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The Great Indian Kitchen (2021)
The true state of an Indian Kitchen
Hats off to Malayalam cinema for giving us another gem of movie. Cinema is a visualization of real life. This movie does that with great perfection. I'd say the title is an intelligent selection, giving us a glimpse into what happens in the kitchen of the average Indian household. We get to see various South Indian dishes at different stages of preparation, but please do not mistake this as a "cooking" movie. Because what's actually cooking is something more than good. It's the heart and emotions of the Indian wife.
Each and every scene, each and every gesture talks volumes about the treatment of the Indian wife. The kitchen is considered to be the world of the woman, and men take this too literally. They think the woman should consider it a privilege to toil in the kitchen the whole day. Not only the kitchen, but taking care of the house and attending to the needs of the family is supposed to feel like heaven on earth. The measuring factor of a woman's goodness is how dumb and submissive she can be with her husband and in-laws.
An impressive highlight of this movie is absolutely no bgm, which only adds to the strength of each frame. The movie flows through a gripping and engrossing screenplay, with a too relative storyline and impeccable performances.
Nimisha is a brilliant find. I didn't give her much thought in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, but here she has given an extraordinary performance. The gradual turbulence in her emotions feels so natural and original. She doesn't defy the traditions and ways of her husband's house as any typical Indian wife. The way she's taken for granted is all too familiar in the common Indian household.
Suraj is making waves as a talented actor. From comedy to emotion to character performances, is there any role that this guy cannot act? He fits into the character with a tee and is excellent as the typical Indian husband. Males hate being referred to as chauvinists, and they have their own definition of chauvinism. They vehemently deny having any association with the character of a chauvinist. Suraj does that in a truly believable manner.
Felt like an extended short movie, with each visual carrying loads of worthy material.
Aadai (2019)
Feminism redefined
Feminism redefined
Curiousity drove me to watch this mivie. Though I had some apprehensions in mind, I was sure it would not be a revolting concept. What surprised me, is far from that, this movie has a strong message for today's youngsters. It was actually a fresh take on feminism and what freedom to think and act actually means. I don't want to explain much about the performances because it would spoil the thrill if you haven't already watched it. Of course, Amala Paul is definitely extra bold to have pulled this off. Good thing is all that effort is actually meant to reflect on the present-day attitude of this generation. There is no explicit nudity shown on screen. New faces impress you with their acting talents. Screenplay and bgm complement each other. A real daring attempt, but you don't feel bad at the end of the movie.
Ratchasaan (2018)
A psychological thriller scarier than a horror movie
A flawless, well- crafted movie. Though it had a running time of more than 2 1/2 hours, I didn't feel that a single scene was wasted. The plot, screenplay, editing all moved the storyline perfectly. Beautifully accompanied by an interesting cinematography and much-talked about haunting bgm, the movie grips like none other. Each and every character in this movie are heroes in their own way, and not just the protagonist, Vishnu Vishal.
I usually look up Wikipedia after watching a movie and maybe some reviews in print and on YouTube. But this movie prodded me further. I was hooked into what went into the making of the movie as if I was doing a research paper. The single-minded determination of 'Naan' Saravanan, the Ratchasan Christopher, in preparing for his role is quite inspirational. Semi-villians, the younger Christopher (Yasir), Inbaraj, ACP Lakshmi (Susan) have greatly impressed me. The scene where Munishkant learns about his daughter's murder is terribly heart-wrenching.
Even without a star-studded cast, the director has effectively extracted the best performance from each crew member. Hats off to him! All the young girls in the movie, including the little Kayal, have given good performances. The love scenes are subtle, yet have the strength to show the sincere relationship between the hero and the female lead, Amala Paul. Undoubtedly one of the best Indian flicks of 2018.
Kurangu Bommai (2017)
A pat on the back for the whole team
I expected this to be a typical gunda/smuggling movie but was grossly mistaken. An engaging thriller, with edge of the seat moments made an interesting watch.
I have always held a good opinion about Vidharth. Having watched Myna and Kutrame thandanai, I view him as an underrated actor with potential. In 'Kurangu Bommai' he fits into the character to a tee.
The movie boasts of excellent screenplay. I can feel the expertise of a short film director throughout, which allures the cinematic viewing pleasure. A well-made short film gets the message straight with crisp technical work, avoiding dragging the plot with unnecessary bgm and songs. It felt good to watch such an intellectual film after a long time.
A good lot of acting has been cast, with no underperformers. Each character has been given adequate weightage and screen time which is complimentary. Actor Elangovan of Abiyum Naanum fame has taken a new avatar, and has squeezed in all his acting skills. No character surpasses any other in terms of performance, even veteran yesteryear master director Bharathiraja has put up a humble show, which is appealing and touching. A big hats off to the team!
Maanagaram (2017)
Was surprised that my whole family enjoyed this
In spite of getting good reviews, I mostly put off watching neo-noir films, coz I doubt whether it would appeal to my kids. This was a surprise indeed, and we were all hooked from start to end.
With a non-studded star cast, the movie moves intelligently from frame to frame. We surmise the characters would be interlinked at some point, but it was an unexpected points.
Maanagaram gives a realistic portrayal on a metropolitan city and the opinions of migrators. Normally, we feel secure in the safe confines of our local hometowns and villages and dread going to a metro without contacts. We are apprehensive to the lurking dangers in public transport, night time alleys and basically of people themselves. All this still holds true, but the punchline of the movie gives a much needed insight here." We cannot blame the city for the doings of the inhabitants, so if we expect help from others, we need to initiate offering help from our side."
Each character is etched artistically, without much intro or explanations. There is no irrirating love side plot or needless songs woven into the storyline. Kudos to the director, technicians and the whole team on an impeccable job.
Dangal (2016)
A unique father with unique daughters
Looking out to watch this blockbuster hit for a long time, I got my chance only a few weeks back. I had faith that Aamir Khan, the certified perfectionist would definitely do a flawless job. We have seen many father characters on screen showering their love on their daughters. But the love and adoration shown here is distinctively exemplary.
As the movie starts, we get the feeling that the father Mahavir Singh (Aamir Khan) is imposing his desires on his daughters. But as the movie progressed, I started wishing that girls get such supportive fathers who are dedicated to bringing out the best in their daughters and show them to the world.
The daughters, both younger and older versions have given a splendid performance. The younger girls portrayed a naive appearance in the beginning that we wonder how the transformation to heavyweight wrestlers was possible. But I realized that putting on weight to become hefty is not necessary, just a tremendous amount of stamina and willpower.
The wrestling scenes have been worked in good detail. More that being a sports movie, this movie spells of female empowerment in the real sense and the forward thinking of a father that a girl's life should not be spent in the kitchen alone. Hats off to the real Mahavir Singh, Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat for being such grand role models.
C/O Saira Banu (2017)
A mother in the true sense
The catchy name actually led me to the wrong belief that this movie may be on the lines of M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi. It cannot be denied the plot revolves around the mother-child sentiment but there is a refreshing treatment in a different genre altogether.
With Manju Warrier in the lead role, we can be assured that this is definitely a movie of substance. She is her usual perky self, complete with giggles and funny faces. The Muslim name actually has nothing to do with the plot; it just adds to her charm.
Boasting to be the comeback vehicle for Amala, her matured look as a lawyer had a perfect complement with a suitable dubbing voice. I almost didn't recognise Shane Nigam, the Kismat guy. It's bit of a mystery how the characters played by Manju and Shane live together, and is not entirely plausible.
The first half ambles lazily, second half gets us guessing the ending. Manju has partially reprised her role from Ennum Eppozhum as an advocate on a court case. It's ironical that there are more court scenes and intelligent arguments here than in EE where she played a professional lawyer. The plot is definitely one of a kind, with a satisfactory ending. This is another gem from Manju and can surely be ranked a worthy watch.
The Lunchbox (2013)
Waiting for lunch break
An Irfan Khan movie with a singular name, two aspects which affirmed that this would be an unusual movie. Actually it was more like a short story. I've heard about dabbawalas from my brother in law who marvelled at the flawless networked delivery system , and was pleasantly surprised to get a peek into the process. Though the plot is based on mixed delivery, I feel inclined to excuse the screenwriter because the mix-up triggers an interesting storyline. We get to experience a refreshing letter exchange in the era of Watsapp messages. I didn't understand why 'Ila' wrote in Hindi and Irfan corresponded in English; did love his enunciation though. The movie moves at a slow pace, with emotions speaking more than dialogues. The insecurities of a disconsolate housewife and soulless widower are unfolded one by one throughout the movie. There is nothing cinematic like drastic transformation of character, and that makes the screenplay more effective. A good watch for a leisurely afternoon.
Magalir Mattum (2017)
Get on the road, ladies!
With the "shooting with dosai" teaser playing wild on YouTube weeks before the release, we wait for Jo's "Back with a bang" movie with anticipation. Nostalgia hits me when I see this sharing names with the 1994 released "fearless women trio take over womanising boss " flick.
The teaser is a bit misleading, as for one, the scene shown is not replayed in the movie and second, the plot doesn't revolve around a foursome, it's actually a threesome, a buddy trio. Jo just plays the role as a motivational coach, a headstrong one ,who intends on having her way at all times.
We've got three veterans in full form, Urvasi, Banupriya and Saranya Ponvannan. Their male counterparts have humbly stepped back to allow the ladies be in the limelight, including our very own Nasar and yesteryear Sundara Purushan Livingston. Nevertheless, their roles have been executed neatly, with the desired weightage.
This is a story of three friends reuniting after nearly 30 years. As it is a road movie for most of the length of the movie, sporting rarely-seen locales from North India, it flows at a leisurely pace. Urvasi is at her best with her spontaneous humour. Like it's 1994 namesake, this is about female empowerment too but with a different recipe. Novelty is the ladies are well past their prime when they get a chance to introspect on their humdrum existence. A feel-good movie, the type of which is rarely seen in Tamil cinema, leaves you with a smile on the face, well after the ending too.
Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (2016)
A solid thriller
Heavily recommended to me as one of the finest investigative thrillers in modern Tamil Cinema, I chose a distraction-free weekend to watch this movie with full attention. I was told that I would not be able to follow the storyline if I missed a single scene, so I was all the more excited.
The movie started smoothly enough with enough to keep us hooked in the first few minutes itself. It boasts of crisp well paced dialogues and generous plot twists but not too many to the point of confusion. Loved to hear Rahman's self dubbed dialogues, tinged with a bit of Malayalam accent but confident and charming enough. We can find new faces throughout but with clearly defined characterisations of each. Ashwin Kumar, who had given an impressive negative performance in the Malayalam movie Jacobinte Swargarajyam, proves his mettle here too.
The development of the plot doesn't talk much about the investigative skills of Rahman but makes it more natural and plausible. We do keep guessing the killer after an hour into the movie but it was refreshing to not see a clichéd ending. A couple of unanswered questions are on the tip of the tongue once the movie is over but we can assume and close the loose ends
New music director Jakes Bejoy has given a supportive bgm track and commendable finishing song. Kudos to the Karthik Naren, who has ventured bravely into the cine field at such a young age and made his mark here on his maiden attempt itself.
Appa (2016)
Striking a vital chord!
Striking a vital chord!
Purely focusing on raising children, this movie scores as a genuine portrayal of India's education system. Sharing wavelength with movies like Taare Zameen Par, Pasanga, Pasanga 2 and Saattai, what makes 'Appa' unique? You need to actually watch it to perceive its significant message. Three types of child rearing are distinguished here, a father who wants to raise an academic achiever, a father who tells his child to act in accordance with the society , and a father who lets his child explore his talents and aptitude.
Samuthirakani forms the backbone of the movie, effortlessly supporting the other artists to define their characterization. The movie starts off with Samuthirakani highlighting the positive aspects of human nature and while his strong belief in the goodness of humans sound far-fetched, it intends to keep alive the spirit of life. His act of leaving a child alone in a bus is not exactly an agreed technique of teaching self-reliance to a child. Nevertheless, his methodology of raising a child , without being engulfed in a daily routine of textbooks study , feels powerful and emphatic.
Many important issues of parenting has been addressed. Adolescent behavioural changes, opposite gender attraction, choice of a career, exploration of inherent talents are some of the areas which have been given a gratifying treatment. A parent acknowledging the follies of children without severe rebuke is the biggest morale- booster for children. To be with a child through every step of life is the best gift given by a parent.
Alongwith the prominent child artists,all the members of the supporting cast have done a commendable job. Examples pf certain novel features of the plot are the reconciliation between Dayalan (Samuthirakani) and his wife and the career choice of a comperer by a fatherless poverty-stricken teenage girl.The absence of a clichéd reaction of retaliation by the wife (Vinothini) at her obnoxious husband,Singamperumal (Thambi Ramayyah), in the climax of the movie is adds weight to the quality of the movie.
The girls playing the characters 'Neela Nandhini' and 'Sajida Banu' look charming and the role of 'Mayilvaganam' is entertaining as well as insightful. Though we can predict to an extent the outcome of the climax, with the ominous bgm and the panicky expressions, it leaves a hole in the heart.
The movie revolves around the theme that we should not let our children's lives be dictated by societal norms. Kudos to the 'Nadodigal Productions' team for highlighting the pitfalls of such a contemporary issue.
Inside Man (2006)
A brilliant heist!
The intricate finesse in the enfolding of the events and the portrayal of characters has compelled me to give my comments on this movie. A perfectly planned bank heist is undertaken , right upto the treatment, segregation and attire of the hostages, which a good 45 minutes into the movie draws inexplicable motives and mode of execution.
We identify Clive Owen behind his painter's suit and mask as the chief perpetrator of the heist, based on his keen gazes and imposing voice. Denzel Washington fits into his role with a tee (as always) as a resourceful detective seeking to clear his name from a possible wreck to his career. All the techniques he employ as a hostage negotiator, though clichéd and redundant leading to shameless failure, serve to unmask the true agenda of the bank robbers. But the confidence with which he gets back after he fails each attempt, reflected in his self-assured gait makes him worthy of the deserving glory in Hollywood he has.
When Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) approaches Madeleine White( Jodie Foster ) to involve herself in the case, we smell a really big rat and can sense things are really not what they seem to be. When the true reason behind the heist is revealed, we digest it without disappointment as we were aware that something big was coming. The interrogation with the hostages after their release interspersed throughout the movie are quite engaging as we wait expectantly for someone to give a clue to the identity of the robbers. The final touch is when the mastermind of the operation, Clive Owen, escapes with his 'real' booty.
Settle down in your couch and prepare yourself for an engaging thriller....
Puthiya Niyamam (2016)
Justified vengeance
With some urging from my sister's Mallu friends a.k.a die-hard fans of Mammooty to watch this movie, my curiosity was piqued a few minutes into the movie itself. Categorised as a thriller, Puthiya Niyamam settles comfortably in the genre, similar to 22 female Kottayam and Drishyam.
A female centric movie, with both Nayanthara and Mammooty sharing the stage, the movie boasts of a taut storyline with absorbing performances. Nayanthara grips our attention from the beginning of the movie itself with her tensed appearance and curt dialogues. Mammooty ambles in and out with his carefree attitude and somewhat bland jokes. We tend to make a number of assumptions for Nayanthara's nervousness. The suspense is broken halfway through the movie, and is quite plausible indeed.
The second half of the movie has been given meticulous treatment, picking up a faster pace. Though the revelation at the climax felt a bit far-fetched, we can commend the director for closing all loose ends if events have happened otherwise. The bgm aptly fits into the mood of the storyline, except for the intro for Mammooty, which is repeated irritably during each of his entries on the screen.
The plot has touched on one of the prominent social evils of the day. With confidence , the director has added another feather to his cap with a well-made movie.
Mary Kom (2014)
Boxing against all odds...
This movie is about an inspiring life story. A Manipuri girl from a quite ordinary background with a knack for getting into physical squabble wherever she goes, decides to try her hand at boxing on chancing upon a pair of boxing gloves. From a culture where tomboyish girls are frowned upon, she rebels her way through to get formal training in the boxing sport. The movie takes us on a ride of how she undergoes the customary journey of a woman as a wife and a mother and still holding her fort as an international boxing woman champion.
The cast has been aptly chosen to portray Manipuri features and lifestyle except Priyanka, which we can overlook as she gets immersed in the character of Mary Kom and gives her best to exude the inner character of this female icon. Watching movies like these do, at most times, focus well deserved attention to such achievers who were practically unknown before but we Google them up after the movie. Certain aspects of the movie could have been better according to some critics but being a very simple movie watcher, I could count more pluses than minuses. A dialogue that I absolutely loved is when the trainer, Sunil Thapa, tells her that a woman becomes stronger only after attaining motherhood. The female body withstands a lot of physical and mental exertion on bearing a child, but I can claim with assurance that it makes a woman fit to face anything. That is the message this movie conveys and we feel proud to be from a country of this undeterred female achiever, Mary Kom.
Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2015)
Absolutely Hilarious!
Don't you love it in a movie when the characters infuse energy and hilarity in your mind, that you keep guffawing with full vigour till the end of the movie? Oru Vadakkan Selfie has a coherent comedy track, interspersed with the daily troubles faced by unemployed bachelors. Nivin proves his versatility time and again, and can confidently boast of a promising future. Aju is amazingly endearing with craziness and wittiness personified. His screen presence itself provokes fits of laughter in the audience. Vineeth Sreenivasan's entry towards the second half is a pleasant surprise and quite enjoyable. The movie takes a slightly serious turn then but not without jabs of humour. The female lead looks suave and pleasant and her character contributes to the crux of the plot. The non-romantic sequences were quite healthy and refreshing; proves the fortitude of a movie without a love interest. The portrayal of the contemporary issue of internet cheating is dealt with nonchalance and matter-of- factness. A welcome break from serious plots...
Vicky Donor (2012)
Amusing and Entertaining!
Though this movie had been on top of the charts, I had refrained from watching this for quite some time. I attributed the subject to a Hollywood style movie and wasn't sure if it could be watched with family. Now, wasn't I in for a startling revelation? The movie not only proved to be a decent watch but also put forward a social message on the subject of childless parents.
A jovial feel throughout, with a good number of laughs describes this movie experience. Annu Kapoor plays the role of Dr. Baldev Chadda, an infertility specialist, in search of the perfect sperm donor. I guess Indian cinema has already touched on the subject of surrogate mothers, but this type of infertility treatment hasn't been addressed yet (to my knowledge, maybe I'm wrong). Vicky Arora, (Ayushman Khurrana) a typical happy - go - lucky Punjabi, jobless and full of youth is the perfect candidate for Dr Chadda's requirement. Highly reluctant at first, Vicky acquiesces, enticed with the prospect of easy money. Yami Gautam looks sweet as the poised Bengali independent working Ashima Roy. How these two get married and what happens when confronted with the topic of having a child forms the rest of the story.
The movie flows easily, with perfect editing and screenplay. Music has a couple of peppy Punjabi numbers and the song "Paani da" is a soothing melody. I was surprised to learn Ayushman had sung the male version. It's been a long time since a touching climax brought tears to my eyes, but there's no melancholic strains, and the movie ends on a happy note.
Presumed Innocent (1990)
An engaging courtroom thriller
With the murder committed within the first few minutes into the movie itself, we have an idea about where we are heading towards. But as each scene plays out, and the tension builds up, we keep our fingers crossed, waiting for the inevitable. From the title itself, we can make out that it is about a guy framed for murder. The plot is designed with intelligence and moderately tense moments.
When the victim tends to be developed into a bad girl-image, you tend to sympathise with the perpetrator, though he seems 'presumably innocent.' Minus a couple of R-rated scenes, the movie is not centred on sensuality. I have loved Harrison ford since Air Force One. He brings his expressions alive as the one in a fix, searching for a way out.
The movie does have few interesting twists. When the whole truth is out, you feel you can justify it. It is an ugly but sad truth that many female employees work on men's weaknesses to climb the career ladder. The movie ends on a serious note, with Harrison's mental turmoil lingering in your mind.
The Intern (2015)
Lifts up your spirits!
When I sat down to watch this, I never expected it to be a feel-good movie. Robert de Niro overwhelms us by outperforming his caliber. I actually didn't have high hopes of the movie and was pleasantly surprised. Anne Hathaway emanates simplicity and elegance, playing her role as the overworked, ambitious, lost-the-fire-in-the-marriage wife with such finesse. I had been impressed with her in "The Devil wears Prada" and loved seeing her here, though it was the reversed role, with her playing the boss.
With neither romance nor any personal agenda involved between the protagonists, the plot has a fresh feel. The generation gap in the corporate world puts emphasis on the fact that office-goers from the 80's feel out of place in the current techno-savvy biz world, interlinked with emails and social networks. But De Niro demonstrates his knowledge deficiency with calculated ease (which seemed a little fictitious, but we enjoy it).
How Anne seemed solid on the outside but crumbling on the inside due to a failing marriage ironically on account of her achievements was commendable. De Niros's character is truly an embodiment of positivity and diligence; most people past the age of retirement feel they have retired in life too, this movie is an eye-opener that you are never too old to live.
Peruchazhi (2014)
Hysterical!!
Lives up to the name of a political satire. Had read some unfavourable reviews earlier, but when I got to watch, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Though few comedy tracks may have appeared cheap, Mohanlal and his sidekicks (Aju Varghese and Baburaj) score in making the heart light after a hectic work day. This movie is dedicated to making fun of Indian politics and their clichéd ways to woo the public. The highlight is how all this is applied to campaign an election in U.S. His outrageous techniques leave us in splits, especially when the American candidate and campaign officer dance to the tunes of an Indian- return campaign consultant.
The romance track with Ragini was quite bearable as Mohanlal doesn't overstep his bounds of playing the romance-stricken hero. Aju's and Baburaj's gimmicks, particularly when Baburaj addresses the air hostesses as 'chechi' and Aju's M.I style suspended retrieval of an important CD were hilarious. These episodes give us laughable memories even after the movie is over. You excuse the redundant corny dialogues, as it is an outright comedy.
Mohanlal never fails to impress me whichever kind of role he plays, and he does the same here, entertaining all the way. If you are looking for logic and something to feed your intellect, you may want to stay away from this movie. If you don't mind cracking up for a couple of hours and a half, go for it!
Thegidi (2014)
A straightforward movie with a fine suspense track
Thegidi boasts of no great visual effects, casting, shooting locales etc but you feel you have watched a smart thriller. When you see lot of run-of-the-mill movies popping around you with below average screenplay and editing, Thegidi emerges with a fresh difference. The movie totally relies on confident acting, effective screen writing with the right dose of anxious moments that grasp our attention.
Ashok Selvan of Pizza 2- Villa fame minus the beard, has given a smooth performance. He looks sauve and confident, proving himself to be an interesting upcoming actor. It is a refreshing change to see the protagonist take up a degree in criminology and get employed as a detective. It is a bit clichéd; that he falls for the first female subject he encounters, reminding you of Jeeva's first movie, Aasai aasaiyai. Janani Iyer looks pleasant with big eyes and equally big smile but could have been more expressive in some scenes.
When the detective agency turns out to be fake, the movie which started as an innocent love story suddenly turns out to be a gripping tale of suspense. Though you don't have action-packed chases and ominous background scores, the plot is actually a money making scam, making you feel reasonably entertained.
Jayakumar (the chef from pizza) and Pradeep Nair have given commendable performances. Jayaprakash keeps proving himself as a versatile actor, with a magnetic on-screen presence. Comedy track by Kaali and the role of Nambi is quite likable and manages to tickle the funny bone.
The ending of the movie reminded me of Yaavarum Nalam, leaving room for a probable sequel. Music is pleasing, especially the song 'Vinmeen' resonates in your ears long after the movie is over, in the enchanting voices of Abhay and Saindhavi. Newbie director P. Ramesh has given a good package with the cinematic elements in the right proportion. We expect to see more well-made movies from him in the future.
Pasanga 2 (2015)
To parents - With love
A much hyped movie of the year, a G rated entertainer, a colourful kaleidoscope of children, are the glowing attributes of Pasanga 2. With a thought-provoking start that a child needs to be appreciated for its efforts no matter whether it gets top position or not, the movie proceeds to elaborate on that message. We meet Kavin and Naina, the two troublemakers that form the key elements of the story. Their mischievous antics keep us entertained, though they lack novelty and become redundant at times. The two sets of parents could have been given more focus, as we tend to get confused which kid's parents are who for a while. And the inherent talents of the kids too were somewhat downplayed with priority given to the riots they cause.
Surya and Amala Paul come as model parents, a new-generation mom and dad, armed to the teeth with child psychology tactics and devices. Our two rowdy kids get drawn by these adult benefactors who manage to convince their parents to get them admitted in a school where talents and skills score over homework and marks. The parents finally learn to recognize and acknowledge their kids for what they love to do, giving them a standing ovation in the end.
It is a fact that Pasanga 2 has very strong affinity to 'Taare Zameen Par' to which I couldn't help comparing every now and then. What was dyslexia there is Attention deficit Hyperactive disorder here (ADHD), so the kids make a ruckus wherever they go. In spite of the similitude, Surya gives a lot that all parents need to see and absorb. His dialogues like "Pasanga ketta vaarthai peysa maattaanga, keytta vaarthaiya thaan pesuvaanga (Kids don't knowingly use foul language, only what they have heard from others). One thing that Surya manages to highlight on is the blind craze of rearing top scorers that parents get into, crushing the soul and self-esteem of their children.
In spite of many movies with similar messages, Pasanga 2 makes its mark due to the charismatic way in which the movie has been dealt.
The Pelican Brief (1993)
Give work to your brains a bit
I have to tell and affirm that movies made in the 90's have more substance and intelligence than recent ones. The movie is centered on intelligent discussion, so you need to concentrate to follow the plot. Though I haven't read John Grisham at all, I love the movies based on his novels. So far have watched A Time to Kill, Runaway Jury, The Firm, The Client; and I think the legal elements make the thriller more exciting.
Being a fan of Denzel Washington, he aptly fits into the role and love the way he moves confidently, with practiced ease. Julia Roberts looks pretty, and gives a commendable performance as the scared legal student on the run. When she remarks her brief was 'ludicrous', I never expected it to form the crux of the plot (though the movie was titled about a brief), I mean what can a law student discover that the FBI cannot? But that's the way John Grisham thinks, and it's interesting.
I was a bit disappointed that there were no court scenes as I love courtroom dramas. Nevertheless, the movie keeps you at the edge of the seat, as you keep trying to find out who were the perpetrators of the murder. I found myself wanting to know more even after Roberts reveals the content of her brief to Washington, and was quite satisfied in the end.
Taken 3 (2014)
A mediocre action-thriller
I don't remember much of the prequels having watched them a long time back, though I guess I liked Taken 1 quite a bit. Partly, because it was one of the first Hollywood pursuit-style films I had enjoyed. But fact is, with very few exceptions, sequels tend to under-perform when compared to their former counterparts.. So I didn't expect too much from Taken 3.
Liam Neeson always appealed to me as the concerned husband and father, willing to perform CIA level feats as the 'protector'. He was quite in his style, with razor sharp reflexes and enviable presence of mind. Forest Whitaker is quite underplayed, and was always 'a step behind', maybe because the director wanted the focus to be on Neeson. The plot isn't that complex to follow for a Liam Neeson movie. Though a Russian ex-military-turned-gangster is involved, it is not your typical clash with the protagonist.
You kinda guess Dougray Scott, the bad-guy from MI2is not innocent as he seemed. The car-chasing, following explosions, Neeson surviving each encounter unscathed, and those affectionate moments with his daughter was there, which as a matter of fact, don't have much novelty. It seemed pretty cheesy to me that she was pregnant all through this and she wanted to name the kid after her mother. There is no big mystery waiting to be solved, so watch the movie, going with the flow
Size Zero (2015)
Good entertainer...
Kudos to Anushka for her mighty efforts in manipulating her weight gain and loss... Good to see a woman centric movie.... Theme is good, that a girl needs to be judged by her heart n intellect, not her weight....and to stay away from instant slimming solutions....
But movie lacked consistency; few editing errors n movie loses rationale at places.... The hot girlfriend, the dashing lover boy, seem unnecessary supporting cast..... Veterans like Urvashi n Prakash Raj have done their roles with ease...you can see their well sculpted style and signature acting and you appreciate them for that.... Expected more from Arya... little difficult to recognise him as a seasoned actor. ..but he did justice to his role... But of course, spotlight is on Anushka,whose weight problem you can easily relate to, yet that doesn't overshadow her civic sense and guts to speak her mind out...
Though logic takes a backseat at several frames and cinematic exaggeration settled down at times, you can dismiss all that. ..coz you want to see Anushka a winner...Music and songs failed to mesmerise me but you don't tend to concentrate much on that.... Watch it for a relaxing break....
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
A breath of fresh air....
I have been a fan of Ben Stiller since watching Meet the Parents. I find his comedy to be subtle, yet effective, and I love him for that. In fact, it's been ages since I've watched a movie by him, I guess the last one being Night at the Museum-2. So when I stumbled on to movie on IMDb, I immediately made a grab for it.
Well, was I satisfied? I pause awhile before answering this question, 'cause this was not a regular comedy. It attempts to bring out the inherent spirit in a common man who used to encapsulate himself in vivid imaginations. The movie's got some nice graphics and eye- catching visuals of scenic locales. Initially the phases where he'd 'zone out' kinda got to me, and it became extremely predictable when he was in the real world and when in the dream world. But later on, it is a pleasure to see him go on his adventurous pursuits, just to prove he took his job seriously.
This is a movie made of Ben Stiller, for Ben Stiller and by Ben Stiller (was surprised to see his name as director in the ending credits). His graying hair gives him a mature appearance, well into middle age as announced by his sister on his birthday, and you kinda relate to the guy going thru' a mid-life crisis, being single and- all. Good if you wanna just relax and curl up on your couch with this feel-good drama.