Sound Off Column - Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Sandra Bullock, Denzel Washington, Grant Hill, Steve Harvey, Kaka, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand

Volume 109

CELEBRITY Cute Kids
CELEBRITY Cute Couples
CELEBRITY Out And About
SPORTS Photos
SPIRITUAL By Faith

CELEBRITY Cute Kids

The lovely Halle Berry and her beautiful daughter Nahla

Reggae singer, Ziggy Marley with kids Judah, Gideon and Abraham. What a good looking family.

Sandra Bullock and cutie pie Louis (uh, there's that look again LOL - that baby is not playing with the paps)

Coleen Rooney and handsome little Kai

Hugh Jackman and his lovely brood, kids Ava and Oscar, going through airport security, which you can see by the looks on the kids faces, is not a lot of fun.

Hugh Jackman and pretty daughter Ava walking their dog

CELEBRITY Cute Couple

Denzel Washington and Pauletta Washington

Theo Walcott and Melanie Slade

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness

Grant Hill and wife Tamia

CELEBRITY Out And About

Halle Berry

Jessica Lowndes is radiant and pretty

Christie Brinkley looks spectacular

Camilla Kerslake looks stylish

Denzel Washington looks cool

Richard Armitage looks rugged

Cedric the Entertainer looks dapper

Steve Harvey looks sharp

SPORTS Photos

Frank Lampard

Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey

Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney

Kaka

Thierry Henry

Venus Williams

Serena Williams

SPIRITUAL By Faith

Living by faith gives on the ability to reach their full potential, as you will operate under the credo that "anything is possible" as said and shown by the Lord. When you believe the sky is the limit, it expands your mind to achieve more, as you are without limits on how much you can accomplish. Having faith, is better than despair, as hope is a vital part of life that keeps ups going and in a good frame of mind.

Photos courtesy of Zimbio.com, Fly Net, Goff, Getty, Pacific Coast News and SplashNews

Movie Review: Captain America

Title: Captain America

Year Of Release: 2011

Review Date: July 31, 2011

Rating: PG-13

Running time: 124 minutes

Box Office Gross: $170,272,000

Site Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

"Captain America" starring Chris Evans and Tommy Lee Jones, was an entertaining film. I saw it on its opening weekend and enjoyed the movie. It was nice going to a movie theatre and not being accosted by some Hollywood weirdness on celluloid.

"Captain America" (Evans) is the marvel comic turned film, about a superhero of the same name, who possesses massive strength and speed. He starts off as a young man wanting to join the army, but is repeatedly rejected for being too small and sickly. An experiment turns him into a strong man.

Chris Evans and Richard Armitage in Captain America

Former MI5 actor, Richard Armitage, went from "Lucas North" to assassin "Heinz Kruger" successfully taking on the role of another baddie. Stanley Tucci delivered a good performance, as did Tommy Lee Jones as the film's best comic relief.

Sadly, my allergy medication kicked in near the end of the film and its main side effect, drowsiness, did as well. I briefly fell asleep in the theatre (sleeping like it was nobody's business) whilst clutching my bag for about 10-15 minutes.

I woke up to see actor Samuel L. Jackson on screen and thought the theatre had begun showing another film. I was not amused that I missed the ending. However, I hadn't. If you watch the film, you'll see what I mean.

http://www.celluloidfilmreview.com/captain-america.htm

Movie Review: The Obama Deception

Title: The Obama Deception

Year Of Release: 2009

Review Date: July 31, 2011

Rating: PG

Running time: 102 minutes

Box Office Gross: N/A

Site Rating: 5 out of 10 stars

Full version of "The Obama Deception"

"The Obama Deception" is an interesting documentary about U.S. President, Barack Obama and his connection to the questionable Bilderberg Group, consisting of a consortium of the world's richest men and women, who discreetly meet every year, in a bid to dictate world finance. Like George W. Bush before him, President Obama has fawned over the greedy group, comprised of billionaires looking out for their bottom line and not the financial health of the general public. The film makes a number of interesting points.

President Obama made many promises on the campaign trail in 2008, only to break the majority of them when he took office. The Bilderberg Group and other wealthy campaign donors, are largely responsible for this irresponsible shift in position. Obama has tried to play both ends against the middle, deceiving one group (the poor and middle class) while appeasing another (the rich). As the phrase goes, one cannot stand on both sides of the issue.

The poster for "The Obama Deception" might be misleading to some, as the movie does not so much imply the president is an Uncle Tom, but reveals his agenda has now become that of Wall Street, mostly comprised of very wealthy white men.

The film also explores America and Britain's oligarchs and the role they have played in shaping world finance. The film accuses the rich of having President Kennedy assassinated, for philosophically breaking ties with them, in turning his attention in office to matters such as ending the war in Vietnam, civil rights for minorities, "cutting the Fed down to size," world peace and developing a space program.

The documentary contends Kennedy's assassination was a warning to all future presidents never to do this again, in a message of, "Do as you are told or die." The film states, "John F. Kennedy had enraged the entire elite network" as they thought he would be a "puppet" due to his "pro-Nazi father." However, he rebelled against the elite's wishes.

It's ironic, as Obama started his presidency much the same as Kennedy, even reminding me of him in some ways, but the current president made an abrupt turn one year after taking office. Many people noticed this and commented on it as well.

According to the film, Obama has become the most Wall Street president in U.S. history, with his appointment book reflecting this leaning. The film states, "It is the most extreme Wall Street administration we’ve ever had" and "no one else counts for anything else under Obama." It's a shame, because the president started off with good goals that have now become corrupted.

http://www.celluloidfilmreview.com/the-obama-deception.htm

Christianity And Race Relations

Christianity and race relations go hand in hand. God loves all races and as Christians we should have the same values. There is no room for racism in the faith. Christianity was built on the principles of love, hope and unity in Christ, regardless of color. When people focus on color, it is as a means to divide, when the love of God unites us in the faith.

Atheists Sue Over Cross At September 11th Memorial Site

Construction workers praying at World Trade Center site

Angry atheists have sued over a cross at the September 11th memorial site in New York. For centuries, the cross has been a symbol of hope, love and redemption for billions of people and it is unkind that anyone would seek to attack such a positive gesture at a site of suffering.

New York needs to start anew with healing from the wounds created by the terrorist atrocity that took place in their world famous city. What better way than an age old symbol of new beginnings, love and forgiveness. With so much negativity in the world, it is sad that a group of atheists would seek to turn their time, money and attention to this, rather than devoting those energies to charity.

STORY SOURCE

9/11 Cross: Bloomberg Defends Religious Displays at WTC Museum

Sun, Jul. 31 2011 02:22 PM EDT - In his weekly radio address, Bloomberg responded to a lawsuit filed by a group of atheists seeking to remove the WTC cross display from a memorial commemorating those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.

While the New York City mayor said the atheists had a "right to sue," he explained why the inclusion of religious symbols at the 9/11 museum should be allowed. "A lot of people looked to religion for strength after the attack," said Bloomberg, who is named as one of the defendants in the suit filed by American Atheists...

http://newyork.christianpost.com

Eli Manning's Silence About Plaxico Burress Spoke Volumes

It looks like Plaxico Burress found a fly in his soup during last night's dinner meeting with Tom Coughlin-- and that fly's name might be Eli Manning.

Burress can cook up every reason in the book to explain why he spurned the New York Giants for their Meadowlands cellmates--I mean stadium-mates--the New York Jets, but the absence of any public support from Manning down the stretch might have swung Burress's decision from Big Blue to Gang Green.

If the Giants quarterback is still blaming Burress, and his arrest for gun possession, for costing the team the 2008 season and Manning's chance to get back-to-back Super Bowl titles, he's barking up the wrong goal post.  Ironically, Manning's lack of vocal support for the return of his one-time favorite target could cost him this season as well.

The Giants team is getting old and, now that the Philadelphia Eagles have buffed up their defensive backfield-- with the signing of DB-extraordinaire, Nnamdi Asomugha-- and the uncertain return of receiver Steve Smith to the Giants, the loss of Burress may have just given a huge advantage to the Eagles in their two division game match-ups.

 Coughlin seemed friendlier than a flair-covered waiter at Bennigan's, leading up to his dinner with Burress, while Manning played the snobby waiter at a French bistro.

All week Roethlisberger openly campaigned for Burress' return to the Pittsburgh Steelers.   Manning only mumbled a few standard comments.

"You just don't want distractions," said Manning.  "Distractions, whatever they may be, can hurt a team.  If you're spending your time concerned about something else, bringing your attention away from the opponent on your preparation, that's considered a distraction."

I tell you what distraction is Eli.  Distraction is being asked 'Why didn't you lobby harder for Burress' about five-thousand times this week and looking for a top-notch wide-out in the fourth quarter this season.

Make no mistake, Manning supports Burress' second chance and even made a call to his former wide-out while he was in prison, but hasn't bothered to jump on the "We Want Plax" bandwagon.

By all accounts, the meeting with Coughlin went swimmingly.  The head coach was smiling yesterday and put it bluntly, "The meeting went well."

Not well enough, as Burress's "fully-guaranteed," one-year deal for $3.017 million with the Jets the next day will attest.

Let's give Manning the benefit of a doubt.  Maybe the silent treatment wasn't such a bad idea.  I don't remember Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, standing in Times Square singing a tribute to the ex-con and look where Burress ended up.

"I never really lobbied for anybody," said Manning before the meeting.  "So if this is the right spot for Plaxico, if the Giants and Coach Coughlin are pleased with his attitude and after talking to him, then [I'm] happy to have him."

In the end, here's what Manning's silence about signing Burress said.

No distractions.  Burress' return to the Giants will disrupt an already shortened training camp.  It's about the team, not one player.

Why all the fuss over a soon to be (August 12)  34 year-old receiver who hasn't played a down in 2 1/2 years?

How is a guy who was never a fan of Coughlin's discipline and structured system going to feel about  routine after almost two full years in lockup?  Does the prison stint help Burress cope with Coughlin's Captain Bligh act?

Finally, Manning doesn't want to insult his current group of receivers.  After all, he threw for over 4,000 yards last year and has two Pro Bowl-caliber wide-outs in Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks.  Joined by Mario Manningham, Manning believes he has the nucleus of a solid receiving corp.

"I like our receivers here, I think we have a great crew, very talented, they work hard," he said.  "Can you have too many good receivers?  No, I don't think so.  I'm going about my business and preparing for myself.

Hey, everybody wanted little Eli to man up and be more assertive--so there you go.

Maybe Burress would have picked the Giants if Manning took the time to drop a dime or, just maybe, Coughlin put that fly in the soup.

Lawsuit settled between Eminem and Audi

Washington July 30 : Eminem has finally reached a financial settlement with German car giant, Audi after having filed a suit for the unauthorised use of his hit song 'Lose Yourself' in an advert.

The rapper and his production company filed for legal action against the company in June 2011 after realising that the track which had previously been allowed to feature in commercial for Audi's competitor, Chrysler, was being used for the German version of the advert for Audi A6 Avant as well, but without his consent, Contactmusic reported.


The hip-hop star also claimed that the Audi ad had stark similarities to his own for Chrysler, which depicted him driving through his hometown of Detroit, Michigan behind the wheel of a new Chrysler 200.


Eminem asked the judges to cease the order issued to the car giant as the two parties had reached a consensus, but the terms of agreement have not been disclosed with it being understood that Audi bosses have vowed to donate to the Imported from Detroit charity.

Wanted to be a war journalist: Minisha Lamba

Bollywood actress Minisha Lambha on Thursday (28 July, 2011) visited Kolkata to promote the new entertainment channel from UTV group called UTV STARS. IBNS correspondent Arnab Chakraborty caught up with her after the event for an informal chat.

How do you feel about UTV STARS?


I think it's going to be great. I think we are going to come a lot closer to the people. Our lives are not really that extraordinary so half the things we tell to the press a made up. I think people are going to know about our really boring lives. I believe they will get to know us better.


Do you think there will be privacy issues?


Well our media still has a lot of respect for privacy and there is a great ethic code still present. Compared to the west we have a lot more privacy. So I don't think there'll be any such problem.


Recently you are part of Bheja Fry 2 and the film didn't do so well in the box office. Why do you think that it was so?


Why do you say that? The film made money and the producer is ‘malamal’ (very rich) right now. He's yet to take me out to dinner as a treat.


Still what was the problem with the movie? It didn't attract a cult following like Bheja Fry.


I guess we are used to a lot of cult movies right now and when Bheja Fry came out it was a comedy and everybody was amazed by how it was shot in one room. Today for a film to become a cult film you need for it to be more than a comedy. It has to be a film that addresses society. It has to be a film that dealt about very serious things but the way that its shot has to be a cult film. It is very difficult for comedies to become cult films.


Tell us about your upcoming films.


There is a film coming called ‘Hum Tum Shabana’. It's also comedy directed by Mr. Sagar Ballary. There is another film called ‘Joker’ and then there is ‘Zilla Ghaziabad’. ‘Hum Tum Shabana’ will release in September and the other two will release next year.


Tell us about your experience at Cannes film Festival. How was it?


It was beautiful and I think in the West they have really got the red carpet thing packed and they know how to do it beautifully out there. So to experience the original place of Cannes, which is the largest festival in the world, was great. But having said that I would like to add that we in India also do the red carpet premieres very well. The only difference is that our journalists don't wear tuxedos behind the line which is the uniform there.


Personally what genre of films you like?


I love dramas and thrillers.


And what about directors? Who are your favourite directors?


Michael Bay is one of my favourite directors. Tony Scott is another director I absolutely love and Steven Soderbergh too.


Which are the directors in India with whom you would like to work?


I would love to work with a lot of newcomers. I will like to work with Dibakar Banerjee and Rajkumar (Gupta).


Is it true that you really wanted to be a journalist?


Ya that is very true. In fact I wanted to be a war journalist. I wanted to go off to places like Bosnia and Chechnya and Israel. Acting is something that was not planned. It really happened like an accident. But my parents are more than happy that film happened so I wouldn't go to some corner and be bombed out.


So what do you feel about coming to Kolkata?


I love Kolkata. I love coming back here. I love the place, the people, the food and also the architecture. I love the old world feel of the city. I also love the Bengali language as it's very sweet.


So any plans of being in a Bengali film?


First it would take me five years to learn the language. But yes maybe someday. Though I have watched Bengali films of Rituparno Ghosh.