Sunday, 29 December 2013
Friday, 27 December 2013
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Jacques Kallis to retire from Test cricket
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Commenting on his decision, the veteran of 165 Test matches said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to havebeen part of the South African Test team since making my debut 18 years ago. I have enjoyed every moment out in the middle but I just feel that the time is right to hang up my Test whites.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to come to, especially with Australia around the corner and the success this team is enjoying, but I feel that I have made my contribution in this format."
Kallis made his Test debut as a young and humble 20 year-old, and finishes his Test career as one of the greatest cricketers to have played the game. His statistics speak volumes for the illustrious career - 13,174 runs, 292 wickets and 199 catches.
“The last two years specifically have been a memorable journey with an exceptional group ofcricketers,” Kallis said. “I am fortunate enough to have ended my Test career amongst a group oftalented cricketers but more importantly, friends whom I will cherish for years to come.
“I don’t see it as goodbye because I still have a lot of hunger to push South Africa to that World Cupin 2015 if I am fit and performing.
“Winning an IPL title with the Kolkata Knight Riders was a special achievement, and I am still determined to taste that success with South Africa at an ICC event.”
Proteas coach, Russell Domingo, says the team will miss Kallis’ presence in the dressing room.
“The impact Jacques has made on South African cricket has been immense, not just as a player but as a human being. Im not sure we will ever see another player of that stature very soon.
“Jacques calmness, maturity and presence in the change room will sorely be missed and hopefully he will still be able to play a role in this team’s success in the near future.
“He has ambitions of playing in the 2015 World Cup and it will be important for us to manage him accordingly so that he is in prime form leading into the tournament.”
Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat commented: “Although we all knew the retirement of a great player like Jacques Kallis was going to happen sooner rather than later, hisdecision still comes as a blow when the reality dawns that South Africa’s greatest ever player and arguably the world’s best all-rounder, will be playing his last Test match in this last week of 2013."
Brahmi-Mohan Babu paying price for insults
There is a saying in Telugu 'nee title naaku deevenalu' (your abuses are like blessings). When entire Brahmin community protested against Mohan Babu's film Denikaina Ready alleging it hurt their sentiment, Mohan Babu and his son Vishnu hero in the film, followed the same policy.
Even when Brahmins protested in front of Vishnu's house, they didnot care and only used the episode for promotingtheir film. It resulted in cases and counter cases. Mohan Babu turning adamant didnot try to sort out the issue with the aggrieved party and agree for cuts.
Some in the industry say he has taken the issue too personally and as a prestige issue. Brahmins lamented that they faced all the insults as no party backed them. This prompted BJP leader Indrasena Reddy plunge into action and using his political experience and litigations, he filed a case on Mohan Babu and Brahmanandam for using Padmasri titles in front of their names in the films which is against Padma award rules.
With Brahmi and Mohan Babu not aware of those laws got caught in the legal tangle. While some industry bigwigs felt that they should have solved the issue longtime back,others felt though the actors will not return the awards as asked by the court, the remark itself is a blemish in their career and slap on their arrogance.
Tags: Mohan Babu, Manchu Vishnu, Me Nookiah, Manchu Manoj, Deeksha Seth, Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna, Tollywood, Denikaina Ready Movie, Gundello Godari, Telugu Movies, Telugu Films
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Uyyala Jampala review
Producer: Akkineni Nagarjuna, Rammohan
Director: Virinchi Varma
Music: M R Sunny
Casting: Raj Tharun, Avika Gore, Ravi Varma, Anitha, Gangadhar, Kireeti and others
Rating: 2.75/5.0
Story
CousinsSoori (Raj Tarun) and Uma Devi( Avika Gor) who hail from Koonavaram village donot get along well with each other right from childhood. Soori acts as if he is in love with Sunita just to tease Uma. Uma angry with Soori starts loving another person but when the person tries to cheat her, Soori saves her. This makes Uma realise that she is in love with Soori.
However Soori don't realise this but gets a US match for her. After Uma is engaged to the US guy he realises that he cannot live without Uma. What happens next should be seen on silver screen.
Performance
Raj Tarun suited for the role of Soori. His Godavari accent for village guy attracts all. Though he didnot look like a commercial hero, he suited for the role.
Avika of Chinnari Pellikooturu fame, is the highlight for the film. However in some scenes shecouldn't attract viewers. She didnot look good as a village girl.
Others acted according to the script.
Technical
Director handled the routine story in a different manner and showed it in a novel way on silver screen with his screenplay.
Background music is good. Editing is ok. Production values are good. Cinematography captured rural beauty quite well.
Plus Points
Story, screenplay
Background music
Raj Tarun
Minus Points
Climax
Slow second half
Analysis
Lot of craze was generated on the film with top producers being part of the project. The way director Virinchi Varma handled a smooth story bowls all.
He showed small fights, childish attitude between cousins beautifully.
Final Talk
Uyyala Jampala attracts all.
d for dopidi review
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Producer: Raj Nidimoru, Krishna D.K., Nani
Director: Siraj Kalla
Music: Mahesh Shankar
Casting: Varun Sandesh, Sandeep Kishan, Naveen, Rakesh, Tanikella Bharani, Nani, MelanieKannokada, Deva Katta and others
Rating: 1.75 /5.0
Story
Vikki (Varun Sandesh), Subba Raju (Sandeep Kishen), Hareesh (Naveen), Bunnu (Rakesh) decide to rob a bank to come out of their financial problems. They select AP National Bank for the purpose and just as they were about to exit with the money bag they encounter Lokamuddu (Tanikella Bharani) and his gang who are out there with the same purpose.
How the four friends escaped from the bank outwitting even ACP Krishnamachari (Deva Katta) forms rest of the story.
Performance
Sandeep Kishen once again showed his versatile acting talent. Varun Sandesh gave improved performance in the film. Rakesh and Naveen supported them well. Deva Katta entertained as ACP in a cameo while Rishi Mulla attracted the attention of all as script writer Chevula Pilli.MelanieKannakoda didnot have any scope to perform but she looked good.
Other director Raj Pippala too did a cameo. Nani who produced the film sizzled in the end in a promotional song.
Technical
Production values are good for a small budget film. Dharmendra's editing could have been better.Cinematography is good. Sachin,Jiga,Mahesh's music is ok.
Background Music is nothing new and inspired by many other earlier films. Siraj Kalla's dialogues are good. Director failed in his screenplay.
Plus Points
Varun Sandesh, Sandeep Kishen
Nani in promo song in the end
Comedy
First Half
Minus Points
Slow pace
Second half
No twists
Weak climax
Screenplay and direction
Analysis
The film did not live up to the hype generated by the teasers. Director Siraj depended only on comedy and so didnot concentrate on twists and thrills. He failed in his story and screenplay which would have helped the film a long way.
The first half is fine but the second half dragged deviating from the main point.
Final Talk
Dopidi ends on disappointing note.
Friday, 20 December 2013
Review: Biriyani
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Banner: Studio Green
Producer: K.E. Gnanavel
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Casting: Karthi, Hansika, Mandy Thakkar, Nassar, Ramki, Madhumta and others
Rating: 1.75/5.0
Story
Sudhir (Karthi) who work for Mahindra automobile showroom fall in love with TV anchor Priyanka (Hansika). He impresses business tycoon Varadarajulu (Nasser) when Priyanka was interviewing him. Varadarajulu invites Sudhir for a party which is not appreciated by his son in law Vijay Krishna (Ramki) who wish to own Varadarajulu's business establishments.
Though Sudhir don't like to attend the party, he was forced to by his boss. However on return from the party Sudhir and his friend Parasuram(Premji Amaren) meets a beautiful girl Maya (Mandy Thakkar) at a biryani point and they goes along with her. The next day they will find themselves in shocking situations.
To know what are those situations and how Sudhir comes out of it should be seen on silver screen.
Performance
Karthi impresses everyone as a play boy in the first half and as a caring person in the second half. Hansika looked cute in her new look after shedding weight.Madhumati looked attractive. Premji supported Karti and made viewers laugh with his comedy.
Mandy Thakkar scorched on silver screen. Samapth as police offer looked serious in the role without any expressions. Others played their part accordingly.
Technical
Production values are quite good. Yuvan Shankar Raja's music is not that attractive and some of the songs acted as speed breakers.
Shashank Vennelakanti's dialogues are just monotonous. Editing could have been quite better. Director could have scripted climax in a better manner.
Plus Points
Karthi
Some comedy scenes
Hansika, Mandy Thakkar
Minus Points
Screenplay
Editing
Analysis
Director Venkat Prabhu planned to mix the film with love ,sentiment and murder mystery. However with cliched screenplay and direction he failed to raise the interest levels of the viewers.
Scenes comeout and go just like that with no gripping screenplay and Venkat actually set a bad example with his direction.
Final Talk
Biriyani lacks the spice that is required for success.
Dhoom 3 Review
Rating: 4/5 Stars (Four Stars)
Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya
What’s Good: The raw high octane action sequence, the pitch perfect bike thrills and mostly a great writing which lacked in both the previous editions.
What’s Bad: Stretching at 3 Hours, the film is a little too long but at its advantage never boring. However, Aamir and Katrina’s amateurish love track could have been avoided.
Loo break: None
Watch or Not?: Dhoom 3 is a definite must watch. Breathtakingly shot with gorgeous cinematography, this edition notches higher than its preceding films in terms of thrills and mostly in terms of soul. You wouldn’t want to miss a defining moment in the history of commercial films of Bollywood. There is all the action and gadgets, seamlessly beaded together but with a story that crackles!
User Rating:
The story starts with the history of Great Indian Circus in Chicago which is mortgaged at the Western Chicago Bank. Its owner Iqbal (Jackie Shroff) has found the magic trick of wooing the bankers but loses the bait unfortunately.
On an eventful night of the circus, Iqbal kills himself due to his inability to save his circus. Years later, Chicago bank is being robbed relentlessly and the thief leaves a Joker’s mask each time. Iqbal’s son Sahir(Aamir Khan) manages to start up their circus again co-incidentally. The Bombay Police is summoned and obvious links are found between Iqbal’s son Sahir’s involvement in the burglary.
Will Jai (Abhishek Bachchan) and Ali(Uday Chopra) win against Sahir who is determined to seek revenge and destroy the bank for life?
Aamir Khan in a still from Dhoom 3
Dhoom 3 Review: Script Analysis
It takes a while for the film’s plot to reveal completely. Luckily the writers pack in ample suspense to keep your interest latched to the film from the scene go. While Dhoom and Dhoom 2 both worked because of style and slickness, this one works for its grit. It essentially has all the fun and entertainment that comes as a package from the franchise but luckily this time the makers did not decide to give the story a miss. Aamir’s bikes and all the death defying stunts are extremely filmy to the core giving the audiences a taste of what essentially qualifies as Bollywood, but this time they infuse a highly emotional story.
Of course, one wouldn’t watch Dhoom for a story. It has always been about the ‘femme fatalles’ and ‘Fast and Furious’ stunts. But this one reveals itself as less of a wet dream than what you expect. I specifically like the realistic writing that was attempted in this one. Using one of Bollywood’s archaic props in a contemporary movie like this is astonishing and commendably used.
The reason why the writing is great in this film is not because of how the story is structured but on what it is based. Getting to India, the concept of international circus, recovering the Shakespearean idea of wittiness of a clown is praiseworthy.
The film in the second half resorts to unbelievable sloppiness and slackens a little in terms of looseness in the consistency of film’s writing but nevertheless, the use of a few extremely stellar ideas makes this film fantastic for me.
Dhoom 3 Review: Star Performances
It is best to reveal as little as possible about Aamir’s character. To say the least, Aamir Khan is sincere in whatever he does. He plays every shade of his role with smoothness, ease and perfection.
Katrina Kaif is beautiful in every frame. She is perfect with her acts and the dance. Sadly, her role isn’t written with more meat or emotion.
Abhishek Bachchan is as good as Jai Dixit as he has always been.
And no curt words for Uday Chopra. God bless him for all the comic relief he provides. Without him, Dhoomwould be a brooding and distastefully somber.
Dhoom 3 Review: Direction, Editing and Screenplay
Vijay Krishna Acharya does his job quite well. Though comparisons with Gadhvi is unavoidable, let’s just say he is differently better. We have always watched Dhoom for car smashes, bike chases, but this time Dhoom for me was way more from the heart. And I for one, enjoyed way more.
I have always rooted for the Dhoom villains more so for Hrithik Roshan. His cucumber cool demeanor and composed style of stealing made me go woot for him. He was just so much cooler than the policemen. But this time my heart went out for the villains. Their emotional baggage was so believable that you’ll want them to win in each of their attempts.
The film’s editing could have been more taut. The dramatic sequences might seem overdrawn especially because the film borders at a runtime of nearly three hours. For its length, the film deters you a little but don’t let that come in the way of you having a blast at the cinemas.
Dhoom 3 Review: The Last Word
Dhoom 3 was spectacular and majestic. Keeping a strong hold on the emotional prowess of its plot, the film sews in the slick action so awe strikingly. Don’t go in expecting an Aamir Khan film because it isn’t without flaws. But it gets right everything that is a must for commercial films, especially its ability to grasp on to the interest of audiences. Even cool thieves are vulnerable people and to be able to get that correct is what makes Dhoom 3 a winner. One bang up job! I am going with 4 stars for the only hitch that good films don’t necessarily need to stretch this long.