Reality shows have changed the way people watch televisions. Programs that usually fall under this particular category are those that feature unscripted situations that involve the average person instead of paid actors and actresses. Although reality TV has been around since the mid-1940s, it was only in the turn of the 21^st century that the genre gained global popularity. The series Survivor and the American Idol are some of the most successful reality shows not only in the United States, but in other parts of the world, as well.

Today, there are a lot of reality shows that focus on common aspects of life such as finding the perfect partner and job. Some programs place participants under unique situations where, for instance, they are required to conquer their fears, push their physical strength to the limit, and use their talents wisely. Some of the reality shows that have become famous over the years are those that feature chefs who compete with each other in order to become the best in their chosen field.

One of the most popular competitive cooking shows is the Iron Chef series, which originated in Japan. Starting in 1993 as Ryouri no Tetsujin, it pitted accomplished guest chefs against one of the show’s resident “Iron Chefs” who specializes in a particular cuisine. The competitors were asked to cook dishes based on a particular theme of ingredients. To make the contest more challenging, the participants are required to cook a multi-course meal under time pressure. However, they were given two assistant chefs to help them out so as not to make cooking a very difficult task for them. After the allotted time, the cooked dishes were presented to a panel of judges, which will decide who the winner is.

Iron Chef was so popular in Japan that it gained the attention of American television executives and was shown in the United States by the Food Network. A few years later, an American version of the show was created and other television networks followed suit, as evident by the continuing popularity of Hell’s Kitchen, the Top Chef, and the Chopping Block.

While some people and TV critics dismiss such shows as overly dramatic and scripted, there are some people who have claimed that they have learned how to cook better after watching these television programs. A woman wrote on her blog on the Internet admitted that her son became much better than her at cooking because of watching cooking shows on the television. China Millman of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that these reality cooking shows provide many people with a glimpse on how the culinary world truly works and how tough it can be.

To some extent, the popularity of reality cooking shows has also piqued the curiosity of many people and has inspired some of them to become great chefs themselves. Culinary arts have become a popular topic in magazines and talk shows. And more importantly, these shows enable chefs around the globe to earn more respect, appreciation, and adoration from many people.

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Movies are great diversions from the everyday hubbub in our lives. They bring people to a place they haven’t been before. They open the doors to our imagination and inspire many individuals. Movies are one of the best forms of entertainment because they help you pass the time. Watching movies with your friends and loved ones also enable you to strengthen your bonds with them.

Creating movies is not an easy task. Even the best filmmakers could not easily create and award-winning piece with just a snap of a finger. Meanwhile, listed below, in no particular order, are some of the best films of all time that you might want to watch the next time you organize a movie marathon with your friends.

Citizen Kane

Written and directed by Academy Award-winning actor Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is a drama film released in 1941. It tells the story of Charles Foster Kane, a man who traded his idealism for ruthlessness in pursuit of power in the world of publishing. Although it didn’t win the 1941 Oscars for Best Picture, Citizen Kane was voted as the No. 1 movie of all time by the American Film Institute and the British Film Institute.

The Godfather

One of the most memorable American movies of the 20^th century, The Godfather is a film adaptation of the novel of the same name written by Italian-American author and screenwriter Mario Puzo. Winner of a number of Academy Awards, the film is about the famous Sicilian mafia family, the Corleones, in 1940s New York City.

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is the second installment to director Christopher Nolan’s Batman series. The movie gained wide media attention following the death of actor Heath Ledger, who played the infamous Joker, shortly after he completed the shooting of the movie. However, The Dark Knight did not disappoint fans and moviegoers as it was hailed as the best film of 2008 and was included in the top picks of famous movie critics.

Gone with the Wind

An epic movie set during the time of the American Civil War, Gone with the Wind is a 1939 movie based on the novel written by Margaret Mitchell. This famous love story between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler is one of the symbols of the golden age of Hollywood. It won ten Oscars, a record it kept for 20 years, and made popular the line “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Schindler’s List

Schindler’s List tells the story of a German businessman named Oskar Schindler who helped thousands of Polish refugees during the Holocaust. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Schindler’s List is highly recommended for those who like World War II-themed movies. It won a number of Oscars and has been included in the list of AFI’s best films of all time.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is probably one of the best epic fantasy films in the last 20 years. The movie, directed by Peter Jackson, makes use of advanced technology to create special effects and bring the characters of Middle-earth into life.

Psycho

Voted as one of the top ten suspense/horror films, Psycho is considered as one the greatest work of British filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. It was based on the novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. Since it was released in 1960, Psycho has prompted several filmmakers to create sequels and remakes.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Starring Harrison Ford, the Raiders of the Lost Ark is an action-adventure film that tells the story of treasure hunter/archaeologist Dr. Henry “Indiana” Walton Jones, Jr. It has delighted many moviegoers of all ages, with its action-packed scenes and witty and funny dialogues.

Star Wars

Who could forget about George Lucas’ famous space opera franchise? Since the first installment of the Star Wars series in the 1970s, reports said that the film has generated a box-office revenue of an estimated 4.3 billion as of last year. It also has made a big impact in the development of popular culture around the globe.

The next time you have nothing to do, pop in one of these great movies to your DVD player and immerse yourself to a new world.

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