The Matrix (1999)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Greatest Film Ending Series - 2001 : A Space Odyssey
This is a series of my favorite and to my opinion as a film enthuasiast,the greatest film ending scenes
I begin the series with my all-time number one film,2001 : A Space Odyssey (1969) by Stanley Kubrick.
I begin the series with my all-time number one film,2001 : A Space Odyssey (1969) by Stanley Kubrick.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Review : Avatar
Director : James Cameron
Writer : James Cameron
English
162 mins
The king of the world returns after 12 years to again dazzle us with his latest visual spectacle.He has obviously topped himself with this.James Cameron is a great example of aging with grace and wisdom.
This guy is known primarily for two things,all of his films has groundbreaking special effects and are mega-budgeted.With Avatar,he has for the record third time,claimed throne to helm the most expensive film ever made,he did it in 1992 with Terminator 2,again he broke his own record in 1997 with Titanic and now swallowing US$340 million in production costs,he claimed top spot again with Avatar.The best part is,the fella's films not only costs a fortune,it breeds fortune several times the amount he spent and all of his films are awesome eye-candy.
And folks,Avatar is the best eye-candy of a film i've ever watched.This is yet another landmark film in CGI effects and motion capture technology.This films employs the best in class visual effects done for the first time by both ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) and Weta Works,so dazzling its definitely gonna bag the effects Oscars - all three,Visual,Sound and Sound Editing.Now what really surprises me is the central spiritual theme of the film.Something has happened to Cameron over the past 12 years.Since he didn't make any film,he was reportedly spending his time doing deepsea explorations and filming underwater documentaries,probably he could've experienced an 'other-worldly' encounter ala 'The Abyss',which is also his film.And that experience has left him dumbfounded,awakening his consciousness leading him to embark on a spiritual calling,surrendering himself to Mother Nature,Eywa as she's called in this film,our Mata Gayatri,Shakti.
The spiritual connotations and overtone is universal and will be extremely relevant to those who can interpret it.This film works in various levels,it works as science-fiction film,an all-out action film,it delivers a strong message on the growing neglicence of corporate and individual on environmental awareness and the devastating effects as a results,most importantly,its a beautifully told love story between man and nature and how spiritually connected we really are with our environment.The great spiritual truth that the physical body is a just a vehicle,and the real 'driver' and 'co-driver' is the soul and mind respectively is brilliantly depicted with science & technology as a backdrop.I've had a remarkable experience watching this film.Visually breathtaking,i ' surrendered' myself to the entire 160 mins plus of the film.I believe such a planet like Pandora most certainly exists,not at a scientific measurable distance,but in higher spiritual realms,the Na'vi's are very united and connected among themselves.Why?Because they're one with nature,they live their lives along with nature,they never go against it.What a blissful existence !We need not to be like the Na'vi's,at least we can emulate their way of life when it comes to harmonising with nature,which would increase our 'shelf life' on Earth.This message in the film is the strongest and the most significant to me.Last but not least,MONEY!!!!!!!!!Truckloads !!Truckloads!!Make no mistake,Jim Cameron is not a charity filmaker.The figures are astounding,officially as i write this,it has grossed a jaw-dropping US$442 mil domestic(US not kampung) box-office and internationally US$ 1.38 BILLION,behind only,well,guess what?Titanic,which is our friend's film aso la,bugger Cameron is laughing all the way to the bank.To find out more,pls visit Box Office Mojo at my links.
Rating : 5 stars.
* Nominated for 4 Golden Globe Awards
Best Picture - Drama
Best Director - James Cameron
Best Original Score - James Horner
Best Original Song
Review by
Amreish Siman
Happy Ponggal !!
Dear people,
Today marks my debut into the world of blogging.For the longest time i've had this yearning to blog and i've chosen today because of its significance,Ponggal festival.The Ponggal festival is originally celebrated in TamilNadu,India by farmers as a thanksgiving celebration to Mother Earth and Lord Surya for blessing them with good harvests over the year.It marks the beginning of the auspicious month of Thai.The popular adage goes 'தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்(Thai piranthal vaali pirakkum)' means ' the birth of Thai will open paths to new opportunities in life '.Its a four day celebration beginning on the last day of the month of Marghali( Bhogi Pandigai ) until the third day of Thai ( Thai Ponggal,Maatu Ponggal and Kanni Ponggal )according to the Hindu calendar.
I'd like to share a piece of interesting info i've found on the Internet,its about the cultural significance and epic references of the Thai Ponggal festival ;-
The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the devata of Makara Rashi. These father & son do not ordinarily get along nicely, but in spite of any difference between each other Lord Sun makes it a point to meet each other on this day. Father in fact himself comes to his son’s house, for a month. Hence this day symbolized the importance of special relationship of father & son. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his father’s dream and the continuity of the family.
• It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terrorism of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.
• The great savior of his ancestors, Maharaj Bhagirath, did great Tapasya to bring Ganga (or Ganges) down on the earth for the redemption of 60,000 sons of Maharaj Sagar, who were burnt to ashes at the Kapil Muni Ashram, near the present day Ganga Sagar. It was on this day that Bhagirath finally did tarpan with the Ganges water for his unfortunate ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse. After visiting the Patala for the redemption of the curse of Bhagirath’s ancestors Ganga finally merged in the Sagar. Even today a very big Ganga Sagar Mela is organized every year on this day at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Lakhs take dip in the water and do tarpan for their ancestors.
• Another well-known reference of this day came when the great grandsire of Mahabharata fame, Bhishma, declared his intent to leave his mortal coil on this day. He had the boon of Ichha-Mrityu from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranthi day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration.
So this day was seen as a sureshot Good Luck day to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.
Thiruvalluvar Day {திருவள்ளுவர் தினம்}
Thiruvalluvar Day is celebrated on the day after Pongal pandigai. Great sage & poet Thiruvalluvar, believed to have born 30 (thirty) years before Jesus Christ. (Refer http://www.tn.gov.in/literature/thiruvalluvar/thiruvalluvar.htm) Government of Tamil Nadu has created a Tamil Calendar and it is dated from that period and referred to as “Thiruvalluvar Aandu” (Year). Thirukkural, written by poet Thiruvalluvar, is the masterpiece of Tamil literature with the highest and purest expressions of human thought. It is written in the form of couplets (two line poems) expounding various aspects of life. It contains 1330 couplets, divided into 133 chapters of 10 couplets each. Thirukkural's immortality and universality are unquestionable. Its ethics and values are applicable to all religions, countries and time. It has been translated in over 60 languages of the world. Government of Tamil Nadu and various organisation conducts programs on this Thiruvalluvar Day to honour the great sage and poet Thiruvalluvar.
Thus ladies and gentlemen is the reason why i've chosen today to launch my new avatar of 2010,BLOGGER.
A new leaf has turned,another feather to my cap has been added.A new path has been chartered,as the adage goes,'Thai piranthal vaali pirakkum'.
The path has now opened for me to catapult myself to greater heights in life.
Like the pouring milk from the pot,may your lives be enriched with pure love and compassion.
Health,wealth,prosperity,wisdom,happiness and joy will follow suit in abundance :)
May the blessings be !!
With love and passion,
Amreish Siman
Today marks my debut into the world of blogging.For the longest time i've had this yearning to blog and i've chosen today because of its significance,Ponggal festival.The Ponggal festival is originally celebrated in TamilNadu,India by farmers as a thanksgiving celebration to Mother Earth and Lord Surya for blessing them with good harvests over the year.It marks the beginning of the auspicious month of Thai.The popular adage goes 'தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்(Thai piranthal vaali pirakkum)' means ' the birth of Thai will open paths to new opportunities in life '.Its a four day celebration beginning on the last day of the month of Marghali( Bhogi Pandigai ) until the third day of Thai ( Thai Ponggal,Maatu Ponggal and Kanni Ponggal )according to the Hindu calendar.
I'd like to share a piece of interesting info i've found on the Internet,its about the cultural significance and epic references of the Thai Ponggal festival ;-
The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the devata of Makara Rashi. These father & son do not ordinarily get along nicely, but in spite of any difference between each other Lord Sun makes it a point to meet each other on this day. Father in fact himself comes to his son’s house, for a month. Hence this day symbolized the importance of special relationship of father & son. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his father’s dream and the continuity of the family.
• It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terrorism of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.
• The great savior of his ancestors, Maharaj Bhagirath, did great Tapasya to bring Ganga (or Ganges) down on the earth for the redemption of 60,000 sons of Maharaj Sagar, who were burnt to ashes at the Kapil Muni Ashram, near the present day Ganga Sagar. It was on this day that Bhagirath finally did tarpan with the Ganges water for his unfortunate ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse. After visiting the Patala for the redemption of the curse of Bhagirath’s ancestors Ganga finally merged in the Sagar. Even today a very big Ganga Sagar Mela is organized every year on this day at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Lakhs take dip in the water and do tarpan for their ancestors.
• Another well-known reference of this day came when the great grandsire of Mahabharata fame, Bhishma, declared his intent to leave his mortal coil on this day. He had the boon of Ichha-Mrityu from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranthi day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration.
So this day was seen as a sureshot Good Luck day to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.
Thiruvalluvar Day {திருவள்ளுவர் தினம்}
Thiruvalluvar Day is celebrated on the day after Pongal pandigai. Great sage & poet Thiruvalluvar, believed to have born 30 (thirty) years before Jesus Christ. (Refer http://www.tn.gov.in/literature/thiruvalluvar/thiruvalluvar.htm) Government of Tamil Nadu has created a Tamil Calendar and it is dated from that period and referred to as “Thiruvalluvar Aandu” (Year). Thirukkural, written by poet Thiruvalluvar, is the masterpiece of Tamil literature with the highest and purest expressions of human thought. It is written in the form of couplets (two line poems) expounding various aspects of life. It contains 1330 couplets, divided into 133 chapters of 10 couplets each. Thirukkural's immortality and universality are unquestionable. Its ethics and values are applicable to all religions, countries and time. It has been translated in over 60 languages of the world. Government of Tamil Nadu and various organisation conducts programs on this Thiruvalluvar Day to honour the great sage and poet Thiruvalluvar.
Thus ladies and gentlemen is the reason why i've chosen today to launch my new avatar of 2010,BLOGGER.
A new leaf has turned,another feather to my cap has been added.A new path has been chartered,as the adage goes,'Thai piranthal vaali pirakkum'.
The path has now opened for me to catapult myself to greater heights in life.
Like the pouring milk from the pot,may your lives be enriched with pure love and compassion.
Health,wealth,prosperity,wisdom,happiness and joy will follow suit in abundance :)
May the blessings be !!
With love and passion,
Amreish Siman
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