Many people don’t realize that a movie review is just one person’s opinion, on one particular day, and ascribe a larger value to the reviews. They think that somehow, the critic writing (or speaking/filming) the review has an insider perspective on whether a film is inherently “good” or “bad”.

What they don’t think about are all the factors which can lead a critic or reviewer to value a certain aspect of one movie over that of another, or the fact that there could be any number of things going on to influence the critic’s opinion of the piece.

In an ideal world, a professional critic is someone who can separate their own personal prejudices and tastes from the inherent value of a film, and evaluate a cinematic work on its own merits and based on its own intentions. This is one of the things that separates professional movie reviews from amateur hobbyists, who ply their opinions both on- and off-line and are often not able to make judgments of a) what the film they’ve watched is trying to communicate and b) whether it was successful based on that initial desire to communicate an idea.

Where professional critics can contribute in a highly valuable way is through their knowledge of and dedication to cinema. A professional reviewer with experience over a number of years has a wide breadth of knowledge about film directors, the actors who perform in the film in question, the producers, and other technical contributors, based on their work over a number of years. They also, one would hope, have a wider perspective on the history of cinema and how any one particular work fits into the wider range of cinema production output over the history of the medium. Even so, their opinion can be influenced by any number of things, and those reading professional movie reviews should realize that the review is simply a tool with which they can evaluate what their own reaction to the piece is likely to be. Using this information, one can decide whether a film is worth the cost of the ticket for them or their cinema group.

Hobbyist reviews on sites like Rotten Tomatoes and other internet websites have gained popularity over the years because they aggregate the reactions – not the professional reviews – of a wide number of people. Where a professional critic’s review is just the reaction of one person, these aggregating sites offer the perspective of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of average viewers who can provide a look at their gut reaction to the content of a film and pass that on to other viewers. This is useful for picking a movie based on mainstream tastes, however, one should realize when accessing these sites that you are not likely to see or have explained the position of a film within the canon of movie production history, nor are the capsule reviews from those who have seen the film necessarily educated or placed within the context of what the film is trying to achieve. They are opinions, and may differ from yours.

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Downloading a movie like “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” can be dangerous. Many download sites out there are nothing more than scams. It is usually a good idea to avoid sites claiming to have “free” downloads. Usually all you get to download for free are viruses and spyware. You are much better off investing in a movie download site that charges a small one time membership fee. The one time fee is actually a great deal when you consider how much a trip to the movie theater actually costs. You will likely be saving money within your first few downloads. It is also important that you know how to pick the best movie download site for your needs.

The first and most important thing to consider is download speed. Downloading a movie can take a little time, so naturally you want the fastest download possible. To ensure this, make sure the site offers unlimited bandwidth. Also check that there are no time, content or search restrictions.

The second thing you should consider is available selection. The top download sites grant access to over 80 million files. These files contain movies, television shows, music, video games, sporting events and more. With 80 million files you will never be without something to watch.

The last thing you should consider is picture quality. Watching movies with poor picture quality is a serious waste of your time and money. Make sure the site offers DVD quality movie downloads.

Taking these things into consideration should help you make an educated choice when searching for a movie download site. The only thing left to do is enjoy hours upon hours of your favorite movies.

Mel Gibson has had a rough time in the spotlight lately. Whether it be drunken rants involving racism, infidelity or divorce, he’s had a rough time surrounding the media the past few years. That being said, he’s also had great success in the movie industry. Below, are just a few of his best achievements.

3) Mad Max (1979, ’81, & ’85)

The Mad Max series is a classic. If you’ve never seen any of them, definitely start with the first one. The movie takes place in what appears to be a post-apocalyptic Australia where Max is a type of law enforcement that makes enemies with a gang of bikers. The bikers end up killing his wife and small child hence making him mad…Mad Max. Go check it out.

2) The Patriot (2000)

The Patriot is based in the time period surrounding the American Revolution. When his youngest son is killed by a British officer, he is driven by revenge to lead the local militia. This is a very good movie and very educational if you’re into that time period. You’ll often see history teachers showing this film in their class when it comes time to learn about the American Revolution.

This is not only the best Mel Gibson movie but it is easily thrown into the top 3 of All-Time by many movie enthusiasts. This film is also directed, produced and starred in by Gibson. The movie won all sorts of awards including 2 Oscars, one for best director and another for Best Picture. The film all together was nominated for over 20 Oscars and won 5.

The movie revolves around commoner William Wallace (Gibson) in Scotland during the 13th century. After English officers murder his wife, Wallace goes on a rampage, turning small group of Scots into one of the biggest armies the English forces have ever seen. Based on a true story, you can see many famous battles such as The Battle of Stirling Bridge and The Battle of Falkirk. This movie sparked a small flame in the Scotland movie business and ignited into a huge film industry that is still very prosperous today.

Movies exist everywhere and –thank goodness– they are always within our reach. They are the soft padding the mind seeks when reality becomes too hard for us to rely upon. Their horizons are limitless, inviting us to escape into infinite dimensions when the narrowness of this world cannot fit our yearnings. Movies can help us not only escape reality but also handle reality, when it becomes difficult, challenging, or overwhelming.

And what part of reality can become more overwhelming than politics…
If you want to see how the mythology of films treats the many faces of American politics and their head-to-head struggle with federal justice and the public opinion, watch the films listed here. They are grouped by theme and cover an entire spectrum of issues, ranging from stories about political corruption revealed by the press, to biopics about respected–or not–politicians, to political parodies, to fictitious stories about politicians who found redemption, spiritual renewal and, yes, true love. Here it goes:

A. Movies about the power of the press and the federal justice system to reveal political scandals and expose political corruption, causing severe consequences for the politicians involved. Benefits: These films are based on true historical events and they publicly affirm that the press and the federal justice system as the embodiments of public conscience, whose commitment is in serving the public interest:

Good Night and Good Luck (2005) Broadcast journalist Edward Murrow looks to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy.

All The President’s Men (1976) Reporters Woodward and Bernstein uncover the details of the Watergate scandal that leads to President Nixon’s resignation.

JFK (1991) A New Orleans DA discovers there’s more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story.

Missing (1982) Based on the real-life experiences of Ed Horman, this is the story of an American father of conservative background who comes to a South American country to search for his missing son, a journalist. Little by little, the father comes to realize that his own beloved government is not telling him the truth.

B. Biopics about politicians who rose to glory and fell from grace once they were exposed by the press for corruption and scandal. Benefits: Audiences participate in history and watch justice being restored. This has a healing, cathartic effect for the old generations and educates the young with lessons from history.

Nixon (1995) This is a biographical story of former U.S. president Richard Milhouse Nixon, from his days as a young boy to his eventual presidency which ended in shame.

Beau James (1957) Biopic of the political career of Jimmy Walker, flamboyant and somewhat corrupt Mayor of New York City from 1926-1932.
Primary Colors (1998) A man joins the political campaign of a smooth-operator candidate for president of the USA. The film is based on real facts surrounding the scandal of former president Bill Clinton’s affair with Ms. Monica Lewinski.

C. Comedies satirizing political scandals, parodying presidents’ personalities, and making light of grave historical facts in American politics. Benefits: Though light in nature, these movies have a redemptive purpose for the main characters as they expose their human, flawed side, historically hidden behind their powerful, irreproachable persona. Audiences experience the “human, flawed” side of powerful political heroes. Humor heals collective wounds Public ridicule of corrupt political leaders is an redemptive technique serving audiences since Aristophanes’ plays.
Dick (1999) Two high school girls wander off during a class trip to the White House and meet President Richard Nixon. They become the official dog walkers for Nixon’s dog Checkers, and also his secret advisors during the Watergate scandal.

Bulworth (1998) A suicidal, disillusioned liberal politician puts a contract out on himself and takes the opportunity to be bluntly honest with his voters.

My Fellow Americans (1996) Kramer and Douglas, two former presidents from opposite ends of the political spectrum, become reluctant allies when they become the target of a conspirator in President Haney’s administration. The two squabbling political foes plunge into a desperately frantic search for the evidence that will establish their innocence. As the scramble through the real America, they get an unexpected crash course in how their policies affected the citizens.

D. Portraits of American presidents who confronted national and personal crises with remarkable efficiency. They portray how strong characters who are also public figures react to trying times and create history. Benefits: Positive role models are always popular. These movies teach leadership lessons. Emphasize good leaders’ ability to weigh personal ambition, commitment to public service, power, and need for privacy.

Thirteen Days (2000) The film is set during the two-week Cuban missile crisis in October of 1962, and it centers on how President John F. Kennedy, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, and others handled the explosive situation.

Wilson (1944) The political career of Woodrow Wilson is chronicled here, beginning with his decision to leave his post at Princeton to run for Governor of New Jersey, and his subsequent ascent to the Presidency of the United States. During his terms in office, Wilson must deal with the death of his first wife, the onslaught of German hostilities leading to American involvement in the Great War, and his own country’s reticence to join the League of Nations

The Contender (2000) Laine Hanson, is a senator who is nominated to become Vice President. During the confirmation process, she receives a vicious attack on her personal life and morality. She is torn as to whether she should fight back, or stick to her high principles and refuse to comment on the allegations. Although it isn’t easy, she sticks to her guns. In the end she is rewarded for it.

E. Movies about simple citizens-turned politicians and ran America with integrity and moral conscience. The characters are fictitious, but the movies are all-time favorite for their inspirational and hopeful messages. Benefits: These movies serve the average citizen’s fantasy to run this country following his or her personal moral code and “do things right”. They have a restorative value for the public when it has felt let down by its leader. They offer hope and encouragement to follow one’s moral conscience for the good of all. We will always love stories like these.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) A naive man is appointed to fill a vacancy in the US Senate. His plans promptly collide with political corruption, but he doesn’t back down.

Dave (1993) Dave Kovic looks so much like President Bill Mitchell that he’s asked to stand in for him when the president indulges in illicit trysts. When Bill falls into a coma, his Chief-of-Staff, masterminds a highly illegal plot to keep Dave on as the president, aiming at becoming president himself. But he doesn’t count on Dave being so popular and keen to continue.

Movie Review – 3 Idiots

Cast: Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor and Boman Irani. Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra Writer & Director: Rajkumar Hirani

3 Idiots is the latest flick from Rajkumar Hirani’s bouquet of film. Produced by the talented Vidhu Vinod Chopra this film is most awaited film of 2009. After watching the movie I felt like having spent hanging out 3 brilliant hours with my friends.

The film stars Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi and R. Madhvan as the 3 Idiots. The film is a breezy entertainer and seems to strike the right chord, but still Hirani’s characteristic naive idealism and old-fashioned sincerity is somewhat missing in this flick from his last two Munnabhai films.

The bestseller Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat’s served as base for 3 Idiots. The film pokes at the Indian education system and raises certain pertinent questions about the relevance of learning by rote, the obsession with high grades, and the dangerous aftermath of parental pressure to pursue traditional streams.

Plot/Story – The film is set in the background of IIT engineering campus in Delhi. Film starts with the story of two friends, who are in search of their third adorable room-mate in their college days who helped them both in their life. Rancho (Aamir Khan) is the free-spirited student who dishes out important life lessons to his roommates Farhan and Raju (R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi) despite his clashes with campus director Viru Sahastrabuddhe (Boman Irani). Rancho outperforms a lot of interesting activities. Farhan wants to be a wildlife photographer rather than engineer and Rancho helps him to convince his family, Rancho also nurses his other friend to regain health after a failed suicide attempt, Rancho even opens eyes of an innocent girl to the apparent jolts she’s about to marry, and he even delivers a baby on the college ping-pong table according to the instructions from a doctor (Kareena Kapoor) on webcam.

Treatment – You can’t stop laughing at the interesting sequences in black and white representing the older days of the trio.

Romance is an essential spice in Bollywood movie and Kareena Kapoor (Pia) plays the love track with Rancho.

The first half of the film is a cool breeze. We can say this movie is an extension to Hirani’s trademark comedy. The hilarious ragging scene, witty confrontations with teachers, and uproarious gag with a rolling pin and a paralysed man are most liked by youngsters.

3 Idiots is a full-throttle melodrama.

The film’s second half is little messy. Despite some hiccups like ridiculous back-stories, and silly sloppiness, still the film fairly managed to entertain audiences. Like previous Hirani’s Munnabhai films, 3 Idiots will give a new call of “All izz well” to youngsters.

The actors performed their roles very well. In spite of little scope for Kareena Kapoor she has also make he presence felt. As always the comedy by Boman Irani is stunning.

The speech by character Chatur Ramalingam performed by LA-based actor Omi Vaidya in peculiar accent is the highlight scene of the movie and will be remembered for years.

The energetic Aamir Khan as Rancho is still as fresh as dove at the age of 45. The movie was publicized as Aamir Khan Movie more than Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani film from years back.

“Altogether it’s a must watch and full Paisa Wasool!!!!!

It’s such a shame when a mom and pop movie theatre goes out of business downtown, because it is like the end of an era. But it really does not have to be that way, as there are things these small business people can do to compete with the big brand name multiplex theatres.

From one of the white papers I read, it appears micro-scheduling could be the answer. Micro-scheduling describes how a Movie theatre might schedule their shows so that those going to the theatre to see a movie, rather than those going to see a specific movie at a theatre can capitalize rather than cannibalize on their sales of the most popular movies.

Meaning those who see an alternative movie to that of the biggest of the week feature may come back a second time to see the movie they missed. So in this regard the movie theatre has more traffic, movies start and stop at different times, meaning more efficiency in allocated resources, less staff needed and everyone wins.

Likewise in that aspect movie theatres ought to use their theatres for day movies and for conferences, learning and speeches too, by using the Theatre to teach local students, which is a good allocation of daytime vacant resources. Also giving seminars to people who wish to learn a specific thing.

And I’d like to add that micro-scheduling of this type can also be done with indoor soccer fields being used when kids are at school for special kids soccer or home schooling networks to provide socialization for those kids. Next, I’d like to further point out that micro-scheduling shows that you need less over all facilities for schools, and can teach people their way. You see, the reality of community college is that some people go to school because they want to learn something, others want to learn something specific and sign up for a specific course. It’s the same issue, just backwards.

Micro-scheduling with a little common sense can keep the mom and pop downtown theatres in business and thus allow the downtown areas to thrive again. Think on this.