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This movie set during the war times in London, started really slow and dull. With characters speaking the perfect Brit English (and no subtitles), I had to watch it with all my concentration. In normal circumstances, if the movie doesn't grip me in the first 5-10 minutes and if there are not many familiar faces, I would prefer watching TV, but as I had kept Kiran's VCD for too long, I thought I should give it a try as he recommended it and I am glad I didn't give it a miss. I literally forced myself to sit through the first half an hour and then the movie began to take serious turns and atlast caught my interest. This is the story of an aspiring writer - Briony Tallis, a 13 year old girl, who changes the course of her sister and sister's lover's life by accusing him of a crime he never committed, with a stupid and blind assumption. It's about how she tries to seek atonement by trying her best to make up for the damage caused by her. Watch it for its story, style of narration, the performances and ofcourse for its hard-hitting climax, which is sure to leave a lump in your throat. Check this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atonement_(film) for detailed info on the movie.
A friend of mine sent me an email about Makkala Mane at the right time. So, decided to spend time at Makkala Mane (meaning Children's Home in Kannada) instead of throwing a party for our 4th Anniversary. You can find more info about this place at http://makkalamane.wordpress.com/.
This was unlike other non-profit organisations I have come across. There was this free spirited - positive air about this place. The moments spent there were one of the best moments of my life, undoubtedly. We were struggling to take some heavy bags inside, the kids came running to give us a helping hand. They instantly made us feel at home with that sweet gesture. At the places we had visited earlier, there are lot of rules and regulations and we hardly got to interact with kids. The kids were gleaming with liveliness, so happy with each other and when I asked if there is something that they really want, they said we have everything here. That line put us to shame instantly. How many of us feel that way?!! One may think, these kids are taught to speak and behave in a certain way, but it didnt feel made up even for a moment!
It was like re-living our childhood days there with these enthusiastic kids. I remember being unbeatable at a game called "Kuntebille" (Hopscotch) during my childhood days. Thanks to these kids, we were able to recall the game and play with them after ages. I cannot recall having such pure, undiluted fun since a long time. I am not the kind who gells along so well with kids, but with these kids it was like being one among them. The age difference had vanished into thin air!
2 hrs flew like few minutes, but as it was getting dark we left reluctantly around 6 making plans for our next visit to Makkala Mane which true to its name, is a home for children and a happy one at that! Do yourself a favour and spend your spare time with these kids and let out the child in you. I am not saying this just coz they need us, but I think we need them too. Being with them reminds you of some basic things that we tend to forget in life - most important being simplicity, making best out our lives and exude positive spirit all the time.
Our much hyped(among our friends) Sita Nadi rafting trip flopped miserably.. 8 of us were supposed to go and the very 4 ppl who had planned the trip dropped out, God knows for what reason. I dont understand how people dont care to stand up to their words and inconvenience others as per their whims n fancies! Nevertheless, we decided to carry on. The very day we wanted to start, we get a call from the resort manager saying rafting is closed due to low water levels probably till next monsoon! If it was a bigger group the trip could have been fun with or without rafting.. But we finally decided to cancel our booking and have fun watching movies, playing cards n other games at home.. I wanted to watch "Mukhbir" for 2 reasons:> the confidence with which the director had annouced a money back guarantee if you come out of the theatre dissatisfied.> was curious to watch the performance of Sammir Dattani aka dhyan(as he is known in kannada filmdom) in a serious role. I must accept that Mukhbir not only left me satisfied but wanting for more.. It depicts the life of an informer (thats what Mukhbir means!) with an interesting style of narration. Though it starts slow, the story manages to keep you gripped till the end. Sammir has done a commedable job except in few sequences(he could have done far better in his first scene with Sunil Shetty and his conversation with Rahul Dev in the end). If you can ignore some minor flaws in the movie, it's value for your money and time! Go watch it for its story..I decided to watch "A Wednesday" as TOI said dont miss it and it had Naseeruddin Shah as the lead protaganist. It excelled my expectations in every possible way. It gripped us right from the first scene till the end. I cannot imagine even for a moment, anyone else portraying that role with such perfection. As this is a movie with a message for every common man, it had some heated gyan (preaching) by the lead character at the end. For someone like me, gyans are always a put off, that is if not for Naseeruddin Shah's perfect portrayal with flawless dialogue delivery. It makes one sit up and listen every word with interest. It's a movie not to be missed for no reason..!All my friends along with the reviewers recommended watching "Rock on". As this is a movie whose essence is music and the promos reminded of "Jhankar Beats", I wasn't so keen on watching it in theatre. So got hold of a DVD to give it a try. May be, 'Rock on' wouldn't feel so dull and mediocre to me if I hadnt watched it after 'Mukhbir' and 'A Wednesday' or if ppl wouldn't have hyped it so much or if I had some real taste in music, esp rock. Apart from all that, I personally could not relate to some characters, how can anyone drift apart from close friends for a trivial reason and not share some important things from the past (atleast friends and hobbies, if not love) with the life partner! One reviewer on Mouthshut said "Rock on teaches you stuff about being friends. About staying friends. About living your life to the fullest. The way you want to. Doing exactly what your heart desires. Keeping track of the important stuff in your life, in your relationships, and letting go of the trivial stuff." And this is something I already know and follow. Whatsoever, I decided it's not my kind of a movie and I am glad I didnt waste my 200 bucks by going to a multiplex!
