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Hollywood’s brawn brigade...
...that ‘mucsled’ its way into the Hall of Fame!
(column by Tareque Laskar)
They are the men who gave Hollywood its brawn. These are not your ordinary action heroes, they are action heroes on steroids (oops, that was totally pun unintended!). Both were born in the month of July and while one brought a cyborg to life through the Terminator movie franchise, the other epitomised the underdog hero so well portrayed in the character Rocky Balboa in the Rocky franchise. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone’s immaculately chiseled bodies were synonymous with Hollywood action for good part of the 1980s and 1990s and their box office draw was simply unmatched.
The body building fanatic, Arnold started out from a small hamlet of Thal in Austria, and in two decades went through an in credible Hollywood tale, catapulting himself to the top of the pile of Hollywood pop action heroes. For a man with an accent and effectively zero acting background, Arnold’s achievement is as remarkable as it is unique. More so considering the fact that he is currently the Governor of the State of California, only the second actor after Ronald Reagan to be elected to that position. “The most perfectly developed man in the history of the world,” was how the Guinness Book of World Records described this man who started out as a bodybuilder, winning the Mr. Europe title followed by Mr. Universe title four times and the Mr. Olympia title seven (!) times, six times in succession from 1970-1975! Mr. Universe was his ticket to America where he chased his dream of becoming an actor. His breakthrough role came in Conan where he played the eponymous character – a role almost modelled after him! Then came the sci-fi Terminator, where his portrayal of the killing machine earned him box office success.
Stallone meanwhile was the Italian American from New York who languished on the periphery of Hollywood (starring in a porno flick in the 70s) before breaking through with the role of the Italian stallion Rocky Balboa in Rocky, released in 1976. The inspiration to write the movie came to Stallone after he watched a Mohammed Ali v/s Chuck Wepner fight in 1975. He wrote the script in three nights fl at, and went about trying to sell the movie with himself in the lead role. Initially apprehensive, producer Irwin Winkler gave him a break and the rest is Hollywood history. Stallone went on to become the face of action movies with success also in the form of the Rambo series. His attempts at roles in other genres though, mostly met with lukewarm critical and minor box office success. For Hollywood fans, Stallone was Rocky and Rocky was Stallone. Rocky V bombed at the box office, criticised by fans as not worthy of the franchise, and Stallone released Rocky Balboa giving the series a fitting finale!
Curiously, both actors are noted fans of smoking cigars, co-owned ‘Planet Hollywood’ at one point of time and both have been involved in drug controversies at various points in their careers. And what’s more, both have characters based on them in what is arguably TV’s most popular series of all time – The Simpsons. The voice of Lou the Cop is based on Stallone’s, and the character Rainer Wolfecastle is based on Schwarzenegger. Both have featured prominently in nominations for the Razzies – the awards that recognize the worst in Hollywood, nominated as worst actors multiple times but Stallone has fared better at the Academy Awards, with his movie Rocky winning the best picture (and best editing and direction as well) in 1976 and landing him nominations for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. And their political ideologies converge too, Schwarzenegger is the Republican Governor and Stallone is a staunch Republican as well.
Although they have tried their hands at direction, different roles and off –beat storylines, their raison d’etre has remained the quintessential action flick. Two heroes who played characters that became legends, and became an inspiration themselves showcasing how to overcome the most resounding odds to succeed! Like Rocky they are indefatigable, and like Terminator unstoppable!
(End of Tareque Laskar column)
Well worth the weight!
Japan’s nestling of sumo wrestling
(column by Pooja Priyadarshni)
“The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life. Either we suffer in health, or we suffer in soul or we get fat.” But the first people to disagree with Albert Einstein would be the gigantic followers of Shinto, the sumo wrestlers. sumo, a world that contains a world in itself. Everything about them is XL (Extra Large) – and once you see them thunderously thwacking their larger than life bodies – one begins to be sure of the origin of seismic activities on the Japanese archipelago!
Furthermore, love for this wrestling has found takers in countries apart from the Fuji-land as well; considering that the reigning Yokozunas – the highest rank in sumo wrestling – Asashoryu Akinori and Hakuho, are both Mongolians! And as the greatest wrestlers of the world meet for the fifteen day Nagoya Basho, one of the six grand sumo wrestling tournaments, at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium From July 8, the wait for another world champion is almost over!
What appears to be merely a display of brute force, Japan’s most popular sport, in reality, is seeped in history, legend and also religion for many centuries. But sadly, it is literally wincing from a major blow lately. The Japan Sumo Association recently called off the tests for new recruits after the candidature was zero, for the first time in its history! With foreigners taking a liking to the sport, authorities in Japan recently came out with the evident waning interest of the Japanese for the same. Only 18.3% of the natives ‘watch’ sumo. What’s even more disheartening is that no Japanese wrestler finds a place in the country’s top-10 favourite athlete list, indicating that one of the oldest sports might be close to breathing its last.
(End of Pooja Priyadarshni column)
Battle of the drags!
The Queen’s pot-pourri of fashion, colour and craziness
(column by Aveena Lopes)
The night of July 14, 2007 might be just an ordinary night for the rest of the world but not for London. For one whole night, a club called the Way Out Club will be abuzz with the commotion and ablaze with the most atrocious colours as drag queens from across the country get together. Way Out Club, being one of the best transgender clubs anywhere, is a sellout for the whole week. Only this time there’s no beauty pageant but a mock competition that they proudly call as The Drag Olympics. Their elaborate gaudy dresses, 7 inch long stilettos and long fl owing wigs certainly won’t stand in the way as each of them, against all ‘odds’, strive to be proven worthy enough to be crowned the prestigious Olympic Champion. Certainly no piece of cake because the organizers of this event have a series of crazy trials that will need to bepassed successfully before they get to feel the weight of the crown on their heads.
The event starts with a limbo session followed by an obstacle race after which they will have to jump over an elastic string and finally end the race with another Limbo performance, all in those killer high heels. And if that doesn’t sound crazy enough, the obstacle race that would be a miniature triathlon of sorts, will start with a short cabaret after they manage to conquer the podium crossing a rickety plank. They then have to entertain the people present with a lip-smacking session with a member of the audience and then zoom through 6 tyres to get to the dressing room and garb themselves for their next contest – a miming session to whatever the organisers decide to blare from the speakers. The end result? A dizzying spell of the weirdest combinations of glitz and goofiness ever!
(End of Aveena Lopes column)
The Reagan diaries
Leafing through a President’s life... (column by Shashank Shekhar)
“Monday, January 26: A meeting on terrorism with heads of F.B.I.-S.S.-C.I.A. Secs of St., Defence & others. Next, a Cabinet meeting on the deal with Iran.
Tuesday, January 27: Ceremony on S. Lawn to welcome hostages home. Thousands of people in attendance.
Wednesday, January 28: Visit by P.M. Seaga of Jamaica, his wife and members of his admin. Our 1st state luncheon.
Thursday, January 29: Nancy had a great triumph with committee, which rides herd on White House (to preserve its history).”
The above is no scribbling of any harried Tom. It belongs to a man whose epithet, circa the eighties spelt (and even now), ‘the world’s most powerful’, someone whose name props up to describe an era; these words belong to Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of USA.
Reagan’s diary is a rarity of the highest possible order. Not to mistake it for any literary marvel, the book holds utmost importance to followers of geo-political history and politics at large. But its purpose was a very personal one. A fact corroborated with Nancy Reagan’s words, “We just wanted a way to capture the moment and our feelings before we were whisked on to the next day.” The duo wanted to read out daily events sitting by the fireplace to bring back memories of the Presidential abode, post retirement. It must also be noted that apart from Reagans, there exists none of any form of Presidential scribbling saving Rutherford B. Hayes’, almost a century ago. So to read about what exactly was going on in his mind, his real thoughts regarding social and political issues, thoughts on American commercial interests, on his enemies and friends, is a goldmine of American dope straight from the horse’s mouth.
A pack of almost five volumes of leather- bound diaries, stirred and reduced to a single monolithic rendition at 785 pages, historian-editor Douglas Brinkley’s techniques bear fruitful results, though a little too deeply fried at times that evaporates the real essence of certain events or rather entries. But his influences, his favourites and contemptibles are out there for everyone to ponder. And Alexander Haig, Nixon’s last Chief of Staff and Reagan’s first Secretary of State fi gures prominently as someone he whisked away from the White House. Lowell Weicker, Bob Packwood, Charles Mathias – Republican Senators – the Moderates – also manage the boot from Nixon’s inner most thoughts. So do the nouveau Right-wingers Howard Phillips, Richard Viguerie, William Simon and Senators Bill Armstrong, Gordon Humphrey and Jesse Helms. The ‘Free’ American Press also draws considerable ire as Reagan refers to them as “Phony.” A bit farcical considering the nature of American Press bowing down to the oil rich and the servants of American commercial interests.
From petty affairs of the White House to the Iran contra scandal, Reagan touches on everything. But the abridged diaries lack personal intimacy, save the blessings he showers on Vice President and his preferred heir George H.W. Bush. There exists not a single word in his diary that speaks of Bush in a negative light. Guess Bush Jr. could learn a few lessons as well!
Reagan Diaries hit bookshelves last month and saw a contemporary in Al Gore’s The Assault on Reason (reviewed earlier). So while Mr. Gore goes all out taking the baton of democracy, Reagan scribbles about policy matters that actually ran the United States. But also the mediocre ex-Hollywood actor writes about his Hollywood dinners and movie screenings at the White House, and never runs short of expressing admiration for the love of his life, his wife Nancy.
So whether it’s Al Gore’s call to better governance that inspires you or the nitty-gritty of the life of a former President, the choice is entirely yours. But upon suggestion, the latter holds similar significance as in those books, history was reflected upon first hand, and by someone who wielded the power to call the shots. His penned reasons and beliefs were not meant for public consumption but for his very self. A reason honest enough.
(End of Shashank Shekhar column)
DesirÉE
Mercedes Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series – 80,000,000 INR
(column by R. Prasad)
A reminiscent crest continues to drive the passion of countless car drivers across the world and as it caresses the roads with enigmatic ease. It is difficult to miss out on the Mercedes Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series, with a top speed of 302.5 kilometres per hour, and storming from cipher to 96 kmph in less than 4.3 seconds. Be it with its clean carbon fiber spoiler placed at the back or with its massive spoilers at the facade that guzzle cool air which is fired at the engorged radiator, this machine is a must drive for the every automobile aficionado. And with a price tag that is in eight figures, this mean machine promises to make others go breathless…
YG Acoustics Voyager Speakers – 4,040,000 INR
The never ending catalogue of sumptuous speakers seems to have surged further with the entry of the YG Acoustics Voyager Speakers. For those who love the sound of sound, this looks like the next thing to binge upon! Designed to offer spectacular sound to the ears, these speakers have been cleverly craft ed with the help of Cast Aluminium and weigh in excess of two hundred pounds. But there is a small hitch. You can’t lay hands on these speakers unless you enjoy a celebrity status in the music and entertainment domain. Surely, a product exclusively for the rich and the famous.
Golden swimsuit – 3,312,800 INR
Gone are the days when gold was seen only in chains and bracelets. Today, designers are ensuring that this yellow metal is being utilised in the fanciest fashion possible. After the opulence displayed by the advent of brassieres made of gold earlier this year, stylists are at it yet again and have come out with some exaggeratedly extravagant swimwear – woven by hand using a thread weighing about 500 grams that is being wound for 32 days with six wires of gold, which are ninety micron thin. Those who adorn this little ‘golden’ number and sashay the ramp, would undoubtedly be giving an inferiority complex to the onlookers. Gold would never be old or go out of style for the fashionably felicitous.
Offside football coffee table – 307,524.8 INR
The FIFA World Cup in South Africa might be three years away but football fever refuses to die down in-between. For those of you who keenly follow the English Premier League or European Football, a new product is about to light up your living rooms. A coffee table with a top made of glass, sheltering a mirrored football arena below, and a body made of oak and possessing a stainless steel frame – the Off side Football Coffee Table – is the ideal furniture for any avid football fan to lay his hands on. Designed to perfection by Howard Bushell in his practicum at Worcestershire, this offering is all set to turn the tables...
(End of R. Prasad column)
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