Category Archives: ET

Etc., Movies

Hollywood Stock Exchange

In Night at the Museum, Ben Stiller plays a bumbling security guard who accidentally unleashes an ancient curse that brings to life all the statues and preserved animals in the American Museum of Natural History, wreaking havoc on New York City. Going by the data from Hollywood Stock Exchange, this movie slated for Thanksgiving release, is projected to bring in $215 million for 20th Century Fox, the highest box office receipts for any film released during the critical holiday season.

The exchange was founded by two men, one who worked in financial services and the other an economist, who both loved movies. HSX gives traders just enough information to be able to play the market. But it collects a great deal more data and uses sophisticated models to project the demographic makeup of a movie audience. It can tell if a certain film will appeal to men in the 18 to 34 age group or whether it will play well with women over 35.

Related links
 Hollywood Stock Exchange 
 Businessweek article
 Wikipedia
 

1-By Laksh, ET, Movies

The Angrez

There is something about Hyderabad which every Hyderabadi feels strongly about and misses its flavor, specially when he is away. There could be many things contributing to this unique flavor…Biryani, irani chai, Charminar, the inimitable slang with which every word is served, being some of them.

‘The Angrez’ does a good a job of presenting as many things as possible and showcases the Hyderabadi flavor. Infact, it does such a good job that it becomes difficult to enjoy the entire movie, if you are not a die-hard Hyderabadi yourself.

Now, to analyse the story or the discuss the craft of the film would be a gross injustice to the spirit of this film. However, there is enough material to keep you interested for the entire duration aided by adequate technique. There are good performances from the lead cast, with the ‘old city’ gang standing out.

Overall, it is a must see for every Hyderabadi.

And, if you take a leaf out of ‘Salim Pekhu’ ways, at the end of the movie, you will sure say ‘The hyderabadi flavor is so strong that you could smell the biryani and irani chai while watching ‘The Angrez’.’:-)

Final word: You will like it better if had no ‘Hyderabad Blues’ hangover.

1-By Laksh, Movies

John Woo and home runs

Most of us would barely see a base ball traveling at ninety miles per hour until it was safely tucked in the catcher’s mitt. Great base ball hitters have revelaed in a study that they have a different experience altogether, which could be best described as ‘elongated’ time. Some said they could see the ball leaving the pitcher’s hand, even seeing the rotation of the body. Small wonder they are able to hit home runs.

In John Woo’s films his heros always hit home runs…period. Just subsititute base ball with whatever the hero can kick or punch.

Infact, the hero sees everything in slow motion and delivers his punches to perfection. He ducks gracefully to gun bullets making precise, making guided missile-like course corrections. If this wasn’t enough, he even comes out victorious in mexican standoff kind of situation. While the hero battles his way out effortlessly, doves and bullets fly together against shimmering pieces of dust, wood, metal…anything that is thrown off the blasts.

John Woo sure does sees the world differently and this has won him a lot of fans not just among the movie buffs but the film makers as well.

According to a conservative estimate, the introduction fight of Van Damme in ‘Hard Target’ has influenced more than a hundred fight sequences, in the south Indian cinema!

Signing note?

Quentin Tarantino has been quoted in reply to a studio executive who said “I suppose Woo can direct action scenes” as saying “Sure, and Michelangelo can paint ceilings!”

Another?

It would be interesting if John Woo directs a base ball flick:-)

Related links
Wikipedia on John Woo
God Among Directors
  Wikipedia on Mexican Standoff