MOVIE REVIEW: “Flow” (2024, my rating: 5 of 5 stars)

The animated feature "Flow", directed by Latvia's Gints Zilbalodis, is notable for its stunning visuals, emotional storytelling, and unique approach to animation.

Here are some of the notable aspects of the film:

Visual Style: The film is known for its distinctive visual style, which blends 3D animation with a hand-drawn aesthetic. This creates a unique and captivating look that sets it apart from other animated films.

Emotional Storytelling: "Flow" tells a powerful and moving story about survival, friendship, and the importance of working together. The film's emotional depth resonates with audiences of all ages.

Unique Approach to Animation: The film was created using the open-source software Blender, which allowed the filmmakers to achieve a unique and expressive look. The animation is fluid and dynamic, and it perfectly complements the film's emotional core.   

No Dialogue: The film is notable for its lack of dialogue. The story is told entirely through visuals and sound design, which creates a universal and immersive experience.

Critical Acclaim: "Flow" has received critical acclaim for its artistry, storytelling, and emotional impact. It has been praised for its originality and its ability to connect with audiences on a deep and meaningful level.   

"Flow" has won several prestigious awards, including:

- Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film

- European Film Award for Best Animated Feature Film

- New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film

- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Animated Film   

- National Board of Review Award for Best Animated Film

It has also been nominated for several other awards, including the Academy Awards for both Best Animated Feature Film and Best International Feature Film.   

"Flow" has been praised for its stunning visuals, emotional storytelling, and unique approach to animation. It is a remarkable achievement in animation and a testament to the power of independent filmmaking. It is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Very sad that David Lynch has passed away

I have been planning to rewatch "Mulholland Drive" and "Lost Highway".

READ: David Lynch exposed the rot at the heart of American culture

What is "illusory truth effect"?

The illusory truth effect (also known as the illusion of truth effect, validity effect, truth effect, or the reiteration effect) is the tendency to believe false information to be correct after repeated exposure.

... The illusory truth effect plays a significant role in fields such as advertising, news media, political propaganda, and religious indoctrination. READ MORE from Wikipedia

BOOK REVIEW: "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga

 

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The White Tiger" is 50-year-old Indian writer and journalist Aravind Adiga's debut novel. It won the 2008 Man Booker Prize and was adapted into a well-received film.

It is a satirical novel that offers a scathing critique of Indian society, particularly its class system and the stark contrast between the rich and the poor. Narrated by Balram Halwai, a young man from a rural village, the story follows his journey from poverty to success, challenging the traditional narrative of India's progress and development.

Some of the salient points of the novel include:

The stark contrast between the rich and the poor: The novel vividly portrays the vast chasm between the haves and the have-nots in India, highlighting the rampant poverty and inequality that exists alongside the country's economic growth. Balram's experiences as a driver for Ashok, a wealthy businessman, expose the disconnect between the two worlds and the exploitation faced by the poor.

The corrupting influence of money and power: The novel explores how money and power can corrupt even the most seemingly virtuous individuals. Ashok, despite his initial sympathy for Balram, ultimately succumbs to the temptations of wealth and status, revealing the dark underbelly of Indian society.

The importance of education and opportunity: Balram's education, though limited, plays a crucial role in his transformation. He recognizes the importance of knowledge and uses it to his advantage, ultimately breaking free from his impoverished background. However, the novel also highlights the limited opportunities available to the poor, emphasizing the need for greater social mobility.

The role of the "white tiger": The white tiger, a rare and elusive creature, symbolizes Balram's unique individuality and his ability to break free from the constraints of his social circumstances. He sees himself as a "white tiger" who has defied the odds and achieved success, even if it means resorting to unconventional and morally ambiguous means.

Adiga's writing style is a captivating blend of several techniques:

Black humor and satire: The novel is laced with dark humor and biting satire, often using exaggerated situations and cynical observations to critique Indian society, its class system, and the gap between the rich and the poor.

First-person narrative: Told entirely from the perspective of Balram, the protagonist, the first-person narrative provides a unique and intimate voice, allowing readers to experience his journey, thoughts, and feelings directly.

Unreliable narrator: Balram is not always a reliable narrator, often manipulating the truth or presenting a biased viewpoint to suit his own agenda. This adds a layer of complexity and intrigue to the story.

Vivid imagery and descriptive language: Adiga employs vivid imagery and descriptive language to paint a picture of both the beauty and the harsh realities of India, from the bustling cityscapes to the impoverished villages.

Social commentary: The novel is a sharp social commentary on various issues plaguing India, including poverty, inequality, corruption, and the exploitation of the poor.

This combination of stylistic elements makes the novel a powerful and thought-provoking read, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

“The White Tiger” is Adiga’s thought-provoking and disturbing novel that offers a unique perspective on India's social and economic realities. It challenges the reader to confront the harsh realities of poverty and inequality, and to question the narratives of progress and development that often obscure the deep-seated problems that continue to plague the country.

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BOOK REVIEW: "The Road from Elephant Pass" by Nihal de Silva

 

The Road From Elephant Pass by Nihal de Silva
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sri Lankan novelist Nihal de Silva wrote the award-winning novel "The Road from Elephant Pass" in 2003. It is about the 26-year-old Sri Lankan civil war between Sinhalese and Tamils and he was killed by a land mine explosion in the Wilpattu National Park in Sri Lanka on May 28, 2006, thus becoming a victim of Tamil terrorism that he was writing about.

The novel won the 2003 Gratiaen Prize which is a prestigious literary award given for the best English-language creative writing published in Sri Lanka. In the same year, the novel won the State Literary Award for the Best Novel which recognizes excellence in Sri Lankan literature.

The novel explores the complexities of the Sri Lankan civil war. Set against the backdrop of the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers, the story follows the unlikely relationship between Wasantha Ratnayake, a Sinhalese army captain, and Kamala Velaithan, a Tamil woman who was once a high-ranking member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Here are some notable aspects of the novel:

Exploration of the Human Cost of War: The novel delves into the devastating impact of war on individuals and society. It portrays the suffering of ordinary people caught in the crossfire, the loss of innocence, and the psychological trauma experienced by both combatants and civilians.

Complex Characters: The characters are multifaceted and morally ambiguous. Wasantha and Kamala, despite their opposing backgrounds, develop a complex and nuanced relationship that challenges the simplistic narratives of the conflict.

Critique of Nationalism and Extremism: The novel critiques the destructive forces of nationalism and extremism, highlighting how they can lead to violence, dehumanization, and the erosion of human values.

Themes of Love, Loss, and Redemption: Amidst the violence and despair, the novel explores themes of love, loss, and the possibility of redemption. The relationship between Wasantha and Kamala, as well as the personal journeys of other characters, offer glimpses of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

Literary Style: De Silva's writing is characterized by its vivid imagery, lyrical prose, and psychological depth. He masterfully captures the atmosphere of war-torn Sri Lanka, creating a sense of immersion and immediacy for the reader.

The very last page gave me goosebumps. It is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a nuanced and unflinching look at the Sri Lankan civil war. It is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the importance of empathy and understanding in overcoming conflict.

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Last night, January 15th, I saw the 5 planets aligned in the night sky

Fortunately it was a clear sky although cloudy in late afternoon. I wish I had a proper camera or a phone with strong cameras.

It was a wondrous sight to see Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn so close in proximity.

I wish I had my telescope but I had gifted it to someone. Still, it was nice to see the five planets with the naked eye.

This was a rare and beautiful sight because even the light of the waning Moon didn't hinder me seeing these five planets.

I hope you all enjoyed this celestial show!

Reason and emotion: Scottish philosopher John Macmurray on the key to wholeness and the fundaments of a fulfilling life

We feel our way through life, then rationalize our actions, as if emotion were a shameful scar on the countenance of reason. And yet the more we learn about how the mind constructs the world, the more we see that our experience of reality is a function of our emotionally directed attention and “has something of the structure of love.” Philosopher Martha Nussbaum recognized this in her superb inquiry into the intelligence of emotion, observing that “emotions are not just the fuel that powers the psychological mechanism of a reasoning creature, they are parts, highly complex and messy parts, of this creature’s reasoning itself.”

A century before Nussbaum, the far-seeing Scottish philosopher John Macmurray (February 16, 1891–June 21, 1976) took up these questions in a series of BBC broadcasts and other lectures, gathered in his 1935 collection Reason and Emotion (public library). READ MORE from The Marginalian

MUSIC REVIEW: "From Zero" album by Linkin Park

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

There was a time when Linkin Park wasn't an acquired taste. As a Maldives friend said, songs like "Breaking the Habit" and "Numb" became immediately likeable upon a first listen itself. I am not well versed in music and I therefore review songs based on how they sound to my ears. In fact, I don’t know music theory at all. I did journalism and film and television at university.

It is said that fans became divided with their album "Minutes to Midnight" and I agree with that. Fortunately or unfortunately, I happened to be on the side where fans didn't like it. In fact, there wasn't even a single song in that album that I liked. And I was royally pissed off that LP started cussing in their later albums. I still remember an article saying nice guys don't finish last in reference to LP not using swear words in their first album "Hybrid Theory". I don't have a problem with profanity but it was a breath of fresh air when a nu-metal band could rock billions of people with clean lyrics.

That said, "From Zero" released in November last year is awesome even if I didn't find half the album's songs interesting. Why I say that is because out of the 11 songs, I found 5 songs out of this world and that's enough for me because I am not very much into the music scene and therefore I come across good songs mostly through word of mouth or when they become popular at food joints like the case of me discovering Rema and Selena Gomez's "Calm Down" only recently because it was played frequently at Maldives restaurants over the past two years.

I like only 5 songs from LP's "From Zero" but that's okay because they are so awesome I don't mind finding the other 6 songs not to my liking. The songs I like are “The Emptiness Machine”, “Heavy is the Crown”, “Overflow”, “Stained”, and “Good Things Go”.

Unlike some people, I don't usually put on songs and music when I work because it's a distraction but "Calm Down" and LP's 5 songs from "From Zero" don't distract me from writing articles. So I consider that something unique and special. In fact, my favorite album of all time in which I like all songs without exception is Coldplay's "X&Y" but it's a distraction when I am at work and therefore I play that album with the volume very low when I work.

I would call this a unique experience because it's not every day I discover music that does not distract me from work. So I would call LP's "From Zero" a life-changing album.

Needless to say, I would have given the album a full 5 stars if not for the fact that I didn't find half the songs to my liking. But when the other half is so awesome, I don't have a choice but to give the album a 4.5 stars rating because the other half of the album is sheer awesomeness.

There's another noteworthy factor with the LP of now: with a female lead vocalist, frontwoman Emily Armstrong, who unleashes gnarly guttural vocals, especially a long one in "Heavy is the Crown" almost running out of breath, LP now do sound like one of my favorite music bands - that is, Evanescence.

LP's "From Zero" is a highly anticipated album due to several key aspects:   

New Chapter: It marks a new era for the band, being their first studio album since "One More Light" (2017). This release comes after the tragic passing of lead vocalist Chester Bennington and the departure of drummer Rob Bourdon.   

New Lineup: "From Zero" features a revamped lineup with the addition of vocalist Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain. This new dynamic brings a fresh perspective and sound to the band's signature style.   

Musical Evolution: While staying true to their roots in nu-metal and alternative rock, "From Zero" is expected to showcase an evolution in their sound, incorporating new influences and exploring fresh sonic territories.   

Emotional Depth: Given the band's history and the personal journeys of the members, "From Zero" is anticipated to be an emotionally charged and introspective album, delving into themes of loss, resilience, and moving forward.

These elements combined make "From Zero" a significant release for LP and their fans, promising a blend of familiar elements with exciting new directions.

In conclusion, it's worth every punch, in my personal - not professional - opinion.

Some main diverse places to visit in Sri Lanka which I have put into my bucket list

Here's what I generated from Google's Gemini AI when I fed this prompt: "As a tourist, what are the main diverse areas to visit in Sri Lanka?"

GEMINI:

Sri Lanka is a land of incredible diversity, offering a wealth of experiences for every type of traveler. 

Here are some of the main areas to consider visiting:

1) Cultural Heritage:

Anuradhapura & Polonnaruwa: Explore the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, with their magnificent ruins of stupas, dagobas, and monasteries.

Kandy: Immerse yourself in the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, home to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and vibrant Kandyan dance performances.

Dambulla Cave Temple: Marvel at the intricate cave paintings and Buddha statues within this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sigiriya: Climb the iconic Lion Rock fortress and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

2) Natural Beauty:

Hill Country: Discover the lush green tea plantations, cascading waterfalls, and charming colonial towns of Nuwara Eliya and Ella.

Yala National Park: Embark on a safari and spot leopards, elephants, and other wildlife in this renowned national park.

Udawalawe National Park: Witness the gentle giants of Sri Lanka at the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve: Hike through the pristine rainforest and encounter a variety of endemic flora and fauna.

3) Coastal Paradise:

Bentota & Hikkaduwa: Relax on the golden sandy beaches, enjoy water sports, and indulge in Ayurvedic treatments.

Mirissa & Tangalle: Go whale watching, explore hidden coves, and experience the laid-back coastal vibes.

Arugam Bay: Surf world-class waves, enjoy the vibrant beach culture, and explore the surrounding lagoons.

4) Other Notable Areas:

Jaffna: Discover the unique Tamil culture and history of Sri Lanka's northernmost peninsula.

Trincomalee: Explore the ancient Koneswaram Kovil temple and enjoy the stunning natural harbor.

Colombo: Experience the bustling capital city with its colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and modern attractions.

This is just a glimpse of the diverse experiences that await you in Sri Lanka. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and warm hospitality, Sri Lanka is a destination that will leave you enchanted.

Authentic food while in Sarawak, Malaysia for the holidays.

 

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“The Endless Summer” surf icon Mike Hynson passes away at 82

From “The Endless Summer” to the Summer of Love, Hynson’s influence and impact reached across cultural divides. READ MORE from Surfer

Quotable quote: What's the science behind ADHD?

Why, all of a sudden, are so many people being diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)? My reporting led me to an idea I hadn’t quite expected: maybe it should not be a diagnosis at all.

What, then, is it? Medically, it is a collection of symptoms grouped—somewhat arbitrarily—under a diagnostic label. But neuroscientists can’t find anything on scans that looks like brain dysfunction. And the symptoms ebb and flow depending on how schools, jobs and relationships deal with the different patterns of attention and energy seen in ADHD. Quite often, such things make symptoms subside below the diagnostic threshold. That, I thought, lays bare the problem: ADHD “diagnosis” is often created by societal norms about how to learn, think and work rather than a response to a biological fault.

Roughly 10-15% of children have some form of neurodiversity: they are often a little bit ADHD-ish, a little bit autistic and a little bit dyslexic. To parents and teachers, they look different from other children in worrisome ways. But the science suggests that their differences may be simply part of normal human diversity.

-- Slavea Chankova, "The Economist"

Touchdown in Sarawak, Malaysia.

 

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BOOK REVIEW: "Why We Die" by Venki Ramakrishnan

... Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Yuri Milner, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg – the emperors of the modern world – are all after the elusive elixir Emperor Qin sought. Like Gilgamesh they dream of overcoming death. READ MORE from Naimbe's Instagram

OXFAM: "This inequality is no accident; the billionaire class is ensuring corporations deliver more wealth to them at the expense of everyone else."

... The world’s five richest men have more than doubled their fortunes from $405 billion to $869 billion since 2020 —at a rate of $14 million per hour— while nearly five billion people have been made poorer, reveals a new Oxfam report on inequality and global corporate power. If current trends continue, the world will have its first trillionaire within a decade but poverty won’t be eradicated for another 229 years. READ FULL REPORT from Oxfam

Where do the world's 8 billion people live?

 

Bye bye, Phuket. See you again, Thailand.

 

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Grooming in Phuket, Thailand during my holiday

 

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Indian reporter murdered for exposing corruption surrounding road contract

... Two days after 32-year-old freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was reported missing, his body was found on 3 January – with 15 skull fractures, a punctured heart and liver, and a broken neck – in a septic tank near the home of Suresh Chandrakar, a building contractor and close relative, who is now under arrest. READ MORE from Reporters Without Borders

Gaza and the disturbing pattern of repression emerging in Europe

Authoritarianism is creeping into Europe under the guise of cracking down on pro-Palestinian activism. READ MORE from Al Jazeera

‘Genocide-free’ cola makes a splash in the United Kingdom

Gaza Cola offers its drinkers an ‘apartheid-free’ alternative as they boycott big-name brands. READ MORE from Al Jazeera

Is Filipe Toledo a better surfer than John John Florence? Filipe thinks so

Sounds like Filipe is ready for his 2025 return. 

Filipe cannot catch a break with the media. After getting dragged through the mud for his poor showings in heavy barrels on tour, he recently did a media appearance on ESPN Brazil where he faced questions clearly designed to re-stoke the fire. READ MORE from The Inertia

Authentic food while in Phuket, Thailand for the holidays

 

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Happy New Year 2025 from Phuket, Thailand

 

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MOVIE REVIEW: "Anora" (2024 - my rating: 5 of 5 stars)

This is the kind of movie where revealing whether the ending is happy or sad could be considered a spoiler. Instead, I'll pose a question: can a sex worker achieve a stable, monogamous, and fulfilling Cinderella-like romance? Without giving anything away, I'll just say I found the ending satisfying and leave it at that.

Winner of the prestigious Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, I can confidently say this is the best film I've seen all year.

Recognized as one of the top 10 films of 2024 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, and with five Golden Globe nominations—including Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, Best Actress, and Best Director—I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a major contender at next year's Oscars.

Ukrainian men face sexual torture in Russian detention centres: UN

The UN says most reported cases of sexual violence against men occur in detention centres with the majority going unreported due to stigma. READ MORE from Al Jazeera