Force (2011) - Audio Review

“Force” is a hindi film, directed by Nishikant Kamat. It is a remake of a very popular tamil film “Kaakha Kaakha”, which changed the way tamil films based on the police stories, had been looked upon. The hindi version starring John Abraham, Genelia et others is yet to hit the screens.

A glimpse about my love for music

“Music has no language” is a common phrase used by people, anywhere and everywhere. But, I love to differ. Being an ardent lover of the language “Thamizh (Tamil)”, I am very keen about the words used in a song and the way the words fit into the song. So, I hardly ever listen to music that is of any language, except thamizh.

Then, why “Force” ?

Simple. The answer is “Harris Jayaraj”. A composer whose music I breathe and live on. The way his songs grow on me, the way his songs refresh me, the way his songs lighten me , it is not easy to put it in words. His music lifts me to a better place, even if it just for that moment. Addictive. And hence, the exception.

Uhh, Track list ??

The “Force” album has 5 songs, out of which 4 songs have been composed by Harris Jayaraj. Those four songs,in the order I like them. are :

1. Dil ki hai tamanna – Vijay Prakash, Shalini & Neha Bhasin
2. Chahoon Bhi – Bombay Jayashree & Karthik
3. Mein Chali – Shreya Ghoshal & Naresh Iyer
4. Khwabon Khwabon – Kay Kay & Suchitra

Ok, go on ….

Dil ki hai tamanna - Starts off with a pleasing whistled tune and then proceeds to the vocals by Vijay Prakash. Vijay Prakash seems to have underplayed his usual way of singing, to match the tune perfectly. The other singers Shalini and Neha Bhasin have crooned their respective parts well, too. The tune is really addictive and is likely to impress most of the listeners, on the very first hearing itself. With mild loops in the background, not-too-loud orchestrations, the song is a definite pleasing ‘experience’.

Chahoon Bhi – Bombay Jayashree, a singer known for crooning beautiful tamil melodies, has come up with ‘yet another’ great singing, under Harris Jayaraj’s ‘yet another’ beautiful composition. The chorus/harmony part, as usual has been handled well, by the composer. Towards the end, comes the male voice (Singer karthik’s), to add a finishing touch to this heavenly composition. Harris Jayaraj has once again proved that he is a master, when it comes to instrument-selection and mixing. The song, with very subtle arrangements, is sure to impress the people who love very-slow-paced melodious songs. A song straight from the composer’s heart.

Mein Chali – Starts with Naresh Iyer’s vocals. When I heard it the first time, I had expected this to be a fast beat number, given the way the song starts. But the composer surprised me with a soft rendering with Shreya Ghoshal’s voice. Not the usual Shreya Ghoshal type. Harris Jayaraj has used her modulation, differently this time, to sound more like singer Mahathi, which seems very intentional, as Shreya’s part in this song heavily resembles Mahathi’s singing in the tamil song “Mudhal Mazhai” from the film “Bheema”, a lot. Inspirations apart, this song has divine tabla and flute interludes. YOU are sure to get carried away. It will bring out the romantic person in you.

Khwabon Khwabon – The tune of the song “Uyirin uyire” from the original version”Kaakha Kaakha” has been retained in this album. A catchy tune, intriguing start, good choice of singers. Need I say more ? Kay Kay and Suchitra have given their full, to the hindi version, as well. Though I do not know hindi, I can easily conclude that the lyricist Javed Akthar, has taken good care in choosing the right words to frame the lyric and not to spoil the feel of the original version, as well. Kudos to him.

In a nutshell….

The songs are sure to strike and shake bollywood music lovers with a good ‘force’. Go for it. You are sure to fall in love with the songs. Impressive four songs. Forget everything around you and listen to the songs. They are sure to “close your eyes” and “open your heart”.

Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya - Review by Vignesh

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, the film that created ripples and hypes from day one of the spoof adverts in newspaper, with the tagline “A different love story.. once again.” Was so-supposed to be a quickie finally hit the screens on feb 26, 2010.

This film remains close to my heart for two main reasons.

Reason 1: I could see myself in the character “Karthik” as a person who wants to become a film director. The dialogue “Engineering serntha udane mudivu panniten, velaikke aavathu. Cinema dhaan.” depicts me clearly. That was what I told my parents when I joined engineering.
Reason 2: Love with a malayali Christian.

Gautham Vasudev Menon seems to have clearly understood the mindset of the youth, especially when it comes to love. That can be seen in trisha’s character. A typical Chennai girl hit with uncertainities.

Silambarasan, a talented personality who is famous for interfering and worsening the plots has seemed to underplay himself throughout. With cinema as passion, “Karthik” seems to concentrate on love alone, in most parts of the film. As Karthik, he has done his part very well, compared to his previous flicks. Hope he remains the same. Way to go, Silambarasan !

The next lead pair, Trisha, obviously a wrong choice for the character “Jessie”, appears beautiful in each frame. Jessie is a character with uncertainity filled all around her life and her decisions. And Gautham has justified that clearly. Reminds the “move-on man !” type of chennai girls who don’t give a damn to others’ feelings.. When it comes to acting, it was really not her cup of tea. An emotionless and an expressionless part was her acting proves to be a big minus for the film. Sorry, miss Trisha.

Ganesh, the executive producer of all Gautham’s movies and the Managing Director of “Escape Artistes Motion Pictures (VTV as debut)” has appeared in this film, as he does for every Gautham’s film. He plays the role of a cinematographer and was quoted as the cameraman of Kaakha Kaakha. He adds a soul to the movie with his humor and expressions. But it is unclear how a cinematographer goes low to help in an assistant director Karthik’s love. He contributes a major part in some of the best scenes.

Manoj Paramahamsa, the cinematographer who debuted with “Eeram” has yet again proved that there is some magic in his lenses. Each frame looks rich and beautiful, the way it has to be. Lovely. As a friend of mine, I feel happy for Manoj. Love you buddy.

Anthony, one of the finest editors of today’s Kollywood, has not done justice to the movie. Movie lacks pace at many places. Severe trimming needed.

The Academy award winner, the “oscar thamizhan” Mr AR Rahman has come up with amazing unstructured songs that prove to be damn experimental. But, visually, there are songs that are not even needed for the script. Kannukul Kannai was placed, just for the sake of it. The soul stirring song “Mannipaya” that even had made me cry is a big mistake. This song was retained from “Chennaiyuil Oru Mazhaikalam” with a change in the lyric. Visually, Trisha and Silambarasan seem to be smiling and smooching throughout the song, DAMN IT !!! It is also clear that Gautham’s movies miss Harris Jayaraj’s music.

Thamarai, the “kavi kudil” also a major part of the film, has come out with cute lyrics, especially with “Anbil Avan” and “Mannipaya” song.

Finally, the class-craftsman Gautham Vasudev Menon, the director of the movie has done a pretty good job with direction. He seems to be the master of first half when it comes to screenplay. Though the second half received weird responses, I would personally rate it as the best of Gautham Menon’s. Climax could have been better. Cutting off the unwanted scenes, the director should have shown more scenes, related to Karthik’s professional life and his imbalance with love and his profession. That would have done some justice to the screenplay. As he promised, this film is sure a good treat when watched without expectations. Claps !

Summarization :

The film seems to be a mere extension to the first half of the “Vaaranam Aayiram”, considering thhe factors like ‘love at first sight’, ‘dad sentiments’, etc. And partly resembles “500 days of summer” and a couple of other Hollywood flicks. A same old story with a different and interesting characterization. Needs a good welcome.

Positives –
1. Jessie’s characterization
2. AR Rahman’s music
3. Ganesh
4. Dialogues
5. Manoj Paramahamsa’s Cinematography

Negatives –

1. Screenplay
2. Trisha’s acting
3. Anthony’s editing

Rating : 3/5

Verdict: A feel-good film, yes.. with no magic and less romance.

My childhood !!!

I thought and thought and thought ! I love thinking .... yeah !

April 18, 1988... that was the day when God gifted my parents a baby. Yea ! That was me. But that baby has become their worst nightmare now :x

Born and brought up in Chennai, I never did anything worthwhile in my life. I love many things, to do or to watch others do....

Vinoo was my 1st companion during my childhood. My cousin Vinoo lived with us during my childhood days... he was 4 days younger to me... Ya ! I was the elder one then.. lol ! We had a great time doing "nothing". We played in the sands. We played with toys. We fought with each other. We did everything that very indisciplined kid would do. We actually grew up together. Our parents or our grandparents saw no difference in both of us. He was my only companion then. And even now, he still is the only companion of mine. We had a lovely time then, in everything.

Books 2nd my second companion. My mom ! Whoa ! What a woman she is ! Even before I was born, my mom had started buying books for me. From comics to encyclopedia, I had everything in my house. I wasn't even ready to read them, then. I still remember my mom narrating each and every story that came in a comic called "tinkle". I didnt even know if she was telling the real story of cooking up stories to make them fascinating, until I turned 6 years of age. Vinoo and me started reading comics from then on. Yes. Too early for a kid to... But we did... By 8 years of age, I was fascinated by comics and kept reading them. But, Vinoo advanced to encyclopedias and science books. Amazing, ain't it ? Yeah ! That is him ! Mention anything about science, he can tell you more than what you know about it. Fuck unbelievable ! Thanks to my mom !

After we turned 9, something unbelievable happened. Vinoo's parents decided to take him with them ! And they did... I have many a times wondered what Vinoo would be doing now and then... I really missed him. And so I kept thinking about him. ... So do you get when, why and where my obsession for "THINKING" started ??? Yeah !

The Vinoo chapter ended temporarily... and so did my phase of "childhood".... I Wish those wonderful innocent days come back again :(

The weird me !

22 years of my life has passed by.

I have thought about many things in life. Especially in classrooms, I get all sorts of weird thoughts. Sometimes, i think about many real strange things, all at once.... From which fucked up teacher is going to come for the next hour of class... to what tune will AR Rahman will be singing now !!! I dont even know why I think about such stuffs. But I keep thinking about some other strange thing, again and again.

Of all the things I have thought about so far, I have never thought about "me" ! Of course, there is nothing great about me.

But why not think and jot something about me here is what occured to me when I was wondering what to do with this blog. Ya ! Good idea man ! It is good to have something like a memoir about myself ! Thinking gives me happiness. Thinking makes me t.h.i.n.k... I do have something about myself ! let me put everything here. It would be interesting, atleast to me, when I read it thru, many a years later ! :)

Cool ! I have got some "content" for my blog now ! And some "content" about myself ! lol ! :) Thnks to priya ! :)

Why blog ????

So why do I blog ???

Well, there ain't any specific reason why I should blog. There ain't any bloggable moment too, in this loner's life. :(

One of my friends ask me to review a movie. And i thought why not blog regularly ! Thats about it. Will try to blog very often... or as often as I can. with some movie reviews, if-any moments of my life and so on.... :)

"I'm travelling on a boat and i let God decide the distance and travel ....." :) (AR RAHMAN)

Yeah ! Welcome to is loner's world. :)

- Vignesh K