LIFE OF PI



Movie: Life Of Pi

Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan, Tabu, Adil Hussain, Rafe Spall

Direction: Ang Lee
Rating:    

A boy trapped with a tiger on a lifeboat in the deep blue sea, and a 3D film that plays out most of its two hours narrating what happens on the boat. To say it is a tough deal would be an understatement, and you could be excused for being wary about Life Of Pi.

If Oscar-winner Ang Lee manages to serve us a winner, it is because his new film is nothing short of a cinematic miracle. Few films take pop cinema to an altogether different realm of imagination- you could actually count the few examples to have come out of mainstream Hollywood lately on the fingers of one hand. Inception for one, also Hugo and Looper. Life Of Pi just topped the list of all such contemporary efforts that celebrate the magic of cinema.

Lee's directorial effort is overwhelming for another reason. You would struggle to find another film that so fluidly blends the tech-specks with aesthetic finery. Life Of Pi is a visual spectacle, and the 3D here is the best you have ever seen (yes, it's better than Avatar). And yet the film doesn't become a mere glitzy package. It never loses focus from the deeper subtext of Yann Martel's Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name on which it is based.

On the 3D aspect in particular, Hollywood filmmakers out blindly exploiting the technology for quick bucks could pick a lesson or two from the way Lee uses it. The use of 3D in this film is not for the sake of gimmick. Lee actually taps the third dimension to explain what cannot be cinematically told. Sample a shot where the camera is placed below the water and looks right up past the boat, which is on the sea surface, into the faraway sky above. It's the creative genius of Lee at work, using the wonder of 3D to show you the infinite expanse in which the film's hero survives all alone on the boat. In a film based on a book that hardly had dialogues, 3D becomes a tool that awes, communicates and also underlines Martel's intrinsic philosophy.

That Lee's vision of the story will be splendid becomes obvious in the opening frames, as the camera laps up scenic Pondicherry. Piscine Patel- or Pi- lives here with his parents (Tabu and Adil Hussain). The narrative crisply establishes Pi's love for and understanding of various animals because his father runs a zoo. The family falls on hard times, Pi's dad sells the zoo. The boy, now a teenager, sails off to Canada with his family. A shipwreck later Pi (Suraj Sharma) finds himself on a 27-foot lifeboat with an injured zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger.

David Magee's material based on Martel's book uses light jest and restrained melodrama while unfolding Pi's early years, before the real adventure unfolds on the boat. Tabu and Adil Hussain, despite brief footage, help create an authentic milieu, to give an idea of the years that shape Pi's courage and presence of mind.

The winner in the cast, though, is Pi himself. Lee is said to have picked debutant Suraj Sharma for the role from among 3,000 aspirants. It could have to do with surviving Lee's audition, but Suraj gets the mix of grit and misery just right for his role. His act gives this film its beautiful emotional core.

CURRENT BOX OFFICE

THIS WEEK     LAST WEEK    MC RATING(%)     TITLE                 WEEKS               BOX OFFICE
                                                                                                             RELEASED               STATUS

  1                       1                            74%                    Thuppakki             2                        Super Hit

  2                       2                            65%                     Naduvula              0                        New
                                                                                     Konjam
                                                                                     Pakatha
                                                                                     kanom

  3                       2                            67%                     NeerParavai          0                       New

  4                       2                            60%                     Poda Podi             2                       Average

  5                       3                            77%                     Pizza                     6                       Hit

  6                       1                            65%                    Maattrran              7                       AboveAverage
 
  7                       1                           67%                    SundaraPandian     11                      Hit

  8                      3                              40%                   Ammavin                2                       BelowAverage
                                                                                    Kaipesi   

         
 PIZZA MOVIE REVIEW

                 Review by : murali raj krishnan 

Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Remya Nambeesan Direction: Karthik SubburajMusic: Santhosh NarayananProduction: CV Kumar

The moment of truth for director Karthik Subburaj has arrived. After making numerous short-films that received wide appreciation on the internet, he attempts to try his hand at making one for a bigger screen and a wider audience with his first venture Pizza.
The movie revolves around Michael played by Vijay Sethupathi, who works as a delivery boy for a pizzeria. He is in a live-in relationship with his high school sweetheart Anu, Remya Nambeesan, who is an aspiring fiction writer, specifically of the horror genre that she follows very intently.
Things begin to take a rash turn for Michael, first with the unexpected pregnancy of Anu that forces him into wedlock and then with a routine late evening delivery.
The first half begins by taking its time to set up the central characters, Michael and Anu, and their romance. Their chemistry is sweet but it doesn’t set the screen on fire. The action truly starts with Michael’s forsaken delivery, where the director successfully draws the audience into the haunted house and immerses them into his fears. When the intermission bell rings, the movie will have you guessing the various possibilities of the script unfolding but you will have to wait till most of the second half to pass before you find out if your guess was right. Revealing any more would be an absolute crime to the movie and the film maker, but one thing is for sure, the director does pull a rabbit out of his hat!
Remya Nambeesan looks the part of a girl next door but one might feel a little more attention could have been given to her makeup. She plays her part effectively. Vijay Sethupathi will be banking on this film to be his big ticket and has delivered a performance that can back it up. His character demands fear and vulnerability but with brief bursts of courage and he has certainly lived up to its expectations. The supporting cast including Naren, Pooja, Jaykumar and Veera Sethuraman deliver convincing performances. There are few comical moments but its treatment is very subtle.
Director Karthik Subburaj plays all the cards required to make a quality horror suspense film with a thrilling screenplay, deft camerawork, strong performances, eerie sound effects and music. Fortunately for him they all come out as aces. Gopi Amarnath’s cinematography is excellent in the way he frames his romantic sequences and the manner in which he uses his camera to sneak around in the haunting sequences. Music is an integral part of the film and it gels well with the screenplay. Some songs are situational, like Gana Bala’s blues jazz track which is played out as a cell phone ringtone! The much talked about 7.1 surround serves up as more than just a marketing tool. The transition of eerie sound effects from one side of the hall to the other is smooth and adds to the suspense. Another strong reason to go watch this film in the theatres!
Debutant director Karthik Subburaj creates an impression by employing a simple story telling technique of subversion so effectively to produce a gripping story that will make you hold your breath and later heave a huge sigh (of relief). There are traits of a short film like the usage of a lean cast and trim production but the intentions and its execution are surely aimed for a grander stage.
This sort of progressive filmmaking will come as a welcome addition to the industry as well as the audience and for that we’ll say - well played Karthik Subburaj!
Go buy a ticket and enjoy the ride!
Verdict: Pizza – Place your order and prepare to be thrilled!

PODA PODI REVIEW

Poda Podi is a romantic musical film written and directed by debutant Vignesh Shivan, featuringSimbu and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in the lead roles.

The score and soundtrack of the film are composed by Dharan Kumar, while cinematography and editing are handled by Nirav Shah and Anthony Gonsalves, respectively.

The film has been in production since 2008 and is expected to release on Diwali, 13 November 2012.

Simbu returns with a power-packed role. Cameraman Duncan Telford is unarguably year’s biggest release.

Movie: Poda Podi
Directed by Vignesh Shivan
Produced by Padam Kumar
Written by Vignesh Shivan
Screenplay by Vignesh Shivan
Story by Vignesh Shivan
Star Cast: Simbuas Arjun, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar as Nisha, Samarth, Shobana, Ganesh as Arjun’s Uncle, Nick Thomas-Webster, Meena Latchman, Jeffrey Vardon, Santhanam, Premji Amaren
Music by Dharan Kumar
Cinematography Duncan Telford
Editing by Anthony
Studio Gemini Film Circuit
Distributed by Gemini Film Circuit
Release date: 13 November 2012

Simbu starrer Poda Podi also marks the debut of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in Kollywood. The actress has done a good job; thanks to the theme of the film – dance. Being a dancer, Varalaxmiwas able to do full justice to the role.

Poda Podi is set in England where Simbu and Varalaxmi meet. Both of them tie the nuptial knot impulsively and minor misunderstandings crop up owing to their different upbringing. After a brief marriage and a baby they part ways following Simbu‘s dislike for her passion – Salsa.Varalaxmi‘s sole aim is to take part in a prestigious Salsa dance competition and win it whileSimbu, being the typical Indian, doesn’t want his wife to do it as Salsa requires some intimate dance moves with her male partner. What happens next forms the plot of Poda Podi.

Newbie director Vignesh Sivan has handled the subject well. Despite being a romantic entertainer, he seems to have known where to draw the lines to keep the film from being sleazy.

Simbu never misses an opportunity to display his physique and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar does enthrall us all with her dance moves.

Shobana and VTV Ganesh have fitted their roles perfectly well.

Positives: Director Vignesh Sivan has done a commendable job by handling the story very well.Varalaxmi‘s dance skills and Dharan‘s music.

Negatives: The BGM could have been better, and the screenplay faster post-interval.

In total: A good romantic entertainer for the youth.

PODA PODI REVIEW

November 12, 2012 By The Editor 14 Comments

Poda Podi is a romantic musical film written and directed by debutant Vignesh Shivan, featuringSimbu and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in the lead roles.

The score and soundtrack of the film are composed by Dharan Kumar, while cinematography and editing are handled by Nirav Shah and Anthony Gonsalves, respectively.

The film has been in production since 2008 and is expected to release on Diwali, 13 November 2012.

Simbu returns with a power-packed role. Cameraman Duncan Telford is unarguably year’s biggest release.

For those of you who have watched the film already, here is your opportunity to write your thoughts about the film. What do you think of the story?

Do you think Vignesh Shivan was inventive, finally? What is your take on his dialogues? What are your favourite lines and scenes? Was Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s role well-sketched?

Was Dharan Kumar‘s BG score exciting? How did the film fare in other technical departments?

Movie: Poda Podi
Directed by Vignesh Shivan
Produced by Padam Kumar
Written by Vignesh Shivan
Screenplay by Vignesh Shivan
Story by Vignesh Shivan
Star Cast: Simbuas Arjun, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar as Nisha, Samarth, Shobana, Ganesh as Arjun’s Uncle, Nick Thomas-Webster, Meena Latchman, Jeffrey Vardon, Santhanam, Premji Amaren
Music by Dharan Kumar
Cinematography Duncan Telford
Editing by Anthony
Studio Gemini Film Circuit
Distributed by Gemini Film Circuit
Release date: 13 November 2012

Simbu starrer Poda Podi also marks the debut of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in Kollywood. The actress has done a good job; thanks to the theme of the film – dance. Being a dancer, Varalaxmiwas able to do full justice to the role.

Poda Podi is set in England where Simbu and Varalaxmi meet. Both of them tie the nuptial knot impulsively and minor misunderstandings crop up owing to their different upbringing. After a brief marriage and a baby they part ways following Simbu‘s dislike for her passion – Salsa.Varalaxmi‘s sole aim is to take part in a prestigious Salsa dance competition and win it whileSimbu, being the typical Indian, doesn’t want his wife to do it as Salsa requires some intimate dance moves with her male partner. What happens next forms the plot of Poda Podi.

Newbie director Vignesh Sivan has handled the subject well. Despite being a romantic entertainer, he seems to have known where to draw the lines to keep the film from being sleazy.

Simbu never misses an opportunity to display his physique and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar does enthrall us all with her dance moves.

Shobana and VTV Ganesh have fitted their roles perfectly well.

Positives: Director Vignesh Sivan has done a commendable job by handling the story very well.Varalaxmi‘s dance skills and Dharan‘s music.

Negatives: The BGM could have been better, and the screenplay faster post-interval.

In total: A good romantic entertainer for the youth.

PODA PODI REVIEW

November 12, 2012 By The Editor 14 Comments

Poda Podi is a romantic musical film written and directed by debutant Vignesh Shivan, featuringSimbu and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in the lead roles.

The score and soundtrack of the film are composed by Dharan Kumar, while cinematography and editing are handled by Nirav Shah and Anthony Gonsalves, respectively.

The film has been in production since 2008 and is expected to release on Diwali, 13 November 2012.

WRITE YOUR REVIEW ON ‘PODA PODI’!

Simbu returns with a power-packed role. Cameraman Duncan Telford is unarguably year’s biggest release.

For those of you who have watched the film already, here is your opportunity to write your thoughts about the film. What do you think of the story?

Do you think Vignesh Shivan was inventive, finally? What is your take on his dialogues? What are your favourite lines and scenes? Was Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s role well-sketched?

Was Dharan Kumar‘s BG score exciting? How did the film fare in other technical departments?

Movie: Poda Podi
Directed by Vignesh Shivan
Produced by Padam Kumar
Written by Vignesh Shivan
Screenplay by Vignesh Shivan
Story by Vignesh Shivan
Star Cast: Simbuas Arjun, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar as Nisha, Samarth, Shobana, Ganesh as Arjun’s Uncle, Nick Thomas-Webster, Meena Latchman, Jeffrey Vardon, Santhanam, Premji Amaren
Music by Dharan Kumar
Cinematography Duncan Telford
Editing by Anthony
Studio Gemini Film Circuit
Distributed by Gemini Film Circuit
Release date: 13 November 2012

Simbu starrer Poda Podi also marks the debut of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in Kollywood. The actress has done a good job; thanks to the theme of the film – dance. Being a dancer, Varalaxmiwas able to do full justice to the role.

Poda Podi is set in England where Simbu and Varalaxmi meet. Both of them tie the nuptial knot impulsively and minor misunderstandings crop up owing to their different upbringing. After a brief marriage and a baby they part ways following Simbu‘s dislike for her passion – Salsa.Varalaxmi‘s sole aim is to take part in a prestigious Salsa dance competition and win it whileSimbu, being the typical Indian, doesn’t want his wife to do it as Salsa requires some intimate dance moves with her male partner. What happens next forms the plot of Poda Podi.

Newbie director Vignesh Sivan has handled the subject well. Despite being a romantic entertainer, he seems to have known where to draw the lines to keep the film from being sleazy.

Simbu never misses an opportunity to display his physique and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar does enthrall us all with her dance moves.

Shobana and VTV Ganesh have fitted their roles perfectly well.

Positives: Director Vignesh Sivan has done a commendable job by handling the story very well.Varalaxmi‘s dance skills and Dharan‘s music.

Negatives: The BGM could have been better, and the screenplay faster post-interval.

In total: A good romantic entertainer for the youth.

Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom

Genre: Comedy

Director: Balaji Dharaneedharan

Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Gayathri, Baghavathy Perumal, Rajkumar, Vigneshwaran

Storyline: Three guys help a friend, who suffers short-time memory loss just a couple of days before his wedding, marry his sweetheart.

Bottomline: A fun-filled entertainer that warms the cockles of your heart

REVIEW:

                Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom is a winner whichever way you choose to look at it. With just a simple story and a small team of talented newcomers, director Balaji Dharaneedharan has, on a shoestring budget, managed to deliver what even major banners with their big budgets and huge star casts often struggle to make — a wholesome entertainer.

The film begins with Premkumar (Vijay Sethupathy), whose reception and wedding are to take place over two days, sharing his problems, which include a disgruntled boss and a lost bike, with three of his close friends Baks (Bagavathy Perumal), Balaji (Rajkumar) and Saras (Vigneshwaran). With nothing much to do until the reception, the friends plan to while away their time playing a game of cricket. Unfortunately, during the match, Prem suffers a head injury which leads to temporary memory loss.

Scared to disclose the truth to his relatives, especially the bride, the friends fervently hope that the bridegroom regains his memory before his wedding reception that is to take place the next day. However, that is not to be. What follows is a series of hilarious incidents which keep the audience hooked.

The film scores on several counts. First, every single scene has a purpose. There are no songs other than the title track which the director uses to introduce his characters. Balaji deserves a pat on the back for proving that good commercial films can be made sans songs.

Next, the cast is perfect. The film has no major stars, yet almost every single newcomer featured has delivered. Vigneshwaran as Saras excels along with Vijay Sethupathy, who is probably the only other recognisable face in the cast, and Gayathri (the heroine). They are supported well by Bagavathy Perumal and Rajkumar as the other two friends. The entire story revolves around the four male characters and all four deserve credit. Gayathri has a brief but important role and makes an appearance only in the middle of the second half.

S. Ved Shankar’s background score is just perfect. Especially, the tune for the scene in which Saras is moved after learning about Prem’s faith in him, is brilliant.

Cameraman C. Premkumar has done an excellent job capturing the events as they unfold. The film is after all inspired by his story.

The only lapse, if one may call it so, is in the dialogue department. Prem is often shown repeating his lines. Although it is to establish the point that he has lost his memory, it is at times annoying.

On the whole, a film that is definitely worth watching. Balaji Dharaneedharan, take a bow!

NEERPARAVAI MOVIE REVIEW

Release Date : Nov 30,2012

Home > Tamil Movie Reviews

Review by :murali raj krishnan

CAST AND CREW

Production: Udhayanidhi Stalin
Cast: Anupama Kumar, Nandita Das, Saranya Ponvannan, Sunaina, Vishnu
Direction: Seenu Ramasamy
Music: N. R. Raghunanthan
Cinematography: Balasubramaniem
Singers: Anand Aravindhakshan, Chinmayi, G.V. Prakash, Harini, Harish Raghavendra, Saindhavi, Shreya Goshal, V.V. Prasanna, Vijay Prakash
Lyrics : Vairamuthu 

Subtitle: Rekhs
PRO: Nikil

A single question on what the Indian government has done for thousands of fishermen who are shot in mid-sea forms the basic fulcrum around which director Seenu Ramasamy has woven his tale of romance with fishing community as the backdrop. That said, there is no political flavor of combustible nature or fiery barrage of jingoistic claptrap in Neer Paravai. In fact whatever little has been discussed on this issue in the film, articulates immense maturity and sensitivity of the maker.

Love is catholic and life is fleeting. And what love does to a young alcoholic wastrel when he meets an orphan who is raised by the church is Neer Paravai all about. The place of happening is a small fishing hamlet where sea is the major source of livelihood for people.

Neer Paravai abounds in many pluses, one of them being Balasubramaniem’s cinematography. Be it the sparkling sea or the sandy shore or the majestic church or the abodes of the people, his visuals are all pleasingly caressing. Balu’s lens is effective with alluring interplay of light and angles.

Casting is perfect in Neer Paravai and all the artists have been chosen with a lot of acuity from the pivot till the margins. While Vishnu is effective, Sunaina steals the thunder with her deglam looks and expressive body language. There are quite a few veterans in the supporting cast like Saranya Ponvannan, Thambi Ramaiah, Vadivukkarasi and Azhagam Perumal. Nanditha Das plays the older version of Sunaina who creates an impact in her small role. Booram as Vishnu’s father comes out trumps followed by Arul Das, Devaraj, Anupama Kumar and Black Pondy.  

On the music front, Raghunanthan’s score adds real spunk to the enterprise and his Para Para number is top class with spiraling frenzy that elevates the experience to great heights with all its versions.

Dialogues by Jayamohan and Seenu Ramasamy sparkle with pertinent emotions like 'oruthanukku ulcerum kaadhalum varaama kudiyai nirutha maattaan' (ulcer and love alone can make a man abstain from liquor), 'mooppungaradhu thaana varanum; namma poyee vaanga koodadhu' (old age should naturally come and it should not be bought in advance), 'naan karuppa irukkira vellaikkaaran' (I am a white man who is black) and many more.

Through the character of Samudirakani, Seenu Ramasamy raises pertinent questions on the important issue of fishermen’s plight and the general impression about Muslims beings terrorists. The laudable aspect is that he has eschewed regional chauvinism and receives applause when he says there is only Indian fisherman and not Tamil fishermen. Kudos Seenu Ramasamy for your prudence!

Comedy is unobtrusive and is seamlessly interspersed in the film. When Vishnu mimics Sunaina's ‘saathaane appaale po’ act, it is difficult to stifle a smile. Thambi Ramiah’s ‘spirit’ed antics accompanied by pithy dialogues spice up the proceedings. A passing shot of Kanchi Acharya in the doctor’s clinic rounds up the placating move of Seenu Ramasamy towards all religions.

The pace of Neer Paravai is marginally slow but that is the rhythm the film is fixed on and is uniform. There are no twists or unexpected turns but only a general curiosity about how the director is going to proceed with his story.

To sum it, all the departments of Neer Paravai have worked in tandem resulting in a satisfying experience for the viewer. Seenu Ramasamy proves that he is after all an efficient story teller who makes his mark in Neer Paravi too.

Verdict: A simple love story narrated neatly.

Thuppaki movie review

Much contrary to Vijay’s image, you’d see a completely different Vijay in A.R Murugadoss’s ‘Thuppakki’. All credit to crisp screenplay and equally satisfying performance by the actor. Typically, every Vijay film has mass-appealing dialogues, couple of ‘kuthu’ songs and dialogues that’ll bleed energy. I’ve never been a fan of Vijay, but yet decided to watch the film for Murugadoss, after seeing his work in Ghajini. Don’t expect logic in the film, but be sure to be swept off your feet with Vijay’s magic.
Vijay plays Jagdish, an Indian army soldier, who comes home to Bombay on a vacation. As per his parent’s wish, he agrees to get married to the girl his parents choose. On the day of his arrival, Vijay is taken to see Nisha, a boxer, who at her parent’s request gets dressed up as a typical homely girl, thus, making Vijay to turn down the match.
However, Vijay comes to learn that Nisha acted all the way, and in reality she is as western as one would’ve anticipated. Before you know, Vijay falls head over heels for Nisha.
Meanwhile, Vijay witnesses a bomb blast in heart of the city, and happens to nab the person responsible for the blast. After much interrogation, Vijay comes to learn that the man he nabbed was a sleeper cell. Soon, he learns that there are many more sleeper cells in the city, and they all have planned for something bigger on 27^th of the month. What is going to happen on the 27^th and who are the rest of the sleeper cells? Who heads the sleeper cells? Will Jagdish find answers to all these questions forms the rest of the story?
There isn’t anything new about the story in the film, but the director’s crisp screenplay, not only makes this film an engaging watch, but a thriller of a special kind. Vijay’s performance in particular is outstanding and proves to one and all that he can definitely act.
The film could’ve been chopped by few minutes, at least if the unneeded love plot was cut short or removed completely. The two subplots in the film never cross paths, but yet keep you hooked about what’s about to unfold.
Music is satisfying, but the songs eat up at least good 20 minutes in the film. The credits track about soldiers is very emotional and heartwarming. The director says this film is dedicated to the soldiers of Indian Army, but I say hell no, it’s a Vijay film all the way with just a dash of patriotism.
“Thuppakki” may very be one of the best films of Vijay.