Salman, Shah Rukh, John Abraham making smart moves?

 

If you thought giving sane advice is sufficient to cement bonds people share in the showbiz industry, you are mistaken! Because helping colleagues/co-stars, who seek understanding and support, in the bid to become their BFF might be necessary, but it isn’t all that critical now. Reason? Actors and filmmakers are busy selecting expensive gifts for those close to them. Interestingly, the list doesn’t just boasts of relatives. It now includes colleagues and even crew members. Since actors invest effort, thought and consideration while purchasing these gifts, there is no way their lavish presents wouldn’t help them solidify their work relationships.

If Akshay Kumar hit headlines for gifting a Bentley to Twinkle, the actor is back in news because John has gifted him Harley Davidson. The actors, who worked together seven years ago in “Garam Masala”, became close pals. John had promised Akshay that if their third film together worked well, he would buy him a high-end motorbike. If their second movie “Desi Boyz” found several takers, their third film “Housefull 2” was also appreciated. Hence, John had to fulfill the promise he made. But doesn’t this also comes across as an attempt to help them do more films together.

Similarly, if Shah Rukh Khan gifted Audi A6 to his kids, he was also in news for gifting Sanjay Dutt a motorcyle and Priyanka Chopra an acoustic guitar. While his relationship with Priyanka has gone sour, Sanjay made sure SRK’s good deed didn’t go unrequited. Sanjay defended SRK when he misbehaved with Shirish Kunder earlier this year. Sanjay was quoted as saying, “Shan Rukh Khan didn’t slap Shirish, he just pushed him.”

Salman Khan, who is more often than not grabbing everyone’s attention for presenting “Being Human” watches, was planning to gift Kareena a brand new car because she agreed to do an item number in his forthcoming film “Dabangg 2” without charging money. With majority of the popular filmmakers roping in Kareena for their projects, Salman made sure his bond remained intact.

So whether presenting gifts is just a way of expressing gratitude or a smart career move is for you to decide!

IPL 5 SPECIAL: Rested or dropped? Sourav Ganguly's fate remains a mystery

Pune: The buzz was doing the rounds about Sourav Ganguly's retirement plans after ongoing edition of the IPL, but the sudden ouster of the Prince of Kolkata from the PWI between the tournament has astonished teammates and fans equally.

The 'Bengal Tiger' has been a part of Pune Warriors since IPL 4 and team owner Subrata Roy Sahara could have chosen a more respectful occasion for Dada's exit.
Here's a look at five reasons which might have prompted the team management to dump Ganguly even without waiting for this season to culminate.

1. Mediocre performance: With 261 runs from 13 games at a strike-rate of just over 100 and fielding, which is at least a few notches below the standard set in a competition like IPL, the soon-to-be-40 Ganguly struggled to keep fit himself to the demands of the shortest version of the game.

Above all, Dada's killing instinct and leadership quality, for which he is known, was also missing throughout the season. This was probably one of the reasons, why he was hired for the skipper's job in PWI. 

2. Team selection: Some of the decisions made by Ganguly that  came under scanner include Bangladeshi opener Tamim Iqbal not getting a single game, despite being the top-scorer during Asia Cup with four back-to-back fifties. T20 specialist Alphonso Thomas was repeatedly ignored against West Indian Marlon Samuels, who did precious little with the bat or ball after the first three games.

3. Resenting domestic players: Rahul Sharma got dumped after being hammered for five consecutive sixes, but the feeling among the domestic players was how and why the likes of Rahul and Manish Pandey were getting repeatedly ignored to favour the likes of Mithun Manhas, who is not known to finish off games.
 
4. Eden Gardens debacle: Things were going fine for Ganguly as PWI skipper before team's collapse in the most- hyped clash of the tournament on May 5. Sourav came under criticism for not staying till the end and guiding the team to victory. Notably, Ganguly's departure turned course of the game and Pune was routed by seven runs in a close contest with KKR.     

5. Giving opportunity to the young talent: Ganguly's continous failure in the high octane tournament might have forced PWI management to bring in young talents instead of carrying the ageing 'Bengal tiger', who has lost his ferociousness and hunting prowess.

IPL 5 LIVE: Kings XI Punjab beat Deccan Chargers in a last ball thriller

Mohali: Stupendous batting performance from skipper David Hussey and Gurkeerat Singh's fireworks in the last couple of overs guided Kings XI Punjab to a thrilling win over the visitors on Sunday night. Hussey slammed unbeaten 65 off just 35 balls to lead the Punjab's chase against huge 191 runs target by Deccan Chargers. He got full support from the newcomer Gurkeerat Singh, who took just 12 balls to score the most needed 29 runs.

While chasing 191 runs target against Deccan Chargers, the hosts suffered first jolt in the form of Nitin Saini, who was dismissed by Daniel Christian at the score of three runs.

Shaun Marsh was the next to depart, who was too dismissed by Daniel Christian at 11 off 7 balls.

Mandeep Singh contributed precious 28 off 20 balls before falling prey to Manpreet Gony. Azhar Mahmood and David Hussey got together to add 44 runs partnership for KXIP before Mahmood was dismissed by Amit Mishra at the score of 31 off 20 balls.

On the other hand David Hussey held the crease and went on to slam the most needed fifty for the team. It took 27 balls, four sixes and four boundaries to reach the benchmark. On the other hand KXIP kept losing wicket at regular intervals.

Punjab lost Chitnis and Chawla in close succesion. Siddharth Chitnish was caught behind at the score of 11 runs. He was dismissed by Steyn. He was followed by Chawla in the same over.

Skipper David Hussey and Gurkeerat Singh guided KXIP to a last ball win in the game.

Earlier in the game, riding high on Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White's swashbuckling performances, Deccan Chargers put up a huge 191 runs target for the hosts. Cameron White remained unbeaten after scoring 67 off 41.

After electing to bat first, Deccan Chargers' opening gave a good start to the innings. Parthiv Patel and Shikhar Dhawan added quick forty seven runs for the first wicket, before Patel was dismissed by Azhar Mahmood at the score of 19 off 16.

Patel was soon followed by his skipper Kumar Sangakkara in a close succession. Sanga was dismissed by Parvinder Awana at the score of one run.

Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White got together and meticulously knitted the stupendous partnership for the third wicket to steer Deccan Chargers to a comfortable position in the game. Both of them added stupendous 96 runs for the third wicket. Shikhar Dhawan once again anchored the Chargers' innings with his superb 71 off 50 balls knock.

Cameron White on the other hand continued to rain runs for the Deccan Chargers. White also reached fifty runs benchmark in 35 balls.

Deccan Chargers lost Daniel Christian at the score of 24 runs in the last over. 

Teams:

KXIP: Nitin Saini (wk), Mandeep Singh, Shaun Marsh, David Hussey (c), Azhar Mahmood, David Miller, Siddharta Chitnis, Piyush Chawla, Praveen Kumar, Parvinder Awana, Ramesh Powar.

DC: Daniel Harris, Shikhar Dhawan, Parthiv Patel (wk), Cameron White, Kumar Sangakkara (c), Akshath Reddy, Ashish Reddy, Amit Mishra, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, Veer Pratap Singh, Juan Theron.

PEOPLE LIKE US’ TRAILER FEATURES CHRIS PINE & ELIZABETH BANKS AS SIBLINGS

With  Transformers, Cowboys & Aliens, Star Trek, and Mission: Impossible III under his belt, screenwriter/producer Alex Kurtzmandecided to venture into an entirely different genre with his directorial debut,People Like Us.

Opening June 29th, the DreamWorks feature stars Star Trek’s Chris Pine as Sam, a salesman who’s way over his head in debt.  When his late father leaves $150,000 to the sister (Elizabeth Banks) Sam never knew he had, he ingratiates himself into her life without spilling the beans about the cash.

The movie also stars Cowboys & Aliens director Jon Favreau and the sci-fi/Western film’s lead actress, Olivia Wilde.  After watching Pine kill it on the Los Angeles stage a couple of summers ago in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (he played a cat loving terrorist), I’ve been waiting for the actor to sink his teeth into something a bit more character driven than Unstoppable and This Means War.  People Like Us, blessed with a stellar cast (including Michelle Pfeiffer), could be that vehicle. Check out the trailer below:

Dark Shadows’ Star Johnny Depp Not Comfortable Wearing Producer Hat

Opening in theaters this week, DARK SHADOWS  is director TIM BURTON’S spoofy big screen adaptation of the ’60s daytime TV soap opera that took the country by storm. A cult favorite, the gothic drama centers on vampire Barnabas Collins and his family as they deal with various creatures of the night. Under BURTON’S direction, the new cast features JOHNNY DEPP, MICHELLE PFEIFFER, CHLOE GRACE MORETZ, EVA GREEN, JONNY LEE MILLER, HELENA BONHAM CARTER and JACKIE EARLE HALEY. Despite being a producer on the film, DEPP says he’s not comfortable with the business side of getting movies made. During a recent interview, he admitted to us that all he really cares about is playing the role. (CLICK ON THE MEDIA BAR FOR AUDIO)

DARK SHADOWS opens in theaters Friday

Dark Shadows: Meet David Selby

One of the most popular characters on the original Dark Shadows was named Quentin Collins. The character debuted in 1968 as a terrifying ghost from the Collins family past.

The ghost of Quentin Collins reappeared at Collinwood to reclaim the younger brother that he loved and lost. He believed David Collins to be the reincarnation of his younger brother Jamison Collins who died in the year 1897, the same year that he himself had died.

The role of Quentin Collins, both in the living and in the afterlife, was portrayed masterfully by David Selby. Besides being known for his role in Dark Shadows, he is known for his role as Richard Channing in Falcon Crest. More recently, David appeared in the highly acclaimed film The Social Network.

I had the great pleasure of being able to talk to this incredibly delightful soul for a few moments.

A southern gentleman in every sense, David was born Morgantown, West Virginia. Having been inspired by Saturday morning serials and westerns, he earned his Master’s Degree in theater attending West Virginia University and later a PhD from Southern Illinois University – “I was a dreamer; it got to me New York.”

Then the big opportunity came knocking on David’s door.

“Being in the right place at the right time got me in front of people who could help me – that’s how I got to being on a wonderful show.”

David looks back on his memories of Dark Shadows very fondly. He is one of four original cast members to make a cameo in the Tim Burton reimagining of Dark Shadows starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins. He was joined by Kathryn Leigh Scott (Josette duPres), Lara Parker (Angelique) and the late great Jonathan Frid who portrayed Barnabas Collins on the series.

“It’s really great to see a whole new legion of fans being brought in by all of the different ways to watch it. None of us had any idea that the show would still be this popular today. We are truly blessed.”

The new film does not depict a new Quentin Collins, but David is still excited about it and doesn’t believe that the new film is meant to be campy.

“I think Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are just what Dark Shadows needs, some fresh and creative blood. I’m a huge fan of their work.”

Be sure to lookout for the original cast cameo in Dark Shadows opening today.

Do You Want The Guys At TMZ To Serve Up Hot News Even Hotter? They Can!

Technology is changing how celebrities like Lady Gaga build up a fan base of 20 million and then interact with them to keep them hooked to her magic.  Now the guys who follow the celebrities and serve up the news they make like TMZ.com are learning a thing or two about the ways celebrities use social media.

Taking a leaf out of the new book of how to get the hook swallowed even deeper, TMZ has added a much greater and innovative punch to their delivery. TMZ live is a terrific example of how you can spice up what you serve with what is available on the social media right now and create an ever increasing fan base of loyal followers.

The show which is presented as a talk show actually cuts in to the studio workplace and gets everyone else to chip in making it wider and give it an ambiance of an office. Everyone can relate to this as this is very real and what happens in every day life in any office where people work together.

The show is brisk, informal, and chatty and dwells on the hottest topics for just enough time to keep them hot.

Lawrence Welk: Classic Episodes Volumes 1-4 Is Pure Corn Read more: http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/lawrence-welk-classic-episodes-volumes-1/#ixzz1umaVaaPT

 When baby boomers (a/k/a “old-timers”) sit around and moan about how innocent things were way back when (the fifties and early sixties), some may have reservations about the quality of their memories. On February 21, 2012, testimony will be issued to support those doddering (but correct) memories as Synergy Entertainment releases Lawrence Welk: Classic Episodes Volumes 1-4.

The Lawrence Welk Show ran for an impressive 27 years, its loyal fans tuning in weekly for their ration of birthdays, anniversaries, schmaltz, family values, and bubbles. Viewers were treated to tap dancers, singers, ballroom dancers, accordionists, and a variety of musicians (many featured soloists) all talented, but few unique. Welk, who was always up for a celebration, anchored each show to a theme, sometimes patriotic, sometimes dictated by holidays, sometimes dedicated to a particular era or style of song.

The “Greatest Generation” were his greatest fans (and still are through reruns on PBS stations), and boomers found themselves sprawled out on the floor in front of the television set with crayons and coloring or comic books, unaware that they were absorbing decades of music which would later cause them to ask, “Why do I know that song?”

One of the most intriguing aspects of Lawrence Welk: Classic Episodes Volumes 1-4 is evidence of how fiercely the audience’s sensibilities were protected by censors and Welk himself, who insisted on maintaining the highest moral ground. The Lawrence Welk Show may have provided a wide variety of musical performances, a dazzling array of costumes, and a plethora of performers, but nary an innuendo. In fact, the most suggestive scene in the twelve hours of programs is a riotous and totally non-PC Geritol ad (the vintage advertisements are worth the price of admission—don’t forget, Serutan is Natures spelt backwards).

Lawrence Welk: Classic Episodes Volumes 1-4 features twelve episodes, dating from 1960 to 1968, a short period marked by societal sea changes. The release of the 4-disc set coincides with Mardi Gras, the theme of the twelfth episode, originally broadcast on February 24, 1968.

Get So Damn Lucky Next Week

Deborah Coonts continues her Lucky O’Toole mystery series with the publication of So Damn Lucky on February 28, 2012. Combining the glamor of Las Vegas with vanishing magicians, murder, aliens, and love, Coonts delivers a thriller that’s a mad dash accented with fun.

When last we saw Lucky, boyfriend Teddie was pursuing a music career, going on tour with a young (but not too), female pop singer. Now Lucky is missing Teddie terribly, and suspects that their true love is evaporating. More disturbing is the thought of losing such a good friend, a chance she and Teddie knew they were taking when they first crossed the line between best friends and lovers.  Lucky’s libido kicks in, and her awareness of Paxton Dane’s attentions increases, but then there’s that temperamental French chef with whom she’s working…

As Lucky manages The Babylon and prepares for the opening of a new hotel, her mother considers giving up her brothel, and she and her father come to terms with her long-simmering resentment, their lives are complicated by a flamboyant magician whose final trick may have been his final breath, a milestone birthday, a baby, alien hunters, and a little old lady and her dog.

Lucky is determined to find out who killed the magician and why, and has a nice selection of magicians, psychics, and their followers from which to choose. Throw in alien abductees, alien hunters, and Lucky’s hormone-driven staff, and So Damn Lucky is a circus of weirdness. Of course, there is someone (perhaps more than one?) out there that doesn’t want Lucky to get too close to a solution.

So Damn Lucky is a first person narrative with a self-deprecating Lucky sharing her every mood, suspicion, and emotion. It is sexy without being graphic, funny, and sophisticated. Lucky lives a posh life, enjoys good food and the finest merchandise, and works herself like a drone. As she wavers between confidence and self-doubt, we never imagine that anything she undertakes could possibly fail. So Damn Lucky is a sure bet for those who enjoy mystery without gore

Joan Rivers Sparkled on That Show, Now on DVD

If you’re twenty-something, you may think that Joan Rivers is the United Nations Ambassador to Plastic Surgery. You may not be familiar with her work as a stand-up “comedienne” or the host of several television shows. If you’re thirty-something, you may remember when you were a tot your parents watched The Joan Rivers Show, a popular talk show way back in the nineties. Baby boomers may remember that Rivers hosted That Show, a syndicated, weekday talk show, in the late sixties.

On February 21, 2012, Synergy Entertainment releases ”That Show” with Joan Rivers 1968, a three-disc collector’s set that includes eighteen full episodes. The programs begin with a Rivers’ dialogue related to the day’s topic which is followed by a conversation with her guests, heavily-laced with Rivers shtick. In an episode featuring decorator Nick Grande and an impossibly young Joel Gray, the topic explores how single women can attract men through their home décor. Surprisingly, although the topic is dated, much of the decorating advice that both Grande and Gray dispense is still valid.

Imagine my delight when I found that two episodes feature my first heartthrob, Soupy Sales. In one, Soupy admits that he knows nothing about the topic—women's hats—much to the dismay of hat designer Mr. John who was so serious while Joan and Soupy continuously cracked jokes. Alas, Mr. John’s attempts to focus on the seriousness of hat fashion failed.

Among the guests featured on That Show are Johnny Carson, Dick Cavett, Florence Henderson, and Jerry Lewis. Today’s audiences will be amused to see guests lighting up and smoking on camera. Topics covered include nudism, cosmetic surgery, hypnosis, catering, teenagers today, “Do you need a maid?,” fan magazines, and men’s furs.

In 1968, Joan Rivers’ comedy was self-deprecating and relationship-based, particularly on her relationship with her husband. Because the humor is not topical, and because some things never change, it holds up wel

Dark Horse Comics - New Release Reviews For February

It's the week of President's Day and and in celebration Dark Horse Comics has several new titles out including a great trade paper back and a not so great digital only release. Titles are scored on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the very best possible. We take the time to read these comics so your time isn't wasted.

Dark Horse Present - Issue 9

This is the newest issue in volume two of Dark Horse Presents and, though good, it's not the best issue in this run. Nothing was particularly awful but none of the stories were off the charts great, either.

Probably the best story was the new Paul Pope tale called 1969. It was a historical piece about the second lunar landing. The art is magnificent while the lettering is below average. A wonderful part of our nation's history that gets little attention.

Chapter 3 of Concrete Park caught my attention with the inclusion of the website info of concretepark.com. The story, thus far, has suffered from being serialized and this website fills in a lot of the blanks. This issue contained a more poetic feel than the prior issues. Though it's still came across as a bit sterile. Inventive layouts and coloring, coupled with the depth of the characters, means it's probably getting better.

The new episode of Skultar is hysterical and will delight anyone with even the barest sense of humor. The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne has a brilliant recap that adds complexity to the protagonist yet the story ends very abruptly. The new Lobster John short is exciting and fun.

Not all the stories were great. This issue's chapter of The Massive was a major step back from the prior story given it's terrible coloring and its weak emotional arc. The Once And Future Tarzan's story is still poor, though the coloring is neat. Amala's Blade and Alabaster both get incompletes as they felt more like previews. The City In The Sea's artwork is breathtaking yet the tale is dull.

Coldplay, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and More : Live on Epix, March 4th

Amnesty International has supported and promoted free speech for fifty years. Now, this is their year of jubilee! They're celebrating with a huge comedy event in New York City. For the first time ever, the U.S. will be the host country of The Secret Policeman's Ball, Amnesty International's mega fund raiser. The show will be staged live in Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall on March 4th. The tickets, as you would imagine on some websites are averaging $300-$500 for mezzanine and over $1100 for some orchestra seats. On Amnesty's site you can get some seats for under $100 for the pleasure of the nose bleed and just to say you were there. 

Why the cost? It's obvious. The guest list of those who will be there to entertain and make you laugh. The talent will include Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Russell Brand, Sarah Silverman, Rashida Jones, Seth Meyers Bob Odenkirk, John Oliver, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig.

But if you're broke or can't get make it, you do have another option. You can watch it telecast live on Sunday, March 4th at 7: PM on Epix and ONLY on Epix. 

Viewers can watch the broadcast live and commercial free on EPIX and streamed online at http://www.EpixHD.com as well as via Epix apps on Xbox 360 and Roku. Participating affiliated television providers including http://www.charter.net/epix and http://www.verizon.com/fiostvonline will also offer a live stream of the event on their online portals.

Above Suspicion Is Above Reproach

Oh, how we love our British crime dramas. One type centers on cozy killings, laced with comedy, that are best described as murder-lite. They are not so much about murder, but more about the person solving the crime and his or her acquaintances. In most cases, viewers do not see anyone get killed, only see bodies that are fully dressed (usually not in morgues, and definitely not cut in half), and never go to autopsies or have to look at maggots. If the solvers are acquainted with the killers, it is not a close friendship of long standing. Several examples spring to mind--Rosemary and Thyme, Pie in the Sky, and Midsomer Murders.

Then there are the dramas that critics tend to call “dark,” “gritty,” “realistic,” “intense,” and “powerful.” These shows do not romanticize murder or death; there is blood, there are dismemberments, and—worst of all—there are maggots. Battered corpses on gurneys, bodies sprawled out in streets revealing graphic signs of torture, and the bloated long-dead are common sights. Seldom are the investigators familiar with the perpetrators on anything but a professional level¸ and those perps are often evil and/or sociopathic. On March 6, 2012, Acorn Media will release the dark, gritty, realistic, intense, and powerful Above Suspicion – Set 1on DVD.

Starring Kelly Reilly as newly-assigned London DC Anna Travis, Above Suspicion (from Prime Suspect creator Lynda La Plante) focuses on the nastiest of crimes committed by the sleaziest of characters. Not sleazy in the sense of “skanky,” but in the sense of depraved--people who torture others because they enjoy it ever so much, yet they don’t seem out of the ordinary…at least not by much. DC Travis’ inauspicious first day on the job sees her mucking around in high heels when wellies would have been more appropriate, vomiting at the sight of a decomposing body, and fainting at a post mortem. Travis may be vulnerable, but she is determined. She learns from her mistakes and her astute observations lead to solutions

KidLit: Satchi and Little Star Is a Lesson in Freedom

With a lesson that the Bureau of Land Management would prefer to ignore, Satchi and Little Star tells the story of a little Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos) girl who is privileged to live in a place where wild horses run free. When Satchi spies a young horse sporting a star and one sock, she wants to make him her own. Her parents tell her “wild horses are meant to be wild,” but that does not deter her efforts to befriend the horse she has named “Little Star.”

Children and horses are a natural combination; it seems that no matter what one’s age, appreciation of the beauty and grace of equines is wired into our consciousness. How many children harbor the wish to one day have their very own horses? Satchi tries to make her wish come true by bringing Little Star water, then carrots, then jelly bread when the herd gallops past her home. After a week of jelly bread, Satchi feels secure in tying a rope around Little Star’s neck, but he rebels. Little Star runs off, and the next day he is not with the herd. Has she frightened him away, or is something wrong?

Satchi and Little Star was written by Donna Marie Seim (author of another delightful island story, the tween novel Hurricane Mia), and handsomely illustrated by Susan Spellman. It gently shares a message about the inhabitants of this planet, and their right to live the life they were born to live, and introduces children to another way of life.

Dark Horse Comics - New Release Reviews For February 29, 2012 Read more: http://technorati.com/entertainment/article/dark-horse-comics-new-release-reviews

Not only is there a rocking extra day in the month of February, there are some cool releases from Dark Horse Comics this week including the new Angel & Faith and Usagi Yojimbo comics. Titles are scored on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the very best possible. We take the time to read these books so your time isn't wasted.

Angel & Faith Season 9 - Issue 7

Though the cover art was fine, the interior art just seemed off. It did everything it needed to do but it still came up a bit short in effort. This issue was back-story heavy and is rewarding for long time fans but will be confusing for new-comers.

Nothing seemed like it could compare to the shock of the return of a mentally sane Drusilla in last issue. However, once her motives became clear, a major point about Gilles was revealed that changes the tone of the series. Faith's reuniting with her father came in starts and stops.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

Usagi Yojimbo - Issue 144

This series continues to be the book all others are compared with. Though not quite as good as last issue, the story is treated with reverence. Even the recap of the prior issue seemed natural. A bit more combat focused than some issues, the reader is reminded that the world is full of complicated people and the good guys don't always win.

Score: 8 out of 10

Star Wars Crimson Empire III : Empire Lost - Issue 5 (of 6)

Very few of the monthly Star Wars comics being offered by Dark Horse are truly must-reads. Crimson Empire is not one of those series. Other than a rather exciting middle portion, everything else was boring politics and angst film arguments. Even the cliffhanger the issue opened with was not surprising at all. The artwork is terrible in both the cover and interior. Worst of all it's just not fun.