Rock-paper-scissors- The one game that saved our childhood

A person's childhood is incomplete without playing rock-paper-scissors. The moment boredom struck, this game saved us.We've had numerous fights on the timing, the procedure and points. We've won and lost many games. But, rock-paper-scissors is not just restricted to children. Everyone, of all age groups still play this short, fun game. What's interesting is that this game originated in Asia, China to be precise. It was first noticed in the book 'Wuzazu' written by Ming-Dynasty writer Xie Zhaozhi. Also, the game has references in Japanese history with 'Sansukumi-ken' meaning game in three ways. Originated in China, this game reached Japan and then got popularized in the West in the early 20th Century.

Way ahead in the 21st Century, we are using rock-paper-scissors in auction houses and video games as well. Even tournaments of rock-paper-scissors take place all across the globe. World Rock Paper Scissors Society sanctioned tournaments, UK Rock Paper Scissor Championships and World Series of Rock Paper Scissors are just a few to name. The classic rock-paper-scissors has also been reinvented in many ways. The Star Trek inspired one, Rock-paper-scissors-Spock-lizard, invented by Sam Kass and Karen Bryla goes this way. Spock smashes scissors and vaporizes rock. He is poisoned by lizard and disproved by paper. Lizard poisons Spock and eats paper. It is crushed by rock and decapitated by scissors. And as always rock smashes scissors, scissors cut paper and paper covers rock. Another reinvention was seen in Malaysia with bird-water-stone. Bird beats water (by drinking it), stone beats bird (by hitting it) and stone loses to water (because it sinks in it).

This classic, age old game is still being reinvented and brought back to the world. New characters and rules added to this can only make this game better and more interesting, but classic rock-paper-scissors has its own charm and ingenuity.

 

The Big Wedding- Romedy at its best

"Once upon a time there was a family of five. There was a mommy and a daddy, a baby girl, a baby boy and an adopted baby boy. They loved each other very much and lived happily ever after." I don't think so. Reasons being, the father and mother were Donald Griffin (who now had a girlfriend Bebe) and Ellie Griffin who have been divorced for twenty years. Their daughter Lyla was coping up after her big breakup. Jared, their son, was a doctor who was always teased for being the only virgin doctor in the hospital. Alejandro, the adoptive son was getting married to Missy. That was what started everything. The wedding.

The wedding was a day away. Everyone was busy with its preparations. Alejandro then dropped a huge bomb on his parents that his biological mother and sister were coming for the wedding. His mother being catholic would not approve of his adoptive parents' divorce. So, for the next two days Don and Ellie were to be impersonating as husband and wife. This upsets the girlfriend Bebe and she leaves. Alejandro's mother arrived and suspects nothing. That evening, everyone was invited for a dinner with Missy's parents, Barry and Muffin. Unexpectedly, Bebe arrives as the waitress. Meanwhile, Nuria, Alejandro's biological sister starts flirting away with Jared. Later that night a lot of unsaid, secretive things take place in the Griffin residence.

The next morning was perfect for a perfect wedding! But, this one was far from perfect. Minutes before the bride has to walk down the aisle, everyone spills the beans, secrets splutter out and hearts are broken. Everyone is so busy cleaning up their emotional mess that no one notices Missy and Alejandro almost get away with a quiet ceremony by the lake and almost successfully elope. Things do not go all that out of hand and everything comes to a happy ending with a pleasant reception.

This movie has not received much appreciation, but I personally felt it was a cute, fast-paced, well-written story. With a cast of amazing actors, this movie really brings out the best of them on screen. The climax for me was the icing on the (wedding) cake. It really talks about family and how we change for them and try to shield them from any harm. All in all, its one of those movies that gives you a tear in your eye and leaves you with goosebumps at the very end.

Rise of the Guardians- Bring out the child in you

Everyone has gone through the "childhood" phase where we believe in Santa Claus, think that Tooth Fairy actually kept a coin under our pillow, always wished Sandman would give us beautiful dreams, waited for the Easter bunny to bring his eggs! What if, we missed one. What if he was forgotten long ago and never remembered later? Well, this is his story. We're talking about Jack Frost, the one who made "having fun" possible, the one who helps you pull out all sorts of pranks.

It starts with the moon. He chose four heroes called the Guardians, Santa Claus, Sandman, Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny, who watched over the children of the world and protected them from Pitch, also known as the Boogeyman. Pitch thrives on nightmares, screams, darkness and most of all fear. After the battle of the Dark Age, Pitch was no where to be seen. All was well with Christmas and Easter but when the moon unexpectedly calls all our Guardians for a meeting, things change. He announces that another member was to be added to the guardians.

This member was sitting miles away trying to contemplate his life, understanding his purpose of living and trying and find out who he was. The moon chose Jack Frost. Jack Frost had been forgotten more than three hundred years ago and now he suffered amnesia and couldn't remember his past. Since no one believed in him, no one could see him. He was a hero behind the scenes. Getting straight to it, Pitch was back. He was spreading fear throughout the world and slowly the children who believed started diminishing. This was when the five guardians united and tried saving the children. First, they all helped Tooth Fairy collect teeth over the world. But soon Pitch raided Tooth Fairy's lair and stole all the teeth. Their only way now to stop Pitch was to make sure Easter was perfectly. Everyone, even Santa, felt that this time Easter would be bigger than Christmas. With the clock against them and Pitch swooping over the children, will the Guardians be able to save the world and be remembered forever or will evil prevail over good this time?

A beautiful movie that takes you back to your childhood every time you see it, Rise of the Guardians is a must watch. With a star-studded cast who have all done a wonderful job with their roles, you can't really ask for more from any animated movie. So if you haven't seen this movie, you're definitely missing something.

Dedicated to +Siddhant Garud because it's your favourite movie.

The Book Thief- World War II at its worst

The Book Thief, written by Australian author, Markus Zusack has a plot which revolves around the life of a German girl, Liesel Meminger. Her story is narrated by Death himself and during the time of war he is working overtime. Yet he found Liesel to have a few gifts. The one that drew him in the most was thievery.

It all started on a train where Liesel's brother dies. At the burial site she finds a small black book on the ground. Fascinated by the thought of owning a book, she quickly picks it up and that was the first of the thievery in Liesel Meminger's life. She is later sent to her foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann. At first, she is unsure of everything around her. She has awful nightmares and small accidents. But Hans Hubermann helps her out of her fears. Soon the two have a charming relationship that lasted forever. Rosa on the other hand was always more inclined to using words to express herself and let's just say these are the words that don't come into use in a civilised conversation. Liesel helped her with the house work and delivering the laundry.

This story takes place during that time of Hitler where concentration camps were of very large numbers. At the same time, Hans and Rosa Hubermann took a Jewish fist-fighter, Max Vandenburg into their home because of an old promise. Liesel was captivated by his presence and after a few weeks the two became good friends. As war got into its glorified, ugly form, Liesel Meminger's only getaway was a visit to the Mayor's library. The Mayor's wife would let Liesel in and lend her a book to read. This event led to the transformation of Liesel to the book thief.

As her life turns upside down with bombings, Jews and old friends, she finds herself in the epicentre of all these problems. But, she's saved by a book. She's saved writing a book. She's saved because of being the book thief.

An engrossing story that keeps you reading and wanting for more, the Book Thief is one of those rare novels with a narrator so authoritative yet diffident, who comes out as suspicious yet is just an innocent person doing his job. Death is the reason this novel comes to life. So, if you want to get a taste of Death's account of Liesel Meminger then this is the book for you.

Summer's back and so am I!

My dear viewers. It's been way too long and I honestly cannot give a more legit excuse other than my laziness. But now that I'm enjoying the bliss of my holidays, I really wanted to start writing again! So here I am, The Review Girl version 2.0 with a new session of books, movies, poems and experiences. Also if anyone needs any review on a particular book or movie, you know where to go. Pop it in a comment and I shall get back to you with a smashing review. Till then keep reading!

A Prisoner of Birth- Redefining crime and justice

One of Jeffery Archer's finest novels, 'A prisoner of birth' has completely changed my perception of crime and justice. The novel starts at a slow pace but after reading amost half of it, it accelerates in such a speed that you have to keep reading a little more to solve a mystery...and by then another one pops up.

Daniel Arthur Cartwright, the protagonist, decides to propose to his faithful girlfriend, Elisabeth Wilson in the local bar, the Dunlop Arms. Bernie Wilson, being Elizabeth's brother and Danny's best mate accompanies them for witnessing this happy moment. Little did they know that if Danny had decided to propose to Beth in any other bar or on any other date, one of them wouldn't have been murdered and the other framed as the killer.

 In the bar, after Danny proposes and Beth says yes, they start their small celebration with a bottle wine. At the same time, four friends, Spencer Craig, a barrister, Gerald Payne, a partner at a firm, Toby Mortimer, an aristocrat and Lawrence Davenport, a famous actor had decided to go to the same bar to celebrate Gerald's thirtieth birthday. After wee too many glasses of wine, one of the four catches Beth Wilson's eye and finds her rather charming. Under the control of alcohol, he passes an inappropriate comment which infuriates both Danny and Bernie. Even after ignoring it once, the comments didn't stop and the three of them decided to leave the bar, only to be followed by the four men. Both Danny and Bernie try to hold off the three men while Beth is being held by the fourth. During this fight, Bernie is tragically stabbed by one of the men and Danny is wounded on his leg. The four men flee from the sight and Beth runs to the main road to hail a cab. When she returns to get Bernie, with his dying breath he reveals his killer and dies in his sister's arms. The next day, after thorough questioning, Daniel Arthur Cartwright is guilty of killing Bernie Wilson and is sent to the most secured prison in England- Belmarsh for twenty one years.

Danny must now find a way to clear his name from inside the prison, while his fiancé and lawyer try the same from outside. The three of them won't rest until the innocent man is set free and the real killer is put behind bars.

This novel is addictive and once it picks up speed it keeps accelerating from there. All characters play such vital roles in the novel that the reader cannot anticipate which part of the story they are connected to. Moreover, readers should await a shocking ending and a turn of events in the end. This is without a doubt one of the finest peices of crime-fiction ever written.

The tenth grade dilemma- The ultimate decision

Time spent in school is irreplaceable and very dear to all of us. The memories created from stepping into a new and unknown classroom to the twelfth grade farewell party, the years spent in this institution called education is something every person in today's world goes through. The first most difficult decision taken during these twelve years is in class ten. The "stream selection process".

Till class ten you have to study all your subjects. You have to deal with the numericals of Physics and the dates of History. You have to understand theorems in Mathematics and comprehend Shakespeare's sonnets. You have no say in what you like or dislike. But then, finally, after ten years of "basic education" you get a choice which can either make or break your future. You get to choose your subjects for the last two years of school. For those who're new to this, the streams are broken into three distinct paths, Science, Commerce and Humanities. 

Science is again bifurcated into medical and non-medical. All future doctors and other medical practitioners go for med. The engineers and scientists prefer non-med. All our chartered accountants and people in actuary science go for Commerce and the writers, journalists and well the leftovers from the lot join Humanities. The most common misconception is that the creme de la creme of the batch opt for Science, just above average students go for commerce and at the fag end of the trail is humanities with the average-and-below scorers. Usually most people don't opt for humanities and are pushed into the stream because of GPA problems. But this time, things are about to be a bit different. 

I am an above average student who gets respectable marks in Science and Maths, scores the highest in Social Sciences and languages. Now, if I would have been in school, probably a century ago, I'd not be given a choice of taking commerce or humanities because everyone who wanted to succeed in life had to choose science. But the twenty first century has changed for the good. Here I am, a student who is offered Science willing to take humanities because my interests lie there. This choice isn't just of one, but many straight A students are also giving up sciences and opting arts! 

As we step into the twenty first century, changes are bound to occur and thankfully they are for the good. So all tenthies out there, make good choices because happiness in a profession is the most important thing. Have a great time choosing your streams! The Review Girl will also be busy with her final set of exams, so I'll see you viewers in April. Till then, keep reading!