Friday, November 30, 2012

Global 2012: Shia LaBeouf’s Girlfriend Found Out He Has To Do Real Sex Scenes

Megan Fox et Shia Labeouf au Georges V à Paris...
Megan Fox et Shia Labeouf au Georges V à Paris, pour la promo du film Transformers 2 : la revanche (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Shia LaBeouf’s girlfriend dramatically broke down in tears in the street today – just as it emerged the actor is set to take part in REAL sex scenes in his next movie. Karolyn Pho, 23, looked visibly upset as she remonstrated with her boyfriend of almost two years in Los Angeles.

While it is not clear exactly what they were rowing about, the timing couldn’t be more poignant. Shia has just confirmed he is set to take part in unsimulated sex scenes in his upcoming movie, The Nymphomaniac – which Karolyn could quite reasonably take issue with.

No word yet on who he will be ‘romancing’ on-screen – but his co-stars include Nicole Kidman and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Shia looks exasperated in these snaps, eventually turning away from Pho before hanging his head in his hands while sat on the edge of the sidewalk.

The pair eventually appeared to sooth, calming down over a cigarette while Karolyn wrapped an arm around her boyfriend.

http://elitedaily.com/elite/2012/shia-labeoufs-girlfriend-real-sex-scenes-film/

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Global 2012: “Here’s why I always get the guy...”

The Good Guys
The Good Guys (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ever wonder what that woman — the one who’s always surrounded by men and who lands dates left and right — has that you don’t? We did, too, so we polled man-magnets around the country for their tried-and-true tips for attracting men. Below, read their secrets on getting — and keeping — the guy:

Bring the “A” team
“If I go out with the intention of meeting guys, I never go out with more than two girlfriends. In my opinion, there’s nothing more annoying to guys (at least, the ones looking for something other than a fling) than a gaggle of giggling girls. I make sure that the friends I go out with are great wing-women — attractive friends who I can count on to be up for a good, drama-free evening — whether we meet guys or not. Whenever I go out with this type of group, the guys are drawn to us like flies to honey. There’s something really alluring to guys about a small group of cool, confident, classy women.”

Learn how to relax
“Here’s my one rule: Don’t be totally focused on ‘getting the guy.’ I think that scares them off! Be happy with your own life, be busy with it, and think of a guy as the icing on the cake — not vital, but a nice bonus. Guys pick up on this laid-back attitude and don’t feel as if you want or need anything from them… and then they’re interested!”

Laughter is the best medicine
“It’s always been my theory that guys love when you laugh at their jokes — or just simply act as if they’re the funniest people on Earth. It boosts their confidence, and what guy doesn’t want to be around a woman who makes him feel good? There’s no need to be completely fake about it — just laugh as genuinely as you can when the guy you’re into is clearly looking for laughs, and encourage him to keep going if it seems like he’s on a roll. You’ll be amazed how quickly it will endear guys to you!”

Keep up appearances
“I grew up in the South, where women always take the time to look their best. Even though I live up North now, I haven’t changed my habits. I rarely leave the house — even to go to the gym — without wearing a cute outfit, perfume, makeup and with my hair looking good, and I always keep a loaded cosmetics bag in my purse. I really think guys — especially the ones where I live — appreciate it when a woman looks put together and smells nice. Even when I’m seriously dating someone, I never let my commitment to looking good slide, even as we get comfortable in our relationship.”

Let him do all the chasing
“For me, my version of playing ‘hard to get’ always works. Here’s how I do it: I always make sure that even if I am head-over-heels into a guy, I never let him know — even the slightest bit — that I am. If he calls me, I’ll wait at least three days before calling him back, and when I’m around him, I always act very nonchalant and make sure I talk to others as much as I talk to him. Lastly, I never spill my feelings until at least two weeks after he spills his. I think this leaves a guy always wanting more, and makes him feel like ‘getting’ me is a challenge. Guys like competition and to win, so it’s almost like a game!”

Cast a wide net
“You have to get out there and always go to new places — be they classes, clubs, charity groups. You need new dating pools to meet new guys. If you were looking for a job, you wouldn’t apply over and over again at just one company, right? Same goes with meeting men. Mix up your routine and don’t let it stagnate. There are lots of guys out there, and the more you meet, the more likely you are to find good relationship material.”

Be a good sport
“I have three older brothers — all of whom were huge jocks — so I know about sports just about as much as any guy, and I actually genuinely love watching games. I think guys love when a girl can talk about their favorite team or knowledgeably tease them about why her favorite team is superior. The key to using sports knowledge to impress guys is to not be ‘one of the guys’ when you do it — no guy wants to date someone that could just as easily be one of his male friends. Instead, be a feminine, sexy woman who loves sports and shows up in a hot outfit — not wearing a jersey with your face painted! If you’re clueless when it comes to sports, get one of your guy friends to teach you — pronto!”

http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=12755&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=860524

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Global 2012: Men reveal the moves that make women swoon

Cover of "Rules of Attraction"
Cover of Rules of Attraction

You don’t have to be loaded or look like Ryan Gosling to successfully reel in women. We polled chick magnets across the country for their rules of attraction. And we must say, these guys have some secrets worth stealing. Learn first-hand from the masters how to make the ladies swoon:

Tell her how good she looks (in an unexpected way)
“I’ve found that women love getting compliments on their appearance. I always pick one aspect of how she looks and comment on why I think it’s fantastic. I try to be specific so she feels it’s genuine and not just an attempt to score points (even though that’s sort of what it sometimes is!). Instead of saying something general, like ‘You look nice,’ I might say, ‘I really like your earrings; that shade of blue matches your eyes’ or ‘I love those boots; they make your legs look incredible.’ Women are amazed that I pay that kind of attention and they’re always appreciative.”

Be spontaneous
“One thing women always comment on is that I’m a spontaneous, take-charge kind of guy — and they really like that. If I’m out on a first date and a woman mentions how she used to go bowling a lot when she was a kid, I’ll say, ‘So let’s go bowling right after we finish our dessert.’ Or if it’s winter and the mood strikes, I’ll drive a date to the beach, just to look at the water. I think women like a man who isn’t afraid to act on impulse and do things that really make you enjoy life.”

Let her talk about herself as much as she likes
“Most people love talking about themselves, so when I first meet a woman I’m interested in, I’ll ask questions so that she’s doing most of the talking. Not only does it make her happy, but it’s a great way to get to know her — everyone wins! I usually ask about her childhood first: Where did she grow up? Did she like it? What did her parents do? And then I’ll ask questions about her present job, apartment and her goals for the future. Women are drawn to me because it’s clear I’m not just drawn to them for their looks.”

Lay on the charm, but in a relaxed and humorous way
“In my experience, I get a lot more dates than my friends because I flirt — a lot. I think dating should be a fun, playful experience. So I’m not afraid to approach a woman, but before I launch into a corny pick-up line, I’ll say: ‘Promise me I get a do-over if you hate this opening line.’ Or I’ll go over to an attractive woman and ask her, ‘What’s it like being the prettiest lady in this room?’ I have to say, I think my relaxed, joke-y way of approaching women really works.”

Plan an unexpected (but fun) first date
“I always try to take a woman on a really different first date — one that will show her that I’m a spontaneous, up-for-anything person. I shy away from the typical dinner or movie options and instead choose something that’s different and cool, yet still within her comfort zone. I can’t say it’s always cheap or easy, but I like the creative challenge of coming up with something memorable and romantic. I’ve arranged for a private, at-home cooking lesson with a chef from one of my favorite restaurants, scheduled a rooftop massage for two and even once took a woman on a helicopter ride over the city. I want her to feel like she’ll always have fun if she continues to see me. And the strategy has been working, knock wood.”

Maintain meaningful eye contact with her
“When I am with a woman — whether I am talking to her, dancing with her, or eating with her — I make as much eye contact as possible. Not in a creepy way, but in a way that communicates, ‘I am paying attention to you and am genuinely interested in being here with you.’ Essentially, you want to convey that you only have eyes for her, no pun intended. Nothing makes a woman feel more insecure than a guy with whose eyes are darting around the room. I find women respond to this and really open up.”

Be true to your word
“Contrary to what you see in the movies and on TV, I think it’s always best to call a woman when you say you are going to call and not play stupid waiting games. What’s that all about? If I tell a woman I’ll call her tomorrow, I do, and I always get a good reaction. In fact, I think it’s sad when women are surprised that I follow up as promised. The right kind of woman doesn’t want a guy who plays games. Treat a lady with respect, and she’ll want to be around you.”

Some old-fashioned chivalry will make her feel like a queen
“I admit it’s old-fashioned, but I always open doors for a woman, pull out her chair before she sits and stand when she gets up from the table. Women are sometimes a little surprised by my actions, but ultimately, they appreciate it. A woman once told me that doing those things made her feel like a lady, and that’s what it’s all about. If you treat a woman like a queen, she’ll want you to be her king, so to speak!”

http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=12756&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=1371947

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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Global 2012: Hugh Jackman: Russell Crowe Helped Me Get Wolverine

Cover of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Singl...
Cover via Amazon

Hugh Jackman has revealed that his "Les Miserables" co-star, Russell Crowe, was the original choice for the role of "X-Men" character Wolverine.

"Russell has given me advice several times at key moments in my life that helped with my career. I also owe him because two of the biggest roles I've ever had in my life, he turned down - and suggested me for them," the actor told Entertainment Weekly in a new interview with the mag, to promote "Les Miserbales."

"On 'X-Men,' he was Bryan Singer's first choice for Wolverine," Hugh continued. "And he mentioned me also for [Baz Luhrmann's] 'Australia.'"

The two Australian actors play rivals in "Les Miserables" - Hugh as Jean Valjean and Russell as Javert - but in real life, teaming up for the project brought them closer as friends and helped them create better performances.

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/hugh-jackman-russell-crowe-helped-wolverine-turning-down-181817185.html

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Monday, November 19, 2012

Global 2012: Justin Bieber And Selena Gomez Fail To Patch Things Up

Selena Gomez-Alex
Selena Gomez-Alex (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They're off, then they're on...then off again? Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez just can't seem to make up their minds. After the young couple's split went public just a week ago, the pair attempted to reconcile a few days later--but then, apparently are on the outs again as of Friday night.

Okay, okay. Who can keep up with these crazy kids? Here's a quick rundown to what Bieber and Gomez have been up to since the breakup. On Tuesday, Bieber--apparently not thrilled about being dumped--landed himself a traffic ticket for speeding around West Hollywood in his Ferrari. He hopped on a motorcycle to show off some more on Wednesday, but then reportedly picked up Gomez from the airport that evening and spent the night with her.

Things must have gone well enough to schedule another date, for the pair were spotted at Los Angeles-area restaurant Yamato together on Friday night. However, according to People, the evening went sour almost before it even began. Five minutes after entering, Bieber and an angry-looking Gomez left, taking separate cars.

http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/again-off-again-justin-bieber-selena-gomez-fail-211821958.html

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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Global 2012: Lady Gaga tweets some racy images

English: Lady Gaga and Lady Starlight performi...
English: Lady Gaga and Lady Starlight performing at Lollapalooza, 2007. Magyar: Lady Gaga és Lady Starlight a 2007-es Lollapalooza fesztiválon. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lady Gaga's tweets were getting a lot of attention ahead of her Buenos Aires concert Friday night.

The Grammy-winning entertainer has more than 30 million followers on Twitter and that's where she shared a link this week to a short video showing her doing a striptease and fooling around in a bathtub with two other women.

She told her followers that it's a "surprise for you, almost ready for you to TASTE."

Then, in between concerts in Brazil and Argentina, she posted a picture Thursday on her Twitter page showing her wallowing in her underwear and impossibly high heels on top of the remains of what appears to be a strawberry shortcake.

"The real CAKE isn't HAVING what you want, it's DOING what you want," she tweeted.

Lady Gaga wore decidedly unglamorous baggy jeans and a blouse outside her Buenos Aires hotel Thursday as three burly bodyguards kept her fans at bay. Another pre-concert media event where she was supposed to be given "guest of honor" status by the city government Friday afternoon was cancelled.

http://music.yahoo.com/news/lady-gaga-tweets-racy-images-concert-230146530.html

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Saturday, November 17, 2012

Global 2012: Skype Shuts Down Password-Resetting After Hack

Image representing Skype as depicted in CrunchBase
Image via CrunchBase

Skype suffered a security breach early Wednesday morning, allowing hackers to hijack any of the service's 250 million users' passwords and create a new account, using only an email address.

The international calling company was forced to temporarily shut down its password-reset feature, it said in a blog post.

"This issue affected some users where multiple Skype accounts were registered to the same email address," Skype said in the statement. "We suspended the password-reset feature temporarily this morning as a precaution and have made updates to the password-reset process today so that it is now working properly."

The Next Web reported that it traced the breach back to a Russian hacker site that allowed cyber criminals to crack users' accounts by using their email address to create a new username, tether it to the old one, then change the password for both.

Microsoft, which owns Skype, is now conducting an investigation.

"We are reaching out to a small number of users who may have been impacted to assist as necessary," Skype said. "Skype is committed to providing a safe and secure communications experience to our users and we apologize for the inconvenience."

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/skype-shuts-down-password-resetting-hack-russian-180348517.html

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Friday, November 16, 2012

Global 2012: Is there more than meets the eye to the new ‘RoboCop’ suit?

Cover of "Robocop"
Cover of Robocop

Is the new "RoboCop" a shapeshifter (or, dare we say, a Transformer)?

Longtime fans of the original movie weren't impressed when a pic from the set emerged a few months ago that featured what appeared to be the new armor for RoboCop. Many felt the suit looked too much like Batman body armor (and not in a good way; in a Joel Schumacher kind of way) -- too dark and oddly insect-like. Fans hated the new look, and when fans hate something, well ... that's that. After all, what's RoboCop without all the awkward bulk?

There's been no confirmation as to whether the filmmakers have changed the design of the suit in response to the backlash. However, they may have ... extended it.

A new pic from the set features a more traditional-looking RoboCop, at least one who looks more tailor-made to rid the streets of crime rather than attend Comic-Con. This apparently isn't a "replacement" suit, though, but what may be one of many get-ups for the cyborg.


According to a source from the set, this will be Murphy's "default" look throughout the film. The armor will actually change and evolve as different situations will require different suits, and each suit will have its own unique abilities. Hey, you can't go visit kids in an orphanage if you look like you're ready to shoot the place up, right?

Take all of this with at least a few grains of salt, as "RoboCop" is still deep into principal photography and rumors are flying high. But it definitely makes sense that the filmmakers would want to go in this direction -- it's quite the upgrade from the original film, and a clever way to show off the kind of special effects technology we didn't have back in 1987. Plus, the kids love robots that, you know, change into other things.

Time will tell, but the most important aspect of all this is that the new "RoboCop" is looking a bit ... well, cooler than it did a few months ago. "RoboCop" will be officially on patrol in theaters on February 7, 2014.

http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/more-meets-eye-robocop-suit-194818070.html;_ylt=Aj1N_gexW5tzJEQbednXH_5fVXcA;_ylu=X3oDMTNyZ3FmaW9rBG1pdANOZWVkIHRvIEtub3cEcGtnA2M1OTYzNWQyLTM3YzUtMzIwNC1iMDU2LTZkODY1ZmI1NjBmYgRwb3MDNARzZWMDdG9wX3N0b3J5X2Nva2UEdmVyAzc5ZTJmMTQyLTJmNjMtMTFlMi05ZGZkLWE5MmQ1NDllOTJiMQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTFpNzk0NjhtBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3


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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Global 2012: Stewart takes sheer-dress trend to extreme

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Wearing a surprisingly see-through gold lace dress, Kristen Stewart got comfortable with her fans and went barefoot as she signed autographs at the world premiere of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” in Los Angeles on Monday evening. Stewart’s friend carried the Jimmy Choo heels for her and Stewart slipped them on moments before she walked the carpet, but admitted she was “already looking forward to taking them off.”

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/the-twilight-saga-breaking-dawn-part-2/photos/the-twilight-saga-breaking-dawn-part-2-los-angeles-premiere-slideshow/
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Monday, November 12, 2012

Global 2012: Victoria’s Secret Apologizes for Fashion Show Gaffe

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 25:  Karlie Kloss walk...
PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 25: Karlie Kloss walks the runway during the Elie Saab Spring/Summer 2012 Haute-Couture Show as part of Paris Fashion Week at Grand Palais on January 25, 2012 in Paris, France. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

The annual Victoria's Secret fashion show taped last Wednesday caused a minor stir last week — but not because of any sexy underwear on display.

Model Karlie Kloss set off some controversy when she walked the runway wearing a Native American headdress (also called a war bonnet), a culturally insensitive faux pas that led the company to pull the footage of the offending outfit from its planned Dec. 4 broadcast.

Several Native American groups called the lingerie company out for the blunder. Native Appropriations, a blog covering imagery of indigenous cultures, accused the retailer of "egregious cultural appropriation, stereotyping, and marginalizing of Native peoples." Ruth Hopkins, a columnist for a Native American news site, wrote that "after years of patronage and loyalty to the Victoria's Secret brand, I am repaid with the mean-spirited, disrespectful trivialization of my blood ancestry and the proud Native identity I work hard to instill in my children." Putting a headdress on a white model is particularly offensive, she wrote, because among the Sioux tribe, war bonnets are exclusively worn by men, with each feather symbolizing an act of valor.

The $12 million show, which had musical performances by Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars, showcased plenty of not-meant-to-be worn ensembles, including circus-themed outfits and a $2.5 million "fantasy bra." Last year the show averaged nearly 10.4 million viewers, up from 8.9 million in 2010, according to Horizon Media. (This year's show was taped on Nov. 7 and is set to air Dec. 4.)

Kloss, who walked the catwalk in a leopard bikini, turquoise beaded jewelry, high-heeled moccasins, and a floor-length feathered headdress (with the word "Thanksgiving" projected on a screen behind her), issued an apology via her Twitter account on Sunday: "I am deeply sorry if what I wore during the VS Show offended anyone. I support VS's decision to remove the outfit from the broadcast."

Victoria's Secret, owned by Limited Brands (LTD) also apologized on Twitter, and issued a statement: "We are sorry that the Native American headdress replica used in our recent fashion show has upset individuals. We sincerely apologize as we absolutely had no intention to offend anyone. Out of respect, we will not be including the outfit in any broadcast, marketing materials nor in any other way."

Whether the controversy will put any kind of dent in Victoria's Secret's sales is questionable. By apologizing and pulling the offending clip from the show, the company addressed the goof quickly, so the damage will likely be minimal, says Brad Adgate, director of research at Horizon Media. With a presence in nearly every shopping mall in the country, it's the biggest specialty retailer for intimate apparel. In 2011 Limited Brands sales sales increased $751 million to $10.364 billion, while Victoria's Secret Stores sales rose $601 million to $6.121 billion.

The lingerie seller isn't alone among big-name retailers accused of insensitivity. There was a fair amount of anger aimed at American Apparel, which sent an e-mail blast to customers during Hurricane Sandy for a 20% off sale for people living in the affected states, with a tagline that read "In case you're bored during the storm."

The headdress gaffe also — oddly -- comes soon after the band No Doubt pulled its music video last week after getting complaints that it was insensitive to Native Americans. In the video for "Looking Hot," band members dress up in stereotypical cowboys and Indians attire.


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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Global 2012: Krysten Ritter on Her Mom's Awkward Phone Call About Playboy

January 7, 2008 - 27 Dresses Premiere in Westwood
January 7, 2008 - 27 Dresses Premiere in Westwood (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Actress Krysten Ritter told Anderson she received an awkward phone message from her mother, who confronted her about being in the pages of Playboy.

Krysten, who stars in TV series "Don't Trust the B in Apt 23," recalled, "I woke up and saw a couple of missed calls from my mom -- she called at 6:30 AM. You know when your mom calls that early, something bad happened."

The actress continued (in her mother's voice), "I don't know what to say… I don't want to have to buy that magazine."

Ritter said she reassured her mother that she's not naked, and that the piece in the racy magazine was just an article featuring 20 questions. Although she wasn't in her birthday suit for Playboy, Krysten confessed she has posed in the nude…


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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Global 2012: 7 Bedtime Habits that Are Ruining Your Sleep

The delightful Eko alarm clock - it's only 4in...
The delightful Eko alarm clock - it's only 4ins high. Free to use - just credit Alan Cleaver. See more free stock pictures in my Freestock set (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Going from Night Owl to Early Bird

Who says bedtime is just for kids? Take extra care to maintain your sleep schedule, especially on the weekends. The body responds to routine. If your bedtime is sporadic- 11 pm some nights, 1 a.m. others- your mind won't be properly prepared to snooze on the weekdays.

2. Bringing Books to Bed

Reading before bed is a habit for many. Problem is, your body has likely adapted to that routine-it won't go to sleep until you've logged a couple chapters. Retreat to a comfy couch or window nook instead for your literary fix. The bed should be off limits for anything other than sleep or sex.

3.Facebooking Into the Wee Hours

The brightness of your computer screen stimulates the brain. Plus, it's difficult for your mind to stop fretting about your digital to-do list, even once you've logged off. Avoid late-night surfing and shut down your computer. Give yourself time to wind down without any electronics.

4. Skimping on a Good Bed

A good mattress will cost you anywhere from $500 to over $3,000. Consider it money well spent. A decent mattress-do your homework!-will give you a more restful sleep. The same is true for quality bedding and pillows. Opt for a soft pillow if you're a back or stomach sleeper. Buy a firmer pillow if you sleep on your side.

5. Setting a Bright Alarm Clock

The looming glare of your alarm clock can be distracting when trying to sleep. The goal is to have as dark a room as possible. Block the bright numbers with a book or consider buying a small travel clock. Your cell phone alarm may also do the trick.

6. Counting Sheep

When you just can't fall asleep, it's useless to stay in bed. If you've been trying to fall asleep for more than 30 minutes, the National Sleep Foundation suggests doing something mundane, like balancing a checkbook, reading or watching TV. An activity that demands marginal brainpower will lull your mind. Before you know it, you'll be crawling back into bed genuinely tired.

7. Exercising Late at Night

Daytime workouts will keep you invigorated for hours. That's why you don't want to exercise within three hours of hitting the sack. Intense physical activity raises your body temperature and pumps your energy level-both interrupt a calm transition into sleep.

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/7-bedtime-habits-ruining-sleep-145300969.html

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Monday, November 5, 2012

Global 2012: No Doubt Pulls Controversial ‘Cowboys & Indians’

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 27:  Adrian Young, Tony Ka...
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 27: Adrian Young, Tony Kanal, Gwen Stefani and Tom Dumont of No Doubt perform on ABC's 'Good Morning America' at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park on July 27, 2012 in New York City. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

No Doubt's second single off their new album is called "Looking Hot," but it looks like the video for the tune has gotten the band in hot water. The clip, which debuted Friday and features an Old West cowboys-and-Indians theme, has raised ire in the Native American community, resulting in its removal from all outlets.

In the video, Stefani--who is of European descent--dresses up as a Native American princess, complete with feather headdresses, beaded jewelry, and long braids (which, incidentally, she keeps her usual platinum blond). Bassist Tony Kanal--who is of Eastern Indian heritage--plays a tribal chief. Drummer Adrian Young and guitarist Tom Dumont portray traditional cowboys, who capture Stefani and tie her up.

One would assume that the band didn't intend any offense; however, November is Native American Heritage Month. And, this certainly isn't the first time this sort of playacting has come under scrutiny (one only needs to look to the sports world for a boatload of examples).

At any rate, No Doubt has pulled the video, and put an apology on their official website.

"As a multi-racial band our foundation is built upon both diversity and consideration for other cultures. Our intention with our new video was never to offend, hurt or trivialize Native American people, their culture or their history," it reads. "Although we consulted with Native American friends and Native American studies experts at the University of California, we realize now that we have offended people. This is of great concern to us and we are removing the video immediately.


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Sunday, November 4, 2012

Global 2012: Jamie Foxx reportedly up for the villain in The Amazing Spider-Man 2

The Amazing Spider-Man #39 (Aug. 1966). Cover ...
The Amazing Spider-Man #39 (Aug. 1966). Cover art by John Romita, Sr. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will face off against a "shocking" new adversary in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." According to Variety, Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx is in early talks to play the villain Electro in Sony's superhero sequel to this summer's reboot of the Marvel Comics' franchise.

While the studio hasn't officially commented on casting, Foxx all but confirmed the role Thursday with a post-Halloween tweet:

The classic Spidey villain Electro, aka Maxwell "Max" Dillon, gained the ability to control electricity after being struck by lightning. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he first appeared in "The Amazing Spider-Man #9" in February 1964. Foxx would be a departure from the comic-book character, who has traditionally been depicted as being Caucasian.

There was a hint that Electro would be the villain of the next movie at the end of "The Amazing Spider-Man." In a short scene during the credits, Dr. Curt Conners, aka the Lizard (played by Rhys Ifans), was visited in his jail cell by a mysterious figure obscured in the shadows.  The man (played by actor Micheal Masse) asked Connors if he told Peter Parker the truth about his father, and when Connors says no, he disappears with a flash of lightning. This lead some people to assume that figure was supposed to be Electro, but others believe it to be Norman Osborn, who was mentioned throughout the film (and later becomes the villain, Green Goblin).

This would be the first time Electro would appear in a movie, but back in 1991, director James Cameron developed his own "Spider-Man" project that would have featured the character as one of the villains.  Cameron's version got caught up in a web of legal issues surrounding the rights, and he eventually left the project, going on to direct "True Lies" and "Titanic." "Spider-Man" wouldn't hit the big screen until the next decade.

Stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are set to reprise their roles as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy, respectively, with Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants") reportedly in talks to join the cast as a young Mary Jane Watson. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" is scheduled to swing into theaters on May 2, 2014. Jamie Foxx will next be seen playing the title role in Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained," opening this Christmas.

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Saturday, November 3, 2012

Global 2012: The Next ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy: A New Hope?

Leia wearing her iconic "metal bikini&quo...
Leia wearing her iconic "metal bikini" slave outfit at Jabba's palace (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When George Lucas announced that he was selling his company to Disney, it was (to paraphrase ol' Obi-Wan) as if millions of nerds suddenly cried out in terror. But now that the dust is off and we've all had time to absorb the bombshell news, disciples of the Force are probably wondering what's next. Yes, there will be movies. But what will they be about?

We did a roundup of some of the more interesting reporting and rumors floating around. As we all now know, there will be at least three new films: episodes VII, VIII, and IX. But what those films will cover is open to a lot of speculation.

We can safely assume that the films will be original stories and not adaptations of "Star Wars" novels, comics, or games. This is kind of a bummer. The Admiral Thrawn book trilogy by Timothy Zahn is highly regarded and would make a compelling series of films. However, according to E! Online, the new films will be based on original treatments written by George Lucas.

The Wrap spoke with Dale Pollock, author of the Lucas biography, "Skywalking: The Life and Films of George Lucas." The author, who interviewed the director at least 80 times for his book, says that while he was doing research in the 1990s, he was allowed to read the outlines to the 12 (yes, 12!) stories.

"It was originally a 12-part saga," Pollock said. "The three most exciting stories were 7, 8, and 9. They had propulsive action, really interesting new worlds, new characters. I remember thinking, 'I want to see these three movies.'" He did say that the three films feature Luke Skywalker in his 30s and 40s. No other details were given due to a confidentiality agreement Pollock signed.

But that was a long, long time ago. Plot lines, stories and characters can come and go. Still, it would seem likely that the next trilogy would go back to the trio of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia. IGN has an interesting idea -- why not use "Avatar"-style versions of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher in these new films? Yes, many would object, but let's be honest — that trio is the heart of the saga and it's going to be difficult to accept other actors in the roles.

Of course, that's just one theory. There are others. The Hollywood Reporter writes that Disney may do an "'Avengers'-style universe with not only Lucas' planned final trio of films but offshoot movies focusing on individual characters." While there is no official confirmation, the idea makes sense. The "Star Wars" universe is ripe for interesting characters and Disney will want to get its $4 billion worth.

Entertainment Weekly sat down with Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy. Hamill revealed that he and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) had lunch with George Lucas in August. Lucas told them that he was planning to make another trilogy. "When he said, 'We decided we're going to do episodes VII, VIII, and IX,' I was just gobsmacked," Hamill said. Still, he had no idea the director was planning to sell his company. "Oh my gosh, what a shock that was," Hamill said.

The films, whatever they end up focusing on, will be executive produced not by Lucas but by his successor, Kathleen Kennedy. She will work with Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn to produce the films and build the brand. Horn is highly regarded. He previously worked at Warner Bros., where he helped to oversee the "Harry Potter" films. Clearly, the guy knows his way around valuable franchises.

When it comes to who will direct the films, that's anybody's guess. Danny Boyle would make a nice choice. He directed the under-seen sci-fi flick "Sunshine." Steven Soderbergh would surely make an interesting film set in a galaxy far, far away. If producers want to go with a blockbuster kind of guy, how about James Cameron or Steven Spielberg? Other possibilities that would likely be met with approval (again, we're just guessing): Joss Whedon, J.J. Abrams, Rian Johnson. Notice we did not include Michael Bay?


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