Best Psychological Movies

I know when it comes to watching movies people have all sorts of flavors, it could be action, adventure, comedy, sci-fi, horror and many other genres of movies. But the truth is that people are more likely to enjoy movies that will have them thinking about the movie even after it's finished. These are the types of psychological movies that really mess with our minds while we are watching and leave us thinking about the clues and facts that occurred throughout the play of the movie.

In this article I will share with you some of the tittles that I consider to be the best when it comes to psychological movies. Maybe you watched one or two; maybe you didn't watch any of these. But either way keep in mind that these titles are classic movies that will have you grasping for air while the story develops into something great and extraordinary.
Shutter Island is full of mind blowing action! Packed with thrills that will have your head going at 100 miles per hour trying to figure out what is going on!
Minority Report; this movie certainly blew me away! Such an intelligent and smart picture that was directed by Steven Spielberg! I can say this is a masterpiece! True work of art.
Inception is also another great movie that will have even the smartest people trying to figure out facts during the movie.
A true classic I am sure all of you remember is The Sixth Sense. This movie takes you to a whole new direction even at the end. While we think we may understand the movie, we actually end up thinking totally the opposite understanding completely only in the end.
American Psycho goes to a whole new level. This movie brings back the old psychological movies to our time of today. This is a must watch!

The list of great titles is really long and I am sure that in any type of genre and classification you can find a great movie that can be considered for that great movie night for your friends and family. Some are recommended and some movies aren't recommended at all to be seen by kids. The truth is that people love the thrill of having their minds taken to many different directions while watching it. To be able to deliver a masterpiece that can do just that to its viewers, it requires more than knowledge, it's a gift that not all screen writers have.

For more titles and a list containing more of these movies, check out this psychological movies list. For even more action packed titles with the best mind blowing movies of all time check out the best psychological movies of all time.

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Rise To Stardom With Acting Auditions For Disney

Everyone admires the greatest names in Hollywood, but few ever know where it all starts. If Rome wasn't built in a day, then Hollywood was definitely not built in a year. Getting all movie directors looking work with you is a feat that takes ages to pull. However, for many of the stars we adore, the platform to greatness was laid by Disney. It is there that they displayed their talents for the entire world to see and became what they are today. Some of the household names in entertainment to have walked this path include:

• Justin Timberlake
• Britney Spears
• Fergie
• Christina Aguilera

Finding Disney Auditions

For many people, locating casting auditions for Disney channel is never easy. This is because they are ignorant of the many ways via which such information can reach to them. The best way to do this is by seeking the services of renowned agencies that will help you market you talent. These agents will usually offer you some trials to see if you are worth your salt. In addition, you can always sign up with a website that announces upcoming auditions on their websites. However, in doing this, ensure you are using a reliable website so that you are not swindled by rogue agencies.

How To Land Disney Auditions?

With the acting auditions for Disney channel aired on television, getting one is almost being assured of a berth in acting. The most important thing is to always bring the best out of you. Even if you do not get hired, it is very likely that someone else will notice. Here is a to-do list to ensure you get your hands on those auditions, in which case you have to turn up with your A-game:

1. Most importantly, ensure that you are as good as actors get. With such a big company as Disney, competition is stiff. The best that the world has will be there to compete with you so the last thing you can afford is an average performance. In fact, a good performance might just not be good enough, ensure you are at your peak.

2. Take up acting classes near you home to help you do enough practice for the big day. You never know what you will be asked to do so try and be as diverse as you can be.

3. Do as many auditions as you can. This will help you improve your resume and be more competent than your mates.

Casting auditions for Disney channel are conducted occasionally. Given a chance, always bring out your best to ensure you benefit from these acting auditions for Disney channel.

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Reviewed: Captain America: The First Avenger [2011]

12A - 125mins - Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi - 29th July 2011

With the summer season now in full blast we get our latest and final all action comic book hero for the year in the guise of Captain America- yet another character that I am unfamiliar with. Have I missed out on a childhood filled with comic books? It would seem so.

Set during World War II, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) a poorly yet determined man has only one goal- to join the army so that he can serve and protect his country. Due to his illnesses and diminished stature though he is rejected and turned away by every recruitment station he visits. A chance encounter with Dr. Erksine (Stanley Tucci) changes his fortunes and leads him to be accepted onto a secret project codename Project Rebirth where his honour and integrity gain him the chance to become a super soldier. He undergoes the transformation and becomes capable of near superhuman acts.

Meanwhile in Germany, Johann Schmidt aka the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), head of the Nazi exploratory research department HYDRA is building and army and technology that threatens to not only usurp Hitler but destroy the world. Captain America is tasked with stopping Schmitt and bringing the war to a premature end.

I was looking forward to seeing Evans in his role as Captain America as I'd wanted to see if he had what it takes to be the leading star in a film rather than the supporting roles he's more used to. He passed with flying colours making the character his own from a skinny nobody to the patriotic propaganda spinning Captain America. The rest of the cast also performed well with Weaving a convincing bad guy (despite me wanting him to say Mr. Anderson) and Tommy Lee Jones adding his unique charisma to the hard as nails Colonel. I was less convinced with Hayley Atwell playing the love interest Peggy Carter as the chemistry wasn't there and she never really extracted any emotions from me good or bad.

The action taken as a whole was good but I'm not sure that there was enough from Captain America. Sure he swung his shield and sent the opposition flying but I never felt that he was getting down and dirty for his cause. Some of the fighting scenes felt rushed and tended to be over before they had even begun. Also I understand Captain America's improved metabolism/regeneration properties cover up the fact he always looks like he's just walked out from make-up room #1 but I would still have liked to see him a bit beaten up and then recover for the next scene rather than looking as if he's just going for a stroll through the park. He never felt in peril which instantly removes any suspense that I should have been feeling for him.

The story of his origins seemed to take president over the action and to a certain degree that's understandable- there is no movie without a plot, but I would have liked a smidge more action and a tad less talking. Luckily the film didn't give off that all American vibe that I thought it might with the patriotism healthily present rather than all engulfing. Likewise, the comedy flowed at a decent level with many short (as in height) jokes and other such one liners hitting their mark. Although for me, I found Red Skull to be the funniest merely for his appearance- he was not scary and just looked like he'd forgotten to lather himself in suntan lotion before a trip to the beach one day.

The ending certainly adds its clout to The Avengers film due out next year. (You may want to hang around at the end for another post credit scene and a teaser trailer for said film). So where does this go in my list of Summer comic book heroes? I think it slots in nicely behind X-Men, just pipping Thor into second and is comfortably ahead of the Green Lantern.

Rating: B

For further reviews feel free to check out: http://www.fanaticalaboutfilms.com/

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Shahrukh Khan - The Last of the Great Bollywood Actors

Shahrukh Khan, who at the moment is Bollywood no.1 actor was born on November 2, 1965 in Talwar Elderly Care New Delhi. Sharukh's father's is called Taj Mohammed Khan and his mother's title is Lateef Fatima. Sharukh's father was in transports business and his mother was a social worker and she was also a top class justice of the peace. Shahrukh Khan aslo has a sister, Shehnaz. Sharukh married in 1991 to Gauri Khan and now they've two children: Aryan Khan and Suhana Khan.

He went to school in St Columba's School. He has got an Honours Degree in Financial aspects from Hasan Raj College Delhi. After that he went for a Masters Degree in Mass Communications at Jamia Millia Islamia College.

Sharukh started first from television serials. He acted in a couple of serials like the drama serial Fauji in which he acted in the role of Abhimanyu Rai. He also acted in the serial Circus, which revolved around the lives of circus entertainers. After the death of his parents he moved to Mumbai. This is where he acted in his first movie Deewana. Shahrukh khan was praised for his roles in the movies "Darr" and Baazigar". In both these movies he got the role of a villain. His biggest break came with his role in the movie "Dilwale dulhania le jayenge' HE played a romantic role in this movie opposite Kajol. This movie broke some records and set new standards for good movies in Bollywood. This was also the beginning of his superstar status. After his big success he regularly worked with big names in bollywood film industry.

Together with Juhi Chawla, Shahrukh khan also started "Dreams Limitless", film Production Company. The first two films they produced were big box office flops. But his third movie Chalte Chalte did well at the cinemas. In 2004 Shahrukh khan produced another movie, Main hoon na. He did this under the banner of another company he owns, Chillie entertainment. Main hoon na also did well. Paheli was forwarded for an Oscar but did not win any awards. With his friend Karan Johar he did another co-production, But that film did not do well at the box office. Till now he has acted in almost 60 films.

Sharukh is one of the few people in Bollywood who doesn't has any disputes. He always tries to keep himself away from controversies with other actors. Every actress in Bollywood wants to act in a movie with Shahrukh khan ones in their career. He is also very popular with NRI's. He is so popular that at the moment no other actor can compare him to Shahrukh khan. Shahrukh khan seems not to be slowing down and is planning to go even further.

Ta Sal is a Bollywood movies fan and buys bollywood dvds. At the moment he is writing for upcoming  Bollywood movies  at blog.bollydvd.net

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Review: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2

Like most adults, I came across Harry Potter when book 3 was released, about two years before the first movie. Kids had been aware of the books since day one. They were an immediate hit, selling millions of copies. However, most adults hadn't heard about them. It was only when a TV station in the US was doing a little research for a small article on kid's reading habits that they realised that these books were outselling videogames and movies without any huge publicity or advertising campaigns. It all boiled down to word of mouth. That, of course, changed almost overnight. Suddenly there was a two month waiting period for the books in the US. An American friend of mine was so stunned that he was able to buy all books (four at the time) in a bookshop in Dublin without any problems that he bought four copies of each and sent them home. He was the best uncle in the world that Christmas.
Anyway, as I said, I came across the books at book 3 and have read them all as they came out. The books, cleverly, grew up at the same rate as the characters and readers; Starting off as a book for kids with magic sweets and happy, fluffy magic. But there was still real danger and excitement in the book and the author never talked down or patronised the readers. As the books went on the books got larger, the characters grew up, the danger and excitement more extreme, favourite characters changed and even died. And the books grew more and more popular. The hysteria surrounding the release of a book would only be matched by the hysteria surrounding the next book.
And then the films came out. Everyone was concerned: How close to the book will they stay? Who will play the teachers? With a big American studio behind them and an American director and market will Harry suddenly become Troy? And who will play the kids? We need not have worried. The movies stuck VERY closely to the books (At times cutting out unnecessary plotlines that actually improves the story). The adult cast was fantastic. The late, great Richard Harris played headmaster Dumbledore (replaced with the equally great Michael Gambon after the death of Harris), Maggie Smith, John Cleese and Ian Hart all played their parts brilliantly. However Robbie Coltrane and Alan Rickman were BORN to play Hagrid and Snape. The kid actors were all pretty good also. Daniel Radcliffe a bit nervous and stilted as Harry (He's to be honest, not the best actor in the world) Rupert Grint as his best friend, Ron was funny and appealing and Emma Watson was perfect as their know-it-all friend Hermione. As the books went on and new characters were introduced the casting was uniformly excellent: Kenneth Brenagh, Ralph Feinnes, Brendan Gleeson, Gary Oldman etc.
So, at last, we get to the last movie. Was it worth the wait? Oh yes! As readers will know, Deathly Hallows Part One covered about more than three quarters of the last book. So Part two was going to be mainly the action packed finale. And it lives up to the challenge. Think the battle of Helms Deep in The Two Towers but with more wands. The action is thick and fast when it needs to be but knows when to calm down when it needs to also. After a five minute build up we are thrown into a daring bank heist with a dramatic and destructive escape. Another few minutes of tense calm and we start the battle of hogwarts. Once bumbling characters are suddenly turn into action heroes and we see other characters in a whole new light. Cool characters get even cooler. Well loved characters rise to the challenge or die without any OTT melodrama, they just die. Most of the actors return even if they don't have a single line of dialogue which is a testament to their respect for the films, books and fans.

The end may leave you wanting more but, sorry, that's it... Until Harry Potter And The Midlife Crises I suppose. It yet to be seen if these actors will be able top break out of their roles in Harry Potter and make a career for themselves in the Film and TV industry. Only times will tell on this really but one thing's for sure, they won't have to queue at the dole office for a while anyway!

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The Meanest Audis Featured in Movies

Hollywood is a tough town. Millions have traveled there, hoping to be discovered, hoping to make it big. And a select few bright stars make it. Until a few years ago, Audi was a bit player on the big screen while flashier vehicles like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes got starring roles. Even the little Mini Cooper was grabbing up screen time. Audi finally got its big break with Iron Man and a star was born.

Robert Downey, Jr.'s character, Tony Stark, races around saving the world in his Audi R8. This movie was a big comeback for Downey, and it was equally important for Audi. The movie showcased the sleek lines and incredible power and performance that Audi delivers. Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer at Audi said, "What we really needed was to get America talking, and that meant targeting Hollywood. It's about luxury and performance. People who know us get it. We needed more people to know us." Mission accomplished.

Transporter 3 was the next big movie for Audi, which Business Week called a "two-hour commercial for the Audi luxury sedan A8 as it outruns police, outmaneuvers a truck by riding on two wheels, and flies through the air to land on a speeding train - all without so much as losing a hubcap." Not bad for a sedan.

Will Smith drove an Audi in I, Robot as well. Audi designed and built the concept car specifically for the movie. You can easily get the A8 or R8, but you might have to wait until 2035 for the RSQ. The A5 and Q7 starred in Hitman, and the S8, A8, and A3 made appearances in Taken.

Last but certainly not least was a 1998 Robert DeNiro film, Ronin, which featured the Audi S8 in car chase scenes that won awards for years to come. In the movie, actor Skip Sudduth upgrades the standard Audi S8 with a number of upgrades, including the less common dual-tank nitrous system, as thought the stand model was not enough!

Hoping to keep its winning streak alive, Audi recently chose Justin Timberlake as their brand ambassador. A big part of his role will be in promoting the A1 compact. "Audi has always been at the forefront of engineering and technology. I am very excited to be a part of the next evolution conscience with Audi and the A1."

Audi is at the forefront of engineering, technology, performance, and power; get behind the wheel and experience it yourself.

Enid Glasgow is an automotive enthusiast and writer. Learn more about Audi Parts online.

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Deconstructing: The Amazing Spider-Man Teaser Trailer

It's been a crazy week for comic book fans and that's largely due to the release of the teaser trailers for next year's three big comic book movies. We've had The Dark Knight Rises teaser, and a leaked trailer for The Avengers. Next up is next year's The Amazing Spider-Man, directed by Marc Webb, starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker Spider-Man, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacey and Rhys Ifans as Dr Curt Conners, aka The Lizard.

So what did I think? Well firstly I am a huge fan of the change of tone this series seems to be taking. I personally found the Sam Raimi trilogy guilty of skipping pass the important issues that really define who Peter Parker is. Some fans are sceptical of the writers choosing to revisit Parker's origin, but the trailer shows just how dramatic and serious his origin is actually meant to be, and that going back to basics give them a chance to pull off a origin story similar to that of Batman Begins. Spider-Man should not be dark, but I wouldn't call losing your parents at a young age, losing your uncle during your teenage years, then becoming a superhero which the public and the press are constantly sceptical of a light story nevertheless. What makes Peter Parker such a relatable character is how he picks himself up and fights through these issues whilst remaining as upbeat as possible. The Amazing Spider-Man looks to have captured that tone perfectly.

One of the main criticisms of Tony Maguire's Spider-Man was that he didn't look a skinny nerd. This is where Garfield looks to best his predecessor, as he seems to pull off both the Peter Parker look and The Spider-Man look with ease. I was worried they were cutting out some of Parker's humour, but early reports from Comic-Con footage suggests the film finds a perfect balance between drama and humour which is essential to the Spider-Man mythos. We haven't really had much of wise cracking Spidey film, so I can't wait to see what Garfield brings to the table next year.

We saw a glimpse of Emma Stone as Gwen Stacey, and whilst it's too early to judge her performance, from the brief moments we say her and Peter together, they seemed to have good chemistry. If Garfield and Stone can keep the chemistry going, this could easily been the definitive Spider-Man film yet. We got a glimpse of Rhys Ifans as Dr Curt Conners, and it's a safe bet he will act like a father figure to Parker before becoming the monstrous Lizard.

Towards the end of the trailer we see some first person footage of Spider-Man swinging through the streets of New York. Whilst for now it looks a bit too similar to the video game Mirrors Edge, it at least gives us something different. I can't wait to see how Webb and crew have handled the practical effects, as seeing a real life Spidey swinging over the streets gives us a much more realistic viewing experience.

All and all I have been completely one over by the Spider-Man reboot. The teaser trailer was great, and now the film's already in pre-production with over a year until the film's release to go, there's lots of time for Webb and crew to get the film as polished as possible. Maybe reboots aren't such a bad thing; The Amazing Spider-Man truly does look amazing.

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Getting Ready for Acting Auditions for Disney Channel

Starting a career as an actor for Disney is dream come true for many young people. As such, whenever they are called up for auditions, it is important to ensure they are thoroughly prepared. The main difference between Disney channel auditions for kids and other auditions lies in the fact that they have the agenda of brining out the best in kids and helping them cultivate that inner acting talent. In order to ensure you get this much coveted chance, there are a couple of things that you need to take into consideration. These are as highlighted below.

• For starters, you should evaluate the casting directors list through examining reports that are easily availed online. These will give you an idea of what they expect from contests. However, you should not get in touch with them directly unless it is clearly indicated that you can do so. If you are allowed to give them a call, it is not advisable to ask for favors since this might portray you in a bad light and ruin your chances.

• Before signing up for auditions, it is important to do things that will get your name into the limelight. Participate in plays and any acting opportunities that come your way and always make sure that you give it your best shot. You can also star in films that are affordable and theatre shows.

• If you cannot afford to get into acting school, you should consider the possibility of enrolling the services of a personal coach. However, before settling down to use the services they offer, it is important to test the skills they have. While at it, look at any achievements they have made so far and you will be better placed to make an informed decision.

• While preparing and waiting for an opportunity to present itself, it is advisable to attend any Disney events that come up. This will give you the chance to interact with the crew and get ideas of what is expected from upcoming stars. In connection to this, the company is also known to organize several dinner parties and participants get the chance to interact with the personnel. By getting familiar with them, you decrease the chances of getting butterflies when your time to go up on stage arises.

• If you are going to acting school, take time to investigate schools preferred by the company. This will be an added advantage and it will also make you stand out from the rest of the contestants during the acting auditions for Disney channel.

Acting auditions for Disney channel present the first step to nurturing your acting career and as such, it is important to get thoroughly prepared for the Disney channel auditions for kids beforehand. This will increase chances of getting picked.

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Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a British television period drama series written by Julian Fellowes and produced by Gareth Neame. The first series which aired in 2010 cost an estimated one million pounds per episode. Luckily it became one of Britain's most successful British period drama with British ratings exceeding 10 million viewers and over 6 million viewers per episode in the United States.

The series is set in the fictional Downton Abbey, the stately home of the Earl and Countess of Grantham. It follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants starting in 1912 just before the war. This was an interesting period and the series shows the confidence and the power of the late Victorians at that time.

In the first episode, which is set in April 1912, there is news about the death of Lord Grantham's cousin James Crawley and his son, due to the sinking of the Titanic. As they were the heirs to Downtown Abbey and had no male offspring there begins speculation as to who will become his heir.

The actual series came about when the executive producer Gareth Neame and writer Julian Fellows were working on adaptation of Julian's novel 'snobs'. They discussed working on an episodic series set in an Edwardian country house and it grew from there. Julian was the perfect writer as he had always been interested in the way of life of fully staffed housed that were around when his own father was born.

The series set and costumes are pretty lavish and impressive. Filming took place at the beautiful Highclere Castle in Berkshire and the servants living areas were filmed at Ealing Studios, West London. Many outdoor scenes were filmed in the village of Bampton in Oxfordshire. The first series had seven episodes in total, but the coming second series will be composed of eight. The filming began in March this year and will air towards the end of 2011 and will include a Christmas special.

The whole team behind this drama make it what it is today. The cast were chosen very well, writers, makeup articles and they even brought on to set the historical advisor Alastair Bruce who helped the actors with answering questions to help them in their roles. If the second series is received in the same way as the first we can hopefully look forward to a third series being filmed next year.

For more information on going on a Downton Abbey why not check out Brit Movie Tours who are a London based tour company offering many other London Movie Locations tours.

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Deconstructing: The Avengers Teaser Trailer

Last week during a special screening of Captain America: The First Avenger a teaser trailer for next year's superhero extravaganza The Avengers was shown following The First Avenger's end credits. Whilst it didn't give much away, it was successfully able to generate an insane amount of excitement for next year's film, showing Warner Bros how it's done when it comes to teasers for their superhero films.

Unlike the teaser trailer for Warner Bros The Dark Knight Rises, Marvel were willing to give the fans a first hand look at all the characters from The Avengers in costume. Unfortunately, I'm unable to load the trailer as Disney were quick to pull it down, but what I can say is that the costumes are a mix of Ultimate/616 styles.

The trailer started with Steve Rogers punching a punch bag, when Nick Fury walks in to talk about a mission, which don't actually find out what the mission is. The music then begins and we get treated to some great shots of Iron Man, Thor, (Mix of Ultimate costume and Ages of Thunder) Black Widow (Iron Man 2 costume), Hawkeye (Ultimate) and Bruce Banner.

We were then shown the first glimpse of the Avengers in the same room together, as Nick Fury was talking to Tony Stark, whilst Captain America was sitting down. Thor was leaning against a wall, and we also got a first look at Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner. I can't quite remember if the Incredible Hulk was shown, but I can guarantee if he was in the trailer it was nothing special. Cue lots of action shots as Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye shoots something causing an explosion, Scarlett Johansson in action as the Black Widow and Iron Man flying in the air, with Thor throwing his hammer to reveal the Avengers logo coming May 2012.

It had to be one of the greatest teaser trailers I've ever seen. Again, unlike the teaser trailer from Warner Bros The Dark Knight Rises, Marvel gave fans something new to be excited about. None of the footage was reused, and seeing all the characters in costume just illustrated how amazing it is that the Avengers movie is actually happening. Was the trailer too revealing? No. We still don't know anything specific about the plot (unless you've read Samuel L Jackson's stolen script). We didn't seen much interaction between the characters, therefore any character specific sub-plots such as Tony Stark's surprise to meet the super soldier his father always spoke about remain a surprise.

I have to give it to Marvel. They've worked really hard to build this film up and based on the teaser trailer alone, it looks like it will almost definitely pay off. Just seeing the online reception alone to the leaked teaser trailer is staggering.

It's good to be a nerd sometimes...

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What Is The Appeal Of Karl Pilkington?

Karl Pilkington is really good friends with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, and it is this trio that created the world's most listened to podcast. However it wasn't necessarily Ricky Gervais that people tuned in to listen to. This honour goes to Karl Pilkington, who is now equally as famous in many ways.

So why do so many people love Karl Pilkington?

Well he is essentially the butt of Ricky and Stephen's jokes. Karl's stupidity and his far out views of the world around him make him a constant source of amusement for both his two friends and for the listeners.

Ricky is constantly making fun of his ridiculous views and his abnormally round head, but Karl just takes it on the chin and continues offering his thoughts regardless. He talks about anything and everything, and it is similar to the kind of conversation that you would hear in your local pub, but these conversations are just so much funnier.

Karl started off as a producer on Ricky and Stephen's radio show, but he is now a star in his own right. Indeed with the influence of Ricky Gervais, he has just been around the world filming Karl Pilkington - An Idiot Abroad. In this series he visited the seven wonders of the world and offered his own unique thoughts and opinions on each one, and the countries and cultures he experienced on the way.

It really was a brilliant series even without Ricky and Stephen being present, which just goes to show that he is still funny even when he's on his own. He was clearly uncomfortable outside of his cosy life in London, and it clearly showed, resulting in a brilliantly funny travelogue.

Some people are of the opinion that Karl is not actually a real person, but more of a character that he plays up to and exaggerates for comedic effect. I don't know whether that is true or not. Ricky Gervais certainly denies it, saying he couldn't actually sit down and come up with a character as funny as Karl Pilkington even if he tried to.

I don't really care either way because one thing I do know is that Karl Pilkington is one of the funniest people on the planet in my opinion. Clearly other people think so too because he played a major part in making their podcast the most listened to podcast in the world, and his TV shows are now proving equally as popular with a second travel series coming soon.

Click here to read a review of the Karl Pilkington An Idiot Abroad DVD, and to read reviews of other UK DVD releases including the Lead Balloon DVD Box Set.

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From Comic to TV Cartoon to Big Screen - X-Men: First Class - Review

Normally this is Hollywood's thought and we get more and more diluted sequels until taking dip. Either that or go for the now trendy "Reboot" starring a young, hip cast of up and coming early twenties prettyboys and prettygirls.

They decided, this time to go with the reboot. However, with a twist. Instead of churning out some soulless cash in they decided to make a proper movie, hiring Mathew Vaughan, the director of the excellent Layer Cake and recent critically acclaimed Kick-Ass. A bold choice, as these were serious and adult movies. Not exactly the person you would expect Hollywood to give the reigns of one of their summer tentpole blockbusters. Vaughn then wrote the story with Jane Goldman and Bryan Singer.

They then decided to fill the cast with hot young actors who can actually act! James McAvoy one of the hottest actors in Hollywood after his turns in Atonement, Wanted and The Last King Of Scotland played a young Charles Xavier while the equally hot Irish/German actor Michael Fassbender, fresh from stealing the show in Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and taking on the challenging role of hunger striker Bobby Sands in Hunger. (Even if he was in Jonah Hex. We won't hold that against him). Kevin Bacon played the bad guy (Which should help in your next round of "Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon"). Rose Byrne and January Jones and others filled out the younger roles ably.

The story was articulate: Set during the Cuban Missile Crisis it charts the creation of the X-men and Michael Fassbender journey from Nazi concentration camps to his eventual Magneto persona. As a result, Fassbender gets the meatiest role. His character arc is, by far, the most interesting. We see the torture of his youth in concentration camps and his relentless pursuit of revenge afterwards. He is always a charismatic and sympathetic character. Who doesn't want to see Nazis get their just deserts?

He is also the character most at ease with his powers, encouraging his fellow mutants to embrace their differences rather than hide them. If there is one flaw in his performance, it is his accent. For some reason, as the film goes on, his Irish accent becomes more and more apparent. While he never sounds like Jackie Healy Rae (Fassbender's father is from Germany but he was raised in his mother's home of Kerry) by the end of the movie his accent is pretty obvious. At least it is for an Irish audience. It probably isn't so apparent for others.

The action is slow to start as the film really is about the creation of the X-men so we see the introduction of various characters familiar and unfamiliar to viewers of the movies (All will be familiar to the comic readers of course) but once the action starts it comes thick and fast: flying submarines, nuclear missiles, and mutants aplenty.

All in all Fist class is a surprisingly mature comic book to TV to big screen film with a decent cast and director and story. I'm looking forward to checking out the sequel. Oh, and it has the best cameo EVER and it's not even the ubiquitous Stan Lee!

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Katie Holmes Emmy Nomination

The lack of a Katie Holmes Emmy nomination most certainly counts as a snub, for those who are not sure. Since the announcement of Emmy nominations last July 14, people have been talking about it. "The Kennedys" managed to claim ten nominations, with three of them for actors Greg Kinnear, Tom Wilkinson and Barry Pepper. However, for some reason, her acting efforts have not been recognized.

Award snubs are nothing new, especially for the Emmys. Bigger snubs have occurred than the Katie Holmes snub, such as when they snubbed "The Wire". Some snubs are intentional and welcome. "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", for example, was snubbed in favor of shows such as "Conan" and "The Colbert Report," possibly in response to how Leno was pushed back into the spotlight. Courtney Cox continues to be snubbed until today, from her run on "Friends" to her current role on "Cougar Town."

There are many reasons for a snub. Sometimes it is because there is an overabundance of splendid shows and actors and since there can be only one, someone must be disappointed. In other cases, it becomes a matter of internal politics. It sometimes even becomes about spite and malice.

Why is the Katie Holmes Emmy nomination controversial?

"The Kennedys Miniseries" is a television broadcast on the "Reelzchannel." It was originally slated to be shown on the History Channel, but it backed out of the deal. It is widely believed to be because the content of the show is inherently controversial. The fact is that the lack of a Katie Holmes nomination might be justified in this case, though it may not be in a way that is acceptable to the general public.

The fact is that the show has a hilarious number of historical inaccuracies. It is also incredibly unflattering. Ted Sorensen calls the show "character assassination." Of course, this is no reason not to nominate someone for their acting - the fact that three cast members were nominated is proof of that.

The fact is that there is no Katie Holmes Emmy nomination might be because she simply does not deserve one. She might actually not deserve a nomination. Her performance might simply not be robust enough. Her blank expressions are put up against Emmy Rossum, Katey Sagal and Anna Torv. The fact is that even with a weaker host of actresses, Katie Holmes might simply not deserve the honor. It is simply shocking because everyone else on the show was nominated. It looks awful, but it might be simply be a matter of not measuring up.

http://thekennedysminiseries.com

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Strategies of Finding Auditions for Disney Channel Shows

Are you searching for auditions for Disney channel shows for you child or any other teen actor you have around who is willing to get into the acting scene? If so, you should have them test for these shows by finding them the casting calls as well as the tests that come with them. The chances of your child becoming a high esteemed actor in these shows are very high even though you might not have the awareness at the moment.

There are several shows that your kid can get tested in to prove his or her capability. These shows include Hannah Montana, Kim possible, and the suite life on deck as well as other TV shows linked to this medium. Your kid may become the best actor or actress within the shortest time possible after testing. However, the question comes about, how can you find these auditions? Well, no need to worry as this article will take you step by step on how to find them with much ease. Keep reading to learn the steps to follow.

• The primary thing you ought to do is to locate a modeling or a talent agent linked with this medium. Most modeling and talent agencies tend to have the will to submit kids, children as well as teenagers a variety of trials as well as casting calls as soon as they are available. This will make it easier simply because when there are any vacancies for new actors and actresses for TV shows, the modeling or talent agent will be notified immediately. Once the notification is done, the agency will notify you to take your child for kid acting auditions for Disney channel.

• Next you can do your findings by simply getting your kid connected with a casting director who is normally hired with an aim of casting this medium television shows. In case there is any casting call, the casting director will be notified who will in turn notify you. However, it is important to find a casting director, send the pictures of your kid to see if there is any necessity for an interview or reading. In case your kid qualifies to be on the director's talent roster, whenever there is casting call for any TV show on this medium, you will be contacted to bring your child for testing.

• Lastly, you can find these trials on various websites. Find websites that deal directly with casting calls and check if there are any trails available. They are usually posted by talent agencies or casting directors for this medium.

Auditions for Disney channel shows are very important as they help in bringing those with talents to the surface just like kid acting auditions for Disney channel which help your kind to become a good actor or actress.

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History of the London Film Museum

The London Film museum which was once known as the Movieum of London is situated in the County hall building on Westminster Bridge Road in the City of London. The museum is a must for film fanatics as it offers an incredible amount of things to do and see. Movie going enthusiasts will be in their element. As well as great fun it is also educational, you can learn about the history of film and famous directors.

The museum is one of its own kind in Great Britain. It was founded and created in February 2008 by Jonathan Sands following the signing of a 25 year lease at the County Hall London. Jonathan started his career as a commercial and advertising photographer and opened his first own studio at the young age of 17. He then went on and moved to the Elstree Film Studios and became resident photographer in 1997. At the studios he met Nick Harrison who owned a prop and events company called 'Weird and Wonderful'. He worked with Nick on many special projects which included The Aliens Resurrection party at BAFTA.

When Nick Harrison's life was cut short aged 37, Jonathan when on to buy the company and collection and built it up into a full production company. He created many attractions including 'The Seven Deadly Sins' at Thorpe Park and the Chelsea Football Club Centenary Museum at Stamford Bridge. In 2006 Lucasfilm requested that the 30th Anniversary Exhibition be hosted in London and Jonathan was asked by a promoter to host the event. He did just this and negotiated a short term license to present it at County Hall. 'Star Wars The Exhibition' opened on May 4th 2007 and was a great success. It got Jonathan thinking and when that exhibition was closed, Jonathan went about looking into signing a 25 year lease at the County Hall so he could move his entire collection in. He did just this in Feb of 2008. Over the next couple of years he was introduced to Rick Senat who was an ex-senior executive at Warner Bros. and well known within the British film industry. In the following year Rick Senat became Chairman with

Jonathan as Chief Executive, and opened the London Film Museum in January of 2010.

Today the Museum has partnerships with the Lucasfilm, Paramount, Pinewood Studios, Warner Bros, Twentieth Century Fox, British Film Institute and Film London to name just a few. On show are many great collections of iconic costumes, film props, photographs, some of which dates back to the 1930's. If you're a fan of the original superman films from the late seventies and eighties you will enjoy seeing the real tunic worn by the late Christopher Reeves.

One of the new exhibitions goes back to the early 1900's covering Charlie Chaplin, the English comic actor's early life. You can see his famous hat and cane at the exhibition titled 'Charlie Chaplin the great Londoner'. Another exhibition titled 'Ray Harryhausen - Myths and Legends' which focuses on the work of the American film producer Ray Harryhausen. It shows the techniques he used over the years to bring his many Dynamation creatures to life.

Film fans can just go along for a visit or you can go on a London museum tour with a London tour company which might offer even more inside information on the history of film.

For more information on going on a London Film Museum why not check out Brit Movie Tours who are a London based tour company offering many other London Movie Locations tours.

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What George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg Know

I was six years old and I had no idea what I was about to experience. For months my parents had been talking about Star Wars and we were now sitting in the third row of a movie theater. Music blared and I saw a large space ship encompass the screen in pursuit of a smaller ship. I was horrified to see the menacing, tall, dark figure of Darth Vader enter the smaller ship and I was hooked. I became Luke and as I left the theater I was a Jedi.

From that moment I had lost the ability to choose my career. I loved movies and had become addicted. I cried when E.T. was about to die and remember a woman yelling in the theater, "Run, Elliot, run!" I screamed in Jaws as the tension grew so thick I could not hold my voice. I cheered and laughed with Indiana Jones as he fought the German soldier who threw him through the windshield onto the hood of the truck and as he used his whip to trail between the wheels on the dirt road and climbed back to resume the fight. I screamed as the T-Rex in Jurassic Park smashed through the sunroof of the truck attacking the children and after each film I dreamed of them for months and laughed with my friends talking about them. These had all become part of my life. I watched Jurassic Park five times in the theater on the opening weekend!

Some movies penetrate your soul while others give a few laughs and fall to the wayside moments after you leave the theater. Star Wars, E.T., Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Arc and Jurassic Park are among the highest grossing films in history. George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg are in the business of entertainment as are many other people yet the films they create continue to bring enormous returns while many others fail to recoup their investments. So what do George Lucas and Steven Spielberg know?

They know the need and how to fulfill it.

That is an odd statement - "They know the need." Yes, it is odd, but that is the great key to success in any business. When you know the need and fulfill it, success will follow. For instance, there is a need for chocolate. People love chocolate and the need for it is more than just the taste, there is emotion attached. Have you seen the face of a woman who loves chocolate when she slips it into her mouth and savors it? There is emotion attached to that need that can approach (and in some cases, truly is) addiction. Chocolate manufacturers understand this need and set up their products to accommodate those needs and they make millions doing so.

There is a need for stories and story-like characters. In our nature we need them. For thousands of years stories have been part of our existence and we crave them just as we crave chocolate. We are addicted to them. There is emotion attached to them and we cannot get enough. For the most part we live mundane lives-no adventure, no purpose, no reason for strength, no reason for courage, no reason for honor, we simply go to work, come home, watch TV, read the news and go to bed. All the while we crave adventure, love, courage, a sense of honor and redemption. When those items are experienced by characters we are watching we feel the courage the character is expressing, we become that courage or strength and we are the people we watch. We become them and crave that sense of honor and when we have characters that give us redemption we are redeemed.

So George Lucas and Steven Spielberg know the "need" but how do they fulfill that need? There are four basic ways they do it and through which they create narrative tension which pulls us in and allows us to experience the adventure of their characters:

1) The Unusual - They use things that are unusual to us. Remember, we live basically mundane lives and the "regular" is boring, it is what we live. We want a story that allows us to escape. Think of Star Wars. How unusual is that? Jurassic Park? E.T.? A face-to-face encounter with Jaws.

2) A Threat - They work with our fears, our hates and our loves. Each of these is a threat on many levels. If the characters in the story have fears, we associate with them and that association endears them to us and we see ourselves in the actions they take against what is threatening them.

3) Extreme Values - These are things such as your family, your home, your occupation. When a character has to make decisions based on what they value in the extreme we side with them because we have similar values.

4) Programmed Needs - Think for example if your income is jeopardized or your stability or security. These are programmed needs we all have and when a movie puts them in jeopardy we feel it in our emotions.

The movies I have mentioned by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg score five stars in each of these categories and have been created in a manner to attract the largest audiences in that they appeal to all age groups and most demographics. They are constructed with content that entertains but does not cause a parent to fear taking their child. They have the unusual, the threat, extreme values and the main character's programmed needs are attacked. Whether you are young or old, you will enjoy these stories and they will fulfill the craving "need" in you.

I have spent my life in this industry and when Stephen Sobisky and I took control of Sandman Studios we decided we would work on and create films which fulfill the undying "need" within each of us for great stories. As we partner with filmmakers and studios, we consciously accept and create projects with the audience and narrative tension in mind. The core of entertainment is in the story and if your story fulfills the need of your audience, it will be a success.

I was hooked sitting in that theater chair watching Star Wars when I was six years old and the feeling has never left me. I love movies and the creation of great stories has become my life. People have told me that when they read Speed of Light they wanted to be Pierce Black. I get the greatest satisfaction as I hear that my stories have made a mark in someone's life and they had felt the emotion of my characters as they read. I hope that someday a young child will be watching Pierce Black struggling for his life in the feature film of Speed of Light and dare to dream his dreams and make them real.

Lee Baker is the president of Sandman Studios, a Hollywood visual effects and animation company and is the author of the illustrated book, "Humbug, A Christmas Carol" and the novel "Speed of Light." Learn more about Lee Baker at http://www.leebakeronline.com/

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Dylan McDermott - An Award Winning Actor With A Troubled Past

Dylan McDermott is a household name thanks to roles in multiple movies and on the television shows The Practice and Dark Blue. However, the actor was born Mark Anthony McDermott on October 26, 1961 in Waterbury, Connecticut to parents Richard and Diane McDermott. The pair were teenagers when McDermott was born, and were divorced by the time he was seven years old. Perhaps the rocky childhood experienced by this actor helped to provide the emotions which would later be expressed so well on screen and stage.

Dylan McDermott's mother died in 1967 in what her boyfriend claimed was an accident with his gun. His maternal grandmother assumed the responsibility of raising McDermott and his sister Robin in Waterbury, Connecticut. As he entered his teen years, he frequently visited his father in Manhattan and help tend bar and break up fights in his father's bar, the West Fourth Street Saloon. His father's third wife, Eve Ensler, was very close to the young teenager and actually adopted him when he was fifteen. She wrote roles for him in her plays and encouraged him to pursue acting. In fact, the stage name of Dylan was chosen after his stepmother miscarried a baby of the same name.

His heroes in the acting world were Marlon Brando and Humphrey Bogart, and McDermott would try to imitate their demeanor and mannerisms during his troublesome teenage years. After attending Fordham University's acting school, Dylan McDermott pursued dreams of performing in movies, earning himself roles in films like Twister, Steel Magnolias, and In the Line of Fire, among many others. His Emmy nominated and Golden Globe award winning role as self-made lawyer Bobby Donnell on The Practice rocketed his rise to stardom. He has also appeared in multiple television shows and stage plays. His most recent work is viewed in Christopher B. Landon's edgy film Burning Palms.

On a personal note McDermott was married to Shiva Afshar Rose, an actress and social change activist. The couple has two daughters, Colette and Charlotte Rose. They were divorced in 2009. Dylan McDermott has over twenty years of sobriety in his fight against alcoholism. In an interview he states that acting is a form of therapy of him, and the choices he makes in roles are his way of working out psychological issues. Some are dark and some are comic depending on the stage of life he is going through. McDermott's rugged good looks have garnered attention from People magazine, Men's Health, and GQ.

Interested in learning more about McDermott? Hear the actor's thoughts on life, law, and acting in the interview A Conversation with Dylan McDermott at ForumOnLawCultureAndSociety.org.

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