To get me refreshed for the next year, I decided to take a complete break from my mundane lifestyle. It was a going to be a long weekend for me so I decided to pick 7 DVDs from various genres ranging from fantasy to realism to horror. Some of them could hardly make it to my favorites list but this one did. It’s called Transamerica (released in 2005) which was released in 2005 starring Felicity Huffman in the lead role. Before I go any further, I must applaud Felicity’s performance and rate it as one of the best I have seen in American cinema. She deserved something more precious than just an OSCAR for the same.
December 2006
Down Memory Lane
As the year goes by leaving behind its warmth of memories, I present to you some pictures from my collection of 2006.
Bhagam Bhag (2006)
The first time in my living memory when actor (turned politician) Govinda and Akshay Kumar have joined hands for a comic flick which is directed by Priyadarshan (Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Hulchul, Hungama, Malamaal Weekly). Since Govinda is returning on the silver screen after a long break, it explains the hype surrounding the release of Bhagam Bhag (Run Run). The film was embroiled in a controversy when a Malayalam film producer claimed the story of Bhagam Bhag to be a swipe of his original hit Mannar Mathai. The matter was settled out of court by producer Suneil Shetty. Never mind that because the peculiar Priyadarshan rib tickling comedy trait is smeared all over the reels of Bhagam Bhag.
Last Frontier Conquered
After the disastrous 4-0 one-day loss, India redeemed their lost glory on the cricket field in the first test match at the Wanderers which was won by 123 runs and completed in 3 and a half days by some superb display of grit and talent. When we made 249 in the first innings, one thought the score to be unsubstantial against the SA batting line-up. Until I received an SMS from a colleague who asked me to switch on the TV. A certain lad by the name of Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was running through the opposition with his seam bowling. Suddenly I saw the final score and rubbed my eyes in dismay – SA were bowled out for a paltry 84; their lowest score since readmission. In the second innings Zaheer Khan’s late outburst with the bat with VVS Laxman ensured that we had a decent target of 402 set for the springboks. Ashwell Prince seemed to be the only ray of hope in the playing eleven. South Africa was the only country where India had never won a test but all that’s changed now.
Rakes without Racks
Regular passengers on the Western Suburban Railway route will realize the pressures of the daily commute – the crowds, the sweat and those battles to secure every inch of space for standing ‘comfortably’. The lucky ones are those who commute to and fro from one point to the other (say Borivli to Churchgate); no botheration of alighting or getting into the train midway which could mean enrolling oneself for another battle for barging into the crowded compartments. As if these daily crusades weren’t enough, the railways have now introduced some rakes which are devoid of the luggage racks. These racks were a boon for keeping luggage while you travel and also holding onto it as you stand closer to the window. This decision was apparently taken (in a haste?) after the July 11 train bombings to deter any terrorist from planting a bag loaded with explosives and risking the lives of many.