Television archive at Rhythmic Dissonance

Archive for the 'Television' Category

Feb

Venial Sin

Raj 10 Comments

Categories: Internet, Television, Blog and Life

One. That’s the number of posts I wrote last week, which is a shame.

I wanted to write a post on Friday but since Kamasutra worm was supposed to manifest itself that day, our infra guys decided to shut down the proxies completely.

Now, you need to know that Internet is an energy source for me so without it, I felt extremely weak. I was unable to work properly. I did have some fun though. I watched two episodes of Family Guy that I downloaded some time back.

So anyhow, I promise to be regular now. In the meanwhile, please read this post by one of India’s most elite bloggers, TTG, who is in Melbourne now. I share his views on the topic of the post and if I could write better, I would have written something like this.

Feb

Triple Treat

Raj 12 Comments

Categories: Reviews, Television and Movies

I rarely watch 3 movies in 2 days but since I did and that too, good movies which I wanted to watch for a long time, I decided to share my views with everyone here.

Requiem for a Dream

The film depicts the lives of four different people living in Brooklyn on their quest for satisfaction in life. It shows the direct and indirect effects that drugs and various addictions have on each of the individuals, and then portrays their downward spirals from the hopes of blossoming dreams into the helpless state of moral and physical decay. – From IMDB

The first time I watched it was back in 2001. I had to look for it in 3 video shops before I finally got the VCD and the print was really bad. I remember liking it back then but it never had the effect it had this time. The movie is absolutely brilliant. It has an award- worthy performance by Ellen Burstyn. Other cast members - Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans (first time I see him in a non-comedy) are good too. The maker succeeds in making you feel as helpless as Ellen’s friends by the time the movie ends. The scariest thing about the movie is that the main characters are happiest right before their fall starts. In spite of being a serious movie, it is very slick and stylish. It’s a must watch for everyone. But remember, it’s a downer.

Paheli

A folk tale - supernatural love story about a ghost who falls in love with a newlywed woman. – From IMDB

I couldn’t see it last year cos I had other movies (Bunty aur Bubli and Parineeta) on my must watch list and couldn’t watch it after that because my DVD player doesn’t work with my TV (which is such a sad part of my life that it deserves a post!). So Star Gold, of all channels, gave me the opportunity of finally watching it. I expected it to be bad given all the negative comments it got after it was sent for Oscars but it was surprisingly good and not boring at all. The movie is entertaining and has good performances by Rani Mukherjee (who’s my current favorite). She looks hot even in traditional clothes. The fact that such movies aren’t made anymore works to the movie’s advantage. The movie never gets too serious or melodramatic either. Plus it has some scintillating songs.

The song, “Dheere Jalna” is one of my favorite songs from last year. It just doesn’t have great music and good singing but awesome lyrics too. All credit goes to Gulzar, of course.

Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi

The film reflects the intensity and fate of three young characters, who start out on the same platform but board different trains and reach a destination of their own making. – From Rediff

I wanted to see it ever since the Indian blogosphere went crazy over the movie last year but got the change only this Monday, thanks to Star Gold again. (I guess, they are finally tired of showing dubbed English movies.) It’s again a great watch. The movie has got me interested in the late 60s and early 70s’ India – something I don’t know much about. The movie is very real. All actors too give a real performance. Kay Kay is good and Chitrangada Singh both looks good and acts well too but its Shiney Ahuja who steals the show. He is very natural. The movie is a little amateurish but still makes an impact. The surprise ending totally caught me unawares. It was great to see a good film by Sudhir Mishra after Chameli.

Incidentally, this film too has a song that I love. I loved “Bavraa Mann” the moment I hear it the first time in 2003. The song has great music (Shantanu Moitra), has been sung well (Swanand Kirkire) and has fantastic lyrics (Swanand Kirkire).

Since I’m in the mood, here are few lines from the song:

Bavre se is jahaan mein bavraa ek saath ho
Is sayaani bheed main bas haanthon mea tera haath ho
Bavri si dun ho koi bavra ek raag ho
Bavri si dun ho koi bavra ek raag ho
Bavre si pair chaahne, Bavre taraano pe
Bavre se bol pe thirakna

Jan

Public Demand

Raj 26 Comments

Categories: Ranting, Television and Music

There have been few requests for posts about TV and I wanted to write something about music for quite some time so I’ll put it all together.

But not before some ranting. Recently, few colleagues when asked for their opinion on me said that I seemed to be little arrogant at first but once they got to know me, I turned out to be a pretty easygoing person. Now, this is something I refuse to accept. As far as I know myself, I am arrogant and an easygoing person as well. So the correct thing to say would be that I am just a little arrogant but an easygoing person. ~~What do you all think?~~

Update: When I asked “What do you all think?”, I did not ask for your opinion about me, okay. I meant to ask, Can’t a person be both arrogant and easygoing? After being loyal readers of my blog, you really think I care about what people think of me? Well, I do but never show it so answer the correct question, please!

Moving on, Idol fever is on with both Indian Idol and American Idol being aired at the same time. Indian Idol is already in the Gala round where all the contestants seem to be well trained in crying and begging for votes. American Idol has just started so auditions are what we’ve got to see so far. Somehow AI auditions are more fun to watch. They have more weird characters than II does. The freaks in India want to act more than they want to sing, I think.

The songs I’m listening to these days are “Heard ‘Em Say” by Kanye West feat. Adam Levine, “Check On It” by Beyonce Knowles, “Khwaahishon Se” by Shreya Ghosal and Kunal Ganjawala from Holiday and a better quality version of “Naina Neer Bahaye” by Sadhna Sargam from Water. It truly is a great song.

I change the channel ASAP whenever the song “Aapka Suroor” by Himesh Reshammiya is on. Why must he always howl like a dog? And his other song, “Jhalak Dikhla Jaa” from Aksar, in all probability, is the most nasal song to be released ever. And both of these songs are hits, apparently. What’s wrong with everyone?

Jan

Arrested Development

Raj 9 Comments

Categories: Television

And now the story of a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together… It’s Arrested Development.

Cast of Arrested Development

In case, you’ve never heard about it, which is a sad possibility, Arrested Development is an award winning comedy show. In just two and a half years of existence, it has won 6 Emmys and countless other awards. In my opinion, it is one of the best comedy shows ever and this opinion is shared by millions of fans across the world. But since most people in the world and hence the US are used to watching mediocre, half-baked comedies, they have somehow not been able to recognize its worth.

Fox, the network on which it airs in the US, is trying hard to keep the show on but consistently low ratings are forcing them to cancel the show. It’s not official yet but it is bound to happen. Talks are also on with some other networks to support the show.

Since Fox brought back Family Guy after being cancelled due to the fans’ request, fans are hoping the same happens, this time even before the show is cancelled.

Being a huge fan of the show, I request everyone to visit Save Our Bluths and see how you can help. Also start watching the show if you don’t already. You’ll love it.

Few links:

Arrested Development official site

Arrested Development TV.com page

Arrested Development Wikipedia Entry

The post that inspired this post:

Turbanhead - Save Our Bluths

Dec

Weekly Tele-Roundup

Raj 5 Comments

Categories: Television

Indian Idol is back and it got its share of very good, good, okay and bad singers this time around too. They even went to Lucknow this time (Go Lucknow!!) The good news is that the 28 finalists chosen are pretty good except for a young girl from Delhi called Neha who might pull off a Jasmine Trias or Ravinder Ravi. Much better than the last time but the bad news is that Anu Malik is very irritating to watch. He and his poems must die.

On Aaki’s request, I tried watching India Calling and I am amazed at the kind of crap the channels can come up with these days. The whole big city-small city cliché, a call center being run as a family business, a new employee being allowed to make telemarketing calls without training – it’s all very ridiculous.

Coupling is being re-aired and I’m watching it again cos it is that good. Seriously, that’s one series that’s not to be missed.

After three seasons, MTV has only been able to make Roadies just a tad interesting. They mostly rely on the oldest trick of reality shows, unexpected twists and turns.

Also, Channel 7 in its continuing effort to keep its viewers abreast of the most important news from all over the world broadcasted a 30-minute special show at 9pm (that’s primetime, people) on a Rs. 4 Crores (40 million) wedding of an NRI couple in Jaipur. I know how dumb it sounds but it was actually very funny to watch. The couple made their friends from The U.S. dance to completely choreographed bollywood songs. Why? Cos they have too much money. That’s why!