Alright, saddle up, pardner, because we're about to mosey through Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy—A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly—with a grin wider than Clint Eastwood squinting at a saloon full of bandits. First up, A Fistful of Dollars—a movie so lean and mean it... Continue Reading →
Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy: A Western Revolution
The Dollars Trilogy, directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood, is a captivating set of spaghetti westerns comprising A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Renowned for their entertainment value, layered storytelling, iconic music by Ennio Morricone, and memorable characters, these films offer an immersive cinematic experience.
North By Northwest: The Art of the Chase
North By Northwest, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, features Cary Grant as mistaken identity victim Roger Thornhill. Blending adventure, suspense, and charm, the film showcases Thornhill's humorous escapades as he evades pursuers. Eva Marie Saint's warm performance as Eve Kendall enhances the film’s wit. Its visual mastery and iconic scenes make it a standout classic.
Rear Window: A Perfect Brew
"Rear Window," directed by Alfred Hitchcock, explores voyeurism through the eyes of L.B. Jefferies, a man confined to a wheelchair. With no jump scares, the film builds suspense by intertwining Jefferies' perspective with that of the audience as he observes his neighbors. Tension escalates surrounding a potential murder, highlighting human curiosity and complicity in voyeurism.
Vertigo: A Lesson in Obsession
Director: Alfred HitchcockStarring: Kim Novak, James Stewart, Barbara El Geddess Halfway through Vertigo, I needed to take a break. I vividly remember the scene when I felt the need bubble up. John Fergusson (James Stewart) had driven Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak) to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park. John struggles to keep his growing emotions... Continue Reading →
The Asian Koel: This One Flew Over The Crow’s Nest
The Asian Koel is the kind of bird that wins the popular vote from a non-discerning public, like the homecoming King and Queen whom everybody cheers for on stage but nobody likes once they get off the stage. Asian Koels are brood parasites. They swoop down into unsuspecting host birds' nests, lay an egg among... Continue Reading →
Indian Grey Hornbills: Color is for the Boring
I became aware of the existence of Indian Grey Hornbills (Ocyceros birostris) very recently. Until a few years back, whenever I thought of Hornbills, I thought of the Malabar Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis). These more recognizable cousins of the Indian Grey Hornbills are strikingly loud in plumage and vocalization. They have majestic casques and characteristically... Continue Reading →
White-throated Kingfisher: Early Morning Omen
Last year, we went on a vacation to Coorg. It was one of my most memorable trips. We stayed in Siddapur, in the middle of coffee country, undisturbed and very tastefully done. Every morning, I would wake up very early to soak in the peace and quiet of the surrounding jungles. The whole scenery was... Continue Reading →
Common Myna: Big Stepper with Underground Methods
We live in a post-Myna world. It took me a long time to realize it, and now I cannot unsee it. An incident occurred early yesterday morning, a telling sign of how much Mynas have imprinted themselves into our urban scenery. I was sitting in my study, casting about in my mind for a bird... Continue Reading →
Loten’s Sunbird: Please read the offer document carefully.
The Jacaranda tree around the corner of the next block fizzed furiously with grape soda petals exploding in a million tiny floral bubbles. It is my favorite tree, and when it decides to bloom, I cannot walk past it without a stupid grin on my face. One day, it is an unobtrusive tree, a lone... Continue Reading →
You must be logged in to post a comment.