Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Movie Review : Villain (Raavan) Review
Call ‘Villain’ (Raavan in Hindi and Raavanan in Tamil) the highly anticipated and much awaited movie of the year in all dimensions. Bravura director Mani Ratnam seems to be very composed in all press conferences and at publicity events where he was not answering any controversial questions, but keeping his fingers crossed. Let’s find out why?
Banner: Madras Talkies, Reliance Big Pictures.
Cast: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Prithviraj, Karthik, Priyamani
Cinematography: Santosh Sivan, V. Manikandan.
Choreography: Ganesh Acharya, Brinda, Shobana, Astad Deboo.
Editing: Sreekar Prasad.
Lyrics: Veturi.
Music: AR Rahman
Action: Sham Kaushal, Peter Heins
Producer(s): Mani Ratnam, Sharada
Screenplay & Director: Mani Ratnam
Story:
Dev (Prithvi Raj), a police officer and Raagini (Aishwarya Rai), a classical dancer come together with love marriage. Post their marriage, Dev is deputed to a small town (Nallamalla), where Veera (Vikram), a tribal who has everything under his control. Dev determines to destroy this tribal rule by annihilating Veera. In this process, Veera kidnaps Raagini challenging the Dev and his battalion. Why did Veera Kidnap Raagini? This plot unveils when Veera explains Raagini about his sorrow past.
Analysis:
Mani Ratnam has tailor-made to the present day - adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana which tells the story of Rama, whose wife Sita is abducted by the fiend Raavana. 'Villain' is a film that definitely offers something fresh, but certainly not the best ever film from Mani Ratnam’s cap. 'Villain' clearly points out that Virtuoso director Mani Ratnam has taken a different route this time throwing weight behind intense emotions, unlike his established route – action and humor.
There aren’t great emotions portrayed in the movie between Aishwarya Rai and Vikram. ‘Villian’ is purely based on Vikram histrionics and his maverick performance has done more than justice to his character. Few shots in the film are an absolute peach – may be even look like Mani Ratnam throwing challenge to present day filmmakers. The film looks visually appealing, but story is nothing new, although the climax has been the pick of the film.
The saddest parts of the film are the screenplay, which is wayward. And the songs canning was not up to Mani Ratnam’s standards. Songs are a dud – you can hardly remember them as they did not receive good applause. The music is dull and not energetic, but the background score is very good. And Mani Ratnam did not do justice to any of the characters - leaving the decision to the audience. May be this is the reason, Mani Ratnam is quite during 'Villain' movie publicity activities.
Performances:
Vikram – He is at his very best. In fact you can see a vintage and classic Vikram taking his performances to the audience and elevating the film few notches up the ladder. It’s Vikram all the way
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – Her character is nothing great – and so need did not get the character, which demands to show her acting skills.
Prithvi Raj has done his bit. He looks alright as a police officer. Priyamani plays a cameo and looks impressive.
Technicalities Department:
Cinematographer Santosh Sivan should be given a standing ovation. His camerawork is stupendous. Few scenes like Aishwarya falling into the lake, etc are truly commendable. The locations are also fresh.
The art designer Samir Chanda surely might have sweeted things. Editor Sreekar Prasad well, can’t blame too much on him as he did his best.
Overall, Mani Ratnam ‘Villain' is disappointing in its presentation. Tell me when was the last time you watched a movie precisely for a hero? Bemused? If there’s anything left to take from the movie ‘Villain’, it has to be Vikram’s performance. Barring that, I’d say Mani Ratnam’s ‘Villain' has gone for a toss.
Call ‘Villain’ (Raavan in Hindi and Raavanan in Tamil) the highly anticipated and much awaited movie of the year in all dimensions. Bravura director Mani Ratnam seems to be very composed in all press conferences and at publicity events where he was not answering any controversial questions, but keeping his fingers crossed. Let’s find out why?
Banner: Madras Talkies, Reliance Big Pictures.
Cast: Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Prithviraj, Karthik, Priyamani
Cinematography: Santosh Sivan, V. Manikandan.
Choreography: Ganesh Acharya, Brinda, Shobana, Astad Deboo.
Editing: Sreekar Prasad.
Lyrics: Veturi.
Music: AR Rahman
Action: Sham Kaushal, Peter Heins
Producer(s): Mani Ratnam, Sharada
Screenplay & Director: Mani Ratnam
Story:
Dev (Prithvi Raj), a police officer and Raagini (Aishwarya Rai), a classical dancer come together with love marriage. Post their marriage, Dev is deputed to a small town (Nallamalla), where Veera (Vikram), a tribal who has everything under his control. Dev determines to destroy this tribal rule by annihilating Veera. In this process, Veera kidnaps Raagini challenging the Dev and his battalion. Why did Veera Kidnap Raagini? This plot unveils when Veera explains Raagini about his sorrow past.
Analysis:
Mani Ratnam has tailor-made to the present day - adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana which tells the story of Rama, whose wife Sita is abducted by the fiend Raavana. 'Villain' is a film that definitely offers something fresh, but certainly not the best ever film from Mani Ratnam’s cap. 'Villain' clearly points out that Virtuoso director Mani Ratnam has taken a different route this time throwing weight behind intense emotions, unlike his established route – action and humor.
There aren’t great emotions portrayed in the movie between Aishwarya Rai and Vikram. ‘Villian’ is purely based on Vikram histrionics and his maverick performance has done more than justice to his character. Few shots in the film are an absolute peach – may be even look like Mani Ratnam throwing challenge to present day filmmakers. The film looks visually appealing, but story is nothing new, although the climax has been the pick of the film.
The saddest parts of the film are the screenplay, which is wayward. And the songs canning was not up to Mani Ratnam’s standards. Songs are a dud – you can hardly remember them as they did not receive good applause. The music is dull and not energetic, but the background score is very good. And Mani Ratnam did not do justice to any of the characters - leaving the decision to the audience. May be this is the reason, Mani Ratnam is quite during 'Villain' movie publicity activities.
Performances:
Vikram – He is at his very best. In fact you can see a vintage and classic Vikram taking his performances to the audience and elevating the film few notches up the ladder. It’s Vikram all the way
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – Her character is nothing great – and so need did not get the character, which demands to show her acting skills.
Prithvi Raj has done his bit. He looks alright as a police officer. Priyamani plays a cameo and looks impressive.
Technicalities Department:
Cinematographer Santosh Sivan should be given a standing ovation. His camerawork is stupendous. Few scenes like Aishwarya falling into the lake, etc are truly commendable. The locations are also fresh.
The art designer Samir Chanda surely might have sweeted things. Editor Sreekar Prasad well, can’t blame too much on him as he did his best.
Overall, Mani Ratnam ‘Villain' is disappointing in its presentation. Tell me when was the last time you watched a movie precisely for a hero? Bemused? If there’s anything left to take from the movie ‘Villain’, it has to be Vikram’s performance. Barring that, I’d say Mani Ratnam’s ‘Villain' has gone for a toss.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Find My iPhone App Helps You Track Down Lost Phones
mashable.com:
Apple has just released a new Find My iPhone app to help MobileMe subscribers find their missing iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Find my iPhone is essentially just an application version of the Find My iPhone web interface.
Read the whole story: mashable.com
mashable.com:
Apple has just released a new Find My iPhone app to help MobileMe subscribers find their missing iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Find my iPhone is essentially just an application version of the Find My iPhone web interface.
Read the whole story: mashable.com
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
World Cup 2010: Brazil is too much for North Korea in 2-1 win
To appease the world's most demanding soccer fans, Brazil had to do more than simply beat North Korea in its World Cup opener on Tuesday. The Selecao had to win with flair, as Brazilians have come to expect from their handsomely decorated national team.
Video: Raw Video: Fans in Rio Celebrate Brazil Win
North Korea goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk bends over backward but can’t keep Elano’s shot from finding the back of the net in the 72d minute for Brazil. (Kin Cheung/Associated Press)
To appease the world's most demanding soccer fans, Brazil had to do more than simply beat North Korea in its World Cup opener on Tuesday. The Selecao had to win with flair, as Brazilians have come to expect from their handsomely decorated national team.
Video: Raw Video: Fans in Rio Celebrate Brazil Win
North Korea goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk bends over backward but can’t keep Elano’s shot from finding the back of the net in the 72d minute for Brazil. (Kin Cheung/Associated Press)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
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