Kasab hanged

So, the lone surviving terrorist involved in the 26/11 attacks in Bombay was executed in a secret operation at Pune's Yerwada Jail.

Considering the time (four years) they took for the execution, I don't think it's late at all. At least it came.

We live in a tareeq pe tareeq, tareeq pe tareeq, tareeq pe tareeq country, where justice is delayed and people stop caring only after few days of tragic happenings.

I got a text about Kasab's execution this morning. And the things that came to my mind (in that order) are listed below:

1^st: Human rights violation

2^nd: Four years is hardly any wait for justice (remember, Bhopal gas tragedy?)

3^rd: Have the victims got compensation? How does hanging the bastard help anybody?

4^th: Be prepared. There are just too many and they’re all coming.

5^th: Ah… General election 2014. Intention kya tha, boss?

6^th: Secret operation. Really? We can’t be original even in bringing criminals to justice. 

7^th: Another exciting day in the newsroom! Heeee hawwwww

At Mumbai Film Fest II

From Tuesday to Tuesday 

Director: Gustavo Fernandez Trivino

(Argentina 2012) 

Pablo Pinto as Juan Benitez in From Tuesday to Tuesday

It's very rare that a film that has rape as a turning point can actually make you feel good in the end. Juan Benitez is a bodybuilder, who works in a laundry factory, and works hard to make ends meet. "Big Man" is constantly underestimated was his quiet demeanour. Secretly, he nurtures dreams of setting up his own gym. Juan becomes witness to the rape of a girl he knows from the neighbourhood, but does nothing to stop it. Torn between ambitions of having a better life and doing what is right, Juan resorts to blackmailiing the rapist, a filthy rich architect. Juan does set up his own gym, but what he does after he has furthered his own interests, is what makes From Tuesday to Tuesday a film with a difference. Spurts of humour, minimal dialogue, and a very surprising end make this one a very good watch. It also spreads awareness about rapes in Argentina.

At Mumbai Film Festival 2012

This year the Mumbai Film Festival, organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI) has shifted the action to NCPA in South Bombay. It's anyday a better option than godforsaken Andheri. I managed to catch a few films on Day 2 and 3. It's never easy to select what to watch, what with the 100 recommendations that come up from all those who believe people actually care about the writer's opinion. A pity indeed.

On the Road
Director: Walter Salles
(France/Brazil 2012)

Sam Riley as Sal Paradise (at the back), Kristen Stewart as Marylou and  Garrett Hedlund as Dean Moriarty in On the Road

This was the first film I caught at the festival. It tells the story of an aspiring writer Sal Paradise, who is struggling with his book, blaming the lack of new experiences and his father's death for his writer's block. The film explores his relationship with the seemingly free-spirited Dean Moriarty, his horny new wife, 16-year-old Marylou. Very well-shot, way too erotic for mainstream Indian cinema halls, On The Road is one of those movies where protagonists do drugs and sex all time, all the way to wherever they're headed (they never know where. It's about finding yourself, remember?) Sal is taking down notes all through their journey through the USA. What I particularly liked about On the Road is how the director, with great poise, tells the different times of the day using shadows of Sal on the road. It's a bit long for comfort, but an enjoyable ride nonetheless.

Father's Chair (A Cadeira do Pai)
Director: Luciano Moura
(Brazil 2012)

Wagner Moura as Theo and Mariana Lima as Branca in Father's Chair

This is my favourite so far. Father's Chair explores dysfunctional family of three, parents Theo and Branca, both doctors and their 14-year-old son Pedro. The upmarket family is crumbling because Theo cares too much for his career. When Pedro leaves the house, not to return for long, Theo's instincts as a parent are put to test. He travels throughout Brazil to trace Pedro and on his journey does he discover himself and what he missed about his son's growing up. The titular chair makes a brief appearance in the film, but a significant one. Mending relationships, finding oneself, happy endings make Father's Chair a delighful watch. I've always had a special place for stories dealing with family relationships. It's no wonder I liked it so much. And that dishy actor Wagner Moura is such a treat to watch!

First ever interview

It’s pretty shameful how I haven’t taken the time out to blog for the past several months.

A gentleman called Swaraj Dhanjal got in touch with me a couple of months ago. He had a whiff of me being a film reviewer and had always wanted to feature one on his blog. Guarded as I am as a person, I resisted. Swaraj persisted. And insisted. Finally I agreed to have him send a questionnaire to me.

I said to myself, I’d refuse to answer once he sends the questions. But I realised that was not meant to be. Swaraj very politely reminded me of the questions every now and then, all the time mentioning how important my comfort level was. How could I say no a man that polite!

So recently when I was in between jobs and had so much free time, that I decided it was time to answer some questions that seemed like a cakewalk for me.

I’ll be honest and say I didn’t have much difficulty answering them as it was just like an extension to my personality.

So Swaraj finally got his way and I sent him detailed answers about what is meant to review films on a regular basis. The sweet chap wrote out a blogpost which he posted on September 30.

Here’s what it reads like:

Being a Movie Critic

If you are an Indian, then you’re also expert on two particular topics – Movies and Cricket. We like to talk about these endlessly. Everyone has an opinion. From Sehwag’s bad form to what makes the three Khans the kings of Bollywood, we know it all. Fridays have become such important days for us, as we all look forward to the release of the next Bollywood blockbuster. But a new predicament has arisen thanks to the number of movies releasing each week and the cost of tickets at multiplexes. It has become important to know which movie is worth investing our money in. This is where movie critics come to our rescue! They watch the movie so that you can decide whether to watch it or give it a skip. Discovering Mumbai recently interviewed ‘Blessy Chettiar’ a movie critic at DNA newspaper to understand what it means to be a movie critic!

A true-blue Mumbai girl, Blessy has completed her studies from HR and Sophia College. She was not born in a family that was crazy for movies. Both her parents are Roman Catholics, her father being from South and her mother from Goa. She is quite fluent in Konkani, being brought up in a Goan way, thanks to her mother’s lineage. Blessy, also has a master’s degree in political science and is very interested in the political happenings of the Middle East. When not watching movies she can be found reading about the things that move the Arab world.

Read full post here: http://discovering-mumbai.blogspot.in/2012/09/being-movie-critic.html

Sixteen Things Calvin and Hobbes Said Better Than Anyone Else

Sixteen Things Calvin and Hobbes Said Better Than Anyone Else

Coming back to you

After all those promises made and kept

The waning interest embarrassed her

With no control over the heart

In the dead night, silently she wept

His affection was a never drying well

Yet eternal love was not meant to be

Every time into another’s arms she slipped

With remorse & pain her heart swell

And the day for confrontation drew close

He had a whiff of her faltering ways

Magically appeared a twist in Fate

The lover with open arms she chose

The Sun whore

Written on April 1, 2012

She crept up into his life like the morning Sun
Then hid behind the humongous glass monsters
He looked for her all day
And when he did find her, she dodged his gaze
Now she was burning hot
Unable to handle her then, he quietly embraced oblivion all day
While she pleasured many thriving on her touch.
When she began losing her sensuality in his land
She wrapped herself in irresistible colours of twilight
Exotic orange, purple, red, high heels and stars for glitter
Ready to dance away into the night
And while Mr Moon simply watched like a faithful
Marveling at her dark beauty now
Always the fear eating him up from within
Of the dawn that was to come
Every night she surrendered to his charm
Come morning she’d wander for more in town
The same old story every single day.