The Skeleton Twins (2014)

The 'Skeleton Twins' is a story about twins, Milo (Bill Hader) and Maggie (Kristen Wigg). While Milo lives in LA, where he hoped to make it in the movies, Maggie stayed close to home. Living in Nyack, New York, Maggie has been married to Lance for about two years and they are trying to start a family. Having lost touch with each other the Fates finally intervene to bring the estranged siblings together. A suicidal Maggie is just about to pop a fistful of pills, when a phone call interrupts her. The call is from a hospital in LA informing her about Milo's suicide attempt. After a brief visit Maggie is able to convince Milo to head back to NY and live with her till he's stable.
After 10 long years the twins finally catch up with each other's lives .. a gay Milo admits to having failed to make it in the movies and is still single. Maggie admits to using birth control to avoid having a baby with Lance, while she sleeps around with the instructors for the numerous courses she is signed up for. What a mess!
But blood runs thicker than water and after putting aside their differences , the 'Skeleton Twins' are now stronger than ever.
The name conjured up images of a thriller of some sort. Surprise, surprise it turned out to be a great family movie. Now that's my kind of movie.

Paper Town (2015)

'Paper Town' got me thinking! So here I am, sharing my thoughts with you.
If I were not living where I do, having sessions with a shrink would be the norm. But where I come from, visits to one would be frowned upon. You would definitely be asked, 'something wrong with your head?' 😳 However, after a self-analysis I've come to a conclusion. The fact that I seem to love movies on journeys definitely says something. Am I searching for? or fleeing from? ... Mmm ... The truth! I feel I'm seeking answers to questions that are buried deep in my subconscious mind; all in an attempt to find my true and a better self. Wow! That's quite a mouthful, I tell ya! So let's see then - I've written about "About Schmidt", "The Darjeeling Limited", "Chef", "Up", "Eat Pray Love", "Little Miss Sunshine", "Jab We Met" ....
I know one thing - and it's way simpler, "I'm an explorer and totally dig finding new places". And that is so true! 😀

Anyway, over to the movie. Quentin has always been in love with his neighbor, Margo ever since the family moved in next door to his. While Quentin forsees his future as an oncologist, Margo isn't as sure of herself. She is an absolute mystery! Margo disappears on a whim leaving clues in her wake and appears when it suits her. But with graduation round the corner, one would think that Margo would think twice. So when she does the disappearing act, her parents aren't too bothered and know that she will make her way home when she's ready. However, Quentin is not as sure and he is soon seeking the clues that Margo has left behind. Quentin's search takes him to Algoe, Upstate New York. Algoe, is a small abandoned town with a population of only 1. What is Margo hoping to accomplish this time around?
The movie is Okay, at best! The term 'Paper Town' is intriguing and is what got me to the couch. And watch I did ... That's when I asked myself the questions I did! With 'a pinch of salt' this movie is digestible! 

About Schmidt (2002)

All through school and into our growing years, we are geared towards securing a sound future. As per the cycle of life school is followed by college, a job, marriage, kids ... But it doesn't end there now, does it? Then it's on to their education and when they fly the coop, you hope to take a breather. But the excitement is back. It's now their turn for marriage, grand kids ... Hopefully you've been there and done it all and you wisely chose your path. Because time is fragile and it skips by real quick. Before you know it, retirement will be upon you and time will slow down, enough for you to question your choices in life. Fingers crossed, you are happy with the ones you've made.
This is the story of Warren Schmidt's (Jack Nicholson) life. Warren showed great promise right from school and it followed him all through to college. He hoped to start a business of his own but with marriage and fatherhood came responsibility. So he chose to play it safe and worked as an Actuary for Woodmen of the World instead, a life insurance company. But like anyone else, Warren is now retired and boy, is it hard! He is getting himself aquainted with day-time television and through a commercial seeking sponsors for under-privileged children, Warren senses a new purpose. He finds himself a foster-father to Ndugu, a 6 year-old Tanzanian. However, Warren's life takes another twist when his wife passes on. After a period of moaning, Warren is on a mission. He embarks on a road trip from Nebraska to Colorado to visit his only daughter, Jeannie (Hope Davis) and hopefully convince her not to marry the water-bed salesman she is engaged to.
Take a journey with Warren in his RV as he sets out to find his purpose in life. Hilarious but deeply moving, this is Jack Nicholson at his best, I would say. 

Baby Driver (2017)

If scars could only speak and share their story of how they came to be, then Baby's would have a few to say. Young and innocent-looking, Miles (Ansel Elgort) a.k.a 'Baby', could pass off for just another college going, earphone donning student. But don't let looks fool you! Baby, though a man of few words, is a Maverick behind the wheel! He makes a living as a driver, but not just any driver mind you. He is the one to call if you want to make a clean and quick get-away. Baby isn't too happy doing what he does but for the debt that he can't wait to repay. And soon he has additional motivation to walk away when he finds love with Debora (Lily James), someone who shares his dream of taking off on the highway, with nothing but music for company. However, when you mix in tough circles the situation turns sticky and is a little like chewing gum, becoming hard to shake off.
The great musical with excellent soundtrack and some crazy driving sequences is the perfect cocktail in this action thriller. So if you are an adrenaline junkie, this movie is just for you.

Oh yeah! Move over Transporter, Baby Driver is in town. 

Something to listen to ...

Gharonda ~ "The Nest" (1977)

This story unfolds in Bombay, the land that draws people to it like a magnet. And our protagonists are this couple, Sudip (Amol Palekar ) and Chhaya (Zareena Wahab). Both come from middle-class families and make their acquaintance at the private firm where they work. After a brief courtship, Sudip and Chhaya hope to get married. However with Sudip living in a lodge with friends and Chhaya in a little tenement with two brothers and one of whom is married, the possibility seems distant. Her younger brother hopes to pursue his education in America someday, a wish that Chhaya aims to fulfil. Despite their responsibilities, their plans to settle down soon makes getting a home of their own a priority. Their dream seems a reality when Sudip hears of a friend who has booked an affordable flat which is still work-in-progress. In all hopes and throwing caution to the wind, the couple go to great lengths and gather the asking amount for a down payment. With stars in their eyes, they eagerly await the completion of their home. Unfortunately, Sudip gets the news that the owner has made off with the money, in the process crushing the hopes of many. With mounting frustration and during an argument Sudeep recommends Chhaya marries the aged but rich Mr. Modi, the owner of the firm they work in. Mr. Modi, a widower, has a sweet spot for Chhaya and she decides to take Sudip's advice and move on with her life. Can Bombay stand by it's reputation of being a place that fulfills dreams? Or could it be the opposite here!
A beautiful story of life as a middle-class citizen and it's struggles. The film is so rustic and real; and the songs ... great 👌! 

Butterflies are free (1972)

Gorgeous, vivacious and free-spirited Jill Tanner (Goldie Hawn) has just moved to San Francisco hoping to make it as an actress in the theatre. She is pleasantly surprised to see she has a good looking neighbor at her new apartment. So Jill invites herself over for coffee and makes her aquatintance. As Don Baker's (Edward Albert) story goes, he is a song writer and guitarist in search of prospects and is new to the city like Jill. He has lived a privileged and protected life thus far being the only son of authoress Florence Baker and hopes to make a place for himself in the world. He has one condition for his overly protective mother that she is not to pay her son a visit for a couple of months. Doesn't that seen odd? Well it is, but not once you are privy to the fact that Don is blind. This is an eye-opener for Jill who had never before encountered a blind person. She is charmed with how happy, independent and smart Don comes across despite all odds.
All is well till Florence drops in for a surprise visit to find both Don and Jill in their underwear. Soon Jill takes immense pleasure in shocking the condescending Florence and spills scandalous facts about herself, like for one how she was married and divorced after only 6 days at 19. Horrified and even more determined to lookout for her son's best interests, Florence is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Don would be safer back home with her. Will he ever be free to spread his wings like the butterflies he sings about? Let's hope so.
Goldie Hawn has delivered a witty performance. This fun movie is engaging and screams brilliant. A cast of three has brilliantly carried this film, leaving you delighted without a single bored moment. A new favorite.

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow 🌈 you gotta put up with the rain ⛈ ~ Dolly Parton

India is known for its monsoons and the pre-monsoons are a sight to behold. For most it could be intimidating, but if you take a step back and grab some seats, I can guarantee you the show is epic. It's one you wouldn't want to miss and this is Nature at it's very best. You'll just have to take my word for it.

So the summer has been surprisingly bearable, the temperature always hovering in the high 30 degree celcius (and that is bearable by Indian standards). I've been observing the varying angles of the sun's rays and you know earth is most assuredly spinning. Here we, the minions, are praying for a respite from the heat (Justin Beiber, who was performing in India last week, found it all too much and wrapped up ahead of schedule). As the time draws close for the seasons to change from the hot to the wet, nature must pass the baton. 

It's late in the evening and the clouds begin to roll in. At first it's a little inconspicuous, till you notice the strange orange hue to the sky. Then comes the strong winds, more like a dust storm that bathes everyone and everything in it's path. The trees are bent over and swaying, as though paying homage. All the while it's getting darker and I might add it' s a tad bit scary. As the sun sets, the sky is soon raven black, with no sign of the moon and not even a tiny bit of sparkle from the stars. But the darkness is soon broken by lightning streaking it's way across the dark canvas bringing along with it the rumble and tumble of thunder. The omnious growl which is distant at first is soon crashing and shaking the Earth in a ear splitting and teeth chattering symphony. The lighting is as bright as day and with the thunder together, it's mesmerizing. I would like to imagine, the Gods are in Vegas, rolling their dice and laughing at a private joke. And finally the rain drops fall, humongous drops, washing the earth. This sound and light show lasts for a good couple of hours. Then the lightning drops in it's intensity and the thunder begins to recede as both take a bow holding hands and make their backstage exit.

Just to reiterate, the show is free and worth every bone quaking moment. I'm actually holding my breath and praying, ''Oh God have mercy" and "Boy this is good!" But do I want an encore? 

The Hills and the rain - clicked on one of my holidays