Singham (2011)

The Hindi remake of the highly successful Tamil movie Singam starring Surya. There are some nativity changes that are obvious. Some portions have been modified while some have been retained. The punch of the original movie is there, importantly.

The plot as we know is a police officer, Bajirao Singham taking on a big goon, Jaikant Shikre singlehandedly. Goa is the scene of action while the initial portions are in Shivgad, a small village.

Ajay Devgn outshines Suriya thanks to his superior physicality and apt body language. His punch dialogs resonate. Prakash Raj is another solid highlight with his intensity. He is much better suited to this role than he was in the Tamil version. Such a versatile artist adept at any language. Kajal is also very pleasing and cute and is better than Anushka. Her decent clothes are classy.

The climax looks pretty lopsided after a solid first 2 hours. Thanks to a sermon, the entire police force reforms at the drop of a hat and they all decide to put an end to Shikre's hold once and for all.

There are some funny scenes involving Sachin Khedekar as 'Gotya'. The 2 sub-inspectors Abbas and Phadnis at the Goa station are fit and look the part. Head constable Savalkar keeps chipping in with his wisecracks and he also gives one nice poignant sermon on the police force.

There is also a subplot of a wife trying to prove the innocence of her husband, officer Kadam who commits suicide after being falsely accused of being corrupt. He tries in vain to bring down Shikre. Kadam's name is cleared in the end along with the death of Shikre.

The action scenes are as good as the original. They are over-the-top and imaginative. There are just 3 songs, each a winner. The title song is a scream. It comes at apt places in the movie to add the necessary heroism.

VERDICT: If only the final resolution had been better, this one would have been a solid police story. Nevertheless, a good one. 

Pokkiri (2007)

The remake of the blockbuster Telugu movie of the same name. This movie did the same roaring business in Tamil as well and was a major break for Vijay.

It is about an undercover cop who singlehandedly wipes out goons from the face of the city. He enters the goons' own den, moves among them, becomes a dreaded goon himself and shows his real face towards the end much to the shock of everyone concerned.

The movie is a perfect masala entertainer with all the elements that go into making a perfect combination. Amazing over-the-top stunt choreography, peppy foot-tapping songs, a ravishing and youthful Asin, an extremely versatile Prakash Raj, a silly but laugh-worthy comedy track by Vadivelu, an earnest Napoleon and last but not the least an extremely agile and fit Vijay. He rocks in the fights and makes them believable with his rage and aggression. His police makeover was a big joke due to his unkempt looks and slim frame. But, he is THE single biggest trump card of the movie.

The love scenes between the lead pair are another highlight of the movie. Nirav Shah's camerawork rocks in the stunts. The pre-interval stunt, the stunt in the train, the stunt in the dark room with blinking lights and the climax fight are all amazing thanks to Nirav and stunt master FEFSI Vijayan

VERDICT: Watchable anytime for some super-fast action entertainment. A commercial milestone in Tamil cinema 

Blood Money movie review

‘Blood money’ comes with a similar title to that classic Leonardo Di Caprio movie ‘Blood Diamond’. Both the movies deal with the shady side of the diamond trade and both the movies are set in Africa. The similarities end at that. While the LDC movie was an unanimous classic, the current pretender has nothing special going for it.

‘Blood Money’ is about a young Indian Kunal who comes to Cape Town with his pretty wife Arzoo. He wishes to pursue his dreams and wants to make it big in life. The company he lands up in is called Trinity Diamonds, run by a pair of Gujarati brothers. It is obvious that things are not as rosy as they appear to be. 

The wife has doubts from Day 1. But Kunal is drowned in the embarrassment of riches and even lets himself to be consumed by his superhot colleague Rosa. Slowly, his conscience starts questioning him as Kunal comes to know of the real truth behind his company. His marriage is on the rocks too as Arzoo is increasingly frustrated by the loneliness and neglect.

We have a small episode where they have tried to create a ‘Blood Diamond’ effect to show the exact dealings of Trinity Diamonds. Finally, before it’s too late and after a final kick to his conscience, Kunal jumps to action and decides to put an end to his owners’ reign.

His final moves aren’t very smart. Some people in the audience were laughing. Whether they were entertained by Kunal’s so-called smart moves filled with brawn or whether they were finding his moves stupid, is open to debate.

On the performance side, Kunal Khemu is a real talent. This youngster has the stuff to make it big. A total package, save his pretty girlish voice. Amrita Puri is too girl-next-doorish to be promoted to the lead heroine’s slot. She is bubbly, cute and adequate in emoting though. The bosses at the company cave in pretty meekly. Expected more from them. The African locales make the movie watching experience pretty scenic and bright. The songs are another plus point.

The single screen audiences might like this one while the multiplexes might keep this one for a couple of weeks, at best. The pretty graphic and explicit love making scene will titillate quite a few in the audience. 

On the whole, the Jannat hangover, the predictable nature of the movie and the lack of face value in the star-cast make this one a strictly average affair.

VERDICT: Nothing special worth raving about. 

Billa 2 latest stills - 3

The first look of young David was finally released. Ajtih looks cool in his trademark stubble. The popular film sites have described this still as David landing in the Tamil Nadu coast as a Srilankan refugee. He has something like a can in hand.

By the looks of it, the film will narrate the journey of a Srilankan refugee, David as he traverses his path in the big bad world, starting from India and going all the way up to Georgia and other countries. 

Billa 2 latest stills - 2

Thala locked up in jail and in obvious pain. The focus is on the pain and anguish that he is going through. This might be one of THE crucial moments in David's journey towards being an international don, the one and only Billa

The shooting is complete, that's what the ad proclaims. Waiting for more dates and updates as the release day nears, ever so slowly. 

Billa 2 latest stills - 1

Newer stills are getting released every other day. The excitement levels are on the rise. Thala fans are getting warmed up for the grand treat.

On one side, Thala is seen counting the money in a cold manner. The guy looks MASS, plain and simple. Rugged charm like none other.

On the other side, we have him blood soaked with a gun in hand and in his favorite coat-suited avatar. This still has already made the rounds in a slightly different angle.

On the whole, an exciting new look. Bring it on Thala. Gimme more ... 

Kollaikaran movie review

A movie about a small time village vagabond and how his past catches up with him and leads to dire consequences.

Kumar aka Kuruvi makes a living out of stealing all and sundry in his village. The fellow villagers can't do much as they don't catch him in the act. Kuruvi has a responsible elder sister who gets married later, and a handicapped young sister. A village belle falls for him and our man pursues her and wins her too. The logic behind the love track is implausible as with our other films.

Then, there is a villain in the form of Nagendran who lusts for a married woman, goes against the government's order and has a firm hold over the temple. The villain is waiting to get even with Kuruvi till the climax, as he is snubbed a few times by him.

Kuruvi's antics are extremely laugh worthy and make for enjoyable cinema. Crane Manohar gets caught up with him and there are some funny moments. There are some good songs by Johan, though a few pop up at the wrong time. His BG score is pleasant too.

The movie suddenly becomes loud, dramatic and tragic in the last 20 mins or so. The director could have maintained the same light hearted treatment and he could have had a winner on the lines of Kalavani. The release time was also bad as it clashed for Pongal with Nanban and Vettai. Bad sense.

The final fight sequence, though over-the-top, has some novelty in the way it has been juxtaposed with a religious sermon and the temple festivities

Vidharth is a natural and he has put his heart and soul into the role. He excels throughout. The heroine looks too naive. The elder sister and the handicapped younger one also give good emotional value to the film. The villain is typical.

VERDICT: If the light hearted treatment had been maintained throughout, the movie could have been a winner.

Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi movie review

The much acclaimed recent super hit. Finally, got the chance to see it. The movie is a light hearted college fare that is enjoyable most of the time. It's basically about how a pair fall in love, fall apart and then fall back in place again in the end.

The way Arun and Parvathi fall in love is pretty cute particularly the episode around missing one another through sms. They start falling apart gradually due to no particular reason. As Arun himself says, he behaved like a guy and she behaved like a girl. That's what happens every time they have a lengthy discussion.

Amala Paul's hairstyle is the clincher. It adds to her cutesy value. Siddharth manages to look boyish and he can pass off as a college kid even now in his early 30s. But, Siddharth's constant PTCs get tiresome beyond a point. The same voice modulation and the same frustrated gibberish about love failure.

Thaman's songs and BG score are in sync with the mood and feel of the movie. They are youthful and peppy. The 'Thavarugal Unargirom' song in the climax is well placed.

Parvathi's parents' problems in their marriage and subsequent patch-up is a prominent subplot in the movie. Suresh as Parvathi's dad has an atrocious wig in place. But, a good show by him. His wife in the movie looks ravishing. Arun's parents are very light-hearted and always trump for their son. The small references to FB are enjoyable. Another subplot is the love between Cathy and John and how Cathy's ex-boyfriend tries to play spoilsport between them. The 2 SS Music VJs Pooja and Shyam play these parts. The hunky Shyam has a long way to go in the acting stakes

Arun's 2 friends are a riot. While one keeps getting into trouble with some nonsense, the other makes us laugh with his innocent and fidgety moves with one of the junior girls in college.

On the whole, it is definitely a new experience.

VERDICT: Love, the most common parameter in our movies continues to entertain us through another take. 

Agent Vinod movie review

Saif Ali Khan returns to action after ‘Aarakshan’ and he is backed by his beau & current box-office queen Kareena Kapoor and director Sriram Raghavan (of ‘Johnny Gaddar’ fame).  There is a solid technical team comprising music director Pritam and DOP C.K. Muraleedharan. This offering by Eros and Illuminati Films hit the screens today amid decent expectations and hype. Has it lived up to it? Yes. It has, to a good extent.

The basic thread of the movie is an Indian RAW agent Vinod Khanna taking on a wide plethora of villains to prevent a nuclear device from detonating in the capital of our country. The culprits are not the obvious ones and there are some big fishes playing in these murky waters of terrorism.

This basic storyline has been treated on a very grand scale. There is widespread travel in the movie starting from Afghanistan -> Russia ->Germany ->Morocco ->Pakistan ->Somalia and finally back to India and ending in South Africa. I might have missed a few places. Such is the scale of the film.

Saif Ali Khan has really excelled in stunts. He is very agile and his beefed-up, rugged avatar makes him a perfect suit for this action packed role. A feather in his cap for sure. His histrionics in the end credits song are admirable.

Kareena is grim for most of the movie but scorches the screen in the mujra number along with Maryam Zakaria. We really don’t know whom to see in this number. Kareena’s return to her curvy best literally sets the screen on fire. She carries off her glamorous clothes with style and she also has a decent and crucial role in the state of affairs. Her acting credentials aren’t put to much test. But, she is definitely a trump card for the movie.

The villains in the movie are pretty weak except the Colonel who puts up some good obstacles in the Agent’s path. Ram Kapoor and Prem Chopra are the villains in the Russian and Moroccan leg of the movie. They are more funny than fearsome.

The songs have been used to take the movie forward and do not hamper the flow of the movie. The BG score is pretty pulsating and ‘The Good The Bad The Ugly’ seems to have inspired the director as is evident from the title card. The ‘trippy’ opening credits have a heavy Guy Ritchie feel to them. The editing pattern at places is very interesting.

The movie has a pretty laborious pace at places but, on the whole it is a decent watch for sure. The grand production values, the heavy duty action scenes, the almost blemish-less VFX work (except for the helicopter shots in the climax) and the grand scale of the movie make ‘Agent Vinod’ a watch-worthy affair, this weekend at the cinemas. While coming out, you might even feel like checking it out for a second time.

The movie ends with the premise for a sequel and it should be exciting given the decent showing of this outing. ‘Agent Vinod’ is directed primarily at the city slickers and the ‘action’ minded. Single screen audiences don’t have much in this for them except the ‘mujra’ number. This is not to suggest the movie won’t make big numbers.  A solid run over the next few weeks can be safely predicted, at least in the major release centers.

The amateurish feel at certain places does creep in thanks to some clichés associated with Indian cinema, particularly in the first half. But, it can be excused for sure.

VERDICT: A visually appealing effort from Saif Ali Khan and team. Worth a watch for the effort. 

The Recruit (2003)

A computer programming expert James Clayton is offered a job at the CIA by senior CIA instructor Walter Burke. Clayton has a job offer from Dell as well. But, he wants to know more about his missing father who was a former CIA agent. Thus James takes up the offer and an intense training period follows.

He clears all the hurdles and just when we think he is thrown out of 'the farm', Burke says that he has been selected as an NOC agent. His task is to find out the person to whom a mole in the CIA is reporting to. Clayton takes up the job earnestly. Clayton also has a romantic track running with a fellow CIA agent Layla.

In the end, all is not what it seems and there is a twist in the tale. The climax pattern has inspired Ajith's Billa's climax.

The training regimen is interesting. Colin Farrell comes across as a young Turk with his energy, intensity and super looks. Its a cake walk for Al Pacino and he does well towards the climax. Bridget Moynahan looks very pretty as Layla

Pretty gripping movie, watchable once on the whole.

VERDICT: A straight-forward Hollywood thriller with the mandatory twist in the end. 

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

This is the 2007 remake of the 1957 film of the same name starring 2 Academy Award winners Christian Bale and Russell Crowe as Dan Evans and Ben Wade respectively.

Ben Wade is the ruthless leader of a band of outlaws. He is captured in Bisbee by the railroad guards after an ambush by Wade and gang.

Evans is a miserable rancher with one good leg and a family to support, comprising 2 sons. He wants to prove his worth to his sons and prove that he is a courageous dad. The elder son William in particular is very spunky, brave and doesn't respect his dad due to his physicality.

Evans volunteers to put Wade on the 3:10 train to Yuma prison at the Contention station. Wade's loyal band are always in pursuit, trying to free Wade. The other railroad and Pinkerton agents are eliminated or back-out one after the other. In the end, it is Evans who singlehandedly braves Wade's gang and takes him to the train.

What happens to Evans, his reputation with his son and whether Wade gets into the train is the finale.

The film is beautifully shot. The western style is perfectly depicted. Burly Russell Crowe works his charm while Bale as the sincere Evans fits in well too. Logan Lerman as William is another showstealer along with Ben Foster as Charlie, Wade's fierce loyalist. The climatic gun stunts as Evans singlehandedly takes on the enemy, are typically cinematic.

VERDICT: Beautifully shot with 2 stars adding to the charismatic value of the film. As a whole the film is watchable once. 

Frost/Nixon (2008)

Following the resignation of US President Richard Nixon in 1974 due to the Watergate scandal, British TV host David Frost plans to interview him on a variety of issues including inciting a possible confession for his role in letting down the American people.

Frost struggles to setup the interview as the networks and consequently the ad agencies are not interested. He finally assembles his own team of researchers and his good friend as the producer and gets the show started. He spends around 2 million USD in the process

The interviews are spread across 4 days with the topics clearly planned out. It is literally like a boxing bout as both the camps have so much preparation, planning and researches going on.

Nixon negotiates the first 3 days pretty easily and Frost's camp is frustrated at the impending doom. But the final day brings about a dramatic change in fortunes as Nixon breaks down following a relentless attack by Frost. Nixon confesses to his part in the whole scandal and asks for forgiveness from the American people.

The whole interview becomes a great success. In the end, there are no ill feelings between the 2 camps and Nixon takes it sportingly and retires form public life.

Very gripping and intense movie. Never loses pace. The tension is there throughout. The interviews, the research process and the way the 2 lead characters have performed is terrific. Hats off to Frank Langella as Nixon and Michael Sheen as Frost. Nixon's voice in particular is majestic. Sheen overdoes the charm part at times but is first class most of the way. Sheen looks very similar to Jack Nicholson in his younger days.

The 3 researchers and Frost's girlfriend also have small yet substantial parts. Hans Zimmer's music doesn't spoilt the tense mood. It adds to the effect. The pre-production and the process of producing a TV program have also been showed very well. The film has a heavy docu feel.

VERDICT: A gripping interview on a notorious scandal. Great performances. 

Senna (2010)

This is a glorious documentary on the racing life of legendary Brazilian driver and 3 times F1 champion, Ayrton Senna. As everyone knows he died on the Imola track during the San Marino Grand Prix, on May 1, 1994 at the age of just 34.

This docu brings out the unbridled passion and the pure love for racing that Senna had, from his Super 8, go-kart days through his times as an F1 racer for Toleman, Lotus, McLaren and finally Williams.

Some of the other facets that have been touched with detail and passion are his astonishing rivalry with Alain Prost, the landmark controversial finishes to the season in 89 and 90 at the Japanese GP, his maiden triumph at his home GP in Brazil in 1991, his struggles with the emergence of Williams in 92, 93 and his fatal final season in 94 for Williams.

The fatal San Marino GP where 3 drivers are injured and 1 is dead before the Senna accident, is a story by itself. Senna's fidgety, nervous mindset as he is about to drive for the last time makes us emotional. His run-ins with the system and the Brazilian GP victory in 91 are other high points of this film.

Senna was not just a racer. He provided hope to his poverty stricken country. The people loved him for his patriotism and passion. Senna always had troubles with the money and politics in F1. He loved just to race. He never gave up.

The docu shows all the landmark races in his career, his tremendous rivalry with Prost and the humane side of Senna has also been touched upon. There are no interviews with the near and dear ones of Senna, unlike other docu features. It is entirely composed of archival footage. Senna himself tells his story and that's what makes this docu drama bang on target. Such is Senna's personality.

VERDICT: A must watch for anybody who wants to know the one and only Ayrton Senna. It's a collector's item for sports buffs and F1 fanatics. AN EMOTIONAL DRIVE. 

Muran movie review

Two strangers with totally varied philosophies have a chance encounter during a road trip from Bangalore to Chennai. They slowly start exchanging their views and their life histories and they are like chalk and cheese. While Arjun is the younger and more exciting man who prefers thrills and spills, Nanda is the mature and calm man who is married and into music.

Both of them have a problem that is preventing them from being truly happy. While Arjun wants to bump off his father, Nanda has a very troublesome wife who refuses to grant him divorce until she gets her dad's property.

Arjun suggests to Nanda that they kill each other's trouble elements, and even manages to kill Nanda's wife in a road accident. Now it's Nanda's turn to return the favor and Arjun is relentlessly behind him to return the favor.

Nanda comes to know of the real truth behind Arjun as he has trouble with his conscience in killing Arjun's dad.

A nice intense movie that never dips. The initial encounters between Arjun and Nanda are really interesting. The female leads in the movie are pretty artificial especially Haripriya as Nanda's girlfriend. She looks awesome by the way. Nikita as Nanda's spoilt wife is passe. Suma as Linda is heavily anglicized. She has a decent role. Jayaprakash is as always consistent and delivers as Arjun's dad.

But, it is the 2 male leads who carry the movie to the winning post. Cheran is smart, trim and manages to pull off this role with his limited expressions. Prasanna is a rockstar. A solid role again after Anjathey. He is handsome, has lost weight, looks super debonair. It's sad that Tamil cinema hasn't welcomed this youngster with open arms. He deserves it.

The songs are all montages. All are decent except the atrocious item song in the climax which stands out sorely.

VERDICT: The inspiration from Hitchcock's 'Strangers on a Train' could have been notified. A good thriller in Tamil, nevertheless.

Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal movie review

On the surface it looks like a typical love story between a Chennai IT guy Ram and Charu. Ram is approached by many girls but, he refuses to budge saying he already has a girl friend in Bangalore. He goes over to Bangalore for the weekend to spend time with her. Ram and Charu start off their bonding after they work together for a software competition in Bangalore.

After some time, when the same Charu comes to the Chennai office as the boss from the USA, Ram doesn't respond to her as he has been doing, when he goes to his Bangalore home on weekends. Charu also finds his behavior very weird and formal.

We wonder if there are 2 Amala Pauls in the movie. But, she is one and the same. We find out later that there are psychological strands to this tale. Delusions, as they say. Obsessive love is also touched upon.

Ram's past chronicles a very deep bonding with his mother. These portions showing the extent to which the mother goes, to take care of her son and the Kangal Neeye song are very touching

Whether Ram and Charu unite in the end or not is told with lot of shifts in the narrative. The structure is really non-linear and even confusing at times.

Atharva really has a solid future. He looks charming, trendy and handsome. His stunts are terrific. Has very expressive eyes that show a myriad of emotions. Just needs to improve his body language and remove the Vishal effect from his persona. Amala Paul is a seductress with her eyes and calm face. Another major highlight of the movie. She is decent in emoting and her dubbing voice is apt. Anupana Kumar as the mother is A-Rate. Santhanam's comedy falls flat, sadly. Jayaprakash impresses yet again as the doctor who advises Charu about Ram.

G.V.Prakash's songs are neat and popular already. But, too many songs pop up at frequent intervals. They spoil the flow. His BGM bits are shamelessly plagiarized at places. Here he has used one famous theme from 'A Beautiful Mind'. Sad that this youngster resorts to such practices while doing the BG score.

The stunts stand out quite oddly, though they are very well done by Atharva. His obsessive love is brought out through the stunts. No compromise has been done in the production. The product is rich though over-the-top at times.

VERDICT: Interesting most of the way. But, the premise could have been handled with more focus. 

Classic Revisited: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

The race between 3 notorious cowboys to get to Sad Hill cemetery and get to the 200000 dollars worth of gold. This is the plot. They have to brave the civil war and the vagaries of nature and their own brutal nature towards each other. One of the most adventurous movies ever. True cult and true magnum opus in every sense of the word

An entirely character driven movie with Clint Eastwood literally breathing style and nonchalance as Blondie - The Good. The way he smokes, his punchlines, his elegance and gait. Unmatched and lovable all the way.

Eli Wallach as Tuco - The Ugly turns in among the most passionate performances ever. Each and every sinew in his body has lived this role. In the climax when he desperately searches for the gold by running around the cemetery, it is sheer cinematic magic. The manic urge and desperation he shows when he is first trapped and later escapes from Angel Eyes is among the major highlights of the movie.

Lee Van Cleef as Angel Eyes - The Bad is weaker in characterization compared to the other 2 but, he has his moments too. His look in particular spews off villainy.

The music of Ennio Morricone is the major lifeline of the movie. So many unique themes and each of them is a cult in its own right. This soundtrack is a must have for any cinema buff.

The locations, the action blocks, the war scenes are larger than life. The initial scenes when Blondie keeps saving Tuco just in time, and the way they taunt each other, are hilarious. The sound of gun shots actually makes you go wow. This is such a movie by Sergio Leone

VERDICT: A true magnum opus and a must watch before you die. Flawless motion picture experience.   

Kahaani movie review

A seriously seamless thriller and one of the best in recent times. Set in Kolkata, the movie is raw, edgy and never falls off the radar.

The movie begins with a poison gas attack in the Kolkata metro that kills many. The person who planned it goes underground and no one knows his whereabouts.

Then begins another 'story' where a pregnant Indian woman Vidya Venkatesan Bagchi arrives in Kolkata from London, looking for her husband Arnab who has been missing for a while. Arnab was supposedly working at the National Data Center.

With the help of her own charm and one goodhearted police officer Rana, Vidya goes about looking for traces of her husband. During her investigation, the name Milan Damji comes into the picture. Milan looks similar to the missing Arnab.

Damji was a former intelligence agent who was the mastermind behind the metro gas attacks. Lot of people in the government are behind this scam and they want Milan's identity to remain under wraps. There is a contract killer Bob Biswas who kills anyone remotely associated with Milan's identity. On the other hand, Khan from the intelligence bureau is ruthlessly behind Milan and wants to nab him at any cost.

As the movie progresses, there are times when one party is used by the other in the effort to nab Milan. In the end it is a masterstroke as there is a chilling twist that gives goosebumps. Milan is killed but, the one who does it, is the suspense factor.

Another Vidya Balan special after The Dirty Picture. It takes guts to play an uncouth 7 months pregnant woman. She rocks. Some more awards will fall in her kitty for sure. The other support characters are all mostly Bengali locals with Parambrata Chatterjee as Rana leading the credits. Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the ruthless IB officer Khan impresses as well.

Kolkata has been captured in all its vibrancy. The climax durga pooja scenes are really riveting. The narration by the Big B in the end is a fitting end to a remarkable movie

VERDICT: One of the best investigative thrillers in recent times with one helluva twist in the plot. MUST WATCH

Dhoni movie review

Based on the Marathi film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho by Mahesh Manjrekar, Dhoni is another film that questions the state of the current education system where schools are obsessed with 100% result and students are burdened by teachers and parents alike

Subramaniam dreams of making his son Karthik an MBA graduate. Karthik idolizes Dhoni and is a star cricketer at school. He is poor at studies though.

Subbu is a widower with a girl child as well. He is a typical middle class man with a government job. He sells pickles to add to his income. He lives in a colony with his friends and loyalists strongly by his side.

Subbu doesn't understand his son until a small freak accident occurs and totally turns him upside down. Karthik is comatose and Subbu keeps hoping and trying to cure his son.

Subbu then experiences the follies of the education system firsthand and he decides to take on the system with the help of the media. It isn't smooth sailing as he keeps encountering obstacles. He braves them all and pulls off the mission of getting his son back in good health.

The film has heavy melodrama and the climax encounter with the CM is highly improbable. For a film that focuses on cricket, there are hardly few convincing cricket shots in the movie including the final triumphant moment of Karthik.

Prakash Raj is the pillar of the movie. He is involved all through the movie and it is his baby all the way. What a terrific and earnest actor. He has overacted in the heavy scenes though. Splendid, anyway. All the support characters are solid - the humane money lender, the friends, Nalini - the caring neighbor, the 2 kids, the office colleagues etc etc.

Ilayaraja's songs are serene and mellow you down. His BG score is A-rate as always. The pace of the movie is steady. Never peaks or drags. MSD will feel proud if he ever sees this movie. Such hero-worship :)

VERDICT: Another sincere film that takes on the education system. Prakash Raj, all the way.

Amores Perros (2000)

A horrific car accident and 3 tales that are interconnected by this accident. All the 3 tales have disloyalty as a common emotion.

In the first, a young guy Octavio uses his dog Cofi to win big money and also secretly nurtures a wish to elope with his elder brother's wife Susana . She also reciprocates at times and the two make wild love. The guy saves money in the plan to elope but, things don't go according to plan. His dog is shot in one of the fights and his plans to elope are also crashed. The elder brother meanwhile is into robberies and his life also meets a cruel end on one such attempt.

In the second tale, a rich businessman Daniel just moves in to a new apartment with supermodel Valeria and her dog Richie. Daniel is a married man with 2 kids. But the car accident severely compromises Valeria and a hole in their house causes more grief to the dog and to Valeria herself. A pretty grim tale.

In the third , Chivo a professional hit man who has spent time in prison for 20 yrs wants to get back to his daughter Maru. His wife is dead and his dogs are his only solace. After the accident Cofi is treated by Chivo and despite Cofi killing all his dogs by virtue of being a fighter dog, Chivo forgives it. He leaves a mesage to his daughter and flees the place with the dog and enough money.

The movie is intense and portrays raw energy. The dog fights are pretty gory. The love scenes are wild and exciting. The loyalty of dogs towards humans and the way humans treat dogs are common threads in all the 3 tales. The human mind's quest for variety and for wild excitement in relationships and the total lack of loyalty is another common thread. All the actors have gelled with the script and delivered. The script is the king in this one.

VERDICT: Novel screenplay having 3 tales united by fate and dangerous human emotions.

Marina movie review

Another children's movie by director Pandiraj. He has focused on the kids and other dwellers in Chennai's Marina beach. Most of the kids have the intention to go to school but they are forced to sell a variety of things on the beach for their living. We have horse riders, flute sellers, singers, dancers, retarded people, 'sundal' sellers and of course young lovers who make the beach their abode.

Ambikapathy is one such kid who stands out in the group with his friendly and cheerful demeanor at all times. There is a suspense behind one particular kid and this episode shows how the police force can be such low-lives.

The love scenes between Nathan and Swapnasundari are pretty entertaining. Lot of wisecracks and sarcastic wit. The movie is entertaining primarily because of these love scenes. The way he woos her, tries hard to maintain her and finally lets her go - humorous all the way. Jayaprakash has a majestic cameo emphasizing the need for educating children.

The songs sound good but have been picturized in a pretty basic manner. The BG score is neat. Good job by the newcomer Girish.

The documentary feel is dominant when the lives of the kids at the beach are shown in such vivid graphic detail. Scenes showing kids playing pretty elementary cricket are not meant for big screen viewing - they resemble some home video. The climax horse racing sequence is better though.

But all the characters in the beach make a mark. Each of them has a touching story behind their current state particularly the old man, the small dancing girl and her father. The expected tragic climax leading to the kids finally going to school for good, is predictable but makes you get involved with the movie.

VERDICT: Novel intentions but could have been more gripping. Nevertheless, a good movie. 

The Return (2003)

This is a Russian family drama.

After a 12 yrs absence, the father of 2 boys suddenly returns home. He wishes to spend time with them and takes them out on a trip. The elder one is more forthcoming and welcomes his father while the younger one is seething with anger and frustration at his father's resurfacing after a long absence

The younger one always complains and never obeys the father. The father on his part, also has trouble is articulating his affection. He is rough and makes sure the boys are always given some work or the other.

Just when the younger one bursts out all his frustrations and the father is about to understand his kid, the unexpected happens and it is a truly shattering and ironic end to this tale.

The photography is breathtaking. The frames are picture perfect and there is hardly any person around in all the scenic countryside locales. This movie is a must watch for all budding photographers and DOPs.

The 2 brothers are truly life-like with the younger one being the more natural of the two. Great show in the final scene.

VERDICT: A true slice of life, as real as possible with breathtaking locations and one shattering climax. 

Elephant (2003)

The movie is based in part on the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Things slowly build up towards the climax when the actual shooting takes place. Alex and Eric are room mates and they are pretty frustrated with their school life. While one is a pianist the other is into guns and stuff. They decide to vent out their aggression and anger at being bullied, on their fellow school mates and officials.

The majority of the movie goes by in introducing the characters in the school. The shots are all long and pretty random, even pointless to the normal human eye. This part of the movie is painstakingly slow. Guess the director wanted to give a slow buildup to the shocking finale.

The significance of the title and the repeated shots of the same incident from different angles are hard to fathom.

In the end, when the students actually hear the gunfire, their reactions are pretty disturbing because it is not everyday that one witnesses a shootout at school, that too by fellow students. The students cease to believe it at first. By the time, they realize what is happening, most of them are dead. Really shattering.

Would have worked better if the running time had been even lesser. Fact of the matter is, the running time is just 78 mins. A short documentary would have been apt. Novel intentions by Gus Van Sant.

VERDICT: The finale is shocking. The uber slow buildup to the climax is hard to fathom though. 

Aravan movie review

A period movie that professes that capital punishment must be banned. Set in the 18th century, it talks about an era when people are actually given as human sacrifice. The director has taken his own sweet time to tell this message. But, the movie is grand. The DI work is elaborate. The cinematography is terrific.

Aadhi has given his heart and soul to this character. He looks the part as the monumental Varipuli / Chinna. Great choice for a rustic period movie. Pasupathi is the other pillar in the movie as Kombodhi, the thief from Vembur. The ladies in the movie all have small parts. Archana Kavi is impressive as Kombodhi's boisterous sister who falls for Varipuli.

The villagers way of life, their customs, the way the robberies are planned and the gradual bonding between the 2 lead men make the first half very impressive. The suspense behind Varipuli's identity introduces the twist in the script.

It is later known that Chinna is the head guard in his village called Chinniveeranpatti. His mother is from Vembur and he is a married man. Their village has frequent problems with Mathur, a neighboring village. A mysterious dead body result in things snowballing between the 2 villages again and one thing leads to other and finally its decided that Chinna will be given as sacrifice. Chinna starts digging up the mystery behind the dead body and comes to know the actual truth. He escapes and goes underground for 9 years. That is how he becomes a thief, encounters Kombodhi and becomes a part of Vembur.

The truth behind the dead body is told in a laborious way. There are far too many shifts during the narrative in this section. Bharath plays this small cameo. Anjali is another guest appearance. Swetha Menon, the bomb, seduces for a few moments. The man who plays the king is a real letdown with his stupid Tamil and bulky body language. The comedian in Chinniveeranpatti is another irritant.

Things really drag with 3 songs in the second half. Karthik's BG score is good. One of the songs in the first half makes a mark. By the time, the expected tragic climax arrives, its close to 3 hrs.

VERDICT: A novel attempt for sure. If only, the pace had been crisper, it could have been a classic. 

Puss in Boots (2011)

Another dreamy animation feature from Dreamworks. Cats, eggs, goose have been animated and given life in an outrageously creative manner. The visuals are surreal and even trippy.

Puss is a notorious cat who is like one of the stylish western outlaws on the lines of Clint Eastwood. He is 'wanted' in his village San Ricardo. He is basically a good cat but, he is led in the wrong path by his close friend and brother-like Humpty Alexander Dumpty, the egg. Both Puss and Humpty are raised by Imelda at an orphanage. The 2 friends part ways at a stage when Humpty is sent to prison while Puss escapes.

Humpty covets the magic beans that would lead him to the golden eggs. The golden eggs are supposed to be laid by a one of a kind golden goose. He forms a team to get this and he intends to include Puss as well.

The team includes Kitty Softpaws, a female cat and a greatly feared thief in San Ricardo. Puss also joins the team reluctantly as he had fallen on bad times with Humpty. Puss and Kitty are slowly but surely attracted towards each other. Jack and Jill are two outlaws who are also after the same treasure.

Puss, Kitty and Humpty set out on their great adventure to accomplish Humpty's vision and succeed in getting the golden goose along with them. Puss realizes soon that Humpty was just using him for his plan as a means to get even with him.

After some more maniacal adventure as a result of the Mother Goose coming to retrieve her golden goose, Puss succeeds in saving his town from the Mother Goose. He returns the golden goose back to its mother and clears his name among his town's folk.

The scenes showing Puss and Kitty dancing together to flamenco music are out-of-the-world. The stunts are super imaginative and buzz with energy. Really apt voices for all the 3 lead characters. The basic characterization of Puss is an ode to the stylish and heroic characters seen in the 'western' movies.

VERDICT: Top notch animation, stylish cats and a full-on adventure ride 

Paan Singh Tomar movie review

A movie that has a lofty message of one being dedicated to the unsung heroes of Indian sports like the athletes and hockey players of the past.

Paan Singh Tomar joins the army in 1950 and seeing his appetite for food and aptitude for running, he is given a chance to compete in running competitions like the 5000m and 3000m steeple chase. He wins many laurels at national and international level as well. He feels frustrated at not being allowed to fight for the nation in the 1965 war. He has a loving wife and children back in his village in MP.

Back home there are a lot of problems related to land within his family and cousins. Paan looks to settle the dispute legally and without taking to arms. But, he is forced to take up arms to save himself and his family.  He quits the army and gives up running too. Frustrated at the system in his village, he becomes a rebel (dacoit as the government likes to call them)

He starts his own gang and what starts off as a means to taking revenge against his cousin soon gives him notoriety. All the applause that eluded him when he was an acclaimed runner for the nation, comes to him in the form of being a wanted criminal now.

Irrfan Khan carries the movie on his shoulders. He looks lean and mean, fits the bill perfectly. The scenes documenting his running pursuits are very engaging and entertaining. Tremendous versatility in emotions in a single movie. When he taunts his innocent, naive wife played by Mahie Gill and when he plays around with the interviewer, he is at his witty best.

The rugged locales are a visual treat. The director Tigmanshu Dhulia is becoming an expert at such rustic movies set in the heartland of the country. The rebel part has been overdone a bit. Too many gunshots. The movie is a bit slow and doesn't move much in the 2nd half but, it has its heart in the right place.

VERDICT: A movie made for a nice cause and executed in a more than decent manner. Worth a watch 

Vellore Maavattam (2011)

Cop movies generally follow the same template. A honest, upright police officer who comes up the hard way and a villain, generally a politician who has the entire place under his control through his corrupt network.

This movie also follows the same template. Set in Vellore, the corrupt politician in the movie looks like Kalanithi Maran. The hero Muthukumar IPS (Nandha), succeeds in putting him behind bars after a major struggle. He also has to deal with the middleman Gurumurthy who helps the minister with his deals. Muthu almost gives up at the half way point but, lives to fight on.

We have a comedian (Santhanam) who doubles up as the driver for Muthukumar. Santhanam succeeds in giving us some laughs as he deals with his perverted father. The ravishing Poorna is the wife of the IPS officer who falls for his charms and stands beside him through thick and thin. Their initial love track is a bit interesting. We also have the hero's father who wants his son to rise in life through education and hard work.

The songs are lackluster though the BG score is decent. The major weakness with the movie is the absolute lack of the 'imposing' element with the villains. Nanda puts in his earnest efforts but looks sad in the scene when he cries. His screen presence is good.

VERDICT: Average at best. A predictable police story. 

Polladhavan (2007)

Prabhu is a jobless young loafer who has his set of loyal friends. He swindles money from home and has a lot of drunken fun with his friends. His father isn't happy as expected. Prabhu covets the Pulsar bike and he uses the money that his father gives him in angst, to buy his favorite bike. He gets a job through that and slowly comes up in life. He also has a love affair with Hema.

Just when things are fine, his Pulsar bike goes missing. As a result, tt is a hunt that involves gangsters in North Madras. Selvam is the kingpin, Out is his man-Friday. Ravi is the younger brother of Selvam and he is an immature, impulsive guy who is looking to make it big like his brother.

Prabhu and Ravi accidentally face-off a couple of times and the missing bike also has Ravi's involvement (for drug trafficking). At one instance, Prabhu beats Ravi to within an inch of his life. Prabhu's father is incapacitated by Ravi's men as a result. Selvam advises Ravi not to take this matter further and even Prabhu is prepared to let go after he gets his bike back. But, Ravi doesn't relent and takes it as a personal ego issue to settle scores with Prabhu.

In the end, the lean 'boy next door' uses his guts and daring to eliminate Ravi in his own den. There is a major bloodbath prior to this, where most of the gangsters are killed one way or the other.

Review

• A major break for Dhanush back in 2007. He rocks in comedy, the romantic pursuit scenes, the intense scenes and also in the climax 6 pack fight. Wholesome appeal. 
• The songs by G.V. Prakash are all chartbusters. 2 needless songs in the second half break the rhythm of the movie. The BG score is cult. Widely appreciated themes though some have been blatantly lifted. The bike theme, the theme for Selvam etc. take the cake. 
• Riveting non-linear screenplay from 2 perspectives - Prabhu and Ravi. Definitely something new. 
• Kishore, Pawan are imposing as the gangsters with some conscience. Daniel Balaji as Ravi has a terrific makeover and is brilliant in such negative roles as expected. 
• Santhanam and Karunas are a riot in the comedy department along with Dhanush. Divya Spandana has a cute little part as the lady love. Murali and Bhanupriya are the typical middle class parents. The sister has a small likable part too. 
• The scenes following the bike's theft are riveting. Such shocking and authentic detailing. Hats off. A birds eye view of the gangster life in North Madras. 

VERDICT

A major cult in Tamil commercial cinema. The screenplay, the authentic portrayal of gangsters and the bike element make this movie a classic.