Action, Comedy, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Wait for DVD/TV

Pattathu Yaanai

Pattathu Yaanai – is a tamil action comedy movie released in 2013. Five cooks create enmity with a  local rowdy in Karaikudi and move to Trichy to setup their business and lead a peaceful life. But with the turn of events they get entangled into a gang war in the city. How they get out of it and setup a peaceful life is the rest of the story.

The movie has the usual elements that you would have seen in many of the commercial entertainers that cash in on the star value of the lead actor. Boopathy Pandian who is known for his commercial script writing and direction of movies like Devadhaiyai Kanden, Thiruvilayadal Arambam has once again created a script that  is entertaining in most of the parts. At the end of the movie what stands out is its comedy than its action. Once the movie switches into action mode you find that there is nothing new in it. The plot was different and had all ingredients in it to become a good slap stick comedy but fizzles out with its dose of action. Even the characters seem to be confused if they are part of a comedy film or an action film. Vishal has done a decent job, Aiswarya Arjun needs to work on her acting skills, Santhanam has yet again made a movie more enjoyable. Overall the movie is not bad and would make a good watch and make you laugh at various points in time, thanks to Santhanam. It would be a good watch on TV/DVD.

Wait for TV/DVD – for its comedy elements

Comedy, Drama, Genre, Hindi Movies, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

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!

 

Comedy, Genre, Hindi Movies, Rating, Reviews, Romance, Wait for DVD/TV

Nautanki Saala

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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

Action, Can Skip it, Drama, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies

Thalaivaa

Thalaivaa – is a Tamil action drama starring Vijay. The story is about a youngster Vishwa who takes up the role of a local leader and don saving people living in the slum after learning about his father’s past and his assassination.

Director AL Vijay had a powerful story line inspired from movies like God Father, Nayagan and Sarkar (Hindi) which is tailor made for Vijay’s mass value. However the movie’s screenplay is a big let down and goes all over the place. The crux of the story is about Vishwa’s father his values and how his deeds and eventuality leads Vishwa to become an inspirational leader. However more than 90 minutes of the movie does not deal with this which is a huge distraction. Due to this the impact of the characters and the problem they are fighting for doesn’t stay with the audience throughout. You would feel that it is a combination of many of the Vijay’s earlier movies into one. Ardent Vijay fans would enjoy watching this as it has all the necessary ingredients that is present in all Vijay movies and there are few sequences that are done very well, for all others this would be a forgettable movie.

Can skip it – unless you are a Vijay Fan!

English Movies, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Thriller, Worth a Watch

Trance

Trance – is a British thriller film released in 2013. Simon, an art auctioneer steals a painting along with his colleagues. While performing the heist he gets hit and loses his memory as of where he has kept the painting. His accomplice Frank employ a hypnotherapist help to get his memory back. Did they succeed in finding the lost painting is the rest of the plot.

The movie is directed by Danny Boyle. It is a psychological thriller that demands some serious viewing as there are dream sequences and real life time line with time line shifts. Without a serious viewing you might miss out on the plot. The screenplay is engaging right from the beginning. The director has been successful in maintaining the curiosity of the audience right from the word go. As the search for the painting continues there is a complex love triangle evolving between Simon, Elizabeth (the hypnotherapist) and Frank and the plot gets complex and unravels facts that lead to the end of the movie. If you are a fan of psychological thriller then you would love this movie, it is different and the plot is complex yet brilliant. The movie is R rated for its adult content.

Watchable – for all psychological thriller fans and those who love movies with a twist…!

Comedy, Genre, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Worth a Watch

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

Genre, Rating, Reviews, Romance, Tamil Movies, Thriller, Worth a Watch

Maryan

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Maryan – is a tamil thriller movie featuring Dhanush and directed by Bharatbala. The movie is a dramatized version of a real incident where in a man from a fisherman colony owing to financial pressure goes to Sudan to work on a 2 year contract in construction industry. At the end of the tenure he is looking forward to meet the love of his life whom he had to leave when he left for Sudan. In a strange turn of events he is abducted by terrorists in Sudan desert. The rest of the movie is about his attempt to get out of the situation and return home.

This is the first commercial outing for Bharatbala who is known for creating some amazing patriotic videos including the famous Vande mataram with AR Rahman. He has done a decent job by not falling too much into the commercial elements just for the sake of it and let the story travel on its own weight. Dhanush and Parvathi menon should be lauded for their performances and they have tried to stay up to the demands of their characters. A R Rahman’s background score and cinematography by Marc Koninckx has been the highlight of the movie and will stay in your mind even after you leave the hall. The hallucination scene involving cheetah in the desert and the underwater sequences are brilliant visualizations! 20 years back Maniratnam did an adaptation of the mythological story “Satyavan – Savitri” in Roja, he painted the story in the canvas of terrorism in Kashmir. Now Bharatbala has done the same in Maryan and the canvas he has chosen is terrorists in Sudan desert . Overall the attempt is a successful one. The way of story telling might appear to be disconnected as the director doesn’t spend time in stating the obvious and moves on. The other area where he could have done better is during the characterization build up of the lead characters and other supporting cast. Leaving too many things to assumptions might have people disengaged… Overall you can’t skip Maryan for it has lots to offer than its few limitations…!

Watchable – for a different story, brilliant cinematography and apt music!

Biopic, English Movies, Genre, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

Making of Mahatma

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Making of Mahatma –  Independence Day special! Making of Mahatma is an English movie which is a joint Indian South African film released in 1996. The movie starts with the famous train sequence where Mohandas is thrown out of the train as he is not white. The story then travels through the ups and downs of the life of Mohandas and how he transforms himself into a inspiring leader that people address him as Mahatama (the great soul!). The movie ends with his 21 years of tenure in South Africa where he had inspired millions to rise against the British rule leading by example.

The movie is directed by Shyam Benegal, Rajit Kapoor plays the role of Gandhi. As the movie travels through the life of Gandhi it just uplifts one’s spirit and the scene in which Gandhi goes on his first march and people join him as he walks is truly inspirational. Rajit Kapoor has acted very well and he has shown the maturity through the movie as he rises from a common man to a leader. You could see the inspiration from the Richard Attenborough’s 1982 movie Gandhi. This is a must watch for the inspiration it creates.

Must Watch

Comedy, Genre, Malayalam Movies, Rating, Reviews, Tamil Movies, Thriller, Worth a Watch

Neram

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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

Friday Fundas

Friday Fundas: Bullet Time

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Bullet Time: It is a special and visual effect technique in which a row of still cameras are used to capture the scene. They are activated either simultaneously or with a phase lag. Later these frames are digitally assembled together to produce an effect of changing the view point of the audience in an orbit going around the scene. Bullet time is a trademark of Warner Bros. This technique although had been in existence for a long time, it was popularized by the film The Matrix released in 1999. One of the unique points of the film was to show bullet time visuals of the actions happening inside the Matrix. In particular the scene in which Neo escapes the stream of bullets fired towards him had been very popular.

The technique although dates back to the 19th century even before cinema. The Californian governor had engaged in a debate on if all the legs of the horse is in the air when it gallops. To settle this Eadweard Muybridge had done some experiment with still cameras taking the picture of galloping horse by arranging the cameras along the race track  and each camera was actuated by a taut string stretched across the track; as the horse galloped past, the camera shutters snapped, taking one frame at a time. He then arranged the photographs in on a glass disk and spun it in front of a light source. Could this have been the inspiration for Thomal Alva Edison to invent motion pictures?

Now this technique is being used in Free viewpoint Television (FTV)  in filming live shows.  At the time of The Matrix FTV was not mature… the filmmakers still did an wonderful job of creating a whole new experience.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Biopic, Drama, Epic, Genre, Hindi Movies, Must Watch, Rating, Reviews

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

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Bhaag Milkha Bhaag – A biopic of the famous Indian Athelete Milkha Singh who made India proud in athletics (running) and has won many medals for the country. He just missed the Olympic bronze by a whisker.

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra should be lauded for bringing the inspirational biopic of Milkha Singh on to the screen. The movie is inspirational and engaging right from the word go. The only dull moment in the film is when the plot deals with one of the dullest point of Milkha’s athletic career in Australian olympics which indeed makes it effective for the script. Prasoon Joshi has written the screen play very well and has told an incredible and compelling story. Farhan Akthar has lived as Milkha Singh. All his hard work and effort pays off as you never realize it is Farhan playing the role. Music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy has made the story telling very powerful. The visuals and camera angles is very artistic. I couldn’t think of any short coming in the movie. I had always wanted more biopics to be made in Indian Cinema by Indian Film makers. This one is definitely a milestone in Indian Cinema and hope it inspires many film makers to make good biopics. For many of us who haven’t lived in the era when Milkha Singh was flying on the tracks this one is a chance to relive it. The theater turns itself into a stadium in the second half with audience cheering and applauding. We may already have the Oscar nominee for Indian film this year. Don’t miss this movie when it is in the theaters. Milkha is still breaking records and is set bag many medals (awards)…. Its not just a “Must Watch” but an Epic!

Epic – Get Inspired

Friday Fundas

Friday Fundas: Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos – Dolby Atmos is the latest surround sound technology from Dolby Laboratories. Unlike its predecessor Dolby 7.1 it takes away the burden of mixing overheads from the movie makers. They need not now mix for specific set of speakers in a particular location in a theater. This can support up to 128 discrete audio tracks and 64 speakers. The power of the technology is that it can produce life like sound for movies. There are overhead speakers mounted on the ceiling which creates more immerse sound effects. This gives the option to pan the sound effects of helicopters and rain which would create much more realistic effect than before.

This technology was introduced in April 2012 and is fast picking. It is much better than the Aura sound technology. This was first employed in the movie Brave. Later many of the movie production houses are using it. This was first installed in the Dolby theater in California and is now becoming popular in many theaters world wide. In India SPI cinemas  is one of the cinema chains who are upgrading some of their cinemas with Dolby Atmos technology. This was employed in Indian movies Shivaji 3D, ABCD: Anybody can dance, Nautanki Saala and you will see this being used in the upcoming Tamil movies Thalaiva and Pizza II Villa as well. This technology is currently targeted for commercial cinema houses and later it might be made available for home cinemas.

Get ready to get immersed in a real life like sound.

I'm not a critic