Prince Movie Review

Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Dalip Tahil, Sanjay Kapoor
Director: Kookie Gulati

Prince is director Kookie Gulati's international man of mystery who is modeled on several comic book heroes. The leather-clad lad can safely jump off buildings like ‘Batman’; spin life-saving webs like ‘Spiderman’, but unfortunately can emote no better than 'Pac Man'. There is very little that one can write about this two and a half hour disaster except that it is an extremely tedious watch. In spite of larger than life locations, some backbreaking camerawork and ambitious special effects, 'Prince' ends up being a cinematic 'Pauper'. If one were to list its every failing, the film's script would top the list. The dialog is terrible and the writing cannot make its mind up. Is the film homage to the camp action films of the 70's or is it a slick futuristic thriller?

Vivek Oberoi plays 'Prince', a most wanted international thief. He steals diamonds in a high security enclosure by performing 'daredevil’ stunts like hiding in a chute till the building closes and then springing out to ambush the CC tv security guards. Then he uses 'sophisticated’ gadgetry like a long periscope that rises from a parked van to enter a chamber up in the building. This tube then metamorphoses to become, lo and behold, a giant vacuum cleaner that ingeniously sucks all the diamonds down into the van. ‘Its Showtime’, says Prince with a half smirk.

When 'Prince' loses his memory, several characters enter his life, claiming to know who he is, but 'Prince' doesn’t know whom to believe. Truth is, characters like the snow headed Dileep Tahil and the designer stubble cop Sanjay Kapoor are so caricatured that many in the audience didn’t believe them either Of the three new pretties, all claiming to be Prince’s girlfriend Maya, Nandana Sen probably leaves the biggest impression. This is partly achieved because of her strange hairstyle and chalky make-up, making her look like a cross between a hairy 'Lhasa Apso' and a painted 'Geisha'. While Sen sometimes seems uncomfortable in her leather boots, she plays the trigger happy 'Maya' with some relish. Niroo Singh's portrayal of Maya looks like an extended item number that danced its way into the script and Aruna Murty, though beautiful, emotes less than the inanimate 'coin' that all and sundry in this tired thriller are looking for just what this coin does and why an embedded microchip in its mould could hold the key to 'Prince's lost memories is a question you may ask right till the end of this leather fest. Much to the ire of innocent cows, designer Narendra Kumar Ahmad dresses his entire cast in leather jackets and over coats. Yet, there is no heat for this cold meat.

In spite of frenetic editing and tiresome action sequences, the narrative lacks the energy that one expects from a thriller. The music of the film is insipid; more suited to the skin fest music videos that one was subjected to on television a few years ago. Director Kookie Gulati sets up some spectacular Hollywood style sequences but doesn’t do much with his actors. The cast awkwardly stumbles its way around Sukant Panigarhy’s impressive sets.

Oberoi seems influenced by Tom Cruise in 'Mission Impossible' & 'Minority Report' and the script seems influenced by Oberoi's dire need of a hit film. Everything possible that can be done to project Oberoi as a super hero is done, including the Bondesque ploy of accessorizing him with three pretty newbie’s, super gadgets, hot wheels and loaded guns. The film even has an evil villain that sports re-bonded hair and a mechanical hand.

Phoonk 2 Movie Review

Cast: Anu Ansari, Ahsaas Channa, Jeeva, Amruta Khanvilkar, Amit Sadh, Vikas Shrivastav, Neeru Singh, Sudeep, Ganesh Yadav

Director: Milind Gadagkar

In Phoonk 2, which opens this week, the crazy woman with bloodshot eyes and a shrill cackle returns to torment the family that barely survived her black-magic in the last film. I know what you're thinking - they killed her in the previous film, didn't they? Well technically they did, but this time she's back as a spirit seeking revenge, and she's got herself a frizzy hair-do too.

Madhu, played hysterically by Ashwini Kalsekar in Ramgopal Varma's Phoonk, doesn't get as much screen time in the sequel. But compared to this dumb family that moves into another large spooky house -- this one in the middle of a jungle, by the way -- give me the crazy lady any day! Sudeep is back as the head of this family that moves into a sprawling Alibaug bungalow where strange things begin to happen after his young daughter brings home an abandoned doll she finds in the jungle one day. Expect lots of tilted camera angles, tight close-ups and a slow-building background score.

Unfortunately there's very little in terms of plot progression, and barely any novelty or imagination in the manner that characters get killed in this film. The body count piles up, but it's all done so predictably it deprives you of guilty pleasure even.

Written and directed by Milind Gadagkar who wrote the previous installment, Phoonk 2 is what you'd describe as Ramgopal Varma-lite. The thrills and scares are few and far between. They could have made this film in their sleep. Who knows, they probably did!

Paathshala Movie Review

Cast: Nana Patekar, Shahid Kapoor, Ayesha Takia, Saurabh Shukla, Sunil Shetty.

Director: Milind Ukey

Could it really be possible that no one who read the script of Paathshala had the good sense to recognize that it needed a lot more work before they decided to go out and shoot the damn thing?

Indeed, Paathshala starring Nana Patekar and Shahid Kapoor, appears to have originated from an earnest idea, but one that's developed into a dimwitted, harebrained film. Intended as a comment on the commercialization of educational institutions, the film traces the efforts of a group of committed teachers to stand up against a greedy management that wants to turn their school into a profitable business venture.

Shahid Kapoor stars as a sincere English teacher who leads the students and his fellow colleagues to demand an explanation from the school's righteous principal (played solemnly by Nana Patekar) on his uncharacteristic approval of the management's unethical money-making ways.

Saurabh Shukla appears as the school's ruthless administrator who hikes fees randomly, stocks unhealthy processed foods in the canteen, and hires an image-building agency to raise the school's profile by admitting students into grueling reality shows and talent contests.

The film's naïve script includes moments of sheer melodrama and over-exaggeration in its effort to shamelessly manipulate you into caring for its characters. There's a scene in which a television show director jumps excitedly out of his seat and instructs his cameraman to zoom in when a little girl accidentally gets chilly powder in her eyes, because that's the kind of drama that television supposedly thrives on. In another scene, a young boy is made to stand out all day in the sweltering heat because his father hasn't been able to pay up the suddenly increased school fees. There's also track in which a boy with a dark birthmark on his face is isolated by his classmates until good-Samaritan Shahid teaches them the meaning of friendship using a litter of puppies to make his point.Oddly, the film ends with no resolution in sight, which makes that long, noble speech by Nana Patekar seem quite pointless after all. 

It's clear the makers of this film had the seed of a good idea, but lacked the skills to turn it into an engaging film. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for director Milind Ukey's Paathshala. It's a frustratingly foolish film; and judging by the indifferent performances of both Nana Patekar and Shahid Kapur, it appears they were just as bored acting in this movie as you are watching it.

Hiding Control Panel Setting Pages

It is possible to hide specific settings pages from within the Control Panel. Sometimes, such a features cannot only be a great security features, but can also restrict user's movements to a great security features, but can also restrict a user's movement to great extent. this hidden windows feature can be made active by simply following the steps below.

1. Open regedit.exe.file
2. Search  for HKEY_CURRENT-USER\ControlPanel\don't load
3. For each Control Panel settings pages that you wish to hide, create a new string entry whose name is the as the settings page's corresponding .cpl filename. Please refer to the table in the previous example for complete filename list.
4. Set the data value of the string entry to No to hide the control panel setting page and to Yes to display it
5. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the changes to be applied.   

For all Windows Version
Note: We will update day by day in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully. 

Security Checklist

1. Checklist for choosing a strong password

• Your password should not be a word that appears in the dictionary(to prevent dictionary based attacks).
• Your password should not be blank or same as user name.
• Your password should be a combination of alphabets, numbers and special characters. Ideally, one should try and use both lowercase and uppercase characters.
• Your password should not be your name followed by your birth date. For example, one should not have password like ankit2405.
• Your passwords should not be repeated.
• Your password MUST be changed regularly.
• Yours password should not be written on a post-it note or a piece of paper stuck on your monitor or behind your cpu.
• You should not use the same password at multiple places.
• Your password should not be that random that even you forget it yourself.

2. Checklist for securing a home computer(basic)

• Run Windows Update at least once a week to patch your system against the latest vulnerabilities, loopholes and exploits.
• Use a strong password (Refer to earlier checklist).
• Install some good anti virus software and update its virus definition files at least once a week to ward off the latest viruses, worm and trojan.
• Install a basic firewall (like Zonealaram, BlackIce or your favorite antivirus software's inbulit firewall) on your system. This shall keep you notified of any live attacks, malicious, data or probes.
• Try to connect to the internet only after connecting to a proxy server.
• Install a Anti-spyware tool on your computer which will detect and removed any spyware tools on yours computer.

Disabling the cancel button in the password prompt

Almost all Windows system have an option of enabling multiple users on the same system and using the username - password  pair to authenticate the identity of specific users. Unfortunately, on older versions of windows, a user can easily bypass the logon password prompt by simply clicking on the cancel button. Hence, many system administrators have started forcing users to logon by implementing a small registry tweak 

1. Open regedit.exe.file

2. Search for HKEY_USERS\DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

3. Create a new string entry named NoLogon and set its data value to:

     RUNDLL32 shell32,SHExitWindowsEx 0 

4. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the changes to be applied.  
 

For Windows 98,95 and ME
Note: We will update day by day in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully.

Blocking Windows Hotkeys

It is possible to prevent users from using the windows shortcut hotkeys like ALT + TAB and other by simply following steps below

1. open regedit.exe.file
2. Scroll down to or create the following registry key   

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. Create a new DWORD value named NoWinKeys  within the above registry key and set its data

    value to '1' to disable the windows hotkey, and '0' to enable it.

4. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the changes to be applied.  

For all Windows Version

Note: We will update day by day in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully.

Allowing Quick Reboot

It is possible to allow user to use the quick reboot function to start windows again without completely shutting it down. This quick reboot option can be enabled with the help of the following registry tweak.

1. open regedit.exe.file
2. Search for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3. Create a new string entry called EnableQuickReboot and set its data value to '1' to enable the quick
    reboot option and to '0' to disable it   
4. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the changes to be applied.  
For Windows 2000 and NT
Note: We will update day by day in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully.

Disabling the Change Password Option

It is possible to disable the change password option on the security page by simply executing the following registry tweak

1. open regedit.exe.file
2. Search for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3. Create a new DWORD entry named DisableChangePassword and set its data value to '0' to disable
    the change password option and to '1' to enable it again.
4. Similarly, it is also possible to create another DWORD entry named DisableLockWorkstation that
    can be used to prevent user from locking machines accidentally or intantionally
5. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the changes to be applied.  

For Windows 2000,NT ,ME and XP
Note: We will update day by day in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully.

Tum Milo Movie Review

Cast: Nana Patekar,Mohnish Bahl, Amit Behl, Vrajesh Hirjee, Dimple Kapadia
Director: Kabir Sadanand

Anyone who's spent a lazy afternoon tucking into the delicious sali boti at Britannia or the cherry cream custard at Kyani can appreciate the climatic conflict of Tum Milo Toh Sahi, in which an old-fashioned Irani cafe must be saved from a greedy corporate giant that wants to turn it into one of those homogenized coffee shop franchises.

Had this been the basic premise of director Kabir Sadanand's film instead of its predictable take on contemporary relationships, Tum Milo Toh Sahi might not have turned out the mangled mess that it has.

Dimple Kapadia hams it up as Dilshad, the garrulous Parsi owner of the café, who develops an easy friendship with Nana Patekar's cranky Subramanium who has an almost Norman Bates-like obsession with his dead mother. Sunil Shetty and Vidya Malvade play a constantly bickering married couple Amit and Anita, who clash over his long working hours and their inability to agree on how to raise their son. Finally, Rehan Khan and Anjana Sukhani play young collegians Bikramjit and Shalini, faced with your typical Bollywood cliché -- they must traverse the film's skull-boring song-and-dance routine till they realize they are in love.

Predictably, it's the relationship between the senior characters that is most engaging, thanks to a consistent performance by Nana Patekar, who plays to the gallery with his quirky characterization.Suniel Shetty delivers the film's most embarrassing performance with his accented dialogue delivery and awkward body language. His garbled words are hard to figure out most of the time, and his over-acting in this film consolidates his position in the hall of shame alongside fellow doorknobs Zayed Khan, Fardeen Khan and Bobby Deol.

To be honest, except for Nana Patekar and to some extent Rehan Khan who pitches in an earnest turn, the entire cast of this film grates with annoying performances and bad accents. Even a child actor who plays Dilshad's Australia-returned grandson deserves some serious neck-wrangling for his mutilation of the English language in the name of an Aussie twang.

If there's anything more infuriating than the acting in this film, it's the distracting background score that qualifies as sheer noise. Raghav Sachar, who famously holds the distinction of playing some 30-odd musical instruments, is credited with composing the background score which sounds like plates and glasses being smashed against walls.

This film is intended as a warm drama about love in a big city, but the script never quite gets around to achieving that. I'm going with one-and-a-half out of five for director Kabir Sadanand's Tum Milo Toh Sahi. Since coffee is used as a metaphor to bring people together in this movie, I suggest you spike yours with a large shot of whiskey to make the pain of watching this a little easier.

Paiyaa Movie Review

Cast: Karthi, Thamanna and Milind Soman

Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Direction: Linguswamy

If a person gets a golden opportunity to travel with his beloved and happens to face all sorts of adversities during the journey, what will he do? This forms the story of the much-awaited Tamil flick, Payya, directed by Linguswamy.

The journey starts from Bengaluru and ends in Mumbai. The protagonist of the movie Siva (Paruthiveeran fame Karthi) comes to Bengaluru seeking a job and lives with his friends. He happens to meet Charu (Thamanna), accidentally in a bus and falls in love at first sight. Siva meets her several times, but fails to express his desire. In an interesting twist, Siva offers Charu and her friend a lift at a railway station, with the pretext of a being taxi driver.

During the journey, when the companion is away, Charu requests Siva to drive away the car. Siva is excited and their journey starts. Charu tells him that a group of goons are on the lookout for her and the companion was the leader. Siva volunteers his support and assures that he will drop Charu at her grandmother’s place in Mumbai. The screenplay gears up after this, several twist and turns follow. As expected, on the way, both develop a good relationship and it later blooms to beautiful love.

A group headed by Mumbai underworld don Bali, played by Milind Soman, is on the look out for the duo. At one point, both the gangs join hands to get hold of Siva and Charu. How they reach Mumbai and what happens thereafter forms the climax.

Paruthiveeran fame Karthi has once again proved his ability as a versatile actor, not as a rustic hero this time, but as an unemployed, educated youth. Striking beauty Thammana also does justice to the role. She has proven herself competent enough in replacing Nayantara, who was supposed to do the role earlier.

The black car, in which the lead pair travels, has been converted into the third lead character. Picturisation within the car is brilliant and the chase scenes are also remarkable. Kudos to cinematographer Mathi for that.Music director Yuvan Shankar Raja delivers a good score. Power-packed stunt sequences by Kanal Kannan and the nail-baiting chase scenes are the highlight of the film. Editing by Anthony is an added attraction.

One may feel bored watching similar shots of the car that slows down the pace of the film at some point, but the movie and the story demands the same. Though, lengthy action sequences are definitely a drawback. Also, songs have not been picturised appealingly. Altogether, Payya is a commercial flick which would definitely attract spectators to the theatres.

Disabling the Windows Screensaver

It is possible to completely disable the windows screen saver from running by simply following this undermentioned steps

1. open regedit.exe.file
2. Search for HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\ControlPanel\Desktop
3. Within the above register Key, Create a new DWORD value named ScreenSaveActive and set its value to '0' to block the screensaver.
4. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the change to be applied.

For all Windows Version
Note: We will update day by day in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully.

Requiring CTRL + ALT + DEL to be Pressed Before Login

 It is possible to force users to press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys before the login authentication process begins on a windows system. This additional security feature can be enabled by following th undermentioned steps 

1. Open regedit.exe.file

2. Search for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

3. Create a new DWORD entry called DisableCAD and modify its data value to '0' to requrie 

    CTRL+ALT+DEL keys to be pressed and to '1' to disable this feature.

4.Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the changes to be applied

For Windows 2000 and XP
Note: We will update day by day  in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully.

Allow Shut Down From The Password Prompt

It is Possible to allow user to shutdown the system at the password prompt dialog box by simply executing the following registry tweaks.

1. open regedit.exe.file
2. Search for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3.Create a new DWORD entry called ShutdownWithoutLogon and change its data value to '1' to allow
user to shut down from the login prompt itself.
4. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the changes to be applied. The next
time you boot the system, a shutdown button shall be displayed along with the regular details

For Windows 2000,NT and XP
Note: We will update day by day in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully.

Windows Ethical Hacking

Protecting User Privacy at Logon Prompts:

   Normally, at the time of logging into a windows system, it is possible to find out inforation on the last user since his/her details are stored in the cache memory. It is always a good security and privacy to prevent this information from being displayed by executing the following registry tweak

1. Run -> regedit
2. a. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSFT\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
        (For windows 2000 or XP).
    b. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Network\Logon (For windows 95,98 or ME).
    c. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSFT\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

3. Create a new DWORD value (within the above registry key) called DontDisplayLastUserName and set its

    value to '1' to prevent the last username from displaying and to '0' to implement the default settings

4. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the change to be applied.

Improving Password Security Setting:

    The biggest security loophole plaguing system across the world in the tendency of user to choose a poor password. Hence a number of system administrator prefer to force user to use a strong password through a small but effective registry tweak. 

1. Open the regedit.exe file
2. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network
    (For Specific Users Only)
                                                 OR
   HKEY_CURRENT_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network
   (For the Entire Machine)

3. Create a new DWORD value (within the above registry key ) called AlphanumPeds and set its value to '1',

    to allow only alphanumeric password and to '0' to disable this feature. By default, windows accepts any 

    kind of password. However, once this option has been enabled, the windows shall accept only 

    alphanumeric password.

4. Exit the windows registry and restart the windows session for the change to be applied.

 Note: We will update day by day  in PC tips
Hint: Use the above details carefully.