So it's been a bit of a blogging hiatus. Too much happening, both within and without. There's the reservation ruckus, about which it is indeed very difficult to form an opinion. Because on the one hand, it seems a terrible idea to allow in a certain amount of people without even considering their credentials, their capacities and their intelligence to cope with what admittedly are very demanding courses. On the other, though, to dismiss them is also impossible. The simple answer would, arguably, be a merit-based system of affirmative action. But this is India where caste and religion have too many deep-rooted historical references and even more convoluted social significance and thus, it is impossible to arrive at a conclusion that would seem even faintly sane.

What the UPA government seems to have decided to do is remain pig-headedly focussed and go ahead with rather alarming disregard of the democratic voices being raised. It is rather disturbing to watch. Visuals of the Mandal stir and Rajeev Goswami come to mind. But let us wait and watch. I am a cynic and don't know how much democratic protest really achieves in this country. Rang de... left me cold.

Which brings me to another interesting thought. Well, interesting to me at least. The very name of that film has acquired a certain bearing and significance in world. Pop culture and all that. Terribly fascinating. Wonder what Bhagat Singh would have made of this! Anyhow.

Let us, however, cease being flippant.

Watched Da Vinci Code today. Such fuss. Such hype. Such a waste of that time and energy! It's a common film. You sit through it for the very reason you read the book. It's an engaging mix of history and art and factoids and mystery. Of course, here the mystery accounts for naught. And darlings, if you haven't read the book, don't bother watching the film. You may as well nap. To make up for Dan Brown's shockingly pedestrian writing there is Tom Hanks' shockingly disinterested acting. Audrey Tatou, though, looks so much better than she did in Amelie. I won't review this film because I have nothing to say. I had some very good popcorn and most enjoyable company and therefore, it was an afternoon well spent.

What I did watch on Friday night and thoroughly enjoyed was Ang Lee's Sense and Sensibility. I love the classics. Period. All of them. I swallowed them whole and then again. Even today, if I am ever in need of a quiet, satisfying time, I turn to the classics. And this film was so wonderful. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet are the epitome of those women. And Hugh Grant. Sigh. If Colin Firth had somehow found his way into this, I would have run out, bought the DVD and treasured it more. Even so, this is a must-watch. I wanted to walk around all of today, speaking in the clipped British accent and wearing long, flowing chiffon gowns. Hmm.

Ang Lee is a god and that's all there is to it. What a repertoire. This film. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. And Brokeback Mountain, which is easily the most touching film I have ever seen. Add to it The Hulk. The man is sheer walkingtalkingbreathing genius.