...or at least buying DVDs again, which is never the same thing. But one may yet lead to the other. You lucky people who’ve been frequenting this blog will know that in the recent past my movie-viewing has taken a distant second place to reading. Well, this Saturday I finally took the advice of friends who’ve been impleading me to visit The Electronic Zone in Palika Bazaar, where a number of world cinema titles are available on DVD for Rs 200 each. I’d been sceptical for many reasons, not least because I was convinced the prints would be terrible copies, or that the special features/scene selection/subtitles wouldn’t work. But it turns out that isn’t the case, unless I’ve lucked out big time. What’s more, though the DVDs aren’t properly packaged when you’re going through the titles, once you’ve bought them you’re given the requisite number of plastic jackets. Which is a big factor; I don’t like loose packaging.
Despite the avid recommendations by B. Ray, Kamlesh, Shougat and others, I hadn’t held out much hope that I’d get around to starting a new collection from (sniff) a Palika shop. But I ended up buying Sleeper (Woody Allen), 21 Grams and this amazing (and amazingly untalked-about) film by Nick Cassavetes (son of John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands) called She’s So Lovely, starring Sean Penn, Robin Wright and John Travolta in one of his smoothest performances. I saw this movie four or five years ago at a film fest and never heard anything about it since.
Next on my list: Almodovars, Bergmans, Kurosawas and who knows, maybe even some lesbian shorts. Anyone in Delhi who hasn’t heard of this shop yet or is just being lazy or is still whining that DVDs are hideously expensive, get off of your butts now and visit it (this means you, Shamya and Mrs).
I LIKE THAT! We told you about Electronic Zone some six months back. We have been there a number of times. Have bought some CDs. If we haven't bought DVDs, it's because we don't have a DVD player, you moron.
ReplyDeleteDudes, just because they don’t have DVDs of Ben Sandler (or is it Adam Stiller) films is no reason not to buy a DVD player (now available for a measly Rs 3,400) Ok, so you guys might have known about the shop...but you're STILL lazy for opting for cheap, substandard VCDs.
ReplyDeleteWe don't own chaltes across the Swiss Alps, brother. Have to watch where the little rupees go
ReplyDeleteSorry. 'chalets' before you get on my case again.
ReplyDeletebtw, jabberwock, (and kamlesh, shougat and everyone else named in this blog)...should you be publicly admitting to buying pirated dvds? - ags
ReplyDeleteProbably not. But since your husband's incriminated himself in his Comment (after I'd sweetly left the two of you out of the crime ring), we may as well all sink together.
ReplyDeleteEighteen months on, but do you still pay 200 rupees? I pay only 80 where I shop regularly, a small crowded electronics market across the road from the Red Fort named Lajpat Rai Market. Crowded beyond hope, but much cheaper than Palika Bazaar on every single electronic item. I suspect the Palika shopkeepers source their material from Lajpat Rai...
ReplyDeleteYou remember the shop number please!!! I went looking and got lost inside :)
ReplyDelete