Tuesday 31 December 2013

Top 10 Best & Worst Movies 2013

 
My Top 10 Movies 2013
  1. Onaayum Aattukuttiyum
  2. Vishwaroopam
  3. Soodhu Kavvum
  4. Kalyana Samayal Saadham
  5. Moodar Koodam
  6. Ambikapathy
  7. Varuthapadatha Vaalibar Samgam
  8. Theeya Velai Seiyanum Kumaru
  9. Maryan
  10. Vidiyum Munn
Almost in the Top 10
 
  11. Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaya
  12. Pandia Nadu
  13. 6 Candles
  14. Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer

Average, Above Average Movies
  1. Ethir Neechal
  2. Neram
  3. Arrambam
  4. Haridas
  5. Endrendrum Punnagai
  6. Biriyani
  7. Itharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara
  8. RajaRani
  9. Udhayam NH4
  10. Pizza II - The Villa
  11. Chennail Oru Naal
  12. Vanakkam Chennai
  13. Ivan Vera Mathiri
  14. Irandam Ulagam
  15. Settai
  16. Thalaivaa
  17. ThilluMullu
  18. Aadhibhagavan
  19. NSS
Top 10 Worst Movies
  1. 9thla Guru
  2. Alexpandian
  3. All in All Azaguraja
  4. KuttiPuli
  5. Paradesi
  6. David
  7. Nagaraja Chozan
  8. Pattathu Yaanai
  9. Kadal
  10. Yaruda Mahesh
Movies I missed
  1. Singam2
  2. Thangameenkal
  3. Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga
  4. 555
  5. Desingu Raja
  6. Naiyaandi
  7. Mathayaanai Kootam

Monday 30 December 2013

Enthaaraa Enthaaraa - 4:41 Minutes of Magic


Enthaaraa Enthaaraa, a song from Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah, composed by M. Ghibran. This song is sung by Shadab Farid and Chinmayi. An addictive song from Chinmayi - Ghibran combo after Sara Sara which won her all the awards for best female singer that year.

I never heard Shadab Farid before, but he is too good in this song. I think he will be regular from now onwards. Then, Chinmayi, who really has a beautiful voice may be next to my favorite Shreya Ghosal in the current singers. She has sung some beautiful songs this year, like Netru Aval Irunthal from Maryan, Titli from Chennai Express. 

The Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah is a beautiful album from Ghibran who's been impressing in every movie. This song Enthaaraa Enthaaraa is my favorite. It was instantly catchy and addictive, which made me hear more than fifty times in just two days. It starts slowly with Shadab singing with high energy and he goes into that Nah nah nah nah humming (This part is my alarm now). After that humming when Chinmayi joins him, the orchestration just picks up and makes you fly. Ghibran's orchestration is really brilliant. I don't know the instruments used except the piano, but it sounds very good. After a long time I hooked to a single song. It was like his Poraney Poraney from Vaagai Sooda Vaa, which has brilliant music and singing as well. The lyrics are also nice, lines like 'தண்ணீரை கூசிகொண்டே மெல்ல செல்லும் பிம்பங்கள் நீயாகிறாய் எதிரே', 'இல்லாத ஊரில் இல்லாத பேரில் நம் காதல் வாழுமே', etc.

Netru Aval Irunthal was my song of the year 2013. It was beautiful song, superb lyrics from Valee sir and brilliant music from Rahman. I remember listening to this in my iPod, full volume, alone in the beach for many days when I was regular to beach once. Now it's been a long time since I visited the nearby beach. I went this week just to hear this song, it was wow. I had the same feeling that Netru Aval Irunthal gave. Thanks to Ghibran, Shadab and Chinmayi. I just can't wait to hear this song in theater or in a home theater at least.

This song is already at the top of my 2014 songs list. If you are yet to hear this song do yourself a favour, hear it right now and thank me later :). To enjoy this song perfectly just go to a beach, have a good earphone, stand in the waves, start hearing this song in full volume. You can see the waves dancing for this song and you will be in the air for 4:41 minutes.

Here's the YouTube link.

Thursday 26 December 2013

Biriyani - A Venkat Prabhu Template, with different content



Biriyani, VenkatPrabhu's latest movie after his blockbuster Mankatha, U1's 100th movie, an important movie for Karthi after a series of flop. As usual there was enough buzz around the movie just because of Venkat Prabhu more than the hero Karthi. What did he have in his latest diet, Biriyani, did he satisfy everyone with his treat?
Karthi wants to have biriyani every time after drinking. They get the Biriyani, but it also lands them into trouble. They are trapped as a kidnappers of Nasser who is actually dead. What happens next, how did they get away is Biriyani.

VP follows his template in this movie as well and fills it up with a different content. Get Premji on board, have an item song, cameos from Chennai28 team and his cameraman, a twist at the interval then a twist in the end, hit songs from U1, booze and figures, wondering whether VP also appeared on screen as usual, Biriyani also has all these, but the genre and story is different from his previous movies.

The first half was slow and didn't invoke as much laughter as VP's previous movies. Not sure whether Karthi's not good enough for a comic role. Premji was as usual like his previous VP's movies. Not a big role for Hansika. Mandy Takhar looks really hot. Good comeback for Ramki. Nasser as usual at his best. He proved once again that he can do any role by even "acting" like Premji (EKSI!). Sampath and Jayaprakash have done enough. And, Sampath gets good role in VP's movie alone even though this one is not as big as Saroja or Goa.

The movie picks pace from the interval. It has enough twists and turns to keep us hooked. Especially the last 30 minutes was good. Just like Mankatha Biriyani too has a good twist. The second half only actually saves the movie. Not much of a logic in the movie. Director could have shown us Karthi having Biriyani whenever he drinks initially. Why Jayaprakash, a police officer is always with Ramki as if their personal bodyguard? But thank god for showing Hansika and Karthi as lovers from the start itself instead of some idiotic scenes and reasons to show how did they fall in love like some other movies. Directors we can accept the hero and heroine as lovers from the first scene itself please don't show us some most stupid reasons to show how heroine falls for the hero unless it's a full on romantic movie.

So VP cooked this Biriyani with his usual ingredients he used in his previous movies. This is VP's style fun enjoyable for VP fans. A better movie for Karthi in recent times, but not a VP's best comparing his previous ones. Still you can taste this once in theatre, initially it may be tasteless fried rice gets spicy later and may get satisfied, but not possible to have another plate.

My rating - 2.5/5.0.

Tuesday 24 December 2013

SRT Moments


Out of the park

I really can't get enough of SRT, in this post I tried to list some of those memorable moments which will remain fresh always. I have so many moments in my mind, which brought so much joy to me. Here are the few.

Each and every match of World Cup 2003 when he was back to open the innings and was in sublime form. Who can forget that Six of Shoaib Akhtar in World Cup 2003, then that pull of Caddick which went outta the park.

Then the century against Aussies in Chennai (after that famous Kolkata test) to win a series against them.

Blasting Warne and co in Sharjah famously knows as Desert Storm, all those sixes and Tony Grieg's commentary is still in my ears.

His final delivery of the day to bowl Moin Khan between his legs, magical delivery.

When Sachin and Sourav torn apart Zimbabwe in Sharjah to chase down a target in no loss.

That innings against Australia during the final test, 241*, that was pure class, he answered every critic with his bat as usual, and in the same series in a match at Adelaide his two wickets of Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn with a similar kind of a leg spin delivery, both of them caught in slips by Dravid.

His most animated celebration after his brilliant catch to dismiss Inzi at the boundary line during the final ODI of our series in Pakistan after a long time.

Those two innings in Australia against Australia in the CB series finals to win the cup. Especially those upper cuts of Johnson's bowling, have seen the highlights of this match million times in Star Cricket for those upper cuts.

When he made 175 against Aussies to almost chase down a huge target that was one hell of an innings. His best ODI innings according to me, next to that desert storm 143.

Then came the first double hundred in ODI, 200* against SA, where cricinfo server crashed because of this man.

Then recently in the last series against Aussies in India, where he started his innings with two boundaries of the first two balls in the first innings and two sixes of the first two balls in the second innings.

Most of all that moment when we won the world cup, which made him cry.  He was very satisfied while holding the worldcup and his dream came true.

Then the final test where he played almost all of his trademark shots in that 74, especially the straight drive to bring up his fifty.

And to top it all that really superb farewell speech. I thought the best of the farewell series was his 74, but as usual he proved me wrong with his farewell speech. And, that moment when he returned to touch the pitch after his lap of honour, he proved he never thinks himself as a GOD.

These are only very few Sachin moments, still a lot of moments are close to my heart.

Thank You Sachin. Missing You.

Thursday 19 December 2013

Best Songs 2013 - Return of Rahman and Rise of Imman

This year marks the return of ARR to Tamil Cinema I should say, with three of his films (including Ambikapathy) and a single from Kochadaiyan released. As usual he delivered wonderful songs. Imman consolidated his position with consistent hit songs in every album. U1, GV and Harris were inconsistent as usual with hits and misses. New MDs like Santhosh Narayanan, Ghibran, Anirudh and also Justin Prabhakaran delivered some good songs.

My Top Albums of 2013
  1. Kadal, Maryan and Raanjhanaa / Ambikapthy - A.R.R
  2. MPMK - U1
  3. Raja Rani - G V
  4. Rummy - Imman
  5. Irandam Ulagam - Harris

My Top 20 Songs
  1. Netru Aval Irunthal - Maryan
  2. Oodha Kalaru - VVS
  3. Onakaga Poranthene - Pannayarum Padminiyum
  4. Adiye - Kadal
  5. Ailasa Ailasa - Vanakkam Chennai 
  6. Angyade - Raja Rani
  7. Mazhai Mazhai - MPMK
  8. Adiye Enna Ragam - Rummy
  9. Katru Veesum - Neram
  10. Unnai Kanadha - Vishwaroopam
  11. Kanimozhiye - Irandam Ulagam
  12. Unna Partha Neram - AAA
  13. Aaha Kadhal - MPMK
  14. Kuru Kuru - Vathikuchi
  15. Unnal Unnal - Ambikapathy
  16. Bhagavan Rap Song- Aadhi Bhagavan
  17. Pakkadha Pakkadha - VVS
  18. Ae le le - Naiyandi
  19. Oh Penne - Vanakkam Chennai
  20. Hey Baby - Raja Rani

Other Songs which I heard the most (a long list)
  • Moongil Thottam, Magudi, Nenjukulle - Kadal
  • Title Song - Vishwaroopam
  • Kanave Kanave, Theerathu Poga Poga - David
  • Raja Raja - Naan Rajavaga Pogiren
  • Mella Sirithal - AKS
  • Kadhal En Kadhal, Padapadakuthu - MPMK
  • Boomi Enna, Ethir Neechal Adi, Un Parvayil, Local Boys - Ethirneechal
  • Naru Naru Narumugaye - Sundattam
  • Sa Ga - Soodhu Kavvum
  • Yaro Ivan, Ora Kannala, Maalai pon Maalai - Udhayam NH4
  • Aanandha Yazhai - Thangameengal
  • Kadhal Ennule, Pistah - Neram
  • Enga Pona Rasa, Nenje Ezhu - Maryan
  • Aruvakkaran - Kutti Puli
  • Kallala Senju, Kaalaiyile Maalai - NilaChoru
  • Ammadi Ammadi, Nilavattam - Desingu Raja
  • Podhum Podhum - Virattu
  • Endrendrum - Endrendrum
  • Yennada - VVS
  • Osaka - Vanakkam Chennai
  • En Kadhal Thee, Mannavane - Irandam Ulagam
  • Biriyani, Nahh na nah - Biriyani
  • Chillena, Imaye - Raja Rani
  • Chellam Konjum, Kalvane - Megha
  • Prayer Song, Birthday Song - iDhaba
  • Boomiyil - Pizza II - The Villa
  • Innika Innika, Munnadi Pora Pulla - Naiyyandi
  • Yaley Yaley, Fy Fy Fy - Pandia Nadu
  • Kathirunthai Anbe, Nenjankuzhi - NSS
  • Ennadi Ennadi Oviyame - Jannal Oram
  • Koodamela, Oru Nodi, Ethukkaga - Rummy
  • Vaan Engum - Endrendrum Punnagai
  • Enakaga Poranthaye -  Pannayarum Padminiyum

Hindi and Malayalam

Even though I don't understand the lyrics, I still hear some Hindi and Malayalam songs.

My Top Albums of 2013 Hindi 
  1. Ranjhanaa - ARR (Hindi) 
  2. Kai Po Che - Amit Trivedi (Hindi) 
  3. YJHD - Pritam (Hindi)
My Top 10 Songs
  1. Raanjhanaa Title Track
  2. Titli - Chennai Express
  3. Nazar Laye - Raanjhanaa
  4. Badtameez - YJHD
  5. Sawaar Loon - Lootera
  6. Manja - Kai Po Che
  7. Main Rang (Duet) - PPNH
  8. SubhanAllah - YJHD
  9. O Rangarez - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
  10. Gandi Baat - R..Rajkumar

Also I Liked (heard songs from few movies only),
  • Banarasiya, Tum Tak, Ay Sakhi - Raanjhanaa
  • Manmarzian - Lootera
  • Ilahi, Kabira - YJHD
  • All Songs - Kai Po Che
  • Sunn Raha Hai (Shreya's) - Aashiqui2
  • Zinda, Slow Motion Angreza - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
  • Tere Mere, Gulabi - Shudh Desi Romance
  • Mere Bina Tu (Duet), Janam, Tu Meri Agal - PPNH
  • Saree Ka Fall Sa - R..Rajkumar
  • Nagada Sang Dol - RamLeela

Thursday 12 December 2013

A Wedding in Kerala and A Marathon Travel

Last weekend I have been to Kerala, Calicut for a wedding. I was really excited since its in Kerala. Everyone has the same look when I said this, going to Kerala for a wedding. I think "Tharalama.. Kerala nu terinjuko" song was running in their mind, in my mind as well ;). Traveled all the way from Chennai to Coimbatore and caught the next train to Caliciut and reached there by Saturday morning. Reception in the evening and wedding on  Sunday. Once I reached the hall on Saturday evening I had a Déjà vu. I felt like I have been to that hall before or I had a doubt whether all the wedding halls looks the same in Kerala. But, actually I have been to this same place for a wedding before. It was raining heavily that time and this time the weather was awful, too hot.

I was giving company to the "Mappillai" on the stage the whole evening. Then, in the next morning overslept and missed the Muhurtham, joined him late in the stage. Everyone at the wedding has the same thing to say to me. "Yours will be the next". I have been blushing for the two days.

And the wedding was not as colorful as I expected. I have seen those few girls attended the wedding in the previous wedding also, nothing new. There was a local function in a temple near the wedding hall. It was so good, so many girls were there with a lamp in their hand dressed in traditional Kerala style. "Idharkku thanada aasaipattai Balakura" moment. It was really nice, but couldn't spend more time there.

Then on Sunday evening my plan to return to Chennai was changed and I joined the newly wedded couples and my relatives to travel to their home in Hosur. Everyone convinced me to join them or maybe I got convinced easily once my Mams said just stay we can go to Hosur via Wayanad and Mysore. I thought via Wayanad will be a good travel. And, on Monday morning I started my marathon travelling from Calicut, which ended on Tuesday morning in Chennai. We covered three states, Kerala to Karnataka to Tamil Nadu in a single day.

I was really excited to travel via Wayand. It was a beautiful place once I have visited. It was nice while travelling in a hill and then through a forest road even spotted few deers. Once we reached Wayanad we stopped there for lunch. The weather was hotter than Chennai. "Idharkka aasaipattai Balakura" moment. Once we entered Karnataka, I saw nearly 25 people travel in a share auto. A guy was traveling on the driver's lap, I don't know who was driving that. Then, stopped near Mysore for a tea and started to Hosur. It was nearly 10 once I reached Hosur. I didn't have much time to spend there, but the weather was freakingly cool there.

And then took a bus from Hosur and back to Chennai on Tuesday morning. Even Chennai was cool. My marathon travelling finally comes to an end. It was an unexpected trip, travelled by all mediums starting from train then in a car then finally in a bus. Travelled nearly 1400 km from Chennai to Chennai. I still don't know whether I have enjoyed this trip or why did I agree to join them, but it was a quite an experience.