11-16-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
BLACK COP WAS REAL HERO AT FORT HOOD: Mike Todd fired shots that took down
shooter after Kimberly Munley was seriously wounded.
*Sgt. Kimberly D. Munley has been hailed as a hero for shooting down
the alleged Fort Hood gunman Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan on Nov. 5, but a new
interview with Senior Sgt. Mark Todd, and a separate eyewitness account,
tell a different story.
In an interview with the New York Times on Thursday, Todd, 42, said
he fired the shots to take down Hasan after Sgt. Munley was seriously
wounded during the rampage at the Texas Army base. Thirteen people were
killed.
Todd said he and Munley had pulled up to the scene in separate cars
at the same time. He said they began running up a small hill toward the
building that held the processing center where unarmed soldiers reported for
check-ups and vaccinations before deployment. The gunman was already
outside, Todd recalled.
“That’s when the bystanders were pointing in his direction,” he said.
“And when we popped up, he was standing there, and we shouted our commands —
‘Police, drop your weapons!’ — and he just opened fire on us.”
Todd said he was slightly in front of Munley on the hill. “Once we
took fire, she broke right and I broke left,” he said.
Todd said he did not see Munley get shot. He said he started to
circle around the building, but then backtracked as panicked bystanders told
him of the gunman’s movements.
“As it unfolded, I went a different direction and he went a different
direction, and we met up in the front of the building,” he said.
Todd said he then saw Munley on the ground, wounded. He shouted again
at the gunman to drop his weapon.
“Once I came around the front of the building, I caught his attention
again, started shouting commands, and then he opened up a second time,” Todd
said. “And that’s when I returned fire, neutralized him and secured him.”
Citing the ongoing investigation, Todd declined to give more details
about the precise positions of Hasan, Munley and himself during the
gunfight. He also would not say how many times he shot Hasan with his 9 mm
pistol, or what Hasan was doing. The whole encounter lasted only 45 seconds,
he said.
Todd’s account matches that of a witness who was at the processing
center when the shooting occurred. The witness, who asked not to be
identified, said Hasan wheeled on Munley as she rounded the corner of a
building and shot her. Then Hasan turned his back and started putting
another magazine into his semiautomatic pistol. Sgt. Todd then rounded
another corner of the building, found Hasan fumbling with his weapon and
shot him, the witness said.
How the authorities came to issue the original version of the story,
which made Sgt. Munley a national hero for several days and obscured Sgt.
Todd’s role, remains unclear, according to the Times. (Military officials
also said for several hours after the shooting that Hasan had been killed;
he survived.)
SHAQ AND SHAUNIE'S REALITY SHOW IN LIMBO: A&E still 'considering' whether to
purchase show filmed before last week's turn of events.
*The reality show filmed by Shaquille and Shaunie O'Neal before
their marriage took a decisive turn last week may find its way to at least
one network still willing to give it a chance.
Earlier this year, the couple had shopped a show called "Love Shaq,"
based on several couples-style reality shows like "Meet the Barkers,"
"Newlyweds" and "Til Death Do Us Part."
The couples in those programs didn't last, but at least they were in
tact as the seasons aired. The O'Neal marriage fell apart before the show
could even be sold.
Shaunie, born Va'shaundya, filed for legal separation from the
Cleveland Cavaliers player in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Nov. 9
citing irreconcilable differences. In addition to asking for an unspecified
amount of money for spousal and child support, Shaunie is also seeking sole
custody of the couple's four children, ages 3 to 9, with visitation rights
for O'Neal.
This is the second split for Shaunie and Shaq, who originally filed
for divorce in 2007. They briefly reconciled after a bitter dispute over
whether or not he was hiding money from her.
A&E confirmed they had seen the "Love Shaq" pilot, according to TMZ,
and are said to be still "considering" whether or not to purchase the show.
The network already has experience revamping a reality series after
unforeseen circumstances forced episodes to take a different tone.
The cable channel was filming a reality series about the Jackson
brothers and their preparation for a comeback concert when Michael Jackson
died suddenly in June. A&E has since changed the focus of the series to
include the siblings' attempt to deal with their brother's death. "The
Jacksons: A Family Dynasty" premieres on Dec. 13.
CHRIS BROWN HECKLED DURING NY APPEARANCE: Woman shouts 'I hope someone beats
the f**king crap out of you!'
*Chris Brown got an earful of judgment from a woman during a public
promo appearance in New York last week.
While leaving a crowded event at Footaction in NY, a woman in the
throng of people began shouting, "F**king beater" and "I hope someone beats
the f**king crap out of you!"
She ended her tirade by looking into a pap's camera and saying,
"Chris Brown is a f**king p**sy who can't stand up for himself!"
Chris in a bright yellow hat, just continued walking out of the store
– as some of his fans defended him by shouting, "Smack that bi*** up."
LEBRON MAY SWITCH JERSEY NO. TO HONOR JORDAN: Cleveland Cavaliers star also
wants every other NBA player sporting #23 to let it go.
*He has worn #23 in honor of NBA legend Michael Jordan since his
high school days, but now, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James says he and
everyone else in the NBA should give up the number out of respect to His
Airness.
"I just think what Michael Jordan has done for the game has to be
recognized in some way - soon," James told the Cleveland Plain Dealer after
a game in Miami on Thursday night. "There would be no LeBron James, no Kobe
Bryant, no Dwyane Wade, you name all the best players in the league right
now and the last 10 years, there would be none of us without Michael
Jordan."
James said he had been considering giving up the number for some time
and would be willing to change his number to six - his US Olympic team
jersey number.
He also said would start a petition to get every player in the league
wearing 23 to give up the number.
"It's time," James said. "He's the best basketball player we've ever
seen. Mike does it on the court and off the court. If you see 23, you think
about Michael Jordan... I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. Nobody. If
I'm not going to wear number 23, then nobody else should be able to wear
it."
BRANDY SETTLES FINAL CAR CRASH LAWSUIT: Singer reaches agreement with
parents and husband of the woman who died.
*Brandy has settled the last of her lawsuits in connection with the
December 2006 car crash on a Los Angeles freeway.
TMZ.com is reporting that the singer-actress has come to an agreement
with the parents of Awatef Aboudihaj, the 38-year-old who was killed in a
four-car freeway crash on Dec. 30, 2007. Also, SanDiego6.com is reporting
that Brandy has settled with Aboudihaj's widower.
The California Highway Patrol ruled the accident was Brandy's fault
because she failed to prevent her Land Rover from hitting the car in front
of her when traffic slowed down. The singer avoided criminal charges
following a year-long police investigation, but she was sued by Aboudihaj's
widower Marouane Hdidou, their two kids, and crash survivor Mallory Ham.
In July, Brandy agreed to pay Aboudihaj's two children $300,000 each
while Ham - who suffered facial injuries in the crash - settled for an
undisclosed amount. Hdidou rejected his part of a $1.2 million settlement
back in February.
Terms of last week's settlement were not disclosed.
LEE DANIELS MADE 'PRECIOUS' TO HEAL: Director says his father abused im for
being gay.
*Director Lee Daniels says he felt compelled to bring the story of
child abuse to the big screen in "Precious" because it helped heal the scars
from his own painful past.
The filmmaker has won critical acclaim for the movie, based on author
Sapphire's book Push, about a pregnant teenager who is sexually abused by
her father and subjected to physical beatings from her mother.
Child abuse victims Oprah Winfrey and director Tyler Perry were so
moved by the film, they jumped on board as executive producers - and now
Daniels, who is gay, reveals his motivation to make "Precious" a success is
rooted in his own traumatizing experiences.
"My dad wanted me to be a strong man, and I was walking downstairs in
my mother's red high-heeled pumps," he tells Vanity Fair magazine. "He
couldn't beat it out of me... I made this movie to heal - and hopefully to
heal others."
TYSON'S LAX ARREST THREATENS AZ SITUATION: Arizona sheriff anxiously awaits
judge's decision on probation violation.
*Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio says he's ready to throw Mike Tyson back
in his famous Tent City jail in Maricopa County if a judge decides his
arrest last week in Los Angeles violates the terms of his DUI and cocaine
conviction in Arizona.
"Mike Tyson has served time in the Tents before and if he is violated
on the terms of his probation here in Arizona, he better get his jail time
done while the weather in Phoenix is cool and not 140 degrees in the summer
time," Arpaio tells TMZ.com.
The former heavyweight champ spent one day in Tent City back in 2007.
As part of his stay, he was required to wear the jail-issued pink underwear
and a black-and-white striped jumpsuit.
Tyson was arrested and booked on suspicion of battery Wednesday (Nov.
11) after allegedly punching a photographer in the face at Los Angeles
International Airport. The boxet told investigators that the photographer,
Tony Echeverria, struck him in an apparent attempt to provoke him.
Echeverria told investigators that Tyson punched him in the face and tried
to take the film from his camera.
Tyson was initially held in the airport station’s lockup, but he was
later transferred to the LAPD’s 77th Street Station, where he was booked and
released on his own recognizance.
DENZEL WATCHES SON'S FIRST COLLEGE GAME: Oscar winner cheers Malcolm from
the stands. Also, dad's Ohio movie shoot disrupts school transportation.
*As Malcolm Washington suited up for his first game with the
University of Pennsylvania basketball team Friday night, his dad, Denzel,
sat three rows behind the bench cheering him on.
The 5-foot-9 walk-on guard at Penn did not play in his team's 70-55
loss at Penn State, but pops was there in the Jordan Center crowd for
support - sporting a black sweat shirt and black baseball hat pulled down
low over his forehead, according to the Associated Press.
He declined to answer a reporter's question before the game, waving
his arms and nodding in the direction of the Penn bench.
The Quakers' visit to Penn State to start the new season was perfect
timing for Washington, who is in central Pennsylvania filming the movie
"Unstoppable."
Earlier in the week, the movie shoot was in the eastern Ohio town of
Bellaire, where it reportedly disrupted the local school bus service.
According to WTOV-TV, children were dropped off at a shopping plaza
on Wednesday when the filming kept a bus from completing its route. Gregory
Jeffreys says his 12-year-old daughter wasn't sure how to walk home and it
took her an hour. He says children were in danger.
The Bellaire school system is apologizing. Superintendent Tony Scott
(no relation to "Unstoppable" director Tony Scott) says the district should
have notified parents about the bus diversion but "dropped the ball."
FELA! HEADED TO BROADWAY: Musical to arrive with buzz from such fans as
Beyonce, and reports of Jay-Z and Will Smith as backers.
*Afrobeat musical "Fela!" directed and choreographed by Tony Award
winner Bill T. Jones, will follow its buzzworthy off-Broadway run with a
Nov. 23 premiere on the Great White Way at the Eugene O'Neill Theater.
"Fela" centers on an influential musician — Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer
and political activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti. According to Variety, the
production has a loose, nontraditional structure peppered with Kuti tunes,
many with lyrics originally written in Yoruba and pidgin English, that sound
like no other score. "The musical has a participatory, get-up-and-dance
vibe," Variety stated.
Its initial off-Broadway stint drew critical praise from the New York
press, such admirers as Beyonce, and even reports that Jay-Z and Will Smith
were signing on as investors.
Lead producer Hendel wouldn't confirm the participation of Jay-Z and
Smith, saying only, "The nature of the show has excited some people who are
very familiar and talented."
It's not yet clear whether Jay-Z or Smith would tout the show
publicly, but such a step could go a long way toward tapping the demos
"Fela" hopes to attract, including younger audiences, music enthusiasts and
African-Americans.
Click here for tickets: http://www.felaonbroadway.com/
POOCH HALL, DAVID BANNER IN 'STOMP THE YARD 2': Film to star 'Fame' actor
Collins Pennie.
*Production has begun in Atlanta on "Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming"
for Rainforest Films, according to Screen Daily, with "Fame" actor Collins
Pennie.
Joining him in the newly-announced cast are Pooch Hall, Terrence J,
Lil Duval, Tika Sumpter, Kiely Alexis Williams, Keith David, rapper David
Banner, musician Teyena Taylor and "So You Think You Can Dance" runner-up
Stephen "tWitch" Boss.
Pennie stars as Chance Harris, a young man who must juggle the
demands of university homecoming with a tough job at his father’s
restaurant, an upcoming national dance contest, and a violent creditor.
Rob Hardy (CBS's "Criminal Minds") is directing from a script by
Albert Leon. Will Packer produces.
CASTER SEMENYA SPEAKS OUT: South African runner in gender controversy talks
about difficulties coping with newfound fame.
*Caster Semenya, the South African teen track star at the center of
allegations over her gender, has spoken to Britain's Guardian newspaper
about coping with sudden worldwide attention.
"People want to stare at me now. They want to touch me. I'm supposed
to be famous but I don't think I like it so much," said the runner, who
emerged from obscurity to win the women's 800 meters title at the world
championships in Berlin in August.
In an interview at her training track at the University of Pretoria
published on Saturday, she admitted: "It's not so easy. The university is OK
but there is not many other places I can go."
Leaked test results said Semenya was a hermaphrodite, containing
signs of both male and female genitalia. The investigation itself sparked
anger from the South African public and government, who have rallied behind
the athlete.
Semenya's future in the sport could be decided on Friday when the
International Association of Athletics Federations is expected to announce
its ruling on the gender tests. The IAAF could ban her from competing again,
require that she undergo surgery, or take no action.
But as the controversy swirls around her, Semenya said she had found
refuge with her training group and her coach, Michael Seme.
"I am myself here," she told the newspaper. "Everyone just accepts
me. They know who I am. I am just Caster to these guys. I feel good with
them. I feel much better here with (Seme) and the athletes."
Semenya insisted she was unchanged by her elevation to global
stardom.
"What is the point of me changing? If I became another person it
would be bad. If I acted in a different way with my friends they would not
be happy. It's important I stay the same.
She joked that "I can't go shopping no more" because of her new
status in South Africa, but added: "I know who I am. I can't change what
(people) say."
SNOOP DOGG TO RING THE NYSE BELL: Rapper in New York today for event about
mentoring and entrepreneurship.
*Snoop Dogg is scheduled to appear at the New York Stock Exchange
today (Nov. 16) where he will ring the opening bell as well as host the 2nd
Annual "Mentoring Madness" event.
The Long Beach rapper – along with Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief
Shoe Giver of Tom Shoes, Steven Hanson founder and president of B. R. Guest
Restaurants and Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group
– will ring the opening bell before they give a global speech regarding
mentoring and entrepreneurship.
Each of the participants will take part in the global webcast lead by
CNBC's Maria Bartiromo.
Also, the winner of the MTVU "Movers and Changers" competition will
be announced and given $25,000 along with startup funds.
For more information, visit: www.nyse.com/mentoringmadness.
BIRTHPLACE OF ROBERT JOHNSON VERIFIED: Also, HBO behind efforts to turn
bluesman's life into a movie.
*Some 71 years after the death of blues legend Robert Johnson, the
mystery surrounding his place of birth has been solved.
A letter from his half-sister years ago has verified that Johnson's
birthplace was a home built in 1911 by his stepfather in the Mississippi
town of Hazlehurst, said Janet Schriver, executive director of the Copiah
County Office of Cultural Affairs.
The 1,500-square foot home now owned by the county has fallen into
disrepair. Local officials are looking to restore the house in hopes of
drawing Johnson fans and their tourism dollars to Copiah County, about 100
miles from the Delta region that most bluesmen called home, reports the
Associated Press.
Johnson's stepfather, Charles Dodds, was a furniture maker and a
prosperous landowner. The house had a double-parlor, a long front porch and
a pump that allowed water to flow into the kitchen, a modern convenience
unheard in most homes occupied by blacks in the early 20th century, said
Schriver.
Schriver said the county is trying to raise $250,000 for the
restoration project, which coincides with efforts to get Johnson's life
story to the screen. Producers are shopping a script in Hollywood about him
penned by Jimmy White, the screenwriter for the Academy Award-winning film,
"Ray."
White was commissioned by HBO about three years ago to write the
script, but the production company's management changed and the project was
scrapped, said Cathy Gurley, who handles publicity for the Robert Johnson
Blues Foundation. HBO confirmed Thursday a project had been in development,
but subsequently producers were allowed to take it elsewhere.
A restored Johnson birthplace would offer his latter-day fans
something rare: a tangible relic linked to the long-dead musician. Few
personal artifacts from Johnson's life remain. Only two photographs of
Johnson are known to exist, one known as the "studio portrait" made for
Johnson by Hooks Brothers Studios in Memphis, Tenn., and the other referred
to as "the dime store portrait" or "the photo booth self portrait" taken by
Johnson himself.
White spent months researching Johnson's life and interviewing other
blues artists, including David "Honeyboy" Edwards, who knew Johnson. Little
known in their prime, outside of the audience for "race music," the bluesmen
created an enduring musical legacy.
"As a writer, it was exciting for me because nobody has been able to
crack the code of how to tell the story of a blues singer from that era,
especially the legendary one who sold his soul to the devil," White said.
NENE 'TRYING TO BE PEACEFUL' WITH KIM: 'Atlanta Housewives' get along right
now, but 'don't be surprised' if it doesn't last.
*The love-hate relationship between NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak of
Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" treads calm waters for now, but
anything could happen at any moment to turn the tide.
“We’re trying to be peaceful with each other,” Leakes told People.com
Thursday at Tao Las Vegas. “Kim and I have an up-and-down relationship.
Don’t be surprised if we have a falling out again. That’s just how we are.”
The two have had some famous battles over the past year – including
an alleged incident in which NeNe choked Kim. Leakes says their current
detente is about as much as anyone can expect.
“We’re not friends and we will probably never be friends,” Leakes
said, “but we’re just trying to be respectful.”
DR. TOHME FILES CLAIM AGAINST MJ ESTATE: Singer's former manager says he's
owed money from sale of Neverland.
*Michael Jackson's former manager Dr. Tohme is the latest to file a
creditor's claim against the estate, according to documents, filed last week
in L.A. County Superior Court.
TMZ.com is reporting that Tohme is seeking more than $2.3 million on
claims he was promised a certain fee from Jackson if he could locate a
company to save Neverland Ranch from foreclosure last year.
"Dr. Tohme claims he's the one who brought Colony Capital LLC to the
table -- the company he says forked over $23 million to save Neverland. Dr.
Tohme wants his cut of the deal -- which he claims is approximately $2.3
million," TMZ reported.
Dr. Tohme also says that he and Jackson signed an agreement in July
2008 that promised the manager 15% of his "gross compensation within the
entertainment industry" -- but he is unaware of the exact amount he is due.
'SUDAN HOPE' CHARITY TO HOLD FUNDRAISER: VIP to attend gala this Saturday in
Los Angeles.
*Save The People, Save A Nation, a fundraising gala for the
non-profit charity organization Sudan Hope, will be held Nov. 21 in Los
Angeles at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.
A select guest list of VIP's from entertainment, business, political
and philanthropic backgrounds will be presented with an introductory insight
into the upcoming film "Without A Voice," which follows Les LaMotte and
Stephen Chambang as they empower 250,000 villagers during the Sudan conflict
and save lives by supplying the "Boat of Hope."
Based on the accomplishments of Sudan Hope, organizers LaMotte,
Chambang and Mark Valinsky have been asked to expand their work to all of
East Africa to launch the Sudan Hope Network, which will include
purpose-based learning via the Internet, video and live presentations in
conjunction with major US based universities.
Admission is by accepted invitation only. If interested in attending,
submit consideration for your RSVP to RSVP@SudanHope.org For more
information, visit
http://hmmawards.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=a
DEBBIE ALLEN'S 'OMAN' TO PREMIERE IN LA: Kennedy Center-commissioned work
bridges Muslim and Christian cultures.
*Debbie Allen has announced the west coast premiere of her dance
driven musical, OMAN...O Man!!, at UCLA’s Royce Hall from Dec. 10 thru 12 –
with all proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Debbie Allen Dance Academy
www.debbieallendanceacademy.com.
At the center of the works are two young men—one Omani (Muslim) and
the other an African-American (Christian)—who are roommates at a military
academy. Through music, movement, song, and dance, the young men take a
magical journey discovering the similarities and the differences between
their two cultures, as they learn much about each other.
Commissioned by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in
Washington D.C., and featuring an original score by Grammy and Emmy award
winning composer Arturo Sandoval, Allen’s OMAN...O Man! "is a breathtaking
spectacle that truly narrows the gulf between Muslim and Christian culture,"
notes a press release.
"First Lady Michelle Obama upon attending a sold out performance at
the Eisenhower Theater, in Washington, D.C. remarked, 'Every child in
America needs to see this.'"
The Gala Performance on Thursday, Dec. 10 features an opening act by
the Maurice Hines. This year boasts a list of high profile supporters such
as Wallis Annenberg serving as Gala Chair along with Jada Pinkett-Smith,
Will Smith and Quincy Jones serving as Gala Co- Chairs.
Confirmed VIP guests to date include: Wallis Annenberg, Will Smith,
Jada Pinkett-Smith, Denzel and Pauletta Washington, Taraji P. Henson,
"Grey’s Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes, Reno Wilson, Mario Van Peeples,
Tichina Arnold, Marrianne Jean-Baptiste, Roz Ryan, and NBA All-Star Norman
Nixon.
Tickets can be purchased: On line at: www.TheOman-Omanshow.com or by
phone at: 310-825-2101
TODAY'S '106 & PARK' TACKLES TEEN VIOLENCE: Panel of experts, city
officials, victims and perpetrators to take part.
*BET's "106 & Park" is taking on the issue of teen violence during a
special episode to air this afternoon from New York.
This past October, the White House dispatched two Cabinet officials
in response to the beating of 16-year-old Derrion Albert in a street brawl
that resulted in death in Chicago. Last year a 13-year-old boy was fatally
shot in the chest in Harlem, New York. Two additional young men were wounded
in the same shooting.
Among 10 to 24 year olds, homicide is the leading cause of death for
African Americans and the second leading cause of death for Hispanics, BET
notes.
"106 & Park," along with Dr. Jeff Gardere, will gather a panel of
experts, city officials, role models, victims, perpetrators and survivors to
carefully examine the impact teen violence has among our youth.
The special will air live at 6 p.m. on the East coast and will air
tape delayed for the Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones.
BLACKS AT HIGHER RISK OF PROSTATE FALSE POSITIVES: Elevated levels of a
hormone in some black men cause high PSA levels in healthy individuals.
*New research by the University of Washington found about 20 percent of
black men have elevated parathyroid hormone levels, compared to about 10
percent of white men – which means blacks have twice the risk of being
recommended for unneeded biopsy and treatment for prostrate cancer.
The parathyroid hormone can elevate prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
levels in healthy men who do not have prostate cancer.
"Once they have a positive screen test, it can set off a chain of
tests and treatment," says Halcyon G. Skinner, co-author and assistant
professor of population health sciences at the UW. "This finding could help
spare men who are actually at low risk from invasive and unnecessary
procedures."
However, because PSA screenings has become so common, more men are
being biopsied. Most men, when told they have prostate cancer, elect
treatment even though it may not be necessary.
Skinner says, in reality, in only one in six cases does a biopsy
diagnosis of prostate cancer result in a cancer that would be fatal if
untreated. He says high rates of prostate biopsy lead to unnecessary
treatment, which can have side effects such as impotence and urinary
incontinence.
EUR FILM REVIEW: 2012
Roland Emmerich Releases Another Apocalyptic Adventure
Film Review by Kam Williams
*Roland Emmerich’s name is closely associated with overblown apocalyptic adventures like Independence Day (1996) and The Day after Tomorrow (2004).
Regrettably, the German-born director’s latest, 2012, fails to measure up to his earlier offerings, despite its being filled with his trademark bombastic special effects coming courtesy of a quarter-billion dollar budget.
Stripped of its pretense, the picture is basically a stock disaster flick which relies on trite dialogue while recycling a host of the genre’s groan-inducing clichés.
On top of that, the production features frame after frame of blatant prominent ad placements, shamelessly hawking everything from Fruit Loops to Jack Daniels to Rice Krispies to Sony to Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer to Marriott Hotels to Virgin Atlantic Airways to Bentley to Caesar’s Palace to Sugar Frosted Flakes to Kellogg’s All Bran.
Still, those crass commercials are a minor annoyance compared to the preposterous plot designed to hold the attention of grade school children.
The story was ostensibly inspired by a mythical Mayan prophesy predicting that the world will end during the winter solstice of 2012, which falls on December 21st. Why someone would put any stock in the pseudo-scientific claims of an ancient civilization is beyond the ken of this critic.
In any case, at the point of departure in 2009, we’re introduced to Jackson Curtiss (John Cusack) the underappreciated author of “Farewell Atlantic,” a book which ostensibly forecast the global crisis. By no means is Jackson the only person aware of the impending catastrophe.
There's Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson), a burnt-out hippie issuing dire warnings over the airwaves from a makeshift radio station inside an RV parked atop a mountain in Yellowstone National Park. Although his broadcasts are being dismissed as the unsubstantiated rant of the lunatic fringe, there are plenty of scientists and politicians secretly taking the problem seriously.
For instance, Dr. Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) ventures 11,000 feet below sea level down an abandoned copper mine only to discover that “the Earth’s crust is destabilizing.” Soon after he urgently reports back to President Wilson (Danny Glover), bizarre events start the countdown to Armageddon, including every disaster imaginable from tsunami-triggering earthquakes to mass suicides in Guatemala. President Wilson subsequently
somberly informs his staff that, “The world as we know it, will soon come to an end,” while continuing to hide the truth from the general public.
Fortunately, Jackson is wise enough to jump into action, grabbing his kids (Liam James and Morgan Lily) and his ex-wife (Amanda Peet). With the help of her amateur pilot boyfriend (Tom McCarthy) they fly off in the nick of time as the runway crumbles beneath the wheels of their rickety, rented propeller plane.
No hackneyed line proves too stale for these intrepid survivors’ lips as the take on one death-defying challenge after another. Brace yourself for inane banter uttered against the backdrop of incessant, blue screen pyrotechnics and explosions, tired exclamations such as “Don’t look back!” “It’s a brave new world!” “Life isn’t fair!” “Are you kidding me?” “Hit the deck!” and even (and I am not making this up) “Hold hands and sing Kumbaya.”
Besides the principal characters, we have an ensemble filled with the sort of ill-fated support players needed to feed the proverbial beast of the typical, high body-count affair. Among the A-list actors whose talents are squandered in dumb subplots here are Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt and George Segal.
An eye-popping, insult to the intelligence strictly for the kiddies and crackpot doomsday enthusiasts.
Poor (0 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity and intense disaster sequences.
Running time: 158 minutes
Studi Columbia Pictures
To see a trailer for 2012, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhImY5ZGD6o
VOCABULARY LESSON: Parent Group Wants Cleaner TV Dialog.
*Acceptable dialog on commercial television seems ever-expanding since comedian George Carlin’s "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" in 1972. And if they had their way, the Parents Television Council would add "douche" to the updated list,
According to the PTC, that word has been used on the top four non-cable networks at least 76 times in the past seven weeks. It was heard on "The Cleveland Show," "Grey’s Anatomy," The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Law & order: Special Victims Unit" combined. The use of the word, "bitch," tripled in the last decade alone. The PTC compiled the data at the request of the New York Times.
Timothy Jay, a psychology professor at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the author of "Cursing in America," said the word has evolved to the point where it has lost much of its offensiveness. "Vulgar slang has a way of waxing and waning, where we become desensitized to a word’s earlier meanings," he said. "I would bet most kids today couldn’t tell you what a douche bag is."
However true that might be PTC members they want to err on the side of caution when it comes to injecting those words into their child’s vocabulary.
NATIONAL BIBLE BEE: Champion Is Home Schooled.
*A home-school teen-ager has won the first National Bible Bee. Daniel Staddon, 18, of Salem, W. VA., recited the first 20 verses of the fifth chapter of Ephesians and the 21 verses of Psalm 145 in the tie-breaker round, winning first place and a $100,000 prize.
"Dad suggested closing my eyes," Staddon told the Washington Post, adding that his seven siblings helped him study for months for the contest.
Spelling and math competitions have long brought young people to national stages to test their skills and prodigious memories. More than 17,000 students ages 7 to 18 participated in the inaugural National Bible Bee. Twenty-one students made it to the finals through regional and state competitions. The Bible bee, which required the mastery of six books of the Bible, was inspired by Shelby Kennedy, a Texas woman who died at 23 of a rare form of cancer in 2005.
DOUBLE STANDARDS?: Advertiser Accused of Going Soft on Obama, Hard On Religion.
*A major billboard company has allowed signs that question the validity of Christian faith, even though it rejected a billboard campaign that asked for documentation of President Barack Obama’s eligibility during his presidential campaign.
Lamar Outdoor, one of the largest providers of billboard space in America, is being challenged for what some say is poor judgment and a double standard.
Billboards that ask "Are you good without God?" and other challenges to Christianity have popped up in at lease one market.
"We think it’s misleading to indicate there’s any question about the president’s birth certificate. We looked at it and we made the call" Lamar spokesman Hal Kilshaw told Word News Dailey. But now the United Coalition of Reason has a campaign to post billboards questioning the need for God. And the billboard company sees nothing wrong with that saying it has to do with freedom of religious choice.
LIFE SENTENCE FOR TONY ALAMO: Child Molester Will Die in Prison.
*Evangelist Tony Alamo was sentenced to 175 years in prison for taking underage girls across state lines for sex, effectively punishing him for the rest of his life for molesting children he took as "brides" in his ministry. Alamo, 75, was convicted in July on a 10-count federal indictment. According to the Associated Press, some of Alamo’s victims testified about how their families were destroyed while the evangelist took over their lives.
Before sentencing Alamo addressed the court to ask for mercy adding "I’m glad I’m me and not the deceived people in the world."
"You preyed on innocent children," one of his victims said to Alamo in open court. "You have the audacity to ask for mercy. What mercy did you show us?" she said.
The former evangelist will stay in Texarkana pending a Jan. 13 hearing where the judge will decide whether Alamo’s victims will get restitution from him. After that hearing, Alamo would go to a federal prison that has hospital facilities.
BUSHWICK BILL’S NEW RELEASE: Mix of Gospel and Rap.
*Legendary Rapper Bushwich Bill has just released the video to his latest single "Testimony of Redemption" which is the title track from his upcoming gospel rap album.
The Ghetto Boys alumnus will use the video and single to chronicle his life story about his meteoric hip hop success to his suicide attempt. The video features cameo appearances from Lil’ Wayne, KRS-One, Busta Rhymes and Tre-9. The full release, Testimony of Redemption will be in stores Dec. 1, on G-S.P.O.T. Productionz label.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
Today’s ‘Live Better With Willie Jolley’ Tip: Self-Development
How do you make yourself a better, more productive and effective person? The
key is self-development! Just as a bodybuilder goes to the gym to develop
his or her body and to gain strength and power, the same is necessary for
development of your mind and of your inner strength. You must develop
yourself by working on yourself. I don’t mean just your outer self by
exercising. That is important, but you must also develop your inner self and
your mind.
Do you develop your mind like your body, maybe by way of lifting books, cd’s
or tapes, and encyclopedias? No. The correct way is to read those books,
listen to the CDs or tapes, and fill your mind with the information. Fill
your mind with the pure, the powerful, the positive, and program yourself
for success. You can program your mind for success or let it be programmed
by others for failure.
The key is making the decision to program yourself by reading and filling
your mind with positive information. Create a new you. Give yourself a
makeover, not just your face and hair, but also your mind and spirit. Just
as you renew your body with food and cleanse your body with water on a daily
basis, you should also renew your mind and cleanse your spirit on a daily
basis. Read more positive books, think more positive thoughts, listen to
positive music, and take time to pray and meditate on the good.
Give yourself a daily dose of positive images and develop a new you, because
the best way to build your wealth is to first build yourself!
Visit my website at www.williejolley.com free motivation and make every
minute count!
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Nov. 16: Actress Lisa Bonet is 43. Singer Bryan Abrams of Color Me Badd is 41. Singer Trevor Penick (O-Town) is 31. Actor Noah Gray-Cabey ("My Wife and Kids") is 14.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Black and Married With Kids was created by Lamar and Ronnie Tyler, a 30-something-year-old professional couple with four kids in the DC Area. They share opinions on relationships, parenting, politics, current events and anything in between (www.BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Nov. 16, 1780: Paul Cuffe and other black taxpayers of Massachusetts protest to the state legislature against taxation without representation, demanding the right to vote. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
