Out of Bounds (Fuori dalle corde)

OUT OF BOUNDS

Saturday afternoon, after quick shower and cutting through the afternoon traffic and city bustle, I managed to reach the screening a bit late...As usual, though I had tickets to the back row, setlled down towards the front (I hate when people talk during the movie or entertain their group with silly jokes and comments). I was slightly distracted by a young couple quite engrossed in each other so much so that the movie was the last thing they had on their minds.

Unlike the typical action packed thrillers, the movie had substance. It re-enforced the fact the the power of the mind is far supreme than physical stamina and power. If you can conquer the fear in your mind half the battle is already won.

The brother-sister relationship adds a subtle plot to the whole scheme. Falls in the same lines as Million Dollar Baby n The Wrestler...

The Bicycle Thief

The Bicycle Thief

I had heard and read umpteen times how the movie has been a turning point for so many when it came to cinema. I have been looking for this movie for a long time and not been able to get it or looked for it at the wrong places. Finally, during my visit to Delhi, I accidentally discovered it at my friend's place.

I feel quite ashamed to admit that I did not get the kick after watching the movie or seem to have missed the essence of it somewhere. I failed to realize why the movie was such a big turning point for many.

So I still feel, maybe when I re-visit the movie later, some other day, it will reaveal its true colors to me..

Visit to St. Stephen's College

Visit to St. Stephen's College

Course: B.Sc. Computer Science 1999-2002

I did not realize I studied so much during my stay in college as much I realized after stepping out of college. I may not be the person whom some of my professors or my batch mates would re-collect as the hallmark Stephanian ethos; however personally college left an indelible mark on my life and its ways.

Whenever, I happen to visit Delhi, I try to visit college and feel it once again.This time when I went to Delhi during April, the first thing I did after getting down from the auto ( who agreed to come to Delhi University after a lot of haggling and using choicest expletives to one and all on the street) was to get into a 'rick'. So very Delhi, to call a rick and go about to near by places. In spite of the heat and dust, the ricks are all over the place...There were days when even calling a rick was reserved for ‘rich days’; usually it was walk down to most places.

These pics below are from Rajpur Road to College and the campus. With Delhi Metro Rail Project being functional, the whole landscape looked a bit unfamiliar, but as soon as I got into the Delhi University Enclave, everything seemed to be as it was years ago.

I reached the Allnutt Gate, the security at the gate asked for an ID card. I removed my helmet and told him old student 2002 batch, he let us in. Andrew's Court, Main Corr, Library, Audi, Princi's office, Dean's office, LCR, the cafeteria... These spaces though so distant from where I reside now, did not seem strange to me.

I could sense signs of movement on the campus in spite of the heat. Examinations were on and I was expecting sparse population on the campus; however I spotted some people on the campus. The similarity between the faces then and now was big re-assurance that it has not been decades since I graduated out.I was quite disappointed to loose access to ladies residence which was earlier my block. To my utter shock there was a bright pink curtain on the window too!!!. My single room in Mukherjee East was now given out on a twin sharing basis; and the new occupants had put a 'Do not Disturb' placard neatly as their forefathers did.

The Chapel was serene and was inviting us for a sojourn; we stepped in and for a moment everything fell silent. I thanked the Lord for letting me into this institution which changed my life ever since.

I made quick entry to the cafeteria and thulped the all time favorite minced cutlets and nimbu paani...The arrangement of the cafeteria had been altered, not sure why...

The College Grounds were under renovation for the Commonwealth Games 2010; the science block had been slightly renovated and the Computer Science Department also looked to have been revamped.

While I was walking out of the college, I could not exactly say what I was thinking, but the one thing at the back of my mind was, when will I get to come back here again.

Elegy

When I saw Human Stain an year back, I found the movie very engrossing and later when I read the book by Philip Roth, I was convinced that Philip was indeed a genius. I found the construction of his sentences to be quite unusual and complicated. Every line required attention, and it was not a breeze through. It was like reading Shakespeare, you can't wait to find out what happens, but can't rush through the passages.

I found a quite a bit of similar traces in the works in 'Elegy' too. I have not yet read the book, but Philip Roth's style hovers over the plot. I feel its written all over the movie.

Like Vicky Chrisitina Barcelona, Elegy too is very sensually shot. The unassuming presence on the screen and well delivered dialogs are proof of the actors verstality and screenplay writers skill.

I found the movie to be well shot, good shots from NYC, nice contours, nice colours, nice costume and make up, and the sets of course were very welcoming.