Last night my wife and I finally sat down to watch "Before Sunset" which had come via Blockbuster Online, earlier in the week. I had heard a lot about the movie and was waiting to see the first movie "Before Sunrise" before I saw the sequel. But Blockbuster unfortunately put the first one in a short wait and I had to watch the sequel first. I dont regret it too much as an afterthought. The movie is a rare, almost unheard of "romantic sequel" to a modest cult movie that was released 9 years ago. The first movie is about how a young writer played by Ethan Hawke and a French free-spirited person played by Julie Delpy meet one evening in Vienna. They get to know each other and enjoy their company immensely. They have but one evening to get to know each other before they go their ways, the next morning. While parting, they plan to meet again 6 months hence in the same place, if they were still intent on being with each other. This is the premise of the first movie, as described here.
The second movie, picks up 9 years later with the hero, now a writer, promoting his book in Paris and the heroine, now an activist with Green Cross, comes to his last book signing before his evening flight to NY. The two pick off the strands of their past and what happened between the fateful evening in Vienna and today. The entire movie is a conversation between the two, set amidst the glory of summertime Paris. While it seems to be a bore to watch two people just talking throughout the 80 odd minutes, rest assured, you'll be more than surprised. The movie is unbelievably real and you can feel as if you are there as a third participant in the conversation that traverses a multitude of topics ranging from Buddhist monks to death to lost love to the history of Notre Dame to sex and what not. The movie's screenplay written by Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy and Richard Linklater (the director) themselves, sparkles with amazing insight into the flaws and strengths of human character and is a fantastic study of the two common place individuals in a unique situation. Needless to say, the climax is really the piece de resistance. You dont see it coming and when it does, you have a smile on your lips that tells you, there is always hope at the end of the tunnel.
I am now waiting to see the first movie and while I do that, I very strongly recommend you see one or both of them. Rarely do we get to watch movies where it not technique or the cinematography or the stars or anything else which is a staple of most movies today, that really matters. For once its about people and their emotions and simply wonderful character interplay between the protagonists. No more. No less.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
www.blogmatrimony.com
A few days back while I was discussing stuff related to blogging with some friends, I came across this unanimous feeling that many people are possibly using blogs to impress people of the other sex. Now before you start raising the cudgels against me, give me a patient hear and then decide.
A friend of mine used to tell me that he had a domain registered and maintained a website just to impress women. He got married and voila, the site is taken down :). A week or so back there was an interesting conversation in a fellow blogger's site about how female bloggers attract more posts than their male counterparts. While I argued that it isnt true, a nagging feeling in me indicated otherwise. Do many bloggers blog because they truly want to put their thoughts and feelings out there, or do they blog just to get the attention and consequently the partner they deserve. While it might be a very far shot at the least, it is not Utopian for sure.
Blogs in essence are about a person's passions and his or her thoughts that he or she would like to discuss with friends in public. Would this also not be the best means to put your inner self out there in the hope of landing a good partner for life ? I think it makes a lot of sense, IF the person's writings truly reflect the personality. Writings, attitudes and feelings can be easily faked in the world on blogging and to get completely carried away to the extent of considering a person as a life partner would then be utterly stupid. In an online world where males pose as females and chat and vice versa, would it make sense to trust a blogger's words ?
Finally, given all the aforesaid arguments, would a person be able to pick (and correctly at that) a good life partner from blog-dom ? Here is to one such couple and the pathetic tamil film that is going to get spawned (if its not already in the works) as a result of love by blogging :)
A friend of mine used to tell me that he had a domain registered and maintained a website just to impress women. He got married and voila, the site is taken down :). A week or so back there was an interesting conversation in a fellow blogger's site about how female bloggers attract more posts than their male counterparts. While I argued that it isnt true, a nagging feeling in me indicated otherwise. Do many bloggers blog because they truly want to put their thoughts and feelings out there, or do they blog just to get the attention and consequently the partner they deserve. While it might be a very far shot at the least, it is not Utopian for sure.
Blogs in essence are about a person's passions and his or her thoughts that he or she would like to discuss with friends in public. Would this also not be the best means to put your inner self out there in the hope of landing a good partner for life ? I think it makes a lot of sense, IF the person's writings truly reflect the personality. Writings, attitudes and feelings can be easily faked in the world on blogging and to get completely carried away to the extent of considering a person as a life partner would then be utterly stupid. In an online world where males pose as females and chat and vice versa, would it make sense to trust a blogger's words ?
Finally, given all the aforesaid arguments, would a person be able to pick (and correctly at that) a good life partner from blog-dom ? Here is to one such couple and the pathetic tamil film that is going to get spawned (if its not already in the works) as a result of love by blogging :)
Friday, January 14, 2005
God and the Tsunami
I have been reading and hearing a lot of interesting interpretations of the Tsunami from people of various religious beliefs and aspirations. As a believer in the existence of a greater being, I am confused as to how to interpret this situation.
As people of many faith chime in www.beliefnet.org, religion can be used to account or discount the reason for the Tsunami. Some said that it was God punishing us for losing track of our morals, while others said while they believed in the existence of God, the Tsunami was not his act. If I were to believe in the omnipotent God, how can I accept an argument that he was not responsible for the Tsunami. One Indian religious group went to the extent of attributing the Tsunami as a punishment from God for putting the Kanchi Seer behind bars. Given that it struck areas where religion assumes tremendous significance, it is hard to fathom the reasoning behind the death of so many of His or Her believers. Each religion tries to twist this cruel fate of nature to its own interpretation of sorrow and eventually redemption. But if we look through the eyes of the lonely fisherman who has lost all of his family and friends and livelihood, its hard to put things in the perspective.
A fellow blogger gave a positive twist to the whole thing by saying the Tsunami brought people together as never before. While I can see his logic, I cannot agree to that completely. Would God destroy his poor and diligent followers while letting the rich and probably more cynical to survive ? The existence of Heaven and Hell, while giving a spiritual explanation to how God treats followers, does little to explain the so many deaths of young and old, male and female.
Or is it, as scientists and even the engineer in me, says, its an act of nature. No more. No less. Tsunami's are events of nature that happen due to shifting of plates and one such happened here. And it will probably be another 400 years before we see another in the Indian Ocean.
Is there a God and if so, what was His or Her role in the Tsunami ?
Update:
01/17/2005: And now a Virus in the name of seeking AID for the Tsunami. The world continues in its ways, Tsunami or no Tsunami.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5539215.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnet
As people of many faith chime in www.beliefnet.org, religion can be used to account or discount the reason for the Tsunami. Some said that it was God punishing us for losing track of our morals, while others said while they believed in the existence of God, the Tsunami was not his act. If I were to believe in the omnipotent God, how can I accept an argument that he was not responsible for the Tsunami. One Indian religious group went to the extent of attributing the Tsunami as a punishment from God for putting the Kanchi Seer behind bars. Given that it struck areas where religion assumes tremendous significance, it is hard to fathom the reasoning behind the death of so many of His or Her believers. Each religion tries to twist this cruel fate of nature to its own interpretation of sorrow and eventually redemption. But if we look through the eyes of the lonely fisherman who has lost all of his family and friends and livelihood, its hard to put things in the perspective.
A fellow blogger gave a positive twist to the whole thing by saying the Tsunami brought people together as never before. While I can see his logic, I cannot agree to that completely. Would God destroy his poor and diligent followers while letting the rich and probably more cynical to survive ? The existence of Heaven and Hell, while giving a spiritual explanation to how God treats followers, does little to explain the so many deaths of young and old, male and female.
Or is it, as scientists and even the engineer in me, says, its an act of nature. No more. No less. Tsunami's are events of nature that happen due to shifting of plates and one such happened here. And it will probably be another 400 years before we see another in the Indian Ocean.
Is there a God and if so, what was His or Her role in the Tsunami ?
Update:
01/17/2005: And now a Virus in the name of seeking AID for the Tsunami. The world continues in its ways, Tsunami or no Tsunami.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5539215.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdnet
Monday, January 10, 2005
Swades: We, the people
This past weekend I got a chance to watch Swades, a new Hindi movie by the maker of Lagaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan. I have to say, it was a fantastic experience. Much has been written about whats wrong with the movie and why it flopped. Let me write whats right with the movie, especially since it assumes so much significance for all of the readers of this blog.
Swades is a story about an NRI finding out how much his country needs him and going back, "To light the bulb", to use the line from the movie. For once the hero is a flawed character who works with NASA and wants to continue doing his stuff in the US but when he makes a short trip to India, sees how much he can really make a difference. Before you can jump on the "movie on brain drain bandawagon", the protagonist gets to bounce his ideas on an illiterate lot in a God forsaken part of India. While I was watching the movie, so much of it made sense to me. A lot of it stuck me as so true. The idea that the country needs us is put across so beautifully. And before all the software engineers who sneer at us desis in US get to do their victory laps, let me say this. Folks, wake up and smell the coffee. SRK gets to exploding the myth that is so rampant in India that inspite of all illiteracy and poverty and corruption, we are the greatest country in the world because of our "culture and tradition". As SRK says, while we have the potential to become the greatest country in the world, we are nowhere close to it. So true. We talk of values while we can neither control the sleeze on screen nor the double standards of so called moral police like Shiv Sena. We talk of tradition and refuse to break away from the caste system that has almost ruined the education and public sector employment system. We call the western world as unmoralistic and what not. Hey, it doesnt hurt to do what you like and not hide behind moralistic morass.
The movie boasts of some fantastic music and meaninful lyrics to boot. Each song makes the viewer think deep. Something that is so sorely missing from the songs of today. There are thankfully no duets in Switzerland nor is there the comic sidekick to the hero. The movie tells as story and it does that really well.
Yes, our country needs us. As the Mela Ram character so succintly puts it, "Whats the use in putting a lamp outside your house that lights not yours but your neighbours porch". Someday we, or atleast I will go back home to do my best for my country. Until then I shall do my mite in helping my country progress, albeit indirectly. I would like to light my bulb someday, in India and while that day is not tomorrow, it sure isnt far away.
Do watch the movie and trust me, you wont walk away without thinking about it afterwards.
Swades is a story about an NRI finding out how much his country needs him and going back, "To light the bulb", to use the line from the movie. For once the hero is a flawed character who works with NASA and wants to continue doing his stuff in the US but when he makes a short trip to India, sees how much he can really make a difference. Before you can jump on the "movie on brain drain bandawagon", the protagonist gets to bounce his ideas on an illiterate lot in a God forsaken part of India. While I was watching the movie, so much of it made sense to me. A lot of it stuck me as so true. The idea that the country needs us is put across so beautifully. And before all the software engineers who sneer at us desis in US get to do their victory laps, let me say this. Folks, wake up and smell the coffee. SRK gets to exploding the myth that is so rampant in India that inspite of all illiteracy and poverty and corruption, we are the greatest country in the world because of our "culture and tradition". As SRK says, while we have the potential to become the greatest country in the world, we are nowhere close to it. So true. We talk of values while we can neither control the sleeze on screen nor the double standards of so called moral police like Shiv Sena. We talk of tradition and refuse to break away from the caste system that has almost ruined the education and public sector employment system. We call the western world as unmoralistic and what not. Hey, it doesnt hurt to do what you like and not hide behind moralistic morass.
The movie boasts of some fantastic music and meaninful lyrics to boot. Each song makes the viewer think deep. Something that is so sorely missing from the songs of today. There are thankfully no duets in Switzerland nor is there the comic sidekick to the hero. The movie tells as story and it does that really well.
Yes, our country needs us. As the Mela Ram character so succintly puts it, "Whats the use in putting a lamp outside your house that lights not yours but your neighbours porch". Someday we, or atleast I will go back home to do my best for my country. Until then I shall do my mite in helping my country progress, albeit indirectly. I would like to light my bulb someday, in India and while that day is not tomorrow, it sure isnt far away.
Do watch the movie and trust me, you wont walk away without thinking about it afterwards.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Saying NO to external aid
As many of you might have read as I did with a lot of curiosity and maybe disappointment or joy, the Indian government refused foreign aid for the Tsunami relief efforts. While it opened its gates to relief agencies and NGOs, Indian said "No, thanks" to the global consortium of donors for the Tsunami relief effors like Australia, Unites States, UK, Japan and much of Europe.
When I first read the piece of news , I was shocked. I do understand that a 1 bn plus populace (with a lot of dollar expatriates) can fund the relief efforts. But saying No and then changing the stance could be political hara-kiri. And true to this thought, India amended its policy for forign aid to include organisations like World Bank since it realised that the donor efforts were far from sufficient. A political dichotomy seems to exist in India which wants to have US as a close ally in this fight against nature but cant align itself publicly by refusing to commit to the core group as requested by the US. What are we telling the world here ?
While many claim that India wants to assume more prominence as a player rather than a ballboy in the global political scene, it might be churlish to ward off support when it truly needs it. The UN which has swung into action in Indonesia and Sri Lanka has not made any entry into India courtesy the No invite policy. Are we setting a bad precendence here?
Yes, India is a big country which is heading towards completely self-sufficiency (if oil can be discounted from the picture). But are we capable enough to manage and coordinate massive relief efforts on the aftermath of natural disasters ? Money might not be a requirement someday. But what about advanced technology at the site of disaster to ensure food and medicines reach the farthest corners immediately. Does life justify the cost of continuing to be a regional power or a future UN Security Council seat ? Are we missing the big picture ?
Are we fools as an nation or is this the beginning of an era of significant Indian presence in the global political arena ?
When I first read the piece of news , I was shocked. I do understand that a 1 bn plus populace (with a lot of dollar expatriates) can fund the relief efforts. But saying No and then changing the stance could be political hara-kiri. And true to this thought, India amended its policy for forign aid to include organisations like World Bank since it realised that the donor efforts were far from sufficient. A political dichotomy seems to exist in India which wants to have US as a close ally in this fight against nature but cant align itself publicly by refusing to commit to the core group as requested by the US. What are we telling the world here ?
While many claim that India wants to assume more prominence as a player rather than a ballboy in the global political scene, it might be churlish to ward off support when it truly needs it. The UN which has swung into action in Indonesia and Sri Lanka has not made any entry into India courtesy the No invite policy. Are we setting a bad precendence here?
Yes, India is a big country which is heading towards completely self-sufficiency (if oil can be discounted from the picture). But are we capable enough to manage and coordinate massive relief efforts on the aftermath of natural disasters ? Money might not be a requirement someday. But what about advanced technology at the site of disaster to ensure food and medicines reach the farthest corners immediately. Does life justify the cost of continuing to be a regional power or a future UN Security Council seat ? Are we missing the big picture ?
Are we fools as an nation or is this the beginning of an era of significant Indian presence in the global political arena ?
Sunday, January 02, 2005
The Big Apple
So I made on more trip to NYC on New Years Day (not the Eve, thanks but no thanks). There is something about the Big Apple that draws me to it time and again. And coming from a fanatic RedSox fan, it is something. The city has this aura of mystery and at the same time universal appeal. My wife, cousin and I landed at Times Square at night and true to its nature, the area was crowded and brimming with life. The place was abound with its trademark tourists and hawkers and lovers and families and singles looking for company. If there is one place in the world where every possible combination of the colors in the basic palette can be viewed, it is here. The electricity used up the the neon hoardings would be enowwwugh to light up a small nation for a week or more. For all its ostentatious display of color and money, the place appeals to your heart like none other on a breezy winter night.
I have visited Times Square enough times and more. But somehow I feel like going there again and again. It has a magnetic draw that is difficult to resist. I still have the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park and the Guggenheim left to see (among the more popular tourist destinations, of course). Also in the list is a Broadway play with my wife which has been a dream for a long time. If only Bombay Dreams had lasted a little longer !
For the Indian in me, a trip earlier in the day to Queens and then the Hindu temple in Flushing, NY was a lot of fun. The temple was glorious and amidst the surging crowds on New Year's day, I spent a few minutes praying for a better year ahead. The tsunami definitely warranted a shout out to the dead and the future of the displaced and homeless survivors. The Indian canteen in the tempe campus was a great place to get some tasty south Indian food and if it were not for the hour long wait, the entire experience would have been just fantastic.
In all, it was a nice day long trip that definitely set the tone for more such future trips to the Big Apple.
Some photos from my trip can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rangaprabhu
I have visited Times Square enough times and more. But somehow I feel like going there again and again. It has a magnetic draw that is difficult to resist. I still have the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park and the Guggenheim left to see (among the more popular tourist destinations, of course). Also in the list is a Broadway play with my wife which has been a dream for a long time. If only Bombay Dreams had lasted a little longer !
For the Indian in me, a trip earlier in the day to Queens and then the Hindu temple in Flushing, NY was a lot of fun. The temple was glorious and amidst the surging crowds on New Year's day, I spent a few minutes praying for a better year ahead. The tsunami definitely warranted a shout out to the dead and the future of the displaced and homeless survivors. The Indian canteen in the tempe campus was a great place to get some tasty south Indian food and if it were not for the hour long wait, the entire experience would have been just fantastic.
In all, it was a nice day long trip that definitely set the tone for more such future trips to the Big Apple.
Some photos from my trip can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rangaprabhu
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