Movie reviewed: The hoodlum (1919), starring Mary Pickford
The adventures of a poor little rich girl (five stars)
The America's Sweetheart, Mary Pickford, plays Amy Burke, a spoiled little rich girl growing up in a mansion of her grandfather on Fifth Avenue in New York. Bored to death, she decides to stay with her father, a sociologist, living and studying in the Bowery section of Lower Eastside. She assimilates into the life styles of the poor inhabitants of the district and acts like a hoodlum. Pickford is hilarious when she shoots craps with loaded dice, drives recklessly in a car during a chase from the police, dances a wild tango in an alley, and eventually settles the score between the wronged man (whom she marries) and her grandfather. Another tender side of our heroine also includes a highly benevolent action when she takes a sick mother and her children under her wing, she asks Peter Cooper, her grandfather in disguise living in the tenement to look after the baby only to be rebuffed; later he has a change of heart, and returns to the mansion a changed man.
Mary Pickford was a suave movie-businesswoman who cofounded United Artists studio, and this movie was produced by her Mary Pickford Company. Most notable part of the movie is the film set "the Craigen Street" of Bowery was built for the movie with tenement hallways and stairs, fire escapes, and alleys. The film is directed by Sidney Franklin. I very much enjoyed watching this movie and it is highly recommended.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Book Reviewed: Hindu Fasts & Festivals, by Swami Sivananda
Book Reviewed: Hindu Fasts & Festivals, by Swami Sivananda
Swami Sivananda’s introduction to Hindu festivals
This is an introductory book on Hindu fasts and festivals by one of the most revered Vedantins, Swami Sivananda. The relevance and the practices of 13 festivals, nine jayanthis (birthdays) and six vows (vrata) are briefly described. Many Hindu practices originate from Puranas, but the story behind the celebration comes mainly from the two epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and numerous Puranas. This book is introductory in nature but serves the interests of both practicing and non-practicing Hindus. For more in-depth study one need to read the relevant Purana.
The major festivals included in this book are; Diwali (Deepavali), Navaratri (Durga Puja), Holi, and Makara Sankranti. Diwali is a celebration with rows of lights (diya), which occurs on the last two days of dark half of Kartik Purnima (October/November). Narak Chaturdasi is observed on the 14th day and Diwali on the 15th day. The origin of this festival is attributed to the following; the celebration of the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu; it also commemorates the triumphant return of Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana; and to celebrate the killing of demon king Naraksura by Lord Krishna. In Bengal, it is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Kali (Kali Puja). The fireworks symbolize the killing of Narakasura. The oil bath on the morning of Diwali is regarded as purifying as taking a bath in the holy River Ganga. On the day of Diwali, everyone gets up early, a tradition sages started to instill discipline and spiritual advancement. Vaishnavas celebrate with Govardhan Puja and feed the poor.
Swami Sivananda’s introduction to Hindu festivals
This is an introductory book on Hindu fasts and festivals by one of the most revered Vedantins, Swami Sivananda. The relevance and the practices of 13 festivals, nine jayanthis (birthdays) and six vows (vrata) are briefly described. Many Hindu practices originate from Puranas, but the story behind the celebration comes mainly from the two epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, and numerous Puranas. This book is introductory in nature but serves the interests of both practicing and non-practicing Hindus. For more in-depth study one need to read the relevant Purana.
The major festivals included in this book are; Diwali (Deepavali), Navaratri (Durga Puja), Holi, and Makara Sankranti. Diwali is a celebration with rows of lights (diya), which occurs on the last two days of dark half of Kartik Purnima (October/November). Narak Chaturdasi is observed on the 14th day and Diwali on the 15th day. The origin of this festival is attributed to the following; the celebration of the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu; it also commemorates the triumphant return of Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana; and to celebrate the killing of demon king Naraksura by Lord Krishna. In Bengal, it is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Kali (Kali Puja). The fireworks symbolize the killing of Narakasura. The oil bath on the morning of Diwali is regarded as purifying as taking a bath in the holy River Ganga. On the day of Diwali, everyone gets up early, a tradition sages started to instill discipline and spiritual advancement. Vaishnavas celebrate with Govardhan Puja and feed the poor.
Book reviewed: The real thing, by Ellen McCarthy
Book reviewed: The real thing, by Ellen McCarthy
Finding love
Are you frustrated by the loneliness, stymied relationships or missed connections in your search for someone to spend the rest of your life with? Then you will find this book, by Ellen McCarthy, a Washington Post weddings reporter, warm, witty and helpful. This collection of Ms. McCarthy’s thoughts on dating, weddings, commitment, breakups and happy life gives a window into the world of love and romance.
In a chapter on “What makes it last,” the author observes that there is not a single secret to ensure a long and happy marriage but some behaviors help sustain a relationship. Some of the tips she gives include; go tandem gliding; be kind five times a day; maintain eye contact; drink more champagne together; go to nature or place of worship together; write in your gratitude journal; do the dishes, both of you; keep up and say “I love you.”
In the chapter “Love means having to say you’re sorry. A lot,” the author discusses Erich Segal’s famous Academy Award nominated movie “Love Story (1970)” starring Ryan O’Neal and Ali McGraw, and bring forth one famous line that hit popular culture, “Love means never having to say you're sorry.” She agrees that Jenny Cavilleri and Oliver Barrett IV never needed to say that, but the rest of us do. The Law of Attraction ultimately wins, but you must keep in mind that it is a long and windy road and it has worked for many couples.
Finding love
Are you frustrated by the loneliness, stymied relationships or missed connections in your search for someone to spend the rest of your life with? Then you will find this book, by Ellen McCarthy, a Washington Post weddings reporter, warm, witty and helpful. This collection of Ms. McCarthy’s thoughts on dating, weddings, commitment, breakups and happy life gives a window into the world of love and romance.
In a chapter on “What makes it last,” the author observes that there is not a single secret to ensure a long and happy marriage but some behaviors help sustain a relationship. Some of the tips she gives include; go tandem gliding; be kind five times a day; maintain eye contact; drink more champagne together; go to nature or place of worship together; write in your gratitude journal; do the dishes, both of you; keep up and say “I love you.”
In the chapter “Love means having to say you’re sorry. A lot,” the author discusses Erich Segal’s famous Academy Award nominated movie “Love Story (1970)” starring Ryan O’Neal and Ali McGraw, and bring forth one famous line that hit popular culture, “Love means never having to say you're sorry.” She agrees that Jenny Cavilleri and Oliver Barrett IV never needed to say that, but the rest of us do. The Law of Attraction ultimately wins, but you must keep in mind that it is a long and windy road and it has worked for many couples.
Book Reviewed: New Old World, by Pallavi Aiyar
Book Reviewed: New Old World, by Pallavi Aiyar
The socioeconomic crisis in Europe: The new European order and changing identities
This is a very engaging and fascinating investigation into of the current socioeconomic crisis in Europe that is struggling to keep its cultural and economic dominance in the midst of its new citizens, the immigrant population from Asia and Africa. The author observes that several crises continue to distract Europe’s confidence, coherence and competitiveness. The book focuses specifically on the period 2009 to 2012 when demographics, diversity, Islamic ideology, and globalization of business and economics are a part of 21st century Europe. The emergence of India and China as the economic power players and challengers to European business is new and unanticipated. The aging population and low birth rates in many West European countries has also offered some advantages to the newcomers of the continent. The divergence of their value system from the mainstream is provoking anxieties about what it means to be European today. The fear of Islamic terrorism after 7/7 bomb attack in London, the train station in Madrid and the recent attack on the cartoonists of Charlie Hebdo in Paris is causing genuine concerns in Europe. Only this week, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced new radicalization crackdown plans to confront 'Islamist Extremist Ideology’ head-on. The economic crisis in the EEC is also a genuine concern for many member nations, notably Greece. The 2008-2009 Financial Market Collapse shows how vulnerable nations could be, and the austerity measures caused popular resentment against their governments across the continent.
The Europe’s crisis is not of the same texture as of the so called “Third World.” There is no famine here, no stench and no tanks in the city square, but Europe’s crisis is a strange new creature. The old world is old news, and most West- European governments and the media were unwilling to accept India and China as partners. This book tries to weave together strands of these predicaments. The author being of Indian origin focusses on some specific issues that others may overlook, such as hardworking Indian and Chinese immigrants at both upper and lower ends of value chain in Chapter Two; and the performance of Indian-owned businesses across Europe in Chapter Seven. The book discusses some “cold facts” that this once imperious region of the world needs to come to terms with.
The socioeconomic crisis in Europe: The new European order and changing identities
This is a very engaging and fascinating investigation into of the current socioeconomic crisis in Europe that is struggling to keep its cultural and economic dominance in the midst of its new citizens, the immigrant population from Asia and Africa. The author observes that several crises continue to distract Europe’s confidence, coherence and competitiveness. The book focuses specifically on the period 2009 to 2012 when demographics, diversity, Islamic ideology, and globalization of business and economics are a part of 21st century Europe. The emergence of India and China as the economic power players and challengers to European business is new and unanticipated. The aging population and low birth rates in many West European countries has also offered some advantages to the newcomers of the continent. The divergence of their value system from the mainstream is provoking anxieties about what it means to be European today. The fear of Islamic terrorism after 7/7 bomb attack in London, the train station in Madrid and the recent attack on the cartoonists of Charlie Hebdo in Paris is causing genuine concerns in Europe. Only this week, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced new radicalization crackdown plans to confront 'Islamist Extremist Ideology’ head-on. The economic crisis in the EEC is also a genuine concern for many member nations, notably Greece. The 2008-2009 Financial Market Collapse shows how vulnerable nations could be, and the austerity measures caused popular resentment against their governments across the continent.
The Europe’s crisis is not of the same texture as of the so called “Third World.” There is no famine here, no stench and no tanks in the city square, but Europe’s crisis is a strange new creature. The old world is old news, and most West- European governments and the media were unwilling to accept India and China as partners. This book tries to weave together strands of these predicaments. The author being of Indian origin focusses on some specific issues that others may overlook, such as hardworking Indian and Chinese immigrants at both upper and lower ends of value chain in Chapter Two; and the performance of Indian-owned businesses across Europe in Chapter Seven. The book discusses some “cold facts” that this once imperious region of the world needs to come to terms with.
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