Sunday, October 18, 2009

An 'Up'lifting movie



There is no way but Up ! from here. Pixar has once again proved that they are one of the best film makers of today. Not just the best 'animated' film makers. If you could get over the pre conceptions about 3D animation being for kids, you will be treated to one of the most touching films of this year - Up!


Carl promised the love of his life, his would be wife that he will take her to Paradise falls - a place of natural beauty untouched by man and move their camp house there. As the business of living life takes its toll, the dream is always pushed for later - until its too late.

And that is just the first ten minutes - pure gold. From kids to old couple, the movie beautifully captures their love, their anguish (they cant have kids) and the simple joys life.

For me, the idea of tying balloons to the house and floating away to the place of your dreams, to leave the mundane life behind is far too exciting and almost too real a metafor.

All of us have a Paradise falls, somewhere we want to go someday. And there is always someone  we want to share it with. And its always too late.

But in the end, love finds happiness and adventure in the most boring things in life. As Carl found out and hopefully, all of us will.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Fight Global Warming..

Leave your fridge open.
If all of us leave our fridge open for a day, will it cool the earth?

Dye your hair white.
This one is simple and easily explained by physics. White reflects more sunlight.

Use more oil.
Burning petroleum products raises the temperature every year. If we can finish it off in 10 years instead of 50..

Saturday, November 29, 2008

How Many More ?

Chennai is under water, my house is flooded. I cannot go home as my street had been turned into a mini Venice - reachable only by boat. Forced to stay away from home with my friends, I should be cursing and complaining. But I am not. Sometimes, life puts everything in perspective. The flood had affected my life in every possible way - schedules, comforts - but these are all but inconveniences to my life, and definitely not fatal.

Can't say the same thing about Mumbai. Nature is fair, whether in her kindness or in fury. Humans are an altogether different lot.

I refuse to offer my prayers for the victims - I don't believe there is someone up there listening. I will remember.