Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 13

Cornered by farmers’ resistance, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has decided not to hold its annual full-uniform parade, Path Sanchalan, in Punjab on Dasehra this year.

It involves showcasing of strength by RSS cadres in full uniform and carrying sticks. Sometimes, they would display weapons too. The practice has been going on for several decades.

The state leadership of the RSS has reportedly told its local units to avoid parade or hold small events in closed areas, not necessarily on Dasehra. Though they have not categorically mentioned the farmers’ threat as the main reason, an RSS leader from the Malwa region said they had been verbally told not to hold any big event on Dasehra.

RSS’ Punjab unit president Iqbal Singh said they had told local units to take any decision keeping in mind their security. Path Sanchalan was not more important than peace and harmony in society, he said.

Another RSS leader said, “We used to make route maps weeks in advance and RSS workers would be excited about it. This year, no route map has been prepared and we have been asked to keep it a low-profile affair.”

Peace more important

Path Sanchalan is not more important than peace and harmony in society. Iqbal Singh, Punjab RSS chief

“It was a box office flop, didn’t do very well at all. My ex took me to see weird movies. I was like, ‘ugh…fuck it, at least Frodo (Elijah Wood) is in it.’

That movie surprised the hell out of me. I enjoyed it a lot. People generally loved it as well, but some critics dumped on it for some reason. Whatever.”

—RedwoodHermit

Thanks to the growing abundance of weird and dangerous weather, it’s getting harder to ignore the bleak reality of climate change—though that doesn’t stop many people, especially people in power, from blithely denying its existence. Released in 2006, Larry Fessenden’s The Last Winter asked a question that’s even more pressing today: What if the Earth, drained and damaged from generations of careless humans, started punching back?

In a part of Alaska so remote it feels like the edge of the world, a small team working for an oil-drilling company that’s just gotten congressional approval to tap into a well situated within a wildlife refuge (red flag!) has two big problems. First, the temperature is so oddly warm they’re unable to construct the ice roads they’ll need to bring their heavy equipment in. And second, the on-site environmental experts, a required component of their government deal, refuse to sign off on any other transport methods, despite toxically macho crew chief Ed Pollock’s (the great Ron Perlman, who is perfect in this role) way of “ordering” instead of “asking.”

Those roadblocks pile on top of the expected hazards that go with this type of work (boredom, loneliness, cabin fever), but there’s another issue that’s starting to creep its way into the camp: The land itself is having a decidedly negative reaction to their presence. The first to pick up on it is lead environmentalist Jim Hoffman (James LeGros), who’s as concerned with the rising temperatures as as he is with this variable he can’t chart. “Something up here is off,” he muses. “It’s in the numbers… but I can also feel it.” He has a hard time convincing the others, especially the blustery Ed—whose general attitude is “fuck this hippie bullshit, we got a job to do”—but as The Last Winter progresses the signs become exceedingly difficult to ignore.

The tension that builds throughout The Last Winter feels very familiar to the realm of snowbound survival horror. Think The Thing, The Shining, or basically any movie where an isolated group of people are set upon by a supernatural force that causes paranoia, distrust, and other behavior changes, on top of other external horrors. (In this case, well, a lot of eyes get pecked out by aggressive ravens, and that’s merely one example.) And there’s been no shortage of “environmental revenge” films—from thoughtfully existential forest nightmares like Ben Wheatley’s recent In the Earth to more hysterically schlocky examples, like the subject of another recent Retro Review: pollution-spawned mutant-bear saga Prophecy.

The Last Winter’s blend of these two genres is effective throughout, with its oil-drilling themes (bolstered by actual footage of oil-well fires and mentions of real-life disasters like the Exxon Valdez spill) giving extra weight to its central conflict. Though we’re meant to sympathize with the humans, it’s obvious that they’re also the antagonists, the invaders, and the aggressors of this story. Fessenden—an indie cult and horror luminary who co-wrote the script with Robert Leaver, and who has a brief on-screen role as Ed’s crass boss—works The Last Winter’s vengeful menace into its technical elements, giving us shots that fell like they’re from the POV of the howling wind as it swirls above and around the compound, even at one point dipping down and circling the buildings as if peeking at the people behind the windows.

The bad vibes come in small waves, but soon begin engulfing everything and everyone. Maxwell (Midnight Mass’ Zach Gilford), the youngest member of the crew, is the first to start behaving oddly, something everyone chalks up to his inexperience—especially Ed, who’d encouraged the kid’s father to toughen him up by sending him to the Arctic. Jim’s assistant, Elliot (Jamie Harrold), gets a nosebleed during an impromptu football match early in the film, and it never stops bleeding. There are random bursts of bizarre sudden storms, and the persistent sound of strange, disembodied hoofbeats that nobody wants to acknowledge. The crew’s two indigenous members, Lee and Dawn (Pato Hoffman and Joanne Shenandoah), wonder if maybe it’s all an omen that a mythological dark spirit like a Chenoo or a Wendigo is soon to arrive (as a side note, Fessenden had previously made a movie called Wendigo in 2001, so it’s clearly a topic of fascination for him).

Though Jim’s passion for completing this particular assignment begins to waver—at a certain point, he admits he’s tired of trying to convince people like Ed of scientific fact, and you’re just glad he’s living in a time before social media’s tsunami of disinformation took over—his investment in the mystery only grows more urgent. He wonders, both in conversations and in his private journal, if it’s “an atmospheric anomaly affecting everyone’s judgment.” Or maybe sour gas seeping from the melting permafrost, or some kind of virus, spores, or other contagion emerging from earth that’s been frozen for 10,000 years? Or maybe “something beyond science”? Like, say, that “the very thing we’re here to pull out of the ground” is “rising willingly to confront us”? He refuses to see what’s happening as revenge, because nature doesn’t work that way—but it’s hard for us not to think so.

The Last Winter isn’t subtle pushing its apocalyptic themes, and by the time it enters its final act it’s become a full-on horror movie, pushing aside icy suspense and back-of-the-neck prickles in favor of a rising body count. It may at times come across a bit heavy-handed, but its message is still a timely and valuable one, showing a microcosm driven to total collapse by a planet that’s ready to kick humans out of the ecosystem for good. Really, can you blame it?

The Last Winter, which also stars American Horror Story’s Connie Britton and ubiquitous indie actor Kevin Corrigan (The King of Long Island), is now streaming on Shudder.

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Veteran actor Ramesh Deo, known for films like “Anand” and “Aap Ki Kasam” in Hindi cinema and his extensive work in the Marathi film industry, died on Wednesday following a heart attack, his filmmaker son Abhinay Deo said. He was 93.

Ramesh Deo had featured in more than 250 Hindi films and nearly 200 Marathi movies in his career spanning 60 years.

“He passed away due to heart attack around 8.30 PM tonight at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. He was 93,” Abhinay Deo told PTI.

The actor was known for his unassuming screen presence, playing varied roles—from friendly doctor, menacing villain to a loveable family friend.

Ramesh Deo brought on screen with him his affable trademark moustache and smile, which would either charm the audience or instill fear, depending on the role he played.

In the mid 60s, he turned towards Hindi cinema. He largely appeared as a character actor playing both positive and negative parts, including “Aarti”, Anand”, “Aap Ki Kasam”, “Mere Apne”, “Jeevan Mrityu”, “Saraswatichandra”, “Teen Bahuraniyan”, “Khilona”, “Ghayal Once Again”, “Jolly LLB”, among others.

The actor straddled several movie eras with ease, from Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna to Amitabh Bachchan.

In filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1971 classic “Anand”, Ramesh Deo played Dr Prakash Kulkarni, featuring alongside his actor wife Seema Deo. The couple played on-screen pair in the film.

Ramesh Deo was also a TV veteran, having featured in over 30 Marathi dramas. As an artiste, Deo wasn’t limited to just acting as he also produced feature films, turned a director, backed TV serials and over 250 ad films.

Born in Amravati, Maharashtra, Ramesh Deo, made his debut in a cameo appearance in the 1951 Marathi film “Paatlaachi Por”.

His first fulfledged role came in the Marathi movie “Andhala Magto Ek Dola” (1956), directed by Raja Paranjape.

Though his work eventually slowed down in the 90s, he even went on to work with new age stars in films like “Jolly LLB” with Akshay Kumar and Sunny Deol starrer “Ghayal Once Again”, which marked his last big screen appearance in 2016.

He is survived by wife a veteran actor Seema Deo and two sons Ajinkya Deo, a Marathi actor and Abhinay Deo, film director, best known for “Delhi Belly”.

READ | Pushpa actor Rashmika Mandanna says Goodbye co-star Amitabh Bachchan is a ‘doll’

Kick off February with exciting must-see attractions.

‘The Colored Museum’

Take a journey through 11 exhibits of “The Colored Museum” and explore what it means to be Black in contemporary America. The production will run through Sunday, Feb. 6 at the University of Alabama Department of Theatre and Dance in Tuscaloosa. The play, written by George C. Wolfe, investigates themes of Black love, Black self-hate, isolation, identity and sexuality. Audiences will come face-to-face with old and new stereotypes as the satire challenges the understanding of Black culture. Get tickets at the Rowand-Johnson Hall Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., by phone at 205-348-3400 or online.

28 Days of Black Life, History and Culture

In celebration of Black History Month, explore 28 days of Black Life, History and Culture in the city of Mobile. Events range from virtual presentations to a movie series, including:

• Daily posts of Mobile Black history facts. Follow on social media with hashtag @mobileparksandrec.
• An exhibit of art by local seniors at the Connie Hudson Center Art Gallery, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Feb. 11: LODA ArtWalk will celebrate Black history in downtown Mobile from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Follow on social media with hashtag @LODAartwalk.
• Feb. 12: Saturdays at the Coop featuring the Boukou Groove Band at Cooper Riverside Park from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The movie series and panel discussions continue every Wednesday through the month, starting at 6 p.m.:

• Feb. 9: “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O’Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton. The movie is rated R.
• Feb. 16: “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” An African American woman becomes an unwitting pioneer for medical breakthroughs when her cells are used to create the first immortal human cell line in the early 1950s. The movie is rated TV-MA.
• Feb. 23: “42.” Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to play in Major League Baseball when he is signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and faces considerable racism in the process. Portions of the movie were filmed in Birmingham.

Visit the website for the full schedule of events.

Equal Justice Initiative

Discover Black history at the newly expanded Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration in Montgomery. The museum examines the legacy of slavery, from its introduction in the New World in the 17^th century to ongoing issues related to mass incarceration. The Legacy Museum includes a welcome center, gift shop and the popular restaurant Pannie-George’s Kitchen. A few blocks away is EJI’s National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Peace and Justice Memorial Center. Follow this link to read more about the Legacy Museum.

Southern Museum of Flight

The Tuskegee Airmen exhibit is being featured at the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham. This extraordinary diorama display honoring Alabama’s famed Tuskegee Airmen is more than an exhibit. It is a spotlight shining on a significant period of American history, and this tribute highlights an extraordinary group of men who continue to provide inspiration for anyone who dares to dream. The exhibit features a number of World War II-era trainers, including a North American AT-6 Texan, a Vultee BT-13B Valiant and a Fairchild PT-19 Cornell. The museum is at 4343 73rd St. N. Learn more at southernmuseumofflight.org. Visit the website or message [email protected] to learn more.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Celebrate Black History Month at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) with virtual and in-person events. Explore a variety of exhibits, including the Human Rights Gallery, Movement Gallery, Confrontation Gallery, Barriers Gallery, the Odessa Woolfolk Gallery, the “Courage Under Fire” exhibit of photos from the burning of the Freedom Riders’ bus in Anniston and “Remembering 4 Little Girls: A Gallery of Creative Expressions,” an exhibit of student works inspired by the Spike Lee film. BCRI is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

‘9 to 5 The Musical’

One of the most hilarious stories of friendship and revenge in the era of the Rolodex is being performed through Sunday, Feb. 6 at Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham. With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and from the book by Patricia Resnick, the production is based on the 1980 hit movie by the same name. Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. Tickets for the outrageous and thought-provoking musical can be purchased online at virginiasamford.org.

Annual King Cake-Off

Who has the best king cake on the Gulf Coast? You be the judge at the 4th Annual King Cake-Off on Friday, Feb. 4 at The Temple in downtown Mobile. Local bakeries, eateries and grocery stores will compete to see who has the tastiest king cake and king cake-inspired treat on the Gulf Coast. Events will feature live music, local vendors, kid-friendly activities, specialty cocktails and king cake tastings. Proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama. Purchase tickets at kingcakeoff.com.

Winter Wednesdays

Workshops are underway at Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore. Each workshop covers a special feature of the gardens or home, tips for making your garden more spectacular, or guest lectures from renowned members of the horticultural and gardening world. Sessions are 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Winter Wednesdays are included in gardens admission.

Reservations are requested for each program:

• Feb. 9 – Guest speaker: Jon Roethling.
• Feb. 16 – Guest speaker: Gary Bachman.

To learn more about each program, call 251-459-8868, email [email protected] or visit the website.

‘Faces of Vietnam’ exhibit

This exhibit runs through Friday, Feb. 11 at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur. Curated by attorney Stephen Humphreys from his travels throughout Vietnam, most of the collection is from the post Đổi Mới (Reform) era of the 1990s. Through the exhibit, Humphreys strives to answer the question: “What is the real Vietnam, and what is the face it shows the world?” The exhibit includes works from leading contemporary Vietnamese artists of the post-reform period in traditional and contemporary media, such as oil paintings, lacquer and woodblock prints. See the exhibit Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Redevelopment firm Orchestra Partners Thursday morning announced nationally renowned Alamo Drafthouse Cinema as the first major tenant slated to occupy Powell Steam Plant, an 85,000-plus-square-foot historic structure in the heart of Birmingham’s Parkside District.

Alamo Drafthouse represents a major piece of Orchestra Partners’ redevelopment plans to transform Powell Steam Plant and the surrounding Parkside District into an entertainment destination and connectivity hub.

Orchestra Partners joined Alamo Drafthouse, Alabama Power, Birmingham City Council President Wardine Alexander (District 7), Birmingham City Councilor Hunter Williams (District 2, chair of the Economic Development committee) and other community partners at Powell Steam Plant to make the announcement.

Orchestra Partners announces Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to be anchor tenant of Powell Avenue redevelopment from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

“Since announcing redevelopment plans for Powell Steam Plant in November 2019, our goal from day one was to be intentional about finding the right tenant that aligns with the shared vision for this historic property,” said Hunter Renfroe, Orchestra Partners co-founder and principal. “By partnering with a reputable national brand like Alamo Drafthouse, we will pay homage to the steam plant and create a vibrant entertainment destination that attracts more people downtown.”

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema offers a unique movie experience featuring quality films, food, drinks and retail. Named the “#1 theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and “Coolest Movie Theater in the World” by Wired, Alamo Drafthouse operates 37 locations from California to New York, providing a combination of theater and restaurant, showing first-run movies, independent films and hosting special events with an extensive menu made from scratch.

Birmingham moviegoers can expect an authentic localized experience with an innovative theater design, superior dining experience, local craft beers and specialty cocktails, custom pre-show content, events and amenities. Birmingham joins Raleigh, North Carolina, and Charlottesville, Virginia, as Alamo Drafthouse’s newest Southeastern market location.

“We have a tremendous opportunity in Birmingham, as this marks Alamo Drafthouse’s first true venture into the Deep South,” said John Martin, partner at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. “Every theater brings a customized approach to appropriately fit the building space and surrounding neighborhood. Powell Steam Plant’s historical value is unlike any theater Alamo has previously converted, which will allow us to emulate this theme throughout every aspect of the cinema experience.”

Alamo Drafthouse will be the anchor tenant and occupy approximately 40,000 square feet (60% of the leasable square footage) inside Powell Steam Plant. Redevelopment plans for the entire project call for a mixed-use entertainment venue designed for movies, music, events, retail stores and restaurants. Orchestra Partners plans to redevelop the adjacent lot, which could include an upscale hotel and apartments, while the street between the steam plant and adjacent lot will be a pedestrian center for outdoor gatherings.

“Powell Steam Plant has been an integral part of Birmingham’s history for more than 125 years,” said Williams, Birmingham city councilor since 2017. “Through public-private partnerships, redeveloping the steam plant will help bring more Birmingham residents downtown while also supporting tourism and economic development efforts to propel our city into the future. Adding yet another major neighborhood anchor in the heart of downtown will be a game changer for Birmingham.”

Powell Steam Plant, built in 1895, provided steam and electricity for downtown businesses in Birmingham. It connected the city by powering the streetcar system, which was essential to the city’s growth. Alabama Power acquired the steam plant in the 1950s and continued operations until 2013.

“We are proud to welcome Alamo Drafthouse and witness the vital role it will play in breathing new life into Powell Steam Plant,” said Kimberly Jackson, Alabama Power government and community relations manager of the Birmingham Division. “Now this historic structure will serve as a catalyst for intentional, inclusive growth, promoting economic development and improving the quality of life for all of Birmingham’s residents.”

Alamo Drafthouse will join existing Parkside neighborhood anchors, including Good People Brewing, Regions Field and Railroad Park, further cementing Parkside as an entertainment district that will continue to connect communities in the region. In addition to Powell Steam Plant, Orchestra Partners is redeveloping Urban Supply, a mixed-use destination adjacent to Good People on the west end of the Parkside District.

“Our long-term vision for Parkside is to not only create entertainment but enhance walkability and reconnect Birmingham’s surrounding neighborhoods back to its urban core,” Renfroe said. “Bringing Alamo Drafthouse to Birmingham moves us one step closer to achieving this goal.”

Construction on Alamo Drafthouse will begin in summer 2022 with an anticipated opening slated for fall 2023. For more information and leasing opportunities, visit www.parksidebham.com.

The producers of Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor-starrer “Jersey” on Tuesday said the film has been pushed yet again amid a surge in the coronavirus cases in the country and concerns over the Omicron variant.

Also read | Get ‘First Day First Show’, our weekly newsletter from the world of cinema, in your inbox. You can subscribe for free here

The news of the film being delayed for the fourth time comes just three days before its countrywide release in theatres on December 31.

“In view of the current circumstances and new covid guidelines we have decided to postpone the theatrical release of our film ‘Jersey’.

“We have received immense love from you all so far and want to thank you all for everything. Until then everyone please stay safe and healthy, and wishing you all the best for the new year ahead!! Team Jersey!!” the producers said in a statement.

Also starring Mrunal Thakur, the film is a Hindi remake of the 2019 Telugu Blockbuster of the same name.

The movie was originally scheduled for a release in August 2020, but was postponed due to the pandemic. The makers then announced another release date during Diwali but it was postponed for a third time to December 31.

“Jersey” is produced by South film producers Allu Aravind, Dil Raju and Kapoor’s producer friend Aman Gill.

Directed byGowtham Tinnanuri, who also helmed the original, “Jersey” chronicles the story of a talented but failed cricketer (Kapoor), who decides to return to the field in his late 30s driven by the desire to represent the Indian cricket team and fulfill his son’s wish for a jersey as a gift.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority ordered closure of cinemas halls and gyms with immediate effect and put various restrictions on the functioning of shops and public transport as a yellow alert was sounded under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Whereas in Maharashtra, the state government last week issued new guidelines, ordering cinema halls to operate at 50 per cent capacity.

India’s totaltally ofCOVID-19 cases rose to 3,47,99,691 with 6,358 people testing positive for coronavirus infections in a day.

The country logged 653 cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus across 21 states and UTs so far out of which 186 have recovered or migrated, according to theUnion Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

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Another Bad Bruce Willis Movie Trailer: Play a Deadly Game of ‘Apex’

by Alex Billington
October 13, 2021
Source: YouTube

“Men like that never should’ve come to a place like this.” The same question always come to mind: why?!? RLJE has debuted an official trailer for an action thriller film titled Apex, which is (of course) a shortened version of the excruciatingly dull title Apex Predator. Another new film from the same director of the epicly bad Cosmic Sin with Willis. So what’s Apex about? Six elite hunters pay to hunt down a man on a deserted island, only to find themselves becoming the prey. Bruce Willis stars as “Malone”, an ex-cop serving a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, offered a chance at freedom if he can survive a deadly game of Apex. The cast includes Neal McDonough, Corey Large, Alexis Fast, Nels Lennarson, Lochlyn Munro, Megan Peta Hill, and Trevor Gretzky. Ughhh this seems so so so awful, even the action looks mediocre.

Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Edward Drake’s Apex, direct from IGN’s YouTube:

Serving a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, the ex-cop Thomas Malone (Bruce Willis) is offered a chance at freedom if he can survive a deadly game of Apex. Six hunters pay for the pleasure of hunting another human on a remote island, but once Malone arrives there all hell breaks loose. Laying traps and playing mind games, Malone tries to turn the tables and fight for his life and his future. Apex, also known as Apex Predator (in Europe), is directed by Australian writer / filmmaker Edward Drake, director of the films Animals, Broil, and Cosmic Sin previously, as well as a few shorts and other projects. The screenplay is written by Edward Drake and Corey Large. RLJE Films will debut Drake’s Apex in select US theaters + on VOD starting November 12th, 2021 this fall. Anyone really want to watch this? Why does it look so bad?

Find more posts: Sci-Fi, To Watch, Trailer