Movie Buff or Maniac?

Hmm..My last post on Kabul Express got a comment and as I became excited to see who it was, then I found to my surprise a comment from chakpak.com. I couldnt dismiss it as a spam comment as I have word verification and this line <"It looks like you are a movie buff, and frequently blog about movies"> made me understand that someone had actually gone through the post either fully or partially!

The title "Movie buff" certainly delighted me and took me into the sojourn of my all time favorite movies. I always wanted to have my favorite movies written and kept somewhere and thought why not I write them here and perhaps even update this often.

So here I am trying to make an inventory of my all time favourite movies and putting them under different genres. Of course, a movie in a particular genre may fit into other as well but in order to avoid redundancy I am trying to put them into the genre that I feel they suit the best. The idea is to pull out the maximum movies without duplication. Please do drop in your favorite ones as well to these categories and perhaps also those that I missed in the form of comments to this post.

1. War/ Bravery/ Courage/ Sacrifice: Brave Heart, Gladiator, Troy, Border, The Independence day, The patriot and though slightly deviated but still Kaaka Kaaka and Gilli (Courage) qualify

2. Classic: The GodFather, Mera Naam Joker, Sholay, Lagaan
3. Contemporary: Kabul Express, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Hyderabad Blues,
4. Emotion & more: Children of the heaven, The terminal, Finding Nemo, Anbe Sivam, Dor, Roja, Vetham Puthuithu, 16 vayuthuniley, Pitamagan, Sethu, Veyil, Kadal

5. Soft Romance: Aradhna, Ye Tera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar, Mouna Ragam, Godavari, Anand, Alai Payuthey, HDDCS, HAHK,
6. Family subject: Parichay, Seetha Ramayya gaari Manamaraalu, Manmathudu, Nuvostanante Nenodantana, Santhosham, more....

7. New Age ones: Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho na Ho, Rang de Basanti, Salaam Namaste, Gangster,

8. Comedy: Liar Liar, Khel, Andaz Apna Apna, Thillu Mullu or Golmaal, No Entry, Hum Tum, Panchatantiram, Tenali, Michael Madana Kamaraj, Winner (for Vadivelu), Rajendra Prasad's old Telegu movies and the recent Pyar Ke Side Effects.
9. Suspense/ Mystery: Snegithiye, 100 Days, Yaar aval, thagadu thagadu (forgot name, but this is the movie's pick of the dialogue),

10. Sci Fi: The Matrix (1,2 and 3), The Paycheck, Hollowman, Mr. India, Aditya 369 (telegu)

PS:

1. My knowledge to English Classic movies and contemporary themes is limited and hence the shrinked list in #2. As and when I remember one or I ll see a new one, I shall try to update them.

2. I didnt include a genre called Masala because if I do, the list would become unending given that I certainly do have a self proclaimed enclopediac gyan in them - especially with Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.

3. As it is conspicious from the list, I havent included much of Rajini's movies as I brand them as a different genre altogether!

So folks, pls pls pls provide me more inputs from your comments. I need to update the above genre and the list of movies.

KABUL EXPRESS

Last week I saw Kabul Express, man it was awesome. Hats off to Kabir Bedi, the director of the movie for taking such a contemporary theme and for bringing an international flavour to the Hindi cinema.The movie's tagline goes like this - the journey of 2 Indians, an American, an Afghan and a Taliban in a jeep in Afganisthan.

The movie has made a deep impact in me by its fine picturisation of Afganishan, the deserts, the lives lost because of the war, innocent children, the trauma caused by the war troops, sentiments, destruction et. al. The movie didnt deviate like any other bollywood movie into masala or item number. The subtle humour and Arshad Warsi's comic sense of dialogue delivery rocked all the way and kept the movie going on and on...

The movie gained momentum with the entry of the American lady journalist. John Abraham- Arshad Warsi duo gave some realistic and fabulous performances. Many scenes were surely touching, the one where John sees a handicapped child while doing his push-up's and the one where the Taliban militant meets his daughter in the later half showed the deep feelings inside...

There was no lack of humour and it went along with the movie without disturbing the flow of the screenplay. In fact, the movie intrigued me to come back, google and wiki about the Taliban and Afghanistan.

It sure was enlightening and seeing Kabul Express was an exhilarating experience here at the Six Degrees Movie hall in the Sathyam Cinemas.

My scribbling 1st Anniversary went unnoticed!

Has been a long time since the blog got updated. In fact, the first Anniversary of My Scribbling went unnoticed by me. On November 12, last year after getting bored with the chores of bench, I took off by starting this blog with a travelogue of my trekking expedition in North Bengal. Now as I went through the article, my memories went down the old lane.. Wah, it was awesome and cant hold it.. the breathtaking beauty of the valleys, pahaads and the nature...

And I have few more reasons to smile: Thanks to Orkut, I got in touch with Abhaya didi , Manimala didi, Viji, Sathi Bhaiya and lots of other friends from Kirandul, where I did my class 1 and 2! They all look so different man! And know what Orkut has introduced some really cool features like showing mutual friends, viewing a max 30 scraps at a time in your scrap book and most importantly the integration of G-Talk with Orkut. Now I get to see all my friends Email ID's in my gmail account as well! Seamless Integration kya? :p

Home Affairs: Good Old Roomy Satya has moved to Vizag after he got a job there with HSBC. His system, which was our only daily source of entertainment (TV cum Music Player cum Internet Hub) has also left with him to Vizag. Meanwhile, my Laptop, the new arrival is getting installed with all the stuff to match the expectations!

Movies: Saw a couple of movies - Varalaru, Rendu and Veyyil. Varalaru was okay types and the highlight was Ajit, the Sr's role. Due to circumstances, saw Rendu (which means Two) two times. It wasnt a bad bet. Overall both of them were enjoyable.

But the third one Veyyil left a deep impact. The movie is surely gonna leave a lump on your throat as you leave the hall. Though it has blood and violence, the movie is a definite watch which beautifully portrayed a story that you might have never heard or seen before. Pasupathi steals the show and leaves you stunned with his brilliant expressions and acting. At times, you feel like crying for him. Bharat has justified his role and both the new heriones impress. The movie has an element of freshness, which you conspicously notice even in the jobs of the lead characters - Pasupathi (Theatre Operator who almost lives in the projector cabin), Bharat (Advertising Agency Entrepreneur who deals with small budget Ads), Bharat's herione (Voice recording Artiste). The encounters between Bharat and the herione right from the begining brings in an element of humour that reminds one of Sethu movie's Vikram and Abita.

Friends and Relocations

After long days of fiddling with blogger , I ve decided to write breaking my vrat of idling. But There were few parting-off's which I want to remember and cherish them. First, Good old roomy Satya left to Bangalore yesterday for his new assignement into SAP. How Sad.. I fondly look into the sms again and again that Satya sent me from his train on the way to Bangalore - " Ye na sochna ki hum juda ho jayenge, har haal me dono dosti nibvhayenge...Dono milkar phir se ZANZEER banayenge. Tum AMITAABH ki tarah dost bane rahna hum PRAAN ki tarah dosti nibhayenge.. Dono milkar YAARI HAI IMAAN gana gayenge..Film hit ho jayegi to mauz manayenge Flop ho gayi to ek aur tareeka aajmayenge...Station ke bahaar CHAI KI DUKAAN lagayenge... Tum Chai banana hum Chai Chai chillayenge.. Par dosti har haal nibhayenge." Was hilari-touching indeed at that moment...

And 2 weeks back, a very good friend cum Bhaiya, Nilesh too left to Indore, his hometown. He got a job at Pune, where he ll be moving shortly. We both joined the Chennai office and our project on the same day.. He was a good friend, guide, philospher and Bhaiya. I went down the memory lane while yesterday I was wearing the Kurta he gave me ... Those sweets and savouries he gets whenever he comes back from home...Long bike drives... Along with Nilu Bhaiyya, I sure will be missing his Bike which I've used more than like my own bike. Made all kind of daredevilry in the Chennai roads with his FREEDOM bike!!! And me and Satya used to like his oft repaeted trademark phrase - "Koi dikkat Nahi"

Anyways relocating places are inevitable. Wish both of them best wishes in all their endeavours and career ahead.

And Coming to the movie segment -Saw Vallavan, DON, Pyar ke Side Effects last. Not going into their deep reviews...PKSE was in fact too good than what I expected; Malika for a change, did some real good acting. Saikat Chaudhari, the director delivered a wholesome entertainer with his innovative presentation and Rahul Bose, as always gave an awesome performance. And yeah, your whole notions about Coffee would change ;-) Watch it and you ll get to know what I mean.
Vallavan was Okay-Okay types. Read the review here.

DON, the new version is good but doesnt fit into the 'fantastic, fabulous, Awesome' label. The twists made in the new versions give refreshed look. Changes made were all hi-tech when compared the Amitabh's DON. This time you have swanky cars, hi-fi gadgets, a disk in place of diary, locales in Malaysia, the gorgeous Priyanka and Kareena and reloaded remix'ed MUSIC. As a whole, Don lives upto the expectations -- DON ko pakadna Mushkil nahi Naamumkin hei !

tAgGeD pOsT

With due apologies to Anu and Satyam for me making a delay more than usual, I go here vroom...for the tagged post.

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4.
Grabbed! I have the September 2006 issue of @TCS, a monthly magazine of TCS (TATA Consultancy services).
Page 18>Line 4 says>>: “..dedication to the company’s vision, we will achieve our aim of…” :-p
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can.
Did as long as I could and my left arm is able to touch the enclosed soft wall of my cubicle. (I am in the workplace now!)
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Announcement of Diwali Special Programmes in Sun TV at home. It was 2 hours back while I was getting ready to start to office .
4. Without looking, guess what time it is?
10.10 am
5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
10.19 am, not bad enough!
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
The sound of the door getting closed by the person who came inside the project quadrant.
7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Before coming to work, went to Airport yesterday late night to receive Madan and Vishnu who came down for Diwali hols from Kolkata. My intention was to actually receive the Rosogulla Tins that they were getting for me. Havent opened them yet, waiting to go home and gobble them up!
8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
The Chettinad Empire Community in Orkut
9. What are you wearing?
My favy Blue Polo T-Shirt and a pair of grey trousers .
10. Did you dream last night?
Yes and I don’t remember..Some vague mental images haunted me.
11. When did you last laugh?
Just few minutes back!
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
The decorative twisted colour papers adoring the front side of my cubicle wall, a cute baloon on the ceiling wall and to my right side there is a Marker write up board where the extension numbers of Pragna and Karthik are written and a paper notice stuck to the left cubicle wall .
Phew! Made a geographical kinda description!
13. Seen anything weird lately?
Yes, just some time back in U-tube. It was real WEIRDO, Boy! The performances of Lilia Stepanova, a Contortionist in "America's got talent" TV Show.
Do check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlaI4OxQqfo.
14. What do you think of this quiz?
Cool mamu. Would remind me this day vividly when I look back at this post some day later.
15. What is the last film you saw?
KD (Tamil Movie)
16. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?
A house in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad perhaps next to Chiranjeevi or Chandra Babu Naidu’s! And then with the rest of money, would get set go for a World Tour.
17. Tell me something about you that I(Anu/Satyam) dunno.
@ Anu: I am Somu’s (who did his MS in Kansas State Univ) cousin’s brother-in-law(btw, bit long relation enough). And from his orkut page only, I got navigated to yours from where I came into Chennai Talkies. Found it to be really good from the perspective of a Tamil-Telegu-Hindi Movie Addict as your reviews gave a whiff of freshness far from the stereotypical reviews. In fact, your conversative tone in reviews is what I like the most!
@Satyam:
That I got a Rossogulla Tin yesterday and gonna eat it all alone! And gonna watch Vallavan or DON with friends here this weekend!!
18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Take the world map, place Tamilnadu/A.P alaekka (read in Vadivelu’s style) near California/Maryland so that I would be close my Akka’s and relatives place and wouldn’t miss Tamilnadu/A.P either that way. And I am sure lot many ppl too that way get benefitted.
PS: Right thaane Anu?
19. Do you like to dance?
Yes. Dance by making my own random steps in house when I am in a Kushi mood. Would dance like no one is watching!
20. George Bush.
Where is Osamaaaa!!!!!
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Would extensively search along with my would-be in Internet Names directory when the occasion comes. But I would address her by calling Chellam or Kannu or Chella Kutty or Kannu Kutty! Like my dad/mom call my sister!
22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
Same as 21. May be Appu in home.
23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Yeh! Not one country but many! Oh Almighty, Make me a world traveler before that.
24. What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
God to Kasi: Sorry, you came here by mistake. Demons are waiting for you in the other gate!
25. 5 people who must also do this in their blog.
Vishwanathan (my coll senior, an ex IIM-B ite)
Vivek (subject to his approval)
Chaitu (Let him take his own time, he is busy with IAS Mains Exams now)
Arutperungo, a fellow Prowizard.
And Osama Bin Laden, if he writes a blog, LOL !!!

News, Books, Trivia, Movies, Lessons learnt and More..

Its been almost 2 weeks from my last post and Satyam has been pushing me to update this blog. I dont have any specific subject this time, so I am going make kinda mixture as the title of this post goes...

News
The hottest debate now: Should Afzal be hanged? Should he be pardoned from the death execution penalty and be given clemency? Check out more here, if you havent followed the news of late. BJP stauchly opposes seeking Presedential pardon for him.

Shashi Tharoor is out of the race for the coveted post of UN Secretary General after US said a NO. South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon, is seen as the possible occupant and favorite among the Security Council Members' for the hot seat. Despite getting 10 votes (9 is the threshold in the straw poll) from the 15 members of Security council, Tharoor made the wise decision of quitting the fray, giving way to Mr. Moon. Still, pats to you Sir for making to almost the finals of the race. We are proud of you.

Something this kind was ever unheard before -- India and Pakistan have joined hands together to set up a Joint Anti Terrorism institutional Mechanism. Stockholm syndrome kya? More here.

Books
Talking about Pakistan, I just remember that Pervez Musharaf has come up with a memoir called In the Line of Fire. From what I read on its review and postmosterm of the book, it seems to be an amazing piece of FICTION spun with real life characters. Disclaimers may perhaps be like this: " Resemblance to any characters living or dead may be purely coincidental." Musharaff has been described as a chronic liar. Google and find more abt it.

Trivia
Akira Haraguchi makes a world record by reciting the value of pi's decimal value to 100000 places from memory. The news here.

Megalomania: Anousheh Ansari, goes on her expedition to Space, reportedly the world's most expensive affair in paid tourism! More on her in Wikipedia. Dont miss checking her space blog

Movies and Lessons learnt
Did see only a tamil movie which goes by the name KD. It was hopeless and so am not putting any space or point for its 5 point review. There is actually no point in watching it. Ranju and me had to suffer while coming back from the movie, we got drenched heavily in the rain. Still to recover from the trauma caused by the movie and the side effects. Learnt a lesson for the n+1th time that dont watch without any preview or opinion. It was a blind selection for which we had to pay and suffer. Didnt see BOSS as I got bad exit review from my roomies. Thank god, saved 100 bucks in that way. Btw, heard excellent reviews about Nagesh Kukunoor's DOR, which is next on my mission. Shall see it next weekend when I'd be back to good health and goodwill.

Stalin and Em Magan

Adding two more reviews of the movies that I saw during this week...

Stalin [Telugu]
1) You probably would have heard of binary marketing or Referral marketing, (like Amway), where one sells products by referring 2 or more persons and they in turn do the same further to propagate the chain reaction; Stalin has a similar theme but on the social front based on the Hollywood flick Pay it Forward.
2) Stalin has all the elements of a Chiru fare – Action, Dance, Social message, Masala and loads of sentiments; and if you are keen on logic, then its not your game.
3) Plus: Main storyline, Chiru’s dance, Parare Parare song, Certain scenes that steal your heart (especially the running race scene of Physically challenged children, where a child gets tripped and falls to the ground seeing which the other children in the race come back, cooperate with him and they all together reach the winning post. Really touching..) and the climax.
4) Minus: Songs and their inappropriate timing of insertion, Brahmanandam (who was underutilized) and much violence.
5) Verdict: If you are a Chiru fan then, go ahead, it lives to the expectation offered by the MegaStar’s package.

Em Magan (Emttan Magan) [Tamil]

1) Metti Oli Thirumurugan’s maiden direction venture Em Magan is sprun across a village subject, where Bharat plays the subservient son to the loud and tyrant father (Nasser) and the plot ends with a smooth ending where Nasser realizes his folly and gets along well with everyone.
2) Em Magan has a whiff of freshness in its Senti cum Family fare that has all elements of a feel good movie and most importantly has the flavour and nativity of the rustic essence.
3) Plus: Clearly it is the omnipresent Vadivelu this time who has given a good comedy with his typical gramatthu dialect throughout the movie, the Gramaththu Saayal (its long time after Bharathiraja a nice village subject with picturisation has come), Bharat and Nasser’s diametrically opposite characters and Saranya who has a solid performance.
4) Minus: Nasser’s illogical histrionics at some of the scenes irritate you and the too dramatic consequential part after Bharat-Gopika affair when it gets noticed by the elder folks.
5) Verdict: I find it to be very good and give a full recommendation to watch it; also I find a personal attachment and belongingness as the movie is almost fully shot in Karaikudi, which is my hometown!

Friday Review

15/11 (friday) 10 pm (IST)

Hey, hey, hey....It is friday evening. I am in a euphoric state. So I shall be looking into the left out movie reviews now ;-)

Sillunu Oru Kaadhal (Tamil)

1. Sillunu Oru Kadhal released just days before the wedding of the lead pair Surya-Jo has a surprisingly different package with a slight off-the-beat crux inside.
2. SOK doesnt disappoint as publicised which has a bold subject of a Wife(Jothika) going to the extent of making her hubby (Surya) to live at least one day with his former lady love (Bhumika) on knowing the same years later; and as expected Indian Sentiment triumphs! (Watch yourself to see how)
3. Plus: Music (New York Nagaram rocks all the way!), the child artiste (as Surya-Jo's daughter), -- she is choooo cute, Picturisation.
4. Minus: The drag in the second half, Vadivelu part -- Gosh, it was incongruent to the movie with crass humour, Conspiciously excessive Advertising of products (Maruti Swift, Pepsi, TVS Star, Boost, Aircel, Maggi, Head & Shoulders!! !)
5. Verdict: Personally I liked SOK, tho' few may not concur..In any case, it is definitely watchable despite the subtle flaws in the storyline.

PS - Trivia: I saw the movie shooting (and Surya as well) from very near while it was being shot in my college for few of the college locations in the movie..When the football ground (thats our hostel ground) sequence in Munbae Vaa..Anbe Vaa song, I was there seeing!


Lage Raho Munna Bhai (Hindi)
1. Mark my words, this movie absolutely rocks and promises to be on the line of its prequel MunnaBhai MBBS that does not miss the essence and mark of the Munnabhai brand's flavour.
2. Pats to the script writers who have contributed the fresh concept of Gandhigiri (with Satya and Ahimsa) possible to bring about peace in day to day problems involving people.
3. Plus: Gandhigiri, Novel approach in handling the story, the Munna-Circuit pair's Looti, the gorgeous and simple Vidya Balan and cast, which is almost same as that of version 1.0 (except for Vidya Balan)
4. Minus: At times, there are logical flaws (but very few). But overall, it doesnt matter though.
5. Verdict: Bindaas... Ekdum Solid Maamu


Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (Tamil)
1. Another episode in a Police officer's life: Kamal, a Crime branch Cop is in the hunt of a Psychopath who is behind a series of brutal murders. The Modus Operandi of Kamal’s investigation, his past and present personal life and the new lady love (Jothika) forms the rest of the story.
2. Many movies have come with similar story line before, but VV is fresh with its presentation, screenplay and photography but dont tend to compare with Kaaka Kaaka.
3. Plus: Music (Songs are hit since long back), beautiful picturisation of New York Nagaram and the stunt sequences.
4. Minus: Logic part -- Hard to digest that all alone 2 men take the New York Cops and Tamilnadu Police (force) in for a ride with a comfortably large number of murders all the way they go! And likewise many others
5. Verdict: Go for it! Disclaimer: Opinions vary

Bommarillu (Telugu)
1. A feel good movie that primarily portrays the bonding between an excessively caring dad and a son who wants to be independent, their aspirations and thinking.
2. Bommarillu has all the elements of a class movie with decent portrayal of characters, beautiful songs (literally all!) and most importantly promises to deliver more than what you expect.
3. Plus: Though Silly, Genalia is cute with her ChatterBox role; Prakashraj- Sidharth as father-son duo who have done justice to their roles, Music and Comedy.
4. Minus: Err....I dint find any.
5. Verdict: I recommend to all those who havent seen. Definitely a must see, I should say!