Maatraan trailer

Maatraan's first look is very interesting. Suriya plays conjoined twins in this movie (the 2 Suriyas play together, bath together, romance together, fight together, get into trouble together etc etc.). They are called Vimalan (who is a good boy) and Akilan (who is a playboy). Gotta say Suriya acts quite artificial. Both the getups aren't new to him either. But the fact that he is attempting such roles is in itself worth a lot of praise. This should probably be the biggest movie in his career and among the biggest in Tamil cinema history.

The making would be very interesting given the fact that conjoined twins are being portrayed. Kajal would be an added bonus with her ravishing sexy looks. K.V.Anand is known for delivering commercial yet classy movies. So expect a cracker from Maatraan as well, after Ayan and Ko. Harris Jeyaraj would deliver his brand of peppy yet repetitive tunes.

Maatraan can be safely termed "Mass with a difference". The title font rocks too. But, the trailer looks similar to a movie called "Stuck on You" !!!

Sea of Love (1989)

Frank Keller is a divorced cop and is frustrated with his single life. He is assigned a case where a series of men are killed under mysterious circumstances and is partnered by Det. Sherman on this case. They find a commonality with all the killings (rhyming ads in a Singles magazine) and try to nab the culprit by placing a similar ad. This process of trying to catch the fish by placing the bait is very entertaining and interesting. The song 'Sea of Love' also plays a prominent role in giving a lead to the detectives about the killings.

One such woman named Helen, whom Frank meets through this ad becomes a real passionate rage for Frank and he starts having a wild affair with her. Sherman suspects that she is the culprit as there are some signs to that effect. Frank ignores this and is even ready to move in with her but later he is also almost sure that Helen is the doer. In the end, there is a twist about the killer and this twist is decent.

The film has a terrific BGM score, be it the jazzy and sexy score for the love making scenes or the suspense filled thumping music for the thrilling scenes.

There are some really wild and passionate sex scenes. The heroine Ellen Barkin is truly an exotic blond and incredibly seducing. Al Pacino eases his way through the romantic scenes and shows his lighter side. In the intense scenes, he is always A Rate with his aggression. This is a good mix of romance and intensity for the master actor.

John Goodman provides some funny moments as Det. Sherman.

VERDICT: Nice thriller with its share of erotica as well. Good cocktail of suspense and sex.

The Godfather: Part III (1990)

The next generation in the Corleone family has a prominent presence in this movie with an ageing and sick Michael Corleone unable to stand up to the rigors of a Don's life. 

Michael Corleone is looking to legitimize his operations by reducing involvement in illegal activities. He wishes to get back to his separated wife Kay and spend more quality time with his kids Mary and Anthony. Enemies keep cropping up even now as the Don isn't able to live in peace.

His elder brother's son Vincent has a prominent presence as he takes control of the gang now. He has a temper much like his deceased father Sonny. His affair with Michael's daughter Mary has to be foregone in order for him to become The Godfather.

Michael repents for all his sins and whether he lives in peace with his family or whether his enemies catch up with him?

The film moves slowly but has lot of substance. There are a lot of characters and a lot of enemies for the Don. Towards the end, when all the revenge is taken, we need to pay apt attention due to the number of characters involved. The revenge scenes coinciding with the opera scenes are a nice touch much like how the revenge scenes in the first part coincided with the baptism scenes.

Al Pacino plays the old weary don and he is required to curb his general aggressive instincts at many points. Andy Garcia is the cold blooded aggressor as the young Vincent. Sofia Coppola looks angelic and is damn sexy as Mary. Talia Shire has a somewhat influential role as Connie. Al the villains are typically cold and calculating.

The references to the Pope, the revered Archbishops and the Vatican banking scandal within the church are engaging.

The BGM track has the legendary Godfather themes running along.

VERDICT: Finale of the most epic gangster movie series. Has its moments and is engaging. Al Pacino and Andy Garcia carry the movie along.

The Dead Pool (1988)

This is the last of the Dirty Harry movies. Here, Harry has to get to the root of a series of murders of celebrities in San Francisco. These murders are based on a sick game called The Dead Pool where a list of celebrities are listed. Horror film director Peter Swan is the prime suspect but is he really the killer? Harry also has to survive many attempts on his life due to his hand in sending Lou Janero to prison.

Journalist Samantha Walker provides the female interest for Harry in this movie.

There are sparkling dialogs as always (the one comparing opinions to assholes is the ultimate) and lot of gun shots. Clint Eastwood looks aged yet majestic. Liam Neeson impresses as the frustrated director who earns a lot of media coverage. The suspense behind the real killer is not that great.Jim Carrey has a small crazy cameo as a drug junkie.

VERDICT: Another typical Dirty Harry movie but without a strong villain. Works purely due to Clint.

3 100 days

For whatever it was, 3 was a good attempt. Bipolar disorder was never handled in Tamil cinema and for a debut director, Aishwarya Dhanush had guts to try something different in her first film. Being the daughter of commercial superstar Rajini and the wife of another top young hero Dhanush, she could have followed the tried and tested masala route and could have garnered handsome box-office returns. But, she dared to be different. Salutes to that guts.

Dhanush performed brilliantly in the 2nd half. Both Dhanush and Shruti looked the part as the school kids in the 1st half. Songs by Anirudh were amazing. Nice BGM too.

I loved the movie personally. People who haven't seen the movie can definitely give it a shot.

100 days is a good landmark for 3. It has been made to run. That is a different story altogether and something that is unique to South Indian cinema. 

Bol Bachchan review

2.5 / 5

This is the Rohit Shetty - Ajay Devgn team’s 8^th movie together. Expectations are high given their previous track record of delivering commercial blockbusters. Fox Star Studios have bought the worldwide theatrical release rights for a whopping amount. Abhishek Bachchan joins this celebrated team and whether they have lived up to the original Golmaal released in 1979? Read more to find out. 

Abbas Ali (Abhishek Bachchan) comes along with his sister Sania (Asin) to a village named Ranakpur after running into problems back in Delhi. Prithviraj Raghuvanshi (Ajay Devgn) is the most influential man in this village and he is a man who firmly stands by trust and hates lies. He is a mammoth body builder but is very naïve and is a child at heart. Abbas wins Prithvi’s trust and starts working for him but, only after his friend lies that his name is Abhishek Bachchan. This single lie cascades into a bundle of lies as Prithvi is literally taken for a ride by Abbas and his trusted friends. Whether Prithvi gets to the bottom of the issue and comes to know the truth is the finale of this laugh riot.

The comedy is all situational and the characters don’t try too hard to be funny. It is the circumstance that creates all the fun and the actors have all done a terrific job. Abhishek Bachchan leads the way and is a riot particularly when he is forced to pose as an effeminate dancer. The dance medley that he does before the interval is a wholesome laughathon. This movie would boost Abhishek’s box-office stature. 

Ajay Devgn looks majestic with his thick mustache and spiked hair. His styling is amazing and the way he peppers his dialogues with English sentences has to be experienced. You will find yourself laughing your guts out when Ajay is on screen. This one is a milestone for the hunky actor. A perfect blend of comic timing and macho mannerisms, Ajay is. There are references to Singham at apt points in the movie when Ajay terrorizes the people around with his stern voice. 

The way Abbas and his friend (played by Krushna Abhishek) struggle hard to cover all the lies is funny to say the least. Veteran actors Neeraj Vora and Asrani also have a part to play in all the cover-ups, goof-ups and comic mishaps. Archana Puran Singh sparkles as the ‘mujra’ dancer who has to play the most unlikely role in all this drama.  

One does feel that Prithvi is being fooled so easily. But, that is the intention of this movie. Ajay’s naivety throws open the house for more comedy. 

There is a small surprise with regards to Asin’s role. She is the romantic interest of Ajay and looks serene and absolutely cute. Prachi Desai shines once again in her role. Her smile is a major plus. She is the romantic interest of Abhishek. As you can see, both the heroines are related to both the lead men in diametrically opposite ways. The heroines are more than just mere eye candies and have a small part in the larger scheme of things. 

Among the songs, the title credits song makes a mark and also comes prominently in the BGM score. The Big B makes a nice cameo and is majestic as always. The dance moves in this song border on the funny. 

The action scenes are extravagant. Rohit Shetty must get a major kick seeing men and machines flying around. Such scenes do make a mark but we feel there is an overdose of such scenes. Nevertheless, the action on screen is highly impactful and the sound design for the fights has also been done to give maximum impact. But in a comedy movie, such elaborate action scenes do stick out sorely. 

The cinematography is pretty basic but shines in the action scenes. The way the heroes are projected in the action scenes is larger than life. The movie is pretty long at 154 minutes but it never gets boring or dull. 

The climax has elements of thrill as well as comedy. The VFX for these scenes are decent. On the whole, Bol Bachchan has good chances of raking in handsome returns at the box-office as the target audience is the masses who come to cinema just for entertainment. No point in dissecting a movie like Bol Bachchan too much, as its sole intention is entertainment though it is mindless. 

In that sense after Rowdy Rathore, Bol Bachchan also falls under the wholesome entertainer category. Will it enter the elusive 100 crores club? We will know in 2 weeks’ time.

VERDICT: An entertaining web spun around a bunch of lies

...And Justice for All. (1979)

An honest, ethical and upright defense lawyer is getting increasingly frustrated with the judicial system in the US. He treats his clients with humanity and tries his best to give them a good deal. At one stage, he is required to defend the very same judge whom he despises the most, in a sexual assault case. He is literally forced to take this case. Else his career would be on the line. What does he do? Does he stand up to justice and the truth or does he just do his job according to the rule book?

Al Pacino is a firebrand as the frustrated lawyer. He rocks such intense roles that require him to vent his anger and rage. The angry young man to the core. He looks freaking handsome too and literally carries the movie on his shoulders as Arthur Kirkland.

2 of his clients Ralph and Jeff have very sensitive cases and they touch us too with their helpless and hopeless state in the prison. Jay is Arthur's fellow partner lawyer who goes crazy due to his frustration with the justice system. Gail is Arthur's close lady friend who is part of an ethical committee that is watching all practising lawyers with an eagle eye. Judge Rayford is an eccentric man with suicidal tendencies while Judge Fleming is the hotshot judge who thinks he is beyond the law and is despised to the core by Arthur.

The climax of the movie is a real rage ride by Al Pacino. There are some entertaining moments earlier in the movie, thanks to the eccentric Rayford and the crazy Jay.

VERDICT: Al Pacino as the angry young lawyer ROCKS as always in this gripping legal drama.