In my humble opinion the best film to come out of Vishal Bhardwaj's creativity thus far. Kaminey or Bastards as I suppose the English translation would read, is largely crude, immensly enjoyable, its bold, its funny and its unpredictable. If your Indian, think RGV's Company executed with panache and humour; for the rest of you, its a case of mixing Edward Scissorhands with Tarantino- a rather frightening concoction, but if done well it has the perfect hit of tequila!
Kaminey, follows the lives of twins Charlie and Guddu [Good-ooh] as different from one another as the 1920s were from the 1960s. What I loved [and the fangirl in me swoons silently] Shahid Kapoor plays both characters and as anyone with eyes and good hearing can see, he is perfect as both. Charlie's lisp "I pronounce Fff as Fff" [Ss as Ff is what he means] and Guddu's stammer are not only humorous but endearing in the oddest way. For the first half of the film we see their separate lives unfold: filled with a nonchalence for each other, love for money [Charlie] and Sweety [Guddu] propelling their lives in different directions.
Drugs, guns, money and gangsters collide head on with both brothers' lives. And then begins the real fun. Mistaken identities, rogue politicians and crooked cops begin the chase down a rabbit hole as the brothers run to protect their love, dreams and sanity.
It took the first twenty minutes to become accustomed to the lingo, the settings, the tone and the characters and their relationships. From then on though, it was me and the boys taking a trip down their exhilaratingly brilliant, not to mention immensly colourful lives as they race against time to come out on top of impossibly volatile junctures.
All in all the best movie experience Ive had all year. And I don't see this changing anytime soon. Dhan te nana, is the wrapping on an already beautifully brilliant [and yummy- mmm Charlie] cake. The song is bound to be a regular feature on my ipod for weeks to come..
Dhan Te Nan: Bastards
Fmafhing! Juft Fmafhing!
Labels: bastards , film , Kaminey , Shahid Kapoor
His own personal space
You know that smell, the one guys gets when they haven't showered for twenty-four hours but they have found time to do all those other things that healthy, well adjusted, somewhat yummy males do. MHmm.. you can smell it now can't you? That very masculine smell that's a good strong mixture of sweat, man and work.
Sometimes it is grass mixed with two parts underarm and one part groin - if he's been asserting his manliness on the field. Other times its metallic cool combined with frustration and moist palms with pearls of perspiration that trickles down and across his forehead while thinking of lyrics that aren't full of cliches.
It could be the very sweet sweat that drenches his armpits and seeps into the creases of his pants right before he comes up to you and stammers out a greeting or better still a really well thought out, but unfortunatley terribly delivered.
My personal favourite has to be a boy I met about 3 months ago. He has to be the sweetest thing Ive come across for a long while and in the one minute or so I stood all, up close and personal with him he smelt like a boy who was one part man, one part sweet, two parts sexy and yummy all over.
Sometimes it is grass mixed with two parts underarm and one part groin - if he's been asserting his manliness on the field. Other times its metallic cool combined with frustration and moist palms with pearls of perspiration that trickles down and across his forehead while thinking of lyrics that aren't full of cliches.
It could be the very sweet sweat that drenches his armpits and seeps into the creases of his pants right before he comes up to you and stammers out a greeting or better still a really well thought out, but unfortunatley terribly delivered.
My personal favourite has to be a boy I met about 3 months ago. He has to be the sweetest thing Ive come across for a long while and in the one minute or so I stood all, up close and personal with him he smelt like a boy who was one part man, one part sweet, two parts sexy and yummy all over.
Labels: being human , boys , brain wave
"I tried not to be, Mrs M."
Sara Crewe and I have always had that one thing in common, we both tried so hard not to be what everyone expected of us that we became these totally outlandish and largely spectaclesque creatures.
She, [for those raised in an igloo out on Pluot] was a young girl at the turn of the century, brought up in a foriegn country by her young and dashing father who lets face it, spoils her to extreme levels. She grows up to be eccentric and removed from other children at the ripe old age of 8. One can assume, and I most certainly do, that she would grow up to be an Emma type of person: interested in not only her business but all those dear to her. Not just because lets face it, we can manage other people's affairs so much better than they can [If only we were this talented at managing our own, there would be no flaws in our make up].
But because it who she is, and even though she has tried, she will always be who she is.
While Im most certainly not a Sara Crewe for the 21st century, I do however, hold opinions of myself like all others, and Ive found on reflection that I have tried so hard not to be. And if I was to be entirely honest, I do manage my friends' lives. They haven't quite realised it, and if they have, I doubt they've picked up on all the not-so-significant little aspects of their lives Ive managed to manipulate or twist so it is better. Better for who, you ask?
Well, lets say for all parties involved. *wink*
Back to the main course- I have tried so hard not to be what everyone didn't want me to be, but clearly I have failed spectacularly and enjoyed every breath of it. At the end of the day everyone carries preconcieved notions about others and atleast three-quarters of the time it is a feat equivalent to speaking whale to change these ideas.
What have I learned in all my twenty-two year old wisdom? Don't try. The only way person A is going to appreciate or understand person F is when person A has taken the time and patience required to decipher person F. Sounds like a freaky maths formula, but aren't our friends the ones we have known for a while, those who we understand to some degree, and love because of their faults? I know mine certainly are. I wouldn't love them if they weren't severely flawed.
What brought on this somewhat delayed epiphany? I noticed person H trying to impress person C with their brilliant beyond brilliant culinary skills. Un-uh. Person H manages to screw up boiling water. As they proved through their demonstration, laugh up the example, but we've all done it. And perhaps its time we stopped trying. Clearly doesn't do much but hide you and show off your idiocy.
My vote goes too..don't try not to be, just be whoever it is that you are, freaky bus person, weird swimming speedos boy, Buffyverse lover, flute player, psychotically monitoring her ex-boyfriends phone girl.. or whoever. Just be it and embrace the good with the hideously disfigured.
She, [for those raised in an igloo out on Pluot] was a young girl at the turn of the century, brought up in a foriegn country by her young and dashing father who lets face it, spoils her to extreme levels. She grows up to be eccentric and removed from other children at the ripe old age of 8. One can assume, and I most certainly do, that she would grow up to be an Emma type of person: interested in not only her business but all those dear to her. Not just because lets face it, we can manage other people's affairs so much better than they can [If only we were this talented at managing our own, there would be no flaws in our make up].
But because it who she is, and even though she has tried, she will always be who she is.
While Im most certainly not a Sara Crewe for the 21st century, I do however, hold opinions of myself like all others, and Ive found on reflection that I have tried so hard not to be. And if I was to be entirely honest, I do manage my friends' lives. They haven't quite realised it, and if they have, I doubt they've picked up on all the not-so-significant little aspects of their lives Ive managed to manipulate or twist so it is better. Better for who, you ask?
Well, lets say for all parties involved. *wink*
Back to the main course- I have tried so hard not to be what everyone didn't want me to be, but clearly I have failed spectacularly and enjoyed every breath of it. At the end of the day everyone carries preconcieved notions about others and atleast three-quarters of the time it is a feat equivalent to speaking whale to change these ideas.
What have I learned in all my twenty-two year old wisdom? Don't try. The only way person A is going to appreciate or understand person F is when person A has taken the time and patience required to decipher person F. Sounds like a freaky maths formula, but aren't our friends the ones we have known for a while, those who we understand to some degree, and love because of their faults? I know mine certainly are. I wouldn't love them if they weren't severely flawed.
What brought on this somewhat delayed epiphany? I noticed person H trying to impress person C with their brilliant beyond brilliant culinary skills. Un-uh. Person H manages to screw up boiling water. As they proved through their demonstration, laugh up the example, but we've all done it. And perhaps its time we stopped trying. Clearly doesn't do much but hide you and show off your idiocy.
My vote goes too..don't try not to be, just be whoever it is that you are, freaky bus person, weird swimming speedos boy, Buffyverse lover, flute player, psychotically monitoring her ex-boyfriends phone girl.. or whoever. Just be it and embrace the good with the hideously disfigured.
Today's muddle: How many screw ups will you take to be exactly who you are, and nothing less?
Labels: A Little Princess , epiphany , Sara Crewe , spectacle
We're adults. When did that happen. And how do we make it stop?
Babies are untouched. Not scribbled on, none of that erasing that comes with adults.
How do we go from there to here?
When does it all change? When do we realise the difference between good and bad, black and white, hot and cold, why is it that any of this even matters? When is it that a child becomes responsible?
Is it that first goldfish your parents buy you in the hopes of removing some of the childish selfishness built into each of us, like maybe caring for a small orangely golden aquatic veterbrate is going to insight some kind of growth in human mammals. Or maybe its that first babyesque doll that burps and poops so much like you that like it or not we develop an inferiority complex whereby The Doll is an Other in direct competition with us for some unknown prize.
Okay that was far too Dr Phill of me.
I hate responsibility. Only realised this over the last few days, responsibility is a real bitch. And by bitch I refer to the fact that being in this awful state of 'responsible' for another thing, act or person requires you to be in control of, or to be accountable for this completely Other being.
Working on Thessy has made me realise that Im responsible for it. Not only that, Im responsible for making it as good or bad a piece of writing as it is ever going to be. Im also responsible for my mother, and my share of the work at C. Im responsible for my friends when they are jubilant or sad. Responsibility is multi-faceted and far reaching. And I can't think of any area in which I haven't screwed up.
So my decisions, my acts, my ideas will now [and for however long Ive been in this terrible state] have been impacting someone other than me. Gumby. Is it any wonder than, that my life has become a poster ad for squashed banana's and spike heels?
Mmhm. Use that imagery and go with it.
Some bright spark once said, you know your an adult when you realise your responsibilities. I think what he should have said, was when you royally screw up most of your areas of responsibility, then you know your an adult.
Today's muddle: how do we stop being adults?
How do we go from there to here?
When does it all change? When do we realise the difference between good and bad, black and white, hot and cold, why is it that any of this even matters? When is it that a child becomes responsible?
Is it that first goldfish your parents buy you in the hopes of removing some of the childish selfishness built into each of us, like maybe caring for a small orangely golden aquatic veterbrate is going to insight some kind of growth in human mammals. Or maybe its that first babyesque doll that burps and poops so much like you that like it or not we develop an inferiority complex whereby The Doll is an Other in direct competition with us for some unknown prize.
Okay that was far too Dr Phill of me.
I hate responsibility. Only realised this over the last few days, responsibility is a real bitch. And by bitch I refer to the fact that being in this awful state of 'responsible' for another thing, act or person requires you to be in control of, or to be accountable for this completely Other being.
Working on Thessy has made me realise that Im responsible for it. Not only that, Im responsible for making it as good or bad a piece of writing as it is ever going to be. Im also responsible for my mother, and my share of the work at C. Im responsible for my friends when they are jubilant or sad. Responsibility is multi-faceted and far reaching. And I can't think of any area in which I haven't screwed up.
So my decisions, my acts, my ideas will now [and for however long Ive been in this terrible state] have been impacting someone other than me. Gumby. Is it any wonder than, that my life has become a poster ad for squashed banana's and spike heels?
Mmhm. Use that imagery and go with it.
Some bright spark once said, you know your an adult when you realise your responsibilities. I think what he should have said, was when you royally screw up most of your areas of responsibility, then you know your an adult.
Today's muddle: how do we stop being adults?
Labels: adults , being human , muddle
Balloons & Bartenders
The birthday dinner was indeed an event. The guests went home happy, the host was considerably drunk and nothing untoward has happened yet. Dare I hope that the birthday curse has been lifted? Better not speak about this for another five months atleast..
I was late to my own birthday dinner. *shakes head* So typical. The cab was to blame for a change. I ordered it for 45mins before it actually arrived thus making me one of the later people to walk into my own party. Dinner was fun, everyone seemed to get along which is always good to see.
I made one new friend! Its a talent now lol, I can manage it at my own party where I technically should have known everyone.. Lovely Luzian brought her boyfriend Marc [yes, he insists with a C] along and he was intelligent and funny- easy to befriend. Dinner consisted of recounting my most embarrasing moments, I think each of my friends had a story more horrendous then the previous.. if that was possible after the very first one that AnE brought up- oh that damn bus stroking. Am never going to live it down!
Dinner ofcourse, led to drink at a bar where Jude and I went onto get positively drunk. But what else?! Jeff turned up with apologies for being so late! Each of us thought he was with someone else until he walked away and we looked at each other cluelessly. We had our very own hanger on! Jeff returned throughout the night to befriend us, and share a deep and meaningful [read: never let go Jack] moment with Jude.
AnE and Jen were the somewhat sober ones, if only stealing martini glasses counts as opposed to declaring the skills to make a bartender a very happy man indeed [me] or using one boy to rid another [Jude] doesn't count. All in all a wonderful birthday.
And no, Jeff has not been in touch with Jude yet.
I was late to my own birthday dinner. *shakes head* So typical. The cab was to blame for a change. I ordered it for 45mins before it actually arrived thus making me one of the later people to walk into my own party. Dinner was fun, everyone seemed to get along which is always good to see.
I made one new friend! Its a talent now lol, I can manage it at my own party where I technically should have known everyone.. Lovely Luzian brought her boyfriend Marc [yes, he insists with a C] along and he was intelligent and funny- easy to befriend. Dinner consisted of recounting my most embarrasing moments, I think each of my friends had a story more horrendous then the previous.. if that was possible after the very first one that AnE brought up- oh that damn bus stroking. Am never going to live it down!
Dinner ofcourse, led to drink at a bar where Jude and I went onto get positively drunk. But what else?! Jeff turned up with apologies for being so late! Each of us thought he was with someone else until he walked away and we looked at each other cluelessly. We had our very own hanger on! Jeff returned throughout the night to befriend us, and share a deep and meaningful [read: never let go Jack] moment with Jude.
AnE and Jen were the somewhat sober ones, if only stealing martini glasses counts as opposed to declaring the skills to make a bartender a very happy man indeed [me] or using one boy to rid another [Jude] doesn't count. All in all a wonderful birthday.
And no, Jeff has not been in touch with Jude yet.
Labels: alcomahol , birthday , boys , celebration , Jude , red blue +yellow