Movie Review: Haider

Based on Hamlet and set in modern day Kashmir,  Haider is a hard hitting movie about a son's search for his father,  missing after the Indian Army picks him up during an anti terror operation. But it's not really about the army or the insurgents,  although that thread plays strongly in the background. It's about raw human emotions, about love and betrayal, misplaced sympathies, about our greed and our mistakes, and about redemption.

Shahid and Shraddha Kapoor put in strong performances,  ably supported by Tabu and Kaykay Menon. But the real star is the screenplay and the camera work,  which evokes the poignant beauty and loneliness of this paradise on Earth, torn between politicians and separatists and the army...

Surprising to see the Indian censor board allowing such a movie,  we are really coming of age in India,  I guess!

Movie Review: Bang Bang

Jimmy Shergill walks in looking absolutely dashing in the opening scene. Hrithik can safely claim the legacy of James Bond in India, with his blonde curls,  white blood stained shirts and air brushed and enhanced body shots. Katrina looks amazing even when she puts on weight,  speaks ridiculous dialogues,  and wears clothes that seem to have been stitched for Alia Bhatt. Prague and Greece,  and exotic desert and island locations transport you to a mesmerizing world. It's a treat for the eyes. So much, that you can safely shut off the dialogues, ignore the silly and predictable plot, the blatant copy of Knight and Day, and let your eyes soak in a Swacch Duniya.

Namoste America

A decade or so after having been denied a Visa, Modi is taking over America like no other leader has ever done in the past... here he is addressing a mammoth crowd at Central Park, a couple of hours after wowing the world with his statesman-like speech at the UN GA, in Hindi! Today, he will talk at a filled-to-capacity Madison Square Garden, with thousands more watching him live at Times Square.

What a sight to behold, irrespective of one's political inclinations!

Syrian Cats

Continuing with my efforts at posting some happy and heart warming news form the world....

Breaking Bad: Beetle Mania!

Look closely! This isn't the Amazonia - this cluster of beetles were hatching on the papered wall of our living room...!

By the way, while my attempts at marco photography with my Canon and an array of macro lenses are yet to be analyzed, this particular pic was clicked on my Samsung S5

Movie Review: 3 A.M.

For the uninitiated, the movie (the Hindi flick which borrows its name from the 2001 Hollywood gig) starts off with an explanation: 3 pm was when Jesus came to Earth, so the evil spirits mockingly use 3 am to unleash their worst behavior.

MTV Roadies heart throb Rannvijay plays an avatar of himself in the movie - a reality show anchor who embarks on a new show around the paranormal after his girlfriend is found mysteriously hanging in the abandoned Rudra Mills, while researching on its haunted character. And no surprises, he decides to start right from where it all started for him - the same Rudra Mills. We are not here to trouble you, he announces, imploring the spirits of the workers who were killed in a major mill fire years ago to show themselves. But has he accounted for the dreaded Rudra, the last owner of the mill, who continues to terrorize his workers?

A good horror movie relies on atmospherics, and that's where 3 AM fails. Incessant loud chatter and (intentional?) comic situations never allow the audience to really start feeling the chill. While a couple of scenes are effective, there are too many false starts, too many acoustic pointers, and some pretty amateurish SFX. There is an element of a surprise twist towards the end, but if you are a real fan of suspense horror movies, you will guess it right from the first scene!

The female lead Anindita Nayar looks interesting, while Rannvijay continues to woo with his good looks. Salil Acharya and Kevin Dave round up the cast.

If you really had nothing to do, this is a good one to curl up with your girl friend, given how empty the theatres are likely to be!

Movie Review: Khoobsoorat

A successful physiotherapist is roped in to help a Rajasthan royal in modern day India, but her young and bubbly personality clashes with the strict disciplinary rules of the royal household. Predictably, she not only manages to cure her non-cooperative patient, but wins the love of the handsome prince and brings smiles and joy back into the palace.

A typical Disney film that leaves you with a warm & fuzzy feeling. Sonam Kapoor looks ravishing, and has a great sense of humor, and will win your heart. The Pakistani actor, Fawad Khan, will leave his fans swooning over him for a long time. Kirron Kher, Aamir Raza Hussain and Ratna Pathak Shah round up the cast, which is pretty perfect.

The songs are passable, and eminently forgettable. But the beauty of Rajasthani heritage, the royal palace and its grounds, and Sonam's wardrobe (which almost always leaves her pretty long legs out) is a treat to the eyes.

A good family gig for the weeekend.

Three Days From History

India's maiden mission to Mars, the Mangalyaan, is three days from creating history. On the 24th, when ISRO scientists fire off her engines to coax her into Mars' orbit, scientists will be hoping to succeed in the first attempt, something no other country has achieved earlier.

Just so you know,  the spacecraft is currently around 225 million km away from Earth. And at 70 million,  it cost around 1/10th of other similar spacecrafts from America.

Movie Review: Daawat-E-Ishq

A pretty, educated Hyderabadi girl and her honest father endure the humiliation of being rejected by prospective grooms repeatedly over dowry, until the girl decides to take matters in her own hands. Along with her unwilling father, she cooks up a plan to ensnare a rich, dowry-seeking groom under India's anti-dowry harassment laws, blackmailing him into parting with enough money to take care of her dreams of studying abroad.

They arrive in Lucknow as super rich Dubai-based NRIs, checking into a royal suite, and "interviewing" (with a hidden cam) prospective grooms. By a twist of fate though, she selects the heir of a rich Lucknowi kebab establishment, who wants not a single penny from her.

Will she still go ahead with her plan? Or will she simply fall in love?

DEI is a simple, honest movie about a topic that even today, results in a woman dying every 5 minutes in India. Parineeti is absolutely believable and lovable in her portrayal of the educated, helpless Gulrez Kadir, who hatches a ridiculously simple plan, and almost pulls it off. Anupam Kher, as her father, is subtle and amazing, as always. Aditya Roy Kapoor puts in a genuine attempt, and is pretty likeable too, showing a lot more spunk than I saw in his earlier movies.

While a little predictable and slow/stretched at the end, the movie totally deserves a dekko! All in all, it's a nice entertainer, with a lasting social message.

Twitter Horror

Terrifying horror stories wrapped up in two sentences or less:
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: The Maze Runner

It has shades of the hunger games. A bunch of young guys,  stranded in the middle of a strange,  dangerous and massive maze from where there seems no way out. They have spent three years there,  mapping out the maze,  but no closer to getting out. Until,  one day,  a new boy arrives,  and questions their rules. Can he lead them out,  or is he going to invite terrible consequences unto themselves?

What starts with some great promise,  soon gets stretched,  without the action really taking off. The promise is left unrealized.

And of course,  there is no Katniss to light up the dull greys.

Watchable, but not a must see!

Heavenly Sunset

From a friend's apartment...  Just so beautiful!

 

College Of Engineering, Pune

Had the chance to visit COEP yesterday to meet and interact with Mansoor Khan,  on his book, The Third Curve,  which completely changed my outlook about the way we define growth,  and the effect on consumption on resources of the earth. I heavily recommend you to read it.

 

By the way,  in case you didn't connect it,  Mansoor Khan is the same gentleman who directed blockbusters like QSQT and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander.

 

He spends most of his time now at his beautiful farmhouse in Coonoor, making cheese and tending to Mother Earth. Amazing story.

 

But coming to what I actually started this post with,  check out this absolutely beautiful building,  wonderfully restored to a glorious edifice. It was so heartening to see, and such a perfect venue for the talk.

 

Modispeak

So this Teacher's Day was very different,  right? Our very own PM hooked up with millions of kids all over the country,  sharing anecdotes and advice,  answering question and having a great time.

A lot was made out of it,  and dozens of invited experts sliced and diced it on those "intelligent" debates at prime time. The questions were planted,  they smirked. He is ignoring the plight of teachers,  others complained. The spokesman of a national party was even ignorant enough to attribute an oft-quoted saying about teaching to him.

But next day,  when I went to Crossword,  and saw half a dozen kids, including mine, with their parents,  searching for autobiographies to read, because Modi Sir had asked them to,  did the impact of this exceptional leader become crystal clear to me.

For those who missed the speech, do check it out in YT. I am sure its there. And pick up some messages we all need to pass on to ourselves,  and then our children...

Love the environment.
Help your parents save on electricity bills.
Stay clean,  don't just throw around your school bag.
See the sunrise and the moonlight.
Get sweaty at least four times a day.
Do your bit for the country by being good students.
Be naughty,  don't lose the child in you.
Read.  Read.  Read. Anything.

Hats off to you,  Modi sir!

Movie Review: Life Of Crime

Two common criminals in search of some quick money get more than they bargained for after kidnapping the wife of a rich, corrupt businessman, who has no interest in paying the million dollar ransom.

The movie is one of those types that you really need a lot of patience to enjoy.

Unless of course,  you are a fan of the eternally pretty Jennifer Aniston and my fav,  Isla Fischer.

Movie Review: Raja Natwarlal

Inspired by the legendary con artist who once sold the Taj Mahal,  RN features Emraan Hashmi, his Pakistani co-actor Humaima and the indefatigable Paresh Rawal,  pulling off a hard-to-believe con on their nemesis played by Kay Kay Menon.

Any reason you should watch it? Nopes.

Movie Review: Palo Alto

If you saw Kids in the 90s, this could very well be the story of those children just half a decade years later. While the shy striker of the college team,  April, negotiates the taboo of an affair with her single-dad football coach, who she frequently babysits for, her classmates are struggling with their own battles with alcohol, drugs and sex, quickly spiralling out of their control.

This is an R rated movie, but if you are an Emma Roberts fan,  you don't want to miss this!

Movie Review: Bad Words

If you want to get an interesting look behind the scenes of the spelling bees that're such a  rage among the Indian community in the US,  this one is for you. Nothing special,  but watchable.

Movie Review: Mary Kom

"Inspired by real life incidents" from the life of India's lady Mohammad Ali,  Mary Kom,  the movie falls below the benchmark set by Farhan's Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. Though I am not a fan of that movie, either, it did feel a lot more intense. MK,  in comparison,  is a predictable, feel good caper,  only held up by the attractive Priyanka Chopra. 

Movie Review: Gurupournima (Marathi)

There is one undeniable reason you need to watch this one. My niece Samah in a seven second appearance as the beautiful child avatar of the lead actress :)

GP is the very relatable story of what happens to a marriage and a woman's career when she gives birth to a child. The movie is predictable,  and at times,  especially at the start,  is a little amateurish in treatment. But it picks up well 20-25 mins into the story,  and is held up extremely well by the lead,  Sai Tamhankar,  in a very commendable double role,  as the stubborn,  impulsive mother Pournima,  and her bubbly,  sensitive daughter, Akanksha. The scene in which she confronts her daughter,  played by herself, will bring a tear to your eyes.

The LKP waterfront disc in Nerul, my village in Goa,  is also featured in a song sequence and appears absolutely beautiful and surreal.

Produced by friends from Goa,  the movie also features a bunch of folks I am personally acquainted with,  which makes the experience a lot more interesting to me!

Should you watch it? Yes, please :)