The Intern, a lesson on age!!

One day while being bored from the lockdown, I stumbled upon "The Intern", and I've got to say, my quarantine mood lifted tremendously while watching it.

The Intern is a 2015 American comedy film directed, written and produced by Nancy Meyers. The film stars Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, and Rene Russo. Set in Brooklyn, the story follows Ben, a 70 year old widowed man who applies for an internship at an online fashion website. He is assigned to work with Jules, the founder and owner of the company. The story revolves around Ben and Jules and the rest of the employees of the company working together and shows us a good bond between old and new.

It is a light-hearted story and will leave you feeling contented and warm. 

Through this we see the changes that have taken place and the differences that have been created in the transition from one generation to another.

It shows us both the perks and faults of the young and the old. Many a times, instances were shown where we realise we should listen to those who are elder than us or even at times those of the current generation. Simultaneously, many situations were given where the seniors were at fault or the juniors.

It gave us view into how being fast paced and energetic (young people) and being calm and patient (old people), both are equally needed.

The whole movie shows us how not one generation is superior to other and instead how they both have their differences but are equally important.

This is definitely a movie that you should watch!

"You should feel nothing but great about what you've done, and I'd hate to see you let anyone take that away from you."

                                             – Ben Whittaker

How i met your mother, a one of a kind sitcom!!

I watched How I Met Your Mother a long time ago and while I may not be a die hard fan of its, I do certainly love the show.

How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays for CBS and was directed by Pamela Fryman . The series ran from 2005 to 2014 for 9 seasons. The show tells us the story of five friends living in New York and is narrated by the main character Ted Mosby, who is telling his children the story of how he met their mother.

The show has been written amazingly and has done a great job of combining comedy and seriousness. While it is certainly a sitcom, the setting done for it does have a deeper tone.

It has also often been compared with the sitcom "Friends", as both have a similar plot basis, but that is where the similarities end. While Friends is more laid back and simple, How I Met Your Mother has a more detailed storyline with clues and references hidden throughout.

While all the main characters do have their own "personality type", they have many more characteristics and don't just act according to their role in the group, something which many sitcoms lack.

The only unsatisfactory thing about the show would be it's ending, something so disappointing that the creators had to make an alternate version. 

While the ending make have destroyed the plot of the show or the characters' development, overall it is a "legendary" show that should certainly not be brushed off for it's so called similarity to Friends.

“Because sometimes even if you know how something’s gonna end, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the ride.” — Ted Mosby

Gossip Girl, the blueprint for teen dramas!!

I completed watching Gossip Girl a while back and I have to say it is a show filled with entertainment.

Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the novel series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series, created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, ran on The CW network for six seasons from September 19, 2007, to December 17, 2012. Set on the upper east side, it tells us the story of Manhattan's elite and is narrated by an unknown person going with the pseudonym "Gossip Girl". "Gossip Girl" is someone who runs the Gossip Girl website which gives updates on the scandals of these rich UES teenagers.

Like I said before, it is definitely a fun series with no boring moments. But that is where it falls, the entire show, with each plot or storyline is so happening that at times you'll feel like too much is going on. So many things happen in each episode that after two or three of them you will forget what happened in the previous ones.

While the characters are certainly not short of plain and dull, they too will overwhelm you. Each character is so full of personality that they all over power each other.

As mentioned earlier, too muchs goes on, but at the same time the plots are often repetitive and the characters cliche. What would you expect from a show about rich snobby teenagers, that's exactly what you get. It seems that the writers wanted more drama in each episode but didn't know how and so they did it wrong.

The plot basis of the show is very interesting and intriguing, but the writers seemed to have failed to give it the story it deserves.

While I may have criticized the show too much, I will also say that it is definitely fun to watch. You do root for the characters and get indulged in the storyline. You also have to realise that Gossip Girl did pave the way for future teen dramas to come, and many use the formula it once created. In that way it could certainly be called an iconic show.

It is certainly not the best show there is, but watching it would certainly be no harm!

"XOXO Gossip Girl!"

Tom Riddle, the excellence of a villian's backstory!!

Ever since I read the backstory for Lord Voldemort, it has remained my favourite. I got chills reading it, and for that, The Half Blood Prince remains my favourite Harry Potter book.

Lord Voldemort or Tom Riddle is a character created by JK Rowling and serves as the main antagonist for her Harry Potter books. He is considered the greatest dark wizard of all time, and has often been described as cruel, intelligent and vain.

While the character of Voldemort may in itself be one of complexity, the backstory of his as Tom Riddle is even more thrilling.

We see from the beginning how Tom Riddle was no ordinary child. His first meeting with Dumbledore makes you fearful already, even without knowing what he'll grow up to be, you can tell that this 11 year old can do things, that will make even adults shiver.

His birth was also a mess, as if he was destined to be the most evil wizard of all time. Not only did his grandfather and uncle abuse his mother, he was convinced too out of a love potion. His father, a muggle, was tricked into a relationship with his mother. Learning this, you realise his birth was truly something that should have never happened even from the beginning.

While he may certainly be messed up, the teachers of his school never realised this, being fooled by his charm and intelligence. Imagine being so convincing that you are able to trick your whole school into believing that another student was responsible for murders committed by you.

As you can tell, Voldemort was certainly no ordinary villian, and his plunge into the dark side was no mere coincidence.

"I can make things move without touching them. I can make animals do what I want them to do, without training them. I can make bad things happen to people who annoy me. I can make them hurt if I want to."

                                               Tom Riddle

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the journey of a protagonist becoming the antagonist!!

Recently I finished reading the much awaited Hunger Games prequel. And for me, it matched all my expectations if not more.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a dystopian action-adventure novel by American author Suzanne Collins. It is a spinoff and a prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy, released on 19th May 2020. The story is set in the Capitol, during the 10th Hunger Games. Coriolanus Snow, an 18 year old student of the academy, has been selected as one of the mentors for the tributes of the Hunger Games.

The story shows us the descent of Snow becoming the narcissistic, selfish and cruel dictator that we know from the Hunger Games trilogy. Here a mere teenager, we see how he slowly transforms into a psychopath with the story of his earlier years.

The character of Lucy Gray is refreshing and bright, in contrast to the dark and grim atmosphere of the Capitol. A singer from district 12, she gets selected as one of the tributes with Snow as her mentor. One with a headstrong personality who craves freedom she will be hard not be become a fan favourite. While she may be fun, she also has her serious moments when you realise that she is also very smart and quick.

The book gives us large insight into how the Hunger Games used to earlier work. How the tributes were treated, what the arena used to look like. It also tells us how they were created and gave us a perspective of how the people of the Capitol viewed them. 

The story was more character driven than plot, but still is enjoyable to read, albeit a bit slow. The main focus was on the characters and even the philosophical thoughts of Snow. The action was toned down as compared to the trilogy. 

Overall it is an amazing book and fans of The Hunger Games should definitely read it.

"Well, as they said, it's not over until the mockingjay sings."

Never Have I Ever, a tale of an Indian American girl!!

Today I watched "Never Have I Ever" and it was very enjoyable. I mean I watched the whole thing in a day, so that might give you a hint on how entertaining it is.

Never Have I Ever is an American coming of age comedy-drama television series starring Maitri Ramakrishnan and created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. It shows us the story of Devi, an Indian American teenager living in southern california and how she deals with her father's death, her recovery from paralysis and tries to become "cool".

The series has been made stunningly, the characters quirky and unique, yet relatable. The plots taken for each episode are also refreshing but familiar. The whole show gives off a bright and cool look.

The character of Devi has been written amazingly. Throughout the series we see her making many mistakes and taking the wrong decisions, but her regret on doing such things and the consequences are also portrayed in a wonderful way. Stubborn, self-centered and insecure, we see how she deals with her faults and in the end improving tremendously.

My only problem with the show is how they have portrayed Indian culture or even Indian people. The way Indians were shown to be racist or judgemental was not right. Sure there are Indians like that, but that is not all of them and showing them like that in a show meant to represent Indian Americans just felt wrong. To me, it felt as if many stereotypes on Indian culture were also encouraged or shown as true, when that is not the reality. We could have had atleast one moment where the beauty of Indian culture was shown, but instead we only saw it as something backward and sometimes even cruel.

To end on a positive note, the show is amazing with especially the trauma Devi feels due to her father's death shown very beautifully and realistic. 

It is definitely one of Netflix's best shows and you should certainly go and watch it.

"Hey gods, it's Devi Vishwakumar, your favorite Hindu girl in the San Fernando Valley. What's a-poppin'?"

Adulting, glimpse of a millennial life in Mumbai!!

Recently I came to know about Adulting, and as soon as I started watching the 10 episode series, I loved it.

"Adulting" is an Indian web series created by dice media, starring Aisha Ahmed and Yashaswini Dayama, as Nikhat and Ray, two twenty something roommates from Delhi, who are trying to manage a life in the hustle bustle of India's economic capital.

The series beautifully suceeds in showing us how difficult the beginning of your life as an adult can be and how we should still be able to have fun.

The highlight of the show is definitely it's simplicity and how it's characters are made to be so realistic and relatable. Every plot of the series hits home and you remember how the same has happened to you too.

If you're not an adult, it not only shows you how adult life will be like, but also create a spark of excitement for the future.

Not only are the plots and dialogues hilarious, they also teach you many lessons.

Showcasing problems from being broke to feeling helpless and useless, the series reaches your heart and makes you feel heard.

It is seriously an amazing series and I would recommend everyone to definitely watch it.

"I love listening to songs about selling drugs and killing people on my way to a regular 9-5 job."

Good Thing, an anthem for independent single people!!

Since the day I heard it, I have fallen in love with "Good Thing", and each time I hear it again, I want to listen to it more.

"Good Thing" is a song by Russian-German music producer Zedd and American singer and songwriter Kehlani, released on 27 September 2019 through Interscope Records. The track was written by Zedd and Kehlani with Cleo Tighe, Starsmith and Lost Boy.

A fun and energetic pop song, it talks about enjoying being single and relishing in doing things alone.

Kehlani sings about how she doesn't need anything else as she already has whatever she wants and has a good thing going on with herself.

An amazing dance track it shows us how being alone can also be nice and you don't always need the company of others to have fun.

It's a wonderful song and grabs you in from the second you hear it. You should certainly give it a listen.

"Cause I already got a good thing with me
Yeah, I already got everything I need"

Murder on the Orient Express, the art of subtlety!!

Murder on the Orient Express remains one of my absolute favourite mysteries of all time!!! The book is not only a classic but it's end was certainly not expected.

Murder on the Orient Express is a detective novel by English writer Agatha Christie featuring the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The story is set on a train "The Orient Express" going from Turkey to London. A murder happens in the compartment Poirot is staying, and he then takes the job of solving it.

Simple yet very complicated, the entire plot keeps you hanging on the edge, with the final reveal being greatly satisfying.

The whole story goes on so smoothly while still making you pause inbetween with shocking revelations. The characters feel so real and each make you so suspicious that figuring out who did the crime becomes impossible. It feels as if everyone was involved somehow.

The true beauty of the book comes at the very end when we finally find out the truth about Mr. Ratchett's murder. The reveal is jaw dropping yet makes you wonder how you didn't realise it before.

Overall this Hercule Poirot adventure is certainly a jem that I think none of you should miss out reading on.

"The impossible could not have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances."

The Lost Symbol, a view into Masonry and religion!!

So I just completed reading "The Lost Symbol", and while it did make me ponder about the existence of god and has improved my way of thinking about life, the story seemed biased to a certain agenda.

The Lost Symbol is a 2009 novel written by American writer Dan Brown. Set in the US capital of Washington DC, it follows Robert Langdon down another mysterious adventure, this one filled with him uncovering many Masonry secrets.

A book with the central theme being Masonry, it dives deep into telling us not only Masons work and operate, but also showing us how they think. As shown in the book, Masons are people who believe that man can be elevated to the realms of god, but still it is mentioned that different Masons follow different religions. 

The book showed us how all the religions in the world, one way or another, follow the same thoughts and beliefs. Several references are also made showing us how most religious books also preach about the same things.

It also shows us that god is not someone who lives above us, but instead is within us. How every human in this world has the ability to gain godlike power.

We may not think so, but if thought deeply, we'll realise that the things people right now have achieved or created, these things were thought impossible by our ancestors. If they knew that we have done things they thought impossible, they would consider us gods. The same way, we right now think that a lot of things are impossible and so we are nothing ordinary, but we all have the skill in us to do all of it. The human mind is seriously a wonderful thing and if it thought that something is achievable, it can lead us there.

While I did love the book tremendously, I found the ending to be disappointing and contradictory. (Spoiler ahead) As mentioned earlier, the Masons were not of a particular religion, yet the ancient word of the Masons was a copy of the Bible. The clues on the pyramid and to find the ancient word, contained all the religions, yet the mystery ends with the Bible. This shows clear bias to Christianity and debunks the idea that Masonary is secular.

Other than the ending I found the book to be very thrilling and I had a lot of fun reading it. I would say that if you have time you should definitely read it.

"The only difference between you and God is that you have forgotten you are divine."

Grave of the Fireflies, the tragedy of war!!!

Today I watched the anime "Grave of the Fireflies", and it left me feeling very sad and thoughtful about the effects war has on the innocent.

Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 Japanese animated war film based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka. It was written and directed by Isao Takahata, and animated by Studio Ghibli. Set in Kobe, Japan, it tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, who are left orphaned due to the bombings on Japan by the US and how they try to survive.

A heart-wrenching story, it shows us how war takes a toll not only on the people fighting in it, but also those who had nothing to do with it.

We see how these siblings, both still young, have to mature way beyond their age just to survive in a world where they did nothing wrong. Tears will fall from your eyes when you see how Seita, a mere fourteen year old has to play the role of an adult for his five year old sister.

The ultimate death of both the siblings due to malnutrition makes us realise how helpless they were and how much their innocent souls were shattered due to the wicked.

The central theme of the entire plot was pride. It showed us how pride often destroys us and is no good. The war between Japan and the US was due to pride, Japan's refusal to surrender was due to pride, the children's aunt treating them badly was due to pride, and them leaving her house to live on their own was also due to Seita's pride.

While a separate singular person cannot be blamed for these tragic circumstances, it was all a chain reaction that occurred due to different people's pride. If only one of them had swallowed their pride, the two poor souls may not have ended up like this.

This movie makes us realise how we should learn to not be so egoistic and prideful, and how being the bigger person can save not only ours but other's lives as well.

I recommend everyone to watch this film atleast once. It's truly needed.

Why do fireflies have to die so soon?

                                                          –Setsuko

Parks and Recreation, a fun show about small town government!!

A few days back I completed watching "Parks and Recreation". It is an amazing show which I loved binge watching. It kept me entertained the whole time and I was very sad to watch it end.

Parks and Recreation is an American political satire sitcom television series created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur. Based in the fictional town of Pawnee, it tells us the story about the government employees working in the parks and recreation department.

Meant as a satire it shows us how often government employees are unmotivated and work there with zero interest. Most of the characters in the department are just like that, with the exception of Leslie Knope.

An ambitious woman with dreams of becoming the first female US president, she is shown to be organised, meticulous and passionate about the projects she works one. A proud resident of Pawnee, she is many at times written to be single handedly running the parks and rec department.

Other characters include Ron, a meat loving and government hating head of department (parks and rec); Tom, a confident and somewhat narcissistic employee who dreams of running his own successful business; April, an antisocial animal lover who joins as an intern; Andy, a lovable idiot whose personality can be described as that of a dog; and many such more amazing characters.

An amazingly written show, it gives us sight into how small town government works. It shows us how not everyone working in government is made and many times we the citizens are responsible for delaying or ruining government work. While also shedding light on how various methods of the government are stupid and time consuming.

The well written storylines and endearing characters make up a great combination and I definitely suggest all of you to go and watch the show.

"Sometimes you gotta work a little so you can ball a lot."        

                                       – Tom Haverford