Monday, December 31, 2007

Wood Carving

Handicraft is a kind of craft in which decorative materials are made by using hands and simple
tools.

Wood carving is a type of handicraft. In wood carving the wooden object is given a particular orientation using simple carving tools. A carving tool set comprises of a carving knife, gouge, chisel, V-tool, veiner. A carving knife is a specialized knife for pairing, cutting and smoothening wood. A gouge is used to make hollows. A chisel is used for lining up and making straight edges. A V-tool is used for parting and in some cases for emphasizing lines.

The selection of wood is also important. Hardwood is difficult to curve but has more lusture and lasts longer. Softwood is easier to carve but lacks durability. The selection of the type of wood has to be done by the artist.

Some good wood carvings:-





















































































Sunday, December 23, 2007

Review of "Welcome"



Actors- Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Katrina Kaif
Director- Aneez Bazme

Usually I start my critical review by giving a brief gist of the plot, but in this case it would be useless, since the director himself has not been able to explain the plot. It involves an underworld Don, Uday Shetty(Nana Patekar), who wants to marry off his sister(Katrina Kaif) to a white collar person. He ropes in Rajeev(Akshay Kumar), but his uncle(Paresh Rawal) wants to stop the marriage at any cost. Majnoo bhai(Anil Kpoor) is the chief henchman of Uday Shetty, and ably supports him in his deciscions. Other characters like RDX(Firoz Khan) and Ishika(Mallika Sherawat) are introduced and they further complicate the plot.

The comedy is good, but in parts, in most cases cheap jokes and mindless composition dominates the film. The plot is acceptable in the first half but goes completely haywire in the second half. This shows that director lacks script sense. Talented actors like Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor have been wasted. Cinematography is good and the music above average. In totality, it seems like a film which has been very loosely made.

In terms of performances, Nana Patekar steals the show, and is ably supported by Anil Kapoor. Their chemistry is outstanding. Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal are efficient. Mallika Sheravat is average, while Katrina Kaif provides the required glamour. Firoz Khan is good and looks crisp in his usual style.

All in all, a single viewing is sufficiemnt.

Rating- 1.5/5

Friday, December 21, 2007

Pankaj Kapur, my all time favourite actor

For a career spanning 3 decades, he has done very few films, but all of his performances have been masterpieces. Over-rated bollywood stars consider themselves great by giving masterpiece performance in 1 or 2 films, while this supreme genius has been giving "once in a life time performance" all his life.

Be it Bollywood, Hollywood or any other film industry on this planet, no actor has come even close to matching him. According to me, he is the greatest actor in the history of motion pictures and i really mean it!!! What a pity!!! We are having the most precious gem inspite of it we disregard the gem and crave for petty stones(over-rated stars who depend more on hype and media than their acting skills).!!!

Review of "I am Legend"


Actors- Will Smith, Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan
Director-
Francis Lawrence



"I am Legend" is a science fiction story; a virus is formulated which has an 100% efficiency in curing cancer, but it mutates to have disastrous effect on human beings. The affected humans turn into blood thirsty monsters. The year is 2009, and nearly all of humanity is wiped out, only few normal humans remain. One such person is Dr. Robert Neville(Will Smith) who is the perhaps the only normal person left in New York city.

This film shows how he goes about in his daily routine. He attempts to cure the disease by various trial and error procedures. The final outcome of the film is a philosophical one.

This film is brilliantly made; the cinematography is good, background scores are excellent and the special effects (as expected out of any Hollywood film) is exquisite. In terms of performance, Will Smith is mind-blowing, his expressions of fear, his deep observant eye, and his helplessness with which he talks to the mannequins completely etch the character he is playing.

I recommend this film highly; a must watch.

Rating- 4/5

Entertainment

Entertainment is the heart of life; according to me the most lucky person is the one who has access to various sources of entertainment. Laughing, singing, dancing, watching films, watching plays are the most common sources of entertainment. Of course you can create your own source(ex.- running through half feet snow in the siberian lands); your innovation will lead to enjoyment.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Art

I am writing my first post today, so let's see, what does the word "art" mean to me (an average 20 year old guy who has no artistic talent) ----> To me art has no definition, art can be anything : it is not the artist who creates art but the perception of the observer which creates "art". Who is the biggest artist? The answer is nature, if you have to compete with somebody compete with nature, you may not win but at least you will come close to perfection.