When Australian director, George Miller, embarked in 1979 on making the futuristic action thriller “Mad Max” with an unknown actor in the lead, Mel Gibson, and with less than a $1 million budget and with the help of his friends, he didn’t expect the phenomenal critical and commercial success that ensued. In spite of the … Continue reading How Did New Technology Impact The Making of The New “Mad Max”?
Interviews
Rihanna is too busy to have a man in her life – interview
Pop stars are not known for being punctilious particularly when it comes to press interviews, so I was not surprised when Rihanna's assistant announced that her boss was going to be late to our rendezvous, ostensibly because she was not feeling well. Most likely though, she was finessing her make up. After a two-hour wait … Continue reading Rihanna is too busy to have a man in her life – interview
John Travolta: Scientology has better tools than Catholicism
In spite of his glorious success in Hollywood, John Travolta has faced tough challenges and endured tragic losses since the onset of his career. In 1977, breast cancer robbed him of his then- girlfriend, actress Diana Hyland, in 2009 his autistic son died following a seizure, in 2012 he was accused of sexually molesting a … Continue reading John Travolta: Scientology has better tools than Catholicism
Sundance movies explore the terrifying impact of authority on human behaviour
Participating movies in the Sundance film festival are usually made on shoestring budgets and often by first-time directors, but they are rich in their substance, bold in their themes and unique in their subjects. This year, movies have touched on controversial issues such as nature vs nurture (Stockholm, Pennsylvania), homosexuality (I am Michael, D Train), … Continue reading Sundance movies explore the terrifying impact of authority on human behaviour
Clint Eastwood’s conflicted morality in American Sniper – interview
Chris Kyle was proclaimed the most lethal sniper in the US military history, with over 160 confirmed kills, most of them were carried out during his deployment in Iraq between 2003-2009, where he was nicknamed The Devil of Ramadi by the Iraqi insurgents, who put a bounty on his head. Ramadi is the capital of … Continue reading Clint Eastwood’s conflicted morality in American Sniper – interview
Tim Burton explores the meaning of Art in “Big Eyes”
What is art? A question posed by director Tim Burton in his new movie “Big Eyes,” which tells the weirder-than-fiction story of, Margaret Keane, the painter of the waiflike figures with sad faces and oversized peepers that first gazed at and transfixed Americans in the fifties. After divorcing her husband, Margaret, leaves home with her … Continue reading Tim Burton explores the meaning of Art in “Big Eyes”
Ridley Scott in Exodus: Was Moses A Terrorist?
An avalanche of criticism was hurled at Sir Ridley Scott, when he announced the casting of American, European and Australian stars to play African and Middle Eastern characters in his new biblical epic “Exodus: Gods and Kings,” which follows the journey of Moses from a loyal commander in the Pharaoh's army to the Hebrew rebel, … Continue reading Ridley Scott in Exodus: Was Moses A Terrorist?
Jennifer Aniston finds remedy for every malady in comedy
Jennifer Aniston is known for her alluring beauty, but what I truly find most captivating about her when we meet is the infectious smile that is invariably printed on her face, shedding light on all round her. She often colours her words with convivial banter even when she discusses earnest issues, insisting that humor is … Continue reading Jennifer Aniston finds remedy for every malady in comedy
Christopher Nolan: I want the audience to feel my movies not understand them
With his latest movie, Interstellar, opening to $130 million globally over the weekend, Christopher Nolan has retained a clean record of no box office flops. After two years of anxious waiting and high expectations, his fans flocked to the cinemas to be dazzled by his magical visuals and be challenged by his new mind-bending story. … Continue reading Christopher Nolan: I want the audience to feel my movies not understand them
Jessica Chastain’s character in Interstellar was originally a man
Since she invaded the consciousness of the masses in 2011 with a tsunami of releases such as Cannes Palm D’or winner “Tree of Life,” and the Oscar nominated pictures “The Help” and “Zero Dark Thirty”, for which she garnered nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress respectively, Jessica Chastain has become one of the … Continue reading Jessica Chastain’s character in Interstellar was originally a man
Husam (Sam) Asi 