Flashback 2009 - Malayalam Films

A review on malayalam films released in 2009 -


Different from the previous years, 2009 was unique since a wide variety of films got released. There were un usual experiments happening in this medium. Some of them were hits, some were not accepted. Films like 'Kerala Cafe', 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Paathirakolapathakathinte Katha', 'Kerala Varma Pazhassiraja', 'Bhramaram' etc which has got versatility in its scripting and presentation side, happened this year. 'Bhoomi Malayalam' is on the top position from the parallel films group having 'Oru Pennum Rendaanum', 'Raamaanam', 'Vilapangalkkappuram' and 'Pathaam Nilayile Theevandi'. After being rested for a gap of 4-5years, films like 'Nammal Thammil', 'Aayirathil Oruvan', 'Winter' and 'Seetha Kalyanam' were released and all of them were not accepted. Thus the year 2009 was a mix of commercial entertainers and parallel films, hits and flops, family oriented and action subjects etc.



The year saw many new faces entering the industry like Sasikumar ('Loud Speaker'), Nishal, Asif Ali & Rima Kallingal ('Rithu'), Kailash & Archana Kavi ('Neelathaamara') and Mythili and a group of debutant actors from 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Paathira Kolapathakathinte Katha' also. Though Suraaj Venjarammood (Duplicate) and Ramesh Pisharady (Kappalu Muthalaali) did hero oriented roles, they didn't get big success. MT's script 'Neelathaamara' has been remade by Lal Jose with many new faces, but it was not a big success. The year saw the rise of many new directors also, among them actors like Shankar, Mahesh & Baburaj were there. It is sad to see that top films of the year like 'Kerala Cafe' and 'Palerimanikyam...' are not big successes commercially. One of the worst films in the malayalam film history, 'Bhagavan', also happened this year, that too under the label of our favourite super star.


Like previous years, the focus was mainly on Mammootty & Mohanlal films. Mammootty did a variety of roles in films like 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Paathirakolapathakathinte Katha', 'Kerala Varma Pazhassiraja' & 'Loud Speaker'. Mohanlal's excellent performance came through 'Bhramaram'. Dileep had many flops, can share the credit of 'Passenger'. Suresh Gopi does not have a single hit. Jayaram must be happy with 'Bhagyadevatha' and also 'My Big Father' (to a certain extend). Prithviraj's star value increased through 'Puthiya Mukham' and 'Robinhood'. Jayasurya's popularity is more as he is doing hero oriented roles and supporting characters at the same time.



Lohithadas, Murali, Rajan P Dev, singer Sainoj, Adoor Bhavani were all loses of 2009.











It is difficult to spot out the best one from the group; so it is better to give the top positions from the list...


Best Films -

'Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha'
'Kerala Cafe'
'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
'Bhramaram'
'Loud Speaker'
'Bhoomi Malayalam'









Best Entertainers -

'Robinhood'
'Bhagyadevatha'
'Passenger'
'To Harihar Nagar'
'Chattambinaadu'








Best Directors -

Hariharan - 'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
Ranjith - 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha'
Anwar Rashid - 'Bridge' from 'Kerala Cafe'
Blessy - 'Bhramaram'
TV Chandran - 'Bhoomi Malayalam'
Jayaraj - 'Loud Speaker'









Promising Debutant Directors -

Ranjith Shankar ('Passenger')
Saji Surendran ('Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')
Shankar Ramakrishnan ('Island Express' from 'Kerala Cafe')
Mahesh P Sreenivasan ('My Big Father')
Baburaj ('Black Dhalia')








Best Actors -

Mammootty - 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha', 'Loud Speaker', 'Puram Kazhchakal' from 'Kerala Cafe'
Mohanlal - 'Bhramaram'
Jagathi - 'Raamaanam', 'Happy Journey' from 'Kerala Cafe'
Sasikumar - 'Loud Speaker'
Innocent - 'Patham Nilayile Theevandi'

Santha Devi - 'Bridge' from 'Kerala Cafe'
Archana Kavi - 'Neelathaamara'
Rima Kallingal - 'Rithu'








Special Mention -

Sharath Kumar - ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Jayasurya - ('Gulumaal', 'Ivar Vivahitharaayaal', 'Vairam')
Prithviraj - ('Puthiya Mukham')
Suresh Menon - ('Bhramaram')
Kailash - ('Neelathaamara')
Baby Niveditha - ('Moz and Cat', 'Kaana Kanmani')
Padmapriya - ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja', 'Bhoomi Malayalam', 'Kaana Kanmani')

Lal Jose - (director of 'Neelathaamara')
Lal - (script writer / director of 'To Harihar Nagar')


Best Comedian -

Suraaj Venjarammood (different films)






Best Script -

Ranjith / TP Rajeevan ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha')
TV Chandran ('Bhoomi Malayalam')
Unni R ('Bridge' from 'Kerala Cafe')
MT Vasudevan Nair ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja', 'Neelathaamara')
Ranjith Shankar ('Passenger')











Best Cinematography -

Ramnath Shetty / Venu / Manoj Pillai ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Ajayan Vincent ('Bhramaram')
Suresh Rajan ('Bridge' from 'Kerala Cafe')
Manoj Pillai ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha')
Amal Neerad ('Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded')


Best Editing -

Sreekar Prasad ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Venugopal ('Bhoomi Malayalam')
Samjith ('Red Chillies', 'Puthiya Mukham')
Vivek Harshan ('Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded')
Don Max ('Black Dhalia')


Best Sound Designing -

Rasool Pookkutty ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')


Best Art Direction -

Muthuraj ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')


Best Film Posters / Publicity Stills -

'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
'Ivar Vivahitharaayaal'
'Rithu'


Technically Sound Films -

'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
'Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded'
'Red Chillies'


Super Hit / Hit Films -

'Keralavarma Pazhassiraja'
'To Harihar Nagar'
'Bhagyadevatha'
'Puthiya Mugham'

'Robinhood'
'Passenger'
'Bhramaram'
'Ivar Vivahitharaayaal'
'Makante Achan'
'My Big Father'
'Gulumaal'
'Loud Speaker'
'Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha'



Big Flops / Flops -

'Bhagavan'
'Angel John'
'Moz and Cat'
'Hailesa'
'Colors'
'Seetha Kalyanam'
'Black Dhalia'
'Kancheepurathe Kalyanam'
'Vellathooval'
'Rahasya Police'
'Kaana Kanmani'
'Winter'
'Nammal Thammil'
'Aayirathil Oruvan'
'Keralolsavam 2009'
'Meghatheertham'
'Chemistry'
'Shudharil Shudhan'
'Decent Parties'
'Kadha Samvithanam Kunjakko'
'Dr.Patient'
'Sulthan'
'Currency'
'Malayali'
'Bharya Swantham Suhruthu'
'Banaras'
'Love In Singapore'
'Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu'
'IG'
'Kappalu Muthalaali'
'Vairam'
'Calendar'
'Swa. Le.'
'Uthara Swayamvaram'
'Samastha Keralam PO'
'Red Chillies'
'Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded'
'Rithu'
'Daddy Cool' etc etc...


The future of last releases of 2009, 'Ividam Swargamaanu' & 'Chattambinaadu' can be judged only after two weeks. Some films like 'Neelathaamara', 'Kerala Cafe', 'Duplicate', 'Ee Pattanathil Bhootham', 'Oru Black and White Kudumbam' etc has not been included in either of the groups...

Flashback 2009 - Malayalam Songs

A review on songs from the films released in 2009 -

We are lucky to hear some good songs this year also. Different from the previous years, there were some remake and remix songs also happened in 2009. It include hits like 'Alliyaambal...' and 'Poomukha Vathilkkal...'. Music director Alex Paul remixed fast hits like 'Ekantha Chandrike...' and 'Unnam Maranna...' and made it vulgar.









Best Songs -

Anuraaga Vilochananaai ('Neelathaamara')
Kunnathe Konnaykkum ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Pichavacha Naal ('Puthiya Mukam')
Priyanu Mathram ('Robinhood')
Chandhu Thottille ('Banaras')
Koovaram Kili ('Banaras')
Annarakkanna Vaa ('Bhramaram')
Enikku Padanoru ('Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')
Aadiyusha Sandhya ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Swapnangal Kannezhuthiya ('Bhagyadevatha')
Junile Nilamazhayil ('Nammal Thammil')
Cheruthinkal Thoni ('Swa. Le')
Chirakaarnna Mounam ('Calendar')
Alliyambal (remade for 'Loud Speaker')
Poomukha Vaathilkkal (remade for ''Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')









Best Singers -

Jayachandran - Kattarinu, Kadhayamama ('Loud Speaker', 'Kerala Cafe')
Shankar Mahadevan - Pichavacha, Naattu Pattu ('Puthiya Mukam', 'Vairam')
Sainoj - Enikku Padanoru ('Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')
V Sreekumar - Anuraaga Vilochananaai ('Neelathaamara')
Biji Bal - Paalerum Naadaya ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha')


Chitra - Kunnathe, Swapnangal ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja', 'Bhagyadevatha')
Shreya Ghoshal - Chaandhu Thottille, Anuraagavilochana ('Banaras', 'Neelathaamara')
Swetha - Koovaramkili, Priyanu Mathram ('Banaras', 'Robinhood')
Sujatha - Doore Doore, Kuzhaloothum ('Seetha Kalyanam', 'Bhramaram')









Best Music Directors -

Ilayaraja ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja', 'Bhagyadevatha')
M Jayachandran ('Banaras', 'Robinhood', 'Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu', 'Nammal Thammil')
Vidyasagar ('Neelathaamara')
Biji Bal ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha', 'Loud Speaker', 'Swa. Le.')
Mohan Sithara ('Bhramaram')
Deepak Dev ('Puthiya Mukham')










Best Lyrics -

ONV - Kunnathe, Aadiyushasandhya ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Anil Panachooraan - Annarakkanna, Chruthinkal ('Bhramaram', 'Swa. Le')
Kaithapram- Pichavacha, Priyanu Mathram ('Puthiya Mukham', 'Robinhood')
Vayalar Sharath - Anuraagavilochana, Swapnangal ('Neelathaamara', 'Bhagyadevatha')
Gireesh Puthenchery - Chaandhu Thottille, Iniyum ('Banaras', 'Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu')







Best Background Score -

Ilayaraja ('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')
Biji Bal ('Paleri Manikyam Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha', 'Passenger', 'Daddy Cool')
Gopi Sundar ('Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded', 'Ividam Swargamaanu')
Mohan Sithara ('Bhramaram')







Best Song Visuals -

Pichavacha Naal...('Puthiya Mukham')
Priyanu Maathram...('Robinhood')
Enikku Paadanoru...('Ivar Vivahitharaayaal')
Anuraaga Vilochananaai...('Neelathaamara')
Allippoove...('Bhagyadevatha')
Aadhiyusha Sandhya...('Keralavarma Pazhassiraja')

Flash Back 2009 - Other Languages

Notable films from other languages that got released in 2009 -


Best Tamil films in 2009 -

Nadodikal
Pasanga
Abhiyum Naanum
Kancheevaram
Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu
Yaavarum Nalam
Eeram
Unnaippol Oruvan
Kandein Kathale
Ayan


Best / Hit Tamil Songs in 2009 -

Padapadavena...(Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu)
Nenje Nenje...(Ayan)
Vaarayo Vaaraayo...(Aadhavan)
Lesa Parakkuthu Manassu...(Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu)
Vizhi Moodi...(Ayan)
Oru Vetkam Varuthe...(Pasanga)
Paathi Kaathal Pathi Mutham...(Modhi Vilayadu)
Etho Seikiray... (Vaamanan)
Daddy Mummy...(Villu)
Oyayiye...(Ayan)
Karigaalan... (Vettaikkaran)
Excuse Me...(Kanthasamy)
Rangi Rangamaa...(Padikkathavan)
Odo Ododi...(Kandein Kathale)
Nee Kopappettal...(Villu)



Best Hindi Films in 2009 -

3 Idiots
Paa
Delhi 6
Wake Up Sid
Rocket Singh : Best Salesman of the Year
Luck By Chance
Kaminey
Kurbaan
Whats Your Rashee
Wanted


Best / Hit Hindi Songs in 2009 -

Mazakkali... (Delhi 6)
Chor Bazari... (Love Aaj Kal)
Shukran Alla... (Kurbaan)
Udi Udi... (Paa)
Jao Na... (Whats Your Rashee)
Tu Hi Haqeeqat... (Tum Mile)
Main Tera Dhadkan Teri... (Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani)
Aasma Odhkar... (13B)
Kyun Phoolon Ke... (Kambaqt Isq)
Pyari Pyari... (Whats Your Rashee)
Dhan Te Nan... (Kaminey)
Bebo Main Bebo... (Kambaqt Isq)
Genie Rep... (Aladin)
Aa Jao Meri Tamanna... (Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani)
Pyar Ki Dastaan... (Luck By Chance)
Chiggy Wiggy... (Blue)
Sau Janam... (Whats Your Rashee)
Twist We Twist... (Love Aaj Kal)
Duniya Firangi... (Dil Bole Hadippa)
Marjaani... (Billu)



Best English Films in 2009 -

Avatar (3D)
Slumdog Millionaire
Taking Of Pelham 123
2012
Angels and Demons
Fast and Furious 4
This Is It
G.I.Joe: the Rise of Cobra
X Men Origins: Wolverine
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

3 Idiots

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Amir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Bomman Irani, Kareena Kapoor
Director : Rajkumar Hirani
Music : Shanthanu Moitra


The most distinguished bollywood actor in the last 10years, in terms of selecting variety themes for his projects and also creating success from it is none other than Amir Khan. Nobody will argue in this matter. It is relevant when we take the examples of projects like 'Sarfarosh', '1947 - Earth', 'Lagaan', 'Dil Chahtha Hai', 'Mangal Pandey', 'Rang De Basanthi', 'Fanaa', 'Tare Zameen Par'(director also) and 'Ghajini'. Now Amir Khan's new project has got a different title, '3 Idiots'.

'3 Idiots' has also got successful names to project on the technical side. The team who had given films like 'Munna Bhai MBBS' & 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', Rajkumar Hirani (director) and Vidhu Vinod Chopra (producer) join once again for this film. Abhijit Joshi who was there in the last movie is the co-script writer along with the director. '3 Idiots', distributed by Big Pictures, is adapted from a novel named 'Five Point Someone' by Chetan Bhagat.

The film tells the story of three friends, Racho (Amir Khan), Farhan (Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi) who were room mates while studying in ICE Institution, Delhi. All of them were fed up by the vigorous training there and the extra pressure and stress given by the Principal (Bomman Irani). Racho doesn't like the spoon feeding type of coaching and the style of by-hearting prevailed there. He always supported the practical knowledge and was against giving extra pressure on the students. His theory is that a student should be given the right to select his future.

Raju, who belongs to a poor family reached there to study and to get a job, so that he can fulfill his family's interests and Farhan joined the college as per his father's wish as he was not allowed to choose his ambitious way. As a companion, Racho has inspired others to choose their own way. In between he was also black marked by the principal for questioning his style and extra disciplinary methods. He meets the latter's daughter (Kareena Kapoor) in a wedding ceremony and she was soon impressed by his behavior. What happens to their college life, their friendship, their ambitions, their love, their career etc are shown in the later portions of '3 Idiots'.

The film gives a message by questioning the educational system exists in our country. The central character done by Amir Khan gives inspiration for those who are interested in practical knowledge and thus to achieve greater heights. The friendship between those three are portrayed well. The romance episode given here also felt realistic. The so called brilliant student named 'Silencer', who doesn't even know how to speak the national language is a real example we can witness in our school/college days. The humor is neatly handled by the director here. The black and white shade given for the Raju's family scenes is the best example.

All the actors have done exceptionally well, especially Amir Khan who did the central character is very athletic and lovable. His body language suits well for an engineering student. Cinematography by CK Muraleedharan, songs and bg score by Shanthanu Moitra etc also goes with the mood.

The Head of the Institution role handled by Bomman Irani had got the shades of his role from the movie 'Munna Bhai MBBS'. The scene where the pregnancy handled by the doctor through web cam felt cinematic, but it is also acceptable as we are living in the modern technical era and no body can guarantee that a movie should be 100% realistic. The coincidence thing happened in the climax area and hospital scenes are other examples.


'3 Idiots' is an entertainer made humorously in the backdrop of an educational institution and at the same time it gives a message for all ambitious people...


Rating : 9 / 10 (revised)

Ividam Swargamaanu

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Mohanlal, Shankar, Srenivasan, Thilakan, Lalu Alex, Lakshmi Rai, Priyanka, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy
Director : Roshan Andrews
Music : Gopi Sundar

May be the young director Roshan Andrews has done two films only ('Udayanaanu Thaaram' & 'Notebook') in the last four years, it is a fact that he has proved his caliber through those two projects which were big hits. Now his new project named 'Ividam Swargamaanu' has got Mohanlal once again in the lead role. The film is produced by the actor himself under the banner of Ashirwad Cinemas. This is a family subject in which the lead actor comes in the role of a farmer and has also has got the senior actor Thilakan coming as Mohanlal's father after a long gap. James Albert has written the script after giving youthful films like 'Classmates' and 'Cycle'.

The film opens when the reporter (Priyanka) of Asia Vision channel reaches The village for a program shoot. She happens to meet Mathews (Mohanlal), who is a notable farmer in the locality. His big farm has got large amount of cattles, paddy fields, vegetable plantations etc. A crooked rich man, Chandy (Lalu Alex) who lives in the village is also engaged in real estate business; he wants to buy the land owned by Mathews. Since the owner was not willing to sell the plot, Chandy uses his political and money powers to get his wish done. At one stage the local police and the different administrative departments acted against the hero. Chandy gave a wrong impression to the villagers, telling that the proposed land is the site for a new township. How the hero fought against the land mafia group without using his physical strength is shown in a realistic way in the second half.

The film with a duration of 2.45hrs is too lengthy. As a result the first half areas is lagging. The area where the farm house of the hero is shown in detail has got a documentary effect here and there. The family portions of the hero (Thilakan, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Sukumari) doesn't gave the true feel which was there in the films belonging to 80's and beginning 90's. Even after doing some films in malayalam, it looks like the kannada girl Lakshmi Rai now also struggles to speak the language. Shankar, who started his malayalam film career with Mohanlal, is coming here as the hero's friend, but he doesn't have much to do.

Gopi Sundar had given an excellent background score (the chorus opera piece for the father character that repeated twice should have been avoided). Diwakar's cinematography is also good. The performance of Lalu Alex and Jagathi were notable. Mohanlal has also done well.The second half areas where the revenge episode comes has been neatly handled by the director.

The story of the film is simple and good. The title of the film is also important as its theme; in that sense this title 'Ividam Swargamaanu' is not a catchy one. A stability in scripting in the first half by cut shorting the length, adding a couple of good songs and giving little more heroism to the central character should have been done here. But the film discusses certain situations that anybody should face in his real life.

Time has changed; these days the audience don't want to see realistic subjects. Even if a film like 'Varavelpu' is releasing now, it won't be a big hit as before. On the Christmas day of its release, 'Ividam Swargamaanu' ran with around 70% attendance in the capital city for the second show, the same situation happened a day before for another super star's release also...

'Ividam Swargamaanu' is a film with a realistic story, targeting family audiences. Though it lags in the beginning areas, it takes its usual pace later and is interesting towards the end.


Rating : 7.5 / 10 (revised)

Chattambi Naadu

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Mammootty, Sidhiq, Vinu Mohan, Salim Kumar, Suraj Venjarammood, Lakshmi Rai, Mydhili
Director : Shafi
Music : Alex Paul

After the hit film 'Thommanum Makkalum', Mammootty, Shafi (director) and Benny P Nayarambalam (script writer) once again teamed up for the new venture 'Chattambi Naadu'. This is yet another film in which the leading actor has done an anti hero character and the enemity between two groups in a village holds the main thread. Since the hero has enjoyed success from his previous films like 'Thommanum Makkalum', 'Thuruppugulan', 'Mayavi', 'Raja Manikyam', 'Annan Thambi' etc which were made in a humor oriented way, here also rendering style is same. As the majority of such films, here also Pollachi and its surrounding regions of Tamilnadu (which has now been over exposed through many projects) is the main location. As usual Salim Kumar and Suraj Venjarammood have been given the role to handle comedy situations. As a specilaity, the central character is casted as a person who doesn't speak malayalam fluently, rather he is using a mixed version of kannada and malayalam languages.

The story happens in a place called Chembattu Nadu, where a group of local rowdies lives. The hero (Mammootty) reaches there to buy a property. The villain (Sidhiq) opposed it and asked him to withdraw from the move. Later that became the reason for a straight fight between them. The villain played some fowl plays against the villagers and put the blame on the hero. Anyway hero was aware of such facts and how he manages to get out of the troubles and how the villagers supported him is shown in the later areas of 'Chattambi Naadu'. In the middle a love tracks of the hero's orderly (Vinu Mohan), the village girl (Lakshmi Rai) who is fond of the hero are also shown. The hero is having a past in which he was escaped from the village in his childhood days, after finding guilty in a murder case and now, after so many years the real truth is revealed, which is the climax of this film.

We have seen almost similar plot in many films. Like 'Raja Manikyam', the usage of a different slang by the hero is incorporated here expecting it to repeat the magic. Though it resembles the film 'Vidheyan', the fact is that it doesn't holds any specialty in this movie. The combination of the hero and the villain and the dialogues used there is a repetitive thing which has happened in many movies; some times it felt un natural also as it is clear that villain is not going to dominate the hero at any cause. Sidhiq's character resembles his role in films like 'Madambi', 'Naran', 'Prajapathi' etc. The flash back portions also had got a flavour of the sequences from 'Raja Manikyam'. Salim Kumar and Suraj Venjarammood created some laughs.

Alex Paul's background score is not appealing. The heroine's introduction song is also not the best. Sreeja's dubbed voice felt stylish for Lakshmi Rai. Fight master Anal Arasu had given some fast action scenes.

In the Yesudas style-costumes (white pants, white shirts, white shoes), Mammootty tried his best to fit in the role. But, we can't complain that the actor is doing hero oriented subjects, since he is coming after doing a wide variety of roles this year like 'Loud Speaker', 'Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja', 'Kerala Cafe' and 'Paleri Manikyam Oru Paathira Kolapathakathinte Kadha'.

'Chattambinadu' is not a fresh subject. It is made in a masala entertainer format which can be watched, if you have got lot of free time to spend...


Rating : 6.5 / 10 (revised)

Avatar (3D)

Medium : English
Starring : Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang
Director : James Cameroon
Music : James Horner

Our audience always welcomed many notable Hollywood-UK based English movies in the past and made it a big hit in our state. It is relevant in the case of films like 'James Bond' series, 'The Terminator' series, 'Rambo' series, 'The Lord of the Rings' series and 'Harry Potter' series and big projects like 'The Jurassic Park', 'True Lies', 'Titanic' etc. The latest one to join the group being '2012', which was released recently. The particular film that discussed the theme regarding the end of the world created a big hype among the viewers; the heavy crowd I saw in the theaters was a big surprise for me. You can't witness such an attendance that represented all sections of the society, for any of the regional films also. It materialize the fact that a movie doesn't need a particular language to communicate.

Now another English film, 'Avatar' has created great expectation, days before of its release. It is due to a couple of facts. The super creator who gave the memorable film, 'Titanic' is the director here and his dream project made in the mega budget is distributed by 20th Century Fox. It is considered as the costliest film ever made in the Hollywood history (they promotes the amount as Rs1200 crores, which will equalize the amount allocated for a nation wide plan announced by the Indian Govt in the last budget for providing good roads between un connected villages in the country!!!).

'Avatar' is also released in 3D format in selected theaters; three cities have been selected from the state and one being, my native, gave me the extra happiness.

The story of the film deals with a mission executed by the US Army to a planet named Pandora. The particular planet has got a forest that has got big trees and some unusual plants which are rich with minerals and medically valid things and the fearful animals belonging to these place had got very unusual shapes and gigantic appearances. The tribal group living there is different from humans in appearance; they are tall with a blue colored body and had got a tail also. The army wants to evacuate the place and so in order to study the nature and the surroundings, the scientists had done experiments in genetic engineering and created two-three bodies (they are called "Avatars") that almost looks like the tribals there. They were allowed to mingle with the tribals. The hero (Sam Worthington) who worked for the Army once, has become one such Avatar. He also becomes one among the tribals and also got into an affair there. After knowing the real value of the land and the people there, the hero and his group acts against the mission, highlighting the biological threats due to such an invading on the tribals. What happened to the species of Pandora and whether the army is successful in attacking them and how the native population guards their land is told in the later portions.

The unusual land of Pandora can be considered as "the extreme end of creativity". The colorful surroundings constituting the huge trees, plants, flowers, waterfalls etc has got the looks of a "dream world". The computer graphics and visual effects have been excellently done there. Even the laboratory atmosphere is created marvelously. It is not possible to differentiate the real and the animated models in the war sequences. The use of three dimensional technology (3D) had been exploited to the maximum by the director here. The audience welcomed many such scenes by a good clapping. James Horner, who was popular through 'Titanic', is the music composer.

By blending the real and animated sequences with the help of specially designed 3D cameras in the backdrop of an ordinary theme, James Cameroon has once again proved that technology can create wonders. (How ever the director should have cut shorted the length of the film of 160+ minutes, by trimming some of the love scenes in the first half. I am not sure whether James Cameroon had watched Sidhiq-Lal's 'Vietnam Colony', but the fact is that Avatar's theme is having mere coincidences with VC in many places!!!).

Watching 'Avatar' in 3D is mind blowing; it is impossible to explain some feelings in words, rather experience it...


Rating : 9.5 / 10

Jail

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Neil Nithin Mukesh, Manoj Bajpayee, Mugdha Godse
Director : Madhur Bhandarkar
Music : Sharib Toshi, Shamir Tandon, Amar Mohile


Films like 'Chandni Bar', 'Page 3', 'Traffic Signal', 'Corporate' and 'Fashion' discussed themes which were adapted from real reflections of the society. Though they were all commercial films, the difference in presentation made them unique. The man behind all these movies should be noted here and he is none other than Madhur Bhndarkar, who has directed all these movies; he also belongs to the team of script writers who had written theses films.

So when such a prominent director is coming with his new film, the expectations will be more. His new film, 'Jail' has got Neil Nithin Mukesh in the lead role. The actor, who is also the great grandson of yesteryear singer Mukesh, had got films like 'Johny Gaddar', 'New York' etc to his credits. Mugdha Godse, who has been introduced through the director's previous venture 'Fashion', is the heroine. Manoj Bajpayee, who has not been busy these days, has done an important character here.

Here, the hero Parag Dixit (Neil Nithin Mukesh) is a regional manager in the stock exchange. His lover (Mugdha Godse), is an air hostess. While traveling in his car with his room mate, police chases them and when the car is stopped, his companion ran away and the police fires at him. The police seizes drugs from the vehicle which was carried by his room mate and Parag is being arrested. He is being kept in the police custody and trial happened for months. The court was not ready to accept his innocence and he was rejected bail every time. He got a companion (Manoj Bajpayee) in the jail. He is sentenced to 10years imprisonment by the sessions court. In the end, after two years the case is taken to the High Court where a lawyer (Atul Kulkarni) fought for his justice and he was freed in the climax.

The film which covers the majority of scenes inside the jail is not at all enjoyable; here the director had tried to highlight the darkness more. We can't demand it to be colorful as the theme of this film doesn't demands it. There is nothing special in the story here; how an innocent guy is put in jail and the trial which happened for months has made him frustrated (as the viewers) and in the end the right justice is granted.

The performance of Neil is ordinary. Manoj Vajpayee (who is also the narrator of the story sometimes), has done well. The heroine is here as a visitor in jail and court rooms. Cinematography by Kalpesh Bhandarkar gave the dull mood. Background score done by Amar Mohile doesn't matches with the mood of the film.

Since the theme of the film is not colorful, the director should have changed his style here. Rather than the realistic approach, he should have done something cinematic this time, to attract the audience.

Recently, I watched the French film 'A Prophet', where the story is about the happenings inside a jail. Though the story is different, it which was an extra ordinary attempt that doesn't bored me for a second...


'Jail' doesn't gives you a pleasing experience; no need for a worry even if you have missed it.


Rating : 5 / 10