*ollywood

One thing I always manage to do in abundance in India is watch movies. This time I think I created some kind of a record. I behave like a film critic when I watch movies. Start pointing out faults and mistakes. Try and imagine a scene being shot differently. Here's what I thought of the movies that I watched.

Iron Man

Marvel have some really interesting stories to tell. From Spidey to the Fantastics. Iron Man is a really good way to make more money whilst providing entertainment. Any engineer would have a blast during this sci-fi flick, especially the Mech-geeks. The movie can boast of some really well-executed stunts coupled with the special effects. Robert Downey Jr. has done justice to the role, though I still prefer him in total comic roles. Gweneth Paltrow, ummm, is okay. They could have put in anybody in her place to be frank and it wouldn’t have made a difference. I loved the soundtrack and will be downloading it once I can get my hands on some free unlimited internet. I’ve heard that Marvel will be coming up with Wolverine too, starring Hugh Jackman. Can’t wait to catch that. But up next should be Dark Knight, Heath Ledger’s last.

Iron Man gets a metallic A minus.

Sarkar Raj

I don’t tend to like too many hindi movies, mainly due to chunks of useless reel shoved where it doesn’t belong. I absolutely loved Sarkar. It didn’t have any songs and it never deviated from the subject. Sarkar Raj is just more of the same. Quite frankly, such movies can be transformed into a neverending series. It will be one hell of an ATM series for the producers no doubt. Big B is awesome, just awesome. Small B and Aishwariya are good. The cast is filled with young, ripe talent. Ram Gopal Varma sure has an eye for talent and his directing masterclass just keeps on surpassing the previous. There could have been a few more twists and turns in Sarkar Raj, but I’m not sure anyone except me would have liked an overdose of surprises. A powerful movie!

Sarkar Raj gets a powerful A.

21

I have to admit, I have tried counting cards before. I’ve never done it professionally because I am not that good at it. I am more of an aggressive poker player than a card-counting blackjack player. 21 deals with a very real and confusing subject. It happens everywhere nowadays, card-counting. People pay their grocery bills because of it. The movie and the subject would be hard to grasp if you didn’t know how to play blackjack. I was expecting a lot out of 21, probably too much. I was disappointed. Kevin Spacey’s traits as an actor have been covered with a cloak of invisibility in this flick. Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth are only okay. Stories like these are bound to involve a lot of money and a lot of greed. In such situations, the story-line can be modified as seen fit. But there’s a touch of realism to the end.

21 gets a B for blackjack.

Sex and the City

A total woman-movie! Hundreds and thousands of women will flock in herds to see this stylish chick-flick. What they might not notice is how the characters are so different from the characters in the serial. This point too was put forward by my very sex-and-the-city-loyal female companion during the movie. I need not say more or I will be bitten by a smitten kitten.

B minus.

Bhootnath

This film was a timepass movie that maybe most people will enjoy due to the humor and sentimental bhav attached to it. But then again, songs shoved where they don’t belong and a stretched screenplay are minuses. Big B and Bankoo Bhaiya have done well in it. It makes me happy to see ghosts and objects flying without seeing the strings attached to them. The special-effects train has finally arrived from Hollywood.

Bhootnath gets a disappearing B minus.

De Dhakka

This movie will be fondly remembered by me. I hadn’t seen a marathi movie in ages, maybe the last one I saw was 12 years ago and I don’t even remember which one it was. Inspired by Little Miss Sunshine, De Dhakka has totally original characters and a totally different feel to it. The rural marathi rocks and so do the cast. There were times when I didn’t actually understand the dialogue, but the way a scene is portrayed just makes it so much easier to understand. A journey of a loving, dysfunctional family!

De Dhakka gets a B+.

I also managed to see Blue Planet, Mysteries of Egypt and Space Station at the Imax Dome Theatre. It was indeed a privilege. I wish they actually made more movies for the dome.

Cristiano, Cristiano...

You might have heard of

Ronaldo
David Beckham
Luis Figo
Zinedine Zidane

These have been the best players in the world in the last decade. At the moment, the best player in the world says he wants to leave the best club in the world. That's laughable, I tell you!

Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon five seasons ago, has scored a massive 42 goals this season as United won the Premier League and the Champions League. He is, no doubt, the best in the world at the moment. He'll only get better, they say. He is valued at around 70 million pounds. Yes, you read it right. In 2001, Zidane cost Real Madrid around 45 million pounds, which is still the world record transfer. Seems like Ronaldo's transfer, should it happen, will shatter it to pieces.

Even though news reports are still shaky, I really fail to understand why Ronaldo wants to leave. He is at the best club in England and in Europe at the moment. Why would someone want to leave? He is among the highest paid footballers in the world. Why would he leave? To get more money? Maybe. He said a while back that it is his dream to play for Madrid.

I think that it is the face value that you get at Real Madrid that players enjoy. If you've noticed all of the above players in that list have played for Real Madrid when they were crowned World Footballers of the Year. Ronaldo has achieved that feat at United itself. Even David Beckham reached his peak at United before he joined Real Madrid. Why Ronaldo would take this decision is beyond me.

At the end of the day it is the club that own the player. If Manchester United say Ronaldo is not for sale, and they have, then he is going nowhere. I don't think the richest club in the world would be awed by a 70 million pound price tag, no way! I'm sure United will not sell him. But then I hope Cristiano doesn't do something stupid like hand in an official transfer request.

The gossip continues anyway.

Everytime

Everytime you use the same attitude while arguing or fighting, you realize that it is the result of 20 years of agony.

Everytime you behave a certain way, you wish you could explain why.

Everytime you feel like tearing your guts apart, you remember what is was like when you were happy.

Everytime you feel like giving up, a face comes in front of you that won't let you.

Everytime you feel like you are being yourself, someone comes along and tells you that you are not.

Everytime it hurts, you think about the big picture.

Everytime you think about being negative, you slap yourself saying "This is not you".

Everytime you walk, you see your footsteps from last time.

Everytime you think about pouring out everything, you remember that it's no use.

Everytime it feels wrong, a feeling deep inside you tells you otherwise.

Everytime you lose someone, you realize what you feel for them.

Everytime you start to feel vulnerable, you start backing off.

Everytime you lose control, you take drastic measures.

Everytime someone else's happiness seems more important, you sacrifice.

Everytime you think about the future, it scares you more.

Everytime you talk to yourself, you edge towards madness.

Everytime something doesn't make sense, you ask the questions a million times.

Everytime you think you are alone, you discover yourself all over again.

Everytime I think of it, my life seems incomplete.

Need for speed

I have loved driving all my life. There was a time when I would have given anything to become a professional racing driver. Even today, there are some people in my life who still encourage me to take it up professionally. I used to be amazed at the street races happening around Mumbai. The ones at Marine Lines and the Western Express Highway interested me the most. Quite a few early-morning walkers have been killed over the years because of this so-called sport.

You have to know the right people, be at the right places and have the right attitude to even be considered for the races, I was told once.

On May 25th, 2008 I was offered a seat in a race. I was given instructions and details. Everything felt real. In fact, it was as real as can be. Suddenly, I remembered all the accidents of the past that I had read about. Now, even though I would be racing on the Western Express highway on certian undisclosible nights at certian undisclosable times when people do not venture out to stroll, I was reluctant to say yes. This is something that surprised me. I just couldnt say yes. It isn't gambling, it isn't. No money involved. Only your car, your skills, your pride and your life.

I have been thinking of the hit-and-runs. Haven't even started to think about what would happen at speeds of 120-150kmph. What would happen if I lost control for a split second at those speeds. Newton would laugh in his grave while pointing out to his second law. Others would just point at the picture below in horror.

I have never doubted my skills as a driver. Never been scared.

I still have been given the option to mull it over and say yes after a year.