Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007)iMDB Rating: 6.2
PKMC- Where is Mr. Menon heading?
PKMC - Mr. Menon must have been really tired working with Kamal for V V. The consequence are clearly seen in PKMC. Apart from the fact that it is a remake of DERAILED, the film showcases the weakness and lethargic approach in direction which is not seen in 'kahka kahka'. One can hardly see any neutral shots in the film. Hand held shots does give a candid feel but not every time. I have seen Aravind Krishna(D.O.P) doing a role in kandukondein kandukondein in which he operates camera for marriage receptions, i see the same effect here too. It was like watching a wedding video. Well, esthetics and shot-divisions are exclusively director's perception, but one should also admit that a good paper can be converted to a good celluloid only when the right combinations are used. Writer/ Director Gautham menon should however be praised for the dialogues, the only best part in the film. Every piece is memorable but had western color.
Editing is pretty decent but eclipsed due to poor shot selections. Harris Jeyaraj, the current heart-throb should come out of his shell. A director can be identified by his way and style of film-making, because he has the cushion of doing it with different characters and artists every time, but not the music director. He has to be different and innovative every time. Harris's original score not only gives the audience a 'deja vu' feel but also 'Why is that i hear the same in every movie of his'?' thought. His background score is better comparatively. For someone who has a strong memory and were moved by a piece in 'Samurai' (that's Harris's too) they can hear the same here too. Just the same!
The casting is also a weaker section in PKMC. Except Jothika and Milind Soman (Awesome lip sync) nobody is impressive. Andre who is full of colours in the second half, showed a stiff face in the first. She carried a small smile in her face through out the first half which is a trait for any newcomer, Director should have taken extra care. Sarath Kumar, the protagonist's performance is below par. Sarath will be the best when he don roles like Natamai. I cannot take the 'so called' fact that he is underplayed. A scene where kalyani cries out "kaila 600 rooba than iruthathu" i expected some top class reaction from Sarath. Both the Director and the actor let me down. I'm not thrilled or surprised to see Jothika's acting. It's a known fact that she is THE best actor at present.
P.S. It is not a taboo that all films should be criticised to prove a single point that a review writer is intelligent and well-informed about the films than the director. It is the result of the juxtaposition of other films that the director had directed with the present one. We saw a new light in 'Khaka Khaka' which was fading in 'Vaytaiyadu Vilaiyadu' and now it is a complete black out.
BOTTOM LINE: Pachai Kili Muthu Charam - A necklace with counterfeit pearls!!!
Son Osmanli Yandim Ali (2007)iMDB Rating: 7.3After the First World War, the Allies occupy Istanbul. The protagonist, Yandim Ali is a rogue, discharged from the navy, who doesn't believe that the country can be saved, until he meets Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk), who plans to start a resistance in Anatolia against the occupying Allies, as well as the collaborators of an Ottoman government, that exists only on paper.
Loved the movie!!!
This truly was an amazing film. Heart wrenching, funny, sad and a love story. Obviously the incredible performances-especially Kenan Imirzalioglu played an amazing part- Cansu Dere was brilliant too. Particularly on screen the relationship between them was so enchanting-I was left wanting more from them and their beautiful plays...
Yes, I totally agree with the above comment. An overall moving and inspirational and probably is one of the BEST Historical Turkish movie ever to have come out with added right timing for the right storyline advantage! Definitely worth seeing!!!
Mercy Streets (2000)iMDB Rating: 5.6Estranged twin brothers - one a con man, the other an Episcopal deacon - accidentally switch places... and find God in the process.
A solid film, worth admission...
This was a good film about two brothers on different sides of the law and walking two different walks of life. One brother (Jeremiah, an aspiring priest) living his suburban life with the curse of a childhood incident in which his brother was assumed dead. The other brother (John) fresh out of jail in working for a top rate con-man Rome who is looking to get another job out of his right hand man. Reluctant to go back to jail, John decides he is going to double cross Rome and through a series of events ends up on the run. He decides to turn to Jeremiah for help. Rome, in hot pursuit, kidnaps Jeremiah thinking he is John during his daily jog. The brothers have to switch roles...John becomes Jeremiah in an attempt to find the money he needs to escape and Rome forces Jeremiah to help him finish the original job in John's place. Confused yet? Sure the plot for this film is quite unbelievable, but do we really go to the movies for reality? This movie, from the same people that brought us the Omega Code (which sucked), has given us a nice caper film with a cool independent feel to it. Production is good and it shows the talent of director John Gunn who makes this unbelievable story seem just the opposite. Using some nice little techniques like freeze framing some shots, he gives us something different from the traditional hollywood outing. Its definitly not overly preachy and all the better because of it, displaying its message smartly. Add a nice soundtrack with songs from Moby and Sixpence None the Richer and some much needed comedy from Rome (Roberts) and his tattoo covered henchman and you have well rounded and enjoyable film. Most reviewers have been hard on this film, and I agree that the acting is not oscar worthy but it serves the film extremely well. The story moves along and mostly importantly keeps our interest until the very end. I have a feeling that if this film had Hollywood big shots behind it, it would be given much more respect then it has. This film is very solid and stands on its own in many aspects. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good film with a story that keeps you interested, but is sick of movies ruined by sex and language that are thrown in to attract a certain demographic. Go see it, you won't regret spending the money, and besides the more we support films like this the better they will get!
Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007)iMDB Rating: 6.2PKMC- Where is Mr. Menon heading?
PKMC - Mr. Menon must have been really tired working with Kamal for V V. The consequence are clearly seen in PKMC. Apart from the fact that it is a remake of DERAILED, the film showcases the weakness and lethargic approach in direction which is not seen in 'kahka kahka'. One can hardly see any neutral shots in the film. Hand held shots does give a candid feel but not every time. I have seen Aravind Krishna(D.O.P) doing a role in kandukondein kandukondein in which he operates camera for marriage receptions, i see the same effect here too. It was like watching a wedding video. Well, esthetics and shot-divisions are exclusively director's perception, but one should also admit that a good paper can be converted to a good celluloid only when the right combinations are used. Writer/ Director Gautham menon should however be praised for the dialogues, the only best part in the film. Every piece is memorable but had western color.
Editing is pretty decent but eclipsed due to poor shot selections. Harris Jeyaraj, the current heart-throb should come out of his shell. A director can be identified by his way and style of film-making, because he has the cushion of doing it with different characters and artists every time, but not the music director. He has to be different and innovative every time. Harris's original score not only gives the audience a 'deja vu' feel but also 'Why is that i hear the same in every movie of his'?' thought. His background score is better comparatively. For someone who has a strong memory and were moved by a piece in 'Samurai' (that's Harris's too) they can hear the same here too. Just the same!
The casting is also a weaker section in PKMC. Except Jothika and Milind Soman (Awesome lip sync) nobody is impressive. Andre who is full of colours in the second half, showed a stiff face in the first. She carried a small smile in her face through out the first half which is a trait for any newcomer, Director should have taken extra care. Sarath Kumar, the protagonist's performance is below par. Sarath will be the best when he don roles like Natamai. I cannot take the 'so called' fact that he is underplayed. A scene where kalyani cries out "kaila 600 rooba than iruthathu" i expected some top class reaction from Sarath. Both the Director and the actor let me down. I'm not thrilled or surprised to see Jothika's acting. It's a known fact that she is THE best actor at present.
P.S. It is not a taboo that all films should be criticised to prove a single point that a review writer is intelligent and well-informed about the films than the director. It is the result of the juxtaposition of other films that the director had directed with the present one. We saw a new light in 'Khaka Khaka' which was fading in 'Vaytaiyadu Vilaiyadu' and now it is a complete black out.
BOTTOM LINE: Pachai Kili Muthu Charam - A necklace with counterfeit pearls!!!
