Long Lost – One Book August 21, 2009
Posted by myth in Uncategorized.Tags: Book, reviews
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Memories have been a trickery slope for me, most of them bein formed at an incredible rate. This brings us to the curse of limitations. Until the next nerdy chap invents a external brain for storage, I would be stuck with pushing one too many to the back of my head!
A nice little conversation made at the college book club today, reminded me of all those wonderful treasures I have lost. After the advent of internet, my pains has been assuaged to an exntent by the firendly folks at Shelfari, Good Reads, flixster and all.
But many have slipped through the cracks of my cluttered brain over the time, and one such amazing book prompted me to make this post this night
How would you like to be part of Mr.George F. Babbitt’s life for a while? Would you enjoy this middle-aged gentleman’s life in the prosperous Zenith, feel tedious over his real estate business, left speechless by his enjoyment of profession?
I bet you might even feel a little guilty for despising the fictional protaganist engage in mundane activities ,for a novel (all the while remembering the last weekend where your life felt a similar theme!!)
Sinclair Lewis’s Babbit is a book that looks at the heart of American culture through its painstakingly conformist title character. The society, the rules, the standards all are described with a quite amusing canvas of satire. Here we have a various set of characters all brought up in the conformist tide, No Dean Moriaty’s here, all displaying various degrees of contempt and admiration for this conformism!! As the book leads you into the American Dream, the discovery of the mirage, the courage for change and the realisation of the ugly truth – you couldn’t help but laugh at the characters and your own self!!!
Here is a classic I enjoyed, thanks to a Bong bibliophile in Bangalore and the famous Blossom’s used books on first floor!
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Love Aaj kal August 9, 2009
Posted by myth in movies, reviews.Tags: Bollywood, Hindi Movie, Imtiaz, reviews, Saif
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Now two films old, Imtiaz Ali has built enough reputation to have expectations from his third love story. The good things, the movie does feel better than 90% of movies that Bollywood shamelessy churns out every year. It has good music (inspired or not), great look , aesthetically pleasing. Starting with a story was never the fair thing to do for Imtiaz’s films, considering his strong suit were dialogues and characters execution. Even here he tries to create a more realisitc and non-melodramatic protagonists.
****Minor Spoiler Alert*****
But his strong suit seems so re hashed. For anyone who remembers the pretty cool and different plot basis of Socha na Tha can identify the trend here also.
In both the films,the characters basically end up being more honest to each other since the pressure of a relationship ahs disappeared. In both films they keep a ‘friendly’ thing going, talking about their current plans etc. And both movies, THE realisation comes in their own time.
All these points by themselves make a good movie, except for the part where its BEEN DONE! and by the same guy
Its no wonder the dialogue delivery also resonates his first venture!
So here is a movie that starts fresh, until it seeks comfort in the tested formula of the director and then sort of redeems in the end. It a bumpy ride which sort of has witty detours. May be if it had been a single love story Imtiaz would have no choice but to develop his characters, but by juggling two Jai & Meera seemed to be etched in our minds by filling in gaps from our familiar sameer of DCH and I guess a female version of sorts witj Meera!
On a side note, was Deepika’s diction always a little problematic? It felt very forced and uncomfortable in this movie, Donno about her other features.
Personally ,Its hard for me to not compare the two films and Socha Na tha is a definite winner, not just because of its fresh ideas but also Abhay and Ayesha were also very real and non-melodramatic through out. But since I end up only having to 2-3 films every year which doesn’t make me cringe when i watch them…LOVE AAJ KAL is in the better list.
Recommendation:You won’t be regretting it for a hindi movie, enjoy a lazy afternoon. If you are a bloke who hasn’t watched Socha Na tha, you will enjoy this
PS- Any Deja vu about DDLJ is not completely ridiculous 
PPS – This review is slightly prejudiced due to the power of zipping and zapping I excersiced 
sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs July 5, 2009
Posted by myth in books, reviews.Tags: chuck, fiction, klosterman, reviews
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Before I describe this latest read of mine, I would like the opportunity to recognize the contribution of social networking sites. All those priceless hours just whaling away while browsing on some ridiculous posts on random communities, most of which you are not even remotely interested in – Those hours do pay off. For me,after wasting my time of blissfully on internet for couple of long years, it paid off when I cam across quite a recommendation of books.
And who wouldn’t be curious to know about a book as flirtatiously titled as “Sex Drugs and Cocoa Puffs “
A little googling about the book would indeed inform you that its a conversational book. The whole book seems to be one long conversation with our funny, weird and creative author. Also this title seems to be great way to start a conversation or commit social suicide.
Please don’t pick up this book unless you a re fairly aware of most of the names listed in its Index, because almost all the chapters deal with quite a few pop(ular) culture references – so If everytime John Cusack or The X files or mixed tapes reference occurs and you need to google – the book might take a lot of your time 
Being done with the unpleastery warnings, those who still are reading know the goodies are here. First of all this book is ridiculous funny, it is ridiculousl funny but what I insist is it is funny and ridiculous and hence forth addictive
You wonder how can a guy dedicate a whole chapter to philosopihy through a video game of SIMS, but then you read about a little manifesto against Soccer and you are ready to accept anything – its is fun indeed.
Here I strongly recommend this collection of 18 essays by Chuck Klosterman , your introduction to a low culture manifesto 
, to the like minded.
Ah yes, some excerpts:
It’s no one’s fault, really. Or maybe it’s everyone’s fault. It should be everyone’s fault, because it’s everyone’s problem. Well, okay…not everyone. Not boring people, and not the profoundly retarded. But whenever I meet dynamic, nonretarded Americans, I notice that they all seem to share a single unifying characteristic: the inability to experience the kind of mind-blowing, transcendent romantic relationship they perceive to be a normal part of living. And someone needs to take the fall for this. So instead of blaming no one for this (which is kind of cowardly) or blaming everyone (which is kind of meaningless), I’m going to blame John Cusack.
I once loved a girl who almost loved me, but not as much as she loved John Cusack. Under certain circumstances, this would have been fine; Cusack is relatively good-looking, he seems like a pretty cool guy (he likes the Clash and the Who, at least), and he undoubtedly has millions of bones in the bank. If Cusack and I were competing for the same woman, I could easily accept losing. However, I don’t really feel like John and I were “competing” for the girl I’m referring to, inasmuch as her relationship to Cusack was confined to watching him as a two-dimensional projection, pretending to be characters who don’t actually exist. Now, there was a time when I would have thought that detachment would have given me a huge advantage over Johnny C., inasmuch as my relationship with this woman included things like “talking on the phone” and “nuzzling under umbrellas” and “eating pancakes.” However, I have come to realize that I perceived this competition completely backward; it was definitely an unfair battle, but not in my favor. It was unfair in Cusack’s favor. I never had a chance.
LIFE February 6, 2009
Posted by myth in reviews, series.Tags: reviews, tv
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I had to post after LIFE returns post hiatus. The episode actually made me go back to all the good things I love about the show. The show is quite engaging, partly due to screen presence of the leads ;Like a reviewer said “ at this point, I’d probably be willing to watch Damian Lewis and Sarah Shahi go to the dry cleaner together” 
[Crews and Reese are investigating a crime scene where a woman wearing angel wings is found dead]
- Charlie Crews: It’s a dead angel.
- Dani Reese: It’s a dead woman with a pair of fake wings.
- Crews: How do you know.
- Reese: Well I know the wings are fake because I can see the harness right there.
- Crews: Maybe it’s a real angel with fake wings.
- Reese: Why would a real angel have… no, no I’m not doing this with you.
I just collected few of the gems of this show about a detective (Damien Lewis as Charlie Crews) who is back to the force after serving 12 years for a crime he didn’t commit. Along with him is his screwed up partner (Sarah Shahi as Dani Reese) who is trying to keep it together and his friend TED from jail (White collar crime), we also have few colorful characters like Reese’s dad, Roman (grrr). The best part of its show is the ZEN of Crews and really capturing scenes a times.
- Correctional officer #2: Are you making fun of us?
- Charlie Crews: It is the universe that makes fun of us all.
- [turns and faces other guard, walks away. Reese gives them both a look]
- [as they walk outside the prison]
- Dani Reese: Why would the universe make fun of us all?
- Charlie Crews: Maybe it’s insecure.
- Charlie Crews: Every moment you spend wishing you were someplace else is a moment you can’t get back
- Dani Reese: What about every moment I wish you were someplace else?
- Dani Reese: No ID on her or left in the room.
- Charlie Crews: It’s like she fell out of the sky.
- Reese: She fell out of a window.
- Crews: It’s like she was noone.
- Reese: Noone is noone.
- Crews: Now you sound like me.
- Reese: [startled] Take that back.
- Crews: Would it be so bad?
Kevin: Roman Navokov. We have a warrant to search the premises.
Roman: Just the three of you. The new captain, the ex-con and the junkie.
7 sins by those CEO’s – part 1 January 25, 2009
Posted by myth in reviews, series.Tags: reviews, tv
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Coming from someone who watches as much TV as I do, this is a pretty comprehensive list. The series listed below had to go off air prematurely. The reasons for the chopping might be from low viewership to high costs of production ,these can be countered with -TRP’s aren’t a fair measure to bad promotion campaign. This post is not inclined to debate the business decisions taken but just to the potential that can never be realized. There might be other popular shows I have been told were great but aren’t included in this list for a reason that they didn’t quite appeal to my prejudiced taste. Few of these shows are provided with links to pilots or videos , all of them are provided an imdb link and my review. Enjoy the series of the week (For those of you who just wanted to read good line, skip to the end)
- FIREFLY
Introduction:
I am partial to director Joss Whedon due to his witty drama -Buffy the vampire slayer, full of metaphors to teenage life. Now FIREFLY was aired on FOX channel for only half the season. When It was released on DVD, it recorded highest sales – loyal fan base. Though Joss’s type of smart humor isn’t liked by everyone, for the few of us its a delight. Same goes for his style of story telling where he develops characters along with other elements of the setting.
Synopsis:
Firefly is set in a futuristic world where a central Government of sorts rules all the planets. Its practically a western set in future. The captain of Firefly Malcom “Mal” Reynolds was once a soldier who is now a renegade. His crew consists of his sub from army(Zoe), her pilot husband (Wash), muscle Jayne (played delightfully rustic by Adam Baldwin ) , the naive kid mechanic kaylee. He also picks up a passengers who become integral part of the story – a Preacher,Book (Mal to Book: you are allowed on my ship, God ain’t) , a companion (Inara) and a sibling pair (Simon, River) running from the Government ( who are a doctor and his troubled-uber genius kid sister)
Why this should have been on air:
The stories were funny, smart, adventurous and colorful. The comedy didn’t just raise from the situation but also because of what the characters are – one is too polite to utter swears even when his room is ransacked while the other just wants to sleep with 100 guns. There was also the political theme of free-will and empires which would have formed an excellent backdrop for many seasons. The comic timing is one of the best on TV, i tell ya.
But the best pitch on why this show should have been given more timne comes in form of SERENITY.
If you have watched the movie you can understand what this series could have achieved, the movie in itself was brilliant for me. (The reaver’s concept)
Links
Book: If you take sexual advantage of her, you’re going to burn in a very special level of Hell. A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.
- Mal: This is the last time. Last time with cows. Hey, there was an idea regarding beagles? They have smallish droppings?
- Zoe: I believe so, sir. Also, your disreputable men are here.
- Mal: Better go take their money.
- [River and Kaylee are running recklessly through the cargo bay.]
- Mal: [to Inara] Ah, the pitter-patter of tiny feet in huge combat boots… [to River and Kaylee] SHUT UP!
*Continue to watch this blog for part-2 where I introduce you to a surreal dramedy about unusual knight in shining armour and his quirky & “alive” lady love *
A poignant love story January 15, 2009
Posted by myth in movies, reviews.Tags: movies, reviews
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I have to admit beforehand that this particular movie put me in quite a dilemma. While attempting the review, I realised I am not sure what to talk about. Should I start with the obvious and applaud the incredible acting talent of Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet. Should I say how glad I was to see Sam Mendes come back to suburban life and offer such a wonderful movie, yet again (The first being American Beauty). May be I should dwell upon the impressive supporting cast and the fact that all of those characters acquire a depth through the movie.
It was quite a debate. Making it simple, let’s start by talking about the movie.
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD is an incredible movie that successfully depresses you and You don’t even complain. First there were the people. Frank and April. Then there is the world they will have to live in. Revolutionary road tells the doomed love story of these individuals. Frank and April start of as people madly in love with each other and their dreams. Eventually, we notice that Frank turns out to be the guy would rather be un heroic and conform than try, even if it means failing. April turns out to be desperately wanting to have a dream fulfilled, his dream. The story moves on hurtfully as each of them long for the other to become a person they can love and respect. That is the irony; both of them lack the courage to be strong for the other. It is very distressing to see their love disintegrate into lies, shame, disgust and hate.
This movie would have been ordinary if not for the excellent screenplay to begin with. It so carefully exposes the trails of the leads roles to make things right and their inevitable failures at each turn. It show cases how grueling it can be to want more with your life, when you cannot be happy for what you have. The signature moment of the movie comes mid way, when each of them express opposite views of courage – is it courage to conform and give up a dream OR is it courage to trade the secure life for a try at the dream?
I personally believe Kate Winslet gives an amazing performance as April, who tries to be that woman but can never be. Leonardo is captivating as the conformist, coward at times, pitiful at others. That is a theme of the movie, we seem to love and hate them equally. This movie has so many splendid shots that it actually pains me to realize how movies off late have lacked it!! Many a lengthy sequences compose of straight forward dialogues between the leads, that’s truly captivating in its inherent lack of pretence. Then there are those additional perks for us in form of the “insane” John, who seems to say the truth that shreds their comfortable lies; in form of the little group of male friends that reflect the comfortable society Frank chose; in form of the gossip talked about the Wheelers.
Needless to say, It is a must watch but this is not a movie for everyone. Its tells an tragic story and unlike the book, you can’t take a break in between.
Trivia:
Kate Winslet is married to the director Sam Mendes.
Kate won a golden globe for the film this year.
Sam Mendes is also the director of another film that showcases the ugly side of the great American dream – Kevin Spacey starrer American Beauty
OST
The whole album is available online on www.deezer.com. Its under Revolutionary road and the quality is great. Will update download links soon
About the Scenes: (And inevitably a ghastly -SPOILER ALERT)
- The final window shot of Kate from behind is truly haunting, leaves an imprint
- I read a review that raised an excellent persepctive, the whole movie we never see much of the Road just to show how cluastrophobic and self contained the setting is
- The sequence in the middle of the movie, where they finally reveal everything and Franks’ true smooth talking nature rises is truly brilliant. The shot where Frank suggests for “help” and Kate’s expression are truly amazing. It seem to encapsulate the theme of both characters precisely. That moment signifies the futility of their lives and the audience bleak hope for a happy ending
- The first confrontation scene on Route -12 is the first peek into the chaos of the Miller’s lives. The ending confrontation brings it full circle. The way April tries to escape is moved a step forward towards the ending to show how far things have proceeded for her. From initially refusing to discuss to finally imploring Frank to let her have the her space ,even if its in the woods -show how far things have proceeded for April since the beginning of the movie.
- Frank has the habit of trying to rationalize his lack of initiative, all through the movie we see him convince himself that it was never his fault and out of his hands. Its also easy to notice how Frank would rather take the easy route than confront truth. This is portrayed brilliantly with the conversations about April’s pregnancy, the beach scene where he lets the job offer be known. Just as April’s disintegration is brought about, Frank’s is shown with the final shot in the hospital where he tries to say its April’s fault.Brilliant development
- Though i liked the shot of Frank running through the Revolutionary Road , I did wish the movie didn’t end there. That would be a easy way to end, but since the movie never absolves the characters even for a bit, such an consoling end would not be with the theme of cruel reality that the film carried.Thanks to Mended for adding the final shots to show how ordinary Wheelers have become, no revolution their my friend
I would have to conclude noting how even the name is a cruel joke,like the rest – “Revolutionary” road
