My Final Year Project - Part 1: How It Was Born

How many times have we seen in our Tamil movies that when a main character in a critical situation and is in need of blood?

The doctor tells, "Sorry, we need AB-ve blood group. It's very rare. If we don't provide him the blood in 2 hours, he will die!"

And then, the hero, true to his character, offers to give his blood to the patient, because, miraculously, he just realized he has the same blood group!!

But, the problem is, it is not so simple. Even if your hero has just jumped out of heaven,his blood needs to be tested and found to be of the same blood group as what he claims. Also, his blood needs to be tested for 8 infections such as HIV, Hepatitis, etc which can be transmitted by blood transfusion. This is Indian Law; no one can refute it, not even our hero! :P

The thing is, these tests take time to show results. At least 15 hours are needed to obtain the test results. So, if you urgently need blood, our hero, though willing, would have to rush to a near by blood bank to purchase blood. And, if blood for that group is not available there? OOPS! That's a tricky question.

The hospital authorities would have to choose between the patient suffering from lack of blood and risk facing the patient's death or to let the patient receive untested blood from someone whose blood group matches with the patients'.

It would be against the law to transfuse untested blood onto patients. Hence, no hospital does that. As a result, though, precious lives are lost.

The problem with the lack of availability of blood is a shameful reflection of the inherent baseless fears and conservativeness of the people of our country. If every eligible, healthy Indian citizen can give one unit of blood, the amount of blood collected would surpass the demand by a huge margin. Yet, we don't do that.

The dream of every blood bank is to have sufficient amount of blood in their storage so that they would never have to turn down a request for blood. Our project was born as an attempt to realize that dream.

Movie Mush: The Man from Earth (2007)

The Man from Earth is a rare movie: few movies have a similar theme - only movie that I could think that matches - and arguably, exceeds - its quality is 12 Angry Men. It was similar in many ways: at first, a man has a particular opinion that everyone else contradicts and the man, in due course of time, makes everyone believe his view. The only visible difference is the genre - here, its Sci-Fi. But, note that it has no special effects whatsoever. Yes you heard it right: its a psychological sci-fi!!

It was a very interesting manner in which I stumbled upon this movie:

A friend of mine asked, "Have you watched '12 Angry Men?' "

I said, "Yes, it was one of the best cinematic experiences of my life.. It's sad that they don't make such movies anymore."

He replied, "No, friend, watch 'The Man From Earth'. They still do make such movies; They just aren't as popular.."

I didn't believe in him. Because when movies with a budget of millions of dollars bite the dust, I wasn't sure if the movie makers thought that it would be possible to still make a movie out of a few thousands of dollars and yet make it for compelling viewing for a hour and a half. So, when I gave it a try, I was pleasantly surprised. I watched the movie with little knowledge of what was to hit me - and the impact was fantastic. I really loved this one. It's better if I don't reveal anything about the storyline. Else, you'll miss the fun if and when you watch it. Though I would still place '12 Angry Men' above this one, this is still a very entertaining movie - not for the eyes, but the ears.

Unless you are very sure of your English listening capability - I know it may sound childish, but in India, its an important point that many overlook - watch this movie with subtitles. For, the delight you get from this one is through the ears - not the eyes..

I'd give it a 9/10.

Movie Mush: Nadunisi Naaigal

Five reasons why you should watch Nadunisi Naaigal:

5. You hate yourself and you enjoy self-torture.

4. Its been a long time since you fell like vomiting after watching a movie. (A friend of mine gave me the popcorn he bought because he couldn't eat it while watching the movie)

3. You want to test your own patience, go to this theater, start a stop clock and check how long you can sit through this torture without feeling like walking out of the theater.

2. If you have many friends who you have a grudge against, then this is the right time to take revenge: Tell them you are giving a treat and buy them tickets for this movie.

1. You want to break up with your girl friend, take her to this movie and force her to watch it fully. After the end tell her casually, "Hey padam super la; once more polama?". She'll never contact you again.




In short, if you are a normal, sane person, Just don't watch it!

Movie Mush: Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010)

Tucker and Dale are headed to their vacation cabin to drink some beer, do some fishin', and have a good time. But when they run into a group of preppy college kids who assume from their looks that they must be in-bred, chainsaw wielding killers, Tucker & Dale's vacation takes a bloody & hilarious turn for the worse. Man, this is one hell of a hilarious flick. Great to see a fresh indie movie in such a rare genre: horror-comedy. You can think only of a very few good movies in that genre: Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland and maybe I Sell the Dead to some extent. That is a great league of movies to be compared with. First time director Eli Craighas done a great job. It was a laughathon right from the moment it started. I had fun watching this movie. Hope you do too!

I'd give it 8/10.

Movie Mush: Payanam

Payanam mark director Radha Mohan’s entry into the action-thriller genre. Nagarjuna is an NSS commando who is put in charge of rescuing the passengers from a plane hijack by terrorists demanding the arrest of Yusuf Khan, currently being held in Indian prison. Though it follows the story of a plane hijack - the plight of the passengers, the media circus outside the airport, the hesitation of government to use force against the terrorists for political reasons, the small friendships that passengers develop over the couse of their plight and so forth – the director doesn’t forget his area of specialization: comedy. Sequences between “Shining Star” Chandrakanth (Prithviraj) and Balaji (Chaams) has you in splits. Though the story is well presented, some sequences are perhaps require a little too much of a suspension of disbelief: like the terrorists being kind hearted and allowing the passengers to insult them and taunt them. But the biggest plus in the movie is the presence of Nagarjuna. He effortlessly plays his character and makes you get hooked to the seat – especially in the second half. Nice way to come back to a tamil filmdom after a long hiatus! Also, Rishi as Vinod and Sana Khan as Sandhya could be the director's compensation for the lack of romance in the movie and it works well to some extent. Overall, its a decent, funny, action packed thriller. Watch it, its worth your time..!

I would give it 7.5/10

Movie Mush: The Mechanic (2011)

The Mechanic is a 2011 action thriller starring Jason Statham and Ben Foster. The story is a remake of the 1972 cult movie by the same name. The story follows an elite hit man as he teaches his trade to an apprentice who has a connection to one of his previous victims. The story stays true to the original in most parts but is especially disappointing with the unnecessary sex scenes added in this remake. Perhaps, the makers thought that given the fact the movie is to receive an 'R' rating anyway, the movie can do with one or two sex scenes. Being a fan of the original, however, it didn't go very well with me. So, why should you watch this movie? However, the movie isn't exceptionally bad. It has its fair share of moments. It has plenty of good quality action - at times bettering the original - and some well directed scenes. The casting is apt with both Statham and Foster churning out decent performances. The explosive action throughout the movie makes you sit through its entire length without boredom creeping in. Still, the predictable storyline sometimes makes you get the 'not-the-same-crap-again' thought here and there. Watchable, but only just.

A decent 6/10.

Movie Mush: Sleepless in Seattle

We saw them do it in You've got mail. And here they are, even better! Sleepless in Seattle is one of the earlier works of director Nora Ephron's earlier works. I had heard a lot about it for a long time but wasn't too eager to watch it because I had thought that it would be a run-of-the-mill rom-com. Then, considering that its Valentine's Day's Eve, I thought I could give it a try. And wow, such a perfect movie to watch before Valentine's Day! The story is about a recently-widowed man's son who calls a radio talk show in an attempt to find his father a partner. A woman is moved by his story and tries to get in touch with him. What follows is the story. Ah, the never disappointing Tom Hanks and my personal favorite, Meg Ryan make such a wonderful pair. Tom Hanks is almost flawless in his portrayal of a loving dad, a newly widowed husband who misses his deceased wife a lot and a person longing for love. ANd Meg Ryan, is beautiful: that one word is enough to sum up her performance. (I'm so crazy about her, sometimes I keep watching her that I lose track of the plot!!). Anyways, for one, this romantic movie is one that is devoid of many cliches that you usually would find in a rom-com: there isn't a lot of kissing or funny adult jokes or annoying friends of the guy or girl. In fact, the lead pair make a serious conversation only at the very last scene! I had thoroughly enjoyed the 100 minutes that I spent watching it. And I'm sure you would. After all, all of us are romantics deep inside... ♥

And I give it an 8/10.

Movie Mush: Yudham Sei

Mysskin does it again! And how! First of all, the one thing that strikes you about this movie is the lack of cliched elements: no "heroine(s)", no comedy track, only one song (which thankfully doesn't hamper the pace much), etc. Arguably, it is the best work of the director so far. The story has been very well narrated, there are no loose ends at the end of the movie and like in all Mysskin's earlier works, the characters stick true to their portrayals till the end. Cheran has does a neat job as a CB-CID officer: though at certain scenes his monotonous looks gets you a little irritated, overall, it has been rendered believably by the actor-director. Just a few weeks earlier, a story of similar theme - 'Eesan' - got a lukewarm response from the audience. But the overall presentation is gripping here and the story is of miss-one-scene-and-you-wont-follow-the-narration kind. But, the story is not without its flaws. For once, certain scenes appear far-fetched. Why would an officer at a respectable position also run a Necrophilic agency? There are also similar questions that creep up your mind, but the story moves in such break-neck speed that you barely have time to think of all that. So, overall, it was an entertaining movie - though with a bit of gore (by Indian standards).

My rating - 7/10.

Movie Mush: Somewhere in Time (1980)

Somewhere in Time (1980)


This is a surprisingly touching movie that I watched today. The story is about a Chicago playwright, Richard Collier (played by Christopher Reeve) uses self-hypnosis to find the actress, Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour) whose vintage portrait hangs in a grand hotel. Though initially, the idea of using self-hypnosis seems a bit ridiculous (because usually, time travel in Hollywood involves cars that move at 85 mph or complex time machines or worm holes, etc), it is quite plausible when you compare it with the fact that even hot tubs have been used as portals for time travel. However, other than that, the story moves at a decent pace and has been deftly edited. The chemistry between the lead pair is incredible and the twist at the climax (though predictable) still makes you feel sad for Richard. And that is where the movie scores. I would give it a 7/10.

10 Best Movies to Watch on Valentine's Day

I'm single for this Valentine's day, but that wouldn't stop me from contributing to the world, my due for this Valentine's Day: my list of 10 movies to watch for this Valentine's Day.

It is always tough to choose just 10 movies among a whole pack of movies that you've seen. However, this is my list and it may or may not be acceptable to others. But I have short-listed the movies based on how much they touched my heart on the first viewing. I've only considered those movies that were released after 1990, because I believe that such a comparison would be unfair.


1. Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind


Outweighing all its contenders purely due to the way it stirred my heart the first time I saw it. I've seen it 3 times till now and it has feels refreshing every time I watch it! Contains fine performances from Kate Winslet, Jim Carrey and Mark Ruffalo..

2. My Sassy Girl

It was the first Korean movie that I saw and I instantly fell in love with it. The two lead characters have been brilliantly portrayed by Tae-hyun Cha and Gianna Jun. Splendid cinematography and direction makes the movie a treat to watch. And the movie has a heart-warming climax. Its English remake sucks big time compared to the original and I'd recommend you to better watch the Korean one.


3. The Notebook

This is, perhaps, the ideal movie to watch with your valentine. I could have simply written it off a just another mushy romantic movie had I not patiently waited for the climax. It is a triangular love story with enough passionate kissing and cuddling to keep the average moviegoer glued to the first half. But as things fall apart in the second half between the couple, you too start getting restless. But then came the climax: The most touching final twenty minutes that I've ever seen in cinema. It impressed me so much that I watched the other three movies of the writer Nicholas Sparks as well (but it was a disappointing attempt, I must add)!

4. Titanic


Everyone would have watched this classic at least once. Career defining performances from Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio. I know people who've watched this movie more than 50 times!! An obvious and popular choice..




5. P.S. I Love You

This is a story which started off with an intensely passionate scene between the lead pair followed by the sudden death the male lead (Gerard Butler), who leaves a series of letters to be delivered to the female lead at regular intervals after his death. The entire story revolves around how the female lead (played brilliantly by Hilary Swank) learns to cope up with his death. If you thought that this movie would slip and slop towards a melodramatic climax, well, no! There was not one dull moment in this movie and it is a definite choice to watch on this Valentine's Day.


6. Before Sunrise


Now this is real romance. Unlike the usual hollywood romantic movies, it has lesser intimate scenes and more swear words (and to think that it was rated R for some 10 f-words!). It is a honest, straight forward look into a relationship between a man and a woman. And how beautifully has the romance between the lead pair been captured! I just loved this movie!




7. Before Sunset

How often have you seen a sequel not being as good as the original or the sequel just keeps being repetitive or boring and adds nothing new to the original or even worse - the sequel tries too hard to be better that it spoils the franchise. Quite often, right? But not this one. This is a beautiful, totally believable sequel to an equally beautiful movie. Oh, how much i wanted to fall in love with someone when I watched this movie!! ;)


8.You've Got Mail:


Because, I'm a big fan of both Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Because, the lead actors effortlessly pull off a charming show. Because, it shows the irony of two people who are enemies when they are face-to-face, yet they make the best of friends in the virtual world (of course, they don't know of their real identities online). Watch it, if you are a romantic. You may just love it!




9. Love Actually (2003)


I'm never really a big fan of rom-coms. But this one was surprisingly different. It follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely and interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London, England. It covers most types of love stories that you'd usually come across and tells each of them in a funny manner, which is what I like very much about this movie. If you are looking for a different kind of romantic movie to watch this Valentine's day, then this is it..!



10. Notting Hill

The storyline of this movie gives an appearance as if this movie is gonna be a melodramatic affair: "The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world." But one day, I was too bored and decided to give it a look. And how wrong had I been!! Except the story itself, there is nothing you can call larger-than-life. Funny, interesting and with a well crafted storyline, there isn't a dull moment in this flick and it's definitely worth a watch!