The Real Stallion.

Excess. I love the word. But more often we come across people using this expression in a negative sense. No surprise that we constantly come across verbal battering “Stop working so hard”. “Don’t tire yourself”. “So much exercise is not good for health”. Nevertheless, the strangest thing is that most winners are the ones who have done something in excess. Who have pushed themselves beyond limits. Who hung courageously on while others gave up.  One inspiring example is Sylvester Stallone. I know, I know…the first thing that comes to anyone’s mind when talking about him is his weakness - his slurred speech. Many have even ridiculed and made a mockery of his speaking style. But how many really know the truth behind?! Let me clear some air here. During Stallone’s birth, which was actually kind of complex, the doctor had to use forceps on his head to pull him out of his mother’s womb; the pressure exerted on the forceps severed a nerve, resulting in partial paralysis of his face. So, it’s neither his style nor his whim, but rather his deformity, which makes him speak the way he does. Yet, even with the drawback, he had the gumption to dream huge. Audacity to take on the biggest names in Hollywood. In fact, there was a time in his life; he slept on the streets as he couldn't afford an apartment. But persistence paid off in the end. Today, he sits pretty with many box-office hits, having given popular actors a run for their money. Even his latest release which sees him share screen presence with Arnold seems to be doing well.  But among all these things, you know what truly sets him apart from his contemporaries? His dogged determination to stay in shape. At sixty-seven, his body looks like a well-built 25-year old person. While most 60-year olds think that life has come to a dead-end and start preparing to face the inevitable, here’s a man who is pumping iron ensuring he stays fit and prim for probably the next forty years. You wouldn't believe he would live that long?! Well, you got to see this video where he’s doing some abs-crunching - your doubts will be laid to rest. For sure. Check this video out. 

Rihanna - Diamonds

I ain’t a great admirer of Rihana. What puts me off is her frivolous and casual attitude towards life. Barring a few   personal choices like the one mentioned, I guess she has got what it takes to make life larger than what it is. And what’s intriguing is that almost all of her songs have a haunting effect on the mind. In a way there’s more than puzzling visuals, which dig deeper into the heart and kind of tickle it to life. Her songs are worth listening again and again. Especially numbers like Umbrella, Unfaithful, Russian Roulette… among others. My personal favourite  of course is “Shine Bright Like A Diamond”. Haven’t heard it yet? It’s time you did!

Back To the Future - Trilogy

When Zstudio threw a curve ball and announced to screen ‘Back to the Future’ Trilogy, I couldn’t believe it. For, this was exactly what I had in mind. To raid the video parlour for these three DVDs close to chez-moi, and revel in savouring them back to back. In reality, when these flicks first got released in the late 80s, we were only kids and watching movies in theatre were acts, occurring typically once in a blue moon. So, imagine the profound memories surrounding these – which incidentally make the series all the more worth watching. 

Anyways, who wouldn’t love to drool over a movie that has power-packed performance of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Llyod? And what better movie could there be than to watch “Back to the Future”? Lloyd’s acting as the crazy doc is damn adorable. His acting prowess flawlessly fills the shoes of the insane genius who invents time machine. Archetypal Fox, who time-travels into different eras, hardly fails to keep you at the edge of the seat with some close calls. This powerful combo makes for a sure-fire movie material. To top it off, the storyline, which whizzes from the past to the future to the present, is gripping and holds a thread of suspense hanging, always, adding up for some terrific viewing.

Among the series, part 2 is the most engrossing. What really holds you in the loop are the effects of traveling across timelines from future to present to past. What seem as casual travels across timelines leave a devastating trail of alterations to history. I particularly liked the part - where buffy from the future hops on time-travel machine and travels back in time and hands himself an almanac book; then quietly returns to the future. So, when Marty and Doc hop on time-machine and go to the present – Voila! Everything’s helter-skelter. To alter their present they must return to past and steal the almanac after Buffy has given it to himself. Only then would the record of present be set straight. Sounds Weird?  

Well, it gets thousand times weirder when you have Steven Speilberg throwing in a good measure of special effects. The phrase “Imagination runs wild” has no better grounding than here where you come across flying cars, skyjams, 3D holographics, flying hoverboards…and the lot.  Undoubtedly, there’s more than meets the eye and moi wouldn’t want to spill the beans and ruin your experience. I guess Zstudio has run these series twice, so there’s a very slim chance of it doing again. In case you have missed out on it, it’s time you got the DVDs. These flicks are really worth watching!

Angrez

Angrez is a movie that one shouldn’t miss watching. In fact, I hadn’t seen it for a long time even though good feedback from friends and others persistently flowed in. Finally, when I watched it a couple of years ago, couldn’t help rolling on the floor clutching my stomach.Yesterday, I watched it with some friends for the nth time and the result is the same. The movie is hilarious to the hilt. The city’s Urdu-Hindi slang is a real blast, underscoring the arrogant, nonchalant Hyderabadi attitude.

Set in the backdrop of Old City (Hyderabad), which is insanely popular for its sizzling biryanis and pipping Irani chais, the whole story hinges on a small tussle, which two NRIs accidentally pick up with a bunch of Old City lads. During the tussle, one of the NRIs holds a part of Ismail Bhai’s kurta and it accidentally gets torn. (Ismail Bhai is sort of a ring leader for these local lads). Frankly, the NRI doesn’t even do it intentionally he only hangs on to his camera in the process the damage is done. The way this small issue enrages into a full blown war with a rib-tickling comedy is awesome to watch.  

If Ismail Bhai, who is hoodwinked into footing the bill every time, doesn’t get you the laughs, then his team disguising as “Pilumbers & Kileaners” in a bid to enter the NRIs’ office will certainly do. The laughs don’t stop there. Things turn out real hot for these lads as the tables are turned against and they end up cleaning toilets instead of cleaning out the NRIs for good.  

What splits your sides with laughter are the satirical dialogues. Here’s one for takers. Salim Pheku comes and updates Ismail Bhai, “Parsoon Ruksana mili thi. Pooch rahi thi Ismail Bhai kaise hai. Suna hai unhe Angrezaan kundal kundal ke mare?! Ismail Bhai, at the brink of breaking down in frustration, retorts, “Ab Ruksana Ko bhi maloom hogaya?”

In another incident where Ismail Bhai is in an ecstatic mood while Salim Pheku is dancing his shoes away on some festive occasion, a woman approaches Ismail Bhai and says “Salam Walaikum, app ko angreza parsoon mare kathena?". The suddenness of the dialogue without proper introduction livens up the hilarious factor several notches up. You can’t but appreciate the director for his raw and unforgiving approach. Mind you, I am merely quoting a few dialogues but the whole movie is laden with such deadly discourses - one is  guaranteed to have a blast watching this movie.

Except for the part where NRIs come in, the other parts of the movie are just too riotous. And the rap song in the middle I felt was little too lengthy. That apart, this shoe string budget movie is sure to knock your socks off with its uproarious scenes and killer dialogues. 

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mira Nair

There are questions flying all around as to why Mira Nair is not able to arouse the same feelings in the movie “Reluctant Fundamentalist” as is the case with the book written by Mohsin Hamid. I, for one, presume it’s asking a little too much. Let’s appreciate what she has done. It’s no cakewalk to take a story and translate it into a movie.  There is a good deal of things which needs to be considered. One, the book is a narrative - where the description of events is the only base to build a movie platform. Second, it revolves around a story that’s more to do with inner conflict than outer settings. Third, it’s a one-sided narrative, where the other characters are dimmed beyond clear understanding and hang around like mere shadows. So, on the whole, it’s a pretty complex theme to portray and hold the attention of the viewers. Considering all this, Mira Nair has done her bit admissibly well.

Take for instance, Changez’s personality both physical and mental – portrayal of which is uncannily difficult. Yet, in the movie, Changez is remarkably the character you have imagined - Fair, lanky, sharp-looking, emotional and unmistakably Pakistani. The team at Underwood Samson is what an American team generally is: all awe for oriental acumen and occidental self-righteousness. Erica is no scented flower either, with emotions that run high and dry – acting precisely at her own whims and fancies. Let’s not forget Changez’s superior who has his eyes set on molding Changez into a game changer. Mira has captured the soul of these roles.

Probably the thing that kind of throws the spanner in is that the movie is bit on the gloomier side. You could feel the icy cold hands of melancholy reach out and grab you. I kind of detested it. Reading about gloom in a book is different from reading it on faces on-screen. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words, emotions have come out strongly - much to the discomfort of the viewer. Another error that’s a soar thumb - by bringing in a dialogue between Changez and the American, who remains voiceless in the book, Nair has touched a painful nerve. Ambiguity sometimes holds its own ground. The moment you disclose, the essence is lost. I would have liked it if the American had remained in the shadows with his voice as a fragment of Changez’s imagination, just as it was in the book.

Barring a few errors such as these, the film’s good. If you see the flick prior to reading the book you wouldn’t have second thoughts about branding Mira Nair as a “Nut”. But otherwise, you cannot miss appreciating her eye for detail, settings, characters, and other trivia that goes into making a decent film. Though it may sound shocking to many, I kind of liked the movie. The book was nominated for a Booker Prize so it’s no James Bond movie to keep you at the edge of the seat. It’s a classic. So bear with it. As they say, “Every concave lens is a convex lens too, depending on which side you are viewing from”. I sure would like to view it form a different perspective.

Darren Lecroix - The World Champion of Public Speaking

When Darren Lecroix says, “I became a comedian because I was willing to fail” you know he’s not joking.

Oration 2013, an annual event of Toastmasters, which was held at Novotel, Hyderabad, was simply mind blowing. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take time out to be present there for all days but took just enough time to manage to listen to Darren Lecroix, who won the international Toastmasters’ speech contest sometime ago. What makes me burn with envy is his ability to be as natural on stage as he is with you talking one-on-one. For that matter, I have always envied public speakers. Feel no shame in saying I turn completely green-eyed when I see the influence they hold. And I secretly long for it. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that my heart longs to be a part of toastmasters club, but unfortunately the time schedule often plays the devil – And I am left wandering to events only as a guest not as a Toastmaster.

Darren’s insights on public speaking were subterranean and effective. He says he is inspired by the former world champion’s statement: Never turn down stage time. Acting on this, he always ensures he hasn’t a moment to lose on stage but looks for ways to bettering his performance, every time. He adds, “Learning is a constant process. One needs to ask and acquire feedback. You don’t know, what you don’t know, period”.

He methodically takes us through the performing process. He explains, “Imagination is powerful. So don’t elucidate everything to the audience. When I say I went to a Xerox shop saw reams of paper and the sheets shooting out of Xerox machine, I have given just enough data to build that up in one’s imagination”. He then questions the audience, “Now, tell me what was the colour of the walls in the Xerox shop?” The audience screamed: “Blue”, “Brown”, “Green”…. He explains: “See, I have never mentioned that.  But your imagination has gone to all the Xerox shops you have ever visited and picked up the colours. Similarly, in speaking you don’t give too many details and confuse the sub-conscious. Just touch the canvas. Don’t paint it. Some things are better left unsaid”. I was like…Wow. Amazing. I didn’t know that. In fact, I got scribbling all these so many not-to-missed parts into my notes that I almost ran out of paper. Another gem of an advice he gave us was, “Don’t pause for effect. Pause to reflect”.

He left us with some probing questions. Ask yourself. As a public speaker, what do I want my audience to do, think and feel after I am done speaking? What will they remember 3 days after I speak?  Was my opening and closing impacting? When he says speaking is not a monologue but a dialogue, you wonder… if it's right? Eventually, Darren proves it is. When it got finished. I came out with my head still in the clouds. I had an absolutely rocking time. Darren Lecroix sure has a bagful of tricks when it comes to public speaking. Little wonder he is at the top of his game! 

Robin Williams - Going Faces!

Robin Williams is an exceptionally talented actor. I guess this new generation would find it a tad difficult in identifying him. Perhaps they would identify Robin William (a singer of certain repute) but not Robin Williams. His acting prowess exceeds others in his genre. In fact, Jim Carey took couple of leaves from his book.  Ironically, Robin Williams and Jim Carey have hell of a similarities. Both were stage performers. Both do amazing impersonations. Both dreamed of doing big banner movies but didn’t get that right break for a longtime. Another thing I learnt about Jim Carey, which kind of totally altered my perception, is: When Jim Carey wasn’t a big star; he wrote a million dollar cheque on his name and kept it in his purse, saying one day I am going to receive a cheque like this for one of my movies - which he eventually did. Now, that’s what I call power of positive thinking. Ever since then, I haven’t let my dislike for his overacting come in between judging him as an actor and appreciating him as an individual.

However, as an artist, Robin Williams’ a shade better than Jim Carey for the clear reason that Jim perpetually goes overboard on his role. And some of his idiosyncrasies drive most people up the wall. However, there is this one chartbuster movie, where his acting skills rocked! –‘The Mask’. No denying anybody would have done better than him. He scored a perfect ten on it, excluding this one movie, I guess every one of his movies is little overbearing.  Robin Williams, on other the hand, has every hair in its place. Delivering just what the role requires and what the audience needs. Be it acting like a 40-year old kid, or donning on the role of woman with élan, or putting on those scientist’s glasses and forgetting to attend his own wedding, or the doctor who treats patients psychologically first and anatomically next…he has multiple on-screen facades that kind of wire differently and make you sit up and take notice.

His stage performances are hilarious yet articulate. He once featured in one of those intellectually thought-provoking shows, “Whose Line It Anyway” where Drew Carey - even though Drew is the anchor of the show – is butt of all jokes. Of course, when you put a deadly team of individuals together you can’t stop those fiery arrows fly around, even when it means at you! Anyways, in a show like this where you need to be at the top of your game or else someone is bound to steal your pants; Robin Williams managed to steal everybody’s pants. Talk of talent! The man’s a blob with viscosity that could transform itself into any form. Now, now, you might say so much of adulation is uncalled for?! But check this bit in the movie, Mrs. Doubtfire, where he does ‘Voices’…and you will know what I mean. And don’t you miss out on his impersonation of the ‘Hot Dog’!

Alice Fredenham – Amazing Talent!

When this gorgeous lady first featured on 'The Voice’, the judges did what they were not supposed to do. They didn’t turn around. Of course, the song she chose for the blind auditions was a Jazz song – which anybody with a good sense of music and a keen perception of her voice, could have guessed it’s an awfully bad choice. But then, judges should have taken note of that sultry voice - that liquid gold – as another panelist on a different show later describes her voice. But instead each judge (Will, Jessie Danny and Tom) went on to give their description of why they haven’t chosen her. So much so, that her spirit was almost broken. Its one thing to stand on stage and sing and quite another to take all the stuff the panelists dish out. The Voice (UK Version) – simply threw her out. I guess her confidence got sapped. For that matter anybody’s could have – When you think you are a professional and four of them agree you are not! It’s kind of creepy as hell!!!

When she featured on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ – Boy! Am I glad she did it – she was so nervous, you could see her hands all fidgety and her composure shaky. But then like a true warrior of this world, she came back to compete. The scars of losing were evident as she hasn’t told a soul that she had come for auditioning on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Unlike earlier, this time her choice of song was bang on. Looking at her nervousness, anybody would have thought her voice would crack or she would go off track, but nothing of that sort happened…instead it was spell-bound silence in the wall-to-wall packed auditorium as her voice probed the depths of hearts and rang like gentle chimes in the ears, raising the hair on the back of the neck. It was simply amazing!

Finally, the judges did what they were supposed to. Voted for her! All ‘Yeses!’ True. Alice has a long way to go. But since her voice fits a certain variety of music, will she really deliver the knocks on all genres? That’s the issue in question. But knowing Alice, one can never be sure of what surprise she can throw…

Here’s the video of her singing the sultry number “My Funny Valentine”.

Masters of Voice

It's awesome  the way reality shows are shaping up these days. No. I am not talking about regional ones. But those like the Britain’s Got Talent, America’s Got Talent, The Voice, American Idol...the likes. The opportunities these talent shows offer to unknown individuals are simply awesome. I recall stories from couple of years back which literally transformed lives. In fact, Susan Boyle’s story is a striking example. When she first featured on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ it brought tears. The way people initially discounted her for the casual looks and speech, talks about the universal mentality of judging the book by the cover. Moreover, when she aired her feelings of becoming a professional singer on the lines of Elaine Page, you could easily spot people in the audience snickering with unbelief. In fact, Simon Cowell, keeping with his usual critical approach, went ahead pulling her leg. But the moment she opened her mouth. It was mind-blowing. You thought angels have descended and sang to you. It was amazingly awesome. The whole place reverberated with a kind of soothing rhapsody you wouldn’t want to stop listening to. Simon’s expression from utter confusion to sheer disbelief to total happiness was something that was completely worth watching. The judges on the show couldn’t feign ignorance of what they were listening to either. When she finished everyone knew they found a new star.

After that Susan Boyle’s life, I believe, has never been the same. She went on to sing with her singer idol – Elaine Page. And guess what?! All this has been possible by a simple reality show. Isn’t that surprising?!  

What about the story of Landau Eugene Murphy Jr? Before he participated in ‘America’s Got Talent’, he was nobody. Washing tyres in a small time garage. Then everything changed when he entered the contest. He came in chewing on gum, caring two hoots for the crowd and then walked away pocketing a million bucks. Amazing, isn’t it.  That’s the beauty of reality shows. While these reality shows titillate the crowds, they also provide platform for newfangled talent. Unlike our regional shows, where TRP ratings are spiked, emotions are intentional made to run high, the western shows come with a candidness that’s awe-inspiring. 

One of these shows which kind of grabbed my eyeballs right from its very start is ‘The Voice’. Where judges are seated with their backs turned to the singer. So, only when judges like the performance of the singer, they push the button and are instantly turned around to view the singer. This, I feel, is a fair deal. The performer is not tested on his looks but on his talent. The talent featured on ‘Voice’ is also of amazing standards. So, I was not completely taken aback when I saw a youngster sing ‘Love on Top’.  It’s originally sung by Beyonce Knowles, but I find this performer’s voice more peppy and scorching. Check this video to find out how good a singer she is…

Unforgettable IPL Tunes!

When I first found out Farah Khan is a choreographer, I was like…Are you kidding me?! You mean she can dance?!  Now, after seeing her flash a step or two in those ridiculously hilarious ads of IPL, I must admit I had to eat the humble pie. Each of those ads was well-synchronized and totally rib-tickling. If not for the cricket frenzy, the on-going IPL should attract fans for its spicy, heavily punch-laden ads.  

My favourite of course is the one where Farah Khan barges in on a kitty party. The ladies who look like they are used to dunking biscuits by threes-n-fours into their gossipy mouths and drinking coffee by the pots, are caught completely unawares. And when they do the jig, that ridiculously comical, “Dil Jumping Japang Jampak Jampak..Dhamping Dhapang Dhampak Dhampak Gile Gile A.”…. Especially the crunching of knuckles on the sides of their heads…it’s a must-watch. These ladies, who look like sumo-wrestlers of sorts, rock the show. When I say they rock, well, I mean they really ROCK!

The other ad isn’t bad either, where Farah Khan gatecrashes into boardroom and makes those professionals dance to her tune. Well, who cares what the tune is like, as long as one can watch these straight-faced, blue-tied veterans dance like garish teenagers in some god forsaken island! The side-splitting part is when Farah gestures to a guy to ruffle hair and the guy gives a god-forgive-me look because he’s completely bald. She then rolls her eyes and mutters under her breath not his hair but ruffle the other guy’s. That, kind of loosens up this guy and he goes on to prove to Farah khan he is the best dancer in the boardroom. Hilarious!

With a few shades of variations on these ads and Farah does the unimaginable. Bowls you over. Again and again. You can’t but smile when she vocalizes those unmistakably, typical Mumbai-styled words  “India Iss Baar Sirf Dekhne Ka Nahi”. That’s when I decided – not for the sake of Virat, Dhoni, Sachin, Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum or any other – but for Farah’s sake I am going to watch this season’s IPL. Who knows, might even manage the jig when no one’s looking. 

Cinderella Prakash

It is quite inspiring to watch people who can’t fight for themselves when young, turn out to be mighty, go-getters later. Cinderella Prakash’s story is no different. I heard her initially talk to youngsters at AG church at Hyderabad last year and was totally amazed at her crisp rhetoric and appalling courage. That’s also when I came about knowing she also featured on Satyameva Jayate, where she boldly admitted to Aamir Khan and millions others that she was abused as a child. Imagine saying that on national telecast!  One needs sheer guts. The aftermath repercussions of such incident could be stigmatic. Eyebrows would be raised. All sorts of questions popped. Doors of indifference thrown open. But I believe she took an unwavering stand on this one. Precisely the thing that’s sets apart the winners.

After what she had gone through as a child, if you thought she had only contempt for god and others, you are wrong again. She goes on to paint god’s love in hues you have never seen or heard. Admiration manifolds, when she describes the agony she fought back to pardon the individual who committed such a heinous and disgusting crime. She elucidates; forgiving that individual was near impossible but god compelled her to do that so can be totally healed.  What a transformation that has led to! When she walks on to the dais, you don’t see an abused child but an energetic lady that’s all ready to set fire to the stage.  Her ability to sing, her mercurial skills to turn the tables around, her talent in winning crowds and oodles of resilience & confidence …is simply enigmatic! 

The evening that day was organized as an interactive session with a couple of youngsters posing as interviewers and Cinderella as the interviewee. She took the questions head-on. Though the subject was rather sensitive, she threw some amazing curve balls that put the audience at ease and sometimes in splits. I still recall the googly the interviewer threw at her, “What is the strangest thing that happened after you featured on Satyameva Jayate?” She promptly replied, “I got tons of letters from guys asking me to marry! Gosh! That’s ridiculous, for god's sake; I don’t even know anything about these individuals! How could they even think of marrying me?!”

In between the interview, she sang some numbers on the guitar. 150-odd young crowd was a small gathering, I felt. She taught new songs, made feet tap to new rhythms, delivered some gyan on how to handle crisis situations.  

The evening was a totally enriching experience. Before it all concluded, the interviewers taking a dig at Cinderella’s earlier comments suggested those interested in talking to her can meet but should ensure that they don’t pop the question: “Will you marry me?” To which, Cinderella, turned in a quick repartee with a smile, “Those who are really keen on it, can meet me outside the church” amidst roars of laughter. I would say she charmed herself into everyone’s hearts. Hey, before it slips out of my mind, there’s this number “Mehfuz”, which she sang on Satyameva Jayate sans guitar. I guess it shouldn’t be too difficult to google it out if you are keen on listening to her sing.

Fair, Unfair.

Welcome.

Screams fantasy land.

Tottering feet;

Cheerful faces

Indeed, a sight to behold.

Cries of “Bravo!” echo

As torches of fire

Spin in fearless hands

Kids watch wide-eyed

Funny faces with crimson bobs

Clouds of pink candy

Gently flicker in air

Alongside horses that run

But never really strut

Offering a ride into a mystic world of fun                      

Giant wheels of amusement

Spin tirelessly

Keeping emotions on fire

While men become kids

And kids, striking men of valour

The dazzle of lights

Lost in endless chatter

As cheerful parents; gleeful children

Relish the company of peers

Fair - it’s so unfair - it happens so rare.

Woody Allen. If you have a funny bone, the man is guaranteed to find it. The perplexing thing about him is one can hardly make out what’s cooking in his brain. But when he dishes it out, he is sure to whet your appetite for more!

I believe it’s his ability to put humour in life’s mundane things that makes up for such an endearing personality. Or else how would you explain his whacky lines like “It’s not that I am afraid of death and all, I just don’t want to be there when it happens”. And one that never fails to tip me off with delight is “If you want to make god laugh, tell him about your plans!”

So when I stumbled upon a book by the wayside titled “Side Effects” by Woody Allen, I had no second thoughts about jumping at it. The book, as every Woody Allen’s book, never fails to take your IQ a few notches up and drop it a few notches below, making you wonder what truck just hit you.

The most hilarious part is this strange dialogue that passes between Abraham Lincoln, the former president of United States, whom with all due respects Woody calls, “Abe” and the press secretary, whom with all due respect calls him “Jennings”. This hilarious conversation puts on a diaphanous analysis of the inner workings of Allen’s mind. Few excerpts from the paperback:

 (The following is a one-act play based on an incident in the life of Abraham Lincoln. The incident may or may not be true. The point is that I was tired when I wrote it)

I

 (Lincoln with boyish eagerness beckons George Jennings, his press secretary, into the room)

Jennings: Mr. Lincoln, you sent for me?

Lincoln: Yes, Jennings. Come in. Sit down.

Jennings: Yes, Mr. President?

Lincoln: (Unable to suppress a grin) I want to discuss an idea.  

Jennings: of course sir.

Lincoln: Next time we have a conference for the gentlemen of the press…

Jennings: Yes sir…

Lincoln: When I take questions…

Jennings: Yes, Mr. President

Lincoln: You raise your hand and ask me: Mr. President, how long do you think a man’s legs should be?

Jennings: Pardon me?

Lincoln: You ask me: how long do I think a man’s legs should be?

Jennings: May I ask why, Sir?

Lincoln: Why? Because I have a very good answer.

Jennings: You do?

Lincoln: Long enough to reach the ground

Jennings: Excuse me?

Lincoln: Long enough to reach the ground. That’s the answer! Get it? How long do you think a man’s legs should be? Long enough to reach the ground.

Jennings: I see.

…The story actually rolls into a very complex situation after Jennings questions why he had thought of this answer and who had earlier asked the question which prompted this reply.

Dialogues are sharp. Thoughts, simply outstanding. I guess his books are complete unputtadownables. For those, who haven’t read his works…I can only say you are missing some delightful stuff. 

Ed Sheeran - The A Team

Some things in life are nothing short of genius. I happen to chance upon a song that falls into this exceptional category. The song is called “A Team” by Ed Sheeran.  It’s about how a woman, who is a prostitute, wastes her life on drugs. At the end of the song, she passes away. The song’s kind of sad. But the video is very deftly shot complete in black and white. You’ll also find Ed Sheeran, the singer, playing a cameo in the video. The lyrics don’t make any sense unless one understands what the song is all about. I got to listen to the song with only the lyrics first. Honestly, I felt it’s got an incredibly bewitching tune. Ed Sheeran sang a number of songs, but I personally believe nothing stands out as this one…more for the tune than for the lyrical or graphical content.

Beach

Fringing palms

Whispering nothing

Stretches of blue

Sets hearts fluttering

Sweet smell of salt

Afloat in the air

Kids building castles

Without a care

Coloured umbrellas

Dot the land

While the sun basks

On golden sands

Goggled boys

And sandaled girls

Happily tan

On dunes of sands

Pretty women

On colourful mats

Tempting men

With bared backs

|Ah! Lures of beach

Beckon me

Tangled in toil

I am forced to flee

Skyfall

Got to see the movie sometime ago. Let’s be honest. Was it really worth all the hype?  Definitely, a big “No!” from me!  The story is loosely strung. Bond looks like he’s aging fast and beyond repair. Madame M, with her veteran looks, wasn’t impressive as the woman in command of an elite force. Javier Bardem acts like an incompetent adversary.  The last straw however is the realization that ‘Skyfall’, contrary to what one imagines, is actually the name of a deserted estate in the damp London suburban, where bond used to play as a kid. All in all, the movie is a sheer squander of money.

The saving grace of course is the theme song with deadly graphics which hit you right in the eye and make your heart burst with admiration. It shouldn’t come as a surprise the song’s been nominated for an Oscar. Adele’s fever-pitch singing in a gripping composition, delivers a number that is destined to haunt hearts as it rolls alongside the credits. Don’t believe it?! Listen to it!

Greetings for 2013!

The hiatus has been longer than I had planned. But nevertheless I miss scribbling my thoughts and putting them across. So, I am kind of making a comeback. Yes! But before I do that, I would like to wish my friends and readers a fabulous New Year. Here’s hoping 2013 will steadily and surely nudge each one of you closer to your dreams and aspirations.