"GUNDE JHALUMANDI" Movie Review

Average :

The basic storyline of Gunde Jhallumandi has the potential to be an interesting watch. However, once the writer and director are finished with adding in all the accessories, most of them downright nauseously old-school full of red hearts and balloons and flowers and humor that produces more grimaces than grins-you have a drag. Aditi SharmaPlot Balaraju wants to stand for president, but needs to finish his degree for that so he comes to the city for that and promptly falls in love with Neelima. Neelima is in mortal fear of someone cascading her off and ending her 'career' like it happened to her sister. So to stop guys from showing interest in her she creates a 'boyfriend' character, complete with details of job and paints 'Neelima loves Rajesh' all over the city. Balaraju creates his own fictional love story, but once they fall for each other, they have more issues and rivals than fictional lovers to deal with. Story, Screenplay and Direction The plot sounds interesting enough. But the direction is amateurish. The whole 'Lovers Association' set-up is not for those with weak stomachs. Before '96 and Prema Desam, this could have even been tolerate, but after something like that clicks and people watch so much of it they are tired of it, there is no way you can inflict more of that on the audience. So throughout you hear audible sighs, groans and some even walk out much before the climax. You can get all this on non-prime time Teja TV. The humor comes rarely, i.e., not-so-silly humor. Venu Madhav's track is bearable sometimes, but the way his track begins is just not funny. The whole confusion that occurs because of fictional characters (with names of real and known people in the story) is the only saving grace, along with Keeravani's music. Most of the times, the movie drags when not focussing on the main plot. If they just stuck to that and chipped off the hearts and all the other college add-ons, the movie could have been watchable. The editing and dubbing are disappointingly bad. Jhoom Barabar Jhoom had a similar pretext, but so much more interesting. Uday Kiran and Aditi SharmaPerformances Uday Kiran's craft has not really improved dramatically. Aditi Sharma, winner of the Zee Cinestar Contest is comfortable enough with the camera, but dubbing by Sunita did not suit her perfectly. With time and better scripts, she might do well. Ahuti Prasad as Neelima's father is finally getting his dues and a variety of characters to play, which he is more than capable of. The 2 'villains'-Vidya as Rajesh, Ajay as Uday Kiran's rival in the village for the president's post are okay. Surekha, Jayaprakash Reddy and Srinivas Reddy add their two cents to the movie's ensemble. Song and Dance Three of the songs are good, while the picturization remains average. Last Word You can take the oldest story in the world and make it interesting. People still like to watch Ramayanam, don't they? But take a potentially interesting storyline and kill it with every imaginable silly track in the world. A disappointing watch.

Endcredits:

Starring : Uday Kiran, Aditi Sharma, Srinivasa Reddy, Venumadhav, Ahuti Prasad,Surekha Vani, Master Ritham, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Ajay, Jayaprakash Reddy, Surya and Others. Art: T. Nagendra Prasad. Cinematography: J. Prabhakar Reddy. Choreography: Swarna Babu, Vidya. Dialogues: Madan. Editing: KV. Krishna Reddy. Music: MM. Keeravani. Story, Screenplay & Direction : Madan. Producer: Paruchuri Sivaram Prasad. Presenter: Paruchuri Kireeti. Banner: United Movies. Release Date: 12th September, 2008.

"ASHTA CHEMMA" Movie Review

Good

Story

As has been widely reported, the film is mainly about Lavanya (colours Swathi) and her die-hard love for prince Mahesh Babu. She is all the time thinking about her dream lover, Mahesh Babu. She collects trivia about him and listens to the songs from his films.

She plays the songs of Mahesh Babu so loudly that the entire neighborhood gets disturbed. Swathi’s ambition is to somehow marry Mahesh Babu. But she is greatly shocked to her the news that Mahesh Babu is already married and that his wife is Namratha Shirodkar. Swathi’s aunt wants to her married to a rich NRI guy. But Swathi cannot forget Mahesh.

But she reluctantly agrees to marry a NRI groom on one condition – he should be named Mahesh. Swathis’s neighbor Anand (Srinivas) is very much disturbed by her loud music. He decides to find a boy for her named Mahesh. He finds a boy Mahesh (Nani) and introduces him to Swathi. The two fall in love with each other. But there is catch – Mahesh’s real name is not Mahesh but Rambabu. Anand also falls in love with Mahesh’s sister Varalakshmi (Bhargavi).

The scene now shifts to a tiny village where Varalakshmi stays. The secret that Mahesh’s real name is Rambabu is out. What happens next? Will Swathi accept Mahesh (Rambabu) as her husband? The rest of the story is suspense and should be watched on the screen.

Performance:

The film is a colours Swathi show all the way. She is the heart and soul of the film and her exuberant personality coupled with her dynamism makes the film interesting. She is good in comedy too and she has proved this in the film Aadavari Mattaliku Ardhale Veerule. Newcomers Nani and Srinivas are also okay. Nani can succeed as a regular hero with a bit of luck and some hard work.

Bhargavi is also a newcomer. She fits into the role of a villager perfectly. Jhansi, Hema, Tanikella Bharani and others are okay in their roles.

The music is nice and a couple of songs keep coming back to you even after you leave the theatre – particularly the song – “Aadinchi Astha Chemma… Oodinchaavamma…”

The director Indraganti Mohan Krishna has earlier come up with a serious film like Grahanam. He even bagged a national award for the film. He then made a socio fantasy titled Maya Bazar. Astha Chemma is yet another novel experiment by this talented director.

The film is a light hearted entertainer and will please the youth and the multiplex audiences immensely. The Mahesh Babu factor is definitely a big plus for the film and also a big draw.

There are many good one liners and witty dialogues in the film which keep the audience breaking into laughter at frequent intervals from start to finish.

The film is definitely a good time pass comic entertainer for the entire family.

End Credits :

STARRING : Nani, Colours Swathi, Srinivas, Bhargavi and others

MUSIC : Kalyani Malik
DIRECTOR : Indraganti Mohana Krishna
RELEASE DATE : 5th September, 2008

" SALUTE" Movie Review

Average


Salute is yet another police story and deals with the much battered subject of politician-criminal nexus. The film runs smoothly in the first half but drags and drags in the second half. The climax is also too lengthy and preachy.

Story:

Satya loses his father at n early age. His father is a sincere and honest Tahsildar but is brutally murdered by the sand mafia. Vishal’s mother is paralyzed in one leg after she learns about her husband’s death.

When the young Vishal tries to kill the goonda, ACP Upendra stops him and tells him that the law of the land will take its own course. He also tells Vishal that the law and God are the same.

Vishal grows up to become a ACP. He lives in the same apartment as that of Divya (Nayanatara). She is a TV reporter. Nayanatara and Vishal share a Tom and Jerry relationship in the beginning but later become lovers.

The chief minster is ill and is admitted to a hospital. Many ministers then hatch a plan to occupy his gaddi. Kota, Jeeva, Apoorva and others are the ministers. Kota plans to kill the minister so that he will not have any competition for the chief minister’s post.

The ministers are killed one by one and Kota is shocked as his aide ‘Delhi’ tells him that he has not committed the murders. Vishal is put on the case and he manages to trace the culprit. To his utter shock and dismay, Vishal finds that the culprit is none other than the honest and upright officer he met in his childhood – Upendra.

Upendra tells Vishal that cops are ineffective in this corrupt system and politicians always get away with anything, even murder. Vishal then takes up the challenge to prove that policemen are not ineffective. How he goes about his task forms the basis for the rest of the story.

Performance:

Vishal comes across as a sincere and honest police officer with great conviction. He also has a well crafted body and he also excels in the fights.

Nayanatara is used mainly to fill the glamour department of the film and she does her job to perfection. Nayanatara shows a lot of skin and she has also done some very intimate scenes with the hero. Kota is his usual self as a politician.

Brahmanadam plays a broker outside the RTA office but he fails to evoke much laughter. Ali plays the sidekick of Nayanatara and he does not have much to do.

Sudha Chandran of Natya Mayuri fame plays the role of Vishal’s mother and she has done a neat job. The rest of the star cast is okay. The cinematography is good and the music is also good in parts.

The story offers nothing new but the screenplay is racy for some of the time. Too many fights and that too, lasting more than 10 minutes each time, affect the pace of the film. The songs too are one too many but nobody is seen complaining as all the songs feature the hot sexy and Nayanatara.

Salute is yet another formula police story that has been made hundreds of times before. Just a time pass film. Watch it if you can withstand the hero bashing up hundreds of goons over and over again.

End Credits :


STARRING : Vishal, Nayanatara, Kota, Sudha Chandran and others

MUSIC : Harris Jayaraj
DIRECTOR : A.Rajashekar

RELEASE DATE : 14th August, 2008

"HOMAM" Movie Review

Homam is an Indianized version of The Departed. Of course, even the Hollywood one is based on the Hong Kong hit Infernal Affairs. But some people buy remake rights, some don't. Anyways, Dicaprio and Damon they may not be, but Jagapathi Babu and Chakravarthy have given credible performances-barring one scene, and that's towards the end. It does drag in the end, and overall Chakravarthy's Telugu directorial debut can be just said to be 'not bad'.

Jagapathi Babu and Mamta MohandasPlot Chandu is a police inspector who actually works for 'Daddy', the head of the city's crime beat. Mallik is an undercover cop in Daddy's empire. Daddy's bane is the commissioner and Mallik's mentor, Vishwanath. When he busts Daddy's criminal deal the umpteenth time, Daddy in his rage tells him he has a stooge in the police team there. Vishwanath, not to be outdone, informs him he has an undercover cop in his team. Both Chandu and Mallik are in danger.

Story, Screenplay and Direction You can't compare it with any of its predecessors. Now that's out of the way, Homam has an interesting 'break twist', a pacy second half and a 30-minute climax drag. Sums it up. Chakravarthy's real directorial debut, as one of the directors of the short stories in DZH was actually the best of the lot. RGV makes his presence felt in Chakravarthy's direction and his tone. This is another Scorsese's Bhakt. Or Scorsose's Bhakt's Bhakt.

There are two types of copies, as discussed in CG's Copycat Crown series. This one doesn't insult the original at least. It's a tolerable copy of an excellent movie. The typical Telugu-isms don't escape it though. Before the multiplex audience groans 'not again' to another copy, Homam has average direction and a likeable cast of actors.

The rest of the frills, like songs or women are neglected. For some reason, the director also gave the music, which obviously sounds ameaturish. The title track catches your attention. Mallik's agony at being undercover is covered well, although his expression remains stony throughout. The little epilogue after the titles seems unnecessary.

Jagapathi BabuPerformances It's a good comeback for Chakravarthy, although he succumbs to some hamming right at the end. Jagapathi Babu with his rugged looks and unshaven stubble suits the role of an undercover cop pretty well. And he does a good job too. Manjrekar as 'Daddy' continues his Okkadunnadu act, once again cast as a ruthless and eccentric don. The cast was a huge asset for the Hollywood flick, it's remake has some key characters in fitted roles. The entire henchmen team of Daddy from ETV Prabhakar who identifies cops in mufti to his hollow-eyed friend who sprouts English proverbs for mutual benefit work out well. Pradeep Rawat, in one rare positive role, shines. The girls? Hmm, dunno. Didn't notice them, neither in the movie nor in the hall.

Song and Dance Mediocre.

Last Word Just an average watch and only if you haven't seen the original. Otherwise you'll spend your entire time comparing. And criticizing.

End Credits

Starring : Jagapathi Babu, Mamta Mohandas, JD Chakravarthy, Pradeep Rawat, Mahesh Manjrekar, Madhurima, MS Narayana, Brahmaji, Raja Ravindra and Others.

Action: Selva.
Art: Satya Srinivas.
Background Music: Amar Mohile.
Choreography: Sabina Khan.
Cinematography: Bharani K. Dharan.
Dialogues: Kona Venkat.
Editing: Bhanodaya.
Lyrics: Suddala Ashokteja.
Music: Nithin-JD Chakravarthy.
Production Designer: Suman Varma.
Story, Screenplay & Direction : JD Chakravarthy.
Producer: Kiran Kumar Koneru.
Banner: Shreya Productions.
Release Date: 28th August, 2008.

"SIDDHU FROM SEEKAKULAM" Movie Review

Sidhu from Srikakulam has to be one of the Silliest Flicks of the season. It stars Allari Naresh and others, and is produced by Welfare Group of companies. This is what happens when you produce movies without any idea about filmmaking or was it that they wanted to shell out a sure-flop for “tax reasons”? Whatever the reasons, lot of people escaped during the break. Probably in therapy now.

Manjari and NareshPlot Sidhu woes Shailu with his ‘reverse' techniques. Then he finds out she is the daughter of a Rayalaseema factionist. The local SI gets her father and his rival together and somehow convinces them to get their children married to end the rivalry. Sidhu's friends are ready to help them elope, but Sidhu has other plans. He wants to break up because it's all too dangerous, and Shailu tries to woo him for a good part of the movie. Whether he changes his mind about her and how they finally get together is the rest of the plot.

Story, Screenplay and Direction The screenplay has a non-linear narrative, and some of the ideas incorporated in the screenplay could have actually made it tolerable. But with childish dialogue, shoddy direction and hamming all the way, that doesn't seem like an option. We might agree or disagree with the story as such, or conclude that the girl is a bimbette for falling for him and then trying to win him later; but that's not the point. The point of view of perspective of the director counts for less than the vision of the direction. Here, the vision is obviously rusted.

The comedy is forced and has absolutely no spontainity. The lone star of the show is Ahuthi Prasad, who after a really good character in Chandamama, has come back with another character that suits him and he performs with élan. He plays the role of Shailu's unbelievably lazy uncle, and his character, in any other movie, would have made a difference. In this, it is the thin silver lining of a very dark cloud.

Naresh and Shraddha DasPerformances Shailu's sister has a svelte figure, and sizzles in an unnecessary number. Some of those scenes with her and Sidhu border on vulgarity, more so because of the silliness rather than the sexuality in it. The content of her exposing is not new today and doesn't shock, but the context-an NRI who has come for her cousin's wedding in good ol' AP-is totally out of place.

Last WordThe pace is really slow, the movie has little to offer and music or performances are nothing to write home about. A waste of time, Sidhu from Srikakulam has none of the comedy or vigor expected out of the catchy title and the presence of Naresh. The real damper? It has a 5 minute introduction to the makers, the producers, the company profile, patting of backs and anticipation of success before even the titles begin. Yawn!

End Credits :

Starring : Naresh, Manjari, Shraddha Das, Dharmavarapu, Chandra Mohan, Kondavalasa, Venu Madhav and Others.

Cinematography: Dasaradhi Shivendra.
Editing: Kotagiri Venkateswararao.
Music: KM Radha Krishnann.
Story, Screenplay & Direction : Eswar
Producer: Malla Vijay Prasad.
Banner: Wellfare Creations.
Release Date: 14th August, 2008.

"BALADOOR" Movie Review

Not Ravi Teja's usual fare, but not really unlike it. With the backdrop of a family, he still mouths witty lines, pulls faces and beats up goons in his characteristic style. Read on.

Raviteja and KrishnaPlot Chanti lives in a joint family where his uncle Rama Krishna is the head. His widower father Purushotham always nags Chanti and is admittedly embarrassed by his ways. Meanwhile Chanti lives only to serve his family and keep up their honor and name and is closest to his uncle. His uncle's business rivals (Pradeep Rawat and Co) have been nursing old enmities and do everything in their power to harm their family but all their plans backfire. Chanti saves his sister-in-law's honor and due to misunderstandings, gets thrown out of the house. Still he takes care of them like a shadow, never letting them know. How he does it and whether or not it leads to a reunion and a happy ending forms the rest of the plot.

Story, Screenplay and Direction Welcome to the Good Old Big Telugu Family cinema. Ravi Teja plays the title role of Baladoor, who is of course the black sheep of a big, rich family; the head of the family is played by Krishna, his uncle and Chandramohan plays his father. He sacrifices for the family, does everything in his might to save the name and honor of his family including periodically bash up villains/rivals/assorted henchmen. No one knows he's doing all these good things for the family, but obviously find out in the end.

There's a girl. Now what's a story without a girl-this one he meets by chance at a railway station but turns out to be a family friend. She falls for him after she sees him bash up about 30 people, the head of who challenges and insults his beloved uncle and family. Then she comes to stay at his house.

Sounds familiar? Most of it is. It will remind you of every second Telugu movie ever released. Including the sudden burst of color and sound with Ravi Teja and Anushka gyrating to massy dance steps in various locations. Oh, and there's a family song too right at the beginning. You know, the sort where you get to know what a loving family theirs is and wondering why yours isn't like that. Or in rare instances, identifying oneself in some real family portrayals and moments.

Raviteja and AnushkaPerformances And there's Ravi Teja himself. His Jim Carrey like antics entertain and keep everyone alert, and the script and dialogues totally side with him in the pursuit of entertainment. There are some gags too, at the right time and place, carefully merged into the script. Brahmanandam is the owner of the shed where our Baladoor sometimes helps out-no idea why though, that's not established. He and his coconut-breaking sentiment is Paisa Vasool. Anushka mistakenly keeps gulping down liquor instead of water (talk about dumb) but those antics provide a smirk or two from the sportive audience. He saves his father from getting stabbed but his father is unaware of even being targeted. That scene has been conceptualized well.

This is a total, typical family entertainer; gags, sentiment, sacrifice, characters and songs galore. Nothing more or less. There've been several movies like this, and hopefully India will never give up its ‘Family Entertainers'. This is not a great movie, far from it; you'll forget it the day it's pulled out of the theatres. But it's tolerable. It's still likely you'll walk out 20 minutes before the climax, because in all respects the movie ends there and drags on. But you'll risk missing Krishna flexing his muscles and bashing up the baddies. You'll also miss Brahmanandam's final gag. In case you're interested.

Song and Dance The two leads in one color, following by 3 to 25 others in similar but not same costumes. Mediocre, but not unbearable. The first number is a part of the screenplay.

Last Word Ravi Teja likes his Chanti characters and has all but made it his trademark. Baladoor is not a bad watch, but that's about it. It's laced with all the sentiment and sacrifice stuff we excel at and laced with humor and Ravi Teja's slightly subdued energy.

End Credits :

Starring : Krishna, Raviteja, Anushka, Chandra Moan, Pradeep Rawat, Suneel, Brahmanandam, Suman Shetty, LB Sriram, Subbaraju, Raja Ravindra, Ahuthi Prasad and Others.
Action: Ram Laxman.
Story: Paruchuri Brothers.
Dialogues: Laxmi Bhoopal, Jaladandi.
Choreography: Brinda, Dinesh and Prem Rakshit.
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh.
Music: KM Radha Krishnan.
Screenplay & Direction : Uday Shankar
Producer: Suresh.
Banner: Suresh Productions.
Release Date: 14th August, 2008.

"KATHANAYAKUDU" Movie Review

It's the modern take on the Krishna-Sudama story, with an obvious twist. Kuchelan in Tamil and Katha Nayakudu in Telugu starring Rajnikanth and Jagapathi Babu is an old fable with new elements. It could have been a simple and unsophisticated storyline with a touching theme of friendship. But what it ends up being is raw, loud and missing all the little make-break moments to substitute unnecessary skin show or sentiment that doesn't do anything. Even the feeble attempts at humor go amiss.

Jagapathi Babu and MeenaPlot Balakrishna a.k.a. Balu has a rickety little saloon with a chair that's about to break and no prospects. His competitor across the road has cut-throat business techniques, and Balu's business is bad. The sleepy village has a surprise-super star Ashok Kumar's movie is going to be shot there, with top level security and the whole village thirsty for a glimpse of the icon. Balu's wife reveals that he and the star were classmates in school and college, but the mild-mannered barber cannot manage to contact the star and the village and his own children lose faith in him. Will the star recognize him after all these years or is Balu lying-is what the rest of the plot deals with.

Story, Screenplay and Direction The original Malayalam version didn't have the aura of Rajnikanth dominating it's every frame. It cannot be compared to this one. At this point, it's difficult for him to be just an actor and not let his stardom come in the way. So a lot of the dialogues seem to be written purely for him, directed at his fan base and written for the applause and adoration of the first day crowds. So to tell a simple story with a huge star in it's midst playing almost himself…doesn't work.

But Rajnikanth and Jagapathi Babu's tracks run well. It's the other characters that come across as irksome. Sunil and his wife's track is just so 1980s and you wonder if they've borrowed from some Malayalam 18 and above movie when it starts off. Sunil is obnoxiously loud, not just the actor, but the character too lacks realness. Dharmavarapu's character is more believable that way, the rich guy of the village thinking he'll get to make a movie soon. Then the school's management in-charge who throws his attitude in front of the star. These two characters stand out.

The shooting absolutely lacks believability, and the makers look in to pull off some extra gags. So you have all those hit movies of Rajni, only this time its part 2. But it could have been consistent, like just stick to one movie and not 2 or 3 of them. The editing is patchy.

Rajni KanthPerformances It's not just about style for Rajni this time. He cries, he complains, he laughs-not the Shivaji-bookish laugh, a real laugh for now. That way it's refreshing, and though his Chandramukhi part 2 and Narasimha part 2 are passable in the humor department, it just goes to show that the actor can still laugh at his histrionics and doesn't take himself too seriously. Jagapathi Babu is a severely underrated actor who stands his own in a movie dominated by Rajni's multi-lingual presence. Meena is suitable as his wife; his kids do a good job. Sunil is LOUD. Nayanatara sizzles in one song. The whole village crowd, even the seasoned actors, perform like they are in the middle of a local stage play.

Song and Dance The rain song with Nayanatara, Rajni's intro song ‘Cinema cinema' and the happy family songs are good. Background is not imposing.

End Credits :

Starring : Rajni Kanth, Jagapathi Babu, Meena, Nayanatara, Prabhu, Suneel, Brahmanandam, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam, MS Narayana, Kondavalasa, Duvvasi Mohan and Others.

Action: Dalapathi Dinesh.
Story: Srinivasan.
Dialogues: Marudhuri Raja.
Cinematography: Arvind Krishna.
Editing: Saravana.
Art: Thota Tharani.
Lyrics: Vennelakanti.
Music: GV Prakash Kumar.
Screenplay & Direction : P.Vasu
Producer(s): C. Aswani Dutt-Vijay Kumar.
Banner: Vyjayanthi Movies.
Release Date: 1st August, 2008.