By Madmax673
Shit! I was debating with myself if I should use this term above or not, but I’ll come to that shit by the end of this review.
It’s hard to trust Indian reviewers, these days. They dish out 3.5 stars for most shit. And for even vicious crap like Paradesi they’ll generously bestow 5/5, hailing it as a masterpiece, true cinema etc.
Weather is changing in the East Coast and I was pretty tired after running a few personal errands. When I read into the Movie City (Edison, NJ) listings Soodhu Kavvum alongside a few other Bollywood flicks, I was in two minds – whether to risk or not risk.
I took the gamble and decided I need to rehydrate myself with some soda.
To my shocking surprise what a funny delight, Soodhu Kavvum turned out to be!
I’ll start this out with a song “Comena come Comenatti go”. While the tune was not so catchy, the song was hilarious with its lyrics!
To me it sounded like an audacious statement to the audience “if you’re interested come watch this flick or else go fuck yourself”.
Now that is some real confidence of director Nalan Kumarasamy!
Story
Three guys fuck things up in life their own ways.
One gets kicked out the village for building a temple for …guess who!? Yeah, that hideous monstrosity Nayanthara in her “Billa” Tomb Raider get-up.
The second fella get fired for taking a jolly ride in a Jaguar when he’s actually supposed to park the car.
The third guy gets black-listed and fired from a decent job.
Now these three jobless blokes are recruited by an ethical kidnapper — pussy Das who has five striking rules about his profession including his spelling mistakes. Their adventure begins when they plot a kidnap by breaking rule no 1 – “Never fuck with bigwigs or politicians”.
To Das & Co’s misfortune that politician turns out to be the most straightforward guy in the whole world, literally (even grandpa “Indian” should seek his advice about discipline and ethics) — that his own son plots his own kidnapping for a wealthy living.
What follows, which I don’t wanna spoil for those who have not seen the film, is a non-stop fun ride that left me in splits until the end.
Casting & Performances
Almost all faces were new to me except M.S Bhaskar and Radharavi.
I can’t remember seeing Vijay Sethupathi in any movie before. He irritated me in the first few scenes with his dialog delivery but once the relationship between him and Sanchita Shetty gets revealed, I liked him a lot. Vijay Sethupathi got some swag and can effortlessly beat down “Ilaya Thalapathi”, “Ultimate Star” and oh yeah… “Singam” Surya.
This fella doesn’t need to learn to dance, or any of those silly stunts.
The casting of M.S. Bhaskar’s son is definitely worth a mention. He looks a lot like M.S. Bhaskar.
The casting of Yog Japee as the “psycho” cop Bramma is hilarious! He looks serious — very, very serious and cruel. But they’re all funny.
The situation plays out so well!
Screenplay & Dialogs
While there are so many one-liners that are memorable, my favorite is the one when CM Radharavi offers his own funds to M.S. Bhaskar to save his son saying “un payyan uyir oosalaaduthu…innum yen ya unakku indha “nermai” kusumbu”? (When your son’s life is in a big dodo then why would you still stick with your fucking “honesty” agenda?)
The twist that comes close to the end driving the main four leads to their lowest point is cleverly worked out and brilliant!
Thematic Resonance
While some might criticize the negative shades of the overall theme in the movie, I see some whining and complaints.
“I give a rat’s ass,” as Brad Pitt puts it, whether the theme is negative, positive or neutral.
* I was thoroughly entertained and had my dollars’ worth!
* What Nalan Kumarasamy has shown is the truth!
Rating
Truth sucks, just like shit stinks!
I won’t use big words like “masterpiece”, “gem”, “pure cinema” etc to praise this film.
I doubt this film would even make it to the “awards” section as most people who bestow these awards are truth haters 😉 I doubt it’d even make it abroad as the concept would only fit in India.
I guess hence the apt title “Soodhu Kavvum”
While Kollywood filmmakers tend to deteriorate by causing ‘Post-traumatic Stress Disorder’ in the minds of gullible Tamil audience by dishing out drivel after drivel in the name of entertainment, Nalan Kumarasamy has boldly come out with a high-concept situation comedy that’s a welcome relief.
Soodhu Kavvum is still running in select theatres in the U.S.
I would cheerfully recommend this film!
Soodhu Kavvum Review – Bold & Brilliant “Over-the-Top” Shit! added by SearchIndia.com on
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Unnecessary use of profanity.
The review looks a bit biased and impulsive.
I know you didn’t write this SI, but this really doesn’t fit in your blog.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
It’s early in the day here and the writer (Madmax673) is likely still asleep.
He will respond to your comment in a couple of hours.
@siddhu085: Please be specific and to the point. I’ll try to respond.
@siddhu, There may be some unwarranted words in title and body of content, but none of them was written to influence of the readers in rude manner. With the context of review, i found those words as surprising (None of them expected nice commercial film from Tamil Cinema), not in offensive way.
To be precise, its people who comment in searchindia who post more offensive, intended, foul language.
Check out Billa 2 review in this site for offensive, rude language used by readers.
If reviewers can tolerate such foul, abusive, offensive language from readers targeted at reviewer and his family; i find there is no offense in this review, which is targeted at no one.
@vedagiris, thanks for defending for my language 🙂
I wouldn’t slam “Soodhu Kavvum” just as a commercial film (except for those two or three songs). However, those songs are timed in a way that it scoots fast and I found it quite amusing.
In fact I started this review with a negative (tune was not so catchy).
Most of the Tamil films…even Chennai 600028 takes the viewer through different emotions making it a passable commercial entertainer.
Soodhu Kavvum was a flat out comedy. It delivered exactly what it promised. No romance, no sentiment etc. That’s what impressed me with this film.
All I can say about this movie that it was not run-of-the-mill and it was entertaining, which is quite an achievement.
Another watchable movie along this line, I noticed recently was “Neram” – low budget, new actors and holds your attention. The “Pistah” song composed of meaningless lyrics is already a hit – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuuypjzzqRw
SearchIndia.com Responds:
The girl (at 1:19 min to 1:35 min in the above video) is cute.
Not sure if “Neram” made it to U.S. I kinda remember Big Cinemas showing “Ethir Neechal” (I think) in VA.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I don’t see Neram listed at Movie City (Edison, NJ).
I watched all the three. Soodhu Kavvum, Neram and Edhir Neechal.
The first two are definitely not your run-of-the-mill tamil movies. Soodhu Kavvum is like Tamil industry’s attempt to make movies such as Snatch (Comedy Crime). The ishtyle is missing, but I don’t complain. It is definitely a lot better than the usual junk.
Same goes with Neram too, but I would rate it a bit lower than Soodhu Kavvum.
Edhir Neechal – I could manage to sit through.
I haven’t watched “Snatch” yet. I’ve moved it up my netflix queue, though. My friends have been suggesting it for a very long time.
It has netflix average rating of 4/5.
Was watching “True Grit” (2010), the other night. Found an interesting thing. I’ll comment about it in a different post.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ve watched both Snatch (a few years back) and True Grit (in the last 12-months) but never got around to reviewing them.
In True Grit, we kept thinking Matt Damon looks familiar but never identified him because of his mustache! 😉
I think that is the only movie where he appears with mustache!
I liked Jeff Bridges a lot in True Grit.
Btw, SI — forgot to mention in my previous comment. Please check your email.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ll respond to your note tonight.
Those are not the only movies SI has watched but never got around to reviewing them 🙁
Hey SI.
Long time. How are you?
Now coming to the review, I completely agree with Madmax. Soodhu Kavvum was a delightful movie. From the first frame till the last, it’s entertaining and worth every penny. I watched it twice and I was entertained both times.
@Madmax
Most of the actors are from the movie Pizza, including Vijay Sethupathi. There are a lot of fresh talents out there and films like Pizza, Soodhu Kavvum etc bring our attention to them.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Hello Sweetie,
I’ll watch it once it comes out on DVD.
@Vinith
Long time!
Glad you enjoyed “Soodhu Kavvum”. Btw, didn’t you recommend “Naduvula Koncham Pakkatha Kaanom” before?
Whole movie is in you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VjXtbopcYo
No link for “Pizza” though. Will watch it when I find it.
@SI
Are you planning on watching D-Day?
The trailer looked interesting to me.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
The film has two big negatives in Arjun Rampal and Shruti Hassan.
Acting is a completely foreign notion to both. Arjun without his 20-pack and Shruti without her last name would be working as a lower division clerk and Ayah respectively.
Out of 100 or so films released till now, only 5 have been profitable.
Soodhu Kavvuum is one of them.
Shruti Hassan perhaps could continue her musical journey.
Not that she is a talented singer and all, but perhaps the growth of rock/fusion music is not happening in India.
And yes, she cannot start an All girls band in Jammu as already one had been banned 🙁
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Shruti who?
Ethir Neechal Review – Slightly Uneven,Meanders At times
Ethir Neechal is a film produced by Wonderbur Films owned by actor Dhanush. A lot of hype was generated around this movie which made it to the theaters along with Soodhu Kaavum.
Story & Direction
A person who goes by the name of Kunjithapadam gets ridiculed by everyone. At office, he is the butt of jokes! Oh, yes his first love breaks up.Going by his dear friend’s advice, he goes for a name change.Then it transpires into a story of a man who wants to prove his abilities to the world.He also wants to win over his lady love.There is a huge marathon in Chennai and our hero participates.Does he succeed? Does his new name bring him luck? There is also an important side story of another disgraced athlete.
The direction by Senthil Kumar is not so great, but the film works to an extent.
The film works at neatly integrating humour and a dramatic aspect.The casting and music make it a reasonably decent experience.
Analysis:
The director earns brownie points for not making a usual mass hero movie. The film has no unnecessary melodrama or sentimental distractions.There are few scenes involving excessive emotions but they are integral to the flow of the story. Also the plus here is having a strong second heroine character. In Tamil movies, the second heroine is an eye-candy while the first one is offered a meaty role.To say that the film revolves around her character would probably be an understatement! The second half offers a peek into her past and who conspired to bring a downfall.
The major negatives of the film are its running time and different halves.
Both the halves are different from each other as chalk and cheese.
And as a viewer, you would be forgiven for assuming both are different films.
The director seems to be confused about the genre or the setting of the story.
At the beginning, we are introduced to poorly made shoots of chaos theory connecting two main characters. Inspired by Dasavatharam?
Suddenly, at a particular point, a connection is made. The genres are different- while the first is like a usual romantic comedy junk the second half is a sports drama.
The first half is slightly junk because some jokes are amateurish and having double meanings.
So, as we laugh with the characters in the first half, we forget there is no story as such.
And then the second is packed with so much substance that it drags on.One can conclude that the film just meanders along in the second half.
The marathon scene towards the end is just mind-numbing! There is no element of thrill or suspense as we watch the hero move towards the winning post. Images of Lagaan and Karate Kid flashed across the mind. Like Karate Kid, here a marathon runner, tries to win in an unfair manner.
Acting:
In the acting department,the second heroine Nandita who takes the top honour.
Especially she talks about her past to the hero, her eyes convey the pain and anguish.
The main heroine Priya Anand does nothing much except to look pretty in duet songs.
Even though her role is not written like the other heroine, she does not add much.
And her expressions are largely flat. Often when she smiles, she looks great.
The hero’s first lover Suza Kumar appears in some song sequences and is a nice eye candy.
The hero Siva Karthikeyan does a decent job in a interesting role.But he acts like B-grade actor in some serious sequences and needs a lot of improvement.
Songs and Cinematography:
The songs by Anirudh were chart busters before the release. It does not deserve any Grammy awards but they are decent.
Especially the songs Velicha Poove,Nijamellam Maranthu Pochu and Boomi Enna.
I think the first and the third were reasonably well picturised supported by decent choreography.
But the second one was poorly picturised with actors dancing on the road.
The third was on similar lines but at least the choreography was much better.
A funny thing about the Velicha Poove song is that it features both hero and heroine in a similar yellow colour costumes. So if you want to have colour blindness, this song is highly recommended. 😉
A song that got on my nerves was Sathiyama featuring Dhanush and Nayanthara. There was no need for this song in the film. It was a fast paced song, so the agony was less.
Rating:
The film is somewhat entertaining and a bit underwhelming. Perhaps one could conduct a quiz programme to guess the genre of this film.
I would recommend to watch the film in DVD.
If you are big fan of Sivakarthikeyan or Anirudh, watch in theatre.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Thank you, sweetie!
If you’d put this comment earlier (say, in early May), I’d have published it as a post.
Nevertheless, thanks!
It’s not an easy thing to type such a long review as a comment, which finally does not end up in its place.
We acknowledge the efforts of coolguy !
Chaos theory…Dasavatharam…aiyo! Now I remember my horrid lunch @ karaikudi VA.
I am glad I skipped “Ethir Neechal”. I remember coming this close to enter in. But decided not to. Thanks for the review, coolguy! 🙂
Good decision skipping Ethir Neechal. I don’t mind watching the old one starring Nagesh.
The new one was semma kadi! It is available free on channel live- roku
Soodhu Kavvum was a bitch of a movie! Unexpectedly good!
2nd half was a bit long though.
The movie was available in Channel Live – Roku.
BGM/Songs: –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxE3g-JcesY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smn6PZkbkkg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ChjLz2-H-A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpDBEjMFYB4
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We can safely say it’s not the ARR kinda music.
Not saying the music is bad. 😉
I noticed the whole movie in YouTube.
I think if Rajinikanth had portrayed Das it would’ve been even funnier. But this dude is resolute to only act in movies directed by his family members. I Won’t be surprised if his grand daughter directs one soon.
Now, say what you want to but I think if they had chosen T.Rajendar for that role it’d have been at least 10 times funnier (of course make him shed some weight and do some running). The situation of the subject has such an aura to it. I wonder if the director might’ve considered him for the role of Das. In the opening sequence there is even a picture frame of T. Rajendar 🙂
Just imagine T. Rajendar being yanked away from his dead girl friend as opposed to Vijay Sethupathi. But I don’t think T.R. is smart enough to accept such a meaty role and he is too full of himself and kinda weird 🙁
I saw an interview in YouTube where Vijay Sethupathi revealed that he didn’t get an instant okay to do that role.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: if Rajinikanth had portrayed Das it would’ve been even funnier. But this dude is resolute to only act in movies directed by his family members. I Won’t be surprised if his grand daughter directs one soon.
Easily wins the Most Ridiculous Comment of 2013 award! 😉
Rajinikanth has acted in 150+ movies, none of them directed by close family members.
Only Kochadaiyaan is being directed by daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth.
2. When Rajinikanth fell sick sometime back, he was working on Rana directed by non-family member K.S.Ravikumar.
Rana has been shelved/postponed until Kochadaiyaan is completed.
You’re right!
I missed to mention ‘at the moment’.
Fixed.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
For several years now, Rajinikanth has never acted in more than one movie at any single moment/point in time.
Here’s the issue – With Rajinikanth, the budgets are very high….so the stakes are very high for all concerned.
It’s also hard to write scripts for someone of Rajinikanth’s age, mass appeal etc.
Bottom line, Rajinikanth in recent years has never done more than one movie at a time.
There have been rumors of Rajinikanth teaming up again with Shankar, K.S.Ravikumar etc. Only time will tell.
SI: For several years now, Rajinikanth has never acted in more than one movie at any single moment/point in time.
This “one” movie hardly hit theaters on a promised time. “Kochadaiyaan” is an example. I have a suspicion that “Rana” had been rewritten as “Kochadaiyaan” (plot).
SI: Here’s the issue – With Rajinikanth, the budgets are very high….so the stakes are very high for all concerned.
Rajinikanth has enough wealth for several generations (of his own). Then why should he even bother about giving “one” movie? If he’d say (let’s assume) its for his own job satisfaction then why doesn’t he look for new stuff? Or is he trying to satisfy Tamil mass by dishing out Baba, Padaiyappa, Soriyappa etc? Our Kollywood mass already going gaga over Asith, Visay, Danus, Simbu. I think Tamil audience are quite fed up with Rajinikanth….it’s just my opinion.
Are you saying K.S Ravikumar & Shankar are the only directors in Kollywood?
If Super Star wants to give one movie in 3 yrs (average) why couldn’t he look for new stuff out there? Is he that lazy? Or doesn’t he know what he is doing? Or is he handicapped?
SI: It’s also hard to write scripts for someone of Rajinikanth’s age, mass appeal etc.
Rajinikanth’s comedy skills are cool & admirable! If he wants to do “one movie”, I think he should focus on that. Pretending to dish out a movie for the mass is just BS”ing”. In other words it is nothing but preying on the weakness of Tamil audience.
Rajinikanth is a prisoner of “Superstar”. A title he might wish he never had but the one he would refuse to part with.
One of his assets is his exclusiveness. He attends very few functions and hardly gives any interviews. Hence, one movie in 2-3 years.
If I had to guess then he isn’t the type who even wants to try anything new or different. He has indicated this in many speeches. He is very particular that the expectations of his fans are paramount in his movies.
So, for a guy at this stage of his career/life it is not surprising that he picks out only specific directors/writers who clearly understand what is expected out of a Rajinikanth movie.
As long as his movies stay within the tried and tested formula they are guaranteed certain returns.
This is perhaps the reason why a big budget Rajinikanth movie gets funded a lot easier than say a big budget Kamal movie, where returns are not guaranteed.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
My Sixth Sense tells me Rajini’s time is drawing to an end.
Then, it’ll be the Jochappu era in Kollywood.
I mean Joseph Vijay of Punnakku Pandi fame!
Talking of Rajini, Have you watched Kochadaiyaan official trailer recently?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
No, but I will today now that you’ve brought it up!
Sorry, it was not a trailer. It’s just a teaser.
But I think, that wont make any difference in the overall quality of the film that we’re going to be blessed with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyt_V_UZfvI
I was having a feeling like watching a video game prologue section.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Utter junk!
Rajinikanth, like Amitabh Bachchan, seems to be unfortunate vis-a-vis his filmi offspring.
Kodumai. Kodumai-o-kodumai!
No wonder people commented that the earliest of TV video games, Mario and Contra had better graphics than this….
The teaser looks trillion times worse than a PS 2 game.
Had Caravaggio been alive to see the “promo” still of “Kochadaiyaan” he’d hang himself in shame and disdain.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I bet U.S. Ticket rates will be $50….It was $35 for Enthiran.
I hope it stays in cans or remains for Rajnikanth family’s private viewing only.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
From your lips to Balaji’s ears!
I hope so too.
It is obvious that people (including quite a section of his fan-base) are displeased over this much-hyped offal – india’s first movie with motion capturing technique.
To think this junk had 3+ million viewers so far.
Here’s one who’s displeased with current crop of meaningless rom-coms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=177yL6YNMaw
Hope he backs his talk by giving a watchable film else he would just be another loud mouthed chump.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Interesting interview!
I share Selvaraghavan’s pessimism that nothing will change in Tamil films even after another 25 years.
Thanks.
i enjoyed soodhu kavvum,most impressive were the dialogues and screenplay….thankfully nalan kumarsamy never made any attempt to squeeze some item songs,punch dialogues,OTT fights in the middle,he had complete control over the script which is a good sign for a newcomer,usually in films good people will always have a upper hand over the bad guys but in this film it was different…the best scene was when inspector brahmma tortures those four thieves in a dark room,people never stopped laughing during those moments in theatre….
Hey this movie is available in youtube for free,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2nCPcUOk50
For me it was a nice film with several funny, outrageous twists that is good for a one time watch . The screenplay is the most important selling point in this movie and the fresh screenplay makes the audience engaged throughout the movie. I would rate it the best movie in tamil movie industry this year till now.. Also Vijay sethupadhi is turning to be a fine performer, all his 3 films had good non-stereotypical content and was presented well. Now nobody can call him a one hit wonder… lets see whether he chooses proper films in the future or ends up like other nincompoops in the film industry
Hi,
I have seen the latest Tamil film Vanakkam Chennai.
Here is the review of the film.
Vanakkam Chennai – Watchable
There are times as a film viewer you are absolutely tired of the ‘so called comedy movies’ or the ‘so romance movies’ served in Kollywood movie. In fact, it seems there is no single element of experimentation or novelty.
Minutes through Vanakkam Chennai, it seems that Vanakkam Chennai tries to a wannabe Hollywood stuff. Boy meets girl. Both keep on fighting and it is fate that both join together. Hollywood scores are about stringing a few memorable moments and our dump industry fails exactly there. In our industry, there is a comedian who is of course unnecessary in a romantic movie. It is in this area, which Vanakkam Chennai scores over the others. It has comedian Santhanam, who does the usual match-making nonsense. But the romance between the leads grows on its own.
As a debutant film maker, Kiruthiga seems to create interesting moments. The few scenes involving Shiva and Priya Anand are well done. Shiva plays Ajay, a software engineer who comes to Chennai who is forced to share an apartment with Priya (Anjali). Anjali is an NRI who comes from London for a photography contest. Both have been duped by a broker Narayanan (Santhanam).
Santhanam’s comedy is a standalone track which has absolutely no relevance to the film.The so called comedy in the film is not worth taking. A star performer like Nasser been disgraced in an inconsequential role is reason enough!
Some moments are laughable for example the scenes where the heroine talks about Indian culture roaming about roads in a skirt with camera in hand. There are touches of feminism where the heroine is shown as bashing thousand goons single-handedly –Completely Silly.
Where the movie scores ultimately is about love. Here love is more a feeling cum emotion connecting strange people together rather than silly ‘first sight stuff’ or ‘romance from school days’ stuff. The romance here seems so lively that despite a dragging and predictable ‘love triangle’ you want the love birds to be united.
The leads here are also mature individuals who trash their differences which crop up occasionally. A big thumbs up and thanks for not showing the leads as a usual ‘Tamil cinema couple’.
Most memorable moments are when our heroine looks into a glass mirror and see her two suitors. She is in a dilemma which is picturised later in a wonderful song sequence. Or when in a Yoga class, she could not concentrate and remembers moments with Ajay.Or when she suddenly remembers her dead mother during a vacation in Theni village.
Vanakkam Chennai surely has touches of class, but it is pulled by comedy and predictable moments. Anirudh’s music is nearly good with the only minus being its loudness.
I do not wish to talk much about the performances. Not that they were bad or anything, but Vanakkam Chennai belongs to its director Kiruthiga Udayanidhi.
The way she has brought out the best from everybody except Santhanam deserves special mention. She definitely deserves a longer run in Kollywood.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Incoherent drivel. 🙁
Was that response for the movie?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
For both movie and review.
Vanakkam Chennai – OMG its a horrendous movie.
Wonder how its watchable for Arun.
Pathetic to the core!
Boy meets girl. Both keep on fighting and it is fate that both join together. – wannabe hollywood movie or wannabe bollywood/kollywood movie? 😀 K and B are close to H so I can understand if that was a typo.
I didn’t get which way you are going with the review. Onnume puriyala 🙁
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Reviewer thinks Karunanidhi’s granddaughter-in-law “Kiruthiga Udayanidhi…definitely deserves a longer run in Kollywood.”
A scary thought!
It can’t be a typo in 2 places, Hollywood comparison was a conscious one 😉 ‘dump’ review 😀
Arun had laughable moments and most memorable moments from the movie too 🙁
Is Arun the same Chennaiarun guy??? wannabe Hollywood stuff.. since when did our movies have any originality???
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, the same Arun.
Originality or no originality, our movies draw in the Crowds.
I watched Akshay Kumar’s new film Boss at AMC 25 in Times Sq NYC today. There were nearly three dozen people in the hall for the opening show on a weekday!
As long as our people patronize any junk, we will not get decent films.
Hi there, SI! I agree this movie is a departure from the run-of-the-mill trash that Kollyhood is adept at spewing out. However, for me, the humour was simply lacking for the most part. There wasn’t a single punch line that elicited more than a half smile from me.
Whatever Madmax might say, I did not really enjoy this movie for the simple reason that the laughs were either not there or not good enough. It also proved to be a bit of a drag towards the end when, presumably, the director lost his way a bit.
It’ll be interesting to see what SI makes of this film if he ever watches it.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Hello Sweetie! Soodhu Kavvum is on my list of movies to see along with Dedh Ishqiya.
Will see them in the next fortnight or so.
I’ve been focusing a lot on electronic/digital media stuff lately!
I don’t complain that Hari – Senior didn’t laugh or enjoy the movie.
1. I can’t take out my black buddy to “Pulp Fiction” and expect him to laugh during the last scene where a white man gets to butt-fuck a black man.
2. Like Tintin Quarantino puts it “You can’t go into a heavy metal concert and ask the fuckers to stop the music”.
3. In “Soodhu Kavvum”, Kednaper Das responds to that snotty lil fella who brags “kidnappingkku spellingae thappu” (the spelling for kidnapping is flawed): “Unakku Puriyalaennu Sollu” (Say you didn’t understand).
SearchIndia.com Responds:
With people still talking about Soodhu Kavuum, it’s time I got the DVD and watched it.
Off-topic Response:
Am I the only Indian in North America watching House Of Cards Season 2.
Right now on Episode 10. Frank in trouble (I’m not really giving away anything here because Frank is always walking on the edge of the precipice).
And I guess I’m the only one watching Season 1 😛
Started with the second episode..
Let’s c if i can finish season 1 in the next few days.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Good Lord, people need few days to watch Season 1????
And here I am thinking I’m taking too long to complete Season 2 because it’s over 24 hours since it launched!
Well, gestation periods seem to have gotten longer since my days! 😉
How are you finding season 2?
Better than the previous one?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Good!
And that’s a Huge Compliment because it’s hard to keep momentum in a political series like this.
Better than the previous one?
I’ll avoid that question for now…I have three more episodes to go.
“And here I am thinking I’m taking too long to complete Season 2 because it’s over 24 hours since it launched!”
Why don’t you give your eyes some rest?
10 episodes in 24 hours? OMG. :O
No matter how good a series is, I don’t think I can manage that many episodes in a day. Maybe 4 to 5 episodes max.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
This time, I watched 11-episodes on the PC (27-inch Mac).
I’ll watch the remaining 2 or 3 on TV via Roku.
Should it be Quentin Tarantino (instead of Tintin Quarantino)? Or perhaps I should say “I don’t understand it”(referring to the point #3) 😉
Just along the lines, a lot of blacks will not like Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” too.
Soodhu Kavvum is an unusual (tamil) movie. Vijay Sethupathi is an unusual (tamil) actor. Greatness of an indian movie / actor is often contextual.
I think Vijay Sethupathi is considered “a great actor” because his movies somehow (or by the unusual subject it deals and his careful choice) end up reasonably successful. So, this success thing “amplifies” his acting skills as well.
“I think Vijay Sethupathi is considered “a great actor” because his movies somehow (or by the unusual subject it deals and his careful choice) end up reasonably successful”
Agreed that his choice of scripts is wise. From his first movie till now, I contribute his success largely to his choice of scripts.
As for his acting, Vijay Sethupathi is definitely not in the league of the buffoons who can’t recognize acting even if it hit them flat on the face. He’s a decent actor and I guess that’s because of the fact that he’s carefully avoided being a “mass-hero”. In all his movies, he is just an ordinary guy who doesn’t mouth asinine punch dialogues or beat a dozen guys to pulp.
If he is wise, he’ll stay clear of full-fledged commercial films (in other words, JUNK). Since he’s popular and in demand right now, it’s likely that the film makers will come up with off-beat scripts that suit him best and would be commercially successful as well (like Soodhu Kavvum and Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom).
I remember an interview in which he was asked “neenga eppo oru pakka commercial padam panna poreenga ?” to which he replied “naa panna padam ellame commercial dhanga.. odudhu la”
I also like Siva Karthikeyan. Loved him as an anchor too.
Wish I had one extra HDMI input for Roku so I can watch all “House of Cards” in one sitting.
I still haven’t made up my mind to go for an HDMI splitter. Will watch it soon in my PC.
Been shoveling some snow recently.
SI, this winter is cruel.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I too have been meaning to get a HDMI & Ethernet splitter for eons.
After some minor snow showers tonight we’re fine for at least a week.
RIP Balu Mahendra!! a master craftsman who never compromised on artistic elements and tried to stay true.. I remembers getting goosebumps watching one of his classics “Veedu” and soul soothing music by Ilayaraja…The old man who essayed that role was outstanding and could put anyone of current era to shame with his histrionics…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOCk1P52PLc
A good tribute to him by Kamal haasan
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/kamal-haasans-tribute-to-balu-mahendra/article5688417.ece
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Kamal Haasan in the link you post above mentions Balu could have made at least 20 more films.
But we don’t get a good answer as to why Balu was not productive other than the vague “He began playing it safe.”
Was that the only reason or were finances hard to come by for an artist of Balu’s caliber? The Indian film industry is infamous for richly rewarding clowns (too many to mention) but brutally ignoring real talents (Balu, Naseeruddin Shah).
@ hari, the movie is black comedy and it is one of the earliest Tamil movies attempted at this genre.
Meanwhile, I watched “Pannayarum Padminium“. The movie is a pleasant watch with feel hood factor, but with no usual formula. The movie drags in second half, but it’s enjoyable on the whole.
Vijay Sethupathi is actor to look out for in future. He is proper actor among leading stars of Tamil Cinema, breaking all stereotypes of Tamil as well as Indian Cinema Heroes.
Only if he does well and industry, audience appreciates them; Tamil Cinema can move forward at least to a better level, otherwise it will remain in stagnant gutter.
There’s a Tamil short film by the name of “Pannayarum Padminiyum”..
I only saw 1/4th of it and it was pretty interesting.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ve always wondered how people see movies where they’re not released! 😉
I smell sarcasm but not sure what you mean.
I was talking about the short film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T217p9dOh-E
According to wiki, the movie is based on the short-film.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sarcasm, me?
I’m sure you have me confused with someone else.
Off-topic response: Watched two episodes of Season 2 of House of Cards this morning.
Will watch two more episodes and then do a separate post on Season 2 later tonight or tomorrow.
Two Decent European crime dramas – Broen (Norwegian-Danish) and Salamander (Belgian).
Right now, I’m in a desperate get-drunk mood! 😉
But I must first put the finishing touches on the review of the new Bollywood trash Gunday!
I started watching House of Cards season 1 just a few days back. Watched only the first episode. Loved it.
Kevin Spacey shines. I loved him in Usual Suspects and he doesn’t for a moment disappoint me in House of Cards. Even the others did a good job.
Planning to watch the other episodes soon.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Right now, I’m on Episode 4 of Season 2.
And it’s only 12:36AM…the night’s still young!