Sato misses out to Bourdais

Bad news is just pouring in for F1 lovers. Toro Rosso confirmed Bourdais along with Sébastien Buemi (btw what is the deal with Toro Rosso and Sébastien? Vettel, Bourdais and now Buemi all Sébastiens? Coincidence?) ending the speculations over Takuma Sato’s return. No hard feelings for Bourdais, he is a promising driver. Just feeling sad to visualize F1 without Sato again this year. The guy is a true entertainer. It takes something special to overtake two world champions (Schumi and Alonso!) in a single race in a Super Aguri. Plus, now Force IndiaNS will be left alone on the track. No real competitors for them!

All other teams have retained their drivers so Sato has no chance unless Honda is revived(duh!) or substituted. F1 needs a star like Sato around. He is like Muralitharan when he bats, plays for the heck of it but can manage to spring a surprise every now and then!

Glory of Manchester United

ManU is on a dream run all over. But especially in EPL, one of their key members is shining brighter than the usual. Edwin van der Sar has entered record books for most consecutive clean sheets in EPL,  13 after yesterdays important win over West Ham. ManU’s dominance is evident from his casual comment: ‘I am ready to let one in!‘. This says it all!

Fed’ERROR’ fails to win the 14th

Thanks to two of the greatest tennis players of our time, we saw an amazing clash for the throne down under. With a bland whitewash in Womens’ title, a nail biting finale was very much required for Mens’ round. And none could have given it to us than Federer and Nadal. After Wimbledon last year, many of my friends jumped off the (apparently) sinking ship and started supporting Nadal. But I am a true believer of cliché(?) “Form is temporary but the class is permanent”. This showdown was a great chance for Federer to regain what he truly deserves. Additionally, there was a cherry on top for him- 14th Grand Slam title, equaling Pete Sampras’s record. But it was not meant to be with Rafa on the other side of the net, aiming for his first title on hard court.

The start was a true indication of what was coming. We saw 5 serve breaks in 1st set. After a neck to neck fight and 2-2 sets, Nadal managed to hold his nerve when Federer lost it. Though Nadal’s game was brilliant, I am tempted to give a bigger credit of his success to Federer’s unforced errors in the last set. It was very disturbing to see him making one mistake after another. We saw the other side of the moon today; I had never seen Federer lose his temper with a line call. After trailing 1-3 in last set, he made a few futile challenges and got into a minor argument with the referee (couldn’t understand what he said, because the conversation was in french). He never recovered from there and now will have to wait for his record.

In spite of my earlier comment, you will agree that it really takes a lot to defeat even a mistake prone Federer. Hats off to Nadal for his amazing stamina and skill. (Alan Wilkins: Can somebody please remind him that he is supposed to be tired from 5 hr long mach with Verdasco?) He was all over the court and made some astounding returns. This is why I like clash of the titans. No matter what the result is, you always get to see an amazing match. I am looking forward to their next meeting already.

Since I am on the subject of tennis, let me also congratulate Yuki Bhambri and Sania-Mahesh for their brilliant achievements at the Australian Open. India manged to shine with their feat; keep it up guys!

(Title courtesy: Nachiket and Vipul)

Ghajini: My interpretation

Has to be the biggest disappointment from bollywood this year.  Definitely a shocker from Aamir.  This is how Ghajini works out for me:

• First 10 min: any Abbas-Mustan movie
• 5 min after Aamir’s entry: I was actually tricked into believing that it was something like Memento
• 1st flashback: any Yashraj movie
• Aamir’s rage after the interval: remarkably close to the ‘Hulk’
• Other flashbacks: like any other flashback
• Climax: Aamir taking on 10 men at once…yeah right, not even if he grows 16 packs!

All the action scenes are completely unbelievable. Reminded me of ‘Aparichit’ (god bless the creators of this marvel). ‘Experts’ (or people who have seen both the movies) tell that the hindi version is copied scene to scene from south indain flick with some minor changes in story. Why a veteran like Aamir could not resist such a stupid flick? Not that the movie was any worse that any other south indian ‘ACTION’ film, but I definitely expected better from Aamir. 

Apart from the mental condition of the protagonist and murder of his love interest, there is hardly any connection between Ghajini and Memento. Memento is a very intelligent film, while Ghajini is a lame action movie. The protagonist in Memento is very calm, composed and well adjusted, on the other hand the one played by Aamir turns out to be an obnoxious angry ‘LITTLE’ victim. Aamir’s role is too loud and unnecessarily violant. Asin’s role is actually very pleasent and her acting is not bad. Jiah Khan did what she could, can’t blame her for trying.  

I have to agree that my expectations were quite high after the hype created during the publicity. I certainly expected more because of Aamir and a silly rumour that went around telling that this was remake of Memento. An unbiased viewer may find this movie acceptable, but I certainly can’t!

Yet another rule change in Formula-1…and this one is big!

FIA has finalized its extensive cost cutting plan which is going to kill the game. Though no one can deny need for cost cuts in the given market situation, the rule changes are definitely not going to increase popularity of F1. Take a look at the actual plan.

What I can deduce from them is that FIA is reducing not only the direct money, but also the actual brain required. Uniformity can kill what F1 stands for. Technical changes are quite understandable. But restrictions on research are a bit too stringent. Refuelling is about to be banned from 2010 season, which is going to make the race exactly like the F1-2002 EA game that I have… brainless. With same engines, the last hope was some action in the pits. But it is not meant to be. The only positive change according to me is that information sharing has been made compulsary for constructors which would ultimately mean that we will know more about behind the screen action.

I can only say that this step was necessary for the game to survive the feared economic recession. But I sincerly hope that F1 will be restored to its old grace once it survives the tide. We dont want to see the game drown but we surely dont want it to continue this slow deathl. Moderation is a must!

Formula-1 feeling the pinch

I guess it was just a matter of time, but the global economic slowdown has hit Formula-1 as well. The consequences, as anybody can imagine, are going to be painful. The pinch became evident when Japanese constructor Honda announced that they are no longer in for the 2009 season. Their exact words were:

“We, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., have come to the conclusion that we will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season of participation.”

The reason for this was slowdown in auto industry which has been cutting down the revenue globally.

Though last season was a disaster for them, Honda was always considered as a strong team. Honda entered the F1 market in 2006 (after a hiatus of about 4 decades) with a bang. They had an amazing season that year with Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Both drivers being highly talented, we saw some amazing action in that car. They are looking for buyers now and according to officials, they have had at least 3 serious offers. Last year we saw Super Aguri leave the season midway when they literally ran out of cash! Now its Honda.

Under-performing teams are bound to be hit in conditions like this. I am talking of course about our very own Force India. Mallya is under a lot of heat from slowdown in Aviation sector (eventhough thats not his primary business!). Also, Bangalore Royal Challengers were a complete mess in the last season of IPL. He has had his share of bad luck this year. If things go as they are, Mallya will be forced to sell out Force India as well. Afterall he only means business.

As of now, things do not look that good for F1!

Heartbroken!

Yesterdays race was a perfect finish to a perfect season. Though Hamilton won the championship, Massa is true winner for me. He is an amazing fighter. He came close to winning the championship like no other driver in the history of F1. Championship was decided literally on the final corner.

Ferrari took their deserved Constructors’ trophy with pride! Bravo!

Vettel is a great driver. Overtaking a Mclaren, that too of Hamilton is a big deal. He has a bright future. I am supporting Red Bull next season just for him.

Toyota people are idiots. When it rains, you switch to intermediates. Glock created that created a momentary drama which lead the world to believe Massa was going to win.

I have lost all the respect for Hamilton. He is a brilliant driver. But he drove like a coward yesterday. That Lewis Hamilton did not deserve to win. He was not the ‘HAMILTON’ we saw in Silverstone and Monaco this year. No champion should be decided by Toyota’s tyre strategy. Hamilton did not fight, but conceded his place to Vettel. Its lame.

Thats all folks!

Tashan of Fashion

After two days of desperate attempt, I have came to a conclusion that I cannot digest ‘KARZZZZ’ and needed an antidote. Had two options:Golmaal-2 or Fashion. Like me, my friends were still in shock from KARZZZZ and were not in a mood for another two star rated film. So we went to see fashion. But that lead to a headache. Shantanu tells what he or me or anyone from ‘aam junta’ would feel about the movie. All the points except the last 1 (I would never even dream of watching it twice, I dont know why he did!) work for me. Too many fashion shows each featuring 5-10 ‘GAY’wads (1 even had Karan Johar!) is just too much for me.

Fashion is not what you expect from a Madhur Bhandarkar movie. Totally lost. Kangana Ranaut was the best among gals, followed by Mugdha Godse. Priyanka doesn’t have what it takes to be a show-stopper. She is dull and i don’t know how to put this delicately, FAT. This is only within the context of Fashion. In any other movie that would have worked, but not here. She looks much slimmer in trailers of Dostana. She is still my favorite actress. But lately, she has been giving out so many ‘unwatchables’ (read- Chamku and Drona), that I just had to see this one. But again, I was thoroughly disappointed.

Same engine? Think again

Looks like Bernie Eccleston is thinking about nothing but cost cuts these days. He has announced that F1 can see a single third party engine provider in a couple of years. While the underdogs are wooing, big players are booing this decision. Especially, Ferrari. They seem to be determined to do whatever they can to stop this from happening. Obviously I mean. Such a step means degradation of F1 to GP2 level. What is the difference then? Ultimately, engine is the soul of a car. Let them be different! The reason why F1 is so popular is because they see a ‘Ferrari’ racing a ‘Mclaren’. No one wants to see a ‘Ferrari chassis’ racing a ‘Mclaren Chassis’.

Couple of days ago, a gentleman published an article in Pune edition of Times of India. He was understandably disturbed by this decision. He put forth an interesting proposal-

1. Abandon sporting activities related to F1
2. Promote GP2 as F1
3. Make 21 clones of Lewis Hamilton
4. Put them in similar cars and race them
5. Thus cut down the budget!

This is what is going to happen if the ‘CRAZE’ for cost cutting continues!

My favourite moments from KARZZZZ

A lot of them..

1. Himesh’s entry. He is supposedly a rock star. He is performing some random hindi song in Cape Town and there is not a single Indian to be found in audience. When he starts singing, foreign chicks start fainting one by one. Just like Michael Jackson performing in Mumbai. But Himesh? Come on now, we know better! Probably the chicks could not take his piercing noise anymore! Same chicks follow him everywhere and crowd him for autographs whenever script demands. Lame!
2. Danny has an annoying habit of quoting lines from famous movies, followed by actor, year and whether it was hit or flop. He mentions some random line from Aap Ka Suroor and says ‘Aap Ka Suroor- 2007- Himesh Reshammiya- Superhit!’. Oh my god!
3. Shweta Kumar is in Cape Town for a college assignment. She is doing some catering job. Of course, Himesh is there. He sings a song for her. He likes her, she likes him, but sadly she has to return home, in Kenya, the next morning. Now she is singing the same song in front of her friends. She forgets 1 line and guess who completes it for her. Only this time, Himesh is sitting on the edge of seat of his helicopter and singing it from above! What an idea, SIRji! Completely oblivious to helicopter rotor sound, they compete the song and then the rotor noise appears in the background during dialogs! How convenient!
4. Song KARZZZZ sung by Himesh for Urmila. Remembering the song, Urmila goes insane. Starts acting weird and flinching. Worst acting ever!
5. Gulshan Grover is apparently unable to talk and uses a sound pad attached to his left hand to communicate. Stephen Hawking! Only difference, instead of words, musical notes come out. His annoying weirdo ‘chamcha ‘ provides interpretation for that. Reminds me of Chewbacca and Han Solo!
6. Climax! Could actually pose competition for legendary climax of Gunda! Himesh’s fight scenes are hilarious. And the fight scene is initiated by none other than Raj Babbar, who dives from 2nd floor in the middle of 20 people. Damn! Too beautiful!
7. Himesh driving a car and Urmila chasing him in an aircraft. The damsel takes out a gun and shoots his tyres exactly in 1 attempt. Urmila Matondkar should be the official coach of Indian Shooting team for Olympics here onwards. She has potential to create many ‘Bindra’s with here talent!
8. In the same scene Himesh’s car finally topples and he is standing in the middle of nowhere and is challenging Urmila to shoot him. With her amazing skills she does that…3 times. 2 times on the legs and once brushing tip of a hand. In the rest scene, Himesh is limping with 1 leg, other leg and hand intact…amazing healing skills…like Wolverine!

My Review