Kungfu Panda

I love this animation movie too much......simple story, good animation and great stunts!....:)

R for Rajni

am a self declared thalaivar fan. I wrote this below article in Aug 08 when Kuselan released.

read on...

There is only one sun...

I will complete the above riddle at the end of this mail. Now, back to what I wanted to write about. After marriage, I was a bit reluctant on bringing out my Super Star mania to her. Well...not that I felt bad about it but its like...you know...hmm...how will a girl look at somebody who adores a cinema star and goes berserk on his new movie release days. Seemed like a hard sell. Anyhow, it eventually needed to come out and it did. Surprisingly, she was cool about it when I told.

Finally D-day arrives. On the day before Kuselan release, I gently tell her that I will be up by 5:30 am next day so that I can drive to Hosur (about 25 km) to catch up with the exclusive fan's show (thanks to naadas!). She does not believe that I will get up and takes it light. Hmm...girls!....:) ....So, next day dawns and I do it for the first time ever in Bangalore...get up by 5:30 am without the alarm...Quickly dress up and get going along with three other friends. First drink of the day is ...he he he....wine in the car.

7 am.

We reach Hosur Raghavendra theatre by 7 am to the sound of Fireworks. The celebrations and hoardings are toned down (since this is not a pucca Rajni movie). Yet, the place wears a festive look. Something strikes me quick. Most of them present are over 30. And well behaved (believe me....I have been to first day shows in Albert theatre in Egmore and the crowds there are really crazy!) The worn steel grille gates could not hold the mad rush of people trying to get inside. The theatre guards start shouting and an aged person (some 40 years old) comes up with something I have never ever heard before.

Guard : deii...#$#%^^..olunga varisaya pongada (hey....#$#$%^....go in a line)

Aged : thambi....naanga kadavule paaka porom....idhu (points to theatre) enga koil...onnum panna maatom!....(bro..we are going to see our God...this theatre is our temple...nothing will happen)

Guard : (gives a puzzled look and moves away)

Aged : (says to the crowd in general) naan inga 25 varushama varen..hmm.. (am coming here for the last 25 years)

The crows jostles and me lands inside the theatre with a big shove! Wheww.....We quickly occupy the wooden seats and wait for the darshan (he he..). No AC in the theatre. No fans where we sat. We sweat and wait......It happens in the sixteenth minute. And everything else is forgotten!....The last 20 minutes of the movie rocks us. We make out of the theatre straight to office.

7 pm.

This is an entirely different world. Forum mall is one of the happening places in Bangalore (bomb or not...:). The crowd is hep; you smell Australian cookies. The might of Indian economy: the rising middle class is amply seen. Am again with a larger group of friends and my wife. The PVR theatre ambience is real good. Once inside the theatre, the crowd dynamics is typically the same for Thalaivar!. The 16th minute...the same excitement!

I witness

Two worlds;
Different types of people;
Same behaviour.

There is one scene in the movie where Vadivelu on seeing Super Star goes wierd and starts acting mad! That was the act of the day and I could fit any fan in that scene and see the same result....:)

As we come out and slowly dissolve into reality, she asks me....'When did you become this big a fan?' Am puzzled for an answer. When? Why? Was it his on screen or off screen presence? Was it his struggles and eventual success? Was it his simplicity? I don't know.

I only know

There is only one sun...
There is only one super star.

Nacho Libre

I always wanted to write about this movie. I watched it in 2006. A tale with funny things happening in an average man's life and a simple message driven home. Jack Black excels in his role as the monk-turned-wrestler and Ana De La Regura (Mexican actress) does her role beautifully.

Watch out for
1) The way Jack Black howls 'Nachooooooooooooo'
2) The lean guy who fights with Jack
3) Chancho - the kid at the monastery
4) And Ana ...sigh....what a beauty!....she will melt your heart! ...:)
5) The songs in the movie are fabulous! Feels like a tamil movie..:)..
6) The song that Jack sings in the end and the letter he writes to Ana...:)
7) The walk that Jack takes Ana and his antics with those pants...:)

There are some fine moments in this feel good movie that will leave you smiling. Catch it up on DVD. Its worth it.

:)

Present Day Problems....Present Day Solutions

Imagine.

Two kids are fighting out. You walk to them and find out that its about having a chocolate. What will you do?

1) You sit down with each one of them separately; find out about their families; find out their lineage. You look at the chocolate; make out the manufacturer's name; trace him down; find out the manufacturing process; see if the above kid's ancestors had a hand in it somewhere. Additionally, you look at neighboring kids; assess their importance. Look at neighboring chocolate manufacturers; assess their importance. With all these mind bewildering data crunched in your skull, you make the all important decision of handing over the chocolate to one kid. In the process, you perennially make enemies with the other kid who will, after 10 long years, still wait with a stone hidden in his pocket to nuke you or the other guy out.

2) You split the chocolate into two and give it to the kids.

What should you do?

Now, all the solutions are not going to be as easy as option 2. Problems are not as simple as a chocolate. But the point to note is that you look at a problem as a present day problem and give a present day solution.

In a way, my analogy to humans as kids stands true if you consider the evolution of universe vis a vis humans. Now, here we are a race who are not the first to arrive in earth; who do not know where we came from; who do not know where we are going to end up. But still in that tiny weeny time in between, what do we do? We focus our energy to wreak havoc. Smell something?

You cannot and never will be able to do justice to any party if you look back at history and try to address grievances. This will result in prejudiced views and the sect powerful in that point of time is going to drive you nuts here. Am not saying that immediate past needs to be ignored. But you cannot keep forever going back.

When you drive a car or a bike, I agree that you do use the rear view mirror. But heyy...you look back for what...say the past 50 feet?...not all the way back from where you started!...Got it?
Saro

Getting Ready...

...for a 1600 mile drive in 10 days.

Muncie, IN - Jersey City, NJ - Buffalo, NY - Muncie, IN

hmmm...the first one is the hardest with 685 miles. Hopefully, I still have that thing in me to drive....:)

I will be meeting a lot of friends. Can't wait...:)

Fooled

Thinking of my teens and follow up years, I clearly see that I got fooled by the sweet nature of girls. I mean, not trying to be finger pointing at the fairer sex, guys tend to fall for that part of the girl which seems like a fairy tale. A smile here...a look there....a small fight....the list goes on. Those small moments take away a guy far more often than a girl.

So, what am I trying to say?

Get fooled, guys. Its sometimes good to have wounds in a battle field than a clean slate.

nooru roova notta paatha, kaadhal varum keluda
ooru poora suthi vandhen...paathedhelaam jaalam da.

:)

Sleep songs

nowadays, i cannot sleep without listening to 'ullathil nalla ullam' from karnan and 'pitchai paathiram' from naan kadavul

The Dark Knight

Its been awhile since I wrote about movies. This short period of solitude has given arise to such an opportunity. Now, to the movie which has been haunting me for quite sometime now. Also, as a statistic, I have now seen this movie more than any other movie in my lifetime yet. Its The Dark Knight. (Virumaandi and The Prestige are a close second).

Am not going to cover anything about the story or the actors. No...am writing more on what struck me after these multitude of viewings. The below thing might make sense only if you have seen the movie once.

1) In the whole movie, there is not even one shot of the Sun nor there is Sunlight shown. Gotham (as in the comics) is always portrayed gloomy with overcast skies.

2) In the climax, after Harvey's death, Gordon and Batman discuss on what will happen. Now that Harvey is dead (that too with a bad reputation of killing cops), Gordon tells Batman that 'people would lose hope', Batman looks up (to Gordon's kid above who is not shown) and says 'They won't'. He means the kid (analogy : young generation) who believes on Batman.

3) Batman and Joker share a lot in common. At least if you look at the way they think: - When Bruce Wayne throws a party, the moment he enters, he throws the question 'Where is Harvey Dent?'. When Joker enters the same party at a later point of time, he throws the same question. - Batman revers Harvey Dent. For Batman, Harvey is the symbol whom he can never be. Joker sees the same (that Dent is the best among Gotham city inmates) but looks at destroying such a symbol.

4) Only in two ways, Batman and Joker differ. First, Batman plays by one rule and Joker never does that. Another is Joker thinks alone and does things whereas Batman keeps consulting with Alfred and Lucius. We have to acknowledge that Joker is far intelligent.

5) In the hospital, Joker tells Harvey that he (Joker) is a guy without plan. He tells him that he is like a dog chasing cars. In a way, Joker plans things right from the start. Everything goes to a plan for him (for e.g., he getting arrested to get Lau and hence the money location). But the thing is that he does not care about the results of how the plans actually go.

6) When Joker escapes from the prison, he is shown sticking out his head outside the police car. Note that he is not driving. This is one of the scenes that shows us that he has police accomplices.

7) In the climax when Batman throws Joker out from the top of the building, you can actually hear Joker laughing. Thats because he is happy that he broke Batman's one rule. Later, Batman catches him and Joker groans....:)

8) Joker predicts way ahead in the movie how Batman will be treated in the end. In the prison interrogation scene, Joker tells the Batman that the people, once they dont have a need for him (Batman), will throw him out like a leper. This happens in the end when even though Batman finds Joker and ends the menace, people still treat him to be a cop killer.

9) What do you think would have happened if the people or prisoners (on two separate boats) pressed the button to blow the other boat? Trying to think like the Joker, my guess is that their own boat would have been blown up!

Why do friends leave me?

Is it because they think I show less interest in them? Have I?

Is it because I pick new friends? Do I?

Kan moodinaal, Irul edhu...neeye therigerai.
(When I close my eyes, I don't see darkness. I see you.)

Happily 'friend' after?

No.

There are no second thoughts about this.

Friendship is not destined to last forever. Sometimes, its best to move on with the sweet memories safely tucked inside. Priorities change; People change. Whats wrong? nothing. Do we still love the same toys we treasured in childhood? Do we still visit our college or school we thought we can never ever leave and cried hard on the last day? Do we still treasure our bicycles in front of our bikes and cars?

As we grow up, its more responsibilities (read miseries). And a friend might not be able to pitch in for each of your problems or share your joys the same way as before. And add the new relations you pick up along the way and their complexities....its best that you don't bring them on board.

So, is there something wrong about this whole thing? About losing friends whom you thought you can never ever part for a moment? No. Its the way of growing up. Funny...when I was young, I used to think why do my father and mother spend less time with their friends? Now, it dawns on me. Nice good way to make something clear to you...:)

A casual mail or a phone call to that long last friend sometimes tries to rekindle those old memories. I savor them for that moment and lock them up again....:)

Same Sh*t...Different Game.

I borrowed the subject line from one of Stephen King's novels. So, why this? You will understand at the end of this mail.

Indian Elections 2009.

From the early 90s, India has seen more of coalition governments. In my opinion, coalition governments are one of the trajectories of a true democracy. It gives the regional state governments more power at the center.

But am not here to talk about that.

Back till the 90s, India had a two party system fighting out at the center. The regional parties used to support one of the parties' candidates. Later, it changed to the regional parties entering into pre-poll alliances with the center parties and fielding their own candidates (first with a small percentage and then growing into large percentages). This has been the story all along till this year.

Now there is a new game in place.

No regional party wants a truck with the center parties just yet. And vice versa. The idea is to go it alone in the elections (with their own promises and manifestos). Get as many seats as possible. Then, post-polls, look at which center party has the largest number (or which alliance can fetch the largest number) and start talks with them for forming the government. Believe me....this is the jackpot of all ideas with so many benefits.

One, there is no incumbency factor. Even if a party was in an alliance with the erstwhile ruling party, they can say that they are not there in that now alliance and all along they have been vehemently opposing it from within. If you carefully listen, verbage such as moralilty, conscience, back stabbing, etc. will figure in their speech. Ohh....its just the cream whipped up your ****....:)

Two, there are a string of loose alliances formed now. But no party is committing to stay in the alliance post-polls! How is this great idea?.....:) Wonder of sorts, all the parties seem to like this idea. When I think over it, it seems to make sense in this manner - When I walk into a store to buy something, will I be acceptable with money or without money in there? With money, of course. Now, do the store people worry how I get the money?....:)....does it make sense now? Same pinch.

Three, the parties are now going to kindle a lot of passion and get the votes. But don't be surprised if they realign with the same parties they would have foul mouthed before the elections. Can you go and wipe out your vote then? nopes, I don't think so.

Four, whom will the people vote for or against? They don't know if some X regional party is going to support Y or Z center party after the polls. This must be the only elections where the people are the confused lot going to vote to some party believing that
Hmm.....sometimes, the twists in a horror movie are far less, I guess. Oh boy....I can't just wait for this roller coaster ride. Being one of the common man, am going to sit back; read the papers; listen to speeches; argue over tea with friends; make a decision; cast my vote and.....wait for the fun to start....maybe to be fooled.

All in the game. But wait...

Same sh*t....Different Game.

Alone...

Sometimes, in the midst of friends/relations/people, you find yourself alone. You hear none. You respond to none. Only the inside 'you' huddles close to you and talks/hears/laughs/cries with you. At times, the greatest strengths are drawn from 'you'. Why does this happen? I don't know. Do 'you'?

First decision

As we grow up, parents play an important (or rather dominant) role in most of the decisions till our college. So, it comes to a stage where we are almost 17 years old and still have not taken a decision in life all by ourselves. Enter the opposite sex...and the whole world turns upside down. For most, love is the first major decision in life. Oh....of all things, does it need to be the first?! And what happens in most cases? Well...that need not be mentioned. Am not arguing the merits and demerits of love but rather the uncanny situation of deciding the most difficult thing all alone.

The Omen..

As is the trend now, Hollywood is releasing a newly made version of the original OMEN. To say the truth, I was pretty scared when I saw the old movie and I have no plans to see the new one. But the interesting news is that the movie is releasing on June 6, 2006. You may wonder what is interesting about it? Hmm....if you write it down in the manner in which we usually write dates (be it American style or Indian style), it reads as ....

06-06-06

That is one hell of a scare by itself!

Phantom...

....For fans of Indrajal comics, here is a temporary reprieve....

http://thecomicproject.blogspot.com/

This is by a fellow blogger who has taken the initiative to scan Phantom, Madrake, Bahadur, etc., and upload.

Get to your childhood days!

Closer

Too long since I posted...Hmm...Yest, chanced to see a movie 'Closer' (2004) starring Jude Law, Clive Owens, Julia Roberts, Natalie Portman and directed by a Mike Nichols. Normal story. But the biggest surprise was that the director will keep you guessing about the period of time each shot happens. Only halfway through the shot, you will realise that a certain amount of time has elapsed between the last happening and this. This trend was evident throughout the movie.

Thuvia

Many think Edgar Rice Burroughs gave the world 'Tarzan' and just stopped there. No...He has given something more....THUVIA. This is a fiction novel set in the Red Planet and one in the series of novels written about fictious events happening in the Red Planet. It gives good reading and is fast paced. I would liken it to the The Lord of The Rings in the context of character definition and bizzare happenings. Am not sure if you could chance upon hard copies of the novels but there is a site which offers the whole novel online.

http://burroughs.thefreelibrary.com/

Also, 'Warlord of Mars' is another interesting read.

Take the plunge...at Grand Canyon!

Grand Canyon is one of the few spots which does justice to its name. Grandeur is redefined here. The first words which escaped my mouth when I set sight on the canyon were 'Oh ..My God!'. Anyone who visits it will spend sometime musing over the power of Nature and will simply acknowledge the fact that humans, after all, are just a speck on Nature's plan. Canyons are gorges formed by rivers cutting through the terrain. Due to lack of time, I did not take the trails nor do camping there. Heard that they were the best part of the visit to Canyon. Hey ...hey...now I know that one gang (oh! how I love that gang) will go berserk when I mention the words 'camp', 'fire',etc. To them, I utter the now-famous-words-of-saro.....WE WILL GO!

New Year at Miami!

Hmmm..I know that talking of New Year at this time is really late. But hey...this was one New Year with my college friends at Miami. Now, that is something to remember about for a long time! College friends go a long way and we meet every year for our SANGAMAM in Chennai since 2001. It is total fun (read 'drinks, dance'). Best thing about our college gang is that our friendships were not limited to departments. Everytime, SANGAMAM was in a different location. The last time we had was on the night of Dec 25, 2004 in a seaside resort in Chennai. am not sure how many of you recognize that date. Ya..it was the day before the Tsunami stuck! To this day, I thank an unknown 'setu' who saved half of us (for sure!) by booking that same resort on the morning of Dec 26. Coming back to the topic, this time around, some of us in US planned a small get together in Miami for the New Year. The snap shows us partying at a South Beach restaurant on New Year. Hopefully, we will have a full fledged SANGAMAM in Chennai sometime this year.

Walking on the lake

Ya...you read the title right! I was literally walking over the ....half frozen lake! This is the mildest winter since 9/11 here in Upstate NY. Last weekend, I had pulled some friends and gone to the Canandigua lake. This lake forms one in the string of lakes called Finger Lakes. There are a lot of wineries and wine trails in this region.