Ingloriuous Basterds

I have not seen much of Tarantino's works, but have heard a lot about him and of course his works. Out of many of his famous quotes in media, I particularly like this one - “Sure, Kill Bill’s a violent movie. But it’s a Tarantino movie. You don’t go to see Metallica and ask the f*****s to turn the music down.” Pulp fiction and Kill Bill; for many come at the top of their best ever list.

Inglorious Basterds, beginning from the very first scene till the end, the movie was a canvas depicting shades of black. I guess Quentin always deals with the darker side of life. It always gives a lot of scope for a director to depict or portray a gloomy, dreary, dark scene; but it also takes a lot of skills to make it look really devilish (Joker of 'The Dark Knight' is at the zenith). Every one has a devil hidden somewhere in the closet of his thoughts and Quentin can portray that devil better than anyone else. He reveals the devilish grin out of every character in every possible minutest detail. He surely is a master story-teller, a fantastic writer, an offbeat director and above all a super expressive artist.

The dialogues, the frames, the immaculate choice of actors and a heavily fictitious plot set in real times strikes the chord in an innovative manner. Christoph Waltz as the 'Jew Hunter' was impressive and Brad Pitt has set a new level for himself by delivering one of his most memorable performances ever. Brad delivered this particular dialogue extremely well - "Each and every man under my command owes me one hundred Nazi scalps..and I waant my scalps." A must watch even if you don't like the dark, violent cinema.

--sudharm baxi

Wake up Sid

Wake up Sid, a lovely, well-paced and beautifully articulated movie, produced by Karan Johar, whose name if attached to any movie definitely makes it catchy on style and vibrancy. Be it Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum or this latest offering.

You might not like the food but the ambience of the restaurants even remotely associated with KJ, leave you wondering about the fantastic aesthetic, colorful touch KJ puts in. Everything ranging from the clothing, the sets, the cinematography and the overall styling of the movie is pretty chic.

KJ has not directed this movie though, but he always has a major say in all his movies, directed or produced. Ayan Mukerji, as a debutante director has done good work. Though, I doubt if he can handle anything other than this kind of cinema, time will tell.

The film has a colorful vibrancy, a very naive and jolly effect attached to it. It keeps you engrossed for the most of the part. Songs are not something to really vouch for, barring the lovely composition of Amit Trivedi's 'Ek tara' (yes, the same guy who did the godly work in Dev D). Ranbir Kapoor has done a good job, he has almost been type-casted in such roles and stereotyping is not good unless he is the next Salman Khan.

As the climax approached, it appeared as if the director was in a hurry to wrap things up quickly, there can always be a twist in a typical Bollywood movie and Wake up Sid lacked it. But still a good movie to watch.

--sudharm baxi

Everything you desire

IIM guys are writing more and more books. But let me tell you the bitter truth - they are not good at it. Their books look like a diary. And that too not very well written.

'Everything You desire' is yet another attempt to join this brigade, written by an IIMB alumnus - Harshdeep Jolly like a memo. If you were given a task of compiling all the events of your college life in 250 pages - you would end up writing something like this.

Though, this was known to me prior to picking up the book. But life at IIM fascinates me and who would like to miss it only because of not so good English or no deep thoughts. Any one calling it a bad book - would be harsh enough to neglect the beauty of IIM life. But i have read much better blogs by IIM guys then this book as a whole.

But also, one must keep in mind that writing a novel is much tougher than writing a tiny article. One can experiment with his article but when it comes to a novel, a small experiment would ruin the essence, the setting, the portrayal and above all the overall charm of the novel.

You might have guessed by now that how confused i am with regards to this novel. I can't say if i can recommend this or a complete NO NO.
Go 4 it if IIM fascinates you.