Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Magic Gets To Its Darkest In This One
Movie: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes
Directed by: David Yates
Rating: *** 1/2
Well, well, well... Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is dead and the Death-Eaters are rising to power under the leadership of the darkest wizard ever, Lord Voldemort. Nobody is safe and hence, even Muggles have to pack their bags for somewhere safer. Hermione Granger has to Obliviate her memories from her parents' mind and the Dursleys have to leave for a safer zone. The plot gets darker and darker while the movie's unpredictability and the audience's adrenaline rise higher and higher.
This darkness can only come to an end with the death of the Dark Lord himself. And there's only one way to do that: destroy all the seven Horcruxes (magical objects containing divisions of Voldemort's soul). So, the teenage trio, Harry, Ron and Hermione, sets out for finding the locations of the other five Horcruxes (the first, Tom Riddle's diary, was already destroyed in the Chamber of Secrets and the second in HBP). That means, you have no Hogwarts, no fellow students, no teachers in the movie; only the three of them roaming around in wild forests (breathtaking locations indeed) and fighting their strongest impulses and temptations with their priorities (watch out for such a coming-of-age scene between Harry and Hermione).
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is undoubtedly the most different, as well as the scariest, HP installment ever (watching it on IMAX screen can almost quadruple the fear factor). And, it is only the prelude to the mega-finale that releases in July 2011 globally. So, after the end of Deathly Hallows 1, you simply cannot be patient enough to let July 2011 be 8 months away!
The movie has managed to cover most of the aspects mentioned in the book successfully and has excellent histrionics, direction and special effects to add spark to the magic. My favourite scene is the animated story of the Deathly Hallows which simply speaks volumes of the team's creativity. There are also a couple of laughs infused here and there, like Hermione hitting Ron when he comes back after deserting her and Harry. And, a Muggle woman getting fooled by Ron's disguise as her hubby (thanks to the Polyjuice Potion) and hence her kissing him! However, there are moments which can either make you jump in your seat or cling to your partner for comfort. Especially, whenever Nagini comes into the picture. Or when Xenophilius Lovegood bangs his fist on the table and suddenly shouts aloud. Also have a tissue in store for a very tragic scene in the end (sorry, can't reveal).
So, what's the moral of the story? Book your cinema hall seats for this one. Maybe it's just the prelim to the finale and nothing much happens in it. But, Harry Potter movies are not about watching them; they are all about the experience and revisiting Pottermania in live form. And that explains the magnanimous crowd that throngs theatres across the country, even though we all know that the real magic is yet to come...
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes
Directed by: David Yates
Rating: *** 1/2
Well, well, well... Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is dead and the Death-Eaters are rising to power under the leadership of the darkest wizard ever, Lord Voldemort. Nobody is safe and hence, even Muggles have to pack their bags for somewhere safer. Hermione Granger has to Obliviate her memories from her parents' mind and the Dursleys have to leave for a safer zone. The plot gets darker and darker while the movie's unpredictability and the audience's adrenaline rise higher and higher.
This darkness can only come to an end with the death of the Dark Lord himself. And there's only one way to do that: destroy all the seven Horcruxes (magical objects containing divisions of Voldemort's soul). So, the teenage trio, Harry, Ron and Hermione, sets out for finding the locations of the other five Horcruxes (the first, Tom Riddle's diary, was already destroyed in the Chamber of Secrets and the second in HBP). That means, you have no Hogwarts, no fellow students, no teachers in the movie; only the three of them roaming around in wild forests (breathtaking locations indeed) and fighting their strongest impulses and temptations with their priorities (watch out for such a coming-of-age scene between Harry and Hermione).
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is undoubtedly the most different, as well as the scariest, HP installment ever (watching it on IMAX screen can almost quadruple the fear factor). And, it is only the prelude to the mega-finale that releases in July 2011 globally. So, after the end of Deathly Hallows 1, you simply cannot be patient enough to let July 2011 be 8 months away!
The movie has managed to cover most of the aspects mentioned in the book successfully and has excellent histrionics, direction and special effects to add spark to the magic. My favourite scene is the animated story of the Deathly Hallows which simply speaks volumes of the team's creativity. There are also a couple of laughs infused here and there, like Hermione hitting Ron when he comes back after deserting her and Harry. And, a Muggle woman getting fooled by Ron's disguise as her hubby (thanks to the Polyjuice Potion) and hence her kissing him! However, there are moments which can either make you jump in your seat or cling to your partner for comfort. Especially, whenever Nagini comes into the picture. Or when Xenophilius Lovegood bangs his fist on the table and suddenly shouts aloud. Also have a tissue in store for a very tragic scene in the end (sorry, can't reveal).
So, what's the moral of the story? Book your cinema hall seats for this one. Maybe it's just the prelim to the finale and nothing much happens in it. But, Harry Potter movies are not about watching them; they are all about the experience and revisiting Pottermania in live form. And that explains the magnanimous crowd that throngs theatres across the country, even though we all know that the real magic is yet to come...
Monday, October 18, 2010
Masterchef or Near-Disaster Chef??
Programme Name: Masterchef India
Timings: Weekends 9 - 10 pm
Channel: Star Plus
Rating: **
India is indeed a strange country. What may fail to work in other countries can find runaway success here; on the other hand, certain concepts tasting success abroad have tasted blood here (Kellogg's is one example). So, simply performing a Cut-Copy-Paste operation of one hit international show, without studying the Indian demographics, is highly dangerous. That's what happens with Star Plus' latest reality show Masterchef India (from the famous Masterchef series) and hence it fails to impress.
The show seems to be banking on only one of its judges, superstar Akshay Kumar, for grabbing eyeballs, without considering what the viewers actually expect. Here are some other crucial points which I observed about the show:
1. Besides Akshay Kumar, there are two other judges - Chef Ajay Chopra of the Goa Marriott Resort and Chef Kunal Kapoor of Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon. This selection would have been better if only one of the two chefs was selected. The third judge should have ideally been a female - a chef, a cookbook author or a cookery expert. Since a major chunk of the participants is formed by housewives, the presence of a female judge is mandatory.
2. The judges should provide constructive feedback, rather than only epithetic comments. Mere "Lajawab" or "Bakwaas" won't work. I was also expecting some beneficial tips from the judges, but nothing of the sort happened. For instance, when the contestant Zebi Zubair had served Seviyan, I was waiting to listen to some pointers from the judges which will help me improve my Seviyan the next time I cook. But, alas!
3. I remember a cookery show called Kitchen Champion which was recently pulled off air from Colors. In that, the chef judge was overseeing the entire process - right from the selection of ingredients to the method of cooking till the tasting of the dish; hence he was able to allot fair marking to every contestant. He would also provide important cooking pointers at every step of the show. Thus, it would be better if the judges of Masterchef too enter the kitchens and observe what goes on...
4. I recollect my mother being called to audition for Masterchef. She was told to arrive at the studio (located in Santacruz West) at 10 am sharp with a vegan dish that would last for more than five hours. Thus, in order to pass the test, my mother would have had to wake up at the crack of dawn, leave all her chores aside, prepare a dish that wouldn't rot for almost half a day and leave home early enough to reach Santacruz West at 10 am from Chembur! Had I received such an offer, I would have simply ordered some fare from a nearby cheap restaurant for the audition day and postponed showing my culinary side to the later stages of the show. Isn't that easy? Who could have called the bluff? But, it would be unfair to the participant who would do all that what my mother wouldn't. In short, faulty auditioning.
5. And lastly, Indianizing the international cookery series doesn't only mean including Indian dishes and having Indian judges on board. Catering to the Indian demographics is the most important need, which the show has ignored completely.
However, let's see what's in store in the upcoming episodes. In the meanwhile, if the show continues like this, it will be a "Game Finish" before the judges can say "Tasty Dish"...
Timings: Weekends 9 - 10 pm
Channel: Star Plus
Rating: **
India is indeed a strange country. What may fail to work in other countries can find runaway success here; on the other hand, certain concepts tasting success abroad have tasted blood here (Kellogg's is one example). So, simply performing a Cut-Copy-Paste operation of one hit international show, without studying the Indian demographics, is highly dangerous. That's what happens with Star Plus' latest reality show Masterchef India (from the famous Masterchef series) and hence it fails to impress.
The show seems to be banking on only one of its judges, superstar Akshay Kumar, for grabbing eyeballs, without considering what the viewers actually expect. Here are some other crucial points which I observed about the show:
1. Besides Akshay Kumar, there are two other judges - Chef Ajay Chopra of the Goa Marriott Resort and Chef Kunal Kapoor of Leela Kempinski, Gurgaon. This selection would have been better if only one of the two chefs was selected. The third judge should have ideally been a female - a chef, a cookbook author or a cookery expert. Since a major chunk of the participants is formed by housewives, the presence of a female judge is mandatory.
2. The judges should provide constructive feedback, rather than only epithetic comments. Mere "Lajawab" or "Bakwaas" won't work. I was also expecting some beneficial tips from the judges, but nothing of the sort happened. For instance, when the contestant Zebi Zubair had served Seviyan, I was waiting to listen to some pointers from the judges which will help me improve my Seviyan the next time I cook. But, alas!
3. I remember a cookery show called Kitchen Champion which was recently pulled off air from Colors. In that, the chef judge was overseeing the entire process - right from the selection of ingredients to the method of cooking till the tasting of the dish; hence he was able to allot fair marking to every contestant. He would also provide important cooking pointers at every step of the show. Thus, it would be better if the judges of Masterchef too enter the kitchens and observe what goes on...
4. I recollect my mother being called to audition for Masterchef. She was told to arrive at the studio (located in Santacruz West) at 10 am sharp with a vegan dish that would last for more than five hours. Thus, in order to pass the test, my mother would have had to wake up at the crack of dawn, leave all her chores aside, prepare a dish that wouldn't rot for almost half a day and leave home early enough to reach Santacruz West at 10 am from Chembur! Had I received such an offer, I would have simply ordered some fare from a nearby cheap restaurant for the audition day and postponed showing my culinary side to the later stages of the show. Isn't that easy? Who could have called the bluff? But, it would be unfair to the participant who would do all that what my mother wouldn't. In short, faulty auditioning.
5. And lastly, Indianizing the international cookery series doesn't only mean including Indian dishes and having Indian judges on board. Catering to the Indian demographics is the most important need, which the show has ignored completely.
However, let's see what's in store in the upcoming episodes. In the meanwhile, if the show continues like this, it will be a "Game Finish" before the judges can say "Tasty Dish"...
Friday, September 24, 2010
Send Relevant, Not Powerful Movies to the Oscars
So, yet another Aamir movie has been dispatched to the Oscars for yet another desperate attempt to bring a trophy home, eh? That too, without any prior research on the same? The President of the Film Federation of India (FFI) committee, which selected Peepli Live as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards, claims that the film was chosen because “it depicts the stark reality about farmers in India, but deals with it in a light-hearted manner.” Do you think that the Oscar jury really cares about that?
Agreed that Peepli had fetched its director Anusha Rizvi the Best Debutante Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Agreed that the movie was also judged the Best First Feature Film at the Durban Film Festival. There’s no denying that the film has used intelligent humour to bring a grave and ugly reality to the fore. But, using the movie as a bait to catch the so-called big fish called “The Oscar” is akin to belittling the honours bestowed upon it. We’re already proud of Peepli Live, then why push it ahead to achieve a distant dream? Are the Oscars the ultimate reward by which a movie achieves eternal glory?
Since we do have to send one of our movies to compete in the Academies race, let us first understand how it all works by considering this case study. Some of our entries are known to have made it to the Top Five slot, Lagaan being the last to do so. However, it is believed that the Indian blockbuster failed to reach the finishing line because the jury that year was reportedly more interested in films based on war and terrorism (let’s not forget that Lagaan had participated in the 2002 Awards, happening a few months after 9/11). And hence, the Bosnian entry No Man’s Land – a war movie about one Serbian and two Bosnian soldiers – stole the show.
Thus, a proactive decision after considering the mindset of the jury is a recommended solution. Although it’s indeed difficult to predict who the jury members would be and what treat they would expect, trend analysis has to be done. A movie should not be selected only on the basis of relative judgment; it should be relevant, rather than powerful.
And, last but not the least; let’s stop making desperate fools of ourselves in the Oscars race. Let’s accept the fact that Indian movies are branded as trash on the international cinema stage. And if a gem of a movie like Peepli Live does come up, its victory eventually depends upon what’s going on in the minds of the jury members of an awards function. And since the Indian movie industry has a mad dream of winning, touching and feeling an Oscar trophy, sending relevant entries is the only hope, which may (only may for the time being) fulfill this dream.
Agreed that Peepli had fetched its director Anusha Rizvi the Best Debutante Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Agreed that the movie was also judged the Best First Feature Film at the Durban Film Festival. There’s no denying that the film has used intelligent humour to bring a grave and ugly reality to the fore. But, using the movie as a bait to catch the so-called big fish called “The Oscar” is akin to belittling the honours bestowed upon it. We’re already proud of Peepli Live, then why push it ahead to achieve a distant dream? Are the Oscars the ultimate reward by which a movie achieves eternal glory?
Since we do have to send one of our movies to compete in the Academies race, let us first understand how it all works by considering this case study. Some of our entries are known to have made it to the Top Five slot, Lagaan being the last to do so. However, it is believed that the Indian blockbuster failed to reach the finishing line because the jury that year was reportedly more interested in films based on war and terrorism (let’s not forget that Lagaan had participated in the 2002 Awards, happening a few months after 9/11). And hence, the Bosnian entry No Man’s Land – a war movie about one Serbian and two Bosnian soldiers – stole the show.
Thus, a proactive decision after considering the mindset of the jury is a recommended solution. Although it’s indeed difficult to predict who the jury members would be and what treat they would expect, trend analysis has to be done. A movie should not be selected only on the basis of relative judgment; it should be relevant, rather than powerful.
And, last but not the least; let’s stop making desperate fools of ourselves in the Oscars race. Let’s accept the fact that Indian movies are branded as trash on the international cinema stage. And if a gem of a movie like Peepli Live does come up, its victory eventually depends upon what’s going on in the minds of the jury members of an awards function. And since the Indian movie industry has a mad dream of winning, touching and feeling an Oscar trophy, sending relevant entries is the only hope, which may (only may for the time being) fulfill this dream.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Get Solutions for EVERY problem in life!!!
It was last night that I had finished reading Edward de Bono's masterpiece titled How to Have a Beautiful Mind. The book is truly an eye-opener, especially for all those who believe that arguing and dominating others are the only known ways of winning.
The book has a simple central idea - having a beautiful face or body isn't enough; in fact, they are of no use if you don't have a beautiful mind! So, How to... discusses techniques which can help the reader come up with innovative ways to look at things and create something constructive out of them. In this way, one can become a master of his/her thoughts and channelize them in a constructive direction.
Some of the principles mentioned in the book are as follows:
I found stark similarities between this book and the blockbuster Bollywood movie 3 Idiots. Both have a similar message to deliver - focus your attention solely on creating solutions. This brings in excellence and innovation to the fore. I wish the patrons of our education system (including parents) read this book - it'll help restore the mental peace of millions of members of our student community!
Remember, no self-help or management book in the world can solve your problems. It's you - your mind and how you effectively tap it and apply it - that will eventually make you a winner. Control your emotions, be a master of your thoughts and think about the positive aspects only. And whatever you want will be within your reach...because it's only a beautiful mind that attracts the most beautiful things in life...
The book has a simple central idea - having a beautiful face or body isn't enough; in fact, they are of no use if you don't have a beautiful mind! So, How to... discusses techniques which can help the reader come up with innovative ways to look at things and create something constructive out of them. In this way, one can become a master of his/her thoughts and channelize them in a constructive direction.
Some of the principles mentioned in the book are as follows:
- When you are in a conversation with someone, don't just nod your head in agreement all the time. Nor should you argue about something you disagree with. Find out the area of difference and take the dialogue ahead. Find out from where does the other person hail, what was and is his environment like, what are his likes and dislikes, etc.
- After finding out the area of difference, find out its source.
- Keep yourself informed and updated. Ask the right questions.
- Listen carefully to the other person. Don't ever be in a hurry to interrupt him for expressing yourself.
- The main objective of any discussion should be to arrive at concrete solutions, not to argue and give vent to your ego.
I found stark similarities between this book and the blockbuster Bollywood movie 3 Idiots. Both have a similar message to deliver - focus your attention solely on creating solutions. This brings in excellence and innovation to the fore. I wish the patrons of our education system (including parents) read this book - it'll help restore the mental peace of millions of members of our student community!
Remember, no self-help or management book in the world can solve your problems. It's you - your mind and how you effectively tap it and apply it - that will eventually make you a winner. Control your emotions, be a master of your thoughts and think about the positive aspects only. And whatever you want will be within your reach...because it's only a beautiful mind that attracts the most beautiful things in life...
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Heal Yourself with your mind...
After 21 years’ expertise, Dr. Anita Salunkhe has revolutionized healing with MindHeal Homeopathy, whose principle is “Heal the Mind to Heal the Body”. MindHeal treats more than 27,000 patients annually and has cured till now 2,50,000 patients in India, USA, Brazil and many other nations. Its constant R&D helps in incurable cases too. In a Q&A, Dr. Anita provides insights on holistic healing.
In a family, despite same environment, why do some fall sick while others are healthy?
Everyone’s immune system has varying protein balance protecting the body; so disturbance in it causes illness. Such disturbance happens mainly by negative thoughts like anger, frustration and worry. Since everyone thinks differently, immunity varies. Yet, we find common medicine being given to many people having same health problem with different immunities (e.g. headache, fever). As everybody has different cause of health problem and varying immunity, individualized medicines should be given; just like skin-type based beauty treatments. Hence, MindHeal Homeopathy prescribes remedies considering one’s physical and emotional history.
What’s the correct way to treat diseases?
Health issues like cold, cough, skin problems, aches signal alarm in the immune system. When “suppressed” with regular medicines, they shift from one organ to another resulting in aggravated sickness forms because the cause is untreated; e.g. suppressed cough may form asthma etc. It’s seen that regular treatments don’t attempt to understand the root cause – “MIND”; so despite consulting multiple doctors, one continuously takes drugs without being finally cured.
Our R&D has proved that individualized medicines improve mindset and immunity, thereby preventing frequent sickness. Homeopathy considers people having same disease differently, thus treating individual root cause effectively. At MindHeal Homeopathy, we rejuvenate life by healing the person, besides the disease…
For enquiries and appointments at MindHeal Homeopathy, contact 9930363981, 25230530 or crm@mindheal.org. URL: www.mindheal.org
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