You are all my Questions…
You are all my Answers…
Author: sandeepadnani
Sandeep Adnani is the Amazon #1 Bestselling Author of ‘The Codes of the Exiled Rogue’ , ‘The Origin of the Exiled Rogue’ and ‘The Prophecy of the Exiled Rogue’ eBooks. He nurtured this metaphysical and transformational fiction idea for over six years before publishing the first part in July 2019. All three books of ‘The Exiled Rogue Series’, a trilogy about the purpose and meaning of life and beyond, are Amazon #1 Bestsellers in multiple categories.
His first book, The Codes of the Exiled Rogue was declared an Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Visionary category of the 2021 International Book Awards.
His second book, The Origin of the Exiled Rogue was an Award Winner in the Science Fiction: Alien/Space category of the 2021 American Fiction Awards. It was also an Award-Winning Finalist in the Visionary Fiction category of the 2021 American Fiction Awards.
His third book, The Prophecy of the Exiled Rogue was an Award Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Visionary category of the 2021 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest.
The omnibus of the trilogy, The Exiled Rogue Series, won the Silver Medal at the Global Book Awards 2022, in the Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction category and Gold Winner at the ABLE Awards in 2024 in the Book Series category.
Embarking on new genres, he has seven new stand-alone books in the offing. In 2021, he completed writing a futuristic sci-fi-romance which he is currently querying. The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.
He finished writing a mystery novel in 2022 and an Alternate Fiction novella in 2023. He has published three non-fiction novellas in the YOU DECIDE series. He is currently working on an illustrated children's book.
He changed careers from the advertising/media industry and is now a mental health counsellor in Melbourne, with bases in Mumbai and Dubai as well.
Frozen (2013)
A heart warming story set in an icy environment, this is one of Disney’s best animated films. There is no strong complication in the story, but it is peppered with loveable characters who make up for the lack of tension.
The fairytale like setting which is characteristic of Disney, takes it a notch higher this time where you feel you are watching a good quality broadway production. The songs stay with you far after the movie finishes, and the voices are top notch.
Ice, snow, winter and its many effects are used well, we have rock like trolls and a chatty snowman who add magic to the screen. I liked the fact that there was no ‘villain’ or ‘bad guy’, just personal demons and the way they dealt with them.
A simple, memorable film which is a pure winter delight!
3.5/5
Last Vegas (2013)
We have seen many ‘coming of age’ movies, here’s to a ‘comic of age’ film which manages to capture every nuance of aging, gracefully or otherwise. 4 powerhouse talents play distinct characters with a complete balance of humour, wit, friendship, love and emotion.
Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas, Kevin Kline and Robert De Niro are going on a ‘senior bachelor trip’ to Vegas, and 60 years of friendship shows beautifully in a 3 day story. What this film manages to do so well is maintain the dignity of aging but weave in comedy in every scene, subtle or in your face. Nothing comes across as crass or vulgar, yet the fun element is high and the emotional quotient even higher.
To communicate a chemistry between age old friends isn’t easy, but we have a cast of ‘legends’ who speak of each other and their friendship very highly 😉 Their adventures become ours and we get a great insight into how it would be at that age, especially with the company and support of close friends. The Aria hotel and the famous strip transported the audience to gamble town, eliciting many hoots and cheers, complete with all elements of entertainment you expect to find there 🙂
This is what you get when a mid-life crisis, a stroke, a grouch and Mr. Replacement decide to throw a party!
You’re Invited!
4/5
What’s your story?
Which is your favourite FRIENDS character? Next time you are asked that, behold! It is a trick question. It’s a great way to strike a conversation, find some common ground (What?! You are not a FRIENDS fan? Shortest conversation ever!).
The trick behind it is that the person asking either wants to know what you connect with most, what you aspire to be, or simply what you are all about.Sometimes it is to communicate what the asking party is like, in a quick non-judgemental manner. Would you call yourself ‘flaky’? No! But you wouldn’t mind calling yourself ‘Phoebe’. See the difference? (I am flaky I’ll say anything!)
The truth is, we identify with certain characters, songs, films, poems, stories. We look for characters that are like us, and hinge our solace on the way their story progresses. Whether it’s Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Hermione or Fudge forbid Voldemort, our qualities or personality traits that are similar have been pointed out by those close to us.
Many times I have overheard people talk about the four diverse girls in Sex and the City. They are laughing and slotting their friends into the four categories and people deny or defend themselves. Why? It’s because they don’t like how that particular character’s story is progressing, or many times, how it ends. Sometimes they want to guard their personal life or traits, and don’t want to be easily branded as ‘Samantha , Carrie, Charlotte or Miranda’.
Popular culture has and always will play a role in the lives of those who consume it. So far I have been talking of Western content. (Some eyes are relaxing now, as the real stuff comes to the fore!) Hindi cinema and songs have had and continue to have a bigger impact on me. When I am not with my 6 friends at Central Perk or laughing at insults from Karen Walker, where Jack McFarland jumps around, Grace Adler stuffs her face and Will Truman looks upset and uninterested, I enjoy watching Hindi cinema, both old and new and I love Hindi songs! (Come on! The Lyrics are so much more meaningful! Eyes roll all around).
Whether its romantic classics or comedy capers, we all have a ‘Raj & Simran’ aspiration, a ‘Raveena Karishma Bajaj Gogo’ laughline, ‘Anjali & Rahul’ friendship, ‘Naina Catherine Kapoor Patel’ saga or ‘Rahul Pooja Nisha’ triangle that we like or enjoy watching more than once. What I have noticed without meaning to highlight, is that many times, we hide behind our favourite characters. We would all like to be someone else but settle for what we are popularly thought to be, because most stories do turn out ok, so even ours will, right?
But real life is not written by a team of writers playing to the ratings. You are the only audience, writer, director and the main lead of your show. Many times people become the side act, step up, take centre stage. It’s your story and you should get to say it! Yes by all means use the metaphors and references you are comfortable with, but create your own madness!
Having said that, will every Monica meet a guy like Chandler? I would like to believe so.
Ram Leela (2013)
Guns blazing, Gujarati swear words, a 500 year old animosity of two warring sides and of course what blossoms between all this is: LOVE. An Eccentric, Sexual and Mad drama unfolds.
Not Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s (SLB) traditional film making style, he has stepped well out of his comfort zone of ‘tender love stories’, ‘social protocol’, ‘clear and slow progression’, ‘witty and U-rated dialogue’. Here the pace is fast, the language is harsh, many times lined with crass double meaning. Violence which was missing in most of his films is not only present but not easy to watch at times.
SLB is an unforgiving perfectionist. In the past we have seen beautiful sets and locations, which exude a dominant colour palette with undying symmetry. This time round, there is imperfection, a myriad of colours and an aesthetic sense that makes a scene alive without the feeling that you are watching a perfect set. He has done the music as well, and the songs are as always filled with metaphors, a visual treat to watch with some difficult dance moves. His direction makes all this seem as part and parcel of the film, but for once the story, songs or sets don’t dominate, its the acting of the 3 main characters that steals the show. We start with number 3:
Ranveer Singh is a director’s actor. He has manifested on screen what the director wanted him to, but somehow doesn’t seem man enough or strong enough to match up to his co-star, who seems to be wearing the pants. He is ‘supporting’ his female lead, a phenomenon which is usually the other way round.
Supriya Pathak Kapur is a spectrum of talent. To play Hansa Parekh in Khichdi and Dhankoraba ‘Baa’ in this film, you see the same eyes soften you in one, and terrify you in the other. Her restraint and explosions in the same sentence show you not only the character but her acting diversity.
Deepika Padukone has not grown as an actor. She has leaped to the moon. Her 4th big release this year (Race 2, YJHD, Chennai Express) she is the raw, sensual, hopeless in love energy which SLB has managed to capture on screen. You can’t take your attention off her expression, dance and threateningly seductive voice and body language.
A Ram Leela is traditionally performed on the street for all to see. Here as well, the story takes place in front of people at most times, for them to witness the tragedy. This film is a tribute to the over the top rendition of India’s most famous story, with an ‘Adult’ SLB twist. An appropriate credit to Romeo & Juliet has been given right at the beginning, so either dance the dance while you watch Ram Leela or curse Shakespeare until it is over.
3.5/5
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
The 9 realms, super special effects (which are a standard in Hollywood) and a popular super Hero and star cast could not salvage this film. Barring the humour from Kat Dennings who plays ‘Darcy Lewis’ the graph of this film and all its characters was flat, many times laughable. Is the mere presence of gigantic ships which appear threatening and predatory enough? Where are the villains who give the hero a healthy fight?
We have complex theories which are worked out at the drop of a hat, an ‘Ether’ of unexplainable power, Loki who plays along with Thor and Jane Foster, a wooden Natalie Portman, makes you wonder why actors are not doing their job, acting!
It takes a lot for a film to bore me and induce sleep. Very few pass the challenge. This one almost did.
Nothing can save this film.
1/5
Krrish 3 (2013)
Let’s clear the rationale behind making sci-fi or super hero movies in India. Indian audiences have given large business to the recent Iron Man, Super Man, Avengers etc, in English and more so in the dubbed versions across the country.
So we are sure smaller cities and towns will have people who will appreciate the new Krrish. But as we all know, largely our viewers are spoiled, and may need some help with the story, so the film starts with a recap of the last two films. It makes you realise they were more original and with better music, but that is probably a calculated move, though not a good one.
Parts of the film are laughable, parts are commendable. The special effects have definitely set a good standard for an Indian film, but still lack the finesse of Hollywood movies. They enjoy larger budgets, which is where our films fall short I guess.
We have mutants or ‘maanvars’, a villain who is not menacing enough, sorry Vivek, you tried your best, a super hero who doesn’t bring anything new to the table, not even a new expression. Kangana had a good crisp role, Priyanka danced around with some good scenes. Hrithik Senior was more effective than his Junior counterpart.
The stock ‘emotional scene’, the stock ‘secular song’, the stock ‘super hero in us all’ were all plugged in for our benefit. Not to mention the ‘Raghupati Raghav’ song, a track played in a party which should have been put in the credits. Why stuff songs in when they are not required? The only song which made sense and was beautifully shot was Alisha Chinoy’s ‘Dil tu hi bata’.
We had many scientific and plot premises which were well constructed and used. Harry Potter fans will immediately identify with one of the key gadgets. The end gives us a mash-up of Silver Surfer, Iron Man, Super Man, Hulk type scenes, with special effects that still require finishing.
If your kids insist you take them for the film, then you must. It could work to your advantage and they would skip Krrish 4 which could be in the offing. I think Rakesh Roshan should put this concept to rest, as the current offering seemed rushed to make it for Diwali. A cohesive, well edited film is what we were expecting, but of course we were disappointed.
I think super hero movies were effectively ruined for Indians when Aamir Khan uttered those iconic words, ‘Gogo ji aapka ghagra’.
2/5
This is the end (2013)
The biblical apocalypse is upon actors who are playing themselves at a party in Beverly Hills. What ensues is a mix of silly, funny and downright outrageous.
James Franco is playing host to Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Rihanna and many others. It seems like a frat party, which has predictable wild moments. The bizarre events that follow are fun to watch because of the presumed real life personalities and their reactions.
Survival, egos, conflicting opinions, there is a clear build up to a hilarious climax, making it a fun home or flight watch.
2.5/5
Sometimes we say things hoping they come true, and they do.
Sometimes we plan things hoping they happen, and they don’t.
Either way know you are being protected and guided, and only the best is eventually going to happen.
Never go against your instinct, silence the devil inside, the angel whispers, listen to it.
Monsters University (2013)
Not having watched Monsters Inc. till now (a lot of eyes rolling with judgement) I was not prepared for how thoroughly I would enjoy it. The world they had created was entirely new (for me) and since this was a prequel to the first one, it worked out well as a hilarious but soul searching back story.
Classic themes were touched upon, though at times it is more grown up, practical, work hard and stick together to win kind of approach. This animated film felt more real in that sense. Billy Crystal and John Goodman lend voices to characters which are not only lovable but identifiable as well. Helen Mirren as the Dean is perfection!
Monsters Inc. was released way back in 2001, so this second instalment came a little too late, but it was enjoyable and original.
3/5
Movies&Musings 