Alexander

Alexander, you must have heard of him. I think the first time this name comes to mind, one can only think of Alexander the Great. Oliver stone delivers once again a movie which will never be short of controversies. Its not a movie for everyone. For the ones who dare to experience bloodshed on screen and die hard Oliver stone fan. Well i too decided to give it a shot. Am not a big fan but i guess that one i wanted to watch an action movie. The movie begins well with Sir Anthony Hopkins narrating the story of Alexander right from his childhood fancies to inquire about the world and thinking of conquering it. It depicts well the relationship between Alexander and his drunkard father played by Val Kilmer.
Angelina is not as impressive as you may think. She plays a nagging wife and Oliver doesn't get too much out from her. Perhaps she wasn't required that much in film. Oliver does him homework well. The palaces, battle scenes whether in Macedonia, Greece, Asia or India are exemplified and trace back to a real era in history. His movie direction is never one sided and he focuses on each character so well. Colin Farell delivers a great performance as a leader and battle commander. I would have just wanted him to be more intense at certain moments in the film. The scene where he battles in India with him riding on a horse and the enemy on an elephant is breathtaking. He is struck with an arrow and Alexander was almost killed. If you are interested in history, am sure you'll like this movie. There are lot of strange facts that get revealed when you watch such a movie, perhaps becoming controversial.
Alexander was a bisexual. Thats what the movie shows hugging and kissing his childhood guy friend too closely and then later getting married to an Asian woman with whom he has an intense sex scene. Also, the king died too early at an age of 33. At this young age, he had conquered half of the world with his tyrannical boasts. The film also shows that alexander who was a heavy drinker dies of the same, a day after his bisexual gay partner dies. Perhaps he was poisoned. And i remember as a child when i watched "Chanakya", Alexander had died due to malaria, the cure of which was not there those days. Even at his death bed, his army commanders are show arguing to take the next king's position. Alexander was great because noone ever could take the position of the King of Macedonia and make a name for himself as he did. As i can only wish, it would have been interesting if he had ever made it to Mongol or Japan.
I'll rate the movie 7/10. I liked it...

Love remains a word to me now

Behind the iron curtain lies a face
dark and hardened after a never ending chase
Was it for the wild destiny or cold blaze
moronic attempts i tried to get out of this maze
sequestered time makes me think how
Love remains a word to me now

Prayers may reach you to the zenith
up there and not getting lost was a misfaith
sound i chose out of millions to near
brought me down to knees with no one to cheer
Abbreviated life made the hardest time bow
Love remains a word to me now

Jaws of truth biting the guileless soul
awakens someone a little late but to witness a hole
a void that may never fill
am dried of my own will
Would there be any light of hope at the brow
Love remains a word to me now

Nefarious games you play with guileless hearts
venerated you not to go through this part
wish life had never met you at the juncture
abused and mentally only i face every torture
if only blessed with the power to change and endow
Love remains a word to me now

Reasons i ask why was the smile feigned
on an ill fated day were tears rained
faces exchanged bitterness and torment
so hapless now and hands full of lament
misnomer and will always pronounce to disallow
Love remains a word to me now....

Rabb ne bana di jodi

The movie certainly goes by its title. Only in reel life is it possible for a husband to stretch that far for his wife. Well, i didn't mean stretching ones arms but a husband playing a dual life to win his wife's heart. SRK movie backed by Yash Chopra productions will keep your spirits high to watch the movie during the holiday season. What i liked about the movie is SRK's attire where he is playing a Punjab Power engineer. A combination of PT shoes (you know what i mean) with pant and shirt, thats a typical Indian sarkari job like dressup. SRK looks really funny in those. It's easy for SRK to mould into the role of another self of his who is completely opposite of what he is actually. This is what intrigues me but remember its a film and from that perspective, SRK does a fair good job. Anoushka Sharma, the debutante actor may not appeal impressive in the beginning but shes does manage to gain some credits for her part, as far as i am concernd. Rabb ne bana di jodi is a family one which you will enjoy for all age groups. Vinay pathak again comes in to help SRK achieve his life goal. Movie is however long but "Haule Haule ho jayegaa" manageable to watch for Indian audience. SRK is one of favourite actors and needless to say, he has done a good job. I'll rate this movie 7/10.

Dasvidaniya

When i first heard of this movie, i had no clue as to what it was. First of all, the name of movie itself is neither English nor Hindi. Its a Russian name meaning "Good Bye". I hooked up on all my resources to read its review and trying to convince my mind if i wanted to watch it or not. The movie stars "Vinay Pathak" so automatically you realize this ain't a 3 hr long movie and i enjoy such kind of movies. I did read that Dasvidaniya was based on Bucket List which i already had seen . The theme of Bucket List was good but i found the movie boring. I finally decided to watch Dasvidaniya, the hindi version if you may say so.
Its a story about a guy who knows has merely only 3 more months to live and is a big loser in life. Vinay Pathak has certainly grown as an actor. He already had his forte in comedy but the film portrays some instances of heart breaking acting which Vinay has flawlessly perfomed. The scene where he begs for instant death will touch you. He is at his best till date. Movie is impressive from beginning to the end. Its light, digestable and will give you loads of oppurtunity to retrospect the question that what would you do if you were in his shoes. I greatly admire Vinays acting. The director too (lets say inspired by Bucket List) has made sense in every moment. Never will you ever feel that movie is boredom or exagerrated. Everyone has very well supported the actor including the boss Saurabh Shukla and Pankaj Kapoor. It's an evening movie to relax your senses and i highly recommend this movie to movie watchers. Vinay Pathak is the new era of self defining hero. I'll rate the movie 9/10. Go for it !

My first snow in NYC !!!! 18th Nov 2008

This was my first snow in NYC. I got up in the morning at 6.30 am as usual to get ready. When i opened the door of my house, i saw these flakes all over in the air. Was it snow or fire ash flowing in the air? Well, fire ash cant be white but these flakes were not thick. I was in a dilemma thinking as making my way to the train station. On my way, my confidence grew that this certainly was snow. Extreme cold my body could feel and this wasn't the cold i was used to in India. I was really excited and for a sec forgot about the harsh -1 degree cold weather. It was a beautiful scene, whites flakes falling over my black overcoat. I will never forget this day. In delhi (India) from where i hail from temperature doesn't go below 2-3 degree Celsius in winters. But this NY winter which i have always been scared of is getting beautiful day by day. I hope it doesnt get worse when i need to change my mind !

The Call

A sleepy-eyed soul ready to hit the bed
awakening frantically to a call in his head
should all hell break lose to this squall
if it wasn't for him, couldn't take a fall
the marinated air seems new and fresh
this ethereal call reeking under his flesh
from the one who now rests 6 feet under
the voices so familiar, causing a thunder
is that you or someone stranger
none in the world a threat or danger
cant believe if this is real or illusion
hopes lost down the drains of seclusion
breaks my heart this wild loneliness
ever since you left, this clinging distress
would life return to normal again
or struggle in this behold pain
perhaps the light at the end of tunnel may never glow
the call has a destiny i may never know...

Happy Diwali 2008

First of all, a very Happy Diwali to all Indians !
This will be my 3rd Diwali in US ever since i have been here. The first year diwali memories of mine are still fresh, all indians at bovard auditorium at USC (University of Southern California) celebrating, dancing and wishing each other. No fireworks ofcourse ! And at home, i had not lit any candles to get a feling of diwali at home. This was not intentional, how can it be? Just that i was part of an organising commitee for Diwali celebration at USC and may have been busy.

2nd year i was staying with my American roomies and i took one of them to the same auditorium for a cultural show. This time i wasnt part of any commitee so i should say i had the time to lit candles outside my house. I did take some snaps of it and upload it on orkut, facebook. I made sure my roommate wore the Indian ethnic Kurta i gave him. We both looked great especially me in my saffron kurta !

This is the 3rd year, the dampest diwali of mine with no one around. Let me remind you that last 2 diwali's i was a student at USC but now a full time employee. Today is Tuesday, a mid day where even if you want to celebrate, you may not. This BTW is for Indians residing in US, Indians home are still celebrating Diwali on Tuesday, isn't it? So to start where i left, this is my first diwali in US while on job. Everyone is so busy with work. It indeed was a very busy today. Even Indians have no time to wish each other. Am getting the feeling there are more chinese in my office than Indians but as if i care for now. Mail fwding of nature jokes etc is kind of low in the industry i work for because evey mail you send is scrutinised and checked. Perhaps, someone then doesnt want to send but i did. Why should I stop wishing others if others dont? Mailing was one another way i could reach out to my friends who are working in different office locations. I would have sent mail to atleast 30 people and just got 6 replies. What the #$%^ ! If you are very well reading my blog, you very well know my nature that i aint sending mails for receiving any compliment that Sidharth took the initiative and send diwali greeting mail in office. But isnt it a spontaneous reaction you would be expecting when you wish someone Happy Diwali either through mail or in person. I still cant believe i just got 6 replies. Its not that my respect for other 24 has gone down, but i did expect them to see and wish in person if not through mail. One of the senior manager i mailed wished me in person. And i know that everyone had checked their mails as i mailed everyone yesterday and today is Tuesday. When i asked a fellow mate about his plans to celebrate, i was shocked when he said "What do you mean how will i celebrate Diwali. You know how it works here" ? Well, what kind of reply or question was that. I know Diwali in US wont be as like in India but was looking forward to him telling me much more that question. He didnt look at me again and went to his desk. Someone wished me today too on mail (infact one). Am i justified in expressing my anguish or do i expect too much out of life? I can wait till tomorrow but am disappointed at this moment from people i expected instant reply. After all, just because you work in NY makes you super busy huh? Diwali is very cold here guys just like the weather of NYC......Ill meet you next year telling my new experiences, till then have fun and be safe !!!

Rgds
Sidharth