Recently when I was flying to California, gazed out ( I heart window seats ) and marvelled the pristine blue sky and the puffs of clouds ( always seem soft and fluffy but never touchable ) started pondering over certain things. I am not too sure about the conclusions that can be derived, so I thought I'd post it and see if you guys could provide any insights.
We have always imagined the Heavens to be above and beyond, somewhere way beyond the sky. Somewhere way beyond what telescopes, satellites, objects in space can see/show us images of. Yet, I always picture heaven with light blue background, demi-gods sitting on puffs of clouds, enjoying the day :) (I wonder if this image is influenced by the numerous mythology themed serials that have been aired on tv, or the various Amar Chitra Kathas that I have read ) .
We always look up, towards the sky, but always bow our heads in prayer. When death takes her toll, we always become one with the soil, with the earth, yet we say the soul reaches the heavens above. Any form of prayer, we kneel on the ground, or lie flat to rever the idol before us. The earth, the soil , we walk on provides the foundation to our lives. Provides a sure footing for us. Plants, Roots everything needs a base that comes only from the earth. Then why is it that we say the heavens are above. . and refer to the netherlands or sometimes hell as below the soil, deep inside the earth?
Is heaven really up in the skies or is it buried inside the depths of the earth? Or is heaven on earth?!
Well, to start off my new resolution, do review every movie I watch , here's starting off with one of the most recent ones - KITES . . People who know me ( even remotely, I guess ) , would shake their heads in resignation at how this resolution came up right when Hrithik's latest movie released and well, I wouldn't blame them. . I was looking at iHrithik's twitter page when this idea came to me. . but to be completely honest, I have been toying with this for quite sometime. .
Anyway, to get back to what this post is about. I watched Kites recently with a few friends ( After giving them an advance notice that when Hrithik is on screen, I can't see or hear anything else) and to be frank, I am not really sure about what I do think about the movie . . It is a mixed bag of emotions that I am dealing with as I ponder about how much I liked the movie.
The Story
(For those who would have read it umpteen times all over the internet,please bear with me for a few sentences. I'll be as concise as possible.)
It's a simple enough story, two equally con-friendly people meet one evening, get married and then separate before the night's over and the next time they come face-to-face is when they are both dating two spoilt heirs of a casino owner in Las Vegas, simply cause both of them are after the money the alliance would give them. They connect a night before Natasha/Linda is set to marry the rich Tony and realize somewhere deep inside that they actually like each other and elope. The rich family sets off after them and what happens, do the two ever get to be together? forms the rest of the story. It's told in a series of flashbacks.
What I liked about the movie
It's simply awesome to see Hrithik back on the big screen.It's been a very long wait since Jodha Akbar and especially since 3 Idiots has been the ONLY worthwhile movie since then, it's doubly nice to finally see someone who can act!
The language barrier between the main protagonists has been portrayed in such a beautiful and effective manner. I found myself thinking about it days after I watched the movie. It is indeed amazing how an emotion like love needs so little to express it's presence. . Half the movie was in Spanish and no subtitles! :D . . So it was quite an experience to join 'J'(Hrithik) in trying to decipher what she is saying!
The production value of the movie is unquestionable! It's very obvious that they have pulled at all stops to ensure the best in every single frame.
The music is VERY unobstrusive. . It kinda is just a background score , except for the best song in the album 'Zindagi, do pal ki '
which justly requires more importance, but even then it is seamlessly integrated into the story-telling.
Barbara Mori is quite a revelation. As a friend of mine pointed out, she is no bimbo, but a seasoned actress who knows what she is doing. She came across natural.
It was really cool to see Hrithik's innocence in the scenes, especially during the wedding scene, when he cutely follows Natasha's instructions while taking vows and then yelling out what he thinks is 'I love you' and then being completely embarrassed! (OK, I admit, I really missed him!!
Breath-taking cinematography.
Now, what I didn't like about the movie
The villains were too stereotype. Alcoholic, Abusive Rich boyfriends - nothing new. A deep voiced, shade sporting ultra-rich dad who adores his spoilt brats - nothing new.
Kangana - the perennial maniac in her movies - For some reason I hoped Kites wouldn't add to that list. She was either given a badly written role, or it was seriously super edited out.
Call me old-fashioned but the intimate scenes actually weren't required. They were blink and miss anyway and in anycase, according to me a good actor or director do not need a 'Strip and Kiss' scene to show intimacy.
I think Srk and Kajol had more intimacy in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Hrithik and Ash had more intimacy in Jodha Akbar than in the kissing scene in Dhoom 2 .
Infact, Hrithik and Barabara had more intimacy conveyed just through their eyes, the so called 'hot scenes' were completely unnecessary.
I hate sad endings. I hated it in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Hated it in Baazigar, in Fiza and now Kites. . and I cry when Aamir, Hrithik or Shah Rukh cry. . so I like it even less for that!
Favourite Scenes
Hrithik's innocence in every scene.
J's smooth way of replacing a $100 bill with a $10
' You kissed me' , 'You didn't like it? then give it back to me' - Whatte line
The bank robbery : 1 million and $200 !! hahahahh
The wedding scene :)
Overall
I think I liked the movie. I'm still in two minds.
It was well cast, had a decent story, BUT something was missing. There is a quality that distinguishes a movie and propels it into super-stardom. . That element was missing. . Maybe the villains killed it, maybe the movie just didn't need to be a tragic love story, maybe the movie needed the street-smart J and scheming Linda to get together and survive and the movie ended on a more suave and catch-me-if-u-can mode.
It's not his best movie yet but it is most definitely one of the better movies in recent days. I did expect more outta a Hrithik starrer, especially one after such a long wait.. But I am glad to say atleast he didn't disappoint. He can always give any actor a run for his money :)
Watch it for Hrithik. Watch it for Barabara. Watch it for their chemistry and to realize love and music need no words :)
I realized that the only way to make sure I blog often enough is to blog right when something strikes my mind and so here I am , wide awake at 1.15 am, reviewing Kites! I was actually awake idling away and as I checked Twitter, I realized I should probably blog more about movies since, well, let's face it, I love cinema! :) . . I am a self-proclaimed movie addict! :D and a complete sucker for romantic love stories, AR Rahman's music and anything and everything to do with Hrithik Roshan! :)
Now, I was pondering if I should start a separate blog for movies, then another for food, but I am not sure I'll stick to it that long! :D or be that dedicated to update 3 blogs! So till I get better at this, you'll have to put up with a plethora of topicx in this one place! :)
It's been a long time since I sat down and paid you any attention! ( I have made mental notes of things to write, but just never gotten down to doing it! ) . .
Kites premieres tonight in NYC. I wish I was going ! :( . . Hope the movie rocks! God knows we haven't seen a good movie in a long time! The last nice movie I remember is 3 Idiots! :) . With the complete dearth in good movies, I have just taken to watching 3 Idiots once every now and then ! Phew . .
O btw, Rocket Singh was far better than I expected it to be! :)
Here's wishing Hrithik good luck for fantastic success! Muaah !
It's hard to believe that today is the last day of the year 2009! Wow! It's flown by so quickly !! Somehow after I changed countries, this transition between the years has seemed lightening quick! I wonder why. . the same applies to my birthday! Before I know it, it's come - made me a year older, and poof gone! Time sure flies!
It seems like I've hardly paused to savor each day. The sooner it starts, it ends. . Is it the lifestyle here or has stress and work caused me to completely change the way I live life!
2009 has been well quite a year. . It started off with some hiccups and a lotta stress, went on to follow a smoother road and is ending on a high note! :) I've made some very good friends, lost a few old friends, seen the world spiral towards emptiness and gloom and yet the triumph of the human spirit. .
I still cannot believe 2009 got here and is not bidding adieu. As I stand on the threshold of a brand new year, with surprises peeking outta the corner - temptingly and yet being elusive because it's just not the time for it yet.. I can't help but feel like a very insignificant part of the universe ( A thought that occurs to me, when i star gaze for a long time. . esp if I am lying on my back.. Have any of you felt the same way?) . . How we are such a tiny part of something so miraculous and wonderful. How hardly anyone cares about our existence beyond our loved ones. . Sometimes I think, if only everyone paused to stargaze every night and appreciate this fact, they would possibly be better people and the world would be a lot more peaceful! Did we ever pause to think that this date . . this year would NEVER be repeated again? That this is it. . this is the last we are going to see '200'x year? . . Wow. . it's awe-inspiring and humbling at the same time.
2009 has been a year of a incredible ups and downs. Events that have tested my will power, my commitment, my strength and hope. In all, the year had re-affirmed my faith in the goodness of simple hardwork, the pleasures of loving what you're working on, brought me closer to my family and loved ones and most importantly , shown me that God does exist. . That God does listen to us. . All it takes is an earnest appeal! :)
Last but not the least, thanks Santa for that AWESOME Christmas present! I'll treasure and cherish it always! :)
O, did I mention, this is the year I got my ipod !! :)
Thanks 2009 for the lessons, for the tears - which have made me stronger, the laughter, the friends and the love I've been blessed with! :)
now, as I stand on the brink of a New Year . . I can only hope that the happiness continues !! :)
So long, farewell 2009. . I'll always think of you :)
Happy New Year Everyone ! Here's to a fabulous 2010 !! Cheers!
Life throws up surprises( and shocks ) at every turn. Certain recent events have me wondering why we even let ourselves get hurt?
We spend so much time putting everything into a relationship ( not of any particular kind ) and then one day, BAM! outta the blue comes a hurtling blow. .
Is there no value for affection and love these days? Are expressing those emotions just setting ourselves up for an incredible amount of pain.
Nothing is constant, people change . . There's a saying in Tamil ( my mother tongue ) - ' Manushan manasu korangu maadhiri' - roughly translated, it means the mind/heart/intentions of a human is similar to the predictability of monkeys/ their behaviour/ their thoughts - which essentially means no predictability.
Somehow I was under the impression, change won't affect those closest to me. But, I was wrong. It does and HOW!
I wonder what lesson God is trying to convey in that? I just wish people valued relations and emotions a bit more. The world would be a happier place.
It's as though God has decided to keep reminding me of my required dedication to getting back into wellbeing . . I actually made it to the Inaugural of the Green Bike Program in school. Had the utmost fun , getting a bike, wearing a helmet and of course the wellbeing T-shirt! :) Thank God they had the T shirts out, I would have looked very funny biking across campus dressed from head-to-toe in formals ! :P
We went on a 4 mile trail and it was pretty intense. I loved every bit of it, but I really wish the sun hadn't been so strong ! :-/
Next up is the 10 week WellBeing Challenge. Looks like life's conspiring with me to achieve my fitness goals. I wish I had the same motivation for my acads!
I once heard this line in a movie, "Itni Shiddat se tumhe paane ki koshish ki hai, ki har zarre ne mujhe tumse milane ki sazish ki hai" Roughly translated, it means - when you wish for something will all your heart, all of creation conspires(?!) to help you achieve your goal/dream. Now, I am starting to believe, it is probably true. . just looking at how this week is turning out to be!
Hmm . . maybe I should start wishing for something else too . . ( eyes tightly shut, deep breaths and a mumbling . . )
