Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Monday, November 01, 2010
Jabar Khabar
Preface to My First Documented Nonsense Composition It all started with a modest request from my little sis-in-law, an excellent elocutionist that I've come across. On one of the innumerable functions that she had been invited in this small age, she wanted to recite something other than the regular serious poems. Gradually as her request turned to more than an affectionate insistence I saw no way but to jot down the first things that came to my mind based on her hint that the subject should be in the form of a comic news reportage!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
Omerta
Omerta - the code of silence and of honour among the Sicilian Mafia seems to rule at large when the retiring Don Raymonde Aprile is shot in the USA. The FBI and the police department seems clueless about the murder but the motive seems not so difficult to guess. It was the Aprile banks that seemed to be the aim of the perpetrators. Aprile's foster son, Astorre Viola, to protect the Aprile family and banks, silently took charge of the situation and started vengeance in the traditional Mafia style. It took him across the deceptive path of politics and the corruption in the security departments and in the process some hideous truth came to fore. But silence reigned supreme as Astorre Viola, keeping a low profile, struck blow after blow to the heart of the enemies. But secrets from his past could not be hidden and soon he was to know his heritage. Whom to believe and whom to not, seemed a tricky decision and can he meet the ferocity of the rivals seemed to haunt his near ones. Deception and corruption went hand in hand as Omerta prevailed everywhere as the murders piled up.
The book is written in the old style of the Godfather but lost its touch when it came to the climactic ending which seemed a snippet from a Hollywood action piece. When I'd read it years before it seemed fantastic, but when I again went through this time the magic was lost. Godfather will always be a legendary piece whereas this is good but could have been better.
The book is written in the old style of the Godfather but lost its touch when it came to the climactic ending which seemed a snippet from a Hollywood action piece. When I'd read it years before it seemed fantastic, but when I again went through this time the magic was lost. Godfather will always be a legendary piece whereas this is good but could have been better.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Ebaro Baro
This had been not so favourite of my Ray collections and though I had forgotten much of the storylines but my subconscious self revolted quite surprisingly whenever it came near my hand.The content runs as
- Sadhanbabur Sandeha
- Manpatra
- Spotlight
- Dhappa
- Mackenzie Fruit
- Anka Sir, Golapibabu Aar Tipu
- Apadartha
- First Class Kamra
- Gagan Chowdhuryr Studio
- Bahuroopi
- Ambar Sen Antardhan Rahasya
- Jehangirer Swarnamudra
The first story is the best portraying the always doubting Sadhanbabu whose behaviour caused many woes on his part. 
Next is an emotional piece on a long forgotten artist followed by a humorous piece of a mischivous elder. The fourth one has got the classic Ray touch and will be remembered for times by the readers but again the fifth seemed to lose pupose near its completion. The sixth one mixes fantasy with real world all too well and the seventh, though nothing remarkable, still can be considered a good read. The eighth and ninth are again revival of Rays' magic that is both spine chilling and immensely entertaining. 
Again the mood is held in the same level by the tenth piece though, barring its finish, it seemed a bit lengthy. Feluda, with Topshe and Jatayu enters in the eleventh though it is a bit dissapointing when the mystery is resolved. But the twelfth in the line is the best of the two Feluda stories and mixes the mystery, Jatayu's comic, Topshe aka the reader's confusion all too well.
Next is an emotional piece on a long forgotten artist followed by a humorous piece of a mischivous elder. The fourth one has got the classic Ray touch and will be remembered for times by the readers but again the fifth seemed to lose pupose near its completion. The sixth one mixes fantasy with real world all too well and the seventh, though nothing remarkable, still can be considered a good read. The eighth and ninth are again revival of Rays' magic that is both spine chilling and immensely entertaining. 
Again the mood is held in the same level by the tenth piece though, barring its finish, it seemed a bit lengthy. Feluda, with Topshe and Jatayu enters in the eleventh though it is a bit dissapointing when the mystery is resolved. But the twelfth in the line is the best of the two Feluda stories and mixes the mystery, Jatayu's comic, Topshe aka the reader's confusion all too well.Monday, September 20, 2010
Avatar: Special 3D
Avatar - the incarnation of movie and its viewers in the same dimension! When technology defines entertainment, then what we get is Avatar, the ultimate thrill that sweeps past the confines of the screen and takes the viewers to a joy ride through a visual recitation. The 3D viewing from the very start mesmerizes the senses and when excitement runs high, we forget the fictitious projections and it was not once that found me shaking head lest the stones and water and leaves rustle my face.
The actual story is not so high ended concept but the clash of civilizations with one aiming to protect existence and the other to advance technology, seems a paradox to the entire presentation but the win of good over evil satisfies all.
It is the year 2154AD, RDA corporation is mining a valuable mineral unobtainium on Pandora, inhabited by 10ft tall Na'vi, sapient humanoids who harmonizes with nature and worships the Mother Goddess Eywa. To explore the civilization and its ambience scientists develops Na'vi-human hybrid avatars that are operated by mental links of geneticaly matched humans. Thus Jake Sully, a paraplegic former Marine, to replace his murdered brother who had been a scientist turned avatar operator, was introduced to this programme. He was considered no better than a bodyguard by the head, Dr. Grace Augustine. But Col. Miles Quatrich, head of the Sec-Ops, private security force of RDA had other ideas. He tried using Sully to learn about the Na'vi resources and habitats so that it would be easier to secure them when time comes. But as Jake comes closer to the Na'vi population it becomes increasingly difficult for him not to sympathize with them. He becomes intimate to Neytiri, daughter of Eytukan, leader of the clan that he is introduced into. There, her mother and the clan's spiritual leader Mo'at, orders Neytiri to teach Sully the ways of the tribe. As he grew more and more acuinted with her, Sully fell in love with her and was tortured beyond agony as he understood that his intel will just destroy the natural habitat and almost the whole tribe of the Na'vi that had so tenderly adopted him.
Thus began the new chapter of Sully where he confessed of his attempted betrayal to Eytukan and was condemned for the purpose. But then, to regain the trust that the tribe had earlier possessed of him, he tamed the flying predator Toruk and earned the title of Toruk Maktu (tamer of Toruk), a distinction held by only five of the Na've previous to him. This also earned him trust from the tribe and his future actions agains the evil Earthmen got him his desired brotherhood to Na'vi. Thus began the revolution that united the entire Pandoran Na'vi that rose against the technologically advanced humans.
The rest is a fierce yet detailed battle between the two cultures and the audience will be spellbound at the display of high paced action.
This James Cameron directed classic with its 9 min of extra graphical excitement in the special edition is a celebration of technology and of colours that unfolds its brilliant shades in a classic manner. Sam Worthington as Jack Sully was a wonderful choice as the new face matched well with the new genre of film making. Stephen Lang as Miles Quatrich also carried on the cruel character just correctly. Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Grace Augustine) carried on her part of the curt yet humane scientist to perfection. Zoe Saldana as Neyitiri played her part of the coarse yet sympathetic Na'vi with zeal. Wes Study as Eytukan was also a wonderful choice whose stature was just right for the leader of the tribe. But C.C.H Pounder was the best as Mo'at whose composed expressions derived a revered personality from her wild form.
Mauro Fiore's cinematogrpahy is another treasure that complemented the graphics both in detail and in excellence.
The actual story is not so high ended concept but the clash of civilizations with one aiming to protect existence and the other to advance technology, seems a paradox to the entire presentation but the win of good over evil satisfies all.
It is the year 2154AD, RDA corporation is mining a valuable mineral unobtainium on Pandora, inhabited by 10ft tall Na'vi, sapient humanoids who harmonizes with nature and worships the Mother Goddess Eywa. To explore the civilization and its ambience scientists develops Na'vi-human hybrid avatars that are operated by mental links of geneticaly matched humans. Thus Jake Sully, a paraplegic former Marine, to replace his murdered brother who had been a scientist turned avatar operator, was introduced to this programme. He was considered no better than a bodyguard by the head, Dr. Grace Augustine. But Col. Miles Quatrich, head of the Sec-Ops, private security force of RDA had other ideas. He tried using Sully to learn about the Na'vi resources and habitats so that it would be easier to secure them when time comes. But as Jake comes closer to the Na'vi population it becomes increasingly difficult for him not to sympathize with them. He becomes intimate to Neytiri, daughter of Eytukan, leader of the clan that he is introduced into. There, her mother and the clan's spiritual leader Mo'at, orders Neytiri to teach Sully the ways of the tribe. As he grew more and more acuinted with her, Sully fell in love with her and was tortured beyond agony as he understood that his intel will just destroy the natural habitat and almost the whole tribe of the Na'vi that had so tenderly adopted him.
Thus began the new chapter of Sully where he confessed of his attempted betrayal to Eytukan and was condemned for the purpose. But then, to regain the trust that the tribe had earlier possessed of him, he tamed the flying predator Toruk and earned the title of Toruk Maktu (tamer of Toruk), a distinction held by only five of the Na've previous to him. This also earned him trust from the tribe and his future actions agains the evil Earthmen got him his desired brotherhood to Na'vi. Thus began the revolution that united the entire Pandoran Na'vi that rose against the technologically advanced humans.
The rest is a fierce yet detailed battle between the two cultures and the audience will be spellbound at the display of high paced action.
This James Cameron directed classic with its 9 min of extra graphical excitement in the special edition is a celebration of technology and of colours that unfolds its brilliant shades in a classic manner. Sam Worthington as Jack Sully was a wonderful choice as the new face matched well with the new genre of film making. Stephen Lang as Miles Quatrich also carried on the cruel character just correctly. Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Grace Augustine) carried on her part of the curt yet humane scientist to perfection. Zoe Saldana as Neyitiri played her part of the coarse yet sympathetic Na'vi with zeal. Wes Study as Eytukan was also a wonderful choice whose stature was just right for the leader of the tribe. But C.C.H Pounder was the best as Mo'at whose composed expressions derived a revered personality from her wild form.
Mauro Fiore's cinematogrpahy is another treasure that complemented the graphics both in detail and in excellence.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Byomkesh Bakshi
Based on Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's 'Adim Ripu', Anjan Dutta presents the dhoti clad crime buster to the mystery lovers in his premiere endeavour of 'Byomkesh Bakshi'. The mystery interspersed with the racial riots in the Calcutta of the 60's and the viewers glimpsed the atrocities bordering savagery in the name of religion. Though the period is shifted some decades forward than that in the actual story but the mood remains the same. Without going into the details of the story which the Byomkesh fans might know by heart, let me analyse the presentation.
First of all, the casting was excellent though Saswata Chatterjee as Ajit outshone Abir Chatterjee as the sleuth but the latter was also a superb selection. Abir's demeanor was crisp and intelligent though a bit more maturity was due in the character. Swagata Mukherjee's portraiture of Nanibala Das was though different from that in the novel but she superbly played the character in an entirely new dimension. Biswajit Chakraborty as the obstinate and arrogant Anadi Babu maintained the pace of the character with excellence and Kalyan Chatterjee contrasted him well with his characterization of the alcoholic in Keshtababu. Pradip Chakrabarty was fascinatingly perfect in his character of the Hotel owner but the major setback seems to come from Rudraneel, whose meek portrayal of Prabhat was way off his normal self. But surely the best part of the show comes from Chandan Sen as B(n)atul whose appearance itself was a relief though his clever acting never compromised on the importance of the character.
Anjan Dutta's sentiments for Bengal and Calcutta was touching but constant repetition of the synonymous phrases and a more than necessary visual of the riots did not do justice to the emotions. Also each time the protagonists were inside a rioting area, they were curiously unharmed by the insane rioters.
One of the revelations of the film was the composed way music was presented by Neel under the direction of Anjan Dutta that was just appropriately used that went well with the temper that was due to a suspense movie. This restraint, considering that both the father and son are noted for their passion for melody, deserves all the more praise as in today's commercial endeavours, songs are seen to be given priority without caring for its effect in diluting the actual plot.
Now coming to another disappointment in the script of the character Ajit as he more than once proclaims his authorship on the adventures that was never necessary.
The pace of the movie was just correct with the pace set by Arghya Kamal Mitra's editing and the superb art direction of Gautam Basu went hand-in-hand in with Indraneel Mukherjee's excellent cinematography but the ending was rather drab when compared with the rest of this thrilling two hour.
Another very important point that stares hard at the face is the dialect and certain mannerisms that did not do justice to the period that this movie is projected into - Ajit asking Satyabati to 'hold' the telephone line is one such example. Also, Byomkesh and Ajit sharing a cigarette that too produced from pack rather than tin, seems way off the sentiments of the time as well as their respective age.
Barring this the movie is a entertainer and is a must watch for lovers of whodunit with one of the mystery remaining unanswered as to the rational for the crowd of Chatterjees in the production, - is Dutta superstitious about surnames!! just kidding folks.
First of all, the casting was excellent though Saswata Chatterjee as Ajit outshone Abir Chatterjee as the sleuth but the latter was also a superb selection. Abir's demeanor was crisp and intelligent though a bit more maturity was due in the character. Swagata Mukherjee's portraiture of Nanibala Das was though different from that in the novel but she superbly played the character in an entirely new dimension. Biswajit Chakraborty as the obstinate and arrogant Anadi Babu maintained the pace of the character with excellence and Kalyan Chatterjee contrasted him well with his characterization of the alcoholic in Keshtababu. Pradip Chakrabarty was fascinatingly perfect in his character of the Hotel owner but the major setback seems to come from Rudraneel, whose meek portrayal of Prabhat was way off his normal self. But surely the best part of the show comes from Chandan Sen as B(n)atul whose appearance itself was a relief though his clever acting never compromised on the importance of the character.
Anjan Dutta's sentiments for Bengal and Calcutta was touching but constant repetition of the synonymous phrases and a more than necessary visual of the riots did not do justice to the emotions. Also each time the protagonists were inside a rioting area, they were curiously unharmed by the insane rioters.
One of the revelations of the film was the composed way music was presented by Neel under the direction of Anjan Dutta that was just appropriately used that went well with the temper that was due to a suspense movie. This restraint, considering that both the father and son are noted for their passion for melody, deserves all the more praise as in today's commercial endeavours, songs are seen to be given priority without caring for its effect in diluting the actual plot.
Now coming to another disappointment in the script of the character Ajit as he more than once proclaims his authorship on the adventures that was never necessary.
The pace of the movie was just correct with the pace set by Arghya Kamal Mitra's editing and the superb art direction of Gautam Basu went hand-in-hand in with Indraneel Mukherjee's excellent cinematography but the ending was rather drab when compared with the rest of this thrilling two hour.
Another very important point that stares hard at the face is the dialect and certain mannerisms that did not do justice to the period that this movie is projected into - Ajit asking Satyabati to 'hold' the telephone line is one such example. Also, Byomkesh and Ajit sharing a cigarette that too produced from pack rather than tin, seems way off the sentiments of the time as well as their respective age.
Barring this the movie is a entertainer and is a must watch for lovers of whodunit with one of the mystery remaining unanswered as to the rational for the crowd of Chatterjees in the production, - is Dutta superstitious about surnames!! just kidding folks.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
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