Pokemon, whether it be TV cartoons, movies, trading cards or one of the more than 1,000 associated products, has generated billions of dollars for its parent company, Nintendo, since its launch as a video game in early 1996. And the phenomenon is not confined to Japan. Led by the hero Satoshi and point man (monster) Pikachu, it swept across the world in just three years. Monday, September 28, 2009
Saaya Irie - Japanese Teen Idol
Pokemon, whether it be TV cartoons, movies, trading cards or one of the more than 1,000 associated products, has generated billions of dollars for its parent company, Nintendo, since its launch as a video game in early 1996. And the phenomenon is not confined to Japan. Led by the hero Satoshi and point man (monster) Pikachu, it swept across the world in just three years. 
Introduced to the US as a TV cartoon in September 1998, Pokemon generated an estimated 700 million dollars in retail sales in the following year. The weekly cartoon became the top-rated kid's TV show and the video 'Pokemon: Seaside Pikachu' topped the bestsellers list. Sociologists engage in serious debate about the educational value of kids' obsession with Pokemon cards. The logistics, tactics and pure arithmetic involved in pitting the various monsters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, against each other certainly make kids use their brains. And the fact that the monsters don't die as a result of their battles - they just faint - is a welcome change from the usual cartoon carnage. But stories of schoolyard fights over cards and the kind of money changing hands - some cards are traded at over 100 dollars apiece - also cause concern.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Ai Shinozaki - Japanese Hot Idol
Although the first home-grown movies appeared before the end of the last century, it wasn't until after World War I that they became something more than adaptations of stage plays and kabuki. The Nikkatsu and Shochiku film companies started at this time. From about 1920, Japanese film was divided into two main categories: Jidai-geki, or period films and Gendai-geki, or films with modern settings. The jidai-geki usually centered around a lone swordsman, who struggled to reconcile the conflict between his obligations (giri), and his true feelings (ninjo). This theme later became central to the gangster, or yakuza genre, originated by the Toei comapny in the 1960's. Gendai-geki reflected social changes of the day and individual director's views on life and society.
Censorship by the increasingly militaristic government continued through the 1930's and World War II, although its guidelines were largely ignored. The US occupation temporarily banned pre-1945 films and clamped down on the sword-wielding jidai-geki. But after control of the movie industry was handed over to the independent Motion Picture Code Committee in 1949, they soon came back in force.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Mamatha Mohandas wallpaper
Indian film actress Mamta Mohandas has been modeling for quite some time doing both print ads and on the ramp, before taking up acting in films as a career. She debuted in the Malayalam film Mayookham in 2005 directed by Hariharan. It was followed by movies such as Bus Conductor, Adhbutam, Lanka, Madhuchandralekha, Sivapathigaram, etc. Mamatha Mohandas has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language movies. A trained classical singer, Mamta has also excelled as a playback singer.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Manorama calls for impotency tests before marriage
Are you ready for declaring your sexual potency to your future life partner before marriage? Are you capable of fathering a child, or delivering a child? Get ready to answer these questions if you are planning to marry, at least in Tamil Nadu, if the veteran actress Manorama succeeds in her efforts in what most people consider as a social cause. And not only in Tamil Nadu, it may become legally binding in the rest of India too.
As is well known, actor Manorama is now campaigning for a cause that is widely prevalent but that is mentioned only in secret. "I met the chief minister a few days ago and briefed him on the trauma of discovering that one has married an impotent person. I have asked him to bring in a law whereby it is necessary for the bride and groom to produce a medical certificate before marriage stating that they are not impotent and another saying they have tested negative for HIV/AIDS," she added.
Apart from Chief Minister Dr M Karunanidhi, Manorama has also met Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin and Health Minister M R K Paneerselvam for legalizing the cause, and reportedly all the three have assured her that they would study the matter.
Mostly impotency comes to light only after couples are married, said Manorama. Apparently she was moved by the case of a young woman who, a few weeks ago sought Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) as compensation from her impotent husband who had been married off with the full knowledge of his condition by his parents. The woman has also filed a police complaint against him.
"More recently, a close family member underwent a similar fate, and after discussions with fans, friends and family I learnt that impotency is a major factor in today's life," said the legendary actor. The current lifestyles, often blamed for diseases like diabetes and hypertension, are embarrassing many couples in their bedrooms. The rate of impotency is rising, according to sexologists.
"Ours is a traditional society and a marriage is considered binding. However, with growing instances of strains in physical relationships, the problem of impotency has huge sociological implications," said sexologist Dr Narayana Reddy.
There are divorce cases pending in courts and the reason for seeking divorce is sexual impotency. "However, when a person is aware of impotency it is better to disclose the same," said fertility specialist, Dr Priya Selvaraj. "Unlike the 80s, women are unwilling to suffer in silence anymore," she added. "However, an act of law alone may not be enough. We need to create awareness and make it easier, as a society, for voluntary disclosures," she added.
"Everything cannot be monitored by law," said lawyer Sudha Ramalingam. "The increasing number of cases shows that rather than looking at horoscopes, parents need to go in for background checks on medical history," she added. "Only then can you make married life work for you," she added. "Creating awareness through campaigns and sex education is the way forward," said Selvaraj.
In India, verifying and matching horoscopes of the brides and bridegrooms are considered a “must” by most believers in Hindu religion and most other religions. Though it is not a legal requirement, it is sometimes followed stricter than legal requirements. In such cases if the horoscopes do not match, there won’t be any marriages. It is almost an unwritten law. If it can be given social sanction, why can’t a “medical matching” be considered? It will simply make relationships more transparent, avoid cheating by impotent brides/bridegrooms, avoid unwanted divorce proceedings and avoid being gifted with HIV/AIDS along with solemnization of marriages!
But Manorama is getting more support for the cause and she said, "I will not rest until the issue of impotency is brought out in the open and not whispered behind veils." Manorama, still very active in her career and who has three generations of addicted fans, can harness enough support for her social cause, her fans and others feel.
In a career spanning about 55 years, Manorama has the rare distinction of having acted with five Chief Ministers; C N Annadurai, Dr M Karunanidhi, Dr M G Ramachandran, Dr Jayalalitha Jayaram, and Dr N T Rama Rao. Also she holds a Guinness World Record for acting in the most number of films. Some sources place her performance records as having acted in more than 1500 films, 1000 stage performances, and a few television serials. She is affectionately called as Aachi by the Tamil people, about which she once told the press, "Aachi? As Pannyur Bhagyam, I spoke Chettinad lingo. And the name stuck”.
Having started her acting career at age 12, Manorama is a theatre actress, 'Neethipathi' (1955), stage playback singer, film actress 'Maalayitta Mangai’ (1958), TV actress, and has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films, and have paired with leading comedians like Chandrababu, Cho Ramaswamy, Thangavelu, Thengai Srinivasan, M R Ratha and Nagesh. Apart from character roles and comedy roles, Manorama has acted as heroine in Konjum Kumari, Alangari and Periya Manithan.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Kavya Madhavan to return to movies
Here is good news for fans of Mollywood’s popular heroine Kavya Madhavan. She is on a come back mood and considering some good scripts and she can be expected to sign some very soon. However, she is not in a hurry, but she is looking for the right kind of roles. She is quite fond of classical dance forms and she has had training in Bharatnatyam and Mohiniyattam both of which she has been learning from childhood. But she could hardly show her dancing skills in films so far. So, it would be her priority to do a role that has classical dance. Recently she was in Kozhikode to inaugurate a beauty salon when she talked to a national newspaper about her future plans!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
MTV VMA 2009: Beyonce Knowles and Taylor Swift
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards extravaganza at Radio City Hall in New York witnessed Beyonce Knowles' "Single Ladies" winning the MTV award, known as Moonman, for the Best Video of the year. Britney Spears won the Best Pop Video, Green Day won the Best Rock Video and Eminem won the Hip Hop, while the flamboyant Lady Gaga was picked for the Best New Artist Award.
Madonna opened the evening extravaganza by commemorating "one of the greatest talents the world has ever known", Michael Jackson, who "didn't just make you want to dance, but actually made you believe you could fly". But after praising Jackson, Madonna sounded a darker note, saying she felt many failed to go to his help when his life began to fall apart amid health problems, a fading career, and child abuse allegations. She finally said, "Long live the king!" Following it, Janet Jackson recreated the dance moves from her only video made with her brother, "Scream".
Video Of The Year Award was won by Beyoncé Knowles for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)", directed by Jake Nava. Best Choreography (choreography by Jaquel Knight & Frank Gatson Jr.) and Best Editing (edited by Jarrett Fijal) Awards also went to Beyonce’s Single Ladies.
Lady Gaga won the Best New Artist Award for "Poker Face", directed by Ray Kay. Best Art Direction Award ("Paparazzi", Art Direction by Jason Hamilton), and Best Special Effects ("Paparazzi", Special Effects by Chimney Pot) also went to Lady Gaga.
Eminem won the Best Hip-Hop Video Award for "We Made You", directed by Joseph Kahn.
T.I. and Rihanna won the Best Male Video Award for "Live Your Life", directed by Anthony Mandler -- the entire video for "Live Your Life" was shot in a memento-like reverse chronological order.
Britney Spears bagged the Best Pop Video Award for "Womanizer", directed by Joseph Kahn.
Best Rock Video Award went to Green Day for "21 Guns", directed by Marc Webb. Best Cinematography (cinematography by Jonathan Sela) and Best Direction (Marc Webb) Awards were also bagged by Green Day for "21 Guns."
The Best Female Video Award was won by Taylor Swift for "You Belong With Me" (directed by Roman White).
The Best Video Award went to Beastie Boys for "Sabotage" directed by Spike Jonze.
Matt and Kim won the Breakthrough Video Award for "Lessons Learned", directed by Taylor Cohen & Otto Arsenault.
The teen country music star Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video Award was interrupted when rapper Kanye West crashed the stage and grabbed her microphone to tell the hall that he favoured Beyonce's video. However, Beyonce later made up for the incident by inviting Swift to share the stage during her own award triumph.
However, it was Michael Jackson, who died aged 50 on June 25, who received the most accolades, with host Russell Brand and award winners lining up to pay tributes to The King of Pop.
The Best Female Video Award winner Taylor Swift
2009 MTV Video Music Awards' The Best Female Video Award was won by Taylor Swift for "You Belong With Me".
Kanye West belittles Taylor Swift for Beyonce
Taylor Swift won the Best Female Video Award for You Belong With Me and she was delivering the acceptance speech when rapper Kanye West grabbed her mic and said, "Taylor, I'm really happy for you and I'm gonna let you finish, but Beyonce has one of the best videos of all time". Look at Taylor's face! He made her feel really bad.
Taylor Swift being interrupted by Kanye West
The teen country star Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for MTV VMA Best Female Video Award was interrupted when rapper Kanye West crashed the stage and grabbed her microphone and told the the hall that he favoured Beyonce's video for the Award.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Salman and Kareena in Main Aur Mrs Khanna
The upcoming Bollywood comedy ‘Main Aur Mrs Khanna’, starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles, also has Govinda in a special appearance and Preity Zinta in an item number. The music, composed by Sajid-Wajid, is already launched. Sajid-Wajid, known for hits like ‘mujhse shaadi karogi’, ‘maine pyaar kyun kiya’ has been credited also with the music for the latest ‘Wanted’, also with Salman Khan. Main Aur Mrs Khanna is slated for release during the coming Diwali.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Priyanka Chopra promotes Lux soap
There was a recent collaboration between Priyanka Chopra and Lux soap, and this photo is one of her stills from her ad/video campaigns for selling the Rs 10 soaps.
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