| The Fighter Review Posted: 27 Feb 2011 02:06 AM PST 
Hollywood has done endless sports films, of rising against the odds. One of the most popular sub-genre in this is boxing films. In this over populated field, is there a possibility for doing something new? As 'The Fighter' shows, there indeed is. Micky Ward is a boxer who is no more in his prime and is more like a stepping stone for bigger boxers. The reason for this is his family, especially his brother Dicky, a crack addict who, as a former boxer, is also his trainer. After a brawl caused by Dicky almost causes Micky to lose his hand and land Dicky in prison, Micky decides to take life in his own hands. When Dicky returns, now reformed, Micky does not want him. But can the two brothers really stay separate. The family - the greatest source of strength and support for an individual, can also become his weakness. And that is what Mickey faces. But if the family comes together once again, an individual can achieve anything. Thus, while 'Rocky' was about an individual pushing himself to the top, 'Raging Bull' about a self-destructive boxer pulling himself down, 'Cinderella Man' about the interference of politics and economics, 'The Fighter' is the fight of an entire family that touches rock bottom only to stand by each other and emerge stronger. Hence, though the main protagonist is Micky, the story is really not about him. It is more Dicky's story, the crack addict who is an embarrassment not just to the family but to the entire town. It is not whether Micky can do it, but whether Dicky can improve himself because often a family is as strong as its weakest member. The uneasy relationship of a family with each other, is one of the most soaring achievements of 'The Fighter'. And this is exactly what moves the film from the realms of being a mere boxing film, to becoming a soaring family film that will stay relevant through the ages. Christian Bale soars in his portrayal of a delusional addict Dicky. The performance could have gone over the top for an actor with lesser skills. But Bale's delicate handling of a man who rises from his own ashes is deserving of an Oscar, something that can also be said of director David O. Russell who is also up for best director Oscar. IANS |
| Bipasha Basu’ s controversial Twitter pic which raised the child labour issue Posted: 27 Feb 2011 02:04 AM PST 
Bipasha Basu joined in the social networking site, Twitter, late but it seems that she has put her foot in trouble. She was accused of promoting child labour when she posted a pic of hers showing two little girls tying her shoe laces. The pic read, "I need to learn to tie shoe laces ASAP! Embarrassed that I can`t! No patience grrrrr! Promise I am not spoilt! Will learn soon". The pic immediately sparked extreme reactions. A follower of her wrote, "Bipasha should be arrested for this act. Only then these film studios will not do any child labour". Another one posted:, "Disgraceful Bips - cannot believe you are dumb enough to add this photo on Twitter!" Bipasha immediately deleted the pic from her Twitter page and wrote: "Well, the people helping me in the pics are my friend and sister, who I help often with the same! So am sorry if it hurt anyone' s sentiments!" She later added, "About the pic, the pair of boots were a different pair so my sis and my friend were helping me and I thought it looked damn funny n took d pic as a joke!… A pic put 4 fun gets picked up by people as `child labour` is absolutely unbelievable. Just so that all get it right: neither of the two are children!… Also `child labour` is a serious issue that can`t be used in such a light connotation," she wrote in a number of tweets. "I wish that the ones who created such a furore n reacted immensely, actually do something worthy against child labour," she wrote. |
| I was darker than alcoholic Arthur: Russell Brand Posted: 27 Feb 2011 01:41 AM PST 
London, Feb 27 - British comedian Russell Brand, who has battled alcoholism and drug addiction, admits he was much darker than the alcoholic character he plays in 'Arthur'. Brand plays drunken millionaire playboy Arthur Bach in the remake of the popular 1981 film. 'My own personal experiences of frivolity and extravagance were helpful to draw upon I suppose but not really my experience as an alcoholic and drug addict. There's an innocence to Arthur - even though he likes to drink - whereas I was quite dark,' contactmusic.com quoted him as saying. Director Jason Winer is all praise for Brand's acting skills and said he thinks the movie will make people realise there is more to the comedian than they think. 'He is at an interesting point in his career where people still think of him as the bad boy, the 'Shagger of the Year'. But this will show he's much more thoughtful, introspective and smarter than anyone would suspect,' Winer said. IANS |
| Siddharth Mallya talks about Deepika Padukone Posted: 26 Feb 2011 08:34 AM PST 
Feb 26, Bangalore: Siddharth Mallya is the director of 'Royal challengers Bangalore', and general manager of United Spirits ltd. He is the son of Vijay Mallya, who is the chairman of United Breweries Group, Kingfisher Airlines, Force India F1 Team, Royal Challengers Bangalore. Siddharth is UK born and bred. And he moved to India, just a year back. Siddharth's affair with supemodel turned actress Deepika Padukone is widely speculated. Deepika is the brand ambassador of Kingfisher airlines and loves to work for the Mallyas. Now, she is the brand ambassador of Royal Challengers Bangalore as well. Day by day, Siddharth and Deepika's proximity is rising and the duo is spotted together often. Siddharth even threw a birthday party for her in Copenhagen on her birthday. They were seen romancing in public. Both of them were quite open about their relationship. It was learnt that, Siddharth gifted Dippy a 16 crore flat in Mumbai. But when Siddharth was interviewed on this particular topic, he asked the reporter to help him buy a flat of Rs 16 crore, he would like to buy for himself one first, then would think about gifting flats to others. He even cross questioned the reporters that whether it is wise to think that accompanying Dippy, who is the brand ambassador of RCP, means he is dating her! |
| The IIFA in Canada to be promoted by Khiladi Akshay Kumar Posted: 26 Feb 2011 08:33 AM PST 
Feb 26, Toronto: After a rupture in the alliance of megastar Amitabh Bachchan with the organisers of IIFA, the organisers of IIFA is looking for a new brand ambassador. Mr. Bachchan was the face of IIFA for more than a decade. Bachchan missed the IIFA weekend which was held in Sri Lanka the last year. And this resulted in the rift between Amitabh and IIFA. This year IIFA will be held in Toronto, Canada. And the organisers of IIFA are seriously thinking about Khiladi Akshay Kumar, to be made the new face. He will be promoting the event in Canada this time. But, no final decision has yet been made, about who should be the IIFA brand ambassador. International Indian Film Academy, popularly known as IIFA, helps in promoting Indian cinema worldwide, to reach out to the millions of fans. Its spearheaded by Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd. Acclaimed as the "Oscars Of Bollywood", it has successfully showcased the treasures of Indian film. IIFA has travelled through London, Malaysia, Johannesburg, Yorkshire, Thailand, Colombo, and many other places. Akki is overjoyed to get a chance of promoting IIFA in Canada. He has got a huge number of fans there. He expressed that Canada is a very charming place, and he even suggests his directors and producers to shoot in Canada. Canadians love Bollywood movies and bollywood stars are very popular over there. However, Salman is also considered by IIFA as the star who can be the face of IIFA, besides Akshay. |
