2011 Year in Review

 

Is it December 31 already? As has become an annual tradition here at RootsMagic, we'd like to take a few of the last remaining minutes of the year 2011 to review some of our accomplishments from the last 12 months with you, our users. If you're not one to dwell on the past, check back Monday as we present our 2012 New Years' Resolutions with a peek at our plans for the coming year. But until then, crowd on into the time machine (don't worry, there's plenty of room) as we journey back to January 2011.

Free Online Classes (Webinars)

Beginning in January 2011, we pioneered the use of "webinars", or free online classes, to help our users get the most out of our software. Over the last 12 months, we've offered nearly 30 classes spanning over 30 hours of instruction to answer your questions and to teach you all the ins-and-outs of our software. And the response has been phenomenal! Our webinars have been viewed and downloaded hundreds of thousands of times from users in nearly every country on the globe.

And best of all? All of our webinars are archived and still available, free of charge. If you haven't already taken advantage of this resource, don't wait, pick a webinar on a topic that you've been curious about and watch it today! No other genealogy software comes close to providing the level of support and training that we do.

Sponsorships

This year brought the usual conference travel, but this time we wanted to give back a little to the genealogy community that has given us so much.

At the Southern California Jamboree in June we brought the experience of the Jamboree directly to you. We sponsored free live streaming of some of the best known speakers in the industry right into your home, including Lisa Louise Cooke, Curt Witcher, David Lambert, Kory Meyerink, and Kerry Bartels.

And at the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in Springfield, Illinois we sponsored the RootsMagic Cyber Cafe, the place to hang out, go online, charge a device, or print those syllabus pages you needed.

Personal Historian 2 and Personal Historian Essentials

This year saw not one, not two, but 3 new releases. September brought the long-awaited release of Personal Historian 2, the latest version of our ground-breaking computer software which helps you write the story of your life and of other individuals. Personal Historian 2 built upon its predecessor and added easier filtering and searching, an even better word processor, improved book publishing, and much more. We also released a free "Essentials" version of the software to help people start recording their life stories.

RootsMagic 5

We released regular free updates to our RootsMagic 4 software throughout the year. And in November we released RootsMagic 5, the latest version of our award winning genealogy software. RootsMagic 5 added a Timeline View, CountyCheck, Research Manager, "On This Day" List, Media Tagging, and much more. In the short time since it's release, RootsMagic 5 has already proven itself to be our best, most popular version of RootsMagic yet. And the best is yet to come!

Awards

And for the 3rd straight year, we received the GeneAwards Best Genealogy Product of the Year. "Several competing products saw major upgrades this year, but there is no better all-round desktop genealogy application".

Thank You!

We say this every year, and we know this always sounds clichéd, but none of this would have been possible without you and your support. 2011 has been a huge year for us and, rest assured, we're working hard to make 2012 even better!

2011 டாப் 10+1 படங்கள்

 

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எல்லோருக்கும் 2012 புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துகள் !

12. வாசகர் விருப்பம்

Rajapattai movie review

 

Movie : Rajapattai
Director : Suseenthiran
Producer : PVP Cinemas
Music : Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cast : Vikram, K Viswanath, Deeksha, Pradeep Rawat

Once again, it's Vikram's sheer presence and energy, that keeps Rajapattai afloat. Suseenthiran's wafer thin storyline is salvaged to a great extent by Vikram's one-man show. He plays the cool dude, gym boy with consummate ease and style.

Story- Anal Murugan (Vikram) a gym boy who dreams of becoming a successful villain in films. He bumps into an old man Dakshinamoorthy (K Viswanath) who is under pressure from his son ( Avinash) to sell his orphanage to a scheming lady politician Ranganayaki (Sana) who is majorly into land grabbing along with her hatchet man Vaappa (Pradeep Rawat).

The one-man army Murugan becomes the old man's saviour as Ranganayaki and her men are after them. How Murugan single-handedly fights the powerful politician and brings them to light forms the rest of the predictable story.

The only real standout performance is by Vikram, who carries the film on his shoulders. His over-the-top character, with outlandish costumes and coloured hair is caricaturish but charming. Deeksha has nothing much to do, is easy on the eye, and provides the oomph factor. The supporting cast is adequate.

What's missing in Rajapattai is a sure-footed director's touch. Suseenthiran fails to bring all the elements together inspite of having a National Award winning actor, a veteran K Viswanath, super talented Madhie as cameraman, Rajeevan as art director and Yuvan Shankar Raja.

Among the songs of Yuvan Shankar Raja , Laddu Laddu Rendu Laddu shot on Reema Sen and Shriya Saran in Italy is hummable but sadly it is placed in the end when title cards starts rolling!

On the whole, this old-fashioned masala entertainer is enjoyable in parts. It is vintage Vikram coupled with rich production values that makes Rajapattai watchable, despite its obvious flaws. On the whole, Vikram fans won't be disappointed.

Naga Chaitanya as lover boy again

 

Producer Vasu Bunny who delivered the big hit 100% Love, is teaming up with young sensation Naga Chaitanya for another romantic comedy.

Vasu believes in novel story lines and has hired Ravikumar Choudury of Yagnam fame, to direct this wholesome entertainer.

"The script is shaping up well and we should commence shooting in February 2012," says a source from the production house.

At present, the search is on for a top actress to play the female lead. Producer Dil Raju is also said to have joined as a partner in this big ticket production, and Naga Chaitanya is expected to bounce back with this lover boy role again, after unsuccessfully trying the mass with Bezawada.

Mamta Mohandas Wedding gallery

 

South Indian actress Mamta Mohandas tied the knot to her Bahrain based boyfriend Pregith Padmanabhan on December 28, 2011 at a resort in Kozhikode, Kerala.

The couple were engaged at a private ceremony on November 11, 2011. Pregith bought a new house in Cochin and the house warming ceremony was also held on the same day during the engagement.
The bridegroom arrived to the venue in a chariot which was a major attraction to the guests. See photo gallery.

Actors Vinneeth, Samvratha Sunil, directors Hariharan, Sathyan Anthikad and Shyam Prasad and producer P V Gangadharan were among the celebrities who attended the wedding.

Nayantara in RGV’s Ramayanam?

 

When we all thought that Sri Rama Rajyam was Nayantara's last film in her career, here comes an interesting news. Reportedly Nayantara is likely to play the role of Mandodari, Ravana's wife, in Ram Gopal Varma's next film, which is inspired from Ramayanam. After the superhit Shiva, Ram Gopal Varma and Nagarjuna is all set to team up once again for a Telugu film which will revolve around Ravana. It is said that at first Nayantara denied the offer but after Nagarjuna and RGV convinced her to take up the role. More details on the film is awaited soon!

David: Vikram’s second Bollywood flick

 

After making his Bollywood debut as a cop in Mani Ratnam's Raavan, Vikram has finally signed his second Hindi flick. The film, titled David, will be directed by Bejoy Nambiar (of Shaitan fame). Interestingly Bejoy has earlier assisted Mani Ratnam in Guru and Raavan. David is rumoured to be a complete gangster look which will be shot in a never-seen-before set up. The film is likely to go on floors by mid 2012. More details of the project is awaited.

NANBAN THEATRICAL TRAILER HD!

 

"NANBAN" MUSIC REVIEW

 

 

Starring: Vijay, Jiiva, Ileana, Sathyaraj, Srikanth
Direction: Shankar
Music: Harris Jeyaraj
Production: Gemini Film Circuit
Vocals: Vijay Prakash, Chinmayi, Suvi, Krish, Suchith Suresan, Aalap Raju, Mukesh, Hemachandran, Javed Ali, Sunidhi Chauhan, Ramakrishnan Murthy
Lyrics: Madhan Karky, Vivega, Na. Muthukumar, Pa. Vijay

Nanban is the remake of the 2009 cult classic "3 Idiots" in Hindi directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The involvement of some of the biggest names in the industry like director Shankar, Vijay and Harris Jeyaraj combined with the original's status as one of the biggest blockbusters in Bollywood history, has sent the expectation meter soaring. The audio released on 23^rd December. Vijay's movies always have good songs. Director Shankar and Harris are teaming up for the first time with the hero, and let's see how this super-hit trio has fared.

Asku Laska...
Singers: Vijay Prakash, Chinmayi, Suvi
Lyrics: Madhan Karky

This is the much hyped 16 language love song that Madhan Karky has penned for Nanban. Turkish, Slovak, French, Spanish, Chinese, Icelandic, German, Hebrew, Lingala, Malay, Arabic, Meile, English, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and of course Tamil have been used. Some 'Harris' special words that are incomprehensible to the human mind are there in this song too. The tune for this duet perfectly suits Vijay Prakash's casual style of singing and Chinmayi's super sweet company. On the whole, a foot tapping melody.

En Frienda Pola...
Singers: Krish, Suchith Suresan
Lyrics: Vivega

The song begins with very catchy whistling and proceeds with some very poignant yet simple lyrics that emphasize the value of a good friend. The beats are similar to the sound of claps. The usage of the mouth organ also adds to the haunting effect of this song. The song ends with some guitar notes that have come to symbolize Harris. On the whole, a short and highly impactful song. Krish infuses the same feel that he showed for 'June Ponal'

Endhan Kann Munnae...
Singers: Aalap Raju
Lyrics: Madhan Karky

The tune is so typical of Harris. We have heard this tune in many movies before like Unnale Unnale and Vaaranam Aayiram, to name a few. It is like a short and sweet lullaby that might pick up once the visuals are out.

Heartiley Battery...
Singers: Mukesh and Hemachandran
Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar

Nanban's version of 'All iz Well'. Very catchy with a constant beat and some funny noises that run in the background. The lyrics emphasize the value of living life in a positive and optimistic manner. Another chartbuster that will rock the screens for sure. Hemachandran and Mukesh have had a blast singing this. It is quite evident from the energy and positive vibes that this song generates. This song has definitely lived up to the Hindi cult classic "All iz Well".

Irukaana Illaiyaana Idupaanaa..
Singers: Vijay Prakash, Javed Ali and Sunidhi Chauhan
Lyrics: Pa. Vijay

A song dedicated to Ileana's svelte figure and waist-line. Vijay Prakash sounds so much like Hariharan in this song with his energy and enthusiasm. A sure shot super-duper hit song that will show the heroine in all her glory, the hero's dancing prowess and director Shankar's liking for grandeur and magnificent sets. It has some nice catchy lines in the form "Olli Jelly Belly Malli". Another USP of this song is national 'item number' sensation Sunidhi Chauhan's voice.

Nalla Nanban...
Singers: Ramakrishnan Murthy
Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar

Total sentimental sojourn from Harris and the lyricist. Given the original's reputation for inciting tears in the emotionally charged scenes showing Sharman Joshi's suicide attempt, this song will also go on the same lines. A nice classical touch all along, through the choice of the singer and the usage of mridangam. The piano and flute before the 2^nd stanza are very pleasant on the ears.

Verdict: A winner all the way. Good variety all through the album from Harris Jeyaraj and ample scope for festivities in the theater when Nanban scorches screens for Pongal. Harris Jeyaraj continues his envious winning streak with another sure-shot.