“Do not accept what I have said to you because it has been so said in the past; do not accept it because it has been handed down by tradition; do not accept it because it is also in the holy scriptures; do not accept it because it is said by a famous or holy monk; but if you find that it appeals to your sense of discrimination and conscience as being conducive to your benefit and happiness, then accept it and live up to it.”
-- The Buddha
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Crash - An American chopsuey
Oscar movies fall into two categories.
One, are the usual pulp movies which are no brainers. You need no intellect whatsoever to enjoy these movies. I am talking about the likes of Titanic and Gladiator.
The other category are movies for those blue blooded self-appointed movie critics who are not content with great special fx and hot chicks... these are people who have no other job than to derive metaphysical meaning from crappy shots like the lead actor peeing in an alley.
But then there is Crash...
I am not able to place this movie in either of these categories. Maybe the Oscar jury had the same dilemma and hence adjudged it the best movie of 2005.
I call Crash an American Chopsuey coz it is not only an all American movie but also a movie about the diverse ethnicity of the US. In a single sweep it moves through the lives of pretty much all the major ethnic groups in the US. There is a White family, a Black Family, a Black-White family, a Persian Family, a Korean Family, a Latino family (sorry no Indians). I have never seen a movie that deals with so many characters but still does not end up screwing the screenplay.
My favorite threads in the story is about the black guys.There is a stereotyped black guy, a black detective who just wants to lead his life and finally a black guy who would probably be accused by fellow blacks of acting white. It is interesting to see how the life of each one progresses through the movie. I would actually be giving away the plot of the movie if I talk any further... Go ahead... Watch the movie. I strongly recommend it.
I am going to rate the movie using two metrics... the theater which this movie is worthy of and the class of seat that this movie is worth paying paying for.
Verdict: Sathyam - First Class
PS: A trivia... this is the Oscar winning movie with most utterances of the f*** word. 90-odd in all. So it is not a family movie for sure.
One, are the usual pulp movies which are no brainers. You need no intellect whatsoever to enjoy these movies. I am talking about the likes of Titanic and Gladiator.
The other category are movies for those blue blooded self-appointed movie critics who are not content with great special fx and hot chicks... these are people who have no other job than to derive metaphysical meaning from crappy shots like the lead actor peeing in an alley.
But then there is Crash...
I am not able to place this movie in either of these categories. Maybe the Oscar jury had the same dilemma and hence adjudged it the best movie of 2005.
I call Crash an American Chopsuey coz it is not only an all American movie but also a movie about the diverse ethnicity of the US. In a single sweep it moves through the lives of pretty much all the major ethnic groups in the US. There is a White family, a Black Family, a Black-White family, a Persian Family, a Korean Family, a Latino family (sorry no Indians). I have never seen a movie that deals with so many characters but still does not end up screwing the screenplay.
My favorite threads in the story is about the black guys.There is a stereotyped black guy, a black detective who just wants to lead his life and finally a black guy who would probably be accused by fellow blacks of acting white. It is interesting to see how the life of each one progresses through the movie. I would actually be giving away the plot of the movie if I talk any further... Go ahead... Watch the movie. I strongly recommend it.
I am going to rate the movie using two metrics... the theater which this movie is worthy of and the class of seat that this movie is worth paying paying for.
Verdict: Sathyam - First Class
PS: A trivia... this is the Oscar winning movie with most utterances of the f*** word. 90-odd in all. So it is not a family movie for sure.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
(Un)Holi...
Being from South India, I have never been too much involved in Holi celebrations here (One of the many festivals considered a "Hindi" festival by many "Protectors of Tamil Culture"), though I have celebrated the "Festival of Colors" a few times with my friends in School.
Holi has become a rather controversial issue in recent years.It is seen by many (and fueled by the MSM) as a license to licentious menfolk who go on a rampage, harassing and molesting women at will. Take this example in a Tamil Daily. If you ask me, from the looks of it, the girl seems to know the guys who are playing holi and pretty much enjoying the festivity herself. Don't get me wrong...I don't say that men are abstinent saints who are being targeted by "New Age Feminists". I am sure that there are a lot of rotten minds who are waiting for opportunities like Holi in order to "Have some fun". It's just that I feel that this particular photo seems to have been a wrong photo at the wrong time.
Holi has become a rather controversial issue in recent years.It is seen by many (and fueled by the MSM) as a license to licentious menfolk who go on a rampage, harassing and molesting women at will. Take this example in a Tamil Daily. If you ask me, from the looks of it, the girl seems to know the guys who are playing holi and pretty much enjoying the festivity herself. Don't get me wrong...I don't say that men are abstinent saints who are being targeted by "New Age Feminists". I am sure that there are a lot of rotten minds who are waiting for opportunities like Holi in order to "Have some fun". It's just that I feel that this particular photo seems to have been a wrong photo at the wrong time.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
The Millionth post about...
...about Jessica Lal. I am sure there are a million more post about this issue on the blogosphere, but this is my way of showing solidarity to Jessica's cause.
This is a 100% pure story of 'Indian Justice'.
It is a sickening story of how the son of a Government Minister gets away with murder of a girl in a crowded night club with a hundred eyewitnesses. The whole timeline can be found here.
In spite of this, there are sure signs that India(n) is waking up to the injustice so much prevalent in this society.
1. On the same week, the men accused of the Best Bakery Murder during the Gujrat riots are sentenced to life in prison.
2. There was such a huge public outcry about acquittal of Manu Sharma (Jessica's alleged murderer) that the government has been forced to reopen the case.
That's India for you. So full of contradictions, but that's what makes this country special.
This is a 100% pure story of 'Indian Justice'.
It is a sickening story of how the son of a Government Minister gets away with murder of a girl in a crowded night club with a hundred eyewitnesses. The whole timeline can be found here.
In spite of this, there are sure signs that India(n) is waking up to the injustice so much prevalent in this society.
1. On the same week, the men accused of the Best Bakery Murder during the Gujrat riots are sentenced to life in prison.
2. There was such a huge public outcry about acquittal of Manu Sharma (Jessica's alleged murderer) that the government has been forced to reopen the case.
That's India for you. So full of contradictions, but that's what makes this country special.
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