Sunday, March 21, 2010

Neha Sharma

Neha Sharma.

Lekha Washington: Trisha Krishnan, last done 45 films in Tamil and Telugu and is considered one of the biggest names in the south, both of magic and drama. This I’m all set for the first time Hindi opposite Akshay Kumar in Priyadarshan in Khatta Meetha. Force Hindi and speaks well and exudes great confidence on the screen. Very focused, and yes, he had to guide her with. I have already double standards Trisha Bollywood veteran, and thus may lack the freshness of appeal. The first provision, “I have worked with Trisha films in South India, and it was wonderful. Contrary to rumors Hindi well. It’s charming and talented,” says Priyadarshan. Akshay Kumar says: “Trisha is very focused on their work. We will go to places.”

Rana Daggubati the past that I made for the first time in Telugu large prime minister to the ideal of a leader. Now I have drank from Rohan Tzipi much talked-about by drug abuse Goan drama Maro Dum Dum opposite Bipasha Basu. Iforce adrenaline-pumping, energetic and intense, Daggubati

[Via http://111breakingnews.wordpress.com]

Saturday, March 20, 2010

A weekend alone

Well due to a snafu I was actually not made a panelist for Millennicon. I’m really not sure what happened, but it’s not like it matters. And the sick thing is I could really use a day off, but I was so looking forward to hanging out with science fiction people – who are just great people for helping you get a good rest while partying until you drop dead. Well, I have a story to finish and a story to finish editing.

I have very little to blog about this week. I mean, I spent the entire time prepping for the convention, and now I’m just…. well… I’m busy as hell, so I didn’t get anything ready for here.

Well, maybe I should just take this opportunity to let people know a little more about me.

When considering the future I try to keep in mind that many augmentations will be much more banal, and made for the convenience of the masses than exploring new worlds. Here is an example of what we might find:

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….!

!

!!

!!!

OK, I can’t the embedding to work. So here’s the link: Augmented (hyper)Reality: Domestic Robocop

I have always wanted to go here: Cincinnati Subway » No Promise Of Safety

A science fiction comic I read: Schlock Mercenary archives – Monday, June 12, 2000

The kind of music I rarely listen to when anyone else is around: eisenfunk pong

What I hope one day happens to a scene that I write: YouTube – Shameless Ripoff…bollywood style

I have a weakness for guns that look like laser pistols like the new line of : Polymer Revolvers, The Polymer Judge, a .410 shotgun revolver, The oddly shaped Chiappa Rhino, but my all time favorite – it came from Warhammer 40K real life gun foes to the AK Arm Gun from CBRPS.

I also have a weakness for certain toys, and legos, and sometimes they cross over: The BrickGun Instruction CD

And while I am still without a motorcycle, I hope to soon own one of these for my commute: Learn to Fly a Jetpack!

Talk to you next week, everyone.

[Via http://jamesdanielross.wordpress.com]

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Retro Review: Omkara (2006)

3.5 Stars (out of 4)

There’s something compelling about director Vishal Bhardwaj’s movies: the dark atmosphere, the impending sense of doom, the heroes who are just barely heroic. I just wish I understood Hindi well enough to fully appreciate them.

More accurately, I’d need to understand Hindi and a handful of colloquialisms from Uttar Pradesh, where Bhardwaj grew up. A knowledge of U.P. politics and the associated gangster culture would also be useful. My cultural and linguistic deficiencies hampered my enjoyment of the first Bhardwaj film I watched, 2009’s Kaminey.

Cultural differences troubled me less in Bhardwaj’s 2006 movie Omkara, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. Familiarity with the story certainly helped, as did an English-language book that was written about the movie’s development.

The book — Fantasies of a Bollywood Love Thief by Stephen Alter — is essential for appreciating the film’s dialogue. English subtitles are often translated in a way that compromises the subtleties of the original words. Alter, who speaks Hindi, explains the true meaning of the words and gives context for the dialogue, making sense of the movie’s otherwise confusing opening scene.

According to the scene’s subtitles, Langda (Iago in Shakespeare’s play) discusses with Rajju (Roderigo) the difference between a “fool” and a “moron”. The two words are used somewhat interchangeably in American English, so the conversation seems odd and not very insightful.

Alter explains (p. 35) that the Hindi words translate more accurately to “fool” and “fucking idiot.” The scene — and the message Langda is conveying to Rajju — makes more sense with the uncensored translation; it ends with Landga explaining that, while they were talking, Rajju’s fiancee, Dolly (Desdemona), ran off with Omkara (Othello). Rajju realizes too late that he’s not a mere fool, but a fucking idiot.

The rest of the story follows the original, even though the setting has changed. Instead of a soldier in the Venetian army, Omkara is a gangster working in the service of a U.P. politician. The action takes place in the modern-day, as evidenced by the fact that the gangsters carry cell phones. Yet the town at the center of events is small and rural, evoking the story’s timeless quality.

Omkara (Ajay Devgan) and Dolly (Kareena Kapoor) are happy together, even though she’s defied her father to be with the illegitimate son of a village leader and his servant. During the course of their wedding planning, Omkara is promoted to a political position. When picking his successor as gang leader, he defies expectations and chooses Kesu (Vivek Oberoi) — a college-educated city kid — over his childhood friend, Langda (Saif Ali Khan).

Langda commences an attack on Kesu’s character, subtly trying to convince Omkara that Kesu is having an affair with Dolly. He’s aided by Dolly’s spurned suitor, Rajju (Deepak Dobriyal). Langda’s wife, Indu (Konkona Sen Sharma), inadvertently gives him the piece of physical evidence to validate his lie, and the tragedy unfolds.

The acting in Omkara is as nuanced as Langda’s machinations. Dolly and Kesu are youthful, charming, and utterly bewildered by Omkara’s suspicion. Rajju is twitchy and eager to reclaim his stolen bride. Omkara’s authoritative facade only breaks in front of Dolly, who coaxes smiles out of him with a glance.

Saif Ali Khan’s Langda walks a thin line. He’s vengeful, but not without cause; devious, but not totally malicious. His only interest is ousting Kesu from the position he wants. However, he fails to consider the toll this will take on Dolly and, by extension, Omkara, his benefactor.

Konkona Sen Sharma’s Indu is the film’s most relatable character. She’s caring, funny and smart enough to figure out that something is wrong. She probably could’ve solved the problems between Dolly, Kesu and Omkara, if only her husband wasn’t secretly working against her.

Another highlight of Omkara is the music, especially the sexy dance tune “Beedi.” Bhardwaj got his start in Bollywood as a composer, and the music he’s written for Omkara sets the mood perfectly.

It’s hard to recommend a movie that requires further reading to really understand, but Omkara is worth it. The acting, atmosphere and music are of such high quality that American film fans should just enjoy the ride, knowing that Stephen Alter’s book will clear up some of the confusion. Vishal Bhardwaj is a director of such talent that it would be a shame to overlook his work because of a few cultural differences.

[Via http://accessbollywood.wordpress.com]

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Mani Sharma Is Back

Varudu movie audio released recently. After long gap, Mani Sharma has lived up to the expectations. All the songs very nice especially the songs Aidhu rojulu, and Sare Jaha are extra ordinary.We know that in recent past Mani Sharma has disappointed the audience many times. But this time he has n’t repeated it. Composed the songs which are entertaining mega fans.

Visuals which were released along with this audio is really superb. In the trailers also the music is awesome. Earlier Mani has composed music to Allu Arjun’s Parugu which was also super hit. Already huge hype was there on this movie with this audio its increased.

Tamil hero Arya has acted as villain this movie. Gunashekhar who has delivered utter flops in recent past is on fire to deliver hit at any cost.

[Via http://musicsmagics.wordpress.com]

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Upen Patel Tuesday

Aaaaah…..

[Via http://tigeryogiji.wordpress.com]

Piggies in Indian Express

In 1929 British crime writer Ronald Knox codiefied a set of 10 commandments, a decalogue for all crime writers. The rules included that no Chinamen should feature in the plot, only one hidden passage or room was allowed and that the friend of the detective, the Watson, must not hide any thoughts from the reader.

Mumbai-based Smita Jain cares nothing for these rules: her detectives are smart, stylish, urban women who will fix their make up while chasing a lead. Her first offering, Kkrishnaa’s Konfessions sold well and Jain decided to pen another titled Piggies on the Railway (Tranquebar-Westland).

But with her new private investigator Kasthuri Kumar, Jain is creating a detective series for her readers. “You can call it chicklit-cum-crime. There is a mystery, a ditzy detective more in tune with glamour and celebrity, dishy dudes, bitchy women and smart repartee,” says Jain.

Read the full article.

[Via http://smitajain.wordpress.com]

Sunday, March 7, 2010

‘Ye Maya Chesave’ Hindi Remkae With Siddarth?

The new hit on the box office records is ‘Ye Maya Chesave’. Yes, the tender and honest romantic entertainer from Gautham Menon has struck the hearts of many youngsters. This has also given the much needed success for Naga Chaitanya, son of Nagarjuna.

Now, the news is that ‘Em Maya Chesave’ is likely to be on its way to Bollywood and for that, they are looking at the southern stud Siddarth. Though no confirmations are received, the talks are said to be on and the fix is said to be with the heroine as to who can be like the sweet Samantha.

For now, Siddarth is busy with his ‘Yodha’ and given the penchant for quality that Gautham has, the project would take a while to really take off it gets confirmed. For now, the thought has excited the Bollywood folks so the coming days will reveal more about the matter.

[Via http://abhiakash.wordpress.com]