Archive for the ‘Movies’ Category

This is It – Watching the movie

Friday, October 30th, 2009

I didn’t have any expectation when I went to this one. I knew it wasn’t a movie either, rather a documentary sort of, where we’ll get to see some backstage moments of the legend. A huge MJ fan that I am, this was more like a chance to pay my tribute to the man. I had to go, and so I did.

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The film was like a reminder that said, that we lost a legend, leaving behind a big vaccum no one could fill or replace. It also reminded how big and spectacular the new concert would have been, had the man lived today.

The movie was put together in bits and pieces from handy cams and mobile videos and is like a “this is what it would’ve been” glimpse to the efforts by Kenny Ortega and his team. MJ looks electrifying on the stage, lots of energy and charisma though I felt that he was looking fragile more than ever.

The movie ends with a silent note and makes you leave the cinema with a heavy heart.

We’ve lost a great music legend and a performer. There’s none like MJ, he’ll live in our hearts.

James Cameron’s new mega movie “Avatar” sneak peek at Satyam Chennai

Friday, August 21st, 2009

This is exciting news. The super mega movie Avatar, is being released on December 18th worldwide and in Chennai, there’s a special sneak peak preview at Satyam Chennai, on 28th of August.

I’ll be there for sure, if you can join in. The seats are limited so you might want to rush.

Check out the facebook group. You can confirm your presence there. Meanwhile, check out the official trailer.

2012 Movie looks very promising

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

Just saw the 2012 trailer and got blown away. Its probably going to be a case study for special effects.

However seeing the trailer it looks like the director has something about mass destruction, just like in his previous movies. Looking forward to it.

Angels and Demons Review – It tries but fails to thrill you

Monday, June 1st, 2009

angels-demons Last weekend I watched Angels and Demons (at Sreedhar Cochin), not because it was penned by Dan Brown, not because it was the (technical) sequel to Da Vinci Code or not because it had run in to controversies, but because if I missed this, then my curiosity won’t let me be. So I gave it a go. But honestly the movie fails to thrill you like Da Vinci Code, it tries much but in vain. I haven’t read the book prior to watching the movie, for those of you who did, you wouldn’t expect much from this flick as its all down on paper. I must say I was lucky not to have read the book or else, I would’ve let myself go whatever remained of suspense and juice in the movie.

I don’t want to dare go into the story, but one thing I missed in the movie was the dark side and the villains. They were so flimsy, though there is a beautiful element of surprise towards the end. My wife easily guessed the suspense from the look of it right from the first half she said, but I couldn’t. So much for the good part. Rest everything about the story is plane boring, not enough controversies, not enough suspense and no thrill.

Wanted to ask the director this Q. What was he thinking about the car chases ? Every time the Vatican police and Tom Hanks jumps in to those SUV’s (Dodge I suppose) and speed through the streets, there is a blaring music, upbeat stuff which I liked very much.. but you didn’t have to repeat it all the time. And a college professor speeding through the streets in an SUV is far from charming unlike a James Bond or FandF. Need I mention that there was none chasing them !

On the whole, the movie is a plain one. No thrilling stuff except the “kahani mein twist” part. But you don’t want to miss this one, or you’ll feel ashamed later.

Seven Pounds is a must watch movie

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

seven_poundsThe Muccino directed Seven Pounds is in my honest opinion a must watch and a must have in your collection. If you are the type that like realistic, close to life touching stories, then this is one of the best you are yet to see.

Will Smith and Rosario Dawson does a great job playing Ben Thomas and Emily Posa, flawless job !

The movie is a touching story of Ben Thomas and the seven people he purposefully select to be around with. Ben has a secret and he’s doing all these “crazy things” with the seven people which doesn’t make any sense to us in the beginning. But as the story progresses, everything falls into place and the climax will almost make you cry. There are those dark clouds of sadness in the whole story and you truly will feel a flurry of emotions, sympathy, anger, sadness, relief and disbelief throughout the film.

Every supporting character in the movie has done a good job as well, and it all blends well to a nice story of love, fate and life itself.

Gran Torino – Deeper Touching than Slumdog Millionaire

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Just watched this movie recently, Gran Torino and it got me stirred, much more than Slumdog to be honest. Slumdog is an awesome movie, a happy movie I’d say with tints of a thriller. But after watching Gran Torino, I think it’s much better than Slumdog. (No reasons to compare, still.)

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Gran Torino has Clint Eastwood written all over it, right from the start to the very end, and the effect it has on the viewer is much more lasting and deep than Slumdog.

It’s about an old (strong) grandpa who lives alone, after his wife’s death with his own thoughts and principles. He dislikes his kids and family and prefers to alienate himself from them, while he accidentally becomes close to the Chinese family in the neighborhood. How he becomes a hero for them, and saves them from problems is the story line. It’s a fairly straight forward story but the details and emotions are very deep and real, that you gradually start to love the movie. The end is so touching that it leaves you with a heavy heart.

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I’m guessing this time around Gran Torino should have been nominated for the Oscars, but unfortunately it’s not. Only because it oepend late ? Not good.

Anyhow, Gran Torino is a must watch. Probably it will overwrite some of your favorite movies list – it did for me.

Slumdog Millionaire – Sounds great !

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

This one’s clearly a winner ! The movie now going in for Oscar nominations and all the hype it’s gathered up along with it, you know.

There are a few things that will easily help you identify “quality” movies. And I can’t think of any good reason to think this one’s otherwise.

A great director, a story with soul, great piece of music, and a big heart. All the reviews so far heard on Slumdog Milionaire are hugely encouraging.

The music is outstanding with performance by M.I.A and A.R. Rahman (Music Director). It’s not the traditional bollywood style music but more aligned towards the story.

Reviews also suggest that the actors (Dev Patel) performance is very promising and some even say he’s the next big thing.

I’m waiting for the release here in India, rumored to be around the time Oscars nominations are open.

Dasvidaniya is a beautiful little story you’ll like

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

I was not happy with this movie even through the promos. I didn’t like Vinay Pathak – may be because he’s looking clumsy. And my wife second it, so I decided to watch this movie only because there were no options around.

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Saw the movie, and is in all praises for the flick. Great performance by Vinay Pathak, a simple clutter free story line, touching scenes, relevant comical junctions and a “good” ending.

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It’s about this guy who’s lost in his own world, kind of an introvert too busy with his check list of things. He’s diagnosed with Stomach cancer and how he copes up with it.

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No rib tickling comedies here, but the movie is filled with good light hearted moments that will put a smile on your face, also making you think about the sad side of things (happening to the actor).

If you like the no frills, non masala type, almost parallel type movies, Dasvidaniya is a gorgeous flick !

How to lose friends and alienate people – A must watch

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Just couldn’t stop laughing. Just couldn’t. It’s about this struggling writer (Simon Pegg) who’s trying way too hard to get into the celebrity high profile life. And the funny incidents in between.

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It’s probably the best comedy I’ve seen lately.

Twenty Twenty Malayalam Movie is a good watch

Monday, November 17th, 2008

I just came back watching the movie Twenty Twenty and the feeling is like returning from a festival. It’s a full on entertainer movie, that has worked out really well for all sections, the fans, the masses and the classes. I was not fully convinced with the movie promos on the TV, and had already voted it as a gimmick just to pull off all Mamootty and Mohan Lal fans. But I’m glad to know that I was wrong. The movie is a good effort and like it could’ve easily been, there are no loose ends in the movie (almost, remember its an entertainer).

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I could’ve easily written this movie off as an experiment that went wrong just because of the star cast and the problems that could emerge as a result of it. Stars dates..schedules..budget..but clearly, there has been a sincere effort. The producer (Dileep) could’ve easily gotten all the money back within the first week, even with a mediocre show, just because of the star cast. But I must thank him for not going easy on it and pursuing a good story line. I think the full credits of the movie goes to the script writers Uday Krishna and Sibi K Thomas. Because in such a movie, without a good script there is nothing much the director can do. Joshiy, the director of the movie have done a not so bad job, if not excellent. At least he’s made sure that none of the stars roles overcast each other and where ever necessary, there is intense dram that Mohan Lal fans and Mamootty fans will like.

Special accolades should go for the “Tit for Tat” dialogues by Mohan Lal and Mammootty and also Suresh Gopi. That’s something I really enjoyed. Everyone would irrespective of whose fans they are.

However, the first half of the film was a bit yawn-yawn type with some “comedy” by Harisree Ashokan and team..when the movie catches pace, one feels what was the necessity for those first part comedy moments – if they can be called so. At least, the director should’ve understood that comedy is not just about “mis spellings” and throwing things around, or jumping into water.

Great performances by Dileep, Jayaram (with a mismatch pair that could’ve been avoided), Kavya, Jagathi and others.

A funny fact: Even though Prithviraj, Kunchako Boban etc are appearing only in a song sequence(with no dialogues whatsoever) with a gorgeous NayanTara, in the character names roll at the end, you’ll see that their names are also included. Nayantara – Diana, Prithviraj – Reji. :D

Overall a great entertainer worth watching with family.The only problem would be get tickets.