This is a cracking historical epic worthy of anything that ever came out of Hollywood. It all centres around the intrigues and plotting over the succession to the Chozha throne in 10th century India. It transpires that the current emperor "Sundara" (Prakash Raj) came to the throne because the rightful successor was too young. Many years on, this ageing gent has nominated his own son "Karikalan" (Vikram) to succeed him, but there are growing murmurings amongst his nobility that the succession ought revert back to the original line. The Prince's confidente, "Vandiyadevan" (Karthi), is charged by the prince to garner as much intelligence as he can and deliver it to his Imperial father - a rather dangerous and perilous mission as he finds himself constantly (and energetically) jumping from frying pan to fire, unsure who to trust. What now ensues is really well paced and enjoyable. It mixed the fun elements of films like 'Prince of Persia" (2010) with then grand scale battle scenarios of something like "Marrakar" (2021) with an host of glamorous and exquisitely dressed characters to keep the pot well and truly boiling. Aishwarya ("Nandini") and Trisha Krishnan ("Kundavai") also prove that the men folks are, frequently, being cleverly manipulated by their shrewd and intelligent spouses. I can't say the musical numbers always worked though. At their best, the expertly choreographed performances served the story well - illustrating just how important celebration was in convincing the populace that all was well. At times, though, they are a bit extended and can serve to disrupt the pace of this otherwise quite intricately constructed exercise in court-craft, betraya and seduction that has quite a bit of humour too. Stylish and glorious to look at (even if the visual effects are not always the best), this is entertaining and at just shy of three hours, it flew by remarkably quickly. It's also the first time in a long time that I've heard a cinema audience cheer the stars as they charismatically own the screen. I enjoyed this - though I'm not quite sure what part two can behold....
A brilliant adaptation of the most celebrated book in Tamil History. Everything about the film is almost perfect. Whether it be A.R. Rahman’s music or Manirathnam’s direction and definitely Ravi Varman Camera. All the actors have contributed well to an Epic Movie / Story. Even though there some continuity issues they are very minor. But the intricate attention to details by the director made us forget everything else and get immersed in the story and travel with the characters. One such thing that stood out to me is a choice of White Horse for Aditya Karikalan symbolizing that War is the place he finds peace. As I said, this is just a tiny detail that got stuck in my mind. But I am sure, everyone finds something to be awe stuck in this blockbuster. Thanks again to A.R. Rahaman for helping us get immersed in an exceptional music and background score.
1920s Germany. Two sisters aged six years, no sooner see their remaining parent buried when they are torn apart. Lotte goes to live with her upper middle class Dutch aunt in Holland, Anna to work as a farm hand on her German uncle's rural farm. The World War II impacts each of their lives and finally in old age they meet again.
When a friendless old widow dies in the seaside town of Crythin, a young solicitor is sent by his firm to settle the estate. The lawyer finds the townspeople reluctant to talk about or go near the woman's dreary home and no one will explain or even acknowledge the menacing woman in black he keeps seeing.
In late 19th-century Sicily, the noble Uzeda family—whose lineage dates back to the ancient viceroys that ruled those lands—fights to preserve its waning power in the face of the newly unified Italian regime.
The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.
The history of the peplum genre, known as sword-and-sandal cinema, set in Antiquity, from the silent film era to the present day.
Professor Barbenfouillis and five of his colleagues from the Academy of Astronomy travel to the Moon aboard a rocket propelled by a giant cannon. Once on the lunar surface, the bold explorers face the many perils hidden in the caves of the mysterious planet.
It ain't easy bein' green - especially if you're a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot - a wisecracking donkey.
The King of Far Far Away has died and Shrek and Fiona are to become King & Queen. However, Shrek wants to return to his cozy swamp and live in peace and quiet, so when he finds out there is another heir to the throne, they set off to bring him back to rule the kingdom.
The classic story of English POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. British and American intelligence officers conspire to blow up the structure, but Col. Nicholson, the commander who supervised the bridge's construction, has acquired a sense of pride in his creation and tries to foil their plans.
In the year 10,191, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice Melange. The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness. The spice is vital to space travel. The spice exists on only one planet in the entire universe, the vast desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. Its native inhabitants, the Fremen, have long held a prophecy that a man would come, a messiah who would lead them to true freedom.