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Raw hand-to-hand action USP of 'The Raid - Redemption' (IANS Movie Review - Rating: ***)


Film: 'The Raid - Redemption'; Cast: Iko UwaisAnanda George and Ray Sahetapy; Director: Gareth Evans; Rating: 3/5
Simplistically speaking, there are two basic types of action films - super technological special effectsfare and hand-to-hand physical action. While Hollywood has excelled in the former, the Asian countries have mastered the latter.
Thus, you have had different stars of the Orient, whose physicality shocked audiences as much as it thrilled them. Bruce LeeJackie Chan and more recently Tony Jaa have been actors born out of that mould. In 2011, another name was added - Iko Uwais, who in this film shows some of the meanest physical moves you would have seen in martial arts cinema history.
A police SWAT battalion raids a building full of criminals. They get in easily, but once deep inside the building, they realise their guns and grenades are no match for the raw brutality of the inmates, shunting them as they become small fish in a big, piranha infested pond.
As they fall, one after the other, Rama (Iko) realises he has to literally fight his way out.
No matter how good the cinematic world gets at special effects wizardry, raw hand-to-hand action will always find favour in the minds of men. While special effects are fantasy, hitting someone with your limbs in well coordinated movements is real and thus stimulates greater vicarious reaction from viewers.
Hence, despite their films being not so great cinematically, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Tony Jaa became popular and it is for the same reason 'The Raid: Redemption', despite lacking a sensible story, plot or characterisation, will work.
Iko, a proponent of the traditional Indonesian martial art Silat, was discovered by Welsh director Gareth Evans while filming -a documentary. Taken over by Iko's charisma and great camera presence, he cast him as the protagonist in 'Merantau'.
'The Raid' is their second film together, which has garnered rave reviews from fans globally, something not seen since Tony Jaa's 'Ong Bak'.
The most important thing in an action film is the action. Director Gareth Evans and action director Iko get that right. That it is peppered with wit, both visual and aural, is an added advantage.
The action sequences are quick and well choreographed. Iko has a natural and graceful flair for action. If he plays his cards right, he will emerge as the next global action superstar.
The main problem with the film is the extra gore. One only wishes it were toned down. But that is perhaps the reason why the film will garner young fans, attuned as they are to this gore and blood in video games.
India not only has a rich history and tradition of martial arts, but it is believed to be their birth place. It has many forms practiced in many corners of the country from the well-known Kalaripayat in Kerala to Thang-Ta in Manipur from Gatkain Punjab to Kuttu Varisai in Tamil Nadu.
Hence, to see a country like Indonesia storm into the world of martial arts cinema with such a delectable fare, should make every Indian jealous. It is time some martial artist and some director take up the martial arts challenge in the country.
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Emraan Hashmi Not Aping Hrithik Roshan's Guzaarish Act

Emraan Hashmi is all set to play a magician in the upcoming Ek Thi Daayan. There was speculation whether Hashmi would take any inspiration from Hrithik Roshan's conjurer act in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish.

Even though the film did not do too well at the box office, Hrithik was lauded for his flawless portrayal of a magician. It garnered rave reviews from the critics as well as the audience. However, Emraan wants to bring his own edge to the character and give it a sense of individuality. A source close to the film was quoted saying, "One cannot expect him to repeat what Hrithik has done already. That kind of personality and look will not suit him either. They are two very different actors. Hashmi has developed a body language of his own and even his costumes have been designed keeping his image in mind."

Emraan is already on a high after giving four successive super hits at the box office. One cannot expect anything short of spectacular from this unconventional actor!
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Vikram Bhatt: When Karisma does a film, it has to be special


Joginder Tuteja, Glamsham Editorial
For Karisma Kapoor, her comeback affair DANGEROUS ISHHQ has turned out to be special since other than facing the camera for the big screen again, she now also has a bona-fide 3D film to her credit, something that her sister Kareena too boasts of, courtesy RA.ONE.
However when the film was being shot, director Vikram Bhatt didn't want 3D to come in way of her performance and allowed her to do her own thing without thinking much about the technology.
Says Vikram Bhatt, "When Karisma was acting, I never overwhelmed her with the idea of doing anything special since the film was in 3D. It is my job to worry about all of that and not my actors. Moreover when Karisma does a film, it has to be special with or without 3D."
While he has completed the shoot of RAAZ 3 as well in 3D, one now expects him to make each of his forthcoming films into 3D as well. However the filmmaker is wary when it comes to making any declarations about his forthcoming outings.
He says, "I first want to build faith of 3D in audience. RAAZ 3 and DANGEROUS ISHHQ would hugely decide the future of such cinematic technique in India."
Well, we would want it to be extra special as well because of Karisma in the scheme of things.
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LOVE RECIPE film music launched


Rajesh Kumar Singh, Glamsham Editorial
The music of LOVE RECIPE, a film directed by Amol Shetge, was launched in a glittering ceremony at a suburban Mumbai hotel with full attendance of the film's cast that includes newcomers Suhail Khan, Rani Agrawal, and Dawood Khot and old hands like Manoj Joshi, Vrijesh Hirjee, and Sanjay Narvekar.
The director Amol Shetge introduced the cast and the music team. Producer Noor Bano Khot, music director Sameer Phtarpekar, singers Shaan and Bela Shende, lyrics writer Sudhakar Sharma and a large posse of media were present on the occasion. The film is produced by Nurson Media Entertainment and Noor Bano Khot, and the music album is marketed by NURSON Music. The album has five songs, and a sixth one as a club mix. Two of the songs are written by Sachin Pathak. The other singers are Kunal Ganjawala, June Banerjee, Amit Kumar, Mamta Sharma, Samir, and Abhishek.
LOVE RECIPE is a romantic comedy and the songs fit the film's theme. The film will hit the screens on 25th May, 2012.
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Salman Khan Goes Gaga Over 'Ishaqzaade'

Salman Khan is known to tweet extensively about upcoming movies, at least the ones that he takes a liking to! The actor however, had not promoted or spoken about the Yash Raj Films' Ishaqzaadeyet. His only mention about anything related to the film was when Arjun Kapoor, who is making his debut in the film was promoting it in Indore, which happens to be the Dabangg star's hometown.

He had tweeted, "Yup ! Arjun ranawat in my janam bhumi INDORE ." He was even responsible for Arjun Kapoor's massive weight loss which led the young actor to harbor acting aspirations.

Now, the actor has tweeted on his micro-blogging website, "Ishaqzaadeeeeeeee . Both r superb , arjun ranawat n praniti chopra . Kamaal karte ho yaar".

With Salman Khan's elated announcement, it can be safely said that Ishaqzaade is going to take a bumper opening at the box office!
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