Monthly Archives: October 2011
“Jason & Abbie” separated at birth ? : The Doppelganger Effect
Exhibit A: Jason Mraz the American crooner, composer, Grammy winner & the one who I guess doesn’t need any introduction.
Exhibit B: Abbie De Villiers the stylish South African middle order batsman, cricketer.
Do You agree with the striking resemblance ? I belong to the minority who has known ADV longer than Mraz and the first sight of the singer and I could tell who his twin brother was 
Twins ??? (I agree Mraz has better pics than that but You see that's not the point)
Movie starved. I made it 2 in 1 day. “Crazy, Stupid, Love” & “Real Steel”
I don’t remember the last time I went into a movie-comma of sorts. I don’t know how else to describe a hiatus that lasts beyond 15 days. If You still can’t tell by the titles; I was eager to compensate. So watched 2 movies the first opportunity I got 
Crazy, Stupid, Love - "I agree"
First “CSL”. Just like the 3 worded title, the screenplay or rather the character developments on it could have been placed without any chronological order and it’d have never made a difference to the outcome. Didnt quite get it, did you? For eg; “Crazy, Stupid, Love” could have been “Stupid, Crazy, Love” or anyway else You’d like to put it without changing what the makers intended it to mean.
Not taking away any of the genuine charm of the actors playing their respective characters or the amazing soundtrack laced around, the movie does not boast of a very good script. For me the plot was hackneyed (at the most)and the fact that I am a fan of all the leads (yeah there are a plenty of them) and was still annoyed with how the movie ended speaks of what it could have been. The first few reels had a few gut splitting moments and I will confess, I don’t remember laughing that hard while watching a Hollywood comedy, in the recent memory. The chemistry between Gosling and Carrell specially in some of the bar scenes was unmistakable. Moore though looked haggard. Kevin Bacon & Marisa Tomei both incredibly talented, were both twice as incredibly wasted in a couple of half baked roles. But overall it still is a fun watch mostly for Carrell who I think gets it right after a few failed attempts. No, don’t expect anything different from him. He’s still the moronic guy next door wearing the same pair of New Balance’s You may have seen him adorn in his first big landing “40 yr old virgin”.
Oh yeah before I forget. If ever this gets remade in Bollywood, Karan Johar will direct it and Shahrukh will play Carrell with 14 to 16 songs in it. Dharma Productions listening ?
Recommended for a Sunday afternoon or post dinner for a dreaded Monday or any weekday for that matter. 2.5/5
Then comes “Real Steel” later in the night.
Real Steel. A real charmer. Go for it
In one sentence I’ll try and draw parallel with cheese. The recipe of RS has different varieties of it, but just like that one specific dish in a long menu, the chef does get this one right. This is a no holds barred aimed straight at the heart enterprise that we’d commonly associate the likes of Adam Sandler of the early 2000′s with. Follows a well know path of a flawed but good hearted central lead with an able and immediate support by a pivotal character (mostly a kid). The latter by the climax, makes the former realise or vice versa, how noble he/she is, inspite of what we were made to believe during some of the developments, earlier in the story. Cliche’ did You say? Well it may be, but it works for “RS”. 2 major reasons are : i) fighting robots (that couldn’t have gone wrong or could it?) ii) Dakota Goyo, the remarkable little kid that plays Hugh’s son. His histrionics never went up in the irritating radar and almost always got it pitch perfect even when sharing screen space with the highly likable and seasoned Jackman or the tough act of holding his own with the Animatronics robot “Atom”. The fight sequences are believable if not spectacular and the lack of blood makes it an enjoyable fare for everyone in the family. I see a winner here. Royalties from apparels and dvd sales should be better and should add to its overall success.
Recommend, almost anytime. 3/5
Consistency is never having to say “I’m Back”
Ironic if You compare that to my circumstances as far as this blog is concerned. Was away for a bit and hence the lack of activity around the park. Shouldn’t have been the case I know. But You tell me what do You do when You’re amidst Lord’s bountiful creations such as this one apart from everything else. I took some moments off the daily grind to marvel – Life as it is
Marveling the beautiful ocean against a back drop unlike any I had seen before. Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy
Warrior : 2 Gloves up !!! Fights better than “The Fighter”
The best combat movie since "Rocky" ?
After a couple of tv movies since his 2008 NYPD Police drama “Pride & Glory” and 2004′s widely acclaimed “Miracle”, director Gavin O’ Connor makes an impeccable return to top flight with his family, sports / drama : “Warrior”. If You find it odd to have 3 genre’s tagged to the title, You may be intrigued to know that I was very tempted to call it a thriller, initially. The story line building to its climax is such.
Having seen the trailer a couple of months back with names like Nick Nolte (needs no introduction) playing father and, an almost unrecognisably buffed Tom Hardy (a very hot pursuit since Inception and Nolan’s 3rd and final episode of Batman’s cast announcement) and celebrated Australian lead Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom, 2010) fighting it out inside a MMA ring with Director Gavin O’Connor at the helm, kicked in the curiosity factor. Finally managed to watch the feature, (which surprisingly is a limited release in Malaysia), and can now vehemently testify that its one of the best movies of 2011, yet.
Nolte for Oscar Nomination ?
The story begins with the backdrop of an underlying troubled past of an estranged family most likely since their mother’s demise, with its living members, the 2 sons (Joel & Tom) and father (Nolte) brought together after a hiatus. The unspoken pain in the 3 characters Nick (probable Oscar nom for best supporting – yes its that good), Tom and Joel is smartly written and even better enacted. The common thread of fighting inside the ring binds them all. There’d be plenty of instances in the first 3 acts, where You may swear You’ve seen it all before but somehow the compelling act both with their bodies and well written/mouthed dialogues of the leads keeps You completely gripped to the happenings as they unfold. There is a certain under cooked sub plot for the development of Tom’s character that could have been better depicted. But that leads to the the finale with well, not so much of a surprise ending, but as I must have mentioned before, superbly executed stunts, high voltage emotional drama peppered with stylishly well synced MMA fight sequences and everything a complete sports movie could ask for.
I had said this before and I’d say this again. Gavin (the director who plays a small cameo), Joel, Nick and Tom Hardy are the stars of the movie and their pitch perfect portrayal of their respective characters is what You take home from not the most original story You’ve ever heard. But then again I’d like to think the people behind the scene who strive to make everything make believe, succeeded beyond their own expectations. Read it somewhere when an exponent of the art and an avid fan of MMA, admitted that “Warrior” has the best and the most real depiction of the fights that happen inside a ring. I mean there is something solid about this one. And its obviously not only for fight fans. So don’t miss this one.
RECOMMENDED. 4/5
R.I.P. Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs - co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios dies at 56
The contributions a single mind has made in my life along with million others has dawned upon a little late in me. My attempt to put some of those contributions into perspective could be as simple as my love for art and entertainment made easy by the iPod, the MacBook Pro & the iPhone. In a world where a visionary is judged by one’s relevance to his contemporaries and sometimes to his competitors , Steve Job’s will be a name synonymous to path breaker, trendsetter and very often the benchmarker. Quite possibly the yardstick if there had to be one, selected to measure benchmarks physically, could well have been his brain child. Well that wasn’t needed. Mostly because preconceived and miss informed notions such as technology is only for the geeks or the IT savvy was one such myth shattered by his vision that transcended cultures, races and economies alike. In a world that is rapidly turning into a homogeneous fabric of greed and hunger for power, You made it a lot more easier for us, the lesser mortals to enjoy life as it is, for its simplicity. Testifying the cliche’ that everything good must come to end, Your time on earth is done. Here’s hoping that the future leaders of the world would take a leaf out of Your book of inspiration in shaping our tomorrow, a better tomorrow.
You will be dearly missed Mr. Steve Jobs.
For the ones who haven’t seen this yet, I’d like to share an old clip. Here’s Steve Jobs, urging Stanford’s graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life’s setbacks — including death itself — at the university’s 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005. Hope there is a Steve Jobs out there watching this
You can contribute or share Your thoughts, memories and condolences at Remembering Steve.
Drive : Trailer – Why do good movies take longer to release :P ?
Ryan Gosling + A tooth pick behind the wheel
There are almost a million very specific reasons (or may be more) why I love movies. At times while watching them, I’d want the characters on the screen to behave in a particular manner, say something or even look in a certain way. Sometimes because I’d think that’s the obvious thing or what some may call “predictable” thing to do; at times because that’s what I’d like to see him / her doing; and sometimes I am stunned at the sheer genius of the men behind the scene or on it. The possibilities are endless, but all I am saying is, I have had a similar feeling when I came across the trailer of “Drive” recently. Some of You may have already watched it (lucky bastards).
Something tells me I am going to enjoy it, so I thought it’d not be a bad idea to share it with my readers and know their opinion of the same. I have huge regards for Ryan Gosling as an actor and there is not a micro meter of vein or fibre in me that disagrees that this man will sooner or later prove it to the world that’s following his career very closely. Hope his agent or manager feel the same way about him*. This one in particular may nail it eventually, but more on that later. Coming back to that ferocity of an idea called “Drive”, add the absolutely fabulous & sensational Carey Mulligan to the prospect. I am in awe of the actress after watching her in An Education (I discovered Duffy through this) & Never Let Me Go among several others.
Enjoy 
*Getting a knack of such things after watching Entourage
Apple launches iPhone 4s not 5. Good, better or not so ?
Phil Schiller introduces the iPhone4s. Photograph: Paul Sakuma/AP
Well so it happened. Apple’s new CEO Tim Cook took center stage and announced the launch of the iPhone 4s a few hours back. The internet is rife with debates over how some feel cheated as an iPhone 5 would have been so much better. Some others (mostly fanboys) are as excited as Apple wants them to be over the new features. And then there is a 3rd lot, which I feel I belong to. The lot that already have the iPhone4 and will wait to see how the new version fares before deciding. Speaking of which one particular feature / app “Siri” has definitely caught my attention. More than a voice command app, it comes across as a personal assistant. Let’s wait for the tech reviews to rip it apart and will reserve my take for better or worse, until then.
For now my opinion is this : Apple is smart to understand that the iPhone 4 is an amazing product and after a year (considered a long time these days) is still making a lot of money. So rather than spend truck loads on an investment completely new, risking the ROI in such a tricky economy, they want to rule the roost from the existing model making some major upgrades. Smart one, I’d give them that. Whether it works or not, remains to be seen.
So here are the major upgrades :
- The iPhone 4S will have both GSM and CDMA variants
- It has an A5 chip, same as the iPad 2 – Two times faster than the previous phone
- Dual core graphics; seven times faster
- Eight megapixels camera, with 33 per cent faster capture seconds to take first photo
- Infrared filter for more accurate colors – 30 per cent sharper
- Face detection in camera, 26 per cent better white balance
- 1080p video recording
- Intelligently switches between antennas to transmit and receive
- World phone: Has both GSM and CDMA
- Better battery. Talk, 3G, WiFi
- New voice assistant called Siri – Recognises natural language
Here’s an official video stressing on the new features and apps
Is Old really Gold ? Try telling that to an iPhone user
iPhone 5 ? 4s ? Mac Rumors have come up with this prototype
If You consider Yourself a staunch supporter of the philosophy “old is gold” get ready to be put Your beliefs to test again, as technology giants Apple are expected to announce their latest iPhone (either a 4s or 5) or maybe 2 of them for separate categories, anytime now. As I type this, the iPhone 4 which I have had for almost a year now is still, both personally and universally accepted as the best smart phone in the planet. Best resolution, incomparable user friendly GUI and add to that, an endless list of evergrowing apps. But everything will (or may) change within the span of next few hours.
A frenzy to lay Your hands on the most anticipated gadget of the year has resulted in fever pitched speculations. Rumour mills are adding fuel to fire by running riot amongst consumers. We have seen it happen last year. I have witnessed fans (if You can label them that) on several subsequent mornings post its release, queue infront of stores in the wee hours of morning much before start of business to book one. Some call it a fad and some cringe tagging the rest as wannabes, but somewhere deep in their hearts too, they wish for one themselves. True story.
Until that time comes, (which is anytime now), let’s look at our iPhone 4s and admire them for the fantastic job they have done. Ok…. What…? Tim Cook’s getting ready… ? See You in a bit
Bapu’s 142nd birthday and his relevance to the world today…
"No religion which is narrow and which cannot satisfy the test of reason, will survive the coming reconstruction of society in which the values will have changed and character, not possession of wealth, title or birth will be the test of merit" M K Gandhi
Just like most Indians of the post Independence era, I learnt about Mahatma Gandhi and his most prominent image that of a frail looking man, draped in one single piece of white cloth, a pair of round spectacles, with a rather tall walking stick wearing a sage like smile on his face, at an early age. This was followed by his teachings through lessons in English & History classes and sometimes even in Moral Science ones. His non violent methods of Satyagraha and Ahimsa as defining powers that shook the British Raj finally ending its tenancy in India that spanned over 200 years is part of folklore, popular culture and in a nut shell what defined India in the 20th Century. As I grew up and understood money, I slowly came to terms with his presence through his imprints on the nation’s currency notes.
His values couldn’t have mattered more in terms of relevance as much as it does today, to the world in general and to India in particular. A country that unpopularly boasts of being the 2nd largest population and the world’s biggest democracy should ideally have had the Father Of The Nation’s virtues as core principals. But the facts couldn’t have been further than the ideals specially so in this instance. It is mildly debatable whether everything the man believed and lived by would have worked in India’s favour of today. However it is undeniable that, if the law makers / keepers and citizens abide by fraction of those values, India would fancy its chances of coming a lot closer to what the great man had in his mind at its proud time of Independence.Truth be told, the world itself can do with a little bit of his teachings and bring some sanity to the chaos that is greed, hunger and poverty ruling the roost.
So as we celebrate his 142nd Birthday across the globe, its a time apt to sit back in retrospection even if its for a few minutes to ponder upon what each one of us can possibly bring in to the equation through our daily lives. That for me is, relevance. Its common sense to know what is wrong on a fundamental level but an willingness to forgive and work towards making things right by not thrusting his principals on everyone’s throat but abide by them on a personal level is call of the hour. Let’s make some sense of “one supreme ruler of this world” that should be feared, the one that sits above all. God.
Happy Birthday Bapu.
Here’s an interesting clip of his speech from 1931, delivered in Kingsley Hall, London on a similar subject. “Spirituality”
What is Your new found passion ?
The adage that stresses on the evidence that its never too late to discover Your passion is most certainly true.
Bharat : His new found passion behind the lens.
Having spent over a solid 2 years with it, I recently upgraded my camera from a beloved D40x to D7000. In doing so I sold my D40x (that I’d swear by is the best 1st DSLR to learn the tricks of the trade with) to a dear friend, who I believed had a penchant for the art. Its not like he couldn’t afford a new kit nor was it like it never occurred to him that he needed one. Its just one of those things, where in life it passes You by, while You’re engaged into more trivial things like career and family. Yeah thats sarcasm for the ones who couldn’t tell.
Long story short he has been a revelation since he’s laid his hands on the machine. One visit to his new website Big Boy Photoz, will tell You why he is so gifted. I am sure its a WIP; both his website and his skills, but its never too early to stand up and take notice of something that is this good. Specially when he’s had it for barely 30 days or maybe even lesser.
This shot is a result of goofing around at work. I am working on a very personal project and with the final touches to the plot structure, I came up with this idea. Bharat brought it to life. I loved it too much not to post There are a plenty more, but I’d rather flood my Facebook wall with them.
Retrospective Me
So here it is. Bharat’s new found passion. And if the early signs are anything to go by, I wont be surprised if he does extremely well in the field. So You see. It is true. Find Your passion, whatever it is. Find time for it and see how content You will be. & remember its never too late
Enjoy
