After getting done with my exams mid last week, I finally got a chance to relax and get excited about my trip to Austin. What's a good way to relax? Watch movies of course! Here's a new installment of my movie reviews:

• Casino Royale: Bond is back! I strongly doubted that this movie could live up to all the hype. Not only did it do that, I came out feeling I had watched one of the best Bond movies ever! Instead of cheesy technology-driven plots, this time the focus is on the man. The female characters in the movie are no longer there just for their looks. In fact, the main female actor stands up to Bond the whole movie and doesn't mind talking smack. Loved it! This is definitely a must-see!!! [Rating: A]

• The Departed: Another movie I had heard a lot about. With a cast featuring names like Di Caprio, Damon, Nicholson and Wahlberg, I was curious to see how they would act together. The movie was action-packed, had a complicated plot that was well explained and overall lived up to my expectations. The only problem I had with it was the ending. Waaay too much happens in the last 15 minutes and I walked out dazed. Still, it doesn't take anything away from the rest of the movie. [Rating: A-]

• MI:3: I didn't catch this movie when it came out in theatres, partly due to my dislike of Tom Cruise. But after waiting several months for it to come out on DVD, I decided it was time to give Cruise the actor a chance and watch it, especially since I had seen part 1 and 2 and liked both of them. MI:3 is a pretty good movie. There's action, romance, some cool technology (not to mention a beautiful Lamborghini) and a few twists and turns along the way. A fun movie! [Rating: B+]

Apart from all the movie watching, Pittsburgh had it's annual Light-Up Night -- the official start of the holiday season. We're talking live music, carol singing, christmas trees, fireworks, the works! That was a lot of fun and while I'm running the risk of getting holiday-season weary soon, I'm glad I went for it :-)

And finally, I'm just 1 day away from my trip to Austin!!! I'll be leaving behind light snow flurries for 70s. Not such a bad deal ;-) I can't wait to see my friends again, walk around campus and go for the UT-A&M football game. I've been so caught up with work that I've forgotten how much I love Austin and all that I've left behind. It's definitely going to be hard to leave on Sunday to come back to Pitt, but that just gives me more reason to enjoy those 6 days :-)

Happy Thanksgiving and be safe!