Chitra Aiyer

Gist – The movie isnt as incredible as it could have been. In spite of that, I left the theatre feeling exhilarated.

Having said that, I will go on to elaborate ….

So, why do I think it isn’t as incredible as I think it could have been? Simply because Nolan is a narrator, he tells you everything from start to end and in correct order and explains every minute little thing, making sure you understand the weirdness of it all. And that robs away your having to decipher something. Had he, lets say, chosen at times to simply leave clues … It may have been much nicer. kwim?

He spells it all out for you and very very simply. Now that is talent in itself. No doubt about it. To think up something this bizarre and to be able to condense it all to something that a layman would understand. Immense talent! What he does prove, like he has before, is that he really is very good and has made a niche for himself. My husband and I thought that he probably needs a little bit of Quentin in him – we thought if Tarantino had a little something to do with ‘Inception’, the movie may have been near perfect – with that haphazardness, with a little bit of gore …. *smiles*

Anyway, my interest in ‘Inception’ was to see, if I had found that one movie since Matrix 1 that would completely blow me away and take the slot away from Matrix 1 amongst the recent movies. And the answer is no. Matrix 1 still is the ruler and is well secured in its spot at 2, for me. So, you ask me what is at 1? Well, I have had to go through many a discussions in my head about Godfather 1 and Matrix 1, and for many reasons that I know and for many that I dont, the answer has always been that Godfather 1 is still the numero-uno movie for me. However, with all the high tech suaveness, I really hope there comes that 1 incredible movie that can do what Matrix 1 was able to do – to leave me in awe and to have me watch it a million times and still be in awe. What a fantastic movie – to take a concept in its absolute purity and simplicity and weave a tale with such deftness and complexity. … well, amazing – the Wachowski brothers have my full respect. Yeah, yeah, I know. I am just a weird geek.

What is the deal with me and this mission to finding that certain movie? Well, if there is any art that gets my complete admiration, then it is the art of movie making. Watching a movie means a heck of a lot – the genre is immaterial. It just has to be very well made.

Anyway, coming back to ‘Inception’, it is well made and all the effects are appropriate, the music track is awesome and the last part of the movie is really extremely well made. The way all the levels of the dream come to an end so beautifully – the feeling is really wonderful. And finally, when DiCaprio wakes up, returning from limbo, it really is mind-blowing. The music around then is also just perfect. Hence the second part of my gist – leaving the theatre exhilarated.

I am afraid this isn’t a review , where I am talking about the story or the scenes, there are many sites on the internet which do that. This is simply about my feeling about the movie. I really hope that maybe one day Nolan and Tarantino will work together and make something really great.  : )

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Have you watched ‘Inception’? Did you like it? Do share.

And if you are a geek like I am, please do let me know. Would love to share notes.  : )

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I have many places to write about from our summer vacation, and well I havent been. The task seems daunting and I havent had the time. However, today I am starting off with a post about the Rameshwara temple near Irpu falls in the beautiful district of Coorg. We visited the beautiful falls and came back to the base. The surrounds were beautiful, serene, and it was around 5 in the evening. The evening clouds were caressing the mountains that surround the temple. The temple was to open only at 6. There was this little shack that served beverages and some food, right near the temple. A lot of the people who had visited the falls, were having their tea/coffee. We had our tea and the children their milk and refreshed ourselves.

The beauty of this spot is, it is a lovely flat piece of land surrounded by these thick forests and mountains. Legend has it that Lord Ram had trekked through the thick forests and western ghats and had stayed in these forests during the period of his banishment. Lakshmana, His brother, shot an arrow into the forest and the beautiful Irpu falls was born. At the base of the hill, where Irpu falls is located, is the Rameshwara temple. Apparently, the Shiva linga at this temple was made by Lord Rama Himself. So, this temple is known as Irpu Rameshwara Temple.

For a moment, if you think back to those times, when He may have actually trekked as a youngster, it is only logical to have camped at this spot for a while, since it is a beautiful clearing. Climbing down, one can only want to put one’s feet up for a bit, rest, re-align before starting on the trek again.

Through this trip, we ran into many spots where Rama is supposed to have stopped by, passed through. And somehow all the stories tie together. I am not a particularly religious person and don’t attach any religious significance to the tales, however, the terrain and the stories do connect well and who is to say what happened! Husband and I were consumed by the tales and the terrain and kept reconstructing that bit of the Ramayana story that could have happened in this neighborhood. That was fun …

The temple has a circular garbagriha and a low shikhara, very ‘Kerala’ in nature. There are also shrines of Gandharva, Bhairava, Mahadeva, Ganapati and Parvathi. Apparently, during Shivaratri, people visit the temple in huge numbers.

From the courtyard inside the temple, one can see the beautiful western ghats and you are more outside than inside even while inside the temple - lovely.

My children enjoying the space ….

There is an Ashoka tree and a shrine for Sita, probably to recall Sita’s captivity.

Here’s the priest at the temple who spent time with us, telling us stories about the temple and its history. What I really liked about him was his quality to simply tell it as he knew; to not add undue significance or importance to things. How refreshing.

As we left, I turned to look back at the temple again. The Sun had set and darkness was enveloping us. The peace and quiet, the serenity was something I knew I was going to remember the place by for a long time …

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Filed under: Trips, photography