Raajneeti

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgan, Ranbhir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpayee, Katrina Kaif
Director : Prakash Jha
Music : Wayne Sharp, Aadesh Srivasthava

Irrespective of the language, most of the multi-star projects is always a visual treat for the viewers. Though the content may decide the success of such a project, placement of many stars in the promotional posters is good enough to give the initial pull in theaters. New film 'Raajneeti' has got many artists like Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgan, Ranbhir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpayee, Katrina Kaif and even Nasrudeen Shah also comes in a guest role here. You will be curious to know about the creator of such a mega project, it is none other than Prakash Jha. Those who have seen political thrillers told in the backdrop of Bihar, like 'Gangaajal' (Ajay Devgan) and 'Apaharan' (Ajay Devgan, Nana Patekar, Bipasha Basu), knows the capability of the director. UTV along with the director has produced the high voltage political drama, 'Raajneeti', made in a mega budget of around 75crores.

The film tells the story of a rich family which has got most of the members holding a prominent position in politics. The elections are in the pipe line, the leader of the party who is also the elder member of the family is critically ill and his younger brother now takes the temporary leadership. The two cousins Prithviraj Prathap (Arjun Rampal) and Veerendra Prathap (Manoj Bajpayee), are fighting each other to gain the leadership of the party. Veerendra got the support of Sooraj Kumar (Ajay Devgan), a lower cast rebel leader for the fowl plays. At this time, Samar (Ranbhir Kapoor), the younger member of the family returned after his studies from abroad. He was not interested in politics. Situations became worse, Samar has to stay back since his father is killed.

Prithviraj is taken into custody for attacking the police, a rape case is also registered against him as per fowl play by Veerendra. Samar, under the guidance of the party's senior leader (Nana Patekar) succeeded in taking Prithviraj out of the jail. Samar's love story goes parallel, Prithviraj's marriage happens, Samar takes revenge against those who cheated and killed his father, a couple of members from the political family is also killed later and thus goes the incidents of 'Raajneeti'.

Some of the incidents happening here is adapted from the epic, Mahabharatha. The scenes in which Soorja is supported by Veerendra in the party meeting, Sooraj's mother visiting him towards the end, the climax gun shot situation etc are some of the examples. The quarreling inside the family featuring Veerendra has got the flavor of the hollywood hit, 'The God Father'. The rich political family in the film also resembles the Nehru family, which played the vital role in the country in the post independence era. All the artists in the film have done exceptionally well, their costumes and make up along with the art direction of the movie needs special mention. The huge crowd gathering in the meetings has been neatly handled by the director. Music by Wayne Sharp is also good. Sachin Kumar Krishnan's cinematography and Santhosh Mandal's editing helped the frames, featuring a couple of stars in every scenes to be rich and colorful. Prakash Jha needs special appreciation for making such a mega movie in the political background.

Ranbhir Kapoor is matured and has emerged as an excellent artist here. Nana Patekar is silent, but his eyes are filled with emotions. Ajay Devgan and Arjun Rampal have done their part well. Manoj Bajpayee has also got some dramatic behaviors to do. Nasrudeen Shah should have been given a lengthy role. Nikhila Tirkha, in the mother role is good, but her performance in the anti climax area, needs more professionalism. Katrina Kaif is an artist that maintains her star position only by glamor, her dialogue delivery in the beginning is a problem as usual, but later on it is adjusted and her appearance towards the end resembles a real life portrait also. The non popular face who comes as the police officer is good in his action and gestures.


'Raajneeti' is a political entertainer made in a mega budget; It reveals the political plays that exists in the system to grab and maintain the power.


Rating : 8 / 10

Green Zone

Medium : English
Starring : Matt Damon, Brendan Gleeson, Amy Ryan
Director : Paul Greengrass

Neither the title of the new English film, 'Green Zone', nor the war based theme in which the film handles, attracted me in watching it. When I came to know that the film is directed by Paul Greengrass, the man who gave good action films like 'Bourne Identity', 'Bourne Supremacy' and 'Bourne Ultimatum', my interest in it gradually raised. The film is inspired from a book named 'Imperial Life in the Emerald City' written by journalist Rajiv Chandrasekharan, which discusses the American attack on Iraq in 2003. Matt Damon who has acted as Bourne character in the director's previous films like 'BI', 'BS' and 'BA', comes in the lead role here.

Miller (Matt Damon), is the Chief military officer of the squad, who are involved in the searching of weapon of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq. Every time the group returns empty handed after operation and Miller blames the failure of the intelligence for such happenings. He suspects something fishy behind this, but no one is ready to hear his words. He shares his views with the CIA agent (Brendan Gleeson) in Baghdad. A journalist (Amy Ryan) helps them to find the source of the fake news regarding WMD. Now Miller decides to find the reason for the war, he is being assisted by a local guy. At the same time, top official who were involved in the conspiracy, tried to block Miller with the help of the army troupes. Nearing the climax, the army searches for the Iraqi Army General hiding in covers. At last the army got succeeded in finding the General and killing him, but the question is that what was the reason for the war ?

The cinematographer Barry Ackroyd ('Hurt Locker' fame) needs special mention, as each and every shots gives us a live feeling. The scenes were shot by taking camera on hands, thus you can't witness a single still shot here. One may raise a complaint that it is giving a documentary feel. Even the Oscar winning movie, 'Hurt Locker' belongs to such a category. It is a fact that, sometimes the movement in each and every frames can lead to head ache also. The location used here is also real. We can't say whether a single scene has been shot outside Iraq. Matt Damon has done well in the lead role. The Iraqi guy, who came as assistant to Miller is also realistic.

The director's extreme boldness in taking such a theme for this film which has been a sensitive issue in the media, all over the world, should be appreciated. Even though the question on war is still an unanswered one by those responsible, to make it on an international medium of expression like 'movie', needs countless praising.

'Green Zone' is an action thriller that questions one of the biggest human massacres that happened in the last 10 years by the US army in Iraq.


Rating : 7 / 10

Singam

Medium : Tamil
Starring : Soorya, Anushka, Prakashraj, Vivek, Nasser
Director : Hari
Music : Devisree prasad

Most of us are aware about the tensed atmosphere existing in the malayalam cine industry between different organizations related to the producers, distributors, technicians, actors etc. Some of the problems that came to the lime light are the high production cost of the films, issue of distributor's share from the theaters, theater's demand to cut short the entertainment tax, ban on a senior actor, ban on certain actors from doing shows in mini screens etc. In the middle, there is another serious issue that has been carelessly handled by them or avoided by most of us; It is regarding the release of other language films in our state. There exists an informal ban in the release of tamil-hindi films here, we will be able to watch such films only after two weeks from its original release date. Those who were responsible for this, were unable to control the arrival of films like 'Sura' and 'Kites', but succeeded in the case of the popular actor Soorya's new film 'Singam', even if it is produced by Reliance and distributed by Sun Pictures.

No such ban affects film-freaks like me and since I am lucky enough to be in the border district, I fulfilled my wish by traveling an hour to a theater situated in the neighboring state, watching the film on the third day of its release.

After doing stereo types roles in films like 'Ayan' and 'Aadhavan', Soorya has decided to do something different. He is in the police officer's role in his 25th film titled 'Singam', directed by Hari ('Saamy', 'Thamirabharani' fame). Both of them had done films like 'Aaru' and 'Vel' before. Anushka, who came as Vijay's pair in 'Vettaikkaran' is the heroine. The most valuable actor in the South, Prakashraj, also comes in a notable role.

Duraisingam (Soorya), who lives in the Nelloore village near Toothukkudi, joins the police force as per his father's (Radharavi) wish. The soft character Durai, who belongs to a big family, is being loved by all in the native. At this time, Kavya (Anushka), daughter of a rich man (Nasser), reaches her relative's house. As expected, she gets in touch with the hero through certain incidents and started loving him. At the same time, Mayilvahanam (Prakashraj), a gang leader who is involved in land mafia, is arrested as an accused in a murder case in Chennai and later let freed under bail. He came across Durai and there happens a tug of war between them. Durai gets promotion and is transferred to Chennai, the home city of his lover and the villain. The second half has got the fighting between the baddies and the police, how Durai got succeeded in winning the game is shown through a action packed climax.

The story of the film is not new, most of the scenes has got the flavor of the director's old films like 'Arul', 'Thamirabharani' etc. Soorya (with 'Thevar Makan' style mustache) has done well in the action oriented cop's role. The presence of an artist like Prakashraj opposite the hero makes the project rich, his performance is impressive as always. Anushka is glamorous, she got few scenes also to perform. Vivek is there in the constable character to do comedy scenes. Priyan's cinematography is excellent. Fast action scenes done by Rocky Rajesh & Anal Arasu is another area to be noted. The songs are presented colorfully, but the absence of much gimmicks on visuals and steps on that area is evident. Devisree Prasad had given some fast numbers, though it goes with the mood, most of them are not catchy enough to be remembered, the bg score also lacks punch here and there.

Don't expect a 'Kaakka Kaakka' magic here; 'Singam' is different one from Soorya, it is yet another action oriented entertainer made in the style of director's previous projects like 'Saamy', 'Aaru', 'Vel' etc only...


Rating : 7 / 10

Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Paresh Rawal, Ajay Devgan, Konkanasen Sharma
Director : Ashwini Dheer
Music : Pritam

The release of some of the hindi films in this period with around 1000s of prints globally, shows the increased popularity and the scope of business happening in the entertainment media; Now international banners have started investing in the bollywood area. A film with the pakka hindi title, 'Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge ?' is being produced by none other than Warner Bros. Don't forget that they have given many big films including 'Harry Potter', 'The Lord of the Rings' etc.

Director Ashwini Dheer, who came from the mini screen is relatively a new name in the industry. He has written the film 'Krazzy 4' and has directed a film named 'One Two Three'. Ajay Devgan has done many action oriented roles in the first decade of his career, but films like 'Golmaal' series and 'All the Best', changed his serious image. Konkanasen Sharma is one such kind of actress who can handle any type of roles, films like 'Page 3', 'Mr and Mrs Iyer', 'Wake Up Sid' etc. are good examples. Paresh Rawal, who is also a notable character actor in bollywood these days, comes in the role of "Athithi" in the film.

The story is about a married couple (Ajay Devgan and Konkanasen Sharma), who lives with their kid in Mumbai. Ajay is a struggling writer, who is working on his first film script and Konkana is working in a private firm. One day, a distant relative (Paresh Rawal) of Ajay reaches their apartment. The guest stayed with them for a couple of days and later it was known that he is having no plans to leave them in the near future. The family is fed up, as they don't like the strict and unwanted habits followed by "Athithi" on the food, cleaning and other related purposes. Ajay tried his best to get the Athithi departed, but most of the time it ended in failure. Whether Ajay succeeded in keeping the uninvited guest out of their family, is shown in the climax of 'Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?'.

Though the film is filled with many realistic situations that created humor, some of the areas like the hotel raid and the associated incidents should have been avoided. The 'farting' of the Athithi character is repeated many times, which can lead to restlessness. The bombing scene at the shooting spot is an area where you are having an ultimate humor. The climax is also done well. Cinematography by Azeem Bajaj is good. Paresh Rawal is excellent in the lead role, like wise Ajay Devgan and Konkanasen Sharma also did well.


'Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?' is a simple family subject without much gimmicks, hence it is a watchable one.


Rating : 7 / 10

The Final Destination 4 (3D)

Medium : English
Starring : Bobby Campo, Shantel Vansanten, Mykelti Williamson
Director : David R. Ellis

We already discussed the advantage of making sequels of hit projects, now the latest one to join such a group is from 'The Final Destination' series. The 3D version of most of the Hollywood films is also releasing these days along with the normal prints. Though the popularity is high, a very few theaters only has now started screening of such versions also. This is due to the heavy cost in setting the requirements for showing such films. In my native, a theater is set permanently to run the 3D prints. After the grand success of 'Avatar', then came 'Clash Of The Titans', a poor film in 3D. Now it is time for the 4th part of 'The Final Destination' series. As in the case of most of the English films, this one is also releasing here, late by many months.

The opening scene of the film is happening in a stadium where sports car racing happens. A group of four people is also among the heavy crowd watching it. One among them, Nick (Bobby Campo), began to sense a danger there, which is going to be happened in few minutes. He told about this to his companions and they all with a few others ran out of the stadium, soon the mishap happens and many were killed. Though his friends didn't believed his words in the beginning, now as the matter became serious, they became tensed. Now with in few days, another guy also died; he was the one who escaped from the accident in the stadium. Now it is clear that, all those people who survived then, are going to die soon. Nick, his girl friend (Shantel Vansanten) and their friends along with the security guard (Mykelti Williamson) are now aware of this and how they act to get out of the danger is shown here. Most of the time, they can't overcome the fate and thus goes the action packed incidents of the latest series in the 'The Final Destination'.

In 'Avatar', James Cameroon didn't tried to frighten the audiences, rather he gave a different visual experience using the new technology. 'Clash Of The Titans' was not good in every sense, but the haunting memories of old malayalam hit 'My Dear Kuttichathan', where long sticks, spear and skulls coming out of the screen, are still there as it was considered as the first of this kind and more over it happened in our childhood days also. But compared to all those, director of 'The Final Destination 4', David R. Ellis has tried to frighten the audiences to the maximum level and in the majority of the situations shown here he has succeeded. No human can sit simply straight, watching a sequences where screw driver flying to your eyes, the car tyre bursts and coming fast to you or a vehicle with the lightning speed coming towards you etc. It is a fact that I was shocked and afraid, seeing many shots which come under this genre. The circumstances created here which later lead to an accident in all situations, can be felt cinematic, but the director had executed it well in a professional way, giving no loop holes for questioning. The title sequences are also done well.

Watching a 3D film like this in a small theater like multiplexes might give ultimate effect and quality than watching it in big screens. what to do, we are forced to adjust with the kind of infrastructure, we are getting these days...

'The Final Destination 4 (3D)' is a action thriller with many shocking incidents. The 3D version is not recommended for weak-hearted peoples...


Rating : 8 / 10