The Doon School Information Review November Issue 2019

November Issue 2019

DSIR

EDITORIAL

To my mind, the DSIR has always been much more than a magazine which reviews movies, books and TV shows. Much like the Weekly ‘sketches your world as it goes’, the DSIR acts as a symbol for the narratives which govern the daily life of a Dosco. Be it the latest Netflix original or the album which is topping the charts- the DSIR brings meaning and depth to it; we help you look at it in a different light.

different light by teenagers when compared to adults. Their alien is our normal. Therefore, it becomes imperative to think and write in terms of our entire generation and review the media we are exposed to on our terms. This fresh perspective is something that will make this year’s issues stand out from those of the past and I wish to make this culture of individualised reviewing the hallmark of my tenure.

This personalised and interactive way of appreciating pop culture was brought about in Kushagra Kar’s tenure back in 2017 and ever since, the growth in popularity and quality of the magazine has been exponential. I would like to thank my immediate predecessor Karan Sampath for living up to this mission statement and bringing the Dosco factor into the publication.

Through the course of the year, the editorial board intends to broaden its focus by not only looking at what is ‘in’, but at what has shaped the popular culture of the present: the past. The ‘Monthly Iconics’ section you will find in this issue is going to be a regular feature which recounts the most significant pop culture events that have happened in a particular month across time. This regular has been created in order to make our readership think and reflect on the events of the past which have helped shape the way we look at cinema, music and literature today.

In my tenure I intend to use this publication as a means to make the community aware of how and to what extent popular culture impacts our lives. This will mean focusing on the personal effect the books or movies being reviewed have on the author. How they felt?

Who they related to? What amused them? What didn’t? This distinctive perspective is what sets the DSIR apart from Vanity Fair or New York Times because at the end of the day we are a teenager-managed publication and the perspective we provide needs to be representative of our generation. By this I mean that certain issues and storylines, like that of Thirteen Reasons Why or Elite, can be looked at in a very

Apart from this regular, the November issue encompasses Dosco favourites like Designated Survivor and BoJack Horseman and also includes a reflection on the increasing popularity of 70s rock both on campus and outside. We sincerely hope that you enjoy reading this issue!

Nirvair Singh Editor-in-Chief

Kabir Subbiah analyses Bohemian Rhapsody’s soundtrack and its effect on the popularity of 70s rock.

Image Credits: Pinterest

Apart from its striking portrayal of some of the movie’s characters, and the flow that made it such a hit, Bohemian Rhapsody was popularized for the brilliant way in which it blended the music into the plot and timeline of the movie. From Queen’s rendition of ‘The 21st Century Fox Fanfare’ at the very beginning, till ‘The Show Must Go On’ during credits, Queen’s music was ubiquitous throughout.

Apart from being a commercial success, the movie succeeded in popularizing Queen’s music and the era that provided context for this music, the 70’s, which was defined by a large number of rock bands. The use of renowned songs like ‘Killer Queen’ and ‘Radio Ga Ga’ to show what propelled the band to fame, is impressive, but it is songs like ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and ‘I Want to Break Free’ that are appropriately placed in front of the backdrop that is Freddie Mercury’s life; it is these songs that stay with you, and it is these songs that were listened to more after the film’s release.

It is in the soundtrack’s ability to make me remember the movie so clearly, that its beauty lies: It breaches the limitations of music and encroaches onto a realm where everything means so much more.

HOW

REVIVED 70’s ROCK November Issue | 3

Every time I hear any of the nineteen momentous songs that form the soundtrack, they remind me of a scene, a face, or an emotion. It is in the soundtrack’s ability to make me remember the movie so clearly, that its beauty lies: it breaches the limitations of music and encroaches onto a realm where everything means so much more. Understanding the stories behind songs like ‘Under Pressure’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ makes listening to these songs a more enriching experience because they remind me of a specific context; words and phrases found in the lyrics have deeper meanings and they touch upon a lingering, almost nostalgic sense that becomes ingrained in the minds of those who watched the movie.

What is this sense, though? What are these stories? In the modern context where the LGBTQIA+ community is gaining much traction, films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocket Man, Elton John’s biopic, showcase the previously unknown sides of such musicians. The projection of their character’s homosexuality and struggles, made the films staggeringly different from the stereotypical biopic. In fact, many admired such films for their rejection of social stereotypes. Listening to ‘Crocodile Rock’ and ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick’

makes me recall these struggles, and therein lies their power.

What is fascinating, though, is that many of those who were unconvinced by the film, actually began to listen to Queen regularly. The only feasible explanation for this is that they were exposed to a different side of music, a side that is definitively different from the meaningless pop and the misogynistic rap which dominates the musical scene today. Classic Rock is appealing, but as music and technology evolved, it began to lose its grip on the younger generations. Bohemian Rhapsody was one of the biopics that caused a revival in its popularity.

Fun Fact Freddie Mercury wrote Bohemian Rhapsody on phone books and scrap paper.

Other movies, such as the Rocket Man, were debatable in terms of their comparative quality, but they too played a significant role in stoking the fire for old rock songs. Of course, in today’s age of Youtube Music, Apple Music and Spotify, when a song becomes a hit, it enters into a cycle of popularity that rockets it into trending lists, in efforts to stimulate demand for the song. It is through this cycle of plays and replays that 70s rock music, be it Queen, Pink Floyd or so many other bands, has become a regular feature in the playlists of new fans, who may or may not have watched the recent biopics.

Do you listen to Queen?

Yes 47% No 53% 407 people of the school community were polled.

From surviving a bullet to covering for his wife to trying to be democratic; Kirkman experiences it all, and drives the plot to make Designated Survivor an incredibly compelling series.

Most popularly known for his role as Jack Bauer in the high octane series 24, Kiefer Sutherland plays Tom Kirkman. But unlike the action-oriented, emotive Jack Bauer he plays in 24, his Tom Kirkman is characterised to be a quieter force, a man of contemplation and consideration, who, despite the multitude of problems in front of him, needs to keep a straight face. It is a subtle contrast, but it’s enough to draw you in to watch him as he tussles to strike a balance between his social and political life. As far as his political life is concerned, he needs to form a government, prove his legitimacy as a leader to both the media and the public and find the people responsible for the bombing. The problem is, he needs to do this quick, before any external forces interrupt the process, before the emerging opposition garners enough support to depose him. He needs to pass laws, effective ones at that , but here is the catch. Tom Kirkman does not assign himself to any political party, which means he is an Independent, and in a situation where both the Democrats and Republicans see a shot at glory, he needs to act as a political centrist, one who accepts and negotiates to avoid any internal conflicts in the Senate. On the social front, he needs to spend time with his wife, make sure his children do not have any problems at school, where he is concerned they might not make friends as they are always ‘guarded’.

Fun Fact Kal Penn, who plays Seth in the show, is the only actor who has actually worked in the White House.

In addition to Kirkman’s character, the plot of the series is also intriguing. In fact, it runs on three levels.

The first is the more straightforward one, where the White House and the running or rather, rebuilding of the Government is shown through the eyes of President Kirkman. Kirkman’s daily challenges, his international relations and his interactions with the general American public are shown in a manner that brings out both the considerate and humane side of him, which lies in stark contrast to his more political side, characterized by being stern and sly. That being said, the secondary theme is a more subtle one: a theme showing how a person reacts when given too much power too quickly. This deals with Tom Kirkman as a person, it’s about his life before and after the bombing of the Capitol and how, at times, he considers resigning from power to go back to his earlier life of comfort and care. The third aspect of the series focuses on the official investigation of the Capitol bombing. It acts as a subtle distraction for the viewers, away from the White House and politics, but is still a vital part of the show. The investigation reveals a massive conspiracy which in turn shakes the White House to its very core.

The investigation reveals that there was someone in the White House who planned the bombing and that the bombing had one survivor. The result: no one can be trusted in Kirkman’s already fragile government and that Kirkman is probably not President anymore.

Several events take place thereafter, and the three aspects run side-by-side to bring out an intense and thrilling plot stuffed with mystery and controversy.

I think what stands out is the series’ simplicity. It does not leave out people who know very little of US politics.

By presenting politics and Government running in a clear and understandable manner, Designated Survivor extends its market to viewers who are interested in thrillers but do not possess much political knowledge.

I find myself to be extremely relatable to Kirkman, who is also new to being involved in the Government to such an extent. From surviving a bullet to covering for his wife to trying to be democratic; Kirkman experiences it all, and drives the plot to make Designated Survivor an incredibly compelling series.

Suyash Chandak explores the thrilling storyline of the Netflix Series, Designated Survivor.

Image Credits: The Spectator, Netflix

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D E S I G N AT E D SURVIVOR

During a State Of the Union Address, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is chosen to be the ‘Designated Survivor’- the person who sits out in case all other politicians and ministers in the US Government die. If you have not guessed already, what follows thereafter is that the Capitol is bombed, all other politicians in the Government, including the President, die and the Secretary, in a dramatic turn of events, is now assumed to be the President, handed with the mammoth task of rebuilding the Government from scratch. The secretary who was relaxing with his wife, enjoying both comfort and security just a few minutes ago, now finds himself in the White House, taking oath as President and sitting in the Oval Office with no support from politicians, worsened by the fact that the media is spreading narratives questioning the legitimacy of his Presidency. Riveting, to say the least.

Isn’t it? Designated Survivor thrives and builds on this idea, and over the course of 3 seasons, it takes its viewers through the journey of Tom Kirkman (The ‘Survivor’) and how he struggles and negotiates to be a saviour, a hero, but most importantly, a politician.

The World

Image Credits: Google Books, Wikipedia Commons

According to Garp Advaita Sood explores the seemingly tragic yet humorous novel, The World According to Garp.

At the climax of the novel ‘The World According to Garp’, a horrific car accident brings about the breaking of bones, mutilation of flesh, severing of appendages, and pleasantly enough, the loss of an eye. Despite the sudden escalation of tensions and the gruesome detail with which the catastrophe is described, I found myself laughing at the way the situation turned out.

At this point it would be reasonable to assume that I suffer from a case of acute psychopathy, so in order to justify my mirth, I turned to the internet. Fortunately, I was far from alone in finding the seemingly tragic novel hilarious. Simultaneously though, I could hardly help but notice that there existed an entirely separate squadron brimming with hate for the novel, a group that seldom resisted the urge to fire their pellets of hatred at it, as well as those (such as myself) who enjoyed it. These people found the chunky descriptions and mini-novels (written by the main protagonist - a writer) sickeningly ostentatious, and the novel unnecessarily bloated. This is a perfect example of what ‘The World According to Garp’ is a book that you either thoroughly enjoy, or absolutely detest. Therefore, I’d like to declare my allegiance to the former group of people, and that this article is written from that viewpoint, although I will try my best to highlight both sides of the matter.

Apart from the climax, we find ourselves unrepentantly cackling at the various, often grim predicaments the characters find themselves in. We are amused when Garp’s father - Technical Sergeant Garp - dies of regressive infantilism after suffering from a case of shrapnel-in-the-brain, when Garp’s mother - Jenny Fields - becomes a revolutionary feminist simply becuase she prefers living without men, and when her followers - the Ellen Jamesians - choose to mutilate themselves in support for a ten year old rape victim whose tongue was cut out. None of this is the least bit amusing, and still, we find it tragically funny. The reason being, of course, that John Irving portrays the events that way - as outrageous synchronicities that

plague the characters.

Irving doesn’t concern himself with the crisp dialogue and generally succinct nature of most modern novels.

You enter a world replete with instances that are grotesquely shocking and where coincidences fall like the rain, a world that expands as you dive deeper into the story; and after being slapped in the face by

None of this is the least bit amusing, and still, we find it tragically funny. The reason being, of course, that John Irving portrays the events that way - as outrageous synchronicities that plague the characters.

yet another unfortunate coincidence, you chuckle in incredulity as you turn back the pages to review the circumstances leading up to the event, and think “Ohh, I should have seen that coming!”. Tantalized by the prospect of the next exceptional coincidence, we read on to get numbed with either shock, laughter or both as Garp’s fervid imagination presents to us tales of sexuality, violence (often as a consequence of the former), and relationships. Still, despite its emphasis on social realism, one may get lost in the long-winded descriptions and what may be interpreted as ridiculously exceptional coincidences. You may find the plot a tedious journey rather than a wondrous adventure, so if this is the case, set the book down as it will probably bore you even further.

The story, after all, is one filtered through our hero’s

unique imagination which interprets our mundane reality in its own way. Our world isn’t any less incredible and frustrating than Garp’s, enjoying its own fair share of murder, rape and injustice. Maybe if we had the ability to interpret it in a different way, we’d laugh too. This explanation is best put by Mr. Garp himself when he responds to a certain Mrs. Irene Poole, when she reacts angrily to a book of his, saying “you don’t have any problems so you can make fun of poor people who do!” In response, Garp writes to Mrs. Poole that “serious” and “funny” are simply different ways of seeing the same thing, and that “I have nothing but sympathy for how people behave--and nothing but laughter to console them with. Laughter is my religion, Mrs. Poole, even though my laughter is pretty desperate.”

DOON SCHOOL INFORMATION REVIEW

November Issue | 10

NOVEMBER ICONICS

This Month.

Image Credits: IMDb, Amazon, Broadway, The Gaurdian

Lord of the Rings: Two Towers is published The much-awaited sequel to the Lord of the Rings’ trilogy was released in November, 1954. A continuation of the previous novel, J.R.R Tolkien did not disappoint. With the enormous fan-base eager to get the new release in their hands, the book received stunning reviews. Being adapted into a film in the future, many consider this particular book to be the one that solidified Tolkien’s position as one of the greatest writers of his time.

Titanic is released Being the most expensive film made at the time, the movie ‘Titanic’ seemed destined to fail. However, after its release, the romantic thriller quickly turned into one of box office’s most iconic movies. Other than making young men cry because of its emotive power, the movie changed the way people perceived history. It gave life to the world of the early 1900s. More importantly, it paved the way for the use of splendid theatrical effects in films- effects which directors attempt to recreate even to this day.

Shakespeare’s Tempest is staged The play ‘The Tempest’ has been put to many interpretations, however, the original one was first performed on 1st November, 1611. Despite being performed in the early 17th century, the play contained songs and music that explored various themes like magic, revenge and betrayal. Just like other Shakespearen plays, ‘The Tempest’ jumps straight into action and crisis. This technique popularised back then by Shakespeare is put to work by numerous playwrights and directors of today which has allowed movies and plays to be engaging right from the onset.

Lion King is opened on Broadway One of the most renowned Broadway productions of all time, the first official screening of the Lion King happened on November 13, 1997. It is the third longest-running show in the history of Broadway. Earning more than $1 billion in revenue, it is also the highestgrossing Broadway production of all time. The current number of viewers has surpassed 100 million, with the production earning several awards in the process. Undoubtedly, this production has etched its name in the Broadway Hall of Fame. Later, it was adapted into a film which has become an integral part of every millenial’s childhood.

Rocky is premiered One of the most inspirational movies of its time, Rocky premiered on November 21, 1976. Written

by Sylvester Stallone, who incidentally played the lead role too, Rocky took Hollywood by storm.

The movie was nominated for 10 Academy awards, and ended up winning the awards for Best Film, Best Directing and Best Film Editing. The movie also shot Sylvester Stallone to fame, earning him various other roles. Being the pioneer of the ‘boxing’ movie genre, Rocky started a trend which is still popular today with movies like Southpaw and Ali being produced.

Black or White is released Perhaps one of the most iconic songs of the ‘90’s civil rights movement, Black or White peaked at number 1 on the billboard charts soon after being released, and stayed there for a total of seven weeks. The song was widely hailed as one of the music industry’s biggest moments in terms of positive change towards racial equality and harmony. It characterized the paradoxical nature of Michael Jackson’s life, focusing on breaking racial barriers, a struggle Jackson found himself at the center of, with a skin discolouration disease that left patches of white on his predominantly African-American skin. Though his skin was slowly becoming whiter, his work was never more infused with black pride, talent, inspiration and culture.

“ Adit Chatterjee evaluates the anthropomorphic series, Bojack Horseman.

Image Credits: Netflix The first part of season 6 of the hit show ‘Bojack Horseman’ released on the 25th of October, and by god is it real. The dark, animated comedy has gained both critical acclaim, as well as a staunchly loyal fan base who thoroughly enjoy the show’s seamless blend of whimsical animation and earnest exploration of the human condition.

Throughout the series, we follow the experiences of BoJack, a once-famous horse actor who was best known for his role in a corny sitcom called Horsin’ Around. The world is composed of animals in humanoid forms, as well as humans themselves, and a recurring theme that every character visits upon, no matter what form they are in, is the existential anxiety that plagues Hollywood (or Hollywoo, after the D was stolen) culture. In fact, many of BoJack’s most memorable moments come from the series’ insistence on not shying away from grief and personal trauma. I believe that the best aspect of the show is its ability to turn these emotionally heavy snippets into zany, offbeat comedic sections filled to the brim with sly humour.

Discussing emotional, medical and mental issues in equal light, the show makes it extremely transparent to even the most clueless of viewers: drugs, emotional trauma and abuse are possible aspects of even the most glamorous lives.

What is even more relevant is the world the characters are set in. The vapid, celebrity-obsessed and indifferent world that most real-world celebrities are subject to, is exactly where a majority of the characters reside. Discussing emotional, medical and mental issues in equal light, the show makes it

extremely transparent to even the most clueless of viewers: drugs, emotional trauma and abuse are possible aspects of even the most glamorous lives. However, it is not just the exploration of sorrow that makes Bojack Horseman unique. The show’s persistence on accountability is another recurring theme that all characters regurgitate numerous times across the show, making it a key factor that makes Bojack Horseman original and unique.

The second installation of season 6 shall release in January 2020, bringing with it another slew of traumatic incidents that the script writers turn into hilarious learning experiences for the viewer. I certainly look forward to its release, for it is one of the few shows that provide a new, unique insight into certain lifestyles, which most viewers may not have gotten otherwise. Bojack Horseman will make you laugh, and it may make you want to cry, but it w i l l certainly make you want to continue along with Bojack in his rather turbulent journey of drugs, alcohol and depression.

Until January, then!

“ “ “ “ “

November Issue | 12 Bazinga!

- Big Bang Theory

I’m cool dad, that’s my thang - Modern Family

Editor-in-Chief Nirvair Singh Chief-of-Production Vir Bhatia

How you doin’ - Friends

Hate the game, not the playa - Californication

Head of Design Krishnav Singhal Editor Armaan Batta Associate Editors Agam Bhatia Kabir Subbiah Correspondents Gurmehar Bedi Shreyan Mittal

Yadda yadda yadda - Seinfeld

Legen - wait for it - dary!

- How I Met Your Mother

Faculty Advisor Malvika Kala