Yet another week has elapsed, universe continues to expand and i continue to make a giant waste out of my life. This is my 27th summer and today is my birthday. Truly engrossed in office work so did not get a chance to finish the current book (Hitchhiker guide to the galaxy). They say time flies, it was never so true.
Movies:
1. The Notebook (2004)
This movie comes with an air of rarity. Slow at times but the chemistry Ryan and Rachel is awesome. To be honest i don't have a knack of appreciating love stories. I have started watching them because of few very good suggestions from my friend Meha. The tryst continues. 7/10.
2. The Prestige (2006)
After Dark Knight and Batman Begins, i became an ardent fan of Christian Bale. Many people in my team call me Bruce Wayne ;). This movie has an awesome ensemble, with Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman. The story is so enthralling that you will get your breathe away. "are you watching closely?". 9/10.
3. The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Inspector Clouseau has become very intelligent and thus it destroys the cult created by Peter Sellers. Aishwarya Rai did a horrendous job with her role. I was expecting some good act but it was just lip reading. 6/10.
Racist attacks on Indian students in Australia
I am appalled after reading a lot about various attacks on Indian students in Australia. Indian students go there not on Australian money but of their own so by giving education Australia is not giving any favour. Its just giving service for money. I don't know why after Sydney 2008, i have started hating Australians.
Talk Instead
Its a venture on the lines of ted talk (if some one refutes then i may possibly agree) by my friend Shobhit (MBA from IIM Bangalore after B. Tech in Computer Science from ITBHU). It had its first event on 30th May. It was quite a successful event but i reckon its going to have a tough times ahead as we Indians have yet not developed the habit of spending money on talks. Let see how Shobhit changes it.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The world this week (18-24 May)
What a week it was and what a team Deccan Chargers and what an IPL final? It was a great showdown of the giants of world cricket and finally it was the cool of R. P. Singh who sealed the match for Chargers. My favourite team finally won (although my other team Mumbai Indians lost). You can not win a big match without significant contribution from Rahul Dravid or Kallis. Utthapa and Kohli are just kids. Kumble has been a phenomenon this IPL and its a fitting reply from the aging warlord to Dr. "Kingfisher" Mallya.
Congratulations Deccan chargers for the superb show this IPL. Well played Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan.
Movies:
1. The Ten Commandments (1956)
Its the story of Prophet Moses and one of the most important icons of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). Charlton heston acted superbly but i was scared by the portrayal of the unforgiving God of Moses. 7.5/10.
2. The last Legion (2007)
Its movie about the dying spirit of the Roman empire and its a precursor of the legend of Arthur and Excalibur. Aishwarya Rai plays a great role of an Indian soldier and it was heartening to see an Indian woman fighting and killing German Goths quite convincingly. It was a great titillating scene to watch Aish rising from the sea. The only difference between Bond Girl of Dr. No and Aish was bikini. 6/10.
3. To kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Its a great movie. The first half shows childish adventures while the second half is really a Gregory Peck show. Fighting for the right of Nigger in the first half of the 20th century was indeed a task comparable only to the Moses parting of Red sea. 8/10.
4. The Great Debaters (2007)
I became a big fan of Denzel Washington after watching his Crimson Tide and Glory. This movie is another feather to his glittering career. Set in 1930's this movie is a tribute to the precarious condition of Negroes in USA. The last debate on Gandhi's method of civil disobedience is simply too good. 9/10.
5. Delhi 6 (2009)
Best Bollywood movie of this year. Climax could have been better. Abhishek Bacchan acted briliantly and Sonam Kapoor was refreshing like the cool sunday breezer on Koalum beach. 8/10.
Super Sunday is over, over to the Monday blues now.
Congratulations Deccan chargers for the superb show this IPL. Well played Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan.
Movies:
1. The Ten Commandments (1956)
Its the story of Prophet Moses and one of the most important icons of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). Charlton heston acted superbly but i was scared by the portrayal of the unforgiving God of Moses. 7.5/10.
2. The last Legion (2007)
Its movie about the dying spirit of the Roman empire and its a precursor of the legend of Arthur and Excalibur. Aishwarya Rai plays a great role of an Indian soldier and it was heartening to see an Indian woman fighting and killing German Goths quite convincingly. It was a great titillating scene to watch Aish rising from the sea. The only difference between Bond Girl of Dr. No and Aish was bikini. 6/10.
3. To kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Its a great movie. The first half shows childish adventures while the second half is really a Gregory Peck show. Fighting for the right of Nigger in the first half of the 20th century was indeed a task comparable only to the Moses parting of Red sea. 8/10.
4. The Great Debaters (2007)
I became a big fan of Denzel Washington after watching his Crimson Tide and Glory. This movie is another feather to his glittering career. Set in 1930's this movie is a tribute to the precarious condition of Negroes in USA. The last debate on Gandhi's method of civil disobedience is simply too good. 9/10.
5. Delhi 6 (2009)
Best Bollywood movie of this year. Climax could have been better. Abhishek Bacchan acted briliantly and Sonam Kapoor was refreshing like the cool sunday breezer on Koalum beach. 8/10.
Super Sunday is over, over to the Monday blues now.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Book Review [21] : From Romulus to Romulus Augustus - The Rise and fall of an Empire
Just finished the epic 1000 years old story of Roman Empire from its legendary foundation by Aeneas, Romulus and finally its dissolution by Germanic tribes in 476 AD. Ancient Rome by Simon Baker is a great insight in the hearts of the ancient Roman Empire. Roman Empire had seen many heroes from the very beginning, Trojan Aeneas followed by fratricide committer Romulus, followed by the foundation of Roman Republic in early 6th Century BC, Scipio, Tiberius Gracchus, Pompey, Julius Caesar, Brutus, Mark Antonius, Octavian, Vespasian, Titius, Nero, Trajan, Hadrian and finally Christian Constantine.
The age of Julius Caesar saw the great personalities sharing the senate at the same time, although immortalized by Shakespeare nonetheless they were simply great. No one can forget the great Republicans in Cicero, Cato and Brutus, ferocious leaders in Pompey, Caesar and Antony and intelligent politician in Octavian. The politician in Octavian wins the final battle of the republic and thus he converts the republic into a monarchy with Himself as the first emperor. His reign coincided with the birth of great Saint of Nazareth. Romans, who took great pride in calling themselves civilized destroyed the civilization of Carthage and Romania to dust, sacked the temple of Jerusalem, massacred the Gauls and Germans just for the elusive concept of "Pax Romana".
In few words "Rome was the greatest civilization in terms of military power. They were ruthless and almost monomaniac in their approach. Entire world lives with the Roman legacy. We follow the same calendar, same terminology, same architecture (at least in western countries), although India lost her huge cotton textile market in the form of Roman "Toga"."
Highly Recommended (8/10)
P.S. I am playing Cricinfo fantasy cricket IPL and my rank is 2348 out of almost 60 or 70 thousand teams. Its a very interesting game. Play it to kill some time. Enjoy the final stage of IPL. Gilchrist was too good today for both Sehwag and Gambhir. I started the IPL with two favourites Deccan and Mumbai. Its good to see one in final.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The week rounds up (11-17 May)
From today onwards i will try to post a report of the crimes committed my me per week. Lets start now:
Movies
This week i was mostly engrossed with the movies based on Roam empire. From Hannibal to commodus via Caesar.
1. Gladiator (2000)
Epic drama depicting the beginning of the fall of great Roman Empire. Marcus Aurelius wanted to restore the Roam Republic via ousting the encumber heir Commodus (his son) through Spanish-Roman general Maximum Decimus (played by Russel Crowe). He was undone by his son. Maximus was condemned. He came from almost no where to murder Commodus in gladiator arena and to restore the republic. He had to pay the price with his family including his life. 8/10.
2. The fall of the Roman empire (1964)
A mutli starrer movie involving Christopher Pummel, Sofia Loren, Omar Sharif, Alec Guiness etc. The story goes almost parallel to the Gladiator movie. This movie renders how the corruption has started to corrupt the life of the Roman Senate after Marcus Aurelius. Its a must watch for acting, dialogues and battle scenes. 8/10.
3. Hannibal (2006)
Its a low profile movie based on the life of the greatest General of Carthage, Hannibal. He was the first to cross the Alps and to attack Roma from the east. He defeated advanced Romans thrice on their soils killing almost all the Senators and ruling elite. He was distracted by the internal politics of Carthage and was thus not able to exterminate Rome. After getting the much needed breathing space, Romans annhilated the Carthagians in the 2nd Punic war at the battle of Zama in 202 BC. Hannibal died in peace 19 years later. Academically its a good movie but war scenes are modest. 5/10.
4. Julius Caesar (2002)
Its a biography of the greatest General of Rome, Gaius Julius Caesar. They say power corrupts slowly and absolute power corrupts absolutely, it was never true than in the case of Julius Caesar who destroyed the 500 years old "Roman Republic" by defeating Roman senate led by Cato and Pompey the Great in 48 BC. Brutus (my personal favourite) tried to save the republic and in doing so he gifted it to the likes of Marcus Antonius and Octavius Caesar. Its worth watching. 8/10.
Politics
IPL
This week has been a thunderous week as far as IPL is concerned. Almost every match was as thrilling as it can be. I have become a huge fan of Rohit Sharma. He played two glorious innings.
Movies
This week i was mostly engrossed with the movies based on Roam empire. From Hannibal to commodus via Caesar.
1. Gladiator (2000)
Epic drama depicting the beginning of the fall of great Roman Empire. Marcus Aurelius wanted to restore the Roam Republic via ousting the encumber heir Commodus (his son) through Spanish-Roman general Maximum Decimus (played by Russel Crowe). He was undone by his son. Maximus was condemned. He came from almost no where to murder Commodus in gladiator arena and to restore the republic. He had to pay the price with his family including his life. 8/10.
2. The fall of the Roman empire (1964)
A mutli starrer movie involving Christopher Pummel, Sofia Loren, Omar Sharif, Alec Guiness etc. The story goes almost parallel to the Gladiator movie. This movie renders how the corruption has started to corrupt the life of the Roman Senate after Marcus Aurelius. Its a must watch for acting, dialogues and battle scenes. 8/10.
3. Hannibal (2006)
Its a low profile movie based on the life of the greatest General of Carthage, Hannibal. He was the first to cross the Alps and to attack Roma from the east. He defeated advanced Romans thrice on their soils killing almost all the Senators and ruling elite. He was distracted by the internal politics of Carthage and was thus not able to exterminate Rome. After getting the much needed breathing space, Romans annhilated the Carthagians in the 2nd Punic war at the battle of Zama in 202 BC. Hannibal died in peace 19 years later. Academically its a good movie but war scenes are modest. 5/10.
4. Julius Caesar (2002)
Its a biography of the greatest General of Rome, Gaius Julius Caesar. They say power corrupts slowly and absolute power corrupts absolutely, it was never true than in the case of Julius Caesar who destroyed the 500 years old "Roman Republic" by defeating Roman senate led by Cato and Pompey the Great in 48 BC. Brutus (my personal favourite) tried to save the republic and in doing so he gifted it to the likes of Marcus Antonius and Octavius Caesar. Its worth watching. 8/10.
Politics
IPL
This week has been a thunderous week as far as IPL is concerned. Almost every match was as thrilling as it can be. I have become a huge fan of Rohit Sharma. He played two glorious innings.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Book Review [20] : Warrior of Rome: Fire in the East
Warrior of Rome: Fire in the East by Harry Sidebottom is an interesting saga of a German "barbarian" and a Roman General "Ballista" in the middle east. He was appointed by the Roman Emperor to defend Arete, an eastern most city of the reign against the "barbaric' hordes of Arabs, Indians, Shakas and Aryans led by Shapur, Sassanid King of Persia in the middle of 3rd century AD.
He brilliantly defends the city of Arete against all the heavy siege machines and mine works despite of the fact that he had roughly 1000 men under his command against the 50,000 odd strong Persian forces. Finally, he was undone by the treacherous Christians who opened the gates for the Persians. He had to flee the battlefield with his entourage in melancholy and grief.
Harry Sidebottom thinks that Romans were the only civilized people in the world while the entire Asia and northern Europe was Barbaric. Romans fought for the freedom while Asians fought for the plunder. What a joke Mr. Sidebottom? It was Rome that destroyed and eliminated the great Carthage, the great Romania and the great Jerusalem.
Its a great work of fiction and every penny worth (I destroyed 7.99 Pounds for this book). I bought few more books from England including the biography of Barrack Obama.
Highly Recommended (8/10)
Clash of old warlords: Indians lost to the Royals
Stage was set for the two greatest players of last 20 years or so and they did not disappoint by any means. They painted on the IPL screen, one of the most memorable matches so far. Pendulum was swinging from one side to another and finally it was the reckless adventure of Mumbai's tailenders that gave the match to Royals on the platter.
Rajasthan dominated almost entire 3/4 th of the match save few overs when Sachin and Nayar were smashing the balls like anything and when Jayasurya and Indians halted the Rajasthan's progress in their slog overs. I did not want to see Mumbai Indians losing to Rajasthan but as they say who dare wins. Mumbai team panicked under the weigtht of mountainous team spirit of the royals. Royals have won me over too.
Rajasthan dominated almost entire 3/4 th of the match save few overs when Sachin and Nayar were smashing the balls like anything and when Jayasurya and Indians halted the Rajasthan's progress in their slog overs. I did not want to see Mumbai Indians losing to Rajasthan but as they say who dare wins. Mumbai team panicked under the weigtht of mountainous team spirit of the royals. Royals have won me over too.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
15 days of solitude in United Kingdom Part 2
And the last part goes:
1. Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Yet another Clint Eastwood movie but this time the theme is prison break. A good time pass but it lacks the charisma of The Great Escape and The Shawshank Redemption. 6/10.
2.Kellys Heroes (1970)
Its a treasure hunt movie but the hunters are not the cowboys but the Allied soldiers in the 2nd world war. Acted in by Clint Eastwood and my favourite Donald Sutherland, this movie has everything to make it a great flick. "Dont hit me with the negative waves" is simply an awesome one liner by Donald Sutherland. 8.5/10.
3. King Arthur (2004)
I first saw this movie in college in 2004 and then numerous times at numerous places. But to watch this movie after seeing the infamous Hadrian walls and the legendary table of Arthur knights placed in Winchester, UK is simply glorious. The fight between the Artorius and the Saxons on shaky ice sheet is simple indescribable. 8/10.
4. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
One of the greatest movie inspired from the cold war. Its interesting to see an American hero created by Communists to wipe out the anti communists forces in US. 9/10.
5. Wanted (2008)
8/10 points for action.
6. 300 (2006)
A movie inspired by white race supremacy theory in the garb of freedom and rationalism. Asians were shown as barbarians compare to freedom loving and "all powerful" Spartans. I dont see any difference between the Xerces and Alexander of Macedon and yet Alexander is called "The Great" while Xerces is shown in the movie as a pervert and tyrrant. This is supreme Racism. When Greeks fight for their independence they are called greats and when they conquer foreign lands they are again called greats while Asians are called people without any culture.
If you want to check Indian Thermopylae check out this link, battle of saragarhi. Not many Indians know this. 7/10.
1. Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Yet another Clint Eastwood movie but this time the theme is prison break. A good time pass but it lacks the charisma of The Great Escape and The Shawshank Redemption. 6/10.
2.Kellys Heroes (1970)
Its a treasure hunt movie but the hunters are not the cowboys but the Allied soldiers in the 2nd world war. Acted in by Clint Eastwood and my favourite Donald Sutherland, this movie has everything to make it a great flick. "Dont hit me with the negative waves" is simply an awesome one liner by Donald Sutherland. 8.5/10.
3. King Arthur (2004)
I first saw this movie in college in 2004 and then numerous times at numerous places. But to watch this movie after seeing the infamous Hadrian walls and the legendary table of Arthur knights placed in Winchester, UK is simply glorious. The fight between the Artorius and the Saxons on shaky ice sheet is simple indescribable. 8/10.
4. The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
One of the greatest movie inspired from the cold war. Its interesting to see an American hero created by Communists to wipe out the anti communists forces in US. 9/10.
5. Wanted (2008)
8/10 points for action.
6. 300 (2006)
A movie inspired by white race supremacy theory in the garb of freedom and rationalism. Asians were shown as barbarians compare to freedom loving and "all powerful" Spartans. I dont see any difference between the Xerces and Alexander of Macedon and yet Alexander is called "The Great" while Xerces is shown in the movie as a pervert and tyrrant. This is supreme Racism. When Greeks fight for their independence they are called greats and when they conquer foreign lands they are again called greats while Asians are called people without any culture.
If you want to check Indian Thermopylae check out this link, battle of saragarhi. Not many Indians know this. 7/10.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
15 days of solitude in United Kingdom Part 1
Finally i am back after couple of weeks of stay in the chilling,windy weather of Belfast. I saw almost 10-15 movies in those days and finally i got a chance to write about them:
1. Elizabeth: The golden age (2007)
Its a gem of a movie. Superbly directed by Shekhar Kapoor. Its the story of Elizabeth, the queen of England in the later half of 16th century and her fight against the Spain and Mary (queen of Scotland). Cate Blanchett acted brilliantly. A must watch movies anyways. 9/10.
2. The Wild Bunch (1969)
The last few adventures of the aging outlaws in the west and Mexico. Quite an interesting plot.
7.0/10.
3. When Harry met Sally (1989)
Suggested by a friend of mine and to be honest i see very few romantic movies. Meg Ryan is the only moving figure in this flick. She looked like an eternal beauty. 7.5/10.
4. The Graduate (1967)
A young bachelor sleeps with a woman and marries her daughter. 6/10.
5. A Street Car Named Desire (1951)
One of the favourites of my friend and flatmate but to me its just a good movie. Legendary performances by Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando. 7/10.
6. 49th Parallel (1941)
Its a British propaganda movie against the Nazis. 49th parallel is actually the undefended border of Canada and USA. This movie shows a lot of character. 6/10.
7. Notorious (1946)
Directed by legendary Hitchcock and acted by eternal Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant. I have become a huge fan of Bergman after her seeing her two movies Casablanca and For Whom the Bell Tolls. This movie is about love, patriotism and betrayal. 7/10.
To be Continued....
1. Elizabeth: The golden age (2007)
Its a gem of a movie. Superbly directed by Shekhar Kapoor. Its the story of Elizabeth, the queen of England in the later half of 16th century and her fight against the Spain and Mary (queen of Scotland). Cate Blanchett acted brilliantly. A must watch movies anyways. 9/10.
2. The Wild Bunch (1969)
The last few adventures of the aging outlaws in the west and Mexico. Quite an interesting plot.
7.0/10.
3. When Harry met Sally (1989)
Suggested by a friend of mine and to be honest i see very few romantic movies. Meg Ryan is the only moving figure in this flick. She looked like an eternal beauty. 7.5/10.
4. The Graduate (1967)
A young bachelor sleeps with a woman and marries her daughter. 6/10.
5. A Street Car Named Desire (1951)
One of the favourites of my friend and flatmate but to me its just a good movie. Legendary performances by Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando. 7/10.
6. 49th Parallel (1941)
Its a British propaganda movie against the Nazis. 49th parallel is actually the undefended border of Canada and USA. This movie shows a lot of character. 6/10.
7. Notorious (1946)
Directed by legendary Hitchcock and acted by eternal Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant. I have become a huge fan of Bergman after her seeing her two movies Casablanca and For Whom the Bell Tolls. This movie is about love, patriotism and betrayal. 7/10.
To be Continued....
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Book Reviews [18/19] : The Kite Runner and Ghengis Khan
I am in UK for almost 10 days now and i am reading books and watching movies like anything as these are the only escapades of my solitude.
Its a beautiful story of two Afghans, one belongs to the majority Pasthun community and other to minority community of Hazara. Hazara people are actually descendants of Mongol invaders of 13th,14th and 15th centuries. They settles in the central part of Afghanistan mainly in Bamiyan and Mazare sharif area. The story is thought provoking and contains a little glimpse of the socio-politico scenario of our country India. Khaled Hosseini has done a good job. A very good movie based on this book name has also been made. Yet to watch that movie.
Highly Recommended (8/10)
Its about Mongols and their impact on the "civilised world". How a nation of 1 million mongols controlled the nations with more than a billion people is still a mystery for many historians. Ghengis Khan with an army of 100,000 illiterate Mongols decimated the Khwarazamid empire of central asia as well as the north Chinese empire. His sons and grandsons conquered and pillaged a large number of european and asian cities including the metropolis of Baghdad, Bukhara, Vienna and Kiev. They were the first to use gunpowder in the war (with some exceptions) and they gave rose to the mightiest empire of the medieval world i.e. the Mughal empire. Mughal is a Persian word for Mongols.
Highly Recommended (8/10)
My friend Nimish duly pointed out that i have to revise my ratings regarding the IPL teams but i can say that i am not totally wrong. Deccan Chargers has been surely an exceptional team since their first match and Gilchrist is leading by example. My ranking goes now as:
1. Deccan Chargers
2. Mumbai Indians
3. Delhi Daredevils
4. Rajasthan Royals
5. Chennai Super Kings
6. Kings 11 Punjab
7. Taxi Driver Kolkata
8. Royally Challenged Bangalore
I am "enjoying" my stay in Belfast and my time goes like this:
Rise at 7 in the morning
In bath tub till 8:30
8:45 in office
leave office by 7
Watch movies till 11
go to bed at 11
No change so far lets see how it goes for remaining one week.
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