Mariyaan - Review

From shouldering the huge burden of hype and hoopla, Dhanush the actor has broken free from the stage of ROUTINE to an unfazed zone of acting. Mariyan strikes the unique balance of cinematic experience with everything you can dream of. In the hour of test and faith, Love prevails and gets the man ashore swaying all odds. Dhanush, the National awardee comes out with yet an award winning performance, so memorable you would forget to finish off the popcorn. What more could we expect from a team of zealous technicians who have come together to present a movie of a lifetime. However let's put on our magnifying glasses and review this movie.

Dhanush has come a long way from the days of KadhalKondein, which was one of the firsts to showcase his talents in acting, and this movie pitches agony and love together, unleashing the unexpected. As a fisherman from the suburbs of Tamil Nadu, carefree but full of energy he is taunted by a girl sparkling with love for long. The film starts off in Sudan, Africa where Mariyan (Dhanush) is seen working for a contractor and after some rigorous 2 years of work, he is upbeat about getting back to home, sea, food and his soul mate Panimalar (Parvati). Dhanush and Parvati ooze the chemistry of love and separation in the first scene itself, a beautiful spring that showcases the excitement of meeting each other after a while.

Instantly we are sent in a Flashback, where Mariyan is the nomad fisherman who is always happy-go-lucky and keeps smudging off Parvati, who is in her umpteenth attempt to lure Mariyan with Appukuty's help. The beautiful seashore, the people who flock around, love in the air, BB makes you literally smell the aroma of sea. The first half is a visual treat to watch and feel how the love of Mariyan-Pani evolves amidst the sweetness of the waves and fishes. The screenplay evolves lazily and the director takes plenty of time in the love segment, to an extent where it makes you wait for the intermission.

Now that our patience was put to tremendous test, he justifies it through the second half where Mariyan is now held captive along with two other prisoners. In the middle of nowhere the prisoners are held at gunpoint by African terrorists who demand money to the company that handles them. From then on the movie almost transforms into a web of struggle and pain that Mariyan faces. Under traumatic circumstances, Mariyan encounters myriad images of Panimalar and takes that as a sense of inspiration to come out of his misery, and that does not come at ease. All said the torture and violence from the terrorists makes you wonder why? Their characters are not etched in a reasonable way, and BB could've given more insight on their drive towards cruelty.

The movie itself is split in two milieus, one with a fisherman's routine life and love and the other is how much Love can catapult an individual to take the extra mile. In the middle of so many movies lately that end on a negative note, yet hit the BO, Bharat Bala has carved a niche among a positive tale tellers and has given a movie that you can take back home on a high note. The standard he has set is so breathtakingly high, that makes us wonder what next. To ponder hard and point the negativity, it should be the lethargic screenplay in the first half, as BB has taken a lot of time to tromp their love home.

Rahman is one word "Awesome", be it the BGM or the songs, they sizzle throughout. In the scenes that follow the struggle of Mariyan it inspires and motivates perennially. For the underwater scenes, Rahman's ripple effect on the waters magnify with Auro 3D crystal clearly, that its realism demystified. And Marc the French Cinematographer! Boy what can we say about him! The rusty deserts, serene oceans, the fishy tale, enigmatic love and infinite range of visual awesomeness sum up his work. For the African part of the movie he has used mild and varied color tone.A bunch of Kudos to editing work by Vivek.

Acting wise, no little or lengthy words to explain the magnificence of Dhanush, he can go up with heads high of the fact that, he is no more an ordinary actor down the lane and more is left in that lean body. Parvati as Panimalar is sure to create a crater size impact on Indian Cinema, her eyes twinkle and do most of the talking, but that doesn't stop the actress, her chemistry with Dhanush is one of the best in Tamil Cinema. Rest of the cast Appukuty, Uma Riaz, Jagan, African cast all live up to their expectations as well.

Ergo, a fine movie not just to watch and enjoy, but to feel and relish.

Verdict : 3.5/5

Courtesy : www.Indiaglitz.com

Happy Birthday Rajini

Happy B'day Superstar

Saguni Review

Saguni review

Director Shankar Dayal Cast Karthi, Pranitha, Santhanam

Karthi`s Saguni is a commercial mass masala movie made purely to work overtime at the box-office.

And it works to a large extent dues to its hero and his side-kick who provide the necessary ingredient in large doses.

Shankar Dayal formula is simple, a larger than life hero who comes to the city with a personal agenda. In the big bad city he is caught up in the turf war for power among rival politicians. Our hero, the street smart guy using brawn and machiavellian tactics cleans up the political system of the scums. He also gets what he wants from the new chief minister and takes the next train back home with the heroine in tow.

Don`t look for a story or logic, the hero has to win at all cost in commercial potboilers. The major highlight of the film is the rocking Tom and Jerry type comedy scenes between Karthi and Santhanam and the one-liners they say.

New girl Pranitha is there as Karthi`s love interest and the idea of naming these three characters as Kamal, Rajini and Sridevi brings the house down. And to add to the mirth there is Anushka playing a cameo as a Malayalee cop who falls for the handsome Kamal!

There are only black and white characters, an essential requirement for mass movies. So you have politicians as baddies - Prakash Raj as the malevolent and cunning chief minister, Radhika as an Idly Kada lady and moneylender who becomes the Mayor, Kota Srinivasa Rao as the idiotic politician, Kiran as the wicked and ambitious concubine of Prakash Raj and Roja as heroine`s mom.

The film laced with humour is packaged as a mass entertainer by Shankar Dayal who has woven certain recent political happening into the story. The film hints that money, muscle power and political horse trading are what win elections.

GV Prakash music is foot tapping and plays to the galleries. Velmurugan`s "Pottadhu Pathalai Maapillai.." has people dancing to the kuthu number while the melody sung by Sonu Nigam and Saindhavi, "Manasellam Mazhaiye..", is the pick of the lot. PG Muthiah`s camera is ok with some good top angle shots. Nani (Sreekar Prasad) forgot his scissors as the film needs trimming. On the downside the film at 2 hours 45 minutes is too long; characters disappear half way through the film.

Karthi is one reason to buy a ticket for the film. He has evolved as a bankable commercial mass hero and his dancing in "Vella Bambaram" song is a revelation. The moment Santhanam appears on the screen people burst out laughing, and he is too good. His comedy timing and his combination with Karthi is the perfect mix. Heroine Pranitha has nothing much to do other than looking glamorous. Radhika is impressive in a role with shades of grey, no better political villain in south screen than Prakash Raj .

On the whole if you are looking just for staple masala entertainment, Saguniis the right prescription.

Verdict- Time Pass Entertainer

courtesy :www.sify.com

Titanic 3D

 

Critic's Rating: 4/5

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Gloria Stuart

Direction: James Cameron

Genre: Romance

Duration: 3 hours 14 minutes

Avg Readers Rating: 4/5

Story: The love story between commoner Jack Dawson ( Leonardo DiCaprio) and aristocratic Rose Dewitt Bukater (Kate Winslet), set against the ornate yet tragic backdrop of the sinking luxury liner, sends out all the right signals. It talks of a love that is passionate, permanent, soul stirring, death defying and powerful enough to break all barriers of class and destiny. 

Movie Review: It took some 300 hundred people, 60 weeks, 279,000 frames and $18 million more (initially costing some $200 million) for director James Cameron to sink the Titanic all over again. Not to say, his earlier Titanic (1997) did not have its fair share of numbers to deal with: a movie stretching to 194 minutes; a movie bagging 11 Oscars that year. The fact that James Cameron managed to blend steamy romance with mind-blowing depiction of disaster made the film even more spectacular. Watching the Titanic sink, with all the attendant creaks and cracks, was truly a milestone moment in movie lore. That was then. For now, the Big Question: What is it that really makes Titanic (1997) look all different from Titanic (2012)? 

For starters, the decor and dresses look more elegant, the ocean more blue and deadly, the ship more huge and gigantic. Not to miss out is Kate Winslet's very first entry with an enormous hat and an even more enormous bow. Spectacular. Next, it's the sweeping and romantic shot of Leonardo DiCaprioand Kate Winslet as 'king (and queen) of the world'. More iconic a shot in 3D. But then unfortunately, Cameron's real trick-n-treat visual wizardry is primarily seen during the last 30 minutes of the movie. Perhaps, that's why you just can't wait for the Titanic to snap. And snap it does, 3D ishtyle. Right from the luxury liner being hit by the oh-so-big iceberg, water blasting through the hull, those on board being washed away by violent waves... to the ship's final plunge as it breaks into two, is what makes Titanic different... and worth a watch ek baar phir! Special mention: 1) The section of the ship rising up perpendicular to the ocean 2) Hundred of lifeless bodies floating around in the cold water... in the middle of nowhere. 

So grab your 3D glasses and book yourself a tryst with the turn-of-the-century cinema all over again. And incase you feel the wait (for the special effects to set the screen ablaze) is too long, worry not. It's the overwhelming sentimentality of the liner, along with the then Kate-and-Leo chemistry, that still classifies the Titanic as an epic romance, 3D or no 3D. 

A word about James Cameron: No doubt Cameron is mastering the art of advancing technology, not just in the world of cinema, but his very own cinema. First Avatar (followed by Avatar 3D), now Titanic. 

Tip off: You know what's coming up next on screen. But rest assured, you still won't mind seeing the Titanic sink all over again - in 3D... exactly a hundred years from the moment it actually happened.

Courtesy: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

3 Movie Review

Review: 3 (Tamil) Dhanush & Shruti Hassan in 3 Film: 3 (Tamil) Director: Aishwarya Dhanush Cast: Dhanush, Shruti Hassan, Bhanupriya, Prabhu Rating: *** If you were planning to watch 3 just for the sake of Kolaveri Di, we’d ask you to rethink your plan — the film is worth so much more. Before we even start to review this movie, one must appreciate Aishwarya Dhanush for reinstating the hope that Kollywood can always redefine and reinterpret itself — how we’ve longed for a movie that felt, sounded and looked like 3. 3 is a love story at its very core, but around a love story that passes through almost a whole lifetime of the two lead actors, you find intricate narratives based on anyone’s life from middle-class Chennai. From the almost palpable teenage passion of love, spiced with cuteness and loads of reality, to the seriousness of a relationship forged in a hurry — the storyline and the final representation on screen is commendable and stays with you long after the credits roll. The first half of the film belongs to Shruti Hassan and prior to 3 we were convinced she couldn’t act. How wonderfully she’s proved us wrong and left us begging for more. Janani, her character, is a girl we’ve all known — studious, pretty and hell-bent on living up to her parents’ hopes and wishes in her. She however secretly just yearns for love, appreciation and passion, and when she finds it, she fights for it, stronger than you could ever imagine. Bhanupriya and Prabhu are in their element and while neither contribute anything relevant to the plotline, they’re fabulous as Dhanush’s parents. Rohini as Shruti’s mother however is mind-blowing and stirs up a riot of emotions. Needless to say, Dhanush is amazing! The man only surpasses his previous films and while bits of the storyline might remind you of Kaadhal Kondaen, the actor has far outdone his previous attempt at such a role. Kolaveri Di... might be the only spoiler in the film however, and we’re just warning you ahead. It’s been shot well and has some really neat choreography, but after the hype we’ve seen it create,we were a bit disappointed! We won’t let you in on what happens in the second half and even though we’ve given you several clues already, all we’re going to say is it gets serious, really, really serious. Be ready for a sob fest as emotions run wild, anger turns into rage and limits crossed in almost every scene. The storyline swings between poles and while it can be entertaining in terms of a performance, it can demand a lot of patience from a viewer, so be warned. We do not think anyone would want to watch the movie again, only because it demands too much from you emotionally. We however, plan to watch this movie once more and walk out during the interval, we’d advise the romantics to do the same. Courtesy : http://www.dnaindia.com

New year wishes

Wish u a ver Happy n Prosperous NewYear Friends

Jayalalithaa urges Kerala to abide by Supreme Court order

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Thursday requested her Kerala counterpart Oommen Chandy to ensure that his government abides by the apex court order allowing the water storage level at Mullaperiyar Dam to be raised to 142 feet.

Replying to Chandy’s letter dated Dec 1, 2011, the text of which was released here to the media, Jayalalithaa said: “May I take this opportunity to request you to kindly ensure that the Government of Kerala abides by the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, which has taken into consideration all the safety aspects of the dam and allow the water level to be raised to 142 feet?”

While agreeing with Chandy’s views that Tamil Nadu and Kerala have mutual interests and co-operation on various fronts and they should be fostered, she said: “I would like to take this opportunity to bring to your notice unwarranted provocations from across the border and also our anxieties on the fear psychosis generated in Kerala.”

She said the apex court after considering the report of the expert committee formed by the central government ordered “raising of level of storage in the Mullai Periyar Dam to 142 feet”.

Jayalalithaa said the Kerala government amended the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act 2003 in 2006 there by nullifying the apex court order.

She said the Empowered Committee under the chairmanship of the former chief justice of India A.S. Anand is looking into dam safety.

“The Government of Tamil Nadu had carried out a series of measures from 1980 to 1994 on the recommendations of the Chairman, Central Water Commission, to strengthen the dam and after all these measures have been carried out, the retrofitted Mullai Periyar Dam is as good as new. The Supreme Court of India had also factored this in while pronouncing its judgment in 2006, allowing Tamil Nadu initially to store water up to 142 feet,” the letter notes.

She said a series of studies/tests such a scanning the upstream face of the dam, testing of cable anchors, non-destructive tests have been conducted and some are in progress.

In response to Chandy’s reference in his letter to the 22 tremors in the last four months, Jayalalithaa said: “As per the Indian Meteorological Department data, there have been only four mild tremors in the last four months, that too far away from the vicinity of the Mullai Periyar Dam site, which did not have any effect on the seepage in the dam.”

“The seepage of the dam is well within the permissible limits as per the Indian Standards Code. The possibility of tremors of even medium magnitude does not exist in the Mullai Periyar Dam site. The possibility of the Mullai Periyar Dam breaching due to flood waters and collapsing is not logical since all eventualities have been factored in during the strengthening of the dam,” the letter notes.

Jayalalithaa stressed that informed decision making at the the government level should be based on reason rather than extraneous factors and one should guard against unfounded fears overtaking reason and ground realities.