The Lost Symbol - Book Review

I vaguely recall reading “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexander Dumas, when I was hardly 10 years old. I have been reading since then; lots of authors, various categories of publications in the quest of figuring out which genre is my cup of tea. And then I sank into Angels n Demons; a compelling and gripping read which made me wake up till early morning to complete the book. Dan Brown the master story teller who awed us with his chef d'oeuvre in the past, has come back after 6 years with his latest “The Lost Symbol”. Unfortunately Lost Symbol fails to match its predecessors not just in plot but also in pace. In reviews, the book got crucified by his fraternity and lashed out by readers across the globe. My verdict – Read it; Come on – It’s not that bad!!

The book promisingly opens with Masonic ritual performed on the antagonist and an invitation to Robert Langdon for an emergency Seminar. Soon characters Katherine Solomon, Malakh, Director Sato unfold before our eyes with an incident in U.S Capitol. The plot thickens from this point and story, instead of taking new pace becomes a documentary. The justification of brilliant Langdon’s arrival to Washington, sans logic. For some readers the biggest let down might be the suspense of who Malakh was.

However the book has Mr.Brown moments to cherish. Be it emoting Langdon’s frustration through “Google is not a synonym for research” or be it his elaboration on Thermal Imaging, TLV and Noetic Sciences, Mr.Brown excels in presentation. He once again proves his acumen in history and efficacy in his detailing. He is one author who analyses all possible cultures to connect the similarities. This read may not elate one as Da Vinci and Angels n Demons, but will enlighten us with new concepts and will raise new questions on Noetic Science and its capability.

Copyright © Sivi 11-Dec-2009

Kurbaan (Sacrifice) – Hindi movie on terrorism

http://www.kurbaan.com/index.html

Controversial (in India) bare back Kareena posters and "over-hyped" first reviews compelled me to step into cinemas and watch this movie. Well! My first impression – a very intelligent and bold attempt in Indian Cinema, matching international standards. The motion picture lives up to all the hype. We may have come across many terrorist based creations in the past but this is one of a kind. The beauty is, the story does not take any side. It is a literal copy and paste of emotions and happenings from blood shed earth onto silver screen.

In essence, the movie is about

• a terrorist whose mission is to carry another 9/11 in New York
• his wife trapped in marriage with him and in the hands of his group
• and an undercover reporter who at any cost determined to save New York.

Trust me! The viewers get gripped to their seats for the next 2 hours and 40 minutes witnessing the events unfold with huge appreciation. The good news is one need not worry about not understanding Hindi. More than 60% of the conversation between characters is in English as the movie is solely based in Newyork and the characters are well-educated professors and reporters.

The USP of the film is the dialogues – stunning work by Niranjan Iyengar and Irfan Siddque. It really pierces your heart when an old father on being accused as a fundamentalist by his son, with all agony in his eyes, retaliates “From when supporting one’s religion did become fundamentalism son?”

However the penultimate moment is the conversation in classroom between students, on the subject Islam and Modern World. A must watch sequence! It is a tight slap on face for countries hogging Iraq. On the other hand the depiction of ruthless one-dimensional hardcore terrorists certainly creates discomfort in your bottom stomach. The sequence where an airport official does a random check on a genuine Muslim traveller, leaving free the actual terrorist just before him deserves chuckle.

Kudos to Karan Johar (Producer) and Rensil D’silva (Director) for making this impeccable and intelligent effort. Salim-Sulaiman’s music and background score adds justice to the mood of the movie. My favourite number is “Ali Maula”

On performances – one word, Top-notch. Saif Ali Khan as an introvert terrorist and disguised professor does a commanding job. The character has been under-played with all emotions bottled-up; he brings how a real terrorist will be at large before our eyes. Kareena Kapoor does a neat job as wife of a terrorist who was deceived by everything but love. She takes all applauds in the climax while asking her dying husband his real name. Vivek Oberoi as reporter Riyaaz Masud – a revelation. He plays with all conviction portraying today’s true Muslim, struggling for a normal identity, confronting his demons trying to save New York. His characterisation pulls a very brave question from the black bag. How tough is it to live happy and loyal in the current climate, born Muslim?

It has been more than 48 hours since I watched the film; it still remains fresh in my thoughts. I can vouch that, this movie is not just another Bollywood flick. It redefines Bollywood in international arena. 

Copyright © Sivi 23-Nov-2009

The Men who Stare at goats - Review

Okay. What are the odds, for my previous post and this movie having a common ground? The movie speaks (mocks) about the power of mind and controlling them to kill goats.

My hubby and I have cultivated the habit of watching at least one movie each week. Being a huge movie buff with strong opinions, strangely this is my first movie review ever on paper… well on web. It’s a strange move that we decided to watch this piece of work by Grant Heslov in cinemas.  Normally we watch chick flicks, documentaries, etcetera on DVDs.

Well having not read the book written by Jon Ronson myself, I am in no position to comment on whether the movie does justice to his work. However I can vouch for some rib-tickling moments in the presentation. In essence, the movie is about a secret psychic division in US military, its neurotic followers and the voyage of a journalist to middle-east with an eccentric psychic monk. The movie takes its pace when journalist Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) runs into weirdo Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), who declares that he was on a secret mission to Iraq. For the following 40 minutes per-say, the whole cinema auditorium was roaring with laughter. Be it, speaking about splitting clouds and leaving the car to crash, or talking about intuitions and taking 30 minutes to choose a road, Mr Clooney as Mr Cassady, excels. On the other hand Ewan McGregor gives a neat performance as a common man with fresh wounds from a broken relationship, clueless of what to do, join Clooney and realizes his stupidity when captured by some terrorists in Kuwait desert where it was too late. Normally tough to match Clooney’s performance when he is in song, McGregor delivers the impossible. Other person deserving applause is Jeff Bridges (Bill Django) as founder of this, one of a kind psychic division. Jeff occupies most of his screen space in Cassady’s flash backs as dynamic boss and steals the show.

However after an hour’s time, I suddenly realized that my eyes were burning and I was yawning uncontrollably. Anyone would have expected fireworks when Kevin Spacey (Larry Cooper) joins this three men team. In contrary, the movie slows down on introduction of emotional quotient and vicious Larry Cooper. The viewers had to literally push the last 30 minutes for the movie to end.

On the whole, the movie is worth the first half and some spectacular comic timing from George Clooney and Jeff Bridges.

Copyright © Sivi 12-Nov-2009