Have you made your bucket list yet?

In case you are wondering, 'what on earth is a bucket list?', let me explain- A Bucket list is a list of things to do before you kick the bucket i.e. say bye bye to your mortal life (extended explanation for the phrase-ologically challenged people!)

What bought about this comment is the weekend movie "Bucket List", with the unbeatable cast of Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson playing two terminally ill patients who find themselves room-mates in the chemo-ward. Diametrically opposite in temperament and lifestyle, the two bond over the mutual sarcasm of the dying and throwing up sessions post chemo.

And from there blossoms the idea of the bucket list. (Dasvidania popped into my mind here automatically since I saw it recently) While the one writing it merely meant it as a solace, the other one pushes it to the next level and we have two persons, supposed to be dying, actually living it out more then most of us. But the movie is not your regular cheesy feel good flick, saved by the witty dialogue and the two actors delivering them.

The movie isn't about death but life, and living. Reminds me of the song "live like you are dying". An engaging, well made movie that is NOT a tear-jerker. So watch it if you can.

Genghis Khan - The Mongol

I was watching The Mongol last night and remembered seeing the interviews about the movie about an year back. The thing that had struck me most is that most people pronounced Genghis Khan as Gang-is-khan whereas I think the name is pronounced more like Chenggis Khan. Well anyways, my enjoyment of the movie was slightly ruined by my memory of a family friend who used to call her reed-thin Nepali chauffeur "Genghis Khan', or rather use to scream the name at the top of her voice from her window. And looking at the meek little guy always use to make us crack up at the absurdity of the name.

Another thing I noticed was the music. It's quite similar to the tribal music of the tribe called Dimasa back in North East India. Their music is totally instrumental, using the drum (Khrum I think) and a wind instrument they call Muri. See a pic here.

The sound can be very monotonous, but I can't find sample for it anywhere. Nearest I can get is this guy playing the wind instrument played by Australian Aborigines called DIDGERIDOO (something new I learned today)..but the these guys more tone variation then the Dimasa's.

There, I started about the movie and totally went side ways. Anyways, the movie was interesting. If it is historically correct then it is a interesting look into the Mongolian tribe and its history. Of course, its not a movie for the feint hearted or for people with less patience. Because the movie is both bloody as well as slow moving sometimes. If you are interested, can watch it. Not bad, not too great. The surprise I guess is the romance...curious now?