Trailers

A friend asked me the other day, why are they called trailers when they come out before the movie? They're not trailing anything, are they?
Got me thinking. Did some research, and found out that they actually trailed in the starting, coming after the actual movie got over, hence the term 'trailers'.

Prologue: The Storm Within

23rd January, 2007

It rained that night.

It was a blackout, and a forced one. The power of the entire city was out because of the storm. I sat there with just a candle to light up the dark; like one of the Cro-Magnons or the Neanderthals with their torches. But the darkness within, was nowhere close to being lifted. The gloom had settled in permanently, it seemed.

The rain came down fast, and it came down with a vengeance. It was like a double edged sword. On one hand, it cleansed me of all that had been bad. On the other, it was acidic, burning me right down to the soul, for all that I had erred in.

And there was a lot of it. I had splashed my way into the apartment, dripping wet, fearful of the suit I wore to work. That had been my lifestyle at that time. I worked as an insurance agent, trying to sell death to the people throughout the city. I didn’t do a very good job at it. But then, I wasn’t cut out for that job. I had had aspirations, had had expectations, and also had had dreams.

Life has its ups and downs, and the same had been true for me. But I had always had an inkling of things going on a pre-determined path. It seemed that fate was taking its own course, and anything I did was not going to change it. Whatever I could do, it would only delay the inevitable. What had gone wrong? What could I have changed? Where had I erred, and where had circumstances forced me down a dark alley without an exit? It was time to take a look at my life.

I sat down in front of my old computer, before realizing that there was no supply. My economic state definitely left a lot to be desired, hence there was no backup power. I ventured out on the roof of the building, enjoying the rain to a greater extent now that I had changed into much more comfortable and less strangulating clothes than the sham I had to wear to work every morning. That was just not me. It was a fake existence. I was living a life I did not believe in myself.

The roof was a secluded area. No one ever came up there. People were always rushing around their lives; trying to make a better place for themselves, a better tomorrow. In these times, it is rare to see people find time for themselves, let alone their friends and family. What do we make up for that with? Marketing gimmicks about ‘family and friends’ offers, holiday packages. You want one of those; bring ‘em lots of money. People end up working more in the quest for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But by the time they think they’re ready, the rain has long gone and all that stares at them is blankness.

It was a similar blankness that was staring at me. I stared out in the darkness, hazy with rain; and the darkness stared back at me. Was it the darkness outside or within my heart that was facing me? Getting no answers, I looked down. 15 stories down, an easy answer stared at me. People would probably assume I had slipped and fallen, or been drunk. A constable would note down the date and time of recovery, and I would become yet another footnote in a police file, and a reference number in a morgue. My neighbors probably didn’t even remember my name; an insurance agent being too lowlife a creature to mingle with for the middle-aged couple and their mid-twenties daughter who pretended to be Miss India. Trust me, she was nowhere close.

But this was not my answer. At least not for now. I had to look at the why and when, and come up with an answer. Life had already passed me by. It was time to catch hold of it by the tail, and try to hang on…

Starting a story

Will keep posting chapter by chapter.. let's hope I complete this one. Don't have a name for the story as of now. Suggestions and comments welcome, as always :)

Polscar: Best Film

After spending the holidays watching all the oscar nominees for best film, this is my order for best film. (Mind you, this is how i feel it should be. What will be, is a different matter altogether.)

1. Frost/Nixon: I like mental tussles. And Frost/Nixon has pretty good tussles in it. Taut, the right length, and honorable adversaries. Really Good.

2. Slumdog Millionaire: Love the masala dished out here. It's high on the rhetoric. But, enjoyable nonetheless. I wonder what would have happened, if an Indian director had filmed this one though. Nice watch, with the archetypal all will be good ending.

3. The Reader: Intriguing film. The relationship between the spy woman and the schoolboy is treated extremely well. The jump to the future is taken pretty well as well. A bit dreary in outlook though, it ends with redemption from the victim for the perpetrator. Good play of emotions.

4. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button: Long name. Almost felt like copy pasting it. So was the movie. David Fincher, unfortunately, doesn't look as comfortable at the helm of non-thrillers. The story is innovative, and that is what keeps you interested at the end. The execution could have been tighter.

5. Milk: I didn't know much about Harvey Milk before this movie, and wasn't inspired enough by the movie to go and spend some time googling it. Not an interesting enough person to hold my attention in the movie.

P.S: Polscar stands for Polo's Oscar :p

Serendipity?

I saw a movie called Serendipity on a recommendation, day before yesterday. It was about 2 strangers falling in love on a chance meeting and separating; in the hope that if they were destined to meet, they will. Through a lot of contrived methods, cancelled marriages, they finally do.
But it set me thinking. Is it really possible? Can two individuals, who are perfect for each other, or at least very good; meet through chance? What are the odds.. 2 people..out of 6 billion, 760 million, meeting each other. A ratio infinitesimally small, one i calculated but is too scientifically small to bore you with.
What i see though is, that a lot of things need to happen for this to occur. The right place, the right time, the right frame of mind. I don't believe in stars and horoscopes, but i also think that everything is not under our control. We ascertain the major part of our fate.. but somethings should be left to time. We need to let things flow.
In the events of the past few weeks, I am inclined to believe that serendipity does exist. And it's good. I like this serendipity. Here's to you.

Arbit

At 4 in the night, there is no real flow of words. It's just a trickle. That too, not too logical, may i add. And why am i up at 4.30, which is what the time is now. Which means, half an hour has passed since i came from the first line to the second one. The reason: watching a movie, chatting with a friend, and thinking what to write.
But I am digressing. Why am i up at 4.30? Cause I'm in this mould now. There's no class tomorrow. There's nothing to be done at all. And by now, I am used to sleeping late. So, i stay up late, wake up late, watch movies..that's how i'm spending my holidays.
It's getting pretty boring on this post. And Frost/Nixon is taking a nice turn. So I'll get back to it. And hope that Syed gets his hypothesis out.

I'm back!!!!...maybe

Long time, no see, eh?
Been pretty busy, you see.
Anyways, will try and be more regular here, time permitting.
Made an ad for Nestle Munch..have posted it on Youtube.
Here's the link: