My Second Movie Review

Yeah another movie reviewed


www.filmdude.com.au



Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani

A story about a carefree, immature young man whose sole purpose of life is to share joy and laughter. In his pursuit of spreading happiness he meets a beautiful girl and falls in love.

"Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani" (The Amazing Story of Strange Love) is a no-brainer comedy suitable for kids and young adults. The story is slack, and the plot lacks any realism. The sets are designed to mimic a fairyland, and the soundtrack consists of a few romantic and fast beats. A slap-slick and in your face comedy that will mildly amuse and entertain.

3***/5 Stars

Hair Cut

Almost 5 years ago during my last semester at University I don’t know why but I decided to grow long hair. Maybe I wanted to standout or do something different.

And so finally last week decided to cut my hair short. The long hair gone now and I feel funny looking at my new hair style

Dandiya Raas with Falguni Pathak

Rabade's neighbour in Mumbai is an event organiser and he got Falguni Pathak to perform in Melbourne on the 11th & 12th September 2009.

The "Parklane Boys" as usual got excited about it and all we wanted is to check out hot Gujju chicks at the event.

Normally, we follow a dress code (Indian traditional/party/formal) based on the occasion and the event but this time we couldn't be bothered so we all were dressed in casual. Archie the only girl who joined us to this event was dressed in a beautiful Red Saree.

As I was the only person who knew Dandiya and Garba raas in the group (not boasting my super skills) had to teach the guys to dance.

There were many groups and most of them were dressed in the best traditional Gujarati attire for Dandiya. Most of them were very gracious and energetic in their dance and kept up to the tempo. The Boys including me weren't disappointed with this event as it had heaps of attractive gujju girls.

This event took me back to my Hyderabad days where I had official permission from family elders to be away from home during Navratri festival. I miss HVS, Country Club and Imperial Gardens as I had blast at these venues.

We all had a good time and I met some friends whom I haven't met since long time. After dancing for nearly 2 hours we decided to head towards home.

Falguni Pathak sang some real good numbers and was a true 'Dandiya Queen'.

Weekend Movie Marathon

Venky and Bharath's family were in Australia for a holiday. They were here for almost a month and during that time we were spoilt royally as they made excellent food.

After their departure last Friday the house was empty and we were very very bored. To kill time during the weekend we decided to watch a movie but unexpectedly Bharath and me ended up watching 4 movies.

On Saturday, We went to High Point shopping and watched "Harry Potter : The Half Blood Prince". The movie was good but a bit long.

Migga booked tickets for the movie "Inglourious Basterds" at the MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival). The movie was screened pretty late at nite and was a full house. I carried Migga's MIFF membership card and got into priority queue. They screened the movie in 2 cinemas simultaneously.

I like the way Quentin Taratino directs and the movie was the way I expected to be "Cruel".

Sunday morning started with a Bollywood Hinglish movie called the "Perfect Mismatch". It was a stupid movie made in the US. Although, the star cast included some famous Bollywood actors the movie lacked everything and did not make sense to me.



And in the evening we accompanied Shiv to Crown Casino and watched another movie "The Ugly Truth". Katherine Heigl was looking freakin HOT and the movie was funny but the UGLY Truth was that I had to watch the movie with the BOYS and had to spend the whole weekend with them.

Movie Night with mates at MIFF

Migga, Prash, Sarz and myself went out to the Melbourne International Film Festival - 2009 (MIFF)

Finished work at 5.15pm and headed straight to an old Italian eatery in the city called "The Waiter's Restaurant" at Meyer's Place. It is an old joint and I was told by Migga that most of the guys who visit this place look like characters from the popular TV series "The Sopranos".

We were the first to enter this place and the Chef greeted and served us as the waitress was running late. Ordered for some garlic bread and bruschetta to share and for the mains it was Gnocchi with mushroom in cream sauce. The food was tasty and the service was pretty good even though there was no waitress but she turned up at end with a bill.

Soon after the hearty meal we went to Greater Union Cinemas on Russell to watch a movie called "Moon".

It was a sold out movie and the queue was pretty long. As Migga was the member of MIFF we got priority access to get in the cinema. It is quite obvious for Migga to be a MIFF member as he reviews movies and I would recommend you guys to visit his site www.filmdude.com.au.

The crowd looked quite Arty. The movie was directed by David Bowie's son Duncan Jones. I personally liked the movie although it was a little slow.

I would rate the movie 3.5/5 and would recommended everyone to watch it. It was good Monday evening and quality time spent with the boys.

Hyderabad Traffic Police Campaign

My new flatmate Bharath forwarded an email called "Wake Up! Hyderabad" and to my surprise it was one of the Traffic Safety Campaign's by our very own Hyderabad Traffic Police.

http://www.htp.gov.in/Campaigns-Photos.html

The message and concern is conveyed pretty well and makes total sense but the traffic police department is making mockery of themselves especially in the picture below.

The message in the picture should be asked by the pedestrians and not by the traffic police.

But when you ask them (Traffic Police Dept.) why their isn't a Zebra crossing. I personally think this will lead to a blame game between various government departments 'GHMC', 'R & B' and 'Hyderabad Traffic Police' and would create a new political argument that who is responsible for what?

The Traffic Police responsibilities should not be restricted to road congestion and safety but Traffic Management as a whole and this should include planning, clear traffic signs & signalling, proper guidelines and suggestions for the required infrastructure.

We all need to understand that in today's world Transportation plays an important role for the social and economic development of the society and we need to take things seriously when it comes to it.

All said and done the message sent in this Safety Campaign is crisp and clear. A Job well done by HTC

Chillies Unlimited...

Thanks to Venky's ex-colleague Alex Hu. We discovered this place in Melbourne's China town called "Dainty Sichuan". Sichuan or Szechuan as most of you guy's know is a province in China and I was informed that people from this region eat very spicy food.

Basically, I would say this cuisine is made of red chillies with tonnes of oil and you would find mountain of red chillies on most of the dishes. Now, me being a veggie had limited options however they have decent range for vegetarians.

I took few of my colleagues to this place for lunch on a Friday and I think it nearly killed them. Yes, it is freakin hot (I mean real spicy hot). Being Indian and my love for spicy food I couldn't handle it.

I loved their Spicy Tofu Threads, its a cold dish with grated peanuts and red chillies.

When you think you can't handle the spice then I would certainly recommend for a Garlic Cucumber as a refresher. Beer or Soy milk is also suggested to soothe the effect.

Although, on our maiden visit my work mates told me that its not their cup of tea. To my surprise the following week most them were ready and eager to go again.

I think most of my mates have a love 'n' hate relationship with spicy food. We have been to this place at least 4 times in 6 weeks. Based on the feedback with regards to Non-Veg dishes Chongqing Chicken, Pork Ribs, Toothpick Beef, Egg Plant with Fish Sauce and Spicy Fish soup are the favourites.

If you live in Melbourne or come for a holiday and want to be adventurous with regards to food I would definitely recommend to visit this place in Corrs Lane, Chinatown

Certainly not for the faint hearted.

Jhoom Bollywood

Miss Burke (work mate) for some reason decided to join a bollywood dance class and wanted a partner to join her in a trail session.

I took up the challenge and with lots of courage accompanied Miss Burke to this dance academy called "Jhoom Bollywood"

Because of Miss Burke's eagerness we reached 20 minutes early to the class. Three beautiful ladies (including the Instructor Marshie) greeted us. Being first timers we were asked to fill up forms.

'Marshie' the instructor who had features of a Desi (indian) girl. Her attire was somewhat Indian too. She had a bindi on her forehead, long jumkas and was wearing a short kurta.

It was very embarrassing for me as I was the only male in a class of around 20 people. Yes the remaining people were females.

Marshie started the class with a "Namasthe" and explained what it means. She played a hindi remix number sung by Sunidhi Chauhan. All moves (dance steps) was choreographed keeping female performer in mind. I personally found it embarrassing and funny especially one move which looked like Madhuri Dixit's Dhak Dhak song from the movie Beta where she thumps her chest. Some other moves which had the tumka's was kinda uncomfortable for me to perform.

While females dominated the class purely because of numbers I think the academy should include dance moves for guys (men) aswell.

Although the class was awkward had fun doing something different.

Going down the Memory lane

During my break at work today I was having a general discussion with a colleague and don't remember how but we started talking about our first job.

Just after the conversation I started thinking about my past and it took me back to my college days when I just joined Intermediate (year 11) or also known in Hyderabad as Junior College.

My mates and myself were pretty excited that we completed high school and we didn't have to wear school uniform anymore and for some reasons we all thought that we are independent, mature and most of all indispensable.

Mass bunking from college was a regular thing during that time. We use to hang around the bus stop and at least twice a week we use to watch movies at the famous twin cine complex "Maheshwari 70MM and Parmeshwari 35MM" at Kachiguda X Roads.

I still remember we watched a movie called Sir directed by Mahesh Bhatt's atleast 11 times and I reckon we watched it 4 times in the same week. We all were under the misconception that this cinema was the easiest joint to pick up girls as most of them where college going students like us.

Sharing chota samosa, stale potato wafers, curry puffs and soft drinks was part of the movie experience.

Watching movies was one of the best ways of entertainment during those times and we all loved it.

It’s kinda sad that these magnificent cinemas don’t exist today as the Management decided to replace them with a plush multiplex.

I loved riding motor bikes back then and with the limited pocket money all of us used to hang out in fast food joints like 'King & Cardinal', 'Universal Bakers' and 'Pick N Move' all located in Himayat Nagar.

I still miss those Burgers & FP (Fountion Pespi) from KC, Pizza's from Universal and the yummy softy ice cream (Black Forest Fantasy) from Pick N Move.

The 3 Most important things in our lives were

• Watching Movies
• Hanging at Fast Food joints and
• Chasing girls (or most of you would call it 'Stalking')

and attending college or studying was last on our priority list.

I miss those times and I was contented with my life with the small pleasures and no complains otherwise (forgetting the little money I had to dispense).

I don't think I will have those times back in my life but remembering those days brings a Smile and reminds me of those noisy days and us.

Ben and his emails......

Raj aka Ben aka Shankar is one of the first legal residents of Parklane Mews.

Following the trends from one of the ex-residents of Parklane our very own 'Ben' started emailing people right from greeting, asking questions, confirming event timings, thanking people and so on.

Most of you will agree that there is nothing wrong with these kind of emails as this is one of most effective and easy way to communicate with people especially whom you don't meet on a daily basis or people living in far geographical locations.

I happen to be Ben's flatmate and you don't send emails to thank me for helping out with domestic issues.

This might sound a little ancient in this hi-tech age....but a phone call or meeting in person is better way to interact with friends and family especially who live close by.

And the final Gyan 'the best way to pass a message or to thank someone is by calling or by meeting in person' .

Deccan Chargers Loss :(

Parklane Mews lacks new technology and electronic gadgets. But, Bharath's pure determination to watch the game live made it possible. Thanks to Andrew Symonds for batting well and contributing a decent score for 'DC'.

Two mates of ours where watching the game with us and happen to be Mumbai Indian fans aka worshipers. I would call them great critics of DC as they (Mumbai Indians) lost both the games against DC. And to my knowledge they wanted any other team to win except for DC. One of them (Mumbai Indians fan) doesnt like Andrews Symonds and was swearing at him saying that he is an outsider and doesn't like him to bat well against indian bowlers and vis-a-vis other bastmen (from indian origin) should hit boundaries when he bowls. This was irritating me because of his annoying comments. Where my knowledge goes IPL was formed (temporarily ignoring the ICL competition aside) to give new talent from different Indian regions to have international exposure. I dont know why he was dragging nationalities in IPL. I would personally hate an International team or player to win against Team India but IPL was created for a different purpose . Please think.......

All said and done it was sad result for Parklane Mews boys as "DC" lost against "Kings XI Punjab".

Biryani at Indi Chilli

Yes, after a long time the boys including Mr Singh went to our mandir "IndiChilli" on sydney road.....its kind of nostalglic to be there as a true HYDERABADI we miss our biryani especially from Paradise (Persis) & Cafe Bahaar .

Indichilli offers the closest in melbourne