Seethakathi

A Road less traveled

The most intriguing portions of the  movie are the first forty minutes. There are consciously  muted, understated, grim and melancholic. 

I still wonder, if there could have been a choice of plays which had greater variety and may be the plays should have addressed the 'Navarasas'. 

However I infer that the grim choices are more to reflect and  observe the sad state of the art form rather than the sad state of the artist.

The resurrection of the artist in the ensuing twenty minutes after the first forty minutes  is pure delight. 

There was one scene, in the beginning, where there is a reference to the influence  of Technology on Art  forms. However, the central conflict focuses on the compromise made in Art forms, in the name of commerce, that can potentially kill the artist  in anybody.

I guess it is an important debate. Art forms and Artists have not only helped transform societies but also helped us evolve. I am just tempted to observe that Arts has probably helped 'humanize' humans!!!

One has to however reconcile to the fact that, in the name of commerce, Humanity itself is under threat.

This is a directors film aided by some out of the world acting by all the actors. 

I visit the first forty minutes again, to dwell on the audacity of the director to conceive something that is completely alien to  Tamil Cinema. 

I may have differences of opinion on some sequences that may have been contrived, but not only is this film, well intentioned, but brilliantly executed.

Some of the pages of the book went missing, Balaji Dharaneetharan, but you went missing for six years, Sir, We hope you are ready to serve with greater frequency from now on.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs , Streaming on Netflix

Poignant and Profound: Gladdens your heart beyond measure

After a brief theatrical release, the movie has started screaming on Netflix.

I hope this movie, definite Oscar nominations are bound to be there, will be released in theatres before the Oscar Awards in February.  Do we not deserve to savour those breathtaking landscapes on the Big Screen, especially the Sun rising in the canyon?

The pace is relaxed, the humour running almost right through, and the music so soothing. While the scenery is all poetry, the literary quality is so beautifully enmeshed, taking you far and away only to be grounded with the sudden 'O.Henryesque' jolt.

I loved the English and the verbal chatter. 

The intelligence is typical of Coen Brother's. They are able to so cleverly touch your heart and at the same time stimulate your brain, so effectively and effortlessly. 

You can smile, be saddened and may be rattled, but if you are movie lover, you just do not want to miss this, glorious anthology. 

Only for the discerning movie goer

2.0

I enjoyed 2.0. Happy to see Rajini in his elements. We don't get tired, do we?

Shankar's faithfully does a rehash of his known stories to serve mostly a predictable fare in a template he never seems to get tired  of.  I had just about a few days predicted given the blood red eyes, Akshay would have a backstory. What would then make 2.0 special?

The sheer ambition of Shankar.

The sweat and blood that has gone into the project is staggering 

and so is the commitment. To strive for world class technical standard for a regional film and than confidently launch it worldwide, is there for others to get inspired and emulate. The whole world is there for us to play around.

We can do it and the bar has to only raise from here.

I am glad that Shankar, thinks the way he thinks. Youngsters may want to get inspired and learn to think beyond the confines of their state and country.

There are thousands of stories in India waiting to be heard from all over India.

Imagine the possibilities, we could have American kids playing with dolls who are characters right out of India. Even children in India may stop seeing Mickey Mouse or Tom and Jerry!!!

Vada Chennai

A slice of 'Ceasarisation' that would have done Shakespeare proud

***SPOILER ALERT***

Rajan(Ameer), feeling sorry for being hard, on his cohorts, decides to meet them over a drink and make peace, not knowing that plans are afoot to get done with him. As he arrives and breaks into a genial conversation, with his customary ease, nudging the conspirators to a sense of uneasiness and confusion, making them take turns to the farthest corner of the room to reassess their position and in a state of indecision and as they return to converse with him and then fatefully the weapons stacked up to stab him, fall down from their hidden places, from under the table, the period of indecisiveness gives way to insecurity among the cohorts, leading to a most decisive stab, And as a devastated Rajan, crumbles in a state of shock, the act of cowardice gets exacerbated as the others join in a frenzy of stabbing. And as the camera moves away from the scene of the crime and the victim, but stays,focused on the act of stabbing, Vetrimaran, may have just managed to recreate the 23 stabs that got rid of Caesar.

This slice of 'Caesarisation' is a slice of exhilaration, a reason, why we go to the movies. Shakespeare would have approved of the craft. It is so perfect. (Just imagine, how this sequence would have been if VJS had done this role)

Hail Caesar!, Nay, Hail Vetrimaran!!

Recently, I saw Namak Haram, the credit for the story goes to Gulzar, and I realized, that Rajesh Khanna's  role was that of Moses. 

I guess then there are probably no new stories to be told, only new ways of story telling.

Consider, Pariyerum Perumal, a most magical narration, of a story that has been told an infinite number of times.

I am such a great fan of Vetrimaran's  works, it is only natural that that your expectations are sky high.

And when you can be delighted, to slices like the 'caesarisation', was the rest of the movie in the same league? 

I did not think so. I sincerely hope that the ground work that he has done in this part, justifies in the future episodes to come.

For me most parts of the movie, did not seem fresh, they seem to have been repeated in so many movies that have been seen. North Madras itself, no longer remains something new. 

Vetrimaran is both candid and honest. We have seen Rajan in Pollathavan. Rajan is a beautiful character, 'donated' to Pollathavan, from this script which is been evolving for the last fifteen years. We see Dhanush(Anbu) reflect shades of Pollathavan and Adukalam and his fateful transformation infuses a necessary tragic undercurrent. It remains to be seen, how Dhanush will evolve. While Daniel Balaji's performance was pitch perfect and expect him to be a source of  several surprises in the  subsequent helpings, I was not really sure what exactly differentiated Samudharakani and Kishore, not that I am complaining of their screen presence.

I would consider, 'PettaiKaran' as Vetrimaran's best character. A character that is not only grey but so enigmatic adding so much to the suspense of a story. That is also a reflection of Vetrimaran's capability to think. Now do you have a character with the complexity of 'Pettaikaran' in Vada Chennai?

After having been fed to the likes of  'Pettairkaran', the motives of the antagonists, in Vada Chennai, are so simplistic and predictable, that most of the narrative falls flat. In the Interval block, Vetri falls from his  own phenomenal standards of the splendid Adukalam interval block.

I liked the pleasant romantic track and Dhanush seeking the blessings of his father-in-law to get married is a hoot.

In a recent video interview, while discussing the hospital scene, in Pollathavan, Vetrimaran mention's the detailing in the scene and the audience's appreciation of the detail orientation. Sure, Vetrimaran, has never shied of details. Drama is all about conflict. It is surprising then that the most important conflict in the climactic sections(land acquisition deal) lack any detail orientation.

Personally, I was pretty disappointed with Vada Chennai, but last but not the least, there is a phenomenon in the making and that is Santhosh Narayan. He is pure delight. God Bless him.

Andhadhun

A Benchmark thriller

For some reason, the motives of most crime movies especially in India is retribution. And invariably, retribution dished out as a back story always brings down the pleasure of viewing, steals the excitement and manages to plunge us into a certain degree of gloom. Andhadhun departs from this norm. 

For some strange reason I was kept reminded of Jaane bhi Do Yaaron. Sriram Raghavan, may probably have used the movie as an excuse to just laugh at ourselves, self effacing humour at its best. The sarcasm is underplayed, but wit reigns supreme, again removing a certain darkness associated with the story.

Jaane Bhi Do yaron, observed that malignancy had set into the system in the mid 80s. May be Andha Dhun, confirms that the metastasis has set in completely now. There is no apology about us having become, what we are. A valueless world is a perfectly malleable platform for characters to act as is their wont. In a zany world, Crime is around the corner, just waiting to happen.

The tension is there, the suspense is there and every twist and turn is laced with quotient of laughs. Wickedly clever.

Well I did not mind a certain goodness associated with the protagonist and the poetic justice that prevailed, but I would have preferred the anger and resentment in the last frame could have been substituted by a sequence that represented the spirit of the movie..

I expect the spirit of this benchmark thriller to be emulated by other fellow countrymen.

Let the levity set in.

Ratsasan, Tamil movie

The 'demon' is in the details

A huge fan of 'Mundasupatti' and its director Ramkumar, I had to catch up with Ratsasan. 

Ratsasan could probably qualify as one of the most well researched investigative thrillers in Indian Cinema, stimulating the grey cells and nudging you to the the edge of your seats, at the same time, and keeping you there till the very end. 

The first half is genuinely scary, there is a definite element of tension and it was fascinating to be confronted with a series of crimes without almost any clue.

There is  a conscious plot point which Indianises  this genre of movies. For me this sequence made, the already heavy viewing heavier but it had one unintended bonus. Munish Kanth's cameo

When I saw, Mudasupatti, Munish Kanth reminded me of Kali N Ratnam, essaying the role of an idiot reminding Kali N Ratnam's role in Sabapathy. This time around in a few minutes he gives an astounding performance which pales a  great actor, who essays a similar sequence, in a great movie a few decades ago. This particular sequence is a rare treat and Tamil Cinema will do well to use this great actor in times to come.

Last time in Mudasupatti, Vishnu Vishal looked like a close cousin of Akshay Kumar, radiantly smiling away. Vishnu transforms himself into this intense role, effortlessly, the pleasantness remains a constant companion. His underlying pleasantness, adds so much stability and balance to his  character. His  eyes carry a certain intensity which brings back a few images of his classic Neer Paravai.

The flashback sequence was jarring. It was unnecessarily loud. I could not approve of the specially loud  BGM in those sequences. This segment is not compatible with the rest of the film Could have been made more stylishly and imbued with a poignant touch.

This 2 hour 50 minute movie seems to have been pruned by about 16-18 minutes. It may be a good idea to edit the Vishnu Vishal and Amala Paul Song and few more sequences to make this a 2 hour 25 minute watch. The movie could be perfect.

There are two communities in India who are above the law of the land, the Auto Driver and the censor board. We can't do much about them, Can we?

A subject matter as this, treated authentically, deserves an Adult Certificate. At the beginning of the film the censor board is ridiculed about the process of certification. The Censor Board remains true to the spirit of the scene, a board full of jokers, remaining a mere cosmetic entity that serves no purpose; 

Catch up with this top notch thriller. It is as good as they come anywhere in the world.

Must see for the adult audiences

Pariyerum Perumal

After the disappointing CCV of Thursday ,Paradise had been lost, but by Sunday evening, thanks to Pariyerum Perumal, Paradise was regained.

I could never imagine an opening, the elegy on the death of Karuppi, a mongrel, could set the screen blaze, and pump your adrenalin, a tad, faster than a James Bond film, opening.

Wow, Santhosh Narayan, we are truly blessed.

Between the elegy of the death of Karuppi, and thought provoking poetic ending, is a known tale, retold masterfully by Mari Selvaraj, aided by technical brilliance and top notch performances.

Kathir is terrific as Pariyerum Perumal. His eyes are so sensitive and intense, fluctuating between tenderness, sadness, happiness, hurt, resolve and anger. Not to miss out are his vigour and vitality. That represents an actor with a great range of abilities,

Well, I am not letting out the cat out of the bag, but I was blown over by the Assasin's character and his values. I have always admired Jackal, in the Day of the Jackal, as the greatest professional, once commissioned, never needed any follow ups, There were quite a few things to learn from this assassin, as well. Thanks to the writer and the director, for coming up with this character. 

Go watch, Pariyerum Perumal to experience the magic of film making!!!

After the disappointing CCV of Thursday ,Paradise had been lost, but by Sunday evening, thanks to Pariyerum Perumal, Paradise was regained.

I could never imagine an opening, the elegy on the death of Karuppi, a mongrel, could set the screen blaze, and pump your adrenalin, a tad, faster than a James Bond film, opening.

Wow, Santhosh Narayan, we are truly blessed.

Between the elegy of the death of Karuppi, and thought provoking  poetic ending, is a known tale, retold masterfully by  Mari Selvaraj, aided by technical brilliance and top notch performances.

Kathir is terrific as Pariyerum Perumal. His  eyes are so sensitive and intense, fluctuating between tenderness, sadness, happiness, hurt, resolve and anger. Not to miss out are his vigour and vitality. That represents an actor with a great range of abilities,

Well, I am not letting out the cat out of the bag, but I was blown over by the Assasin's character and his values. I have always admired Jackal, in the Day of the Jackal, as the greatest professional, once commissioned, never needed any follow ups, There were quite a few things to learn from this  assassin, as well. Thanks to the writer and the director, for coming up with this character. 

Go watch, Pariyerum Perumal to experience the magic of film making!!!

Et Tu Mani?: The Anguish of an ardent Fan

While I am happy, that Chekka Chivantha vanam(CCV) is doing well at the Box Office, I have been quite depressed since yesterday, after watching CCV.

In Nov 1987, After watching 'Vertigo' at Chanakya in Shanthi path, my friend Shankar Sundaram and me, found our way through the cold November, through the dark Buddha jayanthi Park to watch Nayagan with our friends at Karol Bagh, a roomful of them(may be 20) on a video cassette. It was well beyond midnight that 'Nayagan' started playing. In the ensuing two and half hours, there was pin drop silence in the room. 

The bar had been raised irreversibly.

Mani had the courage and conviction to make 'Iruvar'. A movie of extraordinary artistic merit. I do not know the risks that Mani had taken to make the film. But I believe he must have balls of steel to push 'Iruvar' through. I can challenge that probably nobody can make 'Iruvar' again. On a personal front, my regret remains, that since it was released in 1997, I could not show 'Iruvar' to my bed ridden father, who passed away in Jan 2002. He would have loved it. 

I can melt over 'Kannathil Muthamittal' and have goosebumps over the innumerable 'pearl and diamond'(mani ratnam)moments that I have savored over the years.

The premise of CCV is fantastic, my daughter as soon as she stepped out of the hall, averred that this could have been made in two parts. May be justice might have been done.

When an accomplished director, who is completely knowledgeable, who redefines the rule of Indian Cinema cuts corners, with an ensemble cast, all of them reduced to almost 'quarter baked' characters (not sure if they are baked at all), gnawing gaps in story telling, and highly illogical and laughable sequences, to deliver a hit based on the charisma of a few stars, it is indeed a sad day for Indian Cinema.

May be this is all the audience wants, But it has to be a sad day for Indian Cinema, that one of the most ambitious and courageous directors, has taken a defensive and defeatist approach and has  probably compromised on professional integrity.

Manmarziyan

The best adaptation of Casablanca

Ever since Casablanca(based on an unproduced stage play, Everybody comes back to Rick’s) was released in 1942, time and again, film makers have an irresistible urge to adapt it. 

This adaptation of Anurag Kashyap is probably the best adaptation of Casablanca, till date. 

My friend Arunkumar VR, after watching Manmarziyan, was wondering, if it had the stamp of Anurag Kashyap.

I am tempted to revisit, what has defined Anurag kashyap over the years.

To my mind here are some of the consistent, recurrent AKisms

Brutal Honesty

Nil space for Hypocrisy

A seething anger against Status Quo

4. An undercurrent of overwhelming concern for the society       at large

Wit, Sarcasm and humor all rolled into one explosive mix

The ability to infuse a kinetic narrative and toss it up with restlessness

Brooding intensity

Characters that we can easily relate to

A quotient of  unmistakable profanity

Darkness and Cynicism, whenever the subject demands it

Arunkumar VR, I think all the Akisms were very much there except thankfully, Manmarizyan, has less of profanity and no place for darkness and cynicism.

AKs go to cocktail  is Kanika Dhillon’s screenplay, Amit Trivedi’s foot tapping music, well fleshed out characters, Tapsee’s performance,  Amritsar 

and good old Punjabi.

AK’s evolving craft and his quest to integrate with Bollywood mainstream is quite heartening.

Promiscuity is a mirage. Lust is ephemeral. It is responsibility and commitment that define a lasting relationship.

AK, explores, the sanctity of a relationship, in a way that he alone can.

The flavor of Manmarziyan will be probably be halved,  if you do not understand Punjabi, but in Chennai, Satyam Cinemas, has subtitles, you can still watch a most energizing movie.

I will not mind watching Manmarziyan over and over again. 

Nimmi Rangaswamy, Thank you very much for your recommendation

P.S: I have forgiven AK for his deplorable Sacred Games and the horrendous Immaikka Nodigal performance.

Imaikka Nodigal, The eyelids that stopped blinking

The poetry ends with the title. 

With all the rave reviews, the expectation was slightly high.

The opening segment clearly let us know that the censors, in this country is non existent, has passed this crude, crass and violent film with UA certification. 

What fascinates me is how this horribly unoriginal, substandard and mediocre flick, can be a huge hit? 

Can movie makers learn to make a thriller without revenge as a motive?  The thrill takes so much of a beating, depression is the only heavy feeling that is left.

We are so inventive when it comes to a love story, the Vijay Sethupathi Nayanthara segment, demonstrates that. Why cannot we apply and come up with a thriller, without revenge as a theme?

The two central characters seem to be inspired from Silence of the Lambs. Here the story has been skewed which pits the teacher and understudy.

Anurag Kashyap, is a disgrace to Hannibal Lectern. Anurag depicts a crude villain. Not really sure why he would want to stoop to such levels. I never knew that he was capable of being so dumb.For die hard Anurag Kashyap fans like me, writing this way gives so much pain.

Nayanthara, god only knows how she darts around with those high heels. Not sure if the writing does any good to her character. She sizzles though, with her screen presence.

Surprisingly It is Atharva who gives a spirited performance, genuine and authentic. 

Vijay Sethupathi, is so gifted,  so natural and so imaginative, he brings so much happiness when he is around. And when I see the movie with my daughter, there is greater happiness when I see my daughter drooling over Vijay Sethupathi.

I just thought I might spend my hard earned money in a cinema hall. With such dishonest efforts, which takes the audience for granted, Amazon's and Netflix may be better ways to reduce the damage.

Harmony with A.R. Rahmaan: A Journey of Fascination, Inspiration, and Unity in Music

After watching the five episodes of Season 1, the men and women, seem to be more fascinating and inspiring then their music.

While Rahman, the thinker and the experimenter seems to be swept away by his curiosity and monstrous quest, it is Ustaad Bahauddin who sweeps you away, with stunning clarity of thought process,,  

Ustaad Bahauddin is as rare as they come by. The man is so much at ease with himself. HIs body language and the style quotient can put any super star to shame. His commitment and integrity gives you goosebumps. 

Watching Ustaad listening to Rahman, humming Charukesi and then kind of hurriedly driving home a point, that in their school of thought there is no place for sadness, is something you want to cherish.

I hope to watch this segment over and over again.

Not that I will not want to watch the other segments, again. I had goosebumps watching Bedabati sing the song about Manipur in Episode 5.

Most importantly, the beauty about the whole  Episode 1 of Harmony, is in choosing two North East stories. North East is a part of our country and we need them to feel part of us.

Hats off to Kavithalaya. There can be no greater tribute to K. Balachander, who since Major Chandrakanth, has always been concerned about  the social fabric of this country.

Take a bow, Mr, A. R. Rahman, you are a lovelier human being than a musician. God Bless you.

Highly recommended, to all sections and all ages of the society

Harmony with A.R. Rahman

Just finished watching the first episode of Harmony with A.R. Rahman. 

Watching Kalamandalam Sajith Vijayan, playing the Mizhavu, was both inspiring and humbling.

India owes it to innumerable people like Sajith Vijayan who pursue ancient instruments with very little expectation and yet keep the tradition of a great country alive by passing on the legacy to future generations.

The pursuit of excellence and the mastery over the craft was a sheer joy to behold.

Salute to the innumerable Indians who help preserve a treasure trove of our traditions.

Maa Tujhe Salaam!!!

Call Me By Your Name

For the Open Minded and strictly adult audiences.

Thanks to Arunkumar VR, I caught up with this on freshly brought DVD from the US last week, only to find that Amazon prime has started streaming it from yesterday.

Last years deserved winner of the best screen play, at the Oscars.

It is taboo to talk about homosexuality. People squirm, they  become uneasy and there is a general non-acceptance about the nature endowed characteristic.

Whether you accept the condition or not, it is well worth, to at least scroll forward to watch the conversation between the father and the son at the end of the  movie.

If you have an open mind, then your could get drenched in a glorious Italian Summer, drool over the lovely orchards, experience, the lazy afternoons, vicariously bike around, refresh yourself in the lovely water bodies, feed yourself to food and wine fit for connoisseur, walk around the empty hamlets and prepared to get swept away by the gorgeous fields.

It is better than sex.

Call me by your name is an experience, that you do not want to miss.

Embracing Cinematic Dichotomy: From 'Fanny and Alexander' to 'Kadai Kutty Singham

Way back in the mid 80's, a cousin of mine and me, watched Fanny and Alexander at Shankunathalam at Pragati Maidan. I turned up my cousin's house the next day after noon and updated her that I had caught up with 'Thooral Ninnu Pochu' morning show. She could not believe what I did.

After three decades, I continue to indulge myself in such contrasting viewing, the "Class' and 'Mass' movies,  with the same motivation and appetite, that blur the As and Bs and Cs inside me.

I had caught up with Michael Henneke' 'Cache' (Thanks to my brother in law for the DVD), only yesterday and was just blown away, but found motivation enough to see 'Kadai Kutty Singham', today(thanks to Amazon Prime). I was again blown away in successive days, to find the most unexpected wisdom in a film which claim's to be a 'farmer's movie.

Ilavarasu(the character) decides to commit suicide. On a parting note he asks his Co-brother(who constantly wears the Safari suit) that his last wish, was that, when he at least comes for his last rites, to his funeral, he be spared with an appearance without the Safari suit.

Oh! My God, I have hated the Safari suit for nearly forty years and here comes a screen writer,  whose infinite wisdom, captures a REALITY, not very late in our time

Thyagarajan Sreedhar

There are some who live forever

Ever since I received the message last evening in whatsapp, that Sreedhar left for heavenly above, it been a rewind since 2012, when I first met Sreedhar.

The interactions have been brief, conversation over a couple of car rides, intersections in professional forums, knowledge sharing sessions at TMI, Hyderabad, a lunch at Murugan Idli shop and attending Sreedhar's children's wedding.

The interactions have been brief, but the impressions everlasting. 

In a world where empathy is an almost forgotten word, Sreedhar stood out. He cared for the professional and profession. The zest for learning and enabling it could be felt while you interacted with him.

I will never forget a car ride to the Hyderabad Railway station along with his colleagues. Conversations on cricket, the abundance of energy and warmth and camaraderie that he enjoyed with his colleagues is still ever green even after six years.

When I did some work for TMI, Sreedhar checked back if I have received the payment. A great value system that organizations can emulate, 

Sreedhar epitomizes, restlessness, professionalism, friendliness, positive energy and strength.

I pray that the TMI family and his family find the necessary strength to bear with the loss.

I however believe that Sreedhar will live forever.

Mulk

By the Brothers for the Brothers

This is the same title I had for my post on 'Shahid'.

In India, as in other parts of the world, it is a rarity to see in the eye.

Bollywood moves on from the sugar coated' Bhajrangi Bhaijaan' feel good genre, to address a stark reality of the Indian Mindset.

There is a genuine attempt to address, the existing divide, a deep one at that, between,  "US" and "THEM".

I am sure there are going to be conversations about these perceptions. I hope there  are plenty.

Make sure you watch the film with your friends, family, co-workers, anybody that you can. It has to be on your To-do list,.

Inclusion cannot be merely on lips. 

Clearly the onus is on US to make THEM feel ONE of US.

P.S: PVR CINEMAS, SPI Cinemas AGS Cinemas INOX Leisure Ltd., Can we ensure that English subtitles are there for MULK asap in all the Chennai and Tamil Nadu theatres

Mission Impossible : Fall out

Is Hollywood falling apart?

One wonders, as to who is getting dumb and dumber, is it the film makers or is it audience. or is it the critics or is it me who is struggling hard to understand how the the critics in rotten tomatoes has given 97% rating, followed by the IMDB which has rated 8.5 or metacritic has given a rating of 86% and how a movie made at a budget of US@ 178 million has made Rs. 193 million dollars within a week after its release.

My daughter who does not see English Films, surprisingly accompanied me, just laughed at the end of the movie. stating that this was no different from the 'masala movies' in India and she had a desi feeling watching the blockbuster. Interestingly she made a comment that some of the action blocks of Shah Rukh Khan thriller, "Fan' were better than the MI: Fall out sequence.

Two and Half action blocks to be precise plus tonnes of verbal diarrhoea, where Ethan Hunt is out to save the world. It has to be Iron Man, Super Man, Spider man, Hulk, Dr. Strange, Bond(from Cousin country) or Ethan Hunt. There are other comedic pieces of efforts to save the universe like the dark Star Wars( a triumphant effort in infusing darkness into young minds across the universe) and than pioneering efforts life Star Trek.

The bucks got bigger, the dimensions got bigger, the canvas got bigger, but brain cells are shrinking rapidly faster than ever before. 

I cannot help examining those two and half action pieces. 

The half I mention is the Cruise's chase across terrace and then in a lift only to miss the villain who escapes in a helicopter from the top of the building. Available on Youtube is  Fear over city, the French film made in early or mid seventies. There is this extraordinary action block where Jean Paul Belomondo, chases the villains on roof tops and then across the subway metro train. MI: Fallout, action block is a far cry from  this specific action block.

Mid Air sequences, with the background of the majestic mountains, has it never be seen on the screen before. Cliffhanger 25 years ago, had the thrilling mid air sequence as well as some of the most thrilling stunts set in the backdrop of the mountains. After thirty years, one has to honestly question oneself, if the action sequence in MI are anywhere to close to it.

The flow of the motorcycle against the current of the cars, has it not even been done recently in Ready Player One. Even Babyy Driver, recently had some great action sequences I truly would like to understand, what is so great about this chase sequence.

One can be even be magnanimous to consider, the dropping down from the parachute into Paris onto a high rise as an action block. Just compare it to Clint Eastwood's entry into the fort atop a cable car in 'Where Eagles Dare?", using the pick axe to gain a toehold. There was a joy of a thrill with a hint of suspense. Tom Cruise seems to be truly lost.

The bigger question, is that Hollywood seems to have completely run out of ideas. With the thinking predominantly focused on themes of Supermen and saving the world, Hollywood will in the long run lose it's position of eminence. In fact in the last decade, Hollywood has been steadily slipping.

There is a leadership position vacant and it is up for grabs. Back in India, we still seem to be content with aping the west. 

With other avenues like Netflix, Amazon and host of other channels coming up, Content is going to get dumped. Fatigue will set in with audience sooner or later. 

Given the compulsions of commerce, which weigh heavily on the mind of the producers, my fear is that the art itself may morph into something else or that the Cinema itself is on self destructive mode.

True test of creativity is the clear and present challenge.

Kaala

For the Voter inside the fan

Sorry guys, the subtext in Kaala, is so distracting, unfortunately it has not been made for the fans. Well that makes hardcore Rajinikanth fans like me being taken for granted and treated like a piece of shit. I am going to make no effort to be either diplomatic or not angry.

There is no point talking about a muddled and cluttered narrative that showcases Pa. Ranjith's shallow and juvenile political ideology( Alas! What a fall for the director who made, 'Attakathi', a work of great artistic merit about a Nobody. I really hope he is able to reinvent himself again)

I always thought, Rajinikanth was always smart enough not to get into politics but this time around, looks like he may after all take the  plunge. He seems to be  the financial sponsor of this effort.

Rajini wants us to believe, that  he is leader of the lowly, the under privileged, the distressed, the deprived, the disadvantaged, the needful, the destitute, the poverty stricken, the penurious, the indigent, oppressed, and will be their savior, protector and vows to be omniscient, omnipresent and ubiquitous.

Since he has decided to become God himself, he has decided to do away with the Hindu Gods as well.

Shamelessly ripping away from 'God Father', the annihilation of the foes in the background of the baptism, has been replaced by an annihilation of adversaries with a demoniac interpretation of Ramayana in the background.

He vows to be BJP's nemesis.

There are no veiled references here.

Pretty explicit references to Swach Bharath, Digital India and a Gujarathi Antagonist, a clear metaphor for Mr. Narendra Modi. (I would have been let down even further if the antagonist was named Shiv, luckily he is named Hari). 

And the movie gets released without a single cut.

There is a great urge to distance himself from BJP, despite being conferred Padma Bhushan by the BJP govenment recently, a title that he flaunts in the credits.

Strange bedfellows indeed!!!.

Mr. Rajinikanth, All you had to do was make an Annamalai or Thambikku Entha Ooru or Thillu Mullu. We would have just come in droves and  even be foolish enough to vote for you.

Ee.Ma.Yau

Magical and Liberating

After seeing Angamally Dairies, a visit to  Lijo Pellisery's 

next movie had to be on the must watch list.

Angamally dairies must have made Scorcese proud. Could there have been a greater tribute to Scorcese? I doubt.

What has Lijo got in store for you with his new offering? 

Ee,Ma.Yau is a stunner, making Angamally look pedestrian in the scheme of things.

There are a thousand tales in India waiting to be told and Lijo beautifully narrates one from our own backyard.

For me the protagonists of the film are the magical sounds that accentuate the tension of the narrative. Sounds that come and caress you sometimes and sounds that leave you mystically to disappear into oblivion.

Somewhere in the beginning of the film are glittering lights on a waterfront, not sure if it is a lagoon or the sea itself and then there is a beautiful sequence that that demonstrates Doppler effect perfectly. The opening sequences are a hoot, that perfectly set up the story.

In the backdrop of a storm are the howling winds and rain with different intensity that accentuates the tension in the narrative. The different hues of the sea, are used at different points of time, taking your breath away every time and add to the mood of the film.

It is a treat to see the camera restlessly moving around, competing with the sounds. This aids the human drama to come to the fore, the technicians  in superb form to concoct a heady mix.

These are films about real people that need to be made. The people are so real that the actors are almost invisible. Thumbs up to all the actors.

The film makers from Kerala are getting better and better and setting the bar high. We the film goer, got lucky.

For a small market, like Kerala, the Malayalam film Industry, does extraordinary experimentation on a wide range of subjects. Its time other 'Woods' learn from the Malayalam Industry. Kerala is way ahead. Competition is good and hopefully we could be leaders in the film making.

Take a bow, Lijo Pelissery and team. 

The best of Lijo Pelissery is yet to come.

Mahanati / Nadigayar Thilagam

Remembering a pristine smile

This review is for one of the greatest fans of Savitri, my aunt Rukmini Sundararajan, the mere mention of Savitri's name makes her eyes moist.

I also got to see the movie with another great fan of Savitiri, my mother, Hemalatha Ramaswamy

As a fan, I have shuddered every time "Praptham" or "Mooga Manusulu" has been aired on the TV. Never had the courage to see it. 

Mahanati had to be made.

If Saviitiri has to be remembered, it has be for her spontaneity and innocence. An innocence that gave her the confidence to cut loose and play her roles with a gay abandon. The spontaneity that helped her breeze through several roles and imbue the swagger in Mayabazaar. And the very same innocence in her personal life allowed her to foolishly believe others and led her to pursue endeavors which should not have pursued.

What an extraordinary effort, so much of heart and honesty.

The effort deserves our endorsement.

Whatever be the genre, Indian's have unmatched skill in narrating a love story and keeping it fresh.

While Keethi Suresh was very good, Dulquer had me gasping for breath and wanting him more on the screen.

I enjoyed the movie, thoroughly.

However I wished, the story bordering on a lament, should have been a celebration of Savitiri's rousing achievements as a artist. While her personal life is a clear checklist of what not to do, her achievements should serve as an inspiration for the current generation.

The life of Lincoln was tragic in many ways, but when Spielberg did make a biopic on Lincoln, he decided to focus on the most important achievements of Lincoln.

The narrative was predictably on the lines of Citizen Kane, in search for Rosebud. The narrative in Citizen Kane infused a sense of dynamism as the investigation intensified and the story unfolded over multiple interviews. The speed and the tension of a narrative 77 years ago(Citizen kane was made in 1941) is still fast and furious.

The Hunt for 'Sankarayya' in contrast was lacklustre. The flashback of Samantha and Vijay Devarakonda is probably the weakest link in the movie. And my god, the tonnes of dialogues that Samatha speaks could have been mercifully avoided in a film about Savitiri, who could just let her eyes do the talking.

I also felt that there was scope for more research and important films with Sivaji ganesan should found a place in the narrative.

I take the pleasure of attaching a Youtube link, of a song from Kai Kodutha Deivam which aptly sums up Savithiri's persona.

And finally thanks to Sridhar Sattiraju for sharing with crackling energy his recommendation of Mahanati.

Sometimes aka 'Sila Samayangalil'

Lap it up on Netflix.

An ensemble technician crew across the country gather together to dexterously narrate a tense tale, that requires considerable craft. The magical strains of Ilayaraja is a bonus that enhances the narrative several notches..

It is such a joy to see the cinema of Hitchcock and the literature of, O Henry converge into a splendid climax.

The movies is as much about creating awareness on HIV as it is about the lonely journeys that we get to execute in a populated world, and a classic story on Empathy with a big bold E.

And the post would be incomplete without recognizing the the prolific Priyadarshan, who after Hrishikesh Mukherjee and K. Balachander, may very well have made the most number of movies in India, across languages and genres.

Tamil Cinema should be indebted to Priyadarshan for making some of his best works in Tamil(Conjeevaram and Sometimes)

Here is hoping, that we get to see good films, ALL THE TIME of the year.

Must watch for all audiences above 13.

Ready Player One

An irrepressible imagination that runs riot

The prolific, Steven Spielberg, may end up up sending us to  derive new adjectives to describe his work.

Despite a cluttered third act, you may end up hooting up all the way.

The effortlessness of introducing a whole new world, the players within that world and the rules that define the world has to be be seen to be  believed. It is as instructive as it can be.

I came back home and checked Avtaar. While it is not an apple to apple comparison, it took quite a while in Avtaar to define a new world.

In Ready Player One, the Real and Virtual worlds seamlessly alternate and integrate to keep the narrative into one hell of an  Adrenalin ride. 

I might be even be disappointed at the content, and the characters that adorn and get glorified in the conscience of the audience, but I stay inspired by the fact, that a director who has greatness bestowed upon him, at 71, has the zest to experiment with new forms, staying abreast of technology and continues to challenge himself and regale the audience at the same time with undiminished sparkle.

For the director, who never ever forgot, what it is to be like a kid and think like a kid, he will always remain an inspiration.

Mukti Bhavan

For the discerning viewer, Mukti Bhavan is available in HotStar, and is one of the movies that you may not want to miss.

This is 'Arthouse' variety, but for the very serious cinema viewer, you certainly do not want to miss this  small treasure.

Lady Bird

The grey cell pulverizer, my personal best at the Oscar's this year.

The crux of Lady Bird ought to remind you of the short tele film series Penn, made in 1991, by Suhasini Maniratnam, specifically the one, discussing the mother(Srividya) and daughter,(Revathy) relationship. (Sadly except for one episode of Penn, where Shobana's acts, all the other episodes seem to be missing in Youtube. Somebody ought to upload the entire series of (12?) shorts.)

in 96 minutes of roller coaster ride with the mother and daughter relationship in the background, Greta Gerwig, examines the challenges of parenting, the pains and pleasures of a young girl discovering herself, the demands of running a family in a world which makes it increasingly difficult for its inhabitants to eke a livelihood, things which we take for granted but which we truly love and the difficulties in communicating. There could be more layers to the whole experience, but it is just offered into a lovely seamless story.

For me this was sheer exhilaration, it just baffled me that, how could so much content be packed in those 96 minutes.

Lady Bird, you were so real. I believe you were the best movie that was nominated, at the Oscar's this year.

Padman, A Cause driving the destiny

I am sure quite a few of my friends, may have already seen Padman. I was lucky to see Padman today. I would recommend every student of life to see Padman, if you have not already seen it.

Padman focuses on the work of Arunachalam Muruganantham.

The movie goes on to demonstrate the magic that can be achieved once the cause possesses the person.

Great work has always been driven by a good value system. 

Empathy here is with a big and bold E. 

Empathy helps sows the seeds of concern.  

It is the concern that triggers the restlessness that gnaws the individual and propels him to prolonged period of agony and discomfort. It is the discomfort that imbues him with a resolve. 

It is the resolve which helps the cause germinate.

The honesty in trying to solve a problem on the basis of the true merits of the problem illustrates that there are no shortcuts to success.

It is always the constraints that are the true blessings of life, the true pleasures of problem solving and it is always the constraints that help you innovate. The greatest innovations have always happened in the face of adversity.

The life of Arunachalam Muruganantham should be an eye opener to the millions of youth, that the system will be what it will be, but if an individual puts his heart to a cause, they can truly find ways and means to beat the system. This has been the story of change agents, who truly believed in their cause. 

The human race is what it is today, thanks to the innumerable, 'PadMan' s who were able to focus on a cause and think above and beyond themselves.

A life then has to be necessarily more about giving than receiving!!

And as Robert Frost averred,  There are miles to go before you sleep.....

Arunachalam Muruganantham: Take a bow, Sir. Proud to be connected with you on Facebook Sir. May God bless you with all the energy to continue to accomplish your mission of reaching out to every nook and corner of this blue planet.

Sridevi

'In the zone' onscreen and eternally in our hearts

I was sitting exactly in the same seat yesterday in Palazzo, watching Three Billboards, where I saw Mom, last year. Reminded of Sridevi and 'Mom', more so because in both the pictures there was the tortured mom and raped daughter.

The first images of Sridevi was in 'Babu', where a beaming child, took the food out of Sivaji Ganesan's 'plaintain' leaf. An unalloyed smile. That was early seventies.

We were all smitten by Sridevi in the teens. While Moondru Mudichi launched her, 'Mayilu' in her 'Dhavani' was irresistible. But it was 'Varumayin Niram Sigappu' where she appealed more. "Moondram Pirai' may probably regarded her best. 

One cannot forget Mr. India and her recent roles, English Vinglish, Puli and Mom.

For me the greatest takeaway from Sridevi's acting career is her ability to get into the zone. An uncanny ability to transform herself into the role she had to perform. Great focus on the job on hand.

An entertainer for nearly fifty years, has eternally carved a place in the hearts of the fans world over.

You shall live with us forever, Sridevi and may you help your daughter's recreate your magic.

Nachiyar, Tamil Film

In a time freeze

The film making is diligent. There is a lot of restraint. Palpable excitement that could be felt in each frame of a Bala film seems to be toned down.  I had nothing to complain about it. I would certainly have loved a bit more of the typical Bala adrenalin and the sarcasm. The tongue in cheek sarcasm seemed to be only reserved for the Iyengar's in a movie named Nachiyaar.

Ilayaraja seems to be one of the biggest surprises in the film. It is good to see somebody constantly learning. In his last outing with Bala, the music was overbearing and dominating, Raja almost never has been so light and almost gets  lost in the narrative. Such a great pleasure to hear the maestro juggle around.

Jyothika does a lady Alex Pandian, GV Prakash makes his presence felt, but the real deal is the innocent Ivana, a casting coup, enough innocence to melt the Himalayas.

And while Bala may not be in his darkest hue, my disappointment is with the content. Have we not seen variations of this tale, over and over again?

The anger simmers, the frustration remains and the system remains malignant.

Bala seems to be in a Time Freeze.

Bala,  just has to look at the filmography of Spielberg, Scorcese, Ridley Scott, Zemeckis.....

People experiment so many genres. 

A director of Bala's calibre, is probably suffering from his own self imposed world view.

The Post, Much Ado about Nothing!!!

Mesmerizing as Spielberg's direction and Meryl Streep acting may be, the drama about the decision to publish the details in Pentagon Papers, is disappointing. 

Spielberg uses his skills to extrapolate a content for a short film into a full blown feature.

The vacuousness and the hypocrisy surrounding the American leadership does not surprise us any more.

You still may not want to miss the post for Spielberg's silken touches and the ability to conjure those magical shots. As Meryl, the owner of Washington post, restlessly mulls over the various options, the camera rises above focusing literally on her head and slowly does an arc, you know that Meryl's head is truly reeling. There are these innumerable shots that can take your breath off.

Then there is Meryl Streep as Kay Graham. To me Kay Graham as found in the movie, defines the ability to Compartmentalize , a true sign of a great leader, an absolute essential for any human being. Meryl infuses so much life into her, a great grand mother, a fantastic mother, a business women, a friend, a great ability to connect with people, a decisive leader, a great listener and communicator, a phenomenal boss, a patriot and a superlative human.

Meryl, I do not know how you do it, but the effortlessness, with which you hardly leave traces of any of your previously enacted characters leaves me dumbfounded. The gait is new, so is the voice, and so are your eyes which speak even when you do not. I just like to understand the homework you do before accepting the role, the way you process information and then execute. 

My doubt was resolved yesterday, you are the greatest actor to have ever acted in this planet and probably will be for a long long time.

Mukabaaz aka Pyar ki baaz(i) aka Dil Ki baaz(i)

I no doubt had a whale of a time watching Mukabaaz. 

I was reminded of this great song, "Bongu Bongu, Sulife Sekaru".(Kaddhalum Kadanthu Pogum), Bongu loosely translated means cheating.

Well, dear Anurag, I thought you cleverly marketed a Love Story as a Sports Drama. Well you should do more love stories. Bharat Maata Ki Jai, The Good News and bad news is that you have so beautifully integrated into main stream cinema.

The music brought in so much life,  that it had had me swaying in the seat and foot tapping for a long long time.

I liked Vineet Kumar Singh. Mohammed Ali would have been proud of him. He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. I liked his restlessness. He literally zips across the scene every time he is in the frame. This almost got me wondering is he was an athlete and not a boxer.

I savoured the beauty of the rustic Hindi to my heart's content.

I would like to see you have a fling at Comedy sans cynicism, sarcasm and anger. Will that not be  a challenge that you will relish?

Hope may not be a bad thing after all. If intelligent people give up hope, where is the hope for this country.

Looking forward to wonderful films from you.

All the money in the world

Who do you want to gaga about, Ridley, Christopher or Michelle?

At 74, Clint Eastwood, in reverence of Sidney Lumet, 80, at that point of time, felt he was like a child. It is pertinent to note that Eastwood reinvented himself at 62, in 1992, with Unforgiven. After directing the soulful and scintillating "Sully" at 86, at the ripe young age of '88', he is all set to release, "The 15:17 to Paris", next month. The child seems to continue its work with unabated enthusiasm. 

Ridley Scott, 80, another child of the lord, criss crosses across genres, from a historical to science fiction to  horror to  drama all in successive years with extraordinary ease. With some time available on hand, he also dons the mantle of Executive Producer for "Blade Runner 2049'.

It is interesting to note that in " All the money in the world", the movie had been completed with Kevin Spacey as Paul Getty. On November 8, they decide to reshoot and then another 'child', Christopher Plummer(88) shoots between November 20 and November 29, and the movie gets released on Dec 18/Dec 25. The decisiveness and the ability to execute, is truly inspirational!!!!

Amidst all this action, Ridley has time to get married at the age of 78!!!. Ridley you must be truly gutsy!!!!

Much as I adore, Kevin Spacey, Christopher Plummer as Getty, unquestionably, is the better choice for the role. His swagger with his sagging skin, brooding eyes,, the greed and monstrosity, and despite the air of  perceived invincibility, a streak of vulnerability, seems like Plummer was always born for this role. Remember Plummer nonchalantly ripping of the Nazi flag in 'Sound of Music' with a smirk on his face!!!. I was right about Mark Rylance in Bridges of the Spies, I have a strong feeling the Plummer may just walk away with best supporting actor this year.

I had goose bumps watching Michelle Williams. I wish I knew how to hoot. I would have let a  few let loose today at the hall..The writing is so respectful to the women, the mother, and the emotional strength that a women can alone bring to the fore. When Valiance rules over vulnerability, the spirit of a (wo)mankind, prevails!!! 

Meryl, you have worthy adversary, at the Oscars this year!!!

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

One of the more interesting installments of the Franchise.

I found this dialogue noteworthy

This is how we win. Not by fighting what we hate, but by saving what we love.

reminding of Patton's memorable dialogue(contrasting?)

Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.