Movies of 2012

The number of movies I watched this year is very very less as I devoted most of my time to watch English series F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Two and a Half Men, Sherlock, How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory.

Following are the movies I watched in 2012. There are a few more old movies I watched but not in this list as they are nothing worth mentioning :D Except these I haven't watched any new movies and I don't regret, because these are the ones I wanted to catch up and I made sure that I saw them :D 

So I consider all of these my best picks of 2012 :D


Movies are listed in alphabetical order.

Best of Tamil:


Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi
Kalakalappu
Naan
Naan Ee
Nanban
Pizza
Thuppakki
Vazhakku Enn 18/9

Tamil-Dubbed Films:

Chaarulatha
English Vinglish


Other Language Films:

Kahaani
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Lorax
Ala Modalaindi
Lifeu Ishtene

I want to watch Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanum also soon :D

Happy Birthday Chennai! ♥

August 22 - The city I love so much turns an year younger this day. 373 is just a number for those like me who have grown up along with the city all through their life.

She might not have the climate that everyone claims the best. She might not have perennial rivers that gives water throughout the year. She might not give the peaceful atmosphere and a relaxed life for those who need it.

Yet she accepts and takes everyone who comes to her with a new hope in life. She gives the safety and security which no other metro in this country can claim to have. She accommodates just people - not religions, languages or castes.

There are pubs and growing night life and at the same time sabhas and katcheris in music season. There are enough of things engage retired people at old age and at the same time opportunities for young minds coming out with hopes and dreams. There is a harmonious mix of all cultures, religions and various diversities which is the unique nature of this city.

On one hand, there are a quite a handful of things to be improved - the roads and drainage system especially in rainy season, the storm water drains. The prohibitively costly auto fares which are a total injustice to the common man. The heavy traffic in few areas which could not be controlled by any means. The need of proper "tourist spots" instead of passing off old buildings and memorials of leaders as tourist attractions - something that is worthy spending time on.

On the other hand, the city springs up lots of hopes in its latest developments - the Chennai Metro Rail project which if goes as per plan will be the most effectively connected transport network in Chennai. The new airport terminals that are built to match those in other metros - yet stays very much closer to the city. The increasing bus connectivity and standard of government buses. The booming industrial zones in and around the city and so on.

She knows to balance herself and stay firm for many years to come. She has done it for 373 years and she will continue to do it. And will make people like me always the proud children of Chennai.

To end with, a salute to the city from her Oscar winning musician:

Naan Ee - The Buzzing Entertainer

Quoting Vidya Balan from The Dirty Picture, "Filmein sirf teen cheezon ki wajah se chalti hain... Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment". And that is what Naan Ee provides you. Entertainment to the core from start to end of the end credits. And the amazing fact is that most of it is delivered through a tiny little housefly (Ee), sans any big stars.

A man madly in love with a girl is killed by a business magnet who sets an eye on the girl. He reincarnates as a housefly to save his lover who is now in the danger of getting into the trap of his killer. As simple as the story and concept sounds, it could have been easily turned into a silly piece of crap by the likes of Ramanarayanan. Instead, SS Rajamouli has created an outstanding entertainer that caters to audience of all ages and keeps them glued to screen all through.

Nani plays a sweet lover and dies early in the film. The only duet featuring him and Samantha is too colorful and a delight to watch on screen. Besides looking pretty, Samantha performs well in a strong role as a micro-artist and social worker and both of these are vital to her characterization and used well in moving the film forward.

But, the film ultimately belongs to two characters. One is the "Ee" or the reincarnated Nani, which comes for almost three fourth of the film. Right from its birth from a pupa, till it burns itself in the process of killing the villain and saving the lady love from previous birth, the fly rules the film completely. On the other end is Sudeep, the strong villain yet who can't get rid of a housefly from his life. He grows more and more evil from beginning to end and at the end gets killed in revenge.

The scenes involving the two are so interesting to watch and most of them leave you in splits. The ways in which the fly keeps Sudeep away from Samantha are very natural and nothing more than what a fly does. The stunts even if exaggerated are not lengthy enough or even a bit boring. Santhanam in a miniscule role shines and other minor characters in the film have performed their best.

The film works big time because of two factors - a strong script and special effects. It is extremely difficult to hold audience for over two hours without any big stars and that too with the antics of a housefly. But the brilliance of Rajamouli's script and direction manages to do that. Even the smallest details are taken care like the view from the fly's compound eye, which is shown as many lenses. The power of its eyes is also used very well in the stunts.

The whole story happens in 3 weeks which is pretty much the average life span of a housefly. Samantha being a micro-artist justifies the mask and metal claws that the fly gets. She interacting with a dumb and deaf girl in a charity event helps her understanding of fly's actions make more sense. The fly in itself is designed with typical features of a male fly. Any other errors made are not significant when compared to the entertainment we get.

The special effects which are said to have cost 7 crore are worth every penny spent, because that makes the film more realistic and non-Ramanarayan type. And the time taken to ensure it comes perfect has really paid off. The first interactions of the fly with outside world in a park are extraordinary and the standard is then maintained throughout.

The outstanding camera work by K. K. Senthil Kumar and crisp editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao are a major plus for the film. Same goes with the music and background score by Keeravani, which keeps the mood and tone of the film intact throughout. Dialogues by Crazy Mohan are crisp, and funny too when required. An example is when Samantha feeds coffee for the fly in a saucer, the Coffee Day waiter claims sorry for having fly in the coffee and Samantha replies "No, No, Ee coffee kudichitu iruku".

The film has everything that is required for a commercial entertainer and is a winner in all aspects. Even the end credits are completely hilarious with Santhanam and Crazy Mohan making an appearance. A tiny housefly which could be a nuisance to us everyday has been made into a charming super hero and you can't just stop smiling when it says "I Am Back" at the end. We wish to say the same after entering the theatre for a second watch.

Naan Ee - Flying high