Written and Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Photographed by Roland Thothero
Cast
• Charlie Chaplin
• Edna Perviance
• Carl Miller
• Tom Wilson
• Jack Coogan
• Henry Bergman
• Lita Grey
The movie ‘the kid’ is a real classic. I really feel the movie had a really good story followed by some really good direction. The movie starts with a tragedy when an unwed woman leaves her new born baby in a car hoping that her child will be in safe hands. The car was than stolen and the unfortunate child was thrown in the garbage can. Charlie Chaplin in this movie acts as a very poor person who is unable to fulfill even his basic needs, he finds the child in the garbage can and thus he wants to get rid of the child. He tries to but is unable to get rid of him because of a policeman. However he decides to adopt the child when he reads the note attached on the baby’s cloth. After five years the child is now grown up. He helps Charlie to earn money by breaking the windows with rocks and then Charlie Chaplin repairs them. On the other end the mother of the child is now a star and misses her child more than anything. She donates more and more in the hope to find her child some day. The child is taken to the orphanage when the child gets ill and the doctor get to know that the child is not the son of Charlie. Charlie fights with the police to get the child back. The mother than knows about his son through the doctor who shows the note to her which was written by herself when she dropped the child in the car. Charlie takes the child to a motel. The proprietor reads of a reward for the Kid and takes him from a sleeping Charlie to his mother. Charlie after he wakes up is unable to find his child and dreams to be with him. The dream comes true when a policeman wakes him up and takes him to the house of the child’s mother where he meets him.
I feel the movie gives a strong message to all. Chaplin and the child both give remarkable performances in The Kid Making that kind of movie at that time was certainly a great task. With those limited resources and without use of words being spoken, I feel the movie is still very interesting and worth watching for all.
By: Raza Ali
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
Starring:
Mathieu Amalric
Emmanuelle Seigner
Marie-Josee Croze
Anne Consigny
Director: Julian Schnabel
The diving bell and the butterfly is a movie that involves you so much that till the very end you feel like involved in the movie. The direction is excellent, the frames and the background are chosen perfectly. A very dull theme has been chosen which goes with the movie story. The story of the movie is very touchy and it makes you feel that you are in it. It is a real story of a very normal person and it shows how life of a human can change in a matter of few minutes.
Not to forget the acting of the lead actor who is acting as a paralyzed person in the movie. His acting is so natural that you really feel that he is paralyzed. The cast is superb, the scenes that show the father and son are very real and show the importance of acceptance of father for son, which is carried down to his own children. The director let's you understand, just a bit, the world from the paralyzed person’s point of view. This film deserves all the praise that it has received in a story which is emotional
It is amazing how the director has shown the story to the viewers. All the cast has acted wonderfully well making it a masterpiece. It is a must watch for all. We should all appreciate the director for delivering this story to the screen. Although I did not understand what they were speaking but only reading the subtitles involved me so much in the movie that I wanted to watch the movie till the very end. The director with the help of all the team has justified the story with excellent video shooting and lighting.
By: Raza Ali
Mathieu Amalric
Emmanuelle Seigner
Marie-Josee Croze
Anne Consigny
Director: Julian Schnabel
The diving bell and the butterfly is a movie that involves you so much that till the very end you feel like involved in the movie. The direction is excellent, the frames and the background are chosen perfectly. A very dull theme has been chosen which goes with the movie story. The story of the movie is very touchy and it makes you feel that you are in it. It is a real story of a very normal person and it shows how life of a human can change in a matter of few minutes.
Not to forget the acting of the lead actor who is acting as a paralyzed person in the movie. His acting is so natural that you really feel that he is paralyzed. The cast is superb, the scenes that show the father and son are very real and show the importance of acceptance of father for son, which is carried down to his own children. The director let's you understand, just a bit, the world from the paralyzed person’s point of view. This film deserves all the praise that it has received in a story which is emotional
It is amazing how the director has shown the story to the viewers. All the cast has acted wonderfully well making it a masterpiece. It is a must watch for all. We should all appreciate the director for delivering this story to the screen. Although I did not understand what they were speaking but only reading the subtitles involved me so much in the movie that I wanted to watch the movie till the very end. The director with the help of all the team has justified the story with excellent video shooting and lighting.
By: Raza Ali
Monday, March 22, 2010
Prison Break
Prison Break is an American serial drama television series created by Paul Scheuring, which premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company on August 29, 2005. The series revolves around two brothers; one who has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, and the other, a genius, who devises an elaborate plan to help him escape prison. The series is produced by Adelstein-Parouse Productions, in association with Original Television and 20th Century Fox Television. The current executive producers are head writer Scheuring, co-head writer Matt Olmstead, Kevin Hooks, Marty Adelstein, Dawn Parouse, Neal H. Moritz, and Brett Ratner. The series' theme music is composed by Ramin Djawadi, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2006.
Season synopsis
Season 1
The first season follows the rescue of Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), who is on death row for the murder of the vice president’s brother. He insists he’s innocent and only his brother Michael Scofield (Wentsworth Miller) believes him. As an engineer who helped design the prison where Lincoln is being held, Michael takes drastic measures to help his brother. He gets himself arrested and sent to the same prison so that with his knowledge of building the two of them can escape together. However, while inside, Michael discovers a massive conspiracy that is determined to see Lincoln’s sentence carried out. Breaking out will be more difficult than he thought, but still he tried and succeeded and manage to escape.
Season 2
The second season begins eight hours after the escape, focusing mainly on the escapees. Series creator Paul Scheuring describes the second season as "The Fugitive times eight". The fugitives split up and journey to locations across the country with the authorities close behind them as they each pursue their individual goals. Several of the escapees reunite in search of a large cache of money buried long ago by another prisoner. Federal agent Alexander Mahone (William Fichtner) is assigned to track down and capture the eight fugitives, but is revealed to be working for The Company, which wants all eight men dead. When Sara discovers her dead father, Governor Frank Tancredi, she meets with Michael, remaining with him as the brothers try to bring down the current President, a Company member. To ensure the brothers' safety, Sara allows herself to be arrested and faces trial. During the trial, the testimony of former Secret Service agent Paul Kellerman, who used to work for the Company-controlled President, exonerates Lincoln and Sara. Several of the escapees are killed or recaptured, but the brothers make it to Panama. Michael, T-Bag and Mahone are arrested by the Panamanian authorities and are imprisoned at the Penitenciaría Federal de Sona where they find Bellick who had also been arrested.
Season 3
The third season follows both Michael inside Sona and Lincoln on the outside in Panama. Sona is a prison that has been run by the inmates and guarded only from the outside since a riot the year before. Burrows is quickly contacted by the company who have kidnapped his son LJ and Sara Tancredi, the women Scofield loves, and is told tth they want Scofield to break James Whistler out of Sona. The season follows Scofield and Whistler’s trials in formulating an escape plan, as Burrows deals with The Company’s sexy and deadly representative.
Season 4
The fourth season starts with Michael avenging Sara's "death", before learning that Gretchen did not kill her as he thought. Michael also learns the truth about Whistler that he has secretly been working alongside Mahone to take down the Company. Sona has burned down and Sucre, Bellick and T-Bag have escaped during the chaos. After returning to Chicago to look for Sara, Michael is arrested and recruited by Don Self (Michael Rapaport), a Department of Homeland Security agent, to help bring down the Company in exchange for his freedom. Lincoln, who was arrested in Panama is transferred to Chicago, and along with Mahone, Sucre, and Bellick with whom a deal is made. Also joining the group are Sara, who escaped from Gretchen which resulted in Gretchen's own captivity by the Company, and a hacker who was assigned to help them after getting arrested for identity theft. Together, they devise a plan to retrieve Scylla, thought of as the Company's 'little black book', from the Company that will help to destroy them. In the meantime, Wyatt (Cress Williams), an agent from the Company, attempts to track Michael and Lincoln down. When the group eventually succeeds in stealing Scylla, Self betrays them and tries to sell Scylla, but fails. Right before the mid-season break, it is revealed that Michael and Lincoln's mother is still alive and has obtained Scylla.
By : Mubashir Altaf
Season synopsis
Season 1
The first season follows the rescue of Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), who is on death row for the murder of the vice president’s brother. He insists he’s innocent and only his brother Michael Scofield (Wentsworth Miller) believes him. As an engineer who helped design the prison where Lincoln is being held, Michael takes drastic measures to help his brother. He gets himself arrested and sent to the same prison so that with his knowledge of building the two of them can escape together. However, while inside, Michael discovers a massive conspiracy that is determined to see Lincoln’s sentence carried out. Breaking out will be more difficult than he thought, but still he tried and succeeded and manage to escape.
Season 2
The second season begins eight hours after the escape, focusing mainly on the escapees. Series creator Paul Scheuring describes the second season as "The Fugitive times eight". The fugitives split up and journey to locations across the country with the authorities close behind them as they each pursue their individual goals. Several of the escapees reunite in search of a large cache of money buried long ago by another prisoner. Federal agent Alexander Mahone (William Fichtner) is assigned to track down and capture the eight fugitives, but is revealed to be working for The Company, which wants all eight men dead. When Sara discovers her dead father, Governor Frank Tancredi, she meets with Michael, remaining with him as the brothers try to bring down the current President, a Company member. To ensure the brothers' safety, Sara allows herself to be arrested and faces trial. During the trial, the testimony of former Secret Service agent Paul Kellerman, who used to work for the Company-controlled President, exonerates Lincoln and Sara. Several of the escapees are killed or recaptured, but the brothers make it to Panama. Michael, T-Bag and Mahone are arrested by the Panamanian authorities and are imprisoned at the Penitenciaría Federal de Sona where they find Bellick who had also been arrested.
Season 3
The third season follows both Michael inside Sona and Lincoln on the outside in Panama. Sona is a prison that has been run by the inmates and guarded only from the outside since a riot the year before. Burrows is quickly contacted by the company who have kidnapped his son LJ and Sara Tancredi, the women Scofield loves, and is told tth they want Scofield to break James Whistler out of Sona. The season follows Scofield and Whistler’s trials in formulating an escape plan, as Burrows deals with The Company’s sexy and deadly representative.
Season 4
The fourth season starts with Michael avenging Sara's "death", before learning that Gretchen did not kill her as he thought. Michael also learns the truth about Whistler that he has secretly been working alongside Mahone to take down the Company. Sona has burned down and Sucre, Bellick and T-Bag have escaped during the chaos. After returning to Chicago to look for Sara, Michael is arrested and recruited by Don Self (Michael Rapaport), a Department of Homeland Security agent, to help bring down the Company in exchange for his freedom. Lincoln, who was arrested in Panama is transferred to Chicago, and along with Mahone, Sucre, and Bellick with whom a deal is made. Also joining the group are Sara, who escaped from Gretchen which resulted in Gretchen's own captivity by the Company, and a hacker who was assigned to help them after getting arrested for identity theft. Together, they devise a plan to retrieve Scylla, thought of as the Company's 'little black book', from the Company that will help to destroy them. In the meantime, Wyatt (Cress Williams), an agent from the Company, attempts to track Michael and Lincoln down. When the group eventually succeeds in stealing Scylla, Self betrays them and tries to sell Scylla, but fails. Right before the mid-season break, it is revealed that Michael and Lincoln's mother is still alive and has obtained Scylla.
By : Mubashir Altaf
“Torrents”, are they really that harmful?
For those who are new to the fascinating world of bit torrents, a "torrent" or a "bit torrent" is a type of meta-data that facilitates peer-to-peer file sharing. Torrents have recently faced a lot of criticism due to their relatively unregulated use and the tendency of torrent users to trade illicit data. Many countries such as U.S, U.K and a lot of others have banned the use of torrents and p2p softwares.
I agree with the fact that torrents are harmful and cause millions of dollars in damage to many industries and that mainly entertainment industry falls prey to this damage, but the question is that are torrents really that harmful or do they have a positive side also. I think we should look at the other side of the picture that millions of people are using this technology so it must have some benefit or positive aspects.
A lot of people use torrents only because the product is not available in the market or their country, etc. For example people in Pakistan download movies and softwares because they have no other option as the genuine products are not available in the region. Although pirated cd’s and dvds are available but there is not much variety offered.
Also another benefit of torrents that I noticed is that because of torrents people download movies and music by relatively unknown artists, which they would not risk paying for otherwise. Thus torrents are a good way for upcoming artists to get their work noticed.
All in all torrents do have some benefits that people should appreciate instead of just criticizing them all the time, and this phenomena is now catching on with Hollywood producers who are now planning to market their movies and shows on torrents in the future.
By: Mussab Bin Amer
I agree with the fact that torrents are harmful and cause millions of dollars in damage to many industries and that mainly entertainment industry falls prey to this damage, but the question is that are torrents really that harmful or do they have a positive side also. I think we should look at the other side of the picture that millions of people are using this technology so it must have some benefit or positive aspects.
A lot of people use torrents only because the product is not available in the market or their country, etc. For example people in Pakistan download movies and softwares because they have no other option as the genuine products are not available in the region. Although pirated cd’s and dvds are available but there is not much variety offered.
Also another benefit of torrents that I noticed is that because of torrents people download movies and music by relatively unknown artists, which they would not risk paying for otherwise. Thus torrents are a good way for upcoming artists to get their work noticed.
All in all torrents do have some benefits that people should appreciate instead of just criticizing them all the time, and this phenomena is now catching on with Hollywood producers who are now planning to market their movies and shows on torrents in the future.
By: Mussab Bin Amer
This Is It!
This is it is directed by Kenny Ortega that features the marvelous sound of the one and only who sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide, released thirteen number one singles and scored a double induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The film’s earnings are aimed to generate proceeds that will benefit The Michael Jackson Family Trust (for his family and children in need).The cast includes Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega, Mr. Jackson’s dancers, band, etc
Kenny Ortega presents a compilation of backstage footage, rehearsals, and interviews featuring Michael Jackson’s preparation for his sold-out London tour. In short, it is one last look at the legendary King of Pop performing on stage with his unparalleled musical energy and liveliness.
This film concentrates on a certain period of time MJ’s life. This Is It acutely exhibits Michael Jackson as what the world deemed him: the greatest entertainer on the planet. While the film obviously isn’t a full career retrospective, it features Mr. Jackson at the peak of his artistic brilliance. This small six week window captures Mr. Jackson in such creative involvement (staging, choreography, production design, lighting, story-concepts) while still demonstrating grace, patience, and the essential ability to collaborate. It’s effortless to accept Mr. Jackson as the phenomenon he became when the audience can witness what he demanded from his creative collaborators/environment.
We really receive the gift of Mr. Jackson’s final performances in the film and the audience is spellbound from start to finish. There’s footage of every hit song with impeccable image and sound. The audience begins to understand Michael Jackson as a complete portrait of success.
While Ortega’s objective was ultimately to create a tribute rather than to tell a story, the film could have been used a little more shape. There was no solid arc to the movie other than the progression of rehearsals leading up to the concert dates. Also, the finale was lacking – It would’ve been nice to see the film close with something particularly sentimental to send the audience home with.
Even if you aren’t a die-hard fan, you will appreciate this portrayal of Michael Jackson’s epic presence and artistic mastermind. This record of his life with a series of sob-stories will surely not be a waste your time. This movie is full of excitement, and obviously, great music.
By: Taha Sajid
Kenny Ortega presents a compilation of backstage footage, rehearsals, and interviews featuring Michael Jackson’s preparation for his sold-out London tour. In short, it is one last look at the legendary King of Pop performing on stage with his unparalleled musical energy and liveliness.
This film concentrates on a certain period of time MJ’s life. This Is It acutely exhibits Michael Jackson as what the world deemed him: the greatest entertainer on the planet. While the film obviously isn’t a full career retrospective, it features Mr. Jackson at the peak of his artistic brilliance. This small six week window captures Mr. Jackson in such creative involvement (staging, choreography, production design, lighting, story-concepts) while still demonstrating grace, patience, and the essential ability to collaborate. It’s effortless to accept Mr. Jackson as the phenomenon he became when the audience can witness what he demanded from his creative collaborators/environment.
We really receive the gift of Mr. Jackson’s final performances in the film and the audience is spellbound from start to finish. There’s footage of every hit song with impeccable image and sound. The audience begins to understand Michael Jackson as a complete portrait of success.
While Ortega’s objective was ultimately to create a tribute rather than to tell a story, the film could have been used a little more shape. There was no solid arc to the movie other than the progression of rehearsals leading up to the concert dates. Also, the finale was lacking – It would’ve been nice to see the film close with something particularly sentimental to send the audience home with.
Even if you aren’t a die-hard fan, you will appreciate this portrayal of Michael Jackson’s epic presence and artistic mastermind. This record of his life with a series of sob-stories will surely not be a waste your time. This movie is full of excitement, and obviously, great music.
By: Taha Sajid
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Hollywood vs. Bollywood but were is Lollywood?
Lollywood is the film industry that is situated in Pakistan neighbor to India the country that houses Bollywood. Yet were as the name of Bollywood is fast becoming a household name Lollywood is struggling to be recognized in its own country. Lollywood and Bollywood started around the same time and presented their movies in the similar format yet one has achieved Oscar level awards and worldwide recognition while the other has only shrunk.
As a Pakistani I find it had to portray my county and my people in a positive light especially when the western media's war on Pakistan. I believe that the Pakistani movie industry is essentially our ambassador to the outside world. Yet our movies continue to flop one after the other which begs the question, what are the other film industries doing that makes them so successful?
When we think of the movie capital of the world we think of Hollywood in California or Bollywood in Bombay. When comparing Hollywood to Bollywood there are more differences than similarities. Most people assume that the Hollywood produces more movies a year than anywhere else in the world it’s movies are certainly most well known. However in reality Bollywood produces more than 800 films a year were as the Hollywood produces half as many.
Both film industries produce movies that are structurally different from each other Hollywood movies have a realistic theme even if the movie is sci-fi or fantasy when watching a movie like Lord of the Rings or Avatar we cannot help but feel we are there. Though to be fair the technologically superiority play a major role in the department. Another fact about Hollywood films is that the actors are professionals when they act and show emotions such as crying they make it look quite believable.
Bollywood on the other hand has several movie stars that our generation has grown up seeing such as Shahrukh Khan. All of their actors are unique and each adds their own unique flavor to their movies. Secondly all movies are essentially musicals. Indian movies try to strike a balance their will never be a purely horror movie there are always elements of comedy or romance mixed in. Another thing about them is that they promote family values which is a topic western filmmakers tend to avoid.
I believe that the Pakistani movie industry need above all else is uniqueness. Bollywood proved that to be successful we do not need technology or a high budget. We need only to stop coping Hollywood or Bollywood we need to stand on our own feet and present our unique culture to the world.
Today, Pakistani cinema has all but vanished. In 1985, 1,100 movie houses operated in Pakistan; today, only 120 are in business. Most directors have already given up and the few directors, producers and cinema owners that are still in this business often rely on second jobs to make ends meet.
We are at the bottom of the well and the only way is up. But we can only climb if we have the strength of will to do so. So I would like to encourage all Pakistani that read this article to create a small spark it can be a script, video anything and post on your own blog or on YouTube and perhaps your idea will be the one to turn into a roaring fire and raise Lollywood to the top.
By: Danish Ahmed
As a Pakistani I find it had to portray my county and my people in a positive light especially when the western media's war on Pakistan. I believe that the Pakistani movie industry is essentially our ambassador to the outside world. Yet our movies continue to flop one after the other which begs the question, what are the other film industries doing that makes them so successful?
When we think of the movie capital of the world we think of Hollywood in California or Bollywood in Bombay. When comparing Hollywood to Bollywood there are more differences than similarities. Most people assume that the Hollywood produces more movies a year than anywhere else in the world it’s movies are certainly most well known. However in reality Bollywood produces more than 800 films a year were as the Hollywood produces half as many.
Both film industries produce movies that are structurally different from each other Hollywood movies have a realistic theme even if the movie is sci-fi or fantasy when watching a movie like Lord of the Rings or Avatar we cannot help but feel we are there. Though to be fair the technologically superiority play a major role in the department. Another fact about Hollywood films is that the actors are professionals when they act and show emotions such as crying they make it look quite believable.
Bollywood on the other hand has several movie stars that our generation has grown up seeing such as Shahrukh Khan. All of their actors are unique and each adds their own unique flavor to their movies. Secondly all movies are essentially musicals. Indian movies try to strike a balance their will never be a purely horror movie there are always elements of comedy or romance mixed in. Another thing about them is that they promote family values which is a topic western filmmakers tend to avoid.
I believe that the Pakistani movie industry need above all else is uniqueness. Bollywood proved that to be successful we do not need technology or a high budget. We need only to stop coping Hollywood or Bollywood we need to stand on our own feet and present our unique culture to the world.
Today, Pakistani cinema has all but vanished. In 1985, 1,100 movie houses operated in Pakistan; today, only 120 are in business. Most directors have already given up and the few directors, producers and cinema owners that are still in this business often rely on second jobs to make ends meet.
We are at the bottom of the well and the only way is up. But we can only climb if we have the strength of will to do so. So I would like to encourage all Pakistani that read this article to create a small spark it can be a script, video anything and post on your own blog or on YouTube and perhaps your idea will be the one to turn into a roaring fire and raise Lollywood to the top.
By: Danish Ahmed
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