Idle musings

Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk', the World War II period drama, definitely steers away from the normal course of war movies. There is no f uror  heroicus. In fact, there is no hero in the conventional sense. Here, it is the common man who comes to the rescue of helpless soldiers. Dunkirk is a glimpse into the reality of war. It makes you fearful and wary of fate. It tells you that sometimes, survival is victory. Hans Zimmer's poignant music and astonishing cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema make watching the film a visceral experience. The dialogues are kept to a minimum; the ravages of war and the ensuing action tell the tale. Described by critics as "immersive" and "riveting", 'Dunkirk' is a deeply moving tale of hope and survival. As Harry Styles(who plays Alex) put it in an interview, it is also about the human spirit and how when people come together, incredible things happen. Tales like these need to be told. Christopher Nolan charts a...

What the forests of Kerala have been turned into in the name of tourism never fails to shock me. Building plans are approved in sensitive landscapes without analyzing potential consequences of the same, and when later years bring suffering upon us, we wonder why. While it is true that tourists require options of stay, the fact remains that the rightful habitat of the original inhabitants, that is, various species of flora and fauna, are destroyed for this purpose.It is bad enough that we have recklessly expanded our cities under claims of 'development'. And where has the hue and cry of 'sustainability' gone, pray? We can only go on for so long after losing tree cover and endangering biodiversity. Even planting trees for the lost greenery remains a charade. As for those who barrel into the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, eager to confront tigers and elephants just for the adrenaline rush or for the 'likes' on social media, these seekers of "bubbl...

Jagga Jasoos is a feast for the eyes. Anurag Basu's second collaboration with the acting powerhouse that is Ranbir Kapoor(after Barfi! in 2012) is as engaging as it is inventive. Ranbir is undoubtedly the best actor of his generation and he has only reaffirmed that he is the king of quirky roles through this long overdue film - it has been in the works for three and a half years. While Barfi! evocatively dealt with the life of the differently abled, Jagga Jasoos, as the name suggests , is a detective story. But more than the sleuths, it is the musicality of the film that is its most striking quality. Jagga finds it easier to converse using the 'creative' side of his brain since he was born with a stutter. Pay attention to the lines penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and you will find yourselves alternatively cracking up (no, I'm not talking about 'Galti se mistake' or 'Ullu ka pattha'. Try listening to 'Khaana Khaake' instead, or better, watch t...