Posts

Varshangalkku Shesham: A Discussion - Friendship and Cinema

Image
I am not a great fan of cinema on cinema. Primarily because it takes you through different aspects of film making and in the process demystifies the process of filmmaking itself, pretty much the feeling one would get when a magician after a good round of applause explains to the audience how he pulled off the trick.  Varshangalkku Shesham on the other hand brought up much more engagement and entertainment in the ‘process’ of explaining magic (Jigarthanda has achieved this before). The story follows the lives of two friends Venu and Murali who leave a small town in Kerala for the promise of making it big in Kodambakkam, Madras. Spanning over fifty years, it is more about the friendship between two contrasting individuals than the film industry itself.  The evolution of friendship between the two lead characters were established organically. Venu understands the prowess of Murali when the dashing smash-buckling musician saves a dull drama by a village troupe with only the versatility
Post a Comment
Read more

Book Review: The Millennium Series - Through the Eyes of a Loner

Image
After finishing the three books of the Millennium series, I was upset with only one thing - the author Steig Larsson has passed away even before the trilogy was released. It did not seem justified to write one of the best thriller series of all time and cease to exist before the drafts materialized as books. It was refreshing to have a crime series set in Sweden away from the streets of New York or San Francisco. The names of cities and towns were peculiar which added more flavor to the thrillers. The 3 books dealt with multiple facets beyond the world of crime. The author had stacked up layers of pages from which vines sprouted, climbing through things far beyond the book. The stories remain memorable due to the consistency of the lead characters which spread across the stories. Lisbeth Salander aka The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an enigma even when the final page is turned. The character loves being lonely and is grossly misunderstood by most people who cross her life. There
Post a Comment
Read more

Iron Man and Thanos: Two sides of the Same Coin

Image
"Well, Dmitri, every search for a hero must being with something every hero needs, a villain." - Dr. Nekhorvich from Mission Impossible II When I watched Avengers: Endgame I was prepared for an engaging movie primarily because of the directors - the Russo brothers. But I have got to admit that the movie was far more emotionally draining than I expected it to be. Founded with time travel and peppered with nostalgia, the movie was a three-hour rollercoaster. The movie gave a fitting end to one of the longest series in movie history, wrapping up 21 movies in style. It was a classic good and evil tussle which became larger than life because of the heroes who adorned the screen, or should I say the ultimate antagonist. The entire Marvel series was essentially a tussle between the tech-genius Tony Stark aka Iron Man and War Lord Thanos. The other characters, in my opinion, are mere distractions as the foundation of the conflict is between these two powerful men. The ulti
2 comments
Read more

Men who define Mass

Image
Rarely do movies give you a sense of fulfillment when you walk out of the screen and Lucifer gave me that. It was the first Malayalam movie which I had watched on screen with Mohanlal in the lead and I definitely would not be able to understand the references to his previous movies. But watching the film brought me feelings which I experienced while watching  Petta . Mass The only connection between the two movies which were from different genres, directors and even language was the Super Stars who adorned the screen. In Indian Masala movies, there is a term which is used often but rarely defined - Mass . Mass is a status which most aspiring actors like to achieve. There are innumerable names who after a successful run of a dozen films try to make the transition to a Mass hero but only a few succeed. Mass is an element which represents the connection with the masses in general which only a few actors are above to achieve. An Experience The limitations of vocabulary negate com
Post a Comment
Read more

Batman and Joker - A Study in Existentialism

Image
When the Joker trailer popped up in my YouTube recommendations it was hard to resist. Three minutes later my lips exhibited smiling scars for multiple reasons. Apart from appreciating the glimpses offered by Joaquin Phoneix, the trailer flashed archival memories of tongue-flapping Joker seen in the movie 'Dark Knight' cemented by the late Heath Ledger. I was happy that after a long time, a superhero movie will not follow textbook codes for success and that there will be peppered elements of artistry. Nevertheless, it mostly brought back the only person who has the power to withstand the savagery of the Joker - The Dark Knight himself. When the two characters were sketched by Artists for the very first time it is quite doubtful whether they knew that these characters will become an epitome for one of the most unsolvable philosophical questions - the meaning and purpose to life. The different shades of the grey cast over Batman and the Joker is an interesting study in existent
Post a Comment
Read more

Perfection - An Elusive State

Image
I still wonder what would have been going on in the mind of    Nadia Comăneci when she scored a perfect 10 in gymnastics. Happy and elated are words too simple to describe something when you crystallize a performance as good as anything can ever be. It wouldn't be the first time and she would repeat it six more times in her career. And she would not be the first person to do that a few others would follow. But the fact that only a few had achieved it in gymnastics tells a lot about the score or does it? Photo Courtesy: Steven Rasmussen There were moments of sporting greatness which any ardent viewer would be able to appreciate. I still remember how Sachin positioned himself to play a Straight drive that got him past fifty in his last innings. The ball and the bat were in a rhythmic symphony, the body was in line with the ball and the eyes religiously watched as the ball kissed the bat and glided towards the boundary. In terms of sporting achievement, perfection is an over
Post a Comment
Read more

I Burn

Image
Photo Courtesy: Liz West I light up the fire To burn myself here This is not the first And it won't be the last. As heat invades Skin Pores hollow, Only will prevails I know that follows. Air would fail,  To rival fire In bringing flail As it burns me dire. Sparks fly over Feeding extreme pain. There is no cover, Seething agony rains. Nothing is true As pain. Not everything is pure As affliction. Fire is a blessing And also a curse It leaves you screaming Yet saves you from worse It leaves you  With a weak body But awards you A strong mind The body recovers In some time, The scar Glitters, In Sunshine.  The Mind is Stronger For better battles The next fight is now Eager As I am to turn tables. Fire is not evil, Only sinners Know. I burn by will, It makes me Grow.  Photo Courtesy: (External Link) Liz West
2 comments
Read more