Netflix – Words and other Comforts.

NO RULES RULES –

Let’s be clear, No Rules Rules is 100% about the company’s people and culture, not about it’s business and content. Although, one can see how the culture is such a big part of it’s business strategy and at the heart of how they get things right. The book offers some great insights (with clear examples) into how Netflix manages an unorthodox innovative culture, despite it’s size and global spread. As writing styles go, full marks to how the straightforwardness, simplicity and candor with which it is written reflects the culture we’ve often heard about.

Surprisingly chill read.

THE CORRECT ORDER OF BISCUITS –

1. Lists
2. Random lists
3. Ridiculously random lists
4. Brilliant ridiculously random lists
5. Precious brilliant ridiculously random lists

Definite pick-me-up on a blah day. The book combines my love for lists, puns and the weird; it doesn’t get better than this. Quirky, fun and intelligent.

I hope there is a coffee-table collectible version of it in the works. Will re-read multiple times.

SOMETIMES IVORY, SOMETIMES SAND –

Brazen hope and survival 🤍

Two strong female protagonists, both different yet similar as being survivors in their own journeys. Set in a fictional land, their lives collide unexpectedly and they grow together to face societal and political challenges. Slightly verbose at times but otherwise a captivating storyline, definite single sitting read.

Borrowed from the poem Udaipur (early morning), the title of the book is for when paradoxical events come together –

It’s been weeks
That I’ve been trying to figure you out…
But you’ve kept me on the surface
Sometimes ivory,
Sometimes sand.

STAR STRUCK: CONFESSIONS OF A TV EXECUTIVE –

As a media person, having started my career in India, this book was a treat. It offers a great glimpse into the Star India journey and transformation, answers some of the why’s to the decisions taken and gives an insight into the thinking that went behind it. I would have liked to know a lot more.

There are some gems inside that he has penned from his experience, the one that stayed with me is when he says “Presenting a counter-response is essential to test the waters and flush out the real intent”, when dealing with a crucial decision in his life.

Pacy, easy to read and well worth the wait.

Someone on Twitter wanted a piece on cringe-binge shows. And while I am no expert here, I do love a horribly cringey fun show every now and then. It did however bring up questions as to what side of me (us) does it appeal to, what need of mine (ours) does it tick?

Was it the eye candy in Emily in Paris? Not all of it, I practically felt like slapping some sense into a few of the extremely good-looking guys in there, but Chef Gabriel had my heart. The broody, intense finding-his-way-in-life guy. After the many Imtiaz Ali movies who wouldn’t like a confused but good-looking dude, enough to carry an entire show on his shoulder. I say, bring on some more cringe now.

Was it the blatant honesty bordering on rudeness in The Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives. Hell No. My entry to the show was Neelam, I stayed on for Seema. One character who is a favorite from a long time ago; and one character who practically grows up on the show through the chaos and finds her own voice. They made me want to tolerate Bhavna and Maheep. Plus the stunning (when not garish) wardrobe and jewellery was a pleasure to watch. No, not on Karan Johar.

Was it the superficial and extra-fake Seema aunty in Indian matchmaking? I am not even going to answer that. It was Nadia’s story that made me stick through the first episode and move on to the next. But more, it was the sheer audacity some of the candidates had in terms of their expectations and how it only got worse through the journey. And knowing that there are real people like that out there (been there, done that, in terms of meeting people in an arranged marriage set-up) plus the fact that they still do find a match and get their happy ever after. Yes, it played to my sappy heart in some way.

The two big hooks to all of them though:

⁃ Would I have watched any of these if not for the word-of-mouth hype from friends? Big no, because there’s something to be said for familiar and credible cringe.

⁃ Would I have watched any of these if not on Netflix? Big no, because even cringe has some class and needless to say, Netflix brings an A-grade to cringe.

As sub-genres on the platform go, cringe and chill seems to be working so far 🙂

Tag: Netflix

Book’ish – Recent Reads.

Cringe and chill.