If you like creamy, rich cheese and are looking for a healthier alternative, goat cheese is your answer. Compared to cream cheese made from cow’s milk, cheese made from goat’s milk contains nearly forty percent less fat, thirty percent less cholesterol, twenty percent less calories, fewer carbohydrates and a lot more calcium and proteins. In fact, most lactose intolerant people who can’t have cow’s milk can digest goat milk products due to their ‘naturally homogenized’ nature.

Here are some interesting recipes for you to try this summer and don’t forget to let us know how they turned out.

Goat Cheese Pakora

Ingredients

20 one inch cubes of Goat Cheese

Pakora Mix (Shan or National). If not available in your area you can find several recipes to make pakora batter on the net

½ Teaspoon blended mint leaves

4 green chilies

Olive oil for deep frying

Salt, pepper and mustard powder to taste

Directions

1. For the batter prepare the pakora mix, add mint paste, and add salt, pepper and mustard powder to taste.
2. Chop the chilies into fine pieces and coat goat cheese cubes with them.
3. Place the olive oil in a deep pan and heat on a medium flame. Dip each cube individually in the batter, coating it generously and fry in oil till golden brown.
4. Strain the cubes when removing them from pan and serve hot with your choice of chutney.

Chili Poppers with Goat Cheese

Ingredients

10 large chilies, seeded and sliced in half, lengthwise

1 cup goat cheese

3 eggs

1 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup all purpose flour

salt, pepper and mustard powder to taste

1/4 cup olive oil

Directions

1. Add salt, pepper and mustard to the breadcrumbs as per taste.
2. Beat eggs in a bowl.
3. Stuff sliced chilies with goat cheese, coat lightly with flour and egg and roll in bread crumbs.
4. Place the olive oil in a deep pan and heat on a medium flame. Place the peppers into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
5. Serve hot with your choice of chutney or as a side dish.

Goat Cheese and Tomato Pizza

Ingredients

4 ounces goat cheese

6-ounce tomato paste (canned)

1/4-cup olive oil

1 tablespoon seasoning of choice (ready made seasonings like Italian seasonings are available at large departmental stores)

3/4-cup water

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Garlic powder to taste (1/2 teaspoon should be adequate)

6 salad tomatoes (you can substitute with 3 small tomatoes), thinly sliced

2 salad tomatoes (you can substitute with 1 small tomato), diced

2 ready made pizza crusts (Salman’s has pizza base available at large supermarkets)

Directions

1. Mix water, olive oil and tomato paste in a pan and add the diced tomatoes. Add garlic powder, pepper and seasoning to the mixture and heat over low flame for 15 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
3. Prepare pizza base as per directions. Lay the base on a greased pizza pan or any other non-stick tray and spread prepared sauce over the dough. Put the sliced tomatoes with small chunks of goat cheese over the sauce.
4. Place the pan in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until the pizza base is golden brown.
5. Slice and serve while hot. You can cut the pizza into bite-sized squares if you want to serve for starters. Sprinkle some olive oil on the pizza before slicing.
6. Feel free to add other toppings like mushrooms, onions and herbs before you bake the pizza.

Grilled Steak and Goat Cheese Salad

Ingredients

1 ounce goat cheese

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

3 ounce beef undercut (or of your choice)

1 small Iceberg lettuce, shredded

1 carrot, peeled into thin strips

Directions

1. Preheat grilling pan over medium flame.
2. Marinate steak with enough balsamic vinegar to coat the meat evenly. Leave for 15 minutes.
3. Grill the steak on both sides as desired. Remove and let it cool for 5 minutes.
4. Add the lettuce, carrots and remaining vinegar in a suitable bowl and mix well. Place the ingredients on a plate.
5. Slice the steak into thin strips (about as thick as your finger) and place on top of the salad. Add small cubes or chunks of goat cheese and serve.

Bon Appetite! Let us know how the recipes turned out.

So what did the audiences think? According to a post on Beliefnet, the stunt received a lot of hoots and applause! See the video below.

(Sad to see PIA’s still close to the bottom)

Airline Safety Ranking

Aircraft Safety Statistics

So which MP3 Player should you use during your exercise routine? Here are three MP3 players that should cover a pretty broad spectrum of exercise types.

W-Series Walkman® MP3 Player - Wearable Music (Official Write-up)

Available on Amazon for $81.25

The W-series Walkman MP3 player boasts an industrial design that is simple and cord-free. Perfect for audiophiles who seek a second device for the gym and leisure use, the NWZ-W202 model is a showcase of Sony hardware expertise and sound engineering — all within an active headphone design. This design eliminates the inconvenience of wires and makes it easier to listen to music virtually anywhere, anytime.

In addition to the sound quality provided by its 13.5mm EX headphones, the new W-series Walkman MP3 player also includes Sony’s ZAPPIN™ function, which offers an effortless way of browsing, searching and listening to music without a display. The ZAPPIN mode, operated with a Jog Dial, helps you find tunes easily by playing popular clips of each song in your device’s music library until a favorite is selected.

Fitness fanatics or those who do anything active while listening to music are freed from headphone cords with the W-series Walkman MP3 player. With its compact, light weight body, this design fits comfortably behind-the-neck. The new player also offers a quick charge feature which allows the device to play back up to 90 minutes of music with only a three-minute charge and up to 12 hours of music with a full charge. By eliminating cords, the W-series Walkman MP3 player makes taking your music with you that much easier.

With the supplied "Content Transfer" you can easily transfer non-DRM music files by "drag and drop" from online music services such as iTunes™ to the Walkman device. It also comes with accessories, including a holder and charging stand with a USB miniB plug.

Finis SwiMP3 v.2 - Adding Music to the Water (Official Write-up)

Available on Amazon for $134.95

MP3 players have become extremely popular in the last decade. However, the pleasure of enjoying high quality mp3 files during exercise had been confined only to land sports. Determined to provide workout music for swimmers to enjoy as well, The FINIS Development Team set out to create a personal waterproof mp3 player that transmitted the best sounding music. After nearly 2 years of research and development, the first SwiMP3 prototype was created in 2004. A year later, the revolutionary SwiMP3 was released into the market and was quickly regarded by TIME Magazine as one of the top inventions for 2005.

In the spring of 2007, FINIS revamped their original SwiMP3 design and released the SwiMP3 v.2. The new player has a sleek finish, with all the controls built directly into the side panels. The memory capacity doubled and the new player was adapted to play both MP3 and WMA file types.

The SwiMP3 underwater MP3 player provides an incredible audio experience through its innovative sound transfer technology. Standard mp3 players rely on the transmission of sound through the air or water causing the swimmer to perceive only muffled noise. The SwiMP3 uses bone conduction - the direct transfer of sound vibrations from the cheek bone to the inner ear - to provide the swimmer with exceptional sound clarity. The SwiMP3 is fully waterproof and can be used with all the competitive swim strokes. Just imagine listening to hours of your own music in high-fidelity during your swim.

Product Features

Attaches easily to any swim goggle or snorkeling mask
Built in MP3 control panel
On/Off button
Next / Previous track
Volume control
Pause & Shuffle functions
8-hour rechargeable battery
60-song (256MB) memory capacity
Plays both MP3 & WMA files

Yamaha BODiBEAT - Synchronizes your Music to the Movement of your Workout (Official Write-up)

Available in the U.S. for 299.95

Introducing BODiBEAT, the first portable fitness device/MP3 player with built-in heart rate monitor that naturally synchronizes your music to the movement of your workout. Imagine having just one all-in-one workout device, automatically sensing and synchronizing the rhythm of your music to the movement of your workout.  It’s perfect for running, cross country, treadmills and walking. It’s like a high-tech personal trainer you can take with you every time you move. It motivates, tracks your workouts and measures results.

Just load songs into BODiBEAT like you would any other MP3 player – or listen to one of the pre-loaded music mixes. BODiBEAT automatically plays songs with tempos that match your movement, whether you’re running, walking or cooling down. For the ultimate motivation, you can easily program BODiBEAT to pace you on an interval workout – giving you the right tempo for the right stage.

Coldplay is giving away it’s new live album “LeftRightLeftRightLeft” for free! You can download it from the Coldplay site and all you have to do is provide an email address and your location. The album has already been downloaded 3.5 million times and is well on its way to becoming the most-owned album in the world.

In an interview published on their website, lead singer Chris explains how the idea of a free album first occurred to them:

My son Moses had a birthday party and everyone was given party bags at the end of it. That was when Phil said, "This is a good idea for a concert, as a way of saying thanks for coming." So we’ve done it and we’ve got a million CDs being slowly given out at shows, plus the download. It feels amazing. I can’t believe that we’ve been allowed to do it.

So what are you waiting for? Download the greatest birthday giveaway on the world wide web! And don’t forget to let us know what you think of the album by commenting below.

According to Dole Nutrition Institute (run by Dole Food Company Inc., one of the largest sellers of organic fruits and vegetables) mangoes are one of the 33 healthiest foods on the planet. Mangoes, the King of fruit, are known to support immunity, lower bad cholesterol and regulate homocysteine to protect the arteries.

One of the best sources of beta carotene, quercetin and astragalin, mangoes provide powerful antioxidants that help preserve the body’s antioxidant enzymes and prevent free radical damage. Free radicals are known to cause damage to cells and can lead to heart disease, cancer, premature aging and degenerative diseases. Pectin, a soluble dietary fiber found in mangoes, lowers blood cholesterol levels and restrains galectin 3, a protein known to be a key factor in all stages of cancer progression. New research suggests that mangoes can also restrain prostrate enlargement, proving to be a powerful ally in the prevention of prostrate cancer, the most commonly occurring form of cancer in men, as well as cervical cancer.

Mangoes are also loaded with vitamins and minerals. A cup of mango provides 75 percent of your daily Vitamin C and 25 percent of your daily vitamin A requirement and a good amount of vitamin E and fiber. They also contain vitamin K, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, iron (useful for pregnant women and anemia patients if eaten regularly) and potassium (reduces the risk of high blood pressure and regulates muscle contraction).

Considered a high volume food, Mangoes provide a larger volume of food for a relatively small amount of calories (an average of 135 calories per mango) and carbohydrates. However, an average sized mango contains around 30g of natural sugar making them high in sugar content. The other uses of mangoes include treatment of acidity and poor digestion, bleeding gums, constipation, cough, fever, nausea, sea sickness, asthma, clogged pores, menstrual disorders, bacterial infections, piles, morning sickness and hair loss.

Try some of the easy, untraditional recipes below this summer and let us know how they turned out in the comments section below. Bon Appetit!

Virgin Mango Banana Daiquiris

Ingredients

2 firm, ripe large mangoes - peeled, seeded and chopped

1 ripe banana

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)

1/4 cup sugar syrup (add 1 cup sugar to 1 cup water and heat until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool.)

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)

mango, slices for serving

Directions

1. Put the mango, banana, lime juice and sugar syrup in a blender and process until smooth.

2. Add 2 cups of ice and blend until thick and smooth.

3. Serve cold in tall glasses accompanied by mango slices.

Gingered Mango Salsa

Ingredients

1 cup firm, ripe mangoes, peeled, seeded and chopped

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro (dhania)

1/4 cup lime juice

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

2 tablespoons minced fresh mint

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

salt to taste

Directions

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Let it sit in the fridge for two to three hours before serving.

Cucumber-Mango Salsa

Ingredients

3 mangos - peeled, seeded and chopped

1 cucumber - peeled, seeded, and chopped

1 large onion, finely diced

1 clove garlic, minced

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped (you can substitute with bottled or canned jalapeno)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (dhania)

1 tablespoon lime juice, or to taste

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Place the mango, cucumber, jalapeno pepper, onion, garlic, and cilantro (dhania) in a bowl and stir. Season with lime juice, salt, and pepper. Let it sit in the fridge for a minimum of two to three hours before serving.

Mango Chicken Salad Recipe

Ingredients for Salad

1 large mango, peeled, seeded and cut into finger-long strips

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into finger-long sticks

3 scallions (you can substitute with green onions), thinly sliced (make sure you include the green parts as well)

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced

700g boneless chicken breasts, sliced or beaten into thin cutlets

2 teaspoon olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for Dressing

2 large mangoes - peeled, seeded and chopped

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (non-alcoholic)

1 teaspoon honey

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. For salad preparation place the mango slices, cucumber, bell pepper and scallions (leave a little for garnishing at the end) in a bowl and mix.
2. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken cutlets and season to your liking. Fry the chicken cutlets in a large pan so that they are nicely browned on both sides. Add just enough oil to lubricate the pan and cook the cutlets without burning. To check if the chicken is cooked stick a knife through the center of the chicken and if it comes out dry and easily they should be done.
3. Once the chicken is done, remove from the pan and cut into strips approximately the same size as the mangoes and add to the salad.
4. If you’re dexterous enough try making the dressing while the chicken is cooking. Add the mango flesh, orange juice, vinegar, honey, oil and salt and pepper (to your liking) in a blender. Blend the ingredients until smooth. You can add more orange juice to give the dressing a more liquid consistency.
5. Pour the dressing over the chicken and salad mixture and toss it to coat evenly. To add a finishing touch, garnish with pepper and leftover scallions. You can refrigerate for an hour or serve immediately.

Grilled Fish with Mango Salsa

Ingredients

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 (6 ounce) fish fillets

1 large firm ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

2 tablespoons minced onion

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (dhania)

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (you can substitute with bottled or canned jalapeno)

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Mix the lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley, basil, pepper, and salt in a bowl and whisk together. Empty the ingredients into a plastic bag. Place the fish fillets inside the bag, evenly coating it with the marinade and seal the bag (making sure to remove as much air as possible). Leave in the refrigerator for one to two hours.
2. To prepare the salsa, add the mango, onion, cilantro (dhania), red bell pepper, jalapeno pepper and the lime juice to a bowl. Toss the ingredients making sure they mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste and let it sit in the fridge for a minimum of two to three hours before serving.
3. Prepare outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Remember to oil the grill to prevent the fish from sticking.
4. Grill the fish making sure to shake off any excess marinade beforehand. Don’t overcook the fish, 3 to 4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Remove the fish from the grill and serve topped with mango salsa.

Chris Guillebeau’s Goal: To visit every country in the world by April 7, 2013

Current Status: 111/197

When I first read about Chris Guillebeau and his unusual goal I was immediately curious and eager to find out if he had visited Pakistan. Hoping, yet not entirely expecting, to see Pakistan on the list of countries he had visited, I felt elated to see Pakistan as an underlined hyperlink on his ‘Places’ page, a link that led me to a post on his visit to our country. And so I decided to include a post on Chris’ unconventional lifestyle and his travel here.

Chris and The Art of Nonconformity

After five quarters and $32,000 of graduate school at the University of Washington, Chris Guillebeau learned one important fact that led him to pursue an unconventional life. While reading something, question the author’s motivations and understand why someone would spend considerable effort and time on one particular topic. “On balance, I think this lesson is probably worth at least $32,000 in the long run, but if you can learn it for free and in less time, good for you,” writes Chris.

Chris decided to start writing and travel the world instead. Chris travels around 25 countries a year and writes about international travel, travel hacking, entrepreneurship and other kinds of unconventional work and most importantly about personal development and life design, stressing on how you should live your life the way you want to and not how others would expect you to. The Art of Nonconformity, Chris’ personal blog, ties up life, work, and travel through a common theme – how to do things without conforming to orthodox beliefs and help people along the way.

Chris comes to Pakistan

Chris visited Karachi in August last year and has two interesting posts on his blog about his experiences here. The first one titled “Getting to Pakistan” describes how Chris decides to land up in Karachi without a visa or a sponsor and successfully convinces the immigration officers to let him enter the country.

For forty minutes they didn’t back down. I would not be allowed into the country, and it would be my problem to figure out how to get out. After a break in the conversation (the immigration guys decided to process some other people before coming back to me), I continued to produce more pieces of paper – a copy of Newsweek that I offered to one official (he declined), proof of my journey to every country in the world, and the visa in my passport for India, Pakistan’s archrival.

“I have already been to India, and I feel sad that I have not been able to visit Pakistan yet,” I say. This is also a bit risky, but I’m running out of options. Thankfully, by this point I’ve made friends with the junior immigration team, who are subtly pleading my case with the senior immigration official.

They all laugh when I mention the visit to India, and the senior official finally says the magic words: “Sir, you are very lucky tonight.”

“Really?” I ask. “How lucky am I?”

“You are too lucky. This is my very first time to give a visa without a sponsor.”

The other post, “Conversations in Karachi”, recounts an interesting and humorous dialogue between Chris and his driver on the way back to the Karachi airport. The driver mentions that Pakistani people like Americans but not Mr. Bush in response to which Chris intimates the driver about the upcoming U.S. elections.

And here is the part of the conversation I did not expect, the one variation in the simultaneous love of America and indictment of post-9/11 U.S. foreign policy that I hear pretty much everywhere.

“Yes! The election!” the driver says, taking his hands off the wheel and looking at me in the back seat as I frantically watch the road in front of us. “You will have Mr. Obama as president!”

I laugh at this unexpected statement. Should I try to explain that Obama has not yet been elected, and there is in fact another candidate in the race? It’s probably too complicated.

“You know of Mr. Obama?” I ask.

“Of course,” he says. “Everyone here is talking about him.”

After careful deliberation, the taxi drivers of Karachi have apparently decided to endorse Obama in the American election. When I finally do ask my driver what he and his friends think of the other candidate, he says, “You mean Mrs. Clinton?”

If you’re looking for inspiration or tips on travelling, there are several other interesting posts you can read on his blog on topics like frequent flyer miles, achieving personal goals and world domination.

Good luck Mr. Guillebeau, in achieving your goals!

The action-adventure-mystery, opening Christmas Day, sends Holmes (Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Watson (Law) on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country. See the newly released trailer below.

Starring: Alec Baldwin, Kieran Culkin, Rory Culkin, Jill Hennessy, Timothy Hutton, Cynthia Nixon, Emma Roberts  I  Director: Derick Martini  I  Rating: R (for language, some sexual content, violence and drug use)  I  Genre: Drama  I  Release Date: 8 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Based in the 1970s, Lymelife portrays the lives of two dysfunctional families and the darker side of their suburban existence. The film centers around 15 year old Scott Bartlett, played by Rory Culkin, and his family and the impact an outbreak of Lyme disease has on their lives. Some of the themes touched upon in the movie include war, divorce and communal paranoia. Producers include Martin Scorsese and Alec Baldwin.

Anvil! The story of Anvil

Starring: Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow, Robb Reiner  I  Director: Sacha Gervasi  I  Rating: N/A  I  Genre: Documentary  I  Release Date: 10 April, 2009 (NY, LA)

Synopsis: At the age of fourteen, best friends Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow and Robb Reiner made a pact to rock together forever. Despite little or no commercial success and a few disastrous tours, Anvil kept at it where many would’ve abandoned hope. Now on their way to making their thirteenth album and well into their fifties, will their childhood dreams finally be realized?

Dragonball: Evolution

Starring: Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Eriko Tamura, Joon Park, Jamie Chung, Chow Yun-Fat, Emmy Rossum, Texas Battle  I  Director: James Wong  I  Rating: PG (for intense sequences of action/violence and brief mild language)  I  Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  I  Release Date: 10 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Based on the mega-successful Japanese manga created by Akira Toriyama, Dragonball is one of the most anticipated movies this month, with an already large fan base credited to the globally successful video games, graphic novels and TV series. Dragonball has all the ingredients to make for an entertaining, action packed movie – warlords, shape shifters, martial arts and seven wish granting dragonballs. Work on the second script for a sequel is well underway.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Dragonball: Evolution’

Hannah Montana The Movie

Starring: Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Emily Osment, Billy Ray Cyrus, Margo Martindale, Jason Earles, Peter Gunn, Vanessa Williams, Moises Arias, Rascal Flatts  I  Director: Peter Chelsom  I  Rating: G  I  Genre: Comedy  I  Release Date: 10 April, 2009

Synopsis: The movie version of Disney Channel’s popular show stars Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart, a teenage pop star whose rising fame and success threaten to complicate her school life and relationships. Step in Miley’s father, played by Billy Ray Cyrus - Miley is whisked away to Tennessee with the intention of some much needed grounding. What follows is fun, frolic, romance and adventure for Hannah Montana.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Hannah Montana The Movie’

17 Again

Starring: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg  I  Director: Burr Steers  I  Rating: PG-13 (for language, some sexual material and teen partying)  I  Genre: Comedy  I  Release Date: 17 April, 2009

Synopsis: Mike O’Donnel, played by Zac Eforn, plays a once popular high school teenager who detours from his path to success by opting to spend his life with girlfriend Scarlett (who he discovers is pregnant with his baby). Thirty-something Mike has a stagnating career and crumbling family life until miraculously he turns 17 again. Mike has to choose between regaining his lost glory and mending what is most important in his life.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘17 Again’

American Violet

Starring: Alfre Woodard, Tim Blake Nelson, Michael O’Keefe, Will Patton, Xzibit, Nicole Beharie, Charles S. Dutton  I  Director: Tim Disney  I  Rating: N/A  I  Genre: Drama, Based on True Story  I  Release Date: 17 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: In a shocking turn of events, Dee Roberts, played by acclaimed new comer Nicole Beharie, is falsely arrested on drug charges. A single, African American mother of four children, Dee decides to battle the Texas courts against her mother’s (played by Alfre Woodard) wishes and at the risk of loosing her children. The movie is based on real life events.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘American Violet’

Crank: High Voltage

Starring: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Dwight Yoakam  I  Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor  I  Rating: R (for strong bloody violence, nudity, crude and graphic sexual content, and pervasive language)  I  Genre: Action  I  Release Date: 17 April, 2009

Synopsis: High Voltage, the sequel to Crank, stars Jason Statham as hit-man, Chev Chelios on a wild chase on the streets of LA to recover his stolen heart (literally!) from a Chinese gangster. To stay alive Chev recharges his fake heart in grueling, unusual ways.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Crank 2’

Every Little Step

Starring: Bob Avian, Charlotte d’Amboise, Michael Bennett, Ramon Flowers, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Marvin Hamlisch, Meredith Patterson, Megan Larche, Donna McKechnie, Yuka Takara, Jason Tam  I  Director: James D. Stern, Adam Del Deo  I  Rating: PG-13 (for some strong language including sexual references)  I  Genre: Documentary  I  Release Date: 17 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: A film based on the famous Broadway musical ‘A Chorus Line’, Every Little Step traces the success of this timeless phenomenon from inception to its current revival. Created in the seventies during a time of war, various civil rights movements and growing disconcert, A Chorus Line brought hope and joy to the people struggling with everyday life. The film explores the lives of the players, the current context of this musical and why its revival has been so well received.

Is Anybody There?

Starring: Michael Caine, Bill Milner, David Morrissey, Anne-Marie Duff, Leslie Phillips  I  Director: John Crowley  I  Rating: N/A  I  Genre: Drama  I  Release Date: 17 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Is Anybody There? is a story about a retired magician played by Sir Michael Caine and the relationships he develops at an old people’s home. The film explores the bonds people form despite differences in age and background and the influence we have in each other’s lives.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Is Anybody There?’

Lemon Tree

Starring: Hiam Abbass, Ali Suliman, Rona Lipaz-Michael, Tarik, Danny Leshman  I  Director: Eran Riklis  I  Rating: N/A  I  Genre: Drama  I  Release Date: 17 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Lemon Tree is a film about a Palestinian Widow and the unexpected relationships she develops with her new neighbour, the Israeli Defence Minister’s wife and her Palestinian lawyer Ziad, amidst the Palestinian/Israeli Middle East conflict. Salma is willing to go to the farthest legal limits to save her lemon trees, an apparent security threat to the Israeli Defense Minister.

Sleep Dealer

Starring: Luis Fernando Peña, Leonor Varela  I  Director: Alex Rivera  I  Rating: N/A  I  Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller  I  Release Date: 17 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: A Sci-Fi Thriller, Sleep Dealer explores a bleak future where geographical borders are closed and a digital network controls robots who do all the work. In Alex Rivera’s words, “Two giant trends inspired my thinking about the future. On one hand I’ve been fascinated by the dream of a ‘Global Village’, inspired by the internet. Thanks to technology the world is truly more connected now than ever.

On the other hand, as the son of an immigrant (some of my cousins are undocumented immigrants) I’ve been horrified to see the world becoming more and more divided. Borders are violent and increasingly closed. The attacks on immigrants around the world only seem to intensify.”

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Sleep Dealer’

State of Play

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Helen Mirren  I  Director: Kevin Macdonald  I  Rating: PG-13 (for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content)  I  Genre: Political Thriller  I  Release Date: 17 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Cal McAffery, a journalist played by Russell Crowe, is assigned to investigate the murder of U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins’ personal assistant. McAffery and his partner stumble upon a cover up involving several powerful people. The situation is further complicated because of Collins’ (played by Ben Affleck) longstanding friendship with McAffery. With high stakes worth billions involved no one is safe and no one can be trusted.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘State of Play’

Earth

Narrated by: James Earl Jones  I  Director: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield  I  Rating: G  I  Genre: Adventure, Documentary  I  Release Date: 22 April, 2009

Synopsis: Earth is the first in a series of Disneynature documentaries in association with BBC and Discovery Channel, which follows the incredible journey of three animal families (Polar Bears, Whales and Elephants) across the planet. With stunning cinematography and rare, breathtaking moments captured on film this memorable adventure begins on Earth Day.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Earth’

Treeless Mountain

Starring: Mi Hyang Kim, Soo Ah Lee, Song Hee Kim, Hee Yeon Kim  I  Director: So Yong Kim  I  MPAA Rating: N/A  I  Genre: Drama  I  Release Date: 22 April, 2009

Synopsis: Located in Seoul, Korea, Treeless Mountain is a story about two sisters, six year old Jin and the younger Bin, abandoned by their mother when she sets out to search for their father. The two sisters look out for each other while living with their alcoholic Aunt, a hostile and unruly woman. Jin believes that their mother will return if they collect enough money in the piggy bank she left for them.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Treeless Mountain’

Empty Nest

Starring: Oscar Martinez, Cecilia Roth  I  Director: Daniel Burman  I  Rating: N/A  I  Genre: Drama  I  Release Date: 24 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: A seemingly perfect couple is forced to explore their repressed feelings once the children leave home for different parts of the world. Once considered true role models for married couples, Leonardo, an established author, and Martha, a housewife with an academic inclination, head down different paths culminating in interesting outcomes.

Fighting

Starring:Channing Tatum, Terrence Howard, Zulay Henao, Brian White  I

Director: Dito Montiel  I  Rating: PG-13 (for intense fight sequences, a sex scene and brief strong language)  I  Genre: Drama  I  Release Date: 24 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Shawn McArthur, played by Channing Tatum, moves from his hometown to New York City where his skill for street fighting is soon discovered by con artist Harvey Boarden, played by Terrence Howard. Tempted to earn cash, McArthur joins an underground fight circuit and soon becomes a favorite with rich men betting on the players. Shawn’s life is embroiled in a dangerous and dark world, to get out of which he must prepare for the hardest fight yet.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Fighting’

The Garden

Starring: Danny Glover, Daryl Hannah, Antonio Villaraigosa  I  Director: Scott Hamilton Kennedy  I  Rating: N/A  I  Genre: Documentary  I  Release Date: 24 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: The Garden explores politics of money and power and the unfortunate impact it has on people whose livelihood depends on the largest community garden in the U.S. It questions and examines social issues such as equality and rights of the poor.

The Informers

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke, Winona Ryder, Amber Heard, Rhys Ifans, Brad Renfro, Jon Foster  I  Director: Gregor Jordan  I  Rating: R (for strong sexual content, nudity, drug use, pervasive language and some disturbing images)  I  Genre: Drama  I  Release Date: 24 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: The Informers is an examination of different tiers of American society and its obsession with indulgence at any cost. It is an honest and terrifying representation of a decadent section of society where parties, drugs and sex are an every night affair.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘The Informers’

Mutant Chronicles

Starring: Thomas Jane, John Malkovich, Ron Perlman, Devon Aoki  I  Director: Simon Hunter  I  Rating: R (for strong bloody violence and language)  I  Genre: Sci Fi, Action, Fantasy  I  Release Date: 24 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: A machine, that came to Earth from outer space at the end of the Ice Age, changes men into mutants. The machine is defeated and a large seal placed over it to prevent man from facing the same fate ever again. In 2707, four, constantly battling, corporations rule the planet. During one of the battles, the great seal is broken and the machine is once again free to do its bidding. Brother Samuel, leader of an ancient brotherhood approaches Constantine, the leader of the Corporations, to build a team of men to obliterate the machine, guided by the Chronicles, a Bible about the mutants. The team embarks on a fantastic journey, brimming with action and adventure, to determine the fate of mankind.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Mutant Chronicles’

Obsessed

Starring: Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O’Connell  I  Director: Steve Shill  I  Rating: PG-13 (for sexual material including some suggestive dialogue, some violence and thematic content)  I  Genre: Thriller  I  Release Date: 24 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Derek Charles, played by, Idris Elba, is happily married to Sharon (played by Beyonce Knowles) and his career is soaring to new heights. But when Derek attracts the attention of an obsessive natured temp, Lisa (played by Ali Larter), everything valuable in his life is suddenly at risk.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Obsessed’

The Soloist

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander  I  Director: Joe Wright  I  Rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements, some drug use and language)  I  Genre: Drama  I  Release Date: 24 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Inspired by true events, The Soloist is a moving story about one time classical music genius, turned homeless street musician, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (played by Jamie Foxx) and his chance encounter with Steve Lopez (a journalist played by Robert Downey Jr.), on the streets of L.A. Moved by Nathaniel’s exceptional violin performance, Lopez takes it upon himself to help Nathaniel return to music, forming a life altering friendship along the way.

Click here to see the trailer for ‘The Soloist’

Tyson

Starring: Mike Tyson  I  Director: James Toback  I  Rating: R (for language including sexual references)  I  Genre: Documentary  I  Release Date: 24 April, 2009 (USA)

Synopsis: Tyson traces the iconic and controversial athlete’s life from his tough childhood in Brooklyn through his rise to fame in the boxing arena and his often-tumultuous life since. Tyson’s persona are brought to life through a series of interviews and past footage

Click here to see the trailer for ‘Tyson’