Paintings on walls of Lalbagh gardens

I am loving the paintings drawn on the complete periphery of Lalbagh Botanical Gardens,Bangalore. It is a very good move by authorities to paint the compound walls of Lalbagh with pictures depicting the places in Karnataka and culture of Karnataka. It definitely gives a refreshing look to the rather boring blank compound walls. I have been told that similar paintings are being drawn all around Bengaluru.

Ofcourse, it is a treat to watch whenever I step outside my house here in Bangalore. I have clicked some of the pics from my mobile when the painting work was going on the Lalbagh compound somewhere near by from my house.

My quote published in Bangalore mirror paper

My picture and one of my quote on pedestrian safety in Bangalore, published in 27th November 2009 print version of Bangalore Mirror news paper.

Pause.... Rewind !!

Time goes in a flash! Life moves on faster. Loads of things happen around. Yet at times, we should pause and rewind our memories. Yeh! The date 26/11 itself should remind what I am taking about here.

A black day in Indian history where terror shook the hearts of billions of people India and around the world. The terror strike in Mumbai, exactly a year ago killing so many innocent lives will remain etched in memories for really long. It is time to remember and pray for the innocent souls to rest in peace. Hope we don't get to see ny more such terror attacks in future.

Loving the North Indian food

So many varities of Paranthas, Tandoori items, Tangdi kebab, Hara bara kebab, varities of chaat items, Paneer adraki, Paneer Peshawari, lassi, rabadi, .. yumm yumm..n the list simply just grows big..Slurp! slurp!

I am totally relishing the North Indian food items and am giving my taste buds a treat. I am still looking for a chance to visit Parantha wala galli and Dilli haat in Delhi which are highly recommended by my friends here in Gurgaon and Delhi. Btw, Thanks to Rupal and Debasish for taking me to a good place in Gurgaon for amazing chaat items.

Wish I recovered faster from my ankle injury which I picked up here in Gurgaon, so that I could have gone to Jaipur over the last weekend and visited Choki dhani and other attractions in Jaipur.

Alright! Enough said about the food items. I will better stop now. Time to go and grab something to eat ;)

My trip to Taj Mahal and Aksardham

Prior to my trip to Gurgaon, I was thinking about visiting Tajmahal and Aksardham sometime during this trip itself. Yippie! I did manage to visit Tajmahal, Agra fort, Mathura (Birth place of Lord Krishna) and Aksardham in Delhi during the last weekend with Karuna. From Gurgaon, after calling lots of radio taxi cabs, I managed to get one and went to Noida on the Friday evening to Karunakaran’s place. Huh! Gurgaon has absolutely zero public transport and people rely on their own cars and cabs for everything. Taxi guys charge like hell and you need to wait for 45 minutes to 1 hour atleast when you call and book a cab. Uff!! .. Karuna is my schoolmate and it felt good to meet him after almost 9years. After catching up with Trapty (x-colleauge in Infy) and her hubby Vishal for dinner in Noida, I crashed at Karuna’s place that night.

We started at 5 am from Noida to our day tour bus pick up point in Delhi. While we were waiting for our tour bus in the cold, we made ourselves warm with the fire lit with wood outside the tea stall there and sipped hot chai. After almost 4.5 hours of journey in the heavy traffic roads, we reached Agra Fort at 12.15pm. Agra Fort isn’t that great but it has great view point to view Tajmahal which is just couple of kms away from there on the banks of Yamuna river. I bought myself a marble Taj souvenir and small marble statues for my home at a cottage industry stop. I also got a glimpse of first Taj mahal model made before actual Taj was built, in that cottage industry. This model was supposed to be designed by four architects at a cost of 7 lakhs and it took 4 years for them to show the model to Shah Jahan. Then we reached Taj Mahal around 3.45pm and after long wait in the ticket counter and entry queue, I was finally in front of Tajmahal..


My very first expression on seeing Taj was ‘OMG! Taj is just so beautiful’. I just could not take my eyes off of Taj mahal as it is so stunning. The efforts of 20000 odd workers for 22 years to build Tajmahal truly shows. No wonder, it was listed as one of the 7 wonders of the world’. After we clicked some pics and captured few video clips there, we started to Mathura. At 8pm we entered the Mathura temple which is the birth place of Lord Krishna and this is where the main Janmastami celebrations are done and telecasted from, every year. The temple has tight military security all around and stern security check in the entry. Mathura is famous for 3 things. The Krishna temple, Tulsi malas and Mathura Petha (Sweet). It was almost 2.45 am when we reached our room in Noida after the tiring trip.

On Sunday, I started with Karuna around 1pm on bike to Aksardham. I was actually excited to click some pictures and videos inside Aksardham but was taken by surprise once I entered Aksardham as I had to keep my bag, mobile phones, camera and digicam in locker. After tight security check we entered Aksardham. Aksardham is so big and is absolutely awesome. The architecture is truly stunning and I could not believe that most of the statues and sculptures inside were hand carved. If anyone is going to Aksardham in future, please don’t miss the Exhibition and musical fountain inside. Exhibition will take around 2 hours including an hour waiting time but it is worth every bit of it. It includes 50 minutes of Animatronics show of Swami Laxmi Narayan life, 45 minutes movie on giant IMAX screen and 15 minutes of boat ride inside, where you will get to see the amazingly realistic statue settings done to visually show the achievements made by famous historians of India. Unfortunately the Main Aksardham mandir was closed as some maintenance was going on. There is also a visually entertaining musical fountain show of around 20 minutes around 6.30pm inside. With satisfaction of visiting amazing places, I started back to Gurgaon on that Sunday late evening. I am gonna cherish these moments for really long time.

Awesome night drive to Nandi hills

Instant plans turn out to be great almost all the times when it comes to trips and outings. My drive to Nandi hills was one such instant and crazy plan which turned out to be awesome. For people who don't know about Nandi hills, it is a small hill around 50 odd kms outside Bangalore which includes 21 kms road stretch apart from the highway road stretch and is quite popular.

On a casual meet up with friends on a saturday evening, 2 weeks back for dinner, we initially planned to go to a disco and let our hair down. But disco plan was dropped very soon. Then we came up with the idea of night drive to Nandi hills and decided to start at 1am pr 2 am, so that we can watch the sun rise as well. I was excited too to drive my new Swift in this night drive. With my favourite collection of new hip hop music, we hit the road and within sometime, one of my friend's friend joined us with his Yamaha Rx6 and few of his friends in 4 cars. It was 10 people including us in 5 cars and a sports bike. After a small stop in the coffee day on the way to airport, we went to the Bangalore airport and were loafing around in the empty parking lots out there. I got a chance to rev up the Yamaha Rx6 in the empty airport road stretch. Trust me its always more fun to ride a sports bike than to drive a car. Thanks Naveen! If not for the Airport patrol people, we would have drove the sports bike for somemore time.

As Naveen and his friends wanted to return back from Bangalore airport, I drove with just my friends to Nandi hills. Once you take diversion from NH road to Nandi hills roads, it is too spooky to drive in that darkness. But soon I could see so many bikes and cars coming to Nandi hills. Till that date, I never knew that people come to Nandi hills in the wee hours on fridays and saturdays just like that or at 5 or 5.30 am to view sun rise. We reached the the top of Nandi hills around 3.45am, we felt as though party was going on there coz of the loud music people were playing from each of their cars and all the dancing. There were atleast 12 cars and 10 bikes there and all of them were playing music and dancing.

People had lit fire with the woodsticks coz of the chillness and were dancing all around for the loud music. We were dancing for sometime and it was fun to see people drift their cars around to show their skills. After having a blast of time, we drove back to Bangalore and reached home 6.30 am. I was damn tired coz I had been on a night drive with my friend the previous night to Bidadi coffee day at 11 or 12 in the night just to have coffee. Call me crazy or outgoing or whatever you like! But its fun to be around with friends. Place, time and distance doesn't matter when you are with friends!

Excited about my trip to Delhi

After coming back to India in August 2009, this is my first official trip outside Bangalore.
I will be traveling to Gurgoan on office work for 3 weeks by last week of October. I am all excited about this trip coz this time I will have atleast 2 weekends to roam around Delhi and catch up with x-colleagues and friends there.

I don't want to miss a visit to Taj mahal and Aksardham by any chance. I am also looking forward to the small get together with my friends out there and also the chance to hog vada pavs, pav bhajjis and the popular Delhi dishes.

Luckily I have recovered from my viral fever on time. Hoping that this trip will be good break for me, from the so become routine life in Bangalore from the past few months.

Oflate...

Workout in the gym
Getting stuck in the mad traffic while rushing to office
Boring meetings and conference calls in the office

Cup of chai ! Yep, the elixir of work life

Getting stuck in the rain and or traffic while riding back home
Stupid programs in the idiot box
Catch up with friends in direct or on phone
Small drive with nice music after dinner
Listen to FM for sometime before crashing

Wondering what are these random things? Well, these makes part of my typical week day oflate.
I'm so frustrated with the f**king bangalore traffic. 20 minutes ride of 5 odd kilometres from my home to my office takes around 1 hour these days.

When I look back at my 2 years in UK

When I look back around 2 years from now, I cherish all the different moments I have gone through in my life, the new things I have learnt and tried, things I have set right, beautiful places and countries I have visited, new people I have bumped onto, cultures I have come across and lots more!

Lots of things make you wonder when you land in UK, especially if you are a first timer.

People fill the fuel themselves.

It is miles and gallons instead of kms and litres.

In the initial days, you start converting pounds into Indian rupee every time you pay and wonder how cheap things are in India.

Brits consume a lot of beer, spirit, chicken, bacon, carbonated drinks, burger and French fries.

Grueling 15 to 20kms city drive or ride seems like a small and easy drive in UK coz of good roads and less traffic

You tend to watch the weather forecast for every weekend plan or even outing for shopping

Even if you eat in an Indian restaurant in UK, you can’t find the authentic taste in food as Brits can’t handle even our mild spice level. Most of the dishes are customized for brits.

You can’t live without thermals or without proper woolen clothing in winters
The longest day times in peak summer (4.30am to 10pm) and the shortest day times (8.30am to 3.30pm) in peak winter amaze you.

UK weather is so unpredictable. All I say is, if you think UK weather is good, just wait for 10 minutes.

A separate bin outside every house for food waste, plastic waste and recyclable waste is too good. In case if you don’t follow it properly you will get a notice from council soon.

Chicken tikka is the British national curry.

There are way too many accents within UK.

People are fitness conscious. You get to see people jogging with their Ipods almost at every hour you can think of.

Skate boards and bikes (our form of cycles) are default items with the school going teens.


Well, let me list down the things which I like and didn’t like in UK.

1. The first thing which amazed me was the beautiful country side of UK. It is so picturesque and greenish all around.

2. The second thing which I still admire in UK is the traffic infrastructure and the traffic ethics. You don’t get to see people honking and people consider you to be rude and impatient if you honk.

3. Except for the big cities with heavy traffic, in almost all the other places, people stop their vehicles anywhere when they see pedestrian(s) waiting to cross the roads, even if there is no stop signal

4. Brits are very polite and diplomatic. They greet people with hello and wishes and they expect you to reciprocate the same. If you don’t, they think you are uncivilized / rude.

5. It never pours down in UK. So you can manage even if you don’t carry an umbrella. If it rains, it will be just slight drizzle which might prolong sometimes. In the last 2 year, I have seen heavy rain only once and that too it lasted for 30 odd minutes.

6. Don’t mistake when people address you as darling or dear. Its just their way of expressing affection and respect.

7. Public transport (Bus and train) is too good and bang on time. If the bus time is 17.57, better be on time or ahead of time or else be prepared to wait for the next one.

8. Unlike US, you can manage without a car in UK as the public transport frequency and connectivity is so good.

9. People love to party and they believe in enjoying the present rather than worrying about the future.

10. I like the independence parents give to their kids but it is bad in a way as most of the teens loose hold of their lives in the early teenage itself.

11. In general, I love the Brit’s dressing sense be it any group.

12. Though things happen at their own pace, lot of things required for household can be done online or via a phone unlike here in India where you got to run around for each and everything.

13. People plan their long weekends well in advance and hardly anyone slogs beyond their work hours.

14. Roads are awesome almost throughout the UK.

15. UK has the most number of pretty girls than I have seen in countries I have visited so far.

16. People usually do not litter things around.

17. Encouragement from government and facilities for sports and town or city recreation are amazing. I miss the beautiful enclosed and well maintained swimming pools, saunas and steam bath rooms there.

18. Maintenance and the maintenance facilities of the town/city by the council people are commendable.

19. People automatically form and follow queues wherever you go.


Some of the things I don’t like in UK

1. Though Brits are diplomatic, they are not at all open to outsiders. They take ages to open up to outsiders even after they trust the newcomers. They believe in living in relationships with no strings attached than in marriage concept. No wonder there are way too many divorces and huge number of single parents struggling with kids. They believe in love but still hesitant when it comes to love marriage. They would rather prefer a living in relationship than a love marriage.

2. Brit teens especially the gals are racially arrogant. It is the teenagers and the people in early 20s who abuse outsiders racially more than the middle aged or elder Brits. I have heard of instances where people got hit by beer bottles or eggs or coke cans.

3. UK is one of the costliest places to live than US, Europe and Australia

4. UK is a somber and dull place unless and until you are living in a city with friends or family. There is not much to do if you living away from a city or in small town/villages.

5. Things happen very slowly. For eg. It takes 5 days to get most of the broadband connections if you have got a landline ready and if you don’t have the phone landline will take 2 to 3 weeks atleast

6. People don’t differentiate Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Indians. Irrespective of where you are from, you could still be called a Paki

7. Taxes are too high on most of the things. Entertainment tax of 135GBP (roughly 11k) every year to use a TV in home is just too much. Council tax of 100 to 140GBP (8k to 12k) every month depending on the house and location of house is way too much.

I kind of like the work culture in UK as you get lot of free time for yourself. Exactly why I was able to try lots of things I have always to try in my life. Few things like learning guitar, learning swimming, tennis, playing cricket in the local club in the England pace pitches, ice skating, writing poems, blogging, visiting new countries, learning cooking and trying so many new dishes,cruise ride in the english cannal, canoeing, paragliding,cross country cycling etc.. Wish i could have tried skiing and sky diving as well.

I never tried cooking in my life before going to UK but when i returned from UK i was able cook to cook too many dishes. Don't ask me whether people will survive after trying my cooking. It's at consumer's risk :-) Well I am not so bad at cooking too. My time in UK gave me a different dimension to understand myself better. I was able to perceive and understand things in my life better.

I was lucky enough to visit Scotland, England, Switzerland (Twice), Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France. Wish I was there in UK this summer as I would have definitely visited my next must go destinations like Italy, Austria, Greece and Spain.

I will always cherish the breathtaking scenic Alps range of Swiss, beautiful Scotland, night view of Paris and sparkling Eiffel tower all my life. If any of you get a chance to visit UK or Europe, please don’t miss to visit Scotland, France(Paris), Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Spain.


When I look back my two years I spent in UK, I do miss my UK life for certain things. Life in UK life was easy and peaceful but life gets monotonous after sometime as you are not with your family/friends. Though I got to run around for everything and traffic is horrible coz of Metro constructions and population in Bangalore, I still say East or west, homeland is the best as there is so much life in my life here in India.

An experiment with music on the emotional side

An experiment on the emotional side - Composed and produced by me using Garage band. This musical bit was composed by me few months back and I finally got time to upload it now.

Percussion and synth- My 4th music composition

The below piece of music is my 4th music composition. Its an experiment with percussion and synth sounds. Enjoy!!

An experiment with percussions- My 3rd composition

Here comes my 3rd composition - 'An experiment with percussions'. Like the name says, it is composed using only the percussions music loops using Mixcraft.

Mystic - My second song composition

'Mystic' music in the below video is my second music composition and it is done using Mixcraft using the laid back and mystic music mixed with upbeat loops. More to follow.

Groovy beats - My first music composition

'Groovy beats' music in the below video, is my first ever music composition. Music is done using Garage band. I will soon be coming up with more.

In love with my guitar

It just feels awesome to start with my guitar lessons after almost 8 years. Yeh! Its really long time. Out of interest, I did join a guitar class in Vellore (Tamilnadu) during my initial days of Engineering. Unfortunately my guitar tutor moved to a different city altogether within 3 weeks after I started with my classes. Don't know whether the guitar tutor was lucky or I was lucky :-)

After shifting to a new apartment with few friends from Infosys around here in Ipswich, I decided that I have to learn guitar and I have to start it right away by buying a guitar. Youtube video tutorials for the guitar chords and tabs came in handy. Best part is that my roomies, Abhishek and Pratik are getting into Guitar slowly after seeing me.

It feels great to do something which you always wanted to do from long time and I am loving every bit of it. Hope someday I will be able to play a full song flawlessly and with ease. I wish that someday is not faraway!!

No more movie reviews on this blog

Readers and followers of my blog. I am sorry to say that I have decided not to post any more movie reviews on my blog. After quite a few suggestions from friends, I have decided that I would like to keep this blog as a personal one and keep the movie reviews apart.

I might come up with a second blog strictly for the movie reviews later. Keep watching..!! Adioss!

Chandini Chowk to China

Genre: Action/Comedy
Film Certification: 12

Don't even bother to watch this piece of crap. Good plot and cast but utterly wasted by pathetic direction. I am wondering whether Akshay has gone nuts to act in such sloppy roles. One of the worst movies I have ever known.

My rating: 3.5/10 (Less than 6 - Avoid, 6 or above - OK types, 8 to 9 - Worth watching once, 9 and above- Must watch)

Michael Jackon - You will be missed

Love it or hate it but you just can't deny the fact that MJ really is the king of the pop. Pop music industry revelated a new singing sensation in 1980s with Michael Jackson. MJ mesmerised millions with his songs and amazing dance moves.

Being a dance enthusiatic myself, I used to buy videos of MJ just to practice MJ moves during my college days. He was also one of the biggest inspirations for my interest in dance. There are way too many songs from MJ which speak for themselves. Leaving aside his personal life, he really is an eternal king of pop. He truly lived life like a king but passed away in debts. His debts are estimated to be around $400 million. I wish he could have performed in the concerts in July after a decade gap which could have pulled him out of everything. The whole world was looking forward for his concerts in July. Whatever be it, his demise is a big loss to the music industry.

MJ, You will really be missed!!.

Notting Hill

Genre: Romance
Film certification: 12

Bookshop owner William Thacker's world begins to turn upside down after the world's most famous actress, Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), visits his store. A few minutes later, Will knocks into Anna on the street and spills his orange juice over her. He offers her his place to change, and hence starts a tense courtship between an everyday man and the woman every man dreams of.

I didn't like the movie much as I don't like Julia roberts. Even otherwise I felt that the movie is very average and british, except for the sound tracks used (Ain't no sunshine and When you say nothing at all).


My rating: 6.75/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Italian job

Genre: Action/Crime
Film certification: 12

The plan was flawless. The job was executed perfectly. The escape was clean. The only threat mastermind thief never saw coming was from a member of his own crew. After pulling off an amazing gold bullion heist from a heavily guarded palazzo in Venice, Italy, Mark Wahlberg and his gang (Edward Norton, a computer genius, wheelman Jason Statham, explosives expert Mos Def and veteran safecracker Donald Sutherland) can't believe it when one of them turns out to be a double-crosser. Now the job isn't about the payoff, it's about payback!

The Italian Job features the ever-popular MINI in state-of-the-art chase scenes down Hollywood's Walk of Fame, through the Metro Rail tunnels and down narrow escape routes only MINI can go. Full of twists, turns and exciting stunts with armored cars, motorcycles and helicopters, this action-packed thrill-ride takes audiences on wild curves they'll never see coming.


My rating: 9/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Catch me if you can

Genre: Drama
Film certification: 12

'Catch me if you can' is a Steven speilberg's movie starring Leonardo Di Capri as Frank William Abagnale, Jr. and Tom hanks as a FBI agent. Leonardo Di Capri pulls a con at a bank with teller Lucy (Elizabeth Banks). It turns out that Frank never went to any of the schools that many of his professions required.Let the cat and mouse chase begin.

The movie will make your jaws drop with the level of forgery with which one exploit the bank loopholes.



My rating: 8.5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Ready

Genre: Comedy/Romance/Action
Film certification: U

Ready is a Telugu movie released in 2008 and stars Ram and Genelia with guest appearance of Tamanna. The movie goes in all directions and keeps you guessing till the intermission and becomes a routine masala movie in the second half. Brahmanandam comedy and expressions are worth a mention :). Though the movie is almost 3hours long, you will not get bored anywhere and that sums it up all.

Ending is way too dramatic even for a commercial movie!!.

My rating: 8/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Deep Impact

Genre: Action/Sci Fi/Thriller
Film certification: PG

Two teenage astronomy club members alert astronomer Dr. Marcus Wolf to their sighting of an unusual comet. After Wolf realizes the comet will hit Earth he attempts to alert his colleagues, but he dies in a car accident after leaving the observatory. One year later, a reporter for MSNBC in Washington, DC, Jenny Lerner (Leoni), discovers that the government was hiding its knowledge about the comet, which the government had classified as an "E.L.E", an acronym for an extinction-level event.

This movie will drive you bonkers with the screenplay and the technically sound details of the comet and its impacts etc and the way the comet impact is shown visually. The emotional touch to the film makes it even more interesting. Amazing sci fiction movie I have seen in a long time.




My rating: 8.75/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Along came Polly

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Film certification: 15

Along came Polly is a romantic comedy movie starring Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston. This light hearted adult comedy is a good entertainer. I did not realise when the movie started and when the movie ended as I got so engrossed in this movie.

Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston are two people who are poles apart in their lifestyle and what will happen when they meet? Some fun, lots of hungama and goof ups. Though this is an old movie, it is still worth a watch anytime.

My rating: 8/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Anaconda -4 (Trail of Blood)

Genre: Action/Thriller/Horror
Film certification: 15

Anaconda -Part 4 is a dumb movie in the Anaconda series for sure. This movie is no where near the Anaconda part 1 and 2 in terms of the thrilling, graphics, locations and scary factor. Graphics, story and location selection etc looks totally amateurish. Don't bother to watch this one as you will start yawning within minutes after the movie start.

My rating: 5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Transformers- Revenge of the fallen

Genre: Action/Sci Fi
Film certification: 15

Transformers -Revenge of the fallen is the sequel to 'Transformers' . Transformers 2 is fast paced high octane action movie with wonderful special effects and graphics (don't know whether it is CGI or whatever). The promos was astounding but is the movie amazing too? Well, not really.

Movie is good technically for its amazing special effects and complex graphics brilliantly done with shown so much of detail but somewhere I felt Transformer-part 1 was much better. Transformers-2 is more of machines whereas Transformers 1 has lot of human factor along with machines. Overall the movie is worth watching once for sure.



My rating: 8.25/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Up

Genre: Animation/Comedy
Film certification: U

Amazing. Truly Beautiful. Once again Pixar studios has proved that they are the best in the animation movies with 'Up'. In this "coming of old age" story, a seventy-something hero, alongside his clueless wilderness ranger sidekick, travels the globe, fighting beasts and villains to fulfill the promise he once did to his wife.

Excellent job by the animation team in showing the emotions in the characters so well. Good voices to the characters. Big credit should go to the music maestro 'Micheal Giachinno' for his beautiful music in the movie. The theme music in different instruments in background in most of the movie is beautifully composed. 'Stuff we did' is one of the soundtrack which is a must listen and I have fallen in love with this track. Youtube is filled with own music covers of the video by various enthusiasts. The music will make you sadder or happier in some of the scenes for sure coz its wonderfully composed. The south american falls and jungle areas shown in the movie exists for real. Pixar guys visited this place in Venezula in South america and did sketches and animation based on the real movie. I did watch the clips of the actual place on youtube and the place is breath taking and the whole place seems like a different planet on Earth.

Don't miss this movie.

My rating: 8.75/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Neninthe

Genre: Action/Drama
Film certification: 15

Neninthe is a new telugu movie from the acclaimed director Puri Jaganath who has given wonderful movies like 'Amma nana o tamil ammayi'.'Super' etc. I love Puri jaganath movies for his creative direction and presentation of close to real life characters/stories.

The protagonist Ravi Teja has given a polished performance in this movie. The movie is almost close to real life cinema industry and portrays Ravi Teja as a person who is struggling to become a director. It is a good plot but is it entertaining? The movie gets boring after sometime.

My rating: 7.5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

13B

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Horror
Film certification: 15

13B is a new thriller/horror genre movie starring Madhavan. Madhavan and his family moves to a new flat with number '13B' and all goes fine from outsider point of view until Madhavan realizes that there is a supernatural force taking control of their lives? What is it and is the mystery behind the house is the rest of the story.

The whole movie looked like a serial shot in one single apartment. Must be a really low budget movie for sure :). Is the movie worth watching? May be not.

My rating: 7/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Yamadonga

Genre: Fantasy/Comedy
Film certification: PG

Yama donga is a recent Telugu movie starring Junior NTR, Priyamani and Mamta Mohandas.
This one is a fantasy movie about the hero who goes to hell due to early death and gets to know the secret on his early death and what happens after that? Does he come back to earth alive or what happens after that is the rest of the story..

Amateurish direction and special effects. Only thing which entertains in the movie are the scenes in which Mamta mohandas appears.:) You can watch this movie if you have lots of free time and can manage silly direction.

My rating: 6/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

My trip to India in May '09

After spending more than year abroad away from family and friends in homeland, anybody would be excited to visit the home country. So was I. From the time I booked my flight tickets, I was literally counting my days to fly back to India.

With the crammed leg space, TV panel with faulty touch screen and no volume, I had a terrible flight journey from London Heathrow to Bangalore through King Fisher Airlines which was supposed to be a 5 star flight experience. I was pleasantly surprised when I was greeted with a bouquet from my family members who had come to receive me in the BIAL airport. My mom gave a kiss on my hand and she was almost in tears to see me after 14 months.

The moment I opened my baggage, my nephew Sunil who is a 2years old cutie pie was all excited to watch a checkin bag full of toys. He was jumping around in excitement and happiness with the toys and tent I had brought for him from UK. Feels so great when you bring joy in other's faces. doesn't it?

Day 1 in India, I was like 'What the hell? Where have all the trees in bangalore gone?' at the first sight of shock in store in Bangalore. Drastic change in last 1 year mate. I did have some problems in the initial few days while crossing the roads as I had got used to the UK roads where vehicles stop for pedestrians to cross even when it is not a red signal.

With the mercury levels touching 39C, I was having a tough time in the initial couple of days in Bangalore to get adjusted to the peak Indian summer. I fell sick coz of the climate change, food change and lots of travel. Got stomach upsets and had become too weak and it took me almost 1.5 weeks to become normal. Whatever be it, I was back in India and the very feeling of it makes you feel so good.

I met my granny and 2 months old nephew of mine in my native in Tamilnadu. Itz amazing to play with kids and pamper them. It felt so good to visit my home in my native and the best part was the big swing in the house which my mom had bought for me. I love playing in the swings!!!. I wanted to take my family members out on a trip to Kodaikanal or Ooty for 3 to 4 days as it will be good break from routine and escape from the summer for all. It started with the 4 day plan to Ooty and Kerala which got dropped. All I managed in the first week of May, was a fun filled trip with my family members to Hogenakkal (Famous falls in Tamilnadu). I did have a ball of time in Hogenakkal to visit the falls, take a boat ride and taste the yummy fish fries there.

Unfortunately I had to work from my company's Bangalore office, during the whole of the second week of my India trip . I hated every bit of it to work during vacation. All I wanted was to catch up with friends, hang out, eat out, freak out and spend time with family. IPL2 coincided with my trip and it was fun time to watch cricket with family and friends. Though I could not meet most of my friends during my India trip, it was good to catch up with atleast few of them after such a long time.

3rd week of my trip was fun filled one as I took my family members, bro's family, sis family to Ooty for 3 days. We had gone to 'Black Thunder' (Theme park near Ooty) on the day one was it was so much fun. I hated the strong chlorine water in Black thunder to the core as I got tanned properly. Cottage we had booked in Ooty was so good, homely and so spacious which made things we more exciting for us. We were all literally shivering coz of the low temperature in Ooty and we needed 2 layers of blanket/rug while sleeping as even the room heaters didn't help much. I still miss the fresh carrots, famous rusks of Ooty and yummy mushroom fries I had in Ooty. Everyone of us had a blast in Ooty and Cunoor.

Well I hated the where I had to return back to UK. Well who doesn't? I was not ready to sleep in the last couple of nights. I was roaming around the whole of last few days as I wanted to enjoy every bit of my trip.

Met and freaked out with my friends. Had ball of time with family and friends. Misunderstandings with some people. Amazing trip to Hogenakkal and Ooty. Awesome home food and sweets. Few movies. Lots of travel. Gifts to family. Peak Summer time. 5 days office work in between vacation. Stomach upsets due to food infection. Dine outs. Multiple layers of tan coz of Black thunder chlorine water and freaking out in summer. What not? It was a great and memorable trip overall.

Well, you have no idea how much I was praying that I should atleast land after noticing the worst turbulence of my life at 40000 ft in the air, just an hour before scheduled landing in London Heathrow airport. Luckily the turbulence stopped after 5 to 6 minutes. I was so relieved to land safely in one piece!!. I still wish that my India trip should have been longer and never ended :-)

Dragonball Evolution

Genre: Fantasy/Action
Film certification: PG

The movie looks like a typical chinese fantasy action movies with super powers but doesn't match the best of that category. The movie is about how a teenage young boy saves the fate of the world from hands of the evil by using the skills taught by this grandpa.

Just an ordinary movie.


My rating: 6.75/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Kick

Genre: Comedy/Action
Film certification: PG

Kick is a new telugu film starring Ravi Teja, Shyam and the Goan actress 'Illeana'. The opening scene is just amazing :-)))) !!!!. Don't ask me what the opening scene is! Just watch for yourself and you will know the reason for such a big smiley and exclamation.

As usual Ravi Teja has entertained us with his casual acting after 'Idiot' movie. Illeana looks so hot. A masala movie which is crazy but worth watching.

My rating: 8/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

King

Genre: Drama/Comedy
Film certification: PG

King is a new telugu film starring Nagarjun and Trisha. This is a typical commerical film with lots of comedy and masala overdose and still manages to entertains you for 3 full hours.

The later half has copy of 'Chandramukhi' scenes intended for fun but doesn't make you laugh. 'Choopu chalu o manmadhuda' song is really nice but its damn funny to watch Nagarjuna do the funny dance steps in that song.

My rating: 8/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Hannah Montona movie

Genre: Musical/Comedy
Film certification: PG

As Hannah Montana's popularity begins to take over her life, Miley Stewart (Miley Ray Cyrus), on the urging form her father (Billy Ray Cyrus) taken a trip to her hometown to get some perspective on what matters in life the most.

This film is refreshing, fun and filled with good musical numbers.


My rating: 7.5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

A Walk to remember

Genre: Drama/Romance
Film certification: PG

Amazing love story of a teenage couple which is so touching. Notorious and hot headed hero lands up with a simple and no fashion sense girl whom he never used to notice from his school days. Without realising, the protagonist falls for the heroine. His love only increases by fold when he gets know to that the heroine is gonna leave everyone forever soon.

The story may be so predictable, but the screenplay and the acting is so good and the ending will leave you in tears. When the movie ended, my eyes were moist and I felt a heavy feeling in my heart.

My rating: 9/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

The Notebook

Genre: Romance/Drama

Film Certification: 12

The Notebook is an epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to an older, invalid woman whom he regularly visits. From a faded notebook, the old man's words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths. Though her memory has faded, his words give her the chance to relive her turbulent youth and the unforgettable love they shared.

Romance and love between the hero and heroine is so touching and beautifully shown. Amazing chemisty between the two. The ending will leave you with a heavy feeling but in a good way.

My rating: 9.5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Looking for Eric

Genre: Drama/Comedy
Film certification: PG

I ended up watching this movie in theatre my mistaking it for a football based sports movie. I just couldn't tolerate this horrible piece of crap. My advice for anyone who wants to watch this movie is 'Please don't bother and don't waste your time'.



My rating: 3/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Red Cliff

Genre: Action/History
Film certification: 12

From the acclaimed director of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE II, FACE/OFF and THE KILLERS, comes a dazzling, visionary epic based on the legendary Battle of Red Cliff, in which a force of fifty thousand defeated an army of nearly one million.

I absolutely love the John Woo movies for the stunts and art direction. This movie is a hard core action movie and portrays the beautiful Red cliff and surrounding serene mountain areas. Still the movie bores you after sometime as the plot and story are not so gripping. If you are a fan of chinese action movies/period war movies then this one is for you.



My rating: 7.75/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Hangover

Genre: Comedy
Film certification: 15

Wicked and hilarious are the two words for this comedy movie 'Hangover'. It is not the best comedy movies but will make you laugh at times for sure.

Two days before his wedding, Doug and his three friends drive to Las Vegas for a blow-out bachelor party they'll never forget. But, in fact, when the three groomsmen wake up the next morning, they can't remember a thing. For some reason, they find a tiger in the bathroom and a baby in the closet. The one thing they can't find is Doug. What happens next is the story?

Please don't miss the credits of the movie coz you are gonna love it for sure.
The songs used in the movie 'Live your life' by Rihanna, 'Right round' by Flo rida and 'Can't tell you nothing' by Kayne west are so cool and well suited.


My rating: 8/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Angels and demons

Genre: Thriller/Action
Film certification: 12

After reading the novel 'Angels and Demons', I really felt like watching a good thriller movie and I was wishing that someone will make a movie out of it, as it is a better novel than Dan Brown's 'Da Vinci Code'. Finally 'Angels and demons' hits the silver screen and guess what? Angels and demons doesn't disappoint though the movie is slightly different from the novel in some parts.

137 minutes of engrossing direction, screenplay and architecturally rich Rome and Venice. Story revolves around the ancient group of scientists/ well learned people called 'Illuminati' who were rebels against christianity leaders, as their scientific revelations were considered absurd and against religion/god. The plot has a twist in the end which is kind of predictable. If you liked 'Da Vinci code', then this one is a must watch.



My rating: 8.25/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Koncham ishtam Koncham Kastam

Genre: Drama/Comedy
Film certification: PG

My first review of a Telugu fim in my blog. I must admit that I haven't been following on the Telugu and Tamil films for long time. After recommendation from my bro and friends about this movie, I watched 'Koncham ishtam Koncham Kastam' and absolutely loved it.

KIKK is a feel good family drama with sprinkles of humour all around. Siddarth has given another matured performance after Bommarillu and has proved yet again how good an actor he is. Tamanna is refreshing and I am a big fan of her after 'Happy days' movie. Though KIKK makes you feel that it is more like 'Bommarillu' story, you will be engrossed into this movie soon.
Love and relationship is portrayed beautifully in this movie. If you follow Telugu movies or if you know Telugu, please don't miss this one.

My rating: 9/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

12 Rounds

Genre: Action/Thriller
Film certification: 12

John Cena of WWF fame entertains you in this high octane action movie. Detective Danny Baxter (Cena) discovers his girlfriend has been kidnapped by a ex-con tied to Baxter's past, and he'll have to successfully complete 12 challenges in order to secure her safe release.

The plot, action sequences and the interesting rounds of challenge keeps you glued to the screen till the end.


My rating: 8/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Terminator - Salvation

Genre: Action/Thriller/Sci-Fi
Film certification: 12

Here comes the much awaited Terminator-4 starring Christian Bale. Christian Bale as John,the resistance group leader, fights against the Skynet group and hi-fi terminator which are set to destroy the human race. Set in future (2018),T-4 has some wonderful action sequences in the first half.

Though I say that Terminator 1 is the best one in the Terminator series, Terminator Salvation is one is worth watching. Arnold appears as a surprise in climax but I still wish climax sequences could have been better with different action sequences than the routine Terminator finish.


My rating: 8/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

99

Genre: Comedy/Thriller
Film certification: 12

Remember the 'Cricket match fixing scandal of 2000'. Yeh! 99 is a fresh movie starting Kunal, Cyrus, Soha ali khan and Bomman Irani which revolves around the cricket scandal. Interesting casting, isn't it? The plot is very simple but the timing comedy and facial expressions will definitely tickle your funny bones. The background score in the movie is really nice. The Delhi destiny song lingers in your mind for long time even after watching the movie.

It is worth watching once if you have got lots of free time.

My rating: 8/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Night at the museum 2

Genre: Comedy
Film certification: 12

Night at the museum - Battle of the smithsonian is a sequel to the movie 'Night at the museum' with better visual effects and new museum characters. But is it better than the part 1? The answer is NO. Though some of the scenes in the movie are good, the movie bores you after sometime.

I actually could not watch the complete movie at one shot and that says it all.


My rating: 6.5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Drag me to hell

Genre: Horror
Film certification: 15

Back with a bang after quite a long break as I have been busy and on a trip to India.
Director Sam Raimi returns to the horror genre after long time with an original tale of a young woman's desperate quest to break an evil curse.

Though horror is not my genre of movies, I totally loved this movie. This scary movie did send jitters down my spine in some of the scary scenes. I was so frightened that screamed out loud in few of the scenes. The sound effects and camera work is so good too. If you are a fan of scary movies, book yourself a ticket for a weekend show and hold tight to your seat as you might fall of the seat in some of the scenes :)




My rating: 8.75/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

The President is coming

Genre: Comedy
Film certification: 12

I am back with movie reviews after a long break. 'The President is coming' movie is a mockery and a satire. Some scenes are lame but trust me it will definitely tickle your funny bones in one or the other scene. When US president says that he wants to meet a young indian as a first agenda during his visit to India, a reality show sort of selection happens to select one young indian who can represent India.

The whole movie is about the selection process and how people mock things :).

My rating: 7/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Pink Panther 2

Genre: Comedy
Film certification: PG

The Pink Panther 2, the sequel to the 2006 worldwide hit, stars Steve Martin as he reprises the role of intrepid-if-bumbling French police detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther Diamond, Steve Martin and a team of international detectives and experts charged with catching the thief and retrieving the stolen artifacts.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of the detective team member and is gorgeous in some of the scenes with her blue contact lens. She looks great until she starts taking with her fake accent !!. Pink panther 2 is just OK and is no where near to the superb first part of Pink panther. Except for few comedy scenes in the first half, the movie does not tickle your funny bones.

My rating: 6.5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Marley and Me

Genre: Drama/Romantic comedy
Film certification: 12

If you are a dog lover, then this movie 'Marley & Me' is a must watch. John Grogan's bestselling book about his Labrador retriever bounds onto the screen with Marley and Me. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star as a couple who adopts the badly behaved but much-loved dog.

Owen Wilson and Jennifer has done well in this romantic comedy movie. The dog just steals the show from everyone. Dogs don't care whether you are poor or rich, intelligent or dumb and whatever you are. If you give them your heart, you get love and loyalty in return. This movie is already making big waves in US.




My rating: 8.5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Push

Genre: Sci Fi/Action/Thriller
Film certification: 15

Push is a sci-fi thriller that takes us into the secret world of psychic espionage. Our hero Nick swears revenge on the agency that created him.Hidden in the underworld of Hong Kong, Nick assembles a group of rogue psychics to defeat Division, the covert agency responsible for creating and experimenting with psychic drugs for decades.Nick teams up with Cassie Holmes, a thirteen-year-old girl who can see the future, to track down a missing girl and a stolen suitcase that could potentionally bring the downfall of Division — the key to their mutual revenge. What happens after that is the rest of the movie.

This movie is worth a watch if you like sci-fiction and fantasy genre of movies. Visual effects are good but somehow I felt that the movie plot lacks the creativity. Overall, it is a decent film.



My rating: 7.25/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Outlander

Genre: Sci Fi/Adventure/Action
Film certification: 15

Gyst: Outlander begins when a space craft crashes into the majestic fjords of ancient Norway and into the time of the Vikings. From the wreckage emerge two bitter enemies: a soldier from another world – Kainan – and a bloodthirsty creature known as the Moorwen. Man and monster both seeking revenge for violence committed against them. As the Moorwen ravages the Viking world, killing everything in its path, Kainan forms an unlikely alliance with the primitive but fierce warriors. Combining his advanced technology with ancient Iron Age weapons, the hero leads a desperate attempt to kill the monster - before it destroys them all

Movie is pretty ordinary. The visual effects are amatuerish. You can watch this movie once if you like science fiction or adventure movies.


My rating: 6.75/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Billu Barber

Genre: Drama
Film certification: U


Billu Barber is a story about Billu (Irfaan Khan), a barber in a small village who happens to be a close childhood buddy of Shah rukh khan and how his life changes when movie crew comes to Billu's village for shooting. Shah rukh khan plays himself in the movie. Full credit to Irfaan khan and Lara dutta for their wonderful acting. This movie is a remake of Tamil movie 'Kuselan' starring Rajinikanth, but it is better than the Tamil version.


The good background music, nice backdrop of the village, performances of Irfaan khan,SRK and Lara dutta and few shooting numbers of Priyanka and Kareena are the selling points. Otherwise the story is a big dragger.


My rating: 8.5/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Luck by chance

Genre: Drama
Film certification: PG


Luck by chance is a movie with sort of realistic take on film industry with star studded cast. It clearly shows that all that matters in the film industry is to be in the right place at the right time. Dash of luck is required to give one an oppurtunity he/she has been craving for. The story and the screen play revolves around multiple characters so smoothly and naturally that you almost forget that you are actually watching a movie. Ending is just apt for the movie plot. The movie is good though not great.


My rating: 8.25/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Victory

Genre: Drama/Sports
Film certification: 12


Victory is a movie about up and down's in a cricketer's life. Harman Baweja has finally come off the Hrithik roshan look alike tag. Amrita Rao's role is very minimal. The story is very predictable and dramatic. The performances are very ordinary. The only interesting part in the movie is that real life cricketers from Australia, Pakistan, India, Srilanka are shown in the movie.

It is good to see few big cricketers like Bret lee, Stuart clark, Jayasuriya, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma etc in the movie, playing for their respective countries.


My rating: 7/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Raaz-2

Genre: Thriller/Mystery/ Horror
Film certification: 15



Moment I heard that name Raaz-2, I thought that this sequel is a continuation of Raaz but it is not. Raaz-2 is no where related to Raaz except for the ghost theme. Raaz-2 is a good movie with decent performances. Kangana renaut pulled off another stunner after Fashion. She is getting better with each and every movie.


The mystery the movie builds up keeps you glued to the seats for sure. It is not all that scary though except for the ghostly look of Imran hashmi in few scenes. I think this is the second movie where Imran hashmi has not kissed onscreen. Definitely a thing to be mentioned ! Isn't it?


My rating: 8.25/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Fire and Ice - The Dragon Chronicles

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Film certification: 12

Fire and Ice - The Dragon Chronicles which is a fantasy placed in a world of dragons, knights, and magical contraptions. The terrorizing creatures, the dragons, face the love story between a tomboyish princess and the valiant son of an outcast knight.

Don't be fooled by the presence of Arnold Vosloo (Mummy villian) in the movie. Acting, Story, Special effects - Well nothing is good in the movie. Don't bother watching this movie.

My rating: 3/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

He is just not that into you

Genre: Romantic comedy
Film certification: 15

Awesome! Awesome! 'He is just not that into you' is bloody brilliant and hits right on the bull's eye. The star studded cast with familiar names like Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Aniston etc creates magic on the screen with their performances. The movie starts like a comedy movie and goes like a romantic drama movie and ends with an apt climax.

There are multiple interlinked stories about different couples. Definitely one will be able to connect to one or the other character atleast once in the movie. The movie is all about love/relationships in life.


My rating: 9.25/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Bolt

Genre: Animation / Comedy
Film certification: U

Bolt is an awesome animation movie about a cute little dog named 'Bolt' who really believes that he has super powers. When Bolt gets separated accidentally from his affectionate owner Penny, Bolt gets to understand the harsh reality about himself and what happens after that is the story.

I watched this movie in 3D and it was an absolute treat. The expressions of the characters are soooo cuteeeeee. The voices and the music bits here are there are very good. Disney pictures has done it again with this block buster movie.


My rating: 9/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

The Secret of Moonacre

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Film certification: PG
Thirteen-year-old orphan Maria Merryweather is sent away to live with her uncle, Sir Benjamin, in the mysterious Moonacre Manor. It is there that Maria uncovers the dark truth about an ancient curse that has existed for centuries. In order to undo the curse and save Moonacre Valley from disaster, Maria must find the magical moon pearls before the next full moon.

The special effects and the music score is very good in the movie. Though the movie gets bit monotonous in the beginning, the movie will soon wrap in you into its fantasy world. The special effects of the climax scene is a treat to watch.



My rating: 8.25/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Tale of Despereaux

Genre: Animation/ Comedy
Film certification: U

Tale of Despereaux is a cute animation movie and is a fairy tale about a mouse called 'Despereaux' who believes he can do anything. The story line,animation and the voices in the movie are so good. If you liked Wall E or Ratatouille or Shrek or anything in this genre of movies, this one is a must watch.

My rating: 8.5/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Beerfest

Genre: Comedy
Film certification: 15

When two American brothers travel to Germany to spread their grandfather's ashes at Oktoberfest, they stumble upon a super-secret, centuries old, underground beer games competition—Beerfest—the secret Olympics of beer drinking. The brothers receive a less than warm welcome from their German cousins who humiliate them. Vowing to return in a year to defend their country and their family's honor, the Wolfhouse boys assemble a ragtag dream team of beer drinkers and gamers. But first they must battle their own demons.

This film is a light hearted adult comedy about drinking beer, beer and beer :) You can this movie once with your gang of friends for timepass.

My rating: 7.5/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Quarantine

Genre: Thriller / Horror
Film certification: 18

Television reporter Angela and her cameraman are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles Fire Station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene in response to blood curdling screams coming from one of the apartment units. They soon learn that a woman living in the building has been infected by something unknown. After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape with the news crew in tow, only to find that the CDC has quarantined the building. Story unravels from there.

The trailer was scarier than the actual movie. Except for few gory scenes, this is an OK types movie.



My rating: 7/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Zack and Miri make a porno

Genre: Comedy/ Adult comedy
Film certification: 18

'Zack and Miri make a porno' is a wacky adult comedy movie about two best friends who think about making a porn film due to their dire financial needs. In the process of making the porn film they realize that there relation is more than just a platonic relation. By looking at the cast I expected a much better comedy film. But I was let down as this film is more like a porno than an actual comedy movie.

My rating: 6/10 (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

The Ruins

Genre: Thriller/Horror/Mystery
Film certification: 18

Gist of the movie: The Ruins is a movie about a group of tourists who travel to a remote part of Cancun. These six friends go to an archaeological dig off the beaten path. They end up finding a path that leads then to some ruins of an ancient Mayan temple and there they find something evil.

I watched this movie as the trailer looked spooky and like a good thriller movie but never did I have a clue that this movie will turn out be a horror and gory type movie. Unless you are a big fan of horror movies, don't bother watching this movie. Gory movies are definitely not my types atleast :)


My rating: 5/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

City of Ember

Genre: Sci Fi
Film certification: PG

Gist of the movie: For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing ... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever

Though the movie will make you yawn initially, it is worth watching once as the later part is decent enough.

My rating: 7.5/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Masakali Matakaliiiiiii - Dilli6

Masakali Matakalli.......... Absolutely in love with this song of Dilli 6 from the very first time I heard it. This number is so coooooool and catchy! Each time I listen to song, I am liking it bit more than before. This song sung by Mohit chauhan is full of positive and happy vibes. Sonam Kapoor is looking so cute in this song.



A R Rahman is getting better with each and every movie. After rocking the world with his score for Slumdog Millionaire by winning a Golden Globe award and 3 nominations for Oscar, ARR has come up with fresh and soulful music for Dilli6. Yuvvraaj movie was another great movie composition from ARR in 2008.

The song 'Rehna Tu' from Dill6 sung by ARR and Benny, is a slow romantic number and is very good too.

My swimming endeavors

One fine day during my 7th standard days, I got into a well in my uncle's farm with my uncle, with a lot of zeal to learn swimming. Seconds after I stepped into the water, I was holding my uncle so tightly in fear that he was almost drowning and he couldn't even swim! That was the day I developed fear about swimming,deep waters and drowning.

After a bad wrist sprain in gym while lifting weights, I was advised by doctor not to touch weights for another 2 to 3 months. Just when I was wondering what to do, I was convinced by my colleague (Niranjan) that swimming will be best thing to do during my couple of months break from gym, considering the peak winter time. After so many years, finally I learnt swimming. As a matter of fact, I am able to swim better than I expected. Now don't ask me what was my expectation about swimming :-) I always used to think that floating in water without drowning itself is a big thing :).

Thanks to Niranjan, Saji, Manish and his wife who helped me to learn swimming and break all my myths and fears about drowning and deep waters. The 3 big enclosed and well maintained warm water swimming pools of Ipswich Borough Council are worth every penny of the membership fee. To my surprise, I was able to float and swim little bit on the day 1 itself. Convinced and motivated by this, I was practising more and more and I could swim well in a week. After a month, I am able to do breakstroke and free style swimming very well though I am still learning backward swimming and yet to attempt butterfly stroke. Watching and getting valuable tips from fellow swimmers and practising along with some great professional swimmers of UK, is a real pleasure.

I am now able to clock 8 laps (1 lap=50metres) in 22-24 minutes in the competition pool. It may not be a great thing for regular or good swimmers. But for a guy who feared water a lot, it really is a big achievement. I am totally enjoying each and every minute spent in the swimming pool. During my process of learning I came across very good swimming tutorials on youtube which I want to share with all, as I found them to be very useful and effective. Jimmy D Shea- Many thanks for uploading your tutorial videos on Youtube.

FreeStyle



Breast stroke

Gran Torino

Genra: Drama

Clint Eastwood is a widower, grumpy, tough-minded, and an unhappy old man who can't get along with either his kids or his neighbours. All he is left with is his house and his prized possession of a 1973 Gran Torino car which is in mint condition. When his neighbor Tao, a young Hmong teenager, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Clint sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Tao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them form the gangs that foul their neighborhood.

I am surprised by the multiple talents of Client Eastwood. He directs movies! He acts so well! He composes music so well! His score for Changelling is nominated for Oscar 2008. His acting in this movie should have got a nod too for the Oscar. Coming back to the movie, this one is a slow paced and carries one or two messages for the teenagers especially the ones in the developed countries. No guns! No racism and no fighting! The ending of the movie is well crafted. If you don't like slow paced movies, this one is not for you.


My rating: 8/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

The Curious case of Benjamin Button

Genre: Fantasy/Drama

The movie is about Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) who is born in his eighties and ages backwards.This is traveler's tale of the people and places he bumps into along the way, the loves he loses and finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time. A man, like any of us, unable to stop time. The story set in 1918 and goes into the twenty-first century, following Brad pitt's journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be.

First of all, I watched this movie after seeing the rating and 13 Oscar nominations for this movie and I wasn't let down. I liked the creativity of story of a man who ages backwards. I never knew that Brad Pitt could act so well till I watched this movie. The make up in the movie is so natural and awesome. Though the movie is very long (2hrs 30 minutes) and gets bit boring at times, this movie is worth a watch. I am sure that this movie will bag 3 to 4 Oscars atleast including 1 for Best actor and another one for make up.



My rating: 9/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)

Revolutionary Road

Genre: Drama
April (Kate Winslet) and Frank (Leonardo Di caprio) are a young, thriving couple living with their two children in a Connecticut suburb in the mid-1950s. Frank is mired in a well-paying but boring office job, and April is a housewife still mourning the demise of her hoped-for acting career. As their relationship deteriorates into an endless cycle of squabbling, jealousy and recriminations, their trip and their dreams of self-fulfillment are thrown into jeopardy.

Revolutionary road is a great movie about a life of a normal middle class husband and wife's life and how sometimes people don't know what they want. The ending will leave you disturbed for really long time. Kate Winslet and Leonardo have given their best performances ever. It is good to see them together after Titanic, though both have lost their old charming looks. I am still surprised why Kate didn't get an oscar nomiation for 'Best acress' such a wonderful acting in this movie. After 5 disappointments for Oscar, I seriously wish that she gets a well deserved Oscar atleast this time for her movie 'Reader'.



My rating: 9/10. (6 or less- Avoid, 6 and above- OK types, 8 and above- worth watching once, 9 and above- very good and must watch)