Mysore is well connected by Roads & Trans & by Air (Bangalore). The weather during July - August between the comfortable band of 28°C to 20°C with occasional rainfall. The City is in the relatively safe seismic zone II. Sufficient greenery, lakes and a hill add to the charm of the capital of a yesteryear Kingdom.
By Air: The closest Airport is the spanking new ‘Bengaluru International Airport’ on the northern outskirts of Bangalore. Upon landing, take the Red Volvo air-conditioned buses to either Kempegowda Bus Station at Majestic by BIA-9 or Satellite Bus Stand on Mysore Road by BIA-2. Details of Travel from Bangalore covered below.
By Train: Mysore has direct trains from Mumbai (weekly, starting on Tuesdays) and from Tirupati, Chennai, Mangalore, Secunderabad, New Delhi. Since most long distance trains go to Bangalore from where, one can travel to Mysore. The track distance to Mysore from Bangalore is 139km which the daily Shatabdi Express originating in Chennai completes 1:50 hours. Tippu Express Superfast does it in 2:20 hours; other express trains take 2:55 hours and passenger trains take longer.
By Bus: The Bangalore and Mysore are 146km apart. People preferring to travel by Volvo buses to Mysore may board the same from Kepegowda Bus Station at Majestic while the ordinary non-stop buses are available from the other bus stand. While the former take a little more than 2 hours, the latter takes a little more than 3 to accomplish the journey. Roads come into Mysore from Coimbatore and Kerala from the South, Mangalore from the West and Hubli/ Hassan from the North.
Tourist Attractions: Chamundi Hill and the Chamundeshwari Temple, The Mysore Palace, Jagan Mohan Palace and Art Gallery, Zoo & St. Philomena’s Church at Mysore; KRS Dam, Brindavan Gardens & Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in the nearby Mandya District Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and Tomb, Sangam & Nimishamba Temple at Srirangapatna. Nature enthusiasts can explore Gopalaswami Betta, Bayalukuppe, Coorg, BR Hills, Bandipur, Ooty that are a few hours away. History Enthusiasts can explore the ancient temples of Somanathapura, Belur and Helebidu from the Hoysala Era also a couple of hours away.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Movie Review: Terminator Salvation (English) 94
Mess is what one creates when an extremely successful franchise is striped off its core elements and goes high on firepower. The fourth installment thus comes to you, sans its icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Disappointing from the word go, you are left waiting for a coherent story to evolve. Probably, the lack of imagination has something to do with the absence of James Cameron, who it seems neither blessed nor cursed this film.
2003, Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a convict on a death row agrees to give up his body to medical research. Cut to 2018, John Connor (Christian Bale), is leading his men against a Skynet base where finds the machines developing a Terminator with a human tissue exterior. The mission ends in a blast leaving him the sole survivor. Command tells Connor that that his name is No.2 on the Skynet hit list with No.1 being Kyle Reese.
Connor initially doesn’t realize the importance of Reese but, from his mother’s tapes, he soon learns that the now teenager Reese is the one that Connor would send into the past to protect his mother and to father him. Marcus meanwhile makes contact with a downed pilot who brings him to the Resistance base. While treating an injured Marcus, the men realize that he a Cyborg with a metal endoskeleton sneaking into their base.
Now, John is faced with either distrusting Marcus as he is a machine, and on other, to trust him, as he could be his only chance to rescue Reese from the clutches of Skynet. The climax of the story, not revealed here, is replete with humanoid Terminators, Hunter-Killer hovercrafts, giant human collectors and eel-like Hydrobots with the highlight being the cameo of the CGI of a youngish Schwarzenegger as the freshly developed T-800.
For a fact, most moviegoers have been fans of this franchise for the role portrayed by Arnold and to Cameron’s imagination of bringing together the concepts of a holocaust, robots taking over, time travel, etc as far back as 1984 when the first Terminator hit the screens and when it was reprised in 1992. The third, released in 2003 sorely missed Cameron but somehow managed decent business with Schwarzenegger’s presence.
Differing from its predecessors, the narrative is not set in the present day but nearly a decade into the future. The neat special effects in shades of grey amplify the hollowness of the future where people eat stale coyote to survive. Also notable are the rich tributes to its predecessors, including a duel with a severed Terminator, grabbing of shotgun and quotes such as “I’ll be back” and “come with me if you want to live” among others.
Comparisons aside, fast paced action is the forte of Terminator Salvation. If mindless firepower, robots, high speed bike chases suit your taste, you probably won’t regret watching it. However, all of its two hours sum up into nothing more than a video game set in the future. As much as I wanted to deride this disappointing movie, I have still given it a chance with 4 on 10 for its legacy value, among the ‘just average’ flicks.
Rating 4/10: High on octane and also on boredom
2003, Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a convict on a death row agrees to give up his body to medical research. Cut to 2018, John Connor (Christian Bale), is leading his men against a Skynet base where finds the machines developing a Terminator with a human tissue exterior. The mission ends in a blast leaving him the sole survivor. Command tells Connor that that his name is No.2 on the Skynet hit list with No.1 being Kyle Reese.
Connor initially doesn’t realize the importance of Reese but, from his mother’s tapes, he soon learns that the now teenager Reese is the one that Connor would send into the past to protect his mother and to father him. Marcus meanwhile makes contact with a downed pilot who brings him to the Resistance base. While treating an injured Marcus, the men realize that he a Cyborg with a metal endoskeleton sneaking into their base.
Now, John is faced with either distrusting Marcus as he is a machine, and on other, to trust him, as he could be his only chance to rescue Reese from the clutches of Skynet. The climax of the story, not revealed here, is replete with humanoid Terminators, Hunter-Killer hovercrafts, giant human collectors and eel-like Hydrobots with the highlight being the cameo of the CGI of a youngish Schwarzenegger as the freshly developed T-800.
For a fact, most moviegoers have been fans of this franchise for the role portrayed by Arnold and to Cameron’s imagination of bringing together the concepts of a holocaust, robots taking over, time travel, etc as far back as 1984 when the first Terminator hit the screens and when it was reprised in 1992. The third, released in 2003 sorely missed Cameron but somehow managed decent business with Schwarzenegger’s presence.
Differing from its predecessors, the narrative is not set in the present day but nearly a decade into the future. The neat special effects in shades of grey amplify the hollowness of the future where people eat stale coyote to survive. Also notable are the rich tributes to its predecessors, including a duel with a severed Terminator, grabbing of shotgun and quotes such as “I’ll be back” and “come with me if you want to live” among others.
Comparisons aside, fast paced action is the forte of Terminator Salvation. If mindless firepower, robots, high speed bike chases suit your taste, you probably won’t regret watching it. However, all of its two hours sum up into nothing more than a video game set in the future. As much as I wanted to deride this disappointing movie, I have still given it a chance with 4 on 10 for its legacy value, among the ‘just average’ flicks.
Rating 4/10: High on octane and also on boredom
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Goodbye Michael Jackson
It's sad to know that the Legendary King of Pop is no more. The news of his passing must have come as a shock to so many of us who grew up listening to his music and possibly, it must have been the first among the English hits we heard as kids.
In the world of music, I guess he was among the few firsts to be a songwriter, composer, singer and a dancer par excellence. Hundreds have followed his trends. Also, many Bollywood & Regional movie music and dance is painted with his 'inspiration'.
Folks, forget for a moment that he was allegedly involved in pedophilia or that his private life was in a mess during the later part of his life. What's important is that he made great music!! May his soul rest in peace!! May his music live on!!
In the world of music, I guess he was among the few firsts to be a songwriter, composer, singer and a dancer par excellence. Hundreds have followed his trends. Also, many Bollywood & Regional movie music and dance is painted with his 'inspiration'.
Folks, forget for a moment that he was allegedly involved in pedophilia or that his private life was in a mess during the later part of his life. What's important is that he made great music!! May his soul rest in peace!! May his music live on!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
F1 Race Review: British GP 2009
F1 Race Review: British GP 2009
Mad Max seems to be stealing the show these days rather than the cars and drivers themselves. The controversial budget cap rule conjured by Max and Bernie seems to have pushed the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) over the edge, threatening to form a breakaway series! Remember my 2007 write-up titled ‘Illogical Rule Changes in F1 for 2008’. This is precisely what happens when rule-making is devoid of logic!
What is the controversial cap? 2010 onwards, teams that run within USD40 million enjoy technical liberties like flexi wings, etc while those that don’t conform to this cannot, thus leading to a two tier F1. Eight teams including Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, both Red Bulls, Brawn and Renault and BMW are against this, claiming that lack of technical upgrades undermines the raison d'être in Formula1. Meanwhile, Bernie hopes for a compromise.
Coming to the race weekend, this may well be the last race at the historical airfield of Silverstone. It’s really sad that the very track that saw the first ever F1 race on May 13, 1950 will no longer figure in the calendar. Already, the 2008 season missed the French race Magny Cours, the very country where grands prix were born. Well, if FOTA were to really have a breakaway series beginning 2010, I wish Silverstone figures there!
Cooler temperatures led to tyre heating issues on the Brawns, giving Vettel and Webber the opportunity to charge ahead. Starting from Pole, Vettel drove in Shumacheresque fashion, losing the lead just once to Webber while pitting; the latter, who actually started light lost his chance to fight for a win as a minor hitch in qualifying, for which he blamed Kimi, led to the Aussie losing the Pole and settle for a Second at the chequered flag.
Brawn meanwhile had to be satisfied with Barrichello’s third and Button’s sixth places. Ferrari meanwhile, showed resurgent form at Silverstone with Massa and Kimi finishing fourth and eighth. The curious thing to note though was that Ferrari was the only team running KERS in the race, with McLaren and BMW having nearly given it up. Maybe making top teams waste USD50 million on this was FIA’s idea to save costs!!
Rosberg and Trulli at fifth and seventh were the remaining point scorers. Force India though seems to have been improving these days. Fisichella drove impeccably to finish tenth. Lady luck seems to be eluding our tricolor team from the points. Well, considering that Williams and Force India are the only existing teams to have made unconditional applications for 2010, Mallya’s dream of a podium could come true pretty soon!
Despite a lowly sixth, Button still leads with 64 points for the Drivers’ title followed by Barrichello at 41, Vettel at 39 and Webber at 35.5. Brawn GP has crossed the hundred-marker and stands atop with 105 with Red Bull 30 odd points behind. Big names Ferrari and McLaren are at fourth and sixth. Pragmatically speaking, none of the defending or past champions, be it the drivers or teams stand a realistic chance for the 2009 title.
As the storm clouds gather on continuity of F1 in its present form 2010 onwards, Button seems to care no more as he now just needs three more wins. Though Newey’s Red Bulls are charging ahead, there seems to be little semblance to ‘battle’ for the title. Meanwhile, till the next race at Nurburgring on July 12, do pray for sanity to dawn on Mad Max and Bernie so that we can see legends Ferrari & McLaren continue in F1.
Mad Max seems to be stealing the show these days rather than the cars and drivers themselves. The controversial budget cap rule conjured by Max and Bernie seems to have pushed the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) over the edge, threatening to form a breakaway series! Remember my 2007 write-up titled ‘Illogical Rule Changes in F1 for 2008’. This is precisely what happens when rule-making is devoid of logic!
What is the controversial cap? 2010 onwards, teams that run within USD40 million enjoy technical liberties like flexi wings, etc while those that don’t conform to this cannot, thus leading to a two tier F1. Eight teams including Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, both Red Bulls, Brawn and Renault and BMW are against this, claiming that lack of technical upgrades undermines the raison d'être in Formula1. Meanwhile, Bernie hopes for a compromise.
Coming to the race weekend, this may well be the last race at the historical airfield of Silverstone. It’s really sad that the very track that saw the first ever F1 race on May 13, 1950 will no longer figure in the calendar. Already, the 2008 season missed the French race Magny Cours, the very country where grands prix were born. Well, if FOTA were to really have a breakaway series beginning 2010, I wish Silverstone figures there!
Cooler temperatures led to tyre heating issues on the Brawns, giving Vettel and Webber the opportunity to charge ahead. Starting from Pole, Vettel drove in Shumacheresque fashion, losing the lead just once to Webber while pitting; the latter, who actually started light lost his chance to fight for a win as a minor hitch in qualifying, for which he blamed Kimi, led to the Aussie losing the Pole and settle for a Second at the chequered flag.
Brawn meanwhile had to be satisfied with Barrichello’s third and Button’s sixth places. Ferrari meanwhile, showed resurgent form at Silverstone with Massa and Kimi finishing fourth and eighth. The curious thing to note though was that Ferrari was the only team running KERS in the race, with McLaren and BMW having nearly given it up. Maybe making top teams waste USD50 million on this was FIA’s idea to save costs!!
Rosberg and Trulli at fifth and seventh were the remaining point scorers. Force India though seems to have been improving these days. Fisichella drove impeccably to finish tenth. Lady luck seems to be eluding our tricolor team from the points. Well, considering that Williams and Force India are the only existing teams to have made unconditional applications for 2010, Mallya’s dream of a podium could come true pretty soon!
Despite a lowly sixth, Button still leads with 64 points for the Drivers’ title followed by Barrichello at 41, Vettel at 39 and Webber at 35.5. Brawn GP has crossed the hundred-marker and stands atop with 105 with Red Bull 30 odd points behind. Big names Ferrari and McLaren are at fourth and sixth. Pragmatically speaking, none of the defending or past champions, be it the drivers or teams stand a realistic chance for the 2009 title.
As the storm clouds gather on continuity of F1 in its present form 2010 onwards, Button seems to care no more as he now just needs three more wins. Though Newey’s Red Bulls are charging ahead, there seems to be little semblance to ‘battle’ for the title. Meanwhile, till the next race at Nurburgring on July 12, do pray for sanity to dawn on Mad Max and Bernie so that we can see legends Ferrari & McLaren continue in F1.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Movie Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (English) 93
Genre: Sci-Fi / Action / Fantasy
A decent Hollywood movie coming around after quite a long time! The marvel comics’ fictional characters from the X-Men trilogy are already popular with movie and comic fans. Set as a prequel to the trilogy, the story is centered on the origin and the life of the mutant James Howlett/ Logan/ Wolverine and his skirmishes with his half-brother Victor Creed. With not a minute wasted, rest assured that this will be an interesting watch!
Beginning in 1845 Canada, young and sickly James Howlett witnesses his father being murdered by Thomas Logan who is later revealed as James’ father. Fleeing home, young James and brother Victor, both wolf-like, indestructible and immortal mutants fight in the American Civil War, both World Wars and the Vietnam War. Their skills attract the attention of Major Stryker who recruits them into specially set up all-mutant Team X.
The team’s mutant members include shooter Agent Zero, a mercenary, a teleporter, an invincible muscleman, a technopath among others. Tired of violence and inhuman acts meted out by the group, James leaves to retire into the quiet of the Canandan woods as a lumberjack. But, the violent past just doesn’t end as Victor returns to finish off Team X; instead murders James Logan’s lover, thus putting the latter on the path of revenge.
Stryker convinces James, now Logan to accept a bio-metallurgical reinforcement so that he can avenge his lover’s death. The element is the virtually indestructible adamantium which now makes Logan, now Wolverine’s bones and claws razor sharp and deadly. As the story unfolds, Stryker is also busy readying Weapon XI, a mutant-super-soldier that combines abilities of all other mutants being researched at the secret facility.
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine holds the movie throughout and plays the part to perfection replete with the intensity we have been familiar with in the other X-Men movies. Liev Schreiber as the brother of the protagonist and interchangeably an adversary and ally plays his part menacingly well. Of course, there are other weird mutants designed to keep the make-up man busy on the set. Ben Kingsley’s cameo is cherry on the cake.
Shot mostly in Australia and New Zealand, the movie locales chosen well and the special effects ensure that your interest is kept alive throughout. Although there are action sequences that beat logic by any stretch of imagination such as Agent Zero reloading his guns in mid-air and Gambit fighting off bullets with a sword, this is just passed off as creativity. Remember, the movie is both Sci-fi and Fantasy!
Rating: 7/10 – Watch it for Special effects, gripping script & Hugh Jackman!
A decent Hollywood movie coming around after quite a long time! The marvel comics’ fictional characters from the X-Men trilogy are already popular with movie and comic fans. Set as a prequel to the trilogy, the story is centered on the origin and the life of the mutant James Howlett/ Logan/ Wolverine and his skirmishes with his half-brother Victor Creed. With not a minute wasted, rest assured that this will be an interesting watch!
Beginning in 1845 Canada, young and sickly James Howlett witnesses his father being murdered by Thomas Logan who is later revealed as James’ father. Fleeing home, young James and brother Victor, both wolf-like, indestructible and immortal mutants fight in the American Civil War, both World Wars and the Vietnam War. Their skills attract the attention of Major Stryker who recruits them into specially set up all-mutant Team X.
The team’s mutant members include shooter Agent Zero, a mercenary, a teleporter, an invincible muscleman, a technopath among others. Tired of violence and inhuman acts meted out by the group, James leaves to retire into the quiet of the Canandan woods as a lumberjack. But, the violent past just doesn’t end as Victor returns to finish off Team X; instead murders James Logan’s lover, thus putting the latter on the path of revenge.
Stryker convinces James, now Logan to accept a bio-metallurgical reinforcement so that he can avenge his lover’s death. The element is the virtually indestructible adamantium which now makes Logan, now Wolverine’s bones and claws razor sharp and deadly. As the story unfolds, Stryker is also busy readying Weapon XI, a mutant-super-soldier that combines abilities of all other mutants being researched at the secret facility.
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine holds the movie throughout and plays the part to perfection replete with the intensity we have been familiar with in the other X-Men movies. Liev Schreiber as the brother of the protagonist and interchangeably an adversary and ally plays his part menacingly well. Of course, there are other weird mutants designed to keep the make-up man busy on the set. Ben Kingsley’s cameo is cherry on the cake.
Shot mostly in Australia and New Zealand, the movie locales chosen well and the special effects ensure that your interest is kept alive throughout. Although there are action sequences that beat logic by any stretch of imagination such as Agent Zero reloading his guns in mid-air and Gambit fighting off bullets with a sword, this is just passed off as creativity. Remember, the movie is both Sci-fi and Fantasy!
Rating: 7/10 – Watch it for Special effects, gripping script & Hugh Jackman!
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