Velaiyilla Pattadhaari (3/5)

Velaiyilla Pattadhaari is the usual Tamil film with the hero portrayed as a guy who can fight against any odds. And as the usual Tamil film, the film doesn't follow logic, or a solid storyline. The film purely relies on Dhanush's dialogue delivery and Anirudh's Background score.

The film is about Raghuvaran (Dhanush), a student of B.E Civil who is not willing to take a job in any other field, ending up unemployed for four years. The first half covers how people in his home and the society treats him and how he feels. The first half of the film was very natural and exceptionally good, and having Samuthirakani as Raghuvaran's dad was a very good decision. Filled with a witty script, the first half is meant to make u laugh your heart out and at the same time can be related to by any engineering student.

After a turn of events, Raghuvaran gets a job, and later a very big project to construct for the government. And as in every Tamil movie ever, there is a villain competitor who is determined to ruin Raghuvaran's work. The movie takes an illogical turn when Raghuvaran decides to fight back. Despite the lack of logic, the film manages to engage us with its fast pace and "Rajini-style" script, though showing six pack was definitely not necessary. The "Amma centiment" played a crucial role in the movie.

Anirudh's Background score.gave the movie a lot of energy, without which the second would've been bland. There were no songs in the wrong places that'd irritate us (or maybe the quality of the song made me ignore it, I can't really tell). As in most of the tamil film, Amala Paul had no crucial role for the storyline. But she was not totally ignored and was given a spotlight in both halves of the movie (which is as good as it gets). There was not a single segment in the movie that would bore you.

Dedicating the film to B.E students was a good decision and would win mass appeal. VIP is a racy and fun movie that keeps the audience engaged and lose track of time. It is a definite success in the box office (expecially because there is no competition for the movie AT ALL)

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (4.5/5)

Dawn of the planet of the apes is a work worth watching in theatres (preferably in 2D). "Rise" by itself has impressed us by displaying a protagonist ape Caesar with so much emotions that even show in his face. "Dawn" takes it a step ahead by introducing new charecters and giving most charecters an equal rapport.

Is "Dawn" understandable without watching "Rise"? Other than the fact that you'll be perplexed seeing intelligent, english speaking apes, yes, it is fairly understandable. However, you will feel left out in some scenes regarding Caesar's past. The main story however, since it takes place 10 years after Caesar marked his territory, isn't connected to the first movie. The human cast is totally different from that of "Rise".

The story takes place after the virus is spread across the human race and only a handful are alive. The movie portrays lifestyle of the apes, the relationship between the apes and the humans when in need, and the beginning of an inevitable war.

Caesar is portrayed to be a very wise and just leader, and many scenes reminds us of "The Lion King" Mufasa. The lifestyle of the apes in the first half shows us what we are lacking as humans. Many scenes from the movie fills us with awe, while other scenes makes us feel like "awww..." ;-)

The sets used are very good and apt for the movie and the dark blue tone used gives the movie an intense "this is serious" feel. What amazes me the most is how realistically they have depicted each charecter. Even if the plot is impossible, the film does a good job of shaping it realistically and makes us accept talking apes exist. (To be fair, credits goes to both "Rise" and "Dawn")

The movie, on the whole, is based on how one species understands the other and draws us into movie without a single moment of boredom in spite of the slow pace. The only complaint is that the movie didn't use 3D AT ALL. Other than that, the movie is totally worthy and best viewed in theatres

Parks and Recreation (3.5/5)

Parks and Recreation is one of those comedies that not only makes you laugh, but is also a optimistic, feel-good kind of series. It is a very recommended watch for people who are stressed out and need to blow some steam off after a hard day. By the end of the episode, you'd feel much better.

The story revolves around a government employee, Leslie Knope, and her colleagues, who works in the Parks and Recreation department of a small town, Pawnee, Indiana. What's different about Leslie Knope is that, unlike your average government employee, she's passionate about her job and loves to serve the people. There'd be episodes where she'd take out people's trash, remove slugs from their garden, and so on. She's also a passionate woman who can get a job done once she fixes her mind to it.

The first two seasons would be very misleading of what to expect from the show. It'd be a cliche comedy series where you'd be having several good laughs for the moment and forget about what happened in the episode. But by the end of the second season, you'd realize there's more to this series than that. Parks and Recreation isn't as cliche as other series in its genre (modern family, big bang theory, etc.). Many main characters, who were part of the main cast, move away from town and become recurring cast. The story doesn't stay the same through out the series, major changes occur here and there, which makes a difference in each of the characters.

The format the series follows is identical to that of Modern Family. No laughter tracks, the characters would suddenly speak out their mind to the camera, a moral at the end, etc. The cast, though at first feels off, becomes more fitting to their roles by second season. The script is well done to give several good laughs through out the episodes.

On the whole, the series is a beautiful, feel-good, comedy series. The series is more about public service than about politics. Filled with many characters, each with a unique role, and each funny in their own way. A recommended watch.for everyone.

Person Of Interest (3.5/5)

With the third season ending today, I've decided to review this series. Person of interest is a gripping thriller that's bound to make you react like "OMG, what's gonna happen next?". Since Jonathan Nolan (who had a crucial part in writing the ever famous dark knight trilogy) is the executive producer, his signature in the series can be easily seen. Armed with a very good cast and fitting locations, person of interest shows style and finesse in its work.

The series centers around a secret surveillance machine which has access to all CCTV feeds, phone conversations and any communication related to technology. Harold Finch builds this machine for the government in order to detect acts of terror beforehand and stop it. Harold programs it in such a way that it is an impenetrable box and no one, including Finch himself, can have access to the actual feeds. The only output that the machine can give is a social security number of a suspect of terrorism. What Finch didn't anticipate is that, the machine also detects violent crimes involving ordinary people. The government considers these people irrelevant. Hence the story revolves around Finch and his secret team saving the "irrelevant numbers".

The series manages to cover many types of crime involving murder. However, the back stories of the different characters are the main highlight of the series. Apart from a few episodes, the first two seasons were very gripping. However, the third season lacks in having interesting irrelevant numbers but rather concentrates on the bigger story arc involving threats to Finch and his team. As a result, giving some boring, uninteresting episodes. Yet the story arc was good enough to make us forgive them.

 Though the series gives each character an emotional background story, it fails to highlight emotional part of the character through acting (unlike Breaking bad, Game of thrones, etc.). But I guess it is too much to expect these from this genre of series. Guess I can live with that.

The villains play a major role in keeping the series gripping. This is a great highlight as there is no singular Moriarty type villain. But rather a collection of unrelated villains, each with a different motive, some even changing sides in due course of time.

On the whole, the series is an action-packed thriller with a very innovative plot and having twists and turns where you least expect it. Definitely worth watching. Don't forget "You are being watched".

The Amazing Spiderman 2 (4/5)

Amazing Spiderman 2, true to its name, was AMAZING. The 3D effect was exploited through out the movie unlike most other movies which uses it only at the beginning and near end sequences. The action sequences were "edge of the seat" thrilling and Emma Stone was a WOW factor of the film.

The film manages to render the story very much faithfully from the comic. The way every villain is connected to Oscorp, the psychotic nature of the green goblin, Even Andrew Garfield looks like he's picked from the comics.

Unlike those movies based on S.H.I.E.L.D, this film manages to give enough space in the film for charecterization, the chemistry between Peter and Gwen was impeccable, and felt real. This comes rarely in today's superhero movies (Not even in blockbusters like Man Of Steel), and must be appreciated.

The CG effects were awesome, especially with Electro and 3D combined. I just can't emphasise enough on how AWESOME the 3D was. The casting was good, but it does bother me that they made Jamie Foxx look like a joke. I mean you can't just show Jamie Foxx to be socially incapable and expect us to believe that. I mean he's freaking DJANGO. But that's just my opinion. And I didn't mean he didnt act well. He acted believably

One major flaw in the film are the lack of motives for the villain. Why does Electro want to take revenge on Spiderman, what did he do? If you're going to turn a thief into a supervillain, he doesn't really need a motive. But when you're going to turn a good guy into a monster, you must have a justifiable motive (or atleast tell us he's bipolar, that'll ACTUALLY explain everything). It took 3 movies to turn Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader, just saying!

On the whole, the movie was packed with action, drama and awesomeness! This film series would likely extend to more than 4 movies, cuz they have so much stuff. They even brought Felicia Hardy. which means the black cat would appear on screen soon enough. I have good expectations for the sequel. Another blockbuster to add to the Marvel merchandise! A Must-Watch for superhero fanatics! Watch ONLY in 3D!!

Game Of Thrones (5/5)

Game Of Thrones can be considered as one of THE best series I'm following (And I'm following MANY series). This is one of those series that can just DRAG you into their world and make you feel the way the charecters feel. Many viewers who watch Big Bang Theory, Two And A Half Men, etc. would want a light-hearted series that they can watch in their free time. This is DEFINITELY not recommended for them. This series is suited more for hardcore binge watchers.

Game Of Thrones is a story taking place in a fantasy land consisting of seven kingdoms, which are ruled over by King's Landing. The series shows the power struggle in order to capture the Iron Throne, and rule the seven kingdoms. It is a perfect blend of honour, injustice, wrath, treachery and, of course, butchery. In spite of being a fantasy story, the series doesn't let us feel alienated from the charecters. Only few of them possess magical powers. And unlike "The good guy strives hard and wins" theme that any usual fantasy fiction would follow, game of thrones follows an entirely different patterns. Many people whom we assume to be the main part of the series would die suddenly. This happens so often that, in the middle, you'd be confused who to consider as a protagonist.

The casting is done perfectly, each actor fit their role like a glove. And the sets used are EPIC. Though the series is designed to be intense, they have given a good, though meagre, comic relief with the help of the witty dwarf, Tyrion Lanister a.k.a The Imp. The Script and storyline is well-planned and well-crafted for each role. Another Con is that there are too many charecters that if u watch it weekly once, you'd tend to forget what happened recently.

Game Of Thrones, thus, joins the list of EPIC series. A Must-watch for hardcore viewers. DON'T watch it in front of your family, I've warned you.