Film directors pick nominees for best movie

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood’s Oscar race narrowed further on Monday when a key directors’ group picked their top five movies and filmmakers, including David Fincher with his Facebook film “The Social Network.”

The Directors Guild of America, which represents men and women who make movies, also put the makers of “Black Swan,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Fighter” and “Inception” on its list of nominees for best directing efforts of 2010.

“Their inspired films radiate the passion and unique vision of each of these filmmakers, who are about to become part of our Guild’s rich history. My sincerest congratulations to all five nominees,” DGA president Taylor Hackford said in a statement, noting 2011 marks the group’s 75th anniversary.

The DGA honor is important because it is one of the most prestigious honors in the U.S. film industry, and because there is a strong correlation between DGA nominees and directors who will vie for Oscars, the world’s top movie honors.

In all but six years since the DGA began giving out awards in 1948, its winner of best director has won the Academy Award, and traditionally the winner of best director has often seen his or her film go on to take best movie from Oscar organizers at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Last year’s DGA winner, Kathryn Bigelow with “The Hurt Locker,” for instance, also claimed the best director Oscar and her Iraq war film took home best motion picture.

“The Social Network,” a fast-paced movie that tells of the founding of website Facebook, already has been named best movie by numerous U.S. critics groups and on Saturday, the National Society of Film Critics also named it the No. 1 film.

Numerous other groups have made their choices, and still others like the Hollywood Foreign Press Association with its Golden Globe Awards and the Screen Actors Guild will name their winners later this month. Taken together, the critics and industry groups help narrow pundits’ picks for Oscars.

Fincher and his movie face strong competition from drama “Black Swan,” directed by Darren Aronofsky and telling of a woman on a journey of self-discovery through her dancing.

Director Tom Hooper’s “The King Speech,” a period drama detailing how Britain’s King George VI worked to overcome his stammering, has strong support among Oscar pundits.

Boxing film “The Fighter,” from David O. Russell, also figures prominently in the awards sweepstakes, and the DGA’s fifth nominee, Christopher Nolan and thriller “Inception,” has a loyal fan base owing to his mega-hit Batman movies.

The DGA gives out its awards on Jan. 29. Oscar nominees are named on Jan. 25, and their ceremony takes place on Feb. 27.

27th death anniversary of chocolate hero Waheed Murad

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: 27th death anniversary of chocolate hero Waheed Murad is observing today (Tuesday) Trend Pk learnt.

Waheed Murad was born on October 2, 1938 in Karachi and news of his death on November, 23, 1983 left many eyes brimming with tears.

His death created such a vacuum in the Pakistani film industry that is not still filled. Waheed Murad acted in 123 feature films and earned 32 awards for his unmatchable performance, a private TV channel reported. Murad started his film career by producing a film named Insan Badalta Hey. He has written and produced several films. Radio Pakistan has aired many interviews during his life.

As an actor he started his film career from SM Yousaf’s Aulad. Then came Daman in which he played second hero opposite Neelo with Sabiha and Santosh in the main lead. He appeared as lead hero in a Heera Aur Pathar

Bollywood looks for Diwali success

MUMBAI: Bollywood is gearing up for a slew of new releases over the Hindu festival of Diwali, with expectations high that they will provide some cheer after a lacklustre year at the box office.

At least 10 big films are due to hit the screens in the coming weeks, with hopes of success pinned on the comedy “Golmaal 3″ and the time-travel romance “Action Replayy” that will be released on Diwali itself on November 5.

Like the Christmas period for Hollywood, Diwali has traditionally been seen as a money-spinner for India’s Hindi-language film industry, as studios look to attract the holiday crowd with well-trailed movies featuring big name stars.

Industry watchers estimate that Bollywood could make four billion rupees (90 million dollars) by the end of the year.

“The year has not been so good,” said leading analyst Amod Mehra. “The success ratio has been

Ravi Kishan on brand endorsement spree

Ravi Kishan is someone who started of his ‘filmi safar’ in Bollywood with the Kajol-starrer Udhar Ki Zindagi. Since then, he has done a number of films in Bollywood over the years, but it was the Bhojpuri film industry where Ravi became not just a star, but a superstar!

Well, even in mainstream Hindi films, he has done movies that have earned him his place under the Bollywood sun. And now it seems that Ravi is all set to give the Bollywood brand ambassadors a run for their money, as he has been chosen as the brand ambassador for not just one, but four FMCG giants! The brands which have signed him as the brand ambassador include Dabur Chyawanprash, Airtel, Parle Monaco and Marico Thanda Tel.

This man surely seems to have all the ‘Luck’ in the world. We are sure that Ravi Kishan will surely agree with us!

Asin signed up as brand ambassador for Amrutanjan

After having ruled the South Indian film industry for the last few years, Asin got a grand welcome in Bollywood with Ghajini.

Now it looks like the ad world too is following the suit. After having successfully lent her name to many a FMCG brands like Sure, Fanta and likes, Asin is now all set to be the brand ambassador for the healthcare major, Amrutanjan, report sources close to Bollywood Hungama.

The official announcement is awaited.

Siddharth Malhotra’s mom hospitalized

It’s not been an easy time for the We Are Family director Siddharth Malhotra. As though some of the reviews for his directorial debut were not cutting enough, Siddharth had to cope with the sudden illness of his mother. On Tuesday morning the lady was rushed to Lilavati hospital.

Discernibly distressed Siddharth said, “My mom had been under some pain for a few days now. We suspected it to be a stone on the kidney. We had to take her to hospital. Here it was discovered that she was suffering from acute pneumonia.”

Siddharth’s producer Karan Johar was one of the first well-wishers to arrive at the hospital. Gradually friends, relatives and well-wishers from the film industry began trickling in Lilavati. And it truly felt like family for the We Are Family director.

The past week has been confusing for Siddharth. “I am told the young don’t connect with family films. So should we all just make young romantic films?”

Hollywood Inception beats Bollywood at the BO

MUMBAI: Christopher Nolans Memento (2000) was made into the Bollywood blockbuster hit, Ghajini in 2008, but the director was neither given credit nor royalty.

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Hollywood Inception beats Bollywood at the BO

Katrina to launch her sister Isabel in Bollywood

MUMBAI: Katrina Kaif is all set to launch her sister Isabel in Bollywood.

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Katrina to launch her sister Isabel in Bollywood

Amisha Patel goes bare for The Man

MUMBAI: Amisha Patel might not have any films in her kitty but she is well averse as how to remain in the limelight.

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Amisha Patel goes bare for The Man

Top 5 foreign actresses worked in Bollywood

MUMBAI: From last decade, Indian film industry has seen a flood of foreign actress making their way into films.

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Top 5 foreign actresses worked in Bollywood

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