Review: 3 (2012)




"Why this kolaveri and Why 3? Why?" is the question that starts lingering in your mind as soon the end credits start rolling out.

There is no major storyline in "3" which is titled so because it is made and acted by the successors of 3 pioneers of tamil cinema. (Kasthuri Raja - Kamal Hassan - Rajnikanth) Also "3" is titled "3" because it showcases 3 different timelines or phases in the lead pair's life.

The only interesting part was the school romance between Ram (Dhanush) and Janani (Shruti). That was something fresh and it seemed to connect to the audience. Once Ram and Janani grow up, your head starts paining even so that the music director gave up and put his tunes on a recursive loop one after the other.

"3" could never have been anything innovative or better. Technically, it could have been presented in a more flamboyant way. At once Bollywood was "disease-struck" and now it is Kollywood's turn. One movie after another we have learnt the various diseases and health disorders that humans could get. It does educate us but it is not worth buying a ticket stub for.

Dhanush acts well. He has matured from a "rowdy" to a decent actor but again he seems to go on the "mental" loop. If he likes acting a man going out of control more often, he should consider doing stage play where the same drama is repeated location after location.

Background music by Anirudh shows that he's following Ilayaraja, Yuvan and GVP at the same time. Good for him but bad for the audience. Songs were awesome and the picturisation was also pretty out-of-the-ordinary. Sound engineer Resul Pookutty's inclusion in the crew was of no use except that you hear minute sounds more better (Maybe that is what his work is!)

Mobile and automobile partners Aircel and Audi have sure got their screen space. You see Dhanush using pocket internet 3G to view facebook on the beach and Audi logo has been given some space in between the dancing troupe in the "Why this kolaveri" song. You can actually see the dancers leaving some space so that the audi logo is seen.

Shruti Hassan is totally horror movie material. She would definitely make a great ghost even beating the legends exisiting still.

I was completely unsure about the genre of the movie because it has Comedy, Drama, Action, Comedy in action, Love, Chennai school children kissing and hugging (dating back to Khushi era where such things were definitely not prevalent..Maybe they took the "kattipudi kattipudi da" song very seriously), Crime. It also scares you. Probably Aishwarya wanted to make a romantic thriller but she has failed big time.

I don't have more to comment on this movie because there isn't anything to say when you are completely unsatisfied. I would say "3" is a rocket launch mishap mid-way. It starts of well and ends at the bottom of the sea.


Genre: #N/A

Rating: 2/5

3 - Would have been better as a short film!

Review: Agent Vinod (2012)

Sriram Raghavan's Agent Vinod is a definite must watch, atleast once. To know why? Read on..

Saif Ali Khan never impressed us with his action hero antics. Or even if he tried doing, I don't remember any instance. But with Agent Vinod, although he tries to prove that 'HE' should be chosen as the next James Bond, he does impress us. The actor pulls of stunning stunts and he does so in a stylish and suave manner.

The movie starts of with an interesting and confusing premise in Afghanistan and then the plot takes us through an action packed tour of the world. (Should have been titled AW i.e. Around the World)
Kareena is definitely not the 'bond' girl (or Vinod girl) but she plays an innocent looking yet spy-capable Pakistani girl who woos the hero with her looks and in bollywood ishtyle.
Perhaps every Indian RAW or CBI or whatever agent is trained to fall in love with someone or the other (maybe that is a reason why Indian Intelligence doesn't feature among MI6, FBI, Interpol, etc.). That is one thing that Bollywood movies never come out of. Maybe its the 'mass pleasing' ingredient but I strongly feel these should be given a break to actually see if we really miss these things. Kareena has learnt acting well and after "Ekk main aur ek tu" she definitely proved that she has some potential but there was one flaw which went to the final print without any one noticing. She says "aage se left me mera ghar tha" and she points to her right. (How stupid!).

Sriram Raghavan takes us through cricket rival nations (in the midst of European exotic lands) namely Pakistan and Sri Lanka where they speak Hindi and Tamil so fluently that you start getting a doubt. Sri Lankan tamil is totally different from what you used to speak Mr.Raghavan and I did like Rajnikanth song playing all of a sudden when the hero chases a Tamil tiger. (Also seems like Raghavan's ode to James Bond-Sin City-Quentin Tarantino)
Most of the supporting cast reveal their characters so easily that you can clearly guess. It all starts of with Bhojpuri Superstar from Bihar regiment (read. Ravi Kishen special appearance) who clearly shows with his suspicious face that he is here to save the hero. (And how many spy films will have the spy-spy brotherhood, partners in the agency one loses the other and feels bad, huh! Aren't spies trained to be strong at heart. They always lose their heart to a hot and/or cute chick)

It is interesting to see the presence of a Mahindra Scorpio in a convoy for a Pakistani hot shot in Karachi. I really can't comment on the authenticity because there is always a possibility that they have a market there or that a possibility of cars being smuggled in.

To sum it all up, its BMW(v)Chevrolet-Harley-Delhi CNG Auto-Bajaj Pulsar-Mini graphic Helicopter hovering over Delhi-Slow moving boats-fast moving camera-slick editing-pathetic and sometimes funny dialogues-poor characterization-70s background music here and there-Lashkar-Tamil tigers-decent premise and plot-brilliant direction powering an intellectually able story with many inexcusable flaws.

The ending was brilliant. The message conveyed was something no one would have thought of and is something which will leave everyone pondering about the truth of it. If only had these logical flaws been corrected and few unnecessary scenes been removed, Agent Vinod would have set a benchmark of a perfect spy thriller. But nobody is ever perfect. Next time, Mr.Raghavan. (Why don't you try Kollywood?)

Should be a digestable movie by anyone. A brave attempt in Bollywood and something to be appreciated rather than crushing it. (An awesome video game material which also could have been a trendsetting movie franchise)

Rating: 2.5/5


Agent Vinod: If only!

P.S. Wait till the credits roll out to get a glimpse of the actual Vinod girl(s)!

Good Night | Good Morning - My Perspective

Sudhish Kamath's 'Good Night | Good Morning' is interesting, not because of its story but because of its content. As Karan Johar rightly commented, it's a cerebral joyride. There are various types and reasons why a director makes movies. Some want to create awareness, some want to enthrall and enliven people. What is great about this movie is that it makes you think. It makes you relate yourself to either of the lead actors. There is a connect happening.

Sudhish pays a tribute to cinema as such for he's been criticizing them now and then. His movie speaks for himself. At the end of it, it says "See.. I'm not a movie which will linger in people's minds for decades but I'm something which will make you laugh and cry at the same time".

Technically, putting your money on a black and white conversation flick is not just a simple gamble, it takes hard nuts to crack to actually do it. I'm happy to see a lot of great film personalities associated and also that it has a 'Madras' connection.

I think this would more fit into home entertainment, say watching alone(which I did and I love doing that) or with friends and not something to be watched on the big screen because you would want to rewind and watch certain parts again just because of its glorius impact on you.

Cinematography and Background score have very few things to do but some shots and some scores are just brilliant.

The film has a lasting impact on you (also a global mark as to what Indians can do) and post watching this you will have a pleasantly disturbed few minutes (in which I sat down and wrote this). Watch it to experience a grateful tribute to Indian Cinema.

And I was even more surprised when I figured that one of the writers, Shilpa Rathnam, was my school (read. National Public School, Chennai) alumni and I used to see her during the assembly and of course here and there. Her father was one of the legendary stage artists of his time.

The content of the whole conversation give you a Deja vu feeling and every minute you relate to a real life incident. I like such movies.

Sudhish Kamath -Way to go and Shilpa Rathnam - Proud of you!



P.S. This isn't one my usual movie review posts so no rating but all I want to say is - Don't miss it!

Review: Kahaani (2012)

From the director of 'Jhankaar Beats' comes a totally contrasting yet amazing film. 'Kahaani' is a story about Bidda Bagchi (Vidya Bagchi played by Vidya Balan) who lands in 'Amaar Kolkata' from London in search of her husband, Arnab Bagchi. But the story is not so ordinary like you think. From the moment she lands, things get complicated and to enjoy the complications better visit the theatre near you. I promise: you're in for an edge of the seat thriller.

Technically, the movie is brilliant and its easily one of the best thrillers Bollywood has ever produced. You end up thinking, "Where's been this talent all along?" Bollywood is currently undergoing a transition - a transition in film making technology, story telling and of course acting. This film is an example of that. Although Ra.One was also an example of the same, after watching 'Kahaani' rest assured things are in the right track.

Kolkata is always thought of as the most crowded and the dirtiest cities and Director Sujoy Ghosh makes his cameraman capture the same. In fact, never before have I seen so many intricate details of the scene enviroment captured so beautifully. It was real yet surreal. Durga Puja is captured so awesomely and the vibrant red and cream and white colors paint the screen and with apt music from Vishal-Shekar, the viewer is taken for a tour inside the real Kolkata during Durga Puja.

Vidya Balan is amazing. She has a long way to go in Bollywood. She has a very promising future. I think she should try other languages too. But going forward, she has to choose her roles very carefully because expectations will tend to increase after this performance. Hats off to Vidya Balan. On the onset of Women's day, she will definitely get added to my 'adore' list.

The supporting cast is full of Bongs and they add the real flavor to the cinema. Their pronunciation, their lifestyle all add to the freshness of the script. 'Kahaani' is an out and out Desi mystery/thriller. Now how many movies fall into this genre. 'Kahaani' might have been one of those classic bengali films you would have never heard of but that it speaks hindi and has the proper ingredients to cater to a larger public.

I loved the movie. It made my day. It made my mind think so much. The director keeps us guessing all along and in the end, when it all makes sense you are awestruck. Such brilliant think such good interlinking between characters marks the stamp of a 'legend in the making'.

I am a movie addict and 'Kahaani' gave me the 'kick' that I was searching for all along.

Watch it and enjoy and spread the cheer.

Rating: 4/5

'Kahaani' - Truly a mother of a story!