Monday, July 21, 2008

Of Bubble Wrap And Batman

What is it about bubble wrap that makes me love it so much? For starters, I love it that you don’t ever have to focus single-mindedly on bubble wrap to love it I mean, with other things you kind of have to. Like when I’m listening to some song, it has to be just that song that’s playing in my mind for me to really love it. Or when I’m playing FIFA or watching something on TV, there can’t be any music that’s playing because it’s sort of a distraction. It’s not that I can’t do both things simultaneously (I’m not that impaired), but for me to really like something, I have to concentrate on that.

But, with bubble wrap it’s completely different. I could be watching anything on TV, with bubble wrap in my hands. But my lips unknowingly break into a smile whenever I hear the familiar popping sound, signaling the death of an air bubble. Every single time. I mean, you could give me this humungous sheet of bubble wrap and I would still smile at every individual pop, all the while never taking my eyes or mind off the TV. I’m not too sure about its functional utility though. If I wrap myself in it and jump off a five-storey building, would I survive? (That is one of the unanswerable questions I want to find the answer to). But, I really don’t care. If I ever become a superhero, my costume would be made entirely of bubble wrap.

Speaking of superheroes, I watched ‘The Dark Knight’. It is unbelievable. Usually, when I’m describing something I’ve enjoyed, the adjective ‘unbelievable’ is the be-all and the end-all. But, here, it’s not enough. I mean, they could have ended the movie at intermission, and it would still have been the best movie ever. But I’m glad they didn’t. Because the second half proves what I had realized after watching ‘The Prestige’ – Christopher Nolan is a genius. How he wrote the story, I cannot fathom. How he dared to twist and distort the conventional superhero storyline is beyond me.I think I just said this, but I’ll say it again – this is like the best movie ever. Heath Ledger gives a performance to die for (pun completely unintended, I’m not that insensitive). But not just him, everyone is brilliant. Even Cillian Murphy in his five second cameo. And I love the way Nolan’s films have these subtle but completely unexpected twists at the end, instead of the usual big fight sequences. The burning cars and somersaulting 18-wheelers give you your share of adrenaline. But, they serve more like a build-up to the real show-stealers – the plot and the performances. This movie’s got everything. And as clichéd as that sounds, it’s true, at least this once. It’s got its fair share of wity one-liners; and then there are those lines that you’ll probably remember forever ( “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become a villain”). And above everything and everyone, its got Christopher Nolan. How many directors would end a superhero movie with the hero deciding to become a villain? And forget the kiss between the leading man and his love interest. Nolan kills his leading lady, but not before making her profess her love for the leading man’s romantic rival. I could go on and on with this. But I think I should stop. What the heck, for one last time…this IS the BEST MOVIE EVER!!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Thursday,8th May,00:05 a.m.

I hate it when people walking ahead of me on the road move along at a snail's pace. I have this habit of walking rally fast, which I guess stems from the fact I'm usually late for everything; which doesn't prove that I'm not punctual or anything; just that everything and everyone conspires against me getting to places on time.
Take today for example. I woke up at 6:30 which is unbelievable, something I haven't done for years maybe; not even during my ISC exams. I had to meet this friend of mine at Howrah at 8:30 and I thought - cool, I'm gonna be on time today. And after a quick victory dance, I started off with my usual morning routine. Everything was going fine until I made the mistake of switching on the TV while having my breakfast. Well, 'A Few Good Men' was coming on HBO. And seriously, you can't switch off the TV or for that matter, take your eyes off it when that movie's being shown right? Even with your breakfast lying neglected and cold on the table in front of you. It would be an insult to one of the best films ever (and to Demi Moore, who I was in love with until a few years back, until she married that dumb model who can't act but is as good looking as hell). Plus, the amazing courtroom scene at the end was going on. Jack Nicholson is some actor man! I saw another movie of his recently - The Bucket List- with Morgan Freeman. Another fantastic movie. And you just have to cry at the end, no matter how cold-hearted you are.

Monday, March 31, 2008

A Ballad For Ylajali

A million eyes stare down upon the city.
As night envelopes the tall starved squares,
They reveal their menacing white fangs.
And a forsaken witch cries out
For her bloodied lover.

But Ylajali sleeps soundly on her ivory bed.
Her glowing skin mocking the mighty moon.
Her chocolate hair held in place by a clasp.
Except for one insolent curl
Falling over her brow.

I remember the times we spent together.
The stories we told each other.
the songs we sang to one another.

I remember the nights I spent in your arms.
The warmth of your touch defying the icy wind.
The intoxication of your breath
Running riot in my brain.
The soft, sweet words that arose from your ruby lips.
Singing me to sleep - Ylajali's lullaby.

Oh Ylajali! I would be the candle
That lights the shadows on your face.
I would be the song that brings a smile to your lips.
I would be the magic lamp
that makes your wishes come true.
If I could, I would be the sun
That dries the tears from your eyes.

....................................................................

A ray of light appears from behind a cloud.
The sun awakens from its slumber.
The leaves end their wild, wayward dance.
The moon flees in holy dread.
The million eyes snap shut.
The birds chirp away in noiseless ecstasy.

But Ylajali does not stir from her bed.
She lies still....a bit too still.
Undisturbed by my savage cries.
My tears cannot awaken her.

I stand on the edge of a river.
And she on the other side.
But the water's too deep, too dark.
Too full of misery.

My dreams lie shattered on the earth before me.
I sit on the grass, moist with its tears.
The leaping red and gold flames giving me company.
A violin somewhere sheds notes of sorrow.
A thousand angels start dancing to its tune.
Heralding a new arrival at the gates of Heaven.

Goodbye my Ylajali, goodbye my lover.