The problem is 'Choice'

For movie buffs, the dialogue that readily pops into thought when I say “The Matrix” maybe Neo’s line, “Choice; the problem is choice.” How true, ain’t that? How many times you keep staring at the hotel menu card and ponder what to have. How many clothes you ruffle, before getting that ‘perfect’ dress? The mobile models you dumped before laying your hands on to the present one. The list goes on…

You ask me what I am up to? Well, having nearly completed 5 semesters, I now have a choice for one of my subjects for the coming semester. Making a choice is no big deal – I thought. But when we guys sat down discussing the prospects of our probable choices, it was then we realized how much the choice mattered. With a lot of ambiguity, I tried contacting all I knew and getting their views. The more I called, the more dazed I became. Hell, why do they provide us the choice to select a subject I cursed. Irony has it that, I had wished to study the subjects what I wanted instead of dumb subjects which I had to take without having a say, all the while - till now. But now, when offered a choice, it has become such a tricky situation. To the already piled up miseries like the lab internals and 5^th semester exams around at the corner, this is a nail in the coffin. Consider these consequences; taking subject A would make you a ‘software engineer’. B would lead you to the ‘hardware’ field. C to ‘Communication’ and the other belongs to a ‘quasi hardware and a quasi software’ field. 4 subjects, 4 pointing entirely different directions. So, this decision got to be spot on.

Speaking about choices, you are what you are today for the choices you had made in the past, right? One more thing, thanks for making the choice of reading this utterly dumb article…

The name's Bond, James Bond - is it?

It’s been a while since my last movie review. Perhaps, a movie “worth” reviewing was not on the cards. Good that I watched Quantum of Solace today. Here’s a follow-up…

First things first… The new Bond, Daniel Craig is just the diametrical opposite of his predecessor, Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan’s Bond has chauvinistic, cool approach. He does the job assigned to him, without even soiling his attire. He walks out of a total wreck adjusting his tie. But the new Bond, as said, is just the opposite. He carries out all his assignments as an ordinary spy, but with expertise. The old Bond depends mostly on technology and gadgets. On the contrary, the new one depends on himself.

The movie review…

The movie is essentially, a sequel to the previous movie, Casino Royale. The movie opens up with an awesome car chase. Then on, it’s Bond seeking revenge, for the death of his love, Vesper Lynd. Bond is merciless on the leads and kills them once he finds what he’s looking for. There are a couple of foot chases, hand to hand combats, gun fights and all the action required in a Bond movie.

Without going into the plot, let me tell you what this movie lacks. The signature, “The name’s Bond, James Bond” and “Vodka, Martini, shaken, not stirred” miss out. The gadgets are nowhere to be seen. The character of Bond in itself will leave you a bit in disarray, especially if you had been a fan of Pierce Brosnan. The new bond is raw, untamed. The story too, is not a stand out. The plot is not well drafted.

Even as I say all these stuff, I managed to walk out of the theater smiling. Having watched Casino Royale, Bond’s character was not an issue. Even as I liked Brosnan, I felt Casino Royale was the best amongst the Bond movies (I’m talking only about Bond movies of Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. I couldn’t watch the older Bond movies – they were boring.) The plot, even if it is not that great, it doesn’t have any loose ends. The action sequences were damn good. Bond’s boss, M has a greater role this time and this movie was refreshing as it portrayed the mutual respect Bond and M share for each other. The Bond girls were OK. Camille (Olga Kurylenko of Hitman fame) is Bond’s companion in this movie. Strawberry Fields (Gemma Arterton) is the field agent. The villain, Dominique Greene (Mathieu Amalric) surprisingly, unlike other Bond villains, is dependent only on his guards. He doesn’t fight.

Conclusion: Don’t watch this movie with a preconceived notion that this would be similar to the previous Bond movies. Watch it like an action flick; you’re going to love it. Although you may miss the style, the charm and the witticism, you’ll enjoy this barely 105 minute movie.

Rating: **** (4) out of ***** (5)

A festival trip

Had a blast this Deepavali? Guess you all burst a hell a lot of crackers… As in the last post, I had said I like to take the sheen out of your joys, I’m here again. The air pollution levels (RSPM content) in our very own Bengaluru rose from an average of 71-73 micrograms per cubic meter to 130-138 micrograms per cubic meter. The safe level being 100 mg per meter cube. Who would like to inhale such gases…?

Well, if you guys are wondering what I did better than burst crackers and pollute the already polluted air, let me tell you… I had been on a trip, to enjoy the Western Ghats and inhale some unadulterated, fresh air. Here is a link to a report of the trip. I know it is a damn big article to read, I request you to check out when you are free. I am also giving you a link to the photos clicked there…

Link for the report; http://megatrip-asequel.blogspot.com/

Link for the photos; http://picasaweb.google.co.in/bharaths9688/MegaTripASequel02#

Being on the moon...

Every Indian nowadays, after the announcement of the Chandrayaan mission, seems to be on the moon – all excited and thrilled. Yeah, I agree, its a great accomplishment in the space race and it requires a great deal from our scientists to carry through such an extravagant feat. But, sarcastic as I am, would like to take the sheen off it.
Being an ordinary citizen, the first thing I would like to ask is how is this going to affect me? Well, I wouldn’t care if it were some defense strategies (with great neighbors like Pak or China, who needs enemies, right?) or some investment in some technology and stuff like these. But what we dealing here is $86 million. Yup, a whopping $86 million. What I have read so far is that the mission would enable to map the moon’s resource allocation. Leave moon, I am unable to get to the resources here on earth. I also read, the scientists are trying to find Helium-3. Rare in the earth. This would be the bare necessity, provided nuclear fusion were to be feasible. Contemporary to India’s Chandrayaan is the Chinese Chang-é. The Chinese have spent a mind-boggling $169 million. One of their interests – Helium-3, the same that our scientists are after! We are taking our relations with China to the next level - the Moon.
With these thoughts, I am rooted to the TV, hoping the mission is a success. After all, I too am an Indian and feel proud in India's stand-up achievement in the space race, dominated by USA, Russia and the European countries.

A b'day to remember

Having one’s birthday in june has quiet some benifits. That too, when its on 9th, like me, you get to share it with Johhny Depp and Natalie Portman (oh boy, I love her). Not the incentive you’re looking for? You’ll know why...

Recently, buddies Prasanna and Bharath (We are 3 of us named Bharath, this one being ‘R’) “celebrated” their birthdays. We had cakes cut in our college campus. More than what we ate, in all likelihood, was on the two guys faces. Even got to hear someone saying that all the cream would make the skin glow. Probably, a skin-specialist cum engineer in the making, I thought. The butt-kicking (B’day bums, in a civilised sense) session invoved everyone. I too was not spared. Grudges from 1st semester had to be vented. Everyone kicked everyone...

But the best part was the “treat” itself. Had I thought so much in my internal exam, I would have got more marks, so much was my brain under stress, thinking about the hotel where we could party. 3.30 in the afternoon is, possibly, the worst time you’d like to go to an hotel. But, not me. When it comes to eating, that too, without having to pay, any time would do. Once in the hotel and being served, the hungry beast within everyone was unleashed. With like minded people around, there’s no hesitation. Who cares who ordered what, the only thing on mind was “what next!” You had to be there to witness the huge paper dosas vanishing in matter of minutes. Some chats were as quick to evapourate that the one who ordered could barely notice. As quick were the food vanishing, the excitment in the b’day boys was vanishing too. Even the money in their vallets vanished as quickly as the paper dosas. But, on a serious note, it was a great bash thrown on us. We had one of the memorable times, thanks to Bharath and Prasanna. Wish you guys Happy Birthday again...

I had said I was lucky to have my birthday in june, right? With even semester exams going on, I get to be spared by the “treat” thing. Sure I am lucky, or I would have been poorer by a few thousands...

Check out a few photos...
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/bharaths9688/BDayTreat?authkey=J1AhkGem0SY#