Alambana

I remember watching this movie (Malayalam version of Aladdin's Magic Lamp) as a child. The genie keeps repeating the word Alambana. After watching this movie, the word Alambana had become a household utility. Never understanding its true meaning. Until I bumped into its meaning. 

Alambana is a Sanskrit noun which variously means – support, foundation, supporting, base, sustaining, cause, reason, basis, or the five attributes of things, or the silent repetition of a prayer, or the natural and necessary connection of a sensation with the cause which excites it, or the mental exercise practiced by the yogis in endeavouring to realize the gross form of the Eternal.

Now, the term makes perfect sense - Support, Foundation, Base.

Big B... This one is for you :-)

Disconnected Conversations

He : Your heart beats fiercely. Mine just ticks.
She : I have not gifts to offer such a wonder.
If you are hungry, I'll feed you.
If I am mad, you will tell me.
He : You are not mad.
She : You don't know all of me yet.
                                                                     From the movie - A Little Chaos

:-) 

that thing for oldies

Yes! I still have a thing for older men. This time it is Saikumar. For some strange reasons, I loved his comic timing in the movie My Boss. Whatever made me take this impromptu movie trip, I am glad that I made that decision. The few moments I was with him, I completely forgot how annoying the past few weeks were. As my friend says, I WAS in the moment without any impressions from the past ;-)

Yes, I have a new crush... :-)

Picture Courtesy : dearannabelle.com

Spirit - Malayalam Movie

Before leaving for this movie, my friend warned ... 'Do not expect much because of it's name. This is a social-cause documentary but one that doesn't bore you to death.'

I smiled & left for the movie with Kiddo. The movie was nice, it not only showcased a social cause but also demonstrated how one can make a difference. If not to an entire society, but to a single family.

But all that I could see in that movie was the relationship between Raghu, Meera, Alexy and Sunny. Yes, it can happen. What amazed me was, even Kiddo noticed that. She did have lots of questions & clarifications on it. And I was happy that she was asking those questions :)

As my friend would say, "Traits of an elevated soul. All one can do is be that elevated soul"

Picture Courtesy : en.wikipedia.org

Effective Communication Among Malayalees

I am unable to express the influence of movies in day-to-day conversations of a Malayalee. I do not have enough words to express this phenomenon. One has to be amidst such a conversation to feel this. One also need to have a thorough understanding of the Malayalam Movies & its actors. If not all the mainstream actors, at least Jagathy Sreekumar, Mohanlal, Mukesh and Srinivasan.

I am listing a few such dialog, the ones I get to use/hear frequently & my interpretations :)

Welcome to Ooty! Nice to meet you!
Movie - Kilukkam
Actor - Jagathy Sreekumar, Mohanlal
One needn't be at Ooty to make this statement. This is dialog is extremely flexible. You have the power to turn it to a sarcastic one or not.

Ningal ningalude mother tongue`il ennodu samsaarichal njan athee mother tongue`il reply tharam (If you speak in your mother tongue, I shall reply to you in the same language)
Movie - Thoovalsparsham
Actor - Innocent
Video
In a broad sense, to convey that one can adapt well.

Kilometers and kilometers from Washington DC to Miami Beach
Movie - Mazhapeyyunnu Madalamkottunnu
Actor - Mohanlal, Jagathy Sreekumar, Srinivasan
Video
Typically used when one doesn't have a definite answer to the question. You will be amazed when you realize that we can fit this 'kilometers' into any quantifiable element ;)

Ninakkonnum ariyilla, Kaaranam nee kuttiya (You know nothing because you are a kid)
Movie - Natturajavu
Actor - Mohanlal
Video
Mostly to say, 'you silly gal/boy'

I am sure you too will be having your personal preferences. Why don't you let me know what your picks are?

Picture Courtesy : deccanchronicle.com

Indian Rupee

The movie Indian Rupee talks about two young realtors who dreams of making a few quick buck. Ranjith is trying to inform the audience that it is not possible to make money without working hard for it.

When the moral of this story was being said, I was reminded of one of my friend's advice to his younger brother.
'There are one and only one way to make money - hard work! Unless you want to get involved in something illegal. '

PS.
Yes! Prithviraj has one scene inspired from those of Mohanlal's. But, I feel, he has done a decent job with that.

Picture Courtesy : wikipedia.org

OMG Kuttichathaa!!!

My dear Navodaya,

I completely understand your urge to release this blockbuster movie again & again. I would only be happy to go & watch this movie again with my child. This movie was something I had enjoyed as a child myself.

But what I don't understand is, why do keep releasing the picture with 'additional footage'. We were tolerant enough when you did it by having an 'additional footage' by Urmila Matondkar. Now, you have Prakash Raj as well.

I personally don't have anything against these actors. They are one of the finest in the industry. But, the way you do it.... Please spend some money & get the movie completely redone if you really want buyers for your additional footages. If you don't have the money, keep mum & release the movie as it.

Please don't kill the movie experience for normal viewers like us who doesn't understand the politics behind the movie making but is completely depending on those rays of light that falls on the white screen.  After watching the promos on the television, I have no interest in watching this movie in the theaters or introducing this movie to my child. I would rather wait for DD to air the 1984 version of this movie in 2D!!!

An avid movie watcher.

Phas Gaye Re Obama

This weekend was a 'slow down' one for me. I utilized the weekend by doing a lot of nonsensical things & watching TV/DVD for unlimited time. That was how I ended up watching the movie, Phas Gaye Re Obama. If you ask me, I would say, this movie explains the mortgage system in the most simplistic manner.

I have to make special mention the script writer of this movie or whoever is responsible for deciding how a sceen has to be done. I simply enjoyed the manner in which they have displayed Minister Dhananjay Singh's unofficial office.

If you haven't already watched this movie .... give it a try.

Picture Courtesy : www.bollywoodbilli.com

zimble question ....

People say I carry my heart on my sleeves. I can already see you guys nodding your head in agreement. Now, you can imagine the amount of effort I have to take inorder to answer kiddo's questions without overwhelming her. I need to work on the right choice of words, right emotion to the tone and the right amount of complexity for a 5yr old to understand.

Yesterday, we were having our evening dose of musik and dance. Thats when I play her choice of Bollywood songs on YouTube & she gets to watch, sing & dance along. We came upon the song Senorita from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. 

Kiddo {busy watching the song & trying to keep up with the actors in dancing} : There are only 3 boys and looooots of girls!! Why do they like all the girls?
Me : Because .... THEY ARE BOYS!!!!!

I would say this was the simplest of the questions she has ever asked me .... :)

Picture Courtesy : in.movies.yahoo.com

T. D. Dasan Std. VI B

This movie was suggested to me by a friend. This was a nice & warm movie. I haven't come across a review which doesn't give a 3 star rating, if not more, yet this movie did not complete 1 whole week in the theaters. I was amazed that Keralite audience didn't accept such a nice movie. Was it because there were no 'super' stars, no kids of 'stars', no stunts, no dance in the rain, etc????

I am not sure if its because I like watching such movies that I am finding it difficult to accept that the general public didn't like this movie to let it screen for more than a week. As circuit says, "Shuru hone se pehle hi khatham ho gaya" (it was all over even before it started).

All I can pray now is, let there be more rich people who has spare money to invest in such movies without worrying about its box-office response. As for me, I will try watch a non-pirated version of such movies and encourage my family to join me O:-)

Picture Courtesy : en.wikipedia.org

Abhiyum Naanum

IMHO, Abhiyum Naanum is a tamil adaptation of 'Father of the bride'. Luckily, it was a faithful adaptation. The movie & the narration were modified for Indian background & Indian audience. If you looking for a hard-core comedy movie like 'Father of the Bride', then you are in for a disappointment. Just watch it when you want to watch a nice lite movie .... :) If you see a lot of familiar names, don't be surprised. This one comes from the same team as 'Mozhi'.