The Spider Cave
Posted on: April 26, 2012
Hello everyone and welcome to my blog. It is a general blog about the things of my interest which are quite a lot. You will see a mix of posts here ranging my interests. I like cycling, nature, landscape, photography, reading novels and comics, watching decent movies, music and stuff. Beware some of the content are for mature readers (I’ll give a warning) and there will be spoilers too.
49) Personal Shopper (2016)
Posted on: May 17, 2024
49) Personal Shopper (2016)
English, French
Supernatural, thriller, psychological
Starring Kirsten Stewart
Directed by Olivier Assayas
Watched on 17 May 2024
A mixture of genres include in this film which stars the stunning Kristen Stewart. I’m quite the fan of her acting and she delivers a superb performance in this film.
The film is about her grief for someone who dies in her life. She is in the waiting stage, waiting to contact the spirit, or the spirit contacting her. Amidst this, she runs into a horrible incident which scares her.
The film is actually a mixture of genres which include supernatural and thriller. The main thing that stood out to me is Kristen’s performance and the sound production. The movie does a fantastic job in creating an atmosphere through sound.
Also I think I have a thing or two for French speaking accents and the like. Can’t help it.
I would give this movie 8/10. It did keep me gripped throughout.
48) (Amar Singh) Chamkila (2024)
Posted on: May 10, 2024
48) (Amar Singh) Chamkila (2024)
Indian, Punjabi
Drama, biopic, musical
Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Parineeti Chopra
Directed by Imtiaz Ali
Music by AR Rahman
Watched on 10 May 2024
Follow the lives of Amar Singh ‘Chamkila’ and Amarjot during the 80s when the duo singers reached the height of their fame by singing indecent songs. That was the demand of the public. Despite the religious leaders rejecting and banning Chamkila, he became fearless in his own self which eventually lead to his demise.
Based on real life events of Amar Singh, this stirring and emotional biopic is well crafted and presented. The music pieces are absolutely amazing. AR Rahman as always did a good job. The only pet peeve I have is the dialogues are in hindi but it is understandable as the target audiences are mostly Indians. The Punjabi songs provide written animated lyrics on screen which were handy. But I can understand 90 percent of Punjabi anyway. The animated sequences are absolutely stunning. Worth a watch again.
The film is one of those ‘ending in the first scene’ movies where you are told the ending first then the film unfolds and unpacks. I remember a movie called Shahid went with a similar format. It is a powerful device if executed right.
(Just a side note, I was watching Sanjay Leela’s new show Heera Mandi just before that. I only watched twenty minutes of it and I had to abandon it because there were so many things wrong with it. Then I put on Chamkila and the starting scene gripped me. My point is that you just know when a movie or a TV show is good by watching the first few minutes. They are so important.)
Diljit did a wonderful job in acting Chamkila. Throughout the movie, I was thinking that this movie would be his dream movie because as a singer what more do you want than to make a movie on a legendary Punjabi musician. It is amazing. The movie felt nostalgic to me. Because as young kids we would watch funny Punjabi movies with songs. It reminded me of my own childhood shenanigans.
The movie is well paced. It slows a little bit down in the last quarter but there is enough interest to keep you gripped right towards the end. It is emotional. Have a tissue handy. AR Rahman’s final song of the movie hit the spot.
Definitely a top tier movie. I would rate it as 9 out of 10.
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1012) The Wheel of Time Book 7: A Crown of Swords
Author : Robert Jordan
Date (I listened) : 8/4/24 – 28/4/24
Length : 855 E-book Pages
Read on: Google Books, audiobook
Review: The seventh book of The Wheel of Time is called A Crown of Swords referencing to the King’s crown of Illian. Rand finally captures Illian.
I quite enjoyed the book better than the last one. The only sloggish bit was Egwene’s POV. It dragged and slowed the pace in my opinion. Apart from that, it was actually not bad. Perrin’s POV was also quite slow but thank God the chunk of it was at the start. So that makes the first half of the book pretty slow. Enter Mat, and it picks up. His POV in this book is hilarious. I enjoyed it very much. Tylin’s Toy. Hilarious.
Rand and Min’s relationship blooms. Cadsuane introduces herself. A lot of other things are developed. For me, book 8 is where the slog starts. But I’ll be the judge of that when I get to it.
My top five entertaining moments from this book are (spoilers down here):
5) The whole thing with Tylin and Mat, and the various references of ‘bosoms’
4) Rand and Min’s ‘comforting’
3) Egwene talking to Lan
2) Nynaeve’s rescue
1) Elayne and Nynaeve having toh towards Mat.
Rating: 7/10
1011) No Longer Human
Posted on: April 27, 2024
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1011) No Longer Human
Author : Osamu Dazai
Date (I read) : 22/12/23 – 27/4/24
Length : 120 E-book Pages
Read on: Google Books
Review: I listened to a four hour long video on YouTube about a graphic novel Junji Ito wrote and drew which was based on this book called No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai. The YouTuber did a fine job of describing the events of the graphic novel and the book. He did his best to catch the bleak and depressing theme and tone of the book. Certainly got me motivated to check out this book.
As always, me who has a knack for depressing and sad things, got curious so I decided to read the book. I knew it was going to be a heavy read, a depressing read. It was both of those and many other things. The novel is about a man who just cannot understand how basic human society works. He does not know how to socialise and interact with other humans. He does not know how to function emotionally. So he develops a coping mechanism in which he fakes confidence and acts a clown. So in that way he becomes the people’s person but inside he is full of anxiety, dread and depression. Things get worse and after a couple of suicide attempts and many other acts of depressing episodes he becomes an alcoholic and eventually a drug addict.
The book is really an auto biography of the author who wrote this while he was alive. The author himself committed suicide at the end. So you can see how bleak this book is.
The first half of the book is good albeit a heavy and slow read. The last half of the book is just dragging, slow and dull. Some parts are meaningless conversations which could well be cut out but I guess that’s what the author wrote and that’s how it must have happened.
Rating: 4/10
47) The Disciple (2020)
Posted on: April 14, 2024
47) The Disciple (2020)
Indian, Marathi, North Indian
Drama, cereberal, character driven, slow
Starring Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid, Sumitra Bhave, Deepika Bhide Bhagwat, and Kiran Yadnyopavit
Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane
Watched on 14 April 2024
A student of Indian Classical music self doubts himself despite putting the effort in. He begins to doubt whether he will actually achieve the excellence he aspires for or not. He has personal demons he battles with.
What a movie. I don’t think I can really describe it in words. For starters, it is a slow film. Very character driven and on top of it, it is themed on classical music which a few percentage of population listens to. The main character is called Sharad who was taught music by his father then his teacher. He also listens to the tapes of this old lady who talks about wisdom and seeking the ‘truth’.
We see glimpses of different phases of Sharad’s life and personality. It is like a jigsaw puzzle that we have to figure out. Definitely this movie needs to be seen twice. It is not linear at all. The production is great. Long camera shots which feels like you are meditating and reflecting. It is a film for reflection.
I have to say writing a review about it made me appreciate it more. So I will have to rate it 8/10.
Killer Soup (2024)
Posted on: April 13, 2024
Killer Soup (2024)
Netflix Series (8 Episodes)
Comedy, thriller, murder mystery
Starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Manoj Bajpayee
Directed by Abhishek Chaubey
Watched on Q1 2024
An ambitious wife. An ambitious husband. Both with secrets. One thing lead to another and they find themselves in a new situation each time. This is a tale about deception, murder, blackmail and mystery.
This is a very unique blend of genre. You have comedy, thrill, noir, mystery mixing in together to form an absurd series of events. The blend of languages in this show is refreshing. The atmosphere set is just outstanding. What I liked about this show is each episode, the mystery becomes deeper but also it entertains us in a comedic way. I just don’t understand how the director maintained this balance of black comedy with murder mystery.
Konkona stole the show but I like Manoj’s monologue at the end. The ending is satisfying.
My favourite episode would be episode 7. Kritima’s death was the most entertaining. And the Sinnerman song was just perfect.
Rating: 9/10
46) Pihu (2018)
Posted on: April 12, 2024
46) Pihu (2018)
Starring Myra Vishwakarma, Prerna Sharma
Directed by Vinod Kapri
Horror, drama
Hindi, Indian
Watched on 12 April 2024
A two year old girl is left alone in an apartment after her mother commits suicide following an argument with the husband. This is a story of that two year old girl’s day.
The movie was on my to watch list for a few years. I always thought of it as a supernatural horror but it totally wasn’t. It is an entirely unique concept. The film is shot well, paced well. The two year old Myra is adorable but the theme of the film is grave and disturbing. I want to say I liked it but I cannot say it because it disturbs me to the core. Thank you to Vinod who made this film and evoke emotions within us.
Rating: 6/10.
1010) The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye
Written by Robert Kirkman
Pencilled by Tony Moore
Date Read: 6/4/24 – 8/4/24
The Walking Dead #1
Rick wakes up in the hospital, sees everything going to shit. He ventures out, comes across some walker/s, gets himself familiar with the new environment. Comes across a black man and his kid.
This is just like the first episode of the TV series. I watched the TV series twice so I’ll be doing a lot of comparisons here.
The Walking Dead #2
Rick gets a horse, goes to the city, sees all the zombies. They eat the horse. He encounters Glen who saves him and then takes him to the camp where Rick reunites with his wife and kid. Simple as that. Already in issue 2? In the TV series it takes them three or four episodes. But anyway, looking forward to read on.
The Walking Dead #3
Rick gets introduce to the camp. His partner in force, Shane, took care of Rick’s wife and son, Lori and Carl. There’s other people in the camp. They get attacked by a zombie. They kill the zombie. They are a bit distraught.
The Walking Dead #4
Rick and Glen go to the city to get guns and ammo. They get attacked by the zombies. It was a close call.
The Walking Dead #5
The camp gets raided by the zombie. Amy gets bitten and dies. Jim gets bitten.
The Walking Dead #6
Amy was buried. Jim wants them to leave him under a tree. Rick wants to leave the location and move on. The winter is coming. Shane is angry because everything was perfect before Rick came back. Shane liked Lori (Rick’s wife). Rick and Shane fight. Carl (Rick’s son) shoots Shane.
1009) Kissxsis Volume 10
Posted on: April 6, 2024
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1009) Kissxsis Volume 10 by Bow Ditama
Read on: 31/3/24 – 6/4/24
55th Kiss: “It……..It’s a Misunderstanding!!!!!” (ご、誤解あります!!, “Go, Gokai Arimasu!!”)
Summer vacations are over. First day of school and Mikuni is cheery and happy. Keita’s friend thinks Mikuni and Keita had sex during the vacation. Kiryuu sensei conducts her class. That friend ends up blurting about the sex. And now Kiryuu must have a separate word with Mikuni and Keita. The thing is that Kiryuu (the teacher) also has feelings for Keita.
56th Kiss: “Don’t Worry!!” (心配練無用!!, “Shinpai neri Muyō!!”)
It’s cute to see Kiryuu sensei have feelings for Keita and Keita my boy is just plainly oblivious to them all. Also Mikuni sets things straight with Kiryuu. Mikuni is changing for sure.
57th Kiss: “That Crushing Feeling” (ユナゴナになりそうな気持ち, “Yunagona ni nari-sōna Kimochi”)
Riko is asked to take part in the rhythmic gymnastics as one of the girls got injured. Riko has a fear of being watched. She isn’t an exhibitionist at all. She is very good at gymnastics though but the fear of being watched by so many people breaks her down. Who’s gonna help her?
58th Kiss: “The Forbidden Secret Training” (御法は秘密練習, “Minori wa Himitsu Renshū”)
Keita helps or rather motivates Riko to overcome her shyness and prepare for the gymnastics tournament. It is great seeing Keita and Riko together.
59th Kiss: “The Best Performance” (極上の演技, “Gokujō no Engi”)
Quite a good chapter. It was very ecchi and erotic. So the costume for Riko’s gymnastics are way too tight that her privates are visible (like a camel toe if you know what that is) so they come up with a plan that Keita will put a band aid on her vagina. So she sits on the chair and parts her costume there so Keita gets down to business. But it’s so wet down there so Riko tells him to lick it off. He does that. At night Keita has a hard on and Riko masturbates him and helps him cum while Ako is sleeping on the same bed. Told you, it was a bit ecchi alright. Good chapter.
60th Kiss: “Not as Naive as You’d Think!” (無糖の味は甘くはい！, “Mutō no aji wa Amaku wa i!”)
Riko confronts Kiryuu teacher about her feelings for Keita. Ako makes food for Keita and fantasises about having Keita perform cunnilingus on her. She thinks if she keeps cooking for him then she will control him (in a good way).
Pretty good volume. A bit on the naughty side towards the end. But I have read better volumes in the past. I would give this volume 5/10.
1008) The Stand by Stephen King
Posted on: April 3, 2024
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1008) The Stand
Author : Stephen King
Date (I read) : 7/3/24 – 3/4/24
Length : 1325 Paperback Pages
Read on: Listened to audiobook mostly
Review: A re read of this epic novel. I remember reading it back in 2012 and enjoying it immensely. I actually searched it up and read my review of it to see if I still have the same feelings. I have to say I kind of differ on them.
I said the second act/book was a bit slow but now I feel like that was the best bit. Around chapter 45, when he starts writing Mother Abigail’s POV. The chapters are big and chunky and I absolutely love the mystic and religious aspect of the story. It is spiritually so uplifting and inspiring.
The story is set in an post apocalyptic where 90 percent of the population is wiped out by a super flu. For those who are left have a Stand to make because the Dark Man is lurking around in their dreams and he has set up base in the West.
I liked it and I would definitely give it a solid 10/10. There is nothing that I wouldn’t change in this book. Everything from the characters to the pacing of the story. It keeps you hooked. It is a journey.
Some memorable characters in there. Trash Can Man, The Kid, Stu, Larry, Glen, Fran, Nick, Tom, Cullen, Nadine and Harold. Absolutely masterpiece. Some parts made me really emotional. The audiobook was just so good.
I have to draw a comparison here. Stand vs IT. When I read them first I would have gone with the Stand. But I feel like I like IT more because the characters in that book are just so flushed out that the whole novel really stands on the character development among other things. The Stand is good in its own way but for me IT would be my to date King’s favourite novel. I have to read more of him though before I die. I’ll get around to it.
The Spider Cave 