mobile reviews

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:02:21 +0100

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic review: Young as you feel

Tags: Nokia, Symbian S60, Touch UI

It's touchscreen o'clock for Nokia and the stage is set for the 5800 XpressMusic. Go ahead and touch it. We did and we've got a story to tell.

Now, it's technically not the first time Nokia get their hands dirty with touch screens, but it sure feels they really mean business this time. For Nokia 5800 is not the only story here. The smart platform with the most influential touch receives its first trial by touch. Being the first device running Series 60 5th alone is enough for the 5800 to be remembered by.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic official photos

It's a first try and proceeding with caution is only fair. Nokia 5800 is unthreateningly and unobtrusively positioned in the mid-range and the XpressMusic branding helps share some of that first-S60-touchscreen weight. Still, it's way more than an affordable music-centered handset. The 5800 has a strong and unmistakable Nokia identity and delivers multimedia prowess. So, let's touch, shall we?

Key features:

3.2" 16M-color TFT LCD 16:9 touchscreen display (360 x 640 pixels)
Symbian S60 5th edition
ARM 11 369 MHz CPU, 128 MB of SDRAM memory
3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash
VGA video recording at 30fps
Dual-band 3G with HSDPA support
Quad-band GSM support
Wi-Fi
Capable GPS receiver and Nokia Maps 2.0 Touch
microSD card memory expansion, ships with an 8GB card
TV out
FM radio with RDS
Bluetooth and USB v2.0
3.5mm standard audio jack
Excellent audio quality
Landscape on-screen virtual QWERTY keyboard
Proximity sensor for screen auto turn-off
Accelerometer sensor for automatic UI rotation and motion-based gaming
Rich retail package
Affordable price
Office document viewer
OVI and MySpace integration (direct image and video uploads)

Main disadvantages:

Limited 3rd party software availability
UI is still immature with somewhat dodgy user experience
Touchscreen sensitivity not the best in the class
No smart dialing
Poor image quality and no GPS geotagging (geotagging is now added via firmware update)
Touch web browser not quite polished
No voice-guided navigation license
No office document editing out-of-the-box
Doesn't charge off microUSB

Now, you're not the only one waiting for Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. A legion of touchscreen phones have been busy delivering more and better, and owning that market. They sure won't be giving Nokia and S60 5th the warmest of welcomes.

At this point, Nokia 5800 may as well be more of a trespasser than a worthy rival. We mean, stealing even the tiniest bit of market off such formidable competition should be a win to savor for every newcomer. And still, we shouldn't be looking at the actual handset alone. Maybe the 5800 isn't make or break for Nokia, but S60 5th should darn well be.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic at ours

We're looking at the first S60 touchscreen. A lot less hoping for the best than preparing for the worst may sound like the right kind of attitude. Because a first try will be measured by just anything that lives and breathes, and has a touchscreen. So, let's see what Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is up against. Just mind you that it's more than just the names of a few handsets - it's generations of touchscreen development.

Apple may be looking down with amused detachment at yet another iPhone-killer wannabe. We guess Nokia 5800 XpressMusic doesn't want that label but it won't escape it. We are talking the market leader against the touch interface pacesetter. Maybe not this time, but this one is worth keeping an eye on in the long run. At this point though, for the price of an unlocked contract-free iPhone 3G you can easily obtain two Nokia 5800 XpressMusic handsets - sounds a bargain, doesn't it?

The Nokia 5800 vs Apple iPhone 3G

Windows Mobile is well into the picture too. Recent HTC models (Diamond, Touch HD) and Samsung i900 Omnia have shown that powerful multimedia is no orphan in the WinMo world. Loads of 3rd party software and cool and nifty UI plug-ins (TouchFLO 3D, TouchWiz) are great assets but the heftier price tag sets them back a bit. The Diamond comes closest to the Nokia, but it's still about 30 euro (40 US dollars) more.

The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic next to HTC Touch Diamond and Samsung i900 Omnia

LG and Samsung are also quite versed in the ways of touchscreen. Both makers have sizeable touch portfolios, ranging from affordable, non-smart touchscreens to 8 megapixel multimedia monsters. Samsung do boast a bunch of WinMo touch devices too. What's more, the company is keen enough on Symbian too, so that's potentially another "touching" chapter in the rivalry between the top two market-share leaders.

So, obviously the touchscreen game is no joke - it's getting tougher by the minute out there. Let's now check if the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic has what it takes to play along. We just took a peek in the retail package and - boy, are we impressed. Join us on the next page, where cheers roar as the box breaks open.

2. Samsung I6220 Star TV

Voting results

Design: 7.6
Features: 7.5
Performance: 7.7

Votes:: 104
Hits:: 48959

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	Announced	2009, August
	Status	Available. Released 2009, September

Size	Dimensions	105 x 53 x 12 mm
Size	Weight	92 g

Display	Type	TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors
	Size	240 x 400 pixels, 3.0 inches
		- Accelerometer sensor - Handwriting recognition - Smart unlock

Sound	Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, WAV ringtones
	Speakerphone	Yes
		- DNSe (Digital Natural Sound Engine)

Memory	Phonebook	1000 entries, Photocall
	Call records	Yes
	Internal	50 MB
	Card slot	microSD (TransFlash), up to 16GB, 1GB included, buy memory

Data	GPRS	Class 12 (4+1/3+2/2+3/1+4 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	No
	EDGE	Class 12
	3G	No
	WLAN	No
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.1 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Camera	Primary	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels
	Features	Smile detection
	Video	Yes, QVGA@15fps
	Secondary	No

Features	Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
	Radio	Stereo FM radio with RDS
	Games	Yes + downloadable
	Colors	Black, Red
	GPS	No
	Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0
		- T-DMB TV receiver - MP3/WMA/eAAC+ player - MP4/H.263/H.264 player - Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) - Organizer - Voice memo - T9

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Ion 1000 mAh
	Stand-by	Up to 300 h
	Talk time	Up to 5 h

3. Sony Ericsson W995

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Voting results

Design: 8.5
Features: 8.5
Performance: 8.5

Votes:: 21212
Hits:: 1770941

- W995 HSDPA/850/900/1800/1900/2100 MHz
- W995a HSDPA/850/900/1800/1900 MHz for America

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 900 / 2100
		HSDPA 850 / 1900 - W995a
	Announced	2009, February
	Status	Available. Released 2009, May

Size	Dimensions	97 x 49 x 15 mm
Size	Weight	113 g

Display	Type	TFT, 256K colors
	Size	240 x 320 pixels, 2.6 inches
		- Accelerometer sensor

Sound	Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones
	Speakerphone	Yes, with stereo speakers
		- 3.5 mm audio jack

Memory	Phonebook	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call
	Call records	30 received, dialed and missed calls
	Internal	118 MB
	Card slot	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8GB, 8GB card included

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	Yes
	EDGE	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 2 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Camera	Primary	8.1 MP, 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash
	Features	Geo-tagging, face detection, image stabilizer
	Video	Yes, WQVGA@30fps
	Secondary	Videocall camera

Features	Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, IM
	Browser	WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader
	Radio	Stereo FM radio with RDS
	Games	Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable
	Colors	Progressive Black, Cosmic Silver, Energetic Red
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS support; Wayfinder navigator
	Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0
		- MP3/AAC/MP4 player - TrackID music recognition - Picture editor/blogging - YouTube application - Organizer - Voice memo/dial - Walkman 4.0 player - Shake control - SensMe - Kickstand

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Po 930 mAh (BST-38)
	Stand-by	Up to 370 h (2G) / Up to 360 h (3G)
	Talk time	Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)
	Music play	Up to 20 h

4. Sony Ericsson W705

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Voting results

Design: 8.3
Features: 8.3
Performance: 8.3

Votes:: 7844
Hits:: 1478652

- Sony Ericsson W705u with UMA (for Orange)

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 900 / 2100
	Announced	2008, October
	Status	Available. Released 2009, March

Size	Dimensions	95 x 47.5 x 14.3 mm
Size	Weight	98 g

Display	Type	TFT, 256K colors
	Size	240 x 320 pixels, 2.4 inches
		- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate - Wallpapers, screensavers

Sound	Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones
	Speakerphone	Yes

Memory	Phonebook	Yes, up to 1000 entries, Photocall
	Call records	30 received, dialed and missed calls
	Internal	120 MB
	Card slot	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8GB, 4GB card included

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	Yes
	EDGE	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 2 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Camera	Primary	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, LED flash
	Features	Geo-tagging (cell-ID)
	Video	Yes
	Secondary	Videocall camera

Features	Messaging	SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
	Browser	WAP 2.0/HTML, RSS
	Radio	Stereo FM radio with RDS
	Games	Yes + downloadable
	Colors	Luxury Silver, Passionate Red
	GPS	No
	Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0
		- MP3/AAC/MP4 player - Walkman 3.0 player - Shake control - SensMe - TrackID music recognition - YouTube service in Media Center - Picture editor/blogging - Organizer - Voice memo

5. Sony Ericsson W595s

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eForCity accessories

Voting results

Design: 7.0
Features: 6.7
Performance: 6.8

Votes:: 708
Hits:: 274492

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 2100
	Announced	2008, July
	Status	Available. Released 2008, September

Size	Dimensions	100 x 47 x 14 mm
Size	Weight	105 g

Display	Type	TFT, 256K colors
	Size	240 x 320 pixels, 2.2 inches
		- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate

Sound	Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones
	Speakerphone	Yes, with stereo speakers

Memory	Phonebook	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call
	Call records	30 received, dialed and missed calls
	Internal	40 MB
	Card slot	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8GB, 2GB card included

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	Yes
	EDGE	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	HSDPA 3.6 Mbps
	WLAN	No
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Camera	Primary	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels
	Features	Videocalling
	Video	Yes, QVGA@15fps
	Secondary	No

Features	Messaging	SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront )
	Radio	Stereo FM radio with RDS
	Games	Yes + downloadable
	Colors	Dusty Blue
	GPS	No
	Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0
		- Walkman player - TrackID music recognition - SensMe - Shake control - T9 - Picture editor - Organizer - Voice memo

HTC Touch Diamond

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Voting results

Design: 8.5
Features: 8.4
Performance: 8.3

Votes:: 12934
Hits:: 3137829

HTC Diamond 100 platform. Full HTC platforms guide

General	2G Network	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
		GSM 850 / 1800 / 1900 - American version
	3G Network	HSDPA 900 / 2100
		HSDPA 850 / 1900 - American version
	Announced	2008, May
	Status	Available. Released 2008, May

Size	Dimensions	102 x 51 x 11.5 mm
Size	Weight	110 g

Display	Type	TFT resistive touchscreen, 65K colors
	Size	480 x 640 pixels, 2.8 inches
		- TouchFLO 3D finger swipe navigation - Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate - Proximity sensor for auto turn-off - Touch-sensitive navigation controls - Handwriting recognition

Sound	Alert types	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, WAV, WMA ringtones
	Speakerphone	Yes

Memory	Phonebook	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Call records	Practically unlimited
	Internal	4 GB storage, 192 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM
	Card slot	No

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	No
	EDGE	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, miniUSB

Camera	Primary	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus
	Video	Yes, CIF@30fps
	Secondary	VGA videocall camera

Features

Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

Film: Ganesh

Cast: Ram, Kajal, Brahmanandam, Ashish Vidyardhi, Sudha, Kasi Vishwanath, Poonam Kaur, Rohini Hattangidi and others
Dialogues: Abburi Ravi
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Lyrics: Sirivennela, Ramajogaiah Shastry
Cinematography: Hari Anumolu
Editing: Srikara Prasad
Art: Peketi Ranga
Action: Peter Heins
Produced by: Sravanthi Ravikishore
Story, screenplay and directed by: M Saravanan
Release date: September 24, 2009
CBFC Rating: U/A

What’s it about!

A close friend of Ganesh (Ram) gets in a problem - that his father wants him to get married to his niece. As his friend is already in love with another girl and he could not tell this to his father at this juncture, Ganesh comes forward to help him. Ganesh hatches a plan to make his friend’s niece Divya (Kajal) fall in love with him so that his friend would be happily marry his girlfriend. Ganesh takes rent a floor above Divya’s apartment and woes her with his charming ways. She falls in love with him and they soon exchange rings. But one day, Divya comes to know that Ganesh is pretending to be in her love just to help his friend. Heartbroken Divya starts hating Ganesh who tries to convince that he has really fallen in love but in vain. The rest of the film is all about Ganesh making her realize his true love.

Analysis

After stupendous success of Ready and above average Maska, Ram has emerged as hottest hero. With Ready, he won the hearts of youth and kids, and with Maska, he established himself as a mass hero too. Hence, to sustain this image, he has chosen Ganesh, a very simple script narrated by newcomer Saravanan. Ram’s superman histrionics and children playing major role in the narration seems to be an attempt to make Ram dear to kids in Andhra. The film’s first half is good but it misses the track in the second half. Moreover, the run time is too excessive to this kind of simple film. Some comedy here and there, excellent cinematography and first half are its strengths. Rest is pretty ordinary.

Performances

Ram, known for his high energy levels, has played a lover boy role. He has done neat job in that and also tried to win the hearts of kids with his superman antics. He has not indulged in much action scenes (as there are hardly any fights) and dances are also okay. Kajal has looked good in songs and some romantic scenes. Chemistry between the lead stars is fine. Brahmanandam as Yadagiri has tried to provide some entertainment. Poonam Kaur in a special apperance adds glam quotient to the moive. All the kids who acted are cute. Rest of the cast is okay . Ashishi Vidyardhi's role is poorly etched.

On technical front, Hari Anumolu walks away with top honours. His cinematography is top class. Music by Mickey J Meyer is bad. Except the song, written by Sirivennela, none of the songs are humble. The less said about his background score is the better. Although the film is shot mostly at one or two places but the production values of Sravanthi Movies are topnotch. Abburi Ravi impresses with one or two good dialogues.

Bottom-line!

Ganesh is just an okay film. First half has is decent with some good entertainment but second half misses the track. Should have been trimmed to make it tighter in the second half (2.50 hrs runtime). On the whole, it is strictly average fare.

Rating: 3/5

2. EENADU

Film: Eenadu
Cast: Kamal Haasan, Venkatesh, Lakshmi, Bharat Reddy, Ganesh Raman Poonam Kaur and others
Dialogues: Neelakantha
Story: Neeraj Pandey
Music: Shruti Haasan
Cinematography: Manoj Soni
Editing: Ramesh Bhagat
Produced by: Kamal Haasan, Chandra Haasan, Ronnie Screwvala
Screenplay and directed by: Chakri Toleti
Release date: September 18, 2008
CBFC Rating: U

What’s it about

The film starts off with a Police commissioner Eeshwara Prasad (Venkatesh) narrating an incident that changed his life. An anonymous individual (Kamal Haasan) makes a call to Police Commissioner and informs him that he has planted bombs in various locations in Hyderabad. He demands four terrorists to be released from jail and bring them to a certain place, or he would detonate the bombs. With the help of two of his sharp and efficient police officers, Eeshwara Prasad tries to prevent him from taking extreme step. Why this anonymous individual plants bombs and what he wants to do with the terrorists and what is his motive behind this setup forms the rest of the movie.

Analysis

Released in 2008, A Wednesday received great critical praise and won several awards too. Eenadu is the remake of this critically acclaimed film. Debutant director Chakri Toleti has not done many changes to the original film as per as script is concerned but he has brought ‘star actors’ in to play the lead roles unlike the Hindi movie and made technically superior. Eenadu is not regular potboiler and deals with a serious subject in a thriller format. Although, Kamal and Venky, have tried to hook the audiences with their performances and star power, the film is just okay. Much of the movie is fast paced and has some good qualities to boast of, but the emotional basis for the happenings is not so strong to connect with the so-called ‘common man’s angst.

Although it gives new ‘experience’ to Telugu audiences (as it departures from run-of-the mill duets, separate comedy tracks, other distractions), the film still falls short of fulfilling viewing experience. This kind of films should have ‘strong’ reason (for understanding the common man’s anguish) and powerful dialogues. The excessive usage of English dialogues mars the proceedings.

For those who haven’t seen the original, Eenadu looks fresh and to those who have seen it doesn’t seem much exciting.

Performances

Legendary Kamal Haasan has portrayed the common man role with finesse. It can be debatable as he really looked like an ‘ordinary layman’ but his star power glues us to watch the proceedings with interest. It is welcome change that Venkatesh has accepted this film as it ushers in new trend for multi-starrers. In the role of a Police Commissioner, he has given one of the best performances in his career. Although he shares screen space with Kamal in just one scene, he does it for Kamal.

Bharat Reddy and Ganesh Raman as the young cops are equally adept. Especially Ganesh as Muslim cop is believable. Lakshmi’s character is distraction and is not necessary to the smooth flow of the movie. Poonam Kaur appears in couple of scenes. The girl who played the journalist is okay. But the comedy show - Bush and Mush - is complete waste.

The film is shot on Red Camera and its effect is visible as the visuals are really rich and bright. Bollywood cinematographer Manoj Soni has done good job, so is the editor Ramesh. Director Chakri Toleti has succeeded in presenting it without deviating from the original story but he should have concentrated more on the emotional base to make it more engrossing. He seems to have good visual sense.

Bottom-line!

Kamal and Venkatesh acting together in a film and their star power is the major attraction with Eenadu but the film, on the whole, is okay. It lacks the ‘force’ and emotional basis to get connected with. For those who haven’t seen the original, Eenadu looks fresh and to those who have seen it doesn’t seem much exciting.

TC Rating: 2.75/5

3. sankham

From a long time, the action lovers had been waiting for aggressive star Gopichand to arrive with his new venture ‘Sankham’. There is also the pretty Trisha to make things better so let us see how this film has turned out to be.

Story

Set on the backdrop of Australia, the story begins with the happy go lucky Chandu (Gopichand) whose only aim in life seems to be to get into fight given his martial arts and fitness skills. However, action doesn’t happen but love happens to him when he sees Mahalakshmi (Trisha) and since then he chases her. Finally she gives in but not before her aunty comes and takes her back to India. Mahalakshmi is the daughter of the dreaded Pasupathy (Kota) in Rayalaseema region and he has got his staunch enemy in Sivaiah (Sathyaraj) who is considered as god by the locals. The interesting bit is Chandu happens to be the son of Sivaiah but he doesn’t know that until he comes to India to take Mahalakshmi. The father and son meet and what happens from there forms the rest of the story.

Performances

Gopichand looks bright and strong as ever but this time he tried more of comedy than action so it was new. Trisha looked beautiful and she has put on weight which makes her more attractive. Kota was flawless, Sathyaraj created an impact and was elegant, Ali was hilarious, Srinivas Reddy was good, Krishna Bhagawan was witty, Chandramohan was standard, Supreeth was wasted, Banerjee was intense, Dharmavarapu was okay, Venu Madhav was good, the others contributed in their own way.

Technical aspects

The presentation part has been good. The dialogues were alright, the script was weak but the screenplay was apt. The songs were canned well but only two of them were melodious and worth taking home. Cinematography was top notch, editing was alright, costumes were perfect and the art department was adequate. The pace of the film was alright.

Director’s portrayal

The director came with a commercial concept but then his narrative missed the mark this time unlike his earlier movie. He was not able to get the right emotion and even comedy looked overdone in few sequences. It was essential that the film had seriousness but then it went on a light mode for a long time. He has looked at involving too much of comedy at unwanted times and this kind of dragged the movie. He needs to work on the comedy and the emotional scenes aspect.

Critic’s view

The film could have been a lot better if focus was there on proportionate basis for both comedy and action. The dose of comedy is not of quality though there were few good takes, given the title, there was a lot of high adrenaline stuff expected but that has not been included. The entire first half and even parts of second half was also covered with weak comedy and non-situational songs. Though there are few points which appeal to the audience due to Gopi’s performance, there is not enough ammunition to connect to the audience and give them that hair raising experience. This might fizzle out soon.

Verdict

Just okay, nothing intense

4. JOSH

Film: Josh
Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Karthika, J D Chekravarthy, Sunil, Brahmanandam, Rehaman, Prakash Raj, Hema, Surya, Sreya Dhanwantari, and others
Music: Sandeep Chowta
Cinematography: Sameer Reddy
Fights: Vijay, Aman Ghani
Choreography: Raju Sundaram, Shobi
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Art director: Brahma Kadali
Co-Producers: Sirish - Lakshman
Produced by: Dil Raju
Story, screenplay and directed by: Vasu Varma
Released date: Sep 5, 2009
CBFC Rating: U/A

What’s it about!

Satya (Naga Chaitanya) is a student. He discontinues his gradation studies in Vizag and comes to Hydearabad in search of a job. He stays with his uncle (Sunil) in Hyderabad and gets a job in a nursery. He runs into a fight with local college students who are influenced by political mafia leader Durga Rao (J D Chekaravarthy). Satya tries to change the students but fails. Then he joins in the college to cleanse the system. On the other hand, there is Vidya, a teenager, who aspires to go to college but could not as her brother feels college students are rowdies and she would not be safe in college. So she teaches in an elementary school. She meets Satya and love blossoms between them. Main crux of the movie is how Satya changes the students and brings them out the bad influence of Durga Rao.

Analysis

Josh is debut film of Nagarjuna’s son Naga Chaitanya. Like all-star son’s maiden movies, the film has raised gargantuan expectations and created tremendous curiosity. But Josh fails to live up to the expectations as the movie lacks both the novelty factor as well as ‘supposedly commercial elements’. Indeed, there is no josh in the treatment. It is pretty ordinary. A star son’s launch film, either should be made with commercial values or with a unique script. Josh lacks these qualities. The story has a message but the director has failed to tell it in interesting manner. Debutant director Vasu Varma creates false ‘buildup’ for hero’s introduction and makes him behave as if he were hiding something startling secret to blurt out but when he lets out it in the flashback, it doesn’t make any impact.

Only when the hero makes a ‘speech’ on how much burden a student goes through these days, audiences really feel for it. That is the only scene that makes an impact. Rest is just an okay.

Looks like producer Dil Raju is infatuated with ‘message theme’ after the success of Bommarillu. It is understandable if a film has inherent message in it but it would be silly to weave script around a message by forcibly. That is the major fault in this script.

Performances!

Naga Chaitanya has boyish charm. Looks wise, he has qualities to become a good romantic hero like his father if he further focuses on grooming. Although he makes neat debut but he still looks like a ‘boy’. For a debut hero, he has a neat dialogue delivery. He has shown his talent especially in the ‘college speech’ scene. He has to develop in dances and needs to hone acting skills.

Karthika, daughter of erstwhile glam queen Radha, is okay. Her dusky looks might not go well with our audiences who seek gora girls. The irritating factor is Savitha Reddy’s dubbing, her voice is same for all the heroines. It is high time that our filmmakers should stop using her voice for every other actress. Also Karthika’s characterization looks like the extension of Haasini in Bommarillu (Dil Raju’s hangover continues..).

J D Chekravarthy as villain does good job. His is extension of Bhavani’s role in Shiva. Sunil provides some comedy with actress.

Technically, it is Sameer Reddy’s cinematography that catches the eye. His work is neat. Music by Sandeep Chowta is not that good except a melody song (Neeto unte..) and college fun song. Editing is poor at many stretches. Production values are just okay. Debutant director Vasu Varma is letdown by his own shoddy screenplay although he has shown spark in dialogues department. Student groups and nexus between student leaders and political leaders is thing of the past. Yet, the director has chosen this angle. Probably, he has written the plot in his graduation days.

Bottom-line!

Josh is not a right script for a star son like Nag Chaitanya’s launch. It has no novelty nor is the treatment is better. Indeed, Josh lacks josh. It is pretty ordinary and fails to impress. Couple of songs, a fight here or there and Naga Chaitanya’s confident debut are the only positive aspects. If you want to get a glimpse of how Nagarjuna’s son Naga Chaitanya looks like on silver screen, you can buy ticket on that aspect only. On quality aspects, the film fails to impress.

Rating: 2.75/5

5. mallanna

Film: Mallanna
Cast: Vikram, Superstar Krishna, Shriya, Prabhu, Ashish Vidyarthi, Mukesh Tiwari, Mumait Khan, Brahmanandam and others
Dialogues: Sahiti
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography: N K Ekambaram
Art: Thota Tharani
Produced by: Kalaipuli S Thanu
Story, screenplay and directed by: Susi Ganeshan
Release Date: August 21, 2009
CBFC Rating: U/A

What’s it about!

Mallanna (Vikram) is a CBI Officer working under economic offences investigation department. He steals some of the money that he caught during the raides and distributes to the needy and poor. He comes in disguise of god Mallanna to the helpful who petition at the temple of Mallanna. Once CBI raids on powerful rich person PPP (Ashish Vidyardhi) under the guidance of Mallanna and after that PPP vows to finish him off. His daughter Subbalakahsmi (Shriya) swears revenge and pretends to fall in love with him. Mallanna is protected by CBI Joint director (Krishna) in his Robin Hood activities. The rest of the movie is how Subbalakshmi realizes her fault, and Mallanna achieves his mission.

Analysis

Mallanna is typical Robin Hood story but the director has failed to present it effectively; he has resorted to the camera gimmickry and editing effects. Director Susi Ganeshan seems to have inspired by director Shankar as he has followed the same terrain. The film is shot extravagantly in various exotic locations and action stunts are superb but it doesn’t have soul and substance. By and large, it is kichidi of various flicks like Shivaji (Black Money, Economical Offences), Tagore (Hero and his friends acting like a gang), Shahensha (Robin Hood kind of generosity), Aparichitudu (Getups), etc.

Grand locations, extravagant budget and some of the episodes are the best part of the film and rest is pretty ordinary. Theme and story is interesting but the treatment is lethargic. The film could have been better had the director concentrated more on screenplay rather than his self-indulgence (he acts in the film too).

Performances

Vikram dons various getup including women’s. He is good as lanky CBI officer but his getups are also good but they lack fizz. It is nice to hear Vikram’s own voice in Telugu. Shriya has done most glamorous role in her career. She has indulged in skin show heavily and also done a lip-lip kiss scene. But the romantic scenes between Vikram and Shriya irritate the audiences after sometime as they spoil the main story. Brahamanamdam’s comedy (in some theatres it was chopped off) is also irritating. Superstar Krishna in the role of a senior CBI officer is good although he has not much to do. Prabhu as investigating officer is okay, it is just an extension of Prakash Raj’s character in Tagore. Mumait Khan appears in an item song. Ashish Vidyardhi is okay. Mukesh Tiwari as richest person in AP does good job.

Devi Sri Prasad’s music is the core strength of the film. Excuse Me Mallanna and Mambo songs are the best from the lot. Technically the film is chic with slick production values. Cinematographer Ekambaram makes the film visually stunning but the color grading looks hotchpotch. The biggest villain in the film is editing part. Run time of the movie is heavy (with 3 hours 10 minutes) and ridiculous-editing effects have put strain on eyes. Producer Kalaipuli Thanu has pumped lot of money and the expenses are visible on the screen but looks like director has taken him for a ride.

Bottom-line

The problem with the film is that you get a feeling of déjà vu as most of the action sequences and Vikram’s getups have been showing in trailers on TV channels. You don’t feel get thrilled when you actually see them on silver screen. Mallanna is kichidi of Shivaji, Tagore, Shahensha and Aparichitudu. Shot extravagantly but has no substance.

TC Rating: 2.75/5

6. rechipo

Movie: Rechipo
My Rating: 2.75/5
Banner: Sree Spectra Media
Music: Mani Sharma
Cinematography: Surender Reddy
Editing: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Producer: GV Ramana
Direction, Story & Screenplay: Paruchuri Murali
Cast: Nithin, Ileana, Ahuti Prasad, MS Narayana, Sunil, Raghu Babu, Rama Prabha, Hema etc
Release Date: 25th Sep 2009

Review

Story

Shiva (Nithin) is a young thief who robs from stinking rich and distributes that among poor and needy. He learns that there is Rs 500 Cr in Home Minister’s house. He chalks out a plan and robs that. But that amount is the one seized by police from mafia gang those earn through Cricket Betting.

Knowing that his men were arrested and Rs 500 Cr was seized, the mafia head in Dubai kidnaps Home Minister’s daughter Krishna Veni (Ileana) and demands to release his men and pay back Rs 500 Cr immediately.

Then Shiva, who also happens to be the love interest of Krishna Veni flies to Dubai, fights with mafia dons and rescues her. But what happens to Rs 500 Cr? Did he give that back? That forms the climax.

Artists Performance:

Nithin: He is ok with respect to dances and projecting his physical fitness. But he needs to upgrade a lot in dialogue delivery.

Ileana: Ileana’s screen presence is good but could be better with quality cinematography.

Ahuti Prasad is ok as Home Minister and Bhanuchander is needless as Police Commissioner.

MS Narayana scored well as comedian but Sunil is below average. Raghu Babu’s comedy is disgusting. There is problem with timing in dialogue in some scenes.

Director failed to bring in conviction to his narration. He failed by projecting heroine’s father as Home Minister. He would have shown him as a big businessman for normal believability. How can Home Minister dare to depend on a thief to bring back his kidnapped daughter from mafia dons? What happens to his system and influence in Government level? And Police Commissioner too standing dumb and depending on young thief…..hero killing the villain by battering on his head and hero standing strong even though a bullet hits on left side of his chest…blah blah blah. The story cannot deserve a place even in any children’s stories book of this present juncture. Telugu Movie Reviews

Final Analysis:

It’s a full dose masala movie but spice less. The line, narration and histrionics are obsolete and not gripping. It’s the film made with routine formula of songs, fights and comedy scenes. But the conviction is missing on a whole although ok when looked at bits and pieces.

The story line chosen is much below the conviction level. Home Minister and Commissioner taking the help of a thief to get back the minister’s kidnapped daughter from Dubai from the clutches of international mafia dons……..!!! That’s not an exciting theme for contemporary mass audience.

On a whole, it’s a movie made with rich production values but the patronage of targeted audience is doubtful. It may not be a safe project with respect to budget incurred and output delivered.

7.baanam

Film: Banam
Cast: Nara Rohith (debut film), Vedika, Ranadheer, Shayaji Shinde, Bhanuchander, Rajeev Kanakala, AVS, Shivanarayana, Ragini, Giridhar and others
Dialogues: Nagaraju Gandham
Music: Manisharma
Cinematography: Anil Bhandari
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Art: Bhupesh R Bhupati
Action: Ram-Laxman
Executive producer: K Saibaba
Produced by: Seshu Priyanka Chalasani
Banner: 3 Angels Studio
Story, screenplay and directed by: Chaitanya Dantaloori
Release Date: September 16, 2009
CBFC Rating: U/A

What’s it about!
The film is set in 1989 at Ranasthali in Srikakulam district. Bhagat (Nara Rohith) is an idealistic youngster who aspires to become IPS officer, as he believes that only justice can be brought through ‘legal system’. His father is a Naxalite leader but ‘retires’ from the movement to spend time with his son. One day, Bhagat happens to see newly wed woman (Vedika) sitting at Railway Station alone and he comes to know from her that her in-laws sent her away to bring dowry. On the same day, her father dies, her in-laws reject her, and so he brings her to his home. Soon a local rowdy eyes on her that makes Bhagat to fight with him. In the melee, the rowdy dies and Bhagat goes to jail. On the other hand, several police offices try to contain the activities of the rowdy’s boss, Patnaik (Ranadheer), but couldn’t do so. How our hero Bhagat does it being within the ‘system’ forms the rest of the story.

Analysis

Banam is a sensible movie. Niche audiences who like films with different approach and offbeat stories can like it. Although it starts off pretty promisingly and sets you up rather well, it fails to continue the same till the end. Debutant director Chaitanya should be commended for treading off the beaten track in narrating the movie and in selecting the story. Despite snail pace of the movie, first half arrests you and intrigues you. The director has tried to bring certain stylized depiction of heroism and scenes.

Climax scenes are pretty ordinary. The film is essentially about an idealistic guy who wants to cleanse the system. Question is: why should the film happen in 1989? What is so important about that period? Was it Naxalism? Even hero employing four police officers under training to cleanse the system is not told in convincing manner. Other than these faults, the film on the whole is sensible and a very good attempt. Nara Rohith’s look and his acting skills, some good locales, first half of the movie are interesting part of the film.

Performances

Nara Rohith, son of former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s brother, makes a very confident debut. He has good looks and his subtle acting (is it deliberate) is very impressive. At a time, all star sons and newcomers are debuting with a commercial film; Nara Rohith should be commended for choosing this offbeat film. Like Abhay Deol in Bollywood, he can be good choice for certain roles. He looks promising. Dialogue delivery is his strength.

Vedika in a Brahmin girl is okay. Looks like her role is created to show off hero’s idealistic nature than weaving a romantic thread. Shayaji Shinde’s role of a former Naxalite is poorly etched. Other actors are okay. Ranadhir as main villain does justice to his role

Technically, the film is very nice. Cinematography by Anil Bhandari (is he the same cameraman who did the shabby Mallepuvvu?) is excellent. The locales they have chosen (near Bobbili and Pollachi) also have brought freshness on to the screen. Dialogues by Gandham Nagaraju (of Gamyam fame) are poetic.

Art director has succeeded in recreating 80’s look. Even the director has intelligently created scenes like Shiva cycle chain scene, and a theatre showing Geetanjali film, to depict that period.

After a long time, Manisharma has given good music especially his background score is splendid. The song, Kadile Padam , has good lyrical value (Vanamali.). It is nice that debutant director Chaitanya Dantaloori has brought some realism into Telugu films at a time Tollywood increasingly falling into the trap of masala movies. He definitely seems to have innovative ideas but he needs to put it in more channelised way. His shot making style resembles to RGV’s. Though he lost his grip in the climax scenes, as a director he looks a promising talent. Producer Seshu Priyanka has good taste.

Bottom-line!

Banam is an offbeat film with sensible approach. Although it has its faults, it should be appreciated for attempting such films. Nara Rohith and director Chaitanya look promising. The film might be liked by niche audiences.

Reviewed by JP

Rating: 3/5