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.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
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!
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Kurbaan - hackneyed!
Seriously guys, i think film makers should stop glamourising the subject matter of terrorism. And this film says nothing at all that hasn't been said before in better movies like Fanaa and New York. Promoted as a love story with bloodshed, it is so predictable and bland that you can sleep through the movie and not miss anything.
Totally lacks lustre.
i would give credit to Karan Johar's enterprising spirit for changing gears and doing something different than the brand image but the content needs to be new and improved.
Music is okish.
Clothes are okish. (highly disappointing because you expect not just good but fabulous clothes from a Dharma Production movie)
Direction average. But again, as a debutant director, not bad, promising.
Performances regular, not very impressive.
Kareena - Saif's love making scene (yawn)...yea...nothing sizzling.
Over all impression - boring.
Not worth watching in a theater. Watch it on Tata Sky on showcase :)
Totally lacks lustre.
i would give credit to Karan Johar's enterprising spirit for changing gears and doing something different than the brand image but the content needs to be new and improved.
Music is okish.
Clothes are okish. (highly disappointing because you expect not just good but fabulous clothes from a Dharma Production movie)
Direction average. But again, as a debutant director, not bad, promising.
Performances regular, not very impressive.
Kareena - Saif's love making scene (yawn)...yea...nothing sizzling.
Over all impression - boring.
Not worth watching in a theater. Watch it on Tata Sky on showcase :)
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Dollar Bahu - another of Sudha Murthy's heartwarming book
i like the way books (the ones i am reading) unlike movies don't necessarily end with a happy ending. This one does not have a sad ending but it has a very believable and a practical ending. This is one of the many good things about this book.
Predominantly the voice of Gouramma and Vinuta, the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law duo, it is a poignant description of the everyday workings of an Indian household with the peculiarities of a joint family.
No-nonsense, simple and lucid, you sail through the book without stops. i finished it in just 1 day, in less than 20 hours, almost. Sudha Murthy generally does not resort to improbable twists in the story and says it like it is, but in this one, she pleasantly surprises you.
Chandru's crush on Vinuta, his younger brother Girish's marriage to her without his knowledge, it all sounds very believable with the right dash of spice to it. Gouramma's fascination with the dollar income as a means to fulfill her long-cherished dreams and then slowly the dollar encroaching on her familial happiness is very relative. i like the way Gouramma is introduced to the ways of America. The pluses and the minuses of living in America, described just the way it is, not as a villain or a hero, but as a country full of opportunities, failures, hopes and disappointments. It clearly testifies the fact that America has made despondent lives successful, made people hardened and indifferent, helpless and hopeful, all within its periphery.
i was very impressed with its end.
It is a quick read that gives you a sneak peek into the lives of a semi-urban family. Interesting.
Predominantly the voice of Gouramma and Vinuta, the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law duo, it is a poignant description of the everyday workings of an Indian household with the peculiarities of a joint family.
No-nonsense, simple and lucid, you sail through the book without stops. i finished it in just 1 day, in less than 20 hours, almost. Sudha Murthy generally does not resort to improbable twists in the story and says it like it is, but in this one, she pleasantly surprises you.
Chandru's crush on Vinuta, his younger brother Girish's marriage to her without his knowledge, it all sounds very believable with the right dash of spice to it. Gouramma's fascination with the dollar income as a means to fulfill her long-cherished dreams and then slowly the dollar encroaching on her familial happiness is very relative. i like the way Gouramma is introduced to the ways of America. The pluses and the minuses of living in America, described just the way it is, not as a villain or a hero, but as a country full of opportunities, failures, hopes and disappointments. It clearly testifies the fact that America has made despondent lives successful, made people hardened and indifferent, helpless and hopeful, all within its periphery.
i was very impressed with its end.
It is a quick read that gives you a sneak peek into the lives of a semi-urban family. Interesting.
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