An unassuming film with actors who seem perfectly natural; a story that is not going anywhere. Its more than a slice of life with a philosophy behind that does reach one. There is a cuteness about it; a film about kids can hardly do without. But this one doesn't jar. The love interest too is refreshing. Little unexpected turns maintain interest.
People have said that it lags a bit; but for each person its a different stage.
But, everyone says - lovely film. And so do I. I don't want to give the story away but do watch it.
Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Vaarnam Aayiram
I've just been to see the much hyped, awaited and thought about vaarnam aayiram. To the well expressed disapproval and envy of my daughters. Probably my nieces too if I had announced it before.
Since the hero is Surya, still the heart throb of thousands of young Tamils. Not to be displaced by Karthik or Nakul... The average age at the theatre was 22, and that high figure was due to the presence of half a dozen middle aged ladies.
The movie began with a display of 'high energy' as the TV shows like to say from the audience. My friends glared at me for dragging them out to a movie on the second day of release. I slunk into my seat after due apologies, barely heard amid the cat calls and whistling.
And there I stayed. No edge of the seat action appeared till the interval. And that was a long time coming. The end was even more way off.
Sorry to say, ladies and gentlemen, this movie seems very very long. Though each scene has been carefully thought out for visual effects and most scenes are visually appealing, Goutham Menon seems to be more of an ad maker rather than a storyteller. After the movie is over, one is left wondering, where was the story? what was the point? One doesn't really empathize with any of the characters. None of them get under your skin or to your heart. You don't go home and recall which one does with any movie of impact.
Goutham Menon has paid a tribute to his father. Father is loving, wonderful and there for his son. Not so for his daughter, by the looks of it. She never gets married nor does anyone worry about her. Menon could have used an older actor as the father instead of using an unbelievable Surya. Surya does wonders with his body language as an old man but still you can see the young man beyond. The character never becomes real. Maybe this is because how kids see parents- not really as people but only in relation to themselves.
Older Surya romancing Simran in the 70's is a wonderful indulgence with hair in bouffant style, flower behind the ear and 70's dance moves. But has been done before.
Simran does look the part of beautiful MOM.
When young Surya falls in love at first sight, the effervescence is dazzling and his romance with the beautiful Sameera Reddy is cute but not entrancing. Of course the songs are very listenable.
Later second string Divya Spandana was a surprise. But we watched with special interest as she was Darshini's classmate and Ootyite for 10 years.
There are army vs terrorist scenes. Why one can't figure out. Because the hero has to do something or Surya has to look emaciated and gaunt in various guises. And then work to display six-pack abs as an army Major. Surya has worked on his body both to get thin as a young college student and then to become a muscle man. May inspire disapointed-in-love young men to grow other things than beards.
There are so many commendable parts to the movie. The drug habit is portrayed so well. The strong love within the family comes across. Entertaining moments in their lives. Lots of hard work in camera and thought. But it doesn't really add up to an. entertaining movie.
Since the hero is Surya, still the heart throb of thousands of young Tamils. Not to be displaced by Karthik or Nakul... The average age at the theatre was 22, and that high figure was due to the presence of half a dozen middle aged ladies.
The movie began with a display of 'high energy' as the TV shows like to say from the audience. My friends glared at me for dragging them out to a movie on the second day of release. I slunk into my seat after due apologies, barely heard amid the cat calls and whistling.
And there I stayed. No edge of the seat action appeared till the interval. And that was a long time coming. The end was even more way off.
Sorry to say, ladies and gentlemen, this movie seems very very long. Though each scene has been carefully thought out for visual effects and most scenes are visually appealing, Goutham Menon seems to be more of an ad maker rather than a storyteller. After the movie is over, one is left wondering, where was the story? what was the point? One doesn't really empathize with any of the characters. None of them get under your skin or to your heart. You don't go home and recall which one does with any movie of impact.
Goutham Menon has paid a tribute to his father. Father is loving, wonderful and there for his son. Not so for his daughter, by the looks of it. She never gets married nor does anyone worry about her. Menon could have used an older actor as the father instead of using an unbelievable Surya. Surya does wonders with his body language as an old man but still you can see the young man beyond. The character never becomes real. Maybe this is because how kids see parents- not really as people but only in relation to themselves.
Older Surya romancing Simran in the 70's is a wonderful indulgence with hair in bouffant style, flower behind the ear and 70's dance moves. But has been done before.
Simran does look the part of beautiful MOM.
When young Surya falls in love at first sight, the effervescence is dazzling and his romance with the beautiful Sameera Reddy is cute but not entrancing. Of course the songs are very listenable.
Later second string Divya Spandana was a surprise. But we watched with special interest as she was Darshini's classmate and Ootyite for 10 years.
There are army vs terrorist scenes. Why one can't figure out. Because the hero has to do something or Surya has to look emaciated and gaunt in various guises. And then work to display six-pack abs as an army Major. Surya has worked on his body both to get thin as a young college student and then to become a muscle man. May inspire disapointed-in-love young men to grow other things than beards.
There are so many commendable parts to the movie. The drug habit is portrayed so well. The strong love within the family comes across. Entertaining moments in their lives. Lots of hard work in camera and thought. But it doesn't really add up to an. entertaining movie.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Thavamai thavam irunthu
This is a good movie but one that you keep putting off because its so sad.
The first half shows the fiscal troubles that beset a poor, upright man trying to do the best for his family.He works night and day; his wife and he take very little for themselves and their only pleasure is in giving it to their two sons. What sets this father slightly above the rest is that he is willing to go to any length to do the best for his sons. And keeps thinking ahead of what is best for them. The scene where he cycles in the burning heat to the next town with the two boys to give them a better education all the while instructing them in tidbits of knowledge gets etched in memory mostly due to Raj Kiran's wonderful deep voice.
The boys of course don't realise the extent of their parent's sacrifices for them and take them for granted. So hurt and tribulation pile up on the old couple.
Cheran is driving home a message here.How wonderful it is for children to live with their grandparents and bask in their loving care. And what a loving son can be.
My only grouse is he's neglected to etch out the character of his wife. Although she is professionally educated and has a job; she hardly matters except as 'wife' and 'daughter-in-law'.
Recently my sister was sighing because she couldn't be in two places at the same time and saying maybe she needs a driver/helpful man to do some of her jobs. And I thought that before we had grandfathers, brothers and cousins around the house who could be deputed to do these jobs. Now, with nuclear families we have to pay and find someone to do them.
We had Thatha, a gentle, kind man who could be depended on to escort us to libraries or shops and buy us the pencil/geometry box secretly to replace the one we'd lost. And chocolates too. And be ready at a moment's notice to read us the comic strips and tell us long stories.
Grandma took us to movies , temples , shopping and wherever one needed a backup to fight a battle.
Mama s were around to tell jokes and cheer us up when we were in the sloughs after a fight or after being thoroughly scolded.
Athais cooked whatever we desired at that moment cheerfully and happily.
My mom never stepped into a shop or paid a bill all her life. She had all these people around to do her bidding. Of course she looked after them in return.
It does seem a good life in those days filled with the comfort of people.
But are we willing to go back? I don't think so.
The first half shows the fiscal troubles that beset a poor, upright man trying to do the best for his family.He works night and day; his wife and he take very little for themselves and their only pleasure is in giving it to their two sons. What sets this father slightly above the rest is that he is willing to go to any length to do the best for his sons. And keeps thinking ahead of what is best for them. The scene where he cycles in the burning heat to the next town with the two boys to give them a better education all the while instructing them in tidbits of knowledge gets etched in memory mostly due to Raj Kiran's wonderful deep voice.
The boys of course don't realise the extent of their parent's sacrifices for them and take them for granted. So hurt and tribulation pile up on the old couple.
Cheran is driving home a message here.How wonderful it is for children to live with their grandparents and bask in their loving care. And what a loving son can be.
My only grouse is he's neglected to etch out the character of his wife. Although she is professionally educated and has a job; she hardly matters except as 'wife' and 'daughter-in-law'.
Recently my sister was sighing because she couldn't be in two places at the same time and saying maybe she needs a driver/helpful man to do some of her jobs. And I thought that before we had grandfathers, brothers and cousins around the house who could be deputed to do these jobs. Now, with nuclear families we have to pay and find someone to do them.
We had Thatha, a gentle, kind man who could be depended on to escort us to libraries or shops and buy us the pencil/geometry box secretly to replace the one we'd lost. And chocolates too. And be ready at a moment's notice to read us the comic strips and tell us long stories.
Grandma took us to movies , temples , shopping and wherever one needed a backup to fight a battle.
Mama s were around to tell jokes and cheer us up when we were in the sloughs after a fight or after being thoroughly scolded.
Athais cooked whatever we desired at that moment cheerfully and happily.
My mom never stepped into a shop or paid a bill all her life. She had all these people around to do her bidding. Of course she looked after them in return.
It does seem a good life in those days filled with the comfort of people.
But are we willing to go back? I don't think so.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Mozhi and Relationships
I've just been watching the film Mozhi in full after seeing it in a great many drips on TV. Its a lovely film with lovely people, not only lovely on the outside but on the inside too.
The hero asks the actually-bright but literally-dumb heroine to marry him. While she sees her deafness as a barrier, he says he will enter her world, share it with her and love her for ever.
While this is all so beautiful, I do wonder if its realistically possible for two people to live in a happy ever after mode. Relationships go in such cycles especially when you live together in proximity.All the nitty gritty of life plays such a big part in expectations and who does what and for whom. Not only with a couple but even with parents, siblings, friends and aunts and uncles and cousins.
At times, you are happily coexisting and at others, you even hate the way someone is eating. A lot has to do with how your life is going on in other parts. Everything gets reflected in the home.
Where does someone find the energy to be nice kind and loving always after fighting the big battles outside? He or she has to be extraordinarily centered and love life and himself/herself.
The hero asks the actually-bright but literally-dumb heroine to marry him. While she sees her deafness as a barrier, he says he will enter her world, share it with her and love her for ever.
While this is all so beautiful, I do wonder if its realistically possible for two people to live in a happy ever after mode. Relationships go in such cycles especially when you live together in proximity.All the nitty gritty of life plays such a big part in expectations and who does what and for whom. Not only with a couple but even with parents, siblings, friends and aunts and uncles and cousins.
At times, you are happily coexisting and at others, you even hate the way someone is eating. A lot has to do with how your life is going on in other parts. Everything gets reflected in the home.
Where does someone find the energy to be nice kind and loving always after fighting the big battles outside? He or she has to be extraordinarily centered and love life and himself/herself.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Dasavatharam
The beginning is magnificent. The message is clear. Is it wise to trust in a God who may not always answer immediately?
The end with its special effects is a spectacle.
But inbetween, one can't quite follow the twists and turns and chases. And frankly, one doesn't care. The movie reminded me of a hundred others but mainly of Kamal's comedies with non stop quips and the story just hairpin bending all along. But he is no Crazy Mohan and the dialogue doesn't really catch.
Yes, he did talk about the Butterfly effect and I was very glad that Indrani had introduced us to this.
The main hero and heroine are boring people. Urvasi did the naive, innocent and focused TamBram maiden much better. When you see Kamal's other avatars , you just think why? Why this self-indulgence? The environmentalist spouting Tirunleveli Tamil with rolling eyes is impressive. The Punjabi cute, and Jayaprada as his wife, even cuter. Mallika Sherawat is interesting .
On the whole, tedious and not worth bullying a reluctant husband into accompanying one.
An added insight on Kamal and the movie by a fellow blogger
The end with its special effects is a spectacle.
But inbetween, one can't quite follow the twists and turns and chases. And frankly, one doesn't care. The movie reminded me of a hundred others but mainly of Kamal's comedies with non stop quips and the story just hairpin bending all along. But he is no Crazy Mohan and the dialogue doesn't really catch.
Yes, he did talk about the Butterfly effect and I was very glad that Indrani had introduced us to this.
The main hero and heroine are boring people. Urvasi did the naive, innocent and focused TamBram maiden much better. When you see Kamal's other avatars , you just think why? Why this self-indulgence? The environmentalist spouting Tirunleveli Tamil with rolling eyes is impressive. The Punjabi cute, and Jayaprada as his wife, even cuter. Mallika Sherawat is interesting .
On the whole, tedious and not worth bullying a reluctant husband into accompanying one.
An added insight on Kamal and the movie by a fellow blogger
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Santhosh Subramanian
Do you dislike ‘cute girls’? I do. The heroine of this movie, Hasini is far more pert, bubbly, cuter than any modern heroine. Very very difficult to digest.
By the interval, I was thinking -This must be one of the most stupid films I’ve ever seen. We were at the theatre to keep my mind off a couple of things. I said to Darshini that I should have stayed home and kept my mind on those things instead.Only knowing it was a super duper hit in telugu kept us there to see if the story would finally start after the break.
It did a bit. The film makes one point but takes a long while getting there. In many Indian families, its Father Knows best. It was in mine and I still find it very difficult to make a decision of which my father does not approve.
Its not that Father or Mother is bad or makes wrong decisions or does not consider carefully each decision . They have the child's interest so much at heart they can't let go.The child never gets to make decisions on his own. The parent knows whats best and what is right for the child.
Santhosh Subramanian is the story of one such relationship when the father doesn't let go of his child’s hand until he is forced to.
Maybe that is why the movie was popular. Because many people can identify with it.
NOte: Many many people seem to disagree with me:-))) They like the movie very much.
The HIndu has given it a good review. But since the general thumb rule is 'if the HIndu gives a good review, it must be a bummer', that can be disregarded.
And Darshini's friend wants her to find him a bride just like Genelia in the movie.!
Taste is a very individual thing:-))))))
By the interval, I was thinking -This must be one of the most stupid films I’ve ever seen. We were at the theatre to keep my mind off a couple of things. I said to Darshini that I should have stayed home and kept my mind on those things instead.Only knowing it was a super duper hit in telugu kept us there to see if the story would finally start after the break.
It did a bit. The film makes one point but takes a long while getting there. In many Indian families, its Father Knows best. It was in mine and I still find it very difficult to make a decision of which my father does not approve.
Its not that Father or Mother is bad or makes wrong decisions or does not consider carefully each decision . They have the child's interest so much at heart they can't let go.The child never gets to make decisions on his own. The parent knows whats best and what is right for the child.
Santhosh Subramanian is the story of one such relationship when the father doesn't let go of his child’s hand until he is forced to.
Maybe that is why the movie was popular. Because many people can identify with it.
NOte: Many many people seem to disagree with me:-))) They like the movie very much.
The HIndu has given it a good review. But since the general thumb rule is 'if the HIndu gives a good review, it must be a bummer', that can be disregarded.
And Darshini's friend wants her to find him a bride just like Genelia in the movie.!
Taste is a very individual thing:-))))))
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Ammu aahia Naan
This movie still lingers in my mind even a month later. Maybe because of the photography , maybe because of the settings ,maybe because of the makeup , maybe because of the acting and maybe because of the story line which were all so good.
The characters are so different from people one meets generally in real life, that one can't quite accept the story. Would this be how a girl would feel in these circumstances?
Ammu is an orphan growing up in a brothel.Her emotional life evolves in stages.
In the first part, she gets initiated into the profession which she accepts happily and easily.
Then comes the idealistic hero - a writer who wants to rescue her, by marrying her. She refuses, saying she cant stay with one man. But the death of another inmate persuades her.
The third is her metamorphosis into a loving housewife although she doesn't really love him all that much when she marries him. His patience with her changes her behavior and feelings.
But the lover emerges strong.When there is a test. The depth of the love between them is enviable and beautiful.
But is it real? I really don't know. But a beautiful and path breaking movie.
The characters are so different from people one meets generally in real life, that one can't quite accept the story. Would this be how a girl would feel in these circumstances?
Ammu is an orphan growing up in a brothel.Her emotional life evolves in stages.
In the first part, she gets initiated into the profession which she accepts happily and easily.
Then comes the idealistic hero - a writer who wants to rescue her, by marrying her. She refuses, saying she cant stay with one man. But the death of another inmate persuades her.
The third is her metamorphosis into a loving housewife although she doesn't really love him all that much when she marries him. His patience with her changes her behavior and feelings.
But the lover emerges strong.When there is a test. The depth of the love between them is enviable and beautiful.
But is it real? I really don't know. But a beautiful and path breaking movie.
Yaaradi Nee Mohini
We just wanted to see a movie.Anything - for a break from the routine of the past week.
We saw the poster for this movie, thought family type- can't be too bad even if Danush is in it. Rang a couple of friends, they were in the same state of ennui and with hardly any planning 5 of us were watching the movie.Maybe it was just being together after a long time; maybe it was low expectations, but we all enjoyed the movie.
Light wholesome comedy, a lighter story line, lots of dripping sentiment and a co-operative team which seems to have said- I have this idea, I've seen it,I want to insert this somewhere. And got it done. Danush seems to have wanted to try to better than his father-in-law in the same kind of scenes, such as the snake scene. Nayantara becomes a homely family girl again and looks glamorous even as hard career girl. Not sure what Karthik is doing here. except that his komanam scene is one of the best in the movie.
Absolute time pass.
We saw the poster for this movie, thought family type- can't be too bad even if Danush is in it. Rang a couple of friends, they were in the same state of ennui and with hardly any planning 5 of us were watching the movie.Maybe it was just being together after a long time; maybe it was low expectations, but we all enjoyed the movie.
Light wholesome comedy, a lighter story line, lots of dripping sentiment and a co-operative team which seems to have said- I have this idea, I've seen it,I want to insert this somewhere. And got it done. Danush seems to have wanted to try to better than his father-in-law in the same kind of scenes, such as the snake scene. Nayantara becomes a homely family girl again and looks glamorous even as hard career girl. Not sure what Karthik is doing here. except that his komanam scene is one of the best in the movie.
Absolute time pass.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Joi Baba Felunath (The Elephant God)
This is an entertaining light detective story written and directed by Satyajit Ray. It’s such a change to see an Indian detective on screen in kurta and pyjamas instead of a long black coat and top hat. But there are allusions to the sleuths of the West.
An old man living in Kashi, an avid detective story fan (like his grandson) recruits the famous detective from Calcutta, Feluda for a case. The mystery of the missing Ganesha Idol is actually solved with the help of ‘Tintin in Africa’.
The assistants are rather cute - young Jotayu and Topse,
the Uncle who himself is a writer of popular detective stories for children. Uncle conducts himself admirably in the lair of the villain when a doddering old knife thrower is called in throw knives at him while he stands at a board. 
Villain Utpal Dutta has enough villainy in his big eyes to frighten one but of course not Feluda.
Another interesting byplay is a body-builder with whom they share a room. He is fanatical about the temple of his body and cannot allow it to be sullied by such things as knives, so he is prepared to depart when a threatening note arrives. .
Soumitra Chatterjee as Feluda is perfect, underplayed and yet broodingly intelligent and his smile with crooked teeth appears only occasionally fittingly. And the best part is the action is set in Benares and one is allowed to go through the narrow streets, past cows and holy men, right into ancient buildings with endless corridors and numerous arches. With Ray’s camera, even the grime on unpainted walls looks regal. And the river, when it makes an occasional appearance is of course magnificent
A charming film to entertain both children and adults.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Devi By Satyajit Ray
I meant to nap. Post lunch. Drowsy Sunday afternoon. But this kept me awake and glued there.
Sharmila Tagore again, looking so wondrously lustrously beautiful. With huge kohl rimmed eyes, thick dark eyebrows, cheeks that hadn’t got the dip yet but are filled out in teen health, cascading dark hair in the Bengali fashion layered in front with the simple saree over it. She doesn’t talk much, only looks and you know. And she was only 13 when the movie was made. It must be that Tagore blood.
She is the happy daughter in law of a rich family in some village, of course by the river. She is beloved by the parrot, the grandson and the father-in-law besides of course her scholarly husband, all of whom she looks after with demure cheerfulness.
Husband goes away to study in Calcutta. Father-in-law who is just cheered by her presence and calls her his ‘ma’ because she is like a mother to him.
One night he has a dream. Sees the daughter in law as the Goddess. He comes to her room in the night and falls at her feet. She is reincarnated and celebrated in the village thereafter as Devi. Miracles occur and the hordes increase. Her husband comes back, is shocked and tries to take her away.
Ray seems to have originated so many stories and feelings that we see in movies even today. The loneliness of the person endowed with mystic powers. How doubt creeps into everyone, even herself. Is she really Devi?
The contrast between the two brothers is remarkable and yet maybe is common. Elder brother is under the thumb of his father. When he says, ‘believe’, he believes. What am I to do, he asks his enraged wife? My father has all the money. Shall I fall at your feet too? Will that make you happy?
On the one hand is the weak, drunken brother with the unhappy wife who doesn’t respect him and is resentful of the affection shown by her father in law to the younger daughter in law.
On the other, is the decisive, outspoken scholarly younger brother who can talk back to his father. And he has the sweet beautiful docile wife.
Does it all go together? Or does one quality lead to the other factors?
Certain things come through to show the hand of the Master. The vacant look of the beggar boy as his father sits beside him and sings beautifully in praise of Devi. The unhappiness and resentfulness of the elder daughter in law even thought she hardly speaks and is only a figure in the background.
The movie ends hauntingly.
It won the President’s Gold Medal, New Delhi, 1961
Sharmila Tagore again, looking so wondrously lustrously beautiful. With huge kohl rimmed eyes, thick dark eyebrows, cheeks that hadn’t got the dip yet but are filled out in teen health, cascading dark hair in the Bengali fashion layered in front with the simple saree over it. She doesn’t talk much, only looks and you know. And she was only 13 when the movie was made. It must be that Tagore blood.
She is the happy daughter in law of a rich family in some village, of course by the river. She is beloved by the parrot, the grandson and the father-in-law besides of course her scholarly husband, all of whom she looks after with demure cheerfulness.
Husband goes away to study in Calcutta. Father-in-law who is just cheered by her presence and calls her his ‘ma’ because she is like a mother to him.
One night he has a dream. Sees the daughter in law as the Goddess. He comes to her room in the night and falls at her feet. She is reincarnated and celebrated in the village thereafter as Devi. Miracles occur and the hordes increase. Her husband comes back, is shocked and tries to take her away.
Ray seems to have originated so many stories and feelings that we see in movies even today. The loneliness of the person endowed with mystic powers. How doubt creeps into everyone, even herself. Is she really Devi?
The contrast between the two brothers is remarkable and yet maybe is common. Elder brother is under the thumb of his father. When he says, ‘believe’, he believes. What am I to do, he asks his enraged wife? My father has all the money. Shall I fall at your feet too? Will that make you happy?
On the one hand is the weak, drunken brother with the unhappy wife who doesn’t respect him and is resentful of the affection shown by her father in law to the younger daughter in law.
On the other, is the decisive, outspoken scholarly younger brother who can talk back to his father. And he has the sweet beautiful docile wife.
Does it all go together? Or does one quality lead to the other factors?
Certain things come through to show the hand of the Master. The vacant look of the beggar boy as his father sits beside him and sings beautifully in praise of Devi. The unhappiness and resentfulness of the elder daughter in law even thought she hardly speaks and is only a figure in the background.
The movie ends hauntingly.
It won the President’s Gold Medal, New Delhi, 1961
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Apur Sansar
It wasn't slow.It wasn't boring The story moved rapidly in fact. The camera didnt linger excruciatingly slowly on anything. The film didnt leave one depressed. All the negative thoughts that come in when one sits down to watch a much acclaimed film.
Apur Sansar was a visual treat. Each frame was thought out carefully and in black and white - it was really sensational. The debut of both Soumitra Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore, the two of them are so young and handsome. Seeing Sharmila as a demure , pert and cute child bride is a lovely suprise.
Soumitra is so good looking at any angle and his face seems to express any emotions so easily.The unfolding relationship between the young couple, its easiness and happiness are brought out so well. Poverty doesnt dull their happiness as many young couples know but forget.
Satyajit Ray was really a master of film. The visuals still linger on in my mind a day later. And I hope ZEe does bring out more of his fims. With sub-titles.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Cold Mountain
It’s cold and rugged and cruel. The atmosphere in a little village up in the mountains somewhere in Western America. During the Civil War.
When deserters are shot, able men have to be in the Army..dont understand then why some men are left behind to kill and loot and take the law in their hands.
Renée Zellweger consents to look ugly and terrible in the part of hardworking farm labourer, swaddled in thick layers and wearing boots and striding around in uncombed hair. But she did win an award for this I think.
Nicole Kidman wears almost the same things but can her beauty ever be swaddled. She shines through as an idealistic young girl waiting for her 'true love' with so much belief and passion.
And it does win through. 3 of her 103 letters get through and Inman (it sounds so Muslim) battles through hostile country to reach her, scarred from his experiences.
This movie is a lot about strong women and a little about bestial men.
On the way, Inman takes shelter with several people. Different little stories.
One a preacher who is crying because he 'has to' kill the slave girl he has impregnated. One old woman lives by herself in the forest with a couple of goats who nurses him through a gun wound. One moment she is petting the goat and the next, she drives a knife neatly into it.
Another lone woman who has lost her husband and lives with her baby and cant understand her own craving for human warmth in his form.
But essentially its success is in the thread of love that stays and persists against all odds. Or gives a meaning to life which is bleak otherwise.
Are all the great stories of the world love stories?
When deserters are shot, able men have to be in the Army..dont understand then why some men are left behind to kill and loot and take the law in their hands.
Renée Zellweger consents to look ugly and terrible in the part of hardworking farm labourer, swaddled in thick layers and wearing boots and striding around in uncombed hair. But she did win an award for this I think.
Nicole Kidman wears almost the same things but can her beauty ever be swaddled. She shines through as an idealistic young girl waiting for her 'true love' with so much belief and passion.
And it does win through. 3 of her 103 letters get through and Inman (it sounds so Muslim) battles through hostile country to reach her, scarred from his experiences.
This movie is a lot about strong women and a little about bestial men.
On the way, Inman takes shelter with several people. Different little stories.
One a preacher who is crying because he 'has to' kill the slave girl he has impregnated. One old woman lives by herself in the forest with a couple of goats who nurses him through a gun wound. One moment she is petting the goat and the next, she drives a knife neatly into it.
Another lone woman who has lost her husband and lives with her baby and cant understand her own craving for human warmth in his form.
But essentially its success is in the thread of love that stays and persists against all odds. Or gives a meaning to life which is bleak otherwise.
Are all the great stories of the world love stories?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Ocean's Eleven
Probably anyone reading this would think 'where has she been?' but I thought Ocean's Eleven had something to do with a ship on an ocean. All I knew was there were lot of big names in it; and Julia Roberts.And there was a lot of hype.
It is a charming movie, James Bond style. Lots of macho style precision with laser beams, vaults, gaming tables, punch lines, cool guys who dont flap,even a cyclotron type of machine.
The heist is of course the strong point of the movie with lots of suprises turning up when you are expecting the usual. It kept me glued resulting in a couple of burnt pans and a rather disgruntled husband since he likes his wife to keep her attention on his dinner instead of rushing off between dosais to see what's happening next.
Julia Roberts is hardly there except to look fabulous and to provide a story point.
Would a husband exchange his wife for millions of dollars or rupees? I think he would. If it were Julia Roberts? :-))
It is a charming movie, James Bond style. Lots of macho style precision with laser beams, vaults, gaming tables, punch lines, cool guys who dont flap,even a cyclotron type of machine.
The heist is of course the strong point of the movie with lots of suprises turning up when you are expecting the usual. It kept me glued resulting in a couple of burnt pans and a rather disgruntled husband since he likes his wife to keep her attention on his dinner instead of rushing off between dosais to see what's happening next.
Julia Roberts is hardly there except to look fabulous and to provide a story point.
Would a husband exchange his wife for millions of dollars or rupees? I think he would. If it were Julia Roberts? :-))
Monday, September 3, 2007
cheeni kum
Jeevan me namak bhi nahi ya cheeni, tho kya karenge?
Watch cheeni kum.
Not bad, kitchdi hindi remains after 30 years. Must be the effect of going around in Hydrebad saying' yey kithnaa hai? in pronounced south indian text book hindi.
As Meena says, we have to say maii vs bleating me like a goat.
Watching cheeni kum alone is quite an experience. I can catch more of the conversation. I can appreciate lovely Tabu delighfully lit by Pc.sreeram. I can hum cheeni kum to the familiar tune in Mouna ragam. I can revel in the mature love story which has no lovey dovey stuff but the acerbic wit of Amitabh/the writer. I can take delight in them recognising each other and coming together so quickly with little hem hawing. I can appreciate her non-coy attitude.
I like the shades Amitabh turns when he battles with his father-in-law. Its nice to see this ordinary man who seems just Amitabh instead of the super hero who can turn the dice. I like the confdience and sureness of Tabu. She rags him about this age instead of bothering about the touchy male ego. And makes him run:-))
Its a very unreal movie except for the two lead characters. All the others are parodies, exaggerated to give them 'character' like the too adult 'Sexy'. A tad boring at times, especially the second half but can be forgiven easily.Because its so light.
To be happy make others happy says the book. But first make yourself happy with the little things.
With jyada cheeni
Watch cheeni kum.
Not bad, kitchdi hindi remains after 30 years. Must be the effect of going around in Hydrebad saying' yey kithnaa hai? in pronounced south indian text book hindi.
As Meena says, we have to say maii vs bleating me like a goat.
Watching cheeni kum alone is quite an experience. I can catch more of the conversation. I can appreciate lovely Tabu delighfully lit by Pc.sreeram. I can hum cheeni kum to the familiar tune in Mouna ragam. I can revel in the mature love story which has no lovey dovey stuff but the acerbic wit of Amitabh/the writer. I can take delight in them recognising each other and coming together so quickly with little hem hawing. I can appreciate her non-coy attitude.
I like the shades Amitabh turns when he battles with his father-in-law. Its nice to see this ordinary man who seems just Amitabh instead of the super hero who can turn the dice. I like the confdience and sureness of Tabu. She rags him about this age instead of bothering about the touchy male ego. And makes him run:-))
Its a very unreal movie except for the two lead characters. All the others are parodies, exaggerated to give them 'character' like the too adult 'Sexy'. A tad boring at times, especially the second half but can be forgiven easily.Because its so light.
To be happy make others happy says the book. But first make yourself happy with the little things.
With jyada cheeni
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Creedam -Utopian
Ultimate Star Ajith stars. Trisha too is in it but can hardly say she stars in it. Their romance is the major comedy track which is refreshing. Vivek too is around in his usual style but in a slightly negative role. Raj Kiran is the other major character in the movie. His voice is enough to keep one enthralled. He's now set in the caring, world on his shoulders role.
Saranya as mother is mix of earlier roles. Still sweet and very good on the eye. All the other characters come and go; even the villain hardly registers.
The story is the stand-up part of the movie. The theme revolves around the relationship between father and son. The perfect understanding and love that exist between them. The son falls in love, the father proposes marriage.
The father has a dream, the son follows through. Each is secure in the other's love.
Ajeeth being the hero is a tad more perfect than the father.
But, is such a relationship possible between two people? Even if it is blood related, do doubts never rise? is there never any doubt about the other's perfect understanding and never any ill-will?
Nice entertaining movie.
Saranya as mother is mix of earlier roles. Still sweet and very good on the eye. All the other characters come and go; even the villain hardly registers.
The story is the stand-up part of the movie. The theme revolves around the relationship between father and son. The perfect understanding and love that exist between them. The son falls in love, the father proposes marriage.
The father has a dream, the son follows through. Each is secure in the other's love.
Ajeeth being the hero is a tad more perfect than the father.
But, is such a relationship possible between two people? Even if it is blood related, do doubts never rise? is there never any doubt about the other's perfect understanding and never any ill-will?
Nice entertaining movie.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Blood Diamond
A good movie, with lots of action. Probably done with a lot of planning. Those authentic looking shots with people running and bombs, killings, buildings collapsing, cars blowing up must have been done with a lot of expertise. Everything is so real. A slice of Africa. With its indifference to human life or pain or suffering, coups, rebels, dust, poverty and the whites looking immaculately dishevelled above it all.
The story is so old fashioned. Cowboy story set in Africa for a change. Mercenary bad guy looking out only for himself. The black proud stand tall good guy.The Hungry woman journalist looking for fulfilment thro stories. They each want something from the other in true human style.
Good guy is looking for his son and the journalist can help him. She wants a story and the mercenary can help her. Mercenary wants the huge diamond which the good guy has hidden. How they get together and get what they want is the story.
But strangely, it didn't touch my heart. Couldn't really connect. Too many expectations maybe.
The story is so old fashioned. Cowboy story set in Africa for a change. Mercenary bad guy looking out only for himself. The black proud stand tall good guy.The Hungry woman journalist looking for fulfilment thro stories. They each want something from the other in true human style.
Good guy is looking for his son and the journalist can help him. She wants a story and the mercenary can help her. Mercenary wants the huge diamond which the good guy has hidden. How they get together and get what they want is the story.
But strangely, it didn't touch my heart. Couldn't really connect. Too many expectations maybe.
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