The story is set in the 1910 when  air crafts were evolving. A British newspaper magnate organizes a flying competition from London to Paris with an award sum of 10,000 pounds to prove Britain is number one in the air.

The movie is well made considering it was done in the 1965. It is hilarious and interesting to see all those various kinds of flying machines and their flying crew ensemble which in sort is a representation of the culture of the nation they are representing. British comedy has its own charm, flavor and places its intellectual demands on cherishing the humor. As the title the movie is crazy and is a fun ride through out from start to the finish line.

Must Watch

Thillu Mullu

Thillu Mullu – With the remake of Thillu Mullu to be released in two weeks I thought of writing the review on the original. The original is a 1981 Tamil comedy film which was a remake of Golmaal in Hindi. The plot is about a playful youngster who enacts as a straight forward young man with strong ideology, ambition and family values to impress his boss. However things take a turn when he bunks work on the pretext of a medical emergency to watch a football match and his boss sees him at the stadium. Now to escape from losing his job and his good will he tells his boss that he has a look alike twin brother who is actually a playful youngster and the only difference between him and his brother is his brother does not sport a mustache while he has. The rest of the movie is about how hard he struggles to maintain this lie with his boss.

This is the first full length comedy movie of Rajinikant. Director Balachandar had got the best of out him in this movie. Rajinikant was able to showcase his versatility in acting. The movie itself is a laugh riot right from the beginning till end with some hilarious dialogues written by Visu. You can watch this movie any number of times and still laugh to your heart’s content. If you haven’t watched it, then you should pick a DVD and watch this.

Must Watch

The Gods Must be Crazy – Part II

The Gods Must be Crazy – Part II – Very rarely you see a sequel of a block buster which matches up to the expectation of the previous one. This one definitely meets the expectations and yet again a rib tickler. Xi is having 2 kids who out of their curiosity get on board a travelling water tanker used by elephant poachers. Xi is on a quest to get his kids back. In parallel a zoologist and a lawyer get stuck in the Kalahari desert after a plane crash and are trying to get out. There are also two soldiers fighting against each other stranded on the dessert. All the incidents contribute in making the movie a laugh riot again. Humor takes precedence over satirical messages in the second one. You end up admiring the naive and beautiful life of the native bushman tribe and their deep knowledge of nature… its gift, its perils and how to co-exist with nature without disrupting it.

You can read the review of Part I here

Must Watch

The Gods Must be Crazy – Part I

The Gods Must be Crazy – Part I –  A South African comedy film released in 1980, which revolves around the life of Xi who is part of the Bushman tribe. From the busy materialistic city life where enough is never enough the movie switches over to Kalahari Dessert where the Bushman tribe is happy and content with what they have got and are very thankful to the almighty. Their lives take a turn when a empty coke bottle falls from the sky (from a flying plane). They think this is another boon from God however this brings in envy, jealousy, violence within the tribe which they haven’t experienced before… as there is only one of it. Xi takes on a mission to destroy it by taking it to end of the earth and giving back to the Gods. The movie is about his journey and the kind of incidents he finds himself in through out his journey is rest of the movie. It is one of the hilarious movies I had ever seen and it guarantees ROFL. This is first of the series… There is also a very satirical take on the city life where people live in excess and are still not content with what they have got…. you would start appreciating what nature has given you once you see this movie…

Must Watch – ROFL Guaranteed