Twilight : Breaking Dawn Part 2

Exactly one year back , Breaking Dawn Part 1 left every one astounded with its astounding detail to the book and a cliffhanger Ending . Now one year later , Breaking Dawn Part 2 has hit the screens with  an awesome opening . Is the movie worthy enough to be declared as the beautiful end to a Epic Saga ??? read on , 

The First Hunt 

When the first book in the series was released back in 2005 , Twilight was just considered a New York best seller with a few of the crazy book fans reading it . When the second Novel got released in 2006, the series slowly started picking up some expectations and had a huge fan base following it .2007 saw the release of third book and finally a hint of the expected movie of the book was in the air. Twilight - The movie released in 2008 with a major opening and created a group of followers who started searching for the books like crazy . The fever that started then and had finally come to an end in this month.

Coming back to present ,as you all know Breading Dawn Part 1 ended with the note of Bella opening her eyes to Vamphirehood .There is no need to explain the story as most of the persons who will be going to the movie would either have read the book or would have[Twifans ;-)]  friends who did and must have got the entire story from them . So no suspense there . But a major Factor rested here . Will the director be able to portray  the exact feelings and emotions that were described so beautifully in the book ? . Or would it be messed up and corroded like how Harry Potter series was a mess of after the first two installments  Thank god , Director Bill Condon has proved that its not to be the case .

*SPOILER ALERT *

If You haven t seen the movie yet or heard from anyone , please don't read the below  Paragraph alone as it spoils the Entire twist in the end

He really got me going with a huge and epic battle that started at the end of the movie . I mean the movie was moving so beautifully sculptured with every scene of the movie getting aligned naturally to that of the lines of the book , The one major flaw which I realized was that the passport details would be given to Jenkins By Bella herself in the book . But in the movie it would be like Jasper has already given the order for the Passports and Bella would be going to just pick them up . But tats understandable as Meyer would have unnecessarily elongated the book with that part . The on screen part was really a good idea . Thanks to Melissa Rosenberg , screenplay ,  for that :D.

Seth , Leah and Jacob

*SPOILER ALERT *

If You haven t seen the movie or heard from anyone , please dont read the below  Paragrapgh alone as it spoils the Entire twist in the end


So coming to the battle . According to the book , Volturi would be on one side with Cullens and the entire friends on the other side to help them . They would argue and finally Aro would decide that the enemy was too powerful to continue their fight today and leave as soon as Alice appears with evidence . In the movie ,This will be true until the part where Alice comes . Then the movie takes a frightening turn of its own.( Following are the exact sequence that takes part in the movie , I have tried to depict as far as my memory could allow , Please correct me if you find anything wrong). Aro's 2 gaurds takes Alice captive and drags her back while the other 2 kills Jasper right before her eyes . Enraged by the loss of his son ,  Carlisle launches himself off at Aro who easily decapitates him and the other brother burns his body . Before that Reneesme is sent on the back of Jacob by Bella . As soon as he sees his father go down before his eyes , Edward springs forward with a snarl along with the entire clan running towards each other and meeting up in the middle of the ground.Jane's brother goes down , While Jane makes Seth to reel in pain after he finishes off another Volturi Guard . Benjamin , seeing the entire annihilation going on before him ,Creates a major shock wave that opens the earth into two , Seth reeling with pain falls into it . Leah sees this starts howling which is heard by Jacob who immediately loses his concentration in escaping from the pursuing vampire and slows down. But he gets back to his senses and snaps the head of the Vampire as he pounces on them. Esme fights another Guard and both trip and hang on the end of the crevice tats in the middle of the ground . Leah sees this and jumps on the guy who is trying to pull Esme down and takes him with her into the abyss. Sam senses it and howls with Anger and attacks the others with Multiplied Vengeance . Edward is thrown by Another guy into the crevice while Bella watches but he comes back with a spring and takes the guy's head off . Stefan and Vladmir take the other two of Aro's brothers. Alice finally frees herself and runs at Jane while being protected by Bella's shield . She catches Jane by her hair and throws her to SAM who rips her apart . Aro enraged finally enters the battle .Edward and Bella fight with him with Bella finally taking his head off and throwing his body into flames . I was holding my head in my hands with fingers pulling my hair and was on the verge of tears as this happened . I mean what I had feared the most had happened . In order to attract fans with a huge fight they had entirely deviated from the story . This is much more horrible than what they did to Harry Potter was my entire thought.' Why , Why do they have to do this ' But as Aro's body goes into flames , the camera zooms into his eyes and comes back out to the scene where Aro touches Alice's hands . With Alice saying " That your future if you start a fight ..." . My god the happiness I felt at the moment was beyond words . Only a second later I realised that the roar I was hearing was mostly coming out of my mouth , "YEah , hell yeah" moment . I turned around and could see most of the audience with the same expression and happiness on their faces with roar continuing for a better part of 2 minutes  ' They didn t mess it up , HELL !! , they haven t messed it up at all ' was my only thought  as I watched the movie roll towards a beautiful finish.

The Final Battle 

So coming to cast , Isabella 'Bella 'Swan done by the now famous and highest paid actress Kristen Stewart has done a remarkable role in the movie . Although she fits the role of small , soft and clutz ' Bella ' to the skin , many critics were hard on her for her in-existent facial expressions . You may have seen a lot of Troll Memes floating around too , depicting the same . But in this movie she has finally shed the fragile layer that is of Human Bella and has transformed into a fierce and enthralling beauty of Vampire Bella remarkably . I mean I was totally expecting her to make a mess of the scene where Bella jumps on Jacob with a growl after she comes to know that he had imprinted on her . Her delivery of ' You nicknamed my daughter after the Loch Ness Monster?..... ' was really impressive . And the difference between human Bella and Vampire transformed one was remarkably shown in the way she dressed , the Beauty she radiated on the screen, the confident way in which she walked. I have to say that I was really impressed with her . Hats off to you Kristen aka Bella.

The Before Bella

The After Bella  :: 

 Robert Pattinson again returns as the beautiful and Angelic Edward Cullen who demands wolf whistles from girls as soon as he enters the screen . Has always maintained the role of Edward to the core from the first movie .

Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black earns another set of Whistles from another team of girls that go by the name of  Team Jacob :D ..It really was funny seeing them fight as to who was the best . Edward or Jacob :D.

Senna and Zafrina - African Vampires

Reneesme starred by Mackenzie Foy has filled her part well . Like in the book she doesnt speak much but goes around with what she wants to say by simply touching people's cheek. Her growth from Baby was fully graphically shown which was a little awkward at first. But atleast tats what they could do in order to show the resemblance and speedy growth, I guess.

Other characters come and go the same . Thank god they didn't change the cast anymore or it would have messed up the entire series. New Vampires like Alistair , Benjamin have been selected aptly although they dont share that much of a screen space .

Denali Clan - Kate , Irina, Tanya, Eleazar , Carmen

Bella , Reneesme ,Edward and Jacob - Happily Ever After 

The Romanian Clan - Vladamir and Stefan

Alistair

Jane and her Brother Alec

Alice and Jasper

Amun , Kebi , Benjamin and Tia

Emmett and Bella arm Wrestle

Marcus , Aro and Caius - The Volturi

The story ends with the Alice's vision showing a fully  grown Reneesme , Bella , Jacob and Edward living happily on Beach  and then the meadow where Bella allows Edward to read her thoughts by lifting her shield and finally showing how much he means for her . The screen shows the last page of the book with the word ' Forever ' highlighted and slowly the credits roll .An astounding finish , I have to say and judging from the cheers and standing ovation the film got when the credits rolled , I have to say my fellow fans had agreed with me too :D

Pro's : :

1. Once again get lost in the Magical World created by Stephenie Meyer and portrayed by the best actors.
2. Feel jealous of the pure love that can ever exist between two persons , Edward and Bella of course .
3. Impactfull battle at the end that makes you to scoot to the end of your seats and shout in horror and weep with joy .


Cons :

1. The minor slip where they deviated from the story somewhat with the passports.
2 . The graphical enhancements of Reneesme looks a little awkward at some places.
3. Less Screen space for Jacob :( ..I think most would agree with me ;-)

A movie which will never be missed by Hardcore Twilight Fans . So answering the question which was asked first ' Hell Yes'.

Rating : 9.5/10

Regards
Ram

Poda Podi

 STR once again hits the screen with a beautiful romantic flick this time for Diwali . Atleast tats what everyone thought when they first saw the trailer . But My god I was disappointed when I saw the movie . When the songs were released , I was so enthralled by it that I was sure that the movie will run for the songs alone . Every song was crisp and new to hear with the usual techno beat and melody mixed up here and there , thanks to Dharan Kumar of Paarijatham fame.

 













Story , well how to explain this , hmmmmm...Bcos As far as i understood it is a love story between two charectors who have a major culture shock between them . Simbu is the goody goody Tamil guy who is very traditional ( hard to believe huh ;-D ) and thereby wants his lover /future wife to be the same . But , his girlfriend ( Varalaxmi Sarathkumar )is a independent Tamil girl born in London . She is raised by her guardian  Shobana who , makes it a point to stress that independent nature is important for a girl.Even from the first when they both fall in love , Simbu hates her Dance or to be exact the added benefits of dance class which includes Mojo , the partner who simbu feels , touches her in intmate places in the name of dance . And the friends she acculmulates thru the class who are over -'touch'-friendly to her .

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Salsa is supposed to be hard and too complex . I was scared how they are going to portray it on screen , that too with such a figure less actress . Thank god she did not to try to do salsa in any sequence . Just some weird poses that we are supposed to think is practice for salsa ..Psssh!!! ...

So coming back to the story , Nisha's (heroine ) goal  to participate in ' Lets Dance' and to become the ultimate winner is momentarily disturbed by simbu's devious tactics to stop her from going to the classes . Little fights emerge and finally a big blown fight and then vola , they get back together again to get married ?? Ya right . So after marriage simbu gets outraged that Nisha stills continues  her dance . So he comes in with another huge brainstorm of getting her pregnant and having a baby . Interval ..Phew huh :D

After Nisha comes to know of Simbu's narrow minded idea she storms of and loses her child in a accident . Poor baby , I don t know what he did to suffer in the hands of such a director :D. And the story goes on with Nisha going to stay with her guardian again saying that she doesn't want to see Simbu at all. Simbu convinces her somewhat and gets her back to the apartment , but again the same problem of dancing with Mojo raises again . Simbu's repeated insinuations finally makes Nisha guilty that she and Mojo breaks up as dancing partners. Now Nisha is in need  of a dancing partner for her Salsa performance . Who else , Simbu comes in :D. He practices like hell and in 15 days becomes the best salsa dancer and they both win the first prize in Lets Dance . If that had been the story I would have fallen down ,laughing  at the ridiculousness of it . Thank god the director wasn't that dense .

The supposed SALSA Performance :D

Instead Simbu fails miserably in the dance performance , judges berate Nisha and agrees to give her another chance provided that she comes back in with a new partner . Crestfallen Nisha asks Simbu what needs to be done . In comes the " KUTHU DANCER " of chennai stlye . Simbu says that this dance is much more powerful than Salsa and proves it in the final performance (Only part of the movie I really enjoyed ) . But in the end Nisha drops a bombshell saying that the competition is not yet over as they still have 14 more rounds to go . Simbu's mouth falls opens in astonishment and the end credits roll , with a few of the audience running out the theaters screaming for their life :D.

Cute ganesh ji with his cute pair in the movie 

So tats about the story . Now can you please tell if you were able to feel any kind of romance in the above mentioned plot . No , right .That is what was lacking entirely in the movie . It feels entirely messed up that you start to wonder whether its the editor's fault or the director .

Shobana

Simbu's perfomance is the only breather in the movie . Cinematography and dacne skills of him had also strengthened the movie to some extent. Varalaxmi was ok to look but her acting talents were really surprising for the first movie. Comedy track was by Ganesh ji of VTV fame. He comes in weird hairstyle and tries to his extend , but  I think without Santhanam to back him up , he has faired only well. ' Love pannalama , vendama ...' song looks really good with Simbu's quirkys steps and awesome cinematography   

Guest Appearence - Ganesh , Santhanam, Simbu , Premji, Robert (left to right)

One or two dialogues earns a few lazy claps from the Fans here and there . Apart from that , the movie was totally cruel . Dont waste ur time and money in going to theatres .Wait for it and you will enjoy the movie in TV for Pongal for sure ;-)

Verdict : 7/10

Regards
Ram.

Thupaaki

Ilayathalapthy is back with a bang . This time the ball which was hit and hoped to be a sixer has definitely gone out of the grounds instead of the expected catch :D . Ok so enof of the metaphors , coming back to topic, Thupaaki is beautifully sculptured movie , thanks to AR Murgadoss , with slick and stylish looking hero in it . After the most anticipated 7 am Arivu , which was expected to be a major blockbuster fell on its face , Thupaaki was banking mainly on Ilayathalapthy Vijay to make it big . But as soon as the movie starts you will realise that ARM has made sure that its not going to be the case from the first scene of the movie .

Even from the beginning , the story picks up slowly with a beautifully introduction of Vijay in Milatary attire , A beautiful intro song with graceful steps, and a family reunion with a light touch of romance which comes in the form of girl seeing ceremony . Followed up with a enticing song of ' Antarctica.. ' song with rich visuals of Kajal and Vijay's Cute expressions. Then the story really picks up . What starts as a initial blast in a bus , makes Jagathish suspect to a bigger plot in the back ground  .Thus the story picks up the pace with fast paced action and an enthralling story with Jagathish sporting around a cool demeanor whatever the situation seems to be .

The interval scene where they take down 12 guys simultaneously is absolutely adrenaline pumping and a different one in Tamil cinema.Quite awesome to look to . After the interval , I expected the pace to slow down a little bit as it happens in most of the movies , but my god I was blown away . Because until now we would just have seen Jagathish's  planning and Intelligence , but now in comes the head of the terrorist group Vidyut Jamal , with his awesome physique , and not to mention an equally sharp brain that counter acts Vijay's intentions. The pitting of brains between two masterminds could have been shown a little more in detail but you will get a glimpse of it only once in the movie . But it still has come out satisfactory .



The film goes on with both masterminds tying to outsmart each other and finally ending in a epic climax fight and awesome one liners from Vijay :D. .

Coming To Ilayathalapathy Vijay . Look wise he had always satisfied viewers with colorful dressing and cheerful talks . But in thupaaki his wardrobe is completely stylish even to the tip of his hair . I mean you could feel the difference in each and every scene of the movie . You will be seeing a completely different Vijay when compared to his previous films especially , his body language which is  absolutely mind blowing . The grace with which he delivers the dialogue with the correct baritone of richness and wealth is certainly awe inspiring . Especially the scene where he tells a short story of a military soldier . I assure you , it really would make your hair to stand on its end.

Dance , there is no need for any explanations .Because when it comes to dance Vijay rocks the floor in Tamil Cinema. His movements are simple and graceful in ' kutti puli ...' and stylish and graceful and a little complex like hell in ' Aleka Aleka ..' with cool movements in the most famous ' Google Google ..' .Anatrtica is all about the expressions and cuteness of the chemistry between Viajy and Kaajal . While Vennilave is the usual romance song in mountains with a cool step now and then .

Aleka aleka ....

Kaajal Agarwal looks breezy and delectable right from scene one . I mean she looks so lovely on screen that one wonders how it would be to meet her in real life .She has been given a good scope in the movie which she had utilised well. Although her voice dub does have a manly touch to it ..don t know why ...

Comedy track has been carried off by Satyan and Jayaram and off course with Vijay and Kajal doing their part .Although they are not stomach splitting timings like santhanam's , it does give one a breather from the storyline.

Jagathish and his sis 

Santosh Shivan's camera is absolutely rocking and acts as a major strength to the movie .Especially in the scenes where you will be able to see shadows travelling inside a dark room from a car light from outside and also the clarity when Vijay speaks to another Police officer during nighttime on the roof top. Hats off to him .

Jagathish and his family

 Harris Jayaraj has given his usual peppy tune to all of his songs . Especially Google Google song will be bread taking to hear and listen. Not to mention Ilayathalapathy himself had sung the song . I loved it to core as soon as I heard it :D. I was expecting the " Intha padalai paadiyavar ungal Vijay " when the song was running on the screen but was disappointed when I didn't t get one . Although BGM could have been made a little more interesting . It fell too flat compared to the pace of the movie .

Vidyut Jamal

Dialouges are really good in the movie and doesn't fall flat mainly Becos of Vijay's perectly timed delivery and the right place to keep the dialogues, thanks once again to ARM . Especially 'Uyira edukura avanga uriyara koduka thayara irrukum bodhu ....Uyira kaapatha ninakira naame en uyir koduka yosikanum  ...' There are a lot of dialogues in the movie which makes a tribute to miltary Soldiers who work and toil 11 months a year in the border whose only hope is to make their country and families safe .Who get to visit only for 40 days but are happy to go back once againg to serve for the country . ' Poi vara va ..' song in the end is absloutely heart touching as it explains the feeling and emotions beautifully in the movie.

The movie has made another milestone like Ghilli and Pokkiri did in Vijay's carreer . It will act as a measuring scale now for his future movies , thats for sure

Google Google 

Overall ARM has given a beautiful entertainer for this Diwali 2012 and which serves as a treat not only for Vijay Fans but also for everyone .Dont miss it ..

Rating : 9.2/10

Regards
Ram.

Ice Age 4 - Continental Drift

The famous Trio is back ...And this time they are facing a major Crysis , again right at their Doorstep . Manny , Sid and Diego , the Queer pack/herd they are , live peacefully in their land . When suddenly the ever famous guy "SCRAT" the sabretooth squirrel messes everything up again.

Scrat in the opening scene...

His love for the Acorn initiates an unimaginable apocalypse from which Manny has to save himself and his family . But disastrously they get seperated and the Herd is off again on an awesome adventure while floating on a Ice .Manny asks Ellie and everyone to move to the land bridge where they will be safe from the moving land mass once they are on the other side of the land. Peaches has grown into a beautiful teenage girl whose hormones are pumping are on the verge which attracts her to disaster all the time.Along with her friend Louis , a molehog she explores the area and finally gets a huge crush on Ethan .Due to which at one time she is forced to say that freindship with Louis was just a sham . Louis hears this and goes off hurt . But finally Peaches realises that friendship is the higher than some stupid feeling .

Louis and Peaches

A new charector emerges as Sloth/ Sid's family . Sid's mom , dad and Bro unceremoniously dumps Granny on Sid and pushed off to unkonwns..Granny forms the best comedy in the movie and is responsible for the huge help she and her " imaginary " Pet named ' Precious' provides at the climax of the movie. (Dont want to spoil the suprise there huh.)

Diego and Shira

The trio who gets cast off into the ocean are picked up by Sea pirates which include a Overgrown Ape "Gigantopithecus " as the Leader " GUT". A rabid Rabbit (Squit) , A female Sabretooth Called Shira,  and Sea animal  plus some guys who have been rescued from the sea and forced to work for Gut as payback. Manny and the gang somehow drowns the pirate gang's ship and escapes off in a raft with Shira as their prisoner

Hyrakes

.Finally when they reach a island they meet the localites of the Island ,  A group of Hyrakes..Gut uses them for slave labour and Manny devises a plan with them to steal the ship from Gut and finally succeeds . Just as Manny reaches Land bridge he finds out that Gut has beat him to it . And now the final battle between the two gangs take place with Finally Gut succumbing to the sirens. Manny and all the other animals move of a new land ,Sid finds a false teeth for granny and Diego and Shira becomes a couple and everyone lives happily ever after . 

Gut , The Sea Pirate

Of course Scrat who was following a map which leads to a treasure trove of Acorns finally finds the Island which is depicted as the same as that of Lost city of Atlantis ( SCRATLANTIS) . But intstead of being happy there , Scrat's obsession again forces him to lose everything and Scrat is found in a desetred desert where he shouts his lungs out as the movie's credits roll.

•  Ray Romano as Manny 
• John Leguizamo as Sid
• Denis Leary as Diego
• Queen Latifah as Ellie
• Seann William Scott as Crash
• Josh Peck as Eddie
• Jenifer Lopez as Shira
• Wanda Sykes as Granny

The entire movie is an absolute blast . Even Sid and Rooney from the 3rd part  makes an appearence  in the initial part of the movie when Scrat falls off into the core of the earth.

Lopez voicing for Shira

Wanda Sykes for Granny

This is the first sequel that was not directed by Carlos Saldanha who had done all the previous movies of Ice Age . Maybe thats why one could see something lacking in this movie when compared to its predcessors. I mean , the Dawn of the Dinosaurs was the best of the best in the series. 

The humour and creativity which was captured there in that movie was somehow lacking in this one .You somewhat have the unsatisfactory feel when the movie 

finally ends. Well atleast I had that . But one can t complain that the movie wasn'st entertaining enough . Bcos it sure as hell was the best . Ice Age Rocks !! And fans of the series are going to love their favourite heroes on screen again ...

Rating : 8.2/10

Regards

Ram.