2012 Top 10 Movies - MyView

A year gone by, a full year in my blogging experience. Based on the reception for my movie review - MyView, I started to cover more movies. Result, now I have hand full of them to sort it out and here it goes...

1. Pizza(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/11/pizza-myview.html)
This movie have not failed to impress whoever watch it. Since its a suspense thriller, repeat audience will be bored hence it wont top in box office(but still it would have returned more than investment  That is none of our concern too). I remember last year's Kanchana, same genre movie collected applause.

2. Naan 'E'(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/08/naan-e-myview.html)
A Fantasy movie always has its fan followers. If the fatansy also entertains, no doubt it becomes a hit. By that mean, this movie satisfied every segment of audience.

3. Naduvula koncham pakkatha kaanom (http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/12/naduvula-koncham-pakkatha-kaanom-myview.html)

Totally different subject line, with new brave attempts gives extra mileage to this movie. Freshness in the story plot, with no disappointments. Little envy for the friendship that is described on screen.

4. Thupakki(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/11/thupakki-myview.html)
This movie would be one of the highlighter in his portfolio for actor Vijay. His acting was subtle, no much exaggeration and well fit for the story. Though there are few slipping points, it never failed to entertain the audience.

5.Sundara Pandian(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/10/sundara-pandian-myview.html)
 Another south side movie with love and murder. The well defined parameter in the movie was the friendship. And the beautiful dialogues. Sasikumar still holds good as a man next door. But not sure, he may enter as a commercial action hero soon.

6. Kalakalappu @ Masala Cafe(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/05/kalakalappu-masala-cafe-myview.html)
 Multi star cast carefully framed hits the success bell. Full length comedy movie with no much logic to worry about. Music was the major negative though we don't care about it. The team is working on making the next sequel of this movie.

7. OK OK(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/04/ok-ok-myview.html)
 Santhanam starring and supportive character done by udhayani. Screen stealing show by Santhanam.  As usual as in Rajesh's movie this one didn't have much in the story part. The composing of scenes and screen play entertains.

8. Nanban(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/01/nanban-myview.html)
 A remake movie, copied everything from its source except the songs. Dialogues were Tamil equivalents of the Hindi version. Though they had presented it well because of lack of originality and the impression of the original version this movie goes below the expectation line.

9. Kumki (http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/12/kumki-myview.html)
 Very pleasant fairy tale like story which has impressed everybody. Music carries the movie till end. The unfinished climax gives the movie, A rough edge. The voice over dialogues of Thambi Ramaiah should be added in post production considering the entertainment factor. Otherwise movie would be a blunt knife.

10. Atta Kathi(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/08/atta-kathi-myview.html)
All together a different genre. An untouched and very common story plot helped the success of the movie. The draggy screen play gives some yawn and pulls down in this list.

Note: The listing is purely based on my opinion. The listing not done based on the turn over it made(I am no way bothered about it.).

Other Contenders: 
Neethaney En Ponvasantham (http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/12/neethaney-en-ponvasantham-myview.html)
Maatran(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/10/maatran-myview.html)
Thandavam(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/10/thandavam-myview.html)
Mugamoodi(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/09/mugamoodi-myview.html)
Naan(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/09/naan-myview.html)
Billa 2(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/07/billa-2-myview.html)
Saguni(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/06/saguni-myview.html)
Three-3(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/04/3-myview.html)
Kadhalil Sothapuvathu Yepadi(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/03/kathalil-sothapuvathu-yepadi-myview.html)
Aravaan(http://dickilona.blogspot.in/2012/03/aravaan-myview.html)

Few good movies which I didn't and couldn't watch.
Marina, Vazhaku yen 18/9, Manamkothi paravai, Saatai, Neerparavai

Few movies which I didnt feel for missing
Osthi, Poda podi,Kazhugu

Mokais of the year:
Billa 2, Mugamoodi, Matraan etc. And the topper in this list is Neethaney En Ponvansatham

Kumki - MyView

After a day's struggle and quest hunt to many cinema hall, at last we made it into the Movie.

Prabhu solomon as usual had a very good opening. All theaters are running houseful, even the night shows.
So no doubt it would be a box office hit, if the same wave continues.

First important thing in the movie is cinematography and post processing. Colors speak out the beauty of nature and freshness. Sukumar gets a kudos for the specific mind boggling shot of the falls. Secondly the Art direction and Third VFX and CG team.

But on the whole, Thambi Ramaiah and Iman carry the movie on their shoulders till climax. Thambi Ramaiah with the style of Vadivelu(we dont know who copied who) rocks the screen with rib tickling mind voice counters. Like other successful directors, Prabhu solomon had felt that comedy is the magic portion with would create a spell bound on viewers. It helped him.

Iman on the other hand had not slipped at any part let it be the tribe village, or the love or the suspense. Songs were already an hit, and audience response to their favorite song proves it.

Story with Elephant has always a craze between us, right from Nalla neram, and lot of Ramanarayan films. This movie is also not an exception, and it surely give us the delight.

Director has taken a straight forward story, and its a blend of many familiar movies which we had seen in 80s, 90s. But few things could have give little more treatment so that the movie looks little complete. Like the reason our heroine falling in love with hero, guest visiting forest rangers, and specifically abruptly ending climax.

New face Vikram Prabhu, a entrant from acting family (Sivaji Ganesan's Grand son) has shown very good screen presence. Lakshmi menon has done her part very well. Though the hero and heroine resemble the template of Myna, it doesn't spoil the show.

With the present list of movies released  we are in position to choose between the least worst movie. In that case, you can count on Kumki.


Kumki - Joy of Elephant Ride.

Neethaney En Ponvasantham - MyView

Without wasting much of your time, My comment about the movie 'A love documentary'.
Dare to watch at your own risk. As I did. I was sticking to the seat just for Illayaraja.

Gowtham menon, after his success in Vinaithandi varuvaya had tried a similar genre story.
But to accept, he had failed to present a pleasing movie.

Screenplay is first culprit to blame. Many scenes are disjoint and hard to understand.
Dialogues are twisted in most of the places and convey nothing, which is the second spoiled one.
Hero and Heroine conversation is the major part of the movie and since dialogue is so weasel  it becomes one of the root cause of the flop.

The story is about a love between Varun and Nithya. Their love starts when they were kids and break up, then meet at school and break up. Then meet at college and then break up. Then after varun is settled in life he goes back for her. She ditches him. He plans another marriage. She shows up in his wedding reception. Both confess to each other. Roam around at the night (few hours before his wedding) then as usual, as expected Hero and Heroine unite... Impressive isn't it?

I don't know how I completed typing the story line. But on screen, director has sculptured it so well that few of my co-audience praised director with fowl words.

Two complementary (but very little in amount) things in the movie, first Illayaraja's music. Secondly Santhanam's comedy.
After interval story starts with santhanam's track.

Almost all songs are placed as montage songs with few lip sync. But for all such songs slow motion is used which gives a boring feel for the song. 'Ennodu vaa vaa' song visuals complements the song very well. 'Sainthu saithu' is a disappointment.

Antony's editing doesn't show up at all. To show cinematographer's proficiency there are few scenes. Especially one lengthy shot which runs for more than 10 mins right before the interval(a lengthy conversation before they break up).

Jiiva has a good role but comparability Samantha has a competitive role. She has performed really well. The stages of life variation suites very much for samantha than jiiva.

I was wondering, Gautham who usually handles romance very well right from matured love, second love etc had slipped from his target. Some how it didn't hit the right chord.

Result of which, I have decided not to see any love stories here after.

Naduvula koncham pakkatha kaanom - MyView

A new story line, with lot of new brave attempts from a fresh set of technicians.

The movie is collection of two days in our hero's life. Four friends, events, incidents and conversation between them is major part of the movie. A sudden tragedy and the struggle by hero's friends to help him out is the one liner.

Each and every character fits in their role precisely. Vijay sethupathy, had performed excellently. He was flawless. He had to repeat a same dialogue, every time he delivers it with the same modulation, though it looks simple he should have worked a lot for that.

Director had cooked comedy, sentiment, sorrow, love everything with these four characters. Their conversation drives the story. Screen play helps to stretch the two days' event into  2 and half hours movie.

Comedy is the more superior part of the movie, though they were struggling it creates hilarious hit on audience.The bondage between the friends creates jealous. The 'gaj' cricket scene is very interesting.

Music has no importance in the movie, though they have valued the flow by not interrupting with songs. Introduction of characters are also in the title song (sung by Mano) which is another new attempt instead of usual director narration.

There are few logical defects like escaping from GH had no consequence until they return next day, marriage sequence etc. But they can be forgiven considering the entertainment factor[we sacrifice a lot of reasoning for scrap movies, this is far better movie than those movies]

Heroine has hardly scope to perform, but she is ok to be in the wedding reception. She comes on screen for two or three reels.

At closing they relate the story to a real life incident(story of film's cinematographer Prem Kumar), which adds jewel to the crown. All together is a good movie with all entertaining factors and a fresh story.


Naduvula Koncham Pakatha Kannom - 'என்னாச்சு (Yennachu)'

Pizza - MyView

Once complete watching the Movie, I felt - 'Why didn't I see this before?'

Since release I was dying to taste this Pizza, only today got a chance.

Though its late, it is still delicious. I would say this is one of the complete, quality, Tamil movie in recent years.

Santhosh Narayanan, has done marvelous job in background score. Which is the spine of this movie. And the mixing was so perfect and the depth of sound was very accurate. It was so perfect, in all horror scenes audience were literally screaming.

Because Music director has over worked for the RR, he didn't care much about the songs. I am not sure, how many songs were there[but I like that. This movie doesn't require a song. FYI, I am writing this right after watching the movie. None of the songs impressed me.]

Story plot, characters, the pace they travel everything is in-tact. The way the fear is planted in audience's mind helps director to travel till the end. Interesting horror, thriller is very tough to make. Though the techniques used were conventional, (like ghost disappears when the camera pans, someone standing behind, scene changes when camera zooms out etc ) it never failed. Editing helps in this point.

Each and every technicians had given their best to give this fully baked pizza.

I could only find few mistakes like when hero struck inside the house he tells the man outside that there is no power in house, but that time we could see the lawn light glowing out. Well these things are negligible.

Another good thing I noticed was the lighting. 40% of the movie is dark, with candle and torch light as source. I could see they have used external light but it blends with the light source.

All together, Thanks to the director Karthik Suburaj.

Pizza - Looks scary, but Yummy!!!!

Thupakki - MyView

துப்பாக்கி - இந்த பெயருக்காக இவர்கள் பட்ட பாடு வீண் போக வில்லை.

ஒரு வகையில் இந்த பெயர் தான் இந்த கதைக்கு சரியான, பொருத்தமான பெயர். எந்திர துப்பாக்கி போல் Vijay, வெடித்து தள்ளுகிறார். திரைகதையில் நல்ல வேகம். எதிர்பார்ப்பும், பரபரப்பையும் கலந்து கொடுத்துள்ளார்.

ஆனால், இது வழக்கமான Murugadoss படம் அல்ல. 'பூ வோட சேர்ந்த நாறும் மணக்கும்' எனபது போல Vijay வோட சேர்ந்த டைரக்டர் உம் commercial படம் எடுப்பார். அதற்காக Murugadoss ஒரு Sathyajit Ray என்று சொல்ல வில்லை. இந்த படத்தில் அவர் முந்தைய படங்களில் இருந்த ஏதோ ஒரு important ingredient ஐ  Vijay காக தியாகம் செய்தது போல் தான் தோன்றுகிறது.

வழக்கமான hero நாட்டை காப்பற்ற புறப்படும் கதை தான் என்றாலும், அதை சொன்ன விதம் புதுமை.

Vijay வழக்கம் போல் அவரது வேலையை கச்சிதமாக செய்திருக்கிறார். Kajal தன்னால் முடிந்த அளவுக்கு முயற்சி செய்திருக்கிறார். But சில கட்சிகள் தவிர அவர் நடிப்பு சுமார் ரகம் தான்.

Stunt காட்சிகள் பிரமாதம். ஒளிப்பதிவும், படத்தொகுப்பும்  குறை சொல்லமுடியாத அளவு உள்ளது.

படத்தின் பெரிய பிரச்சனை music. Harris இப்படி சொதப்புவார் என்று எதிர்பார்கவில்லை. Except 'google google' song மற்றது எல்லாம் மனசில் நிற்கவில்லை, காதுகளில் மோதி செல்கிறது. சரி RR ஆவது ஆறுதலாக இருக்கும் என்று நினைத்த எனக்கு ஏமாற்றம் தான்.

Commercial படத்துக்கே உண்டான பல விஷயங்கள் உண்டு. உதரணமாக எதிரியின் ஒரு குண்டு கூட hero மேல் படாது. படத்தில் பல இடத்தில லாஜிக் வேறு காணாமல் போய்விடுகிறது. Bomb blast க்கு  மிக அருகில் இருக்கும் சத்யன் ஒரு சேதமும் இல்லாமல் வருவது போல் பல ஓட்டைகள்.

காமெடி காக jayaram ஐ கோமாளி ராணுவ அதிகாரியாக காட்டி, பின் end slide இல் ராணுவ அதிகாரிகளுக்கு அர்ப்பணம் என்று முடிக்கிறார் Murugadoss.

ஆக படத்தில் பொழுதுபோக்கிற்கு தேவையான அணைத்து விஷயங்களையும் bullet'ஆக நிரப்பி துப்பாக்கியை தந்துள்ளார் இயக்குனர்.

துப்பாக்கி - வீடியோ கேம்.

Corporate பிச்சைகாரர்கள்

Corporate beggars.

I couldn't think a better name than this for this post. If it hurts please stop reading.

Because I am going to talk about the present, booming sector in India. Especially in metros. Its little sensitive too.

Every month I get a new caller saying "Sir, I am calling from <ABC> charity organisation". 

You know how many charity organisations where there before 5 years? Even I dono how much :).  But I am sure, It has increased.

Could I think this is also a result of modernisation? Or part of grooming economy? or more helping minds!!?

What ever! But when we deep dive we get more stuffs.

It all started 3 years back, when I was contributing for such an organisation.

Usually, after signing the cheque We are least bothered about what happens behind. At-least I did that in my case. Only a small amount goes away from your bank account monthly, which doesn't even prick you. After an year, when the same organisation came back to renew the ECS. Everything came to my mind. 

When I began the contribution, the tele-caller assured me many thing like quarterly tax certificate, the details of the expenditure happens from the money donated, details of child benefited, services offered etc would reach my inbox regularly. Nothing happened. Now they are calling for a renewal. 

My other side brain wanted to play now. I asked them I need to see all the details until then 'I can't continue'. {BTW, its one of top charity organisation} They said, they could only arrange for a tax exempt certificate. I said, 'OK let me see that'. 

I received it after a month (I guess, or even more. I didn't produce it for the income tax). I thought I was testing the reliability of that organisation[I may be wrong also]

Then something came to my mind, that lets do the donation stuff in personal. Not through any organisation. So when I received the call next time, I rejected. Then the big bang happened[I believe it is]

I started to receive calls from other organisations. May be that company had sold my number as a potential customer [not a donor]

I didn't realise it, until this year early. When I was chewing my old thoughts something sparked. 'Are they really helping the needy?' They may, but they have to feed on these donations. 

I mean, they are not 'non-profit' organisations. The money which I think it goes to some one, is taken by in-between brokers. They have to pay their staffs, rent for their office, operation cost etc. Here comes the nasty part of it. There are few fake companies too in the pool. 

What has happened, in Object Orientation we call it has 'inversion principle'. A beggar comes to you which is antique, Now these organisations collect from individuals and distribute to needy. Now the control is with them. They can even choose not to give to someone. 

I know I am going little crude here, but possibilities are there. Our government has no time to look at them. Neither the organisations nor the needy persons. Though they(charity orgs) are on a noble cause I think there is no monitory body to regulate and keep an eye on them. Because small drop makes ocean.

2000 bucks from 1000 individuals an year is quite a considerable amount of money in a city. 

There is also another side of this. I see an organisation in Madurai which gives food for all beggars in the city. They wander in an Omni van with their organisation's label on it. The place where I saw usually one beggar on the road who collects the food packet, month later there were three.

Now this also makes me think, 'are they helping the society?' I really don't know. 

There is still confusion in my mind. Politicians don't have interest in them, because they don't vote. We cant blame the voluntary organisations who are really caring them. What is the result????

Well, this is not just a topic which has a judgement. All I would do is to contribute personally whenever possible[no intermediates] All it requires is to break out of our lazy shell.

Next time when you go for a treat[or a pub ;)] and pay 5k - 6k for few people. The same can feast a 20 kids in a orphanage near by you. This idea is not new, it pretty old and many would be doing this too. But if you didn't I am sure you have enough to share with them....

PS: This post is not meant to hurt anybody, and not to humiliate any one. I was just thinking loud.

Beware - Baits everywhere....

Got a call from this number +911130193900.
Person said he is calling from Delhi, Happy Deals. I could sense that he was struggling but speaking in Tamil.

Here is the actual conversation in English
Phone: Sir, I am <xyz>(dont remember his name) calling from Delhi. Happy Deals.
Me: Ok

Phone: You have been chosen since you have been using your credit cards with no disputes and consistently.  We will offer you holiday package for a family and it will reach your house address.
Me: Ok

Phone: Can you tell which is the credit card you used at maximum in past three months?
Me: You said you have record, and that is how I have been chosen, dont you know which card i used most?
[Actually for past 3 months my credit card statement was nill :)]

Phone: Yes sir, we have record. But we want to confirm that I am talking to right person.
Me: Ok fine, tell me what are all the cards I have, I will tell you from that.

Phone: [Words stampeded in his mouth] Yes sir like citibank, Abn amro etc...
Me: Citibank.
[I dont have a citibank card :)]

Phone: Can you tell me whether is it Master card or Visa?
Me: Master card

Phone: Can you tell me the expiry date?
[Gotcha, he is a fraud]
Me: I dont have card with me now.

Phone: When will you have the card with you sir.
Me: Now i am in my friend's house. I may have it tomorrow.

Phone: I will call you later sir.

I dono he will call again. But people beware about these kind of calls.
YOU may also get one like this....

Never share any of your bank/credit card informations over  phone.
I remember billdesk has a mode of charging over phone. But very few vendor have it.
Even there, you can opt for other modes.

Questions

Questions are not easy to ask

Don't agree?

Asking question need real understanding of the subject, than what is usually assumed other way around.
Questions cannot be stupid, while the answers can be.

Every Question has an answer. One may not find the right answer for a question.

If you imagine someone's knowledge on a particular subject like an 'Jig-saw' puzzle. One asks question to fill the missing blocks.

I found this joke somewhere online
A teacher in a class asked the class a question.'There are three birds sitting in a branch of a tree. If I shoot one bird, How many birds left?' An enthusiastic student raised his hand and started answering 'Nothing! Because once you shoot one, rest would flew away'. Teacher grinned and said 'No, that was not the answer I expected. But I like your thinking'.

Annoyed student, asked Teacher a question. 'In a park bench there were three women with ice cream. One was licking the ice cream, one was biting it and one was sucking it. Can you tell me, out of them which one is married?'
'The one sucking the ice cream?' Confused teacher answered doubtfully
Student replied. 'No, Actually the one with the wedding ring. But I like your thinking.'


Yeah there were cases in my life where 'Asking questions are easy'
In my academic project review, the reviewer asked 'Why did you wrote another OS when there are already lot of them available?'
When I started this blog people asked, 'Why do you need a blog?'
When I started reviewing movies, they asked 'There were already bunch of website doing this. why you?'
Why are you not married yet?

Have you experienced it? share it in the comments....

Maatran - MyView

சூரியா வின் அடுத்த ரெடை(ரெட்டை - 'ட்' ஒட்டிகிச்சு :) ) அவதாரம்.

Trailer, பாக்கும் போதே light'அ அருவெருப்பா இருதுச்சு. ஆனா சூர்யா மேல இருக்குற நம்பிக்கைல theatre போயாச்சு. Release ஆகி மூணாவது நாள் மதியம் show வும் houseful 'அ ஓடும் பொது கொஞ்சம் நம்பிக்கை அதிகரிக்க தான் செஞ்சுது...

அரம்பிதேலே genetic, conjoint twins நு ஏகப்பட்ட medical terms.(7ஆம் அறிவு வோட அது part தான் இந்த படமோ நு ஒரு சந்தேகம் கூட). அப்புறம் Hero introduction, love எல்லாம் one by one வருது. இதுல அவங்க அப்பா கம்பெனி நு கதை சுமாரா சூடு பிடிக்கிற டைம் ல  ஒரு செம fight  scene.

குறை  சொல்ல முடியாத அளவுக்கு அவளோ அருமையா, real அ எடுதுருகாங்க with the dual roll mixing.அங்க தான் கதைல ஒரு பெரிய twist. ஒட்டி இருக்குற ரெண்டு பெரும் பிரிக்க படறாங்க, இங்க interval.


ரெண்டு பெரும் பிரியற அப்போ track மறுன கதை அதுக்கு அப்புறம் தறிகெட்டு எங்க எங்கயோ ஓடுது. Russia, Russian army நு போயி கடைசீல Gujarat ல வந்து  முட்டிக்கிட்டு நிக்குது. முடிவுல தமிழ் திரைப்பட சம்ப்ரதாயம் படி சுபம்.

காஜல் படம் முழுக்க வராங்க ஆனா நேர வேலை என்னமோ அவங்களுக்கு dumbing பெசுனவங்களுக்கு தான்.

சூரியா போன படத்துல China கரன் கிட்ட சண்டை போட்டார், இந்த படத்துல Russian Army கூடவே சண்ட போடறார். நல்ல முனேற்றம். இவர் இப்படி தேச பற்று அதிகமாகிறது பார்த்த இவர் கூடிய சீக்கிரம் அரசியலுக்கு வருவர் அப்படினு பட்சி சொல்லுது. சூர்யா அப்படி வந்தீங்கனா எல்லா பொண்ணுங்க ஒட்டும்  உங்களுக்கு தான். (தேட்டர்ல அவளோ பொண்ணுங்க )

Jokes apart, சூர்யா ரொம்ப ஒழச்சி இருகார். படம் ஒடுசுன(!!!) இவரால மட்டும் தான்....

கே .வீ . ஆனந்த் உங்களுக்கு பாட்டு எடுக்கிறது idea வரலைனா விட்டுங்க. கொஞ்சநாள் கழிச்சி உங்ககுகே எந்த படத்துக்கு எடுத்த பாட்டுன்னு மறந்துரும். Harris Jayaraj உம் வெட்க படாம அவரோட பழய பாட்டையே  போட்டு time, cost, cd, memory, film, எல்லாத்தையும் வேஸ்ட் பணிட்டார்.

Director அடுத்த படத்துக்கு எடுக்க வேண்டிய scene கூட இந்த படத்துல எடுதுடரோ அப்படினு தோனுச்சு. அப்படி பட்ட மொக்கை second half. First half ல எதாச்சும் அறுத்துகிட்டு இருகாங்க. மோதல எலி, அப்புறம் ஒரு ரஷ்ய பெண், அப்புறம் சூர்யா. Second Half ல பாக்குறவங்களை அருகிறங்க. Operator எங்க மேல பாவ பட்டு கொஞ்சம் cut பண்ணார் இருந்தாலும் படம் ஜவ்வு.

மாற்றான் வெட்டி தான் .....

Thandavam - MyView

The movie has a very familiar story. We have been seeing this for ages. All they have done is packed the old wine in a new bottle with fancy packings.

But to the fact, the wine tastes good. I meant the the movie :)

Vikram a veteran actor has no flaw in his acting. But looks aged in all frames. May be to suppress that, they have showed his eight packs(although not at all required). We have already seen him blind but this time he fights the dark and bad guys. The technique is totally new and impressive[the only new thing in the movie].

In the movie, Vikram gets a temporary name 'Kenny', which is his real name.[Info]

Two heroines, already left me the clue that one must be dead in the past. Not to my surprise it was true.

Anushka also looks older, but makes good pair with Vikram. Emmy Jackson does her part well. But lip sync was not taken care like 'Madrasapattinam' .

Music is very average. In all songs, GVP has reused his old tunes. Nothing much to comment.

Santhanam appears in few parts of the movie and he has underplayed.

Screenplay after intermission takes off, but with predictable patterns the interest fades. The flash back part was composed to be enjoyable as-usual. But we cannot accept that a arranged wedding with out knowing each other. I mean Now a days, a girl watching mega serial at home does lot of verification (they collect pay slip, blood test, urine test etc) for a marriage. How come a doctor working away from home accepts for a wedding like this. But director has used it for few scene building.

Naazer, is depicted as an intelligent detective with a casual approach.

We see lot of disputes over this story(someone claim it was stolen), which is obvious for a very common story and plot.

You can watch this movie, if you had seen all other movies released.

Sundara Pandian - MyView

Another deep south movie.
A composition of love, fun, friendship, revenge and happy ending :)

Movie starts with the description of Usilampatti, its history and culture.

Sasikumar, needs to be appreciated initially for introducing lot of new technicians(Director, Art, Editing  etc). And as an hero he is ready for punch dialogue based hero subject. Soon we can expect him so. All symptoms confirm it.

Hero introduced by a song (to be on safer side keeping the dance movements simple, the co-dancers are oldies :)). Then the story moves by our road side romeo and his friends. And a love enters his life. The way heroine was depicted is a fresh impression.

Heroine(Lakshmi menon) is a good selection for the character, she has utilized all scope and impresses audience. Lets wait for her performance in Kumki.

'Barrota' Soori confirms the comedy part. Comedy which doesnt deviate from the story flow.

BG Music and songs sounds good along with the frames on screen. But they fail to impress me when heard alone. Hope some good track from Raghunathan.

Though in few places story was predictable, Screenplay is an important strength in the movie. Which binds the loose parts together.

Hero is betrayed by his close friends, by which he nearly goes to death bed. Then he hold firm and returns the revenge back give us clue the movie is about to end (also when AC in theater is switched off and fans are turned on...)

With no competition and good movie to stand against, Sundarapandian is hit and good option for this weekend.

அர்ஜென்டினா ஐயங்கார்

'அடியேன் வருதபா ரங்கப்ரியதாசன்’ என்றே தன்னை அறிமுகப்படுத்திக் கொள்கிறார் அவர்! தோள்களில் சங்கு-சக்கர குறிகளும், நெற்றியில் திருமண்ணும், வாய்நிறைய நாராயண நாமமுமாக அவரைப் பார்க்கும்போது, வெளிநாட்டவர் என்றால் நம்பமுடியவில்லை!

ஆமாம்... அவரது இயற்பெயர் பெட்ரிகோ. 1979-ல் அர்ஜென்டினாவில், போனாசயஸ் எனும் ஊரில் பிறந்தவர். ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க பாப்டிஸ்ட் குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்தவர். வருதபா ரங்கப்ரியதாசன் எனும் பெயர், 2 மாதங்களுக்கு முன் ஸ்ரீரங்கத்தில் கொங்கிலாச்சான் ஸ்ரீதர நரசிம்மாச்சார்யரிடம் தாஸ்ய நாமமாகப் பெற்றது.

தினமும் சந்தியாவந்தனம், ஏகாதசி தோறும் முறைப்படி விரதம், பெருமாள் ஸ்துதி என வைணவ அடியாராகவே வாழ்கிறார் வருதபா ரங்கப்ரியதாஸன்.

சரி, இந்து மதத்தில் குறிப்பாக வைணவத்தின் மீது இவருக்கான ஈர்ப்புக்குக் காரணம்?

''சிறு வயதில் வழக்கம்போல பள்ளிப் படிப்புடன் மதம் சார்ந்த கல்வியைத் தொடர்ந் தேன். ஆனாலும், படிப்பது ஒன்று செய்வது ஒன்று என்பதில் எனக்கு உடன்பாடு இல்லை. அதனாலேயே சமய கோட்பாடுகளின் மீது பிடிப்பில்லாமல் இருந்தது. கடவுளைப் பற்றியும் தெளிவில்லாத நிலை. நான் எதிர்பார்த்தது எல்லாம் யதார்த்தமும் நம்பகத் தன்மையுமான ஒரு வழிகாட்டல். அந்த தருணத்தில்தான், இந்து மதத்தின் 'ஈசாவாஸ்ய உபநிடதம்’ படிக்கக் கிடைத்தது. சப்தம், பிரமாணம் ஆகிய அடிப்படைகள் பற்றிய அதன் விளக்கங்கள் என்னைக் கவர்ந்தன. தொடர்ந்து படித்தேன். சில அத்தியாயங்களுக்கு பிறகு உபநிடதம் கடவுளைப் பற்றி பேச... அட, இதுவும் மற்ற நூல்களைப் போலத்தான் என்று படிப்பதை நிறுத்திவிட்டேன். அதன் பிறகு இரண்டு ஆண்டுகள் அந்தப் புத்தகத்தை தொடவே இல்லை!

எனக்கு பதினைந்து வயது இருக்கும். பள்ளியில் வைணவ தோழர்கள் சிலர் கிடைத்தார்கள். பரஸ்பரம் நிறைய பேசுவோம்.  அவர்களது சித்தாந்தத்தை அறிய முற்பட்டபோது, ஸ்ரீகிருஷ்ணரைப் பற்றி நிறையவே சொன்னார்கள். பகவத் கீதையும் தந்தார்கள். அவர்களுடன் பேசப் பேச கண்ணன் மீது அதீத காதலே வந்துவிட்டது'' என்று கூறிவிட்டு பெரிதாகச் சிரிக்கிறார் வருதபா ரங்கப்ரியதாசன்.

அவரே தொடர்ந்து, ''பிறகு என்ன நடந்தது தெரியுமா? சொன்னால் நம்ப மாட்டீர்கள். அன்று இரவே கீதையை முழுவதுமாகப் படித்து முடித்தேன். எனக்குள் பெரிய தாக்கம். இந்து மத வழிபாடுகளும் கோட்பாடுகளும் சொல்லும் செயலும் ஒன்றாக இருக்கும்படியே கற்றுத் தருகின்றன என்பது புரிந்தது. அதன் விளைவு, நான் பாதியில் விட்ட உபநிடதத்தையும் படிக்க ஆரம்பித்தேன்.'' - எனச் சிலிர்ப்புடன் சொல்கிறார்.

பகவத் கீதைகளின் சூத்ரங்களை நன்கு அறிந்து வைத்திருக்கிறார் வரதப்ப ரங்கப்ரியதாசன். 'கீதையின் 18 அத்தியாயங்களிலும் ஆயிரக் கணக்கான சூத்ரங்கள் உள்ளன. ஒவ்வொன்றும் வாழ்க்கையின் ஒவ்வொரு நிலையிலும் அவசியமானது. ஆகவே, ஒன்றைக் காட்டிலும் மற்றொன்று முக்கியமானது எனக் குறிப்பிட்டுச் சொல்வது சாத்தியம் இல்லை. அதன் ஒவ்வொரு அட்சரமும் மகத்துவமானது’ என்பது இவர் கருத்து. பகவத் கீதை மட்டுமல்ல; இன்னும் பல ஞான நூல்களையும் படித்திருக்கும் இவர், அவை கூறும் கதைகளையும், விஞ்ஞான ரகசியங்களையும், சூரிய சித்தாந்தம் முதலான அபூர்வ தகவல்கள் குறித்தும் பெரிதாகச் சிலாகிக்கிறார்.

கிட்டத்தட்ட 38 திவ்யதேசங்களுக்கு பயணித்திருக்கிறார் இவர். ஒவ்வொரு தலத்திலும் ஒவ்வொரு உணர்வு கிடைத்ததாகச் சொல்லும் ரங்கப்பிரியதாசன், அதிகம் தங்கியிருந் தது ஸ்ரீரங்கத்தில்தான்.

வருடம்தோறும் வைகுண்ட ஏகாதசிக்கு தவறாமல் திருவரங்கம் வந்துவிடுவாராம். இங்கே 6 மாதங்கள் தங்கியிருந்து, கொங்கிலாச்சான் ஸ்ரீதர நரசிம்மாச்சார்யரிடம் தேவலகரிகளை கற்றுக் கொண்டதும் சமாஸ்ரானத்தைப் பெற்றுக் கொண்டதும், தனக்குக் கிடைத்த பெரும் பேறு என்கிறார்.

2010-ல் சம்ஸ்கிருதம் பயின்றதுடன், பஞ்சசுத்தம், உபநிடதம், ஆபஸ்தம்ப சூத்ரம் ஆகியவற்றை இவர் கற்றுக் கொண்டதும் ஸ்ரீரங்கத்தில்தான். ''திருவரங்கத்தில் இருக்கும்போது என் தாய் வீட்டில் இருப்பதுபோல் உணர்கிறேன்!'' என்கிறார் பெருமிதத்துடன்.

''புத்தகங்கள் நிறைய கற்றுத் தந்தன என்றாலும், அவற்றை எனக்கு அறிமுகம் செய்ததும் படிக்கும் வாய்ப்பை தந்ததும், நான் சிறு வயதில் சந்தித்த அந்த வைணவ நண்பர்கள்தான். அவர்களால்தான் இஸ்கான் (மிஷிரிசிளிழி) முதலாக எனது ஆன்மிக பயணத்தைத் துவங்க முடிந்தது'' என்று நன்றிப்பெருக்குடன் குறிப்பிடுகிறார் ரங்கப்ரியதாசன்.

தற்போது இவர் வசிப்பது பார்சிலோனாவில். ஆனாலும் தினமும் காலையில் நீராடல், இரண்டுவேளை சந்தியாவந்தனம், ஜபம், திருவாராதனம்... என குறையின்றி தொடர்கிறது இவரது வழிபாடு. ஏகாதசி தினம் என்றால், அரிசி, கோதுமை ஆகியவற்றைத் தவிர்த்து பால்- பழங்கள் மட்டுமே உணவு.

''சம்ஸ்கிருதம் நன்கு தெரியும். தமிழ் கொஞ்சம் கடினம் என்றாலும் அழகு'' என்றவர்,  நம்மாழ்வாரின் திருவாய்மொழியின் முதல் பாசுரத்தை பிறழாது பாடுகிறார்!

''வாழ்க்கைக்கு உதவாத கண்கட்டி வித்தைகளை எனக்குக் காட்டவில்லை வைணவம். மாறாக மது, மாமிசம் ஆகிய தீங்குகளை என்னிடமிருந்து முற்றிலும் நீக்கி, ஆன்ம பலம் தந்து என் வாழ்க்கைத் தரத்தையே மாற்றியுள்ளது' என்று நெகிழ்ந்தவர் தொடர்ந்து கூறினார்:

''இந்தியர்களுக்கு நான் சொல்லும் செய்தி... உங்களில் பலர் தங்களின் ஞானப் பொக்கிஷங்களின் மகிமையை உணராமல் சட்டென்று தங்களின் மதம் மற்றும் கலாசார்த்திலிருந்து வெளியேறி விடுகிறீர்கள். முதலில் நீங்கள் உங்கள் கலாசாரத்தின் மேன்மையை உணர்ந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும் என்பதே எனது வேண்டுகோள்.' என்றார்.

சரி.. எதிர்காலத்தில் இவரது ஆன்மிக பாதை?

''அது ஸ்ரீமந் நாராயணன் விட்ட வழி' என்கிறார் மெல்லிய சிரிப்புடன்!

அனா என்ற ஆனந்தினி வருதபா ரங்கப்ரியதாசனின் மனைவி. சமீபத்தில்தான் இவர்களின் திருமணமும் இந்து மத முறைப்படியே நடந்துள்ளது.

ஆனந்தினி ஸ்பெயினில் கட்டடக் கலை பயின்றவர். கணவரைப் போலவே வைணவத்தில் பற்றுள்ளவர். ஸ்ரீமகா விஷ்ணுவே கண்கண்ட தெய்வம். காரணம்? ''அண்ணன் காட்டிய வழி'' எனச் சிரிக்கிறார். ஆமாம். ஆனந்தினியின் அண்ணன் இந்தியாவுக்கு சுற்றுலா வந்தபோது, நம் பண்பாடு கலாசாரத்தின் மீதான ஈர்ப்பாலும், பிருந்தாவன தரிசனத்தின்போது ஏற்பட்ட அனுபவங்களாலும் விஷ்ணு பக்தராகி

விட்டார். அவர் தாய்நாடு திரும்பியபோது, அவரிடம் ஏற்பட்ட நல்ல மாற்றங்கள் சகோதரிக்கு வியப்பளித்ததாம். அவர் மூலம் ஆன்மிகப் பெரியவர்களது சந்திப்பும் அவர்களது சொற்பொழிவுகளும் தன்னை விஷ்ணு பக்தையாகிவிட்டதாகச் சொல்லிச் சிரிக்கிறார் ஆனந்தினி. எப்போதும் புன்னகை, பக்தி, பணிவு... என கணவருக்கு மிகச் சரியான இணையாகத் திகழ்கிறார் ஆனந்தினி!

நன்றி: சக்தி விகடன், இட்லி வாடை 

Mugamoodi - MyView

முகமூடி - தலைப்பை தமிழில வச்சிட்டு கதையை வெளி ஊரிலிருந்து சுட்டு இருக்கிறார் Myskin.

படத்தை பார்கறதா வேண்டாமா என்ற குழ்பதிலே ரொம்ப நாள் இருதேன். ஒரு சின்ன சதியில் இந்த படத்தை பார்க்கவேண்டிய நிர்பந்தம் வந்தது.

Courtesy: Wikipedia

இந்த படத்தின் trailer பார்க்கும் போதே light'அ  'கந்தசாமி' effect தெரிஞ்சுது. சரி Myskin என்ன தான் பண்ணி இருக்கார்னு பாத்தா, என் யுகம் கிட்ட தட்ட சரி தான்.

இருந்தாலும் ஒரு பாட்டு சிறு நம்பிக்கையை கொடுத்துச்சு. சரி wait பண்ணி பார்ப்போம்னு பாத்தா, நம்ப director'அ  பாத்து பாடனும் 'வாய மூடி சுமா இருடா ...' அப்படினு.

Myskin நிறைய chineese படம் பார்கறார் போல. கேட்டால் kung-fu, referrence'நு சொல்வர்.

ஜீவா இந்த படத்திற்கு நிறைய உழைத்து இருக்கிறார். Body shape மற்றும் kung-fu ஸ்டைலில் தெரிகிறது. Stunt காட்சிகளில் அவர் movements தவிர அவர் முகத்தில் ஒரு confidence தெரிந்தது.

Heroine, Pooja hegde ஒரு headache'நே சொல்லலாம். பாட்டுல வரும் பொது கூட அவர் ரொம்ப சும்மார் தான்.

பொதுவா இந்த மாதிரி சூப்பர் ஹீரோ படத்தில், audience மனதில் தாக்கம் எற்படுதணும். ஆனா இது சின்ன  கீரலை கூட உண்டாகலை (but வலி இருக்கு bcoz மொக்கை :))

Director, lengthy single shot வேகிரதுல காட்டுன கவனத்தை திரை கதையில காட்டி இருந்தா இது நிச்சயம் ஒரு வெற்றி படம் ஆகிருக்கும். அவர் அவரது வாய்ப்பை  மட்டும் இல்ல, ஜீவா வின்  உழைப்பையும் வீண் அடித்து இருக்கிறார் .

Stunt கலைஞர்களின் சாகசங்களை சில இடங்களில் கேவலமான camera angle ளினால் சரியாய் ரசிக்க முடியவில்லை. செல்வா ஒரு கண்னியமான kungu-fu குருவாக வந்து போகிறார். நரேன் நடிப்பு சில இடங்களில் சிரிப்பு கூட வருகிறது. இவர் வில்லன்'கு லாயக்கு இல்லை. பெரிய kung-fu குருவாக இறக்கும் இவர் கையில் சுத்தியை வச்சிக்கிட்டு திரியிறார். இது எந்த படத்துல சுட்டதுன்னு தெரியல....

இசை அமைப்பாளர் 'கே'. இவருக்கு வயலின் வாசிக்க தெரியும்கறதுக்காக படத்துல எல்ல இடதிலையும் வயலின், செல்லோ (violin, cello) அலறுது ....

சிரமப்பட்டு உருவாகிய அந்த சூப்பர் ஹீரோ costume ஐ கூட  முழுசா காட்டலை. அந்த dress'அ போட்டுகிட்டு ஜீவா ஓடுற அளவுக்கு கூட படம் ஓடாது போல....

இது எப்படி இருக்குனா , Lamborgini car வாங்கிட்டு Ranganathan தெருல ஒட்டுனா மாத்ரி இர்ருக்கு.

A good and potential story plot, ruined by  the so called intelligent creator.

Naan - MyView

Posters, Trailer depicted this as a thriller, blood shed movie. But Songs were of different genre. So I stepped ahead to crack the puzzle.

The movie begins at the school age of the hero, his circumstances takes him to minor jail. He comes out as an adult. His relatives deny supporting him. What does he do to sustain in the world, is the story line of this movie.

Movie takes minor inspiration from Billa's Dialogue, 'We can do whatever we want to survive'. Our Hero does everything to live. An offense and another offense to hide the other one.

Vijay Antony in line with other cross profession actors had debut his movie appearance under his production company. His character was well designed as per his appearance. Few place Vijay look very perfect for the role, But many places its plastic and he tests our patience.

The movie has lot of logical plot flaws. Omitting them makes the movie just a fish bone. The climax was really very synthetic. Director had went out of his thinking capacity at this time, I guess.

Few defects to mention. When our hero masquerades as a Muslim medical student, he sneak peaks into a mosque and copies the worshiping in him room. I really wonder why should one do this. I mean he would have got converted to that religion if he is seriously projecting himself, which he quotes in his dialogue during the end of the movie.

Since our hero got converted into a Muslim character whole movie BGM goes with Islamic tune.

One more hidden pumpkin was, the police who finds and investigates the second murder and has no clue finding the first one, though the visuals depict that our hero buries the bodies in the same place.

On the whole the movie is a low tasted recipe which is neither good or bad.

Atta Kathi - MyView

A light hearten comedy love drama.

We are tired of seeing movies based of Chennai, Madurai, Thirunelveli etc. Chennai gundas will carry pistols whereas gundas from other southern cities will carry sickle, billhook etc. Now we see the changing trend and fading gangsters trend. Its a comedy movie age.

One such movie is this. This is not a full length comedy as because there are few serious sequences. But it has the kind of 'Happys' ending :). So entertainment guaranteed.

A freshness in the story start from the backdrop chosen(a village nearer to a sub-urb of Chennai) to the new faces.

This is a story of a teenager, his love life and failures he face in his attempts. Director has captured all possible funny events. Hero is not a new fellow in charector(boy next door) who thinks himself has a hero by himself and get nose cuts most the time because of bliss of bad luck.

Many attributes and scene properties were chosen carefully to reflect a rural part near Chennai. Director embarks the time period of the movie by movie posters during that period.

All characters in the movie had shown very natural expression. Some are really amateur and tests our patience. 

Story travels along with our hero (in bus and foot-board most of the time). I have witness few of his behaviours like spinning notebook in finger tip(i used to do in my teenage), feeling proud for new dress, chats with friends, gangs and gang leader etc

The screenplay style and narration in the movie reminds us Chennai - 28 movie(Bcoz Director Ranjith was working as Assistant Director for Venkat Prabhu).

Music director 'Santhosh' had done very good job. But I dono why for most of the first half of the movie for both BGM and Songs(Gana songs) he was constantly using Harmonium/Accordion and Bass dolaks(just to give a feel of old days? i dono).

On the whole, Its not a remarkable movie But it will not fail to entertain you because at any point of time you can relate any of the character to you or your circle.

Naan 'E' - MyView

At-last I also saw this movie. I couldn't believe I did this, but yes I watched this movie.
I wanted to stay away from this movie. But despite the funny trailer how the movie is topping the collection? That was my million dollar question.
When I went to a cinema hall, I couldn't believe, its a houseful in a matinee show. The owner is averaging the collection with Billa in their complex [really, the ticket was double the rate]

Courtesy: Wikipedia

This increased the expectation on the spot.

Ok lets get on to the movie. Right in the beginning, film starts like a bed time story to a kid by her father. So I adjusted my expectation bar not to check logic and I was correct.

Though it looks like movie for kids, majority of crowd was adult. In Tamil Nadu, not just Andra meals are popular, even Andra movies too. But one smiley thing i noticed was, most of the scenes were shot in Tamil (thought the lip sync was not concentrated much, dubbing artists struggled to correct them)

Hero Naveen (a) Nani (I doubt we could call him hero bcoz we could hardly see him for 10-15mins) looks really charm. So do Samantha. But few scenes are odd when she talks to a fly.

Dialogues by Crazy mohan. He utilized all the scope creating humor especially by the frightened villain. Mohan even gives cameo appearance at the end credit section.

Santhanam is also a cameo here, his story begins only during the end credits.

Lyrics penned by Kargi, he has used very good words to fit in the zig-zag tunes (which was originally composed for Telugu). Maragatha mani's songs were very average, and in BGM he simply does a infinite playback of songs (may be just of Tamil version it so).

Sudeep, who plays the villain is main performer and back bone of the movie. His expressions were awesome.(Superstar himself has acknowledged it)

As I said earlier there were lot of anti-physics and no logic sequences. But Director has presented it in a interesting screen play.

Cinematography has done a good job. But many times the size proportion between the fly and other objects we varying scene to scene.

On all the above, the Graphics and Special effect team had done an extra-ordinary job. This should be the first south indian movie to have an animated character almost full length of the movie.
It was close to perfection. The character hardly had any flaw(Both the structure and behavior of an housefly).

And hence I saw the movie :P

Billa 2 - MyView

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

I was skeptical to watch this because of unanimous comments on this movie right from the day one.
The decision got stronger when I heard that few days after release, ticket prices were slashed 1/5th of the day one ticket price.

But I stepped into movie hall daringly. And after watching the movie, I was not sorry for that. Because this is one another reference for Tamil movie industry for stylish film making.

The story describes the transformation of a Refugee to an Gangster. A 'lungi' wearing Ajith to one in Blazer.
Ajit looks very charming and stylish on western outfits.

The movie starts with the same dialogue which was popularly highlighted in the movie trialer. The same dialogue and stunt is repeated near the climax too.

Cinematography and BGM are the main spine for the movie. Rathinavelu and Yuvan has done an fantastic job. Many wouldn't notice, the color tone changes along with Billa's transform.

I really like the song which goes after Billa takes over his first enemy's regime. Its a monochromatic, comical story telling kind of clips editor together. It was totally in new our tamil movies (after Alavandhan, where cartoon would be used instead). Same style was applied when the initial credits slides (it looks similar to that of spiderman but here with background sounds of the events)

Another set of technicians who showed their overwhelming performance was Stunt team and Special effects team. Since this is an gangster movie, they didn't miss any of the important attributes like blood, fight, girls, guns, cigars and drinks.

Director(Chakri Toleti) being a new fellow (we cant consider Unai pol oruvan has his debut, since it was a Kamalhasan's movie) he has tried his best. But made many mistakes, few of them are very prominent. Most of them are continuity errors, like blood strains in knife, shirt disappear and appears after a scene. 

The story describes about the growth of billa, which we assume it happens in early 90s. Few of the screen properties prove that, like heavy cellphones, cordless phones,pistols etc. But in many places we can see recent kind vehicles like Sumo, eicher's tempo, trailers, yellow color name plate etc. Subtitles were missing for few English and Russian dialogues.

Dialogues were good(should say impressive), and few places powerful. I like the dialogue when one of the gangster exclaims about the worth of arms business and Billa replies, 'Demand is not for the arms, its for the death'. In another place when Billa chats with CM he says, 'For doing good or bad, effort/dedication is required.'

Though its a sequel movie, there is no direct connection between the two except 'Ranjit' and 'Jagdesh' characters. I should say, he has chosen an enough and safe distance. Another challenge

for the director was, Vishnuvardan(Billa I director) has set the bars so high. Chakri has managed to just touch it with help of Ajit Kumar and other technicians.

We have seen many such movies like Pudhupettai and recently Mangatha. May be that's the reason Billa 2 was not interesting to people. But I have a question to people who complain about the violence in a gangster movie. If you want a non-violent gangster movie, you should get call sheet of MK Thiagaraja Bagavadhar. Is someone ready for the attempt?

Controversy

List of controversies came to my mind, when I was commuting to office.

Do not want to continue quarrel == No idea to stop your debate
Want a safe and pleasant ride. == Wont follow traffic rules.
Need more Salary == Not ready to work more
Require a silent environment == Not willing to keep quiet
Wish to talk with some one == Not willing to start a conversation
Want to go to heaven == Not ready to die
Like the articles I wrote == But not willing to comment

Controversy, Hence LHS != RHS

You can add to the list too....

I am clean

Recently, I been to a cultural festival nearer to the place I live.

Part of it, there were lot of  south Indian classical concerts, religious talks and bajans.
Tasty snacks, beverages were distributed. Many of them were glued to these stalls trying almost all of the varieties (I was lucky to get two, three snack varieties struggling beyond these snack zombies... :) ). 

One such program was 'Religious Speech' by a mid aged women. She gave very inspiring speech on spirituality. Quoted incidents from epics and other religious literature. All went well, time to complete the talk.

She sang 'Namavali', a kind of bajan reciting God's names in tune. She wanted the audience to join her in bajan. A feeble chorus joined her.

Then she said 'Your voice not even audible to me, how will god hear you. Sing louder'. Giggles in the auditorium, then the chorus volume increased.

Then she said, "when singing God's name, one should raise their hands above their head". Again only few hands went up.

Now she made a clever move. She said that her guru used to tell her "Everybody wants to sing God's name with hands up their heads. But their hands are fastened with their sins". Moment she completes this statement, everybody in the auditorium do so (Except myself and my room mate, we told each other that we have more sins :))

It was a excellent powerful pan shot of enlightened audience for the live camera covering for a TV channel. The lady who gave the spiritual talk was happy with the feel of victory, walked away.

Two things came to my mind at this point Firstly, A Tamil movie comedy where comedian Vadivelu does similar kind of statement when he makes his village believe that he can show them god. Secondly, How clever people are(:) really).

People were so clever to cheat themselves. All they were trying to do was to make a statement 'I am clean'. Many would oppose my point, but this is fact.

I conclude with a quote,(reused from one of my friend's gtalk status message)
Be a good person, But don't try to prove it.

Its our mistake

Recently I been to USA.
Few of my fellow friends know this.

It was the west part of the continent. And it was a growing summer. Driest and hottest in the year.
I stayed for three weeks, and the maximum was 113 degree Fahrenheit with 5-10% humidity.
You cannot just roam around in sun with out protection creams. Sun burns would be for sure if you don't.
 Rains are very heavy and for very less period. The ground is so dry and hard, it cannot absorb the water. Most of the time floods into nearer river to reach the sea.

The above text were to give you the verbal picture of the landscape and region.

In the weekends I got chance to travel across the state to visit few places. I got shocked by the window side scene. It was jaw-dropping. In mid of that dry land I saw thousands of acres of agriculture land. Not Just that, they have cattle too.

It was really amazing and bunch of questions crawling in my mind. How do they grow this? What is the irrigation source?

After these questions attack, a great shame feeling stuck me.
In a very dry, hot landscape, where water cannot be stored for longer duration, they managed to grow crops. We in India  comprising 2/3rd of agricultural land, farmers complaint lack of monsoon, government funding, etc.

I don't say they are not important, but there is still more important stuffs which we need to cultivate. Commitment. If we don't save our farm lands, our next generation are in great danger.

Already we started importing food grains. Agriculture lands being swallowed by realtors.

I really don't know the solution for this. But I can ask 'Who's Mistake is this?'

Saguni - MyView

A very non serious movie, with very serious movie plot.
Director/s thought is very bit outdated. Because with the same story line we had seen a movie 'Dhool' 10 years back.

With their own definition of commercial movie, songs pop-in, some times fight. I really like the story telling screen play for initial 20 minutes, which was the conversation between Santhanam and Karthi. As like the conventional commercial movie formula, hero succeeds in all his moves and actions. This reminds us that we watching an 100% commercial movie.

Karthi has shown a good output in acting. He has chosen this story to become a commercial hero. But I believe, his performance level will go down if he continue to do so.

Pranitha, was just paid to be in three songs. And for a happy ending climax. She does that well.

Prakash raj, as-usual shouting and doing gunda's politics. This time he got promoted to CM. He should seriously change his presentation techniques or directors should approach him with different implementation. I am kind of bored with him.

Santhanam, I see him as a silver strip in a torn 100 rupees note. Director has done some cello-fun tape patch works to sell it.
It works in some place.

To increase the pace of screen play, few shots were cut. Editing was so awkward and we know few of the place they chopped them.

GV Prakash, has more than three 6-8 number with tape drums in all of the songs and in BGM. None of the songs neglect to enter mind, few not even ears.

Without wasting much time, I conclude. This is neither a must watch movie, nor a waste of time movie. If you are really free and don't know what do to in this weekend, plan for this. Otherwise no worries, you loose nothing.

சகுனி  - சரி இல்லை

Kalakalappu @ Masala Cafe - MyView

Sundar C's 25th movie. He took extreme care in maintaining the tempo and the core of the movie. None other than comedy. It has resulted so hilarious, houseful and laughter theaters where ever the movie was released.

Image courtesy : Zap2it

Now Tamil movie industry is moving from gangster genre of movies to comedy movies. Where every body right from the movie crew, distributors and audience are happy. This was proven by the latest products and their success. And this is another comedy movie. But this time from an expert in his own style.

Usually Sundar C movies will have mainstream story with comic eclair style screenplay. Except this movie, where there is nothing to do much with the story, since it is an inspiration from German movie soul kitchen.
He has done few customization in the screen play to suit Tamil audience. And the result is success.

For first few minutes the movie was still at the start line, with no major impact on audience. Slowly the story starts its pace and when Siva enters we could feel the 'gear shift'. There starts the laughter. I should say this was just 10% of the movie experience till interval.

The second half, Santhanam enters and theater explodes in laughing. I literally laughed louder after very very long time. When you come out of cinema hall, you will have greater feeling of relief. (Later you have to resume to your own sucking life :p)

The movie goes like a comedy drama, story revolving around the 'Masala Cafe', a family run generations old hotel. Interactions between characters provide scope for comedy and the director has used it to the maximum.

Music by Vijay Ebinezar. I should say, on the whole it was very average. And for sure worst ever album in Sudar C's movie portfolio. May be has decided that not to concentrate on music this time. Background score sounds were ridiculous some times, like I was watching Tom & Jerry show. That could be little more mature. Songs didn't even enter my ears. Only wrong technician chosen for this movie was the Music director.

Sundar C is well know to experiment glamor with homely heroins. In the past few like Meena was over exposed. This time two Anjali and Oviya are the victims. Glamor more than required for their roles. He may justify with his so called commercial cinema recipe.

I am not sure, if I watch it again it gives me same laughter, even then it is a good movie to watch with your family. Even in climax there is fight and no blood. I really appreciate that.

Kalakalappu, siripu matthapu..

A Night at Nagarhole National Park

Another trip towards nature!!

This time we choose to go into Nagarhole national park situated at the banks of Kabini river 80kms(app) away from Mysore. We were just 3 this time, because others had other commitments.(Bcoz I don't have one ;))

Last Friday morning, It was good drive and we didn't struggle much to find out way to the jungle (Jungle Lodges). Road closer to the resort was unforgettable. Because it took 1 hour to cross that 13Kms (Very nasty road, I mean there was very less road in the lump and humps). 

Though we missed welcome drink in the resort, there was a delicious meal waiting for us. Once after finishing we all boarded into the safari vehicles.With all excitements we entered into jungle. After an hour no signs of any animal, we saw a herd of elephants on the other side of the river bank.

Tried approaching that group, on the way we saw a mother elephant with her calf. She was teaching the calf to clean the grass before plucking to eat. Feast for cameras too. Then we moved on, where we saw stripe necked mongoose and giant Malabar squirrel. Then all we saw was the common sightings like spotter dear, samba deer, langur, boar etc

Two naturalists who came with us guiding were following warning calls by barking deer and langur I felt asleep(past two days didnt had enough sleep, so cant control my eyes).  All of a sudden the jeep stopped, I opened my eyes. Another vehicle in front of us and people in there was looking at something at the left side. We all we delighted. It was Leopard. After hunting something, stomach full, relaxing. But this was not for a long time. The driver in the vehicle before started the engine, not liking that slowly it stood up and walking into the bush. We were happy that we saw a big cat. Returned back to our tents.

But to our disappointments, while we discussed with other groups they saw both tiger and leopard. It was like discussing an question paper, after answering a question wrong.

Morning, we again went in, peacock and jungle fowls were all the way wishing the morning. Later flocks of  spotted dear joined the welcome ceremony inside jungle.After this we had nothing see.... roaming total jungle nothing spotted.

Agrrr.... To add fuel to the fame, the gang of boys who shared our vehicle were doing all nuisance. Which irritated the naturalists and us too.(usually while in to jungle we are not suppose to do few things. Out of which the first don't is "Speak") The silence inside the jungle will be like honey. Everybody should taste it.

With all these disappointments, our naturalist guides got info from another vehicle crossing and took us to a place.  A group of elephant with a tusker[male elephant]. It was so close, not more than 20feet. Looking at our entry, the tusker did 'mock charge'. [search the keyword, you will know what it is. All you would hear would be trumpets :)] With out disturbing much we left the place. Something was better than nothing... we turned to our tents.

We we really got annoyed that every other group went in saw wild dogs, tiger. That too, a group kept watching tiger for 20 mins. I should say  not a very lucky trip for us.... But still we took back good memories with us.....

May be I would try my luck again :)

OK OK - MyView

OK OK - Oru Kal Oru Kannadi

Another comedy ha-trick from director Rajesh.

Expectation for this movie was too high because of two pupil 1) Santhanam 2) Rajesh
And I should say both of them has enough entertainment for the audience, and preserved the hope on them.

I got a Himalayan doubt on Udhayanidhi after looking at his half-baked acting in his introduction shot. Then later he trying to stabilize it in the due course of movie. Major turn-off for him is his eyes. He looks OK when he wears sunglasses.

There was huge applause and whistle for Santhanam's entry(they didnt do it for the hero :p) He steals the show during his presence in the screen.

Conversation between Udhayanithi and Santhanam is the major part of movie. And most of the time they give laughter.

Nothing special to mention about Hansika. She does a very average performance.

Screenplay style is same as that of BOSS (a) Baskaran. One thing I wonder about Rajesh is that the story he handle is the same old recipe but still he adds some magic ingredient to make it presentable and enjoyable.

But to mention that even a very liked dish can bore you at some point of time. And I guess his style of movies are reaching saturation. He should change it or else would stay back in the race. Because in few of the scene you could guess the next frame.

Songs were already reached us to some extent. Harris has re-composed his own tunes shuffling tune notes here and there from his past tunes. It was still good to hear like we get snacks from road side shop cooked with re-heated oil.

But to mention choreography has ruined that little taste too. Not to blame the choreographers they would have hard time teaching these folks. Fact is the dance do look like some nursery school stage program with simple steps that too with out co-ordination.

One thing to object (or should say condemn) in the movie is, there is set of sequences in which they make fun of a girl, who is not so pretty. Such kind of discrimination should not be encouraged in mass media.

OKOK is Just OK....

3 - MyView

The very expected, kolaveri fame, media hyped movie, despite I heard mixed comments I dared to watch the movie. That too a night show.

First of all there were THREE things to be appreciated in the movie. 1) Dhanush's performance 2) Shruthi's performance 3) Background music.

Dhanush is getting refined in his acting skills and its evident in this movie.  More surprising was Shruthi's expressions and her performance. I hope we all seen her in 7am arivu. She has improved 100% from there. School uniform well suited for both Dhanush and Shruthi very well.

Sivakarthikeyan helps to keep the story plot and audience minds loose for a heavy second half.

During first half the screen is blazed with Shruthi's glazing appearance and performance. And in second half Dhanush steals the show with his action. In the climax last 10 mins is only dependent on his performance[not even a dialogue].


Songs, we have heard enough. Anirudh has got some potential and need to choose good projects in future to sustain.Chords and brass section in RR were really good and dwells well with the screen.

Kolaveri song's choreography is below the mark. And it didn't stand up to the expectation, to be frank.

Despite lot of good technicians the second half makes feel that something is missing. There were lot of lengthy shots where editor tried giving good transition cuts but still its lengthy. The silence BGM was powerful for a while but soon after gives yawning :(  Prabhu who plays the father of Dhanush always keep sitting in his home office.

There were other minor gaps, But Director Aishwarya to be very much appreciated for the  bold step for creating a romantic thriller. And wish her more success.

Dhanush, for him a psychopath character is a easy job but still the justification was missing. As usual when a psycho therapy doctor explains the disorder, the scene doesn't transfer the seriousness to audience. But still Dhanush's acting has tried to seal it.

Critical response from the audience is obvious for such a critical story plot. But I really don't know why they named the movie '3'.

Karnan[ReRelease] - MyView

Despite seeing the movie more than a hundred time, I had the same excitement of new movie when entered the theater.

Image Courtesy:IndiaGlitz

Since this was a mammoth successful creation few decades ago, I am not going to cover the story and other aspects like my usual reviews. The classic movie with the acting giant Sivaji Ganesan's performance is mind blowing even now. No one can ever equal him in expressions and dialogue delivery. Few of the other actors performance look crazy/funny. Especially the regular eight side dancers who appear whenever there is a song. :)

We all know that the movie was squeezed well to accommodate the part of the epic with out missing the essence of the original flow.

The re-release was a good and productive effort to record it digitally.

For the first few minutes. it was very normal with very poor audio quality, because the re-released production company has said media that two to three reels of  movie film was damaged and what we see are the recovered part. Later closer toward the climax the image corrections are visible and good too.

Audio mixing was OK for a while, It was impressive when the war starts. I didin't know the name of composer who has overlapped the new instruments. In few areas it is below the mark. All songs were digitally re mastered which is really good to hear.

All together, Seeing the movie on big screen with digital audio is not a bad experience.

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The New Me*....

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Kadhalil Sothapuvathu Yepadi - MyView

A dramatic love story. I went in theater with little expectation because like few of us, I have seen the "Short film"(which is the main course of this film too) a year back directed by Balaji Mohan.

Movie was like a sweet candy wrapped in colorful foil. Love was every where(only on the screen). Sidharth hero and producer of this film is a college student. I like the college very much. Because student there do everything except studying.

Source:Wikipedia

Charming Sidharth and Cute Amala make good pair and did justice to their roles.

Actual story and few scene of the movie is the same as we saw in the short film. Interest character who acted in that short film has done a very fantastic role. He takes responsibility of tickling our ribs.

Sidharth narrates, quotes, advices often looking the camera. It was ok when the movie started, but started feeling like watching a documentary when it continues. The story as said earlier is the same as the short film with added few extra characters and few extra love, director managed to expand it to 2 hrs.


The movie has everything to entertain teenagers and college goers.

Songs (S.Thaman) are average, good to hear(but doesn't stay in our mind) and intentionally inserted. But I like the lead and transformation of first two songs from dialogue. The movie was shot for Telugu audience too, so in few frames we can see few unfamiliar objects in Tamilnadu on screen(Reason: max shooting were done at Hyderabad).

Suresh who plays a family man(also part of the matured love story), comes in 3 days trimmed beard(even in different scenes) till he is in grief. And when bliss re-enters his life, he appears clean shaved. Not to look at logic since it is out of syllabus :). Nothing much to explain more...

If you really don't know how to spare time or your old friend(actually an elder one for me) tortures to go this movie, you need not bother about this movie :).

Happy Women's Day

Women - A powerful word.

There will be at least one women you could think of in any perspective in your life. Mother, Sister, friend, colleague, lady of interest, crush, opponent and so on.... That was for men. But not to stop there, women play significant role with in women community too.

They are the only reason of the residue culture we have in our country. A women takes care of grooming another women in her environment with her idea.Whatever financial background she comes from, she has strong understanding and takes firm decision.

A female known for love, trust, affection, care and not miss the important feature STRENGTH. Naturally they posses a strong mind and ready to bold decisions.Power of Nature, and creation is there in every women.

Google's Doodle for IWD 2012

Celebrating the power and delicacy of women as women's day, initially started at late 19th century. Actually  it was working women's day (they say it had political interest in western countries Read more here). Later after few year at Copenhagen they declared the day as International Women's Day.

We learn a lot of the women's near by us. And this is the day to take a moment and share the thankfulness and respect to all the women we know.

Happy Women's Day to all respectable women.

[Image courtesy: Wikipedia]

Aravaan - MyView

Last Saturday, Had a chance to see another decent movie. Aravaan.
Actually I noted this movie in my wishlist, but didn't thought would watch it so early.

Its a period movie, which is very much evident in the movie trailer and posters.
A historical fiction, inspired and improvised from Su. Venkatesan's novel Kaaval Kottam.
With little curiosity I entered the theater.

Since being a period film, art and music are major components. Vijay Murugan has arranged the sets for the movie which is very much appreciable and consistent. Art work has complemented the movie to great extent. Music composed by Karthik; Beginning of the movie, background music was simply mega drums rolls(during the theft scene), which continued to the first song also. I had little thoughts, whether this style would be for the entire movie. Later to fail my guessing there wes very good BGM accompany the happenings on screen. Songs are very average, except "Nilla nilla" which stays in mind and make you mummer for a while.

Cinematography(I should say photography) is the very first thing impacted me. Excellent shots, super camera angles, beautiful backdrops, brilliant frame composition, bright and colorful processing. Few credit goes to Siddharth, who handled this part. Majority is result of digital camera technology. Siddharth's camera lenses has captured the dry landscape beautifully. I was not following the story for the while, getting lost in the artistic touch on screen frame by frame. Later, screenplay took over :). To enjoy this you must watch this movie in theater. Or else you miss a maximum pie.

The movie has powerful screenplay, which keeps the audience engaged till climax. There are suspense, search and thrill weaved properly to give proper flavor of entertainment. Though story was borrowed from the novel, Vasanta balan has excelled in the area of screen play and direction. No one could think of his previous products (Veyil, Angadi theru etc) while watching.. But not to our surprise we see characters from his previous movies. Especially Bharat and Anjali on cameo roles.

In acting everybody were up to the mark. Initially it was a feeling like, there were lot of characters, later when story moves only with few key characters occupy the screen. And there is a reason for that too. Stunts were too real.

Pasupathi as usual he has done is part well.(Sometime he crosses the limit i.e. overacting ;)) Adhi with his well build body and eight packed abs should be the right choice for the character. His voice sometimes ditches him but still he is good. Dhanshika hardly has dialogues but comes in few reels. Noticeable opposite character is done by Karikalan... Many should have forgot him. He has starred one movie in tamil late 90's. He was well build at that time, but now very stout.

Kabir bedi as palayam king is a right choice too. Singam puli tries to tickle our ribs but with less laughter :(

The movie is good but not flawless. Firstly the time period is not too specific. The characterization and costumes contradict many times. Everybody has uncut long hair. But villain has got short, army hair cut and mustache shaved. Weapons they use resemble 6th or 7th century but they show palayam rule (which came in late 16th or 17th century). Secondly, as usual heroines are fairer(actually fairest) in their group. This would happen only in our movies. Dialogues rendered were unclear sometimes and few more minor...

There were influence of Hollywood too. I could notice only three, may be you can add if you find more. The camera attached to pasupathy's body when he runs, is direct usage from apocalypto. Bharat's outfit is more or less equivalent to a character in apocalypto. Bharat seducing queen with perfume is more or less similar to the movie Perfume.

Film ends with an unexpected message too.

On the whole, Aravaan which is a different effort and a fiction with suspense and thrill, can be watched once.

Wilderness camp

After a long time, I had chance to get out of my routine life and gather with my school friends.

This gathering was not for other friend's marriage or any other bachelor party. We gathered to get closed to nature. To be precise wild.

After sniffing for tourists places on the way to Mysore from Bangalore on Friday (24/Feb/2012). A night stay at Mysore gave us little rest, for the next day adventure.

Next day morning, we started our journey towards the actual spot. Finding the way was little difficult, though we took the help of GPS, local peoples [with out knowing the language]. We had quarrels bcoz of inquiring the route but changed them to fun and enjoying it. We finally reached the check-post to enter 'K.GUDI'

K.Gudi is a forest area on top of BR hills. It is time of transition from summer to autumn, all the trees welcomed us bald(lost almost all of their leaves). But we were waiting to visit in such a weather. We were driving for few kms, except our vehicle's engine growling there was no sound. There was little fear in us, reason: its migrating time for elephants(to nearest water bodies) and we should not disturb them. Tossing a car is none of the matter for them. But fortunately nothing came in our way except few spotted deers and jungle fowls. 10 kms drive on the hill and we reached the jungle resort.

Since we were traveling for the second day, we thought of relaxing a while in the tents/huts we reserved. We then warmed up our muscles by playing Table Tennis (Actually, we wanted to empty our stomach. Bcoz there was delicious lunch awaiting ;)). After sumptuous lunch, again some relaxing. But this time we were binding ourselves into the silence of the jungle.

Mid of the day,  even though sun was smiling generously there was breeze. The silence of the forest makes you feel lighter. A quick power nap, it was 4PM. Time for Jungle safari (the most awaited). We got ready with all our optical devices (cameras, binoculars etc). 3 Hrs of safari in an open jeep with a friendly naturalist cum guide. Nothing much to see except few common sighted animals like, spotted dears, sambhar dears, barking dears, wild boars, languors and herd of bison.

From the moment Sun went down, temperature inside forest started dropping drastically. We have to return to our dens. Again delicious dinner, few hours of talk under light which was powered by a generator. Person in-charge gave a warning call that he is going to switch off the generator. We came to our tents to prepare our bed. We had a surprise guest visited inside. A wild spider, 15cms in width. Security nearer helped us get rid of it.

Next day, morning 5.30am we woke up for a safari again with the same person. Now he became socialized with us, and started explaining about things in and around the forest. Except this chat and two hours of drive we had nothing to see.. We were returning to our base disappointingly. "Chances of animal sighting is more in evening. Morning it will be less" - A dialogue told by another naturalist while dinning last night came to mind. We all with sad faces and clicking the dry trees for the sake of coming.

All of a sudden, our naturalist friend spotted a 'Wild Dog'. Wow! it was not alone (as-usual), their was eight of them. For few minutes we were following them. Then we understood that they are searching for their prey. With the intention not to disturb them further we returned back to our base happily. There were two other vehicles in to forest for safari but they didn't spot any animal. We were LUCKY.

To top up the feeling of wildness, we came back to Mysore zoo saw few rare varieties of animals. And now back to square one. With almost two to three less-slept nights and 1000Kms of travel I am tired as-usual :)

PS: Photos are still in cameras, will share them once I get a chance.

Accept the Change

I remember a SMS which I received sometime back

"You shouldn't expect change other always.
You should bring the change required.

-By 23C bus conductor."

Though we always say and hear philosophical phrases
"changes are inevitable", "change is the only thing which never changes"
But how many of us are really accepting or ready to accept the change?

If you think, I am going to bring in some political or social issue topic. No you are wrong :)

An M.I.T. neuroscientist named Ann Graybiel and her colleagues conducted behavior study on their wired rats inside maze. They observed that rat's mental activity decreased when the rat learned to solve the maze. When they tried again and again rat was able to solve the maze faster with decreasing use of brain. Which means, it becomes as habit than a behavior. [Source: www.nytimes.com]

Similarly, we humans when refrain to change and follow a regular pattern/approach. Our brain is loosing its ability. So keep changing intentionally.  Believe me it will be refreshing.

Few practices like, next time when you time you travel in bus give up the window seat. Take a different route way back to home from office(plan the timings if you are trying the home - office route). Spend your weekend in a different location (it definitely need not be a hill station or a hangout spot). Change your make over.  Disclaimer: you should be aware of the consequences of what ever you do. ;) and so on....

This will prevent us from disappointments and keeping our brain in alert mode . Since this is LIFE and nothing happens as expected. Expectation is sole cause of disappointment, stress and frustration. If you follow a regular pattern, your mind takes granted that you have solution for all problems.

So guys Be ready to change 'the change'.

Any comments?