Salma Hayek who witnessed abuse as a child, grabbed at the chance to support domestic violence campaign.

Hayek when small was shocked to witness her father being attacked, after he had tried to intervene in a fight between a husband and wife in the streets.

Said the beautiful actress, “The first time I saw domestic violence firsthand was when I was in Mexico, taking a walk with my family, and we came upon a man beating up this woman.

“My father intervened and fought the man and won. I remember thinking: ‘Oh my God, my father is a hero.’ Then the woman turned around and started beating up my father. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

“After that I became very intrigued with what makes a woman stay in an abusive relationship. How does her spirit break?”

Hayek, hats of to you for supporting such an important cause.

MICHAEL CLAYTON: Michael Clayton starring George Clooney in the main lead along with Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton and Sydney Pollack (who has an itsy bitsy role in the movie as the law firm’s boss) and directed by Tony Gilroy. Here Michael Clayton is George Clooney who is an in-house Fixer at one of the biggest corporate law firm in New York. Although least interested in his job Michael Clayton is stuck with the firm ‘coz of his divorce, a failed business venture and high debts. But then he comes across the biggest case of his career that could prove fatal for him as well as others who are involved in it. This crime thriller although did not fetch Clooney the Best Actor trophy, it did help Tilda Swinton walk away with the Oscar for Best Actress in Supporting Role

ATONEMENT: Based on British Romantic nobel Atonement by Ian McEwan, the film is directed by Joe Wright , starring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley. As in the novel the film is set in the era, which marked the beginning of World War II. The story revolves around Kiera Knightley and her lover James McAvoy and how their life changes when Keira Knightley’s 13-year-old sister Briony Tallis (who secretly has a crush on James) accuses her sister’s lover of a crime he did not commit. Briony is guilty of her childhood misdeed. Through a brave act she finds atonement and understands the power of true love. The only good thing about Atonement is its Music Score, which won the Oscar for the Best Music, and everything remaining is below average.

JUNO: This is the only breezy film amongs all the dark films nominated this year. Directed by Jason Reitman. It stars Ellen Page in the main lead. Juno is  the story of a sixteen year old who gets pregnant unexpectedly , but decides not to abort the child instead she wants the child to be adopted by a couple in their mid-thirties. But what impresses the audience most is the screenplay of the film by Diablo Cody. Her writing is humourous , witty and quick. Although nominated in various categories the movie fetched the well-deserved Oscar for Writing (Original Screenplay) thanks to Diablo Cody.

THERE WILL BE BLOOD: My favorite amongst all the nominations is based on Upton Sinclair’s novel “Oil”. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it stars Daniel Day-Lewis ( in a stunning performance) and Paul Dano. There Will Be Blood is a story about Daniel Plainview who strikes gold in Petroleum and becomes a shrewd monopolist businessman who wants all his competitors to fail. The film is all about how Daniel Plainview manipulates and exploits people to succeed ruthlessly. All the riches he gains slowly drives away his emotional feelings which alienates him from everyone in his life. Apart from Daniel Day’s stunning performance, breathtaking cinematography of the movie by Robert Elswit is treat for the audience eyes. The movie swept the Oscar for Best Actor in leading role along with the Oscar for Cinematography.

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN: A crime thiller directed by Coen Brothers: Ethan and Joel Coen .The movie stars Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Tommy Lee Jones. The movie is set in early 1980’s Texas .No Country for Old Men is the story about how a drug deal goes wrong and how unexpected turn of violent events takes place when a hunter stumbles upon human carcasses, stashes of drug and more than $ 2 million cash near Rio Grande. This result in a high profile chasing as the three men stumble upon each other in the desert landscape of Texas.Javier Bardem looks classy as Anton Chigurh, a ruthless money-seeking hit man. The only problem with No Country for old men is the ending which is really odd and leaves the audience confused. The film swept four Oscars along with another 77 wins. The movie won the Oscar for Directing, Best Picture, Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and Best Actor in a supporting role for Javier Bardem.

Though this is not meant to be the place, I have to give in. I have watched Steve Irwin from my child hood walking down in a place where my mom would have bashed me if I even thought of such a place.

Crocodiles, snakes and what not, he was there wherever he heard that they lived. Thats what he is(err…was…is he still living amongst us) a crocodile hunter. But for the 44 year old with an understanding wife and cutie girl, life was as adenterous as it could be.

I still remember watching in horror when he ran into a crocodile hiding place, with a camera on his head, and only a rope (for some to pull him back) to save his life. He saw the animal world like no one did. For television channels like Animal Planet and Discovery
he was a star who brought celebrity status to animal show presenters.

“He was probably the first real star the channel had,” said Billy Campbell, president of Discovery Networks U.S. But now they are left looking for stars, suddenly

Animal Planet is about to launch theri first female explorer, Ms Adventure, who is more commonly known as Rachel Reenstra. But for everyone Steve Irwin is a star. Rachel recently wrote in her blog ,”I only hope I can take what (Irwin) gave to this world and continue his legacy in the best way ‘Ms. Adventure’ and Rachel Reenstra can”.

Well he was a hero and he is still a hero. Even though he and his friends were aware that land and SEA were different things and that Steven Irwin’s “adventures” in sea could be his undoing, he went in.

Well, yes SEA proved his Achilles undoing, but definitely he was what Achilles could have been if he really existed… a true hero.

Tributes Steve Irwin!!! You will live with us.