Agneepath - review

The Buzz: A modern classic is revisited, an ensemble cast  and Hrithik Roshan reprises a role made memorable by Amitabh Bachchan. 

The good: Hrithik and the lead actors, Great visuals  

The bad:  Too long - could have used a lot of edits (At least 30 mins), lots of mindless violence and pointless songs


Look out for: terrific performances by the junior stars   


Bottomline: It's never remaking a classic even if the original was made by the same production house. The original Agneepath aimed to take viewers back to Amitabh's golden run at the box office with a film that was reminiscent of his late 70s and early 80s films like Deewar etc. It followed a spate of films like Toofan and Jaadugar where Amitabh was reduced to a caricature of his former self. It worked because it was a 90s version of a typical 70s style plot and it was lifted by a towering performance by Amitabh. I can't think of any other Bollywood star who could filled Amitabh's big shoes other than Hrithik who is terrific as the 2012 version of Vijay Dinanath Chavan directed by Karan Malhotra. The film's central theme remains the same - how a young boy becomes a gangster and returns to avenge the murder of his father. But there's a lot of chop and change with the characters. There's no Krishnan Iyer (Played by Mithun) but there's a new character  Rauf Lala (brilliantly essayed by Rishi Kapoor) and there's a more meaner, menacing version of Kaancha played by Sanjay Dutt. There's a lot to like about the new Agneepath - the casting is good, the performances are top class (Especially Hrithik) and the visuals and production values are terrific. But the film's biggest weak link is that its too rooted in a past that 2012 viewers would prefer to forget. Its too long drawn (Almost 3 hours), it has too many songs that are speed breakers, the editing is not sharp and its tough to emphathise with Hrithik's revenge saga after he is busy peddling dope and trafficking young girls.  

Running time: 170 mins (Approx)

Vettai - review

The Buzz:

• In an industry dominated by solo hero films, two multi-starrers clash during the same holiday weekend 
• Madhavan and Arya come together in a Linguswamy film with two lovely ladies (Especially Amala Paul!)

The good: Racy entertaining plot, Great casting and performances by the lead actors 

The bad: Songs, Make up (Maybe Sameera Reddy's full-time make up assistant was on leave!)

Look out for: The title roll. Surprised to see Arya get top billing (Above Madhavan). Whatever happened to seniority and respect for elders (!)  

Bottomline: As commercial directors go, Linguswamy's directing career has been full of ups like Run and Paiyya and downs like Ji and Bheema. I'm not sure if Vettai will emulate the success of his big BO blockbusters but it is a fun ride. In an industry where we have seen some of the bizzare on-screen brothers (Like Vijayakanth and Malayalam actor Dileep) Madhavan and Arya look like brothers and act like them. Maddy is the passive older brother who always needs his younger sibling Arya to fight his battles while Arya plays the cool dude who can mow down 20 guys without upsetting the wrinkles on his shirt. The cool dude bit suits him but not mouthing 'Punch' dialogues like wannabe superstars before punching the bad guys. Maddy becomes a cop and Arya shadows him beating up all the bad guys and cleaning Tuticorin town of scum while Maddy takes the credit. Things take an interesting turn when the bad guys (Ashutosh Rana and Srijith Ravi in a deadly cameo) figure out the brothers' act and go after Maddy.  There were probably two Yuvan Shankar Rajas that worked on this film - the brilliant guy who composed the background music and the out of tunes guy who did the songs though speed breakers would be a more appropriate description. As with most mindless films the plot is wafer thin (Not even sure there's a wafer in the ice cream) but with a tight and racy screenplay, sparkling chemistry between the male leads topped with the right glam quotient (Despite some seriously bad make up for Sameera) Linguswamy makes this film worth a watch.   

Running time: 160 minutes (Approx)

Don 2 - review

The good: Great visuals (Jason West) and locales. High energy background music 

The bad: Weak plot that really slows down in the second half. 

Bottomline: I'm not an SRK fan but I enjoyed watching Don. Farhan Akthar did a good job with re-working a 70s classic for a whole new generation and was helped with edgy visuals and a stellar soundtrack. And although the Don 2 team tried to play down the hype (Unlike Ra-one) it's one of 2011's most anticipated films. If you are looking for style, there's enough - Terrific production values, great locales and visuals. And while the soundtrack may not be in the  same league as Don, it's certainly above average and the background score adds a lot of energy. But scratch the surface and there's not much that lies beneath. It's a wafer thin plot, that's been 'inspired' by heist films like Ocean's 11 and works only upto a point - that point is probably the intermission. Don is back and plans a big bank heist in Berlin with old foes like Vardhan (Boman Irani) and new partners like an expert computer hacker (A pointless role for Kunal Kapoor). The Interpol (More like Indian Interpol!) that includes Priyanka Chopra is back on his trail and so is the terribly out of shape and out of sorts Om Puri. The film starts on a brisk note but struggles to keep you glued - Shah Rukh's hamming doesn't help and gets tedious towards the end. And what's worse the film ends with a hint that we may see a another Don instalment - Don 3!! Right now I hope Don disappears for some time and stays true to the most famous lines in the film - 'Don Ko Pakadna Mushkil Hi Nahi Namumkin Hai'. 

Running time: 150 minutes (Approx)

Rhapsody, Courtyard Marriott Chennai - review

• Name: The Rhapsody, Courtyard Marriott

• The Lowdown: Rhapsody has been one of Chennai’s popular hangouts and the formal dining area in this part lounge bar part restaurant has been re-launched with a home-style Italian menu crafted by master chef Christian Huber.

• Ambience: a colourful ‘Rhapsody’ with a judicious mix of wood and glass dominated by clean lines. Purple sheers separate the Italian diner from the lounge bar area

• ·         Lipsmacking: A menu that combines traditional Italian with contemporary interpretations of the classics. We recommend the Parma ham served with muskmelon and fig chutney, the wild mushroom risotto in truffle oil and the grilled filet of salmon paired with beetroot sabayan. End your meal with a generous portion of tiramisu!  

• Don't even go there:  if you want to whisper sweet nothings. The weekends-only live acts at the lounge bar are terrific but can drown your conversation at times.

• 'Man' speak: An uncluttered menu with enough options from across Italy’s varied culinary hotspots, elegant contemporary interiors and efficient service have pushed Rhapsody into Chennai’s ever-expanding list of must-try Italian restaurants.

• How to get there: 564 Anna Salai Teynampet, Chennai 18, Phone - 044 66764000. The Nungambakkam station is a fifteen minute auto ride from the hotel.

• Cost (Meal/2) Without Alcohol: Rs 2500/-

This restaurant review was originally published in the October 2011 issue of the Man magazine (A Week publication)

HTC Flyer - review

You probably lug your iPad, smart phone and a notebook (Not a laptop!) for a meeting or presentation, especially if you like taking extensive notes. Not if you’ve just bought the HTC Flyer lately. This 7-inch Android tablet from HTC packs a versatile ‘Magic’ pen with scribe technology that is one of the most exciting add-ons we have seen on any tablet. It’s not your regular stylus pen that most tablet owners struggle to use on their iPads or other tablets but actually comes loaded with a host of functions (Including erase) that allow you notate on E-books, comment on documents and even sign contracts! And what’s more you can actually sync documents using the Evernote application which allows you to access the document on your desktop or smart phone at a later date.

The Flyer joins the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Blackberry playbook in the 7-inch tablet category at a time when it seems that the iPad led 10-inch plus tablet category has more takers. The build quality is impressive; we like the aluminium encased unibody design and the white plastic grips on the ends of the back which make it easy to hold when you switch to landscape mode. There are other nice touches too; like the ambient light sensor and the sexy white leather case that snugly wrap your tablet and pen. The sound from the dual rear speakers get a boost courtesy SRS WOW HD. The Flyer is powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm processor, packs 32 GB onboard (With extendable memory through Micro SD support) and comes with a 5 MP shooter without an LED flash.

The Flyer incorporates the in-house HTC Sense interface and runs on Gingerbread (Android 2.3) at a time when the tablet specific OS Honeycomb (Android 3.0) has already made it appearance on devices like the Acer Iconia Tab in India. This could prove to be major deal breaker although HTC maintains that an upgrade is on the way. The device has 3G support but unlike the Samsung Galaxy Tab you can’t use it to make phone calls. At 420 gms the Flyer is a tad heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Tab; the price tag is significantly heavier too. At a launch price of Rs 38,000, the Flyer will need some serious ‘Hard sell’ from HTC and might need more magic than the ‘Magic’ pen.

This gadget review was originally published in the October 2011 issue of the Man magazine (A Week publication.  

Burberry Summer 2011 - Fragrance review

Sunny summer mornings in England are few and far between. A lot of Brits would love to bottle them and relive these rare balmy moments during most of the year when the weather is not so kind. Burberry has been the quintessential British fashion brand almost since 1856 and almost every summer the brand’s fragrance line gets refreshed with a special summer edition.

Burberry Summer 2011 has been crafted by Emilie Coppermann who has also worked on one of 2011’s most exciting men’s fragrances - Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Men. The classic Burberry bottle gets a splash of blue with the iconic Burberry tartan pattern. The fragrance itself makes a very refreshing first impression with the strong top notes of Mandarin and Yuzu (Japanese lemon). At the heart of the fragrance are mint, thyme and juniper berries. The perfume has a mild yet warm woody base of cedar and sandalwood with a hint of musk.

Quite a few summer fragrances tend to go a bit overboard with citrus notes and can have you smelling like an orange cocktail; Burberry Summer finds the balance and is a clean, crisp and refreshing fragrance. It is a welcome relief from heavy overpowering fragrances that can leave you with a headache. However the scent does not possess the lasting power of some of Burberry’s other popular fragrances and might work better for a weekend lunch engagement than a whole day at the office. It’s almost like the tranquil bliss of a fleeting British summer morning that leaves you yearning for more.

Burberry Summer (EDT) costs Rs 2690 (100 ml) and is available at all leading department stores across the country

This fragrance review was originally published in the October 2011 issue of the Man (A Week publication)

Vaagai Sooda Vaa - review

The Buzz:

• Vimal back in a rual milieu
• Director Sargunam teams up with actor Vimal after the success of Kalavani
• Lots of fresh new talent including a new music director M. Gibran and heroine Iniya
  
  The good: Engaging story, great visuals and art, effortless performances of the lead and support cast
  The bad: Lags in parts and a few songs (Though melodious) slow down proceedings
  
  Look out for: K Bhagyaraj in a cameo that leaves a strong impact
  
  Bottomline: Most commercial Indian films thrive on excesses; there is hardly room for simple plots set in simplistic environs. Vaagai Sooda Vaa (VSV) is one of those rare cases where less is more. It's a sweet story set in the late 60s in a village in Tamil Nadu that depends on child and other labour to manufacture bricks and keep the villagers afloat. Enter Veluthambi (Vimal), a teacher who needs to clock six months at the village to qualify for a government job. But with resistance all around Veluthambi struggles to find his feet and can't wait to leave. So does he leave the village or eventually settles down? - that forms the crux of the plot. Sounds simple right? It is! But what stands out is the way director Sargunam literally transports you into the village (And the 1960s) with the help of brilliant visuals (Om prakash) and top notch performances from the lead (Including Iniya) and supporting cast. Vimal is terrific and shows us why he is one of the best emerging talents in the industry with a sparkling yet effortless performance. It may not be high on the 'paisa vasool' quotient but Vaagai Sooda Vaa proves that you don't need item numbers, crass comedy tracks and a melodramatic climax to make an engaging film. Let's hope the box office vindicates that sentiment.
  
  Running time: 135 minutes (Approx)

Motorola Xoom - Review

An American tech website tracking Internet surfing patterns revealed that 89% of all traffic from Tablet Devices in the world came from the iPad and that number soared to 97% for traffic from the US. We all know that the iPad has a stranglehold on this category but numbers like this still blow you away. The Motorola Xoom is one of the big Android hopes that aim to chip away at iPad’s dominance and the first device to run Android’s Tablet-specific OS Honeycomb.

We’ve already seen Honeycomb on Acer’s Iconia tab that reached India before the Xoom and were impressed even though the interface takes some getting used to. We particularly like the deck-of-card-style widgets and moveable application tabs that are geared for multitasking and switching apps with ease. The bold 10.1 inch screen is in iPad territory and the hardware specs are mighty impressive. The Xoom is powered by a 1GHz dual core processor, comes with 32GB onboard memory plus extended memory through Micro SD card support and two cameras - a 5MP primary shooter with Dual LED flash and a 2 MP front facing cam for video calls. There are a host of other connectivity options including a dedicated micro-HDMI port. Just like the iPad, Xoom offers two variants – Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi with 3G.

There’s a lot to like about the Xoom – the premium build quality, the on-screen keyboard and the zippy processor. Battery life is another strong point – the Xoom clocks close to ten hours; that’s impressive even by the iPad’s lofty standards. It’s about the same weight as the first iPad but at 730 gms heavier than its sexier successor. It is the depth and breadth of the iPad’s App store that will leave Xoom or any other Honeycomb tablet gasping for breath. The iPad’s one year lead over Honeycomb gives it a significant edge and almost unfair edge in the Apps race.

The Motorola Xoom is undoubtedly the best Android Tablet we have seen thus far (The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is yet to reach Indian shores) and is packed with enough thrills. But at Rs 32,000 for the Wi-Fi model and Rs 40,000 for the Wi-Fi plus 3G variant it is pitted in a direct slugfest with the iPad 2; that can’t be an easy battle for any tablet.

This review was originally published in the September 2011 issue of the Man magazine (A Week Publication)

LG Optimus 2X review

If you are looking for an Android smart phone in the Rs 25,000 plus price band, now is a good time. This segment has been dominated by Samsung and HTC with Sony Ericsson and Motorola not too far behind. The LG Optimus 2X is the Chaebol’s big bet for this category and probably its most significant smart phone for 2011.

The Optimus 2X gets its name from being positioned as the world’s first smart phone to be powered by a dual core processor (1 GHz). It is no longer a defining spec in this segment where most brands have equipped their flagship devices with dual core processors. At a time when most of us have to multi-task we expect the same from our devices and the Optimus 2X allows you to run multiple apps without any fuss. The 4-inch display with LG’s IPS LCD screen is the device’s other big headline spec and is a seriously good reason to consider the Optimus 2X. LG has harnessed one of its in-house strengths to deliver a screen on which everything from text to images look brilliant. There’s also a dedicated HDMI port with a bundled cable in the box to allow connectivity with your LCD/LED TVs just in case you want to show off candid images from your latest holiday.

The Optimus 2X comes with a more than capable 8MP camera and 8 GB onboard memory. There’s also Micro SD card support (Upto 32 GB) because 8GB is no longer enough for us to carry a lifetime of music, videos and images! The phone may not have the drop dead good looks of some of its other competitors but scores with its fairly clean lines. The build quality ensures the device feels like a premium product in your hands.

The Optimus 2X runs Android 2.2 but an upgrade to Android 2.3 (aka Gingerbread) is already available. LG does offer some User Interface customisations but they do not completely mask the Android UI like HTC’s Sense. That is good or bad depending on how much you like the look and feel of Android! Battery life is a concern especially for heavy users. The device is fuelled by a 1500 mAh battery but the dual core processor and heavy duty screen take their toll. At Rs 26,000 the Optimus 2X is seriously worth considering and probably the most impressive LG smart phone out there.

This review was originally published in the September 2011 issue of the Man magazine (A Week Publication)

Mont Blanc Legend - review

There are some guys who like to announce their arrival at the boardroom or at a nightclub. You can hear them (or the loud ringtone from their mobile phone) from a mile and their perfume will completely overshadow the room freshener. And then there are the understated gentlemen who create an impact even though they tiptoe into a meeting or a party. Mont Blanc’s 2011 fragrance was probably crafted for the latter.

Designed by Mont Blanc’s in-house design team, the curved black bottle with its metal top is a work of art. It is probably the fragrance bottle you would like to leave outside your wardrobe when you have guests over. It almost feels as sensual as the ‘legendary’ Meisterstück writing instrument that announced the arrival of Mont Blanc more than a century ago. Legend has been crafted by perfumer Oliver Pescheux, one of the noses behind Paco Rabanne’s successful One Million.

Most fragrances grab your attention with their strong top notes. Legend starts on a very aromatic yet mild note with lavender dominating the first whiff while apple, rose and oak moss make the fragrance’s heart. The Tonka bean and sandalwood eventually take over and leave a very subtle yet sensual scent that evolves gradually.

Legend is a fresh and easy to wear fragrance that Mont Blanc has developed for a younger audience. It works well for a day at the office or a weekend at the movies and has average staying power. Legend is perfect if you like to play it safe and still offers a new fragrance experience. But if you want to fill the room with your fragrance, look elsewhere.

Mont Blanc Legend (EDT) costs Rs 3050 (50 ml) / Rs 4450 (100 ml) and is available at all leading department stores across the country

This review was originally published in the September 2011 issue of the Man magazine (A Week Publication)