Joker

Movie Review
Film- Joker
Director - Todd Phillips
Genre- Drama

The film Joker is  an intense and disturbing film. It has blood and gore, revenge and mayhem and thrives on violence. Joker is a brilliant film that has Joaquin Phoenix in the title role of Arthur Fleck. Arthur aspires to be a stand up comedian and is not mentally stable. He is on medication and suffers from a condition that makes him laugh out aloud uncontrollably when he is under stress. He lives with his ailing mother( Frances Conroy)and tries to make ends meet.

He is a great fan of Murray Franklin ( Robert DiNero) the host of a comedy show in Gotham city. Arthur dreams of being in Murray's show some day. he is positive in his outlook as we see in the beginning. he writes jokes in his little diary, tries to get kids laugh and tries to earn money. This changes gradually and  we see him come to the end of his breaking point when he is attacked and teased in the metro by three men. He fights back and shoots them and derives gratification when he becomes famous as the Joker who shot three men in the metro. Suddenly a nobody like him is popular. The city of Gotham rages with fights between the upper class and the lower class.

Joker is a tale of the underdog who rises to become notorious. Arthur resorts to violence time after time as a defense mechanism when he cannot cope with what is happening around him. He is delusional and even kills his own mother by smothering her. There are a few gory and bloody scenes of his fatal attacks in the film that make the viewers wince. Arthur starts calling himself a Joker and is invited to the comedy show of Murray Franklin when his video where he attempts a stand up comedy is aired. He is ridiculed for being so bad at comedy and he shoots his icon on live television.

As the film progresses we can seethe change in Arthur Fleck. from an unsure, helpless person to a confident, revengeful and violent one.He is excellent in his portrayal as the anti-hero. The music score for the film is magnetic, captivating and to the point. Joaquin Phoenix has given a layered performance. He is extraordinary and his portrayal stands out in the film. He is the biggest draw in the film, even bigger than the story line.

The film won two Oscars and two Golden Globe Awards, both for best actor in a leading role and best original music score. The film is disturbing and is all about the anti hero who resorts to violence as an answer to fight against the turmoils he goes through. Joaquin Phoenix deserves all the praise he can get for his realistic portrayal . His expressions, body language and his overall personality  keeps us mesmerized throughout the film. Watch this film even if  just to see the marvelous portrayal of Joker by Joaquin Phoenix.

A Billion Colour Story

Movie Review
Film- A Billion Colour Story

Writer / Director - Padmakumar Narasimhamurthy
Genre- Drama

A Billion Colour Story is an excellent story that needs to be told. It is a story of the problems that plague India like that religious prejudice, intolerance, domestic violence and social disparities.

It is a story about a small family consisting of a film -maker couple and their eleven year old son who have shifted base from Australia. The couple, Parvati is Hindu while her husband is Imran Aziz, a Muslim. Both of them are not religiously inclined. Their son , Hari Aziz is mature beyond his age and has an inquiring mind.

The story runs at a steady pace and is full of instances that show what is wrong with Indian society. Imran is shown to be an optimist who believes that there is hope for India in spite of circumstances being really difficult for the family at times. the couple decide to make a film and due to dire financial conditions , they have to sell their house. They face various challenges in their effort to find a house and fund their film. The lead actors did an amazing job and were ably supported by their co-actors.

This is a beautiful film about respect and mutual understanding, religious tolerance and about a better India. It is a story of hope and understanding that this country can do better as there are so many Indians who believe in her.Just as there are evil people and haters , there are also many people who can make this country a better place for all.

The film effortlessly moves from colour frames to black and white. We watch the story through the eyes of an eleven year old Hari who asks the right questions and makes us think about where hatred can take us. He shares his fathers positive outlook in the beginning and as the film progresses, we see him becoming more pessimistic and scared.

This film has won many international accolades. It is produced by Satish Kaushik who also plays a small role in the film. It is an inspiring film about respect and understanding between people following different religions. It is a film about hope for a better India, a united India.

This is a must watch. It is an inspirational, heart rending, tragic and realistic film..

Miracle in Cell Number 7

Movie Review
Film- Miracle in Cell Number 7/  Yedinci Kogustaki Mucize (Turkish)
Director -Mehmet Ada Oztekin
Genre- Drama

Miracle in Cell Number 7 is a Turkish film that is a remake of a South Korean film of 2013 by the same name.This film was so sensational that it was remade in Indonesia and Philippines.A Kannada version of the same film is also available.

This film is a tragic and heart wrenching and uplifting tale of a father and daughter that makes us weep.It is a beautiful story of Ova (Nisa Sofiya Aksongur) and her mentally challenged father Memo ( Aras Bulut Iynemli) The film shows the beautiful bond shared by their small family that also includes Ova's great-grandmother. Ova's mother is deceased. There are some touching scenes between memo and his grnadmother too. Memo goes to great lengths to make his daughter happy, so when she yearns to own a Heidi backpack he promises to buy it for her.Unfortunately before he buys it, it is bought by a military officer for his little daughter Seda, who also happens to be Ova's classmate.

At one point Seda and her family are at a picnic where Seda and her cousins see memo and taunt him. Seda continues teasing him about the backpack she owns and lures him behind her up the cliff. Memo tries to warn her yet she goes higher, accidentally slips and has a fatal fall. When he sees this Memo is disturbed and he is caught by Seda's family. He is forced to confess that he is responsible for her death and is imprisoned with some hardened prisoners in cell number 7.

What happens thereafter forms the crux of the film. In the beginning when the other inmates learn that Memo has killed a little girl , he is badly thrashed. such that even the doctor says it is a miracle that he is alive. Later the equation among the inmates changes.

The film runs at a steady pace and keeps us at the edge of our seats. There are many emotional moments that are beautifully captured.The bond between the father and child is well portrayed,. The film shows emotions of revenge, trust, guilt, innocence, friendship and love in a captivating manner. We can't help feeling empathy for Memo and Ova. It is a real tear-jerker of a movie that makes us take notice of the ruthlessness of a man bent on revenge and also a man intent on repenting for his grave misdeed.

Does Memo prove his innocence or is he hanged?
 What makes the cell inmates change their view about Memo?
Do Ova and memo re-unite?

This is a gem of a movie that should not be missed.

Sometimes

Movie Review
Film- Sometimes/ Sila Samayangalil ( Tamil)
Director- Priyadarshan
Genre- Drama

It is rare and heartening at the same time to find a movie on a social issue that is forceful in a subtle way. A movie that tries to remove the myths that surround the issue in a completely non preachy manner. Sometimes or Sila Samayangalil is one such exceptional movie.

For such a movie to shape it , where the location remains the same and the characters have little or no scope for movement , it needs exceptionally good performers. This movie has achieved this difficult feat with aplomb.

Sometimes is a story of seven people who come to a testing laboratory to get tested if they are HIV positive or not. Their tests are conducted in the morning and they are told to come back at five in the evening to collect their individual reports.

The whole film revolves around these characters and the receptionist at the laboratory. each character is portrayed beautifully. The characters have their different back stories for conducting the test. Prakash Raj as one of the seven at the laboratory does an excellent job as do the others.

The lights in the laboratory, the water cooler that dispenses only hot water, the sounds from outside that enter the waiting hall when  the door is opened, the automatic calling out of the token numbers etc have a place in the scenario depicted. The eerie silence and the hustle and bustle in the laboratorys waiting area is portrayed aptly.

The challenges the receptionist faces, her calls with her mother during duty, the upheavals in her mind are all well portrayed in the film. The film tries to tell us that sometimes one small lie told unintentionally have tremendous repercussions. A simple message given in an interesting manner. The story line is gripping and keeps us wondering about what is going to happen next.

This is an amazing movie that should not be missed. Another feather in the cap for Priyadarshan.

Eat, Pray, Love

Movie Review
Film- Eat, Pray, Love
Director- Ryan Murphy
Genre- Drama / Romance

Eat, Pray, Love is a beautiful movie about travel and searching for ones true calling in life! 
It is a nice watch for those who love travel. It is a story of Elizabeth Gilbert who is on a mission to find her true self. She travels to Italy, India and Bali in her quest. 

Had some good sightings of food in Italy. Made me ravenous just looking at the food! Loved her attempts at learning Italian too.I would have loved to see some Indian food too as she was staying in India too for a while.

In fact, I was disappointed to see that India was portrayed just as a noisy and dirty place with poor people begging on the roads. Liz came only to pray in India, wish she could have tasted Indian food and experienced a bit of our rich Indian culture too.

They showed Bali to be a beautiful place, I am sure it is, but there so many beautiful places in India too, why no glimpse of that at all? Why did they only show traffic jams, littered streets, a cow on the road and poor kids begging ? Incorrect portrayal of India which is why many westerners still believe that there is nothing else in India beyond all that. India, for them is only a noisy, dirty place wher there are snakes, elephants and cows roaming around the streets. That is such a shame because India has a rich culture and heritage. The food, languages, colours, festivals and people all make it so beautiful. Why couldn't they focus on these aspects too to some level at least?

Barring this, I loved the movie. I have always been a fan of Julia Roberts since Pretty Woman. Great story line and understanding of self and relationships.There are some amazing lessons for everyone who is looking for a meaningful life.I loved the locations and the story line. Good feast for the eyes too, especially Julia Roberts, James Franco and the handsome and irresistible Javier Bardem.

 There were some amazing and memorable quotes in the movie. These are my favourite ones.

Stop trying, surrender.


Listen, balance, my darling, is not letting anybody love you less than you love yourself.


It won't last forever. Nothing does. 










 

Vikrithi

Movie Review
Film- Vikrithi (Malayalam)
Director- Emcy Joseph
Genre- Drama/ Comedy

The movie Vikrithi is a true to life account of a person who was trolled on social media. It gives us an idea of how a seemingly harmless post on social media can cause havoc in someones life. It is a story that makes us empathetic and more aware about what we should and should not post on Social media platforms.

Eldo (Suraj Venjaramoodu) and his wife Elsy (Surabhi Lakshmi) are both deaf and mute. They have two kids, one is a hot headed young aspiring football player and another is their daughter. One day their daughter falls sick and is hospitalized. Eldo, like a responsible father, keeps vigil outside the ICU. After spending two nights in the hospital where his daughter was admitted, Eldo travels back home on the Kochi Metro, only to sleep on the seat due to fatigue.and sleep deprivation. A fellow traveller Sameer (Soubin), clicks and shares Eldo’s photo online, mistaking him to be someone in an inebriated condition. This particular post of Sameer goes viral as it is shared multiple times on all social media platforms like Facebook and Watsapp.This is when all trouble starts brewing.

This viral post has a lasting impact on both the families, that of Eldo and Sameer and that forms the basis of the story line. This movie takes us through the trials and tribulations the families go through due to that post. It also makes us understand things from another perspective. When we share posts like this , we need to be more responsible. One small action can sometimes malign another for life.

This movie also makes an attempt to tell us that not all those who photograph people and post them are evil. they may have done it unintentionally but yet, the harm done is real. It is necessary to use social media platforms wisely. These days social media platforms are used as an instrument to abuse and ridicule. These platforms are also used as a means to degrade others and make a show of ones materialistic gains.

The situations were realistic and true to life while the relationships portrayed were endearing. All the characters did an excellent job but I have top make special mention of the mute couple, Eldo and Elsy who were exceptionally good.

This is a must watch movie. I am glad that with the help of captions in English we can watch such good regional movies too.

Antaheen

Movie Review
Film-Antaheen
Director- Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
Genre- Drama

The movie is about the universal feeling of love and longing and endless waiting that forms a part of life. As we go about our routines there is always a certain void that each one feels.  This film beautifully depicts the turmoils and emotions that the characters feel.

The songs by Santanu Moitra are a treat for all. They are melodious and have lyrics that suit the situations to the point. Though I do not understand Bengali the songs were hummable and they make me want to learn them. So much is conveyed through the background score too. Rahul Bose, Radhika Apte, Aparna Sen, Sharmila Tagore and Kalyan Roy have played their characters effortlessly.

The movie is slow paced yet it keeps us connected with the flow. The warmth of the feelings are easy to understand. The story is like poetry, making you feel one with it. There are many heart warming moments in the film. As a viewer we also feel the ache and pain of love that eludes us. The film also speaks of love that is right before us, yet we fail to recognize it and accept it before it is no more. It is also a story of unrequited love, that comes unexpectedly and also disappears without a trace leaving a void.

Rahul Bose and Radhika Apte have excelled in their roles . There is also untold beauty in the different frames  pictured that form an important part of the story. The self portrait of Frida Kahlo, the red kite with the blue tail hanging on the antenna. water droplets on the glass, the cut lot of leaves and write ups on the wall all seem to give us a message and are not mere props. It is a beautifully made film. Simple but complicated like love. Yet something we all wait for endlessly. Antaheen.

World Famous Lover

Movie Review
Film- World Famous Lover
Director- Kranthi Madhav
Genre- Drama/ Action/Romance

This is supposed to be a love story but it falls flat and ends as a true disaster from the word go. It is the story of Gautham( Vijay Deverekonda) and Yamini(Raashi Khanna), a live in couple who seem to be madly in love with each other but cannot marry as Yamini's father feels Gautham is not the one for her. To avoid the unnecessary controversies that may bring shame for her father , Yamini lives in with her lover.

When we are introduced to the couple, Gautham is not working. He stays at home while Yamini has a job and looks after the house. She does everything for Gautham to support him. She cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner and cleans up the house. Even the sex is without any emotion, just an act where Yamini just spreads her legs while he does the deed and falls asleep after a peck on her cheeks. She also keeps his clothes ready for him and believe it or not, she even puts the toothpaste on his toothbrush every morning! Through all this we cannot see any love. Yamini is in despair yet this continues for one and a half years.She cannot bear it any more and leaves Gautham. We wonder why she waited so long to leave this self-obsessed and selfish writer who does not have an iota of love or respect for Yamini as per his actions towards her. He just takes her for granted.

There is a flashback showing their love story which lacks any substance. After the break up Gautham is traumatized. he starts feeling he has been wronged by Yamini. To justify his side he writes two stories. Through those stories he wants to prove that he was always the one who sacrificed in love, not Yamini.The first story pictured in the coal mines of Telangana is really interesting.It is the story of Seenayya ( Vijay Deverekonda) and his wife Suvarna (Aishwarya Rajesh) and Seenayya's love interest Smitha ( Catherine Tresa) Here too the hero is the anti hero yet his wife forgives all his misdeeds and cries that she is nothing without her husband!

The second story he pens is totally superfluous. Here too he projects himself as the proverbial good Samaritan who saves the girl. The story has the hero, or should I say the anti-hero showing disrespect for his partner, disobeying rules, drinking, fighting, having an illicit relationship and taing his partner for granted. At the climax he is seen trying to kill another man by hitting him with a huge stone. In spite of all this, Yamini waits for Gautham to come out from prison and spends two years waiting and moping for him. She cancels her marriage with another man and is happy to spend her life with Gautham, the one who has given her tremendous pain.

This movie was all about the glorification of the anti hero. Even if the director screams out that in the end Gautham gives Yamini the title of World's Best Lover, it is never about her all through the movie. The women are all gorgeous but they are shown to be meek and extremely vulnerable.They are educated and confident yet, they allow themselves to be taken for granted by the man they love.They take pride in being accepted by him even at the cost of being not shown any respect or love.

Films like Arjun Reddy and Arjun Singh glorify the anti hero. This film also falls in that category. Films serve as a medium of influence for many. They see the anti hero and want to emulate him . When the end of a violent story tells us that in spite of all his drawbacks the anti-hero gets the girls, a wrong message is sent across to the viewers. This is dangerous because many youngsters may find it cool to do the same.I found this movie as disturbing as Arjun reddy and Arjun Singh.

There were two other stories running parallel with the main story ,and I found that very interesting. Vijay Deverekonda looks really handsome in all his different roles and he has done an excellent job as the main protagonist. The female leads are gorgeous and carry themselves well in their roles. I was truly impressed by Aishwarya Rajesh who played the role of Suvarna.  She did a note-worthy portrayal of the wronged wife who goes to great lengths to get back her wayward husband.

The fact of the matter is that sadly, movies like Arjun Reddy, Arjun Singh and this one are lapped up by the audience. They see only the entertainment value of it and have nothing to do with the fact that these movies can influence others negatively. I like to watch movies where the women are strong, confident and can stand up for themselves. Movies like these are disturbing and stressful to watch.
If you liked Arjun Reddy and Arjun Singh you will surely like this one too.

Milk and Honey

Book Review 

Title: Milk and Honey

Author- Rupi Kaur

Genre: Poetry

I was a fan of Rupi Kaur the day I browsed through this book at a book store. I loved the way this particular book has been divided into four sections- the hurting, the loving, the breaking and the healing.The verses are so true to life and our feelings. There is a strong connect and anyone who reads these verses can feel one with them. 

The emotions are conveyed in such a blatantly truthful manner that at times they seem to be cringe worthy. But then, these are facts and she has portrayed them in simple and profound words. There is no unnecessary jargon and explanation. Feelings and emotions run through each page without any boundary. They can be felt as we read them. There is a strong connect as each one of us has gone through this cycle of hurting, loving, breaking and healing at some time in our lives. It is an on-going process that none can avoid. 

Reading this book is like understanding our own feelings, giving a name to our feelings and acknowledging them. The verses are like a mirror to our thoughts and feelings. They speak of hurt and love and also of being strong and hopeful.

This book has an interesting cover page and it is impressive to know that Rupi Kaur did the illustrations herself. There were some verses that were  really stood out. This book is definitely a good read.

Village Rockstars

Movie Review
Film-Village Rockstars
Director- Rima Das
Genre- Drama

This film by Rima Das takes you on a journey to a remote village in the north east where we meet Dhanu ( Bhanita Das) and her mother(Basanti Das). Superbly natural acting here! This film is about life in the village, the challenges they face and their routine day in and day out. It is about their work in the fields, the way they strive to make ends meet, the way they deal with their problems, make sacrifices and live within their means. It is also about how they have hope to do better, work harder and their quite resilience.

As the movie unfolds, we feel we are there with them at the village. There is a great feeling of how blessed we are when we see the way they live. Each day is a struggle for survival. The characters don't seem like characters at all, that it the beauty of their realistic portrayal. The quest of Dhanu and her friends to have a rock band of their own forms the crux of the story. With all the trials and tribulations they face at the village due to poverty and floods, their desires are left far behind. 
 

The director has managed to portray the realistic representation of the rustic life in the village.

This is a must watch for its beauty and charm. Do not watch this one for entertainment because what we see in it is life at its raw best. The children find joy in the little things in life. A ride on the cycle, climbing trees, splashing in the fields, plucking fruits and enjoying their own little rock band moments is what they cherish.

It is good to watch such films to get a better understanding of the privileged life we live here in the city. We keep complaining about our problems but when we see the challenges they face, our problems do not seem to be problems. They live tough lives.People like us need to be reminded to count our blessings,but they already know how to enjoy the little pleasures that life offers them in an otherwise tough existence. Do watch this one. It is a masterpiece by Rima Das. 

The Breadwinner

Movie Review
Film- The Breadwinner
Directors-Nora Twomey
Genre- Animated film adapted from Deborah Ellis's novel

 In many countries around the world we are facing a lockdown due to which we cannot venture out of our homes unless really essential.It is so frustrating at times to stay indoors and not be allowed to go out to work or buy things or even go out to eat or entertain yourself.Terrible living like this, right? Although we know this situation is temporary due to the corona pandemic, we feel caged and want the lockdown to end.

Now imagine how this predicament is not a temporary thing for the women and girls of Afghanistan. For years the war torn country has been taken over by the Taliban forces and girls and women cannot step out of their homes without being chaperoned by their male family members like their father, brother or husband.They have no access to education or entertainment of any form. They have no say in anything.There is no scope for music to be played, songs to be sung or photographs to be clicked there! Women folk only have to cook, clean, look after their homes and family and keep the male members happy.They cannot voice their opinions or draw attention to themselves in any manner. These are the circumstances where the story of Parvana, an eleven year old Afghani takes shape.

Parvana lives in a dilapidated house with her small family of her father who was a teacher injured in the Russian war, her mother, elder sister and little brother. She had another elder brother who was killed in an accident, a bye product of the war struck country. Parvana's father Nurullah Ali tries to make his daughters independent by telling them stories about their historic past. he has great hopes for them , yet he too knows that he is trying for the impossible.

Parvana joins her father when he goes to the market place to sell some meager belongings of theirs when they fall in hard times. her father is taken prisoner and this is where Parvana takes up the onus of getting father freed from the prison.In the meantime she also has to buy things for the family from the market. To do that she dresses up as a boy, wears her deceased brother's colothes and cuts her hair short. Now she is free to go to the market and she is happy at her new found freedom. Parvana builds a friendship with Shoujia, another girl who is dressed up as Dilawer.Together they share their dreams walking through the city and try to earn more money by doing odd jobs.There is a poignant scene where they are sitting amidst abandoned tanks with house sin ruins around them. Sitting in those morose surroundings Parvana tells stories of hope and magic.

Parallel to the story of Parvana is another story which Parvana uses as her source of inspiration and courage.She learns to be resilient and succeeds in getting her father out of prison with some help from a stranger .There are many challenges that Parvana and her family face and this story and at the end it seems like they have finally won over them. But , it is obvious that their troubles are far from over.

The animation for the film is brilliantly done due to which this film was nominated for the Oscars  and many other awards.This is a story about demons, live landmines, beatings, curfews and prisons. It is also a story of resilience, courage, family ties, sacrifice, friendship and hope. The emotions are beautifully portrayed .Each animated frame looks realistic. The voice overs are apt for the characters portrayed. After a while we fail to notice that it is an animated film. The music is expressive and forms an essential part of the drama which unfolds before us. This film is a grave reminder that war and extremism can never keep anyone happy.This film is without doubt, a masterpiece. Not to be missed.

The Japanese Wife

Movie Review
Film-The Japanese Wife
Writer-Director- Aparna Sen
Genre- Drama/ Romance

 I have always been a huge fan of Aparna Sen's work as a film maker. her stories re realistic and project emotions brilliantly. The stories she weaves are a class apart. This one is no different.

Each one of us has a certain notion about what love is.  Some of us believe that when we see our soul mate for the first time , we just know that this person is the one for us. We believe in love at first sight. But what if we have not laid our sight on another person at all,  is it impossible for love to happen in those circumstances?

The Japanese Wife is a movie that delves into this aspect of love. Long distant love is what is this story line explores. A humble teacher in a village Snehamoy ( Rahul Bose) lives a simple idyllic life with his Maashi( Maushami Chatterjee). He forms a long distant friendship with a Japanese girl Miyage (Chigusa Takaku) and this gradually leads to something more deeper and meaningful.

Snehamoy's maashi plans to get her God child Sandhya ( Raima Sen) married to Snehamoy and when he lets Miyage know of this she is quick to propose marriage. After a lot of thinking about the pros and cons, Snehamoy agrees to the marriage.An exchange of gifts, a silver ring and the auspicious red and white bangles and sindhoor marks the solemnizing of their marriage. Maashi and their immediate neighbours of Snehamoy accept that now they are husband and wife.The couple is happy exchanging letters and talking to each other at rare occasions as circumstances  and money issues prevent them from meeting each other. Distance does not diminish their love for each other through the years.It makes us believe in long distant love.

Sandhya comes to stay with Snehamoy and Maashi in a twist of fate. She is a widow with an eight year old son. It looks like there will be a love triangle here but that is too predictable.
Does that happen? Does Snehamoy fall in love with Sandhya?
What happens to Miyage?
Does she come to India to meet Snehamoy?

I will refrain from giving out spoilers. The story is a realistic one. It is about ordinary people and extra ordinary circumstances that lead us to a different climax. The director captures the essence of the locations. The music is riveting and soothing as the situation demands.

The kite flying scene, the storm, Snehamoy yearning for his wife's touch ,the words exchanged between Snehamoy and Miyage are all well depicted. The relation shared by all the characters are ably portrayed. Rahul Bose performs brilliantly as the simple teacher who goes on to become a devoted husband who goes through great lengths to make his marriage work. The love he has for his Japanese wife is evident. Maushami Chatterjee does a great job as Snehamoy's aunt. Raima Sen and Chigusa Takaku have subtle and measured emotions to portray and they do it well. It is a slow paced romance that makes us feel connected to the protagonists.

Okja

Movie Review
Film- Okja (Korean)
Directors- Bong Joon Ho
Genre- Drama/ Adventure / Sci-fi

Watching a few movies of Bong Joon Ho recently has made me look forward to this film after a recommendation by a friend.What a masterpiece this film is!
The story l;ine- Brilliant imagination
Special effects- Unbelievable
Characters- Realistic

This story tells us about the bond between Mija, a little girl who lives with her grandfather in a remote place atop a mountain, and Okja.a super pig that has been her constant companion for a decade. The film is filmed in two very contrast locations, one being the idyllic mountainside where Mija lives with her grandfather and the other is  the city of New York and Seoul where Mija goes in search of her best friend.The film begins with a look into the beautiful relationship Mija and Okja share. There is love, devotion and trust visible in that bond.We are to learn later that Okja, the super pig, is the property of Mirando Corporation and has to be sent  back after the completion of ten years This is where the adventure begins.

It is difficult to imagine that Okja is just a computer generated creature .as we move towards the end of the film we feel like there are super pigs like Okja .This huge creature is a lovable creature with a heart of gold and we can feel a strong empathy for it as it is nearly slaughtered at the meat-house.The  gentle giant Okja is loyal and completely devoted to Mija. Mija goes through great lengths to rescue Okja from the hands of the greedy Mirando Corporation which is using Okja for their commercial gains.

There is also the Animal Liberation Front that makes an attempt to save Okja from the clutches of the Mirando conglomerate. This group helps Mija to get back Okja and reveal to the world the underhand and unethical ways in which animals are treated at the Mirando Corporation's meat processing units. Mija's unplanned journey from the mountainside to Seoul and then to New York at the meat processing unit where Okja is taken to be slaughtered forms the crux of the story.

This beautifully made movie has a strong message about the greed of humans which leads them to do inhuman and unspeakable acts towards animals.Many scenes, specially those at the meat processing unit, are cringe worthy and give you goose bumps. The torture the animals, in this case, super pigs go through is horrific to say the least. Mija , as the stubborn girl who saves her friend is played brilliantly by An Seo Hyun. All the other characters too are top notch and their characters are well weaved into the story.

This movie is an example of brilliance of imagination and execution. The visual effects and locations are a treat for the eyes. The chase on the streets and malls of the city are super thrilling. When we see Okja just on the verge of being slaughtered our hearts skip a few beats. As Mija walks away with Okja leaving behind the other super pigs to their fate at the meat processing unit, we silently wish all the  other super pigs too could be saved like Okja.

This is an emotionally charged movie with a strong message. It is visually brilliant and it is a film with a heart. It is film that reminds us once again that humans are the worst species on the planet. It brings forth the plight of animals that are slaughtered and used for man's greed.The message the film conveys and the look of terror in Okja's eyes when she is being brutalized stays with us long after the movie ends. 

The One You Cannot Have

Book Review 

Title: The One You Cannot Have

Author- Preeti Shenoy

Genre: Fiction/Romance

There comes a time in everyone's life when we wish for true love, a soulmate who will be with us forever in all the ups and downs of life. We also realize that finding your true love or soulmate is not easy. Most of us are not fortunate enough to have that, its like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, not attainable.

Love stories are my favourite reads. We all can connect to them, as most of us have fallen in love at some point in life. The title of this book drew me to it. I have been an ardent fan of Preeti Shenoy after I rtead her book ' The Secret Wishlist '.This book too did not disappoint me.

This is a love story that tells us about three couples who have different equations with each other.This story is about love, friendship, deceit and heartbreak. It is never ever easy to forget the one you truly one. Somewhere there is a corner of our mind and heart where the loved one resides.This story is about that person whom you truly love but you cannot have.  

The love story of Aman and Shruti is envied by all. Theirs is a love story that everyone dreams to have. They are dreaming of a future together in bliss when the inevitable happens. The two lovers are torn apart due to certain circumstances that leave them with only memories of each other to cherish. After a few years abroad trying to get over the break up immersing himself in work, Aman is back in India.

Its here that he comes in contact with a new friend, the buubly and lovable girl next door, Anjali. Aman also meets Vikram and Dipika , a married couple who have their share of fights at home. Shruti is also married to Rishabh and they share a different equation. 

What happens between Shruti and Rishabh to sour things between them?
What tore the lovebirds Aman and Shruti apart?
What is the connection between Aman and Anjali? Is it love?
What happens between Aman and Dipika?

(No, I will not be giving out any spoilers)

All the above queries are answered as you go through the story. The language is simple and the story flows easily . The reader is eager to find out what connects the characters. As we read we are aware of some emotions and instances that are common to us. We feel a bond with the characters. We may also become nostalgic at some point while reading, I did!

Love is like that. It is a universal feeling. The author has a knack of weaving the story beautifully and leading us to the understanding of the varied characters and their traits. A good read for the lovers of romance. I am a fan of Preeti Shenoy and I just found out that there are many other books of hers that I have not yet read. They will all be in my TBR (To Be Read) list now.

Shikara

Movie Review
Film- Shikara
Directors-Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Genre- Drama/ Romance

Shikara is the story of a couple Shiv Kumar Dhar and Shanti. This is a story that captures their journey as lovers to that of a married couple for 30 years. It is a story that takes us to the Kashmir as it was in the year 1990 when the the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits took place. Aadil Khan and Sadia as the lead couple perform brilliantly as the couple who long to go back to their homeland.

The film ends with a scene where Shiv Kumar who has gone back to Kashmir and teaches the children there, is approached by a group of Muslim children at his house. They keep staring at him and when he asks them why they are staring, one of them, Salman, replies that  they had never seen a Kashmiri Pandit before.This one line stays with us and we cant help feeling empathy for the Kashmiri Pandits who were displaced ruthlessly from their own homeland and nothing was done about it.

Another scene that stayed with me was the one where the couple attend a wedding of their Kashmiri Pandit relatives and they see how they  the old traditional songs and dances have made way for the modern song and dance numbers. This takes Sadia back to memories of her wedding where the atmosphere was so different.The scene in a bus where some men ask Sadia to cover her head with a veil is also filled with fear. She removes the bindi on her forehead and alights from the bus to see that terrorists have shot down four policemen at the bus stand. There are many such poignant moments, specially ones at the refugee camp where they live in pitiable conditions and also when they return to their old house in Kashmir for a while. Even the scene when Shiv Dar's friend is shot is heart breaking.

This movie was simply amazing. It's a heart wrenching tale about love and pain. The pain of the 400,000 Kashmiri Pandits who were thrown out of their own homeland is well depicted. It's the story that tells us how they became refugees in their own country. I could not stop my tears from flowing. This is a must watch for every Indian. We must realize the pain of our Kashmiri Pandits. We failed them as a country. 

The story of two lovers in the times of terror in the valley has been beautifully portrayed. The anguish of the Pandits is heart breaking. All the songs are melodious with soft, soothing music. The lyrics and poetry is soulful. Not a single recognizable face in the characters, yet each one portrayed their role brilliantly. The lead pair especially, completely floored me with their range of emotions. 

They love song of Kashmir shown towards the end of the film takes us to the present day Kashmir where we can see the houses of the Kashmiri Pandits lying abandoned and in ruins.They are still waiting for their rightful owners.It is saddening to revisit the Kashmir that I visited about ten years ago. Even then, I was pained to see the situation.This movie has a personal connect with the Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra as his family was also one among the thousands who were thrown out due to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley in the year 1990.

Please watch this movie and encourage others too to watch it. It is not entertaining but it is an eye opener. We should feel empathy for what they had to go through. I am sure this movie does not portray the many hardships they had to go through as refugees longing to be in their own homes once again. We did not do any thing for them then. The Government failed them. We did not make any uproar to give them back their rightful place in Kashmir back. We failed them. They are still waiting to go back home, their home in Kashmir. Hopefully the time will come when the Kashmiri Pandits can go back to their land, Kashmir which is, was and always will be a part of India.

Train to Busan

Movie Review
Film- Train to Busan (Korean)
Directors- Yeon Sang-ho 
Genre- Drama/ Horror 

After watching Parasite and being blown off by the amazing film , I was recommended 'Train to Busan'. I expected a good film but this was beyond my expectations.What an amazing film!

This is a film that is not meant for those who cannot bear blood and gore. But this is surely not all about that, there are different emotions weaved intricately into this story. It is the story of a father who is on a mission to take his daughter to her mother in Busan. During the journey, there is an outbreak of zombies in South Korea. What are the hurdles that they come across throughout the journey forms the crux of the story.This is a film only for an adult audience and not for the weak hearted.

The film makes us cringe at the horrific scenes of death and destruction caused by the zombie attacks. The story is gripping and we wait with bated breath for the safety of the characters . The film is not like the other Zombie films we come across,its not only about the horror. The film is about their fight for survival. It also projects the changing equation of the passengers with each other as the journey proceeds. It is all about trust and deceit, selfishness and selflessness, bravery and cowardice.

There are some scenes that make your heart take a leap and a few that make you weep. The final climax where the little Soo-an (played brilliantly by Kim Su-an) sings the song Aloha-O which means 'Farewell world' really pulls at your heart strings. We feel empathy for the little Soo-an as she portrays different emotions through the journey. She is amazed by the hate and selfishness she sees. She is dumbstruck at times and the last scene where she cries for her father is heart rending.Kim - Su-an is an an amazing actor and she started acting in movies at the age of five. She has won many awards and has been appreciated for her good portrayal of characters.

The movie has its moments of suspense and drama. It shows how humans work individually and as a unit to face challenges thrown their way. They show bonds being made and broken, people changing their view of people and things and how selfishness leads to loss of life.They tell us about behaviour of individuals when faced with tough, life-threatening challenges. There are some who only think of themselves while there are still others who strive for the common good of everyone even at the risk of their own lives.

The pace of the movie is excellent. There are no moments where we want to take our eyes off the screen. We want the end to be good and silently root for them. All the actors are brilliant in their roles. The action scenes and the makeup is phenomenal. I watched it on the small screen, but I can just imagine how it would be to watch this on a large screen with the sound effects to match! What a treat for cinema lovers this is! The director succeeds in keeping the suspense alive till the end. I did not understand the lyrics of the song Aloha-o yet it gave me goosebumps when Soo-an sang it as she walked through the tunnel.Do watch this cinematic masterpiece!

Korean film with sub-titles in English

\Kim Su-an is phenomenal as Soo-an

Hellaro

Movie Review
Film- Hellaro ( Gujarati)
Direction and story - Abhishek Shah
Genre- Drama/Folk lore'

Was waiting to watch this movie after reading the reviews and getting recommendations from my friends who watched it. Unfortunately, I missed it when it was in the theaters. Luckily , this movie is now playing on MX Player so I watched this gem of a movie.This movie has bagged the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.

The word ' Hellaro' translated means 'The Outburst'. It is a period drama based on a folk tale of Gujarat. The story line is captivating and it takes us on a journey to witness the conditions prevalent at a remote village in Kutch, Gujarat.The very beginning of the film itself gives us an idea about how the story is going to unfold as a little girl who wants to join in the garba dance that is performed by the men of the village. The little girl is told that garba was only for the male members and when she asks why she is told that girls are not even asked to question, they just have to do what is told.

So, this is the story of how the women, who are an oppressed lot at that village, take matters in their own hands and retaliate against the injustice meted out to them since years. They realize that they have been suffering for too long. A chance meeting with a drummer on the way to the river to fill water serves as the one incident that makes them experience the untold enjoyment they had never experienced before. That incident serves as the crux of the story.

When they dance the traditional garba near the riverside , they feel free and un-tethered. They feel rejuvenated and it is a release from the shackles that bind them to their routine life where they have no say in matters and just have to slog for the family. They have to appease the male members and elders in the family, cook, clean, fetch water, procreate and be there to fulfill their husband's physical needs. The women are not allowed to dance, sew or do anything to earn money or question any rules laid for them. The widows are considered to be ill omens and live  pitiable lives.

How do they retaliate against all odds?

What is the guilt that they carry?

What captured my attention the most was the story line and the songs and dances that were well weaved into the story. The lyrics are amazing and makes us feel the emotions portrayed. I loved the choreography and the costumes. Nothing seemed out of place or over the top. The film is not just about the garba dance,its about everything that they are forced to do or not do. It is about burying their desires and living by the rules dictated by the men folk. The last scene makes us want to shout and cheer for the women. I had goosebumps and my tears were streaming down. The thudding vibrations we feel as the drum beats and the women come out to dance is unimaginable. Maybe it is something only women can feel, I am not aware.

There were times in the film when we feel a strong connection with the women as we remember that there have always been and will always be times and incidents when the women have been considered as inferior. It reminds us that even today we live in a patriarchal society where women have yet to get heir rightful place in society. When the women retaliate and have their small victory at that moment, it gives us hope. Hope, that we too will have that moment when we can achieve what we want to, against all odds.
Till then we need to keep trying and keep our hopes high. Apna time bhi aayegaa!