Gattaca - a review

I discovered this gem of a movie released back in 1997. Directed by Andrew Niccols, who directed one of my favorites - Lord of War, Gattaca is a movie that weaves elements of sci-fi, romance, suspence and drama around the theme of human spirit.

The movie's tagline "There is No Gene for The Human Spirit" reverberates in the rousing tale of its protagonist, Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), an in-valid living in a future of genetically tailored humans who dreams the impossible - of flying into space. Asthma, a weak heart and physical frailness do nothing to deter his courage and perseverance to succeed. As he overcomes his challenges through his will, he inspires his stronger, more-gifted friends by the resilience of his spirit.

The plot is full of interesting twists and turns, and is extremley aesthetic. The screenplay, the cinematography, and the background score exude excellence, but never overshadow the fantastic drama that unfolds between the well-developed characters. Ethan Hawke, Jude Law and Uma Thurman bring their roles to life. The movie is filled with inspiring moments. In one, when Vincent and his younger, genetically-superior brother Antoine are swimming out in the sea to see who can swim farthest before chickening and turning back, Antione says "We are too far out. You do realize every stroke forward means a stroke back." Vincent says "That's the difference Antoine, I never planned on swimming back."

The movie reminded me of Guruji. No obstacles lessen his love, sincerity and efforts to care for creation, which are provided with utmost simplicity, sincerity, innocence and humility. I am reminded of the Vikram Batra IOCL advertisement, which read "For every step we take, there is an inspired Indian leading the way."

Slumdog Millionaire, a supersoldier and a tycoon

I am pleasantly settled in the afterglow of the course :) We had our first follow up where Saroja and Renuka treated us to great food, which was after a long kriya and a  superb talk of Guruji (Dealing with Fear). Bimlesh had an amazing comment "Keval yahan Art of Living mein hi aapko log aapki kamiyon ke saath accept kar lete hain. Aur kahan yeh hota hai?") We are all working for the next big course, from 10 Feb.

Mum and me watched "Slumdog Millionaire" yesterday. I had my misgivings about watching a movie shaped by a westerner's cliched view of India as a slumdog nation, but I have to admit that this was one of the most impactful movies i have seen in a long time. I was amazed by one aspect of the movie - the movie is based on absolutely fantastic events. It is too much for all this to happen to one person. Yet, by avoiding any hyperbolic dialogues, by clever editing, and sharp dialogues, Danny Boyle has created an experience that is not only completely believable, it is also immersive. I felt like a part of the movie while watching it. -5  stars for showing India as a place where only the tough survive (okay -3, as there is a hint of truth to this). but 5 stars for the dialogue, acting and cinematography. Though i hated it, the image of Ram branded in the mind of Jamal as he watched his mum killed in riots is left in my mind. It serves as a reminder to me on why I must keep organizing Art of Living courses. As Guruji says "Transcend religion and embrace spirtuality" - it is the only way.

 Speaking of immersive, I have also been playing Metal Gear Solid 4 . The thing about video games is that they can offer a level of immersion no other artform can hope to match. And if videogaming is an art, the MGS series is like the Eiffel tower, it is a vernerated monument of the medium. MGS4 marks the last installment in this epic franchise, and the word epic can unabashedly be used to describe its perfection. Critics and gamers alike have unanimously claimed it to be the greatest accomplishment in video gaming history. I was understandably excited. I had heard of how everyone - fans, media, critics were in a tizzy over its release . I also read how the launch of the game upped the sales of the PS3 by 180%, with people buying the machine only because MGS4 was on it. 

I have completed 3 acts of the game so far (yes, it runs like a Quentin Tarantino movie, divided into chapters and acts), and i feel that the noun 'game' doesnt do justice to this technical masterpiece. The game blends cinema and gaming tightly, with narrative sequences and gameplay flowing seamlessly into each other. You could be watching an action thriller movie going on, and suddenly, you are in the middle of it! 

All praises said, however, the game really has a strong message. It leaves you feeling grey, gloomy. Mr. Kojima has repeatedly tried to assert in the different cutscenes on how war is a depressive, tense affair where there is no winner, and even the survivors are only left with scars. I appreciate his direction towards this as most other First person shooters revel/ gloat in killing.

On another note, i also discovered a jem of a game called "Railroad Tycoon 3". The 

mission of the game is as the title suggests - create and run the business of railroads and create a massive, profitable business empire. On the way to becoming a tycoon, you would dabble in the stock market, purchase and run factories, and do a lot of stuff. I just finished the tutorial yesterday and absolutely loved it. I seriously recommend it to all those who intend on doing business on thier own. This game has captued, in a simplified way, what it takes to be a tycoon. And although not nearly as complicated as real life, it does familiarize you with business basics much better than a book ever could. Defintely thumbs up for this PC game. 

So this was a hatke post...would add more soon.

What Happens in Vegas - a Review

I usually hesitate from watching romantic movies, light comedies, dramas, real-life inspired movies, and am usually inclined to watching larger than life characters in high voltage, high adrenaline stuff. The funny thing is, that I do so despite feeling good and satisfied after watching romantic/ comedy/ drama/ spiritual stuff, and mostly need something to wash the aftertaste of an action flick. The reason for this reflection is a nice movie I borrowed from a friend and just watched. This is the Cameron Diaz/ Ashton Kutcher starrer – What happens in Vegas.

 

Their real-life relationship generated a lot of media attention, and the movie is a nice showcase for their chemistry. The movie has an interesting story about two dejected individuals from NY meeting in Vegas to party off their misery, getting drunk and married and winning a USD 3 million lottery. In the morning when the two are back to their senses, they wish to separate. But after winning the lottery both want the money for themselves. Due to an interesting twist in the tale, they need to come to terms with each other and learn to live together over 6 months. The initial part of the movie is full of cheeky and laugh-out loud moments with both Diaz and Kutcher trying to irritate/trick the other into submission and into filing for divorce. As the movie unfolds, the two begin to found common ground and love begins to blossom between them. The later parts and the ending are warm, senti stuff that leaves you with a pleasant feel good factor.

 All in all it is a nice American love story (with plenty of clichés though) and an interesting watch.

The Forbidden Kingdom - a review

When Jackie Chan and Jet Li star together for the first time in a movie whose plot spans the heaven (the Chinese version of it) and Earth and 5000 years, you may expect something interesting. And The Forbidden Kingdom' (director: Rob Minkoff, Action :Huen-Woo Ping of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame) lives up to the promise.

The story involves Jason (Michael Angarano) stumbling upon a mighty artefact from ancient days, the legendary staff of the Monkey King (Jet Li) - mystic, warrior, spiritual seeker, who is invincible and wise. The original story of the Monkey King is written in the Chinese legend, A Journey to the West, which is quite an interesting folklore and quite downloadable. There are strong parallels between his tale and that of Shri Hanuman. On his discovery, Jason is transported back to ancient China, where the Jade warlord, the commander in chief of heaven's armies and a sorcerer, has unleashed a reign of terror on the people and has imprisoned the Monkey King in stone. Jason meets Lu Yan (Jackie Chan), a drunken master and the venegance seeking sparrow girl (Yiefei Liu), and together the unlikely trio begin their journey towards the mountain of heaven and earth and the palace atop it where the Jade Warlord holds sway. On e way they run into adventures and misadventures aplenty, and a mysterious monk (Jet Li again) joins them in their quest.

The kung fu action is spellbinding, the camerawork excellent and the backdrops are visual treats. The plot, which is quite entertaining, could have been infinitely more engaging had the director retained the spiritual metaphors that are so abundantly present in the Monkey King's tale. The same can be said about the dialogues. Still, it is an interesting action flick and is definitely worth a watch.