Mankatha (2011)

Country: India

Language: Tamil

Actors: Ajit Kumar, Arjun & Trisha Krishnan

Director: Venkat Prabhu

The plot involves a gang of 5 who come together because of circumstances, they plan a heist of cricket betting money. The 500 crore is supposed to come to Mumbai, to a local goon for further distribution. These 5 have to intercept the money, steal and split it among themselves. Do they manage to is the movie.

This is Ajit Kumar’s 50th movie and he doesn’t disappoint. If there is one thing that holds the film together and makes it watchable it is the screen presence of Ajit Kumar. The first 1 hour moves in a decent pace. This is even before the 5 come together and plan the heist. Naturally one expects the movie to pick-up pace post that and become gripping. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. The film becomes predictable and you wait for the last 15 minutes to validate the end you’ve got in your mind. The last 15 minutes does pick up stream, but still predictable. The only surprise being the other person who is revealed to be part of the plan.

The placement of songs are debatable and so are the skimpy clothed women. Except a couple of good tunes the rest just complete the pack. As we are about to get into the second hour, the 5 fight the goon’s men comes the best background music piece in the movie. It is a violin piece runs for about 2 minutes as the hero fights the goon’s gang with guns, laughs hysterically and yells out a fair dose of expletives. The melody you hear makes you suspect that this piece might be the handiwork of Karthik Raja or/and Bhavatharini who are credited for Additional Background score (along with Premgi Amaran).

Watch this movie for Ajit Kumar, some decent camera work by Shakti Saravanan and some slick editing by K L Praveen & N B Srikanth. Venkat Prabhu does well only in capsules, we have seen better movies from him.

The legend of 1900 (1998)

Country: Italy / USA

Language: English

Actors: Tim Roth, Puritt Taylor Vince & Peter Vaughan

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

Music: Ennio Morricone, Amedeo Tommasi

Tornatore’s first English movie, a story told as a series of flashbacks. This technique of using a series of flashbacks is called “Medias in ras” (Latin) or “In the middle of things”. This film is an adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s theatre monologue Novecento.

This movie is about a musician Danny Boodman T D Lemon 1900 or 1900, a piano prodigy who has never set foot on land. 1900 is abandoned as infant in the ship SS Virginian to be found and taken care of by a coalman. 1900 keeps travelling back and forth the Atlantic and becomes the pianist in the ship’s orchestra.

The movie is the recollection of Max Rooney, a trumpet player and 1900’s friend & band mate. He talks about the exploits of 1900. Needless to say, because the protagonist is a piano player we get to hear some fantastic music. As any other Tornatore movie, this one too is a visual treat.

Tom Roth as 1900 does really well. Another important player in this movie is Puritt Taylor Vince who plays Max Rooney, the guy who tells us the story of 1900. But the hero of the movie is definitely Lajos Koltai’s cinematography and Ennio Morricone’s music.

Like Max Rooney says, “A good story is worth more than an old trumpet”. This one is surely worth much more, highly recommended.

Dial M for murder (1954)

Language: English

Actors: Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, Ray Milland

Director: Sir Alfred Hitchcock

Originally it was a play written by Frederick Knott that came on BBC in 1952. This again is one of those Sir Hitchcock experiements, just two major locations. First the Wendice’s flat and then the gentleman’s club. There are also two other minor locations, the road outside the Wendice’s flat and a courtroom montage (more about the courtroom scene in the PS).

The story is about an extramarital affair. A busy, tennis player husband. A beautiful lonely wife who falls for a crime writer. The husband gets to know of the relationship and he wants to finish his wife off for two reasons. First the most simple of reasons, revenge and second the most important, inheritance. Does he manage to achieve his objectives ?

That is the signature Sir Hitchcock suspense element. The beauty is that there have been many me too’s after this great movie. Lots of remakes and adaptations that didn’t even come close to this one. Beautifully made is an understatement. This one is one of the top ten mystery movies in the American Film Institute’s best movies list (June 2008).

Sir Hitchcock’s cameo happens 13 minutes into the movie. He’s seen sitting the near left of the banquet table in the college reunion photograph that Tony Wendice shows to Charles Alexander Swann.

Overall, dial M for a super movie…

PS: If that courtroom montage is put to action in Indian movies lots of actors would lose their job. There won’t be the unnecessary “Your honour” and the “Under IPC 304” anymore. We’ll get to see some beautiful courtroom scenes we’ll look forward to, seriously !!

Manmadan Ambu (2010)

Country: India

Language: Tamil

Actors: Kamal Hassan, R Madhavan, Ramesh Arvind, Urvashi, Trisha Krishnan & Sangeetha

Director: K S Ravikumar

Music: Devi Sri Prasad

Romcom, a simple story... A man about to marry an actress suspects her of having relationships with her industry colleagues. He engages a private detective to tail her during her cruise holiday in Europe. As events unfold the original pair break-up and the girl falls for the detective. There are lots of other characters fill the blanks in this two and a half hour film and also make a huge impact on you, Ramesh Arvind and Urvashi are the notable who have done a fabulous job.

Devi Sri Prasad’s music is another plus for the movie. He has straddled genres here. Neela Vaanam is one song that you are sure to take home and hum around for the next couple of days. Kamal Hassan the lyricist & singer has done a great job in taking the song to the next level. Talking about this song without mentioning the violin intro would be a great disservice to the song, it is mindblowing. The other notable thing is the picturisation of Neela Vaanam which is shot in reverse motion saves at least about half an hour of unnecessary flashback.

Overall, it is an enjoyable K S Ravikumar, Kamal Hassan & Devi Sri Prasad (commercial) flick.

PS: There has been lots of talk about the picturisation of Neela Vaanam, in reverse motion. This is slightly inspired by the video of Cold Play’s The Scientist. Although it seems to be a lift, the director has done a commendable job telling a super story within a story.

I would say “Well lifted”

PPS: Thanks to @girsubra for pointing out the mistake we made on screenplay credits... Apologies, we stand corrected now

Srirangathu Kathaigal

Hardcover (Uyirmmai Pathippagam)

Language: Tamil

Author: Sujatha

Illustration: Desikan

This is an anthology of short stories that Sujatha wrote in the Tamil weekly Saavi in 1983, in Ananda Vikatan in 2003 and the other short stories he wrote about Srirangam. The common thread across the stories is Srirangam, the hometown and the place where he author grew-up.

One also gets a feeling that this is more a chronicle of the authors life in Srirangam. Although the author, in the afterword says that the only thing that is real in the book is the town, Srirangam. And everything else except that is his imagination.

These stories transport you to Srirangam and you almost get a walkthrough experience, such is Sujatha’s narrative. And many of us who are familiar with the Agraharam (the streets where Tamil Brahmin’s lived) set-up should be able to relate to at least 4-5 of the stories. They seem a flashback on our lives in the Agraharam.

As any anthology would have, there are some lighthearted, humorous & very positively oriented stories and there are also some very grim, heart wrenching tragedies. Most of the stories are laced with what we call the “Brahmana kusumbu” or the Tambram black humour that adds a great flavor to each of the episodes.

The author tells the story so nicely that this 300 odd pages book becomes a “drop it after you finish” affair once you start reading. The easy to read (and assimilate) Tamil makes things simple and adds to the fun. The other highlight of the book is the author quoting the Divya Prabhandam’s (this is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses composed in praise of Vishnu by the 12 great Vaishnavaite saints, called the Alwars before 8 AD) before the start of some episodes. The author through those quotes of Prabhandam injects small portions of the great Tamil literature into you without you realising it.

Credit should also go to Desikan, who has done some lovely illustrations which appear with each story. These illustrations brings the grandeur of the town of Srirangam to life.

This one is a “Swami & Friends” in Tamil (only) for the adults.

Amazing compilation, very highly recommended for all those who can read Tamil.

My wife is a gangster 3 (2006)

Country: South Korea

Language: Korean / Mandarin

Actors: Shu Qi, Lee Beom-Su

Director: Cho Jin-Gyu

Supposedly a sequel of My wife is a gangster 2, but has no relation or resemblance to the previous movies. Although not as boring as the 2nd installment, it tests your patience. And almost when it is running out comes one more action sequence and then you know that you are going to get salvation in the next few minutes. End of movie, the salvation we were waiting for follows quickly.

The movie travels across two countries, Hong Kong SAR & South Korea. A complex and confusing story which is only held together by the fight sequences and bloodshed.

The girl’s father is a Hong Kong gang lord. The girl end-up killing the rival boss and therefore is asked to leave the country till things cool down. She prefers to go to South Korea because that is where her estranged mother is. Then come some stupidly funny bits and some fight sequences in South Korea before the movie moves back to Hong Kong and ends.

The title is a bit of a stretch because the man doesn’t marry the gangster at all. In the last scene she accepts his proposal and they kiss and make-up and there is no marriage yet.

Three reasons why this movie fails

1. The wife is not a gangster: For there’s no wife in the first place

2. Except the action sequences there is nothing of any repute in this movie

3. Delete the action sequence away, this movie becomes a potential WMD (Weapon of mass destruction), you would be killed by boredom

The good points are the camera work (again in bits & pieces), the action scenes – if you are an action freak & some silly comedy (if you like those). Other than these there is nothing worth talking about.

22 Bullets / L'immortel (2010)

Country : France

Language : French

Actors : Jean Reno, Kad Merad, Richard Berry, Marina Fois, Jean-Perry Darroussin

Director : Richard Berry

A Luc Besson production, crime thriller. This movie is supposed to be the romanticized version of the life story of Jacky Imbert (Varadaraja Mudaliyar of Marseille !!).

The protagonist Charlie Mattei, a retired gangster (!!) is ambushed in a parking lot and left to die with 22 bullets lodged into his body. Of course he doesn’t die, how can he when are just 6 minutes into the movie ?

And now you know the story.

Yes, the man has to survive the 22 bullets and then go find the men who fired each of those 22 bullets and take revenge by killing them. In between there will be police and families of various gangsters and the protagonist himself to be kidnapped or killed to prolong the movie for 1:46 mins more.

Jean Reno is Charlie Mattei, has done a decent job with a poker face. The only thing you cannot watch him do is cry. Poor guy, the director has made him do that too. Kad Merad does well as the main antagonist, Tony Zakia. In my opinion he steals the thunder in this movie.

There is nothing more to talk about this movie, goes the way the usual gangster thriller goes... Blood, gore, bullets, car chases and then the movie ends with a moral of the story or some philosophy.

Watching tips : Split the movie into four or five parts. Take it one at a time and try and finish the movie in 2-3 weeks. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the experience but I’m not sure about the movie !!

Pannaiyarum Padminiyum (2011)

Country: India

Language: Tamil

Actors: Theni Murugan, Bala Saravanan, Prakash, Geetha, Vijay Lokesh, Vijayakumar, Kaushik, Naveen & Selvi

Director (& story): S U Arun Kumar

Chanced upon this short thanks to Sajan.

A simple story, a benevolent Pannaiyar (land owner) in a village buys his dream car. The Premier Padmini of the Pannaiyar's dream now becomes a village property. It runs as the village ambulance, taxi and also as the Pannaiyar's very dear status symbol.

The film then goes on to document the affinity the Pannaiyar has for his Padmini in a very touching manner.

A very well done short film. The only grudge though is the non availability of a subtitle. That would have ensured a greater reach for this lovely film.

The advantage is that you can watch the film right here and it doesn't take much of ones time (10 mins is all you need to spend).

Great movie, sure super watch

Red Cliff 2 (2009)

Country: China

Language: Mandarin

Actors: Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, Hu Jun, Lin Chi-Ling & Zhao Wei

Director: John Woo

I saw Red Cliff 1 last month, yet it was fresh in my memory once I started watching the second installment. I would have watched the movie(s) even if it was (were) one part and an hour and a half extra to sit. The production value is mind blowing and one feels that it is monies well spent by the producer.

Tony Leung, what can one tell about his man ? I’ve now become a great fan of his Zhou Yu (the character in this movie), but for how long ?? Tony Leung, for me is like a bottle of wine… You are taught the older the wine is the better it is. Likewise, the more of Tony Leung you watch the more you like him.

Zhang Fengyi does well as the antagonist. The experienced actor he is, he excels as Cao Cao. The ladies in the movie, Lin Chi –Ling & Zhao Wei are brilliant. If we have a winner of a movie then one needs to credit John Woo, the man at the helm,the father of this lovely epic movie.

The battle formation & strategy are practical tips for the gamers among us. The background music is something that needs very special mention. It makes the movie even more impactful.

Part 2 has more action compared to the first installment. For once it is not senseless action, blood & gore. The music, the unmatched visuals and some superb acting take this movie to a completely different level.

The climax is something that WOW’s us. I don’t have words to describe this movie other than very highly recommending this movie.

Amazing movie, a must watch.

Ko (2011)

Country: India

Language: Tamil

Actors: Jiiva, Karthika Nair, Ajmal Ameer, Piaa Bajpai, Prakash Raj & Kota Srinivasa Rao

Director: K V Anand

Story: Suba (D Suresh & A N Balakrishnan) & K V Anand

Cinematography: Richard M Nathan

An action thriller about politics, the role of youngsters in it. The protagonist is a photographer in a local newspaper who becomes the champion of investigative photography thanks to his daredevil photographs of a bank robbery. The field now shifts to another youngster who wants to make his mark in politics, he fights election against two giants. The ruling party and the opposition do what our current central government does best, spoil their own chances by doing the improbable. Taking advantage of this the youngsters come to power and the photo-journalist figures a link between the bank robbery and certain people who are close to the youngster (new) CM.

Is there a real link ? How does the CM respond ? That is the movie

Jiiva and Ajmal Ameer have done exceedingly well. So have Karthika Nair and the rest of the cast. Piaa Bajpai fills in the blank as the mandatory Mumbai export required for a masala, populist Tamil movie to round things off.

As usual my pet theme of the role of songs in Tamil cinema comes to the fore. Though the songs by Harris Jeyaraj sound nice and the picturisation in foreign locations by Richard is amazing we need to question the need for them. I personally feel KO would be a hit even without the songs and foreign locations just on the merit of the story & screenplay.

This movie has all the ingredients to be a super-duper hit it has become. A straight superwatch for the story, screenplay, cinematography, music, acting & direction. Although my prejudice against the unnecessary songs, dance & foreign location would call for a downgrade to a goodwatch.

For once I will go with the popular sentiment and call this a superwatch. Could have been a real knockout but KO wins on points !!

Thamizh Padam (2010)

Country: India

Language: Tamil

Actors: Shiva, Disha Pandey

Director: C S Amudhan

A movie not to be intellectualized about, absolute nonsense if you didn’t know or understand the Tamil movie industry and haven’t watched any of the contemporary hits. This one parodies all the Tamil movies in our recent memory. Movies that have some stereotypical scenes that have become milestones of our movie industry.

The film opens with a parody on Karuttamma, a cult village movie that dealt with female infanticide in certain villages of Tamil Nadu. And ends with a stereotypical court scene where nothing is logical expect the mention of IPC 302, the penal code for the punishment of death.

Even the songs parody movies, thankfully the tunes don't. The movie has some decent songs by debutant Kannan. A couple of songs sound really good and therefore his efforts are really worth a mention.

But my standout scene in the movie is the family song sequence. Family song is something the Indian movies are famous for. This is one song that unites a whole estranged family that was separate for decades. In this movie this song literally throws you off your seat, makes you roll with laughter. Suddenly Michael Learns to Rock play “Someday” as the family song starting with the famous guitar intro.

One should credit the director Amudhan for risking his career parodying all the top heroes of the Tamil industry. He has done the movie really well and it is entertaining too, we should wait and watch if he does get to do anymore movies (egos are the most important weapon of the industry). And most importantly what kind of movies he does if he does indeed get to do Tamil movies.

A good watch, super parody of all the known Tamil movies in the recent past. But the catch is that you shouldn’t even attempt this movie if you haven’t watched any Tamil movie before or you are not familiar with the stereotypes they are known for.