300 - The Movie

I saw 300 on Wednesday night after a most hearty dinner at Ristorante Machiavelli. I had only watched the trailer a few weeks ago; that it was based on a Frank Miller novel piqued my interest. Before I proceed, I'd like to say that I like ancient history; stories extolling the exploits of the Greeks and Romans give me goose bumps. A heady mix of valour, honour, and the epic canvases - go figure why I like such stuff.

300 is a guy's movie all the way, an adrenaline rush from the get go. The movie starts with the story of a young Spartan boy fighting with this father in the foyer of his house. The dad treats his young adversary with respect as he teaches him the subtle aspects of warfare, of the importance of having no mercy. Like other Spartan boys, this boy, Leonidas, is sent to warrior training, which is a Spartan boy's right of passage before he becomes a man. Upon his return, he is crowned King of Sparta, and it is his battle against Xerxes that is the subject of this movie.

The usual suspects make an appearance: the movie has its fair share of motivational speeches and there is enough gore to make those with weak stomachs throw up. The battle scenes, shot in gratuitous slow-mo, are ridic! The fountains of red blood spouting out of ever slain soldier seem to come right at you, with the screen acting as your shield. (Tarantino's work in Kill Bill is going to haunt movie-goers for years to come.) The screenplay has borrowed elements from other movies in its genre - the hunchback guy bears striking resemblance to Gollum; Leonidas is very much like Russell Crowe in Gladiator; the council of elders look like Orcs :); all the pieces fit well together and that's all that matters. As they say, imitation is the best form of flattery. 300 pays homage to past works in its genre, and dare I say, does them proud.

Leonidas and his battalion of 300 "body-guards" know at the outset that they are fighting a losing battle. They are up against a humongous army (the Persians); a juggernaut that had rolled over the rest of Eurasia. Their bravery, and the fact that they hold this unassailable army for a few days inspires the rest of Greece to come to their rescue and fight Xerxes. I am not one to draw parallels to the modern day but as I see it, Xerxes's army is a metaphor for the iPod Juggernaut. Can the plucky upstart, Zune, hold the juggernaut at bay? Upstage it even?

Pyaar Ke Side Effects

*Update* - I am done watching the movie and it reminded me of Coupling and "Meet the Parents". Good movie nonetheless; the writers have provided an insight into an Indian adult relationship in today's milieu, albeit from a guy's perspective.

This is the first time I am watching a Hindi movie on a Sunday night. Here I am, sitting on my couch watching Rahul Bose waste his talent on this commercial film. Just heard a very honest dialogue though (unexpected) - "During a marriage, women feel really cold. They need to feel the warmth of a man." True you think?

Hung out with Karan and Monu all evening; it started with us doing reviews and ended with chaat and chai at Mayuri. We each rented DVDs before he dropped me back home but not before I got a lecture from Monu about settling down. You want to hear my retort - "If you find me a cute girl like the one we just saw at the DVD counter, I'd marry her without a moment's thought". That kinda shut Monu up but I still maintain, the girl renting the DVD ahead of me is my kinda girl.

This one totally reminded me of Ayesha - dusky complexion, hair cut in layers, nose ring, Levis jeans. I suggested that she see Page 3, a movie I saw in Bombay a few years ago. Now that I think of the situation I could've said, in my deliberate voice - "If I recommend a good movie, the one I am holding in my hand, can I get your name?" I didn't anything remotely close to that; curse missed opportunities. Actually, this exact thought didn't occur to me either, though a similar one (that I can't recall now) did cross my mind. Some honing of the playa skills is in order. Back to watching this silly but funny movie now!