Rambo is a fictional character John Rambo, a former Green Beret who first came into view in the novel First Blood. The character by created by David Morrell and it became the basis for a series of blockbuster action films with Sylvester Stallone in the lead. The films based on the character are: Rambo: First Blood, Rambo: First Blood Part II, Rambo III and the most recent Rambo V. The first three movies were released in the 1980s and fourth came after a gap of almost 20 years in 2008. The fifth movie is also in the early stages of production and is slated for a 2009 release. Rambo series is often talked about for its violence and the latest Rambo flick was the bloodiest with 262 kills averaging at 3.2 per minute. This number was greater than that of the earlier 3 movies combined.

The film centers on a disturbed Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran, John Rambo. The imaginary character of John Rambo was born to a Native American father R. Rambo and a mother of German descent on 6th July, 1947. After graduating in 1965, he joined the United States Army on 2nd January, 1966 at an age of 18. During the Vietnam War, he was captured in November1971 and was subjected to repeated torture. He escaped in May 1972 and returned to U.S. Rambo was a sort of war machine who was trained in weaponry, many aspects of survival, guerrilla warfare and hand to hand combat. In popular society, the name Rambo is used as an eponym to refer to methods of military operations or to someone who demonstrates great courage and valor through tremendous skill and violence in demanding situations. The term is also sometimes used derogatorily to refer to people who tactlessly indulge in a fight with no consideration to one’s safety or watchful planning.

Rambo has been one of the most successful series to have been made in Hollywood. Each of the Rambo movies had been massive hit worldwide. Rambo also helped establish the reputation of Sylvester Stallone as one of the finest action actor.

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The idea of Harry Potter suddenly crossed her head in 1990 while she was journeying on a crowded train to London from Manchester. She completed Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone in 1995 and sent the manuscript to prospective agents. After being rejected by eight publishers she finally got an offer from Bloomsbury for £2,500 advance. After the huge success of the first book, she went on to write the remaining six which made her a hugely respected international celebrity.

The last book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows had gone to the shelves only recently on 21st July 2007 and sold more than 11 million copies in the first twenty hours of its release itself. The whole series revolves around the adventurous journey of teenager wizard Harry Potter along with his best buddies, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Jean Granger. The main plot concerns Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard of all times who killed Harry’s parents and lost all his powers and body in trying to kill Harry.

Harry Potter series has been translated into many languages in the world and even the movie adaptations of the books are been made which themselves have met with huge commercial success throughout the world. J.K Rowling dedicated seventeen years to writing the Harry Potter Saga and rubbishes all rumors of her writing the eighth book in the series.

Harry Potter books have played a great part in increasing an interest in reading among the youth at a juncture when children had lost all interest in reading and had been completely hooked up to the computer, play stations and television. It has given a new lease to reading among children. J.K Rowling and the Harry Potter books have received many awards throughout the world.

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The Mask is a comic book series published by Dark Horse Comics. The Mask was created by Mike Richardson and first appeared as “The Masque” in “Dark Horse Presents # 10”. Like all other Dark Horse publications The Mask was initially printed in black and white. The Mask is not a specific person; it refers to a mask which when put on by anyone gives him limitless power and altered appearance with a large green head.

Badger, who was a writer/artist with Marvel Comics was roped in to work on the comic strip, then known as The Masque. After Badger’s strips started becoming increasingly political Chris Warner was hired by Richardson to revamp the character. The character was re-launched in 1989 in Mayhem #1.

John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke’s created “The Mask” four issue mini-series in 1991, which became very popular. After the first series Dark Horse Comics continued the miniseries around this popular version of The Mask. These series concluded in 2000 with the DC Comics company crossover “Joker/Mask”, in which Batman’s enemy the Mask falls into hands of Batman’s enemy The Joker.

In the shorts Stanley Ipkiss purchases the mask an old mask at an antique shop for his girlfriend Kathy. When Stanley tries on the mask he is transformed into a being with superpowers and a green head. After he discovers his powers, Ipkiss, who is shown as a loser, goes on a rampage to tom punish all those who have wronged him. He is given the name of “Big Head” by the media. Stanley is thrown out by Kathy after he gets abusive with her. Kathy kept the mask with her and to get it back Stanley steals it from her house causing mayhem in the process. Stanley is shot and killed by Kathy who figured out that Stanley was Big Head.

Kathy takes the mask to Lt. Kellaway, who is having a bad time keeping control on the crime in the city. Kellaway uses the power of the mask to tackle the crime in the city. The mask starts having influence on Kellaway and he becomes more and more violent. When Kellaway realizes this fact after he nearly kills his partner, Kellaway hides the mask and takes a vow of not wearing it ever again.

After falling into many hands The Joker gets hold of the magical mask. Lt. Kellaway helps Batman and Commissioner Gordon In getting the mask back from The Joker. After getting back the mask, Kellaway digs up Stanley Ipkiss’ grave and hides the mask along with the corpse in the grave.

On July 29, 1994 “The Mask” (the movie) was released with Jim Carrey in the lead role of Stanley Ipkiss. The movie was directed by Chuck Russell and starred Cameron Diaz debuting as Tina Carlyle. There is also an animated series based on the mask titled “The Mask: The Animated Series”.

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