Thursday, November 29, 2007

Movie experience at Vellore - WOW!!!

Being a movie buff, I was always dissappointed when it comes to watching a movie in Vellore: not many theatres are good here. I was hoping for a breakthrough : Reliance Adlabs has acquired 2 theatres in vellore (Lakshmi and Alankar) and renovated them to a great extent.

This, i heard from my brother and my cousin. I was waiting for a chance to visit those theatres, and, the area's power system went down for maintainence. So, I immediately prompted my parents to go to a movie at one of those theatres (although i had already watched that movie). The moment i entered the theatre premises, i sensed the changes: computerised ticketing, advance booking over the web / phone, well furnished seatings, good sound systems, completely darkened environment such that the only source of light is the screen, at-seat service during the break... The tickets were affordable : 5 / 25 /40, but the refreshments were a bit over-charged. Of, course only half compared to the peers in Chennai and Hyderabad :) A really great effort / investment by Reliance...

Am looking forward to watch my favourite movie in the second theatre, today!!! And, everytime i visit home, i'll try to visit those theatres atleast once, whatever the movie might be. Coz, nothing elates me better than a good movie experience, and that too, in my hometown :)

Beowulf

The story of a hero, who falls victim of his own faults, and later redeems himself by ending what he started. My friend said, this was the oldest english tale. But, the movie was just another story, not very captivating. But, the IMAX 3d experience overrode everything!!! The animation was really good, especially of Angelina Jolie's 8). The action sequences (only 2) were beautifully picturised. I was awed at the skills of the animators.

The film is worth a watch for the IMAX experience.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Bourne Ultimatum

One of the best action-thrillers of the year. The movie is engaging from the start to the finish. Most of the time, u r at the edge of the seat, biting ur nails, wondering what might happen next. I loved every moment watching the movie. The sad part is that, the 'bourne' legacy ends here. And, what a way to end!!!

At all costs, watch the movie atleast once...

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Shoot em up

The title says it all : its all abt guns, stunts and the bad guys falling. All that was required was a plot to kick off the action, and that begins right at the first frame. A group of gangsters try to murder a pregnant lady and in comes the hero. You will get the maximum possible stunts using a gun (and a carrot) from the hero. He delivers the baby from its mother amidst a gun fight and defeats numerous gun-slingers while running, jumping, driving, sky-diving, sliding, on bed with the lady-love, etc... He finally unravels the mystery about the baby-killers, and wraps them all up. There is a comic touch to the hero's character: he always uses a carrot : munches it, kills people with it, and finally when his fingers are damaged, uses the carrot to operate guns!!!

Most of the stunts are preposterous: either you are awed by them, or have a good laugh at them. Either way, the movie is a good entertainer.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Rich Dad Poor Dad

In this book, Robert T Kiyosaki gives a different opinion on the way one handles his/her finances in everyday life. If open-minded, reading this book could change one's perspective of financial freedom, independence, and life.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Shivaji

Rajni...
How the movie magic unleashed by this single man mesmerizes an unimaginable volume of people, was evident at all the theatres wherever this movie got released worldwide. I heard some news that the frst day - frst show tickets were priced at 1500 rs - 3000 rs : I was worried, coz i didnt get one :( . Anyways, i managed to see the movie twice, although late...

The movie is all abt Rajni : u can really count the scenes where he is not present :) . He makes you feel his majestic presence in each and every scene. You see him in many different and effective make-ups, and all leave you amazed. In fact, almost every scene in the movie is grandiose : Shankar and AVM have made that sure.

Vivek is back to form too : he's the guy who gives out all the punch dialogues, and does it good. Shreya's beautiful 8) . The music and Background scores are awesome : none beats ARR. All the songs are great, especially Athiradee and Style : these were made jst for Rajni, and the memories live long. The fight sequences are cool. There are some sequences where Rajni simply walks around : but, those are simply the best moments in the movie :)

The theme of the movie is repetitive, and the suggestions of a private govt are a bit misleading. The first half is a bit lengthy, the villain doesnt match our superstar in 'gethu', and, Rajni does not speak any Punch dialogues!!! But, who cares ? this is Rajni's movie and all odds get evened out.

This could be the greatest movie ever made for Rajni, and that sums 'em all.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Ocean's 13

The gang is back. This time, the motto is not just a heist, but taking revenge on an equally cunning Casino/Hotel owner, who double-crosses one of the gang-members. And, of course, they succeed...

There are no character introductions, who is who, and stuff like that. The movie is paced fast from the start to the end. Everything here is about the plot, and its execution. The story is not centered on a single guy (yeah, no lady is part of the gang this time, oh ho!!! ), everyone has a part to play, and does it well.

The movie is as good as the first, and nothing else to add...

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Food I would love to have...

Brownie Sundae @ KFC, Somajiguda; F9, Banjara Hills Hyd
Parotta + Salna @ Airways, Chromepet Chn
Garlic Bread @ PizzaHut, Central Hyd
Hot Fudge Sundae @ Marriott, Hyd; Darling Restaurant, Vellore
Paneer Dishes + Phulka @ Ohri's Jiva, Somajiguda Hyd
Pani Puri @ PG Road Corner Shop, Secunderabad
Cashew Masala @ Annapurna, Ameerpet Hyd
Tomato Omlette + Coffee @ the NaturalGas DrillingCrew's Canteen, somewhere in Mahendragad, Maharashtra
Egg Dosa @ Rajam Mess, besides Vetri Theatre, Chromepet Chn
American Chopsuey @ Noodles Shop, Spencer's Plaza Chn
French Fries @ McDonalds, Prasadz Hyd
Rava Dosa @ Shanti Sagar, Somajiguda Hyd
Hot n Sour Soup @ Hub, Somajiguda Hyd
Rava Idli @ Kanna, Vellore
Tea @ Paradise, Secunderabad
Coffee @ Minerva Coffee Shop, Somajiguda Hyd
Spicy Veggie @ SubWays, LifeStyle Hyd
Pudina Paratha @ Naivedhiyam, Ameerpet Hyd
Paneer Butter Masala @ Rewa Hotel, Shahdol Maharashtra
Kadai Paneer @ HyderabadHouse, GreenLands Hyd
Deluxe Veggie Pizza (Medium) + Coke @ Dominoes
Bajji + Vada + Tea @ the second tea shop in Station Road, Chromepet Chn
Dosa + Chicken Kurma @ Malgudi, LifeStyle Hyd
American Sweet Corn @ CityCentre, Banjara Hills Hyd
Lichee Soda @ EatStreet Hyd
Full Meals @ SaravanaBhavan, TNagar Chn
Chilli Paneer @ the restaurant in BigBazaar, Abids Hyd
Dosas (I make) @ my room
Lassi @ SaravanBhavan, Secunderabad
Cashew Puffs @ Iyengar Bakery, Vellore

Hide n Seek Biscuits, 5 star Crunchy : anytime, anywhere...

And, evvvvvrything at my mom's hands :)

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Pirates Of Carribean : At the world's end

The first version was really good: it was a really entertaining movie, with a different plot, fantastic visuals, humorous sequences, and captivating storyline. Next came the second sequel : it wasnt exactly the same. The plot grew a bit complex, the characters got a bit serious, but ultimately, it was good. The third: the complexity of the plot is too high.

Most sequences look weird, many unexplained. Characters act unpredictably, myths and legends unfold out of nothing, things go out of control, and finally the movie ends. I did have a tough time following the story, but i love solving puzzles. So, i almost made it to the end.

The visuals are fantastic: better than the first two. The action sequences are also good. And Johnny Depp is cool : you feel his presence whenever he appears. But, he made me crazy whenever his alter-egos (or whatever they call themselves) appeared. To add, the language is too tough to follow. Aaarghhh...

I wont strongly recommend this movie, but, if you want a really different experience (and dont mind how weird it is), give it a try.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Sunday, May 27, 2007

SpiderMan 3

Spidey 3 is a goooood movie. Its different from the previous 2 versions : Its actually a action/drama, displaying more of human emotions than being simply action-oriented. You would love the action sequences: fantastic graphics and fast action that keeps u on the edge of the seat. It has a lot of characters moving around, but the movie manages them all. The sad part is that u have to bear seeing your super-hero breaking down and crying, more than jst once.

I saw it on IMAX : that made the movie experience much more wonderful.

Go watch it if you want 2 hrs of good entertainment. Dont look deep into the logic: this is a comics based movie.

PS: I am a spidey fan. So, take my words with caution :)

Friday, May 25, 2007

The Last King of Scotland

The movie narrates the experiences of a Scottish Doctor with Idi Amin, the Uganda general well known for his genocide of 300000 of his own country men.

Forest Whitaker plays the role of the general. But the truth is that u jst cant find Whitaker here : all u see is Idi Amin. U laugh at his wits. U get inspired by his intelligent speech. U admire his commanding powers. U are moved by his friendliness. U are attracted to his charms. U pity him when he gets into danger. U cringe whenever he barks out orders. At the end, u hate and fear him for whatever he is. The guy is simply superb.

The doctor does all that are said above. And when he panics realising his mistake, all hell breaks loose on him. What happens next is the ending.

Watch it if you want a very different potrayal of a man who once shook the whole world with his actions. It is effective, engaging and definitely intimidating.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Chennai 600028

"This movie is about a local gully cricket team preparing for a cricket tournament to defeat their arch rival team and the events in their lives through the year to the tournament." This is wat SPB announces in the frst scene. The team does make it to the end of the tournament, defeating their rivals in a very interesting semi-final match, but the ending has a twist, and you are sure to walk out laughing.


The main catch of the film is that in its cast, almost all are fresh faces to the field, and all act casually, giving the film a realistic feel. The comedy lines are really good: that is the backbone of the film. Especially the guy, who never really catches a throw throughout the film, and comes up with the famous 'enna koduma sir ithu' dialogue wherever applicable, arouses laughter throughout the crowd. And finally he does catch a throw, and thats another comic sequence.

Almost all characters have a significant part in the film, contributing to the laughter atleast in one sequence. The music by Yuvan is another plus point: almost all songs are good. Some sequences use old movie songs to arouse some more rounds of laughter.


The film suffers a few notable glitches: The main motto of the heroes (all the 11 members of the team are the heroes here), next to playing cricket, seems to be drinking and smoking. Heroines (only 2, thank God!!!) live upto the kollywood formula: appear to say 2 words, jst before a song unfolds. And you a have a song that can surely be telecasted in tv in the late hours.


Forget the logic (who has ever heard abt a cricket tournament in a tennis ball), then u have a very entertaining movie to keep ur mind relaxed for over 2.5 hrs.

Monday, May 21, 2007