Bin Laden movie to premiere in US ahead of election

  

A big-name Hollywood fundraiser for Barack Obama is releasing the first feature film about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden two days before the US presidential election.

'SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama bin Laden' is distributed by Harvey Weinstein, the respected movie mogul who
hosted the president at a celebrity-studded fundraising event in New England last month.

In a press release, the National Geographic Channel said it would premiere 'SEAL Team Six' on November 4 after its president Howard Owens and Weinstein discussed 'the insight the film is sure to evoke in all Americans.'

The film -- directed by John Stockwell and produced for theatrical release by Nicholas Chartier, who produced the Oscar-winning war film 'The Hurt Locker' -- will then go onto Netflix movie screening website.

In a trailer posted online today, characters are heard saying 'We're going to be the team that takes out Osama' and 'the president of the United States is going to be staking his presidency on this call.'

Obama personally gave the green light for US Navy SEAL commandos to target Bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan on May 2, 2011 in a daring night-time raid that killed the al-Qaeda leader responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

'This portrayal of the events that took place that night is moving, to say the very least,' said Weinstein in the National Geographic Channel press release.

'I anticipate audiences will be as captivated as I was from the beginning to the end,' he added.

'And I'm extremely proud as an American citizen to play a role in making sure this stunning portrayal over very recent American history is available in as many homes as possible.'

Opinion polls had put Obama, gunning for a second White House term, ahead of Mitt Romney prior to a televised debate Wednesday in which Romney came out the victor in the eyes of most political analysts.

Weinstein, executive producer of films as diverse as 'The English Patient,' 'The Artist' and the most recent 'Rambo' movie in a filmmaking career dating back to the 1970s, is a well-known supporter of the Democratic party.

His exclusive Obama fundraiser in August at his seaside compound in Westport, Connecticut was attended by about 50 people, the Hollywood Reporter trade journal reported. Tickets cost $ 38,5000 each.

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Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' to open 43rd IFFI in Goa

13 Oct 2012 

Oscar award-winning director Ang Lee's film 'Life of Pi' will open the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which gets underway from Nov 20, festival official Shankar Mohan said Friday.

Mohan, a senior official of the ministry for information and broadcasting and in-charge of organising the festival, also said that Meera Nair's film 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist' will be the closing film of the festival.

The decision on the films was taken following a meeting of festival officials in Goa late Friday evening.

'Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' will open the 43rd IFFI. The film has been adapted from Yann Martel's book by a similar name,' Mohan said, adding that Nair's film picked to close the festival, was also an adaptation of author Salman Rushdie's book.

Mohan also said that over Rs.6 crore would be spent for the organisation of the IFFI this year and that this year's edition of the festival would be dedicated to Indian cinema's completion of 100 years in existence.

'We are dedicating a major segment of our film selection to the 100 years which Indian cinema has completed. It is a significant landmark for all film lovers,' Mohan said.

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The Artist', Meryl Streep top winners at Oscars

27 Feb 2012

 




Los Angeles: French silent drama 'The Artist' triumphed over Hollywood biggies to win five awards including best picture, director and leading actor honours at this year's Oscars where Meryl Streep was crowned the best actress.The black-and white movie, director Michel Hazanavicius's tribute to the early days of Hollywood, became the first silent film to win best picture since 'Wings' in 1929. It beat eight rivals for the top prize, including Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo', Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris' and 'The Help'. Scorsese's 'Hugo' won five trophies in technical categories on Sunday night.Streep, the most nominated actress in the Academy history with 17 nods, looked dazzling as she accepted her third Oscar and her first in the last 30 years for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 'The Iron Lady.' Streep, 62, previously won for 1979 film 'Kramer vs Kramer' and 1982's 'Sophie's Choice'. 

'Oh my God! thank you so much. When they called my name, I had the feeling I could hear half of America going, 'oh, come on, her again?,' Streep said while accepting the trophy to a standing ovation. 'The Artist' stars Jean Dujardin plays silent hero George Valentin, who fades when Hollywood makes its transition to talkies from silent movies. 'Oh! thank you. I love your country,' said an overwhelmed Dujardin as he accepted the best actor trophy. The 39-year-old actor repeated his trademark dance before exiting the stage. The 82-year-old Christopher Plummer won his long overdue Oscar in the best supporting actor category for his portrayal of a gay father in 'The Beginners' while best actress honours went to Octavia Spencer for her role of sassy house maid in 'The Help'.'The Artist', nominated in 10 categories, also won Oscars for best original score and best costume design. 

Hugo', with 11 nominations, won five trophies in the technical categories including the Visual Effects, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Cinematography and Art Direction. Best supporting winner Plummer, 82, became the oldest actor to win the Oscar in a night where first timers rubbed shoulders with veterans. 'You're only two years older than me, darling. Where have you been all my life? When I first emerged from my mother's womb I was already rehearsing my Oscar speech,' said an emotional Plummer as he held his trophy at the 84th Oscar awards. '...but it was so long ago...mercifully I forgot it,' he added.

Plummer was competing with Kenneth Branagh in 'My Week with Marilyn', Jonah Hill in 'Moneyball', Nick Nolte in Warrior'and Max von Sydow in 'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close'. Best supporting actress Spencer was out of breath as she thanked director Tate Taylor and her co-stars. 'I share this with everybody. Thank you world,' Spencer said.

She beat Berenice Bejo in 'The Artist', Jessica Chastain in 'The Help' Melissa McCarthy in 'Bridesmaids' Janet McTeer
in 'Albert Nobbs'.George Clooney, who had turned in his career's best performance in 'The Descendants', was expected to get the best actor honour but was beaten by Dujardin. The film picked up its only Oscar in the best adapted screenplay category for director Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. Woody Allen won the original Screenplay Oscar for
'Midnight In Paris', about a novelist adrift in a romantic re-imagining of 1920s Paris. Allen, 76, has been nominated for an Oscar 23 times and this was his fourth win. The filmmaker was not present at the event to accept the honour like always.Johnny Depp voiced 'Rango' defeated 'A Cat in Paris', 'Chico & Rita', 'Kung Fu Panda 2', 'Puss in Boots' to win Gore 
Verbinski an Oscar in the best animated category.

'A Separation', directed by Asghar Farhadi, became the first Iranian film to win the best foreign Oscar trophy. 'At this time, many Iranians all over the world are watching us and I imagine them to be very happy. '...when talk of war, intimidation and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their country, Iran, is spoken here through her glorious culture, her rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics,' Farhadi said in his acceptance speech.
Film editing honours went to Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall for 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. 'Undefeated', by TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Rich Middlemas, won the Oscar in the documentary feature category. 

'Saving Face', by Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, brought Pakistan its first Oscar in the documentary short category. 'Iron Lady' also won Mark Coulier and J Roy Helland Oscar trophies in the make-up category.'Man or Muppet' from 'The Muppets' won Bret McKenzie a trophy in the original song category. 'The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore' by William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg won in the short film animated category where as 'The Shore' by Terry George and Oorlagh George took home the trophy in the short film live action category.The 84th Academy awards were hosted by funnyman Billy Crystal.

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Hot water, drug cocktail drowned Whitney

Hot water, drug cocktail drowned Whitney

05 Apr 2012

Whitney Houston drowned in a hot bathtub in a Beverly Hills hotel room with cocaine in her system and white powder nearby, a final coroner's report revealed on Wednesday. Detectives found white powdery substances, a rolled-up piece of paper, a small spoon and a mirror in the bathroom shortly after Houston's naked body was found face down in the bathtub on Feb 11, the 40-page Los Angeles County coroner's report said. Houston, 48, had a history of drug addiction. An autopsy in March determined she died of accidental drowning due to the effects of cocaine and heart disease. Wednesday's report revealed that Houston had a perforated nose, indicating substance abuse, filled with a bloody discharge. 
Detectives said she was found in about 12 inches (30 cm) of extremely hot water, which was determined to be 93 Fahrenheit (34 Celsius) so me six hours after her death. 

The singer also had traces of marijuana in her system and an open bottle of champagne was found in her room at the Beverly Hilton, hours before she was due to attend a pre-Grammy party. On a counter in the bathroom, detectives found 'a small spoon with a crystal-like substance in it and a rolled up piece of white paper.' In a drawer, they found 'a white powdery substance and a portable mirror on a base' together with more remnants of powder on the base of the mirror. Wednesday's report did not identify the substance.

The I Will Always Love You singer appears to have been left alone in the hotel room for less than an hour. Houston had complained of a sore throat and her personal assistant advised the singer to have a bath to get ready for the party while she went to a nearby Neiman Marcus department store to pick up items for her appearance. When the assistant returned, she found a naked Houston face down in the bathtub and unresponsive, according to the report. Houston was one of the world's best known singers in the 1980s and 1990s with hits such as Saving All My Love For You and I Wanna Dance with Somebody. 

But her career declined during a tumultuous, drug-fueled 15-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown.She was last known to have entered drug rehabilitation in May 2011 but celebrity media reported that she was seen drinking heavily and behaving erratically in the three or four days before her death. Houston's family said in statement last month that they were 'saddened to have learned of the toxicology results' that revealed recent cocaine use, but were glad to have closure.

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I need better written roles, says Asin

30 Jul 2012

South import Asin, who has carved a place for herself in Bollywood, still craves for better roles that are written well. After making a successful debut opposite Aamir Khan in 2008 blockbuster 'Ghajini', she followed it up with films like 'Ready', 'Housefull 2' and 'Bol Bachchan'. But she feels more is yet to come. 'I am happy I have come this far here (Bollywood) on my
own without godfathers, grandfathers or millionaire boyfriends. It is rare for an artist to get acceptance by the north as well as the south audiences, and I have thankfully managed that,' Asin told PTI in an exclusive interview. 'But one measures ones success based on what one has achieved so far in comparison to what one is capable of. And I feel I am capable of much more and for that I need better written roles. I just hope that comes my way,' she said. 

With the huge success of 'Bol Bachchan', it seems comedy is a lucky genre for Asin but the actress denies it saying it is all about making the right choices. 'I don't attribute any 'luck' to Bol Bachchan's success.It was an entertaining, commercial film which was bound to do well and I guess I have the knack of picking up such universally appealing, fun, masala movies which turn to be successful,' Asin said. 'A lot of this so called 'luck' is a combination of making the right choices and hard work,' she said. Having tasted success with light hearted films like 'Ready', 'Housefull 2', 'Bol Bachchan', Asin says it is just a
coincidence that she has all bubbly movies in her kitty. 


So does she see herself doing only comedies? 'It was just a coincidence that these three movies came to me back-to-back and they were big projects and people would call me foolish if I would have turned them down. Though I love doing comedy, I would also like to explore other genres. I hope such an opportunity comes my way,' she said. Despite so many comedy films churning out every year, one hasn't seen a heroine at the centre of a comedy film. On which Asin feels most of the films are restricted to heroes. 'I think not just in terms of comedy films that heroes are in the centre, a lot of the stories of our films have meaty parts restricted only to the heroes. I hope that changes,' she said. PTI

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AAA Radcliffe named wealthiest young star

Actor Daniel Radcliffe has been named Britain's richest star under the age of 30 for the second year running.

Radcliffe's 53.3 million pound fortune has landed him at the top of the young rich list compiled by British magazine Heat, reports contactmusic.com.

The 23-year-old's earnings placed him above Robert Pattinson, who has earned 38.73 million pound, and Keira Knightley, who is third in the list with 32.7 million pound.

Actress Emma Watson retained her fourth place with 26.5 million pound earning, and One Direction have bagged fifth place with a collective fortune of 26.3 million pound.

Singers Adele, Leona Lewis and Cheryl Cole were also named in the top 10 list.

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If I'm satisfied, I'd be creatively dead: Amitabh Bachchan

Forty-three years in showbiz, over 180 films, national and international honours in his kitty and not to forget a huge fan following - Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has achieved a lot, but as an actor he never wants to be satisfied.

'I think every actor would wish there is some challenge that is left. I would consider to be creatively dead if I were to say that I am satisfied now,' Big B told IANS in an interview in his trademark baritone.

'I think no actor should be ever satisfied because there is always something new to do, something fresh to get challenged by... I do hope there are filmmakers who will challenge me, who will create stories and characters that would excite me enough and provoke me to perhaps take up a job; so, as I said, I hope I never get satisfied,' added the megastar who is called a 'living legend' thanks to many milestones in his career.

From flops to stardom, from failure to scaling dizzying heights of success again, he has seen both good and bad times.

But he said he doesn't feel like looking back to his past, and added: 'I don't spend much time looking back at what happened. I do remember it, but I don't see any purpose of wanting to look back. I should only look back at moments that were disparaging, look down upon, negative for me - moments where I could learn something. And if I have been able to use that learning in future, then I am happy about it.'

A human being is on the right track if he or she learns from the bad phases of life, he said.

'I do believe that every human being will have ups and downs and I do believe that if we can learn from the periods when we were down, then we are on the right track.

'I would not want to change anything if I had to live another life. I would want the negatives to be there, I would want the downs to be there, because if everything is going to be good for you, then why are you here? You might as well be in heaven. There is some reason why we are here and this is what we all believe in,' he said philosophically.

He wants to face 'those obstacles because they taught me what I should be doing or how I should be conducting myself'.

'If I haven't had all those obstacles, I would have never learnt all that. I feel blessed that I had downs in my life because they were actually lessons for me.'

From 'Zanjeer' to 'Deewar', 'Sholay' to 'Shakti', he has playd larger-than-life characters on screen in his career, but says no role is big enough or too small.

'They are all tough roles. Every day is a test for me. It's an examination. No role is small enough, no role is big enough - they are all equal examinations...this is how I look at it.

'Whether it is a guest role, whether it's a passing role or a leading role - I always feel that there is a huge amount of concentration, work and the thinking process going into it. I treat each role with the same amount of equality,' said Amitabh.

Recently he turned 70 and is wowing his fan as the host of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 6'. He doesn't seem to have any plans to hang up his boots in the near future.

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