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.