Derek Armstrong, Journalist

Thursday

21Jan2010

Films and Books Feature: The Decline and Fall of Martial Arts Films and the Rise of the Action Blockbuster Movie (with trailers)

Martial Arts Series: Comparing martial arts films of the 1970s to the action blockbusters of 2009/10

By Derek Armstrong, Films and Books Correspondent

Red Cliff, Ip Man and True Legend are already iconic of the early 21^st century “martial arts films”—although many can argue they are more action spectacle than true martial arts films. The 1970s, on the other hand, didn’t rely on eye-candy effects and were defined more by the true grit of its martial arts actors: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, the Five Venoms, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Jimmy Wong, and other real fighters trained in genuine martial arts.

Martial Arts Becomes Mainstream But Evolves Into Spectacle

Cult classics such as Enter the Dragon helped change Hollywood. Its growing popularity forced filmmakers to adopt martial arts into the formula of the “action flick.” Through the eighties and nineties, spectacle thrillers were expected to deliver martial arts, even if it was only a few basic moves supported by some stuntmen and wires. Action movies became spectacles that required equal blends of story, drama, pace, martial arts, special effects and improbable plot twists.

In the 21^st century, this became less “equal” with films relying first on special effects, then improbably plot twists (surprise is important, right?), followed by pace, martial arts skills, drama and—last and possibly least

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Tuesday

05Jan2010

Boomless Supersonic Commercial Flight Returns in 2015

Since the demise of the Concorde in 2003, only fighter jet crews and astronauts have had the pleasure of supersonic flight. The Russians are currently testing a new fifth generation PAK-FA T-50 supersonic stealth fighter that will be in direct competition with the world's only current fifth generation supersonic jet, the new US F-22 Raptor. Even India is on the supersonic bandwagon, participating with Russia in the development of the new jet.

But commercial aviation remains subsonic.

This could change soon.

Aerion Supersonic Business Jet concept

Aerion Corporation of Nevada, which "was formed for the purpose of developing and commercializing a fundamental breakthrough in supersonic transportation," has set 2015 as the year it will launch its new Supersonic Business Jet (SSBJ). The company has already taken orders worth $4 billion for the $80 million jet—one of the first orders came from the ruler of Dubai in 2007—but has not yet made a decision on a manufacturing partner. Once that is done, it will enter a pre-launch phase with the OEM to confirm the Aerion SSBJ performance, costs and market. Thereafter a five-year program is planned so that the Aerion SSBJ could be flying in 2013 and certified by late 2015.

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Thursday

31Dec2009

Bollywood Feature Series: FILMS AND BOOKS Magazine

Bollywood Actresses Who Went Nude

Bollywood, the biggest film industry in the world, with respect to the number of films released, has been fairly conservative with regards to love-making scenes or nudity... Read more>>

Onir - The Famous Bollywood Director and Producer

Onir’s first film “My brother Nikhil” which was to become the first main stream film that addressed the issue of homosexuality apart from dealing with issues of Human rights and HIV... Read more>>

Shahrukh's Home Mannat - The Best Bungalow in Bollywood

Shahrukh Khan is a renowned name in the Bollywood. He’s not only a successful actor, but also a prominent producer and a television presenter. Shahrukh Khan is such a ruling actor in Bollywood that he has been named as King Khan by his fans who are scattered in the whole world. Read more>>

Bollywood and Oscars

Oscars have always eluded Bollywood films in Best Foreign film category. But it will not be fair to say, films in India are not world class or not deserving enough to win awards. Read more>>

Director's Choice - Best and Worst Bollywood Directors

Unlike Bollywood stars, who find it relatively easy to resurge back to fame after five flops in a row, things are not cozy for directors. Ram Gopal Verma, the maverick director whose film Satya (the only film to get a 5 Star rating in Times of India) epitomized as a work of class and genius... Read more>>

Michael Jackson and Bollywood

Michael Jackson’s death has left a huge dent in Bollywood. The legendary king of Pop and a performer par excellence inspired numerous actors and musicians the world over, including Bollywood. Be it his trademark fashion sense, his groovy dance steps and his attitude-all of them caught the frenzy of Bollywood... Read more>>

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Tuesday

29Dec2009

ADVANCE MAGAZINE: Walk While You Work? The Natural Way to Healthy Living.

Dr. James Levine’s Concept of a Treadmill Workstation May Not be a Patent-Pending Money Miracle, But the Concept Pays Off for Companies Seeking Productivity

Correspondent Derek Armstrong

Dr. James Levine of the Mayo Clinic invented the "Treadmill Desk” to help the one third of Americans estimated to be obese. In various studies, obesity can drive health care costs up by as much as $100 billion per year. Walking away the pounds only makes sense.

“If sitting is to blame,” Dr. Levine said, “then standing has to be the solution.” Dr. Levine proposed that a slow walk – while at work on a “standing/ walking desk” – at no more than 1 mph could result in 40 pounds or more in weight loss per year, together with substantial health and cardiovascular fitness benefits. The upside also included increased productivity, lowered depression and less downtime for employees.

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Tuesday

29Dec2009

This Week in Crime Report USA! Special Focus: Terrorism

SPECIAL FEATURE

2009 — A Year of Terror Prevented by Law Enforcers

Thousands of Terrorists Continued Their Attempts to Murder, Destroy and Disrupt in 2009. Very Few Succeeded.

Special Feature, Derek Armstrong, Chief Crime Correspondent, Crime Report USA

Part 1 — A Year of Crime 2009

"The threat posed by extremists is real—and it continues to morph and evolve in new and dangerous ways,” said... Read more>>

Nigerian with Alleged Al-Qaeda Links Charged With Attempting to Bomb Plane on Christmas Day

Derek Armstrong, Chief Crime Correspondent, Crime Report USA

Passengers subdued a potential terrorist after he attempted to set off an explosive device on a Northwest Airlines plane that landed in Detroit... Read more>>

The Jihadists of Georgia Part II

Part II -- INSIDE AN FBI TERRORISM INVESTIGATION

It was a tip from a foreign intelligence partner that set the case in motion.

In the summer of 2005, we learned that a central player in a terrorism investigation in another country was in e-mail contact with someone in the Atlanta area.

Many more news stories on Crime and Terrorism>>

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Monday

28Dec2009

ADVANCE MAGAZINE: Special Holiday Features on Feng Shui

10 Easy Feng Shui Cures

What do feng shui cures aim to do? What must you be aware of?

Simply, where the energy in your home or office moves sluggishly or becomes stuck, the chances are that... Read more>>

Room Decorating Tips With Feng Shui

Feng Shui has entered our lives like not many other things before. Decorating with this Eastern art is a very popular way to give a room that extra style. When you utilize Feng Shui, you use the space in your home the best way to keep good chi, or energy, around. Read more>>

Feng Shui and Plant Theory

Any plant or tree is considered the Wood element in Feng Shui according to its Five-Element theory. Feng Shui recommends using live plants to rectify any imbalance within the home that is related to the Wood element. It is said that a plant has a central nervous system and can absorb as well as alter the flow of chi in a room. Read more>>

Use Feng Shui to Balance the Effects of Winter

Winter always seems to say... quiet down, rest, and go inward, deep, deeper. Examine the strength and mystery within yourself. It's time now to refrain from the frantic, rush, rush, rush and assess what is really important! Read more>>

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Monday

28Dec2009

2009 -- The Year Law Enforcers Won Against Terrorism

Thousands of Terrorists Continued Their Attempts to Murder, Destroy and Disrupt in 2009. Very Few Succeeded.

Special Feature

Derek Armstrong, Chief Crime Correspondent

Crime Report USA

Part 1 — A Year of Crime 2009

"The threat posed by extremists is real—and it continues to morph and evolve in new and dangerous ways,” said the FBI in a statement on December 28, 2009.

Terror comes in many forms. The most horrific cases involve mass murder and mayhem. Cyber terrorists aim to disrupt, spy and dismantle. Would-be terrorists attempt suicidal missions. Copycats wage jihad on a small scale. Attempted bombings may fizzle, but their potential to frighten is no less “terrorism.”

What is the Common Thread for US-Based Terrorists?

Law enforcers—for the most part—succeeded in stopping many terrifying disasters in the making. Diligent team work, thousands of investigations, hundreds of thousands of investigative hours, tips and aggressive law-enforcement made 2009 an arguably safer year despite increased attempts to terrorize.

Number One FBI Mandate: Protect the Nation From Terrorists

“Protect the nation from terrorist attack,” is the stated number one objective of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to the Bureau.

Read full feature and seven full terror cases here at Crime Report USA>>

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Saturday

26Dec2009

CRIME REPORT USA: "Nigerian with Alleged Al-Qaeda Links Charged With Attempting to Bomb Plane on Christmas Day"

Derek Armstrong,

Chief Crime Correspondent, Crime Report USA

Passengers smell burning and subdue alleged terrorist

Passengers subdued a potential terrorist after he attempted to set off an explosive device on a Northwest Airlines plane that landed in Detroit Christmas day. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, the alleged terrorist, was injured. He has ben charged with attempting to destroy a plane and also with bringing a destructive device on an aircraft.

“This alleged attack on a U.S. airplane on Christmas Day shows that we must remain vigilant in the fight against terrorism at all times,” Attorney General Eric Holder said. “Had this alleged plot to destroy an airplane been successful, scores of innocent people would have been killed or injured.”

The US Department of Justice stated that a high explosive and a syringe, part of the device, were recoverd.

Suspect Went to Bathroom – Passengers Smelled Fire

Interviews of all of the passengers and crew of Flight 253 revealed that prior to the incident, Abdulmutallab went to the bathroom for approximately 20 minutes—this according according to an affidavit. Upon returning to his seat, Abdulmutallab stated that his stomach was upset, and he pulled a blanket over himself. Passengers heard popping noises similar to firecrackers and smelled an odor.

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Saturday

26Dec2009

ADVANCE MAGAZINE: "Umbrella Protection: Rain and Weapon?"

By Derek Armstrong, Correspondent

Being prepared is not the same as being paranoid. Self defense skills may—hopefully—never be needed. Depending where you live, you may or may not be allowed "weapons" for self defense. A knife can be considered a concealed weapon. A gun needs a permit (usually!). Both kill.

For the passive defenders out there—those who want to survive an unfortunate incident, but don't want to kill—there's the old stand-by "Cane-Fu"—so named because you use a walking stick or cane to beat off potential attackers. Or empty-handed techniques, such as gung-fu, karate, judo, which require skills and years of training. The training might be good for you, but Tai Chi might take 30 years to master. Karate can be learned quickly, mastered over time, but require a fit body. All forms of martial training are good for you!

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Saturday

26Dec2009