Starring director-turned-actor Sundar C, yesteryear beauty Nadiya and other cast, the movie is about a family broken apart due to circumstances and brought together by the persevering heir of the family.
Nadiya comes to her native village with her grown up daughter for her marriage. Her main aim to carry out the ceremony in front of her estranged family, whom she wants to get revenge out of. She constantly opposes them and refuses all their requests.
Eventually, she trusts a henchman, Sundar to protect her. She fixes her marriage with a good family and yet on the day of the marriage, the groom is kidnapped. To save her honour, in spite of her family’s requests, she marries her daughter off to the henchman and discovers that he is also her family.
Frustrated, she keeps her daughter away from her husband. Eventually, she relents to sending her daughter with them, to let her daughter see the truth behind her family, but her daughter gives in. In the end, Nadiya realises that all the confusion in her family was caused by a trio, who were a distant relation of the family and the whole family comes together.
Although Nadiya’s comeback in M.Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi and Thamirabarani was appreciable, this movie didn’t make to the mark. Most of the times, she was overacting and was annoying. As for the background score – it was super annoying and very dumb. But Sundar C is definitely climbing up the ladder of success. A tolerable movie to watch for Sundar C.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Robin Hood
As part of my crazy period for Richard Armitage, I wanted to watch this BBC adaptation of Robin Hood. And by the end of the series, I started getting crazy about other people on the screen – which is an inherent problem when there are too many cute and gallant stars in one show. Jonas Armstrong plays the lead character of Robin Hood, with Lucy Griffiths as Marian, Keith Allen as Sheriff and Richard Armstrong playing as Sheriff trusted sidekick Sir Guy.
So far, I have watched seasons one and two, which have been well paced and racy enough for a much tried archetypal figure and storyline. There were some instances where I couldn’t understand the heroism of the characters and sometimes I couldn’t agree with the kind of clothing and sets used. But mostly, the series has been well done and I’m definitely looking forward to the end of season three which is ending this year. Jonas Armstrong seems too short to be addressed as a gallant hero but as I found out with the ‘Behind the Scenes’ video for the series, short men are better archers than taller ones. And his partnering with Sam Troughton (playing Much) is funny enough from time to time. Much portrays a feminine man by taking care of his master and being in charge of cooking food and talking a lot. Will (played by Harry Lloyd, a descendent of Charles Dickens) is the creative, quiet, shy teenager in the group, whose skills help in smuggling arms and creating ingenious hideouts for the group. Allan (played by Joe Armstrong), though, not entirely gallant, owing to his shady past, helps the group with entering the castle. Little John (by Gordon Kennedy) is the strong, passionate man known for his physical strength and weak mind. Lastly, Djaq (Anjali Jay) joins the group as a Saracen boy, but is found out to be a woman disguising as her dead brother. She has a physician background, assisting her father in the Holy Land.
So far, I have watched seasons one and two, which have been well paced and racy enough for a much tried archetypal figure and storyline. There were some instances where I couldn’t understand the heroism of the characters and sometimes I couldn’t agree with the kind of clothing and sets used. But mostly, the series has been well done and I’m definitely looking forward to the end of season three which is ending this year. Jonas Armstrong seems too short to be addressed as a gallant hero but as I found out with the ‘Behind the Scenes’ video for the series, short men are better archers than taller ones. And his partnering with Sam Troughton (playing Much) is funny enough from time to time. Much portrays a feminine man by taking care of his master and being in charge of cooking food and talking a lot. Will (played by Harry Lloyd, a descendent of Charles Dickens) is the creative, quiet, shy teenager in the group, whose skills help in smuggling arms and creating ingenious hideouts for the group. Allan (played by Joe Armstrong), though, not entirely gallant, owing to his shady past, helps the group with entering the castle. Little John (by Gordon Kennedy) is the strong, passionate man known for his physical strength and weak mind. Lastly, Djaq (Anjali Jay) joins the group as a Saracen boy, but is found out to be a woman disguising as her dead brother. She has a physician background, assisting her father in the Holy Land.
kannamoochi yennada
Starring Prithviraj, Sandhya, Satyaraj and Radhika, the movie is about a couple gaining acceptance of their love in their respective families.
Prithvi meets Sandhya in Malaysia, where she is pursuing her studies. After repeated meetings they fall in love. Prithvi’s foster parents, also his uncle and aunt, have plans of getting him married to their business partner, but Prithvi reveals his love and they fall apart. With the help of his friend, he flies to India to meet Sandhya’s parents, doubting police officer Satyaraj and his soft wife, Radhika. Everyone in the family seems to like Prithvi except Satyaraj. Prithvi confides his fallout with his foster parents to Radhika and she accepts him as he is and they plan to reveal everything at the right time. One day, with the turn of events, Prithvi gets accepted by Satyaraj, but wrongly believes a concocted story by Prithvi’s uncle in Malaysia, about Prithvi being a crook. Satyaraj insults Prithvi and shows his ‘true’ colours to his family. Although Radhika tries to stop him, she fails and in frustration of having a not-so-understanding or trusting husband leaves the place. Sandhya goes along with her. Satyaraj continues to search, while Prithvi also tries to search with his own methods. Finally he finds out that they might have gone to the house of Satyaraj’s estranged sister in Ooty and decides to follow and his discovery is right. He also informs Satyaraj, who follows him a while later. After a few misunderstandings, Satyaraj and Radha get together, while the young lovers are still separated. As Prithvi is leaving the town, Sandhya has a change of mind and tracks him down to re-concile. After an over dramatic chase, they come together.
An excessively annoying movie. I had high expectations for Prithviraj and he seemed to be pretty weak in the story. There wasn’t much scope for acting for any in the movie. Sandhya was absolutely annoying. She’s probably the one actress who doesn’t have either looks or talent and is still in the industry. I’d definitely suggest leaving this movie out of your ‘want-to-see’s.
Prithvi meets Sandhya in Malaysia, where she is pursuing her studies. After repeated meetings they fall in love. Prithvi’s foster parents, also his uncle and aunt, have plans of getting him married to their business partner, but Prithvi reveals his love and they fall apart. With the help of his friend, he flies to India to meet Sandhya’s parents, doubting police officer Satyaraj and his soft wife, Radhika. Everyone in the family seems to like Prithvi except Satyaraj. Prithvi confides his fallout with his foster parents to Radhika and she accepts him as he is and they plan to reveal everything at the right time. One day, with the turn of events, Prithvi gets accepted by Satyaraj, but wrongly believes a concocted story by Prithvi’s uncle in Malaysia, about Prithvi being a crook. Satyaraj insults Prithvi and shows his ‘true’ colours to his family. Although Radhika tries to stop him, she fails and in frustration of having a not-so-understanding or trusting husband leaves the place. Sandhya goes along with her. Satyaraj continues to search, while Prithvi also tries to search with his own methods. Finally he finds out that they might have gone to the house of Satyaraj’s estranged sister in Ooty and decides to follow and his discovery is right. He also informs Satyaraj, who follows him a while later. After a few misunderstandings, Satyaraj and Radha get together, while the young lovers are still separated. As Prithvi is leaving the town, Sandhya has a change of mind and tracks him down to re-concile. After an over dramatic chase, they come together.
An excessively annoying movie. I had high expectations for Prithviraj and he seemed to be pretty weak in the story. There wasn’t much scope for acting for any in the movie. Sandhya was absolutely annoying. She’s probably the one actress who doesn’t have either looks or talent and is still in the industry. I’d definitely suggest leaving this movie out of your ‘want-to-see’s.
pirivom sandhipom
As usual Cheran proves that any movie with which he is involved, is sure to be one that makes the audience think. Coming together with Sneha once more, the movie is about a newly wedded couple.
Sneha is an only child and hates being alone and being so, creates situations to be along with her friends – asking them to stay overnight, inviting them for movies, etc. Cheran is from a huge joint family with generations of sons living together in one roof in their ancestral home. Every trip together takes hours to leave and there are so many relations that he deosn’t have a separate name for each one of them.
Being of marriageable ages, a common friend proposes marriage between the two families. Things happen well and they welcome their daughter-in-law as their own daughter into the family. Sneha is also very understanding and caring towards all. Life seems to be smooth sailing until she finds out that her husband has an offer to go another location. Even though the job offers him promotion and a higher salary, Sneha is not happy because she would be lonely. In spite of her doubts, she follows her husband faithfully.
In the new place, she meets some new people and every one of her socializing effort is thwarted by her husband since he wants peace and quiet for the two of them. Cheran starts noticing some change in his wife, but thinks nothing of it. A local doctor, played by Jayaram starts noticing problems with Sneha’s loneliness and urgently requests her husband to meet him as soon as possible. But it is too late, when they find out that Sneha is heavily drugged with sleeping medicines one night. They manage to save her and Jayaram is also able to educate Cheran about the situation. The movie ends by showing the couple returning to Cheran’s huge joint family.
The movie had no violence or disturbing scenes. Even the commonly abused subject of in-laws was beautifully and delicately handled. The actors didn’t overdo their love, but acted as humans should have and humans would – very realistic! The subject itself was unique – not for just namesake. Excellent acting by the supporting cast – each and everyone of them is still memorable and cute. Cheran did a good job in his role as well, but could improve some bit. He is seasoned enough yet there seems to be something lacking in it. Sneha did a good job as well, yet I felt her emoting was not complete. I suppose the sense of incompleteness overwhelms when the load of the character is huge and the role players not so strong enough to carry them. But definitely a movie worth the watch with the entire family.
Sneha is an only child and hates being alone and being so, creates situations to be along with her friends – asking them to stay overnight, inviting them for movies, etc. Cheran is from a huge joint family with generations of sons living together in one roof in their ancestral home. Every trip together takes hours to leave and there are so many relations that he deosn’t have a separate name for each one of them.
Being of marriageable ages, a common friend proposes marriage between the two families. Things happen well and they welcome their daughter-in-law as their own daughter into the family. Sneha is also very understanding and caring towards all. Life seems to be smooth sailing until she finds out that her husband has an offer to go another location. Even though the job offers him promotion and a higher salary, Sneha is not happy because she would be lonely. In spite of her doubts, she follows her husband faithfully.
In the new place, she meets some new people and every one of her socializing effort is thwarted by her husband since he wants peace and quiet for the two of them. Cheran starts noticing some change in his wife, but thinks nothing of it. A local doctor, played by Jayaram starts noticing problems with Sneha’s loneliness and urgently requests her husband to meet him as soon as possible. But it is too late, when they find out that Sneha is heavily drugged with sleeping medicines one night. They manage to save her and Jayaram is also able to educate Cheran about the situation. The movie ends by showing the couple returning to Cheran’s huge joint family.
The movie had no violence or disturbing scenes. Even the commonly abused subject of in-laws was beautifully and delicately handled. The actors didn’t overdo their love, but acted as humans should have and humans would – very realistic! The subject itself was unique – not for just namesake. Excellent acting by the supporting cast – each and everyone of them is still memorable and cute. Cheran did a good job in his role as well, but could improve some bit. He is seasoned enough yet there seems to be something lacking in it. Sneha did a good job as well, yet I felt her emoting was not complete. I suppose the sense of incompleteness overwhelms when the load of the character is huge and the role players not so strong enough to carry them. But definitely a movie worth the watch with the entire family.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
Here is another attempt at trying to define and analyze the differences between the two most inexplicable creatures on earth. The Ph.D. graduate, Dr. John Gray, brings in examples from his own life and many others to explain the intrinsic personality differences and expectations coming out of it.
The basic psychology of what you expect from others is what you give is brought to our attention and from here, he strives to explain women give men what women need and vice versa. As a result neither of them is satisfied. He suggests that by understanding what the other wants or needs, the individuals will feel more energized and fulfilled as not only are you trying less harder, but you are also receiving what you need and this makes all the difference.
The basic difference is explained as follows: women are very nurturing by nature. They feel that to help someone is to show that they care and love them. By trying to make them perfect, they have completely loved and accepted the other person. Men, on the other hand, take it as an offense if someone tries to change them. In the eyes of their women, they like to stay as their heroes and when that isn’t reflected (when she constantly tries to change him), he feels he is not good enough and he is broken and thus, slides away from the relationship. They also have the philosophy of ‘fix only when broken’, which extends to their relationships as well. Right after courtship and marriage, they feel that they have done enough to settle and ‘fix’ and need to take some time off. On the other hand, with the emotional turmoil and hormones of women, they need to be reassured from time to time about their love and life. But this constant ‘nagging’ is seen as broken relationship by men.
Such are the conflicting opinions of the two genders which hve resulted in many battles – many quite ugly. Although I sympathized with many of the situations in the book, seeing my relatives’ relationships in them, it boils down to the aspect of awareness and respect for each other. At the end of the tunnel, the whole issue about communication pops up. The author himself didn’t have this book to teach him how to deal with issues, yet he took the step of communicating with his better half. Humans are probably the only species that have so many languages to communicate with and yet they are the only ones who feel incomplete and misunderstood in the society.
The basic psychology of what you expect from others is what you give is brought to our attention and from here, he strives to explain women give men what women need and vice versa. As a result neither of them is satisfied. He suggests that by understanding what the other wants or needs, the individuals will feel more energized and fulfilled as not only are you trying less harder, but you are also receiving what you need and this makes all the difference.
The basic difference is explained as follows: women are very nurturing by nature. They feel that to help someone is to show that they care and love them. By trying to make them perfect, they have completely loved and accepted the other person. Men, on the other hand, take it as an offense if someone tries to change them. In the eyes of their women, they like to stay as their heroes and when that isn’t reflected (when she constantly tries to change him), he feels he is not good enough and he is broken and thus, slides away from the relationship. They also have the philosophy of ‘fix only when broken’, which extends to their relationships as well. Right after courtship and marriage, they feel that they have done enough to settle and ‘fix’ and need to take some time off. On the other hand, with the emotional turmoil and hormones of women, they need to be reassured from time to time about their love and life. But this constant ‘nagging’ is seen as broken relationship by men.
Such are the conflicting opinions of the two genders which hve resulted in many battles – many quite ugly. Although I sympathized with many of the situations in the book, seeing my relatives’ relationships in them, it boils down to the aspect of awareness and respect for each other. At the end of the tunnel, the whole issue about communication pops up. The author himself didn’t have this book to teach him how to deal with issues, yet he took the step of communicating with his better half. Humans are probably the only species that have so many languages to communicate with and yet they are the only ones who feel incomplete and misunderstood in the society.
Animal Farm
George Orwell writes about the power-hungry world that we live in, by putting it in the context of an animal farm. The animal farm started off with ill-treatment, enlightening, secret meetings, rules and behavioural code, rioting, battle, usurping, hard work, peevishness, breaking of rules, selfishness, power hungriness and everything that you would see in today’s world to gain power and position. The only difference was this was set among the animals of the farm.
There is not much in the story itself as to where the beauty of this classic come from but the similarity to the life that we see in politics and even in some families.
The farm animals are mistreated for a long time and they realize eventually that since they are the ones making the farmer survive, they should overthrow him and take the profits and goods for themselves. The secret meetings happen and the riot and battle that ensues sees many casualties and it also brings freedom. The animals come together to make their laws and continue to work hard to make their life. Many feel that they are working harder than before but content themselves in thinking that they are working for themselves. Yet, after a while, they start feeling as though some of the initial rules made were broken by their leaders, but the leaders carry out many dark dealings, which makes it seem as though the animals’ memory might be at fault. The book ends by showing that there is no difference between the animals’ chosen leaders and the men that they drove away from the farm in the first place.
After reading 1984 in a forced condition, I wasn’t a fan of George Orwell, but as I grew up and saw more of politics in play in the world and in my office, I started appreciating his ideas and Animal Farm can also be safely added to his extraordinary books. A good, insightful read.
There is not much in the story itself as to where the beauty of this classic come from but the similarity to the life that we see in politics and even in some families.
The farm animals are mistreated for a long time and they realize eventually that since they are the ones making the farmer survive, they should overthrow him and take the profits and goods for themselves. The secret meetings happen and the riot and battle that ensues sees many casualties and it also brings freedom. The animals come together to make their laws and continue to work hard to make their life. Many feel that they are working harder than before but content themselves in thinking that they are working for themselves. Yet, after a while, they start feeling as though some of the initial rules made were broken by their leaders, but the leaders carry out many dark dealings, which makes it seem as though the animals’ memory might be at fault. The book ends by showing that there is no difference between the animals’ chosen leaders and the men that they drove away from the farm in the first place.
After reading 1984 in a forced condition, I wasn’t a fan of George Orwell, but as I grew up and saw more of politics in play in the world and in my office, I started appreciating his ideas and Animal Farm can also be safely added to his extraordinary books. A good, insightful read.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
O. Henry
No author has broached the subject of short stories with the theme of 'Man proposes, but God disposes' as well as O. Henry a.k.a. William Sydney porter has. The easy flow of his stories with an equally easy twist, brings a smile of acknowledgment on every reader's face, since each one of us has experienced ruin of our plans in a good or evil way. And yet, no one has figured why some things that should run smoothly end up so rough.
The collection of stories starts off with the infamous 'The Gift of Magi', which is the story of a loving couple, who lose their best possessions to make their other half's treasure more valuable, yet, in the end, find out that their love for each other is the best present they could have got for Christmas. Second in line is 'Mammon and the Archer', which is the story of a rich father who believes in money's power to achieve anything and proves so, when he stages the situation for his son's proposal to the lady he loves. 'After Twenty Years' tests the bonds of friendship between two men, along with a moral crisis, since one of the men, now, is a wanted criminal, while the other, a dutiful law enforcer. 'Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen' shows how not knowing how to refuse can overfeed a man to hospital and brings his benefactor to death bed. Human spirits and beliefs are tested in the 'The Last Leaf', when a woman close to deathbed survives, which the man who saves her succumbs to death. Old habits die hard in 'A Retrieved Reformation' for a hard core thief, who even after turning a new leaf, is forced to re-live his old habits at the time of a crisis, while his old mate, who is waiting to expose his old habits accepts his new situation gracefully.
My grandfather introduced this author to me and as much as O.Henry's short stories are much celebrated, seems like the local library has little momenta of his to remember.
The collection of stories starts off with the infamous 'The Gift of Magi', which is the story of a loving couple, who lose their best possessions to make their other half's treasure more valuable, yet, in the end, find out that their love for each other is the best present they could have got for Christmas. Second in line is 'Mammon and the Archer', which is the story of a rich father who believes in money's power to achieve anything and proves so, when he stages the situation for his son's proposal to the lady he loves. 'After Twenty Years' tests the bonds of friendship between two men, along with a moral crisis, since one of the men, now, is a wanted criminal, while the other, a dutiful law enforcer. 'Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen' shows how not knowing how to refuse can overfeed a man to hospital and brings his benefactor to death bed. Human spirits and beliefs are tested in the 'The Last Leaf', when a woman close to deathbed survives, which the man who saves her succumbs to death. Old habits die hard in 'A Retrieved Reformation' for a hard core thief, who even after turning a new leaf, is forced to re-live his old habits at the time of a crisis, while his old mate, who is waiting to expose his old habits accepts his new situation gracefully.
My grandfather introduced this author to me and as much as O.Henry's short stories are much celebrated, seems like the local library has little momenta of his to remember.
Bachelors Anonymous
Here's another classic comedy from P.G.Wodehouse bringing a marriage addict and a bachelor together in one book.
Ivor, an American movie moghul, is a recently divorced personality, who wants to avoid getting into any more impulsive marriages, like his last one. He seeks his lawyer, Ephraim, who is a member of a club called Bachelor's Anonymous, for advice. Ephraim suggests Ivor should leave for England and get a personal bodyguard, who'd protect Ivor from rash decision of proposing to women when he has run out of things to talk to. Thus, Ivor leaves for England.
Joseph is an upcoming story writer. Thus far, he has been supporting himself at a lawyer's office, but his passion lied in drama. One of his story's was going to be performed at the local theatre with Vera as the leading lady. As part of her journalist job, Sally had to interview the story writer and proceeds to interview Joseph. For Joseph, it is love at first sight, but he is unable to get a date with her. Meanwhile, he gets a call from his friend Jerry about the possibility of a new job. The new job is being the bodyguard to Ivor, which is a chance in a million for Joe, since he could finance his stories.
Sally receives a letter from Jerry's company mentioning a matter of importance with regards to her old boss, who was a campaigner against smoking. It's fate that brings Joe to Sally again and this time, he fixes a date with her. After he leaves, Sally finds out from Jerry that her old boss had left her a fortune and a home, under the condition that she doesn't smoke and to monitor that, a detective would be living with her in her new apartment. She returns home to share her joy with her roomie, who insists on seeing the new place. As they are viewing the new place, Sally tires out and falls asleep, missing Joe's lunch date. Panicking, she reaches the restaurant, only to find him gone. She is remorseful, since she had started to like him as well.
Meanwhile, Joe starts his new job with Ivor. Ivor quite liked his bodyguard, but is disturbed when Joe starts raving about when an interviewer, Sally, comes by to ask him questions. Ivor immediately insists that Ephraim come to England, while Sally apologizes and fixes a lunch date with Joe. Ivor attends Joe's play and is delighted to meet Vera and according to his usual self, invites Vera to have dinner with him.
Joe prepares himself tiptop for the date and meets Ephraim with Ivor, when he returns. Ephraim enrages him by speaking odd things about love and finally loses his mental balance, when he drinks a seemingly harmless concoction that Ephraim hands him and thus, misses his date with Sally.
Meanwhile, Sally moves into her new apartment and finds out her detective roomie, Daphne, to be not-so-formidable. She easily fits in with her and feels on cloud nine thinking she's never be smoking, so the fortune would be hers in no time. However, her day starts going wrong when she's stood up by Joe and is angry at him. Surprises of surprises, her ex-fiance, Jaklyn, who finds out about Sally's new fortunes (and decides this is the solution to all his debts), arrives at the restaurant and in fit of anger, Sally agrees to be engaged to him again. She returns home in low spirits and tells of her engagement to her roomie, who is decidedly shocked, since she is engaged to Jakyln as well, however, she keeps her calm.
When Joe finds out the next day about what happened to him, he is annoyed at Ephraim and tries to make peace with Sally, however, Ephraim follows him around with discouraging words. Finally, they follow Sally in a cab to her nanny's home. Ephraim loses Joe and Sally and tries to find them by asking the nanny, Jane, however, Jane is a stout woman who refuses to let him in. To try again, Ephraim enters the neighbour's lawn and gets bitten by the dog. The owner, Amelia rushes out to help him and Ephraim falls in love with the nurse, who works at St. Swithin's.
Joe is unable to convince Sally and returns disheartened to Ivor's house, where he finds a panicking boss. Ivor is worried about his n-th lunch with Vera and is convinced that he would be marrying Vera soon. Joe suggests Ivor to hospitalise himself, such that Vera will not be able to find him. Ivor does so accordingly. Ephraim returns and apologises to Joe and insists that he would clear up the matter with Sally. Sally is very happy when she hears of the truth, but shares the problem of her engagement with Jaklyn. Ephraim volunteers to clear it up with the third guy and leaves with Joe. The matter seemed to be utterly simple when Ephraim, single handedly, offered some money to Jaklyn to break up the engagement and the couple is much obliged to him. However, Sally loses her fortune since, in her restlessness, she takes up the cigarette.
Meanwhile, the readers find out the reason Jaklyn was so easy going was because Daphne (to whom he was engaged first) had given him a surprise trip to the church, where they had been hastily married off. And Ephraim's offer was a bonus to the already available riches that Jaklyn was to receive because of his marriage to Daphne.
Ivor is much angry at being left at the hospital and calls and fires Joe, since Ivor had now proposed to his nurse, Amelia, and she had replied that she would consider his proposals. Ephraim finds out about Ivor whereabouts and visits him at the hospital only to find out that Amelia is his nurse. He loses no minute in proposing and securing her hand.
When Ivor finds out that he is in no danger of marrying Amelia or Vera, he happily receives Joe again and also agrees to finance his movies. Such ended the hilarious book of English humour and wit. Certainly, Wodehouse is the king of the 'Comedy of Errors'.
Ivor, an American movie moghul, is a recently divorced personality, who wants to avoid getting into any more impulsive marriages, like his last one. He seeks his lawyer, Ephraim, who is a member of a club called Bachelor's Anonymous, for advice. Ephraim suggests Ivor should leave for England and get a personal bodyguard, who'd protect Ivor from rash decision of proposing to women when he has run out of things to talk to. Thus, Ivor leaves for England.
Joseph is an upcoming story writer. Thus far, he has been supporting himself at a lawyer's office, but his passion lied in drama. One of his story's was going to be performed at the local theatre with Vera as the leading lady. As part of her journalist job, Sally had to interview the story writer and proceeds to interview Joseph. For Joseph, it is love at first sight, but he is unable to get a date with her. Meanwhile, he gets a call from his friend Jerry about the possibility of a new job. The new job is being the bodyguard to Ivor, which is a chance in a million for Joe, since he could finance his stories.
Sally receives a letter from Jerry's company mentioning a matter of importance with regards to her old boss, who was a campaigner against smoking. It's fate that brings Joe to Sally again and this time, he fixes a date with her. After he leaves, Sally finds out from Jerry that her old boss had left her a fortune and a home, under the condition that she doesn't smoke and to monitor that, a detective would be living with her in her new apartment. She returns home to share her joy with her roomie, who insists on seeing the new place. As they are viewing the new place, Sally tires out and falls asleep, missing Joe's lunch date. Panicking, she reaches the restaurant, only to find him gone. She is remorseful, since she had started to like him as well.
Meanwhile, Joe starts his new job with Ivor. Ivor quite liked his bodyguard, but is disturbed when Joe starts raving about when an interviewer, Sally, comes by to ask him questions. Ivor immediately insists that Ephraim come to England, while Sally apologizes and fixes a lunch date with Joe. Ivor attends Joe's play and is delighted to meet Vera and according to his usual self, invites Vera to have dinner with him.
Joe prepares himself tiptop for the date and meets Ephraim with Ivor, when he returns. Ephraim enrages him by speaking odd things about love and finally loses his mental balance, when he drinks a seemingly harmless concoction that Ephraim hands him and thus, misses his date with Sally.
Meanwhile, Sally moves into her new apartment and finds out her detective roomie, Daphne, to be not-so-formidable. She easily fits in with her and feels on cloud nine thinking she's never be smoking, so the fortune would be hers in no time. However, her day starts going wrong when she's stood up by Joe and is angry at him. Surprises of surprises, her ex-fiance, Jaklyn, who finds out about Sally's new fortunes (and decides this is the solution to all his debts), arrives at the restaurant and in fit of anger, Sally agrees to be engaged to him again. She returns home in low spirits and tells of her engagement to her roomie, who is decidedly shocked, since she is engaged to Jakyln as well, however, she keeps her calm.
When Joe finds out the next day about what happened to him, he is annoyed at Ephraim and tries to make peace with Sally, however, Ephraim follows him around with discouraging words. Finally, they follow Sally in a cab to her nanny's home. Ephraim loses Joe and Sally and tries to find them by asking the nanny, Jane, however, Jane is a stout woman who refuses to let him in. To try again, Ephraim enters the neighbour's lawn and gets bitten by the dog. The owner, Amelia rushes out to help him and Ephraim falls in love with the nurse, who works at St. Swithin's.
Joe is unable to convince Sally and returns disheartened to Ivor's house, where he finds a panicking boss. Ivor is worried about his n-th lunch with Vera and is convinced that he would be marrying Vera soon. Joe suggests Ivor to hospitalise himself, such that Vera will not be able to find him. Ivor does so accordingly. Ephraim returns and apologises to Joe and insists that he would clear up the matter with Sally. Sally is very happy when she hears of the truth, but shares the problem of her engagement with Jaklyn. Ephraim volunteers to clear it up with the third guy and leaves with Joe. The matter seemed to be utterly simple when Ephraim, single handedly, offered some money to Jaklyn to break up the engagement and the couple is much obliged to him. However, Sally loses her fortune since, in her restlessness, she takes up the cigarette.
Meanwhile, the readers find out the reason Jaklyn was so easy going was because Daphne (to whom he was engaged first) had given him a surprise trip to the church, where they had been hastily married off. And Ephraim's offer was a bonus to the already available riches that Jaklyn was to receive because of his marriage to Daphne.
Ivor is much angry at being left at the hospital and calls and fires Joe, since Ivor had now proposed to his nurse, Amelia, and she had replied that she would consider his proposals. Ephraim finds out about Ivor whereabouts and visits him at the hospital only to find out that Amelia is his nurse. He loses no minute in proposing and securing her hand.
When Ivor finds out that he is in no danger of marrying Amelia or Vera, he happily receives Joe again and also agrees to finance his movies. Such ended the hilarious book of English humour and wit. Certainly, Wodehouse is the king of the 'Comedy of Errors'.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Mulliner Nights
P.G.Wodehouse gives his fans a series of short stories as told by Mr. Mulliner about the tales of his relatives.
The series begins with Adrian Mulliner of 'The Smile That Wins', who was suffering from dyspepsia, which made him smile strangely from time to time and was usually interpreted to be a kind of evil smile, which made people scared and cautious. He uses this smiles to eventually win the lady of his heart, from her foreboding father, Reginald, and her balding fiance, Jasper, with the help of a kleptomaniac Sutton.
'The Story of Webster' boasts of a pristine cat gone rotten with Lancelot, a struggling artist, who is forced to give up his Bohemian habits when his rich uncle bishop, Theodore, leaves his cat, Webster, under his care. The cat was also indirectly to reform Lancelot of his waywardness, by giving up his love, Gladys, and offer his hand to a boring pill, Brenda, who also posed for Lancelot.
The sequel to the above comes in 'Cats will be Cats' where Theodore finds himself in the grip of Lady Widdrington, a lover of cats and power. Theodore implores Lancelot to help him and bring his cat back. To the former, Lancelot is willing, however, the second might bring him trouble, since Webster, isn't exactly in his former glory. So leaving the cat to a reformer, Lancelot arrives at Lady Widdrinton's castle as Theodore's lawyer. After fruitless efforts to detach his uncle, the surprise arrival (to Lancelot) and state (to Theodore) of Webster and the fight ensuing between him and Lady Widdrington's cat, Percy, puts an end to all of Theodore's misery, reserving a definite part of his fortune for Lancelot's future.
'Knightly Quest of Mervyn' makes a hero out of a shy, quiet person, Mervyn, by making a hero out of his disposition. To prove his love for Clarice, Mervyn ventures the impossible of obtaining strawberries during the off season. Although he succeeds in getting the strawberries, first by using his uncle Joseph's name falsely, then by escaping with it, he loses by tasting and finishing them by the time Clarice asks him to wait. And then he is forced to get it again, when Oofy also seems to be competing with him for Clarice's attentions.
Change in confidence levels and fear of headmasters rules the plot of 'A Voice From the Past'. Sacheverell is a soft spoken Mulliner, who is now engaged to breezy, confident girl, Muriel, who was previously engaged to her cousin, Bernard. And the reason she broke it off was because he was very commanding. However, when the subject asking Muriel's hand in marriage comes, Sacheverell is worried and to impress her father, he takes up a correspondence course on Muriel's father, Col. Branksome, interests. But he realises, after more than half the course, he still hasn't seen a word on what he wants, feels furious and stomps down to the school's office and finds out that he has seen results of a confidence builder course. Pleased with himself, he returns to Muriel and expresses his confident self, much to the chagrin of Muriel. But when he realises, his headmaster is in the same castle, he returns to his former self and Muriel's lover.
'Open House' sees another version of Jeeves and Wooster where Eustace is thrown into a mess because of his valet, Blekinsop's, incomplete information. Marcella, his lover, leaves her canary and dog under his care, while she travels to Paris. At the same time, his widowed aunt leaves her cat with him. While trying to keep all of the pets alive, Eustace's actions are misinterpreted by his animal lover neighbour Orlando. Meanwhile, a drop in visit by Eustace's old flame throws his affairs into a further disarray, displacing the dog, bringing in both his lover and aunt as surprise during the most untoward hour. But thankfully, his valet's quick ideas save him.
'Best Seller' outlines the relationship between a novel author hating news correspondent and a new authoress. Egbert is the correspondent and he checks if Evangeline is not a novel writer before falling in love with her. Over time, she feels like writing her relationship with Egbert as a novel. Although he is shocked and is perturbed with his personal relationship becoming public, he allows her to proceed. With the fame, she becomes closer and closer to her manager, Henderson, until the day she breaks down confessing that she can't be an author anymore to Egbert. Egbert is happy to have her back and promises to help her complete all her assignments.
Mystery and nature lovers duel in the story of 'Strychnine in the soup'. Cyril and Amelia are in love and share the passion of mysteries. However, Amelia's aunt, Lady Basett is a hindrance to their union, as she finds interior decorating (Cyril's profession), not manly enough. Cyril tries to reason but to no avail. She has other plans of having Lester, a hunter, marry Amelia. Drawing Cyril, Lady Basett and Lester into a twine of mystery, the story ends with Lady Basett consenting to Cyril and Amelia's marriage.
'Gala Night' is another tale of a man misinterpreted due to his love for the arts, dancing. Ronald and Hypatia are in love, yet her uncle, Percy, a bishop is against it. Using the assistance of Augustine, Jane and an energy booster, they manage to make Percy and his wife Priscilla dance and hence accept Ronald's love of dancing after a mysterious gala night which they attend without proper consciousness.
The series begins with Adrian Mulliner of 'The Smile That Wins', who was suffering from dyspepsia, which made him smile strangely from time to time and was usually interpreted to be a kind of evil smile, which made people scared and cautious. He uses this smiles to eventually win the lady of his heart, from her foreboding father, Reginald, and her balding fiance, Jasper, with the help of a kleptomaniac Sutton.
'The Story of Webster' boasts of a pristine cat gone rotten with Lancelot, a struggling artist, who is forced to give up his Bohemian habits when his rich uncle bishop, Theodore, leaves his cat, Webster, under his care. The cat was also indirectly to reform Lancelot of his waywardness, by giving up his love, Gladys, and offer his hand to a boring pill, Brenda, who also posed for Lancelot.
The sequel to the above comes in 'Cats will be Cats' where Theodore finds himself in the grip of Lady Widdrington, a lover of cats and power. Theodore implores Lancelot to help him and bring his cat back. To the former, Lancelot is willing, however, the second might bring him trouble, since Webster, isn't exactly in his former glory. So leaving the cat to a reformer, Lancelot arrives at Lady Widdrinton's castle as Theodore's lawyer. After fruitless efforts to detach his uncle, the surprise arrival (to Lancelot) and state (to Theodore) of Webster and the fight ensuing between him and Lady Widdrington's cat, Percy, puts an end to all of Theodore's misery, reserving a definite part of his fortune for Lancelot's future.
'Knightly Quest of Mervyn' makes a hero out of a shy, quiet person, Mervyn, by making a hero out of his disposition. To prove his love for Clarice, Mervyn ventures the impossible of obtaining strawberries during the off season. Although he succeeds in getting the strawberries, first by using his uncle Joseph's name falsely, then by escaping with it, he loses by tasting and finishing them by the time Clarice asks him to wait. And then he is forced to get it again, when Oofy also seems to be competing with him for Clarice's attentions.
Change in confidence levels and fear of headmasters rules the plot of 'A Voice From the Past'. Sacheverell is a soft spoken Mulliner, who is now engaged to breezy, confident girl, Muriel, who was previously engaged to her cousin, Bernard. And the reason she broke it off was because he was very commanding. However, when the subject asking Muriel's hand in marriage comes, Sacheverell is worried and to impress her father, he takes up a correspondence course on Muriel's father, Col. Branksome, interests. But he realises, after more than half the course, he still hasn't seen a word on what he wants, feels furious and stomps down to the school's office and finds out that he has seen results of a confidence builder course. Pleased with himself, he returns to Muriel and expresses his confident self, much to the chagrin of Muriel. But when he realises, his headmaster is in the same castle, he returns to his former self and Muriel's lover.
'Open House' sees another version of Jeeves and Wooster where Eustace is thrown into a mess because of his valet, Blekinsop's, incomplete information. Marcella, his lover, leaves her canary and dog under his care, while she travels to Paris. At the same time, his widowed aunt leaves her cat with him. While trying to keep all of the pets alive, Eustace's actions are misinterpreted by his animal lover neighbour Orlando. Meanwhile, a drop in visit by Eustace's old flame throws his affairs into a further disarray, displacing the dog, bringing in both his lover and aunt as surprise during the most untoward hour. But thankfully, his valet's quick ideas save him.
'Best Seller' outlines the relationship between a novel author hating news correspondent and a new authoress. Egbert is the correspondent and he checks if Evangeline is not a novel writer before falling in love with her. Over time, she feels like writing her relationship with Egbert as a novel. Although he is shocked and is perturbed with his personal relationship becoming public, he allows her to proceed. With the fame, she becomes closer and closer to her manager, Henderson, until the day she breaks down confessing that she can't be an author anymore to Egbert. Egbert is happy to have her back and promises to help her complete all her assignments.
Mystery and nature lovers duel in the story of 'Strychnine in the soup'. Cyril and Amelia are in love and share the passion of mysteries. However, Amelia's aunt, Lady Basett is a hindrance to their union, as she finds interior decorating (Cyril's profession), not manly enough. Cyril tries to reason but to no avail. She has other plans of having Lester, a hunter, marry Amelia. Drawing Cyril, Lady Basett and Lester into a twine of mystery, the story ends with Lady Basett consenting to Cyril and Amelia's marriage.
'Gala Night' is another tale of a man misinterpreted due to his love for the arts, dancing. Ronald and Hypatia are in love, yet her uncle, Percy, a bishop is against it. Using the assistance of Augustine, Jane and an energy booster, they manage to make Percy and his wife Priscilla dance and hence accept Ronald's love of dancing after a mysterious gala night which they attend without proper consciousness.
Friday, June 6, 2008
What Not to Wear
Written by the BBC hosts of the programme with the same title, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, the book provides women with varying physical problems to overcome them with their dress sense - big chest vs no chest, big bum, saddlebags, short legs, big calves and ankles, no neck, no hip - the list is endless.
The book does a good job of portraying what's good and bad since there are good visuals and the contrast is shown by what not to wear on the left and what could be worn on the right. The readers can see the difference the clothes make in achieving the slim killer look one can achieve with their own body type.
A good read for all those with 'defects' to help them flaunt what they have best.
The book does a good job of portraying what's good and bad since there are good visuals and the contrast is shown by what not to wear on the left and what could be worn on the right. The readers can see the difference the clothes make in achieving the slim killer look one can achieve with their own body type.
A good read for all those with 'defects' to help them flaunt what they have best.
The Game Plan
Dwayne Johnson shares the screen space with Madison Pettis in this comedy about a successful football player bonding with his daughter.
Joe Kingman is a successful football player and lives the luxury which is rudely interrupted one day when Peyton shows up at his doorstep claiming to be his daughter. After showing the birth certificate, Joe and his manager refrain from doing a paternity test, since that might affect his career. Peyton claims that her mother left her under Joe's care since she had to go on a sudden mission to Africa. Over time, Joe and Peyton start to bond. But Joe catches Peyton red-handed when she blurts out she needs to return before she is found missing. Joe rushes Peyton to the hospital cause of an allergic reaction, just when he finds out from her that his ex-wife had died in a car crash 6 months ago and Peyton had decided to find out about her father herself. Since then, Peyton had been living with her aunt. While Peyton is undergoing treatment, she hears Joe and her aunt arguing about what's best for her and overhears Joe's manager mentioning that Peyton might interfere with Joe's career. Not wanting to disturb Joe's life, Peyton returns with her aunt. Not able to withstand the loss, Joe performs badly in an important match and gets injured. Peyton rushes to the stadium seeing her dad's state on TV. Joe recovers his confidence and wins the game.
An OK movie - there could have had more funny sequences between Peyton and Joe trying to live together. The ending was predictable and 'The Rock' was indeed rock-like and needs to work a bit more on his emotions.
Joe Kingman is a successful football player and lives the luxury which is rudely interrupted one day when Peyton shows up at his doorstep claiming to be his daughter. After showing the birth certificate, Joe and his manager refrain from doing a paternity test, since that might affect his career. Peyton claims that her mother left her under Joe's care since she had to go on a sudden mission to Africa. Over time, Joe and Peyton start to bond. But Joe catches Peyton red-handed when she blurts out she needs to return before she is found missing. Joe rushes Peyton to the hospital cause of an allergic reaction, just when he finds out from her that his ex-wife had died in a car crash 6 months ago and Peyton had decided to find out about her father herself. Since then, Peyton had been living with her aunt. While Peyton is undergoing treatment, she hears Joe and her aunt arguing about what's best for her and overhears Joe's manager mentioning that Peyton might interfere with Joe's career. Not wanting to disturb Joe's life, Peyton returns with her aunt. Not able to withstand the loss, Joe performs badly in an important match and gets injured. Peyton rushes to the stadium seeing her dad's state on TV. Joe recovers his confidence and wins the game.
An OK movie - there could have had more funny sequences between Peyton and Joe trying to live together. The ending was predictable and 'The Rock' was indeed rock-like and needs to work a bit more on his emotions.
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Spiderwick Chronicles
With young star Freddie Highmore, this fantasy movie is about a magical world encompassed in a book.
The Grace family - divorced mother, twins (Highmore) and a daughter - arrive at their aunt's place only to discover that there is something evil and magical about it. Jared discovers Spiderwick's book about the magical creatures and reads it despite a deathly warning. When things start going wrong and risky, he tries to convince his family about the book and the existence of the creatures. After finally convincing his siblings about the magical book and creatures, the Grace children have a responsibility to kill the Ogre to save themselves. But it is impossible without Spiderwick's help. Jared summons his pet and the three travel to see him only to discover that the 125-year old man has no powers against what is happening. Now the Grace family puts up a fierce fight against the evil and wins.
I had high expectations with Freddie Highmore in the story. But the story was almost bland and totally non-magical. The fight and relationship within the family could have been better enunciated for emotions, although Highmore's emotions in the short scenes were good to watch. The magical creatures were very well blended with the real actors, but there was a dearth of magic and the flying sequence could have been better handled. A tolerable watch.
The Grace family - divorced mother, twins (Highmore) and a daughter - arrive at their aunt's place only to discover that there is something evil and magical about it. Jared discovers Spiderwick's book about the magical creatures and reads it despite a deathly warning. When things start going wrong and risky, he tries to convince his family about the book and the existence of the creatures. After finally convincing his siblings about the magical book and creatures, the Grace children have a responsibility to kill the Ogre to save themselves. But it is impossible without Spiderwick's help. Jared summons his pet and the three travel to see him only to discover that the 125-year old man has no powers against what is happening. Now the Grace family puts up a fierce fight against the evil and wins.
I had high expectations with Freddie Highmore in the story. But the story was almost bland and totally non-magical. The fight and relationship within the family could have been better enunciated for emotions, although Highmore's emotions in the short scenes were good to watch. The magical creatures were very well blended with the real actors, but there was a dearth of magic and the flying sequence could have been better handled. A tolerable watch.
Being Cyrus
Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani, Dimple Kapadia and Naseeruddin Shah come together in this English movie about a dysfunctional family of Parsis.
Cyrus (Khan) arrives at his favourite artist's (Shah) house as an intern. He finds him absolutely aloof of family life. The location of their house is in the suburbs with access to almost nothing. Yet, Shah and his wife (Kapadia) are leading their almost-non-existent marital life amidst grumbles and groans. The wife receives many phone calls from her NRI brother and that is the only time her face sparkles with joy. Eventually she asks Cyrus to visit her father-in-law in the city. Cyrus meets her captivated FIL and foul-mouthed brother-in-law (Irani) and his young bride. Cyrus continues to meet the FIL and gaining his trust. One such day he kills him and enters the adjoining house, where the BIL and his wife live. BIL arrives, only to be killed after a tiff. Cyrus' emotions continue to narrate claiming Kapadia to have double crossed him, since she was the one to send Cyrus to kill her co-sister, but she informed BIL to kill Cyrus as well. Kapadia and Shah are held in for questioning, but Cyrus comes off clean.
The story ends of showing how the whole plot was the co-sister's, who was actually Cyrus's real sister. Both of them were abused as children and this was their way of making money. But Cyrus had enough of it and when he sees his sister spotting her next family, he leaves her.
A pretty disturbing story of betrayal, greed and love. The fact that it was forcibly taken in English in Indian surroundings was kind of annoying and the characters lost a bit of their Indian flavour and seemed fake, but other than that, it was a good psychological plot. Khan has a bit of a way to go with the heavier aspect of his character. He carries the light hearted roles better thus far, but it was interesting to see him in a different role. Irani, Kapadia and Shah were great in their respective characters, as they always were. A good time pass.
Cyrus (Khan) arrives at his favourite artist's (Shah) house as an intern. He finds him absolutely aloof of family life. The location of their house is in the suburbs with access to almost nothing. Yet, Shah and his wife (Kapadia) are leading their almost-non-existent marital life amidst grumbles and groans. The wife receives many phone calls from her NRI brother and that is the only time her face sparkles with joy. Eventually she asks Cyrus to visit her father-in-law in the city. Cyrus meets her captivated FIL and foul-mouthed brother-in-law (Irani) and his young bride. Cyrus continues to meet the FIL and gaining his trust. One such day he kills him and enters the adjoining house, where the BIL and his wife live. BIL arrives, only to be killed after a tiff. Cyrus' emotions continue to narrate claiming Kapadia to have double crossed him, since she was the one to send Cyrus to kill her co-sister, but she informed BIL to kill Cyrus as well. Kapadia and Shah are held in for questioning, but Cyrus comes off clean.
The story ends of showing how the whole plot was the co-sister's, who was actually Cyrus's real sister. Both of them were abused as children and this was their way of making money. But Cyrus had enough of it and when he sees his sister spotting her next family, he leaves her.
A pretty disturbing story of betrayal, greed and love. The fact that it was forcibly taken in English in Indian surroundings was kind of annoying and the characters lost a bit of their Indian flavour and seemed fake, but other than that, it was a good psychological plot. Khan has a bit of a way to go with the heavier aspect of his character. He carries the light hearted roles better thus far, but it was interesting to see him in a different role. Irani, Kapadia and Shah were great in their respective characters, as they always were. A good time pass.
Lawrence of Arabia
Starring Peter O'Toole in this award-winning classic tale of an Englishman in love with the Middle East.
Lawrence starts of as a happy go lucky recruit of the British administration, who tries to gets his passage into Cairo. There starts his love for the desert country. He leads an Arab group through the impassable desert terrain and wins a city for Prince Faizal. He becomes dear to the Arabs and the English see this as their victory as well. Lawrence is promoted and asked to continue his zeal. So Lawrence begins his campaign of conquering and along with him, his friend, Ali, and thousands of other Arab tribes lay claim on the loots. On one such attack, he fails, but he proceeds.
Even though he spends most of his time with the Arabs, he is singled out one day and he feels he should return to his own people. But on the bidding of his General, he continues his expedition. In the last city he conquers, he sees the Arab tribes unable to function as one and separating, leaving the city to the British. In the final scene, Lawrence is shown to be driving away morosely.
The movie gave me a similar feeling as Jodha Akbar after watching. It began and ran and ended. It was supposed to be a documentary and it was so. It was interesting to see the flow of emotions and turn of events in Lawrence's life. It was even more enriching to see his confidence in himself. Although I couldn't share his love for the desert and hot climate, I could sympathize with his need to belong where he couldn't. An interesting movie worth the watch and do be ready with lots of cushions for your seating.
Lawrence starts of as a happy go lucky recruit of the British administration, who tries to gets his passage into Cairo. There starts his love for the desert country. He leads an Arab group through the impassable desert terrain and wins a city for Prince Faizal. He becomes dear to the Arabs and the English see this as their victory as well. Lawrence is promoted and asked to continue his zeal. So Lawrence begins his campaign of conquering and along with him, his friend, Ali, and thousands of other Arab tribes lay claim on the loots. On one such attack, he fails, but he proceeds.
Even though he spends most of his time with the Arabs, he is singled out one day and he feels he should return to his own people. But on the bidding of his General, he continues his expedition. In the last city he conquers, he sees the Arab tribes unable to function as one and separating, leaving the city to the British. In the final scene, Lawrence is shown to be driving away morosely.
The movie gave me a similar feeling as Jodha Akbar after watching. It began and ran and ended. It was supposed to be a documentary and it was so. It was interesting to see the flow of emotions and turn of events in Lawrence's life. It was even more enriching to see his confidence in himself. Although I couldn't share his love for the desert and hot climate, I could sympathize with his need to belong where he couldn't. An interesting movie worth the watch and do be ready with lots of cushions for your seating.
Step Up 2 the Streets
Here's another movie that shows about a teenager much interested in dancing proving what she is worth in a different environment.
D's life changed after her mother passed away. She finds a family in the street dancers, skipping school. Her guardian has had enough and decides to send her to her aunt in Texas. Not wanting to move, D decides to give the local elite ballet school a shot. She finds new friends, but also loses her old since the extra practices take up most of her time. Her old friends don't understand as well and she joins with Chase, a popular student, to create their own street team, out of the outcasts in their school.
When the team goes to the local hangout, they are severely defeated since they aren't up to the standard. They also play pranks on D's old team, who in turn vandalize their school's practice room and injure Chase. D takes all the responsibility and is dismissed from the school.
While the school is getting ready for a fundraiser, and D's old team is all set to win the streets that night, D is packing to leave, when her school team turns up at her doorstep to ask her to join them at the streets, which she does. Eventually, the team does great, D is back at school and finds her romance.
A total chic flick; good dance, but the story line is entirely predictable and all the danced movies are set out to prove each method of dancing is cool in its own way. An OK movie with a repeated theme.
D's life changed after her mother passed away. She finds a family in the street dancers, skipping school. Her guardian has had enough and decides to send her to her aunt in Texas. Not wanting to move, D decides to give the local elite ballet school a shot. She finds new friends, but also loses her old since the extra practices take up most of her time. Her old friends don't understand as well and she joins with Chase, a popular student, to create their own street team, out of the outcasts in their school.
When the team goes to the local hangout, they are severely defeated since they aren't up to the standard. They also play pranks on D's old team, who in turn vandalize their school's practice room and injure Chase. D takes all the responsibility and is dismissed from the school.
While the school is getting ready for a fundraiser, and D's old team is all set to win the streets that night, D is packing to leave, when her school team turns up at her doorstep to ask her to join them at the streets, which she does. Eventually, the team does great, D is back at school and finds her romance.
A total chic flick; good dance, but the story line is entirely predictable and all the danced movies are set out to prove each method of dancing is cool in its own way. An OK movie with a repeated theme.
Dr Seuss Horton hears a Who!
The story is about a friendly elephant who strives to save Who-ville, a miniature world living on a speck.
Horton is a happy-go-lucky kind elephant, who teaches the kids about different things. One day, while teaching, he hears a 'who' while a speck floats around and concludes that there must be a small world on the speck. He carefully maintains the speck on a clover and confirms his suspicions when he hears Mayor Ned of Who-ville speaking to him.
Ned is overwhelmed, but finds out that any effect on the speck could be catastrophic and asks Horton to find a safe place for the speck. Horton discovers such a place and starts travelling there. Meanwhile Kangaroo, who has an unpleasant and strict disposition, finds Horton disruptive and discourages Horton. Horton refuses to give in, which angers her and she finds Vlad, an eagle to destroy the clover.
Ned, on the other hand, tries to convince the inhabitants of Who-ville about the issue, but finds no support. When Horton sleeps with the speck nearby, it ends up snowing in Who-ville. Vlad finds Horton and drops the clover into a huge clover field, which impacts Who-ville like an earthquake.
After going through 1 less than 3 million clovers, Horton finds the speck again and the Whos believe Ned after the catastrophe. Kangaroo discovers Horton still has the clover and instigates the rest of the animals in the forest against Horton. They find him and cage him and are just about to destroy the clover when Kangaroo's baby hears the Whos making a din on the speck and all ends happy.
I expected the story to be funnier and it was a disappointment. However, the story line had an interesting theme with multiple universes and people on all levels. A tolerable story.
Horton is a happy-go-lucky kind elephant, who teaches the kids about different things. One day, while teaching, he hears a 'who' while a speck floats around and concludes that there must be a small world on the speck. He carefully maintains the speck on a clover and confirms his suspicions when he hears Mayor Ned of Who-ville speaking to him.
Ned is overwhelmed, but finds out that any effect on the speck could be catastrophic and asks Horton to find a safe place for the speck. Horton discovers such a place and starts travelling there. Meanwhile Kangaroo, who has an unpleasant and strict disposition, finds Horton disruptive and discourages Horton. Horton refuses to give in, which angers her and she finds Vlad, an eagle to destroy the clover.
Ned, on the other hand, tries to convince the inhabitants of Who-ville about the issue, but finds no support. When Horton sleeps with the speck nearby, it ends up snowing in Who-ville. Vlad finds Horton and drops the clover into a huge clover field, which impacts Who-ville like an earthquake.
After going through 1 less than 3 million clovers, Horton finds the speck again and the Whos believe Ned after the catastrophe. Kangaroo discovers Horton still has the clover and instigates the rest of the animals in the forest against Horton. They find him and cage him and are just about to destroy the clover when Kangaroo's baby hears the Whos making a din on the speck and all ends happy.
I expected the story to be funnier and it was a disappointment. However, the story line had an interesting theme with multiple universes and people on all levels. A tolerable story.
Definitely, Maybe
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Rachael Weisz, Abigail Breslin and Elizabeth Banks, the movie is about the love life of a man.
The movie starts off with Maya meeting her father, Will, after a sex-ed class. She is inquisitive and persists in hearing about her divorcing parents' life. Will agrees, but changes names in the story and makes it like a mystery where Maya has to find out who her mother is.
Emily is Will's college sweetheart. Will needs to go to New York to fulfil his dream of becoming a politician. Emily sends a parcel to her friend Summer in the city. Will starts off small at the campaign office and slowly rises. He meets the copy girl at the office, April, out of work and becomes good friends with her. Meanwhile, he also opens the parcel and ends up reading Summer's diary, which contains some romantic encounters of Summer and Emily. He brings the package to Summer and meets her on and off lover, a famous writer Roth as well.
He decides to propose to Emily and April pretends to be his girlfriend so that he could practice, but ends up saying 'Definitely, Maybe' falling for the intensity of his proposition. They return to her flat. He finds multiple copies of Jane Eyre and hears about her father's fatal accident. They end up having a romantic brush, with Will rushing out regretting.
When Will proposes the next day, Emily blurts out her cheating encounter. Will is heartbroken but moves up the career ladder, over time. April travels the world and they become pen-pals. With Roth's encouragement, Will and Summer start dating, but break up when Summer ends up submitting a negative article about Will's boss.
Will becomes depressed and hates everything when Clinton is involved in the scandal and in a drunken rant asks April out and in anger blurts out that she should go to the rehab. After years, he finds out the copy of Jane Eyre that April has been looking for. When he goes to give it to her, he finds out she is dating and living with a boyfriend, and so leaves.
Will bumps into Summer at a coffee shop and she invites him to a party, where he ends up meeting his college sweetheart. Emily and Will get together again and she happens to be Maya's mother. Even though Maya figures out her mother, she realises Will is still in love with April, considering he changed both the other girls' names, but not April's. Maya encourages Will to pursue April.
Will finds April to tell her that he held on to the Jane Eyre book since that was the only thing he had of hers and the story ends with Will and Maya going to April's apartment and the lovers kissing.
An OK romantic story. It was taken differently and I expected April would have been the mother. Ryan Reynolds could have showed more emotion, but it was bearable.
The movie starts off with Maya meeting her father, Will, after a sex-ed class. She is inquisitive and persists in hearing about her divorcing parents' life. Will agrees, but changes names in the story and makes it like a mystery where Maya has to find out who her mother is.
Emily is Will's college sweetheart. Will needs to go to New York to fulfil his dream of becoming a politician. Emily sends a parcel to her friend Summer in the city. Will starts off small at the campaign office and slowly rises. He meets the copy girl at the office, April, out of work and becomes good friends with her. Meanwhile, he also opens the parcel and ends up reading Summer's diary, which contains some romantic encounters of Summer and Emily. He brings the package to Summer and meets her on and off lover, a famous writer Roth as well.
He decides to propose to Emily and April pretends to be his girlfriend so that he could practice, but ends up saying 'Definitely, Maybe' falling for the intensity of his proposition. They return to her flat. He finds multiple copies of Jane Eyre and hears about her father's fatal accident. They end up having a romantic brush, with Will rushing out regretting.
When Will proposes the next day, Emily blurts out her cheating encounter. Will is heartbroken but moves up the career ladder, over time. April travels the world and they become pen-pals. With Roth's encouragement, Will and Summer start dating, but break up when Summer ends up submitting a negative article about Will's boss.
Will becomes depressed and hates everything when Clinton is involved in the scandal and in a drunken rant asks April out and in anger blurts out that she should go to the rehab. After years, he finds out the copy of Jane Eyre that April has been looking for. When he goes to give it to her, he finds out she is dating and living with a boyfriend, and so leaves.
Will bumps into Summer at a coffee shop and she invites him to a party, where he ends up meeting his college sweetheart. Emily and Will get together again and she happens to be Maya's mother. Even though Maya figures out her mother, she realises Will is still in love with April, considering he changed both the other girls' names, but not April's. Maya encourages Will to pursue April.
Will finds April to tell her that he held on to the Jane Eyre book since that was the only thing he had of hers and the story ends with Will and Maya going to April's apartment and the lovers kissing.
An OK romantic story. It was taken differently and I expected April would have been the mother. Ryan Reynolds could have showed more emotion, but it was bearable.
August Rush
Starring Freddie Highmore in the star role, the movie is about a musical prodigy.
Evan lived all his life in an orphanage believing that his parents were very much alive and always wanting him. He refuses adoption but runs away from the home and ends up with a man called Wizard, who gives refuge to many other kids and takes money off their earnings. He discovers Evan's genius and renames him August Rush, saying his real name might lead him back to the orphanage.
Flashbacks show his parents, Lyla, a cellist, and Louis, a band member met and had a romantic encounter. Lyla's father prevents her from meeting him and leaves the city. Lyla becomes pregnant and gives birth to Evan, but her father gives up the baby and tells her that the child is dead. Louis is unable to forget Lyla. Both give up music.
After a police raid, Evan runs off to a church, where his genius is found and he is sent to a great musical school. He starts composing his own piece and the school decides to play it in a huge concert. During his rehearsal, Wizard walks in and threatens Evan to come away,s o that he could make money for himself.
Lyla finds out about her child when her sick father confides the truth. Lyla starts to look around for her son and identifies him. Louis thinks that Lyla is married when he tries to track her down. While Lyla decides to start playing again, Louis returns to his band. Lyla ends up playing Evan's piece (under August Rush's pseudonym).
Louis meets Evan in a park playing the guitar and they share some warm moments. On the night of the concert, Evan runs away and conducts his composition. Louis sees Lyla's and August Rush's names on the banners and rushes to the location to find Lyla. They stand hand in hand, as Evan's bows to the audience after the performance and understands that they are his parents.
An interesting story and Highmore had done a good job in playing the subtle silent emotions. Sometimes I felt he was underplaying the emotion of fear, but it passed quickly and he shone as the star of the movie. Even though the movie played on some high emotional sentiments, it wasn't much of a tear jerker, but created just enough warmth to enjoy and sympathize with the characters of the movie. A good movie.
Evan lived all his life in an orphanage believing that his parents were very much alive and always wanting him. He refuses adoption but runs away from the home and ends up with a man called Wizard, who gives refuge to many other kids and takes money off their earnings. He discovers Evan's genius and renames him August Rush, saying his real name might lead him back to the orphanage.
Flashbacks show his parents, Lyla, a cellist, and Louis, a band member met and had a romantic encounter. Lyla's father prevents her from meeting him and leaves the city. Lyla becomes pregnant and gives birth to Evan, but her father gives up the baby and tells her that the child is dead. Louis is unable to forget Lyla. Both give up music.
After a police raid, Evan runs off to a church, where his genius is found and he is sent to a great musical school. He starts composing his own piece and the school decides to play it in a huge concert. During his rehearsal, Wizard walks in and threatens Evan to come away,s o that he could make money for himself.
Lyla finds out about her child when her sick father confides the truth. Lyla starts to look around for her son and identifies him. Louis thinks that Lyla is married when he tries to track her down. While Lyla decides to start playing again, Louis returns to his band. Lyla ends up playing Evan's piece (under August Rush's pseudonym).
Louis meets Evan in a park playing the guitar and they share some warm moments. On the night of the concert, Evan runs away and conducts his composition. Louis sees Lyla's and August Rush's names on the banners and rushes to the location to find Lyla. They stand hand in hand, as Evan's bows to the audience after the performance and understands that they are his parents.
An interesting story and Highmore had done a good job in playing the subtle silent emotions. Sometimes I felt he was underplaying the emotion of fear, but it passed quickly and he shone as the star of the movie. Even though the movie played on some high emotional sentiments, it wasn't much of a tear jerker, but created just enough warmth to enjoy and sympathize with the characters of the movie. A good movie.
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