KILL BILL - Vol I - Quentin's Kurudhip punal

"I steal from every movie, ever made" -Quentin Tarantino.

Disclaimer :

If you have the habit of fainting at the sight of blood, pls skip this 'bloody' review :)

Malayalam film industry [ Idhu verenga :) ] used to have music directors who are more towards the melody types of songs. JASSIE GIFT jolted the entire industry with LAJJAVADHIYE with his sand paper voice. The audience didn't know how to react and they didn't want to ignore, also. They enjoyed it to the peak and the song / MD was admired very much. In film history, there's always been a rebellious person in any category of art. Like MRRadha in Tamil industry. On the outlook, we hesitate to enjoy them and we admire them personally. It's not only their performance but also their perception. These kinds of artists differ highly from the crowd. Similarly in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino is one such extremely different story teller. Like Manirathnam, he is self taught.


We are used to stories that have a finite structure. However, it's not necessary that all movies hold this pattern. For eg. 21 grams, Rashamon, Andha Naall. These type of stories starts from the middle and connects different events to form a story. Sometimes instead of a story, a film ends up with a just a collection of events. Quentin Tarantino is of this strange category. This film involves extreme violence, profanity, pop music, lengthy dialogues and sudden shocking moments. No wonder, Quentin Tarantino liked "The killing", a Stanley Kuberick movie. [ Sk is another strange director - never come across a movie called Clockwork orange - Satirical drama film ].

When I watched "Reservoir Dogs" [ Quentin's first film ], I was confused whether to follow this Director or not. I liked as well as disliked the movie. Yes ! The film was about a diamond robbery and the robbery was not shown at all.[ appa enna dhaandaa kaatnanga :) ]. But his narrating style attracted me very much and I started following his films. PULP FICTION was the best of Quentin Tarantino. I enjoyed watching DEATHPROOF. The beauty is none of his films were told in a linear fashion [Except JACKIE BROWN ].

KILL BILL


Don't get surprise to see that it's a plain revenge story with stylishly excessive violence. The bride [ Uma Thurman ] is attacked by her ex-squad members and the chief in her wedding. They kill everyone and brutally beat Uma to almost closer to death. Somehow, she survives and takes revenge. Adhaan kadhai. The total movie length is 4 hours and hence KILL BILL 2 was released.

View

The film starts with this phrase on screen. "Revenge is a dish best served cold".

Though it just looks like a simple Chiranjeevi or Suman movie, the way it is taken is interesting. I still have a double mind whether to say the violence shown is good or not [ Like Subramaniapuram ] but I can easily say that it's the most shocking shots. The film combines multiple categories of films styles like martial arts, mix of US and Japanese cultures, Characters with Samurai attributes, shocking level of violence and x.

As I said, on the outlook once can ignore this film easily but as a fan, I liked the styles used in the movie. The director fluidly used animation in telling a particular flashback. It's about the American girl becoming a Don in Tokyo and that episode is shown in animation style [ Manga comics with whooshing blood ]. The fights are choreographed stylishly with perfect timing and the visuals are as clear as a crystal. The tempo used in the revenge can be used as a complete reference for our Indian action film [ Hero walking on a glass floor shown from low angle - Watch what's written on Uma's shoe :) ].

Quentin Tarantino is a great fan of music, comics and films. Every shot in his film has almost all the mentioned elements. The characters in other films - they talk a lot, different opinions, and different music. One needs to be so familiar with the history of music and culture in US to understand his narration to a great extent [ Remember sub-title is just a translation ].

Conclusion :

Never ever watch a QT movie with family or kid.

:)
Toto.

Time to blow the speakers..Baby !!

Time to blow the speakers..Baby !!

It's just another category of music. It's not necessary that we always look for soothing melodies and it's time for some "JING BANG" music.

1. Aathichoodi.

Film: TN07 4777
Singer : Vijay Antony, Dinesh Kanakarathnam
Music by : Vijay Antony
Choreographer : Shobi
Lyrics : Thevai illai :)

For a long time, I restricted myself not to see or listen for this song, due to a perception [ Effect of Nakka mukka - may be ]. Later, in a function, I heard this song in a series of peppy songs. The way you hear in a big music system changes the view. Come on.. Why should I act like I hate peppy songs ! This one was well choregraphed by Shoby with some decent movements even at the end [ funeral beats - It's like secretly watching liril soap ad in the school days. I like it but don't reveal it outside :) ].

I like the line.. Maalu maalu maalu.. muje hindi nahi maalu.. Indha paatai kettuputtaa unaku mullaikum vaalu .. Unmai dhaanga :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxbIgzE2EV0 2

2. Daddy mummy

Film: Villu
Singer : Mamta Mohandas, Naveen Madhav.
Music by : DSP

I like Vijay'sincerity when it comes to dance. He doesn't care much about the co-dancers. yes.. Even if it's Khan sisters [ Mumaith Khan with her sister Zabyn Khan .. Kudumbam Vellangumm ;) ]. You can easily visualise Prabhudeva dancing in all the steps. The opening music and the beats are perfect for a party song. Watch for the graceful [?!] steps and the beats. All these complicated dance steps are started from the telugu hero Junior NTR.

For me, even Dole dole dhaan is a better product from DSP's [ Devi Sri Prasad] juke box.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmOTt1QJYtg - Daddy Mummy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EXpM90E-ic - Dole Dole dhaan

3. Madai Thirandhu
Album : vallavan by Natchatra group
Singer : Yogi B, Lockup Guna, Natchatra

Yogi B is an Malaysian-Indian who has a pop group Natchatra. In their album [ Vallavan ], they have this beautiful number 'Madai Thirandhu'.I am not a fan of remix and in fact, I oppose spoiling the original creation. [ Even engaeyum eppodhum in polladhavan didn't attract me ] However, an exception comes to break my perception, as always. I had heard this before in FM and ignored initially. Later, when I heard this in a big pub [ B&C ] , I was fascinated towards the song. Watch this live performance of YogiB group ..I think they haven't damaged the original. He says ' Super.. excellent and fantastic Balu ' .. Better way to respect the senior singer. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXhuGtoQSv8

4. Hit em up style
Singer : Blu Cantrell

This is a little bit older English album song [ 2001 ]. I used to collect dance numbers during that time. I remember once a foreigner said to Vaariyaar Swamigall after listening to 'Uruvaai aruvaai' in his speech, 'I don't understand the language but it does something to me'. I say the same thing for Blu Cantrell [ Adap paavi !! ] . She got a fantastic voice perfectly matching for a dance number.

There goes the dreams we used to say (oops)

There goes the time we spent away (oops)

Ha..ha.. What a song !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kQDyCTSzpg

:)
-Toto.

Thalainagaram Engall Subramaniapuram

ஒரு ந‌ட்பு .. ஒரு காத‌ல்.. சில‌ துரோக‌ங்க‌ள்.

In 1985, 3 different films of great directors came simultaneously with surprisingly the same story line - A middle aged man's extra-marital friendship with another girl. Sindhu bhairavi [ Nov-11-1985 : KB ], Mudhal mariyaadhai [ Jan-01-1985 : BR ] and Chinna veedu [ Nov-11-1985 : Bhagyaraj ]. The difference is how they worked out the script and visualized the story. Similarly, Pithamagan, Paruthi veeran and Subramaniapuram have common characters, love and story but the way the stiry is treated, made all 3 unique and special. A thug, his lover [ school going or polytechnic - rendum onnu dhaan :) ], another rustic friend with no lover, Thiruvizhaa, the killings, no modern gadgets, gory murders, the climax, Madurai, theni, Kamudhi are common in these movies. Coincidentally, they share the Guru sishyan chain.. Bala -- Ameer -- Sasikumar.

For me, including a cell phone makes a big difference in the script. If cell phone was used by Ajith and Devayani in Kadhal kotai, there wouldn't ve been a chance for such a dramatic climax. Director Sasikumar cleverly avoided this gadget tortures by taking the story to 1980s. However, he was so meticulous in using almost all the possible elements of 1980s.. not only the bell bottom pants and 'kazhudhai kaadhu ' collar shirts. What a nice thought !.

Have you ever wondered why youngsters in Madurai were so much involved in cinema n politics ?! I remember one article analyzed this and concluded that there were no industries came up in Madurai region [ like BHEL in Trichy, LC in Neyveli, SAIL in Salem, Mills in Coimbatore ] and hence the people were attracted to cinema and politics, during the period mentioned in this movie. This story revolves around 5 jobless youngsters in a small time village and their experiences.

Story

The story, set in the 1980s, happens in a town called Subramaniapuram, a suburb of the city. It is built around 5 friends, importantly Azhagar, Paraman and Kasi. They are jobless and involve in small time street fights and become visitors to the local police station. An ex-councilor and his family stays in the same area, helping the friends gang in needy times. Azhagar falls in love with the councilor's daughter Thulasi. Insults and isolation triggers the events in the rest of the story. We never know how a change happens in life and why we undergo changes. Whether we accept or not, it happens !

View :

The film starts with a dark n rainy day out of Madurai Jail. All the great movies use flashback effectively. That attracts us to get into the story. [ Remember Muthal mariyadhai opening scene - Why Malaichamy thevar sickly lies in a cot of an isolated riverside hut !! ]. Similarly, Who comes out of the jaiil, What happens when he is released kind of questions.. In the previous days, films starts with a song considering late coming audiences [ ப‌ட‌ம் ஆரம்பிச்சி ரொம்ப‌ நேர‌ம் ஆச்சுங்க‌ளா.. [ நேர‌ம் ஆகி இருந்தாலும் ].. இல்லைங்க‌.. இப்ப‌ம் தான்.. ஒரு 5 நிமிச‌ம் இருக்கும்.. காலை மிதிக்க‌றீங்க‌ பிர‌த‌ர்.. :) ]. The movie then travels from 2008 to 1980.

The three elements shown in the film are friendship, love and perfidy.

Friendship part is shown so naturally. The 5 friends Azhagar, Paraman, Kasi, Dopu, Dumkaan spend time in Sithan sound services. For me, drinking tea or having a fag can depict the friendship fluidly [ that's what we do when we gather.. டீ சொல்டா ம‌ச்சான்.. அப்டியே 2 கிங்ஸ்..] They are jobless but happy. They spend their quality time in Sithan's shop, local bar, bus stand, tea shop, cinema theatre. But everyone has their own idea about living. Azhagar falls in love with Thulasi. Paraman somehow doesn't accept this as she is from the ex-councilor’s family. They believe that the family helps them during troubles. The beauty is they don't even own a cycle - they use sithan's cycle. This shows their social status and been used later cleverly when they take another cycle for a purpose. Paraman angrily gets involved in whenever Azhagar falls in any trouble and they are very close friends except Paraman warns Azhagar about his love.

Love : The burden of telling a love tale is reduced tremendously when you have the right casting in place. Swathi was the perfect choice for Thulasi and her eyes do more then what the director wanted to convey [ Swathi vandhaa Sasikumar-i marandhuduven :) ]. Azhagar and Thulasi share very less dialogues in the film. Sometimes, a song can speak for the director and Kangall Irandaal song speak volumes of their love. Watch out for the fantastic costumes worn by the Azhagar and Thulasi in the song. [ Thaavani and blouse are in same colour as in 1980s.. Saamee ! ].

Betrayal: In the outlook, everyone was playing their part quite well. The characters are introduced with their mindset and qualities.. For example.. Kasi favours people of his caste and in need of money, always. But when there's an issue everything gets different and the problem begins from there. And the consequences were shocking and gory. The trigger comes from the ex-Counselor’s wife insulting him and the cascading effect in the family. Kanagu mentions this as 'Pombalainga kooda madhikalainaa apram enna'. This triggers the team and the rest changes their lives. The betrayal is shown when the victim(s) stop opposing what happens to them like Azhagar, Paraman, Kanjaa karuppu, Kanagu, Thulasi. It's not just one betrayal but it's a chain. Kanagu expresses anger, insult, pain, vengeance, cunningness fluidly in his eyes, body language and performance. The betrayal makes us stunning as the characters become motionless and express their inability to digest the treachery.

I favour the best part as the screenplay and the casting. Director Sasi has done a wonderful n bold job.

What are the elements you can think of 1980s ? Paavadai thavani, bell bottom, rippled hair style, bearded youngsters, Rajinikanth cinema, Lamby scooter, wired chair, green ambassadar car, Radio news and Saroj Narayanswamy, Idhayak kani MGR rikshaw stand, Ilayaraja songs, LP records [ Melodies of Yesudoss ], large cone shaped speakers, betromax lights, Solidaire 4 band TV with distorted images and dots [ we had tri-coloured aditional screen for a BW TV, TV antenna at the height of a eucalyptus tree, boosters :) ], Thiraigaanam, Neyar viruppam, advertisement in cycle bar area, Photo studios with flower designs background, rettai jadai and ribbon [ Ribbon vacha ore heroine - thani para-la vachikkaren ], Mahalakshmi dollar, jimiki, big buckled belt, cinema posters, wall advertisements [ eyetex / tortoise / narasus coffee ], coffee bar with family rooms, sithan sound services, Jatkaa, cycles. These observations are the success of the art director Rembon.B and costumer K.Natarajan [ New guys ]. Though it's illogical for the local guys to have such a great wardrobe, we can ignore it in the name of appreciatiing the taste.

Music.. IR is a musicpedia.. Anyone can refer his music, songs in any of the Tamil films. The film starts with a serious title music with showing the shady n dark night life of Madurai [ Similar to one shown in "Kaadhal" ]. Apart from the mesmerising songs, James used IR's 'Siru ponmani asaiyum' so aptly in this movie for the lovers and the Muratu Kaalai song for a celebration in the threatre. Watching Rajini movie's first show is definitely a celebration. I easily forgot the 'Kallukull eeram' version of Siru ponmani asiyum and remember this [ Similarly, I relate Mambazhaam maambazam Vijay song to Anjathey's area light music party - Sathya.. Sarakku saapduvamaa :) ].

The heroine introduction is so poetic with the bits from Kangall irandaal song in piano and flute and of course, the most catchy song in the film [ "pEsa enni sila naall" line resembles "Thanimayile oru raagam" song - of course, we can leave this as the composition is for 1980s ]. Similarly, the Thiruvizhaa sequence [ the black humour creates a sag in the movie ] score is good. James Vasanthan did a wonderful job in his debut film.

Thulasi. the heroine with "i-max" eyes and a beautiful smile :).. I better take the help of Na.Muthukumar to talk about her.
க‌றுப்பு வெள்ளை பூக்க‌ள் உண்டா
உன் க‌ண்ணில் நான் க‌ண்டேன்.. உன் க‌ண்க‌ள்
வ‌ண்டை உண்ணும் பூக்க‌ள் என்பேன்.. ‍ ‍ நா.முத்துக்குமார்.

Cinematographer, SRKathir did a sparkling job, catching the true colours of the town. In fact, it's not only the story of the people but also about their town. There's a chasing scene where Azhagar and kasi are chased by some other gang. That's one of the finest chases in gullies of a village with an appropriate background score. Except the lengthy Thiruvizhaa scene, everything else perfectly fits the movie. There's long walk by Kasi in the introduction and the same long walk is cleverly used at the end of the movie. One of the most stunning climaxes, I have ever seen.

Every scene and dialog is carefully penned and used to connect one or the other part of the movie. The movie has an element of suspense too. Also, the dialog carries the justification of the characters activities. Every frame shows the meticulously worked script and execution. Even the fights [ fights with rickshaw drivers and local thugs in the theatre .. Stunts by : Rajasekar ] were depicted with a natural effect. Thanks to the master for not cheapening the fights with silambattam or maan kombu fights :). ந‌ல்ல‌ வேளை..ஜ‌ல்லிக்க‌ட்டு / ரேக்ளா ரேஸ் எல்ல‌ம் வ‌ச்சி ஹிம்சிக்க்லைங்க‌ !

It’s easier to understand the movie when you watch it for the second time. I watched this movie in a theatre and the whole crowd was jumping and shouting for most of the scenes.. Siru ponmani asaiyum song, Kangalla irandaal song, the revenge, Subramaniapuram theme song. The crowd cheers for the goriest murder too. The film has been released in DVD format from Moserbaer.

When I had a chat with Sudesamithran, he mentioned that Sasikumar is from a wealthy family [ owns a theatre it seems ] and the film was shot in 16mm camera [ a low budget format ! ]. Shankar travelled to Los Angels to pick n train the 3rd row dancers for Style song in Sivaji in AVM's budget.. Enna kodumai Sir idhu ??!!

I remember seeing Paraman chasing Thulasi in the trailer as well as in the posters. But it is not shown in theatre/DVD. i don't know what happens to Thulasi ??!!

Towards the end Paraman says this..

நாலு காசு ச‌ம்பாதிக்க‌லைன்னாலும் ச‌ந்தோஷ‌மாத் தான‌டா திரிஞ்சோம்..

How true it is ! I remember a good friend recently recollecting his earlier days and asked 'Why the hell did we grow ?! ". Whether we accept or not, it happens !

:)

-Toto.

Gilly of Gully :)

Fine entertainment from the Sharks and Rockers teams.

When did you laugh out loud while watching a movie ? If you can't remember, just watch this movie, even if you have watched it already. Luckily, in Tamil cinema industry, we have so many good films based on humour. One such gem is 'Chennai - 600028'.

I still wonder the guts of Venkat prabhu and SPCharan to convince SPB to produce this movie. Either they have narrated him and explained extremely well or they just gave a try. I would rather assume the first one, as the script is so convincing to believe whatever shown on screen.

The movie starts with SPB's voice over giving an an introduction about gully cricket and what can be expected from the movie. [ as in NILA NIZHAL novel by Sujatha - He once visited Srinagar and observed kids playing cricket on a frozen lake. That inspired him to write a novel with cricket background and of course he was a good player too ].

Story

Cricket is the life of the story, with 2 rival teams [ Sharks and Rockers ] involved in it. Rockers Raghu moves from Royapuram to Visalakshi thottam [ Sunnambu kaalvaai ]. The cricket ground rivalry gets in to the ground as well as their personal lives.What happens then is the story. As SPB narrates in the beginning, the friends go through intimate friendship, love, joyful moments, rivalry, dances, celebration, fights, problems and above all CRICKET.

At one time or the other, we all have played cricket [ at least book cricket :) ] or been to ground saying so. With cricket as the main ingredient, the writer slowly assembled the story in bits and pieces. In fact, its a combination of events rather than a story with some purpose. Hats off to the script and dialogues [ not only Venkat Prabhu - his associate Saseedharan and Sripathy - always repect the team work ]. The beauty of the narration is that all the prime characters were introduced in the first 12 mins of the movie.

The first credit goes to SPB who took a bold decision to produce this movie. The sports movies are always told seriously in most of the cases. First time, they have combined cricket and humour. We have watched variety of humour ranging from Kali N Rathnam to 'lollu sabha' santhanam. This type of humour doesn't fit anywhere what we have experienced earlier [ Even the crazy Mohan dialogues ]. A set of friends talk and through out the movie [ almost ! ] I never felt that they speak some written dialogues. I heard once that Venkat prabhu asked the crew to chat casually and captured some of the wits came out of the conversation. Also, the characters get equal opportunities to enact their roles [ including the character Rockers team captain John ].

Dialogues are used with almost freshness without looking for the grammar of cinema dialogues.. [ Somebody hits the ball outside the ground and Siva going out to get the ball says pOdaa poramboku :) ]. I remember my school friends used to utter the best available tamil words, damaging the entire family, if a catch or 4 is missed.

Editing needs a special mention as the lengthy game cricket can't be shown over by over in a movie. It would be different for other games [ 10 round boxing was interestingly edited in 'Cinderella man', children's cycle race in 'Children of heaven' - Adhaane.. endgadaa kanamenu nenachen :) ] but it's really tough to edit a cricket match [ thought it's 15 overs ] by showing the gist of the match. The credit goes to Lenin sir.

Yuvan Shankar raja has done a fabulous job with his songs. My favourites are " Un paarvai mele pattaal [ What a song , Vaali at his best as usual ] - Vijay Yesudoss ", "Yaaro - SPB" and of course 'Saroja.. saamaan nikaalo' [ beautiful dance number.. A simple catchy line used by a setji in Mudhalvan ]. Premji Amaren apart from his casual role, has taken care of the background score. Equal to YSR, he has done a fantastic job - he is very brilliant in choosing some old movie songs and music [ Pothi vacha mallaigai mottu, Aboorva saogodharargall sad theme, sax theme for Arvind's love, guitar for a break in friendship, yaaro theme for another love, cricket theme ]. All the music used in the background easily fits the visuals, just like a glove.

Sometimes, a clever crazy Mohan dialogue or a catchy timing of Prabhudeva might be easily missed in a movie. Similarly, when I watched it first time, I couldn't follow much of 'Badawa' Gopi's cricket commentary. Second time, I was able to capture them and listed here. The dialogues are so natural.

என்ன‌டா இன்னைக்கி க்ரவுண்டே ஜிலோனு இருக்குது..

அந்த‌ர் ப‌ண்ணிட‌லாம்டா ம‌ச்சான்

" உத‌டு கிட்ட‌ வ‌ந்து டைம் என்னானு கேட்டா ம‌ச்சி.. ::: ஏய்.. வாட்ச் இன்னா வாய்ல‌யா வ‌ச்சிருந்த.."

"அறிவில்ல‌... :::: இதோ பின்னாடி தாண்டா இருக்கான் "

த‌ம்பி.. டாஸ் ஜெயிச்சிட்டீங்க‌.. சொல்லுங்க‌.. ஃபீல்டிங்கா..ப‌வுலிங்கா..

Snippets from Badawa Gopi's cricket commentary.

முல்லை பெரியாறை விட‌ பெரிய ஆறு.. [ Sixer :) ].

க‌ள‌த்திலே ப‌ள்ள‌மில்லை என்றாலும் ம‌ட்டையைத் த‌ட்டி த‌ட்டி..

கௌரி ஆன்ட்டி வீட்டு எண்ட்லிருந்து..திருப்ப‌தி ல‌ட்டு போல‌ ம‌ஞ்ச‌ளாக‌ ஒன்று வ‌ருகிற‌தே.. அதை தான் நீங‌க‌ள் அடிக்க‌ வேண்டும்

வெற்றிக் க‌னி ஜூஸ் வ‌டிவில் வ‌ருகிற‌து..

இடுப்பில் ட‌ய‌ர் வைத்திருக்கும்.. இஞ்சி இடுப்ப‌ழ‌க‌ன் ம‌ட்டை வீச‌ வ‌ருகிறார்..

ஐஸ்வ‌ர்யா ராய் நேரில் வ‌ந்து ந‌ம‌து சுமார் மூஞ்சி குமாரை எப்ப‌டி ஐ ல‌வ் யூ என்று சொல்ல‌ முடியாதோ.. அதே போல‌ 15 ஓவ‌ர்க‌ளில் 135 அடிப்ப‌து ந‌ட‌க்க‌ முடியாது.

Coincidentally [ God promise-aanga ], I happened to travel with Venkat Prabhu in the same Indian Airlines flight from HYD to Chennai [ IC936 -6.30 AM]. He was accompanied by another guy [ Asst director ] narrating a fight story between a police man and an army man [ VPrabhu paavamga.. 6.30AM flightla pasila kadhai kettu vandhirupaar ]. I had approached him and told that I watched Chennai - 600028 for the third time and it was so refreshing. He accepted the appreciation very humbly and told that the movie GOA will be ready for Diwali release.

the best dialogue is

லெக் சைட்ல‌ போட‌த‌டா.. ஆஃப் சைட்ல‌யே மைன்டைன் ப‌ண்ணு.. அடிக்க‌ரறாணுங்க‌ன்னு தெரியுதில்ல‌.. ம‌ச்சி .. 32 ர‌ன் தாண்டா அடிச்சிருக்கோம்.. பாத்துடா.. ப்ளீஸ்டா..

ஏ.. அவ‌ன் எப்ப‌டி போட்டாலும் அடிக்க‌றாண்டா !


:)
-Toto.

No Man's Land - Universal issue.

No man's land.

" The war was never a good subject for a feature film. But frankly, my deepest opinion is it's not the subject that matters, it's the way you treat the subject that matters." - Director Danis Tanovic.

History always have specific pieces of land in dispute, where in two countries/states claim the ownership. There are so many examples like Kashmir, Kachatheevu, Sikkim, Belgaum [ inter states ]. This is common and every nation has its own no man's land. This film is based one such NML in Bosnian and Serb border. I would like to use the famous dialog of 'Flags of our fathers'

"Every jackass thinks he knows what war is.. Especially those who've never been in. We like things nice and simple, good and evil, heroes and villains. There are plenty of both. Most of the time, they are not who we think they are "

May be, whenever I come across any war based movies, I quote this dialog. Because the truth is war is just one more genre of movie for us. However, the movies make us to think more than when we read a news/book or going through a debate. There are 2 sets of people involved in the war. The authorities who decide when n where to attack and the other set of people who just follow the orders in the name of country/God/King.

The other important aspect f this film is land mine. [ தின‌த்த‌ந்தில‌ வ‌ருமே.. இளம் க‌வ‌ர்ச்சி க‌ன்னி வெடி ஸ்ரேயா‍‍ன்னு.. அதில்லை.. இது கண்ணி வெடி. :) ]. The total land mines planted in the world as per a reading are around 100 million. Don't worry, if you don't understand where Bosnia is and Why they fight with Serbs; it doesn't matter. You can think of any two fighting organizations and watch this movie. After all, we don't worry much about who dies at the end. Also, don't anticipate this as a documentary explaining why they fight and expect the fight to conclude at the end with 'Malarodu malar ingu' as in BOMBAY.

No Man's land/2001/Bosnian
Written & Directed by Danis Tanovic.
Music : Danis Tanovic

Story

A group of Bosnians travelling to their other camp, miss thier way out and get trapped in their enemy territory. After a clash, one of the Bosnian [ Chiki ] of them escape and hide in a trench. To confirm the finish of intrusion,2 serbs are sent to the the trench. They find one another Bosnian [ Cera ] and capture him inthe trench. To play, the serb plants a 'bouncing mine' under Cera. The idea is if Cera moves or moved, then the mine will explode making an impact within a greater radius. This depicts a problem and the personnel hiding in the trench. 2 Bosians and 2 Serbs with guns. Each one of them believes that they are right. What do they do is the first part of the story.

The next part involves UNPROFOR [ United Nations Protection Force ] and a news channel's English reporter who anticipates for some breaking news or live event in the unmanned place. What happens is the story and to my surprise, it has the utmost turns and twists, maximum possible with this minimal scope of the story.

View :

It is very easy to turn this script into a commercial action thriller types with Will Smith or some hero successfully completes the mission [ in the end kissing the news reporter :) ]. That might have entertained us but never makes us to think or read further. The thin line diverting from action thriller makes this war drama a memorable one. The movie questions a lot. A good cinema makes the audience to think or refer something after watching the movie.

The director is from Bosnia and surprisingly this doesn't lead him to make a biased movie. Instead, he shows how UN works. He treated the subject with humor sprinkled in the movie. Every scene has an interesting twist or at least a lead to something else. The pain, pride, friendship, enmity among the soldiers are shown visually and with dialogues. Things which the Serbs do [ planting mine under Cera ], lead to many complications. The involvement of UN soldiers, their restrictions in unknown fields and their bureaocratic leaders sitting in high command offices, making their spontaneous decisions [ passing the buck ! ] are subtly inserted in the story.

The Global News channel reporter is fantastically captured [ couldn't resist thinking of our NDTV/IBN/Times reporters anticipating breaking news or live events ]. As a news machine, she wants to tape everything on the war ground. For media, it's just the news. The involvement of layers like army superiors, UN army, UN superiors, news reporters change the course of action. So whatever we see or read as the news is definitely not the truth or as it is exactly happened. It is applicable right from the life of Kings to the recent happening in Srilanka. We assume that we know the truth which actually may not be.

Though the movie depicts this situation with humor, I would not want to divert the readers that this as a lighter movie. It's a kind of black comedy [ Ex : enna elavu kazhuvara keiyila thinganum.. avlo dhaan - Esakki in Devar Mahan ]. The Bosnian and Serb soldier confront in many places and sometimes find common things between them.

The arguments the soldiers have, the problems of Cera lying on the mine, their wish to smoke, Cera trying to take a leak, cold-blooded UN operations, inhuman hunger for news by the media and so many other aspects leave us stunned. Cinematography and sound editing are the notable work in this movie. Sudden gun shots, bombing walking on gravel - all such minute sounds are perfectly used.

Conclusion

This movie won the academy award for the best foreign language film in 2001. As I mentioned, the war concept shown is universally true and people from any part of the globe can relate the story with the war, they know - this can range anything from Hogenakkal water issue to Israel-Palestenian conflict.[ Pazham vere.. aana prachnai onnu dhaan :) ].

A wonderful war drama which has to be defintely in your list of movies.

"கொலை குத்த‌ம்னா.. யுத்த‌மும் குத்த‌ம். Isn't it ?!" - Sriram Abhayankar. [ If you ask me who's this, I'll better stop writing about cinema !!! ].

-Toto.

Kikujiro - A touching travel.

Kikujiro na natsu [ Summer of Kikujiro ]

Play this music in the background while reading this blog [ Oru effect dhaan ! ]. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa0JAvjx05c

" After 'Hana-Bi', I couldn't help feeling that my films were being stereotyped: So I decided to try and make a film no one would expect from me " - Takeshi Kitano.

Once a creator reaches this idea, the next project would be one of his best. A creator has to disconnect from his previous work and the next one [ Remember Minnale and Kaaka kaaka; Nayagan, Agni Natchathiram, Geetanjali and Anjali ]. Variety keeps the art live.

Few things about the director.. Takeshi Kitano is an all-rounder; he started his career as a standup comedian as two beats in Japan [ reason for his other name Beat Takeshi ]. He is a multi-skilled personality; actor, script writer, director, editor, painter and has good knowledge in music. Due to a conflict while acting in a film 'Violent cop', he turned as the director for the movie, accidentally. Till Hana-bi, he worked with the same type of gangster stories with enormous violence and different method of storytelling. Kikujiro is a different craft from his shop. After a fatal accident in 1989, Takesh started working more extensively [ realising 'Life is beautiful' ! ]. He's also a visiting professor in one of the Japanese universities.

Kikujiro : This film needed 4 important elements. Masao [ 9 yrs old boy ], Joe Hisaishi [ Music director ], Yanagishima [ cinematographer ] and Takeshi Kitano [ Editor & Director ]. All of them blended well and the final product is just awesome.

Kikujiro na natsu [ Kikujio's summer ] - 1999/Drama/Japan
Cast : Yusuke Sekiguchi, Takeshi Kitano
Music : Joe Hisaishi
Cinematography : Katsumi Yanagishima
Edited & Directed by : Takeshi Kitano.

Plot :

Masao, 9 years old n sensitive boy lives with his working grandma in the sub-urban of Tokyo. He doesn't have a father and mother stays in a far away town, whom he never met. Summer vacation starts and all the friends of Masoe leave the town for holidays. Masoe is left alone. He finds his mother's photo and address while searching for a stamp. With little money and little knowledge on directions, he walks out of the home and heads towards the address. Takeshi is an irresponsible, loud mouthed person and his wife was a neighbor once to Masoe's family. They find this boy on his way, to go out of the town. Thinking about the risk, she asks her husband Takeshi to accompany the kid to his mother's place and gives some money. The highly mismatched friends start the journey. Takeshi's wife later convinces Masao's grandma that they are taking him to the seaside.

Takeshi has the least interest in taking the boy to the address and starts spending his money in useless ways. The film is all about their journey and the colorful characters they meet, the strange circumstances they undergo which comes out as a wonderful experience. Both end up their search, in a different and unforgettable way.

View :

- It's an elliptical style narration. I mean, the film starts and ends with the same shot [ Masao running in a bridge ]. Watch out for the first 7 minutes titling and theme music [ Fabulous one from Joe Hisaishi ]. Look for the bell sounds in between and it has a meaning. [ Mani sathathula ennadaa meaning.. Unnai keppaare illaiyaa :) ]

- The characters are introduced very rapidly with fewer dialogues. For ex., Takeshi's wife says 'we were neighbors’ to justify her concern for the boy. Takeshi is introduced with his brash attitude and his wish to grab easy money. Masao talks less and filled up with unknown sadness. The alienation of Masao is picturized by a long shot in a soccer field with him, a ball and an empty ground. Class !

- The journey begins with an irresponsible Takeshi and a sad n eager boy, where the chemistry between them doesn't work out at all. The friction is carried out through out their journey and events slowly change the relation.

- The story focuses on the alienation and the nuclear family structure in Japan. The story is narrated with different headings as found in the Masao's diary.

- In a highway motel, Takeshi breaks the glass window of a truck for not getting a lift. That follows a fight sequence. The entire fight sequence is shown in a long shot without any music. A simple and ideal fight which is never shown in that angle. Takeshi never shows the actual fight but he shows the consequences [ Remember the hospital fight in Anjathey :) ].

- The characters : a juggler, her boy friend, a story writer, 2 bikers get introduced and mingles with the story fluidly. Takeshi's comic acts balance the kid's sadness.

- The camp they setup in a riverside and the games they play were really touching one. All the grown-ups just return to their childhood and entertain Masao. Those sequences are interesting and I couldn't accept when they depart. Also, when Masao runs in the end with joy, it leaves an emotional feeling about that kid. The emotion we get when we finish the vacation - a strange feeling which I undergone after the news break in the Sunday evening TV films [ next day school-la enna nadakumo :) ]. Like the feeling during the return journey after a get-together [ ம‌ச்சான்.. நான் அடையார்‍ல‌ இற‌ங்கிக்க‌றேன்டா.. அதான் கிட்ட‌ :) ].

- Takeshi, meanwhile remembers his mother and that sub-plot is a poem by itself. The cello music used in this episode [ The track is named 'Mother' in the soundtrack of this film ] is directly used in the movie "Anjathey"'s climax :) . In Nandalala, it comes with a song, I guess.. [ அம்மா ஒன்ன‌ப் பாத்தா.. வார்த்தை வ‌ல்ல‌ மேல‌.. -Check the song 'Thaalatu Ketka naanum' by IR ]

- Joe Hisaishi - The music director is basically a pianist who has done his part extremely well. The theme music is used in various part of the movies with various instruments [once in violin, cello, just piano etc., ].

- The visuals/lighting elevates the movie to another level. The colors used in the journey are excellent.

Conclusion :

I would recommend this movie for the entire family. Similar to 'In the mood for love', this film also talks about the loneliness and alienation in life. It's a delightful story with an intelligent script, brilliant cinematography and an enchanting score. No wonder Mysskin's office contains only one portrait, where Takeshi Kitano smiles.

Looking forward eagerly for the Tamil movie Nandalala, inspired from Kikujiro.

-Toto.

Paradise now & RONIN.

RUSH Films.
Endorphin rush - PARADISE NOW.

Of late, I came across the term 'Endorphin rush', which is induced by physical exercise and it leads to the state 'sense of accomplishment'. Why do I attach endorphin rush to a film ? [ ippadi dhideernu kettaa eppadinga.. Eppadiyum link panniduven :) ].

Though I am film freak, I used to know about history/life. more through films. 'Hotel Rwanda' showed me the recent Rwandan genocide [ 1994 ], the fights between Hutu and tsotsi. 'Road to Guantanamo' documentary helped me to understand the way Gitmo works. 'The Pianist' painfully registered the holocaust in Poland. Similarly, we have this 'Israel-Palestine' conflict. If a film can get a bit of pain, what they undergo there, I think it's the success of the creator.

Paradise now - 2005/Arab
Written & Directed by : Hany Abu-Assad

Said and Khalid are friends working in a Palestinian city Nablus. Said has a girl friend 'Suha' and her father was a martyr. Said and Khalid are selected as suicide bombers to plan an attack in Tel Aviv, by their friend Jamal. Before that night, Said meets Suha to return her car keys, and has a chat with her about her father's religious death, and what options the Palestinians have in their handling with Israel.

Next day, they speak about their mission to their family and gets the bombs strapped to their body. Either they have to die or come back to the camp to defuse the bombs by the expert. They get into Israel.. What happens then is the emotional story of these 2 'human' bombs. I used the word 'human' because they think about the impact and their act.

The film easily conveys the message of the story. The characters are very few in the movie and it shows the bigger picture of the missions they carry out.

I was touched by the final speech given by the victims. He says after the speech to his mother to buy something, revealing beyond country, religion and others, they love the family.

The arguments made by Suha are worthy to watch. Of course, her dialogue justifies the title. 'Paradise is myth.. it's here.. it's now and there's no paradise up in the sky'.

The film ends with a shot leaving the imagination to the audience.. What happened is up to the audience. I remember 'Terrorist by Santhosh Sivan and 'Uyire' by Manirathnam Sir are of the same category.

This is the first Palestinian film nominated for the academy award. There are around 40 other films made on this Arab Israeli conflict. [ Remember Spielberg's MUNICH ]. This film gave the sense of satisfaction that I didn't miss a nice drama.

===

RONIN

We come across one more rush called 'Adrenaline rush' in life reacting to stress. It secretes when we are excited, riding in roller coaster etc., I watch action movies to change the mood from the classics - I appreciate any good movie of any genre.

Seven Samurai - a Japanese movie came in 1954 and this movie made an tremendous impact in the west [Magnificent seven, etc., are based on 7 samurai]. Ronin is one such movie. Different talented and unrelated guys form a team for a common mission. Ronin means a Samurai without lord or master. The interesting thing in this film is the body language of the ronin - they don't get into action just for heroism. The masters do it with less words spoken.

Film : RONIN [ 1998/Action ]

Cast : Robert de niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone

Direction : John Frankenheimer

- The story is simple. A team of different experts formed to steal a mysterious suitcase from another gang with all possible twists and turns [ both in story and in locations :) ]. The first 25 mins prepares you for the 'adrenaline rush' later.

- This movie is meant for the deadly car chases in the narrow roads of Europe [ Paris, Nice, Arles ].

- The other important characters are the cars.. Audi S8, Peugeot 406, a Citroën Xantia, a BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 . :)

- Robert de niro is like Kamalhassan - he justifies whatever the role he plays. You believe him as an ex agent ; that's the power of his performance. For his best, watch 'RAGING BULL'.

Just chill out with RONIN. Action oriented entertainment guaranteed.

-Toto.

The Killing.. Shining.. Thrilling.

Shining Stanley.. Killing Kubrick [ What a sensational title :) ]

If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed. - Stanley Kubrick

The Killing/1956/Action-thriller
Photographed and directed by : Stanley Kubrick.

To introduce Stanley Kubrick [ SK ], Quentin Tarantino is a great fan of SK [ Suththam :) ]. The killing is a film about a big plan connected with a busy race-track on a specific day.. An ex criminal released from the jail plans for a big-time heist with picking up people of various occupations with one need in life - money. A group of different personalities are formed without revealing their exact part. An ex criminal, his old friend, a bar tender, a counter officer, corrupted policeman, shooter and a wrestler [ and a gravel-voiced narrator - may be thought as GOD ! ]. Confusing right ? Definitely not when you see the final outcome of their plan. They form a time-table for the heist and what happens exactly is the film is all about. Of course, fate and morality are to be considered. :)

The film begins from the very first scene and the intelligence n non-linear narration keeps the audience busy in who's doing what and why ? The narration is just like joining various jigsaw puzzles to form the complete picture. Somewhere I read that 35 different segments happen together to form the final act.

It starts slowly with a hose race and haunting theme music. The narration talks about different timings of the day and happenings with respect to the characters. The drawback in non-linear narration is that shots are overlapped and repeated [ remember Virumandi ! ] but the top intelligent director gives a different meaning every time he repeats or overlaps a shot/scene. The non-linear structure makes the film more interesting. The hidden element of the movie is fate.

A must watch thriller which is 53 years old. It's listed in AOL's top 25 thrillers [ that's how I selected this movie.]
======

Shining/1980/Supernatural thriller [based on Stephen King's novel ]
Directed by : Stanley Kubrick.

"I am interested in giving my audience a real scare" - Stanley Kubrick

The psychology of horror film is not to show the ugly ghost, rather making the audience to anticipate it. The anxiety is the exact feeling about seeing a horror genre of films. I would simply say SHINING is the mother of all horror movies.


This movie is not the worst clichéd style of horror movies where in 4 pairs [ exactly :) ] go to a beach resort and getting killed one by one. Non-sense. Instead, an abandoned hotel with just 3 characters, is used as the centre point of the film.

Plot :

The film talks about the happenings of a story writer, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson - his eye brows and vague smile adds value to his character ). He gets an offer to work as the winter caretaker at a hotel which gets almost abandoned by heavy snowfall in the winter season. Jack reaches the hotel with his wife and son Danny [ 6 yrs old ]. During the closing day [ beginning for the audience :) ], the psychic hotel chef identifies something unusual with Jack's son Danny. Danny has the ability to detect ghostly presences in the hotel. The chef calls this talent as "SHINING". Once the hotel becomes snowbound, Jack is occupied by the ghosts in the hotel and then the story begins :)

Brilliant story. Abandoned hotel.. Heavy snowfall.. [ No difference between day n nights ! ]. The film starts with an aerial shot of Jack driving in a small car to reach the hotel. The most important element in horror film is the music. The visual has to be backed up with appropriate n haunting score. Stanley Kubrick is the pioneer in using the steadicam in the film industry. A technology has to be used to enhance the story telling and improve the visuals. I couldn't resist recollecting the irritating time-slice cut used by Shankar in BOYS and 360 degree rotating shots in Vettaiyaadu vilayaadu [ Enna Kodumainga ! ].

Stanley Kubrick is an essential film maker in the film history. His other works are

2001 : A space odyssey
Spartacus
Clockwork orange
Eyes wide shut

I am yet to watch the above list.

-Toto.

Uthirip Pookall - Bloomed only once !

"If I get anywhere near what Mahendran sir did in Uthirip pookkall, I’ll be a happy man."
- Director Manirathnam.

There are 2 types of directors. Director and director of directors. Tamil film industry possesses the richest chain of great directors. There are few who are predominantly portrayed in this category, starting from Sridhar to Ameer. Mahendran is one such GEM in the industry.

If literary works are properly used, it will turn into fine cinema. Uthirip pookkall is one such great example. Mahendran read the [ only ] short-novel of Pudumaipithan - Sitrannai and fascinated towards the children Raja and kunju. He then developed them into his own version of film. Mahendran had earlier worked with 28 different projects starting from his first movie 'Naam moovar' [ Story writer ]. This includes Thangap padakkam, Kali, adu puli attam etc., The 29th project is Mullum Malarum produced by Venu Chettiar of Anandi films, which was a grand success and fed fresh air in Tamil cinema. Mahendran worked initially in Thuglak for 3 years, writing cinema reviews in the section 'Post mortem' - a good friend of Cho.

This film is all about people, their nature, feelings and stubbornness in their stand. I admire the way the characters are etched, visual narration of story. He wrote pages of dialogues when he was a story writer and when started his direction career he implemented visual narration with bare minimum dialogues. To add, he was accompanied by the top talent of those times Ashokkumar, b.Lenin and Ilaiyaraja.

Uthirip Pookkall - Drama/1979/Tamil

Produced,written & Directed by : Mahendran.

Music : Ilaiyaraja

Cinematography : Ashokkumar

Plot :

Sundara vadivelu [ Vijayan as Su.va. ] is a rough natured school correspondent who has his physically weak and soft spoken wife Lakshmi and 2 kids Raja & Bhavani. Lakshmi's sister Shenbagam and their father live in the same village. Lakshmi's father owes a big sum to Su.Va. Also, Su.Va has an eye on Shenbagam. The entire village is unhappy with Su.Va's behaviour.

Prakash, a new teacher arrives to the village and later harassed by Su.Va. Prakash develops love with Shenbagam. Meanwhile, Sarath and his wife Premi, come to the same village to work in the health centre. Sarath is an old neighbor of Lakshmi [ before her marriage ] and even he proposes his wish to marry her, to her father. But it was late then as she was engaged with Su.Va. Su.Va. approaches his father-in-law for getting his second marriage with Shenbagam. Every one opposes this atrocious decision. He doubts his wife's relation with Sarath and keeps her separated. Sarath, feeling guilty for this, leaves the village.

The village people raise strongly against him this time but Su.Va. cares nobody.With his mother's support, he marries another girl from the next village. Prakash gets the permission from Shenbagam's father for their marriage. Meanwhile, something happens and that leads to the finest climax ever shot in Tamil films.

View :

- Mahendran meticulously developed his characters so that they look unique and stubborn till the end of the story. Even the local barber Samikannu has got one of the finest supporting character roles. Nobody looses their character in the flow of the story. Mahendran was so courteous to offer a sum to Pudhumai pithan's family though he was just inspired by the work.

- The film starts with the flutes music in title and a cliched folk song of IR [ Sentiment Sithravadhai :) GAmaran did the damaging lyrics]. The story starts from the health officer Sarath and the teacher Prakash reaching the village.

- Watch out for the brilliant and villainous performance of K.Vijayan. Though he delivers rationed dialogues, his looks and grim face expresses a lot more about what he thinks. He is one of the best villains portrayed in Dhoti/Jibba/Shirt [ My other favorites are G.Umapathy in agni Natchathiram and Thilagan in Chathriyan ]. Each and every word uttered by Vijayan carries his thoughts. His introduction shows his complete character [ Ennaya sattai pottirukke.. Cinemakaran maadiri ! ]. Sparkling dialogues and close expressions showing his complex, anger and vengance.

- Aswini as Lakshmi. The way Mahendran selected her was interesting. Mahendran was looking for Lakhmi's role and his friend in Bangalore was in a loss that time with a movie produced using Aswini as heroine. That sad face fascinated Mahendran and his Bangalore friend begged him not to use her as she is considered bad, sentimentally. Mahendran was adamant and he succeeded in finding the first homely lady portrayal in Tamil cinema [ even Shoba has the traces of cinema ]. Grim looked, rarely smiling and emotionally packed Aswini's performance was a major element in this movie.

- I can't easily leave other characters as just 'others' [ matrum palar ! ]. Chaaruhasan [ first film ], Sundar, Madhumalini, Charulatha, Master Raja, Baby Anju, Samikannu, Bhoopathy, Sarathbabu, Premi, Vijayan's mother [ few of them are from Kannada industry ] - every one of them was utilised fully. I was touched by the performance of the barber Samikannu and his dialogue 'Naan ambattanaa porandhadhu en paavamyaa' with tears in his eyes. The movie has fewer dialogues but they are as sharp as paper cutter. Charuhasan says after hearing the 2nd marriage proposal from Vijayan .. 'Naan nalla thagappanaa irukken.. brokeraa illai'.

- There's a scene where Prakash swims easily in the river and warned by the assistant of Su.Va. that periyavar doesn't like anybody swimming as he doesn't know swimming. This was used in the later part of the movie. In another scene, Su.Va warns Prakash not to roam behind Shenbagam. He asks Prakash to drink the tea before the dialogues and once he conveys his thoughts, he'll ask Prakash to keep the tea and go back to class.

- To convey his 2nd marriage thought to his wife, Vijayan does some unusual stuffs like buying flowers to her, taking her to cinema and hotel. She eagerly walks out and sees the sky. The director conveys the same with the local barber uttering the dialog 'Amma sandhoshamaa irukaanga.. Innaiku mazhai vara pogudhu'. Azhagiya kanne music is used in that situation and IR rules.

- There's fight scene between Sarath and Vijayan. Vijayan turns furiously towards Sarath and the visuals are shown for strong wind, furious river. The next shot shows Sarath washing his bloody lip in the river water and he collects his glasses/foot wear scattered in the bank. I really wonder the shock Mahendran created among the so called unrealistic fight sequences in Tamil films. ச‌ண்டையைக் கூட‌ க‌விதையா சொல்லி இருப்பார்.

- IR needs a special mention not only for the brilliant composition of 'Azhagiya Kanne' [ HINDU once mentioned this song as Monalisa of music :) ] but also his themes for various characters and sequences. He bridges the silences of the characters and audience with his music. He aptly uses the Azhagiya Kanne music in apt situations. Kannadasan wrote the stupendous lyrics and the song summarizes the entire story.

- Though Vijayan is shown as a villain, he has a soft corner for his kids. The dialogues he talk to his kids at the end was a disturbing one. The end title credit shows what is actually meant in the film title.

- B.Lenin [ his first film ] needs a special mention for his commitment in uplifting the goodness of a story teller. Before the first saranam of Azhagiya song, there's a flute music used where a flock of sheep is shown as visual - After that group of violins emerge and in parallel a single sheep jumps out in sync with the music. The editor described that piece of sync was appreciated in his editing. VT Vijayan assisted Lenin in this movie.

- Have you ever wondered when title card say 'DESIGNS : BHARANI' ? For example, before this film's release, the poster had a photo of aswini sadly sitting sadly with her 2 kids. This design promoted the movie as an unusual film and gave a good identity to the work. The same Bharani later spoiled the work called 'Johnny'. Though Johnny was a music based film, the promotions made the posters with Rajini angrily diving with an umbrella with multiple images in colours [ remember that ??!! ] - the poster set that it was an action film and Johnny suffered because of this. Mahendran told this. [ Dei.. Unaku mattum eppadaa sonnaru :) ].

- Mahendran was introduced as assistant director to kasilingam in Kanchi Thalaivan film by MGR. MGR watched Uthirip pookkall and became emotional, it seems. He said to Mahendran that 'I'll sleep peacefully today' which meant a lot to Mahendran.

Conclusion.

Director Vasanth [ though I don't admire him ] said he would filter 1 in 1000, 1 in 100, 1 in 25, 1 in 10 and finally just 1 best Tamil film and that is Uthirip pookkall. The impact it made on Tamil directors and writers was tremendous. The same year 1979 opened the gate for Balu mahendra for Azhiyadha kolangall, his first Tamil venture.

Uthirip pookkall is highly considered par with any of the best films made in the wolrd cinema [ except the 2 junk songs in female voices .. poda poda bokkai and one more SPSailaja song ].

Mahendran once quoted that 'Even if I try out again, I can't reproduce what I have achieved in Uthirip pookkall'. Great ! I salute this 30 years old n fantastic film.

-Toto.

25th BLOG :)

Friends.. Thanks for the sparkling n cheerful responses and support. I ve reached 25th blog !

Coming soon.

"If I get anywhere near what HE did in this Tamil film, I’ll be a happy man."

- Director Manirathnam.

-Toto.

Adadaa vaa asathalaam - New good songs

1. Oru Vetkam varudhe
Film : Pasanga
Singers : Naresh Iyer/Shreya Goshal
MD : James Vasanthan

The song starts with the James's choir brand [:) ] and flows fluidly. The song slightly touches the humming in thendral vandhu ennai thodum song [ Tharadhath tharadhaa ] and Hishaisi's piano from Kikujiro [ Nallaa dhanadaa irundhe ! ]. The voices are fantastic in this song. I admire lyrics of Thamarai - a true n fabulous KAVITHAAYINI in Tamil cinema.

The picturisation was done extremely well so that you feel the rain when you see that song in theatre. The heroine got beautiful... [ irungappaa varen :) ] eyebrows. Mannil indha kaadhal song got a line called 'Villeriyum puruvam' - this heroine Vega got that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpncS6zECB0

2. Leysaa parakudhu
Film : Vennila Kabadi kuzhu
Singers : Karthik-Chinmayi
MD : V.Selvaganesh

Remember the old song 'Meham karukudhu.. mazhai vara paakudhu' from Anandha Ragam, Sivakumar movie. This song resembles that tune but the lines are as cute as Saranya Mohan [ Ennaikaavadhu hero pathi pesi irukkiyaa nee :) ]. The songs uses a melody base and the instrument gatam .. U know why.. yes.. The MD is the son of Vikku Vinayak ram. The other gatam based song is 'Narumugaiye' from the classic IRUVAR. I heard Chinmayi after a long time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEdErZbwKpo

3. Adadaa vaa asathalaam
Film : Sarvam
Singers : Ilayaraja, Andria
MD : Yuvan Shankar Raja

What a song ! One need to hear this in a high end music system. A peppy number from IR voice. Thank God he stopped those extremely sad graveyard numbers. The voice of Andria resembles Destiny's child [ song : Jumpin Jumpin ]. It's short song and the flute bit is spectacular. All said and done, I love this song very much. It's long time since IR sang some peppy number. I like IR's punnagaiyil minsaaram from Bharathan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eQbVPkRawQ

4. Sirugugall
Film : Sarvam
Singers : Javeed ali, Madhushree
MD : Yuvan Shankar Raja

It's a simple number from YSR. Javeed ali uses his high pitch to elevate the song and as usual Madhusree is talking something [ Konjal :) ].

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eQbVPkRawQ

5. Un perai sollum

Film : Angaadi theru
Singers : Suresh Iyer [ Yaarmaa nee ! ], Shreya Goshal.
MD : GV Prakashkumar.

A folk like melody n good number from GV Prakashkumar with simple beat, flute and violin. Nice to hear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SxKycFX1wU&feature=PlayList&p=87765323C13C645B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9

-Toto.

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso - My hometown theatres.

I wanted to rebuild what the cinema hall used to be once; a sacred place where people used to know each other, to spend time together, to smile, and dream - Director Giuseppe Tornatore.

I started watching films in my school days at an above average level. I watch any kind of cinema starting from Telugu dubbing Chiranjeevi movies, MRRAdha's classic 'Rathak kaneer' to 'Schindlers list'. But I had the passion to watch them in theatres alone. I watch DVDs with a heavy heart that I could have enjoyed them much in theatre.

Once I remember my father dragged me out of Tamil exam in 4th standard to watch 'Salangai Oli' in Muralikrishna. My mother took me to 'Sakalakala vallavan' twice. Obviously, when I watched 'Cinema Paradiso', I just easily fixed me in that character where the boy's life is just made up of cinemas, he watched.

The other thing is friendship with a father-like senior [ Like paruthi veeran ] and this film deals with that bonding between a 6 yr old boy Toto and his father-like friend Alfredo.

Nuovo cinema paradiso [ New Cinema paradiso ] 1988/Drama/Italy

Music : Ennio Morricone

Written & Directed by : Giuseppe Tornatore.

Plot

The famous Italian director Salvatore gets a call from his mother with a news. He neither called his mother nor visited her for 30 years. But the message takes him back to his hometown. With that his childhood story comes in flashback.

6 years old Toto [ nick name of Salvatore ] helps the local pastor in the church and very passionate about movies. The small town has only one theatre called 'Cinema Paradiso'. He develops with a middle aged theatre projectionist Alfredo. Though Alfredo initially rejects him in the projection room, due to a deal he allows him to work with him in free time. They develop a strong bonding over the time and due to an issue, a new cinema paradiso is built with Toto as the projectionist. The story then flows with the adult Toto.

Toto falls in love with Elena in college and tries to develop the relation. Alfredo doesn't want Toto to fall in love and end his life in the small town. Somehow, the love doesn't become successful and they are separated. Alfredo strongly advices Toto to leave the town and never ever come back for any reasons to pursue his career. Meanwhile, Toto learns to shoot amateur videos.

The 3rd part of the story is the old Toto visiting his home town and spending time with his mother. Toto also finds Elena in the same town and they meet once to talk about their past. Alfredo's wife gives a parcel and film reel as a gift from Alfredo. Toto watches the reel in his personal projection theatre and runs with tears. He watches the best in that cinema reel which he was passionate in his childhood.

View

- As any good cinema, this starts from the first shot as you see 'FRANCO CRISTALDI PRESENTA'. The mesmerising piano + violin music prepares the audience to just attach with the story. As a good narration the movie starts with a flashback, where the movie director rewinds his childhood days in his native.

- The very first scene explains the characters that are introduced. The kid is introduced sleeping in a prayer session where he is supposed to help the pastor. A clever n mischievous boy who is enormously interested in cinema.

- Ennio Morricone needs a special mention for his sparkling score for this movie. He was involved in the movie right from the scripting phase and hence he lived with the story. That is proven in the music. One of the best theme music and soundtracks, in my collection.

- Editing games - Every scene connects with the next scene in a poetic manner.. For ex., The lightning in the first scene changes into the sunlight in the church, the scale blows by a teacher change into the leveling of film reel, small church bell turning into big school bell.. Even when Toto's mother cries about her husband, the boy is attracted towards a cinema poster.

- Alfredo - A perfect father who is tough in outlook but so soft in nature. He advices Toto not to enter projection operator job but wit a ideal he teaches him. His dialogues are almost made up of cinema dialogues as he watches every film almost 100 times.

- The scene where Alfredo talks to Toto was a fantastic piece. Go away and never come back to this town. This is an important dialog to a person who lives in a small town [ Remember the same dialog in 'Men of Honour' for Crawl Basheer from his father.. The intention is not to make the junior to suffer the same as they did in life ].I could understand the reality by being coming from a little town. Little town takes out the energy. The relation between Alfredo and Toto was amazing. A fatherless kid and a childless projectionist.

- The first love is of course shown as just an attraction at the first sight. The girl is not so attractive in this movie, I guess [ otherwise I would have written 2 paragraphs about her :) ].

- The best scene is after 30 years Toto tries to contact his ex lover and the conversation is shown in a single shot.. Zoom in shows the Toto in a public booth and zoom out shows Elena in a silhouette in her window.

- The dialog between Toto's mother and him after 30 years was a touching one.

- Cinema hall - It's a part of the people from that Sicily town.I couldn't resist thinking about my hometown theatres. I am one of the freaks who couldn't digest cinema theatres changing into malls and marriage halls. My hometown got only one theatre now. :( . The various characters in the movie are excellently portrayed including the theatre owner, pastor, his assistant, a prostitute and whom not.

- The morning school and the forenoon school shots are a beautifully communicated with a noisy children crowd and a silent horse walk.

- The adult Toto tries to impress Elena and the dialogues are nice. Also, the scene which old Toto meets Elena was poetic.

- Most of the dialogues uttered by Alfredo are from old movies and his life style was depicted neatly in the film. He heats his lunch in the old projection light box :)

- The cinema hall itself is a character in this movie. The stages it come across and it's end. I attach with the great theatres that were demolished in my time. [ ex : Ananda theatre in Pondicherry :( ].

Conclusion

I am fortunate to see the directors cut [ 173 mins ] of this movie - it was a treat to watch. I wondered how an Italian cinema has the traces of my childhood. I used to play marbles [ Goli ] in exchange for film stripes and marbles too.. [ Rajini films were costly :) ]

By seeing the cut films Toto adds the dialogue to that and also he collects those films in a box. I see myself in that character and hence my name :) .

- Toto.

Kadhal - Film in a song's budget

ஒரு ந‌ல்ல‌ திரைப்ப‌ட‌ம் முடிந்த‌வுட‌ன் துவ‌ங்குகிற‌து ‍ ‍‍: ஒளிப்ப‌திவாள‌ர் செழிய‌ன்.

Do you know why Tamil kings built temple ? [ Review-la engadaa King-um Temple-um :) ] One Discovery channel video of South Indian temples stated that Kings built temple to repent their sins of killing 1000s of people in the name of war and thus avoiding reincarnation. Shankar repented his sins of making stereotyped robin hood movies by producing his films under S pictures. [ eppadiyo join pannite :) ]. Kadhal was produced in a budget, where normally Shankar shoots a song for his films ending in 'N' :). The good thing is that he marketed the movie well.

Almost, all films in Tamil deal with love but very few unfolds the view of the parent's and the consequences of eloping away.

Film : Kadhal [ 2004 / Drama ]
Cast : Murugan, Aiswarya, Rajendran, Vellaiyan, Karattandi, Stepehen
Cinematography : Vijay Milton
Music : Joshua Sridhar
Written & Directed by : Balaji Sakthivel

Fine points

- Opening title sequences and the theme song [ Haricharan - just the words kadhal, humming and a guitar n flute ] was fabulous. Most of the camera work in the title is done as a candid work.

- Murugan asks the same question to Aiswarya in different situations to reiterate that they know about what they do.

- Watch out for the minute detailing like 'Singamle' in the Sumo of Rajendran, Aiswarya illam, wine shop, workshop, christian school.. even the director uses the lines written on the school wall, When they elope one more scooty is shown as some other pair started their love :).

- The beauty of the narration is all the faces are new and they fit just like a glove .. even with their voices. [ Enpaa.. Paapavuku oru Jigardhanda kudu..].

- The scene where the tiffin box and purse were about to meet by scooty's vibration was a good metaphor whereas the tap symbol was an ugly metaphor.

- The body language of a mechanic , school girl, wine shop owner and almost all characters were awesome.

- The montage song 'Dhandatti karuppayi' needs a special mention. I just depicts the happenings in a function happens in Madurai area. Drunk relatives, fight for a leg piece, playing cards, police officials attending the function, school friends accompanying her.. I like every inch of that song.

- The Karattandi character is new to Tamil cinema who is an assistant mechanic in the shed. Even when Murugan was about to say farewell silently, the boy pretends to get beating. When Murugan leaves, the boy runs and ends up in a confusion.. may be his work. That scene was poetic.

- Sandhya - She portrays the childish, rich school girl who happens to live between a poor lover and an affectionate family. Her brahmin friends perfectly matches a typical school friend who accompanies a gir almost everywhere.

- Joshua Sridhar.. He is one of the few debut music directors who makes an impact in the first film. The theme music is the most lovable one apart from Thottu thottu, Dhandatti karupaayi, Ivan dhaan.. The voices are fresh as flowers especially the humming of Shalini singh, Haricharan, Sruthi.

- In the first half, songs are used just like BGM and the audience don't separate them. Also, he had used western music for a Madurai backdrop film and it worked out !

- The dialect was so new to Tamil people apart from Madurai/Dindugal area [ Indhaaru... Tharsaaiyuruve ].

- I would have happier if they ended the story like the girl's father stops them while eloping, itself. Chennai segment [ 2nd half ] of the story is very weak by all means. The story looses its fine touch here.

- The story doesn't have a Villain.. How can you call a father who looses his school-going daughter eloping with a mechanic ? The father character is accompanied by an one handed brother who traces this pair. The end leaves the movie to be thought about.

- Director portrays the time along with the school [ 10th exams, practical notebook ]. The technicians Vijay Milton, N.Muthukumar put a worthy effort.

-Toto.