The Sound of Music- A melodious story

In the criteria of musicals, Sound of Music is the only musical I can recall. I still remember the first time I saw it at home. I was seven years old and my father had recently brought the movie home. So, that night, we all sat in front of our television and watched the movie. All the songs with their lilting tunes and meaning full lyrics brought me to a whole new world of music I never knew! Within days I knew most of the songs and I still remember them. The movie teaches us many things that one goes through life, like love, heartbreak, responsibility, childishness, bravery and rejection. The story begins with the mountains. Maria is a mischievous and naughty girl. She's kind of a rebel and loves wandering in the woods or running off to the mountains and sing to them. What's the problem with this? Nothing really, it's just that she's a nun! These trips to the mountains always make her late for singing in the abbey. So, Mother Abbess decides to send her as a nanny to the seven children of the von Trapp family. At first Maria is scared of leaving the church. But after much persuasion, she agrees to go.

After seeing the children, she quickly understands each one of them but the children are always upto mischief and try to get Maria in trouble. Their father is a navy officer and expects discipline and order at home. Maria is bewildered as to how the children are treated at such young ages. Soon the children start liking Maria and she teaches them a few songs from the abbey. All this while the captain is out of town and he returns with Baroness Schraeder, the woman he wants to marry. The children try bonding with her, but they never click. Eventually, both the Captain and Maria fall in love with each other, but because she's a nun, she cannot admit it. She then decides to leave them and goes back to the church. After she's back, everyone notices that she's not the same Maria who was there before. Mother Abbess asks her to go back and tell Captain about her secret love and if he also accepts it, then she is allowed to stop her practice of being a nun and can marry him. Maria gathers the courage, asks the Captain and soon the two get married. The story doesn't end here. With the rise of Nazism and political conflict, the Captain gets involved and the family has to flee. In the end do they reach their happily ever after?

The songs in this movie are to die for! The kind of music, the quality of singing, everything is spot on! It's a movie which has a balanced amount of humour, love and sorrow. It's one of those movies that one can watch over a hearty brunch with the family.

Toy Story series- a complete guide to toys

Toys and childhood always go hand in hand. One cannot imagine a perfect childhood without toys! They're the only ones who understand you, support you, be with you whenever you need them. And the best part is that they don't expect anything from you except playing with them and never getting bored of them. But what if there's a whole new side to toys that we owners never got to see. What if they are living and talk and act as normal people when we're not around! This would be a nasty shock to any kid. This series is all about the fact that toys can talk!

This story is about a boy, Andy and his toys. Just as every other kid, Andy has a favourite toy, Woody. On his birthday his mother gets him a new space toy, Buzz Lightyear. This new toy now becomes Andy's favourite and Woody gets extremely jealous. On the other hand, Buzz thinks he's a real space ranger and doesn't believe that he's a toy! Buzz and Woody go through a lot in the movie and finally accept each other as friends.

In the second part, we focus more on Woody. During a yard sale, Andy's mother accidentally puts Woody in the sale box. A toy designer who has been searching for Woody for ages sees him and tries to talk Andy's mom into selling it to him. On refusing, he steals Woody and takes him to his place. Buzz sees all this and goes on a journey to find Woody and get him back home. He is accompanied by Ham, Mr. Potato, Rex and Slinky. On the flip side, Woody encounters a few more toys And finds out more about his past. Buzz successfully rescues Woody and his friends, though there were many pit stops and break downs.

The third part is a straight leap to the time when Andy has to go to college. He doesn't use his toys anymore, but he doesn't have the heart to throw them away. So he decides to put them in the attic. But things go haywire after Andy decides to take Woody to college and the rest are put in trash bags to be kept
in the attic! Andy's mom mistakes the toys for trash and leaves them at the curb. The toys escape and go into the box for donation at Sunny Side, a daycare. Once they reach, they are welcomed whole-heartedly by the toys there and are very happy to see new faces. Little do they know that beneath all the happiness and joy lies a terrible, dark and deceitful toy who changes the daycare into a prison for all the toys..

Do they get back home? Does Woody go with Andy to college? What happens to the daycare? Well, all your questions can be answered only by watching the movie. This series particularly is very touching and relatable because we've all had toys and thrown a few of them too. But you always remember them no matter what.

Masterchef Australia- Paradise for all foodies

Food is something that transcends all boundaries and brings people of different regions together. It is something that is seen in every household, three times a day and brings joy around the table. In the past decade the new fad of cooking competitions has gained much popularity. As a foodie myself, I can say that one of the best shows so far is Masterchef Austarlia. Masterchef has a wide reach and has an Indian, UK and an American chapter as well, though my personal favourite has always been Australia.

Masterchef Australia has its own charm and warmth. Right from the word go, contestants and judges are pally with each other and through the competition form strong friendships even though they know its a competition and they have to beat the other person. This is where Austarlia is unique. Instead of cut-throat competition, there is a positive energy in the Masterchef kitchen and things never turn ugly. Getting straight into it, Masterchef Australia is judged by three of the most world-renounced people, the chefs, George Columbaris and Gary Mehigan and the food critic, Matt Preston. Together they judge all dishes that the contestants make. Usually on Mondays, they have a mystery box and an invention test. So, the mystery box is the tricky one. Contestants are given a box with the most bizarre ingredients with which they need to create a cohesive dish. The winner of this round gets a crucial advantage in the next round, the invention test. Mid-week, they have team challenges. As we go deeper into the competition, team challenges become more and more difficult. In between all this, usually on Saturdays, a Masterclass is held where all contestants and judges get to sit back and relax for one day. During these sessions, guest chefs come and teach different techniques that can be of useful to the contestants in the future. In the end, the finale is usually held in three rounds between the top two and the winner is declared Masterchef Austalia. Masterchef Australia has had six amazing seasons so far.The new series of a children's cooking competition has also come up recently, Junior Masetrchef Australia. It is a platform where children showcase their culinary talents. The same concepts applied in the same kitchen but only with children! This show has had two spectacular seasons.

So if you are into cooking you must already be following this series. If you are not, then you know what you're missing. But, Masterchef is not only a reality show. It's also the one-stop place for all culinary knowledge. As a sixteen year old, it has got me from making sunny-side up for breakfast, to making my own pasta and cooking a brilliant red sauce pasta for my family!

A series of unfortunate events- Not for the faint hearted

Up until now, I've reviewed only happy novels and movies that have a positive outlook. But this time, I've decided to write a review on an amazing novel, written by Daniel Handler a.k.a Lemony Snicket, which is not so positive. It starts with the Baudelaire family and the three siblings. Violet the eldest was fourteen and a budding inventor. Klaus, the middle child, was twelve and an avid reader who spent most of his time in his library. Sunny was the youngest and had a keen sense of biting things and could use her teeth for almost anything. Their series of unfortunate events began with a fire in their mansion that killed their parents. This takes place in the first chapter of the first novel, so you can expect things to be worse if you continue reading.

Now that they were orphans, they were sent to live with a distant relative, Count Olaf. Let's start by describing him. Cunning, deceitful, rude and zero sense of hygiene. Count Olaf was shaping to be a bad guardian right? Well, actually he was much worse than that. This was where the children's troubles actually began! The Baudelaire's were a very rich family. Violet, being the eldest would inherit her share of the savings when she turned eighteen. Count Olaf's only motive was to get that fortune in his hands by hook or crook. He was ready to do anything. Even marry Violet just to get her share of the fortune! But Violet being very smart, cheated Count Olaf and the three of them made a run for it.

In the following twelve novels, the author tells us how the Count disguised himself to get into the siblings lives and try to get that fortune. In this journey, murder, committing arson and many other crimes were taken up by Count Olaf as desperate measures to reach the money. The novel leaves you wanting to read more and find out the cause of the fire that killed the sibling's parents, what happens to the children in the end and does Count Olaf succeed in his ultimate goal.

The thirteen novels were combined and made into a movie "Lemony Snicket's- The series of Unfortunate Events" which was released in 2004. As a writer, I prefer reading the novel first and then seeing the movie because the novel gives you a better picture of the story. But as a reminder, this series may not be appreciated by all, especially those who crave for happily ever afters.

A father's reaction changes everything- a daughter's point of view

I'm my father's pet. I always strive to be in his good books and almost always acheive this goal. But sometimes I miss it by that much! And because I miss it by "that much" it's harder to accept the fact that my father is unhappy with me. This time my results weren't exactly up to mark. I missed an A grade in two of my favourite subjects by less than a mark. Coincidentally, or more appropriate would be, unfortunately, I'm taking those two subjects next year. Now the pact with my dad is that I have to get an A grade in English and Social Science which will compensate for my downfall in Maths and Science. I didn't live up to that expectation by just one mark! When you miss impressing your father by just one mark, trust me, being a girl, it's your worst nightmare come to life.

We've always heard the term "father's daughter". Being a girl, your one and only purpose in life is to make your father feel proud of you, be able to get his words of praise and encouragement. Mother will always be there to make you feel better, but for a girl, a father's remark changes everything. For instance, you'll be jumping around, in a new dress, admiring yourself in it. But then, when your dad sees it and doesn't approve of it, all the excitement is drained out. When you are happy you got a decent grade and come home and tell your parents, your mom is happy with it, but your dad expects you to go higher and reach for a better score. This, again inevitably, lowers your happiness and you end up crying, thinking where you went wrong, what could you have done better just to get that smile of approval from him.

But, I believe in going forward and not wasting time trying to change the past, because what's done is done. Now my only chance to impress my father by doing what I'm good at and try to be the best in it. Nothing is more important for a girl than to amaze her father by proving him wrong, by making him feel, that yes, my daughter can do it! When a girl decides that she has to do it right, she will leave no stone unturned, she will go through anything just to reach that height. In the end, when she sees her father smiling at her, with a tear of joy in his eye, she'll know that all her efforts have finally given her a result. In Jim Valdano's words, "My father gave the greatest gift anyone could ever give another person, he believed in me". Fathers always believe in your capability. It is because they see your potential that they want you to reach higher. They push you and finally in the end, stumbling and falling on your path, you reach there. And trust me, the view is indescribable!

Disney- The creation and evolution of a child's fantasy (part 2)

This next part of my post talks about the change in Disney movies in the twenty first century. It talks about the change in animation, plots, characters, and many other factors. Let's take a closer look at some of the best Disney movies of the twenty first century.

BOLT-

Bolt was the 48th Animated film released by Disney, released in 2008. It was the first hit which was a computer-animated movie, and also the first to have an animal as a protagonist. Bolt got good reviews from critics and got a 3/4 rating.

UP-

Released in 2009, Up was the first 3D animated movie made by Disney in collaboration with Pixar. When the movie was shown in El Captain Theatre, Calafornia, it was accompanied by "Lighten Up!", a show featuring many Disney characters. The story line of Up was appreciated and the music was also one of the highlights.







TANGLED-

This movie is the modern version of Rapunzel. Released in 2010, this is an adventure-comedy movie and a must watch.
This time, toys featuring Rapunzel's hair and video games were also released to increase the demand for the movie. A short movie, or the sequel of Tangled was released in 2012 which featured Rapunzel's wedding!







WRECK-IT RALPH-

Wreck-it Ralph is a 2012 Computer animated fantasy-adventure movie. It got
positive response and was nominated for many awards and even won a few.
While interviewing the directors it was heard that a sequel of the movie is in the process of making.







FROZEN-

Frozen is the latest Disney movie released in 2013 and is also the 53rd animated movie by Disney. Viewers were more interested in the songs sung in the movie, like "Let it go". Overall the Disny experience was out of the world as usual.







And yet again, Disney continues to thrill us, enchant us and make us believe in fairy tales and "happily ever afters". With more movies like Big Hero 6 on the way, to be released in 2014 November, one can only hope that the magic created by Disney is enjoyed by all children of the future generations to come.

Disney- The creation and evolution of a child's fantasy

The one word any child associates to when he thinks of his childhood has always been Disney. Walt Disney's animated movies really keep the younger audiences engaged and have been loved by them from generations. But the whole story of Disney is still a mystery to some kids out there who don't know much about the person who makes such wonderful movies for them! That is why I am here, to uncover the mysteries of Disney, or in simple terms give you a clear sight on Disney's creation and evolution.

Walter Elias Disney was an American cartoonist, film maker and voice actor. He was the founder of Disney as we know it! The classic Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy were his creations which are still remembered by children of all ages. Another interesting fact is that Mickey Mouse's voice is actually Walt Disney's. He even set up theme parks around the globe in America, Japan, China and France. On 15 December, 1996, the legend passed away, leaving behind his legacy to be continued. Disney has given us the best animated movies right from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Frozen. Let's take a trip down the memory lane and revisit some of the evergreen Disney movies of all time.

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS-

 Released in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first animated movie made by Disney. It was premiered in Carthay Circle Theatre, Calafornia where it received a standing ovation. It was re-released in 1944 as a comeback. 

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST-

Jumping straight to 1991, Beauty and the Beast was an animated musical romantic fantasy produced by Walt Disney Pictures. 

For the first time ever, an unfinished version of the movie was shown in the New York Film Festival in 1991 where it received a ten minute long standing ovation!














ALADDIN-

The world saw another hit with the release of Aladdin in 1992. It was the 31st film released by Disney.
The main attraction were the songs in the movie, like "A whole new world", "You never had a friend like me".














LION KING-

The Lion King was an animated musical adventure film released in 1994. It took relationships and throne descendants to a whole new level.
The audience, as expected, was ecstatic about its release and the movie deserved the praise it got. It was the first time the trailer of a movie had been a song rather than a dialogue. The famous song "Circle of life" was made the trailer of the movie.










Disney continues to surprise us with many more animated movies in the twentieth century. More on that in my next post.