The Prestidigitator

Ikiru (To Live): Akira Kurosowa (1952)

Inspite of being over 50 years old, this film still managed to strike a chord. I love themes that dwell on death and the regrets that people have when facing their own mortality (nope I’m not THAT guy) and needless to say, Kurosawa was a genius. Watanabe (Takashi Shimura) works a dead end job as a civil servant who loses interest in life when his wife dies. He sleepwalks through life for 20 years and once diagnosed with stomach cancer, everything changes. He struggles to find meaning and love. Very beautiful and poignant, this film still draws strong parallels to modern day life. The final scene were he sits on a swing in a play ground and sings a song that goes:  “Life is brief, fall in love, maidens…Before the crimson bloom fades from your lips…Before the tides of passion cools within you…” Haunting!

8.5/10

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2001: A Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick (1968)

There was a time when I thought this was one of the most boring and pathetic execuses for serious cinema! I’ve grown a little bit wiser over the years but I’d be lying if I told you that I fully understand the film even now. Stanley Kubrick juxtaposes art, humanity and philosophy into one of the finest and most visually arresting films ever. Brilliantly shot, it explores man’s journey to achieve enlightenment. It’s a sort of opera set in space and  Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” plays a very important part in the film as the theme music. A knowledge of Neitzche’s works (particularly Thus Spoke Zarathustra) would help with interpreting the film however, the ambiguity allows various interpretations.

Oh and don’t diss the movie just ‘cos you don’t get it!

9/10

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The Untouchables: Brian De Palma (1987)

An exaggerated retelling of Elliot Ness’s account of his capture of the infamous Al Capone. Honestly, I think this was one of the most overrated films of it’s time. Brian De Palma is a sloppy director obsessed with excesses as can be seen in Mission to Mars and Snake Eyes. However the film does have a young Andy Garcia as a trigger happy cop, reminds me a bit of Benecio Del Toro’s breakout role in The Usual Suspects. Sean Connery’s Oscar winning performance was nothing great and De Niro played De Niro. I don’t know why I was so peeved with this movie…sky high expectations maybe.

5.5/10

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http://www.eventsbangalore.net/2007/03/21/vision2020-theatre-performance/

I just got back from a massive stage production conducted by Christ College, Bangalore and Script People’s Theater called Vision 2020: The Trilogy. Now, over four years of college, we were subjected to plays that never deviated from the usual nativity/crucification/revival plot lines and so this was a welcome change.

I’m still unsure as to what the theme was about, but it basically showed little known stories from the lives of three people: Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and APJ Abdul Kalam.  Now, why I’m confused as to what the message was about is because Mahatma Gandhi was shown as the ultimate example of non violence and at the same time Kalam’s spearheading of the Defense Program was condoned without qualms. I don’t get it. Isn’t that a collision of ideas? Non violence and missiles?

Last year, two Hindi films were ‘considered’ for the Oscars : Rang De Basanti and Lage Raho Munnabhai. Thankfully none of them made it but were still lauded by critics and audiences alike. Both had completely different themes; absolutism and non violence. How can both be accepted at the same time…I simply don’t get it. How can one nation idolize two different ideas? How is Gandhi’s name uttered in the same breath as Bhagat Singh’s? Are we confused or is this what they mean by unity in diversity?

Remember Lester Burnham? Remember how he freed himself from the shackles of corporate and marital slavery? (Yes I said marital slavery) Remember how he lived? Remember how he died?

Sometimes I think I want to be more like that. I want to be the kind of guy who can afford to quit his job and just start living; But then there’s a reason why Lester Burnham was a character in a film. Life is rarely like it is on celluloid.

I’ve always prided myself for not being politically affiliated to any group or idea. I liked being free from that sort of thing but lately I’ve been told that I may have anarchist tendencies. If you think about it, it makes sense. I’ve always liked books that depicted dystopian societies ruled by authoritarian governments (1984, Brave New World). I sort of believe in moral absolutism and vigilantism (Batman) to an extent. To top it off, I detest Capitalism in all it’s forms and I hate the idea of being enslaved to corporate culture. So why is it that an anti establishment guy like me works at an MNC? I like the damn money! If only money wasn’t as important as it seemingly is, we could all just do what we wanted to. Yes, youthful delusions.

I had visited Delhi (my brother’s abode) over the last week and I have to admit that it’s an amazing place. It’s difficult NOT to fall in love with a place that is such a perfect combination of tradition and modernity. But what’s sure to keep mouths open is the brilliant Metro system. You actually wonder why other states don’t come up with something as sophisticated and aesthetic as the Delhi Metro.

I purchased the graphic novel version of The Fountain. It did cost me an arm and a leg (I’ve been meaning to use that phrase for a while now) but the art work was just too awesome to resist. It also gives insight into what Aronofsky really wanted the film to be like too.

Meanwhile Hollywood seems to be conspiring to destroy every childhood memory of mine (and others who grew up in the late 80s, 90s) by coming up with new and crappy versions of such classics as Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Mind you, I’m still going to watch them!

12.24 am. I should be in bed.

Listening to It Ain’t Me Babe by Bob Dylan

Work is driving me nuts.

One thing about working in a huge firm is that you tend to feel insignificant most/all of the time. There seems to be no meaning in anything you do…no greater good. You walk around like a zombie all day and do whatever you’re told without thinking twice about it.

I’m not even a year into corporate life and I’ve already started cribbing. What if this is what I’ll do for the rest of my life? They don’t pay me enough either…considering I’m nothing short of a corporate whore.

Anyway, I’ll be travelling to Delhi tomorrow and that’s the only thing that keeps me going right now. I seriously need this break!

On another, more optimistic note, Zack Snyder (of 300 fame) is attached to adapt Watchmen for the screen. I would have been skeptical had it not been for the amazing previews for 300 I’ve seen. There is even a frame in one of the extended trailers where Rorschach appears; sort of an easter egg to whet fanboy apetites.

For your viewing pleasure:  

The Postal Service is a brilliant Electronic Indie Pop band, well worth a listen. Their song, Such Great Heights was covered by Iron and Wine for the Garden State OST. Right now, it’s the soundtrack to my life…

The Postal Service (link:http://www.undertheradarmag.com/issue4/postalservice.html)

Way too many links…all hail Wikipedia!

How depressed does a comedian have to be to actually kill himself?

Acclaimed funny man, Richard Jeni apparently shot himself recently. Truly one of the greatest stand up artistes  ever. Reminds me of a story Rorschach narrates in Watchmen.

Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he’s depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says “Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up.” Man bursts into tears. Says “But Doctor… I am Pagliacci.”

RIP Richard Jeni…

You’re basically killing each other to see who’s got the better imaginary friend.

                              -Richard Jeni, referring to religious wars

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United 93: Paul Greengrass

http://imdb.com/title/tt0475276/

This is one film I can probably never watch again. Not that it was a bad movie…in fact it is a brilliant film, but it’s far too gut wrenching to sit through. The story of United Airlines 93, the one plane that did not hit it’s target on September 11, 2001 is told in a documentary style with close ups, shaky cams and fast cuts. Paul Greengrass has not over dramatised the tale but has given us a picture on how it could have been like for the passengers. It’s amazing how much the finale affects you even when you know what’s going to happen. Watch it only if you think you have to…

8/10

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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: Shane Black

http://imdb.com/title/tt0373469/ 

B-Movie Actress: So what do you do?

Harry: I’m retired, I invented dice as a kid.

Pure testosterone driven entertainment! Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an amazingly funny take on the noir genre. Top that off with Robert Downey Jr breaking the fourth wall with some brilliant narration and Val Kilmer playing a gay private detecive. Seriously, things couldn’t get funnier. Some smart lines and the in-your-face sarcasm make this one of the best times I’ve had watching a film in recent memory. It was perhaps the most overlooked flick of 2005 and earned the love of the few critics who actually saw it. However it does lose it’s shine if you watch it too many times like I did.

9/10

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Marvel Zombies: Robert Kirkman, Sean Philips

I stayed away from this book mostly because I didn’t like the idea of super heroes turning into zombies and tearing up each other. It’s not a morale booster per se. But then, a friend passed it on and I had to see what all the fuss was about.

Yes it’s distrubing, disgusting and throughly gross. But, also hugely entertaining. Some virus has turned all the Marvel Superheroes (except Magneto) into zombies and they just start devouring everything/everyone in sight. There’s no depth or social commentary that I could really find…but the fact the ‘zombification‘ had still left their speech and thinking skills intact makes for some great lines and a particularly hilarious (for me) scene between Captain America (with half his head sliced off and brain falling out) and Iron Man/Tony Stark.

Good stuff…7.5/10

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The Fountain: Darren Aronofsky

http://imdb.com/title/tt0414993/

I’ve watched this three times now and I’ve finally decided what I feel about this film. Disappointment. Blame my sky high expectations. Death, love and immortality…this could have been a brilliant film IF Aronofsky knew what he wanted to say. Sadly, after all the seemingly profound discourses and stunning imagery, there was hardly anything conclusive about the entire film. It’s almost as if the director lost track of where he was going with it. But, this isn’t as bad a film as the critics make it out to be; it has it’s moments and it succeeds in staying with the viewer for a while, like all good films do.

Something is amiss. 7/10

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The Prestige: Christopher Nolan

http://imdb.com/title/tt0482571/

As complicated as a movie can get. Brilliant to a point of distraction…I love films that require my entire attention but still manage to catch me off guard. This is coming from a guy who has already read the book by Christopher Priest. Beautifully shot and the era is stunningly captured with real life characters thrown in (David Bowie as Tesla, the scientist). A tale of obsession which keeps you throughly on the edge for over 2 hours.

8/10

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Pan’s Labryinth/El Laberinto del Fauno: Guillermo del Toro

http://imdb.com/title/tt0457430/

Brilliant. Stupendous. Fantastic. Disturbing. Adjectives will not do enough justice to a film such as this. The first time I’ve actually been moved by a fantasy tale. A gorgeous and violent tale of one girl’s escape into fantasy from the grim realities of WWII fascist Spain. One of my favorites on the first viewing itself…

10/10

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I recently happened to watch Thank You for Smoking, a brilliant satire on the American tobacco industry, lobbyists and political correctness. It’s amazing how thin the line between right and wrong and good and bad is; how an effective argument is all it takes to blind one to logic.

See, Joey, that’s the beauty of argument. When you argue correctly, you’re never wrong.

This movie is NOT an anti-smoking campaign like I had previously thought, it tries to convey, albeit humorously the merits of’ ‘choice’; why we needn’t swallow everything we’re given or accept every societal demand.

Soon after, I began thinking why something like that wouldn’t be possible in India…mostly because (forgive me), the majority of people aren’t smart/bothered enough to counter years of conditioning and also it takes a certain amount of moral flexibility to argue for a wrong cause. I had to soon change my mind though…

Bihar: People demand right to cheat in exam

But then again, argument takes a whole new meaning in India!

It’s been exactly a year since I started this blog and I’m actually surprised I managed to keep it alive for a year considering my previous two attempts were disbanded in a couple of months.

155 posts, 19,525 (and counting) views and 1179 comments.

Well, here’s to another year of unoriginal thoughts, pointless musings, ill informed opinions, incoherent rants and mediocre reviews!

Random note 1: After over two months of meticulous research, an exhaustive comparitive study and numerous calls I have chosen Sify Broadband Services as my choice of…broad band internet service. Sify is very well known for it’s crappy customer service, outrageous installation charges and incredibly slow connection speeds.

Random note 2: Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie is officially one of my favourite songs!