Two Starring Jr. NTR

RRR (Rise, Roar, Revolt)  
2022

5/5 stars

starring: N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, and Alia Bhatt 
Giving much of the plot will spoil the surprises, so suffice it to say that this Telugu-language action film/period drama is a love letter to both male friendship and patriotism. RRR is funny, moving, and exciting, as well as consistently entertaining.  Filled with excellence -- music, acting, cinematography, and story alike -- it's easy to overlook the glaring historical inaccuracies and just enjoy the epic experience.  My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that I'm not used to seeing Jr. NTR as a timid character; his talent, however, made it seem a natural role. By the end, both my husband and I were ready to take up arms against the British invaders.  Jai Hind!

Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava

transl. Veera Raghava along with Aravinda

2018

4/5 stars

This action-drama is a sometimes moving, occasionally humorous, but always entertaining story of factions, revenge, and a desire for peace. N. T. Rama Rao Jr. as Veera Raghava, a young man thrown into a war between two villages, gives his typical strong and charismatic performance.  Pooja Hegde, who stars as the romantic interest Aravinda, is less impressive, though Jagapathi Babu and Sunil, who also feature, are excellent, as is the supporting cast.  The incidental music is especially effective, and the songs and choreography are generally appealing.  The action scenes look fantastic and the cinematography is equally good.  Overall, while having one of the most violent opening fifteen or so minutes I've seen, this is a genuinely engrossing and engaging film. 

Recently Viewed

Beautiful Billo

2022

3/5 stars

In this Punjabi-language comedy/drama, heavily pregnant Billo (Neeru Bajwa) arrives in London before her husband, currently in Scotland, has legalized their British papers. As an illegal alien needing somewhere to hide, events lead her to newly-married Navi (Roshan Prince).  He knows his wife (played by Rubina Bajwa) will disapprove of having Billo in the house, so he tries to conceal her there.  Misunderstandings and chaos ensue while Billo desperately waits for her husband's return, hoping he arrives before either their child is born or she is arrested.

Beautiful Billo is a mostly cute film, at times truly moving and genuinely funny at others.  However, the acting, music, and often repetitive storyline are all only average, making it forgettable in the long run.

Soggade Chinni Nayana
translates as "the young man is a charmer"

2016

Did Not Finish

The plot of this Telugu-language supernatural-comedy-drama was intriguing, it had some truly humorous moments, and the acting by the principles, Ramya Krishna and Nagarjuna, was excellent.  However, it is impossible for me to find an actively philandering husband either amusing or charming.  I made it as far as the intermission, but couldn't finish.

Sita Ramam

2022

5/5 stars

starring Dulquer Salmaan as Ram, and Mrunal Thakur as Sita, with Rashmika Mandanna and an exceptional supporting cast

To tell much of the plot of this Telugu-language period drama/romance will spoil the story, so I will merely say that it is absolutely fantastic.  Sita Ramam is filled with all round excellence: acting, music, storyline, locations, cinematography, and balance of light moments with serious ones.  It is just twisty enough to keep the viewer immersed, and so deeply emotional as to be immensely memorable.  I highly recommend this gem of a movie, with the caveat that you'll need a handkerchief.  (Sita Ramam  is currently on Amazon Prime, so go watch it!)

Yashoda

Yashoda
2022
4/5 stars

In dire need of money, Yashoda (played by Samantha) becomes a surrogate for a high-paying,  top-of-the-line organization with exclusive clients and a state-of-the-art residential clinic run by the director Madhubala (Varalaxmi Sarathkuma) and Doctor Gautham (Unni Mukundan ).  While living there, some concerning things happen and Yashoda becomes suspicious of the what goes on behind the scenes.  In the meantime, a group of police officers led by Vasudeva (Sampath Raj) begin to investigate a strange death, which puts them on the track of several murders, and a bigger conspiracy than they could have imagined
(Murali Sharma, Rao Ramesh, and Shatru also star.)

This Telugu-language action/drama is gripping and compelling.  Supported by a strong cast, Samantha gives a fantastic  performance.  I can't go into detail about her role without spoiling the plot, but she pulls it off masterfully.  The cinematography is gorgeous, but the movie does lack a memorable musical score.  The gradual reveals and great twists keep the plot moving forward while slowly giving answers that make the storyline more believable as it progresses.  While it may not be a five-star film, the entertainment value is certainly such.

Radhe Shyam

Radhe Shyam

(the title refers to Krishna and his consort Radha) 

2022

2/5 stars

Aditya (played by Prabhas) is a palmist with incredible powers of prediction; he knows the date of his own death, as well as the fact that he is destined to never know love. He meets Prerana (Pooja Hegde) in Rome and tells her honestly that he wants to spend his time there with her, but in a "flirtation-ship" not a relationship.  After at first rejecting the proposal, she falls for his charm and they begin to date, becoming more and more emotionally involved. Aditya realizes that they met in spite of fate, and that to be together the two must defeat their destinies and forge new ones. 

(Sachin Khedekar, Jayaram, and Bhagyashree also feature.)

The visual quality of this romantic drama is outstanding, with a dreamy feel, gorgeous locations, and effective atmosphere. The music is average and below.  The plot seems so promising, but it unfortunately has little life or credibility. The lackluster story combined with Hegde's colorless performance and the zero chemistry between the two leads creates a bland two hours.   I hesitate to call it a dud because the beautiful cinematography almost makes it worth watching, but overall it's dull enough that even the swoon-worthy scenes with Prabhas couldn't make this movie more than below average.

Prabhas

Raavanan

Raavanan 

2010

5/5 stars

Dev Prakash  (Prithviraj Sukumaran), a ruthlessly determined police officer, is transferred to a province to capture Veera (played by Vikram), a local hero that has waged a bloody campaign against the area police.  Veera kidnaps Dev's wife, Ragini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), beginning a violent and bloody fourteen day chase that ends in a showdown between the two men.

(Karthik and Priyamani also feature.)

The acting is superb, natural, and believable, from the leads to the supporting artists.  Vikram is especially convincing as he treads the line between sane and unhinged, but Bachchan is equally impressive in her extremely emotional role. The camera work is stunning -- angles, colors, points-of-view -- and the entire film has a gritty, striking beauty.  The music (songs and incidental both) is often haunting and always highly effective.  As for the suspenseful story, it is chilling, well-plotted, nicely paced, and wholly engrossing.  Overall, it's simply a fantastic film, and while the violence and subject make it not universally suitable, I still highly recommend it.

(This film was shot in Hindi and Tamil simultaneously, with slightly differing casts.  My equally glowing review of the Hindi version can be found here.)

Oosaravelli

Oosaravelli
(translation: Chameleon)
2011
3/5 stars

Tony (N. T. Rama Rao Jr.) is a small-time crook who falls in love with Niharika (played by Tamannaah).  She's already engaged, but he is not discouraged, and is certain that if he keeps his way of life a secret, he can win her in the end. In the meantime, Tony becomes involved with a group of low-level gangsters, using his talents to help them rise in the world of crime, thus bringing himself to the negative attention of Ajju Bhai (Prakash Raj), a most dangerous professional villian.

(Vidyut Jammwal and Payal Ghosh also feature.)

The plot of this Telugu language film has some nice twists, but is a bit too convoluted to flow smoothly.  Some of the over-the-top action looked silly instead of impressive, and the songs were just average.  Jr. NTR was, as is typical, natural, energetic, and charismatic. It was fun to see Prakash Raj (one of my favorite Indian actors) as the bad guy; he gave a strong performance, as usual.   Tamannaah, on the other hand, was stiff and not believable at times, and while the supporting cast were good, they were not spectacular.  Oosaravelli  is undeniably entertaining while watching, but is a forgettable movie in the end.

Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela

Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela

"A Dance of Bullets: Ram and Leela"

2013

1/5 stars

This Bollywood take on the Romeo and Juliet theme (with a West Side Story vibe) was visually gorgeous -- I mean stunning!  However, it was entirely too vulgar for my taste and, as such, not what I am accustomed to with Indian Cinema.  In addition, it was hard to like the characters, despite the excellent acting, so in the end, I didn't force myself to finish it.