transformers

Yesterday, I received an unexpected and sudden phone call from my high school buddy who works for MTV. This was for the special private screening of Transformers that will be released next week. He asked if I could reach Zeigfeld by 6.30pm and I was near the Charging Bull at that time. I wrapped up my work stuff in order to make it there in time. Rushing around while changing 3 metros, I could make it to the theater. Surprisingly, the theatre didn't perish in the multiplex culture. Right in the heart of Manhattan, there's an old-style theatre - owned by Viacom - Ziegfeld!

The movie started off with some background (a la Spielberg way). Transformers will certainly have sequels. It is a nice summer animations' based entertainment! One of the best cartoon adaptations I must've seen. The story line and some of the scenes were really amateur - however, in a spielberg movie (esp an animated one), there's more emphasis on graphics than the other characteristics of the movie. LaBeouf probably and Megan Fox would probably thank the casting folks - as they are now, able to launch themselves just like the other actors/actresses who launched via a spielberg movie.

Transformers suffered due to blatant product-placement. GM, Chevy, eBay, Apple, and what not ! However, my view may be jaundiced as I was sitting next to a technical (media industry-wise) guy who kept on pointing to subtle aspects. I guess the product placements may not be as bad because common ppl in US can easily relate to it. I guess they've received the mindshare and want to increase it.

Somewhere, deep down inside, I felt that the movie was partially "inspired" from Japanese animation movies. "You gotta respect the Japanese" was an unnecessary sattirical phrase in the movie somewhere.

Overall, the movie left me with an impression that the production was hurried and Spielberg didn't use discretion in storyline, dialogues, etc. I would give it a 10 out of 10 for creativity in graphics. However, for the dialogues/scripts, may be 5.5 out of 10 - as it was dry on the creativity front. It is definitely a family entertainment (US: PG13) and an iMAX one - no doubt about that !

imdb:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/
movie: http://www.transformersthemovie.com/

settled....

Last few weeks, I have been fairly busy and life's been fairly eventful!

The trip to DC was insightful as I learnt more on American history and got more educated on modern art. Corcoran was the most impactful place and the high point which influenced my thought process !

I arrived to Newport at my friend's place on a Sat evening two weeks ago from DC. As soon as I arrived Om had a plan in place already. We went out for a movie to watch "Shootout at Lokhandwala" and thereafter to the city (New York is referred to as "the city" hereafter for this blog). In the city, the idea was clubbing.

The journey wasn't rough but wasn't pleasant either. What I mean by that is it wasn't rough because the roads aren't bad from DC to NY and it wasn't pleasant because I experienced typical city driving (cutting lanes, burning tyres, speeding, etc).

I feel my car's perfect for the TriState area (NJ, NYC, CT). I say this because with this car, I can't get caught in speeding and also, the roads are in horrible shape in NJ. Besides, I go to work using the Path and hence, I dont need the car at all. I might think of selling it as the insurance in Jersey City is 2.5 times what I paid in Pgh. Also, I dont have utility of the car as much.

I spent two weeks at my buddy's place before I moved to my new place nearby. I didn't want to leave the locality as it was pleasant living there. Everything is so accessible. If I crave for Indian food then I can hop on to Path train and reach Journal Square for India square in 2 stops (I didn't want to live there as the locality is unpleasant). I must admit that searching a place in nyc/nj area is a challenging task. In NYC, the prices are steep and there is no value for money and in Jersey City heights, they are cheap but the area may not be livable. However, at Newport, you find a good balance of price and locality. Also, the access to the city is close and convenient. Finally, I get assessed per NJ state tax and hence, it pays off.

My current place is a penthouse and it has 2 rooms for me of which I plan to utilize as a movie theater and the other one as a summer bedroom. In winter, the movie room becomes the bedroom. Thanks to my high-school buddy for suggesting about the deal and letting me at his place till the time I could find a good apt! The community is cool with good amenities. As a pleasant surprise, I met someone at my work who is my neighbour! Such are the modern times - you meet your neighbors at work and not your housing community !

With this, I would conclude that I have settled at my new place now and hopefully, I would have a pleasant journey with my current employer.

sopranos finale

In a HBO productions style, The Sopranos ended with the six and the final season!

The Sopranos lived happily ever after. :) The best part that I liked in the last episode was the number which Tony was asked for Bobby - they silenced the dialogue with some music and they shake hands for a truce. The one who orders to take Bobby out is not only shot but also the car runs over his face as his wife leaves the car w/o putting it on parking.

The funniest dialogue for the last episode was "that's a snake with a fur" when one of the goodfellas refers to the cat at the office.

There was so much resounding assurance on Wall St and some other places about what would happen in The Sopranos - the popular verdict was that Tony would be put down. However, that was popular perspective and not a logical one. Logically, he has been able to carry out everything pretty well. His dad went crazy - but he is able to control his mind well. Ergo, he will be wise to take good decisions.

btw, I watched the History channel's Godfathers documentary tonight. It was a 2 hr documentary on the "Mafia". What surprised me was Mafia's involvement in WW2 and how Luciano is rewarded for his favors to the United States. Another most surprising fact was how the Mafia is turned in to the FBI by Lucky Luciano himself. His sacrificial (scape) goat in that bit is Carlo Gambini. The world gets to know about "The Mafia" for the first time in the mainstream media.

Sopranos and Godfather and all other movies pretty much reflect bits and pieces of this documentary. This documentary was one of a kind because it was comprehensive and well-presented.

roadtrip to D.C.