Friday, November 19, 2010

The best and worst of LAN..

Let's begin with the news first. I have a job a now and I am trying hard to get a girlfriend. That's pretty much it. Too much has been said about girls, placements, gay issues, political leaders and what not. So, here’s something you would want to know and it’s also fun to read. Now, this post is a favour to all my friends who keep asking me what to download from DC++( yaar koi achhi series bata..). Although I am no expert, I have a reputation of suggesting quality stuff to all my patrons. And those who are reading my blog for the first time please read my previous posts as well. Let’s face it, we all love best/worst lists. This post is a list of drama/crime series worth watching. Enough chit chat, here’s the real deal. Lets start from the bottom.

7. LOST


Okay, first of all, I am starting from seven b’coz I haven’t seen as many shows to make a top ten list. Secondly, LOST is so much down the list because of several simple reasons. Have you ever read a book where there are so many characters that every once in a while you have to flip back to the beginning of the book to revise the character’s history? Same is the case with this show. The plot is great, the performances are good, but hey, any series isn’t complete without a hot chick. When you make a series where the maximum scenes take place on a beach, you should know guys will be looking for something more than action and suspense. Another reason why LOST is a bottomer, is that it isn’t fast enough compared to other series on this list. I watched the entire first season, but was didn’t have the courage to download the second one. Enough criticism, now the good stuff. It is one of the very few shows where the Indian guy is not the nerd. And a lot of good actors, dialogues and small but neat action sequences. I know a lot of people who would put LOST in the top three, but in the end it’s just a matter of opinion.

6. The Sopranos


I watched this series so long ago that I am not even sure of the spelling. This show was created for all those people who kept longing for more after watching all the three Godfather movies. All Italian characters, lots of guns, drugs, hookers, strippers, expensive suits, classic GTOs –everything a male needs to stay glued to the screen. Just one problem. Every episode is more than an hour long. And an Italian accent is not everybody’s piece of cake. But in every other way, a fantastic entertainer.

5. HOUSE M.D


I started watching House after it was suggested to me by a friend. Any guesses what college he goes to? Very few people know that most episodes of this show are directed by a guy called Bryan Singer, the same person who brought us ‘ The Usual Suspects’ and the X-men movies. House is led by Hugh Laurie- a brit whose American accent can put Hollywood veterans to shame. The best thing about House is also the worst thing about House- every episode begins with a guy/girl with an unknown disease and all three of Dr. House’s interns disagree with his diagnosis, but it’s always Dr House who saves the day- or rather, the patient. Every episode. That’s the issue. Nothing new to look forward to. What’s interesting is the way they solve the problem. The needles , the blood, the medical equipment can sometimes be a pain to watch, the terms hard to comprehend, but in the end ,a medical marvel is a joy forever.

4. The Pacific


From here on there will be more praises and less bashing. The Pacific is about a group of American soldiers who battle the Japanese who in turn are trying to gain control of- well of coarse- the islands in the pacific. First reason to watch it is that it comes from the Steven Spielberg-Tom hanks house of production. It’s a mini series, but every episode can be compared to a classic Hollywood war movie. Girls, if you thought guys don’t cry, sit next to your boyfriend while he watches this show. Equipped with an awesome cast, where every actor looks as if he was born for that role, the story is told by the real heroes who survived the battle. The only part where it loses a point, is the part where the crew(directors, cinematographers whatever) try to make the scene a bit too real. There are moments in the show where you wished you had finished dinner before watching it. Otherwise it’s brilliantly made, and when it’s over, you’ll be standing up clapping your hands.

3. Dexter


If anyone is thinking of the cartoon, go kill yourself now. Enter emotionless, cold, pancake eater, beer drinker, non-abusive serial killer Dexter Morgan.

Dexter Morgan was five when his mother was murdered before his eyes. Dexter was five when Dexter died, Dexter was five when Dexter was born. Okay, too much word play. Ever since he was picked up from a pool of blood by his foster father Harry, Dexter a had an uncontrollable desire to kill people-which he did fulfill-by following a strict moral code set by Harry. He only kills people who are murderers themselves. What makes Dexter so entertaining is the dark humour associated with it, not to mention an amazing acting performance by Michael C Hall, who was awarded the golden globe/emmy( whichever’s correct) for this endeavour.

During the day time Dexter works as a blood splatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police department. Supported by his foul mouthed sister, porn loving friend Masuka, and host of Spanish-american actors, you can’t help but fall in love with our anti-hero protagonist. You feel pity and hatred at the same time, but you always wait for the next episode.

2. Prison Break


When I first watched PB, I thought what the hell, it’s Sawshank Redemption all over again. Then I watched another episode. Then another. Then another......until my hard disk was full and I started making space to fit in more episodes. This is the show which has been watched by all the famous lazy-asses of the college in record time. You just can’t go sleep without completing an entire season. It’s so intoxicating, you forget about the classes or even exams- you have the next day. With the plot as it’s USP, Prison Break has broken all barriers when it comes to pure thrill. Unlike other shows on this list, the dialogues and the references are easily understandable and you don’t have to be a Hollywood buff to enjoy it. So, cancel all your appointments for an entire week, download all seasons, sit back and click the PLAY button.

1. Band of Brothers

Before you let out sighs of disapproval, let me tell you being number one is not about being the most appreciated, it’s about being the most complete. Some of the best actors, directors, writers and other technicians came together to make this phenomenal miniseries. And I know it’s really cliché that a World War II story is the topper but you have got to watch this one before you dismiss my efforts in making this list. Talking about efforts, you can literally feel that there can be no better depiction of action, emotion or drama than this one.

Once again it’s a Steven Spielberg production, and man it’s awesome.


P.S- The ones I haven't watched but I've heard they are good- 24, CSI, X-Files

P.P.S- The don't s- Heroes, all Vampire Shows

P.P.P.S- Comment,like, follow- do anything that makes me know that u have read this post. Please.

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Creep who Smelled like teen spirit....

As you might have guessed,the title was inspired(not copied,inspired) from two of the greatest songs in rock history. And if you like pop music, you're probably gonna doubt your tastes after this.

The basic difference between rock and pop is that the former is meant to be created with real instruments not electronic machines. So, no Synthaxe's, Eigenharps or even isomorphic keyboards.Now, does that mean guys playing sitars and tablas are rockstars and and Linkin Park isn't? At least I think so.

My intimate affair with rock started back in the 7th grade when I first saw the 'teen spirit' video on MTv. I was so smitten that I borrowed my dad's scooter to go to a cybercafe to find out more about the phenomena called 'nirvana'(it was 2002 and internet wasn't around at every corner! and yeah I could ride motor vehicles before I was 13). I went and told my friends about it but they dismissed my revelation as weird thought from the guy who 'didn't like Eminem'. I gave them the finger and told them to grow up. But let's not get into that.

I am writing this because some people wonder why Metallica still rules the world or why Kurt Cobain's face can still be seen on every T-shirt you look at. It's not just their music but the way they gave it to us.It's all about the attitude.Don't get me wrong , attitude does not refer to the bad language or the drug usage. It's how they make you feel. If an artist doesn't make you feel like quitting your job and try doing whatever he does, he isn't a rockstar. He's just a guy making a living. And they don't care about how they look or what they drive(Alice Cooper and Marlyn Manson are honorable exceptions). The point you stop giving a f*** is the point where a musician is born. Look at John Frusciante (lead guitar RHCP)for instance. The guy can't drive nor does he have a credit card, but give him a fender and you'll bow down to him.

No disrespect, it does take a lot of energy to compose a song, whatever genre it may belong to. But the point is, why go for a caddy when you can have a Ferrari? Just do an experiment. Listen to the usual bullshit you like and then go for any Iron Maiden classic( say, number of the beast).You'll get my message.

If music is meant to inspire why pollute it with technology? Rock is a real, pure, and uncorrupted form of art and it won't lose it's glory till the end of time. It's a religion and as a proud devotee, my pilgrimage has just begun.

PS - Caddy is short for Cadillac, just as merc is for Mercedes.