Movie Review: Dabangg - The Big Bang!

Limitless (2011)

My Sister Tikva - A Holocaust Movie

Film Review: Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (2008)

My Dream Interviews

Despicable Me and 3D: What a Combination!

Thank You Movie Review

Legend of Sidney Lumet - First Amongst Equals

Reviewed: Sucker Punch (2011)

Ways to Impress Judges at Teen Acting Auditions

The Sunset Limited: 2011

Review of Mysterious Skin

Mysterious Skin is a 2004 drama about the convergent lives of two boys: one searching for closure, while the other searches for the truth. The film touches on multiple issues, including homosexuality, abuse and prostitution, but comes off as more illustrative than preachy.

Brian Lackey is an brainy college student who is haunted by continual nosebleeds and nightmares of a troubled past he cannot wholly recall. Hours of his memory are lost without explanation with the last moment he can detail being sitting on the bench of a little league baseball game. He is found by his older sister, hours later, in the basement of his house, bleeding from the nose. Through the years, he has concluded that this and the following occurrences are the result of alien abductions, devoting much of his time to validating this claim.

Neil McCormick is a homosexual prostitute scarred by the sexual relationship with his Coach the summer he played little league. Neil confides his secrets in his childhood friend Wendy, who has loved Neil for quite some time; however, when describing him, she says, "Where normal people have a heart, Neil McCormick has a bottomless black hole. And if you don't watch out, you can fall in and get lost forever." Neil moves with Wendy to New York where he is confronted with the dangers of prostitution and AIDS, as the film takes place in the early '90s.

The film's plot is brilliant and completely enthralling taking twists and turns leaving the audience to come to conclusions, then second guessing them. These conclusions range vastly from Neil being an alien to Brian being mentally ill. This is made possible by the convincing performances of Joseph Gorden-Levitt (Neil), Brady Corbet (Brian) and Riley McGuire (Wendy). Jeffery Licon's portrayal of a friend of the three, Eric, is also worth mentioning.

A number of scenes in this film are rather difficult to watch, not because they are of poor production quality; rather, they are gritily realistic in depicting social taboos. The pain felt is derived from a sympathy toward the misfortunes of many of the characters, the majority of which is directed at Neil. While the film depicts Neil as a homosexual from birth, his relationship with the Coach steered his future career decisions.

The film's commentary on the aforementioned social taboos are more academic than opinionated. Rather than producing a moral statement on these topics, the film demonstrates the manor in which individuals handle and are affected by these traumatic events; the audience is left to come to a conclusion of their own.

Director Gregg Araki should also be mentioned, if anything, for producing a truly noteworthy film that is leaps and bounds ahead of his other works thus far. It's easy to see the powerful direction in the film which leads one to believe that Araki has great potential.

The film leaves the audience with an emotionally disturbed feeling, somewhere between sympathy and anger. While this emotion is not always desired, it comes along with a feeling of closure to this wonderful film.

Rating: 8/10

Atlas Shrugged Movie

The Atlas Shrugged movie is finally coming out, but I'm not sold yet. There doesn't seem to be a star packed cast, or any star for that matter, and is only having a limited release. I believe Atlas Shrugged deserves more since it was originally rumored to have Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in it.

That being said, I hope it pulls through. Ayn Rand is one of my all time favorite writers, and that's not because she is the best writer, in fact, her writing ability isn't really that great at all. But it's the fact that she combines fiction and philosophy in such a fundamental way, that it forces reflection, and that to me is the very purpose of the creative process.

There's not many writers around like Ayn Rand. Most choose a target market, and right specifically for that market. And sure, this is fine enough, it will make money and fame, and possibly even create a really well written book. But in the end of the day, it goes against what the creative process is about, and that's about creating for the sake of the work its self. Not worrying about the reaction it will receive, and simply enjoying the clicking of the keys, the realization of the images and the knowing that you're creating something from your heart.

This is why Dystopian literature connects so much with me. It's very purpose is to express the subjects of philosophy, but put them in a reality that we can perceive directly and respond to. Ayn Rand has written entire philosophical books on the subject (If you haven't The Romantic Manifesto, do so immediately). All Dystopian novels are connected to philosophy, and Atlas Shrugged, I believe, is one of the best ever done because this purpose is so overtly visible.

Now, if you're new to Ayn Rand then I suggest a few things. First, don't dive into Atlas Shrugged first, it's a brick of a book. I would suggest reading some of her philosophy first, get an idea of what she is preaching. So pick up "The virtue of selfishness", "The romantic manifesto" and "Capitalism: The unknown ideal", then move onto "Fountainhead" (which should also get a remake), and then finish off with her opus, "Atlas shrugged." Do this immediately so you can embrace for the movie.

Anyways, the early reviews are out for the film, and so far, so good. But early reviews can't always be trusted, so fingers are crossed!

"Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves - or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth."-Ayn Rand

Maxey Thomas is an alias of Greg Thomas, and is the creator of Dystopian Novels which is a blog that explores philosophical issues in the modern world, and how the writer can reflect on these issues, so that their creative expression can be strengthened and refined. Thomas is an aspiring author of Dystopian Novels, and is currently backpacking the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxey_Thomas

The Adjustment Bureau - My Interpretation Of The Metaphors

My interest in this film came about after hearing that it was based on a short story by Philip K. Dick. Blade runner, Next, Minority Report and Total Recall are just a few of the films that have been based on his stories. The storyline 'Do we control our destiny, or do unseen forces manipulate us' also piqued my interest.

Now that I have watched the film I can see that it has an incredible amount of metaphors. However, it wasn't until the end of the film that I fully grasped what the metaphors were. I believe the main metaphors contained within this film are about success and following what makes us happy.

These metaphors of the film are my personal view and are based on my own interpretation of what these metaphors are and their meaning. They are in no way the right or only interpretation, they are just my view.

This will also mean that I will miss out certain parts and only describe what stood out for me and what I felt was significant. It will not be like a story board where I will describe the whole story.

So with the disclaimer of sorts out of the way, let's begin.

Do We Control Our Destiny, Or Do Unseen Forces Manipulate Us?

First I will start with my interpretation of the storyline 'Do we control our destiny, or do unseen forces manipulate us'. I believe that although it can seem as though unseen forces or something external to us is controlling our life, it is ultimately the result of repression and dissociation, of what is going on internally for us. I think this is partly the result of not being informed, at any stage of our education, that what is going on inside of us i.e. our emotions, feelings and thoughts, is actually having a direct effect on our reality. In day to day life it is the behavioural approach is often enforced, the challenge I have, is that the deeper causes are often neglected and this can potentially be another form of repression. These inner aspects are more of less taboo, and I believe due to the general ignorance around this, a lot of dysfunctional is created at a personal level and in our society and the world.

So as the repression and dissociation continues to grow in us, external problems will also increase in size. And as this happens the external problems will become more overwhelming and disempowering.

I think that our own ego likes to believe that there are unseen forces or something 'out there', so that it can avoid having to face itself, or should I say so that we don't ever take the time to observe it.

The moment David and Elise meet

The first part of the film that comes to mind is the restroom scene where David (Matt Damon) and Elise (Emily Blunt) are brought together. Here we see that they have deep level of attraction, something that could be described as a resonance to each other. This interaction doesn't last long though, as David has to perform his speech. After it has happened he begins to wonder if he will ever see her again. On his way to work the next day he just 'happens' to see her on the bus and quite naturally he can't believe it. Is this destiny or fate or is something else going on? I suppose it also depends on the meaning one has for those words.

The vocations that David and Elise have are great when it comes to balance, with David being the politician he has a role that is of leadership and power, which is the masculine side and Elise having the role of the feminine with her ballet dancing. So together, they each have a side that can create great balance between them and the potential for great growth.

The chance encounter that David and Elise have in the restroom shows that they are attracted to each other and first it could seem to be just a chance meeting. However as they continue to meet, more can be said about their connection and how true it really is. This is a great example of what resonance is, that no matter how big the odds are, if we have a deep connection to someone or something it won't matter what the outside world throws at us.

Meeting The Adjustment Team

It is soon after this that we meet the adjustment team, who come across as secret agents. Upon David's arrival at work, he is captured and taken to an empty building. When the adjustment team open a door, it doesn't open to the next room; it can open to a completely different place in the city.

The first thing David tries to do is escape, which comes to no avail. Here Richardson (John Slattery), who seems to be the person in charge at this point, tells David that free will is an illusion and that he has no free will and to top it all off he also says that he is not allowed to see Elise again. David resists and asks why, Richardson responds by saying that she is not part of the plan. This is where the whole question of was it destiny, fate or because of a resonance that they met or was is something else. Richardson says that it wasn't meant to happen and that he only met her the first time so that it would cause him to give a great speech. This makes David believe that there must be something going on between them or they wouldn't have met for a second time. The number that Elise gives to him is burned by the Adjustment team, this leaves David hopeless and makes him wonder if he will ever see her again, in a city with 9 million people.

So I think the Adjustment Bureau would best be described as a team of people who control the outcome of people's lives. They also tell him that he is not allowed to tell anyone about what happened to him.

Finding Elise Again

Three years later and after David has travelled on the same route that he met her on, he spots Elise walking outside while he is on the bus. He explains to her that he lost her number and that he has been looking for her the whole time. And although it has been three years the attraction they felt for each other is still there and they arrange to meet that night for her ballet performance. The adjustment team are ever present and as they have the ability to control people within a certain radius, many challenges arise. David's work colleague Charlie (Michael Kelly) soon appears and tries to convince David to come and do his speech, which he postponed upon meeting Elise.

Charlie is not the only one being mind controlled, as the venue that Elise will be dancing at is also changed with the help of the adjustment team, so that David goes to the wrong place and loses contact with Elise again.

I think the mind control aspect and having the ability to control what people do, is an interesting metaphor. For me it is an exaggerated example of what can happen when we don't think for ourselves and end up operating unconsciously and from a place of reaction. There is a saying that says 'If we don't stand for something, we'll fall for anything'. So I believe, if we have no sense of Identity, real identity, we can easily go along to get along. If the only thing we know about ourselves is what other people have told us, we will have no real foundations or understanding about who we are and therefore we will be easily influenced. This can all come about through our need for approval and as this is so deep and primal, it can be incredibly hard to observe. As a result of this, we can end up compromising our own truth to be accepted.

The Ballet Rehearsal

As soon as David has given his speech, he rushes to find a taxi that will take him to the ballet rehearsal. However all of the taxi drivers have been mind controlled and drive straight by him. He manages to find a taxi driver in the end and arrives at the performance.

They spend the night together, and out of the blue Elise receives four calls in one morning from her ex boyfriend. This makes David think that the Adjustment team are at work again.

This could be to test David, to see how committed he is to being with Elise, to see how important she is to him.

The Ballet Performance

The next day David has a talk show to attend to and once it finishes he opens a door and ends up in a big building. Here he meets Thomson (Terence stamp). He tells David that if he stays with Elise he will ruin her career and his own and if he leaves her Elise will become the most famous dancer and choreographer in the country and that David could become the president. He rejects these claims and wants to see her. David says that as he's found Elise he doesn't need to become president and that the emptiness he feels when he's not in front of people, has gone. Thomson allows David to leave and says he has enough time to make the performance.

While David says that Elise fills the emptiness within him, I don't think this is necessarily a healthy reason to base a relationship on. Although Elise could assist David in letting go of the perception that there is emptiness there and that he is not whole already, it could also create desperation and neediness on David's part. And that if Elise where to leave the feeling could return again, with no real growth occurring.However, I think that if David observes those needs he will be able to let go and realise that he is already whole.

The part where Thomson tells David that he will ruin Elise's career if they stay together, brought to my attention two metaphors. The first one is that we can easily become self centred and think about our own needs forgetting whether it would be best option. And only thinking about what will give us what we want now and ignoring what could be the long term consequences. The second metaphor is that we can feel the pressure to follow other people's expectations of what is right and wrong and what we should be doing with our life. And out of our need for acceptance we can end up pleasing others and making ourselves miserable.

It doesn't go well for Elise though, as she falls and sprains her ankle. They say it will be healed in about a month. After this David takes the advice of Thomson and stays away from Elise.

Elise And David Unite Once More

David reads in the paper that Elise is going to be getting married soon. And with the help of Harry (Anthony Mackie) he finds a way to see Elise. Harry could be described as the only member of the adjustment bureau that is on David's side and wants to help him. He could be a metaphor for the people and situations in our life that support us no matter how we see ourselves and who will encourage us to follow what makes us happy. I believe that the more committed we are to living our life that way, the more assistance we will receive from people and the world.

He says to Elise that the reasons he disappeared were because of what Thomson said about ruining her career. They use Harry's magic hat and open the doors to get closer to the chairmen. Elise doesn't know what is happening and starts to panic and soon they are being followed by the Adjustment team. The more doors they go through and the more David tells Elise, the more she believes what David is telling her. They continue their search for the chairman and they end up in the adjustment bureau headquarters.

The Truth Is Revealed On The Roof

When they get to the top of the building, they find themselves cornered by the adjustment team. They begin to kiss and Elise says she loves David and at that moment the adjustment team disappear. I believe it is at this moment that the fundamental metaphor of the film is revealed. Soon after Harry appears on the roof and explains what the adjustment bureau is really about. I was aided in understanding what the metaphor was with the literal meaning of the film at this point.

Harry explains to them what has happened and as they have shown courage to go for what they wanted, they have earned the right to be together.

Conclusion

The Adjustment Bureau to me would be an exaggerated projection of what is going on at a deeper level for us and I would say this is the result of what we are holding onto from our past. As although in this film it was a group of people called the Adjustment Bureau who were trying to stop David and Ellis from doing what made them happy, in our everyday life it is not as extreme and can show up in the form of family, friends, people we work with and numerous other types of people. At a more internal level we can also have thoughts and feelings that keep us from living the life we truly want to live and what then cause us to behave in ways that can push our own happiness away.

I believe that it was also showing us that when we show commitment to following our truth and what makes us truly happy the universe (or whatever you believe it is) will be there to assist us. And that the more me move form a place of control, which is our ego, to a place of trust, which could be described as coming from our heart, we will see that this is so.

GE Universal Remote Codes - What They Are And Where To Get Them

Since upgrading your electronics and customizing your home theater setup became a necessity, so did the necessity of getting a GE remote is one the wisest decision that you will ever make. Before you can enjoy all the convenience of device manipulation with the use of one single remote control, you must learn how to program the GE universal codes. It is very true that you will find it very convenient to use this universal remote control but there are a few people who are having problems programming GE universal remote codes.

To give assistance in programming GE remote codes, this piece will give you some guidelines in how to achieve this purpose. The first thing that you need to do is to turn on the electronic device that you wish to operate. Find and hold the code search until the LED indicator lights up. In some cases you should press down the set up button. When the LED indicator lights up, press the button for the device that you want to operate; when you do so the LED indicator should flicker. You are almost done with programming your remote using GE universal remote codes.

To continue the procedure of programming GE universal remote codes, you must now enter the code of the appliance that you want to control. You will find the code list on your GE universal remote control user's manual.

Press and hold CODE SEARCH.

Press TV, VCR or Cable button you want to set up. For AUX, press and release AUX first and then the device to be programmed (TV, VCR or Cable). When the selected device button flashes proceed to the next step.

Enter the three digit universal code: 000

Release CODE SEARCH.

Now try using any of the functions of the remote and you should be setup and good to go!

If you can't find it, you can go online and search the codes that you need on any search engine. Enter the code and if you have entered the right code, the LED indicator should turn off. If you have entered the wrong code then the LED indicator light should continue to flicker. When the LED indicator light goes off, this ends the process of programming your remote using universal remote codes.

You still need to check if the GE universal remote is functioning properly by using the remote control to turn on the electronic device that you have selected. If the remote is not yet functioning, repeat the steps until you have successfully programmed the GE remote codes. You don't need to worry about the remote not functioning. In a common setting you will be able to program your remote through GE codes. If in case you have difficulty, GE has costumer assistance that you can contact which is more than willing to help with any other problems!

Transformers the Movie

26 years passed since Transformers first appeared on Television. It all started with toys for children. Evil Decepticons and defenders of all good Autobots. Over the past decade, Transformers has become more than just a toy line, countless comic books and TV series, movies and video games have been released. All of which were successful. Kids from all over the world, and not just kids, everyone knows about endless battles between Optiums prime and Megatron. Several generations of TV series expanded into movie franchise. Transformers the movie 1 and movie 2 have become even more popular then TV series.

Mind Blowing Hollywood style spec-effects and Megan Fox guaranteed success for the movie; in fact the movie box office was astronomical. It was Over 319 Mln. USD Domestic total gross + global over 390 Million USD, total 709+ Million USD, First weekend only - over 109 Million USD. Only the opening weekend is more around 7.5 Million USD. Second movie was a total blast, over 402 Million USD Domestic and up to 435 Million USD Global, total 836+ Million USD. It would be a serious understatement to address Transformers as one of the best of its own kind. Transformers had unparalleled success in every media release, even despite the shallowness of the plot and practically nonexistent storyline. Transformers is an amazing movie. It delivers exactly what the original Transformers fans expected to. Smashing up Cities left and right changing the shape of the planet with just a single swings and Megan Fox.

In all honesty Michael Bay didn't disappoint us; there wasn't a single dull moment in the movie, it was nostalgic and futuristic at same time. Although movie definitely had some silly moments like "Sam" a teenage boy without any special ability, just a teenage boy managed to kill Megaton THE Ultimate evil. Also there were confusions in fights scenes. It was difficult to see who was shooting who. Despite the ultra high quality CG and robot details, It was really difficult to tell who was who in the middle of battle and sometimes not just in battles.

Transformers the game was another successful transformation. It's a pretty straight forward action game with some cool fight scenes (probably the reason why anyone would want to play Transformers) interesting and innovative missions where you actually NEED to transform into vehicles, cool soundtracks, interactive environment which is fully destructible, and of course some crazy melee actions involving unique abilities of Transformers.

ANTM - A Platform For Discovery

America's Next Top Model Exposure

With ANTM launching models into the fashion industry, this up market show is making waves as the hottest platform for fresh talent in America. As a reality series, viewers all over the world get to tune in and watch the drama, as the real face of modeling bares all. The competition and stress, the confidence and uncertainty - it's all there for the models to deal with in front of the camera.

The unique thing about (ANTM) America's Next Top Model, is that it helps uncover who the finalists really are, and how much they want to succeed. With a prize that includes a leap into the fashion world - in the form of a contract with IMG Models, Covergirl Cosmetics and two spreads in Vogue, a new model couldn't hope for anything better. So is it worth applying to be on the show? The answer is yes, yes, yes!

As a model you already know how difficult it can be finding an agent, or getting consistent work. It's hard making a living off a full time profession that doesn't supply full time work. That's why when you get an opportunity like this it's one you need to seriously consider. Imagine skipping the difficulty of finding a competent agent, or the constant struggle of promoting yourself online. All you need to do is audition for the next season, and you could win the chance of a lifetime.

ANTM is all about discovery, and who doesn't want to be discovered! To apply you have to be eligible, and the only way to know for sure is to read their eligibility requirements. The basics state that you have to be between 18 and 27 years old, and at least 5'7" tall. If the producers like your video submission you'll be asked to go in for an interview. Then you'll be sorted into the semi-finals, and hopefully, are picked to be on the show.

To increase your chances of being picked, you need to have the right attitude. The judges will be looking for a well rounded model that has every chance of becoming an international superstar. You need to show ANTM and the world, that you are that person. Use your engaging personality, stunning looks and sharp modeling talent to blow your competition out of the water.

Remember that ANTM is television, and the most interesting people usually get the most face time on this platform. Find an angle, and figure out a way to get the audience on your side. If Tyra and the judges see that you are popular, then they'll be more likely to allow you to advance on the show. Pick your battles carefully and soon you could be America's Next Top Model!

ANTM is a platform for discovery, but like most things in the modeling world - it's incredibly hard to find success there. First you have to get on the show, then you have to win. If you manage to do so, you'll become an overnight modeling sensation, which will launch your non-existent career into the big leagues. It's more than worth the trouble.

Box Office Bombs

We're all familiar with the latest Hollywood blockbusters, but for every James Cameron project that rakes in the cash, there's also a film that tanks. The following list includes some of the biggest box office bombs in cinematic history, and they've been known to end careers and bring whole studios to their knees. The numbers for each entry have not been adjusted for inflation, and I've included the total cost of the film (including marketing) whenever possible.

Cutthroat Island (1995) - The cost of this flop was reportedly $115 million, and it only managed to take in a little over $10 million during its theatrical run. Adjusted for inflation, this Renny Harlin film about a female pirate (Geena Davis) in search of buried treasure is the biggest box office bomb of all time. In fact, it was such a disaster that it managed to drive Carolco Pictures out of business. It didn't help Geena Davis's career, either.

The Alamo (2004) - Depicting the legendary battle between Mexican and Texan forces at the famed San Antonio mission, The Alamo claimed to be the most accurate film on the subject ever made. That didn't seem to make a difference to audiences, however, as the $145 million production only managed to make back a shade over $25 million at the box office. Those who like battle sequences should still come away happy, and the cast is brimming with recognizable faces such as Dennis Quaid (Sam Houston), Jason Patric (James Bowie), Billy Bob Thorton (Davy Crockett), and Patrick Wilson (William Travis).

The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) - Eddie Murphy's ill-advised sci-fi/comedy cost a total of $120 million thanks to futuristic special effects and a special trailer to house co-star Randy Quaid's paranoia. Murphy stars as a retired smuggler who opens a successful nightclub and finds himself trying to figure out why a competitor would destroy his business and attempt to kill him. Rosario Dawson, John Cleese, Pam Grier, and Joe Pantoliano co-starred, but their efforts only resulted in a $7,103,973 take at the box office. While rentals would boost this number to slightly more than $32 million, The Adventures of Pluto Nash still remains one of the biggest box office bombs ever made.

Sahara (2005) - Matthew McConaughey stars as a maritime relic hunter who saves a beautiful doctor (Penelope Cruz) and winds up being drawn into a potentially lethal conspiracy involving a disease that's running rampant in Africa. While it made a respectable $119 million at the box office, it wasn't nearly enough to cover the bloated total coast of well over $200 million.

Heaven's Gate (1980) - A film whose name is synonymous with box office failure, Heaven's Gate led to the financial ruin of United Artists and the fall from grace of director Michael Cimino. Set in the 1890s and detailing a violent dispute between European immigrants and Wyoming land barons, the film raked in a measly total of less than $4 million against a cost of $44 million. It didn't help that critics labeled it everything from "an unqualified disaster" to "the most scandalous cinematic waste I have ever seen."

Even if you manage to save some money on a movie ( AMC coupons, for example), viewing one of the biggest box office bombs in the history of filmmaking will usually result in your leaving the theatre in a state of shock and bewilderment. The home video market does offer a cheaper alternative if you want to give these stinkers a try, but even a reduced price can't always hide poor direction and lackluster acting.

Rajesh Khanna - The True Superstar of Indian Cinema

Jatin Khanna, rose to stardom as Rajesh Khanna, only to reign the Indian Hindi film industry for more than a decade. Recognized as the first superstar of film industry, he boasted the largest and maddest fan following, especially thousands of girls. With his trademark style of acting and dialogue delivery, Khanna was and is a favorite of mimicry artists.

Being an acting enthusiast, Khanna participated in the All India Talent Contest and won the same among more than ten thousand contestants. His performance in his debut film Aakhri Khat and his next movie Raaz won him the All-India United Producers' Talent Competition. His contract with the United Producers landed him in movies like Aurat, Baharon Ke Sapne and Aradhana. Rajesh Khanna was particularly applauded for his role in Aradhana, which also saw the reappearance of the famous Kishore Kumar as a playback singer.

The other genre of films such as Anand, Namak Haram, Bawarchi and others saw an entirely different Rajesh Khanna on screen. He shared the best on-screen chemistry with Mumtaz. The hit pair went on to act in eight successful films. Sharmila Tagore was also another actress with whom he went on to give out smashing hits. He was paired with almost all the exclusive actresses of the era such as Tina Munim, Shabana Azmi, Poonam Dhillon, Asha Parekh and Hema Malini. He was also known to be very friendly with his associates and colleagues.

He married the actress Dimple Kapadia, who along with his close friends, called him Kaka. So much was the magnetism of the actor that fans mobbed him during public appearances. His car was covered with lipstick marks; female fans sent him letters in blood and married his photo. An essay 'The Charisma Of Rajesh Khanna' was included in a Bombay University textbook. This was the magic he has created on his fans. He still holds an unbroken record for giving 15 consecutive hits between 1969 to 1972. He is truly the superstar of Indian cinema.

After a brief downfall, Rajesh Khanna rose again with movies such as Avtaar, Agar Tum Na Hote, Hum Dono and others. He stopped acting while serving as a Member of the Parliament of the New Delhi Constituency. He later came back with movies such as As Ab Laut Chalen and Kyaa Dil Ne Kaha. Though his appearance in movies after 2000 has reduced, fans can get to see him make a comeback in television serials.

3 Idiots Review

At the heart of it 3 Idiots is a fun-filled ride that two friends, Raju and Farhaan, undertake to find a missing college mate. But 3 Idiots isn't merely about this journey; it's about a bigger adventure called life.

The film starts with Raju and Farhaan getting a call informing them that Rancho, who went missing 10 years ago, has been located. They reach their college only to find out that Chatur Ramalingam, a fellow student they troubled, has orchestrated this meeting.

10 years ago Rancho or Rancchoddas Shyamaldas Chanchad had challenged the boundaries that define the life of an engineering student. Rancho was a smart student who enjoyed the process of learning rather than just mugging up like Chatur who was Dean Viru Sahastrabudhhe's (also called Virus) blue-eyed boy.

Rancho not only helps Raju and Farhaan find their true calling but also wins over Virus. On their graduation day when everyone's celebrating Rancho slips away forever. No one knows his whereabouts not even the girl he loved, Pia who happens to be the Dean's daughter.

Now 10 years later Chatur, a very successful entrepreneur and businessman, wants to settle a bet he made with Rancho that he is better. Raju, Farhaan not only find Pia but kidnap her from her own wedding and along with Chatur set out to locate Rancho...

To put it simply 3 Idiots is just the kind of film you go to the cinemas for. While one shares the enthusiasm of millions of viewers who have been thronging to the cinema halls to catch this latest from Rajkumar Hirani, 3 Idiots does have its flaws.

This isn't a rehash of the Munnabhai series but isn't too far off from it as well. The first interaction between Rancho and the Dean; how Rancho touches just about every living and non-living thing in and around the campus is a little too familiar with the ways of Murali, the friendly neighbourhood Munnabhai.

The context of the film, the dismal state of our education system and how we are missing out on the real joys of learning is highlighted throughout the film just like the first installment of Munnabhai.

But that isn't some thing that mars 3 Idiots. Neither does its length hamper the proceedings. The film is a tad too long, some scenes and situations immediately after the interval could have been avoided but having said that the film more than rises from its shortcomings.

This is largely thanks to an efficient screenplay that uses Chetan Bhagat's Five Point Someone as a springboard but follows its own path and of course, the performances.

The leading actors--Aamir Khan, Madhavan and Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani and Kareena Kapoor all are in top-notch form. Its fun to watch Boman Irani outdo Munnabhai MBBS...

But the film works mainly thanks to Aamir Khan. The chameleon of an actor slips easily into the character of a 22 year old engineering student by underplaying as if his life depended on it. He uplifts the film by allowing his co-stars, a la Rang De Basanti, to take centrestage at regular intervals thereby making 3 Idiots succeed as an ensemble. Kareena Kapoor enjoys wonderful chemistry with Aamir Khan and delivers.

3 Idiots might be a humour-filled film but in truth Hirani presents a very dark picture of this day and age. This is a film where students succumb to pressure, a film where society doesn't easily forgive people who follow their heart; parents stop short of nothing when it comes to pushing their children. However like Munnabhai MBBS Rajkumar Hirani uses humour effectively to put across some harsh truth.

The Six Million, Er, Six Billion Dollar Man Trailer You'll Never See

I'm a movie geek, and like all geeks, I'm at least a little bit of a snob. I find it easy to pooh-pooh Hollywood's reliance on sequels, remakes, reboots and TV adaptations as evidence of the dearth of good, original ideas.

However, us pooh-poohers are hypocrites in a way, because we all have at least one decidedly un-original project we'd like to see on a very big screen.

For me, it's an adaptation of my favorite childhood TV show, which lived on for years in reruns and TV reunion movies. It's a project with tremendous appeal to my now middle-aged generation and I think that the action and sci-fi-loving youth of today will also enjoy it. As a matter of fact, there have been numerous efforts over the years to mount a film adaptation of the series, albeit with a (necessary) title change. It hasn't happened yet, despite the whining of fans such as I.

No movie will ever match the one running in my head, of course, but seeing some bionic action onscreen and hearing that theme song would really do the eight-year-old within some good.

I'd share my vision of the whole film with you, but I know how attention spans are these - hey, let's go ride our bikes!

I'd also love to make an animated fan-trailer but I just couldn't do it without the theme song, and with that comes copyright issues. So you'll just have to read and imagine.

For the uninitiated, this is written in a fairly old-fashioned screenplay format. O.S. means "Offscreen."

Here's the script for my fantasy movie trailer.

ESTABLISHING SHOT:
The edge of Earth's atmosphere, looking down at the planet. The words "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall..." appear onscreen as the roar of rocket engines are heard approaching. A very fast aircraft is then seen streaking through the air.

INT. AIRCRAFT COCKPIT, DAY:
STEVE AUSTIN, a U.S. Air Force pilot (Ryan Reynolds), adjusts the controls of the aircraft as he speaks with ground control.

AUSTIN
All systems normal, ground control.

INTERIOR, GROUND CONTROL HEADQUARTERS
Many people are sitting and standing around computer and video monitors, monitoring AUSTIN's flight. The GROUND CONTROL OFFICIAL, a middle-aged balding man in a short-sleeved shirt and tie talks to AUSTIN.

GROUND CONTROL OFFICIAL
We read you, Colonel Austin. Good work.

AUSTIN
Hey, when we take this thing to Mars, can you make sure I'm on board?

GROUND CONTROL OFFICIAL (Grins)
We'll see about it. For now, just get home in one piece.

AUSTIN
That's the plan.

The craft starts to shake and one of its engines appears to be misfiring.

AUSTIN
Starboard engine acting strange.

GROUND CONTROL OFFICIAL
We're watching it. Hang on.

A technician in Ground Control gets the official's attention and points to his computer screen.

TECHNICIAN
We've lost the starboard engine, Now the port side is failing!

GROUND CONTROL OFFICIAL
Steve! Are you there?

Inside the cockpit, AUSTIN pushes various buttons but appears calm.

AUSTIN
I've lost throttle...

A technician stands up and points to a large monitor, showing the craft tumbling toward earth, apparently catching on fire. Everyone in the room stands up to watch.

GROUND CONTROL OFFICIAL
Steve, eject now!

AUSTIN
She's breaking up! She's breaking...

Everyone watches in horror as the craft explodes far above Earth's surface.

DESERT, EXTERIOR, DAY
A parachute with a limp, damaged human figure attached is seen descending to earth. The words, "Humpty Dumpty had a great fall" appear onscreen.

INT. MILITARY HOSPITAL, SURGERY WING, DAY
A group of doctors work frantically on AUSTIN. Behind a glass partition, OSCAR (Morgan Freeman) watches the surgery. Next to him stands a doctor.

OSCAR
How bad?

DOCTOR
Two concussions. One arm and most of his rib cage crushed. His left eye and both legs are gone. He's lucky to be breathing.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM, DAY
AUSTIN lies in a hospital bed, heavily bandaged, with monitoring machines beeping. The words, "All the king's horses, and all the king's men..." appear.

OSCAR stands before a group of government officials in a conference room.

OSCAR
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.

MONTAGE:
Shots of AUSTIN in surgery having various mechanical devices attached to him as the opening theme music, a pumped-up version of the one used in the series, begins.

OSCAR (V.O.)
We have the technology.

INT. TESTING FACILITY, DAY
AUSTIN, a few minor cuts, bandages and stitches still on his face, sits on a table in a hospital gown. He holds up his right arm, which is now an uncovered bionic limb, and moves his mechanical fingers. He is astonished and fascinated.

OSCAR (V.O.)
We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man.

AUSTIN kicks a thick brick wall, obviously put there for the test, breaking a huge hole in it as OSCAR, DR WELLS (Dan Aykroyd) and some others look on.

OSCAR (V.O.)
Steve Austin will be that man.

Testing his bionic arm, AUSTIN accidentally breaks a heavy table in half, causing a computer and other expensive electronic equipment to fall to the floor and crash. Austin looks at DR RUDY WELLS, slightly embarrassed.

AUSTIN
Whoops!

DR WELLS
You know, Colonel, every day you find a new way to make this project more expensive.

The dollar sign, "$," flashes onscreen.

MONTAGE: different shots of AUSTIN in action situations, using his bionic eye, arm and legs to leap from moving vehicles and thwart gunmen trying to kill him. Between shots a price is shown onscreen which grows each time, starting with "$6," then "$60," then "$600," etc.

OSCAR (V.O.)
Better than he was before.

MONTAGE continues, showing AUSTIN in increasingly more dangerous situations, including fighting another man wearing hi-tech battle armor, fighting off a group of sword-wielding assassins, etc., as the price continues to rise between the shots, to $6000," $60,000," "$600,000," etc.

OSCAR (V.O.)
Better, stronger, faster.

As OSCAR says the final three words, the montage speeds up and shows AUSTIN in his most dangerous situations, ending with a leap off of a building toward an escaping helicopter as the final price fills the screen - $6,000,000,000. Block letters come down from the top of the screen and up from the bottom to form the title, 'THE SIX BILLION DOLLAR MAN," as the theme song concludes. The title is then replaced with the words " THIS SUMMER.

"Fantasy" is the key word in "fantasy trailer." It'll probably never happen, but a boy can dream, can't he?

carlthesock.com ( http://www.carlthesock.com/ )

I'm a post-post-reconstructed Southern gentleman on the road to El Dorado, currently stopping in the Philippines. A former teacher, I'm currently self-employed and spend much of my time writing articles and making videos for my website. Please enjoy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_G_Davis

Four Lions (2010)

Director: Christopher Morris
Release Date: 2010 November 5
Starring: Adeel Akhtar, Kayvan Novak, Nigel Lindsay, Riz Ahmed

What Worked?
No subject is safe from comedic scrutinization. Charlie Chaplin ridiculed Adolf Hitler and Nazism with the Great Dictator in 1940, Stanley Kubrick satirized the nuclear scare with Dr. Strangelove in 1964, and newcomer Chris Morris takes on the subject of Jihadi terrorists in 2010. Four Lions is a remarkable film that boasts merciless comedy, but also earns emotional attachment from the audience. Morris doesn't know the meaning of taboo, as his only target is the throat.

Omar, played by Riz Ahmed, is the leader of the young Muslim men that are training themselves to become suicide bombers. Making up the rest of the inept team of men are Waj, Barry, Fessal, and Hassan. They try numerous ways to prepare themselves and most are idiotic, such as training crows to be bombers. The five actors that play the bumbling idiots are perfect in their respective roles. They sell their devotion to become martyrs very well, and they are naturally hilarious because they are oblivious to all the ridiculous things they say and do.

Morris does not depict the ideal feared assassins that we've made terrorists out to be, but he dilutes the horror of suicide bombers to a darkly comedic instructional film of how not to be a martyr. The humor is hard-hitting, drawing genuine laughs and also sympathy because of the characters' devotion to an immoral cause. Omar and his crew are likable, humorous characters, and it hurts to see them go down a fast path to a short go-around. We see Omar live a comfortable life with his wife and young son, and we dread where his martyr dreams will eventually lead him. During one scene, Omar tells an amended version of the Lion King, called Simba's Jihad to his son; although it is comical, the scene is also simultaneously touching and uncomfortable, reflecting the film as a whole.

The film is shot documentary style with hand-held cameras, giving the film another layer of authenticity that's essential for the comedy to hit harder. There are also a few scenes of viral video where the wannabe martyrs are fumbling over their lines and arguing over their appearance, adding a dash of variety within the documentary style. Everything in the film is viewed from a voyeuristic point, making all the jokes hit in layers because they are set in reality.

Four Lions is a bold film that exposes its audience to the comedic side of suicide bombers in an oddly accessible way. The film cleverly makes fun of something we fear, causing us to comfortably laugh in its face, at least until the credits roll.

Potential Drawbacks:

Any film turning a deadly serious matter into a laughing matter will disturb or even flat-out disgust viewers. The boldness of the film will deter some people, but that's a sacrifice the film is more than willing to take.

One need not be politic-savvy or an expert in the history of Jihadi terrorists, but some may still believe that they have to be, or at least take an interest in the subject, to watch this film.

Another potential road block may be the accents, as I have heard many complaints about how not all the dialogue may be heard clearly. The accents are not thick enough to drown in, but may frustrate a few. Subtitles are nice.

Apocalypto, Mel Gibson's Study of Secular Religion, Corrupt Politics and Carnal Brutality

I recently viewed Disney's heart pounding Apocalypto and was once again impressed with good ole goy Mel's ability to spin an engaging, adrenalin filled and entertaining yarn, albeit historically questionable and slanted towards savagery. Considering the Mayan people mastered astronomy, architecture, mathematics, writing and other significant, high-functioning components of that culture, and that he barely even touches on it, was a short sighted decision. They were a fascinating, gifted, brutal people that ruled their expansive region of east Central America for over 4000 years. Compare that to the USA's 231 year, relatively adolescent timeline and you get the perspective. It took the Mayans four millenniums of permeation and self-gorging success to rot from the inside out, largely and apparently due to corruption and decadence. I wonder if we will be around in another 3,769 years, especially considering where we are as an empire in the rot from the inside out barometer?

In essence, the film is a distinctive three-act pop,-period adventure epic, with no stars, spoken in the Mayan Yucatan dialect (with subtitles) and offering a startlingly effective look at a wondrous civilization that has never been cinematic ally explored and presented to the world. Gibson really gets a good portion of this section right with visually stirring images and sweeping vistas of day to day Mayan life including meticulous rituals atop sacrificial pyramids, a functioning praetorian civilization complete with a labor and trade economy, and distinguished class structure, including a spoiled rotten Paris Hilton of that time who actually spits in a stricken beggars cup. The story, very much steeped in Joseph Campbell's structure of The Hero's Journey, is a little more simple-minded than it could (and should) have been. Most of the archetype characters and plot lines are present; the athletic, charismatic hero's and his civilization saving call (or in this case violent thrust) to duty, the dying father and his loyalty bond to his heroic son, the classic evil and cunning antagonist, the harrowing tasks/battles/journey of said hero, even the lovely damsel in distress. Regarding Mel's obvious blood-lust; I will forgive any epic film's prostitution of carnage and for that matter showing weak character development and motivation, as well as a limited dimensional perspective, as long as the film is entertaining and somewhat thought provoking, which it is.

There is essentially no reason to illustrate the specifics of the storyline, suffice to say it is speculative savage Central American history, structured neatly in formulaic Campbell parameters and such a textbook example of narrative economy that Sid Fields would undoubtedly be proud. Despite the Mayan dialect (or perhaps partially because of), the film is entirely accessible, with just enough classical allusions and cliffhanging action to make it-excessive gratuitous carnage notwithstanding-extremely riveting and emotionally evocative. As such, I would much rather examine the ending, which subtly suggests that the newly arrived Spanish missionaries were saviors and could liberate the Mayans from their own savagery. First off, everyone knows Mel and his old man are extreme, devout Catholics. A pre-disposed biased view to say the least. Second, no one really knows what decimated the great Mayan civilization. Certain indicators suggest crop scarcity or just plain abandonment. We do know it was fast and it was resolute. Indeed, they practiced savage and primitive sacrifice rituals, as several of the pre-Columbian indigenous people did in Mesoamerica, but I cannot think of one constituency of native people that the missionaries actually helped. From enslaving the populace to the destruction of cultures and history, to forced icon worship, to the stripping ownership of their homeland, to the involuntary spreading of European diseases. This was their net contribution. History has proven what the missionaries were offering, as noble as this gift appeared to them as bearers, was ultimately genocide. From the Constantine era of politically practical Christianity, right up to the Bush eras far right Christian fundamentalists, and the increasingly perceived corruption of this as well as the Vatican and the Catholic Church. I have seen no reason for this faith to be force fed to any civilization, no-matter how brutal some of their rituals may appear to us. At least the Mayan people respected and lived as one with their surroundings and made sacred the animals they hunted for food and materials. Savagery and symbolic iconography aside, my gut tells me all natives indigenous to their North, Central and South American continents, were much more spiritually and mystically connected to their land and well-being then Christianity or Catholicism could ever help them be. If a civilization is going to rot from the inside out, perhaps it is more prudent to let it happen at it's own pace. (Read; Iraq liberation.) One culture should never forcefully impose it's own dogma and symbolism or lifestyle on another, it ultimately amputates the genuine spirit of the one being imposed. Sacrificing humans from atop a grand temple in downtown Chitchenitza is not much different from sacrificing them on the battlefields of a country we have no business trying to impose our force on.

Overall, the film is a fast paced, breathtaking experience. Bloody, flawed and slanted, yet it is ultimately irresistible old fashion escapism. And say what you want about Mel's naive piousness, jumbled politics and pub drenched ethnocentric ranting; the man is a lightning rod and veritable cinematic poet of our time. Like the film itself he is epic, and flawed, yet irresistible. He knows how to tell a story and never loses grasp of his primary objective; to make 2 1/2 hours pass like lighting and at the same time attempt to make some kind of thought provoking statement about secular religion, mythic culture, viral brutality and corrupt politics. For his informal triptych has done all of this and more. Bravo to Mel for consistently delivering as a filmmaker with bold and arresting storytelling and action, as well as magnificent and spellbinding visions.

Review of Televisions The Gates

From the opening scene at the local baseball game in the 2010 remake of the 1973 horror flick The Crazies I was hooked. Not being a great lover of zombies in general I was very leery of this movie but was pleasantly surprised by the great acting and emotions the main characters gave to the film. I actually had chill bumps when Sherriff David Dutton played by Timothy Olyphant had to gun down Rory the town drunk when he carried a shotgun onto the crowded baseball field.

Far from being the gore fest that I expected, the movie actually had a plot and poignant scenes that at times brought tears to my eyes. The biggest standing out in my mind being the scene where Rory's family held a shotgun to the sheriff's pregnant wife Judy Dutton's, played by Radha Mitchell, head to right the wrongs done them.

As the town goes berserk and it's once peaceful citizens turn on each other the main characters figure out that the town water supply has been contaminated by a crashed plane filled with toxins. As Judy, the Sheriff and his deputy fight to stay alive the military descends, hell bent on concealing the evidence of its screw up and destroying the town.

There were a few tense moments and some chills as a crazed man dragging a pitch fork through the hospital where Judy, Becca and others were strapped to tables by the military slowly and methodically killed them one by one.

But in my opinion the movie was stolen by Joe Anderson who played Deputy Russell Clank. His performance as the good, country cop gone insane was creepy but tear inspiring at the same time. From the opening scene where he is with the sheriff at the ball field until the scene where he sacrifices himself so that the Dutton's can get away I was hooked. His talent and the passion he brought to the role brought tears to viewer's eyes more than once during the movie.

For a remake and a zombie remake at that, I really enjoyed The Crazies. It was well paced and the actors did a terrific job of bringing the story to life. For from being a mindless horror fest, this movie was well thought out and directed. I would give it five stars and recommend it to anyone who likes horror without needless gore. Also keep an eye out for Joe Anderson; this is a talent to watch. All in all this is one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time. I would recommend it to anyone.

Kurbaan (Sacrifice)

Renzil D'Silva has more notably been known for his writing skills, such as his very first Bollywood movie, "Aks." The only place to go from there was up, as D'silva won the Popular Award Best Screenplay for "Rang De Basanti" (2006). The "Kurbaan" (2009) was not only partly written by Renzil D'Silva, but was his first directed film. What a job D'Silva does with his writing and directing as the twists of the movie seem to creep up on you. Before you know it your in a seat-clinching suspenseful thriller hanging on every moment.

Avantika and Ehsaan seem to be living the life, as Avantika is able to get Ehsaan a teaching job at the University she teaches at. Everything seems normal until a scared and nervous neighbor drops by abruptly to tell Avantika she is in trouble and should contact a trusted news authority. Avantika seems shaken up and tells Ehsaan instantly, but the situation is brushed off as Ehsaan suggests they shouldn't get involved in other people's business. Nothing pertinent happens right away, but one night Avantika sees Salma being beaten outside, so the next morning contacts the person Salma suggested. Of course the timing is awful, as the news lady wants to be very helpful, but has to leave on a flight with a bunch of news delegates. The weekend is too long for Avantika to wait, so she drudges into her own investigation, which only leads to a turn of sudden climatic events.

One of the main things that grabbed my attention in this film was how well the Cinematography was done. The different angles, the gazing zoom towards the characters, mixed with some great sound, made this movie all the more suspenseful. Not to mention the sound plays a huge role in every camera angle and aspect of the film. Couldn't have asked for better placing of sound throughout the entire film. The cinematics and music just adds to a promising debut for Renzil D'Silva as a director.

All in all, I think this was a good Bollywood film. I would recommend this film to a person who like slow drawn out suspense that ends in a thriller. "Kurbaan" definitely isn't a short movie, but with all the great directing and build up of the story, it is worth the wait. From the beginning to end, the camera angles and sound keep you entertained throughout the movie, until the actual suspense is unbearable. One of the last things that stuck out in my mind was the talented acting. If it weren't for the talented acting, the "Kurbaan" might have been too long.

The Believer (2001)

Director:Henry Bean
Release Date:2002 May 17
Starring:Billy Zane, Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix

What Worked?
Mesmerizing, powerful, and important; these are the words that are slapped onto film posters and inserted into trailers time and time again. Fortunately, for the Believer, those words don't lie. The film is everything it's advertised to be, perhaps even exceeding its hype. Henry Bean directs a scorching film, and Ryan Gosling gives us an unfiltered, raw performance.

Henry Bean's direction is gritty, aggressive and very appropriately matches the tone of the main protagonist, Daniel, who is a Jewish young man that has developed a violent anti-Semitic view of the world. Bean uses hand-held cameras to capture a realistic tone, incorporates flashbacks to dig deeper into the already fully-realized character of Daniel, and also throws in Daniel's dreams to insert the audience underneath his skin. Even the score of the film is angry, as drums and repetitive numbing sounds are used to intensify controversy.

Daniel is such a rich and interesting person, and Ryan Gosling fills the character in with a performance that is made of fiery passion. Gosling is hypnotizing, as he brilliantly reasons his hate against the Jews, against his own kind. We also feel for him, as he is in a constant struggle to define his faith. He depicts Daniel as brilliance trapped in a close-minded cage of Antisemitism. Every word flaming out of Gosling's mouth is sincere, and every action he takes is unfiltered. We are captivated by the delivery of his ideas that some may flirt with the dangers of being convinced, and his quiet moments, as he struggles with his faith, is just as powerful. He's incredible in Half-Nelson and Blue Valentine, but he is purely amazing in the Believer.

When we see Daniel for the first time, we think that he's the typical skinhead, but his character's complexity is discovered to be more than that. Identity is made up of two essential pillars, the part we control and the part we're born into, and Daniel is trying to amend the latter. The film is a deep character study of a young Jewish man's hatred for his own people. It also extends into what we believe in and why. These controversies are timelessly universal, and this film projects them through a viewpoint of hatred. It just doesn't show a man's hatred, it exposes the audience to what creates the hate.

Potential drawbacks:
Some may turn their backs on this film because of the violence, and all the controversial subjects discussed within the film; however, that is why the film is essential. The controversy is not taboo; the film is not mindless fun, but a thought-provoking piece.

Another aspect of the film that might bother audiences is that it's never explained directly as to why Daniel hates Jews so much.

As far as the direction goes, most of it is fine, but some editing choices are slightly messy, for example, the use of slow motion makes some scenes look awkward. In addition, the ending of the film may be too ambiguous, perhaps even offensive, for some viewers to digest.

The Inception From Inception

SPOILER ALERT: This is my interpretation of the ending to the movie Inception. If you have not seen the movie and do not want it spoiled for you please stop reading here. However it is a superb film and is now available on video so I strongly urge you to watch it. I do not think you will be disappointed. If you do not care about having it spoiled for you, by all means read on.

Not unlike many others I'm sure, after seeing it in the theater this past summer I immediately began to attempt to decipher the ending to the movie Inception. Did it show Cobb actually reunited with his children, or did he only believe it to be true while trapped in the dream-state of his own sub-conscious? Initially I thought it didn't matter and perhaps it was simply a clever way to allow each viewer to choose their own ending. There was just enough wobble to the spin of his reality-token before the credits rolled that it is easy to believe that either possibility could be the truth. If you wanted to see it as a real-life happy ending you could and yet if you thought the whole thing was still a dream, then it is just as equally plausible. This is a little unsettling because we like our stories to have definitive conclusions. We want to know for sure what happened in the ending so that our journey with the film's characters can have some kind of closure. With this issue very much unresolved in many a movie-goer's mind, one has to wonder if Christopher Nolan himself actually knows how things really turned out.

I recently purchased the film on Blu-Ray and after seeing it a second time, the dialog in one particular scene struck me as being especially significant. Toward the end of the movie Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio takes Ariadne, played by Ellen Page, into the crumbling world of his own sub-conscious mind to confront his own memory of his late wife Mal, played by Marion Cotillard. As they slowly enter the house in which they believe her to be hiding, Cobb cautions Ariadne with these words: "An idea is like a virus, resilient, highly contagious and the smallest seed of an idea can grow. It can grow to define or destroy you." Then as Cobb confronts Mal and Ariadne must make her escape as the dream world collapses, Mal introduces an idea much like Cobb had warned about when he insists to her that he knows the difference between reality and a dream: "No creeping doubts? Not feeling persecuted, Dom? Chased around the globe by anonymous corporations and police forces, the way the projections persecute the dreamer? Admit it, you don't believe in one reality anymore." Then in the same conversation: "Then what if you're wrong? What if I'm what's real? You keep telling yourself what you know, but what do you believe? What do you feel?"

It seems perhaps Cobb was not just warning Ariadne about how pernicious an idea can be, he was also warning us. The idea is now suggested to the audience that it is possible Cobb may no longer be able to distinguish between what is a dream and what is reality. Yet from this point until the end of the movie we forget this as the falling action is resolved. Cobb's team accomplishes their mission, and he is legally allowed back into the United States where he can see his children again. Just before glimpsing them he spins his reality-token on the table, and the seed of the idea that Mal had planted in us begins to grow as we ourselves start to wonder: will it continue to spin, or will it fall? Of course we never find out and we don't need to because the purpose of the film has already been realized.

Maybe I am over-analyzing things a bit here, but I think perhaps the point of the entire movie was to do in the audience exactly what the main characters in the movie were trying to achieve: inception. Specifically to put in us the idea that everything we saw may have simply been Cobb's dream. I have to wonder if that scene where his memory of Mal tries to convince him of his own doubts about reality had not been a part of the movie, would the ending's final moment had carried the same impact? Of course this is simply my interpretation and as I have been wrong many times in the past, perhaps I am way off-base once again. However if I am right, than Inception is more than a very well put together action movie with an open ending. It is also a very creative piece of film-making that does to the audience exactly what the main characters of the movie are trying to do while they are trying to do it. I did a little research to see if there was a name for a storytelling device like that and I couldn't find one. I think that is a little disappointing because it seems to me as interesting and novel as this trick is, there most certainly should be.

Must See Movies of 2011

One of the first things that people look into at the beginning of the year is what movies are going to come out within the next twelve months. This builds up excitement for the next blockbuster. So, this 2011, what are the movies that we should look forward to?

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

This is the third installment of the Michael Bay directed franchise based on the 1980s toy line, comic book series and animated television series. Starring Shia LaBeouf, this movie picks up on a new power found on the moon. It rewrites our modern history to deepen the relationship of humans with transformers.

For geeks and casual fans alike, this should be a thrilling movie. However, considering that the last movie, although a box office hit, for a lack of better term, sucked, it's a bitter-sweet feeling to learn about the next one. Bitter since it could again disappoint fans of the franchise especially considering the fact that Meagan Fox, the breakout female lead actress since the original movie, won't be returning for this film.

On a positive note, Shia LaBeouf himself admitted that he didn't like the last movie. Hopefully this would fuel a better sequel. Plus, Optimus Prime, Megatron, Bumblebee, Iron Hide, Starscream are all returning along with the other transformers plus new ones. And that should be sweet.

Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides

They couldn't resist. And the fans are happy about it. The famous Captain Jack Sparrow, arguably the reason why the original Pirates of the Caribbean movie became such a hit, returns to the big screen. Johnny Depp returns for this role along with Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa. We will see new faces in Ian McShane as the notorious pirate Blackbeard and Penelope Cruz as his daughter and Jack Sparrow's love interest. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley won't be reprising their roles as Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan-Turner respectively stating that their character's storyline has gone as far as it could.

In the fourth installment of the Pirates franchise, Sparrow and Barbossa are on a quest for the infamous Fountain of Youth. Filming was done in the United Kingdom and Hawaii instead of the actual Caribbean like the previous films.

Thor

Next is the upcoming Marvel movie Thor. Again this film is tied up with previous films such as Iron Man and the Hulk. Here, the Mighty Thor is banished from Asgard by his father Odin due to his reckless actions which results in the re-ignition of an ancient war. He is cast down to Earth as punishment. When the dark forces of Asgard invades, he then learns what it takes to be a hero.

Being one of the original Avengers, this movie, much like Hulk and Iron Man and the upcoming Captain America film, sets the tone for an Avengers movie to the delight of comic book fans all over the globe. Thor is played by actor Chris Hemsworth. The main protagonist of the movie, Thor's brother Loki, is played by Tom Hiddleston. Thor's love interest, Dr. Jane Foster is played by Natalie Portman.

Why People Find The Sherlock Holmes Tours Enjoyable

Often when an individual travels they will have numerous things to do, but they may not realize that all the items that they have planned could be dependent on the weather. However, if an individual knows about the Sherlock Holmes tours they could see that they are rather enjoyable and will often go on even without the best weather being present because when an individual reads his books they could see that he did not always have the best weather to be solving the cases in.

One reason that the tours are enjoyable is that an individual could see where the greatest detective solved all of his cases at. By seeing where he managed to solve all of his great cases at an individual will notice that they will not feel bad about how long it took him to take to figure out his cases, but they could also see that it is easy to see how he finally managed to crack the case.

Another reason that these tours are great is they will allow an individual to see parts of the country that they may have never been at before. Now many individuals think that they have already seen all that they could inside of the city and country, but by taking these they could see that they are going into a new area that they may have never been into before.

Some other reason that the tours are wonderful is they can teach people about the thinking process of the great detective. Now many individuals may think that they have already figured out the thought process of this individual, but by looking at the area that the stories were placed inside of an individual will figure out what exactly he was thinking of when he made all of his deductions.

At times an individual could see that this is a great way to meet new friends that are also fans of these stories. Now many individuals could think that they are the only fan of this detective, but they could see that by taking these they may run into other people that are also fans of the detective. Then they will not have to worry about being alone, but instead they could see that it is a great way to make friends with other fans.

For many individuals they could think that they are the only fans that are present in the country, but they need to realize that when they take the Sherlock Holmes tours they could meet other fans. Then they will realize that they are not alone, but can enjoy a great time with all the fans while they see where the stories actually took place.

Clapboard - Necessity for Film Making

Clapboard, the inevitable element in the film production set has great role throughout the making of a film. It can be considered as the 'Noise' of a film location. These boards are the necessary items that to be kept in the Director's bag. It is via this board; film stars kick off their action and continue till director say 'Cut'. It is generally made of wood in which all the details of the film would be written such as movie name, director and producer name, type of the camera, date, scene and number of 'takes' that had been taken for the shot.

Hope you get the importance and role of movie board in film making. This is why film people take utmost care while buying such tools and equipments for a film. Poor quality boards can be easily damaged and such situations can destroy the entire mood of a film making set. Quality and durability of movie boards should be checked before purchasing them from the market. There are many film shops and companies that offer different quality boards at different price rates. To get top notch film tools and articles, one should spend considerable amount of money.

When you spend a hefty amount of money to take a big budget film, why don't you set aside a small portion of it for purchasing quality movie equipments and other machineries? You should do it! Don't go out-of-state or overseas to get movie materials of good quality. You can make it right from your home! Yes, make it possible via some clicks. Go online and search for stores and companies that provide first class film tools at amazingly low rates. Online shopping has many benefits and advantages. Your purchased product will reach your door steps in the specified time. So, you have escaped from physical strain!

No need to spend any penny as traveling expenses to get excellent movie fundamentals. So, great escape from petrol expenses too! But at the same time, online world includes some scammers who wait for their prey to seize money. You have to be aware of such scam sites while browsing for good and well conditioned movie tools. Get products from highly reliable and reputed online shops only. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations and read the testimonials and reviews featured on the websites of these companies. Compare the rate tags of different shops and buy the item from the most affordable stores only.

Singing Praises for Unsung

TV One's "Unsung" is one of my favorite biography shows on television. Each show takes us into the lives of musical artists and acts through narration, interviews, performance footage and photos. Television doesn't get more basic than that. Yet, Unsung has managed to focus an interesting light on singers, groups and bands that have made important contributions to the music industry.

Fittingly, Al B Sure was the voice over talent for the first season. He did surprisingly well. The new, lesser known narrator is just as good and doesn't get in the way of the story telling.

Many of the episodes have provided fodder for water cooler conversations in the African American community. When the Debarge story aired from the first season, even national radio hosts like Tom Joyner talked about it. We all know the Debarge music and something about the drug abuse in the family. But how many of us know about the abusive father or El Debarge's efforts to make the group a success while the rest of his siblings were out partying?

For me, the most touching episode was the one about Donny Hathaway. He has one of the purest voices of all time. But his struggles with depression ultimately drove away his family and claimed his life. To hear industry experts explain the depth of his genius made me appreciate his music even more. Listening to family and friends talk about his declining mental health was hard to watch. It is amazing to think about how little was known about depression at the time.

The Heatwave story was the most insightful. I knew nothing about this group yet love some of their classic hits like "Always and Forever" and "Grooveline." This particular episode shed light on the groups international players, their unusually strict code of ethics and the success of keyboardist and writer Rod Temperton who went on to produce some of Michael Jackson's biggest hits.

Other profiles have included Tammy Terrell, Tenna Marie, The Fat Boys, Miki Howard and the O'Jays. The upcoming season promises the likes of The Spinners, Big Daddy Kane and Evelyn "Champagne" King. Many of the "Unsung" artists have never been profiled on television. But when I see them, I am moved to get up and dance or go running to download my favorite songs.

I'm looking forward the batch of shows. My DVR is already set. "Unsung" gives me the information I want without all of the flash and whistles. But most of all, it gives me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the music that has become the soundtrack of my life.

Visit http://www.docsandtv.com/ for more production tips and to learn more about the author, Sydnye White. Sydnye White is a National Emmy Nominated Producer who's credits include the series Home Made Simple for TLC and Moneywise with Kelvin Boston for PBS. Her documentaries include Great Books: The Autobiography of Malcolm X for The Learning Channel and the Discovery Channel's Detroit SWAT.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sydnye_White

The Goodbyes and Hellos of Freelance Producing

Another freelance gig ends and it is time to say goodbye to my co-workers, clients, subjects, office and project... again. Quite frankly, I had grown weary of this latest project. And the client's demands were sounding more and more outrageous. But I liked my co-workers and I loved my office even more. The truth is, even when I don't generally like an assignment, it is still hard to say goodbye to a job that have given my all.

I usually miss the people the most. When you've worked 8-to-10 hours a day with a crew or spent weeks and months getting to know your interview subjects, it is hard to just pack your things and leave without looking back. I've said enough goodbyes to know that after the first few weeks of follow up about how is the new baby or did your house finally sell, chances are the contact will soon dwindle out. But every once in a while, a strong connection emerges.

Whether crew or interviewee, I always send a thank you note because you never know when you may to call on that person again. I like to send notes via snail mail. Who doesn't like to hold an envelope in their hands and open a piece of mail that is not a bill? For me, ending on a positive note has paid off. There are several guest experts that I have booked on different shows and several former colleagues have offered me gigs.

On the other side of saying goodbye is saying hello - hello to new projects, new people and new schedules. Every time I start a new gig, it takes a while to get the hang of the routine and, to adjust to the effects on my family and home life. Sometimes saying hello means proving all over again that I can do a job well despite being the new kid on the block, being a mother or previously working on shows of a different type than what I've been hired to do. I dislike this "pledge" period so much that the hellos have become almost as hard as the goodbyes. On the other hand, I've made some valuable friends and contacts on most freelance jobs and try to concentrate on the prospect of making more. Not to mention that on each job, I learn something new about the world, producing and even myself.

The best scenarios are the ones when I work repeatedly for the same client. The goodbyes are a little less painful because I know that there is a good chance that I will be back. And the hellos are always fun because I get to reconnect with former colleagues with whom I enjoy working. However, it's a bummer when I return to find a permanent staff member who I've come to rely on has said goodbye in my absence. It rocks some of the stability that I've come to count on in my ever changing profession.

Visit http://www.docsandtv.com/ for more production tips and to learn more about the author, Sydnye White. Sydnye White is a National Emmy Nominated Producer who's credits include the series Home Made Simple for TLC and Moneywise with Kelvin Boston for PBS. Her documentaries include Great Books: The Autobiography of Malcolm X for The Learning Channel and the Discovery Channel's Detroit SWAT.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sydnye_White

'Love and Other Drugs' Review

Even though it used the same card - the love relationship between a healthy person and a really sick one, Love And Other Drugs knew how to focus in the first half on humor, on the natural beauty of the characters.

I actually loved the connection between the main characters; the actors Jake Gyllenhall and Anne Hathway identifying themselves very well with Jamie and Maggie, the real beauty of Anne's nudity (they looked like a real couple, not carrying that there somewhere is a camera or hiding their bodies). What I also loved was the director's idea (Edward Zwick) who made a big fun of the pharmaceuticals companies and their "fight" for promoting drugs through pens, free samples and a lot of "ass kissing."

In this kind of competition goes Jamie, an extremely talented young man when it comes to persuasion, and he is working for a company named Pfizer. His job is to promote an antidepressant which is supposed to compete with the rival, Prozac, and to take it's place. In this process, Jamie tries everything he knows (using his charm, flirting with the nurses, bribe to the doctors, even stealing from the competition's shelf) and meanwhile, in full "work" process, he meets Maggie, a young 26 year old woman who suffers from Parkinson's.

Between the two starts a relation based on sex and having fun but things start to change when Jamie falls in love with her.

After the first part when the spectator watches Maggie's nudity and he smiles, comes the second part where we can see a sentimental Jamie, a Jamie fallen in love with Maggie, a Maggie who doesn't want him around her anymore because she knows she will take over his life and the "passion" will become "obligation."

Along the relationship between these two, the movie also presents the 1996 hysteria, concerning the launching of the Viagra (phenomena). The magnitude of this drug is not surprising, but what really is surprising is people using it even if they wouldn't need it.

Love And Other Drugs reminds me of many other similar movies (A Walk to Remember, Sweet November, The Notebook) but it doesn't look so disappointing as the others, meaning the trespass from fun and sex to drama and serious matters is really good.

The characters evolve, from those who enjoy those 15 minutes of euphoria to those who are aware that life is more than that, even the opposite - a road paved with suffering.

Love And Other Drugs is the kind of movie which succeeds to thrill you with it's humor in the first part. The sexual romanticism is as good the humor but the fact that the beginning's passion is getting lost somewhere in the middle makes the movie's potential go really low.

Anyway, if you need a shot of romanticism, humor and some drama, don't avoid this movie. And even if you might be tired of all that, I'm pretty sure you'll find something to like about this movie (the actors, the eccentric character not in this description, the sex scenes, etc.).

Magnificent Entertainment From Hindi Movies

Having a 'Bollywood' in India only proves that the film industry in the country is rich, diverse, and good enough to be called art. Hindi movies undoubtedly bring magnificent entertainment, and while other cultures may lose itself in the process, India admiringly retains its cultural persona in each motion picture as it continues to harness its talent and skill in making great movies.

The Cinema Industry in India

Bollywood is formally known as Hindi cinema, and while Bollywood does not represent the whole cinema industry in India, it is the most popular movie base in the country because it produces the largest volume of movies, and it serves as the one of the central production sites of motion pictures in the whole world. For the western world, Bollywood is the most popular representation of the Hindi film industry.

History reveals that the first film ever screened in India did happen in Mumbai, formerly Bombay on 1896, when the first silent film produced by the Lumiere Brothers was screened in the city. India was hooked on the art of film instantly, and the screening of the Lumiere films sparked a passion among its people to create motion pictures. Although many more foreign movies were screened in Bombay's movie houses, Indian artist Save Dada made two short films as early as 1897, only a year after the very first screening of the Lumiere films. As the cinema industry grew, the thematic messages of the films also evolved. There was a time in the 1940s when Hindi movies did not merely entertain, but also educate its audience with social issues.

Historians consider the 1950s as the golden era of Indian cinema, as it was during this period that the most remarkable Indian films were produced. Some titles include films created by Guru Dutt, such as "Pyaasa," a 1957 production; and Kaagaz Ke Phool, released in 1959. Films made by Raj Kapoor such as Awaara, a1951 production, and Shree 420, a 1955 production, are also considered classic Hindi movies.

Aside from Bollywood movies, which call Mumbai as its base, the Indian cinema industry consist of motion pictures made in other regions. Aside from Hindi, these films may use the Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu languages in the script.

Indian movies have such a distinct flavor, that even the smallest detail is characteristic of Hindi culture. From the cinematic colors to the music played in each scene, a viewer watching a Hindi motion picture would undoubtedly be awed by the rich, flavorful cultural persona that is undeniably inherent in each film.

Breakout Kings S01E03 - The Bagman Review

Stop reading now if you haven't seen the 3rd episode of the Breakout Kings, because you won't want to spoil this episode by reading about it first.

It looks like the rumours were right. Prison Break star Robert Knepper Aka T-bag did make an appearance and I must admit it was awesome to see him back playing his once infamous role. What made this episode amazing was that we got to see more of the killer side of T-bag that we didn't see on Prison Break partly because of Michael Scofield being able to control the monster.

Right from the go we are taken back to Fox River and we see T-Bag back in jail after the Fox River days. This time it is clear to see this T-bag is different from the schemer that we had become used to, this T-bag is a much more ruthless killer. At the beginning of the episode T-bag is put into a transportation vehicle but within minutes T-bag takes out the 2 prison guards transporting him without any hesitance.

From the beginning it's not clear if T-bag just wants to get out of prison and go on the run again or if he is on a mission. As the episode progresses we see that T-bag is in fact on a goal induced mission that has him seeking revenge upon those who sexually assaulted his mother in a retirement facility.

Now I've always liked the character of T-bag and for some sick reason I have always wanted him to get away with his crimes, however this time it seemed like his quest was to get revenge upon those who did wrong upon his family which i'm sure many of us viewers can relate too, however I think US Marshal Charlie Duchamp summed it up the best when he asked "what about the innocents he killed along the way" this line in my opinion shows that T-bag does have a heart but he can turn into a monster when things need to get done. My point is further enforced when T-bag says to his mom "I can't join you in heaven, but you enjoy it for the both of us."

The final few minutes of this episode however is where the show really got interesting. This is when Lloyd gets the chance to sit down with T-bag to analyse him. T-bag goes on a huge rant to Lloyd asking him what makes him worth being a "case study" and Lloyd calmly responds that there's nothing special about T-Bag and that he is simply a broken machine. To which T-Bag replies once Lloyd has left the room "no shit."

T-Bag confirms that he has always known that he was broken and Lloyd confirming this created a perfect ending to the character that is T-bag.

Overall this episode was amazing, being a huge prison break fan and a fan of Robert Knepper meant that I loved every second of "The Bag Man".

A Person Called Elizabeth Taylor

Born in 1932 Taylor became an international star at the age of 14 when she started in MGM's National Velvet (1944). Following the success of that film she became one of the biggest and busiest child stars who successfully managed to make a smooth transition post childhood. By the time she made Giant (1956) with the iconic James Dean and Rock Hudson, Taylor was considered to be one of the most glamorous actress' in the world.

Taylor notched up her second Academy Award nomination for her brilliant portrayal of Maggie Pollitt in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). Based on a Tennessee Williams play the film featured Paul Newman as the impotent washed out athlete Brick whose father is dying of cancer and is worried sick about Brick's childless marriage.

Maggie persuades Brick to give up drinking while enticing him and taunting him about his dead friend at the same. Taylor's Maggie has a mesmerizing effect thanks to the ease with which she portrays the numerous shades which at times make you wonder perhaps you are watching different women at the same time.

Taylor matched steps with the legendary Katherine Hepburn in Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) where she plays a girl who witnesses the horrible death of her cousin and goes insane. Taylor got yet another Oscar nomination but it'd be her flawless performance in Butterfield 8 the following year that finally got her the coveted Award. Butterfield 8 saw Taylor play a posh call-girl whose need for respect is much stronger than her indecent lifestyle.

In spite of some towering performances and many great films Cleopatra ended up becoming the most important film of Elizabeth Taylor's life. She became the highest paid actress with Cleopatra when she got the paid 10 million dollars for a film that was originally budgeted at $2 million! The film ended up costing $40 million and was a financial loss even though it was 1963 top grossing film! Cleopatra is also remembered for the Elizabeth Taylor-Richard Burton romance that brewed on the sets and culminated in her fifth marriage. Her next few films didn't really set things on fire till she teamed up with Burton again for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966). Directed by Mike Nichols, this seminal classic arguably features two of the greatest on-screen performances ever and got Taylor her second Oscar. The tale of an aging and bitter aging whose use a younger visiting couple to vent out their anguish towards each other has Burton and Taylor so naturally into each other that one feels it's not a film anymore. An excellent cinematic experience no matter how times one revisits, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a treat to watch thanks to the two different acting styles of Burton, an actor who was acknowledged but never really revered as much as he should have, and Taylor, an actor who never really lost out to the star she became, work together so seamlessly.

After Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? the only Elizabeth Taylor film that stands out is John Houston's Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967). Based on Carson McCuller's novel this strange film is a mix of exceptional wit and tragedy. Taylor plays an unhinged Army wife to Marlon Brando's impotent and closet homosexual Army Major both of whom are trapped in a very personal emotional cage.

Taylor puts in a very natural performance as the wife of a sexually repressed officer; she humiliates him in front of everyone, has a rollicking affair with a fellow officer and rarely lets an opportunity to ridicule him escape her.

Like Gloria Swanson's Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard Taylor remained big all though her life, it's the pictures that got small. When the films got smaller Taylor moved on to bigger things.

Before she famously held Michael Jackson's hand during a public appearance as the loyal friend of someone whom everyone was ready to fry, she had held another friend's hand for a bigger cause. When most shied away from the archetypal all American 'reel' Rock Hudson when he became a 'real' homosexual person dying of AIDS, Taylor stood by him publicly and championed the cause of AIDS much before it became fashionable. Before she died she Taylor led a campaign for the American Foundation for AIDS Research which has raised more than $200 million till date.

Yes, Dame Elizabeth Taylor married eight times, twice to the same man; yes, she was the friend whose hands Michael Jackson held when Oprah Winfrey interviewed him; yes, she was the most glamorous Cleopatra ever but there is much more to Dame Elizabeth Taylor that being the crazy woman of many marriages for in a life she led... these things don't really matter.

Nadunisi Naaygal Review

Nadunisi Naaygal has a well-intended message on Child Abuse although the message stays detached from the rest of the film. Scenes of violence, murder and sex witnessed early in childhood creates an emotional dependency in Veera with the woman who rescues him from his father. The promiscuous father puts the kid through orgies, sexually abusing him to make him a serial killer and psychopath. From the 1960's "Psycho" directed by Alfred Hitchcock to the Anthony Hopkins starrer "The Silence of The Lambs", Gautham Menon's "Nadunisi Naaygal" has all of them.

Veera enacts the role of a 13 year old guy which does not look like what is said. The wig can fly off his head at any time, if wind blows on his face. From there on, he goes on to grow butchering girls for which Veera is not the most responsible for. The painful silence of no background music but proper rerecording of sounds engage without the conspicuousness of the absence of the BGM. Live sounding dialogues strain your ears to bleeding putting you in an inability to distinguish English dialogues from Tamil.

Nadunisi Naaygal is definitely not a rural delight but the metros will embrace the film for its stylish making and classy approach. Gautham Menon does sell and his directorial finesse which borrows only creative aspects from popular movies to transmute them in his style attracts and yet the director does portray women with adherence to the likeability of women. He has tried to conceal the fact that the film titillate with subliminal and sexually suggestive content and has come up trumps in doing so.

Veera shuttles between Narcissism and Inverted Narcissism of satisfying his urges and the desires of Meenakshi Amma whose fate is revealed at the end. It is symbolically revealed in the middle when she suffers burn injuries after Veera sets her husband ablaze. Nadunisi Naaygal is far from Bharathi Raja's Sigappu Rojakkal but is quite close to "The Silence of the Lambs" in terms of Meenakshi Amma's desire to knit the hair of young girls. This also has something unrevealed till the end.

The emotional dependency then turns out to be an emotional interdependency between the two pivotal characters - Veera and Meenakshi Amma. One fine moment of the film is when the director creates a 'no way out' for Sameera Reddy when Veera is beaten by her. When she attempts to escape, a completely new set of enemies confront her which is one of class in writing. With a shorter length and with releasing in lesser theaters, the hitherto unseen aspects of Indian filmmaking can generate prospects for the film to release in more centers.

Even then, the inspirations are evident which has happened from 'Psycho' and 'The Silence of the Lambs' predominantly and a slew of other films of the contemporary period. From the 'Psycho' to 'Anniyan', 'Nadunisi Naaygal' has all which is also based on a real life story. The leitmotiv of the film on 'Child Abuse' is overshadowed by the psychopathic tendencies of the film.

The climax is altogether riveting with unseen production values, designs and dark, handheld and candid cinematography of Manoj Paramahamsa. When Veera is shot by Sameera Reddy, it almost looks like a deliberate "The Silence of the Lambs". Nadunisi Naaygal is not suitable for women as well as children and saying it is not at all suitable is more apt, since it captivates you with disturbing images, blood and gruesome murders. This disclaimer ought to be issued prior since it cannot accommodate children at any cost.

Selecting the Best HDMI Receiver

The perfect home theater needs the perfect sound system. Consumers may spend a lot of time and energy purchasing the perfect TV, paying much attention to which TV offers the best picture quality, color quality and the clearest views even at a side angle. A much less scrutinized component for TV purchases is the sound quality. A top of the line TV with the best video images and quality may be good for eye candy during a great movie, but what about your sound experience?

You will want to include the audio experience with the visual experience when putting together your new home theater system. If you have an HDTV then you know you have only about two ports to plug in external media devices - like DVD players and gaming consoles - on your TV. Because you may already have those ports filled, you may be wondering how you can upgrade your sound by purchasing a surround sound speaker system. If you aren't content with standard audio produced by your TV and want more to your home theater experience, then an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) receiver is the answer to your sound and HDTV port issues.

Purchasing the HDMI receiver means all of your devices are plugged into one spot - the receiver - and then the receiver alone is plugged in to your TV. This allows you to have many devices attached to your TV without having to plug/unplug devices when you want to switch from one to the other.

Do some research online to get an idea of which brands and models are right for you: which has the highest consumer rating and which fits into your budget? Since an HDMI receiver is the source of all things video and audio, you won't want to get the absolute cheapest system. This is an investment that you should probably budget somewhere between $400 and $600 to purchase a quality product.

When you do settle on the receiver that you want, take a list of your current devices (DVD players etc) with you to the store. The store associate can help you determine if your equipment will be compatible with the HDMI receiver. You also need to make sure you have all of the appropriate cables and hookups. Of course make sure that the HDMI receiver has as many ports as you will need for all of your devices: while four is optimal, you should have at least two input ports and two output ports. Ask the associate if the model you have selected has up-to-date audio decoding. Don't get stuck with an out-of-date model that you'll need to upgrade with a pass-through receiver.

Now that you have the right HDMI receiver for your home theater and budget needs, look around for the perfect surround system speaker setup. Again, do some research online to find the set that suits your budget and provides the quality audio experience you desire. If you have wired speakers, make sure the wires are the right length for you. If you select wireless speakers make sure you have enough batteries.

Finally, invest some time into the placement of your speakers for optimal sound enhancement. You'll be amazed with the difference your new HDMI receiver makes!