Date:18/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2009/07/18/stories/2009071852740200.htm

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HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

Ha! The wait is finally over. Boy-wizard Harry Potter and his friends are back, with this sixth film in the series. They face darker dangers and mysteries.

But, happily there’s plenty of teen romance between Harry and Ron’s sister Ginny.

Though it has taken greater liberties in terms of dropping characters and plot points, the film is a rich treat to Potter fans.

VENGAMAMBA

Vengamamba who was created at the insistence of Lord Venkateswara’s consort so that the spirit of bhakti can be created among women is brought alive in this directorial effort of Uday Bhaskar. If the first half reads like a story book the second half is about Vengamamba’s creation and contribution. There is subtle comedy in this devotional. Music by Keeravani is mellifluous.

KALAVARAMAYE MADILO

The plot is kitsch of various potboilers and one can call it a parody of Shankarabharanam.

The director wins and fails on one front.

He draws a wonderful performance from Swati who wants to be able to audition for A. R. Rahman, but most scenes in the film are laden with visual clichés.