Monday, August 31, 2009

Duplicity (2009)

Take a really cute guy like Clive Owen.... who totally epitomises the "hunk" character. Have him say the lines he said "I think about you all the time. I think about you even when you're with me. I look at you, I can't stop looking at you. I look at you, and I think, 'That woman…That woman knows who I am and loves me anyway."

Totally a girl kinda guy....

I seriously recommend it. The movie is slick... you will not guess the ending....

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Everyone Else

If you think about the world and how events happen; even how your own life is going - you have to choices to make. Do you think that the way things happen is random; or do you think that everything is predetermined according to some pattern - and that you're just a part of the whole puzzle?

This forms the basic premise of a movie called "Knowing", directed by Alex Proyas. The movie stars Nicholas Cage and centres around a time capsule that was opened in 2009. In it is a sheet with a lot of numbers on it - it all seems harmless. But when you decode it, you uncover a list of dates and number of deaths... all very intriguing.... until you realise what it all means.

The movie is actually quite good. IMBD gave it a 6.5. I give it 4/5.

Would you want to know when you are going to die? At one point of time one of the chief characters actually says - "I don't want to know." Most people would echo this I think, including me.

Potato Head

I love potatoes. In fact, we have a long history together. My mom says that the only craving she had when she was pregnant was for potatoes. I still love chips and all forms of aloo. Even the wierdest sabzi will become better if served with aloo.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm............

Now imagine my surprise when I read recently in India Today's SPICE magazine (Sept issue 2009) what the five most expensive foods in the world were:

1. Saffron
2. Macadamia Nuts
3. Beluga Caviar
4. White truffle
5. La Bonnotte potatoes

The fifth position goes to the aloo!! Which is the common man's food in India actually (aloo pyaaz). The BJP govt actually lost power in a state election when the prices of both potatoes and onions sky rocketed. This enabled the Congress govt to come back in a big way.

Coming back to the rare variety of potato.....

La Bonnotte potatoes are grown on the Isle of Noirmoutier in France. They actually fetch a market price of Euroes 500 per kilo (Rs 34403 per kilo). Here, (according to a magazine article), seaweed is added to the soil in which the rare potato is grown. Only about 20000 kgs are grown each year, so that, as with the law of supply and demand, the price will stay high.

Imagine that.... Interesting right?

Friday, August 28, 2009

Marriage

A lot of people have asked me if life changes much after you get married.

It does change, and it is a good change.

You first and foremost, get a new family and they're as nice and caring as your present family. Everyone looks out for you, and they give you good advice and make you feel welcome.

You get a permanent roommate. It takes a little getting used to cuz you may have always had the cupboard space. Now you have to share. My parents say marriage is a compromise. And it is.

So we've been doing things a normal young couple does. We've been looking for accomodation. We've been buying a microwave. We've made a list of what our new apartment will need.

I've made a couple of trips to my old home to pick up my ipod (very necessary) and other stuff. I picked up a few books that are pending on my reading list. I still haven't finished my Friedman book Hot Flat and Crowded. And I forgot to get it the last time. Better remember next time I'm there.

One of my friends, Namrata actually once said that the lyrics of a song reminded her of what relationships are all about. And I agree totally. The song is She will be Loved by Maroon Five. If you haven't heard it; do. It's a good song. The relevant section goes like this:

It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along, yeah
My heart is full and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want

Monday, August 24, 2009

Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer

This fast paced book is based on the real life story of Sandy Irvine and George Mallory, two individuals who in 1924 attempted to climb Mount Everest but lost their lives while doing so. It has actually never been confirmed whether they reached the summit or not; recently George Mallory's body was discovered in 1999 and it appears that he was descending.

But that's still no proof that they reached the summit.

It's a good read especially if you like mountain climbing. It's interesting the politics that went behind the choices of who would be part of the climbing team. No divorcees e.g. was one criterion, silly as it sounds. Sometimes I think that people read too deep into things.Especially the fuddy duddies of the world.

It is an interesting read. Archer hasn't done much research on mountaineering - very few terms are used and it reads like a Hollywood movie at times.

But it's a good book and I do recommend it. It gets 3/5 stars in my opinion.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Escape to Witch Mountain (2008)


When I was a kid, I had watched the old one. So this time I decided to watch the new one.

Not that good. But then, remakes are hardly good. I know.

The reason I write this blog entry is because I came across something very interesting recently. There are a range of mountains in the US called Superstition Mountains - in the state of Arizona. The Apaches used to called it the "Devils Playground". A picture taken there from the National Geographic website is put up above.

They say if you're sensitive, you will definitely experience some phenomenon....

It looks like a cool place to go trekking.

LOL - Laughing Out Loud

Scientists and others have said that laughing is extremely good for the mind and body. I recently read on a website that it increases your immune system (maybe?), it makes your cheeks sore (yes) and that it helps you retain information (needs to be proven). I'm not being sceptical about this, but yes, being a happy person makes your life much much better. And the more you laugh, the better it is!

I saw a good LOL movie recently called "Without a Paddle". Another one was "The Proposal".

"The Proposal (2008)" starring Sandra Bullock was actually not that good. It was an okay television type of movie. The plot is ludicrous, and the characters are not well developed. But then, its one of those mindless movies that you watch for fun... no real harm or hurt intended.

"Without a Paddle (2004)" was actually good. It was about three friends and how they set off to fulfil a childhood mission. Now I'm not saying that it was believable or anything, but it was REALLY REALLY funny in some parts. Like LOL funny. I liked this scene where they were being chased by a bear. I think I laughed hardest in that.

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter - E E Cummings

Friday, August 14, 2009

Love Aaj Kal (2009)

Well, a lot has changed since I wrote my last blog. In a nut shell, I got married!!

I saw Love Aaj Kal today.... it's a movie starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, and it is GOOD. There are some memorable moments in the film... one particular one was when Saif is talking about soul mates and there being one person for you in this world... and when you find that one person, then you actually think that your life may finally be complete. Also about how you only fall in love once in this lifetime; and that you should cherish each and every moment.

Things like that...

I liked it... it was sweet and utterly endearing. It was also well shot and well made. You don't get too bored; the pace is good and after all, it has to have a happy ending (it is a Hindi movie after all right??).

Sorry if I just gave away the ending.... :)

I'm also happy to report that I have found my soulmate and am utterly happy these days :) :) :)