A cool catch

Recently, I have caught some cool flicks on video,
I know 'cool' is a much abused word, it is so randomly
used today to mean a bizarre range of things......
yet it can often fit as an apt qualifier when one has to
group an otherwise disparate but appealing group
of objects, and, here, I am using the term for the very
same reason...... it's a wide range of films, it's an
impressive array nonetheless. Each of these films has entertained
me, and I am sure it would entertain all cine-buffs, in
different ways though. They represent our times, as the makers
have made them in recent times; even when they represent
different periods from history, they have contemporary
treatment, and ethos. Some these films provoke, make us question;
some of these touch just our hearts, our souls, with some
kind of magical power. Whatever be the genre, each of these films
strikes a chord with the viewer and engages him to appreciate
life as such.
I hope my readers will join in, to pour their views
on some or all of these films. Here they are:

360 (2011)

Bel Ami (2012)

The Conspirator (2010)

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)

Womb (2010) 

Hanna (2011) 

Detention (2011)

Margaret (2011)

The Raven (2012)

The Hunger Games (2012) 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Donkey Punch (2008)

A journey.... a dream..... a revolution

Satyamev Jayate has become the television series responsible for changing not only the history of Indian television, but also bringing about changes amidst us, and in our selves. A reality series need not be scoffed at henceforth, not if it has the best intentions to usher positive social change, not even if it is aired on Sunday mornings in the slot which used to be referred to as the graveyard shift.
Aamir Khan has not just made a television series, he has helped us Indians envision a dream. Countless Indians have embarked on a journey that promises not to end with the culmination of the show (the series - many are already calling it the Season 1, expecting a Season 2 very soon - has just concluded a fortnight back), rather Aamir himself has said that it is the very beginning of the journey. Miles to go in the direction of total upliftment, equity and progress; the hurdles are too many, but the will to tackle them all has received a huge impetus. We are all passionate about our country, about the dream to make India a nation to be truly proud of; it would be a feat for us all to see the tears wiped off for good, to have teeming millions smiling for a better today and a promising tomorrow.
I would say that the show has revolutionized Indian television. I had been hugely apprehensive of the impact that the uniquely formatted show could have. So what if the show had a powerhouse anchor like Aamir Khan who was having his TV debut...... who expected masses to be awakened from their slumber to sit up and take note of the serious problems confronted by the citizens across the length and breadth of the country! I am pleasantly surprised to see the landmark response and the appeal generated by the same. People have not only been moved, charged by the vigor to harbinger positive changes, but opinions have been mobilized like never before! Unprecedented success has been garnered by the series, for which one must recognize the contribution of (apart from Aamir himself, the key-figure) the production house (Aamir Khan Productions Pvt. Ltd.), its entire team, especially the fabulous and in-depth research carried out by the research team, and, of course, the vision and perseverance of director Satyajit Bhatkal.

May the journey continue, may the dream reach fruition in the best possible way, may this revolution to make India a better nation in every way gain momentum each day - that is what I pray as we celebrate the 65th Independence Day of India.

Coffee coffee

They say, a lot can happen over a cup of coffee.
I concur..... and I would also like to add that even 
a cup of coffee can make love happen!

Coffee coffee...... here's some fresh coffee for two!!

When Size Does Not Matter.........

The size or the length or the duration of the film has nothing to do with the impact it can have. It is a known and proven fact. And once again it has been reiterated by the short films that I have had the chance to view in the last few weeks. It has been a truly enriching experience and I must thank TV5 for the opportunity it has given the viewers by showcasing some of the brilliant short films in French, subtitled in English for the non-French speaking viewers, like me.
The films that have mesmerized me, bowled me over, are:
Transparence
I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors
The Trenches (La tranchée)
Margaux's Incredible Journey (L'incroyable voyage de Margaux)
La tête froide

Most of the films were thought provoking and dealt with complex themes or issues, but all of them were engrossing to the core. I recommend them for all my film-buff friends. I am sure the films will delight you for whatever reasons.