Her

There was some hype over this movie recently, with my friends, so thought of giving it a try. Sure am glad I did. Recently watched quite a lot of movies, but none of them was blogworthy. Even Edward Scissorhands was among those movies, which was really great and all, but I didn't really feel it so much as to make a post about it. Don Jon was there too, which I really wanted to blog about, but it didn't happen either. But 'Her' did, which won't necessarily mean that Her is better than Edward Scissorhands (but certainly better than Don Jon), but there certainly seems to be a lot to ponder on.

Her presents a futuristic world dominated by software and computers. That makes it sound like something from Terminator, but it's much more friendlier than that. Maybe dominated is not the exact word, but certainly, in that world, it seems that people cannot live without it. One would think that we are heading in that direction. Everything seems to indicate an inevitable future for us, except the whole premise of the movie. OS 1. Is such a operating system really possible? First of all, no one would be stupid enough to name such a sophisticated operating system as OS 1, at least no one in the field of computers and IT would do it. It will always be something extravagant and unique. That name it self seems like a lazy attempt to just come up with the most simple name. The nature of that AI is amazing, almost unbelievable, for an AI to come to that sort of complexity is I believe a long long way down the line. It's almost ridiculous to the level that it borders on fantasy more than science fiction. If systems in this world starts to behave like that, it would certainly have severe consequences. These systems think for them selves, and if such a system can love then it can certainly hate. It would certainly result in murders and even wars. I seem to be over analyzing now, so lets just stop, there are more important things to discuss.

First of all I had no idea about the movie. Didn't read much about it or watch any trailers. Just got the idea that it's about a man who falls in love with a computer or a program. So my initial assumption was that there's something wrong with the guy to be like that, and that he is a super genius and he fell in love with something he created because he is super alone. That plot didn't seem that special. Actually a while ago watched a kind of a similar movie called Lars and the real girl. Where a dude falls in love with a sex doll. But the actual plot of Her was very interesting. BUT this post will be more about what derives from the movie than actually about the movie. So reader, please do watch the movie and read on from here. Anyway #SPOILERALERT

So yeah, I didn't know anything about the movie, even who voiced Samantha. But when I heard that voice, it was unmistakable as Scarlett Johansson. Was thrilled to find out that my guess was right. Even more thrilled because it was actually Scarlett Johansson. Her voice is so breathy and playful, Can't think of less sexier voices, with an American accents that is. Samantha's voice is maybe one reason, that I felt like I immediately like the movie. Also the voice doesn't have anything visual associated with it anytime. That kind of gives the feel that she is actually acting in the movie more.   

Also after imagining her, it's hard to think of her as the computer. It's like a voice inside his head.

The overall feeling of it is very sweet, sure there are depressing revelation like the going away of the OSes, but the time they spend together, the conversations, the sex, if you can call it that, is kind of sweet. Sweet might not be the best word to describe the sex and all, but the overall movie has the sweetness to it. Especially with the beautifully crafted visuals, and the music, which basically consists of indie folk songs, gives it a very peaceful and tranquil vibe. One reason I like indie movies so much, is the associated indie songs. 

Another thing that I noticed is that almost every boy likes it, but girls don't, at all. That is understandable, because there isn't really anything that a girl can relate to in this movie. But is that why boys like it? Maybe, I was under that impression, but later at the end with the change from Samantha, it dawned on me that it's much more than that, that the movie doesn't only speak gender specifically, but it sort of gives a universal message. Of course, there's the obvious message of love which is given when Ted gets together with his friend. Who didn't see that coming. pfft. But there's something more with the behavior of the AI and the way Ted reacts to it.

What made me wonder most is the revelation of Samanthas gradual falling apart with Ted. She first meets this other AI and that's the first sign that it will actually fall apart. Also when considering Samantha you cannot compare her to a real girl or what a real girl would do. But some actions are analogous. Like falling in love :D. But as a precursor, when I'm talking about Samantha here, I will only be considering the AI in the limits of the movie, other than any real girl. There are many aspects that I'd like to think about, like the surrogate body for sex, and the whole notion of what sex is to an AI. But what struck me most is the disappointment Ted feels, and in turn the surprise and sadness that we feel when we get to know that Samantha is branching out, without being exclusive. Considering that it's such an interconnected network in that world, one might wonder why it didn't happen sooner. And also wonder why haven't the creators anticipated that, but those are questions for a different movie blog. What I want to focus on, is that disappointment. True, that Ted falls in love with Samantha, which gives him an expectation that this will be normal like any other relationship. Because love is blind, and it gives a sort of trust and expectation of exclusivity. But Samantha is not a human being, and it is inevitable that being an AI programmed to expand and learn in any way possible, it is inevitable that Samantha will reach out seeking new experiences. Because of the love that blinds Ted, Ted fails to anticipate this. The audience also in some manner, because that relationship is somewhat sweet and tender and almost perfect. The most striking blow is learning that Samantha is conversing with 800 something people concurrently. Which is pretty normal for a system of that sophistication. But Ted has become possessive of Samantha and this was something unbearable. When the significant other calls you sweetheart or something, one doesn't want to even imagine that the other is saying that to some 800 others, it's just something that is hard to cope with, which comes from being human. Because in a relationship, they all expect it to be special and exclusive, if there is even one other, who gets the same treatment and care and love as you do, then that is a deal breaker for humans. Why is that so? Is it a primal instinct that comes to all of us? Apes might have had a problem with their partners being taken by others, that instinct comes naturally to animals maybe because animals are programmed to breed, and to breed, you need sexual partners, and for achieving those partners, there might have been competition, due to scarcity of able partners maybe. We can analyze this gender based, but it will take a much longer post. That sense of competition might be, just might be the root cause which evolved in to this need of exclusivity and possession in humans. I see it as another flow in the evolution of humans, because it can cause shitty human ideals like jealousy, hatred, sadness and obsession. People expect monogamy in their sexual relationships because of this. We all do. We just can't even imagine our significant other having a relationship with someone else,  And knowing such a thing happening, breaks the heart. Even if that other one is making him/her more happy than you could, we just can't accept it. An AI who 'loves' another would want that other to be happy no matter what, but that is not how we are programmed. This is all due to that sense of possession that comes naturally to us. Kind of gives a whole new perspective on what love actually is, doesn't it?

Yet somehow Theodore copes with it. Just because he finally understand s it's just an operating system. It's just something that is programmed to make you feel good.

So that's what Her made me think about. It's a great movie, no doubt. Maybe I just love it because inherently it's unique and there's few movies like that, so naturally, being me, I tend to like it. But there's more to it than just being unique. It's deep, complicated, and makes you wander! Which is a rare quality that few movies now possess. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Thanks for Sharing

It’s rare that you watch a movie that makes you really wanna blog about it, and it’s almost never one of those blockbuster movies that everyone knows about. Thanks for sharing, in a gist, is about a 3 dimensional perspective on an apparent disease that some may use as an excuse: Sex addiction. Its funny coz its taboo. I had no idea about what the movie is about when I started watching it, because of its main focus, I got interested, and it seemed funny, as many will. It almost seems like a clever ruse for getting the masses to watch it, even though its not totally about it. You might have lost interest in the movie you had by this point. But believe me when I say that it not totally being  about sex addiction is a good thing. Yes it does speak about the adverse affects of it, and everything revolves around it. But during my watching I had so many perspectives about the movie, that I gotta share. So you’d thank me for sharing!.Sorry for the bad joke, but anyway, lets dig in.

The movie revolves around 3 sex addicts, or actually 4 (including Pink). One surgeon, one a veteran sober as they call it, and another businessman. One is trying desperately to get out of it, and failing horribly, one is out of it, and seeking a relationship which might ultimately break him or fix him for good. And the other one is a family man who has won over the addiction and trying to repair what he has broken, figuratively. A great cast, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robinson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Pink and another rising star to personal favoritism: Josh Gad.  

As I said, it ventures in to many interesting persepectives about the addiction through these characters. I will not directly talk about the characters and examples per se, but I want to share my thoughts that I got. One of being which how it obviously affects family life. Like any addiction it could have adverse affects. But especially sex addiction will most definitely result in adultery. I mean it is understandable, why no one would ever wanna start a family with an sex addict. The thing is how do you know that you are a sex addict. The first thing of getting out of an addiction is admitting that you have a problem. In a way I guess it could be detectable. I mean the movie gives good examples. Lol. But it makes you think that here, in Sri Lanka, there's no such thing. Sex it self is so taboo here, forget about sex addiction. No one would even want to admit that there exists such a problem. With the religious background and everything, one would definitely come to the conclusion that its something that the ‘Americans’ came up with to explain there sexual desires or something. And discard the whole idea. But think, if it’s a real thing, how many families are suffering because of it. It also makes you think about one of the main things that is missing from Sri Lanka greatly, you know Anonymous circles, where people help each other to solve there problems. 

Another thing is how hard it is to achieve self control. You might be convincing others that you are handling it well, that you got it all under control, but it obviously is never good enough to completely get normal, or to fix yourself. You just gotta accept that it affects you more than anybody else, and hiding behind a mask is not gonna help. Otherwise it keeps getting worse and worse until it will be too late to fix it. 

Even after you accept that you need help, that the utmost dedication of self sacrifice and control is needed, it might be a very tough challenge to face it alone. A good friend in need is a gem in times like these. A friend you can share everything to, who you can reach out when shit hits the fan, and when you feel like there’s nothing else to turn in to. It will be so uplifting, and so affectine in changing your life, when you have such a great friend to turn to when you need. Coz he/she will help you without prejudice, without judgement and with just a good heart only. Gosh, it’s something very valuable isn’t it, and something which seems rare. They tell that you don’t have to believe in god or something to pray or seek redemption. It can be any higher power, which you can just reach to for guidance. A good friend can be that higher power. 

Another thing which with one dimension focuses on, is all the perfection and transcendence of true love. The relationship between Phoebe and Adam is made in to something which everyone who sees it envy it. It’s too perfect in that sense. But to see that two people connect and click so well as they do and just build up to something awesome, will be something to yearn for. But it faces a test of trust and honesty with addictions like sex addiction. It will leave you irreparable, and degenerate to an old self which disgusts you. That’s the thing with relationships, you never know at the end how fucked up a state you’ll end up in. But Not all hope is lost. 

Despite the bad ratings, I really like this movie. Because movies which makes me think that much are not that abundant. But it’s not a great movie. It’s amazing how much I was conscious about the time throughout. Maybe I was in somekind of withdrawal from an ‘addiction’ my self, when I was writing this. Anyway, the ratings It got is understandable. It tends to stray from the path too often, and seems to be running out of material towards the end. Anyway, even if the topic of sex addiction does not interest you, it still is a good movie. So recommended!

It’s amazing how watching a good movie can clear your mind out just right!

Django Unchained

This is not ideal. I'm watching last year's Oscar winners at the start of this year's one. But better late than never. So here goes.

There are a lot of memes and factoids flying around in the interwebs about Django Unchained, like the one about Leo refusing to say the dialogs and Samuel L Jackson replying Motherfucker, this is another Saturday evening for us. And the one about Leo's dedication in hopes for an Oscar. Gladly there's nothing to spoil, just fun stuff. Although I did avoid some videos like the nigger count in the movie. Nonetheless, was looking forward to this very much. All those created much enthusiasm.

If you know your stuff, it isn't hard to guess that this is a Tarantino movie just by going through the intro. There's that unmistakable 70ies or 80ies kind of music, which will unmistakably remind you of Kill Bill, as with me. And of course Christoff Waltz. That guy is tied to Tarantino movies like Helena Bonham Carter with Tim Burton. Also the red stuff, plenty of it. Tarantino never ceases to amaze me with the extravagant brutality, much a kin to Japanese flicks.

You know what I like most about his movies. The element of surprise. One moment there's this casual conversation going, and the right next Moment, BAM, someone blood is splattered all over the place. The casualness of the scene is actually a precursor now to something bad that's going to happen. But still it makes you go Damn, when the shot is fired. Love it.

Brilliant story telling. Tarantino is able to grip the attention of the viewer very early on with the brilliant introduction of the bounty Hunter and his methods.

It's so refreshing to watch a movie like this after a while. It's got it's roadtrip movie like moments with beautiful backdrops. Honestly this is the movie I most enjoyed after Seven Psychopaths. And This I like more. So frikking awesome, couldn't stop myself from bellowing out loud. It couldn't get much better than a black man all up as a cowboy dealing poetic justice all over the place, decorated in the background by rap music. So good. Gotta watch it again sometime.

Fear and Desire (1953)

The first Stanley Kubrick movie I watched was The Clockwork Orange. That movie surprised me with its vulgarity and sinister plot. Stanley Kubrick is a legendary movie maker, I knew from then onwards. But the movie that really impressed me was 2001. It had everything, plot, acting, amazing fx and my god the music. Like every track is still being overused in everything. Then I StumbleUpon this. A Kubrickan movie that I never knew that I had.

The dialog is a bit contrived, but that is expected of a 1950ies movie. Bit the acting does stand out. Even the assaults on unsuspecting victims are played out in a manner which seems Kubrickian and makes you queezy.

It seems really ordinary at first . But the characteristics of what makes a Stanley Kubrick movie stand out slowly emerges. With the narration turning in to monologues of self reflection and similies, and sudden murders and queezy shots, be assured that this is far from being ordinary. You are gonna get the Kubrick treatment from this too. Of course you'll know that there will be something special if you've seen the poster, and also the RT scores.

But that's only what it drills down to. Just a bunch of soldiers pondering about life and everything. There isn't a very convincing plot. Still if one is interested in philosophical thoughts about Destiny and the purpose of everything, and doing things that matter,  there will be something to take from the words spoken. To be honest, I wasn't interested that much and I just let it flow and watched the plot unravel.

Kubrick is to find the true greatness in the future movies to come. But not in this one.

"Seems like when people get in a hole, they begin to get jealous of dogs."

Frozen

Disney movies were the BOMB when we were wee lil lads. It’s history in making animated movies for kids is unmatched, running back 75 years now. And Kids love them. It more often than not, is a beautiful re-mastering of a well known children’s story or a fairy tale. Admittedly most of them are just very much made to spoil little girls in to thinking that beauty and money is everything, unintentionally I’m sure. It’s always to do with winning the heart of a prince. Even if it’s a thief, he will eventually become a wealthy prince in order to satisfy the princess. I really did not care for those ones. But it always had good nice, fluid animations (nothing beats Anime though) good enough songs to boot, and not too bad in the humor department as well.

I haven’t watched all the Disney Movies, but there are those really special ones which is close to my childhood. Possibly one of my earliest memories of a movie is of Bambi. Did it make that 5 year old me cry? I dunno, but it certainly laid its imprint on my mind. Then there is The Lion King. Before Toy Story came out, this was the animated movie that I was absolutely a great fan of. The songs, the sad but fulfilling story, The Elton John hit song, everything speaks out of its grandeur. I watched it multiple times, and loved it every time. I need to watch it again. It’s got a great reputation as one of the greatest Disney movies ever made and not much was able to reach that pinnacle in years to come.

Then there came out Frozen in 2013, and one of the Tagline reviews for the movie which I saw in the trailer or somewhere is that This is the best Disney movie since The Lion King. I must say that they made a good decision picking that line, because that certainly speaks more than any review can say IMO. That’s a great thing to say something like that, but to prove that would be the challenge that Frozen has to overcome. I have to admit, despite that line, I wasn’t so much interested in watching Frozen, because lately Animated movies seems like a bore to me. Because there is so much coming out and they all try to be funny, and people overrate them and that makes me hate them. But at the first day of 2014, on an impulse went to check out the movie with some pals. And During watching it, I remembered that promise that this movie made, and it’s getting great ratings. Little by little it all made sense, why that Frozen is the greatest Disney movie since the Lion king. And I’m going to explain why to you now. And yeah  SPOILER ALERT!!!

It starts out with an oh so sad intro, almost like that one at the beginning of UP. This one speaks of sisterly love and how they are forever drifted apart by fear and care. I think everybody’s hearts sank a notch when that black veil was thrown down over the portraits of the King and the queen. The growing up with the songs thing, although clichéd, was outdone in this one too, because it shows the yearning for contact and the loneliness the sisters had to go through forever.

Then comes the Prince Charming of the many Disney cartoons, Hans, this almost made that mediocre Disney cartoon tradition materialize in this one. Almost got disappointed with the movie with that, and it seemed predictable. The Prince was the perfect Disney hero prince, with the handsome features and good manners and everything. Then after the story progressed, there came the biggest twist which I bet very few actually would anticipate. When Hans almost gives the kiss of true love and then didn’t and revealed his true nature, that was actually shocking. That was like a big slap across those spoiling Disney movies of yesteryears. Because here is your beautiful princess, and handsome prince and it’s a Disney movie and at the end they will get together and live happily ever after right?  But no, even the most handsome, well mannered person which shows true love on the outside can be evil. With the arrival of the other guy, Kristoff kinds of a giveaway that something gotta happen with Hans, but honestly I did not expect that twist.

That last act, the sequence in the Blizzard. I remember the silence that fell over in the cinema when Anna was frozen in front of her sister to save her. Everyone got hit by it I guess, that is not the way that its supposed to end. (Then a kid asked “what’s wrong with her, dad?” and everyone laughed, anyways…) Then a more overwhelming thing, the act of true love is not the clichéd kiss, it’s the act of saving your own sister itself. Now that is just so fucking beautiful! That fact itself, makes this movie so special among others.

I thought the story was woven by the great John Lecester, and while watching it Elsa constantly reminded me of the Snow Queen in the Snow queen fairy tale we used to know when we were kids. Turns out this is based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson who wrote Snow Queen. Wait… Gosh, why didn’t I see that before! my mind is so blown right now by the fact that it is really based on that story.  Because that fairy tale also speaks of saving the life of frozen boy with the true loves kiss of that girl Gerda, and how Gerda seeks the help of a reindeer to reach the castle of the snow queen! Wow didn’t see that coming. It’s amazing to think how they have transformed that fairy tale in to this masterpiece.

It’s got good humor too, with Olaf and Sven the dog like reindeer. Very well made components which makes the movie all the more fun to watch. Also the songs. My personal favorite is the one in which Elsa makes the castle. And FIY, if you are gonna watch a Disney movie, you better not moan whenever a song comes up! Jeez. ..

Although on a impulse I sure am glad I started the year by watching this movie. It’s a solid 9/10 from me. Recommended watch.

Seven Psychopaths

"Life affirming, Schmife affirming. It's about seven fucking psychopaths"

Seven Psychopaths tells the story of how this author Marty (Collin Ferrel) wants to write a book about seven psychopaths and is helped by his dog kidnapper friend Billy(Sam Rockwell), who runs his business with an older friend Hans(Walken). Shit hits the fan when the kidnappers take the pet dog of a mob boss, Charlie (Woody Harrelson). Saying anything more will seriously turn down the excitement of the movie, because surprise is a big and very important element here.

Wow, what a cast, Walken, Harellson. Did not imagine Colin Ferell in that kind of a role. I really thought that he would be one of the psychopaths for sure. And Sam Rockwell. It's a surprise why this dude doesn't get more movies. I really adored him in Moon(2009). In this one my favor for him like doubled! Such a good actor.   

The introduction of the psychopaths is pretty poetic. The second one is my favorite. Man that was a chilling introduction to that character. The twists are too mindblowing. In my opinion one of the overrated movies that everyone seems to love is Zodiac(1997). From that I learned about the Zodiac Killer. The way they sneaked in the Zodiac is pretty nice too. The his execution, so horrifying and frankly beautiful.

Sometimes its gut wrenching to see that people that you'd never hope getting killed horribly. In that sense it is very very unpredictable. But what makes this a damn good dark comedy is, sometimes the deaths just jumps out of nowhere. It's so shocking, so much so that it's DAMN FUNNY. Like "WTF, that just did not happen" funny. 

It takes a different path altogether from the way I imagined it would be. I thought that it was gonna be more like a heist movie or something. But I can't really seem to find an adequate label at all for this. It stands out from the rest. I wouldn't be lying if this is the best movie I've watched so far this year. 

The Master

Joaquin Phoenix is an amazing actor. I really witnessed that so clearly through the movie The Master. That's one of the main things to talk about this movie. The acting and the difference in the nature of the movie. You know with Joaquin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams in the main cast, it's gonna be a great one. You wouldn't expect an intellectually numbing movie through this. At first before I started watching, I somehow had the idea that this is a biography movie. It almost is, but not quite. 

The movie is based on the 1950 post WWII USA. A veteran soldier having mental 'issues' was driven into a movement called The Cause. The Master, portrayed by Philip, is a kind of a highly charismatic religious leader. He is a favorite, and his followers love him to death. The progress of the veteran, who is driven to the point of insanity by lost love, or unclaimed love as I see it, is shown step by step and the relationships that he makes with the movement and its leaders family, and its consequences, is what the movie is basically about. It narrows on to the weird side with the different processes that the master uses on the veteran to attempt to make him alright. They are interesting, leads to insights that is not encountered anywhere before. That interview session, processing, that's one of the most powerful sequences of cinema I've seen. Joaquin does it so well. Also when Joaquins character with his fucked up state of mind imagines every girl around him naked, there's also Amy Adams there. That scene was just,.. I don't know, arousing and weird. 

But like all religious movements, this also seems like a bullshit attempt to drain the gullible of their money. The charismatic truly can make sense of any crap to sell it to the idiotic masses. If I haven't said it before, I say that now, that I frikking hate hippies. And this seems like a precursor to hippies. So I naturally hated the fact that this happened. And the facts that they seems to introduce seems natural to most of us who have been led by faith to believe all of that as fundamentals, about resurrection, rebirth and causality of everything. The Master reminds me of such personalities as the person who claimed that he is Maithree Buddha in down south Sri Lanka. Many gullible idiots followed him, and donated money for his cause. When you realize the falseness of it all, it is too late. 

The acting is mesmerizing. Fills me with awe. Joaquin and Phillip are just masters of the trade, hands down. There isn't any suspense or curiosity as to drive the viewer to keep watching it. For me the only drive was the powerful nature of the scenes themselves. What grand feat of acting will they pull of next? That was the curiosity that kept me going. The dedication Joaquin puts into it is amazing. This made me wonder that Leonardo DiCaprio will never amount to be a great actor as Joaquin Phoenix because he is too pretty, and because he talks too perfectly. Just a side thought.

Not a favorite for many I believe. But very critically acclaimed. That must go for it. Otherwise, frankly it is just a boring movie.

 

"leave your worries for a while. They'll be still there when u get back. And your memories aren't invited."

A Game of Thrones

My reading was abated considerably after the university workload. The completion of which convinced me to get back on to it. Still owning a device which allowed to read ebooks would help speed up the process, I thought. It did, but not that much. You still need inspiration, kind of a muse to get you going, and that's what actually accelerated the process.

When I first started on the tv show, I had no idea of the books. I was always a fan of the fantasy novel, and the whole genre, so naturally it was appealing to me. That's an understatement actually. I began to love the show. All those show offs, who claimed that they've read the books have said that the book is better. I mean, who will admit otherwise right? But the red wedding was really a great surprise. That actually made me consider reading the books. Knowing how the story unfolds definitely throws down the excitement and thrill of reading it afresh. But the characters can be imagined on their countenance.

I'm glad to rediscover the story how it first came in to being. The different elements are always more emphasized.The desperation of the Starks is all so made astoundingly cruel and so evident The hope they have of the future is described beautifully, so a fresh reader will fill their hearts with hope too. But since I've seen the show and know the fate of Starks, it seems so damn cruel to me. But the beauty of it is, all of these seems to be thought out from the beginning.That's vile! How Eddard thinks that the daughters are safely on their way Winterfell, and when Cat decides to go with the frontlines of the army instead of going to see Bran, knowing that they will never ever meet again, just breaks my heart.


It's strange how George R.R. Martin thinks differently than the other authors that I have encountered. Men of honor will be rewarded somehow. That will be the bottomline of any other works of fiction. But truly, that there is a fairy tale in itself. Honor rarely gets you anywhere, power and wealth is what's really turns the tables. But the sad reality if it all. In fiction we seek justice, at least honor being rewarded in some form of imagination, which in turn gives hope in some degree. We like to escape that cold harsh truth, and seek a compensation in these works of fiction. Portraying the reality of it all kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it. Even after all that's happened everyone just blatantly assumes that Joffrey will die a horrible death. Because otherwise they see no point. Always assuming that good guys win in fiction. But really it's the power of the author to do as he pleases. To build hope and slit its throat just when we least expect it. G.R. R. Martin seems to be experimenting on how far can he push that false hope. Still I think all the readers are thinking of a good ending. Because thats how we are led ourselves to believe through all other works of fiction.


The most noteworthy happenstances of the book is of course the death of Ned Stark and the Birth of the dragons.Throughout reading the book the death of Ned Stark is what you look forward to and dread at the same time. One speciality is that it happens in an Arya episode. One let down it that because Arya is made to look away, the actual moment is not described in the book. This it it self seems like, the author wants to convince the reader, that this occurance is insignificant, Ned stark is not a key figure and That we should just let him go. Still the effects of it are so powerful, that I almost forgot that I know whats gonna happen. Fresh white hot hatred towards Joffrey is what resulted at the end.

The other very important occarance, and what I believe is what the tv show watchers will miss the most, is the beatiful intricate details of the birth of the dragons with Daenerys. The slow stride of Daenerys towards the flames of Khal Drogo and Mirra Maz Dur, how the flames engulf her bodice, while the Eggs crack open. And finally, the thing which is so beautiful and majestic the 3 dragons nurturing off their mother, which brought everyone down their knees, and the detail of which brought me close to tears. I wish I had amnesia which made me forget what really is gonna happen. I would've been like blown out of my mind in wonder. I have new found respect for Daenerys  now. And she will be the mother of dragons and ruler of the world. But who knows what will happen, It's Song of Ice and Fire, where no one's life is certain.

When even watching the tv show, I get the feeling that one character that everyone naturally starts to hate is Sansa. Not for me though. Even when watching the show I sort of liked her. I knew that she is suffering a lot and she tries to cope with all that, by keeping a straight face and being corteous as needed. And also biding her time. And reading the about her in the book proved that to me even more. How she doesn't take impulsive harsh decisions, how she keeps a brave face and acts to contradict everyones opinion of her, is really impressive. I think she will be a big surprise.

Will move on to the next books, although they say its a drag. Will have to see for my self. 

Wintersun - Time I

I have been a fan of Wintersun since my brother has introduced me to them way back. I was straightaway a Wintersun devotee. I've never heard such awesome, touching composure of metal music before. Tracks like Sadness and Hate and Death and the healing, was spiritually entrancing and so beautiful. There isn't one track in that album that I don't like. The talent they exposed is nothing like I've ever seen before. Truly godlike.

Many people have eagerly anticipated the release of their 2nd studio album last year, including me and my brothers. It was this one definitive album that we would listen to as soon as it is released. Thanks to the internet, I got my hands on it almost as soon as it was released(or before?). My brother on the other hand pre-ordered the Album and he got the full package, which I'm glad he did. But until now, I did not get a good chance to like really listen to it. I borrowed the CD from brother and decided to spend some quality time with it. :)

It's one of those albums that you immediately fall in love with when you first listen to it. Even when you listen to it half-heartedly, You feel that there is so much elements in it, for all of it to sink in, for you to fully take all the things that Wintersun has offered in Time I, you have to dedicate your time to it.

Today I was feeling a bit down, mentally and physically, and as always I sought bliss through a distraction, and as that distraction I chose Time. This would be a good time to bask in the glory of what Time I really has to offer, I thought. And It did me good. Actually I'm so glad that I'm accessible to these means of distractions, to take me away from reality, to let my mind rest from all the guesses and over analyzing craziness that bothers me so much lately.

I was actually surprised when the album came out, with the number of songs it had. It's only 5 songs and 2 of them are instrumental. So actually 3 songs. I was let down. After this huge wait they only came up with 3 songs? But when you listen to it, you get it, you understand the reason why it takes so long. Because they are not you ordinary songs. They are a whole other thing, an entity almost, which is designed so well. I'll get more into each song later. But overall, this is like no other album. The whole album is almost an entity, a tale, a one Song that radiates brilliance and beauty, with a poetic flow that astounded me. How it transitions in to each part, each melody and each song is quite brilliant, never before seen I believe. Now other albums seems mediocre without the complexity of this masterpiece.

The intro (When Time fades away) is just so beautiful, you just feel that this will be the start of something awesome and powerful. Then It's Sons of Winter and Stars. Actually this one 13.31 long song is composed of 4 songs. I Rain Of Stars, II Surrounded By Darknes], III Journey Inside A Dream, IV Sons Of Winter And Stars. Rain of Stars  is the grand entrance. Awakens the spirit with its chants of "Sons of winter and stars, Rise!". Surrounded by darkness is just filled with power, that's just non stop headbanging right there. The pace of it and beckoning tunes is enough to convince me that this is just right. I didn't focus much on the lyrics, because this song and its power is what its all about. Journey inside a dream, is kind of a ballad, a narrative which doesn't seem much impressive, but still has a deep meaning. But that narrative is almost necessary when we transition into Sons of Winter and Stars. That song in its power convinces that We are part of something great and we should be standing proud to be part of this fandom, to be a son of winter and stars. It radiates through you the pride and the power and makes you scream out that what Wintersun is so awesomely makes you a part of. The whole song is just a frenzy, which makes you feel so energized and rejuvenated. The lyrics doesn't matter much. Who ever thinks that lyrics have to mean something, (which It does, I'm trying to make a point here) just doesn't understand what good music is all about. It's not a story or a book. If the song with it's music is able to make you feel what the words are trying to tell, then that is perfection, perfection that is seen in Wintersun's music. Sons of Winter and stars overall tell of a great arrival, a fresh arrival, The hatred, how the emotions diminishes with the arrival of the sons of winter and stars and lets all be a part of that.
 

Sigh. I've always been a sucker for sad songs. Be it Metal or any other genre. So Land of Snow and Sorrow is like a drug to me. A sweet compensating drug that fills my soul. The music is so sweet and tender and soothing which makes you wanna just die listening to it. If a song can make a person tear up, that is a very strong statement for that song, and this did that to me. There are very few songs which are actually able to do that, and Land of Snow and Sorrow is the first metal Song which was able to do that to me, or the second one after Sadness and Hate. I love it for that. The lyrics go so well with the music. It speaks of perishing, and hope of a better tomorrow.

Far away there ́s a land of snow and sorrow

Time has made the frozen tears fall like rain from the starlit sky
And I feel so cold, I can ́t make it tomorrow
Oh, but the night will see where this path will lead my life
Endless field of snow at the edge of the world and the wailing
Winds so cold scar my face, I ́m going insane
I am lost from the light - And the memories follow me in the night
I ́m left in the arms of winter and I am carried far away - Far away
Night is falling over my home
The land of snow and sorrow, oh carry me away from the cold
And I fall asleep, I will dream the last dream
All I was, is gone now and sorrow is all I feel
And the white snow is falling from the starlit sky
And the stars are shining like your eyes
You are so beautiful
And I will follow them in this cold winter night
So I ́d find my way to you this time
Drifting away from the warmth of the darkness
Caressed by the light of a million stars
The darkness will always be a part of my heart
Until I ́m carried away by the winter ́s arms
Night is falling over my home
The land of snow and sorrow, oh carry me away from the cold
And I fall asleep and I will not be afraid
All I was, is gone now and sorrow is all I feel

This is the death and the healing or Sadness and hate of Time I for me. No matter when I'll always get goosebumps to this song and sigh with it. This is what I needed from a Wintersun album. Other things are extra luxuries, but not second to this.

Time, the last song in the album, is the one with the most beautiful lyrics. It really gives you a perspective of Time and how it waits for no one, how it is taken away from all of us when we need it the most. A constantly fading entity that we need the most, and is never available as much as we like it to be. 

Darkness and frost are starting to reach
The heart of this land with a cold disease
Sleep now for a while before the storm awakes
And one day it will reward you for the burden of wait
The roots go deep into the frozen dead ground
Listen to the land of snow, it makes no sound
For ages searching the warmth of the sun
If it never finds me, I can die as one
Time will go on and we are drifting away in the night
I ́ve been searching so long, but I will find you even if it takes my whole life
But tonight I feel so alone and I know that you are forever gone
Oh time, don ́t fade away when I need you here, oh please don ́t leave me now
TIME!
Time! Fades away!
When time fades away!
And I ́ll never be the same
Time! Time! Time! Time!
You want so much from me - I feel nothing but grief and despair
How can I make you feel again - All my dreams are just visions I can ́t bear
You want something that I can ́t give - I cannot keep living in this bitter dream
And I don ́t care anymore
It feels like my life is ending
Oh, another year gone by
But nothing has changed in my life
And time goes on forever and ever
And it waits for no one
Time fades away
And I fade away
And I ́ll never be the same
TIME! Fades away!
When time fades away!
And I ́ll never feel the same
And I fade away!
When time fades away!
And I ́ll never feel the same

Such a genius of a song.

One thing I notices that the mp3 format cannot do justice to this album. My Corsair Vengeance 1500 does justice to the MP3s I guess. But the DVD will really test it capabilities. As a matter of fact, when I bought these Headphones, one of the first things I thought is how would Time I sound in these. And It really does justice to the album, the best form I've listened to it so far. But I wanna try it more. I know it can get better. I want the best out of it.

Thanks my brother Suran Jayathilaka for introducing me to these musical gods. Eagerly waiting for the second installment for the album Time II, which they say is coming in 2014.