Spidey saves the day, again
First suggestion: Don’t wait for this movie to appear on Torrent or some shady website. Watch it in the theater. Second: Don’t watch it in anything other than 3D. Or you’ll miss out on the whole adventure.
Hollywood goes to Europe in this latest Marvel creation called “Spiderman: Far From Home” and despite the carnage it wreaks in some of Europe’s best-known cities, the world is saved at the end. No spoiler, this: Isn’t this how things eventually turn out in every superhero flick? And we’re safe thanks to the teamwork of Spidey (Tom Holland) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).
Fury, the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D, can mobilize the Avengers to save the world at his will, and he does so in this installment too. Holland almost effortlessly continues in his Peter Parker role that he started in “Captain America: Civil War” (2016). Sharing the screen for the first time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Jake Gyllenhaal playing Quentin Beck/Mysterio.
The film starts with an homage to Tony Stark/Iron Man and the Fallen Avengers as well as the “blip” that occurred in the past two movie editions of Avengers. (We are sure you have watched the biggest blockbuster, ever.)
In the new film, Parker, a high-school student, is out on an educational trip of Europe with his schoolmates, including his crush Michelle/MJ (Zendaya). Like most teenagers with a high-school crush, he has planned an eventful trip and the perfect sequence to declare his love to MJ.
But then, even on vacation, the poor chap is faced with a dubious choice: to woo his crush into falling in love with him, or answering Fury’s calling to save the world. We know what our hero chooses already.
So what’s new in this Spidey movie, you ask? Well, to start with, this is partly a coming of age story of ‘the friendly, neighborhood hero saves the world’ narrative. We see a meek and scared Parker who is ‘not yet 21’ take up the gigantic responsibility. Holland’s Spidey character has always been part of a bigger group of Avengers, with him being cast as a teenager with recently-acquired super-powers who is being groomed by the veteran Tony Stark. In Far From Home, the little, unsure boy has grown up into a responsible man, making important decisions on his own.
Although Spidey gets the whole film to himself on this one, we do at times miss the cocky Stark. Spiderman-Ironman relationship was unmatched to relations between any other Avengers, and it was always fun to watch them together. We also miss the Marvel creator Stan Lee’s (1922-2018) classic cameo. (May his departed soul find peace.) You expect him to appear on screen, at any time. Unfortunately, he does not.
The 3D recommendation is not flippant either. If you want to feel the water churn under your ‘gondola’ in Venice, watch it in 3D. If you want to hover above London Bridge like a bird, correction, a drone, watch it in 3D. If you want to experience the best of modern-day VFX, do so again.
Who should watch it?:
Men, women and children of all ages. Period. It’s a ‘Marvelous’ PG movie with high-end graphics and a whole load of family-friendly humor.
Rating: 4 stars
Actors:Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal
Director: Jon Watts
Run time: 129 minutes
Aditya Narayan & the A Team
7 pm, July 6, Saturday
Club Fahrenheit
Thamel, Kathmandu
Bollywood singer with Nepali roots, Aditya Narayan Jha will be performing in an exclusive concert this weekend at Club Farenheit.
Girish and the Chronicles Live
6 pm, July 6, Saturday
LOD: Lord of the Drinks
Thamel, Kathmandu
GATC is an Indian Hard Rock/Melodic Rock/Heavy Metal band originally from Gangtok, Sikkim, which was brought together in 2009 by vocalist Girish Pradhan.
Monsoon Mania by Carlsberg
10 am, July 6, Saturday
Food Truck Park
Nagpokhari Marg, Kathmandu
An open event full of fun activities, games, market stalls, rain dance, live band, and a lot more! Dress Code: Swim wear or waterproof clothes.
Black And White Portrait Session
11 am, July 5, Friday
Attic
Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu
Black and White Portrait Session is an event where you are invited to have your classic Black and White Portrait taken. The event encourages participants from different fields to capture professional portraits of themselves.
Nepal Toastmasters grows bigger
The Toastmasters movement in Nepal is growing, with the addition of six new Clubs— Professionals Toastmasters Club, Founders Toastmasters Club, Gandaki Toastmasters Club, Pokhara Toastmasters Club, Dharan Toastmasters Club, and Baneshwor Toastmasters Club. There are now 18 Toastmasters clubs in Nepal with over 500 members.
Similarly, Nepali Toastmasters are also gaining international exposure. Distinguished Toastmaster Ranjit Acharya has now been elected in Top 3 Leadership position of District 41, which comprises India (North India, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh), Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. He will now be working as the Club Growth Director and oversee growth of clubs in the entire district, which has a total of 214 clubs until now. This year the District conference “ORATION-2019” was held at Kolkata where Nepali Toastmaster contestants participated in different speech contests.
Alfa M. Shakya from KUSOM Toastmasters Club won first runner up award in International Speech Contest, the highest award for a Nepali Toastmaster thus far. Asira Khanal from the Himalaya Toastmaster Club won the second runner up in Speech Evaluation Contest.
Now, Division ‘A’ Nepal is under the leadership of Distinguished Toastmaster Suman Shakya. Twelve more clubs are planned in Nepal this term ( July 2019-June 2020), taking the country total to 30.
HAVE LUNCH WITH NUNS IN KATHMANDU
Inside the pristine forest of Shivapuri National Park lies the Nagi Gompa Nunnery. Here, after a morning hike of around two hours, you can have lunch with the nuns in a peaceful environment while enjoying the amazing view of the Kathmandu valley. The lunch along with the trek will cost you Rs 12,500. The price includes an English speaking guide (in case you need one), entrance fees to the national park, and private transport. For more information, visit socialtours.com/trip/lunch-with-nuns.
Just completed your SEE? You may want to try one of these
Knocking down the ‘Iron Gate’ is not easy. Years in the pipeline, the last few months of the process can be incredibly stressful. So, at the end of it, three months of holidays is not only well deserved but also enough time for students to rejuvenate before they join high school. In this time, they can pick up some fun activities that help them explore their interests and in their overall growth. If you’re wondering what you can do with your time, fret not. We list some fun activities just for you.
LEARNING MUSIC
One engaging hobby most students pick up during this time is music. They can take up an instrument and learn to play their favorite songs and learn music theory. The music schools listed below may be worth exploring.
1) Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory (KJC)
Location: Jhamsikhel, Contact: 01-5543554
KJC makes you spoilt for choice. Students can pick between vocals, bass, piano, drums and guitar. A popular school for aspiring musicians, KJC also offers elementary, middle and higher diplomas. Admission for elementary two-year diploma opens coming August. Students get a 30 percent discount if they enroll for lessons between 10 am and 12 pm, Monday to Friday.
2) Nepal Music Center
Location: Karuna Marg, Sinamangal, Contact: 01-4465463
Run by a guthi, Nepal Music Center offers lessons in guitars, keyboard and western vocals. Enrollment cost is Rs 500 and monthly lessons, Rs 2,000 (for eight lessons a month). You will be required to keep Rs 3,000 in refundable security deposit with the center.
3) Sushila Arts Academy
Location: Jana Marg, Maharajgunj, Contact: 01-4015643
Sushila Arts Academy offers a variety of courses in performance arts, including on piano, guitar and violin. The basic course (Rs 4,500) is of six months, but we recommend a diploma of two or three years. In addition, the academy offers lessons on kathak, bharatnatyam, freestyle, flamenco, hip hop and contemporary dance forms.
PICKING UP A NEW LANGUAGE
Learning a new language is difficult when you’re inundated with schoolwork. So the break is a great time to acquire a new vernacular.
1) ALTA VISTA, A school of Spanish Language
Location: Putalisadak, Contact: 01-4010529
The basic one-month, 30-hour course costs Rs 8,000, with Rs 1,000 in discount for SEE graduates. The instructor is a native of Spain and teaches in English. You get a certificate after the completion of 30 hours. Students nearing their high school graduation and applying abroad may also enroll.
2) GOETHE-Zentrum Kathmandu
Location: Thapathali, Contact: 01-4250871
This institute of German language offers new sessions every August. A student can choose between normal and intensive courses, which are of two months and four months respectively. Normal course costs Rs 12,000 while the price for intensive course is Rs 14,000.
3) Nepal Japanese Language School
Location: Puspalal Path, Contact: 01-4365555
Love anime? Students interested in Japanese language can enroll here. The school’s introductory course (N5 level) spans over six months long and costs Rs 2,000 a month along with a one-time registration charge of Rs 500. Students can opt for more advanced level courses later if they plan to go to Japan for higher education.
SHAPING UP
Most teenagers take an interest in fitness during this holiday. A healthy approach to improving and maintaining a good physique can yield many benefits. While heavy lifting is not recommended at 15 or 16, having an instructor teach you cardio and basic workouts can come handy.
1) The Physique Workshop
Location: Kumaripati/ Maharajgunj/ Maitidevi, Contact: 01-5521190
TPW offers gym and cardio facilities in packages ranging from 1 month, 3 months, 6 months to 1 year. There are a variety of equipment for weight training. The one-month basic package costs Rs 3,000, which goes up to Rs 25,000 for a year. Your admission fee of Rs 500 may be waived off in case of referrals or group-attendance.
2) RAGE fitness
Location: Sama Marga, Naxal, Contact: 01-4411288
Or why don’t you join RAGE fitness, a popular space for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) training? RAGE offers training for MMA, Boxing, Cardio Kickboxing, Zumba, BodyAttack, TRX, Aerobics, and a fully equipped gym. Among the younger age group, boxing is said to be the most popular choice. The option costs Rs 3,500 a month, with sessions taking place four times a week.
3) Banu’s Total Fitness
Location: Kamalpokhari, 01- 4434830
Another popular gym, Banu’s Total Fitness, offers services such as boxing and weight-training. The monthly gym membership costs Rs 4,520 and monthly boxing membership costs Rs 4,500. An instructor is always present to guide you. Unlike most other gyms, Banu’s is open even on Saturday mornings.
WORKING THE LENS
With Instagram feeds becoming more aesthetic and YouTube gaining popularity, learning how to operate a camera can give you an edge, in just about anything you do.
1) National School of Photography
Location: Chabahil, Contact: 01-4488616
This is the place to be if you want to nurture your inner photographer. The National School of Photography offers a wide range of courses in photography, photo and video editing, and videography. Yes, SEE graduates get special discounts. The cost for a month-long basic level course is Rs 10,500 whereas a higher level three-month ‘Foundation’ course costs Rs 35,000, after which students have the option of internship. The school provides certificates for all students who complete the program.
2) Nepal Photography Training Institute
Location: Kamaladi, Contact: 01-4216291
For beginners, the training institute has courses on photography, photo editing, videography and video editing. The 21-day photography course costs Rs 7,000; the photo editing course is priced at Rs 4,000. Likewise, the month-long videography course costs Rs 15,000; the video editing course is priced at Rs 10,000. After the completion of basic courses, students have the option of pursuing advanced courses.
3) School Of Creative Communications
Location: Kupondol, Contact: 984-1242307
The courses offered here are tailored to people of diverse interests. SEE graduates and +2 students can enroll in the courses here regardless of their chosen stream. The 30-hour, 15-day photography and photo-editing course costs Rs 5,500. Admissions open the first week of every English month. The school also offers need-based scholarships. There is a creative writing course, too, if you are interested.
