Come closer...

Just got back from watching the stage version of the film Closer, performed by Bangalore's Black Coffee Productions. Good stuff, in my opinion. Darius, however, sucks.
More importantly, though... MSN Messenger 7.0 Skins! Get them here. There are loads of them, all packaged in nifty little installers. My current favourite: Tiger MSN Aqua.

Get Over It

What is it with people and their concerns about privacy? Every second IT company worth their salt these days is being sued or coming under fire from the public and the media for posing a threat to peoples' personal information. Perhaps there are some related issues I'm not clear on, but still, the article I've linked to below mentions how Google might compromise people by providing personal details to the government. I don't see how its a huge problem. For one, the government can anyway use Google (or any search engine) to find personal details about people, that they may have submitted or posted online. Secondly, so what if the government knows about you? How would it matter to them whether or not you enjoy looking at pictures of little girls and ponies?
I can see how this might inconvenience a criminal/fugitive, but isn't that a good thing? Besides, I'm sure Google can't provide terribly confidential information like your credit card and so on. Where's the problem?

See the Yahoo! article here.

Weekend Film Fest

I watched some really good movies over the weekend, though I have mid-semester tests on...

• 
  Madagascar (Animated) - Voices by Ben Stiller/Chris Rock/Jada Pinkett-Smith/David Schwimmer : Directed by Eric Darnell

A very cute film about 4 animals that escape from New York's Central Park Zoo to go live in the wild. Things don't go as they expect, and its a fun roller-coaster ride all the way. 3.5/5

• 
  Constantine - Keanu Reeves / Rachel Weisz : Directed by Francis Lawrence

A gripping plot, neat twists, fabulous special effects, Rachel Weisz... very good stuff. Keabu is a bit too wooden though, and his character could have been better established. Still, I loved this one! 4/5

• 
  Raghu Romeo - Vijay Raaz / Maria Goretti / Saurabh Shukla : Directed by Rajat Kapoor

Rip-roaring comedy, with some of the most absurd moments in Bollywood history. Very feel-good, with marvellous dialogues and sequences. A must-see! 4.5/5

• 
  Papillon - Steve McQueen / Dustin Hoffman : Directed by Franklin J Schaffner

A true classic, with a brilliant performance by McQueen. It does get a bit trying towards the middle, but picks up the pace again, to keep you on the edge of your couch. Good stuff! 3.5/5

Googleness!

Google is taking over my PC. And fast. And I can't wait till my computer is completely Googlified, simply because every single product of theirs is so damn good. The company has a brilliant attitude towards projects and customers, and their efforts are truly inspiring. Everything they do, from the idea of expanding from just the quickest and most efficient search engine to providing the best email service, the most innovative planet-mapping software and more, seems just ingenious. And as I said before, I can't wait till they create software for just about everything I need.
Google stuff I use:

• Google Search
• Gmail
• Google Talk
• Google Desktop Search
• Blogger
• Orkut
• Picasa
• Google Personalised Homepage
• Google Suggest
• Google Toolbar
• Google Earth
• Google Translate

In short, I'm just waiting for their media player and OS. Click here to check out all of Google's services and products (did I mention they're free?), and here to check out projects in progress.
I love how they launch their products in a quiet, unobtrusive way. Google now offers all the extra services that older search portals like Yahoo, MSN and Excite do, but unless you want them, you don't even have to know of their existence. Google products also offer convergence, but if thats not your thing, turn it off. Its that simple. I love this brand!

Talk the talk

The folks at Google have done it again: a brilliant take on an existing product/service that scores over everything else out there. This time, its an Instant Messenger with VoIP, called Google Talk. Its still in its beta phase, but the voice chat works fantastically well. Get it here. Once you've got the hang of it, you can check out CustomizeTalk to, well, um, customize Talk (with skins and plug-ins). Note: Google Talk requires Win2k/xp, but can be connected to using other clients for Mac and Linux. Enjoy.
I wonder how long Google will take to develop an OS and thereby ostracize Microsoft? Let it happen!

Geek Goodies!

What kind of nerd would I be if I didn't add some neat software + web links on my blog, eh? Here's a grab bag:

• Konfabulator: Add widgets to your Win2k/xp pc, i.e., add fun(ctionality). More RAM, better performance.
• kewlpAd: Only the best notepad on the planet. Free. Skinnable. Excellent 'Find' feature, reads any size .txt files (not restricted to 60kb like Windows Notepad ;-) ), especially useful for IRC file lists.
  
• Approcket: Cute little program launcher (Win2k/xp). Also launches bookmarks, media files and more. Again, needs memory.
• WackyVids.com: Great little videos to watch, including banned commercials, bloopers and more. Free.
• Extensions:

1. Foxytunes: Control your media player (choose from the list) from your browser. Very neat, plus skinnable!
2. Gmail Notifier: QUickly log in to your Gmail account with 2 clicks.
3. CuteMenus: Adds icons to context options when you right-click. I'm a gfx fetishist, so this works for me.
   

Nothing really. I've gone off posting those reviews for a bit, since I haven't been watching or reading much. Maybe when I finish a couple more books I'll have something substantial to say.

Great new albums out this year:

• Nevermore - This Godless Endeavour (Power Metal)
• Pagan's Mind - Enigmatic: Calling (Power Metal)

• Opeth - Ghost Reveries (Progressive Death Metal)

• Freak Kitchen - Organic (Progressive Rock)




• Ill Nino - One Nation Underground (Nu-Metal)
  

Design for the masses

I've been looking at a lot of practical design lately, and I've seen some great work, particularly from smaller firms and independent designers.

• Santiago Calatrava is currently my favourite architect. His sweeping lines, surreal structures and brilliant ideas, that combine form with function, just take my breath away.
  
• Philippe Starck has an extensive portfolio, with product design, print and so much more. His Icon Condominiums are a sight to behold as well.
• Check out Lebedev Studio's Industrial Design section. They have some beautful products on display and in progress.
  

Upwardly Mobile

::Film::



Cellular / Starring Chris Evans, Kim Basinger ][ Directed by David Ellis

Its been a while since I watched a good thriller. This film can't be described as a classic, but its fast-paced, energetic and fun. None of the performances are spectacular, but they do justics to the script. I enjoyed every minute of this!
3 and a half stars / 5 stars

::Film::

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Starring Jack Nicholson, Directed by Milos Forman
File under 'heartwarming', 'poignant', 'Jack Nicholson's finest moments'...
I loved this one from the very beginning. A great story, fantastically told, with just the right details. Vintage Nicholson is obviously a novelty, and he also delivers the goods. A very strong performance, with his classic go-on-slap-me-i'll-think-its-funny smile adding to his character an indescribably apt element. Human and alien emotions express themselves beautifully through the thoroughly captivating inmates. A must-watch!



The Usual Suspects (1995)
Starring Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Spacey, Directed by Bryan Singer
Now this is a carefully wound surprise that leaps at you over a span of an hour and a half. This jack-in-the-box of a crime flick is brilliantly directed (and edited on film) by Singer, and stars the brilliant Spacey. Although every actor delivers a splendid performance, Spacey steals the show. His delivery, timing, everything, is just impeccable. The story twists and turns at a hundred a second on a roller coaster rail, and takes you with it. Verbal (Spacey) is a character unlike any I've seen before. Another fine yarn. Definitely a must-watch.

::Book::
Tokyo Cancelled - Rana Dasgupta
Still reading it... its a wonderful collection of 13 stories disguised as a novel. I'm halfway through, and each tale is as enchanting as the next. The stories take you across the globe, through various moments of trepidation, horror, pity, and so much more. Great stuff!

More of the same old same old...

::Film::

• The Big Kahuna - Starring Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, Peter Facinelli, Directed by John Swanbeck

I quite liked this eclectic hour-and-a-half conversation between three salesmen that covers various topics, from American sub-standard sterile ritualistic sales conventions to life, death and their causes and effects. Good show. I admit, not too much happens, but still, I haven't seen a film this frank and poignant in quite a while.

• The Shawshank Redemption - Starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Directed by Frank Darabont

What a brilliant film. What a magnificent, mindblowing film. This is a great prison story told fantastically well, with some fabulous acting and scintillating dialogue. You've got to see it if you haven't already. And it has been a while since its release.

Movie Mania

Username: abhimanyughoshal
Now Playing: Dead Soul Tribe - In A Garden Made of Stone
Now Hating: Multiplexes
They just suck. They're way too expensive for me. Why should I pay Rs.130 to watch a Hindi movie, or an English movie (they sometimes have the gall to charge more for these)? Rs. 130 could buy me a buffet lunch at a fancy Oriental restaurant in the heart of the city, 2 games of bowling, 8 pirated movies at National Market... Essentially, Rs. 130 is a lot.


::Film::
Starsky and Hutch / Directed by Todd Philips, Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson
Great fun, this flick. Wilson and Stiller have great timing and an unmatched on-screen comic chemistry. Brilliant dialogues, cool action sequences, and marvellous performances from everybody, including Snoop Dogg as Huggy make this a top-notch (or should I say notch one - see movie for details) film.
Rating: 4/5

The Interpreter / Directed by Sydney Pollack, Starring Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn
Nicole Kidman, a Ku-speaking translator for the UN stumbles upon a clue that leads to a well-thought-out conspiracy to wipe out the universally-opposed President of Matobo. Sean Penn, a US Secret Service agent deployed to protect her, begins to uncover the entire masterminded plot that twists and turns, eventually weaving a tale worth telling. Good stuff!
Rating: 3.75/5

What's cookin'?

Again, its been a while. I've been busy, what with the release of my school yearbook (that I designed) and getting my progressive metal band together. I've been receiving quite a few calls from musicians who are interested in the project. However, its pretty hard to work with more than one drummer and one bassist and two guitars. Oh, does anyone have any recommendations for band names? We're into progressive rock and metal, with a technical feel as well as some jazz and funk bits thrown in. A lot of heavy riffs, with a generous infusion of melody. Influences: Dream Theater, Pain of Salvation, Evergrey, Freak Kitchen.
Here are some names I've been thinking of:

• The Limit
• The Dust That Settles
• Synergenetic
• Chains of Reaction

::Film::
Bose - The Forgotten Hero / Directed by Shyam Benegal
Nicely made, providing a great insight into the life and struggles of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Apparently, Bose's character was not portrayed powerfully enough (from what many viewers who have read up on Bose tell me). He was far more stern and driven than the film shows. Still, I thought it was quite interesting to hear the story of such a wonderful character. Its people like Bose, who have ambitions strong enough to decide for them their paths in life that strike me. Good show!

::Music::
Freak Kitchen - Dead Soul Men / Heavy\Experimental Metal
What a brilliant band, and what a marvellous album. Freak Kitchen is refreshingly politically incorrect, witty and amazingly talented. Every song features great songwriting, and the lyrics just get you. Their music is part prog, part straight-up heavy. Must hear: Gun God, Silence, The Sinking Planet

You mean I don't have to have a point to write here?

I'm still watching Bicycle Thief and The Interpreter, and reading Slaughterhouse-Five, so I can't submit a review of any of them just yet. So I'll just talk about the blogging experience.
I can still remember the old days, when blogging had just begun to take the world by storm. "Just a phase, Abe, it'll go away soon. Pah! Who needs blogs when you can just make a website?", I would say. Little did I realise that within a few months, everything anyone said would be replicated on their blogs. Thats right, anyone. And apparently, everybody has something to say. Thats when I jumped on the bandwagon and began blogging myself. And it feels great, to know that I'm putting down thoughts and interesting URLs open for anyone who might be interested, to take a look at (even though I have practically no readers, other than my brother - thanks mate). Besides, its a great way to enhance my writing skills, which I hope I have. I'm glad that I can express myself more or less accurately with words, and this is a brilliant proving ground (proving to myself, that is - I ensure that I maintain a level of quality that keeps me coming back again and again to read my blog).
I've also been reading several other blogs, and I've learned a lot from them, especially about how to improve my own. I'm toying with the idea of trying to promote my blog to get more readers, because I wouldd love to know what people think of what I'm saying (online, at least). I highly recommend blogging as a daily ecercise for the brain. Very good stuff, this. Try it out -> Blogger.

The Return of the Green Giant

I'm back, so lets get down to business.
::Book::
Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
This is such a great antiwar book. Vonnegut's style is fabulous, and the book is laced with a whole lot of black humour, reminds me a bit of Sue Townsend and Douglas Adams (RIP). Its so funny, I wish it was titled slaughter houseI'm still reading it though, so expect a synopsis and rating later.

::Music::
A Perfect Circle - eMOTIVE
What can I say? I must be on an antiwar kick right now, for who knows what reason. Probably coincidence. Anyways, this album is APC's brilliant alternative-rock take on several peace and antiwar songs. Each track has some clever new treatment, some chilling, some brooding, but all fantastic. Special mention - 'Passive' and 'Imagine'. 4/5

Dream Theater - Octavarium
Found it released on Bearshare. No great shakes at all. This album lacks any progressive moments, and really disappointed. What happened to the crazy time signatures and counter-melodies and everything? This sounds like a really good nu-metal album, which is not saying much. However, most of the tracks are catchy, and feature some amazing solos by John Petrucci. 2/5

::Film::
Page 3 - Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, Starring Konkona Sen Sharma, Boman Irani...
Really tacky dialogues, horrible acting, and very irritating, up until halfway through. Then it picks up the pace, with some neat twists and turns, and eventually the quality improves by leaps and bounds. The ending isn't even the 100% feel-good kind you normally get, so thumbs up from me. 3.5/5

Ray of Light

Jamie Foxx rocks as Ray Charles Robinson in Ray. Superb editing, marvellous acting and a wonderful sense of authenticity about the film just makes one of the best I've seen this year. The depiction is honest, intense and absolutely mindblowing. Foxx steals the show with his scintillating performance that is frighteningly real, and makes seem Ray's character seem sometimes, human, sometimes high-flying, sometimes sensitive and sometimes stoked just the way he probably was. 11 on 10.

Lateral Thinking

Just watched Sideways. I quite liked it, because it featured some great acting, good dialogue, great camera work, and a good storyline. It also has some great comic moments, and it seems to me like they did everything that you would say 'don't tell me they're going to...' to. Good stuff. Next on my watch-list: Ray.

Things to do at night...

My brother just flew out of Bangalore, and is on his way back home to Montreal. That makes the house about 70% more vacant, and leaves me with practically nothing to do. So I got home, and after dinner, tried to keep myself busy by doing the following:

• Watching 'Page 3' (Madhur Bhandarker) / I'm not done yet, will write about it soon.
• Testing new Google products and services over at Google Labs. My favourite: Google Suggest (It shows you relevant suggestions to use for your search before you click the button. Great job!)
• Checked out a fabulous website on my favourite guitarist John Petrucci. See it here.
• Sent out an invite on Deviantart to several Bangalorean deviants (Deviantart members) to join the group bangaloreans. I'm planning to start a couple of community projects as soon as we get a few more members, and maybe have a live meet somewhere. We had one last year, and it was great fun.
• Checked out snipurl, a great free service that creates shorter URLs for you to follow. For example, http://snipurl.com/erf7 will lead you to this blog. They also have a service that sends you interesting links by email. I signed up.
  

Up, up and away...

Just watched The Aviator (I'm late, com sue me). Its a wonderful story about a genius, a filmmaker, an airplane enthusiast, a businessman, and a human being with a relentless desire to make his dreams come to life and then some. Leonardo di Caprio truly delivers, with a brilliant performance as Howard Hughes. His portrayal of the driven individual (who I'm surprised I haven't heard of before) is very well done, and brings me to think about who is more eccentric, a run-of-the-mill-nine-to-fiver or Hughes.
I think life should be led the Hughes way, you know. King-size, quarter-mile, pedal-to-the-metal, all-guns-blazing, envelope-pushing. you-get-the-idea. Wish I could do it. Instead, here I am, watching movies on the telly and blogging. Ah, well, someone's gotta do the dirty work.
I was talking to a friend today about trust, and how I don't have any. I just can't trust anyone, its too risky. Everybody's got some hidden agenda or the other (they better, its what keeps them sheltered from the world outside), and its absurd to expect people to be flawless in character. Somewhere along the line things go wrong, and everything just goes up in flames. Right now I have no issues, so I have no need to trust someone with the keys to my skeleton-riddled closet, but still... I think its best I handle things myself.
Music
System of a Down - Mesmerize / Metal
No great shakes, although there a few inimitable moments on this record. Not a fan? Stay away. Pick up their early stuff instead.

Dream Theater - Train of Thought / Progressive Metal
Tight as hell, very hard-hitting stuff. Great hooks on this one, some marvellous playing by the entire band. But its no Images and Words. Still worth a listen.

Band baja

Well, I'm at the helm of a new phase of my life... in a real band. I'm still stuck at the helm and will be so becuase the band hasn't completely materialised yet. I've met with a good vocalist (who knows a keyboardist), and am meeting a drummer tomorrow. I'm also in constant contact with an apparently great guitarist, who knows a bassist. I'm really hoping that this works out, because I've got a whole lot of ideas I need to play out, and I've been yearning to write some music and lyrics for quite some time now. Besides, this band will also need a logo and possibly flyers, CD designs and stuff, which I'd be glad to try my hand at designing. Can't wait to see what happens next...