Amazing intelligent movie and very relevant to the current times. Perhaps it is also in context with the kind of witch-hunting that today's generation is being subjected to. Dont miss Naseeruddin Shah's arguments at the end.
This is where you can find it.
http://www.videoduniya.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3347&Itemid=27
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Friday, October 03, 2008
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Ta ra rum pum and hum
Hi all ( at least the ones who still read this blog :-D I too have been a bit slack in putting up new stuff here. Somehow for the past few days blogging was not the fun it used to be. I realised that it has been about I-me-myself in the past many posts and I took a break. Its not as if it has changed but then still, here I am).
Watched Ta ra rum pum a couple of weeks back. Recently, we have seen many low budget movies with not so famous actors albeit with refreshing stories. Sweet, amusing, astonishing, thought-provoking - many varieties of them. Ta ra rum pum jarred on the senses in comparison. Agreed Rani, Saif are established actors but Im sure even they did not know who their target audiences were. Muddled and directionless. Thats what it was. (Spoiler) Saif is a tire changer who meets Rani and falls in love. He also has a penchant for driving fast that lands him into car racing. He gets rich and also spends more than what he earns. (Bit like me. I never go in for instalments but I spend a lot :-D bad habit) has two cute kids and an awesome glass house, He has an accident and his car racing suffers. He loses all his assets and is now poor, this is where it gets more annoying. A blatant copy from Life is beautiful, they pretend to the kids that its all a reality show and they have to win the game. The poverty gets so worse that Saif and Rani miss their meals to save money!! Then after a series of events, Saif emerges victorious/richer and wiser.
Now to talk about the target audience, they were confused whether its the NRIs or the desis, or the kids, or the resident Indians. I loved the car racing sections. I would like to know this, Did Schumacher also win by hitting his opponents, Never watched F1 races before this.
My friends said at the end, that we spent some 100 bucks per head for the movie only to learn that one should never spend in excess and should value money :-D
****
I changed my status from a hostelite to a day scholar last week. I have been eating well, sleeping well, and traveling a lot - 2hrs per day. Mom is trying to rid me of the hostel habits. For starters, Im not regular about eating, I sleep at any vacant place, I dont use the regular things like towels, tumblers, pillows and etc etc. 7 years of hostel living ought to make a mark :-D
If things work out I might be visiting Italy in July. Im already dreaming about Venice :-D Only if things work out :-D
Watched Ta ra rum pum a couple of weeks back. Recently, we have seen many low budget movies with not so famous actors albeit with refreshing stories. Sweet, amusing, astonishing, thought-provoking - many varieties of them. Ta ra rum pum jarred on the senses in comparison. Agreed Rani, Saif are established actors but Im sure even they did not know who their target audiences were. Muddled and directionless. Thats what it was. (Spoiler) Saif is a tire changer who meets Rani and falls in love. He also has a penchant for driving fast that lands him into car racing. He gets rich and also spends more than what he earns. (Bit like me. I never go in for instalments but I spend a lot :-D bad habit) has two cute kids and an awesome glass house, He has an accident and his car racing suffers. He loses all his assets and is now poor, this is where it gets more annoying. A blatant copy from Life is beautiful, they pretend to the kids that its all a reality show and they have to win the game. The poverty gets so worse that Saif and Rani miss their meals to save money!! Then after a series of events, Saif emerges victorious/richer and wiser.
Now to talk about the target audience, they were confused whether its the NRIs or the desis, or the kids, or the resident Indians. I loved the car racing sections. I would like to know this, Did Schumacher also win by hitting his opponents, Never watched F1 races before this.
My friends said at the end, that we spent some 100 bucks per head for the movie only to learn that one should never spend in excess and should value money :-D
****
I changed my status from a hostelite to a day scholar last week. I have been eating well, sleeping well, and traveling a lot - 2hrs per day. Mom is trying to rid me of the hostel habits. For starters, Im not regular about eating, I sleep at any vacant place, I dont use the regular things like towels, tumblers, pillows and etc etc. 7 years of hostel living ought to make a mark :-D
If things work out I might be visiting Italy in July. Im already dreaming about Venice :-D Only if things work out :-D
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Moving movies!
I finally got to see Jillunu Oru Kaadhal in OAT. Rather suffered through it. Everything was in excess. Lots of editing would have made it watchable. Our feelings alternated between Yewww ugh and gaawwd. This is the story- Surya marries Jyothika and lives happily, Jyothika one day finds out about Surya's 1st love Bhoomika and since J loves S so much, she brings B back for him. B and S spend one whole day together, roaming shopping, boozing, dancing, screaming, dining and just when they reach the bed, J wakes up from her dream. Come on!! Major lesson if you ever plan to make a film - never make anybody dream a full 24 hour day! It grates on the nerves. Only Ekta Kapoor has the exclusive rights to such insanities.
What a waste of good Rehman music!
In my opinion, even Guru was not that great. Maybe we have seen many such rags to riches stories on screen. Moreover, there was an artificial look about it, as if it was meant to impress. A collection of punchlines.
Few days back, Departed was screened in OAT. For an Oscar winner, I didn't find it impressive. We came out with the feeling that if the actor (Leo) had watched Hindi movies, he would have been aware of the traps laid out for him :-D Or maybe if we had paid attention to the dialogues in between the f***s, we would have liked it. Do dark, gloomy backdrops and abusive language guarantee an Oscar?
I missed watching Blood Diamond in OAT. Everyone tells me it was good. There is this genre of movies recently that highlight certain issues and still do not make one feel miserable. I mean without being pathetically depressing, they tell the facts in a detached, documentary-style manner like Motorcycle diaries or Constant Gardner. Maybe it is not a recent thing, just that I noticed them recently.
A friend suggested "12 angry men" as a good movie. Looking out for it. Apparently, it is about focussing on an idea rather than the emotions around it. There is a word for it which eludes me now - ad something
What a waste of good Rehman music!
In my opinion, even Guru was not that great. Maybe we have seen many such rags to riches stories on screen. Moreover, there was an artificial look about it, as if it was meant to impress. A collection of punchlines.
Few days back, Departed was screened in OAT. For an Oscar winner, I didn't find it impressive. We came out with the feeling that if the actor (Leo) had watched Hindi movies, he would have been aware of the traps laid out for him :-D Or maybe if we had paid attention to the dialogues in between the f***s, we would have liked it. Do dark, gloomy backdrops and abusive language guarantee an Oscar?
I missed watching Blood Diamond in OAT. Everyone tells me it was good. There is this genre of movies recently that highlight certain issues and still do not make one feel miserable. I mean without being pathetically depressing, they tell the facts in a detached, documentary-style manner like Motorcycle diaries or Constant Gardner. Maybe it is not a recent thing, just that I noticed them recently.
A friend suggested "12 angry men" as a good movie. Looking out for it. Apparently, it is about focussing on an idea rather than the emotions around it. There is a word for it which eludes me now - ad something
Monday, March 26, 2007
Fiddler on the roof
I got these clips from the movie "Fiddler on the Roof" from a friend, and felt nostalgic on watching them. I had seen the movie a long long time ago and would love to see it again.
Matchmaker, matchmaker find me a match
Sunrise, sunset
If I were a rich man
To Life, Lechaim
Matchmaker, matchmaker find me a match
Sunrise, sunset
If I were a rich man
To Life, Lechaim
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
The motorcycle diaries
Watched a good movie called The motorcycle diaries. It is about the Cuban leader Che Guevara.
When he was studying for medicine, he took a break and went around Latin America on a motorcycle with his friend, Alberto Granado. They had lots of fun and adventure in this trip. In a way, this trip influenced him too. This movie is based on a diary he maintained during this trip.
Alberto Granado is still alive.
On watching this movie or The Constant Gardner, I felt that I am very lucky that I dont live in those places. I have every comfort I want yet I crib so much!! :-D Lesson learnt and hope I remember.
When he was studying for medicine, he took a break and went around Latin America on a motorcycle with his friend, Alberto Granado. They had lots of fun and adventure in this trip. In a way, this trip influenced him too. This movie is based on a diary he maintained during this trip.
Alberto Granado is still alive.
On watching this movie or The Constant Gardner, I felt that I am very lucky that I dont live in those places. I have every comfort I want yet I crib so much!! :-D Lesson learnt and hope I remember.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
I will wake up soon.. 5 minutes pl
Hi all :-)
I have been quite lethargic after the marathon sessions and had almost zero interest in almost everything. So much that my colleague says I have transformed into a guest physicist!! Ok well I stopped short of telling him that I have been that for the past 3 years or so. Outcome: I have a deadline for submitting a paper tomorrow and I have not yet started working on it. Im praying for miracles. He he thankfully I still believe in miracles.
I saw this nice movie called Tum Bin. psst psst Priyanshu's eyes were nicer. I generally fall for nice eyes and sweet smiles. Anyway the song of the moment is
Koi fariyaad tere dil mein dabi ho jaise
toone aankhon se koi baat kahi ho jaise
har mulaqaat pe mehsoos yahi hota hai
mujhse kuch teri nazar pooch rahi ho jaise
raah chalte huye ye gumaan hota hai
wo nazar chup ke mujhe dekh rahi ho jaise
Women gossip. Men gossip harder.
And I totally detest men who gossip maliciously (if you get what I mean). Had an encounter of this kind recently with a couple of them and ughh I find it hard to respect them now.
Saturday qualifies as a weekend. Yes thats not the accepted norm for a graduate student. But a weekend for me means the liberty to work as I wish and spend time as I wish. Many a times I have ended up taking a day off on Saturday and working on Sundays. So I really hate it when people assign tasks on weekends. Atleast courtesy demands that they let me know well in advance so that I reschedule my plans.
Indibloggies nominations are up. I was excited to find some blogs there that I track quite sincerely. I ended up adding some more to my stuffiread list too.
A lot of debate goes on about India shining and not shining. Another aspect of this debate is the youth of this country. We have achievers and then we have the roadside eve-teasing romeos cum college students. Arent those the ones who later end up being unemployed! Why cant they learn from their seniors' plights. Its a darned nuisance when they sing and create a ruckus in the buses. Its definitely not cool.
I think Ill work from tomorrow.
Have a good productive week ahead :-)
I have been quite lethargic after the marathon sessions and had almost zero interest in almost everything. So much that my colleague says I have transformed into a guest physicist!! Ok well I stopped short of telling him that I have been that for the past 3 years or so. Outcome: I have a deadline for submitting a paper tomorrow and I have not yet started working on it. Im praying for miracles. He he thankfully I still believe in miracles.
I saw this nice movie called Tum Bin. psst psst Priyanshu's eyes were nicer. I generally fall for nice eyes and sweet smiles. Anyway the song of the moment is
Koi fariyaad tere dil mein dabi ho jaise
toone aankhon se koi baat kahi ho jaise
har mulaqaat pe mehsoos yahi hota hai
mujhse kuch teri nazar pooch rahi ho jaise
raah chalte huye ye gumaan hota hai
wo nazar chup ke mujhe dekh rahi ho jaise
Women gossip. Men gossip harder.
And I totally detest men who gossip maliciously (if you get what I mean). Had an encounter of this kind recently with a couple of them and ughh I find it hard to respect them now.
Saturday qualifies as a weekend. Yes thats not the accepted norm for a graduate student. But a weekend for me means the liberty to work as I wish and spend time as I wish. Many a times I have ended up taking a day off on Saturday and working on Sundays. So I really hate it when people assign tasks on weekends. Atleast courtesy demands that they let me know well in advance so that I reschedule my plans.
Indibloggies nominations are up. I was excited to find some blogs there that I track quite sincerely. I ended up adding some more to my stuffiread list too.
A lot of debate goes on about India shining and not shining. Another aspect of this debate is the youth of this country. We have achievers and then we have the roadside eve-teasing romeos cum college students. Arent those the ones who later end up being unemployed! Why cant they learn from their seniors' plights. Its a darned nuisance when they sing and create a ruckus in the buses. Its definitely not cool.
I think Ill work from tomorrow.
Have a good productive week ahead :-)
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Salaam-e-Ishq
Salaam-e-Ishq was screened in OAT as part of a fund-raiser and I absolutely loved it :-D Inspite of being abrupt in parts, this was a total timepass. Ill say that I wouldnt have enjoyed this movie elsewhere but OAT has the best ambience possible for almost any movie. The clear sky, bright stars, full moon, and an audience which was there to enjoy itself added up to make this movie memorable for me :-D
John and Vidya Balan really look cute together, their part was also very beautiful. John's proposal to Vidya in the movie was very beautiful according to me. He says "lets create a lifetime of memories" :-)
Govinda was awesome!! I never enjoyed his comedy roles before this movie. Salman-Priyanka and Anil-Juhi part dragged a bit. Im a fan of Akshaye since his Humraaz days. His comedy tracks rock.
This movie represented Hindi movies on a big scale :-D Like the scene where Govinda stops a wedding with the typical Ruko ye shaadi nahi ho sakti :-D or when the wedding resumes, another guy enters and says ruko ye.. They could laugh at their own film making style - at all that we love in the movies.
Movie was looong. A full three and a half hours! But I enjoyed every minute of it :-D
I must warn you that you shouldnt go by my review as among all my friends I was the only one who enjoyed it :-D Go prepared for entertainment and you ll get it.
Im waiting for the day when Ill really laugh without something nagging at the back of my mind. These days nothing I do is with full enjoyment. I forgot my troubles for 3.5 hours and had a blast. So yes I loved Salaam-e-Ishq :-)
John and Vidya Balan really look cute together, their part was also very beautiful. John's proposal to Vidya in the movie was very beautiful according to me. He says "lets create a lifetime of memories" :-)
Govinda was awesome!! I never enjoyed his comedy roles before this movie. Salman-Priyanka and Anil-Juhi part dragged a bit. Im a fan of Akshaye since his Humraaz days. His comedy tracks rock.
This movie represented Hindi movies on a big scale :-D Like the scene where Govinda stops a wedding with the typical Ruko ye shaadi nahi ho sakti :-D or when the wedding resumes, another guy enters and says ruko ye.. They could laugh at their own film making style - at all that we love in the movies.
Movie was looong. A full three and a half hours! But I enjoyed every minute of it :-D
I must warn you that you shouldnt go by my review as among all my friends I was the only one who enjoyed it :-D Go prepared for entertainment and you ll get it.
Im waiting for the day when Ill really laugh without something nagging at the back of my mind. These days nothing I do is with full enjoyment. I forgot my troubles for 3.5 hours and had a blast. So yes I loved Salaam-e-Ishq :-)
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Something something
Hello Im back after a long hiatus.
This new year started with gory killings (kids for godsakes!!) and a shameful hanging. Yes Saddam was a dictator and a murderer but the way his death was publicised just like the n# of reality shows around, was disgraceful. Noida killings is a horror saga thats still on, as bits and pieces of innocent kids are still being unearthed (or rather fished out). Gives one the shivers. Im sure an execution in this case is too fast and too easy a death for the fiends. They deserve something worser.
Back to me, I was off for a Kolkata trip, a nice and memorable trip actually. Had fun and did some work too. Met old friends and made new friends. You know research may be monotonous, mundane stuff but it sure has its benefits. There is some amount of prestige involved in being called a scientist or a physicist. And then I love learning new things and Ill hate to miss all this just because I have to follow conventions. Oh I hate it all... sighhhhh
Movies watched meanwhile: Kabul Express (it rocks, good cinema); Umrao Jaan (Agreed Ash looked gorgeous but I had to ffwd much of it, didn't everyone (except a few) sound artificial speaking Urdu, come on its not tough!! Its called a meethi zubaan and certainly should be an effortless task for a multicrore movie); Maine pyar kyun kiya ( Timepass); Baabul (Sob sob); Something something (Tam movie which was something something)
And oh yet again - When will I get out of this infernal place!!! and which other infernal place am I heading to!!! And oh cant I just ffwd my life!!!
So much for a new year arriving with a bang :-(
PS: IM NOT TB. TB is someone else. IM JUST T who is actually called something else.
This new year started with gory killings (kids for godsakes!!) and a shameful hanging. Yes Saddam was a dictator and a murderer but the way his death was publicised just like the n# of reality shows around, was disgraceful. Noida killings is a horror saga thats still on, as bits and pieces of innocent kids are still being unearthed (or rather fished out). Gives one the shivers. Im sure an execution in this case is too fast and too easy a death for the fiends. They deserve something worser.
Back to me, I was off for a Kolkata trip, a nice and memorable trip actually. Had fun and did some work too. Met old friends and made new friends. You know research may be monotonous, mundane stuff but it sure has its benefits. There is some amount of prestige involved in being called a scientist or a physicist. And then I love learning new things and Ill hate to miss all this just because I have to follow conventions. Oh I hate it all... sighhhhh
Movies watched meanwhile: Kabul Express (it rocks, good cinema); Umrao Jaan (Agreed Ash looked gorgeous but I had to ffwd much of it, didn't everyone (except a few) sound artificial speaking Urdu, come on its not tough!! Its called a meethi zubaan and certainly should be an effortless task for a multicrore movie); Maine pyar kyun kiya ( Timepass); Baabul (Sob sob); Something something (Tam movie which was something something)
And oh yet again - When will I get out of this infernal place!!! and which other infernal place am I heading to!!! And oh cant I just ffwd my life!!!
So much for a new year arriving with a bang :-(
PS: IM NOT TB. TB is someone else. IM JUST T who is actually called something else.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
A review or a comment?
Review of Kabul Express
Are we "bedding with a monster"? I still have reservations about the nuclear deal and it beats me why India appears so desperate for this. Im not knowledgeable about these things but the opinions floating around in the media are also not very optimistic about this. Instead why not revive our institutions. It is a known thing that much money is squandered away in government institutions and how inefficient, lazy and evil authorities are busy filling up their coffers and in preventing real hard workers do their job for the fear of them outshining. So the much revered establishments have now been reduced to white elephants. Why not clean out such parasites first instead of inviting more in the country?
One of my friend was saying that India needs something hard to wake up and inspire the kind of passion it had when it fought for its Independence. And I think her wish will be granted pretty soon if we do carry on with our association with the "monster". Isnt history supposed to be a teacher!
Anyway now I want to see this movie more than ever. Waiting for the last week of December :-D
Currently, Im reading the Count of Monte Cristo by A. Dumas. I had read an abridged version in my childhood and Im reading the unabridged version only now. A very gripping narrative and too good. I had read his Three Musketeers but not his Man in the iron mask, but have seen the movie.
I had heard that A Dumas used to employ writers to churn out stories for him. I dont how much truth is attached with this. But his stories are awesome.
Are we "bedding with a monster"? I still have reservations about the nuclear deal and it beats me why India appears so desperate for this. Im not knowledgeable about these things but the opinions floating around in the media are also not very optimistic about this. Instead why not revive our institutions. It is a known thing that much money is squandered away in government institutions and how inefficient, lazy and evil authorities are busy filling up their coffers and in preventing real hard workers do their job for the fear of them outshining. So the much revered establishments have now been reduced to white elephants. Why not clean out such parasites first instead of inviting more in the country?
One of my friend was saying that India needs something hard to wake up and inspire the kind of passion it had when it fought for its Independence. And I think her wish will be granted pretty soon if we do carry on with our association with the "monster". Isnt history supposed to be a teacher!
Anyway now I want to see this movie more than ever. Waiting for the last week of December :-D
Currently, Im reading the Count of Monte Cristo by A. Dumas. I had read an abridged version in my childhood and Im reading the unabridged version only now. A very gripping narrative and too good. I had read his Three Musketeers but not his Man in the iron mask, but have seen the movie.
I had heard that A Dumas used to employ writers to churn out stories for him. I dont how much truth is attached with this. But his stories are awesome.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Rahman's Guru
Do check out the soundtracks of Rahman's Guru. As usual, Rahman has given us awesome tracks. My favourite track is Bin tere kya jeena. Mayya mayya also sounds great with an arabian lilt to it. Barso re does give a feel of rains. Im watching out for the release of this movie. Anything ManiRathnam is immensely watchable starting from his Mauna Raagam.
I saw Dhoom2 and did not like it. In every scene, the director focussed on the lead stars Ekta Kapoor style - you know the 3 shots per person from different angles- dhudum dhudum dhudum style :-D Dhoom1 had more thrill factor and chill factor (psst psst John Abraham being my latest liking).
Movies Im looking out for - Guru, Kabul express and Babul :-D
Looks like Ill have a working winter vacation but I hope to take little breaks for these 3 movies..
I saw Dhoom2 and did not like it. In every scene, the director focussed on the lead stars Ekta Kapoor style - you know the 3 shots per person from different angles- dhudum dhudum dhudum style :-D Dhoom1 had more thrill factor and chill factor (psst psst John Abraham being my latest liking).
Movies Im looking out for - Guru, Kabul express and Babul :-D
Looks like Ill have a working winter vacation but I hope to take little breaks for these 3 movies..
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Vivah
After braving 30 minutes of Omen, we brave souls returned to our rooms and watched Barjatya's Vivaah. This movie was like any other Barjatya movie - diabetically sweet, but it had a good ending - an ending with a message. The story goes like this - Poonam is an orphan, who grew up in her uncle's home. Her aunt doesnt like her as she is beautiful and her own daughter isnt. I personally thought her daughter had more spirit, more lively. Poonam is the shy, eyelashes batting kind of girl, very very docile. Her marriage is arranged with Prem (shahid) and they both fall in love. The day before the wedding, there is a fire in her house and she gets badly burnt. Inspite of this, Prem marries her and takes care of her. This was the good ending. There is a dialogue in the hospital where the doc says that this hospi is used to seeing brides burnt for dowry, this is the first time we see a burnt girl being made a bride.
This movie reminded me of a fire tragedy in Tamil Nadu 2-3 years back. Here the kalyana mandapam (wedding hall) caught fire while the wedding ceremony was going on. I dont remember exactly who else died, but the bride's father and the groom died in it. Bride survived. We were scared for her as belief in bad omens is very prevalent in this country of 1 billion population and god-forbid if the girl has to face any hardships because of this apart from her personal loss.
This movie also reminded me of a very romantic real-life story I heard. This guy and girl were engaged and were waiting for their wedding day. The girl was very beautiful and the first time the guy saw her (himself hidden behind a door), she was playing with her friends. Unfortunately before the wedding, the girl contracted small-pox and she had small marks on her face. Well, everyone incited the guy to break the engagement. (Society never helps make anything but they love breaking up things. So why should anyone care for them at all!! ) Anyway this guy said "If she had got the pox after marriage, then do you think I should leave her!! Its the same case now. " So they married and lived happily ever-after. You can still see the romance alive in their lives. :-D
This movie reminded me of a fire tragedy in Tamil Nadu 2-3 years back. Here the kalyana mandapam (wedding hall) caught fire while the wedding ceremony was going on. I dont remember exactly who else died, but the bride's father and the groom died in it. Bride survived. We were scared for her as belief in bad omens is very prevalent in this country of 1 billion population and god-forbid if the girl has to face any hardships because of this apart from her personal loss.
This movie also reminded me of a very romantic real-life story I heard. This guy and girl were engaged and were waiting for their wedding day. The girl was very beautiful and the first time the guy saw her (himself hidden behind a door), she was playing with her friends. Unfortunately before the wedding, the girl contracted small-pox and she had small marks on her face. Well, everyone incited the guy to break the engagement. (Society never helps make anything but they love breaking up things. So why should anyone care for them at all!! ) Anyway this guy said "If she had got the pox after marriage, then do you think I should leave her!! Its the same case now. " So they married and lived happily ever-after. You can still see the romance alive in their lives. :-D
Friday, November 24, 2006
Dare I dare the devil
Movie in OAT tomorrow is Omen-V. I am determined that I will watch at least a bit of it. I have anyway informed my friends that I might need a shelter in their rooms on saturday night :-D They are not ready to watch the movie so I should hunt for some company too.
I discovered on IMDb that the 1976 version had Gregory Peck in the lead. Woww that must have been one good movie then. I must have gushed about Gregory Peck here before. He was the proud, upright father in To kill a mocking bird ( the book by Harper Lee is also very good ) and the romantic reporter in Roman Holiday. Both the movies are a collector's piece.
Omen and Nemo (as in Finding Nemo) relate to extremely opposite characters, dont they!
Update at 3am: Im not watching Omen. By mistake, I started reading a spooky story (Fred Forsyth short story- Whispering wind), suspense kept me engrossed and I finished it at 2 am. So here I am, still wide awake and cursing my non-existent will-power, but now determined not to watch Omen. Chicken-hearted. Its 2 weeks since I ate chicken :-( Emily of Lucy Montgomery is very correct when she says that the most dismal thoughts are thought at 3 am in the night.
I am reading Wind of the willows online. Nice story. The writer has given a rhythm to the words and its a delight to read :-D A sample -
zzzzzzzzzz
I discovered on IMDb that the 1976 version had Gregory Peck in the lead. Woww that must have been one good movie then. I must have gushed about Gregory Peck here before. He was the proud, upright father in To kill a mocking bird ( the book by Harper Lee is also very good ) and the romantic reporter in Roman Holiday. Both the movies are a collector's piece.
Omen and Nemo (as in Finding Nemo) relate to extremely opposite characters, dont they!
Update at 3am: Im not watching Omen. By mistake, I started reading a spooky story (Fred Forsyth short story- Whispering wind), suspense kept me engrossed and I finished it at 2 am. So here I am, still wide awake and cursing my non-existent will-power, but now determined not to watch Omen. Chicken-hearted. Its 2 weeks since I ate chicken :-( Emily of Lucy Montgomery is very correct when she says that the most dismal thoughts are thought at 3 am in the night.
I am reading Wind of the willows online. Nice story. The writer has given a rhythm to the words and its a delight to read :-D A sample -
So he scraped and scratched and scrabbled and scrooged and then he scrooged again and scrabbled and scratched and scraped,....I agreed totally when he says that the best part of a hol is not resting for days but knowing that everyone else is at work when you are relaxing. Thats so true sometimes :-D
zzzzzzzzzz
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Lost in the jungle
Hi Im back :) I have been busy with reports, writing, assessments and the sad part is that its not over yet. Anyway, they say persistence pays and Im following this motto these days. Lage Raho :-D And here is a list of movies I watched and books I read in this period. I watched --
-> Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna : People said I must be a die hard ShahRukh fan to like this movie and I did, but not as much for SRK as for the whole story. I felt that this movie was sensitively taken. But I also noticed that all my friends who were engaged or newly married absolutely hated this movie :-D I was thrilled when John Abraham made a guest appearance in a song. I didnt know this before.
-> Lage Raho Munnabhai : Hilarious, good timepass and thats it. My expectations were too high I guess. Didnt touch a chord.
-> Dor : A very sweet movie, sweetest cos the girl gets her freedom towards the end. Shreyas, the guy in Iqbal, was too good as the behrupiya but Ayesha was the best part of the movie. Refreshing, sweet, innocent. I had raved about her movie Socha Na Tha too. Endearing.
-> Khosla ka Ghosla : A good movie. A con-for-con story set up in a very real family background. With Anupam Kher, Boman Irani and few other known faces, this movie lingers on your mind. Do watch this too. Maybe such movies would not have succeeded if the multiplex culture had not set in.
-> Dumm Dumm Dumm : A tamil movie with Madhavan and Jyothika in the leads. I watched it for the 3rd time. Very sweet and romantic and very watchable. Good music too.
Im looking for a good book to read. The books I have been reading are nice to read and are forgettable. I want to read something moving like Gone with the wind or entertaining like the bartimeus trilogy. Any suggestions?
-> Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna : People said I must be a die hard ShahRukh fan to like this movie and I did, but not as much for SRK as for the whole story. I felt that this movie was sensitively taken. But I also noticed that all my friends who were engaged or newly married absolutely hated this movie :-D I was thrilled when John Abraham made a guest appearance in a song. I didnt know this before.
-> Lage Raho Munnabhai : Hilarious, good timepass and thats it. My expectations were too high I guess. Didnt touch a chord.
-> Dor : A very sweet movie, sweetest cos the girl gets her freedom towards the end. Shreyas, the guy in Iqbal, was too good as the behrupiya but Ayesha was the best part of the movie. Refreshing, sweet, innocent. I had raved about her movie Socha Na Tha too. Endearing.
-> Khosla ka Ghosla : A good movie. A con-for-con story set up in a very real family background. With Anupam Kher, Boman Irani and few other known faces, this movie lingers on your mind. Do watch this too. Maybe such movies would not have succeeded if the multiplex culture had not set in.
-> Dumm Dumm Dumm : A tamil movie with Madhavan and Jyothika in the leads. I watched it for the 3rd time. Very sweet and romantic and very watchable. Good music too.
Im looking for a good book to read. The books I have been reading are nice to read and are forgettable. I want to read something moving like Gone with the wind or entertaining like the bartimeus trilogy. Any suggestions?
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Umrao Jan & Remakes
The original Umrao Jan was a masterpiece. This UJ will have a tough time in competing with that.I was listening to the songs of the new UJ. There is a touching song which goes as Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya na kijo.. The version sung by the kid (I think) is the best. Apart from this, I didnt much like anything else. The original movie had some beautiful songs and did you know that some of those songs were written by the real Umrao Jan whose taqallus (pen name!) was Ada. So Ada is mentioned in the last couple of lines of the songs written by her. The music was exceptional. Like you can see, Im a big fan of almost everything in the original :-D
Im told Don is also is a must-watch though one shouldnt exercise the grey cells in the movie-hall. I liked the music - peppy. Im looking for bakra/i-s who wil spend good 3 hours with me in the theatre :-D I already have one bakri in sight :-D ;-)
What puts me off Dhoom2 is the absence of John Abraham and the presence of Aishwarya. Somehow I cant tolerate her and I always wonder what boys see in her. No grace, just a pin-up doll. Give me Sush anyday. You should hear Sush speak and you ll see why she was the Miss. Universe and not Ash. Sush=intelligence.
psst psst: The flow I used to have while composing a post is lacking these days and posting for the sake of posting is boring so Ill take a breather until I get that back. Maybe soon maybe not.
Till then dhoom machaale dhoom machaale dhoom :-D
Edit: Did Umrao Jaan exist for real? Rediff has an article on this
I read about Umrao Jaan's existence in the book White Mughals by William Dalrymple. The story in this book is based on a collection of letters from that era and is set in Hyderabad. He mentions Umrao Jaan in passing.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
SRK unwatchable! :-D
That was SRK!! Millions are fida over him now including me :-D I always say that he is like wine. Gets better with age :-D I think he looked best after DDLJ. Well groomed maybe.The slide show is on rediff
Friday, September 22, 2006
Water goes to Oscar
Have you seen the movie? This is when I joined John Abraham's fanclub. Lisa was gorgeous as ever and Seema Biswas brilliant. But what stayed in the mind after the movie was the girl who played the role of Chuhiya. Cute, chubby chubby and a moving perfomance. Im happy that this movie goes to Oscar but afsos from Canada. What is India's nomination this time ?
Saw a good review of Dor on rediff. Would love to see the movie. Ayesha Takia was very refreshing in Socha Na Tha, Shreyas was mind blowing in Iqbal and Nagesh Kukunoor 's movies are always a delight :-) Will it be released in Chennai! Im watching out :-)
Sunday, September 17, 2006
I saw Munich
And I liked it. Before watching the movie, I had reservations about it. LIke I said, I could not read more than 100 pages of O Jerusalem because I was biased against it. This time I was determined that Ill sit through the full movie whatever be the case. And I liked it. I felt it had a balanced view. When one looks at the issue from either side, one feels both the parties are justified. The jews had to have a home right! And the palestinians have been robbed of their home too! There is a scene where a palestinian fidayeen says to the israeli assasin "my father did not gas your father". So true!! They are paying for someone else' crimes. The movie was from Israel's point of view but it still had glimpses of the other party's stand. Showed the human side of the "terrorists" too. Its a Steven Spielberg movie and Im told he is a Jew. Im impressed :-)
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Of books and movies
I got to see two classic movies on Sony Pix- Guess Who's Coming to Dinner & Lawrence of Arabia. Sydney Poitier had awesome presence in the first one (Kya Style hai! ) and the other one had real good dialogues. Its 3 hrs 45 mins long though.
Somebody recommended The Constant Gardener to me. Waiting to see the movie. Movie in campus this week is Munich. I checked it out on ImDB and I think Ill give it a try.
Im reading Orwell's 1984 in spells. Its difficult to read it in one go as it can get very depressing. All throughout one gets the feeling that there is no hope. I have ditched reading Glimpses of World History :-( I had reached till the era when Mughals came into picture. Someday when Im free Ill finish this. I have an allergy these days to detective, thrillers themes in books so much that I cant even read Agatha Christies. Im told Georgette Heyer writes good detective novels but I am staying away from them. She otherwise writes romances with the heroes being garbed in lavender satin breeches and pink coats and red shoes. I used to be a big fan of hers once upon a time :-D I think I have grown old. Really!
This comic strip is so apt sometimes !!
Somebody recommended The Constant Gardener to me. Waiting to see the movie. Movie in campus this week is Munich. I checked it out on ImDB and I think Ill give it a try.
Im reading Orwell's 1984 in spells. Its difficult to read it in one go as it can get very depressing. All throughout one gets the feeling that there is no hope. I have ditched reading Glimpses of World History :-( I had reached till the era when Mughals came into picture. Someday when Im free Ill finish this. I have an allergy these days to detective, thrillers themes in books so much that I cant even read Agatha Christies. Im told Georgette Heyer writes good detective novels but I am staying away from them. She otherwise writes romances with the heroes being garbed in lavender satin breeches and pink coats and red shoes. I used to be a big fan of hers once upon a time :-D I think I have grown old. Really!
This comic strip is so apt sometimes !!
Monday, August 28, 2006
I say a little prayer for you
I watched My best friend's wedding for the nth time. Julia Roberts rocks, doesnt she!! I have liked every movie of hers that I have seen. I love the character of George in this movie. And I find this song very romantic for the way it was sung for her towards the end of the movie and for this Im ready to watch the whole movie yet another time :-DThe moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair, now,
And wondering what dress to wear, now,
I say a little prayer for you
Forever, forever, you'll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, forever, we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together, together, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only be heartbreak for me.
I run for the bus, dear,
While riding I think of us, dear,
I say a little prayer for you.
At work I just take time
And all through my coffee break-time,
I say a little prayer for you.
Forever, forever, you'll stay in my heart
and I will love you
Forever, forever we never will part
Oh, how I'll love you
Together, together, that's how it must be
To live without you
Would only be heartbreak for me.
My darling believe me,
For me there is no one
But you.
On the book front, I read Thomas Hardy's A Pair of Blue Eyes. I was introduced to TH by my pa who used to read a lot in the earlier days. My first book by him was Return of the native. Since then, I have read The mayor of casterbridge, The woodlanders, Far from the madding crowd, and Jude the Obscure. There is always a betrayal in his novels and the story is always set in rural England. But there is a hopeful ending always as much as I remember. In this novel though, the lady with the blue eyes dies leaving behind three men who loved her in their own way and yet couldnt give her happiness.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Saw hazaaron khwahishein aisi
Saw the movie on youtube. Its painful watching movies there especially with the slow downloads. But I persevered. Movie was great. Why does Shiny Ahuja always play the role of a doomed lover! Unfortunately, one movie clip on youtube was defective. This was the portion where Shiny gets stuck in Bihar. One moment Kaykay is shot by the police and in the next scene Shiny is also on the hospital bed with him. The intermediate scenes were missing. This was the main part and I didnt get to see it :-( Chitrangada was gorgeous. Didnt she remind you very strongly of Smita Patil!!
I was engaged in a spat on the blog two days back. Unfortunately. I try not to hurt anyone's sentiments here.
I was engaged in a spat on the blog two days back. Unfortunately. I try not to hurt anyone's sentiments here.