Frequently, I hear that phrase being used with the TV show Wheel of Fortune. I wonder if it originated with this book.
Lord Biskerton (Biscuit), Berry Conway, Ann Moon, Torquil Frisby, Lady Vera, Katherine (Kitchie) Valentine, Lord Hoddesdon, J.B.Holk, Captain Kelly and Mrs.Wisdom make up the comical cast of this novel.
Berry is Frisby's secretary. He was a rich man, with a stupid aunt, who bungled all the money and now he is forced to work with this man, to repay his debts. He owns a useless mine - Dream Come True and lives with a caretaker, Mrs.Wisdom, whom he addresses as the Old Retainer. Berry and Biscuit are friends since school.
Biscuit is only royal in his title. Him and his uncle, Lord Hoddesdon, are horrible at managing their finances. They are neck deep in debt and are constantly on the lookout for free money. Biscuit's aunt and Lord Hoddesdon's sister, Aunt Vera, is the only living relative who manages her finances and makes sure she doesn't lend too much to them.
Frisby is Ann's uncle. He is really stingy and owns Horned Toad Mine. He is given the responsibility of taking care of Ann, when she comes to England. He has connections with J.B.Holk, who again is known to Captain Kelly.
When Ann is travelling to England, she meets Kitchie on the boat and they become dear friends, with whom she loses touch, when she lives in England.
The story begins with a phone interaction between Frisby and Ann's mother, to inform Frisby about Ann arrival to England and to take care of her. Frisby is annoyed and calls in his secretary, Berry, to put an ad in the papers.
Following the ad, Lady Vera, walks in to take the post. Frisby is quite smitten by her and appoints her to be the guide for Ann.
Biscuit and Berry meet and exchange their woes and lives with each other and promise to stay in touch.
As Ann arrives, there is frequent meeting between her and Biscuit, which leads to their engagement. With this announcement, Biscuit finds the need to go undercover as the loansharks might hunt him down. Ann begins to have second thoughts. As Biscuit is trying his new undercover, Ann sees an attractively romantic looking young man at the restaurant, none other than Berry. It's love at first sight for both.
As Biscuit leaves the restaurant, Ann does too and in a bid to find out more about her, Berry hops in her car and lies to her about his profession. But Ann's conscience wins and she leaves him, while he is thinking that she is waiting.
Berry finds out about Biscuit's undercover and advises him to live in his neighbourhood instead, as it is a relatively poor locality, where Biscuit would not be suspected to be living. When Biscuit arrives in the neighbourhood, he falls for his neighbour Kitchie, who at that time, is engaged to Merwyn Flock in America.
Meanwhile, Frisby hears about Berry mine and he has other plans. He sets up J.B.Holk to buy the mine from Berry and pretends as though he is a disinterested middle man. Berry is more than happy to get some cash in exchange for a mine, that never gave any copper. He then discharges his debts with the money.
Fate throws Berry with Ann again for a second and a third time. And by the third, they have shared their feelings to each other and now they are engaged. Even though Berry finds out that Ann is actually Biscuit's fiancee, he goes ahead with the engagement and tells Biscuit later that evening, only to find out that Biscuit was also doubly engaged to Kitchie (who had broken off hers with Merwyn Flock).
Since Ann was a rich man's daughter, Lord Hoddesdon wants Biscuit to keep holding onto her, as does Lady Vera and she is very mad that Biscuit would be hidden at this point in time. She also notices Ann acting weird and finds out that she has been seeing another guy. As she visits Frisby to tell him about Ann's behaviour, she sees Berry, just as he is leaving his office, quitting.
Frisby has just been visited by J.B.Holk, who tricked him and bought Berry's mine all for himself. But after seeing Vera, he calms down and now they are engaged.
Vera tells Ann the truth about Berry and she is disappointed and breaks off her engagement with Berry. Berry is heartbroken and spends the rest of the day at his house.
Frisby is meanwhile, debating with J.B.Holk and his lawyer about the mine. Holk, then sees Captain Kelly, who threatens Holk into sharing the money with him.
Berry tries to find a new way to make money, with Biscuit's advise, but gets him trouble as now both Kelly and Holk are thinking of assaulting him. Frisby, with his lawyer, try to buy Berry, but mistake Biscuit for Berry and give him the money.
Ann tries to repatch her engagement with Biscuit, but he refuses as he is now engaged to Kitchie. He tries to reason with her and convince her to resume her engagement with Berry.
Next door, Holk and Kelly are holding Berry captive with Lord Hoddesdon. In the final scene, Berry shows heroism and Ann melts at the sight, and their engagement resumes. All ends happily.
I think I was feeling like a scatterbrain as I was reading this book and so it felt like the story itself seemed incoherent, but that was entirely a mood based opinion, for even with that incoherence, I did get the above summary of the story. A funny book.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Dhoom
Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Rimi Sen, Uday Chopra, John Abraham and Esha Deol, the movie was about the cat and mouse chase between a no-nonsense police officer and a group of very smart thieves.
Jai Dixit is haunted by the high tech city thieves that drive in super speed motor bikes and then disappear after their act is committed. The police are never able to track them down or find any clues. So Dixit proposes the only way to catch them is while they do the act.
His department tracks Ali down - a mechanic who takes part in motor bike races. During one of the capturing plans, Ali lets him down as Ali is busy romancing with his love. This causes them to fall apart.
With the capturing plan, one of the thieves is shot down and to get a partner, Kabir (head of thieves) approaches Ali and they make a team. Ali discovers his love, Sheena, is also part of this group.
The team plans their last master heist and they intend to stop all their activities after this one. Somehow, Dixit is also here with his wife. Still they carry on with the plan and Dixit catches them red - handed. Yet, they manage their escape, but finally Dixit and Ali round them up. The last scene was interesting.
The movie was very fast paced and great use of sets and makeup. All of the sets seemed very high tech and new age design. Although I must say the story was flawed in certain parts, very obviously during the last theft. The way they described the vault being heavily guarded and secured and the guys had to was get to the bathroom above the vault and blast the ceiling open? That was a little odd. And when one of the thieves gets an imported car and Kabir drives it into a cliff and then claims they can't have the car cause it is not something afforded out of a waiter's salary, but they can have imported motorbikes with high speed engines? And they couldn't hide the car, but they could hide that huge truck they used to 'disappear' during a chase? After the first theft, Jai mentioned about checking the lights by a computer expert, but the results were never mentioned over the course of the movie. But nevertheless, the story moved on.
The best part of the movie was probably the music and dance - absolutely foot tapping and thumping. My favourite was the Latina song - great dancing. A great movie to watch for an eventful 2 hours.
Jai Dixit is haunted by the high tech city thieves that drive in super speed motor bikes and then disappear after their act is committed. The police are never able to track them down or find any clues. So Dixit proposes the only way to catch them is while they do the act.
His department tracks Ali down - a mechanic who takes part in motor bike races. During one of the capturing plans, Ali lets him down as Ali is busy romancing with his love. This causes them to fall apart.
With the capturing plan, one of the thieves is shot down and to get a partner, Kabir (head of thieves) approaches Ali and they make a team. Ali discovers his love, Sheena, is also part of this group.
The team plans their last master heist and they intend to stop all their activities after this one. Somehow, Dixit is also here with his wife. Still they carry on with the plan and Dixit catches them red - handed. Yet, they manage their escape, but finally Dixit and Ali round them up. The last scene was interesting.
The movie was very fast paced and great use of sets and makeup. All of the sets seemed very high tech and new age design. Although I must say the story was flawed in certain parts, very obviously during the last theft. The way they described the vault being heavily guarded and secured and the guys had to was get to the bathroom above the vault and blast the ceiling open? That was a little odd. And when one of the thieves gets an imported car and Kabir drives it into a cliff and then claims they can't have the car cause it is not something afforded out of a waiter's salary, but they can have imported motorbikes with high speed engines? And they couldn't hide the car, but they could hide that huge truck they used to 'disappear' during a chase? After the first theft, Jai mentioned about checking the lights by a computer expert, but the results were never mentioned over the course of the movie. But nevertheless, the story moved on.
The best part of the movie was probably the music and dance - absolutely foot tapping and thumping. My favourite was the Latina song - great dancing. A great movie to watch for an eventful 2 hours.
Kannan en kaadhalan
Makkal thilakam, puratchi nadigar M.G.Ramachandran, puratchi thalaivi Jayalalitha, Muthuraman, Vanishree, Ashokan, 'Cho' Ramasamy, O.A.K. Thevar, Rama Prabha, Gandhimathi and others act in this movie. Music by M.S.Vishwanathan.
Kannan is the adopted son of a retired Captain. Sundar is the real son. Mallika is the niece of this rich man, who is engaged, at birth to Sundar, who currently studies in a foreign country. But she is secretly in love with Kannan, with whom she spends much of her time.
Malathi is the daughter of the secretary of a rich widow. Having lost her father in an accident, she now lives with the widow as her adopted daughter. Malathi and Kannan fall in love.
Sundar returns home. His behaviour towards both Malathi and Mallika is not appropriate. Kannan reprimands him and Sudar gets mad to get Kannan thrown out of the house.
Malathi and Kannan's marriage gets fixed. As they are coming to Captain's house, Mallika rushes out and in an accident, injures her legs. The marriage is stalled until her recovery. But she never recovers and becomes a cripple. Sundar then refuses to marry her. Mallika confesses her love for Kannan and he is forced to marry her and forget Malathi.
Malathi thinks that it is because of her that Kannan is not living happily with Mallika and decides to get married. She tells this to the rich widow's family doctor, Mr.Singh.
Singh ends up advertising the marriage. Malathi is enraged and when Singh tries to take advantage of her, Kannan helps her out in disguise. With some manipulation, some truths about Mr.Singh, Mallika and Malathi's past is revealed. In the end, Malathi and Kannan end up together.
A very soggy story which wasn't well paced. The main story seemed to be falling with a different character compared to how the movie ended. It seemed like the movie was all over the place. Tolerable to watch with 2 memorable songs - paaduvor paadinaal and min mini pole.
Kannan is the adopted son of a retired Captain. Sundar is the real son. Mallika is the niece of this rich man, who is engaged, at birth to Sundar, who currently studies in a foreign country. But she is secretly in love with Kannan, with whom she spends much of her time.
Malathi is the daughter of the secretary of a rich widow. Having lost her father in an accident, she now lives with the widow as her adopted daughter. Malathi and Kannan fall in love.
Sundar returns home. His behaviour towards both Malathi and Mallika is not appropriate. Kannan reprimands him and Sudar gets mad to get Kannan thrown out of the house.
Malathi and Kannan's marriage gets fixed. As they are coming to Captain's house, Mallika rushes out and in an accident, injures her legs. The marriage is stalled until her recovery. But she never recovers and becomes a cripple. Sundar then refuses to marry her. Mallika confesses her love for Kannan and he is forced to marry her and forget Malathi.
Malathi thinks that it is because of her that Kannan is not living happily with Mallika and decides to get married. She tells this to the rich widow's family doctor, Mr.Singh.
Singh ends up advertising the marriage. Malathi is enraged and when Singh tries to take advantage of her, Kannan helps her out in disguise. With some manipulation, some truths about Mr.Singh, Mallika and Malathi's past is revealed. In the end, Malathi and Kannan end up together.
A very soggy story which wasn't well paced. The main story seemed to be falling with a different character compared to how the movie ended. It seemed like the movie was all over the place. Tolerable to watch with 2 memorable songs - paaduvor paadinaal and min mini pole.
Gauravam
Nadigar thilakam Sivaji Ganesan in dual roles with Panribai, Nagesh, Major Sunderajan perform in this movie about an egoistic barrister.
Barrister Rajnikanth is a very successful lawyer, who has never lost a case in his life. He has great pride about it and his ultimate ambition is to become the judge. Repeatedly, he is overlooked for that post, which makes him take up a criminal's, Mohandas', case which created much commotion amidst the lawyers, as Mohandas was truly a criminal. As usual, he wins the case and Mohandas promises to lead a good life henceforth.
A twist of fate ends up putting Mohandas at crime scene, that he didn't commit, and this time, he runs to Rajnikanth to save his skin and he agrees to help him again.
To protect prevalence of justice, other lawyers convince Kannan (Rajikanth's nephew who is being brought up as his son) to take up the case against Rajnikanth, as a public prosecutor. The disagreement between the uncle and nephew widens. Some evil characters around the house, make use of this opportunity for their benefit and deepen the rift.
As the case proceeds, an unexpected evidence against Mohandas crops up and now it is almost certain that Rajnikanth has lost his case. The judgement is reserved for the next day. Rajnikanth doesn't attend the next day, but gets the news that he has lost.
Kannan is excessively pleased and happy at the decision. He considered his uncle as his God and rushes home to get his blessings and give him the news that finally Rajnikanth has become the judge, but reaches home to find his uncle dead.
Gauravam literally translates to respect, but in Tamil, it is also used in other aspects to denote ego and pride.
An excellent performance by Sivaji and there was the difference in portrayal between the nephew and the uncle. Major had a small role to play and it wasn't memorable either. Nagesh's comedy was great and him teasing Chellama's uncle was very funny. The actor who played Chellama's uncle also did a good portrayal of what he ought to have. Panribai looked very sweet and homely as usual.
All songs were tolerable, but some that stuck in my mind were yamunaa nathi ingae, neeyum naanumaa and paalooti valartha kili. These were good tunes and very much filled with good thought. A good movie worth the watch.
Barrister Rajnikanth is a very successful lawyer, who has never lost a case in his life. He has great pride about it and his ultimate ambition is to become the judge. Repeatedly, he is overlooked for that post, which makes him take up a criminal's, Mohandas', case which created much commotion amidst the lawyers, as Mohandas was truly a criminal. As usual, he wins the case and Mohandas promises to lead a good life henceforth.
A twist of fate ends up putting Mohandas at crime scene, that he didn't commit, and this time, he runs to Rajnikanth to save his skin and he agrees to help him again.
To protect prevalence of justice, other lawyers convince Kannan (Rajikanth's nephew who is being brought up as his son) to take up the case against Rajnikanth, as a public prosecutor. The disagreement between the uncle and nephew widens. Some evil characters around the house, make use of this opportunity for their benefit and deepen the rift.
As the case proceeds, an unexpected evidence against Mohandas crops up and now it is almost certain that Rajnikanth has lost his case. The judgement is reserved for the next day. Rajnikanth doesn't attend the next day, but gets the news that he has lost.
Kannan is excessively pleased and happy at the decision. He considered his uncle as his God and rushes home to get his blessings and give him the news that finally Rajnikanth has become the judge, but reaches home to find his uncle dead.
Gauravam literally translates to respect, but in Tamil, it is also used in other aspects to denote ego and pride.
An excellent performance by Sivaji and there was the difference in portrayal between the nephew and the uncle. Major had a small role to play and it wasn't memorable either. Nagesh's comedy was great and him teasing Chellama's uncle was very funny. The actor who played Chellama's uncle also did a good portrayal of what he ought to have. Panribai looked very sweet and homely as usual.
All songs were tolerable, but some that stuck in my mind were yamunaa nathi ingae, neeyum naanumaa and paalooti valartha kili. These were good tunes and very much filled with good thought. A good movie worth the watch.
Sippikul Muthu
Starring padmashree Kamal Hassan and Radhika, with supporting cast of Sharath Babu, Major Sunderajan and others, the movie is about an innocent young man and a widow's life.
Siva is a very naive young man who is honest, innocent, loyal and a good man at heart. He lives with his grandmother, near his brother - in - law's house. After his sister's death, his brother - in - law has remarried and frequently harasses Siva to sign on documents to take away his wealth.
Lalitha is the widow of the man she loved. After her husband's death, her brother can't afford to support her and takes her to her in - law's place. But the father - in - law is adamant about keeping her away from the house and sends her out. So the brother takes her home, but his wife constantly harasses her.
Siva meets Lalitha at the temple and is sad for her plight. With his innocence and his grandmother's good words, he keeps trying to help her out, in the end marrying her. The family meets with lot of objections, but they live it through.
In their old age, Lalitha passes away, while Siva lives with her memories, until his sons take him to the city with them.
The scenes were really sweet and warm to watch when Siva does many of his actions in innocence and us, as mature individuals, understand the impact and the heaviness of the actions that Siva has done. The beginning of the movie where he does things to help other people, end up inconveniencing them in a funny way.
Overall, the movie was really good to watch. Kamal Hassan has done it once more with his acting and Radhika has provided him with good support and carried her role well. Although the movie was a dubbed movie from Telugu, it was really good to watch and not much of masala.
Siva is a very naive young man who is honest, innocent, loyal and a good man at heart. He lives with his grandmother, near his brother - in - law's house. After his sister's death, his brother - in - law has remarried and frequently harasses Siva to sign on documents to take away his wealth.
Lalitha is the widow of the man she loved. After her husband's death, her brother can't afford to support her and takes her to her in - law's place. But the father - in - law is adamant about keeping her away from the house and sends her out. So the brother takes her home, but his wife constantly harasses her.
Siva meets Lalitha at the temple and is sad for her plight. With his innocence and his grandmother's good words, he keeps trying to help her out, in the end marrying her. The family meets with lot of objections, but they live it through.
In their old age, Lalitha passes away, while Siva lives with her memories, until his sons take him to the city with them.
The scenes were really sweet and warm to watch when Siva does many of his actions in innocence and us, as mature individuals, understand the impact and the heaviness of the actions that Siva has done. The beginning of the movie where he does things to help other people, end up inconveniencing them in a funny way.
Overall, the movie was really good to watch. Kamal Hassan has done it once more with his acting and Radhika has provided him with good support and carried her role well. Although the movie was a dubbed movie from Telugu, it was really good to watch and not much of masala.
Swades
Shah Rukh Khan, newcomer Gayathri Joshi and Kishori Billal star in this by Ashutosh Gowrikar of Lagaan fame. Music by A.R.Rahman.
Mohan Bhargav is a successful NRI working at NASA, but he misses his childhood nanny, Kaveriamma, whom he considers as his mother. He returns home to find her happily living with his childhood friend, Gita, whom he used to call as 'Gitli' in a rural village.
He tries to convince Kaveriamma to come along with him to America, but she needs time to think. He starts having tug - of - wars between Gita over with whom should Kaveriamma live. Along the way, they fall in love.
When living in India, he starts seeing poverty and hardships of the people and is very touched over the situation. He also has many arguments with the local village heads over their age old traditions. He is much changed.
Before leaving, he decides to do something for the village and assists the villagers to build their own electrical centre, with which they can supply their energy needs. He becomes very dear to the villagers.
After a long leave of absence, he needs to return back to his job, but Kaveriamma doesn't want to leave India and Gita loves her teaching passion too much to leave. He leaves with a heavy heart, but returns to join all he loves.
A very heart wrenching movie. Kudos to Rahman for the music. They really pull your heartstrings. Javed Akhtar's pure Hindi lyrics are really beautiful and nice to hear, as were the dialogues. Shah Rukh Khan is beginning to look old and should start taking up roles that are aged more than 30. An OK job by the newcomer Gayathri. She still has a long way to go with emoting. As for Kishori, she has done a good job as a sweet old woman with lots of love. An awesome movie to watch for the patriotic hearts.
Mohan Bhargav is a successful NRI working at NASA, but he misses his childhood nanny, Kaveriamma, whom he considers as his mother. He returns home to find her happily living with his childhood friend, Gita, whom he used to call as 'Gitli' in a rural village.
He tries to convince Kaveriamma to come along with him to America, but she needs time to think. He starts having tug - of - wars between Gita over with whom should Kaveriamma live. Along the way, they fall in love.
When living in India, he starts seeing poverty and hardships of the people and is very touched over the situation. He also has many arguments with the local village heads over their age old traditions. He is much changed.
Before leaving, he decides to do something for the village and assists the villagers to build their own electrical centre, with which they can supply their energy needs. He becomes very dear to the villagers.
After a long leave of absence, he needs to return back to his job, but Kaveriamma doesn't want to leave India and Gita loves her teaching passion too much to leave. He leaves with a heavy heart, but returns to join all he loves.
A very heart wrenching movie. Kudos to Rahman for the music. They really pull your heartstrings. Javed Akhtar's pure Hindi lyrics are really beautiful and nice to hear, as were the dialogues. Shah Rukh Khan is beginning to look old and should start taking up roles that are aged more than 30. An OK job by the newcomer Gayathri. She still has a long way to go with emoting. As for Kishori, she has done a good job as a sweet old woman with lots of love. An awesome movie to watch for the patriotic hearts.
thillana mohanambal
Nadigar thilakam Chevalier Shivaji Ganesan and naatya peroli Padmini star along with AVM Rajan, Balaiyya, danaal Thangavelu, Balaji, Nambiar, Nagesh and many others in this bharathnatyam and nadaswaram based romance.
Sikkil Shanmugasundaram is an excellent nadaswaram player, who is much renowned for his skill and self - respect. On one such occasion, as the crackers were being burst for a celebration, he cuts short his programme and leaves. Mohana, known for her dancing skills, is lost in Shanmugam's skill and requests him to stay and watch her dance. Although Shanmugam is captivated by Mohana's beauty, he refuses to stay and watch, also speaking rudely. A while later, he does end up watching her dance secretly.
The local big shot, Nagalingam, tries to get Mohana for himself, but she insults his feelings. As a revenge, he tries to kidnap her, but the plot is stopped and Mohana ends up travelling home in the same train as Shanmugam's. Their romance blooms.
As Shanmugam alights from the train, the right hand of Singapuram Minor notices Mohana. Shanmugam is scheduled to play in this Minor's party, but refuses as no one seems to be respecting his trade. Minor is furious, but he does nothing.
Minor, then, devotes his time in capturing Mohana's heart. With some manipulation by Mohana's mum, Vadivambal, Minor ends up being engaged to Mohana (so does the news travel). Mohana is enraged. At the same time, Shanmugam tries to meet Mohana, but returns when he hears the engagement news. With a heavy heart, he leaves for one of his good friend's.
When Mohana figures out the mixup, she arrives where Shanmugam is and challenges him to play while she dances in a famous festival devoted to Saint Thyagarajar - Thiruvaroor Thyagaraja utsavam. They compete as planned and both of them emerge victorious. The old villain, Nagalingam, injures Shanmugam with a knife and he is hospitalised.
The first program he accepts, after his recovery, is the trip to Madanpur, since Mohana is also attending. Now Madapur maharaja wants to Mohana for himself and tricks Mohana to his room. Shanmugam sees Mohana going into the royalty's room and is disgusted.
Mohana puts up a brave fight against the maharaja and finally is saved by the queen. She runs out of the room, only to find Shanmugam with piercing words and she runs away to commit suicide. Maharaja, then tells the truth to Shanmugam, who is remorseful. He hears that Mohana is to commit suicide and runs to help her. All ends well.
No words to describe the acting, which was exceptional by all in the movie. I can probably write a paragraph about each actor and still words or the praise would not be suffice to truly say how well the movie was. Even though it was an old movie that I have watched more than 10 times, it still captivates me everytime I see it.
Shivaji comes of well as a nadaswaram player. The makeup and the getup was perfect. More perfect were his behaviour and actions which were comparable to a real nadaswaram artist. The scene at the Thyagarajar festival, when he gets hit by a knife, was a bit of an overact with his jumping around like an injured eel, but otherwise, it was well done.
Padmini is truly beautiful and does facial expressions well, but she could really master a little more grace. There doesn't seem to be much difference between cardio aerobics and her bharatnatyam. Sometimes I wonder if it is a man in those clothes. I have to say, her sisters, Lalitha and Ragini perform with much grace, although they don't have as pretty a face.
There is good chemistry between Shivaji and Padmini, which makes the show enjoyable. But then, with good acting and looks in those days, pretty much all actors shared good chemistry on screen.
One of the other commendable actors were Balaiyya. I have always loved this guy. He reminds me of my paternal grandfather in looks and my maternal grandfather in his behaviour. He is so enjoyable to look at and watch. Very natural and realistic acting, yet he has his own style. The scenes, where he is in the train, are just too memorable and enjoyable. So are the scenes when he is trying to cajole Sivaji into watching Padmini's dance.
The lady who acted as Mohana's mother was another classic actor. I can't remember her name, but I have seen her as a female villain (villi) in many movies and she has truly portrayed the character as it should have been.
Although other characters have had small roles to play, they have carried it with good confidence and skill.
Music was absolutely fabulous. Great work by K.V.Mahadevan. T.M.S. didn't have a chance in this movie, considering Sivaji's character was a nadaswaram player, but it was well substituted by the tunes and background. The starting performance of the nadaswaram was a beautiful Abheri raagam based tune - which was my favourite. Also the bit that was played when Shanmugam visits Jiljil.
A great movie worth multiple watches.
Sikkil Shanmugasundaram is an excellent nadaswaram player, who is much renowned for his skill and self - respect. On one such occasion, as the crackers were being burst for a celebration, he cuts short his programme and leaves. Mohana, known for her dancing skills, is lost in Shanmugam's skill and requests him to stay and watch her dance. Although Shanmugam is captivated by Mohana's beauty, he refuses to stay and watch, also speaking rudely. A while later, he does end up watching her dance secretly.
The local big shot, Nagalingam, tries to get Mohana for himself, but she insults his feelings. As a revenge, he tries to kidnap her, but the plot is stopped and Mohana ends up travelling home in the same train as Shanmugam's. Their romance blooms.
As Shanmugam alights from the train, the right hand of Singapuram Minor notices Mohana. Shanmugam is scheduled to play in this Minor's party, but refuses as no one seems to be respecting his trade. Minor is furious, but he does nothing.
Minor, then, devotes his time in capturing Mohana's heart. With some manipulation by Mohana's mum, Vadivambal, Minor ends up being engaged to Mohana (so does the news travel). Mohana is enraged. At the same time, Shanmugam tries to meet Mohana, but returns when he hears the engagement news. With a heavy heart, he leaves for one of his good friend's.
When Mohana figures out the mixup, she arrives where Shanmugam is and challenges him to play while she dances in a famous festival devoted to Saint Thyagarajar - Thiruvaroor Thyagaraja utsavam. They compete as planned and both of them emerge victorious. The old villain, Nagalingam, injures Shanmugam with a knife and he is hospitalised.
The first program he accepts, after his recovery, is the trip to Madanpur, since Mohana is also attending. Now Madapur maharaja wants to Mohana for himself and tricks Mohana to his room. Shanmugam sees Mohana going into the royalty's room and is disgusted.
Mohana puts up a brave fight against the maharaja and finally is saved by the queen. She runs out of the room, only to find Shanmugam with piercing words and she runs away to commit suicide. Maharaja, then tells the truth to Shanmugam, who is remorseful. He hears that Mohana is to commit suicide and runs to help her. All ends well.
No words to describe the acting, which was exceptional by all in the movie. I can probably write a paragraph about each actor and still words or the praise would not be suffice to truly say how well the movie was. Even though it was an old movie that I have watched more than 10 times, it still captivates me everytime I see it.
Shivaji comes of well as a nadaswaram player. The makeup and the getup was perfect. More perfect were his behaviour and actions which were comparable to a real nadaswaram artist. The scene at the Thyagarajar festival, when he gets hit by a knife, was a bit of an overact with his jumping around like an injured eel, but otherwise, it was well done.
Padmini is truly beautiful and does facial expressions well, but she could really master a little more grace. There doesn't seem to be much difference between cardio aerobics and her bharatnatyam. Sometimes I wonder if it is a man in those clothes. I have to say, her sisters, Lalitha and Ragini perform with much grace, although they don't have as pretty a face.
There is good chemistry between Shivaji and Padmini, which makes the show enjoyable. But then, with good acting and looks in those days, pretty much all actors shared good chemistry on screen.
One of the other commendable actors were Balaiyya. I have always loved this guy. He reminds me of my paternal grandfather in looks and my maternal grandfather in his behaviour. He is so enjoyable to look at and watch. Very natural and realistic acting, yet he has his own style. The scenes, where he is in the train, are just too memorable and enjoyable. So are the scenes when he is trying to cajole Sivaji into watching Padmini's dance.
The lady who acted as Mohana's mother was another classic actor. I can't remember her name, but I have seen her as a female villain (villi) in many movies and she has truly portrayed the character as it should have been.
Although other characters have had small roles to play, they have carried it with good confidence and skill.
Music was absolutely fabulous. Great work by K.V.Mahadevan. T.M.S. didn't have a chance in this movie, considering Sivaji's character was a nadaswaram player, but it was well substituted by the tunes and background. The starting performance of the nadaswaram was a beautiful Abheri raagam based tune - which was my favourite. Also the bit that was played when Shanmugam visits Jiljil.
A great movie worth multiple watches.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
shabd
Sanjay Dutt, Aishwarya Rai and Zayed Khan star in this movie about an author who derives his storyline from his wife's love sentiments for another man, after their marriage.
Shaukat Vashist and Antara are happily married. He was a successful author, but is now out of job, because his books lacked the essence of reality. He had supposedly tried to start writing many times, but without avail.
Antara is a college professor - a young woman who fell in love with her professor and married him. She is supportive, but sometimes thinks that her husband is overly pushing himself and unrealistic. She is sometimes dissatisfied of the marriage, but she is on the whole happy.
Yash enters Antara's life as a fellow college professor. He is younger than her and is absolutely smitten by her at first sight. He keeps tagging along with her and trying to amuse her.
As Antara relates the day's happenings to Shaukat, he encourages her to move with Yash without telling him the truth, to create the reality for his story. His plan was to make his story seem real by making his wife do what his story said. Days pass and when Yash and Antara seem really close, he starts feel bad as a husband and he starts talking to himself and brings out his personalities (almost mad).
Towards the end, Antara is unable to keep the unasked truth to herself and tells Yash about her marriage. Yash's reactions seem different from what Shaukat had written and he becomes mad.
I never realised where the climax of the movie was. It felt sort of disoriented and insane - but I believe that was the point of the movie - to create this feeling of confusion and undue power. Costumes, special effects and settings were really a visual treat to look at. Ash didn't seem very attractive with the odd brunette colour. I think I like her in her natural colour. And her acting didn't seem very natural. Zayed could improve more, although his performance in the movie was average. Sanjay was the reason why I wanted to see the movie. I don't know if it was the story or his acting, but it seemed disjoint and in pieces. A tolerable movie to watch on the whole.
Shaukat Vashist and Antara are happily married. He was a successful author, but is now out of job, because his books lacked the essence of reality. He had supposedly tried to start writing many times, but without avail.
Antara is a college professor - a young woman who fell in love with her professor and married him. She is supportive, but sometimes thinks that her husband is overly pushing himself and unrealistic. She is sometimes dissatisfied of the marriage, but she is on the whole happy.
Yash enters Antara's life as a fellow college professor. He is younger than her and is absolutely smitten by her at first sight. He keeps tagging along with her and trying to amuse her.
As Antara relates the day's happenings to Shaukat, he encourages her to move with Yash without telling him the truth, to create the reality for his story. His plan was to make his story seem real by making his wife do what his story said. Days pass and when Yash and Antara seem really close, he starts feel bad as a husband and he starts talking to himself and brings out his personalities (almost mad).
Towards the end, Antara is unable to keep the unasked truth to herself and tells Yash about her marriage. Yash's reactions seem different from what Shaukat had written and he becomes mad.
I never realised where the climax of the movie was. It felt sort of disoriented and insane - but I believe that was the point of the movie - to create this feeling of confusion and undue power. Costumes, special effects and settings were really a visual treat to look at. Ash didn't seem very attractive with the odd brunette colour. I think I like her in her natural colour. And her acting didn't seem very natural. Zayed could improve more, although his performance in the movie was average. Sanjay was the reason why I wanted to see the movie. I don't know if it was the story or his acting, but it seemed disjoint and in pieces. A tolerable movie to watch on the whole.
dosth
R.Sharath Kumar, Raghuvaran, Prakash Raj, Abirami and Sindhu act in this thriller, which translates to friend.
Sharath, a widower lives with his young daughter, who is the world to him. Abirami enters their world and falls for Sharath. Sharath has a very close friend, Raghu, who is married to Sindhu. Their lives are happily entwined.
Raghu's and Sindhu's marriage anniversary arrives and Sharath takes Raghu for drinking out to the sea, at Raghu's request. A heated argument ensues after the drinking and next morning, Raghu disappears and Sharath is blamed for the murder and jailed.
The only solace for Sharath is his daughter, who visits him in jail with Sindhu. When the visits stop, he calls home and finds out Raghu is still alive. Here begins the thrill in the movie.
Sharath escapes from jail to find out the truth. The responsibility of capturing him, falls on Prakash. Some interesting scenes were shown at this point. Eventually Sharath traces where the money for the life insurance of Raghu went and traces back. He is infuriated to find Raghu disguised with a new name. Prakash follows Sharath on his scent and now finds Raghu suspicious and finds out the happenings with Raghu.
Raghu lures Sharath with his daughter, injures him and locks him up
When Prakash tries to arrest him, Raghu holds him at gunpoint, but an escaped Sharath helps him out. Raghu, once again, lures Sharath with his daughter. Here is where all the fighting happens and the bad guy is caught. The ending was an interesting twist.
Abirami and Prakash Raj came together in this movie, once again, after Vaanavil. Good performance by both, although Abirami didn't have much to do in this movie. She has lot of potential and looks good, but seems that not many offers are coming her way.
Prakash Raj has come a long way since Duet and his hard work, creativity and sincerity is commendable. He is able to carry himself well as both a good and a bad character. Supposedly his mother tongue is not Tamil, yet he has never dubbed, and always speaks himself. Bravo! Perhaps some lesson for those actresses who make money here, but don't take the effort to learn the language (even after reigning as the top actress for 10 years!).
Raghuvaran has done a good job, yet again. Although he has good looks, he has deteriorated in it and health, with all the addiction, he was suffering from.
Sharath Kumar, was as usual, not very outstanding in his acting. Although, he and Abirami have a good screen presence together. A good movie to watch for some thrill.
Sharath, a widower lives with his young daughter, who is the world to him. Abirami enters their world and falls for Sharath. Sharath has a very close friend, Raghu, who is married to Sindhu. Their lives are happily entwined.
Raghu's and Sindhu's marriage anniversary arrives and Sharath takes Raghu for drinking out to the sea, at Raghu's request. A heated argument ensues after the drinking and next morning, Raghu disappears and Sharath is blamed for the murder and jailed.
The only solace for Sharath is his daughter, who visits him in jail with Sindhu. When the visits stop, he calls home and finds out Raghu is still alive. Here begins the thrill in the movie.
Sharath escapes from jail to find out the truth. The responsibility of capturing him, falls on Prakash. Some interesting scenes were shown at this point. Eventually Sharath traces where the money for the life insurance of Raghu went and traces back. He is infuriated to find Raghu disguised with a new name. Prakash follows Sharath on his scent and now finds Raghu suspicious and finds out the happenings with Raghu.
Raghu lures Sharath with his daughter, injures him and locks him up
When Prakash tries to arrest him, Raghu holds him at gunpoint, but an escaped Sharath helps him out. Raghu, once again, lures Sharath with his daughter. Here is where all the fighting happens and the bad guy is caught. The ending was an interesting twist.
Abirami and Prakash Raj came together in this movie, once again, after Vaanavil. Good performance by both, although Abirami didn't have much to do in this movie. She has lot of potential and looks good, but seems that not many offers are coming her way.
Prakash Raj has come a long way since Duet and his hard work, creativity and sincerity is commendable. He is able to carry himself well as both a good and a bad character. Supposedly his mother tongue is not Tamil, yet he has never dubbed, and always speaks himself. Bravo! Perhaps some lesson for those actresses who make money here, but don't take the effort to learn the language (even after reigning as the top actress for 10 years!).
Raghuvaran has done a good job, yet again. Although he has good looks, he has deteriorated in it and health, with all the addiction, he was suffering from.
Sharath Kumar, was as usual, not very outstanding in his acting. Although, he and Abirami have a good screen presence together. A good movie to watch for some thrill.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
No Nudes are good Nudes
Funnily enough, a lot of people gave me and my book cover a look when I was reading it. I don't want to know what they were thinking, although I am aware of where their thoughts were centred. The title of the book rested on literally just one part of the story, but it had various meaning within. It was another comical masterpiece by P.G.Wodehouse.
Set in Blandings castle, Wodehouse list of characters start from the pig, Empress; her owner, Lord Clarence Threepwood, Earl of Emsworth; Emsworth's brother, Gallahad Threepwood (Gally); Emsworth's sister, Lady Constance Schoonmaker (Connie); Gally's godson, John Halliday (Johnny); Johnny's lover, Linda Gilpin (often referred to by Gally as popsy); Linda's uncle, Alaric, Duke of Dunstable; guest of Connie's, Vanessa Polk; guest of Dunstable, Wilbur Trout (Willie); Blandings castle butler, Sebastian Beach; a vistor, Howard Chesney and the taxi driver, Robinson.
Other characters that are referred to, but never actually are present in the story are Connie's husband, Jame Schoonmaker; Clarence's son, Freddie; Freddie's sister - in - law, Penelope Donaldson; a famous American psychologist, Sir Roderick Glossop and an American millionaire, J.R.Polk.
With classically interwoven stories within one book, Wodehouse is able to relate the story well, but with selective amnesia (as in my case), the entire story unfolds by listing the characters in the book. To the story..
Empress is a prized possession to Clarence who is always up-to-date with reading pig books and takes all precautions and measures necessary to keep Empress a prized pig that would win at the pig show everytime. With him, lives his butler, Beach and Howard, who lives in Blandings due to a recommendation from Freddie.
He dreads his sister or any other intrusion at the peaceful Blandings castle. And as he fears, Connie decides to come by with a guest of hers, Vanessa Polk.
Clarence contacts Gally to come when Connie arrives. Gally is, in the meantime, hearing about Johnny's engagement. He decides to go to Blandings. He is not comfortable with his sister either, but is able to deal with her.
With Connie's invitation, Duke Dunstable and his niece are also at the Blandings castle. Linda is not interested in talking with Gally, who then contacts Johnny to find out that the engagement was broken off because he cross-examined her brutally during one of his cases and she decides to break of the engagement. Gally suggests bringing Johnny into the castle somehow, so that they could make up with each other.
Duke Dunstable, surprisingly brings a portrait of a nude woman with him. Gally questions him about the sudden interest of art and Dunstable tells him the story that Willie was on the lookout to buy this portrait, that reminded him of his ex-wife, with whom he was still in love with. So Dunstable was planning to extract an exorbitant amount from Willie.
Connie tries to bring Dunstable and Vanessa together, considering she is a rich woman and he is a bachelor. He tries to and Vanessa just gets bugged.
Dunstable invites Willie to Blandings castle so that he can entice him into buying the portrait. After Willie's arrival, it seems that Vanessa shared a brief romantic history with him and wants to help him out on that account. She uses the help from Howard and comes up with a plan. But that plan never gets carried out.
Clarence seems to behave weirdly because he has weird dreams about his pig and this worries Connie. Gally sees this opportunity to bring in Johnny as the junior shrink of Glossop.
With Johnny arrival, an incident makes love bloom again between him and his ex-fiancee. But he also discovers a glitch in their marriage. Connie discovers the truth about him and sends him out of the house.
Gally finds out the truth about Vanessa Polk through Beach. He also finds out about something embarrassing about Dunstable, which helps with his godson's marriage.
Willie discovers something about himself, that saves him all the money.
So with all the hassles and confusion, all ends well and capitally. An awesome story with loads of humour.
Set in Blandings castle, Wodehouse list of characters start from the pig, Empress; her owner, Lord Clarence Threepwood, Earl of Emsworth; Emsworth's brother, Gallahad Threepwood (Gally); Emsworth's sister, Lady Constance Schoonmaker (Connie); Gally's godson, John Halliday (Johnny); Johnny's lover, Linda Gilpin (often referred to by Gally as popsy); Linda's uncle, Alaric, Duke of Dunstable; guest of Connie's, Vanessa Polk; guest of Dunstable, Wilbur Trout (Willie); Blandings castle butler, Sebastian Beach; a vistor, Howard Chesney and the taxi driver, Robinson.
Other characters that are referred to, but never actually are present in the story are Connie's husband, Jame Schoonmaker; Clarence's son, Freddie; Freddie's sister - in - law, Penelope Donaldson; a famous American psychologist, Sir Roderick Glossop and an American millionaire, J.R.Polk.
With classically interwoven stories within one book, Wodehouse is able to relate the story well, but with selective amnesia (as in my case), the entire story unfolds by listing the characters in the book. To the story..
Empress is a prized possession to Clarence who is always up-to-date with reading pig books and takes all precautions and measures necessary to keep Empress a prized pig that would win at the pig show everytime. With him, lives his butler, Beach and Howard, who lives in Blandings due to a recommendation from Freddie.
He dreads his sister or any other intrusion at the peaceful Blandings castle. And as he fears, Connie decides to come by with a guest of hers, Vanessa Polk.
Clarence contacts Gally to come when Connie arrives. Gally is, in the meantime, hearing about Johnny's engagement. He decides to go to Blandings. He is not comfortable with his sister either, but is able to deal with her.
With Connie's invitation, Duke Dunstable and his niece are also at the Blandings castle. Linda is not interested in talking with Gally, who then contacts Johnny to find out that the engagement was broken off because he cross-examined her brutally during one of his cases and she decides to break of the engagement. Gally suggests bringing Johnny into the castle somehow, so that they could make up with each other.
Duke Dunstable, surprisingly brings a portrait of a nude woman with him. Gally questions him about the sudden interest of art and Dunstable tells him the story that Willie was on the lookout to buy this portrait, that reminded him of his ex-wife, with whom he was still in love with. So Dunstable was planning to extract an exorbitant amount from Willie.
Connie tries to bring Dunstable and Vanessa together, considering she is a rich woman and he is a bachelor. He tries to and Vanessa just gets bugged.
Dunstable invites Willie to Blandings castle so that he can entice him into buying the portrait. After Willie's arrival, it seems that Vanessa shared a brief romantic history with him and wants to help him out on that account. She uses the help from Howard and comes up with a plan. But that plan never gets carried out.
Clarence seems to behave weirdly because he has weird dreams about his pig and this worries Connie. Gally sees this opportunity to bring in Johnny as the junior shrink of Glossop.
With Johnny arrival, an incident makes love bloom again between him and his ex-fiancee. But he also discovers a glitch in their marriage. Connie discovers the truth about him and sends him out of the house.
Gally finds out the truth about Vanessa Polk through Beach. He also finds out about something embarrassing about Dunstable, which helps with his godson's marriage.
Willie discovers something about himself, that saves him all the money.
So with all the hassles and confusion, all ends well and capitally. An awesome story with loads of humour.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Part 4 of the books written by J.K. Rowling and starring Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, with the rest of the cast.
The movie begins with introduction of Lord Voldemort and his followers, waiting on him. This translates into an uncomfortable dream for Potter, who is now living at The Burrow. They are planning to go to the world cup of Quidditch.
At the game, the death eaters bring much destruction and they return to their school.
This is also the year of the Triwizard championship. Hogwarts is joined by Beaxbaton ladies and Durmstrang men. Hogwarts gets Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody as their teacher for DADA.
After the selection of the 3 champions from each school, Harry Potter's name unexpectedly pops out of the Goblet of Fire. Although everyone is enraged and shocked, Potter participates in the championship.
He and Ron have a fallout, as Ron thinks that Potter wants more fame. Yet, he 'drops' clues about Potter's first task, that is incomprehensible. The first task is obtaining a golden egg guarded by fierce dragons. After this madness, Ron and Harry reconcile.
All the schools come together for the Yule ball. Here come the first traces of jealousy between Ron and Hermione showing there could be more between them than just friendship.
The second task requires the champions to rescue their dearest from under the sea. Harry comes second in this task. Finally, the task is to get the cup from the maze, that has many obstructions and challenges. After some craziness in the maze, Cedric Diggory and Harry are the ones left to take the cup. They take it together and it turns out to be a portkey, taking both of them to a graveyard that Harry is frequently disturbed about.
Seconds later Wormtail comes with a bundle in his hand and after some spells and potion stirring, Lord Voldemort returns alive. After a scary duel, Harry returns to his school grounds. Everyone is shocked at this outcome.
To comfort Harry, Moody takes him to his room and a question he asks, alerts Harry. As Moody tries to kill him, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape come in save Potter. The truth turns out that Moody is actually Batermius Crouch Junior - a death eater with polyjuice potion. The real Moody is captured and hidden.
Finally the year ends and everyone returns with promises and hopes to meet again.
Great special effects and one of my favourites being the chase by the dragon on the broomstick. Rowling probably has created one of the best stories of the age, that keeps the youth, children and adults alike glued to their books and movies. Definitely a good movie to watch.
The movie begins with introduction of Lord Voldemort and his followers, waiting on him. This translates into an uncomfortable dream for Potter, who is now living at The Burrow. They are planning to go to the world cup of Quidditch.
At the game, the death eaters bring much destruction and they return to their school.
This is also the year of the Triwizard championship. Hogwarts is joined by Beaxbaton ladies and Durmstrang men. Hogwarts gets Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody as their teacher for DADA.
After the selection of the 3 champions from each school, Harry Potter's name unexpectedly pops out of the Goblet of Fire. Although everyone is enraged and shocked, Potter participates in the championship.
He and Ron have a fallout, as Ron thinks that Potter wants more fame. Yet, he 'drops' clues about Potter's first task, that is incomprehensible. The first task is obtaining a golden egg guarded by fierce dragons. After this madness, Ron and Harry reconcile.
All the schools come together for the Yule ball. Here come the first traces of jealousy between Ron and Hermione showing there could be more between them than just friendship.
The second task requires the champions to rescue their dearest from under the sea. Harry comes second in this task. Finally, the task is to get the cup from the maze, that has many obstructions and challenges. After some craziness in the maze, Cedric Diggory and Harry are the ones left to take the cup. They take it together and it turns out to be a portkey, taking both of them to a graveyard that Harry is frequently disturbed about.
Seconds later Wormtail comes with a bundle in his hand and after some spells and potion stirring, Lord Voldemort returns alive. After a scary duel, Harry returns to his school grounds. Everyone is shocked at this outcome.
To comfort Harry, Moody takes him to his room and a question he asks, alerts Harry. As Moody tries to kill him, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape come in save Potter. The truth turns out that Moody is actually Batermius Crouch Junior - a death eater with polyjuice potion. The real Moody is captured and hidden.
Finally the year ends and everyone returns with promises and hopes to meet again.
Great special effects and one of my favourites being the chase by the dragon on the broomstick. Rowling probably has created one of the best stories of the age, that keeps the youth, children and adults alike glued to their books and movies. Definitely a good movie to watch.
Van Helsing
Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale star in this movie with vampires, werewolves, monsters and artificial living beings.
The movie begins with a scientist creating Frankenstein with funding from the vampire, Dracula. When the scientist realises Dracula intends to use Frankenstein for evil things, he tries to kill him, but gets killed instead. Frankenstein takes the body of his 'father' and runs away, only to be destroyed in the burning mill.
Now, enters Van Helsing killing a monster, who was a threat to humanity. Then he returns to Vatican city and the viewers find out that he is a fighter on behalf of the holy men to protect humanity. His next mission was Dracula, in Transylvania, similar to the Valerious family, that had lost lives for generations to protect the world from Dracula.
Meanwhile, the Valerious family, Ana and her brother, are trying to capture a werewolf. In the mission, Ana's brother dies along with the werewolf as they plunge into the river.
Van Helsing takes a fellow friar, Carl, with him. When they reach Transylvania, they are opposed, but when they end up helping eliminate the vampire brides during an attack, they are welcomed to Ana's home. Ana is bloodthirsty to take revenge for her brother, but Van Helsing discourages her.
Finally, Ana persuades Van Helsing and they set forth to Frankenstein castle, where they find many 'bags' of vampire offsprings that Dracula is trying to bring to life using the scientist's machine and Ana's brother (who is now a werewolf) as the power source. Ana tries to save her brother, while Van Helsing tries to kill Dracula, using the traditional weapons. He discovers that he and the Dracula share some history. When neither are successful, they run for their escape to a rundown shack. An accident at the spot makes them discover Frankenstein - the actual power source for the machine that Dracula was looking for.
Ana's brother as a werewolf finds out their discovery. To save the 'power source', Van Helsing and Ana try to transport him, but Ana gets kidnapped on the way and Van Helsing gets bit by the werewolf. The crew - Van Helsing, Carl and Frankenstein - make their way back and rescue Ana, but lose Frankenstein.
Now it is upto them to find out where Dracula's lair is. Putting two and two together, they find the lair. And they also find out that there is a cure to the werewolfishness. Van Helsing battles Dracula, while trying to free Frankenstein. Ana and one of Dracula's widows fight, with Frankenstein helping her out. Carl holds the cure and passes it to Ana. Dracula gets killed and in the process of putting the cure in place, Ana dies.
Though the special effects and music were commendable, the movie itself seemed pretty dark. The only few times, the sunshine came out, it seemed like a glare to the eye for it was not part of the whole scenery. I haven't yet seen the animated prequel, but this movie was OK. Worth a watch for Jackman fans, but nothing commendable.
The movie begins with a scientist creating Frankenstein with funding from the vampire, Dracula. When the scientist realises Dracula intends to use Frankenstein for evil things, he tries to kill him, but gets killed instead. Frankenstein takes the body of his 'father' and runs away, only to be destroyed in the burning mill.
Now, enters Van Helsing killing a monster, who was a threat to humanity. Then he returns to Vatican city and the viewers find out that he is a fighter on behalf of the holy men to protect humanity. His next mission was Dracula, in Transylvania, similar to the Valerious family, that had lost lives for generations to protect the world from Dracula.
Meanwhile, the Valerious family, Ana and her brother, are trying to capture a werewolf. In the mission, Ana's brother dies along with the werewolf as they plunge into the river.
Van Helsing takes a fellow friar, Carl, with him. When they reach Transylvania, they are opposed, but when they end up helping eliminate the vampire brides during an attack, they are welcomed to Ana's home. Ana is bloodthirsty to take revenge for her brother, but Van Helsing discourages her.
Finally, Ana persuades Van Helsing and they set forth to Frankenstein castle, where they find many 'bags' of vampire offsprings that Dracula is trying to bring to life using the scientist's machine and Ana's brother (who is now a werewolf) as the power source. Ana tries to save her brother, while Van Helsing tries to kill Dracula, using the traditional weapons. He discovers that he and the Dracula share some history. When neither are successful, they run for their escape to a rundown shack. An accident at the spot makes them discover Frankenstein - the actual power source for the machine that Dracula was looking for.
Ana's brother as a werewolf finds out their discovery. To save the 'power source', Van Helsing and Ana try to transport him, but Ana gets kidnapped on the way and Van Helsing gets bit by the werewolf. The crew - Van Helsing, Carl and Frankenstein - make their way back and rescue Ana, but lose Frankenstein.
Now it is upto them to find out where Dracula's lair is. Putting two and two together, they find the lair. And they also find out that there is a cure to the werewolfishness. Van Helsing battles Dracula, while trying to free Frankenstein. Ana and one of Dracula's widows fight, with Frankenstein helping her out. Carl holds the cure and passes it to Ana. Dracula gets killed and in the process of putting the cure in place, Ana dies.
Though the special effects and music were commendable, the movie itself seemed pretty dark. The only few times, the sunshine came out, it seemed like a glare to the eye for it was not part of the whole scenery. I haven't yet seen the animated prequel, but this movie was OK. Worth a watch for Jackman fans, but nothing commendable.
The Notebook
Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachael McAdams, The Notebook is the story of a beautiful loving couple in their older years.
The movie starts off with an elderly lady, Ali, suffering from dementia staring out of the window in her room, while a elderly gentleman, Noah, walks in to read her a book. The story in the book, then unfolds.
Boy, Noah Calhoun, sees girl, Allison Hamilton, at summer carnival. It is love at first sight for him. He keeps following her until they go on a date. And then they are inseparable for the whole summer. The girl's parents find out and they leave the country for their daughter to pursue her education, while the poor boy is left back in his country. Their love for each other wasn't over, but with villainy between them, they assume their love is over.
At this point, it is obvious that the lady is none other than the storyteller's actual wife.
Noah goes to WWII, while Ali becomes a nurse. A wounded soldier ends up being her fiancee. Now, she finds Noah's picture in the papers and she wants to see him. When she goes there, she sees Noah remembering every bit of his promise to her and she is touched. After a visit to a lake, they share a passionate night.
Because she is engaged, she leaves Noah to go back to her fiancee. But she returns to be with him and they share a long loving life together.
Now the story goes back to the present, where Ali gets her memory back for a quick while and share some good moments and then she is tranquilized as she loses her memory. The last scene is the heartbreaker.
This was probably the only movie that I have cried over in bucketfuls. It was absolutely touching and amazing. Words are indescribable to tell how touching it was. I watched it for the first time this weekend and I probably watched it for more than 10 times. The few scenes where the teens are breaking up; as Noah is trying hold Ali to him, when she returns for the second time; and then when Noah is pained when Ali is being tranquilized and finally, the last scene were just too much and I was on the verge of a blocked nose.
An awesome movie, which portrays true love and romance in at its best. Keep tissues handy!
The movie starts off with an elderly lady, Ali, suffering from dementia staring out of the window in her room, while a elderly gentleman, Noah, walks in to read her a book. The story in the book, then unfolds.
Boy, Noah Calhoun, sees girl, Allison Hamilton, at summer carnival. It is love at first sight for him. He keeps following her until they go on a date. And then they are inseparable for the whole summer. The girl's parents find out and they leave the country for their daughter to pursue her education, while the poor boy is left back in his country. Their love for each other wasn't over, but with villainy between them, they assume their love is over.
At this point, it is obvious that the lady is none other than the storyteller's actual wife.
Noah goes to WWII, while Ali becomes a nurse. A wounded soldier ends up being her fiancee. Now, she finds Noah's picture in the papers and she wants to see him. When she goes there, she sees Noah remembering every bit of his promise to her and she is touched. After a visit to a lake, they share a passionate night.
Because she is engaged, she leaves Noah to go back to her fiancee. But she returns to be with him and they share a long loving life together.
Now the story goes back to the present, where Ali gets her memory back for a quick while and share some good moments and then she is tranquilized as she loses her memory. The last scene is the heartbreaker.
This was probably the only movie that I have cried over in bucketfuls. It was absolutely touching and amazing. Words are indescribable to tell how touching it was. I watched it for the first time this weekend and I probably watched it for more than 10 times. The few scenes where the teens are breaking up; as Noah is trying hold Ali to him, when she returns for the second time; and then when Noah is pained when Ali is being tranquilized and finally, the last scene were just too much and I was on the verge of a blocked nose.
An awesome movie, which portrays true love and romance in at its best. Keep tissues handy!
Charlie Chaplin
Starring Prabhu, Prabhu Deva, Abirami and Gayathri Raghuram, Charlie Chaplin is a romantic drama of 2 couples.
Prabhu and Abirami have been married for almost 4 years without a child. Abirami constantly doubts her husband thinking that he has affairs, but Prabhu brushes them off lightly. While going on a vacation, Deva, a struggling and poor photographer, bumps into them and as he takes pictures in their direction, they suspect he is taking Abirami's pictures. They bump into him again and now matters take a serious turn and Deva ends up in jail. After understanding the real situation, they become close like family.
While Deva was still struggling, due to some turn of events, he is assumed to be a person who would potentially commit suicide by an organization called Green Peace. Gayathri is the head of this organization and she constantly mistakes everytime she sees Deva that he is trying to commit suicide. Finally, after the truth is exchanged, they fall in love.
Prabhu is very annoyed by Abirami's constant suspicions and gets influenced by his flirtatious friend to have some 'fun' with another woman, while his wife is not around. But he goes through a change of mind and unable to change the appointment with the 'woman', tries to send her off. But with some twist of fate, Abirami returns to find her husband with another woman in Deva's house. To save the situation, Prabhu ends up making the 'woman' Deva's wife.
Eventually, he has to keep up the lie because Abirami treats Deva like her own brother. Meanwhile, Prabhu tries to get Deva and Gayathri married and ends up calling that 'woman' his mentally disturbed wife. Gayathri and Abirami end meeting casually in a store and Abirami is invited to Gayathri's marriage.
After this, big troubles come to pass, ending in divorce notices for all 3 men, Prabhu, Deva and Prabhu's friend. But eventually, they come together after the truth is shared.
A hilarious movie with awesome songs. mudhalaam sandippil, chumma chumma, ava kanna paatha were great songs to listen to - good attempt by the music director. The comedy was very situational and subtle, but the movie was well - paced and decent acting by all the characters.
Prabhu and Abirami have been married for almost 4 years without a child. Abirami constantly doubts her husband thinking that he has affairs, but Prabhu brushes them off lightly. While going on a vacation, Deva, a struggling and poor photographer, bumps into them and as he takes pictures in their direction, they suspect he is taking Abirami's pictures. They bump into him again and now matters take a serious turn and Deva ends up in jail. After understanding the real situation, they become close like family.
While Deva was still struggling, due to some turn of events, he is assumed to be a person who would potentially commit suicide by an organization called Green Peace. Gayathri is the head of this organization and she constantly mistakes everytime she sees Deva that he is trying to commit suicide. Finally, after the truth is exchanged, they fall in love.
Prabhu is very annoyed by Abirami's constant suspicions and gets influenced by his flirtatious friend to have some 'fun' with another woman, while his wife is not around. But he goes through a change of mind and unable to change the appointment with the 'woman', tries to send her off. But with some twist of fate, Abirami returns to find her husband with another woman in Deva's house. To save the situation, Prabhu ends up making the 'woman' Deva's wife.
Eventually, he has to keep up the lie because Abirami treats Deva like her own brother. Meanwhile, Prabhu tries to get Deva and Gayathri married and ends up calling that 'woman' his mentally disturbed wife. Gayathri and Abirami end meeting casually in a store and Abirami is invited to Gayathri's marriage.
After this, big troubles come to pass, ending in divorce notices for all 3 men, Prabhu, Deva and Prabhu's friend. But eventually, they come together after the truth is shared.
A hilarious movie with awesome songs. mudhalaam sandippil, chumma chumma, ava kanna paatha were great songs to listen to - good attempt by the music director. The comedy was very situational and subtle, but the movie was well - paced and decent acting by all the characters.
kumudam
Starring S.S.R., Vijaykumari, Soukar Janaki, Rangarao, M.R.Radha and many others, kumudam literally means a flower and it is the name of Soukar in the movie.
S.S.R. is the brother of a poor blacksmith, who works hard to help S.S.R. become literate. The brother also has a daughter, who is almost the age of S.S.R. To help save funds, he moves into the outhouse of a rich lawyer, Rangarao, with some lying (by the order of the rich lawyer).
Rangarao's daughter, Vijakumari, finds out the truth that S.S.R. isn't married and slowly they fall in love. Her parents support her too.
Meanwhile, S.S.R.'s niece falls in love with M.R.Radha, who had no intention of marrying her. S.S.R.'s brother's health deteriorates and he dies. S.S.R. vows to help his niece first before his own marriage.
When he extends the alliance to M.R.Radha's family, they tell him of their younger daughter, who is blind (Soukar) and agree to the marriage, only if their daughter is wed by S.S.R. Heartbroken, S.S.R. agrees to it and the marriage takes place.
After marriage, S.S.R.'s sister finds out that her husband in a bad man and is sad. S.S.R. isn't happy either, but Vijaykumari helps him do the right thing and is a frequent visitor to their place. She is also studying to become a barrister.
During S.S.R.'s and Soukar's happy times, they visit Mahabalipuram, where both of them end up to witness a murder by M.R.Radha. Soukar hasn't seen him, but felt him step on her hand. S.S.R. owns up to the murder because he wants his niece to live happy. Vijaykumari takes up the case on his behalf.
S.S.R.'s niece finds important evidence against M.R.Radha and provides it to the court and judgement is pronounced.
Although the movie was a little slow paced and M.R.Radha's squealing was a little unbearable, it falls fresh on the ears with the clear Tamil pronounciation and a reasonable storyline. Some parts of the murder investigation seem a little outdated and weak, but was strong enough in those days. Most of the songs by K.V.Mahadevan were wonderful. My favourite - kallilae kalaivannam kandaar was one of the best. Other commendable ones were kalyaanam aanavarae, ennai vittu, miao miao.
S.S.R. is the brother of a poor blacksmith, who works hard to help S.S.R. become literate. The brother also has a daughter, who is almost the age of S.S.R. To help save funds, he moves into the outhouse of a rich lawyer, Rangarao, with some lying (by the order of the rich lawyer).
Rangarao's daughter, Vijakumari, finds out the truth that S.S.R. isn't married and slowly they fall in love. Her parents support her too.
Meanwhile, S.S.R.'s niece falls in love with M.R.Radha, who had no intention of marrying her. S.S.R.'s brother's health deteriorates and he dies. S.S.R. vows to help his niece first before his own marriage.
When he extends the alliance to M.R.Radha's family, they tell him of their younger daughter, who is blind (Soukar) and agree to the marriage, only if their daughter is wed by S.S.R. Heartbroken, S.S.R. agrees to it and the marriage takes place.
After marriage, S.S.R.'s sister finds out that her husband in a bad man and is sad. S.S.R. isn't happy either, but Vijaykumari helps him do the right thing and is a frequent visitor to their place. She is also studying to become a barrister.
During S.S.R.'s and Soukar's happy times, they visit Mahabalipuram, where both of them end up to witness a murder by M.R.Radha. Soukar hasn't seen him, but felt him step on her hand. S.S.R. owns up to the murder because he wants his niece to live happy. Vijaykumari takes up the case on his behalf.
S.S.R.'s niece finds important evidence against M.R.Radha and provides it to the court and judgement is pronounced.
Although the movie was a little slow paced and M.R.Radha's squealing was a little unbearable, it falls fresh on the ears with the clear Tamil pronounciation and a reasonable storyline. Some parts of the murder investigation seem a little outdated and weak, but was strong enough in those days. Most of the songs by K.V.Mahadevan were wonderful. My favourite - kallilae kalaivannam kandaar was one of the best. Other commendable ones were kalyaanam aanavarae, ennai vittu, miao miao.
Someone Like You
Starring Ashley Judd, Greg McKinnear and Hugh Jackman, 'Someone Like You' is the love triangle of a woman, desperately searching for the reason why men leave her all the time. She comes up with a cow theory, which pretty much ruled the entire movie.
Judd and Jackman are working for a famous woman, who is the host of a talk show. The host loves to interview revolutionary people. Judd, then, meets a new arrival, McKinnear, with whom, although she knows to be involved with someone, she ends up getting close to. They almost come to the point of moving together, when he breaks up with her. Judd is devastated and because she lost her roof too, ends up moving in with Jackman, who is known to be an excessive flirt and ladies' man.
They share some sweet moments living in the same apartment. Judd is unable to get over McKinnear and tries to make sense of why men can't be in a relationship for a long time. She reads various books and watched many documentaries and comes up with a cow theory to explain the behaviour of men. Along the way, Judd's friend, who is in the magazine industry, asks her to write for the magazine with this material. Judd ends up doing that with a pen name.
The article becomes a stupendous success and her boss, now wants the author of the article. Meanwhile, Judd's sister goes through a miscarriage. While visiting her, she sees what a sweet man her brother - in - law is and how happy they are, despite their misfortune. She changes her mind about her article and theory and decides to call - in to her boss' show. At the last minute, she shows up in person for the show, during the climax. In the end, she and Jackson get together.
A typical chic flick and romantic comedy. It is pretty sad how some people end up in sadness because a relationship breaks apart. And some just end up doing things the wrong way. It was sort of desperate the way Judd kept trying to get back with McKinnear even though she was absolutely mad and disappointed in him.
Judd and Jackman are working for a famous woman, who is the host of a talk show. The host loves to interview revolutionary people. Judd, then, meets a new arrival, McKinnear, with whom, although she knows to be involved with someone, she ends up getting close to. They almost come to the point of moving together, when he breaks up with her. Judd is devastated and because she lost her roof too, ends up moving in with Jackman, who is known to be an excessive flirt and ladies' man.
They share some sweet moments living in the same apartment. Judd is unable to get over McKinnear and tries to make sense of why men can't be in a relationship for a long time. She reads various books and watched many documentaries and comes up with a cow theory to explain the behaviour of men. Along the way, Judd's friend, who is in the magazine industry, asks her to write for the magazine with this material. Judd ends up doing that with a pen name.
The article becomes a stupendous success and her boss, now wants the author of the article. Meanwhile, Judd's sister goes through a miscarriage. While visiting her, she sees what a sweet man her brother - in - law is and how happy they are, despite their misfortune. She changes her mind about her article and theory and decides to call - in to her boss' show. At the last minute, she shows up in person for the show, during the climax. In the end, she and Jackson get together.
A typical chic flick and romantic comedy. It is pretty sad how some people end up in sadness because a relationship breaks apart. And some just end up doing things the wrong way. It was sort of desperate the way Judd kept trying to get back with McKinnear even though she was absolutely mad and disappointed in him.
Friday, February 16, 2007
karuthamma
Another village story venture by Bharathiraja, with 2 new female faces. Music by A.R.Rahman.
The story outlines the lives of females in villages. For centuries female babies have been killed because of how much financial burden they carry along. Although they address a female baby as Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) is born, the rites and rituals, once she grows up makes her more of a burden, than of a joy.
As a girl, she is not able to carry the name of her father (only a male can do that), as after marriage, she carries the name of her husband. When she comes of age, there are rites and rituals to complete that announcement to the locality. Now the family honour is on her shoudlers and she has to be very careful with her virginity and things like that. When she is to be married, the girl's father takes the entire expense of the marriage and is supposed to give off dowry (varadakshanai), in act to welcome the groom to their family. And after the marriage, she has the responsibility to produce male heirs to keep her husband's family name running. If not, there is the evil mother - in - law (who is usually her aunt) to keep her on her toes. And all of this, she has to carry while matching a man's labour in anything that her father was doing (before marriage) and then her husband would be doing (after marriage).
It is indeed pretty scary how the plight of women was many years back. If urbanization and some westernization hadn't happened, much of the women's plight today would have been the same.
Mr. Mukkasaamy already has 2 daughters and his wife is pregnant with the third, in his bid to get a male heir. When the baby ends up a female, he tells the midwife to kill it. While the midwife is doing that, she is stopped by a teacher, who was tranferred to the village in his job. He decides to bring up the baby, since he has none of his own.
Mukka's wife dies and he brings up his daughters, Vani and Karuthamma. Then marries off the elder one, Vani to his nephew, Thavasi. His nephew and sister are unreasonable and constantly beat up Vani to go back home and get financial favours. Mukka gets as much as possible, while increasing his loan to high amounts.
Just like the teacher who was tranferred to the village, years later, a veterinary doctor, Stefan, is sent to the village. After some minor accidents and tricks, he ends up loving Karuthamma and she in return.
Vani has 2 daughters so far and is expecting the third would be a boy. As fate would have it, it is a girl and her mother - in - law tells her to kill the baby, but she revolts and tries to escape with the baby. Thavasi beats her brutally and she dies. He and his mother kill the baby girl and then make it seem as though Vani's death was a suicide.
Karuthamma is hearbroken and as she prepares Vani for the funeral, suspects that her husband and aunt have actually killed her. She complains to the police and they are arrested.
Meanwhile, the rest of the family spends some calming good time. Stefan's childhood friend, Rosie arrives from the city to visit him and the village. She loves Stefan but Stefan doesn't see her in that light. She builds an affectionate rapport with Karuthamma after she saves Mukka (not knowing he is her actual father) and other incidents.
When Thavasi and his mother are released, they torture the rest of the family. Situation builds up to a point where Karuthamma is fixed in marriage with him. She is devastated, but agrees to the marriage hoping she can take care of her sister's children.
Climax was predictable, but it was a repeat of a scene from Bharathiraja's previous movie, mudhal mariyaathai. It was an OK movie - not too bogged down by excessive village nonsense. The atrocities were shown well. Rahman's songs were awesome - then merkka paruva kaatru and poraalae ponnu thaayi were the good ones amidst all. The irritating bit was a song that was sung by some similar counterpart of paravai Muniamma. These ladies might have good knowledge of songs in the village, but they need to be less cacophonous and more in tune.
The story outlines the lives of females in villages. For centuries female babies have been killed because of how much financial burden they carry along. Although they address a female baby as Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) is born, the rites and rituals, once she grows up makes her more of a burden, than of a joy.
As a girl, she is not able to carry the name of her father (only a male can do that), as after marriage, she carries the name of her husband. When she comes of age, there are rites and rituals to complete that announcement to the locality. Now the family honour is on her shoudlers and she has to be very careful with her virginity and things like that. When she is to be married, the girl's father takes the entire expense of the marriage and is supposed to give off dowry (varadakshanai), in act to welcome the groom to their family. And after the marriage, she has the responsibility to produce male heirs to keep her husband's family name running. If not, there is the evil mother - in - law (who is usually her aunt) to keep her on her toes. And all of this, she has to carry while matching a man's labour in anything that her father was doing (before marriage) and then her husband would be doing (after marriage).
It is indeed pretty scary how the plight of women was many years back. If urbanization and some westernization hadn't happened, much of the women's plight today would have been the same.
Mr. Mukkasaamy already has 2 daughters and his wife is pregnant with the third, in his bid to get a male heir. When the baby ends up a female, he tells the midwife to kill it. While the midwife is doing that, she is stopped by a teacher, who was tranferred to the village in his job. He decides to bring up the baby, since he has none of his own.
Mukka's wife dies and he brings up his daughters, Vani and Karuthamma. Then marries off the elder one, Vani to his nephew, Thavasi. His nephew and sister are unreasonable and constantly beat up Vani to go back home and get financial favours. Mukka gets as much as possible, while increasing his loan to high amounts.
Just like the teacher who was tranferred to the village, years later, a veterinary doctor, Stefan, is sent to the village. After some minor accidents and tricks, he ends up loving Karuthamma and she in return.
Vani has 2 daughters so far and is expecting the third would be a boy. As fate would have it, it is a girl and her mother - in - law tells her to kill the baby, but she revolts and tries to escape with the baby. Thavasi beats her brutally and she dies. He and his mother kill the baby girl and then make it seem as though Vani's death was a suicide.
Karuthamma is hearbroken and as she prepares Vani for the funeral, suspects that her husband and aunt have actually killed her. She complains to the police and they are arrested.
Meanwhile, the rest of the family spends some calming good time. Stefan's childhood friend, Rosie arrives from the city to visit him and the village. She loves Stefan but Stefan doesn't see her in that light. She builds an affectionate rapport with Karuthamma after she saves Mukka (not knowing he is her actual father) and other incidents.
When Thavasi and his mother are released, they torture the rest of the family. Situation builds up to a point where Karuthamma is fixed in marriage with him. She is devastated, but agrees to the marriage hoping she can take care of her sister's children.
Climax was predictable, but it was a repeat of a scene from Bharathiraja's previous movie, mudhal mariyaathai. It was an OK movie - not too bogged down by excessive village nonsense. The atrocities were shown well. Rahman's songs were awesome - then merkka paruva kaatru and poraalae ponnu thaayi were the good ones amidst all. The irritating bit was a song that was sung by some similar counterpart of paravai Muniamma. These ladies might have good knowledge of songs in the village, but they need to be less cacophonous and more in tune.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Pride and Prejudice
I just realised, while going through this blog that I had never actually written my thoughts about one of my favourite books - which was highly ironical.
This is a pretty famous book remade into so many movies and theatrical versions, that it would be just another drone to recount the plot in the book. But still, to do justice, here goes.
Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine of the novel, is second of the 5 Bennet sisters. Coming from a family that had a weak income, Mrs. Bennet was always on a flutter for eligible bachelors in their neighbourhood of Hertfordshire. So with the arrival of a rich businessman, Mr. Charles Bingley, Mrs. Bennet hopes the marriage for Jane, the eldest and the most beautiful of her girls. But Mr. Darcy, the hero (that's just the spoiler for the ending), stands in the way for reasons known only to him. After much heartbreak, misunderstandings, fondness and then yearnings, Elizabeth and Darcy unite.
Although the story has been pulled taut with its different adaptations and other similar storylines, this original still remains my favorite and most romantic way of falling in love. A great book for hopeless romantics.
This is a pretty famous book remade into so many movies and theatrical versions, that it would be just another drone to recount the plot in the book. But still, to do justice, here goes.
Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine of the novel, is second of the 5 Bennet sisters. Coming from a family that had a weak income, Mrs. Bennet was always on a flutter for eligible bachelors in their neighbourhood of Hertfordshire. So with the arrival of a rich businessman, Mr. Charles Bingley, Mrs. Bennet hopes the marriage for Jane, the eldest and the most beautiful of her girls. But Mr. Darcy, the hero (that's just the spoiler for the ending), stands in the way for reasons known only to him. After much heartbreak, misunderstandings, fondness and then yearnings, Elizabeth and Darcy unite.
Although the story has been pulled taut with its different adaptations and other similar storylines, this original still remains my favorite and most romantic way of falling in love. A great book for hopeless romantics.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Casino Royale
The recent release with Daniel Craig made me start reading the Bond series books. Following Live and Let Die, Casino Royale was the next book that came through the library hold.
This is the first book that brought Bond into English fiction, permanently etching him as the most suave and dashing secret agent in literature. Not to forget, the best ladies' man too.
Frequently, when one watches the movie, sue to either the subtlety of the feelings or over or under acting of the actor, much of the emotions can be missed, but when reading the book, explicitly citing the emotional roller coaster is the only form of communication.
Bond is recently promoted to the 007 status, when he has done a couple murders in cold blood and he is now prepared to commit more of them. He is now in the mission to prevent the villain from getting money by gambling.
Le Chiffre is the villain who is trying to gather all money through the card play to cover his losses in his brothel business. He is also connected in some way to SMERSH - the avaricious Russian spy network.
During the mission, Bond is accompanied by lovely Vesper Lynd. She causes quite a stir in Bond's heart. She is the reason for Bond ending up in grave torturous danger, but also the cause for his escape from the nightmare. In the end, an interesting twist and climax gives the explanation why Bond never got too close to any woman.
Some of the comments and thoughts in the book seem a little male chauvanistic and evil, but when one thinks of the danger and insanity in the cut throat game that secret agents play with the bad guys, it is worth a thought. Besides the book was also written a while back. An interesting book, worth the read. If you are expecting to see the same with the book and movie, they are not much similar.
This is the first book that brought Bond into English fiction, permanently etching him as the most suave and dashing secret agent in literature. Not to forget, the best ladies' man too.
Frequently, when one watches the movie, sue to either the subtlety of the feelings or over or under acting of the actor, much of the emotions can be missed, but when reading the book, explicitly citing the emotional roller coaster is the only form of communication.
Bond is recently promoted to the 007 status, when he has done a couple murders in cold blood and he is now prepared to commit more of them. He is now in the mission to prevent the villain from getting money by gambling.
Le Chiffre is the villain who is trying to gather all money through the card play to cover his losses in his brothel business. He is also connected in some way to SMERSH - the avaricious Russian spy network.
During the mission, Bond is accompanied by lovely Vesper Lynd. She causes quite a stir in Bond's heart. She is the reason for Bond ending up in grave torturous danger, but also the cause for his escape from the nightmare. In the end, an interesting twist and climax gives the explanation why Bond never got too close to any woman.
Some of the comments and thoughts in the book seem a little male chauvanistic and evil, but when one thinks of the danger and insanity in the cut throat game that secret agents play with the bad guys, it is worth a thought. Besides the book was also written a while back. An interesting book, worth the read. If you are expecting to see the same with the book and movie, they are not much similar.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
vasantha maaligai
Nadigar thilakam Sivaji Ganesan and Vanishree star in this romantic movie. Supporting cast with V.S.Raghavan, Balaji, Nagesh and Rama Prabha. In cameos, Rangarao, Pushpalatha and Ramadas.
The movie opens with Anand as an alcoholic disturbing passengers on a plane and Latha is the air hostess on the plane. Latha has a huge family to support and finally agrees to get a safer job, after her mum worries about her. Anand is the younger son of a rich family, who is distraught from his mother and hates his brother's atrocities.
Latha goes for a job interview to the same hotel where Anand is hosting his birthday party. He saves her from a rape attempt and drops her home. She is then offered a job as his personal assistant, when she tries to return his coat and thank him the next day.
They travel to Azhagapuri estate. Latha finds out that Anand is a very good guy except for his drinking habit. She makes him do much good and also stops him from drinking. With constant interactions, they fall in love.
The rest of Anand's family hate Latha and devise a way to oust her. They manage to do so, even though Anand doesn't believe the circumstances entirely. Latha is hurt that he should even have the slightest suspicion, but realises that the rich family made a plot to get her out of Anand's life.
She agrees to move away, but Anand is devastated. His health deteriorates. A visit to the doctor shows him that he needs to keep up drinking in small quantities and sudden stop after such long addiction is injurious to health. To try help Anand, Latha agrees to a marriage to a random guy.
Meanwhile, Anand's mother's heart changes and she tries to help Anand but all in vain. To say the final goodbye, Anand comes to Latha. Bad family members on Latha's side cause the stop of the marriage when they see this meeting. After some interesting dialogue and climax, all ends happily ever after.
Great performance by all the cast. Although the movie seemed a little outdated when the couple was in the woods and watching the dance (really ridiculous), the rest of the movie was awesome. Definitely worth more than 1 watch. Good songs too - kalaimagal kai porulae, mayakamenna, yaarukkaaga?.
The movie opens with Anand as an alcoholic disturbing passengers on a plane and Latha is the air hostess on the plane. Latha has a huge family to support and finally agrees to get a safer job, after her mum worries about her. Anand is the younger son of a rich family, who is distraught from his mother and hates his brother's atrocities.
Latha goes for a job interview to the same hotel where Anand is hosting his birthday party. He saves her from a rape attempt and drops her home. She is then offered a job as his personal assistant, when she tries to return his coat and thank him the next day.
They travel to Azhagapuri estate. Latha finds out that Anand is a very good guy except for his drinking habit. She makes him do much good and also stops him from drinking. With constant interactions, they fall in love.
The rest of Anand's family hate Latha and devise a way to oust her. They manage to do so, even though Anand doesn't believe the circumstances entirely. Latha is hurt that he should even have the slightest suspicion, but realises that the rich family made a plot to get her out of Anand's life.
She agrees to move away, but Anand is devastated. His health deteriorates. A visit to the doctor shows him that he needs to keep up drinking in small quantities and sudden stop after such long addiction is injurious to health. To try help Anand, Latha agrees to a marriage to a random guy.
Meanwhile, Anand's mother's heart changes and she tries to help Anand but all in vain. To say the final goodbye, Anand comes to Latha. Bad family members on Latha's side cause the stop of the marriage when they see this meeting. After some interesting dialogue and climax, all ends happily ever after.
Great performance by all the cast. Although the movie seemed a little outdated when the couple was in the woods and watching the dance (really ridiculous), the rest of the movie was awesome. Definitely worth more than 1 watch. Good songs too - kalaimagal kai porulae, mayakamenna, yaarukkaaga?.
Kaadhalan
Starring Indian Michael Jackson Prabhu Deva and Nagma in the lead, the movie is the story of a couple in the midst of political turmoil. The movie was directed by Shankar (of Indian and Jeans fame) and music by A.R.Rahman.
Nagma is the daughter of a politician, who is in power by crook. Prabhu is the son of a police constable. After seeing her during one of his field trips, he falls in love, as he thinks she is the woman who comes in his dreams. He pursues her and they fall in love.
As guessed, the politician dad doesn't like it and they arrest Prabhu and put him through lots of torture. These scenes were disgusting and nauseating. It was almost seeing an Indian version of fear factor. Director Shankar has to show some extra scenes that just make you turn the TV off.
Prabhu is released when Nagma pleads with her dad and they manage to get together at the politician's native village. What happens after that would be a mystery to me cause I stopped watching.
The movie was just downright masala and it wasn't worth continuing. Except for A.R.Rahman's music and Prabhu's dance, there wasn't much incentive to watch the movie. The music was exceptional, especially yennavalae, kaadhalikkum pennin kaigal and urvasi. There was one useful bit of advice from the movie when S.P.B. (who is the father of Prabhu) advises him to hold the expression of any forceful emotion for 5 minutes. It was a pretty good thought, except sometimes, the moment to say might just melt away.
Nagma looked fresh, but very stuffed and overacted for much of the movie. I don't understand why directors pick the topic of the girl knowing nothing and they don't seem to be thinking of ideas either. In one of the scenes, Nagma was dressed with the sari blouse and slacks in front of the guy and the next moment she is telling him, she is shy to bathe in river cause a sparrow was staring at her. I was like, "take a gun and shoot me". Where do such women exist anyway?
Except for the music and the dance, the movie is probably a torture to watch.
Nagma is the daughter of a politician, who is in power by crook. Prabhu is the son of a police constable. After seeing her during one of his field trips, he falls in love, as he thinks she is the woman who comes in his dreams. He pursues her and they fall in love.
As guessed, the politician dad doesn't like it and they arrest Prabhu and put him through lots of torture. These scenes were disgusting and nauseating. It was almost seeing an Indian version of fear factor. Director Shankar has to show some extra scenes that just make you turn the TV off.
Prabhu is released when Nagma pleads with her dad and they manage to get together at the politician's native village. What happens after that would be a mystery to me cause I stopped watching.
The movie was just downright masala and it wasn't worth continuing. Except for A.R.Rahman's music and Prabhu's dance, there wasn't much incentive to watch the movie. The music was exceptional, especially yennavalae, kaadhalikkum pennin kaigal and urvasi. There was one useful bit of advice from the movie when S.P.B. (who is the father of Prabhu) advises him to hold the expression of any forceful emotion for 5 minutes. It was a pretty good thought, except sometimes, the moment to say might just melt away.
Nagma looked fresh, but very stuffed and overacted for much of the movie. I don't understand why directors pick the topic of the girl knowing nothing and they don't seem to be thinking of ideas either. In one of the scenes, Nagma was dressed with the sari blouse and slacks in front of the guy and the next moment she is telling him, she is shy to bathe in river cause a sparrow was staring at her. I was like, "take a gun and shoot me". Where do such women exist anyway?
Except for the music and the dance, the movie is probably a torture to watch.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Billa
Superstar Rajnikanth, Sripriya, Major, Balaji, AVM Rajan, Manohar, Ashokan, Manorama, and Thengaai Srinivasan perform in this famous film with the "My name is Billa" song.
The movie starts off with the don of the underworld Billa and his evil actions in the society. Sripriya is the sister of one of the accomplices of Billa, who is killed because he tried to leave their gang. Sripriya is vengeful and joins Billa's gang with the intention of killing him someday.
Balaji plays Inspector Alexander who is on the trail for Billa. He is assisted by AVM Rajan on this mission. Major plays as Interpol Officer Gokulnath. During one of the trackdowns, Balaji manages to hurt Billa fatally. Balaji keeps Billa's death a secret and uses a street performer by the name of Rajappa, who looks exactly like Billa.
Rajappa becomes Billa in exchange for a good life of 2 orphans that depend on him. Secret information about the gang is continually leaked out to the police. Along the way, Sripriya learns that Billa is, in fact, Rajappa and they fall in love.
A flashback of Thengaai is shown at this point. He worked for Billa for a theft because his wife is on deathbed, but Balaji refueses to let him go. In the process, Thengaai loses his wife and doesn't know where his children are anymore. Now, he is vengeful for Balaji. He visits Balaji after his release, but has to wait.
On one occasion, when all the international smugglers gather for a celebration, the police plan to arrest. During the operation, Balaji is fatally wounded and all the bad guys are captured. Raja continually refuses that he is Billa and tries various ways to get the police to believe him. When Balaji dies, Raja has only a diary to fall back on for his true identity.
Where this diary went is unknown. Although the movie trail seemed pretty predictable, the climax was bearable. An OK movie, but fast forward all songs and fight sequences.
The movie starts off with the don of the underworld Billa and his evil actions in the society. Sripriya is the sister of one of the accomplices of Billa, who is killed because he tried to leave their gang. Sripriya is vengeful and joins Billa's gang with the intention of killing him someday.
Balaji plays Inspector Alexander who is on the trail for Billa. He is assisted by AVM Rajan on this mission. Major plays as Interpol Officer Gokulnath. During one of the trackdowns, Balaji manages to hurt Billa fatally. Balaji keeps Billa's death a secret and uses a street performer by the name of Rajappa, who looks exactly like Billa.
Rajappa becomes Billa in exchange for a good life of 2 orphans that depend on him. Secret information about the gang is continually leaked out to the police. Along the way, Sripriya learns that Billa is, in fact, Rajappa and they fall in love.
A flashback of Thengaai is shown at this point. He worked for Billa for a theft because his wife is on deathbed, but Balaji refueses to let him go. In the process, Thengaai loses his wife and doesn't know where his children are anymore. Now, he is vengeful for Balaji. He visits Balaji after his release, but has to wait.
On one occasion, when all the international smugglers gather for a celebration, the police plan to arrest. During the operation, Balaji is fatally wounded and all the bad guys are captured. Raja continually refuses that he is Billa and tries various ways to get the police to believe him. When Balaji dies, Raja has only a diary to fall back on for his true identity.
Where this diary went is unknown. Although the movie trail seemed pretty predictable, the climax was bearable. An OK movie, but fast forward all songs and fight sequences.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
ninaive oru sangeetham
Starring Captain Vijaykanth, Radha, Rekha, Srividya, Goundamani, Senthil, Ravichandran and Radha Ravi, this village based movie outlines the life of a man who was cheated into marriage by his niece.
An age old practice of the uncle marrying his niece is constant theme in these village movies. That drives me nuts and insane. And what is more annoying is how they fit this story into another crappier story about a girl having 2 uncles and both of them wanting to marry her. Such was the start of this story, except the girl was adopted and not a natural daughter.
A government doctor, Sandhya comes in for her job and one of the uncles, Maruthu (the good one) falls in love with her. The girl, Pandimeena, feels threatened and puts up an act to get her uncle back.
The movie seemed so stale and threateningly boring that I couldn't watch the movie any further. Definitely not a movie to watch for sane people.
An age old practice of the uncle marrying his niece is constant theme in these village movies. That drives me nuts and insane. And what is more annoying is how they fit this story into another crappier story about a girl having 2 uncles and both of them wanting to marry her. Such was the start of this story, except the girl was adopted and not a natural daughter.
A government doctor, Sandhya comes in for her job and one of the uncles, Maruthu (the good one) falls in love with her. The girl, Pandimeena, feels threatened and puts up an act to get her uncle back.
The movie seemed so stale and threateningly boring that I couldn't watch the movie any further. Definitely not a movie to watch for sane people.
The Small Bachelor
Written by P.G.Wodehouse, this is another masterpiece comedy. George Finch, Molly Waddington, Sigsbee Horatio Waddington, Mrs. Waddington, Lord Hunstanton, Butler Ferris, Hamilton Beamish, Madame Eulalie a.k.a. May Stubbs, Frederick Mullett, Fanny Mullett and Inspector Garroway form the list of characters in this comedy of marriage and love misunderstandings. It is wonderful how the story has been intricately weaved to include each one of the list of characters and still have the story flow as though it met no slow standing point.
A shy artist, George is heads over heels in love with Molly. Mrs. Waddington, Molly's stepmother likes her elevated status and wants Molly to marry Lord Hunstanton. Sigsbee H. Waddington, as he is addressed for most of the movie, is a man, who loves the West and is living in his wife's shadows fearing her wrath. Mrs. Waddington tries every way possible to stop the marriage of George and Molly. Ferris works as a butler at the Waddington home.
Hamilton Beamish lives in the same apartments as George Finch. He writes many instructive books and believes in carrying out every task with efficiency. He knows Molly since youth and agrees to help George, when he finds out about his love. While travelling to Waddington home, he falls in love at first sight (something he doesn't believe in) with Madame Eulalie. Madame Eulalie is Mrs. Waddington's fortune teller. She also shares some interesting twisty past with George.
Frederick Mullett is George's butler and he is in love with Fanny. He is a reformed criminal and wants Fanny to do the same. But her attraction to her old job lands her in some soup with the Waddington marriage affair, owing to much displeasure and misunderstandings.
Amidst all this, Inspector Garroway is a learning poet, who takes his lessons from Hamilton Beamish.
The style of writing is hilarious and way Wodehouse winds the plot is engrossing and lovely. Definitely a masterpiece.
A shy artist, George is heads over heels in love with Molly. Mrs. Waddington, Molly's stepmother likes her elevated status and wants Molly to marry Lord Hunstanton. Sigsbee H. Waddington, as he is addressed for most of the movie, is a man, who loves the West and is living in his wife's shadows fearing her wrath. Mrs. Waddington tries every way possible to stop the marriage of George and Molly. Ferris works as a butler at the Waddington home.
Hamilton Beamish lives in the same apartments as George Finch. He writes many instructive books and believes in carrying out every task with efficiency. He knows Molly since youth and agrees to help George, when he finds out about his love. While travelling to Waddington home, he falls in love at first sight (something he doesn't believe in) with Madame Eulalie. Madame Eulalie is Mrs. Waddington's fortune teller. She also shares some interesting twisty past with George.
Frederick Mullett is George's butler and he is in love with Fanny. He is a reformed criminal and wants Fanny to do the same. But her attraction to her old job lands her in some soup with the Waddington marriage affair, owing to much displeasure and misunderstandings.
Amidst all this, Inspector Garroway is a learning poet, who takes his lessons from Hamilton Beamish.
The style of writing is hilarious and way Wodehouse winds the plot is engrossing and lovely. Definitely a masterpiece.
Monday, February 5, 2007
uthaya
Starring ilayadalapathi Vijay, kanavu kanni Simran, Nazar, Vivek, Pyramid Natarajan, Rajesh, Gowtham and thalaivaasal Vijay, Uthaya is a story about an intelligent, patriotic and loyal young man.
Uthayakumaran a.k.a. Uthaya is an intelligent man excelling in Atomic Physics and discovers an explosive element. Vasanthi is a student in the college where he completed his studies. They find happiness in each other's company.
Vasanthi is forced into engagement with her cousin before she met Uthaya. She is unable to tell Uthaya the truth, lest the relationship they have would fall apart. Uthaya finds about the truth and is shocked.
To forget her, he decides to go to Chennai and find some job. He meets Bashir at Chennai and starts working in a newspaper company as a reporter. He finds harsh truths about this job. For one of the scary truth stories, he badly wants to let the public know and approaches his neighbours - 3 suspicious men and gets the job done. In return, the big shots kill Bashir and Uthaya is left vengeful.
He finally agrees to meet the leader, Dhananjay Veeran, of the 3 suspicious men, who claim they are running a movement for freedom and betterment of the poor. He becomes excessively loyal to them and prepares the explosives, as he had discovered at college.
During this time, he meets Vasanthi by coincidence and they are happy to be united and to start a new life. Vasanthi is also introduced to the leader.
The movement, without his knowledge, uses the explosives in a train, that kills and wounds many. Uthaya is enraged and asks Dhananjay to give him weapons to kill the bad guy. As Uthaya leaves him, Dhananjay calls the police and tells them Uthaya is the reason for the blast.
As the police captures Uthaya, he is dumbfounded and he staunchly believes that he would be out with the help of his leader.
Vasanthi tries hard to get Uthaya out, by pleading to the leader, but he shows no interest. With all the news coverage, Uthaya's father dies and Vasanthi meets Uthaya at this time and lets him know the truth about Dhananjay.
Uthaya's confusion is lifted and he escapes from the cops and hunts down Dhananjay. He discovers his next plan and spoils it in action.
An interesting climax. The movie was quite disjointed. Supposedly, there was a tiff between Pyramid and Simran when this film was being shot. And Pyramid went into some financial difficulties too. I don't know if it was because of that, but the movie just seemed as though it jumped around in bits and pieces. A.R.Rahman's music was good to hear. Uthaya uthaya and Pookum malarai were good melodious numbers. Thiruvellikeni rani was the preppy number. Good comedy by Vivek. The movie is worth a watch.
Uthayakumaran a.k.a. Uthaya is an intelligent man excelling in Atomic Physics and discovers an explosive element. Vasanthi is a student in the college where he completed his studies. They find happiness in each other's company.
Vasanthi is forced into engagement with her cousin before she met Uthaya. She is unable to tell Uthaya the truth, lest the relationship they have would fall apart. Uthaya finds about the truth and is shocked.
To forget her, he decides to go to Chennai and find some job. He meets Bashir at Chennai and starts working in a newspaper company as a reporter. He finds harsh truths about this job. For one of the scary truth stories, he badly wants to let the public know and approaches his neighbours - 3 suspicious men and gets the job done. In return, the big shots kill Bashir and Uthaya is left vengeful.
He finally agrees to meet the leader, Dhananjay Veeran, of the 3 suspicious men, who claim they are running a movement for freedom and betterment of the poor. He becomes excessively loyal to them and prepares the explosives, as he had discovered at college.
During this time, he meets Vasanthi by coincidence and they are happy to be united and to start a new life. Vasanthi is also introduced to the leader.
The movement, without his knowledge, uses the explosives in a train, that kills and wounds many. Uthaya is enraged and asks Dhananjay to give him weapons to kill the bad guy. As Uthaya leaves him, Dhananjay calls the police and tells them Uthaya is the reason for the blast.
As the police captures Uthaya, he is dumbfounded and he staunchly believes that he would be out with the help of his leader.
Vasanthi tries hard to get Uthaya out, by pleading to the leader, but he shows no interest. With all the news coverage, Uthaya's father dies and Vasanthi meets Uthaya at this time and lets him know the truth about Dhananjay.
Uthaya's confusion is lifted and he escapes from the cops and hunts down Dhananjay. He discovers his next plan and spoils it in action.
An interesting climax. The movie was quite disjointed. Supposedly, there was a tiff between Pyramid and Simran when this film was being shot. And Pyramid went into some financial difficulties too. I don't know if it was because of that, but the movie just seemed as though it jumped around in bits and pieces. A.R.Rahman's music was good to hear. Uthaya uthaya and Pookum malarai were good melodious numbers. Thiruvellikeni rani was the preppy number. Good comedy by Vivek. The movie is worth a watch.
X - men - The Last Stand
The third part of this mutant comic strip movie, showed how the humans eventually accepted the mutants as part of their society.
Flashback starts the movie when Dr.X and Magneto visited little Jean (Dr. Jean Grey), when she was a young girl enjoying her mutant powers. Scott is still unable to forget Jean and goes back to the spot where she died and he rediscovers her. An accident with him causes Dr.X to send Wolverine and Storm to the same location. They find an unconscious Jean.
Meanwhile, a cure for the mutants has been found. The source of the cure being another mutant, whose power is to 'de-mutanize' any mutant around him. The mutant community is enraged and Magneto and his forces try to wage a war against the humans.
Jean is brought back to the labs and her condition watched. Dr.X explains that the mental condition that Jean is in, which if let uncontrolled would destroy her and everyone about. Wolverine doesn't believe him and after a passionate encounter, allows Jean to escape. Dr.X tries to get Jean back at the same time as Magneto does. And in the process, Dr.X dies and Magneto takes Jean for his evil purposes.
In the end, the X-men fight against the other evil mutants and save the world and the mutant cure. On the whole, an interesting movie - lots of twists and turns. Worth a watch.
Flashback starts the movie when Dr.X and Magneto visited little Jean (Dr. Jean Grey), when she was a young girl enjoying her mutant powers. Scott is still unable to forget Jean and goes back to the spot where she died and he rediscovers her. An accident with him causes Dr.X to send Wolverine and Storm to the same location. They find an unconscious Jean.
Meanwhile, a cure for the mutants has been found. The source of the cure being another mutant, whose power is to 'de-mutanize' any mutant around him. The mutant community is enraged and Magneto and his forces try to wage a war against the humans.
Jean is brought back to the labs and her condition watched. Dr.X explains that the mental condition that Jean is in, which if let uncontrolled would destroy her and everyone about. Wolverine doesn't believe him and after a passionate encounter, allows Jean to escape. Dr.X tries to get Jean back at the same time as Magneto does. And in the process, Dr.X dies and Magneto takes Jean for his evil purposes.
In the end, the X-men fight against the other evil mutants and save the world and the mutant cure. On the whole, an interesting movie - lots of twists and turns. Worth a watch.
Shimla Special
Padmashree Kamalahassan, Sripriya, S.Ve.Shekhar, Pushpalatha, Y.G.Mahendra, Kaathaadi Ramamurthy, Aachi Manorama, Delhi Ganesh star in this comedy.
Gopu (Kamal) and Babu (Shekhar) run a drama troupe. They are thick friends. Gopu is a rich boy, living with his widowed mother. Babu is from the working class, also with a widowed mother and a younger sister. Babu was the initiator of the drama company to compensate for the salary that never was enough to cover his family's expenses. He is shown to be a relatively selfish person, when it comes to money due to his hard life.
Sripriya is thrown in the way as a potential love interest of Kamalahassan's.
Babu's mother gets a chance to get her daughter married. Babu leaves to get Gopu to find out that Gopu's mother is suffering from heart problems. Gopu heads straight for Babu's house to find that potential marriage preparations are happening and finds out that Babu's sister is on verge of elopement cause she loves a rich man. Babu keeps Gopu's mother's disease a secret and Gopu keeps the elopement plans a secret.
Things work out well when the rich man agrees to the marriage of Babu's sister and his son, but to keep the future daughter - in - law at the same respect, he indirectly shows the need for dowry.
The drama troupe gets an offer to perform show at Shimla with a heck lot of money. To perform the marriage, they leave. While in Shimla, Babu gets a telegram saying Gopu's mother is lying in deathbed. Because of selfish reasons, he hides the news from Babu. 2 days later, Gopu gets a call mentioning the same reason. He hides it from Babu thinking Babu would worry for his mother. Just before the performance of the last show, Gopu finds out that Babu hid the truth from him and is enraged. In the end, Gopu's mother is saved and all ends happily.
A very slow moving movie, with very little and weak humour. It seemed like the movie was staged to provide all the drama artistes a chance to act. But there seemed to be a very weak storyline to guide them. There seemed to be no story moving until almost the part where they receive the news that the mother was ill. Even after that, it seemed like the movie was disjointed and in disarray. The only highlight of the movie was the song unakkenna mele nindraai song, which is at the climax. An OK movie, saved by the weak humour in the beginning and some mid parts of the movie.
Gopu (Kamal) and Babu (Shekhar) run a drama troupe. They are thick friends. Gopu is a rich boy, living with his widowed mother. Babu is from the working class, also with a widowed mother and a younger sister. Babu was the initiator of the drama company to compensate for the salary that never was enough to cover his family's expenses. He is shown to be a relatively selfish person, when it comes to money due to his hard life.
Sripriya is thrown in the way as a potential love interest of Kamalahassan's.
Babu's mother gets a chance to get her daughter married. Babu leaves to get Gopu to find out that Gopu's mother is suffering from heart problems. Gopu heads straight for Babu's house to find that potential marriage preparations are happening and finds out that Babu's sister is on verge of elopement cause she loves a rich man. Babu keeps Gopu's mother's disease a secret and Gopu keeps the elopement plans a secret.
Things work out well when the rich man agrees to the marriage of Babu's sister and his son, but to keep the future daughter - in - law at the same respect, he indirectly shows the need for dowry.
The drama troupe gets an offer to perform show at Shimla with a heck lot of money. To perform the marriage, they leave. While in Shimla, Babu gets a telegram saying Gopu's mother is lying in deathbed. Because of selfish reasons, he hides the news from Babu. 2 days later, Gopu gets a call mentioning the same reason. He hides it from Babu thinking Babu would worry for his mother. Just before the performance of the last show, Gopu finds out that Babu hid the truth from him and is enraged. In the end, Gopu's mother is saved and all ends happily.
A very slow moving movie, with very little and weak humour. It seemed like the movie was staged to provide all the drama artistes a chance to act. But there seemed to be a very weak storyline to guide them. There seemed to be no story moving until almost the part where they receive the news that the mother was ill. Even after that, it seemed like the movie was disjointed and in disarray. The only highlight of the movie was the song unakkenna mele nindraai song, which is at the climax. An OK movie, saved by the weak humour in the beginning and some mid parts of the movie.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Major Chandrakanth
This was the epic movie that gave Sundarajan, the title 'Major'. With his outstanding performance, he was adressed with that title without serving in the army.
The star cast consists of Sundarajan (as he was known before the movie was a hit), Muthuraman, Nagesh, Jayalalitha and A.V.M.Rajan. Movie was directed by iyankunar sigaram K. Balachander and music by B.Kumar.
Chandrakanth is a retired army major, who is blind. He lives with his sons, Srikanth, an inspector and Rajnikanth, a student aspiring to join the army (as per wishes of his father). Rajni is sent to live in a hostel for his studies where he indulges in much vices - the biggest one being women.
Vimala is the sister of Mohan, a tailor. She studies in the college next to Rajni's and is popular as a singer and performer. As fate would have it, Rajni is interested in her as he was with many other girls and Vimala is soon pregnant.
As her brother is trying to get her married, she frantically tries to contact Rajni. With a mixup of names, the letter is read by Srikanth (this was a classic twist) and he tries to put Rajni on the right path. But Rajni treads wrongly and as a result Vimala commits suicide.
Mohan finds out about Rajni and in a moment of fury, kills him. Now he is a fugitive and ends up in Chandrakanth's home. The scenes at this part of the movie were memorable. Mohan doesn't know that Chandrakanth is actually the father of the man he had murdered, just a few hours back. Chandrakanth sympathizes with Mohan, when he hears his story, without knowing he is pitying his son's murderer.
When Chandrakanth gets to know of it, the truth is exchanged in bitterness. Srikanth arrives at that time. After an interesting banter of dialogues, the climax ends the movie.
I wouldn't say that the end of the movie was what the climax was. The end of the movie was just the end. There were multiple climaxes throughout. There wasn't much physical fighting and bashing in the movie, yet it had more action than a normal movie would have had. Having heard accolades of good words about the individual characters and the story of the movie, my expectations were sky rocketing and I wasn't disappointed.
Classic acting by handsome Sundarajan. No wonder he walked away with that title. The majesty and elegance with which he portrayed the character was commendable. Any actor is at their best with Balachander, but credit still goes to Major for his down - to - earth performance. It was almost a treat to watch his good looks and acting together. Rarely do those two characteristics come together.
Nagesh carried his character well as a broken man. He was not only the comedian in the first half of the movie but almost half of a hero in the second half. Although I did find Jayalalitha a disproportional sister to Nagesh - a chubby woman to a scrawny man, but it came out well, nevertheless.
Music was good, especially oru naal yaaro and kalyaana saapaadu podavaa. The rest of the songs are good to hear but not outstanding.
In short, it was a good show. Prepare for tissue box if you are sensitive, but worth the crying for such a good performance.
The star cast consists of Sundarajan (as he was known before the movie was a hit), Muthuraman, Nagesh, Jayalalitha and A.V.M.Rajan. Movie was directed by iyankunar sigaram K. Balachander and music by B.Kumar.
Chandrakanth is a retired army major, who is blind. He lives with his sons, Srikanth, an inspector and Rajnikanth, a student aspiring to join the army (as per wishes of his father). Rajni is sent to live in a hostel for his studies where he indulges in much vices - the biggest one being women.
Vimala is the sister of Mohan, a tailor. She studies in the college next to Rajni's and is popular as a singer and performer. As fate would have it, Rajni is interested in her as he was with many other girls and Vimala is soon pregnant.
As her brother is trying to get her married, she frantically tries to contact Rajni. With a mixup of names, the letter is read by Srikanth (this was a classic twist) and he tries to put Rajni on the right path. But Rajni treads wrongly and as a result Vimala commits suicide.
Mohan finds out about Rajni and in a moment of fury, kills him. Now he is a fugitive and ends up in Chandrakanth's home. The scenes at this part of the movie were memorable. Mohan doesn't know that Chandrakanth is actually the father of the man he had murdered, just a few hours back. Chandrakanth sympathizes with Mohan, when he hears his story, without knowing he is pitying his son's murderer.
When Chandrakanth gets to know of it, the truth is exchanged in bitterness. Srikanth arrives at that time. After an interesting banter of dialogues, the climax ends the movie.
I wouldn't say that the end of the movie was what the climax was. The end of the movie was just the end. There were multiple climaxes throughout. There wasn't much physical fighting and bashing in the movie, yet it had more action than a normal movie would have had. Having heard accolades of good words about the individual characters and the story of the movie, my expectations were sky rocketing and I wasn't disappointed.
Classic acting by handsome Sundarajan. No wonder he walked away with that title. The majesty and elegance with which he portrayed the character was commendable. Any actor is at their best with Balachander, but credit still goes to Major for his down - to - earth performance. It was almost a treat to watch his good looks and acting together. Rarely do those two characteristics come together.
Nagesh carried his character well as a broken man. He was not only the comedian in the first half of the movie but almost half of a hero in the second half. Although I did find Jayalalitha a disproportional sister to Nagesh - a chubby woman to a scrawny man, but it came out well, nevertheless.
Music was good, especially oru naal yaaro and kalyaana saapaadu podavaa. The rest of the songs are good to hear but not outstanding.
In short, it was a good show. Prepare for tissue box if you are sensitive, but worth the crying for such a good performance.
thani kaatu raja
Superstar Rajnikanth, Sridevi, Jaishankar, Rajesh, Major Sundarajan and many others act in this movie, which translates to the lonely forest king.
Suri is the son of the Thennur's village head. He is righteous and can't bear in atrocities. He 'helps' his father frequently in solving righteous issues.
Thennur has arch rivalry with the neighbouring village of Vadakannoor. Vadakannoor's head Ethiraj is exactly the opposite of Suri. He runs dirty politics and plays with many lives.
Suri is sent to the city to prevent any more fights in the village. He frequently clashes with a rich brat Vani, with whom, after some incidents, he falls in love. When Vani's father gets to know of the issue, he is enraged. A potential business friend, whom he intended to be his son-in-law, also gets to know about this and he tries to rape Vani. Suri kills him and ends up in jail.
To protect Vani's name, Suri hides the reason behind the killing. Ethiraj gets to know of this and agrees to 'help' Suri get out of prison if Vani would marry him. So it happens and Suri is heartbroken.
He returns to his village to find his father dead and the state of the village farmers in a mess. He takes the repsonsibility up and starts governing the matters of the village, against Ethiraj. Happiness returns to the village. In one of the Ethiraj's attempts to defeat him, Suri ends up marrying a woman from a lower caste.
Suri's sister is now shown to be in love with Ethiraj's younger brother. A sudden changed leaf, Ethiraj is shown to agree to the marriage. But it was only a way to hit Suri on his weakness.
The movie ends with a fight between the hero and the bad guy and herein comes the climax.
It seemed like the story was all over the place and there was no coherent bit to follow from the beginning to the end. There were lots of good actors used minimally and not to their potential, like V.K.Ramasamy, Y.G.Mahendran, Senthamarai, Major and so on. Also Sridevi or Sripriya didn't have much task to do. Music was not memorable.
An below average movie if you really have nothing better to do.
Suri is the son of the Thennur's village head. He is righteous and can't bear in atrocities. He 'helps' his father frequently in solving righteous issues.
Thennur has arch rivalry with the neighbouring village of Vadakannoor. Vadakannoor's head Ethiraj is exactly the opposite of Suri. He runs dirty politics and plays with many lives.
Suri is sent to the city to prevent any more fights in the village. He frequently clashes with a rich brat Vani, with whom, after some incidents, he falls in love. When Vani's father gets to know of the issue, he is enraged. A potential business friend, whom he intended to be his son-in-law, also gets to know about this and he tries to rape Vani. Suri kills him and ends up in jail.
To protect Vani's name, Suri hides the reason behind the killing. Ethiraj gets to know of this and agrees to 'help' Suri get out of prison if Vani would marry him. So it happens and Suri is heartbroken.
He returns to his village to find his father dead and the state of the village farmers in a mess. He takes the repsonsibility up and starts governing the matters of the village, against Ethiraj. Happiness returns to the village. In one of the Ethiraj's attempts to defeat him, Suri ends up marrying a woman from a lower caste.
Suri's sister is now shown to be in love with Ethiraj's younger brother. A sudden changed leaf, Ethiraj is shown to agree to the marriage. But it was only a way to hit Suri on his weakness.
The movie ends with a fight between the hero and the bad guy and herein comes the climax.
It seemed like the story was all over the place and there was no coherent bit to follow from the beginning to the end. There were lots of good actors used minimally and not to their potential, like V.K.Ramasamy, Y.G.Mahendran, Senthamarai, Major and so on. Also Sridevi or Sripriya didn't have much task to do. Music was not memorable.
An below average movie if you really have nothing better to do.
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