300:of decapitated bodies & flying blood drops.....

This is yet another sadistically satisfying movie to be released in recent times ! It was my 2^nd gore fest in two weeks after Apocalypto . The movie , as everyone knows , is based upon the granddaddy of gore , Frank Millers graphic novel . So I was waiting to watch this one from the day I first learned about it .

Coming to the plot , it is basically about the battle of Thermopylae , where a handful of Spartans led by King Leonidas bravely fought & died against a massive Persian army . Anyone whoever is interested in history will know about this war & also other Greeko-Persian conflicts . So the plot is actually simple . The USP is not in the plot , but in the execution . It retains the comic book feel , but yet pleases your eyes . The aesthetically flying drops of blood & the human organs satisfy all the sadist movie buffs . Cinematography & visual effects are brilliant throughout the movie . The lead characters have come up with some great performances . Gerard Butler looks & acts like a real Spartan . But I was more impressed by Lena Headey who makes her presence felt in a male dominant war movie . The crowd roars in appreciation when she kills the traitor to take her revenge . Zack Snyder has ably directed the movie with blending the best aspects of all other movies of such genre .

Having said all these , the flip side of the film is the partial treatment of the story .

• Only Spartans are shown as real heroes & other Greeks as cowards

• Xerxes looks like an eunuch , which is not acceptable at all

• The Persians are shown as blood thirsty monsters with grotesque faces

  • while the truth is that everyone did the same thing in those times , Greeks did it to Troy & were going to do the same to Persia after a century under Alexander

So the film is having it's share of controversies . But anyway it is a well made period action movie & is based on a fictitious graphic novel rather than real history books . So if you can keep your history lessons aside for a couple hours & can enjoy the gore , it is worth a try .

Discovering Isabel Allende: A journey into mysticism

Magical realism has become the most attractive word for me nowadays . Specially the Latin American authors being the ones leading the trend are threatening to displace all the books on my bookshelf . Isabel Allende is of course one of the usual suspects of this onslaught .

I’ve always known her name having read her eulogies in several places . But I’d never read her before . All that changed last month when I discovered an entire shelf dedicated to her in my favourite bookstore . Almost all of her books were available there , house of spirits , Eva Luna , infinite plane , my invented country , Ines of my Soul , Paula & Zorro . But I was in an escapist mood , wary of work , interviews & life in general . I wanted to get myself immersed in some juvenile adventure story for some relief . So I picked up “City of the Beasts” by the same author which is first of such kind from the author , first one of the Alex , Nadia & Kate trilogy . I started reading it eagerly after coming back to my room & soon I found out that my decision was not incorrect . It had all the ingredients of a perfect teenage adventure story . An energetic teen couple(if I may say so) , a rough & tough granny , mysterious Amazonian rainforests , elusive tribesmen , mythical creatures & sinister marauders . Though such stories have been told a thousand times , it becomes lively at the hands of the accomplished author .

The story revolves around a fifteen year old troubled teenager Alexander Cold . His mother is ill & his life is in utter chaos . Unable to manage the situation , his father sends him to his granny Kate , who is an exceptional woman . She’s traveled almost all of the world in search of stories demanded by her profession . She’s been part of many life threatening adventures & even at the age of sixty four she was ready for another one to the Amazons . She doesn’t believe in pampering children , so she takes Alex also along with her to the perilous trip in search of a killer beast . On the way to their destination they meet other members of the expedition team including the honey coloured daughter of the guide , Nadia . Alex strikes profound friendship with her which only strengthens with the progress of the story . They begin the journey of adventure , realization , discovery & revelation . They meet people from the mist , the mysterious tribe which leave in perfect harmony with the nature . They also encounter the ancient beasts .

The book is a pleasure to read . Though the plot is actually clichéd I’ve always liked such stuff . Not only because of the plot but also for skillful yet effortless storytelling by Allende . The narrative is so vivid that you feel transferred to the Amazons yourself . Description of locations , animals , dreams & hallucinations speaks volumes about the author & her extent of imagination .

The Amazons have always attracted me . Ever since I read Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Lost World” in 3^rd Standard . Both of these boos start the journey from the Amazonian city of Manaus & ventures deep into the similar territory . So comparisons become inevitable . In that sense I would prefer Allende’s book because Doyle’s book was written in Colonial times from a white man’s point of view . On the other hand Allende is more sympathetic & respectful towards the natives . She endorsed their simplistic & minimalist lifestyle . She blends modern philosophy with native Indian mysticism . So there are some underlying messages along with breathtaking adventure .

So, though it is one of the lesser known works by Allende , it has enough indication of her caliber as a storyteller . It’s a feast to all who love those carefree teenage adventures . But those who think they are too grown up , should stay away from this .

Apocalypto:I watched it twice

Well….this is not for Rajshree , K Jo & Yashraj fans . I’m sure most of the criticism have come from that front . It is for the ones who loved Kill Bill , adored Saw & went gaga over Sincity . Also those who are allergic to subtitles should stay away as the entire movie is in Yucatec Mayan . Credit goes to Mel Gibson who before this has done an equally gory Passion of Christ in Aramaic to maintain authenticity .

To start with , let me give you a small summary .There is a small Mayan village in the midst of dense Yucatan forests dwelled by Jaguars & Tapirs . They spend their life happily hunting in the jungle & expects the same to continue till eternity . But soon the tragedy strikes , a pack of warriors suddenly attacks the village , massacres half of them & imprisons the rest after a bloody ambush . Then begins a fatal & painful journey & finally they arrive in a huge Mayan city . There they finally discover the reason of their imprisonment . They were about to be sacrificed to quench the thirst of the great God Kukulkan to save the decaying civilization threatened by plague and other epidemics . The events unfold quickly after this , the hero of the story , Jaguar Paw , escapes from the tyrants & then begins a relentless & breathtaking chase through the treacherous Yucatan terrains full of jungles , marshes , waterfalls .
I won’t disclose the climax , but I can assure you that it is nail biting & engrossing . Coming back to the qualitative aspects of the movie, it is a trademark Mel Gibson flick with plenty of action & bloodshed . But as an accomplished filmmaker he never lets the story to be overshadowed by action . The sets , costumes & makeup etc are very authentically done . The medieval chase sequence with robust men running barefoot will beat any modern one involving cars & aircrafts . The background music is haunting & has an Indian touch . The crude humours , specially the one involving Tapir balls complement the dark mood of the movie well . The new actors namely Rudy Youngblood as Jaguar Paw & the beautiful Dalia Hernandez as his wife have done a commendable job .

Having said all these , the movie has also had its share of controversies like any other Gibson film . Specially distortion of Native American history & depiction of Mayans as a brutal & pervert tribe has raised concerns . Because the kind of human sacrifice it has shown , is more close to the Aztecs than the Mayans . Also it shows Spanish conquistadors arriving at the end as if they were angels of peace . But the fact is that the Columbus’s , Pizzaros & Cortezes were no less brutal . They utilized their advantage of having guns & annihilated all the Indian Civilizations namely Mayan , Aztec & Incas .

So this is where the film falters a bit . But I will still give it four out of five as reconstructing a civilization that was lost 500 years ago is no child’s play . I watched it twice in the multiplex & would advice you to do the same .

Babel

A couple of years ago when Maniratnam’s Yuva was being released we heard that it has something to do with one Mexican movie called “Amores Perros” . I liked Yuva & so always wanted to see the other one . But unfortunately that wish is yet to be fulfilled . Anyway after sometime I discovered Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s next movie 21 grams in the hostel LAN & wasted no time to gulp it . This is how I started getting addicted to his style of chaotic yet intriguing storytelling . Since then I’d been waiting to watch Babel . Today I’ve finally watched it and it was as I expected . An array of seemingly unrelated characters woven into a mesmerizing plot !!!
We were late for the show & missed first five minutes of the show , so I don’t know exactly how the movie started !! Anyway when we entered the theatre Brad Pitt & Cate Blanchett were traveling through the Moroccan deserts on a tourist bus . Suddenly a bullet comes from nowhere & hits Cate on her shoulder . At that very moment there is a cut & we find ourselves in Japan ! I’m sure those who were not familiar with Inarritu found it most unexpected !! Anyway now we move into the second plot , the story of a deaf & mute Japanese girl who tries to lead a normal life with her friends & her father .
But she’s sexually frustrated & at times feels left out because of their physical limitations . The girl & her father’s roles are played by Rinko Kikuchi & Koji Yakusho . After a few minutes again there is a sharp cut & now we land in Mexico where some Mexican immigrants from US comeback to Mexico to attend a wedding . The Mexican aunt & nephew duo is played by Adriana Barraza & Gael Garcia Barnal .
This is the basic plot of the movie . Three incidents happening in three countries & so the location keeps changing every five minutes but it never hinders the pace of the story . Moroccan cops traces assailants of the American tourist & finally it is found that it is actually two teenagers who were given the rifle to kill jackals to save their goats . An encounter takes place & the one of the boys were shot . At that time the other boy raises his hands , surrenders & takes all the blame upon himself . This was one of the most touching scenes of the movie . On the other hand in Japan the father finds it difficult to communicate with the daughter . His wife had committed suicide sometimes ago . Cops come to visit him regarding the incident in Morocco . The girl is attracted to one of the cop & bares it all for him . At the same time the Mexicans return to US border from the wedding . They were having two American kids with no letter of consent from their parents . Also Gael was driving intoxicated . So when they were stopped at the border & interrogated , he panics & drives off the post . He then drops his aunt & the kids at the desert & runs away !!
After this the story unfolds quickly & we finally get to see what actually is happening & why they traveled to three countries to shoot the movie . But I’m not going to spill the beans as it might spoil the party for those who are planning to watch the film . Coming to performances , Brad Pitt delivers his finest one so far as the anxious husband while Blanchett also excels in her small role . Rinko Kikuchi also has done justice to a very difficult role & also I shouldn’t forget Barraza in the Mexican front . Also the small but significant Moroccan characters (unfortunately I don’t know the names of those actors!!) have delivered brilliant performances . Having said it all , is there any let downs??? Alas it’s there !! Gael Garcia Bernal is totally wasted !! He suddenly disappears & never comes back again . It was the weakest point in an otherwise flawless story . Anyone who’s seen Motorcycle Diaries , must’ve expected more of this actor .
As far as direction is concerned , I can only say that a lesser director would’ve made a mess of such a plot !! But Inarritu pulls it off . He also completes his trilogy of death with this one (Amores Perros , 21 Grams & Babel) . But I would definitely like him to make three more !! Also worth mentioning is Guillermo Arriaga’s writing . He has also written the previous ones & he is actually the brain behind these beautifully messy plots . Cinematography is first rate , specially the shots in Moroccan terrains are a visual treat . But what I liked most is the music by Gustavo Santaolalla . It is haunting & soul enriching at the same time . Also the music keeps changing according to the locations .
In All I can say is that it is worth the money you are going to pay for it . So , don’t hesitate , go for it…..& “If You Want to be Understood...Listen….”

Doom 2???

I normally never watch Yashraj movies . But that day I had nothing better to do & favourable reviews everywhere gave me faint hope that it might be an exception . So I stepped into the multiplex with a bit of hope & a lot of skepticism . And unfortunately my worst fears came true !!!
The movie starts well with slick stunts like so many we’ve seen in the past . The starting sequence in Africa is decent if not great . But like all other “Bollywood trying to ape MI2” movies , it also loses steam after half an hour . The film revolves around the international thief played by Hrithik & the cops after him i.e Abhishek & Uday as expected . The good looking thief is entertains us with innovative & hi-tech exploits & repeatedly fools the cops (though a sense of déjà vu is bound to occur) . He meets one small time (but suave & stunning) thief i.e Ash & takes her with him too . On the other hand there is Bips as the sexy lady cop who joins the original Dhoom duo . The trendy & funky thief finally runs away to Brazil for his next mission along with Ash . The cops follow & finally gets him . There is a little bit of twist here in the story which I don’t want to reveal for the sake of those who are planning to watch it . Anyway the film ends in a positive note for the baddie unlike D1 . Uday also gets his girl finally in Bips (not the cop but her twin!!!) .
The worst aspect of this movie is the wafer thin storyline . It is so predictable that towards the end it becomes extremely boring . The climax is unforgivably lame . Though there is a twist at the end , it is not believable . The problem with such movies is that they start firing in all cylinders at the beginning like their Hollywood counterparts but then give to mushy romance , boring song & dance sequences & pedestrian comedy to appease popular sentiments (But there is no denying the fact that it sells …specially in India!!) .
Sanjay Gadvi’s direction is average . Pritam’s Music is lackluster (no Tata young this time!!) . Cinematography , visual effects & other technical aspects are decent for such kind of a movie . Coming to performances , I don’t really want to bash anyone , they have done a decent job . It’s the plot that lets them down . Uday Chopra’s comedy & Aishwarya’s “Hinglish” sometimes become irritating though . Hrithk looks great as usual & I think it has helped the movie to get a lot of female audience .
So , at the end , I would like to say that go for it if you liked earlier films like Dhoom & Dus . It falls in the same category . High style quotient , less substance & if you think it is a hardcore action movie , you’ll be disappointed again !! Action sequences are good , but not adequate enough !! Even original Dhoom had more action to satisfy real action buffs .

I have nothing to write actually . Still I am writing because I have nothing better to do . I don’t even have flies to kill, contrary to the popular belief here(it is a popular saying in my native place that people kill houseflies when they have nothing else to do). Though my eccentric monitor is threatening to spoil the party (it keeps becoming blurry time and again and then I have to restart it !) still I must confess that I am having a good time right now . The scheduled class(part of my office training) was postponed and so at the moment I am totally free . Another reason for writing this one is that it’s been more than a month since I posted last in this blog (I posted in some other blogs though) .
The weather in Bangalore also seems to be as moody as the monitor . It was raining some times ago . Now the sun is shining brightly . It reminds me of my capricious roommate who for some unexplainable reasons changed our newspaper from TOI to Deccan Herald , thus denying me my daily crosswords and the sizzling photographs of Ban galore Times . The problem is that he is the earliest riser in the room and he is the only person who gets to meet the news paper guy every morning .
Well I can see that as I am progressing a pattern is being developed in this aimless gibberish . The moody monitor reminded me of the weather and the roommate . But now I am tending to deviate . I actually wanted to write about my starvation for quizzes . I still solve those online quizzes but I am really missing those real time quizzes of my college . To be fair it is the only thing I miss as far as my college life is concerned . By the way this “moody” stuff is not leaving me . Because now one more mercurial personality has come to mind . Quizzing scene in our college revolved around the annual mega quiz in our techfest . It was conducted every time by the mercurial Parnab Mukherjee . Now this person is undoubtedly the most controversial quiz master in India . There will be a lot of quizzers and other quiz masters who would love to hate him . But what I must confess is that he is the most unpredictable and dramatic of all the quiz master I have seen . He used to be the biggest crowd puller in the techfest . A quiz master of the masses . Controversy always attract people . Perhaps that is why he occasionally came up with controversial information like the one about Big B’s first movie (hard core quizzers will know what I am talking about) . He also made the atmosphere charged by occasional satirical outbursts against the ones he hated . Those unfortunate ones included other quiz masters , reigning stars like SRK etc. and also the newspaper Times of India . People always clapped at his remarks , no matter whatever they said at his back . Whatever it is , I enjoyed a lot during those times .
Anyway I can only ruminate those memories now ! Euphoria has turned into nostalgia . Also all my earlier partners are settled in different places . So the web is the only tool for us now . And as I am finishing off , my leisure time is also coming to an end and I am all set to do some real “work” in true sense .

Dreams …..

Sometimes I feel an urge to get lost in the wilderness . I just feel like giving up this ‘good for nothing’ life . Though I can’t actually do it but I dream of such places very often . Perhaps my subconscious mind just tries to provide me some solace while I am asleep .

In the dreams I find myself in the midst of vast empty terrains without any trace of other human beings . I can only see barren expanses touching the sky in the horizon . But I never see the Sun . I always see the azure sky with the Sun covered with white clouds and the golden hue spreading all over . Sometimes I also see the entire sky covered with thick dark clouds and the wind blowing violently and hitting me at my face . Human beings or anything man made never intrude my mindscape during such occasions . Such ethereal imagery gives me an immense sense of ecstasy which I never get when I am fully awake and dealing with the tangible world .

I have always been fascinated by clouds and rains . Even hailstorms act like aphrodisiac for me . That is why such things appear in my dreams so frequently . Also occasional solitude is a good way to regroup and introspect . That is why I find myself in wilderness . But sometimes the urge to escape to the dreamland in reality becomes insatiable and yet unachievable . It actually gives me immense pain and the phantasmagoria ends with the Sun tearing apart the clouds and scorching my face , which turns out to be a reality when I open my eyes and find out that it is already morning .

My escapism leads me to nowhere & only the last part of the dreams remind me of the reality and the unavoidability of it . Dreams remain dreams and I get back to the day to day labyrinth of hope, effort and failure . So I wait for the night to undertake another utopian escape to the dreamland .

An Essay on Nothingness …..or is it ???

I am feeling an irresistible urge to write something . But I am pathetically short of ideas . Nothing mentionable has happened in my life off late . So I am trying to convert this nonoccurrence of event to an event itself . Whoever chances upon this post , is requested not to mind the purposelessness of the topic (or the lack of it) .

The empty mind and empty heart are finally taking their toll . I am so empty nowadays that I am having to find ways to kill time . WC matches are helpful , but not enough .
Surfing sessions also help , but still I am left with a plenty of time and so the oppressed writer within me finally gets a chance to fill up the mental vacuum . Anyway I am trying hard to remember something pleasant and finally I have found something . The girl in the consultancy which mistakenly called us (me & some other fellow strugglers ) for a call center interview ! One of us got a call from them and we reached the place after several hiccups and misdirected misadventures . But then we came to know that we were actually called for a wrong purpose ! Anyway this futile journey remained memorable for me because of that girl with the nosering in the reception . She for some moments kept me spell bound as she inquired our whereabouts . After the confusion was over we came back and as usual I did not have the guts to ask her anything else . But that nose (like that of Cleopatra’s in Asterix) and that nosering still remain vivid in my mind . so I am just trying hard to prevent myself from writing a romantic poem & tormenting the ill fated blog readers further .

I am not sure why am I doing it . Lots of questions are brewing up in my mind . Am I just aping others and joining the bandwagon by creating this blog ? Or do I really want to do it ? Whatever it is , I have finally shrugged off years of lethargy and started my own blog .Let me tell you something more about me for the sake of formality . My name is Jitaditya & I am an engineering survivor in true sense . I have finished my studies recently and currently I am wondering about the options for my future (this the good thing about not studying well , you become aware of your other options !) . The rest of me will emerge with this blog . I have never been comfortable talking about myself . “TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF” has been the toughest question I have faced in all of my interviews . So let us see what comes out from this blog .
Thank You .