J.Edgar: Best Picture Nominee?

Do you agree that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has pretty much been a staple in our list of TV drama series growing up?   


For me, it started with Twin Peaks in the 90s, followed by X-Files, then more recently, Without A Trace, Criminal Minds, just a few on the top of my head.  If you have been glued and been vastly interested with any of these just like me, not only proved that you are my age, you have one person to thank.  

He is J.Edgar - you can call him the first ever FBI Agent who founded the whole institution in the 1930s. 

Played by Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie gave us a look at the man right up to old age.  After watching it, you will then understand the popularity of detective stories all began from him, who took an active interest in ensuring his bureau was not only well-represented in the media, but that the FBI was depicted in a heroic manner in all instances.

So, is the movie worth a look?  Certainly.

Being a bit of a geek in secret agents and with DiCaprio starring, Judy Dench in it, make this movie a must-watch for me.  A good take-away, is to try your best to ignore the very awful makeup during the 2 hours+ screen-play.  Their makeup artists have somehow managed to totally mess up the looks of the elderly version of not one but everyone.  In return, you might be surprised to get a rather touching love story mixed in, which sort of, balanced it out!

You Are The Apple Of My Eye

I first came across this idiom from Stevie Wonder's song "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"...its lyrics goes like this...

You are the sunshine of my life. That's why I'll always be around.
You are the apple of my eye. Forever you'll stay in my heart.


It means someone pleasantly sweet and of great worth, whom you cherish above all others.  Just like our eyesight.  It is so precious, if someone is called this as an endearment - is deemed equally precious.

They don't seem to write flowery songs like this now, do they?  And I wonder why. 

What is it that gives the great ballads their special feel and flavour that kept us playing the oldies over and over?

Call me old-fashioned but I am thinking there was something much more nuanced and subtle alive in the music world back then, harmony-wise, lyrics-wise and in many ways I struggle to describe.

May be...gone were those days.  

It is awesome to have movie like this one, which steers us to reminisce the old, revalue the current and relive what comes in future.   

3 Idiots

Many of my friends recommended this Hindi movie 3 Idiots where I thought it will be just another comedy made for a good laugh.  It turned out to be amazingly inspiring and I can't be more thankful for their great recommendations.


The plot deals with a lot of reality on familiar grounds: it speaks of the importance of education, the need to have friends.  How we value our family and how fears and doubts could make us live life poorly.  And that quitting is never an option, and true love will always find its way.

I was literally laughing my head off a minute and shedding a tear or two the next. Wonderful stuff and it was able to inspire me in several a way too.

• All is well - When the going gets tough - the though gets going.
• Constant learning - If you have the will to learn, there is a way.
• Be innovative -  nothing wrong with challenging the status quo.

Do what your heart desires and it is success redefined - don’t run behind success, let success run behind you!

Go spend 3 hours with 3 idiots if you haven't already.  Trust me - you will not regret it as long as you have a large-size soda, popcorn and some Kleenex.

Have You Had Horrible Bosses?

Went to watch Horrible Bosses and this is one of those movies that you knew it is going to be absolutely cracking funny for the stated subject matter.  Perfect material after a long day and I was really in for a good laugh.

I haven't had that many bosses in my life and fortunate enough not to have come across a Psycho, Man-eater or some really trashy ones (touch wood, not yet).   But let's just say you do.  I mean, do you really go plot a plan to "take them out" when they are standing in the way of your happiness? 

The movie was a bit over the top - outrageously.   The good thing is, you began to think your bosses aren't that bad after all.  I do have faith that there are lots of really good bosses around.  


Take a look at Fortune - they have an annual survey that lists the "Best 100 companies to be working for".  You pick samples of those companies and you will find one thing in common:  They spend less time focusing narrowly on quarterly profits, and more time thinking about how they can improve people's lives.

I'd certainly hope to see the company I am working for, make it to the list one day.

Watched A Movie In Style

You walk in through an exclusive entrance, in you go to a lounge area where you collect your complimentary popcorn and drinks.  And when you enter the cinema, 23 cushy first-class airline seats are all you can locate.  Not to mention the impeccable infrasonic system and the massive screen in place, the whole experience resembles a red carpet reception for no one but VIPs.  

Thanks to the Grand Cinema, where its Standard Chartered Starsuite that puts ‘luxury’ back in the movie theatre.


Thanks to BBHH, I have never felt more pampered watching a movie.  

My Favourite Quotes from Dumbledore

Out of my day to day activities that look so outstandingly dumb against the magical world of Harry Potter's, one character in the story that has constantly inspired me has to be - Professor Dumbledore. 

There are several quotes that I really like from the various movies - recording them in here.  


"After all, it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

"Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young..."

"Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love."

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"


What about you?  Do you have your favourite to share?

The End Of An Era

As Harry Potter’s beloved professor Dumbledore tells him in a dream-like sequence as the movie gears up for its big finish: “Of course it’s happening inside your head.  That doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”

Yes, we knew the wizardry isn't real, but it has been with us all these years, watched each movie as they came out onto the big screen and it very much felt as if we became part of Hogwarts. 

It is interesting to look back at this whole journey and hard to believe that it has finally come to an end.  And if you are like me - who have not read any of the books but have watched all the movies, all questions were answered in this film and for that, I think this film went way above my expectations.  Unlike Part 1 where the film seems to drag at parts, this one starts and ends before you can even blink.

Feeling deadly hollowing, what would be life after Hogwarts?

Giddy-Up: 3D Movies

More than a year ago, I went to watch my first 3D movie in the cinema, Avatar and that was literally - eye strained plus vomit-inducing.

The associated giddiness was quite enough to forbid me from choosing anything 3D for the next year or so.   Then came a company event to watch Transformers III.   Very well.  Perhaps it was time to give it another go, given the fact that I might be in for a few unpleasant surprises.  



"When we watch something in 3D, our eyeballs rotate inwards, with accommodation as the goal. But if that happened, we would be left focusing on a spot in front of the screen, rather than focusing on the screen itself.

This confuses the brain because the eyes have converged without accommodation. Instead, the eyes oscillate between their natural inclination and the artificial state demanded by the film."


Are you with me?  Or is this explanation from Goggle a bit confusing?  See how giddy this whole thing can be even without the 3D effects!!

Avatar - vomit inducing.  
Transfomers III  -  I didn’t find it in any way - more relaxing, though giddiness was bearable. 

I shall give it a follow-up review in a year's time to see if there could be any degree of pleasure derived.  I better get used to this before they turn all movies into 3D.   I heard they are showing Wimbledon's Finals on the big screen in 3D!  Interesting, but - No thank you.

Hangover Sucks Big Time

Caught the box office big hit: Hangover Part 2 for a good laugh.  

Bits of the movie did ring some bells, definitely familiar, never that drastic on me - thank lord, but certainly been there done that without the dramas of flying a car, nor did I wake up with a freaking tattoo on my face or found my palm missing a finger!

One of the benefits in getting older is we have had time to learn from our experiences.  At thirty something, I have to accept the fact that my ability to drink is in direct proportion to my age. The older I get, the less fortitude I have in coping with the consequences of an all-nighter and the longer my healing process takes.

I was reminded of this in excruciating fashion not too long ago where I needed some hilarious photos and friend's narration to fill me in.  I just have to keep reminding myself to drink moderately and that there won't be a next.  When you really think about it, the act of drinking alcohol is actually completely absurd.  And we say that every time we have hangovers, don't we?

I mean what sane person would spend outrageous amount of money to put a poison in their body knowing that they will feel absolutely crap after doing so? 

We must be morons - if we can't get ourselves out of that frivolity.

Just Go With It

Been wanting to catch this romantic comedy for the simplest reason - Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman.  


Never quite made it until this day when it was pouring out there and I felt nothing could beat watching a sit-com-like rom-com and having a laugh. 

Expected to be dragged into the most insane lies and the snowball effects of more illogical lies, I just went with it.  And you do have to sort of go with the flow to enjoy the movie with a very predictable happy ending. 

If I have to be picky on the moral side of things, I would say all that lying was wrong and that someone actually got away with all those lies in the plot, was very wrong.  


But hey, didn't I say it's sit-com like rom-com?  I learned to "Just Go With It" and accept it as it is.    

Last Night

 
Went for an interesting choice of movie "Last Night".  The plot is all about depicting the tension of wanting to cheat, managing that desire and all consequences associating with that. 

The movie is saying that it is fine to have little secrets we chose to keep to ourselves.  Those are quite harmless.  


There could in times, be fantasies that we so wish to act on when all reasoning seems to escape you and, the occasional thought of a lover unforgotten is not entirely unforgivable. 
The important thing is - we haven't acted on any of those because we know in all action there's a reaction and for every spoken word there's a corresponding thought.  


We are solely our own responsibility, no excuses ever since the day we declared adulthood.  


Right...and how long ago was that?


   

(What's The Story) Morning Glory?

If the title of this blog post strikes you to think more along the line of an album of Oasis and less on the current movie "Morning Glory", I can totally understand.

My defence: if you have loved the wittiness in The Diary of Bridget Jones, pleasantly pleased with Notting Hill and adored The Devil Wears Prada, chances are you could find this movie an incredibly amusing one to watch too.  

I only know Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones and the fact that the old man is in a comedy really had my head scratched.   But then there really was enough chemistry brewing between him and the more comical Diane Keaton.  I have liked her since The First Wives Club and she is just hilarious.  Ford, I can take or leave, but he does have some pretty funny lines in this movie. 

All in all, if you are like me, looking for a fluffy love story without glitz and glam and something to kill time with, then this movie is a no brainer which won't disappoint.  

The Holiday

It doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of Chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends.  You still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood, and how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were THAT happy.


Sometimes you can even convince yourself that that person will even see the light and show up at your door.


And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new and you'll meet new people who make you feel worthwhile again.


And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. All that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade.


If any of the above makes any sense to you - go fetch "The Holiday" DVD!  Jude Law, needless to say, is simply - sumptuous.

 
And I tell you what's even better - nothing beats a real vacation - if that's what you need! 

A Dark Side of The Swan Queen

It has always been an absolute pleasure to watch ballet dancing, the swirling and the pirouette;  the elegance and the beauty combined that take your breath away.  

I was quite looking forward to getting all of that in Black Swan. Only to realised as soon as the movie began, I have signed up for a horror thriller! 

Scenes of bloody nails, breaking bones and puncture wounds are just about what I can recall after coming out from the ballet movie. 

The worst bit - I am still trying to figure out which parts were figments of Nina's fervid imagination and which ones were real.  

Too much swirling for me I guess and definitely qualifies for nightmare materials. 

The Most Annoying Soundtrack

I must google how popcorn becomes part of the package in a cinema. 

It's funny how we insist on buying huge buckets of popcorn and horsing it into ourselves even before the main feature comes on the big screen.  Some say it should be banned, just like using your phone.

I tell you what should be banned - tinned foil wrappings, plastic bags, doggy bags, Aluminum packets of snacks. 


The crackling noise of those food packaging often gets to my nerves, particularly so when some would choose to take the whole world of time to crack open these wrappings, thinking it will create less disturbance. 

Oh, heaven forbid those late comers too, if possible.  

HP7

Have you heard that Daniel Radcliffe has been unveiled as Britain's richest celebrity under the age of 30?  The 19-year-old Harry Potter star has amassed a wealth of almost £46 million and pocketed an estimated £12.8 million ($25 million) last year, according to Forbes' magazine's Rich Teen List.


Having read that bit of news before entering the cinema, I felt I am definitely contributing towards some of his wealth, as like many of you, I have been to watch every single Harry Potter movie released since 2001.  Even I myself can't imagine - catching HP7 was the first thing that came in mind after a long and weary business trip. 

Not sure about you but I found myself laughing at parts of the movie that I wasn’t sure were intended to be humourous!  Most ostensibly, the romantic development scenes with Harry and Ginny, and more conspicuously, with Ron and Hermione - absolutely forced and awkward.

After the 2.5 hours, I emerged from the cinema not only desperate to go to the loo after too much coffee too fast, I was equally confused and ambivalent about the film.   Despite all that lukewarm response to Part I though, watching Part II, series' finale, remains a must in summer next year.  
 

Have You Got What It Takes?

Julie and Julia was a lovely movie I caught in cinema in exactly a year ago and, a year later, I watched it again on DVD.

The plot is all about food, cooking and blogging.  It was indeed this movie which prompted me to start my Blogging Project 340.  

A year on, it is still a movie about food, cooking and blogging - which I am doing. 

I got a bit more out of it this time, seeing it as living life in real, about deriving joy and it's all about love.   It finally boils down to sharing love and joy with someone matters to you.

As I watched, I can't stop but wonder, if I don't have someone that truly matters to me to share with me my joy and love, does it mean I am not living a life?

I think it is as simple as that.  

If you are ever in that situation - you are screwed.  

Eat Pray Love

As much as I look forward to this movie, a part of me wants to stay away from it.

Look, basically Julia Roberts is saying, take a year off from life is viable.  Take a year off traveling to places such as Italy, India and Bali could be the best thing that could happen to you!

Now that idea has bad influence and is extremely dangerous.  One can easily get slipped and slid away - just like that before you knew it. 

Can the moral of the story be suggesting being irrational is the most rational state to be in?   




 

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

If I can think of one message to take-away from this movie (if any), it has to be that, the Wall Street crash of 2008 could happen again, because little has changed from two or three years ago.


Today, as we all know, USA is probably the poorest country in the World (if you include the national debt they have)!  The Americans suffer from high unemployment, slow growth, huge deficits, and extra trillions added to the national debt.

I was watching CNBC the other day and they actually have a programme which taught a couple how to save up and spend wisely!  That really amazes me. 

Interestingly enough though, in this year’s Fortune 500 list, two banks made it into the top 10 including Bank of America and J.P. Morgan Chase.

Is Gekko (Michael Douglas) in the film correct in saying we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past? Or can we repent, and learn, and do better?

Letters To Juliet

Did you know, that if you send a letter to Juliet Capulet of Verona (the first lady of love), someone will write back?

I just watched this movie about the existence of true love, about celebrating Shakespeare's Greatest Heroine in the magical city of Verona in Italy.  Highly recommended by 2 of my friends, I went in expecting a super cheesy, annoyingly romantic plot, but it turned out to be AMAZINGLY beautiful!

Allow me to quote a part of the Letter written by Sophie to Claire:

"'What' and ‘if’ two words as nonthreatening as words come. 

But put them together side-by-side and 

they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: 

‘What if?'..."

I was daunted not by the existence of true love in this world, but as a writer, I was being reminded of the fact that we are never to undermine the power of words!

You HAVE to watch this if you haven't already.