Watched Howl's Moving Castle a few days back. It's an anime feature from the creator of the academy award winning Spirited Away. Unlike Spirited Away though, HMC eschews straightforward narrative and is far more complexed . It may not be possible to logically explain the entire plot,...but the spellbinding animation,unconventional story and concept lends an ethereal quality that makes it a sight to behold and experience . Though the general audience might be left a bit befuddled by it all, there are a myriad of layers to be explored that makes it great for repeated viewings. In this day and age where 3D animated movies are dominant, HMC proves that conventional authentic animation can still be part of all things that make cinema great, especially when art is placed above the maunfactured goal of pleasing the masses. One point to note though is that it's actually a based on an european children's story book, and not of Japanese origin like most anime.

I have been watching Naruto the last couple of weeks. it's been awhile since i last watched any japanese anime. I'm glad i've rediscovered my fascination for anime, reawakened by this series which has been highly recommended by many of my friends. Yeah i know, i'm like a few years behind Naruto craze which offically first hit full swing back in 2002,...but what the hell..it's never too late!Vikram's roommate has an entire collection of it ripped and burnt,..and i've been "borrowing" and watching it while he's away on industrial attachment(without his knowledge ofcourse..haw haw) Great series, right up there among my all time favourite series such as Evangelion and Samurai X. Currently, i'm at like the 5oth episode. There is still about another 60 plus episodes to go before i complete his collection,..haw haw!

And finally.....ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLAN...WAKE UP...EXAMS ARE COMING IN ABOUT A MONTH"S TIME, AND IT'S TIME TO START STUDYING... ARRRGHHHHHHHH!!!!

Fucking ponce
You squawk away like a duck
Taking cowardly veiled jabs
Your bitterness can't conceal
Why? have you lost your bottle you moaning cunt

Fucking ponce
All it takes is one gut wrenching challenge
And you'll quieten down
Your tounge tied and your legs destroyed
Your squawking will stop.

Recycled Joke

Arsene Wenger, Alex Ferguson, and Jose Mourinho all perish in a plane crash and went to meet their maker. The supreme deity turned to Wenger and asked,tell what is important about yourself. Wenger responded that he felt that the earth was the ultimate importance and that protecting the earth's ecological system was most important. God looked to Wenger and said, ' I like the way you think, come and sit at my left hand'. God then asked Ferguson what he revered most. Ferguson responded that he felt people and their personal choices were most important. God responded, ' I like the way you think, come and sit at my right hand'. God then turned to Mourinho, who was staring at him indignantly. God asked 'What is your problem Mourinho?'Mourinho responded ' I think you are sitting in my chair'.

Million Dollar Baby

Could this be Clint Eastwood's best movie...well that's what some critics say. What do Unforgiven, Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby have in common other than the fact that they are all Clint Eastwood movies. Well it would be the slow relaxed pace which would incite certain quarters of the audience(probably the MTV generation) to describe these movies as being boring and monotonous. Well it would be harsh definitely, considering all 3 movies are examples of great filmmaking,..and the academy itself(though it means very little these days) has acknowledged that. I am not a big fan of Clint Eastwood movies,cause as much as i acknowledge the great art of his movies, i can't bing myself to completely love them. Maybe it has to do with his trademark directing style which often feels laidback and sedated. Anyway,..back to the movie in question,...Million Dollar Baby is a movie filled with great performances from its lead and supporting cast. Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Hillary Swank all shine magnificently in their roles. This movie isn't like Rocky,..but ofcourse you all know that..i hope. The basic plot of the movie is Swank, a 32 year old waitress in poverty who dreams of becoming a boxing champion with the purpose of making something out of her life. She persuades Eastwood to train her, and after his initial refusal to do so,..her steely determination convinces him to give her a chance.The final act of the movie moves into more dramatic terriotory moving away from the high action boxing(well choreographed) that makes up the middle portion. At the end of the day, Million Dollar Baby is an excellent movie, quite possibly the best movie of 2004 and it probably deserves its Oscar. But due to the nature of the film, its by no means my favourite.