Film: Assassin's Creed

Director: Justin Kurzel 

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Charlotte Rampling, Michael K. Williams, Ariane Labed, Callum Turner, Brendan Gleeson, Essie Davis, Denis Menochet

With a tired, tried and over abused premise of finding peace among humanity, "Assassin's Creed" is an original story that expands the series' mythology. Oscillating between the Spanish Inquisition circa 1492 and the present, it is an action-adventure film based on the video game franchise of the same name.

The tale follows a convicted criminal, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender), who is executed and brought back to life, by a group of people who are the modern day incarnation of the Templar Order. From them, he learns that he is a descendant of a secret order of the Assassins, who are protecting the Apple of Eden, which implanted the first sin, in order to subjugate the human race.

The Assassins and the Templars have been at war for centuries and they have captured Callum in order to find the whereabouts of the Apple. They do this by connecting Callum to a machine that allows him to go back in time and revive his memories.

The plot smoothly oscillates between the past and the present, giving the film a spectacular blend of a period epic and a modern day sci-fi film. 

It is a cool film that is moderately engaging but offers nothing exceptional. In fact, during the first two acts, the narrative propels with force, but during the last act it loses momentum and simply seems to disintegrate, leaving you unsatisfied.

As for the performances of the ace cast, one does not invest in them, simply because this is an action oriented film. And, the film does offer adrenaline packed action sequences, which over a period of time tend to be mechanical. 

Nevertheless, the film is Michael Fassbender's canvas and he shines as Callum Lynch and the moody sullen warrior Aguilar de Nerha.

Visually the film is stylishly designed and aesthetically shot. Production Designer Andy Nicholson and Costume Designer Sammy Sheldon Differ eloquently reproduce the two distinct settings, which are efficiently captured by Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw's lens. His frames especially the aerial shots are worth a mention. Also his live action shots seamlessly merge with the computer generated images.

The background score by composer Jed Kurzel elevates the viewing experience, especially during the action sequences – the roof top chases, when Callum escapes the Templars. The bells chiming in the background add that extra chutzpah to the traditionally orchestrated score.

The editing by Christopher Tellefen is razor sharp and seamless. The transitions back and forth between the two eras are exquisite.

Overall, the film is visually impressive but fails to excite even the fans of the video games.

Film: Assassin's Creed

Director: Justin Kurzel 

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Charlotte Rampling, Michael K. Williams, Ariane Labed, Callum Turner, Brendan Gleeson, Essie Davis, Denis Menochet

With a tired, tried and over abused premise of finding peace among humanity, "Assassin's Creed" is an original story that expands the series' mythology. Oscillating between the Spanish Inquisition circa 1492 and the present, it is an action-adventure film based on the video game franchise of the same name.

The tale follows a convicted criminal, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender), who is executed and brought back to life, by a group of people who are the modern day incarnation of the Templar Order. From them, he learns that he is a descendant of a secret order of the Assassins, who are protecting the Apple of Eden, which implanted the first sin, in order to subjugate the human race.

The Assassins and the Templars have been at war for centuries and they have captured Callum in order to find the whereabouts of the Apple. They do this by connecting Callum to a machine that allows him to go back in time and revive his memories.

The plot smoothly oscillates between the past and the present, giving the film a spectacular blend of a period epic and a modern day sci-fi film. 

It is a cool film that is moderately engaging but offers nothing exceptional. In fact, during the first two acts, the narrative propels with force, but during the last act it loses momentum and simply seems to disintegrate, leaving you unsatisfied.

As for the performances of the ace cast, one does not invest in them, simply because this is an action oriented film. And, the film does offer adrenaline packed action sequences, which over a period of time tend to be mechanical. 

Nevertheless, the film is Michael Fassbender's canvas and he shines as Callum Lynch and the moody sullen warrior Aguilar de Nerha.

Visually the film is stylishly designed and aesthetically shot. Production Designer Andy Nicholson and Costume Designer Sammy Sheldon Differ eloquently reproduce the two distinct settings, which are efficiently captured by Cinematographer Adam Arkapaw's lens. His frames especially the aerial shots are worth a mention. Also his live action shots seamlessly merge with the computer generated images.

The background score by composer Jed Kurzel elevates the viewing experience, especially during the action sequences – the roof top chases, when Callum escapes the Templars. The bells chiming in the background add that extra chutzpah to the traditionally orchestrated score.

The editing by Christopher Tellefen is razor sharp and seamless. The transitions back and forth between the two eras are exquisite.

Overall, the film is visually impressive but fails to excite even the fans of the video games.

Four children were killed in Texas after someone at their mobile home sprayed water on an applied pesticide, causing a reaction that resulted in toxic gas, the police said.

At least five other people were hospitalised in Monday's incident that took place in Amarillo city, CNN reported.

A senior police official said a family member used water to try to wash off the aluminum phosphide, which had been administered before by someone beneath the residence.

The incident preliminarily has been ruled as an accidental poisoning.

There were 10 people inside the mobile home at the time of the incident, according to the official.

The children ranged in age from 7 to 17, CNN reported.

Aluminum phosphide is listed in the Toxicity Category I by the US Environmental Protection Agency — the highest and most toxic category. 

Specifically, the agency points to the "acute effects via the inhalation route".

President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday greeted the people and the government of Myanmar on the eve of the country's Independence Day.

Extending warm greetings and felicitation to the people of Myanmar and President U Htin Kyaw, Mukherjee in a message said: "India and Myanmar cherish our long standing close and friendly relations."

"I warmly recall your visit to India in August 2016 when we reviewed our bilateral relationship and jointly identified the areas of shared interest where we would like to strengthen our cooperation to our mutual benefit."

The President said he was confident that their "efforts will meet with success and contribute to the realisation of our respective developmental goals".

Myanmar attained freedom from the British colonial rule on January 4, 1948 and became an independent republic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said there was a need to develop the concept of "scientific social responsibility" to connect leading institutions to all stake holders.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Indian Science Congress, the Prime Minister also said that research needed to be strenghtneded in line with international standards.

"On the lines of Corporate Social Responsibility, concept of Scientific Social Responsibility needs to be inculcated to connect our leading institutions to all stake holders, including schools and colleges," Modi said.

"Our best science and technology institutions should further strengthen their basic research in line with leading global standards… Translating this basic knowledge into innovations, start-ups and industry will help us achieve inclusive and sustainable growth," he said.

The Prime Minister said that by 2030, India would be among the top three countries in science and technology. "Science must meet the rising aspirations of the people."

India's pioneer woman educator, Savitri Phule was born on January 3, 1831 in Naigon, Maharashtra. Credited with paving the path for education opportunities for Indian women and fighting for women's rights, Phule worked tirelessly as social activist and fought against prevalent practices of her time such as Sati tradition and child marriage.

Phule wrote extensively on need of women's education and eradication of discrimination against them.

As was the custom during that time, Savitri was married off at just nine years old to 13-year-old Jyotirao Phule. Savitri received her education at home by Jyotirao. Both Jyotirao and Savitri worked extensively for women's education and rights. Savitri went on to become India's first lady teacher as the couple opened more than a dozen schools exclusively for girls.

One of the most important icons of the Social Reform Movement in the states of Maharashtra, Savitri also fought to eradicate untouchability. The University of Pune was renamed to Savitribai Phule University in the year 2014 in her honour.

Savitribai and her son, Yashwantrao Gupta, opened a clinic to treat those affected by the bubonic plague in 1897; she contracted the disease and breathed her last on 10 March 1897.

Bollywood celebrities and friends Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar are coming together to make a "special film".

"Supremely excited to co-produce with Salman Khan on a film starring Akshay Kumar and directed by Anurag Singh. Releasing 2018," Karan tweeted on Monday night.

"Truly a fraternity feeling when friends come together to make a special film," Karan, who worked with Salman in "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", further tweeted.

Salman is also looking forward to the film, which will have his former "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi" and "Jaan-E-Mann" co-star as the hero.

"Joining hands on a project where Akshay Kumar is the hero and will be co-produced by Karan Johar and Salman Khan Films (his production house)," tweeted Salman.

Akshay, known for featuring mostly in films based on patriotism, wrote on Twitter: "Coming together for a film produced by friends, Salman Khan and Karan Johar, starring me! Out in 2018."

The team of US President-elect Donald Trump has said there was no evidence to suggest that Russian hacking had influenced the 2016 US election.

"The way the mainstream media is playing this up is that they (Russia) had an influence in the election. There is zero evidence that they actually influenced the election," Xinhua news agency quoted Trump's spokesman Sean Spicer as saying.

Spicer accused the Obama administration of "jumping to conclusions before we have a final report", calling the behaviour "irresponsible".

The Obama administration last October officially blamed Russia for hacking US political institutions and persons to interfere with the November 8 poll process, an accusation Moscow immediately dismissed as "nonsense".

The episode reached its climax last December when the US daily Washington Post uncovered a secret Central Intelligence Agency assessment report in which it claimed that Russia's meddling in the US election was aimed at helping Republican Trump win the White House.

According to the CIA, Russians were believed to have hacked both Republican and Democratic organisations, though only damaging documents from Democrats were leaked to the public.

Russia had for long repeatedly denied being behind the cyber attacks which led to the leaking of damaging material which dogged Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton till the election day.

Three weeks before leaving office, President Barack Obama on Thursday struck back at Russia over alleged election hacking, with nine entities and individuals, including two intelligence services, being slapped with sanctions for their alleged interference.

The US State Department on Thursday announced expulsion of 35 Russian government officials and diplomats, calling them "acting in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status".

Two Russian government-owned compounds, one in Maryland and the other in New York, would also soon be shuttered, according to the State Department.
 

The Centre on Tuesday termed as "premature" the plea by telecom major Vodafone challenging TRAI's recommendation to impose Rs.1,050 crore penalty on it for not providing interconnectivity to Reliance Jio.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Centre, argued before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva that Vodafone's plea was a "complete abuse of process of court" as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had only made a recommendation and the government was yet to form an opinion.

The ASG opposed the maintainability of the petition, saying once the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) of the Ministry of Communication takes a decision, then it is an appealable order.

He also questioned whether the telecom major had any material with it to show that the government would be influenced by TRAI's recommendation.

The court, thereafter, gave the Ministry and TRAI two weeks time to file their reply on the issue of maintainability of the petition and listed it for hearing on February 6.

 It's 2017 and one of Bollywood's first families, the Bachchans, know how to ring in the New Year.

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to praise daughter Shweta Nanda for surprising him and the family with a lovely dinner spread to celebrate the New Year together.

"Back home to all the children, grandchildren, family and daughter cooks up a surprise decorated thoughtful dinner for all! DATB," Bachchan wrote.

Amitabh elaborated in the next tweet that DATB stands for daughters are the best.

While Amitabh ushered in the New Year in Rishikesh, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Aaradhya were in Dubai for the festivities. The trio flew back to Mumbai yesterday.
 

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) on Tuesday recommended starting the budget session of Parliament from January 31, official sources said here.

The CCPA met Tuesday morning and decided that the first half of the budget session should be held from January 31 to February 9.

The recommendation will now be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for his consent.

The sources said the general budget is likely to be presented on February 1.

 An employee of Central paramilitary forces was arrested by the cyber police here for accessing Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor's Income Tax e- filing account, police said tonight.

The accused wanted to get Kareena's personal mobile number so he hacked her IT account, they said.

Kareena's chartered accountant had last year approached the police with the complaint that somebody had hacked her IT e-filing account and tampered with it.

Cyber-police tracked down the culprit today.

The accused files income tax returns for people as a part-time job while working with paramilitary forces, police said, without disclosing his name. Further probe was on. PTI DC KRK
 

Alcohol addiction can increase the risk of heart attack, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure along with other risk factors like diabetes and high blood pressure, a study has found.

The findings showed that alcohol abuse was associated with a two-fold increased risk of atrial fibrillation -irregular, often rapid heart rate causing poor blood flow.

There is also a 1.4-fold increased risk of heart attack and a 2.3-fold increased risk of congestive heart failure-a condition in which the heart does not pump blood well.

These increased risks were similar in magnitude to other well-recognised modifiable risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

"We found that even if you have no underlying risk factors, abuse of alcohol still increases the risk of these heart conditions," said lead researcher Gregory M. Marcus, Director at the University of California, San Francisco.

Completely eradicating alcohol abuse would result in over 73,000 fewer atrial fibrillation cases, 34,000 fewer heart attacks, and 91,000 fewer patients with congestive heart failure in the US alone, the researchers noted.

For the study, the team analysed 14.7 million patients from California aged 21 and older who received ambulatory surgery, emergency or inpatient medical care.

Among these 1.8 per cent, or approximately 268,000, were diagnosed with alcohol abuse.

"We were somewhat surprised to find those diagnosed with some form of alcohol abuse were at significantly higher risk of a heart attack," Marcus said.

"We hope this study will temper the enthusiasm for drinking in excess and will avoid any justification for excessive drinking because people think it will be good for their heart. These data pretty clearly prove the opposite," he stated.

The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday appointed senior counsel Anil Divan in place of Fali Nariman for recommending names of the administrators to oversee and supervise the functioning of the BCCI.

A bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur, Justice A Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud named Divan after Nariman recused himself. 

The court on Monday had asked amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium and Nariman to suggest the names to supervise the administration of the Board of Control for Cricket in India through its Chief Executive Officer.

The court had given them two weeks to suggest the names of persons with "integrity and experience in managing a similar enterprise".

From a waiter and pickpocket to a goon, gangster and a reporter — in a career spanning over 15 years, Nawazuddin Siddiqui has showcased his versatility. Now soon to be seen as a school teacher in "Haraamkhor", he says he has never focused on building a set image for himself in Bollywood. And that's what gives him a chance to experiment with every project in an age of digitisation.

"I have never thought about creating an image for myself in Bollywood. I am an actor and just want to experiment with roles. I am ready to do all type of roles," Nawazuddin told IANS in an interview.

"I don't want to build any image for myself. I don't want people to say, 'He does only a certain type of role'. I don't want only to be the hero of the story. An actor's weakness is the different roles that he can't do. But I am keen to grab only those roles as I am here to challenge myself," added the critically-acclaimed talent.

He credits his acting skills to his training at the National School of Drama. "You gain a lot through training," said the 42-year-old, who is endorsing social commerce platform addsbook.com.

The National Award-winning actor said he is happy with the digital world, but he does not like it when people use social media platforms to troll each other.

"It's bad that people waste most of their time on various social media platforms looking through and commenting on others' posts. That's what we call the wrong use of digitalisation," said the actor, best known for his roles in films like "Dekh Indian Circus", "Gangs of Wasseypur ", "Talaash", "The Lunchbox" and "Manjhi – The Mountain Man".

"One negative impact of digital media is that people have the liberty to say what they want to. There aren't any restrictions.

"I understand that people have freedom of speech, but people should have some sense while saying anything. People nowadays give reviews of films on social media. But are they capable enough to do that; do they have that kind of skills," Nawazuddin questioned.

Looking at the positive aspect of the digital boom, he said: "Digital media is bringing out hidden talent which was unapproachable for the industry people."

Nawazuddin's first release for the new year is debut director Shlok Sharma's "Haraamkhor", which hits screens on January 13. After that, he will be seen with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the much-awaited "Raees".

"I have huge expectations from 'Raees'. It's an entertaining film, and I enjoyed shooting for it," Nawazuddin said.

How was it working with Shah Rukh?

"Shah Rukh Khan is the best co-actor. The response that he gives to you while performing scenes is terrific. (Otherwise) I have seen most of the times that while shooting, actors don't listen to your dialogues or see your expressions, and are mainly concerned about their lines," he said.

Nawazuddin also said: "Whatever appreciation I get for my role in 'Raees' will be just because of Shah Rukh Khan. He has respected his character a lot. Also, the chemistry between us is good".

Nawazuddin has also been roped in to star in the film adaptation of Sujit Saraf's novel "The Confession of Sultana Daku".

"I have signed on to play Sultana Daku in the film adaptation. The film's story is beyond dacoity," said the actor, who also has "Munna Michael" in the pipeline.
 

The Railway Recruitment Control Board has released the RRB NTPC 2016-2017 admit card for NTPC stage II examination on the official website www.indianrailways.gov.in.

Candidates trying to get their RRB NTPC admit card 2016 have to visit the official website and fill the blank space with the required information including roll number, registration number and other required information in the blank space to download RRB NTPC 2016 admit card.
Along with this candidates may directly get the required information regarding RRB exam at http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,7,1281.  

Railway Recruitment Control Board has released the information region wise for different cities including Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Bilaspur, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Jammu, Kolkata, Malda, Mumbai, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Ranchi, Secunderabad, Siliguri and Trivendrum, candidate may visit the RRB region website to get more information.

As per the latest updates, RRB NTPC stage II examination will take place on January 17, January 18 and January 19, 2017 across the centers. It has been informed that about 56 lakh candidates have applied for the RRB recruitment examination.

This time RRB (Railway Recruitment Control Board) has planned to fill 18,252 vacancies in different department. RRB candidates are advised to take a print out of the admit card and carry it at the time of examination.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's camp on Tuesday met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi to stake claim on the Samajwadi Party's election symbol 'cycle'.

Ram Gopal Yadav is expected to meet the videos of the party's convention of Sunday to show that the decision to announce Akhilesh Yadav as its new National Working President was approved by most party workers.

On Monday, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav met the Election Commission officials to stake claim on the 'cycle' symbol.