Archive for August, 2006
Weirdness Quotient
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I can almost imagine Chaitra dancing and singing “I am a weirdo master*” to the tune and steps of “I am a disco dancer” while she did this. As if that was not enough, she decides for the first time to tag others. Honoured is yours truly.
And I did think I could not be weird and tried to find weird things about me. I, usually, keep thinking about myself for most part of the time, yet when confronted with the tag, found it difficult to list my weirdness. Strange, na ?
It may be because, I do not classify things about me under some heading. All I do should be right, no ? 
But after thinking and trying to understanding difference between weird and different, I actually had a long list. Without further delay, here I present, things that are weird about me:
1. During sleep: I used to walk. Also I talk. And honest and true to heart answers to the questions, at that. Thankfully, has not been used against me. And my dreamsare weird.
2. Till few years ago, I was very brave. But of late, I guess I have picked up few phobias. How I wish, I am aging in the reverse direction !!
3. My thoughts. My questions. (Like why are there only 2 genders ? Why could not there have been, say 4 and any pair could copulate and reproduce ?)
4. I have this constant fear that I might die anytime now. Or something wrong happening. In a curve on the road, I fear some vehicle running over me. Or the tyre going flat/tank getting empty when I am on the busy road and vehicles running over me. Or when I am in a theater, bomb explosion or fire tragedy to occur. While travelling, the bus/train jumping off the bridge. Which is why I am trying to settle accounts with people. And finally I have this weird wish of being around here after death, like a ghost, and be able to see the lives of other near and dear ones.
5. I switch off among the crowd - three is crowd, heck I switch off even in a pair - very easily. When drawn back, I am guilty and most often forget where was I lost.
6. I have a split personality. No, really. Probably because I can control my moods. I am a different person, in person. Different in writing (chat/e-mail/blog). And slightly (in)different on phone.
And now that all is disclosed, if you feel I need treatment for one or the other, do not worry. I pretty much conceal all weirdness inside me and the interfaces to the outside world are perfectly stable.(You dont think so ? ,then let me know)
I tag thee and Megha (if Her Highness does take it up, which I doubt, she might be undisputed weirdo queen, methinks).
So , where do I stand on a WQ level ?
*Is it only me or has anyone else noticed that TV channels have united to disuse the feminine gender words like actress/danseuse , instead it has become fancy to use “Actor - Female” (as in Best Actor - Female).
links for 2006-08-20
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Kiko a web based calendar is not doing very well(and is on sale on ebay) after the entry of Google calendar. Some analysis and thoughts by Paul who funded Kikos’ next startup.
First impressions of KANK
Warning: FULL OF SPOILERS.
Due to time constraints, I will not attempt full length “review”. Just will jot down first few thoughts.
1) No surprises from KJ front. Typical KJ. Typical full houses.
2) As you might know, Devgun was initially in Karan’s mind for Rishi’s role. Thank heavens that didn’t happen. Abishek fits the role like a T. More about him/his role later. (But Devgun would have brooded and gave the role an altogether different look and intensity!!) Also as you might know, Kads was to do Maya’s role. She was busy with Fanah and didnt have dates. After the nonsense Fanah, was wondering if she missed much by missing KANK. Again, no worries as such. For a minute, though, I felt, the chemistry (so called chemistry) and the indecisiveness in Maya’s character would have been taken to an altogether different dimension, had it been Kajol, but overall Zooni was a better character than Maya (for Kads and her fans - would not have liked to see her weep so much anyways as Rani does in KANK!! But one thing she might have missed is to wear the choiciest of beautiful costumes that Rani gets to wear in Kank ). Did not like her pinkkkkkkkkkkkkkk saree in special appearance though - was Manish Malhotra drunk ?
3) Liked the way Priety’s and Abhishek’s characters are etched. Complete level headedness, feelings not surreal etc. And the way both did it (even though you feel it was easy) was just right. Abishek & Rani acted/emoted/looked just right. Full brownie points from me for them. And of course to BigB’s charisma and screen presence. Even though Rishi’s and Rhea’s characters were so perfect wonder why director’s soft-corner or compassion was always towards others - oh, thats how you can make a 3 hr movie!
4) Loved the shot when both the gorgeous ladies walk in one frame. Just lovely. Just super.
5) During one scene I ROFLing…when Maya comes home in a bizzare dress.
6) Had wished the movie ended after they separate. But then, that can not be bollywood/KJ’s movie. On another thought, it would have been cool if Rishi and Rhea got together -uff that should surprise even KJ !!
7) Liked some of the dialogues. Some of them actually surprised me.
And then, there are typical junk stuff in the story. Like the first scene b/n Dev and Maya was as if the characters knew how the rest of the 3 hours would be. Through out all readiness without base/build up. Confused characters. Stretched plot. Filmy stuff. Co-incidences. Irritating scenes. Unconvincing-ness. Logicless Etc etc.
Definitely is not the best movie of the year and no hopes for award nominations too. And also not the best of KJ too. But a good choice of plot though. And again, it could have been handled in much mature way as well. But then, given it was KJ, overboard, artificial, filmy, lack of reason, unconvincing will be it.
Chalo…now time for some review hopping.
Let me know your views/comments.
Update:
Addendum: Just loved the way Rishi and Rhea get on with their lives after the break up. Even when they come to know they were cheated, they handle it in the best way possible - Rhea one slap and asks him to get out. Rishi, poor fellow who loves his wife so much, does not even hurt her. Just breaks few furniture and asks her to leave. Perfect ! Heck they are not even angry on the third person who broke their marriage. Have rarely seen such clear thoughts. And even after the breakup, they move on just fine. No rona dhona, no fuss and again clear with what they want (Rhea needs time, Rishi finds another mate).
And by the way, I found out how the movie could have been made logical and saved: Rishi and Rhea were to have extra marital affair! They had good reasons - Rishi had an incompatible wife in Maya, Rhea had a cripled, unsuccessful husband! And Rhea and Rishi’s outlook towards life and wavelength matched well and could have easily got attracted !!
Ok, no more time will be wasted on this, just few links of reviews:
Arun peels the movie layer by layer, just as he does to his onion ! He is doing quite fine writing, consistently at that ! Keep it up, pal.
Update:This review (edited version) now appears in Rediff . Arun Ganesh is one of the 10 winners of readers review contest on rediff. And henceforth he will be a part of Rediff Movie Critics’ group. Hurray!
Rediff Exhausting film.
TOI(Nikhat Kazmi) did a better job too.
links for 2006-08-12
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Drinking juice is no better than drinking soda.
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On R K Narayan, Malgudi Days
links for 2006-08-09
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A grammatical blunder may force Rogers Communications Inc. to pay an extra $2.13-million Bizzare, if you ask me.
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Completely over my head…got to read it again. Anyways, my favorite is pi or this : e raised to i.pi.x
links for 2006-08-03
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Online office suite….and more…looks impressive
