The Matrix Stories

 LOS ANGELES: With vibes from such recent clever films as "The Matrix," "Duplicity" and "Inception" darting through this adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story, first-time director George Nolfi has pulled off a relative rarity -- a genuinely romantic fantasy suspense thriller -- in "The Adjustment Bureau." Quite low-tech as these things go and a great New York location film in the bargain (no Toronto doubling here, thank you very much), the picture nimbly scampers all over the city while betraying a disarmingly whimsical attitude toward the central couple's peculiar peril. Although more accessible conceptually and dramatically than either the Wachowskis' or Nolan's films, and possessing far more heart, this classy Universal release might nonetheless be perceived as too brainy and sophisticated for lowest common denominator mass consumption, indicating good but not great box-office results.

As a writer on "Ocean's 13" and "The Bourne Ultimatum," Nolfi was well positioned to interest Matt Damon in playing a politician (changed from an insurance salesman in the short story) who learns that he's nothing more than a puppet on a string controlled by a secret hidden organization that thinks it knows best.

In the event, David Norris is a perfect role for Damon, as he plays a working class Red Hook guy with a bad boy past who's become a popular people's congressman and, at the outset, is on the brink of election to the Senate. He's a bright, if at times too frank young man who knows the ropes and can handle himself physically if needed.

But when he loses due to a last-minute tabloid revelation of a youthful indiscretion, David is alone in the men's room rehearsing his concession speech when a vision appears -- that of a beautiful young woman (Emily Blunt) emerging from a stall. After three minutes' exposure to her smart chatter (enhanced by her British accent) and topped by an impulsive, passionate kiss, he's hopelessly smitten. She dashes out, David is left confounded and her presence in the bathroom is not the only mystery of the evening: Who are these strange, slim men with hats buzzing about in the background?

Not long after, with David now a senior partner at a venture capital company, he's thrilled to encounter the woman, Elise, on a bus and their rapport is again instantaneous and intense. But why does one of the hatted men (Anthony Mackie) risk life and limb chasing the bus through lower Manhattan and why does the other one (John Slattery), with the help of uniformed goons, apprehend David back in the office, handcuff him to a chair in a huge garage (weirdly accessible through a door on the building's upper floors) and tell him to behave or else, "We'll erase your brain?"

Because, as Slattery's Thompson, says, "We are the people who make sure things go according to plan." In other words, they're members of the mysterious elite at the core of every conspiracy theorist's dreams, the godlike manipulators who dictate the way of the world. Part of their pre-determined plan is that David must never see Elise again.

Although he can't get her out of his mind, for three years David obeys the edict. Then, just as he's launching a fresh attempt at the senate, David spots Elise by chance on the street and, after some strenuous explanations as to why he's never contacted her, wins her trust and love once and for all.

From here, at about the one-hour mark, when David's defiance has forced the Organization's big cheese (Terence Stamp) to personally impress upon him the perilous consequences of his transgressions, the film shifts into desperate chase mode, as David, with some key inside assistance, learns how to slide between alternate physical worlds as he chases all over (and under) New York to find Elise and elude his determined pursuers.

The thematic impulse behind "The Adjustment Bureau" is a familiar one, that true love is worth more than anything else this life has to offer. The keys to Nolfi putting it over effectively in this real world but quasi-sci-fi context are his great success in making the connection between David and Elise so convincing and worth fighting for, and his skillful characterization of "The System" not as some portentously portrayed evil outfit but as a pragmatically run operation dedicated to saving humanity from itself. Lightness of touch is not what one expects in fictional portrayals of monolithic entities bent on world domination, so the subtle tone Nolfi maintains here represents something fresh and welcome.

Equally responsible for keeping the viewer on the film's side is the excellent rapport between Damon and Blunt. Incorporating known aspects of Damon's personality -- his political interests, athleticism and thoughtfulness -- into the role helps David quickly assume three-dimensional stature. Damon also strongly conveys the character's wounded side as well as his sense, when it comes to Elise, of bewilderment and persistent hope. It's a satisfying, full-bodied performances.

For her part, this is the best Blunt has been onscreen since her early work in "My Summer of Love" and "The Devil Wears Prada" and certainly the film in which she seems most vibrant and alive in a romantic pairing; Elise sasses and tests David at every turn up to the point when she allows herself to become vulnerable and honest. For the film to pay off, it's imperative that you believe in these two despite it all. And you do.

Slattery and Mackie cut striking yet borderline foppish figures as Organization men variably committed to keeping their charges in line, while Stamp makes the desired impression with his big entrance. Visually, the film is sheerest pleasure. Ace cinematographer John Toll soaks the countless New York locations for all they're worth, capped by a beautiful top-of-the-world climax. If there are visual effects here (other than for the nifty portable electronic maps the bureau men use to track their prey), they're undetectable. Thomas Newman's score helps accentuate the buoyant feel, despite some repetitiveness.

Hollywood film Studios

 BRUSSELS: European regulators dropped a probe into deals done by major Hollywood film studios that it feared would stifle access to digital screens for low-budget European movies.

"I am pleased that Hollywood studios considered our legitimate concerns and modified the contracts so that cinema-goers can watch both Hollywood blockbusters but also small budget and art-house films with the latest state-of-the-art technology," said Joaquin Almunia, European Union competition commissioner.

"As the majors concerned have modified those contracts, all ends well, like in a good film," Almunia's spokeswoman added.

Almunia's office said that an antitrust investigation probing investment deals concluded during the switchover from film projection to digital cinemas had closed after the big producers changed the terms of contracts signed.

"Several major US Hollywood film studios revised contract provisions relating to the financing and installation of digital projection equipment in cinemas," the commission said in a statement.

"The changes proposed by major Hollywood film studios will make it easier for independent and art-house distributors to have access to cinemas equipped with digital equipment," it said.

Brussels said it is estimated that half of all European screens, more than 18,000, will be digital by the end of 2012.

Rango stories

 LOS ANGELES: Depp's "Rango," an animated tale about a chameleon who becomes sheriff to clean up the town of Dirt, earned $38 million to top North America's weekend box office, industry data showed Sunday.

"Rango," hailed by critics as clever and eccentric, proved in its debut weekend to be another successful pairing of Depp with director Gore Verbinski, who helmed the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.

Matt Damon's thriller "The Adjustment Bureau" debuted at number two, taking $21 million, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations. It is based on a 1954 short story by Philip K. Dick ("Minority Report" and "Blade Runner").

Damon's character challenges his fate, which is closely managed by a team of mysterious men who do all they can to keep him on his predetermined path. Emily Blunt co-stars as Damon's love interest.

"Beastly" debuted in the third spot, with $10 million, after beastly reviews of the teen romance starring British heartthrob Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens ("High School Musical") in a modern take on Beauty and the Beast. Critics cited subpar acting and clunky dialogue.

Raunchy comedy "Hall Pass" fell from first to fourth place, taking $9 million for the tale of married guys whose wives let them have affairs. It was directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly.

Falling three spots to fifth was "Gnomeo and Juliet," which made $6.9 million, giving it a four-week total of $84 million. The G-rated animated retelling of Shakespeare's play features the voices of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt.

Liam Neeson's thriller "Unknown" was sixth with $6.6 million in its third week. The Irishman stars as a botanist who tries to piece together his life atfer a car crash.

"The King's Speech," which last weekend won several Oscars including best film, was next with $6.5 million, giving it a total of $124 million in 15 weeks.

The British royal drama was in a virtual tie with Adam Sandler's romantic comedy "Just Go With It," which earned $6.5 million in its fourth week.

Teen heartthrobs battled for the bottom slots.

The chiseled-tummied Pettyfer stars in "I Am Number Four," which was number nine, with $5.7 million in its third week. Pettyfer plays a teenaged alien refugee hiding on Earth from evil invaders who killed his family.

Shaggy-headed Justin Bieber was next, as his "Never Say Never" concert documentary was tenth with $4.3 million. The Canadian pop star turned 17 on March 1.

British day at Paris

 PARIS: Stella McCartney led a very British day at Paris fashion week on Monday, sending out a chic and casual fall-winter collection to an energetic hip-hop soundtrack.

Her compatriot Giles Deacon at Emmanuel Ungaro veered towards a more severe dominatrix look driven by the late Ungaro's famous statement that he dressed mistresses, not wives.

Later in the day, Hannah MacGibbon at Chloe widened her colour palette for a dynamic collection with varying shades of green, yellow and -- a popular colour for the season -- bordeaux red.

McCartney designs for active women who prefer effortless elegance, and she delivered on Monday with structured yet fluid pleated ensembles in black or astro blue.

With her rock-star dad Paul McCartney and actor Liv Tyler in the front row, the designer also sent out an elongated bomber jacket with woolen sleeves and, in knitwear, an ankle-length turtleneck sweater dress in black.

Several of the looks included flat masculine loafers.

For the evening, McCartney proposed layered separates with polka dots in varying sizes for graphic effect, and sophisticated figure-hugging dresses with high collars and sheer inserts along the sides.

The 39-year-old designer dedicated her show "to all my babies, husband, family and team," and took her bow in simple jeans and blazer to the tune of the Beatles' "For No One" before vanishing backstage to find her youngsters.

At Ungaro, Deacon -- an alumni like McCartney of London's Central Saint Martins art and design school -- went in search of a woman's inner sexuality in what he described as a "fetishistic" collection.

"There is that certain mythology of Paris," he wrote in the show's programme. "There is that idea of the city of love -- but really it is the city of lust."

With necks enveloped in high leather collars, Deacon put his models in gothic-embroidered leather sheath dresses and bustiers, green fur jackets and no-nonsense A-line miniskirts with external pockets.

Extended finger nails in blazing red underscored the idea that the Ungaro woman is the one who calls the shots.

Paris fashion week goes into its penultimate day on Tuesday with Chanel, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Valentino and Alexander McQueen.

Robert Zemeckis Stories

 LOS ANGELES: Robert Zemeckis' performance capture system, which turns life-action into animation, gets quite a workout in Disney's "Mars Needs Moms," which opens on Friday.

Its characters, both human and Martian, tumble through space, slide down chutes, chase along corridors that turn every which way and dance around mountains and into caverns created out of huge mounds of trash. The process has also lost those weirdly inhuman faces that plagued "The Polar Express," Zemeckis' first foray into performance capture. In fact, so many things in this unique kind of animation, especially the designs and all its many details, keep getting better and better. So why does "Mars Needs Moms" feel so slight?

Other than "Beowulf," his most successful performance-capture film to date, Zemeckis has chosen to deploy this system in children's films. Which is just fine as far as that goes, but where the technical advances and story sophistication in his "Beowulf" pointed toward James Cameron's "Avatar," "Mars Needs Moms" points toward a ride at Disneyland.

This film from Zemickis' ImageMovers Digital and, appropriately, Walt Disney Pictures will certainly be a treat for younger family members. But for teens on up the generational scale, the interest level will plummet.

For that matter, it will be interesting to see how "Mars" in its first week fares against "Rango," an animated film with considerable sophistication and outreach to older audiences, in its second weekend. As with his "A Christmas Carol" movie, Zemeckis paints himself into a digital corner by ignoring adults.

"Mars" does do one thing much better than "A Christmas Carol," however: It has emotions. After all, it is based on a children's novel by cartoonist Berkeley Breathed, who admits the book came in reaction to a disobedient son expressing keen dissatisfaction with even having a (nagging) mother. Consequently, the entire story about a mom kidnapped by Martians and her rescue by her young son bubbles over with emotions. It's an illustrated laundry lists all the things moms do for their kids -- and that would include the laundry.

For this film, Zemeckis turns directing chores over to Simon Wells, who directed "The Time Machine" and co-directed the animated "The Prince of Egypt." Wells and his wife Wendy adapted the Breathed book with nearly every plot turn driving home the point that kids need moms.

Milo, age 9, is the focal point. He is enacted by Seth Green and voiced by a much younger Seth named Seth Dusky, age 11. The estimable Joan Cusack is Mom but since she spends most of the time under lock and key, the major roles fall to an extremely funny Dan Folger as Mars' only other human, a disheveled tecoho-wiz named Gribble; Elisabeth Harnois as Ki, a rebellious young Martian who learned English watching '70s sitcoms; and Mindy Sperling as the humorless, nasty Martian leader whose body appears as mummified as her heart.

Designer Doug Chiang has a grand time turning the Red Planet into a giant fun ride from those loopy Martians with triangular heads, no real noses and otherworldly bodies and gaits to an underground world of stark simplicity and sterility. Women run the place while men -- Gribble calls them the Hairy Tribe Guys -- get tossed down chutes with the garbage as they're apparently the most expendable resource on the planet.

The entire movie is set up as a race against the clock by Milo to save his mom but the film finds time to take in the Martian civilization in passing, a gag-filled and mostly lighthearted re-imagining of our own world if women ruled. (It is odd though how a movie meant to glorify moms is so riddled with anti-feminist concepts. These are, of course, Martian females not human ones but still ...)

Anachronistic dialogue rules for the most part as not only does Ki brim with the hep lingo of the Flower Children era, but Gribble, who is thirty-something, is stuck forever in the '80s when he left planet Earth.

The movie shrugs off any real attempt at science fiction other than oxygen helmets for the surface of Mars. The characters still dash around those surfaces in short sleeves in what should be an 87 degrees climate and make the round trip from Earth to Mars, which should take about 18 months, in a half minute.

The skill level of this motion capture animation is getting better all the time. So "Mars" is accomplished at every level. But the three most important things in movies are story, story, story so the movie never comes off as the considerable achievement it truly is. (Reuters)

Actor stories

Kanye West

Sir Elton John has hailed Kanye West a ''stone cold genius'' and his 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' album a ''masterpiece

Sir Elton John has hailed Kanye West a "stone cold genius".
The legendary 'Rocket Man' singer said he is completely blown away by the 'Power' rapper's vision and ability to marry genres and hailed his last album, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' a "masterpiece".
Elton, 63, told how he came to appear on the album's track 'All Of The Lights' playing piano and singing, saying to Rolling Stone magazine: "I ran into Kanye in Honolulu last January. He's a stone-cold genius. He's like Miles Davis meets Frank Zappa.
"He played us the track for 'All of the Lights and it was f***ing amazing. It's like, 'Wow, this is something else'. I mean, he sampled Boon Iver! That's his genius. His new album is a masterpiece."
Elton also praised Kanye's 2008 effort, '808s & Heartbreak', comparing it to Marvin Gaye's best known work, saying it was the "sexiest record since 'What's Going On'".
Elton is one of a number of celebrities featured on the star-studded chorus of 'All Of The Lights', singing alongside Alicia Keys, John Legend, The-Dream, Fergie of Black Eyed Peas, Kid Cudi, Elly Jackson of La Roux and Rihanna, among others.
'All Of The Lights' is released on February 21 as single in the UK, while 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' is available now.

David Furnish's Elton hair charm

Elton John's hair charm

Sir Elton John's partner David Furnish has revealed he wears a locket containing a piece of the singer's baby hair to help him "feel protected".

Sir Elton John's partner David Furnish wears a locket containing a piece of the singer's baby hair.
The 46-year-old TV producer - who entered into a civil partnership with the 'Rocket Man' singer in December 2005 - admits he "feels protected" when he has the necklace round his neck.
He told the Los Angeles Times newspaper: "I have around my neck a little tiny locket and it has a lock of Elton's baby hair and a picture of him as a baby. I wear it for important occasions - like when I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and on airplanes.
"It's a talisman that makes me feel protected, like I have got him with me all the time."
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Elton will collaborate with producer Mark Ronson on his new album.
The 61-year-old legend is said to be teaming up with the Grammy Award-winning producer for the new record, which will be released on the Universal/Republic record label.
Mark is currently back in the studio with Amy Winehouse.

Beth Ditto thinks Elton can buy youth

 

Beth Ditto thinks Sir Elton John won't worry about being an older father because he can use his wealth to keep him healthy.

Beth Ditto says it doesn't matter that Sir Elton John is an older father because he is so rich he can maintain his youth.
The Gossip frontwoman thinks the 63-year-old singer - who along with his husband David Furnish became parent to baby Zachary through a surrogate mother last Christmas Day (25.12.10) - won't find fatherhood tough as he can just buy new body parts if his body starts to fail.
She joked: "I did think he was going to be an old dad, but he's got the money to stay young. New kidney? You got it. New heart? Done."
Elton is known for his vast spending sprees but despite his wealth, he has previously said he is determined the tot will remain grounded.
He said: "I so value my own childhood now, and the sense of wonder and personal discovery that I enjoyed, that we want to give Zachary - as much as we possibly can - the same thing. A solid old-fashioned childhood, if you like.
"I know it'll be hard with my life, but we want him to have that same normality and for things in life to have real value. So we don't intend to spoil him - we're going to try to give him a fun, carefree time of innocence, freedom, love and stability."

Jennifer Aniston plans non-comedy movie projects

  MEXICO CITY: Actress Jennifer Aniston says some non-comedy movie projects are in her future, including a film based on the true story of an all-female country-western band that formed at a Texas prison in the 1940s.

Aniston says the band was "sort of the Dixie Chicks of their time."

No production or release dates have been set for the project, tentatively titled "The Goree Girls."

After starring in a string of romantic comedies such as "Just Go With It," Aniston may be turning her sights to more serious fare. Another project, tentatively called "Counterclockwise," may focus on the studies of Ellen Langer, a renowned Harvard psychology professor.

Aniston was in Mexico City on Thursday to promote her new perfume, which bears her name. (AP

Excal Saga stories

Insanity is a word tossed around a lot, but Excel Saga (not to be confused with Xenosaga) goes above and beyond into complete and utter idiocy, but on purpose. Excel Saga is an anime on a quest for a plot the entire series providing for some of the best gut laughs any anime has ever offered.

Limitless Stories

Don’t you kinda hate it when you watch the trailer for a film and in the studio’s attempt to sell you on the concept of the film, you get that gut-twisting feeling they may have told you everything? I thought Limitless would be one of those films. Thankfully, it isn’t. Writer Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is a bit of a bum. He’s living off a book advance that currently amounts to a document with a word count of 1. He’s sloppy, his girlfriend is leaving him, and he has a hard time connecting dots in simply explaining the concept of his book to others. That is, until he meets his drug dealer of a brother-in-law, Vernon…o

Paul Stories

Don’t you remember the 80s? No, I’m not talking about New Wave music, purple mohawks, or Ronald Reagan; I’m talking about the legion of movies and TV series involving an alien that crash lands on Earth, bonds with a kid and his family, avoids government authorities who want to cut him up for science, and hitches a ride back to his home planet. E.T., ALF, Mac & Me - everyone was infatuated with the stupid things. And of course, they were the first thing that came to mind about twenty minutes into Paul, a film in which an alien crash lands on Earth, bonds with two nerds, avoids government authorities that… Oh, sorry, spoilers.

Dragon Stories

So, you might have heard some bad things about Dragon Age 2, or maybe you heard some good things I suppose your opinion on the game depends pretty heavily on whether or not you ever worry about things like getting ad revenue from EA ever again, but whatever. Having finished Bioware’s latest “epic,” I sat back and wondered what the pitch for DA2 must have sounded like in the initial design meetings at Bioware. I imagine it went something like this, assuming you ignore continuity and timeline and all that. I’m trying to make a point:

Michael Beck Stories

They call it the “bargain bin,” the big basket of discount DVDs of questionable quality. We assume that the paltry $5 price tag still gives these films too much credit. Is there anything of use in these wire crates worth the implied value in the word “bargain”? One man braves the bin to find out.
Gone to Texas was a made-for-TV movie originally aired on CBS, lumped in as a “Sam Elliott Double Feature” onto a DVD with another TV vehicle, Blue River. I am an enormous fan of Westerns–I’m still sorting out a long-winded, forthcoming post about the role of Westerns in modern cinema–and Sam Elliott is rightfully included among the greatest actors in the genre. A $5 two-fer has got to be worth the price of admission alone, or at least that’s what my poor mind managed to convince me when I paid for this set.
Gone to Texas tells the story of Sam Houston, a legend in Texan lore and a real frontier hero–the leader of Texan independence and American interests in the contested frontier. This is, ostensibly, what the film attempts to impart upon its patriotic and flag-waving, ruggedly individualistic American viewers–the story of a great and noble American fighting for freedom and independence. However, the real message here is that General Sam Houston is completely and utterly insane.

Hottie and the Nottie stories

They call it the “bargain bin,” the big basket of discount DVDs of questionable quality. We assume that the paltry $5 price tag still gives these films too much credit. Is there anything of use in these wire crates worth the implied value in the word “bargain”? One man braves the bin to find out.
Good Christ almighty, what have I stumbled upon? How could I have known–truly known--that the hour and a half of so-called “content” on this DVD was a vile, wretched monster born of my worst nightmares? I suppose I could have looked it up on IMDB, but that’s cheating. When I snagged this from a Walgreen’s bargain bin at three in the morning, I knew (as any rational person might) that this would be awful. Little did I know that I was paying $3.99 plus tax for the single most offensive, unfunny, lazy piece of trash ever put to plastic. I am not sure the English language has the capacity to encapsulate the vitriol and hatred I have for The Hottie & the Nottie, but by gum, let’s give it a shot

Funy Picture

It's an epidemic. Someone cuts you off or rides too close. Soon enough your blood is boiling and you get into a screaming match where curses and finger gestures are flying. In some cases it escalates into violence. How can you avoid this explosion of anger?

Godzilla True Stories

The first Godzilla was an $800,000 movie. The largest of any Japanese movie budget at the time. It was very serious and a meaphor for the destruction and suffering of the people after Hiroshima and the fire bombing that occurred just 10 years before. Thusly you see a lot of temple praying scenes.

The name of the monster was 'Gojira'. Go= gorilla. Kujira = whale. So, gorilla whale = Gojira. But hard to pronounce for Americans. A USA producer bought it, hired Raymond Burr for only 4 days, filmed perfectly matching scenes in Hollywood, and changed the name to Godzilla.

 

Raymond Burr was not in the movie, but top actors from Japan including the leader of 'The Seven Samurai'. Now you can get the double DVD with the original Japanese version with English sub-titles, or the US version with Burr in it and in english. Later Burr appeared in 'Godzilla 1990'.

When you watch it again and realize that all the Burr scenes were done later you will be impressed with how he is cut into the movie. He's often just observing events with Japanese extras behind him to match the scenes that were already taken. But it fits because he plays a reporter.

In the hospital where he is injured and talking to the nurse. It was originally the nurse talking to a Japanese actor. Burr was flawlessly inserted. And this was before CGS. Fooled me, even as an adult.

performance of Driving

A special benefit performance of Driving Miss Daisy, on Broadway, will be dedicated to the memory of Lynn and Corin Redgrave. The proceeds will benefit the Actors Fund.

Lynn and Corin Redgrave are the younger brother and sister of Vanessa Redgrave, one of the stars of Driving Miss Daisy. Lynn served on the Board of Trustees of The Actors Fund since 1992 and was vice chair since 2006. Corin regularly donated his time and talents to help raise money for the charity.

Driving Miss Daisy stars James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave and Boyd Gaines. The special benefit performance on February 7, 2011 will begin at 8pm. Ticket prices range from $66.50 to $226.50 for premium seats to this benefit performance, and can be purchased through

Most Broadway shows go dark on Monday evenings, therefore I wouldn't be surprised if actors from other shows were on hand at this special presentation of Driving Miss Daisy. Why don't you join them, help out a worthwhile cause and see a wonderful show with legendary actors.

body fat

Move over Weight Watchers — an exotic new superfruit called 'Maqui Berry' has quickly become the hottest new way to lose weight.

After FOX News Channel medical contributor Dr. Manny Alvarez highlighted the weight-loss benefits of Maqui Berry—12.6 times more powerful than Acai Berry—sales of Maqui Berry have skyrocketed, making it now the most popular weight-loss product in America today.

Internet searches reveal countless blog postings and Facebook messages, singing the praises of this new weight-loss wonder fruit.

Food Network Celebrity Chef Rachael Ray even featured the fat-burning power of Maqui Berry recently on her national TV show.

 

University of Texas Study: 400% Greater Weight Loss Power

 

Beyond the success stories on social networking sites, new clinical research shows Maqui Berry may indeed be the real deal when it comes to causing fast weight loss.

According to a recent study from researchers at the University of Texas (Austin), 500 women and men who were looking to lose between 10 and 40 pounds supplemented with either Maqui Berry or Acai Berry for six months.

At the end of the trial period, researchers discovered that those subjects taking Maqui Berry lost 400% more weight than those taking Acai Berry.

o

  

  

What Is Maqui Berry, and How Does It Work?  

  

Despite the recent frenzy surrounding Maqui Berry and its weight-loss benefits, the fruit has actually been used as a diet aid for centuries in Chile, South America—the only place in the world where Maqui Berry is grown. 

  

The brightly-colored purple berry is found exclusively in Chile's Patagonian rainforests. Maqui Berry, or Chilean Wine Berry, differs from other berries like Acai in that it has the highest levels of a powerful fat-burning nutrient called.

 

In fact, research shows Maqui Berry contains over 10 times more anthocyanins than any other food source  

 

Clinical oresearch shows anthocyanins have remarkable  A new study from Japan shows anthocyanins have "significant potentcy" against fat cells and strong "anti-obesity" benefits. 

 

 

Americans Swear by Maqui Berry's Slimming Benefits  

  

Mary Kennedy, a 35-year-old mother of two from Boulder, Colorado, says she lost 25 pounds in 4 weeks as a result of using Maqui Berry extract before meals. 

  

"I didn't even know about Maqui Berry until hearing about it on the news," says Kennedy. "It had been almost a year since I gave birth to my son, and I was still 25 pounds overweight. I figured if other people were having success using Maqui Berry, it would be worth trying." 

  

Kennedy says she began to lose weight almost immediately. "After the first week, I had lost 11 pounds — I thought something was wrong with my scale," says Kennedy with a laugh. "The pounds were falling off so fast that I actually got excited to step on the scale each morning to see how much more I'd lost." 

  

According to Kennedy, Maqui Berry is the most effective weight-loss product she's ever used. "I've tried other things like Alli, but I didn't really notice a difference. The change I'm seeing with Maqui Berry is shocking. It's like liposuction in a bottle," says Kennedy with a laugh. 

  

David Jeffries, a 36-year-old journalist from Boonville, Missouri, says he's experienced similar weight-loss success with Maqui Berry. 

  

"After just two weeks of using Maqui Berry, I lost 23 pounds of fat, including a lot of fat off my belly," says Jeffries. "I'm amazed at how fast the weight is falling off me. Already my jean size has dropped from 36 to 32." 

  

  

Beware of Low-Quality Maqui Berry from China  

  

With the recent publicity and fanfare surrounding Maqui Berry, it's no surprise that sites are popping up all over the Internet claiming to offer Maqui Berry at bargain-basement prices. 

  

However, according to a recent report published by Consumer Laboratories, Inc., an independent testing o

rganization that reviews health and wellness supplements, a lot of these products, which are often imported from China, have less Maqui Berry than indicated by their labels and have other ingredients and artificial fillers. 

  

How To Find a Quality Maqui Berry Product

  

With dozens, if not hundreds, of Maqui Berry products being sold online, selecting one that's worth your money can be a difficult and confusing endeavor. 

According to consumer and Better Business ratings, product is considered one of the most effective and trustworthy, with laboratory tests certifying the product's potency and quality.

celebriting city hope

“If we want to celebrate the New Year’s Eve this year?” Question in the United end of the year is approaching. If your New Year in Thailand, then you are lucky, because one thing, especially Thais know how to do, this is a holiday. Thailand is in fact, one of the few countries in the world, three times a year the Chinese New Year! Chinese New Year is celebrated in February, Songkran, or Thai traditional New Year Happy New Year in April and Bank provides an excellent opportunity. Bangkok offers a truly enjoyable experience, let us make this year a new phenomenon at the end of year holidays. Years old, a pioneer in the back, and with new friends and family to leave.

As is the case in many cities around the world is stable, is celebrating the City of Angels is a very good new year. In the New Year countdown and each of their charm, so you’re sure to find something to suit your preferences. If you provide the traditional and modern art and world music, clubs, bars, or just beautiful Chao Phraya River, and recreational facilities, enough to take you to the last, when the magic of fireworks lit up the sky. And then continue to party until dawn. Resort, and was born in Bangkok Ratchaprasong, AC New Year celebrations, CentralWorld, Gaysorn Plaza, Erawan Bangkok.

All through this neighborhood in Bangkok and Ratchaprasong, Ratchadamri and Ploenchit nearly Chitlom, street lights shine in the great banner of shopping, the competition, almost any western city. The colored lights strung along the roads and street lighting of buildings series, not to mention a lot of beautiful decoration and high trees. You can also string lights and more lights on the tree trunks wrapped in a long line of palm trees. In order to enjoy the best of these sites, it is always combined with excellent jewelry watch purchase. Selection and the store sold products and excellent sales variety, so that more important holiday.

If you want to enjoy the open air in public places or in the New Year countdown at CentralWorld in Bangkok, well in Bangkok. The event usually attracts on Ratchaprasong intersection in front of CentralWorld Ratchadamri immediate focus of the party on the road a lot of people. This includes focus on the exciting sound and light, multimedia presentations and live Thailand’s famous artists, actors and performing on stage. You can also marvel at the perfect atmosphere to become part of a global television audience, as well as in the beer garden, Raffles and other countries around the world the joy of the countdown to 2010. Governor and other leaders, and in the next blessing. The event was broadcast live.

Who does not love those who stood in the open air to Bangkok, fashion and trendy club parties must explode. Long way around the crown and usually visits a new place in Indianapolis. It will be very interesting, noisy, and sweating, and with the center of the packaging, to the maximum extent possible and the party’s efforts. In addition, there are many bars and restaurants means test hill. These patches provide a fun food to meet a wide range of international cuisine. In Bangkok, the perfect club scene. If this is the high complexity of the club or the hip, you can find under the conditions of Thailand and the friendly atmosphere, all that. Live theater, music, and the upper class. Thai musicians to provide performances to suit any group.

Many of Bangkok’s top hotels, while providing a quiet little thing. It refers to one or both of the organization. Wonderful place to do, is the Chao Phraya River. The situation here is more closed and luxurious dinner, light entertainment and fireworks in the sky views of the city gates. The river bank is one of the best places in Bangkok, but how the river? Dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River there are many, you can enjoy the silence and the eve of the best possible conditions in the romantic New Year’s Eve fireworks from the crowd to enjoy the dinner. Remember, flight and hotel for dinner, the two sides of love and the need to advance.

Not only in Bangkok but also in the country, you will find that these celebrations, sent last year, and we welcome their style prominent in the new year. How to do tomorrow? I do not doubt, there will be some from the previous night’s events, but you can always immersed in the New Year’s delicious buffet party branches in a number of well-known hotel, especially if you sleep and missed breakfast. This is a great way to start the first day of 2011, which will make you feel more intensified. Or you can trade, and from a grand New Year’s Day in Bangkok, a wonderful shopping malls, such as CentralWorld, Chidlom, Siam Central ideals and shops, the only part of it.

In order to relax and update the new year treat yourself to a spa absolute. In the city, one of the luxury health resort, to stimulate your senses and let your body and soul, to the maximum degree of cooling. As their refuge a private bathroom, all kinds of luxury hotel, you can not go wrong.

Otherwise, you can apply for one in Bangkok, nail shops or stores absorb a foot massage massage therapy withdrawal. Although the majority of indulgence will be fascinated by your professional staff to support you with a smile, to meet all of your personal session, nothing seems to be a lot of trouble. This is a great start to escape a very happy day.

In the tradition and culture for the New Year, many of the temple near the Thai Falls Road, to make up for the new year full of vitality and prosperity of future value. Many of the major provinces of the grand New Year celebration held in the early morning of religion, including Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Krabi. In addition, half of the regular and visit Bangkok or in the domestic mobilization of the family vacation can be a good opportunity to relax and ride round in Bangkok less crowded than usual.

Why did you choose and your vacation on the beautiful Christmas, shopping, spa, special meals and celebrations of view, everything can be here in Bangkok. Have fun and Happy New Year 2011!

Rahat Fateh Ali Picture

He was produced in DRI, where the officials questioned the singer, his manager Maroof Ali, and event manager Chitresh Srivastava, A private news channel reported. According to the television, Rahat Fateh Ali was directed to appear before DRI daily.

The DRI officials also directed him to stay in India till February 24. Rahat and his manager Maroof were caught at IGI airport for carrying undeclared dollars and cheques on February 14.

Red Riding Hood

LOS ANGELES: A film of grimm banality, "Red Riding Hood" puts a bloodthirsty "Twilight" spin on a fairy tale already possessed of an unusually macabre climax. As it thuds along from one wolf attack to the next, Catherine Hardwicke's first film since taking leave of Bella and her toothy friends adamantly refuses to provide any wit, humor or fun, concerning itself mostly with the heroine's taxing dilemma of picking between the rural village's two best looking boys. Still, with Warner Bros. delivering a massive campaign aimed at a ready-and-drooling target audience, some big opening numbers lie in wait this weekend. "Red Riding Hood" is in the vanguard of what appears to be an onslaught of live-action fairy tale-derived studio features over the next year or so. What triggered this trend remains unclear, but one can only hope that the level of cleverness and invention improves, as things hardly get off to an inspired start here. Restricting the action almost entirely to a small Ruritanian community where everyone but the visiting Gary Oldman speaks in mundane American accents, the script by David Leslie Johnson ("Orphan") pivots on two central creative ploys -- to turn a mere wolf into a werewolf and to transform the ancient story into a whodunnit in which the lovely young Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) must figure out who among the locals nocturnally mutates into the massive black hound that killed her sister and converses to her, hoping she'll run away with it. Is it Peter (Shiloh Fernandez), the cute but poor woodcutter who has been her true love since childhood and himself would love to take her away? Might it possibly be his rival, Henry (Max Irons), the prosperous blacksmith Valerie's mother (Virginia Madsen) has arranged for her to marry? Could it be Dad (Billy Burke, the sad-sack father from "Twilight"), who boozes it up with regularity? Or, heaven forbid, is the wolf perhaps Grandma herself (Julie Christie), a bohemian eccentric who lives on her own out in the forest and has yellowish-brown eyes quite like those of the wolf itself? Officially taking charge of the case once the wolf begins attacking humans for the first time in 20 years is Father Solomon (Oldman), an itinerant werewolf hunter in cleric's robes who resembles his Biblical namesake far less than he does Torquemada, so convinced is he that his inquisitional techniques can elicit a confession of lycanthropy. As in "Thirteen," "The Nativity Story" and "Twilight" before it, "Red Riding Hood" allows Hardwicke to focus on the emotional trials of a teenager thrust unceremoniously onto the rocks of extreme grown-up dilemmas and feeling her way toward solutions. Unfortunately, the context here is hokier than in any of the director's previous films and, as she's not a stylist or genre specialist, she has little to bring to this sort of material other than a natural empathy for the lead character. The dialogue exchanges possess no spark, the action is indifferently covered by random camera moves and cuts and the only jolts are provoked by cheap shock-cuts to the growling or roaring wolf. The only memorable image is the fortunately frequently appearing one of Seyfried with her blond hair flowing from beneath the eponymous scarlet cloak that matches her pillow lips. Otherwise, the young actress has seen better days than this before and assuredly will again. The local men are boringly one-note but the casting of Christie was smart, as she bestows her iconoclastic spirit upon the ambiguous grandma. The Vancouver-shot production, mostly confined to a studio set, has a rather dreary look spiced here and there by unusual production and costume design details that lend modern touches. (Reuters)

pop star Madonna.

 LONDON: A Polish national has been charged with burglary, London police said on Monday, after British newspapers reported that he broke into the home of pop star Madonna.

According to the newspapers, Madonna and her children were in the United States at the time of the break-in, after the death of her grandmother.

A police spokesman confirmed that Grzegorz Matlok, 29, of no fixed address in the United Kingdom, was arrested on Saturday morning in central London and charged with burglary on Sunday.

He was due to attend a London court on Monday.

Madonna's maternal grandmother, Elsie Mae Fortin, died on Wednesday in Bay City, Michigan, aged 99. (Reuters)

Hollywood film studios

BRUSSELS: European regulators dropped a probe into deals done by major Hollywood film studios that it feared would stifle access to digital screens for low-budget European movies. "I am pleased that Hollywood studios considered our legitimate concerns and modified the contracts so that cinema-goers can watch both Hollywood blockbusters but also small budget and art-house films with the latest state-of-the-art technology," said Joaquin Almunia, European Union competition commissioner. "As the majors concerned have modified those contracts, all ends well, like in a good film," Almunia's spokeswoman added. Almunia's office said that an antitrust investigation probing investment deals concluded during the switchover from film projection to digital cinemas had closed after the big producers changed the terms of contracts signed. "Several major US Hollywood film studios revised contract provisions relating to the financing and installation of digital projection equipment in cinemas," the commission said in a statement. "The changes proposed by major Hollywood film studios will make it easier for independent and art-house distributors to have access to cinemas equipped with digital equipment," it said. Brussels said it is estimated that half of all European screens, more than 18,000, will be digital by the end of 2012.(AFP)

Lady Gaga launches Japan relief bid

WASHINGTON: Superstar Lady Gaga on Friday launched a bracelet to support relief in Japan as top names in the entertainment world offered condolences after the mega-quake and tsunami. Lady Gaga asked her legions of fans -- whom she calls "Little Monsters" -- to buy a bracelet on her website saying, "We Pray for Japan," for donations of $5 or more. All proceeds will go to relief efforts, she said. Other pop stars offered condolences. R&B icon Alicia Keys wrote on her Twitter account that she woke up early in the morning with "a song in my heart," although she was not yet sure what it would be. "My heart breaks for Japan," she said. Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber called Japan "one of my favorite places on Earth." "It's an incredible culture with amazing people. My prayers go out to them. We all need to help," Bieber wrote on Twitter.(AFP)

Black Death

LOS ANGELES: You can't quarrel with that title, "Black Death." The film is black all right, pitch black, and death is everywhere.

The story is set in 1348, after all, when the plague began to sweep through Europe, decimating its populace by as much as half and spreading panic to every corner. Yet what a strange land for a horror filmmaker to pitch camp in since he has little to add when horror is a fact of everyday life.

Sure enough, Christopher Smith ("Creep," "Severance") plays with the notion of necromancers and demons lurking within the pestilence, but winds up retreating into a kind of historical morality tale told with documentary flourishes and a grim attraction to violence and cruelty.

All of which leaves "Black Death" without a reliable audience. Horror film buffs like to giggle as much as scream but there're no giggles here. To its credit, the film doesn't indulge in visual-effects devilry as a very similar plague film, "Season of the Witch," did just two months ago. So it's up to medieval history buffs to fill the theaters when it opens on Friday. Lots of luck.

The coincidence of storylines between "Season of the Witch" and "Black Death" is rather striking and in every instance Black Death is the superior film. In both films, the church, seeing its grip on the population severely loosened by this inexplicable plague, sends Christian knights into a remote region to determine if witches, demons or non-believers are the source of this frightening scourge.

In "Witch," church elders are portrayed as cartoon villains, capable of just about any evil in the name of a vengeful God, but the elders do get the bit about devils right -- kick-ass demons are out there bent on destroying humankind. In "Black Death," Smith and screenwriter Dario Pooloni take aim at real horror -- painful infections and pitiless death that spread hysterical panic, which causes an already arrogant church to search for scapegoats as all semblance of civil and religious authority crumbles.

The focus here is on two "men of God" -- a knight, Ulric (Sean Bean), who truly believes his sword can slay with impunity in the name of the Father, and a naive monk, Osmund (Eddie Redmayne), whose outlook is more equivocal since he has already fallen for a woman and so realizes that things are never quite black or white.

The monk is to lead the knight and his motley crew of killers and mercenaries (which is all they really are) into an isolated marshland where, rumors insist, a community has mysteriously resisted the plague. This can only mean witchcraft and devil-worship. The intent of these soldiers is painfully clear from the mobile torture machine they lug along with them.

After a skirmish with highwaymen and an incident involving the monk's girl start to test the monk's devotion to his Old Testament God, the somewhat diminished group reaches a small village that essentially contains a hippie commune. Here free love and good health reign under the rule of a glamorous female cult leader (Carice van Houten). The men can hardly wait to start torturing and killing but the witch, sorry, woman, saw them coming long before they entered her village.

So the film orchestrates a test of will and faith between the bloodthirsty true believers and an almost equally bloodthirsty band of non-believers. You hardly know whom to root for, which is the movie's point but one that permits little emotional involvement with any of these lamentable human beings.

An all-British cast brings sufficient vigor to these roles, which includes John Lynch as the knight's second in command, Andy Nyman as the enthusiastic torturer, Emun Elliott as a mercenary warrior and Tim McInnerney as the commune leader's glibly smiling assistant. Germany's Sachsen-Anhalt region is perfect for the dark, brooding design and cinematography that rule out any colors other than which nature can provide in a swampy bog on an overcast day. A hand-held camera and the gritty details add to the sense that a documentary crew has somehow time-traveled back to the 14th century.

"Black Death" achieves its goal of reproducing a medieval Europe awash with rats, filth and rotting corpses and men of violence ready to rip apart the bodies of any who have the temerity not to be sick. It's a gloomy, despicable world and men of God only add to the problem. (Reuters)

Cameron Munter

US Ambassador Cameron Munter was told "that such strikes were not only unacceptable but also constituted a flagrant violation of humanitarian norms and law," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Civilian and military leaders have already strongly condemned Thursday's drone strike against a militant hideout in North Waziristan tribal region and demanded an apology and explanation from the US.

Civilians and police were among those killed when US missiles ploughed into a militant training compound in Datta Khel town, 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Miranshah, the main town in tribal North Waziristan.

The ministry said that Munter was met by foreign secretary Salman Bashir who conveyed "a strong protest" regarding Thursday's attack by a CIA-operated pilotless drone.

"It was evident that the fundamentals of our relations need to be revisited. Pakistan should not be taken for granted nor treated as a client state," the statement said.

"It was for the White House and the State Department to hold back those who have been trying to veer Pakistan-US relationship away from the track."

The ministry said Pakistan would not attend a meeting in Brussels with officials from the Washington and Kabul on security in Afghanistan, scheduled for March 26.

Ambassador Munter said that he understood clearly that this was not a "pro forma demarche" (a formality) and that he would rush to Washington to convey Pakistan's message to the highest levels of the US administration, the ministry said.

Britney Spears

n support of her new album "Femme Fatale," Britney Spears  is performing in San Francisco's Castro District on the morning of its official release. Business owners in the area aren't too happy about it.

Spears' mini-concert, which will air on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, March 29th, will see area buses rerouted, streets closed, and parking, usually reserved for customers, being taken.
"It's going to be a disaster for business," said Terry Asten Bennett of Cliff's Variety told KTVU. "Our business depends on people being able to get to us, so they probably won't be able to get to us that day."
The area will begin shutdown for Spears' takeover beginning March 27th at midnight until 17 hours later at 5pm, which includes stage and lighting setup and Spears' performances.
While some might have to sacrifice access to their store for a day, Spears' show is being estimated to bring in about 50,000 people. That's probably a lot more foot traffic than the area sees any day, and other business owners agree.
"Even if it hurts business, I think it will be more valuable to the area," Mike Stone, president of new Castro District store Mollie Stone's Market, told KTVU.
Britney announced that she'd be hitting San Francisco's historic Castro District herself in a televised promo for "Good Morning America." "I promise you it'll be a morning to remember

Female celebrities

Celebrities like to be seen, we all understand that, the question is, rather how they want to be seen: for some it is enough to look beautiful, while others feel the need to look as crazy as possible. By no means, does "crazy" have to be bad, unless of course someone with no taste tries to make a fashion statement - that's when all hell breaks loose.
The first few celebrities are admittedly easy to pick on because of their notoriety both as people and, well, photo opportunities.
Even if I try to set aside my personal thoughts on Paris Hilton, she still makes the list and for a good reason. It is relatively difficult to see her wearing anything more than a bikini (if even that) and during those rare instances when the world does see her dressed (at festivals or, more commonly, seconds before taking them off in a more private environment) her clothes reveal as much as possible (as if we haven't seen enough) and tend to have toxic or just simply obnoxious colors that make people's eyes bleed. I suppose this is all due to her natural habitat, but there isn't really anywhere to go from the point where the least insult to fashion you can manage is due to a criminal conviction. Way to go...
Next we have Britney Spears, the princess of "Worst N whatever" lists. Britney has been on a rampage of inappropriate looks last year and while the drug-abusing soccer mom image renders any and all attempts at looking fashionable useless, I simply can't leave her out. Frankly, I'm not sure where to start: the hats? The ridiculous dresses for an overall look of an under-colored clown? The ultimate goal Britney seeks must be to fit as many non-fitting pieces of random clothing into one image as possible. Her endeavors are always undermined by the fact that on her free time she, like so many others (reluctantly), wears crocks and that pretty much says it all.
One other celebrity who never ceases to confirm her status as someone who has no idea about looks whatsoever is Victoria Beckham. She always went for the femme fatale looks: sunglasses hiding her gaze, an angry look on her face, the ball-gripping posture and clothes to match. Usually she wears something tight and colorful (or eye-catching otherwise) to highlight the fact that she is indeed a woman - a fact questioned by many in the past - as well as to add to the overall independent woman image. The problem is, she accomplishes only the task of repelling just about everyone. Except for David Beckh...

Japan earthquake victims

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN Entertainment) - Sandra Bull has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan. The 46-year-old actress made the generous donation on behalf of her family.

The contribution from the Academy Award-winning actress is the largest celebrity donation to Red Cross since the catastrophe struck Friday. The organization noted, though, that they also received large contributions that were kept confidential at the donors' request.
Red Cross told CNN, "This contribution is vitally important as the Red Cross works to provide critical assistance and essential relief items in this time of urgent need for so many people in Japan."
This isn't the first time Sandra has opened her wallet for charity. She has donated twice to the Red Cross in the past, the first time to its Liberty Disaster Relief Fund and the second to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis.
She also donated another $1 million to Doctors Without Borders last year to aid Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
 

Exploring North American Landscapes by Marc Muench

His explorations take him (and his readers) from his beloved Sierra Nevada Mountains to the swamps along the Natchez Trace in Mississippi.  The journey continues to Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, the Appalachian Trail in Virginia and on to the coast of Maine.  And let’s not forget Alaska and Arizona, too.

Part One of the book, “Explorations and Visions” includes six chapters covering his philosophy as an artist, his family tradition of professional photography, and a special chapter with images of his favorite places.  The chapters are filled with personal stories and he details his impression of what makes photography art.

Part Two is composed of eight lessons that help the reader understand how he is able to produce such technically brilliant and emotionally appealing images – time after time.  Basics such as lighting and digital workflow are covered along with details on panoramic images and HDR.  The lessons are laid out logically, usually step-by-step and easy to follow, understand, and apply.

The one aspect of Exploring North American Landscapes we found inconvenient is the “Index of Feature Images” on the last page.  There are no page numbers associated with the listings and they aren’t necessarily easy to find in the corresponding chapter by title alone.
 
This writer’s philosophy has always been to try to get the image right in the camera and therefore need minimal post-production edits.  Muench agrees, “I prefer capturing landscapes that appear so surreal in reality that no surreal processing is required.” However, many of his images appear to be products of HDR processing. The drama he is able to produce in his images may convince me to give HDR a try.

Muench, a native of California, is currently the “artist-in-residence” at dgrin.com for Smugmug and active in their “Muench University”.  He is also an editor for the National Park Service.

Lil Wayne rapped for the Green Bay

A at Super Bowl XIV, Lil Wayne rapped for the Green Bay Packers ahead of their victory by releasing “Green and Yellow”. The fans of Lil Wayne have to wait a little longer to see his latest creation. The premiere of first video by Lil Wayne since he was released from jail is postponed while Wheezy puts the finishing touches on the clip. The new air date is currently unknown. The photos taken on set hint at the theme of the song. The song “6 foot 7 foot” is from his anticipated album Carter IV. He initially planned to crank out another clip from his album “I am not a human being”. He said “thanks to the fans, it still went gold. That’s with one video or something like that and really no promotion”. He will premiere his new video this week but said he is not going to reveal the idea behind it before people try to copy it before the release. He said “I would love to tell everybody the concept, but there will be people trying to get the idea and put it before “6 foot 7 foot” drops. DJ Scoob Doo recently assured MTV news that the forthcoming clip will make a creative impact. Live nation and Scottrade Center have confirmed the “I am still music tour” with Lil Wayne coming to Scottrade on 10th of April. In his February issue of Rolling Stone, he called out two of the NBA biggest stars. So there is a great chance to see him live in her concerts buy cheap lil wayne tickets Lil Wayne bared his soul to the Rolling Stone about the pain he felt when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade didn’t give him special love when he sat in the front row of heat game. Lil Wayne has recently settled a 1.2 million dollar tax bill that was filled against him in June in Dade Country, Florida Circuit Court

Prince William and Kate Middleton Request Charitable Donations in Lieu of Gifts

With all of the pomp and circumstance surrounding the upcoming Royal Wedding, it's nice to see the bride and groom ensuring that others will benefit from their popularity and influence. We seem to be seeing much more of this from celebrities and people in power in recent years. Prince William and Kate Middleton have chosen a wide array of charitable organizations that are included in a fund set up by William and brother Harry. Well-wishers have been asked to contribute to the fund as opposed to sending gifts to the couple.

Obviously, Prince William and Kate Middleton have the luxury of not having material wants, given their financial resources. But it's still nice to see fairly young people who have an awareness of the global needs that exist. The pair seem to have taken some time in deciding which charitable causes to support through the fund related to their wedding.

A spokesman for the fund explained some of the thought process that went into the selections. "The couple have chosen to take the chance to benefit some causes that have less exposure or which are undertaking valuable work in areas of the community which the couple feel would benefit from this support."

Obamas Not Invited to Prince William, Kate Middleton Wedding

Whether a planned slap in the face, a mere oversight or a matter of trying to cut back on expenses (the latter of which seems highly unlikely), President Obama and First Lady Michelle have not been invited to the royal wedding between England’s Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Daily Mail has already referred to the event as the "wedding of the decade," so it seems odd that the man who would single-handedly solve the crisis in the Middle East, fix the global economy, unite the world and bring peace to earth at last would not be there, but such is the nature of the upcoming event.

Sources have reported to British newspapers that the couple want to be married in front of so-called ordinary citizens. That assumes, of course, that William family is excluded and will be present. The wedding isn’t an official state event, so the couple apparently do not feel the need to invite foreign dignitaries. Still, the savior of the world is someone that probably should be invited to everyone’s wedding. We are, after all, talking about a man who won the Nobel Peace Prize in advance of affecting any international change, a move designed to ensure he would be rewarded for as-yet-to-be-accomplished goals.

Noted a spokesman for St. James Palace, "The wedding will not be a formal state occasion since Prince William is neither the sovereign nor the heir to the throne." Side note: when announcements about your wedding come from a spokesman from a palace, the "ordinary citizens" line seems quite laughable. So, there you have it. Ordinary citizens make the cut. U.S. president and his wife…not so much.