Up in the Air

The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places; and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over.

Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) has a job that most of us would love to hate. And we would pray to god to never give a chance to work with him. But Ryan loves his job. And he loves his life up in the air. He travels 270-300 days a year. He delivers one of the most difficult messages to hapless souls across the United States. And he has the pugnacity to go back to the hotel room and sleep. In fact one of the employee he lays off asks him, “How do you sleep during the night, man?” Valid question.

I am not sure how Up in the Air reads as a book  but Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner deserve the Oscar nomination for one of the most coherent screenplays in recent times. We travel with Ryan and Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), a rookie, who Ryan has to train in his ways. There is that seemingly innocuous subplot of Ryan’s sister and her fiancé’s insane idea of having their cardboard cutout picture taken in front of prominent locations around the States. And Ryan’s own obligation towards his family and how he reconnects. Ryan meets a kindred spirit in Alex (Vera Farmiga) who’s as mysterious as she’s beautiful. And when she serves as his ultimate epiphany, Ryan reaches his goal, in more ways than one. The whole thing falls beautifully into place and Jason Reitman has to be lauded for that.

The question that the film doesn’t handle altogether convincingly is what maketh Ryan. Is he the way he is because of his job or is he so good at his job only because he is completely withdrawn as a person? Maybe it doesn’t have to answer this question but it would have been really interesting if it had.

The Banyan Trees

Yes, that’s what the new magazine is called. Started by Nivi and friends, The Banyan Trees is a monthly online/on-demand print magazine housing a lot of creative content from fiction, poetry, columns and photography. The first issue was out on November 1st and here it is. Read on, spread the word and come back every month for more.

 

 

The Perfect AR Rahman Concert – Part II

And this is where we see the Part II of The Perfect AR Rahman Concert. Part I is here.

16. Aathangara Marame (Kizhaku Cheemayile):

The rural tone is done so incredibly well that they made sure they captured the rural milieu well on screen. Even with those faces!

17. Kannaikatti Kollade (Iruvar):

Doesn’t this actually remind you of MGR singing one of his gracefully self referential hit song? No one could have done justice to this other than Hariharan.

18. Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na):

Because not only the Aditis, but every lovable girl felt better after this song. A sure shot heart winner.

19. Thenmerku (Karuthama):

Have you ever listened to this song in full volume, in a super awesome sound system with a sub woofer and all that jazz? Please do, and then you’ll realize why this needs to be heard on stage.

20. Mellisaye

For once – and it’s a huge achievement, mind you – you can’t help but pay attention to the song and not to Shilpa Shetty. I think the makers deliberately made her look bad. Like Baazigar bad!

21. Enna Solla Pogirai (Kandukondain Kandukondain):

It’s tough to single out a song from a five star album. But then Shankar Mahadevan comes to your rescue.

22. Pettai Rap (Kadhalan):

Because it brought in a new genre in Indian music. And what super awesome lyrics! I don’t know if Suresh Peters is around, but Blaaze can probably do justice.

23. Delhi 6 (Delhi 6):

This saw Rahman returning to top form after a long long time. Heck, this was seriously in the league of Roja, Thiruda Thiruda etc.

24. Pachai Nirame (Alaipayuthey):

Hariharan’s vocals. Those little nuances by Clinton here and there. And the lyrics that make you wonder about the greatest mysteries. Like how does the whole world conspire to give its best for Mani Ratnam.

25. Do Kadam (Meenaxi):

Because you can’t listen to underrated gems on TV, radio etc. They are possible only at concerts like these.

26. Taxi (Sakarakatti):

Rahman’s experimentation knows no bounds and it succeeds amazingly well in this number by Benny Dayal.

27. Khwaja (Jodha Akbar):

It’s beautiful and by his own admission, it is one of his all time favorite numbers.

28. Kadhal Rojave (Roja):

Even if it’s too late, Rahman’s signature debut has to be reproduced. Just for those flute interludes!

29. Vellai Pookal (Kannathil Muthamittal):

Lets give one more to Rahman. And this time, I am sure it’s everyone’s favorite.

30. Maro Maro (Boys):

You need that kind of reverberation at the end of a concert. It’s an anthem, however cheesy the lyrics!

31. Fanaa (Yuva):

Because anyone would love to get destroyed in Rahman’s music! And with this club friendly song that needs no remix, you do exactly that.

32. Malarodu Malar (Bombay):

There isn’t a better theme song. And I personally feel Vande Mataram has been overused and if you really need an ending that talks about national integration etc, this one more than does your job!

Now all there is left to do is pray. Pray that this concert comes alive!