Lazy Reviewer: Playing It Cool

Courtesy: Playing It Cool

"What a boring and cliche script", said my friend, and wait please don't judge him , please! The attempt to make this film itself should have been scrapped. There i said it. For instance, look at the story in a nutshell -

A writer, our hero, who has never experienced love, falls for a gorgeous women, our heroine, but she is getting married to someone else, the not so villain wealthy guy. In the end she quits the marriage as our hero saves the day by 'fighting' back his love.

It's a perfect script (no second thoughts) and the same has worked for many, many films and no one who has watched enough Rom-Coms would argue on this. But.. but.. but.. other than the 'nutshell' script, there is nothing much happening either and that is the main concern. The usual jokes, the usual friend circle and the usual tragedy with the protagonist, our hero writer.

Directed by Justin Reardon, Playing it Cool is not so cool after all. There is no juice in the film, there i said it! I don't want to sound rude or injust to the director's creative art but i can't help it, the film is just reel with an over-cliche script.

However, there are positives for the actors in the film, Chris Evans, our hero is successful in breaking the action figure barrier and is looking versatile as a workaholic and then a romantic lover. One thing that continues with Chris Evans is his best buddy Anthony Mackie, who plays freind in Captain America. Michelle Monaghan (Chirs Evan's love in film) is beautiful and her purpose is thus served.

The roles of Anthony Mackie, Aubrey Plaza and Topher Grace, Chris's friend in the film are effective and promising, but the script (again) makes them look weak.

The film is shot brilliantly, no complaints there, but as said, "a weak script makes a weak film ". Justin (director) in his previous work, a short (Zoltan: The Hungarian Gangster of Love), revolves the story around romance and comedy, which clearly shows in this film too, where the promise of the director lacks. Since it is Justin's Debut, relaxation given (waiting for Convention).

And finally, the box office too punished the film, some of the critics found it fine, some were strict towards it. Overall i would say, if you have watched this film, sympathies, if not and are planning to, save the trouble, watch Casablanca or Breakfast at Tiffany's or any other of your favorites.

Until next review, stay classy, keep watching films!

(If you have a good list of films do share with me, as a film lover to another)

What is “google pagerank”? Should ‘I’ be worried about it?

We all, sometime-somewhere, have stood first in something and have felt good about it. Being first or say being even amongst the top ten, from the rest, itself is a moment that gives you certain recognition, people look up to you as mentor, as well as a source. Suddenly, you become the talk-of-the-town and you sure enjoy this.

Well, you may feel a little weird, as what this above paragraph got to do with “google pagerank”? But don’t strain your brain too much, the entire, above written content just describes what a “google pagerank” is and functions like. Let’s us understand this in a much broader and clear perspective.

Google Pagerank

Google pagerank is a criterion that determines where your website page is ranked amongst the others of your kind. Say, if you have a blog about food, then where does it stands amongst the similar blogs and websites and does it matters? Yes it does matters!

If you’re ranking is higher, chances of people crashing on your website increases. So, the more you are on the internet, the better are the chances of you getting a high rank, and eventually getting you the required number of views that you are targeting. This is beneficial for all, those who are having a business oriented website and those who just want people to engage with what they are publishing on their website.

A better ranking website, say amongst the top 10, would land you on the first page of the google search engine. This would help you advance in an increase of your audience. The more you grow the merrier it would be for your website. Ranking in the top 10 helps you to have worldwide recognition and credit.

So, let us come to the conclusion of google pagerank – yes it is important for a multi-national corporation and even if you are an indie blogger. It helps you achieve a wide audience and a credit for your name. But, this doesn’t end all. Let us look at two quick features that can help you be the next on the number one page of google.

• Importance of content management

Content is the king. Yes it is, in every manner possible. The better organized the content is, the higher the chances of people crashing your website. It is important to understand that ‘just filling’ is not the best option. There are numerous websites that have written content just to fill up pages, at all cost avoid that.

Content should be structured and engaging. Write like you are talking to your audience, use images, videos to make it interesting. Make the fonts attractive, look at your design for once and don’t just fill up, write meaningful lines. It would be a waste, if you write 1000-2000 words of cliché, instead use some freshness, a content that engages the audience.

You can opt to write little, but interesting. In a time, where there are thousands of websites offering the same content you can interest your audience writing to the point, avoiding long boring content. So, next time you are filling content on your website or blog, choose your words wisely.

•        A better social networking feature on your website

You have a good creative website design and an excellent content to support it too, but still no traffic or change in your google pagerank? Well, one of the most prominent reasons could be that you are lacking social network promotions.

Social networking sites like facebook, twitter, linkedIn, pinterest, tumblr, etc. are very important to bring your website under notice of your target audience. Social networking sites help you to get more recognition and if your website really has all the interesting, engaging and exclusive content, it won’t be late that you would be in ranking amongst google pages.

Social networking sites help the audience to engage with your website better. This increases the chance of your website getting shared over various social media platforms for free and you getting free advertising too. The more your website is visited the fast it becomes for your website to appear on google’s first page.

Hence, make sure that you are providing all sorts of social networking buttons for sharing your content.

So, now you know what you need to do in order to bring your page on top amongst the others. Google pagerank is important and it does matters for your website or blog. Manage your content, be present everywhere on social media sites and make yourselves the next big sensation of the new big market – the INTERNET!

Unpaid internships should be boycotted

Hi guys! This, write up (or shout out), is a direct appeal to all the fresh pass outs as well as working students; if you are good at something, never do it for free (a famous quote).

To be honest, my personal experience has been, a little, agonizing, working as an intern. I worked for a multinational media firm for 1 & ½ months (45 days) to be exact, for free, not a single penny guys! I realized (thanks god I did), they should have paid me something, at least traveling should be considered, but nothing as such happened.

I even spoke to the seniors working over there but found no help. Then I took the matter to the head, but was denied any explanation for this routine. Finally, I decided to leave them, and I am sure they must have hired some other intern for free. This incident was back in 2012.

Thereafter, I decided I wouldn’t work for free for anyone (except for my friends ;) ) and since have stood by my word. I refused any opportunity that was provided to me in exchange of no-money-intern. This, unpaid internship, situation has worsened over the years. I strongly believe that this is nothing less than exploitation of the intern.

I know some students, now working, who have worked, as long as, for 18 months without pay in the journalism industry. Isn’t this exploitation in a way?

The situation, especially, is at cataclysm in Mumbai. There are numerous media agencies and they run this unpaid internship thing ‘shamelessly’. Even the multinational media corporations are doing the same. It is even more-heartbreaking that these firms, most of the times; don’t even pay for the intern’s traveling allowance. “Paying stipend” is a complete different story.

The media industry in defense, for unpaid interns, has reasons like, the students are not professionals or in order to learn you have to invest something first or, even to a level, we don’t require you; it is you who is in need of the internship.

They, media houses, are only able to do this because we, interns, don’t speak for ourselves. We don’t have to be scared about the opportunity, first and foremost important thing. If you are good at it, eventually, you would end up getting a decent paying job.

You just start saying ‘no’ to unpaid internships. There are n numbers of opportunities in this growing media-journalism-business. You only have to stand-up for yourself, say no to unpaid internships, at least ask for what you deserve; and deep down somewhere, you know that you deserve better.

And yes, if you are concerned what happened to me when I refused unpaid internship; nothing much to worry, I am still associated with the media business and on a decent pay ;). Quit worrying, stop getting exploited and stand for what is yours. You just have to ask and I am 100% sure asking don’t cost a single penny.

A show called ‘WWYD?’

I recently came across this show, WWYD (what would you do?), while I was surfing random videos, like everybody else, on youtube. I was struck and struck again with the honesty of the videos. I went on to watch more than fifty episodes back to back on the channel.

The script of the show is a social experiment relating to any problem the people face on the planet earth. Problems like illegal immigration, homelessness, racism, bullying, eve-teasing, abusing, etc. are discussed via the show. The producer of the show is John Quinones. Well, this is all the show is about.

I am writing about it because I find all the episodes intriguing. The show is like a spy show, out in public. An actor is given a situation and is asked to perform it in a public place, like a mall, parlor or a bar. Multiple cameras are fixed, capturing all the angles of the scene set up.

Now, the people around the actor, who maybe sitting, standing or walking past, does not know anything about the set up, they don’t have the slightest of the idea what is going on. This is what the producers of the show want, that the people to be real and to record their real reaction.

The show is about faith, hope and humanity. The people around the actor are provoked to react to situations, racism, nationality, eve-teasing, etc., and that is recorded on the camera.

I know I am getting cliché, as I am continuing this. I have provided the link below, if you have time do check, and yes this is not a promotion of that show. Watch it, I am sure you would love it.

what would you do?

India wins first match in Hockey World Cup 2014

It was India against Malaysia and India won 3-2. From the beginning whistle the Indian team attacked and kept the possession, this helped them scored the goals at regular intervals when needed. Indian managed to penetrate the Malaysian defense 3 times. In the reply, Malaysia gave came up with a 2 goal reply, but was unable to breach the Indian defense more.

From now on in the tournament, India has nothing to lose. Instead they have a bright opportunity to make it to the 7th position, increasing their World Ranking by 1 position up, settling at 7. India should be satisfied with their performance and with this win would have their morals high. But their next match is with the group giants, Australia.

Australia hasn't lost a single match in the tournament so far and has looked strong, both in defense and in attack. Managing a win would be great, but under the circumstances a draw would be fine too. It is a little difficult for India, but with the kind of performance in the tournament so far, Indian players can certainly make the giants worry a little.

This team is young and has a potential of being a great future team. With the leader like Sardar Singh and a experience coach like Terry Walsh, the team is looking to touch new heights. The recent performances before Hockey World Cup 2014 of team India have been impressive. Hope they continue the form and perform their best in coming matches. All the best India.

India vs Spain,1-1, Hockey World Cup 2014

What a delight to watch an exciting 70 minutes of play, with the players making it even more exciting buy showing their extraordinary performance. I would say, a draw in this match was India's win. India did not had any points on the table and this draw against Spain ensures that India stay in the game of making it to the 4th spot in the table, which eventually will help them raise their world ranking.

India was certainly not looking in complete control when the tournament started, but they have made progress. A last minute loss in both the prior matches against Belgium and England respectively. But this time against Spain, it was different. The Indian players played an attacking game and on the same time managed to restrict the opponents to only a single goal.

Image Courtesy: International Business Times

The match ended, 1-1. Both the teams took single point from the game, but India was quite happy. The player who has been giving goosebumps to the opposition is not any striker but India's goalie Sreejesh. He is doing a perfect job in keeping the ball away from the nets and has been in phenomenal form. He has made some really impressive saves for team India.

Form now, team India has nothing to loose in the tournament. They have two matches left, one with the might Australians and the last with the Malaysians. India would want to win both the match and make their mark. Hope all goes well for the team. they are now looking in good knack as the tournament has progressed. Wishes to team India fora better play in future.

'TWO' in a row for Indian Hockey team!

Yes, second loss in a row in the Hockey World Cup 2014 for India. Team India looked defensive and were not able to keep the possession in the game against number 4 ranking team England. India lost 2-1. India did not had the possession but were able to keep the shots of the opposition out of the nets.

What was heartbreaking for the Indians, that the English players scored the second goal in the last couple of minutes via a penalty. In this tournament this is the second time that the Indian players were unable to defend the goal in the final seconds of the game. Earlier it was with Belgium, in which India lost 3-2 to Belgium, with the last goal coming in the final 10 seconds.

Ind 1-2 Eng

Image Courtesy - NDTV Sports

Indian team looks balanced but is unable to convert those close calls into a goal. The loss against England have thinned their chances of making it to the top two and going into the semi-finals. But a lot of positives for team India to take. They have managed to play good, they have made their opponents hunt for goals, making it difficult for them to score.

The two things that team India needs to work on in the ahead matches is their attack plan and their last minute defense. India is certainly looking and performing like a team worth playing the world cup. They have come a long way and have showed some good performance. Hopefully, they will be able to finish at a better spot in the tournament. India currently ranks 8 in World Hockey Ranking.