Review: Dhobi Ghat (2011)

From the stable of 'Lagaan' and 'Peepli Live', comes 'Dhobi Ghat' (subtitled Mumbai Diaries). Writer-Direcor and wife of Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao takes bollywood for a spin churning out a subtle, urbane documentary of people entering Mumbai.

There is nothing much to look in for a particular storyline as the viewer is confused when the credits start rolling. 'That's all?' is the question that pops up.

Thanks to the internet, i got to watch the movie at home in my mini-home theatre.

Although, the movie lacked something right from the start, the 'just' sight of every frame creates ripples in the viewer's thoughts as they've been shot keeping the minute and intricate details in mind. There are no flaws whatsoever.

Kiran Rao has written the character's after a lot of research and nowhere can you find the stamp of an amateur. Kiran Rao's Dhobi Ghat is on par with the finest movies of bollywood, even India on the whole.

Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra and Aamir Khan come up with 'gape open' and legendary performances that you start to wonder - India too has talent.

The background music is soft, never makes an attempt to shatter your ears. Most part of the movie has natural sounds. Editing is slick and Cinematography is still. Not much of movement but live scenes have been shot well.

Just like the movie, let the review be kept short. Dhobi Ghat is a movie that has stood apart from the bollywood trend and is a brave first attempt from Kiran Rao. Watch out for her future endeavours, she sure does have substance.

Though there is no satisfaction from the viewer's end, one must appreciate the work of this amateur.


Rating: 3/5


Dhobi Ghat: Not 'fully' washed!

Review: Kaavalan (2011)

The 'Friends' trio is back with 'Kaavalan'. Only this time with more of rom-com and a tinge of commercial elements. Kaavalan is an emotional drama and is sure to keep vijay fans and the general movie goer alive and fresh.

The movie starts off on a letdown-ish note with some stupid fights and awkward dance steps for the folk song. The first 15-20 minutes resembles 'almost' previous vijay flicks. But as soon as these annoying minutes are over, the visuals are bang on target. Siddique has portrayed a 'different' vijay. A 'vijay' which we all would have seen a decade ago and forgotten but the only difference lies in his 'backward ageing' and his cool charisma which is sure to woo the lady folk and some men too. (:P)

I don't think i'll be letting off the story because of 2 reasons. One that there is nothing special and the other that there are pretty decent twists and turns.

Vijay is back in his chocolate boy image. The college lover. His comic timings are laughable and his stints with vadivelu sure sprouted both silent and gape open laughs.

Asin looks homely in most parts of the movie and super hot in the few other parts. Her over make-up sometimes spoils the mood. She has acted well and her performance otherwise is laudable.

The most talked about 'Vijay-Asin' chemistry was missing as quoted by many critics and viewers. But that is definitely not a negative point and its absence had a meaning. Watch the movie to know more.

Raj Kiran, Roja and Mithra Kurian do their parts well although i felt 'Nizhalgal' Ravi and 'Delhi' Ganesan were underplayed. But there is a reason for this, there was no space for too many characters. Siddique has given enough treatment to the story and it is Vijay who rules. His screen presence is just amazing.

The costumes department has surely made Vijay look a lot better than his previous flicks. He looks handsome and stunning.

The movie definitely needed lot many cuts. Too many unwanted scenes spoilt the actor's charisma. If Kaavalan went under proper scissors, the movie would easily be declared the 'Movie of the year' for it being a perfect recipie made out of specially treated ingredients.

Vidyasagar's music is simply mesmerizing. His melody tunes are simply superb. The background score in action sequences were noisy yet astounding.

Although there are a few loopholes in the story, the movie ends with an intriguing and emotionally gripping climax, one of the best in recent times. Hats off to the director.

Director Siddique has made an attempt to break free Vijay from the shackles of illogical and dumb commercial cinema and the attempt is 'near' perfect yet successful. There sure are a lot of changes in the actor and Kaavalan is definitely not a usual Vijay flick.

Watch it! Not for a different tamil film but for a different vijay film. Vijay is back to Acting. ( :) :D)



Rating: 3/5


Kaavalan - 'Some'thing Different!

Review: 127 Hours (2010)

Here is my 60th post!

Academy Award Winner Danny Boyle's adaptation of Aron Ralston's real life story is 127 Hours. A truly inspirational and mesmerizing movie. Definitely not better than Inception but doesn't fail to raise awe either.

127 Hours is the true story of a canyoneer Aron Ralston's, brilliantly portrayed by James Franco, remarkable adventure in saving himself after he traps himself in an isolated canyon in Utah. The title signifies the amount of time he's been trapped in the canyon with his hand stuck under a boulder. Watch the movie to experience the adventure.

Danny Boyle has a vision, a wide 360 degree panoramic vision. Never seen any director give so much importance to minute details. 127 hours has a stylish narration, something totally different from what the oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire had to offer. Danny Boyle's style of story telling has changes. 127 hours is a complete new experience.

The movie is centrally based on a single character and the ways he takes to survive and save himself. Since the story is true, some of the methods adopted by the protagonist makes the viewer shed tears and literally feel the pain.

James Franco has done a fantastic job. Danny Boyle has the squeezed the acting out of him. But to such a story, one had to do justice and James Franco does it with ease.

Cinematography by Enrique Chediak and Anthony Dod Mantle is utter brilliance. Music by A.R.Rahman is divine and also gives an Indian touch to the movie in a few places.

Although i could find minor mistakes, especially with the shadows (they haven't been mastered properly in a few places) , 127 Hours is a dark and an emotional adventure brilliantly treated by Danny Boyle. Hope it wins him an oscar this time too. Kudos and All the best to him!


Rating: 3.5/5


127 Hours - Brilliance!

Review: Man-Madan-Ambu (2010)

'Universal Hero' Kamal Hassan's short term flick Man-Madan-Ambu had arrived a week back and is here to stay in the viewer's minds. A heads up for all those who still haven't watched the movie, it is not a comedy movie and is nowhere close to 'Panchathantitram' in terms of comedy but equals 75% of its entertainment value.

Though drawing inspiration from 'Emotional Atyachaar' and other infidelity cases, Man-Madan-Ambu is a romantic drama set in lovely locations including venice, barcelona, kodaikanal to name a few. It thrills and chills with its subtle plot twists.

The movie starts off on a rather sober note with things going too slowly but as Kamal enters the frame, every moment is CLASS. He doesn't fail to entertain. He has his own comedy dialogues told in a way pertaining to the sadness of the character.

Trisha has acted so brilliantly and also dubbed her own voice. She looks stunning and her mere presence seems so suave.

Madhavan's character did not have any scope for acting but he does well. Sangeetha's local voice is sometimes cacophonous but her dialogues had some good comedy moments.

Oorvasi and Ramesh Arvind play touchy roles. Especially Ramesh Arvind, never seen him getting down to the skin of the character. Real class.

Kamal's screenplay was sluggish at places but later it compensated churning out a good movie although the plot was debatable.

My favourite song 'Neela Vaanam' was picturised beautifully. Something that was never seen before in Indian Cinema. A different choreography and camera work. Whose ever brainchild it was, kudos to you!

The movie makes you cry, LOL but definitely not ROFL like Kamal's earlier Panchathantiram, PKS and Vasoolraja did.

The quantities of romance, comedy and thrill was apt for a breezy entertainer.

All in all, Man-Madan-Ambu definitely deserves a one time watch. Do not miss it.


Rating: 3/5


Man-Madan-Ambu: Touchy and Classy!

Review: Mirch (2010)

Writer-Director Vinay Shukla's Mirch is fascinating. The movie's pace is fast and it keeps you asking for more.

When i first watched the trailer, i gaped at the steamy scenes and was startled that such movies make it to the big screen. But when i sat to down to watch the movie, with all great expectations, i was in for a surprise. Of course, the scenes in the trailer were there in the movie, but that wasn't all. The viewer is taken on a ride with a good dose of thrills and chills.

The Indian film industry seems to be getting inspired from UTV Bindass' Emotional Atyachaar, a lot these days with many movies coming up on infidelity. Though Mirch is on the same lines, it is also slightly different.

It is definitely not an ordinary adult movie. It is just like those chicks you come across with both beauty and brain. An all in one stuff. A definite must watch.

Upcoming actor Arunoday Singh plays the protagonist and performs well. He is lucky to share the steamy screen space with two hot 'bong' chicks, viz. Konkana Sen Sharma and Raima Sen.

His acting is par excellence and the guy has some future in the industry.

Konkana Sen plays her usual best. She gets to the bottom of the character and plays it with ease. Raima Sen, on the other hand, has shown some grit and has come up with an laudable performance.

Boman Irani, the legend, does his part well. He will definitely remain one of my most unforgettable actors in India or say even the world.

Ila Arun, Prem Chopra and others come up with decent portrayals of their characters.

All-in-all, Vinay Shukla's Mirch is fantabulous and a movie to cherish. It was a thorough entertainer. On the personal side, i saw my future in Vinay Shukla. If, sometime in the future, i get to make a movie, it will definitely be in the lines of Mirch. Hats off, Vinay Shukla!

Rating: 3.5/5

Mirch : Spicy Hot!!!