12 YEARS A SLAVE (" OH NO DICAPRIO!!!")

January 31, 2014.

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano.

Director: Steve Mcqueen.

“I don’t think I have seen a story like that of Solomon Northup on film and I wanted to make damn sure if it was on film it was going to be done well”. This is the statement that Steve Mcqueen made when asked about 12 Years a Slave.

Nothing defines the film better than the above statement. The film starts off in New York in 1841 where Solomon (Chiwetel) is a very well respected musician who has a wife and two children. He is trapped and sold into slavery by his acquaintances.

From then on the director takes us on a 12 year journey in the life of Solomon. Solomon is first bought by Mr.Ford (Cumberbatch) who is a very decent man and at a level empathises with Solomon, yet helpless. When Solomon gets into a fight with one of Ford’s employees he is forced to move under the ownership of the cruel and abusive Edwin Epps (Fassbender).

The film takes on a realistic approach to the whole incident right from the beginning and violence and abuse have been portrayed in a very effective way that really disturbs the audience most of the time. Two such scenes that stand out and really give you an idea of the plight of the slaves are; when Solomon is left hanging from a branch for a whole day barely able to ground his feet so that he could stay alive and Patsy getting stripped and whiplashed brutally just because she wanted to use a bar of soap to stay clean. These two, especially the latter, appeal to anyone having a conscience when you watch it on screen, courtesy Mcqueen.

Though you can find traces of Inception in the BGM (which was also scored by Zimmer), along with sensible cinematography employing a variety of shots Mcqueen succeeds in capturing the essence of it all.

The cast, top league actors and newbies alike, offers a stellar performance. Though it’s difficult to rate the performances, it has to be admitted that the stand-outs are Chiwetel, Fassbender and the actor playing Patsy to an extent. Chiwetel portrays the pain, helplessness and uncertainty of Solomon in a probable Oscar Winning performance, with moments of beauty conveyed through facial expressions alone. Another point worth mentioning is the grit and hope that Solomon embodies making 12 Years a Slave much more than just a sympathising film on slavery.

One cannot feel nothing but sad for Leonardo Dicaprio; everytime he comes close to the Best Actor Oscar someone else swiftly comes along to claim the prize, this time being no different. With the looks of it the contest for the Best Actor should be between Chiwetel for 12 years a slave and Mathew Mcaunaghey for Dallas Buyers Club. Let’s wait and watch!

I am giving a 4 for 12 Years a Slave. It is a gritty film that you do not wanna miss!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

RUMMY ("NOT A GOOD GAME")

January 31, 2014.

Cast: Vijay Sethupathy, Inigo Prabhakaran, Gayathrie.

Director: Balakrishnan.

Rummy takes us into the violent volatile villages of the 1980s Tamilnadu, a bit reminiscent of Subramaniapuram. The story starts with Shakthi (Inigo Prabhakar) joining a college in Sivagangai where he falls for Meenakshi (Gayathrie) at first sight. His roommate Joseph (Vijay Sethupathy) comes from a poor background and very soon he also falls for a girl, who happens to be the daughter of a local gangster.

Being a village where outsiders who try hitting on the local girls are seen as criminals who deserve even death as punishment for their “crime”, the romance of the lead pair soon starts creating tension. The premise as it is can be related to a lot of the films that have come of late with Madurai and the likes of it as their background; hero meets the heroine; heroine happens to be the bad guy’s daughter and after a few tense scenes a tragic climax! We have already had enough movies of that sort.

Sadly Rummy is no different, even though it has the presence of the ever dependable Vijay Sethupathy who plays more of a second hero with lesser screen time compared to Inigo Prabhakar. One wonders why in the world he chose to be part of such a film.

The director has tried to make the film engaging with sort of a multi-layered screenplay which, though has to be appreciated, fails to hold the interest of the viewers especially when the film feels way too much longer than it’s runtime of 150 minutes. The songs are passable but when they keep coming a bit too frequently and at odd times as the film progresses the patience starts wearing out faster.

Most of the scenes offer decent acting with tinges of brilliance at times (the scenes involving Vijay Sethupathy) but sadly those are abrupt and incomplete and are more like pop ups appearing when we browse the net. The romance track also suffers from the same problem offering beauty only in parts.

Very soon into the second half the film spirals out of control and becomes utterly predictable and dragging and still the songs keep coming!

Coming to the climax, it is more funny than scary and just when I was thinking if I am being a bit hard on the film 90% of the audience started laughing; though the performances were earnest the fumble in the execution takes anything worthwhile away from those scenes.

I am giving a 2.5 for Rummy. Though it’s good in parts it’s long and tiring!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

GOLI SODA ("REFRESHING")

January 17, 2014.

Cast: Kishore, Sree Raam, Pandi, Murugesh.

Director: S.D Vijay Milton.

Vijay Milton’s debut directorial venture “Goli Soda” deals with the life of four orphan boys for whom Koyambedu market is everything. They are content with the meagre daily earnings they get from a variety of things they do at the market. One among their daily timepass’ is checking out the schoolgirls who cross the market everyday on their way to school.

When one among the four boys falls for a girl who happens to be the daughter of “Aachi”, a mother like figure for the boys they decide to do something worthwhile in life. With the help of Aachi they open a food stall in the godown of the local gangster. Things get sour between the gangster and the boys when the boys get into a fight with the former’s right hand man.

One of the main attractions of Goli Soda is the boys themselves who are in top form. Armed with a good script and some nice dialogues they deliver a much better and a very mature performance in comparison to their debut film. Their chemistry is really good and they really win your hearts in certain scenes.

The script offers plenty of twists and turns and is quite unpredictable, and for the same reason thrilling, at times. It manages to strike a really good balance between masala and realism; while some fight sequences and scenes may appear to be a bit masala-ish the rest of the film offers realism in plenty.

It could also be called a bit lethargic or naive especially in the second half because of the way in which the writer manages to arrive at a solution for the problem thereby ensuring justice for the boys; the way Vanmathi tracks down the boys is one such instance and the unexpectedly sudden change of heart of the gangster in the climax is another.

Keeping those apart, Goli Soda offers something really refreshing for the viewers especially when there is a barrage of masala films with over the top dialogues, fights and songs tearing apart anything that could be termed sensible or enjoyable.

I am giving a 3 for Goli Soda. It is a good film, a bit more thought on the part of the writer/director could have made it great!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

VEERAM REVIEW

January 10, 2014.

Cast: Ajith, Tamannah, Vidarth, Nasser.

Director: Siva.

Please click here for the review.

JILLA REVIEW

January 10, 2014.

Cast: Mohanlal, Vijay, Kajal Agarwal.

Director: Nesan.

Please click here for the review

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY ("BEAUTIFUL THINGS NEVER ASK FOR ATTENTION")

January 3, 2014.

Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn.

Director: Ben Stiller.

Jim Carrey had “The eternal sunshine of the spotless mind” and “The Truman Show” which cleared the doubts of anyone who thought Jim Carrey is more of a Jim Caricature. Ben Stiller, who can be equated a bit with the likes of Jim Carrey, though multi talented as opposed to Carrey had only given us comedy mainly. Walter Mitty is amazingly fresh and pure that gives an altogether different image for Stiller.

Walter Mitty (Stiller) is a middle aged bachelor who has been working in Life Magazine negative assets section for the past 16 years. He has a secret crush on Cheryl (Kristen Wiig) and even manages to get the subscription of an online dating program just because the recently divorced Cheryl happens to be a member. He keeps “zoning out” every now and then when he travels into his own fantasy land where anything is possible and he is the superstar adored and respected by everyone. When one of the negatives sent by the famous photographer Sean ‘O Connell to be used as the Cover Page of the last edition of Life Magazine goes missing, Walter is forced to travel the world in search of Sean to retrieve the negative.

If you go in expecting this to be somewhat like “Bed time stories” where it’s all about a fantasy world and a lot of graphics you are in for one helluva surprise. About a few minutes into the film it gets quite clear that the tone the director (Stiller) has in mind for Walter Mitty is something much more, much beyond the usual fantasy stuff meant for the kids.

This also carries the distinction of coming from the studio that brought us Life of Pi and it does not disappoint! In whatever scenes the CG work is required it is delivered top class offering sort of a surreal experience; something which will delight the kids and adults alike.

Another fascinating element in the film is it’s soulful music that is transcendental, it’s truly magical and touches your heart. While some tracks are inspiring others are moving and the rest are just fall into their rightful place in the movie.

The execution has a lot of freshness where the text messages are shown on the side of mountains, the titles roll onto the buildings and roads and then there are some real fine moments; the one where Mitty talks about Papa John’s to Cheryl and when Sean tells Mitty how he likes to stay focused in the moment when he sees something spectacular.

The humor  of course is there just like you have in any other Ben Stiller movies but this cannot entirely be called a comedy movie it has got a message for you if you are tuned in right, it has got a soul to it.

But still this movie is meant for target audience and could only be enjoyed if you are empathetic towards Walter Mitty. And arguably this is the best directorial yet from Stiller.

I am giving a 3.75 for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Beautiful things never ask for attention!!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET ("SALESMAN OF THE YEAR")

January 3, 2014.

Cast: Leonardo Di caprio, Jonah Hill, P.J Byrne, Jon Favreau, Mathew Mccaunaghey.

Director: Martin Scorcese.

“Sell me this pen”, this is what Jordan Belfort asks each of his initial team members to do if he should select them. This one scene sets the tone of the film so beautifully; courtesy the outstanding writing and direction.

Jordan Belfort (Dicaprio) starts off as a rookie stockbroker taken under the wings of Mark Hanna (Mccaunaghey). With no beating around the bush Hanna gives Belfort a clear picture of the life that he should be willing to lead filled with sleaze, cheating and drugs, if he wants to make it big in Wall street. But soon afterwards Wall Street crashes and Belfort is forced to join a third grade stockbroking firm that deals only in Penny Stocks. That becomes the turning point in Belfort’s life when he is shown an innovative way to cheat customers without them having a clue about it  yet making it all look legal and convincing. Donnie (Jonah Hill) joins him shortly when they bump into each other in the food stall where Donnie works and there starts a long time partnership of fraud, drugs, obscenity and money!

Terence Winter has a written a top class screenplay, taken of course from Jordan Belfort’s autobiography, fictionalising things wherever required. But right from the start the screenplay does not have any qualms in the kind of language or actions that it contains. It is highly relieving that the CBFC has not edited any of the scenes, except for the explicit physical content, may be because of the reason that 90% of the film would have been required to be censored that way.

It is an intoxicating mixture of lack of control, drug abuse, verbal abuse and some really good humor. There are particularly two to three scenes that stand out from the rest due to the sheer acting prowess of Dicaprio, and freshness and natural humor of the situations; the first one is when Belfort makes the first call from Stratton Oakmont teaching the others how to manipulate a client; the second is the scene where he repeatedly gets splashed with water on his face by his wife; and the last is when the “Lemmon 714 effect” comes forth rather lately than expected by Belfort and Donnie. The second one may be voted the best among the three because of the way Dicaprio portrays a man quite different from the roles he has done so far.

Jonah Hill has done quite a mature character, though it has a mild resemblance to the kind of characters he generally plays. His combination scenes with Dicaprio are truly magical especially the “Lemmon 714 effect” scene. This is undoubtedly his best role till date and he has used the opportunity given to him so fabulously well. The other characters in the film are equally good and make up Jordan Belfort’s team really well.

Wolf is an adventurous ride filled with a lot of emotions and a film of this stature was pending for quite sometime from the Scorcese stable. But ultimately Wolf belongs to Leonardo Dicaprio. This may very well bring him the elusive Oscar!!!

I am giving a 4 for The Wolf of Wall Street. Sell me this pen!!

IMDB Rating

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.
       
3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.


4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

DRISHYAM ("DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE!!")

December 20, 2013.

Cast: Mohanlal, Meena, Siddique, Asha Sarath, Kalabavan Shajon.

Director: Jeethu Joseph.

Sound scripting; that was the first thing different about Drishyam, a concept unheard of in India. And once you start watching the film you slowly begin realising that is only one of the few distinctions of Drishyam.

Georgekutty is a cable TV operator in the small village of Rajakkada who has a small family; his wife Rani (Meena) and two daughters. They lead a very simple life with their own little dreams and ambitions. At the most unexpected time the safety of his family is compromised because of an ugly incident. Georgekutty’s very reason for existence takes on an altogether different meaning and the way in which things take shape form the rest of the story.

Staying true to it’s caption “Visuals can be deceiving”, Drishyam will make you almost believe you are in the theatre to watch a really beautiful family story unfold at a leisurely yet a harmonious pace. Your heart goes out to the family because of the way the scenes are written and the amazingly natural acting by all the main actors. Certain moments in the film are so real as if Jeethu was looking at the private conversation in a family while writing the script.

But the grasp with which he shifts the film into one helluva gripping thriller makes you wonder where this was hiding all the time. Once that takes over the film is almost relentless filling you with intrigue and suspense till the very last scene. And when you have almost accepted that there is one little secret that will go to the grave along with Georgekutty as he says you get the trump card which will sweep you off your feet both because of the simplicity and the genius of it.

The sound scripting concept is surely gonna be a trend from now on considering the amazing clarity it brings to the mood of story. The two songs in the film are also done on a need basis with utmost relevance to the story.

The arresting screenplay makes it a serious case for film buffs to discuss whether Jeethu is a better writer than a director or vice versa. As mentioned above when the first part of the screenplay makes it’s way straight into your heart because of it’s simplicity the second part blows you away with it’s brilliance; a solid piece of writing so intricately woven together that you are wondering whether to get amazed at the simplicity of it all or be spellbound at the intellectual part of it.

What is more interesting is the fact that Drishyam cannot entirely be branded as a thriller. It is a perfect blend of family drama, humor, sentiments and thrill with a socially relevant theme; more like the elusive “perfect script”.

All the actors play their part perfectly well but Kalabhavan Shajon, Mohanlal and the daughters stay a notch above the rest (Meena too to an extent) and undoubtedly this will be one of the landmarks in their whole career.

I am giving 4 Drishyam. Do not believe what you see!!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.

BIRIYANI ("STALE FOOD")

December 20, 2013.

Cast: Karthi, Premgi, Hansika.

Director: Venkat Prabhu.

REVIEW COMING TOMORROW......!

DHOOM 3 ("AAMIR KHAN SHOW")

December 20, 2013.

Cast: Aamir Khan, Abishek Bachan, Uday Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Jackie Shroff.

Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya.

AAMIR KHAN                       0.5

It has been common practice in Bollywood to overdo things especially when the next instalment in a successful franchise comes out. But the only speciality in Dhoom 3 was always gonna be Aamir Khan and that is all the movie has to offer as well.

Sahir (Aamir) decides to ruin Western Chicago Bank after his father (Jackie Shroff) commits suicide when the bank denies credit facilities. As Sahir leaves hindi words at the crime scene Jai (Abishek) and Ali (Uday) are asked to help the American police in finding the culprit.

This all seems a little bit acceptable considering it’s a Hindi masala film, but the writers seem to treat the audience as fools if you look at the way the screenplay is structured. Even in a developing country like India, if someone steals from a bank without a mask and flees afterwards in a bike wearing a helmet which also does not cover his face, it will only take about a few days to lock him up. If the same is happening in the USA it’s just a matter of a few hours before he gets caught. But here Sahir walks free in the city he runs a popular circus show and what more, he even walks right into the bank which 

he has robbed; thanks to the brilliant script!

What is really sad though, is the fact that the core idea of Dhoom 3 has been taken from the legendary Nolan film “The Prestige”. And as expected this one is a 3^rd rate version of the landmark Nolan film.

It will run into pages if we start talking about such absurdities. Next comes the masala element; it’s Christmas time people want to enjoy so it’s only fair that the makers want to provide them with out of the world action sequences among other things. But when it’s like the autorickshaw fight in the beginning which is neither required for nor relevant to the movie, the word to describe it is definitely not masala! There would be no impact at all if you remove the first 40 minutes or so of the movie barring a few scenes, such good is the script.

Katrina who is into somersaults jumps and gymnastics most of the time is there mainly for providing the glamour quotient. Abishek does what is required by every Indian hero who goes to America to help them solve a “difficult” case; he has a solution for everything and he is the one who discovers everything no matter how evident or apparent it is that a school kid could more than easily do the job. Uday Chopra entertains at times playing the silly playboy Ali.

But if at all you should watch Dhoom 3, it should only be for the amazing Aamir Khan who just entertains you with his genius, though the script does not provide much scope for him to perform. He plays the characters with such ease and grip and at times is really endearing. The technical team has also done a commendable job with the visuals mainly. And that is that you get from the film.

I am giving 2.25 Dhoom 3 and a 0.5 for the amazing Aamir Khan. This is saddening.

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2    to 2.25                   -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

       

3    to 3.25                   -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4    to 4.25                   -           Great.

4.5 and above               -          Extraordinary.