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Artistic, musical, creative, and entertaining topics in Journal's workplace sphere.
Israel–Gaza Conflict Escalates
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has intensified dramatically, following a declaration by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his government plans to launch a large-scale military operation. The proposed campaign, which includes the relocation of civilians within Gaza “for their protection,” has raised alarm globally and sparked heated debate across diplomatic and humanitarian circles.
By Masood Zahid11 months ago in Journal
Berger Wall Putty Price in Pakistan: Everything You Need to Know
When it comes to preparing walls for painting, one of the most essential materials to use is wall putty. Wall putty is a product that provides a smooth surface for painting by filling in any imperfections, cracks, or holes. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that the final paint finish is flawless and long-lasting. In Pakistan, Berger Paints, a renowned brand known for its high-quality products, offers a wide variety of wall putty options for both interior and exterior applications. This article explores the prices, types, and benefits of Berger Wall Putty in Pakistan, helping you make an informed decision when purchasing this essential product.
By akbarali seo11 months ago in Journal
The Untold Sides of 'The Hobbit Trilogy'
Th The globally acclaimed fantasy saga The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are masterpieces by J.R.R. Tolkien. Brought to life on the silver screen by director Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings trilogy focused on Frodo Baggins of the Shire. A decade later came its prequel, The Hobbit Trilogy, with Frodo's uncle Bilbo Baggins taking center stage. Though it didn’t quite match The Lord of the Rings in success, The Hobbit Trilogy was fairly well-received. Today’s piece explores some lesser-known facts about The Hobbit Trilogy, which is set 77 years before The Lord of the Rings. 1. Tolkien started drafting The Hobbit around 1928. This means the story predates The Lord of the Rings and serves as its prequel. Interestingly, Tolkien had left the story half-finished. A student of his, Elaine Griffith, brought the unfinished manuscript to a publisher friend, who was highly impressed. Upon Griffith’s encouragement, Tolkien completed the tale. Hence, she played a crucial role in bringing Middle-earth’s enchanting fantasy to the world. 2. In 1994, director Peter Jackson wanted to adapt The Hobbit into a film after being inspired by the 1978 animated The Lord of the Rings. His original plan was to follow up with two Lord of the Rings films. However, due to creative differences with the production house Miramax, the project stalled. Eventually, New Line Cinema stepped in, helping bring both trilogies to the big screen.
By Riham Rahman 11 months ago in Journal
Bayt al-Hikmah: Where Stars of Knowledge Once Shone
During the Abbasid Caliphate, Baghdad emerged as a center of intellectual and economic excellence. One of the most iconic examples of their support for scientific advancement was the famous library of Baghdad, Bayt al-Hikmah—known in English as the House of Wisdom. From around the 5th to at least the 9th century, its collection was considered the largest in the world. The halls of this institution were always abuzz with the presence of prominent scholars of the time.
By Riham Rahman 11 months ago in Journal
The Untold Aspects of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Pt.2
Last part 8. Avatar (2009) drew significant inspiration from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. How? Let’s explain. In 1994, James Cameron had already completed about 80% of the conceptual work for Avatar. However, due to the limitations of visual effects at the time, he didn’t feel confident enough to begin production. Lacking advanced CGI and VFX, he decided to wait patiently for technological advancements. In 2002, after witnessing the CGI and motion capture used for Gollum in The Two Towers, Cameron was blown away. He realized the time had finally come to bring his dream project to life. And so, he jumped in headfirst to make it happen.
By Riham Rahman 11 months ago in Journal
The Untold Aspects of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Pt.1
Imagine a group of friends deep in discussion about the greatest fantasy franchises in the world. Naturally, names like Harry Potter, The Witcher, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Narnia, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Marvel/DC Comics would come up. However, one name that must also be mentioned is J.R.R. Tolkien's immortal creation — The Lord of the Rings. Whether in books or on the silver screen, this franchise remains unforgettable. Formed with a unique blend of friendship, love, vengeance, lust for power, magic, and diverse races, the fantasy of this franchise can easily rival reality. In 2001, renowned director Peter Jackson brought this trilogy to the big screen with the first installment The Fellowship of the Ring. It garnered immense acclaim from critics and audiences alike, essentially immortalizing the franchise. This article dives into some lesser-known aspects of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. 1. The Production Struggle Initially, it was decided that the film would be produced under the Miramax production house, split into two parts. However, due to budget constraints, the studio informed Peter Jackson that the entire story must be condensed into a single film. Knowing this would result in a disaster due to the vast plot, Jackson stood firm. Eventually, New Line Cinema, under Warner Bros., came forward to realize the dream, greenlighting the full trilogy. 2. Casting Surprises Christopher Lee, who played Saruman, originally wanted to play the powerful wizard Gandalf. He was the only cast member who had read the entire book series multiple times—every year, in fact—and even memorized large portions. A true fan of the franchise, he was also the only cast member to have ever met J.R.R. Tolkien. Upon hearing that a film adaptation was in the works, he personally wrote to Peter Jackson requesting to play Gandalf. However, Jackson suggested he take the role of Saruman instead. Interestingly, Scottish actor Sean Connery was offered the role of Gandalf and even promised 15% of the total box office revenue. But he declined, saying he couldn't grasp the complexity of the character. Eventually, the role went to Sir Ian McKellen, who brought Gandalf to life brilliantly. For the role of Aragorn, actors like Nicolas Cage, Stuart Townsend, and Russell Crowe were approached but declined. Ultimately, it went to Viggo Mortensen. American actor Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for Frodo, but Elijah Wood was chosen instead. 3. Helicopter Fear on Set Sean Bean, who played Boromir, had a severe fear of helicopters. The mountain scenes in the first film were shot in New Zealand, and most cast and crew were flown in by helicopter. But Bean refused to fly, so he would hike for nearly two hours to reach the shooting location. As a result, the entire crew had to wait for him every day on the mountain. 4. Differences Between the Book and the Film While four hobbits accompany Frodo in the films, there were five in the book. The missing one was Fredegar “Fatty” Bolger, who stayed behind in the Shire. He played a role in defending the Shire when Saruman attacked later. He briefly appears in the extended cut. Sauron is only shown as a giant eye atop a tower in the films, but in the book, he has a full physical description. His hunt for the One Ring was aimed at world domination. While the film shows Frodo setting out shortly after Bilbo gives him the ring, in the book, his journey begins 17 years later. Saruman’s death also differs. In the book, after the ring is destroyed in Mount Doom, the hobbits return to find that Saruman has taken over the Shire. They fight him, and eventually, Gríma Wormtongue kills Saruman by slitting his throat in a place called the Scouring of the Shire. 5. Epic Runtime Binge-watching this trilogy is no easy task. Each movie runs for nearly 3.75 hours on average. The original theatrical cuts total 9 hours and 18 minutes, while the extended editions stretch to an astounding 11 hours and 55 minutes — a record-setting runtime for a trilogy. 6. Groundbreaking Effects When the first film was released in 2001, CGI and VFX were just emerging technologies. Many new techniques debuted in this trilogy. To maintain realism, the director heavily used practical elements. Astonishingly, around 18,000 costumes were used, with 30–40 duplicates for each main character. There were also 2,000 unique weapons and about 10,000 arrows used, along with nearly 300 horses. The differences in character heights were achieved using clever camera angles and new visual effects. 7. Editing Nightmare The three films were released in 2001, 2002, and 2003, respectively. The editing team was pushed to their limits managing such large-scale productions. At one point, editing for The Fellowship of the Ring had just finished while The Two Towers was in production, and footage for The Return of the King was already being cut. Even after the theatrical release of the final movie, Peter Jackson shot additional scenes for the extended edition.
By Riham Rahman 11 months ago in Journal
Tom Cruise's 'Massive Breakfast' Fuels Death-Defying 'Mission Impossible' Airplane Stunts
Tom Cruise, the seemingly ageless 62-year-old Hollywood icon, is once again pushing the boundaries of cinematic action with his death-defying stunts in the upcoming installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, titled Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Known for his unwavering commitment to performing his own stunts, Cruise has now revealed the surprising fuel behind his high-octane performances – a "massive breakfast."
By Arif Islam11 months ago in Journal
‘Thunderbolts’ Review: Florence Pugh and Pals Kick Some Asterisk*
Marvel Studios has taken another bold leap into its ever-evolving cinematic universe with Thunderbolts — a film that feels like a fresh mix of anti-hero grit, comedic flair, and emotional nuance. Directed by Jake Schreier and headlined by Florence Pugh, Thunderbolts doesn’t just attempt to subvert traditional superhero storytelling—it gleefully flips the formula on its head.
By MD BILLAL HOSSAIN11 months ago in Journal
The Hell Behind Construction Sites.
The Hell Behind Construction Sites: The Hidden Reality of Building Giants Introduction When you gaze at a towering skyscraper, you see beauty—steel, glass, and elegance. But hidden behind that polished exterior is a story of struggle, exhaustion, and relentless labor. This is the untold story of construction sites—the invisible battlefield that powers the modern world. It’s time we expose the raw truth behind the structures that shape our cities.
By Sayed Zewayed11 months ago in Journal
