Everything you always wanted to know about....!

It seems like Woody Allen movies don't feel the age. They're still totally entertaining, totally mesmerizing, and his penchant for ultimate sarcasm still seems totally shaking. I am talking about his brave, crazy, spoof movie 'Everything you always wanted to know about sex(but were afraid to ask)'. This could be my second movie with a real long name after Kubrick's 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb'

'Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)' is actually a book by Dr.David Reuben, originally published in 1969 which was translated into 54 different languages. Hype and Impact of this book in the popular American culture was so much so that, Woody Allen decided to make a parody of this in his 1972 movie

Movie is designed in chapters as it intends to explore and clarify some mythical beliefs about certain notions related to sexuality or the psychological side of it.Intentions very soon turn out as less noble on contrary to the book, but a great comical way to make pooh-pooh about those very notions. Most of the men's and women magazines pen tons of pages about such 'clinical' advices even though almost everyone know about it, as they are one column which would never lose attention. Now this is sir Woody's take on clearing the world's doubts and there goes Sarcasm at it's best.

Out of seven different movies with in it, my pick is certainly 'What is Sodomy? ' about two middle aged men of two different class, falling in love with an Armenian sheep.Are we dealing with the ugliest term 'bestiality'. No we're not. Its just a humorous take on the meaningless and super glorified 'true' love. The most beautiful element is definitely the great Gene Wilder whose, 'Dr.Ross' was totally convincing.

'What are sex perverts' is a nice parody of the famous US game show of 70' 'Whats my line' but, I feel its totally relevant now in India as the whole Indians going gaga over their favorite reality shows.Sir woody, would not miss a slightest chance to whip on the religions as he does to the Jews in this movie, portraying a Rabbi who had the secret fascination of being spanked by some gorgeous slutty blonds.

I found the movie 'Are the Findings of Doctors and Clinics Who Do Sexual Research and Experiments Accurate? ' a  super blow on the, most favorite Hollywood theme, 'one super hero rises to save the world' .Is n't it hilarious , when our hero announces “ don't worry! I know how to handle %&$#”'

Movies 'Are Transvestites Homosexuals? ' and 'Why Do Some Women Have Trouble Reaching an Orgasm? ' , are interestingly funny where, the 'Do Aphrodisiacs Work?' takes on False chastity and extreme morality and pride of the Victorian era. 'What Happens During Ejaculation? ' was the craziest example of woody;s extreme imagination and he was right there dressed up as an Innocent sperm all scared to go out .

And after all, Woody was the one who said once.

“In my next life I want to live my life backwards. You start out dead and get that out of the way. Then you wake up in an old people's home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension, and then when you start work, you get a gold watch and a party on your first day. You work for 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You party, drink alcohol, and are generally promiscuous, then you are ready for high school. You then go to primary school, you become a kid, you play. You have no responsibilities, you become a baby until you are born. And then you spend your last 9 months floating in luxurious spa-like conditions with central heating and room service on tap, larger quarters every day and then Voila! You finish off as an orgasm!”

Amazing Woody! Isn't it?

"The Secret World of Miyazaki"!

It seems like I am already a 'Studio Ghibli' fan. Or is it better to call myself a  Hayao Miyazaki  fan? Who else creates  those beautiful anime's of oriental charm. Miyazaki didnt direct 'Secret world of Arriety'; he just 'planned' as the credit goes. In fact, he  wrote the screen play,supervised the production but gave the director's baton to the younger colleague of him, the talented Hiromasa Yonebayashi. The story  is based on an award winning English fantasy novel for children named 'Borrowers' written in 1952 by Mary Norton about the tiny people living under floor or behind walls in a house. 'Secret World of Arriety' has the beauty of friendship that blossoms between the tiny girl Arriety and the boy next door. It a deep innocent friendship with a secret shade of romance in it. Its a beautiful movie especially to those who love Ghibli style animation of lushly rich frames.

After, 'My neighbor Totoro' , I saw two more Ghibli movies, 'Kiki's delivery Service' and 'Spirited Away' before watching 'Arriety' and I particularly loved 'Kiki's delivery Service' for its universal theme and beauty where, I found 'spirited away'  an elegantly animated movie with a complex story line and hundreds of character's in detail, but more enjoyable to a Japanese audience who could easily connect to the mythological base of this 'over spirited' theme.' Spirited away' won many international awards including Oscar and is considered as a classic among animation movies.

 

Kiki's delivery Service is about a little cute witch who would come to a new city as part of her witch training, flying on her broomstick. She chooses 'delivery service' as her profession to survive in the city. 'Spirited away' is about a girl who's trapped inside a  resort that's open only for ghosts and spirits to make them rejuvenated ; when her greedy parents commits a stupid mistake crashing into the place.

If you are new to Anime's or Japanese animation movies; I seriously recommend watching Ghibli flims especially Totoro and you are going to love it.

May be not mere coincidence, Miyazaki;s central characters are always girls and you find all of them, brave and possess character. Another way, Miyazaki's celebrating this culture of strong feminine which could also be a part of Japanese culture.

The Greatest Game Ever Played!

As 'Rotten Tomatoes' put , 'The greatest Game Ever Played' is definitely not one of those 'under dog' sports movies you get to watch any other day. It has got class and the beauty that would glue you to the screen as it never happened to you anytime before. At least that was my experience. I already knew, this movie was graded one of the best in this genre. But until I experienced it, I never had the slightest idea that, a breathtaking experience was awaiting me.Even though I work in an office which is situated right opposite to a   prominent golf course in the city, 'Golf' as a game never attracted me and i feel the entire perception is going to be changed after this. 


 A 2005 movie directed by actor/director Bill Paxton is based on the real life story of famous american golfer Francis Ouimet. Movie shows how the twenty year old boy  of a poor immigrant worker's  family challenged all the odds to take part in an elite tournament( 'US open') of the most elite game 'Golf' and eventually winning it by defeating some biggest names in the history of golf ,  Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a dramatic fashion. Its not just a sports movie but a saga of a low class amateur coming out of those ridicules and apartheid, challenging the upper  class in their own game, and winning it in class to show them that its not the blood line but the talent that matters. 

Francis celebrating his victory(from Movie)

(Real Photograph-1913 US open)

Actors ShiaLaBeouf,Stephen Dillane, Elias Koteas all performed well and it was an excellent casting over all.background score is also to be mentioned especially in the climax sequence. To summarize, a brilliantly directed movie with breathtaking visuals and dramatic sequences which would never disappoint any one and a definite treat to those who love sports.