It's that time in our lives again. An 'old' year has passed and a 'new' year beckons. For some it is a day of festivity with friends and family; for others it is a day of gloominess over being alone. For some it is a day of exotic dishes and multi-colored icecreams; for others it is a day of just one square meal. For some it is a day of rejoicement at all the good things of the previous year, for others it is a day of reflections of all that went wrong. For some it is a day of making new promises; for others it is a day of breaking old ones. For some it is a harbringer of shining new hopes; for others it is just another day.
If you fall into the first category, then read on... If you fall into the second category, then watch this first:
Ok... Now that you are in a happy mood, go and have fun... :)
Let's start with promises, or as they are better known on this day, resolutions. If you think back to your earliest memory of a resolution, it will surely bring a smile on your face. Score high in Maths, get a short story published in the school magazine, pull of a legendary prank, obey your parents, don't fight with your brother, organize a school picnic... the list is endless. A resolution is kind of an untold rule you try to follow the whole year, and if you are lucky - your whole life. So, why do we make resolutions ? Is it because someone told us to ? Is it because we want to impress somebody ? Is it because we want to be a better person ? Or is it simply because that's what people do on New Years ? Well... The answer is in bits & parts due to all of these. Aren't we telling ourselves to make the resolution ? Aren't we trying to impress ourselves most of the time ? Don't we want to better ourselves ? And isn't this what people do on New Years ? This might sound quite narcissistic. But, lets face it, all of us enjoy a little of this "self-praise". As Lester Burnham says, "It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself".
I am not a big beilever of making New Year resolutions. Simply because I can't keep them beyond the first week. But lets analyze. People say that you are less likely to achieve something great, if you tell others what you want to achieve. So if your resolution is to score a 100 in Maths, should you tell yourself that ? Doesn't that bring a silo-mindset into the forefront ? And what if you are not ready to make the resolution on New Years day ? Is it ok to make it on, say, the Ides of March ? Or would you simply wait for the next New Year ? I guess I am spiralling into the second category here. Maybe I should have a look at the video again.
Life is moving at quite a fast click. So why should our resolutions wait for a particular day ? You want to learn something new, start today. You want to talk to someone special, pick up the phone today. You want to write a story, start typing today. You want to quit smoking, lose your lighter today. Remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life. Our dreams, desires, whims and fantasies - all keep changing with time. As a good friend of mine puts it - "Thou shalt adapt! is the one true commandment of the modern world". I agree, but there are somethings you would always want to stick with you, atleast in a philosphical sense. Here, I am reminded of a lovely poem I read in school, called If by Rudyard Kipling.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
I guess my only resolution is to try and turn all these "IF YOU CANs" into "I CANs".
Monday, January 2, 2012
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Being Aurosish
Talk about discovering particles faster than speed of light. I guess, the scientists never thought of 'life' as a particle. William Henry Davies once said:
" What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare."
Life puts us in such a fast lane, that all we can do is race.
But, now that I have settled into Cornell, I have some time on my hand. So, I decided to take a step back, stand and stare down my memory lane. Not to find out if "I have made it large", but to know if "I have enjoyed it to the fullest". Looking back, I am still confused about the answer, but I did remember a lot of moments that took my breath away.
10. Reading the News in School
When I was in Class 10, my school started the policy of news-reading after the morning assembly. 3 students would come prepared with the International, National and Sports news of the day. It was something that was appreciated by teachers and students equally, except of course, those who had to present the news in front of the entire school. I chose the Sports section. There were very few stories worth mentioning that day - Badrinath had scored a half-century in a first class match between England A and India A, Michael Schumacher had won the Italian Grand Prix and France had beaten Slovenia 2-0 in a Euro Qualifying Match. It was customary to take a chit with brief notes jotted down to look at while presenting the news. For some reason, I had forgotten to bring mine from home and there wasn't sufficient time to make one. So, I started speaking the news from memory. As luck would have it, the news came out perfectly, leaving the audience happy, with a loud applause for my efforts. It was a day when my memory power had made me popular with teachers and students alike.
9. The Navy Quiz
In my schooldays, I was enthusiastic about a lot of things, but quizzing has to be my first love. After narrowly missing out on the Bournvita Quiz contest, I was still searching for that one challenging quiz that would redefine my quizzing experience. The opportunity presented itself in the form of an INS Chilka Navy Quiz in my Class 9th. Top quizzing teams from 8 schools of the state were participating in the event. I had as my partner, Jasaswee Das, of BQC fame. The quiz took place in front of officers and cadets from the base, who were all dressed in white Navy uniforms. To add to the tension, the stage was freezing cold. With every correct answer, there was systematic clapping from the audience for 5-10 seconds - in the Navy style. As the questions started coming thick and fast, we were up to the task, staying in 2nd place till the last round - a rapid-fire round. After the top ranked team had answered 7 of their 8 questions, we had to answer all our questions to win. It was perhaps one of the most comprehensive rounds I have ever seen. Starting from ancient history, the questions went from politics to music to sports to literature. We answered them all in tandem, till the last question popped up: an obscure flag to identify. In one of those hail-mary moments we guessed Afghanistan, our only guess in the entire quiz and it paid off. We had become the champions. It was a moment when I realized quizzing was something more than just an event to me.
8. A Summer with my cousins
During my childhood, the one thing I looked forward to every summer, was visiting my grandparents' house. All my cousins would come too, and, me and my brother would have the time of our lives. We used to play video games (Ninja Turtles, Contra, Super Mario, Tank, Baseball) for hours together, play cricket on the roof the house, in the house and break more than a few stuff - clocks, mirrors, antiques,etc., support India in cricket matches, play hide and seek, play cards - the list is endless. A few summers, my uncle would organize a family picnic to a fun place - a beach near Konark, Nandankanan zoo, Puri. We used to play in the ocean, make sand castles and break them too, eat sand-laden chicken curry under car headlights in the evening, pose for photographs - I wish those summers would come back again.
7. Bungee Jump at Whistler
I have always wanted to think of myself as an adventurous person. But most of the times I have obeyed my parents in not displaying dare-devilry. However, my spirit got the better of me last summer, and I simply could not resist a 130$ bungy jump at Whistler village in Canada. The bungee jump spot was off a bridge located 60 meters over the glacial fed Cheakamus River. The exhilaration I felt, simply standing above that gushing river was spine-chilling. Four of my friends jumped before me - each more dramatic than the other (remember Vipul). I was harnessed up and ready to go. For some cruel reason, the jump officials decided to have sodas and let me sweat and shiver for a little while longer. Let me tell you something: there are several ways to hide your nervousness, but trying to act cool is not one of them. My name was called and I walked upto the ledge. My friends took a few snaps which later came out zombie-like. "5,4,3,2,1" and I was gone - like a parachutist jumping behind enemy lines. It was the most surreal feeling I ever had. I felt free; free of all thoughts. Then, it was over, and I was swinging like a pendulum. But in those 4 seconds, I felt the full force of God's greatest gift to man: adrenaline.
6. My first crush
Ok. This is definitely going to sound quite silly. It happened when I was in Class 7 at school. There was this girl, whom I saw after the assembly, one fine Monday morning. She had a petite nose, and the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. She was like your ideal girl next door. Imagine my surprise when I found out that she was in-fact in my section. Duhhh. Back then, I did not know what to do if you got a crush at school!! (Usually a sensitive topic to discuss at home.. ) Well, "ignorance" had never stopped me from doing stuff before. So, I started planning my moves. It took me about a year and a half to find out stuff she likes, what she did in her free time, etc (don't laugh!) By then, I realized I needed help to make a good plan. So, I used a social network analysis to find out the common high degree neighbours between us, i.e. I talked to mutual friends. So, using their help, I was able to talk to her for the first time after like 2 odd years, on a completely arbitrary topic: "Do you have an extra pen that I could borrow ?" She answered "No". Booh-hoo! Within a few months, she got to know about it from one of those mutual friends and dismissed the thought pretty quickly (might have been a rumor though). That was the end to my Little Manhattan story in Bhubaneswar.
5. An Evening Stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge
It was only a couple of weeks ago, that I happened to visit New York City to attend a workshop. As they say, a trip to NYC is always incomplete without a visit to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. So, one late afternoon, after admiring the hoopla of one Wall Street, I obliged them. Walking down by the side of the East River, the fleeting glimpses of the Brooklyn Bridge raised my excitement to new levels. After walking for a good part of an hour, I reached my destination. Flanked by Brooklyn on one end and Manhattan on the other, the Brooklyn Bridge had started to put on its best outfit for the night - it was sparkling with lights. As the sun went down, the scene from atop the bridge was simply breathtaking. The gently ripping blue waters of the East River played perfect foil to the glittering Manhattan skyline, forming a picture-perfect scene. Romance was in the air, as I took photographs for a young couple on their honeymoon. They did return the favour too :) Strolling across the bridge, I could hear the title song of Kal Ho Naa Ho play countlessly many times in my head. It was a moment that will remain close to my heart forever.
4. Saturday Night Out
In my 1st year, at IIT Kharagpur, I had as my wing-mates some of the best people I have ever known. There were guys who studied a lot (read Devi, Dada, Prabhu, well me too), there were guys who were womanizers (read Pratik, Avinash and Marut), there were guys who were tech geeks (read Teddy, Anubhav), there were guys who were studs (read Saurabh, Umakant, and Sanjit) - they were the perfect friends. Every Saturday, we had our mess off, and so used to go out for dinner... on cycles. Ordering some of the most eclectic dishes, having mimicry sessions, the stories about the girls next door...Boy! was it fun! We used to come back and watch an English movie suggested by Anubhav, which we would often rave about the next day (like LOTR, American Pie :P). On the odd occasion, we also saw movies playing in the Netaji Auditorium, viz. The Killer and Dead Man's Chest, played dumb-charades in the corridors, heckled Prabhu by stealing his slippers, locking him in the bathroom or messing with his head using Peter Answers. I guess having Friends like these, made F.R.I.E.N.D.S the best thing I have seen on TV.
3. Winning the Prime Minister Gold Medal
Five years at IIT, were perhaps, the most challenging ones of my life. Having a low rank in the JEE, meant that I was admitted into the Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture Dept - not my dream choice. But I never gave up hope. With the support of my family and friends, and of course, hours of hard labour, I did effect a branch change into the department of Computer Science and Engineering. Since my schooldays, I had a fascination for Computer Science, simply because I was quite good at it. So, I could easily adapt to the difficult yet interesting CS curriculum at IIT. In my 5th semester, for the first time, I broke into the top 10 rankings in my batch. So, I decided to try and move up the list. After several ups and downs, it came down to the last semester. I was placed 1st but only by a narrow margin of 0.02. Two subjects and an MTP in the 10th semester. I could afford an A in only one subject, the rest had to be perfect. However, owing to my desire not to study in my last semester, I messed up my endsems. Of the two subjects, one was easy and the other was tough. In the easy one, I expected to get an Ex but missed it by a whisker. So, I gave up all hope since it was difficult to land an Ex in the tough one. But, thanks to some generous relative grading, I pulled off a miraculous Ex and won the Prime Minister of India Gold Medal. It was that special because it had not been a cakewalk - Arkosnato gave me a good fight. As for the medal, even though I could not collect it from the PM himself, my dad did and well, I am happy.
2. Sachin with the World Cup
Most capped cricketer, most international runs, most international hundreds, only ODI 200* - all these stats were incomplete without the one : World Cup Winner. If ever there was a role model that I admired, it was Sachin. And if ever I had a dream, it was Sachin with the World Cup. Mesmerizing the world with his stroke-play, humbling the world with his attitude, Sachin is like a magician, performing extraordinary tricks, not with a hat, but with a bat. But, for this seemingly superhuman individual, winning the World Cup had always remained an elusive mirage. He came close in 2003, but not close enough. Then, there was a debacle in 2007 which left me doubting how long he could go on. But like true superheros always do, he rose and played like a champion till he became a champion. On the night of April 2, 2011, he lifted the World Cup. He was crying and so was I. Its hard to describe that feeling, but everyone who ever loved Sachin, had it that night. The Little Master has done it all. Now, I can die in peace.
1. The Summer of 2009
Ever since I started reading about it in Geography books at school, Europe has always been my dream destination. I got a chance to live the dream when I went to ETH Zurich for a summer internship. As goes with most university internships, you get a lot of free time, and so it was the perfect opportunity to explore Europe. The magnificent vistas and snow-clad peaks of Switzerland, the soothing serenity of the French riviera, the resplendent colors of the Monaco harbour coupled with the winding street circuit, the sheer magnificence of the Eiffel Tower, the artistic beauty of the Louvre with the enigmatic Monalisa, the romantic feel of Paris, the symbolic significance of the Vatican, the colossal grandeur of Rome, the cross of cultures at the Piazzas, the scientific marvel of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the fashionable boutiques of Milan, the dreamy waters of Venice, the torrid history of Berlin interspersed with its architectural brilliance, simply left me with a sense of unfettered fulfillment. Though I never met a Simran, this Eurotrip will remain close to my heart till my last breath.
Thinking about these moments, made me realize something very valuable. Sometimes we have already had the extraordinary life that we always dreamed about, all we need do is remember the moments that have made us who we are, and life will be beautiful again. As Ferris Bueller puts it: " Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it".
With that thought, adios !!!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
LOTR vs Avatar
It was only yesterday that my wingies came back from Kolkata, having watched Avatar in 3D. Needless to say, they were mesmerized and ready to rate it as the best they had ever seen. This sparked off a mild albeit spicy discussion on which is a better "Adventure/Fantasy" movie : LOTR or Avatar. Not a violent arguer, unlike 5 years ago, I decided to write this down.
Both Avatar and LOTR are great movies of the new millenium. Simply looking from an "adrenalinic entertainment" point of view, Avatar scores over LOTR. The magical world of Pandora, with its floating mountains and the enigmatic Na'vis, makes for an experience worth remembering. Yes, James Cameron really captures the imagination with the superslick and aerodynamic pa'li(direhorse), looking like a race car with racing stripes. Add to that a multi-coloured aerial fight, between the humans and the Navi, surely your blood's pumping. A gentle love affair running in the backdrop adds its own charm to the movie. The huge choppers with those big guns really make you feel like being in the battlefield. (so did Independence Day btw) The whole of Avatar feels like a high octane adventure, but with a very familiar storyline. Avatar does not have a strong script and therein lies the rub. There is only one way the movie was heading after Jake became a Na'vi Avatar.
It lacked good actors, plus the movie revolves only around 3 characters: Jake, Neytiri and Colonel Quaritch. The ensemble of Na'vis isn't powerful enough to raise the movie's acting levels. The dialogue delivery wasn't very strong either. Those who have seen LOTR will appreciate what effect a strong dialogue has in the movie... when Gandalf tells : "There is only one Lord of the Ring, only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power", or when Elrond tells Aragorn: "Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be" : it simply lends a different thrill to the movie.
LOTR has a much better story. Let's face it: JRR Tolkien has written a masterpiece and Peter Jackson has delivered almost every aspect of it quite stunningly. Lady Galadriel starts of the movie in a chilling description of the ring: "Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it". When Aragorn puts the Blade that cut the ring to the King of the Dead in the Dimholt mountains, I can bet that nerves tingle. The scenic mountains of New Zealand provide a picture-perfect backdrop for the Fellowship's journey, a journey that sees a never ending sequence of adventures, with several threads intertwining, before culminating at Mount Doom. The lighting of the beacons, calling Rohan for aid, raises hopes in the viewers heart.
The Middle Earth of LOTR is simply amazing. The Hobbits have a charm of their own. As Gandalf sums it up beautifully, "Hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you." The trustworthy trio of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are excellently potrayed by Viggo, Orlando and John Rhyes. The strong will of Theoden of Rohan too adds a pinch of spice to the mix. The friendship between Samwise "the brave" and Frodo goes a long way in depicting everything that one wishes for in a friend in this god-forsaken world.
Avatar lacks a strong comic side, while the arguments between Legolas and Gimli keep bringing on those smiles in LOTR. Counting 'frags' in the Battle for Helms Deep is simply hilarious. And who can forget the scene when Legolas brings down a Mumak and Gimli says "That still only counts as one". Avatar lacks those shining moments. Perhaps the only moment that sparks in Avatar is of Jake landing on Toruk. Avatar has the best CGI ever seen, but LOTR's Gollum was without doubt the most innovative character in a long long time. Avatar also lacks a good score. LOTR's music by Howard Shore is heart touching and lets call it "very apt". Annie Lennox's "Into the West" is a classic and it ends the trilogy on a legendary note.
There is no questioning the box office success of Avatar : $2 billion and counting. But LOTR delivers a much more complete package, so a better movie, hands down. Even though the movie trilogy as a whole is close to 11 hours, it hooks you on, without a shadow of a doubt. 30 Oscar nominations, 17 wins, 3 movies : there's something special about LOTR.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Oscars 2009 - A Sneak Peek
The Academy Awards, better known as 'The Oscars", are the ultimate recognition of brilliance in the film industry. With only a couple of days away from the night of announcement of nominations, the Motion Pictures fraternity must be having sleepless nights.
Oh!!Yes!! 2008 had no shortage of top-notch films. From the record-setting blockbuster -The Dark Knight, to the globalized masterpiece- Slumdog Millionaire...this year has seen a plethora of amazing movies. Not to mention some very brilliant performances... the spine-chilling madman in the Late Heath Ledger as "The Joker" to the grieving mother in Angelina Jolie as "Mrs Christine Collins".
There have been a few performances that should have won an Oscar, according to me, but did not-mainly Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan and Johnny Depp in Finding Neverland
Nonetheless, having watched a good lot of this year's movies, I have come up with my own list of possible Oscar nominations.
* indicates "My Predcited Winner"
Best Picture:
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a film unlike any I've ever seen and probably ever will. A true epic that left me utterly speechless. It accomplished so much through such simplicity. Everything was top notch from the elegant directing to the subtly wonderful performances down to the magical score. You can only amaze at Benjamin's curious case: his problem of aging — he does it in reverse, a terrible fate that seems somehow a response to the carnage of World War I, or maybe just to the overall misery of life,or maybe just whatever director David Fincher's point might be, this will definitely get the Academy's nod for a nomination and perhaps has the best chance of winning the Grand Prize.
2. Slumdog Millionaire
"The feel good movie of the year" as many have dubbed it, Slumdog Millionaire has been critically acclaimed. The tale of Jamal Mallik becoming a millionaire has captured the hearts of many. Just about every aspect of this film deserves merit, and above all it belongs to Boyle, who managed to assemble such a massive achievement. The score by A.R. Rahman, perfectly accompanies the action on screen.With India as a backdrop, Boyle and his cinematographer have composed some remarkable images. The acting is roundly impressive, especially coming from the younger cast, almost all of which has never acted before. Riding on its 4 Golden Globes, it may emerge from within that envelope.
3. Frost/Nixon
Movies centered on politics are often interesting on an intellectual level, but never has a film of such an ilk been so thoroughly entertaining. It is a testament to Peter Morgan's humility and skill as a writer and Ron Howard's ability to create a compelling "what will happen" drama, out of a story with known outcomes, that Frost/Nixon succeeds as a film. A remarkable performance by Frank Langella as Richard Nixon and Michael Sheen as David Frost makes this film a gripping and unforgettable experience.
4. Milk
Gus Van Sant's "Milk" is an enormously moving film about Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official. If you don't know who he was, you definitely will after watching this movie. Casting is brilliant. Penn inhabits Harvey Milk in a way that few actors I believe would be capable. His physicality and energy is very believable - and it's easy to forget what actor you're watching. Supporting cast is superb too.Instead of a dry portrait of an assasinated leader, Milk delivers a beautifully rendered flavor of the times, and an intimate vision of a man finding his place within a community and history.
5. The Dark Knight*
Perhaps, Christopher Nolan's best work till date...TDK is an imperishable, spectacular and chaotically-brilliant movie. The dark and sinister mood of the film really makes it a masterpiece.From the scale, to the acting, the atmosphere, the music, the action, it's all superb. The cinematography is possibly the most sublime scenes ever chosen. To accompany the atmosphere ,the tremendous music score by movie music maestros, James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer,is unforgettable. It is tension-building at times, and throbbing and glorious yet dark during others. Christian Bale shines as the Caped Crusader. But,hands down, it is Heath Ledger who steals the show with "The Joker".
It is my personal favourite to win the Oscar, although it may end up not getting nominated.
Dark Horses:
1.Wall – E
WALL·E is undoubtedly the best picture from Pixar - colorful, vibrant, imaginative, exciting, involving, beautiful, and most importantly a film with interesting, involving characters. Sure, WALL·E is adorable, and as much credit as the animators get for that, this film would be nothing without Stanton's screenplay, which features very little dialogue but is still notably intelligent and surprisingly subtle, making a refreshing change from the 'go green' campaigns we're all so used to. An animated film has never been nominated in the Best Picture category, but Wall-E may well be writing record books.
2. Revolutionary Road
Watch out for Revolutionary Road. With Sam Mendes at the helm, you simply can't ignore this movie. There is no question about the acting talents involved. There are some compelling, memorable, emotionally gripping scenes between Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, which should interest acting students who wish to know what it means to be "in the moment". The Academy rewarded DiCaprio and Winslet in their previous saga 'Titanic'...and it may do so this year too.
Best Director:
1. David Fincher - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*
2. Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire
3. Gus Van Sant - Milk
4. Sam Mendes - Revolutionary Road
5. Christopher Nolan -The Dark Knight
Perhaps the most difficult category to judge. On one hand is Fincher's tryst with the unknown, and on the other is Boyle's answer to the globalization of cinema. Nolan's brilliance brought out the best in Heath Ledger giving us all a movie to remember. Gus Van Sant's drama stole our hearts while Sam Mendes showed he is still around the corner.
Dark Horses:
1. Ron Howard(Frost/Nixon)
2. Clint Eastwood(Changeling)
Ron Howard's political drama was exciting and he has got the Academy's nod earlier. But so has Clint Eastwood who has brought out the sentiments of a grieving mother so amazingly in the Changeling.
Best Actor:
1. Sean Penn-Milk*
2. Mickey Rourke-The Wrestler
3. Leonardo Di Caprio-Revolutionary Road
4. Frank Langella-Frost/Nixon
5. Richard Jenkins-The Visitor
It is arguably a face-off between Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke. Both performances are equally powerful, and it may go either way. But Sean Penn's earlier Oscar may tip the scales in his favour. However, The Academy has always sprung surprises and it could well go Richard Jenkins for playing the charming Prof. Walter. Leo is overdue but may have to wait a it longer. Frank Langella has delivered a stunning performance but an Oscar looks hard to get.
Dark Horses:
1. Brad Pitt- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Clint Eastwood- Gran Torino
The Academy has always found Clint Eastwood's works difficult to ignore, and this being his last film as an actor, they may want to give him a fond send off. Brad Pitt has taken his acting skills to a new level and may end up with a nomination.
Best Actress:
1. Meryl Streep - Doubt
2. Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
3. Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
4. Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road
5. Angelina Jolie - Changeling*
Angelina has delivered a breath-taking performance and definitely deserves an Oscar. Kate has 5 nominations to date and a 6th one without getting the Prize would not justify her as an actress. The Golden Globe would have definitely bouyed her confidence. Anne Hathaway's dream saga continues as she delivers a break-through performance in Rachel Getting Married. Sally Hawkins too bagged a Globe and emerges a strong contender for the Award. Then, there is the ever-solid Meryl Streep with what could easily be her 15th nomination.
Dark Horse:
1. Kristin Scott Thomas- I've Loved You So Long
Look out for Kristin Scott as her performance may well earn her a nomination in the elite group.
Best Supporting Actor:
1. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight*
2. Josh Brolin - Milk
3. Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
4. Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road
5. Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
This award was always meant for "The Joker"- the Late Heath Ledger. Even before his death, he was tipped to win this prize. His performance is not confined to a few words. He has taken acting to a new frontier and his performace is right up there with Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter. It is hard to believe that the Academy would pass on a chance to pay tribute to this talented actor.
Dark Horse:
1. John Malkovich - Changeling
Best Supporting Actress:
1. Penelope Cruz- Vicky Cristina Barcelona
2. Viola Davis- Doubt
3. Amy Adams- Doubt
4. Marissa Tomei- The Wrestler
5. Kate Winslet- The Reader*
This is a tussle between Penelope Cruz playing a beautiful part in a Woody Allen classic and the Golden Globe winner Kate Winslet. The two powerful performances of Doubt are right up there with the rest. Marissa Tomei performs at par with Rourke in The Wrestler and deserves to be nominated. Again it may be Kate who walks away with the trophy.
Best Original Screenplay:
1. Jenny Lummet- Rachel Getting Married
2. Dustin Lance Black - Milk
3. Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon -Wall-E *
4. Robert D. Siegel - The Wrestler
5. J. Michael Straczynski-Changeling
Dark Horse:
1. Charlie Kaufman - Synechdoche - New York
Best Adapted Screenplay:
1. Simon Beaufoy - Slumdog Millionaire*
2. Eric Roth - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
3. Justin Haythe - Revolutionary Road
4. Peter Morgan - Frost/Nixon
5. David Hare - The Reader
Dark Horse:
1. John Patrick Shanley - Doubt
Best Animated Film:
1. Wall-E*
2. Kung Fu Panda
3. Bolt
Though Kung Fu Panda was an amazing movie with a superb comic angle to it...the Panda 'Po' was just lovable, so were 'Furious Five'... and I would love to see it win; it is almost certain that Wall-E will take home the Cup, simply because it has taken animation movies to the next level.
Dark horse:
1. Waltz With Bashir
Best Editing:
1. Gran Torino
2. The Dark Knight*
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. Revolutionary Road
5. Frost/Nixon
Best Cinematography:
1. Tom Stern- Changeling
2. Wally Pfister - The Dark Knight*
3. Mandy Walker - Australia
4. Roger Deakins -Revolutionary Road
5. Claudio Miranda-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Art Direction:
1. Milk
2. Revolutionary Road
3. Changeling*
4. Slumdog Millionaire
5. The Dark Knight
Best Costume Design:
1. Catherine Martin - Australia*
2. Danny Glicker- Milk
3. Jenny Beavan -Defiance
4. Deborrah Hopper - Changeling
5. Ann Roth- The Reader
Best Make-Up:
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. The Dark Knight*
3. The Wrestler
Best Original Score:
1. A.R. Rahman - Slumdog Millionaire
2. James Newton Howard,Hans Zimmer - The Dark Knight*
3. Thomas Newman - Wall·E
4. Carter Burwell - In Bruges
5. Alexandre Desplat - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
A.R. Rahman may well become the second Indian to receive an Academy Award. Though he will face stiff competition from Thomas Newman in Wall-E, and James Newton Howard, Hans Zimmer in The Dark Knight
Best Original Song:
1. Jon Brion, “Little Person” – Synecdoche, New York
2. Peter Gabriel, “Down to Earth” – Wall·E
3. Bruce Springsteen,"The Wrestler"- The Wrestler*
4. Miley Cyrus, “I Thought I Lost You” – Bolt
5. Jamie Cullum, “Gran Torino" – Gran Torino
It is definitely going to be either Bruce Springsteen with his inspiring "The Wrestler" or Peter Gabriel with his thoughtful "Down to Earth".
Best Sound:
1. Mamma Mia
2. Wall·E
3. The Dark Knight*
4. Slumdog Millionaire
5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Sound Effects Editing:
1. Wall·E
2. The Dark Knight*
3. Quantum of Solace
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5. Iron Man
The Dark Knight should comfortably win all sound effects awards thanks to some amazing work by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard.
Best Visual Effects:
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. The Dark Knight*
3. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Dark Horse:
1. Iron man
Though I am not that sure about the technical awards, I am pretty confident about the rest of the nominations. Anyways the wait will be over in only a couple of days......
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
tHE LaST SAmUrAI
“If cricket is religion,
Then Sachin is God”
Such is the introduction to the man, who has changed the game of cricket like no one ever before. Players have come and gone, but no one has scaled the heights this man has!!! Yes, he is none other than Sachin Tendulkar. He is the ultimate performer- the pivot around which the entire game of cricket revolves. Today no tournament is complete without him. He is like a magician weaving his magic over his stupefied audience. He is the life-blood of millions of cricketing fans all round the globe. From the reed-thin, long-haired Sachin the Boy to the matured Sachin the Master- the journey has been like a fairy tale.
The Little Master has every shot in the cricketing book- from the square uppercut to the ingenious paddle sweep (which he devised to counter the deadly ‘Warne’ leg breaks). His picture-perfect straight drive is a treat to the eyes. He is like a panther combining swiftness with calmness. His batting is based on complete balance and poise while limiting unnecessary movements and flourishes. A ‘quiet’ stance, followed by a flash and it’s done. He is not a miser storing up runs but a millionaire spending them. When he dances down the track, it is not with fear but with a relish that scorns doubt. He has produced many breath-taking knocks, often bailing India out of trouble. Who can forget the back-to-back hundreds at Sharjah against a formidable Australian attack, or the 98 against Pakistan in the World Cup ?? Well, for that matter he almost single-handedly carried India to a World Cup triumph. To go with his stupendous batting, Sachin’s contribution with the ball and his sharp fielding is what makes him, arguably, the greatest living cricketer.
Be it in India colours or leading Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Sachin is very passionate about cricket. Remember, the animated Sachin after catching Inzamam inches of the ropes!! He is the very epitome of commitment, perseverance and dedication. The pride he takes in being an Indian is unscaleable. Never the pompous character, his humility, and the way he carries himself on and off the field, make him the most worshipped cricketer in the world.
Over the past few years, Sachin’s game has changed. Flamboyancy has given way to responsibility.However, many feel that the free bird has been shackled by the chains of passing time. With the advent of youngsters, his role in the team has changed, and he has beautifully adapted to it. But below par performances in the recent past, coupled with his injuries have given his critics plenty of ammunition. With senior cricketers retiring all around him, heated debates about his retirement have been on the cards. But having waded through more choppy waters before, Sachin takes the criticism with the braveness of a man who has seen more prosperous times.
Records: well there are only a very few lists that do not feature him at the top. Most capped ODI player, highest run-getter and that too by quite a distance, most number of centuries in both tests and one-dayers, maximum MOM awards in ODIs and what not…. This man has done it all. Awards have been at a premium for this man: Wisden Cricketer of the Year, Player of the Tournament in the 2003 WC, Padma Vibhushan, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.… Perhaps, the only medal that is missing from his glorious cauldron is a World Cup triumph. Today, he stands on the verge of the final frontier of his illustrious career. His body might be getting older, his reflexes weaker, but the fire still burns strong in him to take India to the zenith of the world of cricket. The 2011 cricket WC awaits him as we relive the sepia-tinted memories of Indian cricket’s halcyon years provided by this diminutive little Master-‘The Last Samurai’……..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)