Clash of Kings - A Song of Ice and Fire (2)

I've been holding off reading this for quite some time. Further postponing was inevitable due to the start of the fourth season of HBO's Game of Thrones. Many spoilers are floating around and frankly thrown in my face by immature bigots. So might as well be caught up with the story through reading the books. No matter how awesomely the tv show is made, nothing can ever compare to reading the original source material. The problem is nobody has the time to go through the books. Some are tempted to just read the plot summary and know the story. Cannot emphasize more on how much they are missing. 

Some who read the Clash of Kings have stated that it was quite a drag. Have to agree with them. G.R.R Martin tends to get so descriptive about some of the most insignificant things sometimes. It is wonderful to dwell on each convoluted thought of the characters, if the time can permit that only. There is so much shit happening in Westeros, we can do without every dream the characters are having. They do give some perspective the TV show fails to give. However, is it necessary is the question. I had to skim through some long narrations, or lists descriptions about insignificant people. I mean, is it really necessary to name every person in a council or a battle. So much names its really hard to give a shit about everyone. Another thing is after you have watched the tv show, no matter how much u read the descriptions about appearances and attire, you will only imagine in your minds eyes and ears, what you have seen in the tv show. You will definitely read the dialogs in the voices of the actors who play those characters. So details as such, can be skimmed through.

If you thought that the tv show is brutal, the book is like hellish torture. Obviously the show has toned down the darkness drastically. That is one the most intriguing aspects for me when reading the books. G.R.R Martins imagination is twisted as fuck. As a huge Stephen King fan, that is an admirable quality as I see.

There were many parts or chapters I liked better in the book. One special chapter is Daenerys's journey through the undying halls. The visions she witnesses in the rooms is extravagant and revolting in some cases. This was not done right in the show. Some very important information for the future of the story is revealed here. Another awesome part is the battle of Blackwater bay. It was really well written and the minute details well written. The advance of Tyrion Lannister, births new found admiration for the imp and his courage. 

One thought that came to my mind is how feminists will hate this book. In Westeros, the place for women is very low indeed.  Rape and adultery is commonplace, women are rarely in "administrative positions". But that's the kind of fantasy world it is. It's just a part of how fucked up everything is. I guess no one is that absurd to hate the book for that reason only. Also, valar Morghulis, This will have severe ramifications as to the fate of Westeros will indeed lie on the hands of women. However, if you must, Let all men die, except Tyrion Lannister :). 

It was not that great a book. But the writing is especially fantastic. No one could write like G.R.R Martin, as far as I've seen. Because of that only, it is a recommended book. Moving on to Storm of Swords. Which I expect will be awesome with all the weddings and stuff...

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.