MOVIE REVIEW::B.A. Pass has some standout performances,,,,The film stays away from being preachy, trying to give a message or play the holier than thou card. Instead it digs deep into the subject and fleshes out different emotions and facets of this lust story.

Film: B.A. Pass
Cast: Shilpa Shukla, Shadab Kamal, Rajesh Sharma, Dibyendu Bhattacharya
Director: Ajay Bahl
Rating: ***

What’s it about
Savita bhabhi has a new competitor. Sarika Khanna (Shilpa) is  a ‘desperate’ housewife who finds sexual gratification in the arms of a younger boy Mukesh (Shadab) who gets addicted to their steamy sessions. What starts off as an isolated random encounter soon becomes a regular affair. But before you think this one is a one dimensional erotic drama, there comes a twist that puts the right spin to the story. Soon the tables turn and the temptress becomes the predators prey.

What’s hot
The casting is spot on. Bahl gets the right people to play these characters. Despite the somewhat over the top sex scenes, Shilpa Shukla manages to create an impact with her cold calculative stare and bold attitude. Her initial encounter with Shadab and their introductory scenes are engaging. As much as Sarika’s role in the story, it is Mukesh who eventually ends up making a solid impact thanks to Shadab Kamal’s able acting. Thank fully it isn’t a predictable sexual drama, but one that springs up a dark surprise.

The film also stays away from being preachy, trying to give a message or play the holier than thou card. Instead it digs deep into the subject and fleshes out different emotions and facets of this lust story.

What’s not
With time as the story progresses, the initial effect of the graphic sex scenes wears out and they start looking repetitive. Dialogues at times sound silly and pretentious. Also the pace in the second half could have been better.

What to doB.A. Pass will engage you with its smartly written story line and some standout performances.

MOVIE REVIEW:Zambezia is a bit old and dated...Watch Happy Feet or Rio if a feathered fable is what you seek to enjoy.

Film: Zambezia
Cast: Abigail Breslin, Jeff Goldblum, Samuel L. Jackson, Richard E. Grant, Jennifer Lewis, Leonard Nimoy, Jim Cummings
Director: Wayne Thornley
Rating: *1/2

What’s it about
Birds, fishes, lizards, snails, animation studios have made films with every possible species on the planet in the last few years. In the film we visit the colourful world of a falcon named Kai who learns important life lessons through his visit to the city of Zambezia. There is also a subplot about Kai’s obsession about making it to the ranks of an elite force by pleasing their leader.

What’s hot
There is a feel good factor in the story line and the voice overs are decent. The South African canvass and landscape is an added attraction with the artistes trying to capture the natural beauty of the place.

What’s not
Predictability seeps in early on in the film. There is nothing that is new or hasn’t been done before. In an age where every animation film breaks a new ground, Zambezia looks a bit old and dated. We wish the production values were better and more attention was paid to the story line. Also the humour is weak and the birds lose the fluffy cuteness before we start getting interested in the plot.

What to do
Watch Happy Feet or Rio if a feathered fable is what you seek to enjoy.

Salman Khan's upcoming film Kick in trouble, actor denied visa to UK.Salman is said to apply for the visa next week.

This time of the year doesn't seem to be right for actor Salman Khan. While earlier, the 2002 hit-and-run case came back to haunt him, the actor has now been denied visa to the UK.

Salman, who was to join the crew of Sajid Nadiadwala'sKick in Glasgow, has not been able to leave India as his visa was rejected.

While no reasons have been given for the denial, it is being speculated that the hit-and-run case against the actor may have been behind the decision.

The actor had appeared in court on July 24. The court had framed the charges and adjourned the case till August 19.

Meanwhile, Salman's father Salim Khan has denied any such reports while speaking to a leading daily.

The daily quoted him as saying, "There were some technical issues. Salman already has a 10-year tourist visa which is still valid. However, some issues came up while trying to get a work permit. They needed some additional papers, which have now been called for and will be presented to them." 

He also clarified that the actor's visa was not rejected, but on hold. 

Salman is said to apply for the visa next week.

MOVIE REVIEW:The Smurfs 2 is entertaining on a very basic level... The Smurfs 2......MUST WATCH

Film: The Smurfs 2

Cast:  Neil Patrick Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Jayma Mays, Hank Azaria, Katy Perry, Jonathan Winters, Christina Ricci, JB Smoove, George Lopez, Anton Yelchin, John Oliver

Director: Raja Gosnell

Rating:**

WATCH THE TRAILER

What’s it about

Color me blue. The Smurfs franchise worked because every 5-year-old dragged his parents to the theatre and wanted a matching toy. In its sequel the story shifts from the Big Apple to Paris where the nasty wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria) is looking for a ‘surf essence’ that gives these tiny creatures their blue colour.

For this he kidnaps Smurfette (Katy Perry) to give him that magical power to rule over the world. Neil Patrick Harris, George Lopez, Christina Ricci play supporting characters who help her flee from Gargamel’s evil clutches.

What’s hot
If you liked the first film, then there are chances you will enjoy some of the silly gags and jokes. Kids will love the way these Smurfs talk and interact with each other. Katy Perry is perfectly cast in the role and Britney Spears adds a bit of musicality with the catchy theme song.

What’s not
There isn’t much for the adults to enjoy. Most of the story line has been written keeping the core audience – kids in mind. Also the multitude of Smurf names tends to get irritating after a while and the phrases Smurftastrophed, Smurfutunities, Smurfy's Law, etc sound extremely gimmicky.

What to do
Strictly for the kids, Smurfs 2 is average fare that is entertaining on a very basic level.

Stubborn N Srinivasan made to budge yet again:IPL spot-fixing,Resignation threats, questions by BCCI functionaries and Jaitley's wisdom halt Srinivasan's comeback bid.

It came as little surprise that the BCCI on Friday scrapped its working committee meeting, which was intended to pave way for N Srinivasan’s return as board president. The dissenting voices within the board had grown too loud, with two BCCI vice-presidents apparently threatening to resign if he presided over the meeting. But BCCI vice-president and union law minister, Arun Jaitley, intervened and the meeting was called off unanimously.

And as mentioned in this paper on Thursday, BCCI joint secretary Anurag Thakur and former board chief IS Bindra abstained from the meeting.

Although the official reason cited for cancelling the meeting was “technical” — the word ‘emergency’ must be mentioned if a working committee meeting is called abruptly — an insider told dna that Srinivasan was also warned of contempt of court, which declared BCCI’s internal probe panel as illegal. 

According to another report, Srinivasan initially insisted that the high court’s orders were mere observations and not binding on the board. But the discomfort in the room was reportedly quite palpable, with IPL’s governing council members texting each other frantically about Srini’s presence.

Apparently, one governing council member, too, pointed out the lack of transparency in the BCCI’s procedure to appoint its inquiry panel. An intense argument apparently ensued and the meeting ended abruptly. The BCCI, meanwhile, has decided to move Supreme Court on Tuesday to challenge the HC. Jagmohan Dalmiya will continue to manage the board’s affairs in the interim.

BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said, “As a matter of principle, the members confirmed that it was important that the governing council’s actions be and be seen to be both legally and ethically correct. The governing council believes that the probe commission was properly constituted in accordance with the IPL operational rules, and has consequently decided that an appeal should be filed in the Honourable Supreme Court.”

Once again Jaitley emerged as the key man who convinced Srinivasan to exercise prudence. It is learnt that Jaitley suggested that the only way Srinivasan could seek legal re-dress against the HC judgment was by not chairing Friday’s meeting. Else, Srinivasan should brace up for more litigation from across the country like the one bothering the board at this point.

The legal opinion was wisely taken into the account by Srinivasan, and it took less than 10 minutes for the BCCI mandarins to devise a strategy and maintain a status quo.

It is fair to say that Srini had no choice but heed Jaitley’s advice. And so for the second time in as many months, Jaitley had his way. Remember, it was Jaitley and Thakur who forced Srinivasan to “step aside” till the board’s internal panel completed its inquiry against his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan.

Dalmiya has emerged as the biggest winner, for he gets more time as interim chief. 
Friday’s development is also a massive boost to Srinivasan’s detractors within the board, who are keen that his election prospects are stunted in September. That will ensure the floating votes — roughly five to six — would tilt in their favour.

Friday namaz ar Jama Masjid in New Delhi

Devotees at Jama Masjid offer prayers on Juma-tul-wida or the last

Friday of the holy month of Ramzan in New Delhi. Muslims across the world refrain

from eating and smoking from dawn to dusk during Ramzan.

Jet man' Yves Rossy flies alongside World War 2-era B17 bomber...Jet man' Yves Rossy flies alongside World War 2-era B17 bomber

'Jet man' Yves Rossy flies alongside World War 2-era B17 bomber

Thursday, Aug 1, 2013, 18:23 IST | Agency: AFP

Swiss 'Jet Man' Yves Rossy is flying his jet-powered wing over Wisconsin as part of the EAA Airventure Oshkosh event from August 1-4, 2013. As part of his preparations, he flies alongside a World War 2-era B17 bomber.

Related Articles

c14400