Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The Complete New Yorker
The Complete New Yorker arrived today, after months of waiting. Much pleasure anticipated.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Plagiarism
My two paisa worth on plagiarism- I wasn't going to write about this, but came across this post by Amit Varma via Desi Pundit, and also this post by Jabberwock. So, I decided that I should. While one doesn’t really expect high journalistic standards from the ToI, when plagiarized film reviews appear in a publication of such high standing as the Hindu, one feels really let down.
Film reviews that appear in the Hindu are at best, glorified plot outlines, so I never paid much attention to them. Until I read this review of Alexander by Gautaman Bhaskaran (published in the Friday Review section, Feb 11 2005), which sounded vaguely familiar. It turned out to be a rehash of this excellent, excellent NY Times review by Manohla Dargis (published November 24, 2004), condensed and repackaged for the reader’s benefit.
Some passages are direct lifts, and some slightly modified.
Examples:
The following passage has been lifted verbatim from the NY times review:
"Stone has always made stories about men for whom ordinary life is impossible by accident or by choice. As a storyteller he has long made a habit out of extreme personalities, a preoccupation that during the 1990s was matched by one of the most playfully expressive styles in American mainstream pictures."
Following passage a lift, but with modifications:
NY times
“There comes the moment in the career of many directors when they are compelled to tell the story of a great man in whose life they seem to see a glimmer of their own image. Francis Ford Coppola had Preston Tucker, the automotive innovator who tried and failed to challenge Detroit in much the same way as the filmmaker took on Hollywood, while Martin Scorsese and Mel Gibson each had Jesus.”
Hindu
“One would suppose that many helmers reach a juncture in their career when they begin to see a trace of themselves in some great men. Francis Ford Coppola saw a bit of Preston Tucker, the automotive innovator, in himself, while Martin Scorsese and Mel Gibson each had Jesus.”
I was stunned, to say the least, and finding it hard to believe that the Hindu would publish plagiarised content. Wondered if the Hindu had some kind of agreement to publish NY Times content. But if that were true, then why was the NY Times not credited?
A little bit of investigation revealed that the Alexander rip is not a one-off incident. Bhaskaran has done it several times, and particularly blatant examples (with entire passages being lifted) are Mona Lisa Smile and The Forgotten. The NY Times reviews are here and here.
In other cases (50 First Dates, Mystic River, Troy, Aviator; NY times reviews are here, here, here and here) stray sentences and phrases make their appearance in Bhaskaran’s reviews. These, perhaps, were unconscious influences. But that’s not an excuse, and as a reviewer, isn’t it your responsibility to prevent that from happening?
Bhaskaran’s been reviewing films for the Hindu for 21 years, according to his website. Why would someone so senior stoop to plagiarism? Did he really think he’d get away with this? That no one would figure it out? How dare he underestimate his readers like that?
Perhaps I’m being naïve by expecting writers/reviewers to be original. I ought to have known better.
But I still do feel very strongly against plagiarism. That’s why I’m writing this post. To let the Gautaman Bhaskarans of the world, that no, they do not get away with it. Not always. I suppose blogging is the only way to bring this to the notice of people with views similar to mine, people who still care about journalistic ethics and standards (assuming of course, that this will be read).
Update: This post on Sambhar Mafia
Update: This post.
Film reviews that appear in the Hindu are at best, glorified plot outlines, so I never paid much attention to them. Until I read this review of Alexander by Gautaman Bhaskaran (published in the Friday Review section, Feb 11 2005), which sounded vaguely familiar. It turned out to be a rehash of this excellent, excellent NY Times review by Manohla Dargis (published November 24, 2004), condensed and repackaged for the reader’s benefit.
Some passages are direct lifts, and some slightly modified.
Examples:
The following passage has been lifted verbatim from the NY times review:
"Stone has always made stories about men for whom ordinary life is impossible by accident or by choice. As a storyteller he has long made a habit out of extreme personalities, a preoccupation that during the 1990s was matched by one of the most playfully expressive styles in American mainstream pictures."
Following passage a lift, but with modifications:
NY times
“There comes the moment in the career of many directors when they are compelled to tell the story of a great man in whose life they seem to see a glimmer of their own image. Francis Ford Coppola had Preston Tucker, the automotive innovator who tried and failed to challenge Detroit in much the same way as the filmmaker took on Hollywood, while Martin Scorsese and Mel Gibson each had Jesus.”
Hindu
“One would suppose that many helmers reach a juncture in their career when they begin to see a trace of themselves in some great men. Francis Ford Coppola saw a bit of Preston Tucker, the automotive innovator, in himself, while Martin Scorsese and Mel Gibson each had Jesus.”
I was stunned, to say the least, and finding it hard to believe that the Hindu would publish plagiarised content. Wondered if the Hindu had some kind of agreement to publish NY Times content. But if that were true, then why was the NY Times not credited?
A little bit of investigation revealed that the Alexander rip is not a one-off incident. Bhaskaran has done it several times, and particularly blatant examples (with entire passages being lifted) are Mona Lisa Smile and The Forgotten. The NY Times reviews are here and here.
In other cases (50 First Dates, Mystic River, Troy, Aviator; NY times reviews are here, here, here and here) stray sentences and phrases make their appearance in Bhaskaran’s reviews. These, perhaps, were unconscious influences. But that’s not an excuse, and as a reviewer, isn’t it your responsibility to prevent that from happening?
Bhaskaran’s been reviewing films for the Hindu for 21 years, according to his website. Why would someone so senior stoop to plagiarism? Did he really think he’d get away with this? That no one would figure it out? How dare he underestimate his readers like that?
Perhaps I’m being naïve by expecting writers/reviewers to be original. I ought to have known better.
But I still do feel very strongly against plagiarism. That’s why I’m writing this post. To let the Gautaman Bhaskarans of the world, that no, they do not get away with it. Not always. I suppose blogging is the only way to bring this to the notice of people with views similar to mine, people who still care about journalistic ethics and standards (assuming of course, that this will be read).
Update: This post on Sambhar Mafia
Update: This post.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Leipziger Barocksolisten
Went to a concert by the Leipziger Barocksolisten at the Music Academy this evening. I had been looking forward to it for some time, and was not disappointed. It was organised by the Max Mueller Bhavan, and they must've spent quite a bit of money organising it. Getting the musicians here, hiring the auditorium etc. Surprisingly, entry was free. And those like me who didn't have passes were sent to occupy the not-so-good seats upstairs, even though there was plenty of room downstairs. Yay to European Philanthropy!
The concert lasted a little over an hour and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. And as the name suggest, the troupe only plays Baroque music. The number of bows these people take is amazing. They bow after every piece. I felt quite sorry for them, particularly for the lady who played the harpsichord (who was rather good looking, atleast from a distance. Tall, slim and blonde, I kept thinking she ought to be an actress/model) who had to get up, step aside and then bow. Musicians leave the stage when they are not required for a particular piece. I didn't know they did that! And they carry all their paraphernalia along, including their score and the stand that holds it (does that have a specific term?) And every time the troupe paused to turn pages in the middle of a piece, the audience became unsure of what to do- to clap or not. They clapped a couple of times, then learnt not to. Even then it seemed an uneasy restraint.
On the way back home, tried to get tickets for Ivan's Childhood, a Russian film playing at Satyam. But, there were no tickets. Tickets for an obscure Russian film sold out in less than a day? Incredible! Will try and catch the Hungarian film playing on Sunday.
The concert lasted a little over an hour and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. And as the name suggest, the troupe only plays Baroque music. The number of bows these people take is amazing. They bow after every piece. I felt quite sorry for them, particularly for the lady who played the harpsichord (who was rather good looking, atleast from a distance. Tall, slim and blonde, I kept thinking she ought to be an actress/model) who had to get up, step aside and then bow. Musicians leave the stage when they are not required for a particular piece. I didn't know they did that! And they carry all their paraphernalia along, including their score and the stand that holds it (does that have a specific term?) And every time the troupe paused to turn pages in the middle of a piece, the audience became unsure of what to do- to clap or not. They clapped a couple of times, then learnt not to. Even then it seemed an uneasy restraint.
On the way back home, tried to get tickets for Ivan's Childhood, a Russian film playing at Satyam. But, there were no tickets. Tickets for an obscure Russian film sold out in less than a day? Incredible! Will try and catch the Hungarian film playing on Sunday.
Open Door
I got locked out of my room the other day. So, the door was broken open and the door knob removed. The carpenter pronounced that it would be impossible to fit a new doorknob, and the entire door would have to be changed! Now, my door has been taken down, apparently to serve as a template for the new one. It's very, very strange living without a door.
I want mine back. Now!
Update: Door has arrived, yess!
I want mine back. Now!
Update: Door has arrived, yess!
Monday, November 21, 2005
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Ladykiller
In today's 'Ask Simi' agony aunt column in the Sunday Express Magazine:
"I wish to be a ladykiller. For this purpose, I have been looking at many recent hit films. But all they recommend is singing and dancing. Whistling also I try. I whistle films songs and simply say: 'Hey Sexy'. This also does not work. Kidndly recommend other tactics." -GN
Are there really people who write to agony aunts for advice? I've always had this sneaking suspicion that the questions are fabricated by the agony aunts themselves...
"I wish to be a ladykiller. For this purpose, I have been looking at many recent hit films. But all they recommend is singing and dancing. Whistling also I try. I whistle films songs and simply say: 'Hey Sexy'. This also does not work. Kidndly recommend other tactics." -GN
Are there really people who write to agony aunts for advice? I've always had this sneaking suspicion that the questions are fabricated by the agony aunts themselves...
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Italian Festival
Yay! The Italian festival is back. With a film festival where seven
films will be screened, a food festival at the Park Sheraton, Italian
Language Day and a violin concert. More details as events unfold.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Ok, so I've gone and done it. Taken the plunge. Finally. Have been meaning to start a blog for a while now, but never got around to because of general laziness.Whether I remain a one post wonder, or actually keep this going, only time will tell.
And what, pray, is duffilled, you ask? Paul Theroux's Great Railway Bazaar. Go read.
And what, pray, is duffilled, you ask? Paul Theroux's Great Railway Bazaar. Go read.
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