Monday, July 16, 2007

Hello- Two sides of a Review

The new release of MohanLal ' Hello' is creating waves in Bangalore, just like it is doing in all releasing centres of Kerala. I was fortunate enough to watch the movie amongst hundreds of Lal fans in Bangalore, enjoying each moment of it, with the customary 'rituals' of Cheers for lal, Flower Shower etc. After almost an year in this city , I felt as if I am watching the movie in Abhilash or Anand theatre in my home town.

Review from a blind lal fan's point of view!

The King of the Mallu Celliloid has once again proved that the inborn naturality and flexibility that took him uncomparable heights is still inside in full fizz. It was a treat for the eyes to see that face for more than 60% of the whole duration.It was a ' Lal's movie ' from beginning till the end.Ya its true that there is some story with a very delicate suspence inside it, a good looking heroine [!apart from her face!] and some really good and really really bad supporting comedians, I think it was just Lal who stole the show. I dont care what others will feel about the movie. I enjoyed each moment of it and so did the hundreds with me. Laletta.. u rock!


Review from a neutral viewer's point of View


[ I,The Common Man , hereby promise in the name of Vinayan [ Director-God of Malluloid]that I shall be neutral in posting this review in all aspects of the movie, without any partiality or prejudice, so help me God..]

Malayalam film industry is smaller comparing to other south indian film industries, but it can surely boast of many of the most successful actors, directors and technicians of the Indian Panorama, both artistically and economically.And the name MohanLal stands out in all those names as one of the most successful actor, with immense potential of Range and flexibility, that many times he was compared to international figures like Al Pacino.All releases from Mohanlal are topics of hot discussions in mallu filmfans fraternity, just like a Rajanaikanth movie in Tamil, although in not similar proportions. The film ' Chotta Mumbai' exceeded all previos precedences, with organised celebrations all across the state during the releasing week of the movie. The new release ' Hello' is no different, even in the city of Bangalore.

Just like all Mohanlal movies except a few, this one too is full time entertainer which doesnot make the audience to think about their daliy pains in life, atleast for 140+ mintes.Fim viewers, especially in a High-Fi city like bangalore. spend a heavy amount and equally inportant 3 hours into a movie, just to get some relaxation and many of the Corporate Working Class have confessed that they have started enjoying Slapstick movies like CID Moosa after started working. Afterall, whats the point in spending money and time for 2 litre of tears, 160mm BP suspence and finally a heavy heart, when you have all of them in the 5 working days of a week, free of cost!

The story is a very simple one, with very little scope for high end imagination and speculation. Its the way that this very simple story has been developed to a 2.5 hour movie that deservs appreciation. None of the twists were unpredicatble or heart shocking. A mild essence of suspense was just good enough for a climax, and nothing more. And the songs were well shot, well exploiting the curves and contours of the landscape as well as the heroine[:P]

With a good, though not great, story line, it was all set for the Acting mastero to stage his best of the day. And he has done it with utmost sincerity. No mindblowing words are required to describe his performance. It is just that he did his job with the ease and elegance he is used to. Now that explians it, rite?

As the saying goes ' Nobody is Perfect' and it holds good for the movies too. 'Hello' too had some flaws, eventhough none of the was a hurdle for the overall flow of the movie. But as I am still on my oath, I have to list them too. First and foremost, directors should start seriously thinking of avoiding the usage of 'too much villain' looking villains. I still dont understand why Siddique had a clean head and some really mean stares at others, other than making Us feel that he is the one behind the whole plot.[ Oops did I broke the suspence, for those who havnt seen the movie? I am sorry!]. Also, for the comedy aspect, I think the directors didnt take into consideration that, it is not Dileep who was the Hero. Why the hell will they put some many support cast into the movie along with the two best comedians of the field[ Lal and Jagathy]?It was irritating at times to see Salim Kumar and Siraj Venjaranmoodu[Thalle!] on screen, stealing moments of the lal charishma.And finally, with all respect to the cheering guys in the theatre for some 'silly reasons' , the heroine should have been forced, compelled or threatened to show some more emotions on her face.

All that begins well, ends well. And may be thats the reason why i felt that the best one liner from MohanLal was his first dialogue

" Enne onnu aashupathriyil kondu ponam.. Enikenthoo kuzhappam ondu.. kaarenam...ningal ithrayum oke paranjittum, enikku pediyavunnilla"

exit(pledge);



jai bolo Lalettan keeeee... jai[ 3]!!!!!!!!

Friday, July 6, 2007

Things I hate in my present life

1. The Mob-Peeper

I am on my bus, the bus is almost full and I am standing and then BEEP BEEP.. oh that is an SMS. With strain I pull my mobile out of my pocket and read the message, something that demands a reply, m trying to type with one hand, holding the overhead iron pole with the other, and here he comes.. the guy next to me badly wants to read the message I m typing. Hey, let me be honest, even i will give a try in such an occassion, but without the messager knowing it. But this particular guy is trying real hard to pull himself behind me, and look onto my screen. Huuuuuhhhhhh.....

I am irritated and I send the messgae. Hardly 30 secs. beep beep. This time when i type the reply, I add " One bastard is peeping into my message editor and so I will tell you later".


2. The ATM Circus

I am standing in a queue in front of an ATM, 7 people in front of me { Oh! My! god!}and almost 10 behind me{ oops, now i feel beeter }. Then a guy goes in, stand in front of the ATM for a few seconds[ as if paying homage to all pious souls who died to boredom in a queue like that,Amen] and starts searching all over his body for something.. Dont think wild, he is searching for his ATM Card, and he takes his own time to find it. Once he gets it [ Thank God he has one!], he will start the 8 step procedure.. he will take the money and will get out now.. laa laa laa. oh No!,he was just checking his balance.. again he starts with step 1.. here he goes, he takes money, counts it 7 times and get his balance statement, compares it with the one he had just before that and I think he is coming out atleast now.. laaa laa laaa.. oh No!!! He is again into the procedure, what?? He is again checking his balance, and then a comparitive study withh all three sheets in his hand, and finally quiet satisfied by the information that the amount he deposited has neither created nor destroyed among themselves, he is coming out and on his way back he gives a sweet smile as if saying " I am sorry for You..."

3.The Kaliedoscope

As a guy without a bike, and a salary not big enough to afford Taxis all the while, I am getting inside a BMTC bus, yes, the white and blue coloured Bus, with a brown tint shade all over.[ no, dats not dust, thats the make of the body]. Since there are many more guys and gals in the city with out a bike and with a small salary, the bus is full. And here comes a guy who is working with cement mortar in the ratio 3:7:5. I m not just guessing it, half of the mortar he made was there on his shirt and his pants. Also, he has with him 2 big spades, 3 iron rods and many stuff like that,half of which I am supposed to hold.I dont want to explain this in detail. I miss my homestate much, dats all I can say. No offence.


4.The AUTO-crats of the City

Gone are the days when we called for an auto and asked him to take to the place u want to go. I m waiting for an auto to reach Sivaj Nagar asap. Here comes an auto.." Aey Auto"...[ btw thats a hit movie in malayalam, laletaaaa.. u rock!].. Now begins the trial.. Where to go? why to go? Just the juncton or inside? Which route to take? .. it goes on. After the quiz, he is thinking so deep that even I feel something really messy about it. And after half a minute, with all credit to Devanand for the style, he turns his head and announces the verdict." No, i wont come".. oh I am heartbroke.....I badly wanted to go for a ride with him... Am i that bad???