Must see: The Secret Life of Bees

Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch this movie, and boy was it a blast. I haven't seen such wonderful narration in a while, and all the actors in the movie shine in their roles. Queen Latifah's role seems a little over-wrought, but it's an easy thing to forgive, given the gorgeous way this movie unfolds. Dakota Fanning shines too. Not her best role, but she's pretty awesome as a troubled teenage girl. I'm not sure why Alicia Keys cannot tone down the make-up, but then, she's good too, so that's forgivable.

But the sum of parts surely does outshine. It deals with good and bad in people with equal vigour, and it can be quite touching in many places. It's been a long time since I've seen a movie that moved me to tears so often. I don't understand why this move has only 6.8 on IMDB, but it surely deserves at least a 7.5. Must watch.

Must Read: Shantaram

If you guys have any reason to read this blog at all, do yourself a favor, and get Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Really. Perhaps this is the biggest favor I can do for you, if you haven't read the book already. This is the first book in a long, long, time that enveloped me so completely that I find myself laughing, reminiscing, thinking and completely lost in the story. If I have to review it, and I've read only half of it as yet - it's five f_ckin stars. Easily one of the best books I've read. I'm a total bookworm, so that's saying something. And it's so easy to see why it could be made into a movie. Whatever I write here, would be pointless. This book is an experience. Now, go get it. I'll doubt if you'll do anything else properly until you finish it :).

Dasavatharam: Lamest over-hyped movie I've ever seen.

There is something definitely wrong with the TN movie-going folks. How can the same audience who make critically acclaimed movies like Paruthiveeran superhits and turn around and go ga-ga over such a total dud as Dasavatharam? God, this movie gave me a headache. Where do I start? The hopeless narcissism of Kamal, who has to act in every goddam role in the movie. Here's an idea, Kamal - get rid of the heroine next time - I'm sure you can assay that yourself quite well.

The make up. Jeez. How many times do we have to put up with the sad imitations of John Woo flicks? Not that the originals are great either, but come on... the make up looks cakey, horrible. The old woman played by Kamal looks more like a corpse that's been waken up. The story. Contrived as hell. I totally didn't get the politician role. Gawd. He talks so much. Don't even ask about the whole "NaCl" thing. Gag me with a spoon.

What's more ridiculous is that all the newspapers just keep sucking up to the movie. Not one trashed it. If I remember right, some writer for Hindu was impressed by the dialogue at the end - "Remember Hiroshima? - Remember Pearl Harbor"? I felt like running somewhere and hiding in a hole. Or somehow disappear from the hall. Next time, I'm not going to this kinda over-hyped movies unless somebody bets me big money that I can survive the whole experience without cringing. I doubt if I'll win though.

Verdict: Epic Fail.