Vettaiyadu Vilayadu - Hunt the Unknown

Whew!!! After a long await the movie has released with a big BANG! So much confusions and problems in getting the tickets for the first weekend in the much praised "Satyam" Complex, staying awake the whole night to book the tickets through "thecinema.in". All not in vain! I got the fruit of my strenuous attempts!

The movie begins with DCP Raghavan making the villains leak in their pants by just giving a piercing look. (The most circulated picture of the movie having Kamal his left eye wide open) followed by "Karkha Karkha" song. Gautam has tried something different in the presentation of this song (Though I couldn't understand it :-) ). We can find many similarities to Gautam's previous movie "Kaakha Kaakha" with many of the characters like Ilamaran, Maya etc.. Being replicated here. The transformation of Anbuselvan to Raghavan has been brought out nicely. Kamal's age and belly betrays him but he has very well under played his role with much dignity, not forgetting his age.

The plot as such fits well into the movie, except that Gautam has interlaced it with romanticism and peppy songs. Kamal has been used extremely well by Gautam - the instinctive cop. The biggest disappointment for me is "Paartha mudhal naale" song. On listening to the music I had expected a romantic sequence like "Onra Renda" or "Vaseegara", but alas it turned out something like Leo Coffee advertisement. There's not much to say about Kamalini Mukherjee as there's not much role for her. But talking about her, Gautam has shown a ways for today's youngsters, to propose to their sweethearts in a different way:-). It was different to see Jyothika in a subdued character from her usual bubbly self. She has done justice to her role.
The onscreen chemistry between Aradhana (Jo) and Raghavan (Kamal) has not worked out even to a hair's width. May be Gautam wanted to portray a matured relationship between the two. Accolades should go to the camera man, "Anniyan" fame Ravivarman. The cameras move in and out of the busy new York city streets deftly. The most brilliant shot is the Manhattan sky line with the introduction of the Villains. Coming to the Villains, "Daniel" Balaji has played psychopath well enough with his stylish English (No way he can match that of Kamal) and cool hair style. Has Gautam decided that his baddies should sport long hairs? Balaji has "Amudhan" has etched his performance, but the other fellow as "Ilamaran" is a dummy. I think he is used only for Kamal to blurt out a comment in the climax "Are you both homos?".

The positive aspects of the movie are:

1. Thalaivar Kamalhassan - Dignified cop
2. Jo - Yet another marked performance
3. Ravi varaman's Cinematography
4. Good story line
5. PG Wodehouse style subtle humor with no separate comedy track

The negative aspects are:

1. Indistinct narration of the story - It gets too slow sometimes
2. Unclear reasoning for the killings - The director associates the psychotic behaviors of the villains to juvenile mind set. But it is still unclear.
3. Wasted Prakash Raj - A versatile actor has not been used worth while

Much of the brutal killings could have been avoided. Gautam in the back drop of the "Vennilave" song looks good. Though the movie has some minor set backs, it's worthy to watch it, if not for anything, at least for the Hollywood style story line and Kamalhasan.

P.S: The movie lacks the KamalHasan "Romance". But Kamal being a versatile actor has the mettle to don different roles and bring out his best.

MALLS, MULTIPLEXES and MULTI-CUISINE RESTAURANTS

With growth of software industry, youngsters and adults are treading a new path – Costly weekends

Weekend getaway is the current trend among the new era youngsters and adults especially the so called Software engineers. Software engineers are people with disposable income, who throng the swanky malls, multiplexes and multi-cuisine restaurants in the metro. Enter a shopping mall on a busy Sunday evening and you can feel yourself being pulled into the mighty hands of shopping wave. The juicy discounts that are being offered by the wide spread competitors tempts a buyer to an extent that he ends up buying stuffs that are quite useless.

Youngsters earn huge amounts which they are puzzled as to how to spend. Most of their spare time is spent in shopping, eating out and thronging theatres.

Welcome to the fast moving world of fantasies.

Shopping malls – Road to Impulse buying

Numerous shopping malls have cropped up to lure people in buying luxuries. Peer pressure also plays an important role in urging people to crave for things which are otherwise useless. “I purchased the 55” plasma TV because my friend Srini has it displayed in his verandah” says Gopi, a software engineer. The fashion curve is surging upwards in Chennai with more potential buyers. Be it the trendy casual wears or the more demanding business suits from the prestigious show rooms of Allen Solly or Kentih Parker, our man always wants the best and latest. This doesn’t stop with apparels but runs down to matching accessories. Things such as sun glasses which were once considered as utilities are now mandatory to boost once own personal looks. The list of attractive brands of sun glasses range from Hugo Boss, Police and Ray Ban. Footwear has already made its mark in Chennai with companies like Adidas, Nike and Reebok opening factory outlets in every corner of the city. It would be a great injustice if the “Queen of dressing” perfumes are not mentioned. They have seeped into the streets of Chennai to an extent that banners sporting brands like Davidoff and Hugo Boss follow us everywhere like the Hutch dog.

Multiplex theatres – Movie magic

Nowadays, weekends without a visit to the theatres are considered wasted. It’s actually a pity that there is a huge crowd even for a crap movie. Gone are the days when the “first day first show” syndrome existed only for movies from big banners. Theatres have been refurnished and Thanks to them, watching a movie at a theatre is more enjoyable these days. All these comforts though, come at a price. The theory is “The higher you pay, higher are the comforts”. Theatres such as Mayajaal and Sathyam, have a chain of screens featuring five to six movies at a time to facilitate a movie-goer to watch some movie and not go back disappointed due to lack of tickets. Theatres have started introducing attractive surprise packages like “Blind Date” where audience gets to watch an unreleased movie along with celebrities. Entrepreneurs are venturing into the most sophisticated way of movie watching, the “I-MAX”. Chennai movie goers are waiting with open hands to welcome this new age theatre.

Multi cuisine restaurants – Aroma to the heart

Innumerable cuisines, whether be it South Indian, North Indian, Mexican or Italian, there is a wide variety to choose from, for an authentic connoisseur of food. The wide range of cuisines exemplifies each in its own unique way. Lunch or Dinner after a movie with friends is the typical weekend plan of a youngster. When you drive from Thiruvanmiyur towards Mamallapuram, there are numerous restaurants lining up the ECR starting from Bazera, Farm House, Hot kitchen and ending up with ECR Dhaba. “I come here specifically to avoid the city chaos and the food also appeases my taste buds” says Vijay a dot com professional. The star restaurants in the city also need a mention as they play the pivotal role in anchoring professional parties. The visually fascinating menu prepared by chefs provides a sumptuous feast. All these exotic food doesn’t take a huge toll on our purse though. Realtors are investing a huge sum of money in bringing up more star hotels of these kinds to suffice the age old saying “The path to a man’s heart is through his stomach”.

Review "Crash" - Colours

“Crash” depicts racism in Los Angeles. We sit glued to our seat for the whole 1 hour and 40 minutes of running time, though the climax is brought in, in haste.

Director Pual Haggis has shown multiple, fragmented story lines merging together at the climax.

The movie opens with a crash of two vehicles, one driven by Graham (Don Cheadle) and the other by a Chinese woman. In another fragment, a White Police Officer Ryan (Matt Dillon), humiliates a black couple by fondling the wife (Thandie Newton) in public with the husband watching helpless unable to fight. A Hispanic lock smith’s family (with a cute little daughter) moves to a safer neighborhood in fear of attack. Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Jean (Sandra Bullock) become crime victims when their car is stolen by a nigger duo Anthony and Peter. Elsewhere a Persian seller buys himself a pistol.

The scene when the lock smith finds his little daughter hidden under her bed and when questioned she says she heard a bang, “Not like a truck but like a bang” pictures the current violence prevailing even among small children. There is also a suspense element where the unexpected happens, the most unexpected person shoots a black, who is none other than Graham’s long lost brother. The film's numerous stories are tied together by a web of coincidence in the climax.

As for me, the most powerful scene is when Newton meets with a car crash and Dillon comes to her rescue but is unable to pursue his duty because of the mistrust he had created on himself earlier.

The cast is well brewed humiliation, anger and hate in perfect blend making a perfect cup of coffee. The dialogues are rendered well making the desired impact among the audience. The reality is brought out well with each character playing their role perfect to the brim.

The director has taken a sensitive subject – Racism and presented it in a reasonable manner and the ultimate cast ensures that the audience gets the satisfaction of watching a movie with a subtle message and no preaching.

"Crash" is a film that challenges audiences to question their own prejudices.

Vettaiyadu Vilayadu - Audio release function

I was frustrated over the Tamil new year programs being telecast in the T.V channels. When i was totally bored by surfing the channels there it was!! The Vettaiyadu Vilayadu audio release function on Tamil New year's day.

I was mesmerised by the songs when my ears happened to hear them on the first day. When i had a chance to see the audio release function it was really heart-warming. The versatile actor, "Kollywood King", Dr. Kamalhasan was occupying the small-screen and his enchanting presence itself could make the function a GALA one.

Someone (I think Vivek..not sure) rightly pointed out "Luck has not favoured Kamal hasan in film industry. If it had he would've been the heart throb of Hollywood". Everyone had words of praises for Kamalhasan and he was taking in the depths of them with such a benign smile and no pompous attitude.

"I've seen people bask in glory without any hard-work but sheer luck. Kamal is the only person who breathes and lives for film industry", said Parthiban, the actor known for his witticism. We all can guess the person whom he's referring to in his satire comment. I've often wondered what is the secret behind the Super star Rajnikant's success? I do not over-shadow my views on other actors by being biased on Kamlhasan and I do appreciate talented actors like Vikram. But Rajni???? I don't even fnd a single trait in him to attract a large mass not only in India but at international level. Let me discuss this in detail in another blog!

I do feel that this mammoth actor (obviously Kamalhasan) is not acknowledged to the full extent in tamil film industry. Each and every movie is the outcome of his tireless effort be it a comical Vasool raja, violent Virumandi or the tough-cop guy Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu.

"Karkha Karkha" song sung by Devan, Tippu and Nakul (The porcupine headed fellow in Boys - devayani's brother) is supposed to be the opening song in the movie. The trailors excited me. It really shows Raghavan (Kamal's name in the movie) ventures. Then there is the super-melodious "Paartha mudhal Nalae" sung by Bombay Jeyashree and Unni menon. When Unni ange the few lines "Katti kodukirathe kanne Katti kodukirathe..Kadhal Vazhigirathe kanne kadhal vazhigirarhe" i jumped out of my seat in awe. I would be doing a great injustice if i don't mention the "Manjal veyil" (Hariharan, Vijay Yesudas and Nakul again) song. The song "Neruppu" didn't attract me though.

Again the duo Goutham menon and Harris Jeyaraj have come back with a musical treat after Minnale and Kakkha Kakkha.

The way Gautham Menon brought the current and future pillars (Lingusamy, Charan, and 3 more..i don't remember exactly) of tamil film industry, his professional rivals, on stage is really commendable. Who appreciates their rivals in the current generation?

On the whole the program was a visual treat and made my day complete. This program would've been a soothing balm to Thalaivar Kamal fans who were disappointed with the movie not releasing on the D-Day.

So here is another movie in my list to watch in the month of May following Fanna and Da vinci code. Let's ee which out of three wins the race and releases first.

Hanks - The Enigma

I get into the world of blogs with rantings about the actor who has really impressed me.

It's none other than the great Tom Hanks. His on-screen chemistry is awesome. I was dumb-struck by his performance in the movie 'Cast Away'. It is a one-man show dominated totally by him. I learnt from this movie only, that determination can provide the desired results
how long the duration be.

One of his other remarkable performance can be seen in Saving Private Ryan where he plays a strict-soldier and the suit just suits him:-)

His other movies which have made me glued to my seat are:
1. You've got mail (Meg Ryan is another heart throb of mine)
2. The Green Mile
3. Catch me if you can (Remarkable movie - Caprio has also performed equally)
4. Forrest Gump (Man!!Wat a movie - Must watch the insane guy)

There's no match to this genius in Hollywood. If the Tamil actor Vikram continues his performance in Silver screen he'll be awarded the "Tom hanks of Kollywood" title. He has all the talents as of my dream hero but not much potential directors to tap his talents.

I'm just waiting eagerly for the movie "Da Vinci Code" to be released with Hanks playing as Robert Langdon the Harvard Symbologist. I'm sure the movie will attract zillions as the book did.

You can catch a glimpse of the movie trailor here. Don't miss it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382625/trailers


Catch ya later with more!!