Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) - Action

WOW! What a blunder this one is - I just don’t get this that why the quality of sequels keeps going downhill with almost every sequel they make in today’s time? When the first of the series came – I was totally in love with a lot of things about that one – first being the way robots turned into cars and vice versa, second was of course the hawtie Megan Fox, third Shia LaBeouf’s vulnerability and excellent character portrayal. Second part took everything one notch higher (This was a first for any movies sequel for me) and damn! Megan was even hotter in second part and they had shown greater attention to details in transforming the robots into cars n trucks plus superb action sequences plus Josh Duhamel as bonus. Third of the series was just about ok for me – a good time pass of course but the downhill journey for Transformers started with this one and unfortunately Megan Fox too was gone by now. Then came the fourth part - Although initially I was excited about one of my favorite actors (Mark Wahlberg) being the part of the series now onwards but oh my god - I was shocked to see the character he plays (“Dad” that too of a not so hot chick). From what angle he looks like her dad? C’mon Michael Bay – Dude he looks more like an elder brother at max. And what was with the never ending action sequences? Running time close to 165 minutes was another turn off. Unfortunately I never read reviews before watching a movie so had no idea as to how long it’s gonna last after the half way mark and had a can of Pepsi mid ways (thanks Akkiba) – that played a spoilsport as my bladder was bursting by the time it ended as it took them close to hour and a half or may be more to end the final action sequence. The hugest plusses of this part were of course Mark for one and Stanley Tucci for two – totally loved his character – was a big surprise to me as I had no idea of him being a part of this movie. Mindblowing action sequences (unfortunately too long) but attention to detail and camera work is simply outstandingly superb. This one as far as cinematography is concerned – I will call it the best of the franchisee so far – too good. It’s a must watch for Transformer franchisee lovers and simply can’t be ignored but I will give it a below average 2.5/5 for offering nothing new and the very usual story. Hope that changes with the remaining two part of the new trilogy they have started with Mark in lead. Do not miss it but do visit the washroom in break without fail.

Ignited Minds (Book) - APJ Abdul Kalam

Ignited minds is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read - a book written by scientist-patriot Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, who was the President of India and the best part is that he wrote this before becoming the President. I guess a whole book can be written or dedicated to the man’s achievement and ideas – the way he has lined them up here in the book is simply mind blowing. I wonder why this book isn’t publicized or marketed the way it should be – I read it almost after a decade and a couple of years more after its publication and feel like it should be made “Mandatory” for all the schools to add it as a part of extracurricular activity if not like a proper subject to study. If the young generation as Dr. Kalam claims is made aware of his thought process, ideas, theories backed by superb examples – we would have seen a different developed India in almost two decades (by 2020). It is indeed no surprise to me or to anyone what our country achieved under his superb guidance when it comes to Defense, Technology, Science, Agriculture etc and what more we could have achieved if all of his ideas were to put to use in real life would have been insane growth. Almost each chapter of the book works like an eye opener and made me wonder how in the world others couldn’t think of those simple ideas what he mentioned in the book. It’s a brilliant book from all standards and a breeze to read – I almost finished it (200 pages) in two sittings – highly recommended to all.

Love, Films And Rock N Roll (Book) - Swayam Ganguly

I have now finally finished it and it turns out to be one of those rare unputdownable (if that word exists) book that connected so well with me. It was tuff to put it down but I must tell you this that – it is indeed a fantastic read – totally hooking right from the very start and with the mere mention of Satyajit Ray (One of my favorite Directors / Writers) had got me glued to it. Oh my god! I had no idea what it was based on other than what the title suggested of course and as I have a habit of not reading reviews of books or movies especially the ones I plan to read or see respectively. But as the title suggests – if you’ve got anything to do with Music (As a hobby) especially Rock n Roll or with Movies – you are bound to love this one. Even the references and explanations are simply superb. I cannot claim that the writer is a friend but yes I can certainly brag that he is indeed a Facebook friend at least and I’d been fortunate to have couple of interactions with him on Facebook especially on our Bookaholics group. The way the characters talk, discuss and throw off the “Rock / Song Lines” from so many of my favorite rock stars is amazing – if you know what I mean? It’s totally out of this world experience and one more thing I should mention before I miss out – it became another of those rare books which didn’t send me fetching the dictionary as the author uses so many of those words we speak in our daily life – two of them deserve a special mention as I use them a million times a day – One is “Unfuckingbelievable” and second is “Kickass”. If you’ve read the book – I am sure it’s going to put a smile on your face and if you haven’t – time to pick up a copy and read it. Do not miss it at any cost. Highly recommended to Movie freak friends, especially the ones who love music too and have been in and out of love too at one point or another.

The Book: Story of three strangers Dipsy, Sunil and Sam who meet in a train journey to Kolkata and hit it off so well that they become friends for life. They all have their own separate stories to tell too and on top of that the set of friends that they have or family members itself makes up for quite an engrossing, hilarious, interesting, emotional, dramatic and thrilling ride too. Dipsy gets thrown out of IIT for possessing drugs which unfortunately doesn’t belong to him, inside he is a hardcore rockstar (Musician) who wants to make his own band and go national or may be international in due course of time – how his journey (And love story plus tragic family background) turns out is the rest of the story. Sunil is a FTII pass out who wants to make it big in meaningful cinema that too in Kolkata, how he goes through his topsy turvy ride makes up for another fantastic story (I totally loved this one as it had so many movie references from all over). Sam is an NRI working in the silicon valley in US of A – who comes to India as his family wants him to settle down (read get married), how his love marriage gets arranged is another fantastic story. There are so many superb characters in the story that I wish I could name them all here and even share what all they do but I guess that will be a little too much to disclose. It’s a commendable job by author to call it a first book – he has written it in such a wonderful way that the whole narrative was actually running like a superb visual on the back of my mind all the time. Especially that movie making part with Sunil at the helm of the things with a Superstar in lead and the way Dipsy’s band finally gets made and they start recording their songs etc – I could actually very easily visualize the whole thing as it was happening right in front of me.

The book also gives us quite an insight in the daily life of Kolkata – unfortunately I’ve never been there but wasn’t that tuff to imagine. I guess Swayam Ganguly (The Author) has fantastic knowledge of music as well as the way he has covered the whole “Baul Music” thing is totally commendable, I had no idea before I read his book about the same but now I know. I will call it a brave attempt to mention the famous casting couch of our film industry in his very first book and the references are solid – I wonder how they real people will react when they are told of this story. Although it’s a work of fiction but I am sure even the author won’t deny the people he has pointed out as its too obvious who he is talking about (but it does makes the story more interesting and keeps the reader smiling ear to ear). Also he is a big big Rock fan and so I am – almost all of the names and songs that he has mentioned in the books are a permanent part of my rock collection hence it made more sense to me, some of the lines that he has quoted – I literally sanged along aloud to which my wifey called me “crazy to have found a perfect book” with lyrics. I can go on and on and on about this one but will end it here with a note that you’ve got to read it big time. I am going to share it with couple of my friends who have those things in common with me and am sure that they are going to love it too – just the way I did. Also, I will look forward to his next whenever that may come out.

Brick Mansions (2014) - Action

First things first – yes it’s a remake of an outstanding action thriller almost a decade old and yes it is or isn’t half as good as the original for sure – but it still works big time for me as I am big big action movies fan and it qualifies as a high adrenaline action flick for sure. Two reasons – one the protagonist Leno (Outstanding David Belle) who is regarded as one of the 8 founders of Parkour – is totally out of this world guy and does the same sequences as he did in the original District 13 earlier and two – of course apna Paul Walker as super cop Damien – he is good but nothing great. I guess by the time he started doing good movies to come to lime light – unfortunately he was destined to leave us a little too soon. I can vouch his last three movies have seriously changed his fans opinion about his acting skills but as I said unfortunately this one is his last movie. Everything remains same – same writer / producer, even the protagonist too – the only change is – it all is happening in Detroit this time. One minor change is that Leno and his partner Damien are saving the district by defusing a bomb and saving Leno’s Ex Girl friend and not his sister like in the original. Rest all is almost identical (mind-blowing start) but somewhere around the half time – it loses steam and goes almost nowhere hence a big big let down. Action is superb, background score is equally good, camera work is excellent and cast – the less I say the better as they were both good in their respective roles still it didn’t have half the magic “District 13” had on me almost a decade back. I guess they should have bettered in this much of time but they screwed it somehow – still it does qualifies as a good one time watch action flick for sure, again as the fate had it – we almost saw the last day first show with only a dozen people in the auditorium including us three. I will give it a 2.5/5 (that’s when I get confused whether I liked it or not) but still will call it a good one time watch.

Train to Pakistan (Book) - Khushwant Singh

I had never read a book by Khushwant Singh before I decided to pick this one up as my next – only a couple of his short stories – I had read that too long back while in college. And let me tell you this in advance – right like the title suggests – it is one mind-blowing read. Although after close to 60+ years it is one of the most beaten to death subjects – so much have been written, made into movies, documentaries and stuff yet it was one of the most important (read horrible) part of history being made in our part of the world. Now after reading this one – I’ve got to ask some of my good friends who have read more of Khushwant Singh – about his best five works after this (Let me know your suggestions). I am more inclined to read some more of him now – as I totally loved his attention to detail and the way he takes his story forward – keeping the reader totally glued up to the very last page as if reading a perfect thriller. It is indeed tough to believe that it was written and published in the year 1956 – I am sure if you have read this – you will agree with me on that. Looking forward to some of his works big time now.

The Book: Is based on the life of villagers of Mano Majra at India Pakistan border on and after the partition of 1947. What they witness and how it all changes their life upside down is the story all about. The village has its own story going on too in the meantime as a local money lender gets murdered by a local gangster Juggut Singh who in place is in love with a muslim girl. Then we have another character as a corrupt magistrate who has his own ways of handling situations. It’s totally amazing and so damn true to see – once close friends (Sikhs and Muslims) become enemies in no time as the situation changes but its again heartening to see how it ends. How the villains become heroes and vice versa is so damn good. Another important line I would love to quote here which in reality sums up the whole situation as well as the story in the book is “Muslims said the Hindus had planned and started the killing. According to the Hindus, the Muslims were to blame. The fact is, both sides killed. Both shot and stabbed and speared and clubbed. Both tortured. Both raped”. Another important character in the book is of Iqbal (Mohammed or Singh) who is well education and but an atheist social worker, well travelled and from Britain who thinks politically. What they do in the end is what we readers expect from them is totally fundoo stuff – it was beyond my expectations and I am sure no one can guess its ending that easily.

The story raises so many questions and offers so much food for thought. I really wonder how the public would have reacted to this one then – got to find it somewhere as what exactly the critics wrote about this one. Khushwant Singh gives us a superb understanding of human actions and makes it pretty clear that everyone was responsible equally. And isn’t it amazing that even after almost 70 years the difference is still very much there and visible big time. It is indeed a must read for all – a different perspective altogether which does not talk of politics much but it’s after effects on the society. I will definitely give it a 5/5 for sure – if I have to rate this book.