Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts

17 Apr 2011

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.

14 Apr 2011

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.

5 Apr 2011

Ultimate Movies for Ultimate Home Theater Systems

If you're a movie fan, you are probably the owner of a really, really good home theater system. Not just any home theater system, but the best you can afford on your budget! Big screen TV, surround sound stereos and a programmed remote that could confuse even the most technically gifted of your friends.

But what good is the best setup unless you are watching a movie filled with wall-shaking, teeth-rattling explosions, gunfire and blasts? If you were lucky enough to see The Matrix in theaters, you know that watching it on a regular television - in stereo - just won't cut it for the action that makes your pulse quicken just a bit during that one scene that you could watch over and over again (yep, you guessed it - the lobby scene).

So let's say you have the big screened flat screen tv - a plasma or an LED getup - or maybe even a projector on a large flat screen that's as big as the wall. You have a surround system that consists of no less than 8 to 10 speakers and a subwoofer, and you spent a LOT of time setting them up in the perfect spot in the room to make sure you can hear every single special effect including the 'tinnnng' of a pin drop. You invested in heavy curtains to darken the windows for best viewing especially in daylight hours, and you even have a special snack section reserved just for movie night. Let the show begin!

Of course there are dozens - okay, hundreds - of movies to choose from. You may be a sci-fi buff or action junkie, so your list may not compare to this one. However, taking into consideration visual and sound effects, it's likely everyone will agree that the following movies are definitely best when viewed in a "souped-up" home theater system.

A few of the first picks that come to mind are more recent movies that are more dramatic than action. However, these movies have some intense moments and incredible special effects. So much so that they have been nominated for or won Academy Awards: Inception, Transformers, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Titanic, Independence Day and Twister. Jurassic Park, any of the Terminator movies and, of course, the Matrix movie saga are more movies to add to your incredible home theater system viewing experience.

Of course there are many other movies in several different genres that would be perfect to watch in surround sound. The Wizard of Oz was groundbreaking in its time for special effects, probably as much as Avatar has been for this current generation. A scary fright-fest is creepier on a bigger screen with screams and roars of evil beasts magnified with your surround sound speaker setup.

One last movie that is sure to be a hit both visually and audibly on a nice home theater system: Wall-E. With the wonderful graphics and many machine noises, blips and computer voiced characters, this is a great cartoon for the whole family to enjoy in any home theater.

2 Apr 2011

How Fashion Movies Influence Society

Fashion is a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, accessories and hairstyles. In recent years, it was commonly illustrated through portraits and several other artifacts showing entirely different forms of fashion. Fashion books and magazines are essential tools for everyone in fashion industry and mostly for individuals who always want to keep up with the latest trend.

Most of these books and magazines were written by fashion experts, who have a wide range of knowledge when it comes to appropriate attire and styles and have the capability to influence individuals' choice and taste. On the other hand, fashion nowadays was likewise greatly exploited in the movies and music industries. Movie and music enthusiasts usually follow the style of their favorite icons, thus making the celebrities become trendsetters.

Fashion movies and music industries impact society. For instance, a teenager may choose to cut her hair for a short curly hairstyle or highlight it simply because her favorite star looks the same in a particular movie or her favorite rock star wears the same. These fashion trends have all happened at different times where people can simply copy their favorite celebrities after watching them on TV or going out to the movies. Media influence is an all important factor in today's society.

In India, Bollywood celebrities greatly influenced the latest fashion among young boys and girls because it uses glamorous look and standout fashion trends. From time to time, film makers create new exclusive designs and styles feature in the movies, which are accepted in every day's lifestyle. Fashion movies generally took advantage of the inherent theatrics of fashion. In Hollywood, on the other hand, several fashion movies greatly affect the viewers' preference because of its standout and beautiful clothes and styles.

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's established little black dress as a fashion must-have. This style basically fit her long and thin body frame, and practically no curves interfere with the garment silhouette. In The Seven Year Itch, Marilyn Monroe standout at a particular movie scene where she wore white halter dress and got hit with a blast of cold air. The movie became so popular and was imitated by most women even equally famous celebrities.

While most of the clothes are a bit skimpy to have been worn in the 1920s, fashion designers did a great job evoking the jazz age in the movie Chicago, which is starred by Nicole Kidman and Catherine Zeta-Jones. If you like great music, clever cuts, and over-the-top costumes, then you will understand why Colleen Atwood won the Oscar's Best Costume design for this movie.