Inception

Medium : English
Starring : Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Director : Christopher Nolan

Days before, when I saw the promotional video of the new hollywood venture, 'Inception', it was little bit confusing. There you have got a scene in which the land including many vehicles and huge buildings on it rolled like a carpet. Anyway I have decided to watch it keeping in mind that unbelievable themes are part of the hollywood industry. 'Titanic' and 'The Departed' fame actor Leonardo DiCaprio has joined hands with mega banner Warner Bros and Christopher Nolan, the creator of 'Momento' (Indian movie 'Gajini's original version) and 'Dark Knight', for this new science fiction project.

Hollywood directors are always fond of going behind super hero subjects, whether it the case of 'Spiderman', 'Batman', 'Terminator', 'X Men' etc or 'Jurassic Park', 'King Kong', Godzilla' etc. Sometimes they will include natural calamities and its effects as the main theme like the case of 'Twister', 'Dantes Peak', 'Water World', '2012' etc. In such a case, 'Inception' is different. If 'Matrix' series deals with a certain mind game, you are having an unusual experience of mind theory is available in 'Inception'. Here the hero is a thief, but not the one as you expect, he is a person who is having the skill to steal other's mind and extract their dreams. To do it correctly, you have to follow certain rules also, if it is broken the experiment can be resulted in danger, the person won't be able to distinguish between the real world and the dream world.

Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a sub conscious mind stealing expert, is having the ambition to see his young children who left them. Cobb is offered a job by Saitto, if he is successful, he can fulfill his wish. The mission is to destroy Saitto's business rival Fischer's empire. Thus Cobb and his friends who are also well versed in the using the dream techniques meets Junior Fischer. They apply the theory on him, through a dream with in a dream with in a dream and how far they are succeeded are shown in the climax portions of 'Inception'.

The director's extreme creativity has been evident here by giving a theme like this. Though it is an unbelievable execution, the unlimited liberty of the creator's mind prompts him to travel through such a path. The visual effects and CG sequences used here is ultimate. The cities where you can see the vehicles and the buildings upside down, the train traveling through the road, the team floating in air in the hotel etc which are attached to the dream world are excellent. Leonardo DiCaprio did well in the lead role, those who came as his companions also did their duties.

It is a fact that the theme discussed here is not simple, it is rather complex and confusing. Sometimes you will be doubtful, whether the scene belongs to the dream world or the real. You won't be able to follow the story, if you failed to understand any dialogues in the middle. This time also I am extremely lucky to watch the movie with subtitles in the theater, other wise it would have become an useless experience.


'Inception' is bearing an unusual and unbelievable theme, but it is presented convincingly in the best way it can. A regular follower of such Hollywood movies should not miss it.


Rating : 7.5 / 10

Maanja Velu

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Arun Vijay, Karthik, Chandrasekhar, Dhanshika, Anu Hassan
Director : A.Venkitesh
Music : Manisharma

Actor Arun Vijay, s/o of senior acting couple Vijaya Kumar and Manjula, came to the field almost 15years before, through movies like 'Priyam', 'Murai Mappilai' etc. Till now, the 15+ films old hero has not got any big hits under his credit. More over he is not a popular name among malayalees also. This highly energetic young man is well versed in doing fight and dance sequences, necessary for the commercial movies. After 'Malai Malai', Arun Vijay once again acts under director A.Venkitesh for a commercial flick titled 'Maanja Velu'.

A.Venkitesh, the director of maximum action movies like 'Dum', 'Bhagavathi', 'Kuthu', 'Aye', 'Chanakya', 'Vathiyaar' etc has become an actor also, through the hit movie of the year, 'Angaadi Theru'. 'Maanja Velu' has got Dhanshika (one of the girls in 'Jayam' Ravi's 'Peraanmai') as the heroine. Yesteryear's romantic hero Karthik is doing a lengthy role after a gap (since 'Raavanan' has released in our state, well in advance before this movie, we have seen him in it). Director's favorite cinematographer, A.Venktesh is there behind the lenses with a good support. During the journey in watching other language movies, I have seen the telugu hit 'Lakshyam' (acted by Gopichand, Jagapathi Babu, Anushka, Kalyani), a couple of years back, only thing I have to analyze here is that how far A.Venkitesh is successful in remaking it as 'Maanja Velu'.

Subash Chandra Bose (Karthik) is an honest police officer in Trichy. His family consists of wife (Anu Hassan), his daughter, his father (Vijaya Kumar), mother and younger brother Velu (Arun Vijay). Velu, who is running a canteen in the college, comes across the student (Dhanshika) and started loving her. Bose wants to arrest Umapathy (Chandrasekhar), who is involved in all kinds of criminal activities. Umapathy kidnaps Velu's lover and the former reaches there and saves her. Bose came to arrest Umapathy, who has been responsible for robbing a bulk amount from a private chit fund. What happens to the villain, whether the police is able to arrest him is told in the nest portions of 'Maanja Velu'.

The director has made the movie incorporating all kins of commercial ingredients. There are high voltage action sequences, songs and dance in foreign locations, comedy scenes which have got no connection with the main story line etc. Action scenes by Kanal Kannan are excellent and fast paced, but the inclusion of same members in every action episodes should be avoided, i have clearly noticed a guy's face in more than 2 such scenes. It also happens in the case of choreographer Dinesh also. Repetetion of group dancers also happens there. Songs by Mani Sharma are not the best, but his heavy bg score is good for the mood. The comedy scenes involving Santhanam, Ganja KAruppu, Shakeela etc. is not extra ordinary.

Arun Vijay, who even shaved his head for the lead role has done his job well especially in dance and action scenes. It is also good to see Karthik in the police officer's role. The black girl Dhanshika doesn't felt suited for the glamorous role. The most important miscasting happened in the case of Chandrasekhar. The actor who did character and hero oriented roles in the 80's, is a wrong choice for the villain role here. Vijaya Kumar is also not good in modern out fits, for the journalist's role.


There is nothing special to watch in an action masala mix like 'Maanja Velu'.


Rating : 4.5 / 10

Apoorva Raagam

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Nishan, Asif Ali, Nithya
Director : Sibi Malayil
Music : Vidyasagar, Biji Bal (bg score)

This week witnessed the release of another malayalam movie without many experienced faces coming in the lead roles. Nishan and Asif Ali once gain joined hands after 'Rithu' and Nithya ('Aakasha Gopuram', 'Happy Journey' in 'Kerala Cafe' fame) are those lucky artists. One of the senior directors in the field, Sibi Malayil has directed the project, titled 'Apoorva Raagam'. It is a fact that the master craftsman who was capable of delivering versatile hits like 'Thaniyaavarthanam', 'August 1', 'His Highness Abdullah' and 'Summer In Bethlehem' once, has not got any big surprises in the last 7-8years other than 'Ente Veedu Apoontem'. Any way Sibi has tried his luck with new script writers G.S.Anand and Najim Koya. It is produced by Siyad Koker and distributed by Gokulam Gopalan. Ajayan Vincent who gave the colorful visuals in movies like 'Bhramaram' and 'Aagathan' is the cinematographer.

Roopesh (Nishan) and Tomy (Asif Ali) are close friends studying in a college. Nancy (Nithya) who belongs to the rich family, is a student of the same college. Roopesh is fond of Nancy, and soon they loves each other. Thus developed a series of incidents till the climax of 'Apoorva Raagam'. (i can't mention the story in detail, its better you watch...)

The new writers had developed an excellent script here and the director with all his experience did a wonderful job. The humor treatment of the college episode is the best example. Such scenes are arranged in a realistic way, knowing the pulse of the youths. The dialogues used in the movie needs special mention. The transitions happening from one scene to other are also done neatly. The twist and turns happening in every reel is beyond our expectation. The new comers who did the companion roles of the heroes and the old man who came in the heroine's father's role have done their best. The melodrama happening in the second half could have been cut short, but we know that in such a situation it can't be avoided.

The film is colorful and technically perfect in every department. Cinematographer Ajayan Vincent, who comes from the living legend Vincent master's family, had once again did a promising job through some rich visuals. Editor Bijith Bala had given some neat cuts. Vidyasagar's couple of fast numbers won't be the best, but it goes with the mood. Bg score by Biji Bal is excellent and gave the tempo it required. Fight sequences by Thyagarajan is not an over doze. Dubbing department has done their part well for the majority of characters and Shammi Thilakan, Sharath, Harishanth etc needs claps in such an area along with the girl who gave voice for heroine's friend.

From the output, it is evident that the new script writers G.S.Anand and Najim Koya did a good home work for developing such a theme. The fast paced style in story telling by the director Sibi Malayil has helped the project to lift a lot. Nithya is charming and done well in the heroine's role. Her actions and emotions are attractive. Asif Ali, who did the guest role in 'Kadha Thudarunnu', had got a different range here and has performed well. Though there are ups and down in executing the role, Nishan also suits the character.

It is good to have hero oriented subjects, but at the same time please don't avoid different attempts like 'Apoorva Raagam' also. Other than simply sitting and raising criticism (by praising other language movies), it is better to watch it and welcome more like this in future.


'Apoorva Raagam' is an youthful romantic thriller which has ever happened in malayalam in the recent past.


Rating : 8 / 10

Malarvaady Arts Club

Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Prakasan, Purushu, Santhosh, Kuttu, Praveen, Revathy, Geethu, Nedumudi Venu, Jagathy, Suraaj Venjarammoodu
Director : Vineeth Sreenivasan
Music : Shaan Rahman

A movie done by many new faces in lead characters, 'Malarvaady Arts Club' has caught attention based on the fact that the singer turned actor Vineeth Sreenivasan has taken the role of the writer-director through the particular project. It is a coincidence that the movie is released at the same time in which his father's movie (as script writer) is also there in theaters. P.Sukumar (director of 'Swa. Le.') is there with a good support as the cinematographer; 'Malarvaady Arts Club' is produced and distributed by actor Dileep. We always raise complaint regarding the accommodation of new comers, the lack of new themes etc and the mollywood industry thinks that this movie can defend such a thing to a certain extend if it can create waves.

The five friends (Prakasan, Purushu, Santhosh, Kuttu, Praveen) are living in a village in the north malabar. Malarvaady Arts Club is the place where they gathers and have their enjoyment. The club and the nearby tea stall are owned by an old man (Nedumudi Venu). The group treats him as their god father. As per his advice, they started a small band. Their first program was a success and they were able to settle a financial liability with it. The lead singer among them, who belongs to a rich family is suffering from a big financial crisis now. To save the family, as per his friend's request, he participates in the reality show and becomes the winner, their problems are solved and he became a celebrity now. This has affected their friendship and lead to certain incidents, how it is solved is told in the climax of 'Malarvaady Arts Club'.

The opening few scenes of the movie were good, but as it goes on, the immaturity of the new director in the scripting side is neatly evident. Other than relying on realistic episodes in facing problems, the writer had created cinematic situations for telling the story. The group fought bravely to done the 'harthal' in their village, but afraid seeing their photo cannot be accepted. They assembles with the musical instruments to form the band felt like that only. The way in which an agent (Janardhanan) is giving them a chance to do program, the scene in which one of the club members participates in a reality show and wins it in a fraction of second are other examples. At that time itself, it was known that what is going to be the climax. The hospital scenes and the friends crying to their ultimate level once the old man is dead, cannot be justified as the intimacy in relationship between the two parties were not shown convincingly before. One of the friends coming to his lover's house and take her in front of the parents after a gentle speech is treated neatly, but it can't be realistic. Crisp editing is required in many shots here and there which is shown unnecessarily. Jagathy's characterization felt unwanted. The singer's father character has got the shades of his own role in the movie 'Kastoorimaan'. 'Reality Show Syndrome' has affected malayalam movies in the last few years, it started with 'Makante Achan', then 'Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu' and travelled through 'Nalla Paattukaare' to reach 'Malarvaady Arts Club'.

The challenge taken by the director in selecting many new faces in his debutant project is good, but two of them that comes in the lead roles are having identical looks, which should have been avoided. The shorter guy is imitating Indrans in the performance and dialogue delivery. The lover character got some claps for the performance he did in the back stage scene. Though they all did well, among the five new faces no one can be rated extra ordinary. The opening scene of the movie, introduction scenes of Salim Kumar and Suraaj Venjarammoodu, the 'harthaal' episode, the party office scenes etc has been neatly handled by the director. Political satirical dialogues has got Sreenivasan's style. The female characters (the newly married girl and the singer's sister), has not got any thing big to perform.

Songs by Shaan Rahman ('Ee Pattanathil Bhootham', 'Coffee @ MG Road' fame) for Vineeth Sreenivasan's lines, are not the best. 'Avan Kashmalan...' song has got a different lyrics and rendering style, but it has not been included in the movie. Bg score, done in the modern style, has Vineeth's humming dominated in many areas. The climax song lacks punch. This is an ordinary work by cinematographer Sukumar.

Since Vineeth Sreenivasan was born in the movie family of an experienced actor, writer and director, he has got the chance to breath and understand movie right from the childhood days, hence such a debut creativity cannot be accepted simply keeping silence...

Tamil industry has got notable movies like 'Subramanyapuram', 'Naadodikal' etc that deals with friendship related themes, it is our fate that we have got an average movie like 'Malarvaady Arts Club' which also comes under the same category, to project in front of them...

Rating : 5.5 / 10

Milenge Milenge

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Satish Shah, Aarti Chabria
Director : Satish Kaushik
Music : Himesh Reshammiya, Sanjay Chowdhary (bg score)

'Jab We Met', acted by Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor is one of the best hindi movies that got released in the last 10 years. The off screen affair and separation between stars has always been a talk of the town, when we take the case of bollywood. Thus 'Milenge Milenge' has also been a matter of such discussion forums, the reason is mentioned above. Shahid and Kareena are the main participants here. They are acting together after a short gap. Such things have never attracted me. Even in the middle of memories of 'Jab We Met', the main factor that pulled me back is the director of this movie. Satish Kaushik, an actor also, had given directed movies like 'Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja', 'Prem', 'Hum Aap Ke Dil Mein Rahte Hai', Tere Naam', 'Karzzz' etc. 'Milenge Milenge', produced by Roop Ki Rani's husband Boney Kapoor is a late release, after being rested for many months.

Priya (Kareena Kapoor), is ambitious and she wants her partner to be a gentle man without any bad habits like smoking, drinking etc. When she met an astrologer (Kiron Kher), the latter tells that Priya is going to meet her partner within a week and that too in Bangkok, at a sea shore. She is being selected along with his friends from the college, to visit Bangkok. Immy (Shahid Kapoor), a rich guy with all the bad habits is enjoying the life and he also reached Bangkok with his friends. One day, he accidentally went through Priya's personal diary and decided to act like a good man. Soon they became closer to each other, without her notice Immy continued the habits of smoking and drinking. Priya found her diary's photo copy from Immy's room and thus became the reason for them to be got separated. He begged for pardon by telling that he will be changing his habit. He assumes that all that happened between them is due to faith and destiny. Priya took a 50 rupee currency and wrote Immy's name and phone number on it. She bought a book from the stall for that money. On the second page of the book, she has written her name and number and sold it at another place. Now, she tells that if destiny wants a re-union between two, then fate will bring those two properties back to them. What happens to their relationship is told in the later areas of 'Milenge Milenge'.

When the heroine wrote something on the currency, suddenly I came to know that it is not a fresh idea. The same situation has happened in the 2003 tamil movie 'J J', directed by Saran starring Madhavan, Pooja and Nisha Kothari. Now it is known that both these were taken from the English movie, 'Serendipity'. Cinematographer S.Sriram, who worked with the same director before in 'Tere Sang' and 'Tere Naam', has not given extraordinary visuals to be mentioned. He has also done a malayalam movie 'Thanmathra'. Songs by Himesh Reshammiya, with the nasal tone, are not the best. The songs are also happening in unwanted situations.

As expected, Satish Kushik has presented the movie is a very ordinary way only. Lengthy shots and non realistic situations had made the movie a boring one. We can't request big from from such a poor story. The way in which the astrologer tells about heroine's partner doesn't look realistic. The hero and his friends doing the female make up is shown 1000 times before. The actors who did the role of hero's companions has not delivered their best. The thief running with the book is a childish thing. The journey done by the hero and heroine to find their lovers is a wastage of time. The relationship between the father and the hero doesn't felt serious. Without a commendable situation in it, it is not easy to analyze the performance of Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in 'Milenge Milenge'.

No need to waste your precious time watching a boring movie like 'Milenge Milenge'.


Rating : 4 / 10