The Duchess

Are female actors kicking male actors to the curb?

Well, after observing the depth of roles that female actors have portrayed in 2008 and now into 2009, I should say "Hell Yes!".

One such actress is Keira Knightley. Before asking any questions, watch The Duchess and believe me when I tell you that you will be left speechless. I do not believe that I have cried or rooted for a character, or been in awe of such a performance since... my god since this very same actress portrayed Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. However, even that performance does not come close to her astounding performance in The Duchess.

An intense account of the famous and highly influential Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire in the late 1700s England, based on the biography penned by Amanda Foreman, this film keeps you on the edge of your seat. You can't help but scream at the heartless and boring Duke (Ralph Fiennes), whose hypocrisy knows no bounds and cry, laugh and root for the impeccable Duchess (Knightley).

If you're a mother, you are in a prime position to feel every emotion that the Duchess feels. If you are a woman you will not be able to escape the desires for love, simple admiration and love that the Duchess craves and is deprived of. And if you are a man, then you will fall in love with this enigmatic woman that all of England and the world over were in love with so very long ago -- perhaps even now because she remains an important figure of history.

Knightley's performance in this film is none like her earlier period films. Her past portrayals have been nothing less of magnificent, however, she has even further matured in her acting abilities. Every feeling, every thirst, every bit of torture and frustration that she emotes, you feel it yourself. Her screen presence is absolutely inescapable and overwhelming and she spares no cost in bringing to life one of the most influential women in England's history. To the point where you wonder, "why haven't I known about this Duchess before?"

Knightley's performance made me wonder, "are female actors kicking male actors to the curb?". In all the movies I have seen of late, the actresses are outshining the actors. Even in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" that had Brad Pitt in the lead role, two women, Cate Blanchett and Taraji Henson, stole the show. There's only one explanation: finally when female actors are being given substantial roles in films with good stories, they are not only rising to the occassion, but they are thriving.

It's been a long time coming and now no one can stop them. Perhaps this is why society of past has tried so very hard to keep women inferior to their male-counterparts. Hey, don't question me, just watch all the films of late and answer the question: 'Is the actress stealing the show?'

In the meantime, watch what has definitely become a classic and appreciate the performance of an actress that will go down in history as one of immeasurable and profound talent. Watch The Duchess.

;)

Movies About Exorcisms

I have a confession to make -- I have a weird obsession with films about exorcisms, people being haunted, God vs. Devil... I found myself wondering today, why, just why, do they interest me...

I watched a movie today that I had 'hoped' would be good, but sadly it just left me confused. That movie was The Haunting of Molly Hartley. The only thing it probably succeeded in doing was ensuring that I'm a *tad* hesitant to close my eyes tonight out of fear that the parent who tried to kill the daughter won't jump out at me in my dream as they did in the movie, or that I may hear scary, devilish voices in my head...did I give the movie away?? Believe me I just saved you 90 minutes.

Okay, it's not that bad. However, they could have done a much better job. They had a great story idea, surprisingly good characters. Sadly, these characters and the actors portraying them didn't have anywhere to go because the screenplay writer and the director cut them short.

Spoiler -- so the film centers around this girl who died when she was born, but her parents were so struck with grief, that when this woman walked in on them during the childbirth (the mother gave birth prematuraly in a public washroom - i guess that could happen...) anyhow, so this strange woman offered to save their baby, give the parents 18 years with her, after which she would then belong to the darkness. I guess it's sort of a "sell your soul" sort of thing. The parents said "yeah watever" thinking the woman was weird and crazy. Turns out the baby started breathing again and is alive. Now, fast track to present day, the girl is about to turn 18. 

So this reminded me of the fact that when I was born, I was pronounced dead by the physicians also... and then I started breathing again...I was alive. My mother assures me no one weird offered to save me. I just started breathing again and the heartbeat started back on its own. So today I looked back to my 18th bday...I can't really remember it. I dont know if that's a good thing or bad... lol. But I dont think anything weird happened, so sorry people I think I'm still "in the light". Then I realized how stupid I sounded and also that not only had I wasted 90 mins watching this film, I wasted another 30 mins pondering my survival, followed by another 10 mins kicking myself for even thinking "could this story be true".

But watching this film today just reinvigorated my belief that the best ever horror and exorcist film to have ever been made has to be one of my favourites, if not the favourite, "The Exorcism of Emily Rose".

Inspired by the true story of Anneliese Michel, portrayed by Jennifer Carpenter and the amazing performance of Laura Linney (who just won a SAG tonight by the way) as the skeptical, yet ruthless and tough lawyer -- The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a film that EVERYONE should watch at least once. I don't care if you're afraid of scary films, or if you don't believe in God or this whole exorcism stuff - even if it's fiction -- the film has a lot of different themes in it that are worth considering. If anything, just watch it for Laura Linney's performance or Jennifer Carpenter. 

But just a word of caution: You may lose a lot of sleep after watching the film ;)

Anyhow -- as you can see...I wasn't in the mood to do much of anything today. Hey, even law students need a break once in a while. 

:p

p.s. if you want another good horror movie, watch "Darkness Falls".

Speak

I've posted too much in the past couple of days, so I probably won't blog until the weekend now, but I really wanted to share some thoughts about one of my favourite films, which I discovered just a couple of months ago. It stars an actress who I always look forward to seeing in film, Kristen Stewart.

Now, I know some of you just shook your head. I know Twilight was pretty bad. They did a terrrrible job of putting that film together - but come on, let's keep hope that they'll learn from their mistakes. Let's not blame the actors :p

So about this film: It's entitled Speak and was delivered in 2004. It's one of those 'artsy' films that plays in festivals and then goes straight to DVD - something that I hear almost happened to Slumdog Millionaire, before it was noticed by the general public. The story follows a young ninth-grade girl who has suffered some tragic event - something the reader learns throughout the film, and she's essentially rendered an outcast, to the point where she is so traumatized by what has happened to her that she just shuts up. She talks very little, but she just observes people. She experiences a lot of different emotions as she fights to overcome her fears and discover her strength; discover how she is to move on with life.

First and foremost, Jessica Sharzer did an excellent job of adapting Laurie Anderson's novel, but it was Kristen Stewart's character of Melinda and the manner in which she performed her role that really got to me. I read somewhere that Kristen was only 13 when she shot the film and I found that to be absolutely insane. Her performance is breathtaking (I know that's a strong word to use, but that's the truth...okay maybe more speechless...in that moment. I know I'm hardly speechless now). Not only does Kristen Stewart 'own' Melinda but she takes what has happened to this character, a most tragic event, and she divulges it through minimal dialogue but incredibly soul-searching expressions. Most of the film is carried by the expressions in the young actress' eyes and body language. I don't think, aside from one other actress, that I have ever seen another of any age or genre, portray such a moving character so well.

When Melinda is finally liberated in the end, when the truth comes out, I couldn't help but feel liberated myself. Of course the production goes to the credit of many people, but Stewart absolutely carried it and was magnificent.

Some people do rag on the young actress - because she is "off-beat". She's always comes off as sort of 'awkward' with her characters, but she gets it. And she truly represents a rare group of actors/actresses that still view film as "art". I really enjoy that style of acting. Take for example her performance in the movie In the Land of Women opposite Adam Brody and Into the Wild. Now soon to be released in theatres is Adventureland and I'm sure that'll be quite interesting as well.

Honestly -- I don't know what happened with Twilight but I assumed that the role would suit her before I even knew she was playing Bella. I just don't know why some scenes were so strained. I blame the screenplay writer, she did a bad job of adapting the novel. I'm just putting it out there -- blame the production team, and that screenplay writer. They didn't sell the love story at all. How the hell can someone be "unconditionally and irrevocably in love" so quickly and with such zero chemistry... this is cinema people -- SELL THE STORY. 

Hopefully, the next film will be better...hopefully... Well if not, then at least we still got the last 2 installments of Harry Potter - actually 3 films because they are breaking up the last book into 2 films. At least with those films we know we'll be entertained and they'll "get it right". 

Until next week - later ;)

A.R. Rahman bags 3 Oscar Nominations!

My man, A.R. Rahman - okay he's not my man, or friend. I only managed to get this picture with him when our friend Supa, her hubby and Harjot managed to call my sis and I to the Royal York hotel to catch Aishwarya (snob) and Abhishek (seemed like a gentleman, but dragged away by his girl) before the Guru premiere in Toronto. Rahman was standing alone, looking bored in the lobby. We went over and took photos. I take great pride in saying that I managed to make him smile :)    okay, well Supa did better than us all, she pissed off Aishwarya Rai, lol, but that's a whole other discussion!

Back to the story -- A.R. Rahman received 3 Academy Award nominations this morning. One for original score for Slumdog Millionaire, and two nominations in the Best Original Song category - "Jai Ho" and "O Saya".

The dude already made us proud with his win at the Golden Globes. It was incredible to see him scurry to the stage at the globes and in a very soft-spoken and shy manner accept his award.  I just can't wait to see him scurry once again, only this time at the Kodak Theatre on Feb. 22, as he accepts undoubtedly 2 Oscars. 

:)

Team Hillary!

Hillary sworn in as Secretary of State

The Senate finally approved Hillary Clinton's nomination as the 67th Secretary of State, with a vote of 94 - 2. She was sworn in Wednesday afternoon by Judge Kathleen Oberly - a friend of hers. 

There was no question she would get the approval, however, it iwas a bit strange hearing the discussions regarding the contributions that Bill Clinton has received from Mid-East officials for his Foundation. Regardless, he signed a pact with the new Obama administration that he would cut those contributions down, thereby eliminating any potential conflict of interest for the new Secretary of State - Hillary.

As a staunch "Team Hillary" member, I am overwhelmed with excitement to see how she shapes the global political arena. 

This is one tough woman; one fierce politician, and one bad-ass Secretary of State. 

President Barack H. Obama

History made in America

On a cold winter day of January 20th, 2009 President-Elect Obama, took the oath to become the new President of the United States of America. My congratulations goes out to all Americans and especially to all those who believed and hoped he would do it. A special  and heartfelt congratulations goes out to those individuals who emerged from past generations of slaves. Equality is made possible when lines of division are rubbed away, but equality is achieved when dreams are realized; when we walk hand-in-hand to the top levels of society.

It's no secret that I'm on 'Team Hillary' - and I have been for a very long time and I probably will be for the rest of my life, unless she comes face to face and physically harms me. Actually, who am I kidding, I would still be on 'Team Hillary'. However, Hillary Rodham Clinton as President was a dream that I carried. It's weird, I know, because I'm not even American! Yet on another level, perhaps what she represented for so many women and society and the principles and goals she promoted - I just always supported her and wished to see her reach the top. And somewhere inside of me, I knew one day she would. But if this wasn't her year, then what better person to defeat her, than Barack Obama.

He's already won over millions with his words, but during the inauguration, he finally won me over too. Here's my favourit excerpt:

"Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny."

The challenges for this new administration is undoubtedly HUGE - as we all know. There's the $842 billion economic recovery package, investment into health and education and cleaning up the mess in Iraq where he says he'll be ordering military officers to take U.S. forces out in 16 months. And of course the immediate crisis in Gaza, which I pray he will work hard in helping them find peace, instead of jumping to take sides like past Presidents have done (but that's a whole other discussion).

Bottom line: there's a lot to do, but it's amazing to see how President Obama has already gotten the country off to a great and interesting start. I'm hearing that people are sharing a lot of love down there in America. 

~Take it from Nav... it's a new beginning...

 

Compelled to Write

You'll be seeing this image permanently on the blog - that is unless the cover is changed. Regardless of what may come, this picture perfectly captures the essence of my story - Esha's Story.

Throughout my life I always carried a passion for writing. There's just something incredibly exciting about seeing a fresh clean sheet of paper and holding a pen. Well not just any pen, my fav has always been a black ball point that has a thin edge and just 'rolls' off the page... you get my point. Similarly, I feel excited about looking at a blank sketch pad and holding a fresh new pencil. I suppose its always served as a reminder that there are endless possibilities in life.

A blank sheet, a writing utensil, and just my thoughts and imagination. Just think of the possibilities.

However, my stories never amounted to anything but mere short stories, or incomplete character sketches, brief articles, letters and journal entries capturing what I felt when I saw, read, or heard something that inspired me to write. That is until one day I was inspired not by a song, not by a movie, not by art, but by life itself. 

Immediately following this a story idea hit me and it hit me with such force that I was left speechless. Days passed and I didn't write anything. I just thought about it. Then I finally thought I would give it time. See if it disappeared like my many other story ideas of the past. So I carried on with my university finals, followed by my first ever trip to British Columbia and then back home to Toronto. Yet, as much as I tried to leave the story alone, it continued to develop in my mind. It wouldn't leave me alone. Then one day, while I was lying in bed staring up at my ceiling, the entire story from start to finish wrote itself in my mind and I knew it was time to put pen to paper.

The following 2 years were the most incredible, monumental, and emotional years of my life. I devoted as much time as I could to writing, while I managed my everyday life, which included an amazing city councillor election in my city of Brampton. I hit a few writer's block moments, namely when my father was diagnosed with advanced-stage colon cancer in the winter of 2006. The writer block was strange because what the main character in my book was experiencing, as far as emotions go, I was now facing in real life. It was the experience of loss. Accordingly I should have been bursting with inspiration for my story, yet I found I couldn't even manage one word, one letter, one thought. I let the book be for some months.

The inspiration didn't come back for 5 months. What brought it back? A 16 hour flight to India, carrying my father's ashes on my lap. It was a smart thing that I brought my journal along. I still remember sitting there as the rest of the plane slept and writing away. I can still feel the leather of the journal on my hands, the feel of the pen as it moved smoothly across the pages. Most of all I can still feel the weight of the urn on my lap. That moment I translated the weight of the urn as the weight of my father's belief in me that I would one day realize my dream and complete the story.

The characters became alive and the story began to write itself. Every chapter was new now. I knew what was to come, how it would unfold, but still the intricate details, the dialogue was unknown even to me until it materialized on the page. Everywhere I went the story, my characters travelled with me. They went even as far as the island of St. Kitts. I spent two weeks sitting on a beach and doing nothing else but writing. One day, I finally reached my end. I experienced separation anxiety for more than a week. For the life of me, I did not want to depart with my story, my characters... I wanted to keep writing! Eventually I faced reality and I completed the novel. It rests at just a little over 100,000 words and I am now working towards getting it published.

So what is this story that I was so compelled to write? And why do I say that "life" inspired it?

As it turns out you will have to wait for more information regarding the novel. Right now it is in editing. I will update you when the time is right ;)