Movie - 59, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

by

Stanley Kubrick

Movie Seen (Twice!): 13 & 15 November 2015

Note Written: 14 November 2015

(Forewarning: This is a long note)
I was planning to watch 'Spartacus' by Kubrick but unfortunately found the file missing in the folder - so I chose 'Dr Strangelove'. The name itself gets you deeply interested - 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb'. I was expecting more of a serious war story and what I got was one of the best political satires ever! I was laughing uncontrollably throughout and had one of the best movie experiences of my life!

The 'Cold-War' crisis and the conflicts between world superpowers could not be shown better than this. Kubrick is a craftsman unlike any other director. He doesn't confine himself to particular genres but dabbles in everything and emerges a master. 

While watching the movie, I was thinking I have seen the guy playing Group Captain Mandrake somewhere and it was only after the movie that I realized it was in the same film! Peter Sellers, the actor, played three different roles in the movie and I had no fucking clue the whole time! Such finesse is rarely seen - each character was different and distinctly played. Bravo!

I was in awe of the movie while watching, clapped jubilantly during certain scenes, and my admiration increased once I started reading about the film. Kubrick has created a satire in the most believable manner, never once going for out-and-out comedy, particularly in the war sequences - I'm certain that if there is an impending nuclear apocalypse triggered by world nations, the circumstances would be similar, powered by clueless individuals, crazy of power or influenced by propaganda. 

The Captain who initiates the attacks, the one with his blatant hatred towards communists and twisted theories about bodily fluids and water becomes an allegory of the various belief systems which blinds people of our times - especially religion. People find their own reasoning and act stupid thinking they are right and acting for the 'greater good'. The are not aware or concerned of the later effects or implications of their acts. By the time they take some counter action or decides to withdraw, things would have gone out of hand for anyone to control.

The war room deserves a special mention - I have always imagined every warring nation to have such a room where only the powerful people have access, where they decide the fate of other people, sometimes even of people who have no clue who they are. A handful of people deciding the fate of the world to meet their selfish motives and agenda. Kubrick, through his humourous scenes in the war room, showed me that these 'leaders' and 'people of power' are also human - not just always serious and responsible for their acts, but also emotionally fragile, stubborn, and occasionally funny. We normally have an 'idealistic' image of these people and Kubrick shatters it through his 'war conference'. 

Stanley Kubrick is a genius - of all the directors the world has seen, he is perhaps the most versatile, most passionate user of the medium. Kubrick perfects his involvement with the cinematic medium through journeying across the borders of genres and archetypes which sometimes chain artists in specific spaces. I will watch all of his movies which I haven't seen, soon enough. Thank you for your patience in reading this note. Definitely watch 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' if you haven't!

Book - 59, The Testament of Mary

The Testament of Mary (2012)

by

Colm Tóibín

Book Read: 20-22 February 2016
Note Written: 02 March 2016

Colm Tóibín's 'The Testament of Mary' was there in my Amazon wishlist for a long while and finally I purchased it and read. The novel shows certain experiences of Mary, mother of Jesus, from her own perspective. She is presented as a human like any one of us, not beatified and holy as the Mother of God. Fear, sadness, anxiety, anger, despair all caused by he actions and death of her son Jesus is explored through her contemplation.

There are some truthful accounts of how people/society would have reacted to someone who performs 'miracles', not the glorified version where everyone's all well behaved to Jesus and everything's hunky-dory. People would obviously follow him, but they also consider him a freak-of-sorts while taking advantage of a person like that. Mary tries to understand and at the same time oppose the way her son is being perceived and accepted(?) by society, after his death. She also fights the writers of 'Gospels' as they cloud her for information regarding her son, in the name of safekeeping.

Eve though the theme explored and certain aspects of Mary's thoughts and actions were interesting to read and know of, the book at large, was a bit boring. I wasn't really taken in by the book or the prose. I compare the book with a similar-themed novel 'The Gospel According to Jesus Christ' by José Saramago. Now, that was on brilliant narration! 'The Testament of Mary' wasn't much so.

Movie - 58, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

by

Sooraj Barjatya

Movie Seen: 12 November 2015

Place: Suresh Theatre, Sitaphalmandi

Note Written: 14 November 2015

After having a Full Chicken Biriyani from Alpha Hotel, Secunderabad, I went for this movie (yum yum). What attracted me to 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' was its entire look and feel of the 90's, like the previous Salman-Sooraj combos 'Hum Saath Saath Hein', 'Hum Aap Ke Hein Kaun' etc. I'm not a big fan of those movies but then there's that whole nostalgia element of classic Hindi cinema. 

'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' was a lame movie with a whole lot of melodrama. It promises over-the-top drama and delivers it. But the crew could have connected and done things a little better at least. Yes, I get it, you are making a movie with in normal, cliche style - at least do it right, people! Disconnected scenes, lame dialogues, caricature villainy, bad editing, bad supporting characters all destroy the feeling of watching a classic-bollywood-modeled cinema. The songs weren't bad, I thought. Had the right feel to them. 

Salman Khan, in his true might and power, becomes the only salvaging factor of the movie. His comedic scenes and combination with Deepak Dobriyal were really good. Other major cast, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Anupam Kher, and Sonam Kapoor, well, existed. 

Salman is shown reliving his own legendary on-screen persona of past films. As Prem, he becomes a lover boy and after many struggles, gets his girl; as Yuvraj Vijay Singh, he gets to be powerful, ruthless and mighty, and later become benevolent and give up his girl, as he did in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hein'. That's the power of Sallu Bhai. That's the power of escapist Bollywood masala.  

Through the film Sallu shows the audience that he's the real 'Dilwale' of the industry, not Shah Rukh Khan - Shah Rukh is the 'Dimagwale', I guess. Dilwale is always Sallu Bhai. 

PS: The six minute Modi propaganda video during the interval was crappy and ruined the experience a bit for me. Read about it here.

PPS: I watched the movie twice again. Couldn't help! It was playing on the long-trip bus I was travelling. To and from Kerala. Both trips! The movie is haunting me I guess. 

Book - 58, The Sword in the Stone

The Sword in the Stone (1938)

by

T H White

Book Read: 16-19 February 2016

Note Written: 01 March 2016

I had no previous acquaintance with T H White's legendary 'The Once and Future King' series. Now I  realize that the King Arthur series was ever famous, but I was somehow oblivious to it. In fact, the only knowledge I had of T H White was from Helen MacDonald's memoir 'H is for Hawk', which I read last year. In the memoir, it is a sorry, struggling picture of White that we see. I thought he was some not-so-famous writer whose works I might never get hold of or read. Merlin's beard, I was wrong. Completely wrong!

'The Sword in the Stone' is a fantasy novel which gave me a level of enjoyment like no other book has done before. To say 'I loved it' would be an understatement. Perhaps, the only book I enjoyed as much could be 'Don Quixote'. In fact, the character King Pellinore reminds me of the legendary knight created by Cervantes. 

Combining the past and present alike in a simple children's fable laden with fantasy, legends, and facts, the novel weaves a world of magic around the reader. 'The Sword in the Stone' feels childish, yet is immensely powerful in its philosophy.

The underlying theme of practical education which we see in the book, through Merlin's tutoring of Art, tell us that nature and surroundings should be an integral part of education - text book knowledge is never sufficient. The parts which shows the 'Dream of Trees' and 'Dream of Stones' present to us pure science in the form of a wonderful fable. This is how we should learn, this is how we should be taught to learn. 

I wonder where the hell this book was during my childhood and teen years. At least, I am thankful I have read it now - will sure read it again, and again! 

Movie - 57, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

by

George Miller & George Ogilvie

Movie Seen: 11 November 2015

Note Written: 14 November 2015

I had to break and watch Mad Max 3 on two different days due to time constraints. After a stunning second part (Mad Max: Road Warrior), 'Beyond Thunderdome' isn't that impressive. The work done by Miller and Ogilvie in creating more varied landscapes and sets is appreciated but the movie lacks the vigour and finesse of its predecessors. Even as a standalone film (if it wasn't part of a series), 'Beyond Thunderdome' is just about okay. I think it was the whole atmosphere of 'Bartertown' which takes your spirits down. It felt half-cooked.

The idea of a tribal 'cargo cult' beyond the desert and their need for a 'God figure', a rescuer, through Max is interesting. The last scene  evokes a sense of good hope and was something I liked about the film. 

Overall, an okay film. Yet, Thank God for Miller's epic come back after 30 years through 'Mad Max: Fury Road'!

Book - 57, Small Gods

Small Gods (1992)

by

Terry Pratchett

Book Read: 10-15 February 2016

Note Written: 18 February 2016

This book was gifted to me by my friend Ann aka Annamma. Set in Pratchett's Discworld Series, 'Small Gods' is a satirical take on religion, the various power structures within it, its effect on humans, and the powerful, societal institution that it is. The novel is deeply humurous from start to finish, 'trolling' the various aspects of humanity and religions of modern era from a not so different (in terms of belief systems), yet medieval setting. 

Most religions start by and has peace and co-existence as their base but later moves on to ruling with power, corruption, invoked fear, and intimidation. Only awareness, exposure, and knowledge can help relieve mankind from these shackles and embrace religion in its true sense (if the person makes a choice of the kind). Brutha, in the novel, does exactly that. Within the confines of a particular religion, born and raised in it, it is difficult to take an objective look at the institution. 

Brutha, in 'Small Gods', grows from an unquestioning, devout follower to a person (or prophet) who even dares to challenge or question his own God. The character Vorbis represents many 'religious authority' figures that we see around us - the ones who rule with creating scare, the ones who use fear as a weapon to keep 'believers' closer. The flurry of witty exchanges and good philosophy makes this book unique and a great read. Looking forward to more Terry Pratchett.

Movie - 56, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

by

Milos Forman

Movie Seen: 08 November 2015

Note Written: 10 November 2015

I watched the movie right after I read the novel of the same name (by Ken Kesey) which it was based on. As a film, 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' was great, but it wasn't as emotional or gripping as the novel, for me. The soul of the novel lies in the character Chief Bromden. The story is from his perspective, the film isn't. I know comparison is not the right thing to do but it is unavoidable. If I had seen the movie first I would definitely have compared the novel with it. Cinema and literature, as media, have their differences and sometimes it is difficult to bring in the various elements to sync. 

The gradual progression of events which brought inmates closer to McMurphy and his slow win over Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher was terrific by the way) is missing in the film - it's all so fast, I felt; may be it's the constraint of film as a medium. 

All the actors were great in their roles - apart from Louise Fletcher, my favourites were Danny Devito (Martini), Jack Nickolson (McMurphy), and Brad Dourif (Billy Bibbit). 

I couldn't be an objective watcher of the movie. Hence, some of the liberties which the film took spoiled certain elements of the story, for me. I think I should ask someone who has just watched the movie, about how they felt about it.  

Book - 56, A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold

A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold (2000)

by

George R R Martin

Book Read: 04-10 February 2016

Note Written: 15 February 2016

I would have read 'A Storm of Swords: Blood and Gold', the entire 550+ pages of it, in one go if time and work schedule weren't against me. The novel, part two of the part three of 'A Song of Ice & Fire' Series, is deeply engaging, thrilling to the core, and an absolute pleasure to read even though the plot gives you nasty shocks and surprises from time to time. Can't help it, it's George R R Martin. 

The most shocking moments from the series, the Red Wedding, Purple Wedding, Tyrion's Trial, the Mountain vs the Viper, Tyrion's Escape, Jon Snow becoming Lord Commander, Stannis' arrival at the Wall, Arya's departure to Braavos, all happens in this one. The Red Wedding gave me the chills for a lifetime. 

There are some differences from the TV Series here and there - the absence of Robb's wife from the Red Wedding, being one. Hell, she isn't even the same woman. So far in the novel series, 'A Storm of Swords' (Part 1 and 2) was the best in terms of events and excitement. There is also a big reveal, something that's not in the TV Series - not saying though. Haha!

A great read this was! So fast, so thrilling!

Movie - 55, Vedivazhipadu

Vedivazhipadu (2013)

by

Shambhu Purushothaman

Movie Seen: 06 November 2015

Note Written: 10 November 2015

'Vedivazhipadu' has been one of my favourite Malayalam movies of the past couple of years. The movie released as the first 'sex-comedy' of the industry and it was really interesting to see the reactions from people and communities of Kerala, who are very conservative in nature when it comes to matters like sex, love etc. 

This was the 4th or so time I was watching 'Vedivazhipadu'. The first time was a great experience in theatre with the whole screening becoming a laugh riot through the audience. This time too, I had a great laugh watching it. 

The various narratives within the story linked together by people and their relationships, make the movie very much enjoyable. I will always remember the character Sanjay, the symbol of 'a true sexually-frustrated Mallu guy', played to perfection by Saiju Kurup. He was fun, with his hypocritical nature and sad self-realization later. Alancier Lay Lopez as the Swami guy was a delight to watch (I didn't know him as an actor the first time I watched, and I had still liked him very much). The rest of the cast too, gave fine performances. 

The flavour and fervour of Trivandrum during the festival of 'Aattukal Pongala' is shown well and is juxtaposed with the narrative with finesse. The title sequence itself is so well-made and powerful. 

This time around I noticed that when the nun scolds the prostitute (played by Anumol) because her daughter is using too much of 'blue' colour in her paintings (blue, is associated with sex often in India; 'blue' film, get it?), but the nun herself is wearing a blue habit and the convent walls are all painted blue. This symbolizes the prejudice and hypocrisy in belief systems and conservative spirit our society has and could also be an allegory to senseless censorship, I feel. 

Thank you Shambhu Purushothaman for this gem of a film!