Tarantino, Waltz, Pitt - the "Basterds" have pulled it off

Movie review : "Inglorious Basterds" (2009)

"Now if one were to determine what attribute the German people share with a beast, it would be the cunning and the predatory instinct of a hawk. But if one were to determine what attributes the Jews share with a beast, it would be that of the rat. If a rat were to walk in here right now as I'm talking, would you treat it to a saucer of your delicious milk?" - And follows an absorbing funny interesting dialog involving rats and why human possess a sense of animosity towards them. The opening Chapter is probably the most engrossing sequence. The long, relaxed scene is built-up slowly with razor-sharp dialogs and created to instill a mood of suspense in the minds of audience. The masterful way Col. Hans Landa persuaded Monsieur LaPadite to reveal the secret he wanted to know is such a delight to watch.

"Inglorious Basterds" is Tarantino's yet another gift to the world of cinema. "Quentin Tarantino" is stamped all over the movie from its opening scene till its rolling credits. And he has done it again; with his unique style of film-making; exuberantly lengthy sequences, crisp and witty dialogs blended with some memorable outstanding acting of its cast - "Basterds" is his masterpiece. Only a movie-maker like Tarantino can dare to make a movie that is based on history weirdly twisted and fabricated at his own will and still come up with something magical.

The plot revolves around one Jewish-American group knows as "The Basterds" lead by Lt. Aldo Raine (played by Brad Pitt) who was on a secret mission to spread panic among the Third Reich by brutally killing the Nazis. We also see a parallel story unfolding revolving around a beautiful Jewish French girl Shosanna (played by Mélanie Laurent) whose family was mercilessly murdered  by Hans (played by Christoph Waltz) and who is now all determined for vengeance. The movie is about how these two stories collide and its consequences.

For most part of the film, it's just conversation. Witty, piercing, slow, riveting conversation. And that just adds to the beauty of this quite differently made movie. Brad Pitt is funny as Lt. Raine with his unusual accent and voice and that grin all the time. Personally, though I feel he probably a little overdid his role. Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Mélanie Laurent - all were perfectly cast in their roles. But the real star of the show - the one who completely steals the limelight outdoing everyone else - is, beyond any reasonable doubt, Waltz as infamous Col. Hans aka "The Jew Hunter". Spiteful, vindictive yet cool, composed - the smiling assassin; the type of character that you will hate from your heart and that will infuse chill in your spines. His presence in the screen is so powerful, so dominating - it was a spellbound experience to watch.

After Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill - the expectation from Tarantino was too high for me. And fortunately, I wasn't disappointed a bit - add this to the list of his outstanding cinematic achievement. Do yourself a favor - go and watch this movie in a theater near you.

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361748/

Advertising India - the new age of television ad making

"Ek chidiya, anek chidiya..." Remember this Doordarshan ad telecast in eighties and early nineties dispersing the message about India's unity in diversity. All of us who have come across those early Doordarshan days still remember some of those popular television ads (Pan Pasand, Zhandu Balm, Coca Cola ads?). Indian ad industry has evolved a long way from those early days. After India had entered the free Economic world; the competition in every field of business has increased so much that companies today have little option than investing hugely in marketing and brand-building. And television advertisements are the most influencing instruments in today's dynamic industry verticals to get a product to its consumers.

In those early days of television, creativity in ad making was not the top priority. With only a few television channels and fewer competitors; companies can get away with creating just some ad campaigns to sell its products. But in today's Indian economy; where consumers are flooded with numerous choices in each category of products; and with so many television channels to go with - it's the creativity, innovation and the captivation of an ad campaign that matters as much as the quality of the product being advertised. And I can feel Indian ad film makers have stood firmly to this challenge giving us some of the best intuitive and creative advertisements in recent times.

Leading this revolution of new-age ad making are the gum companies like Mentos - Chlormint - Center Fresh, adhesives like Fevicol and the telecom majors. I still think the "Evolution" ad created by Mentos, the one with the donkey and prehistoric sapien, is one of the most creative ads coming out of Indian television. So are the ads by Center Fresh and Chlor-mint. In telecom field, where Vodafone is known for its intuitive ad making; its rival Airtel has adopted the technique of emotionally impressing its consumers. The Vodafone Zoozoo campaign during this year's IPL was probably the most sensational, and popular ad series ever. The famous Vodafone (originally created by brand Hutch) "friendly dog" ads are some of those simple feel-good commercials. Airtel, on the other hand, is known for its emotional ad making exercise. Take, for examples, ads like "Beyond boundaries", "the poor-son-of-land getting elected to represent real India" and recent "Dil Titly (Heart is a buttefly)" featuring Saif Ali Khan. And what should I talk about those plain, no-nonsense extremely creative and appealing ads of Fevicol - they always bring smiles to my face. There are other serious ad making companies like the Cola companies, the Deo ones and the automobile industry.

These new age TV commercials have shown the importance of good marketing and brand building for a greater share in today's extremely dynamic and competing consumer market. And as a consumer and a television viewer, I can hope to see some more creativity being exercised in television advertisements.

I never thought I would appreciate "Kaminapan" one day....

Why is "Kaminey" so good? Well you tell me. Take the most overused, outdated formula of Hindi Cinema - Judwaa Bhai (Twin brothers); dare to make a movie on that theme for today's multiplex generation and yet turn it into such an enjoyable ride that you yearn for more. Now if that is not incredible and supremely innovative - then you tell me what it is. It's a "coming out of the age" movie for Bollywood. I did expect this from Vishal Bharadwaj; especially after watching his previous movies - Omkara and Maqbool - two gems of Hindi cinema. And he outdid himself.

Kaminey has a strong script, witty dialogs, great music and marvelous acting from everybody including those assistant henchmen. It's visually stunning, dark at times, and most importantly funny - not overdoing the jokes. Take "Chalie's dream" for example - a masterful visual - and horse's sound in sync with Charlie's shout. Only a director with a heart to create something daring, original and new could come up with such subtle style. Now hold on - are you going to snag me when I say "original"? Are you going to quote Tarantino or Ritchie here? Get it right guys: there is nothing wrong in being inspired by some of these great Hollywood directors. Even though I agree the plot formation and specially the style of the climax may look similar to Ritchie's "Lock, Stock and Two smoking barrels"; there is nothing that you can term as "rip-off". At least nobody is stealing scene-by-scene from a foreign film and claiming it to be "original idea" like some of those shameless movie makers.

Shahid Kapoor - wow, I am now convinced - he is the new generation of Bollywood heroes. Mind blowing in both the roles of the movie. Priyanka - very cute, funny and lovable. And the villains - I strongly believe it is the villains that makes a movie more enjoyable. And in this case; there are plenty of them - and interestingly many of them (well almost all) are funny. They did a great job to keep the movie thrilling till the end. And whatever you have to say, I liked the ending. Perfect climax for a movie like this.

I am very happy and hopeful to see fresh ideas being tried in Bollywood. And directors like Vishal can really make a difference. Hope to see more "Kamineys" in coming days!!!

The Champion : On the grass and off it

"Sorry Pete, I tried to hold him off", and he did. And he did it remarkably for 4 hours and 16 minutes. Andy Roddick was way above his usual game on Sunday, the 5th July 2009 giving us another consecutive intriguing, epic Wimbledon final. Roddick deserves a laudable appreciation for his game that day. At one point during the last set, I almost wondered, "Will it ever gonna end?"

But it did. There was no upset this time; no daze for the Champion, the greatest player that the game of tennis has ever witnessed. Roger Federer regained the top spot; and he did it in commendable style in an occasion that couldn't have been any better. He has become the first tennis player ever to have 15 majors under his belt. He has won it all - including the ever eluding Roland Garros (French open). Over the last years of his reign on tennis courts, I have been deucedly impressed by his sublime style and aeonian class. Always cool, always in control of his game and emotions - a true professional sportsman. He has excelled in all areas of this game; he has proved that he is the Master with the racket.

In Sunday's match, he did hit an incredible 50+ aces. Many may argue this may not be his best game considering he almost stepped on the brink of the defeat at least twice during the match. Nevertheless, to see this magician of tennis at his work on green grass itself is a treat for the eyes. His effective services, spinning back-hand, powerful fore-hand and those marvellous drop volleys - everything is so stylish, so composed. He has given tennis a new meaning, a new beauty and hundreds of thousands of fans across the globe like me.

Way to go Roger, keep running your dream run !!!

The Hangover : hang your worries over and just enjoy

I couldn't remember when was the last time I had so much fun in cinema. And considering the fact that I was having one of the most boring, lonely and ****ed-up (a common phrase used throughout the movie too) weekend; I could not be more thankful to this gem of a comedy. I had been waiting for this movie ever since I had seen its trailer. This one promises to be plain, simple, no-holds-barred comedy and this is exactly what it delivers. The jokes keep coming at such a pace that you can hardly have time to breathe. They just keep you rolling. At times, they are quite outrageous, coarse and gross; but that's what makes this movie so enjoyable.

Set in Las Vegas, "The Hangover", directed by Todd Philips, centres around three buddies who took their close friend to throw a bachelor party just two nights before his wedding and ended up losing him. As they say "What could possibly go wrong in a bachelor party in Vegas?" The answer, "Everything !!!". All of the three woke up next morning in a hotel suite with a chicken in the room, a (this part is amazing) tiger in the bathroom and a baby in the closet. And the weirdest thing is none of them could remember a single thing about what had happened the night before. They must trace back their friend and to do so, they must trace back the events of the night. Now you get it - a perfect setup for a hilarious comedy, isn't it? Watch it to enjoy what happens next.

Bradley Cooper (as Phil Wenneck), Ed Helms (as Stu Price) and Zach Galifianakis (as Alan Garner) are all incredible in their respective roles. Phil was the smartest and coolest of them all. Stu, a dentist by profession, is pretty impatient and being constantly nagged by his annoying girlfriend. But the character Alan is way different than the rest. When he delivers, he does it in such a manner that everybody in the audience just goes crazy. There are some other incredibly funny characters in the movie including a Chinese guy Mr. Chow among the bunch. And don't miss the wedding song towards the end of the movie, you may never hear anything like this one again.

At conclusion, I must say this movie may well be the best comedy in years. Go with a gang of your buddies and have the time of your life.

(Caution: The movie has been given "A" certificate [adults] in India and given the nature of the jokes and some scenes, rightly so)

The good life : In memory of my lost college days

Note: Most part of this post is written in Assamese, an Indian language and my native one. Your browser/OS needs to support Unicode for Assamese/Bengali fonts for displaying the text correctly. Please google for details as how to enable unicode support.

Those liquid nights, those sunny days. Chilling mornings and playful afternoons. They are lost, we moved on, we became professionals, carrying a feeling of solitude in throng ! Every phase of life has its own significance, charm, sadness. But I strongly feel wherever we be, however happy we claim ourselves to be, the college days, particularly the hostel days have an unforgettable fascination. Hostel exposed me to the real world, a more practical, a more diversified, more colorful world. Isn't it amazing as how you can co-exist with so many individuals each one of whom is completely different from the other in one premise for so many years (for me, it was 4 years of engineering) and still enjoy your life at its fullest? Yes we do study in college, but we study lives more than books. We experience, we learn, we argue, we fight, we play, we cry, we laugh and we resent.

I did my engineering from Jorhat Engineering College, a state-run engineering institute in Assam, India. From outside it may not look a starry, dashing and so-called "reputed" (a despising cliche often used for educational institutes with big names) one; but from inside it is warm, playful, smiling, robust, united. The hostel life is unexplainably fun and enjoyable. And the pleasant climate of upper Assam makes it more exciting and memorable. Gosh !! I miss my college, my hostel. I hope the memories will forever be as fresh and as pleasant as they are today.

For Assamese readers only, the following poem was written by me during my last year of engineering as a souvenir to my college.


অৱলোকন
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জুৰিৰ পানী আৰু পানীত হাঁহি |
প্রতিবিম্বিত প্রেম আৰু কিছু আলাপ |
সিহঁত আৰু সিহঁতৰ বিপৰীত |
হাঁহি খিকিন্দালি আৰু চিঞৰ বাখৰ |
ব্লেকবোর্ড আৰু ফুচফুচনি |
গালি গালাজ আৰু মাৰপিট |
কনিষ্ঠতা নাইবা জ্যেষ্ঠতা |
প্রথম দিনৰ চকুলো, শেষ দিনৰ চকুলো |
'অ'হীন অখাদ্য নাইবা দামী ৰেশ্টোৰাৰ সুস্বাদ |
খেল, খেলুৱৈ, দর্শক, সমর্থক |
উদ্দাম আৰু হতাশা |
সন্মান আৰু মৰম |
নিয়ন্ত্রণ আৰু উদণ্ডতা |
কলম অথবা কমপ্যাক্ট ডিস্ক |
কিতাপ অথবা পৰিকলন |
নতুন খেলৰ নতুন প্রস্তুতি, নাইবা
আদিম খেলৰ নতুন ৰূপ !
ধোঁৱা আৰু পানীৰ ৰাতি |
উচ্চাকাংক্ষী ভাষণ আৰু তাৰ প্রত্যুত্তৰ |
ইতিকিং আৰু সমালোচনা |
সুহুৰি আৰু মিচিকিয়া হাহিঁ |
আলোকিত মঞ্চ, প্রতিভাৰ নাচোন |
বহুৱাৰ বহুৱালি অথবা বান্দৰৰ বান্দৰামি |
শিক্ষাৰ ৰাজনীতি বা ৰাজনীতিৰ শিক্ষা |
ব্যৱস্থাৰ কেৰোণ আৰু ধর্মঘট |
আত্মকেন্দ্রিকতা আৰু অৱহেলা |
অস্তিত্ব, অনস্তিত্বৰ যুজঁ |
নীৰৱ দর্শক নাইবা সৰৱ পাগল |
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তোমাৰ সকলো দোষ, তোমাৰ সকলো গুণ -
তোমাৰ বিচিত্রতাত বিমুদ্ধ মই |
কাৰণ মই যে তোমাৰেই অংশ |

© Srimay
Composed on: May 1st, 2004

Oh Wild West !!

Those cowboys and their classy old guns !! Fascinating, isn't it? Right from our schooldays, we have heard about them, seen people roving about wearing those famous "cowboy" hats, the dusty jacket and shooting anybody at sight with their fingers. And naturally, I was attracted to western genre in movies. And after watching Sergio Leone's classic tale "The good, the bad and the ugly", which, undoubtedly, one of the best movies ever made - I was terribly attracted to westerns. Recent in my list are "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968) and "Unforgiven"(1992). Both of them are astonishing in their own ways. Both will drag you to the world of wild west of those times and leave you with a soothing satisfaction of watching a good movie.

Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in the West" primarily centers around a young extremely beautiful woman Mrs. McBain (played by gorgeous Claudia Cardinale) who moves from New Orleans to Western town Utah to be with her new husband and his children, only to find that the whole family is brutally murdered. There she met a mysterious man, referred to as Harmonica (Charles Bronson), who helps her in taking her revenge. But Harmonica has his own motive !!! Henry Fonda, in his role as infamous Frank, is remarkable. Shot in the landmark dusty little small town of then-American west frontier, the movie has it all that a dream western movie should have. It's raw, grimmy, stern, uncensored and most importantly, full of exiting "Cowboy" shooting. A must watch for those who appreciete a good and simple movie.

Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven", on the other hand, is more emotional and may be a more realistic depiction of old western days. Acted by some of the greatest actors of Hollywood - Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman - this film tries to zoom into lives of normal American people during that era. Story of a retired old gunman William Munny who took up a last job to support his family - this one is a study of life and its importance. But, in any sense, it doesn't lack the lovable elements of a western. Munny's famous dialogue "I've killed just about anything that walked or crawled at one time or another, and I'm here to kill you…" says it all. Regarded by many as the greatest western of all time, this is my strong recommendation to my readers.

Nothing blogging

It's really frustrating to open the blank "New Post" page of blogger and find nothing to type. Nothing, no subject, no topic? It has happened to me a number of times, humming my fingers across the keyboard to find the starting word and my mind blacks out, words cease to come out. And then.... forget it, close the tab, browse some same old regular entertainment sites and that's it. And after a few days, same story. What should I write about today? Movies? Nah, that will look cliche among so many movie posts already in the blog. Current affairs? Hey what's actually happening currently, the virtual world is keeping me away from any real-world affairs. I just hear about bomb-blasts here and there everyday, and people are already showing their overwhelming expert opinions discussing the consequences of violence and condemning the terrorists before going out for a night-out to the super cool pub with their super-hot mates. So what's left? I mean what's left about which I can also act as an expert on and write some fiery posts in a blog which none except myself is expected to read, and thus take a feeling of wah-wah writer for my heart. Oh come-on, think something, it has been more than two months since your last post. My admirers(?) are getting restless, they are asking for more. I can do it, just one topic, just one post. Think...What? The new hot babe song playing in MTV. The one we were discussing about that day? Yeah coming man, let me just hibernate my computer......

That life was so close to never happening

Some may say I am a bit biased towards some actors. I don't mind that as long as we are talking here about actors like Edward Norton. I consider Ed Norton as one of the finest actors of his generation. I am astounded often by his ease of expression and his powerful clear dialogue deliveries. I enjoyed all the movies that I had watched of him - be it American History X, Primal Fear, Illusionist or Fight Club. He was strong reason enough for me going for 25th Hour - a movie released in 2002 directed by Spike Lee. Did I like it? Hell yes. Rarely had I watched a movie that left me so emotional that I could not sleep thinking about it that night. Not exaggerated, not for me. This movie probably has the most disturbing ending of all that I had watched so far.

The movie depicts the last 24 hours of freedom of convicted drug dealer Monty Brogan (Ed Norton) before he begins his 7 year old imprisonment. The movie basically about the choices one make and their consequences. During the last night of freedom, Monty wants to enjoy a party with his two best friends - Frank Slattery (Barry Pepper), a NY stock broker and Jakob Elinsky (Philip Seymour Hoffman), an English teacher. The movie also illustrates the choices that these two of Monty's friends were presented by life and the ones they chose to accept. As for Monty "One wrong choice... one last night... 24 hours to live a lifetime". But little do the audiences know that they will be presented with such a shocking and disturbing ending to this otherwise looking simple movie.

Yes the movie does have some deregatory comments against some communities and individuals including one Indian community. But those were just indicative about the fact that no-one except him or herself is responsible for what one does to his or her life. For me, for a moment, I really wished Monty would live that life. I wish he would have made a right choice !!!

Cast a caste !!

Being from a traditional Indian Hindu family, I was often taught to be confined in the narrow perimeter of religion and caste. I think one of the most deadliest concept prevailing in Asian countries like India is the concept of caste that I strongly despise. You cannot label somebody saying that he/she is from "some blah-blah" caste and then control his/her life by that label just on the basis of the family he/she is born in. This is sheer ridiculous. We have already seen enough destructive, and bloody consequences of this system - the recent Gujjar incident in Rajasthan being the latest. This is often used by politicians as their game on dirty political playground - examples? I guess Indian readers can find out numerous themselves.

But what more concerns me is its dangerous effect on one's personal life. Having being stuck with a label of so-called high-class Brahmin family, I have seen such incidents in my family myself. Marriage, probably the biggest decision on one's life, is often controlled by caste rather than individual choice !!! You love somebody? Is he/she the one you have been looking for all the time? Oh great - then let's get married. Hey hold on, it's India I am talking about. These are quite secondary questions, the primary being "Is he/she from the same (bloody) caste?" No !!! sorry mate, you are in big trouble. Every second person, whom you might have never heard of before, who might have never bothered if you are alive and dead all these days, will suddenly turn out to be your well-wisher and start advising you that you must bury your "love" there and then. Now seriously how many of you think this is logical and sensible?

The fact that troubles me more is that this is happening now also, in the 21st century among the people of new, high-tech, cosmo generation. When I was a child, I thought this type of irrational, unjustified customs will go off once my generation, the young educated (??), vibrant generation will take the lead and stand against such evils. But I am disappointed and annoyed to see some of my friends and colleagues openly supporting the same or not uttering a single word of protest if they are forced to follow the same and make the ultimate sacrifice in their personal front. Come on !! open up. Break these barriers, the world is far more beautiful when it is open and vast. Let's give our next generations a more free, more justified country to live in where they can follow their heart.

Thrill to read : A Matter of Honour

Honestly, I am not a very good reader of English books, of any genre. Yes, I enjoy literature as much I enjoy movies. But till date, most of my readings have been in my native language Assamese. Sure I did enjoy some fantastic fictions published in English, like "Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown, "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini; but not too many. My most recent read has been "A Matter of Honour" by Jeffrey Archer. Thanks to my sweet friend, she not only recommended the book to me, but handed me over her own copy. And I have to agree what a fantastic fiction this one is. It takes its readers through a thrilling roller-costar ride and finally leave them longing for more. This basically is a suspense thriller set mainly in UK, Russia, France and Switzerland during the period 1960's-1970's . The book cover says "The greatest chase story of our time". I couldn't have agreed more. From the very outset, it'll grasp you and as you turn through the pages, the grasp will become tighter and tighter. Exaggerated? For me, no.

The story's main character is an ex-military man who accidentally inherits a sealed letter in his father's will. And the moment the letter is opened, the chase begins and with an incredible speed. Action, romance, politics, diplomacy, betrayal, power, greed, sex - all the elements of a perfect thriller is thoughtfully and artistically depicted in the story. This is my first Archer book and I must tell he is a master story-teller. I am in mood to reveal the story further and act as a spoiler agent here. But to my readers who is looking for a good read, try this out. Engrossing !!!

Movies that inspired : Forrest Gump

"Run Forrest run" and hi ran, taking all the emotions of his audiences. Tom Hanks was incredible in this awe-inspiring, astonishing 1994 movie directed by Robert Zemeckis. I am yet to meet a single person, no matter whether he is an action flick fanatic or singing romantic, who had watched this movie and didn't like it. The tagline of this movie says, "The world will never be the same once you've seen it through the eyes of Forrest Gump." How true !! Innocence is not dead yet. He achieved almost everything without ever longing for any, and always being indifferent to all. He wanted nothing except love. He was simple - too simple to be true. That's because he has an IQ lower than that of average human brain. And probably that is why he was so inspiring, so lovable. His was the purest heart you could ever imagine. That guy, with his simplicity and low IQ touched me and many who watched this movie, left me speechless. Only thing he had ever cared, ever endeavor for was his love, "the most beautiful thing he had ever seen", Jenny. But he was too perfect, too pure for her that really hurt me.

For my readers who are yet to watch this magical film, I'd just say, "Go for it guys. You will not be disappointed. Who knows, may be it can really change your world !"

Here are some of my favorite lines from the movie collected from IMDB.

Forrest Gump: My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

Forrest Gump: I'm not a smart man... but I know what love is.

Forrest Gump: Stupid is as stupid does.

Mrs. Gump: You have to do the best with what God gave you.

Forrest Gump: Mama always said, dying was a part of life.

Young Jenny Curran: Dear God, make me a bird. So I could fly far. Far far away from here.

Forrest Gump: Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was ever going somewhere, I was running!

Forrest Gump: Hello. My name's Forrest, Forrest Gump. You want a chocolate?

Forrest Gump: The best thing about visiting the President is the food! Now, since it was all free, and I wasn't hungry but thirsty, I must've drank me fifteen Dr. Peppers.

Forrest Gump: My Mama always said you've got to put the past behind you before you can move on.

Forrest Gump: I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floatin' around accidental-like on a breeze. But I, I think maybe it's both.

Coach Bryant: That kid may be the stupidest son of a bitch I've ever seen, but damn he can run!

Jenny Curran: Listen, you promise me something, OK? Just if you're ever in trouble, don't be brave. You just run, OK? Just run away.

Jenny Curran: Run, Forrest! Run!

An evening to remember : IPL inauguration

It was a thrilling experience, a perfect Friday evening after a comparatively relaxed day in office. 18th April, 2008 - the much talked, much hyped Indian Premiere League was inaugurated in Bangalore. This was an event we were not going to miss; we booked our tickets the moment they were released. Before that day, there was much debate whether IPL is going to be hit or flop. But as the day unveiled, the verdict was loud and clear - cricket cannot be flop in India, whatever format it may be in. And as it turned out now, it's a smashing hit with all the elements of a blockbuster. The greatest cricketers of today from across the world fighting with and for one another, passion, aggression, tension, joy, agony of cricket mixed with colorful atmosphere, packed stadiums, sexy cheerleaders - the IPL has it all. And we could not have asked more after the spectacular opening ceremony we had witnessed. Undoubtedly this was the most eye-catching, euphoric ceremony ever witnessed in India. Truly this was an evening to remember, an evening that paved way for a new era of cricket, for India and for the whole world !!!!

For more on IPL including snaps, please visit the official website: www.iplt20.com

Movies that inspired : The Shawshank Redemption

"Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free." - was the tagline of this extremely inspiring 1994 movie : The Shawshank Redemption. And this is what the movie is all about, this is what it teaches you - "Hope". As Andy Dufresne (character played by Tim Robbins) correctly said in the movie,"Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." The movie was so powerful, so moving - I was spellbound after watching it, and then I watched it again and again. IMDB ranks this movie 9.2/10 as I type and places it second in its prestigious list of top 250 movies of all time. The movie also features in almost all the trusted "Top Movies" list published. The theme was stupendous, the direction was perfect and the acting from almost everybody was the best in the business. The movie starts with a young banker Andy Dufresne being wrongly convicted and imprisoned for life for the murder of his wife. It centers around the life of Andy and his co-prisoner 'Red' Redding (played by incredible Morgan Freeman) in prison and his perfect redemption at the end. Any more revelation than this may be termed as "spoiler" for my friends who are yet to watch the movie. It is difficult (at least was for me) to just watch the movie and take away nothing. It makes the audience realize the power of hope - real hope, not simply accepting life as fate; but hope for something more, crave for it.

Here are some of my favorite quotes collected from the movie (courtesy : IMDB)

Red: [narrating] I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. Still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend.

Warden Samuel Norton: Salvation lies within.

Andy Dufresne: I was in the path of the tornado... I just didn't expect the storm would last as long as it has.

Warden Samuel Norton: I believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. Here you'll receive both. Put your trust in the Lord; your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank.

Red: There's not a day goes by I don't feel regret. Not because I'm in here, or because you think I should. I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him. I want to try and talk some sense to him, tell him the way things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone and this old man is all that's left. I got to live with that. Rehabilitated? It's just a bullshit word. So you go on and stamp your form, sonny, and stop wasting my time. Because to tell you the truth, I don't give a shit

Red: Geology is the study of pressure and time. Thats all it takes really... pressure, and time... that and a big goddamn poster.

Red: [narrating] I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don't want to know. Some things are best left unsaid. I'd like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can't be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it. I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free.

Andy Dufresne: [in letter to Red] Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

Red: [narrating] I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.

Roll that spectacular reel

Lights, camera, action !!! And the magic begins. Fascination, illusion, drama, romance, tragedy, comedy - everything begin, impossible becomes possible, the future becomes the present, giants roared, soldiers martyr, nature destroys, emotions bursts. Cinema has always been captivating me, pulling me into a whole new astonishing world. I am not a film critic, but simply someone who enjoys watching the magic being cast in screen. There are a number of movies that have inspired and deeply affected me. Every time I watch one such movie, my head nods for those extraordinary filmmakers and their extraordinary vision towards the world and human race. In this and a few of the future posts, I would like to mention some of these movies - the list is long and there has been quite some time since I watched many of them. I shall only touch upon some of those that I can think of little more vividly at this moment compared to the rest. But first, in this post, let me recollect the names of some of these stupendous cinematic wonders; those that come to my mind right now are:

• The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
• Life is beautiful (Italian: La vita è bella) (1997)
• Dark Knight (2008)
• A beautiful mind (2001)
• Hotel Rwanda (2004)
• Schindler's List (1993)
• Forrest Gump (1994)
• The Pianist (2002)
• Dinabondhu (Assamese) (2005)
  
• Casablanca (1942)
• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Italian: Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo) (1966)
• Memento (2000)
• Sholay (Hindi) (1975)
• The Matrix (1999)
• Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le (2001)
• American History X (1998)
• Pulp Fiction (1994)
• Fight Club (1999)
• Psycho (1960)
• Léon (1994)
• The Departed (2006)
• L.A. Confidential (1997)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
• Saving Private Ryan (1998)
• The Green Mile (1999)
• Rebecca (1940)
• Braveheart (1995)
• The Sixth Sense (1999)
• Gladiator (2000)
• Ben-Hur (1959)
• Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
• 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
• American Gangster (2007)
• Blood Diamond (2006)
• Mystic River (2003)
• Finding Neverland (2004)
• Taare Zameen Par (Hindi) (2007)
• Dil Chahta Hain (Hindi) (2001)
• Gone with the Wind (1939)
• Jurassic Park (1993)

May be I have missed some of the movies in the above list and shall keep adding them as and when I watch or remember. But all of these films have influenced me deeply in some way or other and they gave me much more than a mode for just time pass !!