Kalki 2898 AD Movie, Message to Makers; Path to Perfection

On July 13th, Kalki 2898 AD, the Tollywood film claimed to have grossed 1000 crores of rupees, a significant milestone for Indian cinema. This is the seventh movie to accomplish such a feat. Bollywood films such as Dangal, Jawan, and Pathan are included in the Rupees 1000 Crore Club. Tollywood's Baahubali 2, RRR, and Sandalwood's KGF 2.

Kalki 2898 AD, an epic-based dystopian fantasy that introduces a completely new genre to Indian audiences, is a standout on the list. The film has outperformed its budget by earning twice its cost.

The film is directed by Nag Ashwin, who has previously directed three films. His vision for developing the backstory and the cinematic universe is unique and commendable.  as this was a risky venture, that would have bankrupted his entire family fortunes.

The director's lack of significant experience dealing with complex technical aspects is evident on the screen as an unpolished, raw product. However, it is worth noting that renowned directors such as SS Rajamouli have honed their craft over multiple films, spanning decades, correcting technical flaws, know-how, and limitations that he improved with each subsequent film.

Here is the list in no particular order.

1. Reliance on Hollywood for Art and Universe Building. Missing Originality 

There is a large amount of borrowed material in the universe that a Hollywood sci-fi enthusiast will easily pick up. For the majority of the target audience, this is not an issue, as they have little to no exposure to this content.

References: 

• Guardians of Galaxy 1: StarLord intro, fighting style, personality, and gear and equipment that allow him to fly
• Guardians of Galaxy 3: Knowhere looks to have lended the sets to Kaashi.
• Black Panther: Shambhala and its world
• Tron: Rebel futuristic levitating vehicles
• Elysium: Androids, Complex, Classes of People, Exoskeleton by Bounty Hunters
• Total Recall 2016: Transport to Complex
• Halo Series: Weapons Used by Raiders
• Transformers and Power Rangers: Transformed BUJI

 

I am sure there are slight references to Mad Max Fury for chase scenes, Star Wars weapons and crafts, and Commander Manas looks reflect Darth Vader and Hanock, the anti-hero of Bhairava, in the 1st quarter.

2. The Uncredited Extras

The extras in the movie were more or less static and were not directed to act enough. The attention to detail by the assistant director on what and who to enact was missing in many of the action scenes.

 

• The Raiders driving hover vehicles had a fixed facial expression and body gestures and appeared mostly frozen. Alternatively, they could have worn a helmet to avoid this issue.
• Shambhala's rebels, when responding to Veran's call to face the attack, showed low energy.
• Kaashi's citizen extras were present to provide comedy or were too boxed in their limited scope.

 

3. Contrast in the World Building of Kaasi

The path to Kaasi at the beginning of the movie shows a dried-out Ganga river bed and banks reflecting a Dune-like universe; however, there is no such view in actual Kaasi, which looks more like Knowhere from Guardians of Galaxy 3 or Blade Runner. 

4. Sum80, Sumathi, and Amma escape from Complex:

Sum80, when she finally escapes the tunnel, gets caught on fire and burns down completely. However, in the same way, her hair, including bodily hair like eyebrows, should have been equally burned. That didn't happen, possibly indicating she was wearing inflammable fabric or that she was immune to elements like fire due to her bearing the child.

5. Sound Track Mix:

I watched the film in two different formats, in two different countries, and on two different audio systems (configurations), only to discover that the sound designers and engineers did an extremely poor job. The audio rendering, combined with the background track, left me wanting more for moviegoers like myself.

• The track isolation was not clear. 
• The base usage was not ideal.
• The low-frequency sound modulations and ranges used to move air, generate vibrations, and punches were severely underutilized. 
• The contrast between silence and peak range was missing, and the track appeared flat.
• Even a trained ear had difficulty detecting surrounding effects, particularly atmospheric effects.
• The energy that audiology can bring in has been underutilized. For example, the audio sequence in Hanu-Man elevates and genuinely pumps adrenaline when it plays. Nothing of the sort occurred in Kalki. .

6. Music/BBackground Score

The background score or the original sound track lacked depth, punch, or melody, making it unnoticeable. 

• The Track Ta Takkara relies on auto-tuning and is annoying. It would have been better if they had a better singer who didn't require auto-tune.
• The track Bhairavva Anthem used during the fight sequence with Punjabi vocals didn't mix well. It would have been better if it was kept as a stand-alone promotion track.
• The makers could and should have opted in for more Sanskrit-based tracks and background scores like in Hanu-Man; this would have added more energy instead of the hip

7. Cameo Roles

The number of cameo roles in the movie was ridiculous and seemed overdone. This also included the cameo of Disha (yes, it is a cameo) and the Jathi Rathnalu movie cast in the Ta Takkara dance sequence.

8. Mariyam's Fight

I felt that Mariyam's fight, which featured some levitating powers and the use of energy whips, could have been avoided and maintained a serene motherly image of her instead of turning her into a warrior, ultimately which led to her death.

There could be more, but these stand out. I hope the makers take note of and pay closer attention to these technical details, which improve the overall movie viewer experience while also assisting the makers in perfecting the art. 

This is really a good film that could have easily been an excellent movie.

Movies I was watching...Oscar Fever

It's been sometime that I had blogged on movies I was watching/ rather there weren't enough bloggable movie content to motivate me. Yes after the Oscars show I have a couple to final break loose my silence.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett this movie is adapted from the 1921's story by F. Scott Fitzgerald is about a man Benjamin who is born in his eighties and ages backwards.

Story is a slow-moving long one which unfolds in a death bed in New Orelans hospital in the back drop of Hurricane Katrina, with the Daisy asking her daughter to read the story in a diary which happens to be an unusual one about daughters biological father.

It talks about Benjamin who was deserted and subsequently brought up by black foster parents working as care takers at old age home. The boy was taken to be a monster and deserted by his father owing to his demise of his wife during pregnancy and primarily due to Gerontological conditions. Subsequently the boy survives his condition to grow younger and reversing his condition to die as a baby. The role has been intelligently and amazingly crafted plots and situation to add reality to a rather unrealistic subject. The backdrop of wars, depressions, Cyclone Katrina, Balle has been used as intelligent props throughout the story. An inherent love story brews with Benjamin and his childhood friend fall madly and deeply in love when there ages coincide around 40 years. Emotions of seeing one age while other grew younger was touchy, and finally when Benjamin dies as a baby in old Granny-like ladies hands who in reality should have been wife and husband longed for the pain one had to endure through at those crucial age. But ahem this is outcastly unreal who cares about this, its not even close to real life was what I felt and stop being emotional at the end.

It received 13 nominations and is the only Best Picture finalist this year to have earned more than $100 million in US. It won three Oscars for Art Direction, Makeup, and Visual Effects, and incidentally has tied the record for the most nominated film not to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

As the Oscars speaks BENJAMIN’s script or even the fine acting aren’t its most impressive accomplishment; the technology–both CGI and makeup–used to make Benjamin and Daisy age are remarkable, and makes the film entirely believable, not undermining performances from both Pitt and Blanchett.

Slumdog Millionaire

Directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan is a British movie in the backdrop of Mumbai's slums. Its an adaptation of Boeke Prize winning novel of 2005 Q&A by Vikas Swarup. Though its not an exact adaptation it reflects a story of slum boy's tale of Rag's to Riches with a love-at-first sight love story. This movie stories the hardcore realities of Mumbai's slums and social conditions woven around Mumbai riots of 1992 and struggle of life during past this to become not only an Ultimate Survivor but also winner of one's Childhood love.

The entire movie was made in a budget of just over 75 crores which is a very small amount considering its international status, but made good returns during its later run. The movie flunked in India and faced lots of criticism from likes of Arinidham Choudary and Amitabh Bachan. Even my Gal had very serious reservations against the movie, even I agree to it to some extent. The poorly did show India in a bad light, and on the purpose front I felt was wrong. During these economical turmoil it showed that the Western countries are much better off than the state of affairs in the World's largest democracy. The movie offered a lot of solace to countries like USA and UK which huge debt-driven infact the largest indebted economy and people in the world are not Africans or Asians or Indians but the Americans.

I was a bit hurt when the places like the pride of India the Taj Mahal was showcased and which showed how tourist were misguided throuout and looted. It does throw a very bad impression of the professional Guides working there in Taj Mahal and tourist who trot to India in search of the Global Symbol of Love and a gateway to India. They would definitely think twice while offering a dime to those children on the roads. It has both the good and bad sides though.

Touchy were parts on exploitation of children by gangsters, mobs, Sex-industry, the drugs, the underworld; It shows that no place is void of evils of this era, be it culturally strong nation like India or China or highly civilised or a developed nation like an USA. Evils of the mankind hunt and haunt young and old, male and female alike. I feel sad when I see people falling in for such evils be it out of necessity or be it out of opportunism. I always hope that there would be days in future where people could make choices and always make a correct and a better choice.

I somehow believed there were lots of other movies and documentaries which showcased the slums and penance of our country but this failed to showcase how life thrives, survives in this hardest of hardest environments. It also fails to address the spirit of Indian culture or Spirit of Mumbaikar who against all odds learns to survive and live a decent life. Its not always illegal and anti-social modes that people end-up in but hard workers over shadow those opportunists. A message should have been sounded aloud making a attempt to bring people and lifes to the mainstream course of moral and spiritually ideal well being and happiness. Would have definitely liked to have this in this movies core message.

From the Oscars front it had a conversion rate of over 90% with winning 8 awards from 9 categories it got nominated for. It missed out on sound mixing which was bagged by the much deserving movie The Dark Knight. Ideally I wouldn't have wanted this movie to be the best movie for the year 2008, yes Danny deserved credit for digging out Gold and making millions and billions out of the Indian theme. If it wasn't for Danny and British production community we wouldn't have got this amount of recognition and laurels for our immensely but sadly under recognised movie making fraternity of technicians and behind the scenes artisans. One might have failed to recognise that the Taj Mahal shown here in the movie was a set which was erected by our own Indians with lots of detail to enable a close-up shots. The set was erected near Pune. Also Kudos to Oscar winners Resul Pookooty and AR Rehman. I believe though Rehman wasn't at his best compared to Swades, Roja or a Vandemataram in this movie he deserved an oscar for what he was and the talent he posses. I hope he wins a life time achievement award at Oscars and Grammy's for his contributions to the music community.

So the Button man from New Orleans had the one tough one to beat in this years Oscars; hadn't the kid from Mumbai shown up and seized moviegoers' hearts it was surely up there and yes this managed a Golden Globe though. This proves that movies which are unreal have little chance against movies which are surreally close, touchy and inspiring. Like politics, aren't always predictable. Benjamin B. is Hillary to Slumdog's Obama.

Arundhati

So much for the Oscar fever the other movie I wanted to talk about is Kodi RamaKrishna's movie Arundhati. This movie staring Anushka Shetty and Sonu Sood with Sayaji Shinde and Manorama in the supporting cast had been raking up a lot of interest back home in the Tollywood. Incidentally I too fell victim to it that I watched it on the first day of the release during my Sankranti Vacation. I was waiting eagerly to watch this movie as it got postponed twice in the week. I watched the Second show with my Gal, and yes it gave enough goosebumps while driving back past the Muslim crematory near RaniGunj to Marriott route of Secunderabad. My Gal couldn't sleep alone and kepy squealing every now and then for next 15 days after watching the much anticipated movie. Well this was the first movie we as a couple watched for the the first time and guess it was a right choice. All through the screen my lady was on my shoulder grasping every inch of my long hand.

The effects were amazing by out standards, but looked very much like CGI and wires frames animation. While the plots were seemingly adopted from Final Destination, The excorcist, Gothika to name a few, there was a bit of resemblance to a few other cult movies of Kodi Ramakrishna's movies. I felt Anoushka could have been a bit better on the dances as I felt she struggled in that. Anyways it was her first character based and role-heavy performance kudos to her too. Shinde and Sonu Sood outlived their roles and gave a spectacular performance. The movie pace I felt was too fast and plots should have been better plotted. The movie wrapped up even before one could realise what hit them. A nice attempt by the crew; though a sad one in terms of getting the women audience to start believing in all the black magic and superstition in this seemingly progressive times.

I still smile when I see my gal shivering when I say to her "Bomallee ninuu Vadalaa!!!"

Movies of the Month (July 08)

I always believe that unless one connects to the movies one really can't get involved with the plot and pace of the movie. For if a movie is unable to connect to the person watching its a movie worth forgetting. Had my bit of good movies to write something good about them today. Though I wanted to scribble the moment I was done with watching them I really couldn't thanks to my constraints no internet access at home and also it was 2pm while I finished watching them.

First movie I was watching in the first week was during the prime time of Wednesday on HBO. Happened to land-in on this channel by chance and due to resemblance to Chiru's movie continued with it till the end. Really touchy one. Second was the latest bolloywood hit released five days ago.

Pay it Forward (2000)

Its about a Las Vegas, Seventh Grader named Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment of Sixth Sense) is given a project to complete by his new social studies teacher Eugene Simonet (Kevin Spacey), who has terrible burn scars on his face and neck owing to child abuse during his childhood. Trevor's task is to come up with a plan that will change the world through direct action. On his way home from school later that day, Trevor notices a homeless man, and provides food and shelter covering up this from his alcholic mom Arlene (Helen Hunt) who herself suffered a bad childhood due to her alcholic mom. Trevor then comes up with the plan to "pay it forward" by making a difference in peoples life doing a good deed for atleast three people who must in turn each do good deeds for three other people.

As the movie progresses it shows how the small dream of Trevors spreads from Vegas to LA and to the rest of nation influencing not just his own people but the entire nation. Unfortunately Trevor is stabbed in a juvenile fight at school while trying to stop a fight and succumbs, just after making an appearance on TV and telling about his idea about making a difference and changing and how hard it is for people to be good because they stop trying. As the climax draws Trevor mom and teacher realise the sympathy and faith Trevor garnered due to his effort of making a difference and influence he had on so many lives due to his small act.

After Trevor was stabbed and succumbed I was crying for the rest of time till the titles came down. There is playback on TV in the movie airing the last moments of Trevor in which he was interviewed by the TV reporter who came searching for the originator of the Pay it forward idea. Really touching and felt it in my heart hard when he died.

The idea of the book and film has been brought to life by the Pay It Forward Foundation, and through the work of social activist Jane Tewson and the non-profit organization she founded, Timebank.

This "Help 3 people" Concept was originally a Communist philosophy, started by Lenin in 1918 as a means of establishing an egalitarian society.

Subsequently in 2006, Chiranjeevi's Telugu movie is heavily inspired by this movie and takes cues every now and then from the same, except that Stalin is an grown-up and survives the attack on him to see what the impact his moment has created in the society.

But the Pay it forward is something very touchy in the climax, loved the movie and a must see for sensitive people who look for inspiration and for sure they come from small seemingly insignificant things.

Quotes -

"When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back... Pay It Forward"

"Some favours you are not allowed to pay back."

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008)

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is a simple, sweet, teen-comedy with debutant Imran Khan (Aamir Khan's nephew), which contrary to Aamir's first film Qayamat Se Qayamat se Tak which had women across India writing love notes to Aamir in their blood, is very genorous and sweet and less frenzy. This film also marks Abbas Tyrewala's (Munnabhai writter) directorial debut.

The movie revolved round the a typical C0-ed gang of friends from five years of college Jai Singh Rathore aka Rats (Imran Khan), Aditi aka Meeow (Genelia), Jignesh Patel aka Jiggy (Nirav Mehta), Sandhya aka Bombs (Aliskha Varde), Shaleen (Sughanda) and Rotlu (Karan) Jai and Aditi are best friends within the group. Rotlu likes Aditi. Sandhya likes Jai. But, Jai and Aditi like each other but friendly manner or is it ? The movie revolves about the evolving relation between Rats and Meeyoo where they discover the meaning of love, which until then was covered in mirage of college friendship.

Though the movie draws heavy similarity to the hit Telugu movie "Nuvve Kavali" starring Shreya, Tarun apart from resemblance to scenes borrowed from Gudumba Shankar, the movie is uniquely treated thanks to the direction and screenplay in casting out the roles which show casted some usually overseen aspects of life. To name a few - A brothers insecurity to loose his dear sister, a daughters effort to keep her parents from falling apart building a world of imagination for herself, or a mother who is too practical for being a social activist but still as vulnerable as any, a parents concerns and love for the future of their daughter, a smart boy who makes way with least of violence and a fun-loving yet well planned and dedicated bunch of youngsters. Without much fireworks the movie starts of with a good pace with a good mix of humor, music and bits of speckles of sentiment.

Cameo roles of Naseerudin Shah as late Rajput father of Jai and their tradition of Manhood concept is quite funny. Added to it towards the climax discovery of Bhaloo and Baghera (Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan) as cousins of Jai from Ranjhore. Though the horse riding dreams where bit of irritant they do some humor adding the Ranjhore-legend towards the end.

The in-movie narration of the story is also fun to watch, adds a bit of humor without getting involved in the plot. While the On the whole with delicate subtleties and near to life situations and good music and good overall performance the movie is a refreshing one which the younger viewers should appreciate.

At the end I felt I why couldn't I be like the cool Rats and think of singing out that special song to the most deserving one in full public presence when it mattered the most. Though resembled the part from Dil Chahta Hain's Aamir-Preity incident, this is treated differently with a special dream song in a airport with security personnel singing and updating the control room on his radio-walky. Hilarious !!!

Hancock (2008)

Hancock happens to be the movie of Will Smith where he is potrayed as a Comic book Super-Hero with super human powers to fly, be bullet proof and scratch proof. Though he tries to help out his careless attitude makes him the most hated super-hero due to the collateral damage of his deeds. Ray Embrey a corporate public relations consultant, who after being rescued by Smith tries to repay him by revamping his image. But Hancock secretly falls for Ray's wife who somehow dislikes and tries to avoid Hancock. As the story unfolds she reveals that she and Hancock are by fate soul-mates, if they decide to live together will make them mortals loosing all their super powers. The story unwinds with each choosing whats best for their survival as super-heroes and their roles in helping the world over their personal choices. The movie some what is onlines contradicting Nicholas Cages's "City of Angels" where he falls off to live a life of human to be in love. Well no complaints that was a too good love story to compare a bad super-hero movie like Hancock. For me atleast after a beautifully themed hero movie like the last of Smith' movie "I Am Legend" this fails to hold me back to the seat to look out for the next plot. Very much sub-standard by any standard. Signifies a movie not to be made and watched...hmm remenisance of another movie I watched in 2006 V for Vendetta.

Telugu Movies

Parugu (2008)

Krishna (Allu Arjun) supports his friend Babu to elope with his girlfriend Subbalakshmi, the elder daughter of Neelakantam (Prakashraj), a village elder. Irked over this, Neelakantam and his kin hole up Krishna and his friends to enquire about Babu. Krishna loses his heart to Meenakshi (Sheela), the younger daughter of Neelakantam, and quite hesitantantly she also falls for Krishna. Krishna after understanding how Neelakanta feels over his daughters condition decides not to woo his second daughter He breaks off to help her in her marriage. How they finally get married and how her father accepts realities is what the story is about. Neatly done movie, decent songs, very good comedy, nice localities (especially the ones in mornings in the village). Though it was overdone when the girl falls for the boy in the city, the sentiment part and sacrificing aspect of the movie made it a special one to watch.

Ready ...Denikianaa (2008)
Chandrasekhar aka Chandu (Ram - Devadasu hero), is from a well to-do big joint family, who elopes his cousin on her marriage day to get her married to her lover, and subsequently stays out of the family. He meets Pooja(Genelia) accidently while eloping her from her marriage. Chandu, falls for Pooja and tries to win her confidence over sequence of run and chase sequences unwind. They return back to Chandu's house while Pooja plans to flee to USA, and as fate has it, she falls in love and as everything gets set, she is forced back to her family. Post interval is where the fun part starts and movie beocmes really enjoyable and made it a worth while to watch. The rest of the story, woven through the hero playing Gudumba Shankar-mark tricks on the families of Pooja's uncles Peddinaidu (Kota Srinivasa Rao), and Chitti Naidu (Jayaprakash Reddy & Saranya. The comic Chaterred Accountant played by Brahmanandam who is caught in the middle was fun to watch. The movie was lots of fun, possibly didn't have so much of fun in a long time watching a movie. Felt this was the best of the movies for the current season in the Tollywood. Really laughed my stomach out.

Kantri (2008)

NTR Jr, Hansika starrer was much of a let down movie for me, felt the plot of the movie was too stupid, again too much of superman stunts, very much away from reality. From backstabbing to revenge and vengance of the boy who'z family was backstabbed, robbed and murdered is what the plot of the story is. Too much of fiction is something which I was unable to connect, not much of musical numbers or commendable comedy, made the movie expereince sub-standard.

Titanic: Two The Surface

Today as I logged into check the email, I had a weird forward with the subject saying Titanic 2:Sequel, I thought wow how could one make a sequel with Rose over 90 and Jack dead. Then as the trailer unlfolded the plots goes on to say that Jack is resurrected from his frozen grave from the floor of sea. Then mysteriously he comes alive and escapes from the medical centre and starts looking out for Rose in a the future while rose is already dead. It a story how Jack lives with his past gone and adjusting himself to the new changed world.


Sound amazing right. Well go through the trailer and for a regular movie bluff a few scenes here and there one would immediately catch up with a few inserts straight out from "Hulk", "Catch me if you Can", "Romeo & Juliet", "Escape from Alcatrez", & "Conair".
Some one actually clearly spoofed up scenes quitely elegantly and quite neatly to believe us into this release. Its so neatly done that it even has the "Motion Pictures of America" Rating certificate to start and then cleverly done story and titles. Except that half way through one could easily catch up the scenes. And now that I see how many people saw this trailer (Over 370,00 on You Tube alone) and thought the movie would be good I’m feeling a bit depressed its not a real one. But yes looks good for a concept except that freezing in deep sea is impossible due to water pressures and warmer temperatures due to proximity to earths core and moreso unless the body has a unique signature which shields itself from the high temperatures. and cryogenic technologies available today are unnable to bring life to any human being frozen in time.

Anyways here is an exhaustive list of scenes used to edit the trailer

• Cut out of the ice from "Demolition Man"
• Clint Eastwood escaping in “Escape from Alcatraz.”
• "Rome & Juliet", "The Beach"
• “Gangs of New York”
• The scene with Jamie Lee Curtis screaming about a cup of coffee from “Forever young”
• “War of the Worlds”
• "Spider Man"
• John Cusack "Con-Air"
• “we’re gonna find this son of a bitch and take him down” from "Bourne Supremacy"
• "Hulk"
• "Rose is dead” is Tom hanks and Jack says “Is that the truth” is from “Catch me if you can”

Movies that I was watching

Over the last week, was lying in my sofa couch, switched on the TV and popped in the DVD which was lying around with me for over 6 months. Not a high romantic movie bluff by any standards, except for a few of Julia Roberts movies.

The basic plot revolves around Marissa, a mother of ten year-old boy and a maid in a posh hotel in New York. While trying on a guest's designer clothes, she encounters Chris, a local politician who mistakes her for a guest.The film is briefly amusing when Marissa is trying to avoid Chris at work. Though not the best of the romantic comedies, the movie had my interest in for a while. It had a touch of fantassy of Cindrella and a bit from my favourite romantic movie of all Notting Hill. What was touchy is the mentality of Marisa in trying to avoid the Senator while having fallen for him, for the very reason that the fitment is not good and unacceptable by the society. The climax where Chris finally meets up with the love of her life and accepts the reality is the touchy part, though not unique to many of the movies in the genre.

Ever since I have returned back from Mumbai, I've fallen in love with the place and the fascinated started with the Mumbai's life-lines the Mumai Local. The Xulfi song from the movie was also quite catchy with me. The movie revloves an incident with a call centre employee who misses his last ride home but goes through unimaginable twists in that short period of a few hours. The movie potrays the hardships of the people of Mumbai and its immigrants. It depicts the hardships of the people and their means of overcoming the same craving for small moments of happiness. A few glimses of realities of life, corruption and underworld were comicaly presented in the movie.

A feel good movie, and ever gorgeous Neha Dhupia, ensured that she can sizzle wearing just a Salwar in the entire movie. At end of the movie of gets a feeling of why the life can't be like a jackpot, very easy money, easy girl and easy life are made available at the door step.

On the whole though these two were not much hyped or talked about movies they still were a feel good movie to just relax and enjoy without expecting much of a roller coaster ride in emotions etc.

Starvation ....Finally one of Prabhas's action movie

Today 16th Oct I watched Prabhas's Sriya Starrer Raja Mouli's Chatrapathi. It's a quiet enjoyable movie, with good decent stunt and action work. Raja Mouli is known to give good action flicks and he precisely did that in the movie. He used the brilliance of cinematography under Senthil, which I guess was backed up by his performance in Sye another Raja Mouli's enjoyable youthful movie.
Anyways I have been a fan( not a hardcore) of Prabhas Trisha starrer Varsham movie, which I watched totally by circumstance. I found him very hardworking and had a determination to come up. His body language shows clear focus and urge to succeed. I like him above many other stars be it Mahesh Babu, Pavan Kalyan, Tarun and many others. This guy has a good personality and those looks needed for an action hero. I do prefer Nitin Reddy, NTR junior in some of the roles.But can't stand Mahesh Babu and Tarun.
For the movie Chatrapathi i happened to get it early in the morning and I couldn't wait till the night to watch the movie. Right after having my breakfast I sat for the movie and started of my morning show which c included at lunch around 1pm. I had to go for lunch and then to SEPM class too. Anyways the movie brought back to me the happiness I thought was missing on campus. The movie provided me with the much needed spark to get along with life. The movie I liked everybit of it, right through, I only hated venu madhav in the come and go comedy role in-between. Else I felt everything was in place. Sriya I like this girl specifically for her looks from the lips. She as the most unique smile I ever seen. Though a small role she's made a good performance in the film. But have to agree that Varsham role of Trisha was damn good for a heroine beside Prabhas.
I sincerely can't wait long for another Prabhas's movie was his second movie for me this year, the earlier was Chakram which was a good opener for Charmi though the movie tanked, thanks that the audience have to live with the fact that the hero has no villains in the movie and the only villain was the story writer who kills the star Prabhas to the horror of the audience.
But this movie actually projected the most macho image of Prabhas and somehow made him superhuman being. Fine as long as people like me can live with them the movie lives on. If the movie was to be scripted with NTR junior it would have been a huge sensational hit, but seems like with smaller fan following Prabhas movies will take time to be bigger hits.
Final comparison between Varsham and Chatrapathi, Varsham was totally a romantic action movie and Trisha had a very good character and acted too good in the movie. In Chatrapthi Hero has been glorified, and is based on Son-Mother sentiment with a social cause in an action oriented backdrop, heroine has anything solid to show off in such a circumstance, so it scores quiet below Varsham.
Ultimately a good movie for action bluffs.

Batman Begins....IIMK 2 begins

On 17th of June the movie went on international release. I wanted to go to Prasad's nd watch it on iMax, but putting 180 bucks a piece i decided to go to my old Skyline. We reached late nd amazingly enough the theatre isn't full. We went sat and watched the move. Atleast for the first 15-20 min I was confused which movie was being screened. I turned back to ask a fellow watcher and then ultimately ended up asking the torch guy for confirmation. Satisfied I sat down to watch the movie which looked like a 16th - 18th century warrior movie. Then after 15-20min some civilisation dawned into the movie when we saw Gotham city railway scene nd young Bruce. Let me go ahead with story as I can recollect.

"Batman Begins" actually is an origin story. Tracing young Bruce Wayne's fear of bats, through the years following the death of his parents, up through how the adult Bruce Wayne learns to fight, "Batman Begins" adheres to a carefully plotted course that patiently builds up to Wayne collecting cool gadgets, taking ownership of the batmobile, and donning the famous batsuit. Nothing's rushed and realism is the key to "Batman Begins". There's a logical reason behind how Bruce Wayne comes to possess each and every weapon, a logical reason why he's able to overpower even the most skilled villains.

The plot itself revolves around a plan to rid Gotham City of corruption at the expense of destroying the entire city, innocent citizens be damned. The city must fall for the common good.A special weapon will release a fear-inducing toxin into the water supply, using Wayne's own Vaporiser gadgets. Then the citizens will turn on each other and Gotham will cease to exist.

Directors Goyer and Nolan have reinvented a franchise that was all but left for dead after "Batman and Robin". It's the story of how one man turns his own greatest fear against his enemies, how he handles the guilt of seeing his parents murdered, and what he ultimately decides to do with all of his anger.
Michael Caine as Alfred, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, Katie Holmes as Batman's long-time friend and love interest, Liam Neeson as Bruce's mentor Henri Ducard, make up the strong supporting cast and each are terrific. Cillian Murphy as Scarecrow has a powerful supporting negative role.

All of the story is so absurdly humourless that it is dramatically inert, as if Nolan had decided the only way to make the Batman character more substantial was to put weights on his wings. The result is handsome and logical, but missing the spark that would make it thrilling which makes it especially appealing to moviegoers who don't know the backstory of Batman, his friends, or his enemies.

I personally rather prefered Batman and Robin a lot for all the gizmos and the star cast it had. Also the Bat mobile which is show cased here is absolute plunder can't imagine such a beast premitive looking vehicle was being used. Even bond has better vehicles. Bale I felt had lesser of Charisma of earlier stylings of Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney. It is the most faithful to the origins of the comic strip and it sets up a series very different from the four made by Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher between 1989 and 1997.

Personally I wouldn't suggest my friends to go and watch a movie for its has only 40 minutes of action and 2 hrs high drama in it which I feel loosely fits with the comic strips action paced entertainment.

I then came back around 4 o clock types and then started to pack off the bags for Banglore train at 7pm. I was planning to reach early and catch up with things at my room. Some my 2nd year journey at IIMK is all improvedegin with fresh attitude and new iimprovementsI wish to write and post the improvemetns and changes in my attitude over the past one year shortly. Until then keep blogging Swaroopudoo.