Official: Barcelona sign Vermaelen from Arsenal

The Belgium international passed a medical earlier on Saturday and has now completed a move to the Catalan club for a fee of €19m

By Ben Hayward in Barcelona

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen has completed a €19 million move to Barcelona, the Catalan club confirmed on Saturday.

The centre-back agreed to join Luis Enrique's side late last week after rejecting the overtures of Manchester United in favour of a summer switch to Camp Nou. The Belgium international flew in to Barcelona on Saturday morning for his medical ahead of the transfer, which will cost the Catalans an initial €15m and an additional €4m in extras.

"FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of the Belgian player, who will sign for the next five seasons," the club revealed on their website.

Arsenal also confirmed the deal on their official site, releasing a statement which read: "Thomas Vermaelen has agreed to join Barcelona in a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee. 

"Vermaelen passed his medical in Barcelona on Saturday. His transfer is subject to the completion of the normal regulatory process. Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Thomas for his contribution during his time at the club and wish him well for the future."
The 28-year-old has been blighted by injuries over the last few seasons and was given a thorough, two-part examination by Barca at the Hospital de Barcelona and later at the Clinica de la Creu Blanca on Saturday morning.

However, the former Ajax player came through the tests without any problems and is the second centre-back to join the Catalan club this summer, after Jeremy Mathieu arrived from Valencia in a €20m deal last month.

The defender, who becomes the third Arsenal captain to join Barca in seven years (after Thierry Henry in 2007 and Cesc Fabregas in 2011), will be unveiled at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Did you know? Akshay’s Entertainment faces objection over use of name Abdullah

The Indian censor board raised objection on Thursday over the way the name ‘Abdullah’ has been mispronounced in the upcoming film Entertainment and has requested the film’s makers to change it.

A source told IANS, “A character is named Abdullah, which is a very sacred name. Throughout the film, other characters keep mispronouncing Abdullah’s name, calling him all sorts of things like ‘arashogollah’ and ‘amashallah’.”

The source said the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which viewed the film late last week, asked the film’s producers and co-directors Sajid and Farhad Samji to change the name to avoid hurting anyone’s sentiments. The character is played by famous comedian Johnny Lever. In response to the request, the name was changed from ‘Abdullah’ to ‘Habibulllah’ in the movie.

Commenting on the matter, Sindh Board of Film Censors chairperson Fakhr-e-Alam told The Express Tribune that he has asked distributors to either remove all the scenes where the name Abdullah is mentioned or mute the dialogues before the film is shown in Pakistan. “Abdullah is a very sacred name and it has been used in a derogatory fashion in the movie,” he said.

With Akshay Kumar in the lead role, the film is coming out on August 8 and the director duo had to work overnight to make the necessary change. “It was a lot of hard work since Johnny’s character is there throughout the film and the jokes on his name occur very often. But there was no other option; we can’t afford to take the risk of hurting religious sentiments,” said the directors.

The source added that the CBFC also ordered the removal of a shot showing Kumar throwing a trishul (trident) across the screen. “The CBFC doesn’t want any Hindu organisation asking why the trishul was used as a weapon,” the source explained. The CBFC also objected to the use of word ‘HIV’ in a comical dialogue.

Show review: Hannibal 2 - a bloody good meal

‘I need you to recommend me a new TV show’ has become the new ‘I need you to lend me some money’. In times of binge watching, where entire seasons are often completed in a single sitting, it has become essential to be hooked on to at least one good show. Of late, whenever people have asked me the aforementioned question, I have repeatedly found myself suggesting the delicious Hannibal.

Based on characters from writer Thomas Harris’ novels, the show is a sort-of reboot, sort-of origin story of the Hannibal Lecter franchise. The titular role of a cannibalistic serial killer which in the past has been immortalised by actors Brian Cox (Manhunter) and Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs), is played masterfully by Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen in this version — watch out for scenes in which he has a faint smile on his lips, evidently enjoying himself pretending to eat human flesh.

What works in Hannibal’s favour is its novelty factor — out of all the high-quality series that have been produced and have aired lately, no other show has been able to blend drama and horror as efficiently. It’s as much a police procedural drama as well as a chilling horror story. With these two aspects, creator Bryan Fuller has managed to pull off something special. The sombre portions of the narrative could have failed but luckily the creepy tone works big time.

Hannibal examines the relationship between FBI agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr Hannibal Lecter. While the former is a crime scene investigator who can vividly recreate or reimagine the crime acts (and thus sympathise with the perpetrator), the latter is a brilliant psychiatrist and closeted cannibal. These characterisations make it clear, that sooner or later, the two are destined to clash with each other. Even though Lecter’s character gives the show its title, Graham is just as important to the proceedings. Oftentimes, he seems to be the protagonist of the story, which gives a nice twist about who the bad guy really is.

In the first season, the FBI calls upon Lecter’s help regarding some gruesome murders, and he often knows more about the cases than he is letting on. This adds to Graham’s psychological torment as he grows into a troubled soul. His graphic hallucinations — a permanent one is a black stag, which could signify everything from guilt to fear — which continue in season two, are terrifying and add to the shock value of the show.

One of Hannibal’s strongest components is its fantastic ensemble cast. Apart from the main couple, Laurence Fishburne as FBI head Jack Crawford serves as the show’s moral compass and Gillian Anderson shines in a short role as Hannibal’s mysterious therapist Bedelia du Maurier. In season two, we are treated to Michael Pitt’s demented pig trainer Mason Verger, who could have walked on to any Batman set — he looks and splendidly plays his character like a DC comic villain. Eddie Izzard plays an incarcerated surgeon, who killed his family, with aplomb. One highlight of the show is when Hannibal forces him to eat his own leg.

Scenes like these obviously sound horrible but don’t be put off — they are shot with a certain aesthetic that is still ‘tasteful’. The same goes for other shocking moments in the second season, when for example, a character gets a human ear shoved down his throat. There is no blood in either scene, which goes to show that the makers aren’t interested in slasher elements and yet are able to provide true moments of body horror.

With Mikkelsen, the makers of Hannibal have landed a great coup. He’s an established star of world cinema (credits include blockbuster Casino Royale, as well as art-house fare The Hunt) and his approach to the small screen is one of great understanding. Hannibal Lecter is not a role one would have associated Mikkelsen with prior to the start of the show, but after watching two seasons of him in this role, no other person could have possibly been a more convincing actor.

Early on in season two, Lecter, when serving Jack Crawford some cooked human meat, confesses, “I never feel guilty eating anything.” It’s a dark, dark line, because Crawford doesn’t know what he’s really being fed. The food looks rather appetising, both while it’s being prepared by Lecter and while it’s being eaten. It’s not the first (and certainly not the last) time that someone has been invited over for dinner and has unknowingly partaken in his cannibalistic habit. And if he doesn’t feel guilty about it, why should we? The show has us eating out of Lecter’s hands.

Big B fails on the small screen

The much-hyped Amitabh Bachchan starrer mega television series Yudh, opened to dismal ratings, despite Big B’s tag on it, reported Mail Online India.

Created by Anurag Kashyap and directed by Ribhu Dasgupta, the show that marked the debut of Big B in the fictional scene first aired a fortnight ago and received a lukewarm response of 0.7 Television Viewership Rating last Monday and closed the week at a low 0.6.The average rating for the first week of Amitabh Bachchan’s Yudh stood at 1.6 TVM, reported Bollywood Life.

Yudh, which is considered the most expensive fiction show made for Indian television with each episode costing around INR 30 million, is a 20-episode show, revolving around a real-estate baron who is tackling business rivalries and dealing with his neurological disorder.

Indian audiences openly embraced the idea of different storylines offered by Pakistani dramas as a fresh breeze of air from the typical saas-bahu dramas. But the moderate response to a show with a stellar cast has confirmed that couch potatoes are not ready to accept innovative fictional shows just yet.

Shows such as Diya Aur Bati Hum has the highest ratings with an average viewership of 10.5 TVM.  Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, which has been around for a few years now, has maintained its position among the top three at 8.3 TVM. The weekend continues to be dominated by Comedy Nights with Kapil, which gets about 6.8 TVM weekly, followed by the reality dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa at 5.6 TVM and The Anupam Kher Show at 2.6 TVM.

When Big B was asked if it will be challenging to mold the conventional pattern of daily soaps, he said: “It’s an attempt to narrate a new story. If we fail, we’ll introspect and make another attempt.”

“Yudh’s work is over. I always feel that an artiste is never satisfied with his work. I always try to improve my work. I hope I get the opportunity to work more,” said Bachchan, when asked if is satisfied with the response Yudh received, reported Glam Sham.

“I don’t know how TV business works. When a film releases, by weekend you come to know (through box office figures) whether a film has earned or not. In TV, you have TRPs and GRPs. I just do my work and leave.  You will let us know after a few days whether it worked or not. If it works, we will thank you. If it doesn’t then also we will thank you and put in more efforts in the future,” he added.

Admittedly, it is too early to compare, but last year, Anil Kapoor’s thriller series 24 that featured Anti-Terrorist Unit Kapoor foiling a murder attempt on the future prime minister also suffered poor ratings. The Indian version, inspired by hit US series received a lukewarm response with barely 3.4 million viewers tuning in initially. With time the ratings didn’t improve and, in fact, dropped to 2.4 million. The show was completely rejected by audiences from smaller cities.

Another problem with Yudh is that it is aired at 10:30pm, which is a terrible time slot. Crowd enthusiasm dies after prime time. Interestingly, IMDB, known to be the most authoritative online database for shows and movies, has given the show a rating of 9.2, almost at par with international shows like True Detective, House of Cards and Game Of Thrones.  Excited to see this development on IMDb, Bachchan tweeted, “IMDb ratings for YUDH astonishing numbers… it’s 9.2 today, was 9.4 a few days back! House of Cards, True Detective, GOT… same,” reported the Hindustan Times.

JackSon fantansy to be Sold.

King of pop Michael Jackson’s Neverland estate is being considered for sale, said a spokesman for the company controlling the property, and it is certain that it won’t be sold on the never-never. Modelled after the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, the ranch is expected to garner as much as $60 million, reported the Daily News.   

Owen Blicksilver, spokesperson for the investment firm Colony Capital LLC, said the company will make a decision soon as to whether it will place Jackson’s estate near the central Californian coast on the market, Reuters reported. The estate comprises 22 buildings, which include guest houses, apartments and a movie theatre. But its most crucial selling point, which was its fairground, has been replaced by a tranquil ‘Zen garden.’

Jackson, who died in June 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of the powerful anaesthetic propofol, had handed over the title on his Neverland ranch in 2008 to Colony Capital, which held his $23 million loan on the property.

At the time of the deal, Colony Capital said the firm had been planning to spruce up the ranch and sell it for an estimated $70 to $80 million or more if Jackson was able to revitalise his career. Jackson’s estate, managed by John McClain and John Branca, stated it is “saddened at the prospect of the sale of Neverland,” and will continue to manage the singer’s family home in Encino, a neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

“We hope and trust that any new owners of Neverland will respect the historical importance and special nature of this wonderful property. Michael’s memory lives on in the hearts of his fans worldwide,” the statement said.

Since his death, Jackson has been featured each year on Forbes’ highest-earning dead celebrities list, with his estate making an estimated $160 million from October 2012 to 2013, the magazine said

Did you know?: Stallone once felt violent hatred for Schwarzenegger

Sylvester Stallone wanted to “strangle” Arnold Schwarzenegger during their 1980s heyday as they battled it out for the unofficial title of Hollywood’s toughest man. The two stars will soon appear on screen together in Expendables 3, so it’s interesting to know that there was a time when the two couldn’t bear to stand in the same room together.

Back in the 1980s, at the height of their fame, the two starred in similar big budget action films and were deadly enemies at the height of their careers.

Stallone opened up about the feud with the Terminator star and said: “There were times when we could not even be in the same room and I was always like, ‘Oh, it’s him’.”

“Arnold was like someone I wanted to strangle everyday… in the morning and at night. We were so competitive. He was Mr Olympia (He won the Mr Universe title at age 20 and went on to win the Mr Olympia contest seven times). We came along at the same time. Of course, I was first, but he was bigger,” said Stallone.

“He is very smart. We became competitive and we could not be in the same room,” he added.

Stallone is best-known for his roles in the Rocky and Rambo films.

100HAPPYDAYS: Ali Zafar and Shahid Kapoor

Nothing makes butterflies flutter in our stomachs than seeing the most sought-after hunks pose for a picture together. This photograph, which features the multitalented singer-actor Ali Zafar alongside actor Shahid Kapoor, was taken in London, where they will be performing live along with other Bollywood actors.

Kapoor may have debuted in films six years before Zafar, but both the actors need to work in more substantial films to make their mark in Bollywood. Although Shahid’s career in film hasn’t progressed consistently, he has proven his critics wrong with exceptional performances in films such as Jab We Met and Kaminey. All eyes are set on him to see how he performs in his upcoming film Haider, which is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

With films such as Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and London, Paris, New York under his belt, Zafar is yet to make a noticeable impact in Btown.