Mirapakaya-Review

Movie Name :   Mirapakaya

Cast  :   Ravi Teja, Deeksha Seth, Richa Gangopadhyay

Director:   Harish Shankar

Producer:   Ramesh Pusppala

Banner:  Yellow Flowers Banner

Music Director:  Thaman

Rating: 3.5/5

Ravi Teja is back to big-screens with Mirapakaya today. The crazy star is best in portraying the typical mass characters and Mirapakaya too, showcases Ravi Teja in a mass role. The crazy Star was seen romancing two glamour dolls Richa Gangopadhyay and Deeksha Seth in the movie. Here is the Mirapakaya review.

STORY

Rishi(RaviTeja) an intelligence bureau inspector ordered by his senior official(Naga Babu) goes to Hyderabad from delhi as part of an intelligence mission, and establish himself as a lecture in a college headed by Shankar Anna(Kota Srinivasa Rao) an associate who work for Kittu Bhai(Prakash Raj) a mafia don and a most wanted by Intelligence bureau. You got to watch on the silver screen, how Rishi works to catch hold Kittu Bhai and how he finds his love interest in the process.

Artist Performance

Ravi Teja

Ravi Teja’s strength is his impulsiveness in action (behavioral action without any drama) and exceptional dialogue delivery with a tinge of accent, Ravi Teja displays an unparalleled command over each and every aspect of his authoritative presence on the screen. Be it Comedy or dances or fights, he excels exuberantly and how! His body language is marvelous and suits the character.

Richa: She is cute and suited the role; she is pretty hot in Gadithalupulu song, she is a treat to watch. The characterization of the heroine should have been bubblier. But the director had chosen her character to be a traditional girl with subdued emotions.

Deeksha: Deeksha is charismatic in looks department and is adequate in histrionics aspect. Her role is limited in this film.

Other Actors:

Brahmaji’s character as a senior to RaviTeja is entertaining. Prakash Raj doesn’t have much footage, Kota Srinivasa Rao is remarkable as the Shankar Anna, but we can not find anything new in Prakash Raj and Kota characterization as we saw him in similar roles may times earlier. Naga Babu, Chandra Mohan, Sunil, Supreet, Ajay are satisfactory.

Technical Departments

Story-Dialogues-Direction:

Preferring a director whose only film ‘Shock’ is a debacle seems to be rather a risky decision. But, the director Harish Shankar does a decent job in this film. By keeping the image and body language of Ravi Teja in mind, he narrated the entire film in lighter vein mode, He has good flair for conceiving comedy scenes. The story is a routine and predictable one. Screenplay is shabby in the second half.

Music: Background music by Thaman is Ok. Songs are also good. Two songs Gadithalupula and Dhinakku Dhin songs are good on screen.

Other Departments: Cinematography C Ram Prasad is impressive. Artwork by Brahma Kadali is good. Editing by Goutham Raju is adequate. Stunts by Ram-Laxman are good in patches. Production values of Yellow Flowers are of good standards.

Analysis:

Ravi Teja is the only aspect to watch Mirapakaay, It doesn’t offer anything new, a simple Police catching thief, How? Is the story. Mirapakaay have lots of action mixed comedy as we find in all recent movies of Ravi Teja. Watch it for Ravi Teja.

Anaganaga O Dheerudu - Review

Film: Anaganaga O Dheerudu
Cast: Siddharth, Sruthi Haasan, Lakshmi Prasanna, Baby Harshita, Ravi Babu, Ali, Ramji, Phani and others
Dialogue: Jayasimha
Music: M M Keeravani, Koti, Mickey J Meyer, Salim-Sulaiman
Cinematography: S Soundar Rajan
Editing: Shravan Katikaneni
Stunts and action: Dee Dee Ku and William Ong
Art: Bhupesh R. Bhupathi
Production design: Raj Golay
Visual Effects: Firefly
Produced by: Prasad Devineni and Prakash Rao Kovelamudi
Presented by: Walt Disney Pictures and K Raghavendra Rao
Written and directed by: Prakash Rao Kovelamudi
CBFC Rating: U/A
Release Date: January 14, 2011

What's it about!
Once upon a time, in a mythical land of Angarajya, an evil queen Irendri (Lakshmi Manchu) creates havoc and people take shelter at an ashramam run by Sadhu. And the Sandhu sends a kid called Moksha, with mystical powers, to heal the people suffered by an unknown disease, to the neighboring rajya. A blind swordsman Yodha (Siddhartha) protects the girl. On the other hand, Irendri who lives on taking the drop of blood of Priya (Sruthi Haasan) daily comes to know that if she swallows blood of Moksha, she would live forever as immortal. Priya (Sruthi) a gypsy kind of girl was once Yodha's lover. Now it is Yodha's mission to save Mokhsa from Irendri and also get Priya out of Irendri's clutches.

Analysis
Fantasy films are not new to Telugu moviegoers. Folklore hero saving a girl/lover is also known theme us, as sixty years ago NTR starrer K.V.Reddy directed Patala Bhairavi (1951) had the same theme. Graphically extravagant movies like Arundhati (2009) and Magadheera (2009) are also enticed us. So, when Hollywood giant Walt Disney's forays into Telugu cinema industry with a fantasy film, ' Anaganaga O Dheerudu', one expects nothing less than visual splendor. Well, first time director Prakash Kovelamudi's this fantasy movie doesn't let you down on visuals and graphics.Indeed, the movie has never seen before visuals effects on Telugu screen, colorful sets, and a theme that can one easily connect with. Visuals are alluring, to say the least.

Yet, the movie doesn't give you feeling of astonishment, or goose bumps or kick like one felt when we see Arundhati or Magadheera . Moreover, the movie's narration fluctuates constantly - just as you feel when the movie is reaching to the peak, in immediate scene it falters. No doubt the visuals are striking, and when Lakshmi Manchu as Irendri performs with right gait and evilness, you drawn into the Angarajyam and when Diva like Sruthi Haasan casts her charm on hero, you love the romance. But other than that the sluggish narration and weak writing doesn't let the film float.

The basic plot line and character of Irendri is copied from the Hollywood flick - Willow (1988). And the blind swordsman aka Siddarth is designed on the lead character played in Japanese movie - Zatōichi (2003). What is more, even Mohan Lal's Yodha (Malayalam) also runs on similar grounds.

In nutshell, Anaganaga O Dheerudu, is nice fantasy flick with alluring visuals, rich production work, excellent cinematography and can be seen for once especially kids.

Performances
In the role of blind swordsman and romantic guy Siddharth looks good but this kind of role needs rugged person. He has charm for a fantasy flick, no doubt. But he should have beefed up muscles more to look even perfect as Yodha. He should also have tried for variation in dialogue delivery.

Sruthi Haasan seems like Diva and she is the most alluring part of the movie. Her costumes are perfect. As a gypsy like girl with mischief attitude, she looked wow. Her chemistry with Siddhu is also simply perfect. Sunitha's voice is also suited to her.

Lakshmi Manchu is a surprise. Whenever she comes on to the screen, the movie rises to the high. Added by some great visual effects, as sorceress, she is fiery and evil personified. Her flawless dialogue delivery has brought effectiveness to the portrayal of evil queen.

Baby Harshita in the role of Moksha is cute. Ravi Babu uttering Nimma ..Danimma and Ali putting two wind fans on chest, Brahmanandam as Jaffa have tried providing comedy but their enactment is odd to the storyline.

Technically, it is a spectacular film. A notch above all the earlier VFX movies in South India. Sounder Rajan's cinematography is top-notch. Artwork by Bhupati is splendid. He has used bright colors for sets that has given fantasy look. The production design is innovative. Editing by newcomer Sravani is smooth. Although international action choreographers composed fights, they are not that great to rave about.

Four music directors - Keeravani, Koti, Mickey, Salim-Sulaiman - have provided music for the movie. Two songs are impressive but songs have played a hindrance to the smooth flow of narration. But background score is splendid.

Writer and director Prakash Kovelamudi, son of veteran director K Raghavendra Rao, has great visual sense like his father. His firm grip on technology is clearly visible. As a director he gets full marks, but his script is not that sufficient to engross till the end. Also his narration is inconsistent. Moreover, dialogues by Sasi Rajasimha are not gelled with the theme of the movie. The use of words like Jaffa, etc show lack of seriousness by the writer, for such a fantasy movie.

Bottom-line
Anaganaga O Dheerudu is visually alluring and graphics and effects are outstanding. It is a fantasy flick shot with bright colors and great sets. Although it has not 'kick', the movie can be seen for once and especially kids would enjoy it more.

TC Rating: 3/5

TRON: LEGACY Review

TRON: Legacy is an odd sequel as it attempts to capitalize on the technologically groundbreaking but commercially unsuccessfully 1982 film TRON.  The original film has built up a cult following over the years and even managed to occasionally find its way into pop culture with South Park’s depiction of Moses resembling the Master Control Program and the YouTube celebrity “TRON Guy”.  The sequel attempts to reinvent the series as sleek and cool, but the result is a simplistic visual style that attempts to mask a poorly-paced story filled with bland characters.  TRON: Legacy comes alive with an amazing score and some eye-catching set pieces, but the sequel makes this franchise look like it should be shutdown rather than rebooted.

It’s been over twenty years since Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), the hero of the original TRON, disappeared.  His son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) believes his dad to be “either chilling on a beach in Costa Rica or dead or both.”  It turns out that Papa Flynn hasn’t been relaxing on the Bernard Lomax Beach for Deceptive Corpses, but is actually stuck inside “The Grid”, a virtual world he created with the help of Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) and an avatar, Clu (a digitally de-aged Bridges).  Unfortunately for Kevin, Clu took control of the world and the portal that would have allowed Kevin to return home.  Sam, responding to a page from his father’s office, ends up getting sucked into the Grid and only has eight hours to make it out before the portal closes again.  It turns out Clu was behind the page and wants to use Kevin’s identity disc to get out into the real world.  In its broad strokes, TRON: Legacy follows the exact same plot of TRON: Guy gets sucked into virtual world and in order to get home must battle an authoritarian ruler who has designs on the real world.

The sequel also suffers from the same problems as the original and then some.  What little character development is available feels forced and stilted.  Sam still feels hurt over why his father never came home twenty years ago, but it’s nothing a little heart-to-heart while on a traveling on a Solar Sailer can’t heal.  Sam’s character arc is hampered by Hedlund’s weak performance.  He never seems to take much joy or experience any wonder in his adventure.  It’s the kind of stiff, detached performance that can cripple a straightforward adventure like this one.  Bridges doesn’t fare much better although he at least injects some silly life into Kevin Flynn.  It seems that Kevin has become a hippie during his time in the Grid and while it makes sense that his slang wouldn’t have evolved since 1982, it feels more like The Big Lebowski’s Dude has become stuck in the Grid rather than the freewheeling character TRON.

While the Flynns suffer from poorly executed character development, the supporting cast doesn’t even get chances to change and grow.  Olivia Wilde has some fun as Quorra, an ally of Flynn’s, and looks like she could be a cool and engaging character…until the film quickly shuts her down and tries to pull focus onto light-vehicles chasing each other.  Michael Sheen plays a scenery-chewing nightclub owner and his zany character is a relief in the cold, sterile environs of the Grid.  But he barely has any time to breathe before the film realizes someone is having a good time and moves to rectify that grave error.  Any time “joy” seems to enter the picture, it’s as if an alarm sounds and TRON: Legacy screams angrily, “Who’s having fun in here?!” and then pulls away to either dull conversations or the hi-tech failure of Clu’s face.

If the technology were as advanced as it needed to be, Clu could be a marvel and we would be dazzled by a young Jeff Bridges giving a performance as if he hadn’t aged a day.  Instead, Clu is a grotesque distraction who sets up residence in the Uncanny Valley and never leaves.  Some will argue the problem is in the dead eyes, but my issue with Clu is that he looks like he doesn’t have enough muscles in his face.  Rather than being invested in Clu’s motives for wanting to escape from the Grid, I was left wondering what he would want to do in our world other than scare small children and be a spokesman for Botox abuse.

Most of the other special effects fare better, but they exist in a hollow, poorly-defined world.  It’s awesome seeing light cycles and light jets fight each other, but it eventually all comes down to a black-and-neon blur.  The Grid is a place of nifty architecture and design, but it feels lifeless.  The original TRON at least had the creativity of ascribing personalities to programs.  Programs were made in the image of their user so, for example, an accounting program is an overweight nerd who is probably going to get his ass handed to him in disc wars.  With the exception of a hapless program we see when Sam first enters the Grid, the world appears to be inhabited by supermodels.  Presumably, Kevin and Clu wanted “perfection” and these “programs” are a physical manifestation of that desired perfection.

But these programs, and indeed the whole world of the Grid, are all form and no function.  There’s no culture or reason to the world.  One of the programs, Gem (Beau Garrett), is seen carrying a parasol even though there’s no sunlight and no rain in the grid.  It’s there because it makes her look cool and that, in a neon-laced nutshell, is the rhyme and reason behind the majority of TRON: Legacy: “Because it looks cool.”

And yet that “cool” look eventually wears out its welcome because there’s not much to it.  I remember watching the special features on The Fellowship of the Ring DVD and director Peter Jackson talking about how they put orcish inscriptions on the inside of the gauntlets.  No audience member would ever see it, but it helped add character and detail to the world.  The only details of TRON: Legacy are “needs more neon”.  That visual style is impressive when we see wide shots of chase scenes, but the close-ups are just a muddle of black and neon and it becomes difficult to follow the action.

What’s actually cool and always welcome in TRON: Legacy is the score.  Composed by French electronic music duo Daft Punk, the music pulses with deep bass and skillfully utilizes tempos that range from the solemn (“Adagio for TRON”) to the triumphant (“Flynn Lives”) to the pulse-pounding (“Derezzed”).  It’s a score that works well on its own and is far better than the movie that inspired it.

In his debut feature, director Joseph Kosinski shows he has a strong eye for style and choreographing wide vistas of action, but his TRON seems afraid of its own shadow (if it could see a shadow).  The film either stays away from lighthearted enjoyment and then swings wildly into maudlin, awkward conversations as if inserting emotional beats and character development were as easy as inserting another digital explosion.

TRON: Legacy is a frustrating and at times downright boring affair that has visual style to spare, but lacks any depth beneath its skintight black-and-neon exterior.  Characters are poorly developed (if at all), jargon is embarrassingly shoehorned into the dialogue without any consideration given to what arguments about open-source and piracy actually mean, and for all the attention given to the design of the special effects and the vehicles, the actual world and life of the Grid seems to have been either ignored or forgotten.  And while the amount spent on marketing for TRON: Legacy has ensured it won’t be ignored, the film itself is likely to be forgotten.

RATING:C-

Xtreme Sports Bar in Visakhapatnam

For all sports lovers, here's something to cheer about! Vizag saw the launch of the first sports bar in the city, the Xtreme Sports Bar, at Siripuram on Thursday.
You step into a different world as soon as you get in there. Large screen plasma and LCD screens, pulsating surround sound and perfect digital clarity makes the place a hotspot for all sports lovers. Xtreme Sports Bar is the ultimate heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping sports viewing experience.
The place is open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. The decor is young and casual. You could lounge on beanbags in sunny hues, and the tables have insets of cars, bikes and sporty gear. The bar menu has a range of shooters, flamers, margaritas or fresh fruit martinis and serves continental, Chinese and Indian tandoori cuisine. The in-house DJ, playing classic rock and retro music, keeps the tempo going.
“Going with the requests of the customers and the popularity of the event, the sporting commentary is either left on or turned off. What's good is that it is not too noisy either. You can talk and hear without having to shout above the din,” said K.Yougandhar, business partner, Xtreme Sports Bar.
Whatever your sport, round up your gang for here is a place to experience the electrifying energy of a packed arena. Get transported into the heart of the action. Spur your heroes to victory at Xtreme.

TOURIST PLACES IN VIZAG

Visakhapatnam, or Vizag as it was often called, is the true spot where one can find the beauty of Andhra. Lapped by the Bay of Bengal, on the eastern part of Andhra Pradesh lies the beach city, Vishakapatnam. It is the best tourism destination in Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam has beautiful hill ranges caves,valleys,temples and also from lakes to cool beaches and many more.
The district has many tourism spots that will definitely be exciting, enriching and refreshing experience.It is one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. Visakhapatnam is a city of cultural & religious diversity.It has many tourism spots that represent the Culture and Heritage of the true India.No one should miss to see the Cultural constructions built during the age of kings who ruled this region.

Kailasagiri is the number one picnic spot in Vizag. Lot entertainment and well maintained places available at this hill top. Cable car and Toy train facility available for kids. The vast view of Bay of Bengal from viewers' gallery is a pleasing experience. In one of the parks sculptures are carved and installed for additional attraction.
Visit our Kailasagiri photo gallery

Rama Krishna Beach: The Rama Krishna Beach, or RK Beach as it is commonly called, is one of the best tourist spot in Vizag. The beaches of Vizag enthrall the tourists and the clean beaches attract tourists in great numbers. Swimming, sun bathing, playing the beach volleyball or simply sitting under the cool shade of a tree and reading a book are the favorite pastime of many. R.K.Beach is a great picnic spot to spend time with your loved ones. Rama Krishna beach is a favorite beach resort for tourists visiting Vishakhapatnam. Both the Ramakrishna beach presents a picturesque and beautiful scenic beauty. It is Vizag's favorite evening sojourn. An aquarium, the Kali temple, Visakha Museum, Roadside restaurants offering seafood is the other attractions at this beautiful beach.
Visit the RK Beach photo gallery as viewed from Kailasagiri hill top

Rishikonda
8 km from Vizag - is ideal for swimmers, water skiers, and wind surfers. It is a golden, un spoilt beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea .Tourists can enjoy a holiday in picturesque settings. There is a PUNAMI Resort and restaurant of APTDC- Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation at the top of a hill near this beach. Booking can be done from the office of APTDC. On the way to Rishikonda one can see many resorts and hotels by the side of the sea.

Simhachalam Temple
Simhachalam temple is located within the city limit but at a corner of Visakhapatnam. It is one hour drive from city centers of Vizag. Temple is located at the top of a hill and wide road is there for driving up to the temple. Bus service is available from foot of the hill to the temple premises. There is a separate route for Trekking to Simhachalam temple from Madhava Dhara side. More Details on Simhachalam temple.
Visit photo gallery of Simhachalam temple

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park: The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located in Vishakhapatnam amidst the scenic eastern ghats of India.It is situated in the scenic eastern ghats with its natural settings. The zoo is flanked by hills on either side and attracts many visitors from all over the country and is the premier visiting spot for Visakha citizens. The zoological park can be compared with some of the best zoos in the world, though it is still in the process of development. It has different sections for primates, carnivores, lesser carnivores, small mammals, reptiles, ungulates and birds.

Bheemunipatnam:
About 25-km from Vishakhapatnam is beautiful beach of Bheemunipatnam popular as 'Bheemli' .This beach is located at the mouth of the river Gosthani.The beach is very safe for swimmers. It is also the site of the ruins of the east coast's oldest Dutch settlement (17th century). The drive from Visakhapatnam to Bheemli is exhilarating. The cemetery situated in the west of the town speaks of the Dutch who gave their lives here. The unique feature of the cemetery is the depiction of the cause of the death on the grave enlivens the past.
Visit the picture gallery of Bheemunipatnam

VUDA Park
VUDA Park, also called Taraka Rama Park was named after former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri N T Rama Rao. The Park is developed by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) near the Rama Krishna Beach in Visakhapatnam. VUDA Park is one of the most attractive spots in Visakhapatnam. Musical Fountain, Boating, Skating Ring, Horse and Camel Riding. This park is a heavy crowd puller and has a dancing musical fountain. It is the ideal place for all to spend evenings and leisure times on seashore with eye catching and eco-rich surroundings. With a green playfield, artificial caves, beautiful long lawns, flower gardens, and a children's park, boating and swimming facilities makes this park a good place to spend time.The Entrance Plaza extends makes the visitors to have memorable moments of joy. Every day thousands of people visit the VUDA Park. It is another landmark in the tourism chapters of Visakhapatnam. The first of its kind in the whole south Asia.

INS Kurusura Submarine.
The Submarine Museum - Kurusura being set up at the Rama Krishna Beach in Visakhapatnam has a specialty which is the first one of its kind in this subcontinent. INS Kusura is a Russian built submarine. It was built on Dec 18th 1969 and began its journey on Feb 20, 1970 via the Baltic Sea and reached Visakhapatnam on the 11th of May, 1970. Since then INS Kusura was being used by the Indian Defence. The Navy developed it as a War-Memorial with a project cost of Rs.5.5 Crores. The length of Submarine is 91.3 Mtrs. while the breadth is 8.00 mtrs. This is the first of its kind in Asia and second in the world. The Museum opens for public from 9 am to 9 pm. Chief Minister Sri N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Museum

Dolphin's Nose:
A strange but popular tourist attraction, Dolphin's Nose is a huge rocky headland 174 meters high and 358 meters above the sea level, jutting out into the sea, resembling the shape of dolphin. The rock juts out into the sea, forming a headland on which is the lighthouse. The nation's powerful beam of the lighthouse directs ships 65 KMs away.
Yarada Beach:
One of the finest and safest beach available in India. This is nearer to the Dolphin nose. Sunrise view in this beach is un forgettable. APTDC resorts are also available (confirm before booking) but people hardly stay there.
Visit our Yarada beach photo gallery

Buddhist Heritage places in and around Vizag
There are several Buddhist complexes in around Vizag. The well known are, Bojjana Konda, situated nearer to Anakapalle nearly 45 Kms from Vizag. Thotla Konda and Bhavi Konda are nearer to Rishikonda beach of Visakhapatnam. These places have the ruins of the then used items by Buddhists.

Erra matti Dibbalu (Red sand Hills)
This place is famous because of the importance it has got as a shooting place for movie makers. The hills are with red soils and nearer to the Bay of Bengal. A further journey from Rishikonda beach towards Bheemunipatnam takes you to this scenic place. It has got thick forest inside but take care of yourself as nobody dares to enter inside this place.

ARAKU

Araku valley is a famous hill station of AP. It is located at a distance of 120 KM from Visakhapatnam ( Vizag )is famous for its scenic beauty. Located on the eastern ghats , it has valley, water falls and streams flowing by the side of the train track and roads . The journey to Araku Valley is the most enjoying as the rail passes through tunnels, hill sides and streams. . It is better to go to Araku by train and return by road. You can see the local tribal dance at if you are on APTDC package tour. If you are at Araku then you must see Borra caves.

Padmapuram Gardens
One of the main attraction is tree top cottages located in the middle of green surroundings of Araku valley. These tree huts ( hanging cottages ) are ten feet above the ground level and one can experience rare swing along with trees. Huts are attached with toilet and continuous water supply.

For bookings contact Manager Padmapuram gardens Phone No:08936.49615 There is a toy train in the Padmapuram garden for the tourists. There is a tribal museum on tribal heritage, living system and culture. Anantagiri water fall is 30 KM from Araku. There is one more picnic spot called Dumbriguda Waterfalls ( Chaaparai ). This spot is only 15 Kms from Araku.

Tribal welfare department has one Horticulture nursery cum training center at Padmapuram . It is open from 8 AM to 12.30 PM and again on 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM










Borra Caves are located at a distance of 92 Km north of Visakhapatnam. The caves open with 100 meter on horizontal plane and aobut 75 meters on vertical plane. These caves spread over an area of one square KM and the origin of river Gosthani which flows through the district. This you must see if you are in Araku Valley or in Visakhaptanam. This location is at a height of 800 to 1300 meters from MSL. William King the British geologist discovered this million years old cave in the year 1807.

Breath taking hilly terrain, beautiful landscape, semi-evergreen moist deciduous forests, and wild fauna of the area are a visual feast.

The humic acid in the water reacts with calcium carbonate in the limestone and dissolves the minerals breaking the rock gradually. The perennial water flow over a period of time results in the formation of caves. Stalagmites are formed due water percolating from the roof containing calcium bi carbonate and other minerals from mounds. Same way stalactites are also formed and because of their different shapes tourist and locals have given different names to them. One can see different formations of the stalactites and stalagmites as Shiv-Paravathi, Mother-Child, Rushi's Beard, Human Brain, Crocodile, Tiger and Cows udder.

On your journey to Araku by train you can see picturesque Landscape with greenery, peaks and valleys. Before reaching Borra Guhalu Railway station the train passes through 42 tunnels.

HANGOUT CAFE IN BEACH ROAD(VIZAG)

What you see – Hangout is a beach facing, century old stone bungalow at Maharanipeta, RK beach road in Vizag that has been turned into a quaint coffee shop by Siddharth G, the proprietor.

The food joint boasts of interesting light effects, tranquil sea view and innovative seating arrangements. For instance, horse stables have been made to look like cellar dens where you can sit and dine. Or if you like it in the open, you can opt for boats in the garden in a pool with fishes. There’s another dining area as well inside, nicely decorated with items of antique like a 1920 model gun or fabric printed lamp shades, old paintings and more.

What you get – Hangout primarily serves Continental food. This includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian snacks like Cheese Wedges, Veg Croquettes and Barbeque Chicken Patty to even light meal options like burgers, Italian Caponata and Non-Veg Club sandwiches. The main course includes different varieties of omelets (must-try), Mexican Veg Steak, Japanese Chicken Steak etc served with rice, steamed vegetable, veg patties or grilled chicken. Italian delights like Pasta and Pizzas apart from wraps, Couscous, Lamb Kheema and Thai style noodles and salads are there for Rs. 70-85.

Hangout serves a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks, starting from hot Espresso, Moroccan tea, Café latte etc to cold ones like Hang Over (four scoop of ice creams with espresso shots and little milk), Café  Zabaglione (cold coffees) to a variety of shakes like Kit Kat shake and Hang In (Irish cream with  dark rum and chocolate sauce whipped with vanilla ice cream for Rs. 120) to coolers like Port of lemon, Berry Blast and Iced teas in flavors of peach, strawberry, litchi etc.

Desserts are purely chocolate based. This includes the delicious Lava Lava, which is hot molten chocolate under a brownie crust, Chocolate Landslide, an avalanche of chocolate mousse, fudge and truffle topped with chocolate ice cream, Chocolate nemesis and more. These cost between Rs. 65 and Rs. 115.

At Hangout you can even book the place for a private party with selected preparations of your choice.

 Hangout is an interesting addition to Vizag. It is the perfect amalgamation of the new and the old. It’s a casual place to hangout with friends and can even turn out to be a romantic time out in the open. Plus, its new add-ons like gaming zone, music café and live fish barbeque apart from Thai, Chinese and Tandoori food counters are likely to be its attractions. In terms of food, you must try Café Mocha. Chocolate lovers should go for Snickers or a nutty shake like Beach View. Strawberry Cheesecake Shake is also good. Mozzarella Fritters, Paneer burger, Mutton Mince Omelet, Moroccan chicken, Steaks and Sizzlers are worth a try from the menu. End it with Angel’s Mud Pie, molten chocolate served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Service is fine and parking needs to be done on the main road.

What you pay for a meal for two - Rs. 400

Anytime between – 11 AM – 11 PM

NAGAVALLI MOVIE REVIEW

Vasu's 'Nagavalli' is a remake of Kannada blockbuster 'Aaptha Rakshaka' starring Vishnuvardhan. It is also a sequel to Vasu's Kannada film 'Aaptha Mithra', which starred Vishnuvardhan and Soundarya, and Rajnikanth's Tamil film 'Chandramukhi'.

And these films were essentially inspired by the 1993 Malayalam hit film 'Manichitrathazhu'

The main problem with 'Nagavalli' is that the director has not been able to hold the audience's interest throughout the first half. The second half gains a little momentum but when the suspense starts unravelling, the director again falters and the pace becomes slow again.

The climax sequence makes little impact because of the director's eagerness to end the film. The comedy sequences do not make any impact. Less said about the quality of the classical songs and dances as both Anushka and Kamalini Mukherjee fail to bring charm in their dance movements.

Venkatesh's performance in the negative character of Raja Naga Bhairava is one of the positive elements of the movie.

The story revolves around a girl apparently possessed by a spirit. It starts off with mysterious goings-on in the house of a man with three daughters. He seeks the help of a priest to unravel the mystery, but after a while the priest wants to rope in a psychiatrist named Vijay.

The priest is convinced that the house is haunted by the spirit of Nagavalli, a danseuse. Vijay comes to the house and starts his investigation. He traces the happenings in the haunted house to the past where a cruel king, Raja Naga Bhairava Rajasekhara, kills the court dancer Nagavalli after she tries to elope with her lover.

Nagavalli's spirit wants to kill the cruel king. She finally takes revenge on the cruel king, who has now become a 125-year-old man hiding in a mountainous area. And with the revenge over, the problems in the haunted house are also solved.

Despite his advancing age, Venkatesh scores in the role of the cruel king, but he is not as energetic in the role of a psychiatrist. Anushka lacks the appeal to carry the role of Nagavalli and her spirit. Avinash excels in the role of the priest.

Technically, the film is not a patch on either 'Aaptha Rakshaka' or Tamil film 'Chandramukhi'. The dialogues by Parachuri Brothers could have been far better.

Guru Kiran's songs in the original Kannada version were great, but they fail to generate interest in 'Nagavalli'.

'Nagavalli' suffers because it fails to match up to 'Aaptha Mithra' and its sequel 'Aaptha Rakshaka' or even Rajnikanth-starrer 'Chandramukhi'.

But Venkatesh fans will like the film