Posted on 19 January 2013. Tags: culture, famous, monkeys, popular, Top 10 List, top ten list
Monkeys have been part of popular culture for decades, some have been on TV and many others were featured in cartoons and movies. Over the years they’ve made us laugh, cry and have even become the most hated antagonists in the oddest cases. One thing is for sure; all 10 famous monkeys on this list deserve a special mention: they are all remembered for making things comedic and fun to watch. So let’s give them a round of applause as we celebrate their space in our hearts.
1. Abu in Aladdin:
Abu is Aladdin’s kleptomaniac monkey. He can talk and is based on the character of Abu the thief in the 1940 version of the Thief of Baghdad. Abu may be a thief, but he is kind hearted. In the first film, he steals food to live, but when he sees two children looking for food in the garbage, Abu is forced to give the stolen food to them.
2. Curious George:
Curious George is the protagonist in popular children’s books and TV Show of the same name. He is a brown monkey, brought from Africa by a man with the yellow hat to live with him in the big city. The book series was written and drawn by Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey. They were rumoured to have fled Paris in June of 19040 on self-made bikes carrying the manuscripts with them. The books were and still are an instant success.
3. King Kong:
He is a giant movie monster that resembles a big gorilla and has appeared in many movies starting with the ground-breaking 1933 movie. There were two remakes in 1976 and 2005 and many other sequels of the first two films.
The character was created by film maker Merian C. Cooper. In the original film, the character was named the Kong, a name given to him by the people of Skull Island in the Pacific Ocean, where Kong lives along other oversized animals.
Who can forget how he escaped and climbed on to the Empire State Building in order to protect Ann Darrow? The graphics were stunning and still replays in my head over and over again.
4. Rafiki in Lion King:
Rafiki (meaning friend) is a mandrill who assists the Lion King as the Grand Vizier. Since Ahadi ruled the Pride Lands, Rafiki was an advisor to Mufasa and even Scar and now serves Simba.
Rafiki is best described as old and hunched over primate. Along with these features, he has wide eyes and a big smile. Though he somewhat resembles a mandrill, Rafiki has a long tail, lacks an idiosyncratic crested head and is usually referred to as a baboon.
5. Dexter in Nights in the Museum:
Dexter the Monkey is played by Crystal in the Nights in the Museum. She is most famous for slapping Ben Still while her trainer encouraged her to “Get him. Get him!” During the shooting of the movie, she decided to defecate on Teddy Roosevelt (played by Robin Williams). If you are wondering where else Crystal appeared…she also played the drug dealing monkey in The Hangover II and Donald the Monkey in the Zookeeper (voiced by Adam Sandler).
Another memorable scene was when Dexter stole Larry’s keys and Larry began to chase her around. The monkey is definitely a good actress.
Posted in Entertainment
Posted on 01 August 2011. Tags: art, culture, famous, paintings, top 10, Top 10 List, Top Ten, top ten list
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Discussed herein are the world’s most famous paintings ever to be seen. Famous paintings have been utilized the word over as a means of developing culture as well as history. Millions of people from different races globally have been captivated by paintings done by some of the famous painters to ever walk the face of this earth such as Picasso, Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and Vermeer. Some of these paintings were done hundreds of years ago, but, still continue to mesmerize the people living in the present century.
In case you are in search for paintings that were famously done then look no further, listed here are the top ten most famous paintings that have been reproduced over and over again from time immemorial.
1. Mona Lisa – Painted By Leonardo Da Vinci
There is no doubt that Mona Lisa done by Leonardo Da Vinci has been and is still the most famous painting in the world. The paining is a property of the French government and has been hanged in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The painting showcases a woman who is staring out towards the viewer with what has been described by critics as “the most enigmatic smile.” There has been no other painting in the history of the world that has captivated the imagination of the world like Mona Lisa. If it were to be sold in the market, it would be the most priced painting in the world or perhaps the most expensive piece of art to be done in the human history. However, a replica of this painting is available all over the world. The real one as stated earlier is owned by the French government.
2. Starry Night – Painted by Vincent Van Gogh
The second most famous painting to be done is the Starry Night which was painted by Vincent Van Gogh. This particular painting that has been done by Van Gogh has been described by lovers of art as a classic. It brings into play a rush of emotions from the tranquility of the church battlement to the wild throw away of the painting utilized for the late night sky.
3. The Kiss – Painted by Gustav Klimt
The Kiss which was done by Gustav Klimt is the third most famous painting in the world. The paining was done way back in 1907. The image portrayed by the painter which is of a couple who are bounded by a gold linen and jewelry sharing an intimate moment has been left to the critic to think of what led to and after it. To most, it is simply a case of a perfect kiss.
4. Luncheon of the Boating Party – Painted by Pierre Auguste Renoir
The painting was mainly done by Pierre Auguste to depict a couple of his friends. At the moment when the painting was being done, they were sited on a balcony situated somewhere along the Seine River. The painting is set in France. The Luncheon simply shows the lifestyle of the middle class towards the close of the 19th century. A close look at the painting and you will notice that for sure life is to be enjoyed to the fullest. The painting is beautiful and will is sure to bring life to any room.
5. Girl with a Pearl Earring – Painted by Jan Vermeer
In as much as the painting seems to be plain, but, the Girl with a Pearl Earring is the fifth most famous painting in the world. A majority of critics tend to believe that the painting was done for a girl most likely before she got married. The painting has been done majestically as it lacks a background and puts more focus on the girl rather than other aspects of the painting. Her tears most likely show her joy to being married and the pearl earrings a gift from her groom.
Posted in Featured, Mis
Posted on 21 April 2011. Tags: culture, museums, sight, top 10, Top 10 List, Top Ten, top ten list, travel, trip, world
If you want to know about the history, culture or tradition of a place, museums should be your ultimate destination. You can check out the web or read books to gain some information of the past, but in a museum, you will be able to witness the ancient remains. Thus, it will help you form a better idea of the past. It is a place where you can get closer to history. Almost every state has a museum, which speaks of its past, and its glory. Though every museum will narrate some historical incidents, it does not mean every museum has same popularity. The artifacts, which are showcased in the museums, determine its popularity. If you want to enhance your knowledge of history, you need to know about the different museums that are located in different places. It is obviously not possible for each and every person to possess complete knowledge of all museums located across the globe. Yet, he can check out some selected museums. If you are interested to know about museums, you can surely check out the top ten museums in the world today
1. The Vatican Museums
Founded by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums are listed among the greatest museums. If you visit these museums, you will be able to witness some brilliant sculptures. Not only that, the art masterpieces of Renaissance period is also on display here.
2. Le Louvre
Located in Paris, Le Louvre or Grand Louvre is known to be the most popular art museums across the globe. This historic monument is home to around thirty five thousand historical objects that include prehistoric remains to artifacts of nineteenth century.
3. The British Museum
The British Museum, which was initially based on the works of scientist and physician, Sir Hans Sloane, now boasts of having a collection of over seven million different items. The museum, which was first opened to public in 1959, now attracts people for its huge collection of works on human culture and human history.
4. The Uffizi Gallery
Uffizi, located in Florence, is one of the most popular and among the oldest art museums of Western world. Botticelli’s work, The Birth of Venus, is the most popular attraction of this museum. Yet, you should not miss the brilliant works of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Caravaggio or Raphael, which are also displayed in this museum.
5. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met or the Metropolitan Museum of Art, located in New York City, boasts of displaying a collection of over two million art works. For a proper tour of the museum, the authorities have classified the collection into 19 different curatorial sections. The museum is also known for hosting works of different noted artists.
Posted in Featured, Travel
Posted on 25 February 2011. Tags: best 10 list, best ten lists, cultural, culture, destinations, holiday, places, sights, top 10, travel, trip, vacation
The lists of top 10 beaches are endless, so let’s concentrate on interesting destinations from another angle. Of course, it all depends on your personal preferences, but for cultural holidays you can’t beat these.
1. Athens, Greece
This is an amazing city with its mixture of ancient and modern. A wander around the Acropolis and seeing the Parthenon from so many places in the city has to be top of the list. The museums in this capital city are unique and if you have never been to Greece, then you really should make it the one place to visit on your bucket list.
2. Crete, Greece
The Minoan civilization is one that had the most amazing statues, architecture and running water. In the Palace at Knossos you can see the labyrinth where the Minotaur was supposed to have lived and devoured the maidens and young men sent to Crete every year. The whole island is steeped in myth and history and is just the place for people who want to combine culture with relaxing on pristine beaches.
3. Indus Valley, Pakistan
This area is unknown and unexplored by the West in comparison to Egypt for example. However the Indus Valley civilization was truly ahead of others not only in Asia but also in the world.
4. Prague
While this is not an ancient site in the same way as those mentioned above, it is well worth visiting, especially in springtime when the trees in the streets are in full blossom. There is the architecture to wonder at and the Torture Museum for those with a sense of the macabre.
5. Isfahan, Iran
This was once an important city in the Persian Empire and the artisans of the city still produce items which are exquisitely made and designed. The ornate gate at the entrance of the city is worth seeing and tourists will readily appreciate the beauty of this once splendid city.
Posted in Featured, Travel