Alastair Burlingham... Happy New Years!

Can't wait to see you next year.

Old KITT Car vs. New KITT Car Spec Breakdown!

For those of us who remember the 1980's and/or were just big fans of Knight Rider both of which I am for one not a shamed to admit to. Yes, that would be the Knight Rider TV show starring none other than pre-Baywatch David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight and his superstar car sidekick, KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand). Weekly, the dynamic duo battled bad guys on the small-screen action-adventure show much to all of our delight. Now a blast from the past in the form of the new and improve 1982 Pontiac Trans Am updated to the impressive KNIGHT INDUSTRIES THREE THOUSAND: 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR.

The still-to-be-released Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR has been used for an all-new controversial KITT car to be featured in the NBC made-for-TV Knight Rider movie due out in February. The new Mustang comes with a supercomputer that can hack almost any system, weapons system and a body courtesy of nanotechnology. Designer Harald Belker came onboard to give the new KITT. a distinctive look. "The goal was to make it look more aggressive without being hokey or garish," Belker says. "Maintaining as much of the original beauty of the Shelby as possible was important—and not just because of the Ford connection. It had to be simple yet believable as a superhero." Belker is also mastermind behind the design of the Batmobile for Batman and Robin and a next-gen space shuttle for Armageddon.

KITT KNIGHT INDUSTRIES TWO THOUSAND: 1982 Pontiac Trans Am

Vehicle Type: Front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door coupe
Engine Type: Knight Industries turbojet with modified afterburners
Transmission: Eight-speed microprocessor turbodrive with autopilot. Price New: $11,400,000 (est.). Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph: 0.2 seconds with power boosters. Standing quarter mile: 4.286 seconds. Braking (70 to 0 mph): 14 ft. Fuel Economy: Classified, but thought to be 200 mpg


KNIGHT INDUSTRIES THREE THOUSAND: 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR

Vehicle Type: Front engine, on-demand all-wheel drive, two-door coupe
Engine Type: Aluminum block/titanium heads 5.4-liter V8 internal combustion with Whipple supercharger and Knight Industries liquid air cycle auxiliary turbine engine. 540 hp in Hero mode. Power output can’t be measured in Attack mode.Transmission: Continuously variable transmission with infinite power band. Price New: $45.6 million, as tested. Acceleration: 0 to 60 mph: 1.77 seconds. Standing quarter mile: 3.87 seconds. Braking (300 to 0 mph): 12 ft. Fuel Economy: Not testable

'National Treasure' holds No. 1 spot for a 2nd week

"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" fresh off of its number one slot debute last weeks holds onto the number spot for a second week. In its second week at the top of the heap National Treasure took $35.6 million at the box office. With a return ensemble cast comprised of Nicolas Cage, Justin Bartha, Diane Kruge and the legendary John Voight as well as new to the adventure Dame Helen Mirren the fortune hunting gang became even more extraordinary at the weekend for the second week at the top of box office.

Although, Walt Disney Co.'s "National Treasure" sequel was down by 20% from its opening weekend it still managed to bring in $124 million within day 10 days of its release. It is set to more than surpass its 2004 released film which grossed $173 million domestically and $348 million worldwide.

The Christmas Day film releases gave much needed boasts to the sluggish fall film financial takings ending the year for business in Hollywood on an all time high. "It's being spread among three or four key movies, then another six or seven or eight below that, which is great," said Mark Zoradi, president of the motion-picture group at Disney, which released "National Treasure."

The top December released 12 movies took in $169.2 million which is significantly up by 18 percent from the final weekend of 2006, when "Night at the Museum" led the box office with $36.8 million. Hollywood has much to sing about as it will end the year’s film takings in total with record high revenues of approximately $9.7 billion. This is a substantial increase up from the previous best of $9.45 billion in 2004, according to box-office tracker Media By Numbers.

In spite of higher prices at the box offices as well as the gas pumps, the revenue increase suggests that actual admissions were up only a small percentage more than in 2006 and were diminutive of Hollywood's record of 1.6 billion tickets sold in 2002. The holidays falling on Tuesday, are believed to be a major part in the box office upturn in revenue as many people have been taking five-day weekends. "It's turned into like a two-week-long weekend for the movie industry," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers.

"Alvin and the Chipmunks," from 20th Century Fox, held firmly at number two with takings of $142.4 million. In third place was Warner Bros. "I Am Legend," starring Wil Smith as lone survivor and possible last man alive which reached an impressive $194.6 million. Other films to hit high notes at the box office included "There Will Be Blood," "No Country for Old Men" and "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS HISTORICAL SEASON

The New England Patriots made history on December 29, 2007 when they successfully completed a 16-0 winning season. Their winning streak is the first NFL league team perfect winning season since the Dolphins who went 14-0. This NFL one for the record books streak has received the seal of approval from the last triumphant football team to take their winning streak as closely to the end of the season 1972.

“I don’t really think that breaking Jerry Rice’s record (for touchdown catches in one season) was special. I think shutting you guys up was special - all my critics,” said Moss last night at Giants Stadium. The record-setting Patriots completing the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history with their win over the New York Giants 38-35. “It’s a good feeling to come in (to New England) and have a good season like this, to know I could still get it done.”

Quarterback Tom Brady said of his teams historical moment, “It’s the God’s-honest truth: I never really thought about (the record) or tried to play any differently than I always do, which is to try and find the open guy and throw him the ball.” Brady also set a NFL record for touchdown passes in a season almost superseding his team’s historical accomplishments all on his own.

The achievement also known as the “perfect storm “ will be known for the history books and actual account of the final regular-season totals of the 2007 Patriots season as that which brought Brady and Moss together in flawless form. Brady passed for a club-record 4,806 yards taking the position as the third most in NFL history and managed 50 touchdowns. In doing so he also broke the previous mark of 49 set by Peyton Manning.

While, Moss caught 98 passes for a club-record 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns marking one more than the mark set by Rice (22 in just 12 games) during the strike-shortened 1987 season. “I really feel blessed to be in this position,” said a sincere and reflective Moss. “There are certain things in your life you don’t want to (let) pass, and this was one of those things - coming to the New England Patriots and playing championship-caliber football.”

Happy Holiday Wishes from Excalibur-one

Click the above link for amazing holiday lights and to see breathtaking photos of extraordinary, extravagant, and beautiful Christmas lights displays. User photos

Have a safe one. Remember Don't Drink and Drive. As for you Hollywood people... really is it too much to get a freakin driver. Let's all try to cut down on the DUI convictions next year in 2008!

The Top 10 Gadgets of 2007

It has been a great year for tech since… well last year. This year saw some of best innovations in phone and gadgetry there ever was. This top ten gadget list has been compiled by the Tech.yahoo. Apparently, the list selections were tougher to come up with for all the obvious reason and include the likes of the Amazon Kindle described by blogger Christopher Null as a potentially "game-changing device" that gives the sleepy e-book market a swift, much-needed kick in the pants which priced at $399 is does not come cheaply, the much anticipated at its release onto the market just a few months ago Apple iPhone with its top notch mobile Web browser for starters has become the unmatched cell phone handset, and Pioneer "Kuro" Plasma HDTVs available in 720p and 1080p versions depending on the size and model which has fast made it the top of the plasma experience line.

Other favorite gadgets to make the list are Asus Eee for its two-pound, paperback-sized laptop that runs Linux like a dream and Ibiza Rhapsody because of its impressive ability to sync with your Rhapsody music account over Wi-F, find and update your podcasts, and even surfs the web. Intel Classmate PC the only "One Laptop Per Child" device to run XP, and Nokia N95 phone considered second in its class only to the iPhone proved very impressive indeed. Shure SE530 earphones price at $450 making them the priciest earphones on the market and TiVo HD considered the best of the best DVR welcomed the arrive of the TiVo HD in August, and Vudu the not so perfect TV set-top box but is the closest you will get to the Netflix-in-a-box round out this top ten list.

Note to Brad Pitt

This is just an observation, of course, but when an actor's film work is up to caliber and he has not yet won an Oscar or a recent Golden Globe would that be due to the unfortunate result of the company he keeps or his publicist. Maybe, in Mr. Pitt’s case it is BOTH!

Brad Pitt and The Hypocrisy Of It ALL

Brad Pitt has been going large in his public campaign for funding his New Orleans Make It Right project since not receiving a Golden Globe nod for neither his Jess James flick nor himself as lead actor. He confirms boastfully that thousands have pledged funding to his New Orleans project and millions have been raised. People make as much as $1 million New Orleans pledges and pay them.

So, what is Angelina Joile’s excuse for not paying her financial pledges to the Cambodian Vision in Development Charity and its director Mounh Sarath of which she has defrauded them some $6.5 million to date. How is that possible that Brad sat around and let this woman get away with not paying that money a whole year after her negation of funding and questionable motives humanitarian was exposed and then goes on TV asking people for money for his project instead with a smile?

Angelina's tragic excuses for not paying have been a many. Including, that of how she thought the Cambodian project would not work so therefore gets away with not paying the signed agreement pledges made. This is in spite of the fact that she went to them and not the other way around offering to pledge financially. Instead, of actual payment she went onto exploit them for publicity before having gullible Brad to use.

Ironically, this sudden revelation of hers of the project allegedly not working came after several years of exploiting the poor Cambodian country’s charity in the media then being well behind in her payment schedule comprised of a five year payment plan to pay $1.5 million and a separate payment plan also over five years to pay $5 million. In the several years that that agreement stood in place before her unfortunate negation of funding she paid as little as just over half a million dollars.

Hum… So, nor Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie has come forward to pay off her debt to Director Sarath of CVD and her charity agreement named after her son Maddox, because Angelina can change her mind about NOT paying the money she pledged. However, as according to them the African MOTHER can not change her mind about wanting her African child back… Why?

I am so confuse as these celebrities vulgarly flaunted themselves everywhere and somehow are allowed to change their mind, but POOR black Africa woman can NOT change her mind and take back the child she gave birth to from her body herself.… Are Angelina and Brad exhibiting elitism nonsense or what!!!!!

What arrogance? They should give Zahara back to her mother if Angelina is allowed to change her mind over paying Sarath then surely a rape victim mother can change her mind about the child she bore from her FLESH and BLOOD! Hollywood home-wrecker signed legal agreements to pay pledged money then said she thought the project Cambodian project would not work and the raped African mother’s mother thought her raped daughter would not be able to keep the child, but the Africa child's biological mother came forward wanting her child back.

So, who should be allowed to get away with changing this mind, REALLY? The Hollywood celebrities or the poor black African’s. Excalibur-one sends Christmas wishes to the African family of Zahara.

The End of the Old Light Bulb Era

The incandescent light bulb that was the most useful invention of its era will be no more. The end of the old light bulb as we know it is to be phased out of the U.S. market beginning in 2012 under the new energy law just approved by Congress. The old light bulb that has lit every aspect of our lives from birth is considered of the most inefficient modern day source of daily existence and a great contributor to Global Warming across the world. This nationwide plan to move toward a more efficient lighting source is said to be the least expensive way to bring the nations electricity use and greenhouse effect to a considerable reduction.

The new energy efficient light bulbs to replace the old incandescent light bulb will in fact be of greater use in the long run to all of us more than its aims to reduce the greenhouse harmful effects. The new light bulbs will also help you save immensely on your electricity bills. As much as 90% of the old light bulbs wasted are now evaded by the new light bulb which does not give off such high percentages at all.

Thus far, Australia is the first country to confirm an absolute ban by 2010 on incandescent bulbs while the United States mandates are to begin 2012 then phased out through 2014. Each of cone-shaped spiral new CFL bulbs costs approximately $3, but is money well invested. This is considerably more expensive than the comparative cost of the old bulbs at cost of 50 cents for the standard bulb. The CFL bulbs use is approximately 75 percent less energy and lasts five years instead of a few months. A household that invested $90 in changing 30 fixtures to CFLs would save $440 to $1,500 over the five-year life of the bulbs.

The savings will vary based on household electrical use, but you can expect a definite 12 percent discount to estimate the savings accurately. The CFL is so environmentally friendly that you can also recycle your bulbs at your local Ikea store. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and Earth911 have sites you can search for other recycling programs near your home. So, brings up the question centuries later, is Thomas Edison turning over in his grave over the new CFL bulbs? His incandescent bulb had its moment in the limelight for some two or three centuries or so but who’s counting.

I think Edison would understand that as modern technology changed so little since 1879 it was long over due since he produced light with a carbonized thread from his wife's sewing box. After all, his invention initially ended the era of the light by candle light source. Either way, his invention will continue if nothing else to be the invention that became the culture's iconic image. Energy-efficient bulbs are a better idea, says Andrew deLaski, director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. "It's hugely important," he says. "A 60 to 70 percent reduction in light bulb energy use will save as much energy annually as that used by all the homes in Texas last year." That is enormous savings no matter how you look at it.

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The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show

The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show showcased some of the hottest concept cars of the year. Mazda's futuristic concept car and "flow" design philosophy is named Taiki and is one of five concept cars revealed. The name comes for the uses the Japanese word for atmosphere. The streamline like features and multiple design elements have created a car worthy of some if not all of the buzz it is currently generating. The front wheels are very large with a turbine spoke design thus playing up to its wind concept driven design. The 2-seater car also features a glass canopy, fast rake and a teardrop fastback shape. This design concept is accredited to the belief that it will help to reduce that dreaded aerodynamic drag.

Design by Japanese Kohinoor who used decorative "climbing carp streamers" or kites as the basis for their inspiration for the air-tube shapes found in the vehicle's cockpit. Taiki's interior consists of the dash, seats and door trim created with the sensation of flowing wind in mind. Within this car of the future body’s is a front-engine, rear-drive chassis powered by Mazda's Renesis rotary engine making it more than a spectacular vehicle for future concept contender.

The future RX crossover concept is here. The sleek and transformed Lexus LF-Xh concept offering a V-6 gas-electric powered hybrid system rides on a 112.2-in. wheelbase and measures 189.0 in. While the width is set at 74.6 in. The LF-Xh is definitely a bold step forward for the luxury car maker that has already successfully transition itself into the hybrid car powered system some time ago.

This concept car is much more daring than the current RX boasting of slab sides, sharp character lines and the division's new signature grille and notched C-pillar. Even the high projector-beam headlamps are brazenly designed with their placement at the grille and curve into the front fenders. Although, critics appear to not be entirely convinced by the sleek concept look, they are noting the proportions and look are similar to those of the current Ford Edge or Lincoln MKX.

“I am Legend” is the biggest December opening

Will Smith does it again. Hitting the top of the box office is no strange achievement for one of Hollywood’s most box office commanding actor around. Smith successes at the box office span the previous decade. There is sure to be no end in sight for the box office wonder Will Smith with yet another smash hit in which he plays the last man standing on earth. The Warner Bros. released saga entitled "I Am Legend," stars Smith who is also sort of the enitre only cast through out the film holding the majority of the on screen time for this 101 minute long film himself.

The storyline is based on the Richard Matheson novel filmed twice before as Vincent Price's "The Last Man on Earth" and Charlton Heston's "The Omega Man." In "I Am Legend" Smith is a scientist searching a cure for a plague that is transforming the population at large into vampire-like creatures. Smith who is a lone survivor of a plague stricken world and becomes possible the last living human.

“I am Legend” is the biggest December opening to date. The lonely spot at the top of the heap came in at official takings of $76.5 million. This notably is another personal achievement for one of Hollywood's top box-office conquerors. "It's no wonder Will Smith feels so lonely. Everyone else on Earth is in the movie theater," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers. The respectable second place went to 20th Century Fox family film "Alvin and the Chipmunks," starring Jason Lee in a big-screen take on the cartoon critters. "Forty-five million acorns," said Chris Aronson, senior vice president for distribution at 20th Century Fox. "Chipmunks are diurnal animals and they do hibernate, but not right now."

The weekend business at the box office was a resounding triumph all around with the top 12 movies taking in $153.6 million, up 39 percent from the same weekend a year earlier. Last years film favorite was another Smith lead film which also entered at No. 1 with a $26.5 million debut for "The Pursuit of Happyness." Third place hit film “The Golden Compass" which cost $180 million to produce has earned $90 million so far overseas while raking in $41 million domestically .

"I Am Legend" not too surprisingly has crushed Smith's previous film debut records by exceeding the $52.1 million opening weekends of "I, Robot" and "Men in Black II. ". "I Am Legend" out did the mighty $72.6 million premiere of 2003's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," the previous best December month film opening.
"It's nice to be in the Will Smith business," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros. "He is just the No. 1 box-office star in the world today."

AFI Top 10 Movies of the Year

The America Film Institute has announced its official top 10 films of the year list. Leading the pack is this tale of crime thriller "No Country for Old Men," the legal drama "Michael Clayton,” and comedy Knocked Up. "No Country for Old Men," Joel and Ethan Coen's Texas crime saga starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin; "There Will Be Blood," Paul Thomas Anderson's California oil-boom epic with Daniel Day-Lewis; and "Michael Clayton," Tony Gilroy's corporate-lawsuit drama starring George Clooney were amongst this year Golden Globe nominees.

The oil drama "There Will Be Blood" and “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” also were among the favorites to find themselves on the American Film Institute's list of the year's 10 best movies. The American Film Institute also comprises a comprehensive top ten list of small screen best. This years top 10 small screen TV favorites include both shows and movies "Friday Night Lights," "Everybody Hates Chris," "Longford," "Mad Men," "The Sopranos," "Tell Me You Love Me," "30 Rock," "Ugly Betty" and "Pushing Daisies."

AFI serves to preserve the legacy of the moving image arts in order that future generations are given the opportunity to appreciation and take pride in the heritage reflected in the realities of a new modern day society. Annually, AFI AWARDS honors excellence in the moving image arts with relation to the Year in Review. The lists are compiled by two 13-member panel with one being for movies and the other for television. Members included actress Melissa Gilbert, filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan and critics Leonard Maltin, and David Ansen.


The AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR-OFFICIAL SELECTIONS


BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
INTO THE WILD
JUNO
KNOCKED UP
MICHAEL CLAYTON
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
RATATOUILLE
THE SAVAGES
THERE WILL BE BLOOD

The Most Expensive Dining Experience in the US

New York restaurant Masa takes top position as the most expensive dining experience in the United States as according to the newly compiled Forbes list. The restaurant located at the Time Warner Center will empty your pockets by meals end as much as $1000 comfortably. The norm is that you can expect a $400 a person policy if you had to budget in advance this is good to know lets say for the 30-course Omakase menu. However, that doesn't include tax, tip or one of their ultimate sakes just in case you were wondering. According to the most recent Zagat Survey of America's Top Restaurants, New York City hands down takes front lead as the most costly U.S. city in which to dine out, with an average tab of $39.46. Zagat's national average is $33.29. New Orleans ($26.18) and Austin ($25.30) are voted the least expensive cities. Of course, U.S. restaurants cost roughly half the price in comparison to cities such as London ($79.46), Paris ($74.24) and Tokyo ($69.58).

Restaurant critic for The Seattle Times, Nancy Leson for her husband’s birthday dined at the number three most expensive restaurant on the list called Canlis, Seattle. She said of the dining ultimate experience she foot the bill for herself, “it was worth every penny of it.” Canlis is the city's most expensive a la carte restaurant around. A meal at Canlis is more exquisite in comparison as the restaurant that has been in existence for nearly 60 years ago. It is also accredited for defining if not “birthing” Pacific Northwest cuisine. Meals there will set you back approximately $75 a person. This is approximated without adding the great Willamette Valley wine to the order. The survey found surprisingly that some of the most expensive restaurants also happen to be the some of the oldest restaurant established. Restaurants like Canlis or Antoine's in New Orleans first opened their doors an astounding 160 years ago.

Other most expensive restaurants to make the list included for their luxury laid back atmosphere are Joel Robuchon at the Mansion in Las Vegas, The French Laundry and The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. At Masa and Urasawa, wearing comfortable clothing is advisable as meals tend to span over several hours. So, diners who are willing and able to afford anyone of the restaurants on this list enjoy. For the rest of us be prepared to pay premium prices for praiseworthy ingredients. According to the Zagat Survey, 55% of diners polled said they'd happily pay more for a meal that was, in fact, sustainable and/or organic.

Top Five Priciest Restaurants
Masa, New York City
Alinea, Chicago
Canlis, Seattle
Joel Robuchon at the Mansion, Las Vegas
Urasawa, Los Angeles

Mars: Red Planet Shines Brightest

There are those who we just can not help believe must have come for Mars. Then there is the Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus theory to further tie in the link Mars has with us here on planet Earth. Now Mars will be closer to Earth than ever before. This could work well for those requiring a quick return back to the planet Mars from whence they have come, but for the rest of us that simply means Mars is in reach of the Earth more closely from this month until the year 2016.

The Mar also known as the red planet has taken first position in the solar system as the brightest "star" in the evening sky. By 8 p.m. Mars rises above the atmospheric near the horizon and thereafter this planet will be at an altitude of approximately 30 degrees as seen from mid-northern latitudes.

Mars makes its closest to planet Earth debut on the evening of Dec. 18 (around 6:46 p.m. EST). The planet will at that time be 54,783,381 miles (88,165,305 kilometers) from Earth. Its opposition will be exactly opposite from the sun with Earth in the middle position six days later on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Mars will be most attention attracting on the night before Christmas Eve. On Sunday Dec. 23, a full moon and Mars will hail in the sky as cohorts that night. Mars is expected to then glimmer at magnitude -1.6 through Jan. 2, 2008 will surpass even Sirius as the brightest star.

So, get your telescopes out and ready for an eventful moment to behold here on Earth. Mars' bright polar areas and dark surface markings are to provide more than an eye full. The planet will be small in appearance and its details tricky to differentiate on nights with less visibility. A 4-inch telescope equipped with an eyepiece magnifying 120-power is recommended to best show Mars' diminishing north polar cap and several of its dark features on the nights when the atmosphere is balanced.

Act fast as by January 2008 Mars will disappear from Earth's neighborhood as speedily as it arrived. It will move from a distance of 56.7 to 72.3 million miles (91.2 to 116.3 million kilometers) thus grow fainter at approximate full magnitude, from -1.5 to -0.6. In spite of Mars' anticipated January departure from close proximately to Earth, it will remain in a great strategic view for future viewing no matter what. You won’t even have to get out of bed early for a peek as Mars will be conveniently visible due south just after 11.p.m. on New Year’s roughly by 8:45 p.m. at the end of January.

Birthday Wishes to My Former and Favorite Guys

Medhat Sheik El Ard and Patrick Rombaut! Have amazing birthdays next week...

'Atonement' leads Golden Globes with 7 nominations

Atonement has sweep the board in leading with seven Golden Globe Award nominations Thursday morning. The World War II-era romance film has taken top nod for best drama and is clearly seen to be this years favorite in much the way Babel was last year. The Globe nominations are renown for being the lead up to Oscar nomination set almost in stone films to be contenders. The most highly praised Golden Globe best drama winner especially often do go onto take top honors at the Academy Awards.

Atonement, based on the novel by Ian McEwan, is a stunning tale of a young girl whose lie then separates two young lovers in the midst of an imminent war. Film landed coveted nominations for both lead actor and lead actress as well as in supporting actress and director categories. Atonement stars Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, 13-year-old Saoirse Ronan, and is directed Joe Wright (the recent Pride & Prejudice). Atonement also received nods for its screenplay written Christopher Hampton and musical score by Dario Marianelli's.

Charlie Wilson's War, starring Tom Hanks and Julia Robert received the second most nominations with five nods including both the lead actor and supporting actress nominations. The film is based on the true life story of a maverick politician who redirects money to Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Other nominations for this film are best musical/comedy and West Wing's Aaron Sorkin for screenplay.

The acclaimed Michael Clayton was not to be overlooked from day one of its release and today’s nomination has more than affirmed that very fact without a doubt. Thrillers No Country for Old Men and the bloody musical Sweeney Todd are also among the Globes top nominations. It comes as no surprise the “MIGHTY” Ridley Scott’s American Gangster is amongst the nominees giving a Globe run for lead actor to Denzel Washington. Washington also has his directorial film The Great Debaters in the running for best drama category along side American Gangster.

The great and impeccable Cate Blanchett has received two nominations for supporting actress for her version of Bob Dylan in the offbeat biopic I'm Not There and lead actress for her warring monarch in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Others nominated in the supporting actress category along with Blanchett are Julia Roberts, and Saoirse Ronan, Amy Ryan, and Tilda Swinton.

Well deserved nominations for supporting actor goes to Casey Affleck in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men, Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson's War, John Travolta in Hairspray, and Tom Wilkinson in Michael Clayton. In the directors category the contenders are Tim Burton, Joe Wright, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen for No Country for Old Men, Julian Schnabel for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Ridley Scott for American Gangster.

Clooney, Cheadle awarded for Darfur efforts

George Clooney and Don Cheadle were awarded top humanitarian honors in Italy on Thursday. The honored Hollywood actors who are distinguished and respected for their extremely private lives as well as personal conduct have received a peace award for their tireless efforts to bring a call to action for the plight of the millions suffering in the Sudanese region of Darfur. A bronze statue by Italian sculptor Oliviero Rainaldi was presented to both actors for "their efforts in favor of pacifying the tormented region of Darfur and for helping save lives," organizers said.

Clooney, 46, said in a speech during the opening ceremony of the annual meeting of Nobel Peace Prize laureates held at Rome's city hall, "We're part of a tiny group of people fighting for peace.” The Nobel Peace Prize laureates meetings are organized by a foundation headed by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Also in attendance and in addition to Gorbachev were other Nobel winners including the Dalai Lama to partake of the ceremony on the Capitoline hill.

Clooney has raised both money and campaigned to raise international awareness and focus for Darfur. He continues to implore the international community to increase their efforts as well as support the necessary peace talks. More than 200,000 people are said to have died during this war. As many as 2.5 million people have been displaced since African rebels in Darfur commenced retaliation against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government in 2003.

The war will most likely continue to take its victims and toll on so many millions as a result the escalation of fighting in the region without international intervention. Clooney and Cheadle are co-founders of the humanitarian organization called Not on Our Watch together. Along with other stars including Matt Damon, the organization’s plight to bring international awareness to the multifaceted difficulties facing millions of Darfur's people is being achieved. Together they have raised more than $9.3 million for humanitarian efforts in the region.

Ang Lee awarded for his film 'Lust, Caution' at the 44th Golden Horse Awards

With an illustrious career already under his belt, Taiwan born Ang Lee with honors Saturday in his native country for his spy thriller "Lust, Caution" which took seven prizes, including best film, director and actor at the Golden Horse Awards.
The reserved director closed his acceptance speech by chanting "Go Taiwanese film!"
The triumph of "Lust, Caution" at the awards ceremony came at no surprise after the film’s success in both Taiwan and China. The film is noted for its steamy sex scenes which has revived interest in celebrated writer Eileen Chang, who wrote the short story on which the movie is based.

The awarded "Lust, Caution," is about an undercover activist who seduces the Japanese-allied spy chief in World War II-era Shanghai to later carry out his assassination. The praise this film has derived also suggests a triumphant return to Chinese-language film for Lee. Lee who is no stranger to Hollywood successes has been previously awarded states side for films like "Brokeback Mountain.” He said of his home land win, "I feel very warm in the heart to receive everyone's affirmation."

Lee confessed at a news conference on Saturday that he had to edit a line in "Lust, Caution," at the request of Chinese censors, to make its main female character emerge less of a traitor to the Chinese. In all "Lust, Caution" won seven of the 11 prizes it was nominated for on Saturday. Congradualations!

Media mogul Conrad Black off to jail

Former newspaper mogul Conrad Black has definitely seen better days, but for now is off to prison after being sentenced Monday to 6 1/2 years behind bars. While lengthy from Black's point of view, the sentence is considered well shy of what the prosecution was after for the fallen mogul who once could do no wrong. The prosecution of Black came about after he was suspected of then later found guilty of defrauding as much as $6 million out of shareholders in his Hollinger media empire.

The prosecutors were to say the least out for blood over the swindling fiasco Black was found guilty of seeking some 30 years in prison for the Canadian-born former mogul. They strenuously sighted him for not showing "one shred of remorse" for pillaging the company that once owned the Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Telegraph of London, Jerusalem Post and hundreds of U.S. and Canadian community newspapers.

"Mr. Black, you have violated your duty to Hollinger International shareholders," U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve told the silver-haired millionaire member of the British House of Lords greatly known throughout the newspaper industry for his lavish lifestyle and grandiose use of words.

"Obviously, there's a great deal of relief" at the lighter-than-expected sentence, said Black attorney Jeffrey B. Steinback, who is said to have delivered a passionate, hour-long appeal for leniency.

Black went so far as to tell the court that Hollinger's stock remained in double digits when he was removed as chairman then suggested its depleted current value of as little as $2 a share was the result of the persecution of himself when he was sought for prosecution.

"I do wish to profess my profound regret and sadness at the severe hardship of all the shareholders at the evaporation of $1.8 billion in shareholder value under my successors," Lord Black of Crossharbour said.

Shareholder, Eugene Fox, managing director of Connecticut-based Cardinal Capital Management Co., provided a victim-impact statement urging St. Eve to punish Black in a way that would send a clear message to other executives to never swindle the shareholders. He went onto to declare that Black had shown contempt for shareholders.

"He called us idiots and greedy fools," Fox said.

The U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald was asked by reporters if he was satisfied with the length of the sentence to which he said, "Mr. Black is going to prison a convicted felon, convicted of fraud," Fitzgerald said. So we proved the case. The bottom line is Mr. Black will do 6 1/2 years in jail. That's a serious amount of time."

St. Eve after rejecting the recommendation from prosecutors to lock Black up immediately have instead given him until March 3 to report to prison. Steinback's requested his prison sentence be served at the federal correctional center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., which is near the Palm Beach estate where Black has been living while out on $21 million bond.

"Mr. Black will be moving from Palm Beach to Eglin and anyone who has ever heard of either one knows that's a serious change in life conditions," Fitzgerald told reporters. But, within an hour of the sentencing officials confirmed that the Eglin correctional facility requested by Black had been closed therefore another correctional facility would have to be determined.

This Holiday Season’s Ten Most Popular Toys

Y! Shopping has put together a smart guide list of the top ten most popular toys just in time for the Christmas Holiday mad dash shopping season. The list is comprised of a number of predictable must have items and most sought after toys of the year.

To make this shopping season task fool proof, sky rocketing gasoline prices avoidance friendly, and fun for the whole family all the items featured on this list can easily be purchased online. Online shopping has fast become a way of life for many, but there is really no greater time to delve into the online shopping experience than for the holidays. Unless, of course, you happen to be one of those diehard shoppers who enjoy the madness of shopping malls and chaos at the check-out lanes.

Going green and replacing the dash to the mall is so in this year. I expect it will be so for the years to come given the state of the world's focus on climatic issues now paramount. So, this year why not head straight to the nearest Web in place of shopping malls when on your hunt for the latest gadget or must have toys of the year. The most prominent and at the top of the list must have of the holiday season is not surprisingly the Nintendo Wii Console. The console is a formidable choice as it is for almost all ages and provides a more interactive experience for the gamer choice including challenging sports games.

Led Zeppelin - Kashmir

Led Zeppelin take to the stage in London

Led Zeppelin takes to the stage for their highly anticipated one-off comeback gig in London today. The sold out concert will see the band performing for the first time in decades. I for one am crying just a little on the inside. While envying no one ever in life I do feel slightly green eyed when I think of the hundreds of fans who will be in the presence of the legendary rock band I grow up adoring then somewhat worshipping, secondly to God of course, but none the less only came close enough to see in person when Robert Plant toured in the late eighties as a solo artists and performed live a number of Led Zeppelin’s greats at Madison Square Garden, NYC.

Heaven at the time could only compare and life has never been the same ever since. While, security is tightly in place there are going to be the odd peddlers or two trying to cash in on the eve of the mega event concert especially as it is being billed as a one off event. Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant has himself given me hope of seeing the once in a lifetime performance I am missing today by hinting to the possibility of further reunions in the future to a British newspaper. If so then I truly know there is a God that also wants me to see Led Zeppelin after all. Just kidding, come what may I will them then repent most likely afterwards… Diehard Zeppelin fans have a blast today and to Led Zeppelin welcome back!

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is due out on December 21, 2007, but already is causing a buzz. Johnny Deep apparently is sing and dancing in this mouth watering box office holiday treatment especially for all you Johnny Depp fans. Ok, correction, did I say he dances, well maybe he does NOT actually dance in this film but he might as well from the excitement brewing around this late December box office release. The film is rated R due to the enormity of graphic and bloody violence throughout.

Also starring with Johnny Depp are Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, and Jayne Wisener. Sweeney Todd is the sixth time charmed collaboration for Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton who takes the helm of this gruesome tale with gusto to say the least. The story is about Benjamin Barker who finds himself wrongly imprisoned by a corrupt judge in 18th century London. Once released from prison Barker who is still just a little peeved off wants his revenge with a vengeance. As a transformed into local barber named Sweeney Todd, Barker serves up some of the most ghastly shaves in town.

The shaves themselves have been described as the last shave his customers will ever need. An obvious dilemma arises with regards to what he should do with the mounting bodies as a result of his especially close shaves. He surprisingly gets the absurdly evil help of a local baker called Mrs. Lovett who comes up with the idea to serve Sweeney Todd victims up in deliciously baked pies...um. Shock and horror follows as her business begins to boom and the two develop one of the most perverse working relationships about town. Hence the singing and music.

Here are the three official good reasons to see Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

1. Stephen Sondheim has won seven Tony Awards, an Oscar, a Pulitzer, and, shockingly, The Stephen Sondheim Award.

2. It's director Tim Burton's sixth collaboration with Johnny Depp, his fifth with Helena Bonham Carter (not counting their two kids), and his third with both.

3. Sacha Baron Cohen leaves Borat behind to play wily Italian conman Signor Adolfo Pirelli.

The Top 10 Intelligent Designs (or Creation Myths)

Like the Golden Compass another controversial and challenging theory to the foundation of both philosophies and Christian belief manifested itself in the form of the "intelligent design" theory. This theory did not stop at the mere controversy causing effect when it was introduced as curriculum in some school districts. The outrage continued to mount especially over the belief that the "intelligent design" was nothing more than a philosophy suggesting logical sequences found in nature were hardly random happenings or surprising mutations, but instead controlled and manifested by a greater omniscient being and omnipresent intelligence with a definite plan also known as God. The theory of God obviously is not the curriculum approved teachings allowed within any school district as the scientific based theory of evolution is the only widely accepted explanation to all things mysteriously transformed over the centuries.

This in spite of the Constitution itself which references “GOD,” but also chose to include the separation of church and state to avoid the government level religious based sanctioned which without might have led to persecutions of thousands as seen throughout Europe during the 16th century. Thus, the choice to leave God out of the political foundation of the great democracy was born in order to achieve an even greater Republic. Still, today the presidential debates of 2008 are dogged with the notions of religion vs. man or rather Presidential candidate. Governor Mitt Romney of Moron religion dominates the topics for measurable suitability for which the debate on whether man must also separate his faith from his ability to serve office in order to appear to be the man of the people is being raised daily.

While scientific based research surpasses the days of mere Charles Darwin and the concept of "natural selection", the idea continues to be as controversial now as it was back in 1859 when it was first published. Be it scientifically explained or speculatively embrace belief on how the Earth and the solar system were formed, we as people continue to change and evolve along with our own beliefs on the theory of evolution itself. To take a look at some the Top 10 Intelligent Designs (or Creation Myths) that helped define civilizations both past and present as presented by LiveScience click the link above.

The-Golden-Compass

The-Golden-Compass, with a release date set for December 7, 2007, is finding that its release is not without controversy. Already film boycott cries are being made by anti-haters of Christ who believe the film's subject matter has pinned the Catholic church as the evil villain. The adverse opinion to the film is that it is on some level attempting to spread a message of atheism to children. Therefore, crossing a greater line by targeting children through what should be a straight forward child's fable. The rating of the adventure film is PG-13 as it has several sequences of fantasy violence.

The film is a stellar cast including Nicole Kidman, Dakota Blue Richards, Eva Green, Daniel Craig, Derek Jacobi, and Ben Walker (II) and is directed by Chris Weitz. The story based on 12-year-old Lyra an orphan who lives in a parallel world, where human souls take the form of animal companions called daemons will surely cause uproar of some sort this weekend at the box office. We will have to wait and see what actual moviegoers make of the fantasy adventure story once the weekend box office takings are in on Sunday. Apparently the following are being billed as the three good reasons to go and see the film... hum.

1. It's a unique take on the fantasy genre: no old wizards in pointy hats, but loads of talking, fighting, shape-shifting animals.

2. Dakota Blue Richards beat out more than 10,000 other girls for the role of Lyra. Clearly, the kid's got something.

3. Casino Royale stars Daniel Craig and Eva Green reunite, but this time he's an aristocratic explorer and she's a witch.

Rare 5,000-year-old ancient Mesopotamian sculpture breaks auction record

An extremely rare 5,000-year-old sculpture from ancient Mesopotamia sold for whopping 57.2 million dollars in New York on Wednesday. The carved Guennol Lioness statue stands just over eight centimeters (3 1/4 inches) tall. The tiny miniature has shattered previous record sells for both sculpture and antiquities. The white limestone tiny statue has been described as one of the last known masterworks from the dawn of civilization remaining in private hands. The Sotheby's auction house said, "It was an honor for us to handle The Guennol Lioness, one of the greatest works of art of all time," Richard Keresey and Florent Heintz, the experts in charge of the sale, said in a joint statement. "Before the sale, a great connoisseur of art commented to us that he always regarded the figure as the 'finest sculpture on earth' and it would appear that the market agreed with him," they said.

The popularity of the ancient statue was highly anticipated with as many as five different bidders, three on the telephone and two in the room, competing for the sculpture. The triumphant buyer of the ancient Mesopotamia piece was identified as an English buyer who wished to remain anonymous. The previous record holder for the highest price for a sculpture at auction was at 29.1 million dollars and set last month at Sotheby's in New York by Picasso's "Tete de Femme (Dora Maar)." Another previous contender for the highest priced at auction was paid at 28.6 million dollars for "Artemis and the Stag," a 2,000-year-old bronze figure which sold also at Sotheby's in New York in June. It once held the record for the most expensive antiquity to be sold at auction.

Sotheby's described The Guennol Lioness created around 5,000 years ago -- around the same time as the first known use of the wheel -- in the region of ancient Mesopotamia as diminutive in size, but monumental in conception. The ancient piece was acquired by private collector Alastair Bradley Martin in 1948 and has been on display in New York's Brooklyn Museum of Art ever since.

US wins Davis Cup Title final 4-1

CONGRADULATIONS TO THE USA DAVIS CUP TEAM FOR THEIR HISTORICAL WIN OVE RUSSIA.
The win for the United States' over Russia in the Davis Cup final was the first Davis Cup title since 1995. Apparently, James Blake smiled his way through and last match of the Davis Cup on Sunday. He comfortably did so as his the final match was in fact meaningless after the Unites States victory was already assured with their earlier wins on Saturday. Blake who went on to defeat Dmitry Tursunov 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 said of the occasion, "It's starting to sink in." "We did it." The U.S. beat Russia 4-1 to win the Davis Cup title. Even Andy Roddick proudly reflected after helping the United States win saying, "To be here and to bring the Cup back to the States is just an amazing feeling." "But more importantly, just to share the journey with these guys, it's been so much fun," he added in conclusion.

Roddick and Blake each kicked off the Untied States' inevitable victory by winning both their singles matches Friday on the indoor hard court at Portland's Memorial Coliseum. Twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan solidified the task of winning the first U.S. Davis Cup victory in more than ten years on Saturday, beating Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-2 for the Americans' third straight win in the best-of-five final.

Pete Sampras led the U.S team to victory over Russia on clay in Moscow 12 years ago. The once-dominant United States team then experienced the longest duration without an American victory in history. The United States now has 32 titles in the international team competition, dating to 1900. Team captain Patrick McEnroe proudly added when asked if it was his best moment ever in tennis, "It's not about me, it's about this whole group of guys ...” before he was interrupted by a rapturous Roddick.

Green Gifts Guide for the Holidays

Green Gifts for the Holidays Guide has more gifts then you can sake a stick at or something at. From Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bag at $7.95 for one or $38 for a set for the latest in chic shopping bag accessorizing to Vintage Record Bowl made for recycled records for the ultra cool in house accessories there will be just about something for that someone on your Christmas or holiday shopping list.

For the latest alternatives to conventional flooring mats why not try the new Recycled Newspaper Hot Mat that will make the perfect green addition to any floor or room setting. Bamboo is a favorite recycle and organic material for green flooring alternatives so why not try the natural bamboo material for your contemporary kitchenware made from sustainable, renewable bamboo. Bamboo is one of the world’s fastest growing plants and therefore holds no harmful side effects to it uses and renewably for the environment.

So, for this holiday season more than think "green," also buy green. This unique hot guide to green shopping is just a click away. It also is a classy way to help the people taking the time to develop and create reusable products while at the same time giving back something greater toward saving the planet.

Toxins in toys guide to released

The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys has just released the confirmation of several toys on the market being toxic and harmful to children in spite of promises from the manufactures to take greater precaution when the lead laced toys were first discovered earlier this year.

Frightening levels of dangerous toxins are being found in the some of the most popular children’s toys on the market leading up to the holiday purchase season. With Christmas shopping right around the corner this is most disconcerting indeed. This important information can be found as it is now been made available to the public at http://www.healthytoys.org. The documented findings provides products ranking for the most universally purchased children's and measures their levels of lead content, cadmium, arsenic and other harmful chemicals.

Amid the slew of recalls, this list will come as a welcomed addition to the holiday precautionary measures to ensure safe holiday purchases in general, but especially for children. While, more than 1,200 children's products have been tested, most children’s toys still remain on store shelves. Of those remaining toys on store selves that have been also tested several are measuring at a 35 percentage level of lead content. These lead levels are extremely high and above the federal recall standard used for lead paint.

Popular toys such as Hannah Montana card game case, a Go Diego Go! backpack and Circo brand shoes were among the items with excessive lead levels in the tests performed by a coalition of environmental health groups across the country. Only a low 20 percentage of the toys and other products tested contained no traces of lead or harmful chemicals, according to the results released on Wednesday by the Michigan-based Ecology Center along with the national Center for Health, Environment and Justice and groups in eight other states. There were 1,268 items tested and merely 23 were among millions of toys recalled this year.

Toy giants like Mattel Inc. are at the heart of these astonishing findings of lead contaminated toys. Mattel Inc. had to recall more than 21 million Chinese-made toys on fears they were tainted with lead paint as well as tiny magnets that children could accidentally swallow. Mattel's own tests on the toys found that they had lead levels up to 200 times the accepted limit.

"This is not about alarming parents," said Tracey Easthope, director of the Ecology Center's Environmental Health Project. "We're just trying to give people information because they haven't had very much except these recall lists."

Pre-1905 Rolls-Royce sets two new records

The beautiful ancient piece of work was built in 1904, car 20154. The small 10 horsepower open-topped two-seater was the fourth vehicle produced by the landmark cooperation between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce and the oldest one still running. As the world's oldest surviving Rolls-Royce, the car managed to sets two new records on Monday when a private British collector paid 3.5 million pounds ($7.22 million) for it at auction. This marks the oldie but goodie car as the most anyone has paid for a car dating back to pre-1905 and also the most anyone has paid for a Rolls-Royce.

"They opened the bidding at one million and it soared from there. In the end it came down to a battle between two telephone bidders," a spokeswoman for auction house Bonhams said. The previous records for a veteran car included the 1.76 million pounds paid for an 1884 De Dion Bouton and a Rolls-Royce for 1.48 million pounds paid for a 1912 Silver Ghost Double Pullman Limousine.

Super Trains of the Future to End Sky Gridlock

With American roads teaming with cars and soars gas prices plaguing the daily life of every commuter across the land, the solutions for the future may be already at our technological finger tips. The new steel-wheel and maglev lines that transport millions of people in both Europe and Japan are now being looked at for American future production. The trains do not run like the conventional diesel or electric-powered trains of the past. The trains are built so that the motor is effectively embedded in the track. This allows the tracks to create a traveling magnetic field beneath the train, which lifts the cars and propels them at 300-plus mph. The train’s on-board systems are powered by generation from the track themselves.

The World's Sexiest Beaches List 2007

From Motu Tane, French Polynesia to the Mexican beaches of Cabo San Lucas the world’s sexiest beach list has comprised the hottest beach there are around for 2007. The annual list put together by Concierge has something for everyone. The list is based on such criteria’s as the vibe of the beach location, the sundowners, and the accommodation on offer. So, if rippling muscles and toned torsos are your thing then you certainly will not be at a loss from this who's who in the world of the sexiest beaches for 2007 list.

Bali negotiates global climate deal for 2009

A Greenpeace activist dressed in a polar bear costume hugs a globe in sweltering heat outside the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Nusa Dua, Bali island December 3, 2007. (photo to the left)

On Sunday, BALI, Indonesia saw the arrival of delegates from as many as 190 nations gathered to discuss future prospects as well as expand upon the "fragile understanding" that the fight against global warming must be extended to all countries with a deal in 2009.

The U.N.'s top climate change official made clear and in no uncertain terms before thousands of delegates that the world would be watching their efforts and conclusions as a result of their Dec 3-14 talks in an Indonesian beach resort. He also stressed the time factor explaining that time was of the essence if the avoidance of more droughts, heatwaves and rising seas was to be achieved. "We're already seeing many of the impacts of climate change," Yvo de Boer, head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, who also spoke to at the news conference on the eve of the meeting in the clandestinely guarded venue added, "We are on a very dangerous path."

The Bali meeting will see the attendance of senior officials with 130 environment ministers and will seek to commence formal negotiations concluding with a new U.N. climate pact in 2009 expected to embrace other countries led by the United States and China. As many as 10,000 politicians, officials, activists and journalists are expected to be present at the talks on the tropical resort island. Thirty-six industrialized nations in the Kyoto Protocol have implemented restrictions on their greenhouse gas emissions, largely from burning fossil fuels. These restrictions are in place until to 2012.

Meanwhile, Indonesia has planted millions of trees as they have the ability to absorb carbon which would ultimately expel up to 900,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The astonishing effects from the planting of trees alone will absorb far more from the environment than the emissions from burning fossil fuels caused by delegates while staying in Bali and flying to and from the island, concluded Witoelar. Pines, acacia, and meranti trees, a type of tropical hardwood, have been planted on about 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres) on the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java, Witoelar said.

Julia Roberts lashes out at over-ambitious paparazzi

Julia Roberts should not be the only one in Hollywood fed up with the outrageously dangers of chasing paparazzi. The world continues to hear these stories yet observes actress who actual seek out the media attention through their children make the vicious cycle of paparazzi and intrusive media for publication a gamut for dangers not just to the children involved but to the non related children around or in the vicinity of these celebrity children.

It is inconsiderate to say the least to have "normal" aka non celebrity children inflicted upon by the chase and game of catching that oh so lucrative or illusive photograph for profit. The media is not only to blame, but the unscrupulous practices of publicists who seek out the paparazzi for media attention to their clients so called relationship with defunct actress or vice versa desperate for attention actress using her children to manipulate the media or use as evidence of so called relationship. Either way, the Hollywood industry continues to emerge as the one place in the world where the exploitation of children appears to run rampant in the face of all "normal" citizens having to adhere to laws that do not condone the exploitation of children or human life no matter what.

Julia Roberts is seen in video letting the paparazzi know her rage and concerns for her children’s safety while other actresses go onto tell the media and I quote” I NOT SAYING TO NOT TAKE PHOTOS... JUST SAYING USE A LONG LENS." What is that exactly in the face of her kids still being plastered from here to Timbuktu on every cover there is while actresses like Catherine Zeta Jones and Julia Roberts, and Cate Blanchett just to name a few have never had the SAD behavioral inclination to media flaunting their children ever. They have been just the opposite, but instead shielding their children and continued to be of the utmost fierce protectiveness over their children’s privacy at all cost.

While wildly tailing two videographers then flagging them down in Malibu might not be the best measure for change or conducive of an outcome satisfactory to all sides in order to put an end to the vicious pursuit carried out by paparazzi the accountability still rests on the shoulders of magazine and newspaper editors and the publicists of the celebrities themselves. I for one never really like to hear the woes of celebrity paparazzi hounding scenarios as it does go with the territory. However, the line MUST be drawn in the sand when children and the safety of other children in the vicinity are involved.

The industry should step up now, take the necessary guideline themselves, and set the tone for the practices of the paparazzi themselves. Mere lecturing paparazzi will do nothing when those same paparazzi photographers go to the agents and editors to sell their photographs and have a buyer every time no matter what. Children being photographed or featured in magazines or newspapers should only occur with the written consent of the parents. The Hollywood industry can not honestly say that children too rather than just the adult celebrities are apart and parcel of the beast of the business.

Come on, give us all a break. Who really wants to see photographs of children who are photographed under duress or dangerous pursuits putting them or other young children around them in danger or harms way? In cases of schools venues and school runs there should be a professional courtesy through out the industry that outright refuses payment of celebrity children photos taken within 100 feet of a school, schoolyard or privately owned playground. Refusal of payment for photographs when there are no signed written agreements provided directly from the parents of the celebrity children in question before publication can be ever considered is paramount.

Adult celebrity photographs maybe that of a free for all when it comes to the pursuit of them by paparazzi, but when it comes to the children involved have some decency and show greater personal responsibility. Demand the accountability of all involved from the agents, publicists, editors, to the photographers. Such pursuit of celebrity photographs would never be necessary if there were not the over saturated celebrity publications market feeding the beast of media frenzy and paying the paparazzi for the photographic and video verification of that media frenzy.

They are just too cool

BP, TV, Kasabian, Shoot The Runner

The Nobel Peace Prize Concert to Honor Winners

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate Al Gore has more than made his mark on humanity and the world since the return road to the white house was so cruelly striped from him in the last elections that saw George W. Bush Jr. take to the office like a bull rider to a bull and not with as much grace or humility I might add. The Al Gore crusade to bring global awareness to the climatic changes that plague the future of this planet was recently awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prized for his efforts to help spread awareness about man-made global warming along with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

On December, 11 the stage will be set for the Nobel Peace Prize Concert honoring this year's winners, former Vice President Al Gore and the U.N.'s climate change panel, organizers said Saturday. Australian pop star Kylie Minogue is confirmed to be among the performers in attendance. She will also be joined Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Juanes and Melissa Etheridge, who won an Academy Award for the song "I Need to Wake Up," featured in Gore's environmental documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Uma Thurman and Tommy Lee Jones will be hosting the spectacular event. The concert to be held the day after the Nobel Peace Prize is presented in the Norwegian capital of Oslo will be broadcast in more than 100 countries, organizers said.

TERROR STRIKES SEN. HILLARY CLINTON'S HQ

Terror has stuck close to home for Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton when a disturbed man entered the headquarters with a bomb like devise strapped to his chest. He was observed entering into a Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign office yesterday in New Hampshire before he took approximately four hostages. Numerous police officers arrived on the scene of the Clinton HQ location in the town of Rochester, NH, to confer an end to the crisis.

His demands to speak Clinton ended almost six horrifying hours later with his voluntary surrender. At about 6:15 p.m. the man known as Leeland Eisenberg, 46, of Somersworth, NH, came forward with his hands up in the air. The terrifying confrontation was captured on national TV as police sought the release of several young Clinton staff volunteers held by a man known locally for his history of mental instability. Eisenberg is expected to face state kidnapping and reckless conduct charges and may face federal charges as well, police said.


Go team Clinton for 2008

Stunning Katie Holmes on the red carpet

Katie Holmes has become the epitome of elegance along with husband Tom Cruise. There are never the scandals and tawdriness that plagues the scandalous lives of other celebrities who continue to desperately seek media attention only to watch their escapade rebound horrendously when revelations come forth exposing them of deceptions and treachery previous denied in spite of the multitude of publicists intervention and continued public rebuttal.