These days, i am very fascinated with chick-lits. Light, breezy and quick to read, they are meant to be witty without trying too hard. Sadly, this one's trying too hard.
It is the story of a 29 year old, single (obviously) working woman called Aisha. She lives in Delhi and has all the traits of a Delhiite. Sorry, if i sound a little opinionated but every region has its peculiarities. And this one exemplifies Delhi perfectly. First put-off. Personal opinion but to be fair, the central character has nothing that endears or enrages the reader.
Second put-off - she works in a hotel, 5-star though, as a house-keeping staff. There is nothing wrong with it but, c'mon it would have been a better setting if she would be doing a slightly non-monotonous job. Just because the writer wanted to create a sensational first meeting for the lead pair, this profession has been chosen, it seems.
Then onwards, the character's insecurities, needs, desires, fears and blah blah are all very predictable. As for the characters - they are all mediocre too. Yes, they are supposed to be your everyday characters but these guys have no uniqueness in them. You don't feel for anyone, you don't remember anyone as soon as you flip the page.
As a 28-year old single working woman, i had thought i would relate to it at some level. But no, this one is adamant on being soul-less.
The writing is not great either. At the very least, i expected an interesting style of writing, but disappointment meets you yet again.
If this is the first-of-its-kind for you, then it may keep you hooked. Otherwise, it is just about passable.
Monday, 5 April 2010
Saturday, 27 March 2010
P. S. i Love You - the movie, should never have been made
Yes... it is such a sad adaptation of the book. So bland, so heartless and so soul-less.
With the book, you only want to mention the strengths, which quite outnumber the minor setbacks. And it saddens me to say that the movie is completely the opposite. i agree and do believe that the depth and attention to detail of a book cannot be attained in a 2 hour 05 minutes movie, but this one is nowhere close.
So much so that the letters are also rushed in. They are a part of the movie as if they are secondary to the other not-so-impactful scenes. The part where Holly sleeps with Gerry's childhood friend is in itself such a put-off for me. Here you are showing the perspective of a woman who is barely trying to grapple with her loss and the immediateness of sleeping with somebody just destroys the gravity of the situation and it is not just the act, it is the portrayal of insensitivity.
Hillary Swank, mediocre, to say the least. i personally don't like her at all. And she doesn't look the part, at all.
Gerard Butler, for his part, yeah..ok.
The only scene worth mentioning here is the scene where Holly goes to meet her in-laws and revisits her first meeting with Gerry. That is somewhat close to what the book wants to say.
Actually, there is nothing worth mentioning about the movie. All the writing would get repetitive and would end with such inadequacy.
Highly disappointed with the movie. Had it not been an adapt of the book, even then it wouldn't have made much waves.
Thoroughly mediocre.
With the book, you only want to mention the strengths, which quite outnumber the minor setbacks. And it saddens me to say that the movie is completely the opposite. i agree and do believe that the depth and attention to detail of a book cannot be attained in a 2 hour 05 minutes movie, but this one is nowhere close.
So much so that the letters are also rushed in. They are a part of the movie as if they are secondary to the other not-so-impactful scenes. The part where Holly sleeps with Gerry's childhood friend is in itself such a put-off for me. Here you are showing the perspective of a woman who is barely trying to grapple with her loss and the immediateness of sleeping with somebody just destroys the gravity of the situation and it is not just the act, it is the portrayal of insensitivity.
Hillary Swank, mediocre, to say the least. i personally don't like her at all. And she doesn't look the part, at all.
Gerard Butler, for his part, yeah..ok.
The only scene worth mentioning here is the scene where Holly goes to meet her in-laws and revisits her first meeting with Gerry. That is somewhat close to what the book wants to say.
Actually, there is nothing worth mentioning about the movie. All the writing would get repetitive and would end with such inadequacy.
Highly disappointed with the movie. Had it not been an adapt of the book, even then it wouldn't have made much waves.
Thoroughly mediocre.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
P. S. I Love You, the book - the best of chick lit
This is the story of Gerry and Holly. It is a love story where Gerry helps and guides his wife, Holly to move on with her life after he is gone. Usually, i don't like stories where 2 people in love are separated but in this one, they tell us that life goes on, even after the love of your life goes away and not as a drudgery but with more maturity and more meaning.
The narration is very interesting and engaging. The end or the moral doesn't matter, you are just so inspired to turn page after page. One of the examples that showcases Cecelia Ahern's skillful writing is the different ways in which she lets us in on the content of the 10 letters for Holly. From a chick-lit, you expect and don't even mind, run-of-the-mill stuff presented in a mediocre way, but this one has raised the bar.
Initially, i was a little disappointed with the first letter, both length-wise and content-wise but gradually its significance registered and the affinity kept growing after that. Through the 10 letters, Gerry lives with Holly and strengthens her to carry on with the rest of her life, to find love, to overcome her biggest fear and to begin living life as it is meant to be lived.
No overtly flowing emotions, no victimising oneself. Holly's relationship with her friends and family members, her acquired matured outlook, her jealousy and disconnect with the development in her friends' lives, it is all real and very convincingly presented.
i like the fact that Holly doesn't just jump into another relationship after Gerry asks her to. She takes her time and makes herself completely ready for it.
There are just a few discrepancies here and there. But, i think they are all quite forgivable and not worth mentioning, simply so that it shouldn't dilute the merit that this book holds.
Truly, it is a book worth reading. For all people out there in love and some few who think, love makes you weak, find out how love is but a constant source of strength.
The narration is very interesting and engaging. The end or the moral doesn't matter, you are just so inspired to turn page after page. One of the examples that showcases Cecelia Ahern's skillful writing is the different ways in which she lets us in on the content of the 10 letters for Holly. From a chick-lit, you expect and don't even mind, run-of-the-mill stuff presented in a mediocre way, but this one has raised the bar.
Initially, i was a little disappointed with the first letter, both length-wise and content-wise but gradually its significance registered and the affinity kept growing after that. Through the 10 letters, Gerry lives with Holly and strengthens her to carry on with the rest of her life, to find love, to overcome her biggest fear and to begin living life as it is meant to be lived.
No overtly flowing emotions, no victimising oneself. Holly's relationship with her friends and family members, her acquired matured outlook, her jealousy and disconnect with the development in her friends' lives, it is all real and very convincingly presented.
i like the fact that Holly doesn't just jump into another relationship after Gerry asks her to. She takes her time and makes herself completely ready for it.
There are just a few discrepancies here and there. But, i think they are all quite forgivable and not worth mentioning, simply so that it shouldn't dilute the merit that this book holds.
Truly, it is a book worth reading. For all people out there in love and some few who think, love makes you weak, find out how love is but a constant source of strength.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
Paa - just as expected - fabulous
Aww... Auro is such a cute kid. i just love him.
Paa is more about Auro than his Paa.
With a very simple storyline, this movie is very intelligently and heartwarmingly presented. The movie is very endearing with a total no-nonsense approach.
Progeria-stricken Auro is the apple of his mum and 'bum's (granny) eyes. He is a well-informed and intelligent kid. Oh... i am just so overwhelmed by Auro that i cannot think of anything other than him.
Ok, quickly then, i shall mention the specials about the movie without stating the obvious strengths of the movie.
The very practical, modern, urban approach of the movie. No unwanted melodrama, unnecessary sacrifice (as Auro puts it for his mom - such a sweet scene in the movie), sorry feeling for the terminal illness stuff. Taking life as it comes with the right amount of sensitivity attached to it. This definitely does not mean that the movie is uncaring, it is just pleasantly real.
Just goes to show that the movie-makers have finally and successfully started portraying real lives. i, on behalf of the viewers, am grateful for showing the mature film-making.
Each one of the performances are outstandingly brilliant. Bum (Arundhati Naag), Vishnu are absolutely lovable characters with fresh talents. Vidya Balan is nice. Paresh Rawal nice too.
Abhishek Bachchan has arrived. This man proves his mettle in a film that is entirely his Dad's. Although, i would like to tell the director that the politician scenes weren't required to occupy so many reels. They appeared as if they are there to showcase Abhishek's talent rather than the need of the story. Abhishek Bachchan is an A-grade actor just like his Dad. He might not have got the right kind of roles but he is undoubtedly, specially after Paa, talented to the core. i loved his scene where he breaks down in a controlled manner outside the hospital room.
And Amitabh Bachchan! What can be said about this walking, talking acting institution. There isn't an iota of Amitabh in Auro. You just cannot recognise him. Right from Auro's tedious make-up to his lisped speech, Amitabh Bachchan's hard work and sheer talent outsmart all the actors in the industry. He is the blessed one who got such a role. This role is an epic one. He has set the benchmarks so high for his colleagues that it will take herculean efforts on their parts to catch up. Of course, i don't need to talk about his histrionics, since it is established far beyond words.
A small budget film, the clothes, music of his movie is, dare i say, mediocre. But trust me, you will hardly notice and actually speaking it doesn't matter. Involved that i was in the movie, i felt the greed to see Auro spend time with his Maa and Paa as a family and not die in the end. It, anyways, was known that Auro's life was short-lived, so they could have avoided showing the graveness of it, specially after portraying the film so practically all along .
Awesomeness! Do i still need to tell you whether to watch it or not? It is not just a movie, it is an experience.
This is the first film whose trailer itself found place on this blog.
The wait was every small bit worth it. AB Corp has risen from the ashes and how!
Auro and his Paa are going to be remembered in the history of the Indian film industry for a long time to come.
Paa is more about Auro than his Paa.
With a very simple storyline, this movie is very intelligently and heartwarmingly presented. The movie is very endearing with a total no-nonsense approach.
Progeria-stricken Auro is the apple of his mum and 'bum's (granny) eyes. He is a well-informed and intelligent kid. Oh... i am just so overwhelmed by Auro that i cannot think of anything other than him.
Ok, quickly then, i shall mention the specials about the movie without stating the obvious strengths of the movie.
The very practical, modern, urban approach of the movie. No unwanted melodrama, unnecessary sacrifice (as Auro puts it for his mom - such a sweet scene in the movie), sorry feeling for the terminal illness stuff. Taking life as it comes with the right amount of sensitivity attached to it. This definitely does not mean that the movie is uncaring, it is just pleasantly real.
Just goes to show that the movie-makers have finally and successfully started portraying real lives. i, on behalf of the viewers, am grateful for showing the mature film-making.
Each one of the performances are outstandingly brilliant. Bum (Arundhati Naag), Vishnu are absolutely lovable characters with fresh talents. Vidya Balan is nice. Paresh Rawal nice too.
Abhishek Bachchan has arrived. This man proves his mettle in a film that is entirely his Dad's. Although, i would like to tell the director that the politician scenes weren't required to occupy so many reels. They appeared as if they are there to showcase Abhishek's talent rather than the need of the story. Abhishek Bachchan is an A-grade actor just like his Dad. He might not have got the right kind of roles but he is undoubtedly, specially after Paa, talented to the core. i loved his scene where he breaks down in a controlled manner outside the hospital room.
And Amitabh Bachchan! What can be said about this walking, talking acting institution. There isn't an iota of Amitabh in Auro. You just cannot recognise him. Right from Auro's tedious make-up to his lisped speech, Amitabh Bachchan's hard work and sheer talent outsmart all the actors in the industry. He is the blessed one who got such a role. This role is an epic one. He has set the benchmarks so high for his colleagues that it will take herculean efforts on their parts to catch up. Of course, i don't need to talk about his histrionics, since it is established far beyond words.
A small budget film, the clothes, music of his movie is, dare i say, mediocre. But trust me, you will hardly notice and actually speaking it doesn't matter. Involved that i was in the movie, i felt the greed to see Auro spend time with his Maa and Paa as a family and not die in the end. It, anyways, was known that Auro's life was short-lived, so they could have avoided showing the graveness of it, specially after portraying the film so practically all along .
Awesomeness! Do i still need to tell you whether to watch it or not? It is not just a movie, it is an experience.
This is the first film whose trailer itself found place on this blog.
The wait was every small bit worth it. AB Corp has risen from the ashes and how!
Auro and his Paa are going to be remembered in the history of the Indian film industry for a long time to come.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
The Hunting Party - thrilling and enjoyable!
After i read the storyline of this movie on Sony Pix in the Tata Sky 'i' button, i thought it would be interesting to watch it further. And after seeing Richard Gere, i knew this wouldn't be a complete waste. But i was so wrong. It is superb. The box office reports and critics can say anything about this movie, but it is very interesting, eye-opening also.
The plot revolves around an exceptional and successful journalist and the sudden fall of his career. His urge to rise back from obscurity forms the backdrop of the story. Richard Gere plays the role of this journalist working in the most happening news channel and enjoying life's perks to the fullest. He covers the war footage and its aftermath. A photographer and him form the best team in the channel. All of it changes when he goes to cover a war in Bosnia. He is fired and his photographer friend takes over.
After many years of doing small-time jobs, Simon resurfaces and promises a big story to his photographer friend, who is now just as famous as he once was. He claims to have the tip-off on 'The Fox' the most-feared terrorist who wreaks havoc in Bosnia. Simon Hunt (Richard Gere) convinces the hesitant Duck (his photographer friend played by Terence Howard) and Benjamin (news channel's Vice-President's son working as an intern) for the mission and begin their search.
Their adventures and misadventures on the way give the movie its character. And the soul lies in the real reason on why Simon wants to nab The Fox. Thrilling and spine-chilling, this one has the right doses of humour and drama into it. The end is a little dramatic but is entertaining.
i found this movie as an eye-opener because i got to know a few new things about the war-hit areas and the role of government and the politics involved in seizing terrorists.
It is a good watch!
The plot revolves around an exceptional and successful journalist and the sudden fall of his career. His urge to rise back from obscurity forms the backdrop of the story. Richard Gere plays the role of this journalist working in the most happening news channel and enjoying life's perks to the fullest. He covers the war footage and its aftermath. A photographer and him form the best team in the channel. All of it changes when he goes to cover a war in Bosnia. He is fired and his photographer friend takes over.
After many years of doing small-time jobs, Simon resurfaces and promises a big story to his photographer friend, who is now just as famous as he once was. He claims to have the tip-off on 'The Fox' the most-feared terrorist who wreaks havoc in Bosnia. Simon Hunt (Richard Gere) convinces the hesitant Duck (his photographer friend played by Terence Howard) and Benjamin (news channel's Vice-President's son working as an intern) for the mission and begin their search.
Their adventures and misadventures on the way give the movie its character. And the soul lies in the real reason on why Simon wants to nab The Fox. Thrilling and spine-chilling, this one has the right doses of humour and drama into it. The end is a little dramatic but is entertaining.
i found this movie as an eye-opener because i got to know a few new things about the war-hit areas and the role of government and the politics involved in seizing terrorists.
It is a good watch!
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