Category: Movie

Self Isolation – Coronavirus!

It isn’t something that isn’t new anymore in the digital age! 
But, When you are forced to be self-isolated all of a sudden. That’s the challenge. 
And what does one really do in self- isolation? 
  • You can look for self-improvement. 
  • Exercise – Start with a routine which you can follow (Push-ups, Planks and crunches, Meditation, Breathing)and stretches at home. 
  • Read – If you always wanted to read that favourite book or start reading- Now is a perfect time – You can read books on kindle or subscribe on Magzter for all the popular magazines and newspaper and Flipboard for all interesting articles.  
  • Write – Start writing a diary, notes of what was the unexpected or expected that happened today. 
  • Draw – If you were always interested in Art than now explore that side. 
  • Cook & Bake – Learn to make your favourite things at home. https://www.youtube.com/user/BonAppetitDotCom
  • Learn – Something online that you would like to know more about. – You can lookup https://www.coursera.org/ & https://www.edx.org/  you can also learn a language https://www.duolingo.com/ 
  • Social Media – Now is the perfect time to start your own online channel and share what you know.
  • Watch Movies & Tv show – Netflix, Hotstar, Prime Play,zee5, Balaji Alt MUBI and Ted Talks
  • Play- Online Games with your friends. 
  • Listen – To Podcasts  – https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Stuff-You-Should-Know-p295446/ https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy-Podcasts/The-Read-p499920/ and on Saavn you can listen to a whole lot of them too.
But most importantly one will need to be Disciplined to Implement any of things they would like to begin and one more tip have a schedule for the day to try and work out the forced self- isolation period.

Nagpur!!

Hereafter nearly two years again! The last time I was here it was summer, And now it’s winter.

Nagpur is growing and expanding, so huge last time had seen one side of the town & this time another.

After nearly the whole day went by ,and we decided to go for dinner.The moment we turned towards our location, I broke into a whole new level of excitement as for once we were in the right direction and this is somewhere exactly I had come last time!

We were at Chill & Grill literally enjoying the chilling winter of Nagpur with my colleagues enjoying the hookah and we were enjoying some Indian food.

Even during the day just like in the night, we were lost in finding the place.

And With this time around having a few days in hand to explore the city – Visited a very interesting cafe seven corridor a very urban looking cafe in the by lanes of the city with college kids and adults enjoying coffee,Cakes and each other’s company.

This time in Nagpur,After nearly two years visited my friends parents and noticed a Macdonald has finally now opened in the city. Two Years ago I had tweeted- There was not a single macdonald to my surprise in a city that’s one of the smart cities to watch out for.

Nagpur also made me try quite a few places and sharing some of the places you must try or go to if you visit the city.

• Juhi’s Kitchen – Indian food Kebabs a must try.

• Plan B – If you ever plan to have Burgers or feel like having burgers.

• Pablo Cafe – The Pizza’s and the cafe looked really cool ! Haven’t visited though just ordered food from there.

• Bouffage – The Sandwhich here were yum !

• Della Italia – For Ice creams.

• Chill & Grill – For The ambience and Indian food.

Saoji’s a traditional dish that is served in Meat & Chicken too is a must must try here in Nagpur and last but not the least- Oranges here are the juicest.

Best Reads 2019!!

 

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2019 read I mostly read classics, which were on my reading list until this year. There have just been a couple new books that I read this year. Educated & Ikigai has been the two of them and the rest I am sure you must have heard about them or must have read them. Sharing my best of 2019 below!!

1.Norweigan Wood by Haruki Murakami 
A Story titled from the Beatles song Norwegian wood is a weekend read over coffee and sunset.
And Written by Murakami is a story of college students living in Japan, there is no doubt about you not enjoying the book. 
 
2.Fountainhead by Ayn Rand 
For the last two years this book was on my reading list, But, This year I stopped giving any excuses and read the book. Took me the longest time to ever to read a book four weeks,700 pages.
It’s was one of the best books to get an insight on Architecture & Philosophy in one of the finest storytelling way.
 
3. Bastard Of Istanbul by Elif Shafak 
Elif Shafak’s Forty Rules of love I had read a couple of months ago and enjoyed the book a lot.
But, This one was like a souvenir as this came from Turkey, Istanbul itself and having visited Istanbul nearly a decade ago,
this was a very nostalgic read but through the eye of a local. 
 
4.Ikigai by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia
Ikigai was one of the best and only self-help book read this year.
Japanese teaching.A diet. And the reason behind our existence.
This book will want you to visit Japan again or want you to get to Japan at the earliest. 
 
5.Cuba and the night by Pico Iyer 
A Book that made me travel to Cuba virtually and enjoy the travelogue writing style and make me meet characters who have to sacrifice or who want to move ahead in life, Take steps that improve their way of living and live a life.  
 
6.Midsummer Equation by Keigo Higashino
Keigo Higashino the author of the midsummer equation is the author for the Devotion of suspect X that was largely spoken about when the book released.
The midsummer equation is a chilling, thrilling story about how detective Galileo solves the murder mystery in a small town of Hari cove.
It’s the best Murder mystery book that I have read this year. It’s a page-turner until the very end. 

7. Educated by Tara Westover

A memoir about how one fought from its family and how until then the family records weren’t part of the government’s database. No Education in school in childhood, No birth certificate no medical records!! Truly an educational read! This is Tara Westover telling about her life!

A must-read!!!

Best Hollywood Films 2019!!

1. Joker

A One-man show that leaves you wow! Playing a character that was played by heath ledger in the dark night way back in 2009/2010 and then you have Joaquin Phoenix play the character again a decade later. And you just love the way he has acted. It’s a challenge to play a character – That’s battling depression And suffers from a pathological neurological disorder that makes him laugh uncontrollably. He is a standup comedian. But all in all, he might be imagining all this?

The movie was directed by Todd Philips who is known in Hollywood as the maker behind the popular “Hangover” and directed “A Star is born.” The joker played by Joaquin is a performance that will be remembered as he has transformed himself totally. You must have seen him in “Her” a movie about how the lead played by Joaquin falls in love with an artificial intelligence system.

The joker is inspired by Alan Moore & Brian Bolland’s 1988 Graphic novel “The killing joke”

If Joaquin wins the Best Actor in the 92nd Academy Awards. This would be the 2nd time one would be winning an award for the same character. Heath Ledger won the Best Actor for his role in Dark knight.

Joaquin lost 52 pounds to get into the character of joker.

2.Once upon a time in Hollywood

A story based in the 60s and early 70s and the premise being Hollywood in those time was something done very well. The Biggest of names were part of story Brad Pitt & Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead Al Pacino and Margot Robbie and last but not the least the director behind the film “Quentin Tarantino” Who made his 9th Film in his journey as a filmmaker. He is just going to make one more film as a filmmaker. The film was perfect with the lighting and establishing how Hollywood “LA” was in the 60s and early 70s the cowboy, The stud farms and the struggle of actors in Hollywood. In case you missed watching “Once upon a time in Hollywood” please watch it. It’s a slow movie and slightly long. But worth it.

3.End Game

Marvellous with all the characters that were part of the “Avengers” Series to the Black Panther & Spiderman too coming together for the last film in the Sci-fi, Superhero movie under the franchises of Marvel Directed by Russo brothers. Who is now coming up with a flick that’s, in no way related to superheroes, But has one of the superhero actors playing the lead? “ Tom Holland” will be seen in a thriller that will be directed by “ Russo Brothers”

But, End Game was a total Game changer – With A.R Rahman having an anthem part of the movie to having the movie release in #IndiaFirst. What a way to end the Game.

4.Aladin

The opportunity to relive the genie story in the cinema was a great experience, The musical shot story had the story narrated in a very engrossing way and well The 3 wishes is what’s it is all about. Will Smith as the genie was very entertaining.

2019 Best Bollywood Films!

  1. Gully Boy 
A Journey and a story about a rapper from Dharavi who becomes one of the most well-known rappers from India.
Directed By Zoya Akthar one of the most unconventional directors in the country. With star cast like Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and Siddhanth Chaturvedi. There couldn’t have been anyone to replace them. The Perfect entry from India for the Academy Awards too. 
2.Badla 
Inspired and remade in India from the Spanish thriller, invisible Guest. , This move was done very well and very gripping to watch. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh one of the best Directors who is now known to produce and direct amazing thriller films like (Kahaani, Teen and the short film Ahalya ) 
3.Dreamgirl 
Dream Girl is a story about a guy who can mimic a girl’s voice very well, Takes up a job at A call centre and soon has many of his loyal customers fall for him. All hell breaks loose When his father falls in love with the character “Pooja” a hilarious comedy that you will defiantly love. And Ayushman Khurana performance for the flick makes you wonder what next to expect from him? 
4.Uri 
The Surgical Strike on Pakistan was represented in a flick that establishes “Vicky Kaushal” as a star. 
The movies famous slogan “How’s the Josh” became the most popular # & Slogan for the world cup and everything else that represents India! The movie told us if we stand united & want to do something for the county. We can easily achieve it. Also, it was a movie that makes you feel like a proud Indian and what all the Indian army men go through to keep India secure. 
5.Super 30 
A true story based on Anand Kumar from Bihar who aspires to study abroad after he has secured a scholarship from Cambridge on his discovery of a mathematical problem. But, Fails to do so because of financial restrictions. 
He is forced to sell things on the streets until one of the chairmen from a well-known institute offers him the job of teacher. The students enjoy his way of teaching and like attending his classes. One day he sees a boy who likes to study but can’t afford education in the institute so he then decides to teach the underprivileged students. But, This doesn’t go down well with the other institute that’s signed him up and they try their best to stop him from teaching the underprivileged. The movie is about how politics play a role in trying to ruin him. Where he gets threats even today and how he managed to have batches of 30 students every year successfully qualifying in the Examinations of IIT-JEE Entrance examinations.
The lead was played by Hrithik Roshan and the way he acted was great. The film directed by Vikas Bhal who you would recall made the sleeper hit “Queen” with Kangana Ranaut. The film is inspirations in every possible way and scenes like the importance of English, Application of all Their learning applied to tackle the goons. And the caste difference between the higher & lower class. All the issues are covered very well. This one is a must-watch. 
6. Article 15  
An article, a law that justifies that state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of race, religion, caste, sex and place of birth. And so the film was about a police officer who fights for caste-based discrimination and crimes in the rural part of India. A movie co-written by Gaurav Solanki & directed by Anubhav Sinha who has directed movies like tum bin, Dus, Mulk and now Article 15 proves he is the most trusted when coming to direct movies on social issues. Article 15 also places Ayushmann as the most dependable and veritable actor in Bollywood today. Article 15 showcases “Real” India and how we are ignorant of reality and justice.
7.Chhichore
An autobiographical movie by Nitesh Tiwari the director of “ Dangal” wrote & Directed Chicchore on his days spent at the engineering college. The movie was nicely shot when the phases of life are showcased. The film relives their days of college days when Anni’s son tries committing suicide as he doesn’t qualify for the examinations. Hence considers himself a failure – when he is critical, the father played by Sushant Singh Rajput tells him the story of his college days and how their gang was known as the losers. The movie has Varun Sharma who plays Sexa, Sharddha Kapoor who plays Maya is Sushant’s Singh’s wife Prateek Babbar playing a negative role. Tahir Bhasin, you might recall Mardaani where he plays a negative. plays Derek in chicchore. Mummy played by Tushar Pandey is a typical mummy’s boy hence the nickname “Mummy” Bevda” played by harsh Shukla are interesting characters that make the movie totally relatable in many ways. The movie, in the end, gives out the message to enjoy life and it doesn’t really matter if you pass or fail. What matters is doing your best every time. Nitesh Tiwari is on point yet again. 
8.Sandh ki Ankh 
Sandh ki Ankh – literally translates to hitting the bullseye. 
Ever since I had seen the trailer about a month ago. I was immediately interested in watching it. The Title being catchy and the two leads Taapsee Pannu & Bhumi Pednekar had transformed themselves into two grannies for the films.
The film is set in a big phat village, U.P in India. Based on a true story Chandro Tomar & Prakash Tomar who at the age of 60 became sharpshooters and inspired a whole new generation. They even inspired their daughters to become shooters.
The film is about how they go to enrol their daughters for shooting as they believe this could help them secure a job, earn money and grow as people. but they end up becoming shooters themselves initially
The film highlights how difficult it’s for the villagers to succeeded especially women who aspire to do something for the children. The excuses they give to go for practice & tournaments. The distance one travels and one goes through to live and achieve a dream. And this is because of the male chauvinist in the family.
There are a lot of laughs too in the films making it totally entertaining to watch with a lot of inspiration. 
There are many scenes in the movies that are emotional and hard-hitting – one particular dialogue I will rephrase here that Bhumi Pednekar when one asks how old are you. We don’t mind saying our age. But, 
“We don’t know exactly how many years a woman has lived for herself” The dialogues hit you really hard “Bullseye”
Some scenes capture how younger boys who underestimate the Dadi’s but in the end fall flat on their face and they then ask for autographs – Which for them is their fingerprints that are imprinted on their T-shirts and the facial expressions and frustrations of men who were considered the best – But are defeated by the Dadi’s. 
Seema Tomar Prakash Tomar played by taapsee Pannu’s daughter is the only Indian woman to win a silver medal for shotgun in the 2010 ISSF World cup & won two gold medals at the Asian shotgun championship in 2014.
In the last scene when they all are celebrating the victory the real Dadi’s Chandro Tomar & Prakash Tomar and their kids Shefali & Seema are introduced