The New Wave: The Platinum Lounge with Spanish chairs and Brinton rugs makes movie-going a royal experience

Snoozing is not my favourite pastime, but when the film happens to be Out of Control, it's not in my hands. It was getting a bit chilly in the dark recesses of the fourth floor auditorium; the ac was on full blast. I was about to spread the blue blanket and let the Martin Audio Sound System do the talking for the next two hours, when I heard an uncharitable grunt from one side-"Axe-cuj me plij, abhi trailer chal raha tha kya?" (Excuse me, was it the trailer that was playing so far?). I looked to my left and saw two sophomores making out under the cover of blankets. I turned to my right and two obese middle-aged men caught my eye. One of them even flapped his hand as a gesture of enquiry. I replied in a gruff "Yeah!" I was a loner in a row full of goners.

Welcome to the Platinum Lounge at Wave Cinemas, Noida-the Saville Row of cinema halls across the country. At Rs 500 a ticket, the 34-seater packs in more bang per buck than any other theatre. The Spanish seats imported at $2,000 a piece from Figueras has buttons beneath the handrest that allow you to stretch your back and foot. Beware! In the dark, it's difficult to locate the buttons-all you see are four red dots (perhaps inspired by Starship Enterprise). The buttons actually lie under the dots. The Brinton rug weaves out hassle-free movement. The Kinoton projection system keeps your attention rivetted, provided you're not Out of Control. The covers ensure privacy. Perfect to lasso in couch potatoes, lovelorn teeny-boppers and it-enabled Nuppies (Noida's Upwardly-Mobile Professionals), who would otherwise grope in the dark for want of direction.

Half-an-hour into the film, the all-black-attired waitress greases your palms with buttered popcorn. Coca-Cola in tulip glasses and veg/non-veg burgers follow depending on your preference. And as the film is about to wind up, she stuffs you with a pastry of your choice. Manpreet 'Monty' Chadha, the owner of Wave, informs me that there aren't too many places like Platinum Lounge worldwide. He spoke of one in Spain, and the other in HongKong; both serve liquor. The laws don't allow that in India yet. Pity.

-Moinak Mitra

AHHHH OR ARRRRGH?

You are unlikely to fall in love with the new Tata Safari EXI (petrol) at first go. But if you are a die-hard UTE fan, you just might let it grow on you. The 16-valve, 2.1-lt engine, despite its claim to 135 brake horse power and double overhead camshaft, is laboured and petroholic (the writer managed 5 KMPL); the gearbox is knotty (more so when the vehicle is cold), and the anti-lock braking system not what you'd expect on a tonner. Even the plastic inside is a little tacky, and the wipers definitely so. Any redeeming features? Mainly one: Lots of room. And specifically for the day-trippers on Delhi's notorious NH 8, there's something more intangible: respect. "Killer Qualises" that ferry Gurgaon's BPO kids at breakneck speeds, won't dare mess with you. But will somebody please shoot the creative mind behind Safari's "aaaahhhh" TV commercial? With a gun, I mean...

-R.S.

HEALTH NOTES
Alt Shift

Popping pills, like we've often said, is bad, bad, bad. So here's a crash course in alternative medicine for you-non-medicinal, naturo-herbal, traditional healing techniques that the world is shifting to. Inhale.

Hypertension: Try aromatherapy. A slow massage with marjoram, lavender, geranium, sandalwood, or clary sage oil can keep your temper in check. "Aromatherapy acts as a vasodilator and reduces tension arising from demanding work schedules," says Dr Jayanta Bhattacharjee, Director, Institute of Alternative Medicines and Research (IAMR), Kolkata. There's a school of thought that suggests putting the olfactory muscles to other use to relieve stress, but we suggest you eschew that (snort!).

Gastroenteritis: A stomach massage with five drops of chamomile oil, three drops of DIL, 2 drops of ginger and two drops of peppermint oil diluted in one ounce of carrier oil works best as an analgesic. Standard yoga exercises dealing with breathing and cleansing can also help.

Depression: Bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, jasmine, geranium, lavender, melissa, sandalwood and ylang ylang calm the nerves. Even sauna baths and vigorous massages can help drive the blues away.

Diabetes: Some hathayoga exercises can improve pancreatic function. Massaging the back with a mixture of camphor, eucalyptus, geranium, juniper, lemon and rosemary oil can also help.

Hyperlipidimia: Surprise, surprise, there actually is a way to reduce fat levels without the E-word. "Regular massage with juniper and lemon oil may help to reduce excess lipid in the blood." says Dr Bhattacharjee. Here we come.

Migraine: Massaging a few drops of lavender oil into the temples and the back of the neck can kill this bothersome pain. As could watching Kill Bill I (we're joking, of course).

Addiction: Meet the substances that combat substance abuse. A massage with a detoxifying oil such as juniper, alternated with chamomile, clary sage and ylang ylang fights addiction, we're told.

-Ananya Roy

HEALTH SNIPPETS

POISON PILL
Quick, what do Captopril, TM-601, ET-743, and SNX-111 have in common. Well, all are wonder drugs made from poison. The first is a blood pressure drug made from the venom of the Brazilian pit viper, the second, a cancer drug that comes from the venom of the Israeli yellow scorpion, the third, a test-drug for ovarian cancer derived from sea squirts, and the last, a pain killer that is made from the poison of the cone snail.

TOBACCO TROUBADOUR
Yup, we know smoking cigarettes can kill, but what about eating them? Research shows that eating the tobacco in a cigarette or two (and only now and then) can actually keep the intestinal tract clean of worms. Maybe, the next time you eat street food, you ought to reach for a post-meal cigarette.