Guzaarish - Nov 27

  It was one of our 'Letz go for whatever movie ticket is available' outings - the kind of outings that got us watching 'Anwar' , 'Endhiran' and even 'Laagi Chunari mein Daag'.

Well,this time we landed for Guzaarish 15 mins or so late.Sanjay Leela Bhansali's movies are good frame to frame for sure but may not be  worthwhile as a whole - that is the premise with which I watched the movie.Actually, it is unfair to watch a movie with a premise.Movies should be watched blank headed.

       So, true to my expectations, I enjoyed the grandeur and richness that each scene presented.Before I realised it, the soul of the movie started communicating it's way through.The difficult subject of 'Euthanasia' was being masterfully dealt with.Uncomfortable questions were being raised and answered.Hrithik Roshan has been an amazing screen presence.While there are scenes where he gets to flaunt his handsome physique and grace , for most of the movie , he just sits or lies down and still makes a great impact.

    Some of the magic scenes were amazing and easily captivating.Sure-shot scenes. The openness in the relationships in the movie is beautifully portrayed  - Some of the conversations are surprisingly open but still not vulgar.

   The art direction of the movie is out of the world.Amazing sets - amazing Grandeur!

Bhansali has done the music direction as well and has done a great job of it.You are not able to relate the music to any of the styles that you usually hear and then you remember that this one is by Bhansali himself.

      As the movie tightens it's grips on the viewer towards the end of the movie getting deeper into the subject of Euthanasia, I could feel tears welling up and could see the same happening around as well.This brought up a question in my mind - 'What is the real role of a movie? Film maker tries to communicate something through his movie.As an audience, I 'listen' to him and then I forget most of the time.Is that worth it? Should I not be open enough to let it change something in me? Should I not let it influence me?' Nowadays , the trend is just to evaluate a movie - may be against the ticket cost? Is it worth the money I paid for? Would I be giving it a fair deal by recommending/not recommending this movie to my friends? I suspect that these are the kind of questions that majority of us are absorbed by.

      There is an insensitivity otherwise.To make a personal confession, movie is an arena for me  to let my heart out without any calculation whatsoever. I feel sorry , feel angry - let my movie response emotions run free.Because it is not going to last.It is a 'joy ride'. In real life, if I see a sorry situation , I don't respond ( My emotions are shielded by an indifference) . I have my EMIs to pay - So I can't afford to see a greater misery somewhere else.

       Whether it is music/movies/books - it is not just the appreciation of art that matters.What really matters is what the art itself communicates and whether you let it in really?You don't have to agree to the art but you have to let it in and let it be - that is when you really experience the art.

Movies I want to own

If you can point me to any of these, it would be a great help :)

Werner Herzog :

Tarkovsky:

Adoor :

Mukhamukham
Anantaram
Mathilukal
Vidheyan
Kathapurushan
Nizhalkkuthu
Oru Pennum Randaanum 

Aravindan :

Uttarayanam
Kanchana Seeta
Kummatty
Estheppan
Chidambaram
Oridathu
Marattam
Unni
Vasthuhara 

Bharathan :

Filmography

Sl. No.	Film	Writer	Music	Cast	Year
1	Prayanam	P. Padmarajan	M. B. Sreenivasan	Mohan, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Master Raghu, Lekshmi, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Nanditha Bose	1975
2	Guruvayur Kesavan	Puthur Unnikrishnan	G. Devarajan	Soman, Adoor Bhasi, Sankaradi,Bahadoor, Jayabharathy, Meena	1977
3	Aniyara	Uroob	G Devarajan	Soman, Bahadoor, Sankaradi, Urmila, Kaviyoor Ponnamma	1977
4	Rathinirvedam	P. Padmarajan	G. Devarajan	Jayabharathi, Krishnachandran	1978
5	Thakara	P. Padmarajan	M. G. Radhakrishnan	Nedumudi Venu, Surekha, Prathap Pothan	1979
6	Lorry	P. Padmarajan	M. S. Viswanathan	Achankunju, Balan K. Nair, Nithya, Pratap Pothan	1980
7	Aaravam	Bharathan	M.G.Radhakrishnan	Prathap Pothan, Bahadoor, Venu Nagavally, K P A C Lalitha, Prameela	1980
8	Chamaram	John Paul	M. G. Radhakrishnan	Pratap Pothan, Zarina Wahab	1980
9	Chatta	P. R. Nathan	Johnson	Nedumudi Venu, Achankunju, Balan K Nair, Subha	1981
10	Parvathi	Adaptation of the novelAdiyaravu byKakkanadan	Johnson	Prem Nazeer, Rajkumar, Latha, K P A C Lalitha , Prameela	1981
11	Nidhra	Bharathan	G. Devarajan	Vijay Menon, Abraham P. K., Lalu Alex, K P A C Lalitha , Shanthi Krishna	1981
12	Parankimala	Adaptation of a novel by Kaakkanaadan	G. Devarajan	Nedumudi Venu, Benny, Achankunju,Rani Padmini, Soorya	1981
13	Marmaram	John Paul	M. S. Vishwanathan	Nedumudi Venu, Jalaja, Bharath Gopi	1982
14	Ormakkai	John Paul	Johnson	Madhavi, Bharath Gopi	1982
15	Palangal	John Paul	Johnson	Nedumudi Venu, Zarina Wahab, Bharath Gopi, KPAC Lalitha, Adoor Bhavani, Bahadur, Shankar	1982
16	Kattathe Kilikoodu	T.Damodaran	Johnson	Gopi, Srividya, Mohanlal, Revathi	1983
17	Eenam	P. Padmarajan	Bharathan	Bharath Gopi, Venu Nagavally, Unni Mary, Santhikrishna	1983
18	Sandhya Mayangum Neram	Bharathan	Shyam	Bharath Gopi, Jayabharathy, Unni Mary	1983
19	Ithiripoove Chuvannapoove	Adaptation of a drama byThikkodiyan; screenplay:John Paul; dialogues:T. Damodaran	Ravindran	Mammootty, Suresh, Rahman,Shobhana, Madhu, K. R. Vijaya	1984
20	Ente Upasana	Based on a novel by Mallika Younis	Johnson	Mammootty, Suhasini, Cochin Hanifa,Unnimary	1984
21	Kathodu Kathoram	John Paul	Bharathan,Ouseppachan	Mammootty, Saritha, Janardhanan, Nedumudi Venu, Innocent	1985
22	Ozhivukalam	P. Padmarajan	Johnson	Prem Nazir, Karamana Janardanan Nair	1985
23	Chilampu	Based on a Novel by N.T Balachandran	Ouseppachan, Bharathan (lyrics)	Rahman, Shobhana, Thilakan, Babu Antony, Innocent	1986
24	Pranamam	Dennis Joseph	Ouseppachan	Mammooty, Ashokan, Suhasini,Vineeth	1986
25	Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam	John Paul	Johnson;Lyrics: O. N. V. Kurup	Nedumudi Venu, Sharada,Parvathi,Devan,M. S. Thripoonithara, Innocent,Shankaraadi	1987
26	Neelakurinji Poothapol	John Paul	Jerry Amaldev	Karthika, Girish Karnad	1987
27	Vaishali	M. T. Vasudevan Nair	Bombay Ravi, O. N. V. Kurup (lyrics)	Suvarna debut , Sanjay debut , Babu Antony, Geetha , Sreeraman,Parvati, Nedumudi Venu Camera Madhu Ambatt	1988
28	Oru sayahnathinte swapnam	John Paul	Ouseppachan	Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair, Mukesh, Madhu, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Suhasini	1989
29	Thazhvaram	M. T. Vasudevan Nair	Bharathan	Mohanlal, Sumalatha, Salim Ghouse,Shankaradi, Anju Camera Venu	1990
30	Amaram	A. K. Lohithadas	Ravindran	Mammootty, Maathu, Ashokan, Murali, KPAC Lalitha,Chitra Camera Madhu Ambatt	1991
31	Keli	John Paul	Bharathan	Jayaram, Innocent, Nedumudi Venu,Murali, Charmila Charmila	1991
32	Thevar MaganTamil	Kamal Hassan	Ilaiyaraaja	Sivaji Ganeshan, Kamal Hasaan, Revathi, Gauthami,Nazar	1992
33	AvarampooTamil (Remake of Thakara)	Story by Padmarajan.P	Ilaiyaraaja	Vineeth,Nazar	1992
34	Malootty	John Paul	Johnson	Baby Shyamili,Urvashi, Jayaram	1992
35	Venkalam	A. K. Lohithadas	Ravindran	KPAC Lalitha, Murali, Manoj K. Jayan, Urvashi,Soniya Innocent camera	1993
36	Chamayam	John Paul	Johnson	Murali, Manoj K. Jayan,Sitara,Ranjitha,Saikumar	1993
37	Padheyam	A. K. Lohithadas	Bombay Ravi	Mammootty as Chandradas, Chippi debut, Lalu Alex,Oduvil	1993
38	Devaraagam	Money Shornur	M. M. Keeravani	Aravind Swamy, Sreedevi,Chippi,Rawali,Kaveri,Priyanka	1996
39	Manjiradhwani		Ilaiyaraaja	Vineeth, Sakshi Sivanand	1996
40	Churam	Shibu Chakravarthy	Johnson	Manoj K. Jayan, Divya Unni

KuttiSranku - 24 July 2010

 It was a good movie.It was almost a masala-award movie.It had quite a few of the ingredients that makes you feel you have seen some content.It has some ethnic drama scenes , chavittu natakam , beautiful  melodious novel/periodic music.The main character moves from one area to another area conveniently presenting the film-maker the chance to present various sceneries/life styles/dialects etc.

    Mammooty was present in the movie all along beefing up the scenes with his glamor presence.Movie was a good one.There were striking beautiful sceneries from Kerala nature.Screen cuts were amazing snapshots worthy of an exhibition in itself and this was not the stylish scenery that 'Raavana' presented but more of nature where the stress is on the scenery and not on the filming equipment.

      Music is a high point in the movie.Melodious with beautiful rustic touch.Actors have also done a good job.Costumes/makeup have a drama touch to it.

     A good watch. As good as some of the other award movies like 'Oru pennum randaanum' , 'naalu pennungal' etc but cannot compare with 'Elippaththaayam' , 'Thambu' etc.

      Mind is on art as well as on the market here - no complaints.Hence the viewing is pleasant and not dry reality that totally art-centric award movies present.But at the end of the movie, you are not left with much.You just watched a movie you liked.

Inception - 2010

It was a much hyped movie.Heavily rated by Sumesh who is a key member in our movie lovers group in MA.Sumesh has a liking for complex stories.

   Inception was also complex.It is like a dream within a dream within a dream.A good percentage of the scenes were striking.One scene where the protagonist realises that the world she is in is a dream and then the entire environment explodes off.

   The plot is about planting an idea inside the mind of a rival business tycoon that would cause the business empire's breakdown.The movie offers some interesting insights into the human psyche.

     The first half was great.That was when the promises were made of a wonderful movie.The buildup was great.The second half did fulfill the promise in terms of content but there was something missing.It was just making things complex unnecessarily. 

    Cinematography and special effects were excellent.It can be watched more than once.

Nombaraththippoovu

Yesterday was a lucky day for me.As I had an afternoon nap,did not feel sleepy till late in the night.At 130 in the night,Asianet channel presented "Nombaraththippoovu" - movie by Padmarajan.

    Movie is about the meeting between Madhavi(a mother who lost her two daaughters in a bike accident) and a girl-Jiji(who lost her mother in a bus accident) and the daughter-mother relationship that develops between them.This Padmarajan movie again fitted well into the Kerala society and the portrayal was very believable - It rung true.

    Madhavi is living away from her husband(Lalu Alex) as he was riding the bike that caused the accident.Jiji stays with Madhavi and Jiji asks to go to the old house.Lalu Alex who has been waiting for Madhavi to come back to his house is ready to accept Jiji as well.But his acceptance is just a compromise so that he can have Madhavi back and bear more children and continue on.

    The film also brought the case of Mammooty(Doctor) whose wife(doctor) suggests to send their first child(retarded) to a mental asylum so that the second child(norma) is able to live properly.This causes a separation and they stay apart.Mammooty with the retarded son and wife with the normal daughter.Uneasy calls in life.

    Then there is the thread of Shari and Murali,a husband-wife pair who are in love but the husband is an alcoholic and hence Shari stays away.But Shari still loves him and elopes with him in the night.

     Jiji keeps becoming aware of her being misfit in the scheme of things and finally runs off into the wilderness.

   Movie dealt with themes that are rarely dealt with.The sequence where the girl ostensibly playing Hide-n-Seek runs off from their life is a striking one.While I may not have been moved completely in my watching yesterday,I am sure this would have brought lot of mothers to uncontrollable tears in the theatre.

   

Season

Recently saw "Season" by P Padmarajan.

This movie has a very engaging plot but at the same time Pappettan has blended in various emotions into the movie fabric making it richer and much more fulsome.Just the plot can give the CBI movies a run for the money.

Set in the background of drug trading in Kovalam beach , the protagonist(Lal) helps two unemployeds with a shady deal with a foreigner.The lure for money gets the mean foreigner to kill both of them.Lal is arrested.The plot that Lal weaves is not an immature emotional one / a shallow revenge thirst.For Lal , the primary interest is rightly directed to the families of the lost accomplices.Lal, who was arrested for the two murders promises to help the foreigner escape(He has landed in the same jail) in return for money.This money is later used to help the families.

There is lot of meat in the movie for the viewer.This is a clear case where screenplay plays much much more of a role than direction.

3 Idiots

Quite a few good reviews had been heard about the movie before I watched this and hence I was slightly disappointed.This is a pretty simple straight forward movie mostly.Of course , the script has many interesting incidents.

But what was striking and a let-down was how a pregnancy is done using a vacuum cleaner powered with Car batteries.This ended with the baby not crying immediately on birth and kicking it's leg once people say "All is well".This piece was definitely very very hard to digest.

However , the message of the movie does hold water and is very much in line with what most would like to hear.The statement reads "Pursue excellence,not success and success would follow through".That is a bold statement where success and the pursuit of it is such a huge market

It had felt very right yesterday when I had watched and still feels good today as I write about it.It gives me some input in my professional front too where I have been thinking about closing all my technical pitfalls.However,I have to agree that this is more so that my career would stand up straight , so that I would know as much as a competitor would and not driven by a genuine curiosity for the subject.I can easily see that genuine curiosity would not only be much more effective but also feels so much more right and takes out so much of pressure and bother from you.

Another consideration is the pursuit of photography/movies.While I am not very sure about my skill with movies, I am good at photography.And I can do movies as well.And I can do some good programming as well.Well ,most of us are like that.It is not like if you are a programmer , you don't know anything else.And it is not like if you are a banker , you can't be good at anything else.

It is hardly intense enough for Aamir to reappear.Does not compare with Ghajini in terms of the impact.But yes , it is fresh , it is simple.I don't see this as being a huge commercial success.It is a very friendly movie.It will touch many hearts , inspire many young minds and is good in intent but could have taken a little more thought in execution.