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The X Files: All Souls (1998)
a normally skeptical Scully drops all logic and reason for faith
slight spoilers ahead* a good episode that highlights Scully's faults and a criticism of the selective bias and willing blindness of a normally skeptical woman.
Scully is almost comically reversed in her willingness to dismiss all evidence to the contrary.
You could say that this show subliminally serves as a criticism of religion and blind faith.
When it comes to aspects of faith Scully eagerly drops any coherent logic and accepts it but when it comes to any other idea,aliens or magic, Scully is generally resistant to admitting ANY ideas outside of the most mainstream ones.
7/G Rainbow Colony (2004)
tear jerking
what a great movie.. i think its amongst the ranks of Kaadhal.
I'll admit i was revolted by Ravi Krishna but he proved to be a good actor!
He grew on me... i'm sure you've read the review before so i won't bother much on that.. just a short summary:vagabond guy falls in love with girl, she turns him into a good guy and though she professes to have no feelings for him, she slowly falls for him.
now reading that you might think OK another routine routine love story.. big mistake!
the gradual progression of each character is anything but smooth. The edges are always sharp..you never see an outright change in Ravi nor Anita(Sonia). Its not a rose colored, glossy portrait of real life. Its real life in all its raw jolting emotion. I mean she relents ultimately, but she doesn't do it as to compromise her behavior. Its not a sudden illogical character change...one moment being disgusted and irritated to next moment being loving and caring and attentive.
Ravi Krishna's character is always like a ruffian and i think this key aspect of the movie gives it its credibility. In the end we have insight as to how good of a character Ravi Krishna really is and how much love he has for Anita.
The thing i like most about this movie is that you walk away with some feeling of satisfaction.
There were some really funny scenes...as well as some tense ones and obviously this was a controversial movie.
Sri Raghava has to be commended for pushing the envelope in such a right wing country as ours..and i'm surprised that he came out without having any of the theaters being burnt down! I recommend this movie whole heartedly if you are tired of watching mindless cr*p..and want 2 watch something heart rendering.
Azhagai Irukirai... Bayamai Irukiradhu (2006)
love triangle..
its a good movie..though very clichéd but still if you're in the mood for a good, mellow movie this is the movie to watch. Lately Bharath has been making really good choices, first Kaadhal and now this..its hard to resist his charm. I've never personally found him as exceptionally good looking or anything...just very average kind of guy..but anyone can see that he has a long bright future ahead of him not only in Tamil, but perhaps throughout India. I'm somewhat reminded of an early Kamal Hassan.
This movie is very good in that the treatment is very different and i don't' want to ruin it for anybody but definitely catch it if you can.
Lakshmi (2006)
like an early 90's movie
I think the less said about this film, the better. Watching this movie was an excruciating experience, like slowly being racked or gutted. It was like a nightmare come true. I felt like throwing up for more than half the film.
Where does the fault lie? Mainly the script, but hey the acting isn't that great either."Victory" Venkatesh has about two faces, one angry and one sad. Half the film, he's angry and the other half he's sad. I have no idea why this film was a hit, because lately hit movies have shown me that audience's have matured and have grown to accept movies that are more intelligent.
Watching this movie like watching someone swing a bat at your face in slow motion and being unable to stop it. You know its coming and there's nothing you can do to stop it.I"m not a Venky fan but thats not to say i dislike him either. He's had some great movies. This movie so clichéd and SO full of sentiment that its too much to bear. Its 21/2 hours of watching all the other Telugu movies wrapped up into one.
Here's the story and judge for yourself: Lakshmi Narayana is the doting brother of 2 sisters and 2 brothers. He's a violent man and will do anything to protect them.The first few minutes in the school and at home as they are young kids should give you an idea of what to expect for the rest of the movie. Sentiment and action.
So back to the story, Lakshmi runs Lakshmi Industrial group. He's loved by everyone for his integrity and his honesty. He even chews out his sister for coming into his office without an appointment and for asking for a job for her friend.
Conflicts arise when a villain, an enemy from long ago who worked in Lakshmi's office and tried 2 swindle him out of money comes back from overseas where he became a rich businessman. He is full of anger and wants vengeance for the humiliation caused by Lakshmi when Lakshmi had him dragged out in handcuffs by the police.
He starts influencing the two younger brothers to do illicit and immoral things. Meanwhile Lakshmi's sister falls in love with the man she wanted to get a job for and Lakshmi arranges their marriage.
After Lakshmi's sister's marriage another man comes looking for the hand in marriage of the other sister. Lakshmi refuses to spend over Rs.200,000 for this sister,whereinas the other sister he had spent crores. Its a shock when we find out that Lakshmi has a flashback with Nayanatara who's in a coma(on that later).
Thus another flashback ensues where we find out that Lakshmi and his sister are adopted. Thus he only lives on wages befitting of an MD and sent his sister to a school befitting MD's position. Hence's he's only willing to spend around Rs.200,000. After which, the two younger brothers, fully corrupted and also hating Lakshmi for beating them all this time when they did wrong things, kick him out.
Nayanatara,who is the daughter of Lakshmi's aunt, lived in Kolkata and was stalked/harassed by a goonda's son.He is in jail for sometime and just when Lakshmi is about to take them away, as they are packing he kills the mother and steals away Nayanatara. Lakshmi (who wasn't there at the time, obviously) comes to find the dying mother and then goes and buys a sword, performs a pooja and proceeds to kill a couple of goondas by slicing them w/ a sword. (He happens to know just where they are and that Nayanatara will escape from the house and come running to that exact spot.They manage to fly a few feet into the air before they fall just because he sliced at them with a sword.Also apparently police don't exist in this world.)Then the goonda throws something at Lakshmi which hits Nayanatara in the head and she goes into a coma. Since then she has been in a coma and Lakshmi has been taking care of her in a hospital, where has spent some laskhalu for her treatment.
The goonda's son becomes crazy because of his fear of Lakshmi and his father sends his goonda's in search of Lakshmi to Hyderabad after he is told by a psychiatrist that whomever the man he fears, the father must kill in front of him. (For some reason everybody in Kolkata speaks Telugu. And in the beginning of the movie, the schoolchildren are taught the greatness of Telugu, but there is usage of Hindi throughout the movie in the songs. Somewhat hypocritical and oxymoronic, but then again two words that describe Indians to a T.)
Sunil's father, the villain, sees Nayanatara and calls the goonda in Kolkata. (The thugs had been going around Hyderabad giving calling cards to everyone and showing Nayanatar's picture, in case they see Nayanatara.They come to his parked car on the street and also give him a card.) The goondas come and takes away Nayanatara and tie up his brothers also in the factory. (For some reason everything on the factory is on fire.)
Lakshmi comes and defies the laws of physics and sends everyone flying through the air and saves the day. And then you have a climatic end and all is well. I was sickened. Thats all i have to say about it. Please avoid this movie at all costs, we don't need to give movie producers the wrong idea that we like these kinds of movies. Sigh*, heres one man hoping that someday we truly catch up to the rest of the world.
Grahanam (2004)
an engaging mystery/drama
I've never seen a Telugu art film before and i've been watching Telugu movies all my life.
It suffices to say I was in for a pleasant surprise. This movie is one of those rare gems that never gets it chance to shine, although I heard this movie got some awards. This is a movie that one should view without any pretensions or any inkling of the story. Though it was somewhat ruined for me,since i had a vague idea of the story, i nevertheless had a great time watching this movie.
Director Indraganti keeps it moving at a very engaging pace, though at times it tended to drag a little. This is definitely not a Tollywood movie and belongs in the field of art-house cinema.
I can only hope that more movies like this are made. The story is really quite novel and engaging. Its set in a village amidst Brahmin families. A young boy who lives in the village and regularly eats at the head of the village's household falls ill. A nearby Tantra doctor comes to look, after standard remedies have failed,and concludes that the boy has Doshagunam. He has had illicit relations with an older woman and he needs the blood from the thigh of that older woman in order for the boy to heal. The mystery/drama revolves around the implications of the boy saying out Sardamba's(the village head's wife) name. Actor Surya is a treat and i don't think he has ever got a chance to prove his capabilities. He acts with great nuance, though his on screen time is not that much. Tanikelli, as usual is brilliant. He always gets relegated to villain rules and its very discontenting to see such a great actor get only such trivial roles. Its really quite an engaging story and its best to go into without any pretensions.
Khadgam (2002)
Tackling the Muslim issue..
This movie is one of the landmarks of Telugu cinema. Krishna Vamsi, as always, should be lauded for trying something different, yet keeping it within commercial levels. Sri Kanth really shines in his role in this movie as a mourning lover looking for revenge, after Sonali Bendre, his to be gets killed in a shootout with Muslim Pro-Pakistani insurgents funded by the ISI. Ravi Teja and Prakash Raj are friends who are Hindu and Muslim, respectively. Ravi Teja is an aspiring actor and Prakash Raj is an auto driver. As usual Prakash Raj goes a little overboard, but its still fun to watch and he is definitely a convincing actor. His Hyderabadi accent is on par. Kim Sharma plays a girl who falls in love with Sri Kanth,in a wasted and forgettable role. The only actresses that are worthy are Sanghavi who plays Ravi Teja's love interest who, unfortunately, has to fall to the casting couch and Sonali Bendre, who's cameo is unforgettable. Nuvvu Nuvvu song is one of the favourites of mine. Krishna Vamsi has to be praised for bringing that realism to screen, as he portrays what is echoed by most Indians about Muslims onto the screen with such convincing tone as well as poking fun at Tollywood. This movie plays out in part a Soap Opera (as is true w/ all Indian movies) and in part an action movie by way of the revenge genre. Its an interesting twist about Shafi, the character who kills Sonali Bendre. The performances are commendable, the music is pass worthy, except 2 notable songs and the story and direction is gripping. Definitey a pleasure to watch. in case you can't tell, i gave it an 8/10.
Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2005)
Clichéd romance of the trials a man has to go through to get the girl he loves
Yes, I know its clichéd. The director knows its clichéd. The actors know its clichéd. The writer specifically crafted it so that it will be clichéd. Ultimately, even the audience knows it has seen all of these elements before albeit pieced together differently. This story has elements of Taal, which we see when hero jumps into fire for an object of sentimental value and Pyar Kiyatho Darna Kya (or so I hear). Watching this movie you can't help but feel, I know this story..I've watched it a hundred times before. Yet, you can't help but watch it. If you are anything like me, you do not watch an Indian movie for its novelty or acting. You watch it because its almost a force of habit. So then, the real drawing factor becomes direction. Director Prabhu Deva keeps the story moving along quite nicely, though somewhat slow at times, and keeps it very simple. To the point where you know whats going to happen next. Yet, you can't help but feel warm for the character's experiences and can't help but laugh along with the jokes. The set design as well, though never going over board, is simple enough, yet laden with such lush, rich and vibrant colors. It captures the essence of Andhra life and you almost feel like you can feel it pour into you. What happens in the story..well not much. Santosh (Siddartha) comes from England with his mom to visit a relative's wedding and there he falls for Siri(Trisha). Siri and Santosh fall in love but there is another family eying to make Santosh their own. J.P.(Jaya Prakash Reddy)and his daughter(can't remember her character's name-Nandita) are eying Santosh (or rather..his money). They humiliate Siri and her brother Sivarama Krishna (Srihari). Santosh goes and asks for forgiveness and Siri's hand in marriage and Sivarama Krishna, after being persuaded by the Station Master (Parchuri Venkateshwara Rao) gives Santosh a chance saying that he must grow, on 1 acre of land, 1 more sack of crop than all of his fields. There are also other elements in the village looking to make Siri their own. They try to sabotage Santosh, but do they succeed? If you've got a girl that you want to cuddle up to or you are feeling blue and want to just feel good, this is definitely a film you should look into.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001)
a family breaks up, hrithik comes along and reunites it, at the same time killing a few billion brain cells of the viewer.
it has all the touches of a yash johar movie. It is over budget, under developed, over exaggerated and definitely over rated. Adding to that it is over clichéd, over acted and overly sentimental. There is absolutely nothing in this movie we haven't seen a 1000 times before and the only reason it did so "well" in India was because of all the big names involved in the movie.
It has ridiculous portrayals of NRI's starting from the way they dress to their economical prosperity. Agreed that NRIs are prosperous but we are definitely not all millionaires who drive Benzs and Ferraris to work. And what about those clichés. Kareena as the rebellious girl who ends up falling in love with our hero Hrithik. Give us a break and stop insulting our intelligence. Kareena is especially an over rated actor who over acts in all of her scenes. She thinks she has some sort of beauty but in truth she pales in comparison to kajol or anyone else in the movie. Kareena's only saving grace is the fact that she's is the great grand daughter of the late Raj Kapoor. This movie was the most expensive movie made at the time, because of the star-studded cast. What a waste of $10 mil. All those poor, suffering orphans that could have been fed instead of making this incredibly over rated and boring waste of time.
Varsham (2004)
Clichéd love/action story, villain kidnaps heroine, hero saves.
Music: Devi Sri Prasad Director:Shoban
Though purportedly this movie is a "freemake" of Hindi movie Tezaab, this movie sets its own pace and has its own allure. The music is extremely good as its scintillates the viewer hinting at an underlying sexuality without actually showing anything and that is exactly what is so alluring about the movie. The song Mellaga Karagani is a must see.
The story is simple enough, Venkat (Prabhas) is a youth in search of a job and happens to come to Warangal where he meets Sailaja (Trisha) and falls in love. They meet and have their usual flings. Sailaja's father Ranga Rao is a lowlife. He drinks gambles and borrows. He comes across Bhadranna (Gopichand) the don for Nizam area and borrows money from him. Bhadranna,though,has another interest in lending money to Ranga Rao, he falls in love with Sailaja and wants her for himself. Bhadranna banks on the failure on Ranga Rao's part to repay him and wants Sailaja's hand in marriage. Meanwhile a popular film producer wants Sailaja to be in his movie and Ranga Rao sees this as his chance to repay his money and live his life in luxury. Ranga Rao does not want Venkat to marry Sailaja as he thinks his daughter has a better prospect in future in acting and he plans to break them up by working together with Bhadranna to break her trust of him. Venkat leaves because of Sailaja's lack of trust in him.
The film starts off with Sailaja being kidnapped by Bhadranna's men and the film's producer and Sailaja's father coming to Venkat for help getting Sailaja back. The first half is a flashback of all the previous events and the second half is the continuation in present tense as Venakt plans and executes Sailaja's rescue as well as clearing up their misunderstanding. The movie is clichéd as Indian movies tend to be, but the viewer can certainly finish feeling fulfilled.