Prithviraj's Veeraputhran has soul and authenticity

Viji Thampy's epic 2011 biopic of the Sahib is over-sanitised, but Prithviraj's performance captures why Mohammed Abdurahman (a k a Sahib) was a great soul. The film traverses Sahib's life and his struggle in the freedom movement. At the age of 21, Sahib discontinued studies at Aligarh Muslim university to participate in the non-cooperation and Khilafat movements. His efforts to bring peace during the Moplah riots of 1921, imprisonment in 1921 and participation in the salt satyagraha in 1930 are the key aspects in the film. The man himself lived a very short life - all of 45 years. But, it was a life seeped in grace under pressure, and courage in the face of adversity. It is in portrayal of these aspects that the film broadly disappoints.

The film's most glaring bias is its depiction of Sahib's deep-rooted relationship with his wife Kunhubeevathu (Raima Sen). It is whitewashed to suit the needs of commercial cinema. Sad, there was much more passion there. But then these are times when couples break up through texting. Another void that this period film just could not fill is in creating the authenticity of the 1920s and 1930s. Of course, director Viji Thampi did not have the budgets of Richard Attenborough's Gandhi. Having said this the movie scores with decent performances from the artistes involved and the gripping narrative that it unleashes. Definitely worth a visit to the theatre.

Soul surfer can lift your sagging spirits

Notice the missing arm in the picture. A shark chews it off Bethany Hamilton's arm. But triumph paddles after tragedy in this fact-based film about this champion-willed surfer who even after losing an arm finds the courage to embrace the World.

When we first meet Bethany (AnnaSophia Robb), she's a wholesome Hawaiian water baby with a curious habit of beaming out at the ocean with an intense, imbecilic delight, as though she's just spotted a clown swimming in it. But then, disaster. A passing shark bites off Bethany's arm and now she must toil to realise her dream of climbing back on the board.

But Beth aided by her parents (roles maturely played out by Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt) put Beth on course with her dream. The film that follows, a bit of Hollywood cheese not withstanding, is well made by and large,  though watch out for that final sentimental upsurge. It could drag and lift you against your will. A nice DVD to curl up with your family.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt this movie is a very good weekend watch

I really wanted to see Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. This 2009 movie, I liked mainly for Amber Tamblyn, known for her excellent roles in Joan of Arcadia and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Plus Michael Douglas, known for his role Disclosure and Romancing the Stone, was in this as well as Jesse Metcalf , known for his role in Desperate Housewives and John Tucker Must Die,

The movie is about a high-profile criminal lawyer finds his bid for the governorship in jeopardy when an ambitious rookie journalist begins suspecting him of tampering with evidence in order to secure his many convictions in director Peter Hyams' remake of the 1956 Fritz Lang classic. Mark Hunter (Michael Douglas) has a reputation for putting criminals behind bars, and with elections approaching he seems a shoo-in for governor. But just how clean is the district attorney's record when held up to scrutiny? When hungry reporter C.J. Nicholas (Jesse Metcalfe) frames himself as a murder suspect in hopes of catching Hunter in the act, the two fierce rivals become caught up in a treacherous game of cat and mouse. But Assistant DA Ella Crystal (Amber Tamblyn) has no idea about her boyfriend C.J.'s latest assignment, and as the evidence against both men begins to pile up she starts to suspect that she's in mortal danger -- and she's right. Now, as Ella discovers irrefutable proof of both C.J.'s innocence and her boss' shady dealings, the fate of two men rests in the hands of one woman whose life could be taken at any second.

Overall, I’d categorize this movie as a Corrupt Law Murder Mystery with a twist. I did enjoy this movie better than Law Abiding Citizen and it didn’t have nearly the violence as Law Abiding Citizen. And what I really liked about this movie was that it was throwing hints and clues my way the whole time and they didn’t hit me in the face until the end of the movie.

Sony Pictures signs a deal with Walter Issacson for film on Steve Jobs

The movie rights to the Steve Jobs biography written by Walter Isaacson look set to be bought by Sony Pictures, according to reports.  The deal could be worth between 1 million and 3 million USD. Sony had a big hit last year with another biopic, the Oscar-winning The Social Network, based on Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The Steve Jobs biography, written by former CNN chairman and Time Magazine managing editor Walter Isaacson, was previously set for publication on November 21. However, following the Apple co-founder’s death on Wednesday, publisher Simon & Schuster announced that it was bringing the date forward to October 24.

  

Pirates of Silicon Valley, a made-for-TV production broadcast in 1999, saw Falling Skies actor Noah Wyle take on the role of Jobs.The Apple co-founder enjoyed Wyle’s performance so much that he invited the actor to make an appearance at the 1999 Macworld event in New York.  It is a safe bet any movie chronicling the life of Steve Jobs will also be a big hit.

Weekend DVD Watch - ABC studios serves a sizzling tale of Revenge

Revenge is ABC’s new drama series that premiered across US TV screens in September this year. It centers around a seemingly pleasant, beautiful woman Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp) and how she crosses path with Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe), a gorgeous, wealthy, and socially powerful woman whose word and opinion goes a long way.

Victoria’s husband Conrad (Henry Czerny) is also powerful and extremely wealthy, though it seems as though Victoria may have the upper hand in the relationship. Through flashbacks, we’re given just enough information about what Emily had, what she lost and who is to blame, to understand why she’s doing what she’s doing and to want to see her succeed.

At the same time, there’s a lot left to find out, which could make the series worth watching beyond the first few episodes. While Stowe delivers a performance that balances grace, confidence and just enough intimidation to understand why people look at and to her the way they do, VanCamp plays Emily in such away that it’s not quite clear just how far she’s willing to go to pay back the people who wronged her.

Oosaravaelli is a big fat bore

NTR Jr is fast losing the plot. His latest movie Oosaravaelli, directed by Surender Reddy, is a sloppy effort. Except in patches the movie looks inadequate. NTR as a contract killer Tony excels but only briefly. His famed dance sequences are missing. If anything he has slowed down. Tamannah as Niharika who hires NTR to kill the bad guys also looks passable. One wonders where her glamor has gone.  But the real drag is Surender Reddy's narration. The first half of the movie is way too slow. The comedy is contrived and is not integrated into the script. In the second half, the director tries to tie the loose ends - but by then the damage is done. Three-fourths of the movie is through and the audience are looking for the exit sign to glow. One of the reasons for this movie's terrible show would be Prakash Raj. His villainy is becoming as predictable as shadow on a sunny morning. The same Don, the same locations and,  the same borrrrrrrrrrrrring mannerisms. Originality is a premium in Oosaravaelli. The only exception is the music by Devi Sri Prasad, especially the back ground score."Brathakali Raa" has rythmn while "Dandia India" has momentum. So here is the deal. Save your hard-earned money. Stay away from this movie. If NTR Jr wants you to come back he better try harder. For starters, sessions in the gym will be ideal.  



Week-end DVD Watch - Violence that can shake you from the inside

The movie is a noir thriller from British director Micheal Winterbottom. Based on the pulp thriller by Jim Thompson, it has Casey Affleck playing a chilling Sociopath Lou Ford, who as irony would have is the Sheriff of a small Texas town. This is a period film - 1950s - where men would tip their Stetsons as a mark of politeness to strange women in the morning and wouldn't fuss around much about flogging their bottoms at night. Lou however takes this to a much higher degree with the local prostitute Jessica Alba. Glamor quotient goes up a notch higher with Kate Hudson playing Lou's wife. Like Jessica Alba, she too does not see the violence coming - sledgehammer blows in the stomach and face that knock 'em senseless and dead. "Nobody sees it coming" says Lou in a quiet Texan drawl, devoid of any emotion.

Before I move on, I'd like to warn you. This is a very violent movie. And the violence is always on women by men. What is worse, director Winterbottom ratchets it up further by portraying the women as the types who love the violence inflicted on them. Pretty shameful, if you ask me. But Winterbottom, is on a trip here. So you take it the way it is, or you can choose to spend those 90 minutes elsewhere. If you have the stomach for it though, there are a few surprises in store.

For starters, this is as close as you can get to really experiencing sexual violence. Lou is every woman's dream. He flashes a pearly white smile, and is draped in perfect fitting trousers that wrap a fit, lithe frame. But beneath that gloss he has the morals of a sewer rat. And through Lou, director Winterbottom confronts the audience with the reality of sexual violence that cinema so often glamorizes. This is the denied reality behind every silly cop show, sexed-up horror flick, and theatrical Jack the Ripper tourist attraction. This dear reader, is the real deal. Grab a DVD if you are game.

Vishal fizzles & Sameera sizzles in Vedi

See that image on top. This was the scene that (director) Prabhu Deva hoped would guarantee this failed cracker - Vedi - some momentum. Well Vishal grimaces in the scene and the audience by and large had the same expression in the movie.

What else would you expect? Prabhu Deva has taken a strictly below average Telugu flick called Souryam and poured that stale content into a new bottle. And Sun was silly enough (or did they care at all with that alleged 2G money) to repackage this thrash into Tamil.

Vishal fans need not worry. The hero looks tall, dark and handsome. His six-pack abs pack a punch. And Sameera has got the size to titillate Southern audiences. Up North they like it slim you see :-) The story, if you can call it that, is about a cop Prabhakaran (Vishal) and his fight against the villainous Shiyaji Shinde.

If you think Sophie Chaudhury's item number, Sameera's kisses and  Vivek's comedy track are worth your multiplex ticket price, go for it. Otherwise just sit back and chill with Kate Winslet in Mildred Pierce, the rerun of which is being telecast in HBO.

Oh and regarding Vedi, it will come in TV screens in 2012. See it there, free. And save your family a 1000 bucks minimum. But if you are a music buff you might want to download Vijay Antony’s songs. A couple of them are really hummable.

Welcome to the 11kMovie blog

Do you watch movies? Of course yes. How many? Hmmm... How about 11000 - in your life time?  Do the math, assuming a 70-year life span.

Many of us do not realize the enormity of it - we mean watching movies. You, like almost everyone else, watch around 11000 movies in your life time. Well, that's around 2.5 years of sitting in a movie theatre, or in front of a T V screen. Put it another way, entertainment slots itself into the top 5 activities of your life - sleeping, career, driving, and family time being the other four.

We are a bunch of folks who love movies - feature films and soaps, and thrillers and whatever is out there. We love 'em all movies - English, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. So we will tell you which movies, soaps to watch this weekend. And you might ask why should you take our word on "where to have my popcorn"? Fair question

The answer is: we have no axe to grind. Team11KMovies does not expect any ad-revenue or sponsorship from any movie studio or movie producers. So there is no direct commercial agenda. If we like a movie we will tell you. If we do not, we will tell that too - in a brutally honest way. Sounds fair, does it?  If it doesn't well, tap/tab out and move on.

If it does read on

Editor

Team11KMovies