Against All Odds

We were in for a fairly boring start to the Cricket World Cup 2007 - Ireland vs Pakistan and India vs Bangladesh.

Now India has just had a terrible past few years I would say - not that I have followed cricket at all. But given that the news has often been more about players feuding with Coaches and controversies on team selection, I would be fairly right even if India did win anything significant in the recent past.

Still, losing to Bangladesh is a bit of a let down, though not entirely shocking. Having seen bits of the match today, the difference in mentality between the two teams was apparent - the Bangladesh team seemed to be purposeful and spirites wheras the Indian team just seemed to lack any winning instinct. Of course I'm staying positive that this would serve as a good wake up call to the Indian team and they might rectify their shortcomings for the rest of the tournament (if not, perhaps the team selectors might have to)

The bigger shock to me was Ireland beating Pakistan. Hell, I didn't know Ireland played any cricket until today! It was an uncanny coincedence that this victory was on St. Paddy's Day (how many times have Indians blames losses to Pakistan on a Friday on religion?). More importantly, as far as I know, this is Ireland's first World Cup and they stand a good chance of progressing to the next stage and have eliminated Pakistan with this win. Which is a shame given how much we all were looking forward to India vs Pakistan in the next round. Funnily enough a lot of people were talking about the football and just seemed pleased that Pakistan lost. Ah, we love the petty India vs Pakistan spirit.

I would love to have bet on both these underdogs winning, the odds would have been pretty amazing.

Guess it's the Luck Of The Irish...

Photos: A Weekend Family Lunch

On Facebook again - A Weekend Family Lunch

Photos: A Little Bit Of EveryThing

Courtesy Facebook: link

Film Review: L'Enfant

Rating: 7.5 / 10
Language: French
Director: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne

L'Enfant (2005) won the Palme d'Or at Cannes 2005. Now when one asks about credibility, the problem is with a French Film (well, technically Belgian) winning at Cannes. Just have a look at the Michelin Guide and see how biased it is towards French restaurants to figure out how neutral the French can be.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to go see something other than non-commercial-crap-churned-out-for-the-heck-of-it this Sunday thanks to the 9th Annual Mumbai Film Festival (see website) running this weekend. The festival had a fairly spread Geographical representation, but more importantly about 3 films I recognised as wanting to watch either from film reviews or the guide to the London Film Festival 2006. These were Volver, L'Enfant, Azul Oscuro Casi Negro (Dark Blue Almost Black). Luckily, Volver and L'Enfant were playing back-to-back on Sunday so Vj and me made the trek all the way to Andheri.

The film is based in a nondescript town in Belgium revolving around a couple who live off welfare, theft and now their newborn baby. Whereas it shows the dark and shady side of life on the streets, it does not do so in a depressing manner and does not stir up sympathy or guilt which the topic most certainly could have. The couple themselves are happy in their own juvenile way and the advent of the child brings about responsibility in at least the Mother (in the start she seems to have just gotten out of Jail and then on does nothing illegal). The film revolves around Bruno, the father, who is quite difficult to understand as he swings from plain stupid to heartless and greedy to finally (relatively) noble and repentant. Without completely giving away the plot, one laughs in disbelief when Bruno nonchalantly tells Sonia about the baby and the money earned.

L'Enfant is shot in a very matter-of-fact manner and the characters may as well be real people with a camera following them. Therein lies the beauty of it, the story seems so real and believable. The best parts are the camera following Bruno walking along the streets trying to figure out what his next move would be and what could be going through his head. The ending is apt, though perhaps too obvious.

I definitely think this film is worth a watch and would recommend it. But the Palme D'Or? I don't think so.

Everybody's Changing

The song by Keane is quite apt, as I notice a lot of change around me. A lot within myself mostly.

Since certain events I have been set back into Figuring out My Life® mode and it really is a daunting prospect. I remember the days just before graduating from Uni, without really having any idea of what to do after graduation. I did eventually figure that one out, with the help of a certain phone call from Sally at Symbian inviting me to an interview one day when I was walking across Hyde Park to Imperial.

Similar situation but the stakes seem higher for some reason. I suppose the choice really is between your typical "Indian" lifestyle or not. Because any self respecting South Mumbai resident really does need to concentrate purely on millions of Dollars and not much else. Culture or happiness seldom enters into the equation. But then again the number of people involved are larger and sometimes therin lies the comfort. Which one is the long term happiness provider - people or Doing Your Own Thing? I might idealise and convince myself that having brunch at Paul alone with the Saturday Guardian is the best thing ever, but is meeting Pinky for a brunch and Pedicure really what I want?

I wonder why Blogger allows people who drink too much to Blog

Russell Peters Gig

A fair few Indians would be familiar with Russell Peters, a Canadian stand-up comic of Indian origin. He's been touring India for the past few days and after doing a show in Bangalore is now in Bombay for the weekend.

Since I wasn't "feeling well", my brother and me decided to leave early and head to St. Andrews Auditorium in Bandra for the 5pm show, and of course due to traffic didn't make it till 5.45! The opening act was some ABCD who was average, funny if you like props and re-enactments of scenarios.

Russell Peters was on for an hour, and it was actually fairly impressive. Started off with a few prepared jokes but soon that disappeared and he interacted with the audience a fair bit. We had the ill fortune of sitting in front of Sameera Reddy and her sister, who were just way too loud and enthusiastic even for a comedy show. Bar a few overly racist and graphic jokes it was a very good laugh, and an educational experience too. Apparently the word for penis in Persian is "kheer". A coincidence? (an Indian sweet dish goes by the same name)

Of course since this was in Bandra, we had to follow up with a meal at Don Giovanni's which was unforgettable. Not a bad way to spend the evening I think, just wish someone would start a Comedy Store of the same calibre as the London one

Blistering Barnacles!

Forgive me for the reference to the ancient comic series Tintin (I wonder if kids these days still read it). But you would too if you were me. Just go have a look at the lineup for the V Festival 2007 weekend which I can't attend (being geographically challenged).

Headlining:
Snow Patrol
The Killers
Foo Fighters
Goo Goo Dolls
KT Tunstall

JJB Arena:
Damien Rice

Channel4 stage:
The Fray
Manic Street Preachers

Tickets are sold out within a day, of course. But for anyone I know who is going, just don't tell me how good it is Please. If there is a guy up there, he must hate me. Clearly enough to NOT block access to this sort of information.