Category Archives: Books/Movies

Danielle Steel gives me company

Books/Movies, Life is like that

I’m not a huge fan of novels. Because, I think novels are made in fantasy world. But then, there are some authors who can effortlessly take you into the fantasy world – either theirs or your own.

I’ve read another novel of DS earlier – Bittersweet, and found it very interesting and easy to read. So I picked up another novel of her – Answered Prayers, in a discount bookstore in Coimbatore.

The crux of Answered Prayers is very much similar to Bittersweet. Both are about a woman in an unhappy marriage who is treated without any respect, and find a passion to follow (in BS its photography & in AP its law degree). They find someone who respects them and treat them well. In both case, the bad guy is painted still worse since he cheats his wife. After a bit of struggle, the story ends when the good wife joins with the good guy, whom she desrves well.

Though both books are so similar in their core plot, the writing is easy. Reading these books with much time gaps helps too.

In all, this week has been easy because of Danielle Steel.

Santosh Subramaniam movie

Books/Movies

It is a family entertainment movie with a superb theme. The director has brought out the struggle between a loving, caring father and his obedient son in an entertaining way. The script, the direction, the music and the delivery is fantastic. This is the first time, I witnessed the audience sitting until the last minute – until the last credit roll. It is such captivating.

Enjoyed the movie along with parents & sister.

An ultimate sequel

Books/Movies

Generally sequels aren’t good. Take ‘Oceans’. 2nd one wasn’t any good. But Bournes breaks that. Bourne Ultimatum is an exhilarating, worthy sequel. The chases keep the viewer thrilled, while the story line keeps them fixated. It is very different from any of the Bond movies. They are a bore after few films. But Bourne keeps the thrill up.

Bittersweet

Books/Movies

As I already mentioned earlier, I absolutely love this book. Danielle Steel knows how to keep the readers hooked to the story. In fact I finished the novel in 2 days.

There are not many characters; not many twisting plots – it is easy to read and the way characters are depicted, it is very easy to imagine and follow.

India Taylor is married to Doug. Life seems to revolve around her husband and kids. To be a good wife and a good mother, she had given up photography. Once kids were all grown up, she wants to do few assignments to express herself in a way she likes. But her husband not only says no, but dismisses her earlier work as nothing. It hurts her. But to keep the ‘deal’, she keeps going with Doug. Then she meet Paul Ward, a charming figure. Paul encourages her to pursue her dream.

Rest of the book is about the challenges that India faces and how she pursues her dream and feels very satisfied for doing her ‘assignments’. But then what about love? She wants someone to appreciate her for what she is and not what she can do to keep the ‘deal’ in the marriage. Will someone cross the hurricane and reach her heart? Well, if you believe in your dream it might as well be.

Tell me your dreams

Books/Movies

I picked up this book from ‘Depot’ in the newly built-up cosmos (ok, it is no more new) when I planned to go to Chennai. I had already read a novel (Master of the Game) by Sheldon and I loved it. So I had an expectation that this would be good too.

It was much more than just good. The story is built abound multiple personality disorder – the alters of Ashley. The later part of the book talks a lot about MPD. It is another one of you-cant-put-down kind of a novel. Of course that is expected out of Sheldon.

I should confess that early in my life, I developed my own imaginary friend. I used to write letters and replies too. I did this to compensate for lack of friends / love in life. As I grew I talked myself out of it. However, even now I imagine having a lover (sometimes).

How the hell he manages to do it?

Books/Movies, Life is like that

It is just amazing that even after crossing 50, Rajini can pull out this much of crowd.

I’m just out of seeing Sivaji, the boss. It is the same old ‘Robin Hood’ storyline. But it is Rajini and that makes a hell of a difference. I didn’t like the movie much except to wonder how he can do this even at this age.

I grew up fascinated by his styles. But after some age, I got fed up of his styles and punch dialogues. I came to appreciate the variety that Kamal brought to the filmdom. Yet, one thing I should appreciate in Rajini – when other heroes like Karthik, Vijayakanth let their body show their age, somehow Rajini has maintained a slim body.

Another sad pattern emerging in the Tamil industry is lack of any story. It is unfortunate that the thinking ‘quantity can substitute quality’ is quickly gripping directors and producers.

Ocean 13

Books/Movies

It has been a long time since I went for movies and hence when my BIL called up for ‘Ocean 13’, I accepted it, even though it was for 22h00.

If you’ve seen 12, then 13 is much better. But it doesn’t come any closer to 11. 11 was a classic on its own.

Al Pacino drowns everyone else with his superb acting.

BTW, my sister snored to glory through the movie.

Wild Hogs

Books/Movies, Travel

I should accept the fact that I am touching the middle age and time to time wonder what the hell is happening with my bloody life. Do I have a purpose? Have I lived satisfactorily? Should I do something different in life to bring a meaning into my life? So on and so forth.

Well, this weekend I watched a hilarious movie of 4 gentlemen in their middle ages who attempt to bring some