Film reviews

Kite with heavy strings

Baana kaathadi

Tamil (U)
Cast: Satharva, Prasanna, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Karunas, Manobala
Director: Badri Venkatesh

Metaphorical in its title, director Badri Venkatesh’s much hyped “Baana Kaathadi” turns out to be a trite tale told several times. Like the proverbial kite, the film too flits between interesting moments and the mundane as Badri tries to tread off the beaten track. While he deserves praise for eschewing time-tested formulaic elements, the director succumbs to routine lest its box office prospects take a hit.

Set in Chennai’s Royapuram slum, it centres around youngster Ramesh, Ravi and their  gang. Cupid strikes and he falls for Priya only to face hurdles before attaining her hand.
Of course, as an offside, Badri shows how youth battle with various issues lacking guidance from parents. Further to justify the title, it has also been shot during the International Kites Festival in Gujarat. Though “Kaathadi” does not soar into azure skies, it is worth a dekko being different from regular fare. 

S Viswanath

Never say never again

Matte mungaaru

Kannada (U/A)
Cast: Srinaga Kitti,Muni, Ravishankar, Neenasam Ashwath
Director: Raghava Dwarki

“Matte Mungaaru” indicates a clean slate, a fresh beginning though not a happy one. Touted a love story, “Matte Mungaaru” brings forth the trauma, the pain and the suffering undergone by prisoners of war in an enemy country. The film requires patience and optimism of the Indian farmer, but the wait is worth it. A perfect  Independence Day outing for one and all.

B S Srivani

Love amid the seven wonders of the world

Cheluveye ninne nodalu

Kannada (U)
Cast: Shivrajkumar, Sonal Chauhan, Premkumar, Haripriya
Director: D P Raghuram

Good news for those who were forced to cancel their fancy holidays abroad. Producer N M Suresh and director D P Raghuram offer a package of the Seven Wonders of the World at a nominal cost, with a tender love story thrown in. As is the case with such packages, you get some, you miss out on some.

The purists may frown as well. But first, the story. “Cheluveye...” has tour guide Vishwa (Shivarajkumar) falling for reserved Prakruthi (Sonal Chauhan) who hates the idea of marriage. When she reciprocates, there is the mandatory twist.

First time director Raghuram’s screenplay is simple to the point of boring sometimes but is made believable by sensible acting of an excellent cast.

Shivanna and Sonal do a good job, the newb ie supporting the veteran well by getting her expressions just right - some dedication!

Haripriya leads the ensemble with a truly 'bubbly' performance. Prem Kumar also carries his share of the burden well.

A breezy entertainer, “Cheluveye...” stands out for the director’s sensibilities as well. There’s no skin show, no titillation and no dilly-dallying. Family audiences may well be back for a repeat show!

Inexperience and financial difficulties may have curbed the young director’s ambitions but he delivers in style.

Dialogues by Chintan, cinematography by Kabir Lal and music by V Harikrishna all complement the director’s vision, providing ample tour-time for the intrepid travellers.  “Cheluveye...” is Shivanna’s 98th release.

The film is a must watch, not only for his fans but also families and armchair tourists.

B S Srivani

Girls have all the fun

Aisha

Hindi (U)
Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Ira Dubey, Amrita Puri, Abhay Deol
Director: Rajshree Ojha

Aisha cringes at everything  middle class. She is a high society Delhi girl who wears Dior, talks animal rights, and makes enough time to mess up others’ lives.

As Sonam Kapoor swishes in upmarket brands and takes up matchmaking as ‘social work’, a desi Emma is born. And she is a delight. Essentially a chick flick, Aisha unleashes some girlie fun as Ms Kapoor and friends go men-gazing at polo matches, shop with a credit-card vengeance, and surrender all their limbs at beauty parlours. It also gives a glimpse of elite life, where girls while away time poking in the garden and baking in the kitchen.

Sonam is a natural as the self-confessed “selfish and arrogant” Aisha while her friends — a spirited Ira Dubey and a gem of a newcomer Amrita Puri — get the best lines.

Meanwhile, Abhay Deol dominates the male territory  and silently makes an impression with his dimples and a mouth that talks sense.  Sonam oscillates between a darling and a devil as her cupid job for behenji friend (Amrita Puri) backfires. 

The music and dialogues are top-notch. The tame climax may take away some fun, but Aisha is an entertainer otherwise.

Angel Rani

Survival instinct

Predators

English (A)
Cast: Sadrien Brody, Alice Braga, Laurence Fishburne
Director: Nimrod Antal

The “Predator” series that began in 1987 has come a long way after several glitches with the sequels. Now in “Predators” Adrien Brody takes over Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role and finds himself in a new land along with seven others.

Despite their killer’s instincts these mercenaries must fight together against deadly ‘aliens’ who have the power to hide themselves and read heat signals to spot their enemies.

The film is comparatively a simpler form of other “Predator” films. The jungle setting remains a vital part of the show and the pace of the story is given a push up.
However, the script includes many unnecessary scenes which only add to the already humdrum franchise. New characters have also been introduced to add interesting turns in the plot but they never really generate enough pressure to please the audience.

Despite several shortcomings one can still enjoy the far-fetched action scenes where there are large guns and gadgets.

“Predators” is not twice the fun watching “Predator”, yet if you shut your sense of reality you can be pretty satisfied.

Robert L Sungte

There is something good in everyone

Despicable me

English (U/A)
Cast: Jason Segel, Kristen Wigg, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Carell
Director: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin

There’s a new villain Vector (voiced by Jason Segel) in town and self-proclaimed ‘king of villains’ Gru (Steve Carell), who has already stolen the Statue of Liberty and others, feels that he must outdo the new arrival. Gru seeks Bank of Evil’s funding to steal the moon.
But, when Vector manages to steal the shrinking ray machine vital for the moon mission Gru adopts three orphans – Margo, Edith and Agnes –  to get back the device.

However, with time a strange bond develops between him and the girls and he must decide whether to forgo his moon mission or be the father the girls never had.

The movie is perfect for all members of a family. Everybody can learn something while enjoying the adventure. From an overtly critical mother to responsible kids, this film has the right formula to present a sense of realistic issues.

It is also perhaps the first animated film solely focusing on a villain star — Gru. More refreshing is the voice of Carell. Gru’s voice is villainously accented and rough but it still sounds adorable.

Besides, the three young girls’ voice-acting render a clear sense of joy, sorrow and disappointment.

The most striking feature of this film is having good villain and bad villain. Vector is a total nerd and arrogant brat and in front of him, Gru looks like a heavenly angel. So, kids instantly love Gru and root for him despite his evil design to steal the moon.

“Despicable Me” is a family treat with the right music and fantastic graphic creation which must be seen on a 3-D screen to get the right
intensity.

Robert L Sungte

College politics

Gangleader

Kannada (U/A)
Cast: Devraj, Sudharani, Adi Lokesh, Madhu Priya, yamini Sharma, Kishore
Director: Ramesh Raj

Some things never change. “Gangleader” is yet another film that wasn’t supposed to be made at all. Hot tempered, upright younger brother Adi (Adi Lokesh) goes after sister’s (Sudharani) tormentors after discovering their off-shoot in his college as well. He is given the ‘right’ kind of support by an upright police officer (Devaraj). Adi is also out to teach a lesson to Madhu (Madhu Priya) who harasses his friend Yamini (Yamini Sharma)...

Incoherent screenplay peppered with stupid dialogues and coupled with sloppy execution ruins any chance of salvaging the film. Insipid acting from the hero, Sudharani and Devaraj adds insult to injury. Abhimann’s background score is standard and nightmarish while only one song demands any attention. Cameraman K S Chandrashekhar is another culprit. Overall, a film best forgotten.

B S Srivani