Wednesday Watching Post: What Are You Reading and Thinking and Watching This Week?

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Happy Wednesday!  2 more days to Padmavat!  And (hopefully) one day until I get a dog.  Seriously, how hard is it to get a dog?????  They’re dogs!  They just want to be loved!!!!  LET ME HAVE ONE!!!! But, nooooooooo.  I have to fill out 5 different forms and go through an interview and on and on and on.  I am nearing the point of just driving out to the country and picking one up on the side of the road.  Anyway, what’s going on in your life?

I’ll fill in the rest of my life:

Reading: Still on the Rajnikanth biography officially, and unofficially on comic books.  It is just a lot easier to grab a Far Side collection and flip to a random page.

 

Watching: I am now a week ahead in Monday and Tuesday posts, and I am very very proud.  Of course, that’s also because my life is empty and dogless giving me loads of time to watch movies and write about them.  Oh, and also watch Murder She Wrote and Grace and Frankie.  Because shows with women of a certain age are the BEST.

 

Thinking: Lots of things!  I have to finish a baby present for a friend who’s baby is due in 3 weeks.  So, any day now.  I feel like giving a present well before the due date is fine, and giving it after the due date is fine, but right around the due date shows a clear lack of planning ahead.  And also, as mentioned above, the frustration and misery of wanting a dog but discovering it is somehow an ever retreating goal.

 

Now, what’s up with you?

103 thoughts on “Wednesday Watching Post: What Are You Reading and Thinking and Watching This Week?”

  1. After some weeks of concentrating on family, I get some time of my (only) own which I want to use for everything I like to do…reading your blog, surfing the net and learn new things, writing about ShahRukh, hearing books when doing archive work or before sleeping or when waking up…basically enjoy myself 🙂
    We (I) had several times dogs…one from the street, one as a newborn puppy, two from a shelter, one I grew up with, always the right dog(s) at the right time…you will get the dog that fits to you, Margaret 🙂

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    • Congrats on having alone time! I forgot what that was like until two weeks ago when suddenly I didn’t have any family in town, or any Christmas presents to make, or any major church commitment and I found myself going “yes! I remember this! This is what it feels like to do stuff just for me!”

      I hope I get the dog that fits me! And soon!

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  2. I have completely unrealistic goals for my media consumption this year. 52 books (43 read last year) of which 18 need to be romance novels since I’ve been trying to rediscover my love of that genre.

    Of course, I always have the goal of watching as many 2018 release Hindi and other Indian films, etc. but also want to keep up with hits and critically acclaimed films from Hollywood and other foreign cinema. Starting by trying to see as many of the current Oscar nominated films.

    Plus, I also plan to catch up with TV series that I’m behind on like Black Sails, The Crown, Vikings, and others. Phew!

    This weekend I saw Lady Bird and it was so good! I tend to be a sucker for films that deal with Catholicism in interesting ways, plus this mother/daughter story is a big tearjerker and the setting in the early 2000s is early enough that it reminds me of my young adult hood, too. Saoirse Ronan is one of my favorite actresses (Brooklyn is one of my favorite films of the last 10 years and bonus points for being a cool Irish chick!).

    Going to see The Post on Sunday and maybe Darkest Hour on Saturday if I’m ambitious. I’d really like to see Padmaavat in the theater and it is showing in the multiplex within driving distance of me, but unless I get a friend to drive me there, I’m out of luck. The reviews are really good so far, but I am also taking them with a grain of salt since they are grading on a curve because of the controversy.

    Reading The Yeats Sisters by Justine Chadwick about W.B. Yeats’s sisters. It’s non-fiction with a gossipy feel that also relates to my professional work so that’s fun.

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    • You are so ambitious! I just can’t do that. I mostly read trash and watch trash and save my thinking brain for Indian films only.

      All I know about Yeats is from a Maud Gonne bio I read for an Irish history class in college. That was a super unhealthy relationship! I would love to know what his sisters thought about it.

      On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 8:48 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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    • Oh, how I LOVE Brooklyn!!! I saw the premiere at Sundance, and it just blew me away. Lady Bird was sublime too. I recently binge watched The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon and it was making me crazy where I had seen the actor who plays the husband Joel Maisel — it’s Michael Zegen who was the Italian fiance Maurizio in Brooklyn!! The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is truly marvelous btw. Only 8 episodes and just fantastic.

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  3. Goodness.That’s a lot of procedures to give a home to one little dog.Have you thought of a name yet? This week I planned on watching Sulu but was sidetracked by The Last Kingdom.It’s on Netflix is about a Saxon boy adopted by the Vikings.Though I have to say I was more fascinated by King Alfred (and his cakes).What a conniving,manipulative and pious character.A study in contrasts.I also watched an old Hindi film, Honeymoon.Leena Chandawalker and her friend dumped their boyfriends after learning about the sad fate of their classmate who had opted for a love marriage.They promptly get married to nice young men selected by their families. It is only when they are on their Honeymoon to a hill station and run into each other unexpectedly that they realize that they’d married each others exes.The four young people are equally scared and the plot is entirely Shakespearean as the men blackmail their exes,a lawyer who keeps giving them wrong advice all conspire to keep them on their toes.

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    • Bahubali! And “bahu” for short. I am very happy with this, except I realized that since I live in the desi neighborhood, everyone will think I am yelling at my daughter-in-law. Oh well.

      Honeymoon sounds kind of cool! I want to track it down now. and I also want you to spoil the ending for me. But don’t! Because if I watch it, I should go in fresh. But I want to know! But I shouldn’t! Oh, this is so complicated!

      On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 9:05 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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        • I am bad, I already read wikipedia. And it doesn’t reveal the ending!!!!

          On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 11:12 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • Don’t worry,Claudia.I’m having too much fun torturing Margaret.Leena Chandavarker (Kishore Kumar’s wife) is the ‘star’ of the movie.But her friend gets equal screen time.Family planning is discussed (vaguely) by Leena’s aunt-in-law who’s a lady doctor.Very progressive for a 70s film.It’s available on Erosnow with subtitles.

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          • That’s how I know Leena’s name!!! She’s the one I suspect of putting the kibbosh on the Kishor biopic, seems like a tough modern woman who isn’t going to be swayed by star power and pressure into giving up life rights if she doesn’t like the script.

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      • My babubali radar picked up! Haha

        Yay! What an amazing name! If I ever adopt a pet, I was planning on naming it amarendra.

        We technically don’t know if devasena will yell at avanthika, so, I would assume you will be fine in your desi community *wink

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    • Padman should be fun!!!! Akshay has a solid system down for these movies. Charming lead performance, think Jimmy Stewart. Easy introduction to the aspects of an important issue, which gives you something for your mind to chew on. Good songs, and romance around the edges. And a happy ending that makes you feel optimistic for the future of India.

      On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 10:33 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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  5. Greetings! I believe the ADS are finally gone. Yay!!

    Reading: Facebook. Instagram. Tumblr. I timed myself yesterday and I realized that I spent 3 hours on just my phone. That is absolutely crazy. Hoping to combat this problem 💪🏽

    Thinking: The Bhagamathie distributors in my area suck! No advance bookings. No showtimes. Zilch. None! It’s frustating. *sigh. So, since I was planning to watching a film forever this weekend, I would be watching Padmavat if the south situation is still a problem. Padmavat has rave reviews! The marketing team is really going for this! Open my Facebook ~ Padmavat. Tumblr ~ Padmavat gifs! It’s insane! Lowkey excited to watch it!

    Watching: planning to watch oru Mexican aparatha, godha, guppy etc. basically, all Torino Thomas. The only movie I have seen of his is ABCD and 7 Days! The other day I was watching someone mimick ( mimicry is extremely popular in Kerala) Tovino and then realized, I haven’t watched any of his movies. Hehe!
    Also Fresh of the Boat is so good!! My fam in 4 words! <3.
    Also, please watch Amen on Monday Malayalam! You would TOTTALY like it!!

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    • Yaaaay! No bad ads! So you can easily read me on your phone. Which is just going to add to your problems.

      Bhagamathie is pretty easy in my area, which is giving me the other problem of deciding between Padmavat and Bhagamathie for this weekend. Probably padmavat, just because I don’t want to pay big ticket prices.

      Godha is wonderful! I just watched it for the first time, and I loved it. Already seen Guppy, also wonderful, but Tovino’s character is less dreamy and more harsh.

      Yay, another Fresh Off the Boat watcher! I find so much of it relatable to all immigrant families, or at least immigrant families who came to America partially by choice rather than economic necessity. Loving the American identity, but still having trust issues, keeping family especially close, etc. etc. and of course it is also funny!

      Already saw Amen! Did not love it. Mostly because I’d seen Angamaly Diaries and City of God first and liked those a lot better. Review here: https://dontcallitbollywood.com/2017/04/03/monday-malayalam-amen-art-above-all/

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      • Yes, more power to Tovino. I’m so happy you have watched Godha and you loved it Margaret. Can’t wait for the review. Finally I’ll be able to comment on Monday Malayalam because usually I can only read ot. And now maybe now you will put Tovino’s photos in TGIF 😉

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  6. I’ve been missing here for the last few weeks. I’ve been trying to watch as many Oscar nominated movies as I can. Call Me By Your Name is so so great. Timothee Chalamet is everything people have been saying he is. The Post is a solid film, and just fun to see Meryl play against Tom Hanks. The Disaster Artist (which was snubbed for noms except for script because of James Franco’s issues) is hilarious. The Greatest Showman, I could watch on a loop. It’s a Hollywood original musical!! Hugh Jackman sings and dances!! That’s something to celebrate. Its nominated song was written by the La La Land/ Dear Evan Hanson team. The Shape of Water I ADORED — it even has a musical dance fantasy number! My husband thought it was too slow, but that is because it is not an action movie — it’s a romance!

    For Indian films, I saw Agnyathavasi — stay far away. Ugh. Surya’s Thaana Serndha Kootam was a fun heist film with Ramya from Baahubali! I’ve never seen Special 26, so can’t compare to the Hindi original.

    Saw the Tamil film Aruvi on Vimeo and it is FANTASTIC!! Must see!! If I’d seen it in 2017, it would have made my top five for the whole year. It’s dark comedy, and then the last ten minutes had me crying. I was outright sobbing during the credits. Can’t recommend this film enough. I had put out my top 10 2017 list and my commenters were outraged that Aruvi wasn’t on the list. They were right — it should be!

    Saw some older films the last few days — Mohanlal’s Drishyam which was really good, especially Mohanlal. You can just see him thinking, and flawlessly playing such a regular person – he is so great. I’m very glad I saw this version before the Ajay Devgn Hindi one.

    I had oral surgery Monday, and needed a comfort type of film. I watched a classic 1996 Ajith romance: Kadhal Kottai (Castle of Love). (It’s on Youtube with embedded English subs.) It’s an epistolary romance. I mostly liked it although it’s sometimes slow. Ajith is positively dreamy. It takes almost the whole film for the two leads to realize who the other is — but I wanted more. I wanted a wedding epilogue or something. I’m greedy that way.

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      • Ajith does indeed. And in business attire with glasses — just dreamboat! Here’s the link to be able to watch the whole movie on Youtube with subs.

        and my review which talks a bit more about the setup, but no real spoilers other than I hated the sexually harrassing femme fatale character, but loved how Ajith handled her:

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        • Kadhal Kottai is the original of Sirf Tum! But I think tamil version is much better then the hindi one.

          And Aruvi is on my watch soon soon list. I have seen reviews and I think I have never seen people being so compatible about a movie. Almost everyone gave it 10* on imdb.

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          • Oh good, I still haven’t seen Sirf Tum, so I can start with the better version!

            On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 2:22 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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    • I got MoviePass just so I could start seeing all the Oscar movies still in theaters, but, of course Call Me By Your Name and I, Tonya are at the Landmark artsy theaters here and they don’t take it…boo! Will get by with my local art house which is also showing several others. The Greatest Showman looks so fun and I might go see that, too. Aruvi sounds so cool! It’s on my list.

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  7. READING: FB and Twitter to catch up on what is going on in various areas. Also reading Wikipedia for movies, general info.

    WATCHING: Lots of different things. NETFLIX Grace and Frankie which is a hoot. This year theme seems to be more on aging issues. NETFLIX Come What May a movie with a view into “refugee” issues in WWII France as Germans invaded. Watched Tumhari Sulu, IMO I thought it was okay which led me to Begum Jaan in which I thought Vidya Balan was so much better. Watched Vikas Khanna, who was on TEDTALKS INDIA Nayi Soch, documentaries on Holy Kitchens and the gurudwara’s langars. Found it fascinating since I had a personal tour of the langar kitchens when I was in Amritsar at the Golden Temple. That led me to a Bengali movie, Maacher Jhol, which has an interesting story and great cinematography shots of the food. Have begun watching the Malayalam film Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol (sp?), Mohanlal Just literally bumped into the gorgeous brunette on the bus.

    THINKING: I finally realized one of the reasons I am not a fan of old Hindi movies is the sound. Lata Mangeshkar’s style of singing sounds to me like screeching or like fingernails scratching on a blackboard to me. I think I much prefer the Hindi movies from the 90’s onward.

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    • I realized how much I rely on wikipedia for this blog a few months back and set up a recurring monthly donation to them from my ad money/the very rare donation I receive here. They really are a remarkable resource, at least as a starting point. I still confirm almost everything I read there before I repeat it, but just having all the facts to-be-confirmed in one place is amazing.

      Grace and Frankie does such a good job with the aging issues! Yes, aging with seemingly unlimited money makes a difference, but they still address the big question of “when do you put them in a home?” and all the messy parts of it, going too early or too late, how there is no real good answer to the problem. It also almost always seems to be one person who needs it more than the other, and I loved how they addressed that issue, the sacrifice of giving up your independence and life in order to what is best for the other. There is a lovely new couple at my church who I adore, their daughter has been a long time member and they just moved to a residential home near her/the church. The husband is active and sharp as a tack, the wife is delightful and charming and seems physically healthy, but has severe memory issues of the kind that you notice within a few minutes conversation. Grace and Frankie sort of did an end run around making one of their leads severely incapacitated but still managed to address that issue, the sadness of giving up your independence before you have to in order to be with your partner. They opted for the idea of the children jumping too soon to seeing them as elderly, but I really hope a later season deals with the issue I have seen more often in real life, children resisting seeing the problems, taking too long to get a mental acuity test or hearing aids or take away their driver’s license or whatever. And, to drag this back to Indian film, there is a Mohanlal film about early inset Alzheimers which I found irritating for the ways in which it doesn’t seem to quite capture this experience, Thanmathra. Oh, and very curious to get your reaction to Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol! Since you are a Shahrukh fan, you can join me in considering whether it would be a good film for him to remake

      I know just what you mean!!!! Partly because I don’t think Lataji’s voice has aged well, that is, her singing in later films is noticeably less quality than in earlier ones. And also, in that high level, it can easily be damaged if you have an older DVD or even just a bad copy of the sound. And, something I learned from working for an audiologist, the higher frequencies are the first you lose, so even i fyou can still hear perfectly, some of that texture in the higher registers may be gone before anything else.

      On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 12:46 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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      • I believe Lata herself also said that in her younger years she was frequently made to sing things that were too high for her, and that probably contributed to her voice going.

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  8. Tell me please if you can see this with my name. I wrote a long (and I thought interesting) comment to you yesterday which disappeared when I posted it. So: checking out whether this works and whether I will be able to see the bell icon which shows me I have a comment.

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    • I can see it, but I also had to approve it instead of you being automatically approved. There was a comment on the Davos post yesterday which came through anonymously and waiting for approval, was that yours?

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        • That comment came through anonymously, without an email attached. Is it possible that the device you usually use to access my site has stopped storing your login?

          (this is actually my job in “real life”, I do tech support for a website. Not wordpress, unfortunately, so I can’t give you more specific suggestions)

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  11. Few days ago I discovered that MCA (Middle Class Abbayi) is on Prime and I was thrilled because it was released only 1 month ago in India. I just had to watch it as soon as possible. Now I’m undecided what I should think about this movie.
    I enjoyed it, because how can somebody not enjoy seeing Nani and Sai Pallavi on screen, but at the same time I’m soooo disappointed. They had terrific actors and good ideas but they didn’t done them the justice. It was like buying the best ingredients for dinner, and then cooking them together with haste, stiring violently. The love story was super cute and original, but post-interval there is nothing left from it. The villain was weak and stupid and the climax boring. The should have just focus on love story.

    And then I finished Anaarkali of Aarah, and it was better then I thought. Especially because it reminded me of Chandramukhi from 1955 Devdas and how she, being the one nobody respects, is in some ways more free, because she has nothing to lose. And OMG Pankaj Tripathi is awesome. I loved him in Bareilly ki Barfi and here he was even better. But really there wasn’t one bad actor in this movie. Even the guy who played Anwar – he has like 2 sentences to say, but is great, and I want see him more often.
    And the songs are great. And I loved Swara’s costumes – first they benumb your eyes but then you get used to them. 😉

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    • I’m a huge fan of Annarkali of Aarah. Her costumes were so loud and perfect for her character. I never noticed Pankaj Tripathi until this year when I saw Fukrey (for the first time) and then his scene stealing turns in Annarkali, Bareilly Ki Barfi, and Newton. All completely different characters and done to perfection!

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      • Pankaj Tripathi is someone I didn’t even know the name of, but when he popped up in Bareilly I perked up knowing he would be good. Looking at his filmography, it looks like I’ve seen him in a bunch of stuff, but never in a role large enough for me to remember the name, just have a vague memory of the face as someone good.

        On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 2:38 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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    • Have you seen Lajja? Madhuri’s character in that is what I am thinking of based on your description of Swara’s character as being freer because she had nothing left to lose.

      I’m glad that you took the MCA bullet for me! It looked cute, but it was in theaters Christmas week so I couldn’t get out to see it. Glad to know I didn’t miss much. And I know exactly what you mean about the frustration of all the ingredients being right but it just not coming together. Kind of like with Dilwale, the SRKajol chemistry was great, and I’ve come appreciate Kriti and Varun since then, but somehow the film itself was a waste of all of them.

      On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 2:09 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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      • Madhuri’s character in Lajja is similar , but not exacly what I mean, don’t know why, maybe because she was still a little gullible and thought her boyfrind will marry her. Or maybe it’s just because I find this movie be too stodgy.

        @filmilibrarian Yes! 2017 was not only Rajkumar but also Pankaj’s year. He is great, and it’s amazing how he was “old” dad in Bareilly..and so charismaticcolourful guy in Anaarkali. I found him sexy, despite of his ridiculous clothes and the fact that he doesn’t even have a beard.

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  12. Congratulations on getting a dog! You’re almost there 🙂

    Reading/watching – I just finished the crown. Liked it for the most part, and I think I understand the monarchy a little better now vis a vis Charles-Dianna debacle. But, it was mostly politically correct and monarchy approved. But I did like all the scenes between the Queen and Prince Philip.

    Before the whole Ansari issue, I was reading Modern Romance. Was a good read but was so real and cynical, was borderline depressing. Texting has seriously ruined romance! Anyway didn’t finish the book because it was due back in the library

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    • I also just finished watching the Crown! During the horrible flu I had back in December, I lay in bed and napped off and on and watched the whole season. Which was perfect, all those fruity British accents were so soothing.

      I found it really interesting in terms of what the changed and kept from reality. There were some elements that were changed to make the British royals look much better than they were, and others to make them look much worse. And then third things that were exactly the same. It will be fun to use as a comparison with Sanju! Similarly beloved and well-known people, but in order to make it a thrilling 3 hour narrative they are going to have to change a lot. While keeping the familiar essentials the same.

      On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 3:00 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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  14. I haven’t been watching much. The Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl so I’m super stressed out about that. But I did get to see Jr. NTR’s Jai Lava Kusa which was actually pretty good!

    I’m eagerly waiting for Tholi Prema (“First Love”) to come out on February 9th. It’s a movie starring Varun Tej and Raashi Khanna and the trailers/songs look really good!

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    • Wait, aren’t you a Texas person? Are you a Texas-and-also-the-Patriots person? Sports is so confusing!

      Glad to hear JR. NTR is still doing well. I liked him in what little I have seen, he seems more talented than the usual star kid.

      On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 4:03 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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      • I love my Dallas teams but at the same time I’m a huge Tom Brady fan! It’s not like the Cowboys make it to the Super Bowl so this time of the year I become a Patriots fan.

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        • Well, this is unacceptable! I was taught that loyalty is to one team only. This might also be why I have such a hard time understanding how Angie can manage to love Madhavan AND Tovino AND Nivin AND everyone else.

          On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 4:15 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • And I wonder how somebody can not love Madhavan and Tovino, and Nivin together (and Unni too, but him with reservations). Why limit ourself if they all are fantastic? And as long as they don’t ask me to marry them, I have no problems 😉

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          • I’ve got the kernel of an idea for a Monday Morning Questions topic from this!

            On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 6:04 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • Angies’s right though! You can love multiple people when it comes to sports or cinema.

            Also I’m kind of holding a grudge against the Cowboys right now because my all time favorite player Tony Romo retired. He got hurt and his replacement played really well so they never gave him the chance to compete for his job even after he got healthy again. Then Tony retired because he didn’t want to play for another team. So I got tired of putting up with the horrible management/coaching staff of the Cowboys now that my favorite players are retiring or on their decline. I decided that I’m not going to root for the team until they fire the coaching staff.

            So now Tom Brady is my favorite player that’s still in the league. And he’s been one of my favorites since I started watching football when I was nine. Anyway the point is, Go Patriots!

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          • This is all fascinating! The concept of sports fandom as a personal bond with a player instead of an inherited bond with a team is totally new to me. My family is Bears-Cubs-Bulls since the leagues were started and you couldn’t switch without like a huge personal change within yourself. Doesn’t matter who’s playing on the team.

            Also, definitely gonna use this for a discussion question on Monday!

            On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 12:57 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • I used to be like that. Support the team no matter what, but then over time I started to realize that the reason I like the team is because of the players. It’s complicated but I think you constantly have to have players to root for on the team to support the team. For example, even if a player that you like isn’t on the team anymore usually you continue rooting for the team because there are other players that you like just as much still on the team.

            The thing between me and the Cowboys is that I feel like all the players that I rooted for growing up either have left team by now or they are on their way out. There aren’t many young players on the team that I want to root for. It’s like my childhood is ending and that makes me kind of sad. Similarly when it comes to basketball and the Mavericks, I know that Dirk Nowitzki is going to retire soon. Even though that makes me sad, the Mavs have a rookie named Dennis Smith Jr. who’s really exciting to watch. I’m actually really excited about the Mavs future just because of him!

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          • This is probably why you get a lot more joy of sports fandom than my family. Which has a sort of sick abusive relationship attitude that you can never ever leave your team, even if the love is totally gone, you still are tied to them in an unhappy dance of disappointment and misery. Punctuated by brief spots of happiness. And then misery again for another 100 years.

            On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 1:21 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • Lol, aren’t the Cubs good again? I don’t follow baseball but I think they made it pretty far in the playoffs again this year.

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          • It’s all a misery and disappointment, that’s all I’ve gotten from my father. Misery and disappointment his entire life.

            On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 1:31 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • This is first year I really didn’t pay attention to the Cowboys and I really liked that feeling. I learned so much about other teams that I didn’t previously care about. Plus I learned so much about the sport and the technicalities of playing football as well. When you follow a specific team, you’re kind of stuck in a bubble and you don’t pay attention to how other teams/players are doing.

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      • By the way, I’ve started taking a liking to the new Chicago Bears quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky, so you might see me rooting for them in the future too 🙂

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        • Oh good, then you can keep me informed on the team. And the new quarterback. I knew the last quarterback was frustrating and misery making and generally a topic of heated debate, but I don’t know if this new quarterback has an identity that way yet.

          On Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 4:16 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • Oh yeah, Jay Cutler was a mess. He’s playing for Miami so he’s their problem now.

            Mitchell Trubisky just finished his rookie season and looks really promising. I don’t know if he’ll become a great player but he kind of reminds me of Tony Romo which is one of the reasons why I like him so far.

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          • Cutler! That’s the name! I haven’t watched a football game since the last time the Bears were in the superbowl (I want to say when I was in college?), but I knew the name because it came up soooooooooooo much in conversation, it was just like in the air here.

            On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 1:01 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • That sounds about right. They were in the Super Bowl in 2006 against the Colts. That was the first season I started watching football which is why I remember it so well 🙂

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      • Just a side note, but NTR jr. is NOT a “star kid”. Check his bio and you’ll see why. Or I’ll post on it some day (I already did my extra long post about South Indian names 🙂 )

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  15. Watching Stranger Things2 on Netflix…booked tickets for Mayanadhi(malayalayam) tonight…heard rave reviews..so really excited to see it..my first movie in theatre after Baahubali2.Will also tryo to catch Bhaagamatie on Saturday…No Padmaavat for me.

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  16. Thinking: Padmaavat is releasing in Japan today and I vaguely thought about going to the big city to see it Saturday, so that for once I could see an Indian movie “on time,” as it were, and enjoy all the reactions when they are happening and not a couple of years later. However, the big city is actually a very long expensive train ride away, I would have to spend two nights in a hotel, and this is a very busy time for me. Plus, I’m taking two trips during my spring vacation, so probably best not to spend a bunch of money right now. And I don’t hate Bhansali as much as some people do, but I find him uneven (loved Ram Leela and Bajirao, meh on Devdas, haaaaaaaated Guzaarish) and if I didn’t like the film I’d be pretty bummed.

    OK, but, I did see Bahubali 2 in the theater! So happy I got to see it on the big screen; it would not have been the same on my TV. I liked it better than the first one! The romance I enjoyed a lot more–I’m not a particular fan of forced feminization and nonconsensual tattooing but the part where the older Bahubali teaches Devasena to shoot three arrows at the same time is so sexy! Speaking of which, I finally get it about Prabhas.

    Now I will have to read all the stuff on here about Bahubali! It will take a while, though.

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    • So glad you saw Bahubali 2!!! And trying to remember if I resisted even a hint of a spoiler. I think I did. So now I can tell you that the general consensus here, and int he wider world, is that B2 ws much richer and deeper and better than B1. The themes it explored were a lot more complicated, the characters weren’t as simple, and the romance was on a whole different level. Supposedly Tamannah in B1 was a somewhat last minute addition to fill out the screen time and fill in some plot gaps, whereas Anushka in B2 was clearly the main element of the story.

      Yeah, I think skip Padmavat. If nothing else, I suspect it will be streaming shortly. It seems like the bigger the movie, the faster it is streaming. It’s the little off beat ones that we have to wait forever on.

      On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 1:07 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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      • Well, there’s the whole embargo issue, although if it’s showing in Japanese theaters that might not be an issue. Like, the other day, Erosnow sent me a message about Ittefaq. Yay! I can watch Ittefaq! I rush over to the website to plan my weekend around it and get a “Page not found” message=streaming but embargoed in Japan. Then, later that same day the same thing happened with Kai Po Che. Kai Po Che!! It came out, what, eight years ago? Still embargoed in Japan for some stupid reason.

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  17. Saw Fahad Faasil’s latest movie Carbon directed by Munnariyippu director and music by Vishal Bharadwaj (Kaminey Director). I liked the movie. It was an adventure movie with lots to think and contemplate. The film is basically how the the viewers interpret, doesnt give away the story fully. Music from vishal bharadwaj was not that great, expected more.

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  18. Thinking: I got a lot of posts to catch up on!! My naniji passed away and I was out of town for her last rites.

    I want to watch padmavat this week but a social media personality whom I follow gave it a not so great review which basically sits close to what I’ve suspected about the film myself from the previews. Also, it might not be entirely safe to go watch the film.

    What do you make of the violence and when do we get your review of the film?

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    • So sorry about your Nani! And I suggest starting with TGIF and fanfic and skipping all the others, why overtax your brain? Oh, and I have indexes for them now to make it easier!

      I am reserving judgement on the violence, there is often the threat of violence with these films, and then the police make arrests and so on and it ends up fizzling out. The threat is often more damaging than the fact, because of people deciding not to go just in case. And then the first few shows happen without incident and the box office picks up as people start coming. I mean, maybe something will actually happen this time, but I am still reserving judgement.

      The film is opening here today, but I won’t be seeing it until tomorrow. I feel kind of guilty, because I really should be rushing to get out a review, but it takes a lot out of me to see a midweek film, so I think we can all wait until Friday when I can sleep late the next day!

      On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 5:24 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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      • I’m not even sure whether bhansali actually encouraged the madness or not because the multiplexes that are playing the film are charging as much as 2500 bucks a seat even for the regular rows

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        • Yeah, I’m planning to go to a mainstream theater instead of the Indian theater to see it, partly because I am worried about the prices. With a different film I wouldn’t mind paying the higher prices (it’s only going to be like $2 more here), but I am so sure it is not going to be a film for me that I don’t want to spend extra money on it.

          On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 7:49 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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          • Nope, wouldn’t be surprised at all! Another reason I ignore India box office! At least with global, especially America, I have some sense of if the ticket prices are inflated and how that is affecting things just by how much I paid and how much they cost at theaters around me. It’s going to be inflated in America too by the way, because it is 3D. Our ticket prices are always the same, unless it is 3D or Imax, and then we will accept an increase. It’s part of why Bahubali 2 had such crazy high box office here, because it was on Imax, and our Imax prices can be two to three times higher than regular. 3D is more like a third again higher.

            On Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 9:33 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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  19. I watched Hindi Medium this week. I liked it but found that it dragged a bit. I’m sorry that Saba’s character was such a stereotype–but I can see how they needed some kind of reason for them to go to the lengths they did. Actually, the movie managed to get in multiple stereotypes of both rich and poor people. Ah well. Irrfan as always was wonderful, and he and Deepak’s relationship was really touching. Have they acted in anything else together? Great chemistry. It was wonderful to see Amrita, though again her character couldn’t be very realistic due to plot needs.

    I recall you saying you didn’t like the Hollywood-ish ending. I didn’t mind it–the device of presenting the kids from the government school in the private school uniforms and showing off their talents and dreams. I tend to work with local educated elites at least part of the time when I’m in countries like India, Bangladesh, Haiti, Uganda–and they commonly have the attitude that poor people aren’t human in the same way they and their families are. I mean, coming from the US where many of us seem to believe that also, I shouldn’t say anything. But I’ve been surprised by how common that view is. So, I think the simple message that poor children have exactly the same desires, gifts, and potential as middle class and wealthy children is important–even if it is given via a clumsy plot device.

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  20. I just watched the marvelous mrs maisel.
    I just love that the two leads are female, and both funny but in different ways, and both engaged in a professional relationship, instead of a love triangle, or a relationship due to their kids. Or it could be viewed as.an unusual love triangle, where the husband and the manager are both in love with mrs maisel. Gay subtext is strong in this show . This show passes the Bechdel test for sure, as well as Margaret’s feminist film criticism criteria.

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    • I started it yesterday after moviemavengal recommended it, and it’s very good and so absorbing. I watched the first episode, and then all day long was thinking about it, and couldn’t wait to continue.

      But today is Breathe premiere and all other series and movies had to move on 😉 I just finished first episode and will say only two words: AMIT SADH

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        • 2nd episode gave me goosebumbs. Intense, is the right word to describe this show.
          And in the meantime Madhavan answered to my tweet again! Yay, can I start telling that we have online relationship now? 😉

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          • You and Maddy absolutely have an online relationship! And of course you and I do to, so know I can say I am a friend of a friend of his.

            On Fri, Jan 26, 2018 at 6:00 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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  21. Watching -a lot of re-watching lately: Tumhari Sulu, a Baahubali mini-marathon on a stinking hot day with an intermission between the 2 to eat some dinner, and I had fallen behind in my ‘watch all SRK movies in order’ quest so yesterday I rewatched Darr and I won’t ever have to watch it again. I found the background score so shrieking and invasive (excessive use of violins…) with the result that I found Lata’s vocals so shrill – it was all an assault on my eardrums and I fast forwarded through a couple of songs.

    Other than that it has been Grand Slam tennis – Australian Open which will finish on Sunday – and bits n pieces on Netflix. We have had some really hot weather lately. Last weekend we had 4 days over 40 degrees (got up to 46 one day – the kind of day when I only open the door to let the dog out for a toilet break) and we’re in for a couple from today (Saturday) – will beat the heat later today and go and see Padmavat. Hubby and son are coming to see it too – so, yay, I don’t have to make a public transport journey in the heat.

    When Padman and Padmavat were both still down to be released on the same day I had been wondering if it would be possible to spend all day at the cinema and watch them back to back but the question ended up being academic with Padman shifting to Feb 9. And with Aiyaary also releasing on the same day I can once again ponder about spending all day at the cinema…

    Do we know if there is anything releasing on March 1st/2nd?

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    • Right now, Drive and Pari are both set for March 2nd. Drive being the Sushant/Jacqueline Dharma produced action movie, and Pari being Anushka’s next production, a thriller. Of course, they could both end up moving based on the release of other bigger films. I think Pari already moved, if I am remembering correctly it was supposed to take the Feb 9th date.

      Anyway, I am excited for both of those movies! Both because they have the potential to actually be good, and because I am curious to see a Dharma action movie and whatever Anushka does next.

      I had the same Padman-Padmavat question! Except I was thinking of Friday night and then again Saturday, which kind of kills my weekend but might be worth it for two big films. With Aiyaari and Padman, I suspect I will be seeing Aiyaari just because my friend Dina refuses to see Padman (because she really hated Toiled). But then probably PAdman by myself the next day.

      On Fri, Jan 26, 2018 at 3:54 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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      • Another factor to consider here is whether the movie will be released at both the Hoyts complexes in our general vicinity. The Diwali, Christmas and Republic Day (which is also Australia Day) releases are shown at the Hoyts nearest us (Salisbury, 30 minute train ride) and the one a bit further away (Tea Tree Plaza, 40 minutes by car, allow 1.5-2 hours by public transport). Other movies are generally released only at Tea Tree Plaza – just my luck…
        Ideally they will both show at Salisbury – close enough so that if I get there by train, it isn’t too far for son or hubby to come and pick me up if the finish is after dark. I won’t hold my breath. Padman might possibly show there, we’ll see.

        I expect they will both be screened at TTP, so then it comes down to session times. a. do they clash? b. is one an early/mid afternoon and the other an early evening, if so, is anyone willing to travel for 40 minutes to pick me up (cos travelling by public transport is a pain in the evening)?

        So many factors…

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        • This is why I miss when every mall had a theater! If the showtimes didn’t line up just right, no biggie, you could kill an hour or so having lunch and walking around and so on. Last time I ran into showtime issues, I ended up leaving the theater complex entirely, taking myself out for a meal at a nearby restaurant, and then driving back.

          On Fri, Jan 26, 2018 at 4:37 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:

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