The Namesake
Irrfan, Irrfan and Irrfan. The man is mind blowing! If Maqbool was awesome, this is Amazing! I have always felt that the key difference between western cinema and us is not inferiority in technical know-how, but (surprisingly) acting know-how. It is amazing how even a 'lowly' extra (not even supporting actor) in Hollywood / European Cinema puts in So much and comes across so convincingly, while we continue to be overwhemled by loud histrionics by our leading men and women। Irrfan is a cosmic aberration to this rule. He essays Ashoke with so much detail that it is a treat for senses.
In 'Interpreter of maladies', I was never able to get past 'A Temporary Matter' (It begs to be made into a slick B&W film). There is something so intriguing in the way Jhumpa tells us the simplest of human tales, that haunts us for weeks after we put the book down. I think it is the raw, undiluted honesty. I can feel that it is all over The Namesake, though I havent touched the book yet. The real coup is that this is also Mira's primary weapon. The combination is heady. You get an instant high!
My first tent morning!
When my friends Miki and Neha invited me to their 'trance party' in the middle of nowhere, I said a reluctant 'yes', as it is a genre of music that I have never been able to relate to. Not to mention the 'dance floor' component - a frontier I have never managed to cross into successfully in life ;(. However i HAD to go, as it was also Neha's farewell weekend in town before she flew to Atlanta to join her fiance. The place was a good 100 miles from any kind of civilization and I managed to get there after losing my way atleast 5 times. We pitched the tent in what seemed like an ocean of darkness, in biting cold. I was so tired from the driving and the 'losing my way' that I was fast asleep in my sleeping bag, with the trance playing in the far background. It must have been about 5:30 in the morning when Neha woke me up and said 'you have to see this'..... and I stumbled out of the tent. Wow! the muddy colorado river was buzzing in front of me, covered in a fog blanket and behind us, the cliff announced itself in the first rays of sun...it was quite simply the best thing I have woken up to in the last 29 years...(beats the steamy Ash poster in my room during college, hands down!).....and then there was Neha's piping hot masala chai...life's good!
Bangladesh!!
OK...This is officially the first time that I saw a match and a re-run consequtively, without the Indian team playing....wow! I cant believe that I can enjoy the success of a country whose army gorged the eyeballs off Indian BSF not long ago. I think it must be the 'underdog slaying goliath' masala that never fails to impress. I completely enjoyed Ashraful's audacity and how these guys have revived the World Cup which was otherwise reaching a predictable death. Way to go!
On a related topic....I think this article by Sambit Bal is by far the sanest I have read about Cricket India, in the last few weeks of media diarhea.
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/288900.html
Please note that this came days before the recent developments at the BCCI. By the way....Venkatesh Prasad as the bowling coach? whats next....SJ Suriya directing Pacino?
Mozhi
I loved Radha Mohan's first - Azhagiya Theeye, for the screenplay and especially the humour. Mozhi was hyped beyond belief by every friend whose opinion I gave credibility to. Am happy that the film lived up to most of it. It is amzing how I have come to expect 'nothing less than wow' from Jyothika these days. and Vidyasagar! the man dishes out melodies like 'Murugan Idli kadai' does sambhar....and every serving is yummy!. Someone should name him Raja's unofficial heir! My fav scene was the 'zebra crossing as piano' ;)
3 comments:
I wanted you to see Mozhi coz i was kinda disappointed by it. I found it a nice pleasant movie. But thats about it. I fully agree that it is over hyped. The best part for me though, was the professor - brilliant.
Have to agree with tinker bell. Was disappointed too. Could have been a lot better with decent editing n cinematography...
I missed watching Mozhi. Is on my to watch list, but haven't done it for lack of company.
The Namesake is also on my to watch list. Have to get down to it.
Nice read... especially the bit about the morning scene. Never thought highly of Ash, but the description of the morning was lovely.
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