Film / Documentary - Recently watched & worthy of some discussion

[HonestRaj]

for those who have not seen Adimaipenn...
oomaiyan sathyaraj - banupriya scenes from PangaLi.. is a remake (inspired) from Adimaipenn.. SR does the role of MGR...

[HonestRaj]

finally watched the 90's cult classic in polimer channel

THALAIVAASAL
- okay.. oru vaatti parkkalam
- thalaivasal vijay semathiya dance pannirukkaru indha experience'la than kavalaipadadhe sagodhara'nu aattam potrukkaru
- sivaranjani was beautiful.. but we all know she could not control her weight.. within a couple of years she looked like a drum
- Aanand.. poor fellow.. no solid hit.. ended up being a character artiste
- Nassar had a solid role, similar to Raghuvaran plays in Uthayam..
- songs & gaana by bala barathy are good

there is a typical 90's heroing intro song...
time is running so fast.. it has been more than 20 yrs from the release... usually i think 80's are old & 90's are like just 10 yrs back..

2 songs from the film

[NOV]

IMO, i can see a similarity between MGR & Rajini films, Sivaji & Kamal films.. in the 1st set: instant hit.. but when i see later it is not so interesting except for some films & few scenes even in their greatest hits.... where as the 2nd set: may or may not be hit initially, but when i see now, i'm noticing much detail in the making of their films....

you have arrived

Gnana oLi.. i saw just one shot Sivaji in a white & white suit wearing a cooling glass walking on a bridge & he carries a gift for his daughter.. followed by major sundarrajan.. the way Sivaji walking .. truly amazing..

you must read Murali Srinivas review - sort of a thesis on just one song!

[Mr.GreyShirt]

Lone Survivor - Just wow. Amazing movie. Great acting and great story. Mark Wahlberg 's acting is top notch in this movie, especially at the end. It's a love letter to the soldiers. They wanted to show why these people are awesome and they did beautiful. It's apologetically violent and the gory. There are some scenes that are haunting. The enemies are also done very well. They are actually smart instead of stupidly running around and getting shot they are tactical and use their brain. It's incredibly well made movie.

[mappi]

Damaal Dumeel [2014 : Tamil : 2hrs : Thriller (Crime, Suspense, Mystry, Drama)]
Written & Directed by Shree
Music : SS Thaman

Banner : Cameo Films India

Starring : Vaibhav, Remya, Sayaji Shinde, Kota Srinivasa Rao, a policeman & few sidekicks.

Moneykandan (you read it right; numerology adaptation), is an IT guy - who leads a lavish life, arranges his sisters marriage, has a adorable girl friend - breifly put quite an awesome life to lead. Just like bad times, good times are also short lived, when he gets layed off. With all the comitments in life, he is suddenly stranded with only his shadow beside him. Kamatchi is a "poli-doctor" wanted by the poilce and he is in hiding now. His protagé Ilavarasu agrees to send him the required money to abscond. Their deal is to leave the money in front of Kamatchi's appartment door. Moneykanda happens to be in the same appartment building and a "break-in-a-letter" event [watch the movie to know what it is ?] makes the money fall into Moneykanda's hands. Then its all about how tomato sauce hits the fan, when 2 groups of people are looking for the money while Moneykanda wants to keep it all for himself at any cost and the price he pays for it explodes "Damaal Dumeel".

I was largely reminded of Danny Boyle's first film Shallow Grave (1994). But the movie Dammal Dumeel is 'quite' original. Shree has wonderfully loaded humour and suprisingly they were funny too. Found the Mani & Money confusion hillarious. The neatness in presenting the characters and bringing them together, well, as Movie Buff had mentioned, our guys are quite skillful in it. He jumbles the scenes and presents it to us in different areas without hindering the flow, thanks to the incharge of the cutting table, thats what makes it an interesting watch. But still, I found a lot of repetions mainly when the lead character tries to do some maths over the suituation. Could have included much more to it. A special mention to 'Damaal Dumeel' colorful climax, it was awesome.

Vaibhav was good. He had the attitude and the looks to play such a character. He does emote from time to time, exp. found him funny during the photo-shoot. And what takes away his seriousness in being funny is the dubbing. He got to do something about it, as it getting annoying with all those close shots. Kota Srinivasa Rao is excellent. There is a guy who acts as Vaibhav's neighour, thought he was good, anyone know who he is, please ? Thaman's BGM was good and lifts the film to an extent. He has scored a theme (but it varies a lot according to the suituations), and when you hear it for the first time + Vaibhav's reaction would certainly put a smile on your face. Remya is pretty and should have been included in the thrilling scenes too, but she just does what TFI girls are best in doing - whinning. The side kicks try hard to be funny, but fail miserably. If not for the suituations, they would all be a duds. The decors were good, both the rich looking appartment and the Don's Den. Some 'cat & mouse' kind of events could have brought in the much needed laughter as when the movie starts drawing in seriousness, it becomes a bit dry.

On the whole, Shree is sucessful in keeping us entertained.

Damaal Dumeel - Money Money Bang Bang

Spoiler: 

Panathal santhochathai Vadagaikku vangalam, Vilaikku vanga mudiaathu - Kochadaiiyaan 3D [releasing 09/MAY/2014]

[uruzalari]

There is a guy who acts as Vaibhav's neighour, thought he was good, anyone know who he is, please ?

You are referring to the guy who keeps asking Vaibhav for pornographic DVDs right? (or the inspector?)

[mappi]

Not the inspector, the other one with decorated forehead pestering Vaibhav for Cds and giving a thourough analysis on river Kovum ... funny guy. He finds the exact moment to meet him and the irritation of Vaibhav is worth ... LoL

[thala]

Mudhalvan - Shankar's best till date. Arjun did very well. Just wondering what would have happened if Superstar had done this role

[balaajee]

Mudhalvan - Shankar's best till date. Arjun did very well. Just wondering what would have happened if Superstar had done this role

puppy shame running scene would have been changed...

[NOV]

Goli Soda (Bottle of Soda) - if there is only one movie you are going to watch this year, make it Goli Soda.....! If you are a Malaysian, watch it on Astro Box Office now. Story about 4 errand boys in Koyambedu market (the largest market in Asia) who are without identities. A god mother shows them the way to get individual identities and when their hard earned identity is snatched away from them, the boys unexpectedly explode - like a bottle of soda!

While it is indeed a little cinematic, the charm of the teenagers and their blissful innocence comes through beautifully. Apparently, the shooting was made with the boys acting in the market with four hidden cameras surrounding them, so that no one knew that there was shooting going on!