Movie Review: Chithiram Pesuthadi

Language: Tamil
Starring: Narain, Bhavna

I picked up this movie because I had heard that it was this years surprise hit. Man, what a disaster of a movie. The direction was awful. All the actors were so loud and hysterical it was impossible. The hero and the heroine are Malayalam imports. Narain (Sunil in mallu) portrays his character in the most irritatating manner! Bhavna was needlessly hysterical like most others in the movie. Middle class girl falls for thug and the rest is the usual stuff with some twists. Bad and a complete waste of tme.

Avoid this film if you can!

Pak-Hair scandal

Here are my top 10 thoughts on the recent scandal involving the Pak cricket team and Australian umpire Darrell Hair.

  1. Darrell Hair thinks he is bigger than the game of cricket and the cricketers. He has been trying to throw his weight around for too long and deserves to be cut down to size.
  2. Darrell Hair could have at least discussed the issue with Inzy before changing the ball or granting the 5 penalty runs. He was obviously trying to act like he was the “boss”.
  3. Mike Proctor should have summoned the captains and the umpires and addressed the issue during the break to avoid all the unneccassary drama. He should be docked a few matches for being so spinless and not taking charge of the situation.
  4. Darrell Hair must explain his decision and provide the proof. If its valid and substantiated, Inzy and co. should pay the price. If not, Hair must face serious consequences.
  5. If Hair’s claim is not substantiated Bill Doctrove must be docked a few matches for being a tagging along with Hair in all his showmanship.
  6. Ranatunga deserves credit for his comments on the issue. Most sensible of all I have read so far.
  7. It will be useful to know if Duncan Fletcher had lodged a complaint with the Procter when he met him the morning of the eventful day.
  8. The ICC must take complaints seriously and act on them unlike they have done in past to avoid such events in the future.
  9. It is imperative that the ICC take steps to ensure that similar events don’t occur again (either by instituting serious penalties or some other means).
  10. Lastly, the Indian Board should shut up till the events play out and those who are throwing around charges of racism must cool their jets.

Book Review: Life of Pi

Title: Life of Pi
Author: Yann Martel

Excellent book. When I started reading the book I had serious doubts if a book based largely on animals would keep me engaged. I was pleasantly surprised. Extremely well written and very creative. Hats off to the author for such a wonderful novel. The level of detail with which he captures the teenager (named “Pi”) growing up in India is impressive. The teenager practicises Hinduism, Islam and Christianity! This leads to some interesting musings about religion. The second half of the book is mostly about Pi escape from a sinking ship in a lifeboat with a Tiger, Hyena and Orangutan.

p.s: I read this book quite a while back and I have been meaning to blog this but never got down to it. Now, I can’t remember all the details unfortunately.

Independent Joe? Nah!

Senator Joe Lieberman must call it quits. He failed as the VP candidate. He has been in Senate forever. He has been a strong supporter for the Bush administrations failed policy in Iraq. Finally, he has lost the support of his party. I’d think its time for him to move on and come to terms with the changing times rather than have a go as an independent. His independent run could cost the Dems a Senate seat. Its also ironical that an individual who was chosen to be the VP candidate clearly puts his self-interest ahead of that of his party.

Hats off to Dalmiya!

Dalmiya has survived the biggest challenge in his career and managed to hold on to CAB. He has even managed to create a temporary rift in the CPM!

You have to hand it to him. Clearly, he is down but not out. He refers to Ganguly as a “bacchha” in true filmy style. The guy might be corrupt but he definitely did a super job of expanding cricket, raising huge sponsorship, and filling up the coffers while he was head of the ICC. The current crop of BCCI officials are obviously out to nail him for good. It should be interesting to see how he fights back.