THUPPAKKI MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal, Jayaram, Vidyut Jamwal, Sathyan                                        
Direction: A. R. Murugadoss
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Production: Kalaipuli S. Dhanu

Thuppakki released today amidst gargantuan hype and high fan frenzy. The expectation is high from this Vijay – Murugadoss association which has an acclaimed crew comprising cameraman Santosh Sivan, editor Sreekar Prasad and music director Harris Jayaraj. Have the team succeeded in giving the perfect festival entertainer?
Thuppakki is basically about Jagdish (Vijay), an army captain, who returns to Mumbai for a 40 days’ vacation. He has a loving family, comprising two sisters and his parents, who wish to get him married to an appropriate girl. Along with his romantic escapades, he also has a greater task at hand as he has to eradicate sleeper cells that are out to bomb and terrorize Mumbai across 12 prominent localities. Banking on the ever-dependable Vijay, this extravagant and stylish entertainer is all about how Jagdish takes on this terror network.
The film gets off to a slow start after Vijay’s mass intro with the ‘Kutti Puli’ number. The romantic episodes with Kajal Aggarwal are bearable thanks to some high-voltage songs by Harris Jayaraj (Alaikaa Laikka and the wildly popular Google Google stand out) and Jayaram’s (playing Jagdish’s senior in the Army) funny interventions.
Kajal is the typical commercial cinema heroine who makes glamorous appearances in the songs and is also there for some comic relief. The tomboyish voice that has dubbed for her, enhances her character. Her stylish costumes and youthful beauty are a nice distraction from the main action packed plot. Jayaram’s legendary comic timing is intact while Sathyan has a commendable and sizable presence in the movie as Jagdish’s police friend. His proficiency in the English and Hindi speaking portions is a pleasant surprise. Vidyut Jamwal looks a million bucks with his long locks, stubble and macho physique. He is a nice matchup for the invincible hero.
Coming back to our main man Vijay, he looks ever youthful and the V shape that he so painstakingly maintains looks even more tight and muscular in Thuppakki. His prowess at dance and fights is well-known and Murugadoss has packaged and presented the movie perfectly in sync with Vijay’s skills at commercial cinema. While on the one hand, Jagdish is a brainy guy who uses the Rubik’s cube and his apple laptop to decode maps, on the other hand, his brawny side is also prominent thanks to his blazer, glares and a stylish gait. The pre-interval scenes with the twelve sleeper cells and the fight scenes with a sniffer dog in tow in the second half are a royal treat for Vijay fanatics. The star’s comfort level with Hindi and English makes his character as an urban Mumbai Thamizhan appear more genuine and real.
Harris Jayaraj’s songs are a raging hit already and this is a nice score on the whole from Harris. The music that repeats while Vidyut makes an appearance on screen is pulsating.
Santosh Sivan’s camerawork is flawless and has captured the raw energy and crowds of Mumbai very well. The VFX for the blast scene at the start could have been better. Sreekar Prasad’s editing is seamless and makes sure that the movie is not boring one bit. Even though the locations in the ‘Vennilave’ song are a treat, the song overall seems redundant and could have been avoided.
Vijay’s costumer and stylist deserve a big round of applause for making the star dazzle in a suave manner with stylish and trendy clothes. His Tees are truly rocking thanks to his toned arms and dashboard abs.
On the downside, the last encounter between Vijay and Vidyut could have been better given the nice manner in which the movie was laid out for the finale. But, this is just a minor blip in an otherwise wholesome commercial treat. The manner in which Vijay manages to keep his mission wrapped in secrecy from his higher authorities in the Army is another question mark.
To wrap it up, Thuppakki should turn out to be a hugely profitable venture for the makers and a rewarding experience for the audience. The last dialog, about Army men living in tough conditions for 11 months based on the memories of their short vacation, makes Thuppakki’s intentions of being an ode to the Army, a commendable one.
Verdict: A fully loaded festival package from Vijay, Murugadoss and co
Rating:



Courtesy: behindwoods.com

"PIZZA" MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Remya Nambeesan  Direction: Karthik Subburaj 
Music: Santhosh Narayanan 
Production: CV Kumar

The moment of truth for director Karthik Subburaj has arrived. After making numerous short-films that received wide appreciation on the internet, he attempts to try his hand at making one for a bigger screen and a wider audience with his first venture Pizza.
The movie revolves around Michael played by Vijay Sethupathi, who works as a delivery boy for a pizzeria. He is in a live-in relationship with his high school sweetheart Anu, Remya Nambeesan, who is an aspiring fiction writer, specifically of the horror genre that she follows very intently.
Things begin to take a rash turn for Michael, first with the unexpected pregnancy of Anu that forces him into wedlock and then with a routine late evening delivery.
The first half begins by taking its time to set up the central characters, Michael and Anu, and their romance. Their chemistry is sweet but it doesn’t set the screen on fire. The action truly starts with Michael’s forsaken delivery, where the director successfully draws the audience into the haunted house and immerses them into his fears. When the intermission bell rings, the movie will have you guessing the various possibilities of the script unfolding but you will have to wait till most of the second half to pass before you find out if your guess was right. Revealing any more would be an absolute crime to the movie and the film maker, but one thing is for sure, the director does pull a rabbit out of his hat!
Remya Nambeesan looks the part of a girl next door but one might feel a little more attention could have been given to her makeup. She plays her part effectively. Vijay Sethupathi will be banking on this film to be his big ticket and has delivered a performance that can back it up. His character demands fear and vulnerability but with brief bursts of courage and he has certainly lived up to its expectations. The supporting cast including Naren, Pooja, Jaykumar and Veera Sethuraman deliver convincing performances. There are few comical moments but its treatment is very subtle.
Director Karthik Subburaj plays all the cards required to make a quality horror suspense film with a thrilling screenplay, deft camerawork, strong performances, eerie sound effects and music. Fortunately for him they all come out as aces. Gopi Amarnath’s cinematography is excellent in the way he frames his romantic sequences and the manner in which he uses his camera to sneak around in the haunting sequences. Music is an integral part of the film and it gels well with the screenplay. Some songs are situational, like Gana Bala’s blues jazz track which is played out as a cell phone ringtone! The much talked about 7.1 surround serves up as more than just a marketing tool. The transition of eerie sound effects from one side of the hall to the other is smooth and adds to the suspense. Another strong reason to go watch this film in the theatres!
Debutant director Karthik Subburaj creates an impression by employing a simple story telling technique of subversion so effectively to produce a gripping story that will make you hold your breath and later heave a huge sigh (of relief). There are traits of a short film like the usage of a lean cast and trim production but the intentions and its execution are surely aimed for a grander stage.
This sort of progressive filmmaking will come as a welcome addition to the industry as well as the audience and for that we’ll say - well played Karthik Subburaj!
Go buy a ticket and enjoy the ride!
Verdict: Pizza – Place your order and prepare to be thrilled!

Rating:


Courtesy: behindwoods.com

"THUPPAKI" STUNNING STILLS

"THUPPAKI" STUNNING STILLS

"MAATTRRAAN" MOVIE REVIEW

MAATTRRAAN MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Suriya, Kajal Aggarwal, Sachin Khedekar, Vivek Oberoi
Direction: K. V. Anand
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Production: AGS Entertainment, Kalpathi S. Aghoram

Maattrraan brings together the tested hit combination of director K V Anand and Suriya once again after Ayan. Touted to be the first Indian film to use performance capture technology, Maattrraan centers on conjoined twins as a basic arc but delves more on the adverse effects of genetic engineering when man starts thinking himself to be God.
Anand’s previous films have established him as a mainstream movie maker with a lucid understanding of the semiotics of commercial film making that entertains and educates the audience to certain extent.
To hook the contemporary attention-scant viewer to the screen for an extended period is an uphill task and Anand succeeds in this domain fairly well. Good looking and efficient cast, rich and grandeur visuals, pleasing music, energetic stunts, an interesting premise and an able direction help him in this endeavor.
Interestingly for Suriya this is his second film on the subject of genetic engineering immediately after 7aum Arivu. Whether it is a restrained reaction or a cheerful retort, this hardworking actor delivers it with consummate ease. As the flamboyant Agilan or the grey matter rich Vimalan, Suriya brings out the necessary dichotomy quite well, very typical of him. His sincerity and dedication is palpable in every frame. Be it the action sequences or the romantic frames, Suirya crafts a niche performance.
Kajal Agarwal has a significant role to play too and she pulls it off successfully. Chinmayee has dubbed for Kajal and the fact that the former can speak good Russian helps the character appreciably. However, even during serious scenes, the lady seems to be having a cheerful disposition! Sachin Kadekar has a meaty role next only to the hero and he gets his acts right with his fine portrayal as a maverick scientist. Tara who featured as Karthik’s little sister in Agni Natchathiram is Suriya’s mom in Maattrraan and the lady fits her role perfectly.
One of the major highlights of the film is its VFX. Helmed by Srinivas Mohan of Endhiran fame, the VFX team has worked hard and it is evident in all the frames that feature the conjoined twins. The action sequence at the roller coaster ride is the best example where all the departments like the camera, stunt, VFX and Suriya have worked in epic tandem and the result is brilliant. Editing plays a crucial role in such visual effects intensive movies and editor Antony has done complete justice to his craft.  
Cinematographer Soundarrajan creates a huge canvas in song sequences in the Nani Koni number and fills it with rich and spectacular sights. The splendor of Norway is breathtaking in this song. In all, the film looks rich and grandeur, thanks to Soundarrajan’s angles and lighting. Scintillating songs and good RR of Harris Jeyaraj enhance the appeal.  Kaal Mulaithe Poove is a visual and an aural delight. Other tracks are also humworthy.
It is apparent that stunt master Peter Hein has worked over time to get the appropriate effect more so when the scene involves conjoined twin. However the scene in the forest towards the climax is a long drawn affair and could have been trimmed.
The concept of genetic engineering and especially baby designing is new to Tamil cinema (or even to Indian cinema?) and Anand has packaged this concept interestingly. Humor does not course through the films’ veins but the scene at the theatre when the impish Suirya teaches a few lessons on romance to the somber Suriya provides light moments.
KV Anand has managed to make the script pacy. However at 2 hours and 48 minutes, the movie still feels a tad lengthy. This could have been reduced.
There is a pattern in K V Anand’s films. There is a definite social message which he masquerades with commercial components and packages it interestingly. Maattrraan also follows the route and it delivers what it promises- a rich and stylish entertainer with an interesting story.
Verdict: A rich and grandeur entertainer
Rating: 
 
Courtesy: BEHINDWOODS

"THUPPAKKI" MUSIC REVIEW

THUPPAKKI MUSIC REVIEW

Starring: Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal, Jayaram, Vidyut Jamwal, Sathyan
Direction: A. R. Murugadoss
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Production: Kalaipuli S. Dhanu

Thuppakki brings together Vijay and Harris Jayaraj again after the successful Nanban, for one of the year’s most anticipated projects. The album has 6 songs and 1 instrumental theme. One of the key highlights being the return of Vijay as a singer.

Kutti Puli Kootam..  
Singer(s): Hariharan, Tippu, Additional vocals by Narayanan, Satyan & Ranina Reddy
Lyrics: Viveka
A wailing chant in Hindi welcomes the listeners and they are soon greeted by galloping Indian percussions. The lyrics indicate it to be the hero’s introduction but it’s refreshingly restrained rather than being an over-the-top explosive intro song. The orchestration during the verses is fairly minimalistic throwing emphasis in the words and the rhythm. Hariharan delivers this song in his imitable style and injects the tune with more energy. The chorus adds the cherry on top of this treat for Vijay fans.
Antartica.. 
Singer(s): Vijay Prakash, Krish, Rajeev (Rap), Additional vocals by Devan
Lyrics: Karky
The track is completely guitar driven. There are strains of acoustic, distortion and a funk style guitar sound that make for the groove of the song. The combination of Vijay Prakash and Krish sounds like a good choice of singers for Vijay. The vocal harmonies on show are beautifully executed. The words by Karky are youthful.
Poi Varava..
Singer(s): Karthik, Additional Vocals by Chinmayi
Lyrics: Pa. Vijay
A melancholic tune set to the sounds of mostly an acoustic guitar. The words by Pa.Vijay suggest that this is a song about the pain of an army officer leaving home. The beautiful bugle interlude reaffirms the connection with the army. The song attempts to capture both the patriotic as well as the human emotions of a soldier. Karthik sings it in just the right emotions to raise enough sympathy without making it sound overtly pathos.
Google google..   
Singer(s): Vijay, Andrea, Rap – Joe, Krishna Iyer
Lyrics: Karky
Harris offers a track in the electropop genre that’s become ever so popular with artists like LMFAO and Psy. The song’s real highlight would certainly have to be the playful lyrics. The words are carefully penned to cater to the youth’s current sensibilities like nightlife, internet and so forth. The song serves as perfect platform for Vijay to return as a singer and he performs it in a gracefully laidback style that’s a reflection of his personality. The spoken-word rap segments are quirky and enjoyable and build up nicely to a catchy chorus. One feels that the track might also give some insight about the chemistry between the lead pair.
Vennilave..
Singer(s): Hariharan, Bombay Jayashri
Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar
Harris Jayaraj turns to his ace singing pair of Hariharan and Bombay Jayashri to croon this melody. This is probably the reason why this song gives the listener some semblance of compositions from Bheema. The song opens with a charming Hindi chorus but makes a forceful transition into the Tamil verses. But the Hindi chorus returns later in the song justifying its presence. Flute and Flamenco parts featured in this track stand out for instrumental performances. Adding a delay to the flute solo is a clever production by the composer. Na. Muthukumar’s words are deep and romantic.
Alaikka laikaa…  
Singer(s): Javed Ali, Sayanora Philip, Sharmila
Lyrics: Pa. Vijay
It’s total electric guitar overdrive on this song that’s backed by a pounding drum-line that is sustained throughout the song. The drum-line helps to keep the track up-tempo and bouncy all throughout. The guitar picking in the background is a common Harris touch but it can go unnoticed if your volume levels are low. The lyrics are designed to play to the gallery by keeping it colloquial and fun like making references to Agarwal sweets and such. Javed Ali and Sayanora lend their unique voices for a track that is manufactured towards Vijay’s strength as a supreme dancer.
Jagdish On A Mission (Theme)
Instrumental
The theme traverses from a down tempo electronic segment that has heroic undertones into a menacing distorted guitar driven hard rock segment that’s racy and intense only to return to the opening down tempo segment, this time sounding accomplished and victorious.
Verdict: Overall it’s a good album with tracks that you can trust Vijay to add a lot of weight to with his dancing skills.

Rating:

THUPPAKI TEASER:
 

Vikram's Getup in Shankar's 'I'

While Vikram is getting ready for the release of Thaandavam on the 28th of September, he is also getting busy with Shankar's I side by side. His pony tailed look with a thick mustache has already made a mark among his fans. 
He admired director Shankar for his razor sharp vision, the magnificence he brings in all his films and also the grandeur element. He also promised that I would be 100 times bigger than Anniyan both in terms of budget as well as treatment of his role. 
He expects audiences to get shocked by his role in I, which has a superb technical crew comprising A.R.Rahman, P.C.Sreeram among others. Aascar Ravichandran produces this film too, like the earlier Anniyan.

"NEETHAANE EN PONVASANTHAM" MUSIC REVIEW

"NEETHAANE EN PONVASANTHAM" MUSIC REVIEW

Starring: Jiiva, Samantha, Santhanam  
Direction: Gautham Menon 
Music: Ilaiyaraja 
Production: RS Infotainment 
Vocals: Karthik, Suraj Jagan, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Ramya NSK, Sunidhi Chauhan, Ilaiyaraja, Bela Shinde 
Lyrics: Na Muthukumar

After forming great musical combinations with the likes of Harris Jayaraj and A.R.Rahman, Gautham Menon has joined hands with Maestro Ilaiyaraja for this romantic caper. Jiiva and Samantha look great together and the album promises a lot. Does it deliver?

Kaatrai Konjam...  
Singer: Karthik
The song begins with beautiful harmony and what follows is a typical Ilaiyaraja number which is enjoyable thanks to the surreal saxophone (or is it the clarinet?) touches and the catchy tune. The female chorus in the second interlude is haunting while Karthik has sung in a base pitch. The violin touches in the first interlude are again characteristic of Raja.

Pudikale Maamu...
Singers: Suraj Jagan, Karthik
The song begins in a rocking fashion (reminiscent of AC/DC) with the drums and electric guitar in place and this mood is maintained till the second interlude. After that the song gets into a ‘Kuthu’ mode which stands out oddly. The lyrics talk about college life of teenagers. The youthful mood of the song is its biggest trump card and it might work on screen.

Yennodu Vaa Vaa...
Singer: Karthik
Starts off with typical Ilaiyaraja instrumentation and having Karthik again for this song brings some sort of monotony. Raja’s instrumental interludes make a mark as always, particularly the violin touches. Another chartbuster in all probability!

Saayndhu Saayndhu...  
Singers: Yuvan Shankar Raja, Ramya NSK
This is a number where the singing doesn’t match the lofty instrumentals especially Yuvan who drags a bit. The guitar and the percussive beats give the required pep to the song while the piano notes in the first interlude are serene. The splendid symphony in the second interlude is the icing on the cake for this number which is sure to hit the charts soon.

Pengal Yendral...
Singer: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Begins with heavy metal touches and the lyrics talk about the boy’s anguish in love. The dramatic element in this song is matched by the heavy instrumentals, with the electric guitar and drums being prominent. A new genre for Ilaiyaraja, for sure and Yuvan’s spirited rendition lifts the song. It will find its niche of listeners with time.

Mudhal Murai...
Singer: Sunidhi Chauhan
Another song with rock touches thanks to the heavy instrumentations. Sunidhi Chauhan is spunky as always with her energy and the chorus proclaiming the movie’s title is blissful. It’s sheer genius to include violin and other string touches in this number.

Sattru Munbu...
Singers: Ramya NSK
This song talks about the pain that the girl suffers due to her love and the instrumentation in this song is intricate thanks to the symphony. Ramya is sober and brings out the anguish through her rendition;she easily shifts pitch. One needs patience to appreciate this number as it might slowly grow on you.

Vaanam Mella...  
Singers: Ilaiyaraja,  Bela Shinde
The female harmony and the bagpipes at the start set the mood for the song. Raja’s mastery over orchestrated instrumentations shines through yet again while he has also lent his voice for this duet. The song has an old world feel thanks to its straightforward duet structure. But, it’s a winner nevertheless.

Verdict: It’s a strong comeback for Ilaiyaraja and this has turned out to be another musical treat from Gautham Menon. A new superhit combo is born!!!

Courtesy: behindwoods

"EK THA TIGER" MOVIE REVIEW

 The Hindi film industry is not new to espionage themes. Rather, the secret agent thrillers date back to the 60s and 70s. Recall films like ANKHEN, INTERNATIONAL CROOK, FARZ, SPY IN ROME, JEWEL THIEF, also THE GREAT GAMBLER, SURAKKSHA, AGENT VINOD and GOPICHAND JASOOS…

Post WANTED, DABANGG and BODYGUARD, all Eid releases, Salman Khan and Yash Raj, the premier production house, unleash their first collaboration together, again on Eid. The Pied Piper of the Hindi film industry, who is on a dream run, delivering one Blockbuster after another, is expected to shatter previous records and set new ones at the box-office.

Is EK THA TIGER at par/better than the previous Salman starrers? All I'd say is that the comparisons, though inevitable, are erroneous. As a standalone film, EK THA TIGER is enthralling and most significantly, an entertaining motion picture. On the exterior, it is a compelling love story/thriller. But beneath the entertainment that it offers, it carries a message as well. Loud and clear. If the spectators can see through the coating, great. Even if they don't, they will yet go back in high spirits.

Let me clarify, EK THA TIGER is not a 'dark film'. No jingoism. No political statements. This is no James Bond duplication either. It reintroduces a megastar, who is at the pinnacle of his illustrious career, in a wholly new space. This one's made by a desi, with desi sensibilities, but targeting the desi audience as well as those beyond the shores of the country. So, there!

In the dark world of intelligence and espionage, all information is guarded in the name of national security. But some stories escape the fiercely guarded classified files...

In a government employees' neighbourhood in New Delhi, there lived a rugged, handsome and mysterious bachelor about whom his neighbours knew nothing. That was because he was India's top spy, an officer with the Research and Analysis Wing [RAW]. This man was known even in official corridors as Tiger [Salman Khan].

Tiger is sent on a relatively easy and safe mission to Dublin, Ireland to observe a scientist of Indian origin [Roshan Seth], who is suspected of sharing his research findings with the Pakistan defence establishment. Tiger attempts to meet the scientist, but is not successful. He tries to befriend the scientist's part-time home caretaker, Zoya [Katrina Kaif]. As Tiger begins to get closer to Zoya, he begins to discover his human side. For the first time in his life, Tiger falls in love...

What follows is a tumultuous journey that Tiger and Zoya embark upon, battling the dark world of intelligence and espionage that forbids its soldiers from falling in love.

Come to think of it, when you saunter into a cineplex to catch EK THA TIGER, what you want, more than anything else, is an adrenaline rush. Director Kabir Khan's take on a RAW agent is very close to real, but, at the same time, it's not a docu-drama. Nor is the agent a clone of Jason Bourne or James Bond. Like I pointed out at the outset, it's desi at heart. Also, clever, amusing and thoroughly entertaining.

Kabir Khan's direction is thoughtful, focused and never goes off-track. In fact, EK THA TIGER takes the detective genre in Hindi movies to a fresh altitude. Besides, Kabir and co-writer Neelesh Mishra open the cards gradually and the highpoint is the interval point when Salman unravels something shocking. Post interval, the film throws one surprise after another and it reaches its crescendo in the concluding stages, with the climax making a solid impression.

EK THA TIGER travels across the globe to capture some of the most exotic locales in the world and the DoP [Aseem Mishra] captures them with flourish. EK THA TIGER has a pleasant score [Sohail Sen, Sajid-Wajid]. 'Mashallah' is the pick of the lot, followed by 'Banjara' and 'Laapata'. The stunts are truly crackling. In fact, the action sequences are of the heart-in-the-mouth variety and if one may add, such stunts and chases have never ever been witnessed on the Hindi screen before. The dialogue is intelligent and sharp.

Blemishes? Not really, but, yes, the leisurely unfurling of the love story in the first hour slackens the narrative occasionally. Since the sequences are so cute and the fact that the ones performing them are Salman and Katrina, one doesn't really mind it, actually.

When you have Salman in a movie titled EK THA TIGER, the director doesn't need to convince the audience that he is a tiger. Salman looks the part! Clutching the thriller with his dynamic presence and performance, Salman is, without doubt, the lifeline of this film. He pulls off the part with flamboyance. Also, he brings in so much visceral rousing energy to the film, every time he appears on the screen. Salman and Katrina pair up after a hiatus in EK THA TIGER and their chemistry is electrifying. Though an out-and-out Salman starrer, Katrina is not relegated to the backseat. Neither is she Salman's arm candy here. She has a meaty part and to her credit, she handles it with aplomb. Also, watch out for her stunts... This is a new Katrina here!

Girish Karnad is excellent. Ranvir Shorey is first-rate. His scenes with Salman are truly wonderful. Roshan Seth is adequate.

On the whole, EK THA TIGER is a high-octane thriller that works big time. This one has style and substance, both, besides dazzling action, stunning international locales and stylish execution. Most importantly, it has Salman Khan, the trump card of this enterprise. There's no denying that Salman's charisma has resulted in a mind-blowing, astounding, never-seen-before start at the ticket window, but the film's content will sustain it thereafter. The film has long legs to prolong its splendid run. This is, without doubt, Salman's best. Sure shot Blockbuster! 

RATING: 

 

Courtesy: bollywoodhungama.com

YASH CHOPRA'S NEXT FLICK:

Yash Chopra's next... starring Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif & Anushka Sharma. Orchestrated by Yash Chopra, this untitled movie will mark the coming together of the award winning duo of the music maestro A. R. Rahman and the poet & lyricist, Gulzar. The film is scheduled for a Diwali 2012 release, the festive time when Yash Chopra movies over the years have lit up homes worldwide.

Teaser of Yash Chopra's Next

"MAATTRRAAN" AUDIO RELEASE @ SINGAPORE!

 AGS Entertainment's "Maattrraan" audio launch is scheduled to happen at Hall No. 1, Singapore Expo, Singapore on August 9th and a party of 150 celebrities will be gracing the occasion.

Some of the celebs include Sivakumar, Karthi, Sneha, Prasanna, Divya Spandhana, Sonia Agarwal, Lingusamy, Gautham Menon, Hari, Vijay, Pa. Vijay, Na. Muthukumar, Madan Karki, Viveka and Thamarai. The Maatraan team including Suriya, Kajal Agarwal, director K V Anand, Harris Jayaraj, Cinematographer Soundarajan, Editor Antony, Script-Dialogue writer Subha, Stunt master Peter Hein, Art director Rajeevan and Producers Kalpathi S Aghoram, Kalpathi S Ganesh, and Kalpathi S Suresh will also make it to this event.

Shankar's 'I' FIRST LOOK

Shankar's 'ஐ' FIRST LOOK!

"BILLA 2" MOVIE REVIEW

BILLA 2 MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Ajith Kumar, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Bruna Abdullah, Vidyut Jamwal, Sudhanshu Pandey  
Direction: Chakri Toleti 
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja 
Production: Suresh Balaje, George Pius, Sunir Khetrapal

Releasing today amidst humongous expectations, Billa 2 has widely been acclaimed as being India’s first prequel. Audiences are already familiar with David Billa as a character, thanks to the impact of the earlier Billas which showcased the aura, the daredevilry and the sheer guts of this man. 
Now, Billa 2 was supposed to trace the roots of David Billa. Billa is a man who is always on the lookout for the next big thing and loyalty counts as his biggest virtue. The journey that David Billa goes through in his quest for total control and domination in his domain is what Billa 2 is, in a nutshell.   It is a typical gangster movie with loads of villains and an invincible hero who has truckloads of charisma and style.  
The fairly engaging first half of Billa 2 happens in coastal Tamil Nadu and later moves on to Goa. The intro scene wherein Ajith is engaged in a ferocious fight sequence and the indigenous title credits are gripping. The dialogues by Era Murugan and Mohamed Zafar are the highlight in this segment. They are filled with punch and meaning. Sample this “Na Agadhi da, Anaadha illa”, “Mathavanoda Bayam dan nambaloda Balam”. There are more such dialogues that are guaranteed to please Ajith’s fans.  
The tempo is lost in the second half. The two heroines, Parvathy Omanakuttan and Bruna Abdullah are more like guest cameos. It is disheartening to note that Parvathy doesn’t live up to the hype. Bruna Abdullah looks ravishing and the scenes where she flaunts her bikini body are sure to please the male populace.   
The villains, Sudhanshu and Vidyut are majestic and have terrific screen presence. Vidyut’s prowess at stunts has been positioned in his introductory fight sequence. Sudhanshu has to remain the cold and calculating don and doesn’t get to flex his muscles like Vidyut.  
Rahman has a blink and you miss type cameo while Manoj K Jayan, Krishna Kumar and Sriman have negative roles which they have done adequately. Ilavarasu impresses in the first half and he is missed in the second half when the action shifts gears.    
Ultimately, this movie is made for Ajith’s fans. Ajith looks fit in the first half while in the second half we get to see him in his typical suave avatar. The ferocious eyes in the fight sequences are Ajith’s biggest strength. His daring guts in the climax helicopter stunt have already been well documented but one does feel that the impact created by this aerial fight isn’t as great as expected.   
The fight sequences done by three separate stunt masters stand out for their ruthless nature. The fist cuffs are fast and they are violent to say the least. The A certificate seems justified.  There are lots of stylish gun shots and blasts that send the pulse racing. But the impact created by all these explosions isn’t great, again.  
The editing by Suresh Urs could have been tauter. The ‘Yedho Mayakkam’ song and the needless short belly dance number in the second half hamper the movie’s flow. That said, the editing and VFX in the ‘Unakkulle Mirugam’ song remind you of the flashy style that you see in Guy Ritchie movies.    
It is also disappointing to see the ‘Gang Gang Gangster’ song being reduced to a mere end credits song.  
R.D.Rajasekhar’s cinematography has made sure that the movie has a grand look. The songs look glossy, the picture resolution is extra-ordinary thanks to the Red Epic camera and RDR’s work in the helicopter sequence earns extra brownie points.  
To conclude, Billa 2 will please hardcore action fans and Ajith fans in particular. The emotional connect goes down thanks to a laborious second half. But, the idea of making a prequel and the grand scale of the movie make sure that the movie isn’t a tiresome experience either. Given the expectations, somehow you feel that the end product hasn’t been delivered.

Verdict: Gangster movie that doesn’t pack a solid punch
Rating:

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

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Shankar about his upcoming movie 'ஐ'

Director Shankar took it to the social networking sites to disclose details about his upcoming magnum opus ‘ஐ’

Here the post by Director Shankar:

 

Hi Everyone!

It’s been a while… Was busy with the pre production of my next film, which I’ve titled ‘ஐ’. In tamil ‘i’ means beauty, king, guru, astonishment, vulnerability (softness/gentleness) etc. Produced by Aascar Films V.Ravichandran… And music composed by A.R.Rahman…

Starring Vikram, Santhanam, Malayalam super star Suresh Gopi, Ramkumar (Nadigar Thilakam Sivaji Ganesan’s eldest son) and many more… It’ll be my first venture with veteran DoP PC Sriram & writer duo SuBa.

Costume designer of ‘Men in Black’ series Mary Vogt is designing special costumes. Peter Ming of China and our own Anal Arasu will provide the daredevil stunts. Australian Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) who mesmerized us in the Harry Potter series are in charge of the VFX, and will be supervised by Srinivas.M.Mohan. Art Director Muthuraj and Editor Antony also make my team yet another time…

Under A.R.Rahman’s baton, written by Kabilan, a song was recorded recently which was sung by Vijay Prakash.

This is not a political film or about elections…
This is a full ‘N full Romantic Thriller…

The film will go on the floor from mid-July…

Yours,
Shankar.

"NAAN EE" MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Nani, Samantha, Sudeep  

Direction: S S Rajamouli 

Music: Maragatha Mani 

Production: PVP Cinemas

The King of masala flicks, director SS Rajamouli, who has made films like Magadheera and Viramarkudu has come up with yet another super-entertainer Naan Ee, starring Nani, Samantha and Sudeep. This romantic-fantasy was in the making for very long, mainly because of the computer graphics.

The film is a good package with a perfect blend of fantasy, thrill, comedy and romance. The story line, in which the murdered hero, reincarnates as a house fly and takes revenge on his killer, might sound a bit immature, when just heard. But the film gives you a completely different experience.

SS Rajamouli has made sure that every department of film making has delivered its best. The film’s dialogue writer Crazy Mohan has penned some of his trademark rib ticklers. He has maintained simplicity throughout the script, so that the film doesn’t have any unnecessary punches from the hero or the villain.  

Though Nani, the film’s protagonist, has very less screen time, his absence is not felt. The romantic sequences between Samantha and Nani aren’t exaggerated at all, and look simple and feel good. Samantha too has done a neat job handling the character. But it is Kiccha Sudeep who is the clear winner. He has the right style and attitude required for the role. He plays the cruel man, who is being terrorized by a fly. The sequences between the fly and Sudeep in the first half are hilarious to the core. Usually, in most of the films, it will be the hero or the heroine who would have to carry out all types of emotions. But quiet contrarily, in Naan Ee, it is the villain who had to portray all types of emotions, and Sudeep has handled it with brilliance. Santhanam, though appears in a guest role, makes an impression. Devadharshini and Adithya, in character roles have delivered what is required.   

The CG and visual effects department must be applauded for such a wonderful job. They have made a fly to emote, dance and show gestures and that too with meticulous concentration on the details.

Another boost for the film is its music. Songs are very good, and with the visuals, it is more attractive. But it is the background music that scores more. The sarcastic touches by Keeravani here and there when Sudeep suffers the fly attack, contribute to the film’s humour in a big way.

KK Senthil Kumar’s cinematography is another marvel in the film. The ultra-motion shots, like those in the song ‘Rules Kidayadhu’, are awe inspiring. Be it the lighting, framing or compositions, everything were perfect and visually pulchritudinous. The cinematography is perfectly supported by Kotagiri Venkateshwara Rao’s pacy editing. The sound engineering of the film can match the western quality to some extent.

On the whole, Naan Ee is an awe inspiring magical journey and a wholesome family entertainer. These two and a half hours will probably be the only time in one’s whole life, when we would love a fly.

Verdict: High on entertainment quotient

Rating:

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

"EEGA" MOVIE REVIEW

Director : S.S.Rajamouli

Producer : Suresh Babu

Music Director : M.M. Keeravani

Starring: Nani, Samantha, Sudeep

Sudeep ,Samantha and Nani have played the lead roles in S.S.Rajamouli’s Eega and the movie has released today. Rajamouli has worked very hard for two years to come up with this movie and it has released with very high expectations. Let us see how the movie is.

Story :

‘Eega’ starts off as a father’s bedtime story to a daughter. Bindu (Samantha) runs a charity organization that looks after the welfare of orphans. Nani (Nani) is a neighbour who loves Bindu deeply and he is shown as a guy who has been in love with her for the past two years. He keeps expressing his love for her in many ways and Bindu too loves him, but never expresses her feelings. Into this scenario comes Sudeep, a very rich business magnate. He sees Samantha and starts coveting her.

Once Sudeep realises the romantic angle between Bindu and Nani, he gets enraged and kills off Nani. At the time of dying, Nani realises that Bindu is also in love with him and he vows to protect Bindu from Sudeep. This causes him to be reborn as an Eega.

The rest of the story is about how the Eega protects Samantha from Sudeep

Plus Points :

Sudeep is the highlight of this movie. He has played a full length role for the first time in a Telugu film and he makes a great impression. His emotions, anger and histrionics are perfect.Samantha has done a great performance oriented role after ‘Ye Maya Chesave’ and her scenes with the Eega are superb. Her costumes are nice and she looks great.

Rajamouli does not have the comfort of a big hero’s presence in the movie, yet, he manged to pull of a good drama involving nothing more than a simple housefly. He has taken special care in terms of screenplay and graphics.

Special mention must be made of the scenes where the Eega tells Samantha that he is Nani. They are simply superb. The scenes where the Eega builds up physical endurance and the interval block are excellent as well.

Thagubothu Ramesh’s comedy track is neat. Hamsa Nandini makes a glamorous cameo appearance.

Technical Aspects :

Keeravani’s background score for this movie is outstanding and his work is key in communicating the Eega’s emotions to the audience. The theme song ‘lava lava’ used for Sudeep is also very nicely done.

Makuta team’s graphics work is admirable and they have taken the range of Telugu cinema to new heights along with Rajamouli. Senthi’s camerawork is good and he has shown the Eega’s vantage angles beautifully. Editing is neat and dialogues are ok.

Verdict :

Eega is a highly entertaining graphics tale that is a must watch. Many people wanted to see what Rajamouli could do without a commercial hero in the lead. For all of them, Eega is a fitting answer. Don’t miss it.

Rating : 4/5

Courtesy:123telugu.com 

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