Manmadhan Ambu - review

The long awaited movie of the Universal star - Kamal Hassan, has finally graced the cinema halls across the state. And as the story, screenplay and dialogues were penned by Kamal, everyone expected a rollicking joy-ride at the theaters. Everyone speculated that the movie was indeed a remake of Hitch and as I stepped inside the dark hall i was praying that it should probably be a rumor and I see an original Romantic comedy as its trailer promised. And at the end of the movie I was just thinking that if it had been a remake of Hitch it would have been much much better.

Kamal Hassan the dialogue and screenplay writer has indeed taken the audience for granted as the movie which promised to be a rom-com was neither romantic nor did it have any laugh-out-loud moments. There are several problems with this movie, be it the timeline problem(three years of bad relationship and she goes for a vocation now?) or for the very fact that we still don't know when Kamal and Trisha fell in love.

Its a plain mediocre script which has nothing new to offer to the audience and Crazy mohan was heavily missed in the dialogue department for a Kamal comedy. Cinematography was tacky most of the times, music was decent and the editing was lifeless. Neela Vaanam song was amazingly picturized. Kamal Hassan who has also penned the lyrics has indeed made a strong statement with his words- kudos.

Kamal Hassan, the actor has done a good job(as usual) and so has Madhavan. The pre-climax and climax sequences, Madhavan has outdone himself. Trisha was alright. Sangeetha was real good and the boy who played Sangeetha's son was adorable and funny. Oorvasi and Arvind were wasted in an insignificant roles.

Overall the movie lacked the punch and people who are expecting a MMKR or a Panchathanthiram or a P.K.S is sure to get hugely disappointed.

missing the CRAZY element

Stars - 1.5/5

U - TURN Short film review

U Turn

The title made me sit up, the innovative creatives made me long for it and by seeing my friends name appear on the credits my want became desire. Finally before anyone could see the movie I got a sneak peak of this 7 minute short about love at its innocent best.

U turn is about teen love, the problems and innocence associated with it. The best part of the movie is that, it never sets out to preach us or to shock us with a twist or make you sit up with a deadly climax, but instead it makes you lean back and relish love- simple, cute and above all – relatable.

Ramiez Raja the director of the movie have decided to take a simple theme, give a simple treatment and all it needed is a heart and Raja's film is filled with it. Its about a teen couple who decide to elope but a fight makes them change their mind and from then on its all about how the lovers get back together. The director has proved that two characters and a car is all it takes to showcase a cute love story.

Lakshay Gupta and Vahbiz Dorabjee's chemistry sparkles on screen, whether in the beach scene or the scene in the Dhaba they both have shown amazing character and are right-on natural. Vahbiz might have gone a little overboard in the Dhaba scene at first but the last shot of her giving a small sign of her love for Lakshay in the same scene makes up for the lost ground.

Cinematography by Guruvyurappan is a treat to watch. Whether it was the dolly at the first or the long shot at the beach, its simply spell binding. Might be the best camera work I have seen for an Indian shot film. Ragavendra's music is another big plus for U Turn, brilliant work by the young musician. Novel, Varun and Shashank's editing is exceptional. Kudos to the trio.

If you are expecting high concept and lot of u turns in the plot, you will be disappointed with this U-Turn. But if you are looking out for a cute, romantic story turn no further, U – TURN is for you.

Stars – 3/5

MY OSCAR 2010 Predictions

TEN HOURS TO GO

And i reveal my Oscar predictions

My Best FIlm of the year- The Hurt Locker (2008): Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier, Greg Shapiro

But i am very sure Avtaar is going to get .


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart (2009) - Finally getting his due.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side (2009)
Brilliant performance


Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role -
Christoph Waltz for Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role-
Mo'Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)


Best Achievement in Directing
Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker (2008)

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Inglourious Basterds (2009): Quentin Tarantino

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Up in the Air (2009/I): Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner

Best Achievement in Cinematography

Avatar (2009): Mauro Fiore

Best Achievement in Editing

Inglourious Basterds (2009): Sally Menke

Best Achievement in Art Direction

Avatar (2009): Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg, Kim Sinclair

Any doubts???




Best Achievement in Sound Mixing

Avatar (2009): Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson, Tony Johnson

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

Star Trek (2009): Mark P. Stoeckinger, Alan Rankin

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Avatar (2009): Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham, Andy Jones

If it goes to anyone else its a SIN

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Up (2009): Pete Docter

Y do they even have other nominations when Pixar’s movie is up for contention.

Best Short Film, Animated

Wallace and Gromit in 'A Matter of Loaf and Death' (2008) (TV): Nick Park

Have no clue about the others but Wallace and Gromit have never ever lost out in an oscar race.. SO...


PLease feel free to post ur comments..