tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79792224971398553162024-03-06T06:10:10.163+05:30DISTRICT MINERandom ramblings on movies and more...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-66426999629571772172011-03-29T22:30:00.007+05:302011-03-30T02:17:12.583+05:30Remakes Galore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Movie <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_film_remakes">remakes and adaptations</a> have been around since ages, although not all attempts have been justified or successful. At times, the original versions are lucky enough to get a mention in the newer adapted versions, but mostly, directors/writers play it safe and prefer to call the originals as “inspirations.”</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_dOC2WuA8twZj93pCgyNjs_mWIv8jFijDJjyUmfizCJ_R3wNPB8JDCy6QhmACbSUnn-ASDq3h-XC5EEU5IRwZyqQFMnyWPiiIIrBf1GenSLfudG-_8Q0NeyjELDvr6HhvNMSZ4an8Ro/s1600/le-diner-de-cons-71321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_dOC2WuA8twZj93pCgyNjs_mWIv8jFijDJjyUmfizCJ_R3wNPB8JDCy6QhmACbSUnn-ASDq3h-XC5EEU5IRwZyqQFMnyWPiiIIrBf1GenSLfudG-_8Q0NeyjELDvr6HhvNMSZ4an8Ro/s200/le-diner-de-cons-71321.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: filetraffic.eu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_D%C3%AEner_de_Cons_(film)">Le Dîner de Cons</a> </em>(The Dinner of Cretins), a 1998 French comedy film written and directed by <a href="http://www.filmbug.com/db/35073">Francis Veber</a>, is one such original that has been remade 5 times to date. The movie itself is a cinematic adaptation of Veber’s play <span style="font-family: arial;"><em>Le Dîner de Cons. </em>It is a classic French comedy that makes your tummy hurt with laughter.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Its remakes have been both hits and misses at the box office. However, none compare to the original movie that won 3 awards at the 1999 César Awards.</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LQNOZTFKj8rNbtPbBC4-0Bmc_xcR_022YFWbCNgIG2ENL7pZ14LJkJ3kYsToiKgQFFIuaXRx6ewDA6ySAJKKsARQ6Ah3U9Bph3eZf1mnpidCoLxneTuwMgZb-UPjP_qrpnuHrjHqiHo/s1600/bheja-fry+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LQNOZTFKj8rNbtPbBC4-0Bmc_xcR_022YFWbCNgIG2ENL7pZ14LJkJ3kYsToiKgQFFIuaXRx6ewDA6ySAJKKsARQ6Ah3U9Bph3eZf1mnpidCoLxneTuwMgZb-UPjP_qrpnuHrjHqiHo/s200/bheja-fry+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: india-forums.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014672/">Bheja Fry</a></em>, the <span style="font-family: arial;">Bollywood adaptation (released in 2007)</span>, was a huge success in India, at least amongst the Multiplex audience. Although it is a remake, one cannot be oblivious to the great acting, perfect comic timing and crisp screenplay – all of which combine to create 95 minutes of pure laughter. The writer/director has also done a great job of “Indianizing” the movie and making it believable for the Indian audience.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7hiZSDvgnRCABkRTmyW1XLLYw6BOovrWg7FDq3S0p7Mp9M5dedK50DEQR9SBCOWKUk9CfzkYT9pQRHcFA3vqS553zWw38gPlYA2dKME0Ot28WS_YnopMnDIrOtOPU6GvLA6wY_2QLls/s1600/dinner-for-schmucks-2010-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7hiZSDvgnRCABkRTmyW1XLLYw6BOovrWg7FDq3S0p7Mp9M5dedK50DEQR9SBCOWKUk9CfzkYT9pQRHcFA3vqS553zWw38gPlYA2dKME0Ot28WS_YnopMnDIrOtOPU6GvLA6wY_2QLls/s200/dinner-for-schmucks-2010-movie-poster.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: way2downloads.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">The Hollywood 2010 release, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinner_for_Schmucks">Dinner for Schmucks</a><em></em>, is another movie “inspired’ by the original French film. The movie got mixed reviews, and was somewhat funny because of Steve Carell’s befitting “idiotic” performance. However, by the end of 114 minutes, instead of being amused, I ended up getting irritated with the movie as well as the characters. Surprisingly, I still prefer the Indian version over the American one, as the idiosyncrasies and quirks of the characters more subtle and relatable.</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><em>Le Dîner de Cons</em> has also been adapted in Chinese <span style="font-family: arial;">in the form of a <a href="http://shanghaiist.com/2007/07/06/le_dinner_de_co.php">stage show</a> at the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre in 2007, starring Canadian freelance performance Dashan as Pierre Brochant. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Encouraged by the success of Bheja Fry up North, the South Indian Film industry too made its own adaptations.<span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fool_(film)">April Fool</a></em> was the Malayalam adaptation released in 2010.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: arial;">The Kannada remake was titled <a href="http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/5205/kannada/mr-garagasa/1589/review.htm">Mr. Garagasa</a><em></em>. It was released in the summer of 2008.</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Personally, I like the idea of remaking an original classic in other languages and viewing the same theme from a different cultural perspective. However, one must always give credit to the original, and the remake/adaptation should be true to the spirit of the original film. </span><br />
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</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">I believe that art is not always defined as creating something new. It can also be the interpretation of a pre-existing form. Many times, a fresh set of eyes adds new dimensions – that extra zing – to the original. </span><br />
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</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Every story can be retold a hundred times – it’s the narration that brings it to life and gives it wings to fly.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-84371678828110494912011-03-15T19:27:00.027+05:302011-03-15T23:57:10.969+05:30Antakshari Time!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAKlORyNnCPI9V5e5VVnk77rgdij4MfW1xwShtbsFtmzWt1da29tmWHaUP9GnQl_z6djLnWvZoJlVqDjLgJTD4zIlH2zAPL4jAv6I90JLkYvnTn9FxPYu0s8mhtwXEQsnd4vU43z8UOA/s1600-h/antakshari3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img align="right" alt="antakshari" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVq-1hZsUFLPrtBo41urI2iOX5nEG-vdUBB2m8kNR9x5JHE8jcCR_Idp2jwzPHUxp61ttDumNHClFESIuY0PimKfySLamA7cg6ujTFvHMt5dvgP02BBW83eG6EHENnTikMumJc2ut0UQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="antakshari" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: passionforcinema.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antakshari"><em>Antakshari</em></a> is a popular <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parlour_game">parlour game</a> in India, and is a great way to kill time especially during long train/ car/ bus journeys. Nowadays, it has slowly made its way into the <a href="http://weddings.iloveindia.com/indian-weddings/pre-wedding-functions/sangeet.html">Indian Wedding <em>Sangeet</em> ceremony</a>, as well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Although <em>Antakshari</em> is usually played with Bollywood songs, playing it with the names of Hollywood actors will give this game an interesting twist. (Sometimes, during boring lectures in school, we played it with movie names) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> The rule is to write a Hollywood actor's name that begins with the alphabet with which the previous name ended. The added dimension to this game is: two consecutive actors on the list should be costars in a movie. For example, if the previously listed name is Sandra Bullock, then you can write Keanu Reeves (costars in Speed); the next name can then be Shia LaBeouf (costars in Constantine). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
The game is kicked off with the consonant ‘M,’ with the spirited recitation of the <i>antakshari</i> theme song that ends in that consonant.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">So, let the game begin!<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Baithe, baithe, kya karein? Karna hai kuch kaam,<br />
Shuru karo antakshari, leke prabhu ka naa<b>m</b>!</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>(What should we do as we sit around? We must do something,<br />
</i><i>Come, let's begin antakshari, by first taking the name of the Lord!)<br />
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">I will start with an actor's name with ‘M’ and you can continue thereafter, as explained above.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Remember, write the name along with the movie in which the two consecutively listed actors were costars. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
M- Meg Ryan</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">N- </span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-54165353119140604072011-03-14T19:19:00.003+05:302011-03-22T19:58:19.602+05:30Another Marvel of Movie Technology<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOnkHDZRjvQEk-rI0fhQ6dNFCZC1w2zZoAayfOLKCsUFxrlXTEr-GkWO_0Ei4pkxeHzo3oGAM_p_3bu_Y3KJNPsTUu7DGC2qwe90nLsBPz4sV83lk4yuEXLo7oqf7sg4WTJNLhtPlyA4/s1600/brad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOnkHDZRjvQEk-rI0fhQ6dNFCZC1w2zZoAayfOLKCsUFxrlXTEr-GkWO_0Ei4pkxeHzo3oGAM_p_3bu_Y3KJNPsTUu7DGC2qwe90nLsBPz4sV83lk4yuEXLo7oqf7sg4WTJNLhtPlyA4/s320/brad.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: movieposterdb.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Case_of_Benjamin_Button_(film)">The Curious Case of Benjamin Button</a> evokes wonderment at the advancement in the visual-effects industry. Making a movie that requires the protagonist (Brad Pitt) to age backwards is by no means an easy task. Brad Pitt is born as a tiny, old man with a wrinkled baby face, who then develops into a handsome middle-aged man, finally becoming an infant at the end of the film. How director <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000399/">David Fincher</a> – with the help of tons of make-up artists, visual effects experts and body doubles – achieved this, makes this movie even more fascinating.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Only when I read about the technological wizardry behind this movie, did I finally understand how the old man resembled, sounded and emoted like Brad Pitt despite being computer generated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://archive.picnicnetwork.org/person/50691/en">Ed Ulbrich</a>, the digital-effects pundit from Digital Domain, <span style="font-family: Arial;">explains the ground-breaking technology in this TED Talk.</span> As Danielle Sacks stated in <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/">FastCompany</a>, <em>Ed Ulbrich left the visual-effects world breathless when his team unveiled Benjamin Button, a photo-realistic but completely digital (and Oscar-winning) Brad Pitt head, with a full range of human expressions.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em> </em></span><br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:f71e4a93-e9bc-4f8b-9020-83ab9c96d9f9" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 446px;"><div><object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/EdUlbrich_2009-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/EdUlbrich-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=469&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=ed_ulbrich_shows_how_benjamin_button_got_his_face;year=2009;theme=tales_of_invention;theme=what_s_next_in_tech;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=master_storytellers;event=TED2009;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/EdUlbrich_2009-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/EdUlbrich-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=469&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=ed_ulbrich_shows_how_benjamin_button_got_his_face;year=2009;theme=tales_of_invention;theme=what_s_next_in_tech;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=master_storytellers;event=TED2009;"></embed></object></div><div style="clear: both; font-size: .8em;">LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION.</div></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
However, this development in “emotion capture” technology makes me wonder whether the need for actors will be diminished in the future. Actors may only be required to map their various movements, emotions and nuances, and then with the help of this technology (which might be long-established by then), the movie can be shot ‘in studio’ at a relatively lower cost of production. A technological-shift of this proportion might also give rise to a host of ethical dilemmas.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Nonetheless, until we experience such transformation in movie making, the human touch will prevail and actors will remain in demand in reel as well as real life!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-36409778506380192862011-03-08T19:16:00.023+05:302011-03-16T00:44:43.499+05:30Women – The Real Architects of Society<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QIq7pBSvupBq2drkAXLRfdHHAkhigE-pRwEMnkhG94IozkzHVKrQ6PE8Z7JYKXWxc9JsavimThnNDlBxIt07W0AM2RLX_Nu-uq8l0Q7CmnxIUaIM7BqfuB-5Nvg6-Uju60N4oR_Y2LA/s1600/womens+day78058.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QIq7pBSvupBq2drkAXLRfdHHAkhigE-pRwEMnkhG94IozkzHVKrQ6PE8Z7JYKXWxc9JsavimThnNDlBxIt07W0AM2RLX_Nu-uq8l0Q7CmnxIUaIM7BqfuB-5Nvg6-Uju60N4oR_Y2LA/s320/womens+day78058.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">With the increasing popularity of the International Women’s Day, issues like feminism, gender equality, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">female infanticide and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://news.rediff.com/special/2010/mar/08/whats-the-womens-reservation-bill-all-about.htm">Women’s Reservation Bill</a> have flooded the print media in India. And while it's nice to dedicate 1 day to the strong yet delicate descendant of Eve, I would be ecstatic when we begin to celebrate the uniqueness and specialness of women every day, for 365 days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Women, today, wear many hats. Although they are still tied down by various societal pressures and impediments, I can see a ray of hope in the near future with women becoming the front-runners in all walks of life, like the Banking Sector, Armed Forces and Administrative services including politics. The entertainment industry, particularly the Indian Film Industry, is no exception to this phenomenon. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Heroines/actresses are no longer treated as mere decorative pieces in movies, but have earned their place in the industry, where we now see them playing the main lead.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">During the 1980’s and 1990’s, actresses were confined to roles that consisted of romancing the actor, running around trees, being assaulted by the villain, or being the helpless mother. Bollywood star Priety Zinta, in her column for BBC News Online, described this period as “the action era where the Bollywood heroine lost her strength and space to the hero.” Fortunately, this phase did not last long and in the following decades, women no longer played the second fiddle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDe652UZXWQt34vJ5PpJNeciNMwVFZy09ALUi84VJRYxL8HVVNiNPKeRlk-vh5Evvja4WpeQ2SLT-ECTCunRrb8EVpvaqVipxguK5y-DANdx8vgbl_07umJ4UAAS7KD7uoKSwOOXhyphenhyphenyA/s1600/reel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDe652UZXWQt34vJ5PpJNeciNMwVFZy09ALUi84VJRYxL8HVVNiNPKeRlk-vh5Evvja4WpeQ2SLT-ECTCunRrb8EVpvaqVipxguK5y-DANdx8vgbl_07umJ4UAAS7KD7uoKSwOOXhyphenhyphenyA/s320/reel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: dipity.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;">Then again, even during the male-dominated years, powerful female protagonists still took to the silver screen. S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">ome of the leading ladies, from the yesteryears, whose stellar performances were a success at the box office are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.chakpak.com/celebrity/vyjayanthimala/biography/9090">Vyjayanthimala</a>, <a href="http://www.chakpak.com/celebrity/waheeda-rehman/9619">Waheeda Rehman</a>, <a href="http://www.satyajitray.org/about_ray/SharmilaTagore.htm">Sharmila Tagore</a>, <a href="http://www.chakpak.com/celebrity/asha-parekh/9934">Asha Parekh</a>, <a href="http://www.upperstall.com/people/hema-malini">Hema Malini</a>, <a href="http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=3193">Rakhee</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaya_Bachchan">Jaya Bachchan</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rekha">Rekha</a>. Legendary actors like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nargis">Nargis</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smita_Patil">Smita Patil</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabana_Azmi">Shabana Azmi</a> broke the mould with their sensitive roles in serious, women-oriented films that advocated women’s emancipation. Divas like <a href="http://living.oneindia.in/celebrity/bollywood-stars/helen.html">Helen</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeenat_Aman">Zeenat Aman</a> and <a href="http://entertainment.oneindia.in/celebrities/specials/parveenbabi140307.html">Parveen Babi</a> are Bollywood’s original “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Item_number">item girls</a>,” who brought oomph and style to the silver screen.</span><br />
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In the last 2 decades, a mixed bag of both commercial and art films, which </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">show strong-willed, resilient women as the central characters, have proved that female-dominance in Indian cinema is here to stay!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> For example, in movies like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damini_%E2%80%93_Lightning">Damini</a>, <a href="http://in.rediff.com/movies/jul/11mrit.htm">Mrityudand</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arth_(film)">Arth</a>, <a href="http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/6726/index.html">Chandni Bar</a>, <a href="http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/6867/index.html">Zubeidaa</a>, <a href="http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=2824">Satta</a>, <a href="http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/6639/index.html">Kya Kehna</a>, <a href="http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=11954">Dor</a>, <a href="http://ww.smashits.com/provoked-is-a-must-watch-film/movie-review-6140.html">Provoked</a>, <a href="http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2008-10-29/news/27734940_1_madhur-bhandarkar-priyanka-chopra-fashion">Fashion</a>, <a href="http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/sep/040910-We-Are-Family-movie-review.htm">We Are Family</a>, and <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/No-One-Killed-Jessica/moviereview/7223464.cms">No One Killed Jessica</a></span><br />
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Unfortunately, most movies with women-centric themes fail to make an impact at the box-office. As Diksha Kamra stated in The Times of India, such movies are neither formulaic nor do they tend to connect with all segments of the society, and often miss elements that “sell more.” S</span><span style="font-family: arial;">uperstar Shahrukh Khan once said, “Our society has its own limitations. Certain ideas will be unacceptable to our audience…We don’t see women as powerful entities. Even today, most actors will tell you that they want a homely wife who will take care of their kids and look after the house. Only when women progress will the scripts progress too.” <br />
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Nevertheless, perceptions seem to be changing within the industry with the influx of female directors. Britain-based Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha says that she always creates female protagonists who are very strong, vibrant and ultimately very truthful. She is known for movies like 'Bend It Like Beckham' (winner of the Best Film award at the BAFTA 2003) and ‘Bride and Prejudice’ – which show women in a positive light.<br />
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Women are breaking the stereotypes in real life and I hope that this trend will soon be imitated in reel life, too. As Bollywood actor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manoj_Bajpai">Manoj Bajpayee</a> assures, “It has not happened in full swing yet, but I’m sure Bollywood will see more women-centric films in the future.” Amen.<br />
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So, here’s a toast to all the wonderful women out there a</span><span style="font-family: arial;">nd a little celebration, the Bollywood way!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">H</span><span style="font-family: arial;">appy Women's Day! </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:35be466a-b6ca-42af-8893-d231d178ce4a" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 425px;"><div id="34a9a4ea-f94c-4173-af0b-9aaffa5f08fc" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GWqzm1dMAeE&hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GWqzm1dMAeE&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></object></div></div><div style="clear: both; font-size: .8em;">BOLLYWOOD DIVAS - BEAUTY AND BRAINS<br />
SHAHRUKH KHAN WITH VYJAYANTHIMALA, SHARMILA TAGORE, ZEENAT AMAN, JAYA PRADA, REKHA, KAJOL, RANI MUKHERJI & PRIETY ZINTA (In order of their appearance)</div></div></div></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-17272134109906892182011-03-01T23:02:00.008+05:302011-03-16T00:36:49.806+05:30Romance – Bollywood ishtyle*<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNVsO_hTQ8wHmiQ4nq1HjyqN2I_c-cMttixLuk2MVlk4e_ipBNubFFAw46wTz6yM-lMC-VSiUnM2kcT9en_mZTG5FF7ca_rKxeMseOQDSvgFQKZeOtBWxEPkmDzQk0C_uWXrkoSIh09Y/s1600/love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNVsO_hTQ8wHmiQ4nq1HjyqN2I_c-cMttixLuk2MVlk4e_ipBNubFFAw46wTz6yM-lMC-VSiUnM2kcT9en_mZTG5FF7ca_rKxeMseOQDSvgFQKZeOtBWxEPkmDzQk0C_uWXrkoSIh09Y/s320/love.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: infinityiitd.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bollywood has an eternal relationship with romance, and the master of this magical love story is none other than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yash_Chopra">Yash Chopra</a> himself (founder of the famous Yash Raj Banner). In <a href="http://district-mine.blogspot.com/2011/03/romance-is-in-air.html">‘Romance is in the Air!’</a> I had shared with you some of my favourite romantic Hindi movies. However, for those who are new to Bollywood or are still in the initiation phase, a list isn’t compelling enough to make you want to watch each one of those movies. Thus, I have decided to give you a sneak peak into those movies (as well as a few more), which, I hope, will make the task of choosing the first movie to watch easier!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7979222497139855316&postID=1727213410990689218" name="more"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1otu6B40mS-M6TQoOcTgasluwIaIu7eMZCC6kAf9QVPUlrcVVeVz5B4uVIhPHEAyjxymQdNkVeVoG6PX7aFTVBjTadyDRB8_mwsS6BAhAH5YGH-F1STGI-SpLeIyskWQ7zNCmOK6KtU/s1600-h/Mughal-E-Azam%20poster1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Mughal-E-Azam poster1" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsycbzmA8HmL0a6WSHhfJ8FY2cDG-MFXnCEdhi3wXirxNQkckN4CGWga7TE1bVhJzzYoWuKoB0A4G5s8zHTT6l8NjAtmL9wAARE8oy0RAJemvX5xQVu2Ambn5boi9QYBm3GX8OSPpw_U/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="Mughal-E-Azam poster1" width="200" /></a> For those who enjoy period romance, I would suggest </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal-e-Azam">Mughal-e-Azam</a></b> (the original 1960 black-and-white version or the restored 2004 coloured version, which I prefer), </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakeezah">Pakeezah</a></b> [(1971), Indian Cinema’s most enduring romantic film that took 14 years to complete], </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELMZ70klliE">Veer Zaara</a></b> [(2004), the legendary romance between Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta], </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devdas_(2002_film)">Devdas</a></b> [(2002), the love triangle between lovelorn Devdas, his childhood friend Paro and the loyal courtesan Chandramukhi) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">and <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B_X2xOBpFc&feature=fvst">Jodha Akbar</a></b> [(2008), an epic love story set in the Mughal era between emperor Akbar and his exquisite Hindu wife, Jodha bai]. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">Not only are these movies set in different eras, but one can also see the growing influence of technology on Hindi cinema, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the evolving definitions of love and the varied styles of film-making over the decades.<br />
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College and teenage romance was epitomised by movies like </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_(1973_film)">Bobby</a></b> [(1973), the quintessential teenage romance, with the rich-vs-poor clash as the perfect backdrop] </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qayamat_Se_Qayamat_Tak">Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak</a></b> [(1988), Indian cinema's 1980's version of Romeo and Juliet, with melodious songs and memorable performances by the leading pair]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://smashits.com/maine-pyar-kiya/music-videos-1007.html">Maine Pyar Kiya</a></b> [(1989), the movie that catapulted Salman Khan to the status of India's eternal lover-boy and reminded us that love letters are best transported by pigeons]</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMVuUITfqx_IMXtCYMG-rhl4qxH10tcvCYfMbAEu6QAUU86c-pFBQuSRbeOcF4wR3ifSzDcA7iKg1CsXS06FI-kSSfhfsY5N8yxD7vgKmS7DhCLDdItwrwfKiNjrpm4HYK0P_VWMSWMU/s1600/kuch-kuch-hota-hai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMVuUITfqx_IMXtCYMG-rhl4qxH10tcvCYfMbAEu6QAUU86c-pFBQuSRbeOcF4wR3ifSzDcA7iKg1CsXS06FI-kSSfhfsY5N8yxD7vgKmS7DhCLDdItwrwfKiNjrpm4HYK0P_VWMSWMU/s320/kuch-kuch-hota-hai.jpg" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" width="181" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdhPleFcEJ0">Dil to Pagal Hai</a> </b>[(1997), the movie that made us believe in fate, the power of love, and brought Valentine's Day into our bedrooms]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuch_Kuch_Hota_Hai">Kuch Kuch Hota Hai</a></b> [(1998), a treat for all Shahrukh-Kajol fans, with Rani Mukherji as the surprise package;college romance redefined] </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVz6CratuGQ">Jab We Met</a></b> [(2007), modern generation romance with spunk, laughter and foot-tapping music that made the nation fall in love with Shahid and Kareena]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">and <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZYy8SIiGJU">I Hate Luv Storys</a></b> [(2010), a romantic comedy with 'opposites attract' as the underlying theme woven into a satire on Bollywood-style romances] </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;">These movies are perfect “popcorn-entertainers,” and are guaranteed to lift your spirits. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_hq8lrIiBdVmVCrP0DR_sLzC5gXuy917ociMGPrX8glLTiTOEsrTcCNkh5gAs_42pKkdBd7RAGSZNsQpPfMy3z-5EiUVpCgg98m_k1v0S2_Ecps4OBIgQ05ZBda2tSfUtikdqIgMpZ8/s1600-h/hdds%5B6%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="hdds" border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiT__aOeJpNEtmGpx4OW3LVbxW3nQ3uYEX3leW-JJOgRz6I6Wl3uZDy0hXIIem9J_9BhucLnoEd3HKVcrqnCjJo1zGdooCqoV95PJhTV_EIGsVigsPTuqmEoDTToWL7ZDcrN-WoJV2hk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="hdds" width="163" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br />
<a href="http://ww.smashits.com/chandni/songs-1323.html"> Chandni</a> </b>[(1989), the movie that made Sridevi's white 'Chandni look' a fashion rage and Switzerland a dream holiday destination for Indians], </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.planetbollywood.com/film/hddcs.html">Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam</a></b> [(1999), a love triangle, complete with the colour and grandeur of Gujarat/Rajasthan, and moving performances] and <b><a href="http://www.planetbollywood.com/Film/KalHoNaaHo/">Kal Ho Na Ho</a> </b>[(2003), set in New York city, the movie included a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hdjp1lEeWU"><i>desi </i>(Indian)<i> </i>version </a>of Roy Orbinson's "Oh, Pretty Woman;" one of Saif Ali Khan's best performances] are movies that will appeal to those who who can identify with the passion and agony of unrequited love. These movies are best enjoyed with a tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and a box full of tissues!<br />
</span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBArYpDTSu_jIYaZSB7ztUSkj0RlJ9bmfd6_GiWIOxa2-VOFD6YDgpfHJGeUOj8yAga6zqfTHwGm9MYjCWwcyD0wDhb28HkTNV2dyVNBddwKG0oJ3hZAf5stO9TSXkBuD2iv5qgUuBDOU/s1600-h/humaapkehainkaun_poster%5B5%5D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="humaapkehainkaun_poster" border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcLc9ZCeQK_sadRrHbDD-IGuj09X_3fU0sDKw3Ig-0Ddoi3Mt9sVtmHaOPsnY3E1kQGFNq4NnQBcmxgMOSub_jak_DgRwgR0NOdeU2qUgaBhIQXcboBpNhWl2LwTrO4DAeIjawk6I0t0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="humaapkehainkaun_poster" width="95" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><strong></strong></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hum_Aapke_Hain_Kaun...!">Hum Aapke Hain Kaun</a></b> (1994) is an iconic Bollywood movie, which not only brought Indian families back to movie theatres but also made the song-and-dance routine at Indian weddings and ceremonies in vogue. The audience went crazy over Madhuri Dixit’s “smile” and thronged the theatres to </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">be a part of this extravagance. A full-on entertainer packed with comedy, drama, romance and a dash of family values. </span><br />
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</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqKgm4BFngtq6YahY6_2VCtqe5JTlLTNYLXma2iEkOYQt4Mag9NwfuYz28kUslTYZT0Z5UvuN-QEee7AKEWzZhZstXD3ZASqo2PQjaxeDE4sfliMwtAmV1jJPfMbQrqGHqgNu984CPw8/s1600-h/ddlj_poster%5B11%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="ddlj_poster" border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-3nxQ4z6NfX9CMo8ezjI45K1QkdUk_bdsDM36ZhZlip01nvZSI-IwoAbHrRw5A4EWo9aeic1Muh3ZOuMjhT10j8VP4hrWpOywP-mCFWJn4Lraz_fo8FzXr2T1Ocil2amwQbXnnR8sD0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="ddlj_poster" width="134" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">My personal favouritest movie is <b><a href="http://www.yashrajfilms.com/movies/MovieIndividual.aspx?MovieID=07bcecd7-13fe-413e-8a4f-6b79a9dccb40">Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge</a> </b>(1995). This movie is the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema (it is still playing at Maratha Mandir), as it celebrated its 800th week anniversary in February 2011. DDLJ, as it is popularly called, stars my 2 most loved actors – The Baadshah (King) of romance, Shahrukh Khan and the stunning Kajol. Since the age of 10, when I first saw this movie, I have been dancing to the tunes of ‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6boHsY1Rjc">Mehendi Lagake Rakhna</a>’ and swooning to the lyrics of ‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO-vX6lbObc">Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam</a> .’ I was so madly in love with the movie and its characters that I especially made my mum buy me a skirt that resembled Kajol’s in the song, ‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_MYAYdoCS0">Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye</a>.’ Many movies have come and gone since, but this one will always remain my ‘first love.’<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBk3p18bIIlIaUmHT5tX3qAmVekagGgp8iI3SlhFZzIqxWPRwxSIe12MAVBQkx8708eDnX14uvUTHKW5A2XAicG5XT_VyCTlkvoW-tH2_6JVO09n5WiFUgDUcwTnbKuTbQEXt3_WAa-M/s1600-h/Kaho-Na-Pyaar-Hai%5B7%5D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="Kaho-Na-Pyaar-Hai" border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6-VKpDzJ2SLHNMLElcqtkyfIKc0IrroaRgDJKJhomH3URZ5FU1tLeHqzxAg1xIn94jUsJgFs1I70zfKcELCjBqTbqdIoyK9z9kz6fe-qMB-AjeIYJuvKPoB8m39lLX2GEgZeVuh0T8M/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="Kaho-Na-Pyaar-Hai" width="143" /></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Another movie that stole my heart is<b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaho_Naa..._Pyaar_Hai"> Kaho Na Pyaar Hai</a> </b>(2000). Hrithik Roshan not only ruled my heart but was heartthrob of the entire nation. Girls went crazy over his pictures, boys wanted a lean body like his and every kid had learnt the dance steps of his famous chart-buster '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFMZknGkb2E">Ek pal Ka Jeena</a>' by heart.</span></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9LIo7vz7TZCbmz3Ou9vkXBW3QQ8shc7ZP26qcQ8VYZg1B8gGmob1IvR8RDv_Tc5eJ3Nc35dwBanAyyPDFwGI2MKiSX2WfJCZNvJEbmc3j8HuGXdBeoBuhi1P3W5ckco6yEgiuAQI4vM/s1600-h/omshantiom%5B3%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="omshantiom" border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTKoLDDaBkEA7JBc3cuaAGovf49VEwuQwRnMe2ub-IfxX7MNv_Vjmx7u2IJyoyO-heds_9CjtXCi_Ooe-NY1_upChjxXlGeF4E4bOpBt-GZtqIJ2SGFZeE1jSigqdyCk8_9MIh4h4b2c/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="omshantiom" width="244" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span> <br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NSxQLkxOrI">Om Shanti Om</a> </b>(2007) is a complete Bollywood package with action, comedy, romance and drama. Set in the 1970's and 2000's, it offers a new twist to the age-old theme of reincarnation. It surely is a double bonanza for all those Shahrukh Khan fans. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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That's all from the land of Bollywood for now! <br />
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Bring out the popcorn, settle comfortably on that couch and be prepared to get wooed, Bollywood ishtyle!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">*Ishtyle is a Bollywood slang way of pronouncing 'style.'</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-14923494987129630122011-02-23T19:53:00.017+05:302011-03-16T00:52:30.971+05:30The Big Fat Indian Wedding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs91nGcwqoWnnqV1KR-lUm9ya3LUh2VRjgdvk6hh4ue-RJ9EOmF2ur9DS-_rD5WcK8LECU89wXUGLcqSzVsoYZUXehiMI4AL-uMFtOv9o9I_kWvskfP-mP0cds2LNIq-QCkDQ5EBmh6gQ/s1600/band-baaja-baaraat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs91nGcwqoWnnqV1KR-lUm9ya3LUh2VRjgdvk6hh4ue-RJ9EOmF2ur9DS-_rD5WcK8LECU89wXUGLcqSzVsoYZUXehiMI4AL-uMFtOv9o9I_kWvskfP-mP0cds2LNIq-QCkDQ5EBmh6gQ/s320/band-baaja-baaraat.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: bollywoodhungama.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koffee_with_Karan">Koffee with Karan</a> is amongst my favourite celebrity talk shows, and being the “fan girl” I am, one can see me smiling from the beginning to the end of the show. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cSO9SRbbHU">Episode 16 of Season 3</a> saw Anushka Sharma and Ranveer Singh (of the Band Baaja Baaraat fame) grace the famous “couch,” and gave me the idea for my next movie review. Its been almost 3 months since the release of Band Baaja Baaraat, but its still fresh in our minds because of its numerous wins at all the popular Bollywood awards.<br />
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The Yash Raj banner has become famous for giving debutant directors and actors a chance to make movies with decent budgets. Although many of these attempts have turned out to be duds at the box office (read Tashan, Dil Bole Hadippa, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Lafangey Parindey), the worldwide success of Band Baaja Baaraat (BBB) has erased all those bitter memories.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7979222497139855316&postID=1492349498712963012" name="more"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Debutant director Maneesh Sharma ( who gained experience by working as an Assistant Director in many Yash Raj films) gives us a refreshingly young look at the big fat Indian wedding scene and wedding planners in his movie Band Baaja Baaraat. The movie does justice to the Punjabi-ness of Delhi and the authentic <i>Dilli</i> lingo made me nostalgic and reminded me of my life in “<i>saadi Dilli</i> (our Delhi).” Music by Salim-Sulaiman makes you want to dance in your seats itself, with you humming the<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7elM5EPR7zA"> theme song </a>and ‘<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRkfoGFous8">Ainvayi Ainvay</a>i’ long after “The End.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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Band Baaja Baaraat is a movie about two 20-something year olds, Shruti Kakkar (Anushka Sharma) and Bittoo sharma ( debutant Ranveer Singh), who are poles apart but are brought together by fate (mixed with planning by the scheming Bittoo) to start their very own “<i>Wedding planning ka bijness</i>” (a wedding planning venture) called ‘Shaadi Mubarak.’ Shruti is the focussed, no-nonsense girl, who does not want to be tied down with marriage and kids until she has achieved something career-wise, while Bittoo is the laid-back, aimless, carefree boy who’s only goal is to stay away from his father’s sugarcane business. The rules of their partnership are very clear, “<i>Jisse vyapaar karo, usse kabhi na pyaar karo </i>(don’t mix business with pleasure).” </span><br />
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Both their friendship and business go through the highs and lows of a world of glitz and glamour of the lavish Delhi weddings.While Shruti and Bittoo think that they are discovering themselves, in the course of their journey, they actually end up discovering each other and breaking all the rules of the game! The second half of the movie shows them dealing with the consequences of their actions, solving the problems created by their split and confronting their confusing emotions. They finally realise after many losses that their partnership was the secret of their success and that’s what created the magic! <br />
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Anushka Sharma has once again proved herself as a talented actress who in the coming days can give her contemporaries a run for their money. She has potrayed the role of a West Delhi girl with aplomb. Debutant Ranveer Singh may claim to be a Bandra (Mumbai) boy, but his accurate portrayal of Bittoo will make any <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haryana">Haryanavi</a> boy look fake. The film also has memorable performances by the supporting cast, mainly Maqsood, the florist (Neeraj Sood), Rajinder Singh, the caterer (Manmeet Singh) and Bittoo's friend Santy, the musician (Revant Shergill), who play the small yet competent suppliers with strong business ethics.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">The film is a full-on Bollywood entertainer with vibrant sets, colourful costumes, energetic dances and foot-tapping songs. I recommend it to all who love weddings, Indian culture and light-hearted love stories. I loved it, “<i>bread pakore ki kasam</i> (fried-dumpling promise)!”<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Clinomaniac’s Verdict:</b> Watch It!<br />
<b><br />
More info:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Rated: PG</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Running time:2hr. 35 min.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">In Theaters: Dec.10, 2010 Limited</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Directed By: Maneesh Sharma</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Written By: Habib Faisal, Maneesh Sharma</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Cast:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Anushka Sharma - Shruti Kakkar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Ranveer Singh - Bittoo Sharma</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Neeraj Sood - Maqsood</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Manmeet Singh - Rajinder Singh</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Revant Shergill - Santy</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">P.S. A sneak peak into the song-and-dance routine at Indian Weddings.</span><br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:20c4c758-a4d9-4f5d-b0ed-3a0e4156d104" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div id="2b493561-0ec8-4032-9432-743389136bf4" style="display: inline; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uTwMjijDJ9g&hl=en"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uTwMjijDJ9g&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></object></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-35936805452803860082011-02-22T16:28:00.002+05:302011-03-16T01:00:15.956+05:30Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvknm1qLEgIc1ohDaSEzA_zJ8xiixLC4IFXb5VSk8Qyvx-RN0OR6mxOFaGVu1dFVm-SXNKLLBR4J3w_NQLOxmKtYwH1Ic5_H1raWw6hJa3J3KO_b34mzUCb2yJlkHj9bsrsxws4n2XfyU/s1600/Sex-and-the-City-Movie-Poster-sex-and-the-city-1261280_1061_1500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvknm1qLEgIc1ohDaSEzA_zJ8xiixLC4IFXb5VSk8Qyvx-RN0OR6mxOFaGVu1dFVm-SXNKLLBR4J3w_NQLOxmKtYwH1Ic5_H1raWw6hJa3J3KO_b34mzUCb2yJlkHj9bsrsxws4n2XfyU/s200/Sex-and-the-City-Movie-Poster-sex-and-the-city-1261280_1061_1500.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: fanpop.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000774/">Sex and the City</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">– </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">the movie – isn’t even one of my favourite chick flicks, but to everyone’s surprise, I have seen it more than once as it is an afternoon favourite with the English Movie channels here, especially when they have nothing else to air. I don’t mind watching it (much to my husband’s horror) for various girly reasons (read loyalty to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City">SATC TV series</a>, clothes, shoes and the little bits of wit). Although I watched the movie without taxing my brain or my heart, yet a particular line, “Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.” from a particular <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WuaQ1CxdCk">scene</a> (where Carrie read out a love letter by Beethoven from a book called Love Letters of Great Men) somehow got stuck in my head. This line was then later <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0xn2PkQopg&playnext=1&list=PL6A54551B04F05D22">quoted again in the movie</a> by Big when he finally married Carrie. The movie in itself isn’t a romantic’s dream, but there’s something so “foreverly” in this line that it prompted me to find out more about these letters and the book.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVus89Ewd32leX20Sm8aASVWej2oZCB1PQpNq_yvbDNBRjgrvP1hvoq7qp7AR2kcfzvUD_T4jrSY7CBVRdOzfKPrZF2UH1YG3WldABvS0xEIvljwORD5TjD1kkTpEH0nrAC2UcQE1J7bc/s1600/Book+II.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVus89Ewd32leX20Sm8aASVWej2oZCB1PQpNq_yvbDNBRjgrvP1hvoq7qp7AR2kcfzvUD_T4jrSY7CBVRdOzfKPrZF2UH1YG3WldABvS0xEIvljwORD5TjD1kkTpEH0nrAC2UcQE1J7bc/s200/Book+II.png" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: ebookstore.sony.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKsj4EWAbKjlQseFJFiq7TCgh2Zh8tmDs25v_uEHojqwEYB4gckaXGxyI0JE4dLX5blq2YN-j9-h8fU3sCsn4xIN0pRiJCRdHlWX7TJN60ddbb5P5lSLGm6s0a-Ede0jZMKBMfUswY7w/s1600/book+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKsj4EWAbKjlQseFJFiq7TCgh2Zh8tmDs25v_uEHojqwEYB4gckaXGxyI0JE4dLX5blq2YN-j9-h8fU3sCsn4xIN0pRiJCRdHlWX7TJN60ddbb5P5lSLGm6s0a-Ede0jZMKBMfUswY7w/s200/book+1.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: commons.wikimedia.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">To my surprise, I found that the book never actually existed, although the letters referenced in the film were real. However, in response to fan demand, 2 books were eventually published, which contain a collection of love letters written by some of the greatest men in history (novelist Mark Twain, poet Robert Browning, playwright George Bernard Shaw, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, President George Washington, and many others). The first book (entitled <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Letters-Great-John-Kirkland/dp/1438257244/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298459538&sr=1-2">Love Letters of Great Man, Vol. 1</a></em>), which appears exactly as seen in the movie, was authored by John C. Kirkland and published on the date of the film’s premier, May 12, 2008. The second book (entitled <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0312567448/ref=sib_books_pg?p=S001&keywords=love+letters+of+great+men&ie=UTF8&qid=1298452501">Love Letters of Great Men</a></em>), was edited by Ursula Doyle and published by Macmillan Publishers on November 25, 2008. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">However, I also read that a book called<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3372319.Love_Letters_Of_Great_Men_And_Women"> <em>Love Letters of Great Men and Women: From the Eighteenth Century to the Present Day</em> by CH Charles</a> might have inspired the writers of SATC to create and use a similar book as a prop in the movie, thereby unknowingly laying the foundation for the 2 other books published subsequently. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">While reading some of the letters contained within the books, I realised that the core nature of men hasn’t really changed very much over the years. Qualities like passion, jealousy, possessiveness, lust, longing, love, sacrifice, devotion, tolerance and fidelity will never go out of fashion, and the universal need to express our emotions will always exist, only the medium may vary in every era- it may be a simple love letter, or a quick email, or a short SMS. Love surpasses all understanding.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have reproduced below Beethoven’s Love Letter 3. It is believed that three passionate unsent letters were found in Beethoven’s desks after his death. They were addressed to his “Immortal Beloved.” There was no year on the letters, and there is no conclusive evidence regarding the identity of the “Immortal Beloved.” However, historians believe that she may be a Viennese woman called Antonie Bretano (1780-1869), who was married to a German merchant and was leaving the city at the time of these letters. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Good morning, on July 7 <br />
Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.<br />
ever thine<br />
ever mine<br />
ever ours<br />
</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">These eternal love letters may be of great use to all those love-struck people out there!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-86003971801992007172011-02-16T18:01:00.004+05:302011-03-16T01:04:48.741+05:30Romance is in the Air!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYvJyl8kAitAyT6PHhKx9NTMOU2XnwpOHj_XgCiu3YB9skYN9Th_Vmt1scpNCnMMIVewT2PNllXS5fjcAWwi3KGkxfs5tXwfRsr9yJsOd2cUdi7Re5nn02n2FIp2wtJvyRXT33-B_aGE/s1600/yash+raj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYvJyl8kAitAyT6PHhKx9NTMOU2XnwpOHj_XgCiu3YB9skYN9Th_Vmt1scpNCnMMIVewT2PNllXS5fjcAWwi3KGkxfs5tXwfRsr9yJsOd2cUdi7Re5nn02n2FIp2wtJvyRXT33-B_aGE/s320/yash+raj.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: dealnay.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">A chance encounter with a nice Frenchman at the Mumbai airport provided the foundation for this post. While walking through a bookstore, this gentleman requested me to help him choose a typical Bollywood family entertainer. I was more than happy to oblige him, but found it extremely difficult to restrict my selection to only 1 movie. However, after much deliberation, I decided to give him a compilation of the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004DY66XE/shop09af5-20/ref=nosim"><span style="font-family: Arial;">12 best Bollywood movies </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">(by </span><a href="http://www.yashrajfilms.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Yash Raj Films Pvt. Ltd.</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">), which are the most appropriate examples for the Hindi movie song-and-dance routine.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Then, on the flight, I started recalling my all-time favourite romantic Hindi movies (I instinctively started thinking about romantic movies as it was Valentine’s day and love seemed to be blossoming everywhere. In retrospect, however, another reason could be that I had met the love of my life, my husband, on an airport, and so unconsciously my mind goes all gooey and mushy at airports!). I could remember about 15 movies off the top of my head, and thought that sharing the list with everyone would be a unique way to celebrate love.<br />
<br />
So, here are my favourites (I know these are a few too many, but trust me, each of these movies deserves to be on this list!). I, humbly, request every die-hard romantic to watch these at least once in their lifetime. These movies were released over a span of many years and they are seminal in changing the face of Hindi cinema and its fixation with love.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
I would be more than happy to make any additions to this list.</span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mughal-e-Azam </span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bobby </span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chandni</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Maine Pyaar Kiya</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hum Aapke Hain Kaun</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kuch Kuch Hota Hai</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dil To Pagal Hai</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kaho Na Pyaar Hai</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Veer Zaara</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Devdas</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jab We Met</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Om Shanti Om</span><br />
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I Hate Love Stories </span></li>
</ol><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-56265815133625203852011-02-15T23:59:00.006+05:302011-02-16T00:31:58.601+05:30From YouTube to Hollywood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had received an e-mail sometime back that sent me this YouTube link. I thought that this video entitled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ataque_de_P%C3%A1nico!"><i>Ataque de Panico!</i> (Panic Attack)</a>, was a trailer for a soon-to-be released movie. However, when I dug a little deeper, I found out that it was a five-minute short film by an Uruguayan filmmaker, <a href="http://www.boardsmag.com/articles/online/20100107/fedealvarez.html">Fede Alvarez</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This video, which was posted on YouTube in November 2009, is a stylized documentary about giant robots attacking and destroying Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. I was, to say the least, surprised when I read that Alvarez had made the film for less than $1000.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-dadPWhEhVk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alvarez not only received great adulation for his amazing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_film">short</a>, but it also earned him a US$30 million <a href="http://www.awn.com/articles/cg/fede-alvarez-talks-panic-attack">Hollywood deal</a> from Ghost House Pictures. Sam Raimi, director of the Spider Man films has offered Alvarez the opportunity to team with a writer to create a feature film.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Alvarez told BBC's Latin American service BBC Mundo, "If some director from some country can achieve this by just uploading a video to YouTube, it obviously means that anyone could do it."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
This, I guess, is another example among many (like blogs) that shows the internet is such a level-playing field, a meritocracy where its your talent that matters and exceptional work can reach great heights without being encumbered by the restrictions encountered through the usual approaches.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
I wish Alvarez good luck for his future endeavours and hope to see his work in a major Hollywood film soon.</span><br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-46412211002369514892011-02-09T17:26:00.002+05:302011-03-16T01:06:34.573+05:30Rajini Saar...Superstar!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dbwVtJbrd9IDeMbo3HV-Nt6woZ20QF3RNUAymDljFr0JuYFTEab0c3YOLkMuqUvfrIk9T8g8ECIiuBG7SiCDyejtj7P-dzjsCFoO0R5S3diHnBMRdrNM9PdulhxI1QfGkD563dr5-Ew/s1600/RAJINI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dbwVtJbrd9IDeMbo3HV-Nt6woZ20QF3RNUAymDljFr0JuYFTEab0c3YOLkMuqUvfrIk9T8g8ECIiuBG7SiCDyejtj7P-dzjsCFoO0R5S3diHnBMRdrNM9PdulhxI1QfGkD563dr5-Ew/s400/RAJINI.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Created by The Clinomanaic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</a> enjoys the status of a matinee idol in India and is literally worshipped by millions in the country and outside. "Thalaivar" (leader), as he is fondly called by his fans, was recently seen again on the silver screen in his sci-fi blockbuster <a href="http://in.movies.yahoo.com/movies/Robot-Review/summary-11023.html">ENDHIRAN (Tamil) and ROBOT (Hindi)</a>. Around the time these 2 movies hit the theatres, a number of Rajinikanth jokes became popular among people, especially the younger generation, via email and SMS. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently, my sister, Bhavana, heard some of these jokes. As she was studying in Malaysia for the last year, neither did she know of these movies nor was she aware of the jokes or their popularity. Thus, when she asked me about them during one of our late night talkathons , I decided to look for more jokes on the internet and found that there was quite a collection. I also found a website dedicated entirely to <a href="http://www.rajinikanthjokes.com/">Jokes on Rajinikanth</a>. However, just to give you a sneak peak, I've listed a few of my favourite ones below.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rajinikanth doesn’t wear a watch. He decides what time it is.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rajinikanth has already been to Mars, that’s why there are no signs of life there.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rajinikanth killed the dead sea.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">If you spell ‘Rajnikant’ wrong on Google it doesn’t say, “Did you mean Rajinikanth?” It simply replies, “Run while you still have the chance.”<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rajnikanth once wrote a cheque, the bank bounced!<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Micheal Jordan to Rajini: I can spin a ball on my finger for over two hours. Can you?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rajni: Rascala; how do you think the earth spins!<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">If Rajinikanth was born 100 years earlier, British would have fought to get independence from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">When Rajinikanth logs on to facebook.com, facebook updates its status message!<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rajni once killed 20 men just by saying “BANG.”<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rajinikanth knows <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Victoria</st1:place></st1:state>’s secret.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">When Rajinikanth gives you the finger, he’s telling you how many seconds you have left to live.<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rajinikanth got smallpox when he was a kid. As a result small pox </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">is now eradicated.</span></li>
</ol><br />
<ol start="12" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-48776255638852942012011-02-08T18:20:00.002+05:302011-02-08T18:27:59.000+05:30India's Michael Jackson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out this video of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prabhu_Deva"><b>Prabhu Deva</b></a> song. Mike Sutton has edited it to include incorrect yet hilarious English subtitles that sound similar to the original Tamil lyrics. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZA1NoOOoaNw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-23182408085034009312011-02-07T17:34:00.001+05:302011-03-16T01:11:58.286+05:30Happy Birthday Eddie!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTIGgdBLWyuN4R_bBNC9bwK8TeFpE-Fa_gzL09hupq40XediJ6CVkwkKconLLc_5upGbg2TJlnFtq7DTuFI73t8usxq3DczgxMI0UUlQKWbL3s1rwTC8ptdJ5_3kKSe849lBY7pFY0YQ/s1600/555472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTIGgdBLWyuN4R_bBNC9bwK8TeFpE-Fa_gzL09hupq40XediJ6CVkwkKconLLc_5upGbg2TJlnFtq7DTuFI73t8usxq3DczgxMI0UUlQKWbL3s1rwTC8ptdJ5_3kKSe849lBY7pFY0YQ/s320/555472.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: musicstack.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is weirdly coincidental that the day I decide to write a post on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Izzard">Eddie Izzard</a> (one of my favourite <a href="http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Standup_comedian">stand-up comedians</a>), it happens to be his birthday. Thus, let me begin by wishing him a fantabulous birthday!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
I particularly love his take on the <a href="http://www.starwars.com/databank/location/deathstar/">Death Star</a> of the Star Wars series, and often playfully use the "Do you know who I am?" line on my husband. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
To know more, watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp69rg6Hdlo">Eddie Izzard's Death Star Canteen</a> (a part of his performance from his stand-up tour called <i>Circle</i>), and like me, you might also get hooked on to his style of comedy!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-70257908049901452952011-02-01T22:46:00.011+05:302011-03-16T01:16:31.887+05:30Adversity...the greatest teacher<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_gAUPUa5b9Du9jUOPVqQGKxDVBwWtZ-BD_11vW_DoNEB2BwHixVbgOg_EJAsY5cnH7TzxrEntyxcQgtq8e-mKfVLxkfUnl5u4UUzkEtFZBDlERENuwcI2dL3FQ-o5ZtFMQnu-4J7WIc/s1600/127_hours_poster_01-535x792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_gAUPUa5b9Du9jUOPVqQGKxDVBwWtZ-BD_11vW_DoNEB2BwHixVbgOg_EJAsY5cnH7TzxrEntyxcQgtq8e-mKfVLxkfUnl5u4UUzkEtFZBDlERENuwcI2dL3FQ-o5ZtFMQnu-4J7WIc/s320/127_hours_poster_01-535x792.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: brusimm.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">In <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> there’s usually a dearth of English movies released in the theatres. However, some of the watch-worthy movies, which get nominated or win in the popular categories at the Golden Globes and the Oscars, are promptly released here in the following weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Among such releases was Danny Boyle’s latest film 127 HOURS, which my husband and I saw yesterday with a few friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Danny Boyle is a hero of sorts to us Indians ever since he brought the Oscars closer to home with his highly acclaimed and successful film ‘Slumdog Millionaire.’ He has cultivated his own cinematic style, which is evident yet again in this movie where he has transformed one man’s gut-wrenching tale of survival into a thrilling, life-affirming story that captures the power of the human spirit.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">127 Hours is based on the real-life adventure of extreme mountaineer and canyoneer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aron_Ralston">Aron Ralston</a> as documented in his autobiography <a href="http://www.curledup.com/rockhard.htm">Between A Rock and A Hard Place</a>. Aron met with a freak accident when his right forearm got trapped under a boulder during one of his expeditions in <st1:state w:st="on">Utah</st1:state> in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Blue</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">John</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Canyon</st1:placename></st1:place>. He spent 5 gruelling days alone in this horrifying situation before he could free himself and reach out for help.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">James Franco (Harry Osborn from the Spider-Man trilogy) has showcased his acting skills in a new light with his emotionally authentic, magnificent performance as Aron Ralston. The canyon’s harsh yet beautiful landscape, exhilarating background music, taut screenplay, crisp editing, and unique cinematography together make the movie a perfect adrenaline shot. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">As described by Danny Boyle himself, 127 Hours is “an action movie with a guy who can’t move,” making the whole experience static yet full of life and energy. The major part of the movie revolves around Aron stuck in the canyon with his forearm under a boulder that refuses to budge. All he has with him are a camera, video recorder, a cheap, good-for-nothing pocketknife (that teaches Aron and the audience an important lesson about “Made in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>” goods), rappelling rope, little food, and a rapidly depleting reserve of water. Although Aron is in an immobile, tortured state, his mind is racing through a flurry of emotions from introspection to reminiscing to fantasizing to regret. Snippets of Aron’s personality and life are revealed in the movie through flashbacks, fantasy sequences, weird pain-induced hallucinations, and an amusing self-castigation radio talk show.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">The cinematography of the film is brilliant as it helps convey Aron’s tension, despair, and isolation. The audience too slowly finds itself becoming a part of Aron’s dire predicament and mental and physical agony, and lives through the entire process of him making a desperate decision in a final bid to save his life. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The much talked about cringe-worthy yet relevant “scene” of the movie does induce visceral reactions from the audience. However, it forms the crux of the story as it is not only important to show that Aron escaped, but how he escaped is what brings forth his “never say die” super-human trait. It made me wonder, if, in his shoes, would I have had the strength to take such a drastic decision or would I have simply given up. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The movie beautifully brings out the fact that people always need people. It celebrates the indomitable human spirit that gives us the courage and resilience to survive in the most impossible situations. Seeing the real Aron Ralston at the end of the movie, full of zeal with his wife and son, gave me the happy ending I always look for in a movie. I came out of the movie feeling inspired and with an even stronger desire to make the best of every second I have. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Clinomaniac’s verdict:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> WATCH IT (However, the famous “scene” is not for the faint of heart.) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">More Info: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Rated: R (MPAA)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Running Time: 1 hr. 35 min.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Theaters: Nov. 5 2010 Limited<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Directed By: Danny Boyle<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Written By: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cast: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">James Franco-Aron Ralston<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kate Mera-Kristi<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amber Tamblyn-Megan<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kate Burton-Aron’s mom<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Clémence Poésy-Rana<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979222497139855316.post-33639632373879791302011-01-24T19:07:00.021+05:302011-03-16T01:30:38.406+05:30My first ever blog post...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOdgTU72060alOp-Hod31EDh2F7y4_3DJNkizbKVJQa3IgbSSc0FixhqfwvfEbV8K12U4M3iNUazFwIrfHdgO0T3X7HNoKkGwfz2KuOb-Fg7BVXzgon8EiXwDhBGLAprSExF4ar125BA/s1600/the-other-guys-poster.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565748027445220402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOdgTU72060alOp-Hod31EDh2F7y4_3DJNkizbKVJQa3IgbSSc0FixhqfwvfEbV8K12U4M3iNUazFwIrfHdgO0T3X7HNoKkGwfz2KuOb-Fg7BVXzgon8EiXwDhBGLAprSExF4ar125BA/s320/the-other-guys-poster.jpg" style="float: right; height: 320px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 248px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: blog.80millionmoviesfree.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Movie reviews aren’t easy to do and I’m no professional critic who knows the ins-and-outs of the movie industry. However, I do enjoy watching movies and have often found myself giving an impromtu movie review to anyone who has lent an ear. Thus, without further ado, here it goes…<br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">This weekend I ended up watching “THE OTHER GUYS” on DVD with some of my friends. It was our first choice among the 5 other DVDs we had rented as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">I had heard that it was a pretty good comedy. And it surely was! We laughed our guts out almost throughout the entire movie. </span><br />
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Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell make a good team of two mismatched police detectives, Hoitz and Gamble, respectively, who keep you in splits with their unique take on modern technology, pimping, crime, sports, and finance! Eva Mendes perfectly plays the role of a smolderingly hot, devoted Mrs. Shiela Gamble. The Gambles’ idiosyncrasies and weird chemistry is hilarious. <br />
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Mark Wahlberg gives a notable performance as a frustrated cop who is forced to do desk duty because of a mistake that cost him pretty much his career. His expressions throughout the movie are priceless. The Hoitz-Gamble duo makes the movie engaging with their amusing one-liners and their unsuccessful gags. The good cop-bad cop routine was given a whole new dimension by them! <br />
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The short but explosive action sequences delivered by Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson, who play the city’s super-cops, are a delight to watch. In addition, the graphics and text along with the credits at the end of the movie are interesting since they depict trivia about the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region> economy and the financial bailouts. On the whole, the movie is good popcorn entertainment on a lazy weekend.<br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Clinomaniac’s Verdict:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> WATCH IT!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
More Info:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Rated: PG-13 (MPAA)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Running Time: 1 hr. 47 min.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In Theaters: Aug 6, 2010 <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Directed By: Adam Mckay<u> <o:p></o:p></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Written By: Chris Henchy, Adam McKay <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Cast:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="characters"><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">Will Ferrell-Det. Allen Gamble</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-converted-space">Mark Wahlberg </span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">-<span class="characters">Det. Terry Hoitz</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-converted-space">Eva Mendes </span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">-<span class="characters">Dr. Sheila Gamble</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-converted-space">Micheal Keaton </span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">-<span class="characters">Capt. Gene Mauch</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="apple-converted-space">Dwayne Johnson </span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">-<span class="characters">Det. Christopher Danson</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-converted-space">Samuel L. Jackson </span><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">-<span class="characters">Det. P.K. Highsmith</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0