My first film festival! MAMI 2016

A twitter handle I follow was discussing privilege today, a concept I spend a lot of time thinking about. So its apt to write about a film festival from a point of view of privilege. Its a privilege, that I live in a world where films are accessible to enthusiasts and I got to attend one such festival in Mumbai recently.

An admirer of the core team of Mumbai International Film Festival, I always wanted to attend it. I casually asked KT if she would like to attend it and just like that we booked our passes almost a month ago. The schedule got out more than 2 weeks before the festival. With pen, paper and google maps in front of us, we started chalking out a plan to maximize watching movies and minimize travel time. The good part was the festival movies were being screened at 5-6 theaters (most of them PVRs). Since we were interested only in movies and not other stuff like sessions, interviews, panel discussions etc, it made planning easier. We had short listed 7-8 movies before the schedule came out, that we wanted to watch, so we kept on revolving around those choices. Unfortunately some of our short listed movies were not at the locations we wanted or were not being screened till day 4. (I was going to attend it only for 3 days, because work and the fact that I live in Pune and cannot ditch office for so many days! :-( ) Still, we managed to chalk out a pretty good plan for the 3 days. Every day the online pre-bookings would open at 8 am for the next day so that you could pre register for a film and get a guaranteed seat. On day 0 and day 1 there were some glitches with Bookmyshow, but we nevertheless managed to get tickets for all the movies we wanted to watch. Walk-ins were also allowed based on availability, if you showed up directly at the theater.
Without going into much background I'll dive straight into what we watched and my views on what I felt of the movie.

Death in the Gunj
Trivia (you can skip) - It was the opening film of the festival. The screening was at Regal, Colaba. Its a mecca for old cinephiles cos of its charm and 'town feels'. The show was to start at 7 pm. We reached well in advance to collect our MAMI pass/id, but decided to grab a bite at a cafe nearby. The rules were simple - if you had pre-registered, you were supposed to report 15 mins in advance and stand in queue. By the time we got back from the cafe, the queue had circled to the back of the theater. So, many people had pre-registered! We got in line only to find out that the show was not going to start before 7.30 pm. Being the opening film, the entire crew was going to show up so there was going to be red carpet entry. We patiently waited and after all security checks got inside Regal by 8 pm. Its the most well behaved and polite crowd I had seen in a long time. No raised voices, angry rants, only patient waiting till we were showed inside. The cast and crew arrived by 8.30 and a brief thank you and introductions from Konkona Sen Sharma (the director) the show finally began! I was sitting in the theater with the entire cast and crew of the movie for a movie screening, a first for me! It felt kind of unreal. Another thing I observed was no one bothered anyone from the cast and crew before or after the show. The festival crowd is my idea of random people I want to watch movies with on a regular basis (as weird as it sounds).
My views on the film - It's a good debut movie. It's clean, belongs in good hands and has a heart, most times in right place. But the writing to me felt under developed. I could not feel anything for any characters. Few characters were straight uni-dimensional. The casting, acting, background score, relationship between tani and shutu worked really well for me! Sadly nothing remained with me once the movie was over. I guess that's what I was hoping for. But its worth a watch.

Neruda
Trivia (you can skip) - We watched it on day 2 at Regal. It was a 3.15 pm show, where we reached once again before time. This time there was a very short queue so we got great seats at the balcony. Regal's seating capacity is 1100+ and they also had seats reserved for Regal royalty, the press and gold members. Despite that we got good seats. Win! 
Pro tip - no need to pre-book tickets for a show at Regal.
The show started at sharp 3.15 pm. I know it sounds sacrilegious, but I dozed off for a minute during the movie, because of the accumulated tiredness from the night before (had reached home at 2 am after watching Gunj).
My views on the movie -  Neruda is a story about an imbecilic policeman in search of Neruda who is on the run and in hiding. It is a must watch. Its surrealistic storytelling works because of the flawless editing. At some point you are not sure if you are a character in a book or real. At least I felt so. There is a particularly stunning scene where a performer talks about his meeting with the famed Neruda. If it does not move you let me know. And if you dig Spanish language and the accent like I do, you'll enjoy it even more. A lot of people I follow on twitter are saying that this movie may win an Academy award or two. Reason enough ?

Lo and Behold - Reveries of a connected world
Trivia (you can skip) - It was scheduled on day 2 at PVR ECX at 8.30 pm. After a change of local trains from Regal, and ricksaw ride later we were at the Citi mall. We decided to grab a quick dinner at the food court at the adjacent Infinity mall (the PVR at infinity was also another screening location btw). We got back to ECX by 8.15 and were met by a long queue outside the auditorium. KT decided to go and ask at the entrance what this queue was about and the volunteer told us that it was for walk-ins and the pre-registered folks were already inside! We tried to explain her that we did not realize there were 2 lines so would she let us go. But she stood by the rule and asked us to get back in the walk in line. I am always impressed when people follow rules to make things fair for everyone. Fortunately we got in and found really good seats (again!). Our neighbor was also chatty and we exchanged quite a trivia and reccos before the movie began.
My views on the movie - It was a documentary by Wener Herzog. And it worked for me. Aside from the fact that I work in software technology, as an active user of the internet, I often wonder about what this all means. It explores all aspects of the web, reminiscing how it came into being, where its going, whether we got it right, what the future will be like, will it work on Mars etc etc. Herzog's voice is so haunting that it made some of the topics it focused on quite think-time worthy.

Elle
Trivia (you can skip) - It was our first movie for day 3, scheduled at 10 am at PVR ECX. We made it to ECX by 9.45 am only to find long security check queue at the entrance. We heaved a sigh of relief, as they let us use our pre-booking privilege despite the walk-in line. Also, ran into Varun Grover at the security check. Fangirl win! The movie started at sharp 10 am.
My views on the movie - Without going into any details, its a movie about rape. Elle was twisted and brilliant. It took down all my standard notions around the topic and trashed them. The script, director and the protagonist just refused to treat 'Michele/Elle' as the victim. Also, Isabelle Huppert deserves many a nominations and subsequently awards for her matter of fact yet bold portrayal of Michele. They have created a character which cannot be deconstructed without giving oneself a headache. Great writing, great direction. I just cannot stop thinking about the movie.

The salesman
Trivia (you can skip) - My last movie of the festival. It was a 5.15 pm show at Regal. After Elle, we grabbed a lazy lunch at a thali place and kept on discussing the movie. Why did she do this, why did he do this, what was that, what was this, so on and on. We reached Colaba well in advance so did some roadside shopping to take our minds off Elle. Again grabbed some great balcony seats at Regal.
My views on the movie - It's classic Asghar Farhadi. Finding conflict in urban lives and stretching regular people to their limits. Arthur Miller's 'death of a salesman' is the central theme of the movie. The lead pair of the movie play the salesman and his wife in the movie. How a change of house, brings about a drastic shift in their relationship, is what the movie focuses on. There are moments of great tension and empathy and you just want to make everything work for everyone. This is a movie of how than what. I also felt the movie really was about an old man (who is a salesman in the film). Another great watch from the master.

I also wanted to watch certain women, endless poetry, after the storm, my life as zucchini and red turtle at the festival. (this list is making me exceptionally sad btw) But could not because regular work life calling me and I needed to return to Pune. May be next year I'll plan a pilgrimage to Mumbai for the 7 days of the festival. Until next year then ?

In Brugge

Part 1 and Part 2 in case you are interested.

'Maybe that's what hell is, the entire rest of eternity spent in fucking Bruges.' - Stupid grumpy Ray from In Bruges (the movie).

Of course, for me replace hell by a good idea of heaven, please! I am like the good old romantic Ken from the movie who wants history, culture and a good time to be able to call it a good day. Good life even. When I watched the movie back in 2010, I knew I would visit Brugge one day.

the sight of the bed!

That day arrived in 2016 July. After the super flop journey to Brussels and making J and Paglet bear the brunt of my illness, I channeled all my inner will power and strength to go to Brugge. We left Brussels at a leisurely 11 am in the morning on the 21st of July. An hour long, uneventful (thank god!) train ride later, we were at the Lybeer Hostel, lugging those dreadful backpacks and that cursed stroller on the cobbled streets of Brugge. The pragmatic in me was cursing the romantic by this time. I made myself lie down as soon as we entered the room. This seemed to work for the pragmatic.

A bit about our hostel. It was 15 minutes walk from the railway station. We had a single room with 1 bunk bed and shared bathroom. It was clean and it also had a window which opened to the terrace! It also had an open kitchen, library with book exchange, open bar and lounging area. One hour rest later...

hostel terrace!

We were to take the walking tour of Brugge with cyhit the same day. We had already been  introduced to our tour guide Thijs, through his successful attempt to scare us. (He knocked on the door. I opened the door, totally unaware and he scared the hell out of me by presenting himself in one of those K3 type masks. He was apparently trying to scare Paglet, being colleagues. You know how it went). 

very very good!

The afternoon (3 pm) tour was supposed to start from the Charlie Rockets Youth hostel (another very nice hostel with a social vibe). A bunch of us 3 Peruvians, 3 Scottish girls and 2 Indian girls (us) were to be Thijs's party for the afternoon. The tour was filled with his antics! He made us touch and feel history, making us stand on the oldest bridge in Brugge for a few minutes. We made our way through Astrid park, walked through the prison which is now a residential area to the city center. Brugge is home to a very famous church which supposedly houses the blood of christ (in powdered form). No we did not go there. I am just sharing knowledge. After some more medieval stories and jokes, we came near the bell tower. The famous bell tower. I and one more girl from Scotland were the only ones who had watched the movie In Bruges. So we two were the only ones who got all Thijs' jokes and references. Pop culture FTW! He shared few more anecdotes from the movie and gave us recommendations about where to have the best fries and chocolates. (Belgium is the home of potato fries and some really good chocolates!)  We also did a secret pitstop at a very nice and old pub and had the most amazing local beer. I was unwell but I tried it a little. Belgian beer y'all! The beer stopover also gave us a chance to sit down and relax and get to know each other. Some fun exchanges later we started the part 2 of our walking tour. We also got introduced to the symbolic Brugge architecture and some flemish history. Thijs gave us some really cool and cheap references for food, beer shopping, ice cream and things to do. Thijs was a storyteller who made us time travel while narrating some of the incidents of the west flanders. The 2 hour long tour ended at the oldest hospital in western Europe. (I highly recommend it if you are interested in local culture, cuisine, history and fun :))

Tour group!

Brugge is really small. You can travel from one end of the city to the other in 30 minutes, 40-50 minutes if you walk leisurely. Paglet and I roamed around a bit. Had some delish fries and mayo, soaked in the sunshine. Surprisingly I was feeling sprightly again. We then bought some local beer and made our way back to the hostel. As soon as I was inside the hostel, the body pain and being unwell feeling was back. But we met some really fun people and the evening went on smoothly, with conversations. There was a solo traveler from Turkey who knew very little English (the language). I cannot tell you the pain I felt while trying to make meaningful conversation with him. 
We called it a night sooner than everyone else. 

Next day when we woke up Paglet was showing the first signs of being ill. I was slightly better. So we decided to have some breakfast and just take it easy, since we also had to leave for Amsterdam the same day. We went to Astrid park and sat around like bums, studying the city map thinking what next to do.
We decided to buy some souvenirs and found an interesting souvenir shop on the map. There is a very famous Sanskrit idiom which means something like this 'When your bad time is going on, you tend to think unintelligently.' Our walk to the shop was going to be something similar. Little did we know. We walked through the city to the other end for almost 30 minutes to reach the place only to find out it was like a huge super market of second hand goods. It had really great, kitsch stuff but there was no energy left in our sick bodies and fevered brains to sift through them. Each of us bought goods worth 25c as souvenirs to remind us of the death walk. By the time we reached the hostel, we both were feeling really really sick. We even got annoyed by each other and quarreled and fought and did not talk to each other till we boarded the bus to Amsterdam later in the day. Talk of ending a perfect day on a sour note!

Before leaving the hostel I bartered books at the hostel bookshelf. I had noticed 'museum of innocence' on the bookshelf the night before and could not contain my excitement. I had been meaning to read that book for a long long time. Meeting a traveler from Turkey the night before and seeing a copy of the book made me believe in 'a book finding the reader' theory even more. So I kept a friend's copy (which I had finished reading) of 'the man who knew infinity' with notes and picked it up. Verdict below!

Sad to report that halfway through this book and I am finding it insufferable. Need some cheer in life. pic.twitter.com/zr35N7oT6N

— Y (@yaymini) August 4, 2016

Anywho, Brugge was a dream come true to me. I really liked it. I wish to return to live there for a few more days. I leave you with a postcard from Brugge.

Beautiful Brugge!

P.S. So the essential part of the post. Costs!
Brussels - Brugge ticket - 20 Euro per head
hostel charges for a day (separate twin sharing room with shared bathrooms) - 59Euro (~30Euro per head)
misc - 20 euro per head
dinner - 15 euro per head
Total - 85 Euro 
Hostel link - http://www.hostellybeer.com/

Conflicting worlds

Prachi and Pooja are from middle class families. Well educated families. Pooja's father did not want a daughter hence her mother took a stand and raised her by herself. Prachi, daughter of a principled man with anger issues, thinks its her father's right to physically punish her for the sole reason that he let her live as she is a product brought into this world by her parents.
Pooja is a beauty contest winner. Prachi is part of a hindutva movement, where they teach girls how to defend oneself and take up weapons.
Both are in their 20s. Both want their life to be meaningful, both want to do something.

There is huge irony here. Their worlds are paradoxes. These are the subjects of the brilliant and thought provoking documentary by Nisha Pahuja, 'The world before her', which explores what it means to be a 21st century Indian woman.

Some of the things that these girls said have left me dumbfounded and searching for answers. I try to see myself in these women. I am there, when a girl says she wants to make something out of this life. I am in the dreams, hopes, fears and passions of these girls. These are rational girls who know what they are choosing.
We are similar yet so different. So many belief systems, so many ideologies. The dichotomy in our existence and how it converges and yet gives life an altogether different meaning, is what's troubling me the most. 
For the outside world, Prachi will remain a could be fanatic in a movement branded as extremist, Pooja another superficial, pretty face making use of her beauty. But in the 21st century do these perceptions matter ? Or is it more about individuality ? 

In a deeply patriarchal society like India, where girls have opened up to education, avenues of income to become financially independent, how necessary is it to uphold our ancient roots? Some very valid and profound questions surface out of this conflict. And that is the reason I highly recommend you to watch this remarkable documentary.

Because she wants to be a part of the world before her, shape it and make it. 

such cool things in life..

I read/watch/experience stuff which evokes different feelings and turn to the blog to share them and somehow the day never arrives when I get a sense of having accomplished writing down my own thoughts. Today probably is that day.

Anyway, I remember writing about rescuing oneself and agreeing to give up on the 'steadfastness' once the right person is found to let them rescue you. Luckily while I was trying myself I found the right bunch of people who did help 'save me'. Funny how you always get what you need :)

On a totally unrelated note I am happy for Kangana Ranaut. I really am. I know she would not care. I loved her movie Queen. And if you have not watched it already, you need to go NOW.

Pune has the most unexpected surprises if you love nature. Like this sunset I get to witness everyday as my cab passes over a flyover. I look forward to this time of the day just to take it all in.

love my drive back from work!

This is the second month in succession where I have not read anything apart from study books. Out of desperation of having accomplished some kind of reading, I feel pretty lame to admit that yeah I read up few books on algorithms. Not usual spellbinding stuff but fun nonetheless.

Dancing is fun. Zumba or not. Paglet is so passionate with it, that she can make even sticks like me dance.

Whatchu up to? Whatchu doing?

cloud atlas

I know there are lots of exciting and thrilling things happening in my life, but I watched cloud atlas last night.
And I am wondering why do powerful emotions shown in movies move me so much. I think the reason behind getting moved by movies/books/nature/art is a void being filled by the creativity of the writer/director/actor/creator.

No wonder cloud atlas is a brilliant movie, as it narrates the very weird, sometimes disconnected and at times connected by the threads of kindness, love, empathy, humanness 6 different stories set in 6 timelines. Of course its a difficult movie to sit through given its length and confusing starcast (same actors in different roles). 

There are movies for the sake of movies and entertainment and there are movies which make you wonder and dissect and ponder. Cloud Atlas unlike the book which is a pretty difficult read proves to be one such film. Its vista is colorful and so wondrous that you would either hate it or love it.

~nightflier

Argo and random rambling about movies

Yesterday I was generally feeling sad and nostalgic after reading about Yash Chopra's death. (Have watched most of movies directed by him except for Faasle, Parampara and Joshila). The thing is I have got watching movies in my genes from my father. He himself loves watching movies, Dev Anand, Amithabh Bachchan to be specific and he has never questioned my fanfare about movies. Though I am not certain what he enjoys the most about movies in general, but I am sure we all watch movies for a bit of escapism and adventure. As I have grown up, my movie taste and expectations have also changed. Even though I have drooled over sappy, poetic romances our hindi movies normally depicted in my childhood, I think I love myself a '500 days of summer' and 'before sunrise' as well. Having said that the starry eyed teenager in me believed in the super cheesy line 'someone somewhere is made for you'. Almost. Its very hard for me to imagine myself as a person without movies (seriously too many movies have been watched in this lifetime till now and an equally good number still remain unseen!). If books gave me fodder to imagine new worlds, movies made those worlds real and tangible. So I am not going to imagine a life without movies or books. But I will instead talk about this movie called Argo and how fantastic it is!

[if you are planning to watch the movie then my post won't really hurt your plans. But then you might not want to read it]

Its not just true but fantastical that a CIA agent made an entire nation believe that a bunch of American Embassy officers having taken refuge at the Canadian Embassy in Tehran, were actually part of a sci-fi film crew and flew them out of the country. All this happened during the Iran hostage crisis. So this level of make-believe is just so awesome! In depicting the tale, Ben Affleck the director takes no sides, has no bias about motives of the USA or Islamic extremists. He is telling the story of a man on a rescue mission and he does that with flair! The drama builds upto last 15 minutes where every scene is nail biting (or curse inducing, if you know what I mean). This is laced with fine, fine dialogue. And some politically incorrect upfront jokes about political systems, bureaucracy and hollywood. 

Alan Arkin as the typical LA producer is the funny life of the movie. An entire backdrop of a 'fake movie' is elaborately constructed with the help of John Goodman and Arkin. 'The best bad idea' Mendez (played by Ben Affleck) got, gains momentum in true Hollywood fashion. Most amusing is the scene when the extremists at the airport actually get convinced by a set of storyboards about a sci-fi movie. Even they become starry eyed kids who would love them a star wars. 

These and many such moments make Argo extremely human, enjoyable and want you to repeat after Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin's character name) 
'Argo! F**k Yourself!'

To the power of movies and make-believe-ism!

~nightflier

the super star movie experience

I *lurve* watching movies! From the amount of my life I have spent in watching movies, I now have pretty toned instincts about various movies (upcoming or the one's that skipped my vision). By instincts which are toned, I mean I have become cautious with where I spend my anticipation and energy in. Well, that's not really being a 'real' movie watcher, but when you realize you do not really have a lot of time and have to figure out a way to fit in the awesome stuff, then this is the only strategy which has worked for me. And you have to believe me, I have watched really crappy movies. Really really.

Anywho, plus these days its a pop cultural phenomenon, sharing a movie watching experience with a bunch of fans and creating detached shared memories. I have watched chick flicks in downtown Chicago theatre (sex and the city, judge you may, but I had come to liking the series during that phase in life). Recently I caught The dark knight rises in a theatre full of Bane chants and batman tees. (I had missed The Dark Knight experience!). Among many such the only modern day movie watching adventure I had missed was watching a 'Salman Khan' movie. Yes, I missed Dabang and Wanted when they were huge hits here in India. So when 'Ek tha Tiger' first day first show tickets were to be booked, I immediately volunteered for the experience. I wanted to see what exactly happens on the big screen, when Salman Khan takes over.

So if you want a review of the movie, I will not be giving any. Because, this is about the movie watching experience than about how the movie was.
Anywho, my first disappointment came because it was an early morning show i.e. 8.45 am and that's not when really crazy salman khan fans must be watching the movie. The whistles, laughter, claps, uproar etc were down 5 notches, considering only money saving crowd (like me) was present. So tip for next time - watch a prime time show. That's when people have really high energy levels.

I will not talk of any more disappointments, as they deal with the script and how some things were utterly stupid in the movie. The high point of any Salman Khan movie I think is, how he owns the character (not talking about his earlier movies, like MPK, baagi, love, patthar ke phool, when he was adorable and vulnerable). The most cliched thing said about him is how larger than life he is. Apart from that, I admire his nonchalance about becoming a character. Instead he remains himself and lets you think 'imagine so and so is Salman Khan in the movie'. Yes that grin of his or that kick of his or that dance step of him (imagine any way you like).

And another slightly related note, I am appalled at *how much* money is wasted in making our movies. The unnecessary location shoots which must cost a bomb, the poor execution of technology, which is like wasted moolah. Slowly, in my head I am thinking of productive ways of saving/using money for them (:P). 

Anyway, all said and done, its tough being a super star in any field in India. The amount of criticism, expectations, hopes pinned on you, but the sheer pressure of it all! Insane. That's the only word that comes to my mind. Also, my instincts in picking the right movie and time for a Salman Khan movie have been honed as well, so that next time the experience is more enjoyable!

~nightflier

P.S. the last salman khan movie I watched in a theater was salaam-e-ishq!!!

'An overture to illumination'

(Important things first. I want everyone coming to this post to watch the trailer and not miss this gem of a movie. Of course with subtitles. The book by Jonathan Safran Foer is equally read-worthy. Of course, despite the experiments in narration. The characters in the book are so much more than they seem and so beautiful. But the movie is equally quirky.)

Being part of world war II europe must have felt very human. It is during very trying times that we as humans shine or act more human i.e. do things which we never thought we would do. 

Alex does a very human thing by reinventing the past. Safran crosses seas for his coming generations. Jonathan wants to connect the dots. And Sasha would like to 'illuminate' (read find/search) this journey as a job, for his grandfather. In the turn of events they meet Lista, a collector. Of memories, people gone by, places forgotten. Jonathan, does that too. He fears he might forget. Their search for trachimbrod and a past so murky, brings them to 'illumination'. 

Nazi Germany or the anti-semite times and the sufferings of people, have always made me wonder about how those people overcame the terrible pasts and got where they got. 

'You have to begin where you begin, in order to get where you are going'

There is a recurring theme in the book 'One day you will do things that you hate (don't really want to do) for your family'.

May be sometimes in order to save yourself, literally and otherwise, you say you are doing it for others. May be that is utmost human-ness. May be in those trying times it was easier to do stuff, for the future, thinking if you took that terrible but human step, you could reinvent the past.

Lista tells Jonathan in a rather poignant climactic dialogue while giving away Augustine's wedding ring which she buried 'The ring is not here because of us. We are here because of the ring.' 

~nightflier

P.S. A name of the chapter from the book, in the title.

the way of grace and nature

meandering in the vastness
courtesy - google

The O'Brien's have lost a son. We will never know which, how and when (somewhere in the 1960's maybe). The gentle, forgiving, loving mother can't seek the why. She knows life should go on. When you lose someone the whys are the toughest to get an answer for. Such is the human condition. 


Loss is painful. Existence after experiencing loss feels even more so. Still, we always ask the why. We contemplate everything. Even existence.


And what Terrence Malick shows, through the most evocative imagery is a montage called life. In its most infinitesimal form, of a family in Texas. Of idyllic summers and graceful family values and upbringing. He also shows us the evolution of the universe itself. He is trying to make sense of it all as well. There are no answers. Only life and the existence that we have got here. In whatever form it may be.


You weep after seeing the big bang, an opera-tic crescendo in the background. You are instantly transported to your own childhood, your own growing up period. And you know nothing is going to make sense. Because existence is like that.

courtesy - google

I am not as evolved as Mr. Malick, but if someday I do become that evolved, I hope my montage of existence looks like what he has shown for two hours and twelve minutes. Without any answers but still so real.


-nightflier

on finding conflict

Day before I was watching rockstar (which I liked for its nuances despite overall it being an ok movie with the most beautiful dud for an heroine) and it got me thinking about conflicts. There are some people, emotions, definitions in life about whom/which I still feel really conflicted. In extremes. Sometimes. And I do believe that has triggered a lot of thinking on my part, which has shaped my outlook towards life in general. Of course, I write as if this is my afterlife. Oh well.

And that's why I think I liked Imtiaz Ali's attempt, where he tries to capture the conflict in a not-so-abnormally brought up JJ. I liked that little scene where the erstwhile buffoon JJ thrashes his sister-in-law for being too touchy feely. Also loved the scene where Nargis says yes even before Jordan asks her the question. (That's the only place she did justice to that thing called 'acting'). And JJ's divine intervention moment in faya kun (What beautiful song, been listening to it with tum ko and katiya karu for the past 4 hours). And the turmoil when Nargis is trying to run away from Jordan. So yes, I liked the attempt to show troubled or not so lives of the protagonists. It made me care about Jordan, even if very very late in the movie.

So telling that conflict may give rise to the best or the worst of us, is like saying 2+2 equals 4. At a certain level, I do want my life conflict free, to attain that level of calm and peace which zen gurus have. But then may be for normal people, conflict is the only way to attain peace. No ? (2 biographies which I read recently, steve jobs and andre agassi, namely re-iterate this. Or so I felt).

Oh, and have you felt conflicted? Ever?

[ I had goosebumps all over during the first 3 minutes of the movie. Rehman's built up music does that. But the most I felt touched, the music and voice hitting straight my heart, was when the subdued Kavita Krishnamurthy track started playing at the end.]

~nightflier

P.S. Also KT agrees. So I am not alone in liking the movie :D

Fiona's true love

Fiona is angry. She says to Shrek who too is visibly distressed 'But you weren't there when I needed you. I rescued myself from the dragon and the castle.'


After a round of twists, things do fall into place. 


Shrek is back to his happy, love filled life. He says to Fiona 'It wasn't I who rescued you. You truly rescued me.'


Despite the fairy tales one has been fed growing up and despite the sweeping generalization that *only* 'some people' need to be rescued 'all the time', I would like to believe in Shrek and Fiona's 'rescuing each other'.
Romantic and slightly foolish (naive?) but so heartening to hear :)


~nightflier

All he ever wanted to do was race - Senna

I am always skeptic about documentaries. I mean they are piece of great research and devotion. And its difficult to take them lightly. Or ignore them like some movies. They have hard hitting, in your face facts or at least try to show them in a different light. Anywho point being I avoid them, because its not easy to not get affected by them.


So after much procrastination, dilly dallying, I finally found time to watch Asif Kapadia's documentary about the legendary and prodigious Formula one driver Ayrton Senna. It was a thoughtful and touching tribute to Senna (as he is popularly known). What struck out was Senna's introspective personality, his deep eyes, his disarming smile. Of course the F1 politics, rivalry with Prost, family relations, his celebrity status in Brazil were highlighted too. Despite all the rigors and aggression of the sport, Senna came across as a guy who liked pushing his limits of fear, of discovering himself. It was evident in his driving, in his passion and eyes.

courtesy - google

In a way the documentary is a gem because the way it built up to the final moments, was amazing. Despite knowing the finale one clung on to it, hoping nothing happens on that dreaded day.


Also as said by one of the journalists, in some poetic and unjust way Senna's end in a racing car seemed to be what senna really wished for, and given another chance in life knowing the end of this path he would have not chosen the alternative.


And the last frame of the film is the most moving and touching. 
I have an eternal crush on those haunting, deep Senna eyes!


Highly recommend.


~nightflier

The finale

Pre script - this is about the last harry potter movie. If you have still not seen it or not much big a fan, then kindly avoid reading further :)


'It is an ancient need to be told stories. But the story needs a great storyteller.' 
Quote from here - Alan Rickman's words.


I love JKR's series. I love how it glorifies friendships, valor, ability to make mistakes and love. I love the fact that, I read them when I was younger, less cynical, more idealistic and naive. Because every time I read the books they make me believe more. In stories, friendships, people, life in general.


Moving towards the movies, to tell you the truth, I don't like the adaptations much. I won't at least rave about them. From what I have read and seen, Harry Potter seems to be one of the mediocre ones. May be because, I really love the books and expected too much. Or simply may be the directors and my vision did not match :P
Anywho, point is, thus I decided to keep my expectations at home and try to like the movie for being a movie and not a book. You know what, it worked. I had goosebumps all over me every time something thrilling happened. I cried copiously through those stupid 3D glasses when they showed dead bodies of Fred Weasely, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. I laughed heartily when Minnerva Macgonagall proclaimed she had wanted to cast the Piertotum Locomotor charm for the longest time, in a time of utter distress and ruckus. I almost wanted to shield Harry when Lily died for him. I felt deeply in love, when I saw Severus grieve over Lily's dead body. I also wanted to get up and defend the castle of Hagwarts and cheer for Neville when he said those courageous words in front of an army of death eaters. I wanted to hug Albus Dumbledore, when he met Harry at King's Cross. To say to him, greater good had been achieved. (oh btw, my copy of deathly hallows reads, For the Greater Good. Wrote it myself, as soon as I got the book in hands :P)


If a movie was able to evoke so many wonderful emotions in me, I personally think then it was a good movie. 
And the casting felt impeccable, at least in the final installation. Personally I think, Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Maggie Smith as Minnerva Macgonagall, Ralph Fiennes (Absolutely love him!!) as Lord Voldemort, Gary Oldman as Serius Black, Emma Thompson (love her too!!) as Sybill Trelawney are perfectly cast. And everyone else seemed to suit the roles too. Plus its been 10 years now.


The special effects, where needed were good enough. They could have had a better dragon though. Anywho I liked the movie. And it satisfied me, because as the 7th book was action packed, so was the movie. From start to end.

And if you are planning to watch it in 3D, then please DON'T. I beg of you. My reasons -

1. 3D is a rip off. You pay more for what, 100 times used pair of heavy, nose hurting, uncomfortable glasses (at least in India. The glasses in the US are better, if that was a comfort) ?

2. It's BAD for your eyes. It took my eyes more than 5 minutes to get adjusted to, today. I could just see blurry, shadowy images.

3. The movie did not even have any shots which needed 3D. In fact the darkness imposed because of the glasses, made the already darker movie tones even more gloomy!!

4. And if you want to read the experts, then please do so here - http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/01/post_4.html

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/04/30/why-i-hate-3-d-and-you-should-too.html

Case closed I say ? :) Good! Now I can stop ranting and start making sense :)

I recommend it in 2D!!!!


~nightflier


P.S. And brother who had taken to reading the series on my insistence, finished the 7th book on friday!! Only after that did we decide to watch the movie :)

Source code-ed!

So if you watch that movie, do make note of the red building near which the train explosion takes place.
That's my school!!!!! (you have to look out for this particular building)

courtesy - google

clicked by my N72 - circa 2009 spring

Also the movie features tons (is that even a relevant metric?) of chicago!!! And metra train!!! And millennium park (that was my favorite show-any-visitor-friend destination) And my school!!!


The building is very old btw (from 1930 or something). There are still those old elevators inside which take 4 minutes to travel 4 floors!! And there are spiral iron staircases too! They have kept and maintained all these antic(s) from times gone by. iLike!


Oh btw, I had gone equally crazy after seeing bhagat singh (ajay devgan wali) movie, because they had shot extensively in our undergrad college. :D 
[before that I used to be amused by such going-crazy people!]


And to think that, I was going to skip on the movie today, and to remain down in the dumps. I am glad for taking this good decision! Sometimes strangest co-incidences can cheer you up! :)


~nightflier

of caricatures

I watched two extremely appealing movies this week. No one killed Jessica (NOKJ) and An Education. My take on the same.


While watching NOKJ (despite it being a good movie) I could not help but think about the whole deliberation scripts put into some roles/acts. Be it a cuss word spouting hot shot journalist or a all flaws overlooking, typical mother of a spoilt brat. In such situations I can't make up mind whether its the actor who should have tried better to make it real or the screenplay. And that is why NOKJ as a platform for Rani to change her mold or come up with something radical (as she claimed in her interviews) failed for me. It was a very well versed story for all of us, so movie wise there weren't any surprises. Plus the director Raj Kumar Gupta's earlier mindblowing debut film Aamir was proof enough that this would be a refined product technically and otherwise.
But then Rani Mukerji proclaimed that how she was a bit**. Meh.


Jenny of an Education on the other hand was such a starry eyed character with its nuances right in place that one could easily relate with her. Carey Mulligan is a wonderfully self aware actress. She is delicately pretty and expressive. So when she falls in love with an older man and is ready to throw away all her future, all her Latin essays, her teacher's advice, her Oxford dreams just because she wants to lead a fun life and not a drab and dull life like her parents and teachers do, you want to go on her journey and experience for yourself, how it must feel like. I am not sure then, if one should applaud the script or the actor here. An education is a wonderful movie. As they say, the act of discovery is not about finding new places but seeing with new eyes.
So is Jenny's journey. 


So such is life. I like real, I can relate with characters. And I love Rani Mukerji too. So it is a huge disappointment when I have to see her movie after 2 years and get nothing but a caricature out of the movie. But then as they say movie watching is about optimism. 
Better luck next time to me!


~nightflier

Hum aapke hain kaun and after that...

It doesn't take much to make me nostalgic. Sometimes even a song playing on the radio or aai's cooking is enough! (Sometimes I think I get it from my parents, as they keep on talking about their childhood a lot!)


So when I get down to write about Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the 2 icons of my childhood, I am not sure how to articulate. But I am going to ramble nevertheless.
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (HAHK) released when I was in 5th standard. From whatever few promos that Chitrahaar/super hit muqabla (DD National ?)/all the best (DD metro) used to air I had made secret pacts with myself that I have to make aai-baba take me for this one! I think as a 10 year old only Madhuri Dixit, the playful banter between her and Salman, the amazing music appealed to my sensibilities. As things turned out my Mavshi (mom's sister) got engaged to be married the same year. The wedding was planned for summer and most of such family entertainers (I had no clue of this term then) released in India in summers. So during the release time we were going to be super busy with the wedding preparations and shopping. The movie was a smash hit everywhere! It was almost impossible to be able to watch the movie before school started. Biggest worry on my mind was 'how would I bear my friends who had already watched the movie!' (yes brutally honest, thats being a 10 year old for you!)
Then a really cute thing happened. Once on a shopping trip my kaka (aunt's then fiance) suggested that we all go for this movie. Unfortunately we got only 2 tickets. And don't know how but me and Mavshi ended up in the theater! God's miracle ? :D
This is just the story of how god saved me from the disgrace of not watching the most amazing movie of my childhood. The re-runs kept on happening. Every time it felt like a special experience. It left me awed. Madhuri, Salman, Lakshmikant Berde, Renuka Shahane, and all the ensemble star cast still feels like family to me. All these memories came rushing while watching it for the gazillionth time on tv today! Thankfully I am not the only mad person around to love the movie so much. It is always fun to discuss all these memories and tiny tit-bits of trivia with fellow hahk lovers.


For posterity I am going to share some seemingly stupid stories related to the same movie.
The same year I read an article in a newspaper about Madhuri Dixit which also had her address at the end of it. I immediately drafted a letter for her birthday (sometime in May I guess?) and sent it to the said address. If it was the true address, if it was ever received and read by her remain a mystery. Devil may care. But there! I have shared it on the blog and am now open to judgments!
In school gathering the next year we performed a dance on 'Maye na maye'. Our school had this weird rule of allowing only decent hindi movie songs. Dunno how one can decide that. Anywhooo for all the girls involved the highest point of the extravaganza was getting to wear Madhuri Dixit style Ghagra! The endless practice sessions, getting the expressions like MD, dress rehearsals! 


All these very happy memories are attached to the movie in a way. May be that's why despite its much approved and acclaimed greatness, its still so dear to me. I shall leave KKHH for some other time. Got any such childhood connections ? Remember nostalgia is very much welcome on this blog :)


~nightflier

Udaan

chhoti chhoti chhitrayi yaadein 
bichhi hui hain lamhon ki lawn par, 
nange pair un par chalte chalte, itni door aa gaye hain 
ki ab bhool gaye hain joote kahan utaare the. 
sach bhool gaye hain joote kahan utaare the, par lagta hai ab unki zaroorat nahi ..

He looks towards Manindar (his best friend). Manindar doesn't understand it. In its true essence. But it has touched a chord inside him. That moment is beautiful. Even you feel something truly beautiful is about to enfold. And thankfully it does. That's Udaan for you. A rare beauty and a gem. A simple story with real people and great screenplay and direction.

The boy is trapped. Its not that he wants to stay in the misery. His gait, his run, his walk show a subtle sign of respect and hope for something better which might one day happen unexpectedly. He wants to believe in the good. He tries it too. But nothing really happens. And I did not shed a single tear in his misery. But in his triumph. In his final run. I cried like a baby. I smiled too. A friend articulated the feeling quite well. Enthralling he said. And I agree.


All the while I was watching it, I felt something inside me too. I am still trying to identify the feeling. Was it fond nostalgia ? or anger ? or pain ? or a sad longing for innocence lost and dreams unfulfilled ? 

The disparity in its frames, the steel mills of Jamshedpur in the background and poetic nature around Rohan; the moving trains and Rohan with his book and pen on the tracks. I am still quite captivated with the movie. Its every frame speaks thousands of words and at the same time silently mocks the sychophants in us. Vikramaditya Motwane I am going to track your career now. The bar has been raised so high!

This movie should have normally gone here. But I have loved it so much that it needed a proper post dedicated to it. And people who know me know that when I love a movie I deservedly go gaga about it. 

On a parting note..

Pairon ki bediyan khwabon ko baandhe nahi re, kabhi nahi re
Mitti ki parton ko nanne se ankur bhi cheeray, dheere dheere
Iraade hare hare, jinke seeno mein ghar kare
Woh dil ki sune kare na darre, na darre


~nightflier


Image courtesy - google


P.S. I have used the word beautiful and lot. Believe me the movie is!