Nanban -- Tamizh movie

After watching Madrasapattinam yesterday, if you thought we would not see another movie so soon - you thought wrong! The Arien had booked the movie tickets for Nanban -- the Tamizh remake of 3 Idiots. We both felt that that movie would be a safe bet rather than Rajapattai or Vettai.

Yet again, we went to Cinemax and throughly enjoyed the movie. We also had lunch outside and so it was a totally pleasant experience.

The movie was everything we hoped it would be. The 3 idiots in Tamizh were Vijay, Jeeva, and Srikanth. Vijay has done a good job and thanks to his wiry build, he is quite believable as a college student. Both Srikanth and Jiva are also well-chosen. Srikanth appears quite young without his moustache and is well suited for his role. In fact, for a moment I was not sure who he was.

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Ileana looks extraordinarily slim and absolutely stunning. The song sequences are simply to showcase Ileana's slim figure. This is Ileana's second outing after Kedi. Unfortunately, the songs are not impressive except for the Yen Nanban pola yaaru machhaan song which is actually a background song. While the songs are not impressive, Ileana looks very nice.

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Sathyaraj, with hair combed over his bald pate, and a lisp, as the Virus is good. Shankar has stayed true to the script and has tweaked the script only in a few places.

I was bored stiff of the pregnancy scene in 3 Idiots - I did not feel that in the Tamizh version. Maybe Vijay did not overdo the "All izz well" part or maybe I was watching it after a loong time. Anyway, it was not as bad.

Nanban is a good, clean movie that is ok to watch with family. The pregnancy scene is a bit much but its manageable.

Madraspattinam -- Tamizh movie

MIL was planning to visit - she had informed us on 1st. It has been a while since she has stayed with us. She has stayed over for a day or two, ~ thrice in a year, but never for two whole weeks since 2 years at least. I was a lil concerned because I have not become a great cook in these years :D But, I needn't have worried, the arien helped out quite a bit and 3 days went past very quickly. Before we knew it, the weekend had arrived. I have always wanted to watch Madrasapattinam. The Arien downloaded it on Friday. We asked my MIL if she had watched the movie. When she said no, we all sat down to that movie after breakfast. I know movies after breakfast was absolutely shocking!! So, we spent a nice, lazy morning having shundal, sweet aval for breakfast as we watched Arya do a la Lagaan.

The story is straightforward - it starts out in 1945 in chennai alias Madrasapattinam before India got its independence. The daughter of the then governor, Amy Wilkinson (Amy Jackson), arrives in Madrasapattinam and is drawn to a Dhobi, Parithi, (Arya) who is also a good wrestler. Amy's wedding is arranged with an official whom she does not like. There are plans to convert the Dhobi Ghaat into a golf link. However, with India getting its Independence and the British asked to leave, things take a turn for the worse for the two young lovers. What happens next? Do the young lovers unite? Does Parithi die? Is Amy killed? You must watch the movie to know 'bout that.

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Arya looks fantastic and has done a commendable job as the proud Indian who refuses to bow down to the Britishers. Amy Jackson is a sight to behold. Very young but has done a great job. I have heard that she is doing the hindi version of Vinnaithandi Varuvaya with Prateik. There are a number of other characters and they lend good support for the main cast. Some of the scenes are shot really well. There is a nice balance between the present scenes and the flashback scenes. This pic is of an ethnic Tamizh ponnu Amy. Doesn't she look very pretty? My MIL said that she resembles Amala.

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Catch the movie if you have not seen it yet. It ends with a montage of how chennai was in the 1940s and earlier and how it looks today. That was a nice touch.

The Camel Club -- David Baldacci

I borrowed this book and the winner from my cousin during my visit to Chennai, in January, last year. I had enjoyed the winner a lot and so was looking forward to reading this book but somehow the first 20 pages failed to hold my attention and I kept it aside. Last year, in December, I finally took up the challenge and made up my mind to get past the first 20 pages. Surprise! Surprise! I managed to finish the book - sometime this year.

This is a politico-drama-murder mystery story and the author brings in a number of characters during the first 20 pages. Maybe that was why I lost interest. Anyway, the pace picks up after the murder which happens a few pages after the first 20 pages. And then, moves forward at a brisk pace. The ending was quite unexpected. I was quite surprised because I expected it to have a filmi ending. I liked the book even though a few months ago - I could barely devote even an hour to the book, I was quite engrossed after the murder. Considering I like murder mysteries, it is but natural.

I have only read the winner and the camel club so far. Both very different. I should try reading other books by this author. Any suggestions?

Sherlock Holmes -- A Game of Shadows

Wish you all a very Happy New Year! We managed to catch a movie on 1st January. We know almost every movie hall is packed and so it was gr8 we managed. January 1, 2012 saw us eating at my aunt's place. My cousin was in India for a short trip (Visa + some much needed family time) and after her visa formailty was done - she was all set to meet the entire gang for lunch on 1st. She suggested the movie idea. So, 6 of us made our way to Cinemax - the one @ Total Mall which has fast become my favorite :)

Onto the review, if you liked the first movie, you'll like this movie. Though this movie is a sequel, you can still watch this movie even if you have not seen the other. The humour is typical, subtle, wry, and hilarious.

The first movie had this scene - a slow motion action sequence to depict the character's thought process and moves, followed by the rapid shot of the actual action sequence. I liked it a lot and so was looking forward to it, in this movie. It was done quite well.

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This movie is all about Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Watson manages to get married and has his honeymoon spoiled by Sherlock Holmes who comes to save them from Moriarty's evil plan, dressed as a lady. Robert Downey Jr. has done a fantastic job and so has Jude Law. A surprise, if you do not already know, is the appearance of Noomi Roopace (Lisbeth Solander in the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo original movie) as a gypsy fortune-teller. She looks so different that one cannot believe it is her. She does not have a big role but she is good.

Its a good movie, watch it now, if you have not seen it. I lowed it - it made 2012 start out so well :D