Poo – The Unselfish Love Story Like a Flower

Tamil movie Poo

Last week I happened to watch Poo. I liked it very much. ‘Poo’ is a simple love story set in a rustic mileu of Sivakasi. Adapted from the Tamil short story, ‘Veyyilodu Poi,’ by Chelvan, it revolved around Mari (Parvathy Menon) and her love for her cousin Thenkarasa (Srikanth) since her childhood days. Mari works in a crackers factory while Thenkarasa, pursues engineering in Chennai. Thenkarasa’s father, a bullock cart owner and a hard working soul nurtures aspirations for his son.

Mari often dreams of a life with Thenkarasa, but is tongue tied when she meets him. Egged by her friend, Cheeni (Inbanila), she tries to speak of her love to him, but fails. As for Thenkarasa, she is just his childhood friend until his classmate Uttara opens his eyes to Mari’s feelings for him. But his father’s aspirations force him to marry a rich man’s daughter.

Although Mari is disappointed, she marries another man and adjusts with the new life continues to love Thenkarasa in mind and wants him to be the happiest person in the world. When she comes to know that Thenkarasa’s marriage life is not a happy one, she can’t control her tears. The very last seen is too touching. Unlike other love stories, Poo scores with its unselfish love. There’s no fantasy and story is close to reality.

On her debut, Parvathy Menon has done a remarkable job as the village girl in love. In this role, she exudes a grace and coyness unseen today in the women of other love stories. Srikanth’s role is small yet significant. However the visuals are stunning and is a neat and clean movie that can be watched with the family. If you are looking for a fresh breath of air, watch Poo.

date18 Feb
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Daddy Day Care

Another nice movie for kids and adults. Daddy Day Care is a 2003 American comedy film, starring Eddie Murphy. Charlie Hinton (Eddie Murphy), a busy working father, is laid off after the health division in his company is shut down. Desperate for money, he opens up a day care center with the help of two friends (Jeff Garlin and Steve Zahn). As it became more popular, a nearby school’s daycare became less populated, because Charlie’s center, Daddy Day Care, is much cheaper. Mrs. Harridan (Anjelica Huston), the headmistress of the competition school, attempts to shut down Daddy Day Care, but fails. Charlie and one of his friends are offered a better job and they decide to take it. But not long after, Charlie soon realizes that the job isn’t what he really wants to do. He returns to Daddy Day Care, only to learn that everybody left and went to the expensive school. He successfully convinces the children and their parents to come back, and Daddy Day Care becomes a raging success.

date4 Jan
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Wild Child – A Nice Movie

Now a days I am getting more time to watch movies and listen songs. I recently happened to watch Wild child. The story is about a teenager in her school. I really liked it. Watch it if you can. Definitely you too like it.

The film proper begins after Poppy’s long-suffering father sends her packing from their flash Malibu pad to an English boarding school, Abbey Mount. Faster  than you can say ‘whatever’, Poppy makes herself unpopular with her roommates by refusing to adhere to the school’s rules. She makes a particular enemy of  haughty head-girl Harriet, who has a thing for Freddie, the handsome son of the school’s headmistress, Mrs Kingsley.Distraught without her LA trappings – therapist, iPhone, and Jimmy Choo shoes – Poppy comes across like an extra from Mean Girls. At mealtimes she utters Buddhist chants while everyone else says grace, and then refuses to eat the food on offer, claiming she’s vegetarian, pescatarian and fruititarian. With the help of her roommates – who take pity on her when they discover Poppy’s mother died in a car crash when she was 11 – our girl resolves to leave the school by getting herself expelled.

Somehow she becomes very close her 4 roommates. The principal’s cute charm boy Freddie fell in love with Poppy Moor. And Poppy leads the school sports team in victory and becomes the pet of all in school. These things made Harriet jealous and she’s waiting for a chance to take revenge. Harriet sends mails to Poppy’s room mates and Freddie from Poppy’s email and all started to hate her. I don’t want to tell the entire story and spoil your interest in watching the movie. See how she comes out from all the problems.

Our Poppy is the one with blue color ribbon.

date2 Jan
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Importance of Friends

date15 Dec
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Chak De India – Go For It, India

I know this is a lengthy post. I tried my level best to brief the story.

This is the story of a hardworking coach who once lost his world cup in hockey by chance and was treated as a cheater by media and authority.(after the last shot Kabir Khan falls down with utter sadness and the Pakistan captain gives him a hand to get up. It is illustrated by the media as a match-fixing). The speculation and prejudice exhibited towards Kabir forces him and his mother out of their ancestral home and into exile. After 7 years he comes back to coach the Indian women hockey team. And he is telling that he was preparing himself to coach these girls. The sports authority has no hope in Kabir (the coach) and his team. The main problem Kabir has to face was there was no team, just a bunch of girls who have come together with a baggage of class, region and interpersonal rivalries. The small town girls hate the urban snobs; the city-slickers think Chhattisgarh is a jungle, the seniors can’t bear the juniors stealing the limelight and petty camps create a virtual gang-war which even builds into a mutiny against the disciplinarian coach.

These are our 16 players

Komal Chautala (Chitrashi Rawat) from a village in Haryana conflicts with Preeti Sabarwal (Sagarika Ghatge) from Chandigarh whom she refers to as “memsaab”; tough girl Balbir Kaur (Tanya Abrol) from the Punjab has an extremely short temper and frequently loses it, especially during games, which causes the team to play one woman short. She also bullies Rani Dispotta (Seema Azmi) and Soimoi Kerketa (Nisha Nair), both from jungle villages in Jharkhand; and Mary Lalte (Kimi Laldawla) from Mizoram and Molly Zimik (Masochon “Chon Chon” Zimik) from Manipur (in North-East India) are both treated as “foreign” by virtually everyone they meet. Komal’s parents worry that her interest in hockey will destroy all hope of a good marriage; team captain Vidya Sharma (Vidya Malvade) is forced to choose between hockey and the wishes of her husband’s family; and Preeti’s boyfriend, the (fictional) vice captain of the India national cricket team, Abimanyu Singh (Vivan Bhatena), mocks her involvement with the team, telling her that her only important role is being his wife.

Kabir’s strictness and rough nature was intolerable for the girls. The girls wanted Kabir to go back and for that only they are ready to be a team. Kabir forced to resign and he gives a party to the girls at McDonald’s. There some boys try to abuse Mary and Molly and all girls started to fight with the boys and defeat them. It is a turning point for the team and in shame the girls beg Khan to stay as their coach. They start to practice very hard.

Chak De India

Beautiful scenes

The team’s preparation receives a temporary setback, however, when hockey officials suddenly decide not to send the women’s team to Australia for The World Championship. Rather than concede to what he deems an unjust request, Khan demands a challenge match against men’s national team. If his team wins, Khan argues, they get to go to The World Championship. The officials agree, albeit reluctantly. Although the girls play a hard game during this challenge match, they ultimately lose 2-3 to the men’s team. Their vigor and spirit proved so inspirational, however, that the men’s team, in appreciation, raise their hockey sticks as a salute to them Thus, despite their loss, the officials agree to send the women’s team to Australia. The team gets an unexpected and thrilling victory. That leads the restoration of Khan’s good name. It also destroys the prejudices which once separated the girls and proves to their families and country the merit of women’s athletics. There are so many scenes to mention in this movie. The scene in which Komal allowed Preeti to stroke was one of them. (They were like great enemies till that time). Preeti rejects Abimanyu Singh (he lost his cricket world cup) says that she is concentrating more in hockey. This movie shows how unity will bring success.

Inspiration

The screenwriter Jaideep Sahni was inspired to create a film about the Indian Women’s Hockey Team after reading a short article about the winning of the Gold by the women’s team at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Director Shamit Amin noted the lack of coverage of the women’s team by the media and that “there are a lot of odds these players are up against.” The story of Chak De was deeply inspired by the real life story of ex Chief National Coach Maharaj Krishan Kaushik and his Indian Women’s hockey team’s real feat of winning the Commonwealth and many other championships.

Awards

Chak De India has won numerous awards including eight for Best Film from: The Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild, The Australian Indian Film Festival, The Billie Awards, The International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA), The Star Screen Awards, The UNFPA-Laadli Media Awards, The V. Shantaram Awards, and The Zee Cine Awards. It also received the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie.

Social impact

India Today describes Chak De India as, “the most feisty girl power movie to have come out of Bollywood ever. Chak De India was referenced as influential when the Indian Hockey Federation was suspended in April, 2008. Chak De India has included in foreign universities’ MBA books as case study

date27 Aug
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Manichithrathazhu – When the Forbidden Doors are Opened

In Hindi – Bhool Bhulaiya
In Tamil & Telugu – Chandramukhi
In Kannada – Apthamithra

I am talking about the super hit Malayalam movie MAnichithrathazhu directed by Fazil in 1993. This is the brief summary of the movie.Husband and wife (Suresh Gopi and Shobhana) coming to a village to spend a vacation. They are planning to stay in husband’s old bungalow. So many superstitious incidents are related to the bungalow. Wife decides to open up a locked room, which is not supposed to be opened. So many unnatural events take place inside the palace. So many black magicians are coming to solve the problem. But the ghost is acquiring more power by each day. Then the husband’s best friend Dr. Sunny (Mohanlal) comes. He’s going through the issues and studying each people in the bungalow. This is the story behind the bungalow. The ancestor of this palace brought a dancer called Nagavalli from Thanjavoor, Tamil Nadu. She fell in love with Ramanathan, another dancer staying next to the bungalow. The Karanavar (eldest member of the family) became obsessed with her. When he knew about the affair, he killed both the dancers in the south facing room (thekkini in malayalam). But Nagavalli came back as a powerful vampire and tried to kill the Karanavar. He escaped somehow and with the help of many sorcerers trapped her spirit in the Thekkini. This is the room opened by our heroine.
Manichithrathazhu
With painful heart Dr. Sunny realizes that Ganga, his friend’s wife only showing this dual personality. Her childhood was with her grandmother who was a superstitious woman. She got some mental depression when her parents took her to the town from her lovely village. Her suppressed feelings and sympathy towards the killed lady Nagavally made her like this. Dr. Sunny is really skilled and tries to bring her back to normal life. And the Nagavally in Ganga announces that she will kill her husband on an auspicious day because she is seeing that old Karanavar in him. Nagavally promised the doctor that she will leave Ganga after this murder. With the help of a powerful sorcerer, Dr. Sunny makes some plans and on that auspicious day, they are doing some black-magic and a dummy of the husband is presenting in front of the wife turned Nagavally. She applies all her angry, agony and revenge on it and goes from Ganga’s body. After some hypnotism sections she becomes all right and all become happy.

Sobhana got National award for best heroine for her character Ganga in this movie. Nice melodious songs sung by Yesudas & K.S Chithra, the scene where Ganga gradually changes into Nagavalli and her Malayalam changing into pure Tamil, and the bharatanatyam dance sequence are the highlights of the movie. This movie made 15 years ago. I have seen it minimum 5 times. I never missed it when they shown it in cable channels. Whenever I am seeing this title in TV, it can easily glue me to the seat.

date4 Aug
comments6 Replies
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The Sound of Music

This is one of my favorite movies. My friend had a DVD and he gave to me. Still I don’t know how many times I have seen it. Such a beautiful musical movie. Whenever I get time, I listen to the songs from “The sound of music”. “My favorite things”, “I am sixteen going on seventeen”, “So long farewell” and “do-re-me” are my favorite songs in this movie. It is heard that the movie is based on a real incident.

This is the summary of the movie

A novice in a strict Salzburg Abbey, Maria loves the beauty of nature and always forgets about religious duties. She’s always late for prayers and mass. The senior nuns always think “How to solve a problem like Maria?” But they also agree that Maria taught them love. She’s such an enthusiastic lady. She’s always very active and energetic. Mother Abbess thinks Maria is suiting for life outside the convent and very kind to Maria. Once gets a chance, she decides to sends Maria to Captain von Trapp’s house to work as a tutor for his seven children.

Captain von Trapp is a widower and brought up his children in a military discipline. I really laughed when the children came one by one in a parade to introduce them to Maria. They all wear uniform at home also. Maria really surprised by seeing all these. Except the youngest one, all the others didn’t like her at the first meeting. She finds out that she is the newest of many tutors that the children have already driven away.

But the first day itself Maria can get the support of the children by her soft attitude and music. The very next day, Captain goes to get her fiancée. Thus Maria become very close to the children. She made them dresses from the costly curtain materials used in captain’s house. She teaches them to sing and dance. It was a new experience for the children. A puppet show arranged by the children really surprises the captain. Actually he also was a good singer. After his wife’s death, he never practices anything. Captain presents Baroness Schroeder as his fiancée to his children.

Children don’t like the new lady. During a ball, Maria gets a chance to dance with the captain in front of all the guests and while dancing she discovers her feelings for the captain. Captain also feels something. Baroness Schroeder wants Maria to leave the Trapp Villa immediately. She runs backs to the convent. The children suffer Maria’s loss and think ways to bring her back. They go to convent and beg. But she refuses to go back. She confesses her love to the Mother Abbess and she encourages her to go back. Baroness Schroeder realizes that the captain also has some feelings for Maria and leaves. In the presence of 7 children Maria gets married the captain in the same church where she practiced to become a nun.

When they come back from their honeymoon, the Nazis conquered Austria and force captain to do naval service. Captain refuses it and wanted to escape with his family in the darkness. But the force was there around the villa. After begging, they got a chance to participate in a chorus festival (for that they have registered before) at the Salzburg Festival Hall. The police also accompany them there. Captain and family sing a song which is a contribution to their beloved country before they leave it forever. The von Trapps make a dramatic escape after the singing. During prize distribution only the police came to know that the captain and family have escaped. They goes to Maria’s Abbey and with the help of nuns hiding in the cemetery. The last scene shows the Trapp family climbing the Alps. I felt it’s symbolic. It’s a climbing to the new life and independence,

Julie Andrews’s Maria is such a nice character. I think she only sang the songs of this movie. A talented cast. The captain, children, nuns etc made their part well. Nice music and songs, beautiful landscapes and sentimental story. “The Sound Of Music” won the Academy Awards for Best Picture of 1965 and Best Director. Try to see the movie if you get a chance. Surely you also will like it.

date31 Jul
comments8 Replies
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Taare Zameen Par – Stars on Earth

I was thinking to write one review on this film for a long time. It is a heart touching movie. I congratulate Amir Khan for producing and directing such a nice movie. I think this movie has helped many parents to change their attitude towards their children who are suffering dyslexia (difficulty in learning). I used to think why parents are always comparing their kids with neighbor’s kids? If kids start to compare parents with neighborhood aunty or uncle, what to do?

Tare Zameer Par is about a child named Ishan (I like to call him Ishu as his mom calls him) who suffers because nobody; not even his mom can recognize that he finds difficulty in learning. But his mother is doing as much as she can. His father is stereotypical and always blames the child and compares him with the elder one. He thinks Ishu is too naughty and thats why all the problem occurs. So in the middle of an academic year, he’s sending to the boarding school. The new school is stricter than the old one. He’s suffering a lot to adjust with the new situation. He becomes moody and keeps away from his classmates. Still one handicapped boy named Rajan in his class is always trying to make Ishu happy and valuable. I liked that character also.

Things get change when a new guest lecturer comes to the school. He can understand Ishu’s condition because once he also went through such difficulty in studies. He’s going to Ishu’s home, talking with his parents and trying to convince them with the actual problem. There he found that Ishan is a good painter and amazing with his color sense and creativity. He requests the principal and starts to train him separately. Ishu starts to understand things slowly. I think the painting competition was to make Ishu proud among all the students and teachers. Nikumb Sir (Amir) was 100% sure that Ishu only going to get the first prize. All the teachers give chance to the viewers to laugh during that painting competition scenes.

The moment when ishu receives the certificate and turning was unforgettable. He runs to his master and hug him. We can see all his thanks, love and compassion to his master at his face. I also clapped with all the children and teachers. Gradually Ishu becomes like any other boy.

Strict father, loving mother, understanding brother, pitiless teachers and all other characters made their parts great. Darsheel Safary’s Ishaan made me cry many times. Superb acting Darsheel. Best of luck.
I loved the message of that movie. Never compare them with other kids. Realize that your child may have many other talents that others don’t have. Another problem with many parents is they are not ready to agree that their child has some disability and it should be getting treated. They afraid if they agree that, people will think their kid has some major issues like mental problems. This will make condition worse. Only academic skills and abilities don’t create great people. There may be inborn talents and creativity with your child. Don’t try to blow off it. Support him. Show him that you are there if there’s any difficulty. Have a happy parenting.

date22 Jul
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