Books and Movies

Came across a very interesting blogpost about book-flicks. On-screen adaptations of successful books haven't exactly been rare but there seems to be an increasing trend now to make a movie out of every best-seller. Da Vinci Code with Tom Hanks is underway. Shantaram with JohnnyDepp. Chitra Divakaruni's Mistress of Spices with Aishwarya Rai, not to forget 'The Harry Potter' series and 'The Lord of the rings'; the list is long.

I have to agree with Priya, and am confident most book-lovers feel the same, that books are heaps better than their movie versions. (I guess its the ones who can't be bothered to read through a book who enjoy these movies the most). Well! at least mostly.

'The Godfather', I felt was very true to the original-Mario Puzo was one of the writers of the screenplay. I wouldn't call the movie better than the book but it was faithful to the book. I am told, 'Babe' was an unreadable book but the movie was excellent. And someone mentioned the latest 'Pride and Prejudice' as being a tribute to Austen. Exceptions, I guess.

In Tamil, Sujatha's 'Vikram' was brutally murdered in the on-screen version. and so was his 'Priya'... but less so. Thi.Ja's Mohamull was picturised. I haven't read the book, but the movie was supposedly good.

Enhancing the experience of a book by making a movie out of it doesn't work as often as we expect it to. (How many times have we read a book and said, Wow! that would make a great movie or watched a movie and said, there is a book there in it - but it just doesn't work guys. Trust me...it doesn't). On the whole, my verdict - don't spoil a book for us by making a movie out of it. But if you have to, at least be true to the book.

Ammani's idea

Ammani in addition to her, by now very popular QuickTale series has taken upon her the responsibility to make us, the less active bloggers and wannabe QT writers, write something. Even crap. In the hope that you improve, the more you write. By giving us a specific opening line and a word limit (and a time limit if we have to be published in her blog). The pilot project is "Sandhu was 13 when she discovered the joys of exaggeration".

Many have written and some of them is enviable good. Here is mine.

Sandhu was 13 when she discovered the joys of exaggeration. Exaggeration, in the words of her know-it-all friend and exaggeration-guru, a certain Ram, is embellishment of truth. The 'great' divide, a thin line between lying and exaggeration until that moment had remained elusive to her puny self. "Amma! I got the first mark in English", when there were at least ten students ahead of her was lying. And that is something she should never utter. In addition to the beatings/scoldings (depending on Appa's mood) there was always God's punishment to be afraid of. Her grandmother had told her many tales where Gods swooped down to earth in their winged vaahanas and blinded one with sharp instruments whenever they lied to their parents. I wonder why it took her all of 13 years to understand the difference between lying and exaggerating.

Rang De Basanti and the unfortunate Horse

I knew it would happen but it still bums me out. Rang De Basanti like Chennai rains, was hit with controversy after controversy. First it was the Defence, particularly the AirForce which had to watch and clear the movie. Just to make sure there wasn't anything degrading about the AirForce. Rumour has it that they portrayed the pathetic conditions of the should-have-been-retired-long-long-ago MiGs, dubbed Flying Coffins by some pilots. I guess the scene where the technicians on the ground were betting on whether the plane would crash before or after ten minutes got the scissors. I bemoan the day when I decided not to join IAF... I would have atleast got to watch a movie before it was released to the world. Cool, uh?

Of course another controversy regards to permission from a martyr pilot's family surfaced in between and sizzled out. Arguments have been going on elsewhere if Aamir could rework the DilChahthaHai magic. And if he could pass to be a 'young' man. But I swear, this one beats them all.

The Animal Welfare Board would not let Aamir ride horseback and delayed the release of Rang De Basanti. I mean I am all for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and I fully appreciate efforts to make sure we don't act like animals to animals. And of course the poor horse... running with Aamir on the back is no fun. And for a pittance, perhaps all of a bale of green juicy grass. At least for all its efforts it was hoping to grab some on-screen time, some fame. Even that, is now not possible. Would Aamir run with a horse on his back even if we gave him a crore?

This is the messed up part. My understanding here is that AWB wanted that scene censored not because it had a sudden affection to the plight of horses but simply that their permission was not sought. Surely the film-makers cannot have forgotten them. Ya...right!

I mean how the hell would I know that I had to take permission for riding the horse. If, on the other hand there was a scene where the horse was whipped, tortured to tell the secret location of the gold casket or raped, I understand a permission from the AWB was understandable, even necessary. But someone riding a horse. What was that all about??? Its not like he was 'riding' the horse, if you know what I mean.

OK! You all film makers, note! Before you think of taking a film, of course the thought should not occur to you without the permission of proper authorities, you could submit the script for review by any association, board, government authority, the idli paati behind Vadapalani temple just so they don't come with objections 2 days before you want to release the movie. Or better, considering that most movies are direct rip-offs of some other movie, you could screen the original for these authorities.

And if your film is so bad that nobody even bothers to find fault with it, you could yourself place an ad in a newspaper, in an alias ofcourse saying that the film was against the moral and ethical creed of Indians. That should bring the crowd in.

The Producers

I hate doing this, turning my blog into a Friday Review of sorts. I have to admit... with 'The Producers' though, a review is irresistable.

Personally, I am no big fan of Musicals. In Indian movies, perhaps I am OK with it... infact it would be real odd if there weren't the song-dance sequence in one. But Hollywood Musicals... naaaa. I hated Chicago. And Moulin Rogue... I couldn't even sit through it. The only exception to the I-hate-musical was Sound of Music... I must have watched a zillion times. Then why, one may wonder that I chose to watch a musical. The answer alas is simple... I wanted to get to bed early. You see 'The producers' was the earliest movie to begin yesternight. (Tuesdays are 'special' at Hoyts Cinema and we had to watch a movie- any movie)

'The Producers' was without doubt the funniest musical I have ever seen (and I have seen so few) and I absolutely loved it. The story revolves around a Broadway producer, Max and an accountant, Leo in an attempt to produce the greatest flop of all time. Needless to say, they end up creating a hit (in a very 'Crazy Mohan'ish fashion). Throw in a gorgeous Uma Thurman and you have a WINNER.

Leo's blue blanket to Adolf Elizabeth Hitler's springtime, the movie was a laugh riot. The songs were hilarious. 'We can do it' and 'Unhappy' in the beginning were indicators of what was to come and every one of them was laudably laughable, especially 'Hail me'. Perhaps the most comic moments were when Max tells the Swedish Uma Thurman, "Though we are sitting, consider it a standing ovation", the Neo-Nazi, Hitler worshipper doing the Hitler dance and ofcourse, the 'gay' scenes. Ooooooh! Ooooooh!

'The producers' may not become a classic...and I see it hasn't won the Golden Globes. But it was worth a good laugh. Much more than a good laugh actually.

Joyeux Noël

Once in a while you watch a movie that is so brilliant you declare, 'I would kill to make a movie like that'. Joyeux Noël, an incredibly executed film qualifies for it hands down. Joyeux Noël, which literally means 'Merry Christmas' is a thought provoking film on the issues of war and peace and how the enemy is no different from us.

The film is based on an event that truly happened on Christmas Eve, 1914, at several locations on the battlefront in the First World War. The German, French and Scottish soldiers fraternized, exchanging gifts and addresses, promising to visit each other when the war was over, even playing soccer.

To me, the highlight of the movie is its relevance even today. That language, nationality, colour, race are all extraneous to the universal human spirit.

It also passingly questions the role of religion in the world. The scene where a God man speaks of His command to fight the war is so reminiscent of George Bush's television statements.

Any movie, any book, any work that oppugns war has my complete support. I fail to see justifications for the brutal murder of man by another man. Nothing can be worth it. Not national pride. Not Heaven in the afterlife. There is no righteous war. For now Merry Christmas.

A brand new year

Another year has gone by.... nothing to celebrate. Perhaps, there is. Every day warrants a celebration and a national holiday, but that would send the economy reeling. Therefore lets celebrate all that is to celebrate in life now. Today is as good as anyday.There were some highlights, some milestones reached, some enjoyable moments in the past year...

Opening ceremony 2005: Sydney. By the Harbour Bridge.

Achievement of the year: Finished 'A suitable boy'. It took me 7- 1/2 months to read this mammoth tome. My longest ever for any book. Excluding the Engineering books that took me a few years....wait a sec, I haven't finished them yet.

Most memorable event: Have to say Rahman's concert in Sydney.

Scariest event: Chennai traffic - crossing Arcot road being the most frightful. Second best is the non-existent lane discipline.

Most enjoyed
Movie: Tamil - Ghajini, Hindi- Salaam Namaste, English - Sin City, International - Maria-Full of Grace (Spanish)

TV series: Taken (it was screened in Australia only this year)

Books: A suitable boy, Siddhartha, My sister's keeper, Angels and Demons

Music Album: Thiruvasagam in Symphony

Song: Sutrum Vizhi

Dinner: My birthday dinner in Jehangir

Evening: International Students Nite at Uni of Canberra

Most awaited book: Harry Potter and the Half Blood prince

Classic revisited: Mario Puzo's The Godfather

Most memorable trip: Great Ocean Drive and Melbourne (First experience camping)

Most exhausting trip: Bushwalking in Morton National Park and Budawang

Most rejuvenating trip: Trip to India; watching the rain batter Chennai, mug of steaming hot filter coffee in one hand, a very readable book in another, and a plate of crisp bakhoda within hands reach. Now thats life!

Closing ceremony 2005: Canberra. Atop Mt.Pleasant.