Le Pacte de Loups - Pact of the Wolves

2001 by Christophe Gans

18th Century France saw around 100 people being killed by a beast, infamous as the beast of Gevaudan. Witness accounts described the beast as a creature resembling a large wolf and modern day investigators think it could have been an Asian Hyena.

Christophe Gans have taken the beast and placed it amongst real life characters, making it into an excellent fantasy story, wherein, the beast, the villagers, the royal hypocrisy and genuine heroes co exist in a world of super natural beliefs. This indeed, has produced, may be, the best fantasy thriller. To know that most of the characters in this movie lived for real, make me appreciate this movie even better. Curious about the deaths, King sends his Knight to the region, to investigate. The Knight, followed by his native American friend, tries to understand the killings and what unfolds is a brilliant suspense thriller. I cannot remember any other fantasy movie filled with this kind of suspense and thrill.

The script is excellent and in fact it does give some pointers to the secret, which we will not notice at all. Once the truth is really close, only then would we realise, oh yes, they did hint on this. To find this kind of a cause for the puzzle behind the beast, itself deserves credit. The same is also true about certain characters like Mani, the American, who seems to be cent percent fictitious and Sylvia, the travelling Italian courtesan. Towards the end we realise that she seemed to be the only person who had some clue about what was happening, thanks to her contacts at the very popular local brothel. I also loved how the whole story was juxtaposed with the French revolution period. The narrator of the story, the only living person who knew the whole happenings, is writing out the truth for history, before he is taken for execution by the revolutionaries.

The director has done a brilliant job, ably supported by each and every department in his team. In fact, he has made sure that the CG and Animatronics use is kept to the minimum possible. It is still a piece of movie, unlike most Hollywood flicks in which 75% of the movie is CG. I must also specifically mention the editor here. Wonderful job.

The only one thing I really didnt like was the looks of the beast, which seems to be inspired by modern day fantasies, sadly.

Otherwise, this is a brilliant thriller, on the fantasy front. Or should I say fantasy mixed reality. I really wish, my fellow Indians, who always are so upbeat about average Hollywood fantasies, watch this movie. This is so much a thrilling experience.

This movie is titled in English as the Brotherhood of the Wolf.

Lion of the Desert

1981 by Moustapha Akkad

Libyans are fighting Italian colonialists for about 20 years. Mussolini, in 1929, appoints General Graziani as the Governor of Libya, in a last attempt to crush the 20 years long war. Libyans are all behind Omar Mukhtar, a 73 year old teacher and geurrilla, who has committed himself to this dream project of liberating Libya, almost sure it cannot be won in his time. Finally Mukhtar is captured, not before Graziani had to bring in most of Libya under a guarded concentration camp and having a barbed wire along the Libya- Egypt border, and hanged.

One of the best movies on guerrilla war and resistence. The movie, as it claims, is built on real life incidents and characters. It even shows some black and white shots of the original scenario in between which only adds to the authenticity of the movie. And at the end it also shows the BW photographs of the real Omar Mukhtar in chains.
I was really impressed by Mukhtar. Any 73 year old fighting for his birth land, with primitive guns, riding horses that too on the desert, is above most heroes. Brilliant.

Movie well brings out the patriotic factors and also the savagery of Colonialism. At the same time, there are also couple of Italian characters who are depicted as those valuing humanity and respecting Mukhtar. There are also some Libyans who supports the Colonialists.

It is a gripping movie on resistance and looks so authentic that it could be so close to a documentary. The war scenes were really authentic, not looked choreographed at all. Anthony Quinn steals the show as Mukhtar. What an amazing actor he is.

This movie was a huge box office disaster, may be because it was funded by Libyan autocract, Gaddafi. But then, when have the west and the powerful nations, including my own India, ever accepted any criticism with dignity.

Nearly, a century later, these kind of occupations still happens in the world is such a pity. I am sure news media, then was more independent and non corporatist. 100 years after, if stories of present occupations and freedom fights are scripted, how much truth would be available for those attempts? 

Inside Job

2010 by Charles Ferguson

A documentary on the 2008 Recession.

It is heartening to see, very rarely though, these kind of attempts from America. I havent seen many documentaries. But this is definitely the most brilliant and shocking docu after Fahrenheit 9/11.

It brings out the deregulation in the Financial industry, brought out after lot of campaigning and lobbying, how that helped the top players in the industry, and how the industry was warned by a few, and how they kept on with their vested plans and when the recession finally did happen, how they further managed to earn huge bail outs from the Government, which simply increased the wallet size of the top executives. It also goes into how this industry has penetrated into the Academic tables and the State and inspite of all promises to make change, how some of the same players who could be called responsible, are still playing active roles in the industry.

Even if it is a documentary, it is told in way as to how a story unfolds and its really impressive and shocking. All credit to the director to make it this way. Brilliant. I would say, this movie is the best 'fast food' for any lay man - on financial affairs, like me - to understand recession.

At the same time, it is quite disappointing that it does not give us any hope at all. Those who  should have learnt some lessons, have ignored those lessons. The world and its system is tuned for the rich and it will continue so, come what may, recession or Tsunami's.

The narration by Matt Damon is excellent. It is gratifying that somebody from the higher end of life's spectrum agreed to do this. 

Engeyum Kaadhal

2011 by Prabhu Deva

Kamal, a young rich guy, is enjoying his holiday in Paris. He doesnt believe in love. Kayalvizhi is a young music student who lives in Paris with her father, who is a private detective. Kayal falls in love with Kamal in the very first sight itself. Movie is about these two, how they get into a serious relation ship.

A typical plot for an Indian romantic Comedy. However, it is the girl who is attracted to the boy and tries hard to get his attention and love. That is of course a change. It is spiced up with some songs, couple of fights and the hero's friend, who offers some laugh.

The plus points are

There are some nice songs, which are well shot. In fact, I thought, most of these songs are beautifully choreographed, the best I have seen in long time, may be. Special mention to the very first song in which Prabhu Deva him selves tries what he is best at and the Naangai (Valliye Chakkaravalliye) song which is choreographed on an interesting concept.

Through out the movie, there is always some light hearted fun, because of the plot itselves, and also because of hero's friend played nicely by Deva's brother Raj Sundaram.

Interestingly, it is one movie with good production values.

Disappointing factor was the movie lacks a real heart or any substance. It always looks like it is just on the border line. Not going deep into anything. But definitely, I dont think the created intended to.

And quite strange and funny enough - most people in Paris seems to speak English, which was quite stupid. Paris definitely is the most romantic city in the world, but English is a completely use less language in this lovely city. The script forgets this most of the time and use French at times. No consistency at all, anyways after all this is not a serious movie at all. But I thought, using French would have offered more comic sequences and may be would have made it a little more romantic too, as its the language of l'amour.

Any candid cameraman should be able to pick up beautiful shots of couples in Paris and that would have been more apt, but here its quite evident that the couples on screen are extras.

Anyways, this movie, I am not sure will do any good for Prabhu Deva's directorial curve. But he ensures that the choreography is excellent.

An ok watch, only if you want to enjoy those songs, or just want some silly fun. 

A Perfect Getaway

2009 by David Twohy

A honeymoon couple, Cliff and Cindey are celebrating with a kind of adventurous hike in a remote Hawaain isalnd. They are told about the murder of another couple which scares them but decides to proceed. They meet another couple Nick and Gina. For the honeymooners, these two look strange and they are worried they are walking with the killers. And then when they reach the destination, a pristine beach, the two men kayaks to a sea cave and Gina happens to go through the handy cam of the honeymooners. I am sure anybody can guess what the climax is.

Yet another movie which sells Fear. In America, anything can be sold easily with Fear, it seems. This movie is again on the same genre.

To be very frank, except for the way the climax takes a U turn, and the blunt and brief way the past and motive of the killers is told, it is just typical of what we see from Hollywood. It has good pace, the action sequences after the secret is revealed are all well shot, but what really takes the credit away from the movie is the story itself. We follow two characters, who keeps on saying , what if, what next, who are they, arent they the guys, bla bla and then its a 360 degree turn, making all viewers feeling like idiots. The revelation tests the intelligence of the viewers to the fullest, unlike most similar films.

If the killers were somebody else, this movie could have been rated better than Ridiculous. 

Cyrano de Bergerac

1990 by Jean Paul Rappeneau

Cyrano is the captain of a military unit, but he is more known as an excellent poet, with a long nose. Cyrano has some inferiority complex because of his nose, but he pretends otherwise. He is madly in love with his cousin, Roxanne, but thinks he is too ugly for her. Roxanne is mad about poetry and actually would love an ugly poet rather than a beautiful man without words. Cyrano doesnt know this and he realises Roxanne is attracted to Christian, a new recruit to his unit. Christian is dynamic and beautiful, but he is not able to talk about love to Roxanne who adores poetry. Cyrano offers help and writes love letters for Christian, which makes Roxanne fall for Christian, that they get married soon. The war with Spanish brokes out and both Cyrano and Christian has to go to the battle field. Cyrano arrives in the field with food for soldiers and Christian dies after a serious injury. After 14 yesrs, Roxanne still lives in a convent, mourning, and Cyrano regularly visits her but never reveals the secret that Roxanne is mourning over his poetry. Cyrano is seriously injured, on his way to the convent, and only moments before his death, does Roxanne would know the truth.

This movie, set in the 17th C France, should easily find a place in any list of best movies of all time.

There are many great romantic movies, but this one is really unique. 99% of the dialogues are like poetry, very rhythmic. It is brilliant that we can feel the poetry even in the English subtitle. I can imagine how much French speakers might have been moved by this movie and its poetic dialogues.

Cyrano is a brilliant character. Expert on both sword and poetry, he can make anybody fall for him with his talents. But he just cant make him believe that woman, even somebody as beautiful as Roxanne, might not care for the physical beauty. Roxanne even fell unconscious reading one of his letters. And his duel in the opening scene, fighting both with sword and words, I would say, is one of the most brilliant scenes in world cinema ever. It is just better that the dialogues here are poetic too. That scene alone can win awards for Gerard Depardieu, the camera man and the director. Brilliant.  

Gerard Depardieu makes one of the most amazing performances ever in movie history. What an actor. This must have been a great experience for this man.

I am almost sure that French Period movies are much much better classics than the most popular Hollywood ones. And their cinematography is brilliant. I must repeat that the cinmatography in this movie is simply brilliant.

A brilliant Romantic drama (sad, though) with the most beautiful performances, settings, costumes, cinematography and direction. 

Maanikkya kallu

2011 by M Mohanan

A government high school in a remote village is fast getting extinct. For long, it has achieved cent percent failure in the school leaving examinations. Naturally, there are only a few students left in the school, obviously from the most poor people in the village. And nobody, including the teachers and parents, are interested in the fate of these students and school. Teachers are happy they get their regular salaries and also get more than enough time to engage in other business. A new teacher, who specifically requested to be appointed in this school, arrives and wants to take the responsibility of making a difference.

Being released as a main stream movie with prominent stars and actors, all is quite predictable about this movie and that is exactly what happens too. So there are teachers who have different interests, lead by a head master himself, some villagers who show interest in school activities and a story which , exaggerative though, talks about the situation faced by more than a few Govt. run schools in villages, with the necessary extra ingredients of a love story, an orphaned child waiting to be lead to good life etc.

It is not a bad movie and has more than a few beautiful moments. However, the script and the director seems to have put in some effort to not raise it above an ordinary watchable movie. As a director, Mohanan showed us that he held some promise with his Kadha Parayumbol, but with Manikkya kallu, he is not able to make a forward step, but steps backwards too, at least by one or two. It is also noteworthy that the climax in both his movies share almost the same sequence, which cannot be definitely termed as a style. But may I repeat, this is still not a bad watch and considering all the horrible main stream movies we are used to, it is a better one. At least it is glad to know that some one has touched upon the affairs of Malayalam medium Govt. schools in a full length movie.

Prithviraj plays the young teacher and has done a decent job. But just like the fate of George Clooney, in spite of all his efforts and sincerity in taking these kind of simple roles, Prithviraj always looks Prithviraj on screen, barring one or two exceptions.

Samvritha Sunil gets a role, a role which is more challenging than all what she have done so far, and is only just ok, I am afraid. I terribly wish, this actress with the most lovely facial features, typically Keralan, also puts in a bit more weight to enable her to take all kinds of matured roles. Even her colourful saris are not able to cover up her too sticky frame, which I am afraid is a draw back in her performances, especially for these kind of roles. For I believe, acting is not just facial expressions and a better physique and its body languages can always support and even improve the facial feelings.

Having said all this if an avid Bollywood fan, a North Indian, is watching this movie, he might still say this is an art film. 

Il Postino - The Postman

1994 by Michael Radford

Mario Rouppolo is a very innocent man who doesnt want to be a fisherman like his father. In the movie house, through a news reel, he sees poet Pablo Neruda arriving in Italy. Neruda has to live in exile for some time. The village post master is looking for an extra post man to personally deliver all the post for Neruda. Mario takes this job. He can read and write hardly. The only thing he knows about Neruda is that many women are attracted to him because of poetry. Initially he cannot even talk to Neruda, but slowly they start talking and Mario gets very much interested in poetry and communism. When Mario is attracted to a beautiful girl, Beatrice, Neruda helps him. When they get married, Neruda is his first man. The Govt. of Chile has revoked the arrest warrant of Neruda, who asks Mario to take care of the house and his belongings and leave the village. Mario expects some news from Neruda but there is nothing. He is still not disappointed and explains to others that is normal. After few years Neruda walks into the village and meets Beatrice and the boy of Mario, Pablito, named after Pablo Neruda. He learns that, Mario attended a communist rally which turned violent and was killed few days before the birth of his son.

If by anyways a movie can be called a poem or gets as close to poetry, Il Postino is poetry in celluloid. I have heard so many people boasting similar things about many movies, but I never thought the same. Watching Il Postino, by the time the friendship between Mario and Neruda develops and strengthens, I was feeling a special bliss of happiness and by the end, I said to myself, this is poetry in a movie.

There is friendship between two souls from two ends of life's spectrum, there is love, there is sadness and above all there is a great human being, may be the most innocent male character I have ever met through the medium of cinema. From his very first dialogues, we know that this man is really innocent and as he starts his work we set on a kind of journey with Mario. We are more desperate than Mario, may be, for the poet to open up and chat with him. We feel his curiosity, his excitement and his hunger to understand and learn more and more about poetry. We are filled with joy as he really makes friendship with Neruda and when Neruda leaves to Chile, we miss the poet as much as Mario. We too would start thinking about excuses for the poet to not contact Mario or for him to not mention about Mario in his interviews. And finally we are grief stricken to know the fate of Mario. The last shot when Neruda stands on the beach thinking about Mario, wonderfully passes his grief to the viewer.

There is not a single scene or shot in this movie, which we would say was unnecessary or anything like that. The scenes between Mario and Neruda, where Mario gets curious about different aspects of poetry, how he is introduced to metaphors and how he himself discovers metaphors, they are all so brilliant and lovely that we feel kind of joy, that we get very seldom, watching a movie. Each and every moment between Mario and Neruda are more than beautiful.

The scenes and dialogues between Mario and Neruda, takes this movie to a different level which makes us feel that this is no ordinary movie, but poetic. They are brilliant. Of course, it is the innocence of Mario which makes these scenes poetical and joyful but they are beautifully brilliant. His innocence offers us a lot of joy, but few moments were simply lovely.

- Mario tells Neruda about Beatrice and says he could say only 5 words to her. 'What's your name?' - Neruda says, that makes only 3 words? Mario - 'she replied Beatrice Russo and I repeated Beatrice Russo'

- Neruda asks Mario to speak to the radio - for his friends in Chile - about the most wonderful aspect about his village, and Mario  says 'Beatrice Russo'

- Earlier in a scene Mario wishes Neruda would receive the Noble prize. Later, when he wants Neruda to write him a poem about Beatrice and Neruda refuses, he curses that if Neruda cannot write a poem about Beatrice then he will never get the Noble prize.

I am sure, I am not expressing it nicely, but as we watch the movie, these moments are so so beautiful. It is a pity I am not a writer to explain my feelings in detail. Also the recordings Mario makes, for sending to Neruda, was exceptionally beautiful.

Massimo Troisi as Mario is living a life on the screen. This is not an easy character, but he lives the life of Mario and may I say, this is among the very best performances for me. It is quite difficult to play such an innocent role. Philippe Noiret as Neruda and Maria Gracia as Beatrice are the two other major characters.

Yet another film which is perfect to explain what the role of the cinematographer is, in making a beautiful movie. Another major highlight of the movie is its background score. Simply beautiful.

It is surprising that this movie was not directed by an Italian, but by an English man. That requires the man to be some genius of the medium. Brilliant work of art.

Il Postino is a once in a life time movie, a real poetry in motion. 

Le Gendarme de St. Tropez

1964 by Jean Girault

Cruchot, an ambitious and strict police officer is promoted and transferred to St. Tropez. He arrives there with his young daughter and straight away sets on to his duty. He even masterminds an operation to arrest a group of nudists who had been a head ache for long time. When his daughter falls into an unintentional case of a stolen Mustang, Cruchot has to set it right, if not his career would be affected. The Mustang was also having a stolen Rembrandt painting. Cruchot comes out successful, also with the help from his daughter and her friends.

This movie in fact managed 4 sequels, shows how successful it was then. One of the famous hits from the maestro Louis de Funes, however for me this was not as exciting as typical Louise de Funes' movies.

When we compare with other Funes movies, this is only ordinary. But, only when we compare with the other classics of Funes. While we watch this one, we can see that time has took its toll on this movie and its comic settings. This is still a good watch. And this movie only reiterates my approval of this amazing actor. All the other movies from this guy were real classic comedies which has with stood the passing decades of time, which is no mean feat.

Baran - rain

2001 by Majid Majidi

Lateef works in a construction site, supervised by a straight and kind man Memar. When Najaf fells down and breaks his leg, Zoltan brings the 14 year old Rehmat, Najaf's child, to the site and Memar promptly takes him for work. Rehmat seems too weak for the heavy jobs and Memar swaps his work with that of Lateef. Lateef was having an easy time just preparing stupid food and tea for the workers. He is quite angry with Rehmat but soon realise that Rehmat is a girl. His attitude to Rehmat changes and he is more kind and protective of her. Soon he realise that he is in love, but he cannot let her know about that or even look at her straight. Rehmat soon has to leave the site, as she belongs to a group of Afghan's without legal permits. Lateef tries to find her and when he realises the terrible situation of their family, as Najaf cannot help, he even withdraws all his savings from Memar and sends it with Zoltan. But Najaf actually asks Zoltan to take that money and leave for Afghanistan as Zoltan's family is really broke. Lateef then even sells his work permit for some money, to help Najaf. But to his shock he finds out that Najaf also has decided to go back to Afghanistan. Before he sees them off, he looks directly at Rehmat, for the first time, and earns a beautiful smile from her.

A beautiful love story, of untold love, in the background of poverty.

Typical of all Majidi's movies, its told in a very simple way, with minimum dialogues, but with a great pace ideal for the movie. For some reason, we might all feel that Rehmat may not be a girl from the first scenes itself, could be seen as a drawback. But from the moment Lateef realise that and he starts feeling for her, the movie takes a huge leap into a very special love story. His pain, when he sees Rehmat doing heavy jobs at other sites, is beautifully told. It is wonderful how Mr. Majidi always manages to convey deep feelings without the help of mundane dialogues. And he still manage to keep an attractive pace is really an important point of all Majidi movies. In Baran, we would also notice that he has used some kind of background scores only for 3 or 4 scenes. But still this movie does not look at all, like a pretending artistic one or like a documentary. In fact we may not notice anything at all other than Lateef and Rehmat. Brilliant direction. I dont remember seeing a love story in which the heroine doesnt have a single dialogue.

The last scene, where Lateef is sure that he is seeing Rehmat for the last time and runs in to help her pick the vegetables from the ground, is the real highlight of this film. For the first time, they have a lovely eye contact and the shot of their hands crossing each other, picking the vegetables, spoke a lot, much more than many love songs. Well it could be interpreted that way. But like Lateef, we too are not sure if Rehmat realises his love or loves him. For sure she must know that the Lateef, helping her pick up the vegetables, is a changed boy. I simply hope, she was damn sure about his love for her. But then, there is this shot of Rehmat pulling down her veil (of her Purdah), covering her face from Lateef. May be that is because she really realised there was something special about Lateef in that moment and felt shy and wanted to impress him. Culturally it is important for her to pull down the veil. So may be..

From the side of Lateef, may be it was a mistake he didnt express anything at all. As girls always pretend as they never knew, they want all to be told to them. As one, who had many untold loves, I really feel for Lateef.

But I have to say, it is Mohammad Amir Naji as Memar, who did the best performance in this movie. May be I am too much of a fan of this amazing actor. Lateef and Rehmat, they were all good, but Mr. Naji is the best.

Yet another simple and beautiful movie from Iran. 

Malena

2000 by Guiseppe Tornatore

Second world war period in a small town in Sicily. 12 year old Renato is glad to have a second hand bicycle so that he can join the gang of local boys. Through them he sees Malena for the first time. She is around 28 years old and her husband is away, serving the military. Malena is the most beautiful woman in the town and since she is alone too, the moment she is out on the streets, the town comes stand still. The whole men folk follow her. Even the women follow her because of sheer jealousy. It is love at first sight for Renato and he keeps on following her day in and out. He makes peep holes in different points in her home and is always watching her. He dreams about her all the time, writes unsend letters to her and even picks up fight with his friends when they speak bad about her. There are so many rumours about her, but only he knows that they are all false and Malena is in love with her husband. One day the news arrives that her husband was killed and the whole men folk have hope now. The deserted street in front of her home is filled with gentleman wanting to impress her. Even she doesnt realise that men create stories of adultery and there is even a case of adultery against her. The advocate who proves her innocense in the local court almost rapes her and wants to marry her. But finally she says no to him. Renato keeps dreaming about her and wants to grow up to a man to go and protect her. He is unable to even face her straight. Soon Germans occupy the town and Malena, who is on abject poverty, turns into prostitution. She serves Germans. When the allied forces recapture the town, the women folk drags Malena out into the street, beats and kicks her and humiliates her. Renato and most men can only just watch helpless. Renato sadly watch Malena leaving the town, catching a train to Messina. After an year or so, Nino, Malena's husband arrives. Nobody wants to help him but Renato sends in a letter in which he assures her about how faithful she was and he could find him in Messina. To the shock of the villagers, Nino and Malena walks back to the town. The same women who kicked her, accepts her back.

Malena may not be amongst the greatest movies I saw, but Malena will always be one of my favourite movies ever. Renato in the last shot in the movie says -  "Of all the girls who asked me if I remember them, the only one I remembered is the one who did not ask."  - likewise, I was lead to this movie only because of Monica Bellucci but I am going to carry it with me for many other reasons.

It brought back all those memories during my own adolescence and teenage days. All those waits and cyclings up and down only to catch a glimpse of the odd beautiful girl in the village in a pattu pavaada (long skirt and blouse, mostly in glazing silk) or half saris and even Saris. I stopped going to temples around 12 or 13 years. But was always around the temple or the church region to get that one sight of a beautiful girl or women. Later in college, we knew exactly the time periods when senior girls - mostly from final year graduation or post graduation class - would walk out, to follow their beautiful walks in those wonderful cotton saris. Now it is shocking for me that I did not care at all about how beautiful their body was. All I cared was how good a face they had. May be those wonderful dresses covered up their bodies so well. In Malena however, the boys are amazed by her beautiful body. The way the boy's gang followed her and later Renato alone did, was so beautifully picturised.

I could easily identify with Renato and I am sure almost every man would, making this movie a very realistic nostalgic experience. Renato breathed and lived Malena. The use of old classic movies, placing Renato and Malena in place, was a brilliant idea and that was so beautiful. Even while raising many serious questions, the movie has a basic element of fun which prevails almost till the 3/4ths and that was excellent. All the dream sequences of Renato with Malena was so beautiful too. Real adolescence inspired romantic and sexual thoughts.

But Malena is the central character and she really grows on us. We really feel sorry for her state and this movie clearly shows how society can create prostitutes out of nowhere. Even women, owing to jealousy, can act most cruelly to a single woman in need of help is brilliantly portrayed. The scene of public humiliation was brilliant but will touch us deeply. For me this was the most heart breaking scene after the rape scene in Paruthiveeran. Her situation and also the helplessness on the faces of Renato and some other men plus the sheer cruelty on the face of some women really adds up to this scene and all credit to the director to make it a brilliant experience. And the scene immediately made me think about the similar atrocities upon the hapless Dalit women in India. Even by official reports, at least 4 dalit women are raped or paraded naked, daily, in India. Mostly the motive behind these crimes would be that of trying to take water from well meant for upper castes, questioning any upper caste men or women or not obeying them or for petty crimes committed by their husbands or even for opposing sexual advances of upper caste men. Malena at least had the choice to leave the town and live even if by selling herself and she was accepted back to the society when she had a man. But for our poor dalit women, they will never enjoy any kinds of such kindness from our brutal society. Whatever crime it may be, to humiliate women in public it is beyond any law or logic or beleif too. It is the worst crime that can be committed to a woman, just like rape. I wonder what would have been the thoughts of Sicilian public, women especially, watching this movie.

After watching Irreversible, I always was haunted by the painful face of Monica Bellucci and has longed to see her in a different kind of role. Thats how I was lead to this movie.  And as the movie progressed I was happy and was stunned by the beauty of this woman. What a beauty? Her grace and elegance contrasts perfectly with her sensousness. But then came that humiliation scene and oh, once again. That was too much for me. Anyways this is a wonderful performance from this amazing lady. She doesnt even have many dialogues in this script. But she is the back bone of the script and she has done a great job as a woman who is punished for the sin of being beautiful.

The cinematography is brilliant, we will not worry about the camera at all, and so are the settings. It may not have brought as many acclaims to Tornatore, like Cinema Paradiso did, but he should be proud about this movie. Beauty is not always an asset, especially for the unfortunates. Society can turns itself into a beast to an innocent and unfortunate beauty.

It is a pity that this kind of movie will never get released in India, because of all its sensual nudity and the thread of adolescent eroticism behind Renato, but it is a real pity. This movie is for all men who love and respect womanhood. It is also for those who doesn't, including women. And since, in India, the latter hugely outnumbers the former, I would say it is a must watch. 

Les Liaisons Dangereuses - Dangerous Liasons

1959 by Roger Vadim

Juliette and Valmont are married for 11 years, living in Paris. They both love each other but to keep their love more passionate and to avoid the typical marriage problem of getting used they get adventurous. Both are free to have affairs with other men and women, only for the sake of physical pleasure. They will not fall in love with their extra marital friends, at any cost. This is the unbreakable law between them. Both discuss their affairs and even help out each other in manipulating and seducing the persons whom they find interesting. Once Juliette suggest Valmont to go to a ski resort and seduce Cecile, who is deeply in love with a student Danceny. he tries his best but soon realises her serious love for Danceny. He then meets Marianne, who is married with a baby, and goes after her. He realises that, even if Marianne likes him, she will never go to his bed. He explains all this to Juliette in a detailed letter and Juliette also arrives in the Ski resort. By then, Valmont had forced a night on the hapless Cecile. Juliette further manipulates her so that Valmont can continue to have a relation with her. Juliette realises that Valmont has really fallen for Marianne and is really desperate for her. She ask him to seduce her and then throw her away to prove that he has not broken their rule of no love. Valmont goes to Paris and goes out of his way to seduce Marianne and deeply falls in love with her.  And then the climax is very dramatic.

This movie was based on a 17th C French novel. It could have been treated like a sex comedy, but it isnt. For those who are not used to a bit of French culture, this movie can be more than shocking. At the same time, it might also surprise viewers from countries like India in some ways. There are scenes where Danceny and Cecile is discussing their marriage, which is more like a page out of a typical Indian lovers discussions, wondering about the permissions of parents etc. I could not help thinking about our own morality which were imposed by the Colonial regimes as they were following those moral codes in the 18 to mid 20th centuries. They moved on, especially after the social revolutions of the 60's, but we Indians decided to stick on to this imposed morality as our tradition, with more and more passion, putting the responsibility of torch bearers of morality and culture wholly on women.

Anyways coming back to the movie, this must have been a great release in 1959. The way some scenes are told should have been quite novel for those days. I am sure it must have caused quite a lot of ripples as well. I especially was amused by the seduction scene of Cecile. That was brilliantly directed. Also inspite of being a French movie, there isnt much of nudity in this movie is also noteworthy. Sex is actually only on the background. The seductions and heartlessness is what is thrown at the viewer. Also except for Juliette's seduction of Danceny, it is more following Valmont. There are only some suggestions and a scene about the adventures of Juliette.

It also looks at one point about men trying to seduce women. Men, at least most men, would try to seduce a woman and the easier the woman falls for him, the faster he might stop it with her too. And such men really likes to take the challenge of seducing women who are not easy. This is quite nicely protrayed in this movie. The way Valmont is frustrated with Marianne's rejection is very nicely pictured and it is this rejection of hers which creates an obsession in him for her, and gradually makes him really feel for her.

I am afraid my inabilities to write is stopping me from expressing my views any further on this movie. I am sure anyways that this original French movie is much better as a movie than its later Hollywood adaptation. Still the climax was looking quite rushed.

The movie has some brilliant black and white photography and some good music. 

Bhakthajanangalude Shradhakku

2011 by Priyanandan

Vishwanathan is an ordinary Government servant. His wife Suma, together with her mother in law, runs a small village restuarant and is fighting to meet the both ends and to save something for the good future of their two children. Vishwanathan is a straight forward man, however he is almost addicted to alcohol, which is a constant worry for his family. He keeps on promising to stop his habbit, but is always back home completely drunk, also because of his friends. Once he even forgets his boy in the bar. He is still a very religious man with deep faith in their family goddess. Prompted by a comment from the sister in law, Suma pretends as if she is possessed by the goddess and makes some furious comments on Vishwanathan's habbit. This works wonders for the family. At the same time rumours spread on the special powers of Suma. The restaurant is actually co owned by an Uncle who is back home. When there are some problems, related to Vishwans work, the Uncle asks Suma to pretend as the Goddess once again, to get rid of the strong political forces against them. The Uncle actually forces her to do more, as this is a good way to make some money. Soon, Hindu fanatical forces join the uncle and Suma is forced to be a Goddess Sumangala with an Ashram built for her. She is kept away from her family and her attempts to elope and even commit suicide, all backfires and make her even more famous as a God woman.

Priyanandan is a director who had always taken a parallel path to movies, neither being too artistic nor being mainstream and his first two movies, especially Neythukaaran, were exceptional. The last one, Sufi Paranja Katha however was excellent only in patches. In all these movies his selection of plot, I thought was brilliant. He again proves that he has a special eye for selecting his plot and in Bhakthajanangalude Shraddakku (B S), he has touched upon an important topic which is socially very relevant with many under and parallel tones. It has been long since I watched a Malayalam movie and had thought, this is one movie which can be put in the same class as the ones in the golden 80's. B S, friends is one such movie and I am more than proud of this movie and this director.

This is a kind of movie, that would have perfectly fallen in place between the parallel and mainstream movies of the 80's. After long, we get to see a straight forward and simple narration of a story without any modern gimmicks. May be it is old fashioned for some, but some times old is gold isn't it. But in spite of the straight forwardness of the movie, I would say this movie has may be the best realistic camera work in Malayalam movies in a very long time. Especially the lighting used make each and every frame, may it be indoor or outdoor, look as if only available light is been used. There might be people who could argue for some different angles on some of the frames, but no one would question the lighting in this movie and it is consistent for the whole length of the movie.

Priyanandan, I am sure, might embarass most of the main stream directors of Malayalam. He has handled some scenes so nicely, may I say. The first time Suma gets possessed and the scene in the bus, when she tries to run away with her family, especially are worth mentioning. Still, there is a major draw back in the script, which I thought could have been avoided. The problems of Vishwanathan at his work develops well in the beginning and it even proceeds to a scene in which he nearly man handles the MLA, ends up in Police station and even his career looks in trouble. However, thereafter, this  lead is left out completely. May be there was something and it got cut in the editing table. But I thought the movie would have been even better without this. Also the second possession also was not needed. The movie would have been more classic if the possession scene was restricted to just one. So are some of the loop holes in the script, once the Ashram is established. But I think those are pardonable. Especially since there is an anti climax in this movie, which is more than brilliant. That is a perfect mirror to the foolishly spiritual society of India.

There were a lot of articles, on the great performance of Kavya Madhavan in Gaddama, which surprised me actually. But in BS, as Suma Kavya might have done her ever best performance in her career. Bearing in mind that in India, its only once in a lifetime an actress get to play a strong female oriented role, Kavya might have just did it and she is brilliant especially in the first possession scene. Arshad, as Vishwanathan also did good, but I thought, he could have been much better and this definitely is a small mistake from the director.

Kerala, inspite of all its claims of being a left oriented land where even right wing people have leftist views, is becoming a highly religious and caste oriented society. God men and women emanates out of nothing and people, the rich and the educated especially, follow them like the mise after the pide piper. B S is a brave attempt and I wish this movie was a hit. Watching it on the third day of release, I was more than sad to see that the hall was almost empty. But each and everybody in the theatre enjoyed this movie like anything, inspite of not having commercial ingredients, was quite clear. If B S doesnt become a hit, Keralites should never complain that they do not get good movies, like before.

I salute Priyanandan and his team, especially the camera man, for this wonderful movie. I am sorry, if this movie will not make profit. It will be also a pity for Kavya Madhavan. She has been brilliant and if this is not seen by most Keralites that is really a pity.

Even the Tamil boy, at the snack bar in Kochi Sarita theatre, looked sad that BS is not popular. In his Tamil accent, he told me - Keralaavil nalla cinema kaanaan aarum illa alle chetta

Melvilaasom

2011 by Madhav Ramdas

A soldier who was guarding his regiment opened fire at two superior officers killing one and seriously injuring the other. He is to be Court Marshalled. By his own statement and by that of the witnesses he has nil chance to save himself, but one officer pleads for him, not to save him, but to bring forth the motive behind the murder.

This was adapted from a famous drama directed by Surya Krishnamoorthy. It is quite a first attempt for Malayalam movie that the camera doesn't go out of the court room (There was a similar kind of effort earlier, Galelio, if my memory is right, but it was not just inside a room) and all the characters are male Military officials, except for a cameo by a little girl. In that way, this is a novel and brave effort for a Malayalam movie.

But as a movie, I am afraid, it is rather a failure. The script (in fact it is all just one scene) is still like a drama and the dialogues are perfect for a drama version, rather than for a movie. Still the director could have done something to modulate the dialogue deliveries to suit it for a movie. But... The movie begins in an excellent way. The title shots are really good. And then you have a wide angle shot of the court room. The moment some soldiers walk in and start talking, we realise this is going to be a terrible experience. The characters, all of them except the convict, are screaming out their dialogues as if they are been told that the recording power of the mike is poor. (Of course, this is dubbed, but then that makes it even worse)  I thought, the plot is quite interesting and we too feel like knowing the motive behind the murder and there are also some good points, which unfurl as the motive is clear (which are rather truth behind the upper caste controlled Indian military), but we feel rather like watching a drama than a movie.

If only the dialogue delivery were more muted or more subtle, this would have been a better watch. It doesnt mean, there are no other problems. But I would rather like to look at the good things, than nit picking, especially when its a different attempt, that too from a debutant director. But I am afraid, there isnt much to praise. Parthipan, as the convict does his role well. Suresh Gopi as his pleader is doing the same thing that he does always.

Mimì metallurgico ferito nell'onore - Mimi the metal worker wounded in honor

1972 by Lina Wertmuller

Mimi lose his job, when he votes for a communist representative, instead of the Mafia rep. He leaves his family and goes to Turin. He was not very fond of his wife as she is unresponsive or not passionate about sex. He becomes a metal worker and also meets Fiore, who doesnt mind him being married, but wants him to be faithful to her and doesnt want him to even sleep with his wife. They have a baby and soon he is transferred back to his home region, the south of Italy. He still doesnt make any love with his wife, for the fear of losing Fiore. But one day comes to know that Rosalla, his wife is pregnant from a police man, married with 5 children. He wants to revenge and pretends to love and seduce the wife of the police man and seduce her to bed. ...

The most horrible thing to happen, did happen to me. The dvd got stuck. It wont play anymore, not in my player, nor in my lap top or anywhere. I have searched a lot for finishing it, but no use. It was very cruel that I didnt see may be the last 15 or 20 minutes of this movie. What a pity.

It started out more like a political movie, but it was turning out to be a great comedy. A beautiful way of looking at the hypocrasy of men, who feel it ok to cheat, but find it a crime, when their wife do it. The way Mimi seduced the police man's wife - a really fat middle aged woman - un attractive in all ways - was very funny and his first love making with her simply hilarious.

Beautiful acting and beautiful photography. Above all a wonderfully directed movie.

I long to watch those final 15 minutes. 

Following

1998 by Christopher Nolan

An unemployed youth, aspiring to be a writer, start following strangers on the street. He has set forth his own rules for following, which he starts breaking too. He is confronted by a man, who understood he was being followed, who introduces as Cobb. Cobb is a different kind of burglar, who just breaks into others apartments or flats, not really to steal anything valuable, but just to intrude into the private life's of the house owner. He would drink their wine, misplace objects and may be take with him private objects, invaluable for others or even the owner, even womens under clothes etc. He wants to make the owner realise what they had, when they lose it. Our aspiring writer is some what thrilled by this and he is nearly like an apprentice for Cobb. He even attempts his own Cobb style house breaking. He meets a woman in a bar, who seems to be obliged to be the girl friend of a local gangster. He realises that they have broken to her apartment earlier. Cobb gives him a credit card with the name Daniel Loyd for his use. The woman wants him to steal some photographs from the Gangster, as she is being black mailed, which he promptly does. But he ends up attacking a man who arrives, just when he is ready to leave the place. He also finds that the photographs he has stolen are nothing special to be worried about. When he confronts her, he realises that she and Cobb have set him up. Cobb had to kill somebody during one of his burglar attempts and wanted to share the doubts upon him with somebody else. When our writer recognises that he has been cheated by the woman and Cobb he goes to the police and confesses everything. Cobb kills the woman, as she was a witness to one murder committed by the gangster. After the confession to the police, the young man is perplexed by the truth that the whole thing was a drama , scripted by Cobb, as he is now responsible also for the death of the woman, another murder by Cobb.

This is a brilliant movie. Simply brilliant. I actually wanted to watch the 3rd El Classico - the semi final of Champions league - between Barcelona and Real Madrid and wanted to see the pre match discussions as always. So had thought, ok no movie today, but just played the file to check if it was allright and from the very first shots - in black and white - I got hooked. Luckily for me, the movie is only a little more than one hour, it finished a few minutes before the kick off. But I have to confess, I got involved so much that I completely forgot about my match, this is a big credit for this movie.

The movie is told through the confession of the young man to the police and its brilliant. Only towards the end do we realise this but then the final surprise is still not completed. The surprise, that Cobb had set him up to be responsible for the murders, comes out through the final talks between the young man and the police officer, talks which are very brief and precise, is an intelligent master stroke. It is so brilliant that it is a revelation not just for the young man but for the viewers too. There might be some viewers, who might have guessed this, but not me. I was so involved with the writer that I forgot to think about anything else. It is very seldom that you feel yourselves in the shoes of the character. I felt admiring Cobb, I felt falling for the woman and wanted to emulate Cobb and so and so, and the last revelation was stunning. Brilliant.

A brilliant script supported by a brilliant director. Kudos also to the camera work, which is classic in black and white. We never think about the camera actually. But this is not a simple work, I would say.

I dont know if anybody considers this movie as a master piece of Mr. Nolan. But I surely will.

I remember seeing Nolan's Memento some time back. I want to see it once again. Just like that. 

Maria Ilena eres de gracia - Maria you are full of grace

2004 by Joshua Marston

17 year old Maria has to support her family with her work. However, she decide to quit her job, against her family wish, as she felt she didnt get any respect at her job. She also realise that she is pregnant. The teenager who is responsible, is ready to marry her, but Maria really doesn't have any love for him. She meets Franklin, who sets her up with drug traffickers, from Columbia to America, and is offered a great sum to work as a mule. She accepts this offer and meets Lucy who has already done it twice. When she is on her way, Maria realises that her friend, Blanca who is even younger than her, has also been lured by Franklin into this job. Pellets of heroine, are given to the mules who have to swallow it. Maria has about 66 of them in her stomache. She is promptly caught for check up, in the New York airport. She escapes the final X ray check, just because she was pregnant. Maria, Lucy and Blanca are collected by some guys who take them to a hotel room and wait for the girls to pass out all the pellets. Maria finds out at night, that Lucy is missing, and she prompts Blanca to escape from the hotel. They do not have any place to go and finally reach the flat of Lucy's sister. Maria is unable to confess the danger that has occured with Lucy. Soon she finds out that Lucy's body was found out, with her stomache cut open. When Lucy's sister finds this out, she evicts Maria and her friend out. Maria still manages to find the traffickers and hands over the pellets and collect her money. A part of which she uses to send Lucy's body back to Columbia. On their way back, at the check in counter Maria decides against going back to her country.

In spite of being slow paced, neo realistic kind, I would say Marai Ilena.. is  a thrilling movie. From the moment Maria is lured by the drug traffickers, we feel tensed, may be more than Maria herself, and feels for her. That is the real success of this movie. Luckily for Maria, she is not hurt, and decides against going back to Columbia - as this would mean she will have to work as a mule again until she is caught or is killed like Lucy - but this does not happen without taking us through a lot of nervous moments. The scene where she swallows the pellets, the moments inside the flight including the one inside the toilet, the one with the customs officials in the airport and all are brilliantly shot that we can feel the tension so much to make ourselves feel nervous. Simple but brilliant, that is what I would say.

A very interesting aspect of the film, unlike other similar movies on drug trafficking, is that except when Maria is questioned in the airport, we do not come across any men in uniform at all. That was a great idea, and that makes this movie completely different too. The whole drama is built around the mental state of Maria. Brilliant.

It also made me think about some politics around the South and North, which I am afraid is not appropriate to discuss here.

Furyo Anego Den: Inochika Ocho - Female boss - Ocho Inochika

1973 by Norifumi Suzuki

Ocho witnesses her father getting killed, as a very young girl. The only way to recognise the killers are three cards similar to the tattoos on the back of the three killers. Ocho grows up as a skilled gambler, pick pocketer and swords woman. As per her promise to a dying gambler to save his sister from a brothel, she arrives into the region where the 3 killers reign in. Therein its all about her revenge.

Watching this movie, I was thinking how this movie was similar to many so called revenge movies of Hindi, Tamill and Malayalam in the early 80's. Japaneese movies were infamous for their so called Pinky violence of the 70's. This one is a master piece of that genre. Lots of nudity and fights. Thats it. May be the film has past its time, but for me it was not a good watch.

I will still have to talk about the high light of this film, Ocho walks out of her bath tub, completely nude, and fights a group of killers. This scene was incredible. I have never seen anything like that. Its not about just the central fighter being nude, its about the overall picturisation and the final impression this scene creates on us.  The camera doesnt shy away from the nude woman initially but towards the end of the fight it just follows only her legs and it was excellent how the fight ends. Also about the actress Reiko Ike. Salutes to her. That was a terrific effort. She is so bold to have done that nude fight. I cannot imagine how she managed it, being nude amongst so many men, all well dressed.

This movie is popular as Sex and Fury in the west. 

City of God

2011 by Lijo Jose Pellisserry

Has nothing to do with the Brazilian movie.

A Tamilian, Swarnavel, working at construction sites in Kochi city is attracted towards another Tamil woman Marathakam. Marathakam had actually eloped away from her abusing husband, leaving her little child under the care of a grand mother. There is also another guy who would like to marry Marathakam. When Swarnavel is just about to settle his life with Marathakam, her husband arrives. Swarnvel and Marathakam is running away from this  cruel husband who is also a policeman in Tamil Nadu.

Jyothilal is a close friend and henchman for Sony, a real estate don in the city, who will do anything for Sony. Sony  was reluctant to marry his love, Surya prabha, and left her, but when Surya turns into an upcoming film star, he want to reinvent their love. But Surya is married to another guy, who is be friended by Sony. Sony doesnt mind Surya being a wife, but just want to continue his love life with her and Surya is not for it.

When a business man from Dubai, who promised to sell a prominent land to Sony, change his mind Sony asks Jyothilal to kill him. The business man's wife, Viji, wants to revenge her husband's death and takes the help of Shameen, another real estate don.

Basically there are three main characters, Swarnavel, Jyothilal and Viji. Jyothilal's and Viji's lifes are connected because of the killing of Viji's husband, but the life of Swarnavel has nothing to do with these two, except that he is working in a site owned by Sony. However, at different points they cross each other and the movie is about these three characters, especially Swarnavel and Jyothilal, who come across incidents which are inter connected to others. Still Swarnavel, Jyothilal and Viji, even at the end of the movie, doesnt have a direct eye contact on each other is a good element on the script.

Lijo Jose showed some promise as a director with his first movie Nayakan. He wanted to take his second attempt to another level and he did have a good plot and script. But one matter that he chose to create a feeling of difference, is to show the same incident from the versions of two or three major characters. I simply didnt understand why he chose this way, because this is not a new style at all for most cine goers. Ameros Perros, Michael Clayton and there are many other famous movies which tried this. And even in South Indian languages, Virumandi and Yuva and even the recent Traffic used this style. I am not sure he used this style for a difference or for something novel or he thought that was the best way to say this story. Whatever, he has over done it, is the major draw back for City of God, which otherways is a very good movie. If he had used this style, showing  the same scene from the angles of various characters, only for a couple of major incidents, it would have been still good. But he used it even for some very silly scene and that really created a negative impact on the movie is beyond doubt.

Another point which was a set back was the shaky camera. It is an excellent technique, but it goes to a level enough to stress your eyes. But otherways the cinematography is really good and this is one movie which can  claim back the credit that settings of Malayalam movies are the most realistic, in Indian cinema, even in main stream movies.

I would have also preferred if the roles of Swarnavel and Marathakam were done by some real Tamil actors. Whatever, Malayalam is still poor when it comes to casting. Our directors are unable to look the otherway as far as actors are considered. Inspite of that, Indrajith who played Swarnavel deserves some award for the way in which he has done his job. He is more than excellent. Most actors did their job well, but three small characters, for me, requires special mention. Rohini, who played the midlle aged Tamil woman in the slum, the actor who played Shameen and the actor who played the thief, who wanted to marry Marathakam. Out of these it was Shameen who really surprised me. His is a very small role, nothing to do at all, but his subtle seductive looks at Viji were brilliant.

I would still say Rima Kallingal, playing Surya prabha, might have to improve her Malayalam accent, if she wants to look at Malayalam movies seriously. Right now she is just fine with her expressions. But the moment she speaks, it sounds like a funny TV anchor who speaks Malayalam with English accent.

Except for all th e above points, I would say, City of God is an excellent attempt and a good watch. In fact I was happy to see a contemporary story picturised nicely, in Malayalam. Some of the scenes; the problem in the cinema theatre, the scenes in the bar where Swarnavel is pursued to agree for Marathakam's marriage, the fight scene in the hotel parking etc were so brilliant that I am sure Lijo Jose Pellisserri is the most promising young director Malayalam have seen.

I just wish, the movie had tried a bit more straight forward style of story telling in some of those scenes where the scenes are repeated from different angles.

Also, the movie could have used a different title. 

Ko

2011 by K V Anand

Ashwin is a young and daring photographer for a leading news paper. He doesn't mind taking extreme risks for a relevant cause or to even help out a colleague. The two leading political parties are fighting it out for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. A new group of educated young professionals, lead by Vasanthan, who wish to see some change in the system also are contesting the elections. Ashwin and his colleagues helps to promote these youngsters, impressed by their sincerity, through their news paper. As the youngsters gather public support, there are many hurdles thrown on their path, possibly by the leading parties, which climaxes in a bomb explosion under the stage during their election campaign. Many of the young leaders are dead and Ashwin also lose one of his colleagues in the explosion. However, this off course pave the way to the victory of the young group. Vasanthan is the new chief minister.  Ashwin who was shocked by the lose of his colleague is still probing the incident and that leads into an interesting climax.

If not for some logical issues in the story, especially during the latter half, this would have been a perfect entertainer. It is still a good entertainer, provided we would ignore some of the questions that may arise towards the end of the second half.

The movie looks at politicians and their campaigns with some sarcasm, which is very good. Some of the ugly works by politicians, especially during the election campaign, is shown nicely. Offering money to voters, which is a common part of many Indian elections, is shown in a very practically possible way. It goes into detail about some struggles of news reporters and also takes a dig at some reporters who always have stupid questions, irrespective of the occasion. Then there is an interesting love triangle between Ashwin and his two lady reporters which draws some simple humour in the first half. The campaign of the young group is quite nice too, though similar things have occured more than a few times in the recent past. But the script and the director manages to keep it interesting.

I thought the script went ordinary, when it tries to bring out Ashwin as a super photo reporter, in the second half. Plus the many logical issues running into the climax also takes some credit out of the movie. But still, if we can over see that, we will still enjoy the climax. I also thought, trying to find unnecessary twists, like the history of Ashwin and Vasanthan, also took away some attraction of the movie. Even without this history behind, the tension between the two characters in the end would have remained in tact. More than anything, some time could have been gained and the movie would have been sleek.

Jeeva as Ashwin is charming and very good. However, it is Ajmal as Vasanthan who has done an excellent job. Here is a different character, with some out of the ordinary kind of scenes, and he has been very successful. After Anjathe and Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru, Ajmal again proves he holds a lot of promise. Piya Baajpai, as the bubbly Saro was also very good. A very very special mention to Prakash Raj as the chief minister. This man is definitely one of the best actors India have ever seen. Even in such a cameo role, he is brilliant. What an actor.

Music by Harris Jayaraj, was excellent. Almost all the songs are really good and are wonderfully picturised. Just that, at least one or two could have been avoided. Especially the one song which falls not much later after the bomb explosion, is a must cut as it broke the whole pace of the movie. But once again the songs are so beautifully picturised.

Ko is a good entertainer for any one wanting some good time in the theatre, and I am sure it is going to be a hit.