Sunday, April 27, 2014
Pu La Deshpande Garden, Pune
We finally got the opportunity to visit the Pu La Deshpande Garden in Pune yesterday. Inspired by the Okayama Garden in Japan, this beautiful open space in Pune spread over 10 hectares was green and beautiful even on a scorching summer evening, on a day when the max temp crossed 40 degrees C! As you walk around the well-maintained paths, along lush green rolling landscape, water bodies crossed by wooden bridges, and beautiful flowering plants frequented by birds, you are suddenly aware of the changing scenery - and it's quite interesting to see how completely different the view is from different parts of the garden.
Keping off the Parvati slums on one side, a massive electricity distribution center on the other flank and a bustling arterial road on the third, this garden truly is a sanctuary.
And, in the rains, this really must be heavenly.
The PMC has done a credible job of maintaining this so well, and so clean, and ensuring that the teeming crowds stay away from the lawns and onto the paths. Benches at regular intervals provide ample space for old and young alike, to have some intimate conversations.
The only inexplicable restriction, which I found unnecessary and silly, was on photography and video shooting without priori permission. And to get permission, you got to go all the way to Sambhaji Garden on JM Road, 30 mins away. Come to think of it, though, they do allow mobile photography, so it doesn't really inconvenience the public at large, and the municipality probably makes good money from giving out permissions for larger shoots. So, yes, I guess it's fine :)
Here are some "mobile" pics from our walk in the park yesterday...
Keping off the Parvati slums on one side, a massive electricity distribution center on the other flank and a bustling arterial road on the third, this garden truly is a sanctuary.
And, in the rains, this really must be heavenly.
The PMC has done a credible job of maintaining this so well, and so clean, and ensuring that the teeming crowds stay away from the lawns and onto the paths. Benches at regular intervals provide ample space for old and young alike, to have some intimate conversations.
The only inexplicable restriction, which I found unnecessary and silly, was on photography and video shooting without priori permission. And to get permission, you got to go all the way to Sambhaji Garden on JM Road, 30 mins away. Come to think of it, though, they do allow mobile photography, so it doesn't really inconvenience the public at large, and the municipality probably makes good money from giving out permissions for larger shoots. So, yes, I guess it's fine :)
Here are some "mobile" pics from our walk in the park yesterday...
Movie Review: Brick Mansions
Detroit is crumbling, and the city has walled off a huge area of the city (the brick mansions), teeming with gangsters and the scum of the city, a place where law and police officers dread to step in. But when a nuclear device is hijacked into the brick mansions, undercover cop Damien (Walker) joins forces with ex-convict Lino (David Belle), whose girlfriend has been kidnapped by the area's drug kingpin, to stop a sinister plot to devastate the entire city.
This is Paul Walker's last "completed" movie before his shocking death, and that is probably a very good reason to catch it in the theatres. Another treat is the parkour action by its founder and chief proponent, David Belle (although YouTube will provide you a lot more excitement in that area).
This is Paul Walker's last "completed" movie before his shocking death, and that is probably a very good reason to catch it in the theatres. Another treat is the parkour action by its founder and chief proponent, David Belle (although YouTube will provide you a lot more excitement in that area).
Movie Review: Samrat And Co.
SAC starts with a tribute to Sherlock Holmes - its main protagonist, Samrat (Rajeev Khandelwal) is a true follower of the great detective (and especially the reel version, where even the opening scenes are uncannily similar - the boxing match), relying on his powers of observation and deduction (which he takes a lot of pain to explain in detail to whoever is ready to listen) to crack complex cases. Except that he has no challenging cases worth his talent. Until a pretty girl arrives at this apartment to call him to Shimla, where spooky and unexplained events are troubling her aged father. Samrat accepts the case, and things quickly turn deadly when bodies start piling up.
The story starts building up well, but the movie loses the plot quickly. An amateurish support cast including the very irritating "Dr Watson" of this desi Sherlock, "mystery codes" of the level we actually played with in our early school years, and run of the mill dialogues drag the film down, until it descends into absolute chaos towards the end.
Can be given a miss, although the guys might provide some good eye fodder for the female fans - especially in one decently choreographed fight sequence towards the end.
The story starts building up well, but the movie loses the plot quickly. An amateurish support cast including the very irritating "Dr Watson" of this desi Sherlock, "mystery codes" of the level we actually played with in our early school years, and run of the mill dialogues drag the film down, until it descends into absolute chaos towards the end.
Can be given a miss, although the guys might provide some good eye fodder for the female fans - especially in one decently choreographed fight sequence towards the end.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Movie Review: 2 States
Not a big fan of Chetan Bhagat, and I hated 3 Idiots, but 2 States gets 4 stars from me.
2 States is the story of typical Delhite Krish Malhotra and Ananya Swaminathan, from a conservative Chennai family. They meet at IIMA and fall in love. But marriage is a whole new ball game, and a la SRK in DDLJ, they take a conscious decision not to get married until their parents happily agree. But culture clashes and egos rule the roost, and things look bleaker by the day. Will Krish and Ananya's love win over the differences? Will they manage to convince their parents? Or will they lose themselves, while trying to bring their families together?
Beautiful casting, and excellent performances all around. Alia continues her terrific job from highway - although, there is no way she resembles anyone remotely Tamilian! She is cute, she dresses well, and has some pretty good lines that has the audience laughing heartily. Arjun Kapoor is one of my favs from the current lot, and does extremely well as the boy next door that we all can easily identify with. Not the typical hero, except when he puts on his dance shoes. Just the nice guy pursuing his MBA, and falling madly in love, sporting a stubble and specs. The supporting cast is even better. Ronit Roy is awesome as Arjun's angry dad, pairing Amrita Singh, who delivers a gem of a performance, while Revathi plays Alia's mom. Shivkumar, as Alia's conservative dad, is terrific.
The story is straightforward, the camera work is decent, but the dialogues and the execution are excellent. Specially in the first half. The second half starts dragging a little bit, and the family tensions start pulling the movie down. What is handled beautifully is the growth of their relationship - uncomplicated, natural and contemporary.
Some of the songs are great, and the background score is pretty cool too! Some of the Tamil songs used are fantastic, and the Tamil-Hindi medley sung by Revathi's character is beautiful and very memorable!
If I was an IIMA alumni, though, or one of the employees of Yes Bank, I am not sure I would be too thrilled at the image of my organization as portrayed in the movie. Minor point, but that's one of the reasons I hated Chetan Bhagat's Four Point Someone - it just didn't do justice to the IITs!
Should you watch the movie? Absolutely! One of the best in recent times!
2 States is the story of typical Delhite Krish Malhotra and Ananya Swaminathan, from a conservative Chennai family. They meet at IIMA and fall in love. But marriage is a whole new ball game, and a la SRK in DDLJ, they take a conscious decision not to get married until their parents happily agree. But culture clashes and egos rule the roost, and things look bleaker by the day. Will Krish and Ananya's love win over the differences? Will they manage to convince their parents? Or will they lose themselves, while trying to bring their families together?
Beautiful casting, and excellent performances all around. Alia continues her terrific job from highway - although, there is no way she resembles anyone remotely Tamilian! She is cute, she dresses well, and has some pretty good lines that has the audience laughing heartily. Arjun Kapoor is one of my favs from the current lot, and does extremely well as the boy next door that we all can easily identify with. Not the typical hero, except when he puts on his dance shoes. Just the nice guy pursuing his MBA, and falling madly in love, sporting a stubble and specs. The supporting cast is even better. Ronit Roy is awesome as Arjun's angry dad, pairing Amrita Singh, who delivers a gem of a performance, while Revathi plays Alia's mom. Shivkumar, as Alia's conservative dad, is terrific.
The story is straightforward, the camera work is decent, but the dialogues and the execution are excellent. Specially in the first half. The second half starts dragging a little bit, and the family tensions start pulling the movie down. What is handled beautifully is the growth of their relationship - uncomplicated, natural and contemporary.
Some of the songs are great, and the background score is pretty cool too! Some of the Tamil songs used are fantastic, and the Tamil-Hindi medley sung by Revathi's character is beautiful and very memorable!
If I was an IIMA alumni, though, or one of the employees of Yes Bank, I am not sure I would be too thrilled at the image of my organization as portrayed in the movie. Minor point, but that's one of the reasons I hated Chetan Bhagat's Four Point Someone - it just didn't do justice to the IITs!
Should you watch the movie? Absolutely! One of the best in recent times!
Corn Club
Question: How many different ways can you cook corn?
Answer: Around 3 dozen
Here are a few of them, at my favorite corny place, Corn Club on FC Road, Pune!!
If you go there, do try out the biryani, the corn manchow soup, the fingers, the patties, the hoorda (bhel).. maybe even the coleslaw salad and the cutlets. If you are in the mood, you might like the chat too. Sandwiches, samosas. Well, check it out for yourself!
Answer: Around 3 dozen
Here are a few of them, at my favorite corny place, Corn Club on FC Road, Pune!!
If you go there, do try out the biryani, the corn manchow soup, the fingers, the patties, the hoorda (bhel).. maybe even the coleslaw salad and the cutlets. If you are in the mood, you might like the chat too. Sandwiches, samosas. Well, check it out for yourself!
Movie Review: Transcendence
The reviews haven't been kind to Transcendence, and I guess if you don't really dig sci-fi including nanotechnology and AI and the Internet, the two hours might seen very long indeed. But, if you are crazy about Johnny Depp (and you get so little of him, you got to be crazy to go for this one just for him), and like the idea of tech-induced apocalypse, the movie does a pretty good job of tickling your spine. Add to that, some excellent camera work, and an innovative story line, and Transcendence is actually not as bad as the reviews make it out to be.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Movie Review: Lone Survivor
A team of 4 American soldiers on a recon mission are ambushed by the Taliban and fight for their lives...
LS has some of the best action I have seen recently, and you will find it very difficult to winch and feel the pain as they battle all odds to try and fight their way out.
Awesome movie....
LS has some of the best action I have seen recently, and you will find it very difficult to winch and feel the pain as they battle all odds to try and fight their way out.
Awesome movie....
Movie Review: Gravity (3D)
Somehow the idea of staring into space for 90 mins, with those heavy 3D goggles, while Sandra Bullock and George Clooney drift into nothingness, didn't seem too appealing to me - and hence, against all advice, I missed the movie when it came to the theatres.
Thankfully, sometimes I change my mind - and I picked it up from the DVD library the other day.
What a beautiful movie. Especially with 3D Blu Ray on a 56 inch TV with Bose sound, the experience is mesmerizing. Awesome photography, amazing SFX, and a touching story, all make Gravity a can't-miss affair!
And when Sandra Bullock finally drops back to Earth, after a harrowing brush with near death in space, and stands on terra firma, water dripping from her body, you can't help but look around you and thank god for this beautiful world we live in!
Thankfully, sometimes I change my mind - and I picked it up from the DVD library the other day.
What a beautiful movie. Especially with 3D Blu Ray on a 56 inch TV with Bose sound, the experience is mesmerizing. Awesome photography, amazing SFX, and a touching story, all make Gravity a can't-miss affair!
And when Sandra Bullock finally drops back to Earth, after a harrowing brush with near death in space, and stands on terra firma, water dripping from her body, you can't help but look around you and thank god for this beautiful world we live in!
And In The Spirit of Ragini MMS 2....
Some terrifying
horror stories wrapped up in two sentences or less... perfect to send your girl friend just after you say good night...
1.
I woke up to hear knocking on glass. At first, I thought it was the window until I heard it come from the mirror again.
2.
The last thing I saw was my alarm clock flashing 12:07 before she pushed her long rotting nails through my chest, her other hand muffling my screams. I sat bolt upright, relieved it was only a dream, but as I saw my alarm clock read 12:06, I heard my closet door creak open.
3.
In all of the time that I've lived alone in this house, I swear to God I've closed more doors than I've opened.
4.
A girl heard her mom yell her name from downstairs, so she got up and started to head down. As she got to the stairs, her mom pulled her into her room and said "I heard that, too."
5.
My wife woke me up last night to tell me there was an intruder in our house. She was murdered by an intruder 2 years ago.
6.
I always thought my cat had a staring problem - she always seemed fixated on my face. Until one day, when I realized that she was always looking just behind me.
7.
There's nothing like the laughter of a baby. Unless it's 1 a.m. and you're home alone.
8.
I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, "Daddy, check for monsters under my bed." I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, "Daddy, there's somebody on my bed."
9.
You get home, tired after a long day's work and ready for a relaxing night alone. You reach for the light switch, but another hand is already there.
10.
There was a picture in my phone of me sleeping. I live alone
1.
I woke up to hear knocking on glass. At first, I thought it was the window until I heard it come from the mirror again.
2.
The last thing I saw was my alarm clock flashing 12:07 before she pushed her long rotting nails through my chest, her other hand muffling my screams. I sat bolt upright, relieved it was only a dream, but as I saw my alarm clock read 12:06, I heard my closet door creak open.
3.
In all of the time that I've lived alone in this house, I swear to God I've closed more doors than I've opened.
4.
A girl heard her mom yell her name from downstairs, so she got up and started to head down. As she got to the stairs, her mom pulled her into her room and said "I heard that, too."
5.
My wife woke me up last night to tell me there was an intruder in our house. She was murdered by an intruder 2 years ago.
6.
I always thought my cat had a staring problem - she always seemed fixated on my face. Until one day, when I realized that she was always looking just behind me.
7.
There's nothing like the laughter of a baby. Unless it's 1 a.m. and you're home alone.
8.
I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, "Daddy, check for monsters under my bed." I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me quivering and whispering, "Daddy, there's somebody on my bed."
9.
You get home, tired after a long day's work and ready for a relaxing night alone. You reach for the light switch, but another hand is already there.
10.
There was a picture in my phone of me sleeping. I live alone
Movie Review: Ragini MMS 2
Horrex is what they have started calling this genre in India - a potent mix of horror and sex, and Ragini MMS 2 actually does a pretty good job of immersing you in both. Sunny Leone is not bad at all - and frankly, apart from looking pretty stunning in many scenes, even when she doesn't bare much, she is not that bad in the acting department, either. Yes, well, she won't bag a national award for this, but she does the job. And the Baby Doll song, well, it is already a winner!
Ragini MMS 1 still gets my vote though, for the stunning Kainaz Motivala (now Doctor), and a super performance by Rajkumar Rao.
Ragini MMS 1 still gets my vote though, for the stunning Kainaz Motivala (now Doctor), and a super performance by Rajkumar Rao.
Cousins
Lisa is up for sale, seen here parked beside Shweta's EcoSport - makes me want to get her back, but what's the point just leaving her to rust, parked in the garage in Nerul? :(
Movie Review: Need For Speed (3D)
If Fast and Furious is your benchmark, NFS will be a welcome jump forward. With beautiful action, amazing camera angles, awesome machines, great sound, and the best use of 3D I have ever experienced, NFS is an enriching, pulse pounding, heart throbbing 132 min drive you will remember for a long time.
Yes, the cast is nothing like the star studded line up of F&F franchise, but Imogen Poots does make some amends with her super pout :)
Don't miss this one, and hopefully, you have already caught this on the big screen!
Yes, the cast is nothing like the star studded line up of F&F franchise, but Imogen Poots does make some amends with her super pout :)
Don't miss this one, and hopefully, you have already caught this on the big screen!
Movie Review: Cold Comes The Night
A ruthless criminal takes a single mother and her kid hostage, to retrieve his money from a corrupt cop. The "suspense" lasts 91 minutes. And then almost immediately, the movie fades from your memory. Yet another of those millions of films in its genre - with nothing going for, or against.
Unless you watch it with Spanish subtitles :)
Unless you watch it with Spanish subtitles :)
Movie Review: Captain America - The Winter Soldier (3D)
Positives: Some very innovative action scenes, Scarlett Johansson
Negatives: the 3D (very heavy on the eyes), very long running time (well, you do get the chance to catch up some sleep), and an endless story that refuses to stay simple
You can avoid it!
Negatives: the 3D (very heavy on the eyes), very long running time (well, you do get the chance to catch up some sleep), and an endless story that refuses to stay simple
You can avoid it!
Movie Review: Dot The I
A beautiful girl, just before her marriage to a very rich man, falls madly in love with a jobless Brazilian actor. As their romance blossoms, the girl is torn between her husband and her passionate lover. But what seems a crazy love triangle, suddenly takes a shocking turn...
Watch the movie for the very pretty Natalia Verbeke, and a good dose of suspense, with (some predictable) twists and turns!
Watch the movie for the very pretty Natalia Verbeke, and a good dose of suspense, with (some predictable) twists and turns!
Movie Review: Oculus
A young man and his sister fight an evil force residing in an antique mirror, the same evil that resulted in the death of their parents almost a decade ago. But does it really live inside the mirror, or is it just their mind playing tricks, an in-built mechanism to help them handle the shock of the circumstances of their parents tragic death?
Oculus is different from many of the other films in the genre - there are no banging doors, no laughing children, no loud thuds. And yet, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. For most of the time.
Not bad at all!
Oculus is different from many of the other films in the genre - there are no banging doors, no laughing children, no loud thuds. And yet, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. For most of the time.
Not bad at all!
Movie Review: Main Tera Hero
Don't expect too much, and you won't be disappointed. Add to that two sizzling ladies, some good music, and smart one-liners, and what you have is pretty decent entertainment in Main Tera Hero.
I am not a big Varoon Dhawan fan, but to be frank, I quite enjoyed his performance in MTH... great sense of humor and timing, some good fight sequences, and pretty decent dance moves. With Ileana and Nargis Fakhri sizzling the screen in almost every shot, your eyes will get lots of pleasant exercise, while the jokes and spoofs allow some hearty laughs. You can also groove to Saari Raat Besharmi Ki Height, and a couple of other decent numbers.
Overall, MTH is a great option for a family weekend!
I am not a big Varoon Dhawan fan, but to be frank, I quite enjoyed his performance in MTH... great sense of humor and timing, some good fight sequences, and pretty decent dance moves. With Ileana and Nargis Fakhri sizzling the screen in almost every shot, your eyes will get lots of pleasant exercise, while the jokes and spoofs allow some hearty laughs. You can also groove to Saari Raat Besharmi Ki Height, and a couple of other decent numbers.
Overall, MTH is a great option for a family weekend!
Indian Democracy - Another Amazing Chapter Unfolds
Pune voted today along with a large part of Maharashtra, Karnataka and many other regions, as part of the amazing month long process of elections for the 2014 Lok Sabha.
And for the first time, I did too - as a voter in Pune, having got myself registered here earlier this year.
And, like I have been for the last few weeks, I want you to take a moment to think of what goes behind this amazing exercise, and feel proud that we are all part of this amazing phenomenon called Indian Democracy.
With a population of over 125 Crores, over 500 seats across 30 odd states, and with many constituencies larger than many countries of the world, it is no mean feat. Yes, parties still use religion and caste to divide voters, and money and liquor still flows, but nothing should take away our pride and wonder. Think of the fear the election commission instills in every politician, the absolute power it wields during the elections. It's absolutely no nonsense. Gone are the days when parties flouted rules, pasted posters over every wall and pole, blared slogans through loudspeakers all day and night. This time, police even searched cars on the roads for cash, video cameras in hand. Every night, parties had to file expense reports, ensuring the power of money was less of an enabling factor in the elections. Technology is playing a bigger and bigger role.. with EVMs, counting is now complete in just a matter of hours. Every voter can check his/her enrolment online, and at the voting centers, helpdesks empowered with laptops and Internet connections quickly checked your names from the election commission websites.
Social media also played a huge role in ensuring huge turnouts. Goa, for example, had almost 80% turnout, the highest in history, I would guess. While most FB and Whatspp posts and DPs showed the inked finger, the youth proudly went out to vote, making each one's priceless vote count. When I reached the booth today, it was so heartening to see young and old, rich and poor, everyone patiently lining up to partake in the amazing process of voting in the new government. Housing societies had special voter enrolment drives, and businesses offered discounts and incentives to customers who showed the inked finger.
After more than 60 years, with all our diversity and problems, being able to manage election after election, without violence, without retribution, and ensuring smooth transfer of power, in a country of our size....
Indians, take a bow!
And the rest of the world, take a lesson from the world's most amazing democracy!
And for the first time, I did too - as a voter in Pune, having got myself registered here earlier this year.
And, like I have been for the last few weeks, I want you to take a moment to think of what goes behind this amazing exercise, and feel proud that we are all part of this amazing phenomenon called Indian Democracy.
With a population of over 125 Crores, over 500 seats across 30 odd states, and with many constituencies larger than many countries of the world, it is no mean feat. Yes, parties still use religion and caste to divide voters, and money and liquor still flows, but nothing should take away our pride and wonder. Think of the fear the election commission instills in every politician, the absolute power it wields during the elections. It's absolutely no nonsense. Gone are the days when parties flouted rules, pasted posters over every wall and pole, blared slogans through loudspeakers all day and night. This time, police even searched cars on the roads for cash, video cameras in hand. Every night, parties had to file expense reports, ensuring the power of money was less of an enabling factor in the elections. Technology is playing a bigger and bigger role.. with EVMs, counting is now complete in just a matter of hours. Every voter can check his/her enrolment online, and at the voting centers, helpdesks empowered with laptops and Internet connections quickly checked your names from the election commission websites.
Social media also played a huge role in ensuring huge turnouts. Goa, for example, had almost 80% turnout, the highest in history, I would guess. While most FB and Whatspp posts and DPs showed the inked finger, the youth proudly went out to vote, making each one's priceless vote count. When I reached the booth today, it was so heartening to see young and old, rich and poor, everyone patiently lining up to partake in the amazing process of voting in the new government. Housing societies had special voter enrolment drives, and businesses offered discounts and incentives to customers who showed the inked finger.
After more than 60 years, with all our diversity and problems, being able to manage election after election, without violence, without retribution, and ensuring smooth transfer of power, in a country of our size....
Indians, take a bow!
And the rest of the world, take a lesson from the world's most amazing democracy!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Sunday, March 09, 2014
Movie Review: Ship Of Theseus
Finally, this week, I got the chance to catch this very highly rated movie, on DVD.
The theme of the movie, with three independent stories that converge at the end, is the paradox of the Ship of Theseus. According to Wikipedia, The Ship of Theseus, also known as Theseus's paradox, is a thought experiment that raises the question of whether an object which has had all its components replaced remains fundamentally the same object. The paradox is most notably recorded by Plutarch in Life of Theseus from the late 1st century. Plutarch asked whether a ship which was restored by replacing each and every one of its wooden parts, remained the same ship.
The characters in the film all undergo a transformation that raises the question - are they still the same person? Egyptian actress Aida plays a blind photographer who gets a gift of an eye transplant that allows her to see again - but destroys her photogrpahy skills. It is a brilliant performance that you will remember for a long time. Neeraj Kabi plays a monk who fights against cruelty to animal, but his resolve is severely tested when he needs a liver transplant that requires him to accept medicines that have been tested on animals, the cause he has been fighting so hard for.
The movie is technically brilliant - the camera work, the sound. Apparently, the movie was shot on a Canon DSLR!
Do watch the movie - but remember, it can be pretty heavy stuff - so make sure you are in the right mood for it!
The theme of the movie, with three independent stories that converge at the end, is the paradox of the Ship of Theseus. According to Wikipedia, The Ship of Theseus, also known as Theseus's paradox, is a thought experiment that raises the question of whether an object which has had all its components replaced remains fundamentally the same object. The paradox is most notably recorded by Plutarch in Life of Theseus from the late 1st century. Plutarch asked whether a ship which was restored by replacing each and every one of its wooden parts, remained the same ship.
The characters in the film all undergo a transformation that raises the question - are they still the same person? Egyptian actress Aida plays a blind photographer who gets a gift of an eye transplant that allows her to see again - but destroys her photogrpahy skills. It is a brilliant performance that you will remember for a long time. Neeraj Kabi plays a monk who fights against cruelty to animal, but his resolve is severely tested when he needs a liver transplant that requires him to accept medicines that have been tested on animals, the cause he has been fighting so hard for.
The movie is technically brilliant - the camera work, the sound. Apparently, the movie was shot on a Canon DSLR!
Do watch the movie - but remember, it can be pretty heavy stuff - so make sure you are in the right mood for it!
Movie Review: A Hijacking (Danish)
Polar opposite of another movie in the genre (Captain Phillips), A Hijacking deals with another real life incident in which Somali pirates board and hijack a Danish cargo ship for a ransom of 20M USD. Negotiations between the company's CEO, who refuses to let other professional negotiators take charge, and the pirates, drag for months - until the company finally pays up around 3.5M USD to end the crises.
The two hour movie feels longer than the months the sailors would have actually spent on board! After all, how much can you wait for the inevitable, especially when you know, no Navy Seals are ever gonna come to the rescue? :)
The two hour movie feels longer than the months the sailors would have actually spent on board! After all, how much can you wait for the inevitable, especially when you know, no Navy Seals are ever gonna come to the rescue? :)
Movie Review: Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks enjoys being in movies where he is stuck in one place - and this time, he chooses the American container ship, Maersk Alabama, hijacked by Somali pirates 145 miles off the coast, in 2009. From the word go, the movie is a pulsating action thriller, with the ship's crew captained by Phillips (Tom Hanks) engaged in a deadly game of wits with the desperate pirates led by the stunningly cast Muse (Barkhad Abdi), while the American navy seals prepare to end the standoff.
Giving an intimate and very real-like view of the rescue ops, stunning footage of naval ships and intense negotiation techniques, this is one movie you cannot afford to miss!
Giving an intimate and very real-like view of the rescue ops, stunning footage of naval ships and intense negotiation techniques, this is one movie you cannot afford to miss!
Movie Review: Pulling Strings (Spanish/English)
Pulling Strings is a delightful, heart warming movie about a single father's attempt to woo a pretty gringo girl working at the American Embassy in Mexico City, so that he can get a visa for himself and his young daughter, who he wishes to leave with her grandparents in the US.
After being refused a visa, luck turns in his favour when he finds her drunk at a bus stop after after a long party, and takes her home. He hides her laptop and then spends the day with her, helping her "find" it, while making sure there are enough signals being generated about his popularity as a singer, income and stability - essential for her to get convinced that he deserves a visa.
Will it finally get him a visa? Or does life have something else in store?
A light, breezy movie, with delightful Spanish songs - if you love Bollywood, you will love this one!
Oh, and yes, the pretty Laura Ramsey makes it all so much more worthwhile!
After being refused a visa, luck turns in his favour when he finds her drunk at a bus stop after after a long party, and takes her home. He hides her laptop and then spends the day with her, helping her "find" it, while making sure there are enough signals being generated about his popularity as a singer, income and stability - essential for her to get convinced that he deserves a visa.
Will it finally get him a visa? Or does life have something else in store?
A light, breezy movie, with delightful Spanish songs - if you love Bollywood, you will love this one!
Oh, and yes, the pretty Laura Ramsey makes it all so much more worthwhile!
Movie Review: Queen
I have always believed Kangana Ranaut is one of the best character actresses among her peers in Bollywood, and Queen yet again demonstrates exactly why.
The Vikas Bahl-directed Queen is a wonderful, light comedy with a powerful social message, just perfect for Women's Day. Sparkling with power packed performances, a thoroughly enjoyable script, and perfect casting, Queen is a delightful mix of English Vinglish and ZNMD. It's a coming of age story, a story of a shy, reserved Indian girl in Paris and Amsterdam, two cities that are the polar opposites of her own Rajouri, as well as a wonderful exposition of how love and friendship transcends borders and nationalities, unifying everyone in one common bond.
Let's start with the story. Kangana plays Rani, a shy, young Punjabi girl whose life and heart is broken a day before her marriage, when her fiance walks out on her. Crestfallen and dejected though she is, she decides enough is enough - and sets off on her Paris honeymoon, alone. A journey that will transform the self-pitying, scared and innocent soul into a modern, confident and proud woman.
Kangana is perfect for the role, her liberal dash of craziness, her subtle sexiness, never really seen, but always lurking around, makes her adorable. A few of her scenes are going to stay with you for a long time - fighting with the street mugger, the amazing drunk scene with Haydon which I rank as one of the best ever drunk scenes with absolutely stunning editing, the scene in which she runs to the rock show - watch her transform from the scared, shy girl to the new Rani who knows exactly what she wants. Watch her for the subtle expressions, the look in her eyes, the dialogues (many of which, by the way, have been penned by her).
The rest of the cast is also spot on. First, the stunning Lisa Haydon as her friend in Paris, who supports and drives her when she needs it most. Lisa is smoking hot, but her relationship with Rani is so beautiful and enviable. Rani's Punjabi family - again, absolutely spot on. Raj Kumar Yadav as her fiance has a small but critical role - his transformation from her suitor, to her fiance to the guy who desperately wants her back in his life is stunning, which isn't surprising as he has always been great at what he does! Rani's friends in Amsterdam, and the Italian cook she falls for - and the way their relationship build up, leaves a very warm and fuzzy feeling in your heart, and you wonder, why can't we all live like this?
While it is light and fun, it is also relentless but subtle in pointing out the gender disparity in India, and will inspire more than a few girls to stand up for themselves - and for the way it achieves this, the movie deserves an ovation. And not once does it turn preachy.
For one of the best movies in it's genre from Hollywood, huge applause from me - don't miss it this weekend!
The Vikas Bahl-directed Queen is a wonderful, light comedy with a powerful social message, just perfect for Women's Day. Sparkling with power packed performances, a thoroughly enjoyable script, and perfect casting, Queen is a delightful mix of English Vinglish and ZNMD. It's a coming of age story, a story of a shy, reserved Indian girl in Paris and Amsterdam, two cities that are the polar opposites of her own Rajouri, as well as a wonderful exposition of how love and friendship transcends borders and nationalities, unifying everyone in one common bond.
Let's start with the story. Kangana plays Rani, a shy, young Punjabi girl whose life and heart is broken a day before her marriage, when her fiance walks out on her. Crestfallen and dejected though she is, she decides enough is enough - and sets off on her Paris honeymoon, alone. A journey that will transform the self-pitying, scared and innocent soul into a modern, confident and proud woman.
Kangana is perfect for the role, her liberal dash of craziness, her subtle sexiness, never really seen, but always lurking around, makes her adorable. A few of her scenes are going to stay with you for a long time - fighting with the street mugger, the amazing drunk scene with Haydon which I rank as one of the best ever drunk scenes with absolutely stunning editing, the scene in which she runs to the rock show - watch her transform from the scared, shy girl to the new Rani who knows exactly what she wants. Watch her for the subtle expressions, the look in her eyes, the dialogues (many of which, by the way, have been penned by her).
The rest of the cast is also spot on. First, the stunning Lisa Haydon as her friend in Paris, who supports and drives her when she needs it most. Lisa is smoking hot, but her relationship with Rani is so beautiful and enviable. Rani's Punjabi family - again, absolutely spot on. Raj Kumar Yadav as her fiance has a small but critical role - his transformation from her suitor, to her fiance to the guy who desperately wants her back in his life is stunning, which isn't surprising as he has always been great at what he does! Rani's friends in Amsterdam, and the Italian cook she falls for - and the way their relationship build up, leaves a very warm and fuzzy feeling in your heart, and you wonder, why can't we all live like this?
While it is light and fun, it is also relentless but subtle in pointing out the gender disparity in India, and will inspire more than a few girls to stand up for themselves - and for the way it achieves this, the movie deserves an ovation. And not once does it turn preachy.
For one of the best movies in it's genre from Hollywood, huge applause from me - don't miss it this weekend!
My Article on Social Samosa on SMA for Digital Marketing
I recently wrote an article on Social Samosa on the need for social media analytics to look beyond statistics, which present a very limited perspective.
The Indian middle class is becoming increasingly urbanized, with regular access to opinions and trends from around the world through the Internet. There is a big opportunity and a very urgent need for marketers to engage the urban Indian on the Internet. Also, not surprisingly, with the explosive rise in mobile penetration, the rural Indian is not too far behind.
With information and reviews quickly and increasingly moving to social networks, people are now more empowered and in a better position to judge and decide. For marketing strategists, simply knowing so much more about their target audiences through their social conversations, puts them in an excellent position to develop focused campaigns that resonate with each individual – something that wasn’t possible a few years ago.
Unfortunately, most social media watchers rely on largely superficial statistical information that encourages a false sense of confidence in the marketing strategy, while denying digital marketing strategists the tools needed to dig deeper into what the social networks are desperate to reveal!
Read the whole article reproduced on my Musings blog.
The Indian middle class is becoming increasingly urbanized, with regular access to opinions and trends from around the world through the Internet. There is a big opportunity and a very urgent need for marketers to engage the urban Indian on the Internet. Also, not surprisingly, with the explosive rise in mobile penetration, the rural Indian is not too far behind.
With information and reviews quickly and increasingly moving to social networks, people are now more empowered and in a better position to judge and decide. For marketing strategists, simply knowing so much more about their target audiences through their social conversations, puts them in an excellent position to develop focused campaigns that resonate with each individual – something that wasn’t possible a few years ago.
Unfortunately, most social media watchers rely on largely superficial statistical information that encourages a false sense of confidence in the marketing strategy, while denying digital marketing strategists the tools needed to dig deeper into what the social networks are desperate to reveal!
Read the whole article reproduced on my Musings blog.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Movie Review: Highway
A young, impulsive girl is kidnapped,and finds love and freedom in captivity. Highway is not really a road movie - it's a journey about discovery, about finding your true calling.
Backed by power packed, endearing performances by Alia and Randeep, an excellent script, and some outstanding sound engineering and camera work in stunning locales, Highway will mesmerize you with the sounds and sights of dusty Haryana, the rolling fields of Punjab, and the sparkling mountain ranges of Himachal. You will laugh, you will be shocked into stunned silence, you will enjoy the breath of fresh air, the cold water on your face, and wake up to the beautiful sounds of the earth.
Alia shows she is no longer just the Student of the Year, she has matured into an actress of very high calibre - all she needs is the right script and a director who sets her free. Fear, desperation, innocence, impulsiveness, anger, sadness, confusion, ecstasy... Alia displays a range of emotions rarely seen in any single Bollywood character in a long, long time, and for most part, excels at their portrayal. Randeep is perfect as the brooding kidnapper with a golden heart. The supporting cast is also spot on.
AR Rahman's music is haunting, while the live sound adds tremendous authenticity, notching up the technical brilliance by several degrees. The sounds of crickets, the sounds of the highway, the roar of the river... for me, the sound was an equal partner in the wonderful Highway experience. The use of light and angles brings the best out of the stunning locales, and you wish you could get out of the damn seat and join them out there - in the lap of nature.
Not your standard Bollywood dish - but if you appreciate good film making, this is one movie you really need to soak into.
And while you are at it, think about your own highway moments in life...
Backed by power packed, endearing performances by Alia and Randeep, an excellent script, and some outstanding sound engineering and camera work in stunning locales, Highway will mesmerize you with the sounds and sights of dusty Haryana, the rolling fields of Punjab, and the sparkling mountain ranges of Himachal. You will laugh, you will be shocked into stunned silence, you will enjoy the breath of fresh air, the cold water on your face, and wake up to the beautiful sounds of the earth.
Alia shows she is no longer just the Student of the Year, she has matured into an actress of very high calibre - all she needs is the right script and a director who sets her free. Fear, desperation, innocence, impulsiveness, anger, sadness, confusion, ecstasy... Alia displays a range of emotions rarely seen in any single Bollywood character in a long, long time, and for most part, excels at their portrayal. Randeep is perfect as the brooding kidnapper with a golden heart. The supporting cast is also spot on.
AR Rahman's music is haunting, while the live sound adds tremendous authenticity, notching up the technical brilliance by several degrees. The sounds of crickets, the sounds of the highway, the roar of the river... for me, the sound was an equal partner in the wonderful Highway experience. The use of light and angles brings the best out of the stunning locales, and you wish you could get out of the damn seat and join them out there - in the lap of nature.
Not your standard Bollywood dish - but if you appreciate good film making, this is one movie you really need to soak into.
And while you are at it, think about your own highway moments in life...
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Gamification Myths & Reality
Here's one of my articles that recently featured on enterprise-gamification.com.
In 2011, Gartner predicted that more than 70% of global 2000 organizations would have at least one gamified application by 2014. A year later, in Nov 2012, Gartner also predicted that 80% of the current gamified applications would fail to meet their business objectives, primarily due to poor design.
Going by what we are seeing at dozens of customers we have talked to in the last 12 months, both these predictions are coming true! While there is a huge buzz among senior leadership on adoption of gamification techniques, there is also a growing disillusionment among those who jumped on to the bandwagon and deployed a plethora of leaderboards that promised to infuse efficiency and excitement in dull and boring jobs.
In an earlier article on HR Examiner, we laid out some ground rules to ensure the success of your gamification initiative. In this article, we look at three prevailing gamification myths, and get a quick reality check!
Myth & Reality #1
Myth 1: Points, badges and leaderboards encourage competition and enhance performance
Reality: Points, badges and leaderboards motivate top performers, but can have a deeply negative impact on the vast majority of “players”
Reality: Points, badges and leaderboards motivate top performers, but can have a deeply negative impact on the vast majority of “players”
An overwhelming majority of gamified applications and gamification product vendors depend on the troika of points, badges and leaderboards as a means of incentivizing performance, encouraging healthy competition, and “leveling up players” through well-meaning and well-timed signals. Designing good leaderboards is a science as well as an art, giving more players a fair chance of getting up there and getting noticed. Unfortunately, our experience has shown that even the best designed and well-meaning leaderboards incentivize only a small fraction of employees, and can have a terribly negative impact on the vast majority, and it is important for the game designer to evaluate whether the risks of turning off most “players” are worth taking.
I experienced this first hand recently (and that is what actually triggered this article!), when my daughter and I started taking Spanish lessons on a very nice, gamified language learning portal.
For the first week, we gave each other pretty serious competition, and the thrill of beating the other to the top of the “frenemies” leaderboard ensured that we really pushed ourselves, something that wouldn’t have happened without the gamification on the site. However, by the end of the week, I had stolen a march on her, primarily because she had an exam and couldn’t “play” against me for a couple of days. And while my motivation levels have stayed high ever since, being at the top of the table, I have seen a steep drop in hers, knowing it will be very difficult now for her to catch up with me.
Myth & Reality #2
Myth 2: Gamification is simple – assign points and badges, and you are done!
Reality: The real challenge and benefit of gamification is in providing an alternate mechanism and mapping of boring and difficult tasks into a gamified, virtual world
Reality: The real challenge and benefit of gamification is in providing an alternate mechanism and mapping of boring and difficult tasks into a gamified, virtual world
While points and badges have provided social recognition and motivation to millions of users through gamified applications, their novelty is quickly rubbing off, and users are getting points fatigue. Unless the points and badges lead to real career growth and monetary rewards, unless the points dovetail into appraisal systems and find their way into promotion recommendations, employees realize they are nothing more than Monopoly dollars – a lot of fun, until it’s time to pay the bills in the mailbox!
The real benefit of gamification will be seen when gamification vendors start taking business problems and mapping them to game play, increasing trainability, effectiveness and results of core business-related actions and decisions through game play.
Consider an application that maps the process of short-listing opportunities in a CRM database to a game of fishing. How easy and intuitive it is to decide whether you want to catch a goldfish (an account that will be a showcase for your product, but may not bring in too much revenues), or a salmon (a decent sized opportunity that is fairly easy to net), when you need to have some quick food for dinner (the quarterly revenue targets need to be met)! And, if you are a novice, would you really go for the whale (the really big, fat opportunity that will need some serious work and skills to bag!)?
This is where gamification can revolutionize the way we think and work. Mapping complex business problems and decision making to an alternate environment enables our brain to think and decide instinctively, and the game takes over the complexity of doing an appropriate mapping.
Myth & Reality #3
Myth 3: Gamification increases participation and productivity of employees in boring, mechanical tasks
Reality: Gamification is an excellent mechanism to improve engagement around tasks and workflows that are necessary as part of the job responsibilities, but fails to visibly increase adoption of non-essential initiatives
Reality: Gamification is an excellent mechanism to improve engagement around tasks and workflows that are necessary as part of the job responsibilities, but fails to visibly increase adoption of non-essential initiatives
Like any other game, any application that is gamified will interest users for a while, but as soon as the novelty rubs off, participation drops rapidly. Unless the “game” is continually refreshed and users see new challenges and experiences, it will be very difficult to sustain involvement and interest. We have seen many well-meaning initiatives around knowledge sharing and community learning come to naught a few months after being launched with much fanfare using gamified apps, simply because, fundamentally, employees did not see the core activity as being central to their job responsibilities, and no effort was made to make them feel so.
However, this does not mean gamification is useless. In situations where a workflow or activity is necessary anyway, gamification can have a positive impact. At Persistent Systems, a, IT services company with 7500 employees across the world,eMee’s gamified appraisal system has been in use for almost 4 years now. Game elements like virtual gifts and avatars provide employees with a platform to showcase their skills, achievements and contributions while "living" their virtual lives. Employee appraisal, which was time-consuming and took two to four weeks to complete at the end of every year, has now morphed into a continuous assessment and mentoring activity, taking inputs from each employee's avatar and their position in the "game". This has resulted in saving the company thousands of productive hours every year, while ensuring timely feedback and corrective action in cases of low performance.
Wrapping Up
Gamification holds tremendous promise in fundamentally changing the way enterprises and brands engage with key take holders and audiences, but an over-simplified engagement strategy focusing only on points, badges and leaderboards, can do tremendous harm to the organization. Points and badges can be the fundamental building blocks, but we need to look very carefully at their impact on the motivation and psyche of the vast majority of the employees. The advantages may not be worth the risks!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Movie Review: Instructions Not Included (Mexican/Spanish)
INI is a touching Mexican movie (in Spanish, but also available in English audio) about a serial bed hopper who suddenly gets saddled with a baby girl, by one of his ex-conquests, who dumps the baby in his hands and disappears.
Forced to take care of the baby, and now madly in love with her, the father migrates to the US, and takes the job of a stunt man. His daring acts pays him enough to shower all his love and attention on his baby, who grows up to being 6 years old. All this while, he hides the real story of her mother from her, creating a fantasy web where her mother "writes" to her every week, about her "missions to save the world".
Then, at a doctor's appointment one day, the doctor shakes his head and gives the bad news. The treatment isn't working and you have only a few days left.
Desperate and scared of losing the wonderful life he has painstakingly built up, life takes another dramatic twist when the mom calls up, and comes over to visit her daughter, who she hasn't seen in years. As the mother-daughter relationship builds up, she returns to New York to her gay partner, promising to come back soon - and instead kicks off a custody battle with the father, discrediting him for his risky job and inability to speak English. While she loses the battle, she then pulls out her ace - a paternity test, which comes negative. But when she comes to take her daughter away, she realizes both dad and daughter have flown the nest - back to Mexico.
And that's when she (and you) come to know the truth. The girl, with a hole in her heart, has just a few days left to live.
A beautiful, though painful, ending, some great dad-daughter moments, an awesome cast, and a poignantly humorous story make this a very beautiful movie.
Movie Review: Ek Cup Chaha (Marathi)
I have realized that Doordarshan shows some really nice movies at night - and Ek Cup Chaha was one such gem.
Set in contemporary Konkan, ECC is a story of an honest ST conductor who gets an enormous electricity bill and feels helpless against the corrupt government machinery, until a lady activist introduces him to the power of RTI, and uses it effectively to empower him to fight the injustice.
Wonderfully scripted, with an excellent nameless cast, the movie was quite enjoyable, even though a lot of the script seemed written by one of the well meaning babus in the social welfare department!
Set in contemporary Konkan, ECC is a story of an honest ST conductor who gets an enormous electricity bill and feels helpless against the corrupt government machinery, until a lady activist introduces him to the power of RTI, and uses it effectively to empower him to fight the injustice.
Wonderfully scripted, with an excellent nameless cast, the movie was quite enjoyable, even though a lot of the script seemed written by one of the well meaning babus in the social welfare department!
Movie Review: Gunday
2 impressionable boys escape from the clutches of the Bangladeshi army in the aftermath of the 1971 war, and grow up to be the biggest "gunday" of Calcutta. Their thicker-than-blood relationship is tested to the limit when they both fall in love with the same girl, and with a no-nonsense police officer on their tail, it looks like their game is finally over. Or is it?
The movie starts off with some great cinematography, and shows promise in the action scenes, but as soon as Priyanka makes an entry, the story meanders aimlessly. While Arjun Kapoor puts in a decent performance, and Irrfan Khan sizzzles in his police officer role, Ranveer quickly melts into his now-increasingly-arrogant and girlish/pansy character protrayal, and the movie quickly deteriorates into an endless orgy of liberally oiled and shaved male torsos, with an added dash of coal and grime. Not to forget some excellent candidate footage for dandruff shampoos.
I have heard mixed reviews from critics, but as far as I am concerned, this movie was a disappointment :(
The movie starts off with some great cinematography, and shows promise in the action scenes, but as soon as Priyanka makes an entry, the story meanders aimlessly. While Arjun Kapoor puts in a decent performance, and Irrfan Khan sizzzles in his police officer role, Ranveer quickly melts into his now-increasingly-arrogant and girlish/pansy character protrayal, and the movie quickly deteriorates into an endless orgy of liberally oiled and shaved male torsos, with an added dash of coal and grime. Not to forget some excellent candidate footage for dandruff shampoos.
I have heard mixed reviews from critics, but as far as I am concerned, this movie was a disappointment :(
PCMC's Double Decker Flyover
Pune-PCMC's first double decker flyover was inaugurated yesterday by Ajit Pawar, just a couple of hours before I had the pleasure of driving over it. Two massive decks, including BRT lanes and footpaths, cross the old Pune-Mumbai highway, then the railway tracks and finally the Pavana River, connecting Nashik Road to Wakad and Aundh, opening onto a impressive 10 lane road, flowing gently through spanking new constructions on both sides.
Meanwhile, for traffic headed from Pune to Nashik, the double decker arm rises gently, over the old highway, and then the two parallel Nashik - Wakad decks, and curves to the right, joining the Nashik road.
Here are some pics, some from my own phone and some from newspaper reports...
Meanwhile, for traffic headed from Pune to Nashik, the double decker arm rises gently, over the old highway, and then the two parallel Nashik - Wakad decks, and curves to the right, joining the Nashik road.
Here are some pics, some from my own phone and some from newspaper reports...
Monday, February 10, 2014
Real or Unreal
This was clicked in my garden in Goa - can you guess which of these are real, and which is the odd one out? :)
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Movie Review: Hasee Toh Phasee
The movie should have been named, Gayee Toh Phasee. A story that is predictable from the first five mins, with over the top, loud performances. Meaningless sub-plots and "comic scenes" stretching endlessly and randomly - from the "laugh riot" investigation of the stolen necklace to the "touching" susu in the saree scene, that is ridiculous to say the least. A sound track that is eminently forgettable and listless - including the opening credits, the marriage songs and a background sequence sometime in the first half. There is nothing nuanced about the movie, including the forced smooch at the end.
Parineeti makes an attempt at portraying something different, but it is pretty one dimensional and repetitive, and doesn't impress. Siddharth carries on being Student of the Year, and has less to do than his red Pajero. Adah Sharma wows in the opening scene, and is pretty in a couple of scenes, but quickly loses the plot.
Overall, very hard to imagine this is the same stable that gave us such classics with the King Khan!
The Ecosport Titanium Review
So here's my first impressions about the sexy new Ford Ecosport Titanium, 1000 cc Petrol, after around 40-50 kms in the city and village roads, over 24 hours.
Looks: Absolutely stunning, especially in this Mass Red color, the stance makes it look like an aggressive prowling cat, and the big grille in front makes it almost menacing, ensuring you get the right of way in traffic, unless you try and take on an Endeavour :) I love the spare tire mount on the back door, and the curves and trims.
Drive Experience: Like a true Ford, this is a lot of fun to drive. Extremely responsive, with an excellent view from the driver's seat. It's compact SUV character makes it reliable and confident, yet extremely nimble, like a cat, unlike its bigger cousin, the Endy, which is usually like a lumbering elephant. At 1000 cc, though, when you need sudden acceleration or when you take a big slope fully loaded, an additional 300 cc would have been awesome. Also, at low speeds in 3rd gear, the car comes close to stalling, which might be a problem for first time drivers in bumper to bumper city traffic. Also, like with all other Fords, the responsiveness and driveability comes at the cost of slightly tougher suspension, and you can feel every pimple on the road.
Interiors and Comfort: Given its compact dimensions from the outside, it's surprising how spacious it is from inside, with sufficient leg room and ample shoulder space. There is also lots of storage space for your bottles and cups, and even a box for your gym shoes under the passenger seat. The rear seats can be split 1-2, and fold all the way against the front seats, giving humongous boot space if needed.
Lots of nifty features, too. A sweetly swiveling holder for your shades, an extra 12V outlet for the rear seats, light under the passenger sun shade, and a boot door that opens smoothly at the touch of a button on the door handle.
The steering includes audio and phone controls, and Microsoft Sync, although it takes a little getting used to, is delightful, especially when you can read messages and call people on your address book by just speaking out the commands. The central console has a full key pad, which means you can also dial numbers and even type messages, directly from the car, while your phone can remain safely ensconced in your purse! The car also provides lots of information - from which door is open, to the temperature outside, to the distance left to next refill of the fuel tank, as well as calculating your fuel efficiency and giving you an indication of what is the best way to drive for max efficiency.
And the key is nifty, too. A compact door lock/unlock, with a button that pops out the key, like one of those cool mawali knives, LOL... could come pretty handy, I think!
And one thing that typifies the thinking that's gone behind this car - check the "chasis number" displayed just behind the windscreen - along with the blue oval - just amazing!
Overall, the Ecosport gets a big thumbs up from me! Now if you are salivating and want to own one, the bad news is - you will have to wait at least 6-9 months before Ford can clear all the backlog, and get you one.
Looks: Absolutely stunning, especially in this Mass Red color, the stance makes it look like an aggressive prowling cat, and the big grille in front makes it almost menacing, ensuring you get the right of way in traffic, unless you try and take on an Endeavour :) I love the spare tire mount on the back door, and the curves and trims.
Drive Experience: Like a true Ford, this is a lot of fun to drive. Extremely responsive, with an excellent view from the driver's seat. It's compact SUV character makes it reliable and confident, yet extremely nimble, like a cat, unlike its bigger cousin, the Endy, which is usually like a lumbering elephant. At 1000 cc, though, when you need sudden acceleration or when you take a big slope fully loaded, an additional 300 cc would have been awesome. Also, at low speeds in 3rd gear, the car comes close to stalling, which might be a problem for first time drivers in bumper to bumper city traffic. Also, like with all other Fords, the responsiveness and driveability comes at the cost of slightly tougher suspension, and you can feel every pimple on the road.
Interiors and Comfort: Given its compact dimensions from the outside, it's surprising how spacious it is from inside, with sufficient leg room and ample shoulder space. There is also lots of storage space for your bottles and cups, and even a box for your gym shoes under the passenger seat. The rear seats can be split 1-2, and fold all the way against the front seats, giving humongous boot space if needed.
Lots of nifty features, too. A sweetly swiveling holder for your shades, an extra 12V outlet for the rear seats, light under the passenger sun shade, and a boot door that opens smoothly at the touch of a button on the door handle.
The steering includes audio and phone controls, and Microsoft Sync, although it takes a little getting used to, is delightful, especially when you can read messages and call people on your address book by just speaking out the commands. The central console has a full key pad, which means you can also dial numbers and even type messages, directly from the car, while your phone can remain safely ensconced in your purse! The car also provides lots of information - from which door is open, to the temperature outside, to the distance left to next refill of the fuel tank, as well as calculating your fuel efficiency and giving you an indication of what is the best way to drive for max efficiency.
And the key is nifty, too. A compact door lock/unlock, with a button that pops out the key, like one of those cool mawali knives, LOL... could come pretty handy, I think!
And one thing that typifies the thinking that's gone behind this car - check the "chasis number" displayed just behind the windscreen - along with the blue oval - just amazing!
Overall, the Ecosport gets a big thumbs up from me! Now if you are salivating and want to own one, the bad news is - you will have to wait at least 6-9 months before Ford can clear all the backlog, and get you one.
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Mumbai Monorail - And The Spirit Of The People
A colleague and I went to Mumbai earlier last week, hoping to catch a ride on the monorail. We were just a moment too late - the gates had closed, we were too late to catch the last ride.
At the gate, the crowd was swelling, most joyriders like ourselves. And one man was arguing with the security men at the gate, asking to be let in - apparently, his family had got through, and he needed to be with them. Sir, if we let you in, everyone else will want to come in, the security guard tried to reason with him. But he was adamant; he wanted to be let in.
What happened next, was heart warming!
First, a couple of folks in the crowd - ordinary Mumbaikars - admonished the man for arguing with security - they are doing their job, why are you being so rude to them, they asked. And then, everyone in the crowd requested the security guards to open the gate for him - promising them that no one else would insist on a similar privilege.
The security guy opened the gate, the lone ranger ran up the steps to his waiting family, and everyone dispersed.
I am pretty sure, this can happen only in Mumbai. Salute to the spirit of the people of this beautiful city!
At the gate, the crowd was swelling, most joyriders like ourselves. And one man was arguing with the security men at the gate, asking to be let in - apparently, his family had got through, and he needed to be with them. Sir, if we let you in, everyone else will want to come in, the security guard tried to reason with him. But he was adamant; he wanted to be let in.
What happened next, was heart warming!
First, a couple of folks in the crowd - ordinary Mumbaikars - admonished the man for arguing with security - they are doing their job, why are you being so rude to them, they asked. And then, everyone in the crowd requested the security guards to open the gate for him - promising them that no one else would insist on a similar privilege.
The security guy opened the gate, the lone ranger ran up the steps to his waiting family, and everyone dispersed.
I am pretty sure, this can happen only in Mumbai. Salute to the spirit of the people of this beautiful city!
Movie Review: Collision
Collision is the story of a bunch of strangers who are brought together in trying circumstances in the middle of the Moroccan desert, with a common goal - to survive - after a deadly accident. A sultry wife, her newly married husband and her lover, a baby, a kidnapper, a smuggler... as the story unravels, the plot gets thicker.
The accident is shot beautifully, but otherwise, there isn't too much to hold your attention. Unless, of course, like me, you were trying to learn Spanish through the subtitles.
The accident is shot beautifully, but otherwise, there isn't too much to hold your attention. Unless, of course, like me, you were trying to learn Spanish through the subtitles.
Tom & Jerry in Real Life!
So here's a believe it or not story...
Came home the other day from work, and noticed my cat sitting on the staircase landing, playing with something... and turns out, it was a tiny mouse, the size of a "real mouse" - yes, the computer variety real thing :)
Not wanting it to be killed by the cat, I shooed away Catrina inside the house, and tried to coax the mouse to escape quickly - but it was tightly hunched over, and I let it be, hoping it was still alive to run away.
A few mins later, there was a noise by the door - and there he was, our Jerry, desperately trying to find some way into our home, having somehow squeezed between the security door and the inner door. And our Tom was pleading with me to let him in!
Anyway, I closed the doors, and thinking the mouse was really sick and hurt, tried to give it some water to drink, but it finally scurried away.
But that was just the beginning of their affair.
The next evening, he was back - somehow having managed to get inside, playing with Catrina all over our sofas! The ladies, of course, were too scared to do anything, and by the time I came home from office, he had disappeared.
Imagine my surprise, when a few mins later, I walked into my daughter's bedroom to find Jerry exploring every nook and corner, while our Tom stood by admiringly, following it, protecting it from me!
Took all my tact and threats to cajole Jerry into a bucket, and escort him to the ground floor... putting an end to their budding romance!
Well, or so I hope!
Came home the other day from work, and noticed my cat sitting on the staircase landing, playing with something... and turns out, it was a tiny mouse, the size of a "real mouse" - yes, the computer variety real thing :)
Not wanting it to be killed by the cat, I shooed away Catrina inside the house, and tried to coax the mouse to escape quickly - but it was tightly hunched over, and I let it be, hoping it was still alive to run away.
A few mins later, there was a noise by the door - and there he was, our Jerry, desperately trying to find some way into our home, having somehow squeezed between the security door and the inner door. And our Tom was pleading with me to let him in!
Anyway, I closed the doors, and thinking the mouse was really sick and hurt, tried to give it some water to drink, but it finally scurried away.
But that was just the beginning of their affair.
The next evening, he was back - somehow having managed to get inside, playing with Catrina all over our sofas! The ladies, of course, were too scared to do anything, and by the time I came home from office, he had disappeared.
Imagine my surprise, when a few mins later, I walked into my daughter's bedroom to find Jerry exploring every nook and corner, while our Tom stood by admiringly, following it, protecting it from me!
Took all my tact and threats to cajole Jerry into a bucket, and escort him to the ground floor... putting an end to their budding romance!
Well, or so I hope!
Our New EcoSport
And my sister's sexy, new EcoSport - what a rush she gives, the awesome Ford growl, an amazing stance, and the wonderfully innovative and effective Microsoft Sync, literally allowing you to talk to the car while you drive...
Happy Birthday, Madhosh!
Madhosh, my loyal bike celebrated her 20th birthday yesterday - and here she is, sparkling new, and raring to go, as usual... notice the sparkling alloys, all originals! And in the rust-friendly salty and humid weather of Goa, this is no mean feat. Over 62,000 Kms...
So many lovely memories, so many amazing moments we have shared... in Goa for 4 years, then in Pune for over a decade and now back again in Goa for the last 3-4...
So many lovely memories, so many amazing moments we have shared... in Goa for 4 years, then in Pune for over a decade and now back again in Goa for the last 3-4...
Saturday, February 01, 2014
Movie Review: Dedh Ishqiya
My Ishqiya review mentioned great performances and hummable songs. Dedh Ishqiya, unfortunately, doesn't match up. Too much of the gloomy atmosphere, too much Madhuri on the dance floor, too much shayari, and a story that meanders along, never really taking off. A few amazing locales, especially the havelis, but there is only so much you can take of that, when there isn't much else to back it up.
Movie Review: Rush
Rush is the wonderfully inspiring story of Ferrari's F1 superchamp, Niki Lauda, whose intense competition with British James Hunt scorched the tracks in the late 70s. After being involved in a terrible accident mid season, in a race Niki had tried to get called off due to bad weather conditions, Niki fights back the scars and the fears, drawing inspiration from watching his rival win race after race and claw back into the lead.
In the final race of the season, in Japan, Niki pulls out, unwilling to put his life in danger again, and watches Hunt chase the world championship, needing to finish just 3rd to take a 1 point march over Niki.
Will Niki's pull out cost him the championship, or will it be a dream end to what could have been a terrible season?
Fantastic performances, and some great racing - this is so totally a movie not to be missed - whether you love F1 or not!
In the final race of the season, in Japan, Niki pulls out, unwilling to put his life in danger again, and watches Hunt chase the world championship, needing to finish just 3rd to take a 1 point march over Niki.
Will Niki's pull out cost him the championship, or will it be a dream end to what could have been a terrible season?
Fantastic performances, and some great racing - this is so totally a movie not to be missed - whether you love F1 or not!
Mumbai Monorail
My daughter still fondly remembers the "mororail" in Seattle - almost eight years back, when the driver had taken her in his lap and allowed her to hoot and "drive" the train. Now, we have our very own in Mumbai!
Can't wait to check it out!
Can't wait to check it out!
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| Pic courtesy: Times Of India |
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