The Great Cricket Swindle

In my childhood, I had two dreams: (1) to play for the New Zealand cricket team, and (2) for there to be cricket on television every day. In view of the fact that I am currently here writing this article instead of in Sri Lanka with the Black Caps, we can safely assume that (1) did not come true. (2), however, most certainly has, and in amongst the deluge of statistics and ludicrously controversial no-balls, I finally understand that old maxim: be careful what you wish for.

…read more at The NRI

What Happened to M. Night Shyamalan?

With the release of The Last Airbender last month, M. Night Shyamalan’s reputation – already damaged by a lukewarm response to The Village and outright critical disgust at Lady in the Water and The Happening – has reached new depths.  Celebrated film critic Roger Ebert, who once championed Shyamalan’s natural skill and craft, wrote a ½ star out of 4 review and began with the following: “The Last Airbender is an agonizing experience in every category I can think of and others still waiting to be invented.”  This is it, the nadir of one of the world’s more famous NRIs.  Having had the film world at his feet a decade ago, in 2010 he cannot possibly sink any lower…

…read more at The NRI