HEARTWARMING NORWEGIAN STORY (andrewtobias.com)
Mary was a newlywed and ready to move to Norway, but was stopped at the airport because she didn't have enough money for the trip. Then a stranger turned up and paid for her.
"Have You Seen . . . "A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films" by David Thomson: A Review by Benjamin Schwarz
"Have You Seen...?" -- a by turns astringent and gushy appraisal of 1,000 movies made from 1895 to 2007 -- is, for better and worse, something of a muddle. Whereas the lyrical and bullying, ardent and Olympian, minutely detailed and defiantly impressionistic Dictionary, with its closely packed, tightly printed, double-columned pages, aims toward the comprehensive, this work discriminates in what it includes and what it doesn't-but does so using several different and somewhat contradictory criteria.
Anthony Henriques: Review of "Slacker Uprising" (popmatters.com)
In fact, it is the footage of 'Slacker Uprising' which examines the various responses to Moore's rallies that proves more valuable than the documentation of the actual rallies themselves. Old news footage is utilized to chronicle the various antics some resorted to in attempt to suppress Moore. Efforts ranging from a Michigan Republican Party lawsuit claiming that, by jokingly offering ramen noodles and clean underwear to non-voters in exchange for registering to vote (the "slackers" from which the film draws its name), Moore was engaging in some form of bribery.
Mark Caro: Oh, yes, it's Devo! (Chicago Tribune)
Devo hasn't released a new album in 18 years but keeps leaving its mark on popular culture. The 1980 hit "Whip It" has been adapted for a Swiffer commercial ("Swiffer's good!") and a musical toothbrush called Turbo Tooth Tunes ("Brush It").
Halloween is now the United States' second most popular holiday (after Christmas) for decorating; the sale of candy and costumes are also extremely common during the holiday, which is marketed to children and adults alike.
Source
mj was first, but wrong, with:
Another guess here
It hasn't supplanted Xmas fer sure.
I'm guessing Turkey day still hangs in there (one gets off from school and/or work)
That leaves July 4, New Years, Easter and Halloween.
First has day off going for it, but only for grown ups still fortunate enourgh to be employed. Ditto NYD, but that's also got a hangover. The parade is nice.
The final two have candy in common. If you add in the costumes and the chance to stay up late and run around outside vs getting up early and going to church, Halloween trumps.
B
May the Great Pumpkin (minion of the FSM) caress you with the tendrils of his nurturing vine
Alan J answered correctly:
A Second
Charlie responded:
Googling "Christmas" gets about 356,000,000 hits, "Halloween" gets about 177,000,000
Some others:
New Years 18,300,000
Independence Day 14,700,000
Thanksgiving 51,300,000
St. Patrick's Day 7,300,000
Anyhow, the claim is that Halloween is
A Second
in popularity to Christmas, however the figure is arrived at. I find this a bit strange, since I don't think too many places give it as a paid holiday, or let the kids out of school. I have noticed, for Halloween, an increasing amount of home decorations and such over the years, I think
Jim from CA replied:
Halloween is second...Christmas is first....
Sally said:
Off the top of my head, I would guess that Halloween is now the United States' (A) "Second" most popular holiday.
Five and a half years ago, when I lived in Colorado (and had for 33 years) the various ethnic neighborhoods went delightfully, "all out" for Halloween decorating - most of it "homemade."
Then, I moved here, in this very non-ethnic area of Whitelandia (northern New Jersey), where, apparently money is NO object - nevertheless, people indulge in, "Gawd-awful" holiday decorating on their properties! First of all, who the Hell invented those hideous (and noisy), "blow ups" for the lawns?
Exhibit A:
"Can you picture yourself living in a haunted castle? Or even displaying it? Sounds witchy and weird..." Actually, it's just an eyesight as far as I'm concerned!!
Were I younger, I would go on a, "drive by" and shoot those monstrosities out - for target practice - let me tell you!!
Of course my g/kids would probably be heart broken even though, as little Jewish kids they, celebrate, "Sukkot" ( Feast of Tabernacles) in lieu of "All Hallows Eve..."
PS: If you live in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, don't be surprised if you see MANY little Jewish kids ringing your doorbells, sporting scary costumes, while thrusting out traditional plastic pumpkins, threatening you with, "Trick or Treat," and then delighting at their reward of a piece of candy or two - as do all of the other little kiddies in the area. Bless their little hearts...
Chuck B replied:
Halloween is the A. Second most popular holiday...... My personal favorite...
joe b responded:
I'm prettty sure it's the second most
popular holiday, my neighbors put up lights
and elaborately decorate their yards.
Marian the Teacher replied:
Second
-pgw said:
Halloween is my Second most popular holiday, after Thanksgiving... the answer is: B.
And, Joe S, the Sonavabitch From the Union Hall [retired] ("You've got to have something to eat and a little love in your life before you can hold still for any damn body's sermon on how to behave."
~ Billie Holiday {my favorite Holiday}) wrote:
A: Second
Thanks to Charlie, Sally, Chuck B and Joe S for the pictures.
CBS opens the night with a FRESH'Survivor: Gabon', followed by a FRESH'CSI: The Original One', then a FRESH'Eleventh Hour'.
Scheduled on a FRESHDave are Ashley Olsen, Paul Rudd, and John Legend.
Scheduled on a FRESHCraig are Kevin Smith, Kaitlin Olson, and the Damned.
NBC begins the night with a FRESH'My Name Is Earl', followed by a FRESH'Kath & Kim', then a FRESH'The Office', followed by a FRESH'30 Rock', then a FRESH'ER'.
Scheduled on a FRESHLeno are Christina Applegate, Frank Caliendo, and Fall Out Boy.
Scheduled on a FRESHConan are Jada Pinkett-Smith, Rachel Maddow, and Pink.
Scheduled on a FRESHCarson 'The Scab' Daly are Kevin Smith, Harmon Leon, and Apocalyptica.
ABC starts the night with a FRESH'Ugly Betty', followed by a FRESH'Grey's Anatomy'FRESH'Life On Mars'.
Scheduled on a FRESHJimmy Kimmel are Sarah Silverman and T.I.
The CW offers a FRESH'Smallville', followed by a FRESH'Supernatural'.
Faux fills the night with 'Kitchen Nightmares'.
MY fills the night with the movie 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'.
A&E has 'CSI: The 2nd One', 'The First 48', another 'The First 48', followed by a FRESH'Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force', and another 'Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force'.
AMC offers the movie 'Willard', followed by the movie 'Constantine', then the movie 'Jeepers Creepers'.
BBC -
[12:00 PM] How Clean Is Your House? - Episode 13
[12:30 PM] How Clean Is Your House? - Episode 14
[1:00 PM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 6 The Granary
[2:00 PM] Cash in the Attic - Episode 8
[3:00 PM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 20 Shepton Mallet 75
[3:30 PM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 21 Kedleston 70
[4:00 PM] You Are What You Eat - Episode 9
[4:30 PM] You Are What You Eat - Episode 10
[5:00 PM] How Clean Is Your House? - Episode 15
[5:30 PM] How Clean Is Your House? - Episode 16
[6:00 PM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 8 La Gondola
[7:00 PM] BBC World News America
[8:00 PM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 6 The Granary
[9:00 PM] Dragons' Den - Episode 4
[10:00 PM] BBC World News America
[11:00 PM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 6 The Granary
[12:00 AM] Dragons' Den - Episode 4
[1:00 AM] Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares - Ep 6 The Granary
[2:00 AM] Dragons' Den - Episode 2
[3:00 AM] The Graham Norton Show - Ep 6 Jackie Chan, Dawn French and Duffy
[4:00 AM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 20 Shepton Mallet 75
[4:30 AM] Bargain Hunt - Ep. 21 Kedleston 70
[5:00 AM] Cash in the Attic - Ep. 3 Grey
[5:30 AM] Cash in the Attic - Ep. 4 Sweet
[6:00 AM] BBC World News (ALL TIMES EDT)
Bravo has 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', another 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', still another 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', and a (F) 'Tim Gunn's Guide To Style'.
Comedy Central has 'Scrubs', another 'Scrubs', last night's 'Jon Stewart', last night's 'Colbert Report', 'Futurama', 'South Park', another 'South Park', and a FRESH'Sarah Silverman'.
Scheduled on a FRESHJon Stewart is Bill Kristol.
Scheduled on a FRESHColbert Report is Wilco.
FX has the movie 'Batman Begins', followed by the movie 'The Benchwarmers', followed by a FRESH'It's Always Sunny In Philly', then a FRESH'testees'.
History has 'Modern Marvels', another 'Modern Marvels', followed by a FRESH'Ancient Discoveries', and 'Cities Of The Underworld'.
IFC -
[6:30 AM] At the Death House Door
[8:15 AM] House of D
[10:00 AM] Garden State
[11:45 AM] Gerry
[1:30 PM] House of D
[3:15 PM] Garden State
[5:00 PM] Gerry
[6:45 PM] Fargo
[8:30 PM] Samurai 7
[9:00 PM] A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
[10:30 PM] Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
[12:05 AM] IFC in Theaters
[12:15 AM] Ed Gein
[1:50 AM] IFC News Special
[2:00 AM] A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child
[3:30 AM] Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
[5:05 AM] IFC News Uncut 2008
[5:10 AM] Gerry (ALL TIMES EST)
Sundance -
[05:45 AM] Gay Muslims
[06:35 AM] The Page Turner
[08:00 AM] Nimrod Nation: Episode 1
[08:30 AM] John Safran vs. God: Episode 1
[09:00 AM] For The Bible Tells Me So
[10:45 AM] Mutual Appreciation
[12:45 PM] Loggerheads
[02:30 PM] Small Faces
[04:20 PM] The Angelmakers
[05:00 PM] TransGeneration: Episode 2
[05:30 PM] Breaking Out
[06:00 PM] Everything's Gone Green
[07:45 PM] choke.
[08:00 PM] Iconoclasts - Season 4: Stella McCartney + Ed Ruscha
[09:00 PM] Iconoclasts - Season 4: Tony Hawk + Jon Favreau
[10:00 PM] Live From Abbey Road - Season 2: Elbow, MGMT & Alanis Morrisette
[11:00 PM] Shameless Season 3: Episode 7
[12:00 AM] Slings & Arrows - Season 2: Episode 3: Rarer Monsters
[01:00 AM] Iconoclasts - Season 4: Tony Hawk + Jon Favreau
[02:00 AM] The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle: Episode 2
[02:30 AM] Big Girl's Blouse: Episode 2
[03:00 AM] On the Road in America: Episode 10 - Middle East, Part 1
[03:30 AM] My Summer of Love
[05:00 AM] Eco Documentaries - Season 2: Ice Breaker (ALL TIMES EST)
The Screen Actors Guild officially stands opposed to the California ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage.
After weeks of being criticized for not contributing enough to defeat Proposition 8, members of the film-TV industries have recently stepped up their contributions - financial and otherwise - to fight Proposition 8, and on Tuesday a union committee voted to oppose the measure.
In the last two weeks, several SAG members have personally donated money to defeat Proposition 8, according to state fundraising records, including: "Two and a Half Men" actor Jon Cryer ($10,000); "Bones" actress Emily Deschanel ($2,000); "The New Adventures of Old Christine" actress Wanda Sykes ($3,500) and "In Plain Sight" actress Mary McCormack ($3,000).
Seventy years ago this week, thousands of Americans settled in at home for what they expected would be a relaxing evening of radio theater -- a favorite family entertainment in the pre-television age.
By the time the broadcast ended an hour later panic erupted.
A headline emblazoned across the top of the New York Times the next day told the story: "Radio listeners in panic, taking war drama as fact."
This year marks seven decades since the historic "War of the Worlds" broadcast unleashed a furore across the country, as Americans by the tens of thousands allowed themselves to be fooled by the radio broadcast's realistic-sounding news bulletins and sound effects.
Booker T. Jones, left, Steve Cropper, center, and Donald 'Duck' Dunn, right, of the group Booker T. & the MGs, acknowledge the applause as they are inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008.
Photo by Mark Humphrey
Jamaican-born disco diva Grace Jones said she was sorry Hillary Clinton had failed to make the cut in the US election and that she "can't stand" folksy vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
The 1980s style icon, now 60, told German magazine TV Spielfilm Wednesday that Palin stood for a backward vision of America laden with government restrictions of sexuality and social behaviour.
"I would have loved it if Hillary Clinton had pulled it off," Jones said, in an interview published in German marking the release of her new album.
"I can't stand Sarah Palin. I bet a woman like that has no sense of humour."
Cambodia's first rock opera will premiere in Phnom Penh next month, a cultural milestone in the Southeast Asian country where performing arts were banned during the brutal Khmer Rouge years.
"Where Elephants Weep" is an East-meets-West blend of traditional Cambodian music and Western rock that is modeled after "Romeo and Juliet" and inspired by the Broadway musical "Rent."
Organizers said Wednesday the show will open a 10-day run Nov. 28 in a converted movie theater in the capital, Phnom Penh, a year later than its planned debut at the end of 2007.
The show was commissioned by Cambodian Living Arts, a project of the Boston-based nonprofit organization World Education, which seeks to revive traditional Cambodian performing arts and inspire contemporary artistic expression among Cambodians.
Director Gus Van Sant arrives for the world premiere of the film "Milk" at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, California October 28, 2008. The movie is about California's first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk.
Photo by Robert Galbraith
Every entertainer knows there's a fine line between offbeat and offensive. Russell Brand has built a career walking it - but now he may have stumbled.
The wild-haired, motor-mouthed British comedian is renowned for risque routines, wrote a memoir recounting his drug and sex addiction and called resident Bush "that retarded cowboy fellow" while hosting MTV's Video Music Awards.
On Wednesday, Brand quit his BBC radio show after he and fellow performer Jonathan Ross were suspended indefinitely for leaving lewd messages on the voicemail of a 78-year-old actor. Also under threat is the reputation of Britain's state-funded national broadcaster, which allowed Brand's routine to make it to air.
The calls by Brand and Ross to actor Andrew Sachs - best known for playing Spanish waiter Manuel in the 1970s Britcom "Fawlty Towers" - have drawn more than 18,000 complaints. Prime Minister Gordon Brown called the comments "inappropriate and unacceptable."
Shamed pop star Gary Glitter is to receive a GBP100,000 pay cheque from computer giant Hewlett Packard after bosses chose to use his song Do You Wanna Touch Me in a new TV advertising campaign.
The singer, real name Paul Gadd, was recently released from a prison in Vietnam, where he served nearly three years for sexually assaulting two girls aged nine and 11.
He has since been deported back to his native Britain - but is in line to receive the cash sum from Hewlett Packard chiefs over the use of the 1972 track to promote a new touch-screen model.
The adverts actually feature the 1982 cover by Joan Jett, but Glitter is set to get the money in royalties.
Italian composer Ennio Morricone poses during a photocall to present the movie 'Resolution 816' at the third edition of the Rome International Film Festival, in Rome, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. The third edition of the Rome film festival is scheduled to run until Oct. 31.
Photo by Riccardo De Luca
Bravo isn't the only one claiming it's been damaged by the Weinstein Co's provocative decision to move "Project Runway" to Lifetime.
In papers filed Friday in federal court in New York, Weinstein claims Bravo intentionally refused to promote Season 5 of the reality series because of the move, and is seeking unspecified damages.
Weinstein, the studio run by Miramax Films founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein, said some of the things Bravo did to sabotage the ratings and value of the show included changing the show's airtime; running a small number of ads; creating "mundane and unappealing" ads; providing little information for the press about the season premiere; and revealing spoilers about future episodes.
The company also alleges that when Bravo began to suspect that the show might move to a rival network, it created "copycat shows" based on the "Runway" format.
A top federal regulator said on Wednesday he is optimistic communications officials will approve a plan, backed by Microsoft Corp and Google Inc, to open soon-to-be vacant television airwaves.
The Federal Communications Commission has scheduled a November 4 vote on the proposal to allow unlicensed use of some airwaves called "white spaces." These pockets of the spectrum will become available when U.S. broadcasters are required to move completely to digital television next year.
"I'm very optimistic. I think this could be a 5-to-0 vote," FCC member Robert McDowell told Reuters. Three of the five FCC commissioners are needed to clear the plan.
The issue pits traditional broadcasters such as Walt Disney Inc's ABC, CBS Corp's CBS and General Electric's NBC against high-tech companies like Microsoft and Google, which want the airwaves for new wireless devices.
Lead shaman Juan Osco performs a ritual next to a photo of US Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., on La Herradura Beach in Lima, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. Nine of the 11 faith-healers from the Apus-Inka healers' association said they foresee Obama winning the election.
Photo by Martin Mejia
CNN has rejected an attempt by the Barack Obama campaign to purchase airtime for its primetime ad Wednesday night.
"We did not want to pre-empt our programing lineup with a 30-minute spot," a CNN spokesman said Tuesday. "We'd rather use our air to continue to cover the campaign, candidates and issues like we always do from all points of view with the best political team on television."
MSNBC is planning to air the ad along with its broadcast partner NBC. Sources said Fox News was not approached by the Obama campaign.
A French court on Wednesday rejected President Nicolas Sarkozy's demand for a ban on a Sarkozy doll and voodoo manual that encourages readers to stick pins in it.
The doll is emblazoned with some of Sarkozy's most famous quotes, such as "Get lost you pathetic arsehole" -- his words to a bystander who refused to shake his hand at an agricultural exhibition in 2007. The manual recommends planting pins in that quote and others.
The court said the voodoo doll was "within the authorised boundaries of freedom of expression and the right to humour." It rejected Sarkozy's argument that the doll violated his right to his own image.
Gerald Arpino, who co-founded the Joffrey Ballet and oversaw its move from New York to Chicago, has died. He was 85.
Arpino was a dancer and choreographer when he established the troupe in 1956 with its namesake, the late Robert Joffrey.
The Joffrey has became known for commissioning groundbreaking young choreographers, performing socially relevant pieces and reconstructing "lost" ballets of the early 20th century.
In its previous base of New York, the Joffrey often struggled for funding in the shadow of the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. It moved to Chicago in 1995.
Arpino became the Joffrey's artistic director emeritus in July 2007.
British actress Judi Dench arrives for the world premiere of the latest James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace" at Leicester Square in London October 29, 2008.
Photo by Dylan Martinez
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