Starring Meg Ryan and my hunk Hugh Jackman, the story is about timeless romance (literally!).
Stuart is a science geek who has found the gap in time and is able to go back centuries and one such gap takes him to the time of Leopold (man who invented the elevator). Leopold, is a stifled young man, who wants to pursue science but is forced by his uncle to marry richly. He sees Stuart and follows him, while Stuart makes his way back to the current. Leopold wakes up all confused next day. Stuart gets hospitalized as he gets hurt in the elevator shaft.
Meanwhile, Kate, Stuart's ex and upstairs neighbour, drops by to pick up her stylus. Leopold is intrigued by her and also befriends Kate's brother, who is an actor. Kate is working hard for a promotion and Leopold ruins it. But she forgives him after an apology and they romantically get involved.
Kate introduces him for an ad, but he is repelled by the taste of the product and says so to Kate. And she gives him a reply that he would have heard from his uncle. Both are hurt.
Stuart recovers and returns to send Leopold back to his time, but also discovers that Kate had been at Leopold's party and urges her to return back in time. Whether she takes up a promotion and follows her love is the climax of the story.
I could watch it for a number of time for Jackman, however, any movie that makes satire of how life runs is worth watching. My favourite was probably when Leo takes Stuart's dog for a walk and confronts the cop. Definitely worth the watch.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Becoming Jane
Becoming Jane is a movie based on Jane Austen's biography.
Jane is a tomboyish girl, interested in becoming an author, but coming from a poor family, there is constantly the need to look out for rich husbands. her mother never fails to do that for her. Her cousin's friend, Tom Lefroy, annoys her and everytime she tries to outsmart him. The friction turns into attraction. But Jane hears that Lefroy is engaged to another rich woman. In anger, she agrees to marry the rich shy bachelor. Lefroy convinces Jane to elope with him and Jane agrees and everything goes as per plan. However, halfway down the trip, Jane comes to know of Lefroy's huge family and monetary concerns and she returns home. She apologises to the man she was engaged to.
The movie moves to many years later. Jane is unmarried, but a successful author. She sees Lefroy and discovers that he has named his daughter Jane.
It was a mix of all of Austenian novels - Pride and Prejudice, Persuasions, etc. It was a terrible drag and definitely good to skip it. It also seems like there was no factual base to the story either. There was lack of chemistry between the characters. Probably, few of the characters to look out for were Jane male cousin and his wife (who was Jane's companion), as well as her mother, but other than that, there wasn't much to look out for.
Jane is a tomboyish girl, interested in becoming an author, but coming from a poor family, there is constantly the need to look out for rich husbands. her mother never fails to do that for her. Her cousin's friend, Tom Lefroy, annoys her and everytime she tries to outsmart him. The friction turns into attraction. But Jane hears that Lefroy is engaged to another rich woman. In anger, she agrees to marry the rich shy bachelor. Lefroy convinces Jane to elope with him and Jane agrees and everything goes as per plan. However, halfway down the trip, Jane comes to know of Lefroy's huge family and monetary concerns and she returns home. She apologises to the man she was engaged to.
The movie moves to many years later. Jane is unmarried, but a successful author. She sees Lefroy and discovers that he has named his daughter Jane.
It was a mix of all of Austenian novels - Pride and Prejudice, Persuasions, etc. It was a terrible drag and definitely good to skip it. It also seems like there was no factual base to the story either. There was lack of chemistry between the characters. Probably, few of the characters to look out for were Jane male cousin and his wife (who was Jane's companion), as well as her mother, but other than that, there wasn't much to look out for.
Open Range
The movie is about free-range cattlemen travelling around the American areas. They stop by a town to stock up on supplies and incur the wrath of the local powerful baron, who hates free rangers. He makes their life difficult hurting them and trying to kill them. However, the free rangers come out victorious. The local people also help them along. One of the families is a doctor and her sister, whom the free rangers think to be his wife, but once the misunderstanding is cleared, he expresses his love to her. After a major clash between the free rangers and the local baron, the free rangers won over and peace reigns in the town again.
An OK movie. Although for most of the movie, I was a little clueless about what was happening, maybe cause the accent was funny. Interesting set of characters and acting - worth a watch - however, it would be better to have a version with subtitles in English.
An OK movie. Although for most of the movie, I was a little clueless about what was happening, maybe cause the accent was funny. Interesting set of characters and acting - worth a watch - however, it would be better to have a version with subtitles in English.
How to lose a guy in 10 days
Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey star in this romantic comedy.
Both Kate and Matt work in different magazines. Kate, to write an interesting column, takes up the challenge of "how to lose a guy in 10 days" and eyes Matt as the 'guy'. Similarly, Matt takes up the challenge of making a woman fall in love with him as part of a challenge and Kate is his target. Over the course of the movie, Kate does everything possible to drive Matt crazy and Matt accommodates her along. But along the way, it seems they are falling in love with each other. On the last day, they both discover that a whole ruse was part of a challenge both ways. They are disappointed. But Matt discovers he still loves her and follows her to gets her back.
The movie was a hilarious display of the chemistry between men and women in the dating field. Worth a watch.
Both Kate and Matt work in different magazines. Kate, to write an interesting column, takes up the challenge of "how to lose a guy in 10 days" and eyes Matt as the 'guy'. Similarly, Matt takes up the challenge of making a woman fall in love with him as part of a challenge and Kate is his target. Over the course of the movie, Kate does everything possible to drive Matt crazy and Matt accommodates her along. But along the way, it seems they are falling in love with each other. On the last day, they both discover that a whole ruse was part of a challenge both ways. They are disappointed. But Matt discovers he still loves her and follows her to gets her back.
The movie was a hilarious display of the chemistry between men and women in the dating field. Worth a watch.
Bruce Almighty
Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman star in this hilarious comedy about a common man given Godly powers.
Jim is the average American aiming to become the best anchorman in his news channel. But life never goes right for him. He is so tired of everything. One day a pager persistently asks him to call. When he does, he is called for an interview. When he reaches the spot, it is an oddly empty building, with the same person for cleaner and boss. After an interesting conversation, Jim realises he had Godly powers and he starts using them.
With the powers, he does many things that he always wanted to do. Things seem to be going in a good way, until a twist of things makes Jim lose his girlfriend and then get into an accident. Eventually, he realises what he had and things come back to normal.
Hilarious movie, especially the scene where Jim makes his anchor colleague stutter. It even appeared in the gag reel of the movie. Definitely worth the watch.
Jim is the average American aiming to become the best anchorman in his news channel. But life never goes right for him. He is so tired of everything. One day a pager persistently asks him to call. When he does, he is called for an interview. When he reaches the spot, it is an oddly empty building, with the same person for cleaner and boss. After an interesting conversation, Jim realises he had Godly powers and he starts using them.
With the powers, he does many things that he always wanted to do. Things seem to be going in a good way, until a twist of things makes Jim lose his girlfriend and then get into an accident. Eventually, he realises what he had and things come back to normal.
Hilarious movie, especially the scene where Jim makes his anchor colleague stutter. It even appeared in the gag reel of the movie. Definitely worth the watch.
Unfaithful
Starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere as the protagonists, the movie is about a wife who is attracted to a younger man and regrets it.
Lane and Gere are married with a son. The life seems happy and normal, until one day, in the storm, Lane meets a svelte younger book collector, who attracts her. Against her reason, she goes to his apartment and feels scintillated in his presence. She returns again and they become intimate. Gere starts noticing the gap in their marriage. Gere's friends sees Lane and her lover in public places. They hint it to him. With a detective, Gere finds out the truth. Meanwhile, things go awry between Lane and her lover. Right after they seemingly patch up, Gere enters the lover's apartment and in the heat of the moment kills him. Then, he cleans up with the mess and returns to his life normally.
As part of the investigation, detectives investigate the couple, but find nothing. However, Lane understands that something must've happened between her husband and her lover. She is very regretful and the movie ends with the family driving away in the night.
With the infidelity theme and the skin content in the movie, the storyline was an attraction to many movie makers in the Indian industry to bring in masses to the theatre and money in their coffers. A typical adult book storyline made into a movie. A good watch for the acting of the characters.
Lane and Gere are married with a son. The life seems happy and normal, until one day, in the storm, Lane meets a svelte younger book collector, who attracts her. Against her reason, she goes to his apartment and feels scintillated in his presence. She returns again and they become intimate. Gere starts noticing the gap in their marriage. Gere's friends sees Lane and her lover in public places. They hint it to him. With a detective, Gere finds out the truth. Meanwhile, things go awry between Lane and her lover. Right after they seemingly patch up, Gere enters the lover's apartment and in the heat of the moment kills him. Then, he cleans up with the mess and returns to his life normally.
As part of the investigation, detectives investigate the couple, but find nothing. However, Lane understands that something must've happened between her husband and her lover. She is very regretful and the movie ends with the family driving away in the night.
With the infidelity theme and the skin content in the movie, the storyline was an attraction to many movie makers in the Indian industry to bring in masses to the theatre and money in their coffers. A typical adult book storyline made into a movie. A good watch for the acting of the characters.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Bourne Identity
Matt Damon is the star of this trilogy thriller, which revolves around Jason Bourne.
A man is unconscious and is rescued at sea by a fisherman's boat. When he regains health, he has no clue of who he is. Only clue he has is a laser with an account number, which is stitched into his body. When he goes to the bank, he finds many passports with his picture and many names. He is utterly confused, but assumes he must be the man in the first passport - Jason Bourne. Meanwhile, the police are following him following orders from CIA headquarters, with a failed assassination attempt on an African dictator, to eradicate any traces of that operation. To get away from them, Jason convinces Marie, a student to help him escape to his French address.
At the apartment, he searches for clues and redials the last call he made - it was one of his aliases, who was killed a couple weeks ago in a car crash. Right then, someone blasts through the window and attacks him. When Jason subdues him, he jumps out to suicide. They find out 'wanted' posters for both Jason and Marie. The African dictator is killed.
They drive off to Marie's stepbrother's house. The next morning, things become suspicious and Jason figures out someone must be there. Jason finds out some truth about himself and sends Marie away with money for her own safety. He decides to meet his contact with the Treadstone project. When he meets him, he remembers what had happened to him. He escapes the other agents, who were trying to catch him. Meanwhile, the focus is shifted to a new project - Blackbriar - and Treadstone is closed down.
Definitely an interesting movie to watch. For some part of the movie, I was as lost as Bourne was, but things were really fast paced and quick. The action sequence and the theme was very interesting. Personally, I'm not a great fan of Matt Damon, but he carried out his role as Bourne very well, perhaps because of his natural 'lost' look.
A man is unconscious and is rescued at sea by a fisherman's boat. When he regains health, he has no clue of who he is. Only clue he has is a laser with an account number, which is stitched into his body. When he goes to the bank, he finds many passports with his picture and many names. He is utterly confused, but assumes he must be the man in the first passport - Jason Bourne. Meanwhile, the police are following him following orders from CIA headquarters, with a failed assassination attempt on an African dictator, to eradicate any traces of that operation. To get away from them, Jason convinces Marie, a student to help him escape to his French address.
At the apartment, he searches for clues and redials the last call he made - it was one of his aliases, who was killed a couple weeks ago in a car crash. Right then, someone blasts through the window and attacks him. When Jason subdues him, he jumps out to suicide. They find out 'wanted' posters for both Jason and Marie. The African dictator is killed.
They drive off to Marie's stepbrother's house. The next morning, things become suspicious and Jason figures out someone must be there. Jason finds out some truth about himself and sends Marie away with money for her own safety. He decides to meet his contact with the Treadstone project. When he meets him, he remembers what had happened to him. He escapes the other agents, who were trying to catch him. Meanwhile, the focus is shifted to a new project - Blackbriar - and Treadstone is closed down.
Definitely an interesting movie to watch. For some part of the movie, I was as lost as Bourne was, but things were really fast paced and quick. The action sequence and the theme was very interesting. Personally, I'm not a great fan of Matt Damon, but he carried out his role as Bourne very well, perhaps because of his natural 'lost' look.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Derailed
James Siegel is the author of this thriller novel set in the United States. The story was made into a motion picture with Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston in it. Similarly, it was made in Bollywood and Kollywood too.
The story is of Charles Schine, a married man with a diabetic teenage daughter. His marriage is not going well because of the stress of the daughter's sickness. On his way to work, he forgets to pay the train fare and is on the verge of being thrown out. An attractive woman pays the fare for him - Lucinda Harris. Their acquaintance grows into friendship and then into something more.
They decide to stay at a hotel and just before they decide to make the move, a man breaks into their room - hurts and burgles them and rapes Lucinda. Charles feels responsible for Lucinda's state. Now the thief starts threatening Charles for money and Charles coughs it up. Then the threats become more frequent.
Charles career wasn't going too well either. He uses the help of one of his co-workers, Winston, who is an ex-convict and a murderer to get rid of the thief. Their ploy is almost uncovered by cops and Winston is murdered. Charles works in cleaning up the crime scene.
Charles' wife is now concerned and his house is also visited by detectives. He confesses everything to his wife. Just before confessing to the detectives, he looks out for Lucinda. This is when he discovers that Lucinda is part of the whole gang that repeats the whole cycle with many people - hunting for eager husbands, making them fall in love, go to the same hotel, time it perfectly so that the thief comes in to burgle and create a rape scene, while hurting the guy, and finally top it off with continuous monetary threats. He is furious. Now, he plans on avenging them.
So he waits at the same hotel waiting for them to come back. D-day comes and he barges into the room right after the thief enters, exposing their colours to their new victim. In the scuffle, Charles kills everyone in the room. Mysteriously, the hotel blows up too. In the news, his name appears as one of the dead.
His family is devastated, but he secretly calls his wife to let her know what had happened. It stays a secret for a while until Charles establishes his new identity. He decides to go to a new town and using one of the fake driving licenses he obtained from his ex-convict friend, he manages to get other documents. He manages to get a job as a teacher. A few months later, he brings his family with him and they live happily until the thief rudely enters their life again.
As part of volunteering, Charles volunteers at the local prison and finds out that the thief is still alive and he tracked them down using the special kind of medicine that Charles' daughter needed for her treatments. Charles visits him in his cell and finishes him off.
I had actually seen the Kollywood version of this book before reading it - pachchai kili muthucharam - which was an interesting movie, typical of the gory and violence the director was famous for. The book was much more racier than the movie version, although the movie was better adapted for the South Indian audience it was made for. The book was better catered for the thriller that North American readers enjoyed. Although the story had a few loopholes and was soggy in some parts, the overall was a good package and a worthwhile read.
The story is of Charles Schine, a married man with a diabetic teenage daughter. His marriage is not going well because of the stress of the daughter's sickness. On his way to work, he forgets to pay the train fare and is on the verge of being thrown out. An attractive woman pays the fare for him - Lucinda Harris. Their acquaintance grows into friendship and then into something more.
They decide to stay at a hotel and just before they decide to make the move, a man breaks into their room - hurts and burgles them and rapes Lucinda. Charles feels responsible for Lucinda's state. Now the thief starts threatening Charles for money and Charles coughs it up. Then the threats become more frequent.
Charles career wasn't going too well either. He uses the help of one of his co-workers, Winston, who is an ex-convict and a murderer to get rid of the thief. Their ploy is almost uncovered by cops and Winston is murdered. Charles works in cleaning up the crime scene.
Charles' wife is now concerned and his house is also visited by detectives. He confesses everything to his wife. Just before confessing to the detectives, he looks out for Lucinda. This is when he discovers that Lucinda is part of the whole gang that repeats the whole cycle with many people - hunting for eager husbands, making them fall in love, go to the same hotel, time it perfectly so that the thief comes in to burgle and create a rape scene, while hurting the guy, and finally top it off with continuous monetary threats. He is furious. Now, he plans on avenging them.
So he waits at the same hotel waiting for them to come back. D-day comes and he barges into the room right after the thief enters, exposing their colours to their new victim. In the scuffle, Charles kills everyone in the room. Mysteriously, the hotel blows up too. In the news, his name appears as one of the dead.
His family is devastated, but he secretly calls his wife to let her know what had happened. It stays a secret for a while until Charles establishes his new identity. He decides to go to a new town and using one of the fake driving licenses he obtained from his ex-convict friend, he manages to get other documents. He manages to get a job as a teacher. A few months later, he brings his family with him and they live happily until the thief rudely enters their life again.
As part of volunteering, Charles volunteers at the local prison and finds out that the thief is still alive and he tracked them down using the special kind of medicine that Charles' daughter needed for her treatments. Charles visits him in his cell and finishes him off.
I had actually seen the Kollywood version of this book before reading it - pachchai kili muthucharam - which was an interesting movie, typical of the gory and violence the director was famous for. The book was much more racier than the movie version, although the movie was better adapted for the South Indian audience it was made for. The book was better catered for the thriller that North American readers enjoyed. Although the story had a few loopholes and was soggy in some parts, the overall was a good package and a worthwhile read.
Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures
Written by Vincent Lam, this book is the events that shape the lives of 4 people - from their high school to their doctor life - Chen, Fitz, Ming and Sri.
Chen and Fitz are romantically involved after being friends. But they break up and Ming and Chen end up marrying. Ming, Chen and Sri are classmates. While Chen and Fitz were in high school, they studied together, got involved and Chen made it to university, while Fitz didn't. Things start widening between them, until they break up.
While at school, Lam explores the troubles of medical students through Ming, Chen and Sri, with dissection, group labs, exams, writeups, relationships. After growing up, he explores the impact of SARS, on call doctors and the stress of being a doctor.
The book was a very good and interesting read. Certainly, it wasn't something expected and it was a new viewpoint and way of looking at the lives of the doctors. Although there is not one set storyline, other than the main synopsis above, it contains many little snippets and events that make up the book. Definitely worth a read.
Chen and Fitz are romantically involved after being friends. But they break up and Ming and Chen end up marrying. Ming, Chen and Sri are classmates. While Chen and Fitz were in high school, they studied together, got involved and Chen made it to university, while Fitz didn't. Things start widening between them, until they break up.
While at school, Lam explores the troubles of medical students through Ming, Chen and Sri, with dissection, group labs, exams, writeups, relationships. After growing up, he explores the impact of SARS, on call doctors and the stress of being a doctor.
The book was a very good and interesting read. Certainly, it wasn't something expected and it was a new viewpoint and way of looking at the lives of the doctors. Although there is not one set storyline, other than the main synopsis above, it contains many little snippets and events that make up the book. Definitely worth a read.
The Invasion
Starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, the movie is based on a novel by Jack Finney.
An alien lifeform clings to the space shuttle and when it crashes onto earth, all those who touch it get infected. This infects people during their REM cycle during sleep and makes them devoid of human emotions. One of the first people to get affected is Nicole's ex, who is an official in White House. The 'pod people' go on infecting other people.
Nicole, a psychiatrist, starts sensing something is amiss and teams up with her doctor friend, Daniel to uncover the reason. With a biologist's help, they figure out the lifeform and also figure out that some people are immune to it, because they have had scarlet fever. Nicole's son is also immune as he had scarlet fever when he was a child. Nicole is infected by her ex, but struggles to stay awake and running away from 'pod people'. At the end of it, using Nicole's son's blood, they make a cure to the disease that is spread over the city. Since the disease attaches itself to the brain cells, the people infected just wake up from a 'dream' and never know what has happened.
An interesting story since I have never seen Body Snatchers, which was the initial inspiration for the movie. However the movie didn't make much as a blockbuster.
Personally, I enjoy Nicole's work and the kid acting as her son, was really cute. The on-screen chemistry of Daniel and Nicole was good. On the whole, the movie was enjoyable.
An alien lifeform clings to the space shuttle and when it crashes onto earth, all those who touch it get infected. This infects people during their REM cycle during sleep and makes them devoid of human emotions. One of the first people to get affected is Nicole's ex, who is an official in White House. The 'pod people' go on infecting other people.
Nicole, a psychiatrist, starts sensing something is amiss and teams up with her doctor friend, Daniel to uncover the reason. With a biologist's help, they figure out the lifeform and also figure out that some people are immune to it, because they have had scarlet fever. Nicole's son is also immune as he had scarlet fever when he was a child. Nicole is infected by her ex, but struggles to stay awake and running away from 'pod people'. At the end of it, using Nicole's son's blood, they make a cure to the disease that is spread over the city. Since the disease attaches itself to the brain cells, the people infected just wake up from a 'dream' and never know what has happened.
An interesting story since I have never seen Body Snatchers, which was the initial inspiration for the movie. However the movie didn't make much as a blockbuster.
Personally, I enjoy Nicole's work and the kid acting as her son, was really cute. The on-screen chemistry of Daniel and Nicole was good. On the whole, the movie was enjoyable.
The Simpsons Movie
Here was the small screen animated hero coming to big screen. Although I'm not a Simpsons' fan myself (in fact, I think it is the dumbest thing ever, but that's just my opinion), I went to watch this craziness because I had to wait for another show to begin, but this definitely not worth the 8 bucks I paid, except for one, maybe, two things which I'll mention later.
So begins the Simpsons with Green Day running a campaign to save the environment in Springfield which fails miserably and the group dies in the lake. Lisa and her friend decide to spread the message around about safety and things start to get implemented and working. Meanwhile, Homer gets a pig and stores its excretion in a silo in the backyard. Marge asks him to dispose of it safely but Homer pays no attention and dumps it in the lake, which becomes polluted and starts mutating things that fall into it. While Homer is busy with the pig, Bart looks for a better parental figure - his neighbour and feels dejected about his own father. When the EDA finds the status of the lake, it seals Springfield in a glass dome. The townspeople are shocked and angry, and when they find out the silo, they burn down Simpsons' house and also try to attack them. But the family escapes through a sinkhole and moves to Alaska. On the TV, they see the ad for a new theme park right where Springfield was. Marge wants to save the town, but Homer refuses to help the town that tried to kill him. Marge and the children leave him and head back, only to have him join them later. EDA plans to destroy Springfield with a bomb, but Homer and Bart unite on a motorcycle and save Springfield.
Even though I'm not a fan myself, I did notice other people were laughing harder at the beginning of the movie and then it started to lower and disappear, so it wasn't a rolling comedy, but there were 2 bits that made it totally worth it - the spider pig sequence and the part where Marge leaves Homer - I never could understand why a woman would want to or continue to live with a man like that! A barely entertaining movie for non-Simpsons fans. Simpsons' fans - you would watch it either way :)..
So begins the Simpsons with Green Day running a campaign to save the environment in Springfield which fails miserably and the group dies in the lake. Lisa and her friend decide to spread the message around about safety and things start to get implemented and working. Meanwhile, Homer gets a pig and stores its excretion in a silo in the backyard. Marge asks him to dispose of it safely but Homer pays no attention and dumps it in the lake, which becomes polluted and starts mutating things that fall into it. While Homer is busy with the pig, Bart looks for a better parental figure - his neighbour and feels dejected about his own father. When the EDA finds the status of the lake, it seals Springfield in a glass dome. The townspeople are shocked and angry, and when they find out the silo, they burn down Simpsons' house and also try to attack them. But the family escapes through a sinkhole and moves to Alaska. On the TV, they see the ad for a new theme park right where Springfield was. Marge wants to save the town, but Homer refuses to help the town that tried to kill him. Marge and the children leave him and head back, only to have him join them later. EDA plans to destroy Springfield with a bomb, but Homer and Bart unite on a motorcycle and save Springfield.
Even though I'm not a fan myself, I did notice other people were laughing harder at the beginning of the movie and then it started to lower and disappear, so it wasn't a rolling comedy, but there were 2 bits that made it totally worth it - the spider pig sequence and the part where Marge leaves Homer - I never could understand why a woman would want to or continue to live with a man like that! A barely entertaining movie for non-Simpsons fans. Simpsons' fans - you would watch it either way :)..
Sunday, August 12, 2007
mahakavi kalidas
Featuring nadigar thilakam Sivaji Ganesan, Sowkar Janaki, Vijaya and others, the movie is about the life of the great poet Kalidas.
Kalidas is born Rama and is very innocent, bordering imbecility. He is often a burden to his parents, but nevertheless they raise.
Sowcar is the princess of a country, who vows to marry only a man who can win her in intelligence. Many came to try their hand, however, if they are defeated (which all did), they are subject to shameful punishments, which was given by her father, the king. One such defeated poet vowed revenge. He found Rama and executed the plan so well that the princess was married to Rama.
After marriage when she finds out the truth, she is devastated and prays fervently to Kali, who answers her prayers and Rama becomes Kalidas (servant of Kali). With the new found genius, he realises that Sowcar is in the position of his teacher as she gave him the knowledge and leaves her to spread the word of Kali.
Sowcar is heartbroken and prays to the goddess again, who gives her a courtesan rebirth to be together with Kalidas. While Kalidas is performing at the king's court, he falls in love with the re-born Sowcar, while Sowcar's companion, Vijaya, is in love with Kalidas. Sowcar and Kalidas marry, while Vijaya is left jealous.
Since the queen is a great patron of arts, Kalidas spends much time with her for his muse. This angers Sowcar and a fight resumes between the couple. At the same time, people spread rumours about the non-existent relationship between the poet and the queen. Kalidas leaves the country to save the lady's reputation, which puts the king in sickbed. However, he finds a way to get him back and promises to pay whomsoever gets the challenge.
Sowcar hunts out to find her husband and just misses him, while Vijaya finds Kalidas in time to get the answer to the challenge and kills him. When she takes back the answer to the king, he knows something is amiss and finds the dead body of his poet. So ends the life of the poet.
One of my favourite stories by Kalidas is that of Shakuntala. Story was a bit of a drag and most of the things in the story was magical and unbelievable but a good break from the usual stories, although I felt that they could have picked a better person to do Sowcar's character.
Kalidas is born Rama and is very innocent, bordering imbecility. He is often a burden to his parents, but nevertheless they raise.
Sowcar is the princess of a country, who vows to marry only a man who can win her in intelligence. Many came to try their hand, however, if they are defeated (which all did), they are subject to shameful punishments, which was given by her father, the king. One such defeated poet vowed revenge. He found Rama and executed the plan so well that the princess was married to Rama.
After marriage when she finds out the truth, she is devastated and prays fervently to Kali, who answers her prayers and Rama becomes Kalidas (servant of Kali). With the new found genius, he realises that Sowcar is in the position of his teacher as she gave him the knowledge and leaves her to spread the word of Kali.
Sowcar is heartbroken and prays to the goddess again, who gives her a courtesan rebirth to be together with Kalidas. While Kalidas is performing at the king's court, he falls in love with the re-born Sowcar, while Sowcar's companion, Vijaya, is in love with Kalidas. Sowcar and Kalidas marry, while Vijaya is left jealous.
Since the queen is a great patron of arts, Kalidas spends much time with her for his muse. This angers Sowcar and a fight resumes between the couple. At the same time, people spread rumours about the non-existent relationship between the poet and the queen. Kalidas leaves the country to save the lady's reputation, which puts the king in sickbed. However, he finds a way to get him back and promises to pay whomsoever gets the challenge.
Sowcar hunts out to find her husband and just misses him, while Vijaya finds Kalidas in time to get the answer to the challenge and kills him. When she takes back the answer to the king, he knows something is amiss and finds the dead body of his poet. So ends the life of the poet.
One of my favourite stories by Kalidas is that of Shakuntala. Story was a bit of a drag and most of the things in the story was magical and unbelievable but a good break from the usual stories, although I felt that they could have picked a better person to do Sowcar's character.
The varieties of scientific experience: a personal view of search for God
Carl Sagan is the author of this book which strives to explain science and religion with the help of each other - a common topic of debate. But for the last few years, people have been taking sides and throwing off the other half, which makes their experience incomplete in whichever side they choose - such is the argument of the author. He explains many examples and instances of how there is a supernatural power that must have arranged things the way they were to lead to the things the way they are. For example some chemical reactions must have happened to make sure that the atmosphere was 75% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and so on and he claims that there is someone who did that. One of the arguments that he spoke of was the possibility of extraterrestrial beings, who might be much more advanced than us. So advanced that we still haven't been able to detect them but they probably know that we exist. It was an interesting argument. He goes on further to give more examples of why he believes in what he believes. An interesting book to read on, but could possibly become a bit of a drag towards the second half of the book.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
paratta azhagu sundaram
Starring Dhanush and Meera Jasmine, the story revolves around the love between a mother and son.
Dhanush lives with his parents in the village. One day, his friend comes from the city and shows him pretty things. While Dhanush is spending time with his friend, his father dies. To help his mother he leaves for the city without telling him. As soon as he arrives in the city, he is cheated, but Nazar helps him along. Dhanush is the witness to a murder attempt, but is left alone.
After a few weeks, he manages to get his mother bangles as a gift. As he is just about to leave, he walks around with the bangles in his hand and tea (for the same thugs who did the murder attempt) in the other. The thugs aggravate him by calling his mother names. Dhanush is enraged and finishes the leader of the team off. Seeing his power, the guy he saves from the murder attempt tries to buy him in, but Dhanush stays aloof. Overtime, Nazar makes him understand that it is important for him to stay violent to stay alive and see his mother.
Meanwhile his mother comes to the city and starts searching. She meets Meera and Meera tries to help her along. Now we see lots of cliches with the mother and son walking and going to the same place but missing each other by a fraction of a second. Eventually, Dhanush's mother sees the friend who came to the village, who asks her to stay outside a temple, where Dhanush had told him, he always visited. But right on the day when she waits, Dhanush doesn't come because he hides for protection. His mother dies the next day. As her body is being carried to the cemetery, thinking it is some orphan's death, he pays all his respects. As he just finishes the duties, his friend comes by to tell that that was his mother. Dhanush is devastated and starts dancing with his imagination.
The constant dancing with his mother was a little annoying. As was the cliche of missing each other by inches. Village people know matters in everyone's house all over the village. They tend to be observant - of course they fall for sweet talk, but they usually are shown to be people who constantly look around. Especially a few scenes where the mother and son were in line of sight and they didn't see each other because their backs were turned and stuff like that - was an overkill. Dhanush is believable as an innocent village guy, but not as a hooligan. And really. that parattai of his seems like a huge burden on his head that he should probably cut off! Meera hardly had any role to play. The comedian in the movie was tolerable, but he uses too much of a street language, which is annoying at times. A not-so-great movie.
Dhanush lives with his parents in the village. One day, his friend comes from the city and shows him pretty things. While Dhanush is spending time with his friend, his father dies. To help his mother he leaves for the city without telling him. As soon as he arrives in the city, he is cheated, but Nazar helps him along. Dhanush is the witness to a murder attempt, but is left alone.
After a few weeks, he manages to get his mother bangles as a gift. As he is just about to leave, he walks around with the bangles in his hand and tea (for the same thugs who did the murder attempt) in the other. The thugs aggravate him by calling his mother names. Dhanush is enraged and finishes the leader of the team off. Seeing his power, the guy he saves from the murder attempt tries to buy him in, but Dhanush stays aloof. Overtime, Nazar makes him understand that it is important for him to stay violent to stay alive and see his mother.
Meanwhile his mother comes to the city and starts searching. She meets Meera and Meera tries to help her along. Now we see lots of cliches with the mother and son walking and going to the same place but missing each other by a fraction of a second. Eventually, Dhanush's mother sees the friend who came to the village, who asks her to stay outside a temple, where Dhanush had told him, he always visited. But right on the day when she waits, Dhanush doesn't come because he hides for protection. His mother dies the next day. As her body is being carried to the cemetery, thinking it is some orphan's death, he pays all his respects. As he just finishes the duties, his friend comes by to tell that that was his mother. Dhanush is devastated and starts dancing with his imagination.
The constant dancing with his mother was a little annoying. As was the cliche of missing each other by inches. Village people know matters in everyone's house all over the village. They tend to be observant - of course they fall for sweet talk, but they usually are shown to be people who constantly look around. Especially a few scenes where the mother and son were in line of sight and they didn't see each other because their backs were turned and stuff like that - was an overkill. Dhanush is believable as an innocent village guy, but not as a hooligan. And really. that parattai of his seems like a huge burden on his head that he should probably cut off! Meera hardly had any role to play. The comedian in the movie was tolerable, but he uses too much of a street language, which is annoying at times. A not-so-great movie.
yezhuthaatha sattam
With big names like Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, M.N.Nambiar, Prabhu, Urvasi, Nalini and Sharath Babu, I had high expectations of what the movie was going to be like, but sorry to disappoint before the review is finished that it was a burst bubble.
Sivaji, Jaishankar and Nambiar are childhood buddies. Jaishankar is an honest judge. Nambiar is in the police force, while Sivaji is a fish businessman. Even with the status divide, they live harmoniously. Srividhya is married to Jaishankar and Sivaji treats her like his own sister buying her flowers everyday. Prabhu is Jaishankar's son, but for some reason is estranged and lives with Sivaji. Prabhu and Sharath, Sivaji's son, were medical college classmates. Sharath graduated as a doctor, but Prabhu hangs around Sivaji's market all the time. Prabhu and Urvasi fall in love, while Sharath and Nalini, Nambiar's daughter get engaged. The story was strewn all over without much cohesiveness, but here is my shot at it.
Jaishankar is involved with a big criminal, Manohar's case, but pronounces verdict against the big shot and earns his enmity. As a revenge against the doctor, Sharath Babu, who gave the evidence, Manohar kills the senior doctor and blames it on Sharath. He runs away to his father, who then takes him to Jaishankar and requests him to help him. But the honest judge refuses. The trial proceeds and Sharath is sent to jail. Sivaji feels alienated to Jaishankar. Meanwhile, a troublemaker from the fish market tries to rape Urvasi. As a revenge, Prabhu tries to get him, but overnight, Thengai Srinivasan, Urvasi's dad kills him in a rage. But blame falls on Prabhu as all of the people saw Prabhu really angry. Now both the boys meet in jail and they escape.
Meanwhile, a new police officer, Rajesh, comes to the locality and starts hunting down Manohar's actions. He discovers Nambiar and Manohar are friends. He discovers the true murderer of the troublemaker. However, in the last scene, Sivaji commits a murder and Jaishankar pronounces death as the verdict. And the friends die together.
Big names but not very good storyline. Even though the performances might have been commendable, there is nothing in the movie to recommend it. Movie to skip.
Sivaji, Jaishankar and Nambiar are childhood buddies. Jaishankar is an honest judge. Nambiar is in the police force, while Sivaji is a fish businessman. Even with the status divide, they live harmoniously. Srividhya is married to Jaishankar and Sivaji treats her like his own sister buying her flowers everyday. Prabhu is Jaishankar's son, but for some reason is estranged and lives with Sivaji. Prabhu and Sharath, Sivaji's son, were medical college classmates. Sharath graduated as a doctor, but Prabhu hangs around Sivaji's market all the time. Prabhu and Urvasi fall in love, while Sharath and Nalini, Nambiar's daughter get engaged. The story was strewn all over without much cohesiveness, but here is my shot at it.
Jaishankar is involved with a big criminal, Manohar's case, but pronounces verdict against the big shot and earns his enmity. As a revenge against the doctor, Sharath Babu, who gave the evidence, Manohar kills the senior doctor and blames it on Sharath. He runs away to his father, who then takes him to Jaishankar and requests him to help him. But the honest judge refuses. The trial proceeds and Sharath is sent to jail. Sivaji feels alienated to Jaishankar. Meanwhile, a troublemaker from the fish market tries to rape Urvasi. As a revenge, Prabhu tries to get him, but overnight, Thengai Srinivasan, Urvasi's dad kills him in a rage. But blame falls on Prabhu as all of the people saw Prabhu really angry. Now both the boys meet in jail and they escape.
Meanwhile, a new police officer, Rajesh, comes to the locality and starts hunting down Manohar's actions. He discovers Nambiar and Manohar are friends. He discovers the true murderer of the troublemaker. However, in the last scene, Sivaji commits a murder and Jaishankar pronounces death as the verdict. And the friends die together.
Big names but not very good storyline. Even though the performances might have been commendable, there is nothing in the movie to recommend it. Movie to skip.
Indran Chandran
With Padmashree Kamalahassan in a double role, Vijayshanthi, Charan Raj, Srividhya and other Telugu-like cast, the movie is about a corrupt minister and a poor man struggling to prove his innocence.
Minister Kamalahassan is married to Srividhya, who is disabled, with 3 kids, yet he is a womanizer and he has a trusty secretary, Charan Raj and another woman. He schemes and eats up public funds. Vijayshanthi is a reporter who is bent on exposing true colours of the Minister. Through her, Minister is able to find out that Charan Raj and the woman are actually husband and wife and somehow, they have taken all of his embezzled funds. When he confronts them, he is killed. Charan Raj now plots to make up a death story for the Minister, but along the way, he finds a young Kamalahassan trying to escape from a mental asylum. With the power of money, Charanraj gets the young Kamalahassan to act as the minister.
After some rugged times between Kamalahassan and journalist Vijayashanthi, they fall in love. Now they try to expose Charanraj for the rest of the movie.
Nothing extraordinary in the movie to look forward to. It is a usual story. Probably the only performance worth watching was that of the minister Kamalahassan with the fake teeth and funny walk. An OK movie.
Minister Kamalahassan is married to Srividhya, who is disabled, with 3 kids, yet he is a womanizer and he has a trusty secretary, Charan Raj and another woman. He schemes and eats up public funds. Vijayshanthi is a reporter who is bent on exposing true colours of the Minister. Through her, Minister is able to find out that Charan Raj and the woman are actually husband and wife and somehow, they have taken all of his embezzled funds. When he confronts them, he is killed. Charan Raj now plots to make up a death story for the Minister, but along the way, he finds a young Kamalahassan trying to escape from a mental asylum. With the power of money, Charanraj gets the young Kamalahassan to act as the minister.
After some rugged times between Kamalahassan and journalist Vijayashanthi, they fall in love. Now they try to expose Charanraj for the rest of the movie.
Nothing extraordinary in the movie to look forward to. It is a usual story. Probably the only performance worth watching was that of the minister Kamalahassan with the fake teeth and funny walk. An OK movie.
The Mahabharata
Adapted to an easily readable and understandable format by R.K.Narayan, the Mahabharata is a grand Indian epic, out of which, one of Hinduism most religious texts, the Bhagavad Gita came about.
The story is basically about the rivalry between two families - Pandavas and Kauravas, who are first cousins by their fathers - Pandu and Dhrithrashtra, respectively. Pandavas are 5 brothers, while Kauravas were a 100, yet in the end Pandavas won the epic battle, that forms the climax of this literary piece - this is to denote the ever victorious truth over evil, no matter how powerful or daunting the evil might seem.
Even though the actual story is much much longer, R.K.Narayan has done a great job in condensing the needed information into a cohesive format. I particularly enjoyed the teachings and the occurrence of karma in the story. Often in real life, we feel very dejected when only bad things happen to us, even though we do good. And only good things happen to those who do bad - just because they are smarter and have different morals and convictions. Yet, the story seemed to show that someone would always guide us through.
A good quick read for those who want to have an insight into this mythological epic in an easy format.
The story is basically about the rivalry between two families - Pandavas and Kauravas, who are first cousins by their fathers - Pandu and Dhrithrashtra, respectively. Pandavas are 5 brothers, while Kauravas were a 100, yet in the end Pandavas won the epic battle, that forms the climax of this literary piece - this is to denote the ever victorious truth over evil, no matter how powerful or daunting the evil might seem.
Even though the actual story is much much longer, R.K.Narayan has done a great job in condensing the needed information into a cohesive format. I particularly enjoyed the teachings and the occurrence of karma in the story. Often in real life, we feel very dejected when only bad things happen to us, even though we do good. And only good things happen to those who do bad - just because they are smarter and have different morals and convictions. Yet, the story seemed to show that someone would always guide us through.
A good quick read for those who want to have an insight into this mythological epic in an easy format.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
The Prestige
Written by Christopher Priest, this is the novel that the movie 'The Prestige' was based on, although I found the bookish version much more logical and interesting.
The book starts with the introduction of an adopted boy, who can be traced back to have the last name of Borden. He works as a reporter and loves his foster parents. However a strange diary (presumably of one of his relatives) and a weird news interview appointment leads him to meet a lady, who seems to be knowing much more about him than himself. She had the last name of Angier.
Here begins the diary entries of Alfred Borden - the son of a carpenter, who had so much interest in magic that he ends up being one of the best, just by self practice and interest. Often in the diary he is questioning himself and answering himself - a strange way of writing a diary. He begins his rivalry with Angier by spoiling one of his illusions. And there begins their bloodthirsty war. Eventually, he regrets his doing, but he feels angry when Angier strikes back and he repeats the favour and so on. He becomes very famous with his illusion of the Transported Man, where he leaves the stage in one cabinet and reappears from another, without any time elapse. Eventually he marries and then he even gets a mistress. With the mistress, he misleads Angier. He hears that Angier has come up with his version of the Transported Man - In a Flash. Knowing his own secret, Borden is determined to find Angier's truth - which he doesn't find out but unwittingly spoils Angier's trick and he is haunted for the rest of his life, until he dies.
Then begins the diary entries of Robert Angier - also a fanatic of magic but came from a rich background. He starts living in the city by himself and meets an actress who was to be his only love and wife for a long time. They begin with stage shows and then for financial reasons move onto to speaking with the dead. Here is where Borden makes his first strike against Angier. Remembering to avenge the happening, Angier never forgives Borden. Eventually he is puzzled by Borden's version of the transported man. Here is when he falls to the fancies of his assistant, Olivia Svenson. He leaves his wife and now his need for secret becomes an obsession and Olivia volunteers to find it for him. But over this game, he loses her to Borden. He is enraged, but he uses the clue that Olivia left to meet a scientist in the U.S. Amazingly enough, science helps him with what he needed. He manages to return home, get his family back and do successful performances. He always hints at having done something very bad at the end of every performance. However on one such performance, Borden interrupts his performance and things go bad - there are almost 2 of him, but there is only one of him.
With the current situation, Angier's descendant recollects her version of the story and her obsession to find the truth. Apparently, Borden's son (with the small boy, who is now adopted) visited her home (when she was young). After some serious arguments, her father takes the guests to see the apparatus that Angier had used for his stage show, In a Flash. Somehow, nothing happens to Borden's son, but in an accident, he leaves the small boy behind and at the end, the boy is killed. The young girl is shocked, but she is just as shocked to find him alive today. They, then leave for the Angier family vault where all the bodies were stored after they were dead. And there, they find something they almost expected.
The book was definitely a much better read than the movie, although I have to say that since I had watched the movie, it made understanding the book a little easier. There were some parts, that could have been better explained in the book and also, I kept imagining Hugh Jackman as Angier and Christian Bale as Borden - which is the drawback of watching a movie before reading the book.
The book starts with the introduction of an adopted boy, who can be traced back to have the last name of Borden. He works as a reporter and loves his foster parents. However a strange diary (presumably of one of his relatives) and a weird news interview appointment leads him to meet a lady, who seems to be knowing much more about him than himself. She had the last name of Angier.
Here begins the diary entries of Alfred Borden - the son of a carpenter, who had so much interest in magic that he ends up being one of the best, just by self practice and interest. Often in the diary he is questioning himself and answering himself - a strange way of writing a diary. He begins his rivalry with Angier by spoiling one of his illusions. And there begins their bloodthirsty war. Eventually, he regrets his doing, but he feels angry when Angier strikes back and he repeats the favour and so on. He becomes very famous with his illusion of the Transported Man, where he leaves the stage in one cabinet and reappears from another, without any time elapse. Eventually he marries and then he even gets a mistress. With the mistress, he misleads Angier. He hears that Angier has come up with his version of the Transported Man - In a Flash. Knowing his own secret, Borden is determined to find Angier's truth - which he doesn't find out but unwittingly spoils Angier's trick and he is haunted for the rest of his life, until he dies.
Then begins the diary entries of Robert Angier - also a fanatic of magic but came from a rich background. He starts living in the city by himself and meets an actress who was to be his only love and wife for a long time. They begin with stage shows and then for financial reasons move onto to speaking with the dead. Here is where Borden makes his first strike against Angier. Remembering to avenge the happening, Angier never forgives Borden. Eventually he is puzzled by Borden's version of the transported man. Here is when he falls to the fancies of his assistant, Olivia Svenson. He leaves his wife and now his need for secret becomes an obsession and Olivia volunteers to find it for him. But over this game, he loses her to Borden. He is enraged, but he uses the clue that Olivia left to meet a scientist in the U.S. Amazingly enough, science helps him with what he needed. He manages to return home, get his family back and do successful performances. He always hints at having done something very bad at the end of every performance. However on one such performance, Borden interrupts his performance and things go bad - there are almost 2 of him, but there is only one of him.
With the current situation, Angier's descendant recollects her version of the story and her obsession to find the truth. Apparently, Borden's son (with the small boy, who is now adopted) visited her home (when she was young). After some serious arguments, her father takes the guests to see the apparatus that Angier had used for his stage show, In a Flash. Somehow, nothing happens to Borden's son, but in an accident, he leaves the small boy behind and at the end, the boy is killed. The young girl is shocked, but she is just as shocked to find him alive today. They, then leave for the Angier family vault where all the bodies were stored after they were dead. And there, they find something they almost expected.
The book was definitely a much better read than the movie, although I have to say that since I had watched the movie, it made understanding the book a little easier. There were some parts, that could have been better explained in the book and also, I kept imagining Hugh Jackman as Angier and Christian Bale as Borden - which is the drawback of watching a movie before reading the book.
Chennai Kaadhal
Starring Bharath and Genelia D'Souza, Chennai Kadhal is a new version of the usual masala theme used in Indian cinemas for years. A disappointment that a starlet like Bharath gave this movie, but nevertheless, here goes my review.
Bharath is a problematic boy, sorting to violence as an answer for all his troubles. He brings much unhappiness to his parents. He sees the girl of his dreams, Genelia, and continually keeps running into her. Eventually, after some lies and good deeds, they start dating. Genelia, who doesn't know the truth about Bharath, meets Bharath's father and in a surprise meeting, gets to know the truth. Even though there is a lover's strife, things get patched up.
Genelia is actually the daughter of a local thug, Radha Ravi. She is utterly disgusted by her father's behaviour and leaves the house to fend for herself. Her father catches her with Bharath and drags her back home, fixing her marriage with his buddy's brother.
Bharath plans an escape and they leave for Mumbai, where he lives in his friend's boss' (also a local thug) home. This is the same thug whose brother was fixed for Genelia in marriage. When the thug gets to know about the truth, he chases them down - beats up Bharath and takes away Genelia. Thinking he is dead, they continue with the plans. Bharath is, on the other hand, resurrecting and he returns to get Genelia back. The rest of the movie goes about showing how he does it and by history, we know that he would.
An OK movie. But for watchers who are looking for performance-based work, this is a let down. Genelia is petite and sweet in her dresses and girls looking for dress ideas might have something to watch for. The comedy in the beginning of the movie and the way that Bharath's friends fooled Radha Ravi in the end were interesting to watch. But other than that, the movie was the same filling with a different shell.
Bharath is a problematic boy, sorting to violence as an answer for all his troubles. He brings much unhappiness to his parents. He sees the girl of his dreams, Genelia, and continually keeps running into her. Eventually, after some lies and good deeds, they start dating. Genelia, who doesn't know the truth about Bharath, meets Bharath's father and in a surprise meeting, gets to know the truth. Even though there is a lover's strife, things get patched up.
Genelia is actually the daughter of a local thug, Radha Ravi. She is utterly disgusted by her father's behaviour and leaves the house to fend for herself. Her father catches her with Bharath and drags her back home, fixing her marriage with his buddy's brother.
Bharath plans an escape and they leave for Mumbai, where he lives in his friend's boss' (also a local thug) home. This is the same thug whose brother was fixed for Genelia in marriage. When the thug gets to know about the truth, he chases them down - beats up Bharath and takes away Genelia. Thinking he is dead, they continue with the plans. Bharath is, on the other hand, resurrecting and he returns to get Genelia back. The rest of the movie goes about showing how he does it and by history, we know that he would.
An OK movie. But for watchers who are looking for performance-based work, this is a let down. Genelia is petite and sweet in her dresses and girls looking for dress ideas might have something to watch for. The comedy in the beginning of the movie and the way that Bharath's friends fooled Radha Ravi in the end were interesting to watch. But other than that, the movie was the same filling with a different shell.
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