The Monuments Men review by ANIZ FILMVALA

The Monuments Men 

review  by

ANIZ FILMVALA 

*****

Directed by George Clooney ‘The Monuments Men’ is a true story and a tribute to the unsung heroes who lost their life in the search operation of the priceless art treasure, the history says that In World War II around in 1943, Frank Stokes [George Clooney ] persuades the US President that triumph of the allies will be insignificant if the art treasures of Western society are vanished or stolen in the warfare. Hence to recover the missing art and to restore it he is ordered to bring together an Army unit as designated ‘The Monuments Men’ as a team of seven come together to guide Allied units and search for stolen art.

Somewhere in occupied Paris, Claire Simone[Cate Blanchett] a curator, is forced by a Nazi officers like Viktor Stahl to keep an eye on the theft of art for Adolf Hitler's proposed Führermuseum in Linz.James Granger[Matt Damon] comprehend that Simone will not assist with those who are art looters. So the unit makes division to search for various objectives to be successful. While In the search Donald Jeffries[Hugh Bonneville] of the British Army is killed attempting to prevent the Nazi Colonel Wegner from stealing a statue of the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo.

In conclusion, they locate a German mine which is devastated and is in the part of the Soviet occupied region. Finally they recover the enormous quantity of gold and invaluable artwork.

Though the film lacks the pace and vivid truth of such heist which occurred. It’s more of a comedy with witty lines and an ensemble cast of great oldies. Some brilliant outdoor scenes shot by American Cinematographer Phedon Papamichael is praise worthy, a soothing background score by Alexandre Desplat which matches with the period and gratifies the pleasure of watching the movie.

Cast

George Clooney as Lt. Frank Stokes

Matt Damon as Lt. James Granger

Bill Murray as Sgt. Richard Campbell

John Goodman as Sgt. Walter Garfield

Jean Dujardin as Lt. Jean Claude Clermont

Bob Balaban as Pvt. Preston Savitz

Hugh Bonneville as Lt. Donald Jeffries

Cate Blanchett as Claire Simone

Sam Hazeldine as Colonel Langton

Dimitri Leonidas as Sam Epstein

‘ITS OUR STUDIO’ flaunts their funk with their flagship store in Mumbai

‘ITS OUR STUDIO’ flaunts their funk with their flagship store in Mumbai

Trendy and quirky lifestyle brand ‘ITS OUR STUDIO’ after being established and showcasing phenomenal variety of styles on its website has launched its flagship store in Tardeo, Mumbai over the weekend with boxes full of vibrant and eccentric accessories at competitive prices. Established in 2011 by Samir Virani, this new home of fabulous fashion accessories is a synonym for trendy yet sophisticated, peculiar and extremely functional everyday use products. With this launch, the brand known for its exquisite collection and customizing merchandises in many known films is sure to bring out the inner funk in every persons routine.

Speaking on the launch of ITS OUR STUDIO store, Samir Virani says, “Planning is a key part of any successful procurement. ITS OUR STUDIO offers a range of quality driven, innovative products in lifestyle, corporate and merchandising sector and is an established brand in its niche market. We don't aim to cater only to the younger generation but infact would want to be known as a brand that has something for people of every age group. I am certain that the new store will help us successfully attain the target that we have set for the company as all products are exceptional and a design enthusiast’s delight”

The Flagship offers spacious, chic interiors that have got a stylish and exciting ambience for its patrons. With the amalgamation of quirky yet trendy look, it consists of all fun elements added to it to give an overall extravagant experience. ITS OUR STUDIO is certainly a lifestyle destination with a difference. ITS OUR STUDIO offers a variety of innovative products and accessories so you can be sure to get elegant merchandises like shot glasses, ashtrays, customized stationery, accessories, personalized gifts for occasions, and funky mugs for coffee and tea lovers and more exclusively made for you. So treat yourself with something special this season of love.

'Jackky denies, his Role is not Inspired by real life politician'

'Jackky denies, his Role is not Inspired by real life politician'

Youngistaan, which is produced by MSM Motion Pictures and Pooja Entertainment and Films Ltd. is been making news these days that this movie is based on real life politician due to Jackky Bhagnani's appearances at the promotional events of movie and also his character portrays a young dynamic politician who has a live-in relationship. Whereas Jackky declines these rumours and explains that how his character, Abhimanyu Kaul is not inspired by real life politician. 

Jackky says, "It's not based on any real-life politician. Instead, he is a mixture of mannerisms of several legislators." He adds,"I play a leader who the country would want. My character isn't based on anyone in particular. He is a 28-year-old Politician who goes on dates, introduces nation to modern banking reforms, teaches them how to e-vote and doesn't play blame games. He believes in the policy that if you want change, you have to be the change."

Jackky further states that Abhimanyu Kaul knows how to keep his personal and professional life different. "I think young India is ready for lot of changes. My character shows the divide between the old-school and modern-day mindsets. He doesn't go against his culture, but brings about a revolution. The current political turmoil helps us. When everyone in the real world is playing blame game, here's a guy who owns up whenever he has messed up. He says,'don't vote for me if you don't wish to, but cast your ballot at least."

Fatigue takes a toll on Deepika's health

Deepika Padukone is known for her professional conduct and all her directors and producers have always had good things to say about her.

 

She is extremely punctual and pushes herself till her uttermost capacity.

She is known to have medicines and continue shooting even when she is under the weather. Infact last week itself she worked for 30 hours straight. 

 

After shooting for Happy New Year for 16 odd hours, Deepika rushed for her dance performance at an award function. Not only did she perform, she also did a thorough rehearsal with the team before that.

However the young actress had a sudden bout of ill health over the weekend (Saturday)

 

Deepika was shooting till wee hours on Friday and almost fainted.

She woke up running high temperature on Saturday and felt extremely weak. A doctor was rushed home who advised her strict bed rest.

Deepika who is a workoholic would usually skip his advice, take medication and head straight to the studio but this time around, she was physically drained

She had a hectic day ahead with a magazine shoot and brand commitment to keep.... However she very weak and hence had no option but to stay home and rest.

Spokesperson of Deepika confirms "Deepika health has taken a toll. The doctor has strictly advised her complete rest for couple of days."

Sonam Kapoor known for her great sense of fashion

Sonam Kapoor known for her great sense of fashion also has a good taste for art and heritage architecture.

In Mumbai, Sonam loves South part of the city & the kind of buildings there. Every time the actress visits there she has been heard talking about the kind of architecture the place has. The actress especially likes the old building of the theaters Eros, Regal, Liberty and the old British buildings.

The actress recently shot on a very famous building in the South Mumbai. The entire shoot took place on the roof top.

Sonam was elated to be at a vantage point from where she could see the beautiful tower tops of the building.

Vidyut Jamwal the young Akshay Kumar

Vidyut Jamwal, whose films Force and Commando did extremely well especially in Punjab is getting calls from distributors there telling him how they feel he is the younger Akshay Kumar of the industry.

They told him how there is an equal craze for his films in Punjab like it was for an Akshay Kumar action film.

Even his fans feel there are a lot of similarities between the two actors.

Some of them being their absolute love for fitness and their very strong association with Martial arts.

While we have seen Akshay Kumar doing a lot of action movies in the past, we see how the only action hero of this generation, Vidyut Jamwal has picked movies for the love of action.

When Vidyut's fans wrote to him to congratulate him for the Umeed Ka Naya Chehra award that he won at Zee Cine awards recently for Commando, many also mentioned to him how he is the younger version of Akshay Kumar.

Aditya Roy Kapur does recce for Fitoor

Aditya Roy Kapur accompanies his director of Fitoor opposite Katrina, Abhishek Kapoor for the recce to Kashmir.

The actor has put the rumors to reset of the film to be shelved as rumored earlier.

Aditya, who is currently shooting for Habib Faisal's Dawat-e-Ishq with Parineeti Chopra, had some days off from the shoot when he decided to accompany Abhishek for the recce.

The actor took keen interest in going for the recce to see the beauty of Kashmir and the probable locations where they would shoot for his upcoming next.

Aditya and Abhishek spent about 6-7 days in Kashmir in search of locations and as scheduled the film will go on floors in June - July 2014.

Aditya said, "I like to be involved with my films from the beginning. It helps me understand the whole film and my character better. So when I got to know that the recce of Fitoor was starting I was keen to make the trip. "

SOCIAL MEDIA TO SET A RED CARPET FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IMC FUSION 2014

SOCIAL MEDIA TO SET A RED CARPET FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IMC FUSION 2014 turned into a discussion platform on how social media is going global and facilitating growth across media platforms

Mumbai, 15 February 2013: IMC FUSION 2014, a conference presented by Indian Merchant's Chamber (IMC), was followed up with a series of panel discussions on the major roles played by the social media in today’s three most dynamic sectors – Entertainment, Media and Sports industry.  Ramesh Sippy and Subhash Ghai were most honourable guests inaugurated this third edition of IMC Fusion 2014. This conference was divided into six sessions which focused on several trending social media topics in this generation. It also witnessed the launch of a Knowledge Paper on Multi Screen Behavior: A Study on Emerging Consumer Dynamics.

The IMC FUSION 2014 Conference was organized under the auspices of IMC’s Entertainment, Media & Sports Committee chaired by Mr. Manmohan Shetty and co-chaired by Ms. Bharathi Pradhan, Mr. Sanjoy Chakrabarty and Mr. Mir Ranjan Negi.  As in the first two editions, Mr. Kabir Bedi was the Host of IMC FUSION 2014.

The first session included an in-depth discussion on the urgency of software for today’s media content. ‘What prevents Indian media content to extend globally?’ This question received several views from the panelists. Indian media needs to bring in more variety of local and adventurous content at the same time. Gajendra Singh, Founder of Saai Baba Telefilms Pvt Ltd. said, “In order to make the Indian content globally known, the Indian media needs to pay attention toward showcasing an interesting content, helping the marketing team, co-producers to make the Broadcasters buy it and promote it eventually.”

The Broadcasters go forward with a long term investment into a show only if it creates TRP’S but instead it should also turn its attention to a simple and multi-lingual content at the same time. Anupam Mandoloi, Managing Director of Freemantle India, added, “The fact is that India does not have a distribution network and sufficient bandwidth to tap content across the world.” Siddharth Basu, Managing Director, Big Synergy Media Ltd, highlighted further, “Media Partnership between the Government and the Broadcasters can increase the scope of Indian content worldwide.”

‘Does social media affect Traditional Journalism?’ To this, Suchitra Iyer, Editor of Society Magazine, said, “It has in a way challenged the print media, as celebrities leak out their latest happenings using social media platforms.” Harshil Karia, Co-founder Foxymoron, said, “The mobile device reaches out faster than any other media device.” It in fact helps print media to reinvent news, which proves that social media and print media are the two important wheels of mainstream media.”

‘Major role of social media for sports’, the most trending topic for new generation media was also analysed. Digital platforms, especially ‘Twitter’ has proven to be a branded content mechanism in giving out a wider media coverage to sports. Vinod Bhanushali, President, Marketing, T-Series said, “Social media not only adds a spice to sports but also helps the music industry which includes Youtube and Twitter.”

New Delhi Television (NDTV), a pioneer leading in India’s news television, was presented with the Excellence Award in Media. Mr. Sreenivasan Jain, Managing Editor, NDTV was present to receive the award and thanked the IMC Fusion Jury. While accepting the award Mr. Sreenivasan Jain added, “Receiving a prestigious award actually creates a standard and encourages us to even improve and set new standards for the content of news overall.”

The different business aspects of the Indian cinema were also highlighted by Komal Nahta, Editor, Film information, Mukesh Bhatt, Producer / Director, Ramesh S Taurani, Producer, Tips Industries Limited. The availability of multi-screen theatres has led to the change in the normal mindset of Indians who prefer to experience the movie first in the theatres. This helps Indian Cinema industry to earn the maximum revenue possible.

“This year we have taken the brand Fusion closure to the young minds. In association with Indian Education society, we reached out to many colleges across the city, unleashed a major social media campaign to engage the youth, invited the students to participate in a contest. The contest was to encourage the young students to develop extremely interesting creative & innovative contents on social media platforms. The teams participated with zeal and enthusiasm, and we are happy to have the winners with us here today,” Mr. Shailesh Vaidya, President, IMC.

The sessions covered in the Conference included discussions on:

• Urgent Call For Software: It’s High Time Indian TV Content Went Global
• Netagiri & Worrisome Issues:  Can SOCIAL MEDIA Influence Change?
• Youthful SOCIAL MEDIA Workshop By FOXYMORON
• Gimme Instant Updates: Have Multi-screen Options Changed News & Sports Viewership?
• Breasting The Rs 300 Crore Mark: Business Booms In Indian Cinema

“The Monuments Men” opens February 21st 2014 in India.

 

Fox Star Studios  
'The Monuments Men'

Director:  George Clooney

Monuments Men is based on a true story about a group of men — including art historians and museum directors with Boston and Cambridge ties — who went behind enemy lines during WWII to rescue great artworks being looted by the Nazis.

Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin,  Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray

Sajid Nadiawala is raring to go

First thought that comes to mind when we think of Sajid Nadaidwala is trust and dependability. Actors, directors keep returning back to his banner to work with him as he creates a comfortable and creatively conducive environment for ideas to become successful films. 

As a producer and now director, he has a bond with the talent that goes beyond the immediate film and becomes a relationship for life. In July this year, he will be debuting as a director with one of the biggest superstars Salman Khan with Kick. Little later he has a thriller lined up with hit machine Katrina Kaif and chhote nawab Saif Ali Khan called Phantom, directed by Kabir Khan. Then he also plans to reunite Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in a new project to be helmed by Imtiaz Ali, who is also directing his Highway. 

Along the way he has two new kids on the block - Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in his 2 States which he is co-producing with none other than Karan Johar. In the midst of working with the biggest superstars and directors of the country, he will be launching a rank newcomer - Jackie Shroff's son Tiger in Heropanti. And on top of that he is diversifying into different genres of cinema. Sajid Nadiadwala, one of the biggest producers of Bollywood has his hands full and how! 

"I made commercial films and now I want to be associated with other kinds of cinema. It gives me a big high to be part of diverse themes. It feels great that I am launching new talents and at the same time working with people I have been a fan of and look up to, like Imtiaz and Kabir. It is a great experience to see how they visualize their films," says Sajid.

Rajat Kapoor has written to Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejiriwal

Rajat Kapoor has written to Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejiriwal to show them Ankhon Dekhi. Rajat Kapoor recently launched the trailer of his upcoming movie Ankhon Dekhi, which has got great response by the audience.

Rajat Kapoor who has directed the movie has been very keen and elated to show the movie to the people involved in the Aam Admi Party.

A very unusual storyline Akhon Dekhi is a story of a man who decided to believe in what he sees rather then what people ask him to believe.  Rajat feels that the theme of the films and the Aam Admi party is same.

Like Aam Admi Party when some common people came together and now stand as a powerful group who have decided to bring a change themselves. Akhon Dekhi is also a change that has been bought by a man for himself.

The director has written a letter to the them and have invited them to come and watch this movie.

Directed by Rajat Kapoor, with an interesting cast including Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Maya Sarao, etc, the film is set to release on 21st March.  

Says Rajat Kapoor "we all talk about the 'common man' a lot- There are big discussions around this common man.But he has just become a symbolic being.

What does he really look like? Who really is he?What are his needs? His aspirations? His desires?Perhaps Bauji in Ankhon Dekhi embodies that common man.It would be interesting to see how somebody like Arvind Kejriwal, for example react to this common man..I think it would be an interesting encounter."

Hot Air Balloon moments of Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan from the film 'Shaadi ke side Effects'

Actor Sidharth Malhotra graduates!!!

Actor Sidharth Malhotra graduates!!!

After the actor’s performance in his recently released film “Hasee Toh Phasee”, Sidharth Malhotra has definitely graduated from Karan Johar’s student of the year.

Sidharth Malhotra has been flooded with messages mails and flowers from his fans across. His performance is being appreciated by his fans as well as the industry folks. 

The performance which the actor has given in only his second film is just way beyond his experience.  Sidharth’s acting in the film has been quite mature and real which also justifies his character in the film. 

His character “Vishal” in the film has been extraordinarily loved by his huge female fan following,  who find Sidharth very attractive amongst the recently entered newcomers in town.

The actors cell phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the day of the film’s release. Sidharth has gathered immense attention and appreciation in only in his second film. We would soon see the actor opposite Shraddha Kapoor in The Villain.

"59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2013" Special issue launch by Deepika Padukone & Farhan Akhtar

Sunny Leone at the launch of BABY DOLL (RAGINI MMS-2)

MASTRAM A film by Akhilesh Jaiswal

MASTRAM

A film by Akhilesh Jaiswal

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Rajaram, a bank clerk in a small town, dreams of traveling to Delhi and becoming a reputed writer.  No one takes his litterateur aspirations seriously, least of all his uncle, who marries him off to the beautiful Renu.  Although a simpleton, Renu wholeheartedly supports her husband’s ambition. Edged on by her encouragement, Rajaram starts stealing writing time from his humdrum work routine, and is eventually forced to leave his job, when his boss publicly humiliates him, and derides his fancy aspirations.

To his utter surprise and delight, Renu unstintingly supports his decision, and starts doing odd jobs from home, while Rajaram begins to focus completely on his writing.  But, being a stay-at-home writer doesn’t go down too well with prying neighbors, who are quick to pass judgment on other peoples’ lives.  Rajaram becomes a butt of all jokes in the neighborhood.

Turning a deaf ear to the all the snubs, Rajaram starts in earnest to show his work to several publishers.  Each time he is rebuked.  They tell him he should stick to writing text book material, and give up fanciful ideas of writing a novel.

Finally, Rajaram encounters a fledgling publisher duo – Purohit and his brother-in-law, Bharti.  They agree to publish Rajaram’s story about the plight of a small town girl.  However, there is one hitch.  Rajaram would have to add some necessary sensational elements to his dull tale – some `masala’, as they refer to euphemistically. 

Rajaram is initially miffed by this writing brief.  The only meaning of `masala’ familiar to him is the kind that adds spice to food.  He is not sure what it means to bring that to his writing – till he meets Chacha, an eccentric, old village Idiot.  Chacha is an anomaly in the hypocritical society we live in – he is unashamed of showing Rajaram the spicier side of life and of saying it out loud.  He introduces Rajaram to the salacious and secret world of soft pornography.  It’s on everybody’s mind, but no one will admit it.  Chacha does.

Rajaram, scandalized at first, accedes to the “compromise”, and thus starts discovering another facet of literature – erotica.  He adopts the colorful pseudonym of `Mastram’ becomes the first author of the first pornographic novel seriesin the Hindi language.  He churns out colorful stories about sex that his eager readers voraciously devour.  Yet, Rajaram’s success still remains elusive to him, as all the glory is due to `Mastram’.

Will the “real” Mastram finally be exposed?  Will Rajaram’s sudden windfall arouse suspicion in his ever-supportive wife?  How will Rajaram face the hypocrisy of a society that secretly enjoys reading porn, but otherwise treats such matters with disdain? 

Director’s comment

The idea of “Mastram” came to me after I finished writing “Gangs of Wasseypur”.  I was searching for a unique idea.  I also wanted to pick on an issue that was relevant to contemporary Indian society.  Incidentally, that was the time when internet censorship by the Government of India was being disputed all over.  I was highly intrigued by the nature of the debate considering almost everyone I know surfs pornography on the internet.  I wanted to make thatsameissuethe core of my story.  Ironically, I found the inspiration to the film right next to my bed - a Hindi porn pulp book called “Mastram”.  This book is extremely popular in Northern India, despite its absence in big stores, being available only at in small dingy bookstalls near bus and train stations.  For the last 30 years, the book has been published as “Mastram”, with the author also credited as “Mastram”.

What really struck me the most was that despite being so popular, no one knows the real identity of the author.  Is it because we harbor disdain and derision for such impropriety?  Could we really accept such a person in our society?  The question thatintrigued me was, whether the writer’s family knows that he is actually “Mastram”.  That is the germ for the character of Rajaram.  I – and millions like me, I’m sure – can relate to Rajaram and his struggle to achieve his dreams, in the midst of his responsibility to his family.  Rajaram’s predicament as a clandestine writer of erotica, and how he faces his conservative famiy and society - this became the premise for my film.

Director’s biography

Hailing from the small town of Bhopal in central India, Akhilesh came to Mumbai in 2006 to pursue his Mass Communication degree from University of Mumbai.  Only a year later did he realize that he was ready to launch into his true calling -  film-making.  He dropped out after his first year of college, and ventured out in to the battlefield that film-making is.  Akhilesh’s big break was when he had the opportunity to co-write a seminal film in Indian cinema – AnuragKashyap’s `Gangs of Wasseypur’, which went on to premier at the Cannes Film Festival with much fanfare.

`Mastram’ is his directorial debut.