Siruthai - Time pass!

Now, whats there to review about a film that is marketed as a mass commercial entertainer [read: negligible logic, if any]? Siruthai promises to be a commercial spinner, and is indeed that. The movie is a remake of the Tollywood's Vikramarkudu that had Ravi Teja enacting the role. Karthi justifies the dual roles of DCP Ratnavel Pandian and Rocket Raja, and makes of his body language to convey the difference. Mind you, this is his first dual-role. Cinematography is excellent. Songs are rather the norm than anything else.

Siruthai opens with a  Ratnavel Pandian (Karthi) being spotted by a hooligan who rushes to convey the message to Bava in Devipattinam in Andhra. The entire gang in Devipattinam rushes to Ratnavel Pandian's grave to find that his coffin is filled with stones. The scene then introduces Rocket Raja (Karthi again) who makes a living by means of thievery. The film jets along until a little claim suddenly claims Rocket Raja as her father. What happens further forms, without doubt, the rest of the movie.

Santhanam has excelled in his role of Poochi, and gives the film a much needed comic steroid. Hard to imagine anyone apart lending justice to the role. Karthi has done fine, although I would like to see him in characters that are a bit more versatile. He is talented, mind you. That's straight 5 hits for Karthi in a row. The movie is extremely boisterous. A host of the supporting characters up their decibels for conversations and I fail to see the logic behind that. The movie seems a drag towards the end when all logic goes loose. Tamannah is fine and her scope for performance is limited to her waistline techniques (Body language again, if you can call that!).

If you didn't know what to do, just get some popcorn, and head towards the theatre to watch Siruthai. Good timepass guaranteed!

Paranormal Activity 2: The review

I indeed wish for the good old slasher-horror flick of the 80's - blood dripping, decapitated faces or bodies, half skullish faces - that had loads of adrenalin. Paranormal Activity, for those who have not seen is on the lines of the Blair Witch Project. For those who have seen PA 1, this is indeed worth a watch. 

You don't have the unnecessary gore and blood in the film, nevertheless the gripping tension that is evident by means of silence throughout the film holds it together. Paranormal Activity 2 is positioned as a prequel to PA 1. The film traces the presence of unusual happenings in Christine's house (Katie's sister) three months prior to Micah (Katie's boyfriend). The subject of Katie and Micah constitute PA 1. 

The pre-sequel has remained loyal to the PA 1 style of narrative. Christine's family moves into a new house with her daughter (Ali), her new baby (Hunter), and her Husband. A seemingly, or schemingly, maneuvered burglary attempt that messes the house leads Dan to station several security cameras in the house. The presence of a malevolent entity in the house is beginning to be felt soon after and the cameras record several instances. The film deals with the trauma and fears that Christine's family face.  

The genre is gaining popularity and a Paranormal Activity 3 has been commissioned. The disturbing style of film-making where the viewer also is able to relate to the happenings (especially so in North America) has helped its ascent. PA 2 has its good share of scares, but I would recommend watching it in a theatre with pin-drop silence. 

Not exactly the kind of scares that the Omen gave you back in those days, but there aren't any good horror films seeing the light of the day. No complaints!