IntentBlog

Danny Boyle on Storytelling

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:02:30 -0800

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to speak to Danny Boyle, the film-maker behind Slumdog Millionaire (neck and neck my favorite movie of the year with Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler –see them both right now!). What started as a conversation around Danny’s triumphant film set in the heart of Mumbai’s sprawling slums evolved into a meditation on the art of story-telling. I’m not going to jump the shark by saying too much. You can hear Danny in his own words here. Trust me, it’s worth it.

ISRAEL GETS A PASS

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:58:14 -0800

Over the last few days, I have been doing my best to survey a variety of different news services and keep up on the unfolding events in Gaza and the Israeli invasion therein.

Arab-Israeli rage - again

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:22:56 -0800

Somewhere in Tel Aviv right now there are a couple of dozen Israelis excitedly preparing for a New Years’ bash that sadly will be their last. Likewise in Gaza or the West Bank there are a couple hundred Palestinians that are huddling with their families, dodging Israeli missile attacks, but only temporarily because they are inevitable statistics destined to die.

Blagojevich Blemish

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:18:57 -0800

The truth is that I’d never heard of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich before today. I probably couldn’t pronounce his name right if you paid me the same amount of money that he allegedly was trying to get for appointing the new Senator of Illinois.

Danny Boyle - Slumdog Millionaire

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:06:19 -0800

Let me start with this disclaimer: I loved the film SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.

I’m not the only one. The indie film about a Muslim kid name Jamal Malik from the slums of Mumbai who earns his way through the popular TV show Who Wants to be Millionaire has garnered accolades from audiences and critics since it’s first showing, culminating with this week’s receipt of the prestigious Nbr (National Board Review award) which apparently, amongst those who know, is generally considered a solid prognosticator for the Oscars.

Prem Uncle's Story: A Family member murdered in Hindu-Muslim carnage

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:23:53 -0800

“We didn’t have much use for these, you know: Hindus, Muslims. You live there. I live there. We were kids, then, really just kids. And neighbors.”

I could tell form the way that Prem uncle said this, with a tight frown on his face, his neck craned, and his old eyes gazing up toward the rood, that he meant it….at least once upon a time.

My Response to the Wall Street Journal

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:50:59 -0800

As many already know, my father Deepak Chopra (along with thousands of others) has taken a vow of non-violence in all his actions and words. As a result, he's unable to respond that aggressively to an article written by Dorothy Rabinowitz in Monday’s Wall Street Journal critical of his response on CNN and elsewhere to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Fortunately, I haven't taken the vow.

Mumbai Mess

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:05:49 -0800

All through Thanksgiving at the Chopra house, we have been discussing vigorously the ongoing situation in Mumbai.

Mumbai Attacks

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:20:34 -0800

Because the situation in Mumbai remains fluid, it's hard to say too much at this early stage. But early reports indicate that today's terror attacks in India's most populous city have all the hallmarks of Islamic militant organizations like Al Qaida and other Jihadist driven gangs. The well coordinated sophisticated attacks on multiple locations; the specific targeting of westerners; the fact that no known terror organizations has claimed responsibility (leaving general uncertainty, anxiety, and terror to loom instead); these are all the tried and true techniques of well-oiled terror organizations.

President Obama

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:44:47 -0800

Today, much of the country and her citizens awoke with a renewed sense of hope, a long forgotten emotion in the bleak national nightmare that has endured since September 11'th 2001.

Ambasteve, what say you?

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:16:59 -0800

Election Day update

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:06:54 -0800

Was in line by 640 AM with wife and kid. Probably about 15th in line. Great energy out there, felt like I was tailgating before a BIG game.

The Undecided

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:29:56 -0800

I want to meet one of these "undecided" people on whose decision the future of the planet relies. Really, who the f#$% are they and why the f@#$ do they get to decide the rest of our fate?

Unfortunately Joe the plumber is an actual guy

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:42:11 -0800

Today Joe was out stumping for John McCain, sharing his foreign policy expertise when he agreed with an audience member that an Obama presidency would result in the "death of Israel." Say What?

Blah blah blah

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:11:26 -0800

"This bailout shouldn't just be about saving Wall Street, it's about Main Street..." - Barrack Obama...no I mean John McCain. For God's sake, can I just freaking vote already?