Witches Ball in Benicia to celebrate pagan beliefs

Times-Herald By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen
For the uninitiated, a witches ball is similar to more mundane parties but differs in some fairly significant ways.

For instance, like many such affairs, the Benicia-based Pagan Alliance's third annual Witches Ball will include music, dancing, clowns and face-painting for children.
 

However, Saturday's event also will include an Ostara egg hunt, a Druid Storytelling Pavilion and divination readings, which sets it apart from the average fundraising event.
 

The eggs contain Tarot cards instead of candy, "because kids don't need candy," alliance president JoHanna White of Berkeley said.
 

The witches event is meant to raise money for the upcoming Pagan Interfaith Parade and Festival, planned for May 7, she said.
 

"You don't have to be a pagan to enjoy the event," White said. "Some of our best reviews are from (members of more traditional, western religions)."
 

The group defines pagan as "any earth-based, nature-centered, polytheistic or indigenous tradition," said White, who added she was raised in an Animist tradition -- the belief that all natural objects and creatures have a spirit -- owing to her Native American father.
 

Prejudice often directed against pagans has been waning in recent years, she said, but still persists, so a "pile of masks" are available to group festivals for those "in the broom closet" for fear of negative repercussions.

"The biggest misconception about us that we see is probably people seeing us through a Christian lens," she said. "Like, we don't worship Satan, because we don't believe in Satan. He's not part of our world view."


Saturday's event is divided into an earlier, family-oriented portion from 3 to 6 p.m. and a later, adult portion, from 7 p.m. to midnight, White said.


During the day, family members can expect to see Bubblegum & Lollipop the Clowns, hear Music with Pasha, get their faces painted and experience an Ostara Egg Hunt, organizers said. Also available will be a Druid Storytelling Pavilion, games and snacks, White said.
 

The Witches Ball continues from 7 p.m. to midnight for those 21 and over with live and DJ music, a light show and dance performances, White said.
 

A costume contest and raffle also are planned, she said.
 

Contact staff writer Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at (707) 553-6824 or rzrihen@timesheraldonline.com.
 



If you go




What: The Pagan Alliance presents its third annual Witches Ball to benefit the Pagan Interfaith Parade and Festival (May 7).

When: 3 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, March 5.

Where: Benicia Clock Tower, 1189 Washington St., Benicia
Tickets: $10 in advance at Red Raven, Vallejo -- (707) 558-0808; Dark Garden, San Francisco -- (415) 431-7684; Sacred Well, Oakland --

(510) 444-9355. Cost for adults, 21 and up with identification, range from $13 to $15; $5 per child (under 3 free). Call for additional ticket information.

For information: www.thepaganalliance.org or (877) 467-5527.

With the Oscar's, I forgot to post that 'Gnomeo' was No. 1 at box office again...

By CHRISTINE KEARNEY, Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Disney's "Gnomeo & Juliet" jumped two spots to land at the top of the North American box office Sunday in a slow period when most moviegoers focused on the world's biggest movie awards, Hollywood's Oscars.
 
"Gnomeo & Juliet," a 3-D animated family film that has generated generally good reviews, pulled in $14.2 million in movie ticket sales, beating newcomer comedy "Hall Pass," starring Owen Wilson, which landed in the No. 2 spot with $13.4 million, according to film studio estimates Sunday.
 
Rounding out the top three was the thriller "Unknown," starring Liam Neeson as a man who must reclaim his identity. It dropped two places after hitting the top spot last weekend, pulling in $12.4 million.
 
The weekend totals were down even compared to the sluggish last President's Holiday weekend and were notable because "Gnomeo" managed to pull off a rare feat, rising to No. 1 in its third weekend after opening. It landed in the No. 3 spot last Sunday, but rose to second by the end of the four-day weekend.
 
The comedy about garden gnomes did not drop as much in sales in its second weekend or third weekend as is usual for a major studio release. Boosted by audience ratings, last weekend it had a three-day total of $19.5 million, dropping little more than $5 million in sales by Sunday, enough to claim the top spot.
 
The No. 4 movie was "Just Go With It," starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, holding its position from last week with sales estimated at $11.1 million.


Suspense thriller "I Am Number Four," followed closely behind at $11 million in ticket sales, while "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" held its position at No. 6 with an estimate of 9.2 million in sales by Sunday, dropping about 31 percent in sales in its third weekend after opening.
 
"The King's Speech," a favorite to win best film at the 83rd Academy Awards held on Sunday in Los Angeles, held the No. 7 spot from last weekend, pulling in $7.6 million. Its total domestic revenues is now $114.5 million after 14 weeks.
 
Martin Lawrence's comedy "Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son" dropped three places to No. 8 while the weekend's other major release, "Drive Angry," an action film starring Nicolas Cage, had a disappointing opening weekend, landing at No. 9 with $5.1 million in sales.
 
Rounding out the top 10 was another Oscar hopeful, The Coen Brothers' "True Grit," which climbed back into the top 10 with $1.9 million in sales and a total domestic revenue of $167.1 million.
 


1. (3) Gnomeo & Juliet ..................$ 14.2 million
2. (*) Hall Pass ........................$ 13.5 million
3. (1) Unknown........ ................. $ 12.4 million
4. (4) Just Go With It ................. $ 11.1 million
5. (2) I am Number Four................ $ 11.0 million
6. (6) Justin Bieber: Never Say Never .. $ 9.2 million
7. (7) The King's Speech ................$ 7.6 million
8. (5) Big Mommas:Like Father Like Son ..$ 7.6 million
9. (*) Drive Angry ......................$ 5.1 million
10. (11) True Grit.......... .............$ 1.9 million
NOTES: Last weekend's rankings in parenthesis; (*) new release.
CUMULATIVE TOTALS:
True Grit ............................. $ 167.1 million
The King's Speech ..................... $ 114.5 million
Just Go With It ........................$ 79.4 million
Gnomeo & Juliet ....................... $ 75.1 million
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never ........ $ 62.8 million
Unknown ............................... $ 42.8 million
I Am Number Four ...................... $ 37.7 million
Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son ...... $ 28.6 million
Hall Pass... .......................... $ 13.4 million
Drive Angry ....................... $ 5.1 million

Five Favorite Films with Stephen Merchant of 'Hall Pass' and 'An Idiot Abroad'

Rotten Tomatoes

The multitalented Stephen Merchant has proven himself to be one of the freshest comic voices in recent years. The co-creator of The Office and Extras (with longtime collaborator Ricky Gervais, with whom he co-directed the 2010 comedy Cemetary Junction),Merchant's blend of outrageous scenarios and deep pathos makes for potent observational comedy. Known for his supporting roles in Hot Fuzz and Tooth Fairy, Merchant has also worked as a radio personality, a stand-up comic, and, in his early adulthood, a film critic. Currently, he stars in the Farrelly brothers' comedy Hall Pass and has a voice role in Gnomeo and Juliet. In an interview with RT, Merchant shared his favorite movies, and talked about his love of New York's cinematic sensibilities, why he relishes supporting roles and why he'd love to make a conspiracy thriller or a musical.

The Apartment (1960, 91% Tomatometer)

Number one that always springs to mind is Billy Wilder's The Apartment. I'm sure you're familiar with that film. It's one of those movies which manages to combine all sorts of flavors. People tend to think of it as a romantic comedy, but actually it has some quite dark elements; the Shirley MacLaine character tries to kill herself at one point. And that's the sort of movie, I like to think -- in terms of the sort of films I would like to try and make -- are films which are hard to pigeonhole. It has elements of humor, maybe, but there's also drama in there. Billy Wilder's one of my heroes, because I think he's able to sort of step between different genres and make masterpieces.

Even with something like Sunset Boulevard, there's a really dark strain of humor running through the whole thing.

Oh, absolutely. And you know, obviously, even something like Some Like It Hot begins with the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. He's just incredibly accomplished, and again, a very good example of a master storyteller. Like I said, I think it's very hard to tell stories in cinema in particular, because an hour and a half seems like a long time, but actually it's a very short amount of time to tell a story and to create characters, to create a world that you care about. So yeah, someone like him, he's an absolute master.

After Hours (1985, 92% Tomatometer)

What else would I include on a list of top five? That is so tricky because that list varies on a week-to-week basis. Another movie I'm really a fan of -- and again, I think it mixes all kinds of flavors -- is Martin Scorsese's After Hours. That's a really eccentric little film. He made it, if you recall, he was trying to make The Last Temptation of Christ and that fell apart, so he went back to basics and wanted to make this sort of short film that he could shoot very quickly in just a couple of months on a small budget. It's a very, sort of, eccentric film about Griffin Dunne trying to get home from a date that's gone wrong. It's like a black comedy equivalent of Taxi Driver; it uses New York as one of the characters, to some degree -- this kind of weird, almost Hansel and Gretel forest kind of place, where you can't escape and there's strange oddities around every corner. It's shot through with this brilliantly black sense of humor. Lots of really quotable moments. The playing, as well, from particularly Griffin Dunne, who I think is such an underrated performer, a really great performance of a man just trying to contain his ever increasing panic and rage. Yeah, that's a film I've watched endlessly.

I wonder if, now that we have cell phones, After Hours would be over in five minutes.

You know, I actually have to say that I think modern technology is really [stymieing] screenwriters nowadays. I mean, mobile phones, the internet, wifi, all those things, they don't work for a screenwriter. How many times did you ever see an episode of 24 where Jack Bauer has to lose his phone, or break his phone, or there's no signal? Because it's just such a godsend; it's like a teleporter, you know? It's too useful, a mobile phone. The classic movie moment of sort of running to the airport to see the girl or to try and get everyone out of the building to stop the bomb, nowadays it's just a phone call. You don't have to race through the streets to get the airport; just give her a call. "You're at the airport? I'm in love with you! I'll be there in 10 minutes!" It's so cheap, because everyone knows what's happening. When you see a closeup on the phone, and the bars signal how much reception there is, they all disappear. "I've got no reception!" That's why increasingly horror films all have to be set in the North Pole.

Play It Again, Sam (1972, 97% Tomatometer)

I have to include a Woody Allen film in the list. I'm not sure which one, though. I love him dearly. I mean, he's such an inspiration to me. And again, this list could change -- and particularly, his movie choice could change tomorrow or this afternoon. The one I always love rewatching for pure comedy, for just gags that really resonate with me -- which he didn't direct, but it's based on a play that he wrote -- is Play It Again, Sam, which just has a couple of comic set pieces that really amuse me. I can watch them endlessly. And it's sort of one of those movies that I always make other people watch or I loan to people. If they take as much joy in them as much as me, then I know that we're going to be friends for life. [Woody Allen] plays a film critic, funnily enough, and he is sort of given romantic advice by the ghost of Humphrey Bogart, and Bogie appears throughout in places to offer him love advice. But as he sort of points out, you know, "I'm not you." It's him trying to sort of romance girls and meet women after his marriage falls apart. But it's very, very funny, and it just -- a bit like After Hours, in a way -- it sort of captures the desperation of single men, single men who don't feel comfortable chasing girls. It has loads of very funny set pieces. It has a sequence where he's setting up his apartment for a blind date, which is just, to me, one of the most inspired comic routines I've ever seen. It's physical, but it's verbal as well; it's sort of him at his most charming, effortless. It's really good.

I'm noticing a trend here; you've chosen several movies that are a knife's edge between comedy and tragedy. That must have inspired The Office.

Yeah, particularly movies like The Apartment. I'm a big fan of movies that take very small situations or small incidents and make them feel more epic, in some way. Like, a movie I really love -- I'm not going to include it in my top five -- but a movie I really love is The Bridges of Madison County, the Clint Eastwood movie. It seems like maybe it's sort of a sentimental weepy, but when you rewatch it, it's just very elegantly made, you know? It's rare that you see a movie romance featuring two older people, and it doesn't feature any kind of elaborate romantic conceits. It's just two people who meet and, for whatever reason, they find a connection and they kind of fall in love. And you see it. It's a very slow-burning film, but it builds to a really huge romantic conclusion about whether Meryl Streep will choose to stay with her husband or to go off with Clint. And they manage to make just that decision -- whether she's going to climb out of the car and go off with Clint, or she's going to stay with her husband -- they make it feel huge, they make it feel epic. I think that's something that cinema's very good at doing, and it's very tricky to pull off. And that's the sort of thing I prefer to, say, the grand drama of something like The Lord of the Rings.

The Squid and the Whale (2005, 93% Tomatometer)

I wish I could choose something cool and artsy. I'll tell you what I saw, which I think kind of shot into my list, and I only watched it recently -- I'm ashamed that I didn't see it earlier -- was The Squid and the Whale. It was absolutely fantastic. Again, I guess, similar in tone to the other films I've mentioned. A sort of, you know, domestic comedy-drama, but very, very truthful, and brilliant performances again. Is it Jesse Eisenberg who's in that movie? Yeah, I just thought that was tremendous. Luckily, my parents never got divorced, I never went through that, but it really takes you into the experience of watching your parents split up. And I think cinema's at its best when it makes you feel an experience that you've never had yourself, and sort of understand the emotions of it. I was really impressed by that movie. Just a great, kind of... shot through with this black spine of humor.

You've named three New York movies...

Maybe it's because I've always been a fan of New York humor, particularly Woody Allen, that sort of wiseass humor. And I think a lot of New York movies use the city so well. New York is so unique, it has such an identity. Somewhere like California is much more anonymous. You know, people drawing from these endless roads that blur into each other -- much of the rest of America sadly is becoming as uniform as that, whereas New York has such a visual identity. And I guess maybe because I live in London and I lived before that in Bristol, which is a pretty big city. It's a place I can respond to. Cary Grant was from Bristol, he was born in Bristol, and actually my grandmother, who's still alive, used to work with Cary Grant's father in a boot factory. She said he was a good looking man.

Singin' in the Rain (1952, 100% Tomatometer)

I will choose Singin' in the Rain. To me, that symbolizes everything that can be great about movies. It's just joyous, it's just perfectly constructed. It's just like everything came together; you know, there's an alchemy that happens with certain films, which, however proficient you are as a filmmaker, however talented you are, and however many hits you've had, there has to be a sort of magic dust that happens somewhere. Often when it does, the whole world relates to it or engages with it in some way, and I think that film is such a good example of that. It happened with Casablanca. Just all these elements that could have gone wrong; any one of them could have been too much -- too much sugar, too much salt, you know -- but somehow the whole recipe's perfect. And Singin' in the Rain, to me... It's like every scene I look forward to, and I can rewatch it endlessly. It's just quite beautiful. They don't make them like that anymore, I think.

Josh Brolin and Tim Burton Teaming Up for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Collider.com by Adam Chitwood

It looks like Tim Burton may actually be making a film without Johnny Depp in the near future. The Alice in Wonderland director is in the early stages of developing a film version of Victor Hugo’s classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Josh Brolin set to produce and star. Heat Vision reports that the project is in the very early stages, with Burton waiting on a script to officially sign on for the flick.

Warner Bros. has tapped Kieran and Michele Mulroney (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) to adapt Hugo’s 1831 novel. Hunchback tells the story of a deformed bell-ringer in Notre Dame who tragically falls in love with a gypsy. Burton has a pretty full plate, as he’s currently prepping Dark Shadows with Johnny Depp, but if he likes the script that comes in he could tackle this next. Brolin recently signed on to Cogan’s Trade with Brad Pitt and is looking to direct and star in Pitz & Joe. Hit the jump for a synopsis of Hugo’s novel.

Here’s the synopsis for The Hunchback of Notre Dame:

Set in medieval Paris, Victor Hugo’s powerful historical romance The Hunchback of Notre-Dame has resonated with succeeding generations ever since its publication in 1837. It tells the story of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, condemned as a witch by the tormented archdeacon Claude Frollo, who lusts after her. Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of Notre-Dame Cathedral, having fallen in love with the kindhearted Esmeralda, tries to save her by hiding her in the cathedral’s tower. When a crowd of Parisian peasants, misunderstanding Quasimodo’s motives, attacks the church in an attempt to liberate her, the story ends in tragedy (Amazon).

Lady Gaga Bare and Barefoot in New “Born This Way” Video, Nice Yoga

by admin of Yoga Dork on February 28, 2011

in Because It's...,News

Because it’s Monday!
It’s Lady Gaga! The whiskey-sippin’ yoga-toxin’ pop star in her new video for “Born This Way” just released from the loins of…outer space? Yes, born this way she is, practically in her birthday suit. Not sure why she has to be mostly naked to let her lotus unfurl, but when you yoga in your underwear we suppose that’s how you feel most comfortable. Also, no HUGE 10″ tall claw shoes? Yoga looks good on you, lady.

The song kicks in around the 2:30 mark, after the space-trippy, good/evil duality birthing manifesto preceedings.

We appreciate the yoga incorporation, intended or not. Though we think she could use a few tips on her urdhva dhanurasana.

——
Earlier…

• New Radiohead Video “Lotus Flower” – Thom Yorke Shakes His Shakti (+lyrics)
• Lady Gaga’s “Drunk Diet” of Whiskey and Yoga
• YogaDork (YJ Shadow) Cover Model Contest! A Gallery of Diversity
• Nevermind, Lady Gaga Wears Her Underwear to Yoga Class

Reminder - Pagan Coming Out Day is May 2!

International Pagan Coming Out Day is May 2, 2011
IPCOD's Guide To Coming Out

Coming out helps you to develop as a whole individual, allows for greater empowerment, and makes it easier for you to develop a positive self-image. By coming out, you will be able to share with others who you are and what is important to you, rather than having to hide or lie about your identity. Coming out can free you of the fear of being “found out” and helps you avoid living a double life, which can be extremely stressful and demoralizing.  Pagans being “out” about who we are to those who love us, to those we interact with on a daily basis, changes peoples’ opinions and changes the world.  It encourages a greater atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance.
Outlining some of the benefits and risks of coming out is not meant to convince anyone to choose to come out or not come out in any given situation. Rather, thinking about some of the possible outcomes of such a choice can clarify your decision by helping you determine the appropriate time for coming out and preparing you for possible reactions.

Benefits of Coming Out
• Eliminating the worry of what will happen if your ‘secret’ is discovered.
• Ability to live your life honestly.
• Developing closer, more genuine relationships with friends and family.
• Being part of a community with others with whom you have something in common.
• Helping to dispel myths and stereotypes by speaking about your own experience and educating others.
• Being a role model for others.

Risks of Coming Out
• Not everyone will be understanding or accepting.
• Some relationships may be permanently changed.
• In extreme cases, coming out may cause economic hardship or could have a negative impact on child custody cases.

Some things to consider as you contemplate coming out as a Pagan:
Is now the best time? The choice you are considering can be very difficult. Consider carefully which course of action is most consistent with living your life authentically. Also, consider the timing and potential impact on your livelihood, as well as that of family members.

Who should I tell first? Give careful consideration to the people to whom you make your initial disclosure.  You may wish to consider telling one close friend or family-member first–someone whose high regard for you is not likely to be impaired by a choice that they may not immediately understand. You gain important experience and confidence in this conversation, and you may better understand what works well and what does not in the discussion. As you become increasingly confident and take greater satisfaction in your public identity as a Pagan, casual disclosures to friends and others become much easier and more spontaneous.

Where and when should I tell them? You may feel that a casual mention during a convenient opening in a conversation may be the best approach, or alternatively you may wish to inform those whom you wish to tell that you have something very important that you need to discuss with them. In that case, you should choose a place and time that will be a pleasant and relaxed context for all involved–perhaps a place that is associated with good memories for you and them.  This consideration is particularly important for talking to friends and family, and perhaps less so when coming out to colleagues or coworkers.  In such instances, an attitude of nonchalant openness is recommended.  This point is addressed in greater detail in the following sections.

Do not apologize! Everyone deserves to be who they are and to be respected  as such. The choice to come out takes courage and a willingness to face the unknown despite considerable anxiety. This is an admirable action that warrants no apology.  Speak confidently, clearly, and assertively.  Allow your excitement about this choice and about who you are as a Pagan to enter into your voice and nonverbal behaviors.

“Coming out” to family and friends:
Perhaps the most effective thing you can do when initiating conversations with family and friends about being Pagan is to imagine that you are in their place, anticipating and empathizing with their possible reactions to the news that you are bringing them. Imagine how you would feel if someone you loved deeply came to you and said they were leaving you and you would never see them again.  Imagine how shocked, sad, and fearful you might be in response.

Such an assertion might at first seem like a gross overstatement and not comparable to your situation.  Nevertheless, telling someone that you no longer share deep core beliefs and values they have long  associated with the foundation of the bonds and family and/or friendship can be experienced as a deep betrayal and loss of connection–comparable to your leaving them forever.
Be mindful that close family and friends may be fearful that your not sharing their faith means that you will be separated from them in the afterlife. They may be afraid that you are being “brainwashed” into a “cult”, and that you will become someone that they no longer know or can have a relationship with. Your situation may also represent to them a manifestation of their personal fears of loss of faith.  If they nurture doubts, they may resent the fact that your choice has strengthened those doubts. Finally, they may feel that they have failed you or let you down in some way, that you have made this dramatic and significant change “on their watch”.

The best response to any of these reactions is patience, warmth, gentleness, understanding, and empathy.  Tell them that you understand their fears and concerns and that in their situation you might feel similarly.  Reassure them that you are happy with your choice, and that you derive as much spiritual fulfillment, satisfaction, and greater self-awareness from you new found faith as they continue to do from theirs. Reassure them you understand that your life is still not perfect, but that you are connected to greater sense of personal meaning and purpose. Let them know you are grateful for their love and support during such  a challenging time. Above all share humor about the situation, at times and in situations, where it might be useful.

“Coming out” to colleagues or coworkers:
In this situation, the best approach may be nonchalance. Be candid with employers about your reasons for requesting time off  for spiritual holidays, without going into overwhelming or unnecessary details.  Be truthful with coworkers in response to questions about your religion or spiritual beliefs, without behaving as if you believe them to be unusual or strange.  Let them come to you with their curiosity rather than volunteering information that has not been requested or sought after. You may wish to consider allowing the level of self disclosure in which you indulge with coworkers and colleagues to increase gradually over time, letting them get to know you as a reliable, solid, and stable person who is someone they can trust to help them accomplish the shared mission.

Remember the laws against religious discrimination in the workplace insure that you enjoy the same rights as your coworkers, but do not be over-ready to cry discrimination at minor slights based on small misunderstandings.  Here again, gentle humor may help  resolve many difficult situations where aggressive or hostile defensiveness would not.

For more information - http://pagancomingoutday.com/

New Images of Andrew Garfield on the Set of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

Collider.com - Jason Barr

Several new images of Andrew Garfield on the set of Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man have popped up online. The images feature the wall-crawler in what looks to be a stand-off situation as well as a half-suited Garfield apparently taking tips on how to point a gun at a grounded opponent. All right, so that is probably a little out of character for Spidey. In any case, you can hit the jump to check out the images.

In addition to Garfield, The Amazing Spider-Man also stars Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, and Denis Leary. The film hits 3D theaters on July 3, 2012.

Here are a few of the images. Head over to The Daily Blam! to check out the rest of the set pics.

Here’s the press blurb Sony released when announcing its official title, The Amazing Spider-Man:

The film, which is now in production and is being shot entirely in 3D, will be released on July 3, 2012.  The film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, Martin Sheen, and Sally Field.  The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.  Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the Marvel Entertainment production for Columbia Pictures.  The executive producers are Stan Lee, Kevin Feige, and Michael Grillo.  The film’s official website is http://www.TheAmazingSpiderMan-movie.com.

Keywords - The Amazing Spiderman Sexy Andrew Garfield

RIP Jane Russell - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes star dies aged 89

Daily Mail

Gentleman Prefer Blondes star Jane Russell has died aged 89. 

Russell was discovered by Howard Hughes and went on to become one of the biggest stars of the 1940s and '50s.

Her daughter-in-law Etta Waterfield said the actress died Monday at her home in Santa Maria of a respiratory-related illness.

Legendary: Sex symbol Jane Russell in her 1940s heyday; the actress has died at the age of 89

'She always said I'm going to die in the saddle, I'm not going to sit at home and become an old woman,' Waterfield said.

'And that's exactly what she did, she died in the saddle.'

Hughes, the eccentric billionaire, cast Russell in his sexy, and controversial, 1941 Western The Outlaw, about Billy The Kid.
The movie was initially subject to strict censorship laws because of the ample cleavage displayed by Russell, born Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell in June 1921 in Minnesota.

When it was released two years later it turned her into an overnight star.
The Outlaw, although it established her reputation, was beset with trouble from the beginning. 

Controversial: The release of Russell's first film The Outlaw was delayed by two years by censors worried about the amount of cleavage she displayed; it eventually hit screens in 1941 and made her an overnight star

Director Howard Hawks, one of Hollywood's most eminent and autocratic filmmakers, rankled under producer Hughes' constant suggestions and finally walked out.

'Hughes directed the whole picture - for nine bloody months!' Russell said in 1999.

The film's rambling, fictional plot featured Russell as a friend of Billy the Kid as he tussles with Doc Holliday and Sheriff Pat Garrett.

The Los Angeles Times called it 'one of the weirdest Western pictures that ever unreeled before the public.'

With her sultry look and glowing sexuality, Russell had already gained a large following.

The Hughes publicity mill had sent out photos of the beauty in low-cut costumes and swim suits, and she became a pinup for World War II soldiers.

The pin-up: Russell starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in the 1952 movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

But Hughes bought the ailing RKO studio in 1948, and devoted special care to his No 1 star, using his engineering skills to design Russell a special brassiere (she said she never wore it.)

That year she made her most successful film, a loanout to Paramount for The Paleface.

But at RKO she was cast in a series of potboilers such as His Kind of Woman"' (with Robert Mitchum), Double Dynamite (Frank Sinatra, Groucho Marx), The Las Vegas Story (Victor Mature) and Macao (Mitchum again).

Hughes had rewarded her with a unique 20-year contract paying $1,000 a week, then he sold RKO and quit making movies.Russell continued receiving the weekly fee, but never made another film for Hughes.

Special brasserie: Howard Hughes designed a bra for Russell to wear, but she claimed to have never used it

Her only other notable film was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a 1953 musical based on the novel by Anita Loos. She and Monroe teamed up to sing Two Little Girls From Little Rock and seek romance in Paris.

At a 2001 film festival appearance, Russell noted that Monroe was five years younger, saying: 'It was like working with a little sister.

She followed that up with the 1954 musical The French Line, which like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes has her cavorting on an ocean liner.

The film was shot in 3-D, and he promotional campaign for it proclaimed J.R. in 3D. Need we say more?

In 1955, she made the sequel Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (without Monroe) and starred in the Westerns The Tall Men, with Clark Gable, and Foxfire, with Jeff Chandler. But by the 1960s, her film career had faded.

WWII star: Even before she released a film Russell had become a favourite of soldiers on the front line; pictured in a promotional poster for The French Line, produced by Howard Hughes

'Why did I quit movies?' she remarked in 1999. 'Because I was getting too old! You couldn't go on acting in those years if you were an actress over 30.

Although her look and her hourglass figure made her the subject of numerous nightclub jokes, unlike Monroe, Rita Hayworth and other pinup queens of the era, Russell was untouched by scandal in her personal life. 

The actress was married three times but during her Hollywood career she was married to star UCLA and pro football quarterback Bob Waterfield.

Although her film career slowed in the 1960s, Russell remained active throughout her life.

Still the star: Russell attends the Oscars in 2008; she remained active until her death

She was busy in her church and with charitable organizations until her health began to decline just a couple weeks ago.

In recent years fans could see the Hollywood legend singing at a hotel bar near her Santa Maria home. 

Russell adopted three children who survive her along with her six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. 

Russell's hand and foot prints are immortalized on the forecourt of Hollywood's legendary Grauman's Chinese Theater.


 She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Keywords - Marilyn Monroe Sex Symbol The Outlaw Nude Curvy Jane Russell

Best Dressed at the Oscar's - Helena Bohnam-Carter's Garder Belt

This why life is worth living and the Oscar's are so fun to watch:-)

Hello Magazine -
Helena Bonham Carter: The red carpet rebel

She might have missed out on the Best Supporting Actress gong, but that didn't stop Helena Bonham Carter from flying the flag for Britain.

The London-born star showed her allegiance with a Union flag garter, which she proudly showed off on the red carpet.

Helena wore a gown by Coleen Atwood – the costumier from her partner Tim Burton's film Alice in Wonderland.

She was pipped to the post by Mellissa Leo at Sunday night's Oscar's ceremony, but was delighted to see friend and The King's Speech co-star Colin Firth triumph in the Best Actor category.

Oscar Winners 2011

For a full list of 2011 Oscar nominees and winners, visit the official site of the Academy Awards.
Major Categories:
Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
Best Actor: Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
Best Actress: Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Best Director: Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
Best Picture: The King's Speech
Best Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 3
Best Cinematography: Wally Pfister (Inception)
Best Documentary Feature: Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs (Inside Job)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network)
Best Original Screenplay: David Seidler (The King's Speech)

Golden Raspberry Awards 2011: winners and thoughts

By Simon Brew for Den of Geek

It was commented on widely by many when the nominations were first announced, yet the Golden Raspberry Awards, the Razzies, appear to have lost their way. Less about highlighting the worst films that come out of Hollywood, and more about giving prizes to high profile failures, that was a trend that wasn’t addressed with this year’s ceremony.

It was an exercise, really, in taking simple pot shots. And while there’s extreme value in an antidote to the Oscars and in an awards ceremony that pricks at the egos of Hollywood, dishing out prizes based on which film failed the loudest surely isn’t the best way to go.

Also, one of two of this year’s awards are just plain wrong. Say what you like about Jessica Alba, but was her turn in The Killer Inside Me really worthy of scorn? Yet, she won the Worst Supporting Actress prize, shared across three of her films. None of which she was the worst thing in.

As for the rest? Well, it was split between The Last Airbender and Sex And The City 2. Neither is a film we especially care for (especially the latter, you’ll be surprised to hear). But you can’t help but think that a lot of Hollywood’s shit has been overlooked in a quest to laugh at those two films.

Here’s the honour roll…
Worst Picture
The Last Airbender
Worst Actor
Ashton Kutcher (Killers and Valentine's Day)
Worst Actress
Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis & Cynthia Nixon (Sex And The City 2)
Worst Supporting Actor
Jackson Rathbone (The Last Airbender and Twilight Saga: Eclipse)
Worst Supporting Actress
Jessica Alba (The Killer Inside Me, Little Fockers, Machete and Valentine's Day)
Worst Eye-Gouging Mis-Use of 3-D (Special Category for 2010!)
The Last Airbender
Worst Screen Couple / Worst Screen Ensemble
Sex And TheCity 2 cast
Worst Director
M Night Shyamalan (The Last Airbender)
Worst Screenplay
The Last Airbender (Written by M Night Shyamalan)
Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel (Combined Category for 2010)
Sex And The City 2

2011 Independent Spirit Awards Winners

The 2011 Independent Spirit Awards are being announced this afternoon in a taped ceremony in Santa Monica.  A complete list of all the nominees and winners, as revealed, is as follows.

BEST FILM
"127 Hours"
"Black Swan" - WINNER
"Greenberg"
"The Kids Are All Right"
"Winter’s Bone"

BEST DIRECTOR
Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan" - WINNER
Danny Boyle, "127 Hours"
Lisa Cholodenko, "The Kids Are All Right"
Debra Granik, "Winter’s Bone"
John Cameron Mitchell, "Rabbit Hole"


BEST SCREENPLAY
Stuart Blumberg, Lisa Cholodenko, "The Kids Are All Right" - WINNER
Debra Granik, Anne Rosellini, "Winter’s Bone"
Nicole Holofcener, "Please Give"
David Lindsay-Abaire, "Rabbit Hole"
Todd Solondz, "Life During Wartime"

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
"Everything Strange and New"
Director: Frazer Bradshaw
Producers: A.D. Liano, Laura Techera Francia

"Get Low" - WINNER
Director: Aaron Schneider
Producers: David Gundlach, Dean Zanuck
"Night Catches Us"
Director: Tanya Hamilton
Producers: Sean Costello, Jason Orans, Ronald Simons
"The Last Exorcism"
Director: Daniel Stamm
Producers: Marc Abraham, Tom Bliss, Eric Newman, Eli Roth
"Tiny Furniture"
Director: Lena Dunham
Producers: Kyle Martin, Alicia Van Couvering

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Diane Bell, "Obselidia"
Lena Dunham, "Tiny Furniture" - WINNER
Nik Fackler, "Lovely, Still"
Bob Glaudini, "Jack Goes Boating"
Dana Adam Shapiro, Evan M. Wiener, "Monogamy"

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD - Given to the best feature made for under $500,000.  Award given to the writer, director, and producer.  Executive Producers are not listed.
"Daddy Longlegs" - WINNER
Writer/Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Producers: Casey Neistat, Tom Scott
"Lbs."
Director: Matthew Bonifacio
Writer/Producers: Matthew Bonifacio, Carmine Famiglietti
"Lovers of Hate"
Writer/Director: Bryan Poyser
Producer: Megan Gilbride
"Obselidia"
Writer/Director: Diane Bell
Producers: Chris Byrne, Mathew Medlin
"The Exploding Girl"
Writer/Director: Bradley Rust Gray
Producers: Karin Chien, Ben Howe, So Yong Kim

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
Greta Gerwig, "Greenberg"
Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"
Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter’s Bone"
Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"
Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine"


BEST MALE LEAD
Ronald Bronstein "Daddy Longlegs"
Aaron Eckhart, "Rabbit Hole"
James Franco, "127 Hours" - WINNER
John C. Reilly, "Cyrus"
Ben Stiller, "Greenberg"

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Ashley Bell, "The Last Exorcism"
Dale Dickey, "Winter’s Bone" - WINNER
Allison Janney, "Life During Wartime"
Daphne Rubin-Vega, "Jack Goes Boating"
Naomi Watts, "Mother and Child"

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
John Hawkes "Winter’s Bone" - WINNER
Samuel L. Jackson, "Mother and Child"
Bill Murray, "Get Low"
John Ortiz, "Jack Goes Boating"
Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Adam Kimmel, "Never Let Me Go"
Matthew Libatique, "Black Swan" - WINNER
Jody Lee Lipes "Tiny Furniture"
Michael McDonough, "Winter’s Bone"
Harris Savides, "Greenberg"

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director)
"Exit Through the Gift Shop," Director: Banksy -- WINNER
"Marwencol," Director: Jeff Malmberg
"Restrepo," Directors: Tim Hetherington, Sebastian Junger
"Sweetgrass," Directors: Ilisa Barbash, Lucien Castaing-Taylor
"Thunder Soul," Director: Mark Landsman

BEST FOREIGN FILM (Award given to the director)
"Kisses
"(Ireland)
Director: Lance Daly
"Mademoiselle Chambo"(France)
Director: Stéphane Brizé
"Of Gods and Men" 
(Morocco)
Director: Xavier Beauvois
"The King’s Speech" - WINNER
(United Kingdom)
Director: Tom Hooper
"Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
" (Thailand)
Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul

ACURA SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 17th annual Acura Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition.  The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Acura.
Hossein Keshavarz
Dog Sweat
Laurel Nakadate
The Wolf Knife
Mike Ott
Littlerock

PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 14th annual Piaget Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films.  The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
In-Ah Lee
Au Revoir Taipei
Adele Romanski
The Myth of the American Sleepover
Anish Savjani
Meek’s Cutoff

AVEENO® TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 16th annual AVEENO® Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.  The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by AVEENO®.
Ilisa Barbash, Lucien Castaing-Taylor, "Sweetgrass"
Jeff Malmberg, "Marwencol"
Lynn True, Nelson Walker, "Summer Pasture"

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD - (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
"Please Give"
Director: Nicole Holofcener 
Casting Director: Jeanne McCarthy
Ensemble Cast: Ann Guilbert, Rebecca Hall, Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Lois Smith, Sarah Steele

SHUN PRIMITIVE BELIEFS FOR NATIONAL PROGRESS

Most Tanzanians have a religion and follow its teachings. Though Christianity and Islam are the most entrenched in the population, accounting for the majority of followers, it is puzzling to note that many believers still lace their faiths with witchcraft.

These are the people, who, in addition to their professed belief as devout Christians or Muslims, retain the irrational belief in superstitions. They foolishly believe that certain social, political, cultural or economic circumstances that are in many instances not logically related can influence outcomes.

In several communities, we see or hear about persons who attribute to witchcraft any event they regard as extraordinary. They believe that supernatural powers can bring about success and that the occult can cause ominous situations such as poverty, disease, infertility, business failures, accidents and so forth.

Tales are often rife during elections, for instance, of candidates, their standard of education or public position notwithstanding, who resort to sorcerers to influence victory. Some people looking for employment or aspiring for promotions follow the same path, wasting their meagre resources on sorcerers without yielding expected results.

Some people blame their parents, spouses, children, other relatives and close friends for any bad luck that befalls them, even if they have themselves to blame, and simply because a sorcerer has told them so. The immediate outcome is tension that builds up with retaliation against an alleged source of misfortune.

But things don’t end there because revenge for harm can easily spark off a chain of reactions and counteractions that could lead to a bigger conflict and involve many more people.

When superstition is combined with ignorance, poverty and suspicion it turns into a highly combustible fuel that ignites conflict. More dangerously these factors often energise the wicked myth that certain faiths are inherently incompatible. That’s not true and Tanzanians must shun the supposed influence of superstition in matters of national interest.

Though recent studies have shown that belief in magic is widespread throughout sub-Saharan African countries, we should not let ourselves be fooled that there is a supernatural or magical power that can bring about a high standard of living to every person in this country or elsewhere.

There is no magical power that can wipe out poverty, eliminate disease and remove all the obstacles to our development, if people do not invest in education for their children, work hard and apply modern technologies for improved output.

Superstition-fuelled atrocities and human rights abuses such killings of aged women in rural areas, female genital mutilation and the slaughter of albinos are clear testimony to the deeply rooted ignorance of the population and the ineffectiveness of leadership. For how long will this country let the irrational belief in witchcraft hold the people’s minds hostage?

Tanzanians are in dire need of enlightenment so that they can use their resources properly to free themselves from the grip of poverty and underdevelopment. Progress to that state won’t be possible unless we sweep away false beliefs and the destructive influences of superstition in society.

We need leaders with a knowledgeable scientific outlook at every level. It’s high time officials with no capacity to critically analyse issues falling within the scope of their office were relieved of those positions. Beliefs in supernatural or magical powers are relics of the Dark Ages.

**The Citizen - Tanzania

Deets on "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters"

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters is just one of numerous supernatural action movie “re-envisionings” on the horizon, and it features rising stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as the adult versions of the famous fairy tale siblings, who are now highly-skilled professional bounty hunters.

Villainous character actor Peter Stormare (of Prison Break and Fargo fame) and Norwegian actress Ingrid Bolsø Berdal signed on recently for the film, the plot of which has remained largely under wraps up to now – besides the obvious implications of the movie’s attention-grabbing title, that is.

Moviehole has gotten ahold of some juicy plot details for H&G: Witch Hunters, which is a $60 million project that will be shot in 3D and begins production next month overseas in Germany, under the direction of Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow). Since some of that information definitely borders on SPOILER territory, we’ll just stick to examining the more basic details of the film’s storyline.
Here are some of the basic plot points for Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters:

• Hansel (Renner) and Gretel (Arterton) have grown up and become famous for being highly-effective at hunting down and killing witches in the years since their infamous incident at the gingerbread house. The two were permanently scarred by that event, seeing as that Gretel still suffers nightmares from the ordeal and Hansel is now diabetic (since the witch forced him to eat all the candy when he was a kid).

• The town of Augsburg has a serious witch problem, what with numerous children having gone missing and the power-mad Sheriff Berringer (Stormare) burning potentially innocent suspects at the stake left and right. So the town’s mayor recruits Hansel and Gretel to help out.

• Hansel and Gretel have their work cut out for them when they arrive in Augsburg. It seems that the rise of the “Blood Moon” marks a holy night for witches, and the siblings have two days before the vivacious sorceress Muriel (Famke Janssen, presumably) uses the occasion to sacrifice multiple children for her own benefit.

Renner and Arterton are playing the titular witch hunters.

It sounds as though H&G: Witch Hunters will bear a definite resemblance to Terry Gilliam’s The Brothers Grimm, and Moviehole says that there are also shades of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and even the western Tombstone as well. The film is shaping up to be a bloody, R-Rated affair with some fanciful fight scenes, humor, suspense, romance, and all that jazz also thrown in the mix.

Development on another literature/horror mashup, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, has been start and go for a while now – seeing as how David O. Russell wrote the most recent version of the script, it’ll probably have more of the darkly comical overtones that look to be present in H&G: Witch Hunters. That’s not so much the case with director Timur Bekmambetov’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which will reportedly be more of a serious biographical picture that also features lots of gruesome vampire violence.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters will beat the competition to theaters and is scheduled for release on March 2nd, 2012. Will you be checking it out?

Source: Moviehole