Movie: Kites
Language: Universal
Date: 20th May, 2010 - Paid Preview

Review
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In one of the pivotal scenes from Hrithik Roshan's latest movie 'Kites', a Mexican born Linda (Barbera Mori) returns across the amber landscape of the Bryce Canyon, to tell her Indian origin lover Jai (Hrithik) that she doesn't choose to move away to safety leaving him alone in the chase they were involved till then. Linda says she would choose to live or die with Jai rather than escape alone. It can be a scene straight out of Bollywood love stories but the characters, setting and context in 'Kites' makes it UNIQUE. There are no two ways to it, 'Kites' is nothing like what you have seen on Indian Screen before. It is for sure - Unique.

Plot and Screenplay
---------------------------

The story of 'Kites' is a no-brainer. It is exactly what you expect before you enter to see the movie. It is the age old romantic story between two of the most unlikely people. Heroine in a 'caged' situation. Hero and Heroine on the run along a gorgeous countryside. 'Kites' at its heart is a ‘pakka’ bollywood film. It has so many of its clichés. Customary scene for the villain to show of his villa nary. The rich father and the spoilt son as the villain. Breaking to a song and dance to show the romance. You name it and its all there. Yet what sets 'Kites' apart are 2 beautiful characters essayed by Hrithik and Barbera and the landscape of the movie.

Hrithik and Barbera
----------------------------
Hrithik is awesome to say the least as the Indian origin 'Jai' who does false marriages to make money. Try placing someone else in this role and then you will for once understand how effortlessly Hrithik has done this. From the dance floor to the stunts to the emotional breakdown at the end, Hrithik moves effortlessly slightly reminding us of the Big B himself in his hay days. Such is his command and screen presence. The only negatives are his self conscious torso display scenes.
Barbera is the surprise package of 'Kites'. She is warm, bubbly, effervescent yet quite unpredictable (may be her adventures make us think if she can cheat him). Barbera is quite natural as the Mexican girl hence initially you feel difficult to accept her. But slowly as the movie progresses, Barbera emerges as the perfect foil for Hrithik.

Direction and the Climax
----------------------------------

Anurag Basu has a liking for tragedies. We have seen that in 'Gangster'. 'Kites' is a tragic love story. And for once not sure whether to pat Anurag or criticize him. The tragic end doesn't seem to be forced upon but it leaves 'Kites' as a pain in your heart. On the one hand you wish to praise the team for the guts they have shown with the ending. And especially to Hrithik, who is a big superstar and when he releases a movie after 2 years, he chooses such a 'unique' movie like 'Kites' and such a tragic ending. May it has a lesson for the Mammottys and Mohanlals, who dare not still churn out 6-7 formula movies a year for the fear of failure. Anurag does a decent job with the movie and has extracted commendable performances from the lead. The Las Vegas setting gives the movie the edgy feeling and the Arizona, New Mexico trail a beautiful canvas.

Technical Aspects
-------------------------

Stunts are well choreographed. Cinematography is well done. Music is also a high point in the film with 'Zindagi', 'Dil Kyun' standing out. The 'Fire' Dance is a treat to watch with Hrithik's super moves.

Negatives
--------------
Almost 50% of the movie, one keeps asking oneself of how these 2 people can fall in love without even knowing the common language. But for once, the scene mentioned in the opening of this review changes all that.
The Spanish dialogues of Barbera have been well subtitled but missing in some portions.
The re-recording is a major disappointment with the background scores missing the main tracks. Looks disconnected.
Its always a 2 character play hence can be a bit boring.
And the biggest dampener (if it can be called that) is a tragic ending. Though looking not forced upon will still leave the audience disturbed and not sure how many will have the patience to appreciate it.

In short, 'Kites' is nothing like you have seen on Indian screen before. May be it is India's true Universal Cinema. With a spirited performance by Hrithik and Barbera, if you have the patience to appreciate a unique love story that is tragic, then go for it.

Verdict - 3.5/5 and UNIQUE as an Opinion

'Kites' - Flying a Unique Trail.

Movie: Kadha Thudarunnu
Date: 15th, May 2010.
Language: Malayalam

Review
-----------

Simplicity and Honesty are 2 of the most attractive traits of any story. Malayalam Commercial Cinema's Ace Director Satyan Anthikad's new movie 'Kadha Thudarunnu' has oodles of simplicity and honesty. After few contrived efforts, Satyan is back in form to a great extent and makes 'Kadha Thudarunnu' one of the better movies of the year.


Plot and Direction
------------------------
The story of 'Kadha Thudarunnu' moves at a very lovable pace. It neither has those speedy cuts or gimmicks and it is never too slow to make you squirm in your seats.From the word go the movie and the characters look very simple which endears you to the movie. Not made out simple but naturally simple.
Satyan has kept the direction really under control. His famous squandering in the second half doesn't happen this time. Satyan usually contrives his plot in the second half and makes it illogical, atleast in the last 2-3 outings but this time he is in better form. He has also extracted commendable performances from 3 of his 'non-team' members namely, Mamta, the baby girl, Anikha and Asif Ali. Satyan's usual team is in its good form as well (namely KPAC Lalitha, Innocent etc).
Many scenes are really touching espeically when Mamta is shocked and goes to Asif's house. The way it has been handled shows experience. Mamta's escape from Jayaram initially,Jayaram's camping outside the school etc are all good scenes. As the interval arrives, you are sure that this is one of the better movies of the year but the famous Satyan second half miss keeps you concerned. But thankfully this time around, Satyan does better.

Performances
-------------------
The movie belongs to two people. Mamta Mohandas as 'Vidyalekshmi' - a young widow and a single parent left alone at the crossroads of life. Mamta is subtle, bold, helpless and vulnerable as the situation demands. She lives through the best role of her life till date.A confident performance which will change the way people think about her as an actress. If her performance in 'Passenger' was an indicator, 'Vidyalekshmi' confirms her potential as an actress.
The second person to whom the movie belongs to is Baby Anikha. She brings so much warmth on the screen that she keeps many screens alive. She is a perfect foil to fill up the scenes which could have felt a bit empty and illogical otherwise. Mamta and Anikha put in winning performances. Natural and Endearing.
Jayaram has nothing much to do but is competant. Asif puts in a good performance. Lakshimi Priya as Malli is also commendable.


Music
--------
'Kadha Thudarunnu' has 2 of the better tunes from Satyan- Raja combo in 'Aaro' and 'Mazhamegham'. 'Aaro' has been used well in the re-recording.

Negatives
-------------

Some sequences have issues with logic. Why Mamta decides to go the park and stay there (what was the thought behind such a decision) or her move to the platform all seems a bit difficult to digest. Mamta rejoining the Medical College reminds you of 'Vinodayatra' but soon Satyan changes that to a community support for her education and salvages it. But Anikha and Mamta's performances make you forget all these.
Also, the climax which appears to be a sudden twist and a bit forced upon gives you a feeling that it arrived soon out of no where. Its not cliched and usual which is a plus but the end kind of fizzles out a bit.
In short, 'Kadha Thudarunnu' is a good movie. It could have been even better with an ending that was better handled but all said and done, it shows that Satyan has matured as a script writer and has left his usual tendency to contrive things. That for sure is a welcome change.

Verdict - 3.5/5 and 'Simply Good' as Opinion

'Kadha Thudarunnu' - Simple and Honest!

Movie: Pokkri Raja
Language: Malayalam
Date: Saturday, May 8, 2010

Review
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Around 10 years back, Malayalees used to call Tamil films as 'Paandi' (which had a derogatory touch to it). It meant over expressive emotional scenes, over the top action scenes, over the moon heroism and Logic defying hero worship. Today, times have changed. Tamil movies are no longer 'Paandi' (in that sense of the word). Yes, some movies in Tamil still come out with the age old formula of hero worship but the industry as such is now known for independent cinema made by talented directors who not only produce brilliant movies on low budget but also make them super hits. But in Malayalam the trend is now reversed. Its now our turn to be called 'Paandi'.

'Pokkriraja' is a final nail in the coffin of proclaiming and christening Malayalam movies as the so called 'Paandi'. If you felt that, over the years, it was the feel, takes etc that were inspired in Malayalam from Tamil but some sort of ‘Malayalitham’ was retained. Its all gone with this. Watch 'Pokkriraja' in most parts and you will think for sure that its a typical Tamil Masala movie. The only saving grace is once you have compromised that much, then it doesn't irritate or torture you to death.

The Story
--------------
There is not much of a story involved. There has to be a village and then a 'Uthsavam'. There has to be 2 warring families for conducting the same, enmity and murder etc. 2 brothers have to part ways - customary. Thankfully both become Pokkris (Goons). At least, an interesting formula (since the whole movie is so formulaic) was that one could become a police and other the goon. There would have been some tension and interest. Even that is avoided. Its so formulaic that it will make you cringe at points.
Factor this, in true 80s Hindi movies style, when 2 brothers meet after so many years, they both say dialogues which one has said in the childhood to recognize each other. Sigh! Sigh!. Thanks that the director avoids an old family song to join the brothers (aka 'Yaadon Ki Baraat'). Also, as in hero worshipping Tamil movies, an old lady praises the hero as 'Singam' and ' Messiah of the Poor’ before the hero arrives. Pointless!!

Performances
---------------------
Mammotty and Prithviraj are saving graces of the Movie to say the least. With some good screen presence, they save the movie from falling in to the death trap of becoming a complete bore. Prithviraj shines in the first half and has a virtual side kick role in the second. Mammotty has been hero worshipped so much that it makes you choke. I think some sanity should reign on his thoughts. May be its high time he had his famous 3 Ss - Sense, Sensibility and Sensitivity. He plays to the galleries and his fans. He tries hard to flounder English (the initial attempts are so foolish because actually he is good at English personally). Nevertheless, both the stars have enough to hold the interest of the viewers.

+ves and -ves
--------------------
The positives include a pretty fact screenplay. Slick presentation and some action scenes which are bound to go well with the masses. The -ves include completely clichéd story, over the top situations and hero worship that almost makes you throw up. Songs are ordinary. 'Manikinavin' is never shown while a Tamil style song is shown. Shreya is wasted in a role that could have been done by anyone.

In short, if you soon come to terms with the fact that 'Pookriraja' crosses the line and is probably the first mainstream Malayalam - Tamil Masala movie made on highest dose of hero worship and clichéd situations, then you may probably end up watching this movie as a one time, time-pass movie. If you are the creative and subtle types, then you are in for a rude shock.

Verdict - 2.5/5 and 'Just Average'.

Pokkri Raja - Finally, Malayalam Cinema has now officially been 'Paandified' .



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About Me

The Rainmaker is intended as a blog for casual writing and bring about small little changes wherever possible.Initally, it would have movie reviews watched at the cinemas. For starters, movie reviews that I have written over over the past 2 years for Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil movies have been included here. ----------------------------- Next Likely Reviews - Ividam Swargamanu