Chetan Bhagat's latest novel - "2 states - The Story of My Marriage" - Review

This novel is Chetan Bhagat's 4th novel after "Five point some one", "One night @ the call center" and "The 3 mistakes of my life".

The first 2 novels were already made as movies - "3 Idiots" and "hello" respectively. "Hello" didnt do well in the box office. But, lets wait for "3 Idiots"...

Now, back to "2 states"... The story is about the struggle of a young couple Krish Malhotra and Ananya Swaminathan, Krish is from the state of Punjab and Ananya from Tamil Nadu. The novel vividly portrays the cultural differences between the two states which stands as a huge wall between these guys. How do Krish and Ananya break this wall? How they convince their parents?

The story starts well at IIMA where Krish meets Ananya at the mess hall. From there he falls in love and she falls in love again and the story goes on and on.

+ Points:

Chetan Bhagat's humor is his biggest weapon. He writes the story like an autobiography of the character Krish Malhotra. So, it should speak of Krish's thoughts and he has really done a good job at that. His writing style is what has earned him as "The country's most favourite author".

Chetan has also shown the mindset of the parents. Also, what the Punjabis think about Tamilians and vice versa... Such things, we might have already witnessed in our work circle or friends circle. The experience of Krish in Chennai is the highlight of the novel.

Characterizations ??? The novel has other characters also, who play important role. The parents and in-laws of Krish. Each character is unique and can be expected at Indian Homes. The verbal disputes between the parents of Krish and Ananya is what expected out of such situation and has been captured well in the novel.

- Points:

Ok. I said humor is good. And thats his plus. But, I can point out atleast dozens of places where he deliberately "tries" humor. Which, FYI, didnt work. There were too many metaphors in this novel which could have otherwise been avoided. It actually appeared like the author is trying to flaunt his writing skills. Maybe, in the next novel, he should keep this in mind.

Pace of the story??? The pace of the novel Sloooooooooows down whenever Krish talks about his boring work life. Alas, Chetan, it was boring for us toooo. Characters like Bala(Krish's boss) and the misunderstanding between Krish and him is a big minus. It felt like reading "One night @ the Call Centre" again, where he has captured the same boss-employee relationship.

Ananya??? The character was more illogical than logical, in the sense whatever she does in the novel. It was like a totally fictional character from a famous bollywood or kollywood movie. I dont know, man...apart from other characters, this Ananya alone was outstanding... ooops sorry... Standing out... Thumbs down....

Chetan should have done some more research regarding Tamilians. I think that could have made the novel more realistic (I am assuming that is what the author's intent was). It is good to see the Chennai characters actually speaking Tamil. But, OMG, that was not Tamil, after all... Ha ha... There also Tamil readers who are reading your books. Please dont make us laugh at this. And, ofcourse there is a good-old disclaimer about the comments on South Indians. Chetan, the same thing applies to you as well, "If you say dont take this in the wrong sense, I have got no choice but to take it in the wrong sense". (Maybe, Krish should not have said this similar dialog about Bala which made me comment)

ANd, the story, I have seen atleast 4 movies of the same or similar story in Tamil alone. So, it was like watching a very commercial "masala" movie.

MY RATING:

3.1 / 5.0

Though this novel lags in several points, Chetan Bhagat's writing style compensates for all losses. Read this novel for a good time pass. I am sure you will get pissed at many places. But, this novel is worth the price you pay. Hats off to your writing, Chetan. For this, you are still in our favorite authors list.

I am expecting a good and quality novel from CHetan Bhagat. He could spend some more time in researching before preparing his next novel. Expecting his next novel to be much better than this...

Technorati code: XMQPMP65W9CV

Disney's "A Christmas Carol" - Latest Animated Movie - Review

IMDB Rating: 7.2/10

Charles Dickens' Novel beautifully painted on silver screen - A Christmas Carol is the latest animated movie from Disney. Directed by the veteran director Robert Zemeckis, this project started in February 2008. It was release on November 4, 2009 at a premiere in London. Disney has released this picture in Disney's Digital 3D and IMAX 3D versions.

The main highlight of this movie is Jim Carrey who is Ebenezer Scrooge, the Old Miser in the novel. He has also given voices for the following characters:

Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge as a Young Boy, Scrooge as a Teenage Boy, Scrooge as a Young Man, Scrooge as a Middle-Aged Man, Ghost of Christmas Present, Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

Ufff... Jim Carrey has done a great-great job. He has given amazing expression and life to the characters with his voice.

Okay... The Story? As we know, it belongs to Charles Dickens, who holds exclusive rights. :D

(Ya I know that wasn't funny) . Okay here is the gist of the novel. Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser in Victorian-England was taken on a journey of Self-redemption. He stops himself from whatever that gives happiness, even on the Christmas season. The three ghosts, from the past, present and the future transforms Scrooge into a soft-natured person, showing him what the world actually thinks about him.

+ Points:

Watching the movie, I was actually taken back to my child hood days. The splendour and grandeur lies in the perfect picturisation of the novel. I never thought the scenes would be picturised with this-much perfectness. I was really amazed at the scenes when the ghosts haunt Mr. Scrooge. Hats off to Robert Zemeckis. He has also done screenplay for the film.

Animation. Each and every animated movie, becomes better than the one that was previously released. So, how do I judge this one. I can tell you. The human characters are so-so filled with life. At many places, Scrooge can been seen like a "real" old man. The background images are also so realistic. The lighting, when the old man peeps into the empty room is so realistic. The lights and sparkling dust that the Ghost of the Christmas Present scatters across the hall takes us into a magical world.

3D. I watched it in Disney's Digital 3D. Believe me, the previous animated movies are no match to this. Maybe the effect stands so prominent because of the eerie effect. The door shakings, the sudden appearance of ghosts, the scenes when Scrooge flies along with the Ghost of the Christmas Past are mindblowing. I cant tell you much. You have to watch it for yourself.

Alan Silvestri's music is a commendable one. His background score has shown its own magic. The orchestration has added to the intensity of many scenes.

- Points:

Humor ??? I am sorry if you say its there in the movie, atleast I and few of my friends found the humor "Not-So-Appealing". With Jim Carrey in the movie, I expect much-much more. (Maybe he was involved in giving voices for the so many characters)

Thats it, nothing else....

MY RATING:

3.6 out of 5

Humor is one part where it lags. And I feel there could be something new in the music. It was not very out-of-the box kind.

But, overall a very nostalgic experience. A visual Delight. A perfect Christmas present from Disney. PLEASE WATCH IT IN 3D...

Pulp Fiction's Greatest Scene - Saving Mia's Life

IMDB Rating: 8.9

IMDB Ranking: #5 (as on Nov,7,2009)

I have enjoyed each and every part of this movie. But, I still cant stop wondering about Quentin Tarantino's direction and screenplay. No doubts this is one of the best movies of all times.

Starring in the scene are John Travolta as 'Vincent Vega' and Uma Thurman as 'Mia Wallace', Eric Stoltz as 'Lance' and Rosanna Arquette as 'Jody'.

THE SCENE:

Mia Wallace is the wife of the gang leader, Marcellus Wallace. Vincent Vega works for him. Marcellus asks Vincent to take her to a restaurant. After the dinner, Vincent Vega takes her home. But, she accidentally takes a sniff of the heavy-dose drug and is kncked-off. Scared out of his wits, Vincent takes her to Lance's place. FROM THEN, unravels the best scene of the movie.

This particular scene has received very great response from the audience. The panic let out by John Travolta seems so natural that you see a totally different Travolta on screen. Audience are taken aback after watching the "usually" menacing villain in an entirely-different character role, that lays great emphasis on acting.

The next credit should go to Uma Thurman, you can see her fall like a puppet doll, when Travolta drops her on the ground while arguing with Eric Stoltz. Uma Thurman has shown her best in this movie.

The scene also takes its applause from the co-actors Eric Stotz and Rosanna Arquette. The reluctance, and helplessness they show in their actions and speech make the scene a great success.

Here, are few best parts of the scene:

• When Vincent argues with Lance in the garden
• When Lance searches for the Medical Book
• When Jody screams and screams and screams
• When Vincent asks for the marker
• When Jody and Lance argue over the medical book, while Vincent is waiting for giving the adrenalin to Mia
• When they actually give the adrenalin to Mia
• When Mia comes back to life

OOPS... I have described almost the whole scene... Yes, thats how it is... ENJOY it.

You must also watch the Pulp Fiction's famous Breakfast Scene, starring Samuel Jackson and John Travolta, Watch it here