Once Upon a Time in Mumbai - Review

Why you probably want to watch it:

• Ajay Devgan in a Gangster Flick!! 
• A Retro film that takes you back to the Magical 70s when Hindi films were on a creative high
• Because we never tire of the ‘Company’ movies set in Mumbai

The good: Ajay Devgan, Production Values, Screenplay and Dialogues, Songs and Background score.

The bad: Emraan Hashmi and Praachi Desai - Maybe it’s personal ;)

Look out for: Randeep Hooda who makes a big impression in a supporting role as ACP Agnell Wilson.

Bottomline: To say that this is probably one of the best Hindi Films of 2010 is not an overstatement. Milan Luthria who missed the bulls eye a few times before with half good films like Deewar (2004) teams up with his favourite hero Ajay Devgan and delivers a powerful film. The film is about the rise and rise of Sultan (Ajay Devgan) the Gangster with a heart of Gold (Well nearly) and Shoaib (Emraan Hashmi) Sultan’s protégé and the newbie. Their methods and principles ultimately lead to a rift and set up a riveting climax. Kangna Ranaut is cast perfectly as Rehanna a leading actress and Sultan’s anchor while Praachi Desai plays Emraan’s Lover. The Screenplay is tight and the dialogues take you straight back to the 70s when Salim-Javed ruled the roost with their ‘drama-baazi’. The Attention to detail in the Production Values is amazing and Pritam’s Songs like ‘Pee Loon’ are terrific. There are shades and borrowed references from films like Godfather. But ultimately for me this film is about Ajay Devgan as the Old-World Gangster who is quite simply outstanding and makes this film work. Once Upon a time in Mumbai is worth watching just for Ajay Devgan amongst other things! 

Running Time: 135 mins (Approx)

Xperia X10 Mini Pro Review

Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 was one of the most highly publicised Android Smartphone releases this year with its large 4 inch screen and 8 MP shooter. The device's smaller cousins have made their appearance - the compact Xperia X10 Mini and the Xperia X10 Mini Pro. Does this dimunitive slider have all that it takes to make a cool buy:

Key Specifications: 

Screen Size: 2.55 inches

Weight: 120 gms 

Processor: 600 mhz 

RAM/ROM: 256 MB/256MB 

Cam: 5 MP  

OS: Android 1.6 (aka Donut). 

Slideout Keyboard (38 keys)

Pros:

Compact Size

Responsive Slide-out Keyboard

Decent Camera

Great Build quality 

Apps load fast

Great Speaker Audio

Timescape that integrates all Calls, Messages and Social Networking on a Single App (Same as the X10)

Cons:

Screen size can be too small for those used to larger screens

No Smart Dialling (Major Minus)

Small screen hinders some Google Apps from running and also home screen customisation 

Older OS (Android 1.6)

Bottomline:

For a phone that is small enough to squeeze into your fifth (small) denim pocket the Xperia X10 Mini Pro is a surprise package. The Keyboard is probably the biggest plus about this phone. Neatly spaced, very responsive and yet surprisingly compact. The Camera produces good images, the Music Output and battery life are acceptable and the small screen ensures the 600 Mhz processor has less screen real estate to service; the result – a smooth and swift user experience. The phone’s biggest strength – Size, is probably its biggest weak-link. The Small screen size means lesser place for Widgets and customisation which seriously handicaps the Android Interface. The Android version is quite dated too; the phone runs Android 1.6; Versions 2.1 and 2.2 (aka Froyo) are already out. Overall the phone is still a good buy for those seeking a feature-packed compact phone. And at Rs 16,500 (Approx) it is still good value-for-money.      

 

Kalavani - Review

Why you probably want to watch it:

• Vimal returns after his Debut Film Pasanga 
• Another realistic film set in rural Tamil Nadu 
  

The good: Simple yet entertaining plot, Great Casting and Performances.

The bad: The Songs don't make a big impression

Look out for: Ganja Karuppu who brings down the house in a hilarious role

Bottomline: 2010 has not been a great year for the Tamil film Industry. Not that many big blockbusters or high-quality films that have received Positive Word-of-Mouth. Kalavani has to be one of the exceptions and one of the best films this year. Small Production house (Big Relief!), Quiet release and now a Box Office Success thanks to all the great buzz. The plot is simple; almost non-existent but the execution by Debutant director Surkunam makes all the difference. Vimal who made an impressive debut in a supporting role in Pasanga, is Arikki your typical village 'Bum' with a bunch of wayward guys to hang out with. He falls almost instantly in love with Maheshwari (Oviya) and what follows is a series of interesting twists and turns. The Screen chemistry between Vimal and Oviya is terrific and keeps the film together. Kalavani is one of those rare films set in the heart of rural Tamil Nadu that is not marred by violence. There is tension, there are moments when you think the 'Aruvals' are going to come into play but it never gets gory. Worth a watch! 
 
Running Time: 145 mins (Approx)



 

Medici Review

Cuisine: Italian (Primarily) and French

Background: Medici is a relatively new restaurant on Indira Nagar's 100 ft road that offers a nice setting for authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant also does some French cuisine.

My Quicktake: I like restaurants where the Chef steps out of his domain and interacts with diners even as they are placing their orders. I am not sure if that swung it for me or maybe it was the authentic Italian cuisine or the emphasis on food presentation. Try the Three-course Lunch option and you will get a good peek of whats' on offer. The Pastas are wholesome without any compromise on the ingredients. I loved the Assorted Bruschetta (With multiple toppings) and the soups hit the spot too. The menu has a lot on offer from Antipasti (Starters) to Mains to Pastas and a good Dessert Selection. The Tiramisu was almost perfect; the liqueur had not soaked long enough in the mix. But no cribs about the Chocolate Fondant - Warm, Sinful and oozing with Melted Chocolate! Overall a great setting without being too intimidating for the perfect lunch and dinner with authentic Italian cuisine and warm service. Look for the two tables that overlook the road - perfect if you want to catch some of the sunlight!  

Meal for two: Rs 1200-1400 (Without liquor) .


Coordinates: #1206, 2nd Floor, Mannan Arcade, 100ft Road, Indiranagar, Bangalore / Tel: 42350674 to 76
facebook Page

Signature Dishes: Pastas, Bruschetta!

Will I go there again: Surely

Pics courtesy: From the Medici official Facebook page

Xperia X2 vs Xperia X1... The Xperia X2 review

Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1 is easily one of the best Windows Mobile Phones ever. The Xperia's successor Xperia X2 took forever to arrive. It is clearly 5-6 months behind schedule and finally made its debut on Indian shelves a few weeks ago. So does this device measure up to its formidable predecessor?

Key Specifications (With the Xperia X1's specs in brackets):

• Screen Size: 3.2 inches (2.8 inches)
• Weight: 155 gms (about the same)
• Processor: 528 mhz (same as the X1)
• RAM/ROM: 256 MB/512MB (Same as the X1)
• Cam: 8 MP (3.2 MP on the X1)
• OS: Windows Mobile 6.5 (6.1 on the X1)
• Panel Interface: A few new panels including the mighty cool Tile Wave panel and a newer panel manager with auto time settings for different Panels.

Pros:

• Responsive Slide-out Keyboard
• 8 Megapixel shooter
• TV Out (Major improvement over the X1) with the cable in the box
• Windows Mobile 6.5 (Although it is not a major step up from Win Mo 6.1)
• Great Build Quality

Bottomline

The Xperia X2 probably hurt its prospects by a rather delayed arrival. The long wait played on our expectations and what's in the box does not quite justify those expectation levels. The X2 is a very capable WinMo device and is a good buy for people seeking the perfect blend of business and entertainment. The Phone has been launched in India at about Rs 30,000 which is much lower than the 40,000 plus launch price for the X1 way back in end-2008. But for Xperia X1 users the phone does not really offer a really new Mobile experience other than the Camera, the TV-out, WinMo 6.5 and a few new panels. The X2 with its stylus and resistive touch screen also seems to be out of sync with the market which is tilting towards the capacitive touch screens.

TT returns to DB Egmore!

On Friday, January 29, 2010, DB Egmore announced the launch of a new Table Tennis Academy in association with Subramaniam Raman, a four-time National Champion. The facility will operate out of the Auditorium which is housed in the Primary school and will offer a complete coaching solution for students from all over the city keen to play TT at the highest level. I was there at the launch and my mind went back to a time when Table Tennis ruled the roost in DB Egmore. A time when only Crocker and Cricket could rival the craze of this game. I think the fad started in the early 80s. It had a lot to do with the huge encouragement the School Management gave any sport or extra curricular activity at that point in time. To fuel this fad the school set up an awesome TT Room that boasted of  six Tournament-class tables. It was located just next to the canteen at the main school and guys would kill for a table during lunch breaks. Most of the tables were reserved for the serious players and coaching after school hours and so it was almost impossible to get your hands on a table at that time. There were a couple of other tables that were around for a brief while near in the ground floor corridors and they certainly helped the demand-supply situation. And when the game exploded, most of us resorted to using the large benches near the Cricket nets as Stand-in TT tables. Text Books became TT Nets and the International Norms on TT Table dimensions were thrown out of the window! Anything and any surface became a TT Table. A lot of us would forget to bring the odd text book but we never forgot our TT racquets. During this period the School produced some top quality TT players who won National acclaim. The school also hosted a national TT Tournament (I think it was the Junior Nationals). Unfortunately the interest in the game gradually began to slide in the late 90s and it was disappointing to see all the TT Tables disappear from the TT room and make way for Dining tables. In the 2000s it became a Dining room for the students. Ironical considering we used Tables at the School ground meant for Dining to play TT. That's why this new academy is a brilliant new beginning. Hopefully it will rekindle the interest in a game that DB Egmore excelled in and a game that made a lot of our lunch breaks more fun and eventful! 

(Image courtesy: DB Egmore Official Site)

Tamil Padam - Review

Why you probably want to watch it:

• Tamil Cinema gets its first real spoof!


• (RJ) Shiva who was terrific in Chennai 28 & Saroja returns


• Laughs unlimited :)

The good: Awesome script and screenplay, the laughs never stop and the fun never ends. The casting is spot on.

The bad: No major cribs

Look out for: Digs at almost all popular heroes and popular films. From Rajni to Vijay and from Thalapathy to Mozhi, Director CS Amudan has spared nobody!

Bottomline: Tamil Padam is probably the first full-length Spoof in Tamil film history. The pre-launch hype was incredible considering the cast and the relatively unknown technical team. Writer-Director CS Amudan has delivered an incredibly funny film that is a fun ride from start to finish. RJ Shiva with his priceless facial expressions is the pivot and makes this film work. From Punch Dialogues to larger-than-life heroics to silly romantic interludes, Tamil Padam hits out at all the cliche situations that are inseperable from commercial Tamil cinema. The plot may not be logical but that's the whole point! The film loses some steam in the second half but that is really a minor crib! Tamil Padam is in the same league as some of the better Hollywood Spoofs like Hot Shots or Naked Gun and is a spoof that Tamil Cinema can truly be proud of! Its one of those rare films that might make you laugh even a couple of days after you have seen it. Howlarious.... And surely there's enough material in popular Tamil Cinema for a sequel :) 

Running Time: 130 minutes (Approx)

Best Tamil Films 2009

There were more than 130 Tamil films released in 2009; more films in a single year since the 1980s! (Source: sify.com). Strangely enough I watched fewer Tamil films than I did in 2008 and missed some films that I wanted to watch. These include the fresh Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru (T4), the eerie Eeram, the critically acclaimed Achamundu Achamundu and the realistic Peranmai. Here's my Shortlist for 2009: 

1. Pasanga: Easily the film of the year. A rare Indian film centred around children that appealed to adults and kids alike. Produced by Sasikumar who directed one of 2008's most popular films (Subramaniapuram) and directed by Pandiraj, this film didn't set the box office on fire but captured a lot of hearts.
2. Unnaipol Oruvan: Walks into this list on the strength of the performances of Kamal and Mohanlal and also because it was a faithful remake of one of 2008's finest Hindi films - A Wednesday. Kamal resisted the temptation of tinkering with the original and it worked with the critics and Box office alike.
3. Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu: Novel Theme, Great Performances, Rustic Setting and Soulful Music made this an enjoyable watch. The climax was a complete dampener and marred a near perfect film.
4. Nadodigal: Drew a lot of comparisons with Subramaniapuram. The casting and performances were terrific and it was an entertaining film. The film lagged a bit towards the end and the music was a let down.
5. Yaavarum Nalam: Director Vikram Kumar succeeded in a difficult genre with a clever script and an edgy product without resorting to the usual B-grade spook elements we are used to. 

    

Millers 46 - Review

Cuisine: American, Tex Mex, World Cuisine

Background: Wild West Theme, A detailed thematic Menu that weighs a tonne and easily one of Bangalore's most authentic steakhouses. Millers 46 on Millers Road boasts of an extensive menu that does justice to American (Burgers, Steaks) Tex Mex and Pastas.

My Quicktake: Grab a table near the entrance like we did and the smoke won't get into your eyes; remember you are in a busy Steakhouse. The menu is not all about the steaks. Choose from an extensive array of starters (try the corn and Jalapeno fritters) and soups (The cream of Mushroom is terrific). Once you've whetted your appetite you can either opt for the restaurant's Signature steaks or sample Tex Mex or choose from a decent selection of Pastas. The portions are huge (American Portions! This is an American restaurant after all). But do leave room for dessert; Millers 46 has some of the city's most awesome options to end your meal! Try the Blueberry Cheesecake and you will probably keep coming back to this restaurant for a long long time! The service is warm and efficient; look for the 'eager-to-please Diwakar!' Millers 46 scores very high on the Value for Money Factor and is the perfect place for that relaxed weekend lunch. The restaurant also does door delivery on weekdays. 

Meal for two: Rs 800-1000 (Without liquor) .


Coordinates: #46, Millers Road, Vasanthnagar, Bangalore - 52 (Near Jain Hospital)/ Tel: 4113-1746 (Reservations recommended)/ website link / Google Maps location

Signature Dishes: Steaks, Blueberry Cheesecake

Will I go there again: Surely

Kurbaan - Review

Why you probably want to watch it:

• Renzil d'Silva's directorial debut after the terrific screenplay of Rang de Basanti and the not so lucky 'Luck'!
• Saif and Kareena reunite (On screen of course!) 
  
• Supposedly bold and topical theme of Global Terrorism 

The good: Great Music, Visuals, Costume Design (Aki Narula)  

The bad: Plot fails to engage, Vivek Oberoi and Diya Mirza! 


Look out for: Shukran Allah, awesome song with stunning visuals. You might miss this song if you arrive at the theatre late!

Bottomline: Kurbaan had all the pre-release hype going for it. Karan Johar production, Renzil D'Silva's directorial debut, Saif & Bebo, One of the soundtracks of the year and supposedly  a surprise package in Vivek Oberoi! The big question is does Kurbaan live up to the hype and is it worth checking out? The plot is certainly not run of the mill. Avantika (Kareena) and Ehsaan (Saif) teach at Delhi University, fall in love and get married before you sink into your seat at the theatre. The twist in the tale comes rather soon and once the couple relocate to New York. Avantika discovers that Ehsaan is not what he seems and gets thrown into the cauldron of Global Terrorism. The film's positives come in the form of great music and terrific visuals. It is certainly not a run-of-the-mill plot but fails to engage and at points gets really tiresome (160 minutes is a bit too long for this film!).  Vivek Oberoi and Diya Mirza (Thankfully in a brief role) star as TV reporters and compete with each other for the 'Worst performance in a supporting Role' category! Kurbaan is certainly not a bad film but fails to live up to all the expectations!     


Running Time: 160 minutes