Filmmaker's Anniversary
14 May:
He was born 77 years ago today, on May 14, 1944. The creator of 'Star Wars' - the only franchise, that has largest fanbase in the world. Does he need any other recognition? He was not satisfied with the sound, visual and theatre standards then, therefore found first of its kind, state of the art, Skywalker Sound, LucasFilm Lab (ILM) and THX certification, along with indie community, which not only revolutionized cinema watching experience, but made it holistic. Remember, Indiana Jones was conceptualized by him as a contender for James Bond.
Birthday wishes auteur, George Lucas.
His visions are futuristic and metaphysical. Some call him a wizard. Synonymous with technological innovation in enhancing cinematic experience. His major works were,
'Back to the Future' trilogy, Forrest Gump, Contact, Cast Away, The Polar Express. He was born 69 years ago today, on May 14, 1952.
Birthday wishes auteur, Robert Zemeckis.
25 September:
Whatever character he plays, he is quite connectable - a caring father, superhero, mad cop, or even a leader of a dystopian world. He is an epitome of empathy in both his profession and personal life. 'The Most Bankable Actor', Powerhouse of Talent', are some of the accolades he has earned, apart from bagging several awards. He was born 52 years ago today, on September 25, 1968. Birthday wishes, Will Smith.
30th September:
Not only does she defy age, but gender and geography. Gorgeous is an understatement to define her, but holistic would be appropriate. A prolific actress whose career spans decades of films of European and American origins. She was born 56 years ago today, on September 30th 1964. Birthday Wishes, MonicaBellucci.
1st October
Thevar Magan would have turned 95 today.
It takes a Sivaji Gansan to talk of a Sivaji Ganesan. Arguably, no one from the Indian film fraternity qualifies to even praise him. He is beyound recognition and fame. A seminal actor with seminal acting who laid foundation for others to purse. He was born on 1st October 1928.
9th October:
He possesses a unique talent of merging the worlds of the known with the unknown. His mind doesn't work in the world of reality, so are his works and followers. What he creates is always organic, and emotionally connected to humans. He belongs to the league of a Mexican triumvirate of filmmakers. He was born 53 years ago today, on October 9, 1964. Happy birthday auteur, Guillermo Del Toro.
I share my mind with very few individuals, Guillermo Del Toro is one among them.
12th October
He happened to act as a superhero, which took most of his career, and ended up being a hero in real life. A well built and multi-talented actor, who is not widely known by his real name, but the characters he portrayed. Happy birthday, Hugh Jackman, affectionately known as 'Logan'.
He was born 52 years ago today, on October 12, 1968.
18th October:
After masters Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Sylvester Stallone, I learnt martial arts from Jean-Claude Van Damme. I grew up watching his films in Madurai Mappillai Vinayagar and Manicka Vinayagar theatres.
Mixed martial arts at its best from Jean - Claude Van Damme's ' Bloodsport '. His strength lies in his legs. I doubt whether anyone else can move their legs as he does. They are free flowing as water.
Mixed martial arts at its best from Jean - Claude Van Damme's ' Bloodsport '. His strength lies in his legs. I doubt whether anyone else can move their legs as he does. They are free flowing as water.
I'm a great admirer of Jean-Claude Van Damme. This film was released at Madurai Hajira theatre (Sha theatre) in early 90s. I vividly remember watching this film there. It was a second show. The entire theatre went crazy during the training and last fight sequences.
kickboxing has always been a fascination.Bloodsport is one of my favorite martial arts movies since childhood days. amazing training sequences. this final fight scene speaks for itself.
Jean - Claude Van Damme is one of the best fighters i have ever seen..no words to best describe the intense power manifested by him in this training sequence from Bloodsport. Miss him these days.
He was born 60 years ago today 18th October 1960
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4th November
Born on 4th Nov, 1969 - An actor, who have had diversified career path, started with student films and commercials, progressed to romantic comedies - stayed there for a decade, graduated to intense real life roles, eventually breakthrough came for him for his remarkable enactment as 'Ron Woodroof' in Dallas Buyers Club (2013), which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor. Some of his other significant performances include - Mud, True Detective and Interstellar.
Happy birthday, #MatthewMcConaughey.
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7th November:
While Kamal Hassan's #ThevarMagan (1992) signified Marvars' (a clan of Thevars), #Virumandi (2004) was quintessentially us - #PiramalaiKallars (another clan of Thevars). Piramalai Kallars worship their forefathers, #VirumandiThevar was one among them. Many didn't know, or wouldn't have paid attention to the film or the history.
Born on November 7, 1954, arguably only actor of Indian cinema, synonymous with versatility and authenticity on the stage.
He was born to act.
Birthday wishes Chevalier, #KamalHassan.
I admire him as an actor not necessarily as a politician as he attempts to postion himself as a purist. No one is a purist in politics and no politician can ever be a purist.
November 11:
46 years ago today, on November 11,1974, he was born. An acclaimed actor, whose enactment invariably receives superlatives; started his career at the age of 14; Oscar recipient with 207 other awards & nominations,; only done 27 feature films and few documentaries so far; an environmentalist - who truly spends his maximum time and resources on preservation of planet Earth.
Happy birthday, Leonardo DiCaprio.
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17 November
What if your mind could only think of uncontrollable people? You also become pathological. Isn't? He is one.78 years ago today, on November 17, 1942 - an auteur, synonymous with crime and mafia films; later diversified into all possible genres; recipient of an Oscar; and innumerable accolades was born.Happy birthday, Martin Scorsese.
Born 36 years ago today, on November 22, 1984. An actor with unparalleled personal attributes - unique blend of mesmerizing charisma and uncanny voice.
Birthday wishes, Scarlett Johansson.
Scarlett Johansson 36
27th November:
Allegedly, had he not been deceived and murdered, my master Bruce Lee would have turned 80 years young today. No had the nerve to confront him. Therefore, it allegedly took a betrayal to kill him. His death is still shrouded in mystery.
Remembering the legend on his 80th birth anniversary. Is he really dead? Perhaps, biologically. But, certainly not spiritually. He is immortal, so are his works. BruceLee - the master, not only for martial arts enthusiasts, but for people from all walks of life.
He was born on 27th November, 1940.
December 29:
Remembering the legendary Russian born filmmaker, Andrei Tarkovsky on his 34th anniversary [4th April 1952 - 29 Dec 1986]. An auteur and early pioneer of abstract and experimental - new wave cinema, passed away 30 years ago today. Though he is biologically absent, emotionally prevails through his exceptional films.
20th January:
It is a crime to interpret his films and attempting to comprehend the plot. All you need to do is just be a part of the bewildering experience of watching his works. He is synonymous with abstraction, and renowned for making provocative, experiential and open to interpretation films. He was born 75 years ago today, on 20th January, 1946. Happy birthday, auteur David Lynch.
- FilmTheorist
7th April:
Can a filmmaker lose their sanity in the process of making a film? Yes. He became apocalyptic in making what is regarded globally as one of the most disturbing war films ever made. Arguably, godfather of cinema.
He resisted the bureaucracy of the mainstream studios as they manipulated creativity. He intended to create a deviant studio, absolutely free of hierarchy, seamless flow of ideas and authentic creativity. He created 'American Zoetrope' an independent studio and what followed is history. He was born 82 years ago today, on 7th April, 1939. Happy birthday auteur, Francis Ford Coppola.
- Film Theorist
SuperCop, the man who duped #BruceLee for a stunt. Jackie Chan.
His body has more fractures than number of bones. He cannot be a human for having done such daring stunts. Imagine, he even duped for legendary Bruce Lee. Happy birthday Super Cop, Jackie Chan. Born 67 years ago today on April 7, 1954.
- Film Theorist
Starting from a very humble beginning, in the corner of the world, New Zealand, he rose to fame. Success didn't happen overnight, but progressively achieved, exactly same as the character 'General Maximus Decimus Meridius', which was instrumental in his life. Happy birthday wishes, Gladiator, #RussellCrowe. Born 57 years ago today on April 7, 1964.
- Film Theorist
July 13, 2021:
If you introspect you may realise that a significant proportion of Tamil songs' lyrics and even feature films and series are a reflection of the language and culture of "Piramalai Kallars". Prolific poet, lyricist " Vairamuthu" and legendary filmmaker "Bharathiraja", have been instrumental in taking the lives of the "Piramalai Kallars" to every part of the world, where Tamil cinema is seen or songs listened to. Birthday wishes to Vairamuthu from another "Piramalai Kallan". BT.
July 17, 2021:
If you introspect you may realise that a significant proportion of Tamil songs' lyrics and even feature films and series are a reflection of the language and culture of "Piramalai Kallars". Prolific poet, lyricist " Vairamuthu" and legendary filmmaker "Bharathiraja", have been instrumental in taking the lives of the "Piramalai Kallars" to every part of the world, where Tamil cinema is seen or songs listened to. Birthday wishes to Bharathiraja from another "Piramalai Kallan".
May 25, 2022:
The politically correct categorises his remarks as toxic masculinity. Neither is he politically correct nor am I. Therefore, my father and I enormously admire his works. Arguably, what he talks about is mostly the facts.
While the purists can't accept it and oppose but admire him doing it because they can't do so in their realities. Some call him king of sarcasm. I'd say not only is he a king of sarcasm, but king of practical intelligence. This man is #Goundamani, affectionately known as #Goundere, who turns 83 years young today, at least mentally.
In an interview, director Suresh Krishna said, "There is no other alive in the Tamil film industry except Goundamani, equivalent to the stature of Rajini, to counter him". Hence, he was paired for Rajini, in "Baba" and countered his political and religious views. Reportedly, if not for Goundamani, Rajini wouldn't have allowed anyone to be critical of his views especially in a film.
Original Filmmaking has become very rare in our region. Film makers either follow suit or get inspired/ adapt a foreign language film to regional. Is this creativity? While it is debatable, the implications of doing it has badly influenced directors and producers. They have become mere copycats. One of the best war drama/ action and original movies ever made is Inglorious Basterds
. If Quentin Tarantino is able to think of and make something original and commercially viable. Why are you directors not using your cerebral capacity and think of something original? Eventually, your product is either an inspiration or adaption. Therefore, you will not suit the definition of authentic film maker. However, we only have few film makers as an exception. They don't need to be named as they are well recognised for being original.
3rd July
Know Tom Cruise from Sivan:
He is indeed synonymous with the saying "Age is just a number". An aviator himself, who has carried out death defying stunts for several of his missions for decades together. He remains relentless The man is "Tom Cruise", affectionately "Ethan - Ethan Hunt". And, he is just 61.
With all due respect, filmmaking has never been the forte of the Indian filmmakers. Cinema was not invented by us but foreign. Our knowledge of cinema is derived not original. If someone claims the opposite, then not only are they fooling themselves but the viewers.
Here is one such example of a seminal action filmmaking of the Mad Max franchise.
Mad Max 1979 - Filming back in the 70’s
#BT
September 2nd, 1964:
Not only did he save humanity from extinction in the world of the Matrix, but in the earth we exist as well. Despite surviving troubled childhood and adult life, loosing their loved ones, he always took great care of people. He continues to do so. People of such traits are rare to be found. But, he is an exception. Happy birthday #KeanuReeves, affectionately named 'Neo'. Born on September 2nd, 1964.
- filmtheorist.com
30 September | 2024
Some claim Italian women are the most beautiful. Not only is Monica Bellucci a seductive brunette, a hypnotizing beauty but a holistic actor. She truly defies age. She turns 60 today. Yet, she continues to seduce me. And, I'm not alone.
October 1 | 2024
Thevar Magan would have turned 96 today.
It takes a Sivaji Gansan to talk of a Sivaji Ganesan. Arguably, no one of the Indian film fraternity qualifies to even praise him. He is beyond recognition and fame. A seminal actor with seminal acting who laid foundation for others to pursue. He was born on 1st October 1928.
October 18 | 1960
JeanClaudeVanDamme64
After masters Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Sylvester Stallone, I learnt martial arts from Jean Claude VanDamme. I grew up watching his films in Madurai Mappillai Vinayagar and Manicka Vinayagar theatres. He is 64 today.
Authored by Balaji Thangapandian aka #BT - a spacefarer, who is also curious about film-making, connectivity technologies and military history.
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