Marvel Minimate Motion Comic - Ed Johnson Presents: MW Vol. 1 Episode 07 Part II

MARVELOUS WORLD VOL. 1 EPISODE 07 Part 2 "Priority 1 Distress Call!" Sue continues to protect her family. (Starring Marvel Minimates)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1A5BfH3raU&hl=en

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How To Make Boring Businesses Exciting

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone got as excited about your company as you are? Unfortunately some businesses just aren't very sexy; in fact, some businesses are downright boring. As a consequence, companies that sell commodity products and routine services tend to rely on presentations that load-up on features, specifications, and statistics that may be relevant to anal-retentive types, but hardly compelling to the vast majority of your audience.

There is no reason why every company can't deliver an exciting image to its audience; one that generates the kind of buzz and excitement usually associated with companies like Apple, Victoria's Secret, Benetton, Absolut Vodka, and Sony.

It may seem impossible to produce a whole lot of steam for things like sand paper, accounting services, and facial tissue, but thanks to the Web and it's extraordinary ability to deliver multimedia content, even the most mundane offerings can get hearts racing and the blogosphere blogging.

Emotional Experiences Connect

Let's take facial tissue as an example; it is one of the most common, boring everyday products you can imagine. There is just not much you can do to sell this stuff other than telling people yours is softer and cheaper than the other guys, but then the other guy is saying the same thing; the result, consumers buy whatever is on sale. But wait, the clever fellows at Kimberly-Clark instituted a brilliant website campaign for their facial tissue, called "Kleenex - let it out."

The campaign zeros in on the emotional experience associated with why people use facial tissue: to wipe away tears of joy or sadness or maybe to clean-up cute little runny noses - in each case the result of some moving event.

Tapping into this emotional association is key to the Kleenex campaign and key to your new thinking on how to make your boring stuff, exciting.

Video - The Best Way To Tell A Story

The Kleenex campaign features prominent videos of articulate people telling their personal stories, all resulting in the need to use a facial tissue.

A pregnant woman discusses the emotional impact of having a child and as her eyes begin to tear, the interviewer hands her a Kleenex. A second video features another well-spoken woman talking about her return to New Orleans after the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Again as the woman becomes emotional and begins to cry, the interviewer hands her a tissue. Nothing more needs to be said, this is very powerful story telling that connects to the audience and delivers an image of the brand as caring and sensitive; the exact kind of impression the company wants to portray.

Even companies that aren't exactly dead-from-the-neck-up boring can benefit from this approach. The Home Depot ran a series of advertisements with a husband showing his wife a series of power tools that he wanted. Rather than try to convince his wife, and by association all the wives in the audience, that he needs another expensive toy, the husband points to each tool and states, "this is your new shelving unit" and "this one is your new kitchen" - a far more dramatic and effective way to make the case for a new purchase.

You can deliver the same kind of powerful marketing messages for your own company by presenting Web-based videos that follow a few very simple guidelines.

Six Steps To Turn Boring Into Exciting

1. Use People to Sell People

There is no substitute for people. Human beings are capable of communicating with an enormous degree of nuance and subtlety, using voice, expression, body language, and gesture; no animation, avatar, or artificial substitute can take the place of a real person for communicating meaningful, memorable marketing messages.

With relatively easy-to-use production tools anyone can create a video, but not necessarily one that delivers the message or image that your company wants to present. We have seen far too many poor quality efforts both on the Web and even on local television, where company presidents with bad haircuts and ill-fitting suits, uttering nonsense-riddled scripts in zombie-like performances expose themselves to audiences expecting more, much more.

Skilled performers communicate in very subtle ways to an audience, and only the well-practiced professional has the experience and capability to deliver the intended experience. The cost of saving money by doing-it-yourself or with amateurs can result in delivering an unintended message that may undermine the impression and image you are trying to create.

2. Perception Is Reality Use Scripted Professionals

You will notice that I described the women in the facial tissue videos as articulate. Now I cannot tell you if these women were actors or not, or that their powerful presentations were scripted, but if I had to guess, I would say these very effective videos were about as carefully produced and constructed as the latest episode of 'Survivor' that by no means makes them any less effective.

The point here is that perception is reality, and the professional filmmaker knows how to tell a story and communicate a message; and that is not the same thing as being able to turn on a video camera.

3. Tell A Memorable Story

When we talk about companies telling their story, it is important to distinguish between the company's history and the emotional experiences generated by the product or service.

Company histories can make for interesting videos and can produce a sense of trust associated with being in business for a considerable length of time, but that sort of presentation does not speak to the underlying emotional and psychological factors that actually trigger a sale.

It is difficult but imperative that businesses understand that marketing is not about you, or even the product or service, it's about the audience.

Like the Kleenex videos and the Home Depot commercials, every product and service that is purchased from your company represents an experience, a story that relates to your audience's aspirations and needs. It is the audience's story that demonstrates credibility, clarifies purpose, penetrates memory, and makes the message compelling.

4. Create An Emotional Experience

The vast majority of decisions we make are colored by the emotional relevance associated with those decisions. No doubt rational factors figure into our decision-making process, but the pivotal factors that attract the use of one product over another are emotional.

If you're not connecting to your audience on an emotional level, then you are left with a commodity that can only be sold on price and features, and unless you're a monopoly, there will always be some competitor willing to offer your customers more for less.

When presenting your product or service it is important to tap into an emotional element that your audience can relate to as its key purchasing decision factor. When people purchase boring accounting services and software, what they're really buying is an improved life style for their families. It really doesn't matter what you sell, if you look hard enough, you can find the emotional benefit that should be the central element of your marketing message.

5. Create a Believable Relevant Personality

Part of the process of connecting with your audience is creating an appropriate personality for your company. Many corporations today believe in the cult of management personality but this is a dangerous game. Your company needs a personality of it's own, one that is distinctive and that will stand alone and not be dependent on senior management's ego and self-promotion.

Web-video marketing campaigns provide a vehicle that allows companies to create appropriate personalities that engage, inform and entertain your audience in ways that establish your identity and create the basis for a prosperous business relationship.

Clever marketing can create a corporate personality but it is imperative that you follow through and deliver that personality in all aspects of your relationship with your audience. Producing a campaign that promises one thing and a website, staff, and product that delivers another is one of the easiest ways to alienate customers.

6. Deliver A Critical Hot Button Moment

Web-video presentations need to focus on single issues that are driven home by the addition of a hot button moment or punch line. Remember you are telling your audience a story that needs a beginning, middle and end. That story should build to climax and deliver the point in a single memorable moment.

The era of point form slide presentations is dead, along with the laundry list of benefits approach.

Creativity, personality, and the ability to communication and develop an emotional connection to your audience through the use of Web-video campaigns has the potential to turn even the most lackluster company into a vibrant and exciting marketing business.

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Marvel Minimate Motion Comic - Ed Johnson Presents: MW Vol. 1 Episode 12

MARVELOUS WORLD VOL. 1 EPISODE 12 "Amalgamation" We catch up to the Avengers after their crash, Reed & Sue in the Baxter Building and the X-men. (Starring Marvel Minimates)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs4xtG723Es&hl=en

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DC Direct Hush Batman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWsl9FqO7M4&hl=en

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Marvel Minimate Motion Comic - Ed Johnson Presents: MW Vol. 2 Episode 03

"SWAT!" We return to this "alternate" reality of the MU to find Luke "Captain America" Cage arriving too late to save the life of MJ Watson at the hands of her crazed husband Spiderman!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUetjG7LZzg&hl=en

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Avatar Kataang ~ Emergency by Paramore (Sony Vegas test)

I made this mainly to help me figure out the Sony Vegas 9.0 program, so I don't expect it to be amazing or anything. I've been listening to a lot of Paramore lately, so I decided to use one of their songs. I thought Emergency fit that one point in the show where things were kinda complicated between Aang and Katara. Looking back, I don't know why I made this cuz I'm a Zutara supporter xD I do not own Avatar; Viacom is it's rightful owner. This is purely fan-made. I don't own Emergency either, it belongs to Paramore.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu6ywFlpzi0&hl=en

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avatar na'vi jake sully and leonopteryx

two amazing figures amazing detail and please subscribe.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ysvryw9P5I&hl=en

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Star Wars The Clone Wars ANTI-HAILFIRE DROID SQUAD Battle Pack Review!!

Bantha Squad includes 2 clone troopers, 1 aerial recon trooper, and 1 clone commander. Video Made By: JLSDK05 Action Figure Made By: Hasbro



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq3qOA4EK5A&hl=en

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Avatar Leonopterix captured in flight

.... suddenly my son was found in the garden and domestic, as in the movie ... are now inseparable friends .... leonopterix has said its more species come to fly with them ... We'll see. .... de repente mi hijo se encontró con él en el jardín y lo domesticó, como en la película ... ahora son inseparables amigos .... leonopteryx le ha dicho que más especies vendrán a volar con ellos ... Vamos a ver.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvWiKS_MGxI&hl=en

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The Sorcerer's Inception Parody of Inception/Sorcerer's Apprentice

Doyou like High End Action Figures or Statues? Love them at Great Prices? Then You Will LOVE ALTER EGO COMICS! Buy Hot Toys, Sideshow Collectibles, DC Direct, and MORE at www.alteregocomics.com Subscribe to my Vlog Channel at http Twitter Me! www.twitter.com Follow Me on Dailybooth at www.dailybooth.com My Blog, Videos, Updates, News & Reviews at www.longshotdreams.com and http If you like my vids please subscribe to my channel. Sundays 1pm-3pm Pacific Standard Time Special Fan Live Show Wednesdays 3pm to Whenever on www.blogtv.com Support My Friends Sites www.jonbaileyVO.net http www.tjomega.blogspot.com http castlegeekskull.blogspot.com shad445-shadowconmaximus.blogspot.com http



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dDf_hQXmXs&hl=en

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EmGo's First Impression: The Last Airbender(Avatar) AANG

Get ready to BEND!! Here is my first impression of the new 3 3/4 inch Aang from the new film The Last Airbender. If you enjoy this review please give a thumbs up, comment, and SUBSCRIBE!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=estPZJtXBz8&hl=en

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Falcon Punch

Thanks to LT. Jessie Jay Falcon for this Clip of F-Zero Falcon Densetsu. Uploaded for you Jessie! Captain Falcon finally defeats Black Shadow with his signature move, Falcon Punch. Hope you Enjoy, and please note i did NOT make this, i have uploaded it for your own Enjoyment! 1000000 Views on 23rd April 2008, Here is a picture i have produced to thank you all! rql.deviantart.com 2 Million Views on 26th January 2009 I am currently designing a Fictional Continuation of F-Zero in the form of "F-Zero VX". If you would like to check out my current progress, then check out www.rql.deviantart.com and check the VX section in the Gallery!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFtw7qW7Vcw&hl=en

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51 Things in Your Room!!!!!

The 51 Things In Your Room Vlog!!!!!! Or Day 28 of 365. Whatever works. Ok, in order we have: ~My button collection ~Devil Domoken ~The Complete Works of William Shakespeare ~My Julia Child wig ~Yearbook photo from 2001 ~Karin, the complete series ~Smallville season one ~Drawn Together season one ~Avatar The Last Airbender Fire Book ~Hancock, the bastard ~Almonds ~Hourglass ~Thing of CDs ~Sex Pig(that's a whole other video) ~Spice Girls Organizer(I know you're jealous) ~Brock action figure ~Da Vinci Enigma Tarot deck ~The Amulet Vol. One ~Empowered Vol. One ~The Thief of Always ~DN Angel Vol. Three ~Inflatable Globe ~Candy Land ~Chutes and Ladders ~Moo Minicards ~Innocence Maintained by StriderOne www.youtube.com ~Two Lego People ~Three Paintbrushes ~Five Acrylic Paints ~Mask from Sardegna ~Starbucks Apron ~Guess Cologne ~Three Hole Punch ~Stapler ~Walkie Talkies ~A picture of my cousin and me ~Vans Shoelaces ~Wall-E Magnet ~Singers Musical Theatre Anthology Vol. 3 ~Headphones(which I kept forgetting to put on) ~Alice in Wonderland bookmark ~Arrowhead Water ~Love Love Gooey Gush Title Music: Shag Ball by Electrocute Throughout and Credits Music: Solta o Frango by Bonde Do Role twitter.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7603jyhrYe4&hl=en

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Jake Sully's Direhorse Avatar Action Figure Toy Review Part 2

Dan dives deeper into the world of Avatar with his gripping review of the Direhorse, and other horse/rider combo toys through history.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5LHVxD0Ly4&hl=en

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Marvel Minimate Motion Comic - Ed Johnson Presents MW Vol. 1 Trailer

Trailer for Ed Johnson's FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING Presents: Vol. 1 "Marvelous World" - An on going Webcomic series starring Marvel Minimates



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVGA28wC8UQ&hl=en

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Eyelash Wishes MEP (CLOSED - Waiting for Parts - Deadline: August 10)

Hello fellow youtubers! I'm *finally* hosting my very own MEP! :D And I want YOU to join...please? XD The parts are organized more by lyrics than times...so they're all different lengths, part 17 being the longest. Rules: 1. ANY VIDEO PROGRAM ALLOWED! (And if you have an advanced program, please render your parts in HD) 2. You may have 2 parts :D 3. This is a first come, first served system. 4. Anime only. This includes manga and doujinshi :D (Although I'm willing to debate. If you want to use something besides what's considered "anime" ask in a PM or comment and we'll see if we can come to an agreement.) BUT NO GAMES OR LIVE ACTION! 5. Textures and lots of effects are encouraged!! Go all out for this guys :D 6. NO WATERMARKS! I'm going to do that myself. 7. Yaoi/Yuri allowed, but please no hentai. 8. Please, no subtitles. If I see subs, I'll edit them out myself but that might end up cutting out part of your video. 9. When you comment asking for your part, please include the following: User Name. Part you want. Footage you're using. (If you don't know put undecided and when you figure it out, tell me :D) Character you want to represent you. 10. Submit your part as a video response and title it Eyelash Wishes MEP Part __ 11. Don't forget to put your part's download link for me. 12. The deadline is going to be August 10 (a week before school starts for me XD) unless everyone finishes sooner. Song: Eyelash Wishes - All American Rejects Anime screen caps used in video: Ouran ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyyhWMJvHiw&hl=en

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Battle of Endor - The Latest in LEGO Star Wars Sets

The Battle of Endor Play Set will make your Children's Eyes Light up With Delight.

Battle of Endor is LEGO's Star Wars 10th Anniversary play set; entering the market around May 2009. It's the latest in the numerous lego star wars sets and is, as I'm writing 25/11/09, positioned in lego's top 25 selling products.

LEGO products are recognized for bring out the creative side of children of all ages, motivating them to use their hands and most of all there imagination. Aimed at 9 to 14 year olds ( and dads of all ages), this 890 piece set with 12 LEGO star war mini figures and two A4 size instruction manuals of 84 & 64 pages respectfully, should keep the kids (and dads of all ages), contented for hours on end.

LEGO Star Wars enthusiasts will jump at the opportunity to add the Battle of Endor to their collection. Construct the last battle scene: using these mini star wars action figures and galactic war machines to decide the future of the Empire and the Rebel Alliance; with one of the best LEGO Star Wars Sets produce.

LEGO's The Battle of Endor Set Cast.

To commemorate LEGO'S tenth anniversary of Star Wars figures in the Battle of Endor you will find: 3 deceivingly fierce Ewoks, 2 Rebel Commandoes, a Death Star Trooper, 2 Scout Troopers, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Han Solo and Princess Leia.

Now for the hardware: the ultimate Ewok Catapult, over 19cm towering AT-ST Scout Walker: that now as more detail and move ability than earlier, 2 Speeder Bikes, which I thought was one of the most exciting chase sequences in the film, the Imperial Shield Bunker, the prime piece in the box, and what must be the most graceful fighting machine the Ewok Glider.

The Battle of Endor as a mid range price of just 73.00 GBP from the LEGO Shop, which seems to be the lowest price around, and more than worth the money. This isn't going to go down well with all the people who go to the star wars gatherings and have at lease one full, Imperial Storm Troopers uniform; grab another catapult and Mr Luke Skywalker, still not even 100.00 GBP.

AND LET THE BATTLE COMENCE! Battle for the Forest Moon of Endor

The battle on the moon of Endor depicts the last battle of the rebel alliance; the Imperial bunker has to be destroyed to remove the Death Stars defensive shield. The Endor Play Set features: The Imperial Bunker with sliding blast doors, the front and sides fall out as if hit by an explosion, and the rear section moves out to expand making it even larger.

What would have happened if Chewy wouldn't have high jacked the virtually relentless AT-ST killing machine; this extremely convincing reproduction of the movie original, with again more moving part than in the past and easy access to the cockpit opening for the figures to slide in smoothly, and the realistic scale creates a great effect for the kids.

The definitive 'Ewok Catapult' takes the number one spot, remember on the back croft when you used to play solders and the child with the field gun that fired dried rice, this is it the destroyer, who ever as this wins hands down; this thing fires rocks across a room; now you know why you have to get two.

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Movie History - If You Thought Titanic Was the Largest Grossing Film in the US, Think Again

A lot of moviegoers think that "Titanic" is the largest grossing domestic film of all time, primarily because of its huge popularity as well as topping $600 million in revenue following its release in 1997.

In fact, Titanic was the largest grossing domestic film in actual dollars, with Star Wars a distant second at $460 million in 1977. Because money not only talks but sings and dances as well in our society, we remain impressed by large amounts of money. Not satisfied with this approach, I looked for a more accurate measure to compare and found it in adjusting for inflation. When adjusted for inflation, the actual moneymaking value of films takes on a new look.

Titanic, while No. 1 in actual dollars generated, is only No. 6 when adjusted for inflation.

The real No. 1 largest grossing domestic film in movie making history is none other than "Gone with the Wind", which grossed $198 million in 1939 but its inflation-adjusted value in today's money is $1.329 billion.

Here are the Top 25 moneymaking movies when inflation adjusted. Expect where noted, all dollar figures are in millions:

1) Gone with the Wind - $1.329 billion (actual gross of $198 in 1939).

2) Star Wars - $1.172 billion ($460 in 1977).

3) The Sound of Music - $937 ($158 in 1965).

4) E. T.: The Extra-Terrestrial - $933 million ($435 in 1982).

5) The Ten Commandments - $861 ($65 in 1956).

6) Titanic - $844 ($600 in 1997).

7) Jaws - $842 ($260 in 1975).

8) Doctor Zhivago - $816 ($111 in 1965).

9) The Exorcist - $727 ($232 in 1973).

10) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - $717 ($184 in 1937).

11) 101 Dalmatians - $657 ($144 in 1961).

12) The Empire Strikes Back - $646 ($290 in 1980).

13) Ben-Hur - $644 ($74 in 1959).

14) Return of the Jedi - $618 ($309 in 1983).

15) The Sting - $586 ($156 in 1973).

16) Raiders of the Lost Ark - $579 ($242 in 1981).

17) Jurassic Park - $567 ($357 in 1993).

18) The Graduate - $563 ($104 in 1967).

19) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - $558 ($431 in 1999).

20) Fantasia - $546 ($76 in 1941).

21) The Godfather - $519 ($134 in 1972).

22) Forrest Gump - $516 ($329 in 1994).

23) Mary Poppins - $514 ($102 in 1964).

24) The Lion King - $508 ($328 in 1994).

25) Grease - $506 ($188 in 1978).

Here are 10 more eye-poppers among the Top 100 grossing films when inflation adjusted:

44) Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - $423 ($423 in 2006).

46) Blazing Saddles - $416 ($119 in 1974).

55) The Passion of the Christ - $392 ($370 in 2004).

62) Smokey and the Bandit - $373 ($126 in 1977).

69) The Rocky Horror Picture Show - $362 ($112 in 1975).

70) Rocky - $362 ($117 in 1976).

80) M.A.S.H. - $353 ($81 in 1970).

81) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - $352 ($179 in 1984).

88) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - $333 ($305 in 2003).

96) Sergeant York - $316 ($16 in 1941).

All figures are adjusted to the estimated 2007 average ticket price of $6.58. Some of these films had multiple releases; the release date used reflects the year of initial release.

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Marvel Minimate Motion Comic - Ed Johnson Presents: MW Vol. 1 Episode 04

CHECK OUT THE DO-OVER OF THIS EPISODE HERE: www.youtube.com "Luck Favors The Prepared" Cap and Iron-Man disagree. (Starring Marvel Minimates)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tshV4R0AaA0&hl=en

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Spirit World Aang

Another health museum stock motion program video:D and I had happened to this action figure in my bag, as usual, so i used him as a prop in one of my videos. this program was VERY entertaining.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XphPsojx1m4&hl=en

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The Last Airbender - Part 1 of 12 [Movie]*

tinyurl.com The Last Airbender is a 2010 American adventure fantasy film released on July 1, 2010.[5] It is a live-action film adaptation based on the first season of the animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The film stars Noah Ringer as Aang, a reluctant hero who prefers adventure over his job as the Avatar. Aang and his friends, Katara and Sokka, journey to the North Pole to find a Waterbending master to teach Aang and Katara the secrets of the craft. At the same time, Fire Lord Ozai, the current Fire Lord of the Fire Nation, is waging a seemingly endless war against the Earth Kingdom, the Water Tribes, and the already vanquished Air Nomads. The film also stars Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, and Dev Patel. The first of a planned trilogy, The Last Airbender was produced by Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies.[6] Development for a film began in 2007; it was adapted into a film by M. Night Shyamalan, who also directed and produced. Other producers include Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy, Sam Mercer and Scott Aversano.[7] The series from which it was adapted was influenced by Asian art, mythology and various martial arts fighting styles and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Filming began in mid-March 2009; the movie was released in both traditional two-dimensional projectors, as well as in 3D (using the RealD 3D format).[8][9][10] The Last Airbender was made for $150 million and marketed with a budget of $130 million ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApzzF9c8I3E&hl=en

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Google I/O 2010 - Architecting for performance with GWT

Google I/O 2010 - Architecting for performance with GWT GWT 201 Joel Webber, Adam Schuck Modern web applications are quickly evolving to an architecture that has to account for the performance characteristics of the client, the server, and the global network connecting them. Should you render HTML on the server or build DOM structures with JS in the browser, or both? This session discusses this, as well as several other key architectural considerations to keep in mind when building your Next Big Thing. For all I/O 2010 sessions, please go to code.google.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USlUYkBHiHA&hl=en

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The Tribe TV Show Online

The Tribe TV Show online displays the hardships and struggles of young children. It was actually a fictional television series produced in New Zealand. Its time was set in a not so far future wherein a lethal virus had caused the deaths of all the adult population leaving the children all alone to take care of themselves. As the name of the show indicates, there were numerous tribes formed by these kids so as to survive the ruthless world where their parents had left behind.

The entire planet was plunged into chaos, descending into the depths of anarchy. The amazing concept of the show is how it used the theme of politics and corruption to blend with the disaster set-up filled entirely of kids. Technology and morality were also one of the main issues that were continually being stressed out. Acting like adults themselves, the children delved more about love, friendships and personal gain. They also acted like pseudo-scientists trying to figure out an antidote to the plague. All of these young lads succumbed to the harsh reality they were facing, thus it is not abnormal to see numerous power struggles and conflicts being depicted throughout the show.

Due to the series' success, a new approach was planned after it ended its original 5-season run on September of 2003. The plan included the creation of online sites dedicated to the show itself. Hence, with the help of the fans, people can now access The Tribe TV Show online for free using certain web links that are currently posted in some domains. With this, people can now view the apocalyptic nature of this series directly streamed into the computers.

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Darth Maul Action Figure Guide - The End of Darth Maul

If you are interested in a Darth Maul Action Figure, I thought you might also be interested in a little background information in just who he is and more to the point of this article... how he died.

From the moment we first witnessed the figure called Maul beside Darth Sidious we know adventure is in store. With his sinister horns for hair and the menacing black and red patterned face, the Darth Maul character introduces the to Star Wars saga to a character of skill, single focused purpose and a pure servant of the dark side. We know he will challenge the forces of light.

Maul first appears out of almost nowhere to face off with Qui-Gon Jin. In ensuing short battle leaves Qui-Gon Jin mystified as to who... or even what, this new foe is. The Jedi realize that they are up against a foe like they have seldom seen. They know a new significant foe as entered the story.

In the final battle where the Jedi Qui-Gon Jin & Obi-Wan Kenobi fight Darth Maul in their attempt to protect Queen Padmé Amidala the excitement rises. Not knowing what to expect, who will win or if it will continue in other ways and forms.

Unfortunately it is the end of Qui-Gon, but as with all endings a phoenix rises from the ashes and Obi-Wan steps up to not only defeat the dastardly Darth Maul but to assume his rightful role as a master Jedi in his own right.

The last view of Darth Maul is of him falling, shock on his face as his body separates into two pieces in mid air. He had been defeated and Obie-Wan Kenobi was left victorious in his grief over loosing his master Qui-Gon Jin.

Star Wars is the stuff of heroes and Heroic deeds, it is a proving ground where boys, young and hold learn the difference between good and evil, right and wrong. The Darth Maul action figure into the world of herons and legend and allows one to relive the excitement and glory of Star Wars. We learn that sometimes one must fight for what is right but that they much as the same time learn to control anger, hatred and personal prejudice.

I think that the fantasy play allowed with the Darth Maul Action Figure and other Star wars Action figures, be they good, evil, human or alien is a chance for our boys to work out and role play the struggles they will face later on in life.

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American Gangster - Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe

I sit back and think of why someone would say that this movie was slow in the beginning or that the last few minuets of the movie were not needed. I believe that every part of the movie was significant to first lead up to how certain characters ended up being who they are.

American Gangster is a story about Frank Lucas one of the most powerful and feared New York crime bosses between the 1960's and the 1970's. In New York he was even more powerful than the mafia. During that time Lucas reportedly amassed a fortune of more than $52 million in less than a decade taking advantage of the rise of heroin in the crime stricken New York area.

It was said that Frank Lucas ruled with an iron hand and kept his people in fear in order to make them do what he wanted them to do. Denzel Washington definitely portrayed the iron hand of Frank Lucas. He showed how far he was willing to go in order to keep his streets profitable and in his control.

The story starts out with Frank Lusas (Denzel) as the driver of another drug boss who passed the rings over to Frank Lucas in real life after he died. To Frank this man was like his father. He taught him everything that he needed to know in order to maintain the business when he left. After his mentor dies he begins to contemplate how he could continue the business how he was going to collect all the bad debt that other crime figures owed his old boss. While in this phase he thinks of a way to purchase his drug of choice from an outside source instead of buying from the mafia. He put together a network that would fly pure heroin into New York; he would cut it up and distribute it to separate districts of New York for distribution. He also supplied other connections to ship his product to other parts of the United States. All the while a detective named Ritchie Roberts played by Russell Crowe finds that a lot of people are overdosing on Franks product and is assigned to a unit who's sole purpose is to bring down major drug bosses. Frank is at that point put in the cross heirs of Ritchie Roberts.

This was a powerful movie that had me thinking of how Frank could have been a rich man in his own right if he did not have a lethal drug as his product. Russell Crowe also plays a very convincing determined cop that finally finds out who Frank was and tracks down his whole network to bus Frank. This is not a kid's movie. I would not recommend taking any children or teenagers to see this movie. This is strictly an adult movie with adult themes. But it is a must see.

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A New Series For PBS Fans in HD - Wallander

Scandinavia is known for being something of a cold, somewhat gloomy and aloof place, with vast outdoors that stretch beyond the horizon. During the summer solstice, with the looming of the midnight sun, people seem to act a little awry, as this exaggered, high definition summer, gets to their heads. In the new PBS series Wallander, we follow the comings and goings of one Swedish police office, after whom the Masterpiece Mystery HD series is named. Wallander is played by the famous English actor Kenneth Branaugh, whom you can watch in any number of movies playing on satellite TV on any given night (he's been in quite a few different productions, among them Woody Allen movie, and several takes on Shakespeare's classics). Wallander sports a look worthy of not a famous Shakespearean actor, but rather of someone down on his luck. He's got a puffy, swollen visage, and a physique that has nothing to do with a football player you'd find on the NFL Sunday Ticket.

Wallander is actually a three episode affair put on by the popular Mystery series. It's based on a set of fashionable crime novels by the Swedish author Henning Mankell. Wallander, the character is a bit of a romantic hero, even though he may not seem like it upon first glance. He works alone, obsessively at times. He's a police officer who's always on the job, even when he's not. Other than that, there's really nothing extraordinary about him. He's no Sherlock Holmes, nor is he Inspector Clouseau. Wallander isn't a tragic figure. He drinks. He's divorced (no tearful widow stories here). He eats, probably too much for his own good, in fact. You can see the sort of regular distress in his red-rimmed eyes, so patently visible in HD.

Wallander does have a daughter, but he doesn't spend time with her. His father has Alzheimer's disease and spends his time painting the very same landscape over and over and over again. He lives in Ystad, a small seaside town near Malmo in the south of Sweden. It's cold, bleary and often shrouded in fog as much as it is in mystery. The cinematography is noticeable for his high contrasts, the dark darks, the dreary gloom, enhanced by the power of high definition.

The crimes that Wallander investigates are what really what make this series gripping and interesting. Most of the crimes have an air of oddness and they are certainly bloody, grisly things. In the first episode, a girl sets herself afire, after dousing her body with gasoline. Other such brutal crimes follow as it appears there is a serial killer set loose in this quiet town by the sea.

Branagh's performance alone is well worth watching. The other cast members, Sarah Smart as Wallander's daughter, Tom Beard as Svedberg, Wallander's colleague and David Warner as his father also put out some marvelous, if less obvious performances.

You can catch Wallander on PBS. Check your local satellite TV guide for listings.

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Scorponok From Transformers - A Deadly Scorpion Machine

The evil Decepticon Scorponok from Transformers takes no victims, anyone who dares to stand in his way end up being a victim of his destructive wrath. Scorponok is connected to Lord Zarak and in Generation 1 he's the leader of the Decepticon Headmasters. Scorponok is one of the few Transformers that can assume three forms. He can turn into a giant scorpion that can demolish anything into shreds and whose tail can fire electrical blasts. He can also turn into a weapons defense battle station that assists the other Decepticons with endless weaponry and reparation barrack. His third shape is that of a mighty Transformer robot ready to follow orders from Decepticon leader Megatron.

In the animated series Zarak and Scorponok from Transformers appear in a three tier part saga called Rebirth. Lord Zarak was the unquestioned ruler of "The Hive" and he dominated planet Nebulos in which he made sure every living being was reduced to slavery. The Hive members had the distinct ability to mentally control machines. They used this power to control the Nebulans and eventually established themselves underground as the ultimate masters of Nebula. As the Hive's powers augmented their minds became so powerful that they became ghostly creatures who could house themselves inside machines. Zarak is suspected to be blind and paraplegic but possesses a muscular build which he transports with his Headmaster suit.

Scorponok's mainstream fame comes from his notable appearance in the 2007 live action Transformers movie. Curiously Scorponok doesn't transform in the film, but his mechanical scorpion body gives him the power to travel underground at amazing speeds. The movie writers agreed that the concept for Scorponok was based on his Beastwars incarnation rather than the original Generation 1 version. Scorponok from Transformers teams up with Blackout, he is first seen being released by the gigantic helicopter into the desert in order to catch up with some escaping human troops. As opposed to all the other Decepticons, Transformer Scorponok doesn't answer to Starscream's call to battle. It's rumored that this fierce Decepticon remains alive since he doesn't make another appearance after the human military forces manage to defeat him

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Beauty in Simplicity - The Goddess Costume

Greek goddesses are mythical creatures of incredible beauty and power. Their ability to make mortal men tremble is legendary, and to this day still stands true. From Aphrodite to Artemis, the Goddesses of ancient Greece are some of the most famous women in history. One of the things that make the gorgeous women of the Greek heavens really stand out is the simple beauty of the gowns they are known for wearing.

Greek women dressed in basic flowing gowns that were best for the warm climate. Even the wealthiest women wore similar styles, but accented them with gold and jewels that told the story of their rank. When they imagined their Goddesses in art, the Greeks dressed them in the same fine gowns of simple style that noble and wealthy women of the country wore.

Since the days of the powerful and glorious ancient Greece passed into memory, our image of the incredible women of the pantheon of Gods and Goddesses known to the Greek people has simplified even further. Images of the various Goddesses - and there were many of them - from paintings over the years show them in varying costumes. But today, we think of Greek goddess costumes as simple white gowns with long skirts, pleats and high waist lines in the Empire style. Of all the costumes a woman can choose for Halloween, these Greek costumes are some of the easiest to wear for women of all ages.

With a long skirt and a flowing fabric, just about any body type can wear a Greek Goddess costume. The timeless look is flattering to everyone, and for every different taste there is a Goddess costume to fit. Longer more traditional dresses are perfect for those who want something authentic as well as more modest. For the brave and those who want to add even more sex appeal to an already incredibly sexy look, shorter skirts and options like strapless gowns, you can tailor the Greek Goddess look to your preferences.

The beauty and simplicity of a Greek Goddess costume has appealed to women for many years. It's the easiest way to feel like a true Goddess, while being comfortable enough for a long night at a Halloween party. With the addition of strappy sandals that wind up the calf and some basic gold jewelry, the Greek Goddess costume is complete.

No matter which of the many Greek goddesses you want to portray, the simple perfection of the Goddess gown is the perfect Halloween costume for any woman.

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Who is Your Favorite X-Men Character?

We all grow up remembering a significant film and the characters involved in the film with remakes throughout our lives which many of us feel do not touch even anywhere near the feel of the original. This can be said for the characters to and not just the atmosphere of a film, although special effects become even more outstanding each year. This article talks about some of the favourite characters of the X-Men films and how we will remember them for years to come.

It has to be said that the favourite of many has to be The Wolverine. Played by Hugh Jackman, his special ability was to regenerate or heal whichever you like to call it so when he becomes injured, his injuries vanish before your eyes. Adding to this, his past led him to be part of an experiment to have a indestructible skeleton pumped into his body which gave him extraordinary sharp blades which appear from his hands. One of my favourite scenes with these blades is in the Wolverine film itself which was spanned from his popularity in the X-Men Trilogy and seen a very attractive male by women of all ages.

On the female side, my favourite character was actually Mystique. Not due to her being on the wrong side but due to the incredible shape shifting capabilities and martial arts she could perform. As a character she is very strong but you can see to that underneath there is someone who was bullied at school as she also mentioned in a helicopter scene and a shame such h a everyday thing led to someone choosing the losing side when underneath there was a vulnerable woman. The martial arts though were what impressed me with a intense amount of training herself and the cast themselves must have gone through to produce action scenes which will be easily remembered for many years.

My third favourite character was a small part in the third film but was the character who was a student of the school, an incredible muscular figure who could cover himself in a metal shield within a split second. This came in handy when the school was being attached and he was helping one of his fellow students. A Character with a huge amount of strength, but a kind, caring and gentle person at heart who risked himself to save others.

What a fantastic Trilogy the X-Men series of films were, which as mentioned led to Wolverine which was actually even better than I thought it would be. Films that set a new standard at the time for action, special effects, and had many points to make about human nature.

This complete series has led to an incredible amount of money spent by parents on children's toys, DVD's and even bedroom furniture such as duvet covers for fans of the films.

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Tetrapteron12-1 of Avatar : Good Flight & Gliding

Tetrapteron is a flight creature appearing in Avatar which have two pairs of wings, twin tail, Large beak and gullet with glassy teeth. This creature which James Cameron created has a suitable design for flight. Hind legs work well as inverted V-shaped V-tail.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhnEAqkuNFA&hl=en

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Picking the Right Film Festival For Your Indie Film & Christian Family Film News

The Toronto international film festival is the biggest movie festival for movies all over the world. Sundance and Cannes are also the right place to become the top in their field. These hot docs film festivals are the boon of Indie award winning documentaries. Out of these three film festivals Toronto is the oldest and good place for Indie movies and their makers to show them and makes them even more popular.

The movies at the festivals get the attention of media and the festival news contributes in the popularity and demand of Indie movies. The festival also selects and crowned the best horror films and these award winning documentaries become famous with the help of hot docs festival.

To make movie festivals more and more popular several activities performed like advertisement, festival organization, ticket booking, blog publishing and many more. Some of the journalist like Nikki Finke makes comments and write journals on these independent films which make them even more popular by publicizing them on their very powerful websites such as Deadline Hollywood and Variety. The Tim McGraw movies also contribute in popularizing the Indie movies up to some extent. However the right movie festival for Indie films is that form where the documentaries can get more popularity and become the centre of hot docs movie festival.

The another method of selling the Indie films is by uploading their trailer on internet and which can be viewed online by public all over the world. The promo of the Indie films at film festival is the key point and the film festival news which published during and after the hot docs film festival makes it popular to be watched by millions of peoples who love the documentaries and want to see the best horror films made by independent film makers. It seems good idea for film makers of Indie films to popularize the Indie films, that first show their movies in Native American sunrise ceremony or in other film festivals and then make it available for peoples to watch and enjoy.

These films are made of very low budget and less effort even they are interesting due to their special themes. Many actors like Tim McGraw love to act in the Indie films and many journalists like Nikki Finke are always interested about the indie films. Independent film and documentary films producers and makers select several themes to show their ideas and films. These top indie films are popular as any other high budget film. The right film festival makes them more popular.

This film festival circuit has helped out films like Supersize Me, Your Mommy Kills Animals, Roger and Me along with the breakout hit Paranormal Activity.

These festivals are a great venue for getting your movie out there to a live crowd rather than just sitting around hoping that a distributor will eventually get around to watching the screener you sent. This is a tough time since you've put everything you've got into the project and then there seems to be no interest. Having done this with the Christian family film news I learned some patience and just submitting to all the movie festivals that fit into your genre.

The biggest thing is don't give up on your dream since people do love to figure out why they shouldn't pick up your movie before they think of reason why they should.

Good luck and keep pushing forward. Also, you can check out my other article about marketing your film through your website here:

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News (my voice is low!!)

NEWS: My animation program is coming! I got a Avatar banshee model Leonopteryx! I Can't use the camera anymore :( I got a UB Funkey! I went to the keys!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5ukd6LYTcs&hl=en

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STIKFA Motion Comic - Ed Johnson Presents: NICK 12 DAYS: On The 6th Day Still

Meet, at last Tim Soar! Check out the twit novel version below: twitter.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9QQpzlpG2o&hl=en

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Top 3 Reasons to Buy a Sexy Bartender Halloween Costume

Imagine a bar with neon lighting, the sparkling clean hanging glassware and the pretty little colored drinks in blue, green and orange. All of these are part of the daily life of the bartender. All the fun and the party environment make the sexy bartender Halloween costume the perfect choice this year. Imagine how cute you will look shaking the metallic tins. Here are the top 3 reasons why you should buy the sexy bartender Halloween costume before they are all sold out.

Original Look

It is great when you can have a costume that makes you look fantastic. When you decide to get the sexy bartender Halloween costume, you are choosing something very original because not very many people will think of being the bartender this year. You can look stylish as well as sexy and everyone will comment upon your costume. You can look your absolute hottest because this costume is designed to flatter your figure to the utmost. The pictures that will be taken will look phenomenal and your sexy bartender Halloween costume will be totally unforgettable.

Fun Theme

Everyone knows that the bartender is always at the center of the action, so the sexy bartender Halloween costume is a really fun choice. You will be able to show the lighthearted, fun side of your personality by being the sexy bartender this year. It will be a blast for just one night out of the year to see how it feels to be the bartender. With careful application of your makeup and hairstyle, this costume could be the prettiest look for you and everyone will admire it.

Quality and Price

The quality of the sexy bartender Halloween costume is very high. The costume is very comfortable, which is an important thing to consider on Halloween since there is a great deal of moving around and partying. The costume is cost-effective and with careful care will be durable for many seasons to come. It comes in a range of sizes so that everyone can have a chance to get this sexy look.

Have you ever wanted to be a sexy bartender for Halloween? If you would like a fun Halloween with all the pink martinis lined up in a row and maybe even a tray with all the champagne poured into flutes, then obtain the sexy bartender Halloween costume. All the attention that you get while wearing this cute costume this year will have you toasting and saying "Cheers!"

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Marvel Minimate Motion Comic - Ed Johnson Presents: MW Vol. 2 Trailer

MARVELOUS WORLD VOL. 2 The Trailer



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCL-GUPQLXQ&hl=en

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Review of Sneakers - Starring Robert Redford, Ben Kingsley, Dan Aykroyd, and Sidney Poitier

"Sneakers" is a very entertaining and suspenseful film starring Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, Mary McDonnell, River Phoenix, Sidney Poitier, and David Strathairn as a group of computer hackers who stumble upon the ultimate codebreaking machine. The movie is very exciting from start to finish. It is also culturally significant as it pertains to computer security.

Martin Bishop (Redford) and Cosmo (Kingsley) were computer hackers in college in the late '60s. One night, when Martin went out to get a pizza, Cosmo got busted by the police and sent to prison for twelve years. Since then he turned to a life of computer crime. Meanwhile, Martin got a job in charge of investigating bank security, having changed his name. He now works with a group of other hackers doing similar work.

One day, Martin gets a visit from some men who claim to belong to the NSA. They want Martin and his friends to obtain a mysterious box from Jannick, a math professor, for which they will pay them a large sum of money. They obtain the box and hand it over, but before getting the money, they learn that Jannick has been killed. They then learn that the device they have obtained is the ultimate codebreaker, capable of cracking every secret computer code in the world and thus compromising every security system.

The next day, Martin gets kidnapped and taken to a secret location where he meets Cosmo, who wants Martin to work with him. After Martin refuses, Cosmo threatens to reveal his past identity, which will land him in jail. The next day, they figure out where Martin had been taken and go there. With a great deal of effort they manage to steal back the codebreaking device.

In the end, the government learns that they have this device and makes a deal with them for it. The team secretly keeps the device, though.

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Michelangelo's Sistine Frescoes - A Review of the Agony and the Ecstasy

Despite its inconsistencies with historical accounts, the movie adaptation of Irving Stone's novel, The Agony and the Ecstasy, is entertaining and worthy of attention. The 1965 film, directed by Carol Reed and starring Rex Harrison and Charlton Heston, is not a truthful screenplay, as "true story" scripts seldom are; some fallacies and dramatic devices stand out.

Film Details

The first is that although Michelangelo Buonarroti was protective of his work, the decision to show a portion of an unfinished Sistine Chapel ceiling was that of the artist, not Pope Julius II, who commissioned him to paint the ceiling in 1508. A rumor claims the artist, in a fit of rage over the Pope's impatience for seeing the work done, had the scaffolding torn down in protest before being persuaded to continue.

A second inconsistency is the misconception, even to this day, that Buonarroti painted the majority of the work on his back. Actually, the artist had a framework constructed that contoured the ceiling, and so much of the painting was done standing up, at times leaning backward. The combined toll on Michelangelo's back and eyesight was a permanent consequence of his great achievement.

Finally, Heston's "divine inspiration" for the creation of Man, the assumed love interest of the betrothed Contessina de'Medici, and the threat of imprisonment or death by order of Pope Julius II are mere dramatic devices. In truth, a great artist, architect, sculptor, and poet would devote nine years of his life to the Chapel's adornment, often defending his compositions against critics, because he believed the work as righteous and true.

The Painting Process

Trained as a Florentine sculptor in the Medici gardens, Michelangelo's reluctance to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is plain. With no previous background or interest in painting, the prestigious and public commission of a papal autocrat presented an insurmountable challenge for the ambitious artist.

Furthermore, the "pure" process of buon fresco painting chosen by Michelangelo seems ill-advised. The application of pre-mixed pigment on wet plaster, though more permanent, required a quick hand, frequent paint mixing and endless plaster castings to depict more than 300 figures, drawn in advance. It also contributed to numerous delays, due to frequently inclement weather and damp conditions inside the Chapel.

Of Pope and Painter
His relationship with Pope Julius II was contentious, no doubt. Two arrogant personalities clashed over the project's duration as a natural counterpoint to their love for the work they both envisioned, for themselves and for the Roman church. Michelangelo felt pressured to match the adversarial achievements of contemporaries Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. Julius felt pressured to single-handedly save Christianity for Rome.

The depiction and reputation of Pope Julius as more of a soldier than a papal saint seems accurate, both by historical account and in light of the violent times in which he lived and ruled Italy. Securing allies, friends, and defenders for the Vatican proves him, at the very least, a skilled strategist and an eminent statesman.

The dedication and determination of both main characters is the most enjoyable aspect of the film's screenplay. Beyond subplots, love interests, and battle scenes, the skilled acting by Heston and Harrison gives the film credence and passion, something lacking from many of today's actors who make much more than both men combined did for The Agony and the Ecstasy.

References:
Bonner, Neil R., ed., Michelangelo Buonarroti, 14 December 2001, Michelangelo.Com, Inc., Retrieved from michelangelo.com/buonarroti.html (15 March, 2009)

Essak, Shelley. "Michelangelo - The Sistine Chapel Ceiling." About.com: Art History, available at arthistory.about.com/od/famous_paintings/a/sischap_ceiling.htm (15 March, 2009)

The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965). Dir. Carol Reed. Perf. Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison. DVD, 20th Century Fox, 2005.

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Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" Brings the Past Violent Mayan Life Into Our Consciousness

Apocalypto - 4 Stars (Excellent)

Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" shows the raw, violent face of the advanced Mayan civilization in its decline, with its rulers insisting that the key to continued prosperity is to build more temples and offer more human sacrifices to their Gods.

The result is the story of innocent Mayans being viciously attacked and their communal way of life being destroyed to meet an insane desire. Killing your own has never been a good idea historically and is perhaps a lesson we need to take more seriously today.

The focal point of this film is Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) and his family. He is one of many sons of Flint Sky (Morris Birdyellowhead), the leader of a small, isolated Mayan community in the tropical jungle of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula just before the arrival of the Spanish in the New World. Flint Sky and his progeny wish only to be left alone to pursue their destiny in a peaceful environment.

Enter Zero Wolf (Raoul Trujillo) and his raiding party looking for victims to sacrifice to the Gods. Jaguar Paw and pregnant wife Seven (Dalia Hernandez) and their son Turtles Run (Carlos Emilio Baez) escape the attack. Jaguar Paw quickly finds a hiding place to keep his family safe, and then he returns to help fight off the attackers.

Many in his village are killed and many more are captured. This story is about how the captured Jaguar Paw can possibly survive the enforced march to an untimely death and then return to save his family. In the end, he must choose to greet the oncoming Spanish as their ships roll into the harbor, or retreat to the jungle and continue to live a hidden life.

I promise you that when you see this film you will be glued to the edge of your seat. Apocalypto will hold your interest like very few films can.

Some historians were falling all over themselves to criticize inaccuracies in the film, I suspect mainly to get some badly needed publicity which they obviously could not do on their own. Gibson is a film producer in Apocalypto, not an historian.

Good grief, if I want exact history, I will read history books. Gibson brings history to life and does what no one else in Hollywood dares or cares to do.

Gibson's film is an excellent presentation of how we would like life not to be, and also a reminder that no matter how smart we think we are we can sow the seeds of our own destruction right here in the greatest nation Earth has ever hosted.

Apocalypto is produced by Mel Gibson, Farhad Safinia and Bruce Davey, and written by Gibson and Safinia. It is worth the price of two tickets to see. I highly recommend it for adults. It is a not-so-subtle reminder of what civilization was and could be again.

The fate of the Mayan civilization remains a mystery even today. We know that around 300 BC the Mayan calendar was invented in the Yucatan and was more exact than older calendars. We know the oldest Mayan temples in Central America were built around AD 200.

We know that the Classic period of Mayan civilization occurred between AD 250 to 900 with the development of hieroglyphic writing and advances in art, architecture and science. We know the Post-Classical period of Mayan civilization began in AD 900 and extended to 1519.

The Mayan civilization was at its apex in the early 8th Century before eventually falling into decline and ultimately suffering abandonment. We do not know why the civilization collapsed but can only speculate that its fall was from within, sowing the seeds of its own destruction.

Apocalypto picked up nominations for Academy Awards in Makeup, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing.

I thought the cinematography was spectacular, the close up shots of Jaguar Paw running for his very life, the look of fear in the faces of those innocents who were violently executed by their attackers, and the jungle with its teeming flora and fauna.

Cinematographer Dean Semler used a Spydercam to shoot from atop the 170-foot waterfall when Jaguar Paw jumps to escape Zero Wolf and his killer squad. Semler filmed Apocalypto digitally, using the high-definition Panavision Genesis camera. Semler is an artist disguised as a cinematographer.

The Central Ohio and Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Associations saw what I did in giving Apocalypto their Best Cinematography Awards. Apocalypto should have garnered more awards, but Mel Gibson's unfortunate drinking habit and run-in with a law enforcement officer did not endear him to the Hollywood community.

Gibson insisted on making the main sets based on actual buildings rather than computer-generated images. Three cheers for Gibson as I believe authenticity counts. I am so sick and tried of seeing stupid kung fu films showing actors jumping 150 feet straight up into the air and then fighting on a twig. I would like to see these wannabe clowns fighting Bruce Lee on his best day.

Was Apocalypto an epic? Absolutely. There was a main cast of 39 along with 700 extras.

Ever wonder what a support cast is to a film? For Apocalypto there were 179 people in the Makeup Department, 67 in the Art Department, 50 in Sound, 36 in Special Effects, 153 in Visual Effects, 33 in Stunts, 80 in Camera and Electrical, 8 in Casting, 22 in Costume and Wardrobe, 18 in Editorial, 62 in Transportation and 100 more additional crew. Total support: 800+. Cost of the film: $40 million. Total box office and rental revenue figures: $72 million and counting.

Many of the speaking roles were by Mayan people who had never acted. The sick child who curses the hunting party as they lead the captives on a forced march to their death was played by a 7-year-old girl who lived in a dirt-floored hut in a village not unlike Jaguar Paw's.

This was a haunting scene as the girl who was affected with the plague and untouchable upbraids the hunting party by saying "You fear me? So you should. All you who are vile. Would you like to know how you will die? The scared time is near. Beware the blackness of the day. Beware the man who brings the jaguar.

"Behold him reborn from mud and earth. For the one he takes you to will cancel the sky, and scratch out the earth. Scratch you out. And end your world. He's with us now. Day will be like night. And the man jaguar will lead you to your end."

Herein we learn how Jaguar Paw avoids being beheaded only to run the gauntlet of spears and arrows in his escape back into the jungle. This is a brutal and graphic film with beheadings like sound bites.

There are too many gems in this film to list here. Suffice to say a village elder uses animals to tell a story about how man will never be satisfied despite using the Earth and everything in it for his own gain. You will cringe when Jaguar Paw's wife and young son face downing as she falls and must deliver her newborn facing certain death. In the end Jaguar Paw uses his wit and wisdom to claim the forest as his own.

Get out and see Apocalypto. This is a film nearly everyone could benefit from seeing before they pass from this Earth. It will remind you of how fragile and perilous our life is.

Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley

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Film Review - Discover the Chemistry and Love Lessons In Going The Distance With Drew Barrymore

I was looking for a romantic comedy to enjoy on a date night. I knew that Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, the stars of Going The Distance, have had a romance in real life. So I was curious to see how their romantic chemistry would radiate onscreen.

Drew and Justin play New York singles in their 30's with stunted maturity. As they meet onscreen, Drew starts spewing the F word with a force and frequency that would make truck drivers blush. Justin curses back with the same ferocity. Since like attracts like, these two angry, lost singles seem to have met their match.

Did they need this language to reveal how hip and lost they are? Absolutely not. This gratuitous cursing blocks the romance in a romantic comedy. It needlessly assaults the audience and makes it hard for us to like the stars of the film. It's a sign that the characters, or the verbally-stunted screenwriter, need to learn some anger management and communication skills if they want to express themselves like grownups and fulfill their talents in life and love.

As a mid-life grad student and intern for the New York Chronicle, Drew's character wants to be a writer. When she wrangles a chance to write her first article about a charity for children, you only hope she can choose her written words with more wit, wisdom and eloquence than she does in conversation.

If you can see beyond these verbal ticks, you catch a glimpse of what attracted these two actors to each other in real life and in the film. They light up in each others presence. They make each other laugh easily and often. They let powerful, passionate impulses lead them into compromising positions, which are amusing. They guide each other to use their talents at work as a writer for Drew's character and in the music business for Justin Long's character, Garrett. They even elevate the potty humor and sexual voyeurism of an immature roommate in endearing ways that spark screen chemistry.

And they grow as individuals and as a couple in this film. When they make choices for career over relationship, they feel the pain and self-correct. They gradually figure out what it takes to love someone and go the distance in a relationship worth saving.

That's a valuable love lesson which makes this film and it's terrific soundtrack worth your time and twelve bucks--assuming you can stomach the relentless F-word rants that are better suited to the intense characters in a David Mamet play. In a romantic comedy, this language is a misguided turnoff that lowered my rating to two stars.

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Who's Who in Bollywood - Actors

Despite the fact that Bollywood exceeds Hollywood in film output, Bollywood has a much smaller star system, which means Indian actors appear in far more films than their American counterparts-some doing as many as five movies a year. Luckily, that makes it easier for new fans to figure out who's who. Nepotism is common in Bollywood and many actors and filmmakers come from family dynasties that have been in the movie business for generations-however, there are many celebrities with the same common surnames, particularly Khan and Kapoor, who are not related. The following, while by no means comprehensive, is a rundown of the biggest and brightest male stars in the Bollywood universe.

Shahrukh Khan

Known as King Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, or simply, SRK, Shahrukh is one of the "big three Khans"-along with Aamir Khan and Salman Khan-who have dominated Bollywood for two decades, although Shahrukh has arguably surpassed the other two in terms of commercial power and global recognition, and unlike the other two, Shahrukh does not come from an established film family. He made his debut in 1992 in Deewana and catapulted to superstardom in 1995 with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or DDLJ as it's know, which is still showing in theaters in Mumbai, making it the longest running movie in history. His character in DDLJ, Raj, became the archetype for the modern romantic Bollywood hero-brash, hip, and Westernized, but Indian at heart. His top hits include Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). Despite his age (he was born in 1965), he revealed a surprisingly ripped physique in Om Shanti Om (2007), which became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all-time, proving that he was far from being eclipsed by younger aspirants to his throne (while poking fun at Bollywood's standards of male beauty). In 2008, Newsweek magazine named him one of the 50 most powerful people in the world. He's married to his childhood sweetheart, Gauri, with whom he has a son and a daughter.

Amitabh Bachchan

If Shahrukh Khan is king, then Amitabh is god. His 1975 film, Sholay, the first "Curry Western" (the Indian version of the Spaghetti Western), is one of the most beloved Bollywood films ever. That same year, he appeared in Deewaar, a groundbreaking film that established him as the "angry young man," a character type that reflected the frustration and disillusionment of the times. Amitabh went on to excel in drama, action, romance, and comedy, making him the quintessential "masala" actor. After he was nearly killed in 1982 from an injury sustained during a fight scene, he made unsuccessful forays into politics and business and then struggled for years to make a comeback in film-but comeback he did. In 2000, he became the host of India's version of the TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and film success-some commercial, some critical-followed, including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Sarkar (2005), Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006), Baabul (2006), and Eklavya (2007). He's married to actress Jaya Bhaduri and their son is actor Abhishek Bachchan, who's married to actress Aishwarya Rai.

Aamir Khan

Aamir is considered the "serious" actor of the big Khans and widely regarded as the most talented Indian star in terms of sheer acting ability. While he's been in plenty of commercial hits, he's always had an artistic bent, and his projects are usually of the highest quality. He started his career as a child actor in 1973, made his first film as an adult in 1984, and after several nominations, won his first Filmfare Best Actor Award in 1996 for his turn in Raja Hindustani-in which he famously kissed his co-star Karisma Kapoor (kissing was a rare enough occurrence then to cause quite a stir). He received international attention for his role in Lagaan (2001), which was the first film he produced. The movie was critically praised around the world and received an Academy Award nod for Best Foreign Film. (It was only the third time in history that an Indian film has been nominated, and no Indian film has ever won the award.) Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005) and Rang De Basanti (2006) are also among his best pictures. He debuted as a director in 2007 with Taare Zameen Par. His 2008 film Ghajini became the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. In 2002, he divorced his wife of 15 years, with whom he has two children, and in 2005, he married an assistant director. He does not attend film award ceremonies.

Salman Khan

With bedroom eyes, bulging biceps, and a velvety voice that would make any woman swoon, Salman is the ultimate heartthrob-and his bad-boy reputation only adds to his sex appeal. He's been in trouble with the law, several fatwas have been issued against him, and his romantic relationships-with ex-girlfriend Aishwarya Rai and current girlfriend Katrina Kaif (who's 20 years his junior)-have been filled with tumult. His combativeness with the press doesn't help his image and neither do the well-publicized blow-ups he's had with colleagues. But he's also known for his generous philanthropic work. He got started in film in 1988 and appeared in his first smash-hit, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, a year later-and he's been churning them out ever since, including Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), No Entry (2005), and Partner (2007). He's had plenty of flops, too-including an English-language Hollywood production, Marigold (2007), opposite American actress Ali Larter (who currently stars in the U.S. TV show Heroes).

Akshay Kumar

Part action hero with martial-arts skills, part comedian with a knack for farce, part handsome leading man who can dance-like a cross between Bruce Willis, Jackie Chan, Jerry Lewis, and John Travolta-Akshay is simultaneously a tough guy and a goofball-and he always gets the girl. While he's enormously popular in India for his everyman qualities, he's an acquired taste for most Americans. His first film came out in 1991 and he hit it big a year later in Khiladi. He's appeared in nearly 80 movies since then, with a decent track record, but only recently has he been challenging the three Khans for supremacy at the box office. The year 2007 belonged to Akshay with four hits-Namastey London, Heyy Babyy, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Welcome. In 2008, his film Tashan failed to do well, but Singh is Kinng (which included a cameo by American rapper Snoop Dogg on the title track) had a record opening. In 2009, his film Chandni Chowk to China became the first Bollywood movie released in the U.S. by a major American studio (Warner Brothers), but it flopped in both India and North America. Later that year, he starred in the successful Kambakkht Ishq, playing an Indian stuntman in Hollywood, and the film featured cameos by Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards. He has a son with his wife, Twinkle, a former actress.

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik's 2000 film debut as the romantic lead in Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai made him an instant star-and his dreamy green eyes and buff bod made him an enduring sex symbol. He's the son of director Rakesh Roshan, who's directed Hrithik in some of his most important projects. (Rakesh was famously shot at close range outside his office in 2000 after being threatened by the mob, which has a long history of extorting Bollywood actors and filmmakers, and he survived the murder attempt.) Hrithik received accolades for his turns in Mission Kashmir later that year and in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham the following year. After three flops in 2002, he made a comback in 2003 with the sci-fi film Koi...Mil Gaya. He took a break from acting and returned in 2006 as a super hero in Krrish, the sequel to Koi...Mil Gaya. His next two big films were the hit action flick Dhoom 2 (2006) and the award-winning historical drama Jodhaa Akbar (2008), both opposite Aishwarya Rai (with whom he shared a passionate and controversial kissing scene in Dhoom 2). He and his wife Suzanne have two sons.

Abhishek Bachchan

While he's the son of screen icon Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek has struggled to prove himself as an actor. And even though he's tall, dark, and oh-so handsome, he nonetheless catches flak for not being as muscle-bound as his peers. He appeared as the lead in his first film, Refugee, in 2000, opposite Kareena Kapoor in her debut, and then spent the next four years making a dozen abysmal movies. Finally, in 2004, he was critically praised for his performance as a thug in Yuva, and that year he also starred in his first commercial hit, Dhoom. In 2005, he had four hits with Bunty Aur Babli, Sarkar, Dus, and Bluffmaster and two more in 2006 with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Dhoom 2. The following year, he received accolades for his performance in Guru, opposite his then-fiance Aishwarya Rai. He's had a spotty record since with winners such as Dostana (2008) and losers such as Drona (2008). Abhishek's mother is actress Jaya Bhaduri and his grandfather is famous Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Abhishek became engaged to actress Karisma Kapoor in 2002, but they broke it off in 2003. He married superstar Aishwarya Rai in 2007.

Sanjay Dutt

Sanjay, or Sanju Baba as he's known, is a man's man, a John Wayne-type who oozes testosterone-but there's also an endearing vulnerability in his eyes. Primarily an action hero, he has more than 120 films to his name, going back to his debut in 1981. But his troubled personal life has garnered as much attention as his acting career. He's struggled with drug addiction, his mother and his first wife died of cancer, his second marriage ended in divorce, and worst of all, he spent nearly 15 years in and out of jail, fighting criminal charges that he illegally possessed weapons purchased from gangsters who were involved in the 1993 terrorist bombings of Mumbai. He was cleared of the worst of the charges, sentenced for lesser ones, and is now free. He continues to crank out films, including action flicks that place great physical demands on his 50-something body. He's currently married to his third wife. His adult daughter lives in the U.S.

Shahid Kapoor

Shahid's brooding characters have made him the Heathcliff of Bollywood. From Chup Chup Ke (2006) to Jab We Met (2007) to Kaminey (2009), he's perfected the melancholic hero who finds redemption in love. He made his debut in 2003 in Ishq Vishk, which earned him a Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. But several so-so films later, including Shikhar (2005) and 36 China Town (2006), Shahid still hadn't lived up to his full potential. He started to come into his own in Vivah-his first hit-in 2006, and he finally blossomed in the blockbuster Jab We Met in 2007. Then he took his acting to a whole new level in 2009 in the edgy drama Kaminey, playing a double role in which he shed his trademark boyishness and transformed into two rugged, world-weary men. Following the amicable end of his three-year relationship with Kareena Kapoor in 2007, he has been linked to actresses Vidya Balan and Priyanka Chopra and tennis star Sania Mirza.

Saif Ali Khan

The son of a nawab (an Indian prince), Saif is the heir apparent to the royal houses of Bhopal and Pataudi (princely states in India). His father and grandfather were captains of India's national cricket team. And with his devastating looks and solid acting chops, Saif has become prominent in his own right. However, his career was slow to take off. He debuted in 1992 and had some early successes, but he mostly floundered throughout the 90s. He started to gain traction in supporting roles in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). His 2005 film Salaam Namaste with Preity Zinta was a huge hit, and he won accolades for his work in Parineeta (2005), Omkara (2006), and Eklavya (2007). He started his own production company in 2009 and its first film, Love Aaj Kal, in which Saif starred opposite Deepika Padukone, was a major hit. At the age of 21, he married a woman 12 years his senior. The couple had two children and divorced in 2004 after 13 years of marriage. He is currently involved with actress Kareena Kapoor. Saif's mother, a former actress, is head of the Indian film censorship board. His two sisters, Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, are also actors.

John Abraham

A model-turned-actor who's equal parts sexy and sweet, John has long been regarded as Bollywood's favorite eye candy-a position he seemed to cement in Dostana (2008), in which he famously emerged from the ocean Ursula Andress-style-a shimmering Adonis in tight swim trunks. But John surprised everyone a few months later with his astonishingly strong performance in the terrorist-thriller New York (2009), which proved he could take on serious roles and look good doing it. He made his debut in 2003 in Jism (which means "Body" in Hindi), opposite screen siren Bipasha Basu, and the two became a couple off-screen. They've been together ever since (despite rumors that they both have strayed), making them the hottest couple in Bollywood-or anywhere for that matter.

Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir is the grandson of the granddaddy of Indian film, actor Raj Kapoor. And he's the son of actor Rishi Kapoor and the cousin of actress Kareena Kapoor. He made his debut in 2007 in Saawariya, opposite newcomer Sonam Kapoor (no relation). The film featured a racy scene in which he danced in nothing but a towel. His next film was the romantic comedy Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), which means "Beware, O beautiful ones." Beware, indeed, because this babe with a mischievous smile is already setting hearts on fire as he scorches his way to the top. He is currently dating his Bachna Ae Hasseno co-star, Deepika Padukone.

Vivek Oberoi

The son of actor Suresh Oberoi, Vivek made a promising debut in 2002 in the edgy gangster film Company, established himself as a matinee idol that same year in the romantic drama Saathiya, started dating one of the biggest stars in the business, Aishwarya Rai, and then proceeded to blow his momentum with a string of poorly chosen projects and a growing reputation for being difficult. But perhaps the move most detrimental to his career was his decision in 2003 to call a press conference and announce on live television that he was being harassed and threatened by Aishwarya's ex, Salman Khan. The stunt received enormous media attention and many industry insiders were angry that Vivek had aired dirty laundry about one of their own in public. He and Aishwarya broke up in 2005. He was praised for his performances in the multistarrers Yuva (2004) and Omkara (2006), but it wasn't until 2007 that he had a modest comeback as the lead in Shootout at Lokhandwala, in which he delivered an explosive performance playing real-life gangster Maya Dolas. His next big film, Mission Istaanbul (2008), was a critical and commercial failure. But don't count Vivek out yet-he's an immensely talented actor with offbeat appeal and he has some interesting projects on deck.

Ajay Devgan

The son of a stunt and action choreographer, Ajay naturally focused on the action genre ater he got into acting in 1991. But he branched out into comedy and romance, and later, serious dramatic roles. In 1998, he starred opposite his future wife, Kajol, in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, a remake of the Hollywood hit, French Kiss. One of his notable critical and commercial successes was Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. He gave astounding performances as the smoldering lead characters in the gangster drama Company (2002) and in Omkara (2006), an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello. He married Kajol in 1999 and they had a daughter in 2003. He starred opposite his wife in his directorial debut, U, Me Aur Hum, in 2008. An intensely private man, he's known to stay out of the limelight.

Anil Kapoor

Most Americans first got to know him as the sleezy game-show host in Slumdog Millionaire (and now as a new character on the U.S. TV show 24), but Anil has been in show business for decades (he debuted in 1979). He was arguably the biggest star in Bollywood in the late 80s and early 90s, and he has a long list of hits and awards to his name. Of late, he's been appearing mostly in multistarrers (with mixed success), including No Entry (2005) with Salman Khan and Lara Dutta, Welcome (2007) with Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, Tashan (2008) with Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, and Kareena Kapoor, and Race (2008) with Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, and Katrina Kaif. Anil's oldest daughter is actress Sonam Kapoor. His two younger children study in the U.S.

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