25 January, 2013

Lance


Heads shaking in disapproval and the look of disappointment from so many who believed it was possible to not only last 14 years in a competitive sport arena but to reign supreme with 7 Tour de France titles.

Lance ‘was’ a source of inspiration for professional athletes from all walks of sports. He was admired and respected for his personal grit as well as his professional achievements.

Lance Armstrong’s confession and indictment is another case in sports history where performance enhancing methods/ drugs rears its ugly head. This deviated path followed by many striving and established sports professionals to enhance their careers has almost always ended in a forever tarnished image of them as weak and beaten against  that have fallen stars

Every such incident, and there have more than a few disillusionments in the world of sport raises a pressing question – Is living up to a Herculean task more important that reveling in genuine achievement?
Why set ourselves up for failure?

Has sport become so competitive that we would forsake genuine pleasure for facile records, give up simple pleasures of childhood for harsh and draconian training methods? A recent article in the guardian spoke of schools for active young sports enthusiasts and rigorous training

What are we chasing to achieve? Shouldn’t decrease our belief in our own achievements when the ground we wish to stand on is nothing more than a quagmire?  

House M.D.


Someone I don't know any more recommended I watch this show…that was the beginning of a couple of hours of my life spent on this 'Drama series' (in sitcom language)..

It was not the medical mysteries as much it was about the characters, their interactions with each other, their failing at many cross roads life presents that kept me 'hooked' to the series. The idea that the
protagonist is a man who's sense of right overrules every other law ever written. His attempts to be the face of truth – not misguided sense of righteousness we are taught – just the plain old, ugly and painful truth is indeed well portrayed..

Living the famous words from Fight Club "self-destruction is the answer" is hard and has its "Side-effects", but, who cares; he revels in stirrup he has created. He sits back and watches as emotions fly and beliefs are broken. The god complex is more than what people make it out to be. It's takes a lifetime to get there but when you do its better than any drug ever made alive, and it's impossible to step down and be mortal. Season 1- Season 7 is a clear example ….

I have to say, I love camera work done over the last few seasons especially season 7. They have been able to create 'the mood' using light, camera angle and some well suited background music.

12 January, 2013

Half Nelson - Review


I started with the word uncanny and realized – its not uncanny, it unlikely

Its unlikely bordering on what is possibly considered "inappropriate" by misguided social police; such is the relationship between the protagonists. The film beautifully captures something so surreal like, the further away one is from conventional closeness/togetherness the closer one is to relationships that are broad, ambiguous and endearing..

Half Nelson is a beautifully told story of a moment in time.. A teacher who is truly on a beaten path to nowhere and a student about to embark on a long winding road to regret, share a bond they both going to remember in the years to come.

The film touches on an education in history without the density of dates and facts but the introspection of events, not necessarily appreciated by the school regulators but definitely for kept the kids engaged.

Both Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps make it almost palpable and bring this space between alive.

The film is certainly worth a watch, I would place in the category of films one enjoys in the privacy of self..

Enter the Void - Review


Love the grainy, drone like quality of this film. The minimal
background music, that does not super impose itself on the moment and
lets the scene remain raw is beautiful..

It goes without saying, that the cinematography, which uses psychedelic
lights and supportive drone like sounds, leaves the mind feeling tippy.
I'm always looking for films like this where music and cinematic
expression do the talking instead of extensive dialogue..Enter the Void
does is a beautiful example of this possibility..

The plot of the film is simple. It unfolds over one night where a drug
deal goes real bad and is interlaced with scenes from the protagonists'
past which relates to current relationships and events..

Seeing the world through the protagonists view from when he is tippy to
when he is coy and asking strippers "Hey, You want to try these? Take
just one", or when he floating through the city of Tokyo has a certain
je ne sais quoi..

I love that they filmed this in Tokyo, Tokyo from the sky and Tokyo
from the street with club houses/ stripper bars are different
experiences.. There is one scene that remained ingrained, Oscar is at
Alex's house and his roommate has this model of Tokyo with neon lights,
its quite precious..

This movie certainly worth a watch for its endeavor in setting an
artistic high…

I'm on my way to see more from Gaspar Noe – Irreversible and I Stand
Alone are recommended as must watch..