Movies

Hollywood may be the premier destination for actors and actresses in the Western world, but there are performers around the globe who are not only happy but flourishing in their native countries. And while the phrase "big in Japan" once signified a lack of success in America, the country has always had a thriving star system where leading men and ladies rule the box office charts and elicit fandom that puts their stateside counterparts to shame.

Japan has historically exported primarily male actors and directors who went on to earn success and recognition around the world, but the country's actresses have never shied from the same kinds of challenges, not to mention the global spotlight. But while this list of female superstars may not immediately or easily roll off the tongues of folks who typically peruse the tabloids for shots of their favorite stars, these five women have proven that they're among the best, most talented and most successful Japanese actresses working today.

Koyuki – Born December 18, 1976, Koyuki began her modeling career in 1995 and transitioned into acting with a series of guest spots and small roles on Japanese television shows. In 2001, she made her film debut in Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Kairo, a horror film that was subsequently remade in the U.S. as Pulse. Subsequently,...

Many Bollywood actors appear in multiple films each year, and it's rare for any of these individuals to consistently appear in only hits. Therefore, today's Bollywood stars are difficult to rank in terms of who is the best. While it will always be understood that Amitabh Bachchan is the top Bollywood actor of all time, there is no singular young star who could be considered his definite successor. However, the following five actors are regularly recognized as great talents and box office draws, which make them the best the Hindi film industry has to offer.
 
 
1. Aamir Khan
Beginning as a child actor in the early '70s, Aamir Khan has grown into one of Bollywood's most dependable actors, having starred in blockbuster hits like 1990's Dil and 2008's Ghajini, the latter of which is currently the highest grossing Indian film of all time. Though less prolific than some of his peers, he is one of the most recognizable Hindi actors to Western audiences thanks to lead roles in cultural crossovers like Deepa Mehta's Earth and Oscar-nominee Lagaan. It's no wonder he's one of the highest paid actors in India.
 
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Making a list of the top five Bollywood songs of all time is not so much a daunting task as it is a stupid one. For all of the soundtracks throughout all of the years, there are just too many kinds of songs, let alone too many songs too choose from. Yet here is a basic and introductory list of popular favorites and significant numbers with which to ponder just how many classic Bollywood songs are essentials for any proper Hindi music collection.
 
1. 'Hawa Mein Udta Jaye' from Barsaat
The 1949 film Barsaat is a seminal work of its own, but the best-selling soundtrack is just as revered, with each of its songs immediately considered a classic. This specific tune, sung by Lata Mangeshkar, is a memorable favorite for many, standing out even among the film's other popular numbers.
 
2. 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' from Dil Se
Considered one of the ten best songs ever recorded in the world, according to a BBC poll, "Chaiyya Chaiyya" is also likely one of the most familiar Bollywood tunes in America thanks to its prominent appearance in Spike Lee's Inside Man. Western audiences also know its composer, A R Rahman, and its...

Movies with Christian themes, whether based on the Bible or not, have been consistently successful at the box office since the early days of cinema. Sidney Olcott's 1912 silent feature From the Manger to the Cross, for example, netted a profit of $1 million on a $35,000 budget, according to Turner Classic Movies. Today, a movie like Fireproof can become the highest-grossing independent release of its year without being publicized through mainstream channels like television commercials and billboard ads.

However, not all Christian films profit, as can be seen with The Greatest Story Ever Told, a massive failure from 1965 that put an end to large-scale Bible epics for many years. In the last decade, many successful Christian films have been small, independent productions targeted directly to religious groups via grassroots marketing. Below is a list of the ten top grossing Christian films of all time, including both epic and indie examples.

1. The Passion of the Christ (2003) - $370,782,930
Mel Gibson's bloody depiction of Jesus' final hours was a pop culture phenomenon, but the film was primarily a hit because of the way it reached out to church groups, bringing in many Christians who typically avoided the multiplex. Thanks to endorsements from religious leaders throughout the country, The Passion of the Christ became one of the highest-grossing films of 2003, and it still holds the record for highest-grossing non-English language film of all time.

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