Opinions

Now that I've started blogging, I'm also actively looking for feedback about blogs and how and why it should be done. One of the things I got back was that a blog should be about an opinion. Got me thinking. So here are some of my opinions on a mixed bag of things.

Vishal Bharadwaj
The Director to watch.

Just saw The Blue Umbrella. Outstanding film. Vishal Bhardwaj doesn't disappoint in the least. I hadn't read the story by Ruskin Bond before seeing the movie, but I did have a lot of expectations having seen Maqbool and Omkara from the director. Pankaj Kapur is probably the finest actor in the industry right now. And Mr Bhardwaj may well be one of the finest directors.

The thing I like most about Vishal's movies are that they are almost lyrical in nature. The story unfolds like poetry in celluloid. This may be sounding cliched, but somehow Vishal is the only guy who has achieved this. I am a huge fan of Majid Majidi's. And I totally love his style. But even Majid doesn't have what Vishal does. Probably comes out of him originally being a music director.

Stand-up comedy
Hugely admirable.

How can a person just go up there on a stage in front of hundreds and entertain them, equipped with nothing more than the ability to talk? Can you imagine how difficult this is? I think stand-up comedy is the most difficult performing art ever. I am sure there would be a lot of debate and conflicting opinions about this. But hey, this post is about MY opinions.

Indian Television
Sucks.

Saas-Bahu serials are an insult to the intelligence and can be termed as a National Waste. I have a theory. People continue to watch this crap and find it enjoyable just like picking a scab is enjoyable. Painful, masochistic and strangely perverted. One knows that it is going to be bad. But one can't stop doing it.

Wonder when we will be seeing quality television like LOST or F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Even Desperate Housewives, is far superior, for heavens' sake.

Indian cricket
No comment.

I don't mean that sardonically. I really have nothing to say as I haven't followed cricket since we lost to Bangladesh in the world cup. I believe our boys did well in England now. But then who can't beat the British at anything these days?

The Kiterunner
Absolutely stunning.

One of the best books that I've ever read. And the only one that has driven me to tears. This was one book that was so emotionally rich that I really wanted to savour it. Trouble was I savoured it so much that I ended up not finishing it at all. I knew that I would be sorry it got over.

After a few months when I took up the book again, I was swept with all the same emotions. But this time I did finish it. And it ends well. Please read it if you haven't already.

Polyphonic ringtones
An abomination.

I can't think a better way of advertising a person's own stupidity than having an idiotic ringtone. These are distinct from caller tunes, which only the person who has dialled the number can hear. Ringtones are the replacement of your regular Tring-Tring or Trrrrrrinnnnnng.

Suddenly someone's phone from a couple of cubicles down starts imitating a retarded child. At other times it rings out a loud waltz tune that makes you jump out of your skin. Even worse, some of these play a song that just sticks in your head and refuses to leave. All in all, the mobile revolution has managed to create its own insufferable elements of society through ringtones.

The way I have resolved it for myself is that whenever I know someone who has an irritating ringtone, I form an opinion about that person and any chance of him or her being a part of any party I ever throw is history.


That's it for now. I can foresee a lot of sequels to this post in the future.