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Watched "Interstellar". Good movie...

It gave a new meaning to the phrase "Its not too late". I thought people say that patronizingly sometimes :-)

http://www.salon.com/2014/11/29/our_universe_would_be_destroyed_inside_the_science_of_interstellar/

[QUOTE]The physicist who advised "Interstellar" explains the wild science behind the film's otherworldly ideas



[QUOTE]Excerpted from ?The Science of ?Interstellar?? by Kip Thorne. Published by W.W. Norton and Co. Inc. Copyright 2014 by Kip Thorne

Facing difficulties with posting in the Movie Reviews thread- the thread goes into a freeze mode.

Hence my review of Kaaviya Thalaivan here

I had an epic encounter at the movies yesterday-Kaaviya Thalaivan, a Tamil movie this time.
Directed by Vasanthabalan, who clearly is a love of the art of theatre- this a period epic drama where theatre plays out in 70 mm. The combination of grand costumes, colourful sets, dramatic dialogue and the melodrama of Indian epic stories along with the vividity and elegance of celluloid can make either a perfect marriage or an immiscible pairing. So what was this one?
The story is set in the pre movies era ofthe1920's and 30's when Sivadas Swamigal (played by veteran actor Nasser) runs and mentors a travelling theatre troupe. His key actors are Kali ( Siddharth ), Gomathy (Prithviraj) and Bairavi (Ponvannan). Bairavi becomes less obedient with increasing stardom and is dismissed. At that point Swami picks Kali for the Rajapattu roles (hero) though he is a younger artist to Gomathy. This riles Gomathy and slowly sets the scene for a villian in the making. Kali impresses and falls in love with the local landlord's daughter (played by Anaika Soti) which culminates in a tragic end engineered by Gomathy- the end of the lady love and a showdown between Swami and Kali (one of the finest scenes in the movie) and the demise of Swami. There is another female artist allowed to stay in the troupe with her mother called Vadivu (played by Vedicka) inspired by the story of the actress KB Sundarambal of the same era for whom Gomathy has a soft corner. Gomathy takes over the the troupe, dismisses Kali and along with Vedicka, the troupe becomes very famous and succesful bringing them back to the beautiful cultural city of Madurai after many years. Under unexpected pressures, Kali joins them again, but Gomathy's continued need for supremacy ensures many other incidents in the talented well meaning Kali ' s life- he goes to jail and emerges with a succesful drama troupe that puts up exclusively inflammatory Indian nationalistic dramas , in keeping with the pre independence era. While Gomathy woos Vadivu, she spurns him, ever attracted to the person and performance of Kali. The revenge drama fulfils to a perfectly scripted finale.
Director Vasanthabalan has picked and chosen his team- Jeyamohan for script, Nirav Shah for cinematography, Makeup artist Pattanam Rasheed and the maestro himself -AR Rahman-for the music. Each and every member of the production team has delivered. Rahman's music befits the period setting with lovely numbers that will grow on you. The full bodied poetic lyrics are a welcome change from the bawdy likes of last year's Prayer Song!
What about the actors themselves? In one word-incredible! From the imperial dominance of Nasser to Anaika Soti's Princess Rangamma , and the supporting roles of Palavesam etc, each and every actor has given their 200%. Its difficult to pick between the charming and winsome Kali and the jealous vengeful machiavellian Gomathy- throughout the movie Prithviraj and Siddharth vie for your undivided attention - but you will lose your heart and weep for Kali as Siddharth wows and wins in every one of the 25 roles he enacts. You will hate and fear the scheming Gomathy and Prithviraj has done a fine job of this role that appears to be a nasty loser at every turn. And when you come out from the theatre bemused and benumbed by the power of theatrical performances, you will keep wondering which one was better. Clearly the most challenging role Siddharth has ever played
, though Prithvi has others too under his belt.
I was wowed. By Siddharth's performance and everything else. Above all, a liberal dose of finely tempered and grandiosely enacted epic period drama indeed. An epic in Tamil cinema too-thankyou, Vasanthabalan.....

Testing....
__
Suma - just now tried and seems fine. can you pls try again? A test post here ?
Wondering if its a network issue.

Thanks Admin!

Afghan Bruce Lee aspiring to go to H'wood

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/bruce-lee-is-alive-and-he-lives-in-afghanistan/20141212.htm

No a movie review, but a TV mini-series review here.

On recommendation of sis-in-law, wife and I recently watched a pakistani drama called "Zindagi Gulzar hai". I was pleasantly surprised by the realism depicted in this series compared to the crap that is churned out on indian TV in the name of hindi soaps. Very well directed and acted and very strong story line focusing on women and the entire series is over in 26 episodes. On the other hand, in India, they keep churning out saas-bahu BS that runs for years without any meaningful message conveyed to society. Incidentally, the series is a huge hit in India and the lead actor has become a bollywood lead. Satyanash :(

Watched Lingaa.

If you can, please avoid it. I did not like anything in the movie. It seemed like a movie made in a hurry. Many scenes look pretty amateurish. It was like watching a 80s movie. The climax is kiddish. Music is also disappointing. You can tell Rajini's age from his gait, he is slow :-) I pity those guys who bought their tickets in black.

In Noida, they have a channel that shows Pakistani plays only, I have been told.

dbs;587998In Noida, they have a channel that shows Pakistani plays only, I have been told.

I think it is Zee Zindagi.


I like Urdu and have been a fan of Pakistani plays since a long time. Used to watch them in US too when I was there. I like watching Dilip Saab's movies for his pronounciation which has a heavy Urdu influence.

okonomi;588031<haim - signifying a semitic ancestral origin >

Haim...watched 'Ida', a Polish movie. Haim is Anna's long dead dad, in the movie. What a movie!

Story - 5-star
Direction - 5+-star
Actors - 5-star (both the main characters)
Cinematography - 5+-star