Prince of Persia...Jake Gyllenhaal hunk material! Ben Kingsley stellar acting...

I was under the impression that "Prince of Persia" was a historical saga.

Boy, was I wrong.

Pleasantly so!

In the first fast-paced scenes, the audience is swept up into the intriguing Persian culture - in part due - to an enchanting musical score and the broad lush strokes the skilled director (a Bruckheimer Production) has used to paint his larger-than-life canvas.

The cinematography is exquisite - breathtaking in fact - but I was more drawn to the sets which captured the distinctive arcitectural style of the era.

In a nutshell, the tale is about a tribe habitating in the wilds of Persia, who suddenly feel threatened by a neighbouring clan, a confidant alleges are crafting weapons for an ally.

A decision is made to attack the sacred Temple where their  High Priests practise a mysterious religion rife with a lot of hokus-pokus and ritual.

Once the city is stormed, one of the Princes - who just earned the title of "Lion" for his ferocious staying-power in the battle - is gifted with a unique ornate dagger with a glass case brimming with sand crystals.

As it turns out, the knife has mystical powers.

Now there is a ongoing struggle by to snatch the coveted religious artifact - with the ultimate aim of using its potent power - to rule the world.

Along the way - a cast of conniving diabolical characters - rev up the screen.

Throughout, the theatre-goer is treated to two-dozen or so spectacular fight scenes that  keep 'em on the edge of their plush seats at the theatre.

Unfortunately, the film is a tad long - so about thirty minutes prior to the screen fading to black - filmgoers tend to be squirm in their seats and glance down at their watches.

Will this movie ever end?

Nothwithstanding, I expect fans of the genre (and others) will gobble up every precious moment of this romantic action-adventure drama into summer.

Talk about a hybrid!

Of course, Jack Gyllenhaal's muscled bod - and puppy dog eyes - are worth the price of admission.

Jake, that  accent was killing me!

As usual, Ben Kingsley turned  in a stellar performance that was seamless and perfect in every way.

The supporting players also bolster the "Prince of Persia" up in a myriad of entertaining ways (making the feature truly an ensemble piece).

The plot is sheer fantasy.

But, the newly-released flick, is a delicious escape that hits the spot, for filmgoers seeking a respite for it all (if only for a couple of hours).

3 Stars!

Ben Kingsley as Gandhi

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Iranian Blogs...compulsory registration with Government!

In the wake of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's appearance in the United States months ago at Columbia University, there was a distinctive fall-out across the country; in particular, over the controversial comments the feisty Iranian Prime Minister made in respect to the Holocaust and Homosexuals.

In Iran, bloggers posted up a storm as well, according to the Human Rights Documentation Center.

Director Tom Parker noted as follows:

"Americans might be forgiven for thinking they have heard everything there is to say about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia University, but the story occupied Iranian bloggers at least as much as it dominated the American news cycle.

Although Iranian authorities have introduced laws requiring citizens to register their blogs and Web Sites with the government, Persian is the 10th most widely used language on blogs worldwide, according to Technorati's blog-tracking device."

"Despite official harassment and intimidation, Iranian blogs remain a vibrant source of debate and provide a valuable insight into popular opinion inside the country. Bloggers tend to be young, well-educated, and not very supportive of President Ahmadinejad who typically attracts followers from the urban poor."

With the assistance of New York Times editors, Mr. Parker provided the following excerpts from "conversations" on posts which unfolded in Iran ( translated by the Human Rights Documentation Center in Persia).

Republic, jomhour.ir, Sept. 23:

Someone who denies the Holocaust and promises the downfall of the Western World will inevitably remind Westerners of bin Laden and Al Qaeda.
Ahmadinejad comes from a country that burns the American flag, the symbol of American identity, and shouts its desire for the death and destruction of the Government and its President.
American anger is understandable.Maybe it comes from the same source as the anger of the Iranian students at Amirkabir University in Tehran who confronted Ahmadinejad and his entourage.

Street No. 11, 11ave.blogspot.com, Sept. 24:

Can anyone imagine George Bush coming to Tehran and then criticizing the Islamic Republic's policies in a speech? Is it plausible to imagine George Bush speaking about wiping Palestine off the map? Could George Bush talk about sending democracy to Tehran in Texas? Would George Bush even be provided with a security or would plain-clothed operatives be sent to "spontaneously" attack him?

Word of Wisdom, harfehesaaby.blogspot.com, Sept. 24:

The most important part of the speech is the very positive message that Iran has sent to America.

In response to the question, "Are you willing to have a dialogue with America and what do you expect?", after some explanations, he said, "we think that America can be a good friend for Iran."

He repeated the sentence and the phrase "good friend" one more time to show that it did not slip out accidentally.

Messiah, masih.malakut.org, Sept. 25:

Dude, someone should take Ahmadinejad's hand and take him to Daneshju Park in Valiasr Crossing. No need for explanation. Just hold on firmly to his hand so that he does not get too excited.

We all know that when he is among different people and ethnic groups, he tries to blend in and considers becoming one of them as his undeniable duty.

So be careful, God forbid, that when he is in Daneshju Park, this feeling of duty might arise and cause him trouble! Unlike those boys in that godforsaken park, a president cannot pluck his eyebrows, or wear tight-fitting clothes, or put on blusher.

Until the Polytechnic Students Are Released...(formerly to Watch the Cleansing Waters), abhayesepid.persianblog.ir, Sept. 26:

During the speech of my favorite president, I felt broken. The belittling killed me little by little.

He thought Columbia University was just another visit to the provinces and everyone would applaud him.

How could he stand all the insults to his people?
Last night, before the speech of my knowledgeable Ahmadinejad, I was so worried.

O Lord, how are we going to be ridiculed now?
How did we become who we are?

The year of dialogue between civilizations seems so far away!