Starring Prithviraj, Bhagyaraj's daughter - Saranya, Sita, Prakashraj, Sharath Babu, thalaivaasal Vijay, Roja and Bhagyaraj himself, the movie is about a young searching for the woman, his mother had wanted him to marry.
Seetha moves into a new neighbourhood and gets help from her neighbour 'textile' Subramaniam. He also sends his daughter, Sumathi, as a maid to assist the lady. Seetha's husband and son (Sridhar) were to join her some days later.
Over the days, Seetha begins to like Sumathi and sees her as a good daughter-in-law for her family. Although, she speaks to her son and husband about having found a girl, she doesn't mention the identity to keep it as a surprise.
When the day of the husband's and son's arrival comes, Seetha ends up in an accident and passes away. Sridhar is devastated, but vows to find the identity of the girl his mother had selected to appease her soul. But without any clues to start with, he starts believing anything and everything people around him say, as he is very much attached to his mother, much to the disappointment of his father, who is a practical man.
During their stay, Sridhar notices that Sumathi is much like his mother and tells his father about his feelings. Thinking that it might wound the nice girl's heart, if it isn't true, Sridhar's father discourages him from the idea.
A teacher from Sridhar's college arrives, whom Sridhar adoringly calls 'Uncle', although his father does not approve of him. While the Uncle is around, Sridhar is turned to some bad habits and to get him out the Uncle's influence, Sridhar's father tries to match an alliance with a rich man's daughter, claiming she was the one Seetha had chosen. Sridhar believes him and asks him to fix up the marriage. Uncle feels something is not right and he keeps moping around to get to the bottom of the affairs and breaks the buildup, while Sridhar's dad keeps making something up.
While all this is happening, Sumathi keeps her feelings and thoughts bottled as she had frequently witnessed the status consciousness of Sridhar's father. And not having any proof to assert that she was the one who was chosen by Seetha, she keeps quiet. Along the way, she also helps Sridhar's father assert that the rich man's daughter was the one, by sharing the secrets she knew and setting the stage up for Sridhar to believe.
Finally, the climax of the movie happens on the day of the marriage.
The movie had a very interesting storyline, but unfortunately Saranya lacked the touch her father had and wasn't skilled enough to carry her part well. The first half of the movie where Sumathi is sharing her story with Seetha and Prithviraj's acting in it comically was a little overkill with the odd humour acting. And scenes where Sumathi was hiding the truth seemed a little dumb as she could have just told the truth when she was being asked by the nurse. But a tolerable movie worth the watch.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
The Alchemist
Written by Paul Coelho, The Alchemist is the story of a boy's life and journey, based on a dream, or as said in the book, his Personal Legend.
The protagonist of the book, Santiago, is born into a poor family and doesn't want to pursue the family occupation, but wants to see the world. Accordingly, he becomes a shepherd, travelling to different places and seeing many things - in Andalusia.
As part of growing up, he experiences his first crush and exhilarations of seeing new places, until he gets a dream, that shows him the location of the treasure in a faraway place in Egypt. Unable to decipher the meaning of the dream, he approaches a fortune teller, who also interprets as the dream might lead to something real.
He decides to take the risk and take the journey. He meets the King of Salem, who provides him with a black and white pebble, which he advises the boy to use when faced with making a decision. He continues the journey and he reaches Tangier. There he gets robbed and almost loses hope, until he comes across a crystal shop. He cleans crystals in exchange for food, with the owner. While the boy is around, customers come in to buy merchandise. Pleased, the owner decides to hire Santiago.
For a few years, the boy continues to work at the store and when he has enough money, he leaves for his dream and joins a caravan. He meets an Englishman, whose dream is to find the Philosopher's Stone. The Englishman claims he has tried it many times but never succeeded.
On the way, they hear of the war that is happening in the deserts. The caravan decides to stop by at an oasis.
Here is where Santiago finds his love. While reading omens, he helps the people in the oasis to protect themselves from an onslaught. Rewarded for his actions, he becomes a prominent figure amidst the people and his love grows for the woman, he is in love with.
But, he decides to leave to fulfil his Personal Legend. He leaves with a man, whom he later discovers to be the Alchemist, the Englishman was looking for.
After some trials along the way, he reaches Egypt, the location of his dream, only to be beaten up badly, but he hears the place of treasure in Andalusia, by his assailants. He finally fulfils his Personal Legend.
The book was short, sweet and easy to read. As expected, there was some strangeness in the sentence structures, as translated books often do, but nevertheless, the philosophies that the suthor introduced were really good to go through. If you visit the wikipedia website for this book, some of the passages are provided. The storyline of the book seemed to be a slow read of Santiago's walkabout, but it seemed realistic and normal for a shepherd. A good, quick read.
The protagonist of the book, Santiago, is born into a poor family and doesn't want to pursue the family occupation, but wants to see the world. Accordingly, he becomes a shepherd, travelling to different places and seeing many things - in Andalusia.
As part of growing up, he experiences his first crush and exhilarations of seeing new places, until he gets a dream, that shows him the location of the treasure in a faraway place in Egypt. Unable to decipher the meaning of the dream, he approaches a fortune teller, who also interprets as the dream might lead to something real.
He decides to take the risk and take the journey. He meets the King of Salem, who provides him with a black and white pebble, which he advises the boy to use when faced with making a decision. He continues the journey and he reaches Tangier. There he gets robbed and almost loses hope, until he comes across a crystal shop. He cleans crystals in exchange for food, with the owner. While the boy is around, customers come in to buy merchandise. Pleased, the owner decides to hire Santiago.
For a few years, the boy continues to work at the store and when he has enough money, he leaves for his dream and joins a caravan. He meets an Englishman, whose dream is to find the Philosopher's Stone. The Englishman claims he has tried it many times but never succeeded.
On the way, they hear of the war that is happening in the deserts. The caravan decides to stop by at an oasis.
Here is where Santiago finds his love. While reading omens, he helps the people in the oasis to protect themselves from an onslaught. Rewarded for his actions, he becomes a prominent figure amidst the people and his love grows for the woman, he is in love with.
But, he decides to leave to fulfil his Personal Legend. He leaves with a man, whom he later discovers to be the Alchemist, the Englishman was looking for.
After some trials along the way, he reaches Egypt, the location of his dream, only to be beaten up badly, but he hears the place of treasure in Andalusia, by his assailants. He finally fulfils his Personal Legend.
The book was short, sweet and easy to read. As expected, there was some strangeness in the sentence structures, as translated books often do, but nevertheless, the philosophies that the suthor introduced were really good to go through. If you visit the wikipedia website for this book, some of the passages are provided. The storyline of the book seemed to be a slow read of Santiago's walkabout, but it seemed realistic and normal for a shepherd. A good, quick read.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The DaVinci Code
So finally I got to watching this movie. Like I mentioned in one of my posts before, I watch movies only after 3 years or something after their release. This probably broke the record.
Anyway, Tom Hanks carries the role of Robert Langdon, the symbolism professor and the man that Saunier points Sophie to on his corpse.
The movie begins with a murder, that follows investigation, while Langdon is providing his speech on symbols used around the world. The investigating officer interrupts Langdon's socializing and takes him to the murder spot. While Langdon is providing his thoughts and opinions, a cryptologist, Sophie comes in and provides him with a weird telephone message. Langdon acts accordingly and they plan to solve the mystery without the officials. After sending the officers on a detour, Langdon and Sophie manage to find a key.
They then leave on a wild goose chase with the French police, escape and exchange more details about the possibilities and Sophie's life. Finally, they go to a bank and find a cryptex in a super secure case. With the police again on their back, the bank manager helps them escape, but he turns out to be a traitor.
Langdon and Sophie, now approach Sir Leigh Teabing, a professor who was proficient in the Holy Grail. He gives both Langdon and Sophie a whole new way of looking at the Holy Grail. Both sufficiently enlightened, his butler provides the news that Langdon and Sophie are on the news as murderers. After they explain themselves, Teabing helps them in their journey. Meanwhile, Silas breaks into their home to get the cryptex. They manage to capture him and leave on the plane to England. On the way, the next clue is solved and they reach the next point in the mystery.
When they reach England, Teabing's true colours are revealed and he is captured by the police. Meanwhile, Langdon and Sophie proceed to solve the puzzle. They reach the next point of the journey and find out who Sophie really was. After an overwhelming moment of truth and reunion, Langdon and Sophie go their separate ways.
Back in the hotel, a spur of intelligence, sends him discovering the actual location of Mary Magdalene's sarcophagus.
An enthralling movie. Even though I truly loved the book, the movie did justice to the actual story. My favourite bits were the trips to the past. Lovely camera work and effects. Movie definitely worth the watch.
Anyway, Tom Hanks carries the role of Robert Langdon, the symbolism professor and the man that Saunier points Sophie to on his corpse.
The movie begins with a murder, that follows investigation, while Langdon is providing his speech on symbols used around the world. The investigating officer interrupts Langdon's socializing and takes him to the murder spot. While Langdon is providing his thoughts and opinions, a cryptologist, Sophie comes in and provides him with a weird telephone message. Langdon acts accordingly and they plan to solve the mystery without the officials. After sending the officers on a detour, Langdon and Sophie manage to find a key.
They then leave on a wild goose chase with the French police, escape and exchange more details about the possibilities and Sophie's life. Finally, they go to a bank and find a cryptex in a super secure case. With the police again on their back, the bank manager helps them escape, but he turns out to be a traitor.
Langdon and Sophie, now approach Sir Leigh Teabing, a professor who was proficient in the Holy Grail. He gives both Langdon and Sophie a whole new way of looking at the Holy Grail. Both sufficiently enlightened, his butler provides the news that Langdon and Sophie are on the news as murderers. After they explain themselves, Teabing helps them in their journey. Meanwhile, Silas breaks into their home to get the cryptex. They manage to capture him and leave on the plane to England. On the way, the next clue is solved and they reach the next point in the mystery.
When they reach England, Teabing's true colours are revealed and he is captured by the police. Meanwhile, Langdon and Sophie proceed to solve the puzzle. They reach the next point of the journey and find out who Sophie really was. After an overwhelming moment of truth and reunion, Langdon and Sophie go their separate ways.
Back in the hotel, a spur of intelligence, sends him discovering the actual location of Mary Magdalene's sarcophagus.
An enthralling movie. Even though I truly loved the book, the movie did justice to the actual story. My favourite bits were the trips to the past. Lovely camera work and effects. Movie definitely worth the watch.
The Mistress of Spices
Written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, the story was about a traditional woman crossing her bounds when she falls for an American.
Tilo is a mistress of spices. She knows when and what spice to use for people's ailments and troubles. Spices 'talk' to her. On top of that, she can sense the lives of people who visit her in her store (in a city in America). Combining the two, she is a successful mistress of spices.
She tries to help the clients in her store, within the bounds that a mistress lives with (as taught by her First Mother a.k.a. her teacher from the island). There is Haroun, the taxi driver; Mrs. Ahuja, the battered wife; Jagjit, the immigrant kid; Geeta and her grandfather, the family who can't accept a man from another race and finally, there is Doug, Tilo's American.
There are apparently many rules for a mistress. She can't touch other people. She can't use spices for her own gain. She can't step out of the store. She can't help people of other backgrounds. She can't get too involved in people's lives, only help within the boundaries of the store. And finally, she can never fall in love. But she does.
The first half of the book talked about Tilo's background as a child - the adventures and hardships she went through, before she arrived at the spices' island and then her learnings. It talked about how she helped a lot of people coming to her store.
The second half was focused on her battle with her heart and duty, as she realises she has fallen in love with Doug and wants to be with him. She breaks many more rules as she spends time with Doug and it starts affecting other people.
It was interesting to see that each chapter was titled with a different spice, but there wasn't much cohesiveness and magic as many people saw. The book certainly made a little more sense than the movie did, but it couldn't clear up the muddled mess for me. Maybe I haven't achieved that level of understanding yet. I would take a pass.
Tilo is a mistress of spices. She knows when and what spice to use for people's ailments and troubles. Spices 'talk' to her. On top of that, she can sense the lives of people who visit her in her store (in a city in America). Combining the two, she is a successful mistress of spices.
She tries to help the clients in her store, within the bounds that a mistress lives with (as taught by her First Mother a.k.a. her teacher from the island). There is Haroun, the taxi driver; Mrs. Ahuja, the battered wife; Jagjit, the immigrant kid; Geeta and her grandfather, the family who can't accept a man from another race and finally, there is Doug, Tilo's American.
There are apparently many rules for a mistress. She can't touch other people. She can't use spices for her own gain. She can't step out of the store. She can't help people of other backgrounds. She can't get too involved in people's lives, only help within the boundaries of the store. And finally, she can never fall in love. But she does.
The first half of the book talked about Tilo's background as a child - the adventures and hardships she went through, before she arrived at the spices' island and then her learnings. It talked about how she helped a lot of people coming to her store.
The second half was focused on her battle with her heart and duty, as she realises she has fallen in love with Doug and wants to be with him. She breaks many more rules as she spends time with Doug and it starts affecting other people.
It was interesting to see that each chapter was titled with a different spice, but there wasn't much cohesiveness and magic as many people saw. The book certainly made a little more sense than the movie did, but it couldn't clear up the muddled mess for me. Maybe I haven't achieved that level of understanding yet. I would take a pass.
Take the Lead
Starring Antonio Banderas with an important dance teacher role, the movie is about a teacher helping troubled students and giving them a direction in life.
Banderas is witness to a car vandalizing scene. He uses this as a reason to enter the school. The school teachers use him as a bait to supervise the students in detention. As Banderas goes to the class, he is met with a bunch of no-nonsense kids, who are into rap music. Everyday, the same happens as the students consider Banderas' ball room dancing a weak form of art.
However, inspired by one of his dance school student's opinion, he invites a partner to the detention class and shows a sizzling number, after which the students take him seriously. They start practising for an upcoming dance competition.
Blended with the story is the life of a girl and boy, who have a tough life. They have a reason to hate each other, but give each other a chance, and with Banderas' help, they become good partners to be performing together in the competition.
Finally in the dance competition, after crossing some hurdles, the school students make a bold entrance and impact on those present.
An OK movie to watch. It wasn't entirely based on dance, but seeing the girl and boy facing their troubles and coming together was the good part of the movie and definitely worth watching.
Banderas is witness to a car vandalizing scene. He uses this as a reason to enter the school. The school teachers use him as a bait to supervise the students in detention. As Banderas goes to the class, he is met with a bunch of no-nonsense kids, who are into rap music. Everyday, the same happens as the students consider Banderas' ball room dancing a weak form of art.
However, inspired by one of his dance school student's opinion, he invites a partner to the detention class and shows a sizzling number, after which the students take him seriously. They start practising for an upcoming dance competition.
Blended with the story is the life of a girl and boy, who have a tough life. They have a reason to hate each other, but give each other a chance, and with Banderas' help, they become good partners to be performing together in the competition.
Finally in the dance competition, after crossing some hurdles, the school students make a bold entrance and impact on those present.
An OK movie to watch. It wasn't entirely based on dance, but seeing the girl and boy facing their troubles and coming together was the good part of the movie and definitely worth watching.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Psmith, the journalist
This was probably the duller ones of P.G.Wodehouse's work that I found. I found the story really slowly moving and the repeated addresses of the main character Psmith of calling everyone a comrade was sort of annoying. But nevertheless, Wodehouse kept me with the story and carried me to the end.
Cosy Moments editor, Mr.Wilburfloss takes a vacation for 10 weeks due to his ill health, leaving the running of the magazine to Billy Windsor. The office boy Pugsy Maloney rescues a cat belonging to his cousin, Bat Jarvis, a local leader of hitmen.
Accompanying his friend Mike Jackson on a cricket tour, Psmith dines in the same restaurant as Windsor. With the cat escaping from the basket and Psmith comforting the angry waiter, Psmith meets Windsor over the meal. Psmith introduces a radical idea of revamping the magazine by sacking all the current contributors and starting fresh. He volunteers to be the unpaid sub-editor. He also goes along when the cat is returned to Jarvis.
Wandering in the city, Psmith and Jackson arrive at Pleasant Street, which is not so pleasant and find this a wonderful subject for the paper. When Psmith arrives in office, he finds Kid Brady lamenting about his saggy job and decide to use the magazine as a propagating tool for Brady's boxing career.
They begin their work and are faced with various problems with Mr.Francis Parker, who represents the owner of Pleasant Street. Bat Jarvis is hired to kill the magazine duo, but since he is grateful, he turns the offer down. Yet, Psmith, Windsor and Brady are followed around the city with suspicious eyes.
The rest of the book outlines how the trio kept running and fending themselves from the various forces in the society. At the end, a little twist about the owner of the magazine comes out, but all sets back right eventually.
As I mentioned before, the Wodehouse humour is not lacking, except for the annoying 'comrade'ship. Otherwise, a good read.
Cosy Moments editor, Mr.Wilburfloss takes a vacation for 10 weeks due to his ill health, leaving the running of the magazine to Billy Windsor. The office boy Pugsy Maloney rescues a cat belonging to his cousin, Bat Jarvis, a local leader of hitmen.
Accompanying his friend Mike Jackson on a cricket tour, Psmith dines in the same restaurant as Windsor. With the cat escaping from the basket and Psmith comforting the angry waiter, Psmith meets Windsor over the meal. Psmith introduces a radical idea of revamping the magazine by sacking all the current contributors and starting fresh. He volunteers to be the unpaid sub-editor. He also goes along when the cat is returned to Jarvis.
Wandering in the city, Psmith and Jackson arrive at Pleasant Street, which is not so pleasant and find this a wonderful subject for the paper. When Psmith arrives in office, he finds Kid Brady lamenting about his saggy job and decide to use the magazine as a propagating tool for Brady's boxing career.
They begin their work and are faced with various problems with Mr.Francis Parker, who represents the owner of Pleasant Street. Bat Jarvis is hired to kill the magazine duo, but since he is grateful, he turns the offer down. Yet, Psmith, Windsor and Brady are followed around the city with suspicious eyes.
The rest of the book outlines how the trio kept running and fending themselves from the various forces in the society. At the end, a little twist about the owner of the magazine comes out, but all sets back right eventually.
As I mentioned before, the Wodehouse humour is not lacking, except for the annoying 'comrade'ship. Otherwise, a good read.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
So I married an axe - murderer
Mike Myers and Nancy Travis act in this movie about a Scottish commitment fearing poet and a butcher with a sketchy background.
Charlie is of Scottish poet, who is fearful of commitment and finds silly reasons to break up with his dates. His mother shows him information on a nomadic murderer, who kills her husband on a honeymoon.
His fear of commitment seems to disappear, when he meets Harriet, a butcher. After dating for a while and some mistakes he makes, they finally marry and set off to the honeymoon. Now he receives a call from his friend saying Charlie's doubt may be right. He tries to escape, but there is an interesting twist at the end, when he finds who the actual murderer and the reason behind the murders are, is.
The story was different than the usual ones. However, I can't really place it on a funny and highly comical movie as one of my workmates claimed. An OK movie worth a watch.
Charlie is of Scottish poet, who is fearful of commitment and finds silly reasons to break up with his dates. His mother shows him information on a nomadic murderer, who kills her husband on a honeymoon.
His fear of commitment seems to disappear, when he meets Harriet, a butcher. After dating for a while and some mistakes he makes, they finally marry and set off to the honeymoon. Now he receives a call from his friend saying Charlie's doubt may be right. He tries to escape, but there is an interesting twist at the end, when he finds who the actual murderer and the reason behind the murders are, is.
The story was different than the usual ones. However, I can't really place it on a funny and highly comical movie as one of my workmates claimed. An OK movie worth a watch.
What the bleep do we know?
Starring many many scientists and specialists in their field, this movie is an inspiration to take charge of your own life. The specialists used quantum physics as part of their answers to many questions as to how human consciousness works; what does the mind and the eye see; what is God; what is love; how do emotions form; what is reality; what happens in the mind and many other scientific, psychological and general questions that people might have.
As part of the movie, a handicapped person's life over a few days was also shown and she was used as a common man example.
My personal favourite in the movie was the different types of water crystal structures, during different thoughts. And the question that was raised while it was being shown. "If thoughts can do so much to water, imagine what they can do to us? And we are composed of 70% water."
An interesting thought and also the answer to the question, why we feel so good when our thoughts are so good. A definitely must watch movie.
As part of the movie, a handicapped person's life over a few days was also shown and she was used as a common man example.
My personal favourite in the movie was the different types of water crystal structures, during different thoughts. And the question that was raised while it was being shown. "If thoughts can do so much to water, imagine what they can do to us? And we are composed of 70% water."
An interesting thought and also the answer to the question, why we feel so good when our thoughts are so good. A definitely must watch movie.
Indecent Proposal
Starring Demi Moore, Rebert Redford and Woody Harrelson, the movie is of a couple and a businessman's love.
Childhood sweethearts Diana and David Murphy are happily married, with dreams, until the recession hits in and they are left penniless to pursue their dream - a house designed by David on the riverside. David manages to borrow 5000 from his father, and on a sudden impulse, they leave for Las Vegas, where they play and at the end of the first night, manage to get half of the money they need for financial help.
Happily, they continue the next day, but fate turns against them and they lose even the 5000 they started with. John Gage, a billionaire, sees Diana in a dress shop and is attracted to her. After addresses to her and her husband, over conversation, he seriously drops a proposition of paying them a million dollars if Diana would sleep with him for a night.
With their troubles, the couple agree half heartedly. David is unable to sit still until Diana returns and Diana is utterly disgusted by Gage, but she plays and when she returns to her husband the next day, it is an emotional union.
When they return home with the money, they find out that their house is taken because they were 2 days late on their payments. On a personal front, David is unable to forget the incident and Diana doesn't want to talk about it. They move apart. Diana tries to hold them together by tracing who bought their property and finds out that Gage's hand was in this pie too. She is enraged and goes to meet him, which ends badly. David is completely shattered and they lead separate lives, even though they aren't divorced.
Gage sees this as an opportunity and starts wooing Diana and she starts dating him. When the anger soothes in David, he comes by to talk with Diana. Gage realises that Diana would never be the same to him as to David and puts up a drama to let her go back to David and pulls it off successfully. Diana unites with David.
An interesting story, although I heard there were many women's rights and other sort of protests when the movie was released. It raises many questions that has been puzzling mankind for quite a bit. This was my first Redford movie and he was very charismatic, even though he was 57, when this movie was released. A good movie.
Childhood sweethearts Diana and David Murphy are happily married, with dreams, until the recession hits in and they are left penniless to pursue their dream - a house designed by David on the riverside. David manages to borrow 5000 from his father, and on a sudden impulse, they leave for Las Vegas, where they play and at the end of the first night, manage to get half of the money they need for financial help.
Happily, they continue the next day, but fate turns against them and they lose even the 5000 they started with. John Gage, a billionaire, sees Diana in a dress shop and is attracted to her. After addresses to her and her husband, over conversation, he seriously drops a proposition of paying them a million dollars if Diana would sleep with him for a night.
With their troubles, the couple agree half heartedly. David is unable to sit still until Diana returns and Diana is utterly disgusted by Gage, but she plays and when she returns to her husband the next day, it is an emotional union.
When they return home with the money, they find out that their house is taken because they were 2 days late on their payments. On a personal front, David is unable to forget the incident and Diana doesn't want to talk about it. They move apart. Diana tries to hold them together by tracing who bought their property and finds out that Gage's hand was in this pie too. She is enraged and goes to meet him, which ends badly. David is completely shattered and they lead separate lives, even though they aren't divorced.
Gage sees this as an opportunity and starts wooing Diana and she starts dating him. When the anger soothes in David, he comes by to talk with Diana. Gage realises that Diana would never be the same to him as to David and puts up a drama to let her go back to David and pulls it off successfully. Diana unites with David.
An interesting story, although I heard there were many women's rights and other sort of protests when the movie was released. It raises many questions that has been puzzling mankind for quite a bit. This was my first Redford movie and he was very charismatic, even though he was 57, when this movie was released. A good movie.
Shrek 2
Reuniting with the initial cast are Julie Andrews, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Rupert Everett and Jennifer Saunders, to bring the sequel to Shrek where the ogre couple is to meet the in-laws in the bride's side - the king and queen.
Prince Charming braves all the difficulties to reach the castle and find out that Princess Fiona is on a honeymoon. Angered, he returns.
Meanwhile Princess Fiona's parents, King Harold and Queen Lillian, want to see their daughter after a long separation. All preparations done, although Shrek doesn't want to leave, they start for the journey. Donkey during this journey was hilarious.
When they reach the kingdom of Far Far Away, everyone is shocked at the couple, yet the royalties are carried out. But Shrek and King Harold are not able to get along with each other. In a bid to get rid of the ogre, King Harold seeks the help of Fairy Godmother (of their family), who turns out to be Prince Charming's mother and who is also thirsting for Harold's kingdom. Sharing some secret about King Harold's past, Fairy Godmother forces him to do what she wants.
Finally King Harold invites Shrek to a hunt next morning in the forest, where Shrek and donkey gets lost. Here they meet Puss in Boots, a hired hit man to finish off Shrek, but Puss is defeated. Tired, he contacts Fairy Godmother and thinks of going to her to get an answer. When they reach her factory, she insults them. So he decides to go to the potion cupboard and he selects one that would make the drinker and her love beautiful and bring happiness.
He and donkey drink the potion and reach the kingdom. Fiona also changes and Harold introduces Prince Charming as the changed Shrek. While Shrek's heart is changed by Fairy Godmother and he leaves Fiona to her happiness. However he hears the evil plans between Harold, Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming and gets caught with his 2 buds.
His fairy tale friends see him captured on TV and decide to help out. With their help, he manages to reach the ball and after some villain fighting, the lovers unite in their former self.
There was more evil in this sequel compared to the first one. But still, the comedy wasn't any lower especially the travel to Far Far Away kingdom and the interaction between Shrek and Harold were too funny. Usually, I find sequels to movies a bit dreary than part 1, but this one kept up the good work. Definitely worth a watch.
Prince Charming braves all the difficulties to reach the castle and find out that Princess Fiona is on a honeymoon. Angered, he returns.
Meanwhile Princess Fiona's parents, King Harold and Queen Lillian, want to see their daughter after a long separation. All preparations done, although Shrek doesn't want to leave, they start for the journey. Donkey during this journey was hilarious.
When they reach the kingdom of Far Far Away, everyone is shocked at the couple, yet the royalties are carried out. But Shrek and King Harold are not able to get along with each other. In a bid to get rid of the ogre, King Harold seeks the help of Fairy Godmother (of their family), who turns out to be Prince Charming's mother and who is also thirsting for Harold's kingdom. Sharing some secret about King Harold's past, Fairy Godmother forces him to do what she wants.
Finally King Harold invites Shrek to a hunt next morning in the forest, where Shrek and donkey gets lost. Here they meet Puss in Boots, a hired hit man to finish off Shrek, but Puss is defeated. Tired, he contacts Fairy Godmother and thinks of going to her to get an answer. When they reach her factory, she insults them. So he decides to go to the potion cupboard and he selects one that would make the drinker and her love beautiful and bring happiness.
He and donkey drink the potion and reach the kingdom. Fiona also changes and Harold introduces Prince Charming as the changed Shrek. While Shrek's heart is changed by Fairy Godmother and he leaves Fiona to her happiness. However he hears the evil plans between Harold, Fairy Godmother and Prince Charming and gets caught with his 2 buds.
His fairy tale friends see him captured on TV and decide to help out. With their help, he manages to reach the ball and after some villain fighting, the lovers unite in their former self.
There was more evil in this sequel compared to the first one. But still, the comedy wasn't any lower especially the travel to Far Far Away kingdom and the interaction between Shrek and Harold were too funny. Usually, I find sequels to movies a bit dreary than part 1, but this one kept up the good work. Definitely worth a watch.
Shrek
With voices rendered by Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and John Lithgow, Shrek is the movie about the romance between an ogre and a princess.
Shrek is an ostracized ogre living in a swamp, away from the city. Meanwhile, in the kingdom, the dwarf Lord Farquaad was collecting all magical creatures from fairy tales. Farquaad is also looking to be the king and finds Princess Fiona most appealing. However, she is locked away in the tallest tower of castle that is guarded by a ferocious fire breathing dragon.
During one of his walkabouts in the forest, Shrek rescues a talking donkey that follows him home. The next morning, he finds the entire dump of fairy tale characters in his swamp.
To reclaim his land, he marches to the kingdom. He gets challenged by Lord Farquaad to rescue the Princess Fiona and he would return Shrek his swamp. Accepting the challenge, Shrek sets out and completes the mission.
Princess Fiona is absolutely puzzled as to why her rescuer - the gallant prince has not given her the kiss of love. But she finds out Shrek is only an ogre. The three of them make their way back to the kingdom. Along the way, Shrek and Fiona start liking each other.
As a twist, donkey finds out that Fiona is actually cursed to be an ogress after sunset. He tries to unite them but Fiona is in refusal and Shrek hears the wrong part of the conversation. But after a brief separation, they unite in the end. And they both live as the ogre couple in Shrek's swamp happily ever after.
I found the donkey extremely hilarious. It was a reminder of Sid in Ice Age. The annoying animal that always brings the jest and humour to the movie with a character like Shrek's who is a loner and would rather see the annoyance gone, but they stick together to become good friends. Movie definitely worth a watch.
Shrek is an ostracized ogre living in a swamp, away from the city. Meanwhile, in the kingdom, the dwarf Lord Farquaad was collecting all magical creatures from fairy tales. Farquaad is also looking to be the king and finds Princess Fiona most appealing. However, she is locked away in the tallest tower of castle that is guarded by a ferocious fire breathing dragon.
During one of his walkabouts in the forest, Shrek rescues a talking donkey that follows him home. The next morning, he finds the entire dump of fairy tale characters in his swamp.
To reclaim his land, he marches to the kingdom. He gets challenged by Lord Farquaad to rescue the Princess Fiona and he would return Shrek his swamp. Accepting the challenge, Shrek sets out and completes the mission.
Princess Fiona is absolutely puzzled as to why her rescuer - the gallant prince has not given her the kiss of love. But she finds out Shrek is only an ogre. The three of them make their way back to the kingdom. Along the way, Shrek and Fiona start liking each other.
As a twist, donkey finds out that Fiona is actually cursed to be an ogress after sunset. He tries to unite them but Fiona is in refusal and Shrek hears the wrong part of the conversation. But after a brief separation, they unite in the end. And they both live as the ogre couple in Shrek's swamp happily ever after.
I found the donkey extremely hilarious. It was a reminder of Sid in Ice Age. The annoying animal that always brings the jest and humour to the movie with a character like Shrek's who is a loner and would rather see the annoyance gone, but they stick together to become good friends. Movie definitely worth a watch.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Thenali Raman
Starring nadigar thilakam Sivaji Ganesan, Jamuna, N.T.Rama Rao, M.N.Nambiar, Banumathi, Santhiya and others, this movie shows some of the stories out of the comical, yet witty life of Thenali Raman.
By birth, Thenali Raman's name was Ramakrishnan. He was poet by profession, but without much income, save the money from his mother's menial work. At her urging, he went to see a patron of literature, but insulted he walks out of his house. On the way, a sage tells him to approach the king as he loves literature and arts.
Raman leaves with his family for the city. On the way, he passes by a ritual of animal sacrifice and butts in. The people warn him of the goddess' wrath, but he stays and shouts his heart out to the idol. Magically, the goddess appears forth and provides him with a choice between 2 portions that would bring him either wealth or wit. Raman, quickly mixes both potions and drinks it up. Annoyed at stepping over his bounds, the goddess tells him that he will become a vikatakavi, a witty jester.
When he reaches the city, after much difficulty gets to meet the king, Krishdeva Rai, and after some tests, becomes part of the royal court, as the king is much impressed with him.
Meanwhile some of the neighbouring kings are planning on attacking the southern kingdom and send in their spies. Bit by bit, Raman helps the kingdom and the king to get rid of these spies.
Eventually, with the help of the Mughal emperor Babar, an onslaught is planned on the Southern kingdom, for which the king is now prepared. Yet, realising the severity of the situation, Raman requests Appaji, the mahamanthri, the great minister, to let him go to the baadshah and make him understand the situation.
Raman manages to reach in time and clear the baadshah's misconception. Without his elephants, Vijaynagar wins the battle and all ends happily.
N.T.Rama Rao looks very good in the royal costumes. Even with the black and white pictures, all characters look awesome in their respective roles. Although Sivaji Ganesan had done a great job in the movie, my previous ideas about how a court jester should look and be didn't quite match the image in the movie. Having read most of Thenali Raman's stories as comics, I imagined a bald headed man, with a cute tuft and a simple dhothi for garments with a merry, wise twinkle in the eye.
Nevertheless, it was a different movie than the usual life of a king or a sentimental old movie. Movie worth a watch.
By birth, Thenali Raman's name was Ramakrishnan. He was poet by profession, but without much income, save the money from his mother's menial work. At her urging, he went to see a patron of literature, but insulted he walks out of his house. On the way, a sage tells him to approach the king as he loves literature and arts.
Raman leaves with his family for the city. On the way, he passes by a ritual of animal sacrifice and butts in. The people warn him of the goddess' wrath, but he stays and shouts his heart out to the idol. Magically, the goddess appears forth and provides him with a choice between 2 portions that would bring him either wealth or wit. Raman, quickly mixes both potions and drinks it up. Annoyed at stepping over his bounds, the goddess tells him that he will become a vikatakavi, a witty jester.
When he reaches the city, after much difficulty gets to meet the king, Krishdeva Rai, and after some tests, becomes part of the royal court, as the king is much impressed with him.
Meanwhile some of the neighbouring kings are planning on attacking the southern kingdom and send in their spies. Bit by bit, Raman helps the kingdom and the king to get rid of these spies.
Eventually, with the help of the Mughal emperor Babar, an onslaught is planned on the Southern kingdom, for which the king is now prepared. Yet, realising the severity of the situation, Raman requests Appaji, the mahamanthri, the great minister, to let him go to the baadshah and make him understand the situation.
Raman manages to reach in time and clear the baadshah's misconception. Without his elephants, Vijaynagar wins the battle and all ends happily.
N.T.Rama Rao looks very good in the royal costumes. Even with the black and white pictures, all characters look awesome in their respective roles. Although Sivaji Ganesan had done a great job in the movie, my previous ideas about how a court jester should look and be didn't quite match the image in the movie. Having read most of Thenali Raman's stories as comics, I imagined a bald headed man, with a cute tuft and a simple dhothi for garments with a merry, wise twinkle in the eye.
Nevertheless, it was a different movie than the usual life of a king or a sentimental old movie. Movie worth a watch.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Very Good, Jeeves!
Another of the Wodehouse classics of sublime humour, this book contains the chronicles of Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves.
Wooster is a man surrounded by people, who are bent on making his life difficult and he, unwittingly always seems to fall for them without fail. However, his brainy and trustworthy valet, Jeeves, always has a way to get his master out, without any hitch. He is not only quick in thinking, but also well-informed and known to others as a trustworthy brain to fall back on for master plans.
This book contains 11 such plots:
Jeeves and the impending doom
In this plot, Wooster is invited to his aunt's (Agatha) home to meet a big shot director (Mr.Filmer) so that he gets to be the secretary of the big man. Although he doesn't want to, he sets for the 'doom'. He finds his old classmate (Bingo Little) tutoring his aunt's impossible son (Thomas) due to his financial constraints. And then he finds out that the rummy son is quite influenced by the novel Treasure Island and intends to follow it. In the events that follow, Thos strands Filmer on an island. Wooster comes to rescue but is held captive by violent swans. Finally, Jeeves comes by to rescue both of them and the rest of the problem in the household.
The inferiority complex of Old Sippy
Here, Jeeves helps Wooster school chum, Sipperley, to both gain his love of Miss Gwendolyn Moon and deal with the criticizing head master, Waterbury. To help him, Wooster comes up with a plan, but prior to the plan being executed, Jeeves artfully sets up a pitiable Sippy so that Miss Moon would fall for him and the excitement of the engagement made Sippy strong enough to face Waterbury, when the old headmaster walked into his office full of criticisms of the articles published in his paper.
Jeeves and the Yule-tide Spirit
Here is the story where Wooster is thinking of getting engaged to a girl (Miss Wickham), although Jeeves thinks her to be a little naughty for a lady. He is again invited to his Aunt Agatha's, where Sir Roderick Glossop is also due. He is unwilling as he was engaged to his duaghter (Honoria) at one point in time. But he goes to get revenge on his nephew, Tuppy Glossop, who had bullied him in college. When he reaches there, he doesn't get along any better with Sir Roderick, but gets quite close to Miss Wickham, who gives him a suggestion for revenge with Tuppy. He executes them, but a change in Sir Roderick's schedule spoils his plans. He discovers next morning that Miss Wickham had double crossed him as she had given the same advice to Tuppy too - both times inconveniencing Sir Roderick. However, Jeeves sorts everything to his usual finery.
Jeeves and the Song of Songs
In this episode, Jeeves helps both Wooster's friend, Tuppy Glossop, and his Aunt Dahlia (w.r.t. her daughter, Angela). Tuppy is apparently in love with a opera singer, Miss Cora Bellinger. He found her after he quarelled with Angela. Jeeves suggests Wooster sing 'Sonny Boy' at Beefy Bingham entertainment night, also the spot, where Tuppy and Cora were to sing the same song that night. A predicted reaction from the audience of the entertainment spot set everything right.
Episode of the Dog McIntosh
Wooster is forced by Miss Bobbie Wickham (the recurring naughty lady) to provide lunch to a father (Pop Blumenfeld) and son duo. He discovers that the son is one of the major menaces he has encountered in his life and leaves the lunch invitation, but not until, he catches them momentarily when leaving. But after the lunch finishes, he discovers that Miss Wickham had given away Aunt Agatha's dog McIntosh for the Blumenfield junior's whim. To get it back, Jeeves comes into action. But Blumenfeld finds the culprit and tracks Wooster home. With the pretension of an absent master, Jeeves deals with the situation and brings his master happiness as usual.
The Spot of Art
Wooster is in love again with Gwladys Pendlebury, an artist, but has competition with a man names Lucius Pim. When he returns home that day, Jeeves tells him that the portrait Gwladys made for him, makes him look like a hungry dog for a bone. He is also informed about how she was involved in an accident with Lucius. Having hurt him in Wooster's complex, the victim was now in Wooster's spare bedroom. Although Gwladys visited his home, she wasn't waiting for Wooster. When Pim's dear sister visited, she wanted to see Wooster but not in a friendly manner - the reason being Pim had shifted the blame of the accident on Wooster, since he wanted to spare Gwladys the trouble. Pim suggests Wooster try to sweeten his sister, but misunderstanding the gesture, Pim's brother - in - law, Mr. Slingsby arrives demanding an explanation. Worried of the result of the meeting, Wooster leaves for Paris, until situation was in control. When he arrives, he discovers his portrait along a restaurant, used for a hungry look, his girl lost to Mr. Pim and himself and Jeeves ready for a boat trip of Aunt Dahlia's.
Jeeves and the Kid Clementia
Miss Wickham returns with her wave of problems to Wooster, yet again. Her nephew, Clementia was in town and she wishes Wooster to take care of the kid, without telling him, until the minute the kid had to be returned to her school that Clementia had sneaked out of her hostel. Miss Wickham also provides a way to return the kid back and while Wooster is trying to execute it, he ends up in trouble, but Jeeves had it all under control.
The Love that Purifies
Here Wooster is involved in a tug of war, while Jeeves is off on vacation. He is to visit Mr. Sipperley, with his fiancee, Miss Moon, her mother and her brother, Sebastian (a known menace). But instead with an invitation from his Aunt Dahlia, he decides to visit them instead (Aunt Dahlia's son Bonzo wasn't so bad). When he reaches there, he realises Aunt Agatha's loathsome son Thomas was there. To make sure both boys are well - behaved, Mr. Anstruther had made a competition to pay the boy who would be the nicest throughout the period. Aunt Dahlia's trouble was that Thomas was exceeding expectations, although Bonzo was naturally good. Also she had bet her good cook with Jane Snettisham (a visitor). Although Wooster wished to set the situation without Jeeves, he is unable to and finally Jeeves is invited. Jeeves proposes inviting Sebastian Moon, but still nothing happens, until they find out that Thomas is indeed in love with a Greta Garbo and wishes to turn upon a new leaf. Using this Jeeves instigates Thomas and all ends happy.
Jeeves and the Old School Chum
Wooster's friend, Bingo, now married, is in trouble with his wife, as Rosie is tending to listen to Laura Pyke, who was an extreme case of illness, as regarded by Bingo. She forced vegetarian dinners and exercises and Bingo found intolerable. In a bid to separate the two ladies, were the gentleman engaged. Finally, after an outing to the race, (with Jeeves wondrous brain) the ladies left earlier than the gentleman, only to have a broken down car. Without her evening tea, Mrs. Bingo was quite upset. In time, Mr. Bingo arrived to set everything right, showing Pyke in the wrong. And everything was rosy again.
The Indian Summer of an Uncle
Wooster's Uncle George was on the brink of matrimony with a waitress. Aunt Agatha wants to break up the match and provides Wooster with money to break the match, but it doesn't happen. Finally, Jeeves thinks of bringing together the waitress' mother and Bertie finds that she had actually been with Uncle George in their youth and now they were engaged. Aunt Agatha finds this union much more tolerable and all is well.
The Ordeal of Young Tuppy
Having got an invitation to Upper Bleaching and knowing that Tuppy was going to be there, Bertie was all ready for fun and revenge. He gets a strange telegram from Tuppy, but is unable to fulfill the needs in the message. When he reaches the location, he finds out that Tuppy is in love with a local 'dog-girl', Dalgleish, forgetting his love for Angela, Aunt Dahlia's daughter. In a bid to impress the girl, Tuppy participates in a local game, that was more leaning towards the disagreements between the two villages playing. Also, since almost all of the players were of an extraordinarily large size, Bertie wishes to rescue Tuppy and Jeeves provides the idea. But with a slight mistake, the idea never takes place. But after the game, Tuppy finds out that his girl had never been there to watch the game and now with the baton in his hand, Bertie executes Jeeves plan and things end well.
Wooster is a man surrounded by people, who are bent on making his life difficult and he, unwittingly always seems to fall for them without fail. However, his brainy and trustworthy valet, Jeeves, always has a way to get his master out, without any hitch. He is not only quick in thinking, but also well-informed and known to others as a trustworthy brain to fall back on for master plans.
This book contains 11 such plots:
Jeeves and the impending doom
In this plot, Wooster is invited to his aunt's (Agatha) home to meet a big shot director (Mr.Filmer) so that he gets to be the secretary of the big man. Although he doesn't want to, he sets for the 'doom'. He finds his old classmate (Bingo Little) tutoring his aunt's impossible son (Thomas) due to his financial constraints. And then he finds out that the rummy son is quite influenced by the novel Treasure Island and intends to follow it. In the events that follow, Thos strands Filmer on an island. Wooster comes to rescue but is held captive by violent swans. Finally, Jeeves comes by to rescue both of them and the rest of the problem in the household.
The inferiority complex of Old Sippy
Here, Jeeves helps Wooster school chum, Sipperley, to both gain his love of Miss Gwendolyn Moon and deal with the criticizing head master, Waterbury. To help him, Wooster comes up with a plan, but prior to the plan being executed, Jeeves artfully sets up a pitiable Sippy so that Miss Moon would fall for him and the excitement of the engagement made Sippy strong enough to face Waterbury, when the old headmaster walked into his office full of criticisms of the articles published in his paper.
Jeeves and the Yule-tide Spirit
Here is the story where Wooster is thinking of getting engaged to a girl (Miss Wickham), although Jeeves thinks her to be a little naughty for a lady. He is again invited to his Aunt Agatha's, where Sir Roderick Glossop is also due. He is unwilling as he was engaged to his duaghter (Honoria) at one point in time. But he goes to get revenge on his nephew, Tuppy Glossop, who had bullied him in college. When he reaches there, he doesn't get along any better with Sir Roderick, but gets quite close to Miss Wickham, who gives him a suggestion for revenge with Tuppy. He executes them, but a change in Sir Roderick's schedule spoils his plans. He discovers next morning that Miss Wickham had double crossed him as she had given the same advice to Tuppy too - both times inconveniencing Sir Roderick. However, Jeeves sorts everything to his usual finery.
Jeeves and the Song of Songs
In this episode, Jeeves helps both Wooster's friend, Tuppy Glossop, and his Aunt Dahlia (w.r.t. her daughter, Angela). Tuppy is apparently in love with a opera singer, Miss Cora Bellinger. He found her after he quarelled with Angela. Jeeves suggests Wooster sing 'Sonny Boy' at Beefy Bingham entertainment night, also the spot, where Tuppy and Cora were to sing the same song that night. A predicted reaction from the audience of the entertainment spot set everything right.
Episode of the Dog McIntosh
Wooster is forced by Miss Bobbie Wickham (the recurring naughty lady) to provide lunch to a father (Pop Blumenfeld) and son duo. He discovers that the son is one of the major menaces he has encountered in his life and leaves the lunch invitation, but not until, he catches them momentarily when leaving. But after the lunch finishes, he discovers that Miss Wickham had given away Aunt Agatha's dog McIntosh for the Blumenfield junior's whim. To get it back, Jeeves comes into action. But Blumenfeld finds the culprit and tracks Wooster home. With the pretension of an absent master, Jeeves deals with the situation and brings his master happiness as usual.
The Spot of Art
Wooster is in love again with Gwladys Pendlebury, an artist, but has competition with a man names Lucius Pim. When he returns home that day, Jeeves tells him that the portrait Gwladys made for him, makes him look like a hungry dog for a bone. He is also informed about how she was involved in an accident with Lucius. Having hurt him in Wooster's complex, the victim was now in Wooster's spare bedroom. Although Gwladys visited his home, she wasn't waiting for Wooster. When Pim's dear sister visited, she wanted to see Wooster but not in a friendly manner - the reason being Pim had shifted the blame of the accident on Wooster, since he wanted to spare Gwladys the trouble. Pim suggests Wooster try to sweeten his sister, but misunderstanding the gesture, Pim's brother - in - law, Mr. Slingsby arrives demanding an explanation. Worried of the result of the meeting, Wooster leaves for Paris, until situation was in control. When he arrives, he discovers his portrait along a restaurant, used for a hungry look, his girl lost to Mr. Pim and himself and Jeeves ready for a boat trip of Aunt Dahlia's.
Jeeves and the Kid Clementia
Miss Wickham returns with her wave of problems to Wooster, yet again. Her nephew, Clementia was in town and she wishes Wooster to take care of the kid, without telling him, until the minute the kid had to be returned to her school that Clementia had sneaked out of her hostel. Miss Wickham also provides a way to return the kid back and while Wooster is trying to execute it, he ends up in trouble, but Jeeves had it all under control.
The Love that Purifies
Here Wooster is involved in a tug of war, while Jeeves is off on vacation. He is to visit Mr. Sipperley, with his fiancee, Miss Moon, her mother and her brother, Sebastian (a known menace). But instead with an invitation from his Aunt Dahlia, he decides to visit them instead (Aunt Dahlia's son Bonzo wasn't so bad). When he reaches there, he realises Aunt Agatha's loathsome son Thomas was there. To make sure both boys are well - behaved, Mr. Anstruther had made a competition to pay the boy who would be the nicest throughout the period. Aunt Dahlia's trouble was that Thomas was exceeding expectations, although Bonzo was naturally good. Also she had bet her good cook with Jane Snettisham (a visitor). Although Wooster wished to set the situation without Jeeves, he is unable to and finally Jeeves is invited. Jeeves proposes inviting Sebastian Moon, but still nothing happens, until they find out that Thomas is indeed in love with a Greta Garbo and wishes to turn upon a new leaf. Using this Jeeves instigates Thomas and all ends happy.
Jeeves and the Old School Chum
Wooster's friend, Bingo, now married, is in trouble with his wife, as Rosie is tending to listen to Laura Pyke, who was an extreme case of illness, as regarded by Bingo. She forced vegetarian dinners and exercises and Bingo found intolerable. In a bid to separate the two ladies, were the gentleman engaged. Finally, after an outing to the race, (with Jeeves wondrous brain) the ladies left earlier than the gentleman, only to have a broken down car. Without her evening tea, Mrs. Bingo was quite upset. In time, Mr. Bingo arrived to set everything right, showing Pyke in the wrong. And everything was rosy again.
The Indian Summer of an Uncle
Wooster's Uncle George was on the brink of matrimony with a waitress. Aunt Agatha wants to break up the match and provides Wooster with money to break the match, but it doesn't happen. Finally, Jeeves thinks of bringing together the waitress' mother and Bertie finds that she had actually been with Uncle George in their youth and now they were engaged. Aunt Agatha finds this union much more tolerable and all is well.
The Ordeal of Young Tuppy
Having got an invitation to Upper Bleaching and knowing that Tuppy was going to be there, Bertie was all ready for fun and revenge. He gets a strange telegram from Tuppy, but is unable to fulfill the needs in the message. When he reaches the location, he finds out that Tuppy is in love with a local 'dog-girl', Dalgleish, forgetting his love for Angela, Aunt Dahlia's daughter. In a bid to impress the girl, Tuppy participates in a local game, that was more leaning towards the disagreements between the two villages playing. Also, since almost all of the players were of an extraordinarily large size, Bertie wishes to rescue Tuppy and Jeeves provides the idea. But with a slight mistake, the idea never takes place. But after the game, Tuppy finds out that his girl had never been there to watch the game and now with the baton in his hand, Bertie executes Jeeves plan and things end well.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Mozhi
Produced by Duet Movies, Prithviraj, Prakashraj, Jyothika and Swarnamalya act in this movie centred around a deaf and dumb girl and the lives around her.
Karthik and Viji are best buds working as music assistants in the same company. They have a normal fun filled life. One day, Karthik sees his dream girl during a street brawl between a husband and wife. He is elated to find that she lives in the same apartments as him.
He tries many times to make conversations and get to know her but to no avail. Finally, an accident throws them together and he is shocked to find out that his girl, Archana, is deaf and dumb. Yet, he pursues her. He and Viji contact her friend Sheela to get details about her.
After the initial introductions, the four of them hang around as good friends. Following some trials and fights, Karthik finds an opportunity to express his love for Archana, does so and faces rejection. Archana refuses to see him ever again and Karthik respects that and keeps his distance.
Viji discovers that he is now in love with Sheela and after exchanging his feelings with her, they decide to marry. Archana is happy for Sheela, but refuses to attend her marriage, lest she would face Karthik. Karthik is deeply hurt and maddened by her and stomps to her house to scream and argue his heart out to her. On the wedding day, Archana attends and all ends happily.
A great job done by Prithvi and Prakashraj. There on screen chemistry and vibe was just too good to watch. Their casual tease and support as friends was sweet.
Prithvi seemed like a great potential in his Tamil debut villain role in kanaa kandaen and has proved it true. Although he has a slight lisp and Mallu accent, he has done a good job in dialogue delivery.
There are too many good things to list of Prakashraj's, which would be better enjoyed while watching the movie.
Although much of the accolades went to Jyothika for her performance, I didn't find that extraordinarily outstanding. Sometimes it was underplayed and sometimes, over. At times, her eyes and other features would be at a impossibly enlarged size, that would instill fear and annoyance more than anger or pity, that the scene deserved. Swarnamalya was tolerable, yet needs to move a long way in emoting.
Music was very mellow and sweet to listen to. My favourite was sevvaanam selaikatti which seemed a gentle Spanish beat. Good job dancing by Prithvi too.
On the whole, kudos to Prakashraj for giving such an awesome family movie and kudos to Radhamohan for a good job directing. Definitely worth multiple watches.
Karthik and Viji are best buds working as music assistants in the same company. They have a normal fun filled life. One day, Karthik sees his dream girl during a street brawl between a husband and wife. He is elated to find that she lives in the same apartments as him.
He tries many times to make conversations and get to know her but to no avail. Finally, an accident throws them together and he is shocked to find out that his girl, Archana, is deaf and dumb. Yet, he pursues her. He and Viji contact her friend Sheela to get details about her.
After the initial introductions, the four of them hang around as good friends. Following some trials and fights, Karthik finds an opportunity to express his love for Archana, does so and faces rejection. Archana refuses to see him ever again and Karthik respects that and keeps his distance.
Viji discovers that he is now in love with Sheela and after exchanging his feelings with her, they decide to marry. Archana is happy for Sheela, but refuses to attend her marriage, lest she would face Karthik. Karthik is deeply hurt and maddened by her and stomps to her house to scream and argue his heart out to her. On the wedding day, Archana attends and all ends happily.
A great job done by Prithvi and Prakashraj. There on screen chemistry and vibe was just too good to watch. Their casual tease and support as friends was sweet.
Prithvi seemed like a great potential in his Tamil debut villain role in kanaa kandaen and has proved it true. Although he has a slight lisp and Mallu accent, he has done a good job in dialogue delivery.
There are too many good things to list of Prakashraj's, which would be better enjoyed while watching the movie.
Although much of the accolades went to Jyothika for her performance, I didn't find that extraordinarily outstanding. Sometimes it was underplayed and sometimes, over. At times, her eyes and other features would be at a impossibly enlarged size, that would instill fear and annoyance more than anger or pity, that the scene deserved. Swarnamalya was tolerable, yet needs to move a long way in emoting.
Music was very mellow and sweet to listen to. My favourite was sevvaanam selaikatti which seemed a gentle Spanish beat. Good job dancing by Prithvi too.
On the whole, kudos to Prakashraj for giving such an awesome family movie and kudos to Radhamohan for a good job directing. Definitely worth multiple watches.
Grandma's Boy
With random actors, I didn't catch most of the performer's names, except Doris Roberts, who was the grandma in the movie.
The story is of a middle aged guy who works as a tester in a company that makes computer games. He is single and has just been kicked out of his house, because his roommate was addicted to hookers.
He tries sleeping with his workmate, but he is too much of a boy to be with and an embarrassing incident with his mom, causes him to end up sleeping at work and his new project manager catches him asleep.
Without much choice, he moves in with his grandma and three roomies. Part of movie runs in showing how he lives and passes time with them. At one point, he even teaches his grandma to play on the new computer game that he had been designing for almost 3 years.
At work, with the new project manager, who is very hot, he manages to get in her good books and thereby being a rival to the company's genius, who is a single nerd able to design entire computer games by himself. The nerd likes the manager a lot but is unable to show his 'human' side to her.
Finally, as a revenge, the nerd acts as though he is very sad about the way he is treated at work. He notices the game that that tester has been working on for the past few years and offers to help him with it, but in the end, shows it off as his game. The rest of the movie goes in how the nerd is proved wrong.
The guy who acted as the nerd did a really good job and that is the memorable part that I could take away from the movie. The rest of the movie was a bit of a drag with silly two sided jokes, nudity and drug hallucinations. Some of which, were seemingly unnecessary.
Movie worth a watch, but not much is missed if you don't.
The story is of a middle aged guy who works as a tester in a company that makes computer games. He is single and has just been kicked out of his house, because his roommate was addicted to hookers.
He tries sleeping with his workmate, but he is too much of a boy to be with and an embarrassing incident with his mom, causes him to end up sleeping at work and his new project manager catches him asleep.
Without much choice, he moves in with his grandma and three roomies. Part of movie runs in showing how he lives and passes time with them. At one point, he even teaches his grandma to play on the new computer game that he had been designing for almost 3 years.
At work, with the new project manager, who is very hot, he manages to get in her good books and thereby being a rival to the company's genius, who is a single nerd able to design entire computer games by himself. The nerd likes the manager a lot but is unable to show his 'human' side to her.
Finally, as a revenge, the nerd acts as though he is very sad about the way he is treated at work. He notices the game that that tester has been working on for the past few years and offers to help him with it, but in the end, shows it off as his game. The rest of the movie goes in how the nerd is proved wrong.
The guy who acted as the nerd did a really good job and that is the memorable part that I could take away from the movie. The rest of the movie was a bit of a drag with silly two sided jokes, nudity and drug hallucinations. Some of which, were seemingly unnecessary.
Movie worth a watch, but not much is missed if you don't.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
dishyum
Jeeva and kadhal Sandhya act in this movie based on the lives of stuntmen in the movie industry.
'Risk' Baskar is known to take up very dangerous shots in movies and carries them out fearlessly. Sinthiya is an arts student, who is very cultured and the most loved girl in school. However, she treats all the guys as friends. To get her, 3 of her 'guyfriends' get Baskar to help them out.
But Sinthiya sees through the trick. She scolds him but after frequent meetings, they become good friends.
Baskar's master sees that Sinthiya would mean trouble and advises Baskar to stay away from her. To respect his words, Baskar tells the same to Sinthiya. She advises him to marry a girl and Baskar, on impulse asks her to marry him. Sinthiya becomes mad at him, but Baskar tells it was an offer on impulse and says he can carry on the same way. Sinthiya apologises.
When Baskar carries on with his daily work, he discovers, he actually has feelings for Sinthiya. He tries to respect the friendship that Sinthiya shares with him and decides to marry another girl. Having not seen him for a few days, Sinthiya goes to meet him in his apartment and finds the truth about his feelings from his friend.
Sinthiya rushes to meet Baskar and tells him that marriage is not worth the rash decision and tells him to wait until she can reciprocate his love. Baskar is willing to take the risk and now for most of the movie, Sinthiya tries to like him and Baskar tries to impress her.
At one time, her parents come to know of his feelings and they support him. A miscommunication between Sinthiya, her parents and Baskar causes a rift and now Sinthiya's mother hates him. Sinthiya's father works as a fireman and on one of the missions, dies.
Now, Baskar gets thinking and feels that Sinthiya should have a better life than be a wife to him and moves away. Sinthiya realises she has feelings for him, but agrees to marry someone else on her mother's account.
Just before the marriage, she realises the depth of Baskar's feelings and has premonitions about Baskar's life being in danger. She leaves to find Baskar, but meets with a serious accident. Baskar comes along at last, with Sinthiya's mother's permission, to save her and they unite.
A relatively funny movie with Baskar's dwarf friend. It got a little serious and dramatic towards the end. However, the storyline was interesting and new idea to look at stuntmen in Tamil cinema. The songs were tolerable. nenjakootil and dailaamu were memorable. Movie worth a watch.
'Risk' Baskar is known to take up very dangerous shots in movies and carries them out fearlessly. Sinthiya is an arts student, who is very cultured and the most loved girl in school. However, she treats all the guys as friends. To get her, 3 of her 'guyfriends' get Baskar to help them out.
But Sinthiya sees through the trick. She scolds him but after frequent meetings, they become good friends.
Baskar's master sees that Sinthiya would mean trouble and advises Baskar to stay away from her. To respect his words, Baskar tells the same to Sinthiya. She advises him to marry a girl and Baskar, on impulse asks her to marry him. Sinthiya becomes mad at him, but Baskar tells it was an offer on impulse and says he can carry on the same way. Sinthiya apologises.
When Baskar carries on with his daily work, he discovers, he actually has feelings for Sinthiya. He tries to respect the friendship that Sinthiya shares with him and decides to marry another girl. Having not seen him for a few days, Sinthiya goes to meet him in his apartment and finds the truth about his feelings from his friend.
Sinthiya rushes to meet Baskar and tells him that marriage is not worth the rash decision and tells him to wait until she can reciprocate his love. Baskar is willing to take the risk and now for most of the movie, Sinthiya tries to like him and Baskar tries to impress her.
At one time, her parents come to know of his feelings and they support him. A miscommunication between Sinthiya, her parents and Baskar causes a rift and now Sinthiya's mother hates him. Sinthiya's father works as a fireman and on one of the missions, dies.
Now, Baskar gets thinking and feels that Sinthiya should have a better life than be a wife to him and moves away. Sinthiya realises she has feelings for him, but agrees to marry someone else on her mother's account.
Just before the marriage, she realises the depth of Baskar's feelings and has premonitions about Baskar's life being in danger. She leaves to find Baskar, but meets with a serious accident. Baskar comes along at last, with Sinthiya's mother's permission, to save her and they unite.
A relatively funny movie with Baskar's dwarf friend. It got a little serious and dramatic towards the end. However, the storyline was interesting and new idea to look at stuntmen in Tamil cinema. The songs were tolerable. nenjakootil and dailaamu were memorable. Movie worth a watch.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
C.I.D. Shankar
Starring South Indian cinema James Bond, Jaishankar, C.I.D. Shakuntala (after this movie), venniraadai Murthy, Manoharan, O.A.K. Devar, thengaai Srinivasan, V.S.Raghavan and others, the movie is about the mission of solving political murders.
The movie opens with a gang drugging women to become human bombs and kill political leaders.
The police division is out to hunt this group down. C.I.D. Shankar is out to catch them. He and his assistant reach the location to be diverted by the villains, but they escape.
The cop on duty prior to them is fatally injured. Shakuntala saves him, but he dies. While investigating the dead man's apartment, Shakar meets with his sister and asks her to be careful.
Bit by bit Shankar moves closer to the gang. On the way, many lives are lost. Finally, Shakuntala's brother offers to help. When they reach his house, they leave to meet his friend, who is a plant researcher and he tells Shankar about the drug that the group uses and then takes them to the location. The group finds out that it was a trap. They are held in their prison.
When Manohar realises that his ideals are not the same as that of the group, he starts helping Shankar out and the last 30 minutes was them getting the bad guys.
The last 30 minutes was grueling to sit and watch since the ending was pretty clear. Also it seemed like the story was disjointed in many places and sometimes there was underacting. And some bits seemed ridiculous - like the bad guys messaging on the roadside 'secretly' with their machines totally in the open. It was a tolerable movie to watch, although I would have let it pass.
The movie opens with a gang drugging women to become human bombs and kill political leaders.
The police division is out to hunt this group down. C.I.D. Shankar is out to catch them. He and his assistant reach the location to be diverted by the villains, but they escape.
The cop on duty prior to them is fatally injured. Shakuntala saves him, but he dies. While investigating the dead man's apartment, Shakar meets with his sister and asks her to be careful.
Bit by bit Shankar moves closer to the gang. On the way, many lives are lost. Finally, Shakuntala's brother offers to help. When they reach his house, they leave to meet his friend, who is a plant researcher and he tells Shankar about the drug that the group uses and then takes them to the location. The group finds out that it was a trap. They are held in their prison.
When Manohar realises that his ideals are not the same as that of the group, he starts helping Shankar out and the last 30 minutes was them getting the bad guys.
The last 30 minutes was grueling to sit and watch since the ending was pretty clear. Also it seemed like the story was disjointed in many places and sometimes there was underacting. And some bits seemed ridiculous - like the bad guys messaging on the roadside 'secretly' with their machines totally in the open. It was a tolerable movie to watch, although I would have let it pass.
Monday, April 2, 2007
chakravarthi thirumagal
Starring M.G.R., Anjala Devi, Varalakshmi, Veerappa, 'danaal' Thangavelu, N.S.Krishnan and his wife, the movie is the tale of love, ambition and mistaken identity.
Anjala is the princess of a properous kingdom. The king intends to marry his daughter off to the prince who is able to win an intelligent and brave test. M.G.R. intends to defeat the arrogance of the princess for having subjected the failed princes to rigourous punishments.
Anjala goes for horse riding in a man's costume, accompanied with her friend, Varalakshmi, but she loses the friend along the way and gets trapped with theives. M.G.R. comes to the rescue and mistaking the princess for a man, takes him to his resthouse.
The next day, M.G.R. wins the first of the trials and both the princess and her friend fall for him. Anjala pretends to be a friend of the princess and meets M.G.R. in secret, claiming to be the sister of the man M.G.R. had rescued the day before. So begins their tale of love. M.G.R. continues to wins all the challenges. Now, Anjala admits her real identity to him.
Meanwhile, Varalakshmi has her own plans to marry M.G.R. She comes to know of Veerappa's liking of Anjala and sets up a plan with him.
Right after the marriage, Varalakshmi gives Anjala sleeping potion. Veerappa takes Anjala with him, while Varalakshmi dresses up as the princess and makes up an elopement story for the king. The king accepts and sends Varalakshmi as his daughter.
M.G.R., having seen the princess before refuses to accept her, but Varalakshmi pretends someone had fooled him. M.G.R. is heartbroken and leaves the palace and wanders.
Meanwhile, Anjala is shocked to find herself with Veerappa and runs away from him and falls into the hands of the tribals. She manages to meet M.G.R. with the help of a tribal girl, escapes from them. She goes to his kingdom. M.G.R. returns to his land and tries to find Anjala, in disguise.
When he loses Anjala, Veerappa comes to M.G.R.'s land and finds Varalakshmi as the queen and realises he is double crossed. But continues to help her.
Anjala hears of a queen from her country and wants to know who has taken her place. She is shocked to find her dear friend, but believes her story, when she claims the prince is frivolous. Varalakshmi offers to drop her off and hires M.G.R.'s carriage. M.G.R. plays with her. In the end, Veerappa and Varalakshmi die and the couple unites.
An interesting royal tale. Lots of the old time stories had unique story lines and very nice way of portrayal, without any excess skin show or passion on the screen. Songs weren't extraordinary, but bearable to listen to and again, all of the crew has done a good job in the acting. Worth a watch!
Anjala is the princess of a properous kingdom. The king intends to marry his daughter off to the prince who is able to win an intelligent and brave test. M.G.R. intends to defeat the arrogance of the princess for having subjected the failed princes to rigourous punishments.
Anjala goes for horse riding in a man's costume, accompanied with her friend, Varalakshmi, but she loses the friend along the way and gets trapped with theives. M.G.R. comes to the rescue and mistaking the princess for a man, takes him to his resthouse.
The next day, M.G.R. wins the first of the trials and both the princess and her friend fall for him. Anjala pretends to be a friend of the princess and meets M.G.R. in secret, claiming to be the sister of the man M.G.R. had rescued the day before. So begins their tale of love. M.G.R. continues to wins all the challenges. Now, Anjala admits her real identity to him.
Meanwhile, Varalakshmi has her own plans to marry M.G.R. She comes to know of Veerappa's liking of Anjala and sets up a plan with him.
Right after the marriage, Varalakshmi gives Anjala sleeping potion. Veerappa takes Anjala with him, while Varalakshmi dresses up as the princess and makes up an elopement story for the king. The king accepts and sends Varalakshmi as his daughter.
M.G.R., having seen the princess before refuses to accept her, but Varalakshmi pretends someone had fooled him. M.G.R. is heartbroken and leaves the palace and wanders.
Meanwhile, Anjala is shocked to find herself with Veerappa and runs away from him and falls into the hands of the tribals. She manages to meet M.G.R. with the help of a tribal girl, escapes from them. She goes to his kingdom. M.G.R. returns to his land and tries to find Anjala, in disguise.
When he loses Anjala, Veerappa comes to M.G.R.'s land and finds Varalakshmi as the queen and realises he is double crossed. But continues to help her.
Anjala hears of a queen from her country and wants to know who has taken her place. She is shocked to find her dear friend, but believes her story, when she claims the prince is frivolous. Varalakshmi offers to drop her off and hires M.G.R.'s carriage. M.G.R. plays with her. In the end, Veerappa and Varalakshmi die and the couple unites.
An interesting royal tale. Lots of the old time stories had unique story lines and very nice way of portrayal, without any excess skin show or passion on the screen. Songs weren't extraordinary, but bearable to listen to and again, all of the crew has done a good job in the acting. Worth a watch!
Periya idaththu penn
M.G.R., Saroja Devi, Ashokan, M.R.Radha, Manimala, Nagesh and others act in this movie of a subtle The Taming of the Shrew.
Saroja and Ashokan are the children of a rich family in a village and they pretty much rule the village with an evil hand. M.G.R. is always awake to evil acts and challenges them. He lives with his widowed sister. He has 2 cousins, one of whom he is in love with.
Saroja and M.G.R. frequently cross each other's path and harbour mutual hatred towards each other. Saroja finds out that Ashokan likes M.G.R.'s wife-to-be Manimala and pushes her father to fix the match. Being in a fix, Manimala's father lies about a promise of marrying his daughter to the winner of a silambaatam match.
Saroja's classmate, Nagesh wants to marry her and approaches her brother. Planning to use him for the match to happen, Ashokan promises his sister's hand, is Nagesh helped him during the match. Nagesh agrees.
During the match, as expected, M.G.R. was winning, but Nagesh adds sleeping pills to his drink and Ashokan ends up winning Manimala's hand. After the marriage, Nagesh asks for his side of the promise, but is turned down. He is vengeful and tells the truth to M.G.R. With only half communicated matter, M.G.R. thinks Saroja is the cause and takes an oath to her that he would marry her and teach her a lesson.
Meanwhile there is frequent friction between M.G.R. and the rich family. As a result, they attack him with hitmen and burn down his home. M.G.R.'s sister is saddened by her brother's plight and asks for justice at the rich man's. M.G.R. never sees her next morning, but her letter for him seems to end as though she is dead. He is devastated. M.R.Radha is also shocked by the news.
M.G.R. leaves for the city and meets Nagesh, who grooms him into a Westernized gentleman. Now, he puts his plan of trapping Saroja and wins. They marry happily, but none of them know the truth about who he actually is.
When M.G.R. is staying at his in-laws, he suspects that M.R.Radha knows something about his sister as he finds him moaning her name in sleep. He plays a game and finds out that M.R.Radha had raped his sister the night she had died. He is disgusted and walks out of the house, leaving his wife behind.
He is much tortured by his wife's absence, but is not able to accept the daughter of his sister's rapist. He hears of his wife's pregnancy and then childbirth. Unable to control himself, he goes to see his family. As he runs out, he finds a dark figure killed his father-in-law and running away. He follows, only to find his sister in the dark cape. He is happy to find her, but the cops follow her and finally she jumps to her death and M.G.R. is re-united with the rest of the family.
An interesting twist to the movie in the climax. Also, the movie was fast paced and the songs were a treat to listen to - paarappa pazhaniappa, kattodu kuzhalaada, andru vanthathum, thulliodum kaalgalenge, kannenna kannena, avanukenna. Reading the list, all the songs were superhits. Definitely not a movie to miss.
Saroja and Ashokan are the children of a rich family in a village and they pretty much rule the village with an evil hand. M.G.R. is always awake to evil acts and challenges them. He lives with his widowed sister. He has 2 cousins, one of whom he is in love with.
Saroja and M.G.R. frequently cross each other's path and harbour mutual hatred towards each other. Saroja finds out that Ashokan likes M.G.R.'s wife-to-be Manimala and pushes her father to fix the match. Being in a fix, Manimala's father lies about a promise of marrying his daughter to the winner of a silambaatam match.
Saroja's classmate, Nagesh wants to marry her and approaches her brother. Planning to use him for the match to happen, Ashokan promises his sister's hand, is Nagesh helped him during the match. Nagesh agrees.
During the match, as expected, M.G.R. was winning, but Nagesh adds sleeping pills to his drink and Ashokan ends up winning Manimala's hand. After the marriage, Nagesh asks for his side of the promise, but is turned down. He is vengeful and tells the truth to M.G.R. With only half communicated matter, M.G.R. thinks Saroja is the cause and takes an oath to her that he would marry her and teach her a lesson.
Meanwhile there is frequent friction between M.G.R. and the rich family. As a result, they attack him with hitmen and burn down his home. M.G.R.'s sister is saddened by her brother's plight and asks for justice at the rich man's. M.G.R. never sees her next morning, but her letter for him seems to end as though she is dead. He is devastated. M.R.Radha is also shocked by the news.
M.G.R. leaves for the city and meets Nagesh, who grooms him into a Westernized gentleman. Now, he puts his plan of trapping Saroja and wins. They marry happily, but none of them know the truth about who he actually is.
When M.G.R. is staying at his in-laws, he suspects that M.R.Radha knows something about his sister as he finds him moaning her name in sleep. He plays a game and finds out that M.R.Radha had raped his sister the night she had died. He is disgusted and walks out of the house, leaving his wife behind.
He is much tortured by his wife's absence, but is not able to accept the daughter of his sister's rapist. He hears of his wife's pregnancy and then childbirth. Unable to control himself, he goes to see his family. As he runs out, he finds a dark figure killed his father-in-law and running away. He follows, only to find his sister in the dark cape. He is happy to find her, but the cops follow her and finally she jumps to her death and M.G.R. is re-united with the rest of the family.
An interesting twist to the movie in the climax. Also, the movie was fast paced and the songs were a treat to listen to - paarappa pazhaniappa, kattodu kuzhalaada, andru vanthathum, thulliodum kaalgalenge, kannenna kannena, avanukenna. Reading the list, all the songs were superhits. Definitely not a movie to miss.
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