WebProNews

Author: Lacy Langley

  • Letizia Ortiz Set To Be Queen Of Spain

    Letizia Ortiz Set To Be Queen Of Spain

    Letizia Ortiz, the fashionable royal princess of Spain, will soon be the queen. The announcement of King Juan Carlos’ abdication after ruling the country for 39 years named his son, Prince Felipe de Borbon, as his successor.

    Princess Letizia has become almost as talked about as the Dutchess of Cambridge and has been compared to the glamorous British royal on numerous occasions for their similar taste in fashion and their poise.

    However, Letizia and Felipe, 41 and 48 respectively, are ahead of the game in family life. The couple have two daughters, Leonor, 9 and Sofia, 7.

    The princess has become a fashion icon in her country and around the world and is admired for her impeccable style and grace, as well as her slim and elegant figure. But, Princess Letizia has also proven that she is a normal person just like anyone else.

    She shops at the supermarket for herself and walks her kids to school almost everyday. Also, this princess has a past. Before she wed Prince Felipe in 2004 in a lavish royal ceremony, she was a very accomplished journalist. She had recently become a high profile TV anchor who had covered the Iraq War and reported from Ground Zero before she gave it all up to marry Felipe de Bourbon in 2004.

    The princess has made a few controversial headlines for herself. In 2008, she had surgery on her nose supposedly to fix a breathing problem. Afterward, her nose was noticeably shorter and more straight. Also, a cousin of her’s wrote a tell-all on the princess’ family in which he said that Letizia Ortiz had an abortion during her months-long first marriage to writer and high school literature teacher Alonso Guerrero Pérez.

    This cousin states that he was secretly asked by the prince and princess to find any paperwork on her abortion and to destroy it.

    Scandal aside, this stunning princess will no doubt do the throne proud.

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Narendra Modi: Ready To End Strife With Pakistan?

    Narendra Modi was sworn in on Monday as the 15th Prime Minister of India, an event watched by heads of government from all of South Asia including from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

    The most surprising appearance was made by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the head of a nation that has been at war with India twice since both nations declared freedom from Britain in 1947.

    Between wars, tension has filled the air between the nations as relations have remained icy, especially since the Pakistan attack in Mumbai in 2008 in which militants killed 166 people.

    That will drive a wedge.

    However, some say that Nawaz Sharif’s appearance could signal the desperately needed new beginning of a good relationship between India and Pakistan. In fact, in an interview with NDTV news channel, Sharif stated that his visit was “a chance to reach out to each other” and “a great opportunity”.

    He added, “Both governments have a strong mandate. This could help in turning a new page in our relations.”

    In an editorial in the Indian Express, the writer said Modi’s “terrific” move to invite regional leaders “should help generate a more realistic appreciation of India’s foreign-policy trajectory in the coming years.”

    “What matters in the end, however, is the prospect of a more self-assured government in Delhi that is ready to engage the neighbors without standing on protocol and precedent,” the writer added.

    Shortly after the swearing in on the beautiful and elaborate grounds of the presidential mansion in New Delhi., Modi took to the internet and posted a message on his official website saying that with the Indian people, along with the rest of the world, his government would work to “script a glorious future for India.”

    “Let us together dream of a strong, developed and inclusive India that actively engages with the global community to strengthen the cause of world peace and development,” he added.

    Could this gesture made by Modi be one that begins to change the relationship between the nuclear-loaded neighbors for the better. I think we could all breath a little easier if it did. This will be one fascinating situation to watch.

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jessica Korda Wins LPGA Airbus Classic, Has A Blast

    Jessica Korda, 21-year-old rising LPGA star, won the Airbus Classic pulling out the second victory in a short but impressive career.

    She finished 20-under 268 on the beautiful Crossings course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Magnolia Grove complex, driving ahead of Anna Nordquist after a stunning 15 foot birdie putt on the par 4 18th hole.

    “It just sets up great for my game,” said Korda. “I can be aggressive. I can read the greens. My confidence just was rising every single day. I just love it here. I love Alabama, I love this golf course, and hopefully we’ll have this tournament for a very, very long time.”

    The girl just had fun playing the game she loves and enjoyed the good company in fellow athletes Michelle Wie and Charley Hull, both of whom admire her greatly.

    “I love playing with Korda,” Wie said. “It’s also really great playing with Charley as well, too. You feel old but it was a lot of fun.”

    Of her stiff competition with friend Jessica Korda, Wie said, “I knew I needed a low score. I got hot starting on and just didn’t quite get it together on the back nine, but still I shot 5 under today and there’s really nothing I can do. I’m just really happy for Korda. I had a lot of fun playing with her and I knew I needed a low number and I just didn’t hit it low enough.”

    Korda was very grateful for that last magnificent putt on the 18th hole. Despite having all that fun, things got pretty serious there at the end.

    “That last putt broke really hard,” Korda said. “I probably played it about a yard out and I was just trying to get it down there close and it went in. I have not played well since I won in the Bahamas but I’ve been working hard and it finally paid off here.”

    Jessica Korda is definitely one to watch in the future on upcoming tours! Congratulations!

    Image Via YouTube

  • Gregg Jarrett Released From Jail

    Gregg Jarrett Released From Jail

    Gregg Jarrett, an anchor on Fox News who was arrested Wednesday at a Minneapolis airport, has been released from jail on $300 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 6th.

    Jarrett was arrested for being uncooperative among other offenses in a long list including issues with a tab charge when police were called to Northern Lights Grill in Terminal One, according to Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department.

    Patrick Hogan, a spokesman for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, said that “Mr. Jarrett was intoxicated and belligerent and non-cooperative.”

    Jarrett is co-anchor of FOX News Channel’s America’s News HQ on Saturdays and Sundays. For now, anyway. On May 12th, he reportedly requested time off for “personal reasons”. Could these be signs of an impending personal and career crisis?

    On the night of his arrest Fox News released a statement that said, “We were made aware late last night that Gregg Jarrett was arrested in Minneapolis yesterday and charged with a misdemeanor. He is dealing with serious personal issues at this time. A date at which Gregg might return to air has yet to be determined.”

    Gregg Jarrett was well liked and a respected anchor who joined the growing network in 2002. He recently covered the George Zimmerman murder trial and the crash of Asiana Flight 214 at the San Francisco Airport.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCApoAVAXmw

    Jarrett graduated magna cum laude from Claremont Men’s College in 1977 with a B.A. in political science and began his long career shortly after. Before joining FNC, Jarrett served as an anchor and correspondent for MSNBC, where he covered the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and the 2000 presidential election from Tallahassee, FL. Despite his long history, this could be a blow to his career.

    What comes next for Gregg Jarrett remains to be seen. Is this a minor blunder and a sign that we are all human and make mistakes or is this worthy of discipline by the network?

    Image Via YouTube

  • Gregg Allman Named A Defendent In Death Lawsuit

    Gregg Allman is one of 10 defendents in a lawsuit brought by the parents of a camera assistant that was killed during filming of the biopic Midnight Rider, which is about the Allman Brothers Band founder himself.

    27-year-old Sarah Jones was killed and 6 others were injured when a freight train unexpectedly crossed a bridge that they were filming on over the Altamaha River in southeast Georgia.

    Others named in the suit include eight corporations including CSX Transportation, which owns the railway tracks where the crash occurred, and Rayonier Performance Fibres, a subsidiary of forest-products manufacturer Rayonier that owns the land surrounding the crash site for their individual responsibilities in the the crash that cut short the life of Sarah Jones.

    Her parents are devastated to say the least and want answers concerning what went down and how the film crew ended up on the bridge in the first place.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCBpldjtJB8

    According to their lawsuit against the above-named defendents, they suspect that those in charge ‘selected an unreasonably dangerous site for the filming location; failed to secure approval for filming from CSX; concealed their lack of approval from CSX from the cast and crew … and otherwise failed to take measures to protect the safety of the Midnight Rider cast and crew.’

    The suit also stated that ‘despite the fact that multiple CSX trains passed the Midnight Rider cast and crew on February 20, with those individuals in view of the trains’ operators, no warning was given to the subsequent train that ultimately caused Sarah’s death.’

    Such an unfortunate incident. Filming has been delayed indefinitely and the fate of the project is unknown. William Hurt, who was set to play Gregg Allman, quickly released a statement saying that he would no longer be involved in the movie. No one else has yet pulled out, but after such a tragedy filming is sure to be highly disrupted at the least.

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • The Voice Winner: Josh Kaufman Begins New Journey

    The Voice winner was declared Tuesday night and now the life of Josh Kaufman is forever changed. He won a recording contract, money, and gained the experience of a lifetime.

    “This is the last big chance for me and for my family. To be able to do this for them and for Usher, it’s huge.” Kaufman said early in the show.

    After dealing out one great song after another, the Team Usher star earned serious respect with his earlier rendition of “Set Fire to the Rain”. He won out in a close race between Christina Grimmie of Team Adam Levine, and Jake Worthington of Team Blake Shelton, which was the first victory for another coach besides Shelton or Levine.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBqHUTfTiJA

    “I can’t even talk,” he said after the big win. “I’m overwhelmed. I’m surprised. I’m happy. I’m relieved. This has been so much more of an experience than I ever could have imagined.”

    Despite his humble beginnings playing local gigs with his band in the Indianapolis area and supporting his family as an SAT prep tutor, he showed early on that he had what it takes to be a star on the show.

    “This is a show about dreams, about the journey of being an artist, and he represents all of that.”, Usher said during the show. “From the time of the blind auditions to being stolen, he’s been on an amazing journey.”

    An amazing journey, indeed.

    Josh will continue that journey as he hits the road on tour this summer along with the other two finalists. Joining them will be fan favorite Kristen Merlin, as well as some familiar faces from season five like winner Tessanne Chin, runner-up Jacquie Lee and Will Champlin. Still popular season one favorite Dia Frampton will also be along for the ride!

    Congratulations to Josh! Was he your pick or do you think another contestant was better?

    Image Via YouTube

  • Michelle Duggar Ready For Baby #20?

    Can Michelle Duggar and Jim Bob Duggar handle any more babies?

    Well, their hearts are open and ready, but her 47-year-old body may not be.

    The star couple of the hit reality show 19 Kids and Counting made a visit to an OB/GYN that specializes in high risk pregnancies recently.

    They reportedly wanted to find out if the mother of 19 would be physically up to the job of carrying another Duggar baby.

    She intended “to really find out where I am in my life right now, hormonally speaking, as well as the ability to carry a baby and give birth, if that’s possible at this point.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljGQjs_WMN8

    “If I am in that season of life where we’re not able to have any more, then I’m fine, I’m happy with that.”, Michelle said. “But if there are things physically I need to know, that I need to do, healthwise just to be ready to catch a baby if God saw fit to give us one.”

    Michelle, who suffered a miscarriage in December of 2011, knows that chances are slim, but wants to be ready just in case. In December of 2009 she delivered the couple’s youngest child, Josie Brooklyn Duggar, at 3 1/2 months early. According to her doctor, things could go like this from here on out if she were to get pregnant again at 47.

    He says that “It’s very unusual” to see a pregnancy at this age, around 5% in fact. And if she were to get pregnant, her chances of having a baby with Down Syndrome would be around 20-25%. But Michelle wasn’t deterred by these words. She has been hearing the same warnings since she was 36.

    With two of her daughters getting ready to start new lives and her children having their grandchildren, is it nuts for Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar to even be thinking about baby #20? Or are they doing the right thing by just checking in to make sure everything is ok should it happen? Or is the whole thing a ploy to keep people watching 19 Kids and Counting?

    Image Via YouTube

  • Kei Nishikori: 1st Japanese Tennis Player In Top 10

    Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese tennis player to break into the top 10 tennis rankings at number nine, according to the ranking numbers released on Monday.

    His spot was guaranteed over the weekend when he beat Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open, which he arrived at as number 12.

    However, his luck was not to last. He was forced to retire from Sunday’s final with a hip injury when trailing Rafael Nadal 2-6, 6-4, 3-0.

    He will be replaced in the Rome Masters by Roger Federer. The tennis star left his newborn twins, only a few days old, to fly into Rome and take Nishikori’s place.

    Federer wasted no time booking a practice court and preparing for second-round match against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

    Nishikori now has precious little time to be ready for the French Open. He won a title last month in Barcelona and played an amazing match against Nadal before calling it. His confidence is still running strong, though his back may need rest.

    “It’s going to be very exciting at the French because I’ve never felt like this on clay. I’m very confident of whatever I hit,” he said. “I can hit from either side, so it’s very good feeling I have on clay right now. I’ve been playing better tennis from last year. I’m more offensive, aggressive, playing from both sides, and playing really confident right now.”

    Hopefully Nishikori’s confidence will carry his rising star all the way to the top at the French Open. He is definitely one to watch!

    Image Via YouTube

  • Maria Sharapova Wins Madrid Title, Overcomes Injury

    Maria Sharapova fought back hard to win the Madrid title against powerful tennis newcomer Simona Halep 1-6 6-2 6-3. The beginning looked bleak, but Sharapova was triumphant over her stocky, but spry opponent who also had the advantage of being five years younger.

    Despite her loss to Sharapova, Halep said she had “an amazing week” in the Spanish capital. “I played really well all week and I beat top layers and I had a very high level of my tennis,” she said.”Maria is a great player and a great champion. She played really well, and I think she deserved to win this title.”

    What was her downfall in her opinion?

    “The different I think is the experience. She has more experience than me.”

    Sharapova, a possible contender at the French Open later this month, was out during the second half of last season with a shoulder injury. However, that didn’t seem to stop her from giving her best grunts and shrieks to accompany her mighty form and prowess on the court.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyOKYVepmxU

    After being on the mend for a while she had the vigor of a new appreciation for the game on her side, as well.

    “I don’t take these moments for granted because I know what it’s like to be out and injured and trying to find your way back just to play tennis,” she said. “I like the work that I put in and I want to get the opportunities to be in the final.”

    She added, “So it doesn’t matter if I’m playing on the moon or in Madrid, to be in the final position is an honor.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPvcH3hM-Ac

    The 27-year-old Sharapova is one of the best-paid athletes around and has found success off the court as well as on. She has her own clothing lines and a company that sells awesome candy called Sugarpova.

    But her first love will always be tennis, and now with nine tennis titles, she has joined Venus Williams as the third most successful active player in the sport, one behind Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues and Serena Williams who each have 10.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Miranda Lambert: Rumors Are Laughable

    Miranda Lambert: Rumors Are Laughable

    Miranda Lambert is flush with success lately, what with her recent Academy of Country Music award and massive nominations in the upcoming Country Music Awards.

    This success and security, along with all that affirmation, allows for a little slow down on her attitude and demeanor and the surprising result is her ability to showcase a sweeter sound.

    “With success, I’ve been able to sort of calm that down and go, ‘OK, I don’t have to be guns a-blazin’ all the time. People are listening, so I can open up my softer side and show people who the whole Miranda is.’”

    So, what keeps her grounded through her back-to-back awards and abundant critical acclaim? Well, her marriage to country star Blake Shelton for one thing. Though the pair have endured the many inevitable tabloid rumors, they are able to laugh it all off.

    “I think I’ve had like five sets of twins in the last two years, and we’ve been divorced four times, and one of us had a $100 million divorce.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlAJAPl2RCk

    Another would be their beautiful small town existence. The couple call Tishomingo, Okla. (pop. 3,100) home, where she owns a women’s western wear store, appropriately named The Pink Pistol, and is preparing to open a bed-and-breakfast. This dream would be nearly impossible for a rising star in Beverly Hills. She spends many of her days like any other normal country gal, feeding animals and caring for their horses.

    “I love the slow pace, the normalcy that it gives me.” she said to Billboard. .

    Another sign of normalcy, though you wouldn’t be able to tell that from the insane tabloid attention, is her desire to lose some extra weight and her bombshell appearance at the ACM awards. I mean, seriously. That is the most normal thing about her life.

    “It just feels like you can’t do anything for yourself anymore,” she says. “Have you ever thought I might just be turning 30 and trying to get a little ahead of the game? Isn’t that just a normal thing to do?”

    Yes. Yes it is.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Rosemary’s Baby Miniseries: A Hit Or A Flop?

    Rosemary’s Baby Miniseries: A Hit Or A Flop?

    Rosemary’s Baby isn’t something most moms would think of watching for Mother’s Day, but NBC felt that the 1968 Roman Polanski classic needed to remade. They also felt that the bloody four-hour adaptation should be aired on in accordance with Mother’s Day for some strange reason.

    The original film, starring Mia Farrow as the unfortunate Rosemary, was based on Ira Levin’s bestselling book, a move which he later regretted. Levin, who died in 2007, told the Los Angeles Times in 2002 that he felt “guilty” because he believed it had led to other scary films like The Omen and The Exorcist and had possibly caused more people to consider Satan a reality.

    The updated tale of Rosemary and her devilish spawn has moved to Paris for the new version. It stars Zoe Saldana in the lead role, who also happens to be the miniseries’ producer. The update promised to be a great modern take on the classic horror story, and Saldana was prepared for the inevitable onslaught of loyalists.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48tsd5ckKRw

    “Of course you’re going to be a little afraid, but once you realize that, overall, every time you remake something or redo something or retell something, it’s never going to be accepted by everybody, you just remove that pressure off the table,” she said. “If you don’t like the new, just respect the fact that it was a bold decision, it took a great amount of wit and ‘cajones,’ and go back to your classic. It’s okay! You’re not being disloyal. You’re just watching new things.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQqSdhNi98E

    However, critics weren’t so kind as to offer Saldana congratulations on her cajones. In fact, many reviews were quite stinging.

    For example, USA Today‘s Robert Blanco calls the remake simply “ill-advised”. He says that it “in no way measures up to the 1968 classic.” Blanco begins his scathing review by saying, “You don’t have to know the old Rosemary’s Baby to hate the new one, but it helps.” He gave it only one-and-a-half stars out of four.

    James Poniewozik of Time said the pregnancy-horror story was “laborious.” He claims “the greater problem is Rosemary and Guy, who are as anesthetically generic as a couple in a credit-card commercial,” adding that there is “little connection between Saldana and Adams.”

    Ouch.

    NPR’s Fresh Air critic David Bianculli called the miniseries “dreadful”. He stated, “To be honest, I’m not sure why NBC has remade this at all.”

    What did you think of the daring remake?

    Image Via YouTube

  • Colorado, Wyoming Snowstorms Make Dangerous Commute

    Parts of Colorado and Wyoming were blanketed in over a foot of wet, slushy snow on Sunday, proving that winter just isn’t quite ready to give up yet.

    The weather service warned that the snow would be heavy and wet enough to snap tree branches and power lines, and gusting winds could make driving treacherous Sunday and will still be dangerous for the Monday commute.

    “May snow certainly isn’t unheard of here in Colorado, even down in the Denver metro area,” said David Barjenbruch, who is a weather service meteorologist in Boulder, Colorado. “If we see the total accumulations that we are anticipating from this storm, we are certainly going to see a top 10 May snow event for the Denver metro area.”

    Icy conditions had several parts of I-70 west of Denver on Sunday afternoon, clogging up the passageway for skiers and snowboarders trying to make their way down from the mountains, and parts of I-25 were also closed due to several accidents.

    This late winter storm was reportedly caused by a low-pressure system moving east colliding with a cold air mass from the north. The conditions were also expected to spark strong thunderstorms capable of spawning tornadoes for Nebraska and Iowa on Sunday, but while a tornado was spotted on the ground in south-central Nebraska, no serious damage or injuries have yet been reported.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzyXW0esfEY

    The Denver Airport started preparing early for the storm, according to Julie Smith, a spokeswoman for Denver International Airport. She said crews treated runways with deicer early on in anticipation of dropping temperatures Sunday night.

    “At this point we are seeing some delays with our airlines while they are getting their deicing operations up and running, and we do expect the airlines to be fully deicing in the morning,” she said.

    The city of Denver was expected to deploy 70 snowplows to help Monday’s commute, Whether or not it was enough to prevent accidents and slow-downs remains to be seen.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Mexico Earthquake Was Aftershock From April 18 Quake

    An earthquake that struck Mexico City and surrounding areas has been measured at magnitude 6.4, and has been determined to be an after shock from the April 18th quake that measured 7.2 and was centered about 40 miles away.

    Thursday’s quake was centered 9 miles north of Tecpan de Galeana, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was felt about 171 miles away in Mexico City and in many surrounding communities. The sudden shaking sent people running out into sheets of rain that had been pummeling the area.

    There was a “wave of panic” and some roofs to caved in, Mayor Crisoforo Otero Heredia said, but luckily there were no injuries.

    The quake came from the Guerrero Seismic Gap. The GSG is a 125-mile section on Mexico’s Pacific coast where tectonic plates come together and have now been locked. This lock has been causing huge amounts of energy to be stored up with potentially devastating effects, the USGS said.

    “The earthquake is indeed within the Guerrero Seismic Gap,” USGS research geophysicist William Barnhart said. “But since it is consistent with being an aftershock of the magnitude-7.2, it is neither an abnormal event, nor does it significantly reduce the remaining stored stress in the seismic gap.”

    Apparently Mexico City is exceedingly vulnerable to large earthquakes because of its location. Construction of the city sits on top of muddy sediment from drained lake beds. They are said to shake like jelly when earthquakes hit.

    Luckily, this quake wasn’t too destructive and no lives were lost. The Guerrero Seismic Gap has the potential, according to scientists, to produce much stronger earthquakes. Some could be in the 8.1-8.4 range, which would be like the one that killed 9,500 people and devastated large sections of Mexico City in 1985.

    Hopefully they won’t see quakes of that magnitude anytime soon.

    Image Via YouTube

  • 93-year-old Woman Shot: Officer Had Previous Charges

    93-year-old Pearlie Golden was fatally shot Tuesday by Hearne, TX policeman, Officer Steven Stem. That investigation remains open. And complicated.

    Early reports indicate that Pearlie, known by her friends and neighbors as Ms. Sully, was brandishing a gun and refused to put it down.

    What she was doing with it could be anyone’s guess, but there are reports out there that a nephew had called 911 earlier in the day because he tried to take her car keys away from her after the Texas Department of Public Safety refused to renew Pearlie’s driver’s license.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Csn-lPTo1lQ

    Stem was responding to a 911 call about a woman with a gun when he shot and killed Pearlie Golden.

    “What we believe is that she was instructed to drop the weapon, that is my understanding.” said City attorney Bryan Russ Jr.

    Officer Stem is, unfortunately, not new to this kind of situation. In December 2012, Stem fatally shot Waymon Webster’s cousin, Tederalle Satchell. Stem was eventually cleared by the grand jury, but the resentment is still there.

    “What are they going to do, let him go, so he can smile and hold another pistol? You know what I mean? It’s not right.” said Webster.

    Andrew Washington lived nearby and was working in his backyard when he heard five shots ring through the neighborhood. “I didn’t think much of it, because I was thinking it was on the other street,” said Washington. After that he heard someone shout “Don’t shoot her no more!”

    Perhaps the grand jury will look a little closer at a second case, but that doesn’t bring Ms. Sully back to life and the community is now doing its best to mourn the loss of a beloved “mother” figure. Neighbors and those who loved her are shocked at her death.

    Neighbors recalled how every child was Ms. Sully’s child in her eyes. “I mean, you were away from home, but you couldn’t do no wrong,” said Philip Dixon. “Because if she saw you, she was going to tell momma on you, and you were going to get a whoopin’.”

    Joyce O’Neil was a friend of Pearlie’s for over fifty years. “It’s hard. You can look in my face and see.” she said. “She’d come over and sit on the patio. We’d sit on the patio all the time. I’m going to miss her.”

    As this communtiy heals from tragedy, hopefully some big questions can be answered.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Kristen Bell Reflects On Message Of “Frozen”

    Kristen Bell has been enjoying the “Frozen” ride for months now as the box office hit has become the largest grossing animated movie of all time. The movie also brought us the now indescribably popular, stuck-in-your-head-for-months song “Let It Go”.

    Yep, I know just reading the title rendered the rest of your day full of possible spontaneous outburts. Sorry.

    Kirsten Bell has time now to reflect on the relevant issues the film brought to light for many kids and their parents.

    “It’s about the love of family, and also a really nice tip of the hat to … ok, all of the old cartoons were amazing, but you don’t meet someone on the street and marry them the next day,” the actress, who voices Princess Anna in the movie, said. “You’ve got to get to know them.”

    It was a really nice change of pace when her true love turned out to come from her sister! And for me, was actually quite unexpected. Obviously it was so nice to see that the success of the film proves that parents might be kind of sick of the fairytale and are ready for their kids to receive a more realistic and meaningful message.

    “You can never anticipate this kind of success for a project,” she said. “But what’s funny is the original script wasn’t anything like this. It went through a lot of big metamorphoses. … The whole team behind it were so committed to making something different and modern. And they were committed to making it not about romantic love. They wanted it to be about this really relevant battle between love and fear. … In the end, it just kind of blossomed into this really beautiful project.”

    So, as Kristen Bell reflects on the success of “Frozen” and its new modern message, what do you think was the biggest attribution to the film’s success? I’m gonna go with Olaf.

    Image Via youtube

  • Fidel Castro As Young Rebel Leader in “Papa”

    Fidel Castro and his rebel alliance are featured in a new movie, “Papa” based on the friendship of Ernest Hemingway and Denne Bart Petitclerc during Cuba’s turbulent 50’s.

    This film is incredibly special and different than any other made about Hemingway in that it is the first one that has been allowed to actually film in Cuba, the island Hemingway lived on and loved from 1939-1960.

    “It was an absolute passion to actually make it in Cuba where everything that is in the script happened, where the finca (farm) is where (Hemingway) lived, where his boat was, all the spots from the Morro castle to Cojimar where he fished,” director Bob Yari said. “It’s all here, so trying to duplicate it somewhere else was not very appealing.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC_1CpN7Z-M

    Since there have been decades of tension between Cuba and the US, not to mention Washington’s 52-year-long embargo, other films set in Cuba, like “The Godfather Part II” and “Havana” were forced to film in alternate locations like the Dominican Republic instead of Cuba.

    Filming in the highly secured and paranoid location did have its downside. For instance, notices and call sheets had to be printed out and slipped under hotel doors due to sketchy internet access on the island.

    Despite some inconveniences, “Papa” did enjoy some benefits of filming on the island that seems to be locked in time to the era featured in the movie. There were a plethera of iconic 1950’s cars and clothing readily available for the crew and many willing local extras.

    Filming on the exact location where these events actually happened was inspiring for Adrian Sparks who has played Hemingway on stage for years. He was able to “channel” the legendary author with the help of some of Hemingway’s actual belongings.

    “To be playing a section of the film where he’s struggling with writer’s block, I’m standing on exactly the square foot of ground that he stood on, with his typewriter in front of me, playing the scene. It wasn’t acting, it was channeling,” Sparks said. “It was just allowing him to come through.”

    Looks like it could be a huge success despite a few inconveniences and will be an amazing insight into Castro’s Cuba of the 50’s.

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Mekhi Phifer Files Bankruptcy Protection, Owes Many

    Mekhi Phifer has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to some serious debts. These debts include $1.2 million in back taxes, $50,000 in lawyer bills and $4,500 in unpaid child support, for a total of $1.3 million dollars.

    One wonders how a busy actor like Mekhi Phifer would end up in this situation. Well, he reportedly spends close to $11,600 each month and only brings in about $7500 for the month.

    Just goes to show, you don’t mess with the IRS. Or the mothers of your children.

    He has two kids he is supporting, Omikaye, 15, and Mekhi Jr., 6. The oldest is a son he had with ex-wife, actress Malinda Williams. The younger is a son he had with ex-girlfriend Oni Souratha.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lYK6xbaizM

    On the upside, it looks like his love life has settled down a little. He married Reshelet Barnes at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills in April 2013. Too bad that won’t be said about his financial situation anytime soon.

    Despite his money woes, he has been pretty successful in his professional life. He played a role in “Divergent”, which was box office gold to the tune of $56 million back in March and is still going strong. It has already brought in $250 million worldwide and will get a sequel, “Insurgent”, in which Phifer is already on board to continue his role as Max.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT6Wqukry24

    He has also appeared lately in numerous TV shows like “Lie to Me” and “Torchwood”, as well as recurring role in Showtime’s “House of Lies”.

    So, how exactly does he only bring in about as much as, say, an upper-middle class Joe? Hmm.

    Well, hopefully Phifer can get back on his feet with help from his bankruptcy filing and put all of his thoughts and efforts into making great movies and TV shows.

    Maybe after this fiasco, he will add budgeting to his long list of talents?

    Image Via YouTube

  • Alanis Morissette: Political Campaign Booster

    Alanis Morissette has entered the realm of politics in a big way. The legendary singer/songwriter has penned an emotionally charged theme for her friend and political equal Marianne Williamson for her run for congress.

    Williamson is running for Rep. Henry Waxman’s seat in California’s 33rd district. The enviable 33rd district encompasses wealthy and celebrity-drenched hot spots such as Malibu, Beverly Hills, and Bel-Air.

    If it’s star power that will win that seat, then Marianne Williamson just might have it in the bag. She can easily boast of celebrity friends like Eva Longoria, Jane Lynch and Nicole Richie. Not too shabby. She has also been endorsed by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, and Katy Perry.

    She is one of 18 candidates, one of which will be replacing Waxman who is retiring in January after a 40 year run.

    The song, titled “Today”, is strong and emotionally urgent in its message. And Williamson loves it.

    “Alanis Morissette has produced a masterpiece,” Williamson said of the song. “I have never heard a song more powerfully describe this moment in our history, or more lovingly call forth our generation’s genius from the ashes of our pain. With her inimitable musical alchemy, Alanis has provided an anthem for our audacious quest to get America back on track.”

    She then noted, “In the words of Benjamin Franklin, ‘America’s destiny is not Power, but Light.’ Would he love Alanis, or what?”

    Alanis Morissette loved making the song and was inspired by Williamson’s heart and passion.

    “I was attempting to capture the passion, mission, activism, deep humanity and tenderness of Marianne, the new political sensibility she represents and the consciousness that produced it. Recording at Sunset Sound with my bandmates, Marianne came by and visited. We all huddled together as the song was recorded. I love this song. I love this woman, and I love a world that would vote for her.”

    Sounds like a team made in political heaven, and just perfect for the political climate in California. But, will it be enough to set Marianne Williamson above the rest?

    We shall see.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Airline Baggage Fees On The Decrease

    Airline Baggage Fees On The Decrease

    Airlines collected less in bag fees than in the last two years, but are charging more for the little extras. Bag fees are down four percent from 2012, but US airlines still made a reported $3.35 billion in bag fees in 2013.

    Bag fees are down, but the charges for things like getting a better seat, food, and early boarding are on the rise.

    For example, airlines raised $2.81 billion last year from fees for changing a reservation or ticket, a 10 percent increase over 2012, making changing tickets and similar services the big money makers for many airlines.

    So why the sudden switch from bag fees being one of the largest streams of revenue to these small services and perks becoming more lucrative? Robert Mann, a former American Airlines executive and now an aviation consultant, thinks he knows why. He said money from bag fees has fallen off because the mix of passengers has changed.

    “You have more people exempt (from the fee) because they use the right credit card or they get status in the airline’s loyalty program,” he said. “The passenger who gets whacked by the bag fee is the infrequent flier.”

    He also thinks more of those infrequent fliers are choosing alternate transportation, like traveling by car, bus or Amtrak, in order to save money.He also believes airlines are making basic economy tickets uncomfortable on purpose so that passenger will be somewhat forced into purchasing extras like seat upgrades.

    Jim Weck, a telecommunications company program manager from Atlanta, speaks for most I think when he says that it’s time for the airlines to pay back their customers for the support they had when all the bag fees and other fees skyrocketed during the recession and the rising fuel costs that resulted.

    “We helped you in your hour of need; now it’s time to give back,” Weck said. “No matter what industry you’re in, people don’t like being nickel-and-dimed.”

    This is so true. Will this outcry from customers result in some cutting back on fees for the people who don’t fly all the time or don’t have the right credit card? Let’s hope so!

    Image Via YouTube

  • Miranda Lambert Picks Up 6 CMA Nominations

    Miranda Lambert is the leader of the pack for this year’s Country Music Awards with an astounding six nominations. Two of those nominations are for her independent work, two are for her collaboration with Keith Urban on “We Were Us”, and two are for her work as a member of Pistol Annies.

    Following close behind is Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan with five nominations each, while Keith Urban and Taylor Swift are tied with four each. Blake Shelton and Hunter Hayes each pulled in three nominations. Two nominations each went to Carrie Underwood, Cassadee Pope, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Lady Antebellum, Pistol Annies, The Band Perry, Thomas Rhett and Tim McGraw.

    The show, airing Wednesday June 4 from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m. ET, is sure to be a great one! Voting begins today and ends June 1. Fans can cast their vote at CMT.com and on mobile devices.

    Lambert has had an incredible time reigning as Country’s Queen and is also up for the coveted Video of the Year award for her song “Automatic”, along with Blake Shelton and Pistol Annies (“Boys ‘Round Here”), Carrie Underwood (“See You Again”), Eric Church (“Give Me Back My Hometown”), Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan (“This Is How We Roll”), Hunter Hayes (“I Want Crazy”), Kacey Musgraves (“Follow Your Arrow”), Keith Urban with Miranda Lambert (“We Were Us”), Luke Bryan (“That’s My Kind of Night”), Taylor Swift (“Red”), Thomas Rhett (“It Goes Like This”) and Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban (“Highway Don’t Care”).

    All great choices! But, unfortunately, we won’t know who came out the victor until June 4. All that we need to know now is what Miranda Lambert will sqeeze her new, thinner physique into for the big night!

    Whatever it is, it is sure to be stunning.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Thailand Earthquake A Magnitude 6.0

    Thailand Earthquake A Magnitude 6.0

    The earthquake that shook northern Thailand and parts of Myanmar early on Monday is now reported as a magnitude 6.0. The quake was centered 6 miles south of Mae Lao, Thailand, and 17 miles southwest of Chiang Rai.

    Only light damage has been reported so far. For example, some signs fell inside the main airport in Chiang Rai and some cracks were visible in a few walls, but no major damage. It is not yet known how the runway or flights were affected.

    Window curtains reportedly swayed in the county’s capitol of Bangkok, and people were said to be running out of office buildings in a panic all around Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon. Shaking was felt in Chiang Mai, as well as other parts of the country.

    At the Udomwaree Temple in Chiang Rai, the head of a giant Buddha and many surrounding homes and buildings were damaged. According to NPR, a popular temple, Wat Rongkhun, was closed due to safety concerns after the earthquake. The damage to it seemed a little more serious.

    “The spire of the main building came off and the tiles on the roof fell off,” Chalermchai Kositpiphat, the artist who built the temple, said. “I still don’t know how we can sleep tonight. … It was shaking the whole time and then aftershocks followed four to five times. It will bring more damages each time an aftershock happens, I’m afraid.”

    “The murals are also damaged because the pillars were shaken badly,” Chalermchai said. “I don’t know how many years it will take me to fix it. … It was tumbling like the Earth was going to explode.”

    Thankfully, no casualties or major damage has been reported at this time.

    Thailand is a very active area as far as earthquakes and other seismic activity and has many active fault lines. However, in recent years, Thailand has not seen as much activity and damage as other surrounding countries in southern Asia.

    A 5.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Thailand on Dec. 13, 2006, was the last serious quake that was close to the size of Monday’s. That quake occured in the northern province of Chiang Mai.

    Hopefully the people of Thailand can work together to recover from the damage that was done.

    Image Via YouTube