Vazhakku Enn 18/9 review

Director Balaji Sakthivel is known for his hard hitting films with shocking climaxes and this one is no different. He has shown two extremes in the same movie. On one side, we have the street kids who are forced to child labor due to their family conditions. They work in unfavorable conditions and brave all odds just for their survival. Other lowly laborers are also shown doing what they do, just for the sake of their daily survival.

On the other hand, there are the horny school kids high on testosterone and estrogen, resorting to capturing sexual videos and circulating them amongst their peers in the form of MMS forwards.

The corrupt nature of government officials like policemen and politicians has also been bluntly portrayed. The way people with shady backgrounds rise up the social ladder just because of their connections and network, is another striking take home from this movie.

Amid all this, we have a really true love story that braves all the odds and takes up all manner of obstacles and pain just for the sake of the underlying love.

The climax is again shocking and will leave you with a slight tear in your eye. The director has lived up to his reputation as someone who can disturb the everyday cinema goer with his striking portrayal of reality.

The cast is entirely new. Sri and Urmila Mahanta as Velu & Jothi are the crux around whom the story revolves. Such lovely portrayals by these 2 youngsters. The makeover for Urmila towards the climax is pretty chilling. Manisha Yadav looks the part as the naive schoolgirl while Mithun Murali has been given a negative role as the rich spoilt brat who resorts to crude MMSes. Muthuraman as the cop does a total volte-face towards the climax which is shocking and his ultimate fate is fitting. Chinnasamy has a lovely little role as Velu's true buddy. Real natural he is.

The BGM is pretty average and repetitive. Few songs have been gelled into the narrative with good effect. The cinematography has been done using a Canon 5D camera and it gives the movie a very real feel and not the larger than life effect generally associated with cinema.

VERDICT: Another disturbing movie from Balaji Sakthivel. The movie will leave you with a lump in your throat. 

The Vow (2012)

This movie is based on a true life couple. Leo and Paige are happily married after falling in love. After an accident, Paige falls into a coma and later recovers with memory loss. She forgets the fact that Leo is her husband and only remembers her old life with her parents and her relationship with Jeremy, her earlier boyfriend.

Now, Leo has to win her back amid opposition from Paige's father and Paige's own uncertain ways due to her memory loss. His perseverance pays as Paige finally comes back to him after discovering certain important truths. Her memory never comes back though

Channing Tatum is really endearing with his earnest and natural portrayal. The same cannot be said of Rachel McAdams. She is obviously cute and charming but, after her memory loss, she starts getting onto your nerves with her same confused expressions and helpless self-pity.

The process of the guy getting back his wife is not gripping and it loses steam many a time. The chemistry between the lead actors is cracking in certain scenes when they are together as a pair. In that sense, it's an ideal date movie or Valentine movie or whatever.

VERDICT: Drags to the finish line. Could have been more crisp. Can give this a skip.

Panjaa (2011)

A typically gritty Vishnuvardhan movie with lots of violence, style, pulsating BGM and lovely songs. Yuvan Shankar Raja is a major plus in all Vishnu movies and this one is no different. Each song is a winner and they have so much variety. The title track is a real treat in particular. The picturization of the songs also have Vishnu's trademark creative touches.

His movies have always been technically slick and Panjaa shines with its cool cinematography and stylish editing. Pawan Kalyan carries the movie with his effortless style that borders on lazy elegance. His fighting style, bouncing dance moves and his bearded look in this movie are all good to say the least.

The heroine also has a decent role and Sarah Jane does much better than expected. She is a limited actress but, a job decently done. The romance between the lead has been worked out well.

Basically, the plot goes like this. It is set in Kolkata. Jai is the main hitman in Bhagawan's gang. He is totally loyal and is literally the shadow of Bhagawan. Due to the entry of Bhagawan's son Munna who is a real sadistic freak, things go mad and Jai gets into trouble after he kills Munna justifiably.

After this Jai goes into hiding in his lover Sandhya's village. He also solves a problem that Sandhya had gotten herself into. Finally, after a real 'one man army' act in the climax, the expected happens as Jai gets rid of all the gangsters singlehandedly and unites with his lady love.

There are comic reliefs provided by Ali as Chotu and Brahmanandam as the funny cop. Jackie Shroff's imposing presence is a plus for the movie. Anjali Lavania scorches as Jahnavi. Sesh Adivi gives good psychotic touches to his role as Munna. Sampath, Atul Kulkarni have small roles as gangsters in the opposing gang.

VERDICT: An engaging affair with lots of heroism, style and other entertainment elements as well. Sad, it failed at the box-office. 

Business Man (2012)

This is a total anti-hero movie where a young man named Surya comes to Mumbai to shake up the entire city. He wants to revive the mafia in Mumbai, which has been eliminated thanks to the commissioner's efforts. In the process, he earns the wrath of the police and opposing politicians. He soon starts mafia franchises all over the country and is in a position to decide even the ruling party in the national elections. There is a reason as to why he does all these things. Side by side, he is also busy romancing the commissioner's daughter who falls for him despite his dubious modus-operandi.

The reason given by Surya for the mafia to flourish, is pretty shocking. There are so many logical loopholes that conveniently favor the hero. He is all conquering, bashes goons to pulp singlehandedly and opposes an entire police battalion. The police also fear him for some strange reason despite having so many arms and ammunition.

The entire movie happens in a Telugu speaking Mumbai.

If the movie is even half bearable, it is thanks to Mahesh Babu. His dialog delivery, his totally fiery and aggressive body language, his cold looks etc etc make this movie an affair strictly restricted to his legion of fans.  The fact that this is an anti-hero movie where the lead hero doesn't have even a shade of gentlemanly qualities, earns a few more brownie points. The stunt scenes are typically extravagant and 'mass'. That's about it.

The reason for Surya to do what he does is again pretty cliched. It is personal vendetta. The love track is silly and typical of any commercial movie. The songs are mostly lackluster with Thaman shamelessly stealing the whistle tune of 'Fistful of Dollars' in the BGM. Kajal looks scorching hot and sexy. Her friend in the movie is totally irritating with her accent and lame explanations. Nasser is just a shadow of the imposing actor he was in the 90s. Prakash Raj as the villain has done a similar role in countless movies before.

VERDICT: A big disappointment on the whole, and strictly for Mahesh Babu fans. Others may ignore this over-the-top movie. 

This Means War (2012)

2 CIA agents who are best friends as well (FDR and Tuck) , accidentally start dating the same woman (Lauren) and both of them get serious with her. They set certain ground rules at first but it becomes a big battle of one upmanship with each agent trying to outsmart the other with constant surveillance on one another. Their friendship becomes strained as expected with the quest to get the woman starting to get more importance. The woman doesn't know that these two know each other until the very end. Finally, one man has to lose and it becomes a win-win for both. Tuck reunites with his separated wife and kid, while FDR gets Lauren.

There is also a subplot with the 2 agents trying to eliminate an international criminal by the name Heinrich. In the end they succeed at this as well.

The main reason why this movie is watchable is thanks to the 2 heroes. Chris Pine is a handsome charmer while Tom Hardy is good at serious faced humor. Their pranks and constant one-upmanship battles are enjoyable. The heroine doesn't look as ravishing for 2 handsome guys to fall crazily for her. We also have a friend who gives dirty advise to Lauren.

The movie provides some laughs and time-pass fun but, it is nothing special and becomes silly at times too. And why the hell was the movie given this title. It suggests a serious action movie which this isn't by any means.

VERDICT: Strict one-time watch for some time-pass fun. 

Chronicle (2012)

Three high school students Andrew, Matt and Steve suddenly get super powers, telekinetic abilities precisely. They use it for fun and small personal pleasures in the beginning. Soon, things turn darker as Andrew feels too liberated and starts using his powers much to the harm of the people around him.

Things don't end in a rosy manner as it is death and destruction, widespread.

The initial stages when the friends explore their abilities, really give you a liberating experience. When they rock the talent show and when they fly high into the skies, it literally gives you an awe factor. You start imagining if you had such powers.

The special effects, the VFX are something to be seen to be enjoyed. The climax when Andrew and Matt fly and hang in the skies amid the carnage that Andrew has caused, is jaw-dropping.

VERDICT: Among the coolest and most liberalizing movies in recent times.  

Immortals (2011)

We have the Gods & the humans on one side and the Titans & King Hyperion's Heraklion army on the other side. The Gods and The Titans are the immortals while the humans and Hyperion's army are mortals who obviously bleed.

The Gods live in the clouds and intervene only when the humans are really under trouble. The Titans were imprisoned by the Gods beneath Mount Tartarus. The Titans are later unleashed by Hyperion who is after the Epirus bow which will give him immense power.

Theseus is the chosen one to lead the humans. He is a mere peasant. Phaedra is the virgin oracle who gets visions of the future and she guides Theseus in his fight against the Heraklions. These two have intercourse and later have a son named Acamas.

The film ends with Hyperion's army being vanquished by the Gods and Theseus being given a place among the Gods for his sacrifice while killing King Hyperion. Probably a sequel might follow

The film has some glorious VFX, stunning set design and a surreal feel all over, much like Tarsem Singh's earlier '300'. In the action sequences, blood is splashed all over the screen and violence is both stylized and glorified.

The way The Gods have been portrayed is a style delight in itself. The action scenes involving The Gods and The Titans take the cake.

Freida Pinto is uber sexy and has such seducing eyes. Her one naked scene (supposedly a 'butt' double) where she reveals it all, is a glorious treat for all booty lovers. Henry Cavill has a sculpted body and 'Greek God' looks. Apt casting. Mickey Rourke as King Hyperion is menacing and the way he manipulates and terrorizes his army is awesome.

There are some inspiring war dialogs and in general the dialogs have a dramatic appeal.

VERDICT: A true visual delight. Much better than expected.