Prashant Tyagi

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This Gillian Flynn book is rated as one of the best psychological crime-novel of all time. Gone Girl can be found in almost every list of thriller book recommendation, I can bet on it. I couldn't find the thrilling factor though. Although the plot twist was mind-bending- the one that leaves you awe-struck- the book as a whole was not captivating enough for me. The narrative- told by the competing voice of two lead characters- is slow and dull. Overstretched narrative fraught with rudimentary details leads to the unnecessary long length of the book. The language was also not easy to grasp at times and a bit complicated. For psychological thriller lovers, I would rather recommend Still Missing by Chevy Stevens which is my all-time favorite. Bring me Back by B.A. Paris is another good one in this genre. Nevertheless, Gone Girl made some riveting observations on modern relationships and the institution of marriages. A wise man once said- "Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution." The whole book- of more than 400 pages- could be said to have quintessentially encapsulated in this quote. The book is basically about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong leading to tragedies and horrifying events. A love marriage turned into a macabre game of vengeance and betrayal. The characters are so annoying and complex that their actions and events in their stories almost sound bizarre and far-fetched. The main female lead- the wife- is so brazenly unconventional that it would shame any insane creature on the planet. And yet, her character is written in a way that one would wonder whether to hate her or admire. Similarly for the main male lead- the husband-, one would wonder whether he is the victim or not. Does he deserve sympathy or admonition? Both main characters are worth psychological studies on the human brain. The book is not recommended if one is expecting an edge-of-the-seat thriller of mysterious crime and exciting investigation. One of the biggest disappointment is the ending. Despite the unloved story, I continued with the novel hoping for a monumental nerve-jangling climax. All hope belied as I turned the last page. It seems as if the 400 pages of a so-called thriller culminated into nothing. Just like that, it ends.

Raise the Red Lantern, based on novel Wives and Concubines by So Tung, is a very unusual movie, offering a unique and surreal cinematic experience. The employment of significant audio and visual element by Zhang Yimou and a stunning performance by the main lead Gong Li delivers a Chinese masterpiece. Although it was controversial in China, it received plaudits and awards abroad. This period drama set in early 20th China is visually enthralling and rich with variegated emotions. It is shocking, distressing, and thought-provoking. It documents the time and character of Chinese society fraught with abuse of money and power, decadence, misogyny, inequality, and peculiar family customs. It is also said to be an allegory of the Chinese authoritarian system and its oppressive culture. It was strictly censored in China and banned for a period of time. The movie shows the sorrowful story of a 19-year-old woman forced to give up her education to marry a wealthy married man as her third concubine. From primarily despising the family and its tradition to getting caught in a complex powerplay to dominate family affairs, her tale takes us to a fort where we see alliances, conflicts, betrayal, and tragedies. It is interesting to see who is conspiring against who and who is innocent, with the character of a lady servant playing a pivotal role in the int narrative. It is a heartbreaking portrayal of the plight of women in a traditionally patriarchal set up where a wealthy man is high on decadence and her women are pitted against each other to win his attention and influence over family, which sometimes leads to unexpectedly gruesome outcomes, nudging you to sympathize with characters despite their flaws. As it is described by one of the reviewers on IMDb- "woman bound in tradition from which she found no escape except death or madness." The movie is rather slow-paced and it would be difficult to 'sit back with patience and watch' for those who expect piquant drama packed with spicy twists and turns (the movie ingeniously avoids such an overdramatization and stick to originality). But if one wants to experience great cinema, it is a very powerful movie. It is a movie when you witness each frame of the picture speaking to you directly without having to utter a word. This is what is called the "great cinema".

Reading classic literature has its own perks- you get to travel back in time, develop its relationship with the present, and explore the future. No doubt, The Great Gatsby has gone down as one of the most critically acclaimed works in American Literature which pigeonholed Francis Scott Fitzgerald as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. I have had a hard time grasping the narrative at once though. Thanks to Fitzgerald's complex symbolism with elegant proses. The phrases are lyrical and poetic. Frankly speaking, I was googling more than I was reading the book. In fact, it was last year I had picked this book for the very first time but had to give up due to its convoluted sentences. This time, I was resolved to go through it no matter how arduous the journey was. Finally, it paid off. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The Great Gatsby is an essential commentary of the Jazz age- the gaudiest era in American history; the roaring twenties. F. Scott Fitzgerald portrayed America as it was losing its moral compass in a post-world war race to materialism besotted with a rapacious lifestyle. This is a book with intrigue and flawed characters struggling with a multitude of issues- coming to terms with one's past, frantically pursuing self-serving motives, decadence, oscillating between imagination and reality, unfulfilled dream, lost love, loneliness, romance, and tragedy. Gatsby is at the center of narrative whose obsession with his lady love navigates us through the American that has lost its moral compass. One can not afford to miss how this poignant tale of longing and disillusion will end. But, it is not only the love story that you are looking for. It is also the description on the dark side of a resplendent America in the 20s and how uncompromised avarice could lead to terrible consequences. Jay Gatsby is the character that will surely live with you for a long time after you complete reading. The writer deserves plaudits for how subtly he explores all the themes mentioned above comfortably in a few pages. Shortness of the length of the book-just 200 pages- is its most appreciated point. Fitzgerald succinctly cut from one scene to another without causing any lacunae in the narrative. I felt a bit irritated only because of the complex language and elongated metaphors employed by the writer. After I completed reading, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it despite struggling through the pages for meanings. The Great Gatsby is not only a great piece of literature. I think it is is a great piece of art as well. I can't wait to see its movie adaptation and to re-read it again sometime in the future.

I'm still trying to get my head around this neo-noir psychological Korean thriller. Throughout its intricate web of suspense, it keeps you on the edge and leaves you fervently searching for the answers at the end. It would be a disappointment for those who are not fond of this genre. Its plot is a labyrinth of past, present, and future as the protagonist encounters a ghastly crime in the opening scene and leads us to an entangled ride of unshrounding the mystery while confronting with his lost memories, phantasmagorical dreams, obscurity, and bogeys of past. He remains elusive of reality of the present for the most part of the movie. The story is a telling tale of one's struggle with his past grief and inability to overcome it, and its disastrous consequences. Korean movies are humdinger of mind-twisted plot that challenges one's sagacity and forces viewers to concentrate. Spider Forest is no different. Though the ingenuity of its non-linear plot can not be doubted, it has some missing links which should have not been left unfixed. Much is left to the imagination of viewers. One has to re-watch it again to join the missing link left by an abstruse narrative.

The movie could have been outstandingly appealing had it been well executed. Sarbjit is an opportunity missed. A worth telling story is sabotaged by over-the-top dialogues and melodrama. The only driving force of the movie are its hear touching lachrymose tale, a remarkable performance by Randeep Hooda, and a melancholic playlist. Notwithstanding its direction, the movie is capable of evoking emotional reactions. The manifestation of painful life in the movie will leave you teary-eyed. You can feel the trauma of the characters. Their agony will haunt you. I couldn't stop my tears at some sequences. Despite such a moving appeal, the clumsy execution of the project gets the best of it. The movie tells the poignant tale of an Indian man who, for more than 2 decades, was incarcerated in Pakistan prison after he mistakenly crossed the border in a drunken state. It was shown that he was brutally tormented to confess to being involved in a terrorist act. The torture sequence would make you blanch with shock and pain. The unfortunate events would send his whole family in throes. Her sister Dalbir Kaur, played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, however, pursues the dream of her brother's acquittal with an indomitable spirit who is supported by Sarbjit's wife Sukhpreet Kaur, played by Richa Chadha, whose pain and suffering are mostly articulated by her hushed sorrows. Dalbir confronts a callous administration and finds herself trapped in the convoluted relationship between the two neighboring countries. The case for Sarbjit's exoneration and his sister struggle is played out against the background of the major events in the turbulent Indo-Pak historical relations. It tells a parable about the barbarous consequences of the enmity between two states- the suffering of innocent common men as a result of the reluctance of two states to mend their ties. It is shown at the end of the movie that hundreds of people like Sarbjit might be kept in prison in each other state. Amid this animosity, there are also moments of bonding and sharing which may hold hope for the future- a Pakistani lawyer Awais Sheikh, played by Darshan Kumar, who stands with Dalbir to defend Sarbjit risking his own life and career, holding a strong belief that two countries can co-exist peacefully. Speaking of acting performances, Randip Hooda's portrayal of Sarbjit stands out. He did complete justice to his role. His performance is driven by pure talent and commitment. His physical transformation is striking. It is overshadowed by Dalbir though. Critics believe casting Rai Bachan was not a wise decision as they argue she doesn't have the look, accent, and the body of a Punjabi. The character of Richa Chada has not been utilized properly. Despite the powerful real-life story as it was, the movie fails to elicit the response that it should have otherwise. The director could have avoided the temptation to commercialize the project by adding jingoism and high pitched over-the-top dialogues. I did not lead to disappointment only because of the performances of actors and the highly emotional screenplay.

It was a cinematic delight watching this movie. Tad: The Lost Explorer is full of adventure. This treasure hunt movie keeps you entertained with its great exploration journey packed with a good script, decent animation, love story, action, and emotion. Animal side characters make film even more enjoyable with their humor and funny dialogues. The movie follows Tad, a construction worker, who aspires to become a great explorer. His dream comes true when he fortuitously finds himself on a treasure hunt- in search of a lost city with the promise of making one immortal. His team consists of his dog, a professor's daughter and her silent bird, and a hustler. They encountered evil forces of treasure-hunter taking on several dangerous risks. It takes viewers on a non-stop thrilling ride treating us with idyllic resplendent landscapes. Tad is an inspirational character who shows an indomitable spirit to pursue his dream. The movie tries to explore the question of immortality. No one would deny the opportunity to become immortal but would you still choose to be the one if it is the form of immortality depicted in the movie? The quest for immortality may not always have a blissful ending even when it is fulfilled. Be careful of what you wish for! This is a fast-paced movie with a running time of 92 minutes which is not a weak point but I wish for more depth in story and character development. All in all, Tad: The Lost Explorer is a family entertainer suited for both kids and adults with a deep hidden message. It is rightfully called Indiana Jones of the animated world.

The reasons I picked this book are two. First, a good word of mouth applauding the book. Second, Murakami is believed to be a literary genius. Though the book failed to impress me as far as the storyline is considered, Murakami's style of writing is commendable without any doubt. Norwegian Wood is said to be unusually different from Murakami's other works as magical realism, a hallmark of Murakami's book, is missing here. It is a story about the complexities of life.- a gloomy description of broken, damaged individuals struggling with sudden upheaval during teenage and their transition into adulthood. The book encapsulates a variety of aspects- unfulfilled love, friendship, loss, campus politics, club nights, sex, mental illness, hope, etc. But I found the turn of events so random that they lack any cogency, as if the narrative is being forced upon you just to culminate the book. It is so heavy-handed with casual sex sometimes it looks completely unnecessary. The narratives revolve around a number of love-stories which too are clumsy with no definite ending. Only at some points that the story is gripping. Moving from storyline to the writing style of Murakami. Undoubtedly, he is a master of prose. It was his captivating writing that kept me engrossed till the end. It was smooth, descent, and fast-paced. The concept of life, death, struggle, etc are depicted in a language that it compensates for the unloved storyline. The illustration of natural surroundings is evocative and picturesque. If it was not for such a writing style, the book would have been insignificant.

June 3 is celebrated as World Bicycle Day. It reminds me of the Italian masterpiece, an honorary oscar winner- Bicycle Thieves although the movie is in no way related to the objectives of the UN Bicycle day celebration. Bicycle is used as a poetic device in this neo-realist movie to articulate the lives of the working-class struggle in post-war Italy. I watched it a long time back. And watching it was an unforgettable experience. The powerful images from the movie are still vivid in my memory. Bicycle Thieves is a poignant tale of a man whose only means of subsistence is his bicycle. Only it gets stolen. The movie revolves around his desperate search for the thieves and how the turn of events influences his relationship with his little son who goes along with him on the forlorn expedition to locate the lost bicycle. The fervent desire of his son to find the bicycle stands out to watch. Impressive acting and brilliant cinematography carry you along with the narrative. The movie is also an astute visual commentary on the aftermaths of war- how it renders people helplessly searching for a living, their struggle to support their families, emotional upheaval, its ruining effect on the economy, etc. It's an ordinary plot with an extraordinary appeal. Not surprising, it is voted greatest movie of all time in 1952 in an international poll by a British Magazine. The end is heartbroken and leaves one emotionally wondering about the father-son's fate.

I started The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine with huge expectations but it failed to impress me. I did not find any thrill in reading this. I was hoping for shocking twists and turns that would have made me like it. None came. I was left displeased with how the story culminated during the end of the book. It did get interesting in the second half but it was short-lived. It was my second back to back disappointment in crime-thriller this year after The Guest List by Lucy Foley. The next pick in this genre will be Behind the Closed Door by B.A. Paris. I liked the previous book Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris and have the same hope from the new one. I wish, this one won’t betray my expectations.