Tintin, The noble hero & Tintin, The truthful movie

What I like most about the Tintin stories is that Tintin is an Ideal, Noble, No frills adventurer unlike the regular fare being treated out with the American adventurers and super heroes where female angles, sob stories are an integral part of the mixture.  

Got to watch the Tintin movie today. I did have some apprehension after reading a few reviews. The movie has captured the spirit of the Tintin stories well – It is fast paced adventure, Clean comedy, No blood shed or ripping of guts etc, Noble characters that stay true to their characters. Although some complain that the spirit of the captain Haddock and Bianca Castafiore are a bit subdued, I feel that on the whole, it is the best way the clean adventure could’ve have been handled. I am sure Herge did the right choice in handing over the rights to Spielberg. I have decided that in future, I would read the half baked reviewes with a pinch of salt and have more trust on Herge and Spielberg.

I think the end scenes capture the characters in true light. 

Tintin is happy that the adventure is over and is looking forward to the next tone. 

Captain Haddock is filled with pride and struts with his ancestor’s hat. 

Nester is happy to be back with his original Masters.

No one is overly interested or focusing on the Jewels or the Treasure. What a team!

Kudos to Herge on creating the Hero(s) and Kudos to Spielberg on bringing the best of the story and Characters.

If you are even remotely interested or want to show a good, clean, noble movie to your friends or kids (even to neighborhood ones), do them a favor by taking to the movie.

Rajinikanth supports Anna Hazare movement

Rajinikanth has openly lent his support to the Anna Hazare anti corruption movement.

http://expressbuzz.com/entertainment/news/rajinikanth-gives-thumbs-up-to-team-anna/307039.html

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/kollywood/hazares-movement-bloodless-revolution-rajinikanth-748

It is a good gesture from Superstar. Of course, many can say what is the big deal, but I think any iota of support of any form is a addition to the noble cause.

Last time around, the Heroes were missing. This time, they seem to have woken up to the thought-of-the-hour. If only, our politicians can also come out of their self-deceiving cocoon.

Spain wins FIFA, Netherlands deseRvED ignominious defeat

Spain – the “Masters of midfield” dominated the FIFA 2010 Cup final towards a well “fought” victory over Netherlands in a battle of cards. Iniesta scored a well deserved goal as he was the main tormentor of the Netherlands midfield and defense as he repeatedly made forays into danger territory. Netherlands played a typical game similar to tbeir victory over Uruguay and Brazil.

The game

The game started with character, both teams trying to control possession and start the attacks. Ramoes came through well for Spain with a couple of great runs and close attacks. Alas the attacks also drew fire (foot) from the Netherlands and the card games began. Netherlands drew 2 cautions while spain drew level very quickly. The possessions were close while the “Orange” defense was pretty strong. The Netherlands players seem to magically materialize at both ends of the ground very quickly. It felt like there were more orange shirts than black. Netherlands were pushing spain to pass and make mistakes and were also trying to kick them down. One particular kick by ”Nigel De Jong” landed on Xabi Alanso’s chest. Should have been a direct Red card, but he was left off with a caution. At the end of first half the card score was 3-2 with Netherlands in the lead, while the goal score was 0-0.

The second half saw more action and attacks on the goals. Netherlands also started attacking and creating chances. Holes in both defenses were exploited repeatedly, only to be thwarted by goal keepers at the last moment. (Robben and Fabregas had wonderful opportunities in front of the goal post by some excellent saves by the Goal keepers denied the scores).

The 2nd half ended with many more shots at the goal, but score line as 0=0. But Netherlands was a clear victor in the card game with many more cards in its pocket.

Extra time & the Goal

The first area of extra time also went scoreless. Torres was brought it from Spain for the 2nd half of the extra time. Heitinga was cautioned the 2nd time against Iniesta and was packed off the game. It was only 4 minutes before going for penalty shoot-outs when Fabregas who found iniesta. Iniesta has been making breaks repeatedly into the Netherlands territory and was fouled and floored repeatedly by the Orange. He found a good angle and bounce that beat Maarten stekelenburg to the one and only goal of the match. Glory to Spain!!!!

The vanquished

For Netherlands, the mistake lay in their approach to the game. I had been a fan of the Netherlands team in earlier times with Gullit and Marco Van Basten showed much promise. But the current team seems concentrating much on physical attacks and histrionics to win. Robben plays a well rehearsed routine of falling at convenient locations for free-kicks and the team could have made a better impact if as a whole they had concentrated more on the game rather than the attacks. Netherlands had committed 28 fouls in this single match and got 7 yellow cards and 1 Red. Even after fouls and cards they still continue to play the same game of deception, cheating and acting. That they can force teams like Spain to attack back in defense is telling on the impact of such notoriety on the game.

The worst part is the pride they show in playing nasty. Shame on them and Shame on their coach!!!

The Winners

Congrats to Spain for bringing back beauty to the game. They won the FIFA fair play award. Vicente Del Bosque is so composed and well mannered and was encouraging his players even as they missed the goal posts at the fag end of the game. Great guy and the team reflects the good approach with clean takes.
May their tribe grow!!

And oh!. Paul proved he is the best sooth sayer by getting one more right (of course, he was right on the Germany-Uruguay Semi finals too). In fact he has got 8 out of 8 in this world cup.!

Superb program on sun tv - Asathapovathu Yaaru

Saw this program on sun T.V. the other day - Two twins (Ashok and Anand, I think), did a wonderful program.
They juggled with Apples (in different ways), and at the same time, kept eating the apples one by one. It was fun to watch and the timing was just great as they managed to juggle by themselves and also between each other, eating the apples bite by bite.

ETWOW in Chennai - Very Good and short.

http://etwow.in/

Watched the show y'day. Very good show. 8 teams of artists from different coutries (russia, france, hungary etc) provided some tricky and dangerous entertainment.

• Started with two acrobats doing some major balancing act - A test of strength and balance. Some of them were too good. As a climax one artist balanced himself on one hand, which was placed on the head of the other - Amazing stuff
• The mono cyclist was a joy. He had a glee while doing his tricks, did some interesting ones including jumping from one Mono cycle to another and also doing some highjumps. How he is able to land perfectly on the pedals of a moving mono cycle is a mystery.
• The man on the german wheel was great. Skirted too close for comfort when he reached the edges of the stage.
• The hula guy was just too quick. The speed with which he was able to switch the hulas between his neck, waist, legs and hands was in flick of the eyes.
• The 2 skaters put on a sensual act (or tried to). The stuff was pretty dangerous with the lady's head inches off the trampoline bar. It was too fast, too quick and dangerous. The music for this piece was slightly jarring - with a kind of eerie feel.
• The 3 young girls from Russia were extremely flexible and strong. Nice music and nice work
• The statue show was from a person from France. The timing was very good and the fun element was nicely presented about the two statues coming to life and interactive with each other
• Finally was the laser show. The guy was able to bend light in many diff ways, did a great work in splitting, joining and making very diff shapes and the timing was perfect with the music
  Overall a mini and quick version of Cirque de soleil - http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/default.asp
  The only problem was the timing of the show. It was too short and in some cases the artists were there only for 7-8 mins. It seemed as though they were rushing out. I was expecting a break at 1 hrs and 15 mins. I did get a break of course, coz by that time the show itself was over.
  For sure, the could have timed it better to give a more wholesome and satisfying experience
  
  Music Academy seating is great,the view is just great as you can see the stage and artists very well even from far seats.
  
  Great artists. Great show. Slightly low on the value for money

The Extra terrestrials in Chennai - Don't know to pick up phone?

In the ET movie, the key part is played by a phone call (an inter galactic one if you prefer to see that way)

But the organizers of the ET show in Chennai (http://etwow.in/ticket.php) seem to have forgotten the trick of the trade.

The phone number - 9380514803 mentioned in the site just plays a "Reliance jingle" and shuts off

Kinda spoiling ET's reputation I say - What say you?