Finally after two-and-half months of the release I managed to see AVATAR today. Wow what a fantastic fantasy film indeed.
I was simply mesmerized by James Cameron who chooses to play god and creates a whole new world with such exquisite finesse, aesthete and eye for detail, he almost takes your breath away. In terms of sheer technology, Avatar marks the coming of age of both CGI and 3-D cinema with its art house special effects and its shock and awe treatment. The best part I like is Cameron's cry against war and violence that makes Avatar an eloquent testimonial to the present.
Avatar is a simple story told straight of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.
Don’t miss it.
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Friday, June 26, 2009
Jacko Dies
Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop" who once moonwalked above the music world, died Thursday as he prepared for a comeback bid died at the age of 50. After hearing the shocking news I wished it was another rumour which would fade away soon. It took me time to believe that one of the world’s most popular entertainers is no more. I first started listening to Jacko during my sophomore. Even though now I listen to varied collection of genres, still MJ music is always special at my heart. I really admire him for his extraordinary musical talent. He is so fascinating to me because he went from beloved child star to a young adult icon to a strange troubled freak show. His 13 number 1 one hits on the Billboard charts put him behind only Presley, the Beatles and Mariah Carey.
By 1972, he had his first solo album, "Got to Be There," which included the title hit as well as "Rockin' Robin." His first solo No. 1 single came the same year -- the forlorn theme song from the movie "Ben." In 1978, Jackson made his film debut as the Scarecrow in "The Wiz," a black-cast adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz." The movie launched a creative and commercial partnership with Jones
He was perhaps the most popular performer of the 1980s, with continued success in the ‘90s, the first performer to make $100 million and winner of too many awards and maker of too many hits to name. In 80s, he became the world's most popular entertainer thanks to a series of hit records -- “Beat It,” "Billie Jean," “Thriller” -- and dazzling music videos. In Nov 1982 he released “Thriller” that became the best-selling studio album in history and a cultural landmark. Its music video created an impact in the music industry.
In 1983 he electrified the world with his moonwalk, a dance step he created his own iconography, the illusion of levitation. He took the stage in a black sequined jacket, silver shirt, black fedora and black trousers that skimmed the tops of his white socks. The final touch was a single white glove, studded with rhinestones. His dance style combined the robotic moves of break-dancers, and the quicksilver spins. Not only did "Thriller" smash sales records as the best-selling album of 1983, it made him the first artist to top four charts simultaneously: pop single, pop album, R&B single and R&B album. It earned five Grammys. The "Thriller" success enabled him to negotiate what were believed to be the highest royalty rates ever earned by a recording artist. But it also put him in a cage of his own anxieties and obsession.
He bonded himself to past pop-music royalty by marrying Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. The marriage was short-lived, however, and his wealth was imperiled by an extravagant lifestyle that included the 2,700-acre Neverland ranch. It is named after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, where children never grow up.
In recent years, he has been more infamous than famous, known for his increasingly alarming appearance, the charges of child molestation and his subsequent business-arrangement marriage that led to his single fatherhood. Years of plastic surgery had made his face a weird landscape. He was deeply in debt and had lost his way as a musician.
In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.
A frail-looking Jackson had spent his last weeks in rehearsal for an ambitious comeback attempt and 50 already-sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena. A major motivation was the $300 million in debt run up by a star who lived like royalty even though his self-declared title of King of Pop was more about the past than the present.
To me he was fascinated by celebrity tragedy. It’s hard to remember another celebrity death in which the crowds gathering to mourn were repeatedly compared to the crowds that gathered for the recently deceased’s sexual abuse trial. In later years he became a professional eccentric, glimpse of him in public a bit like alien sightings.
It is a big loss to all of us Jacko fans. I like many million fans love you for your music, regardless of all the controversies! We will truly miss you...
By 1972, he had his first solo album, "Got to Be There," which included the title hit as well as "Rockin' Robin." His first solo No. 1 single came the same year -- the forlorn theme song from the movie "Ben." In 1978, Jackson made his film debut as the Scarecrow in "The Wiz," a black-cast adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz." The movie launched a creative and commercial partnership with Jones
He was perhaps the most popular performer of the 1980s, with continued success in the ‘90s, the first performer to make $100 million and winner of too many awards and maker of too many hits to name. In 80s, he became the world's most popular entertainer thanks to a series of hit records -- “Beat It,” "Billie Jean," “Thriller” -- and dazzling music videos. In Nov 1982 he released “Thriller” that became the best-selling studio album in history and a cultural landmark. Its music video created an impact in the music industry.
In 1983 he electrified the world with his moonwalk, a dance step he created his own iconography, the illusion of levitation. He took the stage in a black sequined jacket, silver shirt, black fedora and black trousers that skimmed the tops of his white socks. The final touch was a single white glove, studded with rhinestones. His dance style combined the robotic moves of break-dancers, and the quicksilver spins. Not only did "Thriller" smash sales records as the best-selling album of 1983, it made him the first artist to top four charts simultaneously: pop single, pop album, R&B single and R&B album. It earned five Grammys. The "Thriller" success enabled him to negotiate what were believed to be the highest royalty rates ever earned by a recording artist. But it also put him in a cage of his own anxieties and obsession.
He bonded himself to past pop-music royalty by marrying Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. The marriage was short-lived, however, and his wealth was imperiled by an extravagant lifestyle that included the 2,700-acre Neverland ranch. It is named after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, where children never grow up.
In recent years, he has been more infamous than famous, known for his increasingly alarming appearance, the charges of child molestation and his subsequent business-arrangement marriage that led to his single fatherhood. Years of plastic surgery had made his face a weird landscape. He was deeply in debt and had lost his way as a musician.
In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.
A frail-looking Jackson had spent his last weeks in rehearsal for an ambitious comeback attempt and 50 already-sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena. A major motivation was the $300 million in debt run up by a star who lived like royalty even though his self-declared title of King of Pop was more about the past than the present.
To me he was fascinated by celebrity tragedy. It’s hard to remember another celebrity death in which the crowds gathering to mourn were repeatedly compared to the crowds that gathered for the recently deceased’s sexual abuse trial. In later years he became a professional eccentric, glimpse of him in public a bit like alien sightings.
It is a big loss to all of us Jacko fans. I like many million fans love you for your music, regardless of all the controversies! We will truly miss you...
Monday, April 07, 2008
Travelling back home...
After four months I am travelling back home to Chennai, India from San Antonio, TX. Eagerly waiting to see my daughter as during the time I really missed her a lot. Even though this is one of my tiresome trips ever I have taken, the one good thing happened was on the way I met my best buddies Rajesh & Geetha at NYC-Kennedy airport. Of course as usual we had a very nice talk for few hours and they both got me NY Saravana Bhavan tiffin which was really really great for me at that time as I was very hungry. While waiting for my Chennai flight in Mumbai CSI airport writing this.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Prolific Sujatha
I am an avid fan of Tamil writer Sujatha and like many of his fans I was also very sad about his demise. Even though lot of people are writing about their experiences with Sujatha, I read a blog on நாலாவது கண் which is quite interesting as the author has given a different perspective about Sujatha on his experience.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
I became a Father…
Oct 17, 2007 my wife gave birth to a baby girl at 1.15 AM. Even though we were expecting the baby as normal delivery due to last minute complications the doctor decided for cesarean. When the doctor came out of operation theater, gave my newborn daughter in my hands and on seeing her for the first time it was the single greatest moment of my life. I was really ensorcelled and so emotional when I hold the little angel in my hands. I can never forget this moment in my life.
For the past few days I completely forgot about my other activities and thinking about my daughter always, the way she moves, the way she cries, the way she smiles, really beautiful. :-)
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Some Insightful Friendship Quotes
I love this friendship quote, one of my all time favorite and for the last few years this quote is in my mail footer.
“A friend is someone we turn to, when our spirits need a lift; who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace & makes the world we live in a better and happier place”
As I always liked the topic Friendship, I went through lot of friendship quotes and here are some of the best ones I like.
What is a friend?
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out ~ Walter Winchill
My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me ~ Henry Ford
A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful ~ William Arthur Ward
A friend is someone who is always there and will always, always care. A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart ~ Unknown
A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are ~Unknown
How to choose friends
Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them ~ W. Clement Stone
Choose your friends wisely-they will make or break you ~ J. Willard Marriott
Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up ~ Thomas J. Watson
How to make friends
You can make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you ~ Dale Carnegie
The shortest distance between new friends is a smile ~ Unknown
If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere ~ Zig Ziglar
The only way to have a friend is to be one ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
How to build friendship
Support your friends - even in their mistakes. But be clear, however, that it is the friend and not the mistake you are supporting ~ Hugh Prather
Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly ~ Solon
Confidence is the foundation of friendship. If we give it, we will receive it ~ Harry E. Humphreys, Jr.
Much of the vitality in a friendship lies in the honoring of differences, not simply in the enjoyment of similarities ~ Unknown
The importance of friendship
To have a friend and be a friend Is what makes life worthwhile ~ Unknown
The greatest sweetener of human life is friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover~ Joseph Addison
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Signs of true friendship
Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words ~ George Eliot
The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are right ~ Mark Twain
Friendship that flows from the heart cannot be frozen by adversity, as the water that flows from the spring cannot congeal in winter ~ James F. Cooper
No man can be happy without a friend, nor be sure of his friend until he is unhappy ~ Thomas Fuller
When you’re up, your friends know who you are. When you’re down, you know who your friends are ~ Unknown
Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don’t say ~ Unknown
Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget ~ Unknown
My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me ~ Henry Ford
A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful ~ William Arthur Ward
A friend is someone who is always there and will always, always care. A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart ~ Unknown
A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are ~Unknown
How to choose friends
Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them ~ W. Clement Stone
Choose your friends wisely-they will make or break you ~ J. Willard Marriott
Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up ~ Thomas J. Watson
How to make friends
You can make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you ~ Dale Carnegie
The shortest distance between new friends is a smile ~ Unknown
If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere ~ Zig Ziglar
The only way to have a friend is to be one ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
How to build friendship
Support your friends - even in their mistakes. But be clear, however, that it is the friend and not the mistake you are supporting ~ Hugh Prather
Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly ~ Solon
Confidence is the foundation of friendship. If we give it, we will receive it ~ Harry E. Humphreys, Jr.
Much of the vitality in a friendship lies in the honoring of differences, not simply in the enjoyment of similarities ~ Unknown
The importance of friendship
To have a friend and be a friend Is what makes life worthwhile ~ Unknown
The greatest sweetener of human life is friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover~ Joseph Addison
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Signs of true friendship
Friendship is the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words ~ George Eliot
The proper office of a friend is to side with you when you are wrong. Nearly anybody will side with you when you are right ~ Mark Twain
Friendship that flows from the heart cannot be frozen by adversity, as the water that flows from the spring cannot congeal in winter ~ James F. Cooper
No man can be happy without a friend, nor be sure of his friend until he is unhappy ~ Thomas Fuller
When you’re up, your friends know who you are. When you’re down, you know who your friends are ~ Unknown
Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don’t say ~ Unknown
Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget ~ Unknown
Miscellaneous
Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend ~ Albert Camus
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