technically me

The first time I saw ‘The Godfather‘, I had just finished reading the book; and was amazed at how beautifully the emotion, the ride that Mario Puzo had taken me on was captured. And at the end of it, I worshipped Marlon Brando. For probably the next 4 days, my parents must have got tired of my attempts at playing him.
But no-one can ever replicate that.

Since then, the Godfather has become a movie that I have watched endless times, each time finding something newer, and more fascinating in it. In my latest outing, the music remained in my head.
Nino Rota.

The music that he provided in ‘the Godfather’ underlined the sheer power of the movie.
As I sit now and listen to the main theme, the love song, the wedding march, Apollonia’s theme; the sheer emotional drive is amazing. All at once, you feel sad, you feel power, you remember the people you cannot live without..

Amazing.
When you listen to ‘Michaels Theme’ from ‘The Godfather Part II‘ on a cold wintry windy day, on a street that is busy; and yet you stand alone - you become him.
The Godfather.
“Never let anyone outside the family know what you’re thinking.”

S

On the way here, a thought about the crappy movie rating system that goes on in India occurred to me.
Weirdly enough, the censor board rates a movie in one of only 3 categories : U, U/A, or A.
Now, while I will not debate the suitability of some material for kiddy watching, or even the fact that in any small cinema hall, these ratings don’t mean a thing; the sheer stupidity of the system boggles the mind.
They watch. And rate the movie. And recommend cuts. Which have to be done before exhibition. And which will happen regardless of the rating given.

This means that even a movie rated ‘A’ for only adult viewing, has editing done to it. “Objectionable” scenes are removed, and then the movie is passed with an ‘A’ certificate.
Even with cuts, the movie is not suitable for kids !
They are actually deciding what anyone watches in India.

There was controversy over ‘Saving Private Ryan‘, when Spielberg made a ‘no cuts’ policy. Either the entire thing, or nothing.
They still wanted to cut some stuff.. but luckily he remained adamant. And so ‘Saving Private Ryan’ was broadcast in entirety.

The policy is still the same. The fun part is the many protests that are made, as well as public outcries, about “inappropriate” movies. Which have ‘A’ certification. And which people go to see by choice.

I don’t why I’m writing this. Does it make any bloody difference ?

S

Go watch Shwaas.

If nothing else to see how well a movie can be made.. and if you notice the small things : the grandfather forgetting the umbrella, the support taken of a pole, the typical babu-giri we see in India, the doctor who will get phone calls 24/7, and take them..

I can go on, but they’re the details that distinguish good from great.

And that’s all I have to say about it.

S

Yeah, found some interesting stills of a movie that I can’t wait for.
Oh wait, now that’s redundant. I will have to wait for it.
Now that is stupid, explaining a joke.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is one of the few books that I will call an epoch in writing.. especially if you read it with all your wits about you.

The audio series is even better. Need one say more ?
Except that this trailer is probably the best of the lot.

S