Celebrity Sentry

The Firm – The first AXN Original Series

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:45:32 +0000

AXN viewers in Asia will be able to enjoy the two-hour premiere February 9.50PM, on the same day it cross airs households channels globally in Asia, Latin America, Central Europe, Iberia, Italy, Africa, Russia and the Baltics.

An AXN original series based on John Grisham’s bestselling novel, the TV reincarnation picks up ten years after the movie of the same name starring Tom Cruise. Hot shot lawyer, Mitch McDeere, brought down a Memphis law firm fronting the Chicago mob. Mitch and his family attempt to reclaim their lives by moving to Washington DC to start their own firm after leaving the Federal Witness Protection Program. However, the past has a way of catching up with them.

The stellar cast includes Josh Lucas (The Lincoln Lawyer) and Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers). Lucas is cast as Mitch McDeere, the role originally made famous by Cruise, with Lewis playing McDeere’s receptionist, Tammy Hemphill (previously played by Holly Hunter in the film). Canadian cast members include Molly Parker (Deadwood) as McDeere’s wife, Abby, and Callum Keith Rennie (Battlestar Galactica) as his brother, Ray, and Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as Alex Clark, the firm’s managing partner.

Showrunner Lukas Reiter, a former prosecutor who has worked on The Practice and Boston Legal, was the one who first sought out John Grisham in the hopes of scripting a sequel and eventually got him on board as executive producer. On what to expect from the new Mitch, Reiter teased, “What made Mitch Mcdeere so special is his ability to find the hidden solution long after the average person believes there is no way out…There’s a great amount of fun to be had watching Josh Lucas find those solutions.”

Shot on location in Canada, The Firm will keep viewers on the edge of their seats and fans of Grisham can anticipate the same kinds of drama and thriller feel that made the book and the 1993 film adaptation so original!

The Firm premiered on Feb 19, 2012 Sundays at 9.55pm (PH)

First and Exclusively on AXN

All photography should be credited "Sony Pictures Television/Frank Ockenfels"

Catch the repeat timings of The Firm's Pilot Episode on Feb 23 at 10:55pm & Feb 26 at 10:20am

New episode every Sunday at 9.55pm

Incoming search terms:

the firm tv series full cast

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The Firm – The first AXN Original Series

Spring Break Cancun 2011 – Safety Tips

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:30:09 +0000

Recently media coverage of Mexico may have you changed your mind about travel to Cancun for this Spring Break.

However, as in other tourist destinations throughout the world, crime is a fact of life, and as a tourist you may be targeted for theft. In order to increase your chances of having a safe and pleasant vacation, follow these 10 tips for Cancun travel safety.

1.- First of All, please Relax The police force patrols the Hotel Zone and its priority is to maintain safe streets to attract visitors. You are here to having fun and Relax- Cancun's main objective is to pamper you.

2.- Research your destination wisely and choose a place that feels right for you. There are plenty of places in Cancun where you can have a tranquil, relaxing vacation.

3.- Choose ATMs in malls or stores when possible. Avoid using ATMs in deserted streets.

4.- Be extra Careful in Crowds. As with any popular tourist destination, Cancun has its petty thieves. They tend to work in crowds, where there are many distractions and the likelihood of detection is low.

5.- Watch your Alcohol Consumption. Cancun's many bars and night clubs are a popular attraction for visitors. Avoid the Open Bar Drinks (all kind of cocktails) choose beer instead. Keep an eye on your drinks at all times and do not accept drinks from strangers. This goes for guys as well as girls

6.- Weather Conditions. Before you head for the sea, take the warning flags on beaches seriously. Follow lifeguards indications all the time.

7.- Blend in as much as possible. Walking around with a camera around your neck and a tourist guidebook in your hand advertises your tourist status and may make you a mark for thieves. Try to be discreet.

8.- Know your limits: a few drinks may be part of what you consider a fun time, but remember that drinking too much alcohol will lower your inhibitions and can impair your judgment.

9.- Female Travelers, Women particularly those traveling alone, are advised to be extra cautious when visiting Cancun. While the local people are generally friendly and non-threatening, there have been several instances of men preying on female tourists.

10.- In case of emergency: The emergency telephone number in Mexico is 066 (not 911). You do not need a phone card to call this number from a public telephone

Beside this Spring Break Safety tips, please use your common sense and don't get involved with drugs. Drugs are illegal in Mexico. Cancun is fun enough

Learn How to Draw Cartoons Easily

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:25:18 +0000

Cartoons are fun to read or watch. If you aspire to being the next Walt Disney or even just want to draw something neat to liven up your blog, here's how to learn to draw cartoons.

1. Choose your medium

Are you going for single cartoons, cartoons strips like the Peanuts or are you getting ambitious and want to produce a full scale movie? Each of these will affect how you start out. And if you are just starting out, I'd suggest that you leave the movie until later

2. Decide on your main character

Are they human or animal? Think of the features they will have. Quite often, cartoons exaggerate certain features and almost ignore other ones. They aren't photographs, so they have much more freedom to do this.

3. Start with a sketch

If you've ever seen a storyboard for a movie, you'll know that it just shows a rough outline of what is going to happen rather than full blown detail. If you're aiming to draw a cartoon strip, it's good to plan out what will happen in each of the three or four frames that will likely make up your final cartoon.

4. Work on your main character

Don't worry about getting things perfect. It's far better to draw something than to agonize over the exact positioning of every line. Check out an early Mickey Mouse cartoon or even an early episode of the Simpsons and compare them with more modern versions. You'll see the characters have developed over the years and, in the case of that famous mouse, are almost unrecognizable when you look at the early and newer versions side by side.

5. Add expression

A cheeky grin or some raised eyebrows go a long way to giving your new creation some character. Unless your main character is supposed to be completely expressionless and unmoving, it pays to give them emotions. If they're angry or scared, you can emphasize that in the next step.

6. Add color

Assuming you are going to display your cartoon on your website or print it off on your color printer, add some color to your drawing. This gives variety for people to look at and helps to bring the cartoon to life. Again, we're not talking reality here. So that purple dinosaur like the one in the Flintstones is fine

7. Add shade

A few lines of shading go a long way in cartoons. Our minds will fill in the blanks, so there's no need to draw every hair on a hairy leg, just enough to give us some hints and let our imagination join the dots. This is surprisingly effective and will allow you to help your readers imaginations.

8. Add background

Like the shade, this doesn't need to be too detailed. An outline of a pyramid shape if your cartoon is visiting Egypt will do fine. There's no need to draw the complete Sphinx unless your storyline calls for it.

9. Add your caption

Cartoon characters can speak – even animals normally. Will your caption be in the form of a speech bubble or a line below the cartoon?

Christian Bale To Star In 'Crazy Heart' Director Scott Cooper's 'Out Of The Furnace'; Robert Duvall Circling, Viggo Mortensen & More Being Sought

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:30:14 +0000

For a moment there it seemed like "Crazy Heart" director Scott Cooper would just continually keep signing on to a bunch of stuff without ever shooting anything. Indeed, since his country music movie became a big, Academy Award winning hit Cooper has put his name to a plethora of projects, including (take a deep breath): the western family feud saga "The Hatfields And The McCoys" with Brad Pitt attached; an adaptation of William Styron's "Lie Down In Darkness" with Jennifer Lawrence attached; an adaptation of Bob Dylan's "Brownsville Girl" also with Brad Pitt attached; a remake of the Argentinian thriller "Carancho"; former Noah Baumbach project "The Emperor's Children" and the conman tale "The Man In Rockefeller Suit." But it's a gig he took last summer that has now firmly taken the pole position with a major star on board.

Christian Bale — who looks overjoyed to be freed from the tentpole shackles — will take the lead in "Out Of The Furnace" (best known to Black List watchers when it placed #5 in 2008 as "The Low Dweller"). The grim tale, which is drawing comparisons to "No Country For Old Men," is set in Indiana in 1986 and follows Slim, recently released from prison, who intends to marry his girlfriend but instead is drawn into a quest for revenge when his brother is murdered after getting involved in the gambling racket.

Interestingly, this project almost rolled in 2011 with Rupert Sanders at the helm and Bale set to star, but it fell apart over scheduling. The former went on to direct "Snow White And The Huntsman," while Bale signed up for the Terrence Malick two-fer "Lawless" and "Knight Of Cups." But the best part is that Cooper won't have to wait for those Malick films to finish. Instead, the plan is to shoot this before the summer when 'Cups' is supposed to roll. Awesome. Even better, the always excellent Robert Duvall is being eyed to join the project as well. Update: Variety adds that Viggo Mortensen is being sought to play the villain, with Casey Affleck, Garrett Hedlund, Taylor Kitsch and Channing Tatum in the mix to play Bale's brother.

It has been (way) too long for Cooper to make his return, but frankly, he couldn't ask for better material and an actor than this. It's another great choice from Bale who continues to use his Bruce Wayne clout to get smaller movies going, which is always a great thing. We're looking forward to this one. [Heat Vision]

Christian Bale To Star In 'Crazy Heart' Director Scott Cooper's 'Out Of The Furnace'; Robert Duvall Circling, Viggo Mortensen & More Being Sought

Late Night: Julianne Moore says ‘Game Change’ is fair to Sarah Palin

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:20:06 +0000

Though John McCain and Sarah Palin loyalists have preemptively voiced their disapproval of HBO's upcoming film "Game Change," based on John Heilemann's and Mark Halperin's bestselling account of the 2008 presidential campaign, actress Julianne Moore insists that she and her collaborators made every effort to be — ahem — fair and balanced in their portrayal of Palin.

In an appearance on "The Daily Show" Tuesday night, Moore, who plays the surprise vice presidential pick in the film, said, "We were careful to be as balanced as possible in our portrayal." She explained how director Jay Roach reached out to Palin's representatives, who declined to cooperate with the project.

"This is less of a story about Sarah Palin than it is those 60 days between her pick and the loss," Moore said. "We're really trying to tell that story. And it really is: How do we choose our leaders? Why is it we're so drawn to magnetism, charisma, good looks, all those things that movie stars have. Do our leaders need to have those too?"

"Game Change": Five craziest scenes in HBO's Sarah Palin film

The actress acknowledged the difficulty of playing such an instantly recognizable cultural figure without lapsing into caricature. Luckily, she said, there was no shortage of research material at her disposal. YouTube was an invaluable resource, according to Moore, as was the memoir "Going Rogue," and even the TLC reality series "Sarah Palin's Alaska."

She said she also worked with a vocal coach to master Palin's peculiar, geographically mysterious accent. "Now I've been to Alaska, and they don't sound like that," observed host Jon Stewart. Agreeing, Moore put forth her own theory as to its origins. "She speaks most like her father, so it seems to be based on the Idaho accent, but then she even takes it further, so it seems to be her own particular way of speaking," she said, noting Palin's habit of emphasizing her prepositions. (Linguistics nerd alert!)

Whatever you think of Palin or "Game Change," you have to admit: Moore has certainly done her research.

Julianne Moore gets inside Sarah Palin's skin for "Game Change"

Late Night: Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart go after Rush Limbaugh

– Meredith Blake twitter.com/MeredithBlake

Photo: Sarah Palin, left, and "Game Change's" Julianne Moore. Credit: Stephan Savoia / Associated Press, left, and HBO.

Late Night: Julianne Moore says ‘Game Change’ is fair to Sarah Palin

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver "Not Reconciling"

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:10:35 +0000

Maria Shriver hasn't changed her mind since filing for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger in July 2011.

Despite a New York Post report claiming the estranged couple is planning to get back together, an insider tells Us Weekly Shriver and Schwarzenegger "are not reconciling and not in counseling."

PHOTOS: High-profile cheating scandals

Their split remains amicable, as "they are being parents together. The couple's four "beautiful" children include Katherine, 22, Christina, 20, Patrick, 18, and Christopher, 14.

PHOTOS: Biggest celeb splits of 2011

Explains the insider: "They will continue to be seen together because of their family but they are not reconciling."

Shriver, 56, decided to end her 25-year-marriage after Schwarzenegger, 64, admitted to fathering a child more than 10 years earlier with housekeeper Mildred Baena.

VIDEO: What went wrong with Arnold and Maria's marriage?

"There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused," Schwarzenegger said at the time. "I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver "Not Reconciling"

Chris Colfer, Felicity Jones Movies Added to Tribeca Film Festival Lineup

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:05:40 +0000

On Thursday, the festival announced the lineups for its Spotlight section (which includes 22 narrative films and 12 documentaries), its Cinemania section (which has scheduled another seven international films) and its sixth annual Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival, which will open with the world premiere of Benji, an account of 17-year-old basketball star Ben Wilson, who was murdered in 1974.

A complete list of the films in their respective sections follows:

SPOTLIGHT:

2 Days in New York, directed and written by Julie Delpy. (France) – New York Premiere, Narrative. This deliriously witty follow-up to 2 Days in Paris finds Marion (writer/director Delpy) living a comfortable life in New York with her latest hipster boyfriend, Mingus (Chris Rock, brilliantly playing it straight), and their two young kids from prior relationships. A riotous comedy of cultural errors ensues when Marion’s totally unhinged, gleefully unfiltered family arrives from Paris to meet Mingus for the first time. In English, French with subtitles. A Magnolia Pictures release.

PHOTOS: 2011 Tribeca Film Fest Opening Night

Any Day Now, directed by Travis Fine, written by Travis Fine and George Arthur Bloom. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. In the late 1970s, when a mentally handicapped teenager is abandoned, a gay couple takes him in and becomes the family he’s never had. But once the unconventional living arrangement is discovered by authorities, the men must fight a biased legal system to adopt the child they have come to love as their own. Alan Cumming and Garret Dillahunt star in TFF alum Fine’s (The Space Between) touching and occasionally incendiary drama.

As Luck Would Have It (La Chispa de la Vida), directed by Alex de la Iglesia, written by Randy Feldman. (Spain) – North American Premiere, Narrative. The economy has kept Roberto (José Mota) out of work for a long time. When a freak accident puts him at the center of a media frenzy, the enterprising ad exec hires a snaky agent to help him cash in on his life-or-death situation. It’s up to Roberto’s adoring wife (the vivacious Salma Hayek) to convince him he’s worth more alive than dead. Cult director de la Iglesia takes a fresh new step, combining a darkly comic satire with an emotional drama of a family’s love. In Spanish with subtitles.

BAM150, directed by Michael Sládek (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Go behind the scenes like never before at BAM, the nation's oldest performing arts center. Featuring footage of recent BAM performances, interviews with groundbreaking artists like Laurie Anderson and Robert Wilson, and the fascinating history of the creative home to such greats as Pina Bausch, Peter Brook, and Merce Cunningham, TFF alum Sládek's (Con Artist) doc shows that BAM's 150 years were not always easy, but are a testament to the power and stamina of the institution that launched Brooklyn as a cultural mecca.

A Better Life (Une Vie Meilleure), directed by Cédric Kahn, written by Cédric Kahn and Catherine Paillé. (France, Canada) – U.S. Premiere, Narrative. Passionately in love from the moment they meet, idealistic chef Yann and single mother Nadia share big dreams for their future. Life gets complicated when they impulsively buy a secluded restaurant in the woods and take on risky loans, testing the strength of their relationship. Fiercely gritty in its romanticism, this is a story of the lengths one will go for the chance at a better life. In French, English with subtitles.

Booker’s Place: A Mississippi Story, directed by Raymond De Felitta. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. While filming a documentary on racism in Mississippi in 1965, Frank De Felitta forever changed the life of an African-American waiter and his family. More than 40 years later, Frank’s son Raymond (director of City Island) returns to the site of his father’s film to examine the repercussions of their fateful encounter. This intensely personal film about the struggle to understand one’s parents is also a heartbreaking portrait of the legacy of intolerance.

PHOTOS: 2011 Tribeca Film Festival Buzz Films

Broke, directed by Billy Corben. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. More money, more problems. Sucked into bad investments, stalked by freeloaders, saddled with medical issues and naturally prone to showing off, most pro athletes end up broke within a few years of retirement. Drawing surprisingly vulnerable confessions from retired stars like Marvin Miller, Jamal Mashburn, Bernie Kosar and Andre Rison, this fascinating documentary digs into the psychology of men whose competitive nature carries them to victory on the field and ruin off it.

Cheerful Weather for the Wedding, directed by Donald Rice, written by Donald Rice and Mary Henely Magill. (UK) – World Premiere, Narrative. On the morning of her wedding, Dolly (Felicity Jones) is hiding out and dreaming of the idyllic summer before, helped along by a jug of rum. Her scatterbrained mother (Elizabeth McGovern) has perfected all the arrangements, but even she can’t prepare everyone for the arrival of Dolly’s unpredictable best friend, Joseph (Luke Treadaway). Lighthearted humor and a steamy romance add the perfect touch to a dysfunctional wedding whose key players seem anything but cheerful.

Chicken With Plums (Poulet Aux Prunes), directed and written by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud. (France, Germany, Belgium) – U.S. Premiere, Narrative. Nasser Ali Khan (Mathieu Amalric) is the most celebrated violin player in 1950s Tehran, but his heart is broken. His true love is long lost, his marriage is passionless, and now his most precious instrument has met its demise. Convinced life without music is intolerable, he resigns to bed and loses himself in reveries from his youth. The Oscar-nominated directors of Persepolis make magic again with a stylish fairy tale full of humor, whimsy and melancholy. In French with subtitles. A Sony Pictures Classics release.

Deadfall, directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, written by Zach Dean. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. In the wintry countryside near Canada, a smooth-talking heist man and his femme fatale sister are on the run with a bag full of cash. With a deadly blizzard swirling around them, they split up to make a desperate dash for the border, but a twist of fate puts them on a collision course with a troubled ex-con and his family. Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde, Sissy Spacek and Kris Kristofferson highlight the ace cast in this icy thriller. A Magnolia Pictures release.

Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey, directed by Ramona Diaz. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. It sounds like a dream: A charismatic Filipino singer from the slums of Manila posts videos of his cover band to YouTube, and soon he’s fronting an iconic rock band. Sounds crazy, but it’s the real-life rock-and-roll fairy tale that Arnel Pineda is living as the new lead singer of Journey. The pressure’s on Pineda as this rockin’ doc follows Journey’s dizzying world tour — can a man who has already overcome so many obstacles deal with the demands of his newfound fame? In English, Tagalog with subtitles.

PHOTOS: 2011 Tribeca Film Festival Takes NYC

Elles, directed by Malgoska Szumowska, written by Tine Byrckel and Malgoska Szumowska. (France, Poland, Germany) – U.S. Premiere, Narrative. Juliette Binoche, exquisite and involved as always, stars in this sophisticated, sexually charged drama as Anne, a journalist getting in too deep with the research for her article on college students working as prostitutes. As the surprising stories of her two candid subjects stir up Anne’s image of femininity, she wonders if life with her workaholic husband and two spacey sons is all that different from her subjects’ lives. A Kino Lorber release.

Évocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie, directed by Seth Kramer, Daniel A. Miller and Jeremy Newberger, written by Daniel A. Miller. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Long before the days of Jersey Shore or Glenn Beck, there was one man who gleefully gave those on the fringes of the society a national mouthpiece. Witness Morton Downey Jr.’s meteoric rise and fall as the original shock television emcee, and check your sense of decorum at the door. Here we learn about the man behind the mouth and how the pursuit of fame and fortune over the airwaves can ultimately destroy your soul.

Free Samples, directed by Jay Gammill, written by Jim Beggarly. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Jillian is having a bad day. She’s got a raging hangover, she’s starting to think dropping out of Stanford Law to become an artist wasn’t the best career move, and things are weird with her faraway fiancé. Can spending the day parked in an ice cream truck doling out samples — and a good dose of sass — to oddball Angelenos shake her out of her quarter-life crisis? Jess Weixler, Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Ritter star in this quirky comedy.

The Giant Mechanical Man, directed and written by Lee Kirk. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Thirtysomethings Janice (Jenna Fischer) and Tim (Chris Messina) haven’t quite learned how to navigate adulthood. Tim is a street performer whose unique talents as a “living statue” don’t exactly pay the bills. Janice is out of work and under pressure by her sister (Malin Akerman) to date an egotistical self-help guru (Topher Grace). In this charming comedic romance, these two strangers help each other to realize that it only takes one person to make you feel important. A Tribeca Film release.

Headshot (Fon Tok Kuen Fah), directed and written by Pen-ek Ratanaruang. (Thailand, France) – U.S. Premiere, Narrative. A return to the crime genre for celebrated Thai auteur Pen-ek Ratanaruang (6ixtynin9, Last Life in the Universe), Headshot is a noir-laced thriller centered on Tul, a hit man who is shot in the head and wakes up to find that he sees everything upside down. Working backwards (and often upside down) to tell a brooding and convoluted tale of underworld double dealings, this is an unexpected and artful take on the action thriller from a genre master. In Thai with subtitles. A Kino Lorber release.

Hysteria, directed by Tanya Wexler, written by Jonah Lisa Dyer and Stephen Dyer. (USA, UK, Luxembourg, France) – U.S. Premiere, Narrative. Set in 19th-century London at the peak of Victorian prudishness, this racy romantic comedy tells the surprising story of the birth of the electro-mechanical vibrator. A progressive young doctor (Hugh Dancy, Adam) has his hands full relieving the city’s affluent society women of their melancholy, until an accidental discovery electrifies their lives forever—and sends sparks flying between him and a feminist rabble-rouser (Maggie Gyllenhaal). A Sony Pictures Classics release.

Keep the Lights On, directed by Ira Sachs, written by Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. For Erik and Paul, what begins as a meaningless late-night hookup evolves into a serious, committed relationship. Acclaimed director Ira Sachs offers an honest, unflinching portrait of a relationship that is by equal measure loving and destructive. Uncompromising in its depiction of drug addiction and the sacrifices we make for the ones we love, Sachs’ film is a heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful look at the way love changes over time.

Knuckleball!, directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, written by Christine Schomer, Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. This classic sports story recounts the trials and triumphs of two of the best known knuckleball pitchers currently playing in the MLB: Tim Wakefield, a Red Sox veteran struggling to clinch his 200th career win, and R.A. Dickey, an up-and-comer with the Mets looking to make a name for himself. This energetic documentary from the directors of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work deconstructs the controversial and erratic knuckleball style.

Let Fury Have the Hour, directed and written by Antonino D’Ambrosio. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. A generation of artists used their creativity as a response to the reactionary politics that came to define our culture in the 1980s. This dynamic and exhilarating documentary brings together more than 50 big-name musicians, writers, artists, and thinkers to trace a momentous social history from the cynical heyday of Reagan and Thatcher to today—and impart a message of hope. Featuring Chuck D, John Sayles, Eve Ensler, Tom Morello, Lewis Black, and many others.

Lola Versus, directed by Daryl Wein, written by Daryl Wein and Zoe Lister-Jones. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Greta Gerwig stars as Lola, a New Yorker who gets dumped by her fiancé mere weeks before their wedding. With the help of her close friends Henry (Hamish Linklater) and Alice (Zoe Lister-Jones), Lola embarks on a series of unexpected encounters in an attempt to find her place in the world as a single woman approaching 30. Daryl Wein (Breaking Upwards) infuses this story of the post-breakup spiral with humor and authenticity. A Fox Searchlight Pictures release.

Mansome, directed by Morgan Spurlock, written by Jeremy Chilnick and Morgan Spurlock. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. In the age of manscaping, metrosexuals, and grooming products galore—what does it mean to be a man? Oscar® nominee Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) and executive producers Ben Silverman, Will Arnett, and Jason Bateman present a delightfully entertaining doc featuring candid interviews from Arnett, Bateman, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis, and everyday people weighing in on everything from the obsession with facial hair to body dysmorphic disorder.

One Nation Under Dog, directed by Jenny Carchman, Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Amanda Micheli. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. This heartfelt documentary explores people’s conflicted relationships with dogs and inspires us to rethink how we treat them. From a man who spends a fortune to defend his dogs in court, to a woman who can’t turn away a stray, to pet loss support groups to rescuers who take on difficult-to-place dogs and save them from death row, this is a film about love, loss, betrayal, and hope.

The Playroom, directed by Julia Dyer, written by Gretchen Dyer. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. In 1970s suburbia, Maggie and her younger siblings spend the night telling each other stories in the attic. Downstairs, as their parents entertain guests over the course of a gin-soaked evening, truths are unearthed and betrayals come to light. With standout performances from John Hawkes, Molly Parker, and a cast of talented young actors, Julia Dyer’s second feature is an honest and challenging look at the reality behind the façade of a seemingly perfect American family.

Polisse, directed by Maïwenn, written by Maïwenn and Emmanuelle Bercot. (France) – U.S. Premiere, Narrative. Confronting abusive parents, child molesters, traumatized kids, and oversexed teens is all part of the daily grind for the motley band of cops in the Juvenile Protection Unit, but so is chatting about their relationships at lunch and laughing uncontrollably. Grounded in documentary research and naturalistic performances, this unforgettable film from TFF alum Maïwenn (All About Actresses) explores the solidarity that helps hardened vice cops face the worst of society every day. In French, Italian, Romanian, Arabic with subtitles. An IFC Films release.

The Russian Winter, directed by Petter Ringbom. (Russia) – World Premiere, Documentary. Brooklyn-born John Forté was a Grammy-nominated musician in The Fugees at 21 and a federal prison inmate at 26. When his prison sentence was remarkably commuted in 2008, Forté was given a second chance to share his talents with the world. Chronicling his concert tour across Russia, this inspirational documentary takes us on Forté’s personal journey—one that’s as much about having his voice heard as having his music heard. In English, Russian with subtitles.

Searching for Sugar Man, directed and written by Malik Bendjelloul. (Sweden, UK) – New York Premiere, Documentary. Rodriguez was the greatest ’70s rock icon who never was. Despite critical praise, his albums bombed in the U.S., and he faded into obscurity among rumors of a gruesome death. But when a bootleg copy of his antiestablishment rock made its way to apartheid South Africa, he was an instant hit. Years later, two intrepid fans investigate whatever happened to the mysterious rocker, setting off a wild chain of events that has to be seen to be believed. A Sony Pictures Classics release.

Side by Side, directed and written by Chris Kenneally. (USA) – North American Premiere, Documentary. Over the past two decades, digital technology has created a groundbreaking evolution in cinema, challenging film as the standard format for motion pictures. Through interviews with masters like Danny Boyle, James Cameron, David Fincher, George Lucas, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, Lars Von Trier, and many more, producer Keanu Reeves takes us on a tour of the past and future of the moviemaking process in this in-depth documentary. A Tribeca Film release.

Struck By Lightning, directed by Brian Dannelly, written by Chris Colfer. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Even being killed by a bolt of lightning won’t keep Carson Phillips quiet. A hyper-ambitious and outspoken high school senior in a small-minded town, Carson (Glee’s Chris Colfer) narrates his own funeral and the last few weeks of his life through a series of sarcastic flashbacks in this upbeat and energetic comedy from Saved! director Brian Dannelly. With Allison Janney, Dermot Mulroney, and Drive’s Christina Hendricks.

Take This Waltz, directed and written by Sarah Polley. (Canada) – U.S. Premiere, Narrative. Margot (Michelle Williams) and Lou (Seth Rogen) are happily married. Their life is thrown out of order when Margot falls for another man and is forced to choose between the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of the unknown. Writer-director Sarah Polley’s follow-up to her acclaimed film Away From Here is a quirky, uncommonly heartfelt look at the evolving nature of love and the difficulty of sustaining a relationship over time. A Magnolia Pictures release.

Trishna, directed and written by Michael Winterbottom. (UK) – U.S. Premiere, Narrative. Again proving his endless versatility in his fifth film at Tribeca, prolific director Michael Winterbottom (The Road to Guantanamo, last year’s The Trip) adapts Thomas Hardy’s classic Victorian melodrama Tess of the d’Urbervilles to all the beauty and blight of contemporary India, where the budding love between a peasant woman and the son of a wealthy Englishman is strained by old prejudices and class divides. The radiant Freida Pinto stars. In English, Hindi with subtitles. An IFC Films release.

Whole Lotta Sole, directed by Terry George, written by Terry George and Thomas Gallagher. (UK) – World Premiere, Narrative. In a rowdy little corner of Belfast, hapless young father Jimbo tries to protect his family from the gangster he’s in debt to by robbing the local fish market… which turns out to be a front for the same gangster! On the run, Jimbo holes up in a local antique shop run by a long-lost man from his past. A colorful cast of character actors and a strong turn from Brendan Fraser light up this madcap Irish crime comedy from Terry George (Hotel Rwanda).

Xingu, directed by Cao Hamburger, written by Helena Soarez, Cao Hamburger, and Anna Muylaert. (Brazil) – North American Premiere, Narrative. Brazil, 1943. Three brothers on an expedition into the feral center of the country encounter a village of Xingu Indians. Allured by the rich indigenous culture, the brothers take a bold stand against corrupt national forces and make protecting the Xingu their lives’ work. With wild, breathtaking visuals and atmospheric music, TFF alum Cao Hamburger conveys a distinct vision of Brazil while finding a universally resonant message in his protagonists’ revolutionary vision. In Portuguese with subtitles.

Your Sister’s Sister, directed and written by Lynn Shelton. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. Jack (Mark Duplass) hasn’t recovered from his brother’s death. His best friend—and late brother’s ex—Iris (Emily Blunt) sends him to her family’s isolated cabin for some quiet reflection, but complications, rivalries, and surprising revelations arise when both Iris and her heartbroken sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt) end up at the cabin as well. Lynn Shelton’s long-awaited follow-up to Humpday heralds a graceful maturation of the reliably against-the-grain filmmaker. An IFC Films release.

CINEMANIA:

Eddie – The Sleepwalking Cannibal, directed and written by Boris Rodriguez. (Canada, Denmark) – North American Premiere, Narrative. Onetime art star Lars Olafssen is all washed up. Unable to paint without inspiration, he accepts a teaching stint at a small-time art school in podunk Koda Lake, Canada, and along with it the guardianship of the offbeat town’s neighborhood weirdo, Eddie. As their unlikely friendship evolves, Lars uncovers a dark and violent secret about Eddie’s nocturnal impulses, and finds himself torn between his duty to his friend and his duty to his art.

Graceland, directed and written by Ron Morales. (Philippines, USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Family man Marlon Villar is the longtime chauffeur of prominent politician Manuel Chango. While he and his daughter accompany his boss’ preteen daughter home, Marlon is ambushed and the wrong girl is kidnapped. Suddenly the unassuming driver is propelled into a horrifying downward spiral and, as events in his life unravel, Marlon, Chango, and their families become entangled in a game of deceit and betrayal that will leave no one innocent. In Tagalog with subtitles.

Jackpot (Arme Riddere), directed by Magnus Martens, written by Jo Nesbø. (Norway) – International Premiere, Narrative. Terrified, bloodied, and gripping a shotgun, Oscar Svendsen wakes up in what used to be a respectable strip joint, surrounded by eight corpses and with a gun pointed at him by a detective with the National Criminal Investigation Service. Naturally, Oscar is taken into custody, and during his interrogation a bloody and darkly comic story of betrayal, murder, and lottery winnings emerges—but is this the whole story? In Norwegian with subtitles.

Rat King, directed and written by Petri Kotwica. (Finland) – International Premiere, Narrative. Eighteen-year-old Juri spends his days absorbed in his computer gaming world, to the exclusion of school, friends, and ultimately his exasperated girlfriend. When his internet ally Niki turns up at his door fearing for his life because of a mysterious new online game, Juri eagerly follows him down the rabbit hole. In this taut, violent thriller, the lines between reality and the game blur as Juri and Niki are drawn into its increasingly morbid world. In Finnish with subtitles.

Replicas, directed by Jeremy Regimbal, written by Josh Close. (Canada) – World Premiere, Narrative. Following the tragic death of their young daughter, the Hughes family decide to escape to their upscale vacation home in the woods. But their attempt to get some quality time together is violently interrupted when a neighboring family with a hidden agenda drops by for dinner. First-time director Jeremy Regimbal builds tension to a calculated and ultimately brutal crescendo in this home-invasion thriller. Starring Selma Blair, Joshua Close, James D’Arcy, and Rachel Miner.

Revenge for Jolly!, directed by Chadd Harbold, written by Brian Petsos. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Harry (Brian Petsos) will stop at nothing to avenge the death of his beloved dog, Jolly. He and his demented cousin Cecil (Oscar Isaac) follow a series of clues in a frenzied attempt to track down the dog’s murderer, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Elijah Wood, Kristen Wiig, Adam Brody, Ryan Phillippe, Gillian Jacobs, Bobby Moynihan, Kevin Corrigan, David Rasche, Amy Siemetz, and Garret Dillahunt all stand between Harry and revenge for Jolly.

Sleepless Night (Nuit Blanche), directed by Frederic Jardin, written by Frederic Jardin and Nicolas Saada. (France, Belgium, Luxembourg) – New York Premiere, Narrative. Vincent is a dedicated police officer, or so it seems. After he steals a massive bag of cocaine, his young son winds up being held for ransom by the mob boss it belongs to. When Vincent travels to the outskirts of Paris to trade the drugs for his son, he gets caught in an intense cat-and-mouse game that quickly spirals out of control. This night might not only be the longest of his life—it could be the last. A Tribeca Film release.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS:

Joe Papp in Five Acts, directed by Tracie Holder and Karen Thorsen. (USA) – World Premiere. In Joe Papp’s eyes, art is for everyone, not just a privileged few. This is the story of this indomitable, street-wise champion of the arts who brought more theater to more people than any other producer in history. Co-produced with American Masters and featuring Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Kevin Kline, James Earl Jones, and more, this documentary lets Papp’s great accomplishments and tumultuous personal history be revealed by the artists he helped create—and sometimes tried to destroy.

Queen: Days Of Our Lives, directed by Matt O’Casey. (UK) – Documentary. Relive the triumphant legacy of Queen in this comprehensive documentary of the band’s career from the late 1960s to today. Packed full of rare archival footage of the band hashing out their signature overdub sound in the recording studio, mind-blowing live performances, and Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon’s candid reflections on their career and the last days of Freddie Mercury, Queen: Days Of Our Lives is any fan’s dream.

The Zen of Bennett, conceived, created, and produced by Danny Bennett, produced by Jennifer Lebeau, directed by Unjoo Moon. (USA) – World Premiere. At 85, not only does Tony Bennett still have the smoothest pipes in the music business, he’s got the kind of philosophy that has made him one of the most beloved and respected performers of the last six decades. Made with as much class and refinement as Tony himself, this is an insider’s look at the icon as he records his latest duets collection with stars like Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, and—bittersweetly—Amy Winehouse.

TRIBECA/ESOPN SPORTS FILM FESTIVAL:

Benji, directed by Coodie and Chike. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. In 1984, 17-year-old Ben Wilson was a symbol of everything promising about Chicago: a sweet-natured youngster from the city’s fabled South Side, and America’s top high school basketball prospect. His senseless murder on the day before his senior season devastated the city of Chicago andsent ripples of anguish nationwide. A stirring portrait of a phenom admired both on the court and off, Benji tells the story of a legend who might’ve been.

Broke, directed by Billy Corben. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.

Knuckleball!, directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, written by Christine Schomer, Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.

On The Mat, directed and written by Fredric Golding. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.

Town of Runners, directed by Jerry Rothwell. (UK) – World Premiere, Documentary.

Chris Colfer, Felicity Jones Movies Added to Tribeca Film Festival Lineup

Blooms Svelte, Green Coffee Bean Extract For Weight Loss

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:55:29 +0000

Blooms Svelte, contains Coffea canephora. This is actually an extract of green coffee bean and many people who are suffering from weight issues have successfully managed it by using this extract.

It acts to alleviate food cravings and will also make sure that metabolism will be kept at normal parameters. Many of the scientific studies that have been made around this type of extract have shown it has a key role in maintaining and also supporting a metabolism that is based on glucose. But its effects don't stop there.

People who combine their weight loss diet with this extract, and by exercising daily, will further increase their weight loss. The improvements that can be observed after using the Blooms Svelte GCB 45 product may assist the improvement of the body mass index and a great reduction in fat tissue.

Our livers contain a compound called glycogen which gives our body part of the energy it needs in order to function at normal parameters. Chlorogenic acids reduces the production of energy from glycogen within the liver. Also, the liver will deal with the regulation of the concentration of our body's glucose levels, all with the help of glycogen.

The pancreas produces glucagon and insulin, which are 2 vital hormones for our body to function normally. The studies that have been made around chlorogenic acids that can be found in the green coffee beam, proved the fact that people can have their sugar metabolism influenced by it in a positive manner and this will happen in the post-eating phase.
The concentration of the insulin synthesis and blood sugar in our bodies thus will be reduced, which means that the levels of insulin levels will also drop.

If insulin will be secreted at a very high level, an enzyme called lipase lipoprotein will be stimulated in terms of secretion. This enzyme is known to be responsible for turning the circulating triglycerides into fat.

Even though fat is an energy deposit for our bodies, when it comes to using them, the organism will only prefer the newest sources of energy and will not use the fat tissue in order to cope with this need. Our body is in need for energy every second and in this regard the chlorogenic acids can help a lot, as they will have the sugar turned into energy and they will also bend the body in having the stored fat deposits converted into energy.

Things to be aware of

For the best results, people who will engage into any weight loss programs will be in for better results if they will pair their Blooms Svelte with physical exercises.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use Blloms Svelte, as there is not enough data in regards to the impact on pregnant women.

Adults should take 1 Green coffee extract before having their main meal.

Film Review: Carnage

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:45:18 +0000

Ashley Whittaker Wednesday, March 7, 2012 5:18 AM

Mega-stars Kate Winslet and Jodie Foster star as fractious mothers in Roman Polanski's adaptation of stage-play, Carnage.

CARNAGE centres on two couples, the Longstreets (Jodie Foster and John C. Reilly) and the Cowans (Christoph Waltz and Kate Winslet) meeting to discuss a playground altercation between their sons.

Set solely in the Longstreet’s living room and featuring just four characters, Carnage relies heavily on the performances and chemistry of the skilled actors.

Indeed, the all-star cast is likely to have attracted a larger audience, and while the quartet’s talents are undisputed, the crucial chemistry is entirely missing in both couples.

Unlike the successful 2004 film adaptation of Closer, you’re hyper-aware that you’re watching something meant for the stage and are probably likely to think it should have stayed there.

Where the stage play would have felt intimate and the characters would have drawn you in, the film feels claustrophobic and the characters are more like caricatures.

Esteemed director, Roman Polanski, even descends into toilet humour, with a projectile-vomiting Winslet and a defensive Reilly actually discussing toilet flushing mechanisms.

The man who made Rosemary’s Baby and The Pianist could have steered the subject matter into a clever, dark corner, and made better use of the setting’s cringeworthy potential, but seems to have adhered to the original writer’s incomplete characters and lethargic storyline.

At just 80 minutes and with little to no story-arc, it feels as though you’re watching Winslet, Foster, Reilly and Waltz take part in an acting workshop and Carnage is a rough-cut, character study for a longer, ‘proper’ film.

This is one case where the faultless workmen can blame their tools.

Film Review: Carnage

McG keen to see Henry Cavill's Superman, had cast Robert Downey Jr as Lex Luthor in his own version

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:40:26 +0000

McG, whose action comedy This Means War hits cinemas on March 2, told Digital Spy: "I did indeed cast Henry Cavill [as Superman]. He's a fantastic actor, he's very, very strong and he's wonderful.

"I think Zack Snyder's going to do a great job with Henry Cavill. I can't wait to see that picture."

He added: "I'm heartbroken that I never made my Superman, but it was my own f**k-up because I was afraid of flying and couldn't get down to Australia. I got properly thrown off that picture, sacked for being a mental case! You live and learn, you keep on truckin'."

Superman: Flyby went through many phases before it was cancelled. At first, Brett Ratner was set to direct and among those he reportedly considered for Superman, in what was obviously a difficult and wide-ranging search, were Josh Hartnett, Jude Law, Tom Welling, Paul Walker, Ashton Kutcher, Brendan Fraser, Matthew Bomer, Jerry O'Connell, David Boreanaz, Victor Webster, Joel Edgerton and James Marsden.

Ratner quit the project, partly because of that casting merry-go-round, and McG (pictured right) came on board. It was said he wanted Johnny Depp for the part of Lex Luthor but he recently admitted that, in fact, he had cast Robert Downey Jr as the archvillain. And despite what he told Digital Spy, he also says Cavill was not officially signed on to the picture.

McG told The Playlist: "We had Robert Downey Jr locked up to be Lex Luthor, which I think would have been extraordinary. Ironically, we liked Henry Cavill a lot, but we hadn't cast him yet. JJ wrote the script, and we got that to a really good place in the end but I'm to blame for [the film not happening]."

In the new Superman movie, Cavill's hero goes up against Zod, this time played by Michael Shannon.

Shannon praised Cavill, saying: "Henry is a fantastic Superman, he's got a little edge to him and he's smart, clever and I had fun working with him.

"The whole thing is edgy in a way like when Nolan took over the Batman franchise."

But he says his version of Zod is not that menacing, explaining to IFC: He's actually not a very scary guy, he's just trying to do his job, just like anybody.

"Some people might hate him, some people might love him, but I'm fond of him. I respect him."

McG keen to see Henry Cavill's Superman, had cast Robert Downey Jr as Lex Luthor in his own version

Is Jessica Simpson Joining 'The Biggest Loser'?

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:35:23 +0000

She's pregnant now, but rumor has it that Jessica Simpson will join NBC's hit weight-loss show, The Biggest Loser. That would certainly be a coup for the show, which experienced some serious dips in viewership this past year. It might be good for Simpson as well if she wants to dump her excess baby weight in a hurry.

However, Simpson isn't joining the show for that reason. No doubt, the lovely blonde will handle her baby weight loss on her own terms and in her own time. Jessica is joining the show for another reason. That's to offer incentive for some of the show's contestants.

A pregnant and glowing Jessica Simpson will appear on the March 13 episode of The Biggest Loser. The purpose is to welcome the winners of a challenge to her store. They won't just be looking either. They'll get to take items from Simpson's clothing and purse lines as well as some of her skin care products.

As for why Jessica decided to help style the contestants, she says "I am truly inspired by how hard these contestants worked to accomplish their goals for a healthy lifestyle." She went on to add that it was great to watch them slide into clothes that wouldn't have fit them just a few months earlier. "We had an amazing day together," she confirmed.

As a woman who's struggled with her own weight, Simpson understands how depressing it is to look less than one's best. How thoughtful and kind of her to offer the unique shopping experience to The Biggest Loser contestants.

Is Jessica Simpson Joining 'The Biggest Loser'?

70 Percent Of Ground Beef At Supermarkets Contains

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:30:30 +0000

ABCNewsGerald Zirnstein grinds his own hamburger these days. Why? Because this former United States Department of Agriculture scientist and, now, whistleblower, knows that 70 percent of the ground beef we buy at the supermarket contains something he calls

The Arctic Northern Lights Are an Amazing Natural Phenomenon

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:25:20 +0000

The Arctic Northern Lights, or also known as Aurora Borealis, are in fact very amazing phenomenon as well as being great for sightseeing. There are a large number of people that are willing to travel a very long distance just in order to have a look at the Auroras. But to some people, they are still asking how such a thing can possibly happen. Yet, it is indeed possible.

The Arctic Northern Lights are caused by the interactions of the sun and the outer atmosphere of the earth. These lights show up because the ions – or particles that are charged electrically – that are emitted by the sun attempt to go further from the sun in the form of a plasma stream which is also called as solar wind by people. Then, when the plasma touches the magnetic field of the earth, the ions will be making their way rounding the earth.

However, some of them are trapped and as a result, the trapped ions will come in contact with the ionosphere of the earth which is located some 60 to 80 miles beyond the surface and this is in fact what causes the ions to emit lights.

To be able to see these lights, people will have a better chance in case they head to the northern part. As a matter of fact, it is often the case that these lights should show up half of the nights at the very minimum during the period of one entire year. Yet, when winter comes, an even higher frequency of the Arctic Northern Lights occurrence can be expected.

Where Did the Iron Chefs Go to Culinary School?

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:15:39 +0000

The one common denominator among all celebrity chefs is that this level of success didn't happen overnight. It took hard work, development of skills, experience, practice, a good attitude and the all-important passion and determination. So where did the Iron Chefs go to culinary school, and what are the qualifications of our favorite culinary celebrities? Surprisingly, not every celebrity chef even attended culinary school, but most of them did have formal training.

The following Iron Chefs and other culinary celebrities are among the best educated in the bunch:

Alton Brown

As the host of Iron Chef America and his own Food Network show (Good Eats), the man known as Alton Brown has attained a level of success many chefs only dream of. He rose to fame quickly, but not until after he graduated from the New England Culinary Institute in 1997.

Mario Batali

This culinary powerhouse is more than just another Iron Chef; he has also hosted his own series on Food Network and PBS, and he has run several successful restaurants. Batali is most well known for his Italian food, but he has mastered a number of cuisines which he uses to his advantage on Iron Chef America. He didn't graduate from culinary school, which may surprise some, although he did attend Le Cordon Bleu in London briefly. He completed a dual degree in economics and Spanish theater at Rutgers University.

Bobby Flay

His name has become a brand in itself. As one of the Iron Chefs on Iron Chef America, host of several Food Network series and owner/executive chef of several New York City restaurants, Bobby Flay is a known commodity in the culinary field. He graduated from the prestigious French Culinary Institute during its first graduating class in 1984.

Guy Fieri

The host of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and several other series has become one of the busiest and most popular celebrity chefs since he won the competition series The Next Food Network Star. He majored in hospitality management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and owns several successful restaurants in Northern California.

Emeril Lagasse

He may not be an Iron Chef, but he is definitely one of the most well known television chefs, moving past the Food Network and even making a brief foray into sitcom television. After graduating from the Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts in 1978, he went on to open numerous restaurants and create a multimedia empire

Maggie Smith Leaving 'Downton Abbey'? – HispanicBusiness.com

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:10:17 +0000

Actress Maggie Smith has not signed up for the expected fourth season of the beloved British period drama "Downton Abbey," The Mirror reported. Production on the third season of the show is under way. The series has been a huge ratings hit in the United Kingdom on ITV and in the United States on PBS. Set in the early 20th century, the drama follows the lives of the wealthy Grantham family and the many people who keep their great house running. Smith, 77, plays the sharp-tongued matriarch dowager countess of Grantham. The Mirror said Smith has alarmed the show's producers by not signing a contract for the anticipated fourth and fifth seasons of "Downton Abbey," even though the show has not been officially renewed that far in advance. Co-stars Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Joanne Froggatt, Brendan Coyle and Elizabeth McGovern have already signed contracts for possible future seasons, the newspaper said, adding Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew Crawley, has not signed a new contract. "'Downton Abbey' has a history of major surprises, and the producers are not opposed to changing casting within the show to add to the drama," a source told the Mirror. "But it's hard to imagine the series without Maggie Smith or Dan Stevens involved in some way. To write the dowager countess out of the series, or even kill off the character, would be 'Downton's' boldest storyline yet."

Maggie Smith Leaving 'Downton Abbey'? – HispanicBusiness.com

Solar flare, largest in five years

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:05:50 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – More than 4 million miles an hour. That's how fast charged particles from the sun are expected to hit Earth as early as Wednesday night or Thursday morning.

"It's a big burst from the sun of charged particles that react with our atmosphere and it excites the electrons in our atmosphere so they glow," News Channel 18's chief meteorologist, Chad Evans said.

A glow that would look like the Northern Lights. But don't go sky-gazing just yet. The colorful glow of flares from the magnetic storm may not make their way as far south of Indiana.

"It's very likely we will have a lot of them in the northern U.S. They may make their way to Indiana, but we're going to have clouds around, so even if there are some, it may be kind of hard to see them," Evans said.

Ephraim Fischbach, a physics professor at Purdue said so far this particular storm doesn't look to be too severe.

"There may be an interruption of telephone service and your cell phone may be impacted but we're not likely to be hurt and it's probably not going to destroy infrastructure," Fischbach said.

However, if the sun continues to have high activity, there could be larger storms in the future that could smack Earth with a more severe threat.

"That could literally wipe out much of civilization as we know it. It would destroy satellites, telephones, communication systems would go down and it would destroy power grids that could literally burn out transformers," Fischbach said.

The solar storm should last through Friday morning, but the region of the sun that erupted could still send more blasts our way

Fischbach and other Purdue professors are working on technology that would give people at least a day and a half notice before a major solar storm.

Fischbach said that way, government officials can turn on safe modes on GPS signals so it will limit destruction on Earth.

Solar flare, largest in five years

How Can A Personal Trainer Help You?

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:45:27 +0000

Do you need help getting back in to shape? Professionals are in your area are looking for you Ask yourself these three questions: Are your clothes fitting too tight? Are you happy with the way you see yourself? Are you looking for a some one who can help you learn to work out right and successfully?

Today is your lucky day there are personal trainers all over the world that are looking to give their knowledge to people who are willing to learn. SO if you live in the in the United States, England, or Scotland.it really doesn't matter. If your goal is to get healthy there are many fitness professionals who are ready to help you reach your goals.

For athletes it is great to have a expert on hand, so that way you can get the right kind of work out. You don't want to do the same type of exercise every day and take the chance to hurt yourself.

Some athletes think they need to work on the area that they use every day in practice when that actually will cause you to get hurt faster. This is why you should look in to getting a fitness specialist with fresh ideas come in to the field weekly.

Periodization is one of the most common methods used in the fitness industry for athletes. Trainers like to use this way of training because you can see more results in even amount of time. Every day when you come in to train you would learn something new and it was just be fun as you would never get bored.

This type of training is great for the off season because we all know how hard it is to get out an exercise when it snows colder climates. That's were a personal trainer comes in handy.

Trainers have you in their best interest in mind and so those there are ways in the cold season that can get you ready for those spring sports. You will be able show off your skills and strength. Are you still not sure why it's important to have a trainer?

Well think about your nutrition?

You can't just work out and train without eating right. That's why it's good to talk to personal trainer they can help you get on the right path to great nutrition.

They can give you a guide line on how many carbs you should get a how to mix up your meal plan so you don't get bored and who knows maybe you will actually like eating broccoli.

A lot of people thing that if they eat less and less often that they will lose weight. Well this is misinformation. It's actually better for you to eat small meals and snacks threw out the day.

It can help with your metabolism and you can work out more efficiently and see better results.
Trainers can also help reduce/ get rid of health risks.

Personal Trainers also have seen the issue of the sky rocketing rise of type ll diabetes, not in just adults but in children too. Personal trainers can help reduce this and in some cases even get rid of it all together.

Personal trainers can help you with your cholesterol and blood pressure too. Because working out is a stress reliever and when your stress goes down so does your blood pressure in most cases. So If you still don't know why it's important to get a Personal Trainer then quite frankly you might not be ready for one.

Oxymoron Entertainment Is Proud to Announce the Release of Columbus Circle — LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:40:17 +0000

LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Oxymoron Entertainment is pleased to announce the home entertainment release of the dark and suspenseful thriller, Columbus Circle, available on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital Download and On Demand today from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. When a murder mystery next door forces agoraphobic heiress Abigail Clayton (Selma Blair – Hellboy, "Kath and Kim") to face her terrifying new neighbors, the safe and solitary world she created for herself violently unravels.

Christopher Mallick, CEO and founder, Oxymoron Entertainment said, "We are proud of this mystery-thriller that will be sure to captivate a wide audience. I am thrilled that Universal Studios Home Entertainment has chosen to distribute Columbus Circle."

Along with Selma Blair, Columbus Circle also stars Giovanni Ribisi (Contraband, Saving Private Ryan), Amy Smart (The Butterfly Effect, Varsity Blues), Jason Lee (Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked, "My Name is Earl"), Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award winner Beau Bridges (The Descendants, The Fabulous Baker Boys) and Kevin Pollak (The Big Year, The Usual Suspects). Jason Antoon (Minority Report, "No Ordinary Family"), Robert Guillaume ("Benson," Big Fish) and Samm Levine (Inglourious Basterds, Not Another Teen Movie) also star. The film is directed by George Gallo and produced by Christopher Mallick, William Sherak and Jason Shuman. Gallo also serves as writer along with writer/actor Kevin Pollak.

Oxymoron's expansive upcoming slate includes: NINETY, a feature Action/Thriller written by Scott Milam and to be directed by Darren Lynn Bousman; White Boy Rick, a biographical drama based on the true-life events of Rick Wershe Jr.; Brethren Of The Coast, a TV drama chronicling the events of 17th Century, pirate-populated Port Royal Jamaica; and Middle Men, an episodic drama/comedy based on the Motion Picture Middle Men, among others.

SYNOPSIS

In order to escape the hounding public and press, Abigail, the famous daughter of a wealthy industrialist, secluded herself in her Manhattan loft on the day she received her enormous inheritance – her eighteenth birthday. Sequestered at the top of the Columbus Circle luxury apartment high-rise, Abigail remained seemingly secure for nearly 20 years until the day her elderly neighbor was suddenly slain. Abigail's world is now disrupted by a police investigation and strange new neighbors who may threaten more than just her privacy.

CAST AND FILMMAKERSCast: Selma Blair, Amy Smart, Kevin Pollak, Jason Antoon with Giovanni Ribisi with Beau Bridges and Jason LeeDirected by: George GalloWritten by: George Gallo and Kevin PollakProduced by: Christopher Mallick, William Sherak. Jason ShumanExecutive Producers: Jason Lee, Giovanni Ribisi, Brian TylerCo-Executive Producers: Kevin Pollak, Shaliza Somani, Philip Waley, Michael WeissDirector of Photography: Anastas N. Michos, A.S.C.Production Designer: Martina BuckleyFilm Editor: Malcolm CampbellCostume Designer: Rebecca BentjenMusic by: Brian Tyler

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY™:Street Date: March 6, 2012Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.Selection Number: 61121445 (U.S.); 61121956 (Canada)Running time: 1 Hour, 26 MinutesLayers: BD-50Picture Format : Widescreen Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1Rating: PG-13 for violence, some language and thematic material; Canadian ratings unavailableLanguages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, FrenchSound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DVD:Street Date: March 6, 2012Copyright: 2012 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.Selection Number: 61121443 (U.S.); 61121955 (Canada)Running time: 1 Hour, 26 MinutesLayers: Dual LayerPicture Format: Anamorphic WidescreenAspect Ratio: 2.40:1Rating: PG-13 for violence, some language and thematic material; Canadian ratings unavailableLanguages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, FrenchSound: English Dolby Digital 5.1

For clips and artwork, please visit epk.tv.

www.columbuscirclemovie.com

About Oxymoron Entertainment Oxymoron Entertainment is an independent motion picture and television production company that develops and finances original content of various genres with the goal of telling captivating, true-to-life stories that appeal to worldwide audiences. Launched in 2006, by producer and entrepreneur, Christopher Mallick, Oxymoron kick-started its slate with the feature film Middle Men, directed by George Gallo (Midnight Run with Robert De Niro, Charles Grodin and Yaphet Kotto; Bad Boys with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence; 29th Street with Anthony LaPaglia and Danny Aiello). Middle Men starred Luke Wilson (Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums, with Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, and Gwyneth Paltrow; Todd Phillips' Old School with Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell; The Family Stone with Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Claire Danes), Giovanni Ribisi (James Cameron's Avatar with Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver and Zoe Saldana; Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan with Tom Hanks and Matt Damon; Ben Younger's Boiler Room with Ben Affleck, Vin Diesel and Nia Long), Gabriel Macht (Frank Miller's The Spirit with Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson; John Moore's Behind Enemies Lines with Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman; Robert De Niro's The Good Shepherd with Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon), Kelsey Grammer (NBC's "Frasier" and "Cheers" and Starz' "Boss"), and James Caan (Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather with Al Pacino and Marlon Brando; Jon Favreau's Elf with Will Ferrell, Edward Asner, and Zooey Deschanel; Howard Hawk's El Dorado with John Wayne and Robert Mitchum). Middle Men premiered at the 2009 Festival de Cannes, closed the 2010 Santa Barbara Film Festival, and was theatrically released later that year by Paramount Pictures. www.oxymoronent.com

About Universal Studios Home EntertainmentUniversal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

CONTACT: Oxymoron EntertainmentJelena Spajic ADVOCATE MARKETING GROUPLos Angeles, CA, USAjelena@advovateus.com Los Angeles I 310-920-1552

CONTACT: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Michelle Slavich Vice President, Publicity(818) 777-5344Michelle.slavich@nbcuni.com

SOURCE Oxymoron Entertainment

RELATED LINKS http://www.oxymoronent.com

Oxymoron Entertainment Is Proud to Announce the Release of Columbus Circle — LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

Monster Worldwide Picks Advisers For Strategic Review

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:35:35 +0000

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Monster Worldwide Inc. (MWW) on Monday confirmed it has retained financial advisers to review its strategic alternatives, raising the possibility of a potential sale of the company.

Shares jumped 8.6% to $8.17 after hours as the job-search website said it hired Stone Key Partners LLC and Bank of America Corp.'s (BAC) Merrill Lynch to advise its review.

The move came after Chief Executive Sal Iannuzzi on Thursday raised the possibility of such a move at an analyst conference in Boston, mentioning the company's pursuit of "strategic alternatives to increasing shareholder value."

Monster Worldwide suffered a slowdown in new business last year, which it has blamed on U.S. and European economic uncertainty disrupting businesses' ability to make hiring plans. In January, the company provided a disappointing first-quarter outlook and said it planned to cut 7% of its full-time staff and consolidate facilities.

Analysts have questioned the company's success in competing with Gannett Co.'s (GCI) CareerBuilder and whether newer services such as LinkedIn Corp.'s (LNKD) professional-networking site are making Monster's business less relevant.

Monster Worldwide Picks Advisers For Strategic Review

"Good Morning America" Will Welcome Kristin Chenoweth – Playbill.com

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:30:40 +0000

"Good Morning America" Will Welcome Kristin Chenoweth

By Andrew Gans28 Feb 2012

Kristin Chenoweth

Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth will be a guest on ABC's "Good Morning America" Feb. 29.

Chenoweth will chat about her new TV series, "GCB," which debuts March 4 on ABC. "Good Morning America" airs in the New York metropolitan area on ABC, Channel 7 beginning at 7 AM ET; check local listings.

Chenoweth won the Tony Award in 1999 for her performance in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. She was nominated in 2004 for her performance in Wicked and has also been seen on Broadway in Steel Pier, Epic Proportions, The Apple Tree and Promises, Promises. The actress is also known for her film and television work and will soon be seen in the new ABC series "GCB."

Her new CD, "Some Lessons Learned," arrived Sept. 13, 2011, on the Sony Masterworks label.

"Good Morning America" Will Welcome Kristin Chenoweth – Playbill.com