Another 'you had to be there'

Went with a friend and my daughter for the movie 'Siruthai'. Honestly, one of the most stupid films I have watched in a long time. 'Sorry' to Karthi Sivakumar, one of my favourite actors, not for calling this film stupid (nope, it was starkly stupid), but for his having done the film. Why, Karthi, why? Why, Karthi, why? (Twas a double role, you see!)

As the film neared the all-popular interval, there were a lot of fighting scenes that disturbed my 6+ kiddo. She kept staring at me Garfield-Jon style face-in-face until I spotted the words I-N-T-E-R-V-A-L appearing on the screen with much relief and shouted "Don't worry, you can relax, it's the Interval, dee!" The last four words simply rang out and reverberated in that tiny, air-conditioned theatre since the background music suddenly shut off.

As I write this, I can see it was definitely a 'you-had-to-be-there' moment. My friend and I laughed so hard (yes, I was embarrassed enough to cover my face with my dupatta) that we could not even get up for ten minutes, and then laughed our way to the popcorn spot.

Oh well, best laugh in a long time though so very juvenile.

What my Guru says...

His pearls...

*To do business, more than anything, you need common sense.

*There is not a single person on earth who thinks he is NOT sensitive.

*Don't be woolly about anything.

*Prepare, and when you do, be thorough.

*If you don't understand anything, ask. Nobody is born knowing everything.

"If you were the kind of person happy to spend time doing nothing in particular, attending kitty parties, etc. you would not be sitting in front of me! You have to focus on your family and your work."

My personal favourite is the first point above.

Ada Bosse...

"BOSS ENGIRA BASKARAN"(BeB)

Heard it wasn't good. Heard it was a bore. It LOOKED somewhat different (from trailers) and seemed rather casual and funny. So, went for it.

The usual high as I pull into Sathyam cinemas' parking lot. I really appreciate that theatre. They know movie-lovers and have really gone after their hearts.

This film has Arya and Nayantara in the lead, but only after watching it did I realise that it has Arya, Nayantara AND Santhanam (comedian) in the lead! The film begins in a chirpy, simple way...am gathering this is going to be Arya's way of distinguishing himself from the usual stressed-out crowd of filmmakers -- you see, he is also the film's producer with his company 'The Show People'. Good job.

Story:

Carefree guy still pursuing a degree with many an arrear meets lecturer on bus whilst enroute to exam hall to write his arrears...and falls in love. Fate has his older brother marrying lecturer's older sis soon after. When guy wants to marry lecturer, his bhabi/manni/anni says no, get 'useful' first. So guy leaves home and starts business with his best friend. Somehow makes it work...almost. Then, lecturer's Dad gets mad, guy's progress notwithstanding, cos guy's best friend has publicly insulted him (the lecturer's Dad)under the influence of alcohol. How guy gets past his girl's Dad's anger is the end.

Arya, the hero

Usually...Casually in character

Arya is an averagely hot 'guy'. Moderately good body for a hero, pretty good for 'just' a guy, casual, good looks with the rugged, half or un-shaven look suiting him, and an actually-not-strong-enough voice for Tamil cinema. Still, overall, he is attractive in his own way.

In the film, he delivers comfortably as the happy-go-lucky Bhaskaran alias Boss. Boss is casual and funny from the word go. And 'go' is how the film starts. Arya has managed to stay the hero despite giving a heavy role to comedy-actor Santhanam who plays his best friend. Arya also has a knack of casually stepping into his characters I feel (noticed this across films), so this was a treat in spite of his close-to-dumb expressions. They were quite cute actually and so very believable -- guy next door types. His character too seems real and many can identify with his viewpoints like neither appreciating advice nor advisors! 'He is like that only' describes Baskaran's character well.


Nayanthara

Usually...I refer to her as SMUG MUG.

Nayanthara was a nice, fresh face when she first started. Then she became sloppy, flabby whatever. (Who am I to talk, eh;)) Then she ....PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST!supposedly had some liposuction thing or whatever and became svelte, and thereafter terribly sought-after. THEN, she acquired what I gleefully refer to as the smug-mug. Annoyingly highly made-up face, a smug smile always in place and so on. Idle thoughts included a temptation to smack the smug mug. Pretty face alright. Hidden behind the mug. So, I was going to see BEB because... I like Arya, looked forward to Santhanam's bits, and IN SPITE of SMUG MUG.
Pleasant surprise.

She has not only acted well, she is nice looking except for some frightening closeups which, frankly, noone over the age of 23 is able to carry off these days. Her quick, hidden smiles and humourous twitching and affectionate looks are very well done. Happy with smug mug, I say.

Santhanam

Modern Day Koundamani, Youngsters' Delight.

Santhanam is simply brilliant. His timing, his dialogue delivery and the on screen rapport between Arya and Santhanam is something to talk about. As two friends, they have made the phrase 'Nannben Da' a part of Tamil cinema's popular-dialogues-in-history list. Loved it.

Music and Dance

It was fine. Suitable. 'Ada Bosse' is cute, the steps are generally funny throughout all songs, and the costumes acceptable...no, good, actually.

The film:

Could have been better TECHNICALLY and scriptically I suppose, but how I laughed. It was a wonderful thing to see a movie so carefree, so upbeat, so conversational and casual. This film had no tension; it aimed to relax, destress and let you guffaw at the Boss' and his friend Nallathambi's antics. The narration was just right. The end could have been better but by then you are in such a great mood, you happily accept that all good things have to come to an end, so who cares how!

I laughed so much I coughed and coughed! Actually felt like giving Arya and Santhanam a big hug in appreciation. *sigh* maybe some day :D

The supporting actors are ALL very good. Noteworthy that.

But this film is just timepass, feel-good, and NOT for those uptight or overly-critical or non-Tamil speaking sorts. It's not for those who look high and low for faults, gab endlessly about scripts, locations, cinematography, costumes yand all. Not for those in pursuit of sophistication. BEB surpasses all that. But you need to KNOW and love Tamil, Tamil cinema and have a sense of humour -- oh, that's very very important, to love this film.

Ah, then, enough said about me, eh? ;)

:D

Naan Mahan Alla

My favourite well-fed hero Karthi(!) takes charge here. The movie begins with some chilling music (great background score from Yuvan Shankar Raja -- Really good.).

Then, the story is about a happy-go-lucky guy who generally takes his family for granted and has a good time in life. He falls in love with some random girl (PYT -- Pretty Young Thing for non-MJ fans;)-- Kajal Agarwal)in a playful way and through games young ones play, gets her to fall for him too.

Some generally cute and entertaining romantic scenes later, the story unfolds that: Karthi's father in the film(seems like a REALLY nice dad to have) is witness to what was to be a a mere girl-running-away from home with boyfriend and boyfriend's gang of friends. The father is a call taxi driver. Thereafter, the gruesome killing of that girl and her boyfriend by his so-called friends leads to Karthi's father being a key witness to the horrible murders, and therefore a hot target for the gang of college-going, drug-abusing youths. Appalling, I tell you. I only saw this flick for Karthi the actor.

It's not a bad film at all except it could have been better taken. Loopholes galore and good guy winning against all odds a tad annoying although in this case, the villains are too villainous for words. Might as well have the hero beating the daylights outta them!

After a planned killing of Karthi's father, Karthi realises what life is all about. The scene and song of his father's funeral is very well taken. Cried my eyes out, thank you, and Karthi acts magnificently in some scenes such as these. His character name: Jeeva bugs me. Why oh why is Kollydamnwood obsessed with names like Jeeva, Raja and so on? Can't they have better names? Tamil cinema and the audiences deserve better. *sniff*

Didn't find the romance scenes toooo great. In fact liked the comedy played between Karthi, his friends and family MUCH more. Very every-day stuff and nice.

Ok, so dad gone, Karthi's eyes are opened and so his arms are flexed. Nice fights. I can't believe I just said that! I usually tune fights out. One dishoom is equal to another. After a long time, we find an interesting fight sequence and captivating turn of events during the final part of the film.

The bad boys got what they deserve which is always, ALWAYS nice to know/see. I choose to take the following morals of this film's story and highlight them:-

1. If you're a girl, don't run away from home with your boyfriend. Possible gang rape, throat slitting and body-cutting makes it so NOT worth it or ANY romance for that matter. No guy is worth it. BELIEVE me. May as well talk/beg/fight it out with your parents who are not likely to resort to murder...oh, honour killing chilling stories aside. (SERIOUSLY weird world this is getting to be!)

2. If you are the boy who is getting his friends' help in taking a girl out of her home, try not to make out with your girlfriend with your friends in the next room. It's disgusting and in this case, tempted them to finish you and your girlfriend off after having their ways with her. SICK.

3. If you are going to kill one person, you are likely to kill more (unless you killed one in self defense in the first place. So, please don't kill anyone!!

4. If you kill or maim others, you are not likely to come to any good end. None of us is immortal. We are all going to die. Why ensure it WILL be badly? Karma type thing.

5. Peer pressure. Stay strong and don't succumb to peer pressure. Today it's that glass of wine or a fad diet*. Tomorrow, it could be anything else.

6. Try not to stay pampered by parents. It makes life all that much more difficult when they go away...and parents, try not to be TOO giving. (This is only meant for such GREAT parents. Not for some of those who really need not have bothered reproducing -- a separate post for you soon, dearies!)

7. Don't talk on the mobile whilst riding your mobike. True, nothing happened to the actors HERE because film shooting environments are safe;), but something may well happen to YOU.

8. Don't forget to observe things and people around you.

Okay okay, I KNOW. This is just a movie. But everyone is so pre-occupied with films and actors' ishtyles all over the place that we may as well decide to learn some lessons outta them. The whole youth scene in this film freaked me out.

I kind of thought this movie would be like Death Wish. Well, maybe it IS about revenge but Death Wish is MUCH better seen from the revenge and lessons-of-life angles.

Karthi carried this film through. Cannot say enough how happy I am that here is an actor / hero who has not succumbed to grazing on carrots and cucumbers in a quest for a concave stomach (read six yucky pack) and puny frame. Keep eating well (The fad diet mention in point no.5 above is for you:D), Karthi. Don't turn metrosexual. Stay man!

Censoring needs censoring!

I have a bone to pick with the censor board. I admit it may not be their fault alone that it often does not look like they know what they are doing... but they DO get to take a call and often, seem to take the wrong ones!

Looking at fairly recent releases where the censor board's failed me big time (by me, I mean the common man -- um, ok, the commonwoman)...

Sura

Sura for example, has a few scenes dedicated to the topic of suicide. Worse, it has a scene that is explicit on the different ways of committing suicide. This film, with an 'U' certification! Are they MAD? ( a little voice inside my head suggests the BAD word C-word: Corruption!Hmmm. Could it be?)

Once, when I asked the booking guy at the cinemas whether I could bring a child in to one of actor Vijay's films, he almost chortled and said: "M'am, for Vijay-movies, you don't even have to ask. Kids are always there." Sounds finer than it is.

How DARE the censor board allow this to happen? This suicide thing was supposed to be comedy -- romance as well as Vadivelu's comical bits, which we all know, draws far more attention than even mere drama! Bad enough we have ONLY skimpily-dressed actresses these days...now OTHER inappropriate stuff too! Do we want our kids to know all about suicide? Or is it that our society is now warped-enough that our kids 'anyway' know all about it and so, it's better to joke about it in the open? A lose-lose situation, people.

Kandhaswamy

I really like Vikram in Tamil cinema, OK? But he had given an interview prior to the release of Kandhaswamy and spoken about HOW great the film was for family-viewing and HOW much kids would enjoy watching it.

Really? The film had too much of Shriya Saran's too-little wardrobe. Too much of her pushing herself on to Vikram (in the film I mean;)), and all of it tastelessly done! It got me shuddering to think of what 'family-viewing' must mean these days!

Singam

This film had an uncertain U/A certification. Apparently the A was added just because the heroine wore a too-revealing (I mean some 2 degrees more than 'normal') blouse. Hah. BLOUSE, it seems. 'Innerwear' paraded as outwear is more appropriate. Still, in these 'If-you-have-it, flaunt-it' times, what does one expect, eh? And how abou that 30-lakh prostitute (or some other equally-ridiculous figure) on a multi-purpose van dancing to the tunes of the lecherous villain? That's a kid-ok scene is it?

Well my point here is, if the censor board is ONLY going to take note of less or more clothes and overlook much else which youngsters OUGHT to be prevented from watching, why do you need a BOARD for it? One guy can just sit up and say 'less', 'more', 'none'(!!) and do the needful...

And it's not as if the common man has common sense. For an U/A certification, he will bring his kids, his nephews and his nieces -- perhaps even some neighbours' kids for an U/A certified film. In Singam too, I noticed this boy (couldn't have been more than 6) watching a suicide scene unblinkingly, standing in the aisle.

You know what, when I started this post, I was picking a bone with the censor folk. Now, I think it's the parents I am getting to too.

Honestly, blood and gore seems a better option than too few clothes for NO good reason, tasteless coming-on of actors to actresses and vice versa, and suicide methods!

Is there a way out?

Note: Actress Shriya in this pic seems dressed for winter(!) compared to EVERY other outfit she sports in the film. Ugh.

Suriya or Surya is 'Singam' (Another animal title!) - Teesutalkie / movie review

I was so excited at the prospect of watching Suriya in Singam. What added the 'so' in that first sentence is that I saw him at the hotel Park around the time he was shooting for this film -- in this 'getup', and he looked oh-so-handsome. My I announce that he has the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen on a man and that I grudge him for keeping his eyes downcast so I couldn't check them out in person when I came to within 3 feet of him at the Park's weird entrance!;)

The film Singam had the usual cliches -- one roaring lion image appearing often enough instead of Suriya's face, etc. Proper MTR masala types. BY branding the masala, I meant good quality!

The comedy scenes were comforting thanks to Vivek. However, one or two scenes seemed more Vadivelu' s style than Vivek's. That kind of humour whereas, I normally associate Vivek's style with a cleverer tone overall.

Prakash Raj as the proverbial villain amazes me with HOW consistent he is in his mannerisms and style of talking. He delivers alright, but is it really so hard to find other actors who could do the trick just for the sake of variety? Just because this guy makes a 'good villain' is hardly enough reason to allow him to repeat himself in EVERY film esp in a negative role.

Anushka, the tall heroine I was SURE (after Vijay's Vettaikaran) would never be paired with shorter actors, is the heroine for Suriya here. Tall and rather big made, she wore revealing outfits (and I mean a little more revealing than 'normal') that earned the film the U/A certification rather than just 'U'.

Now, I have a bone to pick with the censor board about their general approach to censoring, but that's for another post.

Her expressions aren't bad but she does not really suit Suriya although director Hari has done a cool job of make-believe in this area.

Suriya. Well, he is a cool actor who, I do think could have won himself a National award or two for his acting in many a scene over many a film in the past say, 5-6 years...but he hasn't. This actor has some expressions down pat. Like the embarrassed one(THE best in the industry), the disappointed one, the angry one, the sarcastic one and the 'I-am-a-wonderful-son' one. Thing is, as I said, he has simply bee-you-ti-ful eyes, but they are also very expressive. So expressive in fact, that he gives himself away in some scenes like the one when confronted with Prakash Raj whose face comes to within one foot of himself. The guy's eyes smile and it makes you think he has a tough time keeping a straight face.

Alright, alright, you have to be Suriya-crazy to notice these things. Am not QUITE there yet. Who am I kidding, eh?Oh, and the veg puff at Sathyam cinemas this time, was bad.

Now, why on earth did they give Suriya so many gayish, girlie and METROSEXUAL moves in the songs, I want to know. Irritating.

The songs are not great. Between being distracted by Anushka's outlandish-for-tamil-cinema-height and appreciating Suriya's high-energy, the frivolous song scenes pass.

The movie is also not boring, thanks to director Hari who ONLY needs to watch out for repeating himself. The films Saamy and Aaru were wonderful and refreshing albeit masalas. Somehow, Singam is not THAT much so.

I say watch the movie for Suriya. Nothing else is compelling enough in the film.

Teesu talkie?

I was just going to write a movie review when I suddenly got a feeling that my blog seems to be more about tags and reviews than my own, you know, 'teesutalk'.

Bothers me a bit. But I have to admit, social networking sites take up quite a bit of energy and sharing and so, teesutalk moves to the background. Feeling bad about that. After all, I have plenty to talk about, rave, fondly remember, rant, announce, etc.

Besides, have taken up a small venture and taking up a business on any scale uses up a lot of energy!

After all this blah-blah, my mind is on my next 2-3 posts and they are all about Tamil cinema and a 'self-taken tag'.

What the heck, may as well indulge. Teesu's JUST-talk is just about these now, then.

Sura - Shark or Dolphin...or both?

Yummma! Yupppa! Podhum daa...

With these words, I left the cinema hall after watching Vijay's latest and 50th milestone movie in his film career: SURA. Sura means Shark. I agree. Quite as vicious a film as a shark is said to be.

Vijay's opening in the film came as a Dolphin-like stroke supposedly in the ocean. Didn't know sharks did that! Maybe sura also means dolphin. Ok, I can give them that.

What I cannot give this film & story, is ANY ounce of appreciation. Vijay is a fisherman, it seems. Pooh. Credibility goes downhill from here! Even Vadivelu's comedy was ...stupid. Only one scene was really funny -- the one with Vadivelu and Venniraadai Moorthy, but teh former spoiled it by repeating the funny act 5-6 times in succession!! Really poor.

Vijay. Couldn't he have given some amount of interest to the script he signed for his 50th film?? Disappointing. Boring dialogues but brilliant dancing! That's one thing he always has going for him. Also, he looked healthier in this film than he has in a long time. He just needs another Gillie now and then...and then, he can pull on with more Kuruvis and Vettaikaarans but God forbid he comes out with more Villus & Suras.

Tamannah. Really, the girl's OK. Forced to act like a bimbo but am sure I want to thank her for her correct lip-syncing, which is more than I can say for the villain. Aha. The Villain in Sura I THINK is the hero from the family-drama nice-Tamil-film-hit 'Aha' that released in...I think 1996-1997. Poor guy. Poor lip syncing / dubbing.

The story & presentation is best described as 'thoo-thoo-thuppaaki'. Stupid-O-Stupid.

It seems Ilayadhalapathi (what does it mean?) Vijay's movies have slumped into the following super-boring format:

• Talk of the hero (Vijay), followed by a 'Vijay-opening' scene.


• Song for some made-up victory celebration.


• Some drama usually involving the mother who dotes on son(Vijay) and is the epitome of...home-making / mommying.


• Villain-entry followed by a small triumph from Vijay's side over one of the villain's assistants / small-fry.


• Heroine entry and the weaving of a romance-plot that thins with every film.


• Song: Vijay and heroine. Show-off time for Vijay!


• Some fights, more songs, ill-placed comedy scenes and ...a challenge!


• INTERVAL (habbah!)


• More drama, comedy, fights, songs, fights, fights and fight till the end.


• Vijay wins any fight in the end never mind the number of villains or anything.


• Subham

Sura is best described as a SHARK ATTACK! Stay outta theatres, people. I didn't. That's ONLY because a friend and I like to watch Vijay films even if JUST for the heck of it and not mention that fab vegetable puffs and popcorn (salt AND caramel) at Sathyam cinemas.

Psssst! BURRRP. The film's bad.

Five compliments I have received...

Tag from my tag-guru cuz: http://www.shyamram.blogspot.com/

1. 'You have beautiful eyes.'
Get this occasionally.

2. 'You are very intelligent.'
This quite tickles me. I know am CERTAINLY not intelligent enough to be called so.

3. 'You are multi-talented.'
Feel it's just a wonderful way some friends have, of telling me I am a fancy jack-of-all trades. Could be, could be.

4. 'You are a good organizer.'
I try, I try...and I certainly could / ought to be better!

5. 'You write well.'
Honestly, MILES to go before I sleep...miles to go...

BUT...
am so grateful for the above:-)

Paiyya

Was warned a bit about it.

Finally went to watch it mostly for the hero Karthi. For the ill-informed, Karthi is an erstwhile assistant of Mani Rathnam's and younger bro of Suriya and the younger son of actor Shivakumar. A few-films-old actor who's pretty good at it. The story, if one has to find one in this film, has this disinterested, supposedly-job-hunting guy being pepped up for an interview by his sister and friends. The first few scenes had cliched dialogues -- a kind of banter between friends that didn't quite cut it. Then, the hero catches sight of, and falls hook, line and sinker for the heroine Tamannah somewhere. This girl by the way, does better Tamil lip-syncing than most other Hindi actresses. Somehow, he ends up driving her as a 'driver' from Bangalore to Mumbai whilst being chased by two separate gangs - one's after him and one's after her. A make-believe story that comes nowehere close to being believable. Pure acting for the sake of acting in the film.

First of all, the dubbing. The actors, especially Karthi's sister in the film grates on your Tamizh-loving n Tamizh-speaking nerves with her idiotic rendering of dialogues. Even Milind Soman does a better job.

Milind Soman is one villain. A lean, mean, bloody machine. Nothing more, nothing less. The other villain is some 200+ kilo guy who is overflowing out of a jeep. Speaking of villains, there are too many. WHY would one hero beat up some 30 villains single-handedly every half an hour in the film and still be the last man standing, is beyond me. Especially in today's world of supposedly well-informed and brainy audiences.

Tamannah. Is Ok. Not too glam, not too simple. Not great at acting, but not bad either. Pleasing enough without IN YOUR face beauty like Ash Rai Bachchan or in-your-face villy-face like Shriya.

But the heroine ditching the hero once her job was done ...and him still in love with her after realising it ...(well, the audience realised it, dunno if HE did!) ...and THEN getting royally hit by a steel rod some dozen times...is painfully absurd. Then, he wheels around from half-deaddom and attacks all his attackers! Smooth!

STUPID.

The music was OK, nothing earth shattering, with some surprisingly pleasing steps by the stocky hero. Ahhh. Must dwell on stocky. The guy's not really PLUMP, but quite healthy with the required basic shoulder muscles and leg-lifting, for some good villain-kicking and all. What a refreshing change from the puny souls who are the metrosexual actors of today! Welcome, Karthi. Please don't lose weight!! Some of us like our men healthy and well-fed.

Finally, because the film had to end somewhere, Tamannah hugs Karthi. A *sniff sniff* into handkerchief moment. Those three hundred and fifty bucks I will never see again. Waaah.