The Magnificent Case of Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has broken yet another batting record. This might sound monotonous and predictable but it is still a tremendous achievement. The great man has scored the first ever double century in One Day International cricket.

I would like to share something I wrote sometime last year when he completed 20 years in international cricket.

The Magnificent Case of Sachin Tendulkar

In his first test match at Karachi in 1989, he was left with a bloody nose and a blood soaked t-shirt. His crime? He had dared to attempt a cover drive against the fastest bowler in the world Waqar Younis, he had dared to not be intimidated by Imran Khan and Wasim Akram in their own back yard. The audacity of the 16 year old boy shocked the world as he refused to leave the field, deciding instead to bat on and fight it out. If test cricket is what differentiates the men from the boys, then there never was a more quintessential example as a 16 year old boy proved his manhood. 20 years, 30000 runs and about 80 international centuries later, we know that boy as Sachin Tendulkar, a legend, a phenomenon, a champion.

Although I was first introduced to cricket back in 1992, I had very little understanding other than the fact that I was to celebrate like everyone else around me then and not ask too many questions. It was not until 1995 that I began to understand the game a little better, began to understand the concept of bat and ball. Very soon I had also learnt to be jealous of the fact that the best batsman in the world was an Indian. Nope, no way, Saeed Anwar was a better batsman, and soon the world will acknowledge.

This continued for a couple of years, when I would vociferously argue about Saeed Anwar’s superiority over Sachin Tendulkar and I had good reason to because for a couple of years in the mid 90s, they were neck and neck in terms of the number of ODI centuries. Back then, Desmond Haynes held the record for most ODI centuries and I was hoping Anwar would break his record before Tendulkar and prove to the world that the best batsman in the world played in the Pakistan cricket team. Alas, that was not too be as Anwar suffered a slump in form and Tendulkar went to not only break the record but leave Anwar way behind in terms of number of centuries.

Around this time, I also realized that not only was Tendulkar ahead of Anwar in ODIs, he was also way ahead of him in Test cricket. Australia toured India around this time for a test series hailed as Warne vs Tendulkar, the best spinner in the world vs the best batsman in the world. I was obviously on Warne’s side, hoping he would win the battle and prove once and for all that Tendulkar was no big deal. Alas once again Tendulkar broke my heart as he darted Warne all over the park in that series like a school boy and such was the effect of the maestro on Warne that he later admitted to having nightmares of Tendulkar coming down the track and smashing him.

I had to find someone else. This someone else happened to be the burly Inzamam ul Haq, who had been hailed by no less than Imran Khan himself as an equal of Tendulkar and Lara. Yes, I had found my new hero, Inzamam was the best batsman in the world.

My argument this time? Inzamam’s ability to win matches for Pakistan, his ratio of match winning centuries much superior to Tendulkar’s. I would listen to Imran Khan speak about Inzamam and then copy those arguments in my case for Inzamam, he was a great player of fast bowling, has so much time, and has tremendous ability to handle pressure.

Amidst all this, there was also a weak cricket fan inside me, who for some reason enjoyed Sachin Tendulkar’s batting, who wanted him to score runs, score centuries, win matches, just for the sheer pleasure of watching a champion perform like a champion. It was a strange contradiction, because on one hand I wanted him to be dismissed especially when he was playing against Pakistan, but at the same time, I wanted to just watch him bat, play those exquisite cover drives.

It is a contradiction that I have had to live for a long time. Tendulkar has hurt me many times, his innings at Centurion against Pakistan in 2003 ensured in Pakistan’s humiliating ouster in the first round. I remember a shot he played against Wasim Akram in the first over, a back of a length ball bowled by Wasim, which has often given him wickets, timed with perfection and placed with disdain between cover fielders for a four. That was in the first over, and that told me that the champion was at his best today, and that mean he could dismantle a bowling attack comprising of Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib, which is exactly what he did.

By this time, his mastery, excellence and sheer genius had finally broken me, I began to believe without any shame and hesitation, that he was truly the best batsman in the world, a champion, a character worthy of respect and admiration. My mother had once told me a long time back when I used to be furiously jealous of Tendulkar that she could not help but admire him. Soon I began to admire the genius as well.

Today I no longer have to fight any contradictions inside me. In 2004 he was unbeaten on 194 against Paksistan in Rawalpindi when Rahul Dravid declared the innings and it upset me as I knew he deserved a double century that day. I have no shame in acknowledging that there is Brian Lara, Inzamam ul Haq, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid, and then a few notches higher, there is Sachin Tendulkar, if not in terms of cricketing talent, then in terms of his impeccable commitment, sheer strength of character and utmost humility.

That sums up Sachin Tendulkar for me. Today, when the world stands up and celebrates 20 years of Sachin Tendulkar, I feel proud because the best batsman in the world today is also my hero.

25 Films of the decade 2000-2009 (English)

It is that time of the year, (actually its way past that time) when you sit down and list your favourite films of the previous year/decade. In this case, it is the decade 2000-2009. Now I am absolutely aware of the problems associated with preparing these lists.

1) Firstly, there are still so many great films of the last decade that I haven’t seen.

2) I have so many favourite films, there are so many films I absolutely adore, it is very difficult to fit all of them in a list. I initially started with 20, then had to expand it to 25, but can actually go up to 100. I also am worried about the good films that my mind probably skipped when preparing this list.

3) Since the majority of the films I watch are usually in English, I will variably miss out on many great non English films. As a result, I will write up another list of 25 films, the category being non English films.

4) Often I need to see a movie at least twice, sometimes even more to really enjoy it and make up my mind about it. I also need a minimum gap of 1 year before I can look back at it again and see if my perception of the film has diminished a little bit. As a result, I have not included any film from the year 2009 simply because it is just too early to put them in decade list although there have been some awesome films made in 2009.

Taking all these into consideration, I have managed to list 25 notable films of the last decade consisting of American, British and Australian films. I do not understand the nuances and technicalities of filmmaking. The one and only criteria is that they are my favourite films.

The films are in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

1) 21 Grams (2003)

Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Written by: Guillermo Arriaga

This is Innaritu’s second film, and first film in English. He carries on with his non linear story telling technique. The film is about three principal characters – Paul Rivers an ailing mathematician love-lessly married to an English émigré, Christina Peck, an upper-middle-class suburban housewife, happily married and mother of two little girls, and Jack Jordan, an ex-convict who has found in his Christian faith the strength to raise a family. They are all brought together by a terrible accident that will change their lives. This is one of those “slice of life” films. By the final frame, none of them will be the same as they will learn harsh truths about love, faith, courage, desire and guilt, and how chance can change our worlds irretrievably, forever. The film ends with a haunting soliloquy about the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.

2) Adaptation (2002)

Directed by: Spike Jonze

Written by: Charlie Kaufman, Donald Kaufman, Susan Orlean

The opening soliloquy itself would have placed it in my top 25 list. It is the kind of start that establishes a strong place for the character immediately. You just started the movie and before you know it, you are totally engaged, slowly getting to know the main protagonist Charlie Kaufman, and wanting to know more of him. An ideal start for a wacky, crazy and absolutely incredible story about a Hollywood writer trying to adapt the best selling book The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. Chris Cooper bagged an Oscar for an unforgettable performance as John Laroche but performances from Nicholas Cage (in a double role) and Meryl Streep are of the highest class too.

3) A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

Directed by: Dito Montiel

Written by: Dito Montiel

I first got a look of this film when it was the topic of discussion at the Stratton and Martha show. There was something about it, the pulled me to it. I immediately did a google search on Dito Montiel and the film. What I read immediately placed this film on my “must watch” list.

It is based on a memoir of the same name written by the protagonist Dito. It is a coming of age story of a young boy with big dreams and ambitions growing up in the bronx. One of my friends once described it as a “slice of life” and I don’t think there can be a better description for this film. The non linear narrative gives you a look at both the young and older Dito simultaneously. This works brilliantly for the film as it instantly intrigues us, we want to know more, we want to know how Shia Lebouf (younger Dito) became Robert Downey jr (older Dito). Apart from the sensitive direction, Montiel also manages to extract top performances from Chazz Palminteri, Channing Tatoum, Robert Downey Jr, Rosario Dawson, and Shia Lebouf, whose sincere performance holds this film together.

4) Babel (2006)

Directed by: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Written by: Guillermo Arriaga

4 interlocking stories all connected by a single gun all converge at the end and reveal a complex and tragic story of the lives of humanity around the world and how we truly aren't all that different. In Morocco, a troubled married couple are on vacation trying to work out their differences. Meanwhile, a Moroccan herder buys a rifle for his sons so they can keep the jackals away from his herd. A girl in Japan dealing with rejection, the death of her mother, the emotional distance of her father, her own self-consciousness, and a disability among many other issues, deals with modern life in the enormous metropolis of Tokyo, Japan. Then, on the opposite side of the world the married couple's Mexican nanny takes the couple's 2 children with her to her son's wedding in Mexico, only to come into trouble on the return trip.

Innaritu and Arriaga collaborate on their third and perhaps most ambitious film with a tagline “If you want to be understood, listen.” Like their previous two films, there are multiple characters, various subplots narrated in a non linear structure.

“England and America are two countries separated by a common language.” said the great George Bernard Shaw. Imagine the chaos, complication, isolation when nations and peoples are separated not only by languages but by cultures, values, perceptions, religions etc.

The film has some heart wrenching moments but in the end Innaritu manages to make an important point, the more different people are in terms of race, language, religion, the more we are connected by a common thread. This is how coincidence films should be made.

I have seen it twice now, and felt enriched each time at the end of it.

5) Batman Begins (2005)

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Written By: David S. Goyle, Christopher Nolan

As a child, my preferred hero was always Batman. Till this day, I have not been able to figure out exactly why I picked Batman over Spiderman and Superman. Maybe it was the colour black which happens to be my favourite colour, or the fact that it was aired on television at just the right time for me to watch. Needless to say, when Tim Burton’s Batman films came out, I was gifted with VHS copies of those films. Then, I grew up. I did not like Sam Raimi’s Spiderman (2002) and told myself that I had outgrown comic book heroes. This is precisely why, I will be forever thankful to Christopher Nolan, for reinventing and redefining Batman for me so and not allowing me to outgrow my favourite superhero. I have seen this film so many times now, each scene is etched in my memory, each dialogue, each movement. Add to that Liam Neeson’s voiceover with dialogues like “You have learnt to bury your guilt with anger, I will teach to you to confront it and to face the truth. You know how to fight 6 men, I will teach you to engage 600. You know how to disappear, I can teach you to become truly disappear.” If God ever came on earth, he would sound like Liam Neeson. If all that wasn’t enough to make this super hero film absolutely great, Nolan throws in the element of moral ambiguity with lines like “The first time I stole so that I wouldn’t starve, I lost many assumptions about the simple nature of right and wrong".” Batman Begins is an instant classic.

6) Before Sunset (2004)

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Written By: Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke

Very seldom, we encounter films where the screenplay and performances by the actors draw us so deep into the film, make us sit with the characters and be a part of their lives, listen to their conversations, laugh with them, cry with them, hope with them, despair with them. Very rare. Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and July Delpy achieve this rare feat twice with this second part of their eternal and absolutely magnificent love fable about two soul mates. When a film has this sort of effect on me, I am often unable to find words that encapsulate my thoughts and feelings. This film is no different and all I can say to sum up my thoughts is, that after finishing the film, I was ready to start all over again, just to be with Jesse and Celine and enjoy their rendezvous.

7) Cinderella Man (2005)

Directed by: Ron Howard

Written by: Cliff Hollingsworth, Akiva Goldsman

Ron Howard’s Cinderella Man is the inspiring tale of washed up boxer Jim Braddock who came from nowhere to become a Champion. It is the ultimate story of the triumph of the underdog and strikes at the right chords to emotionally connect with the viewer. I am aware of a few reservations people had about the portrayal of Braddock’s opponent Max Baer. I am not too familiar with the boxing scene hence cannot comment on that. But as a film, Cinderella Man gets it right and boasts of a towering performance by Crowe.

8) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Directed by: Michel Gondry

Written by: Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry and Pierre Bismuth

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is yet another crazy brainchild of Charlie Kaufman. In the film self-referential film Adaptation, Charlie’s producer tells him after watching his Being John Malkovich that she would love a portal into his brain. Well this is the first Kaufman written film I saw and I had the same response..I wanted a portal into Kaufman’s brain, because I was just so awestruck by what I saw. Jim Carrery delivers his career best performance as Joel Barish and is ably supported by Kate Winslet as Clementine. I think directors (Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze) of films written by Kaufman deserve a lot of credit for making it all comprehensible and not isolating the audience which is easy to do considering Kaufman’s uncanny ability to write bizarre stories.

9) In Bruges (2008)

Directed by: Martin McDonagh

Written by: Martin McDonagh

In Bruges sees the arrival with a bang of British film director Martin McDonagh. As a member of my local cinema, I was given a free pass to this indie film as a way to promote it. I went, not knowing what to expect. However, what I got in the next 2 hours or so was astonishing, original and enthralling. McDonagh establishes himself as one of the most talented writers in the category of Tarantino, Shane Black, Guy Ritchie. His ability to mix humour with emotion is truly beautiful and places the viewer in the magical position – where he understands each character’s perspective, yet is unable to pick between them. In Bruges features top rate performances from Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes (who does a Ben Kingsley from Sexy Beast) and is considered a cult classic today.

10) Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Directed by: Shane Black

Written by: Shane BlackKiss Kiss Bang Bang is the film that totally revived Robert Downey Jr’s career. It is the directorial debut of Hollywood screenwriter Shane Black (Lethal Weapon films) and is an underrated gem. Black’s displays his mastery as a writer with the ease with which he combines genres (humour, action, film noir) and ensures a thrilling ride for the audience. A must watch.

11) Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Directed by: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Written by: Michael Arndt

I was first told about this film by a friend whose recommendations I don’t usually take seriously. The title evoked a typical ‘film snob’ response from me - “I don't watch those kinds of films” He persisted and since he always took my recommendations seriously, I decided to give it a go with low expectations. Instead, by the time the first 10 minutes were over and I had been introduced to each of the 6 characters, I had already fallen in love with the film. This is a little gem of a movie that instantly makes its way into your heart. It was highly acclaimed when it came in 2006 and it deserved each of those accolades including the Oscar for Best Screenplay.

12) Memento (2000)

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Written by: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan

Memento is perhaps one of the most important films of the last decade. With its unusual backward narration, Memento revolutionises the concept of non linear narration. The film right established Christopher Nolan as an A-grade film director and set a high benchmark which only Nolan himself can adhere to. The film is about a man who suffers from short term memory loss after an accident. Now this man is hell bent on finding the killers of his wife, so he uses notes, photographs and tattoos to hunt them. In order to draw the viewer into the film, Nolan’s extraordinary narrative style makes the viewer feel as dazed and disoriented as the protagonist Leonard. If that was not enough, the film is multi-layered, thus having various interpretations of the ending and message boards and forums dedicated to debating them. What an achievement!

13) Primer (2004)

Directed by: Shane Carruth

Written by: Shane Carruth

Primer is an extraordinary story of two friends who after various trials and errors come up with a machine that allows them to time travel. I am not going to say anything else, nor do I want you to know anything else or read anything else about it. Just watch the film and let it mesmerise you like it mesmerised me. The film might take repeated viewings to really seep into your mind.

The concept of the film is absolutely incredible but what is extraordinary is the fact that Shane Carruth pulled it off on such a tight budget. Unfortunately the Michael Bays and James Camerons of the world have all the money and technology available to them but neither do they have a good story nor a special vision. Shane Carruth proves with Primer that all you need is clarity of vision, perseverance and determination to make a great film.

14) Requiem For a Dream (2000)

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

Written by: Hubert Selby Jr, Darren Aronofsky

If I had a gun held to my head and had to pick one film from these 25 films, and this happened 5 times, Requiem For a Dream would probably be my pick twice out of those 5 times.

Like I usually do, I started watching this film without reading too much about it. All I knew was that this was a highly acclaimed film and established Aronofsky as one of the frontline directors of his generation along with Christopher Nolan.

During the next 1 hour 40 minutes or so, I was shocked, disturbed, challenged, moved and emotionally drained at the end of it. Various scenes from the film simply stayed with me, and I couldn’t forget them even if I wanted to. From nowhere I would see the scene of Jennifer Connelly lying on her side on the couch, with a satisfied smile on her face, a reflection of fulfilled craving or the hospital scene of Ellen Burstyn when her friends come to visit her in the end.

The music by Clint Mansell is haunting and helps tremendously in creating the right atmosphere. Aronofsky also uses various innovative visual styles and establishes himself as an extremely talented director.

15) Road To Perdition (2002)

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Written by: Max Allen Collins, Richard Piers Rayner and David Self

“Sometimes there's so much beauty in Sam Mendes’ films, I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in.”

Sam Mendes is one of my most favourite directors of his generation. I have loved each of his films till now but Road To Perdition is perhaps my favourite Mendes film. I used the famous quote from American Beauty and changed it a bit because that is the best way I can sum up my thoughts.

Mike Sullivan works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney. Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure. However after his son is witness to a killing he has done Mike Sullivan finds him self on the run trying to save the life of his son and at the same time looking for revenge on those who wronged him. This is the plot according to IMDB. On paper it sounds very simple and that is where the beauty of the film lies because the film is so multi-layered. It is about loyalties, redemption, father-son relationships and much more. I don't want to ruin it by highlighting all the subtexts. Its for you to find out.

16) Sexy Beast (2000)

Directed by: Jonathan Glazer

Written by: Louis Mellis and David Scinto

There is hardly a guy who loves movies and does not like British Gangster movies. They are just a different class altogether. Sexy Beast has one of the most simple and unoriginal premises. Gal is a retired gangster after serving time, and now lives quietly in Spain. He is soon joined by his old friend and boss Don Logan who wants him to do this one last big job in London. Gal does not want to but Don Logan won’t take no for an answer. What ensues next is a story of battle of wits and will power told in the most innovate way. Ben Kingsley delivers and unforgettable performance as Don Logan who will go down as one of the most powerful characters. Writers Louis Melli and David Scinto come up with one memorable line after another and they are all written for Don Logan. Slick editing and tight direction ensure a thrilling ride.

17) Snatch (2000)

Directed by: Guy Ritchie

Written by: Guy Ritchie

Lots of characters (mainly set in the British underworld), kick ass dialogues, hilarious and crazy situations and London are the ingredients of a kick ass Guy Richie movie, and in other words, everything a guy looks for in an entertaining film. Snatch is hilarious, entertaining, thrilling and then some. I have watched it many times and not once does it get boring. Performances are fantastic and Brad Pitt as a gypsy bare knuckle boxing champion is unforgettable.

18) Syriana (2005)

Directed by: Stephen Gaghan

Written by: Stephen Gaghan, Robert Baer

In 2006, I happened to come across this film with the tagline “Everything is connected”. The synopsis at the back seemed interesting. Syriana is directed by writer Stephen Gaghan of Traffic fame and like Traffic has multiple storylines intricately connected. Syriana is an intense, politically charged, taut thriller that entertains and enlightens. I had to watch it 3-4 times to fully digest everything, such is the depth of this film. A must watch for those into current affairs, global politics and economy and terrorism.

19) The Assassination of Jesse James by Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Directed by: Andrew Dominik

Written by: Andrew Dominik, Ron Hansen

Andrew Dominik’s take on 18th century American outlaw Jesse James and his murder in bizarre circumstances by Robert Ford is one of the most beautifully picturised films of the last decade. The film is yet another addition to the western genre in Hollywood yet its enthralling beauty and poetic narrative establishes it as a supreme piece of art. Casey Affleck comes out with an incredible performance Brad Pitt underplays well to support him. The cinematography by Roger Deakins is breathtaking and deserved an Oscar.

20) The Machinist (2004)

Directed by: Brad Anderson

Written by: Scott Kosar

An exciting, stylishly made, taut thriller that shocks, awes, enthrals and culminates into a powerful ending. Christian Bale delivers the performance of his career He lost about 60 pounds for this film by living on a can of tuna and an apple a day. You have to watch the film to see the effect. It has all the ingredients of a riveting thriller, along the lines of a Memento or any Hitchcock thriller.

21) The Proposition (2005)

Directed by: John Hillcoat

Written by: Nick Cave

Cinema is an amalgamation of various art forms – acting, music, writing, cinematography to name a few. A director’s job is to combine everything according his particular vision to create an overall effect. When each of those artists/technicians involved gets it right and the director is able to channelize it towards its intended purpose, the result would probably look like The Proposition. The film takes us to 19th century rural Australia and provides us with a view of a chaotic,violent, brutal and dark world where it is a struggle to hold on to some basic element of humanity. It is a landmark film in Australian cinema and an instant classic.

John Hurt is absolutely unforgettable in one of the most powerful cameos in cinema, but performances from Ray Winstone and Guy Pearce are first rate too.

This is an experience not to be missed. There is this scene early in the film when Ray Winstone character lays down the proposition to Guy Pearce's character. It is in voiceover while we are presented a view of rural Australia in all its brutal and ruthless glory.

"I wish to present you with a proposition. I know where Arthur Burns is. It is a God-forsaken place. The blacks won't go there, not the tracks; not even wild men. I suppose, in time, the bounty hunters will get him. But I have other plans, I aim to bring him down - I aim to show that he's a man like any other. I aim to hurt him. And what will most hurt him? Well I thought long and hard about that, and I've realized Mr. Burns, that I must become more inventive in my methods. But those be my words listen to me now, *don't* say a word. Now suppose I told there was a way to save your little brother Mikey from the noose. Suppose I gave you a horse, and a gun. Suppose Mr. Burns, I was to give you and your young brother Mikey here a pardon. Suppose I said that I could give you a chance to expunge the guilt, beneath which you so clearly labor. Suppose I gave you 'til Christmas. Now, suppose you tell me what it is I want from you. "

Its one of those powerful moments only cinema can create.

22) The Three Burials or Melquiades Estrada (2005)

Directed by: Tommy Lee Jones

Written by: Guillermo Arriaga

Mexican cowboy Melquiades Estrada is mistakenly killed by a Border Patrolman Mike Norton who quickly buries him in the desert. Estrada happened to be a close friend of ranch foreman Pete Perkins and had made a heartfelt request that in the even of his death, Pete should make sure his body is buried in his home town in Mexico. So Pete takes it upon himself to find the body, and take it back to Mexico and at the same time ensure Mike Norton gets his comeuppance.

The narrative is non linear like most films written by Arriaga and that is what makes it so interesting. Being a huge fan of Arriaga’s stories and non linear structures, I was always going to love the film. The film also boasts of excellent performances and beautiful background score. The magnificent visuals help highlight the sad reality of Mexican immigrants and the situation on the US-Mexico border.

23) Traffic (2000)

Directed by: Steven Soderbergh

Written by: Simon Moore, Stephen Gaghan

Traffic is a multi starrer film with multiple storylines all intricately connected. It is a an intelligent and enthralling thriller about drug trafficking in America and provides us with characters and sub plots from various levels, starting from a judge spearheading the war on drugs all the way down to his teenage daughter who becomes a victim. The film does not attempt to preach or provide solutions but highlights a very important issue and does so in a very entertaining manner. Steven Soderbergh deservedly won his best Director Oscar and this is the film that made me a Benicio Del Toro fan overnight.

24) The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006)

Directed: by Ken Loach

Written by: Paul Laverty

Ken Loach’s masterful film on the IRA and the British occupation of Ireland won the Cannes Golden Palm in 2006. It is about two brothers, Damien and Teddy during the early days of the IRA in 1920. Teddy is enlisted with the IRA and is a strong, brave and stubborn character. He has dedicated his whole life to a higher cause – the liberation and freedom of Ireland. Damien, the younger, more educated and practical brother is a doctor about to move to London and work in a hospital there. But an incident involving his childhood friend being beaten to death in front of his mother by British soldiers changes his mind and he decides to join his brother to fight against the imperialist British empire. As the brothers Damien and Teddy get more and more involved with IRA, they grow as characters and Teddy becomes more practical and Damien becomes more idealistic.

This is where Ken Loach takes the film to a higher level, by not only providing a commentary on the proceedings of the war between IRA and Britain but also providing us with a human tale, about relationships, brotherhood, loyalties, ideologies, clash of ideologies, the thin and blurred line between realism and idealism, the contradictions inherent in socialism and capitalism, and what it really means to stand for something.

There are various sequences in the film that leave the viewer as confused and unsure as the two main protagonists, about which path to take, whether to compromise towards the objective or compromise on the objective. It reflects the problems associated with an armed struggle, colonialism, challenges of post colonialism.

There is a sequence where Damien writes a letter to his beloved and the lines of that letter will stay with me forever and sums up the film in my view.

“I tried not to get into this war, and did. Now I try to get out, and can’t. Dan once told me something I have struggled with all this time. He said it is easy to know what you’re against, quite another to know what you are for.”

The film in my view is a tad underrated and I was a bit disappointed it did not bag many nominations at the Academy awards

25) Zodiac (2007)

Directed by: David Fincher

Written by: James Vanderbilt, Robert Graysmith

David Fincher had earlier established himself as a master storyteller especially in the genre of crime and thriller with films like Seven, The Game and the cult classic Fight Club. So when he takes on a serial killer story, which also happens to be a true story, the end result is a completely spellbinding ride. You are glued right from the first scene and as Fincher unravels layer after layer, it only gets better like a delicious cake. Performances by Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr are first rate too.

Honourable Mentions:

28 Days Later (2002)

Bread and Roses (2000)

Good Night and Good Luck (2005)

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Kill Bill Vol 1&2 (2003 and 2004)

Narc (2002)

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

The Dark Knight (2008)

The Visitor (2008)

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Music and Me – Part IV

Continued from Part I, Part II, Part III

Influence

When it comes to music, my greatest influence has been my best friend Numair, although I will never admit it in front of him. I mean we still argue like kids over who has heard a wider variety of songs, who has heard more songs, we race to listen to a new good song just to be able to say “aha, I told you about that song”

So here are two songs that I would not probably have liked had it not been for influence. The lyrics, although good, would not connect with me instantly. Yet, I love these songs today, and its all because of influence.

Boshe Achi Eka is a very old song by one of the pioneers of rock music in Bangladesh – Warfaze. This song is just so energetic, its almost as if an individual cannot absorb it by himself. It talks about celebrating, about the beautiful sky, butterflies, flowers, the wind, everything. But the guitar riffs and the vocals just grab you and lift you up.

There was never a music video of this song, so this is a live performance of the song by Warfaze at a theme park.

This song brings back old memories. Its one of those songs we would have on full blast in the car and go on for long drives, enjoying the wind on our faces through the windows, while at the same time revelling in shocking the people around with our exuberance and free spirit. Ah those were the days.

The second one is the song Hamesha by the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm. Once again, I first heard this song in Numair’s car. The songs starts off with an eerie feel and slowly builds up. I remember I had this startled look on my face when the song started, and asked him what the song was. He told me to just listen quietly. I did and was totally blown over.

The guitar riffs are once again, absolutely fantastic, and in no time energises the listener. The quality of the Urdu is of the highest class, and the ideas expressed are quite philosophical and deep. Not the kind of lyrics that would connect with me instantly as you have to keep listening to it a couple of times to absorb it. So once again, what attracted me to this song was my friend’s influence initially, and I grew a liking to it instantly. It is the song that made me an Entity Paradigm fan overnight.

A few more songs that did not have those usual ingredients that would connect with me immediately but I still ended up loving them.

Kahan Hain Tu by Entity Paradigm

For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica

Jilawatan by Call

Shayad by Call

Ultimately, I think music or any form or art for me is communication. Sometimes the words communicate with me directly, sometimes it is the composition, the rendition, or a combination of everything, and sometimes it is something I am not sure of myself. All I know is, every song that I like is an individual, and when we become good friends, its because of how well we connect as individuals.

Music and Me – Part III

Continued from Part II

 

Moving on from Indian and Bengali music to English music, I was always more drawn in general towards rock and metal. Perhaps it was the influence of my friends which I will talk about later.

Anyway, even in this category, there are songs that became my favourites by the courtesy of their lyrics.

Here are a few examples.

 

This is the first Pink Floyd song I ever heard and made me a fan in a matter of seconds. I immediately started looking for Pink Floyd songs and now have got hold of almost their entire discography. But this one still remains a favourite. The more I think of it, the more the song is revealed to me. Recently, I was thinking of two characters for a film I would like to make one day and suddenly out of nowhere, the following lines came up in my mind.

When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse,
Out of the corner of my eye.
I turned to look but it was gone.
I cannot put my finger on it now.
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
I have become comfortably numb.

I was not aware of this when I first heard the song. But today, those lines will have always have a different meaning for me and will go a long way in developing the two characters in my mind.

 

 

 

This is another special song from Pink Floyd’s 7th studio album of the same name - Wish You Were Here. 

The song is about longingness, loneliness, companionship, disillusionment and lost dreams etc. I later read that the song was also written for the band member Syd Barrett.

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,
blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have you found? The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

There is a theme of lost idealism and selling out or maybe its just me.

 

 

 

Is there any rock music fan who doesn’t absolutely adore this song? I have nothing to say except, ‘just listen to it’. Listen to the guitar solo, just listen to the entire song.

 

 

 

 

Despite being a huge Guns N Roses, I had not actually heard this song until it was recommended to me by a close friend. This song has a very special meaning for me, because I heard it at a time when I was going through a bit of a difficult phase in my life. I was/still am disillusioned, upset, frustrated with the world, the wars, terrorism and the farce also known as peace and democracy. What’s astounding is that this song was probably written in the late 80s and yet it can just be as reflective of the world today.

The song starts off with a famous dialogue from the Paul Newman movie Cool Hand Luke 

What we’ve got here is failure to communicate. Some men, you just cant reach, so you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it. Well…he gets it.

My hands are tied
For all I've seen has changed my mind
But still the wars go on as the years go by
With no love of God or human rights
'Cause all these dreams are swept aside
By bloody hands of the hypnotized
Who carry the cross of homicide
And history bears the scars of our civil wars

 

 

Moving on to a soothing song.

The concept of “near-far” is a fascinating idea and something that has been explored beautifully in Arabic/Urdu/Turkish poetry and finds lot of resonance in mystical Sufi literature of the east as American writer Ali Eteraz explores here and here.

Here, this concept is explored from a totally different and unusual perspective – American heavy metal music.

I absolutely adore the last bit from 5:25, the singing by James Hetfield is magnificent after the guitar solo.

So close no matter how far
Couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trusting who we are
No nothing else matters.

 

 

Bon Jovi is another favourite band of mine. I first heard Bon Jovi back in 2000 when their album Crush came out with the instant classic Its My Life. That song energises me every time I hear it. But this is a different song, a love ballad, with very soulful lyrics that will always be close to my heart for personal reasons. Its a beautiful song, and you just have to listen to it.

 

I would like to end this post with this absolutely magnificent song Hallelujah. The song was originally written and sung by Canadian singer Leonard Cohen. Since then, the song was covered by various artists, most notable among them being the one by Jeff Buckley.

I first heard it in the German film The Edukators. The song is simply beautiful and one that I can listen to over and over again. It has that soothing/calming power, the power few songs have. I usually listen to it when I am all by myself in my room and want no one but music as my companion.

Maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Needless to say, I am a huge Jeff Buckley fan now and have his whole discography.

Continued in Part IV

Music and Me - Part II

Continued from Part I

Another song where lyrics played the major role is this Bengali song “Pothchola” by Bengali progressive rock band Artcell.

The lyrics are simple, yet profound. It talks from the perspective of the first person and with repeated use of the words ‘aamar’ (meaning mine). It is a very individualist song and hence it is able to easily strike a chord with the younger generation. The guitar work is beautiful and subtle, allowing the thoughts to flow through the lyrics and reach the heart of the listener. This song is part of Artcell’s first album and the one that made me stand up and pay attention to the band and its album. This song played a major role in me liking most of the other songs in the album.

This is a very famous song in the Bangladesh Rock arena. It quickly gained cult status in the 90s and there is hardly anyone from that generation who does not like this song.

Shay Tumi (meaning That You) is about a man seeking redemption, wanting his love back in his life, asking for forgiveness. The song uses very simple words to convey the meaning and instantly strikes a chord with the listener. Once again a song that will stay with me because of the lyrics.

This is a song Ondho (meaning blind) by a more contemporary Bengali band called Black. I love everything about this song, the composition, the singing, guitar work, but what gives this song that extra meaning for me is the lyrics.

Phire Jete Chai Tomar Bhitore
Mukhosh Gulo Phele Rekhe
Amake Tene Nao

Ekhono Paai Ni Khuje Kichu
Ekhono Arale She

Shob Kichu Dekhe Ondho Hoyechi
Mitthar Kolome Shotto Likhe
Boshe Thaki Sobar Sathe

Ekhono Paai Ni Khuje Kichu
Ekhono Arale She

This is a song about intimacy, seeking intimacy, seeking closeness, stripped of all pretence, masks, lies, facades. It is about looking for that truth, purity, beauty.

While the lyrics are of a high class, I also absolutely adore the guitar solo especially from 3:07 to 3:50. This song also makes very beautiful use of a very traditional south asian instrument in the beginning called the Sitar. The video is pretty disappointing and does absolutely no justice to the song.

This is a song called Protibaad (meaning Protest) by another Progressive Metal band from Bangladesh called Cryptic Fate.

I have very little to say except that it is an absolutely amazing song. The lyrics just did it for me but the composition and guitar work is of the highest class too. Unlike Ondho, the video is also beautiful and fits the song aptly.

The song is about seeking for meaning, God, higher power, whatever you want to call it. The following lines are absolutely beautiful.

Jokhonie ami khub kacha kachi
(Whenever I am close to it )

Thikana dure shore jay..ha hayyyy
(The destination moves away a bit further)

Continued in Part III

Avatar is one-dimensional

It is a one dimensional, overlong film with its clichéd, predictable plot and half baked characters. You don’t necessarily need fancy special effects to engage the audience, what you need is an engaging screenplay and well written characters and that is what Avatar lacks badly. But the imagery is often breathtaking, the ferocious battles brilliantly staged and technically it pushes the medium forward, though not necessarily in a direction that everyone, myself included, will approve of. And let's hope 3D doesn't become the norm rather than the exception.

The following is a review by a friend of mine from Flixster called William Sleet. He saved my the trouble of writing any further on this film because his words summed up my thoughts.

James Cameron is NOT a great film-maker, he's a master manipulator and very good at giving a lazy, impatient and a thoroughly greedy audience what they want. Avatar gives you everything you want on a plate (minus substance or a soul or anything approaching cinematics) and even manages, literally of course, to plonk it in our laps! Of course, as eager fans are still waxing lyrical about the pyrotechnics on display, I know there are many who have been sitting with mouths agape to catch the over-ripe stodge flying at them and will wonder if I actually saw the same film. But, as far as I'm concerned, they are only under Cameron's insidious spell and, as time diminishes this spell, many of them will realise they were tricked once again. Funny thing is though, as with Titanic, they'll deny ever falling for such a shameless charlatan (as they do time and again with Roland Emmerich, Michael Bay and George Lucas). Please, can anyone actually say, with their hand on their heart, that they think any of Cameron's films are great years down the line of having seen it (anyone serious about cinema that is). How many are still watching 'Aliens', 'Titanic', 'True Lies' or any of 'The Terminator' films??

No-one watches them anymore because the gimmicks that they were sold on are now old-hat. The simplistic story-lines have become dated. Even Cameron knows this - why else does he take an eternity (force-feeding the stupid masses with the pre-publicity) polishing and perfecting his film with the latest technologies and fashionable elements before he releases it?

And I HATE 3D. I hate that it has nothing whatsoever to do with cinema and has everything to do with instant gratification and I hate it because it really is the Emperor's New Clothes - all it seems to do is disguise the fact that, without the in-your-face technology, the film itself really is either not very good or just distinctly average. Even if a film is actually quite good, it simply becomes an unwanted distraction (certainly the case with 'Coraline'). Add to this the fact that it is still a technology in progress, foisted on us too early by greedy soulless men in suits, impatient to line their pockets. I hate it because it's ripping the soul out of cinema and people seem to be buying into it!

Am I the only one who does not enjoy going cross-eyed for nearly three hours!? Anyway, the film itself was actually ok - just. The story has been told a hundred times before but was entertaining enough if a little too simplistic (which will lend itself quite smoothly to the inevitable game releases). I have to say that Sam Worthington is very watchable and there is no denying the lovingly created beautiful world of Pandora's landscapes and jungles. But the set-pieces, as suspenseful and thrilling as they are, were marred by the fact that 3D just can't keep up with motion or movement and blurs everything (even as I type I can still feel its after-affects behind my poor abused eyes). So combined with Avatar's insubstantial and derivative story, makes things, despite what we are being led to believe by the fanboys, ultimately quite forgettable.

I am sure in years to come, most people who cannot stop singing its praises today would be too embarrassed to admit it, just like today they are embarrassed to admit they loved Titanic back in 1997.

Music and Me – Part I

A very good friend of mine, wanted to know the other day, what it is about a song that attracts me to it.

My first answer was lyrics. We had a short conversation and then it was over.

Later in the day, I was on the train and I began to think more about the question, about music in general, its beauty, my favourite songs, why they are my favourite. I realized that despite listing music as my third passion after cricket and cinema, I tend to take it for granted. I mean, I listen to songs, repeatedly listen to my favourite songs, think about them from time to time and then that's it..its over..I have never actually given much deep thought into why I fall in love with some songs, why some songs mean so much more than the rest, why some songs stay with me for over 10 years now.

I don’t think there is a definitive answer. The best answer I can come up with is “it varies”

So now I will try to think about a couple of various instances when I liked different songs for different reasons.

Firstly, my taste in music is very hard to categorise. I listen to songs in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu and English. I listen to Hindi film songs, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Metallica and Bruce Springsteen. I myself don’t know how to categorise this.

I guess my affinity towards hindi film songs stems from watching hindi films as a kid with my parents. My appreciation of bands like Metallica and Pink Floyd can easily be traced to the influence of my close friends. My appreciation for Pakistani rock bands developed from Indian pop channels like Zee Music, MTV, B4U etc. Lastly, my fondness for Bengali Rock/Metal songs is also due to the influence of my friends.

Ok I have totally digressed from the original point which was what attracts me to a song.

Lyrics

The words do not have necessarily have to be poetry of the highest class. But they have to have something in them that adds meaning to my life, to which I can add meaning to, in other words, connect with. One of my favourite Indian lyricists is the late Anand Bakshi. Now his poetry and range of words are probably inferior to that of Gulzar, Prasoon Joshi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Saahir Ludhianvi, but he is one of my most favourite lyricsts, simply because his simple words more often than not connected with me.

Take for example his song Yeh Dil Deewana from Pardes.

The song is beautifully sung by Sonu Nigam, it is one of the songs that shot him to stardom, and the music is great too…but what stays with me are the lyrics

Maine Usske Sheher Ko Choda

Usski Gali Main Dil Ko Toda

Phir Bhi Seene Mein Dhadakta Hain

Yeh Dil

Maine Dil Se Usse Nikala

Jo Na Karna Tha Kardala

Phir Bhi Yaad Ussiko Karta Hain

Yeh Dil

Dil Kaisa Bepeer Hain

Woh Ek Tasveer Hain

Main Kehta Hoon Tor De

Kehta Hain Zanjeer Hain

Koi Kachchee Dor Nahin Hain Main Kya Karoon

Dil Pe Koi Zor Nahin Main Kya Karoon

Sounds cliched? heard before? too simple? nothing great? maybe..but they stayed with me..and will do so…There are many songs of Anand Bakshi that have stayed with me.

At the same time, most of these songs have also had very talented singers and composers behind them, so nothing should diminish that. When I like these songs, I don’t totally ignore the singing and composition, but the lyrics help the song find its way into my heart.

At the same time, there are various songs I like whose lyrics, although great, do not really connect with, either because I don’t understand them or I just don’t have the sensibilities for the particular thoughts behind them.

Take this highly acclaimed A R Rahman song from the movie Dil Se written by the great Sampooran Singh Gulzar.

Like many Gulzar songs, some of his words are just too high for me, too unheart, too unfamiliar, and I don’t understand them, which leads to not understanding entire lines in a particular song. Does that in anyway diminish its value for me? No. There is something else in it that connects with me.

Another very popular song from the same film is Chaiya Chaiya.

Now I was first introduced to this song way back in 1998 by my father, who fell in love with this song. He would play it on the stereo all the time and the catchy tune and beats instantly struck a chord with me. A few years later, I could appreciate the high class of singing put in my Sukhwinder Singh in this song. I could tell that you had to be a fantastic singer to pull it off. Yet the highly spiritual lyrics of Gulzar were at a level way beyond me. I did not understand the meaning of

Woh Yaar Hain Jo Imaan Ki Tarah

Mera Nagma Wohi, Mera Kalmaa Wohi,

Mera Nagma Nagma

Mera Kalmaa Kalmaa

Years later, having gained a bit of a familiarity with the ideas of Sufism, Mysticism and Rumi, I can perhaps appreciate only a glimpse of the beauty of these words. There are still various words in the song I do not understand. In fact, I actually do not understand the general theme of the song, I am not totally sure of what it is talking about. I can understand only a few lines, and the ideas behind them but overall, I am not entirely sure. It would perhaps take me a few years and few books before I can even begin to appreciate the depth of this song’s beauty. Today, when labelling any song remotely dealing with love as a “Sufi song” has become a fashion, Chaiya Chaiya sets the benchmark for Sufi songs and differentiates the real from the rest.

So, having initially thought that lyrics play the most important part for me, I have now realized that it not always the case.

Here is another of my most favourite and cherished songs – Kehna Hi Kya from Bombay written by another favourite lyricist of mine – Mehboob.

Now I am absolutely awestruck by the beauty of this song, the sheer magnificence of Chitra’s rendition and Rahman’s composition. I have always known this as a beautiful song, even when I was perhaps not old enough to have any clue what the song meant. Today, when I listen to it, and having seen the film recently, I can understand the context and the meaning of the song. It does not enhance or diminish the song’s beauty in my eyes one bit, simply because it was already on a very high pedestal to begin with. Now what took this song to that level, I don’t know. These are one of those rare moments when I am inclined more towards the existence of something higher, divine, majestic, God. The fact that my 10-12 year old mind was able to find something of meaning in this despite not understanding what it was about lead me to think about life and this world in more positive terms than I usually do. It makes me think about the magic in the universe, how we are all connected in ways beyond our understanding, Ok I better stop now, I start with music and end up talking about God. Time to move on :P

Continued in Part II