Monday, November 20, 2006

review of "uyir" the soul

'uyir' the soul was screened (along with yasmin ahmad's, U-wei's, Amir Muhamad's movie) at Help University by Kelab Seni Filem Malaysia. it was for charity purpose. here is the review by one of the audience (he also wrote review for other films but who cares)....

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i was adamant that we get there early to watch Premnath Pillai's Uyir (The Soul), described by the The Star as: "...a local Tamil horror-comedy (with English subtitles) that was a big hit during its very limited run in the cinemas last year. Be prepared to be shocked and tickled by this very entertaining film."

I was shocked of course, but I wasn't tickled all that much.

The only comedy in the entire theatrette was me screaming and grabbing FarahZ at appropriate moments when the white, pontianak-like thing decides to make an appearance. But for a local horror flick, I must say it was good.
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santosh sivan

Career

Sivan grew up in the city of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India, where he attended Loyola School and Mar Ivanios College. His father, Sivan, is a renowned director and cinematographer of Malayalam documentary films, and runs the Trivandrum-based Sivan Studio.

Sivan is the older brother of film director Sanjiv Sivan and younger brother of director Sangeeth Sivan. The brothers are sometimes referred to as the 'South Indian Scott Brothers' after their skills as filmakers.

Sivan graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India in 1984. In December 1995 he became a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).

A noted cinematographer, Sivan won nine National Film Awards from his participation as a cinematographer in over forty films from the 1980s to mid-1990s. His success as a director began with his critically acclaimed The Terrorist in 1999 and he solidified his reputation with the release of Asoka in 2001.

(The production of Asoka was documented in the book 'The Making of Asoka - A Santosh Sivan Picture' written by Mushtaq Shiekh.)

Filmography

Aparichithan Bride and Prejudice

... aka Ashoka the Great (India: English title) (USA) ... aka Samrat Ashoka (India: Tamil title: dubbed version) Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindusthani Kuch Kuch Hota Hai ( with Santhosh Thundiyil )

... aka Theeviravaathi

Vanaprastham ( with Ronado Bertho ) ( Malayalam ) Iruvar ( Tamil ) Kalapani ( Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi ) Yodha ( Malayalam ) Perunthachan ( Malayalam ) Roja ( Tamil ) Aham (with Venu) ( Malayalam ) Dalapathi ( Malayalam ) Vyooham ( Malayalam ) Indrajalam ( Malayalam )

P. C. Sriram

P. C. Sriram (born Chennai, India) is a cinematographer and film director, educated at the Madras Film Institute. He is known for his frequent collaborations with the director Mani Ratnam.

Sriram stepped into direction in 1996, directing his first feature film Kuruthipunal.

Films that Sriram has worked on as cinematographer include Mouna Raagam (1986), Nayagan (1987), Agni Natchathiram (1988), Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Kuruthipunal (1996) and Alaipayuthey (2000).

He has directed the movies Meera (1992) Kuruthipunal (1996) and Vaanam Vasappadum (2005).

He won a National Film Award for Best Cinematography for his work on the film Nayagan (1987).

P.C. Sriram has been a mentor of some of the top cinematographer's in Mumbai's film industry, some of whom include K. V. Anand, Thiru, Jeeva, Fowzia, and Andrew.

Gautham Menon

Gautham Menon (born in 25 February 1963) is an engineer turned film maker. He has directed a number of successful films and has made stars out of actors such as Madhavan (Minnale) and Surya (Kaaka Kaaka). He had a huge success with his latest release Vettaiyadu Villaiyadu starring Kamal Haasan.

Film career

He was an ad film maker, shooting various commercials after a good apprenticeship under noted filmmaker Rajiv Menon. He worked as an assistant director for Minsaara Kanavu. He started his own ad agency "Photon Factory" before moving to cinema.

His first film in tamil was Minnale (2001), with Madhavan, Abbas and Reema Sen playing the lead roles. The film was a huge hit because of its young and peppy story, brilliant comic timing from the acclaimed comedian Vivek and also because of some new lilting music from debutante music director, Harris Jeyaraj.

Immediately Goutham got an offer to remake the film in Bollywood. He did so, retaining Madhavan as the hero and having Diya Mirza playing the female lead role. The film however did not taste success.

Gautham returned to Tamil cinema with another big hit in 2003. The film was Kaaka Kaaka, starring Surya, Jyothika and Jeevan. This was a "supercop" story and a love story at the same time, and became a trendsetter of sorts in the Indian film industry, owing to excellent technical work by cameraman Raj Shekar and editor Anthony. He also had a minor role in the film as a senior police officer. Gautham again got offers from various quarters to remake the film, including one from Hollywood. However he remade the film in Telugu, with Venkatesh in the lead.

Then came the icing on the cake. Gautham was invited by Kamal Hassan, icon of Indian cinema to make a film. Thus he started Vettaiyadu Villaiyadu. The unit faced a lot of problems. However they overcame all that and the film was released in August 2006. He plays a minor part in the film dancing at the back in the song, Manjal Veiyil.

Gautham's Pachaikili Muthucharam with Sarath Kumar and Jyothika is nearing completion and shooting for Udal Porul Aavi with Surya and Asin Thottumkal goes on floors in the end of November as Chennaiyil Oru Mazhai Kaalam with Surya and Asin again is the only one left to take off.

Filmography

shankar

S. Shankar (born 17 August 1963) is a popular film director from Tamil Nadu, India. He has made blockbuster Tamil movies which have social themes and are also entertaining, making them a right combination for commercial success. He is credited with delivering expensive, visually beautiful action movies and the use of latest visual technology in his movies. Most of his movies from Tamil are dubbed into other languages especially Telugu and Hindi. Some criticize him for the overdose of gimmicks in his movies and consider him as a sensational entertainer than a serious director.

Biography

He was at first an assistant to S.A.Chandrasekhar

Assistant Director

He started his Career as an assistant to director S.A.Chandrasekhar

Director

His directorial career began with the film Gentleman (1993) with Arjun playing the lead role, which was a Mega hit. His next film was Kadhalan which was a mega hit. This was followed by Indian with Kamal Hassan in the lead role. This was a grand success all over India. It was dubbed in Hindi as Hindustani. It was the Indian entry for the Academy Awards.

His films are well known for the songs and sound track. A. R. Rahman has composed music for all his movies except Anniyan.

His project Anniyan has featured most cameras used for a shot in Indian cinema. His previous films Nayak and Boys also held the earlier record with Main Hoon Na.

Producer

He had immense success as a producer with his own production house S Pictures Movies he has produced include

Actor

He has acted in small roles in films directed by S.A.Chandrasekhar

Filmography

Currently in production

Mani Ratnam

Biography

Early life

Ratnam was born June 2, 1956, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. He was educated at Jamnalalal Bajaj Insitute of Management, a management school in India. He got into film direction with the help of his late brother, film producer G. Venkateswaran.

Career

Mani Ratnam consistently chooses realistic, contemporary themes and complex plots for his movies in an industry often accused of making commercial, fairy-tale-like, formulaic movies. With a career spanning over two decades, he has been praised for handling serious issues whilst retaining a high entertainment factor in his films. Familial and marital hardships, terrorism, love, class and religious conflict, war, politics, adoption, history and disability are just some of the socio-political issues to have been featured in his films. His movies are generally made in the Tamil language, but are usually also dubbed into other languages like Telugu and Hindi, owing to their national appeal. He has also made films in other languages like Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. His first movie was Pallavi Anu Pallavi in 1983 starring Anil Kapoor.

Widely known for his ability to tread the middle way between artistic cinema and commercial cinema, working out a perfect recipe for all kinds of audiences, Ratnam's movies are further noted for their brilliance in technical aspects like art direction, cinematography and background score. His work has come to be recognised nationally and internationally, and in 2002, he was awarded the Padma Shri.

Filmography

* Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983)
* Unaru (1985)
* Pagal Nilavu (1985)
* Idaya Kovil (1985)
* Mouna Raagam (1986)
* Nayagan (1987)
* Agni Natchathiram (1988)
* Geethanjali (1989)
* Anjali (1990)
* Thalapathi (1991)
* Roja (1992)
* Thiruda Thiruda (1993)
* Bombay (1995)
* Iruvar (1997)
* Dil Se (1998)
* Alaipayuthey (2000)
* Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
* Aayitha Ezhuthu /Yuva (2004)
* Guru (2006)
* Lajjo (2007)


In 1994, a retrospective of his Tamil films was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

The characteristic elements of Mani Ratnam's films include memorable music by notable Indian composers Ilaiyaraaja and A. R. Rahman, a strong story line, sharp dialogue and innovative cinematography and art direction. He has worked with the best cinematographers in the country - notably P. C. Sriram, Balu Mahendra, Santosh Sivan, Ravi K. Chandran, Rajiv Menon and the likes.

Stage

* Netru, Indru, Naalai (2006)

Family

* Mani's father Gopal Ratnam Iyer was a film producer.
* Mani's brother G. Venkateswaran, popularly known as G.V. was also a film producer who committed suicide.
* Mani married to actress Suhasini, niece of Kamal Haasan and they have a 15-year old son Nandan.
* Mani co-founded and co-runs the independent production company Madras Talkies along with his brother G. Srinivasan.

Tamil Directors and their works...

Jayaram-Kamal-Ravikumar combo back in Dasavatharam!

Jayaram-Kamal-Ravikumar combo back in Dasavatharam!



Two movies that have kept cinema buffs speculating are Rajni's Sivaji and Kamal's Dasavatharam. Even as people wonder who the ten heroines of the film will be (as Kamal is touted to play ten different roles!), one sure actor who will definitely be a part of this venture is the actor Jayaram.

It is a well-known fact that the Jayaram, KS Ravikumar and Kamal combination share a rare kind of camaraderie that has given them a success like Tenali.
In fact, Jayaram and Kamal's friendship began many years ago during the filming of Chanakyan, a Malayalam film where Kamal played the lead with Urmila Matonkar. Jayaram, was making his debut in the industry then and acted as a mimicry artist in the film, and since he was already known across the state of Kerala for his mimicry prowess, the role was befitting Jayaram's fame.
The film was the starting point for their strong bond, and it is said that Jayaram's addictive sense of humour is what beguiled Kamal, and formed the basis for a friendship that is strong even today.

Years after that first film, a series of Tamil films like Tenali, Panchatantram, and now the much-sought after Dasavatharam, Jayaram has become an actor to lookout for in Kamal's comedy capers. In fact, in a recent interview, Jayaram talks about the rare chemistry he shares with Kamal and with KS Ravikumar too.



"We shot the film Tenali in just 25 days and it was an absolutely amazing experience! Most of the scenes we would improvise in the last minute! I think it was the spontaneity that worked for the film, as I still remember, K S Ravikumar would set up the scene, give us a brief background on what the incident was, and that was it. We would simply improvise and because Kamal and I share the same comedy wavelength, the results were hilarious situations that were finally filmed. And of course, I have to mention that Ravikumar is an amazing person, as he always gave us the freedom to improvise."

About Dasavatharam, this is what he says: "Yes I have been approached for a role in the movie, and I actually don't even know what the role is! Frankly, I am not worried or bothered by it either. Even if I have an insignificant role, I would never give up the opportunity of working with Kamal and watch him act. That is something I love doing."

Well, Jayaram and Kamal sure are lucky to have chanced upon the formula for successful comedy situations. With KS Ravikumar also in the scene, Dasavatharam promises to be a laughter riot.

Dasavatharam – The Avatars Revealed!

Dasavatharam – The Avatars Revealed!


Dasavatharam’s shoot continues at a rapid pace and as usual, we have more news on its proceedings. Sources reveal that among the ten roles, seven roles are shot in Chennai, and three in the USA. Portions involving five of Kamal’s avatars in Chennai have already been shot.


These roles are those of
a young Vaishnavite,
an old man,
an old woman,
an army man,
and an English detective.

Kamal watched the rushes of these roles in his own preview theater and was ecstatic with the outcome. The unit is currently in the US, shooting the sequences involving the two roles based there. Kamal and the Dasavatharam unit would return to Chennai after the month long US schedule to complete the portions invlolving the remaining two avatars.

Sivaji’s price tag is 60 Crores!

Sivaji’s price tag is 60 Crores!

The release dates of Sivaji and Dasavatharam is probably the most debated topic in Kollywood right now. Both movies are expected to be ready for an April 14 release. However, the concerned production houses, AVM and Oscar Films are not too eager to release the films together.


Both movies are big budget projects with several crores riding on them. With so much at stake, even the usually flamboyant Oscar Ravichandran is looking for a risk free approach. Eventhough the fans would be delighted to see the titans clashing yet again, the distributors are wary of the same. The trade believes that the two films would release with atleast a month’s space between them, with either Sivaji or Dasavatharam making it to the screens on the 14th of April.

Meanwhile, Sivaji’s distribution rights are estimated at a whopping 60 crores.
This news has discouraged several distributors who were vying for a share of the lucrative rights. With such a huge price tag, this Shankar directed film is expected to be purchased outright by a corporate firm like Adlabs.

Kamal on his journey through Life, Movies and Rajini!! -part 02

Kamal on his journey through Life, Movies and Rajini!!


However, when they come together, it would result in something that almost every Tamil would look forward to. The biggest question here, he said, was who would direct the movie. Obviously Rajini would not. So it has to be either Kamal or someone else. At the Thenali silver jubilee function Rajni recalled an incident when he was riding pillion on Kamal’s bike.

When the bike skidded Rajni asked if he knew how to ride a bike! Kamal assured him that even if he fell, I wouldn't let Rajini fall.
Rajini said, Kamal has kept that word up through the years. Manirathnam, another great of the Tamil industry with whom Kamal made one of his best movies, Nayagan, would be the ideal person to direct Rajini and Kamal. But will that happen?
Songs…? Indigestible!!
In spite of being a good singer and a great dancer, Kamal detests the song and dance routine in movies. He said he was happy was when Kannada movies came out of that trap. And admonished the Tamil industry for making commercial crap. Saying that songs were like whores in the prostitution business, Kamal breathed fire on the inescapable reality of Indian Cinema, which necessitated a silly song and dance sequence even to characters like a serial killer. Even greats such as Shyam Benegal, whom he had once admired for their bold stance, have now fallen into the familiar trap. He lamented about the state where a useless and pointless song was thrust irrespective of the genre.

Kamal
Cannes in Chennai
Dismissing the Oscars as an exclusivist American thing, he said it was an uneven playing field that was not worth the effort. His dream is to create an international film festival in Chennai, on line of the Cannes Film Festival. He also hope his endeavor would be helped by the press by staying out of his personal life.

Kamal on his journey through Life, Movies and Rajini!!

Kamal on his journey through Life, Movies and Rajini!!

Kamal Hassan is a worried man. Strange as that may sound, he is anxious that he is running out of time. That he is getting old. It is a testament to the commitment of the actor to his profession that he genuinely feels he does not have much time left in his acting career. He wants to achieve greater things – especially his dream project Maruthunayagam.
Dreams unattained….
Kamal

He says he is still trying to live his dreams at 19. Which only makes us wonder, what those dreams should have been, if after 30 years of such a stellar career, they are still not attained. He is almost adamant that each film of his should be better than the previous. Even when he has made immortal classics like Hey Ram which is quite simply tough to beat. He takes comfort from the fact that India is now economically flourishing which will enable funding for Marudhunayagam from within the country. Thankfully, the parts where Kamal Hassan should be younger have already been shot.
Filmmaking? It’s much like a war!!

One of India’s greatest actors says, filming making is much like a war. Where there is a constant battle between the outcome and the desired. A legend, living in changing times, he acknowledges that his replacement is probably in the industry already. Chuckling and reminiscing about the time 30 years ago when he and his fellow actors were in the same boat. Recalling how the illustrious Sivaji Ganesan said there would come a replacement in time, it still took the great man 7 long years to acknowledge Kamal Hassan as his.

Sarika & Kamal

A look for technical details in Sarika’s fatal fall
Kamal & Rajini

Kamal was a reluctant actor at the beginning. But now, he has come to enjoy acting so much that he finds it most gratifying. However, he still likes to be known as more than a mere actor. Ever the observant student of Cinema, he admits, even when his former wife Sarika had a near fatal fall, a part of him was fascinated by the technical details of it. Talking about the differences in Bollywood and Kollywood, he said there were prejudices at both places. This meant a cross over was difficult. Anil Kapoor had acted in several of the Hindi remakes of his movie. But, the remake will never be as good as the original, the star opined.
Even if he fell, wouldn't let Rajini fall…

Recalling his special relationship with Rajinikanth, he remembered the time when he and Rajini were starting to branch off. Rajini when asked why he was doing movies in a over stylized manner, had said he would choose his path and Kamal should choose his. Now we know, how lucky we are because of that, as the audience. Both Rajini and Kamal did not have any godfather in the industry – unlike many do, today. Both started from scratch.

Kamal
Kamal indicated that he was always very interested in exploring the possibilities of acting together with Rajini. He warned though, as Rajini had, that the expectations would be too much.

strictly not for captain vijaykanth's fan.....

A funny way of looking at Dharmapuri

If you are still in Diwali mood, please don't read the following review,

After contributing to the major downfall of Ajith's tirupathi, its director..per ..per ..perarasu....he was thinking who could he terminate next and ..yes....he got our captain and that's the evolution of a legendary universal(tamil) film "DHARMAPURI"...
Dharmapuri movie


Precautionary steps to watch this film:

1.Four pieces of cotton...(2 to keep in ears...and the rest 2 will be kept in our noses after we watch the film fully)

2. zandu balm,tiger balm..if possible original time bomb.

3. itch guard (b'cos paadhi padam paarthu namaku udambellam pull'arikum').

Actors:

Captain Vijaykanth(3/4 screen...),Heroine-achacho paavam(not even 4 scenes including songs),comedy..all scenes where captain comes becomes comedy to the core.

All other vetti actors(donno what they do ½ time).
Moments of the film:

1.Captain's intro:----- NO Indian..oops..hollywood film could ever try such imagination to project his hero to this level as perarasu does.(u deserve an applause..).while all his partymen,wait for his entry in screen..there comes captain to save a minister's girl from a rowdy in rameswaram..rowdy threatens everyone including policemen nearby with his gun and no one goes near him(obvious..)Captain looks at him,goes nearhim barehanded. The rowdy warns him 3 times(Indian cinema rule..not more than 3) and then shoots at him..the bullet hits vijaykanth's chest...and reflects back and hits the rowdy's chest and kills him...Please wait...don't get astonished.then he takes out the "archanai plate"he hid in his shirt(what a archanai thattu..if u can get for 10 rs.it acts as bullet proof and save ur life).

Dharmapuri movie
Dharmapuri movie


Advice to all military forces:please dismantle all ur bullet proof shields and get archanai thattu's for them. cost cutting one.

2 if time permits captain gets his costume change and start performing exercises..iam sorry..dances.. and 30 to 40 dancers surround him and shout"neenga thaan nallavar, neenga thaan vallavar, neenga naaliku CM, morning na AM,evening na PM"...happa horrible torture and where on earth his costumes are picked up...fluorescent coloured shirt specially and he makes to a point that in all scenes including his duet or romantic scene his party's "flaming torch"symbol is projected well.And a grand make up like rajkiran with a big crown on his head and sandal on his body(weak hearted people pls omit the scene)

3. Half the film is like assembly meetings and virudhachalam campaign speeches.and everybody including the villain praises him .

"naan adangi poravan illai adakitu poravan"

"ivaru kootani vaika maatar,thani aala thaan irupaar"

"ennai nambuna nambikai..mathavangalukku etcharikai

ivar naadodi illai....naadodi mannan"..

Dharmapuri movie
Dharmapuri movie

When u atleast rest in peace that the director Perarasu didn't act in this film as he did in tirupathi....after interval even that dream goes crashed..oops.here we have his entry as "Speed"lawyer perarasu.he comes and says"naan porandha edam sivakasi, valarandha idam tirupachi, pona idam tirupathi,ipo nikaradhu dharmapuri"innum neraya idam poven....(oh god we are done for...mokkanayakanur,paanaampati,paradesipalayam..lots to come ). Soon he will become best competitor of T rajendhar.

Note:- don't miss the scene where captain hits 50 men in a row with a single kick which even matrix Keanu reaves couldn't get it right. And also the scene where captain blasts 1000 figure bombs(kanni vedi.he..he) with his small remote control which we use for MP3 players in car's.(technology drives...)

Iam sorry guys(?????)I didn't see the climax, I came away ½ hr before climax as I was in a mood to hit my head somewhere and cry badly seeing this.

Last but not least "Dharma puri"---poisonous pani puri. Die another day.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

ok!!!

hi guys & gals
how are you'll doing, me very ceria and cool. hope to see all tonight. came and give your support. lotus pj is good because it has its own parking and big space for all of us to do 'haahoooohiiiii'.

hope that X'mas we can plan something.

Pulen de Great
Salam Ceriaaa

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Hi Friends!

Regarding RR 2nd Annual Gathering........initially we plan to have buffet dinner in Rumahku Gallery but due to some technical problem we have change the venue. Below is the details on the gathering

Venue : Lotus Restaurant PJ State
Date : 19 November 2006 (Sunday)
Time : 7.30pm
Cuisine : Asean
Cost for the gathering : Sdn. Bhd.

This gathering is open to Real Reels members, ATV3 former students and friends. Meaning members can bring their friends , bf , gf , husband , wife etc.

Our last gathering we had in Nagas and we got a good support from members. Those who could not make it for last gathering and our usual gathering hope can see you all in this gathering.

The main purpose of this gathering is just to keep in touch with former ATV3 students and build up good a networking.

Note: Pls bring your name cards along.


Cheers!
Balan

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