Have you heard of Rio de Janeiro? Carnival? And the Brazilian music? You can see the splendour of all three in a movie called “Rio”. It is one of the most vivid and colourful animated movies I have ever seen. It’s the story of Blu (voiced by Social Network’s Jesse Eisenberg), a blue macaw. When he was a kid, he was smuggled and carried to US. He falls off the wagon accidentally and Linda, a little girl passing by sees him and takes him home. As it turns out, he is the last male of Blue Macaw’s and there is a female in Rio. In order to save the species and you know, reproduce and stuff like that, Linda takes him to Rio. Now, Blu is not an ordinary bird. He is smart and intelligent, but cannot fly. He is kinda like Bhoomika Chawla’s career in Bollywood, pretty and smart, but failing to take off. When he sees Jewel (voiced by wonderful Anne Hathaway), the lady macaw , he falls in love with her. But they are captured by the bird smugglers. How they escape the smugglers, how the pair falls in love and how Blu learns to fly is the movie.
There are three major supporting characters without whom this movie would have fallen flat. I normally do not like George Lopez and his style of comedy. But as Rafael, he provides able support. Jamie Foxx and Will.I.Am as Pedro and Nico are simply marvelous. They provide some of the best moments in the movie. If you look at the story, Its pretty average and nothing great. But the movie becomes a wonderful experience because of the music and animation. The Brazilian music has been utilized quite brilliantly. I am hooked to the songs. Especially “Real in Rio”, “Let me take you to Rio” and “Hot Wings”. This has to be one of the best movie soundtrack listings you can ever listen to. And animation. Words cannot describe how wonderful it is. The song “Real in Rio” is a delight to watch.
Hats off to Carlos Saldanha for coming up with such a visual delight. On a scale of 10, I can give it 7.5. Or may be 8. Because even with all the wonderful voice overs, animation and music, there is something missing in this movie. I cannot quite say what that “something” is. You see Kung Fu Panda, and then see Rio, animation and music-wise, Rio is superior. But somehow, Po is more likeable than Blu. Having said that, I am going to add Rio to my best animation movies. It is a must watch just for the animation and music, if nothing else. Ok Rio was the first city. For the next two, let us move to Spain.
When the WC semifinal between India and Pakistan happened, I had told that it cannot get bigger than that (Nobody cares about the other one anyway). Well.. I, sort of, lied. It does. It has a proper name too. It is called El Clasico. Two of the greatest football clubs in the history of the game play each other twice a year. And if luck allows (by luck I mean if Los Blancos get through) in Cope Del Ray or Champions league. It is the most watched club league match in the world. By this time you would have guessed what I am referring to. It is Football Club Barcelona versus Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Blaugrana vs Galacticos, Cules vs Meringues, Spanish vs Catalan. You get the point. It is Barca vs Real.
I don’t want to be rude. So let me give you some intro about Real before I talk about my team. Although the football club started in 1897, Madrid FC came to life in 1902. In 1920, the King named it Royal (Real in Spanish) and added the crown as well to the emblem. It has always been supported by Royals and Rich. Even by Satan’s younger brother, General Franco. It is the most decorated club in the Spain, winning more trophies than anyone else. Why not. They had the money and they got the best players by shelling out more money. From De Stefano to Zidane to CRon, they were always able to spend enough to attract big names. FIFA called it the most successful club of the 20th century. Many call it the greatest club of the past century.
Coming to the current best club in the world, FC Barcelona. Now this introduction will be little longer. This is my favourite club and I’m very biased. I have been a Blaugrana follower since 1992. They played the first football match I saw. And they won it. It was the champions league (called Europeran Cup then) final. I loved the club then, I still do. Started in 1899, this club unified the Catalan supporters who saw it as a way to protest against the Royals. The feeling intensified during Rivera and Franco regime as they tried to thwart the Catalans. It did start very well and did give enough scares to Real. But by 1960, Barca had become weak. Enter Johann Cryuff in 73/74 and things looked better again. Although the team did not win many trophies, he helped the team’s morale. Johan Cryuff is a legend in Barcelona. He won the Catalan hearts when he said he preferred Barca to Real as he did not like Franco. The people adored him and they still do. He created wonders when he was a player and returned to form the winning team from ‘88 to ‘96. His tiki-taka did wonders then and still is successful. Even the Spanish national team followed it and won the world cup. Well, it had 7 Barca players which made it easier. Currently, he is the manager of the Catalan national team.
It was 2003 when the club showed intentions of being a world beater instead of just being a La Liga team. Frank Rijkaard changed the course of the club. He brought in Ronaldinho, the buck teethed champion. The Man could create miracles just by touching a football with his feet. Samuel Eto’o was powerful striker and when you add the emergence of Xavi and Iniesta and improved Puyol, people realized that this was no ordinary club. In 2008, the real revolution started. Former player Josep Guardiola took over. And Ronaldinho was let go along with Eto’o . Nobody bothered. Because God had decided that enough was enough and he wanted to play some ball too. Leo Messi had arrived. Xavi and Iniesta reached their prime too. The dreadful years for the opponents had begun. Apart from the loss to Internazionale in Champions league, the team never looked weak. Messi, time and again, made mockery of the defenders and keepers. It became a habit. My supporting of the team through thick and thin was paying off. Barca was humiliating every other team. Inculding Real Madrid.
Real currently is the second best team in Spain and looks like it will stay that way for a while. A great football team cannot be made by assembling great players together. It’s the team that matters. Having said that, I have to acknowledge that Real have a strong lineup. (I am including CRon as well). That’s what makes the Clasico interesting now a days.. Both teams and strong and both teams are winning matches (Barca more than Real.. and Real have not won a El clasico since May 2008). The tiki taka of Barca against powerplay of Real. It is the magician Messi against theatrical Ronaldo. Strong Puyol vs Mercurial Ozil. Brilliant Xavi and awesome Iniesta against.. well. No one.. There is no one in the world who can be compared. Sneijder and Bale in current form are the only names I can think of who come close.
For now, Barca are the better team. In past three years, they have not lost a single match against Real and have scored 5 goals or more twice. When you see how good a lineup Real has, you will realize the class. This month they will facing each other our times. El Clasico, Copa Del Rey finals and Champions Leagues Semifinals. It is going to be one hell of a time. Four times within a month? There will be lot of heart attacks around the world. There will be so many people spending their time glued to the TV or internet during these four days. I am going to be one of them. I am a cule and its cool. After all, Mes Que Un Club. Its more than a club.
There are three major supporting characters without whom this movie would have fallen flat. I normally do not like George Lopez and his style of comedy. But as Rafael, he provides able support. Jamie Foxx and Will.I.Am as Pedro and Nico are simply marvelous. They provide some of the best moments in the movie. If you look at the story, Its pretty average and nothing great. But the movie becomes a wonderful experience because of the music and animation. The Brazilian music has been utilized quite brilliantly. I am hooked to the songs. Especially “Real in Rio”, “Let me take you to Rio” and “Hot Wings”. This has to be one of the best movie soundtrack listings you can ever listen to. And animation. Words cannot describe how wonderful it is. The song “Real in Rio” is a delight to watch.
Hats off to Carlos Saldanha for coming up with such a visual delight. On a scale of 10, I can give it 7.5. Or may be 8. Because even with all the wonderful voice overs, animation and music, there is something missing in this movie. I cannot quite say what that “something” is. You see Kung Fu Panda, and then see Rio, animation and music-wise, Rio is superior. But somehow, Po is more likeable than Blu. Having said that, I am going to add Rio to my best animation movies. It is a must watch just for the animation and music, if nothing else. Ok Rio was the first city. For the next two, let us move to Spain.
When the WC semifinal between India and Pakistan happened, I had told that it cannot get bigger than that (Nobody cares about the other one anyway). Well.. I, sort of, lied. It does. It has a proper name too. It is called El Clasico. Two of the greatest football clubs in the history of the game play each other twice a year. And if luck allows (by luck I mean if Los Blancos get through) in Cope Del Ray or Champions league. It is the most watched club league match in the world. By this time you would have guessed what I am referring to. It is Football Club Barcelona versus Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, Blaugrana vs Galacticos, Cules vs Meringues, Spanish vs Catalan. You get the point. It is Barca vs Real.
I don’t want to be rude. So let me give you some intro about Real before I talk about my team. Although the football club started in 1897, Madrid FC came to life in 1902. In 1920, the King named it Royal (Real in Spanish) and added the crown as well to the emblem. It has always been supported by Royals and Rich. Even by Satan’s younger brother, General Franco. It is the most decorated club in the Spain, winning more trophies than anyone else. Why not. They had the money and they got the best players by shelling out more money. From De Stefano to Zidane to CRon, they were always able to spend enough to attract big names. FIFA called it the most successful club of the 20th century. Many call it the greatest club of the past century.
Coming to the current best club in the world, FC Barcelona. Now this introduction will be little longer. This is my favourite club and I’m very biased. I have been a Blaugrana follower since 1992. They played the first football match I saw. And they won it. It was the champions league (called Europeran Cup then) final. I loved the club then, I still do. Started in 1899, this club unified the Catalan supporters who saw it as a way to protest against the Royals. The feeling intensified during Rivera and Franco regime as they tried to thwart the Catalans. It did start very well and did give enough scares to Real. But by 1960, Barca had become weak. Enter Johann Cryuff in 73/74 and things looked better again. Although the team did not win many trophies, he helped the team’s morale. Johan Cryuff is a legend in Barcelona. He won the Catalan hearts when he said he preferred Barca to Real as he did not like Franco. The people adored him and they still do. He created wonders when he was a player and returned to form the winning team from ‘88 to ‘96. His tiki-taka did wonders then and still is successful. Even the Spanish national team followed it and won the world cup. Well, it had 7 Barca players which made it easier. Currently, he is the manager of the Catalan national team.
It was 2003 when the club showed intentions of being a world beater instead of just being a La Liga team. Frank Rijkaard changed the course of the club. He brought in Ronaldinho, the buck teethed champion. The Man could create miracles just by touching a football with his feet. Samuel Eto’o was powerful striker and when you add the emergence of Xavi and Iniesta and improved Puyol, people realized that this was no ordinary club. In 2008, the real revolution started. Former player Josep Guardiola took over. And Ronaldinho was let go along with Eto’o . Nobody bothered. Because God had decided that enough was enough and he wanted to play some ball too. Leo Messi had arrived. Xavi and Iniesta reached their prime too. The dreadful years for the opponents had begun. Apart from the loss to Internazionale in Champions league, the team never looked weak. Messi, time and again, made mockery of the defenders and keepers. It became a habit. My supporting of the team through thick and thin was paying off. Barca was humiliating every other team. Inculding Real Madrid.
Real currently is the second best team in Spain and looks like it will stay that way for a while. A great football team cannot be made by assembling great players together. It’s the team that matters. Having said that, I have to acknowledge that Real have a strong lineup. (I am including CRon as well). That’s what makes the Clasico interesting now a days.. Both teams and strong and both teams are winning matches (Barca more than Real.. and Real have not won a El clasico since May 2008). The tiki taka of Barca against powerplay of Real. It is the magician Messi against theatrical Ronaldo. Strong Puyol vs Mercurial Ozil. Brilliant Xavi and awesome Iniesta against.. well. No one.. There is no one in the world who can be compared. Sneijder and Bale in current form are the only names I can think of who come close.
For now, Barca are the better team. In past three years, they have not lost a single match against Real and have scored 5 goals or more twice. When you see how good a lineup Real has, you will realize the class. This month they will facing each other our times. El Clasico, Copa Del Rey finals and Champions Leagues Semifinals. It is going to be one hell of a time. Four times within a month? There will be lot of heart attacks around the world. There will be so many people spending their time glued to the TV or internet during these four days. I am going to be one of them. I am a cule and its cool. After all, Mes Que Un Club. Its more than a club.
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