The Grey (2011)

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Post an aircrash caused by inclement weather in Alaska, six oil workers and a bold huntsman named John Ottway are the lone survivors. The weather keeps getting worser while a pack of wolves are also around to terrorize them. One by one, the survivors count keeps reducing and John has to inspire and lead the group as their condition keeps worsening.

The movie has some tremendously cold visuals and you can actually feel the chill. The scenes when the wolves come to hunt the men are terrific as well. As a result, the violence and bloodshed in the movie is pretty high. Due to the snow-clad visuals and the thrilling encounters with the wild wolves, the movie would have been a great big-screen experience. Post the Cliffhanger, I haven't seen a movie with such 'chilly' visuals. VFX and animatronics have been used well to portray the wolves and the fury caused by Mother Nature. The sound design is also authentic and makes us a part of the action.

This is one of those movies which prove that none can stand Mother Nature's fury. Since it is a movie that also shows a group of men together, there is a fair bit of male bonding, philosophy, some aggressive encounters, good dialogues and poignant monologues.

It's a cakewalk for Liam Neeson and the other actors as the movie is heavily driven by the visuals and the toughening conditions that the men have to experience.

FINAL WORD: Could have been a good big screen experience due to the fantastic visuals and sound. A decent 'disaster movie' to catch in the small screen as well.  

Dabangg 2 movie review

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1.5 / 5

Salman Khan is back as Chulbul Pandey in the sequel to his blockbuster Dabangg. His own brother Arbaaz Khan is directing as well as producing this film which released today amid huge hype and expectations, like all other Salman Khan films in the recent past. 

Sonakshi Sinha, Vinod Khanna and Arbaaz Khan continue their presence in the sequel along with Salman. The movie is set in Kanpur and Prakash Raj as Bachcha Singh is the prime antagonist. He has two doting brothers who swear by his side. The plot is as thin as it can get as Chulbul has to stop Bachcha’s terrorizing hold on the city. He does so, in his own style which we have come to know by now.

The film also throws some light on his family life – his pregnant wife Rajjo, his concerned father Prajapati Pandey and his good for nothing brother Makhi who wishes to turn a new leaf for the sake of his love Nirmala.

Despite being a film which runs for just more than two hours, the movie isn’t a racy ride and owes whatever it is, to the comical yet macho presence of Salman Khan. His antics, his larger-than-life stunts, the sly one-liners and the typical shirtless avatar towards the end do please his core fans. His mustache looks really funny though and we wish the star had grown a proper ‘mush’ rather than resort to a fake one.

Sonakshi Sinha is just a decked-up doll with nothing to do. Vinod Khanna shares some heartwarming bonding with Salman in their father-son scenes. Arbaaz brings a light chuckle thanks to his foolishness while his pair Mahi Gill is restricted to just a small cameo. Prakash Raj repeats an act that he has done in countless Southern films, that of the loud villain who barks but doesn’t bite much. We feel sad at the typecasting that he has to experience.

Kareena Kapoor’s raunchy ‘low-hip’ act in the ‘Fevicol’ number is among the most relieving moments in the movie. The star continues to glow in film after film. She lifts the bland movie in the limited time she appears in. Talking about the songs, each of them has a heavy Dabangg hangover and it is a major letdown from the composer duo Sajid-Wajid. Even if the songs are played countless times on TV, their merit isn’t up to the mark.

The stunts by South fame ‘Anal’ Arasu play to the gallery and to the larger-than-life image of Salman Khan. Each sequence is unimaginative and just looks to boost the hero’s macho appeal.

All said, Dabangg 2 will probably set some collection records thanks to the mass following that Salman commands. But, the movie hardly has any originality or creativity. It is a sad effort from debut director Arbaaz Khan. The earlier Dabangg was in itself an ordinary movie which was lifted purely by the songs and the star power. But, when the same template is repeated with below-par songs, a dull screenplay, and bland scenes even Salman’s worn out antics and screen presence can’t help matters much.

Dabangg 2 would hopefully be the last of the brand of nonsense that Bollywood has been dishing out as seen in a string of movies like Son of Sardaar, Khiladi 786 and now this much hyped dud.  

FINAL WORD: Dabangg 2 might make money thanks to Salman but it is an insipid commercial affair with nothing to savor.

Thank You for Smoking (2005)

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This movie deals with a pro-tobacco lobbyist Nick Naylor who has to talk for a living. All he has to do is convince the world to take up smoking. He has a young son who doesn’t know much about what his father does in his life, thanks to the fractured relationship between his parents.

Nick’s appearance on television shows are a topic of much debate and the discussions which he has with his two friends (who are lobbyists for alcohol and guns respectively) are hilarious as they literally compete on the death toll that their respective product has caused. The friends call themselves MOD (Merchants of Death).

Nick has some really ambitious and ruthless seniors to impress and they use his capabilities in every possible way. His discussions with a film entertainment agent on a possible cigarette product placement in a Brad Pitt / Catherine Zeta Jones movie set in space, is one such example of the kind of deals Nick has to broker.

A superhot journalist is out to expose the truths and secrets within Nick and she goes to the extent of seducing him into having sex with her to lure him. The consequences of her report cost Nick his job. He is also put through a kidnapping escapade by anti-tobacco crusaders where he is given an overdose of nicotine and literally put to a near-death state.

Nick has a congressional committee hearing in the end where he needs to testify as Senator Ortolan Finistirre is on a rampage to term cigarette as a form of poison so that the society and particularly teens are reminded of the fact that cigarettes aren’t good for their health.

Does Nick manage to make an appearance at the hearing and what does he decide about his future is the remainder of ‘Thank You for Smoking'

• The premise of the movie is really new, informative and interesting.
• Katie Holmes is ravishing in her small role while Aaron Eckhart is spontaneous and natural in his portrayal.
• The movie is light-hearted yet serious in its content.
• The guy who plays Nick's son Joey has a very mature voice that belies his age. He plays a nice role in lifting his dad's sagging spirits in the end.  

FINAL WORD: A new experience indeed.

Ethir Neechal music review

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3.25 / 5

This is Anirudh Ravichander's second outing post the phenomenal success of 3. Has he lived up to his own high standards?

Un Paarvayil

Anirudh, Vivek Siva

This short and sweet number has resemblance to one of the themes in 3 with the usage of flutes, string instruments and rustic percussions.  Instruments take prominence over the lyrics which hardly last a few lines.

 

Velicha Poove Va … CHEERS

Mohit Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal

Mohit Chauhan’s pronunciation of Tamil words has some sort of a stylish irreverence to it while Shreya Ghoshal is typically exuberant in her delivery. The percussions of this number have a thumping quality to them. A variety of string instruments and a nice lilting flute presence are contained in this number. Somehow you get a feeling that this song has some sort of an Anirudh stamp and kudos to the composer for achieving a distinct sound so soon in his career. This one may rise up the popularity charts soon.

Local Boys

Dhanush and Velmurugan

The number begins with a riotous flowing synth sound and overpowering Kuthu beats. Dhanush takes over to deliver this number written in typical colloquial lyrics. The pace is relentless and competes with the Manmadha Raasa number in this department. Nadaswaram seems to be an unmistakable part of such numbers.  The rhythm is also akin to the Kolaveri number in one small portion of the song. This one is unabashedly targeted at the frontbenchers and it delivers big time.   

Nijamellam Marandhu Pochu

Dhanush, Anirudh

Processed beats and synth vocals give this number a heavy digital sound. It is catchy but the overpowering influence of electronic sounds robs the song of its core essence. The layered flute sound manages to stand out amid the cacophony. A rap section also competes for a place in an already crowded number. You constantly get to hear a refrain that goes “Don’t give a fuck about …”  

Ethir Neechal … CHEERS

YOYO Honey Singh and Hip Hop Tamizha Adhi

This one is a club number with elevating lyrics by Vaali and will be right up the alley for the young things in the crowd. The production of the track is akin to other tracks in this genre with heavy synth presence. We have two proven singers to contribute to the rap and hip-hop segments of the number. The Tamil hip-hop portion has some ‘chest beating’ lyrics dedicated to Tamils. Will be interesting to see the video of this number!  

Boomi Ennai Suthudhe …  CHEERS

Anirudh

Anirudh puts his unconventional vocals to use in this song with good support from the acoustic guitars, accordion and harmonica. This gives a nice relaxing feel to the overall song. We also get to hear the customary flute, a small Kolaveri-like portion and thumping percussions like other Anirudh numbers.  

FINAL WORD: Ethir Neechal is a solid follow-up to 3, though sounding somewhat similar. Anirudh has created a distinct sound for himself very early in his career. Now it’s up to this youngster to prove that he can try different styles and genres. Let’s welcome this album wholeheartedly.

Neethane En Ponvasantham review

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1.5 / 5

Gautham Menon is back with his brand of romance - showing us the so-called modern, classy and high-society couple, Nithya Vasudevan and Varun Krishnan. Starting from childhood through to school, college and finally as young adults, this pair just can't live without each other and when they are together they just can't stop arguing with each other. Ego clashes, misunderstandings, priority changes etc. do their part in keeping the couple apart until the climax. Check out the movie to know if the pair does unite in the end.

• Ilaiyaraja's songs sound so ordinary on screen. Sad. Not a single song has been picturized memorably. The scope for the Maestro to show his RR skills is also close to ZERO. Sad 
• And GVM, Pls stop singing on screen. It sounds bad and irritating, to put it mild. For how long will you keep showing your hero wooing his girl with an old Ilaiyaraja song? 
• The movie is a big drag and an absolute bore. Audiences are absolutely restless and are waiting for the movie to finish by the time it drags to the finish line. 
• People are laughing in the theater whenever Santhanam appears on screen, irrespective of whether his jokes are good or not. We can't even hear what he is speaking thanks to the unbridled laughter that he incites in the crowd. That said, his portions are THE ONLY SOLACE in the movie. The VTV spoof, his attempts at speaking English, his one-liners are spot-on as always
• Jiiva has nothing special to do. Samantha makes a really earnest effort to emote and she has succeeded. Her school days look is so cute and drool worthy, particularly the hair style. Her efforts to dub for herself are also commendable. But Gautham Menon has characterized her role in such a way that you get restless whenever she starts speaking a lengthy dialog. 
• There are heavy touches of Vaaranam Aayiram (the modest father (Varun's father) character akin to Krishnan in VA , Varun's sudden realization to turn responsible and do an MBA)
• There are heavy touches of VTV as well (a park scene towards the end between the lead pair, the hero's trip to Manapad to get back his girl - it was Kerala in VTV, here it's our very own TN)
• On the whole, the film is hardly engaging and it is an ordeal. 
• They are so many suggestive kissing scenes but none is actually shown. Atleast a couple of liplocks could have salvaged the ticket amount. 

FINAL WORD: Stale, dragging, hardly exciting and nothing interesting on offer. DAMP SQUIB

Kumki review

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3 / 5

Prabu Solomon is a bankable name in the industry post the path breaking Mynaa which won critical acclaim as well as handsome box-office success. His latest release Kumki introduces two bright young talents in Vikram Prabhu and Lakshmi Menon. Thambi Ramaiah also adds weight to the cast with his presence as a character actor.

At the start of the movie we are told that Kumki is actually an elephant that is used to tame wild elephants and send them back to the forests.

Aadhi Kadu is one such village that is forced to seek the services of a Kumki till their harvest, after a wild elephant named Komban goes on a rampage and kills three people. The government and police aren’t of much help to them. This village is bound by strict customs and rituals that are in place since 200 years. Alli is a beautiful young girl in this village who escapes from Komban by sheer luck and she starts developing an aversion to elephants due to this nightmarish incident.

Meanwhile, Bomman and his elephant Manickam are almost like brothers and Manickam is a nice gentle elephant that is primarily used during festivals for processions. Due to circumstances, Bomman volunteers to go to Aadhi Kadu with his elephant masquerading as a Kumki elephant. He is also smitten by Alli and falls in love.

With the menace of Komban nearing and with the increasing trust and dependence that the village shows on him and his elephant, Bomman is caught in a difficult situation. His love also keeps intensifying on the other hand. How he handles this entire Catch 22 situation is the crux of Kumki.

The film is brilliantly shot and the visuals are dream-like. Hats off to the cinematographer Sukumar. The shots of Bomman taking pull-ups on his elephant’s tusks, the beautiful shots of the fully harvested sunflower fields and the jaw-dropping waterfalls shown in the Sollitaley number will stay with you for long. The pristine locales of Theni are such a lush treat to the eye.

Imman is the other hero of Kumki with all his numbers competing for top honors. Soi, Sollitaley, Ayyayo Anandhame and Nee Yeppo Pulla are strong contenders for being the song of the year. His menacing use of wind instruments in his re-recording is apt for the huge elephants on screen.

Lakshmi Menon shines in her natural portrayal and her ease at portraying even intricate expressions is a true gift. Thambi Ramiah is almost like the hero of the movie till the climax. His one-liners, gestures, reactions play to the gallery big time. It does get monotonous beyond a point as scene after scene is dominated by this free-spirited actor. The sidekick named Undiyal also provides some laughter with his dialogues.

Coming to Vikram Prabhu, he proves that he is indeed from the Sivaji Ganesan household in the intensely emotional scenes in the climax. He is also at ease portraying angst, gratitude and rage. His physique is a major plus and this hunk is sure to go places. He can be expected to carry on the Ganesan family lineage. One particular scene when he realizes how much trust and respect the village is having on him is a nice example of his merit.

On the downside, the film’s pace is steady and it doesn’t get racy till the end. The mandatory VFX shots dedicated to the action scenes featuring the elephants are sadly below-par and standout sorely. But, these blips aren’t major enough to affect the movie’s fortunes at the box-office.

Kumki should prove to be another jewel in Prabhu Solomon’s crown. His team’s work in giving us such a good looking film which also has its heart in place, is commendable. Kudos too, for the ending which doesn’t abide by commercial cinema’s unwritten rules.  

FINAL WORD: Kumki definitely lives up to the hype. It is a beautifully shot movie with good performances and an emotional core.

Sivaji 3D review

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Anyone even remotely associated with Tamil cinema would have seen Sivaji - The Boss atleast once. This 2007 blockbuster which saw the Rajini - Shankar combo unite for the first time was recently converted to 3D and has been released today as a birthday gift for the Superstar.

The movie is about an Indian named Sivaji who returns from the US to his state to do something good for his people. He envisions providing free education and free medical treatment through his Sivaji Foundation.

Adiseshan, a goonda turned businessman, is totally against this plan as his existing universities and hospitals would be badly affected by this 'free for all' initiative of Sivaji. Sivaji isn't allowed to do things in a honest manner and he has to bribe countless individuals. Beyond a point when he is pushed to the limit, Sivaji turns Adi's tormentor as he begins a crusade against all the black money hidden by the big-shots

He somehow swindles all this black money from these big-shots, uses it to accomplish his goal and also subsequently sends them to jail. But Adi won't go away that quietly and Sivaji literally takes a rebirth as the 'Motta Boss' MGR to finally eliminate Adi for good.

We also have a glamorous petite heroine in the form of Shriya and an entertaining side-kick in Vivek. The movie is an unabashed masala delivered in typical Rajini style. Shankar's touches are present in the first half when Sivaji is given a big lecture on all the laws and forms that he has to comply with, and also in the second half 'office room' scenes which are characteristic of Shankar.

The movie is a total celebration of Rajini's mass and screen presence. The response in the theater today was as good as the FDFS of Sivaji in 2007.

The 3D work was too flashy at places particularly the climax fight when money flies around the place and blocks almost the entire screen. That said, the interval coin toss and the songs (Vaaji and Sahana) look awesome in 3D. Vaaji in particular is a superb treat. Thotta Tharani's magnificent sets look deep and layered thanks to the 3D effects as well as KV Anand's imaginative cinematography which seems 'so made' for 3D.

The running time of the movie is 155 minutes and the music shop fight has been chopped while the 'Single Singam' fight and the elaborate drive-in theater fight have been trimmed. Solomon Pappaya's twin daughters Angavai and Sangavai have been shown the 'exit door' in this version.

Fans are enjoying the movie to the core with endless whistles, claps and hoots. 3D is just an extra incentive to see the Superstar in all his 'mass' glory on screen once again. You just can't help screaming your lungs out and having a whale of a time when this man walks, gestures and does all his antics in terrific style. Samples - the Style song, the Motta Boss scenes, the interval block, the helicopter 'mass' scenes, the office room scenes and many more ... A.R.Rahman's BGM at places is so heroic and pulsating that it lifts the 'mass' quotient several notches higher.

Expect a long run for the Boss in his second innings too. A nostalgic trip, this one is.

Vishwaroopam music review

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3.25 / 5

Vishwaroopam’s music was released today across three cities in Tamil Nadu. Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy have composed music for the verses written by Vairamuthu, Kamal Haasan and Asif Ali Beg

Vishwaroopam … CHEERS

Suraj Jagan

The song gets off to a chaotic and loud start with a mechanical siren-like sound. The tune is already familiar to audiences thanks to the trailer. This is a rock style song with inspirational and heroic lyrics. Rock singer Suraj Jagan has put up a spirited and energetic show and the chorus is also in sync with the song's dramatic mood. The chants have a surreal and mystic appeal while the wind instruments have great recall value. This one is a straight winner and will guarantee an adrenaline rush for Kamal fans.

Vishwaroopam Remix

Shane Mendonsa

The remixed version of this number starts in similar fashion with the mechanical sound but as expected proceeds with more pronounced electronic beats and synth sounds. A typical club number, it is, with the small guitar touches standing out. But one feels that the remix has too much going in it.

Thuppakki Engal Tholile

Benny Dayal & Kamal Haasan

Starts off like a rock number with the funk style guitar standing out along with the stylish English verses. Benny Dayal is at ease delivering this number as he has already delivered similar numbers in the past and the chorus portions give the song a breezy appeal. A Middle Eastern flavor also finds its way into the song after a point. Kamal's vocals aren't pronounced as is the norm because Benny takes prominence. The drums in the song are energetic and fastish while the wind instruments put the song on a pedestal.

Unnai Kaanadha … CHEERS

Shankar Mahadevan & Kamal Haasan

The song starts with the by now very popular 'thaka thaka' ‘konnakol’ refrain. Kamal is at ease delivering these portions in his own distinct style. He rocks in pulling off this tongue twisting portion with ease. Hats off to the legend! Shankar Mahadevan takes over then, in his authoritative, incredibly trained and mellifluous voice along with a pleasant female chorus backing. The tabla is also prominent in this Hindustani classical number. Trust Kamal to rock on screen with his dance moves. The song also has nice indigenous harmonium and classical string notes. This one will give you goosebumps once you take to it as its melody is almost divine.

Anu Vidhaitha Boomiyile

Kamal Haasan & Nikhil D'Souza

The female vocal and chorus at the start have a haunting, mellow and soothing effect. The percussion pattern of this song is slow paced and gives a nice intensity to the song. The lyrics written by Kamal himself carry heavy meaning and depth and his legendary ease at the high and low pitches is on showcase again. The way English and Tamil lyrics have been interwoven into this song gives it a transcending appeal.

FINAL WORD:The title track and Unnai Kaanadha will be strong musical favorites while the other two tracks will gel with the movie very well too. It’s a strong soundtrack from Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy on the whole. Happy for Kamal!

Khiladi 786 review

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1 / 5

Akshay Kumar has had a solid year with huge successes in the form of Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore and Oh My God. Now, he looks to round off this year with another success through Khiladi 786. He came into prominence thanks to the previous Khiladi movies and now he looks to repeat the charm opposite the company of Asin. Himesh Reshammiya has not only composed the music but has also written the story and is playing a crucial role too in the movie.  

Akshay Kumar plays Bahattar Singh (72 Singh) in this and his dad and uncle are called 70 Singh and 71 Singh respectively. His lost brother is called 73 Singh and the ladies in his home are all from foreign lands like China, Canada and Africa. His dad wishes to get him married to an Indian bride but it is a Himalayan task to get a girl for 72 as his family’s means and ways of living are questionable.

Meanwhile in Mumbai, we have a dreaded don called TTT who is looking for a good groom for his sister Indu since long. Indu keeps escaping marriage as she is in love with a good for nothing guy who keeps landing in jail. We also have a failed wedding planner / match maker in the form of Mansukh who wishes to successfully perform atleast one marriage after several failed attempts.

The movie is predictable as you would have guessed the plot by now. Mansukh tries to bring 72 and Indu together in matrimony. A whole lot of role playing, false claims and drama are part of the movie as it moves to a predictable finale.

Akshay Kumar has done such buffoonery plenty of times before and this one is no different. Asin looks fabulous and stylish but her role doesn’t make any demands on her talent. Himesh Reshammiya has put in a lot of effort to succeed in comedy and he partially succeeds at places. The ensemble support cast comprising the likes of Mithun Chakravarthy and Raj Babbar is sizable but nothing of note to leave a mark. But Johnny Lever creates some healthy fun as always.

Himesh’s songs aren’t worth bragging about save the end credits song ‘Hookah Bar’ which is foot-tapping. Since this is yet another movie with a heavy Punjabi flavor, the art department has presented the movie through a blaze of colors. The multi-colored trucks, the colorful costumes and turbans are a few examples of this.

When the characters in the movie keep calling Akshay by his dubious name it results in some unintentional comedy. Asin’s boyfriend, who keeps landing in jail through some unlikely way or the other, also provides some silly and harmless fun. But the highpoint of the comedy in the movie is when the long-lost brother, 73 Singh, is introduced. The few minutes post this introduction are funny more so because of 73’s unabashedly funny makeover.   

The stunt sequences in the movie are again ‘over the top’ just like the other recent release ‘Son of Sardaar’. Bollywood is actually taking the Rajinikanth style too far and just degrading what the Superstar stands for. His movies rarely have such silly and laughable stunts. Thank God, we have a proven stunt performer in Akshay Kumar to bring some style and panache to these sequences.

To sum it up, Khiladi 786 is just another of those silly ‘no-brainer’ movies that the Bollywood assembly line has been churning out with unfailing regularity over the past few years.   

FINAL WORD: Tries hard to be funny and entertaining but doesn’t provide anything memorable.

Premium Rush review

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This movie is about bicycle messengers in New York city. Wilee is one such daredevil biker who doesn't believe in using geared bikes and even abstains from using the brake on his cycle. He rides on the fast lane, loves to take risks and hates office jobs. He feels totally alive and kicking only while delivering on his bike. He has a girlfriend, Vanessa, who thinks he is too adventurous and not stable.

On one of Wilee's deliveries, he is pursued by a cop named Bobby Monday as he is badly in need of the contents in the envelope that Wilee is delivering. The envelope has a ticket that is worth a lot of money and Monday is badly in need of this money as he gets into trouble with some Chinese loan sharks.

The money is actually sent by Vanessa's roommate Nima to Sister Chen to help bring her son and mother into the US from China on a ship. Whether the money reaches the intended party, whether Monday is put in his place and whether Wilee comes out of this 'premium rush' experience scot-free?

• The movie has some really cool bike chases and stunts, incredibly done and highly entertaining. Surely will bring a smile on your face. 
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt rocks on his bicycle and he must have pounded his legs on the cycle as he rides on high speed for most of the movie's running time. 
• Dania Ramirez as his troubled girlfriend who later joins him on his ride and helps him out, is sexy, athletic and has a unique charm. She also does some killer stunts on the bike. Jamie Chung as Nima is another sexy female in the movie. 
• Michael Shannon is the bad cop and he is pretty expressive and spontaneous in his act. 
• The movie's presentation is non-linear, stylish and in-your-face. Would appeal to the action junkies for sure. 

FINAL WORD: Rushes to the finish line in less than 90 minutes. The stunts, the style and Joseph Gordon help the movie soar. 

Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom review

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4 / 5

Prem loses his memory just as he is on the verge of getting married to his sweetheart Dhanalakshmi. A freak mishap at a cricket match is the reason for his misfortune. But it is his friends Saras, Bucks and Bajji who bear the real brunt of his memory loss as Prem keeps repeating just a few sentences and loses his memory very often.

His repeated words and perplexed reactions are a real test of patience for the three friends. They decide to hide this episode from Prem's family and his fiancee as they fear that his marriage would be thrown into danger.

They somehow manage to keep the entire memory loss episode in secrecy and try their level best to get Prem married to Dhanam. It's a real test of the friends' endurance. Does Prem get married and does he get his memory back? Watch NKPK to find out.

This movie is a real life story based on the cinematographer Prem Kumar's life. His real life friend Bucks plays himself in the movie while Vijay Sethupathy plays Prem. The director of the movie Balaji Tharaneetharan was also part of the real life episode and his role (Bajji) has been played by Rajkumar. Saras is the third friend in the plot and Vigneswaran plays this role. Gayathri plays the fiancee in a limited role which gains prominence only when the action shifts to the marriage hall.

• While Bucks and Bajji shoot their mouth and get into trouble with their awkward remarks and expressions, Saras is the responsible guy in the group who controls Prem with an iron fist. Great acting by all the guys with Rajkumar being a real showstealer. Vigneswaran shines in the emotional scenes towards the end with his genuine expressions of relief. Bagavathi Perumal plays himself to perfection and some of his dialogs about love and depression, oppression are riotous. 
• Vijay Sethupathy's dialog delivery and reactions are a major highlight. His 'Ennachi', 'Paa .. Pei madri iruka da', 'Nagaraj Anne', 'Building lendhu gudhika ready' will stay in mind forever thanks to the frequent repetitions of these refrains. Each time, the audience bursts into uncontrollable bouts of laughter. 
• Gayathri as Dhanam is taken for a real ride each time she is termed 'Pei' by Vijay. Her reactions of self-pity are cute. Her voice is a plus too. 
• The movie is really long and moves at a leisurely pace. But, boredom rarely sets in.
• The end credits roll which introduces the real life characters is really sweet, surprising and emotional. The music for this portion is heart warming. Siddharth Vipin's BGM score is funny and playful. Most of Ved Shanker's nice songs don't find a place in the movie though.  
• The title credits are also very innovative as the friends are introduced through a peppy song with very apt lyrics. 
• The movie movies seamlessly from the cricket field to the hospital to the saloon shop to Prem's house to the final sequences at the marriage hall. The scene at the saloon shop in particular is really funny. 
• Some shades of 'The Hangover' can also be noticed towards the end.  

FINAL WORD: In all we can't find a single fault in this movie. A really serious issue has been presented through a 'laugh a minute' screenplay. Audiences are enjoying the movie wholeheartedly thanks to the actors, the dialogs and the really unique plot. YOU MUST WATCH THIS CULT COMEDY

Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal music review

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3.5 / 5

Movie: Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal

Cast: Arjun, Cheran, Vimal, Muktha Bhanu, Surveen Chawla, Lasini

Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja

The music of Vasanth’s Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal was released recently. He joins hands with Yuvan yet again after the musical hit, Satham Podadhey.  

Aaha Kaadhal Konji Pesudhe … CHEERS 

Singer: Nandini Srikar

After a mellow beginning on the keys, the song soars straightaway. It’s a beautiful fusion of classical music and western beats. There are delightful violin and flute portions in the song and one can expect this one to be in the minds of music lovers. Great effort from Yuvan and the singer Nandini, who is seductively melodious!

Kaadhal Enthan Kaadhal … CHEERS 

Singer: Neha Bhasin

Neha Bhasin is sexy as expected and the song also has indigenous use of the morsing (Jaw harp). The majestic keys, synth sounds and beats lift the song to lofty heights, thereby making it trippy. Not to mention, the male chorus and the imaginative use of the nadaswaram in a western song such as this.  

Mazhai Mazhai …

Singers: Karthik, Shwetha

This is a soft duet delivered in typical Yuvan style. Karthik and Shwetha are adequate and with rain soaked visuals, one can expect this song to strike the right chord. The flute-like synth interlude is cool and matches the song’s mood. The way the male and female vocals alternates, subscribes to the typical duet structure of yore.

Padapadakkudhu Maname … CHEERS

Singers: Krish,BlaZe

Krish starts off in a heart-wrenching manner amid support from the keys and one must say he scores in this number. Blaze’s English portions are similar to Akon’s though he delivers it in his own style. The way the song builds up to Blaze’s English portion is beautiful to say the least with nice synth sounds backing Krish. Even after such highlights, the repetitive accordion track turns out to be the real icing on the cake.   

Unakkagave Uyir Vaalgiren…

Singer: Yuvan Shankar Raja

This is the Yuvan special that he has chosen to sing in his trademark nasal and high pitched style. There are lots of psychedelic routines in the song which are typical of the dubstep genre. Quirky techno sound effects dominate with a nice synth flute interlude finding space too. Yuvan’s vocals are stylish and poignant in his own way while the chorus offers a soothing contrast.

  

Stop The Paatu… 

Singer: Ramesh Vinayagam

This song plays to the gallery and can be expected to be a mass treat. This stands out oddly in an otherwise imaginative album. It is catchy and foot-tapping, alright. Yuvan has packaged the song with techno sounds, rustic beats and native nadaswaram / shehnai instrumentals. A techno kuthu, one can say. ‘Vidu vidu thalaiva’ is an easy refrain to remember.  

FINAL WORD: Yuvan has offered great variety in this album and has attempted to offer something new to the listeners while also making sure that the entertainment quotient doesn’t dip. Vasanth has the perfect soundtrack to create visual magic on screen. 

Samar music review

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2.25 / 5

Starring: Vishal, Trisha, Sunaina

Written and Directed by: Thiru

Music by: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar

The music of Vishal’s upcoming Samar was released today.

Song: Vellai Maiyil

Singers: Udit Narayan, Shweta Mohan

The song begins with pleasant flute notes but once Udit Narayan starts with his routine of killing Tamil, the song starts losing its shine. Why is Yuvan still persisting with this guy? It’s baffling. The song has good processed beats and the female vocals are also sweet. The veena interludes are also nicely done. But, a better male vocalist could have lifted the song.

Song: Azhagho Azhaghu

Singer: Naresh Iyer

This song also has processed beats and Naresh Iyer is soft and likable. It’s a peppy melody with a ‘not so new’ tune. Trisha and the visuals might lift the song on screen. The typical Yuvan synth sounds are present in this song too in the form of whistles while the second strings interlude is refreshing.

Song: Rajaavin Thoattathil

Singers: K.G. Ranjith, Rita

This song again has a heavy electronic sound. Such item numbers aren’t new to Yuvan. There is nothing new about this racy and peppy song which has the Yuvan stamp writ all over it, particularly the instrumental portion that repeats. One of the singer’s voice has been processed interestingly and in contrast to the other vocalist. The English rap portion towards the end gels with the fastish nature of the song.   

Song: Poikkaal Kuthirai

Singer: Yuvan Shankar Raja

The song starts off with Yuvan’s voice mixed in an unconventional psychedelic way. A similar attempt was made in Katradhu Thamizh in the ‘Innum Or Iravu’ number. Some of the sounds in the song are really quirky. On the whole, this is another number with the unmistakable Yuvan touch and it’s something new in the mainstream Tamil film music scene.

Song: Oru Kannil Vaegam

Singers: K.G. Ranjith, Naveen Madhav, Suchitra

This song trumps for the lead man with heroic lyrics. Suchitra’s rap portions at the start are akin to the bubblegum pop genre. The synth flute and female chorus in the second interlude are the highlights of the number. The chorus part ‘Sama Sama Samaran’ is really ordinary, one feels.

FINAL WORD: This is one of Yuvan’s average efforts. Much more is expected from the Little Maestro. Vishal – Yuvan’s earlier associations had much better music.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)

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The McManus twins are brought back in action after eight years of solitude with their father (Noah), thanks to the murder of a priest in Boston in a manner which is akin to their style. They are joined by a Mexican fighter named Romeo who also happens to be a fan of their methods. Romeo takes Rocco's place (Rocco was the twins' partner in crime in the first part)

Back in Boston, Concezio Yakavetta is baying for the twins' blood to settle a personal score for their killing of his father Joe, eight years earlier. The assassin who killed the priest is a short guy named Ottilio Panza who is actually hired by Concezio and a mysterious person named 'The Old Man'. 'The Old Man' has a score to settle with Noah as they go back a long way and he plans this entire killing of the priest to bring him and his sons out of hiding.

The twins are aided in their plans and moves to wipe out these mobsters by Special Agent Bloom who happens to be a very stylish and intelligent agent. She turns out to be a nice fill-in for the gay Special Agent Paul Smecker from the first part. She also has three agents Greenly, Dolly and Duffy for company and they were there in the first part too. They continue to assist the twins in anyway possible.

We are also shown Noah's flashback and how he was betrayed and sent to jail for a 25 years sentence.

• This part also has gloriously orchestrated stunt sequences which ooze style. The one when the twins stylishly jump down many floors and start their ambush is 'killer'. 
• The twins who were so endearing in the first part thanks to their methods and rituals score a shade less in the second part. So does their father Noah. Noah's flashback is pretty intense and violent though. 
• The treatment of this film is pretty much consistent with the first part. 
• The scenes when the twins dream of Rocco boosting their spirits with an amazing pep talk, is marvelous to say the least. It is inspiring and entertaining at the same time. 
• The dialogues are totally boyish and are peppered with cuss words. 
• Clifton Collins Jr. as Romeo turns out to be a more than adequate replacement for Rocco with his  style and stupid yet wacky methods. He is a crowd puller all the way.  
• Juliue Benz is sexy, seductive and has an awesome voice. Her modus operandi is very similar to her mentor Paul Smecker's.
• The film has a twist in the end and ends with the promise for more, much to the delight of fans who have taken a liking to these movies. 

FINAL WORD: As good as the first part thanks to the action, the style, the dialogues and the main characters. No wonder, it has a cult following. 

Neerparavai review

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3.5 / 5

Neerparavai is a movie that shows the lives of fishermen living in coastal Tamil Nadu. The portrayal of their lives is very authentic. All the rules and regulations that they follow, their sense of community, the struggles that an outsider has to undergo to be accepted among the fisher-folk etc. have been shown like never before.  The village shown in the movie is replete with Christians and a few Muslims. Hence, there is a lot of weight given to showing the customs and practices at the Church, the respect given to the Father and Sisters and the way they go about preaching, healing and collecting funds from people.

Vishnu scores as the wayward drunkard who finally mends his ways after falling in love. The transformation is not overnight and the movie shows the stages he undergoes in his rehab process. The love and support that he gets from his parents is highly moving. His love track with Sunaina is also not cinematic and has shades of realism. There are some needless songs in the second half though. Black Pandi and Thambi Ramiah are there to provide plenty of funny as well as poignant moments. Both these actors are going places of late.

The movie travels in flashback mode and begins on a dreary note. But after that, only the end again becomes sentimental and emotional. The ending dialog is a real clincher and earns the audience's applause.

• Amazing camera work by Balasubramaniem. Though the actors must have slogged in sultry and humid conditions, it is a treat to see the coast on screen. 
• The number 'Para Para' is a sheer delight to listen to. It comes twice in the movie in different situations. Hats off to N.R.Raghunanthan for this number. The other songs aren't great and one of the BGM scores has been blatantly ripped off from 'A Beautiful Mind''s title score. 
• Saranya Ponvannan continues to shine in mother roles and her supportive ways towards her son particularly while giving him money to drink, make the audience hoot for her. Sunaina and Nandita Das have been perfectly cast in the same role during different timelines. Both shine in the emotional scenes though Sunaina is too de-glam. Arul Dass as Vishnu's father is terrific and tugs at your heart strings. Samuthirakani and Vadivukarasi show their talent in nice character roles. Nandagi shines in a small role while Azhagam Perumal is likable too, for a change.
• The movie has some pace issues at the start of the second half and some needless songs also play spoilsport. 

FINAL WORD: Poignant and touching movie about the fisher-folk of our state. Applause to the entire team for the authenticity and detailing. WORTH A WATCH.

Talaash review

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3.5 / 5

Aamir Khan is known for delivering something fresh and different in each outing of his. With Talaash, the trailers promised a taut investigative thriller with fair amount of suspense. Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhthar helm this project with the likes of Farhan Akhthar and Anurag Kashyap chipping in the dialogues department. With such a heavy duty cast and crew, does Talaash satisfy all the pre-release curiosity and hype?

Talaash is about Inspector Surjan Singh Skekhawat’s (Aamir Khan) search for the truth in a high profile car crash that claims the life of superstar Armaan Kapoor. Side by side, he also has to battle the personal grief caused by a tragedy that took his little son’s life away in a freak mishap. Shekhawat’s investigation takes him through Mumbai’s dark underbelly populated by pimps and prostitutes. One particular call girl named Rosie (Kareena Kapoor) helps him out with key pointers to solve the overall mystery.

As the film unfolds, we not only see the mystery surrounding the car accident unraveling but also the truth behind one of the key characters in the movie. The twist in the tale is a nice shocker indeed though the discerning mind does figure it out halfway through the second half.  

The film works despite the slackening pace in the early stages of the second half. The reason why the pace dips is nicely compensated towards the end when all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are put in place. The first half nicely sets the movie for the thrilling ride in the second half with the list of suspects being wide open. In that sense, the slow pace at the start of the second half does cause a brief lull, only to thankfully pick up very well again.

Every character in the movie has weight be it Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the sidekick in the red light area, Raj Kumar Yadav as the assisting cop, Rani Mukerji as the concerned wife of Shekhawat and Fernaz Patel as the nosy and mysterious neighbor. All the call girls in the red light area look very genuine and the entire area has been set up very authentically. Most of the movie happens in the night and Mohanan’s cinematography captures the dark and edgy look of Mumbai brilliantly.

Aamir Khan is there throughout the movie in an emotionally heavy role and the star’s grim and serious avatar gels with the character. Kareena Kapoor is by far the star of the movie as the alluring call girl Rosie who facilitates Shekhawat’s investigation. Catch the movie to experience her role in its totality.

Ram Sampath’s songs go along with the movie’s flow as montages. To say that all the five songs are nice and apt is an understatement. Jee Le Zaraa, Jiya Lage Na and Laakh Duniya Kahe lead the pack. His background score supports the movie’s haunting and mystical premise.

To conclude, the two ladies, Reema and Zoya, have made this movie for a mature audience who can sit through a movie and experience it despite some pace issues. Those seeking just mass entertainment and song and dance routines might complain. All in all, Talaash is worth the wait and hats off to Aamir Khan for continuing to encourage new attempts from youngsters.

FINAL WORD: An unwavering psychological thriller    

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag | Teaser trailer | Farhan Akhtar | Sonam Kapoor

This is just too uplifting ... What a teaser ... Farhan Akhtar's makeover is astonishing and S-E-L's rock music is kick-ass ... 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' looks like a sure-shot classic in the making ...

July 12th 2013, earmarked for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag ... 

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Paradesi music review

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Paradesi, Music by G.V.Prakash and Lyrics by Vairamuthu

1. Avatha Paiyaa ...
This is a nice melody in true Ilayaraja style, particularly the rustic percussions. There is a delightful flute presence in this song with the veena competing for honors in the second interlude. Both the singers make sure that their vocals are authentic and true to the movie’s rural period setting.

2. Thannai Thaanee ...
This is a gospel song treated like a gaana number replete with ‘thara thappatta’ beats and nadaswaram. Gaana Bala nails it yet again with his typically extravagant style of rendering words. When he goes Hallelujah and Amen in the high pitches, it stirs you in a unique way.

3. Or Mirugam ...
This is a typical Bala number drenched in pathos and philosophy. The string instrumental interludes are heavy and serious while the percussions have been kept minimal. The flute as always stands out with its pure sound. More emphasis has been placed on the lyrics and the meaning in them.  Both the singers have succeeded in delivering this pathos song with the right amount of feeling.

4. Sengaade ...
The song begins on a really mellow note with an elaborate strings section and a poignant female humming portion. Madhu Balakrishnan takes over from here with minimal percussions and sad string instrumentals backing his vocals. This is another song driven by the meaningful and powerful lyrics which give an idea of the movie’s theme. This is a characteristic Bala number, which needs a lot of attention just for the sake of the lyrics. 

5. Sennneer Thana ... CHEERS
Gangai Amaran’s vocals have a really haunting quality and he is the perfect choice to deliver this number which is again supported by very minimal percussions. Priya Hemesh is brilliant as her humming portions leave a lasting impression. The song makes a big impact and can be expected to recur in the audience’s imagination. Pay close attention to the lyrics which are again deep. The instrumentals are Raja-esque in the way violins have been used to deepen the listening experience. 

FINAL WORD: This is a typical Bala soundtrack, which has its fair share of pathos and gloomy numbers. The lyrics have deep meaning while musically G.V.Prakash has kept it in sync with the movie's period and setting.

2.5 / 5