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Man is the product of his environment. And there can be no two ways about it. But there have always a few men who affected their environment more than they were affected by it. So, despite being the product of their environment, they shaped it in considerable measure. In 2008 also we had a few such personalities. We selected them on the basis of their impact and influence on their immediate surroundings and on the world at large as seen from India. |
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| Barack Hussein Obama |
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The first African American to be elected President, Barack Hussein Obama was born at the Kapi'olani Medical Centre for Women and Children in Honolulu to Ann Dunham, a white American. Before being elected as president Obama served as a junior United States Senator from 2004 to 2008. |
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| Michael Fred Phelps |
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Michael Fred Phelps, born on June 30, 1985, is an American swimmer. He has won 14 career Olympic gold medals. No other Olympian has ever earned such repute. In 2008 Olympic, Phelps hold seven world records in swimming. This 23 years old American has bagged 16 Olympics medals till date. |
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| Steve Paul Jobs |
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Born on February 24, 1955, Steve Paul Jobs is the co-founder, Chairman and chief executive officer of Apple Inc and also the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios. Jobs created one of the first most commercially successful personal computers in the late 1970. He is considered a leading figure in both the computer and entertainment industries.
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| Ratan Naval Tata |
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Ratan Naval Tata was born on December 28, 1937, in Surat and is the chairman of Tata group. He is credited with bringing a turnaround in the Tata group companies after taking over as the chairman. Tata is the brain behind the world famous Nano small car and major global acquisitions. |
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| Dalai Lama |
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The spiritual and political head of Tibetan people is called the Dalai Lama, according to Tibetan Budhism. He is also referred to as Gyalwa Rinpoche meaning 'Precious Victor' or Yishin Nirbu. Tenzin Gyatso, the present Dalai Lama is also the head of the Tibetan government in exile based in Dharamshala. |
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Time magazine called Bollywood the 'world's busiest film industry'. And for good reason. It's a magic pot that never ceases to churn out movies that entertain, foremost, and make one think at times. Among the scores of entertainers that Bollywood dishes out, there are almost always a few movies that stand out for substance and merit. Here are Top 5 movies chosen on the basis of the critical acclaim they received and the way they were received by the masses. Of course, a certain amount of editorial discretion has been exercised on our side in choosing these. |
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| A Wednesday |
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It's the story of a common man who chooses to turn the tables on the terrorists. A Wednesday remained critics' favourite for a strong storyline and brilliant acting by Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah. Shah plays the angry anonymous common man with knowledge of explosives and technology and delivers big time. Kher portrays the top cop in a way only seasoned actors can. |
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| Fashion |
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Directed by three-time National Award winner, Madhur Bhanderker, Fashion reveals deep dark secret of glamour-struck modeling industry. The movie is based on the struggle of an aspiring model, Priyanka Chopra. The film was widely appreciated by critics for being only women-centric movie so far to achieve commercial success.
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| Tahaan |
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Story of an innocent Kashmiri boy - Tahaan, the film talks about terrorism in Kashmir and a life beyond that. Director and cinematographer, Santosh Sivan, received several Indian and international awards, as the movie was widely applauded for its story, acting and camera work. |
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| Aamir |
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An off-track movie, Aamir, is set in Mumbai. The film revolves around a young educated man, who gets trapped in a terrorist plot. The movie scores with its cinematography (Alphonso Roy), acting (Rajiv Khandelwal) and background score (Amit Trivedi). |
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| Rock On! |
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Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, Rock On!, was a first in many a respect. It directly connected with urban youth, who lead a monotonous life. Frahan Akhtar was widely appreciated as a singer, actor and producer. The music of the movie also topped the popular charts for a long time.
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The world of entertainment is vast, and Hollywood plays a vital part. Hollywood has entertained us through its varied depiction of life in the form of movies and animation. At the doorsteps of a new year, we look back and reflect upon some of the best movies that influenced and touched us in 2008. This may be the last act for some, but for the audiences the show has been great. Below is the list of top 5 Hollywood movies that enthralled us in 2008. The list has been compiled on the basis of critical acclaim. Of course, a certain amount of editorial discretion has been exercised in choosing the entries on the list. |
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| Dark Knight |
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The movie would be best remembered for Heath Ledger's impressive performance as 'The Joker'. The movie deals with the stage when Batman is trying to maintain his reputation as the guardian of the city. Batman, Lt James Gordon and newly appointed District Attorney Harvey Dent try to bring order to the city. The Dark Knight faces a rising psychopathic criminal called 'The Joker', whose eerie grin, laughter and inhuman morality makes him a dangerous obstruction. With the movie revolving around love triangle the battle becomes personal. Dark Knight represents the symbol of hope. |
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| SlumDog Millionaire |
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Shot in the back drop of typical Indian slum community, SlumDog Millionaire is a journey of an 18 year old boy from Mumbai. Jamal K Malik reflects on his experiences as he answers the question on his way to becoming a millionaire in a reality show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?". But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating. During the interrogation Jamal confesses on how he came up with the answers thereby taking us into a journey of their (his brother Salim and him) adventures on the road of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Every bit of his life contains the answers to those quiz question. Jamal has gained lot, but yet everything could be lost in a second. For a boy to whom money is but a waste; what is he doing on the show? The mystery unfolds as he goes back for the final round, after the police releases him. |
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| Doubt |
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A story set in 1964, about a nun in Catholic school in the Bronx. Sister Aloysius is intrigued about the attention that Father Flynn is particular paying to a black student Donald Miller. Her suspicion turns real when an innocent Sister James, shares with Sister Aloysius her guilt-inducing suspicion. In her resolve to unearth the truth the sacred pillars of the community lay on the verge of demolition. |
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| The Visitor |
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This is a story about a sixty-two-year-old Walter Vale (Richard Jenkins), a teacher. Fed up with his teaching profession, he picks up piano lessons. One fine day when he walks backed into his home he finds a young couple already living there. Victims of a real estate scam, Tarek, a Syrian man, and Zainab, his Senegalese girlfriend, have nowhere else to go. Tarek, a talented musician, teaches Walter an African drum. Then begins a new journey as the two men pushing aside all age and cultural differences get drawn by the power of music. Walter slowly begins to find his life back. |
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| Kung fu Panda |
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Directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne and produced by Melissa Cobb, Kung Fu Panda, an animated comedy film, tells the story of Po (the Panda), the laziest animal in all of the Valley of Peace, but unwittingly becomes the chosen one when enemies threaten their way of life. Set in the legendary world of ancient China, this is the story of Po, who enters the rigid world of Kung Fu and turns it upside down.
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