Longevity is not the sign of a healthy friendship, nor is proximity or similarity. It is a devotion, a yearning for connection, the joy of sharing and being proud of someone who wants to be with you, for you! Happy Friendship Day!
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 The unpublished manuscript was a finalist for the Writing Award in the 2022 Page Turner Awards.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.
La Belle et la Bete (2014)
Director Christophe Gans brings alive on screen a delicate and deep French aesthetic, which shows us the old fairy tale in a way we have never seen before. With a fantasy back story and a strong cast, the visuals captivate, enthral and entertain.
The production values are high, the scale is grand, but human emotions and their minute nuances are captured and communicated with ease, causing one to be enchanted at the very least.
In the modern world where fairy tales have been presented in new flesh and bones, this one is the best so far.
3.5/5
The Lego Movie (2014)
The Lego Movie: A satire on popular culture, super heroes and classic tales, this super rich animation will dazzle you with its detail and very fine story telling. Our most beloved lego toy is transformed into an intricate world with a very ‘sticky’ problem. How the characters (who have superb voice over) navigate through their predicament, is unique and entertaining.
Kids may enjoy the visuals, but the underlying philosophy and the way it is communicated may not be straight forward for them to digest or decode. Either way, it’s a treat for children and adults, with the multi-talented voices of Chris Pratt, Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Jonah Hill, Dave Franco, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman and Liam Neeson.
Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street) present a superior quality of grown up humour combined with intelligent animation.
You are in for a laughter fix.
3.5/5
4 years and learning…
I remember all the discussion on the story I had posted last year. It was a true, from the heart account of what brought me to Mumbai and how the first three years had been. If they could be seen as prep school, the fourth year was definitely an exam. Mumbai finally showed me the true colours of survival.
The year was peppered with highs and ‘not so highs’. I travelled to distant lands and found versions of myself there. Some that needed an upgrade, some that seemed to be far ahead of me, so I had a lot of catching up to do. Many milestones marked the previous 365 days, which I am forever thankful for. I met some nice people, some of who moved away. I reconnected with some old friends. In the last year time and tide had indeed changed a lot.
I learned that you don’t choose this city (or the wand, for that matter). Mumbai chooses you. And it’s not some whim that brings you here either. You only come here when you are ready for an adventure. To have your rough edges polished. To see your faults, stare them in the face and say, “You, Again?” Only when your vibration matches that of the city, can you survive here. And to tune to that vibration takes time, patience and faith. Then the city yields its rewards.
I often face the question, “So you still like Mumbai?” Hell, I LOVE MUMBAI. It has given me life experiences which I couldn’t have had anywhere else. I have family and friends who have contributed greatly to my evolution. Observing life through every experience, corner, stranger, imperfection, has enriched me. And, that fuels my imagination, and my own will to live, to better myself, to try and be better for others.
The rain washes away the city and also any obstructions on my think tank. I have been reading various areas of interest, writing with a renewed vigour and the ‘expression quotient’ has been at its highest so far. Lots of movement on that front will be communicated soon.
Here’s to starting the fifth year in this city that embraces everyone. Don’t ask me how long I will be here, I don’t know. To quote ‘The fault in our stars’, I have experienced an infinity here, and “Some infinities are bigger than others”.
Begin Again (2014)
Keira Knightley (Gretta) and Mark Ruffalo (Dan) cross paths at emotionally volatile times of their lives. One is a song writer and singer, the other is a producer of music. While their chance meeting seems like it won’t go anywhere, it takes them and us, on a musical journey across New York City.
We come across other talented musician characters, the sights and sounds of the Big Apple and witness how the two lead individuals evolve. Their performances, along with the supporting cast, are vulnerable, understated and real. Through them, we have a greater appreciation of music and its process of creation.
For music lovers and musicians, this film is a must watch. For the rest, this is a beautiful film about relationships, friendships, talent and perseverance, which is all bound by the sound for the soul – Music.
3.5/5
Chef (2014)
You want flavours? You got ‘em. This ensemble cast whips up a recipe which will make you chase your passion and turn you into a social networking pro! A tale about career, family, friends and all the awkward moments in between!
Written and directed by main lead Jon Favreau, who plays the creatively charged chef ‘Carl Casper’, he has a cast that include the talents of Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr., Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale, Oliver Platt and Russell Peters!
Their varied and distinct portrayals of real but kooky characters make this food truck journey all the more sumptuous. An ‘R-rated’ dish, it is served straight from the heart and has captured food preparation so well, that a vegetarian like me thought that the meat looked appetizing!
Tasty and recommended hot!
3.5/5
Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania (2014)
While watching the introductory credits you realise all the new names which are associated with this project. That itself gives you a feel that you can expect something different. Debut director Shashank Khaitan has spoofed cult films, giving his venture a contemporary twist.
We have a feisty young heroine with an emotional young hero. Reversing traditional gender roles, he gives the audience a few laughs and many romantic moments. The chemistry is explosive, with appropriate music. Varun has found a niche for himself, whilst Alia continues to do what she does best. Together they are an unpredictable Jodi. Many scenes are well written with everyday language, mirroring our own individual experiences. Varun’s relationship with his dad in particular, is endearing.
Ashutosh Rana looks great on screen and Varun’s two pals, Sahil Vaid (Poplu) and Gaurav Pandey (Shonty) embody the loveable, dependable, partners-in-crime buddies we all adore. Siddharth Shukla looks every bit the way he is supposed to, but hardly gets any screen time. Overall it was entertaining and light, with just the right running time.
Fresh, crisp and fun!
3/5
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
The story starts a decade later from the first part, where most of the human population has been wiped out by the virus and the intelligent apes have survived and multiplied.
The treatment of the film is slow, with lingering scenes of drama. It has some moments that are charged with resonating sound and action. The basic plot is of winning trust, where both sides have members with differing motives. The result? A ‘part 2’ of the series that may not have carried its audience to look forward to part 3.
Brilliant sound and visuals, but not deeply engaging.
2/5
Everyone is fighting their own battle, just like you are. The trick is to select the right battles, not every one or thing is worth your stress or worry. Pick wisely.
Read the movie, watch the book
The second oldest debate in the modern world, (you decide the first); what was better, the movie or the book. Many times, we watch the movie and then head to the book, which is usually a far richer experience. Other times, we read the book and are sad so many plot points were left out in the film(s) (Harry Potter fans will know the feeling). Sometimes the film is as good as the book (The Namesake) and other times, the film is the living, breathing, personification of the book (The Fault in our stars). I am sure some will disagree, but for me it seemed like the soul left the pages and enchanted us from the screen in the cinema. We had out-worldly, static-disconnected experiences alongside the pain, love and everything in between suffered by Gus, Hazel and their loved ones. Bravo John Green (writer), Josh Boone (Director), Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (screenplay). The stars were perfectly aligned when you worked your magic!
Movies&Musings 