Movie - 9, Yennai Arindhaal

Yennai Arindhaal (2015)

by

Gautham Vasudev Menon

Movie Seen: 14 July 2015

Note Written: 22 July 2015

This was the second time I was watching Yennai Arindhaal. Priscilla wanted to watch it because she was awestruck by Ajith's looks and voice, as is the case with most people when it comes to Thala ajith. The movie is pretty straight-forward, dark and gritty at times, thrilling, fun, and melodramatic (not too much). Arun Vijay as the antagonist Victor was splendid to watch- I fell in love with his attitude and style. 

"There is only a thin line between being a good person and a bad one. You are the one who should decide which side you belong to. "

As with most of his movies, Gautham Menon has made 'Yennai Arindhaal' too, every enjoyable. Compared to his two other cop movies 'Kakka Kakka' and 'Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu', this is less dark I felt- but there is ample amount of thrill and tragedy. Trisha looked so beautiful and played her role as a dance master, lover, and a mother, with ease. I'm glad that Vivek did not become a comedy clown in this movie. 

Book - 9, Amulet

Amulet (1999)

by

Roberto Bolaño

Book Read: April 2015

Note Written: 08 July 2015

'Amulet' by Roberto Bolaño is a novel which tells the story of a young female poet, Auxilio Lacouture, set in Mexico. Through the first person narration of the novel we get to know and feel the terrors that she has gone through; her experiences; her adventures; her new acquaintances; different stories from different people and how they are relevant in shaping the poetry, academic, and intellectual atmosphere of the times of the place, Mexico in the 70's. One memorable scene from the novel is where the protagonist is locked up in a bathroom during a military siege of the university campus she is in, and how that incident haunts her, comes back to torment her in each crossroad of life that she faces or finds herself in. 

Amulet offers a ray of hope to us, through the optimistic perspective of Auxillio Lacouture, 'The Mother of Mexican Poetry'. Amulet is vivid, detailed, disturbing and hopeful at the same time. Amulet is the charm of all our lives- we could be lucky, or not. 

Movie - 8, Bombay

Bombay (1995)

by

Mani Ratnam

Movie Seen: 12 July 2015

Note Written: 20 July 2015

After I got breakfast parcel (puri and sabzi) from a bandi in Sitaphalmandi, I decided to watch a film- a lazy Sunday it was. I picked one from the 'sorted' section in my hard disk. I hadn't seen Bombay yet, except for some of the songs. Bombay tells the story of the communal tensions which existed in India during the early 90's through the premise of an eloped couple in Bombay as a foreground. I can't remember the name of Aravind Swami's character now, but the names I remember now are Shaila Banu, Kabir Narayanan, and Kamal Basheer. The kids Kabir and Kamal are a symbol of a new India, scared by the politics and religion woven around the nation, hoping to live on through the various hardships that engulfs the. The vices of communal politics, where everybody seems to think that they are faultless and others are wrong is depicted with perfection in Bombay. The idea of people themselves deciding to protect their fellow beings brings about a ray of hope, and I would like to believe in that ray of hope even though it takes some form of devastating violence to instigate it. There is nothing to say about the songs and BGM by A R Rahman, as I grew up listening to and singing each of those classics. I will watch another long pending movie of mine, Rangeela, soon. 

Book - 8, The Trial

The Trial (1925)

by

Franz Kafka

Book Read: April 2015

Note Written: 07 July 2015

I had read a few chapters of Kafka's 'The Trial' in my phone, as an e-book, last year. The reason I started reading Kafka is the Malayalam movie 'Munnariyippu' where Joseph K, the protagonist of The Trial, is mentioned. I got curious and started reading. The edition I purchased from Amazon, a hardcover from Wilco Classics, is not up to the mark- it is sloppy and not even well cut. Now about 'the Trial'. 

Kafka's narrative style and writing were a bit difficult for an amateur reader like me then, but once I got in to the flow, I was good. Even though Kafka makes you feel frustrated and keeps you in the hinges burning to know the reason behind Joseph K's arrest (which you would never get to know, surprise, surprise) the anguish and struggles of Joseph K disturbs us, affects us, wounds us, and stays in us. The fable towards the end of the narrative about justice makes us realize how worthless we are as common public, in the clutches of the 'system' built around us. The novel wasn't just a trial for Joseph K, it was mine as well. 

Movie - 7, Baahubali - The Beginning

Baahubali - The Beginning (2015)

by

S S Rajamouli

Movie Seen: 11 July 2015 (Sat)

Place: IMAX Screen, Prasads, Hyderabad

Note Written: 18 July 2015

I have been waiting for this film for the last two years. Rajamouli is a director whom I admire- there is a true passion for films in his talks, ways, and in the manner in which he betters himself in the movies he makes. We got tickets (after much hardships- Minu had to stand in the 'Ladies' queue for an hour) in the first row from the screen- it wasn't that bad a view. Even though the narrative and the graphics were loose in some scenes (especially the romance one between Shivudu and Avantika- he teaching her how to be feminine could have been easily avoided), the movie is nothing short of EPIC, otherwise! The war scenes in the second half were one of the best ever I have seen! Ramya Krishna was awesome in every frame she was in. Rana and Sathyaraj were also good in their roles. Prabhas, even though he has the looks to be Baahubali and Shivudu, lacks intensity in acting. Hoping to watch the movie again, also, waiting for Part 2!

Book - 7, Monsieur Pain

Monsieur Pain (1984)

by

Roberto Bolaño

Book Read: April 2015

Note Written: 06 July 2015

Monsieur Pain follows the story of mesmerist Pierre Pain while he struggles to solve the mystery behind a dying poet who is hospitalized and two people who follows him all around. I got to know about and did some research on the 'unrecognized' healing practice that is mesmerism, thanks to Monsieur Pain. I don't remember much about the narrative now but I do remember it as engaging and a little weird for my taste and what I am used to reading, till now. I liked the way the book ends- abrubt and then giving short biographies of the characters, thereby telling the readers what happened to them after the main narrative ends. This is the first book I read of Roberto Bolaño, an author whom I came to know from hearing the various conversations between Priscilla and Krishna, both avid readers. I like Bolaño's style, I have read one more of his works since then, will read more.

Movie - 6, Night Moves

Night Moves (2013)

by

Kelly Reichardt

Movie Seen: 10 July 2015

Note Written: 17 July 2015

"It has Jesse Eisenberg in it", and that's how we started watching the movie. Another movie which I had chosen to watch (Pizza- Tamil) had no subtitles available and then we moved on to this one. This was the day we called in sick (well, not really) and didn't go fow work. This was the second movie of the day (first was 'Slow West). This was he day the spaghetti pasta experiment bombed and we had to buy biriyani. Now, about the movie. Night Moves follows three young environmentalists (the extreme kind) and their plan to blow up a dam, to send across a message. Well, the movie had a mixed impact on me. I am strongly in favour of the point that there should be some checks on man's acts in destroying nature in the name of development. Like the movie rightly points out, blowing up a dam for it is not the solution for these acts. There were some moments which were exciting, the cinematography was good, but overall the movie fails to impress. 

Book - 6, Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis (1915)

by 

Franz Kafka

Book Read: March 2015

Note Written: 04 July 2015

Metamorphosis -a novella on many unsaid things, feelings; unpleasant truths of family, people around us; unforeseen struggles of change. I am not going into the details of the plot. Gregor Samsa wakes up one day and realizes that he has been transformed into a human sized, ugly-looking insect. What if I share the plight Gregor Samsa? It's scary. I imagined myself being the bug while reading - what would the consequences be? Will people whom I know, people closest to me be able to accept me as I am? Of course not. The bug is a symbol. Your transformations, physical and otherwise, can affect you, the people around you, as you never imagined. What if one day I lose my leg? What if I go insane one day? Wouldn't I be a big liability to people around me? Wouldn't I rather kill myself? 

I have a shiver pass through me every time I think of 'Metamorphosis' or 'The Trial'. Kafka has woven 'Metamorphosis' with disturbing finesse and has scarred my mind with fear, forever. 

Movie - 5, Slow West

Slow West (2015)

by

John Maclean

Movie Seen: 10 July 2015

Note Written: 16 July 2015

'Slow West' is a Western 'chaperon' movie which has Michael Fassbender in it (He was the reason why Priscilla downloaded the movie and we she :P decided to watch it). The storyline is that a teenage boy from Scotland comes looking for his lover (well, he loves her)and her father, who are exiled to America. The girl and her father has a reward set for their capture or death. Michael Fassbender's character, a bounty hunter, becomes the chaperon of this kid. At first, his objective is to catch the girl and her father, but later he changes his mind. The movie was just about okay- they have executed it well, especially the climax part and all, but it doesn't come close to any of the classic western genre of movies. Watch it once if you feel like and forget about it- that's all.

Book - 5, To Cut a Long Story Short

To Cut a Long Story Short (2000)

by

Jeffrey Archer

Book Read: March 2015

Note Written: 03 July 2015

This was a collection of short stories by Jeffrey Archer that I had borrowed from Joel. All the stories are told in a typical Archer style- simple, thrilling in places, and a definite twist at the end. I like Archer for the ways in which he places and packs his stories with plot twists. He begins the collection with a tiny Persian folktale about death -'Death Speaks'. It's just about a paragraph but it is as powerful as the best of stories. 'Eli' the short film by Alphonse Puthren says a similar tale. The other stories in the book were also enjoyable as a time-pass read. Earlier Archer used to be my favourite author, and now I realize that was because I hadn't read better novels and stories from greater authors. Jeffrey Archer is a master in his kind of stories - simple, twisty, thrilling etc. He novels are always a fun ride, my favourite being 'First Among Equals'. 

Movie - 4, Vellimoonga

Vellimoonga (2014)

by

Jibu Jacob

Movie Seen: 09 July 2015 

Note Written: 15 July 2015

 

'Vellimoonga' is a normal-storylined Malayalam movie, but is a fun ride. There are a lot of moments of genuine humour which will make you go literally go rolling on the floor laughing (I don't want to use the short form of this expression, which kills the emotion). The humour in the script was well executed and delivered by the actors. The best thing about the movie for me was the relationship between the mother and son played by KPAC Lalitha and Biju Menon. Why aren't there many actors like KPAC Lalitha anymore, people who live their characters on screen, actors with absolute perfection? I laughed a lot watching the movie. Even though there were certain aspects which I didn't like (eg; the panchayat president, her husband, and related vulgar humour), I enjoyed the movie a lot- great time-pass fare!

Book - 4, The Prophet

The Prophet (1923)

by 

Kahlil Gibran

Book Read: March 2015

Note Written: 02 July 2015

Kahlil Gibran's 'The Prophet' is a tiny little book with a world of insights in it. A prophet who is leaving a city is asked for advice about various subjects and things by people from all walks of life. The answers that are provided by the book are deeply philosophical, at the same time simple and practical too. I feel that every person in the world should read this book. At a growing age, this book should be introduced to children, and explained, if needed. In its few pages 'The Prophet' gives more insight than what many religious texts give in volumes with hundreds of pages. If I need a check on the principles that I live by, this is the book I would turn to for advice, from now on. 

So small, yet so big!

Movie - 3, Coherence

Coherence (2013)

by 

James Ward Byskit

Movie Seen: 03 July 2015

Note Written: 13 July 2015

'Coherence'is about six friends coming together for dinner at a house and certain bizarre things occurring there. When a comet passes over earth, there could be certain anomalies happening and experienced in the world and in the minds of people (this was news to me). The movie shows such a night and people find out that there are multiple realities of their existence around them, like the Schrodinger's cat scenario. I was shocked to see this movie because I had thought of making a short movie with a theme similar to this with Ajith Francis (my friend) as the protagonist. I should have made it then - but I didn't. At least try and make one now, I should, when I can. Do it! Take that first step. I know I am scared of taking that step, but I should.

Coherence, for me, was not a great ride, but an intriguing one. 

Book - 3, The New Life

The New Life (1994)

by 

Orhan Pamuk

Book Read : Feb 2015

Note Written : 1 July 2015

I had no plans to read this book but then since I hand no other book at hand then, Priscilla chose this one for me from her bookshelf. I am so glad that she did. 'The New Life' tells the story of a young man whose life got transformed completely by a book he read. It kind of does the same to you too. 'The New Life' is slow placed and written in a 'stream of consciousness' manner. The things that are said really gets to you and you get immersed in the book pretty soon, loosing yourselves in it and wondering so often about reality. The endless bus journeys taken up by the protagonist after being under the influence of the book, the crashes, the deaths, the sights, all affects entices and disturbs the reader too. While and after reading the book I had a strong urge to travel long and far to unknown destinations, just like how the protagonist Osman did- bus stations to bus stations, places to places, without caring about ordinary life - could be impossible for a person like me, but I wish. 'The New Life', I think, gave me a new immersive life in those couple days of reading, took me in like no book ever did till then. 

Movie - 2, Papanasam

Papanasam (2015)

by

Jeethu Joseph

Movie Seen: 05 July 2015 (Sun)

Place: Sapna Theatre, Abids, Hyderabad 

Note Written: 11 July 2015 (Sat)

I have seen the original 'Drishyam' in Malayalam more than six times or so- twice in the theatre, many times with others. I have also seen the Telugu remake of it in theatre. And yet, even when I knew the whole story and most scenes by-heart, 'Papanasam' was a good experience. Jeethu Joseph has indeed bettered his original work. The trimming of the tedious first half of 'Drishyam' was itself a good sign. Kamal Haasan's portrayal of Suyambu Lingam had no traces of the character played by Mohanlal- he made it his own. Kamal-Gautami pair, for me, was better than Mohanlal and Meena, even though the bubbliness of Meena and I like. It may also be because the are real life partners and that chemistry was nice to watch. The girl who played the elder daughter was really good too. I thought of not comparing the two films, but you can't help it with most remakes, when you have seen the original. The climax (even though I didn't like the leg shot) still gave me goosebumps. But, the feeling is better in 'Drishyam' with the spectacular background score accompanying the scene. Papanasam was a great experience and well-remade.

Book - 2, Animal Farm

Animal Farm (1945)

by 

George Orwell 

Book Read: Feb 2015

Note Written: 29 June 2015

This was not the first time that I was reading Animal Farm, will not be the last time, too, I'm sure. This novella is a classic satire in all its senses. Even though the book is just about a hundred or so pages, it disturbs and engages you a lot in the course of reading. The turn of events is alarming when the ideas of communism and socialism turns slowly into the play-stage of power-hungry individuals and groups, while the working class remains the same as they were; struggling, crowded, hoping for a better future which would never come to them. Hope and a certain degree of belief in the system and promises given to them are the only things that's left for the proletariat. Even though the ideas of communism and socialism is one I embrace in my mind, human nature of selfishness could destroy everything in ways that you can't imagine, sometimes worse than autocracy. That thought scares me a lot. 

A disturbing, haunting, but great read.

Movie - 1, Yojimbo

Yojimbo (1961)

by 

Akira Kurasova

Movie Seen: 02 July 2015

Note Written: 03 July 2015

Kurasowa is a film making genius. What he accomplished in terms of sound, movement, editing etc, most directors can't get through even now. There are what we call 'western-cowboy movies', and then there's Yojimbo. With this film lies the beginning of 'the man with no name' films which marks an era and actors like Clint Eastwood and directors like Sergeo Leone. There were scenes in this movie which will outsmart any 'mass' scenes of the present. There were funny moments too, in the film. I am absolutely in love with the craft of Kurasowa. I really should try and develop a script, make a movie, even if it's a short one. Kurasowa, the great one, do bless me!

Book - 1, To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird (1960)

by 

Harper Lee

Book Read: Feb 2015

Note Written: 27 June 2015

To Kill A Mockingbird, the first book I read in my 'Reading 2.0' (as I like to call it). I started reading it sometime in February 2015. For rekindling my spirit to read books, I would like to thank three people- Priscilla Jolly, the great reader and greatest friend; Mir, for having his amazing collection of books (making me want to start my own); and Mark Zuckerberg (founder, Facebook) for choosing 2015 as an year for reading.

'To Kill A Mockingbird' was an awesome choice to start with. I remember once Akhil (my brother) telling me that it was the best book he has read till then. His thought turned out to be true. It is a splendid novel. The characters stay in your heart for a long time. The writing was from the perspective of Scout Finch, a 7 year old girl, and all the innocence and curiosity of that age is reflected, along with the portrayal of the serious theme of racism. my favourite character from the novel is Atticus Finch, as is for many people, I understand. Atticus is the ideal man of principles, the ideal father. I completed reading the book in about a week and half,reading mostly while commuting in the MMTS train and the bus to and from my office (FMC Advertising, Lakdikapool, Hyderabad).

There were many opinions that the movie version of the novel was better than the novel itself, but I didn't think so. The movie captured the soul of the book well, the performances were good, but there were a lot of omissions in it, I felt, and hence not complete.

A great start, a great book!