Watched Avatar in 3D. A very good movie, it was. The movie was something which I saw for the first time on screen. Cameroon has actually upped the ante for the future filmmakers. The fact that $ 1.2 billion was spent on this flick proves how convincing Cameroon must have been when he did the sales pitch for his movie. Many of my friends, colleagues and movie reviewers were saying that ‘Avatar’ has to be appreciated for the ‘creativity’ thing of Cameroon. I, actually, beg to differ on that aspect. Anybody can be creative. But the courage and vision one must possess to bring it on screen must be appreciated more than the ‘creativity’ stuff itself. Cameroon must be really appreciated for this.
P.S: Loved the references Cameroon made to US govt’s war on Iraq with the dialogue ‘We’ll fight terror with terror’. Great job Cameroon!
P.S 2: Read an article where it said that it is a sheer coincidence that ‘Avatar’ released on the week when Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen was underway.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Jeeva and Adam Smith
No. They aren't related to each other. Neither are their ideas.
But what relates both of them is the fact that I happened to read the ideas of both of them in quick succession.
One talked about how 'self-interest' is important for a nation to prosper. And the other, talked about 'taking everybody with you'.
Once, in a guest lecture at Great Lakes, an eminent personality quipped that how every MBA graduate is, invariably, a capitalist. Yeah right? What else do you expect? MBA grads vie for roles whose one of the job descriptions is to reduce cost (which also turns out to be the workforce). Every MBA grad wants to be in a job which helps reduce his/her company's bottom line (i.e) expenses column in the P&L statement.
This effectively means that you HAVE to be a capitalist by nature. You believe that, by promoting your (company's) self interest, you are doing your 'best' to the nation. I wouldn't have done this if I am a communist. An MBA, who also happens to be a communist (a very rare combination), would have discovered/invented other ways of reducing cost.
But who would be more effective? I am sure, it will be the capitalist.
By the way, can't a person be both a capitalist and a communist? I am reminded of the movie "Wall Street". Gordon Gekko wouldn't have gone to the jail if he had followed the laws of the land. Actually, his intentions are right. Greed, is in fact, GOOD. But, he failed to follow the laws of the government.
This instance takes me to another view point. That is, the government has to be communist. It must frame laws so that the common man is protected. But, the market must be a 'free market'. The government must not tell the companies 'what to produce', 'how much to produce' and 'how much to price it'. The suppliers and the consumers MUST decide that. Not the government.
This effectively means - A communist government and a capitalist market. May be, this combination would work.
Hey wait! Isn't this the format of present day China?
But what relates both of them is the fact that I happened to read the ideas of both of them in quick succession.
One talked about how 'self-interest' is important for a nation to prosper. And the other, talked about 'taking everybody with you'.
Once, in a guest lecture at Great Lakes, an eminent personality quipped that how every MBA graduate is, invariably, a capitalist. Yeah right? What else do you expect? MBA grads vie for roles whose one of the job descriptions is to reduce cost (which also turns out to be the workforce). Every MBA grad wants to be in a job which helps reduce his/her company's bottom line (i.e) expenses column in the P&L statement.
This effectively means that you HAVE to be a capitalist by nature. You believe that, by promoting your (company's) self interest, you are doing your 'best' to the nation. I wouldn't have done this if I am a communist. An MBA, who also happens to be a communist (a very rare combination), would have discovered/invented other ways of reducing cost.
But who would be more effective? I am sure, it will be the capitalist.
By the way, can't a person be both a capitalist and a communist? I am reminded of the movie "Wall Street". Gordon Gekko wouldn't have gone to the jail if he had followed the laws of the land. Actually, his intentions are right. Greed, is in fact, GOOD. But, he failed to follow the laws of the government.
This instance takes me to another view point. That is, the government has to be communist. It must frame laws so that the common man is protected. But, the market must be a 'free market'. The government must not tell the companies 'what to produce', 'how much to produce' and 'how much to price it'. The suppliers and the consumers MUST decide that. Not the government.
This effectively means - A communist government and a capitalist market. May be, this combination would work.
Hey wait! Isn't this the format of present day China?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Review of my reactions after 'Rocket Singh: Salesman of the year'
A big fight erupted in the middle of Citi-Centre when Gobi and I vouched for ‘Rocket Singh’ and Niranjan for ‘2012’. Eswar remained calm as he was more bent on going home to have a nice sleep before going for the 6 am shift. “Come on Eswar” Gobi shouted “4 hour sleep is enough”. But no. He wouldn’t hear.
Ultimately, we succeeded in dissuading Niranjan from arguing for ‘2012’ by making 3 points.
1. 2012 is crap (This was a lie. We both loved it. But the thing is I and Gobi had already seen it)
2. Good reviews for ‘Rocket Singh’ (The effect of the so-called expert reviews is very blatant)
3. Ranbir Kapoor (Gobi and I watched APKGK on the first day actually to have a feast of Kats. But, Ranbir really impressed us with his non-intrusive acting)
Eswar, who was listening to this conversation all along, decided to join us after all. Aah! Power of convincing.
The guy in the box-office counter of Sathyam said that he watched ‘Paa’ and was blown over. ‘I don’t know about Rocket Singh’ he said when we asked how the movie is faring. So, with absolutely no expectations (I don’t believe reviews. I use it only as a tool to further my opinion), I sat in the theatre.
To make things clear, it is NOT a mind blowing movie. It isn’t the one which strikes you on your face. In fact, take the title credits. A very simple household shown with a pleasant background score. The first scene where Ranbir was shown looking at his University scores is a classic example. Score – 38.72. Just pass. Contrary to what you’d have expected (Pumping his fists in the air etc.,), Ranbir doesn’t go overboard. He looks at the score for a few seconds and a very very very small smile creeps in his face. I smiled after seeing him smile.
I think the point is made.
I realized that I was there to watch something which is very close to the hearts of Jaideep Sahni (Writer) and Shimit Amin (Director). There is so much life into the movie that you might feel bored some times. Come on guys, life is indeed boring at times.
I think I’ll end up describing each and each every favourite scene of mine. But I don’t want to spoil the movie experience of yours. Go ahead and treat yourself with this movie. It is a very rare one, you’ll realize.
Ultimately, we succeeded in dissuading Niranjan from arguing for ‘2012’ by making 3 points.
1. 2012 is crap (This was a lie. We both loved it. But the thing is I and Gobi had already seen it)
2. Good reviews for ‘Rocket Singh’ (The effect of the so-called expert reviews is very blatant)
3. Ranbir Kapoor (Gobi and I watched APKGK on the first day actually to have a feast of Kats. But, Ranbir really impressed us with his non-intrusive acting)
Eswar, who was listening to this conversation all along, decided to join us after all. Aah! Power of convincing.
The guy in the box-office counter of Sathyam said that he watched ‘Paa’ and was blown over. ‘I don’t know about Rocket Singh’ he said when we asked how the movie is faring. So, with absolutely no expectations (I don’t believe reviews. I use it only as a tool to further my opinion), I sat in the theatre.
To make things clear, it is NOT a mind blowing movie. It isn’t the one which strikes you on your face. In fact, take the title credits. A very simple household shown with a pleasant background score. The first scene where Ranbir was shown looking at his University scores is a classic example. Score – 38.72. Just pass. Contrary to what you’d have expected (Pumping his fists in the air etc.,), Ranbir doesn’t go overboard. He looks at the score for a few seconds and a very very very small smile creeps in his face. I smiled after seeing him smile.
I think the point is made.
I realized that I was there to watch something which is very close to the hearts of Jaideep Sahni (Writer) and Shimit Amin (Director). There is so much life into the movie that you might feel bored some times. Come on guys, life is indeed boring at times.
I think I’ll end up describing each and each every favourite scene of mine. But I don’t want to spoil the movie experience of yours. Go ahead and treat yourself with this movie. It is a very rare one, you’ll realize.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Media in Tamilnadu
What came as a jolt for me yesterday morning was the news that those who were accused in the murder of three employees of Dinakaran's Madurai office were acquitted. Reason - All the witnesses turned hostile.
I do not want to express my emotions on how I feel because it's totally unexplainable. 'Angry' would be a gross understatement.
Now, why is that a BMW murder case, Jessica Lal murder case and Manjunath murder case gain so much importance in the national media and this one does not. Why is this discrimination by the national media such as NDTV and IBN Live on Tamilnadu? The reason why we, Tamilians, look up for those media powerhouses is because our own state media is FUCKED UP to say the least.
Pardon me the language, but that is how it is. As some famous film personality said about a talk show - News channels in Sun TV, Kalaignar TV and Jaya TV are involved in masturbation. Self pleasure. They never care to show case the real issues. All they are concerned is what their so-called leader (Actually, the financier of the TV channel) is doing.
In this respect, I am actually jealous of my North Indian friends who have got at least a decent media. Oh yeah, media goes overboard at times. But, that is part and parcel of the game.
Hope the news channels start taking events in Tamilnadu more seriously.
I do not want to express my emotions on how I feel because it's totally unexplainable. 'Angry' would be a gross understatement.
Now, why is that a BMW murder case, Jessica Lal murder case and Manjunath murder case gain so much importance in the national media and this one does not. Why is this discrimination by the national media such as NDTV and IBN Live on Tamilnadu? The reason why we, Tamilians, look up for those media powerhouses is because our own state media is FUCKED UP to say the least.
Pardon me the language, but that is how it is. As some famous film personality said about a talk show - News channels in Sun TV, Kalaignar TV and Jaya TV are involved in masturbation. Self pleasure. They never care to show case the real issues. All they are concerned is what their so-called leader (Actually, the financier of the TV channel) is doing.
In this respect, I am actually jealous of my North Indian friends who have got at least a decent media. Oh yeah, media goes overboard at times. But, that is part and parcel of the game.
Hope the news channels start taking events in Tamilnadu more seriously.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Just like that...
Sunny day - ECR - Bike ride - 90's A.R.Rahman and 80's Ilayaraja in the iPod -> Bliss.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Review of my reactions after 'Yogi'
Okay. What sold the movie 'Yogi' to me? What made me to urge my friends to watch this one?
1. Visuals - I generally like 'greyish-green visuals'
2. Set up - Trailer hinted that the movie is set up in Madras.
3. Yuvan Shankar Raja - Of late, Yuvan has been constantly associated with decent movies. So, I just believed him blindly even though I didn't hear a single song from the film.
4. Ameer - I just thought this guy would not be stupid enough to waste his time in a movie directed by the Director of 'Thiruda Thirudi'. No offence to that movie. I actually liked it. The thing is Ameer is capable of making a far better film than him. There is an opportunity cost involved, you see.
All these factors made me book tickets.
But, the movie had other plans for me.
The initial scenes at a local hotel looked promising. But as and when the story progressed, I sensed that there wasn't anything new which the Director was trying to tell us.
I liked the way few scenes were shot. The things which strike me now are the ones shot on the building where the four characters were shown (Back-lit) talking about their future.
Songs looked ok-ok. But not even a single song remained with me after the movie got over. Come on, you can't blame Yuvan. May be he couldn't really connect to the character and the scene. As a music director, how'd you differentiate between the characters in 'Katrathu Thamizh' and 'Yogi'?
Overall, I regretted dragging my friends and myself to the movie. I am not interested in sharing the story as this one is just a review of MY reactions after the movie. And not a movie review. I don't believe in reviewing movies because I respect the kind of hard work a person puts in making a movie. And I don't want to be the guy who happens to 'own a computer' and 'has time' to write something to degrade a movie.
After all, movies are personal things. Just like books. Some may like. Some may not. I've known people who even hated 'Minnale'!!! Now, beat that!
1. Visuals - I generally like 'greyish-green visuals'
2. Set up - Trailer hinted that the movie is set up in Madras.
3. Yuvan Shankar Raja - Of late, Yuvan has been constantly associated with decent movies. So, I just believed him blindly even though I didn't hear a single song from the film.
4. Ameer - I just thought this guy would not be stupid enough to waste his time in a movie directed by the Director of 'Thiruda Thirudi'. No offence to that movie. I actually liked it. The thing is Ameer is capable of making a far better film than him. There is an opportunity cost involved, you see.
All these factors made me book tickets.
But, the movie had other plans for me.
The initial scenes at a local hotel looked promising. But as and when the story progressed, I sensed that there wasn't anything new which the Director was trying to tell us.
I liked the way few scenes were shot. The things which strike me now are the ones shot on the building where the four characters were shown (Back-lit) talking about their future.
Songs looked ok-ok. But not even a single song remained with me after the movie got over. Come on, you can't blame Yuvan. May be he couldn't really connect to the character and the scene. As a music director, how'd you differentiate between the characters in 'Katrathu Thamizh' and 'Yogi'?
Overall, I regretted dragging my friends and myself to the movie. I am not interested in sharing the story as this one is just a review of MY reactions after the movie. And not a movie review. I don't believe in reviewing movies because I respect the kind of hard work a person puts in making a movie. And I don't want to be the guy who happens to 'own a computer' and 'has time' to write something to degrade a movie.
After all, movies are personal things. Just like books. Some may like. Some may not. I've known people who even hated 'Minnale'!!! Now, beat that!
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