A very old movie, "My Cousin Vinny" is one of the simplest and yet most exciting courtroom dramas. When two city boys get arrested for murder in a small town in rural America, one of the boys calls his cousin Vinny Gambini, a "non-starter" trial lawyer who's yet to win his first case, to represent him. With a range of witnesses and experts lined up against them, the case looks hopeless. Until Vinny, in his own unique style, starts tearing up the witnesses, one by one. The drama reaches a crescendo with the deposition of his fiancee, Lisa, an "expert" in "general automobile knowledge".
Joe Pesci is fantastic as Vinny. Marisa Tomie is just so cute, especially during her deposition, you will want to watch her over and over again.
A wonderful movie, it's playing on Star Movies these days, do catch it if you can!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Movie Review: Definitely, Maybe
Another of those beautiful soft romantic movies that will leave a wierd feeling in your heart, "Definitely, Maybe" features a dad narrating a story (the story of his life and loves) to his 11 year old daughter. As the story progresses, his daughter begins to understand who really matters to her dad...
A beautiful scene in the movie is when she is going away with her mom, now separated from her dad, and asks, "but where's the happy ending to this story dad?", and he replies, "it's you".
Very nice movie, comes often on Star/HBO, do catch it!
A beautiful scene in the movie is when she is going away with her mom, now separated from her dad, and asks, "but where's the happy ending to this story dad?", and he replies, "it's you".
Very nice movie, comes often on Star/HBO, do catch it!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Movie Review: Burn After Reading
Yet another movie I missed in the theatres, but thankfully, caught up with on DVD last night.
Burn After Reading is a comedy, and a shocking tragedy, with an amazing script and some brilliant characterization. A decommissioned CIA agent is writing his memoirs, which his wife, under advice from her divorce attorney, copies along with other financial records from his computer. When the attorney's secretary loses the disk in the gym, it is picked up by two employees, who believe they have stumbled upon classified information that the Russians will die for, kicking off a sequence of events that quickly snowballs into an out of control crisis. In a world where everyone seems to be sleeping with someone else's spouse, things quickly get really complicated, finally leading to one killing, then another, then another...
The movie starts off slowly, but then really picks up towards the end leaving you stunned, and hungry for more... stay with the dialogues and the script, and you will thoroughly enjoy this one.
Oh, and yes, George Clooney fans, prepare for a bit of a disappointment, you hardly get to see his beautiful eyes and his naughty smile...
Burn After Reading is a comedy, and a shocking tragedy, with an amazing script and some brilliant characterization. A decommissioned CIA agent is writing his memoirs, which his wife, under advice from her divorce attorney, copies along with other financial records from his computer. When the attorney's secretary loses the disk in the gym, it is picked up by two employees, who believe they have stumbled upon classified information that the Russians will die for, kicking off a sequence of events that quickly snowballs into an out of control crisis. In a world where everyone seems to be sleeping with someone else's spouse, things quickly get really complicated, finally leading to one killing, then another, then another...
The movie starts off slowly, but then really picks up towards the end leaving you stunned, and hungry for more... stay with the dialogues and the script, and you will thoroughly enjoy this one.
Oh, and yes, George Clooney fans, prepare for a bit of a disappointment, you hardly get to see his beautiful eyes and his naughty smile...
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Movie Review: 2012
The Mayans apparently skipped 2012 in their calendar - because that's when the planets will align with the sun in such a way that their combined gravitational pull will melt the core of the earth, as a result, letting the crust loose, which will result in terrible earthquakes, giant tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and a near-complete annihilation of the human race.
They were apparently right.
It's 2012, and the unthinkable has happened. Will the human race survive?
The movie has some of the most amazing special effects ever seen in a disaster movie, the visuals of the giant cracks gobbling up cities will leave you stunned with the detailing and the realism.
Interestingly, the person who first figures out what is happening is a young, smart astro-physicist from India, and gets his moment of glory and praise by the Americans too! And the place where the construction of the "Arks" happen is obviously, China! :)
However, the movie loses its sheen in the second half, stretching the story far beyond the tolerable, bringing in the typical American-with-a-sudden-attack-of-ethics-and-care-for-the-human-race, the countdown to disaster, and the last second save by the hero, the clapping and cheering, and there you go - the Americans have saved the world, one more time.
At almost 3 hours, the movie could have easily been a good target for the editor's scissors.
Go watch it for the first half... once the story moves to China, you can choose to leave and get some other work done, you wouldn't have missed much!
They were apparently right.
It's 2012, and the unthinkable has happened. Will the human race survive?
The movie has some of the most amazing special effects ever seen in a disaster movie, the visuals of the giant cracks gobbling up cities will leave you stunned with the detailing and the realism.
Interestingly, the person who first figures out what is happening is a young, smart astro-physicist from India, and gets his moment of glory and praise by the Americans too! And the place where the construction of the "Arks" happen is obviously, China! :)
However, the movie loses its sheen in the second half, stretching the story far beyond the tolerable, bringing in the typical American-with-a-sudden-attack-of-ethics-and-care-for-the-human-race, the countdown to disaster, and the last second save by the hero, the clapping and cheering, and there you go - the Americans have saved the world, one more time.
At almost 3 hours, the movie could have easily been a good target for the editor's scissors.
Go watch it for the first half... once the story moves to China, you can choose to leave and get some other work done, you wouldn't have missed much!
Movie Review: The Ugly Truth
Saw this movie quite some time back, but somehow, didn't really get down to writing a review. You'll not find it in the theatres now, of course, but you'll definitely get a DVD at the rental! And it's worth it...
An adult comedy, the movie is about a talk show host (a cute looking Gerard Butler) and his beliefs that sex is all that brings together a man and a woman, and his colleague and friend (a not only cute but also pretty sexy looking Katherine Hiegl) who believes in true love and romance, which she thinks she has found in her new neighbour.
The story line is predictable, and really, immaterial, but the movie is fun, great entertainment, unless your parents and/or your kids are watching with you! :)
An adult comedy, the movie is about a talk show host (a cute looking Gerard Butler) and his beliefs that sex is all that brings together a man and a woman, and his colleague and friend (a not only cute but also pretty sexy looking Katherine Hiegl) who believes in true love and romance, which she thinks she has found in her new neighbour.
The story line is predictable, and really, immaterial, but the movie is fun, great entertainment, unless your parents and/or your kids are watching with you! :)
Spoilt Brats...?
IT has undoubtedly led a revolution in India's middle-class, enabling millions to aspire far beyond what their parents could imagine, and in turn, enabling electronic & consumer goods, construction, automobile and entertainment industries to bloom. Truly, IT has pushed India from just another third world country to the top league in the comity of nations.
However, is this a social bubble waiting to burst?
As the years have gone by, IT professionals have begun to believe that we were born special. Not that we got high salaries because of the demand supply gap, but because we were born special. We forgot we worked in air-conditioned offices, had free coffee and lunches, and got fat pay checks and bigger bonuses, while our smarter, more hard working peers in other "non-glamorous" industries slogged out for much less.
We forgot that we have a lot to learn in life. We forgot that 4 years in the industry, covered and cushioned by our managers and seniors, isn't all that life has to throw at us. We forgot that our sweet sounding American customers, who lavish praise on us today, are just being nice to us, and one mistake from our side is going to get us an equally harsh counter-reaction!
It's not uncommon for me, as a manager, to have my team members drop by asking for a change in project because "I have already spent six months on this project, and I do not see any more challenges"!! Really??!!
We want to get rich, and get rich fast! Come on, by the time I am 25, I want a BMW parked outside my bungalow by the river! No, not an apartment in a "society", I am an IT professional remember? And I have achieved so much in my professional life, a full 5 years!
What happens tomorrow if I get fired from because some other more hard working, dedicated and sincere fellow takes my job? What happens if the IT industry collapses from the heights it's enjoying today because the Chinese, or the Brazilians or the Vietnamese break the code and learn what it takes to do IT?
Who will pay my loans? Who will teach me what life is all about?
For our parents, the first 20 years of a career probably meant a lot of hardships and pain, fighting to survive, fighting to live a good life, and planning for their kids' education, a home, a car, and a good retirement where they wouldn't be dependent on their kids.
For the IT pros today, the first 5 years is about buying a coupe and a condo. Learning? What's that? I was born special!
However, is this a social bubble waiting to burst?
As the years have gone by, IT professionals have begun to believe that we were born special. Not that we got high salaries because of the demand supply gap, but because we were born special. We forgot we worked in air-conditioned offices, had free coffee and lunches, and got fat pay checks and bigger bonuses, while our smarter, more hard working peers in other "non-glamorous" industries slogged out for much less.
We forgot that we have a lot to learn in life. We forgot that 4 years in the industry, covered and cushioned by our managers and seniors, isn't all that life has to throw at us. We forgot that our sweet sounding American customers, who lavish praise on us today, are just being nice to us, and one mistake from our side is going to get us an equally harsh counter-reaction!
It's not uncommon for me, as a manager, to have my team members drop by asking for a change in project because "I have already spent six months on this project, and I do not see any more challenges"!! Really??!!
We want to get rich, and get rich fast! Come on, by the time I am 25, I want a BMW parked outside my bungalow by the river! No, not an apartment in a "society", I am an IT professional remember? And I have achieved so much in my professional life, a full 5 years!
What happens tomorrow if I get fired from because some other more hard working, dedicated and sincere fellow takes my job? What happens if the IT industry collapses from the heights it's enjoying today because the Chinese, or the Brazilians or the Vietnamese break the code and learn what it takes to do IT?
Who will pay my loans? Who will teach me what life is all about?
For our parents, the first 20 years of a career probably meant a lot of hardships and pain, fighting to survive, fighting to live a good life, and planning for their kids' education, a home, a car, and a good retirement where they wouldn't be dependent on their kids.
For the IT pros today, the first 5 years is about buying a coupe and a condo. Learning? What's that? I was born special!
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Movie Review: Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
Raj Kumar Santoshi made a brilliant movie called Andaz Apna Apna. While it was mostly slapstick comedy, Aamir and Salman were just so adorable and the movie was so hilarious, just the name brings a smile to my face even today, almost a decade and half later.
APKGK doesn't quite recreate the magic of AAA. It doesn't even get close. However, as a weekend option, with some good songs, the very lovable Ranbir Kapoor, and the as-always sweet and sexy Katrina, a cameo by Salman, and some good moments (the party, for one, the fight at the end, for another), the movie is not too bad.
A one time see, definitely not unavoidable, but no harm trying it.
APKGK doesn't quite recreate the magic of AAA. It doesn't even get close. However, as a weekend option, with some good songs, the very lovable Ranbir Kapoor, and the as-always sweet and sexy Katrina, a cameo by Salman, and some good moments (the party, for one, the fight at the end, for another), the movie is not too bad.
A one time see, definitely not unavoidable, but no harm trying it.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Movie Review: The Informant!
Mark Whitacre (another brilliant role by Matt Damn) works at ADB, a food chemicals company. And he has a problem - virus attacks are bringing down his production, and his boss wants an immediate end to the 7M USD/month loss they are facing. It was then that he reports a call from an informant - someone is sabotaging the production lines, and the informant wants 10M USD to reveal the name and help the company get back on track.
But when the FBI is brought in by the management, the calls from the mole stop. Instead, Mark tells the FBI there's a much bigger problem at ADB - an international price fixing scam.
Mark becomes a mole for the FBI, collecting key evidence to expose the scam and stop the exploitation of food consumers all over the world.
But is this really the trust? As the FBI and the lawyers unravell the scam, they come across some interesting details... is Mark telling the whole truth?
The movie is brilliantly scripted, and will keep your attention rivetted till the end. One of those movies you absolutely want to see with no distractions... and yes, enjoy the dialogues!
But when the FBI is brought in by the management, the calls from the mole stop. Instead, Mark tells the FBI there's a much bigger problem at ADB - an international price fixing scam.
Mark becomes a mole for the FBI, collecting key evidence to expose the scam and stop the exploitation of food consumers all over the world.
But is this really the trust? As the FBI and the lawyers unravell the scam, they come across some interesting details... is Mark telling the whole truth?
The movie is brilliantly scripted, and will keep your attention rivetted till the end. One of those movies you absolutely want to see with no distractions... and yes, enjoy the dialogues!
Factory Format :)
My Nokia E75 suddenly stopped messaging the other day. While resetting to factory settings worked, the problem occured again a few days later. Again, I reset to the factory settings, but this time, the messages refused to go.
Finally, I found this solution on the net: a factory format.
Remove your memory card.
Backup all your stuff.
1) Switch off the phone for 10 seconds
2) Push at the same time the following keys: Green answer button, * (star) and 3.
3) Turn on the phone while keep pressing the 3 keys in step 2. (I didn't have anyone to press the power button while my other 3 fingers were pressed so I put the phone down on a table)
The handset will show you the Nokia screen (keep the buttons pressed) and then will prompt you to select the current country for the phone, the date and the time. It's been reset.
Once done, turn you're phone off. Put your memory card back in and turn the phone on. You can then go through the tedious steps customising your phone the way it was.
Now, I have spent a lot of time doing this today, and the messaging works (!), but I just hope this is the end of the saga. Keep tuned.
Finally, I found this solution on the net: a factory format.
Remove your memory card.
Backup all your stuff.
1) Switch off the phone for 10 seconds
2) Push at the same time the following keys: Green answer button, * (star) and 3.
3) Turn on the phone while keep pressing the 3 keys in step 2. (I didn't have anyone to press the power button while my other 3 fingers were pressed so I put the phone down on a table)
The handset will show you the Nokia screen (keep the buttons pressed) and then will prompt you to select the current country for the phone, the date and the time. It's been reset.
Once done, turn you're phone off. Put your memory card back in and turn the phone on. You can then go through the tedious steps customising your phone the way it was.
Now, I have spent a lot of time doing this today, and the messaging works (!), but I just hope this is the end of the saga. Keep tuned.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Australia 3 India 2
Was a smashing game last night, chasing 351, India came oh so close but lost by 3 runs, for the second time in the in series :(
Tendlya smashed one of his career best innings of 175, but departed when India was within striking distance, attempting a Misbah shot...
2 more to go, India will find it tough to pick up their morale from here...
Tendlya smashed one of his career best innings of 175, but departed when India was within striking distance, attempting a Misbah shot...
2 more to go, India will find it tough to pick up their morale from here...
Hyderabad Blues
Am in Hyderabad right now, here for a client visit. A 30 min meeting at 215, which made me wake up at 400 am to catch a 550 am flight, and my return flight is only at 10 pm, which will hopefully get me home by 1230.
Anyway...
So, my first impressions of this city... (I was last here maybe 20 years back!)
Amazing airport at Shamshabad, a shining example of why greenfield development is so good. Spacious, clean, airy, green foyers. Luxurious AC coaches and AC radio taxis. 6-8 lane highway connecting to the city. Lots of construction, roads, bridges and buildings... gives you a feel of Dubai.
And the rocks. The city landscape is strewn with large rocks, precariously placed on top of each other by nature. Beautiful, different, interesting!
This is definitely a city of growth.
Anyway...
So, my first impressions of this city... (I was last here maybe 20 years back!)
Amazing airport at Shamshabad, a shining example of why greenfield development is so good. Spacious, clean, airy, green foyers. Luxurious AC coaches and AC radio taxis. 6-8 lane highway connecting to the city. Lots of construction, roads, bridges and buildings... gives you a feel of Dubai.
And the rocks. The city landscape is strewn with large rocks, precariously placed on top of each other by nature. Beautiful, different, interesting!
This is definitely a city of growth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
