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Reviews
Big Little Lies (2017)
A modern suspense drama for modern times
A brilliant emotional roller coaster of a series with beautiful casting of characters, amazing soundtrack and captivating cinematography. How the tiniest of things can create tidal waves in our relationships when unchecked. Realistic portrayal of domestic violence, family values and bonding with crisp editing. Satisfying 2 seasons, hopefully we might get one more.
Solo (2017)
Vividly Colorful yet Darkly Realistic!
Easily among the most beautifully filmed and artistically shot Indian movies. The story and screenplay hits you viscerally with an intoxicating soundtrack and fluid editing. There was no boring moments and the characters are crisp and poignant. The non-linear story-telling keeps you invigorated and curious as the film progresses and I loved that aspect! It won't satisfy you like the typical mainstream Indian films but will deeply nourish your soul both the dark and bright sides. Undoubtedly Dulquer's best movie I've watched, a must watch for his fans.
The Wazir director Bejoy has carefully created his first masterpiece representing 4 four symbolic modern versions of the mythical god Shivan.
Dunkirk (2017)
Zimmer>Nolan
*Pausing my inner Nolan fanboy-ism for a moment*
Christopher Nolan virtually transports us to the epicenter of Dunkirk like a time machine. This is one of the most immersive films in recent times and I love the fact that it's not 3D.
From the first scene, every gun shot, bomb, engine noise sounds dramatically real, along with that mind altering Hans Zimmer soundtrack the movie psychologically keeps you in a state of fear and panic till the end. Hans Zimmer is on a league of his own. His masterful rendition of creating the perfect atmosphere through sound is second to none. The cinematography too is equally breathtaking!
But this has to be his least Nolanesque film. The movie is not intellectually complex nor is the screenplay nonlinear. You won't remember any character or connect with them deeply except of course Tom Hardy that too only slightly. The full movie felt like an extended climax to a prequel. There is still that elemental mix of black and white, where you've lost even though you've won themes he takes in his films.
Truly worth watching in IMAX if you get the chance.
Cheers!
PS: Hopefully Nolan soon rises..because he can take it, because he's not our hero, he's a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a Dark Knight.
*Nolan fanboy-ism continues*
Kaatru Veliyidai (2017)
Not his best...
Apart from the obviously enchanting Ravi Varman visuals and Rahman's soulful soundtrack, the only other saving grace of the movie is the character of a 'Iraivi like' Leela played so effortlessly by Aditi. The way she expressed emotions with tamil language never felt like her debut movie. The borderline character (pun intended) of Karthi and his narration of the movie, and the whole screenplay is unnecessarily less exciting and empty.
Why did Mani Sir make Delhi Ganesan, RJ Balaji, Rukmini and the entire family of Karthi and other characters pointless without any strong connection with the main theme was the puzzle left to be figured out by us is what I felt.
Is it wrong to expect a good film from one of your favorite filmmakers, because I felt really disappointed from a kind of lukewarm effort from Mani Sir after watching the amazing promos. I guess we're recently spoiled from the incredibly amazing films from budding directors coming lately, making us expect more from veterans.
Kaatru Veliyidai worth watching only if you want to know how loving, forgiving and independent some women can be in relationships, despite the narcissistic nature of certain modern men.
Cheers!
The Accountant (2016)
Not your usual Accoutant
An intense and sophisticated action-drama that shatters your Sunday evening blues with incisive screenplay, sublime cinematography and engaging soundtrack.
Ben Affleck steals the show with his exceptional portrayal of an autistic accountant. The story thrillingly moves a tad slowly, towards a turbulent finale. Excellent performances by supporting actors(Anna Kendrick, J.K Simmons, Jon Bernthal) keep you immersed, making the movie worth watching. The 'Warrior' director has made another remarkable film.
The Accountant, a different one-man army!
Zeitgeist: Moving Forward (2011)
A Priceless jewel, which cannot be comprehended, it must be witnessed!
I started downloading at 3:30am finished it in 480p resolution from Yt and began watching at 5:32am...!! The subject matter they discuss in Z3 was one the most informative things i have ever seen!! Its quite intense in it's own way, and you will be compelled to continue watching it in fascination until the very end.
The perfect unadulterated out-of-the-box style narration which Peter Joseph adapts , will clear any doubts you have and will automatically keep you in an open-skeptic mind as much as possible..!! The comic relief , the soundtrack, the editing are all so well balanced it crystal clearly makes you visualize and digest the concepts so vividly and most important naturally..
I was never bored a single second of the 160 mins, i can guarantee you on this one. ( Might be due to the 150 min bollywood, kollywood movies we are indoctrinated to in India,, LOL!) But above all it gave me a billion ton confidence to tell me,to show me that we can change this world for the better of humankind! Many of us initially thought--"ZMF-the transition begins", Peter will showcase some temporary transition project or some kind of transition phase to a new society..!! The transition is, the transition in our level of thinking, the way in which we perceive the things currently around us..And in Z3 the director as achieved that overwhelmingly unimaginably..!
Zeitgeist:Moving Forward is perhaps the most powerful activism tool available to evoke positive social change and stands, due to its relevance to humanity and planet earth, as the most important documentary film created to date.!!
Goodbye dirty politics,farewell capitalism-stock markets,inflation,wars,corruption,violence,depression,,etc
So lets start our Revolution in Evolution....It is NOW!
Goa (2010)
Goto-'GoA'
Spell Goa, you are immediately reminded of fun, frolic, women and wine. Venkat Prabhu's 'Goa' is no different as the movie dwells on all these things. With more of a Bollywood feel, the movie is 'funathon', that is light and breezy all through without any seriousness involved in it.
Venkat Prabhu has managed to keep his reputation intact. Quite like 'Chennai 28' and 'Saroja', he doesn't take himself very serious in 'Goa' too. All is well but for few hiccups. The movie sets out to explore the changing relationships among the youths, especially the concept of homosexuals.
Though Bollywood has brought into light the issue in 'Dostana', this is for the first time in Tamil cinema to discuss about gay relationship. But Venkat Prabhu is not preachy and has not taken any sides or pass any judgmental comments.
The movie revolves around three youths who sets out on a trip to Goa only with a mission to fall in love with a white woman, get married and go abroad. The twists and turns they come across in their mission makes up the story.
A spoof of few popular Tamil films and songs does add to the merriment. With Premji, Jai and Vaibhav around, one is ensured of fun and frolic. There are some surprises in the form of Sampath Raj, Sneha, Silambarasan and Prasanna.
The movie begins in Pannapuram, a remote village near Madurai (the native place of Venkat Prabhu's family). Three youngsters Samikannu (Premji Amaran), Vinayakam (Jai) and Ramarajan (Vaibhav) are callous who spend all their time doing nothing. Their acts invite the wrath of the villagers and the village panchayat decides that the three should never meet again in future for the welfare and peace of the village.
The trio decides to elope from the place and spend few days peacefully in Madurai. When they reach their friend's place they come to know that he has married a foreign woman when he was in Goa and that he would be flying from the country soon. This results in them deciding to try their luck in Goa. They set off with a plan to lure a white woman and marry her.
They come across one Danny (Arvind Akash) who helps them with shelter in Goa and expose them to the party culture. Roshini (Piya) a singer in a hotel falls for Vinayakam, while Jesika (Melanie), a white lady follows Samikannu from Madurai attracted by his innocence. Enters Danny's friend Jack (Sampath) a gay. He has an affinity for Danny.
Soon Danny and Jack help the trio get an image makeover and start help them in their mission. Ramarajan's life takes a twist after he comes across Suhasini (Sneha), a rich ship owner in Goa. They get attracted towards each other and eventually gets married. But true colour of Suhasini is revealed and he manages to escape from trouble there with the help of his friends.
Vinayakam is finally convinced by Roshini's sincere love while Samikannu gets wedlocked with Jesika. After some twists and turns in the story, all ends well and the boys return to their village to start a new life. Vaibhav has a surprise when he lands in Pannapuram in the form of Nayantara.
Premji Amaran, Jai and Vaibhav have equal screen space and they bring the roof down with laughter. Premji is impressive with his 'familiar one-liners' while Jai speaking a chaste English and Vaibhav getting in trouble for his own acts are appreciable.
Piya and Aravind Akash have meaty roles to play while it is a surprise to see rough-and-tough Sampath playing a gay. Sneha though appears briefly seems to have shed her 'homely' image to do a dare bare role. She has done full justice to it. The rest of the cast includes Shanmuga Sundaram, Anandhraj, Sathyapriya among others.
Yuvan Shankar Raja is the real scene-stealer. A total of 9 songs including Goa theme are peppy and interesting to listen to. Sakthi Saravanan's camera is equally appealing capturing the sands and sea-shores with clarity.
Goa is Soundarya Rajinikanth's maiden production venture on behalf of Ocher Picture Productions. Once can applaud her commitment in taking the risk to deviate from the regular run-of-the-mill stuff and try something different.
However on the flip side, the movie might throw some shock to a section of conservative film audience. The bold theme tried by Venkat Prabhu may leave a bad taste in the mouths of some. Also the second half wanders aimlessly and needs an immediate trimming.
At the same time, one has to say that Venkat Prabhu was clear on what he wanted to do on screen and has rightly delivered the same. If you want to unwind yourself, forget all logics and enjoy, its destination 'Goa' Goa - G(ay)rey matter