Movie Review: Thupparivaalan (துப்பறிவாளன்)

Finally, managed to watch Thupparivaalan (துப்பறிவாளன்) movie.

Mysskin films are generally idiosyncratic and Thupparivaalan is no different. It starts off on a slower pace, but picks up speed and leads to an interesting intermission. Movie is heavily inspired by Sherlock Holmes, but good enough for local audience. 

Plot is gripping generally, though lags a bit in some places. Lesser dialogues by antagonists was very welcoming. Vinay didn't look too convincing as a villain, but must admit, he had his own style. Bhagyaraj has donned an unusual role in the movie. Could not understand Andrea's role at all. Vishal was good, but his outfits for Chennai weather made me, one watching, feel sweaty and hot.. :) He has portrayed the role of a sociopathic investigator well. Despite being an assistant to Kaniyan, Prasanna makes an impact in his own way. I loved the scene where Mallika attends to Kaniyan's bruises and Prasanna tries to escape, realising the under-played affection between them.. Speaking of love, the one between protagonist and his domestic help is worth a mention and something unseen before. I liked it!

Background music is okay. All in all, it is Mysskin's movie through and through! Worth watching! 

Movie Review: Thiruttu Payale 2

Storyline: Thiruttu payale 2 shows how powerful technology is and being gullible in the cyber World can affect personal lives. The movie conveys a very important message that in this digital age, you should be very careful with whom you share your personal information and secrets with. In a way, it addresses "stranger danger" for women. Kudos to the director for choosing such a story!

Observations: The movie took off well and maintained the momentum till intermission. The scene where the 3 main characters meet was very good. All three of them  nailed this scene. You could feel the tensions in the air. There were moments here and there that were very good.. 2nd half, dragged a bit; I felt the director lost the grip of the ending.. Not sure if it was due to poor editing. Some dialogues were classic. Music is by Vidyasagar; "Nee paarkum paarvai kannodu" is good. I was disappointed with the bgm.. I still can't work out the reason for director and his immature looking assistant's roles in the movie. This storyline had all the ingredients to spread fear and awareness amongst women who are active on social media, but this movie failed in that aspect.

Casts: Bobby Simha and Amala Paul did their roles very well. Amala Paul's character was of substance and she has given her very best. Bobby as an "Honest Corrupt" police officer has done well. One of the best villains in Thamizh cinema, after a long time - Prasanna! Personally I felt it's a movie that is out and out that of Prasanna's. His entry was uber class! Man! His physique is so good; His body language, dialogue delivery ("இங்க இருக்குற எல்லாம் என் டேஸ்ட்ல இருக்கு; நான் ஆல்ரெடி உன் வீட்ல வாழ்ந்துட்டு இருக்கேன்;  கொஞ்சம் சிரிங்க பாஸ்!") were all top notch! You just feel like strangling him many times. One such scene is where he happily eats pizza while he watches one of the girls he had used, committing suicide. This man has potentials yet to be unearthed. Good to see that Susi Ganesan has used him well. 

Verdict: I'd say, watch the movie for Prasanna!!

Live for yourself!

One day back in the early 80s, I asked my Amma why she was not cooking her favourite curry anymore. Pat came a response, “Appa is not fond of it”. I have seen her patiently remove chunks of tomatoes from her plate of Rasam rice. She was not fond of tomatoes, but that didn’t stop her from making Rasam with tomatoes in them, as my Appa could imagine lunch without it.

Almost all families have a story like this, isn’t it? Women always do everything for their family members’ happiness, not their own. Above examples are only tip of the iceberg of sacrifices women make for their families. They sacrifice/give in, to their parents, siblings – primarily to brothers and younger sisters; once married, they adjust for their in-laws; then, husbands; once children are born, their needs and wants are of utmost priorities. They are the most compromising lots when it comes to their friends.

Above mentioned may be simple things; but if you think deep, women in or after their 40s begin to feel something is missing in their lives. They always would have been busy with running households, going to full-time work, taking care of in-laws, busy with kids, their schools, homework etc, so much so that they completely forgot to give attention to themselves. When kids grow up, leave homes, previous generation pass on, do they realise that they have nothing to do with themselves and continue with their routines, still putting spouse’s welfare over themselves.

Ladies, just ask yourselves what makes you come alive. Nothing great in the World has been accomplished without passion. That gives you real pleasure. It can be anything, be it gardening, painting, music, craft work, writing, reading, charity work; the options are endless. Women’s biggest fear is what others might think.

Stop worrying about pleasing others so much; just do what makes you happy. Age is just a number. Go for long walks alone, take in the Nature. Plan for a trip to a place you have always wanted to go; gift that to yourself. Enjoy your “Me” time. Finding passion is not just about careers and money. It is all about finding your authentic self. Be engaged with your passion. Be happy and satisfied with yourself.

These days most educated men are extremely understanding and don't stand in the way of women wanting to do something for themselves. Looking at many women around feeling so lost, not just lost alone, but being unhappy for many opportunities lost; in some cases, feeling a sense of longing too. Embrace those women who are lost. Let’s all guide and support each other without being judgemental. Live and let live of fellow women! After all, 40s are the new 20s or 30s, however you want to take it!
PC: Google (I loved it)

Movie Review: Power Paandi

Power Paandi, a name for a Thamizh movie, would make you wonder if it’s one of those stock standard, mindless, mediocre movies. Let me tell you this. I would have felt the same, had my friend not told me how good the movie was. 

It is directorial debut of actor Dhanush. It is a delightful debut indeed. This is a film that’s subtly poignant, yet inherently likeable. Clean storyline!

First thing first, the casting; each cast is carefully chosen and in turn, each of them have delivered better than the best, be it the next-door neighbour’s kid, to the thugs who sell drugs, to the grand kids. What’s worth mentioning is that the grandkids act their age, with innocence, NOT those "பிஞ்சில பழுத்தது" types.

As for the main characters, Prasanna has done a commendable job! He has an arresting screen presence, emotes his role so well, torn between being part of the pseudo society we all live in, being the son who is caring, yet frustrated with his father. His grumpiness, frustrations are so relatable.

Rajkiran, what can I say! He has lived the part. He walks his way into the audience’s heart and stays there till the end. Dhanush makes a cameo role; so, does Revathi. The minute Revathi enters the scene, she steals the show, out and out. 

Some scenes are worth mentioning: the drunken Rajkiran talking to his son, scene where the elderly men meet Paandi, the confrontation by the grandson, when the grandson caresses Paandi's throat as he swallows his medicine, right after DD says “நாளைக்கு உன்ன பெண் பார்க்க வராங்க” to Revathi, Revathi gets up and has a little sway/dance of joy, and the mature, new age romance that brings smile, something very new to Thamizh movies; I can go on... 

Music, bgm are worth mentioning; Sean Rolden has done a clean job, though a little Ilaiyaraja-esque, I am not complaining. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie. Dhanush has set a high standard for himself as a director.

Movie Review: Visaaranai - Tamil

Visaaranai is an uncompromising and spine-chilling movie about abuse of power by the very Police force that is supposed to protect it's citizens. I have been a big fan of director Vetrimaaran since his movie AadukaLam. This movie is totally uncompromising for the need for commercial success. Hence, it has a place in the 10 must see Indian movies.

  

Pandi and his friends are immigrant workers in Andhra Pradesh. They are picked up by cops for a crime they never committed. They become voiceless and are taken advantage by those who in a vicious game where the voiceless are strangled by those with power.

Based on a real-life story of a man named Chandrakumar, Visaaranai is compelling, but not for faint-hearted. The movie is scary for its randomness with which Pandi and his friends get into situations that threaten their life. One can see how those in power can threaten those below them when Pandi's employer pleads with him to accept to the crime as he has been warned that he, too, might get into trouble. Vetrimaaran has done it again!

Verdict: Must see movie for true art movie lovers, but certainly not for the faint-hearted. 

Movie Review: Thithi - Kannada

It is rather easy to see why Thithi has been listed as one of the 10 must see Indian movies and made its way into Kamal Hassan’s list of 70 movies.

The filmmaker is a good storyteller, but this is evidently the work of cast and crew who gave stellar performances by living the characters. In the recent trend and poor churn of good movies in Kannada industry, this film stands out.

The death of Century Gowda, a patriarch, sends his family, particularly his grandson, into a tizzy. The family land is still in the dead man’s name and Century Gowda’s son, could not care less about transferring ownership in his or his son’s name. But the grandson cares, and what he does to try and secure the land forms the rest of the story.

The villagers carry the story on their shoulders and the entire action culminates in the eventual thithi (funeral) of Century Gowda. One would expect a film about a funeral to be sombre, but the director takes the theme of death, greed for inheritance form the crux of the movie.

As morbid as the name sounds, Thithi is a film with an emotional chord that is entertaining till the end.

Verdict: I loved the movie for it reality and rawness!

Movie Review: Court - Marathi

This Marathi movie tackles some of the nation’s many ills: colonialisational impact of the British Raj - still using laws set by them, generational and sectarian conflict, a certain infrastructural liability that no one seems to address, be it, the Governments, legal system or the society.

The movie revolves around the trial of a singer accused of inciting a sewerage worker's suicide, sets intricate stage for this court room drama.

It is intense, and in the end you are left feeling helpless and disgusted that legal system. 

Verdict: It was okay!