Rebel **

Its a movie by Lawrence (larencce - as he spells in the movie this time) - so, you know what not to expect even if it has big names starring in it. A mass entertainer, on the lines of routine formula found in other films that the director has handled.

If movies like mass and don can be a hit, rebel is a hit too. I pray the director stops portraying his talent as a music director - the music looks like a single piece of track played all over the song (no ups or lows) !!!!!

Prabhas, Deeksha and Tamannah have given everything possible to this move which is a routine tollywood revenge-romance-action drama with irritating comedy. What blows your mind off is the dance steps by tamannah which remind you of Charmi's steps in Lawrence's earlier move.

Argh ... let me stop this here and leave it to you to go for the move to watch Tamannah and Prabhas alone. Dont waste your brain on this movie - watch it if you like mass entertainers

P.S : Dear director, please decide how you want to spell your name first. Lets focus on other movie aspects (other than choreography which you are good at) later please.

Vennela1.5 **

DONT plan to watch/skip this movie going by reviews. If you want to laugh your hearts out - GO FOR IT !!

This is a pure comedy entertainer mixed with some romance stuff. Illogical sequences, poke-fun kind of dialogs and good songs make it a good watch for the young and young at heart crowd (family audience may not like it much). Forget the hangover of hollywood sequences you find here and there. Chaitanya Krishna and other actors are good. Monal has amazing screen presence. The 'Live interval' is one of the good concepts introduced to tollywood. Good job by the acto- director 'Vennela' Kishore. 'Thagubothu' Ramesh stands out of all the characters - He's one talented actor and needs a special mention.

Go to have fun and only fun.

Life Is Beautiful **1/2

Life is Beautiful is a repackaged version of all those parts that were probably left out or edited out in his previous movies. Atleast, it seems so. For benefit of good, traditionally inspired, clean pictures, I only wish Sekhar Kammula comes out from the hangover of his previous classics. Else we might face another "Puri Jagannath" of class movies further on.

Good things - Anjala Jhaveri (Umm.. Beautiful as she was 10years back!!), Shreya (Wow.. younger looking as if the movie was shot 4yrs back), Amala (though in a short role).

You have the 'langa-voni' clad girls, children obsessed with the cute dog, lovely rain, characters dancing in the rain, amazing photography, 'sekhar' moments of classic sentiment - usual stuff one sees in any of Sekhar's movies. Casting and characterization seems similar/have close resemblance to the artists who starred in the director's all previous movies. Rashmi who acted as the lead hero's sister is a find and to look out - great character artist she will be. One of the guys Sudhakar (playing Nagarag) suits and acts to perfection. Others fit the role.

Of the songs, "Amma" is just awesome!!! Seems the climax is trimmed and does not give a good feel at the end. Personally, I loved the 2nd half where people start connecting better to the story. 1st half could have been trimmed (may be!) and some sentiment brought in before interval.

Nothing Great in the movie. Its pure feel good one and should not be missed. Having said all this, I will watch it more number of times - that is how Kammula's films are - they sink more as you keep watching.

Mugamoodi/Mask *1/2

Mugamoodi (tamil)/Mask(telugu) is a 'so-called' superhero movie which explores the 'hero within'. Had Mysskin, the director explored the story from within himself, the movie would have been a wonder at the box office.

Simply put, 4spoons on batman+2spoons of superman+6spoons of spiderman+8spoons of kungfu hustle+1spoon of nativity = MASK

Jiiva does his part well and fits the bill, but the story is a big let down. Pooja Hegde is gorgeous but is limited to few frames and not even properly used in the songs - where heroines fin more prominence in such hero oriented stories. Look out for her ! Girish Karnard and Nasser are wasted totally with a meatless role. Varein as the villain does not do justice either. Instead of copying the villainy from numerous hollywood movies, he shoud have evolved a style of his own. Best part are the kungfu stunts which are not done overly and the songs (tamil ones are better).

Worth a miss. Watch it if you want to conclude how a south-indian hero who has no super powers is called a Superhero just because he uses a mask to cover his face....!!!