What's up Doc!!!?

Oh no!

Another long gap since the last time I posted. I remember wanting to put down some stuff which I thought was interesting, but it got skipped because of how busy life had become these past couple of months. Yeah, I got back to professional life.

No way I am complaining. I am sane when my days are full with work !

I remember now. I got to see some great sci-fi movies, which managed to leave a lasting impression. It is pretty rare these days, huh. Sci fi movies are thrown at us so frequently that it is difficult to distinguish one from another. Still, I loved Oblivion and I was blown away by Gravity.

Oblivion simply stands out mostly for its terrific visuals. They were breathtaking. They stood out. I could have gone on watching the movie many times over. I haven't heard good things about the movie from people, but me -- I loved it!! The fact that it made me think after leaving the hall is something in itself. I thought the story was brilliant. Makes you think about that thin line between make-believe and truth and how perspectives can change once the facade crashes. And of course, Tom Cruise for one and half hours on screen doesn't hurt the eyes! Though I agree, the end was a wee bit convenient and hurried!

Gravity, what can I say. For me, it was a 9.9 on 10. Couldn't get enough of it. Guilty as charged - I would have loved to see more of those breathtaking visuals of the blue earth, the sun rising and the pitch-black space and feel that weightlessness and emptiness of space a wee bit longer. Not to mention the shots of the slow deterioration of the International Space Station - WooHoo! I had been waiting for this movie since the first time I saw its trailer and I knew there was no way I was gonna be disappointed by this one. Though I admit the movie wasn't that high on drama and adrenaline as one would expect from a sci-fi.

Going a bit deeper into why I Loved this one - It made me feel SO small. So tiny in front of the sheer magnitude of the outer space! For me, the last scene was the cherry on the cake and pushed this movie in my list of 'The greatest movies ever made'! That final shaky step as our protagonist lands on solid ground in full force of the Earth's gravity can be a blessing, makes one wonder (again) of how we take nature for granted, those subtle processes of nature which are so important for the survival of mankind, lost in the backdrop of our day to day worries and problems.

Gimme more, Hollywood.

Movie Duff(er)

I missed out on catching up this movie sometime back, which is India's entry to Oscar's for this year. And somehow, all my friends had either seen it or were planning to see it with other people. Having no one to go with, I thought to myself - why not do a new thing then? - watch a movie alone.

Though I should mention that my flatmate did offer to watch it with me again. But then I couldn't have forced the movie on her again, especially after the facial expression when asked to give her review.

I had always wanted to watch a movie by myself and had thought of going for the mostly empty morning show, you know as a safe first-time-watching-a-movie-alone experience. But here in Singapore, you obviously don't get zillions of shows for a Hindi movie which you do in India. So not having much choice in the show timing, I had to book one for the peak afternoon show. It was almost full by the time I booked it (we Indians are everywhere!).

As for the seats, I wanted to book the center most seats as opposed to the center aisle seats I usually book. This change happened after someone mentioned to me how the center seats are well distanced from the four corners and more importantly, people will never bug you by crossing left and right.  

So, the fourth row which I was booking initially had two seats available right in the center. It would have made sense to book one of them, right?

But no. What if people around me think that I got stood up by my date? 

So, errr, let me not book this row. 

I booked the center seat in the third row. Tolerate a little more strain, but don't let people think what they can think. 

With that done, I set off the next do-a-new-thing-today day. Movie was to follow the Harry Potter & Andy Warhol exhibition. Yes, the same exhibition.

I have already mentioned about the goodies I bought from the exhibition. Looks like those people trust us to spend tons of money on the shop. Guess that is why I was handed over an XXL sized bag for my meager purchases.   

Whoa! I was running late. Reaching the mall which housed the hall, I stepped into the lift and pressed level 7. Cursing under my breath for the hall to be at the topmost floor and at all those people who had to get off at levels 2,3,4,5 AND 6, I finally collected my tickets. Not to mention, a popcorn bucket and coke!

Once inside the hall, I realized that the movie was on and the hall, full. Armed with my handbag, popocorn, coke and my extra large HP bag, I made my way to my seat. And there, Standing at the aisle, I was dreading the trek to the centre seat.

I prayed.

Banging my HP bag on the guy in the front row, spilling some popcorn on the guy ahead, stumbling over someone's foot and somehow controlling my swinging handbag, I finally crash landed into my seat. Squirming in my seat and wishing I could disappear in it, I waited for the movie to take care of the numerous stares.

Phew! Whattay start.

But hey, the movie is on. And I have my bucket of salted popcorn. I laugh loudly at this extremely funny scene. The guy next to me is staring at me.

The expression on his face? - Totally makes up for coming for a movie, alone !

(Till the time we do a new thing again)

*Photo Credits Google