MUSIC AND MOVIES - DUMB

There are few individuals who are now a part of our subconscious or they symbolise genre fro us.
Lady Diana for beauty n Grace.
Che Guevara for rebellion & independence.
Gandhi for peace.
There are many....

& the Enigmatic Seattle genius KURT COBAIN for his destructive & crazy streaks.
Cobain has been remembered as one of the most iconic rock musicians in the history of alternative music. He was the lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Nirvana.

Cobain groundbreaking influence endures to this day. Out of the great hits of Nirvana I would like to talk about the song DUMB.

I'll let the lyrics talk.
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I'm not like them
But I can pretend
The sun is gone,
But I have a light
The day is done,
I'm having fun
I think I'm dumb
Or maybe just happy

Think I'm just happy (x3)
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It tells the despair of an individual who's a misfit amidst the crowd & herd, but he starts to think he's Dumb trying to pretend .. But maybe tht's the way it should be so he is just confused & in a state of dilemma.
( Intoxicated Dilemma : PS - A homage to Cobain's heroine addiction ).
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Why So Special ?
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Nirvana was considered the "flagship band" of "Generation X", and Cobain, as its frontman, found himself anointed by the media as the generation's "spokesman". I think this song is one of the brilliant compostions of Cobain.

Whenever I hear the words "I am not like them , But I can pretend !! " .
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I just smile :)
Maybe I am Happy or just another Dumb
But for sure I am not like them !!
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Thanks Mr Cobain for the song & words.

Song : Dumb
Artist : Nirvana
Album - In Utero

MUSIC AND MOVIES - 08 - DESERT ROSE

Well we have a plethora of great singers of our times. But there are few amongst the greats whose voice would melt your heart & move you down to tears.

I am talking about the versatile artist STING. As a principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist of the rock music band The Police and then going solo he has given some memorable songs.

But Desert Rose is something magical , it has a distinct world music feel with Algerian raï singer Cheb Mami collaborating with Sting to create the song.

It has a sense of mystique and enigma attached to the lyrics.
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I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand

I dream of fire
Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire
And in the flames
Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire
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The Music video is truly alive & realistic, it depicts Sting taking a trip through the desert in a Jaguar S-Type ( in contemplative mood )and then going to a nightclub to perform the song with Cheb Mami.
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Who So Special ?
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It talks about dreams & wishes we long for. It talks about the Desert Rose who's destined to be there.
"This desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this."

I do not know what's the correct interpretation for this song , but listening takes me mentally through a desert contemplating my unfulfilled wishes / desires & trying to see my way out of the desert to go & sing my song of life.

Desert Rose
Artist - Sting
Album - Brand New Day

MUSIC AND MOVIES - 07 - BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

There are STARS and there are ARTISTS. Stars bring an aura and charisma to their work whereas artists being poise and grace, moreover a sense of aesthetics along with their work.
Their greatness lies in portraying simplicity and human subtle emotions to perfection. A strength of any true artist.

I am talking about two such ARTISTS.
The evergreen Clint Eastwood & beautiful Meryl Streep.

The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 romantic drama film based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller.
Let me tell you about movies based on novels. Its been an consistent observation that they are always a treat to watch as bestsellers usually have a perfectly ready story to be told. So half the work is already done. All you need to do is take care of the recipe , material is ready with you in perfect condition.

The four days Francesca (Meryl Streep), spends together with a photographer (Clint Eastwood) who has come to Madison County , are a turning point in her life and she writes of her experience in a diary which is discovered by her children after her death.

Both the actors are really made for roles of Francesca & Robert. So subtle & natural are their reactions & body language. ( especially scenes of Meryl Streep on the bridge Wow !! )You can't imagine anyone else portray that individual. Another trademark of a great artist. They live the character forever in your subconscious.
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Why Special to Me ?
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Love & the whole feeling is an emotion which can engulf you in it's arms so quickly you can't even realise. Its not only about being with the one person you love for entire life but enjoying those moments you are privileged enough to be bestowed.
Live it to the fullest.
For Francesca 4 days with Robert changed her life.
Hats of to these artists.

Directed by Clint Eastwood
Written by Robert James Waller
Starring Clint Eastwood , Meryl Streep

MUSIC AND MOVIES - 06 - THEE THEE ( TAMIL )

If I have to choose a single song for its sheer versatility of its rhythm , beats and its mellifluous ebbs / tides it would be THEE THEE - from the movie Thiruda Thiruda.

Well let me introduce you the maverick Mozart of Chennai - A R Rehman & Brilliance of who we call Mani Ratnam.

I am a Hindi speaking lad , in spite of my ignorance to Tamil , its always sheer pleasure whenever I listen to the song.

Listen to this song & you'll realise why A R Rehman is best thing to happen to Indian Music Industry since Lata Mangeshkar.

The video featuring this song is the most aesthetically exotic songs ever shot ( of all songs I have seen & I've seen plenty ). Magic of P.C Sriram ( Cinematography ) & genius of Director - Mani Ratnam.

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Why So Special?

For its sheer versatility. You can pen this song virtually on a Sinusoidal Wave, such diverse and delightful are its musical highs & lows.
A true Gem.
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Thee Thee
Music - A.R Rehman
Movie - OST from Thiruda Thiruda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2VjGMXlKso

MUSIC AND MOVIES - 05 - LOCK,STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - One of the Best Wittiest Comedy you would ever see. A treat of humour , wit , sarcasm and a special tinge of British Humour from genius of Guy Ritchie.

Some very memorable dialogues :
"A minute ago this was the safest job in the world. Now it's turning into a bad day in Bosnia."

"Hatchet" Harry: You must be Eddie, J.D.'s son.
Eddie: Yeah. You must be Harry. Sorry, didn't know your father.
"Hatchet" Harry: Never mind son, you just might meet him if you carry on like that.

"If the milk turns out to be sour, I ain't the kinda pussy to drink it."

& many more...


The story is a heist film involving a self-confident young card sharp who loses £500,000 to a powerful crime lord in a rigged game of three card brag. In order to pay off his debts, he and his friends decide to rob a small-time gang who happen to be operating out of the flat next door.

You would stop counting how many times you jumped out of your couch just in sheer delight and ecstasy of humorous moments this movie offers.
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Who So Special ?
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Its a treat to watch multiple interwoven stories told with such humour & wit, at same time retaining the strength of the story. Holding it tight & gripping.
Reflects the true genius of the Director/ Writer Guy Ritchie

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Dir : Guy Ritchie
Screenplay - Guy Ritchie
Starring - Jason Flemyng ,Dexter Fletcher,Nick Moran ,Jason Statham ,Vinnie Jones

MUSIC AND MOVIES - 04 - LADY IN RED

Lady in Red is a love ballad from Chris de Burgh's 1986 album Into The Light. Its a song about the very first time you meet "The One" - your Lady in Red.

Many don't know that this song went #1 in 25 countries.

It Ebbs with :
I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright

& Falls with :
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never for get, the way you look tonight !!

Sheer beautiful lyrics epitomises the first time you realise you have your Lady In Red & you imagine a dance maybe ....If not you're sure that you won't forget how she looked that night. Even if you don't see her again.
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Who So Special ?
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Its the few moments of your whole life you feel you've identified truly your Lady In Red & you're in a state of pure BLISS.

Lady in Red
Artist - Chris de Burgh
Album - Into the Light

MUSIC AND MOVIES - 03 - GOOD WILL HUNTING

Good Will Hunting a personal favourite well reasons are plenty but primarily for three reasons :

1) It reflects struggle of an individual to establish his identity & figure out what he wants. Asking questions like these which are of paramount importance but we are scared shit less to face them.

2) Gus Van Sant the ace director & brilliance of Mat Damon / Robin Williams.

3) Late Elliot Smith - the maverick with his sweet whisper ( music composer for the movie) who sang some memorable slow songs especially - No Name 3# & Angel Eyes
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCDcmpp3nPU&feature=related )

It narrates story of a orphan genius Will Hunting , who is a hoodlum & janitor in daytime and a voracious reader , student & scholar at night in the safe recluse of his one room house amidst piles of books & a shady table lamp.

But he is scared from nearness , proximity & love offered to him.; maybe due to his past experiences Hence retorts to violence , busting off smart kids of MIT n Harvard & sarcasm.

Until a fellow genius n maverick ( now himself a recluse ) Robin Williams rescues him & offers him the right questions he should be asking to himself & figuring out the meaning of his own life.
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Who So Special ?
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Robin Williams asks Will ( Mat Damon ) a simple question :
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO ?
( He is clueless and has no answer )
I ask myself once a while & at many occasions I am clueless too ..But I try hard to find an answer :)

( well , Will finally has an answer at the end of the movie. But for that you have to watch the movie. )

PS : Matt Damon & Ben Affleck won Oscar - Best Screenplay for the movie

Good Will Hunting
Director - Gus Van Sant
Starring - Mat Damon , Robin Williams

MUSIC AND MOVIES - 02 - NO ORDINARY LOVE

NO ORDINARY LOVE is perhaps one of the greatest love ballads ever written & sung.
It's a lead single from Brit / Nigerian enigmatic singer Sade from her album Love Deluxe.
Many don't know but Sade is most successful solo female artist in British history.

When the song starts you just get fixated to the music with its intoxicating beats that starts and steadily takes you deep down. It talks about "Love" and its an outcry of a lover saying that Its No Ordinary Love.
Love & the whole feeling & the baggage which follows is not just a cliche & just an emotion to fill the void, rather than its about GIVING.
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I gave you all the love I got
I gave you more than I could give
I gave you love
I gave you all that I have inside
And you took my love
You took my love
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Its such a beautiful feeling that makes you :
1) keep trying for someone else to be
2)keep crying for someone else in their trials n tribulations.
3)keep flying high for someone else when they shine bright.
Very apt in a self centered world which we have been getting comfortably used to.
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WHY SO SPECIAL?
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IT EPITOMISES FOR A SECOND THAT LOVE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FEELING WHICH IS NOT ORDINARY AND EACH ONE OF YOU OUT THERE IN LOVE IS EXPERIENCING SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL AND GOTTA HOLD ONTO IT.
KEEP ON FLYING , TRYING & CRYING FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
THAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
CHAO..

No ordinary Love
Artist : Sade
Album : Love Deluxe
Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85wXmSIbrk

MUSIC AND MOVIES - 01 - DEPARTED

Well
The movie starts with Jack Nicholsan describing and justifying why he is the man people call "Frank Costello" and leave aside the shrouds of ethics and morality for a second and you'll be convinced by his reasoning as he says " You can be a Cop or a Criminal but , When you are faced with a loaded gun..What difference does it make ? "

Departed is a beautiful gem from the genious of Martin Scorsese. It's an struggle between the demons of right & wrong , loyality & betrayal , honesty and corruption ,doomed & ill fated , rise & fall , misfortunates & oppurtunists.

The shades are brilliantly potrayed by De Caprio & Damon.
Jack Nicholsan epitomises the evil yet does with a panache you'll love him for that.

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WHY SPECIAL ?
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I have learnt many things from the movie. The foremost being ----- "We all do what we got to do in this world." Yeah we can go ahead and judge people and circumstances according to our convenience but then we won't be doing justice to either of them.

We are who we are and we are what we do.
WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET WHO WE ARE.
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Directed by Martin Scorsese
Written by William Monahan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon , Jack Nicholson ,Mark Wahlberg , Martin Sheen , Vera Farmiga , Ray Winstone ,Alec Baldwin