Beliefs, Blackness & Bollywood

Films in black

2009-01-04T12:54:00.012+09:00

A combination of sickness and boredom have driven me to downloading a ton of notable black films I've either never seen or have never watched in their entirety.

Here's a few I've blown through in the past week or so:

First Sunday (2008)
It has been mentioned in reviews that this film should have been funnier than it was. This is true considering the film featured Katt Williams, Ice Cube and Tracey Morgan. At the same time, I get the feeling the script wasn't written as an out-and-out comedy. It seems like it was written in the vein of 'movies black church folk would like to watch', casting decisions aside. In the end, the movie was enjoyable even if predictable and overly sentimental. I won't lie. I shed a couple of tears.

The Bodyguard (1992)
When this film came out I was 14. I couldn't have cared less about watching a love story with Kevin Costner. *ewww* Even now, the idea isn't particularly enthralling. I picked this one out though because it's representitive of progresison in pop film. I've never been much of a Whitney Houston fan--my concerns were elsewhere during the height of her fame--but watching the film really helped me understand her aura. She's very pretty and very alluring. And graceful. (Well, she was anyway, pre-Bobby.)

Waiting to Exhale (1995)
This is another one staring Ms. Houston. Ok, as a black female, I have to hang my head in shame admitting that I've never sat through this movie. Overall, I liked it. I couldn't entirely sympathize with the all the characters 'cause I seriously don't get the "He's married but his wife is awful" line of reasoning for sleeping with married men. Still, I could see why this film was so popular. It covered the situations most single women find themselves in and in the end, everyone's happier and better off. Good stuff.

You Got Served (2004)
I sware, most of this flick is so unmemorable, that I think I have seen the whole thing before. I only remembered the final dance sequences but given the acting and storyline, it's no great wonder. Before this viewing I hadn't realized Meagan Good was in the film though. She's a really cute girl and I think her look is pretty representative of the 'hot black girl' image for the current generation. Very LA style...

The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
So obviously, the copy I saw of this was super bootleg since the dvd isn't out yet. I really wanted to see this film because of the cast: Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, lil Dakota Fanning and Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda). I loved Alicia Keys character June. She was so mean it was hilarious. I was a little wigged out at the whole 'praying to the Mother Mary statue in the living room' thing but why let that ruin enjoyment of a perfectly nice film? The message of love and healing was a nice one.

Moonwalker (1988)
I had seen chunks of this as a kid when they used to play it VH1 every year. Watching it straight thorugh was a bit of a chore since it isn't a traditional narrative film, it's a bunch of short films linked together. Watching it this time around, it occured to me that Michael Jackson is a Picasso or Einstein of music and performance. I don't think anyone will ever replicate the level of influence and ingenuity Michael brought to the world ever again.

I'm gonna blow through a couple more tonight. There's no telling what I have or haven't seen but friends are often ragging on me for fairly prominent omissions. I'll probably stay on this track for a few more days then blow through some Bollywood films during winter vacation next week!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T18:59:00.001+09:00

So here I am in a new year wondering if anyone is still reading this blog...
I'm at a loss as for what's coming up in Bollywood these days or as to what films of note I might have missed. What should I watch next?

Believe it or not, it was easier for me to get Indian films in Nashville than here in Seoul. I've been told there are a couple of markets here in town but apparently, they're all segregated to one area of town (Itaewon). That being the case, for better or for worse, I've resorted to torrent sites to get my fix.

I need recommendations!

And, as much as I complained about Akshay Kumar's last cinematic adventure, for some reason, I can't help but want to watch this one.

Part of what kept me blogging in the beginning was the feeling that there was so much more to see. Now that I'm near a hundred viewings, I know deep down inside that is NOT the case. Still, I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel. ;)

Happy New Year everyone!

India Express shout out!

2008-12-21T22:56:00.004+09:00

The blog got a mention in an article in The Indian Express on phoren Bollywood fans.

My buddy Beth (who loves Bollywood) got a lot of column width! It's a nice little masala piece.

:)

Dostana (2008)

2008-12-20T22:46:00.002+09:00

John and Abhi gay
shows Karan's fantasy in
thinnly veiled story

Ok, ok. There's a bit more to Dostana than that but not much. Regardless of anything else, the film editor on this one was either a woman or gay man (Karan Johar?) because I have a hard time believing a straight dude would leave so many lingering images of John Abraham's glimmering abs and perfect pects in the final cut.

Parts of this movie were so ridiculous, I almost felt offended for the entire gay community, and that's saying a lot. Par example, the scene where the man in camo starts crying about his boyfriend being in Iraq and complementing John & Abhi on being such a happy couple...WTH?! It was ridiculously random...like a bad parody of Jack on Will & Grace.

Ever since KANK, I've been yelling, "Why can't I quit you K-Jo?!" but we all know it's a losing battle. Even as I watched in various moments of horror and dismay I couldn't help but laugh myself silly at Abhishek's behavior in the lovestory "flashback" scene. He looked like he was interpreting a (gay) man interpreting a woman which I suppose he was but the fact that he was three steps removed from reality really showed as he was throwing his lanky limbs all over the place and making pouty faces!

As for the lovely John Abraham, this might be his best role yet: the straight guy every gay guy wishes was gay. I mean, isn't that like his life story? All he had to do was show up. No acting required. Just thinking about it, I would hate, hate, hate to see him and Aishwarya paired together. That would definitely be the Titanic of beauty and non-acting. *sigh*

Basically, the film is only good for giggles. If giggling at men enacting every gay stereotype is funny to you, or more specifically, Abhishek Bachchan enacting every gay stereotype, then you'll find something worth enjoying. Well, there's also Priyanka looking as beautiful as ever. (Bobby Deol isn't much worth mentioning here.)

Also, a couple of the songs are really hot. Still, this one isn't going to make my favorites list!

Bollywood is Happier.

2008-11-13T10:20:00.005+09:00

I watched half of Singh is Kinng last night, which no lie, is remarkably idiotic.* But this morning on the train I found myself thinking, How is it that I like Bollywood so much better than Hollywood?

Bollywood is...happier.

That's what makes it so endearing. It lacks the cynicism of the hopes and dreams of a thousand atheists--it's Hollywood counterpart. And that's what makes Jab We Met so perfect. An absolutely cynical character gets cured of melancholy by a few songs, some dancing, a series of idiotic mishaps and of course, a girl. What could possibly be more pleasant?

*I won't hold back, I think it was the most widely stereotypical display I've seen in years. If I see Akshay Kumar play another 'dumb as dirt, strong as an ox' Punjabi boy, I might have to slap someone. And then there were all the black people used as props. Robbing people in Egypt, running gangs in Australia, getting the crap beat out of them, and my absolute favorite, completely destitute and living seven to a camping trailer on the outer limits of town. Wow. As if I hadn't lost enough IQ points by the end of the film, Snoop Dog pops out in a turban during the credits. (And why wouldn't he? This is what he does in his spare time.) And yet, somehow, if I had to be locked in a room with this or 70% of the films that have won Oscars the last few times around, I'll take "Utter Buffoonery" for $300, Alex.

Meanwhile, back in Bollywood-land

2008-10-07T11:24:00.004+09:00

I've been meaning to post on Jab We Met because it might just be my favorite romantic comedy...ever.

And I'm not sleepin' on Sahid Kapoor anymore either. I get it now. He does this look. And the cinematographer was working it. lol!

The little bit about, "Maybe he's impotent." "He's not." "How do you know?" "You can tell." "But how do you know?" And on it went. Hilarious. Was that even scripted?

This is the first film in which Kareena's performance didn't annoy me so that's saying a lot.

Considering it was recommended by a true B'wood cynic, I shouldn't have expected any less. :)

Is this the future of film?

2008-10-07T10:12:00.004+09:00

I was checking the NYTimes homepage this morning when I saw this:
It’s a Healthy Marriage of Faith and Filmmaking
under the Movies section.

Although, Shut the hell up! is not the best response to this--I've been around nothing but potty mouths for the past couple of months--I was quite flabbergasted to see a headline in the Times that didn't indict faith as a source of criminal activity or moral hypocrisy. Could a new day be dawning? Perhaps, but I think the numbers are why anybody's bothered to take notice. A $5k film making 6.5 mil on opening weekend is certainly newsworthy.

Basically, middle America wants to see itself on film. Hollywood only knows L.A. and mostly the part that starts north of Santa Monica. New York does New York like nobody else can...and then there's the rest of the freaking country! We. Do. Exist.

That's the mystery of Tyler Perry and these Sherwood Baptist folks. That's also the mystery of the Napoleon Dynamite film.

Nothing Tyler's done is particularly fabulous. The stories have Christianish themes. The production values are low. None of his stuff is high concept and yet he makes bank every time. His little studio hasn't (yet) been in the red.

Then there's the Sherwood guys--a Baptist church rolling out a production every other year with volunteer actors and crew at more than a 1000% profitable return.

And the producer/directors of Napoleon Dynamite were a couple of Mormons--literally husband and wife--who wanted to make something everybody could watch. And they did. And everyone watched. And they made a lot of money.

It seems like a film's either got to be so big it's got a franchise attached or so small there's no way to lose money these days. After reading about Spielberg and Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) getting turned down by Universal, it looks like the industry's turned a corner. I'm glad to see there's room for--and more specifically--avenues for films that look and sound like life outside the major metros.

All my best writing is...

2008-08-03T03:01:00.003+09:00

Typically the end of that statement would be "on my blog". That's been my excuse for not finishing any scripts.

At the moment, I'm doing a bit of writing and I haven't had the energy to blog. That said, I'm reposting an email I sent to friends here. Also, I'm trying to find time to watch my downloaded copy of Jab We Met so I should have something to talk about sometime soon...

God-fearing atheists

2008-06-28T02:53:00.005+09:00

[title lifted from GetReligon; original Pew Forum study here]

This was the funniest thing I've heard all week! I mean, Geez, don't people have any loyalty anymore?!

21% of atheists believe in God. [ref]
55% of agnostics believe in God. [ref]

Grandly amusing. I was telling my coworker about this and he said, "They must have interviewed a bunch of people who's elevators don't go all the way upstairs." That's one way to put it. I imagine the interview went like this:

Interviewer: Do you believe in God?
21% of atheists: Yeah.
Interviewer: Great. Uh, do you go to a house of worship?
21% of atheists: No, I'm an atheist.
Interviewer: Okaaayyy....

You know something's trendy when the people doing it no longer know why. Equally silly is this factoid:

74% of Americans believe in heaven but only 59% believe in Hell. So where do serial killers go when they die? [ref]

The columnist wants answers and I do too! For real, people! For real!

And speaking of people going to hell, I'm sure this guy has reserved seating: Prosecutors said Chiman Rai had son's wife killed because she was black

This crazy guy is quite close to booking tickets: Hangman's noose, gun lead to arrest of LaVergne man (Yes, that is 15 minutes from where I live.)

I'm pretty sure this guy has a real estate office where he sells hell-plots to his parishioners but that's another post for a different day...a really long post...

Race (2008)

2008-06-21T10:59:00.007+09:00

brothers hate and love
sex and murder flow as one
stay alive to "win"

*sigh*
As many things as Race had going for it--gorgeous actors, great music, good storyline--I'm secretly hoping not to see many more Bollywood films like this one. One of the things I adore about most Bollywood is its carefully guarded sense of naivete.

Though I was quite amused by the catchy first song of the movie, Rock the Dancefloor--which had a Latin-flavored track over cowboy ranch/redneck visuals, some break dance moves, a few stray black folks who weren't looting, attacking, or gang afilliated, (one was permitted screen time for a booty dance!)--by the last song of the film, I had seriously had an upskirt overdose. Seriously.

I only rented the film since both of the guys at the different markets I go to said it was a good film. Which it is...in general terms. But then, what guy doesn't want to see the some of Bips' boobs? I, on the other hand feel slightly violated. I mean, just when you thought it was over Saif's having another flashback. I mean, I know it was good and all...

Anyways, the car and stunt sequences were pretty solid though. I like cars quite a bit, so that almost made up for my suffering. Also, I had never thought much of Saif (lawd, especially after Hameshaa) but I could sense the appeal a bit more here.

At any rate, my biggest beef is needless violence. Fairly early in the film when the cheating jockey is blown up in his car Saif and Akshay drive off with these ill smirks on their faces. All throughout, there's just too much casual nihilism for my liking. Films like this make me physically tired after watching them.

Let's just hope my next film choice will be better...more like Om Shanti Om, which I still haven't reviewed yet!

Baabul (2008)

2008-06-13T05:00:00.003+09:00

True love dies. Wife alone.
Is sati next? Khabie nay.
A new love rescues.

I wasn't particularly impressed by Baabul though I wanted to be. This film had BigB, Salmaan Khan and John Abraham for goodness sakes! Oh yeah, and Rani.

That said, sorry to add spoilers BUT Salmaan's unfortunate death is the best one I've seen since Brad Pitt got hit by two cars in Meet Joe Black. It was so...wow.

Whatever happened to Millie's childhood friend? No one's seen him since the wedding. I heard he's a Chippendale dancer in some European club with a bunch of white girls as backup dancers... Well, something like that.

Poor John. The same thing that make him a great model make him a terrible actor and dancer...the ability to hold the same expression for WAY too long. After seeing John Abraham trying his best to act and dance, I won't complain about Salmaan ever again! If you happen to run into John on the street don't embarrass him by asking, "What do you do?" He can't answer, "I act," or "I dance." John knows the truth. The only thing he can say is, "I sexy." Seriously, he must have studied acting with Keanu Reeves...

Speaking of sexy, Rani's lip gloss be poppin' in the final scene (that went on way too long). It's so luscious it's distracting!

I think the message was more the point than the film itself. With that in mind, they should have done an infomercial on treating widows kindly rather than make audiences suffer!

(Furthermore, is John Abraham the poster boy for Widow Kindness Month or what? First Water, then this!)

Bollywood Rules!

2008-06-10T22:52:00.006+09:00

Since I'm home sick today, I thought I'd put my time in between naps to good use.

I'm working on an informal "Intro to Bollywood" YouTube-type video for an acquaintance. Basically, I'm trying to whittle down my list of necessary Bollywood elements...the rules if you will. All commercial films follow some sort of rule system as far as story elements are concerned.

Sooo, here's my top 3. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

There is always a love story. Always. (I especially like it when people find time for love in the middle of a terrorist subplot. That warms my heart.)
Grown men cry...and dance! (Korean actors have the crying part down but most of them can't dance a lick.)
There will be ~~blood~~ singing and EVERYONE will lipsynch. (If you know of an actor/actress that sings their own stuff. Please do let me know!)

East Coast talks West Coast...

2008-06-06T23:45:00.002+09:00

“You’d want me to take the money? You’d want me to whore out. That’s what they wanted me to do,” he said. “You know how hard it is not to do the conservative thing out there?"

After reading the NYTimes piece on Mr. M. Night Shyamalan, which ended with above cheeky quote, I'm definitely going to give The Happening a try this weekend. I didn't really dig Signs or The Village very much so I skipped Lady in the Water.

Despite the fact that Night's vibe has an unpleasant "I AM FILM" ego as big as Kanye West's imaginary "God of Hip Hop" title, he's talented and Hollywood's end-all-be-all mentality makes me want to throw up--but not because I'm bulimic...because that would be giving in to the monster that is 'the industry'...

Big ups to a man who found a way to stay in Pennsylvania and still get it done.

Speaking of dating...

2008-06-03T00:19:00.003+09:00

This made me laugh: (click to see larger)

[found on Melody's blog]

Also fyi, if I'm not blogging here, I might be blogging here. Don't want to mix my Korean and Hindi stuff too much. At least not until I hook up with the Bollywood club in Seoul. ;)

Jodhaa-Akbar (2008)

2008-05-12T12:05:00.013+09:00

Two kingdoms unite
Sharafuddin will not die
How can love bring peace?

Jodhaa Akbar is a lovely movie. After being chastised by a few readers for so negligently allowing a full three months to pass without chasing down my BwBF's latest movie, I hustled on down to a new market to pick it up. (Dude only charges $2 and you can keep the film a week!)

Unfortunately, watching J-A allowed me to realize just how ridiculously shallow my tastes have become inasmuch as Hrithik is concerned. Sitting through 2+ hours of him looking stately without a single dance move was more than I can bear! *No booty shaking? None?!* I mean, I know he was supposed to be the Emperor and all but couldn't he do a little somethin' somethin'.....for the Queen? *sigh*

Additionally, the circumstances of my viewing were less than optional. I had gotten some girls together for another "Bollywood Night" and had planned for us to watch Bunty aur Babli. Then, at the last moment I thought Om Shanti Om might be better since I still haven't seen it yet. When it wasn't available I added on Jodhaa-Akbar instead. Foolishly, I let the newbies pick which film they'd rather watch based on the dvd covers. Wowed by the intricate costumes and a "princess story," they chose the historical drama.

After the bazillionth nobleman was introduced and the gazillionth hint of betrayal was shown, a few people's eyes started to glaze over. I've obviously seen a fair share of Indian films but I only have a fuzzy idea of Indian geography and the people groups in each state. I kind of get the religious conflicts presented but most of the other girls didn't. It was definitely not a good "first film."

Then there was Sharafuddin. I'm not the first blogger---and I certainly won't be the last---to comment on crappy subtitles but golly gee whittakers this was the worst I've seen in a while and THE worst film to have bad subtitles on. J-A has a cornucopia of peripheral characters and they don't have nice modern names like Pooja, Raj or Ali. The point being that Sharafuddin was a central character to the plot and due to craptacular subtitles, EVERYONE had gotten it into their heads that he was killed in the first half of the movie only to discover he was quite alive and preparing a large, sinister coup d'etat right around the time Akbar finally 'gets some' from Jodhaa---also a major plot element, but far easier to follow. ;)

Still, for all my complaints, the cinematography was flawless. The production values were INSANE. (I heard there were 1,000 extras for one of the songs and it sure as heck looked like it.) Doing a film with that level of opulence in the US hasn't been feasible for years. The costumes were designed by the fabulous Neeta Lula (Devdas). And of course, the director scored two of the most beautiful actors in the universe.

Bottom line, the film is good...heck, it's great. It just requires your full attention.

7,680 men: or Why I am still single...Pt. 2

2008-05-02T10:40:00.032+09:00

The baggage mentioned in part 1 is in addition to the fact that I couldn't possibly marry a man who doesn't share my worldview, one based on Christian faith and a passion for intellectual inquiry. I've been wanting to calculate the numbers on this one and stumbling onto this page inspired me to finally do it.

2006 US census numbers indicate approximately 233,039,000 folks in the US of which slightly less than half are male--113,073,000. [ref] Of those, only 30,129,000 are between the ages of 25 and 39. Because I rob neither cradles nor graves, they are the only ones that matter.

It is estimated that 40% of Americans are Christians and of those, about 8% hold similar beliefs as my own. [ref] (I gave up my Christianity to follow Christ.) Accounting for beliefs leaves a solid 2,410,320 and we're only half way through. The general trend is that 51% of men 25-40 are married BUT Christians run about 10 percentage points higher on the marriage stats [ref] so actually, I'm looking at something like 61% married. I'm just under a million. (988,231 to be exact.)

[Side note: It is to my own detriment that I live in Tennessee, one of the most marryingest states in The Union [ref ] a state where only 27.3% of men have never been married. Which is a generous calculation considering they included 15-, 16-, and 17-year-old jailbait.]

I know, I know. You're probably thinking, So what! That's still almost a million guys! True. I'll even leave in all the guys who are "separated"--cause you know, it was totally their ex's fault--and the 2-3% who are living closeted gay lives. I'm feeling generous.

All things being equal, of that infinitesimal sliver, 12.3% will be black. [ref] Of them, 8% will "marry out" and 2% of the others (who are probably Latino), 0.2% of Asians and 0.2% of the white boys will convert to the dark side. Net loss: 9,724. Net gain: 4,544. *Such is life.* That leaves me with just 11.77% of the previously selected men--a grand total of 116,372 fellas somewhere in the United States.

In addition to all this, I have the nerve, the gall even, to want to marry a guy who's smart. Ok, ok, and not fat.
And has straight teeth.
And doesn't smell.
(A girl's gotta dream!)
Assuming "smarts" are on a Gaussian distribution, I've just cut my chances by 90%. I said 90% people! *cue gasps of horror*

That's only 11,637 potentially compatible men spread across 50 states and 3,794,083 square miles [ref] ...and 1 in 3 is probably dating someone...make that 7,680 men. You do realize that's just one eligible bachelor for every 494 square miles? ...some of whom are very unattractive?!

I probably should be worried but I feel a bit liberated. I was beginning to think I should "try harder" but really, trying to root out 0.006792% of the male population is a task suitable only for His Infinite Majesty. Jesus take the wheel...

Still, the next person who asks, "Why aren't you dating anyone?" is getting a printed copy of this essay and a pop quiz.

Abhimaan (1973): and why I am still single

2008-05-02T00:20:00.003+09:00

Man jealous of wife
Love withheld becomes sorrow
How can songs be sung?

Wow. This 70's throwback classic really dampened my spirits in as far as relationships go. Abhimaan is the story of a fabulously talented woman who is wooed heartily by a slightly less talented man who, after marriage, encourages her to shine...until she begins to outshine him. *grrr*

In general, I steer clear of flicks like this because I prefer to maintain rosy images of the other gender lest I dissolve into a pile of man-hating feminizing. I'm sure most women don't have such easily disturbed notions of menkind but to my own ridiculously-single-for-OMG-3-years-now detriment, I do. Seeing behavior like this reinforces the idea that men are petty, immature, and threatened by successful women.

Oh yeah, back to the movie, this is the only film in which I actually recall seing Jaya as a young woman. (I didn't know who she was when I saw Sholay.) She's so cute and "simple" in this film. I can see why she was very popular. In the defense of menkind, BigB's BFF was a source of reason throughout the film. He chastized BigB for kicking it at another woman's house and later inisted that he reconcile with his wife. The movie is interesting but not particularly challenging. It's amusing to watch the real life couple on screen in their youth though.

Soooo, what does this have to do with my life with two dogs rather than a boyfriend? This film strengthened my resolve to be single rather than annoyed. Unfortunately, I'm easily annoyed and clearly, all the more easily single. The thought of having to go pick up my drunk husband from another woman's house at midnight does not inspire the classy sort of resilience Jaya's character displayed in Abhimaan. It inspires thoughts of a BEAT DOWN.

To be continued...

Hollywood baby!

2008-04-23T00:08:00.015+09:00

Sooooo, I haven't posted in a while because I'm working all kindsa hustles to get some stuff in gear in the next few months, one of which is spending some time in LaLa Land, otherwise known as, LA--Los Angeles, California.

I got accepted to the Act One summer writing program which is really cool. They only take about 24 writers or so each year. Not only does that make me feel special :) but more importantly, it means I'll have very good access to the instructors and over the course of four weeks of 8-hour days, really get a chance to know and build relationships with the other writers.

In other acts of random impetuousness, I sent some info to a recruiter for English teachers in Korea and they'll be sending my 411 to the Seoul Metro School System within the next two weeks. For a while, I worried not only about the safety of my little dog but whether or not my Bollywood habit would be wrenched from my grasp while staying on East Asian soil.

Fortunately, my fears have been laid to rest. Well, not about the dog thing but by the fact that Seoul has a 300-member Bollywood club led by a fellow calling himself Hangulo. Considering the strength of Korea's indigenous media industry, that's saying a lot. It makes me smile.

Almost as much as the thought of being at Santa Monica beach during summer. Almost.

[Up next, Abhimaan (1973) & Why I am still single.]

The City of God

2008-04-07T11:41:00.003+09:00

Just the other day I finally watched the 2002 Academy Award nominated City of God. I knew the film was about street kids in Brazil, had good cinematography, and is supposedly a "must see film" but little else. I pondered the title, recognizing it as a reference to one of Augustine's treatises on the Christian faith.

Through watching the film, I discovered that the title was the name of the favela in which the story takes place, a neighborhood completely overridden with poverty, violence, and general lawlessness, a neighborhood described in the film as "living in hell."

Anytime I watch something like this, I am reconfronted by the existence of evil. In an academic sense, there is never any doubt in my mind that evil exists yet fortunately in my daily life, there are few occasions when I am acutely aware of it. Times when awareness is unavoidable, have confirmed my deep weariness with the relativistic thought that permeates public discourse in the West.

Watching City of God also reminded me of the great evil lurking beneath the seeming good of self-preservation. Those who seek for themselves by any means necessary are bound to lose their souls in the process despite the suggestion that if they're fit enough to survive, all is well.

During day two of my viewing, (it was too much for one sitting), I was reminded of something Jesus said:

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. [ref]

Theft-death-destruction is one of the clearest perpetual cycles of evil. The undercurrent of destruction in this film was really unsettling for me. Beyond "simple" murder, there was destruction of property, beating, maiming, rape and humiliation. The repetitively wanton killing reminded me of this:

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. [ref]

The thief Jesus is speaking of is the ultimate enemy of mankind--Satan, the master purveyor of evil. The grand narrative of creation and the Revelation of John both reference the great enmity between Satan and God's creation. Every life taken from the earth is one less reflection of God's image. It is ironic then that the "City of God" in this film is one where the image of God is ruthlessly and continually stamped out.

One can only wonder what the officials of Rio de Janeiro were thinking when they relocated their city slums and dubbed them "City of God." Perhaps they were hoping the name might procure blessings from the Psalms:

Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy mountain
It is beautiful in its loftiness,
the joy of the whole earth...
God is in her citadels;
he has shown himself to be her fortress...
As we have heard,
so have we seen
in the city of the LORD Almighty,
in the city of our God:
God makes her secure forever.
Selah [ref]

May it be so.

Now this is interesting.

2008-04-02T22:52:00.005+09:00

Judge admits mistake in kicking whites out of court

What I can't gather from the story is whether or not the judge asked "the lawyers" to step outside of the courtroom--by the way the story is framed, it sounds like all of them were white--though after listening to the interview with Anderson Cooper, it seems like he said, "White people leave," (or something to that extent).

Um, did he really think a group of lawyers was gonna let that go? I get the feeling though he didn't care one way or the other. (What's up with judges thinking they're the shiznit anyways?)

I understand why he did what he did. (Say what you will, but being poor and black in Georgia is not the same as being poor and white.) At the same time, it wasn't good practice. In the end, I guess he got his point across...all across America. *sigh*

[The video is here if you want to watch it.]

Happy Monday!

2008-03-24T22:56:00.002+09:00

If like me, you hardly ever turn on your TV, you might have missed this back in '06. Even if you didn't, you know you want to watch it again.

Please, remove all food and other foreign particles from your mouth and nostrils before pressing play. Thank you.

You decide.

2008-03-21T22:49:00.006+09:00

I got a frantic email from a friend yesterday claiming she had seen Hrithik in a commercial on TV here in the US. (No, it's wasn't Bollywood-on-Demand.) Thanks to the wonders of the internet, she was able to procure the promo from YouTube which I've posted below for your viewing pleasure.

As for the decision part, Has my boyfriend been darkened in the reggae scene or is that just a really nasty shadow? Just taking a friendly poll. You know how much I like blackface!

At any rate, Hrithik looks as delicious as always. He's working the Latin flavor pretty well. Which is marvelous considering his next costar is Mexican telenova star Barbara Mori. It has been said that Sonam Kapoor turned down a chance to star opposite Boyfriend #1 because the role in the film was "too bold". (Sounds another lawsuit opportunity...)

There's very little info about the film online as of yet--the working title is "Kites", Papa Roshan is involved though not directing--but gathering from the tidbits on Barbara's wikipedia profile, it has been suggested that filming will begin in late July with locations include New Mexico, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

There is a reasonable chance that I'll be in Los Angeles in July and August. (more on that later) If I see Hrithik in LA, I will pass out...which wouldn't be a bad thing. If I don't pass out, I will inevitably become a bumbling mess of too many words and not enough ~~sense~~ sentences. He will inevitably extend his hand in greeting and I will stare too long. It all goes downhill from there...

One more reason why...

2008-03-21T04:52:00.003+09:00

...I *heart* Huckabee.

I know he's not running for President anymore and real Republicans don't tolerate unpretentious rooting for the common man (or eating popcorn-popper fried squirrel for that matter), but he seems like a nice fellow and this little TV moment proves he actually has some sense as well.

Speaking yesterday on MSNBC's Morning Joe program, Huckabee said that statements made by Senator Barack Obama’s former pastor were unacceptable but understandable...Huckabee, who grew up in the segregated South, added that if he had experienced the kind of discrimination African Americans have in American history, he would probably have become bitter. [via]

Here's the video if you care to watch.

Chak De India (2007)

2008-03-15T11:24:00.005+09:00

[I was so amped when I finished the film I forgot to write a haiku! The review is now properly introduced...]

Coach wants one team, ek!
Girls learn to "play well with others."
Soon, the fight is on.

I loved this flick! I’m loving the “We play for one country” theme. A team is a team. This is Shahrukh Khan in all his glory. I’m definitely feeling the goatee…and the obligatory rain scene. (Has Shahrukh ever been in a film where he didn’t get doused with water?)

On to other things, if I was Punjabi, I’d be salty about how snarly the Punjabi girl looked. Even so, I’m still mad about her unibrow. I mean, I guess they were going for absolute realism on that one but they coulda gave her some kinda touch up! Where were the stylists? Makeup?!

Sports films are notoriously predictable and this one is no exception. The first half has some nice character development and the second half is, well, sports. Except for that little private moment with Bindiya and coach in the restroom, but I digress. (Was that good acting or was the actress really making our man SRK nervous?)

Also, I guess it wouldn't be me writing the review if I didn't mention the fact that it was really cool that several of the girls were supposed to be from remote rural areas...jungles even(!) and that some of them actually looked different. My favorite line was the bit about being treated like a foreigner in your own country. Word. Maybe, someday in the near future, in a mainstream fillum, one of those foreign or "jungle" girls will actually get to have a backstory. Here's for hopin'.

On a unifying note, that moment at McDonald’s had to be the best fight scene I’ve watched in a good long while. Not because the action was so stellar but because it was vicariously satisfying. Who hasn’t wanted to beat the crap out of obnoxious catcalling boys at the mall? *two tight slaps* Girl power!

Watch the film.
Go.
Rent it immediately.

Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)

2008-03-14T01:07:00.001+09:00

a peck on the cheek
no cure for child's deep longing
though she calls it home

I had been wanting to see Kannathil Muthamittal for quite some time. For some reason the dvd was never available on Netflix and not being able to pronounce the title, I gave up trying to find it at a local market.

Fast forward a year or so and this film is the reason I renewed my Netflix subscription. I was flipping through the pages of films available for instant viewing and saw "A Peck on the Cheek" buried in the foreign titles. It was NOT listed by it's actual title which probably explains why I couldn't find it.

First of all, Mani Ratnam is the best. His films offer a wonderful balance of beauty and substance. Secondly, there is just something very pleasant about Madhavan. I can't lay a finger on it but I enjoy watching him on screen.

Interestingly (or sadly) enough, before watching this film, I didn't know anything about civil unrest in Sri Lanka. I only knew the people there are very brown, many of them are very pretty and M.I.A's from there. My mention of it is not to imply that the film bothers to explain any of it, but in typical Ratnam style, it shows glimpses of people on all sides of the conflict. Still, the conflict merely plays background to the story of a little girl desperate to find out where she came from and why her birth mother left her behind.

I am such a sucker for adoption stories. This one was particularly challenging in that it made me think of the emotional process a child has to go through even when adopted by parents of the same ethnicity and language AND likewise, the emotional process the parents have to endure and the potential for being pushed away. Where the revelation of adoption might make one child cling to his or her adoptive parents all the more, another child feels the need to reconnect with their biological heritage and there's no way to predict or prepare for the outcome.

Enough rambling. If you haven't seen the film, watch it.
You'll thank me.

On a lighter note...

2008-03-06T01:48:00.003+09:00

Today is my birthday.
In an email, my coworker sent me a myspace type sparkly and this video.

*Oh my* :D

Oh my god, all these black people...

2008-03-06T00:24:00.011+09:00

...are supporting Barack Obama. It. is. so. annoying. Why can't more of them support Hillary? Why are they like, so flaky about the Democratic process? Like, who does Obama think he is, Bill Clinton--the voice of America's youth or something? God, did you see him dancing on Ellen? I mean, it was like, such a popularity seeking moment. Ewww.

For the record, this is what every "black people are voting for Obama because he's black" comment sounds like to my ears. Regardless of the vocabulary used, it sounds like whining and it sounds bitter. AND it's sooooo tired.

I can understand how people who vote in every election get a little miffed whenever the presidential elections come around and previously unengaged citizens arise from their couches and traipse out to the polls. How dare they! They should leave voting to the experts, to those who follow political commentary more closely than psychics follow Nostradamus! Oh, the perils of pseudo-Democracy! The perils of allowing the people ("blacks") to vote! Surely when the 15th Amendment was ratified, the legislature couldn't have imagined this day--the day when black folks might get to vote for a presidential candidate just because he's brown. Ha! What a disgrace.

Seriously though. Help is available.

Realize that if you are a white American and spend the rest of your life with American citizenship, you will likely never have the opportunity to vote for a presidential candidate "just because they're white" UNLESS Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination. Then you can vote for John McCain. Let me know how it feels.
Repeat after me: "Part of the democratic process is FREEDOM. Freedom means people can vote for whomever they want--for whatever reason they want." Say it until you believe it.

If the recitation doesn't work, I would suggest you stop watching so much political commentary; especially on 24-hour news channels like CNN. Listen to music and take a walk in the park. You'll vote for the candidate you've chosen and millions of other Americans will do the same. End of story.

[FYI, this ~~tirade~~ post was inspired by a few tired comments on my last post.]

That's what I call luscious...

2008-02-13T03:36:00.001+09:00

A friend just sent the link to a NYTimes article on ~~Princess~~ Mrs. (Abhishek) Bachchan.

It mentions her canceling out on a chance to film with Will Smith (again) this time because of Karva Chauth. (Really though, it seems that one could fast in any country. Sieves? You can buy 'em at Walmart. The moon? It can generally be seen from any location in the US. Ok, maybe not smog-filled LA but you get the general idea. A tag along husband and a public image of traditional marital devotion--much harder to get on set...) At any rate, the two will inevitably do a film now that Will's production company is using UTV for distribution.

Anyhoo, the article is here. The official website is here. And please, please, don't choke on the eye candy.

President Obama

2008-02-05T04:52:00.000+09:00

I suppose it's only fitting that I say something about this presidential election. The candidates are putting on quite a show and in all honesty, who can blame them.

Thus far, the most intriguing is the way Barack and Hillary's camps are going at each other. Who wants a black converted muslim political newbie or a Republican cum Democrat with "experience" via marital relations?

The most amusing is the man who stands alone: Mike Huckabee. i *heart* Huckabee. Though, if I had to choose between weird last names, I'm gonna take an Obama over a Huckabee 6 days out of the week. On a positive note, Bill Clinton plays the sax but bass guitar...that's a rock star's instrument. I mean, it's like a Capitol Offense to think otherwise.

That being the case, while Huckabee sings his own songs, people are writing songs about Obama. *Oh, the devotion of the previously politically uninvolved!* Not since Eisenhower has such a catchy tune been penned in praise of a presidential candidate. (The one for JFK didn't quite have the same zing.)

For your listening pleasure, I've included them both here because if there's one thing I like, it's pop culture. As for politics, call me back for the fourth quarter so I can see who wins.

Eisenhower

Obama

Talk about cheating...

2008-02-03T07:07:00.000+09:00

FYI, I'm referencing myself not the reader who sent me this email:

Hi:

Know of any Bollywood films depicting the British Raj -- especially 19th
century colonialism? I'm working on a project that looks at former
colonies' cinematic portrayals of colonial periods.

Thanks for any tips!

Mike

I figure it's a cheap excuse for a post. Off hand, the first films that came to mind were Lagaan and 1942: A Love Story. To a lesser extent I suggested Rang de Basanti.

My readers--if there are any left ;)--are a smart and well informed bunch. I'm sure there are numerous films I'm not aware of. Don't fail me now!

Drop your knowledge in the comments.
[Happy Black History Month!]

Jaan-E-Mann (2006)

2007-12-27T09:14:00.000+09:00

Man of disguises
Hides his love in another
Should love conquer all?

I picked this video up in a random impulse moment at the library. It, along with Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, was laying on the "return" counter. Knowing that anything worth watching has been recently checked out, I went for it.

The film was distinctively different. I'm still trying to decide if that's a good thing. Any film that opens with a scene in a space station, that also isn't about NASA, can be a bit perplexing.

To sum up the story line, it's something like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam with a dash of the surrealism in Moulin Rouge. Complete with both a fake dwarf and real ones, my personal highlight of the film is our friend Salman punching the lights out of a few guys in Times Square while dressed in a dress. The halter cut was a nice touch. lol.

In other news, Akshay Kumar is definitely growing on me. I had seen him in Namastey London earlier this year and enjoyed his performance. I haven't seen any of his action stuff but he seems to have reasonable facility as the "jilted lover" which isn't easy to play gracefully.

So, final vote, see it.
Cyrano de Bergerac type storylines are always a hit. It's terribly melodramatic but when is that a bad thing? And, this movie features the cutest little baby you've ever seen.

Bollywood Business

2007-12-18T00:32:00.000+09:00

There's a nice little piece in Newsweek about current rumblings in the Indian film industry. In some ways, it's kind of sad to hear that folks are going the way of Hollywood. Gangsters and film families are way more interesting...

Hooray For Bollywood

In other news, Night Shyamalan has one more mess up before he's on my "Do Not Watch" list. lol. I hope he doesn't bankrupt his producers with this latest venture.

Well, maybe not proud.

2007-12-13T13:05:00.001+09:00

It looks like the old Rimi Sen post is picking up some heat. First there was the "just toeing the line" comment:

It's not that Indians think dark skin is ugly - they just think that it's not "ideal".... it's personal choice, not racism.

PS: Riya Sen and Bipasha Basu have dark skin and one of the most beautiful women in the world!

*sigh*
I've said my fair share of embarrassingly ignorant things so I'll let this one go unchallenged. I know I'm an outsider but when people call Bips "dark" I'm like, WTH do they call Johnny Lever?!?

Moving on. The discussion dissolved into this comment which sincerely made my jaw drop.

as a black woman speaking (half nigerian, half antiguan), i can't help feeling that we are the least desirable people on earth...i can't think of many beautiful celebrities who are 100% black.

I was still waiting for the punchline when I read this part:

i am surprised to learn that a third world country (india) is THIS advanced and can make very well-made movies.

I don't think that's the punchline but it sure was funny. (Not "funny ha ha" either.)

but africa (except north african/arab africans) and carribeans (expcept indian descended carribeans) isn't very beautiful and advanced and the traditions is not very nice too. the black african western culture is really bad too

The commenter takes a few moments to describe black Western culture (as relayed by Southern rap, no doubt) and she's still not done. To sum it all up:

i wish i can say that i am black n proud, but then i would be a hypocrite.

Damn.

*moment of silence*

*another moment of silence*

I'm not the type of person to dis someone for being honest. If that's where you are in your emotional journey, then that's where you are. Granted, from time to time you have to assess whether or not where you are is where you want to be.

So, the primary reason I'm still up typing this when I should be easing my sleep deprived self into bed is because of the comment that followed which launched a petty personal attack on the previous commenter and included these choice words:

You being a black woman, I feel bad for you. You will never find a man.

Excuse me, WHAT?! I'm willing to tolerate some level of ignorance but I do mean ignorance, in the dictionary sense of the word: lack of knowledge, education, or awareness

I do not tolerate insult. Did someone just walk into my house, insult one of my guests, and try to sucker punch me at the same time?!

NOT COOL.

Lakeesha may not be down but I'm black, proud and will lay the smackdown.

As for the essence of her comment, most of which has been discussed here, the point about there being no 100% African celebrities is moot. (Un)fortunately? America is the entertainment capital of the world and most black Americans are "mixed" so that's the look you see on screen. Likewise, "the look" for Indians in America is brown--mochalicious brown. Well known Indian super hotties in the US probably wouldn't get hired for lead roles in Bollywood because they're *gasp* "dark".

So no, there's not many African celebrities but I don't think that's for lack of beauty. Miss World 2001 was Nigerian. It's more about of lack of proximity. Djimon Honsou's done reasonably well but he came to Hollywood via Paris. When the resources are there, the faces are there. End of story. Celebrity is an indicator of little more than a good publicist. Check out the website Jamati to see more African celebs if you like. [Random aside: the handsome fellow in the photo is a staff member from Invisible Children in Uganda. Check them out.]

Thanks for commenting lakeesha. Don't let the cyberbullies send you into hiding. Sing along with India Arie and holla back.

Pertaining to nothing and everyone

2007-12-07T06:40:00.001+09:00

Is this phenomenon wired into the female DNA?
Apparently, Chinese moms use the exact same phrases.
Any votes for South Asia?
;)

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)

2007-12-06T09:03:00.000+09:00

I know this isn't really up to snuff as far as come-backs are concerned, but here's the extent of my "review" for JBJ which I watched this summer. I didn't make it past the haiku.

WTH? Old man
your outfit is cool but the
movie is still lame.

The End.

*sigh* Jaan-e-Mann is on the way...

I probably shouldn't have...

2007-11-15T07:57:00.000+09:00

...but I couldn't let this little guy go.

You know you're in for trouble when people say, "Can you take him now?" but I did it anyway. How could you say "No" to this precious little face even if he hasn't been properly socialized and in the past 6 hours:

He FREAKED out at being closed in his travel crate
Howled at not being let out of the car IMMEDIATELY after it stopped
Got it on with one of the sofa cushions
AND growled at me when I attempted to remove the cushion from his *clutches*

I haven't even gotten to feeding time yet. *sigh*

I'm sure after a few more tutorials from the Dog Whisperer (and a bag full of meat-substitute treats) he'll know who his mama is! *grrr*

Only 7 days to go!

2007-11-03T02:30:00.000+09:00

Or 4 - 6 weeks Nashville-time.
Haven't even seen it yet but it has my vote for Hindi Film of the Year.

Doesn't it just look like a big ball of fun?!

Side Note: The sooner we all come to terms with SRK's obvious use of steroids, the sooner we can move on with our lives.

[To further discuss the offenssive nature of Shahrukh's "man-nips" in the OSO promo pics, join us at Bollywood Fugly after the reception.]

The Best Movie Ever!

2007-11-01T05:16:00.000+09:00

Last week during my volunteer stint at the ABFF I was able to sit in on a few films in between shifts and to be honest, most of them didn't keep my attention.

This movie, however, had me from "Dear Beth." ;)

PRESENTING: I'm Through With White Girls

Check out the trailer. And, if you know someone who works for a distribution company, call them NOW. I want my dvd ASAP!

[BTW, the title comes from this song by The Dirtbombs.]

Who doesn't like a challenge?

2007-10-31T13:39:00.000+09:00

I always like getting interesting emails.
Here's one that requires your help good readers. Your knowledge could help one more Indian film fan sleep at night...

Hey, T-Hype:

Occasional reader of your fine blog here with a question you might be able to help me with. A couple weeks ago my wife and I were doing the tour of the ruins in ancient Ephesus, near Selçuk, Turkey. From a distance, we kept hearing the same bit of music played over and over down the road by the big ticket ruins. When we finally made our way down there, we saw they were filming a Bollywood movie – or trying to. The poor production assistants were having a rough time keeping back the increasingly impatient crowds; they eventually caved under the pressure and the crowds swept in like a flood, effectively terminating the shoot for awhile. Attached is a photo I took of the actors, hoping to somehow identify them later. Any idea who they might be? No doubt they’re big stars in India, in which case it might be fun to know who they are. Thanks for your time and any info.

Cheers.

I'm thinking it's pretty obvious the hero is from the South. In fact, he looks familiar but I can't place him at all. Is Velu still reading? Any details?

Click to enlarge.

I'm a closet Republican.

2007-10-18T00:16:00.000+09:00

Dang. My sister just sent me a link to this quiz.

Apparently, my views on money pushed me from donkey to elephant.

For shame. For shame.

I always say, "When I get rich, I'm gonna vote Republican." I guess I'm about 1.5 million dollars ahead of myself...

Where in the world is t-hype?!?

2007-10-09T12:06:00.000+09:00

I was here.

I'll be here.

I just bought one of these.

And two of these.

I know. I know. That doesn't really justify my absence but it at least offers some explanation as to why I'm too distracted to post these days...

Whatever happened to this guy?

2007-09-19T07:49:00.000+09:00

Looks like one of the girls found him a cowboy hat. Only in Texas. I tried so hard too...

I'm liberated!

2007-09-16T13:18:00.000+09:00

Boy have I been absent from blogging!
I'd like to say I have some unusually interesting changes to share but not so. Instead of watching more 'phillums', I've gotten sidetracked by Chinese study, screenwriting/production, and actually reading...books...on paper. *gasp!*

Until this evening, nothing's been of enough interest for me to bother writing about.
This weekend, my church hosted a regional conference for Exodus International. Exodus is basically a clearinghouse of information for churches (and synagogues for that matter) who minister to people leaving a homosexual lifestyle.

This conference was my second Exodus event and I'm glad I was there. There's something so amazing about being surrounded by people who are chasing after what God has for them. Praise and worship is always super intense because for a lot of folks who come to the conferences, it's not only a 'safe place' but the first time they've realized wholeness in Christ doesn't equate with stereotypical gender norms. I love what one of the leaders said, "The opposite of homosexuality isn't heterosexuality---it's holiness." Word.

I met a guy at the annual conference I went to who was a post-operative MtF transsexual who worked as a stripper for a few years to save up for his surgeries. I met him a few months after he'd had his breasts removed so he wouldn't be called "ma'am" quite so often. On first sight, I thought, "That guy's really gay" but after having shared a meal with him and being priviledged to hear the circumstances of his life and his transformation process, I'm thoroughly convinced he's one of God's great showpieces. After spending all of his young adulthood living as a woman, (and a fairly cute one--I saw photos!), he decided to call it quits. His transformation was a long arduous process, still yet to be completed, but his hunger for God's truth despite the trappings of his physical body is an inspiration to me time and time again.

I was thinking about all of this driving home this evening when the song Liberator by my friend Jason Eskridge came up on my mp3 player. I couldn't help but think how absolutely perfect a theme song it is for some of the folks I've met through Exodus and what a theme song it's been for my life.

[*If you like the song, you can download it from Jason's MySpace for free. Just drop him a message and let him know I sent you! :)]
your hand of freedom
reached into my situation
breaking my binding chains
and granting me liberation

‘cause I once was bound to myself
the worst of penalties
I couldn’t escape from my sin
until you rescued me

you are my liberator
your love set me free
you are my emancipator
with your blood you bought me
now I am free
free

and I’m not going back
to that place again
where my mind and body
are enslaved to sin

through your life and your death
and your life again
you’ve taken this dead man
made me breathe again

you are my liberator
your love set me free
you are my emancipator
with your blood you bought me

you are my liberator
your love set me free
you are my emancipator
with your blood you bought me
now I am free

I’m set free
I’m set free

This is scary

2007-09-12T03:08:00.000+09:00

Prisons Purging Books on Faith from Libraries

I don't even have the energy to write a proper response.

Why are people afraid to admit that radical Islam is dangerous rather than dumping on every belief system under the sun?

*sigh*

How we get down

2007-09-01T04:19:00.000+09:00

WTH?!

I absolutely could NOT hold in my laughter when I saw this image!
It seems a church in Chandler, Arizona is "Bringing Sexy Back" for the next three weeks.

In truth, I have no problem with the church at large addressing sex BUT it does give me tramatic flashbacks to every half-hearted attempt I've had to sit through in the past. Even more frightenting, I'm reminded of my high school sex ed teacher insisting that she should demonstrate how to use a condom with a banana as the model. [NONE of us were up for that level of excitement during the school day.] Oh the trauma!!!

Read the story here or just visit the series website: HowSexyAmI.com.
[There's a 'sexy quiz' on there. You know you want to!]

On campus with Mr. Fair & Handsome

2007-08-24T03:45:00.001+09:00

[This is part II in the "Mini Khan Visits Nashville" series. Part I is here.]

M.K. and I rolled by Fisk University one day after work. I made sure he had a good view of Jubilee Hall which is on a ton of historic registries and was the very first permanent building on campus, completed in 1875, just 10 years after the Civil War ended.

I was sharing this bit of history with M.K. adding how Jubilee Hall was built after the Ku Klux Klan had burnt down the military barracks that originally housed the students.

"The spire on the building was used as a watch tower to give warning in case the Klan tried to raid the---"

"Everyone here is so dark!" M.K. interrupted.

"Um, Fisk is a black university M.K."

"Why do black people need their own university? I think what they need is Fair an--"

*enter angry mob*
"THAT'S THE GUY FROM THE COMMERCIAL!"

Suddenly, our campus trip was going downhill. Who knew there was a "Colorism Across Cultures" workshop this week?! It seems a few students were aware of our hero's insensitivity to the darker skinned among us. The result:

No, I did not kick him while he was down! I was stepping in to stop the violence. You know, "Guests are as gods" and all that.

On the way home I told Shahrukh that if he needed money or something, all he had to do was ask. Geez. There's no good reason why a guy like him should be endorsing such insulting products.

[reposted here]

Suprise, suprise!

2007-08-16T09:49:00.000+09:00

So, I'm halfway through a fairly craptacular week--'loose bowel' syndrome anyone?--and lo & behold! I arrive home this evening to see my roommate had left this in the hallway:

Shhh!!! He's still sleeping.

Oh, the places we'll go...

[Need context? Check out bollywoodbloggers.com.]

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

2007-08-10T02:39:00.000+09:00

Apparently, that's the motto of Hollywood moneymongers these days when it comes to Bollywood.

Unbeknownst to me, prior to the reading of today's NYTimes, Sanjay Leela Bhansali will hereafter have the distinction of directing the first Bollywood film produced by a Hollywood studio. Sony Pictures is footing most of the bill for Bhansali's next flick Saawariya.

That's serious business. Studios are notoriously risk adverse. I guess they figure there's enough people in India that if even 20% of the population checks the film out they'll be ok? Naturally, if everything goes as planned, more studios will probably jump on the Bollywood bandwagon. I have only two words for that: HRITHIK ROSHAN. Recognize.

As for Saawariya, it features everyone's favorite stalker boyfriend, Salman Khan, and the smoky-voiced Rani Mukerji. If nothing else, judging by Sanjay's previous work, I expect fabulously indulgent cinematography, more than enough reason to see the film without bothering with the storyline. ; )

Talk amongst yourselves.
[Click the photo to go to the NYTimes article.]

Monday Madness - Tokyo Breakfast

2007-08-07T03:49:00.000+09:00

Funny or not funny?

(My thoughts are in the comments.)

Oh snap!

2007-08-01T23:01:00.001+09:00

I don't think any coincidental amalgamation has been this serendipitous since Pink Floyd & The Wizard of Oz!

Presenting Unk's Walk it Out courtesy of the great American theater choreographer Bob Fosse:
(At least fast forward 2/3 of the way through. I sware they're doing the Bankhead Bounce!)

[via]

You've been warned...

2007-07-20T12:33:00.000+09:00

Korean dramas are Bollywood lite!--Similar story elements sans song and dance.

Not so long ago a reader suggested that I check out 풀하우스--Full House, a 2004 K-drama that featured K-pop star Bi. I warned myself to stay away, instinctively knowing that Bi was merely a "gateway drug" to all sorts of unimagined subtitled substances.

Enter Exhibit A, Kim Sung Su, aka the man on the left. Seriously, he looks good from every angle. How I love a man in a sharp suit--which was his entire wardrobe for the series. *sigh*

Furthermore, judging by this guy, the secret to cloning attractive men was discovered in a laboratory in Korea. (Yes, that's a different person.)

en Vacance

2007-07-12T03:37:00.000+09:00

So, as of this Thursday, I will be on vacation. Thank GOD!

During the course of my travels visiting family & extended family, I plan to spend a day in the NYC kicking it with Ms. Makhijani, Filmiholic and Totally Basmatic.

We're having lunch down at Saravanaas then rolling through "Curry Hill." If time permits, I may organize a dance around trees or stand in the middle of Times Square waiting for the wind to blow through my hair.

I'm way past due to leave Nashvegas! Posts to follow...

ON the CALL

2007-07-10T00:52:00.001+09:00

I was prodded by another blogger to record my thoughts about The Call, the major gathering at LP Field this past Saturday, 07/07/07. Initially, I hadn't planed to post about it. Two days later, I'm still having difficulty describing the experience.

I have never been one to spend an entire day in the summer sun, to spend extended hours in prayer, to willingly fast from food. None of those things sound like fun to me and as a general rule, I like fun.

Still, I woke up at 430 a.m. on Saturday because I had a feeling that if I didn't, I would be missing something I needed to be a part of. Around 615 a.m. I met up with a few friends and we made our way to gather with a few thousand other believers at Centennial Park a walk of prayer and repentance. Walk we did.

The silence was absolutely astounding. As far as my eyes could see before me and behind me were people filling all four lanes on Church Street. The image is burned into my mind. There were hundreds upon hundreds of people, many of whom had gotten up extra early to park at the Titans stadium then walk the nearly three miles to Centennial Park just to participate in the Repentance Walk--another 3-miles of walking. [Side note: Thank You to the folks from OutLoud who served water. Be blessed! A lot of people were severely thirsty by the time we reached that area.]

In some ways, it's a miracle anyone showed up at The Call. There was very little media promotion for the event. Other than the organizing team, no one even knew who would be there besides Lou Engle and a couple of the other folks and musicians he often ministers with. No schedule of events or performers/speakers was released. The Call was simply billed as a solemn assembly, a time of "prayer, fasting and repentance" and no less than 50,000 people showed up.

I don't think that I can do justice to all that I saw and heard in those 12+ hours I spent at the stadium so I'll simply list some of the things that stood out the most:

Every ethnicity was represented, not only in the crowd, but on the stage in the leaders that were chosen to lead the assembly in prayer.
The Call began as a day of prayer for America should--with the prayers of indigenous (First Nation) leaders. The prayers began with repentance and went from macro to micro:

Historically immoral legislation--Native American policies, slavery
Prayer for specific minority groups--Jewish, Latino, Asian, Afr.American, Native
Current immoral legislation--abortion, pornography

There was a lot of really great music and NONE of the artists were announced. (This was the biggest un-concert I've ever been to!)
The diversity of audience members was really cool. There were definitely some neo-punk styled kids there. I saw at least two families who appeared to be Mennonites. There were tons of hippie types and a few bikers complete with leather vests. Then there were ordinary-looking middle American folks of all ages--families, singles, youth groups--and all ethnicities.
It was HOT! By midday, the organziers assigned volunteers to take cases of water from their own supply and pass them over the rails from the field into the stands. Dasani bottled water was $3/20 oz. and the stadium does not accept credit cards(!)

The experience was absolutely life-changing for me. There were quite a few things I set straight on Saturday and I know my life will be better for it.

A few folks stayed behind in Nashville--I think they'll be here until Tuesday--holding prayer and worship sessions in the grass behind the stadium (near the river). They'll leave Nashville later this week and pile into a couple of buses, several cars and vans and start trekking across the US to San Francisco 1967-style. They call themselves The Cause.
Obviously Pure Life Revolution will continue doing its thing here in Nashville. If they decide to do another Stand, I'll be right there with them.

Also, Bound4LIFE made a really big impression on me. I couldn't help but think how my immediate family is missing two members because of abortion. No more! Bound4LIFE is a grassroots prayer mobilization movement targeting the ending of abortion, the increase of adoptions and the reformation of government and society through spiritual awakening.

I could say more but I don't think it would explain very much so I guess that's it.

07.07.07

2007-07-02T23:14:00.000+09:00

“Prepare the way for the Lord!” It's time to clean house y'all...

So, for all you N-town Christians, this is an invitation:

Get Clean. Get Pure. Get Life.

Join us at Hustler Hollywood downtown on the corner of 14th & Church, from 4 – 6 p.m. the rest of this week (until July 6), for a time of silent prayer.

People often ask, “Why are you protesting?” Well we’re not. We’re praying. The state of the American church is quite abysmal.

At the same time, it absolutely wouldn’t be fair of me to write something like this as if I’ve never veered off the path, as if I’ve walked around “humbly, in prayer and seeking God’s face” all the days of my life. Anybody who’s known me long enough would throw up a ?!?!? to that.

This is all something I’ve just recently begun to understand the importance of. Y’all, God no more desires to be disrespected than we as individuals do! He’s calling and He wants his name back.

Then, on 07.07.07--while several million citizens of the world will be gathering in front of electricity guzzling devices to watch another several million gather under several million watts of lighting to power up audio systems that release several hundred decibels worth of noise pollution while local spectators release concentrated pockets of carbon dioxide into the air in order "to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis" --the entire nation is invited to join us at LP Field in Nashville for The Call, a time of fasting, prayer and worship. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Not quite as illustrious, I know, but there won't be any commercials. ;)

Let those in the world do what they’re gonna do—“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?” [I Cor 5:12]—but let those who call themselves by the name of Christ do what God says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” [2 Chr. 7:14]

Cause we’re crazy like that, I guarantee LP Field will not be quiet. We're gonna bring the ruckus.

Hamesha (1997)

2007-07-01T09:59:00.000+09:00

Love death did not part
Love wealth can not buy, but
who loves Hamesha?

Hamesha actually made me shout at the television, You play too much! an expression my people are sometimes prone to overuse but on this occasion, was most appropriate. One hour into the film and the only thing I’m thinking is, “This is a HOTT mess!”

Aside from Saif’s billowing scarves (12 at last count) and Kajol’s copious headbands, I really can’t get down with revenge suicides. Am I the only one who thinks that boys who threaten to kill themselves over you should be promptly reprimanded? I mean, talk the fool off the cliff and everything but don’t actually go out with him. Sheesh! What’s he gonna threaten you with when he wants sex and you have a headache? But I digress…

So as far as costuming goes, the ‘90s are in full effect in this film. Billowing poet shirts and a-line cut dresses were quite the rage at that time. Likewise, the soundtrack is saturated in Kenny G-esque saxophone riffs and a couple of synthesizer tracks that sound like they were lifted from a Cranberries song.

Ok – the second half: No Saif did NOT get beat in the face with a stick (!), jump up, run down hill, catch up with a speeding car, jump on top of it, tussle with the driver, get thrown off the car, run down the side of a cliff to grab (yes grab!) the car before it fell into oblivion being choked all the while, to then have to defend himself in a fistfight against Prince Cujo!!! WTH?!? Well, at least old dude got his come-uppance.

By the second half, the music is just too much. It’s out of control y’all. One more soaring string ensemble followed by the sinister synthesizer track and somebody was gonna get a letter in the mail! I think the most fascinating thing about Hamesha—perpetual killing a la Indian combined with the revenge/rebirth a la Karan Arjun aside—is that the film required very little acting from any of the stars.

Frighteningly enough, Hamesha has led me to the conclusion that the makers of this film will be reborn 100 births as men in love with sub par films. Ha ha!

[Side note: Is anyone else perplexed as to why fashion didn’t change a bit in 22 years?]

8 Random Things, huh?

2007-06-27T23:53:00.000+09:00

Thanks to Filmi, I had one more reason to procrastinate at work today...

The rules are as follows:

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
4. If you fail to do this within eight hours, you will not reach Third Series or attain your most precious goals for at least two more lifetimes.

Right-o! on #4. I don't even know what that means...
Here goes:

When I was in high school, I used the word "random" so much--as in, "That's so random!"--that became my nickname for a while.
I once had a man ask me, why--as if he didn't believe me--hadn't I gone to a better college if I had spent two summers boarding at Choate on academic scholarship. How frickin' random!
Since age 11, I've always had really close friends who are Asian. (Korean, Taiwanese, Lao, Filipino) I didn't get get good with chopsticks until college though!
Whenever I speak Mandarin to Chinese people they make this face. I'm not sure if they're surprised or if my pronunciation is just that bad.
I've had a passport since 2000 but never used it.
Of the few places I have been, Montreal holds a special place in my heart. It was there I had my first (and last) taste of malt liquor. Boomerang anyone? I have since deduced that my bladder is about the size of a small tangerine and therefore, overly responsive to diuretic side effects...
When I would hang out in the projects with my cousins as a kid, the other girls wouldn't let me play double-dutch because they said I couldn't twirl right and, being coordination-impaired, couldn't jump in either.
That's ok. Those girls probably still live in the projects and I'm absolutely positive I can take any of them on a snowboard!

Fortunately, Filmiholic didn't tag any of the other bloggers I know. That would have been bad since I can only think of 6. Guess I'm stuck at Second Series and stuff. *Dang it!*

Knock 'em dead ladies!

Chori Chori (2003)

2007-06-26T09:05:00.000+09:00

Successful liar
meets her match: a man who needs
lies to find true love

First of all, let me just say, Ajay Devgan doesn't walk y'all. He struts. Furthermore, as irreplaceable as Hrithik is in my hierarchy of actors, there's nothing like some brown skin! (Ok, ok. Tan would probably be more accurate. Let's not nitpick.) On to the film...

As I have been informed, Chori Chori was Rani's first comedy attempt and it works. Truthfully, her character in Bunty aur Babli is similar in many ways--fun, squeaky-voiced (!) and mischievious. Ajay, on the otherhand, moped around the film looking appropriately depressed and being a bit (too) mean at times. While a scowl is the most necessary accessory to a proper strut, I don't believe I've ever seen Mr. Devgan with any other expression on his face. It's bothersome. It really is.

Anyhoo, the first few moments of the film really had me wondering whether or not I was gonna make it. Grown women who call their stuffed animal "my best friend" when not calling them by their given name (Jonathan!), are a little unsettling to me. But maybe it's just me...

I liked the storyline though. It was different. In some ways, it's the reworking of an arranged marriage: two people who had no more than passing interest in on another, suddenly find themselves thrown together with a wedding planned out and--because this is Bollywood--they do indeed fall passionately in love. Rani's character is a hustla baby! I love how she turns everything around on the ex and gets a free lunch out of it. And for some ridiculous reason I found her homeless, wino surrogate parents rather amusing.

For a film of 2 hours and 15 minutes, 8 songs is a sure clue that the writers ran out of material. That's ok. File it under cotton candy. It was a nice return from my viewing hiatus.

Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage (2002)

2007-06-20T07:43:00.000+09:00

[I just looked through my blog drafts and found this thing lying around and figured it was worth a post...]

Love brings out baba's hate.
Not able to cope, daughter
hyperventilates.

A bad haiku for a bad film.

If I had to watch Amisha hyperventilate one more time, I was going to smother the director. Was her character supposed to have asthma or did she just cry that hard all the time? It was so distressing I couldn't even be happy when she and Hrithik got together at the end. Because I'm such a firm believer in therapy, I wanted to force her fictional character to sit down and talk through the trauma before trying to start a new life with the man of her dreams.

Aap Mujhe Achache Lagne Lage had the potential to be good. It had an unusual turn on the genre, the stakes were remarkably high--life and death--for both characters. If the writers (somebody!) had taken more time to give the characters some emotional depth maybe Where is her inhaler?!? wouldn't have come to mind so often.

Additionally, I love a good action sequence as much as the next romantic film viewer but a man can only take so many beatdowns before the movie turns into an action film. Hello! We girls did not watch this movie to see Hrithik get beatdown and random unknowns get shot, nor did the fellas sit through this to see Amisha looking crazy for half the film! Boo. Boo. And boo!!!

Remember these...

2007-06-16T06:25:00.000+09:00

...films I borrowed from friend Susan? Just finished Chori Chori (2003) last week. It was a nice 'Welcome Back.'

I've also started Hameshaa (1997) and I don't know if I'm gonna make it y'all! Between Kajol's unibrow extraordinaire and Saif's Fabio hair--complete with perpetually billowing scarf--I may pass out in exhaustion from fugliness if I don't hyperventilate in response to the continual puffs of directionless air onscreen.
Reviews en route...

[Kajol is making the exact face I make when watching Hamesha!]

Quote of the week

2007-06-15T05:03:00.000+09:00

To me it’s unconscionable that you can’t give an aspirin to a child in school without parental consent, but they can have major surgery without parental notification.

--State Senator Robert J. Letourneau of New Hampshire in response to the legislature's decision to repeal a law requiring teenage girls to notify their parents before having an abortion. [link]

Word?
I said the exact same thing to the school nurse--in far less articulate terms--when she refused to give me ibuprofen for cramps back in 1994 because I didn't have a permission slip...

Marigold Teaser

2007-06-12T23:45:00.000+09:00

I believe I've said enough about this film before. t this point, I'm just wondering when the heck it's going to come out.

Presenting: Marigold. [via]

Truly, I would have preferred my hero, Hrithik Roshan, be the lead in this one--the guy is supposed to be a choreographer after all!--but we'll save him for the film about the super hott Bombayite who comes to New York and discovers hip-hop through a profoundly beautiful spoken word artist and choreographer who--you already know--is black. (Hmm. I need to get to work on that...)

Dancing in the Street

2007-06-12T04:56:00.001+09:00

Exhibit A: The citizens of Yorkshire, UK, enjoying Bollywood week with free dance lessons in the park. Everybody say, "shava shava!"

The International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) were held over the weekend where many of Mumbai's glitterati, including the ever-glamorous Abhiwarya, graced an audience of 12,000 with their presence. However glamorous they may be, let it be known, the award for most glamorous male star went to none other than Bollywood Boyfriend #1! ;)

[New York needs to step it up y'all!]

Scathing yet saliently amusing

2007-06-08T01:13:00.000+09:00

The title is my description of the Esquire article describing the Bollywood Movie Awards. The article, "Booray for Bollywood" is terribly funny even if it is a bit unkind.

I'm pretty sure the pop artist described is Raghav but I'm awfully curious to know which actor did the fugly striptease. Beth and I vote for Salman. If you know the answer, please let us in on the secret...

I need to ask Danny who his tailor is. I want the hook up! [Seriously, anybody know where I can get a Babli-esque kurta? Holla!]

"Did you know...

2007-06-06T02:25:00.000+09:00

...that June is National Celibacy Awareness Month?"

Who did?

I wonder what we're supposed to be aware of? That celibacy exists? Of who is a practicing celibate? Is involuntary celibacy covered or only free-will abstinence?

I'm not hatin. I'm just sayin. I only brought it up 'cause it made me giggle. :)

[Never fear, I'll do some proper posts once my wireless gets hooked up at my new place!]

Me & Gary V.

2007-05-30T00:51:00.000+09:00

Several years ago, through my then boyfriend, I discovered Gary Valenciano, Filipino pop star extrodinaire. He has a beautiful voice. Ballads might be what wins him awards but dancing is what made him a household name. He performed here in Nashville this weekend and did a couple of routines with his 18-year-old son Gabriel. Um, wow. ("My daddy can pop-and-lock better than your daddy!") It was fabulous fun.

Early on, in my "Gary V. discovery" stage, two songs in particular stole my heart: Sana Maulit Muli (Tagalog) and Could You Be Messiah. The first is a love song about loss. The second is about a guy who's grappling with whether or not to accept Christ. I've been a fan ever since. (Love stories and Jesus--Ha! Does anything else matter?)

The last time Gary & co. (wife Angeli, et al.) were in the area, I had a chance to share a meal with them. They are such fabulously approachable people, very humble and very kind. It's so strange to think that they get mobbed when they're in the Philippines! It was nice seeing them again and seeing that their graciousness had nothing but increased in the past four years.

If nothing else, check out the video of Gary and Gab. Very cute. (Yeah to house music remixes!) It's a brief taste of the show they gave Sunday night.

[Read it in The Tennessean.]

Monday Eye Candy

2007-05-29T01:37:00.000+09:00

From Dabboo Ratnani's impossible-to-get-your-hands-on '07 wall calendar. [link]

Need a reason for wide-eyed wonderment?

2007-05-23T10:02:00.000+09:00

Just when you thought there was nothing good to watch on the internet...

Check out this toddler wrestle a cobra. I'm not sure what language they're speaking but all I'm saying is where's the Department of Child Services when you need them?!

Everybody loves/hates Jerry

2007-05-17T03:13:00.000+09:00

I don't even like Jerry like that but the news still made me kinda sad.

I guess it's because he's like the mascot for my college years. I have this memory of him hemming up one of the speakers at convocation. Dude said something smart and Jerry like picked him up off the ground. That and crowd surfing. He would crowd surf every now and again. Very amusing stuff.

Television evangelist Falwell dies at 73

[Jerry's one thing but once Billy Graham dies, it's SO over.]

Feeling Filmi!

2007-05-16T03:23:00.000+09:00

I haven't had enough time to squeeze in any 3-hour viewings as of late. I'm already past the point of withdrawal, so it's easier to be at peace with myself. At any rate, I've resolved to filling my filmi cravings with movie music.

eMusic will forever be on my Good List for their 25 free downloads promotion. They have a nice collection of international music. I got some sweet tracks from Mali, the Israel and--you already know--India. They actually have a seperate category just for Indian Filums.

I tried not to overdose. Seriously, there's 4100 albums filed under Indian Film. I grabbed a couple of tracks from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, skipped that fabulous cult-classic Disco Dancer, but most certainly got my Dil Se on. If you like that old skool, super raw, pre-master mix string orchestra sound, definitely check out the tracks from Mother India and Kabhi Kabhie. ;) I might have gotten my Bluffmaster tracks from there too or it could have been some other unpaid location. Hmm, my memory fails me...

Anyhoo, just thought I'd share the love! I miss my cotton candy.

Monday Eye Candy? - updated

2007-05-15T04:27:00.000+09:00

Eye candy might not be the right classification for this one but at the very least, true R&B fans should find this slightly amusing. This is what America has done to Asia--specifically Korea.

Presenting Rain (Bi), the manchild whose fans pummelled those of both Stephen Colbert and Sanjaya Malakar to make #1 him on the Time 100 poll.

BONUS
My imeem tracks from Rain. If that first track doesn't make you wanna dance, I don't know if we can be friends! LOL. [The girl he's singing with--Ai--used to be a backup dancer for Janet Jackson. She's Japanese. Anybody know which language this track is in?]

Run Don't Hide

2007-05-12T00:16:00.000+09:00

If like me, you eschew cable television and/or have aged out of MTV, you may have missed the first two seasons of Run's House, a reality show following the mostly ordinary lives of 1/2 of the pioneering hip-hop group Run D.M.C., his wife and five kids.

Outside of the fact that the family lives in a mansion and Run's brother, Russell Simmons stops by every now and then, the fact that the family has more than 2.5 kids makes them unusual. The fact that Run is an ordained minister and didn't buy his mansion with money from the church makes them remarkably unusual. ;)

Anyhoo, I've only seen one episode of the show so I'm not quite sure how I came across this article the other day. It may have been the headline: Death Comes to the Reverend that got my attention. And this quote that stuck with me:

I told them, ‘This is what life is about. I may be famous, I may be rich, I may have bling, but tragedy comes to my door just as it does anybody else’s, and that’s a message that cannot be pressed hard enough in today’s society where celebrities are so much on a pedestal.’

Basically, Run and his wife Justine found out mid-pregnancy that their child had omphalocele, an often fatal condition which causes the baby's organs to grow outside its body. They decided not to share the news with their kids or the MTV crew and staff. The baby was born prematurely and lived only two hours.

MTV asked if the family wanted the cameras turned off. Their answer: no. “How could I let the TV cameras in when me and my family were out bowling and laughing and not let them in when we suffering and grieving? Life does not work like that,’’ Simmons told NEWSWEEK.

Wow.

“We knew of families that had similar bad news before their babies were born and everything turned out fine,’’ says Justine. “We had our faith, and our faith told us that God could give us a miracle and this baby could be a healthy baby born with no problems. That’s the attitude we took.’’

A faith that cannot withstand sorrow, cannot stand at all. I agree wholeheartedly with their decision. There's another quote in the article about not wanting other people's negative opinions about their choice to weigh them down. I'll not engage a discussion on the morality of abortion here but I will say this: I applaud their courage and tenacity at weathering the storm and seeing it through, rather than seeking an artificial resolution.

Who's eyes? - updated

2007-05-09T00:50:00.000+09:00

John West, one of my favorite independent artists has a songlette on his October LP called "Butterflies."

Check the lyrics:

You give me butterflies...
Took time to realize
You got my children's eyes
That's what you got

Dang that's good.
I'm glad that's in a song so I won't fall for it later...

Listen to John on MySpace [update] or check out the track below!

Monday Eye Candy

2007-05-08T02:02:00.000+09:00

Today's Hrithik moment is courtesty of our friends at Sony.
When they're good, they're very, very good but when they're bad, they're hor-rid.

Keeping It Real...

2007-05-07T02:04:00.000+09:00

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how to keep it real as a Christian, particularly as a modern protestant. I belong to a denomination that ascribes to no particular outward signs of holiness. We don’t wear any particular headgear, hold no food restrictions and from the best I can tell, most of us look normal.

Our services are quite another matter. We hail of the Pentecostal persuasion. Not quite Jesus Camp, but we’re no hymn singers either. For the uninitiated, I imagine it might be a bit much but I don’t go by “hype” for nothing. I generally bring the same level of energy to a “religious” gathering as I would in other areas of life.

So herein lies the rub: All of my closest friends are Christians. They’re the only people I’ve felt like I could share all of my life with. I’ve always believed secular folks would dismiss any conversation that began with, “Can I just tell you how awesome God is? When thus and so happened…” linking causal effect with an immaterial yet personal being. Perhaps I’m maligning the mass hordes of intellectual and worldly persons I’ve yet to meet. Question of the month: Do I want to know the answer?

The past few months have increasingly brought me into working relationships with non-Christians, some of whom hold other faiths. Rightly or wrongly, I’ve been censoring myself. I’ve been stifling my “God rocks!” commentary. He does. :) And I’ve lost some street cred with myself. Me and I are asking Myself what’s going on. [I’m still sorting through that.]

As for the intellectual hordes, are you among them? I would imagine, though I might be wrong, that God talk makes little difference between faiths unless someone were making a point to highlight areas of theological difference. This is also a point for discussion. The floor is open.

Nashville IS Bollywood Country.

2007-04-29T06:00:00.000+09:00

In a pretty bold & crazy move on the part of the producers/distributors of Americanizing Shelley, Nashville has been chosen as the opening city for the film and in a surprising second act complication, I've been volunteered to help American Pride Film Group get the word out to the man on the street:

The opening weekend for Americanizing Shelley is happening in Nashville and RIGHT NOW and the film needs YOUR support!!!

The film opened on Friday at Carmike Thoroughbred 20 in Cool Springs. As you film buffs know, opening weekend plays a MAJOR part in the success or failure of a film so fellow Nashvillians, if you're going to check out the film, go see it NOW!

As for you major metropolitan folks, DC, LA, San Diego and the San Fran can catch the film next Friday, May 4th.

If you haven't already, check out the trailer.

Also, you absolutely MUST watch the video for Dancin' in the Clouds sung by Steve Azar and the film's lead Namrata Singh Gujral which features the only Hindi lyrics in country music! Who knows, this could be the beginning of a trend...

Still breathing...

2007-04-19T05:27:00.000+09:00

...which with this week's turn of events in VA can't be taken for granted.

I've been meaning to post about not posting for a couple of days now but this little nudge from Ennis did the trick:

Where did you go? Fug* never takes a holiday, and Bollywood keeps churning out things that need commentary. Where is t-hype?

Awww. t-hype is on lockdown y'all. The only way this month could get any busier is if I was getting married. Now accepting applications. ;)

*The truth is, Bollywood Fugly can't take a break. So long as costume designers malign our favorite stars, there is work to be done!

For the next eight days, I'll be volunteering at the Nashville Film Festival. This Friday, my kids at the B&G Club have their movie premiere. Saturday I've got to snap some photos for work of a service project called Operation Compassion. Monday is the annual dinner for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee and I'm responsible for a ton of PowerPoint stuff. This ain't no small time affair either. Vince Gill is performing after dinner and it's at this hoity-toity little facility.

Then there's this film that I mentioned earlier. I got a phone call from one of the producers and we had a great chat about film in Nashville. It appears that we're getting the film extra first in that Nashville will be the first box-office opening for the film on Friday, April 27, at Thoroughbred 20 in Franklin. That's a pretty bold & crazy move on the part of the producers/distributors AND--in a fabulous second act complication--I've been enlisted to help get the word out on the street: Americanizing Shelley is opening in Nashville and we need to make sure the box office numbers are strong!

Opening weekend plays an enormous part in the reputation of the film and, more importantly, in the film's theater longevity. We're doing everything short of standing outside Sri Ganesha passing out flyers! Kumar, you're doing that right? ;)

Truthfully, I've really been wanting to write a review on Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage because it was seriously the worst movie I've ever seen. On the thumbs up side, I never did write any notes on Mother India, The Namesake (10 hott points for Kal Penn's shaved head) or Namastey London (*tsk*tsk* Punjabi pink is not for everyone).

Hopefully after I find another place to live at the end of May (!) I'll have more time to devote to my beloved Bollywood.

Until then I find rest in the fact that my new associations have positioned me a mere 4 degrees of separation from Life Goal #29: Meet Hrithik Roshan.

Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula (2003)

2007-03-29T06:44:00.000+09:00

Laws of attraction
Deliver easy success
And love left unproved

First of all, anytime a cute, girl-next-door type snaggs the devotion of a supermodel-of-the-year type, that's an instant 5-stars in my book.

If you've been reading the blog for a while, you may remember when I borrowed this and several others from friend Susan. (2 down, 4 to go!)

I came to the film with no particular expectations and was pleasantly suprised. It's awfully silly. I couldn't help but like it.

I kept thinking, "Git it granny!" when she started breaking down the rules. A girl's gotta have a plan! LOL! There was nothing unusual about the rules. It's all been said before. In fact, I agree with them all which is not to say that their foolproof. Complimenting anyone even if it isn't true can leave a nasty trail you'll have to deal with later. Furthermore, ignoring only works for supermodels, et al. Your average semi-nerdy guy would be happy to get a little attention at least.

Anyhoo, it is worth noting that this movie featured a vigorous tongue tussle between the two leads considering the fuss that was made over a half-baked kiss in Dhoom 2. Despite the film's alternative storytelling structure (3rd person/mockumentary), it's extremely easy to follow and all the more entertaining because of it. I loved watching all the peripheral characters fold into the main storyline by the end. It was a nice concept.

If you like fun movies, grab this, your comfort foods, and enjoy the watch.

This made me very, very sad.

2007-03-27T06:44:00.000+09:00

A 7-year-old boy was handcuffed and arrested for BEING ON A MINI-BIKE!!!

Baltimore, Maryland is outta control y'all.

Life Goal #41

2007-03-26T12:16:00.001+09:00

So, I spent Friday night at another Vandy SACE event. Normally I try to restrict myself from fraternizing with undergrads, as one must generally act one's age and I'm trying desperately to shed any lingering displeasure I have about my apparent adulthood.

However, when I saw that garba lessons were on the agenda, like R.Kelly, I told myself 'age ain't nothing but a number'. Unlike R.Kelly, my denial of the truth did not result in robbing (or otherwise desecrating) the cradle but rather, in calve muscles still searing with pain two days later.

Once I got a couple of basic steps down, I was like, Bring it on! Part of my delusion was probably fortified by having been asked, "So, what year are you?" more than once. Ha! My eye cream does work! (Side note: On Saturday, I went to get my nails done and the nail lady is like, "Are you still in high school?" WHAT?! Maybe I just need to up my game.)

Anyway, it was cool to experience cultural dance instead of just watching it onscreen. It's also interesting to note that I found it much easier than any of the West African workshops I've ever taken. I am now one step closer to accomplishing life goal #41: Be an extra in a Bollywood film. ;)

Fiza (2000)

2007-03-23T23:45:00.000+09:00

A city torn
Bhaiyya burns with vengeful hate
Chasing empty rage

Fiza wanted to be good but it wasn't. It just kept plodding along. That's not to say there weren't any good moments. Heck, this movie featured fabulous actors but something was amiss that I can't quite lay my finger on.

As I understand it, this was Mrs. Big B's return to film after a lengthy hiatus. She did not disappoint. Note to directors: Karisma is a much better actress than Kareena. Spread the word, ok? The scene where Karisma mourns the death of her mother is one of the more real moments in the film--very moving.

Naturally, I have no objections to Hrithik's gratuitous workout scene, which was quite a substantial distraction from the storyline. *mmm* Yes, well at least this film is equal opportunity. Sushmita Sen had a ridiculously long item number that had nothing to do with anything either.

Overall, it was nice to see a film focused on the journey of a young, single woman that wasn’t about her search for love—not that there’s anything wrong with that mind you. ;) Fiza is a strong character. She’s independent, focused and truth be told, I was a little miffed at the unresolved nature of her relationship with seemingly “kind, affectionate and rich” college boy but I imagine that’s just jealousy on my part…

Fiza is worth the watch for Hrithik fans because well, that’s what fans do. Unfortunately, the film falls flat when compared to his other (?!) performance as a Muslim terrorist in Mission Kashmir.

Finally Nashville gets something first-ish!

2007-03-22T04:27:00.000+09:00

Okay, so we're not actually first but we're right after LA, DC, NYC and the SanFran. I keep trynna tell folks Nashville's on the comeup...

The film is called Americanizing Shelley and is the closing film of the Nashville Independent Film Festival. Were it not for friend Renu I might have missed out.

The tagline, "You can't curry love," seems a bit cheesy but far more grand concepts have been done lesser justice under the guise of greatness. Comments on imdb seem pretty positive as in "the movie was so fun/sweet." Sounds right up my alley!

It is interesting to note that the film was co-written by Namrata Singh Gujral--who also plays the lead. I'm interested to see how it all turned out.

Salaam-e-Ishq (2006)

2007-03-20T10:48:00.000+09:00

Six loves in season
Bloom like a fresh new blossom
If grown with patience

In a perfect world, I would have written my thoughts on this film right after viewing it and posted in time for Valentines Day, which would have been the treatment it rightfully deserved because it really was that sweet.

Salaam-e-Ishq is a quirky little film and it works. This is the first film since Pirates to fully keep my attention for more than two hours. Part of that was me trying to figure out how Govinda was gonna pull off dating a (white) girl young enough to be his child, the other part was my deep admiration for ensemble films. Then there was the part of me waiting to see if John would get to do anything other than cry. [spoiler] No. [/spoiler]

I really enjoyed observing different stages of love. I also liked that there was a range of social classes shown--from cab driver to superstar. I did not however, enjoy seeing Anil Kapoor without facial hair. (He looked like a Muppet y'all.)

Word to the fellas: There is never, EVER a reason to call your ex-girlfriend a "cheap blond whore" in front of your entire family and a room full of strangers ESPECIALLY if you're the sort of coward willing to marry for convenience after dropping her like a bad habit. That hurt my feelings.

[Side note: After watching the film, my friend insisted that Uncle Chest outranks Bollywood Boyfriend #1 in hotness. Boo!]

Indian (1996)

2007-03-16T23:45:00.000+09:00

[Um, so here's the review I promised 2 days ago, complete with haiku summary!]

Corruption is wrong
Even a bad son should die
By his father's hand

Indian is a pretty explosive film and not because things get blown up. Coming to this film without any point of reference, watching an old guy creep around and kill people sounds like a B-rate horror film. Alas, if things were only that simple.

To me, the most interesting thing about the film—besides the random animals at Ishwarya’s (Manisha) petting zoo!—is the way the old dude goes about executing a revenge plot and turns into a national folk hero. Like Rang de Basanti, I guess I don’t completely understand the deep frustration with government as experienced in India. However, I think Shankar (the director) did a better job of actually showing the depravity of the system than in RDB where it was mostly implied. The story of the old widow and Senapathy’s daughter in Indian clearly present the face of victim and victimizer.

Also, Kamal Hassan is amazing playing both father and son. I mean, how many other actors have done a scene where they’re chasing themselves down to kill themselves?! [Sidenote: This is the third Indian film I’ve seen where someone snuffed a family member for ideological reasons!]

Bottom line: It’s a good film. Definitely worth watching. I hate graphic violence so I probably won’t watch it again but as usual, Kamal Hassan does an excellent job even if he can’t dance and gets dressed in fugly outfits. ;0)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

2007-03-15T00:33:00.000+09:00

Since my life is completely taking over my blog, I figure I should admit I can't quite do the same quality of posts I've done in the past. (Yes, I know. The use of the word "quality" is debatable) Regardless, the frequency of my posts are definitely at risk.

That being the case, I've decided to limit myself to 250 words a day—except for today because after I finish this introduction I’m going to do a movie review. Shut up! It’s my rule—otherwise, I may never watch another Bollywood film because I’m already four reviews behind…

I guess it’s a good sign that I have more responsibilities at work and am being invited to write on different projects. I also have this bad habit of volunteering my self for things. The most recent development: helping to start a Nashville affiliate of Women In Film. Of the things on my list at present, WIF is one I’m pretty excited about. It’s just that I’m constantly thinking of how to keep “all the plates in the air” as it were. If I keep my hustle up, by the end of May I’ll have another short film or two to post! Hooray!

Oh, yeah. I'm also introducing film summaries by haiku. I'm addicted thanks to my roommate...

Waiting for a black princess

2007-03-10T06:33:00.000+09:00

Y'all, Disney is WAY overdue with this one!

I've taken note before of the Disney princess line and how ~~it excludes~~ exclusive it is. Every now and again they'll slip the black and red haired girls in there. Sometimes the Arab and the Asian girl get invited to the party. Heck, even the Native American draped in animal skin gets to come to the party. But still, no negroes ~~allowed~~ present.

Of course, every true Disney fan knows this princess business is all nonsense anyways. Let's keep it real, two of the "princesses" pictured had to marry their way into royalty. I mean, does that really count? Mulan, most certainly isn't a princess but she still made the cut while a couple of real princesses like Kida and Eilonwy got kicked to the curb. I know, I know. Cartoons are a tough business.

I had long ago given up hope until this very bright and balmy Friday when I saw this email from a reader with a link to the headline: Disney's first black princess to debut in New Orleans. I'm not sure whether to be excited or breathe a sigh of relief. FINALLY!

I don't even care if the movie sucks (ok, I'm lying). But I'm especially glad to note that the princess will be American even if--judging by the character lineup here--that means she'll end up marrying a stray European prince. That places her somewhere between the upward mobility of the 2nd string "royalty by marriage" girls and our friend Pocahontas.

Hey, I don't care what kind of Anna Nicole hustle this new character has to go through so long as my daughters can get a Princess plate set that has at least one person who looks like them on it.

Yes, folks it's true. I firmly believe in my right to shallow commercialism in the name of racial representation. Don't hate.

Mira Nair, The Namesake & Shantaram

2007-03-08T04:04:00.000+09:00

About a week or so ago I received a nicely written email from a fellow named Will at LX TV in which he directed me to an interview with Mira Nair on their site. I finally watched the interview yesterday and while it was interesting--I like the questions Filmiholic asks Mira better--the techgeek in me was drooling over the high-res streaming video on their site. My rampant use of YouTube has dumbed down my expectations for online viewing but it appears the folks at LX have like, standards or something.

For the love of all things I love, they have an entire tab devoted to snow! No, not him.

Um, anyway, here's the extended interview with Mira:
[right after the extended Absolut Vodka introduction...]

FYI, the video plays more smoothly on the LX TV site. [link] Also, there's a shorter (6 min.) version here.

Children and dogs

2007-03-05T00:44:00.000+09:00

I've been reading the book of Mark in the New Testament of the Bible--which is quickly becoming my favorite among the Gospels--and stopped to think about this troubling passage: Mark, Chapter 7, verses 24 - 30.

24Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. 26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
27"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
28"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."
29Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter."
30She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

This story always rubbed me the wrong way. I guess the reason I'm starting to like the book of Mark is because he chronicles most of the troubling things Jesus said and did. One chapter after this, Jesus shuts one of his disciples down by saying, "Get behind me Satan." Ouch! Three chapters later, he's throwing over tables and chasing people out of the temple with a whip. How's that for nonviolence in action? Anyhoo, as I was meditating on this passage about the Phoenician woman, I wrote a page in my journal about it:

So often Jesus said or did something that judged on face value, would be needlessly offensive. However, knowing that he was the Son of God working within a limited timespan, leads me to believe he did nothing needlessly.

Considering the way so many people have been discouraged from receiving from Christ--because of their ethnicity, (Gandhi, for example), or gender, or lack of gender! (transsexuals)--and of the self-rightousness of their opponets, I think this single moment in scripture presents an extremely crucial idea. This woman, having been verbally rejected by Christ himself, did not let those words turn her away from receiving from God (father, son, spirit) what she knew only He could give.

Christ obviously stood in the position of God's authority, serving like religious leaders of today do. As that authority, he spoke words of discouragement (and insult!) over her desire to receive from God. Still her response was essentially, "I may not be worthy, but even the least in the house receives something and I've come for that something. Do not withhold it from me."

She received. She received! She received exactly what she asked for. Her daughter was healed. Her family was restored. That's absolutely, fabulously crazy--and undeniably encouraging.

Tangled webs of Southern ways

2007-02-28T01:56:00.000+09:00

"In the story of the Thurmonds and the Sharptons is the story of the shame and the glory of America."

That's the most sensible thing I think I've ever heard Al Sharpton say. For one reason or another, he volunteered to have is genealogy researched by some folks at Ancestry.com for an article. His comment was made in response to finding out that his great-grandfather was owned by Strom Thurmond's family. Um, wow.

For those of you unaware, our friend Strom was an ardent segregationist back during the 40's and 50's when white Southerners were still Democrats and black people were still Republicans. When said Thurman died four years ago at 100-years-old, the daughter of his former housekeeper--having kept with the fine Southern tradition of keeping secrets--finally revealed that Strom was in fact her father. Did I mention that her mother was black?! [I think that was the biggest WTH of 2003. The girl was 16 when she gave birth. Strom was 22.]

So as the story goes, Sharpton's great-grandad, his wife and children, were owned by a rich Edgefield County (SC) slave owner. He gave them to his son who had married one Julia Ann Thurmond, Strom Thurmond's first cousin twice removed. [Why yes, there is a chart!]

I've always found genealogy and the like extremely fascinating but it's all the more interesting to see how recently blatant inhumane behavior was passed off as both normal and necessary here in our own country. For all America's posturing as human rights watchdogs and defenders of democracy, there is still tremendous resistance to facing the past, acknowledging that like The Holocaust, it did really happen--brutality against Americans was enacted by other Americans, socially justified and legally sanctioned. How can anyone not find that frightening?

It is frightening not just because the darkness of human nature observes no bounds, but because continued failure to acknowledge its existence permits its proliferation. Complacency is complicity.

So here's to "the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners." Keep it real y'all.

Koffee with Priyanka!

2007-02-23T13:47:00.000+09:00

Not only is Priyanka Chopra ridiculously gorgeous but she seems like a lot of fun! I don't know when this episode of Koffee with Karan aired but it was a great watch.

First of all, we all know that Karan is a rumor-monger. Did he really have to pull out that clip of Kareena saying that she's not really friends with Priyanka? That was kinda dirty. Funny, but dirty.

Priyanka seemed really cool and very nice--like the one of the popular girls that would actually be secure enough to hang out with pseudo-nerds like myself. Hrithik on the other hand seemed to be in quite a mood. Honestly, he answers questions like my ex--never really quite answering because he's too ~~scared~~ insecure to commit or and he's lying. Perhaps, therein lies my deep attraction...

Here's part one of five:

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

2007-02-21T11:47:00.000+09:00

It seems so strange yet timely to have watched this film recently. Seeing Salman in Salaam-e-Ishq last week certainly confirms his title of "Uncle Chest" while reiterating what in the world his appeal was to begin with. Furthermore, seeing him and Aish together in Hum Dil Chuke Sanam reminds me of those bygone days before Abhiwarya became a reality.

So yeah, about the movie...
FIRST OF ALL, let me just say I did not get to see the last 5 minutes or so because the dvd refused to play! Oye ve! I'm guessing Nandini (Aishwarya) went back to her longsuffering husband (Ajay) because that would be the right thing to do. [I mean, how can you leave a guy who is totally and completely committed to helping you find the love of your life despite the fact that you're married to him? I mean what kind of heifer could walk away without a backward glance?]

I liked the movie. It got a bit more interesting as time went along. Watching Aish trying to resist falling in love with her husband was a clever story twist. As usual, her character is mostly reactionary--kind of like watching a tennis ball get bounced back and forth while it cries about how much it hurts...

Anyhoo, watching Aish dance is always a treat. She looks amazing during the classical piece when Ajay first sees her (Nimbooda?). There's some really nice camera work mixed throughout. The opening sequence is like a stream of still photos in motion. I also liked the music. It's nice and kind of challenging in places like the song where Aish tries to kill herself--very Devdasish.

(I guess that makes sense considering it was the director's very next film...) This is definitely one for the collection.

I've been busy...

2007-02-19T12:50:00.000+09:00

I think this is the first time since my blog fast I've let a whole week go by without posting!

My brain has been in a bit of an overload since January 1. First quarter is always the busiest time of year in my department. We have an annual report to produce in addition to two quarterly publications and monthly communication to our sites.

In addition, I volunteered to assist the marketing coordinator for Barefoot Republic camp, a really amazing non-profit dedicated to providing a Christ-centered summer camp experience for Jr. High and High School kids from all walks of life--different ethnicities, social class, jocks, artists, skaters, believers and non-believers. The kids whose families can pay do, and the others get assistance or attend for free. I'm not aware of any other camp that makes such an effort to get athletes and artsy types in the same space. I love what they do so I jumped on board.

On top of that, I was invited to set up a writing workshop for about 18 teens at a local Boys & Girls Club in the 'hood. [Translation: I'm trying to teach writing to a bunch of kids who can't write, half of whom are not interested in writing, especially afterschool when they'd much rather be texting on their cell phones.] Working with teens is always an interesting challenge. I really do like a challenge so I accepted.

As for my personal writing, a friend and I are almost done with the script for our next short film. It's not exactly earth shattering but it will give us some nice visual material to work with since we'll have more than 48 hours to pull it together! Unfortunately, I didn't have anything worthy of getting me on the first season of Steven Spielberg's On the Lot but best believe next year, I shall be prepared...

Besides all that, winter is on in full force and I keep trying to squeeze in a few days of snowboarding in between weekend weddings and random social obligations only to be faced with friends who bail at the last minute. Arrgghh! Snowshoe Mountain anyone? I'm planning a trip for March 3-4 because I'm determined to board in real snow this winter!

At any rate, that means my blogging has unintentionally fallen to the wayside. At present, I've neglected sharing my thoughts on Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, [finally watched it!], Salaam-e-Ishq or Indian, not to mention a couple of old Cosby-Poitier films I picked up: Piece of the Action and Uptown Saturday Night. I also saw Daddy's Little Girls at the theater today. So many films. So little time!

This, in addition to all the minor details floating about the back of my mind have given me a bit of writer's block. This virtually pointless post is my way of chipping away at the block.
The next post should be better. ;)

Mr. & Mrs. Iyer (2002)

2007-02-10T11:47:00.000+09:00

One of the first things I thought after watching this film besides, "How wonderfully sweet," was that I can name four female Indian directors (Nair, Metha, Chadha, Sen) and which of their films I've enjoyed but I'd be hard pressed to do the same for female American directors white, black or otherwise! [Off the top of my head, the only one I can think of is Debbie Allen. That's because she directed one of my favorite Disney musicals.]

At any rate, I really liked the feel of this film. It's mostly quiet with punctuated bursts of intensity speckled throughout. I like that all the characters are very natural, that the intersection of languages, cultures and religious beliefs didn't seem trite and forcefully manipulated and I love that the baby in this movie was SO cute that besides wanting to kidnap him, I'm quite sure even GAP babies bow at his glance.

One of the interesting things about women writers is that our stories are more likely to be character driven rather than plot-point parades. Mr. and Mrs. Iyer is a great example of that--in the midst of a constant threat of terror, the more compelling story is not that of a police officer who stakes out a terrorist lair and takes down the bad guys, it's that of a woman dependant on a man who is emotionally obligated to her safety despite the tension of their clearly differing worldviews. I know, not exactly James Bond but it's the stuff of life!

I also appreciated the rare exploration of bonding under duress and the function of growing familiarity between two people of the opposite sex. There's a part of me that wants to write an unnecessarily detailed psychological character analysis but suffice it to say that I can't think of a more realistic portrayal of the role "fascination of difference" plays in attraction.

I had been meaning to watch this one for quite some time. I'm quite glad I did.

Black History

2007-02-08T23:55:00.000+09:00

February is Black History month here in the US. (The symbolism of the shortest month of the Roman calendar is hard to ignore but I don't complain because Native Americans get nothing but a hard time...)

If I were on top of my game, I would have done an inspirational post like last year. So much for that. Instead, I'll borrow someone else's writing. (Courtesy of Dad's News Service. Seriously, he should start his own blog...)

To think of America in 2007, it is impossible not to consider the contributions of African Americans -- many of whom have laid the foundation for American culture, democracy, freedom and equality...
So what does it mean that a country so flawed in its founding nonetheless produces such an accomplished population of African Americans?
...African Americans, like all Americans who work hard, who have talent, ambition and desire, and who possess the complex of values that make up the "Protestant Ethic," can make the most of the American Dream.

Quite naturally, given that the column is coauthored by Cornell West, the piece veers a bit into social policy. But the most interesting part for me was mention of The Jamestown Project, "a diverse action-oriented think tank of new leaders who reach across boundaries and generations to make democracy real." Judging by their website, sounds like they're doing some cool stuff.

On a less serious note, it's weird knowing that I grew up 20 minutes from Jamestown, the first American settlement, have been there on numerous field trips and still can't figure out why that Pocahontas cartoon looked like it did...

Love in Nashville

2007-02-08T23:43:00.000+09:00

There's nothing like John Abraham on the big screen...

Salaam-e-Ishq is coming to Nashville this Sunday! I'm pretty amped. It's been a few months since I've gotten to see a Bollywood flick at the theater.

As I understand it, some people have been saying the film is a knockoff of Love Actually. Ok, ok, the director admited it--but since I've never seen the original, I'll have nothing to compare John Abraham's perfomance with. That can only help matters...

3 p.m., Sunday, February 11 @ the Belcourt

Things Unspoken

2007-02-08T05:39:00.000+09:00

Filmiholic tagged me several days ago to do a post on my top five secrets despite knowing how identity parnoid I am!

Generally, anything I consider secret is that way for a darn good reason so I prefer to think of the following as choice trivia. Anyhoo, here's the best I could come up with:

In 4th grade I wore oversized bifocals with rose-tinted lenses. (Behold, the 80's!)
In middle school I had a secret crush on all of NKOTB. (Sadly, my closet boy band fetish now extends to C-pop and K-pop.)
In high school, I had a crush on my 1st cousin. (1 - I have a large family. 2 - We didn't grow up together. 3 - All my cousins are fine!)
My first love was an internet relationship. (Yes, he's fat now.)
I once said, "I hate you" to God. (He's good enough not to bring it up so I usually don't either.)

If I told you any more I'd have to kill you. ;)

[In case you're wondering, that photo has nothing to do with anything but it's funny...]

On being "articulate"

2007-02-03T02:12:00.000+09:00

By now you've probably heard that Joe "can't go into a 7-11...unless you have a slight Indian accent" Biden described Presidential candidate Barack Obama as:

...the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.

If I'm totally honest, there's a shallow part of me who wants to agree. At least in the sense that Al Sharpton could use some fashion advice and Jesse Jackson really isn't very good looking. In this context, I found the word "clean" to imply "so fresh and so clean" as opposed to a regular habit of showering. One can only hope that "bright" wasn't meant to implicate the intellectual prowess of previous black candidates. Either way, I'll let that one go as a freebie.

I wasn't going to post on the comment in part because Joe Biden seems like just the sort of dufus I wouldn't mind having as a friend, but mostly because it wasn't so much offensive as annoying. I couldn't quite lay my finger on it until I read Eugene Robinson's most recent column (courtesy of my father the aggregate news service). He's so good at saying what I can't quite find the words to express. He gets to the bottom of the matter--the use of "articulate."

I realize the word is intended as a compliment, but it's being used to connote a lot more than the ability to express one's thoughts clearly. It's being used to say more, even, than "here's a black person who speaks standard English without a trace of Ebonics."
The word articulate is being used to encompass not just speech but a whole range of cultural cues -- dress, bearing, education, golf handicap. It's being used to describe a black person around whom white people can be comfortable, a black person who not only speaks white America's language but is fluent in its body language as well.
And the word is often pronounced with an air of surprise, as if it's an improbable and wondrous thing that a black person has somehow cracked the code...
Articulate is really a shorthand way of describing a black person who isn't too black -- or, rather, who comports with white America's notion of how a black person should come across.
Whatever the intention, expressing one's astonishment that such individuals exist is no compliment. Just come out and say it: Gee, he doesn't sound black at all.

To bring it back to "t-hype land," when I used to work at a Panera here in Nashvegas, an Arabic-looking guy with an accent told me that I "speak very well." *blink*blink* I gave my typical response, "I'm not from here." [It is only fair to note that my own prejudices about the speech of everyone south of the Mason-Dixon are quite evident in my reply.] I believe he added something about not being able to understand other (black?) people. I'm not sure what because I blanked out into "please Lord don't let this conversation go so far that I'll have to put this guy in check" mode. It didn't. Social order was restored after a few hollow pleasantries.

Yes, friends it's true. Like, Barack, Condi, Colin and Carlton, I too have "cracked the code." I don't think, look or sound like a dirty south rapper because, well, I'm not one. I'm so hardcore I know it's hard for some people to believe on first meeting, but it's true. And yes--my hair is real.

Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (2002)

2007-01-30T03:24:00.000+09:00

Na Tum Jaano Na Hum is just as cute as can be. I desperately try not to fall prey to chick flicks because well, I don't want my teeth to rot out from all the sweetness. At the end of a movie, I hate to feel like my girliness has been taken advantage of. You can't help but like this movie. It's bloody precious.

To sum it up: Sleepless in Seattle meets You've Got Mail + dance numbers.

So basically, as usual, Hrithik runs around looking gorgeous, mischievous and yet somehow approachable. Saif plays the bumbling skirt chaser. Naturally, the two have known each other since childhood and through a chance series of events end up tangled around the same girl (Esha Deol). Oh the irony! One can't help but wonder how the tragically lovesick couple will ever be united. Only after much heartbreak and sobbing, I assure you.

I was even a bit taken in by the exchange of childhood toys between secret lovers. Yes, they went there. I have no shame, I'll probably buy a copy off Neha Flix later...

At any rate, this is the second time I've seen Hrithik in a dress. Not sure how I feel about that. When one is pretty, it would behoove one to guard one's masculinity a bit more closely. But I digress.

It's worth the watch but you've been warned.

Shahrukh does hip-hop

2007-01-26T02:31:00.000+09:00

Um, I don't think I should I should say anything about this video because it speaks for itself.

Please Shahrukh, don't hurt 'em.
Or yourself...

Kar Le Kar Le promo for Kaun Banega Corepati
[via Our Bollywood]

Mira Nair, Johnny Depp & Brad Pitt

2007-01-24T04:26:00.000+09:00

Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous!

Looks like three of my favorite Hollywood types will be making a movie together.

According to Variety, Brad Pitt's production company Plan B is planning to produce Shantaram a film directed by Mira Nair, starring Johnny Depp.

That's the kind of news that makes me happy!

[via Our Bollywood]

White people can't wear cornrows

2007-01-23T01:36:00.000+09:00

It's news to me!

I had no idea that cornrows were "an extreme of hairstyle" but that's probably because it's part of my "cultural and ethnic background"? lol.

These two little girls were excluded from regular classroom activities in the UK because they were rocking 'rows. I guess high school sucks everywhere...

As, pointed out on Nappturality 101, straight hair is ok for everyone--texture is an exception allowable only for those with "unmanageable hair."