Top Ten Movies & Awards of 2008

[This post is completely personal and not to hurt anyone]
The top ten movies of 2008 are

10.Yaradi Nee Mohini(5.8/10)
9. Raman Thediya Seethai(6.2/10)
8. Poi Solla Porom(6.5/10)
7. Santhosh Subramaniam(6.8/10)
6. Vellithirai(7/10)
5. Vaaranam Aayiram(7.1/10)
4. Saroja(7.2/10)
3. Dasavatharam(7.3/10)
2. Anjathey(8.1/10)
1. Subramaniapuram(8.7/10)

The following are the awards for film technicians of 2008….

Best Editor: Antony
Best Art Director: Thottadarani(Dasavatharam)
Best Stunts: Andy Dixon(Dasavatharam)
Best Choreographer: Brindha
Best Villain: Prasanna(Anjathey)
Best Comedian: Premji Amaran(Saroja)
Best Cinematographer: Jeeva(Dhaam Dhoom)
Best Music Director: Harris Jayaraj(Vaaranam Aayiram)
Best Actress(Debut): Swathi(Subramaniapuram)
Best Actor(Debut): Nakul(Kadhalil Vizhunthen)
Best New Face of 2008: Sameera Reddy(Vaaranam Aayiram)
Best Supporting Actress: Simran(Vaaranam Aayiram)
Best Supporting Actor: Prakash Raj(Vellithirai)
Best Entertaining Movie: Dasavatharam
Best Film of 2008: Subramaniapuram
Best Story Writer: Kamal Haasan(Dasavatharam)
Best Screenplay Writer: Venkat Prabhu(Saroja)
Best Dialogue Writer: Viji(Vellithirai)
Best Producer: Prakash Raj(Vellithirai)
Best Director: Sasi Kumar(Subramaniapuram)
Best Actress: Asin(Dasavatharam)
Best Actor: Kamal Haasan(Dasavatharam)

CONGRATS & ALL THE BEST for all of these artists and lets hope we get more good movies in 2009….

AEGAN Movie Review

Who's In It?
The king of opening Ultimate Star Ajith, fondly called as 'Thala' is back again after the blockbuster hit Billa with Aegan. His first and the only release for the year, it has been in the limelight since production. Ayngaran International, the market leader in overseas film distribution has stepped into the shoes of a producer along with actor-turned-producer Arun Pandian for Aegan. Raju Sundaram makes his debut as a director and has also written the script which seems to be inspired by Farah Khan's Main Hoon Naa starring Sharukh.
Aegan has Ajith and Nayantara romancing once again on screen after their successful combo in Billa. The pair shares a much better chemistry as the lead pair in Aegan. The movie also stars Suman, Nasser, Jayaram, Suhasini, Navdeep and Poi Solla Porum Piya. Yuvanshankar Raja has composed music for Aegan, making it a hat trick with Ajith. The cinematography is taken care of by Arjun Jana, an assistant to P.C. Sreeram and Nirav Shah. Stunts are by Stun Siva. Anu Vardhan has designed the costumes for Ajith.
What's It About?
Commissioner Nasser and his department are hunting for evidence to nab pharmaceutical tycoon John Chinnappa (Suman) for his life-threatening adulteration in medicines and other illegal activities. Ramprasad (Devan), Chinnappa's closest friend and partner in crime, turns approver and is on his way to testify against him in court. Along with the policemen protecting him, he is attacked by Chinnappa's men but manages to escape. The Commissioner, frustrated about the security measures of his men, hands over the task of finding and arresting Ramprasad to his son Siva (Ajith), a brave and honest CID officer. To carry out this mission, Siva is ordered to join a college in Ooty disguised as a student where Ramprasad's daughter Pooja (Piya) is a student. The Commissioner plans to arrest Ramprasad when he visits his daughter.
After enrolling as a student, Siva tries to become friendly with Pooja and her gang to know where her father is hiding. In the meanwhile, he also gets to romance Mallika (Nayantara), a professor at the same college. The twist in the tale comes when Siva comes to know that he is an orphan, finding this bitter truth from his long-lost mother (Suhasini) and his brother Narain (Navdeep). The remaining plot revolves around how he finds Ramprasad, who then leads him to Chinnappa.
The Performance
Ajith is at his best when it comes to his looks in Aegan. Anu Vardhan has created wonders with her costume design in Billa and she does the same here, in a more fashionable way. It has been a while since we saw Ajith doing comedy in his movies; in Aegan, his comic scenes with Jayaram, Kochin Hanifa and Nayantara are quite enjoyable, specifically when Thala sings his popular melody 'Unnai Partha Pinbu Naan' from Kadhal Mannan to romance Nayantara. Thala's dance steps for the songs and his style in the action sequences are applaudable. Ajith's charisma and his presence are felt in every scene. Ajith has justified his words in his interviews when it comes to entertaining his fans. The first half of the movie is mainly targeted at satisfying his huge fan following.
Nayantara has proved once again that she is the hottest among the femme fatales of Kollywood. Male audiences will be thrilled by her outfits. She is here to stay as the 'dream girl' of the men for long. Jayaram, as the principal of the college, brings in a few laughs along with Sathyan. Nasser, Suhasini and Kochin Hanifa have played their roles with ease. Sreeman, as the side-kick of Suman, gives an impressive performance. The character with least impact on the audience is Suman. After his equal and vital performance with Super Star Rajinikanth in Sivaji as his arch rival, expectations were high on him. But in Aegan, he is scripted to be merely a comical villain who sobs after killing his men for their failures. His role could have been shaped better.
For the Techie Lovers
In the technical department, Aegan is above average and excellent, at times. Arjun Jana is splendid with his camera work, maintaining the tones and shades we had seen earlier in Billa. The colorization is immensely good and gives the viewer a 'cool' feeling. The look and feel is awesome. Editing by Vijayan and art direction by Milan is worth mentioning. Yuvanshankar Raja has given a few hit songs and an average re-recording. Raju Sundaram has added another feather to his cap as a director and writer who has made this movie suiting the taste of the Tamil audience and mainly have the eager fans of Thala contented.
Final Verdict
Ajith's Aegan is a refreshing entertainer from Ayngaran. Kudos to Raju Sundaram & Team! Thala Rocks! Watch it for Ajith..!
Plus: Ajith, Nayantara, Comic Relief, Less Emotional Drama and Songs
Ahem: Suman's Characterization. Average Second Half and the Climax Fight Sequence.
Audience: All
Best to Watch with: Family and friends
Genre: Action / Comedy
Movie Rating: 1.5/5

Remakes for Ilayathalapathy

Rumour are circulating that Vijay’s new film directed by Prabhu Deva is going to be a remake of the Hindi film Soldier. Vijay usually does the remake of Telugu hits; so has he changed language this time?

Ajit’s Billa, a remake of the 80's hit Billa with Rajinikanth in the lead was a copy of the SRK starrer Don, which was again a remake the 80's hit with Amitabh Bachan as the hero. It says that Ajit’s new film Aegan is a remake of the SRK starrer Mein Hoon Na.

Now Vijay, by appearing in the remake of Soldier, seems to be following the same path as Ajith; Soldier was released in 1998 with Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta in the lead roles. Vijay will have Nayantara as his lady love and shooting will take place at exotic locales of Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Biju Menon will be the villain.

Kadhalil Vizhunthen Review

Romance can do wonders in a man's life. It can make a man or it can even break a man. Debutant director Prasad has chronicled the life of a youth, who life takes a huge turn after he develops a romance in ‘Kadhalil Vizhunthen’. The film-maker has passed out in flying colors and deserves credit for going about his work in a professional manner.

The end product, through gory and violent, leaves an impact with the audience.

With a lesser known star cast, director Prasad has managed to weave a sequence of some interesting and catchy sequences. Though a predictable storyline, the neat performance from the star cast, racy background of Vijay Anthony and brisk cinematography by Vijay Milton keeps us glues to the seats.

Due credit should be given to the lead pair Nakul and Sunaina. It is no easy task to take such a meaty role so early in their career. Both have got under the skin of their character to give their best. After Boys, the young actor has almost waited five years for his next. A worthy weight indeed for he has got to do a movie which one actor rarely comes across in Tamil cinema these days. He fits the role like T. His transformation from an innocent lovelorn youth to an angry young man desperate to save his romance deserves applause.

Sunaina with her girl-next-door look is adequate. It is indeed happy to see a heroine getting so much footage in a contemporary Tamil cinema. She manages to combine glamour with a strong performance. Sampath Raj, who impressed everyone withy films including ‘Chennai 28’ and ‘Saroja’, continues his good run. He plays a police officer on the run for the lover couple. Livingston's cameo needs to mention. The movie has a host of stars, who have played their part well.

Sabha (Nakul), a youth born and brought up in a Chennai slum, meets with an accident due to the negligence of Meera (Sunaina), a girl from a rich family. She ensures that Sabha is nursed back to his normal health. Her caring and amiable way, leaves an impact with Sabha. From hospital, he sets out on a mission to meet Meera and open his heart out.

What starts as a friendship blossoms as love between them. However fate takes a cruel turn when Sabha returns from Ooty after playing a football match to meet his beloved. He is informed that Meera has breathed her last. A shattered Sabha rushes to hospital only to see her body taken to post-mortem. Not believing that she is dead, he urged doctors to help save her. However when everyone insists that she is dead, Sabha slips to his own world imagining that Meera is still alive. He flees from Chennai with Meera's body imagining that she is still alive and both would lead a happy life far from the madding crowd. Anbu Selvan ( Sampath Raj), a police inspector goes on Sabha's search. He runs behind Sabha only to end up in vain in every attempt of his. Meanwhile, Sabha starts to live his own world with the body of Meera. After blood, gore and score of murders, Sabha gives up his life eventually.

Prasad seems to have been inspired by movies like ‘Guna’, ‘By2’, ‘7G Rainbow Colony’ and ‘Kadhal Kondein’. He has managed to draw a link between action and romance in the film, which works out well.

The real scene stealer is however Vijay Anthony. The high octave and peppy number “Nakka Mukka” is the USP of the film. It comes twice ion the film and it is thoroughly entertaining.

Produced by Umapathy in association with Sun Pictures. ‘Kadhalil Vizhunthen’ is a movie that dwells on romance. It is a feel-good movie with strong portrayals.

Tahaan Movie Review

A fable rarely gets its cinematic interpretation in Bollywood. But acclaimed cinematographer Santosh Sivan decides to do so for his new outing TAHAAN. TAHAAN is a soothing experience. Also, amidst the story of a child's obsession for his pet donkey, it also opens your eyes to the fact that children can be soft targets for carrying out nefarious activities.

Agreed, a film like TAHAAN caters to a niche audience. But its simplicity is its USP. There's another reason to go for it: Child artiste Purav. You can't take your eyes off from this sensational discovery of Sivan.

Tahaan [Purav Bhandara] lives with his grandfather [Victor Banerjee], his mother [Sarika] and older sister [Sana Shaikh] in the serene meadows of Kashmir. They all live in the hope that someday Tahaan's father, who's been missing for over three years, will return.

The death of his grandfather prompts the local moneylender [Rahul Khanna] to take away the assets of the family, including their pet donkey Birbal. For Tahaan, bringing his favourite donkey Birbal back home becomes the sole purpose in life. Tahaan is devastated to learn that an old man, Subhan [Anupam Kher], has bought Birbal and taken him across the mountains. He traces Subhan and tells him about Birbal.

Subhan doesn't befriend Tahaan at first sight, but slowly warms up to this energetic and determined soul whose love for Birbal is paramount. On his way back home, Tahaan encounters a teenage lad ldrees, who convinces him that his efforts would never be sufficient to get Birbal back. Instead, he promises to get Birbal back for a favour. All Tahaan will have to do is carry a package across the mountains on his next journey. Seeing Tahaan's eagerness, ldrees hands him a grenade.

Tahaan sets off on his second journey with Subhan, the grenade and package tucked away under Birbal's saddle. What is the price that Tahaan will have to pay for Birbal? Santosh Sivan travels a seldom travelled path in TAHAAN. Sure, he's telling a simple, uncomplicated story, but a simple story could be difficult to narrate. The film has its share of interesting moments, but the finale is, without doubt, the best part of the enterprise. However, the screenplay is not as convincing and gripping as one expects it to be.

TAHAAN belongs to the young actor -- Purav. Post Darsheel's act in TAARE ZAMEEN PAR, Purav's is the most confident act by a child actor. Anupam Kher also stays with you even after the show has concluded. Sarika is excellent. Rahul Bose doesn't deliver this time, mainly because the role lacks meat. Rahul Khanna has a miniscule role. Ditto for Victor Banerjee.

On the whole, TAHAAN is for a niche audience, more for the festival circuit.

Dark Knight

“The Dark Knight” became the highest single-day grossing movie in Hollywood history, collecting a staggering $66.4 million in its first 24 hours of release, Warner Bros. said Saturday. The much-anticipated flick, co-starring the late Heath Ledger as a particularly psychotic Joker, soared past the old one-day mark of $59.8 million set last year by “Spider-Man 3.” The huge one-day number indicates “The Dark Knight,” the second installment with Christian Bale as a brooding Batman, could smash the all-time opening weekend record of $151.1 million held by “Spider-Man 3.” The movie - with a reported $180 million pricetag - appears a lock to leapfrog “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” as the biggest first weekend film of 2008. “The Dark Knight” collected a record $18.5 million alone at midnight screenings, besting the old record of $16.9 million set by “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” in 2005. While critics are taking the film seriously enough to suggest Ledger could be in line for an Academy Award nomination, the action-packed movie also delivers as pure summer movie escapism.

Subramaniapuram Review

A simple tale about group of young cool guys in Madurai during 1980 who have worries to care about their future lives. Azhagu (Jai), Paraman (Sasi), Kasi (Ganja Karuppu) and their handicapped friend are almost the roadside Romeos of the town. Azhagu is in love with Swathi whose belongs to the family of political background. Thulasi (Samuthirakani), uncle of Swathi has a very close relationship with these guys. Azhagu, Paramanan and other buddies in the group set-up a sound service rental in front of Thulasi’s home and now and then they get into problems. Well, Thulasi is the first one to step forward in bringing them out of troubles. Gliding with gleeful moments, these youngsters are now thrown into troublesome moments filled with lots of betrayals and vengeance.

‘An awesome movie’, these would be the remarking words that you will spell after watching this flick. An intensifying attempt from Director Sasi for brimming up with a perfect story and powerful narration that makes audiences glued to the screens right throughout the film. Chennai 600028 fame Jai shells out his best performance that looks more naturalistic. But in most of the scenes, his performance and gestures brings Karthi in Paruthiveeran. Probably, it may be due to the fact that Sasi worked with Ameer as assistant director and seemingly this could be the one fine reason. Not alone standing on the shoes of director does Sasi excel, for he does a mind blowing performance on the character of Paraman. Actress Swathi looks cool, but her performance is not up to our expectations for you can spot her all the time smiling and rolling her eyes.

Musical score by James Vasanth is a commendable approach for all the melodies have been well-tuned. Fine! It would have nice if he had come bit of improvised work on background score. A marvelous cinematography by Kathir makes the film more enhanced; especially the action sequences have been very well captured. Kathir has the detailed elements canned and obviously it’s a great for audiences. Director Sasi hasn’t focused more on the aspects of romance and fails a bit in drawing us in emotionally in few scenes. But violence dominates the most throughout the frames

In simple terms, ‘Subramaniapuram’ is a film that elevates Tamil Cinema to the next level in World Cinema. Splendiferous directorial by Sasi is praiseworthy and you people shouldn’t miss this film…

Vaaranam Ayiram

The date for the release of Gautam Menon’s Vaaranam Ayiram was shifted due to unforeseen circumstances. Due to the release of this year biggie Dasavathaaram, many films changed their release dates. Gautam Menon doesn’t stick to a release date plan. He said that they had to wait for Surya to lose weight because he is playing a father and son. They didnot anticipate that his old age make up would take 4 hours in application require constant re-application due to the heat! Now the film will release on 15th August only.

Dasavatharam

Brian Jennings, Senior Visual Effects Supervisor from Hollywood was in charge of over 2000 shots in the film and has delivered some top-of-the-line visual effects. Dasavathaaram has been billed as the biggest visual effects film in India and its the biggest in Brian’s career too. Brian seems to be awestruck by Kamal Haasan’s talent. While he believes the visual effects industry in India is still nascent, Brian sees in Dasavathaaram a huge opportunity for Chennai to project itself as a centre for visual effects in the future.