Back to stay!

Hey,

Its disgusting how many like me leave things alone at infancy. I started this blog with a serious intention, updated it almost everyday. Now, its been over a month and I haven't posted a even once.

Anyway, like always I will try to keep it moving on a regular basis to the best of my ability. But then I am only as human as you are.

However, this brings me onto a strange yet serious matter. The death of ideas. Prime suspect: laziness. I must confess that I have been a victim of it. A victim several times. I have lost out on so many (what could have been thought evolving) stories, only because I did not make it a point to note it down.

Now I walk around with a note pad and a post it pad in my bag all the time.

You never know when the lightning strikes.

Adios

Spotted!

Hey,

I had heard so much about Trainspotting - the movie that I could not resist walking up the hill to my library and borrowing the DVD. On getting back home, I turned my laptop on immediately and watched it.

If you are still reading this blog post and haven't seen the movie as yet, I suggest you leave right now and catch the movie. Do not waste precious time reading this post, as this has nothing to say in comparison to the brilliance that is - Trainspotting.

Based on a book by Irvine Welsh, the story revolves around heroin, friendship, smart dialogues, great music and some brilliant direction.

Made in 1996 (which took quite some time to digest) the movie is a UK film industry cult.

There is nothing more I can say about the movie, but 'Go watch it'.

P.s: (I would actually be interested in knowing what you think of the movie)

Adios

Super Size Me!

Hey,

Obesity seems to be the next big killer after cancer. Like a thousand info commercials made on the issue, there are an equivalent number of documentaries as well.

The first time I heard about 'Super Size Me' was almost a year ago when I was working as a copywriter. I did look up Super Size Me, but ended up watching Fast Food Nation - which in its own respect, is a great movie based on a book. Although set in a fictional world, the movie deals with behind the scene events in the fast food business in America. But am not going to talk about Fast Food Nation.

I was still quite curious about Super Size Me. I finally managed to lay my hands on it. After initial speculation and concern for Morgan Spurlock's life, the documentary goes on to reveal the dirt under the skirt. I found the documentary to be very close to Micheal Moore's narrative structure, but enjoyed this documentary for its own strengths.

Although the documentary targets McDonalds solely, the message applies to all the fast food chains I suppose. But I must confess, I wasn't fully convinced. I felt the issue was exaggerated over the limit. Putting oneself on a McDonald's diet for thirty days for all three meals a day is by no means a clever idea. And the documentary goes on to prove that.

We all know what McDonalds / Burger King is there for. But they are definitely not the whole and sole reason why people in America / world are growing at an alarming rate.

I enjoyed a Burger King veggie burger last weekend, and I am no where close to being bothered about being obese.

Adventurous and definitely a must watch. But not compelling enough (at least for me).

Adios

African Cinema

Hey,

I first heard of Athol Fugard when I was part of a production house that organised a play based on this great South African writer. Although I haven't read any of his written work I have seen a play written by him and now I have seen a brilliant movie as well.

As a part of my course, I have lectures on critical and conceptual issues. For the next seminar, our topic is African Cinema and we have as a class witnessed two movies. One from Senegal called 'XALA' and one from South Africa. While both the movies are special in their own ways. I have taken a special liking to the South African movie called 'TSOTSI'- based on Athol Fugard's literary piece.

The movie is a based on the life of a young don and his redemption. Through the course of the movie, the audience gets an insight into the underworld activities in South Africa. But then again, the movie is not about that either. Its a gangster movie with real emotions. Its life that governs the plot and not death. The movie has some clever direction, music, photography and acting.

I had nothing in common with the central character. I have not been in a place where any of the characters have been. I don't know the language they talk. But the emotions the movie deals with has no boundaries.

Tsotsi is a movie thats camouflaged true human emotions really well into a gangster movie.

Adios.

Elizabeth - The Golden Age

Hey,

I finally went to a cinema to watch a movie. My first film on foreign soil. I was very kicked about it. Now I must say I am very ashamed of myself for not knowing that Elizabeth - The Golden Age was directed by fellow Indian 'Shekhar Kapur' and also ashamed of myself for not watching the first movie. Anyway, the movies here run full length without a break in between, which took me a while to get used to (wonder when people step out to buy pop-corn). The movies here also never start on time and ours was delayed by over thirty minutes by trailers and ads and repetitive ads.

Let me get critical, cause I don't want to review the movie for you. the movie was a great watch on the big screen. however I did feel, it would get a little dry if one were to watch it on the smaller screen. The music and costumes are meticulous. The setting, music and direction make the movie a very pleasant watch and lifts the movie to a completely new level. Quality acting by Cate Blanchett makes Elizabeth a true force to reckon with in the movie (can't think of another actress who could have done justice to the role).

I was however felt a little let down by the Spanish Armada war sequence. the movie's central theme was the naval war, and I felt the war sequence lacked high quality production value (especially after movies like Pirates and Troy that have elevated the level of naval war sequences). But then I do have to say; the movie is about Elizabeth - the virgin queen. Her character has been dealt with great care and can be clearly seen in this beautifully crafted drama.

I must say that I was quite shocked to know that there are people back home who are creating a ruckus about religious conflicts in the movie. As a third party who has seen the movie, I was not in the least bit influenced by the story line.

And even if someone is. It's history. Its not a work of fiction. Its true.

Adios

Long Pause!

Hey,

In motion picture, one of the most commonly used trick to create suspense and a feeling that something substantial is coming up is what we call 'Long Pause'. I recently employed the same strategy. I have been away from my new home, wandering the streets for about a week now. And now that I am finally back, I have my audience waiting for the revelation. But let me stop you there, cause there is going to be no revelation. Its like how one of my tutors puts it 'you use a track shot to reveal something unique, something mysterious, but you cant just reach the subject and cut. Now, I have done that as well. I have built this blog up and then cut it halfway trying to bring in a star cast. Unfortunately that's not going to happen.

Its just me and my good old world. What I see and feel is what I like to talk about.

So here goes.

Last week, if I am not wrong, it was a Friday afternoon. The students engaged in a war sequence with the tutor. The battle of wits and long drawn monologues bought out one interesting observation from a student. Someone from a corner yelled out ''Film making is like playing a guitar, we have multiple cords, unless we learn all of them we cant really play the guitar''.

I phased out into a zone of my own and wondered if there was actually any weight in what she said. I think its clever, but baseless. Film Making and playing the guitar are two unconnected subjects linked by the clever use of English. Film Making is like learning to play a new instrument every single time.

I came back to reality and heard someone say,''Yeah, if it is a guitar with a thousand strings..''

And then I zoned out again. This time I just sat there mentally calculating the amount of money wasted in class discussing the connection between film making and guitar.

I came to reality to hear my tutor say: ''Lunch''.

I zoned out again. This time around I was calculating the money in Indian rupees that I would have to spend on vegetable burger.

Me learning how to play the guitar is a waste of money. People talking about it in a film making class is even worse.

Adios

Life on two wheels!

Hey,

I make it a point to watch at least one movie a day (if not more). Sometimes I don't find the time to watch one, so I make up for that during the weekends.

I watched ''Diarios De Motocicleta'' (The Motorcycle Diaries) finally! Based on true life, this is an excellent example of improvisation of real life events to fit the screen. The docu-drama apart from winning the Academy, also has to its credit great cinematography, music and acting. But what makes it a must see is the plot that is summarized in these few lines:

''This isn't a tale of heroic feats. This is a story of two lives running parallel for a while...''

-Ernesto Che Guevara

That sums it up.

This two hour film can further heighten your 'WOW' effect if you understand Spanish.

[I had to make do with the subtitles.]

Adios [Cause thats all I know amigo ;)]

Think Plural

Hey,

A very important thing to remember while doing any work is to trust. Trust your team and trust yourself. A man cant be jack of all trades. One should do only what he is good at.

Its very common to overplay one's position and I don't mean this in any bad way at all. One always thinks he knows best and tends to influence others actions, worse; do it for them.

The important thing to learn is 'Never Dominate' in a relationship, work, life etc. Give the people you are working with, the credit they deserve.

Adios

Film Science!

Hey,

Film making is no rocket science,
Rocket science is easy!

Film makers are meddlers. We always look inside our lives and the lives of the ones close to us to derive a story. Stories are always personal, just like a good movie. From the stories that influence early childhood to the stories that influence people like me, to be film makers; the story of our lives are influenced by so many stories.

The more we meddle, the better film makers we become.

Adios

Film Rolling!

Hey,

How you doing?

This is a new part of me. Its a new start. A progressive start. I hope to keep this branch of me alive as this branch is very close to my heart. I have been blogging for over two years now, but now am going to talk about me and my field. My views and my critiques. Share my knowledge and friendship.

I pray that this becomes an avenue for free discussion and debates. You are welcome to give your opinions and talk about your story.

The snowball has started rolling.

Keep on Rolling!

Adios