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.

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.

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.

Whitney Cummings juggles 2 shows this season

NEW YORK (AP) — So far, Whitney Cummings is halfway to having a great autumn. She co-created and co-produces the show "2 Broke Girls," which premiered Monday to 19.2 million CBS viewers. What could make this season her best ever is if her eponymous NBC sitcom, of which she is also executive producer, does well, too.

The 29-year-old comedian said she doesn't feel like she's competing with herself so far — especially because they're on different nights, with the CBS show airing Mondays and "Whitney" showing on Thursdays.

"You know, that's funny," she tells the Associated Press.

"I don't really think we're competing, and they're two different shows, although both of them I'm incredibly proud of," she says.

"2 Broke Girls" follows the adventures of two waitresses who meet and become roommates. Her partner behind the show is Michael Patrick King, who also directed and wrote for "Sex and the City."

"I don't think anybody's better at making comedy about women in New York, so I can't wait to watch both of them," Cummings says.

"Whitney" is a relationship ensemble show that has drawn comparisons to "Friends."

"That's a huge compliment," she says.

"The characters on 'Friends' were all really funny and had their own thing and were all very specific and fully developed. ... That was always my goal. Each character should be able to have a spinoff show, you know."

Cummings grew up on a steady diet of television and honed her comedic chops by watching sitcoms like "Three's Company" and "The Cosby Show." She's best known for her standup and her appearances on Chelsea Handler's late-night show on E, "Chelsea Lately."

She says fans of her comedy will hopefully see it in her character on "Whitney."

"There's no difference between me and my comedy and my character, solely because I'm lazy," she jokes. "It's important people who do know me from my standup recognize me on the show. That's what got me here."

"Whitney" premieres Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern.

Which Celeb Is Addicted to Getting Hitched?

Paul McCartney is tying the knot for the third time -- at the same venue where he married his beloved late wife Linda.
The legendary ex-Beatle, 69, and multi-millionaire fiancée Nancy Shevell, 51, have posted notice that they plan to wed at the Old Marylebone Town Hall in London, People magazine reports.
SODAHEAD SLIDESHOW: See celebrities who are addicted to getting hitched.
Posting a marriage notice sound pretty old-fashioned to us -- especially when the paparazzi are on your tail. But the actual wedding date has not been announced (rumor has it they'll make it official as soon as next month).
"They were lovely, very relaxed and very charming and clearly in love with each other," Alison Cathcart, who expects to conduct the ceremony, told People. "They were excited."
But after the way McCartney's last marriage went down, we're pretty surprised he wants to have another go at it. McCartney married the much-younger Heather Mills, a former model and anti-landmines campaigner, in 2002, and had a daughter with her in 2003. Their highly publicized tabloid divorced was finalized in 2008 with a reported $48.6 million settlement.
McCartney had better luck the first time around with Linda Eastman (later McCartney), the American photographer he wed in 1969. She died from breast cancer in 1998 -- and until that point, the couple had famously only spent 11 nights apart.
PHOTOS: See the latest celebrity pictures to hit the Internet.
From McCartney to Larry King to Jennifer Lopez, let us know: Which celeb is addicted to getting hitched?
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/09/16/paul-mccartney-posts-marriage-notice-which-celeb-is-addicted-to-getting-hitched/#ixzz1YAwiAfnq

loses equivalent of one Olsen Twin

Kirstie Alley, 60, long the butt of fat jokes, has finally shut up her critics. The “Dancing with the Stars” contestant has lost a jaw-dropping 100 lbs.
“I feel like I’m back in my element,” Alley told Entertainment Tonight. “I honestly didn’t even realize what I looked like.”
PHOTOS: Kirstie’s Weight Ups and Downs.
The former “Fat Actress” said she now fits into a teeny-tiny size 4. “Before ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ I bought these dresses from size 14 to 4,” she explained. “(They were) all the same dress, and I said, ‘You know what I really want? I really wanna be in this dress in a 4!’”
The now-skinny star even sashayed down the catwalk for designer Zang Toi during New York’s Fashion Week on Tuesday.
“I’ve known Zang since 1993,” Alley explained. “He just has the most beautiful clothes, period.”
While Alley lost the equivalent of one Olsen Twin, she’s not planning on going under the knife to remove any excess skin.
PHOTOS: Weight Yo-Yo Stars.
“I haven’t had plastic surgery,” said Allley. “Here’s the reason: People do plastic surgery to make you look younger. I don’t think it makes you look younger. I like it can make you look weirder.”

Even though she has a face and figure women half her age would envy, Alley says she isn’t looking for Mr. Right — she’s looking for Mr. Right Now. “This is what I think about sex,” Alley declared. “I think its fun to hookup every night for six months… Then it’s time to move on!”