The 70 mm

Lights.. Camera.. Action..
I love the MOVIES!!

For those 2-3 hours, you are transported to another world.. A world unlike your own. A world where a knight in shining armour rides on a black horse whisking away the damsel in distress. A world where chocolate factories have everything in them edible- from the grass to gummy bear trees to the wallpapers and a chance to win unlimited lifetime supply of chocolate!!!! A world where Mary Poppins has an answer for every worry just with snap of a finger- How I wish that my messy room could be cleaned that way :)

Some movies have left a lasting impression on me. Some movies have been forgettable immediately after "THE END"

I personally like feel-good movies. I hate tragedies... gory and horror movies...! Why would I put myself through pain and misery and spend sleepless nights thanks to advanced make-up techniques making a perfectly normal person into someone unrecognisable and downright ghastly! No thank you...
I like to finish a movie with a smile on my face.. That makes me a total sucker for commercial cinema! I'm not afraid to admit it. I love the whole song, dance, high drama kind of movies... Nice endings. I have nothing against the genre of artsy/alternate/parallel cinema. But I just can't get myself to watch Satyajit Ray's award winning "Pather Pancheli"

Indian Cinema has also seen a tremendous change over the years. I still remember when kissing on screen was such a taboo and you would always find two flowers or birds pecking each others beaks!!! ha ha ha ha!!! I'm just laughing at those images.! Fast forward to the turn of the century.. You have an actor named "Serial Kisser". Actress did it because the "script demanded it". Whatever the reason, film makers still use it as a means of publicity... the inclusion or even the lack of it makes headlines!
Anyhow.. I love our movies. Bright and colourful (with the exception of fluorescent clothed hero-heroines against the backdrop of picturesque locales). There has been a tremendous shift from the same old family feud separating the young lovers... to the more urban- modern day (slightly more) understanding parents coupled with youth looking for more in life than just love. Films like "Wake up Sid", "Rocket Singh", "Jaane tu ya Jaane Na", "Dil Chahta hai", "Salaam Namaste", "Life in metro", "3 Idiots", "Taare Zameen Par", "Paa", "Lagaan", "Jogger's Park", "Morning Raaga", "Luck by Chance", "A Wednesday", etc. all have dealt with everyday emotions...Something that you and I can relate to.. The struggles, the confusion, the choices we'll have to make... Somewhere in those movies, you can identify yourself with a character in the movie.. Now, that to me.. is meaningful cinema..

There are also same "old wine in new bottle" love stores... Some rib tickling.. some really bad comedies that you wished you hadn't wasted your time on.

((Shhh! I'll let you out on a little secret.. I really watch some of these movies just for the clothes and handbags and shoes. And before you start to judge me and think of me as shallow.. Wait.. Pause.. Think again... Haven't you ever tried to copy someone's style and looked for similar looking clothes at a store! Come on! we all have at some point... The fashion industry wouldn't be a high growth multi-million dollar industry if not for the impressionable you and me!))

I have watched countless movies in the past 8-9 months averaging 3 movies a week. On one particular weekend.. I've even watched 6 movies!! (I'm not crazy... I Promise ;))
Most of them have been mindless romantic comedies aka ROMCOMS!! I know at the beginning of the movie that the movie has a "MEET CUTE" and then the leading lady and man will end up together defying the odds and obstacles that come their way... And they "LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER" The end is dreamy.. picture perfect (devoid of the 2 flowers or birds!!!) and I always come away with a Sigh! As if floating on clouds!! Life seems PERFECT.. Exactly two minutes later... I see the same old bed, chair, table and I'm wearing my jammies... Welcome back to reality lady!

Then there are the dramatic/mystery movies. Story lines are more serious.. Acting talents always a notch-up. Big thumps up! Some of these movies leave me with so many questions unanswered - even to the extent of leaving an unsettling feeling in the stomach. I guess that's the brilliance of some of the directors and story writers. You think of the movie long after the curtains fall. The movie is embedded in your mind and memory...... Kudos!

Action + Sci-Fi movies.. This is a genre of movies that I watch purely depending on my mood and instinct.. I still haven't made up my mind to watch "Avatar"... don't really intend to... "2012" was severely over-rated... Avoidable if you haven't watched (Never imagined a limo to be so agile..!! Absolutely tasteless!) Bond movies... I love them cause they are super slick and classy and have amazing gadgets! The Bourne Series- Brilliant!! I also love movies with a good car chase.. "The Italian Job" Transporter series, Fast and the Furious... Absolutely adrenaline pumping...

How can I not mention my favourite genre- Children's classics and animated movies- I love them. Simple heartfelt stories, appreciating the simple pleasures of life, absolutely brilliant imaginations! I've watched them over and over again. "Willy wonka" "Mary poppins" "Sound of Music" "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" "Finding Nemo" "Toy Story" "Ratatoullie" "Kung fu Panda" "Lion King" "Ice Age" etc.. etc... You really don't have to be a kid to enjoy them.. Its a foolproof way to lighten your day. My trustworthy medicine for a day that hasn't gone your way- pick up a movie like this.. And the world seems alright again!!

Film critics- I just have to say this to them- Stay home!! Look for an alternative career... Seriously...

If you are interested to watch a movie.. Just go ahead and watch.. Have an opionion of your own. Never rely on someone else's judgement!

I could go on and on about movies... Its my remedy to unwind after a long day..! Kick back.. lie on my bed as my faithful companion- my 14 inch widescreen hp laptop- sends me to the world of Cinema and I drown in all its brilliance...