The Illusionist

The illutionist [ 2006/Drama ]
Directed by : Neil Burger

One of the most attractive forms of art is magic - even it fascinates a rationalist not as a belief just as science. It's always better not to know the secrets behind them. It's like doing an autopsy to a fantastic IR song - better to let it be like that. I followed the entire series of David Blaine's program in AXN TV few years back and I became a fan of him. The main reason is his skills and he does that in street [ NY mostly ]. And of course, another great American illutionist is David Copperfield who makes the truck or any other big object to disappear in public.

Similarly there lived a person in 1900 in Vienna named Eisenheim, the illutionist.

Plot :

In 1900s, a magician lived - Eisenheim using his supernatural n magical talents to entertain upper-class people. At teenage, he falls in love with an upperclass girl, Sophie. Their teenage romance break up and they depart, temporarily. He leaves Austria and travels all over as an explorer. After few years, they meet again in Vienna - he as a famous magician and she as an would-be princess. She is also engaged to the prince and of course, the prince doesn't like Eisenheim.

The prince tries to keep the magician away using the local police Walter Uhl. The inspector is an outsider in this story and the story is uncounted from his memories.And at the end, the film justifies the plot and the means.

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The 2 great actors Edward Norton and Paul giletti have done a neat job in handling their roles. Paul's best comes in Cinderella man [ what a perfromance in such a great film ! ]. Edward Norton is also know for his wonderful work in The Painted veil and Fight club. In fact, the story unfolds in the eyes of the inspector Walter Uhl and then he has the mised sympathy and suspection on the illusionist. The climax is interesting and explained much with Paul's expressions [ resembled me old Sivaji Ganesan's acting with his facial expressions ] and it was a good one. Edward manages with his looks and unpredicted charactersization just apt for a mysterious illusionist.

Looks very much like a fairy tale, right ? yep. It was written as short story first and adapted to screen by Neil Burger. The tone of the film is so appealing that they take us the that period. Somehow, commonly they follow a light yellowish brown tone [ like in Hey Ram ! ]  and an old technique called 'Autochrome' in filming. The same pattern might have seen in other movies like Sleepy hollow, Sweeney todd. Check Ayutha ezhuthu - the film is told in 3 different episodes with 3 different colours [ Red, Green and blue ! ]. The mood of the film and the selection of colours are really wonderful. The films gives a black n white feeling formed much with shades. Dick Pope has done the commendable job as cinematographer [ nominated for academy award too ! ]. He claims that most of the scenes were as real as possible with less CG involved.

The sound is also interesting and it is used perfectly; when the inspector talking to the prince in the field, where he hunts with loud gun shots. The heroine is more native and doesn't appeal as much as the hero n inspector roles. The good thing is that too see a 2 hrs script converted from a short story interestingly well. [ Memento is also made from a short story - another mysterious masterpice ].

:)

Toto.

The Birds - Alfred Hitchcock

"...and remember, the next scream you hear may be your own !! " - Alfred Hitchcock.

You might have come across the news that Kandasamy masks will be issued to the kids who come to theatre. Don't think it's a new n great marketing idea or a brand new publicity stunt. No. Not at all. Cinema industry had much more veterans than our Kalaipuli in the past, too. In 1963, as part of the movie promotional scheme, 'The Birds' promoters [ Universal studios ] issued bird masks to the public who viewed the film in theatres. Some Tamil film producers can also do the same to ask the audience to wear bird masks ' Come and watch the movie without brains ' :)

What do you think that can horrify the viewer ? Serial killing, Haunting Bungalow, shady looks, horror music, howling dogs or wolves ? That's the conventional way of horrifying. Our master director Alfred Hitchcock, didn't think conventionally and just used sparrows, crows, seagulls and their silence ! Not the animated or enlarged kind of birds. Just 'The Birds'.

If you still wonder n ask ' What great damage birds can cause other than pecking or poking ?', pls watch this movie in the late night [ strictly ]. The original form was a short story named 'the birds' written by Daphne maurier.

The Birds [ 1963 / Suspense ]

Produced/Directed : Alfred Hitchcock

Script : Evan Hunter

Cast : Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Sparrows, Crows, Seagulls :)

Plot

The story begins with young Melanie meeting a lawyer Mitch Brenner in a pet shop. Mitch looks for a pair of love birds and Melanie pretends like a sales girl in the shop. After that, Melanie buy lovebirds and decides to gift the same to Mitch; she gets his address and find his place in the island "Bodega bay". She doesn't meet him there and leave the birds in his home. While returning in boat, she encounters a strange attack by a seagull. Mitch helps her and takes her home, where he lives with his possessive mother Lydia and sister Cathy.

Strange incidents start to happen in the island. Swarm of birds attack the children in a birthday party; birds kill chicken farmer; birds disturb the school children etc., People from the island are extremely frightened and start leaving to SFO. Mitch, Melanie and others stay locked in the house and the birds find the new way to get into the home to attack. No one know when the birds attack and when they remain silent. What happens then is the climax.

View

The Bond movies always have a short action sequence before the title credits roll on and then the actual story begins. Hitchcock uses the reversal theory. His story never gets into the problem directly. Instead, he takes the time for audience to think about something else and present a different side of the story. Like, in Psycho, the story starts with a working girl stealing his boss's money [ $ 40k ] and galloping. But the actual happening was even more worse than the audience could think of. I noticed this technique playfully and later found that there's a term defined for this "Macguffin". MacGuffin is something that the story line is built upon, but it has no significant purpose.

Similarly, 'The Birds' start with a romantic encounter of Melanie and Mitch in a pet shop. She travels to Bodega bay, finds his previous lover and his family etc., All of them are just forming a platform for the actual movie. The story travels on its own flow [ may be first 40 mins ] until Melanie first come across a bird attack in the island. What happens then cannot be explained in text. That's the mastery of Hitchcock.

The beauty of this film is there is no background music for this suspense thriller. That's the height of creativity/confidence, a director can hold. Instead, the role of sound is extraordinary in this film. The use of sound and sound effects consciously changes between heavy noises and dead silences. The effective usage of silence makes the audience more terrifying than the actual attack. The ultimate result was the viewer is frightened not only during the attack but even when nothing happens. The best scene is to get the local school children to come out of the school, where 100s of birds slowly gather one by one and sit on a stand outside the school [ with this school song "ristle-tee rostle-tee" in the background ]. The other intersting shot was the bird's view of the town in chaos.

The mother character was beautifully portrayed for her possessiveness over any girlfriend of her son [ உல‌க‌ளாவிய‌ பிர‌ச்னை போலிருக்கு :) ]. The psychological friction was also portrayed well.

In 2007, there was a news that somebody plans to remake this film with Naomi watts [ "The painted veil" heroine - Have you seen her in "21 grams" ?! ]. The heroine of this film [ Tippi Hedren ] asked this question in an interview, out of frustration - "Why would you do that? Why? I mean, can’t we find new stories, new things to do?". I second and value her opinion. Some things can't be remade again- just like Hitchcock works. This movie is the grandpa for the movies that had animal attack as the theme [ Jaws ].

Hitchcock's films happen to be timeless wonders and they were filmed ahead of their time. I wish I could see all the Alfred Hitchcock series in Sathyam or PVR kind of theatre.

B : காக்கை குருவி எங்க‌ள் ஜாதி - நீள் கடலும் மலையும் எங்கள் கூட்டம்.
H : அங்க‌ வேண்ணா அப்ப‌டி இருக்க‌லாங்க‌. இந்த‌ ப‌ட‌ம் பார்த்திருந்தா அப்ப‌டி பாடி இருக்க‌ மாட்டீங்க‌ ஸார் !

:)
Toto.

Monsieur Verdoux [1947]

Can you buy the statement "Murder is the logical extension of business" ? Yes, it's the idea of the protagonist, Monsieur Verdoux. [ ஃப்ரென்ச் சென்ட் பேர் மாதிரி இல்லை ? ]

Verdoux is the name of the skilled hero and Monsieur is just the title to the name [ equal to Mr in English - pronounced "meu ssi eu" ]. I used to come across this word used by traffic police, when I ride in one way or stop beyond the stop-line in Pondicherry [ மிஸ்ஸெ.. எங்க‌ போறீங்க‌ ஒன்வேல‌ ? ]. Why French title ? First reason is that Chaplin movies were banned in US for his political inclination towards communism. Second is that the story is about a real-life serial murderer in France [ named Desire Landru ] and the screenplay adaptation has also France as the place.

I don't remember seeing any of the talkies of Charlie Chaplin. The last film, I saw was Modern times. This film was introduced by SRamakrishnan, almost a year back. The interesting part of the film is that Chaplin is the script writer, protagonist,music composer and the director.

Plot

Verdoux is a common man who lives in France, with his wife and kid. He looses his bank job and finds a strange method of making money. He travels frequently across France in different names and lives different roles. His target is any rich widow woman and their unaccounted money. He manages to convince the different ladies of his life at different circumstances. There's a subplot when Verdoux experiments his newly formulated poison on a lonely girl, he finds in streets. Meanwhile, affected people start complaining about him and the detectives get into action. One detective finds our hero, almost. In fact, he arrests him. We expect Verdoux to react aggressively for the arrest. No ! He reacts in a different manner. After all, he is a cool murderer.

Good things don't prolong in life. While he tried to marry the nth rich lady in life, he gets trapped in a situation and escapes. Economy crashes during the world war and Verdoux looses his money and family from him. He meets someone on the road, whom he thought differently in the beginning. Police finds him and what happens is the end.

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I found the root dialogue of '"கொலை குத்த‌ம்னா.. யுத்த‌மும் குத்த‌ம். Isn't it ?!" of Hey Ram. Check this dialogue in this Chaplin's film "One murder makes a villain; millions, a hero. Numbers sanctify, my good fellow!" - In fact it was taken from another 17th century reformer. Do you the root of kurudhipunal dialogue "Everyone has a breaking point " - It's from "12 Angry men". Not only films.. their dialogues also travel across the borders.

All his career, Chaplin did his regular tramp character, edited in fast sequence, type of movies. This movie is extremely unusual from all his earlier works. But he couldn't come out of his character fully in this movie - doing completely a serious role. Sometimes, verdoux's body language changes to Chaplin's tramp character. His characterization involves multiple roles - A calm family man, bank clerk, captain, business man, lover, philosopher, a clever investor and on top the common man who fights against the system to save his family.

Though he gets the money in an unethical manner, he behaves as a perfect family man at home. He never gets tensed. He instructs his kid to be kind with pets. A single sequence is used in this film to explain about his past job - he counts the stolen money at the speed of an automatic counting machine ! . I liked the sequence where he invites a poor girl to his home, for testing his newly formed poison. The sequence that follow was very interesting and the dialogues too.

The way he faces the detective was also an interesting part of the movie. Somehow, he takes the story to a comical one and ends the story with a good note. The boat sequences and the wedding party sequences are enjoyable one [ I laughed ! ]. Interestingly, the dialogue portion is too good as it involves about love, philosophy and economics. I am not sure whether this movie is remade in Tamil - but I recollect that a still of MRRadha [ in the cover of MRRadhayanam book ] resembles the way Chaplin posed for this movie. MRR is the only capable artist who could have done this in Tamil, swimmingly.

One fine dialog to end with.

Priest : May the Lord have mercy on your soul.

Henri Verdoux : Why not? After all, it belongs to Him.

Simple n good movie.

:)

-Toto.

Big Fish - Story-teller's story

Big Fish [ க‌தை சொல்லியின் க‌தை ! ]

In any friends’ gang, we might have come across one interesting and convincing story teller. They cannot tell anything straight but with vivid explanations. It might have been a simple accident - but the way they explain is like some spectacular miracle has happened. The important thing about this type of character is their tolerance to insult.

I remember one of my aunts used to tell the story of Thooku thooki, Thangap padumai with e every dialogue and song in the afternoons of the summer vacations. She memorized by hearing the same in LP records. My schoolmate was a master story teller - he used to take me in his hero majestic bike to a remote place and explain the films he saw. The first film he explained was 'Chanakya' Kamal's mallu movie - he freely takes almost the time of the movie except songs n fights. He narrated me the furious story of those times 'Shiva' ad the most sweet love story 'Geethanjali'. In fact, he is my first contact for films - he was the one who started giving film lists for me. [ என்ன்ன்னா ப‌ட‌ம்டா .. பெஜாராயிட்ட‌ன்மா :) ]

Nobody can forget the brilliant story telling of Oho productions Chellappa to his father. Chithralaya gopu was inspired by the way Dada mirasi narrates the story with less dialogues and more expressions [ he is a film maker from Marathi; Director of Pudhiya paravai ]. One of my old time friends used to narrate the story with utmost profanity [ 'ச‌ங்கிலி முருக‌ன்' குடும்ப‌ம் டோட்ட‌ல் டேமேஜ் :) ]- otherwise, he can't take the story forward. I still can believe whatever Sujatha writes and whatever Nellai Kannan speaks [ த‌மிழ‌ருவின்னு இவ‌ரை சொல்லி இருக்க‌லாம் !! ]. One such story teller is our 'BIG FISH' [ foreword is lengthier than the review :) ]

Trivia : Once AVM Saravanan told in an interview that the only director impressed him in story telling was KBhagyaraj - He narrated Mundhanai mudichu in Palmgrove hotel in 2+ hrs without a single reference or a paper. He explained the story with all dialogues [ including placement of songs ] with an interval too [ KBhagyaraj took a puff in the break :) ].

Plot :

The story is based on the book with the same name 'Big Fish', written by Daniel Wallace. It was a novel of myths and fantasy illustrations. The film starts from the frustration of William Bloom, a young man who couldn’t understand his father because of his story telling abilities. As a kid, he was convinced by his tales and as a grown-up, he couldn't. Nevertheless, his dying father Edward Bloom talks to everyone with always a story inside.

Narrated in flashbacks and present, William used to recollect his father's fables. The stories about his brought-up in Ashton, involvement with a giant, circus company, meeting his lover and then turned wife. Thus with these unbelievable stories, William decides to disconnect from his father and stays away from his father. However, Will's wife Josephine is attracted to the tales of her father-in-law. Time rebinds Will back to his father who becomes seriously ill. The final part of the puzzle is left and Will decides to join the puzzle game. What happens then is the end.

View :

The movie is combination of drama and fantasy. The story is just filled with unbelievable people, places and happenings. The main character Edward Bloom resembles a few other characters from other films, Forrest Gump, Guido from life is beautiful. The story flows to and forth with change over in the narration with either senior or junior Edward.

As in any fairy tale, this story introduces so many unusual characters like giant, twins, werewolf, mermaid, dream village and of course 'Big fish'. The interesting part is the sub-plots that comes in different stages of his narration. I liked the status of a poet changing into something else in Texas. The way the old doctor explaining about his father to William in his understanding - though everybody knows about the stories they just accept it. Can we go back to our grand mothers or aunts and say whatever you said was not true !

The best part is the senior's love story ending in a marriage. But the happenings in between goes just like a fairy tale. The characters are so interesting to a giant, circus owner, Korean twins, and a poet. They even touch the Texas real estate and Wall Street humorously on the flow.

The way the film ends was fabulous. A perfect climax of the story teller. The BGM needs a special mention in this movie and was so soothing. Especially during the climax, the BGM enhances the movie watching experience. This is one of the kind where you just believe what happens in the story and don't ask for logic [ like Mr Magorium's wonder emporium ].

Remember the S.Ramakrishnan's title 'Eppodhumirukum Kadhai' ?! - That's story of Big Fish.

-Toto.

Children of men - acceptable science-fiction

"In 20 years, women are infertile. No children. No future. No hope. But all that can change in a heartbeat"

Can we imagine a world without any children ? In fact, "Veenapponavan" may stop writing poems, if there are no children in the world. Science fiction doesn't always mean to chase some atomic or nuclear bomb. The knot of the story should be compelling or attracting to get into the film, first. In olden days, you can see the poster and tell a story of an action film in Tamil or Telugu. But seeing the above quote of the fim, once can't conclude anything and keeps the interest about this film, live.

I'm scared of Sci-fi movies usually, as the story can traverse in any direction. Remember, in old Jaishankar films, RSManohar acts as a villain and with the help of a rubber mask, he'll become any character in the story [ அட‌ப் ப‌த‌ர்ங்க‌ளா..! ]. Similarly, a science-fiction can show anything and put the blame on science. But this movie attracted me because the director said the technology would hit a ceiling along with an increased level of pollution [ wall-E ! ], pandemic diseases and increased problems. As days pass by, the cities we live definitely stink more than we expect it to be better. [ Bangalore was greener ! ]. That' a nice way of depicting the future as the science fiction usually takes the brighter part alone [ showing expressways and 1 seated cars ].

The story handles a sensitive issue - child ! That's the most mysterious part in life, where mostly we don't know how to react. A fine moment in life where emotions take over the science - we can't ignore the child birth just as a scientific happening. What happens when the human race stops and take a break ?! Watch Children of men.

Plot

The knot is in the year 2027, women can't give birth to. The story starts with the youngest kid alive, is shot dead, collapsing the hope of human race. The youngest inhabitant of the planet has just died at the age of 18, and all hope for humanity has been lost. Theo is a common man who lives alone after getting his divorce and loosing his daughter to flu pandemic. He reluctantly gets in to a mission of saving and transferring a refugee who is the real challenge for this issue of mankind. The refugee has to be handed over to the care of a secret organization known as The Human Project.

The story is loosely based on the novel with same name. It's written by P.D. James's gripping 1992 novel.


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First about the hero Clive Owen.. acted in Derailed, Inside man; he has played the common man role, swimmingly. I like him for his looks and familiarity. He doesn't possess any super natural powers , martial arts etc., He is a divorcee and has the intention to save a refugee girl from a problem. He takes the responsibility and moves forward without knowing what the next step is. The more relevant thing is that he had a flashback of his daughter out of some flu pandemic [ Swine flu is also pandemic - not endemic or epidemic ].

The truth is the future has more pollution, health hazards, wars and of course, technology ! the director has studied psychology and cinema before making films. He has boldly taken a story which most of the directors wouldn't try to. His briliance starts in the first scene, itself. The opening sequence is as shocking as 'Die hard 2' - Manhattan sequence.

This is neither a fiction nor a thriller. It's a combination of fiction, future, mankind told in a thriller fashion [ like the book title told by Vivek.. cosmic energy coupled with atomic energy in the evolution of mankind programmed by java ]. The realistic fiction shows a grim and gloomy futuristic world with unknown attacks. In a way, the happening resemble the world war periods and the camps.

I need a special mention about the photography - I need this because I was wondering for few shots inside a car during a chasing. The camera rotated in 360 degrees showing the incident happening behind, inside and through the front side of the car. The DVD got footage of explaining how they achieved this. Marvelous piece of technical work. Also, this film engages lengthy shot sequences taken in one take [ like the opening scene in Anjaathey ]. Also the sound effects used in the movie is fantastic.

I haven't come across a thriller which deals with this kind of peculiar requirement. I stopped in between to take a break as if I was watching some kind of horror movie - U'll definitely feel the same when Theo and Kee travels in a bus to cross the border. I paused the movie out of anxiety.

Every new scene leasds to a twisted problem which we can't even imagine about. I couldn't resist remembering "Naan Kadavull" by director Bala. I saw "Children of men" as an antidote for "Kadavull". When I finished the movie, I thought of recommending this film and 'Colour of paradise' to director Bala. The literature and art forms always try show the hope and faith. This is one of the fine movies which shows the same.

Conclusion

One of the nice films, which has fiction and faith. It's remebered for its brilliant direction adn techniques. I add Clive Owen's performance also as a factor to watch this movie.

:)
-Toto.

Double indemnity - Insurance crime

Double indemnity

A claims man, is a doctor and a blood-hound and a cop and a judge and a jury and a father confessor, all in one. - Barton Keyes.

I coorelate the experience of watching a thriller as standing in the doorway of an express train. And, I can equate the twists in a thriller equal to the passing bridges. It's thrill! The two most inconvincible professionals are tax auditors and insurance clearance agents. It's not only the attribute of police to investigate a crime but also for an insurance officer. There are few films associated where the crime is based on insurance. I remember one Tamil movie which followed this theme - Kei Niraya kaasu with Nagesg acted in dual roles.

Double Indemnity - 1944/Thriller
Adapted & Directed: Billy Wilder
Based on a novel by John Cain.

Plot

The entire story is narrated by Walter Neff, a charming insurance agent. Phyllis is rich man's wife who happens to meet Neff once in her home. They slowly develop a friendship and gets into a relation. They get slowly into a dangerous and an almost perfect plan to murder the rich man. In turn, they plan to get the insurance money and lead a new life.

The plan looks easy but complicated as much as a big mess. Neff's boss Barton Keyes, an outstanding insurance investigator who has a little guy inside him [intuition] leading him to crack any great case. With these elements, what happens is the plot for a perfect thriller. The story moves in flashbacks from Neff's view and involves the clash of different fates of all the characters involved. That makes this movie a super thriller.


View

Alfred Hitchcock movies were the eye opener for me, which stated that black & white movies were not slow movies. There are certain films which move at the speed of a bullet train [ Tamil example : Gilli ]. There are many examples of this genre.. Spellbound(1945), The killing(1956), Strangers on a train are few to quote for now. This film is a classic example of a fast executed script.

The BGM is an inevitable part of storytelling - even I remember we used to narrate the action films with sounds and BGM.. In fact, even when we fight in childhood we make sounds [ Dishaaal, Dishyum :) ]. That's the power of BGM. This movie got the perfect BGM which enhances the thrill and increases our temptation to look for what happens next.

I liked the light and shadows part of this thriller. More'shadows' are used in this film to represent the darkness of the events involved in the story. Somehow, this movie resembles 'the strangers on a train'. The best part is the characterization of Barton Keyes. He is one of the sparkling and brilliant characters in the story. His dialogues are rally outstanding and soundly convincing. That's the reason I used his dialogue as quoted in the beginning.

Conclusion

A perfect thriller for a Saturday night movie time.

It wasn't an accident.. it wasn't a suicide.. What it was then ?


-Toto.

Hide and seek - Catch me if you can.

Dad : டேய் சிகாம‌ணி.. நீ ஒரு எஞ்சினிய‌ரா, டாக்ட‌ரா, வ‌க்கீலா வ‌ருவென்னெல்லாம் க‌ன‌வு க‌ண்டேனேடா.. நீ இப்ப‌டி இருக்கியேடா.
Son : உன‌க்கு அறிவே இல்ல‌ப்பா.. ஒரே ஆள் எப்ப‌டி எஞ்சினிய‌ரா, டாக்ட‌ரா, வ‌க்கீலா வ‌ர‌ முடியும்.

This might not have been possible for Sigaamani but Frank William Abagnale Jr made it happen in 1960s. You must be interested in what he did and of course, how. Based on his real life, a film was made and the name is CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. I admire the dialog said by a con in an old Tamil film Manthirikumari – “கொள்ளைய‌டிப்ப‌து ஒரு க‌லை”. Covering up a fraud is more difficult than committing it. I am highly fascinated towards the Con/robbery movies – Inside man, Oceans 11, MI, The day of the Jackal, flawless.

Sometimes, I look forward for associating simple themes to great directors. Like Spielberg directing a bank robbery [ Imagine ARR worked in the movie 'Kadhal' ].. The reason is they’ll definitely study the subject very well and we’ll be offered a real good cinema experience. Similar thought came to original Frank Abagnale and he laid the condition that his life story has to be directed with only Spielberg so that his interesting life is justified on screen. Spielberg, in fact, didn't disappoint Frank.

There are 2 types of frauds – one using the physical power and the other one using mental skills. This white collar crime is tough to crack; especially counterfeiting. Remember our SME Salomon in ‘Counterfeiters’ and the novel 'Rajarajan kinaru' by Sujatha.

Catch me if you can - Drama/2002
Cast : Leonardo Dicaprio, Tom Hanks
Music : John Williams
Produced & Directed by : Steven Spielberg

Plot

This film picturises the true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. ( Leonardo DiCaprio - don't read about the real life character till you finish this movie ), a near-perfect artist who is good at cheating in all posible ways. All he needs is just paying attention to what he says. He becomes the youngest victim wanted by FBI for the list of forgers. He is chased by agent from FBI called Carl Hanratty ( Tom Hanks). Abagnale escapes - but not always. You have to watch the movie to know what happens to such a great artistic and master fraud.

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The titling is one of the finest aspects in the film. In fact, the story board comics kind of title previews the happenings. It is by far one of the more artistic titles. As I indicated that’s the power of a great director to get involved in this category of movies - they start their presence in the titling and in the first shot [ like opening shot in Anjathey ]. It’s cleverly done so that the animation doesn’t reveal the story but just the outline.

The movie starts at a dull pace showing the problems with Sr Agabnale. Once, Jr Abagnale is left alone to lead a life, the script traverses at a different speed. We all have the secret desire to cheat sometimes [ டேப் அடிச்ச‌ 10 ரூபாயை ம‌த்த‌ நோட்டுக்கு நடுவில‌ வ‌ச்சி த‌ள்ளிடுவோமே.. அந்த‌ மாதிரி :) ]. The techniques Abagnale use, are amazing. Of course, it’s more of his speech mixed with actions. Whenever he does something, he engages the opponent with his eye contact.

The core of the film is not about the adventures he makes rather the problem that forced him to do so. Disturbed brought-up and separated families are used as the undercurrent. The FBI agent gets a call on Christmas from Abagnale and the talk continues. For the first time in life, he calls the FBI agent Tom. Tom says to Abagnale that he has called him not to give any clue where he stays now but the actual reason is that he doesn’t have anyone else to talk. The film subtly touches about the disjoined families and loneliness.

Watch for the beautiful flow of the script. It has all the best possible incidents that could happen in a hide and seek movie. This movie incorporates ‘open suspense’ type of storytelling. [ where the victim is identified and getting chased; like Krishnaswamy chasing Senapathy in INDIAN ]. Even there’s a scene where the FBI agent happens to meet Abag. The unpredictable nature of Abagnale is the key in the story. He always plans a level above the FBI guys to overcome the traps.

As I mentioned in ‘Counterfeiters’, no knowledge is useless; even his undetectable frauds saves him. Watch out the fabulous ending and check what happened to Abagnale afterwards.

John Williams is the music director of this film. What a great scope can a MD get in a police-thief theme ? In fact, it’s a challenge to showcase the talent in star studded period film and that too directed by Spielberg. John has done a sparkling job and it can be experienced when you listen to this theme music of this film. [ Saxaphone vellayatu ].

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8hLI12qi1o&feature=related

Kudos to the entire crew for incorporating US in 1960s [ really a challenge to set the period ]. Even they recreated MIAMI international airport as in 60s.

Brilliant screenplay - The true story of a real fake !

:)

Toto.

KILL BILL - Vol I - Quentin's Kurudhip punal

"I steal from every movie, ever made" -Quentin Tarantino.

Disclaimer :

If you have the habit of fainting at the sight of blood, pls skip this 'bloody' review :)

Malayalam film industry [ Idhu verenga :) ] used to have music directors who are more towards the melody types of songs. JASSIE GIFT jolted the entire industry with LAJJAVADHIYE with his sand paper voice. The audience didn't know how to react and they didn't want to ignore, also. They enjoyed it to the peak and the song / MD was admired very much. In film history, there's always been a rebellious person in any category of art. Like MRRadha in Tamil industry. On the outlook, we hesitate to enjoy them and we admire them personally. It's not only their performance but also their perception. These kinds of artists differ highly from the crowd. Similarly in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino is one such extremely different story teller. Like Manirathnam, he is self taught.


We are used to stories that have a finite structure. However, it's not necessary that all movies hold this pattern. For eg. 21 grams, Rashamon, Andha Naall. These type of stories starts from the middle and connects different events to form a story. Sometimes instead of a story, a film ends up with a just a collection of events. Quentin Tarantino is of this strange category. This film involves extreme violence, profanity, pop music, lengthy dialogues and sudden shocking moments. No wonder, Quentin Tarantino liked "The killing", a Stanley Kuberick movie. [ Sk is another strange director - never come across a movie called Clockwork orange - Satirical drama film ].

When I watched "Reservoir Dogs" [ Quentin's first film ], I was confused whether to follow this Director or not. I liked as well as disliked the movie. Yes ! The film was about a diamond robbery and the robbery was not shown at all.[ appa enna dhaandaa kaatnanga :) ]. But his narrating style attracted me very much and I started following his films. PULP FICTION was the best of Quentin Tarantino. I enjoyed watching DEATHPROOF. The beauty is none of his films were told in a linear fashion [Except JACKIE BROWN ].

KILL BILL


Don't get surprise to see that it's a plain revenge story with stylishly excessive violence. The bride [ Uma Thurman ] is attacked by her ex-squad members and the chief in her wedding. They kill everyone and brutally beat Uma to almost closer to death. Somehow, she survives and takes revenge. Adhaan kadhai. The total movie length is 4 hours and hence KILL BILL 2 was released.

View

The film starts with this phrase on screen. "Revenge is a dish best served cold".

Though it just looks like a simple Chiranjeevi or Suman movie, the way it is taken is interesting. I still have a double mind whether to say the violence shown is good or not [ Like Subramaniapuram ] but I can easily say that it's the most shocking shots. The film combines multiple categories of films styles like martial arts, mix of US and Japanese cultures, Characters with Samurai attributes, shocking level of violence and x.

As I said, on the outlook once can ignore this film easily but as a fan, I liked the styles used in the movie. The director fluidly used animation in telling a particular flashback. It's about the American girl becoming a Don in Tokyo and that episode is shown in animation style [ Manga comics with whooshing blood ]. The fights are choreographed stylishly with perfect timing and the visuals are as clear as a crystal. The tempo used in the revenge can be used as a complete reference for our Indian action film [ Hero walking on a glass floor shown from low angle - Watch what's written on Uma's shoe :) ].

Quentin Tarantino is a great fan of music, comics and films. Every shot in his film has almost all the mentioned elements. The characters in other films - they talk a lot, different opinions, and different music. One needs to be so familiar with the history of music and culture in US to understand his narration to a great extent [ Remember sub-title is just a translation ].

Conclusion :

Never ever watch a QT movie with family or kid.

:)
Toto.

Paradise now & RONIN.

RUSH Films.
Endorphin rush - PARADISE NOW.

Of late, I came across the term 'Endorphin rush', which is induced by physical exercise and it leads to the state 'sense of accomplishment'. Why do I attach endorphin rush to a film ? [ ippadi dhideernu kettaa eppadinga.. Eppadiyum link panniduven :) ].

Though I am film freak, I used to know about history/life. more through films. 'Hotel Rwanda' showed me the recent Rwandan genocide [ 1994 ], the fights between Hutu and tsotsi. 'Road to Guantanamo' documentary helped me to understand the way Gitmo works. 'The Pianist' painfully registered the holocaust in Poland. Similarly, we have this 'Israel-Palestine' conflict. If a film can get a bit of pain, what they undergo there, I think it's the success of the creator.

Paradise now - 2005/Arab
Written & Directed by : Hany Abu-Assad

Said and Khalid are friends working in a Palestinian city Nablus. Said has a girl friend 'Suha' and her father was a martyr. Said and Khalid are selected as suicide bombers to plan an attack in Tel Aviv, by their friend Jamal. Before that night, Said meets Suha to return her car keys, and has a chat with her about her father's religious death, and what options the Palestinians have in their handling with Israel.

Next day, they speak about their mission to their family and gets the bombs strapped to their body. Either they have to die or come back to the camp to defuse the bombs by the expert. They get into Israel.. What happens then is the emotional story of these 2 'human' bombs. I used the word 'human' because they think about the impact and their act.

The film easily conveys the message of the story. The characters are very few in the movie and it shows the bigger picture of the missions they carry out.

I was touched by the final speech given by the victims. He says after the speech to his mother to buy something, revealing beyond country, religion and others, they love the family.

The arguments made by Suha are worthy to watch. Of course, her dialogue justifies the title. 'Paradise is myth.. it's here.. it's now and there's no paradise up in the sky'.

The film ends with a shot leaving the imagination to the audience.. What happened is up to the audience. I remember 'Terrorist by Santhosh Sivan and 'Uyire' by Manirathnam Sir are of the same category.

This is the first Palestinian film nominated for the academy award. There are around 40 other films made on this Arab Israeli conflict. [ Remember Spielberg's MUNICH ]. This film gave the sense of satisfaction that I didn't miss a nice drama.

===

RONIN

We come across one more rush called 'Adrenaline rush' in life reacting to stress. It secretes when we are excited, riding in roller coaster etc., I watch action movies to change the mood from the classics - I appreciate any good movie of any genre.

Seven Samurai - a Japanese movie came in 1954 and this movie made an tremendous impact in the west [Magnificent seven, etc., are based on 7 samurai]. Ronin is one such movie. Different talented and unrelated guys form a team for a common mission. Ronin means a Samurai without lord or master. The interesting thing in this film is the body language of the ronin - they don't get into action just for heroism. The masters do it with less words spoken.

Film : RONIN [ 1998/Action ]

Cast : Robert de niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone

Direction : John Frankenheimer

- The story is simple. A team of different experts formed to steal a mysterious suitcase from another gang with all possible twists and turns [ both in story and in locations :) ]. The first 25 mins prepares you for the 'adrenaline rush' later.

- This movie is meant for the deadly car chases in the narrow roads of Europe [ Paris, Nice, Arles ].

- The other important characters are the cars.. Audi S8, Peugeot 406, a Citroën Xantia, a BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 . :)

- Robert de niro is like Kamalhassan - he justifies whatever the role he plays. You believe him as an ex agent ; that's the power of his performance. For his best, watch 'RAGING BULL'.

Just chill out with RONIN. Action oriented entertainment guaranteed.

-Toto.

The Killing.. Shining.. Thrilling.

Shining Stanley.. Killing Kubrick [ What a sensational title :) ]

If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed. - Stanley Kubrick

The Killing/1956/Action-thriller
Photographed and directed by : Stanley Kubrick.

To introduce Stanley Kubrick [ SK ], Quentin Tarantino is a great fan of SK [ Suththam :) ]. The killing is a film about a big plan connected with a busy race-track on a specific day.. An ex criminal released from the jail plans for a big-time heist with picking up people of various occupations with one need in life - money. A group of different personalities are formed without revealing their exact part. An ex criminal, his old friend, a bar tender, a counter officer, corrupted policeman, shooter and a wrestler [ and a gravel-voiced narrator - may be thought as GOD ! ]. Confusing right ? Definitely not when you see the final outcome of their plan. They form a time-table for the heist and what happens exactly is the film is all about. Of course, fate and morality are to be considered. :)

The film begins from the very first scene and the intelligence n non-linear narration keeps the audience busy in who's doing what and why ? The narration is just like joining various jigsaw puzzles to form the complete picture. Somewhere I read that 35 different segments happen together to form the final act.

It starts slowly with a hose race and haunting theme music. The narration talks about different timings of the day and happenings with respect to the characters. The drawback in non-linear narration is that shots are overlapped and repeated [ remember Virumandi ! ] but the top intelligent director gives a different meaning every time he repeats or overlaps a shot/scene. The non-linear structure makes the film more interesting. The hidden element of the movie is fate.

A must watch thriller which is 53 years old. It's listed in AOL's top 25 thrillers [ that's how I selected this movie.]
======

Shining/1980/Supernatural thriller [based on Stephen King's novel ]
Directed by : Stanley Kubrick.

"I am interested in giving my audience a real scare" - Stanley Kubrick

The psychology of horror film is not to show the ugly ghost, rather making the audience to anticipate it. The anxiety is the exact feeling about seeing a horror genre of films. I would simply say SHINING is the mother of all horror movies.


This movie is not the worst clichéd style of horror movies where in 4 pairs [ exactly :) ] go to a beach resort and getting killed one by one. Non-sense. Instead, an abandoned hotel with just 3 characters, is used as the centre point of the film.

Plot :

The film talks about the happenings of a story writer, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson - his eye brows and vague smile adds value to his character ). He gets an offer to work as the winter caretaker at a hotel which gets almost abandoned by heavy snowfall in the winter season. Jack reaches the hotel with his wife and son Danny [ 6 yrs old ]. During the closing day [ beginning for the audience :) ], the psychic hotel chef identifies something unusual with Jack's son Danny. Danny has the ability to detect ghostly presences in the hotel. The chef calls this talent as "SHINING". Once the hotel becomes snowbound, Jack is occupied by the ghosts in the hotel and then the story begins :)

Brilliant story. Abandoned hotel.. Heavy snowfall.. [ No difference between day n nights ! ]. The film starts with an aerial shot of Jack driving in a small car to reach the hotel. The most important element in horror film is the music. The visual has to be backed up with appropriate n haunting score. Stanley Kubrick is the pioneer in using the steadicam in the film industry. A technology has to be used to enhance the story telling and improve the visuals. I couldn't resist recollecting the irritating time-slice cut used by Shankar in BOYS and 360 degree rotating shots in Vettaiyaadu vilayaadu [ Enna Kodumainga ! ].

Stanley Kubrick is an essential film maker in the film history. His other works are

2001 : A space odyssey
Spartacus
Clockwork orange
Eyes wide shut

I am yet to watch the above list.

-Toto.

Memoirs of a geisha - Colourful visual.

"A story like mine should never be told. For my world is as forbidden as it is fragile. Without its mysteries it cannot survive. I certainly wasn't born to the life of a geisha. Like so much in my strange life, I was carried there by the current. "

Who is a Geisha ? [ Trisha illeenga :) ]. Geisha means artist or a performing artist.

We have very limited knowledge about the other rare breeds of people and culture [ Sumo wrestlers, Eskimos, etc., ]. Books and cinema are the sources to open up the doors for our knowledge. You might have come across a category of people in Andhra Pradesh called 'Daasi'. A film came in 1989, on this subject which yielded national award for actor Archana. Daasi is a slave breed, where they send the Daasi girls as part of marriage gift as maids. They have their own bleak world.

The world of geisha is peculiar and more ceremonial. Their entire life is all about getting recognized as a Geisha. First, I wondered why Steven Spielberg opted for producing a movie based on a Japanese culture [ even directing it - and delegated later ]. It's because of the poetic nature of the narration and a subtle sorrow n freedom of a poor girl. This story is based on a novel written by Arthur Golden.

Film : Memoirs of a geisha [ 2005 ] Period drama
Cast : Zhang zyi, Gong Li
Cinematography : Dion Beebe
Directed by : Rob Marshall [ Chicago ! ]

Plot

" We do not become Geisha to pursue our own destines. We become Geisha because we have no other choice. "

It's a typical Cindrella story with stunning visuals told in the backdrop of Japan.

The film begins off in the late 1920s. On a rainy day, a young girl Chiyo and her sister are sold by her family. They are sold to geisha's house as maids. Life becomes tough for the poor girl as no one shows kindness to her [ fairy tale narration ! ]. There's another girl called pumpkin who is trained to become a geisha and one more senior girl [ Hatsumomo ] who plans completely against Chiyo. Chiyo meets one particular person on road, [ a soft hearted chairman ] who treats her very kindly, which she never felt before. She develops an unknown respect and love towards the chairman. This is the first part of the story of the girl.

Later as an adult, she is later taken under the custody of another kind-hearted geisha named Mameha. She trains Chiyo as a perfect geisha. Also, Chiyo's name is changed to Sayuri and becomes the top rated geisha in the district. She attracts men, who don't attract her. She still longs for the chairman and circumstances make chairman to stay away from her, because of his business partner and friend.

Sayuri, later in a different status, gets her final chance to showcase her skills as a geisha and get an offer. Her life continues to be be painful with hatred, backstabbing and jealous. Did she live a life that she wanted ?

View

- It's a visual treat. Right from the first frame, the film is presented with exotic and beautiful shots. In VLC plyer, there's an option to convert any frame of the film to a wallpaper. This film worth all the frames :) . The other film, I recollect is 'Anna and the King' [ Thai based ].

- The story as you read is simple but slow. No action sequences, thrilling moments or hilarious wits. The story flows just like a stream. Like Geishas, the film concentrates more on the outlook rather than the emotions [ Fantastic sets, extraordinary visuals, fine costumes ].

- The next beautiful aspect was the music, of course. The efforts to recreate Japan in 1930, Sumo wrestling, houses, especially costumes [ Kimonos - similar to silk saree ] are laudable. This movie has won academy award for cinematography, art direction and costumes.

- The water element in this movie is attractively portrayed. The film starts with rain, sea side fishing village, ends in a small park with a pond. The heroine herself is identified as an element of water as per their tradition.

- They were able to find a girl as well as an adult with same attributes of twinkling blue eyes. Those eyes express love, sorrow, pain and what not. [ Chinese ponnudaa.. Vittu veidaa.:) ]. There were handful of scenes, where the girl smiles fully. Even the emotions of the geisha are muted.

- The heroine Ziyi Zhang has done stupendous job as Geisha. The surprise is she is from China and played this Japanese traditional character.

- I liked the chiyo and Hatsumomo characters equally as they portray the good and evil natures very easily.

- Sayuri doesn't cry in the movie, though she had moments for the same. Also, expressing love. Geisha is not accustomed to express her love easily and that justifies her action in the movie.

- The demerits are it's a complete girl movie and the pace. The chairman - sayuri relation doesn't make an impact. A fragile Geisha. The other issues are that they speak English [ Why the hell ! ] and romance relationship lacks the grip.[ Un expectation puriyudhu :) ].

Conclusion

Geishas are definitely not prostitutes [ at least, that's my wish :) ]. This movie is a different genre and serves the purpose of soft entertainment. "Geisha is an artist of the floating world. She dances, she sings, she entertains you... What ever you want... the rest is shadows, the rest is secret." - So was the movie.. It sings, it dances and it entertains.. but slowly.

The English Patient - Tales of love quotient.

Film : The English Patient [ 1996/Drama]

Based on a novel written in 1992/British/160 mins

Cast : Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Juliette Binoche

Cinematography : John Seale

Edited by :Walter Murch

Screenplay & Directed by : Anthony Minghella

What travels along with us consistently, right from our childhood [ Shadow-nu kadichu vaikadhinga, pls ].. It's memories. It could be of any kind.. summer holidays, friends, cinema, school ground, college days, girls, journeys, tours, first salary, little surprises. 'The English Patient' is all about digging the memories from almost a death bed. How about a knowledgeable, desert explorer thinks about his past. [ We hardly could differentiate between dessert and desert :) ] This person had been in the most toughest desert journeys, reads books, writes a book, enormously interested in music..

This movie is narrated in non-linear [ mostly present and past alternatively ] and I feel that adds a fabulous experience, watching this movie. Presenting a movie in this manner is a tough job [ Other best movies of non-linear narrations are 21 Grams, Amores perros, Memento, Flags of our fathers and almost all films of Quentin Tarantino (except jackie brown) ]. Tarantino movies are feast to watch [ Thani kadhai ! ].

The goodness of a novel turning into a movie script is its richness of characters and events. Character biography and events are already well set and of course the novel has to be properly penned as a script. [ Academy has original and adapted screenplay section of awards, separately ].

[ Review aarambingappaa .. ]

Plot :

The story is set in 1930s and 1944 [ shown as present and the flashbacks go to 30's ]..

The poetic love story starts with a plane exploding with fire. The severely burnt pilot [ Almasy ] is treated by some Arabians in the desert and eventually moved to a war medical camp. Hana is an ill fated n beautiful nurse starts nurturing him. She looses her beloved ones in the war and she thinks whoever she feel closer would die. She keeps the burnt pilot in an abandoned library like building [ Italian villa ] and takes care of.

The pilot named as 'English patient' thinks of his past life in series of flashbacks [ tiny flashback scenes ] which involves a geological expedition, poetic love, lust, betrayal and war related politics. In parallel, Almasy, Hana, a thief, and a sapper find themselves in each others company in the old Italian villa, close to the end of World War II. The flashback series unfold the identity of Almasy, his love and links to the other characters in the villa.

The past has it story including Mr & Mrs Clifton, where Mrs Clifton is attracted towards Almasy during their joint desert expedition. Also, the expedition carries a mysterious operation, unknown to the members. The narrative structure mixes both present action with thoughts and conversations that offer views of the past happenings.

Do you know what is 'supasternal notch' ? :)

This outline is enough to watch the complicated film.

View :

- The foremost beautiful thing in this film is transformation or dissolving. The sand dunes shot dissolve into the unevenly spread bed sheet [ remember eyeball in Titanic ]. Also, the scenes overlap. Something like this.. the next scene's dialog comes and fills the ending silence of the first scene. Also, the sound.. the foot tapping of Hana while playing hopscotch, turns to a folk beat in the desert. A ballroom dance dissolves in the patient's face. .[ Idhellaam editing games ].

- The main character Almasy is very interesting. I like the intelligent hero who talks less. 4th wall can even feel his performance in his horribly burnt face.

- The moment the character Katherine comes in, you expect something unusual [ Silmisham :) ] to happen. The lead is given by a folk story narrated by Katherine in the camp. She is also an intelligent lady with a caring husband. Still she misses something in life.

- The screenplay is cleverly penned so that the happenings don't traverse in the way audience expect. For example, K leaves the desert along with other team whereas the 4th wall expects her to stay back with Almasy. After a minute drama, something else happens. [ minor twists - usually Bhagyaraj uses this a lot ].

- Also, when you think that Almasy and K develop a relation, they just depart without even saying Bye [ Ada Che! ]. Then she comes back to his place in a nice white dress and the dress is sewed later. 4thwall leaves the reader to guess what happened :).

- The Nurse character Hana is a mix of matured and child-like character. She loves, plays hopscotch, sobs and laughs instantly.. just like a kid. She loves the Sikh sapper named Kip and its' the other love story. Actually, the story is about 2 love stories.. 1 in the past and 1 in the present.

- When I say non-linear narration, it's enormous effort for an editor [ Walter Murch won academy award for this movie in both sound & editing - Editor of all the 3 Godfather movies !]. I couldn't stop thinking about the effort for the film 'Memento' [ narrated in reverse chronology ]

- This film is a period drama without making the 4th wall conscious about that. The costumes, buildings, vehicles, just reflect the time fluidly, without any visual gimmicks.

- A good film shows the same shot twice with a different meaning. Also, the film starts and ends with the same scenes. They call it as elliptical structure. [ Remember the opening & closing scenes of 'A Perfect world' - Clint Eastwood ]. Watch out for such smaller details through out the movie.

- Most of the characters and elements are introduced within the first 15 minutes of the film, including morphine [ a medicine ].

- The dialogues are catchy.. David talks to Almasy saying that 'That is when I had thumbs and you had a face.. n name too'. Almasy, even as a patient cracks wits n jokes.

- The music, silence, sounds are appropriately placed and it's soothing. The folk music 'Szerelem' is a good one.

Conclusion :

If you are a reader, I would suggest you to the read the novel first. Else, if are of Toto's category , just grab a DVD and enjoy the movie. I look forward to read the book 'THE CONVERSATIONS: WALTER MURCH AND THE ART OF EDITING FILM'. [ ஏற்க‌ன‌வே ரொம்ப‌ அழ‌கு.. இதுல‌ எடிட்டிங் வேற‌ ப‌டிக்க‌றியா.. சுத்த‌ம்.. :)].

Match Point [ or Mixed Doubles :) ]

Match point [ 2005/Drama-thriller ]
Cast : Jonathan Rhys meyer, Scarlett Johansson [ How can I forget this name :) ]
Directed by : Woody Allen.

The best aspect in Hollywood is it's variety. Every writer or Director attracts me for different reasons. One such impressive Director is Woody Allen. Woody Allen started his career as a comedy writer, stand-up comedian, stage plays and then came to cinema. He is famous for his interests in wits, sexuality, New York, Philosophy, Psychology, unimaginable cinema techniques and lengthy dialogues [ walk the talk ! ], etc.,

The film deals with 3 elements.

Luck : [ defined as 'Preparation meets opportunity' ] The film says we are scared to face the reality; about the influence of luck in our life.

Attraction : We get attracted towards for an unreachable item [ Once, BSA SLR cycle was the ultimate attraction for me ! ]. This film also deals with how attraction ignites, burns and become ashes. [ Adade ! ]

Fyodor Dostoevsky : The famous Russian literature 'crime and punishment' also influenced the story. Post crime psychology.

Plot :

The story involves a one time Irish tennis pro Chris [ poor class], who coaches in a tennis club. He is attracted towards the rich life style of the upper class. He meets his old friend Tom and also subsequently his family. He mingles with the family easily and Tom's sister Chloe is attracted towards Chris. Chris.. to an extent yes. He is more towards risky n something unreachable . He eyes on the fiancee of Tom (Nola). She is also attracted towards Chris but plays it cool saying him that she is already engaged. This dangerous chemistry grows. Due to some conflicts, Tom and Nola break their relation; Nola leaves. Tom gets married to some other girl.

Chris is happily married to Chloe and settles with his in-laws business, enjoys the new wealthy life. He couldn't have children because of some medical issues of Chloe. Fate plays a game. Nola returns to the same town [ Cotton bale to Sivakasi :) ]. Chris rebuilds the relation. Passion always has its price. What price did Chris and Nola pay ? What does the title 'Match point' do with this film ? There happens a CRIME !

View :

The very first point is this is not the usual Woody Allen film. Unlike Manhattan and Annie hall, MP doesn't contain any kind of wits that he had in his earlier movies rather he handled psychology to a great extent. Also, this movie is not based on Manhattan, NY.

The casting has to be mentioned explicitly. Chris and Chloe have very much dreary and ordinary looks. In contrast, Nola was stunningly and sensually beautiful [ Podhumdaa. :) ].

The movie starts with an explanation of what a MP is with respect to Tennis. This fantastic definition is mixed with luck and explained in some part of the film.

Chris role was done fantastically with the hesitations, desire, passion, risk [ machaan fiancee-nga ! ]. Credit goes to the casting decisions.

Nola.. She symbolises danger and problem in the movie [ with the enormous beauty as her visiting card ]. Her performance was noteworthy to mention [ Pinna summavaa ;) ].

Towards the end, the story trembles and again comes back on track. The ending was good, especially.

Conclusion :

I recommend the usual Woody movies first and then this MP so as to understand the diversity.

Film Trivia :

"The Shining" was the fist movie [ directed by Stanley Kuberick ] to use Steadicam. I consider this movie as the mother of horror movies.

What is war ?

Flags of our fathers [ 2006 - War ]
Produced by : Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg.
Directed by : Clint Eastwood.

First.. I thought of writing the review in this style.

In American soil, except civil war, they never faced any external. But they are the masters in creating the war based movies. The best I can say [ from my list ] are Schindler's list, Saving private Ryan, pearl harbour.. I just thought of adding FOF in that list and started watching. The film gave a tight slap on my face.. converted my mind to write this instead of a detailed review.

The film starts with a dialog..

"Every jackass thinks he knows what war is.. Especially those who've never been in. We like things nice and simple, good and evil, heroes and villains. There are plenty of both.Most of the time, they are not who we think they are "

I am one of the j.a. who just watched a war movie. I'm not entitled to write a review on this. :(
The film ends with this..

"They may have fought for their country, but they died for their friends. For the man in front, for the man besides them."

The story was told in a mix of present and war period. The narration starts from the middle of the happening instead of, from the beginning. The technique was too good and captivating. One of the good movies from Client Eastwood. I'm still wondering which of the shots are made up of CG. If it is CG, it is the best in CG history.. If it is original, still it is the best in film history.

A counter movie has been released [ Letters from Iwo Jimo - Japanese viewpoint ]. I am looking forward to watch the same.

North by Northwest [ Brawest ride ! ].

North by Northwest [ NBNW - Spy n suspense thriller/1959 ]
Directed by : Alfred Hitchcock - AFCK
Cast : Cary Grant, Eva marie saint
Written by : Ernest Lehman

Recently, I read about the 50th year anniversary of this movie in 'The Hindu' and hence this review :) [ What a reasoning ! ] Alfred Hitchcock was sadly considered only as a 'master of suspense/thriller' rather he is the complete master of movie making. He was a director who never used the camera viewfinder to visualise a shot. He never wrote a script, entirely credited in his name - all he did was extracting the best from the writer(s) and direct them, with a masterful touch.

There were spy thrillers, much before James bond pictures were released. One of the pioneer films dealing with secret agent was NBNW. I consider this as frontier to the Bond movies. [ Dr.No was released in 1962. ]

Plot :

NY based advt executive Roger Thornhill [ Cary Grant ] is kidnapped by a criminal organization. Roger is mistaken for a government secret agent named George. The gang tries to kill by forcible made him drunk and driven in a car. He escapes from the accident and get arrested. He later tries to see the leader named Townsend in the UN council - A murder happens in UN and of course, Roger was suspected for the same. Now he has to escape from the criminal gang, government agents and of course, police. The criminal gang is set to steal some microfilms and smuggle them. Roger escapes in a train and meets Eve and she protects him from police. They develop a romantic relation [ [ Remember..I said him Bond :) - impressive dialogues in the train ]. He travels then to find the secret agent George and meet many surprises. He is chased across USA and he pieces together the mysterious puzzle. The climax happens in the famous location, Mt.Rushmore.

View :

- The title graphic scene was the first in the film history to use moving text. Also, the graphics image turns into a real shot [ remember 'Andhi mazhai' song's graphics ]. The trivia is that AFCK worked as title designer in his initial days.

- In parallel, the typical thriller movie BGM score starts. The music in this film is a perfect match for a suspense thriller. The film begins in the very first shot [ not even the scene ].

- Every 2nd/3rd scene got a twist. Right from the first scene, the viewer is taken into the story with suspense. Though the credit goes to the writer Ernest Lehman I would say it's AFCK, who converted them to scenes, skillfully.

- Cary Grant - a perfect personality for James Bond role. Even, he dresses [ kisses :) ] like a Bond.

- The famous 'crop dusting' plane chase scene.. The total sequence is 16 mins and for the first 8 mins, nothing happens. Yes.. 8 mins the viewer just looks for all corners of the scene for something to happen. Most memorable scene !

- The film contains an equal slice of romance between Cary Grant and Eva. Thank God, he didn't choose James stewart [ dreary hero - Rear window ].

Conclusion :

Despite of its age, the movie is still fresh to watch. 53 films in 50 years in his film career - very few were dull. In fact, I started my DVD collections with AFCK movies. The good ones from his bag are [ haven't seen all his films :( ]

- Vertigo [ Can u guess the MGR movie made out of this ? ]
- Psycho
- Frenzy
- Spellbound [ Film made in 1945 and still interesting to watch. also, applicable for Ingred Bergman :) ].
- Birds [ He threatened the audience with crows, sparrows and seagulls :) ]
- I confess

On a personal note, I found elegant English was used in all of his films [ no subtitles needed - Elevator bell dings ! ha..ha.. ].