Movies of the Month (July 08)

I always believe that unless one connects to the movies one really can't get involved with the plot and pace of the movie. For if a movie is unable to connect to the person watching its a movie worth forgetting. Had my bit of good movies to write something good about them today. Though I wanted to scribble the moment I was done with watching them I really couldn't thanks to my constraints no internet access at home and also it was 2pm while I finished watching them.

First movie I was watching in the first week was during the prime time of Wednesday on HBO. Happened to land-in on this channel by chance and due to resemblance to Chiru's movie continued with it till the end. Really touchy one. Second was the latest bolloywood hit released five days ago.

Pay it Forward (2000)

Its about a Las Vegas, Seventh Grader named Trevor McKinney (Haley Joel Osment of Sixth Sense) is given a project to complete by his new social studies teacher Eugene Simonet (Kevin Spacey), who has terrible burn scars on his face and neck owing to child abuse during his childhood. Trevor's task is to come up with a plan that will change the world through direct action. On his way home from school later that day, Trevor notices a homeless man, and provides food and shelter covering up this from his alcholic mom Arlene (Helen Hunt) who herself suffered a bad childhood due to her alcholic mom. Trevor then comes up with the plan to "pay it forward" by making a difference in peoples life doing a good deed for atleast three people who must in turn each do good deeds for three other people.

As the movie progresses it shows how the small dream of Trevors spreads from Vegas to LA and to the rest of nation influencing not just his own people but the entire nation. Unfortunately Trevor is stabbed in a juvenile fight at school while trying to stop a fight and succumbs, just after making an appearance on TV and telling about his idea about making a difference and changing and how hard it is for people to be good because they stop trying. As the climax draws Trevor mom and teacher realise the sympathy and faith Trevor garnered due to his effort of making a difference and influence he had on so many lives due to his small act.

After Trevor was stabbed and succumbed I was crying for the rest of time till the titles came down. There is playback on TV in the movie airing the last moments of Trevor in which he was interviewed by the TV reporter who came searching for the originator of the Pay it forward idea. Really touching and felt it in my heart hard when he died.

The idea of the book and film has been brought to life by the Pay It Forward Foundation, and through the work of social activist Jane Tewson and the non-profit organization she founded, Timebank.

This "Help 3 people" Concept was originally a Communist philosophy, started by Lenin in 1918 as a means of establishing an egalitarian society.

Subsequently in 2006, Chiranjeevi's Telugu movie is heavily inspired by this movie and takes cues every now and then from the same, except that Stalin is an grown-up and survives the attack on him to see what the impact his moment has created in the society.

But the Pay it forward is something very touchy in the climax, loved the movie and a must see for sensitive people who look for inspiration and for sure they come from small seemingly insignificant things.

Quotes -

"When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back... Pay It Forward"

"Some favours you are not allowed to pay back."

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008)

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is a simple, sweet, teen-comedy with debutant Imran Khan (Aamir Khan's nephew), which contrary to Aamir's first film Qayamat Se Qayamat se Tak which had women across India writing love notes to Aamir in their blood, is very genorous and sweet and less frenzy. This film also marks Abbas Tyrewala's (Munnabhai writter) directorial debut.

The movie revolved round the a typical C0-ed gang of friends from five years of college Jai Singh Rathore aka Rats (Imran Khan), Aditi aka Meeow (Genelia), Jignesh Patel aka Jiggy (Nirav Mehta), Sandhya aka Bombs (Aliskha Varde), Shaleen (Sughanda) and Rotlu (Karan) Jai and Aditi are best friends within the group. Rotlu likes Aditi. Sandhya likes Jai. But, Jai and Aditi like each other but friendly manner or is it ? The movie revolves about the evolving relation between Rats and Meeyoo where they discover the meaning of love, which until then was covered in mirage of college friendship.

Though the movie draws heavy similarity to the hit Telugu movie "Nuvve Kavali" starring Shreya, Tarun apart from resemblance to scenes borrowed from Gudumba Shankar, the movie is uniquely treated thanks to the direction and screenplay in casting out the roles which show casted some usually overseen aspects of life. To name a few - A brothers insecurity to loose his dear sister, a daughters effort to keep her parents from falling apart building a world of imagination for herself, or a mother who is too practical for being a social activist but still as vulnerable as any, a parents concerns and love for the future of their daughter, a smart boy who makes way with least of violence and a fun-loving yet well planned and dedicated bunch of youngsters. Without much fireworks the movie starts of with a good pace with a good mix of humor, music and bits of speckles of sentiment.

Cameo roles of Naseerudin Shah as late Rajput father of Jai and their tradition of Manhood concept is quite funny. Added to it towards the climax discovery of Bhaloo and Baghera (Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan) as cousins of Jai from Ranjhore. Though the horse riding dreams where bit of irritant they do some humor adding the Ranjhore-legend towards the end.

The in-movie narration of the story is also fun to watch, adds a bit of humor without getting involved in the plot. While the On the whole with delicate subtleties and near to life situations and good music and good overall performance the movie is a refreshing one which the younger viewers should appreciate.

At the end I felt I why couldn't I be like the cool Rats and think of singing out that special song to the most deserving one in full public presence when it mattered the most. Though resembled the part from Dil Chahta Hain's Aamir-Preity incident, this is treated differently with a special dream song in a airport with security personnel singing and updating the control room on his radio-walky. Hilarious !!!

Hancock (2008)

Hancock happens to be the movie of Will Smith where he is potrayed as a Comic book Super-Hero with super human powers to fly, be bullet proof and scratch proof. Though he tries to help out his careless attitude makes him the most hated super-hero due to the collateral damage of his deeds. Ray Embrey a corporate public relations consultant, who after being rescued by Smith tries to repay him by revamping his image. But Hancock secretly falls for Ray's wife who somehow dislikes and tries to avoid Hancock. As the story unfolds she reveals that she and Hancock are by fate soul-mates, if they decide to live together will make them mortals loosing all their super powers. The story unwinds with each choosing whats best for their survival as super-heroes and their roles in helping the world over their personal choices. The movie some what is onlines contradicting Nicholas Cages's "City of Angels" where he falls off to live a life of human to be in love. Well no complaints that was a too good love story to compare a bad super-hero movie like Hancock. For me atleast after a beautifully themed hero movie like the last of Smith' movie "I Am Legend" this fails to hold me back to the seat to look out for the next plot. Very much sub-standard by any standard. Signifies a movie not to be made and watched...hmm remenisance of another movie I watched in 2006 V for Vendetta.

Telugu Movies

Parugu (2008)

Krishna (Allu Arjun) supports his friend Babu to elope with his girlfriend Subbalakshmi, the elder daughter of Neelakantam (Prakashraj), a village elder. Irked over this, Neelakantam and his kin hole up Krishna and his friends to enquire about Babu. Krishna loses his heart to Meenakshi (Sheela), the younger daughter of Neelakantam, and quite hesitantantly she also falls for Krishna. Krishna after understanding how Neelakanta feels over his daughters condition decides not to woo his second daughter He breaks off to help her in her marriage. How they finally get married and how her father accepts realities is what the story is about. Neatly done movie, decent songs, very good comedy, nice localities (especially the ones in mornings in the village). Though it was overdone when the girl falls for the boy in the city, the sentiment part and sacrificing aspect of the movie made it a special one to watch.

Ready ...Denikianaa (2008)
Chandrasekhar aka Chandu (Ram - Devadasu hero), is from a well to-do big joint family, who elopes his cousin on her marriage day to get her married to her lover, and subsequently stays out of the family. He meets Pooja(Genelia) accidently while eloping her from her marriage. Chandu, falls for Pooja and tries to win her confidence over sequence of run and chase sequences unwind. They return back to Chandu's house while Pooja plans to flee to USA, and as fate has it, she falls in love and as everything gets set, she is forced back to her family. Post interval is where the fun part starts and movie beocmes really enjoyable and made it a worth while to watch. The rest of the story, woven through the hero playing Gudumba Shankar-mark tricks on the families of Pooja's uncles Peddinaidu (Kota Srinivasa Rao), and Chitti Naidu (Jayaprakash Reddy & Saranya. The comic Chaterred Accountant played by Brahmanandam who is caught in the middle was fun to watch. The movie was lots of fun, possibly didn't have so much of fun in a long time watching a movie. Felt this was the best of the movies for the current season in the Tollywood. Really laughed my stomach out.

Kantri (2008)

NTR Jr, Hansika starrer was much of a let down movie for me, felt the plot of the movie was too stupid, again too much of superman stunts, very much away from reality. From backstabbing to revenge and vengance of the boy who'z family was backstabbed, robbed and murdered is what the plot of the story is. Too much of fiction is something which I was unable to connect, not much of musical numbers or commendable comedy, made the movie expereince sub-standard.

The Secret of "The Secret"

In the earlier blog under Book review I referred a self-help book by TV producer/director Rhonda Byrne "The Secret" 2006 which was a follow-up of the DVD movie. And as I did mention about how a neatly and clever age old philosophy and thoughts were well camouflaged to come out with the best seller of the recent times. Its as of today has sold nearly 5 million copies and the reprint has 2 million in pipeline, which makes it the among the single largest reprints ever. Bestsellers list include The Bible (55+ billion), Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong (900 million), Harry Potter & Philosophers Stone (110 million), Richard Bach's "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" (40 million). "The Secret" is the best seller in its Genre of Self Help, Inspirational Series and that which comes close is 2007 edition "The God Delusion" byRichard Dawkins. Now in The Secret of 'The Secret' Karen Kelly delves into this extraordinary phenomenon. What is the secret? Where did it come from and does it really work? She also investigates why this little book has struck such a chord. Why are we drawn to seek answers and change our destiny using the power of the mind and the universe? Scholars and popular culture experts provide perspective on what makes the idea so appealing.
Several participants from The Secret share their behind-the-scenes stories and insights. Renowned psychologists, scientists and theologians weigh in on the power and limits of positive thinking and the Law of Attraction (the basis behind The Secret). Uncover the scientific and religious roots that form the building blocks of The Secret as experts evaluate the author's claims about the various connections between these principles and 'the Secret'.

The Secret of Secret tries to give credit to the innumerable people, methodologies, New thought practitioner's which Rhonda had failed to acknowledge, while challenging the claim that the Secret had been a secret to a few. The book tries to uncover facts, resemblances to the commentary stated in the book, and tries to establish the connection of the people whose quotes and names have been used. A few interesting pieces include those of Bethoven, Mozzart, Einstein, Ford, Shakespeare etc. The book explains how the facts and quotes can be misinterpreted by media and without validation and interpretation of the original speakers been included in the creation of the Secret.

Though the book is boring for its a semi-criticism book it tries to help uncover the source of complete stories and religious fundamentalism which were censored from the content in the book. It also takes the secret to the next level and dispel the usage of the Secret in which Rhonda confines herself to a lot of materialism and money making mechanism without actually doing anything. Kelly tells how misinterpretation could undo the goodness in the philosophy.

The book also speaks in length about the documentary movie called ""What the Bleep Do We Know!?" (also written as What tHē βLεερ Dθ ωΣ (k)Πow!?)

which is a 2004 film, followed by an extended 2006 DVD release, which combines documentary-style interviews, computer-animated graphics, and a narrative that posits a spiritual connection between quantum physics and consciousness. The film suggests that individual and group consciousness can influence the material world. The plot follows the story of a fictional deaf photographer as she struggles with her life.

The DVD has had lots of success owing to the Secret, but Kelly felt it was much refined in approach and content and very practical too. The DVD was perceived as next big step to Secret atleast the author felt of this in this fashion with the kind of demand and interest the DVD has been making after the success of "The Secret". Kelly tries to co-relate of few of commonalities and the fashion in which one can borrow articles from Quantum Physics, which none could understand leave alone interpret and make a total story out of it. She demonstrates the way Rhonda uses this in her book. The way Science can be used and misinterpreted in the usage of various philosophies and methodologies are also demonstrated.

Also she explains how the timing of the book was so perfect for the world audience especially the Americans, where the society in on verge of financial depression with the ongoing sub-prime and oil-crisis. And how the timing couldn't have been much better for people to look for hope and get encouraged to buy this book. And from the marketing mindset she tries to uncover how the method of guerrilla marketing, viral marketing, Internet marketing, word-of-mouth, cult marketing and circulations help boost the sales and popularity of the book and DVDs. She explains how the authors, presenters who already had a loyal set of followers helped "The Secret" achieve critical mass by recommending within their own distribution list and help it gather the critical mass.

Further readings and articles which can be read to make up ones own mind have been recommended for the readers to make their own decisions.
Kelly WebLinks: http://www.universallawstoday.com/

Personally felt the book by Karen Kelly was trying to balance out a lot things from the Runaway success of The Secret. Tries to do a factual analysis but failed to understand the reason of its existence. For me a best seller are made to be best seller and make money, and perhaps on easy way is to take it on from where one has left and carry on a crusade against it with a big PR campaign, but mind you one needs to have talent for anything. Was a little disheartened to learn that there has a New Thought book named "Art of living" written in 1937 by Norman Vincent Peale , for its the name of organisation which along with million others I respect here in India.
And a few pence from my end is that from our tradition, which speaks of knowledge being shared across with ones who seek it whole heatedly and for a good purpose. In the times of Gurukul, where the Guru's taught their disciples or Sishya's the expectation wasn't much in return nor they usually hide knowledge, yes things were held for sometime till the disciple were capable of handling the knowledge and have mastered the pre-requisites. Guru was supposed to manifestation of energy and energy can't be contained for long and it had to flow seamlessly. The Guru has to facilitate this without expecting anything in return. If this is applicable to the Secret I feel all the right and correct things shouldn't be selfishly sealed in the closet never to be discovered by the next generations. The wisdom of wise has to sustain and support the betterment of the current and future generations and not ever contained to self.

Titanic: Two The Surface

Today as I logged into check the email, I had a weird forward with the subject saying Titanic 2:Sequel, I thought wow how could one make a sequel with Rose over 90 and Jack dead. Then as the trailer unlfolded the plots goes on to say that Jack is resurrected from his frozen grave from the floor of sea. Then mysteriously he comes alive and escapes from the medical centre and starts looking out for Rose in a the future while rose is already dead. It a story how Jack lives with his past gone and adjusting himself to the new changed world.


Sound amazing right. Well go through the trailer and for a regular movie bluff a few scenes here and there one would immediately catch up with a few inserts straight out from "Hulk", "Catch me if you Can", "Romeo & Juliet", "Escape from Alcatrez", & "Conair".
Some one actually clearly spoofed up scenes quitely elegantly and quite neatly to believe us into this release. Its so neatly done that it even has the "Motion Pictures of America" Rating certificate to start and then cleverly done story and titles. Except that half way through one could easily catch up the scenes. And now that I see how many people saw this trailer (Over 370,00 on You Tube alone) and thought the movie would be good I’m feeling a bit depressed its not a real one. But yes looks good for a concept except that freezing in deep sea is impossible due to water pressures and warmer temperatures due to proximity to earths core and moreso unless the body has a unique signature which shields itself from the high temperatures. and cryogenic technologies available today are unnable to bring life to any human being frozen in time.

Anyways here is an exhaustive list of scenes used to edit the trailer

• Cut out of the ice from "Demolition Man"
• Clint Eastwood escaping in “Escape from Alcatraz.”
• "Rome & Juliet", "The Beach"
• “Gangs of New York”
• The scene with Jamie Lee Curtis screaming about a cup of coffee from “Forever young”
• “War of the Worlds”
• "Spider Man"
• John Cusack "Con-Air"
• “we’re gonna find this son of a bitch and take him down” from "Bourne Supremacy"
• "Hulk"
• "Rose is dead” is Tom hanks and Jack says “Is that the truth” is from “Catch me if you can”

Whats new ? - My new stint in reading

Past few weeks, my life and my interests or rather way of passing time has got an entire new meaning. The new way of spending time is discovering Joy, Joy of reading, knowing and applying things to the life. It all started in the strangest mix of circumstances. As usual on my trips back home picked up my Business World subscription copy, and on my way to office started going through it. Unlike earlier time where I used to drive it was impossible to utilise time, but times have changed, as I started reading through the pages some bit of thoughts of previous weeks lead to me a page on Book reviews. There was an article about the book called "The Secret" The review contained more of criticism for the review, as for an average Indian is relatively more leveraged towards spirituality compared to his western counterparts. But the concept of success and euphoria round the name drew an interest in me.

But for two weeks nothing moved, except for a few spiritual articles from the knowledge tree space of Times of India. That's when I realised that I was talking more of language of wise people. I never realised that I was counselling many and was able to help them be better people, but for myself am unable to look within. I had this desire burning hotter than ever before to be better me as time progressed but fell short I was running short of avenues for the same.
This was until the next weekend when waiting to travel back home say a sign. I was bored got up from my bench where I was sitting waiting for my train to arrive and take me back home. Went to the book counter and started glancing through a few magazines as I picked up one of my regular automobile magazine something pulled me towards a red book called Secret, I opened it to read the intro and thought wow its great book to gift to people who need help. Failing to realise that I needed to read it the most. But didn't purchase as I assumed that I wouldn't be able to complete my books for the fact that my earlier books Freakonomics, and Young managers at Cross roads are still half finished for want of time.

Thought it was end of it, but while I was spending time in Hyderabad, the lazy Sunday evening went to Koti to but a few stuff like umbrella and few household items. That's where the Sunday market of books draw my attention while I was walking back to leave for home. Picked up Chetan Bhagat's new book "Three Mistakes of Life" owing to the fact that I was big critic-cum-fan of his. Thought of buying it but decided against it as my friend had it, so could borrow the same as I did for my first book of Chetan Bhagat's back at campus. Then suddenly a beamer the book "The Secret" started calling me take it, I picked it up paid 70/- for it then walked a little further picked up another book of Paulo Coelho Brida. Actually Brida happened by chance was attracted more by the girl with strapless gown with her back turned. As I read preface wanted to know more about how the lady called Brida achieves her ambition in life to find true love. Thought might assist me on my own way. Bought this for 70/- rupees rushed home and packed myself with these two hidden treasures and boarded the train back home.
Yeah after completing the The Secret and Brida, I bought my third book "The Alchemist" last Sunday and finished with that too. I wanted to read so much of this book as I liked the way Coelho approached mysticism, and kind of magic he was able to weave in Brida. And more so The Alchemist was his best seller, and I thought there got to be something in it for the distinction.

The first two books, The Secret and Brida took me two weeks to complete just reading over the journey times, it created in me a desire which laid buried for long, to know and experiment.
The first book I started reading was the secret, I started it in the train itself, read it for an hour before sleeping over to continue over the next weeks while I kept travelling to and back from office. Yeah my non-driving and time during the journey helped a lot. These helped me in way to realise my true potential and to start looking out for things and converting things to success. Lots of positive thoughts and lots of self discovery in the running. Felt a lot of emotional narrowness in thoughts and perspective on various human emotions which stands to be interpreted in my words in the self journey of discovery, realisation and experimentation, which I feel I will be blogging over a course of period. For now its a new start, a new beginning and I am confining it to it and bit of the reviews of now my favourites ongoing reads.

The Secret, was created by Australian Rhonda Byrne, and she says that if you follow its philosophy, you can create the life you want—whether that means getting out of debt, finding a more fulfilling job or even falling in love.Rhonda Byrne's discovery of The Secret began with a glimpse of the truth through a 100 year old book, "The Science of Getting Rich" a book written in 1910 by Wallace D. Wattles.which was presented by her daughter In the book Rhonda uses the quotes and commentary to establish the relevance, and strength of the secret of the universe, that if used and believed will lead to success in every field. In the book she goes back through centuries, tracing and uncovering a common truth that lay at the core of the most powerful philosophies, teachings and religions in the world. Nothing new parts and pieces of things which were so common and overlooked are very cleverly presented in this book. It neatly sews a beautiful shawl, a story which enforces what all the tradition, culture and many of our epics, spiritual Gurus of past and present speak off. It narrates a lot of positive thinking and its effectiveness. The books explains the visualisation techniques which I remember where also told in my earlier book of body building, which was needed for connecting the mind, the body and soul.
One might be surprised that by the parallel that can be drawn, in the Farah Khan 2007's flick "Om Shanti Om", where atleast 3 times in this movie he recites this dialogue - The Secret - "Agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho to poori Qaynath use tumse milane ki koshish main lag jaati hai" - translated "If someone wholeheartedly wishes for a something, the entire universe Conspires to get it it to you" Truly amazing scripting which sums up the whole Secret in a one liner.

Brida is story of a young Irish girl, and her quest for knowledge. She has long been interested in various aspects of magic but is searching for something more. Her search leads her to people of great wisdom, who begin to teach Brida about the spiritual world. She meets a wise man who dwells in a forest, who teaches her about overcoming her fears and trusting in the goodness of the world; and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the music of the world, and how to pray to the moon. As Brida seeks her destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to become a witch. Intelligently intertwines a tale of love, passion, mystery, and spirituality to hold my interest till the end.
Brida happens to be the 5th book of Coelho released in 1990. This was initially the best seller during its release but was taken over by the Alchemist.

"The Alchemist" is about a young traveler named Santiago meandered from his native land in search of his "Personal Legend." At different points in his journey, Santiago, encountered many places and met many people who would make a deep impression on his life. As he trekked through the Sahara desert in search of his elusive treasure, he faced many tough decisions. One of them was whether to continue his search for his treasure. At one point, he almost gave up his search, but he continued forward. After many trials and tribulations, twists and turns, success and failures, he found his treasure… in a place he least expected!
Coelho published The Alchemist in 1987 and was his 4th book, which is based on Jorge Luis Borges "Tale of Two Dreamers", which in turn was based on a tale from The Book of One Thousand and One Nights. The sales of this book where so low that it convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best-selling Brazilian books of all time. with more than 65 million copies worldwide and has been translated into some 56 languages.

Notable Quotes
Brida
“In love lies the seed of our growth. The more we love, the closer we are to the spiritual experience.”
“There are no risks in love, as you'll find out for yourself. People have been searching for and finding each other for thousands of years.”
“Magical places are always beautiful and observe to be contemplated. Waterfalls, mountains and forests are all places where the spirits of Earth tend to play and laugh and speak to us.”
“Ever since the time began, people have recognized their true love by the light in their eyes.”
“Do not try to explain feelings. Live everything intensely and treasure what you feel as a gift from God.”

The Alchemist
“When you want something the whole Universe conspires to help you realise your desire.”
“Always follow the signs, and above all, don't forget to follow your personal legend to the end.”
“A search always starts with Beginner's luck and ends with the test of conqueror.”
“Never try to explain why you are in love...for its enough to let the other know you are in love”