Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Anniyan release postponed
For all those 'waiting for Anniyan relaease' guys, you have to wait till June 10th. Hope it does not
get postponed further. Almost full of Tamil Nadu, parts of Bangalore and Hyderabad are waiting for this Shankar's movie after his Boys flopped.
get postponed further. Almost full of Tamil Nadu, parts of Bangalore and Hyderabad are waiting for this Shankar's movie after his Boys flopped.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Schwartz on Illayaraja's work
Following is the letter as written by Stephen Schwartz (America's topmost opera play writer). Fr.Jegath who worked closely with Illayaraja in this project "Thiruvasagam in Symphony" remembered me and has mailed me this letter. Please refer my post on Thiruvasagam by Illayaraja here.
“Last night, at sony studios in New York City, I had the pleasure of hearing the almost – finished mix of Ilaiyaraaja’s amazing work. It is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before, a stunning blend of Indian and of western music and instruments. I asked Mr. Raaja if this was something different for him too, and he said he had never done anything like this piece before. I don’t know if anyone has. So I believe those of you looking forward to this are in for a great treat. The section to which I contributed English words is about twenty minutes long and dovetails back and forth between Mr. Raaja singing in Tamil and an American singer singing in English, plus there is a large and beautifully prouced chorus. Mr. Raaja’s orchestrations are superb, and the recording engineer, Richard King, has done a spectacular job sonically. I felt so very proud to be a small part of this project. The entire project for me has been an enjoyable and fascinating experience from beginning to end, and I feel extremely lucky to have been asked by Mr. Raaja to participate. I can promise you with confidence you are in for a major treat when you hear Thiruvasakam in Symphony”.
- Mr. Stephen Schwartz
Remarkable ! Isnt it? Isaignani is isaignani!
“Last night, at sony studios in New York City, I had the pleasure of hearing the almost – finished mix of Ilaiyaraaja’s amazing work. It is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before, a stunning blend of Indian and of western music and instruments. I asked Mr. Raaja if this was something different for him too, and he said he had never done anything like this piece before. I don’t know if anyone has. So I believe those of you looking forward to this are in for a great treat. The section to which I contributed English words is about twenty minutes long and dovetails back and forth between Mr. Raaja singing in Tamil and an American singer singing in English, plus there is a large and beautifully prouced chorus. Mr. Raaja’s orchestrations are superb, and the recording engineer, Richard King, has done a spectacular job sonically. I felt so very proud to be a small part of this project. The entire project for me has been an enjoyable and fascinating experience from beginning to end, and I feel extremely lucky to have been asked by Mr. Raaja to participate. I can promise you with confidence you are in for a major treat when you hear Thiruvasakam in Symphony”.
- Mr. Stephen Schwartz
Remarkable ! Isnt it? Isaignani is isaignani!
Friday, May 13, 2005
Mumbai Express
Mumbai Express is not another comedy film which we are used to watching in our theatres. Especially when compared with movies that are publicized as comedy movies. This is another child of never-say-die father Kamal Haasan. KH in this movie has tried to bring up a whole new concept of how a comedy film can be and how it can be presented. I am amazed to see KH (Kamal Haasan) not get tired of his tries to improvise every aspect of his film. And the levels he takes to do that is extra ordinary. I just wanted to write something on Kamal’s Mumbai Express but have changed my mind now and am covering a wide topic now.
I try(note the word try) to think the way what KH would think when something that he thinks is great is not well received by the audience. (Ex.Hey Ram which he thinks is one of his best, was not a big hit) For a creator that should be lot of disappointment. But Mumbai Express has been well received in almost all the centers.
Mumbai Express stands different in lot of aspects. Both in technology and in screenplay, presentation and characters. I think it would take some more time and some trial films to make a pakka digital film since there were some scenes where the film wasn’t clear that only a techie from that area would be able to explain.
Another thing I have heard about KH in some films are that he would try to portray his character a dominating one and force others to underplay theirs(Ex. Kurudhippunal). I don’t see this as a complaint because I don’t find anything wrong in an actor like KH to describe/show a movie the way he likes. Of course he would have sacrificed a lot in his early days, wouldn’t he?
In this movie, the first thing that strikes is the equal distribution of presence of characters including KH in the screen. One thing that the movie didn’t stand up and I was even disappointed was the music. Illayaraja has been wasted in this movie. Also this subject doesn’t need the greatness of Illayaraja. You are engulfed in the dialogues and scenes and the music just goes by without making an impression.
KH has chosen his cast again from his regular favourites. Nasser, Pasupathy, Kovai Sarala and so on. An excellent movie for the A & B center audience and not so interesting movie for the C centers.
I try(note the word try) to think the way what KH would think when something that he thinks is great is not well received by the audience. (Ex.Hey Ram which he thinks is one of his best, was not a big hit) For a creator that should be lot of disappointment. But Mumbai Express has been well received in almost all the centers.
Mumbai Express stands different in lot of aspects. Both in technology and in screenplay, presentation and characters. I think it would take some more time and some trial films to make a pakka digital film since there were some scenes where the film wasn’t clear that only a techie from that area would be able to explain.
Another thing I have heard about KH in some films are that he would try to portray his character a dominating one and force others to underplay theirs(Ex. Kurudhippunal). I don’t see this as a complaint because I don’t find anything wrong in an actor like KH to describe/show a movie the way he likes. Of course he would have sacrificed a lot in his early days, wouldn’t he?
In this movie, the first thing that strikes is the equal distribution of presence of characters including KH in the screen. One thing that the movie didn’t stand up and I was even disappointed was the music. Illayaraja has been wasted in this movie. Also this subject doesn’t need the greatness of Illayaraja. You are engulfed in the dialogues and scenes and the music just goes by without making an impression.
KH has chosen his cast again from his regular favourites. Nasser, Pasupathy, Kovai Sarala and so on. An excellent movie for the A & B center audience and not so interesting movie for the C centers.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Kamal Interview
Few celebrities have the power to mesmerize a mass and that does not come easily. And in that context Kamal Haasan is at ease. Some times I wonder whether his answers are interpreted the same way that he wishes to. That might be the reason because he doesnt give straight answers.
I got a chance to see the complete interview in which he answered to the anchors and also to the audience(Jaya TV,8 th May). He talked about his childhood and his acquaintances with Sivaji Ganesan and MGR, his flops etc. This interview was better in a way that they didnt ask him /provoke him about his personal life.
Mumbai Express (although a little disappointment ) was great. More in my next post.
I got a chance to see the complete interview in which he answered to the anchors and also to the audience(Jaya TV,8 th May). He talked about his childhood and his acquaintances with Sivaji Ganesan and MGR, his flops etc. This interview was better in a way that they didnt ask him /provoke him about his personal life.
Mumbai Express (although a little disappointment ) was great. More in my next post.
Chandramukhi
Putting aside the fact that I like Rajini, and if I review Chandramukhi, the movie doesnt need Rajini at all. Reason being the audience is used to see the story revolve around him. But Chandramukhi is different and is the other way around. A good story and sequences which would take you to the climax. The character portrayal is also good in which Jyothika emerges as a big winner. Screenplay helps the chandrmukhi character to that extent that Jyothika can pat herself.
You should not miss
1. Jyothika's performance
2. the climax song 'ra..raa..'
3. bgm that surrounds you in and around chandramukhi room
There are some places in which the director would not have compromised himself.
1.The unnecessary graphics fight sequences involving Rajini
2.Graphic portrayal of the snake
Altogether the story wins again. For a real Rajini fan this would be a disappointment. Hope to expect a Rajini film from Rajini next time.
You should not miss
1. Jyothika's performance
2. the climax song 'ra..raa..'
3. bgm that surrounds you in and around chandramukhi room
There are some places in which the director would not have compromised himself.
1.The unnecessary graphics fight sequences involving Rajini
2.Graphic portrayal of the snake
Altogether the story wins again. For a real Rajini fan this would be a disappointment. Hope to expect a Rajini film from Rajini next time.
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