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.

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.

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.

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.

$200m fund: ‘To move forward, we must fix piracy

Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas, explains how Nollywood can access the $200 million loan promised the industry and emphasised that piracy must be dealt with first.
The dinner is first to thank you for what you have done particularly as Nigeria’s cultural ambassadors, you have done so much for Nigeria no other single sector has been able to beat you. As laughter merchants, happiness generator and, above all, relaxation proponents, it is important that your importance in the industry and Nigeria’s ascendancy and development be recognised and appreciated. I want to beg you not to relent because this is just the beginning. I am not new to the industry.
I recall in 2005, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe came to see me with a proposal. I was at that time Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Bayelsa State. It was my duty and responsibility to do what is good for Nigeria, for Bayelsa, particularly as it affects the Performing Arts and the industry generally. When the proposal reached my desk, I felt this is a revolution and we must support it. Indeed, I made recommendation to the then governor, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha that this is a proposal that cannot be ignored. We have to support it and it is important that Nigeria take the initiative, take control of the process and drive it.
A lot of us do not know if the black man and the black world of Africa is going to stand up and be counted, the best way to drive that is through the Arts. If we do not support the Arts to drive the process of that change, we will not get there. So, fortunately, the governor, who is also very enthusiastic about the Arts, with his deputy at that time said, ‘look, this is what we must do’. That deputy is now President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Omoluabi Mai-nasara Jonathan. What is the President going to accomplish especially as it affects you? The first is the biggest threat to this industry, piracy. Why should somebody profit from what you create? If we do not fix piracy, we will not move forward. The second is resources for you to do what you want to do.
There was a pronouncement when the President came for the Silverbird 30th anniversary programme that an entertainment fund will be put in place. He announced $200 million for the entertainment industry. Before coming here, I called the Finance Minister because I would not want to be taken unawares. I said ‘can you give me the brief of what you have done with regard to the directive of Mr. President’?. ‘The $200 million Mr. President promised. There are some places that have not assessed the money. That who is holding the money and why are those who should benefit not benefiting from the money’?. This is what he told me. The first is that the total amount is $200 million not N200 million like some newspapers published a day after it was announced. And that the fund is coming from African Development Bank, ADB, which has already disbursed it. And that the money will be administered by the Bank of Industry supported by NEXIM. And that since the announcement, a meeting has taken place within the industry with a view to have an understanding and a value chain added to the process.
The Finance Minister said a meeting of the representatives of the entertainment industry took place with a view to have a common understanding on how these resources will be accessed. And that this will also be used for value added in terms of getting real value for those resources. He said that when this is completed, there will be a framework through which assessing the funds can be done. He used the words ‘Bankable Proposals’. He said for this kind of proposal, the individuals applying are well known. The minister also said an advisory board is being set up and that the board will be made up of the people in Nollywood. That the advisory board is to ensure management of the resources in a way that everybody has access.
According to him, the resources are not only for Nollywood people, it also includes musicians and other artistes. And that generally, it is for the performing arts. And that the situation now is that in the next two weeks, (from March 4) this whole thing will be resolved because he is going to address a major press conference to announce it. But that you do not need to wait till all this is announced. The Bank of Industry said it already has some money set aside and that people can apply in the mean time.
The minister said that so far, some of those who have applied have just written one page saying I want money. There has to be proper proposal to state that this is what I want to do and this is how I want to do it. This is the result, this is how I believe I will be able to get back the money and empower myself and also be able, in a few years time, to pay back. All that, according to him, are some of the hiccups in the whole process. Just writing ‘I want money’ and sending the proposal to the Bank of Industry, will not get you the money. It is important that the Lagos Business School, LBS, which has been contacted to help those who want to access the fund, prepare or train them in proposal writing and so on.
According to the minister, it is also possible some of bureaucracy will be sidestepped if whatever proposal prepared is important to national interest, to the economic security of the institution or corporation or individual that are applying. This is the message that I got from the Minister of Finance on phone. Going forward, Nigeria has reached a very important path in our nation’s advancement. We need to prop up our entertainment industry just like the United States; use this platform to evangelise the beauty, the glory of Nigeria. If we have to do that, you have to be supported. You cannot get a better person than President Jonathan who started supporting you while he was deputy governor. He is not a pretender to the industry. You have got to look at his track record, —where he is coming from, what he has done. If you want to judge somebody judge him from his record. That, to me, is the important step as we move forward at this level.

Bitter war between Helen Prest Ajayi and Nike Osinowo-Soleye

One story that is making the rounds in the Lagos social circle is about an alleged bitter war between former Miss Nigeria and ageless beauty,Helen Prest Ajayi and her erstwhile protégé and ex Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria pageant,Nike Osinowo-Soleye.
According to the gist,the two women do not see eye to eye and each of them in recent time,has been bad mouthing the other.
Those who peddle the gist,claim that the issues stems from a seeming”lack of respect” for her elders on the part of Nike Oshinowo-Soleye.
Those who hold this view,claim that years ago,Nike was a protégé of Helen Prest Ajayi,who is one of the most evergreen Miss Nigeria pageant winners.
As they put it,it was Helen Prest that persuaded Nike,who was then living in England to return to Nigeria to contest the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria crown which she (Nike) won at the time.
The gist peddlers say her victory,was also with the aid of the former Miss Nigeria who groomed and guided her through the processes that saw her tops.
Years later however,they claim that Nike,”grew wings” and was claiming equality with Helen Prest who incidentally is also five years or more older than her.It was this equality claim that tore the two erstwhile pals apart and started their unending war.
But even as they battle each other,a lot of celebrity women in their circle are already taking sides.Many say Helen Prest Ajayi is a little envious of Nike Oshinowo whom they claim dwarfs Helen Prest and is perhaps Nigeria’s most acclaimed and most celebrated beauty queen ever.
They allege that with her(Nike’s) achievement,Helen Prest should not expect her to be perpetually crawling to her even if it was she who pushed her into returning to contest the MBGN years ago.But Helen Prest’s supporters are saying that despite Nike’s popularity,that she lacks the sterling quality of a real queen.
They also claim that she is disrespectful and should kowtow to Helen Prest as her elder and erstwhile mentor.They claim that Nike has no substance to her persona except the media hype that follows her.
This they say is why she has fallen apart with all her friends including Erelu Dosunmu,Doyin Abiola,Biola Okoya and Nkiru Anumundu.

5 best Brad Pitt performances

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Choosing Brad Pitt's five best performances was tough, but getting a chance to look back on his career was a joy.
Ever since his breakout role as the sexy and mysterious drifter J.D. in "Thelma & Louise" (1991), Pitt has repeatedly proven that he's so much more than just a pretty face. He's shown a knack for choosing meaty, intelligent films and working with the most respected directors, which has allowed him to explore every facet of his versatile talent.
This week he stars in "Moneyball" as Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, a role that lets him be both charismatic and vulnerable. It's some of his best work; here are five other examples:
— "Fight Club" (1999): The first rule of Brad Pitt is, it's impossible not to talk about Brad Pitt. He's larger than life here, mythological almost, as Tyler Durden, the leader of the secret fight club and the key to Edward Norton's salvation — or so he initially thinks. Sinewy and swaggering, Pitt radiates sexy masculinity in an almost primal way. The fact that he also challenges the men who follow him on emotional and psychological levels makes him not just charismatic but downright frightening. This is one of several films Pitt has made with director David Fincher — and you might put "Se7en" or "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" on your list of his top performances — but this is the one that stands out most for me.
— "The Tree of Life" (2011): Between this and "Moneyball," Pitt is having a pretty great year. But the performances come in two films that couldn't be more different. Terrence Malick's hypnotic meditation on family, memory and the origin of life itself is full of mesmerizing imagery. But it also allowed Pitt to do some of the best work of his career as a husband and father of three in 1950s Texas. Pitt makes the character an intimidating figure, a capricious mix of toughness and tenderness. His actions may seem questionable, even abusive at times, but you get the sense that he's questioning, struggling, trying to figure out how to be the best man he can be without abandoning his traditional notions of manhood.
— "Inglourious Basterds" (2009): He's pretty much doing a bad impression of George W. Bush here — campy but irresistible — and it is always such a joy to watch him let go and goof off. Pitt tops a tremendous ensemble cast in Quentin Tarantino's daring, revisionist World War II saga as the twangy Tennessean Lt. Aldo Raine. He's the leader of a band of Jewish American soldiers who hunt Nazis with the goal of not just killing them but scalping them and sometimes carving swastikas into their foreheads. He offers a rousing mix of aw-shucks earnestness and slam-bang bravado.
— "Burn After Reading" (2008): Part of the beauty of Pitt is his willingness to toy with his own beautiful image. In the Coen brothers' comedy, he steals every scene he's in — and nearly walks away with the whole movie — as an overgrown child of a gym trainer whose bungled schemes get him in way over his head. Just his name alone, Chad Feldheimer, makes him sound like a first-class doofus, and one look at his blonde-streaked pouf tells you not to take him, or the film, too seriously. But Pitt brings an innocence to the role that makes him irresistible rather than obnoxious; with the shadow of superstardom looming so large, it's easy to forget he can be funny.
— "Snatch." (2000): Pitt went even deeper to play a weird, wild comic character here, going so far as to speak in an accent that made him completely unintelligible — but that's what made the performance hilarious. Guy Ritchie's comedy is full of his typically colorful characters, assorted British low-lifes and eccentrics. But Pitt steals the show as an Irish gypsy boxer who speaks in such a quick, mangled way, even the Brits can't understand him. In a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, he said he came up with the gibberish in a panic at the last minute when he couldn't quite nail the character's accent. But as with everything else, he made it look effortless.

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!”