Thursday, October 18, 2007

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2003)

The word Afghanistan itself brings about strong emotions in most people around the world. Now couple this word with a story that grips you by the heart and doesnt let go even after you have finished reading the book. The main "hero" is Amir, a very very relatable character. A boy growing up in Kabul, privileged and with a friend who is also the servant boy and undiscovered half brother. The tale shifts from afghanistan to pakistan to the US and then back to afghanistan. It is a story of redemption without the glorified unrealistic drama that most redemption stories use. The prose is beautiful and the emotions beautifully potrayed. Wish I could etch out characters like him. 8/10

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

It was late but i wasnt exactly in the mood for zzz's. The remote bore the brunt of my boredom when suddenly something familiar and well loved flashed on screen. It was Johnny Depp with a gray face and a leather outfit that wouldnt look out of place on a Vivien Westwood show.
I had seen the movie long back but couldnt resist a second look. The tone for the movie is well set in the beginning itself when a canary yellow car passes through a dark, huge gate more suited to a gothic horror movie. The blend of garish "suburban" colors with the dark gothic imagery of a boy with scissors for hands is smoother than you would expect. After all its a Tim Burton movie, you cant expect any less.
The story is the usual outcast freak boy, in this case with scissors instead of hands (he makes beautiful topiary) who falls in love with the all american fresh faced teenager and how society does not let him be. Usual story, unusual outcome. It moves you, makes you hate the conventional and as always with Depp by the time the movie ends you are left with a bittersweet aftertaste. Not surprisingly left me with a craving for more of Depp's and Burtons movies. score: 9/10