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Reviews
Avasara Police 100 (1990)
A man in search of an honest uncle
M.G Ramachandran, actor, Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu, India is an extraordinary human being who captivated Indian masses through his movies and through his personal generosity. He acted in movies as an hero even at very late stage of his career. However, one such film was never finished owing to his hectic political and government administrative duties. After his death, the talented actor, director K.Bagyaraj took that unfinished footage and made an effective potboiler - which is quite a task. He did that with élan. He should be applauded for that. The way the story was weaved was so effective, it effortlessly goes between two eras of film making without loosing the steam of the story and without any jarring effect. It is thoroughly entertaining with all essential bollywood "masala" making the watching experience FUN. The story focuses on twins who really don't know till the fag end of the movie that they are since they were separated at birth. One is courageous upright citizen, who happened to end in jail for a crime he never committed. He takes the inspiration for his courage from his uncle's wisdom whose whereabout were unknown. The other is a meek worm who is good for nothing, but an honest police officer,a comedy in life, addicted to sex with his sexy "fruit vendor" wife. Funny that he worships "Lord Hanuman", the monkey God of Hindu pantheon known for his Bachelorhood. Whenever he was ridiculed in his police department for his lack of courage he whines to his God. Meanwhile the courageous brother who was in search of his uncle, comes to the town where his uncle's girlfriend is supposed to live, hoping to get some clues on the whereabouts of his uncle. There he found out about his weak twin brother,conveniently tackle the local goons as a police officer in disguise of his weak brothers name and traces not only about the whereabouts of his uncle but also his dad and other mysteries of his life. The movie features also in the lead yesteryear actor Nambiar,Lata, then current actors Gowtami and the sexy Silk Smita. The scenes between Bagyaraj and Silk smitha are comic and Sexy. Among them MGR, Nambiar, Bagyaraj and Silk Smitha certainly stands out because of their acting. Quite a meaty role for Silk! If you have a DVD of this movie, microwave the popcorn and enjoy this potboiler.
Gandhi (1982)
Gandhiji the Great
To understand Gandhi we should change ourselves first. At least we should put ourselves in his shoes. At Gandhiji's disposal he had scriptures. People were to some extant moral. However they were week and submissive. Upholding morality guided by religious scriptures (esp. Bagavad Gita) combined with strong will power made wonders. People wonder whether was he right in many issues. After 20 years of study about his life I came to this conclusion that every thought and action were perfectly right with respect to the time, place and occasion that he was subjected to. His life and teachings should be grouped into two ways. One eternal message (eg. Be the change you want to be) and the second temporal messages (eg. burning British cloths during non-cooperation movement). Considering temporal message as eternal one and hence arguing against his personality should be considered as rubbish and childish. His life is a message his thoughts are godly. The film portrays him perfectly as it should be God bless you all Siva
What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)
Movie made with certain purpose
I found a lot of critics in IMDb audience for this movie. Some of them claimed that they know quantum physics and neurobiology. They also said that the movie is inaccurate. But I really feel sorry for them. They missed the point (not only in this movie) but also in their subjects they study. They lament that this movie is not teaching an accurate quantum physics. To tell you the fact, I am glad that they are not teaching it. But the scientists make sure that they share their philosophy to the general audience. Some of the scientists are so noble, it is really inspiring. I am a graduate student too. I decided that I will be one of those scientists (like Jhon Haglien or Fred Alen Wolf). In fact Jhon Haglien is the co-author of super string theory which is revolutionizing the modern physics. If such a man turns so humble and he calls all the scientists to unite together for the sake of humanity, then I would say he got the point. That is the right understanding of science - The commonsense at its best. He proved the world - scientifically- that meditation can bring down 25% crime rate in the Washington DC area. The purpose of science is to bring wisdom. Same with neurobiology. Stuart Hameroff M.D devoted his whole life in understanding consciousness. William Tiller, one of the great mind - is so humble and simple to engage in noble pursuit of understanding consciousness for the rest of his life. The other huge criticism is about Ramtha and his(her) school of enlightenment. If those directors got some enlightenment from her, they I don't see a great problem in interviewing her. I think she is far more better than interviewing any politician. The directors made sure that this movie is not preacher and it clearly concluded their version of enlightenment. But certainly they as well as we (audiance) know that enlightenment is far more deeper and spiritual than it can be said. I felt that this movie can be trimmed a lot. The last set of sequence was dragging as by that time - the "Point" was already made making that part slightly tiring. The polish party was funny and again could have been sacrificed. If the directors decide to make one more movie like this (I really encourage them to change the trend of movie making - *NEW AGE STYLE*, I am sure they will learn by their past mistakes. For religious critics: Having some acquaintance with Christian philosophy, I don't see any clash between the thoughts of Christ and this move. If any then possibly we both need to check the book (keeping our ego aside). Please support this movie by making your friends to see
Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (2002)
Story is good, but some intentions of the director is false
First, let me congratulate the director for making an wonderful movie. The actors had done an excellent job and the story is really gripping. The scenes are real (as I have personally experienced the tensed bus journey during cast riots in Tamil nadu). Rahul Bose as Raja (modern Muslim) is superb while the mannerisms of konkana Sen as Meenakshi Iyer is perfect with a typical Tamil brahmin lingo. As a movie it is 9/10 (Few glitches with over acting of some supporting actors and exceptional privilege extended by the police officer to Raja and Meenakshi by giving a resort is not explained well).
Let me come to the characterization of the caste. I came to know through directors interview that she choose to highlight Iyer caste as a model of the most conservative society every existed in the world. In democracy it is very much allowed. But what pained me was the explanation given to that. She feels that the society is not to open for modernization. What do you mean by modernization. When konkana sen in real life puffs cigarette and drinks alcohol, is that what she wants every Indian to do? In that case I believe that Iyer community being closed is worthy as science says smoking and drinking is not good. Every Hindu knows that compassion is the core aspect of life. At the same time he also knows the highest aspect of compassion is obtained by extending it even to animals. Now-a-days meat eating is considered as a modern way of life. If such is the compassion (partial and selfish) which aparanji expects in the modern world, then better I am ready to be enclosed in to the Iyer community as it gives an opportunity to be more compassionate even to animals. In democratic society every one has their own way of life. Vedanta (Hindu holy text) emphasis that excellent personality can be achieved by practicing strict spiritual discipline including focusing the food and hygiene. Drinking water from a bottle with out touching the mouth is more hygienic that sipping it. Why do you portray it as a cast issue? If Raja does it, it shows his ignorance but it has nothing to do with his Muslim life. To my knowledge brahmins prefer the orthodoxy in their home only. Certainly none of its members does it in the modern life like regretting drinking water from the bottle of Muslim. I am sorry to say that how primitive and selfish the motive of the director to sell the picture she ridiculed the homely observations (spiritual development) of Tamil iyers. Being a Tamil Iyer, even my own mom will not drink water from me during her spiritual practice. Let me clarify that it has nothing to do with caste but it has to do with spiritual and religious reasons. I know many Muslims and Christians will not eat food offered to Hindu god. I understand that it may not be acceptable to their spiritual practice. But i don't criticize it.
Some times I wonder why people of India is not making good cinema focusing on positive points (like Guide of R.K.Narayan) of Indian thoughts. Why people stoop so low to sell useless qualities of Indian life like violence and en cashing the human sentiments like portraying a Jew in a bad light. Aparnaji can concentrate little bit on Swami Vivekananda's teaching little bit (by visiting belur math) and make a movie with full of positive thoughts like "Come lions Cheer up, Shed away the delusion that you are a sheep")