Chalo Cinema

Where's the edge?

Film: Minchu (Kannada)
Direction: Vishal Raj
Cast: Siddhanth, Archana, Jonita Doda, Dharma
Mandya Ramesh
Theatres: Aparna, Siddeshwara, PVR Cinemas, Pramod
Rating: J

What it's about: Minchu, a remake of the Tamil super hit Thimiri, is simply a massacre of the original. The narration of Thimiri, starring Vishal and Reema Sen, was racy. It was action all right but backed by strong characters and stronger packaging and treatment. Sadly, there's not a single strand of sincerity in this lazily made patch-work production.

Ganesh (Siddharth), a medical college student in Mandya, locks horns with Baddi Mahadevi (Archana), the sister of notorious underworld dons. He tries to din into them that he's not interested in duels and bloodshed, but they will not let him be. Baddi Mahadevi later falls for Ganesh and decides to marry him. Ganesh thwarts all her plans and a vengeful Mahadevi tries to kill him. But she is killed in a freak mishap instead. Now Mahadevi's brothers want to avenge the death of their sister by eliminating Ganesh...

What's hot: Archana, of Aa Dinagalu fame, has come up with a decent performance and is probably the only saving grace in this film.

What's not: The lack of direction is shocking, to say the least. And the film simply falls flat in all departments.

Verdict: Stay away.

Too much fuss, machcha!

Film: Machcha (Kannada)
Direction: Dattu
Cast: Jeevan, Sarita Jain, Satya Prakash and Ramesh Bhat
Theatres: Abhinay, PVR
Rating: JJ

What it's about: Mahesh Chandra (Jeevan) is a poor but hardworking lad who dreams of becoming a police officer. When senior officers cheat him of an opportunity, he comes to Bangalore looking for a job. He stays with his pal Yati. One day when rowdies attack Yati and his wife, Mahesh saves the couple. Strangely, he joins forces with underworld don JK and comes to be known as Machcha. Aishwarya (Saritha Jain), who works with an advertising agency, loves Machcha and reforms him.

What's Hot: Debutant director Dattu has a strong script but the narration falters. Though Maccha is a technically sound film, it tests the audience's patience. Actor Satya Prakash, music director Arjun and cameraman Mahandran handle their roles with competence.

What's Not: Newbies Jeevan and Saritha look good but can't act.

Verdict: Don't fritter your evening away. The IPL matches are more entertaining anyway!u00a0