Rebecca (1940)

Rebecca is a thriller by Alfred Hitchcock and the first in his foray into American cinema. It is based on the novel by the same name that was authored by Daphne du Maurier's, in 1938. The movie won 2 academy awards out of 11 nominations and has been one of the best mysteries I have watched to-date.
A young and dumure woman (Joan Fontaine) from a humble background works as a paid companion to the rich Edythe Van Hopper (Florence Bates). While in Monte Carlo she meets the aristocratic and moody widower, Maxim De Winter (Laurence Olivier) and there is an instant attraction. A couple of weeks later they find they are in love and after Maxim proposes, they soon get married.
The wealthy Maxim is the owner of the imposing Manderley Mansion in Cornwall and the new Mrs. de Winter is awed by her new home. However, when she meets the household staff she is struck and is instantly vary after the chilly reception she gets from Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), the housekeeper. Soon Mrs. de Winter realizes that she faces tough competition from the old Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca, who continues to have a strong influence over the house. The eerie Mrs. Danvers makes sure that Rebecca is not forgotten - her monogrammed stationery, pillows, handkerchiefs, a locked wing of the house that housed her room are constant reminders of her elusive presence and add to the mystery surrounding the late Rebecca. Mrs. de Winter soon gets the impression that Maxim is still deeply in love with his dead first wife. Deeply troubled and during her exploration of the surrounding grounds she happens upon a boathouse and therein lies the key to the enigma surrounding Rebecca's death.
The perfect movie to curl up and watch on a cold winter evening. Hats off to Alfred Hitchcock!

Word for the day : -

perfidy - the state of being deceitful and untrustworthy 

A little bit of heaven (2011)

Happy-go-lucky Marley Corbett (Kate Hudson) is diagnosed with colon cancer and the devastating news tears her world apart. While under anesthesia Marley meets God and she is granted three wishes - so she chooses to fly, to win big money and the third ....!
When confronted with the prospect of death, life takes on a whole new meaning. Marley is able to mend fences with her separated parents - a hovering mother and a reserved father;
A close circle of friends form her pillars and see her through the difficult moments as her health steadily fails;
And having always run from the prospect of getting serious in a relationship, she finally falls in love!

This movie could not have turned out any better with Whoopi Goldberg in a cameo and Kate Hudson, who totally rocked. There are moments in the film that tug at the heart and you shed a few tears but what's different and positive is the celebration of love, relationships and life even in death.
There is a beautiful instrumental at the end of the movie but since I could not find that particular video, this one is close.

Happy Dussehra to all!

The rains are slowly retreating and just a day before Dussehra they worked their
magic. Having rained all evening, Dussehra morning dawned sparklingly (is that even a word) bright and beautiful. The weak rays of the rising sun showed off how squeaky clean everything was with the dust mercifully washed off and so giving the fiery orange of the marigold flowers no competition.

Dussehra heralds the start of the best part of the year, the weather is pleasant (bye-bye humidity) without it is being too hot or cold. Dussehra is celebrated with great fervor to signify victory of good over evil and these celebrations vary from region to region all over India. Weapons, tools, all musical instruments, books etc. are honored on that day.
To know more here is a link - Dussehra - Vijayadashami
And soon it will be Diwali, my absolute favorite.  

Just being Audrey! ( 1929-1993)

I was in love the instant I watched "My Fair Lady" (1964), my first Hepburn movie. After I watched Roman Holiday (1953) starring Audrey and Gregory Peck, two of my favorite old-timers, I was impressed. So after Sabrina (1954) and Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), I was a numero uno fan.

To me Pink and Audrey Hepburn go hand in hand - remembering her poise and grace that has ruled hearts from time immemorial.

Pink (2016)

The story is about three friends who are like your every other Indian girl. There is the Feisty Minal Arora ( Taapsee Pannu), a Sensible Falak Ali (Kirti Kulhari) and a rather Timid Andrea (Andrea Tariang). These young working professionals share a flat in a middle-class society in South Delhi.
One eventful evening, the trio attend a rock concert and are later invited to dinner by a group of three friends - Rajveer (Angad Bedi) and his two pals. Against their better judgment the women accompany the men to a resort close to the concert venue and soon the drinks begin to flow. However, the carousing does not end well when Rajveer tries to molest Minal and he is left bleeding copiously and in danger of losing an eye. The girls manage to escape by the skin of their teeth but barely ..... Rajveer is from a family with strong political connections and soon the girls start receiving threatening phone calls, they are stalked and almost evicted from their rental. To make a point Minal is abducted and molested by Rajveer's friends and the girls decide to fight back. Their neighbor, famous retired lawyer - Deepak Sehgal (Amitabh Bachchan) who has been diagnosed bipolar, approaches the girls and offers to help fight their case. And like they say - The rest is history!
Amitabh Bachachan, the veteran star has delivered an intense performance, leaving his audience mesmerized with his larger-than life screen presence,  his resonating voice and managing to bring home a poignant social message. I absolutely loved his "handbook for women". There was not a soul at the theater who did not clap or cheer during and after the film.
Kudos to director Aniruddha Roy Chowdury for successfully delivering a movie that just needed to be made.

I always stay back to read the credits knowing that the movie is not what it is were it not for all the names that appear in the finest print. Imagine my surprise when my patience was rewarded at the pièce de résistance, served at the very end.
Extremely powerful and moving!

Word for the day :-
querulous - complaining in a rather petulant or whining manner

Shanti - The power and beauty of Silence!

Painting by Texas Artist Laurie Justus Pace   

                           
            Shanti – Meaning: Silence! But what does this word mean to each one of us?

            To me…? Well, it changed my life! This is an old story for which I had to delve deep into my archives ....

             Shanti was a non-descript lady … Old, bent over with age, with a head full of white hair and a face so heavily lined with the sun over the years, they seemed to tell a story of their own …. And yet, to me she had a beautiful face that always smiled and never once showed the pain that was a part of her life, her being … like the very air that she breathed.                                                

Shanti lived in the same neighborhood as me. For years we would meet while taking our walks and we’d stop for a moment to say a quick hello, share a laugh … and then be on our way.  This was a routine for as long as I can remember and for some reason if I wouldn’t see her or she me, we would ask around and make sure all was well.

There wasn’t a whole lot I knew about her, except for the fact that she loved flowers, the ones in red were her favorite. And she loved sweets, jalebis to be a bit specific.

Shanti was a domestic help with the Sharmas who reside in my neighborhood. She was brought in to take care of the little ones in the family. This was over 20 years ago. With time, the ‘little ones’ had flown the nest and here she was feeling like the very essence of her life was over.                         

This once ... time seemed to have eluded me and it was weeks before I realized that Shanti was not around. When I asked for her, I was told that she was she was in an old-age home. Shocked, I made a mental note to pay her a visit.

It was two weeks later that I could actually go pay her a visit, armed with a bunch of red roses and some jalebis. I entered ‘Eventide’, a bit apprehensively, not sure what to expect. I was conscious of the curious stares I got from many and after asking my way around, I found myself in a little room. There she was … on a rocking chair, looking forlorn. My heart went out to her and for a second all I could do was stand and watch, she seemed so old and vulnerable. On hearing my voice she whipped around, joy radiating from her face and laughter twinkling in her eyes. She hugged the flowers I gave her and squirreled the sweets away for later. And then we talked like there was no tomorrow… She needed someone to listen to her. And I did just that!  Before I knew it two hours had flown by. It was the best two hours of my life. Sadly I had to say good-bye, with a promise that I would visit again. I did. It was not at ‘Eventide’ but at the hospital. She was covered in tubes, with machines beeping around her. Despite it all, she looked at me and smiled. She whispered a ‘Thank-You’. Two magical words! For a second I was confused. Then like a light bulb going off in my head I knew what I had to do.

I have a grandmother at home, whom I’d barely spoken five words to in a long time. When I visited I listened, once again! I thought of all the years she looked after me, lovingly wiping my tears, washing my wounds when I would fall and being my counselor, through all of life’s highs and lows, never letting go or giving up … All those memories came rushing back. I hugged her and told her I loved her.             

Shanti was gone soon after. And I sent up a silent prayer.

There is someone in our life we need to reach out to. Touch a life today; make a difference … as “time and tide waits for no man”.

Thandi Hawa Yeh Chandni Suhani - Jhumroo Songs - Kishore Kumar and Madhubala

Remembering the yodel king of Hindi Cinema, yesteryear star Kishore Kumar.
My heart sings when I hear this song making this one of my happy numbers. 😆