STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS (A POST IN 5 MINS)...

I am really thinking hard of changing my priorities.
Looking for a something new. Seriously. Same ol' job, same ol' life. Nothing to bring the long unused grey cells into motion.
If there ever is a hero in the Mahabharata, it is not any of the Arjunas or Krishnas or any other cunning liar. It is Karna. Having read more than 600 pages of 'Mritunjaya' gives you that kind of a feeling. Good book this. But the translation by Nandini Nopany and P. Lal leaves a lot to be desired. The use of vernaculars like 'Bhaiya' and 'Arrey' makes for some crappy reading. Which reminds me of Upamanyu Chatterjee's 'Weight Loss'. If ever, there is a book which I would never recommend to any of my readers, it would have to be this. 'Weight Loss' has to be one of the most worthless attempts at writing by anyone serious enough to do so. Sheer waste of half a grand and four hours of valuable time. Should have stopped at 'English, August' before picking up this worthless babble. But 'Mritunjaya', on the other hand, is much better....dispels some of the unanswered questions that a generation of kids watching Mahabharata on Doordarshan might have had. Also read 'Green Berets' by Robin Moore, if you have the time (irrespective of whether your favourite colour is red or not). I assure you, it will not be a disappointment.
Watch '12 Angry Men' and Basu Chatterjee's 'Ek Ruka Hua Faisla' and try to decide which is better. Agreed that Henry Fonda is irreplaceable but then you have to appreciate how Basu Chatterjee manages to adapt the classic for an Indian setting and extracts a memorable performance from Pankaj Kapoor. Annu Kapoor too plays his part with aplomb. Readers with a memory of Indian serials/teleserials from the late 80s and early 90s will recognise most of the actors who play the roles of the 12 jurors. 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' on the other hand is quite a bore. An interesting premise goes to waste here - except for a couple of scenes. What could have been a hard look at some uncomfortable and unusual topics, delves into realms of fantasy and expected dilemmas. Cate Blanchett' s role being the sole redeeming factor. Fincher's 'Seven' and 'Fight Club' were much better. Kevin Spacy's psychotic scream of "Detective....." towards the end of 'Seven' would have put a million Gabbar's to shame.
Also watch 'The Bicycle Thieves'... it is really worth it.