Raavanan

Some performances individually were excellent, but Mani Ratnam isnt shouting through the scenes like he does in his other movies.  I felt the same in Aayudha Ezhutthu.  However, I will stop wandering around.

Cinematography by Manikandan and Sathosh Sivan is world-class.  There are no unnecessary slow-motion scenes and I think every scene individually is a treat to the eyes.  Overall outcome of the songs are not something music-fanatics would love but Mani Ratnam seems to have adopted a particular approach from which he does not want to deviate.  I would like to go overboard and speculate that may be he is trying to eliminate the songs from Indian Cinema as unhindering as it could be for the commerciality.

That brings me to speak about the music.  Allah Rakha Rahman has once again proved he gives nothing but his very best for the person who introduced him to this world.  It is Rahman's music that filled the gaps whenever the story line was cracking and gave the extra lift which makes the movie an enjoyable experience.  As usual A. R. Rahman gave his share of surprises in the movie with some unreleased songs.

Aishwarya Rai has travelled a lot in the Cinema industry after iruvar and I think Mani Ratnam put her to the test in this movie which she passed in flying colours.  Not only was her presence satisfying but her life as Raaghini is so ... ... new.  It is not traditional and with a hint of assumption of the implicit the character could become controversial.  Vikram can place this along with his best performances.  The places where Veera expresses his love for Raaghini are poetic.  The terrorism side of the movie is not worth mentioning as I think its only a backdrop for this triangular love story.



Though it seems like coherence is missing, I think this way of making a film has its quality of impact.  Our dissatisfaction towards this virtually entertaining direction could only mean that we are reluctant to let go of a Mani Ratnam who made great movies in the 90s.  This is definitely not one of Mani Ratnam's best screen-plays or one of his movies from which the dialogues seep through the society and blend with its people.  Some examples are "தொட்டாலே கம்பளிப்பூச்சி ஊருற மாதிரி இருக்கு" from Mouna Raagam or the simple "ஹே புருஷா-ஹாய் பொண்டாட்டி" from Alaippaayudhae.  But though it is not a great Mani Ratnam movie, it is a Mani Ratnam movie nonetheless.  That is to say, dont miss it.

500 days of summer

If you love romantic movies you should watch this one.  If you despise romance in movies, the comedy might keep you engaged.  I loved both parts of the movie.  Especially the comedy in romance.

Zooey was angelic as usual and that increased the magnitude of the messages in the scenes.  I couldnt help but fit myself in certain scenes (not because of the girl, but because of the coincidences).  I am sure there is such a scene for all of us.  All in all, I laughed about my past failures and the movie's closing just pumped me enough to think about writing a thamizh poem on love.

Let alone a group, it is amazing how many a times a person goes through the circle of love but still never gets to change their course of action.  It is something like the time travel shown in various movies, but the person who travels only travels in order to set the future or rather the past if you will.  There have been people who come out of the circle, only to refrain themselves from getting into anything else.  And there is the other kind which stays in the circle with one person but stops moving.  The movie itself however was very lifting for me.  

Of course, I am referring to the majorities in the above paragraph.  We believe (please note, believe) in "the one".  It is this belief that makes the circle possible.  It is also the belief that makes love possible.

There is no hidden meaning in scenes.  Everything is presented to you as it happens (not in chronological sequence) and you are to make meaning out of it.  And I think the screenplay was just beautiful.  It was very different from other "Boy meets girl.  They fall in love." stories.  Hope you get to see it.

Up in the air

"Up in the air" is a movie that is worth watching when you have time in your hands and a mind to appreciate human behavior even if that behavior is outside of your thought realms.  I think irrespective of your stand on selfishness, it will leave you with a sense of contentment.  The perspective the movie takes, in a time period of economic crisis and unemployment, is profound.


I was able to totally relate to the lead character.  May be I will look back at this article after few years and wonder what made me think family is a burden.  May be not.  It is a perspective, family can weigh you down.  But it can also lift you up when you need a shoulder to lean on.  The perks of travel were so beautifully portrayed in the movie.  Of course, they did not show the sufferings of air travel, but any style of living has its merits and demerits.


The subject matter was simple, purposefully constantly moving.  The part where the lead character talks about the institution of marriage to his future brother-in-law is very interesting, given the fact he himself aint married.


This is one of the movies where I felt like I belonged.