RIFLE RANGE BOY

Dancing on the Grave (2023) Written and directed by Patrick Graham This an interesting case that, on paper, is considered closed. The victim's next-of-kin asserts that justice has been meted out and the perpetrator is doing time even more than they had bargained. The prosecutors are jubilant about how they solved the case despite the long timeframe it took. The defence (and the affected) are adamant, however, that the accused is being punished for a crime he did not commit. At one look, it sounds like a case of mismatched personalities from totally different backgrounds coming together in the name of love. This case also reminds us of India's past history, about the Diwans, the aristocrats, and the vibrant Shia-Persian community in Karnataka and the fact that India is not quite a homogenous society but one rich with a plurality of cultures and societies. It takes a peek into the life of the rich and famous ambassador and the type of life the family once led. Shakereh Khaleeli n...

Alex in Wonderland (Tamil-English, Tanglish, Prime; 2019) At the turn of the last century, the culture of standing on the stage, at the mic and making fun of people spread from Tinseltown to the East. The likes of Seinfield and Rodney Dangerfield must be the source of this culture. The idea of standing on a stage and rambling must have found a new place amongst yuppies after a perceived long days' work at the office. Standup comedy has found a special place amongst who by nature, especially those from the Indian subcontinent, are thought to have the gift of the gab and the dubious reputation of being able to sell ice to Eskimos. Many stand-up acts have come from India. I particularly like the self-deprecating Praveen Kumar and the Oxford-trained MBA product Papa CJ who insulted the British in a show in London for colonising India! Alexander Babu is another entertaining artiste from Tamil Nadu. His shows are not the typical comedies, but this engineer by training who gave up h...