Film I Just Saw

Pokiri

2009-03-12T10:49:00.000-07:00

Director : Puri Jagannath

Star Cast : 'Prince' Mahesh Babu, Ileana, Ashish Vidyarthi, Prakash Raaj.

Language : Telugu

The film is set in the underworld of Hyderabad which is controlled by Prakash Raj from Dubai. Mahesh Babu is a freelancer goon who kills for money. Ileana is a fitness trainer who teaches in Babu's uncle's fitness centre. Ileana's beauty attracts the attention of the lecherous cop Ashish Vidyarthi who works for the mafia.

After many chanced encounters, they fall in love. But there is a problem. Babu is a ruthless killer which scares Ileana away. One day Prakash Raj lands up in India and finishes his opponent which leads to vendetta and counter vendetta. But there is a well guarded secret. What happens when it is revealed, forms the climax.

Though sounds like a funny name Mahesh Babu is outstanding as the outlaw. Looks like a lover boy but does action effortlessly. Since the DVD didn't have subtitles, I can't comment on his romantic abilities. Ileana is beautiful. She portrays the character of a vulnerable girl in love with terrific ease. Above all, the film is wonderful. Though an action extravaganza, it has a beautiful romantic story. Some scenes are shot wonderfully.

I wonder how South Indians are able to pamper their stars. In the credits Mahesh Babu is prefixed with 'Prince'. In my quest to find if he is actually one the piece came upon me that he is called so by his fans. This film is the highest grosser in Telegu film industry till date. It was remade in Tamil by Prabhu Deva which was also a big hit. Now Prabhu Deva is making it in Hindi as Wanted starring Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia. Incidentally, Ayesha Takia was approached to do the original which she had refused. Some roles are unescapable, Ayesha.

Verdict: Even if you don't understand Telugu and the film doesn't have subtitles, still go and watch. It's worth every bit.

Rating: ****

Charlie's Angels - Full Throttle

2009-03-07T13:12:00.000-08:00

Director : McG

Star Cast : Drew Barrymore, Cameroon Diaz, Lucy Liu, Demi Moore

Language : English

I had asked for the first part but discovered while watching that bigflix had screwed up while cataloguing their DVDs. It was the second part. Since the second part has no link to the first it was not a problem.

The film begins when an important ring gets stolen. The rings contain the information about the witnesses who had brought dreaded criminals behind bar. The angels are given the task to recover the rings which might be traded with the criminals. On the process, they discover that one of the angels are protected by the ring and her past is soon catching up with her. On the process of securing the rings, they discover that they have a very unlikely enemy who is more powerful then the three of them together.

I have been a fan of Drew Barrymore since Fifty First Dates. Seeing her kicking ass with elan was wonderful. The film is full of well choreographed action. Whoever thinks Hollywood doesn't make masala films. Overall makes for an exciting watch.

Verdict : Stunners doing stunning action makes for a stunning watch.

Rating : ***

Boys

2009-03-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

Director : Shankar.

Starcast : Siddhartha, Genelia.

Language: Tamil.

The film revolves around five young college going boys, about their common aspirations and how they achieve it overcoming all kind of obstacles on way. The main protagonist Siddartha and his friends are desperate to get girlfriends. By chance they bump on the rich, firebrand Genelia. As the film progresses the lead pair fall in love, not before Siddartha runs nude on the streets of Chennai.

Due to parental pressure, they elope with the rest of boys as company and get married. Estranged from home, they start their new life. After doing some odd jobs here and there while continuing studies, they get the idea to start a band called 'Boys'. The first idea to bring devotional album becomes a hit. Soon they end up in jail for writing a revolutionary song. Unperturbed by the incidents they try to win over the Sony boss to get their pop album released. When Sony agrees, misunderstanding ensues between the newly married 'virgin' couple over a sexcapade the boys had indulged long time ago. How they manage to remain a band and a couple is the rest of the story.

The story is age old but it is treated in a temporary way. The dialogues and situations are completely new and will make you laugh and somewhat take you back to those boyish days.

Released in 2003, it was debut of Siddartha and first film of Genelia down south after her debut in Hindi. Siddartha is young to the extent that you might fail to recognise him. Genelia is similar to her recent release Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na - no nonsense, firebrand. Once when a guy tries to hit on her, she invites him to touch her boobs and he runs away.

Verdict : Good stuff.

Rating : ***1/2

More Flicks

2009-03-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

I have just subscribed to bigflix.com as my summer internship is going on. Since there is no academic pressure I can watch as many fims I want. This blog is to share my experiences in watching different sort of films in different langauges. Hope it will make for good reads.