Dwight Howard And Chris Paul Have Been Traded To The 2012 Los Angeles Lakers Roster

Dwight Howard and Chris Paul have been traded to the 2012 Los Angeles Lakers roster. The official news story headline will probably read this once trade negotiations have been complete. According to Matt Barnes, Dwight Howard has already said he wants on with the Lakers and Chris Paul is surely the same.
"The trade will be a blockbuster deal. The NBA is loading up rosters to bring back fierce rivalries and the Los Angeles Lakers is a team that will always be one of the biggest earners. They already reported Chris Paul is going and I got an insider tip about Dwight Howard," said Youtube music artist, C.KHiD of the highly speculated trade.
If Dwight Howard is traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, it will be interesting. A lot of people are already labeling him as another Shaquille O'Neal which has to be bothersome. However, at the same time, does it matter? Every professional basketball player should want to be known as a NBA Hall of Famer with multiple championship rings and MVP trophies.
Chris Paul, still a big 'headline' amongst NBA 2012 trade talks, can find success at a wider variety of teams this season. As an LA Clipper, the lightening-speed point guard would match well with Blake Griffin. Being traded to the Boston Celtic for Rajon Rondo also leaves the Hornett's franchise player in a championship situation as well. However, Chris Paul is most likely to go to the Los Angeles Lakers as well, according to Yahoo! Sports.
Overall, fans can definitely expect to see a thrilling 2012 NBA season. If the official news headline reads 'Dwight Howard traded to the LA Lakers,' fans can expect an amazing playoff series. The Lakers Dynasty will be restored to the top shelf and Lebron's Miami Heat, Derrick Roses' Chicago Bulls, Kevin Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder, and Kevin Garnett's Boston Celtics will have a hard time competing.

Lee Hyo Ri Is Willing To Take Off Her Top

Lee Hyo Ri has attracted attention by saying she is willing to take off her top if she sells over 20,000 copies of the calender made for abandoned dogs.
Lee makes such an announcement in an episode of MBC TV’s Section TV Entertainment.
Lee is currently working as a model for the 2012 calender for abandoned dogs as a part of a campaign to encourage people to adopt abandoned dogs. Regarding this, she says, “Because idol agencies have already made a lot of money, please buy the calenders for abandoned dogs instead of the ones for idols.”
She also makes a surprising announcement, “If I sell over 20,000 copies of the calender for abandoned dogs, I’ll take off my top like Kim Je Dong once did.” This is the part that shows her sincere voice asking for more interest in abandoned dogs.
She also says about the year 2011, “It was the most valuable year of my life.” It is the comment she makes with her boyfriend, Lee Sang Soon, in mind.
She also talks frankly about her anecdotes that she could get away from paparazzi, thanks to her dog, Soon Shim, and her attitude towards the negative comments made on her. It will air on December 25 at 4 p.m.

"Koala Kid" Featuring Voices of SNSD Sunny

The first preview trailer of “Koala Kid,” featuring the voices of SHINee’s Taemin, SNSD’s Sunny and Yoon Da Hoon has been released. The 30-second video introduces the characters, and gives a clue to the basic storyline of the upcoming animated movie.
As earlier reported, Taemin lends his voice to a white koala Johnny, who goes on a quest to save Australia’s natural resources. Sunny voices Miranda. Other actors in the cast were also recently revealed, with Yoon Da Hoon taking on Hammish and Jung Eun Byul as Charlotte, Miranda’s little sister.
The show asked why the girls decided to move to the U.S. when they were already enjoying so much success in Korea. “A lot of people think that way, but popularity can be such a fleeting thing. At some point you eventually lose it. If you insist on holding on to it, and give up on the career path that you long dreamed of—wouldn’t you regret it more that way? There are a lot of things I learned from the U.S. promotions. We’ll probably never enjoy the same level of success as back then (in Korea), but I don’t believe we lost anything and I don’t regret moving to the U.S.,” Ye Eun said.
Recording has begun for the two idols, who are taking on the challenge of voice acting for the first time. Taemin, known for his delicate smile in person, gave Johnny the image of someone reliable that could be a true hero. Sunny, in particular, is reported to have shed her cute voice to make Miranda sound stronger. Both singers are praised for their professionalism in the dubbing sessions.“Koala Kid” (also known as “The Outback” and “Kid Koala: the Birth of a Hero”) is planned to open in cinemas in January 2012.

The Movie Everybody Loves Raymond

Everybody Loves Raymond centers around the day to day life of sports writer, Ray Barone and his family. This hugely successful 90′s sitcom was broadcast by CBS between 1996 and 2005, attracting viewers of up to 30 million in the USA during its peak. The show’s popularity saw it not only become America’s favourite sitcom, but also won it 13 Emmy awards during its ten years on the screen. Set in Long Island, Everybody Loves Raymond is as much about his family as it is about Ray himself. Living with Ray is his wife Debra, played by Patricia Heaton and their three children. A major source of amusement throughout the whole series of the show is that fact that Ray’s parents live directly across the street. Their constant unannounced visits become a major focus of the sitcom.
Raymond’s parents are called Marie and Frank and can’t help interfering with their son’s life, much to the dismay of Ray’s long-suffering wife. In the earlier seasons Rays brother, Robert, still lives with his parents, despite the fact he is well into his thirties. His parent’s apparent preference of their youngest son Ray is a source of hilarity in several episodes.
Although their are several relationships that make the show work, none is more interesting and hilarious than that between Marie and Debra. Marie is a very protective mother and can’t help having her say on anything to do with her precious son. This mainly includes the standard of Debra’s cooking and cleaning. Despite Debra’s protests, Marie simply can’t help herself, leaving Raymond stuck in the middle.
Raymond is in many ways still a child. He fears his mother and is constantly trying to calm the tensions between her and his wife. On many occasions, he secretly sides with his mother, while telling Debra a completely different story.
Raymond’s relationship with his brother Robert is a complicated one. While they clearly have great affection for each other, Robert clearly resents the fact his mother seems to bestow a great deal more attention on Ray. Robert himself is also a complicated character, working as a tough police officer while dealing with feelings of inferiority towards his brother. Like Ray, Robert also deeply fears his over-bearing mother. Much of the show’s appeal is Robert’s dead-pan delivery and hilarious facial expressions.
Ray’s father Frank does anything for an easy life. While publicly pouring scorn on his wife Marie, he gives the impression that she clearly pulls the strings in the home. Frank Barone is also the source of much humor, delivering witty one-liners and provocative put-downs. Much of his time in the show is spent watching the TV or eating while events unfold around him.
The characters of Ray, Debra, Robert, Marie and Frank also appear on CBS’s sister show, The King Of Queens. Doug Heffernan and Ray Barone are friends and both make guest appearances in each other’s show. However, it is the dry wit of Raymond that makes fans come back for more. This show, watched in over 30 countries worldwide, will go down in history as one of the most loved and watched sitcoms in American TV history.

“Wonderful Radio” Opens In Cinemas In January 2012

“Wonderful Radio,” starring Lee Jung Jin and Lee Min Jung unveils its full theatrical trailer in anticipation of its release on the big screen. The trailer shows Lee Min Jung’s has-been pop idol character, now a radio DJ Jina, and how she goes on a miracle project for her producer Ja Hyuk (Lee Jung Jin) to hold on to just 4% of their listeners. Lee Min Jung’s character has drawn inevitable comparisons to Gong Hyo Jin’s Goo Ae Jung in the MBC drama “The Best Love.” On this, Lee Min Jung commented, “The story of ‘Wonderful Radio’ is different from ‘The Best Love,’ so while my character and Goo Ae Jung are similar, we are still different people giving life to different characters.”
For “Wonderful Radio,” Lee Min Jung had to play a loud and aggressive character, which was a departure from her usual elegant ones, as well as her graceful beauty image. Kwon Chil In, the film’s director, admitted that bringing about this transformation in the actress was one of the most pressing challenges of the film.
“Lee Min Jung is known as a goddess,” the director said at the press conference. “In this film, she had to have that image stripped away and become a girl-next-door.”Apart from Lee Min Jung and Lee Jung Jin, “Wonderful Radio” also stars comedian Kwang Soo, who is a cast regular on SBS’ Sunday variety “Running Man.” Lee Min Jung was recently a guest star on “Running Man” for its Hong Kong special, the first episode of which was aired on December 11.

Kenny Rogers Will Provide A Much Needed Morale Boost For The Region's Flood Weary

Country music legend Kenny Rogers will provide a much-needed morale boost for the region's flood-weary — and raise money to help them — during a concert in Binghamton next Thursday.The show, part of Rogers' 30th annual "Christmas & Hits Tour," will feature holiday favorites along with many of the songs that made him famous — including "Coward of the County," "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," "She Believes In Me," "Lady," "Lucille," "Through the Years" and, of course, "The Gambler."Thanks to sponsorship from Security Mutual Life Insurance Company and other local businesses, all funds raised from ticket sales will go to three charities: Catholic Charities of Broome County, Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse and the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross.

"We've been so devastated in the last five years between the two floods, so it really was a combination of us wanting to do our part as a good corporate community citizen and wanting to have more of a healing element for the Southern Tier," said Bruce W. Boyea, Security Mutual's chairman, president and CEO.The idea for a big-name fundraising concert began in the weeks after the flooding, and the local music promoters at Magic City Productions helped to compile a list of possibilities. In the end, Rogers — who also stopped in Binghamton last December — made the most sense to attract the widest audience.

Over the past 50-plus years, Rogers played rockabilly in his native Houston, did a stint with folk stalwarts the New Christy Minstrels, broke away to form the pop/rock First Edition and finally found a home in country music with his stellar solo career. As one of music's most popular voices, he's sold 125 million albums.His latest effort, an inspirational Christian album called "The Love of God," was released earlier this year through Cracker Barrel restaurants nationwide.At next week's concert, local students — six kids from Susquehanna Valley's Brookside Elementary School and a choir from Chenango Forks High School — will join Rogers onstage for a few Christmas tunes. Fellow country singer Billy Dean will open the show and return during the holiday-themed second half of Rogers' set.

"I thought it would be a great idea for people to forget their troubles for one day to enjoy the Christmas music and also Kenny Rogers' hits. It turned out to be a perfect show for the community," said Magic City's Stuart Green. "Everybody's put a ton of work into it, and things are going very well."

Metallica Aims To Beat Euro Crisis

The U.S. band whose hits include "Master of Puppets" and "Enter Sandman" has committed to six dates on what it calls its "European Summer Vacation," taking in Norway, Germany, Denmark, England and Austria during May and June next year."In the case of Metallica we are going to play two weeks' worth of gigs in 2012 that we probably could have played at any time," band manager Peter Mensch said.
"But (we) feared that we would be losing ... money on the table by waiting," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.Managers often take economic factors into account when deciding when and where an act should play, Mensch explained, and Metallica's decision on Europe was no exception.A tour costs millions of dollars to stage, and the outlays in Europe can be 30-40 percent higher than those in the United States, making sound financial decisions even more important.
European music fans need not panic yet -- most major acts will continue to play the region due to its economic and cultural importance.But a crowd that was once 52,000 may shrink to, say, 45,000, and ticket prices may have to be slashed to reflect people's reduced spending power, Mensch warned.Metallica's concerns underline how seriously investors are taking the European debt crisis and the impact it has on the single currency, which in the case of the music business could affect the ability of promoters to pay.Managers can decide how much of a group's fees they want to receive in dollars or euros, potentially limiting losses.
But overall, expectations are being lowered for touring in Europe. The issue is an important one for performers, who have come to rely heavily on live show revenues as recorded music sales dry up."I think it's tougher but it (Europe) is still a monolithic market and we'll just keep trying to come over probably with slightly less expectations of the tremendous financial success we had before," Mensch said.Mensch and business partner Cliff Burnstein at Q Prime Management also manage U.S. rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers, another big name which has reasons to be fearful in Europe.Although the group was always expected to play in the region next summer, demand in some markets has been weaker than in the past, reflecting broader economic woes."I've left some countries off," Mensch said. "It's because right now the offers haven't been good enough or there's no interest at all."
Managers have to consider not only a band's appearance fees, but also how many people are likely to turn up -- a half empty stadium may not be the musicians' fault, but it could seriously dent their image.They are also aware that if a group stays away from the festival circuit for too long it could lose its fan base.As in any other business, the general philosophy for managers is simple, however far removed it may sound from the spirit of rock 'n' roll -- follow the money. Australia and Brazil, Mensch said, look good bets at the moment.
Smaller, up-and-coming acts will tend to suffer more than established ones in the current economic climate, although management companies may decide to foot the bill for a loss-making tour as an investment in the future.At the other end of the scale, a handful of artists can ride just about any economic crisis."All of this is mixed in with how hot you are," said Mensch."If you are (British chart-topper) Adele and you go on tour you could go to war-torn Afghanistan and sell more tickets than anybody else, so there are some acts who are completely bullet proof."

Many Cameras Understand And Assist You To Get the Desired Result

The major players on cameras are very different on their subsistence and the advertisement of many facilities that they can provide. The camera proceeds have gone down today and it crucial for any person to understand and buy the best. The buyer is the best person to decide which one to take or not. This is because of the technology development and the additional facilities they provide.
Today the major selling cameras are, Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12.2 MP, Larger LCD than the XS. No auto-focus in Live View. It is pertinent to know what camera you need. If you need a professional camera there are various options for you like Canon rebel digital SLR which is considered as the best today. They are almost similar to professional cameras and give the finest reproduction. You can buy them with necessary articulates.
These cameras come within the range of $1000-1500. If you are a passionate photographer then you will understand the necessity of a good camera. Canon is the best camera available and has the facility for digital camera with reciprocate enhancement. The features are modern and very simple to use. Photography is a great hobby and people have to understand the intricacies of the norm. The varieties of camera available are astounding. Today you can surf the internet and find your desired results.
The internet options can provide the varieties of known ledge which you have desired for a long time. The photography sentiment will get spoiled if you do not react or choose properly the correct camera. Many cameras understand and assist you to get the desired result. However, you have to understand the lens device and it focus periphery. The results of photography are depicted on your PC and reproduces on your action. To attain these results you have to examine your camera lens and then you will get the best output.
It is essential that you buy the innovative camera and that which is current. Therefore the online sellers have been providing the best and the suitable camera for the desired people. However, when you go to internet you will find various sellers for digital or traditional cameras. They will provide all details about the camera and if you so decide to accept or buy any one of tem then it will be your choice. If you buy online you may get several discounts or other attractive offers.

My Favourite Drama Grey’s Anatomy

There are a lot a lot of nice drama that I will recommend, be it US, Taiwan or Hongkong drama. But after thinking it for very long, I decided to start on US drama since I’m super into US drama since I start watching them. There are a thousand different US drama as well and I’ve already watched a handful of them. Most of them are really good and my top top top top top favourite it’s still GREY’S ANATOMY.
When I first heard about the show, my friend said that it’s all about SEX. Out of curiousity, I just start watching Grey’s from tudou. 1 episodes after another, I find it really really good. Grey’s is mainly about how 5 interns survive their 7 years of Intership in a hostpital, Seattle Grace Hospital which their attendings, surgeons and patients. The relationship is kind of complicated if you never watch the series from start because there are a lot of being together, break up, married, divorced and sleeping around.

Each episodes talks about different patients and the intern’s love, family and past life. I especially love how special each patient’s case are and they always push me near to tears. In every season of Grey’s ( they have 7 seasons now), except for season 1, there are always a very big special situation that affect ALL characters in Grey’s. For example a bomb in a patient’s body in Season 2 which leads to someone’s death or a very major accident that requires most characters out to save people.

No matter how much I promote, I think it’s best for people to watched it themselves to experience the kind of happy, heartfelt moments that I felt while watching the series. Ha!Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) and Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) Their relationship has been on and off, on and off ! I can’t wait for both of them to be officially together but I think I still have to wait for a little while. Realise that Eric Dane is familar? He is one of the character acting in Burlesque if you watched it. I find him smoking hot and his nick name is Doctor McSteamy in the show!

Entertainment Weekly

Okay, I admit it. I couldn’t wait until Tuesday to see my issue of Entertainment Weekly. I had to see it now. These scans have already been published so I thought why not. I was disappointed that there were only the pictures that we had seen yesterday when all the behind the scenes footage seemed like there was a lot more.There was a couple of cute quotes from the article that I wanted to share. First, from Kristen Stewart about Taylor Lautner.
　”It’s completely understandable why they wanted to make sure he was right for the part.He was so young, 16, so I got it. But I knew he had [to do] it. Just because of how I felt around him. I literally saw Jacob in him. We have that relationship. It’s lamely cute. I love that kid. I would do anything for him. I would kill for him, literally.”Kristen also explains how she got ready for the scene in New Moon where Edward leaves her (TEN Gossip is currently on strike from talking about the movie but I had to share this.)
”Before the scene, I was sitting in my car, like f—ing crying — crying so hard you can’t breathe. Because I was really overwhelmed and intimidated by the scene. Everyone says, ‘She better be able to pull off the emotion in this movie!’ And it’s such an important moment in the book, when he leaves.” The scene exhausted her. ”I’m thinking, ‘We have to be done now. Just tell me we’re done.’”　I think this dynamic is going to be incredible and this movie way better. I still can’t wait to read the rest of the article when I get the issue in my mailbox

The Blue Entertainment Touch Screen Kiosk Draws On New Way

With most of the music industry already emigrating to the Internet, the younger generation are no strangers to downloading their favourite tracks. Many new bands are making use of YouTube, the blogosphere and other web-based marketing to promote themselves. An entertainment touch screen kiosk draws on this new way of distributing music and other entertainment in digital form, expands on the idea and allows users to not only download music to their Ipod, MP3 player PDA or USB memory stick, but also allows users to download movies and games too. The ‘ABCs and 123s’ range includes a collection of songs and video stories aimed at pre-school children to promote fun while learning. ‘Animal Classics’ encourages toddlers to learn about the animal kingdom through entertaining, informative songs and videos, specifically developed by experts to improve a child’s early development. The range will also include three CDs of ‘Rainforest Music’ designed to relax and sooth babies up to the age of 18 months. These instrumental lullabies blended with sounds from nature, were developed by Mood Entertainment to encourage babies to sleep peacefully.
As mentioned already, the main interpretation of a rose tattoo is to symbolize love. To display this meaning through ink, the flower is drawn on a stem without thorns. Thorns on a rose change the meaning while serving as a warning to people that they should proceed with caution because love hurts. People who choose a rose tattoo with thorns typically want to present the meaning of exhilarating love that can be both risky and agonizing at the same time.
The statistics about fixing an Xbox 360 often times support doing it yourself rather than sending the machine in for a repair or replacement. Approximately six percent of all of these Microsoft platforms with the Red Ring fatal error cannot be fixed under any circumstance, but this means the vast majority can be put back to good use with just a few minutes of tinkering. You can find the tools needed for fixing an Xbox 360 at any local Radio Shack: a simple screwdriver is required to take off the protective cap, a clamp to keep pressure on a region, and perhaps an air sprayer may be needed to clean the hard drive. Do not attempt fixing an Xbox 360 without the proper tools or with tools that are too small or large to handle the hardware.

blue shield

In New York, The empire blue cross blue shield is offering numerous Medicare supplemental health insurance plans for their senior residents in order to fulfill all their needs. This insurance plan is also referred as 'Medigap'. Medical insurance plan is designed in such way to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses that is related to the real Medicare plan. But the medigap plans helps to pay many things, which can not be paid by the original Medicare plans such as deductibles, coinsurance and also skilled care for the nursing.

Any hospital, doctor or even any health care specialist can make use of these health insurance plans for their own choice. For getting the Medicare supplemental health insurance plans, which are offered by the empire blue cross blue shield, the person should be above the age of 65. This plan is available for the people, who are residing in the New York City and also for the people, who have already enrolled in the Medicare parts B and A. This plan is also available for the people, who are below the age of 65, only if they have any disabilities or having any end-stage renal diseases. But in both cases, the senior person has to be enrolled in the Medicare parts B and A, before getting the blue cross blue shield insurance plan.

In New York City, The empire blue cross blue shield is providing the medical supplemental health insurance plan into seven parts such as plans A, B, F, H, C, , K, and L. Every plan contains the benefits that are available in the plan A in addition to more than two benefits in the subsequent plans. There are one or two association brands offering the empire blue cross blue shield health insurance plan within certain defined regions. Some form of insurance plan is covered almost in all regions of the New York. Existence of strong bonding between the health insurance plan and blue cross blue shield system has made them to help in the policy making. In New York City, some of the insurance companies have planned to join for providing best services. Some of the insurance plans are mostly administered by the not-for-profit corporation, while others are by for-profit corporations. For many years, the empire blue cross blue shield health insurance plan stands for security, all over the United States particularl

News About The Blue Entertainment

Today

　　» Seventh annual Pensacola Marathon: 6:30 a.m. today. The race begins and ends at Veterans Memorial Park along a 13.1-mile circuit of the city for the half marathoners and a full 26.2 loop for the full marathon. Veterans Memorial Park, Bayfront Parkway. Details: 434-2800 or visit www.pensacolamarathon.com.
　　» Friends of the Pensacola Public Library Fall Used Book Sale: noon to 3 p.m. today. Sunday books are $5 a bag. The Wright Place, First United Methodist Church, 80 E. Wright St. Details: 341-1434 or email meredithmccarthy@cox.net
　　» Wine Festival: 2 to 5 p.m. today. Festivalgoers will enjoy samples of 200 handpicked wines from around the world poured by 10 local distributors. A special feature will be a champagne and oyster bar in the courtyard. All wines will be available to purchase at special festival pricing and admission includes a $5 coupon toward purchase. The festival will also feature a cooking demo and tasting, hand-crafted microbrew beers, a cigar sampling by Grand Reserve and live entertainment. Cost: $35 in advance; $40 the day of the festival. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Details: 434-6211.
　　» Unlimited Horizons of the Emerald Coast: 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. today. Former White House language interpreter Fred Burks, who worked in the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, will speak on topics ranging from personal enlightenment and human interconnectivity. Cost: $10. Gulf Breeze Recreation Center, 800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze. Details: 934-5140 or visit www.unlimited-horizons.org.
　　Monday
　　» Beach Bridge Club: 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Recreational bridge. Pensacola Beach Lodge No. 497, 661 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. Details: Sid Hite, 932-1739.
　　» Gulf Coast Stitchery Guild: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today. First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox St. Details: 360-241-0662.
　　(Page 2 of 2)
　　» The Santa Rosa County Retired Educators: 10 a.m. today. Leah Roberts, registered nurse, will present "Good Nutrition At Any Age." There will be a Chinese auction and monthly book sale. Members are asked to bring a canned food for the food drive. Locklin Technical Center, 5330 Berryhill Road, Milton. Details: 623-6250.
　　» PSC Seniors Club Games: Euchre: 1 p.m.; dominoes head to foot: Noon to 4 p.m.; billiards: 12:30 to 4 p.m. today. Bayview Senior Center, 2000 E. Lloyd St. Details: William L. Stimmell 477-0578 or email bmstimmell@cox.net.
　　» Everything Oysters Class: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. Executive Chef Gregg McCarthy of The Grand Marlin will demonstrate ways to prepare the oyster. $45 per person. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 Palafox Place. Details: Jacki 261-4063 or register www.dk4u.com.
　　» Coventry Estates neighborhood watch meeting: 6:30 p.m. today in the cafeteria at Ferry Pass Middle School, 8355 Yancey Ave. Details: Manny Harageones, 478-7129.
　　» Pensacola Quilters Guild meeting: 6:30 p.m. today. Bayview Community Center, 2000 E. Lloyd St. Details: Karen Gardner 380-4348 or visit www.pensacolaquiltersguild.org.
　　» Jazz Society of Pensacola's Blue Monday: 6:30 p.m. today. Feature a blues/jazz group with Clarence Bell, piano/vocals, Chuck Schwartz, saxophone, Steve Ferry, drums and Tom Latenser, bass. Cost: $8 for JSOP members with a membership card; $10 for non-members; $5 for students with identification. Five Sisters Blues Cafe, 421 W. Belmont St. Details: Kathy Lyon 433-8382 or visit www.jazzpensacola.com.
　　» Dogwood Dulcimer Association: 7 p.m. today at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd. Play a dulcimer or traditional instrument. Details: 626-9981 or email dogwooddulcimers@yahoo.com.

Out Of The Blue Entertainment

　　Sophisticated International musicians and entertainers Julie McLaughlin (Vocals / Tenor Saxophone) & Jim Black (Piano / Keyboards & Vocals) are talented Duo

　　'OUT OF THE BLUE'..Smooth Lounge Jazz, Swing, latin Rhythms, Blues, Sultry ballads, R&B to dance music.

　　Available as Duo, Trio - 6 piece Jazz band.

　　* Corporate events * Weddings * Int. cruise lines * Private functions * Award ceremonies * Club events

　　JULIE McLAUGHLIN
　　Born in England, the daughter of a Big band connoisseur whose passion for music played a huge part in her early musical education. Immersed in the music of all the greats, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Nina Simone to name a few, music was always destined to become a major part of her life.
　　Julie is a versatile, dynamic, professional entertainer and acclaimed vocalist who has the ability to transcend genres, from the Smoothest Jazz & Swing, Latin, Blues, Sultry 'smooth as silk' ballads through to modern covers and dance music.
　　JIM BLACK
　　Born and educated in New South Wales, Jim played piano from the age of 9 and was performing to live audiences by the age of 13.
　　A talented Pianist & keyboard player, vocalist and accomplished Band Leader whose musical career has taken him throughout Europe and extensively into the top venues in Sydney and Brisbane.
　　Jim has played with some of the best musicians in the country, managed several successful 'Big Bands' around Australia and the UK, and accompanied such legends as John Farnham and Shirley Bassey.
　　Julie and Jim formed 'Out of the Blue' in January 2004 and it has proven to be an amazingly successful partnership.

　　In addition to performing at Corporate functions and events, 'Out of the Blue' now spend part of their year as Guest Entertainers aboard luxury International Cruise liners.

　　Out of the Blue' released their 1st CD, 'A Song for You' in early 2006. They have written and produced a Tribute Show to the songs of legendary performer Shirley Bassey, which they are now performing as a Headline show aboard International Cruise ships. In conjunction, they released their 2nd Cd, 'A tribute to the Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey' which showcased 18 of Bassey's most popular songs. They have since recorded their 3rd

　　'chill' album, 'NightMoods'.

　　OUT OF THE BLUE

　　Perform songs in three languages and have a versatility that is second to none. With a repertoire of over 700 songs across many genres.

　　Out of the blue are available as a Duo Trio Quartet Quintet Sextet, Tribute show and in addition, can provide Cabaret 'floorshow' style entertainment.

Warren Beatty Sued Over Dick Tracy

Actor Warren Beatty is being sued by Tribune Media Services over the film and television rights to the character of Dick Tracy, Reuters is reporting. The Academy-award winning actor directed and starred in a hit 1990 movie named after and based on the comic strip character. Tracy was originally created by cartoonist Chester Gould in 1931.
According to court papers, Beatty bought the film and TV rights to the character in 1985 and he claims to retain them. However, Tribune Media Services is arguing that the rights have reverted to them because Beatty has "made no productive use" of them for over a decade.
Beatty and Tribune have been battling over Dick Tracy for several years and this is not the first suit to be filed over the film and TV rights. According to the BBC, Beatty began legal action in 2005 in which he claimed to have given the rights to Disney to produce the 1990 Dick Tracy film. Disney subsequently returned them to him. He was also arguing that Tribune attempted to recover the rights illegally.
In November 2008 Beatty again filed a lawsuit against Tribune claiming that work he was doing on a television special connected with Dick Tracy entitled him to retain the rights. In the current lawsuit Tribune is said to be arguing that Beatty is producing the special only so that he can keep control of the rights.
Tribune Media Services is a unit of the bankrupt newspaper published Tribune Company and apparently believes that it could reap a large financial reward from the rights to Dick Tracy.

Talk with Stars Tonight, and Assist Haitian Relief in the Process

If you've been watching any of the major networks the past few days, then you're already aware of the Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relieftelethon airing on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, CMT, PBS, TNT, Showtime, COMEDY CENTRAL, Bravo, E! Entertainment, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, CENTRIC, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, EPIX, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health, Planet Green, CNN en Espanol, HBO Latino…and Canadian networks including CBC Television, CTV, Global Television, and MuchMusic.
A who's who of superstars are manning the phones tonight, so this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with a celebrity and let them know that you want to do something to help the ravaged Haitian country and its people.
Below is the official press release for the event…which is underway now…
"Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," today announced that some of the biggest names in film, television, and music will be working the phones and taking donations from Los Angeles during tonight's broadcast. "Hope for Haiti Now" will air on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT.
The lineup of superstar operators includes (in alphabetical order): Ben Affleck, Tim Allen, Jennifer Aniston, David Archuleta, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Barkin, Drew Barrymore, Jack Black, Emily Blunt, Russell Brand, Benjamin Bratt, Pierce Brosnan, Gerard Butler, Chevy Chase, Kristin Chenoweth, Sacha Baron Cohen, Common, Cat Cora, Bradley Cooper, Daniel Craig, Cindy Crawford, Penelope Cruz, Billy Crystal, John Cusack, Eric Dane, Ellen DeGeneres, Fran Drescher, Michael Clarke Duncan, Zac Efron, Jenna Elfman, Colin Farrell, Andy Garcia, Mel Gibson, Tyrese Gibson, Selena Gomez, Neil Patrick Harris, Taraji P. Henson, Dijmon Honsou, Vanessa Hudgens, Randy Jackson, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Dwayne Johnson, Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Joe Jonas, Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Michael Keaton, Anna Kendrick, Greg Kinnear, Jane Krakowski, John Krasinksi, Jessica Lange, Taylor Lautner, Daniel Day Lewis, Jared Leto, Justin Long, Rose McGowan, Ewan McGregor, Toby Maguire, Ricky Martin, Katharine McPhee, Debra Messing, Alyssa Milano, Jack Nicholson, Keke Palmer, Holly Robinson Peete, Tyler Perry, Chris Pine, Jeremy Piven, Jeremy Renner, Tim Robbins, Ray Romano, Jeri Ryan, Meg Ryan, Zoe Saldana, Adam Sandler, Nicole Scherzinger, Gabourey Sidibe, Kimora Lee Simmons, Russell Simmons, Christian Slater, Steven Spielberg, Molly Sims, Ringo Starr, Charlize Theron, Ashley Tisdale, Marisa Tomei, Amber Valleta, Sofia Vergara, Mark Wahlberg, Joe Walsh, Sigourney Weaver, Forest Whitaker, Olivia Wilde, Rainn Wilson, Robin Williams, Reese Witherspoon, and Noah Wyle.
"Hope for Haiti Now" will begin accepting donations at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT on Friday, January 22 via the following methods:
Online: HopeforHaitiNow.org
Phone: 877-99-HAITI
Text: Text "GIVE" to 50555
Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation, 1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700, Los Angeles, CA 90017
"Hope for Haiti Now" will feature Wyclef Jean in New York City, George Clooney in Los Angeles, and CNN's Anderson Cooper reporting from Haiti, as well as President Bill Clinton, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Chris Rock, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jon Stewart, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks, and Muhammad Ali.
"Hope for Haiti Now" will also include performances by Wyclef Jean, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Emeline Michel and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Beyonce, Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in London.
"Hope for Haiti Now," will benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, Yele Haiti Foundation, and the newly formed Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation. Proceeds from "Hope for Haiti Now" will be split among each organization's individual funds for Haiti earthquake relief. With the exception of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, each partner organization was selected for its history of operation and collaboration within the NGO community in Haiti.
The event will be live streamed online globally across sites including YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, Facebook, Fancast, AOL, MSN.com, Yahoo, Bing.com, BET.com, CNN.com, MTV.com, VH1.com, and Rhapsody and on mobile via Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and FloTV. "Hope for Haiti Now" will also air internationally on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic, and MTV Networks International, which is available in 640 million homes worldwide. "Hope for Haiti Now" will be available non-exclusively to all terrestrial radio stations around the globe and SIRIUS XM Radio as a one time only radio broadcast via the MTV Radio Network and Westwood One.
Based on production needs and venue sizes, all "Hope for Haiti Now" studio locations will be closed to the media. Photos, pool video footage and talent interviews from "Hope for Haiti Now" will be serviced to news outlets immediately following the event.
"Hope for Haiti Now" is produced by Joel Gallen and Tenth Planet Productions, in collaboration with Viacom's MTV Networks and George Clooney.

Sony to Make and Release 4K Digital Films

Sony Pictures Entertainment will use 4K digital technology in the making of most of its filmed productions, Sony Electronics has announced.
"With the industry moving rapidly to embrace the improvement in quality that digital cinema can offer, we believe that 4K resolution gives audiences the best seat in the house," said Gary Martin, president of Production Administration and Studio Operations for Sony Pictures Entertainment. "That's why we will be making more of our filmed productions at full 4K resolution, scanning at 4K, using a 4K workflow process, and releasing a 4K DCP to theaters. The crisp and vibrant images provided by 4K are the only way to ensure that audiences both today and in the future will really be able to see the full range of what we can capture on film."
Sony Pictures has already released the summer blockbuster Hancock in 4K, with the motion picture grossing more than $600 million at the worldwide box office to date. Movies released in 4K can play in theaters with either 4K or 2K projectors. Among the next motion pictures to be digitally imaged in 4K by Sony Pictures, and available for 4K distribution, are expected to be 2012, Salt, and The Green Hornet, with more titles to be announced.
"This commitment from Sony Pictures continues the momentum that is building behind 4K," said Gary Johns, vice president, Digital Cinema Systems Division at Sony Electronics. "Exhibitors are realizing that 4K is a reality now, for enhancing their customers' experiences, and studio support is a critical element to take advantage of the superior resolution of Sony's 4K projection system. The growing number of 4K-equipped theaters will now have even more 4K content potentially available to offer their customers."

Big Screen, Big Problem?

If you are thinking of buying a big screen TV, you might think again on the basis of new work performed by a team of researchers at Scripps Institute of Oceanography at U.C. San Diego. Their study tried to estimate how much nitrogen trifluoride — a powerful greenhouse gas that is used in the manufacture of flat screen TVs — is in the atmosphere. The researchers’ findings indicate that it is at least four times more prevalent than previously estimated, according to a press release issued by the Institution.
Concerns were raised about nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) earlier this year in an article that was published in 'New Scientist' magazine. The article referred to work done by Professor Michael Prather from the University of California at Irvine. NF3 is considered to be 17,000 times more potent as a global warming agent than carbon dioxide on a molecule-for-molecule basis. It also survives in the atmosphere about five times longer than CO2. Don't panic if you ordered that 46-inch screen today, though. It is estimated that NF3 emissions currently contribute only about 0.04 percent of the total global warming effect contributed by current human-produced carbon dioxide emissions.
Of more concern is an increase in the production of NF3 to serve the consumer electronics market, including LCD TVs. Ironically news of the Scripps study was released on the same day as the announcement of a predicted increase in the market for NF3. A press release issued by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., a market research firm, says that the world nitrogen trifluoride market "is projected to reach 19.5 thousand metric tons by the year 2012." One of the main factors cited for this increase is a growing demand for LCD applications.
"Semiconductors end-use market represents the largest and the most mature application area for nitrogen trifluoride, accounting for over 45% share estimated in 2008," the release says. "Demand for nitrogen trifluoride from the LCDs end-use market, is forecast to display robust growth at a projected CAGR of 13.8% over the period 2011-2015 and surpass semiconductor industry demand by 2012."
Recent statements coming out of Panasonic, the world's largest consumer-electronics maker, are indicative of the strength of the market for flat-screen TVs. Sales of these products won't be hurt by the slowing economy because consumers tend to give them priority over other purchases, a spokesman for the company is quoted as saying on Bloomberg.com. According to that same site, sales of flat-screen TVs have helped Panasonic increase profits 86% in the first quarter of the year and the company is planning to open new flat-screen factories in the next two years in a bid to increase U.S. sales. However, sales growth of products such as flat-screen televisions is expected to be slower this year than last, according to Steve Baker, an industry analyst for NPD Group. In another article on Bloomberg.com, Baker is cited as saying that sales will rise by about three percent, compared with a rise of around 4.5 percent a year ago.
Previously it was thought that the amount of NF3 in the atmosphere in 2006 was less than 1,200 metric tons. The Scripps researchers estimate that the actual amount present two years ago was closer to 4,200 metric tons. The research also indicates that the amount of NF3 in the atmosphere this year is about 5,400, which is about 28.6% percent higher than the amount estimated for 2006. According to the news release, the quantity of NF3 in the atmosphere is increasing at about 11 percent per year.
The Scripps team analyzed air samples gathered over the past 30 years, working in association with the NASA-funded Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) network of ground-based atmosphere stations. The researchers found that concentrations of the gas rose from about 0.02 parts per trillion in 1978 to 0.454 parts per trillion in 2008. The samples also showed significantly higher concentrations of NF3 in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere, which the researchers said is consistent with its use predominantly in Northern Hemisphere countries. The current observed rate of increase of NF3 in the atmosphere corresponds to emissions of about 16 percent of the amount of the gas produced globally.
NF3 is not currently covered under the Kyoto Protocol because information has been lacking on its potential impact on global warming. Scientists are now recommending that it be added to the list of greenhouse gases regulated by Kyoto.The complete press release from the Scripps Institution can be found here.The complete press release from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. is here.

Mainstream Press Deriding ‘Trekkies’

Despite the fact that the new Star Trek film is being largely embraced by those in the mainstream press — and, frankly, also by mainstream moviegoers — there seems to be an element of the media who still derive joy from deriding fans; perpetuating the negative and cliched stereotypes that Trek fans have endured for the past few decades.
TrekMovie founder Anthony Pascale notes that he has been contacted by a number of local, national and international media organizations to give quotes and do interviews on what he thinks of the new Star Trek film and how it is playing with fans. While the majority of outlets are typically interested in an honest appraisal, it seems others have an altogether different agenda—one of deciding that 'Star Trek' should still be mocked and looking to fix the evidence around their predetermined agenda (and we thought only Dick Cheney did that sort of thing).
Below, Pascale discusses his firsthand experience.
"…just this morning alone I have been contacted by ABC Good Morning America and NBC News, and both of them wanted to me to help provide a fan to put on camera to talk about how Trek fans as a whole are against this film. When I talked to producers for both, neither wanted to hear that those fans were only a small part, and in fact one producer (from NBC) hung up on me when I told him I thought it would be disingenuous for them to report that Trek fans as a whole were against this movie. I suggested to both that they could have two fans on with opposing views or at least represent the ‘negative’ fan as being part of just a segment of Trek fandom, but those suggestions fell on deaf ears. Our friend and star/producer of Star Trek Phase II James Cawley tells me that he has also turned down multiple mainstream media requests to attack the new movie."
Pascale is quick to point out that not all the corporate media types are so narrow-minded, a good example being the recent cover article from Newsweek, which you can see below. Nevertheless, it is interesting — and frankly, disturbing — to see how members of major corporate media are only interested in reinforcing dogma as opposed to doing what media is supposed to do: report both sides of the story.
Of course, this isn't just about Star Trek. One wonders what other stories are being so irresponsibly covered by mainstream media.

Chinese Films Seek to Rival Hollywood

Look out, Hollywood, the Chinese box office is on course to set new domestic records. The question now is how to keep that upward direction going.
After a record $630 million take last year, the Chinese film industry is on pace to rake in $800 million in 2009. However, at an occasionally contentious panel last Sunday, leading filmmakers in the region suggested the business still needs to grow in sophistication, reports Variety.
Speaking at the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival, Yu Dong, head of the Polybona distribution group, said the industry only has "limited kinds of movies." He added that the next five to six years will be critical.
"The market has developed but outsiders will come in soon—like the arrival of Hong Kong directors. Also Hollywood, which was initially scared but now sees opportunities for co-production," said Yu at a forum entitled, "Made in China: What Kind of Films Does the Domestic Market Want?"
If ticket sales are any indication, what they want are more films like Crazy Stone, a Guy Ritchie-ish heist flick, and City of Life and Death, a drama about the Nanjing massacre. Both films' directors — Ning Hao and Lu Chuan, respectively — were on-hand at Sunday’s panel, and belong to a select group of mainland Chinese helmers known as the "100-Million Club", which consists of directors whose films have made more than 100 million yuan ($15 million) in China.
But another panelist, art house filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai, criticized directors who go for commercial appeal.
"These films have all made more than 100 million yuan at the box office but as directors they fail," he said. "People say I should switch to commercial films but I want to stick to art. I believe in art and I believe in culture."
"I’m thinking of a greater good," said Wang, whose In Love We Trust won a Silver Bear for screenplay at Berlin last year.
The growing influence of Chinese films abroad has been helped by improved distribution. However, critics say Chinese filmmakers need to do less multi-tasking — they are often producer-distributor-helmer rolled into one — if they are going to have increased success abroad.
But Lu Chuan said the real problem is focusing on international film festivals instead of domestic audiences.
"Filmmakers are working in a changed market. Instead of deliberately separating art and commercial films, we should follow what the audiences want. The market is growing up and audiences are maturing,"he said.
"Arthouse and commercial films are in there together. What we acutely need in China are films like The Godfather or Apocalypse Now."

Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin Will Co-Host Oscars

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will serve as co-hosts of the 82nd Academy Awards®, Oscar telecast.
"We think the team of Steve and Alec are the perfect pair of hosts for the Oscars," said Shankman and Mechanic. "Steve will bring the experience of having hosted the show in the past and Alec will be a completely fresh personality for this event."
"I am happy to co-host the Oscars with my enemy Alec Baldwin," said Martin.
"I don't play the banjo but I'm thrilled to be hosting the Oscars—it's the opportunity of a lifetime," said Baldwin.
Martin hosted the 73rd and 75th Academy Awards shows, earning an Emmy nomination for the first stint. He has also served as a presenter on the show several times, most recently at the ceremony in February when he appeared with Tina Fey. He is currently touring with the bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers in support of his latest album "The Crow: New Songs for the Five String Banjo." In 1977 and 1978 Martin won Grammys for Best Comedy Recording. He earned a third Grammy in 2001 in the Best Country Instrumental Performance category. In 2007 Martin earned a Kennedy Center Honor.
Baldwin was nominated for an Academy Award in 2003 for his supporting role in The Cooler. That year also marked his most recent appearance as a presenter on the show. Baldwin currently stars as Jack Donaghy on the comedy "30 Rock," a role for which he has won two Emmys (in 2008 and 2009). Baldwin earned a Tony nomination in 1992 for his performance in "A Streetcar Named Desire."
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Will 3-D Television Really Transform Home Entertainment?

We've been hearing a lot of talk in recent months about 3-D television, and how it is going to transform the home entertainment experience. The latest news in that trend comes from Toshiba and RealD, who have announced that they are set to cooperate in bringing 3D technology to Toshiba TVs, including support for the stereoscopic RealD Format, as Toshiba advances development of REGZA TVs able to deliver HD quality 3D content.
According to Toshiba, the companies will also work together on technology for active eyewear compatible with Toshiba 3D-enabled displays. I'll have a few thoughts about this in a moment, but first, here's the release:
"Toshiba plans to introduce 3D into our REGZA line-up of Full-HD LCD TVs in 2010, and we are delighted to work with RealD, the clear leader in the industry," said Masaaki Osumi, President and CEO, Digital Media Network Company, Toshiba Corporation. "Home viewing is fast moving toward the total immersion offered by 3D, and Toshiba is determined to be in the vanguard in delivering this experience."
"3D is opening new opportunities for home entertainment and we look forward to collaborating with Toshiba to bring an unmatched 3D experience to their products," said Michael V. Lewis, Chairman and CEO of RealD. "RealD 3D technology has revolutionized cinema and the RealD Format promises to deliver a similar premium entertainment experience to the home utilizing today's existing HD infrastructure."
The RealD Format is a proprietary version of a side-by-side 3D format that multiplexes a left eye and right eye 3D image stream into a single channel for delivery of HD 3D content to any 3D-enabled display type – plasma, LCD or DLP. The RealD Format uses a unique set of proprietary filters and other technologies making it compatible with today's HD infrastructure for high quality 3D delivered via cable, satellite, packaged media or the Internet.
So is this the next great leap, as Hollywood and electronics manufacturers suggest? I submit not. If you've seen Avatar, then you know that the 3-D used in the film was little, if any, better than other recent 3-D films. Moreover, there's that little matter of the glasses. As long as the 3-D experience requires glasses, the format will never enter the mainstream, in the opinion of this writer. Glasses have a way of adding depth, but causing one to lose the cinematic scale, as well.
So will this be an expensive failure for Toshiba and other companies, then? It's hard to say for sure. Certainly 3-D films are less likely to be pirated; a likely incentive for the studios. But I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you could walk into a Best Buy in six years and pick up a "new" 3-D TV at cut-rate prices.
Now if you'll excuse me, the 1950s are calling…they want their fad back.

Randy Quaid’s Felonious Flight Comes to an End

Whatever happened to Randy Quaid? The Oscar-nominated actor — known for such films asBrokeback Mountain, Independence Day and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation — has gone off the rails in recent years, running afoul of the law in incidents ripped straight from the pages of Bizzaroworld.
Most recently, arrest warrants were issued for the couple after they reportedly failed to show up for a court hearing in Santa Barbara, Calif., on allegations they were squatting in the guest house of a Montecito home they once owned in the 1990s. Quaid's 47-year-old wife Evi was also charged with resisting arrest.
Last month, the couple were released from a West Texas jail after being arrested for allegedly skipping out on a $10,000 California hotel bill.
It seems their flight has finally come to an end in Vancouver, where both were arrested Friday on outstanding warrants from the United States.
They were scheduled to appear at a detention-review hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board on Friday afternoon.
According to the Vancouver Sun, Vancouver police got a call for assistance on Thursday and while checking the identities of a man and woman, learned they were wanted on outstanding warrants.
Vancouver police turned the couple over to the Canada Border Services Agency.
Meanwhile, Duane Chapman — better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter — had been warning Quaid that he was going to track the actor down and bring him to justice. "I hope Randy Quaid and his wife are watching right now," Chapman said the Lopez Tonight show on Thursday.
"We're announcing he has the chance to call authorities and turn himself in—and at least do it for your wife and for how you were raised. If not, the Chapman family is coming after you."
Chapman said it was time for him to intervene in Quaid's life and try to set him on the straight and narrow.
"There's something going on in his life. You know him and I know him too. He's not the same guy, so we need to do an intervention, Dog style."
It's nice to know that Quaid has a humanitarian in his corner. Meanwhile, something tells us that the Quaids won't be skipping again anytime soon.
We're betting a movie-of-the-week is already in the works.

‘Avatar’ Prequel Story Being Penned by James Cameron

Producer Jon Landau has told MTV that James Cameron is presently hard at work penning the prequel to Avatar. But this story isn't intended for the big screen.
"Jim is going to write a novel himself," said Landau."Not a novelization. A novelization basically retells the story of the movie. Jim wants to write a novel that is a big, epic story that fills in a lot of things [we] won't have time to do in the movie, or maybe in sequels. [So the novel will] give a foundation for the world."
"It would be something that would lead up to telling the story of the movie," Landau added, "but it would go into much more depth about all the stories that we didn't have time to deal with—like the schoolhouse and Sigourney [Weaver's character] teaching at the schoolhouse; Jake on Earth and his backstory and how he came here; [the death of] Tommy, Jake's brother; and Colonel Quaritch, how he ended up there and all that."
Landau says that he hopes Cameron will be able to finish the novel in time to see it published by the end of this year.
To the best of our knowledge, this will mark the writer/director's first published work of fiction.
Just when you thought Cameron couldn't possibly be busy enough with other projects, not to mention prepping the Avatar sequel. Are you looking forward to this tome, or do you think the writer/director would have been better handing this off to an established novelist and focusing instead on the next movie?

Happy 98th Birthday, Joe Simon!

The names Joe Simon and Jack Kirby are widely regarded as legendary in the context of comic book history. Either in collaboration or independently, these men were responsible for creating some of the best-known superheroes. Starting out in the earliest days of comics, they also wrote and illustrated a multitude of titles that covered every major comic book genre.
Today, October 11, marks the 98th birthday of Joe Simon. Without his wonderful work with Kirby and other collaborators, we wouldn’t be eagerly anticipating The Avengers or enjoying many of the other blockbusting superhero movies that have become a staple of modern cinema. At CinemaSpy we wanted to mark Simon’s birthday with a look back at some of his pioneering work. Without question, his contribution to the rise of comic books as a popular and respected form of art and entertainment helped to set the stage for the multifaceted superhero franchises that enthrall the world today.
Simon and Kirby (whose real name was Jacob Kurtzberg) were born in New York in 1913 and 1917, respectively. The early years of their work coincided with the so-called Golden Age of Comics and their contribution to that period and beyond was enormous. Some of their earliest collaborations came at Marvel Comics’ predecessor Timely Comics, where they created Captain America (first published in 1941). Later they would contribute – individually or as a team – to the creation of other publications and characters, including the magazine Sick and the iconic superheros The Hulk, The Fantastic Four and X-Men. They would also work for Marvel’s chief rival, DC Comics, producing various titles that included the popular Boy Commandos.
The seemingly boundless energy and creativity of Simon and Kirby ensured that they were also responsible for producing many characters that are less well-known today. Those creations are nonetheless charming footnotes in the annals of comic book history. They include Stuntman, Fighting American, The Fly and the supernatural superhero The Vision. Some of these had more verve than substance, but they were essential to the development of superheros in general and reflect an age more interested in adventure than angst. Simon and Kirby didn’t restrict themselves to heroes, either. They effectively invented the romance comic book and contributed, with varying commercial success, to the science fiction, horror, war, western and humor genres.
In his introduction to Titan Books’ The Best of Simon and Kirby, Joe Simon recounts personal anecdotes of his early meetings with Kirby (who sadly died in 1994) and their subsequent collaboration. His comments show clear affection for his former partner. Of a young Kirby he says, “[he] was twenty-two years old, short and handsome, a slave to the Chinese danish.” He says that when he first saw Kirby’s art he felt that he would be proud to add his name to it. He also describes how Kirby was put to work during World War Two “painting clinical watercolors of patients’ frostbitten feet.”
The superhero characters, as represented in The Best of Simon and Kirby, are not as sophisticated as those in many of today’s graphic novels. Moreover, the Western tales reflect an age when historical accuracy was of less concern than entertainment value, the romance and horror stories are tame and the pre-spaceflight sci-fi is imaginatively absurd.
The fabulous artwork that accompanied some of Simon and Kirby's early works, as illustrated in The Best of Simon and Kirby.Simon and Kirby’s early works are no less enjoyable for being dated, though. Indeed, the characteristics that would be considered weaknesses today only highlight the historical significance of the pair’s entire portfolio. Their vintage works are indicative of the age in which the stories were written and of the market they were written for. These comics were intended as uplifting escapism, particularly during World War Two and the Cold War. In those days they served to keep up spirits and promote patriotism. Captain America and Fighting American were particularly potent symbols when their fists were flying at Nazi and Soviet agents.
Because early comic book stories had to be short, the writers sometimes had to resort to incredible leaps of happenstance in order to get the heroes where they needed to be. They were similar, therefore, to the B-grade movies that were popular in the years that the stories were published. This approach ensured, however, that the tales were dynamic and exciting . Those qualities were enhanced by the dramatic illustrations and striking colors that grace their pages.
Simon and Kirby’s early works might not be well known to the generations of children that flock to multi-million dollar comic book movies like The Avengers. Yet, they have all the color and vibrancy of today’s feature films without the need for high-definition and 3D. Those qualities ensure that they will always be timeless.

When Disney Meets Osama bin Laden

Two days after an elite US special forces team broke into Osama bin Laden’s Pakistan compound on May 1 and killed the al-Qaeda leader, Media Bistro reports the Walt Disney Company trademarked the term ‘Seal Team 6′, the name of the actual team of operatives who conducted the operation.
Seal Team 6 is regarded as the most highly trained of all Navy Seals; the best of the best.
(As an aside, the book, “SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper”, is being rushed into stores this week ahead of its originally scheduled May 24 publication date.)
According to the US trademark service, Disney’s move covers, and we quote:
“Entertainment and education services, toys, games and play things; gymnastic and sporting articles (except clothing); hand-held units for playing electronic games other than those adapted for use with an external display screen or monitor; Christmas stockings; Christmas tree ornaments and decorations; snow globes, clothing, footwear and headwear.”
It’s perhaps the ultimate indignity for the man who claimed he despised Western Capitalism (though, notably, kept a collection of porn in his compound room), now that his death is feeding that very capitalistic machine.
How Disney plans to leverage the trademark is unknown. Though we expect that a movie about Seal Team 6 could be a possibility, toys and paraphernalia for kids is even more likely in the near future.
As we’ve previously reported, filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow is already hard at work on a movie about the assassination of the al Qaeda leader, Kill Bin Laden.

Stargate Goes Up For Sale…in Pieces

Want a piece of Stargate Command? CinemaSpy has learned that after hosting 14 years of Stargate production in Vancouver, Bridge Studios is to be the stage for a saddening sell-off of objects from the three series that made up the live-action parts of the franchise: Stargate: SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and SGU: Stargate Universe. The event will take place this coming Friday and Saturday.

Production on the Stargate franchise came to end after 17 seasons earlier this year following the regrettable cancellation of Stargate Universe and the permanent shelving of scripts for proposed spin-off movies from SG-1 and Atlantis. Universewas effectively killed in December 2010 when the US channel Syfy decided not to renew it for a third season due to poor ratings.
Despite the efforts of Brad Wright, a co-creator and executive producer on all three series, no replacement broadcaster could be found to allow production of SGU to continue in the form of movie follow-ups. Fan groups are still campaigning to save the show but it is virtually impossible to revive with the recasting of actors, dismantling of sets and now the sell-off of relics from all three series.
The ‘liquidation sale,’ conducted by Maynards, will include props, costumes, furniture, set decorations, memorabilia and other items from the three shows. It will take place at Bridge Studios’ FX Stage at 2400 Boundary Road in Burnaby, British Columbia on June 17 and 18. We’ve reproduced the advertisement below.

What has Monalisa got up her sleeve?

If the gist reaching the ears of Society Plus has a good stink to it the estranged Nollywood top actress and Glo ambassador, Monalisa Chinda’s lonely nights may just be coming to an end.
That is, if she’s not already wallowing in it already. Before you start running your mind rag, this is not about her publicised Henry guy, who many felt was ample enough to soothe the pains left by her ex, Dejo Richard, this is a new guy on the block who happens to be in the trade too.
The gist is that Monalisa has got a thing for this matinee dude, called Joseph Benjamin, who got his big break as a sidekick presenter on MTN Project Fame West Africa Season II.
This guy who now features on a soap ‘Tinsel’ running on Dstv is said to be in with the actress on a more than business tango unlike the “Tango With Me” flick he shot with Genevieve Nnaji. The word is that these two are running like rug rats and might already be doing what the minks do.
The public got a hint of what might have been brewing between this two when they were all over each other at the launch of ‘Jara’ an Mnet television flick to showcase the behind-the-scene lifestyle of Nollywood stars.
Both Monalisa and Joseph could not just live it down as they snuggled and giggled, nestling so close together all evening.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Presenter, Frank Edoho's Marriage Break Up Latest!

Wife moves out of home over inability to pay rent.
Sells off Lexus Jeep to make ends meet.
Contrary to his public posture, sources have reaffirmed that celebrated presenter of must watch television programme, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Mr Frank Edoho has indeed abandoned his family.
And not only this, fresh information has it that he has also stopped providing for his broadcaster wife, Kathrine and their three children.
He is said to have adopted this stance for close to a year now.
Information at our disposal revealed that Edoho had carefully masked the development from the public based on the after effect it might have on his job.
The promoters of his claim to fame, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire had warned him about any negativity about his person rubbing off their show.
He is widely seen as the face of the show all over town. It was their insistence that made him recalled his wife in the initial celebrated bust up that the couple later denied. There were talks of replacing him as presenter of the show before he bowed to the demand of the promoters of the show.
His present action of moving out of his matrimonial home and stopping all allowances due to the family for about a year is said to have started taking it’s toll on the wife and their three children.
Kathrine is said to have sold off the Lexus jeep her husband bought for her over inability to maintain it and part of efforts to make ends meet towards the end of last year.
In other to keep up appearances, she was said to have opted for another Jeep- though of lesser grade- identified as a Pathfinder.
She is said to have survived all these while on support from close knit family and friends in the know and her earnings as an employee of the Nigerian Television Authority.
But these efforts are evidently barely able to sustain her and the children.
Recent development has it that Kathrine has moved out of the home abandoned by Edoho over inability to continue paying the house rent.
The house located inside Chevron estate is said to go for around 3-4 million Naira per annum.
Unconfirmed sources described her new location as on ‘Abraham Adesanya’.
Further investigation revealed that as marriage break up generates increased public awareness by the concerned parties have started wading into the matter to patch things up before irreversible factors make the change in the marriage permanent.
Edoho, now living in a new apartment is said to be resisting the move- while maintaining public stand of just an everyday disagreement in the marriage.
The immediate reasons that resulted in the current state of the marital union are yet to be established.

Michael Jackson's Head of Security, Personal Assistant Reveal Frantic Details About Singer's Death

Prosecutors are calling a key witness Thursday in an attempt to show jurors that Michael Jackson's doctor delayed calling authorities on the day the King of Pop was found lifeless and was intent on concealing indications that he had been giving the singer doses of a surgical anesthetic.
As the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray enters its third day, testimony will keep jurors focused on events in Jackson's bedroom during the frantic moments when efforts were made to revive the unresponsive pop superstar.
Sept. 28: Witness Faheem Muhammad testifies during the second day of Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of pop star Michael Jackson in downtown Los Angeles. (AP)
The panel has already gotten a glimpse into the entertainer's inner sanctum through photos and testimony. On Thursday, they will hear from the first bodyguard to reach the room after Murray summoned for help.
In testimony during a preliminary hearing earlier this year, Alberto Alvarez said Murray ordered him to stash away vials of medicine and an IV bag before calling 911. Jackson, his eyes and mouth open, appeared to be dead, he said.
The bodyguard's testimony is crucial to prosecutors' contentions that Murray delayed calling 911 and was intent on covering up evidence that he had given Jackson propofol in his bedroom, a far different environment than the surgical settings where it is normally administered.
Alvarez's testimony will likely be challenged by Murray's defense attorneys, who on Wednesday questioned Jackson's head of security and the singer's personal assistant about why they didn't reveal certain details about the day Jackson died to police for at least two months. Defense lawyer Ed Chernoff asked Faheem Muhammad and Michael Amir Williams about whether they conferred with Alvarez before their interviews with detectives.
Williams, who was Jackson's personal assistant, said his interview with detectives had been delayed. He testified Wednesday that he received an urgent phone call from Murray on the day of Jackson's death but wasn't told to call 911. He called Muhammad, who then dispatched Alvarez to Jackson's bedroom on the second floor of the singer's rented mansion in the ritzy Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The room was off-limits to Jackson's staff, and Muhammad paused before racing up the stairs after reaching the mansion just before paramedics arrived.
He described a heart-wrenching scene. By then, he said, Jackson had been removed from his bed and was on the floor, where Murray, sweaty and frantic, was performing CPR.
Alvarez was pacing nervously, Muhammad told the jury. When he saw Jackson up close, he understood why.
"What did you observe about his face," prosecutor David Walgren asked
"That his eyes were open," Muhammad said. "That his mouth was slightly open."
"Did he appear to be dead," Walgren asked.
"Yes."
The bodyguard soon noticed that Jackson's children, Prince and Paris, had gathered by the doorway.
"Paris was on the ground, balled up crying," Muhammad said. He ushered the children out of the room, and then into a sport utility vehicle so they could follow the ambulance to the hospital.
Paparazzi were already swarming the perimeter of the mansion and were waiting at the hospital, Muhammad recalled.
Some of the scenes recounted by Muhammad will likely be repeated Thursday as prosecutors work to fill in other details about Murray's behavior after finding Jackson unconscious. Also expected to testify on Thursday are Kai Chase, a chef who spoke to Murray briefly on the morning of Jackson's death, and paramedics who also tried to revive the singer. The medics believed Jackson was already dead by the time they arrived, but Murray insisted the performer be taken to a hospital for additional resuscitation efforts.
Prosecutors contend Murray did not tell any of the bodyguards or emergency personnel that he had been giving Jackson propofol and other sedatives to help him sleep.
Chernoff claimed in opening statements that Jackson gave himself the lethal dose.
Much of the trial in later sessions will focus on the science of what killed Jackson, and dueling theories of Murray's role.
For at least another day, jurors will hear from witnesses who knew him when he was alive.

Tackles Cancer With Laughter, Dynamic Performances

But while most films dealing with the tender subject seem to focus on older audiences, this one slyly plays off the notion that most young adults think they are impervious to all of life’s cruel twists and turns. “50/50” gives a younger generation a sucker-punch of bittersweet humor to tell an uplifting, but ultimately frightening story.
Directed by Jonathan Levine (“The Wackness”) and based on a true story, “50/50” follows 27-year-old Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) whose perfectly normal and successful life crumbles to chaos when he finds out he has a unique form of spinal cancer.
Screenwriter Will Reiser focuses on the emotional effects of having cancer and how it affects all surrounding relationships from family to work to sex, splitting the film down the middle as half tear-jerker and half side-splitting comedy.
Providing both pain and comfort for Adam are his uncompassionate girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard), who provides just as much heartache for him as his disease. Funny man Seth Rogen plays Adam’s larger-than-life pal who uses Lerner’s situation to hook up with single women and gets the two into some off-kilter situations. Rogen’s comic relief is hilarious, albeit occasionally excessive, and wonderfully counters the severity of Adam’s dilemma
The scenes between Adam and his mother (Angelica Huston) are particularly moving. The mother-son relationship is rocky at best and the tug-of-war between the characters brings out some of the best acting moments in the film.
Rounding out the film is Anna Kendrick’s sweet performance as Adam’s newbie therapist, whose inexperience helps the two face cancer together with fresh, young eyes.
The film never veers hard to either side of comedy or drama, maintaining a delicate balance between the two. Whenever the film feels like it may enter ‘after-school-special’ territory, it course corrects with some vulgar humor, usually at Rogen’s expense. Gordon-Levitt’s nuanced performance, especially, keeps the film grounded and realistic. The “3rd Rock From the Sun” star has come a long way and may see gold come awards season.
“50/50” certainly plays to Seth Rogen’s typical audience and the profanity may not be for everyone, but peppered among the scenes of crude dialogue and pot smoking is an inspirational and uplifting drama of a young man’s journey to embrace all that life, good or bad, throws his way.

Roman Polanski Apologizes to Woman He Raped When She Was 13

ZURICH, Switzerland – Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski apologizes to the woman he sexually assaulted when she was a 13-year-old girl in a new documentary that premiered Tuesday night at the Zurich Film Festival.
"She is a double victim: my victim and a victim of the press," he said in Laurent Bouzereau's "Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir," according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The Franco-Polish director was charged in 1977 for giving Samantha Geimer, who was 13 at the time, champagne and drugs during a photo shoot at the Hollywood home of actor Jack Nicholson.
The then 43-year-old filmmaker then had sex with her despite her protests.
Polanski pleaded guilty to unlawful intercourse as part of a plea deal in 1978, but fled the US before being sentenced. He has remained an active filmmaker from his home base in France and has avoided extradition to the US with limited travel.
France does not have an extradition treaty with the US.
In 2009, however, he was apprehended by Swiss authorities when he tried to attend that year's Zurich Film Festival to receive a lifetime achievement award. He spent 10 months there under house arrest before he was ultimately released.
Tuesday night he received a standing ovation at the festival as he finally accepted the award.
Polanski, 78, thanked the crowd, telling them it was "better late than never."
"It's a strange anniversary for me, two years, day for day [since his arrest in 2009]. … Certain parts of it I'd rather forget, but I'm happy to be here," he added.
Polanski won an Academy Award for Best Director for his 2002 film "The Pianist" but was unable to attend the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles due to his legal issues.