PadminiArhant.com
Hollywood News
August 15, 2008
Author – Rish Arhant-Sudhir
Dreamworks recently announced that they will have sequels to some of their biggest hits. A Kung Fu Panda 2 is planned due to the success of the first film this summer. Madagascar 2 comes out this November, but there is already talk of a third film where we will hopefully see our heroes return to New York.
Valkyrie has changed release dates yet again! Tom Cruise’s next film regarding German army men and their plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler was originally planned to release on August 8, 2008 then changed to October 3, 2008, followed by February 13, 2009, and as of now the final release date of Valkyrie is December 26, 2008. The date was pulled back due to successful test screenings.
Mike Myers joins the cast of Inglorious Bastards, Quentin Tarantino’s war film planned for 2009. Myers will play Ed Fenech, a British militant who creates the plot to kill Nazi Leadership. Other cast members include Brad Pitt and Eli Roth. The Office star B.J. Novak is in talks to join the cast as well.
Hollywood Blu-Ray News
August 15, 2008
Author – Rish Arhant-Sudhir
Wall-E – November 18th
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian – December 2nd
Austin Powers Set – December 2nd
Monster’s Ball – November 4th
Ultimate Gangster Collection ( American Gangster, Casino, Eastern Promises ) – Occtober 14th
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – October 14th
Iron Man – September 30th
Tropic Thunder
August 15, 2008
Author – Rish Arhant-Sudhir
Ben Stiller plays Tugg Speedman, a washed out action star who has only found success with his “Scorcher” series. He recently portrayed a character call “Simple Jack” in the film which spawned many protests regarding the film’s lack of respect for the mentally challenged. Although this issue could have been handled more delicately by the makers of the film, it was from my understanding, attempting to make fun at the ignorant stars who think like the characters in the film.
Jack Black portrays Jeff Portnoy, a comedian who, from what the audience can tell, is only getting laughs from his “The Fatties” series which are flatulent comedies staring only Jeff Portnoy in rubber suits. Jack Black pulls off some great jokes with finesse as always.
Robert Downey Jr. has a great performance as Kirk Lazarus, the 5-time academy award winning Australian actor who takes on the role of an African-American man. He not only portrays an African-American man well but also delivers a particularly good Australian accent. Downey pulls of the role hysterically and once again stepped outside the box.
Brandon T. Jackson has some great one-liners throughout the movie and is quite funny as rapper Alpa Chino. Jay Baruchel is just alright as Kevin Sandusky, the only actor who was committed to his part, although he has great chemistry with the rest of the cast members. Danny Mcbride’s talent was wasted. Nick Nolte is good as the real Four-Leaf, author of the novel Tropic Thunder. Steve Coogan is in the movie less than you may anticipate. Bill Hader is barely in it. Brandon Soo Hoo, Reggie Lee, and Trieu Tran are marvelous as the members of the flaming dragon.
There were many cameos in the film including Tobey Maguire, Jon Voight, Alicia Silverstone, and Jason Bateman. Matthew McConaughey is great in his role as Rick Peck, Tugg Speedman’s agent. Tom Cruise steals the show as the dancing studio executive, Les Grossman.
Tropic Thunder is not the likes of The Dark Knight, by far, although it is good for more than a few laughs. Although it has its flaws, Tropic Thunder is successful in entertaining the audience throughout.
Video Game News
August 15, 2008
Author – Kanish Arhant-Sudhir
In an attempt to surpass the PS3 in sales, Microsoft is dropping the price of the Xbox360 to $300 while in August they will release an Xbox360 Pro for $349. Movie streaming will be available free to Netflix customers through Xbox Live and will have an annual fee to others. Final Fantasy will be available on the Xbox360 soon as well. NBC Universal has been added to the list of companies that will make their programs available for download on Xbox Live. An Xbox Live update will make its way to systems soon and will allow users to create avatars. The update will also include a new, slicker user interface.
International Politics
August 13, 2008
I posted a blog on May 25th, 2008 about the article from “Voice of America” dated May 23rd, 2008.
Our nation is currently occupied with the important political event i.e.” The Presidential race”. The Presidential candidates are vying for the highest position on land. The main stream media and news organizations are busy analyzing the “gaffe” by Senator Hillary Clinton and perusing the medical records of Senator John McCain. So not much attention is devoted to the International political events currently taking place that could have significant impact on the world’s future and the “Superpower” status.
I share this with you for your information as it is relevant to the current political event in the United States whoever our next “President” might be!
Source: VOA.com (Voice of America) – Thank you.
23 May 2008
Russia‘s New President Makes First International Trip to China
Russia’s new president Dmitry Medvedev says his country seeks what he calls a reasonable, pragmatic and friendly relationship with giant neighbor, China. He arrived in Beijing Friday for a two day visit – as part of his first trip abroad since he took office earlier this month. Stephanie Ho has more on the story.
Ties between former Cold War rivals, China and Russia, are warming. Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui says his government appreciates the Russian leader’s choice of destinations.
He says President Medvedev’s decision to make China one of his first foreign visits only half a month after taking office fully demonstrates the high degree of importance he and the Russian government place on the China-Russia relationship.
The Russian leader’s Beijing schedule includes meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior Chinese leaders.
The two countries are expected to discuss energy issues, as well as military cooperation trade.
Russian Ambassador to China, Sergey Razov, told reporters the two countries share many similar views on major international issues. He says on sensitive issues, including the Iran and Korean peninsula nuclear issues, among others, they have a common position.
Jing-dong Yuan, an associate professor at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, says the two countries already have strong defense cooperation.
“This is the most, probably salient, component of this relationship,” said Yuan. “China has imported major weapons systems from Russia, and also military technology transfer, over the last decade and a half. And they have, in recent years, moved beyond simple arms sales to joint military exercise and other military cooperation.”
He says the two countries are likely to expand their cooperation in space and nuclear technology.
At the same time, he says both countries need to work on expanding economic ties.
“Currently, the bilateral trade is only $48 billion annually, so it’s very low for countries such as China and Russia, two big economies and neighboring countries,” said Yuan”.
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Analysis: Should United States be concerned about the proliferating China-Russia relationship especially with the military and nuclear technology expansion?
It is a matter of concern as these two nations being key members with “Veto Power” in the United Nations Security Council have demonstrated authority on issues related to Iran, North Korea and Burma. Both China and Russia are undeniably the emerging powers of the FAR EAST and Central Asia rich in fossil fuel and other natural resources. The recent impressive economic growth further enhances their political status and embolden them to ignore issues….whether it is human rights, free and fair elections and freedom of press expected of any sovereign nation towards their own citizens and the global community.
At home, the current administration investment of time and resources on Iraq and Afghanistan has shifted focus away from strengthening strategic alliances and ties with its allies and other nations sharing common goals such as upholding democratic values and multilateral resolutions for political, economic, energy and environmental crises affecting every living being on the planet.
Unfortunately, the administration stance in the past eight years and its unilateral position with Iraq war, declining to ratify the “Kyoto treaty”, neglecting serious warnings on the economic crisis, violation of civil and constitutional rights under the guise of “Patriot Act” and other unconstitutional legislative measures has contributed to the diminishing “Superpower” status and lately undermine the United States position in resolving any international crisis.
Meanwhile, China and Russia are actively engaged in political, economic and military expansion much to the concern of other developing nations in the region.
Is the next administration capable and prepared to deal with all of these real challenges, something the American electorate have to think long and hard prior to casting their ballot in November 2008?
Sincerely,
Padmini Arhant
“Voice for Humanity”
Current International Crisis:
Russian Invasion of Georgia:
It appears to be “Russia’s” turn to flex muscles against the less powerful sovereign neighbor, “Georgia”! The ulterior motive according to some political analysts is claimed to be none other than the “Liquid Gold” otherwise known as “Oil”.
What a “revelation”?
Even though Russia claims on its part that the recent aggression against Georgia is to protect the minority population in “South Ossetia” admittedly holding “Russian Passports” and willing to be part of prosperous, repressive “Russia” rather than overzealous Democratic “Georgia” with a confused strategy in embracing the minority group as “Georgians”.
It is not uncommon for sovereign nations to experience ethnic confrontations alongside the borders or mainland and have political differences with the disfranchisement of the minority groups. The ethnic or the minority groups in return demanding separatism or autonomy from the “State” governing those regions.
Whatever happened to the Intelligence Sources and their responsibility towards such international conflict?
Perhaps preoccupied like the “Heads of the State” in the United States and Europe with the International Olympics?
Should “Beijing Olympics” be held responsible for being the major distraction with their outstanding display of talent and newly acclaimed status as the emerging “economic power” in Asia?
The strange scenario being our “President” and the “Russian Prime Minister”, Vladimir Putin’s presence at the Opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics to appease the host nation while bombing of “Georgia” was underway in full force.
It is well known for political figures to demonstrate “camaraderie” during the International events but “Prime Minister Putin” is the “Gold Medalist” among the “Heads of State” attending the ceremony.
Prime Minister Putin’s composure in convincing novice and professionals alike as the peacemaker at the event that pledges international solidarity and harmony after having executed full scale war against a democratic nation is truly remarkable.
The legitimate concern for the American electorate is to be mindful of these developments and exercise diligence when electing the next “President” and the administration in November 2008 who would exhibit leadership required for the“Super Power” in the world.
Thank you.
P.S.
South Ossetia Geography:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
South Ossetia (Ossetic: Хуссар Ирыстон, Khussar Iryston; Georgian: სამხრეთი ოსეთი, Samkhreti Oseti; Russian: Южная Осетия, Yuzhnaya Osetiya) is a region in the South Caucasus, formerly the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. A part of it has been de facto independent from Georgia since it declared independence[1] as the Republic of South Ossetia early in the 1990s during the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The capital of the region is Tskhinvali.
The independence has not been diplomatically recognized by any member of the United Nations – which continues to regard South Ossetia as part of Georgia. Georgia has retained control over parts of the region’s eastern and southern districts where it created, in April 2007, a Provisional Administrative Entity of South Ossetia[2][3][4][5] headed by ethnic Ossetians (former members of the separatist government) under the leadership of Dmitry Sanakoev which would negotiate with central Georgian authorities regarding its final status and conflict resolution.[6]
Accountability
August 13, 2008
To: Senator Barack Obama, The Presumptive Democratic Nominee, Democratic Party.
As stated earlier, I list the issues that are of major concern to me.
The economic, energy, health care plan and time line for troop withdrawal from Iraq and troop deployment in Afghanistan laid out by your Campaign is lacking in specifics and as a tax payer I am interested in precise solutions from you as the “Presumptive Democratic nominee”.
It is important for tax payers to understand how exactly the policies are going to impact the economic standards particularly with the current economic difficulties in all fronts ranging from energy costs to food, education, health care and hosts of issues that matter to every individual of our nation.
Further, the plan to fund most social programs does not elaborate on the strategy to provide for these services. The proposal to raise taxes on investments i.e. Capital gains on dividends earned from sale or investment holdings is another concern for small investor like me relying on income from investments during economic downturns contributing to weak job markets nationwide.
National Health Care proposal needs to address the costs involved to fund the policy. The grim reality is the costs will be ultimately transferred to the tax payers/consumers by the industry initially in agreement with the proposal.
Unfortunately the recent performance by the government at the State and Federal level in balancing the budget has been disappointing and the tax payers including myself have little or no confidence in the government with the money management.
I am also extremely disappointed with your seismic shifts in issues such as voting in favor of “FISA”, “Gun Control”, “Public Financing – it appears more corporate donations are pouring in through corporate executives who in effect neutralize the anti-lobbyists position claimed by your campaign during the primary election”.
Somehow the Senator Obama, whom I vigorously supported by enduring attacks and criticisms from both Democratic and the Republican fronts is lost in the same “Washington” crowd that follows the golden rule….“say anything and do nothing politics.”
If it comes down to winning the election by any means and any shifts in position is justified as “Political Expediency”, I fail to see any “transformation” in “Washington”
with any new administration.
Since you emphasized on “Accountability” on the campaign trail and invited the electorate to bring forth issues concerning them, I have highlighted on some of them and hope to have a sincere response from you.
Once again, I appreciate the opportunity to present my concerns and not be treated as just another “donor” or one of “million volunteers” excited to get through the general election.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant