Despicable Me 3 - An Ok-Ok Bro-Bro Reunion!

What do you do when you run out of ideas to prolong an immensely profitable and lovable franchise? Ofcourse. Give a backdrop to the family of the protagonist, if it hadn't been shown earlier!,  and extend the storyline or introduce a new character or do both. That's what has happened in Despicable Me (DM) 3. From a famed to high-tech super villain to a doting dad, Gru had undergone a behemoth transformation in the previous 2 encounters.

In DM 3, Gru bonds with his never-seen-heard brother in his entire life until the moment Dru's butler chooses to present himself before Gru amidst the Minions' mutiny and Gru's incompetency to stop a evil green robot loving, guitar playing and dance fighting Bratt. That was a good touch of a name. Bratt. He could disguise himself like how Tom Cruise does it in the MI series and if you hear carefully, MI theme music was also fused and used in the background. He steals a diamond and wants to take revenge on Hollywood for not airing his favorite show. The level of unreasonableness and madness that people go and undergo if they don't get what they want - Desire. The plot points are still amusingly silly yet the script writers wanted to seamlessly stitch together everything by also close-knitting the association and attachment between Gru's wife and his adopted children.  

There were indeed some wow moments like the amphibian car that could travel on road and water through the busy streets of Dru's island. Or did it also fly? I don't remember now. And I really don't want to watch the film one more time to know as it is definitely not worth your time and energy even for the adorbs Minions' who really saved the day for Gru & Co.

It was extremely kickass to see them beating the living daylights out of the convicts in the prison where they were incarcerated for entering the studios without permission. Likewise, it was a darn hoot of a scene when they were singing the song of the century in an American Idol kind-of show. Besides that, the 'Prison Break' akin breakout was completely risible devoid of any logic. But, hey! They are Minions. Just laugh, forget and again watch them do their farcical gesture and gobbledygook in the next installment as well.

You could also see sparkles of genius like the symbolic representation of Yin-Yan through the white and black costumes of Dru & Gru when they plan the heist of the diamond from Bratt. It was intellectually stimulating as Dru desires to be a great villain like their dad & Gru, hence he is pure until the crime is actually committed and thus represented with white. Whereas Gru who has left behind the ways of his past life in the past by turning a new leaf, he tremendously struggles and is torn between to be good or bad when an enticing opportunity is given to him on a platter, thus showing him in black. Really appreciated the thought processes of the writers and VFX team that went behind the scenes to create such a dense and complex thinking yet presenting it to be as simple as brushing your teeth!

To sum it up, DM 3 is a sure-fire one time watch if not in theatres then at least in a HD print! The only problem is the botched up screenplay that could have been significantly better with 2 brothers who love to be the villains. But, Gru's daughters should also be taken into consideration into the script as Gru wouldn't do anything that would  upset them especially the cutey-eyed and lively Agnes. Still the balance could have been possible like the Yin-Yan!

Sincerely hope Despicable Me 4 does not become Desperate Me 4!! 

  

Wonder Woman - A Film to Wonder and Ponder for DC!

Until Diana surfaced as Wonder Woman (WW) in the disastrous Batman Vs Superman, I can say it with full confidence that not many would have known about her other than the hard-lined comic book lovers. After a quick background check on her through an anim movie, WW was a strong female character in the DC's arsenal unlike Marvel which do not boast of a lead woman role. Some might say Black Widow as a potential competitor to Gal Gadot. Unless and until, Scarlett Johansson gets a movie for herself, it's like comparing chalk and cheese and giving the verdict that cheese is better as it can be used in a tasty Pizza!

Gal Gadot was simply gorgeous - be in it her killer looks, ravishing smiles, charming naivety or sophisticated urban dresses - The scene where she was forced to have a change in attire so as to mingle with the crowd was brilliant especially when she gets that "perfect" dress. Smokin hot! A worthy mention is her flowing flowing hair as well. It's not just about her beauty but her talents as well that lit up the screens big time like the climax! Be it her growing up in the island as an idealistic learner or in the real-world where she becomes her own master of fighter in the ugly world, Gal Gadot was exceptional particularly where she takes on the soldiers by breaking down the barriers and running at full throttle towards them. It was a deeply inspiring and encouraging sight for all those around her to pluck up their courage and charge at their enemies who were holding them up for many days.

Also, the theme for her was like a wailing banshee at the top of her voice! It was electrifying and you could feel a surge of energy bursting throughout your body whenever it was played in the background. The only area where she could improve in her acting is when Gal had to emote for her dying teacher. You don't actually feel the loving bond between them despite being shown how close they were. Her Truth Lasso, Indestructible bracelets and her fierce fighting abilities were put to good effect using excellent special effects though the climax with Ares could have been 20 minutes trimmer. 

This seems to be a recurring problem. Even GotG 2 had the same glitch. For wanting to finish off on an outstanding note, the production houses seem to pour in millions of dollars into the final CGIs without understanding that the VFX should add value to the scenes and not be a visual cacophony which stretches on forever like an unsnappable rubber band. Sadly, WW also suffers from the similar fate as you either keep on checking out your watch or yawn or do your hand stretches when it is a foregone conclusion that Ares will be routed and WW will come out on top in the concluding battle between them.

Pine as Trevor did justice to his role which enables Gal to summon up her powers against her apparently invincible foe. Likewise, the humor element was like a water in a scorching hot desert! Unlike their Marvel counterparts who emphasize more on rib-tickling humor courtesy Stark's sarky comments or Dead Pool's crude and foul laughable antics, DC has never shown the lighter side of their superheroes ever since the revamped journey began even when Chris Nolan helmed the Batman Series. It was too serious, dark, sombre, gloomy and stoical. However, WW was refreshing to see that the script writers and director had put in their efforts to ensure that the completed product has undertones of lighter moments and overtones of high action throughout the movie.

WW should serve as a serious introspection to the DC universe so as to give a tough fight to their enemy - Marvel - in the real world. In my humble opinion, this movie was heads and shoulders above the Superman and Batman Vs Superman movies as these films had the mighty, pun intended, colossal twin brands as their leads but let down by terrible screenplay. WW may not be in the same league as SM and BM as far as the revenues were concerned, but the content and narration was way better than these iconic superheroes earlier flicks.

PS:

I am neither a DC nor Marvel hard-core individual. Simply a good fan of good super hero movies.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men tell No Tales: Aye Aye Captain!

"This is the day you will always remember that you almost (strong emphasis!) caught Captain Jack Sparrow". Whenever Johnny Depp uttered this immortal lines, it gave you a positive shiver of the larger-than-life, cunning, shrewd, calculative, ruthless, brave, funny and humorous sea plunderer who makes his plans on-the-go with his astute discernment of the situation around him to his own effect by always giving a sense of suspense and doubt whether Captain Jack Sparrow is a good or bad person. It doesn't matter to anyone at all his antics ultimately ends up in saving the day - intended or unintended - only the scriptwriters know about it. Nevertheless, Captain Jack Sparrow (CJS) was the true treasure in the entire Pirates original trilogy with his tickle-me-funny dialogue deliveries, amazing expressions and gestures. 

Taking a pole vault to 2017 from 2011, yeah! that's when the disastrous On Stranger Tides was released!, POTC 5 had really taken a long time to set sail from its shores. Was it necessary? Seemed so to the production houses who wanted to strike when the iron was hot only in this case the iron had already been rusted and was badly in need of a rust-proof agent! The movie had its own share of fantastic moments like the bank robbery scene and the young CJS who outwits Salazar. Unfortunately, other than that, POTC scuttles down to the bottom of the ocean. It was not that the film was horrible like its predecessor. It's just that instead of adding value to the general audience and fans, the franchise's main intention seems to be milking the cow. Entertainment or no entertainment - at the end of the day, it's business where the investors would love to see substantial colorful flowers for their risk-taking appetite. 

Sadly, the tenets of Marketing doesn't work that way. When you give a relatively substandard product after you have offered awesome ones earlier, people will think twice to buy from you in the future. One might rake in the extra dollars and keep them afloat, pun intended, by selling the substandard, irrelevant, unnecessary and lost-its-appeal product by accounts of their credibility and reputation that they built and sustained earlier. But, when people deem something worthless, your brand image takes a hit and it will be extremely difficult to sell another, even if it's superior, product to anyone. It's basically like selling the 1960-1970s room-sized computer being forcibly pushed and sold by Apple or Microsoft or Dell today by leveraging the power of their brand and saying "Bigger is Better" falsely thinking that as they have a strong connection with the people and huge fan base so the customers would buy these monster and outdated computers when no one in their right mind would even think to look at them. I sincerely hope POTC 6 doesn't push us into the deep waters without a life jacket! A humble request to not only POTC makers but also to others as well. Please do not make a sequel or prequel for the sake of making it just because you have the Kola peninsula-deep pockets and big star power in your kitty. When the people en masse decide to turn their backs at the franchise, you simply cannot produce another film to extend its longevity if the film doesn't add any value to the hard-earned money and time that we spend with the hope that we would be entertained as before.  

When Barbossa dies while saving his daughter in the climax, she was more like "Yeah..Dad died" instead of capturing the full essence of the shock, surprise, and sadness when she discovered that he was her father as he falls into the swirling waters below. That said, the VFX is gorgeous though Salazar's fire-y team might remind you of Barbossa's skeleton crew in the first movie.There were liberal doses of humor sprinkled here and there like how the chef garnishes his special using coriander leaves. Despite the handful of positives, the screenplay could have been made better as every person had their own personal motives to get hold of the Trident.     

Even Johnny Depp was reduced to more like the treasure chest carried away by anyone and everyone instead of being the actual treasure it holds. The glimpses of CJS's brazenness was only seen during his younger version taking against Salazar's army. That was what the POTC's lovers had come to ride in the loot when the flick was released even after a wide chasm of 6 years. Not the Johnny Depp who was more like a sidekick to a sidekick!

In fact, there was one scene where an up-down guillotine tries to behead JD. I am not sure whether it's a figurative way to tell JD that his time is up as being the captain of the crew! Just like how no one can reprise Hugh Jackman's phenom performance as The Wolverine, it's difficult to fill up the pirate boots of CJS. Instead of being unceremoniously kicked out from the franchise, JD can save the disgrace and embarrassment by sidelining himself as a solid professional unless he gets a freaking superscript to don the role again. We will always love you Captain Jack. You have given us scintillating fun through your sparkling wit and the trademark actions that can be eclipsed by you alone no matter what.

The post-credit scene is like raising the anchor for the ship to sail again. But, will it?  

Vipassana & HR? No way. But, Yes - Part 3

There are no mantras or visualizations or chants during the Vipassana course. From early morning till 8pm in the night, you have to focus on your breathing. For the initial three days, it's like your body is being beaten savagely with hard clubs and sharp needles. Thighs ache. Back pains. Head yells. Basically, your entire body screams in agony. You have nothing but to concentrate on the breath and your mind runs wild like a rampaging elephant on the streets. No stopping the mental madness until you hear a dull and loud clap of the bell to signal either a 5 minute break or recess for lunch. 

You have no contact with the outside world in any manner as the first rule is to neatly fold your mobiles, books and wallets in a plastic cover and deposit them at the reception for the complete duration of 10 day programme. Yep. You read it right. NO MOBILES FOR 10 DAYS! IN THIS AGE! I will not decorate or sugarcoat the truth by saying it was easy for me to live without my Moto smartphone. It was extremely difficult but it was then I realized how much we have subconsciously and unconsciously got ourselves insanely addicted to our communication devices to such a degree that cell phones have become inseparable in our lives like Pizza and cheese. 

Vipassana was indeed a wake up call to me to slowly detach away myself to the excess usage and addiction as I was under its control than otherwise. It was then I was able to imagined the mentalities of chain smokers and alcohol addicts when they are undergoing rehab sessions. To make the necessary adjustments so quickly was painful but there is no fruit without growth! - be it above or below the ground.

Vipassana is science as you don't have any distraction or artificial concentration points or images to become aware of not just yourself but also your surroundings as well. Much like an unbiased scientist, you are just a neutral observer fully mindful of the turbulent thoughts that comes and goes violently like the crashing of the waves against the precipitous cliffs. Unless you have a relatively strong  mind, you are in for a serious mental breakdown as it happened to some which made them to leave the course in between. Vipassana is an exceptionally tough test not only for physical endurance but also for psychological stamina.

Observing all such activities, it was during one such session that I had a sensational brainwave as to why not use Vipassana as a bargaining chip to those who demand outrageous salaries during the interviews as well as have it as one of the rounds in HR to appraise how committed an individual is to the organization. Oh Yes! Not everyone can survive this ordeal. Vipassana is taxing. Demanding. Gruelling. Back-breaking. It is a psychological incisive surgery performed by ourselves on ourselves showing us the worst nightmares in broad daylight if you exactly do as what is told by the teacher. 

The interviewer can very well ask the candidates to successfully undergo a 10 day Vipassana course to determine their dedication and their ability to cope up with enormous pressure in extreme conditions or situations that is usually or unusually present in a biz-environment.

After Day 5, the schedule becomes routine but the difficulty level raises which results in an increased and sustained pressure to be just a neutral observer when you experience a wide range and swell of emotions within when you start accessing the suppressed bad memories from unfair treatment of your friends, relatives etc. and its resultant oppressed feelings. By the time, you could fully transform into a free-flowing being, the course was up but not without Vipassana having a lasting impact that it could be done wherever you are and whatever you are doing as along as you are consciously aware of your breath.

The rewards of Vipassana is potent and immediately seen which is also translated into rich long-run benefits of being happy and living a healthy life. That's what everyone DESIRES, right? ;) :P 

                                             

                                                                 X---Concluded---X

PS:

The connection between Vipassana and Desires is that by specifically focussing on our breathing, we are able to internally see the several sensations that arises like the sun rising on the east! By having the understanding through this fructiferous yet arduous experience, you can crystal-clearly articulate your good and bad feelings and emotions so that you are relieved by the stress and tension that emotions have an effect on our bodies.

Thank you Buddha for leaving us with such a terrific and profound yet highly simple technique for us to lead a normal and happy life.

Vipassana & HR? No way. But, Yes - Part 2

HR is one of the essentials to run a business as the employees are not only valuable assets to an organization but also form the backbone of profits either in the short-run or long-term. It's like you have a difficult proposition to choose between two tines in a roads and the wrong choice might lead to an unintended and undesirable consequences. So, culling out the not-so-fit candidates as per the company's culture and their future orientation becomes of utmost importance like a parachute for a sky diver. You have many rounds and interviews to test the candidature for that elusive perfect key to the lock that will solve the business problems with minimum fuss, shortest time and maximum effectiveness. How does Vipassana can be a solution for the HR head aches? The art of patience is at the heart of the earth to make any doable impossible to be possible.   

Day 1 was about being inculcated into the stream where you are given the do's and dont's that must be strictly adhered to at all times till we successfully completed the course with flying red, green, blue, black etc. - basically with flying colors! The major rules were:

a) Silence should be followed with absolutely no conversation whatsoever with anyone ,except the teacher, by verbal, eye-contacts, written, mobile, tablets, gestures  or in any other form - even reading books was banned!

b) No alcohol, non-veg or any impure thoughts that might give you a wet dream!

c) Wake up @ 4am and follow the prescribed schedule for the day that goes upto 9pm in the night.

d) Rigidly ensure by partaking in what is given to you during the breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. Snack and dinner was one and the same and taken before 6pm.

Cutting to the chase, you have to lead a monk's life - by pure thinking, discipline, breathing, eating, sleeping and living - with the bare necessities that would sharply make sure that you are not only in tune with yourself but with the external world as well. 

The stringent and inviolable laws of Dhamma Arunachala commenced from Day 2 @ exactly 4 am when one of the caretakers sounded a loud ringing bell to signal that it was time to get into business of making gains not only for ourselves but also to the world as a whole. The technique is extremely simple yet tremendously effective. All you have to do is naturally quieten our chaotic circus minds by focussing only on our breaths by sitting in any comfortable position as we please by removing the desire part from the equation. Sounds complicated huh? No, it's not.

The moment we say "I want XYZ" , there is an element of heavy desire attached to the object loaded with intense emotions based on the desirability quotient of the XYZ and the situation of acquirance. So, it leads to 2 possible scenarios - when we get what we want, then we are happy and jubilant. When we don't get what we want, it makes us sad and dejected. As simple as that. This further leads to 2 more scenarios - to want to have more of the same XYZ or different XYZ as it had made us feel artificially happy or it makes us go into a blind rage filled with anger as we did not get what we desired. Both are equally dangerous and soul-destroying as we get caught and trapped into this vicious cycle like a person being sucked by a whirpool. It's more like our happiness is depended only upon the sole possession of the object thus letting it to control our smile and laughter. So much for being called or announcing ourselves to be self-proclaimed free beings! when our own actual happiness isn't under our influence and power but hypnotized by mere attentions of attractions.

You might argue that you put your efforts and energy to get it. Agreed. It's laudable also. But, it still doesn't take away the adamantine fact that the desired object becomes the primary source of your happiness rather than enjoying the process of effort and energy that is being put in the first place. When we have the dawn of realization that we are only in control of our own actions but not upon the results of our actions, happiness, satisfaction and contentment will eventually and essentially follow instead of we chasing it like a predator.

The next probable question which might be asked is that the results are the ultimate judgements of the reflections of our actions by the society. How is it wrong to not to get the outcome for which we had worked so hard? It's a fair, no racism!, question. That was a dark joke. My puns are becoming dreadful day-by-day. Anyhow, the answer to the question is that I never said it's wrong. All I said is work hard, give our best and leave the rest to the efforts of our actions. There will be no disappointments or resentments or guilt or regrets. This does not mean that you should not have a target to work against. Don't suddenly jump on me by saying that I am contradicting myself. I am not. All I said was not to cling to the object so as to make it the very reason for our happiness or the existence of our being. If one cannot clearly differentiate this subtle nuance, then either they become lazy or do not reach up to their full and true potential or be under the false delusion that they are giving their best. I will just an example to enunciate this point further.

Supposing you write a board exam. You prepare exceedingly well by reading and understanding the topics thoroughly and have fixed a target of 1180/1200 for yourself. You write the exam as per the book and what your teachers and coaching centres had taught you. That's it. Our job is finished after that. You have no control as to who will be the answer sheet corrector or the mood in which they are in or the expectations they have while inking and marking the papers. Whatever is the result that we have to accept it no matter what. Be satisfied and happy that you had truly put in your hard work and had set your heart on it. But, if you fool yourself that you are giving your best when you are not in actual reality, no one can save you from the terrible consequences in the future. Being brutally honest to ourself is the first and foremost step before anything else.

So, why the hell am I giving such a lengthy explanation when we are talking about desires and Vipassana?

                                                              X---To be Concluded---X 

Vipassana & HR? No way. But, Yes!!! - Part 1

Once when the salutations to Madurai Meenakshi and Trichy Ranganathar were done, it was a painfully slow trip to Thiruvannamalai (TM) courtesy the snail-speed bus. It was as if Sunny would have overtaken it! After what seemed like I had travelled to Pluto and made my return journey to Earth, I reached the sacred Siddhar-inhabited abode of Lord Siva. Checking close to the temple gave me an unlimited access to visit the temple as many as times as I wanted but since my Vipassana (Vi) was scheduled to begin from the next day, the temple darshan was just limited to only one time. Just like how you get a perfect 10 by a single throw in a bowling alley, it was a fantastic feast for the eyes to have the blessings of Lord Shiva adorned in full glory then.

As the Chennai Vi Centre had a jam-packed date blocking for more than a month, I had to choose the TM Vi to reap in the full benefits of the wondrous science imparted by the great Buddha to this world. The TM Vi was under construction during my 10 day stay there. I did not know that until I reached the place with the help of a friendly receptionist at the centre who gave me the directions over the phone and a regular auto wallah who used to commute to the place. Though there was a bus plying directly from TM junction, the frequency is such that it is like a rain in the desert. Not wanting to be unpunctual, I took the recommended auto man by the receptionist.

It was a pleasant and a relatively long ride through the fresh and refreshing village air that was imbued with unadulterated love, kindness and nature. Filling up the requisite forms, all of us were shown to our respective dorms by the same receptionist with whom I had the conversation earlier in the day. There were multiple dorms separated by a curtain and each was spacious enough to accommodate 3 beds with a fan and an open cupboard. To my utter astonishment, people from all walks of life, ages and different nationalities had come to receive the holy practice of training our always jumping and skipping mind into a steady, stable. calm and ordered state by the time-honored practice of Vi.

There were also women, young and old, in our fold with the total strength of our batch being 25-30. Of course, the women folks had separate and distinct sleep quarters. Naughty, Naughty! We are speaking about the long-established, soul purifier and mind cleanser Vi and not any kinky porno movie! 

The D-time had arrived like an accelerating F1 car. The 10 day hell began without thoroughly understanding then that heaven could be reached and achieved only when you pass through the fiendish gates of your worst nightmares.

                                       

                                                        X---To Be Concluded---X