I just saw Avatar.Kindly ignore what I said about Avatar having alternative worlds, time travel etc. What it is about is a wonderland, like how earth once might have been, but a world who's existence is threatened by humans who seek to secure wealth at the expense of a civilization, and who will leave no stone unturned to seek what they desire, which is eerily similar to our reality.
It's also a movie that opens our eyes to a world so rich and vivid and teeming with life that our planet seems to be fucking dull when you leave the theater and for that, for freeing our minds for 2.5 hours and allowing us to bask in the splendor of James Cameron's creation, it should win Best Picture and Director Academy Awards hands down.
A must see.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
I'm BACK!!
In the 10 months that I have not made an entry into my cyber diary, I have been a silent spectator to many ominous goings on, the most important of which is that Bangalore is now only a quarter as cold as what it was even 2 years ago. In the background of the Copenhagen Summit,this raises a crucial issue of our individual responsibility in averting an impending disaster. But the time frame between application of effort and its bearing fruit is all-important. I only hope it does not become a "too little too late" sort of scenario. And did anybody notice how the onset of the Copenhagen talks was after a similar scenario was enacted in the movie 2012?!!
Apart from which India will probably have as many states as the USA in about 10 years time, given the histrionic demands of certain people in high places, and the ease with which the powers that be appease childish, juvenile requests that are self serving and have nothing to do with the welfare of the people. Who's placing a bet for 52 states by 2019??!!
And hey, I want World Peace too. Gimme that Goddamn Nobel Peace Prize!!
As my experience in the study of human behavior increases, I have realized that, and I may be going a bit tangential here, that as far as the mind is concerned, the concept of religion becomes null and void. It is only the sense of comfort that it gives you. The same can be applied if, say you're in trouble, such as a financial debt, and you turn to another person for help, then in that moment, the person who helps ease your stress becomes possibly the most important person in your life. The same applies to the concept of a religion, and as an extension, God, giving you the sense of comfort. What if the same God exists without any prejudice? The concept of one God who embraces all, and who does not punish you for being bad, and one who is just there for you?
Most of the religious texts in the world (although I am in no way an authority on this), I guess, basically preach the same concepts- of truth, integrity, levelheadedness, courage to face obstacles, and a life of moderation and charity. What difference does it make if it is preached by different people?
I have also noted that television shows, no matter how brilliantly conceptualized and executed, tend to wind up being slightly more realistic soap operas in the end, which is a shame because such effort need not end up as a fiasco every single time. There are, however, some shows that have stood the test of time. The Simpsons, for one. But after that, options are hard to find.
There are also some characteristic lines that are uttered in most shows. Some of which include:
"I will do anything to protect my family"
"I didn't want you to get hurt"
"It's complicated"
"Maybe she's scared 'cos she's so vulnerable"
"I thought we had a deal"
"I did it to protect my family"
"I never imagined waking up in bed next to you"
"Can't we pretend that last night never happened?"
"It was a mistake. I was lonely and vulnerable and..."
And so on and so forth.
I am going to see Avatar today and I absolutely can not wait. I am, as you well know, fascinated by the concept of life on other planets, time travel, in addition to relationships, alternative realities, comic books and the working of the human mind. Avatar seems to be a good mix of most of the above components. Sam Worthington had greatly impressed me with his amazing performance in Terminator: Salvation and it's interesting to see how he will fare in this film.
Apart from T4,other movies of note this year were Inglorious Basterds, Wake up Sid, Star Trek(amazing!!), Watchmen, and Up, to name a few.
That's it for now I guess. Take Care and be Responsible.
Apart from which India will probably have as many states as the USA in about 10 years time, given the histrionic demands of certain people in high places, and the ease with which the powers that be appease childish, juvenile requests that are self serving and have nothing to do with the welfare of the people. Who's placing a bet for 52 states by 2019??!!
And hey, I want World Peace too. Gimme that Goddamn Nobel Peace Prize!!
As my experience in the study of human behavior increases, I have realized that, and I may be going a bit tangential here, that as far as the mind is concerned, the concept of religion becomes null and void. It is only the sense of comfort that it gives you. The same can be applied if, say you're in trouble, such as a financial debt, and you turn to another person for help, then in that moment, the person who helps ease your stress becomes possibly the most important person in your life. The same applies to the concept of a religion, and as an extension, God, giving you the sense of comfort. What if the same God exists without any prejudice? The concept of one God who embraces all, and who does not punish you for being bad, and one who is just there for you?
Most of the religious texts in the world (although I am in no way an authority on this), I guess, basically preach the same concepts- of truth, integrity, levelheadedness, courage to face obstacles, and a life of moderation and charity. What difference does it make if it is preached by different people?
I have also noted that television shows, no matter how brilliantly conceptualized and executed, tend to wind up being slightly more realistic soap operas in the end, which is a shame because such effort need not end up as a fiasco every single time. There are, however, some shows that have stood the test of time. The Simpsons, for one. But after that, options are hard to find.
There are also some characteristic lines that are uttered in most shows. Some of which include:
"I will do anything to protect my family"
"I didn't want you to get hurt"
"It's complicated"
"Maybe she's scared 'cos she's so vulnerable"
"I thought we had a deal"
"I did it to protect my family"
"I never imagined waking up in bed next to you"
"Can't we pretend that last night never happened?"
"It was a mistake. I was lonely and vulnerable and..."
And so on and so forth.
I am going to see Avatar today and I absolutely can not wait. I am, as you well know, fascinated by the concept of life on other planets, time travel, in addition to relationships, alternative realities, comic books and the working of the human mind. Avatar seems to be a good mix of most of the above components. Sam Worthington had greatly impressed me with his amazing performance in Terminator: Salvation and it's interesting to see how he will fare in this film.
Apart from T4,other movies of note this year were Inglorious Basterds, Wake up Sid, Star Trek(amazing!!), Watchmen, and Up, to name a few.
That's it for now I guess. Take Care and be Responsible.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
It would appear that we, as human beings, choose to define our existence based on how miserable we are, instead of trying to measure it in terms of the many moments of joy it has given us.
A classic example of this would be Gregory House, of House MD, played by Hugh Laurie. The protagonist is a genius doctor who is addicted to opioids and can't seem to function outside the hospital as a human being. In many episodes we see him playing his piano and having his daily helping of scotch but he is seldom seen to smile, and even if he does, it is because he has outwitted his boss or something like that. Genuine happiness apparently is something that has never embraced him completely, or vice versa. Instead he chooses to define his existence on how he keeps on limping, and on the fact that he is a tough hard ass because of his limp and chronic pain problem and hence everybody else are sissies because he is able to carry on with his problem and other people seem to be totally stranded in theirs.
How many of us are like him, I do not know. Maybe it might be due to the fact that I am an eternal pessimist who is unable to look at the brighter side of things , although I do try to. But then again, how much I have tried to seriously be a more optimistic person is up for debate.
As with all things in life, we do live it, but how much of it we do seriously ,with enthusiasm, and awareness, is something I don't want to answer for now.
I have been exploring the works of the Rolling Stones, and I like what I find. For all their hedonism, these guys knew what they were doing and that's enough to give them the satisfaction they keep singing they can't get.
I saw "Rock on" which was quite a satisfying and entertaining film. Quite contrary to what I had expected really .If Farhan Akhtar can star in or direct more movies like this.....quite an exciting prospect on the whole. Akhtar is amazingly at ease as the band leader who reluctantly embraces a past he had long ago bid farewell to in order to find out the reason for his current state of misery. The other cast put in solid performances and the songs are pretty good as well.
More later. Bye.
A classic example of this would be Gregory House, of House MD, played by Hugh Laurie. The protagonist is a genius doctor who is addicted to opioids and can't seem to function outside the hospital as a human being. In many episodes we see him playing his piano and having his daily helping of scotch but he is seldom seen to smile, and even if he does, it is because he has outwitted his boss or something like that. Genuine happiness apparently is something that has never embraced him completely, or vice versa. Instead he chooses to define his existence on how he keeps on limping, and on the fact that he is a tough hard ass because of his limp and chronic pain problem and hence everybody else are sissies because he is able to carry on with his problem and other people seem to be totally stranded in theirs.
How many of us are like him, I do not know. Maybe it might be due to the fact that I am an eternal pessimist who is unable to look at the brighter side of things , although I do try to. But then again, how much I have tried to seriously be a more optimistic person is up for debate.
As with all things in life, we do live it, but how much of it we do seriously ,with enthusiasm, and awareness, is something I don't want to answer for now.
I have been exploring the works of the Rolling Stones, and I like what I find. For all their hedonism, these guys knew what they were doing and that's enough to give them the satisfaction they keep singing they can't get.
I saw "Rock on" which was quite a satisfying and entertaining film. Quite contrary to what I had expected really .If Farhan Akhtar can star in or direct more movies like this.....quite an exciting prospect on the whole. Akhtar is amazingly at ease as the band leader who reluctantly embraces a past he had long ago bid farewell to in order to find out the reason for his current state of misery. The other cast put in solid performances and the songs are pretty good as well.
More later. Bye.
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