PVR Cinemas in Skywalk, Chennai - Worldclass

I had been to PVR Cinemas in Skywalk to watch the new movie, Singam. The theatre complex was spectacular. PVR cinemas is located in the 4th floor of Skywalk, the newest multiplex in Chennai. They have 7 movie halls. The ticket price was Rs.120 (+ Rs.15 per ticket for online booking). You can book your tickets online and pick them from a kiosk by just swiping your credit card (that was used for booking tickets online). For the first time in theatres, I noticed security checks and bag screening for people.  (Also read: Skywalk in Chennai - Multiplex++)

The movie hall was HUGE. A single movie hall can accommodate nearly 400 people. The movie hall had carpet flooring, well lit seat rows & numbers, cushion/pushback seats. They had left sufficient space between the screen & the front rows. If the movie isn't good, you can just go to sleep lying down on the pushback seats. Fortunately enough, Hari & Surya didn't give us that opportunity today. Singam is a very fast paced movie - the hero, camera man, editor & director has done a stupendous job ! Kuddos to them.

One thing worth mentioning about PVR cinemas is the quality of rest rooms. You'll be caught in surprise when you open the door of the restroom. It looked like a restroom in 5 star hotel. Compare it to the restrooms in other theatres where there is smell of urine or pan spit all over. (Also read: A ban on spitting pan in public places - who enforces it?)

They also have a food court serving all kinds of snacks in the world ranging from hot dogs, sandwiches, nachos to popcorns and coffees. There were even small lobbies with designer sofas where you can sit comfortably to sip your cup of coffee. My wife & daughter enjoyed the large popcorn pack (Rs.60) that I bought during the break. Believe it or not, the theatre is "smoke free".

When the show was over, the housekeeping people were eagerly waiting to get into the movie hall to clean it up !

Skywalk has a good parking structure for vehicles (2 & 4 wheelers). Of course, they charged an exhorbitant amount for parking - Rs.30 for 4 hours of 2-wheeler parking. There were enough people to guide you, along the way (right from the entrance all the way to the theatre).

Overall, PVR cinemas provides a wonderful movie watching experience. The experience was similar to watching movies at an IMAX theatre in US. I didn't repent spending Rs.500 for watching a movie in PVR Cinemas at Skywalk.

Related:

Skywalk in Chennai - Multiplex++
Unnai Pol Oruvan - Short 'n Sweet
No No Samy - Kandasamy

Unnai Pol Oruvan - Short 'n sweet

I happened to watch this movie during my trip to Tuticorin. I watched this movie in Raja Complex theatre. They were selling Rs. 12.50 tickets for Rs. 70 at the ticket counter itself. The theatre was also in a pathetic condition. Fortunately, I had gotten tickets for the 'box' which had A/C. I don't know if the movie is really worth the Rs. 70 that I spent. But, the movie is good.

I think they would've shot the whole movie in just a week's time. There are hardly 20 or 25 different locations in the entire movie. Kamal's role in this movie is very small. Mohan Lal's role is also very small. The new entrants Ganesh Venkatram and one more police officer have good roles in the movie. I think they also acted very well. They didn't appear to be 'junior' actors on the screen.

This is a very short movie (just 2 hours). Kuddos to the screen play writer. The movie retains its pace till the end. The story moves very fast. People would've guessed towards the end 'What Kamal was trying to do'. So, the last 30 minutes were a bit 'dragging'. There are no songs (or the theatre in which I watched the movie, stripped off all the songs). I didn't miss the songs, anyway. Also, there is no comedy track.

I believe this is a very low budget movie. May be, they would've spent the most money for paying, Kamal & Mohan Lal. Any ticket that you buy for more than Rs.50/- is not worth it. I would in fact, recommend watching the movie in a DVD. Coincidentally, this is the first movie that my daughter watched in a theatre.

Is it a good movie? Yes! Is it an 'entertainer'? Definitely NOT!

NO NO Samy - Kandasamy

[Kandasamy movie review]

It is nearly 2 years since I went to a theatre to watch a movie. The last movie that I saw in theatre was Sivaji (2007). An office friend was selling Kandasamy movie tickets for a fund raiser (Aruwe, Social Welfare Organization). The show timing was 8:30 am, saturday morning. I thought 8.30 am is very early to watch a movie - but then, I decided to try it. I was surprised when I visited the theatre (Abirami Multiplex) at around 8.15 am. It was fully crowded with girls & boys (mostly IT folks, I guess). We had great expectations when entering the theatre.

I liked the concept. But, the screenplay writer didn't do a good job. I think they tried to convey 'too much' in 3 hours. Pieces of the movie was well done & I admire the super-hero costume of Kandasamy. The intro sequence didn't create the 'punch'. By the time the intro is over, audience should be curiously expecting what is going to happen. But, the stage setting wasn't done very well.

Vikram has really done well in the movie & this movie will help him to maintain his brand. He has proved again that he can trim his body to fit the role. He looks very smart.

Shreya wasn't utilized properly in the movie. Her costumes are catchy. But, such costumes will only be good for photos & not for movies. The choice for Shreya's background voice also wasn't very good.

This movie doesn't require a separate comedy piece. However, they tried to insert the comedy track with Vadivelu. It didn't make the mark.

I liked all the songs before going to the movie. In fact, I liked the teasers of song sequence from Youtube. But, none of the songs in the movie 'fit the flow'. I was eagerly waiting when the songs would end.

There was a 30 minutes segment in Mexico. That could've been avoided. It was dragging the movie as well as it was a bit confusing.

In movies like this, the director should create a feeling of 'connection' in the audience. But, from beginning to end audience couldn't relate themselves to the storyline. One thing that stands out very well, is the amount of money that they spent for the movie. I know the crew would've put in a lot of hard work too. But, they failed to think from an audience' point. They've tried to do their best by keeping the sequences very realistic. However, that doesn't add much value.

I personally felt that it is a waste of my 4 hours watching this movie (3 hrs movie + 1 hr commute/wait).

Overall, I would say NO NO to Kandasamy. Sorry Vikram !! Good luck next time.