cloud atlas

I know there are lots of exciting and thrilling things happening in my life, but I watched cloud atlas last night.
And I am wondering why do powerful emotions shown in movies move me so much. I think the reason behind getting moved by movies/books/nature/art is a void being filled by the creativity of the writer/director/actor/creator.

No wonder cloud atlas is a brilliant movie, as it narrates the very weird, sometimes disconnected and at times connected by the threads of kindness, love, empathy, humanness 6 different stories set in 6 timelines. Of course its a difficult movie to sit through given its length and confusing starcast (same actors in different roles). 

There are movies for the sake of movies and entertainment and there are movies which make you wonder and dissect and ponder. Cloud Atlas unlike the book which is a pretty difficult read proves to be one such film. Its vista is colorful and so wondrous that you would either hate it or love it.

~nightflier

Argo and random rambling about movies

Yesterday I was generally feeling sad and nostalgic after reading about Yash Chopra's death. (Have watched most of movies directed by him except for Faasle, Parampara and Joshila). The thing is I have got watching movies in my genes from my father. He himself loves watching movies, Dev Anand, Amithabh Bachchan to be specific and he has never questioned my fanfare about movies. Though I am not certain what he enjoys the most about movies in general, but I am sure we all watch movies for a bit of escapism and adventure. As I have grown up, my movie taste and expectations have also changed. Even though I have drooled over sappy, poetic romances our hindi movies normally depicted in my childhood, I think I love myself a '500 days of summer' and 'before sunrise' as well. Having said that the starry eyed teenager in me believed in the super cheesy line 'someone somewhere is made for you'. Almost. Its very hard for me to imagine myself as a person without movies (seriously too many movies have been watched in this lifetime till now and an equally good number still remain unseen!). If books gave me fodder to imagine new worlds, movies made those worlds real and tangible. So I am not going to imagine a life without movies or books. But I will instead talk about this movie called Argo and how fantastic it is!

[if you are planning to watch the movie then my post won't really hurt your plans. But then you might not want to read it]

Its not just true but fantastical that a CIA agent made an entire nation believe that a bunch of American Embassy officers having taken refuge at the Canadian Embassy in Tehran, were actually part of a sci-fi film crew and flew them out of the country. All this happened during the Iran hostage crisis. So this level of make-believe is just so awesome! In depicting the tale, Ben Affleck the director takes no sides, has no bias about motives of the USA or Islamic extremists. He is telling the story of a man on a rescue mission and he does that with flair! The drama builds upto last 15 minutes where every scene is nail biting (or curse inducing, if you know what I mean). This is laced with fine, fine dialogue. And some politically incorrect upfront jokes about political systems, bureaucracy and hollywood. 

Alan Arkin as the typical LA producer is the funny life of the movie. An entire backdrop of a 'fake movie' is elaborately constructed with the help of John Goodman and Arkin. 'The best bad idea' Mendez (played by Ben Affleck) got, gains momentum in true Hollywood fashion. Most amusing is the scene when the extremists at the airport actually get convinced by a set of storyboards about a sci-fi movie. Even they become starry eyed kids who would love them a star wars. 

These and many such moments make Argo extremely human, enjoyable and want you to repeat after Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin's character name) 
'Argo! F**k Yourself!'

To the power of movies and make-believe-ism!

~nightflier

the super star movie experience

I *lurve* watching movies! From the amount of my life I have spent in watching movies, I now have pretty toned instincts about various movies (upcoming or the one's that skipped my vision). By instincts which are toned, I mean I have become cautious with where I spend my anticipation and energy in. Well, that's not really being a 'real' movie watcher, but when you realize you do not really have a lot of time and have to figure out a way to fit in the awesome stuff, then this is the only strategy which has worked for me. And you have to believe me, I have watched really crappy movies. Really really.

Anywho, plus these days its a pop cultural phenomenon, sharing a movie watching experience with a bunch of fans and creating detached shared memories. I have watched chick flicks in downtown Chicago theatre (sex and the city, judge you may, but I had come to liking the series during that phase in life). Recently I caught The dark knight rises in a theatre full of Bane chants and batman tees. (I had missed The Dark Knight experience!). Among many such the only modern day movie watching adventure I had missed was watching a 'Salman Khan' movie. Yes, I missed Dabang and Wanted when they were huge hits here in India. So when 'Ek tha Tiger' first day first show tickets were to be booked, I immediately volunteered for the experience. I wanted to see what exactly happens on the big screen, when Salman Khan takes over.

So if you want a review of the movie, I will not be giving any. Because, this is about the movie watching experience than about how the movie was.
Anywho, my first disappointment came because it was an early morning show i.e. 8.45 am and that's not when really crazy salman khan fans must be watching the movie. The whistles, laughter, claps, uproar etc were down 5 notches, considering only money saving crowd (like me) was present. So tip for next time - watch a prime time show. That's when people have really high energy levels.

I will not talk of any more disappointments, as they deal with the script and how some things were utterly stupid in the movie. The high point of any Salman Khan movie I think is, how he owns the character (not talking about his earlier movies, like MPK, baagi, love, patthar ke phool, when he was adorable and vulnerable). The most cliched thing said about him is how larger than life he is. Apart from that, I admire his nonchalance about becoming a character. Instead he remains himself and lets you think 'imagine so and so is Salman Khan in the movie'. Yes that grin of his or that kick of his or that dance step of him (imagine any way you like).

And another slightly related note, I am appalled at *how much* money is wasted in making our movies. The unnecessary location shoots which must cost a bomb, the poor execution of technology, which is like wasted moolah. Slowly, in my head I am thinking of productive ways of saving/using money for them (:P). 

Anyway, all said and done, its tough being a super star in any field in India. The amount of criticism, expectations, hopes pinned on you, but the sheer pressure of it all! Insane. That's the only word that comes to my mind. Also, my instincts in picking the right movie and time for a Salman Khan movie have been honed as well, so that next time the experience is more enjoyable!

~nightflier

P.S. the last salman khan movie I watched in a theater was salaam-e-ishq!!!

'An overture to illumination'

(Important things first. I want everyone coming to this post to watch the trailer and not miss this gem of a movie. Of course with subtitles. The book by Jonathan Safran Foer is equally read-worthy. Of course, despite the experiments in narration. The characters in the book are so much more than they seem and so beautiful. But the movie is equally quirky.)

Being part of world war II europe must have felt very human. It is during very trying times that we as humans shine or act more human i.e. do things which we never thought we would do. 

Alex does a very human thing by reinventing the past. Safran crosses seas for his coming generations. Jonathan wants to connect the dots. And Sasha would like to 'illuminate' (read find/search) this journey as a job, for his grandfather. In the turn of events they meet Lista, a collector. Of memories, people gone by, places forgotten. Jonathan, does that too. He fears he might forget. Their search for trachimbrod and a past so murky, brings them to 'illumination'. 

Nazi Germany or the anti-semite times and the sufferings of people, have always made me wonder about how those people overcame the terrible pasts and got where they got. 

'You have to begin where you begin, in order to get where you are going'

There is a recurring theme in the book 'One day you will do things that you hate (don't really want to do) for your family'.

May be sometimes in order to save yourself, literally and otherwise, you say you are doing it for others. May be that is utmost human-ness. May be in those trying times it was easier to do stuff, for the future, thinking if you took that terrible but human step, you could reinvent the past.

Lista tells Jonathan in a rather poignant climactic dialogue while giving away Augustine's wedding ring which she buried 'The ring is not here because of us. We are here because of the ring.' 

~nightflier

P.S. A name of the chapter from the book, in the title.

the way of grace and nature

meandering in the vastness
courtesy - google

The O'Brien's have lost a son. We will never know which, how and when (somewhere in the 1960's maybe). The gentle, forgiving, loving mother can't seek the why. She knows life should go on. When you lose someone the whys are the toughest to get an answer for. Such is the human condition. 


Loss is painful. Existence after experiencing loss feels even more so. Still, we always ask the why. We contemplate everything. Even existence.


And what Terrence Malick shows, through the most evocative imagery is a montage called life. In its most infinitesimal form, of a family in Texas. Of idyllic summers and graceful family values and upbringing. He also shows us the evolution of the universe itself. He is trying to make sense of it all as well. There are no answers. Only life and the existence that we have got here. In whatever form it may be.


You weep after seeing the big bang, an opera-tic crescendo in the background. You are instantly transported to your own childhood, your own growing up period. And you know nothing is going to make sense. Because existence is like that.

courtesy - google

I am not as evolved as Mr. Malick, but if someday I do become that evolved, I hope my montage of existence looks like what he has shown for two hours and twelve minutes. Without any answers but still so real.


-nightflier

on finding conflict

Day before I was watching rockstar (which I liked for its nuances despite overall it being an ok movie with the most beautiful dud for an heroine) and it got me thinking about conflicts. There are some people, emotions, definitions in life about whom/which I still feel really conflicted. In extremes. Sometimes. And I do believe that has triggered a lot of thinking on my part, which has shaped my outlook towards life in general. Of course, I write as if this is my afterlife. Oh well.

And that's why I think I liked Imtiaz Ali's attempt, where he tries to capture the conflict in a not-so-abnormally brought up JJ. I liked that little scene where the erstwhile buffoon JJ thrashes his sister-in-law for being too touchy feely. Also loved the scene where Nargis says yes even before Jordan asks her the question. (That's the only place she did justice to that thing called 'acting'). And JJ's divine intervention moment in faya kun (What beautiful song, been listening to it with tum ko and katiya karu for the past 4 hours). And the turmoil when Nargis is trying to run away from Jordan. So yes, I liked the attempt to show troubled or not so lives of the protagonists. It made me care about Jordan, even if very very late in the movie.

So telling that conflict may give rise to the best or the worst of us, is like saying 2+2 equals 4. At a certain level, I do want my life conflict free, to attain that level of calm and peace which zen gurus have. But then may be for normal people, conflict is the only way to attain peace. No ? (2 biographies which I read recently, steve jobs and andre agassi, namely re-iterate this. Or so I felt).

Oh, and have you felt conflicted? Ever?

[ I had goosebumps all over during the first 3 minutes of the movie. Rehman's built up music does that. But the most I felt touched, the music and voice hitting straight my heart, was when the subdued Kavita Krishnamurthy track started playing at the end.]

~nightflier

P.S. Also KT agrees. So I am not alone in liking the movie :D

Fiona's true love

Fiona is angry. She says to Shrek who too is visibly distressed 'But you weren't there when I needed you. I rescued myself from the dragon and the castle.'


After a round of twists, things do fall into place. 


Shrek is back to his happy, love filled life. He says to Fiona 'It wasn't I who rescued you. You truly rescued me.'


Despite the fairy tales one has been fed growing up and despite the sweeping generalization that *only* 'some people' need to be rescued 'all the time', I would like to believe in Shrek and Fiona's 'rescuing each other'.
Romantic and slightly foolish (naive?) but so heartening to hear :)


~nightflier

All he ever wanted to do was race - Senna

I am always skeptic about documentaries. I mean they are piece of great research and devotion. And its difficult to take them lightly. Or ignore them like some movies. They have hard hitting, in your face facts or at least try to show them in a different light. Anywho point being I avoid them, because its not easy to not get affected by them.


So after much procrastination, dilly dallying, I finally found time to watch Asif Kapadia's documentary about the legendary and prodigious Formula one driver Ayrton Senna. It was a thoughtful and touching tribute to Senna (as he is popularly known). What struck out was Senna's introspective personality, his deep eyes, his disarming smile. Of course the F1 politics, rivalry with Prost, family relations, his celebrity status in Brazil were highlighted too. Despite all the rigors and aggression of the sport, Senna came across as a guy who liked pushing his limits of fear, of discovering himself. It was evident in his driving, in his passion and eyes.

courtesy - google

In a way the documentary is a gem because the way it built up to the final moments, was amazing. Despite knowing the finale one clung on to it, hoping nothing happens on that dreaded day.


Also as said by one of the journalists, in some poetic and unjust way Senna's end in a racing car seemed to be what senna really wished for, and given another chance in life knowing the end of this path he would have not chosen the alternative.


And the last frame of the film is the most moving and touching. 
I have an eternal crush on those haunting, deep Senna eyes!


Highly recommend.


~nightflier

The finale

Pre script - this is about the last harry potter movie. If you have still not seen it or not much big a fan, then kindly avoid reading further :)


'It is an ancient need to be told stories. But the story needs a great storyteller.' 
Quote from here - Alan Rickman's words.


I love JKR's series. I love how it glorifies friendships, valor, ability to make mistakes and love. I love the fact that, I read them when I was younger, less cynical, more idealistic and naive. Because every time I read the books they make me believe more. In stories, friendships, people, life in general.


Moving towards the movies, to tell you the truth, I don't like the adaptations much. I won't at least rave about them. From what I have read and seen, Harry Potter seems to be one of the mediocre ones. May be because, I really love the books and expected too much. Or simply may be the directors and my vision did not match :P
Anywho, point is, thus I decided to keep my expectations at home and try to like the movie for being a movie and not a book. You know what, it worked. I had goosebumps all over me every time something thrilling happened. I cried copiously through those stupid 3D glasses when they showed dead bodies of Fred Weasely, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. I laughed heartily when Minnerva Macgonagall proclaimed she had wanted to cast the Piertotum Locomotor charm for the longest time, in a time of utter distress and ruckus. I almost wanted to shield Harry when Lily died for him. I felt deeply in love, when I saw Severus grieve over Lily's dead body. I also wanted to get up and defend the castle of Hagwarts and cheer for Neville when he said those courageous words in front of an army of death eaters. I wanted to hug Albus Dumbledore, when he met Harry at King's Cross. To say to him, greater good had been achieved. (oh btw, my copy of deathly hallows reads, For the Greater Good. Wrote it myself, as soon as I got the book in hands :P)


If a movie was able to evoke so many wonderful emotions in me, I personally think then it was a good movie. 
And the casting felt impeccable, at least in the final installation. Personally I think, Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Maggie Smith as Minnerva Macgonagall, Ralph Fiennes (Absolutely love him!!) as Lord Voldemort, Gary Oldman as Serius Black, Emma Thompson (love her too!!) as Sybill Trelawney are perfectly cast. And everyone else seemed to suit the roles too. Plus its been 10 years now.


The special effects, where needed were good enough. They could have had a better dragon though. Anywho I liked the movie. And it satisfied me, because as the 7th book was action packed, so was the movie. From start to end.

And if you are planning to watch it in 3D, then please DON'T. I beg of you. My reasons -

1. 3D is a rip off. You pay more for what, 100 times used pair of heavy, nose hurting, uncomfortable glasses (at least in India. The glasses in the US are better, if that was a comfort) ?

2. It's BAD for your eyes. It took my eyes more than 5 minutes to get adjusted to, today. I could just see blurry, shadowy images.

3. The movie did not even have any shots which needed 3D. In fact the darkness imposed because of the glasses, made the already darker movie tones even more gloomy!!

4. And if you want to read the experts, then please do so here - http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/01/post_4.html

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/04/30/why-i-hate-3-d-and-you-should-too.html

Case closed I say ? :) Good! Now I can stop ranting and start making sense :)

I recommend it in 2D!!!!


~nightflier


P.S. And brother who had taken to reading the series on my insistence, finished the 7th book on friday!! Only after that did we decide to watch the movie :)

Source code-ed!

So if you watch that movie, do make note of the red building near which the train explosion takes place.
That's my school!!!!! (you have to look out for this particular building)

courtesy - google

clicked by my N72 - circa 2009 spring

Also the movie features tons (is that even a relevant metric?) of chicago!!! And metra train!!! And millennium park (that was my favorite show-any-visitor-friend destination) And my school!!!


The building is very old btw (from 1930 or something). There are still those old elevators inside which take 4 minutes to travel 4 floors!! And there are spiral iron staircases too! They have kept and maintained all these antic(s) from times gone by. iLike!


Oh btw, I had gone equally crazy after seeing bhagat singh (ajay devgan wali) movie, because they had shot extensively in our undergrad college. :D 
[before that I used to be amused by such going-crazy people!]


And to think that, I was going to skip on the movie today, and to remain down in the dumps. I am glad for taking this good decision! Sometimes strangest co-incidences can cheer you up! :)


~nightflier

of caricatures

I watched two extremely appealing movies this week. No one killed Jessica (NOKJ) and An Education. My take on the same.


While watching NOKJ (despite it being a good movie) I could not help but think about the whole deliberation scripts put into some roles/acts. Be it a cuss word spouting hot shot journalist or a all flaws overlooking, typical mother of a spoilt brat. In such situations I can't make up mind whether its the actor who should have tried better to make it real or the screenplay. And that is why NOKJ as a platform for Rani to change her mold or come up with something radical (as she claimed in her interviews) failed for me. It was a very well versed story for all of us, so movie wise there weren't any surprises. Plus the director Raj Kumar Gupta's earlier mindblowing debut film Aamir was proof enough that this would be a refined product technically and otherwise.
But then Rani Mukerji proclaimed that how she was a bit**. Meh.


Jenny of an Education on the other hand was such a starry eyed character with its nuances right in place that one could easily relate with her. Carey Mulligan is a wonderfully self aware actress. She is delicately pretty and expressive. So when she falls in love with an older man and is ready to throw away all her future, all her Latin essays, her teacher's advice, her Oxford dreams just because she wants to lead a fun life and not a drab and dull life like her parents and teachers do, you want to go on her journey and experience for yourself, how it must feel like. I am not sure then, if one should applaud the script or the actor here. An education is a wonderful movie. As they say, the act of discovery is not about finding new places but seeing with new eyes.
So is Jenny's journey. 


So such is life. I like real, I can relate with characters. And I love Rani Mukerji too. So it is a huge disappointment when I have to see her movie after 2 years and get nothing but a caricature out of the movie. But then as they say movie watching is about optimism. 
Better luck next time to me!


~nightflier

Hum aapke hain kaun and after that...

It doesn't take much to make me nostalgic. Sometimes even a song playing on the radio or aai's cooking is enough! (Sometimes I think I get it from my parents, as they keep on talking about their childhood a lot!)


So when I get down to write about Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the 2 icons of my childhood, I am not sure how to articulate. But I am going to ramble nevertheless.
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (HAHK) released when I was in 5th standard. From whatever few promos that Chitrahaar/super hit muqabla (DD National ?)/all the best (DD metro) used to air I had made secret pacts with myself that I have to make aai-baba take me for this one! I think as a 10 year old only Madhuri Dixit, the playful banter between her and Salman, the amazing music appealed to my sensibilities. As things turned out my Mavshi (mom's sister) got engaged to be married the same year. The wedding was planned for summer and most of such family entertainers (I had no clue of this term then) released in India in summers. So during the release time we were going to be super busy with the wedding preparations and shopping. The movie was a smash hit everywhere! It was almost impossible to be able to watch the movie before school started. Biggest worry on my mind was 'how would I bear my friends who had already watched the movie!' (yes brutally honest, thats being a 10 year old for you!)
Then a really cute thing happened. Once on a shopping trip my kaka (aunt's then fiance) suggested that we all go for this movie. Unfortunately we got only 2 tickets. And don't know how but me and Mavshi ended up in the theater! God's miracle ? :D
This is just the story of how god saved me from the disgrace of not watching the most amazing movie of my childhood. The re-runs kept on happening. Every time it felt like a special experience. It left me awed. Madhuri, Salman, Lakshmikant Berde, Renuka Shahane, and all the ensemble star cast still feels like family to me. All these memories came rushing while watching it for the gazillionth time on tv today! Thankfully I am not the only mad person around to love the movie so much. It is always fun to discuss all these memories and tiny tit-bits of trivia with fellow hahk lovers.


For posterity I am going to share some seemingly stupid stories related to the same movie.
The same year I read an article in a newspaper about Madhuri Dixit which also had her address at the end of it. I immediately drafted a letter for her birthday (sometime in May I guess?) and sent it to the said address. If it was the true address, if it was ever received and read by her remain a mystery. Devil may care. But there! I have shared it on the blog and am now open to judgments!
In school gathering the next year we performed a dance on 'Maye na maye'. Our school had this weird rule of allowing only decent hindi movie songs. Dunno how one can decide that. Anywhooo for all the girls involved the highest point of the extravaganza was getting to wear Madhuri Dixit style Ghagra! The endless practice sessions, getting the expressions like MD, dress rehearsals! 


All these very happy memories are attached to the movie in a way. May be that's why despite its much approved and acclaimed greatness, its still so dear to me. I shall leave KKHH for some other time. Got any such childhood connections ? Remember nostalgia is very much welcome on this blog :)


~nightflier

Udaan

chhoti chhoti chhitrayi yaadein 
bichhi hui hain lamhon ki lawn par, 
nange pair un par chalte chalte, itni door aa gaye hain 
ki ab bhool gaye hain joote kahan utaare the. 
sach bhool gaye hain joote kahan utaare the, par lagta hai ab unki zaroorat nahi ..

He looks towards Manindar (his best friend). Manindar doesn't understand it. In its true essence. But it has touched a chord inside him. That moment is beautiful. Even you feel something truly beautiful is about to enfold. And thankfully it does. That's Udaan for you. A rare beauty and a gem. A simple story with real people and great screenplay and direction.

The boy is trapped. Its not that he wants to stay in the misery. His gait, his run, his walk show a subtle sign of respect and hope for something better which might one day happen unexpectedly. He wants to believe in the good. He tries it too. But nothing really happens. And I did not shed a single tear in his misery. But in his triumph. In his final run. I cried like a baby. I smiled too. A friend articulated the feeling quite well. Enthralling he said. And I agree.


All the while I was watching it, I felt something inside me too. I am still trying to identify the feeling. Was it fond nostalgia ? or anger ? or pain ? or a sad longing for innocence lost and dreams unfulfilled ? 

The disparity in its frames, the steel mills of Jamshedpur in the background and poetic nature around Rohan; the moving trains and Rohan with his book and pen on the tracks. I am still quite captivated with the movie. Its every frame speaks thousands of words and at the same time silently mocks the sychophants in us. Vikramaditya Motwane I am going to track your career now. The bar has been raised so high!

This movie should have normally gone here. But I have loved it so much that it needed a proper post dedicated to it. And people who know me know that when I love a movie I deservedly go gaga about it. 

On a parting note..

Pairon ki bediyan khwabon ko baandhe nahi re, kabhi nahi re
Mitti ki parton ko nanne se ankur bhi cheeray, dheere dheere
Iraade hare hare, jinke seeno mein ghar kare
Woh dil ki sune kare na darre, na darre


~nightflier


Image courtesy - google


P.S. I have used the word beautiful and lot. Believe me the movie is!

My inevitable change

The blog needed a change (of template/design/content/structure) for a long time now. And nothing can beat my indecisiveness in this matter. I have been hunting and searching for a template who sweeps me off my feet (love at first sight types). And since I don't like whatever is available on the web, I am thinking of creating something myself with all the duniya bhar ke tools available. Daunting task that is!


Anyhooooo, point is since that has taken a different lane, I thought might as well entertain you guys and myself with some dedicated content. 


The self proclaimed movie critic inside me has been doing summersaults to grab attention on this self obsessed blog (buff more like who can't help but give her opinions about any movie she watches). A mere 10 out of 270 something posts ratio has made her a bit suicidal. The immediate treatment has involved giving her a room of her own with stuff to play with. So you will find This week (that year) at the top of the blog, below the header to be accurate. I plan to put 2 movie recommendations per week in that space. Now I know how much you all adore (care for ?) reviews and hence I am going to try to describe why I like/recommend the movie. So the said person whose life we are trying to save gets a prolonged existence and you feel responsible for the after effects of listening to my views.


Lately my reading habits have become really erratic. I have multiple books on my reading pane. None of which I have managed to finish. So this is going to track my progress with each book that I have touched. I hope this venture lives really long. Otherwise the sad future of my would be kids looms in front of my eyes. Depressing!


Also did I tell you about the brand new chamakta Tennis star on the scene? Yours truly. Ahem!
Yesterday clad in my flipflops and skinny jeans I made my international debut. After the sad demise of Sania from tennis to the wrong side of the court, I thought may be it was time to take responsibility for Tennis's future. 
Kidding! I am not that deluded. Not specially after failing to land 5 consecutive serves in the right side of the court. But today was better with sneakers and no skinny jeans (but tennis shorts, you dirty mind!). And tennis is fun, specially if you dont care a speck about the rules on the court.
Still prefer watching it over playing it. Convenience. That reminds me this time Nadal will sweetly take french open no ?


Is there anything else, I should dabble in ?


~nightflier

Sex: 1, City: 1, Two: 0

[The title of this post has been unabashedly picked up from Roger Ebert's tweet.]


One line review. Sex and the City 2 is about utter escapism. Read on if you still care to know more.


Seriously if there had to be a more preposterous show of glamour, fashion and mindlessness then it could not have been better than this. Oh wait! Did I just use the word 'better'? Ughhh..


The TV show was amazing. The girls and their characters were not mere caricatures but real beings. It was not the usual fluff and drama that one expects from chick-flick stuff. As in it had brains and was sensible. They ended it well when the last single girl on the planet called Manhattan gets hooked up. Now that was intelligent. 
Oh and it was an ode to NYC. And one of the most fabulous ones. It had a heart, one which would definitely connect with you.


But then they decided to show us extravagant chic weddings, PMS (pre marital syndrome) for men, some emotional drama and more girl bonding. So they made a movie out of the whole enterprise. Groan. The candid affair which the show had with its audiences got stretched a bit further. But at least it was an earnest attempt. One would not exactly cry with Carrie for Big's betrayal, but sit back and see all the bollywood style emotional atyaachaar. (And I seriously want to thank Bollywood for improving my tolerance levels when it comes to non sense).


But you know what happened next ? This time the girls (who are old women disguised in the most gaudy fashion ever) have some really REAL issues on hands and mind. So they thought they had a real storyline for another movie. Again wait, did I just use the word 'real' for the third time ?
Check this:
1. A 50 something woman undergoing Menopause
2. Being a full time mother of 2
3. Balance between work and home and did I say a draconian boss and right to be heard at work place
4. Wanting to lead a childless life/marriage, in a society where marriage binds you to a child's existence


But remember when in lala land, you just dress up in weirdest wardrobes and raise your cocktails to these issues and say cheers 'to women who manage all this without any help'. Set on a phony setting of these issues and women's liberation in the middle east, the movie tries to be intelligent, funny, sexy and stylish. It ends up getting on your nerves for being shallow, materialistic, whiny and horny (read Samantha Jones). SATC is known and adored for its wit and fun quotient. But the jokes here dont even make one laugh. Not even Samantha's wearing her sex drive on her sleeve ones.
I have had this issue with Hindi movies for a long time now, that the directors/script writers touch a really sensitive chord and then totally ignore it or make a standing joke out of it. Guess the bug is spreading. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.


Now talking about the characters. Samantha Jones is the biggest letdown. This is the most outrageous character in the entire run of the show. They cross all the thin lines between cheap and sensible, vulgar and sexy and leave us to abhor this one, in the movie. (But I still admire Kim Catrall for being so open and outspoken about everything). Carrie's independence and indecisiveness gets converted to senseless rants and stupidity. Somehow the director spares Miranda and Charlotte. Oh wait, they do crib about having help and still not being able to be good mothers. Kudos to them!


I just have an earnest request for all the people involved in making this, please dont come up with a third movie. I adore the show and I can live with its re-runs. Please dont mutilate some really heartfelt characters which I have come to admire. 


And girls out there, watch the movie at your own risk. 


~nightflier


P.S. there are some better reviews which thrash the movie in a hilarious way. Do check them out, for these will certainly provide you with wicked laughs.
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/burkas-and-birkins/Content?oid=4132715

The day of the Avatar

I committed a cardinal sin today. Of the highest ranks, in my list.

I watched a movie, in a theatre, ALONE. Yes, all by myself. Includes the commute to and fro and sitting in the theatre for the entire length. Well, I do have my list of silly principles. Never to watch a movie alone, in a theatre was one of them. It is creepy, in a way loser-ish, and (I know now I am going to sound super neurotic) people give you oh-poor-girl-look-she-is-alone glances!

But I watched a movie ALONE! Yeah baby ;)

Anyways, so the story isnt as rosy as it sounds except for the weather which was perfect, in mid 70s and windy. 

So, I already had had a long morning, with some OPT paperwork, lunch preparations for a friends birthday, followed by lunch. After the extremely sumptuous lunch, I left for the theatre in an almost drowsy state. I missed the bus and then when I was contemplating taking a cab, owing to my desperation to get there in time, another bus came by. My transit card did not work and the driver was sweet enough to give me a free ride. So yeah, I was destined to at least reach the theatre! And did I tell you I had not been to this neighbourhood that often, so keeping my bearings correct (which I am particularly bad at) was another issue. After some doubtful turns and crossing my fingers, I somehow managed to spot a sign which said, 'Theatre ->' (it was an under construction mall, with shops still to be leased out). Huffing and puffing and almost running, I approached the ticket counter. And here goes one of the most awkward and kinda hilarious conversation I have had recently :

Me: One ticket for Avatar 3D

Lady: next show is at 6.15.

Me: What about the one at 2.50 ?

Lady: Oh, we stop selling tickets 7 minutes after the show starts (You guessed it right, I was LATE)

Me: Well, I am not watching the movie for the first time. I am here for a re-run (FLAT LIE)

Lady: Oh, (suddenly all understanding) Is someone waiting for you inside ? (wink, wink)

Me: (thought bubble over my head with ERMMMM written all over it and one more thought bubble inside it which said 'Time to lie more') Kinda yes! Can you make an exception, just this time ?

Lady: Oh, well I wont do it the next time (with a sweet smile). Here you go. Can you tell me where do you want to sit ?

Me: (Imaginary boyfriend where are you sitting ?) Actually I dont know, I can call and confirm if you want..

Lady: Well, it must be this one (pointing to a single seat in 2nd row which was occupied in her screening hall simulation).

Me: If you say so..

Lady: Here are your glasses and enjoy the show!

Me: Yupp (Now that you have hooked me up with someone, I will enjoy it even more :P)

I entered to a pretty empty hall. Directly sprinted for the last row and made myself at home. (What were you thinking ? I would go and search for my imaginary boyfriend ? Now thats creepy :P).

Jack Sully (Sam Worthington) had just reached Pandora, meaning I hadn't missed much. Rest that followed was the most fantastic visual and emotional journey of my life. Only James Cameron can visualize things to such details, make them seem real and weave a story (though predictable and stale) through it. The most moving scenes for me were 

1. when bloody humans destroy the hometree of the Navis. I cried through the 3D glasses to the extent of having to remove them to wipe my eyes. James Cameron is a mastermind. Only he could make us relate with imaginary beings (me too, at least in this blog ;)) and make us feel so strongly about them!

2. When Jake learns to ride/fly the mountain banshee. I like the idea of flying and it was simply superb to experience Jakes ride!

3. When Dr. Grace dies. The Navi and their bonding with their environment. Simply touching!

And I seriously can not talk more about the movie. Because it is one of those rare movies, which you have to have to watch multiple times to soak in the details (Dark Knight types). Btw the scientific side of me, was awed by the effects. I have seen many a making of videos of Avatar and when I saw what was in there for real, I was stunned. This is unbelievable stuff. And now before I run short of adjectives to try to describe the movie or the experience any further I will stop. Thank god!

As Roger Ebert said in his review, this movie is an event of our times. Something which you can not miss. So if you are a dumbnut like me, better go and watch it. Even if you have to go alone. It is worth breaking all your personal inhibitions and silly principles ;)

And as for me, I am glad that I watched this movie alone. Exploring Pandora on my own was one hell of an adventure. And I am ready to do it again :)

~nightflier

P.S. special thanks to a friend who kept on insisting that I was a fool to be calling myself a movie buff and not watched Avatar. Seriously I would have lived with a more serious cardinal sin for the rest of my life, by not watching it (in 3D) !

My name is Khan

My name is khan (from the epiglottis!). 

It is touching, brave, endearing, naive, and simple. On the other hand it also has typical KJo outlandish style of doing things, lots of rona dhona and a bit slack storytelling after intermission.

But it still is a good movie, because,

1. KJo has grown up. I remember after 26/11 he had said in his blog that we need to make peace with ourselves first. The movie portrays the same line of thought. It essentially remains a love story, but with a deeper message. And mind you, it never preaches anything. Never. Its just a point of view at looking at the world. And it remains so. But it touches you along the way.

2. I like Sharukh Khan. No, that's actually an understatement. I loooooooove SRK. He is one actor about whom I am going to tell my kids lots of stories (as my dad still tells me about AB and Rajesh Khanna), though I havent seen a lot of his movies (Guddu, Ram Jane, the ones in which he has done a cameo). But this dude here is awesome! There is this guy who plays Sheldon Cooper in BBT. And if you have seen him you know what it means to be portraying a not-so-normal person. Go Rizwan Khan. Oops ShahRukh Khan :)

3. I know KJo is often criticized for living in larger than life fantasy land and portraying his characters to be some king and queens of lala land. This time one doesnt get the usual colors, hues and feel good things. Not in plenty at least. But we do get a lot of style. May be his production values are really strong and he wants his movies to look really good. I dont mind that. I actually like that. The characters wearing nice clothes and donning trendy hairstyles. After all they live in the bay area ;)

4. KJo's talent really gets portrayed in the scenes shot in Mumbai, where Rizwan has grown up. Zarina Wahab is amazing. You actually feel like this is how you also grew up. Well, everyone of us for that matter. This is where Rizu's mom tells him about the divide between people very simply and the way it gets engraved on his mind and the way he carries it forward.

5. I really dont wish to talk a lot. But guess I have already contradicted myself. Anywho, the movie loses its grip after intermission. Rizu pulls off a Forrest Gump. Not bad at all. Not many Indians (here I mean hindi movie lovers) are acquainted with Forrest. But it feels odd not in a preachy way but in an ick-ish way. It in turn also introduces you to typical Amru characters like funny hair Joel and Mama Jenny. And that phase has the most touching scene of the movie, where a bereaved Rizwan talks about Sam. So in the entire lets be good and spread goodwill spirit, I think I will ignore that.

All in all, one should watch MNIK because Karan Johar has finally grown up, it portrays Indian Cinema in a bigger way (we are more than fall in love and running around trees kind of people way ;)), SRK has given like this god level performance and finally because the movie has a heart. A very sensitive one. It can feel all the pain and hatred. And it wants to do something for peace. For inner peace.

My name is not Khan. And I am a fan :)

~nightflier