Priceless!

Hi everyone, the last two weeks kept me busy with symposium work and college tour to Kerala… Now that am back to Chennai, am back to blogging… but it won’t be long before sem exams call me…

Let me share with you all some of the precious moments that happened at Kerala…

Journey from college to home: Rs.20

Journey from home to Railway station: Rs.100

Journey in train to Kerala with friends: Priceless!

Tour to Kerala: Rs.1150

Sony Digital Cam: Rs.10,000

Capturing precious moments at Kerala with cam: Priceless!

A trip to the 7000 feet high mountain in a van: Rs.35

A jerkin: Rs.400

A walk up a mountain slope at 5°C with an umbrella: Rs.5

A Cone Ice Cream: Rs.25

Eating Cone Ice Cream at 5°C: Priceless!

One Appy: Rs.10

One Cutlet: Rs.5

Realizing the cutlet is non-veg while eating: Priceless!

Lunch at Munnar: Rs.50

A quick bite of snack: Rs.10

A cup of coffee: Rs.5

Missing all of the above to watch cricket match: Priceless!

Celebrating India win the T20 World Cup:

With fireworks: Rs.100

With treat: Rs.200

But with the entire hotel filled with college friends: Priceless!

Of course, there are things that money can’t buy… for everything else, you need to experience it!

Two guys, a girl and a magical place

Harry Potter movies are a favourite to most people. As everyone knows, people of all age groups like Harry Potter. And when it is Harry Potter film, does one need to say about the response it gets?

I watched the 5^th part of the Harry Potter series (Order of the Phoenix) on July 15^th. It always happens that I watch the Harry Potter movies on the third day. The morning special show of Harry Potter at Sathyam is something special where one could find mostly school and college students. One can imagine how the response would be even at the display of Radcliffe’s name in the Credits.
I guess almost everyone knows the story, but for people who don’t know the story, here is the plot.

Plot:

Harry Potter enters his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, but even before entering the school, he encounters dementors and suffers the displeasure of the ministry. At school, he is not received with utmost pleasure as he had given testament to the return of Lord Voldemort the previous year. Adding to the problems, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Umbridge, poses a new threat to the school and the students, where she enforces Minstry rules in the school. How will Harry Potter overcome Ministry’s interference? Will Harry Potter win Cho Chang’s love? Will Voldemort make his appearance in the movie? What is it that Dumbledore have been hiding from Harry Potter for five long years? If you want the answers for all of these (or you already have?), watch the movie!

Characterization:

The Trio:

Daniel Radcliffe has been playing the character of the world’s most famous boy in the movie versions. Likewise, Emma Watson plays as Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint plays as Ronald Weasley in the movie. All the three characters have shown maturity in their acting. They have imprinted themselves into the characters such that if newcomers act in those characters, they would not be accepted.

Other Characters (as in previous movies):

Some of the characters need to be appreciated in this movie.

Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom

Alan Rickman as Severus Snape

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore

Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy

Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort

Gary Oldman as Sirius Black

Oliver and James Phelps as Fred and George Weasleys.

New Characters:

Some new characters have been introduced in this movie and amazingly they were the best selection (in my opinion).

Imelda Staunton as Professor Umbridge:

She is the highlight of the 5^th movie. Playing the villain (atleast to school students) of the movie, Imelda Staunton has done her character to perfection and she is one of the major characters for the film to be a hit.

Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood:

Credit definitely goes to this girl who has played the weird character of Luna Lovegood. Luna is a dreamy character in the book and you would find no difference in the film.

Helena Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange:

Harry Potter fans definitely won’t like this lady. After Elizabeth Hurley dropped the role of Bellatrix, I wondered who could have more cruel eyes than her. But then Helena Carter has done a good performance.

Director:

David Yates had directed this movie and I feel that he has done a better job than the previous two directors.

I personally enjoyed the movie. Though 70% of the book was cut short, I did not feel it as I felt for the 3^rd movie. The humour part was excellent and what I felt great about this movie was all the characters were shown equal importance.

Book Fans vs. Movie Fans:

I felt that both the book fans as well as the movie fans would be satisfied with the movie. The movie had the same storyline as that of the book (no changes anywhere except a negligible few) but with factors that are needed for a movie. But since I have read the book first, I can’t tell whether the movie fans actually enjoyed it, but from the repots, the movie is a big hit.

Critics:Many critics expressed their disliking that in the movie, Voldemort was shown stronger than Dumbledore in the final dual scene between the two.

The death of Sirius Black received both positive and negative reviews from the fans. Many say that the death was not so emotional and that Sirius died in a most non-heroic way. But on the contrary, others say that the death scene was very touching and emotional.

Even though the movie received negative reviews on one side, it received too many positive reviews on the other side thus making it the best Harry Potter film yet and no wonder the director David Yates is directing the sequel to the 5^th movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (which would be releasing on November 21^st 2008). Lets wait and see if David Yates can do the trick again.

Things you should not miss in the movie:

1. Final dual between Voldemort and Dumbledore
2. Fred and George Weasleys’ revenge on Umbridge
3. Occlumency scenes.
4. Dumbledore’s Army scenes

My ratings:

Adoption: 8.5/10

Background Music: 7/10

Characterization: 9/10

Magic: 7/10

Adventure: 6/10

Overall: 8.5/10

Two guys, a girl and a magical place

Harry Potter movies are a favourite to most people. As everyone knows, people of all age groups like Harry Potter. And when it is Harry Potter film, does one need to say about the response it gets?

I watched the 5^th part of the Harry Potter series (Order of the Phoenix) on July 15^th. It always happens that I watch the Harry Potter movies on the third day. The morning special show of Harry Potter at Sathyam is something special where one could find mostly school and college students. One can imagine how the response would be even at the display of Radcliffe’s name in the Credits.
I guess almost everyone knows the story, but for people who don’t know the story, here is the plot.

Plot:

Harry Potter enters his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, but even before entering the school, he encounters dementors and suffers the displeasure of the ministry. At school, he is not received with utmost pleasure as he had given testament to the return of Lord Voldemort the previous year. Adding to the problems, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Umbridge, poses a new threat to the school and the students, where she enforces Minstry rules in the school. How will Harry Potter overcome Ministry’s interference? Will Harry Potter win Cho Chang’s love? Will Voldemort make his appearance in the movie? What is it that Dumbledore have been hiding from Harry Potter for five long years? If you want the answers for all of these (or you already have?), watch the movie!

Characterization:

The Trio:

Daniel Radcliffe has been playing the character of the world’s most famous boy in the movie versions. Likewise, Emma Watson plays as Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint plays as Ronald Weasley in the movie. All the three characters have shown maturity in their acting. They have imprinted themselves into the characters such that if newcomers act in those characters, they would not be accepted.

Other Characters (as in previous movies):

Some of the characters need to be appreciated in this movie.

Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom

Alan Rickman as Severus Snape

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore

Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy

Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort

Gary Oldman as Sirius Black

Oliver and James Phelps as Fred and George Weasleys.

New Characters:

Some new characters have been introduced in this movie and amazingly they were the best selection (in my opinion).

Imelda Staunton as Professor Umbridge:

She is the highlight of the 5^th movie. Playing the villain (atleast to school students) of the movie, Imelda Staunton has done her character to perfection and she is one of the major characters for the film to be a hit.

Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood:

Credit definitely goes to this girl who has played the weird character of Luna Lovegood. Luna is a dreamy character in the book and you would find no difference in the film.

Helena Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange:

Harry Potter fans definitely won’t like this lady. After Elizabeth Hurley dropped the role of Bellatrix, I wondered who could have more cruel eyes than her. But then Helena Carter has done a good performance.

Director:

David Yates had directed this movie and I feel that he has done a better job than the previous two directors.

I personally enjoyed the movie. Though 70% of the book was cut short, I did not feel it as I felt for the 3^rd movie. The humour part was excellent and what I felt great about this movie was all the characters were shown equal importance.

Book Fans vs. Movie Fans:

I felt that both the book fans as well as the movie fans would be satisfied with the movie. The movie had the same storyline as that of the book (no changes anywhere except a negligible few) but with factors that are needed for a movie. But since I have read the book first, I can’t tell whether the movie fans actually enjoyed it, but from the repots, the movie is a big hit.

Critics:Many critics expressed their disliking that in the movie, Voldemort was shown stronger than Dumbledore in the final dual scene between the two.

The death of Sirius Black received both positive and negative reviews from the fans. Many say that the death was not so emotional and that Sirius died in a most non-heroic way. But on the contrary, others say that the death scene was very touching and emotional.

Even though the movie received negative reviews on one side, it received too many positive reviews on the other side thus making it the best Harry Potter film yet and no wonder the director David Yates is directing the sequel to the 5^th movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (which would be releasing on November 21^st 2008). Lets wait and see if David Yates can do the trick again.

Things you should not miss in the movie:

1. Final dual between Voldemort and Dumbledore
2. Fred and George Weasleys’ revenge on Umbridge
3. Occlumency scenes.
4. Dumbledore’s Army scenes

My ratings:

Adoption: 8.5/10

Background Music: 7/10

Characterization: 9/10

Magic: 7/10

Adventure: 6/10

Overall: 8.5/10

Two guys, a girl and a magical place

Harry Potter movies are a favourite to most people. As everyone knows, people of all age groups like Harry Potter. And when it is Harry Potter film, does one need to say about the response it gets?

I watched the 5^th part of the Harry Potter series (Order of the Phoenix) on July 15^th. It always happens that I watch the Harry Potter movies on the third day. The morning special show of Harry Potter at Sathyam is something special where one could find mostly school and college students. One can imagine how the response would be even at the display of Radcliffe’s name in the Credits.
I guess almost everyone knows the story, but for people who don’t know the story, here is the plot.

Plot:

Harry Potter enters his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, but even before entering the school, he encounters dementors and suffers the displeasure of the ministry. At school, he is not received with utmost pleasure as he had given testament to the return of Lord Voldemort the previous year. Adding to the problems, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Umbridge, poses a new threat to the school and the students, where she enforces Minstry rules in the school. How will Harry Potter overcome Ministry’s interference? Will Harry Potter win Cho Chang’s love? Will Voldemort make his appearance in the movie? What is it that Dumbledore have been hiding from Harry Potter for five long years? If you want the answers for all of these (or you already have?), watch the movie!

Characterization:

The Trio:

Daniel Radcliffe has been playing the character of the world’s most famous boy in the movie versions. Likewise, Emma Watson plays as Hermione Granger and Rupert Grint plays as Ronald Weasley in the movie. All the three characters have shown maturity in their acting. They have imprinted themselves into the characters such that if newcomers act in those characters, they would not be accepted.

Other Characters (as in previous movies):

Some of the characters need to be appreciated in this movie.

Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom

Alan Rickman as Severus Snape

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore

Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy

Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort

Gary Oldman as Sirius Black

Oliver and James Phelps as Fred and George Weasleys.

New Characters:

Some new characters have been introduced in this movie and amazingly they were the best selection (in my opinion).

Imelda Staunton as Professor Umbridge:

She is the highlight of the 5^th movie. Playing the villain (atleast to school students) of the movie, Imelda Staunton has done her character to perfection and she is one of the major characters for the film to be a hit.

Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood:

Credit definitely goes to this girl who has played the weird character of Luna Lovegood. Luna is a dreamy character in the book and you would find no difference in the film.

Helena Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange:

Harry Potter fans definitely won’t like this lady. After Elizabeth Hurley dropped the role of Bellatrix, I wondered who could have more cruel eyes than her. But then Helena Carter has done a good performance.

Director:

David Yates had directed this movie and I feel that he has done a better job than the previous two directors.

I personally enjoyed the movie. Though 70% of the book was cut short, I did not feel it as I felt for the 3^rd movie. The humour part was excellent and what I felt great about this movie was all the characters were shown equal importance.

Book Fans vs. Movie Fans:

I felt that both the book fans as well as the movie fans would be satisfied with the movie. The movie had the same storyline as that of the book (no changes anywhere except a negligible few) but with factors that are needed for a movie. But since I have read the book first, I can’t tell whether the movie fans actually enjoyed it, but from the repots, the movie is a big hit.

Critics:Many critics expressed their disliking that in the movie, Voldemort was shown stronger than Dumbledore in the final dual scene between the two.

The death of Sirius Black received both positive and negative reviews from the fans. Many say that the death was not so emotional and that Sirius died in a most non-heroic way. But on the contrary, others say that the death scene was very touching and emotional.

Even though the movie received negative reviews on one side, it received too many positive reviews on the other side thus making it the best Harry Potter film yet and no wonder the director David Yates is directing the sequel to the 5^th movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (which would be releasing on November 21^st 2008). Lets wait and see if David Yates can do the trick again.

Things you should not miss in the movie:

1. Final dual between Voldemort and Dumbledore
2. Fred and George Weasleys’ revenge on Umbridge
3. Occlumency scenes.
4. Dumbledore’s Army scenes

My ratings:

Adoption: 8.5/10

Background Music: 7/10

Characterization: 9/10

Magic: 7/10

Adventure: 6/10

Overall: 8.5/10

20° C – October came early!

Nice to see some rainfall in Chennai! But its not the climate that I am gonna talk about. The climate was cool. Adding to the chillness of the climate, we were made to work in a air conditioned lab which read 20° C after an hour at lab. I don’t know what they are thinking. I could see friends around me (and myself) shivering and the staff asked us to write the algorithm for the experiment in the observation. My hand, numb and cold, could not help my mind to write in the way it wanted. And it ended in a terrible handwriting (not that my handwriting is good). Thanks to the teacher who never complained.
Last friday, after a test and a free lazy day, we were shown a movie called ‘October Sky’. Yes in the college! I wasn’t interested in watching the movie at first but something told me that the movie would be nice (an award winning movie as we were told) and I went 15 minutes late to the auditorium to watch the movie. As I expected, the movie was set during the period of 1960. People were dressed in old fashioned clothes in the movie and what confirmed me that it is an old movie was that the guy who played the lead role looked like a young Nicholas Cage.

The movie was great. It is the story of a guy named Homer. who along with his three friends wish to attain great heights in life. They were from poor families but that did not discourage them. With some help from a supportive teacher and his mom, Homer along with his friends discover the formula to build a rocket that could fly miles, which could earn them a scholarship to go to college if they win a science fair.

Though confident they were, Homer gained non-support even from his school management and even from his dad, who wishes that his son, like him, should work in the town mine. With the dream of going to college and to win his love, Homer and his friends starts working on their project cause they believe that they are gonna reach great heights like the rocket.

The movie was great – humorous and touching. A must watch!

October did come early!

PS: The movie is not actually an old one and the guy is not young Nicholas Cage. The movie was released in the year 1999. Thanks to IMDB

20° C – October came early!

Nice to see some rainfall in Chennai! But its not the climate that I am gonna talk about. The climate was cool. Adding to the chillness of the climate, we were made to work in a air conditioned lab which read 20° C after an hour at lab. I don’t know what they are thinking. I could see friends around me (and myself) shivering and the staff asked us to write the algorithm for the experiment in the observation. My hand, numb and cold, could not help my mind to write in the way it wanted. And it ended in a terrible handwriting (not that my handwriting is good). Thanks to the teacher who never complained.
Last friday, after a test and a free lazy day, we were shown a movie called ‘October Sky’. Yes in the college! I wasn’t interested in watching the movie at first but something told me that the movie would be nice (an award winning movie as we were told) and I went 15 minutes late to the auditorium to watch the movie. As I expected, the movie was set during the period of 1960. People were dressed in old fashioned clothes in the movie and what confirmed me that it is an old movie was that the guy who played the lead role looked like a young Nicholas Cage.

The movie was great. It is the story of a guy named Homer. who along with his three friends wish to attain great heights in life. They were from poor families but that did not discourage them. With some help from a supportive teacher and his mom, Homer along with his friends discover the formula to build a rocket that could fly miles, which could earn them a scholarship to go to college if they win a science fair.

Though confident they were, Homer gained non-support even from his school management and even from his dad, who wishes that his son, like him, should work in the town mine. With the dream of going to college and to win his love, Homer and his friends starts working on their project cause they believe that they are gonna reach great heights like the rocket.

The movie was great – humorous and touching. A must watch!

October did come early!

PS: The movie is not actually an old one and the guy is not young Nicholas Cage. The movie was released in the year 1999. Thanks to IMDB

20° C – October came early!

Nice to see some rainfall in Chennai! But its not the climate that I am gonna talk about. The climate was cool. Adding to the chillness of the climate, we were made to work in a air conditioned lab which read 20° C after an hour at lab. I don’t know what they are thinking. I could see friends around me (and myself) shivering and the staff asked us to write the algorithm for the experiment in the observation. My hand, numb and cold, could not help my mind to write in the way it wanted. And it ended in a terrible handwriting (not that my handwriting is good). Thanks to the teacher who never complained.
Last friday, after a test and a free lazy day, we were shown a movie called ‘October Sky’. Yes in the college! I wasn’t interested in watching the movie at first but something told me that the movie would be nice (an award winning movie as we were told) and I went 15 minutes late to the auditorium to watch the movie. As I expected, the movie was set during the period of 1960. People were dressed in old fashioned clothes in the movie and what confirmed me that it is an old movie was that the guy who played the lead role looked like a young Nicholas Cage.

The movie was great. It is the story of a guy named Homer. who along with his three friends wish to attain great heights in life. They were from poor families but that did not discourage them. With some help from a supportive teacher and his mom, Homer along with his friends discover the formula to build a rocket that could fly miles, which could earn them a scholarship to go to college if they win a science fair.

Though confident they were, Homer gained non-support even from his school management and even from his dad, who wishes that his son, like him, should work in the town mine. With the dream of going to college and to win his love, Homer and his friends starts working on their project cause they believe that they are gonna reach great heights like the rocket.

The movie was great – humorous and touching. A must watch!

October did come early!

PS: The movie is not actually an old one and the guy is not young Nicholas Cage. The movie was released in the year 1999. Thanks to IMDB