Avatar Movie Review - Jeevi

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver etc
Director: James Cameron
Rating: 5
Enetertainment Quotient: 90%
Genre: War/Romance/Sci-fi
Runtime: 162 min
MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking.

Synopsis:
The story happens in 22nd century. Human scientists discover that there is another planet called Pandora which contains rich minerals which are quite valuable. The army takes up the mission on going to Pandora and rob the minerals. But there is a problem. There is a sect of na'vis, a humanoid race are inhabitants of Pandora. They are quite tall with blue skin, golden eyes and a supple tile. There is not enough oxygen over there and human beings can't survive. The scientists invent a new process (kind of Matrix process) of Avatar which makes select human beings look-alike of na'vis and sends them across to Pandora to get more information so that their military attack would be immaculate. Jake (Sam Worthington) is a marine who lost his legs in a warfare. His identical twin brother was groomed to be an Avatar, but dies. The Colonel promises his legs back (an expensive operation) if he cooperates to be an Avatar. After going to Pandora as an Avatar, Jake realises that the sect of na'vis are kind-hearted people who co-exist with the nature. He falls in love with the local princess Neyitiri (Zoe Saldana). Jake has orders to follow, But, he learns that Colonel is destroying good people for the sake of minerals. He decides to save Pandora from humans. The rest of the story is all about how he achieves it!

It transports you into a dream world:
James Cameron adds his tremendous creativity into imaginative 3D and VFX technology and shows us how passion for movies can create path-breaking movies like Avatar. The 3D effect, visual effects and the colors transport you into a new dream world you had never imagined. Avatar is supposed to be an alien movie and aliens are supposed to be unfamiliar (that's why they are called aliens). The na'vis in this movie are excellent and they are familiar despite of blue skin, golden eyes and long tail. The na'vis bond with various animals and co-exist with them. The Pandora world is pleasant with its colors and is easy on eyes. The night vision of Pandora is a visual feast with pleasing florescence colors. There are floating mountains, flying dragons with butterfly colors, flies that look like jelly-fishes etc. The big tree is amazing.

Story with humanity and lots of moral values:
We see the story taking backseat in most of the technical extravaganzas. But Cameron made sure that he gives equal preference to storytelling in Avatar.

This film shows the greed of certain human beings who stop at nothing to achieve money/power. This film also shows the humanity of certain human beings who are willing to sacrifice everything to stop the destruction. Avatar is an eco-friendly movie.

A beautiful love story:
Princess of Pandora falling in love with a stranger from another place is an age-old and commercially successful formula. James Cameron has taken the magnificent canvas of the universe to narrate this love story.

It's a wonderland:
I felt like the 'Alice in wonderland' while watching this movie. We enter the breathtaking land of aliens and root for them throughout the movie. The background music has Indianness in it. On the whole, Avatar is an entertaining, absorbing, ground-breaking and pleasant (not alien) film. Book your tickets right away and watch Avatar in 3D format. And feel yourself extremely lucky if you got an IMAX theatre in the city you live!!

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Rocket Singh Movie Review

Harpreet Singh Bedi (Ranbir Kapoor), a young Sikh, has just graduated, and his grades are nothing to brag about. But it doesn’t stop him from launching himself into joining the ambitious, optimistic, burgeoning urban Indian workforce armed with a belief in himself and the great urban Indian career dream.

He enthusiastically takes up a job of a salesman, one of the few career options for those unable to make it to a business or engineering school. But soon, his traditional value system inherited from his grandfather who raised him begins clashing with the aggressive ways of the ‘professionals’ he aspired to join all his life.

The script and screenplay are usually considered king in Bollywood most of the time. And where the trailers click big-time, the movie always does well only with a good script, no matter what. For Hollywood freaks, it might be a different scenario, where the viewers are in for the special effects (a la the recent Transformers – Revenge of the Fallen and 2012), but in Bollywood, it is the way the story is told that attracts (or detracts, for that matter) the viewer. Coming back to the topic in question, ROCKET SINGH has a rock-solid script that doesn’t waver into dumb, enticing-looking subplots that usually spoil the show and the redundant romantic angle that gets slightly irritating for a film that has a genre that should basically not include romance – if not handled well, that is.

But it seems the writer-director combo of Jaideep Sahni and Shimit Amin respectively were quite clear on what they wanted to present to the audience, and they were clear on how they wanted to present it as well – the latter of which is something a lot of writers and directors fail to achieve. Which is why they adopted the “Chak De India” promotion strategy i.e. almost-no-promotion strategy, to increase the curiosity level. And while the music of ROCKET SINGH didn’t have much time to impact the listeners to get curious- it being released only one week before the movie release, that again reminds us of the music of Chak De Indiawhich was also low key before the movie release.

As for the characters of ROCKET SINGH, they have been well-etched and each of the main characters of the movie revolve upon the plot very closely. Even the romance angle of Shazahn Padamse has an important thing to do for some part – romance is only a fleeting subplot that doesn’t hold a lot of importance (except for you have a huge grin when you see them together).

It is Ranbir Kapoor’s character sketch, though, that completely awes you – subtle, understated and relatable. His character of a Sikh Sardar based in Mumbai totally blows you off your rocker – the nuances and habits that the character has doesn’t go over-the-top at all. No excessive Punjabi (the subtle half-Gurmukhi, half-Hindi based Punjabi is left to Prem Chopra), no excessive Bhangra dance and nothing larger-than-life at all. In fact, just like his previous Wake Up Sid, you can relate yourself to him and his character, so much so that you literally feel for his character.

I’m not really aware of the world of salesmen, but I do know enough to understand the jargon and the atmosphere (sales targets to be achieved, enticing promotions, et al). So I can safely say that Jaideep has actually written a well researched story and script, which doesn’t falter at the main atmosphere’s technicalities.

Speaking about technicalities, let’s move on with the technical aspects of the movie, which are at best, too raw and basic for a film from the banner of the illustrious Yash Raj Films. Yet they work for those exact reasons because this film isn’t shot in exotic locations places, hasn’t covered the glitziest locales, doesn’t have picture-perfect cinematography, doesn’t have fast cars, hot babes, fast editing, eclectic motion graphics et al. In fact, the title sequence at the start of the movie is so simple you wonder if this really is a Yash Raj film! But then again for a film brimming with reality, why bother to make the technicalities dramatic? So although it may look ordinary, the movie really is technically perfect and impactful.

Sound-wise, the duo of Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant has given both the music and the background score of the movie, and they have done pretty decently, considering the situation of the film. The song “Gadbadi Hadbadi” might not work as a standalone audible track, but surely sets the screen on fire (and no, it’s not a lip-synced track either!) with the situation that it completely gels with. And whilst “Pocket Mein Rocket” was sorely missing as part of the end credits, one doesn’t mind. It is “Pankhon Ko” that impacts the viewer. While the song has been used twice in the movie, it doesn’t bother the viewer, because the situations are perfect for it! And the sensitivity that the scenes exude with the song playing (one at the title credits, which sets base for the movie), especially in the penultimate moments, will have you feeling half-happy, and half-sad. Telling you more will yet again divulge too much of the story so you will have to go and see it for yourself.

I cannot continue with the performances before talking about Ranbir Kapoor, who keeps improving in each movie, and how! Just like Saawariya and Bachna Ae Haseeno had him acting his most amazing first lead acts ever, Wake Up Sid gave him worldwide recognition for playing a slacker before his Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani that gave him the status of a superstar! So what is ROCKET SINGH for him you ask? It is a stepping stone for him to elevate his status even further. He totally slips into the title character of Harpreet Singh Bedi with utmost ease – in fact, he lives the character.

Shazahn Padamsee actually impresses with her short but sweet role. She is a natural, and has the potential to make it big, THOUGH it would be her decision to choose her own path in the future. Others in the cast have done amazingly well too. Mukesh Bhatt (not the producer) has done amazingly well as the peon, Chotelal “Cup-Plate” Mishra. Gauhar Khan as the receptionist is efficient and plays her role to the hilt. The bold and brash attitude in the role she plays comes alive with her performance. D. Santosh as the porn-hogging computer genius is amazingly hilarious and has played his part really well. Naveen Kaushik, who plays Nitin, is realistically efficient.

Any weaknesses you ask? Well predictability never goes out of fashion in Bollywood, does it? But although the situations are predictable in this movie, the point is, such situations keep repeating themselves in real life and that’s why we can predict them on-screen. Consequently for ROCKET SINGH, predictability doesn’t hamper the motive and the execution of the film overall – it only makes the movie increase its ‘raw’ quotient, thus increasing the charm. So while some people might accusingly point fingers at the slow pace in the first half of the film and it’s sheer predictability in some situations, this movie is all about life, so predictability cannot be ignored!

Overall, ROCKET SINGH is a very well written, well-scripted and well-executed movie, the strength of which lies in its extreme understatement, simplicity and subtle attitude; coupled with that addictive charm that was also present in Chak De India. This one has already proved it’s worth by being part of the Dubai International Film Festival – now whether it gets to prove itself at the box-office will be seen in the days to come. So empty the rockets (money) in your pocket and go watch it right now!



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De Dana Dan – (2009) – Hindi Movie Review

Movie Review: De Dana Dan;

Star Cast:

Akshay Kumar,

Sunil Shetty,

Paresh Rawal;

Katrina Kaif,

Neha Dhupia,

Sameera Reddy;

Director: Priyadarshan;

Rating: **1/2

PRIYADARSHAN'S LATEST offering De Dana Dan, seems like a reprisal of the hit Hera Pheri, with the talents of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal combined again. Sadly, after the two hours forty minutes film gets over, you realise how far it stands from that comedy caper.

When Akshay Kumar's character Nitin, who is a chauffeur in sad circumstances, talks about the condition of his ragged uniform, it feels as if he is giving the film its most honest review. The belt is supported a pyjama drawstring, the buttons might fall off at any moment and how nothing seems top be holding together. What makes the film more doomed by its makers, is how Priyadarshan, in the credits which few stay on to watch, has no intention to call himself the director – it says "Filmed by….".

Like every film directed by Priyadarshan, this too gets several-unrelated-yet-related-characters who shriek when they speak and gets them together for all star finale, when all 26 of them strive to find a way to escape the hotel in the end. There are kidnappers who nab a dog, murderers and body deliveries and the above mentioned trio that is rarely together.

Akshay Kumar is the handyman servant, who is the butler, cook, driver,watchman and gardener to industrialist Archana Puran Singh who settled in Singapore. He wants to marry Anjali (who else but Katrina Kaif?), who gives him financial support. His best friend Ram (Suneil Shetty) comes to Singapore, seeking wealth from foreign shores and ends up as a courier delivery boy. Conveniently, he finds wealthy Manpreet (Sameera Reddy), whose parents refuse to let them get hitched.

Meanwhile, Harbans (Paresh Rawal) wants to make more money and decides to get his soon married to a wealthy girl. He sees Manpreet as a suitable candidate and impresses her family by pretending to be equally rich, almost like Anupam Kher in Dil.

The two heroes receive ultimatums to get rich quick or lose their lady loves and promptly decide kidnapping is the only way to do so. In the midst of this, Priyadarshan throws in Chinese Don (Asrani), a hired assassin (Johny Lever), an police inspector (Sharat Saxsena), a club dancer (Neha Dhupia), a letch (Shakti Kapoor), a drunken waiter (Rajpal Yadav) and a dead body. The situation deteriotes to a bad copy of Blame it on the Bellboy.

While the audience would strive to follow all of the riddled plotlines and some genuinely funny moments like Manoj Joshi's red in the fact act, they can also stick to listening to the music by Pritam or croon along to Paisa, the track given by RDB. The composition is good and one can say a lot about the technical soundness of Ahamabaram's work.

Word to the wise,

Try not to plan the weekend simply on De Dana Dan.

 

 

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Aarya 2 – (2009) Telugu Movie - Review

Jeevi rating: 3/5

Punchline: story of a psychotic orphan

Genre: Youth/Romance

Type: Straight

Banner: Aditya Arts

 

Cast: Allu Arjun, Kajal Agarwal, Navadeep, Shraddha Das, Ajay, Brahmanandam, Mukesh Rishi, Sayaji Shinde, Srinivas Reddy, Tarzan, Radha Kumari etc

 

Music: Devi Sri Prasad

Cinematography: RD Rajasekhar

Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh

Written by: Vema Reddy

Direction: Sukumar

Producer: Aditya Babu & BVSN Prasad

Release date: 27 November 2009

 

 

Story Review :

Arya is an orphan and Ajay is his friend in an orphanage. A rich couple visit that orphanage and wanted to adapt one of these two guys. Arya and Ajay use a toss to decide their fortunes. Arya wins, but lets Ajay go as he thinks that friendship is all about giving. Ajay grows up as a rich man and Arya grows up as a poor guy. Ajay starts a software company and Arya joins him as an employee. Geeta is the new employee of the company. Both Ajay and Arya fall in love with her. The rest of the story is all about how these two guys try to make Geeta fall for them.

 

Artists Performance:

 

Allu Arjun is perfect as Arya. His character in the movie has the qualities of a psychotic and he portrayed the character flawlessly. He shined in emotional scenes in the second half of the movie. Allu Arjun is probably the best dancer of current era in Tollywood. That is the reason why he made hugely difficult dances appear fluid and effortless in the first four songs of the movie.

 

Others:

Kajal Agarwal is good as a girl who is not committed to any guy at heart. She rendered the image of a typical confused girl about love. Navadeep is nice as a guy with selfish and practical thinking. He is extremely good with histrionics when he delivers dialogues to Allu Arjun at hospital in the climax scene. Shraddha Das is gorgeous in a brief role. Ajay is excellent as Subba Reddy, mainly due to entertaining characterization. Brahmanandam is partly entertaining. Mukesh Rushi is adequate. An actor with better command on Rayalaseema dialect would have done justice to Sayaji Shinde's role.

 

Technical departments:

 

Story - screenplay - direction: Story of the movie is about the conflict of love (Geeta) and friendship (Ajay) of a confused guy (Arya) with psychotic tendencies caused due to loneliness in life. Making a movie based on such a characterization is a highly risky proposition and director Sukumar partly succeeds in it. Sukumar is basically an intelligent guy with a flair for parallel thinking. His intelligence and creativity is shown in conceiving certain scenes of the movie like

 

1. Using a bubble gum to decide who is going to be hero's best friend (just like throwing stone into empty cup in Arya)

2. Hero wearing glasses to see the heroine clearly in his dreaming because heroine appears blurred. (montage shot of 2nd song)

3. Love letter episode

4. The drinking scene between Arya and Subba Reddy

5. With one dialogue (Aayanaku champentha kopam vunte, naaku chachipoyentha prema vundi), the love angle of entire movie is justified.

 

Sukumar is also extremely good at penning screenplay for some part of the movie. The best example is the way he distributes three characters in a stand-off of second half (like puli, meka, gaddi story we listen when we were kids).

 

However, there is a major glitch in Arya 2 compared to Arya movie. In Arya movie, hero is shown as a guy with mischief and he sincerely fights for a girl because he loves her. When he wants to chase a girl with sincerity, audience would love it and follow the hero character with empathy. Hence there is emotional involvement for hero's character from audiences. In Arya 2, hero would be sincerely chasing the girl to take her and give it to his friend. Hence, there in less involvement from audiences point of view. So, there will not be sympathy for hero when he loses girl and there will not be feeling of triumph (from audiences involvement angle) when hero finally gets the girl. Another major obstacle in the movie is the factor of confusion. The character of hero vacillates between the feelings of selfishness and sacrifice throughout the movie. The director cleared the confusion only towards the climax.

 

Other departments:

Songs of Arya 2 are excellent to listen and I was a bit hesitant about director doing justice to the songs on the screen. Sukumar comes up with a fabulous job of canning all the songs with energy and verve. Background music is also good. Cinematography by Rajasekhar is of top class. Credit for lush visuals should also be given to Prime Focus (DI) and Pixelloid (VFX). Dialogues are well written. Editing by Marthand K Venkatesh is good. Production standards by Aditya Arts banner (Aditya Babu and Bhogavally Prasad) are of top-notch.

 

Analysis:

First half is is not gripping due to lack of conflict point. Around 45 minutes of the movie in first half where Arya tries to make Geeta fall for him appears redundant. Second half is better than the first half. The last 15 minutes is clear as the director reveals the real character of Arya, thus relieving us of confusion. The plus points of the movie are creative scenes, Allu Arjun, songs (dances) and technical values. On the flipside, psychotic orientation and confusion in hero's characterization doesn't get audiences involved in the movie intently. The runtime of the movie is also high. On a whole, Arya 2 is a different film that can appeal to A centers and class crowds.

 

 

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