Babel – the actors or the director?

This is one of those movies I watched only because it was nominated for many awards (and won a few).

Babel refers to the Bible’s Tower of Babel concept, where communication across cultures, generations and family is a problem. What stuck out for me was not the miscommunication between everyone involved in the movie, but rather the difference between American and other civilizations. Example 1: When Richard and Susan stop for a break, Susan asks for a Diet Coke, brings out her knife and fork and throws away the ice because ‘you don’t know what was in the water’. Example 2: Mike and Debbie’s reaction to the chicken decapitation (true, I was also nauseous from that scene onwards but I think hormones played a part too). Example 3: At the end the newsreader says ‘happy Americans can stop wringing their hands’ because Susan is fine and back in civilization.

Superior or patronizing? The writer and director are not American so I am not sure if they really believe the American Dream is the only dream, or if they just wanted to contrast American culture with the rest of the world.

I love the non-linearly path the movie takes. What happened in the beginning is repeated in the end, but from a different perspective. Just when you think the story is concluding the credits roll up. End of movie? Yes. End of story? Not really. The American tale is complete but there are so many questions and loose ends in the lives of the other characters. Example 1: What did Chieko write in the final note to Mamiya? If it is not important why is it in the movie? Who is telling the truth about the death of the mother, Chieko or her father, Yasujiro? Example 2: What happened to Santiago after he drops off Amelia and the kids? Example 3: What happens to Yussef after he surrenders? Does Ahmed live or die?

It’s a good movie if you try and put it in the ‘Art’ category. But like everything else, it leaves you hanging. You ask not about the reasons behind the movie, but instead wonder ‘and then?’

The Perfect Player

I watched my first episode of Nip/Tuck last night. I heard it was kinda controversial, but it wasn’t so much the beautification, the hot guys, the scandal or the sexiness of the show that grabbed me.. it was the opening scene of Christian Troy (Julian McMahon of Charmed fame) banging one of his nurses for a DIY Internet video, the potential humiliation that he could face (that’s why TV does not put heroes in compromising positions) and his egoistical comeback to the sight of his bare ass on public display that made me decide that it was a show worth watching.

I am drawn more to Christian than Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh.. still to make a mark in my movie world) mainly because his behaviour is familiar and very intriguing. His ego overwhelms his morality and gives him a seamless retort for every situation that would leave most people hiding in a corner. And for someone to take as many blows as he did in just two episodes deserves respect! A lesson or two could be learnt in every episode.

Sean, on the other hand, epitomises the player who has settled but still cannot break free of his old habits. He cheats on his wife, he falls back in love with her, he is confused but kind hearted; his character is more common than that of Christian.

I mean, its Christian.. who else would emotionally blackmail his boss (who treats him more as a friendly enemy than a friend) for a shag just so that he can cross off another woman on his to do list?

The theme song is sexy, fresh and perfect:
The Engine Room - A Perfect Lie
Make me beautiful....
Make me........
Perfect soul
Perfect mind
Perfect face
A perfect life

The night of the Big Bang

At SunCity.. notice the token black guy hanging on to my legs :) Jokes.. he was the trampoline bouncer..

From PartyHouse.. Jim wasnt in the best of states when he took the pic

My two week holiday is coming to an end and it is very likely that it might end off with a bang. A bang at Suncity or a bang at the shooting range or a bang having a blast somewhere with special people.

The holiday started off with the Onam 2006 Reunion party.. complete with video screening and embarrassing mallus. Prashant did an awesome job revamping the video through tighter editing. I stayed the night at Nischy’s place and spent Sunday helping her cook for the dinner party. Muchos respect to Nisch for spending all day in the kitchen cooking a scrumptious meal for 11.

Move on to the week at work – nothing worth mentioning except that the time at home followed the basic routine to eat chips in front of the TV, put loud music, sing, watch TV until late, leave a mess behind me wherever I went and basically take slobbing digs life to a new level. :)

Julz and I had dinner one evening. Initially we drove around Chilli Lane looking for a decent sit-down place that was open.. unfortunately some airlines people were having a rowdy work function so we moved to Rivonia Boulevard. The place was good, food was yummy and the company awesome. :) Afterwards it was drinks at my place. (Just realized how dodgy that sounds.. sorry Julz!)

Did movie (The Departed) and drinks with Rejiville on Friday night, spent Saturday morning bumming around home before going to Seemchi’s place for Sheena’s baby shower (btw, when I get pregnant I want a Sheena-like structure.. same figure except for the beach ball tummy). Sunday afternoon was the pool party and braai (lol.. I was the only one who knew how to swim.. Rejiville was decent.. except that he did not know how to stop!). Sunday evening ended off with supper at Renosh’s place (note to self.. Anuscha dislikes Fordsburg biriyani!)

Watched Blood Diamond on Tuesday with the goof troop. Great movie, complete with goosebump after effects and increased respect to Leo for doing more substantial roles that his previous sensitive pretty boy characters. In this movie his South African accent was overdone, peppered with too many SA slangs but totally credible for the American audience.

The conference dinner went well (oh my gosh.. EXCO knows who I am!), even though it looked like it might go horrible wrong (herdie boer maak a plan). The conference was fucking amazing, we pulled off such an incredible product and event. Anyways, afterwards we post-mortemed the conference over vodka, went home to finish my bottle of wine and drove to Nischy’s place for some TLC and a some news that I am still trying to wrap my head around.

I don’t know what the plans are for tonight but I certainly wont be sitting at home my myself. Suncity tomorrow, or perhaps a bangra afterwards. Whatever, I am looking forward to that.

I don’t know if my holiday ends on Saturday or Sunday. But its been emotional.. ;)