0 Nick Appearance Minute: FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012" : The Recap!

San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion" Love:

OMG!!! Nick Verreos and FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012" attendee--and her FIDM "vintage logo" sweatshirt 

Last week, I had some very important business meetings (relating to a possible "NV by Nick Verreos" line I have been diligently working on) in NYC. Once I finished the meetings, I got on a plane and flew to one of my other favorite cities in the good ol' US of A: San Francisco! I was scheduled to make a "Nick Visit" as part of my FIDM "3 Days of Fashion 2012" tour at the wonderful Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising San Francisco campus last Wednesday.

Nick Verreos, FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

The weather in SF this past week was GORGEOUS! Warm but not too hot and  very clear (No fog in SF: who knew!?). The FIDM SF campus is located in the heart of Union Square so on my way there--with my trusty NIKOLAKI confidante David Paul (who of course, flew with me!)--it was very difficult to keep away from going into EVERY store to do some retail damage.

Red Carpet in San Francisco: Model Rachael Sitz modeling one of my NIKOLAKI Couture gowns--a lavender silk chiffon hand-beaded sequined column gown

There was no time for that, it was all about my Appearance and showing some of my NIKOLAKI Collection dresses to all the high school students who were in attendance for this final third day of the "3 Days of Fashion".

Welcome Nick: Nick Verreos at FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Over 100 students plus some of their mom's and dad's greeted me with a wonderful "San Francisco" welcome!! I spoke about my time as a young boy drawing all the stewardess uniforms while traveling on trips with my mom and dad, as well as how I decided to attend FIDM and all that has happened since, including "Project Runway", all my TV Red Carpet Expert work and of course, dressing celebs like Katy Perry, Beyonce and Heidi Klum. Speaking of my NIKOLAKI designs...

Designer and His Fashion: Nick Verreos and model Rachael Sitz in NIKOLAKI Collection silk chiffon column gown with hand-beaded lavender sequins and peek-a-boo top detail and...

Rachael in a raspberry-colored silk-wool ziberline strapless dress with draped bustier and asymmetrical skirt. And by the way, this dress was the same dress worn by Beyonce in her "Best Thing I Never Had" music video.

 Auf Wiedersehen? Nick Verreos checking out the "Rock the Runway" finalists, FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

 
Then, after my "Nick Talk" and NIKOLAKI mini-fashion presentation, it was on to judging the "Rock the Runway" Contest--where "3 Days of Fashion" attendees were told to dress in their most "original" outfits which expressed their most "unique" styles.

Serious Judging: Nick Verreos, Julia Anne Hill and David Paul of NIKOLAKI , "Rock the Runway" Contest, FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I had the privilege of being one of the judges,--along with my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul, FIDM Alumna Julia Anne Hill (she's Apparel and Design Director/Social Media Specialist for Clinton Kelly Inc.) and two hand-picked FIDM SF "3 Days of Fashion 2012" attendees. The Contest was SO much fun--not so much fun to judge (it was very, very difficult since they were ALL very good!)--but fun to see all of the students' ensembles!

McQueen'ed: One of our faves was this one young man named Diego Rivera (I know--just like the Mexican painter!)--you can see him in the photo above wearing the denim shirt, McQueen scarf and black Meggings (male leggings). I teased him because he also had FAB accessories including very expensive Hermes "Collier de Chien" cuff and Cartier "Love" bracelet. I wondered (out loud!) who his Sugar Daddy was--and if I could have his phone number??

Nick Verreos poses with the tied finalists in their "Rock the Runway" looks, FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

The Winner:

Colorful Winner: Nick Verreos and co-judge Julia Anne Hill and the two student judges pose with the Winner of the "Rock the Runway" contest--in the middle wearing the apple green hot-shorts and striped sweater--FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

SF Smiles: (Left to right) Nick Verreos, Trudy Noren (FIDM SF College Representative and Special Events), Julia Anne Hill and David Paul, FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Once again, it was a very successful and fantastic FIDM "3 Days of Fashion" in San Francisco--I had so much fun meeting all the students, their mom's and dad's, judging the contest, as well as showing them my NIKOLAKI designs. I LOVE SF and cannot wait to come back!!!

0 Nick Appearance Minute: Nick Verreos at "3 Days of Fashion" FIDM OC and FIDM San Diego-The Recap!!

Fashionista Summer Camp:

Nick and Benny: Nick Verreos, his doggie "Benny" and a very tall FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012" attendee

It's Summer and you know what that means: "3 Days of Fashion" time! The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising/FIDM has its annual "3 Days of Fashion" every Summer as a way to introduce high school students to FIDM as well as what they might look forward to if they choose to apply and eventually attend the College. This is what you get if you attend FIDM's "3 Days of Fashion":

• Take workshops like Draping the Dress, where you'll create a 3-dimensional design on a fitting form; Concept to Consumer, which focuses on design and merchandising; and Creating a Promotional Campaign, where you'll work on a photo shoot and a special event.
• Learn step-by-step how to sketch the nine-head fashion figure.
• Work with other students from all over the world who share your passion for this industry.
• Be inspired by successful FIDM Graduates who are pros in the field.
• Experience FIDM's amazing resources and learn from our stellar instructors.

Talking Nick: Nick Verreos, FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I am always happy to come out and make "special appearances" at all the FIDM campuses' (Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles) "3 Days of Fashion" events on the final day. Last week, on June 20th, I began my "FIDM 3 Days of Fashion" Tour at the Orange County campus located in Irvine California which was then followed by my appearance at the San Diego Campus three days later. Here's my BLOG RECAP of these first two events:

FIDM Orange County "3 Days of Fashion":

Runway OC: Nick Verreos and two of the "FIDM OC" "Runway Walk-Off models, FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I always love coming to the FIDM Orange County campus for many reasons, but especially, because I can bring my little doggie Benny!! Oh, and yes, I also brought some of my NIKOLAKI Collection gowns and dresses! My appearance to the FIDM OC campus began with an impromptu Runway "Walk Off", where I went into the audience and chose three attendees--two girls and one boy (yes, A BOY!!) to show me how well they could give me "Runway". They all did a great job. Afterward, I got up onstage and spoke about my experience attending FIDM and all that I learned from the college as well as what I have been up to lately (A LOT!!!). As I said in the start of this post, I also brought some of my gowns for the "3 Days of Fashion" guests to see.

Printed Queen: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Spring 2013 silk chiffon printed gown, FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Naturally, I had to also bring one of my favorite top models from LA--the gorgeous Amanda Fields---who's also one of my NIKOLAKI Muses. She wore three of my designs, including the silk chiffon gown above...

NIKOLAKI COUTURE: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI silk chiffon lavender sequined one-shoulder dress (atop) and red silk-wool ziberline strapless NIKOLAKI gown with back cascade detail, FIDM OC "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

As well as the lavender-colored sequined one-shoulder dress that Katy Perry wore to launch her perfume, and a red silk ziberline strapless gown (both seen in the photos above).

Afterwards, as always, I had a Meet-and-Greet. Here are a couple of photos I took with FIDM Orange County's "3 Days of Fashion 2012" attendees in the photos above.

FIDM "3 Days of Fashion San Diego":

 Chattin' : Nick Verreos at the FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Several days after my visit to FIDM Orange County, I drove down to San Diego--with my NIKOLAKI Design Partner, David Paul--a native of San Diego--to make my next "3 Days of Fashion" appearance at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising San Diego campus.

 Posin': Nick Verreos, FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

Traffic from LA to San Diego was CRAZY (as you can imagine!) so about 3 1/2 HOURS later, we made it; I don't know how my jacket wasn't wrinkled from sitting in the car for that long (and my forehead wasn't overly shiny from the "OMG: Look-at-all-the-traffic stress!") but it was "all good" eventually once we arrived.

San Diego Gals: Nick Verreos during the FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012" Meet-and-Greet--notice the one girl in the right photo--she brought a copy of "Greek Circle" Magazine with the cover featuring one of my NIKOLAKI designs in one of my Fashion Week shows (LOVE HER!!)

The day was GORGEOUS (is there any other type of day for San Diego??) and coincidentally, there was a San Diego Padres game happening at the PETCO Park (which happens to be NEXT DOOR to the FIDM San Diego Campus). Once I arrived, I got right to work and judged the FIDM "3 Days of Fashion 2012 Rock the Runway" fashion show--where attendees got to feature their original and unique styles in different categories:

Rock The Runway San Diego: Nick Verreos judges FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012" Rock The Runway Contest

I also brought some of my NIKOLAKI Collection dresses (naturally) for this event for a very special fashion show to be modeled by yes, Amanda Fields. I was so excited when I found out that my NIKOLAKI design partner David Paul's mom (Conchita) and his youngest niece--the beautiful Emilie Coon--were in attendance. 

Model Fab: Model Amanda Fields in NIKOLAKI Collection, FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

So, unbeknownst to me--David put his niece to work, helping our model Amanda get prepped and ready for the fashion presentation. Here are a couple of pics of our NIKOLAKI model and David's niece Emilie backstage:

Model and David's Niece: Amanda Fields (left, in NIKOLAKI Collection dresses) poses with Emilie Coon (David's niece), FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

San Diego Smiles: (Left to right) David Paul, David's youngest niece Emilie Coon, Nick Verreos, David's mom Conchita Encinas-Hansen--FIDM San Diego "3 Days of Fashion 2012"

I had such a fun time at the San Diego and Orange County FIDM campuses last week--and more importantly, I think all the high school students--and their moms and dads--also had a good time too--and hopefully left with a little more knowledge and information about what makes FIDM so great!!!

Next up: FIDM San Francisco "3 Days of Fashion"...

0 Gangs Of Wasseypur "Movie Review"

Bleeding brilliance in almost every frame, breathing fire through every available orifice that the characters possess, and whipping up a kind of frenzied flamboyant bloodshed that was once associated with the Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone and Sam Peckinpah, Gangs Of Wasseypur is, briefly, one huge gang-bang. No protection provided.

From its bludgeoning opening when merciless marauders ambush a powerful enemy’s fortress-like home with army-like meticulousness Gangs Of Wasseypur takes us into a world where compassion is a dinosaur, forgiveness a faux pas, and kindness an unforgivable sin.

Welcome to Kashyap’s Wasseypur. This is no country for the weak-hearted. Country-made guns go off without warning, bombs are hurled from two-wheelers that have seen better days, and abuses fly out even faster than the bullets.

If you are the kind of moviegoer who doesn’t enjoying hearing and seeing the unimaginable things that can be done to various parts of the human anatomy, then I suggest you try something more sugary and safe.

The world of Wasseypur is soaked in blood and revenge. The mafia in one form or another rules the little town. To mainstream Hindi moviegoers this is not an unknown territory.

At least 4 other recent films, all remarkable in their own right—Paan Singh Tomar, Ishaqzaade, Rowdy Rathore and Shanghai have hurled audiences right into the notorious anarchy of the North Indian small-town (Bihar mainly) where the barrel of the gun speaks an irresistible language of mayhem.

Nozzle lagi raja torey bangle par…could well be the signature of the Kashyap’s Wasseypur-wallahs.

It’s a strangely dichotomous world where music and songs (Sneha Khanwalk) mock the characters’ subverted hero-giri. While the characters indulge in their unmanned violence we the audience become numbed participants in the rites of the wrong-doing.

Unlike the other Bihar-UP-mein-bawandar films the almost-ritualistic slaughter of all rules of civil conduct in Gangs Of Wasseypur is not redeemed by the presence of any hero. Even the main protagonist in Kashyap’s bloodthirsty saga is a certifiable rogue named Sardar Khan.

As played by Manoj Bajpayee in what is arguably his most feisty and filled-out performance to date, Sardar Khan is a second-generation criminal and social outcast.

In the film’s unforgettable prologue Sardar’s father (Jaideep Ahlawat, incredibly in-character) serves as a henchman to the powerful local politician (Tigmanshu Dhulia). Politician has Daddy killed by a hired assassin who could be teaching social science in a village school, and Sonny-boy grows up swearing revenge.

This in a nutshell, could be the plot for a cheesy 1980s’ potboiler. In taking the grammar and language of the formulistic vendetta drama from the 1970s and 80s (there’s even a broad and prominent homage to the Big B in Yash Chopra’s Trishul) and converting it into a crackling saga of compelling contemporary currency, Anurag Kashyap turns all the rules of mainstream Hindi cinema on its head.

He uses the language of Manmohan Desai and Narinder Bedi’s cinema. But he applies these to characters who are as far removed from the world of escapism is Sicily is from Wasseypur.

Oh, did we really say Gangs Of Wasseypur was derived from The Godfather? Nah. Silly shallow reading of the clannish gang-war theme. The two worlds are inter-connected only by their legacy of lineage and violence.

Beyond that Kashyap’s mode of storytelling, and the way his characters loom over the proceedings without become caricatural, are frighteningly original and as liberated of reference-points as any of the path-breaking films on gangwars that have emerged out of Hollywood in the last 25 years.

Kashyap celebrates the drama of the grotesque with the relish of a 7-‘coarse’ meal. No details in the non-stop brutality are kept off camera. We can count the number of thuds and stabbing sounds every time a victim is cornered and done to death. Violence on this level has never really been a part of mainstream Hindi cinema before. The end of cinematic niceties is here. Take it or leave it.

Kashyap in Wasseypur legitimizes gore with glorious gusto. In the gang-war that he portrays with such feral immediacy, victims are chopped up piece by piece, their body parts sent to the butcher’s to eliminate legal evidence.

A finger floating in a cesspool of stale blood is a commonplace sight in the world of unchecked mayhem that Kashyap has constructed with such casual resplendence.

His team of technicians are unconditionally mired in the mood of violence. Rajeev Ravi’s camera mows through the imaginary world of Wasseypur with a devilish dispassion.

The film looks layered and even luminous in texture. But the tone of narration is detached. The dereliction of the damned and doomed characters is neither romanticized nor demonized

Indeed Gangs Of Wasseypur invents a new language of cinematic expression. It creates a world where the characters inhabit a universe of vapid stagnant violence.

And yet the narration, never short of breath even in the most breathless state of violence, exudes a kind of vibrancy that comes from neither rejection not acceptable of an undesirable situation. It comes from within the characters.

As they battle each other in bitter futile feuds they also seem to be battling the demons within themselves. The synthesis of what lies within and without is devastating.

And yet for all its outward show of ruthless machismo Gangs Of Wasseypur is a film with a heart. There is a rather enticing love story featuring Bajpayee, his screen wife (debutante Richa Chadha)and the Other Woman (Reema Sen) tucked away in the folds of the ferocious tale.

That Bajpayee’s wife is played by firebrand Richa Chadha is a very happy happening in this sad but savagely funny tale. She is quite the discovery of the year, and that too in a film mottled with exceptional performances by Bajapyee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui as his son (more of him in Wasseypur 2), Tigmanshu Dhulia (clenched controlled and combative as the villain in chief), Pankaj Tripathi (riveting as Bajpayee’s belligerent enemy), Piyush Mishra (remarkably restrained and wise as Bajpayee’s mentor and guide) and Huma Qureshi (another whammy performer whom we will see more of in the sequel)

In fact every character, big or small, is cast with what looks like first-and-last options. You can’t imagine any other actor playing any of the myriad parts.

Brutal, brilliant, dark, sinister, terrifying in its violence and yet savagely funny in the way human life is disregarded Gangs Of Wasseypur is one helluva romp into the raw and rugged heartland. Not to be missed. I can’t wait to see the sequel. But be warned. Avoid meals half an hour before and after viewing. Source:http://www.santabanta.com

0 Bipasha Basu speaks her mind on fairytale love and betrayal

New Delhi: Bong beauty Bipasha Basu might have suffered a heart break post an almost a decade long relationship with John Abraham but that has not weakened her faith in true love and happy endings.

The girl has moved on and is enjoying her new ‘single’ status to the hilt. So during a chit-chat with a popular magazine, Bips said, “I’m done with only giving in a relationship. I’d like to get back something now. Now the man should love me enough to want to fit into my life rather than wanting to change me and to fit into his. Saying that doesn’t mean I’m a headstrong person who doesn’t compromise. I think when love happens you automatically start doing that. Yeah I’m open to love.”

When asked about a deal breaking factor in a relationship, she answered with a straightforward “cheating”. Also when asked whether or not she will ever speak about her fallout with John Abraham, she replied that he is not important in her scheme of life anymore and his memories have faded from her mind.

On our part, we wish that Ms Basu finds her Mr. Right when cupid strikes its bow next time! Source:http://zeenews.india.com

0 Veena Malik plays double role in Daal Mein Kuch Kala Hai

Mumbai: Veena Malik is really going gaga in the film industry. She has started getting in Bollywood what she dreamt of it prior to stepping into India. The controversial babe, about whom there are talks that she gets works through controversies, has been riding high in Hindi cinema since the outset. Her name now sells – this she knows pretty well. And to make her name more strapping, she keeps on creating the controversies. We have seen this hot babe in few item songs which she has done so far in films – the more noticeable is ‘Channo’ that she did for the movie ‘Gali Gali Chor Hai’ starring Akshaye Khanna in main lead.

Veena is now being considered hot for the item songs and she even has chipped in that leading heroines of the film industry have to do item songs. She said so in response of Hema Malini’s comment about leading heroines to stay away from the item songs. Well, what Hema said that was her own version and thinking. She was right but as the time is of item songs and every leading babe of cinema has been doing so. And most importantly every heroine wants and asks the filmmaker for a special item song. Thus in this scenario, Veena seems right.

Veena’s debut Bollywood film ‘Daal Mein Kuch Kaal Hai’ is all set to hit the screens on June 29th all over. And she is super excited for her Bollywood debut. The movie stars Veena Malik in double role. Apart from Veena, Jackie Shroff, Shakti Kapoor, Vijay Raaz and Raja Chaudhary are featured in this flick. Veena will also be seen in an item song ‘Madam Malai’ in this movie.

Anand Balraj, the director of the movie, is also making his Bollywood debut with this film. Lets wish Veena good luck. Source:http://www.oyetimes.com

0 Ali Zafar: Why are you so cute?

Believe it or not, this is a question Pakistani pop singer, model and actor Ali Zafar was asked by a Twitter fan — and he answered! Zafar, who has made a splash in Bollywood with his films Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and most recently London Paris New York, spent this Sunday answering fans’ questions on the micro-blogging website. Read on to see what he thinks about the newly elected prime minister and acting in a Lollywood film.

Q: Who are you? Why do you show off?
A: Jaanay day yaar — let it go, friend.
Q: Why are you so cute?
A: Only on TV.
Q: Who is your favourite singer and what is your favourite song?
A: Jeff Buckley, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Kishore Kumar, Mehdi Hassan, Abida Parveen and a lot more.
Q: What was the last movie you saw?
A: 21 Jump Street, Hugo.
Q: What impresses you?
A: Intellect.
Q: What would be the first thing you’do if you are made the prime minister of Pakistan?
A: Have a serious talk with… (if you’re wondering who he’s referring to, your guess is as good as ours!)
Q: What is your review for this “Coke Studio” season?
A: I think some tracks sound great.
Q: How do you deal with someone who comes into your life, becomes special and then leaves?
A: You write a song; or many songs.
Q: Your favourite musical instrument?
A: Sarangi
Q: Who is your favourite cricketer?
A: Imran Khan, Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Akram and many more.
Q: What is your review for Teri Meri Kahaani?
A: Haven’t seen yet but want to. I’ve heard they (Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra) look great.
Q: Are you going to do any more movies in India?
A: Yes, two more; for now.
Q: Why don’t you work as an actor in Lollywood?
A: I will if a sensible script comes along.
Q: Your next Hindi film is?
A: Chashme Baddoor, releasing on August 24.
Q: Have you sung any songs in Chashme Baddoor?
A: Yes, a couple.
Q: Are you satisfied with the new prime minister?
A: Are you all?
Q: Similarities between India and Pakistan?
A: Aik maa kay do baetay. Galay milnay kay intezar mein (two sons from the same mother waiting to embrace each other)
Q: Would you act in a Pakistani movie, if offered? A Shoaib Mansoor movie?
A: Yes why not; if I like the script.
Q: Will you be in a funny movie like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan again?
A: Chashme Baddoor is funny.
Q: Is there anyone you have a dream to work with, in your career?
A: Roger Waters, David Gilmour.
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
A: It should not come at the cost of other people’s sadness.  Source:http://tribune.com.pk

0 Disney's "Brave" rides to box office win

LOS ANGELES: Disney's new animated movie, "Brave," about a rebellious, red-headed princess battled to the top of movie box office charts over the weekend, scoring $80 million in ticket sales around the world.

The fairy tale from Disney's Pixar studio pulled in $66.7 million at domestic theaters, plus $13.5 million from nternational markets. "Brave" easily topped new historical/horror mashup "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," which finished the weekend in third place.

The 3D "Brave" is set in the ancient Scottish highlands and centers around horseback-riding teen princess Merida, who defies her mother and her kingdom's traditions. Merida, voiced by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald, must then use her courage and archery skills to undo a curse.

The movie brings the 13th consecutive No. 1 opening to Pixar, which has become Hollywood's most reliable studio during its 17-year history of making films. Starting with "Toy Story" in 1995, its 12 films before "Brave" have generated more than $7.2 billion in worldwide ticket sales, according to Hollywood.com.

Its 2010 film "Toy Story 3" was the biggest selling film that year, with $415 million in U.S. ticket sales and nearly $1.1 billion worldwide.

"Brave" is a departure for Pixar, and is its first film to feature a strong female as the lead character, following a long Disney tradition with female heroines that in recent years have included "Mulan" and "Pocahontas." "Brave" cost about $185 million to make.

Ahead of the weekend, industry tracking suggested "Brave" would secure between $55 million and $60 million in domestic ticket sales, putting the film line with most of Pixar's recent debuts, but the film topped expectations.

"Brave" knocked another animated family film, "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted," to No. 2 after its two weeks in the top spot. The movie about a pack of escaped zoo animals took in $20 million at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters over the weekend, and the worldwide total since its debut rose to $157.6 million.

HONEST ABE BATTLES VAMPIRES

In third place on domestic charts, thriller "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" rung up a solid $16.5 million. The movie imagines the 16th U.S. president fighting creatures of the night that are plotting to take over the country. Benjamin Walker stars as the axe-wielding Lincoln in the $70-million 3D production.

The movie rung up another $8.1 million in international markets.

Distributor 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp, had projected domestic sales would hit around $15 million for the weekend.

In fourth place, "Alien" director Ridley Scott's movie, "Prometheus," about explorers searching for the origins of mankind added $10 million in domestic sales to bring its global sales after three weeks to $108.5 million.

Another new release, "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" pulled in $3.8 million, for a disappointing 10th place. The dark comedy starring Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley tells the story of a man who goes on a road trip as an asteroid speeds toward Earth.

The film, which cost less than $10 million to make, played in 1,618 theaters, fewer than the 3,000-plus for the weekend's other big movies.

The fifth spot went to Universal's "Snow White and the Huntsman," which took in $8 million domestically to bring its four-week global total to $137 million.

"Madagascar 3" was produced by Dreamworks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. News Corp movie studio 20th Century Fox released "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" and "Prometheus." Focus Features, a unit of Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures, released "Seeking a Friend." (Reuters)

0 Teri Meri Kahaani "Movie Review"

There are many occasions in this 3-tiered love story when the two protagonists simply run out of words as the dialogue slumps into an embarrassing silence.

This, you feel, is very much in character. On paper I am sure Teri Meri Kahaani must have seemed like a terrific 3-in-1. A sumptuous feast of role and accent transference for the charming pair.

Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are among the best talent we have today. They are versatile, confident goodlooking and simply cool. Director Kunal Kohli gives them three different love stories to sink their decalcified teeth into.

The problem starts early. None of the three stories is inspired or even interesting. The high-points in each story are so weak we don’t know when they arrive. Some of the material that has gone into telling the triple-tiered story frankly appears to be a secret joke whose punchline is known only to the writers.

For example in the segment in London 2011 Shahid and Priyanka are named Krish and Radha and the screechy girl who comes in- between them (Neha Sharma) is believe it or not, Meera.

This selfconsciously mythologized modernday love triangle prompts a friend of the hero to quip, “Yeh Radha aur Krishna ke beech mein Meera kahan se aa gayi? ”

Well, LOL to that. Krish and Radha often resort to smileys and LOLs to express their growing fondness. The smileys remain singularly isolated in their amusement. There is not a moment when we empathise with the protagonists or feel the intended flow of their love for one another. What we see are two stars trying to breathe life into a mutual affection that never quite takes off.

Wait. It gets worse. The two others stories are even less engaging. The one set in the film industry resorts to painstaking periodicity to recreate Mumbai in 1960. A tram crosses Mumbai’s heartland. To his credit the art designer tries hard to get the exteriors right.

Though some of it is so shallow you feel Kunal Kohli is attempting the recreate the celluloid version of a highschool play where the props are borrowed from the furniture-wali aunty’s store.

And by the way the Lata Mangeshkar-Kishore Kumar duet Likha hai tere ankhon mein from the Dev Anand starrer Teen Deviyaan which plays in the background in a street scene featuring Shahid and Prachi Desai, did not exist in 1960. It came five years later.

That brings us to the music and choreography, so essential to evoking periodicity specially when the lead pair dances so well. But getting Shahid to do Shammi Kapoor? Bad idea. Very bad idea. Shahid’s measured steps would have made Shammi LOL.

The worst story of the three is the one set in pre-Partition Punjab. It almost seems to spoof Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1942: A Love Story. Like Anil Kapoor in Chopra’s film Shahid cares not a hoot about India’s independence. He cares only love-shove. And please take the ‘shove’seriously. The grinning rogue likes to put it in wherever he gets space.

And we aren’t talking about his tractor.

The attempts in the pre-Partition segment to instil a sense of patriotic pride is shamefully baggy. The Gora Log are played by junior artistes whose only credential to represent British India is the colour of their skin. The patriotic Indians get to shout Vande Mataram in freshly-stitched kurtas and tops. Mercifully we are spared a re-mix.

The clothes suggest a close affinity between boutique wisdom and periodicity. And that seems to be the prevalent mood of the romance. The emotions seem to be obtained off the shelf. Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor struggle hard to look deeply interested in the lines and in each other.

It’s a losing battle. There’s only so much you can do with conspicuously corny lines like, “Are we like those couples who talk on the sms and online and have nothing to say when they come face to face? ”

Even if they are, do we care?

Just why Kunal Kohli a director who has shown some sensitivity in handling the man-woman relationship, chose to make this film is mystery solvable only by the actors who agreed to be part of the endeavour.

Suffice it to say Teri Meri Kahaani makes Kunal Kohli’s last production Break Ke Baad look like a neglected work of pop-art. Source:http://www.santabanta.com

0 Sharapova becomes richest sportswoman of all time

Maria Sharapova, who recently won the French Open title by overcoming Italian Sara Errani, has reportedly become the richest woman in sporting history.

Sharapova, earned a million dollars in prize money, which will be added to the other 20 million that she has won over her career.

Bonuses in the 25-year-old Russian beauty's contract have also started to kick in now and over the next months will add another 20m pounds to her bank balance, which already holds a 90m pounds treasure chest from sponsorship and advertising deals.

The tennis ace has now won all four Grand Slam titles, a feat achieved by only nine other women. But still she craves for more.

"I'm not going to stop now," the daily Express quoted her as saying.

"I am rich, I am famous, but I just love competing. Nothing in the world gives the adrenaline feel of being in a match. Nothing I have done in my life brings me the pressure, nerves and excitement of putting myself on the line," she said.

"It's no good being a great actress if nobody comes to see you. Or the greatest model in the world because if someone doesn't put you on the cover of a magazine you are never going to be famous.

"This is sport. It's all in your own hands. That's what I love about it, that you can control your wins and losses," she added

0 Pakistani girl to be torch-bearer at London Olympics

KARACHI, June 22: When young Zainab Imran puts on her running shoes on June 28, she will be doing it for her country and her people. The 16-year-old Karachi girl, a student of Nasra Trust School, Malir, will be carrying the Olympic torch as it makes its way to London.

Zainab, who has only recently done her Matric, is one of 21 people selected as torch-bearers from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palau, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda and Zambia through the International Inspiration programme.

The programme looks to use the power of sport to enrich the lives of tens of millions of children, young people and grown-ups, too, of all abilities in schools and communities across the world, particularly in developing countries, by offering them the opportunity to access and participate in high-quality and inclusive sport, physical education and play.

“There are young as well as older people [who have been] selected as torch-bearers through the programme and I’m the only one from Pakistan,” teenaged Zainab, who will be flying off to Nottingham on Sunday, excitedly told Dawn. “The oldest person selected as torch-bearer through the programme is a 53-year-old,” she added.

Each International Inspiration torch-bearer was selected either for their dedication and commitment to inspire children and young people in their communities through the power of sport or for the personal challenges they have overcome in their lives.

Zainab, who was nominated by the Nasra Trust School after she demonstrated strong leadership qualities, is also a member of the Young Leader of International Inspiration Club. She has taken Young Sport Leadership training and is also very active to cascade this training in her local community.

The spirited all-rounder enjoys playing netball for her school team. She has also done volunteer work as coordinator for the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), she said. “Then I regularly take part in Dawn’s Spelling Bee competitions, although I’ve yet to win it,” she chuckled. “But I got a position in the Pak-Turk Math Olympiad. I was 20th,” she said with pride.

About her selection, the young leader informed that she had to go through an entire process. “My school, as you may know, is one of British Council’s partner schools also taking part in the International Inspiration programme. So we, the students of Nasra Trust School, were given questionnaires to fill out. From there I was shortlisted for interviews, and I guess my interview must have gone pretty well because I got selected,” she remarked. The school partnerships are managed by the British Council, which has extensive experience of linking schools internationally, working in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, which utilises its expertise in developing teachers and young leaders through sport.

Asked if she has trained well for the Olympic relay, Zainab laughed, saying: “Well, I think so. Although I am not as yet sure what distance and exact route I’ll be taking. That will be disclosed to me after I reach Nottingham.”

But what she is sure of is that she will be running in an area in Nottingham, which has a big Pakistani community, who will be cheering her all the way. She would be needing that, too, as she is travelling alone to the UK, and that, also, for the very first time. Source:http://dawn.com

0 Welcome to London: Amy Jackson

British gal Amy Jackson plays the perfect host to cast and crewmembers of her new Tamil flick

Looks like apart from making Mumbai her new home, Amy Jackson is also leaving no stone unturned in learning the customs and rituals of the country. This time it was Amy’s turn to say, “Attithi devo bhavo” and play the perfect host to her new colleagues from India.

While she was shooting in London with her co-star Vikram for her new Tamil film, she decided to treat the entire cast and crew to some yummy homemade English food in her Liverpool house. Our source says, “Amy had even planned a trip for the whole group to her horse stud farm and they all went riding together.”

In fact, the film’s team too was rather impressed by her initiatives.

Our source from the sets adds, “Amy is a very accommodating and warm person. She would often plan and arrange for dinner over the weekends at the best eatery in town. She took extra care that everyone was comfortable.”

Credit: Mid-Day.com

0 "The Iran Job" spotlights US basketball player in Iran

LOS ANGELES: At first glance, "The Iran Job" is just another David and Goliath sports story.

But boiling beneath the surface of the new indie documentary that follows American basketball player Kevin Sheppard playing in Iran's league, is the socio-political turmoil seen in the country's uprising after the 2009 election.

"I wanted to make a film that gives an audience an opportunity to understand the culture better and also the political issues, the religious issues, the social issues," said the film's German-born director Till Schauder. "Sports is a perfect medium to do that cause you open people up."

The film was among 30 to premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival, which ends on Sunday, and was screened before a varied crowd of sports fans, reality TV stars, Iranian scholars and other influential members of the city's large Iranian-American community.

Schauder spent a year filming the point guard in 2008 after he joined the roster of A. S. Shiraz, an expansion team in the Iranian Basketball Super League founded ten years earlier.

Sheppard's assignment was simple: take the team to the playoffs. After a dismal start and a televised trash can kicking incident that put Sheppard's job in jeopardy and led to a talk with the coach and some adjustments, Shiraz took off on a winning streak.

Along the way, the film shows Sheppard gaining some cultural perspectives when he strikes up an unlikely friendship with three young women, Elaheh, Hilda and Laleh, who would meet Sheppard in his apartment where they could safely criticize the government and the treatment of women.

"What's going on in Iran is bad enough, but for women it's even worse," Sheppard told Reuters about what he learned from the women. "The lack of freedom they have, (they have to) keep wearing the scarf, being half of a man in terms of voting."

Sheppard connected their struggle with Neda Agha-Soltan - the 26-year-old travel agent whose shooting death during the protests was captured on video and viewed by millions on the Internet - and with the civil rights movement in the U.S. during the 1960s.

"I realized that I've never been through what African-Americans went through with Dr. King, but I can only imagine it had to be something similar to this," said the Saint Croix-born 32-year-old who played in countries including Venezuela and Argentina before Iran.

But while the women struggled with their place in society and tensions were high between Washington and Tehran, Sheppard and Schauder said they personally witnessed little anti-American sentiment from ordinary Iranians.

Schauder, who holds dual U.S.-German citizenship and is married to Iranian-American co-producer Sara Nodjoumi, moved freely in and out of Iran while making the movie.

But on his last trip, days before Shiraz's big playoff game in 2009, the filmmaker said he was detained overnight, without explanation, on arrival at Tehran's international airport and sent back to New York the following day.

Now Shauder lives in Brooklyn, New York, and hopes to release "The Iran Job" in U.S. movie theaters later this year.

As for Sheppard, he has since retired and returned home to the U.S. Virgin Islands, he said his experience in Iran is never far from his mind. Lately, he said he has even noticed some similarities between Tehran and Washington.

"You can see it's just a group of people out there with a lot of money who're just trying to shape and shift peoples' minds," he said. (Reuters)

0 Actress Jolie donates $100,000 to Syrian refugees

GENEVA: Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has donated $100,000 to aid Syrian refugees, the United Nations refugee agency said on Wednesday.

The Oscar-winning actress is a special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and made the donation on World Refugee Day.

In a statement marking the occasion Jolie said the solutions to the world's growing number of displaced people were political as well as humanitarian.

"The international community should rededicate itself to preventing conflict, addressing it when it erupts, and solving it more quickly," she said.

"For that is the only way to create durable solutions for the refugees whose strength inspires us on this World Refugee Day."

Tens of thousands of Syrians have fled their country amid a bloody crackdown on dissent by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, with most going to Turkey and Lebanon.

Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the agency since 2001, was promoted to special envoy earlier this year. (AFP)

0 British Fashion Minute: Royal Ascot 2012: The Fashion Hits and Misses

Over The Top Hats, Colorful Ensembles, Kooky Costumes...no it's not RuPaul's Drag Race, it's Royal Ascot!

Team England: A Royal Ascot guest showing how much she loves sports, Royal Ascot, Ascot England

Every June, for five days, Great Britain celebrates Royal Ascot. Dating back to (wait for it) 1711 when it was founded by Queen Anne, the Royal Ascot is one of Europe's most famous race meetings. it has become a national institution all these years, THE centerpiece of the British social calendar. What people wear to the Royal Ascot has become almost more important than the races themselves. First, it's all about the HATS. Then the ensembles; the more colorful, the better. This is not the place to be a "wallflower", it about getting noticed and standing out.  Let's take a look...

British Music and "Hollywood" Royalty: (Left to right) Dame Shirley Bassey decided to don a coral-orange hat with left-and-right over-sized organza flowers. I wished her outfit was just a teeny bit more COUTURE though (to match the over-the-top hat!)--a short-sleeved macrame sweater/cardigan over a dress? Not so much. But...Miss Helen Mirren looked AMAZING in this dark blue and white ensemble and blue wide-brimmed hat. Très Elegant!

The Royals:
 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II LOVES her pastels, we know that. Take a look at this coat and dress ensemble in a pale pink color with matching hat she wore on Day Two of Royal Ascot. It looks "Queen"-appropriate enough--in terms of its non-fashion dowdiness. However, take a look at that sleeve--it's a sign of whimsy and yes, Elizabeth might still have some Fashionista in her!

Princess Anne and Princess Beatrice: On Day Three, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal and her niece Princess Beatrice, arrives via Royal Carriage (naturally). Both looked great in their contrasting color flower-printed ensembles. Beatrice has become quite a Royal Fashion Icon of sorts (lest we forget that infamous Philip Treacy hat and Valentino ensemble she wore at Kate and William's Wedding.

Red and Gray: (Left to right) Carole Middleton, mother of Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in a red suit and matching colored hat and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex (Prince Edward's wife) who chose a slate gray coat-dress and yes--a matching wide brimmed hat, of course.

Top Hat Chic: (Left to right) Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall arriving on Day One looking like the Picture Perfect Royal Ascot couple. Prince Charles made GQ's Best Dressed Men List for 2012 recently and he is living up to that title in his impeccable Morning Dress suit and black top hat. Camilla looks quite elegant in her vanilla coat-and-dress ensemble and hat. Recently hospitalized Prince Phillip--the Queen's husband of course--also could take "Best Dressed Man at Royal Ascot 2012" in his black Morning Dress suit with a grey top hat and waistcoat. Traditionally, the waistcoat is supposed to be matching the Morning Coat, but here, Prince Phillip dares to be a "Dandy" by bucking tradition and wearing a contrasting colored yellow-creme waistcoat.

The Hats:

Pearls and Lips: Royal Ascot racegoer shoes off her colorful over-the-top hat

Like I said in the beginning of the post, Royal Ascot is ALL about the HATS--here are some of the Standouts--in Themes:

Food:

Breakfast and Tea & Crumpets: I absolutely LOVE the racegoer with her "Breakfast is Served" hat consisting of a fried egg, sausages, beans...she definitely should get the "gays LOVES Brunch" prize! The ladies above went with the "Tea and Crumpets" food theme. very, very British.

A Blueberry Custard Pie: I also love this hat--why? Because I wanna EAT it. She gets a "YUMMY" Prize for sure!

UK Love:

Of course, it would not be Royal Ascot without some hats featuring a LOVE for Great Britain. Here are two good ones: A King's Crown with feathers and yes, the "Union Jack" flag over-sized bow-on-a-headband headdress. These should be the hats the British Airways Flight Attendants should wear--well--if I designed their next uniforms!

Ornithology Hat Chic:

Flamingo and Swan Ladies: I really hope none of these hats are "dropping" eggs! Here are two Royal Ascot racegoers giving you some "Bird Hat Style", Ascot England

At Royal Ascot, the dress code is strictly enforced. For women, only a day dress with a hat is acceptable, with rules applying to the length and style of the dress. In addition: strapless, off the shoulder, halter-style, spaghetti straps and dresses with straps that are less than 1" are NOT permitted in the Royal Ascot. There are even "Dress Code Assistants" walking around making sure that your ensemble is a "Royal Ascot Yes"; in other words, within their rules.

What do you guys think of these Royal Ascot looks: Yeay or Nay???

And here is a definite Royal Ascot DON'T:

UK Hoochie: Ladies, if you are planning to attend next year's Royal Ascot, look above for the ensembles you should NOT be wearing! These tacky, hoochie iridescent blue jumpsuits are courtesy of the Tantric Blue Strip Club Girls. Needless to say, they were NOT allowed into the Royal Ascot since well, they did not really meet the "Dress Requirements" so they remained outside the grounds and handed out promotional material for the club. Bless their Hearts. Their parents should be so proud. This is a definite Royal Ascot Fashion DON'T.