Michael- Movie Review

 Movie- Michael

Director- Antione Fuqua

Genre- Biopic

As a nineties kid, for me Michael Jackson has always been 'The King of Pop' and we were all ardent fans of the artist who had an unimaginable fan-following in the days when there was no social media. All his shows were spectacular and he was a rage. Most of us kids and youngsters had his posters put up in our house. I have always loved Michael Jackson as a performer and I am a die-hard fan of his dance moves. It was heartbreaking to read about the accusations about child abuse and after that I really did not follow up on my idol. The King of Pop's untimely death in the year 2009 was also under public and media scrutiny.

It was only natural that his story came on the screen after nearly two decades as a biopic of a great artist who realized his dream to be famous all over the world. Once the most anticipated film was released everyone was curious and thronged the theatres. The critics went all out to give it a huge thumbs down and it was only after the audience went and watched the biopic that the appreciation for the movie was heard loud and clear drowning all the negative reviews of the media houses. 

The movie, like the man himself, is larger than life. It is like a great cinematic cum concert experience that leaves us wanting more. The movie is running to packed houses and like me there are many who are not satisfied with a one-time watch and have made plans to watch it again. The movie opens with glimpses of Michael's childhood that was tough on him to say the least as he was constantly under the scrutiny of his father who wanted the family band The Jackson 5 to be a rage and did all he could to make that possible.

Strangers in the Park- A Movie Review

Movie- Strangers in the Park

Originally in Spanish

Writers - Juan Jose Campanella and Herb Gardner

Director- Juan Jose Campanella

Actors- Luis Brandoni, Eduardo Blanco, Veronica Pelaccini

Genre- Comedy and drama

When we think of a movie we visualize many locations, different characters, dramatic storyline and a range of plots happening. This is a movie that breaks all movie stereotypes and marches ahead on the strength of its amazing storyline that is simple yet engaging right from the start to the finish. The movie is picturized at a park and the main prop is a bench at the park. The main characters are two oldies who are a sharp contrast to each other and are strangers who get entwined in each other unintentionally and provide us an interesting look at how just two characters can keep us engaged if the storyline is excellent as this one. 

So a  former communist activist and an ordinary family man who have nothing common with each other to speak of meet at a bench in the park and get talking. They meet every day at the park and strike an unlikely friendship. It is interesting to see how they communicate and tell each other about their lives and take the story forward. There are a few mentions of a couple of characters who come and go in between but they are there just fleetingly. The two lead actors are excellent in their respective roles and give us a tutorial on nuanced portrayal of characters. Dialogues are well-written and a class apart. This movie takes a look at the loneliness and isolation of the seniors and how they try to keep their self respect intact in this fast-paced world. The movie is deliberately slow-paced just like its leads and acquaints us with their life stories. A lot of philosophy and political talk included in the daily life tattle that makes us sit up and take notice. 

There is also a beautiful scene of the daughter and her old, ailing father which is well picturized. The story is humane, profound, sad and humorous too. It is surely not a run of the mill kind of movies we come across all the time so it is like a breath of fresh air. The park looks calm and serene and in the midst of it are these golden oldies sharing their stories. They refuse to let their age make them feel any lesser than those around them. The movie is about life and is a mirror to what each one of us has to go through some time later in life as we age. This story of  Leon and Antonio teaches us about the dignity and respect people need irrespective of their age. The story is uplifting and real. It is all about their experiences. What else is life, if not experiences! The movie is an adaptation of a theatrical play that ran for eleven years in Buenos Aires. The conversations are long at times and there are chances of switching of during the political discussions. The lead actors are exemplary and make it worth a watch. I liked it because it is so different from the regular movies we watch and probably that can be the very reason why people may not like the movie. There is no drama, change of location or anything that is visually interesting. For me it was a change of movie experience that I enjoyed. 

 

Big World-Movie Review

Movie- Big World

Genre- Slice of Life / Coming of age

Writer- Xiaoying You

Director- Lina Yang

Actors- Jackson Yee, Diana Lin

I read a review abut this movie and watched it out of curiosity without expecting much. This movie totally bowled me over with its bold views about how much of inclusivity is there in this world. Everyone thinks they are fighting a battle each day with all the challenges we face but we don't realize how much more of a challenge it is for the differently abled people who are trying to fit in this so-called normal world. 

This movie is in Mandarin  but I watched it in English with subtitles. Big World has won 15 awards and had 21 nominations. The actor Jackson Yee steals the show with his flawless portrayal of a young boy- Liu Chunhe, having cerebral palsy. Each movement of his, right from his head to his toe is in character. The walk, the flinch, talk, smile...everything is spot on. I have a school friend of mine who has cerebral palsy and I have seen her struggle so many times with something that seems so easy for others. The struggle, his grit and determination and his unfailing enthusiasm was a treat to watch. I cried at some emotionally loaded scenes and sincerely wish we all could have a world where the differently abled feel accepted and are made a part of the mainstream. Diana Lin as Jackson's grandmother too has done a wonderful portrayal and she has won awards for her role. 

Every character was well defined. There is not much drama but in a quiet manner this movie makes its mark. The storyline is simple and realistic with some great humorous moments too. This is a movie about motivation and grit that can move mountains. It is about love, respect, feelings and emotions and the will to rise and succeed not-withstanding all hurdles. The movie is not an entertainer as such but it is a must watch for its honest portrayal of the characters and the inspiration they carry along.  These are the kind of movies that are all heart and cannot be missed in the avalanche of  movies that roll out each year. Jackson Yee, take a bow...... you were truly outstanding as Liu Chunhe. Simply unbelievable!

Soldier Sailor

 Book Review

Title- Soldier Sailor

Author- Claire Kilroy

Genre- Fiction/ Slice of life

Special Mention- The Times Novel of the Year, Guardian, Financial Times, Economist, Irish Times, Daily Telegraph, New Statesman, Irish Independent and Independent Book of the Year.

Some books entertain, some make us think and some take us on a journey of discovery of self. They make us relive our past experiences. Claire Kilroy's Soldier Sailor was like a flashback for me and probably will be one for all the have-been new mothers. This book captures the trials and tribulations of new motherhood in a way that takes us back to our days as new moms. 

I agree , being a mother is an experience that we all cherish but it is rare to see someone describe the trials and tribulations of new mothers with so much honesty and clarity with tongue in cheek humour. The book delves into the physical and mental challenges faces by Soldier in bring up her four year old Sailor. Each little task is vividly described and we can actually relate to them as mothers as we have been there, done that. Visits to the park, the mall, a ride in the car, changing nappies, feeding fiascos, dressing up toddlers and screaming tantrums are all included here. 

As we read we realize that the Sailors father figure is not involved much, except for when he is finding faults in the Soldier's way of bringing up the little one. All he contributes is in the form of comments, taunts and indifference. The Soldier Marches on trying to do her best keeping herself in the background. Her life becomes her Sailors and she finds her self esteem hit the ground. She keeps sinking in the hole of doubts, guilt and responsibility and has no support. Like the last soldier on the battlefield she keeps fighting for her Sailor, her life.  

Claire Kilroy effectively captures the fear and hatred she feels at times in the tumultuous journey of bringing up another human who depends on you for everything. She feels guilt when she has thoughts of not having a child to look after and also feels so possessive and protective that she is ready to kill someone or be killed just to protect her little Sailor. 

The silver lining in the cloud is visible when the Soldier comes in contact with her friend a father of three little kids who makes her burden seem lighter. So many instances narrated in such a simple way mixed with dark humour that we can see the heart and soul laid bare before us. It is heart-breaking and heart-warming in a way to see what a mother goes through to bring up her child. A mother's worth cannot be expressed and her work can never be measured. 

The father is there but is like a spectator watching everything from afar and hurling curses and venting out his anger when mistakes are made. There is no question of being there and being a part of the child-rearing as this the mothers responsibility. He is there to correct, comment and make you feel insignificant for doing nothing note-worthy while he is out there doing so many important things that he cannot be bothered with the little stuff of bringing up the Sailor.

This is a must read for all new mothers, old mothers, women and even men who need to see what mothers go through. For all mothers , it is like a replay of the trials they faced as a lone Soldier in charge of a little Sailor. For men it is a lesson in being there physically and mentally for your little one as a part of the family. To be there to understand the mothers predicament as she struggles with the little and big tasks as a new mother. Read this one to feel the heart of a new mother and prepare to be blown over by it gradually. 

I simply loved the way Claire Kilroy makes us a part of her journey with the conversations and detailed descriptions of the instances that arise. Every moment becomes a story in itself although they are just the mundane and the routine as seen by others. There are some gems scattered all through the pages that hit you and make you sit up and acknowledge the depth in them.

After reading this book I really regret not making note or highlighting the lines that were exceptionally though-provoking and those that hit its mark. These lines were creatively and cleverly hidden in between the lines. 

Here are some amazing lines I loved:

“Here's my ennobling truth, Sailor: women risk death to give life to their babies. They endure excruciating pain, their inner parts torn, then they pick themselves up no matter what state they are in, no matter how much blood they've lost, and they tend to their infants… Tell me, men: when were you last split open from the inside?”

“Hadn't thought about death until I had you. A door opened when you entered my life and that door goes two ways. A baby was placed in the crook of my arm, and a skull on my open palm as I was crowned a mother. Here is your baby. One day you will lose him. He will lose you. You will all lose each other, and he never called her Mama again.”

“I am tired. I am lonely. I have found myself mired in resentment in this new life, become a person I don't wish to be, feeling constant guilt for not feeling constant gratitude for the blessing that is my child. I do feel constant gratitude: I adore my child. But I am tired. I am lonely. I am lost.”

“I always knew that, as the mother, I would get the blame for everything.”

Do read this one . It has received good reviews and won many awards for being an in-the -face and raw authentic look at the trials of  a new mother. Nothing entertaining or relaxing about this read because it tells you facts and shows a mirror to a mother's frustrations, fears and happy moments in her journey of motherhood. 

A Bird on My Windowsill

 Book Review- A Bird on My Windowsill

Author- Manav Kaul

Translated by- Nandini Kumar Nickerson

Cover design- Shadab Khan

First things first. The cover page of the book caught my eye and actually made me want to dig deep into the mind of the author. The author writes in his simplistic yet charming style, about the experiences he came across and also about his dreams and at times there is an over-lapping of the real with the unreal. Manav Kaul , who is an established actor shows the facet of him as a person who has a way with words. His poetry and prose entices the reader and our thoughts linger on the pages wanting to understand the  mind of the writer and how he sees things. 

This is the first time I am reading his work and it was truly impressive! In fact, this book inspires me to write about my memorable experiences. This book is not a story but a collection of anecdotes and thoughts that flow in the author's mind. The written words are heartfelt and have a touch of nostalgia to them. We connect with the experiences and it gives us a better understanding of what the author, actor, director Manav Kaul is all about. 

Manav Kaul's books are written in Hindi yet the book was well translated and has kept the essence of the beauty of his writing intact. I am sure that the book will be much better in the original because all said and done, the regional language has its own endearing charm that cannot be wholly felt in a translated version. My advice is that if you read books in Hindi, do go for the original Hindi version of the book. Other bestsellers from Manav Kaul are ' Theek Tumhaare Peeche'  (Right Behind You) and ' Prem Kabootar' (Love Pigeon) How interesting these titles sound, right?

There are so many lovely poetic verses and lines all through these pages that we feel comforted and tranquil. The author speaks of solitude, friendship, love and many other feelings that he comes across and the reader becomes one with his thoughts and aspirations. We too take a journey through his life and at the same time also delve into our lives that has met similar situations. In the end , all our lives are not so different yet so different from each others. This book is like a breath of fresh air that blows after a really hot and sunny day giving us respite from our mundane lives and making us feel the beauty of the life in all its hues. This book is a keepsake and we can keep going back to this one for solace and to feel the beauty of words. 

The Midnight Library

 Book Review- The Midnight Library

Author- Matt Haig

Genre- Fiction

Last year I asked my Secret Santa from my book reading  group to send me a book written by Matt Haig and I was pleasantly surprised to receive not one, but two novels by this author. Just the tag line on the cover 'One Library. Infinite Lives' was enough to infuse me with a kind of urgency to read this one. I had read many positive reviews about this one and wanted to find out for myself if it lived up to all that hype. I read this book at a slow pace and took in every detail. This is a book that actually blew my mind. It is astounding in so many ways. Thank you my Secret Santa for this wonderful gift!  

The Midnight Library is insightful in a way whereby we actually scrutinize our own lives and wonder what we would do differently in our like like the protagonist Nora Seed. Right at the beginning, the reader is aware that this book will be a roller-coaster of emotions. It is about life between life and death. It is all about our choices and the regrets we have after making those choices. Nora Seed goes through depression and hurt throughout her life and finally decides to end her life. When she finds herself in between life and death, she finds herself in a library that allows her to chose different lives that she could have led if she had made different choices. This forms the premise of the novel.

As we move ahead, Nora explores different lives and sees herself realizing that  in every life she finds something amiss. You just cannot have a perfect life for yourself as desired. She experiences so many changes in her mind as she goes through different lives that she understands that the best life you can live is the one you are actually living. What you make of your life is up to you.

This book talks about depression, life goals, persistence and grit. It also has a way of connecting our lives with that of Nora Seed and questioning our lives. 

What is that we regret? 

What would we do differently if given a chance?

Would our decisions make our life story different than the one at present?

More than anything, there are some true gems that are strewn all though the pages. They make us sit up and take notice of something that we failed to notice. All through our lives we fail to take notice of the important things and focus on perfection. We fail to realize that life is not all black and white, we have to accommodate the greys and accept things that are beyond our control. In spite of all the insights we get while reading this book, let me make it clear that this novel is not preachy in any way. All it does is make you think. The what if scenarios keep popping up and we connect with the protagonist all along as if we are soul mates sailing in the same boat. This story is like a slice of life and it has the potential to put a mirror to our lives too. It gives us a realization of where we stand in life and how we have made good and not so good choices that have shaped our lives. This book is an inspirational read.

There are many lines that are worth a mention here, but I am just going to state a few lines that have stayed with me long after completing the novel. 'The paradox of volcanoes was that they were symbols of destruction but also life. Once the lava slows and cools, it solidifies and breaks down over time to become soil- rich, fertile soil. She wasn't a black hole ,she decided. She was a volcano.'

Here are some other thought-provoking lines from the book.

My verdict- This is a must read!

Watched Gangubai Kathiawadi today on the big screen. Total waste of time and money. Too much of hamming and unnecessary melodrama. The only thing that captured my interest was the dances and the location they showed. The Kamathipura red light area was beautifully portrayed. I was in that area during one of my walks and it was a close representation. The storyline was not engaging enough and the characters were nearly reduced to caricatures due to the over the top acting. I like Alia Bhatt but here she looked too artificial and forced. Ajay Devgn is good but could not save this film. The lone saving grace was Jim Sarb and the television heart throb Shantanu Maheshwari. They were splendid in their short but important roles. Shantanu is really adorable! The luxury cars looked spectacular and the dances were amazingly picturized.

I have nothing against the real life shero who fought against the oppressors and made life more bearable for the prostitutes and challenged the people who exploited their miseries. She was an iron lady who led by action and was admired by one and all for her guts.

I feel the casting was too far-fetched. Aalia Bhatt did not look convincing enough in this role. The story dragged in many places. Probably an actress who is a bit more mature in this field would have done an outstanding job according to me. It's not just about the age as we have seen Anupam Kher shine the brightest in his role of a grieving father in the movie Saraansh. I am talking about maturity in acting that Aalia Bhatt lacked for this particular role. She is undoubtedly an amazing actress otherwise.

My verdict, please give this one a miss. I regret watching this one. I nearly dozed off three times!

Hridayam

 Hridayam is a romantic musical with a twist. It stars Pranav Mohanlal, Darshana Rajendran and Kalyani Priyadarshan who are the parts of the love triangle. All the three leads have a magnetic screen presence and have played their roles superbly. The story begins in the college years where the lovers meet and break up only to meet once again at a turn in life.

The best part of the movie is that this is not just about romance. This is a movie that is inspirational and make us think about our life goals. It is a slice of life movie where we change along with the growing years. Somethings that fascinate us when we are younger may not hold the same charm for us as years progress and we have new priorities in life. Throughout life there are people and instances that change us for better or worse. Life, after all, is all about the experiences we have and the people who impact us. 

This story takes us back and forth in different time zones to tell us the story of the two friends who met in college and broke up only to get back together under different circumstances later on in life. The two female leads are truly gorgeous and have their own charm. The male lead is adorable and all of them do a fantastic job with their honest portrayals. The Secret Alley has a mystery of its own. It is a room where the college students are allowed to go only after they graduate. I loved that concept!

What can I say about the location and the music! The background score and the songs were melodious and peppy. All of them were beautifully picturized. The locations were breath-takingly beautiful as they usually are in these Malayalam films. It was specially spectacular when they follow Arun Neelakandan (Pranav Mohanlal) when he is on his travels with his camera for company. This is a heart-felt film with some touching moments. The storyline is engaging and it moves at a steady pace. This is a good movie that you cannot miss. 

Jhimma

 I love travel. I always dream of travelling to far away places. Travelling makes me look at life differently and it also helps me find myself. There is a line in the movie that says that travelling makes the traveller a new person and I agree whole-heartedly. 

The movie Jhimma is a look at a group of women who travel together with a tour company . It takes us along with them to witness their hits and misses and the way they bond together. It makes for a good movie but with a bit of tweaking it could have become a great movie. It is always fun to put many women together and observe them. 

Each one in the movie has a different character to play and they are on the tour with their respective emotional baggage. There are some lovely moments captured among these new found friends and there are some words of wisdom about life. The star cast is amazing but the movie does not live to the expectations. It is quite abrupt in some places and drags in some. It gave me the feeling that the great star cast was a waste here as they were not well-utilized. Of course, it was nice to see them together, yet there was something lacking. 

The best part for me is the virtual tour we have of London. All the locations are tourist destinations of London and I just could not take my eyes away from the beauty of the locations. This movie gave me new travel goals!

As I said there are some things that could have been handled a bit differently in the movie to make it better. The premise of the movie was good. The movie drags in some parts and we feel they could have shown us something more about the characters. This was an OK one time watch but definitely not worth watching in the theatres. 

A Thursday

 The title of the movie A Thursday does not in any way help us understand what this movie is all about. That is like a plus point here as it makes us wonder right from the start as to what we are going to expect here. As the movie progresses, we are drawn into the plot and the mystery deepens. As viewers we keep making different assumptions and that is what makes this a good suspense drama. This is a good thriller with a great climax that is unexpected. 

There are some loopholes in the story yet the story is riveting enough to keep us engaged. Leaving a bit of hamming by some characters, there are some great acting skills on display here. Yami Gautam, Atul Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia are amazing and live the characters they play. Yami Gautam is truly an under-rated actress. She plays the role of Naina Jaiswal, an enterprising kindergarten teacher who runs her playschool called Little Dots. 

The story deals with a rather sensitive topic that has been well-handled with just the right amount of drama. Neha Dhupia is a bit over the top as always but Yami is fantastic as one who resorts to some desperate measures to get herself heard. This is a story that has its moments where we feel the shame of living in the society we do where justice does not exist for some. This is a story that needs to be told. A movie that will make you squirm uncomfortably as it asks some questions that are difficult to answer.  This is surely not a movie for entertainment but one that leaves you with some questions in your mind  about the society  or world we live in. We wonder whether there is going to be an end to such instances. 

Hopefully I did not give away too much in the review as the mystery of the movie is its greatest plus point. Do watch this thriller with a twist. 

REPLY 1988

Reply 1988 is a South Korean television series starring Lee Hye-ri, Ryu Jun- Yeol, Park Bo-gum, Go Kyung-pyo and Lee Dong-hwi. The series is heartfelt and the best two words I can use to describe it is pure and relatable. This series is a slice of life and every episode has its wow moments and lessons that enable us to understand the importance of the bonds we share with out=r family, neighbours and friends. 

Beginning in the year 1988, the story revolves around the life of five friends and their families who live in the Ssangmun-dong neighbourhood. This series is truly addictive and each and every character amazes us. The story line is simple and moves form the past to the present effortlessly and we are given a glimpse of the equations the members share with each other and how circumstances lead to the changes in these equations as the story moves along. The story keeps flitting from the past to the present yet it is not at all confusing in any way. There are some amazing scenes between the characters that stay with us long after the series is over. The neighbourhood and the families living there all grow on you and you become a part of their life .

There are so many romantic, swoon worthy moments and also instances that make us understand what really matters in life. We can relate to all the things that happen and even the characters seem so real and lovable. This series has made me fall in love once again with the irresistible Park Bo-gum who charms us with his controlled acting and his role as an amazing Go Game player but a simpleton who is socially awkward. I just cannot take my eyes off him and keep waiting for him to come on to the screen.

Special mention of Lee Hye-ri and all the others for their outstanding acting skills. We become a part of the lives of these friends and their families. We get to learn about the life in the middle and upper class who are in the same neighbourhood. A lot of thought has gone in selecting the cast, location and many little things have been take into account to make this series the blockbuster it is. Even small things like the bedding, furniture, the clothes and the food the eat give us an insight into the life they live. 

This series is inspiring and uplifting. You cannot miss this one for the innocence. This series is all heart. Do watch this one and you can thank me later.

My Love from the Star

My Love from the Star is a romantic fantasy that stars  Jun Ji-hun, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-jin, Yoo In-na, Shin Sung-rok and Ahn Jae- hyun. It follows the life of an extra -terrestrial alien who lands on Earth and falls in love with a famous actress. What is it that binds these two together, how they keep meeting each other  and what are the challenges they come across forms the crux of the story. This series has garnered great interest and has won many accolades.

Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun) is amazing as the alien who landed on Earth during the Joseon Dynasty and who falls in love with an actress, Song -yi after living on Earth for 400 years. After every decade he is forced to take on another role on Earth. He has a near-perfect human appearance, enhanced physical abilities involving his vision, hearing and speed. He lights up the screen with his presence and has a calm and controlled demeanor. Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun) and Do Min-joon keep meeting under mysterious circumstances and they develop a bond with each other just when Do Min-joon is three months away from leaving the Earth. Min-joon and Song-yi eventually fall in love; Min-joon aims to leave Earth without being emotionally attached so he tries to avoid her but fails. 

There are many other characters that are gradually introduces into the story and they play an important role in how the relationship between the lead pair develops. After being a much-sought after actress, there comes a time when Song-yi is rejected by everyone due to an incident that involves her. This is when the story takes a different turn and becomes thrilling. It is engaging to see how Min-joon tries to save Song-yi and the climax leads to that. All the characters are well-sketched and the series moves ahead at a steady pace. I am a fan of the male lead, Kim Soo-hyun who is one of the highest paid actors in South Korea. He was there in the series 'It's OK not to be OK' and I have become a great fan since then. 

Our Beloved Summer

 This series 'Our Beloved Summer' has my heart. The lead pair share amazing chemistry and the story line is really interesting and unpredictable. This is not just about the lead pair, we also get to see the involvement of the others around them with respect to the bond they share. Their family and friends and the circumstances leading to where they stand at present play an important role in the way the story progresses.

To tell you the truth, in the beginning I thought that this is probably an over hyped series and just wanted to watch a few episodes and find out whether it is really that great. I was pleasantly surprised as this series is full of heart. They have shown so many emotions and the viewer is kept guessing as to what happens next.

We feel for the characters and want to root for them. The lead pair and the others have shown controlled acting and there is no way they can be faulted. The houses shown, the lanes, the offices and the other locations are all so apt that we get totally involved in the story and feel we are a part of it.

Another exceptional thing about this series are the amazing songs and the background music. I just cannot have enough of The Christmas Tree song V of BTS. What a soulful rendition of the song! I keep listening to it and it has such a romantic feel to it that it makes my heart flutter. All the other songs are also good but it is a pity that the lyrics of the Korean songs are not written in the subtitles so it is not possible to understand or feel the emotions they portray.

This series is promoted as a romantic comedy and it stars Choi Woo-shik, Kim Da-mi, Kim Sung-Choel and Ron Jeong-eui. This series is about a documentary shot of two high school students and it follows their life when they grow older too to find how they have changed. They are a lot of make ups and break ups and also love and heart break among the characters. It is interesting to see the characters develop as the episodes move forward. I have got addicted to this series. It has 16 episodes in all and after watching it I am already missing these two lovers. I am glad it had a 'Happy Ever After' ending to this series. Choi Woo-shik (Choi Ung) is simply adorable and we just can't stop loving him. Even Kim D-Mi (Kook Yeong-Soo) does an excellent job as a realistic PR expert who is fiercely independent and does not allow her feelings to be seen by others. Kim Sung-Choel as Kim Ji-Ung also steals the show with his amazing and effortless acting skills. He is the silent admirer of Kook Yeong-Soo and he loves her but cannot show it as his best friend loves her too. Thankfully, he too gets his romantic partner towards the end.

Do watch this beautiful romantic series that will bring a smile on your face and also make you cry with them. Some really amazing moments captured in the episodes. Do listen to the Christmas Tree song by V from BTS. This series is a must watch as it has some really emotional and romantic scenes. We wish we had such a romance in our lives watching it.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Title- The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Author- Hiro Arikawa

Translated from the Japanese by - Philip Gabriel

Genre- Fiction

The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a best seller and has also been made into a live action Japanese film. This was my first read for this year and I am glad I chose this one. I am a lover of travel and I carried this book along on my tour to the North-east. I cannot express how blissful it was to sit by the gurgling riverside and read this with the mountains behind me. This book brought a smile on my face at the very beginning when I was introduced to Nana the cat. It is amazing how the cat carries the story forward and tells us about his wonderful escapades with his master Satoru.

The book gives us a glimpse into the life of Satoru and his cat Nana and Satoru's childhood friends. It is a look at the travels and explorations of the master and his cat as they move from place to place and as they do that we the readers are delighted with the beauty of the places they visit and we are acquainted with the people they meet. The description of the places is such that we are literally transported there. The cat Nana tells us about his meeting with different animals and people in an interesting manner we feel it is the most normal thing a cat can do.

Though the book is written in simple language it gives us a deep insight about the life of Satoru and the other characters in the book. We meet his childhood friends and learn how their friendship developed. We learn about the bond he shares with them and his cats Nana and Hachi. The cat Nana also makes us delve deep into the thought processes of a cat. How Nana feels about Satoru's friends and family is revealed to us. The storyline is engaging and we cannot help feeling in love with the loyal Nana and we learn to appreciate Satoru's mission to find the right house for Nana.

'The Travelling Cat Chronicles' is a must read for lovers of animals and travel enthusiasts. It takes us on an interesting journey that explores people and places in a unique and simplistic manner. This is a story about loyalty , gratitude and friendship. This story about a stray cat who becomes family really tugs at your heartstrings. 

This is story that is full of heart. There are so many beautiful moments in it. I was surprised to see my tears flow as I neared the end of the book, the climax is an emotional one. It is not only the story but also the cover page of the book that catches your attention. As a reader we would expect the cat on the cover page to resemble Nana the cat in the story but it is an original brush painting entitled ' Man and the World' which is painted by Shuai Liu, a Chinese painter with cerebral palsy whose work is supported by Chilture.com, a studio of disabled artists. Learning about the artist of the cover page was another plus for me  about this book. 

I am glad this was my first read for this year. I too would like to learn to express my gratitude towards people I meet and those who touch my life and appreciate the good things life has to offer instead of focussing only on the the challenges I face. Life is really beautiful if we find the time to look at the beauty around us- the beauty in the places and the people around us. Waiting eagerly to watch the Japanese movie of the same name as the trailor looks really interesting. 

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Itaewon Class

 I am just completed binge watching the Korean drama series Itaewon Class and I was blown away!

I am a huge fan of the male and female leads - Park Seo-joon, Kim Da-mi and Kwon Nara.

Park Bo Gum has a small role in it as a handsome chef but he is only seen in the climax of episode 16, so though I was tempted I didn't watch that episode first. He is a treat to our eyes!

There are some amazing moments captured in the episodes that encourage us to follow our dreams and have firm belief in ourselves.

The series is all about finding your strengths and facing any challenges that come your way as you pursue your goal. It is about finding our strengths and not showing other to determine what you can or cannot do.

I must add that I am in love with the lead Park Seo Joon and he has proved, time and again, that he is an outstanding actor. He emoted really well and he is not just a romantic lead who can make us swoon with his good looks, great body and kissing scenes. He portrays the character of Park Seroeyi amazingly well.

There is a poem in episode 12. It a beautiful one about finding ones inherent strength and accepting yourself for who you are. We don't need the approval of others, we need to understand that especially when we have people put to ridicule us and treat us a worthless. This poem is for all of us. It us an affirmation we all need in trying times, I am diamond.

Yes, say this aloud......

Love Alarm

Everyone needs to be loved. We all have that special someone who makes our heart flutter. What is better than having the person that we love love us back with the same intensity or more!

What if there was a mobile app that helped you find that special someone for you. What if there was someone who rings your love alarm and you ring it back? These are the possibilities that have been explored in the series 'Love Alarm'.

'Love Alarm' is an amazing Korean Drama series about love and it has been well scripted. It is an adaptation of a famous Daum webtoon. It stars Kim So-Hyun, Jung Ga-rum and Song Kang. It follows the life of a high school girl who like many others is highly influenced by a new mobile love app that notifies us of someone in the vicinity having romantic feelings for you. 

It is a love triangle with a difference because it also takes into consideration all the trials and tribulations that the lead protagonists have gone through. It gives us a glimpse into their lives and the circumstances that lead to the decisions they make. The series is in two short seasons and all the episodes are engaging. There is a lot of romance, emotion and it comes with a slice of life.

The lead characters are endearing and we slowly become a part of their lives. We see them make up and break up and pine for each other. We see the confusion they have when they have to make choices. The songs and music score is soothing and impactful. The two male leads are charming and they make our hearts skip a few beats. Song Kang is a treat to our eyes, his visuals are alluring and mesmerizing to say the least. 

This series is very good but not mind-boggling great. There are many other Korean series that can be watched before you come to this one. Of course, it goes without saying that this series was very impactful for its viewers as the premise of the series was particularly close to their hearts. The acting of each and every character was spot on and gave us no reasons to complain. I watched this one just for Song Kang who was the lead in 'Nevertheless' and I missed him badly. Keep this one in your to be watched list for sure. There are also some rumors of a season three for this season, let's wait and watch.

83

 

Leharaa do!!!

Watched the movie 83 today and I was literally bowled over!!!

In other words, I was clean bowled!

This movie gave me a taste of our past glory and let me revive the memories of that amazing World Cup that I watched with enthusiasm as a kid. It was like a festival then, the thrill and excitement on our win was remarkable to say the least. Everyone was glued to their television sets or radio sets back then as we watched history being created.

The Indian team was nothing but the underdog and we did the unthinkable then. The patriotic fervor was sky high and we could feel the josh in every player. Kapil Dev and Mohinder Amarnath were my favourites then. We knew all the players so well that we imitated their peculiar styles. Watching this movie made me nostalgic. This was the first movie I watched in the theatre after the pandemic. The movie hall had just a few patrons and I was masked all through the movie. I had to watch this on the big screen and I am glad I did.

This movie made me cry, laugh, cheer and clap and scream. It gave me goosebumps and made my heart flutter when I saw Kapil Dev and Mohinder Amarnath, my cricket idols. We all know the story but still I felt thrilled and excited. Seeing the tricolour and hearing all the songs made my heart race with pride.

I am full of admiration for Kabir Khan for taking up this mammoth task of recreating such an iconic moment in Indian history. He really did a great job. What a task it must have been to bring forth the same emotions and do the right casting for each of the characters portrayed! The scenes were realistic and the background score and the songs were amazing. This movie struck a chord and touched my heart. I was transported to 1983 even as the world was in the clutches of the Corona pandemic. This movie made me so emotional. My mask was wet with my tears and my glasses got foggy. I could not wait to share my views of the movie and discuss it with my husband who had watched it earlier. I felt I had witnessed the match in a stadium. After watching so many movies and series on television and my laptop since the pandemic, this was really a treat for my eyes.

I am not a fan of Ranveer Singh but I must say he was superb as Kapil Dev. Each of the others in the Indian team and even the West Indies team were so apt for their roles. Special mention of Vivian Richards and Clive Lloyds too. I don't think it was necessary to bring in Deepika Padukone for this movie. Maybe they just wanted to come together after their wedding for this movie.

I must add that this movie will have a different influence on those who have actually watched this match in the year 1983 as compared to those who were not born at that time. The younger generation may not feel the same nostalgia that we do after watching this movie so they may not find it that impactful. There are some really wonderful moments captured in the movie and it has a nice in it when the movie jumps from one timeline to the next when it tries to show us the comparisons between what it was actually in the year 1983. We see visuals of the real 1983 heroes on the screen and we are filled with awe.

This movie was a spectacular experience for me, maybe more so as it was my first movie in a movie theatre after nearly two years. After all the many movies and series I have been watching at home, this came as a great refreshing experience. I urge you to watch this movie without fail and relive that momentous World Cup win. Trust me, it will surely bowl you over!

Fight for My Way

 Fight My Way is directed by Lee Na Jeong ( of Oh My Venus fame) Park Seo Joon and Kim Ji Won star in a drama that shows even a life without money and success can be beautiful, you just have to fight for it. This series is about four childhood friends who are aiming to make it big in life but are not finding their foot hold in doing so. How they try to fight against all odds to achieve what they set out to achieve forms the crux of the storyline.

This series will make the girls and ladies swoon as Park Seo Joon as Ko Dong Man is a totally adorable hunk. He takes off his shirt many times thankfully and makes our heart flutter with his innocent ways. Kim Ji Won  as Choi Ae Ra is a good choice as his trusted friend who is always there to root for him.

The story lines moves often to their childhood which tells us of the bond they shared as kids. For 20 years they stay next to each other and only then find out about the true feelings they have for each other. The life of these four friends is engaging and there is not a dull moment anywhere in the series. There is humour, emotion and romance in good measure. This is an entertaining watch and at the same time it tells us about how we can achieve what we want to if we really try.

This is a must watch for all K-Drama fans out there. It is so addictive that I just could not stop binge-watching the episodes.

Sardar Udham

 An amazing movie by Shoojit Sircar that takes us back to history. We can't watch without tears the black day of 13th April, 1919 when a horrific massacre took place at the Jalianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Even after all these years it's difficult to forget how General Reginald Dyer ordered his men to open fire at a peaceful gathering of about 20,000 people at Jalianwala Bagh. I have taught about this incident to my students but I was unaware of the story of Sardar Udham Singh. It is sad that we know so less about the real heroes of India who sacrificed their all for their motherland. The trials and tribulations they went through for our freedom struggle and to avenge the massacre is unimaginable. Some really painful and heart wrenching scenes here. It's a shame that the British got away even after such horrific acts.

Yes, I agree that the movie is a bit slow-moving and not as crisp as expected. For me, the validity and honest of the story is enough for me to watch it. We need such films that give us an insight into our freedom struggle. Everything cannot be for entertainment alone. This movie moves us and takes us to visit India's past history during that time period.

It's important to know about these bravehearts of India and appreciate and give them the respect due. I wish there are more films like these so that we are inspired to work hard for the progress of our country and not take our freedom for granted. We, the people of India can make our country great.

Vicky Kaushal is fantastic as the main protagonist in the movie. He really portrays the character well.

Do watch this gem of a movie that is streaming on Amazon Prime.