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Comments on this review (82)
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rohitthebest
said:
Jun 22, 2007 03:17 AM
No doubt about one thing that he is one of the greatest India has ever produced.
I am not very sure if it is too early to put him in league with those guys - but one thing is for sure that sooner or later he will join them :)
Have seen a couple of his movies - specially hindi or ones dubbed in hindi and thats more than enough to praise him.
I loved Roja, Yuva and that Nayakan.
Some how missed Guru till now but will see it shortly :)
As you said will wait for Lajjo :)
It is indeed tough to choose from so many he has made.
Keep Writing
Rohit
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 03:20 AM
Rohit,
Its great to see you.. You are right, its always hard to pick top 5.. As far as my concern, he is best of best.. After working in industry for 25 years and creating so many masterpieces, he must be considered as best.. Even his Lajjo fail (I hope not), he is at top 5, as far as my concern..
Do check out IRUVER, MOUNA RAGAM, along with GURU.. You will love it.. Hope that makes you his diehard fan..
Nik
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krazy4sonu
 said:
Jun 22, 2007 04:01 AM
hii there...whts up? long time n i havent read ur revus...
been busy these days...with skool, famili n frnds..so yeh... :)
luvd ur revu...altho i havent seen many of his films...i did see guru n it was quite gd..
cya
anusha
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 05:01 AM
Hi, Anusha,
Good to see you there.. How was the world cup? I am sure without Indians playing good and west indies at top, it wasn’t fun.. I heard prices were high too.. Have you seen or able to meet any Indian or other countries players?
As far as Mani’s films, yeah, do check them out.. I understand you are going through your studies but you can always follow these films once you settle down.. Keep them in mind..
Nik
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 06:10 AM
Hi Nik!!
Good to see a revu from you after a lo..........ng time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liked your choices, although I haven’t seen ’’Kannathil Muthamittal’’ and I don’t think ’’Guru’’ is one of his best works. Guru was good no doubt, but was disappointing in some ways, at least to me. Some of the scenes kind of dragged. Anyways, a very well written review about one of the jewels of India as you rightly said!
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 06:25 AM
Ipsi,
You are right.. Its been long time and its great feel receiving comments and replying them too..
As far as Guru, I do expect lot of heat from you guys.. As far as I know, most of you guys (Ratna, Sanjoy, Aruna) didn’t liked it.. I am still scratching my head though.. I saw that movie after reading so many negative or mixed reviews and I simply loved it.. I tried to dissect lots of reviews out there and many thought ending messed up the movie.. Here I am feeling climax was the genious of work.. I was just thinking about putting order in my favorites and I found only Nayakan can supersede Guru.. Everything else is inferior.. Not from far distance but Guru is much better everything than else.. To me, it will be appreciated in future.. Even my wify loved it.. Out of my Top 3, 2 were flop when it was released so, you can say I am not normal.. hehe..
Nik
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 06:32 AM
Hi Nik,
As I said, its not like I didn’t like ’’Guru’’, I just felt that it was below my expectaction from a genius like Mani. Some of the scenes of Aish in the beginning were really boring. It picked up later. Also the first couple of songs were almost like back to back. To extract a performance from someone like Abhi Jr, only Mani could have done it. Pata nehi, I felt it was just not in the same league as Nayakan. Of course, Nayakan was the BEST!! and brilliant!!
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:12 AM
Ipsi,
It will grow.. Once you have high praise like what Iruvar had, people will start appreciating movies.. I am sure you got own taste but I trust myself judging movies and when it comes to rating, I got pretty easy system with some complex theories.. easy system is did I enjoyed the movie.. Complex theories would be screenplay, music, BGM, direction, cinematography, editing, and many more..
Its fun to talk about movies.. Isn’t it?
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:14 AM
Ipsi,
BTW.. I seriously can’t believe why people don’t like Abhi.. Seriously.. To me, he is one of the best.. He is the only one who is putting consistent performances even in bad movies like Dhoom Series, Yuva, and Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon.. I do agree that he is not choosing good subjects but seeing him in Sarkar and Guru along with ealiar mentioned movies, I am sure his future is bright.. He is the one who has to take Indian Cinema further along with Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan.. Let’s see how it will be.. Aamir, Salman, SRK, and Ajay Devgan is getting old and at the end of their youth career unless they act like AB Senior and Anil up unitl in 50s..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:19 AM
Ipsi,
If you want to see ’’Kannathil Muthamittal’’ then do look out for ’’Peck of the Cheek’’ in North American market.. You might able to find out DVD on local libraries or definately on Netflix.. Not sure whether you like it or not, It’s not my part of great movies but its definately one of the Mani’s best.. If you like kids then you have to see it.. As Ratna said, its one of the great south indian movies.. Even Ratna wrote a review on it..
Nik
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itikasharma
said:
Jun 22, 2007 08:21 AM
Indeed Mani Ratnam is one of the ace film directors of India. Wasn’t Yuva directed by him....?.... I think yes... and it was a great movie as well
He produces cinema with its own great class.
and a great review on a great director! :)
cheers..
Itika
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sarav
said:
Jun 22, 2007 08:48 AM
Nik,
Good to see you back doing what you do best. Writing reviews.
I love Gitanjali and Kannathil M..
BTW, just watched My Cousin Vinny and GroundHog Day.. Still reeling in those thoughts of what if tomorrow is still Today/;-)
~Sarvesh
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 08:56 AM
Hi Nik,
Abhi’s acting is improving, but he was really bad when he started. I mean his voice modulation, sucked. His eyes had blank expressions. First time, I really thought that he atleast performed was Yuva.
Have you seen ’’Antarmahal’’? Its directed by Rituparno. Abhi was awful in it. Even Soha was much better than him in it. Abhi was playing a sculptor, who is supposed to hail from Bihar, the movie was set in early 19th century...and his dialogue delivery was like present day Bombay - hindi.
Saif has really improved by leaps and bounds since he started - no doubt...
Sad that SRK and Aamir are aging ha....Would like to see them on screen for another 100 years...
I’ll definitely look out for ’’Peck of the Cheek’’..Blockbuster mein milega kya? Kids -I like’em for the most part. Though I probably don’t have too much patience with their constant questions and badgering sometimes. Waise, movie mein its fine.....But, hey you recommended the movie, so it must be good, I’ll definitely look for it. Thanks man!!
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flyingelephant
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:11 AM
What a coincedence- I was thinking yesterday why are you not writing these days.
I was thinking of alternative as your M2M is disabled..and here you are !
Glad to see you back in action.
I have seen all the hindi and but not a single tamil ones. But am very keen to see Thalapathi, looking for a dvd with subtitles. Your review was too good.
Tell me one thing- why did you leave Bombay out?
I think thats one of this best ! I like it better than even Yuva ! I disliked Guru.
Great read. Not to nitpick but one small error noticed ( everytime i end up doing one) -
Terrorism (Dil Se, Guru)- I think you meant Roja or Bombay. Its understood, but please do the correction....;)
cheers!
~fe*~
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sarav
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:21 AM
FE.. What a nitpick.??? I thot too. But you are the culprit hehe...
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:32 AM
Itika,
Yeah, I think he just recently received Padamshree for his contribution to India.. Now, its turn for DadaSaheb Falke awards.. As you said, he is best among best..
Well, as far as Yuva, I thought he picked up the three parallel storylines from Amores Peres and he didn’t convinced me much that it was related to power of youth.. Not like the way RDB demonstrated it and that’s why its not in my list..
Great to see you guys still hanging out here..
Nik
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flyingelephant
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:32 AM
@ Sarav- I end up doing it in many of Nik’s reviews...:(
Stains in diamond does not look good yaar.
But how can you leave Bombay out yaar?
Nayakan was one of the best indeed...there was a weak hindi version ’’Dayavan’’ acted by Vind Khanna.
btw nik, am looking for a movie called Boondock Saints- a cult crime drama like res Dogs. Any idea. Its in wiki & even ratna has not heard about it ! There are 3 old revus in MS though.
Cheers!
~fe*~
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:36 AM
Sarav,
Thanks man.. I appreciate it.. As I said above, its great to receive comments from you guys and that’s what I like best.. hehe..
Geetanjali, it was made in Telugu if I am not mistaken.. Although I didn’t enjoyed much.. Liked Ooty and Coonoor’s scenes but storyline especially two person with soon ending life wasn’t convincing enough.. I think there was lots of cliched moments too.. Anjali had a same problems.. So many cliched moments like those aged people vs young guns in society..
Ground Hog Day.. It’s a great movie.. Isn’t it? In my case, it would be bad because I will be writing reviews again and again and please, I need a break.. hehe..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:40 AM
Ipsi,
Yeah, you are right.. He was bad in initial films.. Refugee started good but his acting and Dutta’s poor screenplay, demolished that sure classic..
Antarmahal.. I have seen it and surprisingly I didn’t notice.. Well, most probably I didn’t minded it.. I loved Rupa Ganguly in that movie.. What you think of that movie? I loved it.. I thought it was sad picture of our early 20th century upper society.. Queen’s head on Durga’s statue.. that thought itself is work of genious.. :)
Peck of the Cheek.. Not sure about blockbuster.. They don’t have enough space to keep that kind of movies.. You can try on online blockbuster, if you have membership..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:49 AM
Sanjoy,
what the heck is happening here.. Nik is making mistake.. that’s not happening.. I an going to fire my proof reader tomorrow.. well, I can’t do that either because Sarvesh just saw GroundHog Day and it will happen again.. oh my gosh..
BTW.. M2M is enabled.. Sarvesh and Daya gang forced me to open my M2M.. I needed some Illyaraja’s Tamil songs and only way I can get it opening M2M.. That does feel like I am back on MS though..
As far as Ratnam’s movies, man, you have see it.. Thalpathi, Mouna Ragam, Iruvar, Kannathil Muthamittal, abd even Saathia’s original are outstanding movies, if not great stuff.. Out of all above, if you like Biopics, you will love Iruvar..
BTW.. what’s your thought of Guru? I have read your comments earliar somewhere with mixed views.. You mentioned above that you disliked it.. why?? After reading so many reviews of Aruna, Magicalsummer’s, i thought Mani produced dud this time but after seeing it, man o man, I was simply impressed by it.. So far, its one of the best movies of this year along with Black Friday for me.. I haven’t seen Parzania yet.. Haven’t come out on DVD yet..
Nik
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gopionline
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:49 AM
hmm.... you see Mani has excelled in Tamil movies but in Hindi somehow his film lacked perfect finishing.... It feels as if Mani is not FREELY directing hindi movies, Guru, Yuva, etc.... though these films were par excellent but you will see some flaw in some areas especially in GURU. This maybe because of his lack of knowledge if Hindi.
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:50 AM
Hi Nik,
Absolutely!! Rupa stole the show in Antarmahal. Jackie was too loud...But I guess the role kind’a required that. The movie, I liked it...but did not like Abhi in it at all. As I said, I was surprised that Soha actually dished out a decent performance.
Yeah, the whole situation, of the queen’s face on Godess’s statue and then of course the treatment that Jackie meted out to his wives....The whole thing is sad, when we think about it.
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flyingelephant
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:52 AM
Nik/ Ipshita
Did you notice Antarmahal is greatly influence by Satyajit Ray’s Devi?
Thre are few face close-ups of Soha just like Sharmila in Devi.
I did not like the movie much.
Ritu-porno, thats what they call him in Kolkata....lol
cheers!
~fe*~
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:53 AM
Gopi,
Not fully agree with you.. Although I know I am fighting with masses who didn’t enjoyed Guru much, I don’t see any fault in it.. Not even one..
I do agree with you on his influence on Tamil vs Hindi movies.. I recently seen Roja in Tamil and it turned out better than Hindi version.. You can feel Madhu’s charater not understanding hindi words coming out from northern state’s politicians and that looked more authentic..
Nik
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flyingelephant
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:57 AM
I did not like Guru because it was piggy riding dependent on Abhi Aish...less on Mani. But my basic problem was that it was funded by Ambanis and tried to fool audience with a stupid disclaimer.
To explain in detail I may have to write a review and get loads of NUs...lol
But i did like the barso re picturization & Turkey scenes.
:)
Tell me Nik, dont you think Bombay is Mani’s one of the best? I will anytime kick Guru out to pull it in...;)
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:58 AM
Sanjoy,
You got nicknamed FE huh.. Nice one there..
As far as Boondock Saints, I haven’t seen it and its not considered as classics here in US.. I don’t see any major critics are recommanding that movie or even movie books.. I have browsed so many books and none says its must see movie.. Only way I can tell its same as Reserviour Dogs is after watching it.. Will check it out.. It’s summer time so, my online rental account is disabled.. Let you know what I think, if I ever check it out.. I got long list of movies, my friend..
Anyway, I have seen recently one of the greatest Italian masterpiece, The Desert of the Tartars. It just recently released outside of Italy.. Its been shot on desert fort on the border of Iran and Afganistan.. Its an amazing movie of paranoia.. loved it..
Nik
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:59 AM
Sanjoy,
Yes especially some of the beginning sequences...even the background music.
For that matter, have FE/ Nik seen Rituparno’s ’’Utsav’’? I liked that one...that film was also on the backdrop of Durga puja. But the complications of all the relationships in the family was brought out really well.
Are you serious is that what Calcutta people say about Ritu? Don’t think he deserves that....
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:01 AM
Sanjoy and Ipsi,
I am loosing thread here.. I am enjoying our conversation.. Just stay with me and I will try to follow your conversation and reply over there..
Ipsi,.
It’s 12:30 ET over there.. Don’t you want to go to bed? I am fine here.. I am going for camping tomorrow for 3 day weekend here on Iowa and Illinois border on Missisipi river.
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:03 AM
Sanjoy..
Bombay.. I am not big fan of Bombay.. Loved its songs and its initial scenes in south india.. Hated bombay scenes.. Something Mani can’t do it.. It was too unreal, cliched.. Still I enjoyed it but it won’t be part of my great indian movie series..
Nik
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:07 AM
Nik,
I am a nocturnal person who has been suffering from insomnia since I was a little kid. So, I usually go to bed real late. Hardly get much sleep anyways. Hey where are you going camping?? We once drove from Indiana (Notre Dame) through Chicago to Iowa State, Missouri and then got back via Kentucky. Those were the days man....I was still doing my postdoc at Notre Dame..
Oh Well..
U Have fun man!!
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:09 AM
Sanjoy/Ipsita..
Antarmahal.. Well, I haven’t seen the Ray’s Devi yet.. I tried once on Video and kids wanted to watch something else and I had to return the video back and ever since then, never got chance again.. Same thing happened just last week, I got DVD of Baksa Badal and I had to return it because of bad copy.. Not having luck yaar.. God know when I will get chance again.. It’s hard to get hold of these movies here in US..
As far as Antarmahal, Ritu-porno - I think that’s what he is.. Even though this movie was almost like porno-movie, I was sad seeing our woman’s place in early 20th century bengal society.. I agree with Ipsi too.. Jackie was too loud but as I said earliar, Rupa was amazing.. Soha looked like goddess and as Sanjoy pointed out, Soha did looked like initial reels of Sharmila in Devi..
Nik
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:11 AM
Baksa Badal is a pretty decent comedy. I saw it recently. Soumitra looks innocent. Aparna was very young. Not much of a classic though.
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flyingelephant
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:13 AM
Ipsita
Utsav was a much better movie and Prasenjit was brilliant, so was Dipankar.
Its a better movie.
It seems i can write on Bong movies now...:)
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:14 AM
Sanjoy/ Ipsi..
Utsav is next in line in my online rental queue.. Defiantely watching it.. Currently I am waiting for Gulzar’s Lekin..
Ipsi, btw.. do check it out.. italkies.com.. they are netflix for indian movies.. I am online member there.. they recently opened east coast shipping center..
Nik
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ajayan
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:15 AM
Nik,
Very late to read your review.
Fantastic. I believe ’Bombay’ was not a duel language film. If I am correct, it was made in Tamil and dubbed in Hindi.
Jeeva
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flyingelephant
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:16 AM
Comments are getting repeated mysteriously, the new interface of MS sucks me big time.
And the headless chicken comments....grumble grumble..
FE- because there are other Sanjoys (green eyed), and people were getting confused...;(
Nik, I saw black friday- a true blue docu-drama. Loved it.
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:19 AM
Sanjoy,
Bombay vs Guru.. No way, buddy.. Just like you having fundamental problems with Guru, I am having same problems with Bombay.. I still rate Bombay as my favorites movies but not part of great movies..
As far as Guru, forget about what Ambani’s desclaimer says.. Forget about it was based on Ambani’s life and then, watch it.. Imagine as imagionary story and what wonder Ratnam did with it.. It’s a great story of our 60s-70s anti-liberation business situations where no one can get in.. Here is brave guy got in doesn’t matter which way.. He might be reason for all corruption in India right now but he is the reason why we all know about world so much.. I understand we can argue for hours on this but judging movie’s quality based on external factors is not a way to go man.. no way..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:21 AM
Jeeva,
Thanks for correction.. You might know the better timeline.. It was released right after Roja so, it might be possible.. I know Dil Se was his first hindi movie because of great expectation at that time. That means, you are right..
Thanks,
Nik
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:25 AM
Hi Nik, Thanks for the website info. Will check it out.
Sanjoy - You can write about any film - period!! Hum to bus films ke deewane hain...Bong ho chahe non- bong, English ho chahe Jaapani.
Hey guys, I just saw a Japanese film yesterday by Kiyoshi Kurasowa - Not the original Kurosowa. Its called ’Seance’ in English. I had heard quite a bit about this film..but was really disappointed. Thought that the script had quite a few loopholes.
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flyingelephant
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:25 AM
NIk,
I agree with you, that was the basic difficulty in acceptance.
But yes, as a Cinema there are parts which i liked, but i did not carry the movie out..so it will remain as a watch it once kind cinema....
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:26 AM
Ipsi,
Camping.. Its a campground on small island on Missisipi River on border of Iowa and Illinois.. Its close to Savanna,IL.. It called Thomson Causeway..
Its nice little campground with river surrounded by it.. Lots of food, Some hiking, some cricket, some volleyball, some softball, some biking and we will come back...
BTW.. We have Cicada horror going on in chicago area.. Are you interested in Cicada Curry? I see them flying and getting killed everywhere..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:28 AM
Sanjoy,
Yeah, I am kind of getting sleepy here.. Almost hitting midnight mark.. I have to read whole thread again to make sure I haven’t missed anything..
It was fun chatting with you guys.. I should write more often.. Don’t expect same output as Ratna.. That man is machine.. I don’t know how he juggles MS, reviews, job, family, kids, and freaking relatives....
Nik
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Ipshonlu
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:33 AM
Nik!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kyaa YAAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cicada curry--- Well, thanks for the offer but no thanks!!!!
Garmi mein thode bahut Cicada aaten rahte hain, may be you can think of a horror flick - like Hitchcock’s Birds...
But curry - no thanks!!
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:35 AM
Ipsi,
I know.. Those crepy creatures, thank god, I don’t have to tolerate them forever.. They are so dumb that even they fall on your body, they just sit there and have fun.. No biting, nothig.. Its getting too noisy so, soon they all goanna vanished for 17 years.. Its amazing, their 17 years of life cycle underneath earth.. They live on roots of the trees and comes out after 17 years to meet someone and die.. Interesting..
All right.. you have fun with your insomia.. I am taking off.. Here I am off to bed..
Nik
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moviezombie
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:45 AM
Good to see you back after a hiatus! Is a coincidence, just watched two tamil films yesterday, one of them was Mouna Raagam (for the umpteenth time!). Had a question for you...do you think that boyfriend episode was a just a romanticised figment of the heroine’s imagination? To point out the difference between reality and what young girls often fantasize an ideal relationship to be? Just a thought.
Like all the movies on your list except...you know which one I refer to! Good to see Nayakan right on top.
Great review.
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 10:52 AM
Aruna,
OK. I am still awake and yes, I know, you are one of them who didn’t liked his most recent production, Guru.. Never mind, no hard feelings.. I know we been sharing lots of similarities one being movies itself even though we have different taste..
Anyway, On your take of Revathi’s thoughts about her boyfriend, we can think that way.. Although I doubt.. Its simply because Mani himself is simple director.. He doesn’t talk in riddle.. He tries to explain the situations in his movies and Mouna Ragam seems best example where he is explaining audience why she hated arrange marraige..
It’s great to see you around.. Seems like alerts works.. I don’t see you in other spaces anymore so, I thought you became totally inactive AGAIN.. Since there is no good movies releasing, catching up old classics?? That’s the way to go....
BTW.. I am still waiting for Parzania.. Not sure why they are not releasing the DVD?
Nik
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main_chup
said:
Jun 22, 2007 11:13 AM
Nik
Welcome Back!
This comments section looks like a MOuthshut Film Festival of sorts!
Great!
Great to see some hardcore film buffs discussing so much...I guess I need to catch so much of cinema!
Coming to Mani, I remember watching Mouna Ragam on DD with sub titles long back and fell in love with the movie!
Later with Roja and Bombay, I admired Mani for his technical finesse...
Trivia: Mani loves to portray a scene where the groom’s family along with the groom comes to see the girl at her house in ALL his movies. Recall Mouna Ragam, Bombay, Nayagan, Roja, Guru..Name it, and all of them have this particular scene!
Hate Dil Se...
Amit:)
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sureshmehcnit
said:
Jun 22, 2007 11:16 AM
Patenik: That was a well written one on Maniratnam. And I am more interested in his comeback to Tamil than his direct hindi film ’Lajjo’ because we feel he is at his best when he works in Tamil.
Keep Writing
Smile
Sureshkumar
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CoolWater
said:
Jun 22, 2007 11:35 AM
Wait for Lajjo I will.. any idea who is starring in it?? Even an indifferent film by Mani is way better than the ’best’ dished out by mediocre directors.
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moviezombie
said:
Jun 22, 2007 12:29 PM
An surprised that Parzania’s not out yet. Is a pity...know you’d like the movie, although you might have an issue with the overuse of English...am really curious to know your take on it.
I’ve watched Mouna...too many times, being a psychologist, am perhaps unnecessarily reading too much into the directors portrayal! Just thought it might add an interesting perspective to the movie, although I agree with you totally that Mani is a really straightforward director..thats his gift I guess.
Still stop and read the reviewers that I really like...there dont seem to be too many of those around, STILL WRITING, these days!
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cool_breeze
said:
Jun 22, 2007 12:42 PM
hey ! nice to read one from you... accha tell me, how could u chose GURU over BOMBAY!
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cool_breeze
said:
Jun 22, 2007 12:51 PM
hey ! i just went thru yr comments sections and all abt guru v/s bombay ... hehee.. its ok ! each to his own.
but one thing u cannot deny , is that even if u watch bombay today, after some 10 odd yrs, it still looks fresh as ever ! The way manisha & arvind are potrayed in the movie is simple, yet one of a kind.... on the contrary i felt guru was just too over- commercialised... and i couldnt relate to the characters ! it seemed like they didnt FIT at all.
but hey, mani’s mani, & all his movies are a work of art that we all admire !
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Paulsb02
said:
Jun 22, 2007 01:10 PM
Hai Nik,
Excellent work.
In my selection, I may give a promotion to Kannathil Muthamittal & Roja, where Guru will take a back seat. I liked Geethanjali as well.
Mani tried his hand in Malayalam with a film, but it was not well received.
One of the finest directors and one of my favourite too..
Keep writing.
Paul
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cool_breeze
said:
Jun 22, 2007 01:12 PM
hey ! i just went thru yr comments sections and all abt guru v/s bombay ... hehee.. its ok ! each to his own.
but one thing u cannot deny , is that even if u watch bombay today, after some 10 odd yrs, it still looks fresh as ever ! The way manisha & arvind are potrayed in the movie is simple, yet one of a kind.... on the contrary i felt guru was just too over- commercialised... and i couldnt relate to the characters ! it seemed like they didnt FIT at all.
but hey, mani’s mani, & all his movies are a work of art that we all admire !
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The_Reviewer
said:
Jun 22, 2007 02:58 PM
Nik :)
Good to read your write up after a long time! Infact you are one of them who has such brilliant comment section too where I learn so much!
Good to see Nayakan on top. Wont agree on Guru. But then we all have our own choices :)
Mani Ratnam is one of the best no doubt and may we see more hits from him !
and more reviews from you
Shanti :)
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indian1969
said:
Jun 22, 2007 03:05 PM
Nik
Good revu by u, and i guess u listed all his really good movies. We have any way had a lot of discussions on this, and nothing else to add from my side.
Nice discussion between u, Sanjoy, Shonu and Swapna there. Was busy in morning here, and logged in just now.
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nivedita_123
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:00 PM
Nik
good review from ur side nice list where is bombay which was controversial movie but it is one of the best movies of mani ratnam i have seen so far. anyways,to each his own
cheers
nivedita
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:08 PM
Amit,
Hey, thanks for nice words.. well, its not fun like yours or Sanjoy’s section but its always nice to get comments from you guys..
Yeah, my journey started with Roja and Bombay.. I loved Bombay and i still love it but after watching recently again with mature eyes, I couldn’t relate myself with the movie especially riots scenes..
Thanks for trivia.. You are right, some components like why you have mentioned and other one like kids are extremely common in Mani’s movies.. You might want to see Iruvar.. Mohanlal’s marraige with Ash has similiar scene too..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:16 PM
Suresh,
Even though I am North Indian and I would love to see him succed in Hindi belt, I do agree with you.. He is master in his own language.. You can’t be right more..
One of the best thing I have noticed in his crafts in tamil was Roja’s tamil version.. I can feel Madhoo’s character not comfortable in Northen India where she didn’t understood hindi efficiently.. There was a language problem.. Whole angle is thrown away when it dubbed in Hindi because now all characters speak Hindi..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:18 PM
Ava,
Well, Lajjo started with Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor but I don’t see Aamir relates to the project any more.. its still under pre-planning phase so, i can’t say much about it.. One thing i must say that it will be human drama situated in Rajasthan, something Ratnam never explored..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:21 PM
Aruna,
Well, as I said in your comments section I guess, I don’t mind english langague movies with India’s background.. I liked both Monsoon Wedding and last year’s Being Cyrus.. Can’t wait any more..
Yeah, many of us generations of MS especially group who was active in Fall 2005-Spring 2006 here at MS are inactive most notably WhiteDevil.. I dearly miss him..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:50 PM
Swapna,
It seems like you guys going to kill me picking Guru over Bombay.. Every single of you, mentioned it.. Anyway, my judgement is something I love movies for.. I am big fan of Biopics and I may be blind but I don’t see any (I mean any) single problems with the movie.. I can see if people relates this movie with Ambani’s life and don’t like it.. But, as far as technical brilliance, screenplay, story telling, acting, direction, cinematography, its a gem..
Bombay... I think I have said enough on that.. I don’t consider as classic.. Although I enjoyed it.. I did up until riots started and everything fell apart for me.. Mani couldn’t handle it well.. That’s one of the reason I didn’t liked Dil Se (Again, I enjoyed it).. Mani can’t handle action sequences well..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:54 PM
Paul,
what’s up man.. I haven’t seen any of his Malyalam films so, can’t comment on it.. As far as Guru vs others, I think you should follow the thread regarding why its been there at top.. As far as Geethanjali, I didn’t liked it.. I have disclosed my reasons to Sarvesh’s reply..
And, yes, he is finest and I hope he continues for another 10-15 years. he is young and he can do it..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 07:57 PM
Shanti,
So, finally you typed.. I thought you were going back to hand writing.. that was a gem of the review.. I loved reading it..
As far as Mani’s movies, Last winter i swept through all his movies to just write this review.. it was due long time ago but busy at work pushed it up until now..
And, I am going to write more.. don’t worry about it.. I have no plan going away.. interacting with you guys is one of the most fulfilling thing I have..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 08:00 PM
Ratna,
Waiting for your comment especially your take on Guru.. I know you enjoyed it but I don’t know how much you liked it..
And, you are right.. we had thesis of thesis discussion over brilliance of this guy and it still not enough..
Finally, I am glad I have seen all his movies except pre-Mouna Ragam.. It was great winter for me knowing Thalpathi and Mouna Ragam.. Prior to winter, I thought Anjali was great movie. .recent watch pushed it out of my favorites list because of kids vs elders cliched moments..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 08:03 PM
Nivi,
Sorry you not able to see Bombay in this list.. If you really want to put it, I can put it at No.8...I liked that movie but I don’t consider it is as great movie.. Somehow over the years, I felt Mani couldn’t do good job with riots and how he portrayed Hindu vs Muslims.. Enjoyed south indian villages, Manisha and A.Swami’s chemistry, great songs, but it falter in later moments..
Hopefully you can understand my viewpoints..
Nik
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sarav
said:
Jun 22, 2007 08:55 PM
Nik,
Nayagan sure is still the best of Mani. If you remember, I started reading your reviews after disagreeing your views on the soundtrack of Naayagan. :-).
BTW, a small trivia my sis told me abt the actress in Geetanjali.
Girija after her success in Gitanjali was offered the role of Anjali(Ayesha Jhulka) in ’Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander’. Something went wrong and 35 kgs Phulka got the role. As a consolation, Girija did appear as a guest artiste in that competition song alongside Model’s Chote Sarkar.
What’s that song yaar????????
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:43 PM
Sarvesh,
Great one there.. Although its been long time I have seen the movie, let’s try..
Its not Pehla Nasha, Shahar ki Pariyon, and Roothkar Hamse Kabhi.. It must be from that series of songs in school dance competition.. So, that means there are three songs - Jawan Ho Yaaron or Naam Hai Mera Fonseca, and don’t remember the third one..
Let’s take one by one.. Naam Hai Mera Fonseca is with Deepak Tijori and Pooja Bedi.. So, that ruled out.. Now, I don’t remember who Aamir danced with.. It could with Jhulka.. If not then it must be Jawan Ho Yaaron or that third one from other college.. what you say??
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:46 PM
Sarvesh,
Hold on.. don’t answer.. I got some other sources to figure it out..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 22, 2007 09:49 PM
This is what WIKI says.. That means it must be that dance competition song with Aamir..
’’Girija, Geethanjali fame, directed by Maniratnam was signed on to be in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander and also shot most of the movie when the director felt she was too stunted as an actress and replaced with Ayesha Jhulka and reshot. If you observe closely, there is one song in the movie with Girija dancing with Amir and the rest. ’’
Nik
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sarav
said:
Jun 22, 2007 11:09 PM
Exactly, Jawaan Ho Yaaron Yeh Tumko Huwa Kya??? Thats the one..
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nivedita_123
said:
Jun 23, 2007 12:19 AM
Nik
u need not be sorry for that its ur list and indeed its great one
keep writing
nivedita
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angel25
said:
Jun 23, 2007 12:59 AM
Nik
Loved this review...
A lot of my favs are there....I am not a big tamil movie fan. But there are some movie one cannot afford to miss...and all of Mani’s movies make that list
I think the Tamil version of Roja was far far better than the Hindi version...and the who can forget Mouna Ragam...freaking brilliant
Looking forward to Lajjo too
Cheers
Shalini
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sndaya
said:
Jun 23, 2007 01:56 PM
Niks
Loved your write up for the simple reason that you appreciate movies beyond languages.Perhaps would be more suitable to say Favourite movies than best movies because Guru is a wasted opportunity cos he would have done a remarkable classic if he had picked up Kamal in place and done the movie in tamil.He had a fantastic subject to weave the script and lost it mid way.( not to take away anything there but i feel his strength is in native Tamil Language)
Nayakan well,it will be in everyone’s top list.I would go for Kannathil Muthamittal at 2 and stop with 5 because that just might be enough.
Coming to the Greatest director tag i would still rate him below two south Indian stalwarts-K Balachandar and Adoor Goplakrishnan since you mentioned some of the finest in the list.He over compensates with technical finesse many a times forgetting to give depth unlike the two masters of South Indian Cinema.Mani’s movie can be discussed on the back of movie tkts ,but the other two,you can write thesis for their dazzling intricacies.
cheers
throw more light . . . .
on the darker side of Mani movies.
daya
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jaideepkhanduja
said:
Jun 23, 2007 02:33 PM
Hi Nik, Mani is already a legend and his creativity is marvellous which has been highly acclaimed not only in one state of lang sect, but all over india, and all over the world.- jaideep
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patenik2
said:
Jun 25, 2007 10:05 PM
Shalini,
Its good that you can see your favs up there.. And, yes, if you have missed out any Mani’s Tamil films, do check them out especially the ones from my list.. I have weaklink for Biopics and that’s why all of his biopics are top 3 in my list..
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 25, 2007 10:11 PM
Daya,
Well, I am not sure.. I don’t find any problems with Abhi and that seems one of the driving point for lot of people to dislike this movie.. With Guru, there are three common reasons why people disliked it - one it was Ambani’s life and Mani or Ambani didn’t accepted it, second one was climax, and third one was Abhi.. You can put AR’s inferior music there too.. I didn’t find any problems with any of them.. To me, its a classic.. I am sure future generation will consider it as a masterpiece because I have seen enough movies and so called many Gulzar’s or RK’s movies are not masterpieces which are considered as masterpieces.. Anyway, that’s a whole different issue..
I do have some problems with Kannathil Muthamittal too. I know you love that movie but I couldn’t tolerate last half an hour melodrama.. Ever since movie comes back to Srilanka, it was too Rona-Dhona..
As far as other stalwarts like K Balachandar and Adoor Goplakrishnan.. I have heard lot about them but haven’t seen any of their movies yet.. Will check it out.. I know its whole different world out there as South Indian movies and I am ready to explore it ASAP...
Nik
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patenik2
said:
Jun 25, 2007 10:14 PM
Jai,
Thanks for stopping by and reading the review.. To me, Mani is legend and thanks for confirming that..
I would love to see him going strong for next 10 years because my Top 3 released in 1987,1997, and 2007.. Can’t wait to see his 2017 movie... :)
Nik
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jodihayes
said:
Jul 07, 2007 05:12 AM
Nik~
Great review on a topic that I NOTHING about but would be interested after your supported review. :)
JH
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patenik2
said:
Jul 11, 2007 02:55 AM
Jodi..
Do check out some of them if you can.. As far as Top 4 or 5, I am sure you will love it..
Nik
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ajjis
said:
Oct 28, 2007 02:38 PM
Nice review about a remarkable person in the film industry. Not all the movies u’ve mentioned are my personal favourites. But each one is definitely watchable for more than one reason.
Did you know that Mani doesn’t watch his movies after completion ? I’ve read it in some magazines & have seen him say this in some interviews. It seems, the reason is he couldn’t help finding some fault in his own work, which would end up in disappointment for himself.
Also, his strong point is that he mixes up the right components and persons (actors, music directors, etc) and the result is such a success. Mani & Illayaraja were a great and favourite combination for movies like Mouna Raagam, Nayagan, Anjali (Ilayaraja’s 500th movie) and Agni Natchathiram; all movies spelt success.
Cheers
Ramya
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patenik2
said:
Oct 28, 2007 07:09 PM
Ramya,
’’’his strong point is that he mixes up the right components and persons (actors, music directors, etc) and the result is such a success’’ - yeah, I agree.. I always say Mani Ratnam is our generation’s Raj Kapoor.. They both knew how to please both critics and normal moviegoers.. Hopefully Anurag Kashyap and RGV understands it..
If you look at our history of directors, RGV is all about quality forget about masses, Subhash Ghai was all about masses, his movies never make sense.. So, directors like Bimalda, Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, and Mani Ratnam stands out there..
Nik
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