if you thought that here's finally a movie that treats homosexuality in a sensitive and sensible way, think again. firstly, the guys must have said about a million times in the movie that they are not gay, they are only pretending so that they can get an apartment and a green card. now we all know u don't get green cards faster if u're a gay couple, but that's typical hindi movie fluff so who cares. in fact, after proposition h8, who knows if they get it at all now? but when ideas start getting stolen from english movies and serials, that's so much worse! making abhishek and john stand in a public loo in adjoining stalls and having a guy walk in on them would remind u of a F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode where chandler gets his clothes stolen by julia roberts for revenge (Season 2, Episode 13 - The One After the Superbowl: Part 2). the faces collage that priyanka thinks up as a new layout for her magazine is so stolen from 13 going on 30 that it's not even funny! they dint make much of it in this movie, but if u saw the original, u'd spot it right away! john even shot the people holding frames!!! and who knows how many more ideas were stolen, just from movies we haven't seen yet! and here we thought bollywood was finally coming to maturity. shame, karan and tarun, shame!!!!
i really thought we'd see a movie about two guys who fall in love, maybe something along the lines of brokeback mountain, a truly gay couple, finally a breakthrough in hindi movies! but no, this made in fact a mockery of the whole community. boman could not have acted more cliched if he tried, and john and abhishek keep saying they're not gay, and in fact fall in love with a woman. they do have the first guy-guy lip-lock (all camera angles, no actual touching), but again the motivation is clearly a woman.
and apart from all that, it's not even a good movie!!! it drags and drags, the jokes are old, kirron's part sucks and is even more of a cliche than boman's, and i seriously do not know what sushmita mukherji was doing in the movie. frankly, the movie was so bad that it even made bobby deol look good in comparison!!! very disappointing.
Monday, 24 November 2008
bowling for columbine
isn't it ironic that on the day i saw this movie, i also read this article. a man got shot at in the chest while mowing his lawn, and was saved only because he had his phone in his pocket. and it wasn't any revenge story either! it was a random bullet somebody fired maybe a quarter of a mile away just for target practice or something!!! can you believe that??? seriously, people should rethink the second amendment.
bowling for columbine was the usual michael moore fare, pretty much along the same lines as fahrenheit 9/11. i'm glad there's somebody out there tracking and talking about these things. making us think and rethink our choices. i agree with him that firearms should not be so easily available. it's like what i said about drugs earlier - easy availability tends to push borderline cases over the edge. and this is even more serious than drugs; people don't just hurt themselves here, but others. innocent others. i'm all for restraining sale of firearms to those with proper licenses, identification and records.
in this movie, moore made another point - hysteria created by the press keeps everyone scared and panicky, and that causes people to react in extreme ways. and with firearms in so many households, who knows what that could turn into? i agree with him about the press-created hysteria. nowhere else do i see such sensationalization of news as i do on cnn. if the economy is doing badly, it's not just doing badly, it's taking the whole world down with it. if there has been a terrorist attack on the US, it's not just been a terrorist attack, it has been the worst terrorist attack in the history of terrorist attacks. maybe it's the american obsession with supersizing everything. who knows? a canadian girl in the movie puts it best - people don't think, don't negotiate, don't talk, they just react; we'll just kill you, and that's the end of that.
there are so many great things about american society. u're path forgers for the rest of the world in so many ways. is this the kind of murky underbelly u wanna have? guys, get a grip?
bowling for columbine was the usual michael moore fare, pretty much along the same lines as fahrenheit 9/11. i'm glad there's somebody out there tracking and talking about these things. making us think and rethink our choices. i agree with him that firearms should not be so easily available. it's like what i said about drugs earlier - easy availability tends to push borderline cases over the edge. and this is even more serious than drugs; people don't just hurt themselves here, but others. innocent others. i'm all for restraining sale of firearms to those with proper licenses, identification and records.
in this movie, moore made another point - hysteria created by the press keeps everyone scared and panicky, and that causes people to react in extreme ways. and with firearms in so many households, who knows what that could turn into? i agree with him about the press-created hysteria. nowhere else do i see such sensationalization of news as i do on cnn. if the economy is doing badly, it's not just doing badly, it's taking the whole world down with it. if there has been a terrorist attack on the US, it's not just been a terrorist attack, it has been the worst terrorist attack in the history of terrorist attacks. maybe it's the american obsession with supersizing everything. who knows? a canadian girl in the movie puts it best - people don't think, don't negotiate, don't talk, they just react; we'll just kill you, and that's the end of that.
there are so many great things about american society. u're path forgers for the rest of the world in so many ways. is this the kind of murky underbelly u wanna have? guys, get a grip?
Saturday, 22 November 2008
movies and other hallucigens
i'm on such a high! i saw three movies in the last two days! now i gotta tell u, in case u already don't know - i just love the movies. LOVE! i would watch anything once. but sometimes u see such fantastic stuff that's so right, carries the beat so well, that u get high on it. and when u see three in a row, u can't miss right? something's gonna work out!
yesterday was slumdog millionaire. if you have not watched it already, i strongly recommend that you do so now. before you read on any further. u have been warned - spoiler alert!!!!! that said, i could not believe this movie was not made by an indian, it was so indian. being from india, i pretty much have to wriggle and sigh my way through a lot of stereotypes about my country in hollywood movies, but this one rocked! i loved it! i didn't cringe once, except for the way they portrayed 'who wants to be a millionaire'. they touched on so many issues, so many many issues that we, real indians living in india now, are concerned with and dealing with right now - terrorism, the underworld, police brutality, religious riots, poverty, child abuse - and it was all so subtly done that u'd never guess it wasn't a straightforward movie about the life of the central character if u didn't know the context! for instance, did u realize that the anti-muslim riots in mumbai that killed jamal's mom were probably the awful riots post babri masjid demolition in '91? awesome how many levels this movie has. and it was soooo bollywood, in such a good way, in a way acceptable to young indians who love bollywood. i loved that! they even had a song and dance routine at the end, with good choreo, not snarky bullshit with people running around trees! people in an all-white audience in norway (and boy, u do not get more white than scandinavian white) clapped at the end of the movie! i felt like i was back home in india! brilliant effort guys. but i would like to say, u really dumped on 'who wants to be a millionaire' for no reason. they always have the politest hosts, no host has any stake in the winnings or losses of the contestants, you don't have to decide whether or not you're gonna carry on playing before even hearing the next question, and they definitely never, ever go into an ad break before the participant has answered a question (though they may before they tell u if he's right). it's a huge phenomenon in india, loved by all. seriously, if u ain't been there, u can't fathom it. i mean, they got amitabh bachchan to host it, for crying out loud! there's people building actual temples for that guy and worshipping him, he's that much of a god! (seriously, it was in the news, there's actually a temple in india dedicated to the big B). well, anyway, i'm not nuts, i know it's just a movie, and who wants to be a millionaire (or kbc - kaun banega crorepati - as we lovingly call it in india) is just a show, i can take a lil playing around with that concept. bottom line - this movie rocks!!! it's the kind of movie that makes u regret that there aren't more like it, that makes u feel depressed that such a fantastically indian movie wasn't made by an indian, that leaves u on a high that goes on for days! go watch it, guys.
the second movie we saw was zach and miri make a porno. well, obviously, nowhere in the same genre or anything hehe, to put it mildly. apart from scatological references - watching people getting covered in shit (actual shit) two nights in a row is a bit much for me, i think i'm done with that for the rest of my life, thanks guys. but apart from that, it was not as bad as expected, not as funny as expected, but pretty much a cute chick flick that u could sit thru once. quite formulaic though, which was unexpected, considering the title. my advice? go watch slumdog millionaire.
the third, phew, was annie hall. i love diane keaton, have done for years, and this is THE definitive diane keaton movie, right? made for her, around her, about her, who could ask for more diane keaton in a movie? a lil bit much on the talking tho, and a lil dated now with all the taking yourself so seriously and the philosophy and the marijuana and the psycho-analysis, but still quite delightful so far. that's all i'm gonna say about it cos i haven't finished it yet cos my hubby fell asleep half-way hehe. woody doesn't work late friday night after watching zach and miri make a porno till 11:30 p.m.! no offence, woody. see u tomorrow night!
hubby registers a protest against the falling asleep midway remark. well alright, so he did find out about the movie and locate it and download it so we could watch it. and he does make a lot of effort reading reviews on imdb to find more stuff to download. and the stuff he downloads is always interesting. but he still fell asleep midway right? i mean, i'm just stating a fact :D
finished annie hall, original impressions remain intact.
yesterday was slumdog millionaire. if you have not watched it already, i strongly recommend that you do so now. before you read on any further. u have been warned - spoiler alert!!!!! that said, i could not believe this movie was not made by an indian, it was so indian. being from india, i pretty much have to wriggle and sigh my way through a lot of stereotypes about my country in hollywood movies, but this one rocked! i loved it! i didn't cringe once, except for the way they portrayed 'who wants to be a millionaire'. they touched on so many issues, so many many issues that we, real indians living in india now, are concerned with and dealing with right now - terrorism, the underworld, police brutality, religious riots, poverty, child abuse - and it was all so subtly done that u'd never guess it wasn't a straightforward movie about the life of the central character if u didn't know the context! for instance, did u realize that the anti-muslim riots in mumbai that killed jamal's mom were probably the awful riots post babri masjid demolition in '91? awesome how many levels this movie has. and it was soooo bollywood, in such a good way, in a way acceptable to young indians who love bollywood. i loved that! they even had a song and dance routine at the end, with good choreo, not snarky bullshit with people running around trees! people in an all-white audience in norway (and boy, u do not get more white than scandinavian white) clapped at the end of the movie! i felt like i was back home in india! brilliant effort guys. but i would like to say, u really dumped on 'who wants to be a millionaire' for no reason. they always have the politest hosts, no host has any stake in the winnings or losses of the contestants, you don't have to decide whether or not you're gonna carry on playing before even hearing the next question, and they definitely never, ever go into an ad break before the participant has answered a question (though they may before they tell u if he's right). it's a huge phenomenon in india, loved by all. seriously, if u ain't been there, u can't fathom it. i mean, they got amitabh bachchan to host it, for crying out loud! there's people building actual temples for that guy and worshipping him, he's that much of a god! (seriously, it was in the news, there's actually a temple in india dedicated to the big B). well, anyway, i'm not nuts, i know it's just a movie, and who wants to be a millionaire (or kbc - kaun banega crorepati - as we lovingly call it in india) is just a show, i can take a lil playing around with that concept. bottom line - this movie rocks!!! it's the kind of movie that makes u regret that there aren't more like it, that makes u feel depressed that such a fantastically indian movie wasn't made by an indian, that leaves u on a high that goes on for days! go watch it, guys.
the second movie we saw was zach and miri make a porno. well, obviously, nowhere in the same genre or anything hehe, to put it mildly. apart from scatological references - watching people getting covered in shit (actual shit) two nights in a row is a bit much for me, i think i'm done with that for the rest of my life, thanks guys. but apart from that, it was not as bad as expected, not as funny as expected, but pretty much a cute chick flick that u could sit thru once. quite formulaic though, which was unexpected, considering the title. my advice? go watch slumdog millionaire.
the third, phew, was annie hall. i love diane keaton, have done for years, and this is THE definitive diane keaton movie, right? made for her, around her, about her, who could ask for more diane keaton in a movie? a lil bit much on the talking tho, and a lil dated now with all the taking yourself so seriously and the philosophy and the marijuana and the psycho-analysis, but still quite delightful so far. that's all i'm gonna say about it cos i haven't finished it yet cos my hubby fell asleep half-way hehe. woody doesn't work late friday night after watching zach and miri make a porno till 11:30 p.m.! no offence, woody. see u tomorrow night!
hubby registers a protest against the falling asleep midway remark. well alright, so he did find out about the movie and locate it and download it so we could watch it. and he does make a lot of effort reading reviews on imdb to find more stuff to download. and the stuff he downloads is always interesting. but he still fell asleep midway right? i mean, i'm just stating a fact :D
finished annie hall, original impressions remain intact.
Sunday, 16 November 2008
gay and proud!
my entire world is buzzing with proposition 8 right now - indignant people (gay and straight) speaking out against this huge step backward. in a world where more and more countries are considering legalizing homosexuality, here is arguably one of the most developed states in one of the most developed countries of the world agreeing to make it illegal. it's such a pity. coming from a developing nation like mine, i hear all the time about my retrogressive and orthodox society. so i look towards the west to lead the way forward, towards a more liberal and intelligent world, and i hope that some day my country will adopt those standards as well. and then when the west takes a step like this, it doesn't just let down the homosexual community of their country, it lets down the whole world. this is just as bad as re-electing bush, people!!! some day you're gonna regret it, but how're you gonna make up for the decades of frustration you put people through???
some people believe homosexuality is a sham, that you choose to be gay. it's not really true. scientists have discovered actual genes in your system that can determine your sexual orientation! homosexuality has been around since recorded history, and who knows what happened before that? given the amount of grief people go through just because of their homosexual orientation, don't you think they would give it up if they could??? we have to learn to accept that it's as natural as heterosexuality!
it's all about love, man! you can't help who you fall in love with. and you sure as hell shouldn't try and restrict it just cos it ain't like yours. if two people are in love, they've got just as much right to spend their lives together as anybody else, and ain't nobody gonna tell them different.
i'm pro-choice, and proud of it!
some people believe homosexuality is a sham, that you choose to be gay. it's not really true. scientists have discovered actual genes in your system that can determine your sexual orientation! homosexuality has been around since recorded history, and who knows what happened before that? given the amount of grief people go through just because of their homosexual orientation, don't you think they would give it up if they could??? we have to learn to accept that it's as natural as heterosexuality!
it's all about love, man! you can't help who you fall in love with. and you sure as hell shouldn't try and restrict it just cos it ain't like yours. if two people are in love, they've got just as much right to spend their lives together as anybody else, and ain't nobody gonna tell them different.
i'm pro-choice, and proud of it!
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
internet rocks my world
maxed out today - internet modem conked, surviving on stolen internet, in a huge fight with landlady (crazy lady who thinks there's arsenic in my computer that is poisoning her and the lights on my modem are flames on her wall that are making her ill) AND got stomach flu. and i decided this would be the perfect time to fight caffeine addiction as well!!!! it just doesn't get any better than this grrummph! and what is THE best therapy at times like these, ladies? back to back sex and the city, of course!!! just finished season 3! yay me! if there is one series that embodies woman power, i think it's this one. it's the perfect 'i don't need a guy, i've got my girls, i rock' place! no matter what problems i've got, watching these women makes me feel so cocky! in control! sexy! carry on carrie!!!
i never knew how dependent i'd become on the internet till it was taken away yesterday! suddenly i can't get thru the day, it's a million hours long, i'm restless and can't focus on anything! my mind is fixated on playing my favorite online game, or checking my calendar, or reading a thousand worthless posts on digg or my reader. maybe the universe is sending me a message to get out more often! and here i am blogging about it on stolen internet instead! :P hehe the universe better learn how to twitter instead!!! :)
i never knew how dependent i'd become on the internet till it was taken away yesterday! suddenly i can't get thru the day, it's a million hours long, i'm restless and can't focus on anything! my mind is fixated on playing my favorite online game, or checking my calendar, or reading a thousand worthless posts on digg or my reader. maybe the universe is sending me a message to get out more often! and here i am blogging about it on stolen internet instead! :P hehe the universe better learn how to twitter instead!!! :)
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
all the world's a stage
sometimes the world seems like such a cruel place to live in. people committing mindless petty acts of bitchiness for no rhyme or reason, or maybe just cheap thrills. of course one wants to say one is completely innocent of all such acts and the bewildered victim, but obviously the thing that hurts the most is that one finds these flaws within oneself too. it is easy to forget what the world does, but v hard to forgive and forget oneself. they say women over-analyze every detail of what happens in their lives. i wish we weren't built that way. really, i wish we had some control over what we could be, like going to a computer store and selecting harmonious components to build a good system. right now it seems everything is being bunged in just hotch-potch, reaching out for the first thing on the shelf, so that we're ending up with completely unbalanced people without any emotional stability (i.e. me). i don't think sitting at home agrees with me. too much time. i need to be overworked to be happy. sigh, always wanting what is not...
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
epiphany
sometimes a thought hits you like the headlight of a train. sometimes it's a person. a person so out of the ordinary that you find it hard to believe that they exist. a person you worship, almost. doesn't mean they got an easy life - far from it. being extraordinary doesn't make you any friends in this world. but you feel humbled knowing that you know they exist. i knew a girl like that once.
we need heroes! is that why we created god?
it's awful to hero-worship. u're setting urself up for a fall. it's impossible to make anybody into a hero without ignoring all their faults, and when they become so apparent that u can't close ur eyes anymore, baraboom, there falls the edifice. that's why it's safe to believe in god, because there's no visible flaws that will manifest themselves. unless u start believing ur life is ordained by god, and then blaming god for all ur problems. then u've got back to square one, basically.
we need heroes! is that why we created god?
it's awful to hero-worship. u're setting urself up for a fall. it's impossible to make anybody into a hero without ignoring all their faults, and when they become so apparent that u can't close ur eyes anymore, baraboom, there falls the edifice. that's why it's safe to believe in god, because there's no visible flaws that will manifest themselves. unless u start believing ur life is ordained by god, and then blaming god for all ur problems. then u've got back to square one, basically.
Monday, 22 September 2008
pippa
sometimes some books can touch you so deeply, like they're written about yourself. the private lives of pippa lee, by rebecca miller. i am filled with emotion, touched to the heart. scared. this life that i am building for myself, sacrificing everything else to be a wife, hoping to be a mother, will i end up being superfluous in the lives of everyone i love and work for? am i really doing this for myself?
Saturday, 20 September 2008
blame it on the neighbors
there's been a bomb blast in islamabad today - the marriott hotel lies in ruins, several fatalities. i feel terrible... and guilty. i have always been told that pakistan is behind the terrorism attacking my country, deliberately sabotaging our peace to gain control of our territories, and worse - harboring and even training terrorists and then sending them to our country to kill us. and i'm sure everyone was secretly or not-so-secretly blaming them for the series of blasts hitting india lately. now that there is a bomb blast in their country as well, i don't know what to think. i don't know whether i should call it a cover-up job to convince the west that they're not behind the indian terror attacks, or whether i should empathize since they're in the same situation as us. no matter what it is though, the pakistani person on the street is no better off than the indian person on the street. no matter who wins this war, we lose. our lives, our children, our peace. what is the solution???
Monday, 15 September 2008
under threat
this is a sad day. my country is under repeated attacks from idiots who believe they're achieving something by killing little children. it is hard not to be filled with rage and helplessness. it is hard not to rant on and on about the uselessness and pointlessness of it all. the ones who do it are not listening. will they ever realize that this is not the answer?
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