PREMAM REVIEW

It's not one but three different love stories that director Alphonse Putharen attempts to portray in his new film titled 'Premam'.The movie potentially has everything going for it,a knock-out star,one heartfelt love track,nicely done sync sound technology and an effective change in color tone but it still falls short of perfectly enjoyable cinema.

The movie chronicles the fifteen year time period of it's protagonist and the women who come into his life in each period.It's lively story telling that Alphonse has employed in this film, relying on conversational dialogue.His narrative too is far from conventional at to be honest,the clearly works because it offsets the familiarity of tale.

But there is a clear lack of substance in the movie and we sadly discover that 'Writer' in Putharen still wishes to hold on the usual tropes.It does take some time to adjust ourselves to the realistic tone of the movie and as a result the first love story doesn't really stir out hearts.It appears to be hastily done but the movie enters the track in George's college episode.The interest that he develops for his guest lecturer is subtly done and you emotionally invest in this story,because leads are extremely convincing.Supporting characters like vinay fort too chip in with some clean straight faced humor.

It's not long before we realise that,the ailment that plagues this film is it's messy screenplay that reinforces old sterotypes .Alphonse showcases his flair for blaringly loud music  by incorporating a truly unnecessary dance sequence.I understand the movie is not about story and more on the character,but movie fails to show the manner in which each relationship has effected or changed him.It appears as if no heart breaks would have any effect on George and he will continue to fall in love.

Even as we alphonse smartly wraps things up including some out of place but inventive music videos we long for something to happen on screen as the movie appears to has virtually run out of all drama.

Picture ke side effects

                                 Shadi ke Side Effects -- Movie Review

It's nearly heartbreaking to see a movie with a massive potential like Shaadi completely derail in its second half.

Saket Choudary hits all the right notes in the first hour by choosing a delicious subject.The film delerives all its laughs from the character of Roy played by Farhan as he finds it immensely difficult to cope up with the challenges the new role of being a parent offers him.

Saket never looses steam in the films brisk first half that manages to give you a handful of genuine laughs.The film's problems start right from the intermission point.
Saket,establishes couple as those who clearly know how to adjust among themselves,thus it becomes difficult to digest when Roy all of  sudden goes searching for an advice to his brother-in law .

The film fails to raise any central conflict and Saket's attempt to veer the film to a different territory remains half baked .The fun element goes completely missing from the film and unneccesary tracks like that of the camaraderie Roy shares with his room mate played by Vir Das simply adds to your misery.

The truth is that despite the competent performances ,the film never really rescues itself and twist in the final act appears to be too far fetched and contrived

If you still wish to give this rather under-realised  marriage event a go then do it so for its  cast who share terrific chemistry between them.Watch out for Ram Kapoor especially,he manages to steal the show in a sparkling cameo

                       Highway -- Movie Review                                           

The truth is inspite of having a very admirable idea at its centre.Ali's film never becomes sum of its parts and feels unneccesarily stretched.

The movie is pretty much on course till the interval block but soon looses steam and becomes entirely predictable and extremely slow.The story unfurls when Veera Tripathi played superbly by Alia Bhatt is abducted on the highway by a gang headed by Mahabir Bhati(Randeep Hooda).After coming to know about Tripathi's alleged link with the government Mahabir is made to carry the whole risk singlehandedly and thus beginning the road trip.

The good thing here is that the story telling doesnt appear to be unneccesarily hurried and attempt to play to galleries is also kept in-check.There are a handful of well written and performed scenes in the film's first half and its also interesting to see Ali turn the whole unfortunate incident on its head and make  into sort of a self-liberation path for its protagonist.AR Rahman woos you with his soundtrack that seamlessly blends with the story.

But film's novelty wears thin post intermission as quite expectedly the romance between protagonists start to sprout up.Though we get used to the pace of the film and it continues to mesmerise visually, the story telling seems to have vanished and believability takes a beating.

We fail to emotionally invest in both these protagonists,especially Hooda whose characters comes off as so underwritten.But despite all these odds Highway does manage to give a calming influence .That coupled by string of competent performances and great music makes Highway worth embracing,atleast in parts.

Rating -- 2.5/5

2013 -- A RECAP

It was an year which surely had its positives for me.In fact I am happy announce that it wasn't one of those numerous lazy years that i have had in my life.The year had a pleasant surprise  in store at the start for me and that undoubtedly is something that I would cherish for my entire life.My first attempt at a short story writing competition fetched me an A grade and it was the first time the writer in me was recognised with a backing of a certificate.I also enjoy all the fun we had during the trip as well.It was probably for the first time in my life I had so much fun with my friends.

A certain sense of optimism rose inside myself and I felt like doing things which I owing to certain fears have refused to do.Thus I made it a point to be a part of the college excursion and except for some pitfalls I was able to make most of the tour and enjoyed the destination and the camaraderie to the hilt.

I took part in almost all the functions that was held in my college and some of them ,specifically the Onam celebration shall have a special place in my heart.The best part of the year was that I was able to create a lot of good company from my college and it was great to interact with a large section of people who share the same taste as that of mine.

As year reached half-way mark.I joined a coaching institute and the classes there urged me to have a good outlook on eveything that surrounds me.Thus I  started paying more attention to the things happening in my society and became more inclined to Politics .

For a reasonably long period of three months I stood completely away from the cyber world and devoted more time to friends around me.It also gave me enough time to develop my reading habits .For first time in my life I was able to completely soak in to the world of literature.

Then came along those short film days,for perhaps the second time in my life I became a part of film-making process.And I have to admit that it was an excellent learning experience.In fact that learning didn't have much to do with the film itself but it gave me an opportunity to witness talent of a bunch of individuals and it also reminded me how far way I was from all of them.It clearly made me aware of my weak-links and I have tried to take back all the positive points from each member of the team.

It was an year where I tried to shed all my intellectual prentensions and tried to be myself.I realised that certain things kept myself away from enjoying my life to the fullest and decided that I would try to let more Joy and Happiness spread my life.

It was also good to stick with family at the year end and go on a tour with them.I also decided to make it a point that i remain more focused the coming year and involve myself more in the family matters and offer a helping hand to my Father and Mother and hopefully waste less of their hard earned money.

The year certainly shall be a landmark year since its in this year that I became completely aware of my strengths and more importantly weaknesses.Looking ahead,I feel that 2014 is going to be a tough grind.Its probably period where I will have to make the most important decisions that eventually decide where i would belong.Hope the experiences that I had this year would enable to guide me through those rough patches and see my life with optimism.

This year was mostly about friendship and bonding for me ,so before winding up I would want to thank all those who have been good to me and stuck with me over thick and thin and taught me many important facets of life.And I also wish to apologise if I have let anyone down

As Munnabhai puts it'Mere man bhi yeh likhkar halka hogaya hai'..:)...Happy New Year everyone..

Dhoom 3

The plot of the movie is the same old wine,that of the circus kids returning to avenge the person responsible for their father's death.It wouldn't have mattered much had it all made for some good escapist cinema.But it never quite hits the benchmark and is let down by cliched plot twists that disappointingly show-up in between all those long,gravity-defying stunts.The fans of franchise don't have much to complain but its sad to see an actor of the caliber of Amir ham it up in the entire second half.

The writing does show some signs of improvement in latter stages but the Amir's over the top performance pulls it down further.The film again shamelessly resorts to some age-old twists to tie the whole thing together.

I would have tolerated it all for its brisk pacing if it wasn't for that sickeningly sentimental climax which makes it not just a film that safely sticks to the formulae but also one that attempts to take itself way too seriously

Rating -- 2.5/5

MEMORIES

As Prithviraj,who has been on a purple patch off-late joins hands with Jeethu Joseph the man behind last year's run-away hit'My Boss'.One is bound to have  reasonable expectations especially since it was touted to be a psychological thriller.Its Jeethu's first attempt at the thriller genre after his debut effort Detective which is why it is disappointing to see him make the same mistakes yet again

Memories is one movie which takes its time to gather its steam.The initial half is mostly used to portray the emotional turmoil of its protagonist  Sam Alex coutesy a tragic past in which the officer's smartness clearly got back-fired and resulted in the loss of his loved ones.But as a serial killer starts wreaking havoc the master-minds in the department are bound to turn to Sam Alex and in the process of investigation Sam is expected to regain his lost ground

So its only few minutes before intermission that the movie picks up pace and starts entering into thriller territory.Having to watch the turbulent life of a chronic alcoholic is supposed to be a drag and Jeethu's screenplay is not entirely tight either.What is disappointing is  how the movie retraces the cliched elements like a smart woman journalist getting interested in the case of protagonist and those ego clashes between the officers involved in the case.

 Memories manages to interest the audien as it reaches the half way mark.But its clearly a movie that fails in its most important segments.The whole back story of the murderer brings the tempo of the movie down as its both appalingly shot and poorly written.By then,its clear that Jeethu's attention is just to hold the attention of the audien till the end credit starts rolling but the least that you expect from a mystery is a genuinely surprising final reveal but sad to say it comes off as a big downer that even hardcore loyalists of the genre are likely to complain.

What stays with you however and clearly holds this from being a train wreck is the extremely fine performance of prithviraj.prithvi puts his heart and soul to the role of the depressed police officer who seeks to turn over a new leaf in his life.

Memories is indeed a technically fine film and almost all the major elements are in sync with the movie expect of course,for the writing.Watch it if you must for yet another solid show by its protagonist

Rating - 2/5

 FRIENDSHIP -- beyond boundaries.

Binding together under the cloud of affection
we blow into thin air
the restrictions of cast,creed and color