Monday, January 25, 2010

Aayirathil Oruvan






Selva's labour of love that took over three years to make starts with a street-play that describes how the Chola prince is taken to safety by a loyal minister, when the Pandyas attack the Chola kingdom.


Now the movie movies to Pratap Pothen an archaeologist who discovers the lost city of the Cholas. Then we are shown news clippings saying that he has gone missing.

We are introduced to Andrea, Pothen's daughter and Reema Sen and Arivazhagan from the ASI and the army, respectively. They plan to seek the lost city and the archaeologist. Karthi is introduced as the head of a bunch of porters who join the expedition. We are told that the lost kingdom is somewhere in the vast ocean near Vietnam.

They reach a tribal settlement from where they journey to the mysterious island on boats. The tribals refuse to go to the island saying that the island is a haunt of ghosts.

As the party reaches the island and walks in shallow waters, strange luminescent fishes attack the expedition party and the members run towards the land to save their lives. The adventure continues as they are attacked by a band of tribals, then they face poisonous serpents and Karthi and the girls are separated from the remaining expedition party. The trio travel across a desert battlinig hunger and thirst. They stand before a Stonehenge like pile of pillars. The eagle flying above at sun-rise causes the shadow of Lord Nataraja to be displayed on the ground and the trio run on the path shown by the shadow.

Till here the story made sense :)

They reach the lost city and play with the treasures and swords and suddenly a screeching sound drives them mad as they attack each other and dance and Reema even shoots Karthi. They are captured by the remnants of the lost Chola civilisation ruled by Pathiban in a strange costume reminding me of one of the characters in 300.

More confusion comes as Reema seduces Parthipan and hatches a plan with an old woman, we realize that something is wrong. There is unwanted sexual imagery here and it is better we don't dwell much on it.

There is an arena where a giant clobbers prisoners using a rock at the end of a chain. Pothen is alive and gone raving mad, he and Karthi face the giant and Karthi kills the giant and is rewarded by Parthiban.

Then the army comes and attacks the Cholas, Reema Sen is revealed to be a Pandya princess. A war between guns and rocket launchers and spears, swords and stones take place. Reema mixes poison in the water drunk by Chola soldiers. The long-drawn war scene ends with the army officers capturing the Chola king.

Scenes of torture by the army draw comparison with the Sri Lankan army torturing the Tamils in Sri Lanka the imagery and comparison is very visible with the Tiger in the Chola flag.

History repeats itself when Parthiban hands over his on to Karthi for protection. Parthiban dies and his body i immersed in the sea by faithful ministers who walk into their watery graves.

The movie ends with the message "Chozhanin Payannam Thodarum" --The journey of the Chola kingdom shall continue.

The script is messy and there are ample references to Mac Kenna's Gold, Apocalypto, Indiana Jones, Mummy etc...

The second half has too many loopholes. Are some scenes hallucinations or reality we do not know. The people speaking ancient Tamil drew lot of catcalls in the theatre. This is indeed sad, if we forget our roots who will respect us.

Cannibalism definitely does not go down well, what happened to Reema and Arivazhagan, how does Karthi survive bullet shots? How does the mobile network work in the middle of nowhere?

Too many unanswered questions, cinematography and music is good. Reema has hammed her way through a super role but all media is going gung-ho about her performance. Wish we had Sneha/Meera Jasmine/ or some other actress who could add substance to the role.

The movie had a super-duper opening but I doubt if it will recover its cost of production.

AO was a super chance for Selva to cement his position in Tamil cinema, somehow I feel he lost the plot mid-way through the movie.

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Horsemen-Movie Review

This was a movie that held so much promise and worked out wonderfully well till the last 10 minutes. The story is about Dennis Quaid a widower and a police offer with two sons. One son is in high school and the other is about 5 years old.

The movie opens with an old hunter and his dog hunting in the cold and freezing forest. Suddenly the dog starts barking and moves to a clearing on a metal stool some human teeth dripping with blood are placed and there are signs with the words "Come and See" painted on the trees in red.

Slowly a series of murders are reported. A mother of three children is found killed. Investigations reveal that the woman's husband was a pervert and child abuser. A shocking confession by an adopted girl played by Zhang Ziyi reveals that she and her compatriots committed the murder. An eye-popping scene is when the girl pulls out a plastic bag with a foetus taken out of the dead woman.

Slowly the tension builds as the taxing investigation forces Dennis to distance himself away from his sons. We are shown two brothers one is gay and he stabs a thief. Then he hangs his brother from hooks and in front of his eyes commits suicide.

A connection between the Biblical 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the murders is established and the investigation reveals a connection that no one would have imagined.

I am not revealing the climax. Watch it for the tension that builds in the case.

As mentioned at the beginning the movie is let down by its unconvincing climax.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Cricket News

I thought Bangladesh would pull off a surprise win the way India's first innings folded. Good knocks by Gambhir, Laxman and Amit mIshra and some excellent bowling by Ishant, Amit and Zaheer ensured that India won comfortably a 113-run margin.

A fighting century by Mushfiqur went in vain.

One more test to go.

The real battle will begin when India face South Africa in a two-test series.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Musings

As I sit all alone,
I just think of the recent past.
I weigh the consequences of my actions
And ask was it worth it?

I honestly don't know!
Only time will tell.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Musings

Taking stock of life at the moment!
This is yet another stage of introspection!
Let us see what happens!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Freedom

For the first time in seven months I feel free, light and focused.

I hope this is a new beginning that will bring me closer to my goal!

The game is afoot!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Cricket News

Mumbai won a thriller to defeat karnataka and clinch the Ranji title at Mysore.

Team India got a blast from the past as they choked once again in the final of a tournament and lost to Sri Lanka.

Ricky Ponting hit a splendid 209 and with Clarke's century Pakistan are staring at defeat already having lost 4 wickets.

First test between Bangladesh and India starts on Sunday.

Can the Bangla Tigers pull of a surprise?

Yuvraj Singh has been officially dethroned as the captain of Kings XI Punjab.
Sangakkara is the new captain.

Three Idiots

Aside all the tamasha that was created by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Raju Hirani, Aamir & Co. and Chetan Bhagat where the unsuspecting public were made idiots the movie is good.

There is fun, melodrama, comedy, a message about chalking one's destiny.

My biggest grouse with the director and the producer is why did they opt for such senior actors. They could have experimented as Shankar did with the cast of "Boys".

The actors have done a decent job and the guy who plays the character of Chatur is simply superb.

A whole extended scene mixing "chamatkaar" with "balatkaar" was a gem.

The scenes about ragging were not necessary, but then everyone knows the bitter truth about ragging and we know much serious stuff happens within the confines of the hostel walls.

Boman Irani as the director of Imperial College is reduced to buffoonery but the scene where he speaks to Aamir after the birth of his grandson and hands the pen to the most excellent student shows Boman's class as an actor.

Kareena looks ravishing and has a small but significant role as Pia the medical student.

Sharmaan Joshi does a better job than Aamir and Madhavan. It is a pity that Sharmaan is reduced to comic roles and multi-starrers. When is the chap going to get a solo-hero movie?

Javed Jaffery as the real Ranchore Das and his father's ashes in the "lotta" is another laughathon.

Songs are good, the cinematography awesome. The movie is preachy and goes over-the-top in some areas.

All said and done the movie deserves a watch on the big screen.

The controversy with Chetan could have been avoided. Let us see if they make Two States into a movie.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Words

So close and yet so far away,
After what seemed like ages,
You answered my call.

It felt great ,
To listen to your voice again.
When I asked you what happened?

You replied with nonchalance-
"Why nothing happened?"
I will never ever understand,
What goes through your mind!

For the moment,
I am happy,
That after so long.
You had the time,
To speak to me.

I am happy again after a long long time!

Friday, January 08, 2010

Cricket News

India managed to win despite a great performance by Bangladesh.

The last wicket pair of Onions and Swann again frustrated Smith & Co. to secure a draw.

Pakistan lost a match against Australia which I thought was in Pakistan's pockets. Hussey proved his mettle with a fine knock which helped Australia post a decent total.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Life

I am on the verge of taking a big professional risk!
Hope things work out properly!

If things do not materialise and unless something concrete is received the dull monotony might continue!

Let us see :-

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Salary, Salary, Where are You

New year seems to be no different!
Salary, Salary, Where are you?
Hope you come soon!
As I have lots of bills to pay.
Rent to be paid for the house!
And loads of other expenses too.
Please come soon :)

Monday, January 04, 2010

33rd Chennai Book Fair

:(

I am honestly disappointed and disappointed big time. This year Tamil books and software and games for children are in majority. Surprisingly even the choices offered by the stalls selling English books are limited. English fiction takes a back seat as engineering text books and reference books for various subjects rule the roost. The books offered by the sellers on the pavement next to Pachayappa's College also disappoint. Hardly 7 or 8 sellers and they too only have Mills n' Boons novels, some assorted fiction, loads of colouring books for children and engineering books.

I bought the following books at the book fair:

The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson.

A book on medicine a Harvard University book for Rs. 99.

A Shite History of Time a Parody.

A novel for children in Hindi.

love the growth and popularity of regional literature but if you keep setting up the same predictable stalls from the various religious missions and book-sellers offering the same novels that you would pick up any day at their showrooms! What is the point of organising a book-fair?

English translations of foreign novels, foreign comics, books on poetry and drama, there is such a wide scope for rare books, literary readings. Above all we need English translations of Tamil novels. Gems of Sujatha and Siva Sankari. When will the publishers wake up to the infinite possibilities of English translations of Tamil literature?

I don't know may be it is my frustration of not finding the books that I would have loved to see.

BAPASI needs to get its act together the stalls were not ready even on December 31 and the food-stalls were functional only late into the evening of December 31. Many people satisfied their hunger with fruit salad on December 31 and it cost Rs. 20.

Some stalls had bargains for two books for Rs. 99 stocking unsold assorted fiction.

Let us hope the next year offers better prospects.

Friday, January 01, 2010

2009-Review Round-up

2009 saw lots of movies releasing, some minted money, some balanced and managed to float and many sank without a trace. Here is my list of top movies of 2009.


KOLLYWOOD

PASANGA

Kudos to Sasikumar for having the courage to produce a movie for children starring children. The songs were good and the children sparkled in their roles.

NADODIGAL

Sasikumar under friend Samudrikani’s direction went on to strike box-office gold with this tale about friends uniting lovers.

SIVA MANASULLA SHAKTI

Light-hearted romance starring Jeeva and Anusuya. Great comedy by Santhanam.

ACHAMUNDU ACHAMUNDU

Prasanna, Sneha, John O’ Shea and a cute little kid. Great effort from director Arun Vaidyanathan, shot in Seattle a movie about child molestation.

EERAM

Director Shankar’s production a slick horror thriller with great graphics. Fear the water the new enemy.

POKKISHAM

The movie sank but Cheran continues to make clean cinema with good music. Padmapriya proves once again that she is the best actress in southern cinema.

UNAIPOL ORUVAN

The remake of Wednesday, brought together on screen Kamal and Mohanlal


PADDIKATHAVAN/KANDHASWAMY/VETTAIKARAN

Formulaic mass-masala movies for Dhanush, Vikram and Vijay fans nothing great just time-pass.

PERAANMAI

Good work by Jayam Ravi, a mission in the forest. We saw Terminator-4 villain indulging in hand-to-hand combat with Ravi.


BOLLYWOOD

Ranbir Kapoor is the new star in town with a hat-trick of successes.

DEV-D

Anurag Kashyap’s hour of retribution, superb acting, an awe-inspiring music score. Gorgeous Kalki Koechlin and Mahie Gill-Absolute Emotional Atyachar.

PAA

Balki’s tear-jerker Abhi plays Amitabh’s dad. The biggest unintentional joke was when we received YEPPA forwards showing Simbhu struggling to carry our very own T.R.

WAKE-UP SID

Life, roles, responsibilities, and do your own thing a sonnet for freedom. Konkona and Ranbir a strange pair and a surprise hit.

QUICK GUN MURUGAN

Superb comic timing, ravishing Mango Dolly-Rambha with a golden wig, great one-liners and quirky fights-Mind It!

ROCKET SINGH-SALESMAN OF THE YEAR

Shimit Amin and Jaideep Sahni script the success story of an entrepreneur. Could have been better but the movie is clean, unpretentious and enjoyable but a bit too preachy.

AJAB PREM KI GHAJAB KAHANI

Clean mindless comedy and great fun, Ranbir sparkles and Katrina manages to emote.

LOVE AAJ KAL

Loved to see Rishi Kapoor on screen. Saif and Deepika made a good pair. The Brazilian model Giselle Montero was the surprise Punjabi kudi.

THREE IDIOTS

I am yet to see the movie but friends say the movie is a mix of Munna Bhai and Rang De Basanti. Will make enough money I guess!

Delhi-6, Gulaal two good movies that did not garner the attention they deserved.

New York, Kurbaan dealt with terror and America-OK.

Wanted gave Salman a new lease of life and became the biggest blockbuster of 2009.

HOLLYWOOD

AVATAR

The courage to visualise a whole new world, wait patiently for more than 14 years and introduce state of the art motion-picture technology to create magic on the big screen. James Cameron you rock! We would have preferred a different story. The concept of the white man gaining acceptance among the natives has been examined umpteen number of times.

UP

A simple tale about a retired balloon salesman and an eager scout kid. Animation from Pixar with a great tale. The first ten minutes of the movie which narrate the saga of the romance of the old man and his wife are simply beautiful.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

Slam-bang spaghetti western meets Nazi adventure. Tarantino is in top form and the movie has a great cast doing full justice to the characters.

THE HANGOVER

Loved it! Las Vegas, partying, drugs, money and marriage and mayhem.

DISTRICT-9

Aliens, humans and a survival story with a difference. This movie shot in South Africa deserves a viewing.

NUMERO-9

An animation movie about the fight for survival in an apocalyptic world, great graphics good presentation.

IMAGINE THAT

Enjoyable fare from Eddie Murphy and a cute little kid. One for the family.

STAR TREK

A new generation of sci-fi lovers has been created!

KNOWING

Nicholas Cage in the fatalistic fantasy about the world coming to an end. Mind-blowing graphics but the movie failed to make a mark. Lot of symbolism and references to Hindu philosophy.

PUBLIC ENEMIES

Could have been a lot better but still enjoyable. The story of how they nabbed Dillinger!

Terminator-4 and Transformers-2 had great graphics and made heaps of money but again these are commercial cinema of a different kind. Mindless waste of money on blowing up man and machine in more innovative ways, the movies make money and the branded toys and merchandise sell even more.

I am yet too see many movies like-Sherlock Holmes, Precious, Invictus, Julie & Julia and loads of other movies whose names I do not recollect. Some other movies that I enjoyed last year include-Nan Kadavul (It have written a detailed review earlier), Ayan, Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu, State of Play, The Hurt Locker and In the Loop.

The movies are not ranked in any order. The list just states the movies that I enjoyed. Here is hoping that 2010 brings more blockbusters to the big screen and the prices of tickets in theatres come down a bit. Otherwise piracy will continue to gain momentum and reducing broadband costs will ensure that bit-torrents and file-sharing websites become the source for movie-watching.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, prosperous and happy new year 2010
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