Boredom

Two observations from the just concluded first ever day night test match between Aus-NZ: 1) Australia were 116/8 in response to NZ's first innings total of 202. On a helpful pitch, a handy lead of 80+ would have done wonders for NZ. Then Lyon-DRS imbroglio happened and every cricket-fan's mood got spoiled. With NZ Cricket's honest, hardworking and clean image (and Australia's supposedly exact opposite), everyone wanted NZ to come up as a winner more so after their stellar performance in Perth Test. But as luck would have it, Australia prevailed, once again like those days of Great Australian (yet match-maligned) era. Australians again showed that if they are given a little sniff, they are still able to turn the tables on you. I'm glad that they showed their 'Australianism' once again and John Arlott, who coined and defined this term at the first place, must be smiling in heaven after witnessing their bravado performance.....perhaps, World Cricket needs a r...

"Confessions of a Drenched Heart: Turning on the Fife of Life" is a work of poetry from a promising writer, Ms. Shweta Kesri. As the title of this poetry collection itself suggests, the poems indexed are glimpse of writer's psyche or I should rater say, heart. I must admit that poetry was off my mind's radar for a while so when I got my hands on this book, I was little bit skeptical of its chances for scoring my likeness. And this is not to say that I don't like poems but as of late, I have been so immersed with works of prose that I almost forgot what a good poetry collection really means for its readers. Ms. Kesri's debut poetry collection gave me that surreal, enjoyable feeling back. This is in no way a made-up work, this is an honest work and it stays true to its title. It confesses and thus makes you reach out to your heart too. The Positives You will probably call me biased if I keep on going raving about this brilliant work but believe me when I sa...

As of late, checking the news on TOI/Hindu App first thing in the morning after waking up has become one of my standalone habits. It helps me in opening up my eyes, widening them after a 6 hrs sleep. So today as well, I followed up the same routine. Terrorist Attacks in Paris: The first and only news flashed across my Mobile Screen. Eyes Wide Open, Jaws on the floor and mind completely numb. Next moment: TV Switched on. All the infamous Indian News Channels blaring their coarse voice, their necklines sore. Irony: Some are making news space for Ind/SA test matches like the Indians are caring for it too much now. Perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps day after tomorrow but at least, not today you morons. Tickers are running at a frenetic pace. Emergency Numbers flashing across TV boards. World Leaders showing solidarity in condemning the gruesome attacks. Pretty common stuff, regulation you can say. Talk about 'growing intolerance' now. I'm listening. Lives and achievements of 160 citize...

I have been following American TV Series 'Lost' as of late. Couple of weeks ago, I was down with two seasons and wasn't really sure whether I should go ahead with rest of the seasons. There are six in total. So I asked my friends for an opinion. Popular notion wasn't really favorable and opined on a 'no go ahead' signal. I didn't coincide with it for I always thought there was enough to 'Lost' that meets the eye and now when I'm done with two more seasons, I'm glad that I made a good decision. Lost is awesome in most truthful of literary senses. And so are its cast members. John Locke, James Sawyer, Jack Shepherd, Sayid Jarrah, Charlie pace, Hugo Reyes and Kate were the series regulars and terrific from the beginning. In came season 2 and I was introduced to characters of Mr. Eko, Ana Lucia, Henry Gale aka Benjamin Linus and Desmond Hume. They outdid the regulars in their guest star roles. However, the season 2 finale left me aghast for it ...

The first out and out Hollywood action film that I remember having fallen in love in first sight with was Apocalypto. It was directed by Mel Gibson and going by its environmental setting and language, it wouldn't appear a Hollywood-ish affair to one at all. This was a film set in America before the arrival of Jesuit missionaries there and actors, several of them native Red Indians, spoke Mayan (Yuktan) language. This unconventional movie filled with the thrills of a gore, blood-drenched, slasher film, scored huge acclaim from audience and critics alike. Narrative was clearly overshadowed by action of fallen-back, savage, uncivilized generations who understood the language of revenge only. This was the type of a film that has never been witnessed before or since and for conceptualizing such an artistic piece, Mel Gibson was accredited a 'creative genius'. He cemented his legacy even further by directing another masterpiece few years later in form of 'The Passion of the C...

Spike Lee is an important filmmaker of our generation. He carefully picks up the subject for his movies and turn them into something beautiful and significant. Upon the recommendations of Late Roger Ebert's Great Movies List, I managed to catch up with two of Lee's films: "Do the Right Thing and 25th Hour". Needless to say, Roger was right about them. They were doubtlessly good. 'Do the Right Thing' chronicles the lives of two teenagers who want to make up to marquee NBA draft. For those who know about NBA Basketball and American Society would also know that making into any of the big NBA franchise is a dream come true for any growing-up teenager in USA. This film gives us a detour of their college lives, societal lives, playing styles, struggles and triumphs and by triumphs, I don't mean that they make it to any of those NBA franchise in the end but how they finally learn their lives in peace. The movie was an outstanding success with both critics and ...