Following - A profound neo-noir

Nolans make great movies; right from Memento to Interstellar, we can always count on them to take our breath away. Among these widely acclaimed movies, however, it's easy to forget this little gem, Following. Where it all began.

[Note: This blog post may contain spoilers for Following.  Proceed at your own risk.]

Following, Christopher Nolan's first feature film, tells the story of a young man, aspiring to be a writer. He meets Cobb, a charming, well-groomed burglar who takes the protagonist under his wing. The premise seems innocent and straightforward enough, that is, until you start watching the movie. This is a story of lies and deception.

There is a sense of foreboding right from the start. The music is haunting. It looks dark and mysterious, as we try to understand what is happening on screen. There is not much of a context at the start; only scenes that we must watch carefully, absorbing every detail, because we know we will need to remember them later in the movie.

The use of a non linear narrative is exceptional. As time elapses, the story develops. But still, we are, more or less, kept in the dark. The movie teases the audience; advancing the story by revealing a plot point, then showing us an entirely different scene.

The movie requires us to focus and watch carefully. Slowly we are given certain clues and pieces of the puzzle. And we are trying to put the puzzle together in our head.

The last act turns everything we thought we knew right on its head. In those last ten minutes, the whole story comes together. All those scenes interwoven throughout the film ties together at the end. And the final result is nothing short of mind blowing.

It's brilliant, how all the pieces fit together, and everything makes sense. Though I was watching keenly and closely, the ending still caught me by surprise. One doesn't even see it coming.

That's the beauty of it. The brilliance. It's a hell of a twist that we don't even know is there.

I was still in awe as I walked away from my screen after the movie. It was brilliant - there is no other word for it. It was stunningly brilliant. It was more than a movie. It was an experience.

Following, like all Nolan movies, demands attention from its audience. It urges people to think and explore. We are never spoon-fed details. We have to discover them for ourselves. It's thought-provoking. These movies respect their audience. They leave you thinking about them, long after the credits roll. That's what makes Following an experience of a lifetime.

If you haven't seen it already, click the link below and watch it right now.

Following (1998)

Enjoy. 

A love poem - Valentine's Day Special

"I'm better off alone, it was never meant to be,"
I keep telling myself that; but it's hard to believe. 
Because every time we talk, I'm swept off my feet,
Dropped head first into that fantasy. 

Once in a blue moon, we would
Bump right into each other
Those glimpses of you, so fascinating...
Etched into my thoughts, and created a longing
For you, to see you, to be by your side
They haunted my day, and most of the night
All I could think of was you. 

That we rarely met or hardly talked, it did not matter
It were the texts that drew me in
Into a dream, into a fantasy
Where anything could become a reality. 
Changing my perception and opening my mind, 
You showed me what I failed to see. 
Teenage spend on celebrity crushes
Were nothing more than a child's folly. 

It might never work, you and I 
But how do we know if we don't try?
Let's give it a shot, and create memories
To last us all our nine lives
Just you and me...
How thrilling would that be?
And thus I ask, this one time
Will you be my Valentine?

In too deep

My eyes burned as I glanced at the page. I went over each line at a steady pace, so engulfed in the story that I was aware of neither time nor place. I read the last line of the chapter and looked up, in awe of what I had just read.

Everyone had just gone to bad. The only light in the house was the one in the living room, where I sat on the couch, hugging the paperback in my hand: Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix.

I can't stop. Not now. It's only 10:30. There's still plenty of time.

I read the next chapter, and then two more in quick succession before I looked up again. It was past midnight. But I couldn't stop now. Not when the last chapter ended in a cliff-hanger. I need to know more....

And so I kept reading. It did not matter that my entire body ached from uncomfortable sitting positions. It did not matter that my butt was sore from not having stood up in a while. It did not matter that it was way past my usual bed time. All I cared about was the story.

I got up after that chapter and took a walk around the house. My parched mouth thanked me for the large glass of water I gulped down. But I was far from done. Sleep is for the weak. I need to get back to the story. And so I kept on reading.

The story developed, pulling me in deeper and deeper until it became my reality. The silence of the night was broken only by the monotonous ticking of the clock; that and the voices of the characters I heard in my head as I read eagerly.

As another chapter came to a close, I realized what was happening. I had gotten in too deep. And now I couldn't get out. This is exactly what I was afraid of, right from the start. This is why I had limited myself to just one chapter a day.

Now I had broken my own rules that I had set up only for my own good. I tried not to care. About any of them. But it had become increasingly more difficult as I had broken the one rule that was set up to protect me. I care a lot. And as much as I know I will regret it, I care about all those brilliant characters I know wont make it. Dumbledore. Lupin. Snape. Fred... and most importantly,

Sirius. 

I've been dreading reading this book ever since I found out that my favorite character would die in this. But I can't stop reading. I know with each page I'm getting closer to Sirius' death. But I can't stop. I can't stop now. I thought I could just... not care and emerge unscathed. But now I see that its too late for that. I'm in too deep. And the only way out is down.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to reading.

To drink...or not to drink..?

Thursday morning started off as a pretty normal school day. So it was a surprise when we were quickly and inexplicably called down from class. My Eleventh grade classmates and I exchanged confused and bewildered looks as we filed down to the assembly ground. There we found all of Ninth grade waiting, looking just as puzzled as us.

Our Principal beckoned us closer and explained, "We're going to protest."

We were brought out of the dark soon enough. A Beverages Corporation (BevCo) outlet was just opened outside our school. We would be protesting, alongside the residents, against that.

A government-run liquor shop, smack in the middle of a residential area. Just a few meters from an all girls' high school. Right next to a children's daycare. Between two apartment buildings. Opposite a bank. With churches and temples nearby. I mean... this is outrageous!

What were they even thinking?

Now, what's so bad about a liquor shop, you might ask. Nothing, really, if not for the drunk old men standing in long lines day and night, constant traffic jams, irresponsible drinking on the streets and overall disruption caused to the peaceful lives of nearby residents. Most of these men are spending a good part of their life earnings getting wasted, only to stagger home and beat up their wives and children. Alcohol in the hands of such people destroys lives and families.

That's what's wrong with most people here. They don't know how to drink.

Or rather, they don't know how to drink responsibly. There is nothing wrong with the occasional glass of beer or shot of vodka. Things get nasty when it goes overboard. And more often than not, that's exactly what happens. There wouldn't have been much of a problem had they maintained civility in and around liquor shops. Problems arise when they start drinking right then and there, and it often leads to indecent behavior, drunk driving, and obscene exposure in public. Just buy a bottle and leave. It's that simple.

People see the act of drinking an entire bottle in one sitting as a magnificent feat to be proud of. They couldn't be more wrong. It's nothing to be proud of if you throw up after one too many drinks, knock yourself out and then wake up with a hangover. It's disgusting, and pathetic. Seriously. Stop.

But you know what is something to be proud of? Self control. Knowing where to draw the line. Never losing control of yourself. Restricting what may cause harm. Because responsible drinking is classy. And that classiness, ladies and gentlemen, is hella attractive.




Our school's strong protest against the liquor shop in our vicinity was a huge success. Although there were a few attempts to open shop and conduct business, the consistent and powerful voice of the people was heard. The shop has now closed, hopefully, for good.

Girl students' protest force closure of Bevco outlet in Kerala - Times Of India

Here's hoping there will be change in this society. It all starts with education, and instilling a sense of responsibility, for oneself and his/her actions. Here's to drinking, but never going overboard, for our good, and the good of everyone around us. Change starts with each of us.

Cheers.

Fangirl Problems

Being a fangirl in a mostly male fandom can be... challenging, to say the least. Life as a fangirl can be tough, when you're the only girl around who is really into Marvel/DC or Star Wars.

Here are just some of the problems we face. I'm sure some lonely fangirl in a distant corner of the globe can relate to this.

1. Shopping woes: Tell me if this story sounds familiar. You are shopping for clothes... Girls t-shirts - glitter, flowers and some random quote about love that makes absolutely no sense. Boys t-shirts - official comic merchandise that is every fan's dream. If you're going to look for Avengers t-shirts in the girls section, you might as well look for water in the desert. I would say I have gotten used to the strange looks the store employees give me as I try on different boys' t-shirts. But then, what choice do I have? The world we live in is anything but fair. 
2. Forever alone: The geek stuff is not something you can talk about with your clique. The girls in my clique don't care who played the best Spiderman or that Aquaman has got a sick new look. Finally finding someone to geek out with is like finding a needle in a haystack... that one, rare, precious needle you never want to lose. 
3. Watching in theaters: I am jealous of how guys can just grab their buddies and go to the cinema every time a new comic book movie hits the theaters. Not having fellow fans to go with really sucks, and crippling social anxiety prevents me from going by myself. So, in the end, I'm left stuck at home, missing out on so much. 
4. Blatant sexism: "Why do you like that? It's for boys." "You like superheroes? Are you a boy?" "That's not very lady-like." *deep breath* Why don't you do the world a favor, and shut up?
5. Certain misunderstandings: This has happened on more than one occasion. Some distant relative or cousin brings a present that is clearly some pretty cool merc, and gives it... wait for it... to my brother! NO! I'm the one who's into it! Me! Not him! He's into pro wrestling and pokemons. I'm the one who's collecting Marvel merchandise! Give it to me! What follows are two hour long negotiations with my brother, discussing what I would give him if he were to give me the stuff. I have to fight for merchandise every single time. 

 So, there you go. Just some of the many problems faced by us fangirls. Sure, life is tough. But we'll get by. Right now, we're just counting down the days left for Logan.

Just 35 days to go...

 

Pulled into a book

Every successful writer has a writing style that they have made all their own. A style so complex, advanced and evolved, that they are truly its masters and creators.

I was asked who my favorite author is; I didn't really have an answer. I am an admirer of different styles; styles that evoke entirely different moods and emotions.

On this occasion, I must admit, that it took me a long time to finally get started on the Harry Potter franchise. It is something that I've, rather embarrassingly, missed out in my childhood, and, as of now, I am yet to read the last three books.

Thursday night, I finished Goblet of Fire, and that book left me in a puddle of my own tears. I was depressed all night, as though a Dementor had been in my vicinity. It was not a pretty feeling. But it was a great book, as only the great ones manage to squeeze out a tear from the reader. And it's purely due to the way J. K. Rowling has paced the story, and her style of writing.

It is soft, sweet and emotional. Vulnerable. Moving. Engaging. Like a river, soft in itself, but able to cut through mountains; cut through the hardest hearts. With this style of writing, she had me at her mercy by the end of the book. I was lost, saddened, confused... I was an emotional wreck.

I needed comfort. I needed solace. I turned to books that I trusted to wipe my tears. Those of Lee Child.

I grabbed my copy of Never Go Back to pull myself out of my misery. And it worked. Partially. It was like crying on the shoulder of an old friend, over a lover who gave you an amazing time and then left you with a broken heart.

Reading Lee Child was like getting the big warm hug I so badly craved. There was no pain in this. No slow, soft stabs with deaths of beloved characters.

Child's writing is more or less the opposite of Rowling's. It's hard, unemotional, sharp and edgy.  It's very technical and has got a certain mechanical smoothness. Cold. Relentless. Unapologetic. The kind that translates to, "Stop crying and get over it."

That is what I love about these writers and their specific styles. They have the power to engage the reader with their writing. To grip us by the throat and pull us into the deepest fathoms of their imaginations, until we are one with the characters. One with their journey. One with the story. They are more than just words on a page. It is an experience, forever remembered and cherished.

So many different styles; all so powerful; incomparable. I will always find peace from this busy world, between the pages of a good book.

Stop Waiting

Time flies.

Here we are, at the beginning of 2017. The previous year flashed by in the blink of an eye. There is so much each of us have to do. And we are running out of time.


There is nothing as harmful and destructive as waiting. What are you waiting for? Waiting for the exams to finish. Waiting to get out of school. Waiting to get out of college. To get a job. To have a home. To start a family. Waiting for your life to finally begin?

If so then, buddy, you'll be waiting all your life. Waiting for nothing but sad, pathetic little excuses to keep you confined to the bland, boring normalcy. You'll be watching from the sidelines as your life rushes past you. Because you cannot pause time. You cannot pause your life so you can make a living. Because life goes on.

This is 10th grade. Don't go about writing books now; wait another year. They said.
This is 11th and 12th grade. Don't do anything but studies for now. Wait a couple of years. They said.

There was a part of me, screaming from the inside, suffocating under the stress. There was a part that wanted to be let out, to be heard, to be free. Every moment was precious, and I was done waiting.


Passion is like a fire, burning inside you. How long are you going to ignore it? Your dreams haunt you, making their presence known. How long are you going to keep setting them aside? All that gives life meaning, makes it beautiful, is rejected, disregarded and replaced by the chase after success as defined by society.

Life is too short to keep waiting. To live someone else's dreams. Your time is valuable. And it is limited. You have just one life, and you have to make the most of it. This is your life, and it's ending, one minute at a time.

Stop waiting. Go out there, and do all that you need to do. Take risks. And live life to the fullest.

Have a great year ahead.