Movies

These are mad times we live in! Mad!

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The scariest semester at ISB is upon us. Term 3 is expected to be one hell of a ride, with more than one submission due everyday, or so I hear. Hopefully I will live to tell the tales!!

The term 2 break was used creatively. Completed the Comp Strat project report, and learned a lot about the pharmaceutical industry in the process. Watched some crappy movies like “Hitman” and “Chaos”‘.

Also watched “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince“. The movie was a letdown, and I would rate it 3 on 5. Somehow I feel that short movies do not do justice to such books. However, the movie has some sparks of brilliance. Helena Bonham Carter is the highlight of the movie, as she plays Bellatrix Lestrange to perfection. Michael Gambon’s part is also good. Emma Watson is brilliant, and is still being swooned over.

PS: The title of the post is from the Harry Potter movie – just in case you wondered.

Review: Waltz with Bashir

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“An animated documentary? Wow! Wonder how this will turn out.”

These were the exact thoughts that went through my brain as I sat down to watch this movie. Its does not have the best animation ever, but sort of an experimental overlap between rotoscoping and one of the Animatrix movies, I don’t remember the exact one though.

However, the movie is not about the animation, its about the war. As Folman looks back into his past, trying to remember the events that triggered his traumatic dreams, we are slowly introduced to the madness that is war, and the effects it has on either party. Young, impressionable minds that are thrown into carnage situation and often commit crimes in situations beyond their comprehension. There is a moment where a soldier sees his reflection in the eyes of a dead horse. It makes you cringe. Another one where a soldier performs a Waltz (I guess the movie gets its name from this scence), while still firing a MAG, makes you wonder about the mental state of these soldiers.

The movie finally comes to conclusion with an elaborate description of the massacre as you lie mortified. It reminds you of The Pianist and the Schindler’s List. The ending is surreal, and the image of the girl with the curly hair remains embedded in your mind for a long time after you have watched the movie.

Highly recommended!!

Quote of the day

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From “The Wrestler“:

I just want to say to you all tonight I’m very grateful to be here. A lot of people told me that I’d never wrestle again and that’s all I do. You know, if you live hard and play hard and you burn the candle at both ends, you pay the price for it. You know in this life you can loose everything you love, everything that loves you. Now I don’t hear as good as I used to and I forget stuff and I aint as pretty as I used to be but god damn it I’m still standing here and I’m The Ram. As times goes by, as times goes by, they say “he’s washed up”, “he’s finished” , “he’s a loser”, “he’s all through”. You know what? The only one that’s going to tell me when I’m through doing my thing is you people here.

The more I think about the movie, the more I love it. Also, the theme song, “The Wrestler” by Bruce Springsteen (lyrics) is just amazing. Must watch.

Random Notes

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Some random notes from the extended weekend I am enjoying.

  1. Andrew Symonds is an idiot. Why would you call another player a “lump of shit”? That too on air. That too when you take offense at someone calling you a monkey. And that comment about Hayden’s wife. Funny, but not done!!
  2. Slumdog Millionaire is a good movie. But it does not deserve to be in the Top 250. And 10 Oscar nominations. Are you kidding me?? Frieda Pinto looks good 🙂
  3. The Wrestler is another good movie. Bottom line – you need someone to talk to. The scene where he is getting a lap dance, but is clearly not interested in it, is very real.
  4. The Big Lebowski is as random movie as any. For me, it is the one that comes closest to Cool Hand Luke. Must Watch.
  5. Will also be watching Milk. 

So there. 3 movies down. A couple more to go. Now that time well spent.

Update

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I am back from the trip home. However, due to the work that has piled up, I haven’t had much time to post or do pretty much anything else. Plus we (Bansal and me) are shifting to a new flat over the coming weekend.

Good news is that the new place has broadband so the internet activity would hopefully see a surge. Also, I saw The Bucket List yesterday; will review once I am free.