‘A director never finishes a film, he abandons it’

He likes to drive his characters mad and make his audience uncomfortable. But in persona, film-maker Darren Aronofsky, the mind behind intense and tough films like Black Swan is funny and easy. At a roundtable chat organised at the just concluded 12th International Marrakech Film Festival, he was full of quips and quotes. He also spoke at length about his forthcoming Russell Crowe film Noah. Excerpts: On hurricane Sandy’s impact on the filming of Noah: We actually were quite okay. We built a sea worthy vessel —the actual Ark was built in Long Island — which got wrecked since the impact of the Hurricane on Long Island was a lot. We couldn’t reach the sets for weeks. There was no electricity in that area for four days. But the emotional and human toll was much more than physical toll. On tweeting details about Noah: I’m a pretty private person. Agreed that Twitter is a pretty strange thing for me to get involved with, but I feel that we are in the New World so if one hasn’t got on to social media then one can feel left out. I’ve observed the great comedian Louis C.K. over the years. That guy has made millions by talking to his fanbase! I still don’t know how filmmakers will benefit from Twitter, but personally I like talking to young filmmakers, enjoy participating in Q & A and teasing people a bit so I kind of like Twitter. The studio was a bit unsure but being on Twitter allowed me the chance to let out the first image of the film. Doing this on our own is way better, it restricts a big crane sitting on the set. So I guess, it works well. On the story of Noah and his Ark: I’ve been working on Noah forever. In fact this was the first film after Pi that I pitched. I’ve had all these ideas way before I became a filmmaker. Even Black Swan and The Wrestler were ideas I had way back when I was in college. In fact this is my fear—I feel I'm running out of ideas! Now that we are making Noah, they are saying making a Bible picture is the new trend but when we set out we got a lot of No’s and passes before finally we got our studios Paramount Pictures and New Regency interested in it. On his experiments with Indian films: I know Bollywood is kind of a bad word here. Is there a better word? (PS: On my prodding that we call it the Hindi Film Industry, so he can call it Hi Fi, he immediately caught on to the word). Yeah, Hi Fi is better! So I got into Hi Fi a long time ago — it was the same time when my interest in Chinese and Hong Kong films was beginning. I checked out quite a few Hindi movies. I love that one about the Great Bandit — Sholay. I also saw Bandit Queen which was kind of an art film. I like how Baz Luhrmann has taken up the ingredients of Hi Fi films and the way he utilises them. In my neighbourhood in Manhattan, there is a cinema place dedicated to Hi Fi so I keep checking out the stuff that’s playing there. On whether Noah is similar to Life of Pi: I saw Life of Pi and I liked it. There are some visual similarities in terms of the animals and water, but let's see how we do our VFX. On his jinx with superhero films like Batman, Wolverine: I'd like to think Noah was a superhero. He might not have a super power, but what he does is much like a super hero. It's been my dream to do this — to bring my original take on an old story. On the storylines of his films and their uncomfortable quotient: When people say my films make them uncomfortable, I say ‘Very Good!’ I think The Fountain had a kind of a happy ending. Even in Black Swan, she was kinda happy. The Wrestler too. I don’t know. The idea is to start of a character and lead on their conflict. I do agree that sometimes I tend to drive my characters mad, but then that’s okay, I guess. I like the tightrope walk between sanity and insanity that my characters take. It’s just a good story device — when people go slightly over the edge, you can look back and see what was before it. On whether he has it in him to ever make a comedy: As a student I made four shorts and a comedy. Comedian Chris Rock says there is a thin line between laughing and crying — in the former you laugh out the breath and in the latter, you take the breath in. Comedy is a scary genre because if you miss, then you miss. On whether he believes in the classical Hollywood happy ending: It never made sense to me even as a kid. I’m of the opinion that a happy ending is never always a good thing. I grew up in New York, where it wasn’t like that. Life comes with a lot of complications. You never know, who is happy or sad. Guess it is something to do with my big science background. Being trained as a biologist for a few years, I have an environmental take to life which alters my perspective. On if he’d like to change anything in any of his films: I never look back at films. If you look back in a film, you kind of get lost in it. When they were coming up with the DVD of Requiem for a Dream, I stayed out of it, but on the insistence of my sound guy, I watched it and I couldn’t recognise the person, who had made it. It was surely a different person, I could remember myself but I don’t think you can ever recreate the same kind of passion that you had for a film when you are really making it. After a while, you gotta let go. I believe a director never finishes a film, he abandons it. On the status of his HBO series Hobgoblin: It’s been a while I got on the project, but then when I’m making a movie, it’s like I’m in a submarine. I’ll get to it now. Hobgoblin is about a group of magicians and con artists, who use their powers of deception to defeat Hitler during WWII. On whether he believes in magic: Magic? It’s a loaded question? Do I believe in magic that makes a Tiger disappear from a box? Or the simple things? I get touched by magic. I love magicians. David Blaine is a dear friend. I can watch the little tricks these magicians come up with all day. Magical realism is my favourite genre by the way.‘director never finishes a film, he abandons it’ , Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → August 23, 2014

Scorsese's black comedy The Wolf of Wall Street - reviews

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Scorsese's provocative satire about disgraced stockbroker Jordan Belfort divides critics

What you need to know Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street, released in UK cinemas this week, has divided critics with some hailing it as a work of "genius" and others condemning its apparent celebration of greed. The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is based on a memoir by disgraced former New York stockbroker Jordan Belfort. The story follows the rise of Belfort (DiCaprio) from a struggling penny stock dealer to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life and his eventual downfall due to fraud, corruption and 
drug abuse. The film also features Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey and Jean Dujardin. What the critics like Every second of The Wolf of Wall Street's three-hour running time is "virile with a lifetime's accumulated genius", says Robbie Collin in the Daily Telegraph. The machine-gun urgency of Scorsese's visceral story and a powerhouse performance from DiCaprio might make this Scorsese's best film since Goodfellas. DiCaprio "cranks the volume up to ten for his performance as Belfort", says Xan Brooks in The Guardian. It's a pantomime Goodfellas played largely for laughs but polished and punchy, and the fun is infectious. "Man, does this movie have a savage bite," says Betsy Sharky in the Los Angeles Times. It is such a kick
to watch the filmmaker and the star go at the black-hearted comedy full throttle - it's Scorsese's brashest, most provocative work yet. What they don't like: "It's certainly Scorsese's most technically accomplished work since Goodfellas, but also his most hollow and ill judged," says Kevin Maher in The Times. DiCaprio gives the performance of his career but he can't rescue a film that suggests, ultimately, that greed isn't just good, it's "F***ing great!" ·  For further concise, balanced comment and analysis on the week's news, try The Week magazine. Subscribe today and get 6 issues completely free. Source:n The Week UK

Read More........ → February 15, 2014

David Cameron's speech: 'appalling jokes' fail to rouse crowd

Political commentators unimpressed by PM's speech – but was it down to the conference hall?

DAVID CAMERON'S speech failed to rouse the crowd at the Conservative Party conference today, with complaints of "appalling jokes" and an overwhelming focus on Ed Miliband. The Prime Minister's one liners included a joke about driving the two-millionth Mini off the production line ("I turned the wrong way but you'll be relieved that on this occasion I turned right not left"). He also made light of unflattering topless photographs of himself to mock Miliband's plans to freeze energy bills ("You keep your shirt on; I'll keep the lights on.") But the Tory leader drew few laughs. "The Cam jokes are beyond lame, even by the dismal standards of conference speeches," tweeted The Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland. "Conference speeches [are] often forgotten within a week. That one will be forgotten within the hour." In The Independent, John Rentoul bemoaned the "appalling jokes" and "clunky joins between prefabricated sections", but conceded that the speech "did the job, positioning the Conservatives as the party of the progressive centre". The Times columnist Gaby Hinsliff described the speech as "tired, subdued, under-rehearsed". She added: "It wasn't a speech so much as a long, furious, open letter to Ed Miliband. When the man worrying much of the hall is [Nigel] Farage." The word count reveals it all, said the BBC's Nick Robinson. Labour was mentioned 25 times in the speech and the Lib Dems just twice, while Nick Clegg, UKIP and Farage were not mentioned at all. Meanwhile the new Tory mission - building a "land of opportunity" - was mentioned 13 times. "It will be interesting to see if the phrase lasts any longer than many previous conference phrases that die almost as soon as they're uttered," said Robinson. "What will stay in the memory from this conference is the Tories' laser-like focus on the threat from Ed Miliband which they once laughed off." The Daily Mail's deputy political editor Tim Shipman said "it is not a terrible speech, but it isn't terribly important either", describing it as a "series of TV soundbites delivered straight down the barrel of the camera". But perhaps it was down to the conference room. According to Shipman, Cameron's aides were worried that the Manchester hall was a "dead zone for speeches, like an aircraft hanger". Either way, Shipman said the delegates were "content but not roused". For further concise, balanced comment and analysis on the week's news, try The Week magazine. Take advantage of our Autumn sale and get 12 issues of the magazine for just £1. Don't delay - offer ends 31 October. Source: The Week UK

Read More........ → October 26, 2013

David Cameron sounds nice - until his eyes narrow and his cheeks go red

'Don't you dare lecture anyone on the NHS again,' he threatens Labour – before heaping praise on his team

Column DAVID CAMERON started his 2013 party conference speech with the emphasis on hard work. 

ANNALISA BARBIERI

Indeed "hardworking people" was in the very first sentence. You could tell that the entire speech had been tweaked to be more inclusive of the ordinary person ("don't forget the man in the street Dave, they're angry and fed up") – as long as that person wasn't a skiver, stupid or a foreign prisoner, in which case he had plans for you. Cameron delivered the speech in front of a motif made from the Union Jack. Fitting, as his speech was deeply patriotic; he mentioned the word British or Britain nearly two dozen times. But if you shut your eyes you could imagine the whole first half of the address taking place in the headmaster's office. It was full of tale-telling. "Labour did this, Sir, Labour did that. Labour made the mess Sir, I was just helping to clear up Sir. I was just helping the boy up Sir, not kicking him to the floor." It was defensive, brittle and at times, petty. Cameron has quite a nice voice, I'll give him that. If you keep your eyes shut some more, you could imagine him voicing over an M&S ad. It's plummy and juicy. He always sounds like he's keeping some spittle in reserve, just in case. He sounds 'naice'. So it's hard to take him seriously, even once you've opened your eyes and seen his eyes narrow and his cheeks go red and how he jabs the air with his finger, looking into the camera and getting all "I'll take you down to Chinatown" when talking about Labour. "Don't you dare lecture anyone on the NHS again," he threatened, when talking about everything the Conservatives have done for the health service and how little Labour did. As for the "the casino economy meets the welfare society meets the broken education system" that the last government left us with, he promised the Opposition: "We will never let you forget it." Like an Oscar acceptance speech, Cameron also thanked his team. Which was a nice touch. He thanked Theresa May for getting the terrorist Abu Qatada out of the country; praised George Osborne's "brilliant" speech on Monday; said William Hague was the finest foreign secretary he could ask for; Iain Duncan Smith is, apparently the "most determined champion for social justice" the party has ever had. And then there was Michael Gove. Michael Gove got a lot of praise. I thought at one point it was building up to a marriage proposal but instead we learned that Gove is "a cross between Mr Chips and the Duracell bunny" and a man with a "belief in excellence". As Cameron ejaculated over each of them in turn – and I use that word in its more historical context – each allowed themselves a tight, smug little smile. Hague's forehead beamed. There was a lot in this speech. Whereas Miliband seemed to brush over things like education, Cameron said it was the very reason he had come into politics. He talked about schools, colleges, debt, hospitals, Thatcher, children, decency, planting trees, oak beams, buying your own home, jobs, immigration, social workers (clap for them please), soldiers in Afghanistan (clap and stand for them please), adoption, setting up your own business (300,000 have since Cameron came to power, how many are still left he didn't say) and two ordinary people called Emily and James who had just bought their own home, and a lawnmower, thanks to him and his team. Wonderful stuff! My God, it all sounds so good, why is everyone so miserable? It took 30 minutes for Cameron to mention the coalition, which he did in relation to tax cuts and then, in disparaging fashion "anyone see their conference? I missed most of it" - guffaw, guffaw. Interestingly, no mention of them at all in the official version of the speech; you can almost imagine someone reading through it and saying at the last minute: "Dave, Dave, you haven't mentioned them." Source: The Week UK

Read More........ → October 16, 2013

Warren Buffett lays down logic against dividends

In his latest annual letter to shareholders, Buffett explains why paying dividends doesn't make sense. The annual letter that Warren Buffett writes to his shareholders is something of an event in the business world. What is normally mundane business communication from other CEOs, has become an art form in Buffett's case. This year's letter has excited media people more than most because it has a long discussion about the media business. Over the last few years, Buffett has bought a string of newspapers even though the newspaper is widely understood to be in severe decline in the US. However, the most interesting part of the letter is Buffett's response to the constant clamour for dividends that he hears, given his holding company Berkshire Hathway's $50 billion cash chest. He lays down four uses to which a company can put its cash, in decreasing priority. First, it should reinvest the money in growing its core business. If that cannot be done productively, then it should use the cash to acquire or expand into other businesses. If that too is not feasible, then it should repurchase its own shares if they are available cheaply enough. He lays down 120% of book value as the standard for cheap enough that Berkshire follows. He terms share buybacks at this level as 'buying a dollar for 80 cents'. Only if this too is not possible should a company consider paying dividends. It's an interesting view, and one which is hard to fault. The logic of prioritising share buybacks over dividends is sound, even though it won't sound so to Indian ears. But what about investors who want a cash income from shares? Buffett's recipe is interesting - sell some stock to realise the amount you want. He says that this always leads to a better outcome for the business and the shareholder, including in tax-efficiency. The letter is a great read, but don't take my word for it - download it and read it for yourself. Source: Hindustan Times

Read More........ → March 07, 2013

Everything You Need To Know: The Economic Collapse for Dummies *Micro Documentary*

This latest micro-documentary from Future Money Trends, narrated by founder and chief strategist Daniel Ameduri, highlights the inevitably of a collapse in the global financial and economic systems. Taking into consideration key data points likedemographics, consumer consumption, unemployment trends, government debt, monetary policy, and widespread manipulation, a frightening end-game scenario begins to emerge. With rampant fraud throughout the financial system and price fixing of unprecedented proportions in global stocks, commodities, interest rates, business loans, mortgages and personal loans, it is only a matter of time – perhaps one to four years according to Ameduri – before all of the machinations engaged in by governments, central banks and their financial industry cohorts to stabilize the system does exactly the opposite. The panic of 1929 will be a walk in the park compared to the utter pandemonium we will witness as the entire way of life we have come to know over the last three decades crumbles before our eyes. As Zero Hedge notes, The Economic Collapse for Dummies is “everything you wanted to know about the inevitability of a major economic collapse but were afraid to ask.”Source: The Coming Depression

Read More........ → January 06, 2013

I won’t change my Bold image ever – Emraan Hashmi

The boldest hero and the film industry’s very own serial kisser Emraan Hashmi says he will never change his Bold image. “I feel my audience relate with the bold shade of my image so I won’t change it”, says Emraan who talked with Page3Bollywood.com and also revealed his excitement for his upcoming film Raaz 3. One more sequel film with Bhatt camp, isn’t this becoming typical for you? Absolutely not, because I feel until you are getting good script and good filmmakers; no matter how many time you repeat the venture. For me Bhatt camp means a lot, I started my career with them and the kind of films and character I did with their films are the best experience of my career. You will be completing 10 years in the industry soon, how do you find your journey? It’s really been a wonderful journey for me. I think since last 4 years I have started growing more as an actor. I really feel the original ‘Jannat’ was the good turning point of my career. I am just growing by days. I never wanted to jump in acting field so my career is been very surprising to me. You haven’t yet been a part of a 100 crore club, don’t you feel to be part of it? Why 100 or 200 crore, I want to be a part of 500 crore film . . .(laugh) but I won’t do any sub -standard films though it will have the ability to get 100 crore business at box office’’. I would eventually do a film that will be on my terms and if it touches 100 crore mark, it will be great and if it not it will also be fine with me. I want to have a consistent run rate at the box office. It will be good if every film is doing a minimum Rs 50 crore business. The money keeps coming in consistently. I would not compromise with the script to achieve the golden benchmark.You have said that you want to a clean film so are trying to change your image? No ways. I will never change my bold image. “I feel my audience relate with the bold shade of my image so I won’t change it”. But yes, as an actor it’s my job to play various kind of character. I want to do a Universal certified film which everyone can watch. So I wish to do a clean film. So is that a reason you chosen Ghanchakkar, a full fresh comedy film? No, that is not the exactly reason. I liked the script, it has nice story line and a good humor. We also heard that after Raaz 3, you will not be doing any sequel film? Yes, probably I won’t do any more sequel film unless I get the good franchise. I also wish to do different type of cinemas and don’t wish to be in a typical type. You will be coming with many interesting projects, can u elaborate more? One I have with Vishal Bhardwaj Ek Thi Daayan and another is with Rajkumar Gupta's Ghanchakkar. Daayan is a supernatural film with not so much of horror. 50% of its shooting is done. We are now shooting in Mumbai.a. Source: Page3

Read More........ → January 01, 2013

'Magical' Messi 'not good enough' at home to bag 'best athlete of 2012' award!

(ANI): Soccer star Lionel Messi has been reportedly subbed for the 'best athlete of 2012' award in his home country Argentina. Instead, Argentine boxer Sergio Martinez was awarded the title of "Olimpia de Oro," an honor given to the South American country's top athlete in voting by the Circulo de Periodistas - or association of journalists. Martinez defeated Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr earlier this year in their WBC title fight, Sport24 reports. According to the report, Barcelona star Messi, who has had a record-breaking year with 90 goals, didn't even finish second in the voting. That went to Sebastian Crismanich, the taekwondo fighter who won Argentina's only gold medal in the London Olympics. Messi finished third. As a consolation prize, Messi was voted the best Argentine footballer playing outside Argentina, the report said. "It is an honour having won this prize contending with athletes like Sebastian Crismanich and Leo Messi," Martinez said at the award ceremony on Tuesday night. Messi won the "Olimpia de Oro" award in 2011, the report added. (ANI)' Source: News Track India

Read More........ → December 25, 2012

Hitler is back?

Recently the name of Adolf Hitler, the former leader of National Socialism, who drew the German people and the whole humankind into the bloodiest war of the XX century, which burned the lives of 60 million people, has more and more often appeared in mass media. 
By: N. Pavlova, Hitler's name has been surfacing here and there in different context. In Austria the tomb stone on Hitler's parent's grave was destroyed, since it had turned into a place of worship of neo-Nazi and extremists. Turkey banned the video with Germany's Reichkanzler advertising men's shampoo. In India the owner of a men's clothing store called his store with the Fuhrer's name in order to draw customers, causing the Jewish community of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat to appeal to have him change the store sign. Last summer, the Italian prosecutors received a signal that some wine trader sold wine in bottles with the labels depicting the portraits of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The prosecutors started investigation based on the complaint filed by an American couple, whose relatives died in Oswenzim. In Great Britain the bed linen that had belonged to the creator of the Third Reich was sold at an auction for 2000 pounds. Even in Germany itself the interest in the dictator does not disappear. Two years ago in Berlin in the German History Museum an exhibition took place entitled «Hitler and the Germans. United people and crimes». Every new generation is bothered by the questions: how could it happen that Hitler got to power, what kind of person he was, what were the reasons for his cruelty, what effect his personality had on the people around him? German filmmaker Nico Hofmann is once again ready to investigate those reasons in his new saga about Hitler. The TV series will show the Fuhrer's life beginning with 1914 and ending with his inglorious death after the fall of Berlin in 1945. The German publication Spiegel online, which by the way has a monthly „wake fort he devil“, reports about this risky project. There is always an newsworthy event: political debates around the Fuhrer’s family estate in Austria (whether to demolish it, let people live there or turn it into a monument) or an art exhibition in one of the galleries in Great Britain, where one can play golf with Hitler. Where does this never-ending interest towards Hitler's personality and his surroundings come from? Did Adolf Schicklgruber really have a certain dark charisma, which to this day attracts both scientists and ordinary people? This is the subject of our conversation with Professor Doctor Hans-Henning Schröder, a German historian and political scientist from the German Institute of International Politics and Security. «On the one hand, the film about Rommel is still a film about resistance. You know, Hitler forced him to commit suicide. We are talking about a soldier, who went all the way from a supporter to an opponent of Hitler. Rommel is the central character of the film; he is still very popular in Germany, perhaps because his son was the mayor of Stuttgart. The era of the Third Reich is still being investigated, hence, the figure of Rommel, who took a very complicated path. On the other hand, there is still potential for the far-right radicals in Germany. According to the latest research, about 9% of the Germans support the far-right radical ideas, while in the Eastern regions this figure in even higher – 16%. Such people support the ideas of national patriotism and have anti-democratic views. Such a situation is typical not only of Germany, but also of other countries. Naturally, in Germany the government's efforts are aimed against this phenomenon». The British daily newspaper Daily Mail in its questions and answers section announced that over 39 187 books were written about Hitler, while 85 640 books were written about Napoleon. But Napoleon died 191 years ago, while Hitler 67 years ago. If the interest for Hitler does not decrease, he can easily breach the gap. And given all this, I would like to ask about Hitler's book „Mein Kampf“. Mass media report that it can be published again. Is that so? «German law, including Bavaria, which owns the rights to this publication and uses its rights to prohibit its further publishing anywhere in the world, forbids publishing this book. However, the international law limits copyright to a term of 80 years. At the end of 2015 this term will be over, after which anybody will be able to publish the book. And now the German government is looking for a way to prevent this process in the future». Source: Voice of Russia

Read More........ → December 23, 2012

Where do film stars put their money?

Shah Rukh Khan is bringing the Mexican edutainment brand KidZania to India. The brand, which will launch a theme park in April 2013, will be co-owned by Khan.

Hobbies and personal experiences from martial arts to motherhood are deciding actors’ investment choices. Shah Rukh Khan is famously enamoured with children. So, when he decided to bring the Mexican edutainment brand KidZania to India, it did not come as a surprise. The brand, which will launch a theme park in April 2013, will be co-owned by Khan. The park will enable children to gain real-life experiences through role plays such as being a chef, pilot, surgeon, lawyer and fire-fighter. “India is a young country and we need to focus on building a strong future. KidZania will try to build awareness among children through an experience that is hands-on, engaging, educational, and most importantly, fun,” says Khan. For a long time, Bollywood actors have invested in film production houses, restaurant chains, clothing lines and cricket teams. Several stars now seem to be looking beyond the obvious. Like Khan, there are several others who are willing to put their money into projects which are not confined to entertainment and luxury alone. Khan’s co-star of many films, Juhi Chawla, has invested in an education website called Ubqool.com, which will help children plan their studies. Ajay Devgn has invested in a solar park in Gujarat, while Karisma Kapoor has opted for an online baby care portal Babyoye.com. Shilpa Shetty has invested in a group buying site called GroupHomeBuyers.com, which offers deals on real estate and home loans, and plans to include furniture deals as well. Akshay Kumar, a martial arts buff, is using a part of his pay cheque to organise an annual competition to promote karate. There are many reasons for celebrities stepping out of their comfort zones as far as money is concerned. While the thrill of doing something new is one, Chawla feels that age also plays a major role in the decision. Motherhood changed her perspective towards many things. “Launching this educational website was one such instance. I thought it would benefit all children, including mine,” she adds. A friend of Devgn says that the actor’s investment emerges from his long commitment to the environment. Devgn’s Juhu home and Karjat farmhouse, both run on solar power. Kapoor, a mother of two, came across Babyoye.com as a customer. The site’s Co-founder and Director, Arunima Singhdeo, says that Kapoor had offered many tips and was offered the chance to become a partner. “I want to share this service with other parents. I have put in my time and money but, most importantly, I’m putting my heart into it,” says Kapoor.  Source: Screen-India

Read More........ → December 17, 2012

Australian PM Julia Gillard confirms end of world - Video

The Mayan prophecy is right, says Aussie PM - it's all going to end on 21 December 2012 

STREWTH! The Australian Prime Minister has announced the end of the world. But she'll be right, mate: it's just Julia Gillard's first attempt at stand-up comedy. In a 50-second video, the famously feisty Australian PM breaks the news that the Mayan prediction that the world will end on 21 December 2012 is, in fact, correct. Speaking at a podium in a room inside Parliament House in Canberra, Gillard says: "Whether the final blow comes from flesh-eating zombies, demonic hell-beasts or from the total triumph of K-Pop, if you know one thing about me it is this - I will always fight for you to the very end." Gillard was asked to make the spoof video by Triple J, the youth radio station operated by Australia's public broadcaster, The ABC. In her address the PM says there is a "bright side to Armageddon", which she notes is not a result of the much-hyped Y2K millennium computer bug in the year 2000 or the corporate pollution tax recently introduced by her government. "At least this means I won't have to do Q and A again," she says, referring to a weekly current affairs talk show broadcast by the ABC. "Good luck to you all." Most Australians seem to have enjoyed Gillard's joke, although Melbourne radio presenter Neil Mitchell questioned whether the video is degrading to the office of Prime Minister, reports the Australian Times. "Is it demeaning to the office to be doing something quite as silly as that, particularly when it's presented in quite a serious fashion?" he asked. Gillard's spokesman brushed off the criticism saying: "What Australian doesn't mind a laugh from time to time?"  Source: The Week UK

Read More........ → December 11, 2012

"Don't Keep me in an Adult Box" - Ekta Kapoor

It seems Ekta Kapoor is now all happy to make the Adult films, but she doesn't want anyone to keep her in any paricular box. The producer of recent blockbuster 'The Dirty Picture' is now coming with the sex comedy film 'Kya Super Kool Hai Hum' which is a sequel of her film 'Kya kool Hai Hum' released in 2005. Talking to Page3bollywood.com, Ekta said I don't wish to categorized myself. Q. is Ekta Kapoor becoming symbol for Adult film ? Ekta : No, yaar please, don't keep in the Box. I don't want to be such a producer who makes one type of cinema. I am open to all genre. Though I have made Kya Kool Hai Hum, Love Sex Aur Dhoka, Ragini MMS, Dirty Picture and ya of-course now a sequel Kya Super Kool Hai Hum which is a Sex Comedy but I don't think that one should categorized me because I have also made films like Shootout at Lokhandwala & Once upon a time... Q. what is the different funda you have implemented in this sequel ? Ekta : Well, I have implemented the same funda of Sex Comedy. People who have seen the first part, they would definitely want to see the same madness again. The comedy level is definitely ten time higher. I am sure people gonna laugh their lungs out !! Q. Ritesh & Tushar.. is this the only pair were in your mind when u think of this sequel ? Ekta : Yes. in fact I could never think of making the sequel without both of them. When they did the first part, it was a great hit of that year. They did a brilliant job. For a 4 or 5 crore film, made a business 34 to 35 crore business. It was a huge profitably project with them. So obviously when I have to make the sequel, I had to make sure only this duo can work for it. Q. Reportedly you are upset with Neha Sharma, lead heroin of your film.. what is the scene ? Ekta : No Comment !! Q. We also heard that you will keep her away from promotional activities ? Ekta : No Comment !! Q. The film is making so much of noise online from now itsel... controversies are also surrounding for film's dialog, do u think the film will face strong issues from social activist ? Ekta : Oh Really !! that's a good news for me that promos are liked. Well about critics and activist.. We are ready to catch thrown tomatoes & onions.. (laugh). As everyone know the film is sex comedy, so I think critics or this social activist, they should look at the Cinema that way only. We had got A certificate for our first part also, so we are not bother about A certificate but my only concern is the film should not get any cuts though it faces any criticism by any part of society. When people its an Adult film, they know what they are going to watch Q. So Ekta are you sure this sex comedy film will be accepted ? Ekta : Yes. of-course, first part was accepted na ? then it will also be. I am sure people gonna love this hilarious sex comedy. "Source: Ekta Kapoor

Read More........ → October 23, 2012

"Foreign" hamburger?

Russia’s Chief Sanitary Inspector Gennadiy Onishchenko has urged Russians to refrain from eating hamburgers which he described as ‘foreign food’. The United States claims that Onishchenko’s statement has a political coloring. The Voice of Russia’s Yelena Kovachich has met with a number of food experts in an attempt to establish whether Russia’s chief medical officer is playing political games or is concerned about the health of the nation.
 By: Yelena Kovachich, The attempts to interpret Onischenko’s critical remarks concerning hamburgers as a protest against the “pernicious” influence of the West are far-fetched. Since Russia has hundreds of McDonald’s outlets which yield good profit, it’s economic, not political motivation that is behind the dispute, says Pavel Salin of the Political Research Center. "Big politics are seldom behind such statements. As a rule, big money is behind. Even though sometimes these kinds of statements are politically motivated, as we witnessed in the case of Georgian-produced wines and mineral water, and Moldavian wines, these instances are fairly rare". Russia’s chief sanitary officer would hardly pursue any commercial gains unless they meant a healthier nation. Onishehchenko is concerned about the health of the nation. Everybody knows that hamburgers are junk food. In his book Fast Food Nation, American writer Eric Schlosser says that obesity is the second killer in the US after tobacco, as one fourth of the country’s adult population eat hamburgers as regular snacks. The number of obese people has doubled in Britain. The number of overweight people, particularly among the young, has been increasing rapidly in seafood and vegetable-loving Japan. No doctor would ever recommend a fast food diet. Onishchenko took a firm stand against hamburgers after a female customer recounted that she had discovered worms inside her McChicken box. A publication to this effect which appeared in The Washington Post described even the thought of it as revolting. It’s no wonder then that the Russian sanitary inspector reacted in such a way. According to Schlosser, hundreds of Americans have been killed by E.coli which was discovered in hamburgers and millions are poisoned by poor quality ingredients in McDonald’s food annually. As it happens, there is nothing insulting about the phrase “foreign food” for Americans. Onishchenko meant that Russians should eat food they are used to genetically. Eskimos eat raw frozen meat, Yakuts eat frozen fish, and Chinese adults don’t drink milk. National food traditions differ. As for the Russian food, it’s international, using a combination of different gastronomic preferences. Russians traditionally eat food from Asia, the Caucasus, Siberia. The European and French traditions are strong as well. From the French Russians have borrowed cutlets, omellettes, mousses and compotes. Russians are thus tolerant to foreign food. By and large, the hamburger should be “foreign” to the whole of humanity if people want to be healthy and in good shape." Source: Voice of Russia

Read More........ → October 21, 2012

A twist in the fairy tale

Fables by Bill Willingham: A little something for folks who believe that good stories shouldn’t end at Happily Ever After... So, Prince Charming kissed Snow White, waking her from her stupor. And they rode into the sunset, even as the seven dwarves waved farewell — tears of happiness streaming down their faces. *And just in time, the Woodsman barged into the cabin, saving Little Red Riding Hood from the Big Bad Wolf. After slaying the mean animal, he escorted the girl back to the village, where she was reunited with her mother and father. Okay... and then what? You know these fairy tales can’t possibly end where they do, and ‘happily ever after’ just doesn’t cover it. There has to be more — probably somebody’s hiding something here. Well, if you ever felt like this after reading a chapter from your book of fairy tales, Bill Willingham’s Fables could be just the thing for you. Published by DC Comics’ s Vertigo imprint, it is something that tries to connect all the dots that traditional folklore has left missing, at times even blurring the lines between good and evil to achieve its goal. Featuring a rich starcast from fairy tales across the globe, it repaints every picture in a different light and gives actual human traits to non-complex characters that are no better than — forgive the uncouth expression — cardboard cut-outs. Okay, the story so far. Long after the Big Bad Wolf tries to make a meal out of Red Riding Hood and Snow White rides into the sunset with Prince Charming, the Homelands are invaded by the forces of the Adversary. However, the Fables had never really bothered to socialise among themselves until then, and are — therefore — unable to put up a united opposition. Realising that all is lost, they flee to the Mundane world (that’s ours, by the way) and set up a clandestine community in New York called Fabletown. In their new place of habitation, the members of this community have to follow certain rules — the first being that as they are supposed to keep themselves hidden from the human population, the use any kind of attention-drawing magic is forbidden. Secondly, as all the Fables have been granted amnesty from crimes committed back in the Homelands, they are forbidden to bring up ghosts from the past. Consequently, many of the ‘bad’ characters turn good. Strangely enough, the protagonist of the series turns out to be the Big Bad Wolf aka Bigby, while others like Goldilocks and Hansen become the bad ‘uns. The comic series starts off as a simple murder mystery, with Bigby (Sheriff of Fabletown) trying to find the person who has supposedly killed Rose Red, sister of Snow White, who is known more for her Promiscuity than any fairy tale exploit. As the story unravels, you realise that there is more to the mystery than what meets the eye. Later, the tales become more fantastic even as the Adversary begins launching attack after attack on Fabletown, and its members are forced to retaliate. Along the way, the community finds unlikely heroes in Boy Blue and the Frog Prince, and — among other developments — Miss Muffet becomes Mrs Spider and Geppeto is revealed to be a big bad man. Among the other characters featured in Fables are Prince Charming, Jack Horner of the Beanstalk, the evil Sher Khan of The Jungle Book, and the three pigs from Animal Farm. While Fables is quite an interesting read, one requires an open mind to enjoy it to the hilt. And, as the ‘Mature Readers’ label on its covers suggests, the series — like most graphic novels — deals with adult themes on certain occasions, and you have to be over 17 to check it out. A bummer, I know, but this one’s worth the wait! Image Link Photobucket, Source: Daily Protein

Read More........ → September 09, 2012

Bar Stool Economics: A Simple Guide to the American System of Taxation and Distribution

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for a beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this: The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1.00, The sixth would pay $3.00, The seventh would pay $7.00, The eighth would pay $12.00, The ninth would pay $18.00, The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.00, So that’s what they decided to do. The men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with arraignment, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. “Since you are all such good customers, he said, I’m going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.00. “Drinks for the ten men now cost just $80.00 The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men – the paying customers? How could they divide the $ 20 windfall so that everyone would get there “fair share?” They realized that $ 20.00 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody’s share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man’s bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay! Source: The Coming Depression

Read More........ → September 01, 2012

I am tough; don't need Bodyguard - Bipasha Basu

After Emraan Hashmi, the tough and Bold Actress Bipasha Basu can now be the face of Bhatt camp. After sorting out differences with BHatts, Bips has bagged the protagonist for upcoming Raaz 3. But being politically correct, Bipasha denies all the news of rivalries with Bhatts. Read out what Actress has to say about Bhatts . . . Doing Raaz 3 with Bhatts again became smooth as you sorted out difference with them? Well, there were no any such differences ever. The Bhatt camp is very close to me. I started my career with the, they are respected and Dear to me. Bhatt Sahab (Mahesh Bhatt), Mukesh ji (Mukesh Bhatt) is like my family. It was just that we were looking for the right time and the right film and role to do the film together again. I was not a part of Raaz 2 because of any such alleged differences. You denied Raaz 2 as Emraan Hasmi is shorter than you? (Laugh) Then why would I have signed Raaz 3. Its all rubbish. I have worked with many actor, not everyone was taller than me, it is not a concern point for me acting opposite a shorter height Actor. How you looking forward to Raaz 3? Oh, I am so excited; same I was for the first time. I happy to work with Vikram Bhatt, Mahesh Sahaab & Mukesh Ji again. Working with them is always been a great experience. The role is very challenging and close to me. Now you are a big Star & a popular celebrity of Bollywood, yet we don’t see you with Bodyguard, why is it so? I am a tough girl, I don’t need a Bodyguard. Though You feel, you can find out a cute Bodyguard for me. Any Special reason you decided to do Raaz 3 ? I eally liked the story and the character written. I wanted to show how actress struggles in their real life to survive in this film industry. It is not easy to attain the fame and success in the industry. My character exactly portrait a struggle of a highly passionate and a dedicated Actress. Source: Page3

Read More........ → August 18, 2012

Bikinis at the Olympics...is this a real issue?

By Mark Sappenfield: In one women's beach volleyball semifinal amid a driving rain at the London 2012 Olympics Tuesday, neither team wore just their bikinis. What women wear has been a big issue here. The Christian Science Monitor:  Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor will try for their third consecutive gold medal in beach volleyball Wednesday when they face fellow Americans April Ross and Jen Kessy in the final at the London 2012 Olympics. Now that that's out of the way, can we talk about what they were wearing? In the semifinal between Ross/Kessy and Brazilians Larissa and Juliana, neither team wore just their bikinis on a cold London night with driving rain, prompting International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge to promise a full investigation. "This is clearly not in the Olympic spirit," he said. OK, he didn't say that, and there is no inquiry. But in the sometimes alternate universe of beach volleyball, that it often what it feels like. From head scarves to skirts, there has been a lot of talk at the London Olympics about what not to wear for women, but nowhere more so than at beach volleyball, where the decision earler this year to allow women not to wear bikinis has been met with relief by women's rights groups, dismay by some casual fans, and a gigantic shrug by the players themselves. It is the flip side to another and rather more momentous first at London 2012: Each competing nation has brought at least one woman athlete. To reach that goal, which the IOC made a high priority, the federations that govern Olympic

Read More........ → August 10, 2012

Corruption in the “heart of democracy”

By Mamonov Roman, While passions are running high in the US ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, a new scandal has unfolded around Washington DC mayor Vincent Gray. It has been revealed that members of his staff illegally used the data bases with information about the district’s residents. While passions are running high in the US ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, a new scandal has unfolded around Washington DC mayor Vincent Gray. It has been revealed that members of his staff illegally used the data bases with information about the district’s residents. Earlier several members of the staff were accused of not properly reporting the funds raised for Gray’s election campaign in 2010.Against a different information background this scandal could have become international. But now this scandal in Washington pales beside the events in Syria, the euro-crisis and the coming US presidential elections. But the fact as such is a sensational one. The Mayor of Washington DC, the capital of one of the global powers, is about to face criminal accusations. The story is linked with of Vincent Gray’s election campaign for the post in 2010. Tags: campaign, corruption, World, US, Society, Opinion & Analysis, Читать далее, Source: Voice of Russia. 

Read More........ → July 26, 2012

I have to do what I think is right: Aamir

By Bhawana Somaaya: Aamir Khan has been on a roll for sometime now both personally and professionally. He has become a father third time around and produced a massive scale TV production which has become a topic of discussion in the parliament. I meet Aamir at his Pali Hill residence. He is relishing a holiday after months and cannot believe that he is actually putting up his feet and chatting with me. It is a lazy afternoon and I decide to just sit and chat with him rather than ask tough questions. The last few months have been exceedingly hectic. How do you manage your time? I have been keeping a crazy schedule for more than a couple of months, I would say almost a year or more. It is tough but if you eat and exercise right, a lot of problems get resolved. Sleep is important as well and most important is to work cheerfully, I don’t like screaming and shouting. Stress is inevitable in creative field, but it can be dealt with calmly. I have realised there is solution for every problem. Have you not taken on too much at the same time?  Yes and no, because this is how show business operates. I was in talks with the channel for my TV production for a long time. Similarly I was committed to Reema Kagti’s ‘Talaash’ for a long time. It is difficult to define a rigid time span for such pursuits. They happen when they have to. Most celebrities don’t admit to having a surrogate baby, what you did was unusual?  I think it is subjective how each one feels. We had been trying for a baby for sometime but it did not happen after Kiran suffered a couple of miscarriages. That’s when we took this decision. Azaad is a surrogate baby, but we are his biological parents. It is the way you made the news public that made all the difference?  I did it the way I wanted to. Kiran and I were very clear that we were going to be upfront and not allow others to speculate about us. We informed everybody when we were ready to share the news, beyond that we did not want any invasion on our privacy. To be fair to the media, they respected that. How did your colleagues and friends react to the news? They were all happy for us. In fact, the congratulations are still pouring in. It is a great feeling and we are relishing it. It is funny how the house changes with the arrival of a tiny tot. There are new adjustments, though the mother has more adjustments to make than the father. Reema Kagti is the second director you have worked with after Kiran Rao in ‘Dhobi Ghat’? That’s right though I would not like to discriminate my directors via gender. Reema is clear about what she wants and that always helps the actor. It is always a give and take relationship with the writer- director and director- actor and this reflects in the film. Most of the great films have been possible because of great team work. In ‘Talaash’ you are working with Kareena for the second time and Rani Mukherjee for the third time, how much have they changed? Kareena was superb in a small role in ‘3 Idiots’ and is a revelation in ‘Talaash’. Rani was a fresher in ‘Ghulam’ and even though our song was so popular I don’t know why we did not get a film together for a long time. Then came ‘The Rising’ where she played a courtesan and now ‘Talaash’ where she plays my wife. I don’t wish to disclose more about the film except that it is an interesting film on human relationships. Was it a tough decision to delay the release of a ready film ‘Talaash’ to put ‘Satyamev Jayate’ on air first?  Both are my productions so the privilege and prerogative should be mine and I always have a reason for why I do what I do. I have a simple theory. I have to do what I think is right and give it my best shot. Under the circumstances I felt that if we released ‘Talaash’ now I would not be able to give it my 100 percent in the promotion and took a decision to get over with ‘Satyamev Jayate’, so I’m able to give the film my complete concentration. Your director accepted that or was she impatient?  She accepted it. This is the way I function. ‘Delhi Belly’ was ready for over a year before we began work on the post production. Same with ‘Peepli Live’ or even for that matter ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’. Ashutosh will tell you how long we had been working on ‘Lagaan’ before we started shooting and how long we worked on post before we released it. I’m a producer, but I also have to give time as an actor to my other assignments and the other way round as well. How long did you take on ‘Satyamev Jayate’?  After we agreed on the concept of the show with the channel which resulted after innumerable meetings my team and I researched on the show for two full years. The stories, the packaging, the music has been a long process of brainstorming. The stories we saw in the first episode were heart breaking. The show must have been a long emotional journey for the entire team?  You have hit the nail because while the audience watches it just once and then another set of stories the following week, my team and I endure the heartache a number of times. We have so brittle that we are breaking down again and again. Perhaps all of you must consider group therapy? Yes, that is a good suggestion. All of us need to cleanse our system to be able to return to our normal life again. Though let me tell you that coming home to a gurgling baby is therapeutic. I hold my son in my arms and feel healed.You sound emotional?  I have always been like this but this is the first time people are getting to see this side of me on the screen. So far on the big screen one has cried with glycerin but these are real tears triggered by what’s happening to real people. Source: The Hans India

Read More........ → June 18, 2012

'It's rare a man can be that tough on the field and also have his own line of underwear!' President Obama roasts David Beckham at White House ceremony

Over the hill: Barack Obama cranked out the David Beckham jokes at the White House today as LA Galaxy were honoured, but Goldeballs (holding a golden and silver ball) took it all in his stride It was supposed to be a thank you for winning the Major League Soccer Championship. But David Beckham’s trip to the White House turned into an unexpected comedy roast - at the hands of Barack Obama. The U.S. President mocked Mr Beckham for being over the hill and said that at the age 37 ‘half his teammates could be his kids.' He also teased the soccer star as a ‘young up and comer’ before joking about his other career as a model. To laughter from the crowd Mr Obama said: ‘He is tough. It is rare a man can be that tough on

the field and also have his own line of underwear’. Who's the funnyman? Obama turned the ceremony into an impromptu Beckham roast  Mr Beckham and his team the LA Galaxy were shown around the White House to congratulate them for winning the Major League Soccer Championship last season. Mr Obama, 50, posed for a picture with them and stood next to Mr Beckham whilst holding a football shirt with his

name on it. Good sport: Beckham has never been afraid of taking the mickey out of himself, or letting others do it... so it was quite an honour from the presidentGood natured ribbing: David Beckham was

President Obama's comedy  foil today at a ceremony to honour LA Galaxy for winning the Major League Soccer Championship On the team: Barack looked as pleased to be meeting the team, and of course, Goldenballs himself, as they were to be at the White House But before doing so he gave a speech in which

he said: ‘We have young up and comer on the team, a guy named David Beckham. ‘I gave David a hard time, I said half his teammates could be his kids. We’re getting old David, though you’re holding up better than me’. Mr Obama added that Mr Beckham was tough because he had been a crucial member of the team despite fracturing his spine halfway through the last season and injuring his hamstring. After the speech Mr Beckham and his teammates were due to take part in a football clinic for children with First

Lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn. In awe: The father-of-four looked excited to see the First Lady speak Due to bad weather it was reportedly moved inside and became a question and answer session for the young people. Mr Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007 for a reported $250 million but only won his first league championship this year. He has been credited with giving football in America a major boost and bringing in huge crowds wherever he plays. Mr Beckham and his fashion designer wife Victoria, 38, count Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and Eva Longoria among their friends, but a chance to go to the White House

would have impressed even him. Quite an honour: It's doubtful the boy from Leytonstone, east London ever dreamed he'd one day be shaking the President of the United States' hand The whole gang together: The

team were honoured for winning the league He last met the Obamas in May 2011 during a dinner they put on at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in London for the Royal family. Opening the ceremony Mr Obama said: ‘I’m not going to flatter myself by assuming these cameras are here for me’ and praised the LA Galaxy for ‘pulling off one of the toughest feats of team sports’. In reference to his own Irish heritage Mr

Obama also joked that Robbie Keane, who plays for the LA Galaxy, was ‘a cousin of mine.' Quite a scene: Beckham meets students from across the country, who are part of the Let's Move! scheme, as Michelle looks on Nervous: Beckham looked concerned as Galaxy left their hotel to attend the White

Housefunction Mr Obama stood with Mr Beckham - dubbed Goldenballs - on his left for the photograph whilst the footballer held the golden ball he had been given as a gift. On his right stood team captain Landon Donovan holding their trophy they were awarded for winning the U.S. soccer league. As he made his way out Mr Obama shook hands with all the LA Galaxy players but spent a few minutes extra talking with Mr Beckham, who was wearing a grey suit, yellow tie and was sporting a beard.'Source: Travelfwd

Read More........ → May 17, 2012