Sunday, February 28, 2010

Vinnai thaandi varuvaayaa - varalaam! varamalum poagalaam!!

Just now returned from Vinnaithaandi varuvaaya movie. To be frank, I already knew the ending of the movie (courtesy: a good hearted colleague of mine, who after so much persuasion revealed me the ending...thank you...). So now I knew what to expect from the film. Reviews were very positive. But I didnt want to get my hopes higher. Just because everyone liked it, it doesnt mean that I should. Isnt???

Ok now that I have seen the movie, what did I feel??? The feeling(s) that people have when they are in love, is so universal. And it was captured so vividly through the emotions of Karthick and Jessie. My very surprise package was Simbu. I never expected such a subtle performance from him. This is the first ever movie of his that I have watched in a Theatre (most of it I havent even watched and only two of his movies I have watched in TV ..manmadhan and vallavan..which I eventually liked). He has played his part so aptly, that you feel that he is living it instead of portraying some character defined by Goutham Menon (Was he trying to shout over the rooftop about his ex here ???...he only knows!!!atleast that is what I felt). Jessie ... well I should be honest here.. she is so beautiful, (can Trisha look so pretty in a saree??? OMG.. she was awesome..anyone would fall for her in the first look..wont they!!!).... but I was a little disturbed with her characterization. Are the women so confused when it comes to handling their parents to be with the person they want to spend their lives with ???? Was she confused because she was afraid that she wouldnt be able to manage a life with Karthick whose dreams are so different from hers and he is into a world which is 180 degrees opposite to hers? Atleast she wasnt confused about the religion part...Was she confused about the pain that she might have to handle if she had to choose between her parents and karthick? Isnt there any balanced situation at all in life for her?? I am not sure if women like Jessie are more in number or not. But I felt bad that, if there were such women, they were portrayed in this movie :(. I always wanted people to see the best sides of women (Selfish...)..


Another surprise character was the Cameraman uncle (I dont know the name of his)... his dialogues had me in splits. He was so natural. It looked it he was living in the sets. Restrained and yet practical dialogues.... he was definitely a big PLUS.

Cinematography and Songs were so so amazing. Choreography......!!! was there something like that... I guess they did what they felt.. nothing spl about it though. Editing ... I thought the film needed a little more cuts.. it was a little draggy in places.

[WARNING: spoiler ahead]

I knew the ending so I was expecting the exact scene where the reel and real life split happens. I was happy when I found it. It was subtle.. but I am not sure if everyone would have noticed the small change that happened, when Trisha meets Simbu in US and when she comes to talk to him. It was neat.

Gautham Menon has always depicted love in a totally different angle. Be it Surya and Jo in Kaakha Kaakha or Kamal and Jo in Veetaiyaadu Vilayaadu. They were all mature in a different way. Even Vaaranam Aayiram had very beautiful love angle(s). This is yet another different story line and hope he gives a different take on Love next time :)


The chemistry between the pair was awesome. They looked like they were made for each other. But, yeah, not all love stories need to have a happy ending right!!!! Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.

Just like Trisha says at the end, it was a breezy feel good movie and guys will definitely identify with it much more than gals, because it is from Karthick's perspective the story unfolds and Jessie being a little confused all along!!!

CatchIT - why ? Well you hardly find such cute lovable couple on screen irrespective of how the love story is told or how it ends...but more so for its technical brilliance.

Mostly this movie will be a hit with these people (a) aged between 16-22 (give or take a few yrs) (b) who are in the process called love :D (c) who have loved like this and are now happily married (some one in my office today sent a mail to our newsgroup saying that happily married is the best example of an oxymoron...aint?)

Let me end this post with some cute quotes :D

If you have it [Love], you don't need to have anything else, and if you don't have it, it doesn't matter much what else you have.
Sir James M. Barrie


ALFRED TENNYSON:
I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

FRANKLIN P. JONES:
Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

Oftentimes we say goodbye to the person we love without wanting to. Though that doesn’t mean that we've stopped loving them or we've stopped to care. Sometimes goodbye is a painful way to say I love you. - Kezia

Sometimes we tend to be in despair when the person we love leaves us, but the truth is, it's not our loss, but theirs, for they left the only person who wouldn't give up on them.
by Melai

Saturday, February 27, 2010

The Alchemist - Inspiring & Must Read

As usual I ran out of books, so again ordered Paulo Coelho's 2 books on Wednesday and got them delivered on Friday. And today, Saturday, I have completed one book :D

I started with "The Alchemist". When I was done with the Prologue, I was wondering why I wasnt interested in reading this book earlier ???? And when I completed the book today evening, I realized that I have chosen books or the books have chosen me when I need them the most and here I mean the books which have remained with me (not necessarily a physical presence) and which have made an impact on me.

I am a staunch believer of the fact (or belief) that "everything happens for a reason". This book happened to me now, when I needed a boost to my beliefs and a boost to my confidence. It is a simple story told in a beautiful way, reiterating facts. The best part of the book was the final paragraph. When Santiago, gets up and laughs, trust me, I laughed with him too, additionally punching my fist in the air :D

What does this book say ? Well, it tells us what we already know, but we dont want to believe in it!! or rather fail to even listen to it , which is way too convenient because we wouldnt be confused or even depressed that we arent trying.

I am not going to say much about the book or the story. But anyone who is spiritually inclined and who like stories should definitely read this book. It is also for people who need a boost (of their confidence, of their beliefs , of themselves)...

Must Read!!!!!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Paths of Glory - journey was a little tiresome

It was definitely a different area on which the story was based. I guess I have read Jeffery Archer's political or semi political stories till now. Climbing expedition, set in early 20th century. Well definitely a different story , no doubt, but somehow it didnt impress me the way "As the crow flies" impressed me. Now, I seriously dont know why the story of "As the crow flies" stuck with me and what was the aspect that I liked, but I like it...isnt that enough :). This one was more like a factual notes of what happened or might have happened (not sure which one it is..) if Mallory did/didnt climb the Mt Everest and how he went/didnt went about it.

It was a little predictable or may be once we have read the prologue and we have almost come to the stage where he goes for his 2nd try, we are able to guess what would have happened. Prologue somehow gave away the game for me atleast.

But altogether it was a nice read though. I took my time to complete it :)

So next what ?? I dont have a clue. I am yet to buy a book. Meanwhile, I guess I should concentrate on my guitar practise a little bit more. Sort of lagging behind my class schedules :D, not to mention my work schedules.

Ciao. I might have something better to blog next week I guess. Let me see..

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

"It is sometimes good to..."

I suddenly remembered the dialogue from 'Twilight' where Edward would say to Bella that he wont be coming to the afternoon class session and when Bella questions him on why, he would just reply, "It is at times good to ditch classes". Bella would look at him as if he was someone insane and then later when she comes to know that, that afternoon they have a blood typing class (she faints on seeing the blood) she panicks and as usual, Edward comes to her rescue and she will tell him "You were right". He would say "I usually am, but on what this time ?". Bella replies "It is good to ditch classes sometimes".

Why did I remember this suddenly ? Something of that sort happened to me, except that there wasnt any Edward here :D
We were informed to submit the Income tax proofs by 15th of Jan for computing the income tax for this financial year and since I came to office only on 3rd (after my vacation remember ???) and many of my bank docs to support my declaration hadnt been received, I had to do it around 12/13th. But yes I did managed to do it much before time and much before my friends (nothing unusual for me, for people who know me well. I always like to do things much well in advance even before the final date is somewhere faraway nearby ....am i insane???)..But you know what, guess the division which handles the income tax seems to have lost my documents and things were proper for people who submitted almost at the end. I had to resubmit everything again and that too was informed to me at the last moment and last day only, much to my dismay and I didnt have any of the required docs with me at that time. So what is the connection between this incident and the previous paragraph ??
"It is good to do some things at the last moment even if u have enough time in your hand to get it done earlier."

Why ?? because not all people might think the same way you think right ? So they became careless, I guess, when people submitted much in advance...

Enna kodumai sir idhu!!!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Recepción al primer cabrito de nuestra familia

That title means "Welcome to the first kid of our family" :) Today is another eventful day because today is the first wedding anniversary of my bro as well as his first kiddo's bday. Mom and kid are doing just very fine. I have never seen a new born hours after its birth. This is my first. It is so so small and so chweet and so delicate. I was so afraid to touch it (had goosebumps on me). Kids are so cute. She had her moms big eyes and my bro's chin :) atleast as far as I can see it. It might change in a year or two. She might grow taller anyways (my bro is almost 5'11 and my sis in law is 5'4)

We are all a very happy family now :)
May God bless them all

"I too had a love story" - Good attempt

"I too had a love story"-This is the first attempt of the author Ravinder Singh and not a bad one either. I am not sure if this again is autobiographical. But if it was, then this person might have had hell of pain to pen it down (just the opposite of 2 States). Yup, this is a sad one. This is about a guy who finds a girl of the same caste through the modern technology aid (aka internet and matrimonial website) and what happens between them and their families. Yes, both these novels did not only explain what the guy and the girl went through but also how their families felt. It was nice to read their aspect too.

Most of it was very dramatical, but yes, love by itself makes life bit dramatic doesnt it. (I tell you it was pure coincidence that I happen to read one happy and one sad love story just days before the Valentine's day. It wasnt intentional, sathiyamaaa..I found the coincidence while writing this very line...) We might think of the idiocy that we went through later but yes when you are there, you would not see anything else and nothing seems idiotic. And this guy was idiotic some times and the girl was very senti too. But yes the thoughts that he had penned were genuine. (How do I know ? - well read it and you will also know it, its not that difficult to find out)

It must have been all the more painful for him to relive the same and format it as if it was some one else's. I appreciate him for that atleast. If you had a happy ending and things had been fine, you will enjoy penning them down, but the same wouldnt happen if you didnt have an happy ending (I am not telling here what made the end so sad.. it would spoil the readers the little suspense) and even more hellish if you havent yet come out of it.

This book was very small and it was written in such a way as if one of my friend was narrating his story sitting with me, the english was too simple and the narration - very straight forward. Nothing too jazzy and nothing too "over the top" romance...just plain simple feeling expressed in the plain simple way. Good one and Good attempt.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

2 States - Exciting

I had mentioned in my last blog that I had ordered three books ain't? They were
2 States - Chetan Bhagat
I too had a love story - Ravinder Singh
Paths of Glory - Jeffery Archer

I did complete 2 States and I too had a love story ;)
2 States was better among the two. (I wouldnt say that the other one was bad, because it was the author's first novel and he did write it well enough). But 2 states scored because of its story, flow, humor, execution. I read somewhere that this was sort of the autobiographical. If it was, this guy must have gone through such a exciting life during these times. It need not be two different states for such a story actually. These kind of inter-cultural problems do happen even between families if the guy and the girl are from different parts of the same states / community even. For e.g. let us assume a girl (caste x) from say, chennai and a boy (caste y) from say, tanjore. Why different caste, even the same caste/community, if they belong to different subcastes or regions, there are too many variations in the customs followed. This story being from 2 different states and community makes it much more complicated. Yes, there were times when I felt that some scenes were right out of a rom-com movie, but it did fit in well with the story. I was very impressed with the wedding sequence and its thoroughness. Nice to see my language(tamizh) in an albeit Indian Author's Indian Novel. It was cool.

But yes, the events in the campus, did evoke a different kind of response from the elders though. Actually my aunt, who read 2 states and which was her first english novel ever read, was telling me that she was a bit disturbed after reading that and may be the author had exaggerated them. Well I did my part by convincing her that they were really really true. These kind of things always happened in a college hostels. She looked flabbergasted :) (you know she has a kid who has just joined college). I was little surprised to see such events (true or untrue - does it really matter) narrated in an Indian English novel. Well times are really changing arent they?

The woman in the story did depict the modern day Indian women in every aspect I guess. (Dont even ask if they drink beer ? - Well yes, they do it and do it openly and not just only beer .... Is it right ? - Well I wouldnt want to start any argument in my blog.. so.. no comments :) ..but yes they do drink and they have been for quite a few years.. let us take this as a matter of fact and proceed)

Do these kind of stories really exist? Or is it always fictitious. I think they do. Because I know quite a few people (including the ones in my office), where the girls are from south india and the guy from north. And these kind of love stories do bridge the gap (with each state wanting only people from their own state of origin to be present in their state nowadays.. I guess.. for the sake of a better country... these kind of love should be encouraged.. what say ?, but yes it should be a culmination of both cultures and families in all possible ways)

Regarding humor, well it had loads of it. I liked a few of them very much :D
The writing was definitely interesting.. This was my first read of a novel by this author. Seems like the other ones are also as interesting as this. The main capture of the novel was that it was about the people like you and me , from India. This guy and this girl could be in your neighbourhood.. It gave this feeling that it can be anyone from your family even ...nice isnt?

And I know of a few stories similar to this which ended up sadly (even after marriage) because either/both the guy and the girl couldnt convince the parents well enough or they lost their love in their path of convincing or any other xyz reason. But yes, it had failed. But it is always nice to read a love story with a happy ending isnt? I always love happy endings.

Next rest, and then tomorrow I will tell you what I felt about "I too had a love story"

Hasta Pronto!!!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Blog reading

I was literally out of work for past two days (I was supposed to start my study for a new project..but I still have got time till next weekend to really start on it.. eppo naama sonna nerathuku padichirukoam) so I was wondering if I had anything worth blogging. Actually .. I didnt... nothing exciting happened recently to put it here. So I was just clicking on the "Next Blog" option that was there above my blog to see other blogs that comes in randomly. And you know what I just got hooked to it. Some blogs are cool.. They made me laugh, made me think, made me gawk .... nice time pass.. It makes for a nice read also.
I liked the haiku and some entries in Talkcocksummit, the photos in WeirdPlaces,f.inround etc etc.. I atleast know that I have good blogs out there to read , when I am not writing one ;)

I have got the books I had ordered. So will start soon with one of them. Mostly "2 States by Chetan Bhagat". Will write about it once I am done.

Ciao.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

GOA - ilamai kondattam

Last Sunday, me and my friends went to watch the new release tamizh movie "GOA". My fav songs from the movie are : GOA theme music, Idhu varai (by Andrea and Ajeesh), Valiba Vaa Vaa (Illayaraja, SPB & Chitra).

You have to watch this movie with friends, because it is basically about how three friends (we were also three here.. enna coincidence paa..) make their way to goa and spend their time there (it is like a holiday for them). Nalla velai we didnt expect any story in this movie. It is the usual Venkat Prabhu style movie, with lots of one liners, fun, etc etc. Not even in one scene they were serious. God, is it possible to so humourous ? Even before we could finish laughing from the first joke/humor the next one is half way through. I am really 'dispersed' ;)

The first half konjam izhuvai...till they go to Madurai, apparam ore kondattam dhaan. Ivanunga tholla thaanga mudiyala. Producer kaasula nalla ooru suthi irupaanga poala. But they have enjoyed and we also enjoyed in the process.

The surprise element was Sampath and his characterisation. I think this must be first movie to directly portray gay relationship. I really appreciate Venkat Prabhu for his effort and Sampath has done a fantastic job as usual. He was very good, even in Saroja. Giving him good 'company' was Arvind. I am also happy about the way they have portrayed their relationship without making a mockery of it, which even Dostana (Hindi movie) failed to do.

Jai, Premji and Vaibhav were awesome. Particularly, Premji had the scope for "Back go" fights and "Amman kanna kuthara" scenes. Jai's speciality was his 'spoken englis' and Vaibhav his play boy character and his tryst with Sneha. Sneha, Pia all have done their role well. Every character had something or the other to do and their main aim was to make us roar with laughter through out the movie. I had a severe stomach pain by the end of the movie. One of my friend was laughing so rockingly that we thought that she would end up in the first row (we were at the third row from the back).

Story - nothing, screenplay - average, songs - good, camera - beautiful, direction - ennatha direction, avanga holiday la eppadi time pass pannuvaangalo adhaye padamaa edhuthirukaanga..but Venkat Prabhu scored this time too. I will definitely go in for a 2nd watch.

CatchIT... (heard that TamizhPadam - movie , is also very good..yet to watch it anyways)

I also liked the review (almost same sentiments as mine) which I read here.