[ItzToday.com] Megamind Movie Review

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• Megamind Movie Review
• 'The Tourist' Movie Review
• Akshay Kumar's New Year act ahead of Christmas!
• Lucknow's Pankaj Bhadouria wins 'MasterChef India'
• Kamal Khan wins 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'
• Oscar Winning Hilary Swank to launch own fashion line
• After heartache, it's toothache for Elizabeth Hurley
• Pamela Anderson autographs drunk man's chest
• No rift between Rani Mukerjee and Vidya Balan: Director

Megamind Movie Review Posted: 25 Dec 2010 10:17 PM PST Film: "Megamind"; Director: Tom McGrath; Voiceovers: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Brad Pitt, David Cross, Jonah Hill; Rating: **** In a year where good to great animation films became the rule rather than an exception, and where one "Despicable Me" redefined our notions of villainy, comes "Megamind" that takes it to a totally different, hilarious and poignant level. What you have here is the wittiest comedy of the year. The rivalry between Megamind and Metroman is legendary in Metro City. Both alien survivors from other dying planets have different powers. While Metroman has superman like physical powers, Megamind creates gadgets with his mind and help from his minions. Metroman, always wins. Until one day, Megamind kills Metroman. With no one to stop him, he takes over Metro City but is bored as he no longer has any challenge. Afterall what's a villain without a hero? So, Megamind decides to create a hero so that his life as a super-villain finds purpose again. Only, he ends up creating a truly bad, evil villain. Would Megamind now stoop down to the level of becoming a hero to save Metro City? Megamind picks up the best elements from many films - most notably "Despicable Me" (story, motivation and cuteness of the super-villain), "Shrek" (spoofing of popular culture), "The Incredibles" and "Superman". With this it creates a truly unique, witty and funny film whose puns and surprises don't cease till the end. It is good writing, storytelling, direction and animation at its best possible. It's a take on Lacan's theory which talks about the fun of the chase and the end of fun after the desired object is acquired, and makes a fun-filled adventurous ride out of it. The wit and humour is stuff not of giggles, but uproarious laughter. The spoof on Marlon Brando as Kal-el in Superman takes top prizes in its ensemble of gags and funny lines. The animation work is also spot on. So much so that a discerning eye or multiple visitor to the film will find something every time. Yet, at the core of it, like "Despicable Me" and like Freud who states what we are today is due to our childhood experiences, questions society that is quick to alienate someone, that turns him first into an asocial and then into an anti-social creature. Yet, behind the charade of super-villainy, there indeed is a little child that is crying to come out. All it needs is a little support. It shouldn't take a Megamind to figure that out.

'The Tourist' Movie Review Posted: 25 Dec 2010 10:12 PM PST Film: "The Tourist"; Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Cast: Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton, Steven Berkoff; Rating: *1/2 The "O'Henry twist", as it began to be called after the author who chiselled the most unexpected ending to a story into a fine art, has been done to death in literature and cinema. So much so that right at the beginning of a thriller, the most unexpected ending now comes first in the minds of a viewer. For this expectation to be proven right against all hopes is the sign of sloppy writing and direction. "The Tourist" is an example of that which neither the charisma of Angelina Jolie or the chutzpah of Johnny Depp can save. Alexander is a mysterious man hunted both by the Scotland Yard and a gangster as he has stolen from both. He has gone ahead and got himself a face change. After asking his lover Elisa (Jolie) to choose the man most resembling him from a train to Venice to distract both, she chooses an unsuspecting tourist, a math teacher Frank (Johnny Depp) whose simple life is turned upside down as he becomes a wanted man. Frank does not know what he has landed himself into. Even when he does, he does not mind as he has fallen in love with the gorgeous Elisa. With both the gangsters and Scotland Yard closing in on Elisa to find her husband, Frank is headed for something he can't control. It is hard to imagine that the man who gave one of the most poignant films of world cinema in "The Lives of Others", Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck could fall so flat on his face with his next. The only thing the expectedly, unexpected thriller does manage is to be a trip through beautiful Venice. "Few Nights in Venice" would perhaps have been a better title for this absolutely passable film that neither delights, not has the steam or pace to keep you either glued to your seats, or leave you with deep sighs of compassion as in "Lives of Others".

Akshay Kumar's New Year act ahead of Christmas! Posted: 25 Dec 2010 10:08 PM PST Mumbai, Dec 25 (IANS) Everyone wondered why Akshay Kumar dedicated his performance at Reliance Broadcast Network's Big Star awards held here to the New Year when it wasn't even Christmas time! It turned out that Akshay's performance Tuesday night was targeted at being telecast on New Year's eve on a channel. But to the nominees who were present at the venue of the awards, it did appear odd that Akshay was singing and dancing about the New Year nine days in advance. Said one of the stars present at the awards, "It was quite funny, really. Akshay was welcoming the year 2011 on Dec 21. We all wondered if he was trying to prove he was ahead of his times." When contacted, Tarun Katial, Chief Executive Officer of Reliance Broadcast Network, said, "Akshay's New Year gig was part of his 'Tees Maar Khan' act. Since his performance was going to be part of the telecast of our awards on New Year's eve we decided to include it." Incidentally, live performances at other awards functions, if targeted at a specific date, are recorded separately from the function. Said Akshay: "The New Year bit was part of my 'Tees Maar Khan' act. Anything for my film. Also, Mr. (Amitabh) Bachchan came and joined me on stage for an impromptu jig. After that, time ceased to matter for me. I didn't care if it was Christmas or New Year."

Lucknow's Pankaj Bhadouria wins 'MasterChef India' Posted: 25 Dec 2010 10:05 PM PST New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Lucknow-based Pankaj Bhadouria won Star Plus' cookery game show "MasterChef India" after she dished up a scrumptious meal on the show hosted by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. She takes home Rs.1 crore as prize money. The dishes that won Bhadouria the prize are : Drunk Chicken Log, Cheesy Dill Salmon and Cranberry Cheese Blossom. She was announced the winner after voting by host and judge, Akshay Kumar and his co-judges, noted chefs Ajay Chopra and Kunal Kapoor, in the finale aired Saturday. Bhadouria, 38, gave up her job as a teacher to be part of the show. Apart from the Rs.1 crore, she also gets a chance to host a cookery show and release a cookery book. She pipped 24-year-old boy Jayanandan Bhaskar, also from Lucknow, to win the title. Started in October 2010, the culinary show was a platform to acknowledge and encourage the skills of passionate cooks and groom them to become professionals. The finale episode was graced by Bollywood filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan and actress Katrina Kaif, who came to promote their film "Tees Maar Khan", which also stars Akshay.

Kamal Khan wins 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' Posted: 25 Dec 2010 10:01 PM PST Mumbai, Dec 25 (IANS) After nineteen weeks of rigorous training and fierce competition, Patiala's Kamal Khan was declared the winner of Zee TV's "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar" Saturday. Khan beat Bishakh Jyoti of Kolkata and Abhilasha Chellum of Mumbai to win the title of singing superstar in the grand finale at Andheri Sports complex here. He also walked away with the newly-launched Grande MK II car and a Hero Honda ZMR bike. The finale saw a melange of western, opera, ghazal and classical songs. It saw ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali singing hits like "Dil Yeh Pagal Dil" and "Hungama Kyun Hai Barpa" with Ranjeet Rajwada, who was also a contestant on the show. Adding to the excitement was the hip hop fusion act by choreographer Rajiv Surthi who is set to be on the judges panel with Geeta Kapoor and Marzi Pestonji in dance reality show "DID Doubles" that replaces the show. Mentor Daler Mehndi entertained with his songs like "Tunak Tunak" "Zor ka Jhatka". He was joined by Vishal and Shekhar, who sang hit songs from their films "Tees Maar Khan", "Anjana Anjaani" and "I Hate Luv Storys". Mika also wowed the audience with "Ibne Batuta", "Mauja hi Mauja" and "Dhano". Sajid-Wajid captivated the crowd with their hit numbers from "Dabangg" and "Wanted". The show also saw the presence of Alka Yagnik, Suresh Wadekar, Jagjit Singh, Udit Narayan, Lalit Pandit, Mithun Chakraborty and Penaz Masani.

Oscar Winning Hilary Swank to launch own fashion line Posted: 25 Dec 2010 09:54 PM PST London, Dec 26 (IANS) Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank is set to foray into the fashion world with her own line, which will be athletic in nature. She has teamed up with DMA Designers Management Agency to develop a concept for an athletic apparel range, reports femalefirst.co.uk. DMA co-founder Marc Beckman says Swank originally wanted to launch a t-shirt line that "provided motivation and inspiration". But due to her background as a gymnast, she wanted it to have a more sporty feel. "Our platform is a contemporary, outdoor, ath-leisure brand," he added. The actress and agency will be in talks with designers to work with the star on the collection.

After heartache, it's toothache for Elizabeth Hurley Posted: 25 Dec 2010 09:48 PM PST London, Dec 26 (IANS) Model-actress Elizabeth Hurley had to rush to a dentist after she started suffering excruciating tooth pains earlier this week. Hurley, who has been going through a tough emotional phase after her split from Indian husband Arun Nayar and also estranged beau Shane Warne, was taken to the hospital Thursday, reports dailystar.co.uk. The star took to her Twitter page Wednesday to ask her online fans for advice on how to deal with the tooth pain. "What does it mean if you suddenly have violent toothache in about ten teeth at the same time?" she posted. She took a painkiller, and returned to the micro-blogging site for an update, which read: "Agonising few hours...dentist tomorrow."

Pamela Anderson autographs drunk man's chest Posted: 25 Dec 2010 09:43 PM PST London, Dec 26 (IANS) "Baywatch" beauty Pamela Anderson obliged a group of young, drunk boys by signing one man's chest and another's hand with a black bold marker. The voluptuous actress was returning to her hotel in Liverpool when the group of festive revellers stumbled upon her, reports dailymail.co.uk. Anderson was happy to agree to their request for an autograph. Otherwise, the actress has been extra careful of fans these days. She has apparently hired extra security after an over-eager fan bought tickets to see her as the Genie of the Lamp in "Alladin" at Liverpool's Empire Theatre, 10 times in a row. The fan also regularly waits outside to catch a glimpse of her. "Pamela's been given an extra bodyguard and has to leave via a different door every night because the man always waits for her. She's pretty scared by the whole thing," said a source.

No rift between Rani Mukerjee and Vidya Balan: Director Posted: 25 Dec 2010 09:35 PM PST Mumbai, Dec 26 (IANS) Dismissing rumours that the two leading ladies of his forthcoming film "No One Killed Jessica" were at loggerheads, filmmaker Rajkumar Gupta says Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan share a camaraderie and gel well. It was reported that Vidya is not very happy with Rani because the Bengali beauty is hogging the limelight and taking maximum space in promotions. But Gupta called all the rumours baseless. "I have been accompanying Rani and Vidya on most promotional events and they have been having a fabulous time. These are just rumours and there is no truth in these claims," Gupta told IANS. "I've seen how well they gel and the camaraderie that they share and the positivity with which they shot the film. So these are just rumours and not to be taken seriously," he added. Gupta, whose first film "Aamir" was a tale of a man's struggle against terrorism, said that when he finished writing "No One Killed Jessica", Rani and Vidya's names instantly came to his mind for the main leads. "Both are brilliant actors apart from being stars. Vidya has that certain kind of sensibility that was needed for her character. She is very sensitive not only as an actor but as a human being," he said. "Rani's character required to have a lot of spunk and a headstrong and feisty attitude. I knew Rani will be able to do justice with that," he added. The film, slated to release Jan 7, is based on the murder of model Jessica Lall in 1999 by Manu Sharma, son of a Haryana politician, and the struggle of her sister Sabrina Lall to get justice for her. It took the director, who has assisted filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the past, three months to research about the case and seven months to write the script. "I took up this subject as I thought it was a very inspiring story where in the course of events an entire nation came together and media played a very important role. I thought this would be an interesting story to portray on celluloid," Gupta said. However, his road to making this film was not without obstacles. The filmmaker said it was very challenging to give shape to the project. "At every stage, there were challenges. The writing was the most difficult bit because the canvas was broad, there were so many characters and I didn't want to make a documentary or a biography," Gupta said. "I wanted to get into the realms of cinema and make it an engaging and entertaining thriller. To get that entire thing in place, it took me some time to figure out and see how to go about it," he said. "I had to get a balance of fact and fiction because it was a very sensitive issue. So the script also had to be approached with a lot of sensitivity," he added. But wasn't he scared that the movie might rake up many controversies because of the nature of the subject? "This factor did come to my mind. So I tried to approach the film with as much sensitivity as possible," the director said. "But we must also keep in mind that the film is not about naming people or accusing anyone. That's not my job as a filmmaker. It's just my interpretation of the case," he added. After two serious drama films, Gupta is all set to make a light love story called "Rapchik Romance", which is on the scripting stage at the moment.

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