Movie: Catch me If you can

No, I am not saying so. It’s the movie name, I am talking about. Released in 2002 and directed by my favorite director Steven Spielberg. The film is based on a real story. One should have enough patience to watch the movie. Here, I am not going to give any review comments or story detail, since it can be found in several other web sites.

Will talk about other few detail. Usually, it’s my habit to ‘understand’ the movie rather than simply watching it. That’s, after watching any movie, I go to google, check out the complete artist detail, filming location, movie mistakes (let’s talk about it later) and etc.

1. Retrieve the artist detail, filming locations from: http://imdb.com
2. Movie mistakes from: http://www.moviemistakes.com/
   

Coming to movie mistakes, it captures logical mistakes in the movie scenes or in screen play. it’s a real fun to know the mistakes made in movies. The http://moviemistakes.com is a best source to find all movie mistakes and laugh out ourselves.

I am totally surprised to see the kind of mistakes people have captured from this film. Especially this one is a too good catch!

At one scene, the hero looks out the window of the jet and says, "there is La Guardia Airport, runway 44." But, one guy has caught it – “Airport runway numbers are derived from their compass heading and go from 01 to 36, so there is no such thing as ‘runway 44’ The runway number should be within 01 to 36, and hence runway 44 is invalid”.

How crazy people are they to catch such mistakes? :)

Also, now I like the kind of audience out there!

Movie: Dasavatharam

Man, I wonder how much things Kamal really knows! He knows right from 12^th century’s lifestyle to George Bush’s body language! Damn. I was wondering throughout the film about his knowledge over various country and culture.

I think Kamal is not much educated; I remember once I’ve read that he didn’t continue studies after 10^th std. Then, wondering how come he knows this much from history and world lifestyle!

I don’t think people, or even educated people might know so much of things technically and historically. I couldn’t understand some of the parts in the movie. I also went and searched for following topics for clarification.

1. Chaos Theory (http://www.extramirchi.com/movies/dasavatharam-chaos-theory-butterfly-effect/)
2. kulothunga cholan II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kulothunga_Chola_II)
3. George Bush (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqLvBUSJucg)

And etc.

It was a great surprise to read the information about kulothunga cholan II from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kulothunga_Chola_II. Whatever was shown in the movie about this Chola is 90% a real story it seems. I did not know about this Chaos Theory/Butter Fly theory before watching the movie. Surprised to know all these theory. There shouldn’t be any surprise, if Kamal is going to talk about ‘Theory of Automata’, ‘Finite State Machines’ and ‘NP Complexity Algorithms’ in his future films! :-)

George Bush role! First, I was thinking that was some different guy, not Kamal. Because, his body language and accent was looking as if he was a native American. After 15 to 20 minutes passed, I came to know that that was also Kamal!

Balaram Naidu. Audience breaks out in laugh! Damn character. His acting was awesome! Looking as if he was from a typical Telugu family

Fletcher – He can be recommended to James Bond roles!. May be this holly wood can give a try with Kamal.

I simply don’t want to say this movie is good/bad/ok. Those one word comments cannot stand against this movie, when realizing the awesome knowledge of Kamal and the great acting done by Kamal. Dasavatharam can be a PhD topic, to explore the culture and legacy of India starting right from 12^th Century to 21^st Century!

Kamals speaks about Virumandi..

Recently I watched this movie in

Best 5 movies of all time.

I have been recalling the best 5 movies, I enjoyed watching so far. This is absolutely my personal rating out of all the ones I watched. There are even too good movies, but these are the ones I enjoyed a lot and willing to see again and again. Here goes the listing.

#1: Braveheart (1995) – The most touching movie.

The first thing in the movie that grabbed my attention is theme music. It is Bagpiper music with an unknown sadness. Then the dialogues – most bravery dialogues I ever read. And, then, a beautiful love that lasts only for short time. Very much liked the hero’s real brave heart that continuously fights for freedom. As expected the hero is killed, but his braveness is portrayed over centuries.

No of times watched: More than 5
First time watched: 3 years ago
More info about the movie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braveheart

#2: Nayagan(1987) – Tamil version of GodFather

All glories to Kamal. I would rate that is a superlative performance of Kamal, out of all his actions. Movie is a complete depiction of a Don’s life right form his childhood to old age. With Maniratnam’s rain drop dialogues, the movie is one of the unforgettables in my life.

No of times watched: 2
First time watched: 1 year ago
More info about the movie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nayagan

#3: Thillu mullu (1981) – Laugh out Louder

Actually, I watched the complete movie . The movie is 27 years old, but still I break out in laugh while watching it. There have been lots of full length comedy movies, but they still stick to formulas like – fights, sentiments, and etc. This movie is a clear exception – I couldn’t see any fight scene or serious scenes going in the movie. A complete full length comedy and happy ending.

No of times watched: 2
First time watched: 2 year ago
More info about the movie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thillu_Mullu

#4: Anbe Sivam (2003) – Unhappy to hear it is not a hit!

Frankly saying, I didn’t watch the movie completely. But found it so good. I don’t understand why people thrown out this movie to go as a flop. I have not watched any such movies even in any other language. One really needs to be educated or to have lots of common/social sense to understand Kamal’s movies. He should have been very successful actor, but because of little complex stuffs in his movies, they are not hits! I am really unhappy to hear this movie was not a hit!

No of times watched: ~1
First time watched: 2 year ago
More info about the movie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anbe_Sivam

#5. Jurassic Park (1993) – Till date Thriller

I was a child when I watched this movie first time. It was a big thriller for me at that time. I still feel the same thrill ness when watching this movie even now! Thereafter lots of movies came out based on Dinosaurs and its kind of animals. But, they are not that good to compare with the former. The best thing about Spielberg is, he has been the first guy to make different skins of movies for firs time. Jaws, Star of Wars and this Jurassic Park are samples. I still love the sceneries and the island kind of landscapes coming throughout the movie. I still do not miss Jurassic Park, whenever it is played in TV channels.

No of times watched: 4
First time watched: ~ 14 year ago
More info about the movie: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park

American Gangsters (2007)

American Gangsters. Recently watched this movie. A crime movie, based on a true story (that’s what the film title says). Denzel Washington (a drug lord) and Russel Crowe (detective) drive the film. Hope, you don’t mind to read the story or screenplay using Google.

I couldn’t say in a single word, whether the movie is good or not. Sure, everyone will get confused like me, after watching this movie :-). If you have not watched ‘GodFather’ or that kind of movies already, you may find this movie in a different skin. Otherwise, you have to keenly search scene by scene what is different or what is interesting in it.

The film rolls over 1970 era. The film skin almost Black and White. I slept unconsciously many times, while watching it.



Nothing was much interesting until it comes to climax. Especially, I liked the conversation going between Denzel and Russel before climax. Denzel is arrested and released at the end, what else then?! It is incomplete! What did he do then … No clues.

As it was already said in the title that the film was based on a true story, one cannot go on arguing why this is so and that is so... Because, this is not based on the imagination of a director or some body else. It’s a true story. Full stop.

Still, I am confused whether the movie is good or not. The problem is, we ‘used to’ watch these kind of movies.

Billa 2007

Billa – the most stylish, modern and the first movie to be completely shot in a foreign country (not even a single frame was shot in India). Though this is a remake of a 1980’s blockbuster Billa, the film has taken Tamil film industry standards to some heights. I have watched Billa-1980s many times. Looking at this remake, I just wonder how far the technology has grown in last 27 years.

Don role is a highly prestigious role. Don is a professional, charm looking, less talking role. Tamil films unnecessarily overused Don roles in recent years. They added all masala ingredients to Don role and turned the prestigious, professional Don to a masala Don. But, happily Billa has not repeated the masala Don.

Ajith appears in blazer with cool black class and looks very very charming. It’s good that Ajith has got his fitting role at least now. Personally, I don’t find any other Tamil hero will fit the role.

I am personally very happy that a Tamil movie can be this much stylish and modern!

Sivaji - The biggest Rajini movie of our age.

Gun Gun என் sten Gun
Rooger Moore போலே - dishyum
முன்னால் பெண்ணுன்டு
எந்தன் பின்னால் கண்ணுன்டு - பார்.!

After hearing these lyrics, my mind gone mad by imagining Rajini in James Bond style! It wasn't only me infected by 'Sivaji Virus', right from the New York's Wall Street to Japan's Tokyo city, every fan was hit so worse and awaiting for the film. In those days, we had channels like Sun, Jeya, and Vijay to track his film news. Now, the craze has spread to NDTV, CNN IBN, and Times Now. CNN IBN was doing its best to make a Sivaji news, whenever it found a little spark. CNN IBN even made a poll on Rajini, gone comparing Bachan with Rajini and declared Rajini to be India's Superstar.

The boss:

Rajini has been used to deliver his best ever since his days. I think it should be the 'maximum', his fans can expect from him. Except one or two frames, the movie was excellent on the whole. I'm sure there is no more Rajini film in future, going to beat Sivaji. He has done everything, -- whatever you want him to do, and whatever the way you want to see him.

The fun

First half - Rajini appears very smart, as he was in 1980s. In an interview, Shankar said, he had done a research to choose Rajini’s hair-style. Vivek accompanies Rajini in whatever he does. Both blasts out all the fun without bothering any image issues. First half, to move very slow, with lots of fun, not exciting much. You have to wait, until you are prompted for interval!

The lover

Shreya, as Rajini's pair, appears so beautiful on screen, and she is the drive for the film in first-half. Rajini and Vivek crack out all funs to make friendship with her family.

The terror:

Second-half -- here comes the start of Rajini film. Just few seconds before the interval, dont miss to watch it! Rajini's hair-style changes to new style by a single head-shack! He decides the 'terror-way' to take revenge of his enemies. Whatever the magic he does, no one audience in theatre declines it. Simply, we all end up clapping and enjoying the 'Rajinism'. Here after the film flies in full-speed, with little messy logics . Rajini appears in tonsured getup after executing his 'death drama'. Climax fight goes in Matrix style!

The reformer

Rajini reveals all the black money holders, convert them into white money and spend it for Sivaji foundation, that’s a non profit social organization, running school, colleges and hospital.

If you can wait after the climax, they show how India becomes developed country – by following Rajinism.

Songs:

Shankar has used all the available technologies in cine market. Rajini takes 15 different getups in songs. The song, I was very much attracted by, is 'Athiradikkara machan'. It was shot cooler than how I had imagined it. He really fits very well to James bond role! .And 'Oru kodai Sun light' is an yet another cool song. It seems majority of the money should have been spent for the songs alone. Such big sets, and graphics to prove.

As a Rajini fan,

People are gossiping the film to turn 450 crores, if it can continuously run houseful for next 50 days. If it can happen, then it should be an ice-breaking history, that no one Asian movie had achieved so far.

As a fan, it’s my wish that, Rajini should take a James Bond role in Hollywood, - at least once! Then, the world will excite to see the ‘Super Star’(ism).

Some facts about Sivaji (from various sources):

1. Sivaji has raked 60 laksh in Malaysia on opening day itself.
2. Rajini’s daughter Soundarya is making a 3D animation film on ‘Rajini’. (Sultan the Warrior) official web site: http://www.sultanthefilm.com/
3. Director Shankar used 2500 junior artists for the introduction scene of Rajnikant.
4. A huge set of glass house was built to shoot Sahana song.
5. 4K DI (Digital Intermediate) digital camera is used for the first time in India for this film.
6. Helium Balloon light is used to shoot a song. The crew has to use 13 helium cylinders for the lighting.
7. The team of Shankar saw important footages of most of Rajnikant’s films since his debut in 1975. They found that Rajnikant looked best in Padikkadavan (1985) film. Then Shankar summoned the make-up artist to come up with a similar hairdo for Rajnikant 22 years later.
8. Rajnikant donned 15 different hair styles for this film. He also tonsured his head and shaven off his mustache for a get-up in this film. A make-up artist from France is flown in for this purpose.
9. A few songs of this film are shot in USA and Spain.
10. Soundarya - daughter of Rajnikant - supervised the 600 scenes of Computer Graphics work that lasts for 50 minutes in this film. It took over an year to do this CG work.
11. Bellamkonda Suresh is said to have bought the Telugu remake rights (excluding satellite, overseas, ringtones, audio etc) for a whopping 14 crores. It is also learnt that this film is sold for 20 crores in AP (4 crores for Ceded, 6.75 crores for Nizam and 9 crores from Andhra).

Schindler's List - Best of ever made.

I've been watching this movie since last 15 days, with 5 intervals. Pch.., life has gone so worse that, not even able to see a 2 hr movie in one shot!

Anyway.

You google it for Steven Spielberg's top 5 movies & follow any link, you might definitely see there 'Schindler's List'. Thought it came out in 1993, it's been ranked as 7th/250 in world's movie database till date.

Story in few lines.

1943: Just the world war has begun. Germanians treat Jews as 'viruses' and go on killing them. Schindler, coming as an unsuccessful businessman, member of Hitler’s nazi party, plans to start a factory using the slaves(Jews) and make money out of it. As the German officers are against Jew’s living, Schindler gives bribe many times to save his slaves. Jews feel happy to work in his factory, because that should be the safest place & the only way to escape from German force. Time passes by. As the situation goes worse, Schindler is asked to move out of the city. Schindler decides to move his factory to his born city. He prepares a list of Jews, that he wants to take along with him. And he gives a big bribe to German officers, to allow those Jews to go with him. Jews feel that the worst is over for them.

One day, the war comes to end. Soviet force defeats the German & the Jews are liberated.

His workers, offers Schindler's a gold ring. Schindler says he would have saved more, if he has got more money to give the bribe. But, his workers console him, saying still he has done a great thing, that no one else did. There will be generations because of what he has done. And they all give him a letter of thanks, with every worker's sign. Schindler leaves. The story is over.

Black & White.

The whole film goes in black & white. Though you are bored for first 30 to 40 mins, you will become keen afterwards. No big turning points/ exciting turns in movie, but every scene makes sense.

The Message

I was wondering what kind of message could be conveyed in such a war movie. But, if carefully noticed, you would see one greatest, touching message. Schindler explains the real meaning of 'Power' to the German officer, as

"You kill Jews, because you have power. But, power is not meant in that way. See, Kings had power. A thief is pulled by public, to King's court, and set to kneel down in his front. The thief knows he is going to be death sentenced by the King. He very well knows that he is going to be killed. But, the King says him not to do it again, and allows him to go out - That’s not forgiving, that’s not mercy. That’s the power. Real power. That’s some thing, the 'King' only can do using his power & no one else".

After this incident, the German officer changes a bit in life. When he finds some Jew slaves not working well in his command, he just says them not to do it again & leaves them go, without killing.

Steven Spielberg - his way of making.

The movie is very much violent. But, that’s what happened during II world Word. The best thing about him is, there won’t be any gap between the movie & real incidents. That’s how the real art should be. 'Manipulated' movies dont attract people that easily.

Guru

I stopped watching Tamil films for a while. It should be less than 5 or 4, I had seen, from the last 5 years. Because, we seriously fed up with all these nonsense masala stuffs that easily dull us.

Guru

I saw this movie’s Hindi Trailer few months back. First time, I worried for not knowing Hindi! :-) This is the kind of film, I always thirst to see. Luckily, it was dubbed in Tamil too. However, Maniratnam refuses that the story is not about ‘Thirubai Ambani’, I am sure it is about him only. Mani has customized Ambani’s story in line with his imagination. The story starts from 1950 and spans across next fifty years. In a single sentence, the story is “(guru) VILLAGER (becomes) VISIONARY (becomes) WINNER”. As the story begins some 50 years back, they had done lots of work in lightings and sets, it seems!

Guru leaves his village, and reaches Bombay for setting up his business. We could see how Bombay stock market was in early 50s in this film. They use chalk-piece and blackboards to list the share prices in those days! Guru suffers to become a trader among them; he becomes and then grows like Giant. Madhavan, a reporter, casually comes into scenes, and strip-nakes Guru’s other face – that is, all the unethical short-cuts Guru used in his business. Aiswaryarai’s character – one should have a life-partner like her in life! It was that much touching.

Abishek Bachan – the tall guy in safari, resembles the one who was really meant in the film :-) Mani has sculpted him as what he imagined.

Mani has written dialogues in his own way. Every character drops words, not actually speaks! J I liked every frame – it was that colorful. I was keenly looking at every character, what they speak out, because one can hear such touching dialogues in his film only.

I really wonder how Guru could justify his deeds in the Climax. When there are people who came up in ethical ways, how could he justify his unethical behaviors? Anyway, this is cinema and Guru is hero!

After a quite big gap, I am very much satisfied of seeing a ‘Tamil Film’.

Movie: We were Soldiers

We were soldiers



Yesterday had a chance to watch the movie. Mel Gibson -- I think he would have had a dream of becoming an Army man, in his childhood ;-). Almost all his films are war based. This movie is yet another one.

The story centers on a battle between America and Vietnam. Gibson leads his soldiers form America towards Vietnam. In his films, I always find the dialogues are simply exciting. Before the battle is kicked off he gives a speech in front of his force, which goes like..,

“I am not sure I can bring you all alive to Home. But, I will be the first person to step in the battle field and the last person to step-off the field. And I will leave no one behind. Dead or alive. We will all come home.” -- Awesome.

Then, the film goes violently. You will see guns, firing sound, weeping of wounded soldiers everywhere in the frames!

At last, Gib son says his soldier what they had lost in the field to get this victory!

Gibson!—is always one my favorite directors and actors.

Khakka Khakka - II

I hope, you could have guessed the movie name, what I am talking about. (but still I will tell the name: Vettaiyadu, Vilayadu). I think that Gowtham (Director) has much been inspired by ‘Serial killer’, ‘Thriller’ and the kind of novels.

Gowtham, himself said in one of his interviews that the story of the film was 99% same as Khakka Khakka. “Khakka Khakka was a local chase; but it is going to be an international chase” – said Gowtham, before starting the film.


Kamal introduction scene was very exciting – You will like it very much if you (still) like “Khakka Khakka”. Then, each and every scene hides behind suspense with thrilling background music. Kamal (DCP, Raghavan) takes in charge of finding the serial killers. He starts his hunting. After kamal lands in New York, it gives us the feeling of being there by ourselves (watch the people there conversing only in English, most of the films don’t dare to do!). Jyothiga.. was not given that much importance, but she acted just by facial expressions as she always does. (at last, she is rescued -- this might be the only difference between both films).



Songs were shot pretty cool. Gowtham takes us a free tour around NY (Noticed Gowtham appearing in one of the songs? ).

But, most of the scenes look too violent. If you can bear this, you will be very much impressed by the film. :)

If you like to see the movie, better sit in a DTS enabled theatre :-)

The Patriot

The Patriot -- Mel Gibson

This is the latest (!!) movie I saw. Mel Gibson's another patriotic story. I am very much lured by Mel Gibson films because of two things:

1. The sceneries shot will be beautiful and green.
2. The script (dialogues) will be very much exciting.




This film is also not an exception. But, most of the scenes remember us ‘BraveHeart’. Otherwise the film is good.

Gazini

Somedays back I have been to Gazini with friends. After long time, this is my 'Yet another night show'. I was eagerly expecting this film 'Gazini'. From the beginning itself, the film went thrill... ( I dont have patience to enjoy the thrill yaar!! ). Surya, as a 'short term memory lost' patient, roaming with horrible eyes and killing some persons.
Surya as 'Sanjai Ramasamy' appeared as the most 'smart' guy in screen out of all his avatars!. Esspecially the scene, when surya is coming to meet Asin at firs time, he is inside a black theme.. Surya looks very smart in all the scences, as 'Sanjay Ramasamy'. The picturization is cool. Tamil cinema is growing in technology too. The two songs still stay in (extended-segment) memory. I have set the song as my ringtone. Hari made music well for surya, once again after kakka kakka.
Asin made the audience to laugh throughout. Every thing went well. The climax is again masala. Why 2 villians? Nothing impressed. Otherwise film is cool. I am trying to locate surya's picture at Gazini here. But, not able to find.

So, I place his kakka kakka.
http://nilacharal.com/nila_shop/images/kakka_kakka.jpg" >

Chandramugi

18th August 2002. Too old?.. I went to theatre on that day last. I forgot the
film name..

I was eagerly expecting April 14th for Chandramugi. I am one of Rajni's fan..I didnt like
night show..,so I cancelled the ticket..then...dropped the idea of seeing
film...Thanks to Kishore..who made the tickets for us at last.

This is the first time in my life, that I get to theatre at morning 7.30.(!!). Got up at 5' clock ...(Hmmm...I never got up at this time, even for exams..)

At 8'o clock, it started...Rajni film..seemed like a festival. Mass of
crowd infront the theatre....they were doing all such formolities for Rajni..

I always amaze at this people's craze towards Rajni. I never see this gala for any actor...

First half went enjoyable..with cute Rajni as like he was in 1980s.His humorous cracks with Vadivelu. I see there missing his Guts little bit. It is like, Rajni here chosen for the story, not the story for Rajni.



He appears as a psychiatrist and done the char well. Jothika excelled equally. I really thrilled for each scene in second half. It again remained an ancient story...of Maharaja...Chandramugi...etc. But, was nice screen play.

The notables are songs...Vidhya sagar has really proved. SPB still matches with Rajni. Rajni, with his same stlye, blasted all the songs...with cuteness that was never before.

Rajni, acted up on story, not for his Guts. This film again seems like a traditional masala. But, differs in some thing...

is that Rajni?

Fight until death - Gladiator

Today evening, I learnt lesson from 'Gladiator'. Usually, I am unable to differentiate the computer graphics and real action involved in Hollywood films.
This time also, but thats the uniqueness with those sort of films. This film has won some 4 or 5 Oscars, the frames prove it.
Story is ultimately ancious tale of roman empire. Maximus as the 'thalapathi' of kingdom. The first battle itself proves the ground. Maximus with guts and braveness sculpts his eternal figure at heart.
Surely, it is an outstanding ...film ...over the history.