Lindsay released from jail

Troubled Hollywood starlet Lindsay Lohan has been released from jail after serving 13-days of a 90-day sentence.

The actress was released at 1:35 am (local time) today from the Lynwood Regional Detention Facility here, but that did not end her legal saga as she had to head straight to a court ordered rehab facility, reported American website TMZ.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore announced that the 'Mean Girls' star has been released from jail following good behaviour and because of overcrowding at the facility. The 24-year-old was kept in a sequestered unit of the woman's prison since July 20, which has housed other celebrities like Paris Hilton and Michelle Rodriguez.

Lohan, who was jailed for violating probation on a 2007 conviction for driving under the influence, is now at a substance abuse treatment centre, the location of which is being kept a secret. TMZ reported that Lohan will now go to the UCLA Medical Centre for an intense specialised programme to deal with psychological as well as a addiction problems.

Earlier it was reported she was due to check into Morningside Recovery rehab centre in Orange County, California, as soon as she was released. Yesterday Lohan's lawyer hit back at claims that she is to be treated for addiction to Methamphetamine and bi-polar disorder during her court-ordered 90 days in rehab.

But Lohan's lawyer attorney Shawn Chapman Holley told RadarOnline that her client is not a meth addict. "Lindsay isn't a meth addict. I have no idea where that came from, but I can tell you, it's false," said Holley.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Critic's Rating: 3.5
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Bryce Dallas Howard
Direction: David Slade
Duration: 2 hours 4 minutes


Movie Review: Let's just cut the fang (read vampire) and fuzzy hair (read werewolf) business and ie rweqget down to the essence of Eclipse: Team Edward or Team Jacob, so who's side are you on? Of course, that's the big question that is posed before Bella (Kristen Stewart) in Eclipse and forms the dramatic core of the film. But even before our girl-next-door can decide whether she wants to end up as the undead Mrs Cullen or the still-human wife of shape-shifting Jacob, we know it's time for all you Twihards to voice your vote on who's hotter: Edward (Robert Pattinson) or Jacob (Taylor Lautner). For, after all, that's the in-your-face declaration that Jacob makes in one of the most alluring scenes in the film. ``Face it, I'm much hotter than you,'' he tells the 109-year-old cold cut Cullen and slips under the covers -- six-packed and shirtless -- to warm a shivering Bella on a cold mountain top. And, while he's lending his body heat, he forewarns his rival about Bella's fondness for him. She just might choose me, he smugly says.

As for Bella herself, this one's indeed a difficult choice. She tries her best to decide between her two suitors by asking both to kiss her, and does seem to have a preference for fangs over fuzz. But the answer to Jacob's `Him or Me' remains iffy till the very end.

Bella's quintessential dilemma does form the leitmotif of Stephenie Meyer's third book, but Eclipse does have another strong undercurrent. It carries her teen chastity theme even further, as the three main protagonists battle their desires and define sex as a post-marriage experience in no-holds-barred terms. On the one hand, you have Bella declaring she's a virgin before her concerned dad, Charlie, who needless to say, is ecstatic about his daughter's sexual status. And on the other hand, you have a testosterone-heady Edward announcing his affinity for old-fashioned amour which includes stuff as innocuous as sharing iced tea on the porch with his sweetheart on a summer eve, interspersed with a few stolen kisses. And those too, only after he's taken her father's permission. The love bites shall come, but only after the wedding, he tells an estrogen-strung Bella.

So, what about the supernatural stuff in Eclipse? Actually, the film does seem to dabble more with matters of the heart and promises a war that never explodes in full fury. The army of the vicious newborn vampires are on their way to assist evil Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) avenge the death of her lover, James. They do come and indulge in a pow-wow with the werewolves and vampires, but, by and large, the battle lacks brimstone.

But don't sweat. There's enough to keep the minutes rolling. As for the action buffs, isn't there Breaking Dawn and the final blitzkrieg? So hang on Twihards, the climax has yet to come.

Aerosmith

Aerosmith is an American hard rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band".Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock,has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many subsequent rock artists. The band was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. Guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton, originally in a band together called the Jam Band, met up with singer Steven Tyler, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarist Ray Tabano, and formed Aerosmith. In 1971, Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford, and the band began developing a following in Boston.

They were signed to Columbia Records in 1972, and released a string of multi-platinum albums, beginning with their 1973 eponymous debut album, followed by their 1974 album Get Your Wings. In 1975, the band broke into the mainstream with the album Toys in the Attic, and their 1976 follow-up Rocks cemented their status as hard rock superstars. By the end of the 1970s, they were among the most popular hard rock bands in the world and developed a loyal following of fans, often referred to as the "Blue Army". However, drug addiction and internal conflict took their toll on the band, which resulted in the departures of Perry and Whitford, in 1979 and 1981 respectively. They were replaced by Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay.[10] The band did not fare well between 1980 and 1984, releasing a lone album, Rock in a Hard Place, which went gold but failed to match their previous successes.

Although Perry and Whitford returned in 1984 and the band signed a new deal with Geffen Records, it was not until the band sobered up and released 1987's Permanent Vacation that they regained the level of popularity they had experienced in the 1970s. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, the band scored several hits and won numerous awards for music from the multi-platinum albums Pump (1989), Get a Grip (1993), and Nine Lives (1997). Their comeback has been described as one of the most remarkable and spectacular in rock 'n' roll history.[9][10] After 40 years of performing, the band continues to tour and record music.

Aerosmith is the best-selling American rock band of all time, having sold more than 150 million albums worldwide,[17] including 66.5 million albums in the United States alone. They also hold the record for the most gold and multi-platinum albums by an American group. The band has scored 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, nine #1 Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and in 2005 they were ranked #57 in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

Critic's Rating: 4.0
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangna Ranaut, Prachi Desai, Randeep Hooda
Direction: Milan Luthria
Genre: Drama
Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes


Movie Review: So, you've seen Satya and loved it. You've also seen Company and lapped it up too. Had a most satisfying encounter with Black Friday also. You've even read those page turners on Mumbai's underworld, Maximum City and Shantaram, and wondered if there's anything more left to be said about the shining city's sleazy underbelly. Hold your breath. For Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai might just take your breath away with its iridescence and engaging quality.

True, the film does re-open the familiar X-files of Mumbai's most well-known crime story -- the stormy relationship between Haji Mastan and his protegee Dawood Ibrahim, even though it does begin with the mandatory disclaimer of steering clear from real life. But it does it with an elegance and an intensity that keeps you glued to your seats, despite the fact that you know where the drama is headed for. And that's because director Milan Luthria chooses to anchor his film in the emotional heartland rather than dabble with guns and gore. Refreshingly, the film goes low on violence and focuses more on the emotional quotient, throwing light on how Sultan Mirza (an awesome Ajay Devgn) rose to his Shahenshah-esque status in the underworld and how he tried to tame the roguish new team member, Shoaib Khan (an edgy Emraan Hashmi). Alas, in vain!

And here-in lies the dramatic core of Rajat Arora's dynamic script which catapults the two lead characters as a study in contrast. While Sultan is showcased as the archetypal gentleman crook with a strong moral fibre, Shoaib is unprincipled and rotten to the core. Like that dada of all Dons, Vito Corleone, our desi Godfather too refuses to do drugs and insists he dabbles only with stuff banned by the law of the land not by his conscience. Shoaib, on the other hand, is game for any and everything -- treachery, infidelity, gang war, bloodshed -- in his unbridled bid for power. Of course, he begins as the trusted acolyte of the man he venerates as God himself (Maine toh bhagwan chun liya hai, ab aap insaan chuniye, he tells the iconic Sultan), but it doesn't take long before he sets his eyes on the wider horizon. Mumbai mere neeche aur main dhuey ki tarah upar (Mumbai below me while I scale above as smoke), he declares and roller-coasts his way on the road to pure crime and total immorality, ending up as the outlaw who managed to rule the city with remote control. Interestingly, despite presenting Sultan as a larger-than-life figure, the film does manage to keep its moral compass straight and has a seminal sequence which categorically brands all its seemingly heroic characters as criminals, charisma notwithstanding.

Interspersed between this titanic tale of a ganglord and his wannabe are the tender love stories of the two fugitives. Once again, done with a delicate finesse which creates memorable mush on screen as Sultan serenades the actress Rehana (Kangna Ranaut) and Shoaib tries a Bobby with his shy showroom girl Mumtaz (Prachi Desai).

After the innovative and experimental Love Sex aur Dhoka, producer Ektaa Kapoor once again scores with a complete entertainer which boasts of almost everything: a compelling story, crisp and absolutely state-of-the-art dialogues (Rajat Arora), an artistic period piece ambience (Aseem Mishra), a lilting music score (Pritam) and some riveting performances. Both Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi breathe fire and brimstone in to their portrayal of the two disparate gangsters and come up with two of the most mesmeric acts of the year, while Kangna Ranaut and Prachi Desai pitch in as perfect and picturesque molls. Add to this an in-rom ensemble cast which includes principled cop Randeep Hooda and loyal Sultan aide, Naved Ahmad (both are extremely watchable) and you have an entire catwalk of flesh and blood characters in a cinema that is generally peopled with cardboard cut-outs.

Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai offers you both substance and soul, even as it dabbles with a slice of reality. Don't miss it.

Salt

Critic's Rating: 3.5
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Shreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Direction: Phillip Noyce
Genre: Action
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes


Movie Review: It's Angelina Jolie's race against time to prove she's truly Hollywood's Lara Croft (read alpha woman). So forget the script and sit back for an explosion of in-your-face action cuts where our stunt queen is hell bent on showcasing herself as truly `hero' material -- The One, amongst the guys -- sexy pout and svelte figure, notwithstanding.

The film opens with Ms Jolie being tortured in a North Korean prison from where she is rescued and then breaks into a relentless spree that has a twofold purpose. First, it is supposed to answer the million dollar query: Who is Salt -- Russian mole or patriotic CIA agent? And second, it is intentioned to save America -- and the world -- from armageddon that threatens to come in the shape of a nuclear holocaust, after the American President is forced to press the button by big bad Russia.

The film does keep you guessing and has its moments of mystery as Angelina's identity keeps slipping from Russian to American, as she hobnobs with the KGB and the CIA with equal ease. And in this game of high level subterfuge, she doesn't actually have any friends, even though her colleague Ted Winters (Liev Shreiber) does seem to trust her as much as the other co-agent (Chiwetel Ejiofor) doubts her credentials. But Ms Jolie really doesn't have time for friendship, trust and all such niceties in a world that's spinning towards disaster. She needs to make rocket launchers out of furniture; jump off bridge, onto high speeding trucks, leap down elevator shafts, wear latex on her face, inject tarantula juice into heads of states and break into the high security white House, dodging all the bullets and bombs that are aimed at her fragile form.

Fragile, did anyone say? Eat your words, people and open you eyes for agent Salt: the feminist answer to James Bond and Jason Bourne. She successfully completes her first adventure with a promise of a sequel. And a sequel....