How to Convert Music/ Video to iPod, Zune and other

10 Best and Worst Bosses: Which One Are You?

2009-12-30T21:34:00.000-08:00

We’ve all had bosses that we’ve either loved or hated. The boss who helped you get that promotion, or the one who clipped his toenails at his desk.

Some help us advance our career, while others seem to hold us back. Different leadership styles can lead to different results for each employee. But certain styles seem to be good or bad across the board, helping or hurting all employees with one fell swoop.

Check out these five worst and five best leadership styles and find out which one you are!

Worst: The Know-It-All

The Know-It-All has done everything you’ve done, but better and faster. Somehow, in the time that they’ve been in the workforce, they have managed to accomplish every feat known to the IT world. Regardless of your accomplishment, they will let you know how it could be done better.

Not only are they omnipotent, but they expect you to be all-knowing as well. The Know-It-All will assign a three-day task to be completed in one day. They will give you vague instructions and expect you to figure out what must be done. Or they will assign you an impossible task – one that not even they could perform – and demand it on their desk by the end of the week. The Know-It-All is all about pushing you to your limit to prove that they are smarter than you or to see if you can measure up.

Worst: The Hovercraft

You can almost hear the faint buzzing of The Hovercraft as it floats over your shoulder, watching your every move. Nothing can be left to your own devices. Even when The Hovercraft is away from the office, they will constantly check in to make sure everything is running smoothly. In The Hovercraft’s office, it’s 1984 and Big Brother is watching.

With The Hovercraft, everything must be double-checked. Second-guessing is second nature to this boss. Without their stamp of approval, no task is actually complete. The Hovercraft has trust issues that can only be cured by years of therapy.

Worst: The Best Friend

Work is just another reason to socialize for The Best Friend. They view their team as a circle of friends, whether their employees like it or not. No subject is off limits. They feel the need to share every detail of their life with the staff, as well as ask you personal questions about yours.

The Best Friend knows no personal boundaries. They are the boss that will give you a backrub while standing over your shoulder. Or who shares, in detail, their sexual exploits behind their closed office door. In essence, The Best Friend is just a sexual harassment suit waiting to happen.

Worst: The Ghost

You never see The Ghost, but their presence is everywhere in the office. The Ghostseems to have an infinite amount of vacation time, or is always on a business trip. But when the cat is away, the mice can’t play. The Ghost will haunt the office through e-mails and phone calls, making sure everyone has plenty to do in their absence.

The problem: It’s hard to get any work done when your boss isn’t there to answer questions. Can’t decide the best way to complete a task? Better figure it out. Have a personal issue with a coworker? Take it up with them. Need something signed or approved? Better hope they are near a phone or fax machine. By constantly being out of the office, The Ghost can accomplish their tasks without the nuisance of actually having to manage their team.

Worst: The Bully

It’s like the third grade school yard all over again, except this time The Bully isn’t after your lunch money, they are after your time and commitment. They aren’t interested in your problems or your opinions. The only thing The Bully wants is for you to work as hard as humanly possible and make them look good to upper management.

The Bully makes all team decisions, with little or no input from the rest of the staff. Their word is gospel, and to challenge them is to spit in the face of the company. And since The Bully seems like such an asset to the company – mostly due to all the work you put in – it’s futile to go around them. Working with The Bully always ends up being a lose-lose situation.

Best: The Cheerleader

The Cheerleader isn’t so much about teaching and training, but more about making you feel good about what you do. Did you make you finish your project ahead of time? Good job! Did you land that content partnership you’ve been eyeing? You’re awesome!

While this leadership style won’t propel your career, it does help motivate you to accomplish your goals. The Cheerleader knows that compliments make you feel successful and good about yourself. They are the carrot used to motivate you to accomplish what you want, and look toward loftier goals.

Best: The Teacher

The Teacher remembers the time when they were in your shoes, when they wished there was someone to show them the ropes. They take you under their wing and try to impart all the knowledge they wished they knew at that time.

There is never a stupid question to The Teacher. Everything is a learning experience. They are not one to grab the phone or mouse out of your hand and do it themselves. ToThe Teacher, the only way to learn is by doing. The ultimate goal is to see the pupil succeed, which makes the employees the number one priority.

Best: The Communicator

To this boss, there is no such thing as over-communicating. Every detail of the goals and objectives of their team is laid out for everyone. Every e-mail from upper management is forwarded to the entire team. The Communicator wants to make sure that their team is constantly in the loop.

The Communicator is always around to answer any questions you may have, and will always answer them as honestly as possible. They are always willing to have a heart-to-heart about work issues, but never about personal matters. And, of course, the office door is always open.

Best: The Enabler

The Enabler knows that you have the means to accomplish any task, you just may need some guidance to get there. Instead of spending all day with you like The Teacher, they are more likely to make a few suggestions to get you on your way, and then leave the rest up to you.

The Enabler’s favorite catch phrases are “Have you thought about doing this?” or “What about trying this?” Their suggestions are never commands, and they are completely comfortable with you taking the lead on any project, as well as the praise when it succeeds. They want you to succeed, but don’t feel the need to push to get you there.

Best: The Captain

To The Captain, his employees are his team. It’s essential that everyone works together toward the same goal. If there is a rift in the team, he’s the peacekeeper that swoops in to mend the wound. If the team succeeds, he credits every employee. But if the team loses, he takes the weight on his shoulders.

The Captain acts as the go-to player on the team. If something falls through the cracks, he is there to catch it. If someone calls in sick, he is there to fill in. If a last minute assignment pops up five minutes before quitting time, he will fall on the sword for the sake of his team. The Captain’s only goal as a manager is to make sure he is doing everything he can to make sure his team is running efficiently.

WHICH BOSS ARE YOU?
TAKE THIS QUIZ

A Doo Wop White Christmas

2009-12-23T05:42:00.000-08:00

Click to play

Michael Jackson’s FBI Files Reveal Extortion, Terrorist Threats

2009-12-23T04:43:00.001-08:00

The FBI’s dossier on Michael Jackson — over 300 pages of files ranging from an alleged extortion plot against the King of Pop to documents concerning the FBI’s involvement in Jackson’s child molestation trial — were released today as part of the Freedom of Information Act, the New York Times‘ ArtsBeat blog reports.

The files reveal that in 1992, an unnamed man attempted to extort Jackson, threatening, “I will personally attempt to kill if he doesn’t pay me my money.” The man, who pleaded guilty to extortion and was sentenced to prison in 1993, also proclaimed, “I’ll commit mass murder at a Michael Jackson concert if necessary, in an attempt to murder Michael, then you will have to deal with my situation in the public eye.” Similar death threats were made to mob boss John Gotti and then-President George H.W. Bush.

As for the FBI’s documents regarding the child molestation trial, according to TMZ, local authorities in Santa Maria reached out to the FBI out of concern that the trial could be viewed as a “soft target” by terrorists, adding that the “worldwide media coverage” might appeal to terror groups. The FBI determined there was no terror threat in that case. The FBI was also involved in some regard into the investigation of Jackson’s child molestation charges, as local authorities reached out to the FBI to see if they were interested in “working a possible federal violation against Jackson concerning the transportation of a minor across state lines for immoral purposes.” Jackson was ultimately found not guilty of the charges.

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2009-12-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

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`Avatar' blasts off with $232.2 million worldwide

2009-12-21T04:30:00.000-08:00

James Cameron launched his science-fiction epic "Avatar" into a safe orbit as the costly film soared to No. 1 with $73 million domestically and $159.2 million overseas, for a $232.2 million worldwide total.

With that big a start, distributor 20th Century Fox was quick to proclaim it made a good investment with the estimated $400 million spent to make and market the film, which is Cameron's first narrative feature since 1997's "Titanic," the king of modern blockbusters.

"Absolutely. No question," said Chris Aronson, head of distribution for the studio, which reported stellar reaction in exit polls from audiences after seeing "Avatar." "The word of mouth is something that I don't know I've ever seen in this business before."

"Avatar" was a test case for the future of digital 3-D projection, which until now has been a hit with audiences mainly on animated family films.

The film fell short of the record for December debuts of $77.2 million set two years ago by Will Smith's "I Am Legend." But it did break the record for a film opening in 3-D, previously held by last summer's "Up" with $68.1 million.

"What they spent on this movie was totally justified, and they're going to more than earn it back," said Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com.

"Avatar" stars Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana in a love story amid human-alien conflict on a distant moon in the 22nd century.

Storms on the East Coast kept many people at home, cutting into weekend movie business.

"The weather really, really hurt," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution at Sony, whose comedy "Did You Hear About the Morgans?", opened at a weak No. 4 with $7 million. Sony had expected the movie to debut at about $8 million.

The movie stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant as a couple whose crumbling marriage gets a fresh jolt after they see a murder and are sent into witness protection.

The overall box office shot up on the strength of "Avatar." Hollywood's domestic revenues came in at $134 million, up 51.5 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Yes Man" opened at No. 1 with $18.3 million, according to Hollywood.com.

The previous weekend's No. 1 movie, Disney's animated musical "The Princess and the Frog," slipped to second place with $12.2 million, raising its total to $44.8 million.

Paramount's recession story "Up in the Air," which led last Tuesday's Golden Globes announcement with six nominations, broke into the top 10 as it widened to more theaters ahead of its nationwide expansion Wednesday.

"Up in the Air" came in at No. 8 with $3.1 million. The film stars George Clooney as a man addicted to the frequent-flyer life as he travels the country firing people at downsizing companies.

Two music-themed films had strong starts in limited release as they position themselves for Academy Awardsattention. The Weinstein Co. musical "Nine" opened big with $246,933 in four theaters, for an average of $61,733 a cinema, compared to an average of $21,147 in 3,452 theaters for "Avatar."

Based on the stage musical that was inspired by Federico Fellini's film masterpiece "8 1/2," "Nine" has an all-star cast that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Kate Hudson. "Nine" goes into nationwide release Christmas Day.

Fox Searchlight's "Crazy Heart," starring Jeff Bridges as a boozy country singer trying to turn his life around, pulled in $84,204 at four theaters in New York City and Los Angeles, averaging $21,051 a cinema. The film expands to four more markets on Christmas Day.

No one expects "Avatar" to be another "Titanic," which started with a modest $28.6 million opening weekend domestically but held on at No. 1 for months. The film finished with a record $600 million domestically and $1.8 billion worldwide.

Before "Avatar" opened, Cameron had said the movie might not have a "slam-dunk opening weekend" but that its profitability hinged on how well it held up in subsequent weekends.

Unlike other Hollywood franchises, which usually are based on comic books, TV shows, toys or other existing stories and ideas, "Avatar" was an original tale whose concept was not pre-sold to audiences.

Much of the action takes place among 10-foot-tall, blue-skinned aliens created by digital cameras that captured actors' performances, with computer animation adding the details of the characters, along with the exotic backgrounds and other effects.

Some reviewers found the story and characters two-dimensional, but critics generally were wowed by the dazzling images Cameron created.

"I think it is the must-see film event of recent memory," Fox executive Aronson said. "I do believe it is a game-changing movie. It will change the way people think about movies, the way they see movies, what they want to see in movies."

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Final figures will be released Monday.

1. "Avatar," $73 million.

2. "The Princess and the Frog," $12.2 million.

3. "The Blind Side," $10 million.

4. "Did You Hear About the Morgans?", $7 million.

5. "The Twilight Saga" New Moon," $4.4 million.

6. "Invictus," $4.2 million.

7. "Disney's a Christmas Carol," $3.4 million.

8. "Up in the Air," $3.1 million.

9. "Brothers," $2.6 million.

10. "Old Dogs," $2.3 million.

___

On the Net:

http://www.hollywood.com/boxoffice

Jackson's death voted top 2009 entertainment story

2009-12-21T04:29:00.000-08:00

Here are 2009's top entertainment stories as voted by U.S. newspaper and broadcast editors surveyed by The Associated Press.

1. MICHAEL JACKSON DIES: On June 25, Jackson was pronounced dead at the age of 50. One of the most momentous and shocking deaths in pop culture history, the event reverberated in many ways. There was the ongoing investigation: Jackson's death was ruled a homicide, and his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who says he's innocent of wrongdoing, is being investigated for manslaughter. There was the gigantic Los Angeles funeral. There was the documentary, "This Is It," of Jackson's preparations for a comeback concert series. But, perhaps most of all, there was the celebration of his music, on stages and sidewalks the world over.

2. SUSAN BOYLE BECOMES OVERNIGHT SENSATION: Two 21st-century powers — reality TV and the Web — combined to turn the humble, unknown Boyle into an international star. After Boyle sang "I Dreamed a Dream" on "Britain's Got Talent" on April 11, the clip spread like wildfire online, totaling more than 120 million views onYouTube. Her album, released in November, had the best opening week sales of a female debut in decades.

3. LATE-NIGHT SWAP: On NBC, Conan O'Brien took over the "Tonight" show, and Jay Leno moved to 10 p.m. All the fanfare may have been overdone, though: At year's end, neither was receiving good ratings.

4. WALTER CRONKITE DIES: The passing on July 17 of Cronkite, a paragon of journalism and a father figure to a nation, was not only the sad loss of a universally acknowledged great man but was a reminder of a bygone era in broadcasting.

5. DAVID LETTERMAN AFFAIR: Letterman's Oct. 1 announcement on his "Late Show" carried two bombshells: He alleged that he had been the victim of an extortion attempt, and he confessed to having affairs with women on his staff. Letterman, who hasn't shied from the subject on air, saw some of his best ratings in years. The man accused of trying to blackmail Letterman, Robert J. "Joe" Halderman, says he was just shopping a screenplay.

6. CHRIS BROWN ASSAULTS RIHANNA: The big story on Grammy night in 2009 didn't take place on stage but outside the ceremony. Chris Brown assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna, an altercation that led to Brown pleading guilty to felony assault in June. Both R&B stars were in comeback mode before the year was out, releasing new albums just weeks apart.

7. KANYE WEST ROBS TAYLOR SWIFT: Bad behavior, not awards, also ruled the story line at the MTV Video Music Awards. When a stage-crashing West interrupted Swift's acceptance speech for best female video, the rapper clearly underestimated the negative reaction he would inspire.

8. LIVE VIDEO EXPLODES ON THE WEB: One of the biggest trends in online video was the emergence of demand — and supply — for live video. Live online video particularly suited daytime news events (when people are at work in front of computers). Millions online watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama and the funeral of Michael Jackson.

9. KATE AND JON GOSSELIN BROADCAST SPLIT: One of reality TV's latest sensations fell apart just as it was reaching fruition. TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8" was winning its best ratings in its fifth season when the Gosselins — parents of eight children — announced their separation. With more than 10 million viewers, that episode earned the show its best ratings. Arguments in the divorce, which became final in December, have thus far prevented the show from continuing. TLC hopes to debut a show for Kate Gosselin in the spring.

10. HEATH LEDGER WINS POSTHUMOUS OSCAR: Ledger, whose death topped the poll of 2008's top entertainment stories, remained a presence in 2009, when he won an Oscar for best-supporting actor for his performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight."

Taylor Swift voted AP entertainer of the year

2009-12-21T04:28:00.001-08:00

It's a love story, baby.

Taylor Swift sang those words about a young romance, but they apply just as well to America's feelings for the 20-year-old country singer. Swift, adding to the heap of awards already bestowed on her, has been voted The Associated Press entertainer of the year.

Swift was chosen by newspaper editors and broadcast producers across the country in a survey of AP members. She follows last year's winner, Tina Fey, and 2007's pick, Stephen Colbert.

"I am so honored and so excited," Swift said in an interview by phone with the AP. "This was so unexpected, and I could not be more grateful."

Though her second album, "Fearless," came out in late 2008, Swift was ubiquitous in 2009.

She found critical acclaim for her autobiographical and infectious songwriting, exemplified in tunes such as "Love Story" and "White Horse." She led a sold-out tour across 52 cities in North America.

She won album of the year from the Country Music Awards and theCountry Music Association Awards. She hosted "Saturday Night Live" and performed at the Grammys. She won five American Music Awards, including artist of the year.

At one point, she had eight songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Swift said that several nights of her year were "golden and shiny and I'll remember forever." Hosting "SNL" was one of those.

"That entire week was life-changing, honestly," said Swift. "It makes you feel so thankful to be a part of the music industry, but more than that, to me, 'SNL' is show business."

Another live show, the MTV Video Music Awards, was more of a mixed blessing for Swift. She was accepting the award for best female video (the first VMA to be given to a country act) when Kanye West stormed the stage and interrupted her speech. West's stunt set off a media storm that perhaps said as much about Swift's popularity (fans and musicians alike came to her defense) than it did about West's.

Among those who voted for Swift for entertainer of the year was Danielle L. Kiracofe, entertainment editor for the Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper.

"In a time of 'made' musicians, she writes her own songs and has her own sparkly style," said Kiracofe. "She's managed to do all of this with grace, class and poise — and without uttering a swear word, dancing on a pole or wearing next to nothing. At the age of 20."

Ellis Widner, style editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, applauded Swift for superseding generational boundaries.

"She defines crossover appeal and would seem to be a strong business model in a declining music business," Widner said. "And to her fans, she's the real deal. On MySpace and in her songs, she wrote what she felt and sang about her experiences."

At year's end, Swift's life is in flux. She'll soon move out from home with her family, making this Christmas an emotional one for her.

She may well have more trophies to haul in, too: In January, she'll be attending the Grammys, where she's nominated for eight awards. She's already begun to look beyond 2009.

"The second that I put out `Fearless,' the moment that album came out and I was done with it, I started writing for my next album," said Swift. "I love to plan 20 steps ahead of myself, and it's really fun competition game that I play with myself, trying to top what I've done last. For this next record, that's all that I've been thinking about, that's all that my mind has been fixated on for the last year, and it's all that I'm going to be thinking about for this next year."

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2009-12-14T09:05:00.000-08:00

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2009-12-14T03:56:00.000-08:00

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Miss World: Gibraltar's Kaiane Aldorino crowned

2009-12-14T03:54:00.002-08:00

Kaiane Aldorino from Gibraltar was named the new Miss World at a glittering two-hour pageant that put South Africain the spotlight and featured traditional dancers and drummers.

The leggy brunette, dressed in white-lace evening gown, was crowned as silver confetti rained down onstage around her. She clapped her hands to her mouth when her name was announced.

"I have no words," she said when asked to describe how she felt. "I am really happy."

The 23-year-old administrative clerk from the British territory on the tip of the Iberian peninsula was a crowd favorite after winning the swimsuit competition.

She joined seven other contestants in the final round of the show. The loudest cheers were reserved for Miss South Africa, Tatum Keshwarwho was the second runner-up.

First runner-up was Miss Mexico, Perla Beltran Acosta.

Aldorino did not give an indication of what her immediate plans were now that she had won the prestigious title.

"I will try to do the best that I can now that I have opportunity and advantage," she said in a brief interview with The Associated Press after the event.

Gibraltar, known as The Rock, is a quirky, multicultural British outpost of 30,000 people, most of whom speak perfect Spanish and even own property along Spain's southern Mediterranean coast. An estimated 12,000 people cross over from Spain daily to work and many more to visit.

Spain ceded sovereignty of Gibraltar to Britain in a 1713 treaty, but has persistently sought its return, claiming the territory as a natural and historic part of its geography. The outcropping is in the Strait of Gibraltar, for centuries a strategic waterway linking the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Wearing her crown of tiny jeweled blue flowers, Aldorino said had been impressed with South Africa, which was hosting its seventh Miss World final.

"It has a lot to offer," she said.

South Africa is taking advantage of the world's attention as the country gears up to host the World Cup in June.

Saturday's show, which was televised across the world, gave a taste of South Africa's rich cultural heritage and natural attractions.

The 112 contestants were welcomed at the start by Zulu dancers and the ululating African female performers. There were clips from the finalists time in South Africa — showing the beauties cuddling cheetahs and lions, on pristine white beaches and even playing soccer.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for South Africa to showcase that they can host a world-class event and also a great tourist opportunity to show off the best that South Africa has in store," Keshwar said.

'Uncharted 2' nabs top prize at VGAs

2009-12-14T03:54:00.000-08:00

The cinematic action adventure "Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" nabbed three prizes including game of the year at theSpike TV Video Game Awards.

The PlayStation 3 exclusive was named top game for that console and honored for its graphics at the awards show Saturday night at the LA Live complex in downtown, which featured appearances from Stevie Wonder, Green Day and Jack Black. Snoop Dogg and The Braveryperformed.

"I want to see the companies that make these video games make them accessible so that people like myself can enjoy them too," Wonder said before presenting the best music game award to "The Beatles: Rock Band."

Green Day announced that they would be featured in a similar standalone title by game maker Harmonix, "Green Day: Rock Band," to be released next year.

Jake Gyllenhaal promoted his Jerry Bruckheimer-produced action movie based on the "Prince of Persia" games, due out next summer, and presented the game of the year award.

"Uncharted 2" earned raves from critics when it was released in October, and from attendees Saturday ranging from actor Zach Braff to "Gears of War" designer Cliff Bleszinski.

"We knew when we were making this game it was going to be good, but nobody could have predicted this kind of success," said Nolan North, the voice actor who plays "Uncharted 2's" lead character Nathan Drake.

He said he and developers at Naughty Dog studios had celebrated the game's big sales "by kicking around ideas for 'Uncharted 3,' because that's what we want to do."

Zachary Quinto of "Star Trek" said he'd be lending his voice to the upcoming massively multiplayer online game "Star Trek Online." Mike Tyson made an appearance alongside the cast of MTV's new "Jersey Shore" reality show, who hogged attention backstage.

"Everybody in the green room is pushing all these mega-celebrities out of the way," Braff said. "Get out of the way Sam Jackson, I think 'The Situation' is coming in."

Besides the awards, the show's focus was on never-before-seen previews of upcoming titles, including the rebooted, Afghanistan-set "Medal of Honor," "Batman: Arkham Asylum 2," "Crackdown 2," "The Force Unleashed 2" and "Halo: Reach."

Johnny Depp can't get used to winning awards

2009-12-14T03:53:00.000-08:00

Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp suspectshe'll never get used to receiving awards for his acting work.

Depp, best known for his Oscar-nominated role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" blockbusters, made the comments Sunday night before receiving a career achievement award at the Bahamas International Film Festival.

"Whenever anybody say they are going to give me some kind of award, I'm always a little stupefied by the notion. The first thing I say is 'why?'," Depp told a small scrum of reporters. "I just go to work like anyone else, except my job happens to be a little stranger."

Lit by cameras during a red carpet event, Depp said he planned on spending Christmas on his private island ringed with white sand off Exuma.

"The place is as close to paradise as anywhere you can get," said Depp, wearing a black pinstriped suit and tinted glasses with heavy black frames.

Fellow acting superstar Sean Connery, who also owns a home in the Bahamas, presented Depp with the award at the Balmoral Club in Nassau.

The festival's founder, Leslie Vanderpool, described Depp as an "icon" who is one of the finest actors of his generation.

"What makes this tribute to Johnny even more special is that he has a home in the Bahamas and possesses a true love and appreciation for the region and culture," Vanderpool said in a statement.

Depp's diverse screen credits through the years include starring roles in "Donnie Brasco," "Edward Scissorhands," and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape."

In September, Disney announced that a new "Pirates of the Caribbean" film is on the horizon. Depp will reprise his celebrated role as Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," slated for summer of 2011.

Depp said he's enjoyed playing all of his screen characters.

"I'm still amazed I get jobs after all this time," he quipped.

Obamas join stars for Christmas benefit concert

2009-12-14T03:52:00.000-08:00

The nation's capital got in the holiday spirit Sunday night when music legends Neil Diamond and Mary J. Blige performed for President Barack Obama at the annual "Christmas in Washington" concert.

The festivities, hosted by comedian George Lopez, took place at theNational Building Museum and benefited the Children's National Medical Center.

"This season we celebrate that sacred moment, the birth of a child, the message of love preached to the world," Obama said from the stage, where he was joined by first lady Michelle Obama. "More than 2,000 years later, that spirit still inspires us."

The president spoke of helping those in need during the holidays, as well as honoring those in the military.

"With our men and women in uniform serving far from home, in harm's way, our fervent wish remains this season, and all seasons: Let there be peace on earth," he said.

Diamond kicked off the concert by performing "Joy to the World" and "Winter Wonderland." Blige wowed the crowd with "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)."

Two of the holiday songs were original numbers. Country group Sugarland performed "Gold and Green" andRob Thomas sang "A New York Christmas."

R&B singer Usher sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Internet sensation Justin Bieberperformed "Someday at Christmas."

After addressing the crowd, the Obamas stayed on stage with all the performers to sing carols, starting with "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." The president wiped a tear from his eye during the sing-along.

The concert will air Dec. 20 on TNT.

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2009-12-10T03:37:00.000-08:00

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Whitney Houston's big, public snub

2009-12-05T12:23:00.000-08:00

The 52 annual Grammy nominations were announced this week on a Wednesday night TV special hosted byLL Cool J, and it was definitely ladies night, with Beyonce (10 nominations),Taylor Swift (eight), and Lady Gaga(five) leading the pack.

But one diva who was somewhat surprisingly shut out was onetime Grammy sweetheart Whitney Houston.

The Grammy committee usually loves comeback stories. Whether it's artists who left the spotlight for a while and then returned with a vengeance (Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Cole, Tina Turner), veterans who reinvented their careers by collaborating with other musicians (Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock,Robert Plant), or artists who struggled with their demons and made great music as a result (Dixie Chicks, Amy Winehouse), such rising-from-ashes back stories usually strongly resonate with industry voters. In this regard, Whitney Houston's "comeback" album I Look To You--released after the singer's long hiatus, divorce from Bobby Brown, and infamous battles with drugs--seemed a shoo-in for multiple nominations.

Her record label Arista seemed so sure of Whitney's chances, in fact, that it moved her album release date up in order for it to qualify for this year's voting window. But Whitney was actually completely shut out, with NO nominations whatsoever--not only was she snubbed in the major categories like Album Of The Year, but even in the secondary Pop and R&B categories. This was a shock considering her Grammy history of 24 nominations and six wins, including winning Album Of The Year and Record Of The Year in 1994.

Many industry people and fans alike are wondering why Whitney was overlooked this time. Some say it might have been all the hype. From the moment it was announced that Whitney would be releasing her first original studio album in seven years, the Arista promo machine went into overdrive--with Whitney hosting a star-studded listening party with her longtime mentor, Arista honchoClive Davis (at which Clive reminded everyone of Whitney's millions and millions of albums sold), and doing a headline-garnering Oprah interview about her struggles. And it seemed many were rooting for her, with I Look To Youdebuting at #1 with more than 300,000 units sold in its first week (it has sold about 800,000 as of this writing), but the hype was still a little overwhelming.

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Brad and Angie upstaged on red carpet

2009-12-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Maddox attend LA "Invictus" premiere.Jordan Strauss/WireImage

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attended the premiere of "Invictus" on Thursday night, and the fashion world stood up and took notice of their 8-year-old son, Maddox.

While two of the world's most recognized actors wore basic black, the eldest of the couple's six children made a splash on the red carpet, donning a fedora and a stylish scarf as he posed for pictures and spoke to family friend and film legend Clint Eastwood, who directed the film about the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. You know, just another typical night for your average third-grader.

And while it's not the first time that Maddox who was adopted by Jolie in 2002 from his native Cambodia has been exposed to the media's flashbulbs, it's certainly his first red-carpet upstaging of his glamorous parents' style.

The only attribute visible on Jolie or Pitt that was likely to draw the public's eye away from the boy's easy style was father Brad's facial hair, an unkempt goatee in dire need of grooming.

Still, Maddox seemed to enjoy the night out on the town without his siblings, as Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne were all noticeably absent. They'll have to wait their turn to steal the spotlight.

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2009-12-04T11:11:00.000-08:00

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Q&A: Shakira says new CD looks out for single gals

2009-11-24T04:32:00.000-08:00

All the single ladies — Shakira is looking out for you!

The Colombian-born singer says the songs on her new album "She Wolf," out this week, is a reflection of a woman who is looking for her prince charming.

"It's very much a common thing for women my age, at least my friends, to be in search for the right man and to be somehow dreaming of the prince who's going to come in and rescue them," the 32-year-old said. "Some of these songs either reveal my own daydreams or fantasies, but some of them have to do with my girlfriends' experiences and things that they go through."

The Grammy-winner says songs like the Brazilian-influenced "Did It Again" and "Men In This Town" will connect women in search of "the one."

However, Shakira doesn't have to deal with that issue. The singer has been in a relationship with Antonio de La Rua, the son of former Argentinian President Fernando de la Rua, for almost a decade.

In a recent interview, the international star talked about her new CD, relationships and why she still passionate about her career.

___

The Associated Press: What is the album about lyrically?

Shakira: I think this album in general has been written from a very feminine perspective. Maybe because today I feel more like a woman and I feel the struggle of being of woman, and its advantages too, in my own flesh. I have a better understanding of women's plight, you know. I guess I understand my mom better today than 10 years ago. ...( It's about) the old urban tale, you know, trying to find the right man ... the old urban tale of men not being available, all the good ones are taken.

AP: But you are set though, right?

Shakira: Yeah (laughs). I'm all set. But unfortunately not everyone out there is and it's tough to date, to be out there and so I kind of wanted to portray that other side of women's reality and "Did It Again" is about making recurrently the same mistake which is something us women tend to do because of our emotional nature, that emotional, romantic and dreamy nature.

AP: The CD features a number of party-sounding jams. Did you club-hop to get inspired?

Shakira: Not really. I live in the Bahamas, I only go out sometimes when I'm with my band on the road. We tend to go to clubs, but it's not something I do very often. I live a very simple life.

AP: You and Wyclef have another duet on this CD. Was there any pressure to create something as huge as "Hips Don't Lie"?

Shakira: I knew that it would be difficult to do a song at least of the same genre as "Hips Don't Lie" and make it big as that one. I think when you're in front of a song the size of what "Hips Don't Lie" meant to both of us, it's really hard. The parameters are so high and there's no way to fulfill the expectation. ... Instead of trying to repeat the same formula, which No. 1 could be very boring, and two, it would be an impossible task. We weren't thinking about "Hips Don't Lie," we were thinking about having a good time ... I feel like it's a little jewel in the album. I like the sound — it's smooth and sexy at the same time. Also, it's got a little fantasy in it.

AP: You've had many albums — what was the goal specifically with this one?

Shakira: I wanted to make sure the fantasy was very latent and fresh in the songs. I think that sometimes music today can get pretty straight forward, and blunt, and I refuse to let metaphors die. And I refuse to let fantasy in music die. I admire so much people in other decades like David Bowie and Michael Jackson, people who were in touch with their own inner child and also their own fantasies and dreams, and they sort of portrayed that in their songs. And I felt inspired by that and let my imagination fly, and let my songs be the butterfly catchers.

AP: You've been in this game for 13 years. What is most surprising to you when you look back at your career?

Shakira: It's not that I care less, but surprisingly I still care a lot about my career. I should care less because I've been doing this for a few years but I'm surprised about how I still care so much. This album feels to me like it's my first album, you know. There's no difference about the way I felt when I was 13 and the way I feel now. ... I feel like the owner of my own life.

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2009-11-23T04:34:00.001-08:00

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'Idol' winner Allen remains humble on new album

2009-11-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

Kris Allen knows he's not garnering as much attention as Adam Lambert — and that's OK with him.

Since foiling Lambert at the "American Idol" finale last May, the 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Conway, Ark., has not appeared on thecover of Rolling Stone magazine and declared he's gay. His music can't be heard during the credits of the apocalyptic action flick "2012." And you won't find him posing in a racy Details photo shoot with a naked woman.

"I don't mind," an always modest Allen says while perched in "Idol" overlord Simon Fuller's quiet office 10 stories above the Sunset Strip. "I think that's how I went through the competition as well. I did my thing, and it worked out. And that's how I'm going to do my music career. I'm just going to do my thing, what I like to do, and hopefully it works out."

His thing now is his self-titled album, which comes out Tuesday, a week before Lambert's "For Your Entertainment" is scheduled for release. As one might expect after watching his soulful "Idol" renditions of Kanye West's "Heartless" and "Falling Slowly" from the indie musical "Once," Allen's album is filled with melodic ballads and toe-tapping rock tunes.

Allen teamed with experienced producers like Toby Gad, Steve Kipner,Andrew Frampton and Saalam Remi, but contributed more than just his voice and guitar-and-piano-playing prowess. Allen's name appears on the songwriting credits for all but four of the album's 13 songs — including "Red Guitar," a ditty Allen wrote for his wife, Katy, before his "Idol" run.

"I bought my wife a red guitar for her birthday a long time ago, hoping that she would play it," he says. "She never learned how, so it became a wall decoration in our apartment. One day, I took it off the wall and started playing it, and just started writing a song that ended up being about the guitar itself, which was not the greatest guitar in the world."

His beaming wife's face became a constant presence in the audience during Allen's "Idol" tenure, a move that judge Simon Cowell teased at risk of scaring off female fans. Throughout the post-"Idol" zaniness — the tour! the recording! the trip to Disney World! — Allen says she's kept him fully grounded and embraced their move from Arkansas to La La Land.

Allen admits he doesn't mind being mobbed by fans in public because "people are usually nice about it." But he's still not totally comfortable with on-camera interviews, despite some post-"Idol" media training. His goofy nice-guy demeanor remains refreshing, even when the chime from a friend's rather coarse text message interrupts the interview.

"If I just had one word to describe this entire experience, it would be nuts," Allen says. "It's just nuts going from being a happily married guy into the music industry and this crazy world of entertainment. But in the end, I get to do exactly what I like to do, and that's make music. That's what makes me happy. That's the thing that has always driven me."

Allen is looking forward to touring with his band next year and hopes to keep an Allen family Christmas tradition going strong this holiday. Every year, Allen's mother gives him and his brother, Daniel, a new pair of pajamas and a board game, which they play — no matter how long it takes — before going to bed. He already knows what game he wants this year.

"The new Monopoly with the big towers," he says, his eyes widening. "You can build cities. It's weird."

`Twilight' hunks part of film's heartthrob history

2009-11-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

Fifteen-year-old Chloe Bates is in love.

A 10th-grader at an all-girls Catholic school, she lights up when she talks about her handsome 17-year-old honey. Chloe doesn't know too many boys, so she still gets a nervous, buzzy feeling whenever she thinks about HIM. Her friends know all about this guy — he's a regular text and telephone topic between school, homework and dance practice.

Chloe keeps a few pictures of him on her bedroom wall, scattered among snapshots of her and her friends. She also writes about him in her journal. But she can't really get close to him. It's like he doesn't know she exists.

Chloe is in love with Taylor Lautner, one of the hunky stars of the "Twilight" films. And she's not alone.

Girls have been falling in love with movie stars since the dawn of cinema. When teenagers became Tinseltown's prime marketing target, Hollywood delivered handsome heartthrobs any girl could love.

James Dean. Frankie Avalon. David Cassidy. Rick Springfield. Johnny Depp. There are teen icons for every generation. For Chloe and millions of girls around the world, it's Lautner and Robert Pattinson of "New Moon," the latest installment in the "Twilight" series.

These girls aren't just experiencing a movie-star crush, they're participating in a uniquely female rite of passage: The birth of romantic fantasy. And today's technology — online fan forums, Twitter, an endless Web stream of photos and videos — lets them get closer than ever.

Before real boyfriends and first kisses, girls' imaginary relationships with their heartthrobs provide a precursor to adult romance — a love before they know what love might be.

"They're practicing feelings of love and attachment and attraction and romance," says Los Angeles psychologist Wendy Walsh, whose own 11-year-old daughter also loves Lautner. "These are all new feelings, and what a safe way to play them out — in the privacy of their own room with a poster of Taylor Lautner."

The "Twilight" series itself is about first love. "New Moon" centers on Bella Swan, an ordinary teenager in love with the mysterious Edward Cullen (Pattinson), who comes from a family of vampires. Edward is romantic and otherworldly, and though he literally hungers for her, he's gentle and protective. But he leaves and Bella finds comfort with her loyal, longtime friend Jacob Black (Lautner), whom she later discovers belongs to a lineage of werewolves.

"It would be so fun to be Bella," Chloe says wistfully. "I love the idea of having two super-hot mythical creatures fighting over me. I just think that would be incredible."

Chloe hasn't had a real boyfriend yet, but she thinks Lautner would be perfect because he's "that fun, hang out, let's-play-video-games kind of guy that I think would be really fun right now."

Like practically everyone at school, Chloe has read all four novels in the "Twilight" series. She spotted Lautner when she saw the film last year and recognized him from a kids' movie she'd seen a few years earlier.

"Now he's hot," she says. "He's really hot."

Besides his looks, Chloe loves the character he plays: A kid-next-door type who's sweet, funny and just a tad awkward.

"I like him because I can feel like that might actually happen, like this guy could be real," she says.

Pattinson is really hot, too, but Chloe finds his character's infinite devotion to Bella "kind of unrealistic."

Fans of the series fall on two sides: Team Edward and Team Jacob. Chloe aligns firmly with the latter, but "it's pretty much half and half at my school," she says.

Each has his charms. On screen, Pattinson plays a dashing vampire. Off-screen, the British actor is shy and soft-spoken, humbled by all the "Twilight" attention. He's 23, lanky and pale, with thick, tousled hair he constantly runs his fingers through.

Lautner is buff and bronzed, with a gregarious personality, dark eyes and an easy smile. To reprise his character in "New Moon," he packed on more than 20 pounds of chiseled physique.

Pattinson and Lautner may be slightly sexier than teen idols past, but they're cut from the same teen-heartthrob cloth as their predecessors: Smooth-faced stars who seem wholesome — and just a touch away from attainable.

Heidi Hurst, executive editor of teen pinup magazine Tiger Beat, notes that since the magazine was established in 1965, the guys on its pages have been "non-threatening, more on the boyish side of good looks." The November issue features Lautner and Pattinson on the cover.

Most Tiger Beat readers, who range in age from 8 to 16, "still aren't dating boys in real life and this is their first exposure to boys as in `They're cute. I like them,'" Hurst says.

Chloe buys Tiger Beat when it has a good Lautner spread. She'll also Google him from time to time and, until recently, kept a "very hot, shirtless picture" of him as her computer screen-saver. But she's not as obsessive as some of her friends, who check YouTube for him daily and follow various "Twilight" fan sites.

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Taylor's turn: Swift wins entertainer of the year

2009-11-12T03:48:00.000-08:00

All four of the guys who lost to Taylor Swift forentertainer of the year at the Country Music Association Awards made a tactical error: They asked the crossover sensation to open for them in their concerts.

Swift quickly shed her opener status and shook up the music world with an incredible year that included the best-selling album, a concert tour that sold out almost immediately and, now, a historic night at theCMAs that included becoming the youngest winner of the association's highest honor.

"Yeah, next year we're not going to take any opening acts out," Brad Paisley said jokingly.

The CMA's more than 5,000 members — often cited as a conservative bunch — seemed as taken with Swift as the rest of the music world has been. She won all four awards for which she was nominated, snapping Kenny Chesney's streak of four entertainer wins in the last five years and Carrie Underwood's three-year run as top female vocalist.

Chesney hugged and kissed Swift on her way to the stage and most of her peers hailed her Wednesday night during the ABC telecast at theSommet Center.

"She has taken the music world by storm," Paisley said. "She's the biggest artist in music right now, by far. It's hands down. She's entertainer of the year in country music, no doubt, and I'm really proud of her."

Association members didn't stop with Swift, making interesting choices in most of the 12 categories. Darius Rucker became the second black performer to win a major individual award when he took new artist, joining Charley Pride, who took entertainer of the year in 1971 and male vocalist in 1971-72.

"Making this record, I never thought about being an African-American guy making a country record," said Rucker, whose "Learning to Live" sold 1 million copies this year. "I just thought I was a guy making a country record until my first song went top 20 and people started talking about it. I'm proud of that, I'm proud of being that guy who has taken up where Charley Pride left off."

Lady Antebellum, winners of two awards, ended Rascal Flatts' six-year run in the vocal group category. AndJamey Johnson, known for his outlaw country sound and wild beard, won song of the year for "In Color" with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto.

Paisley was the only other winner with multiple awards, taking male vocalist for the third straight year and event for his duet "Start a Band" with Keith Urban.

Swift also won album of the year for "Fearless," the top-selling CD of the year, and video of the year for "Love Story."

After being presented with the entertainer trophy by her childhood idol Faith Hill, Swift called her band on stage and was the center of a group hug as fans cheered wildly, holding signs that said, "We love you, Taylor." Her father cried in the audience.

"I'll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me," Swift said through tears.

Several women country music artists said they were pulling for Swift, including Barbara Mandrell, one of six female acts to win entertainer of the year and the only to win it twice.

"I think it will be exciting to see where she takes it because she entertains you," said Mandrell, the first two-time winner of entertainer of the year, who was honored for her election into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Organizers gave a nod to Swift's popularity, asking her to play two songs during the show. She opened with a rousing rendition of "Forever & Always," throwing a chair from a raised podium, sliding to the floor on a pole, then dropping to her knees to sing the song's bridge.

She also played acoustic guitar while singing "Fifteen" as a few dozen fans waved their arms around her.

The year's not yet over for Swift, but she's already identified the high point in a 2009 that included so many milestones.

"I think about 37 minutes ago is what stands out for me my whole life," Swift told reporters backstage. "You guys, I didn't expect to win, so I'm really at a loss for words."

Upgrading to Windows 7

2009-11-11T04:44:00.000-08:00

Windows has updated and users are now asking, "Should I upgrade to Windows 7?" Windows 7 is finally available for purchase and is essentially a revamp of Vista that addresses owners' most common complaints and tightens the user interface. So, is it worth the plunge to upgrade your system, or should you stick with your current operating system?

Here is a list of reasons why you should upgrade to Windows 7:

Windows 7 has lower system requirements. Windows 7 is not a resource hog and you'll spend less money on hardware upgrades. A relatively slow PC with 1GB of memory can run Windows 7, making it suitable for installation on low-end netbooks and high-end desktops.
Windows 7 has simpler navigation. Users will now be able to view desktop contents by turning all the windows transparent. Users will also have the option to simply grab an active window and physically shake the mouse to minimize other panes cluttering up one's monitor; you'll also be able to re-size your windows to take up half the screen when dragged to either side of your display.
Windows 7 is better at multitasking. Windows has borrowed a trick from Apple's Snow Leopard, by offering a more aesthetically pleasing, icon-based task bar that lets you permanently pin and organize favorite programs on it.
Windows 7 has greater stability. Most hardware and software will be compatible with Windows 7 and work right out of the box.
Windows 7 has enhanced security; rather than having to constantly click to approve of program access, Windows 7 does away with most nagging pop-ups. Internet Explorer 8 Web Browser is also better-guarded against external threats.
Windows 7 has multi-touch capabilities and simpler file organization. Users with touch-screen PCs and laptops will be able to navigate the operating system and pull up documents and data with the flick of a finger. There are also all-purpose containers known as libraries to conveniently catalog photos, music, video and files in a single location.
Windows 7 has a new optimized network set-up. You'll have a brisk, painless network setup via new HomeGroup features makes it simple to share devices, documents and printers between other PCs using Windows 7 on a password protected network.
Windows 7 has less clutter taking up space on your hard drive. Those pre-installed programs will no longer be installed unless they are in a bundle you purchase, however, if you need any of these programs, they are available for download for free from Microsoft.
Windows 7 has upgraded, so the overall performance is definitely worth the wait. Third parties will be more inspired to design new products and programs and new software libraries can take advantage of it's built-in features. More reliable desktop search features and simpler document retrieval have made Windows 7 the best operating system in Microsoft's history.

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Thousands cheer 20 years since fall of Berlin Wall

2009-11-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Ulrich Sauff and his wife stared at the mammoth domino pieces marking the path where the Berlin Wall once stood and reminisced about life in the barrier's shadow.

"It was like a prison," said Mr. Sauff, 73, who lived on the Western side of the wall. "For us 'Wessis,' the few kilometers from our old home to our new home (in the East) was unthinkable."

The Sauffs were among those who gathered Monday to celebrate 20 years of unity, marking the day the wall came down. Thousands cheered as 1,000 colorfully decorated dominoes along a mile-long route were toppled to symbolize both the moment the wall came crashing down and the resulting fall of communist countries in Eastern Europe.

It was the finale to a day of memorial services, speeches and events that attracted leaders from around the world, including former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Merkel and 78-year-old Gorbachev stood shoulder to shoulder as they crossed a former fortified border crossing point between East and West Berlin to cheers of "Gorby! Gorby!" bring this up to the first reference to gorby.

"Looking back, we can see many causes that led to the peaceful revolution, but it still remains a miracle," German President Horst Koehler told the leaders of all 27 European Union countries, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Angela Merkel — Germany's first chancellor to be raised in the former communist east — called the events of Nov. 9, 1989 an "epic" moment in history.

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Garfield - Comics

2009-11-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

Comics

2009-11-09T15:33:00.000-08:00

Taylor made? All eyes on Swift at CMA awards

2009-11-09T15:32:00.000-08:00

Kenny Chesney has made the very hard work of dominating country music look easy.

And Taylor Swift is paying close attention.

The 19-year-old sensation has the record sales. She beat out every living artist — no matter the genre — this year with more than 3 million copies of her "Fearless" CD sold and counting (only Michael Jacksonhas sold more). The album remains No. 3 after 51 weeks on the charts.

And she's moving concert tickets as fast as they can print them.

That might be enough to sway the more than 5,000 members of theCountry Music Association, who decide who gets the trophy forentertainer of the year, the CMA's highest honor, at the CMA Awardson Wednesday night (the broadcast will air live on ABC).

She's the youngest ever nominated for the award and the first solo female act since Faith Hill in 2000, and she's faced a lot of questions about whether either is a limiting factor.

"I think you have to do the work and put in the effort and do the touring that it takes to win entertainer of the year," she said in an interview with The Associated Press. "And I don't really think it has anything to do with gender. I think if you want to compete with the boys, play on a level that they're playing at."

And the guys in this category are playing at the highest.

Using a combination of unparalleled album and ticket sales, Chesney has dominated the CMA Awards' most prestigious category with three straight wins and four of the last five. A fifth win would move him pastGarth Brooks for most in the 43 years of the awards. This is the eighth straight year he's sold more than a million concert tickets, and fans are drawn to his brand of Caribbean cool like no other.

Brad Paisley leads all nominees with seven and is entering his second year as co-host with Carrie Underwood. His album "American Saturday Night" debuted at No. 2 on the album charts when it was released earlier this year and he's had 11 straight No. 1 singles on the country charts.

Keith Urban's supercharged live show has made him one of country's most bankable stars and his album "Defying Gravity" hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He's the only artist to interrupt Chesney's recent domination in the category, winning in 2005.

And then there's George Strait, a two-time winner in the category and CMA's career leader in nominations (79, with Alan Jackson) and wins (22) whose "Twang" also debuted as the nation's No. 1 album. Paisley said he's put together the kind of career and rapport with his fans that's really only possible in country music, and that "always" makes him a contender.

"Look at George Strait," Paisley said. "It's just unbelievable. He first won entertainer of the year 20 years ago in 1989. Isn't that crazy?"

But 2009 might be Swift's year — and she could soon be in the company of icons like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, three of the six other female acts to win entertainer of the year.

But tell that to Swift, and she modestly dismisses the idea: "Don't fill my head with that."

"It's so wonderful when people come up to me and say that I have a shot at winning. It actually is really, really a wonderful thing when people do that," she said. "But my parents raised me to have the mindset that the world doesn't owe me anything and you can't feel entitled to winning, you can't feel entitled to success."

It's statements like those that have won Swift fans within the industry as well — not to mention a few votes.

"I will say I did vote for her," McEntire said. "The obvious is that she is a female and I do tend to support my female friends and artists in the business, but also because I think she is the one who's done the most this year — television, touring. She is an extraordinary person and I think she highly deserves it."

Elton John on mend, resuming tour dates

2009-11-06T04:17:00.001-08:00

Elton John has been released from a London hospital after being treated for flu and an E. coli bacterial infection.

The singer's spokesman Gary Farrow says John was at home Friday and was feeling fine. He left the hospital early Thursday.

He says John planned to resume his suspended tour and would play scheduled U.S. dates with Billy Joel starting in Oakland, California on Nov. 14.

Illness has forced the 62-year-old musician to cancel several gigs inBritain, Ireland and the U.S. over the last few weeks.

Jackson is `It' at box office with $23.2M weekend

2009-11-03T01:20:00.000-08:00

"Michael Jackson's This Is It" danced to the head of the box office, debuting with $23.2 million domestically in its first weekend.

"This Is It," featuring performances Jackson rehearsed for a marathon concert stand planned before his death in June, took in $103 million worldwide in its first five days.

The top 20 movies at U.S. and Canadian theaters Friday through Sunday, followed by distribution studio, gross, number of theater locations, average receipts per location, total gross and number of weeks in release, as compiled Monday by Hollywood.com:

1. "Michael Jackson's This Is It," Sony, $23,234,394, 3,481 locations, $6,675 average, $34,442,926, one week.

2. "Paranormal Activity," Paramount, $16,387,327, 2,404 locations, $6,817 average, $84,627,372, six weeks.

3. "Law Abiding Citizen," Overture Films, $7,403,630, 2,764 locations, $2,679 average, $51,485,280, three weeks.

4. "Couples Retreat," Universal, $6,460,525, 3,026 locations, $2,135 average, $87,026,280, four weeks.

5. "Where the Wild Things Are," Warner Bros., $5,931,417, 3,645 locations, $1,627 average, $62,650,379, three weeks.

6. "Saw VI," Lionsgate, $5,270,794, 3,036 locations, $1,736 average, $22,534,749, two weeks.

7. "Astro Boy," Summit, $3,460,651, 3,020 locations, $1,146 average, $11,316,418, two weeks.

8. "The Stepfather," Sony Screen Gems, $3,207,792, 2,346 locations, $1,367 average, $24,555,801, three weeks.

9. "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," Universal, $3,098,185, 2,754 locations, $1,125 average, $10,809,975, two weeks.

10. "Amelia," Fox Searchlight, $3,034,667, 1,070 locations, $2,836 average, $8,340,499, two weeks.

11. "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," Sony, $2,747,476, 2,322 locations, $1,183 average, $118,604,078, seven weeks.

12. "Zombieland," Sony, $2,620,655, 2,056 locations, $1,275 average, $71,181,556, five weeks.

13. "A Serious Man," Focus, $1,036,396, 238 locations, $4,355 average, $4,595,629, five weeks.

14. "Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day," Apparition, $546,687, 68 locations, $8,040 average, $546,687, one week.

15. "An Education," Sony Pictures Classics, $467,376, 48 locations, $9,737 average, $1,537,993, four weeks.

16. "Halloween II," Weinstein Co., $445,344, 1,083 locations, $411 average, $33,096,757, 10 weeks.

17. "Good Hair," Roadside Attractions, $422,472, 418 locations, $1,011 average, $3,453,044, four weeks.

18. "The Invention of Lying," Warner Bros., $393,270, 452 locations, $870 average, $17,589,249, five weeks.

19. "Capitalism: A Love Story," Overture, $373,992, 492 locations, $760 average, $13,664,911, six weeks.

20. "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" in 3-D," Disney, $262,347, 343 locations, $765 average, $30,593,152, five weeks.

DreamWorks vs. Pixar: Which is better?

2009-11-03T01:13:00.000-08:00

To think, just 14 years ago no one had ever seen a full-length computer animated movie. Today, they have almost completely replaced traditional hand-drawn films as the sole form of animation coming from Hollywood.

Various upstarts have tried to get into the computer animation business, some with great successes and others with enormous failures. But the first two studios to produce these movies are still the dominant forces in the market: Pixar and DreamWorks.

Pixar Studios was the originator of the form, producing the world's first computer animated feature, "Toy Story," in 1995. DreamWorks released its first film three years later, but it has produced more movies in a shorter time. Both have set box office records; Pixar has the higher total in the U.S., while DreamWorks has made more money worldwide. And while Pixar is continuing to produce features at a faster rate than they ever have before, DreamWorks is set to release three movies next year -- an unparalleled feat.

To see just how the two giants stack up against each other, take a look at the chart below. Then, preview DreamWorks' next feature, "How to Train Your Dragon," coming in March.

Watch the Trailer for 'How to Train Your Dragon' >>

Note: the figures for DreamWorks only include the computer animated features the studio produced, which excludes Aardman Animations' "Flushed Away."

STATS	PIXAR STUDIOS	DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
# of Films	10	11
First Theatrical Film	Toy Story (1995)	Antz (1998)
Most Recent Film	Up (2009)	Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
Total Domestic Gross	$2,424,726,165	$2,352,274,178
Total Worldwide Gross	$5,345,657,852	$5,514,036,138
Top Grossing Film	Finding Nemo (2003) $339,714,978 U.S. $864,625,978 Worldwide	Shrek 2 (2004) $441,226,247 U.S. $919,838,758 Worldwide
Lowest Grossing Film	A Bug's Life (1998) $162,798,565 U.S. $363,398,565 Worldwide	Antz (1998) $90,757,863 U.S. $171,757,863 Worldwide
# of Oscar Nominations	30	6
# of Oscar Wins	7	1
2010 Releases	Toy Story 3 - June 18	How to Train Your Dragon - March 26 Shrek Forever After - May 21 Oobermind - November 5

Watch the Exclusive Trailer for 'How to Train Your Dragon' on

Is the Motorola Droid an iPhone killer?

2009-11-03T01:10:00.000-08:00

So let's just get this out of the way: The Droid is no iPhone killer. But it's not the iPhone's doormat, either.

Indeed, I've been a devoted iPhone user since the first one came out more than two years ago, but the Droid—with its impressive, easy-to-use interface, killer navigation features, above-average camera, and thriving app store—really got me thinking. Is this the handset that could pry the iPhone out of my cold, dead fingers?

In my case, I'll probably be sticking with the iPhone for now (especially given that I'm still under an AT&T contract), but that's me. What about you? Are you wavering between the iPhone and the Droid?

I've ticked off 10 categories that should factor into your iPhone-vs.-Droid decision, ranging from how the handsets actually look to how they handle calling duties, Web browsing, navigation, music, video, and more. I've tipped a winner for each (well, most) of these categories, but note that the overall score is even, and I haven't picked an ultimate winner. Why? Because the final decision on which phone's right for you will depend on your specific needs and wants in a handset.

Still with me? Good. Then let's begin...

The basics:
Both the 16GB iPhone 3GS and the Motorola Droid (which goes on sale Nov. 6, and comes bundled with a bundled 16GB microSD memory card) sell for $199 with a two-year contract. (If you buy the Droid through Verizon, it's actually $299 with a $100 mail-in rebate; you can also get the Droid at Best Buy for $199, no mail-in rebate required). Each phone also requires a $30-month 3G service plan. Also, both phones come with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, 3.5mm headset jacks, and (of course) 3G support.

Look and feel:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, so you'll have to decide for yourself which phone wins the most style points. Personally, I happen to prefer the iPhone's sleek lines, slim profile, and relatively light weight. But while the Droid is a bit sharper and boxier, it has a bigger (3.7-inch), sharper display, and at just 0.5 inches thick, it's the slimmest QWERTY slider I've ever laid eyes on. The Droid tips the scales at 6 ounces, nearly an ounce heavier than the iPhone, but it fits quite nicely in a jeans pocket. Winner: Too close to call

Interface:
Google's Android UI has come a long way in just a year, and with its speedy processor and first-on-the-market implementation of the new Android 2.0, the Droid does a great job of showing off what Android is capable of. I also love the Droid's ability under Android to let you add live widgets—be they for weather, sports, the music player, Facebook, or Twitter—to the phone's home screen, and arrange them in any way you so choose. But while the iPhone's interface isn't quite as flexible as the Droid's, it's unmatched at doing what it does. On the iPhone 3GS in particular, windows, menus, lists, and apps open smoothly and instantaneously, and you're never at a loss about what to do next. Peppy though it is, the Droid's UI still feels a big sluggish in comparison.Winner: iPhone

Calling:
The iPhone's touch-enabled calling interface couldn't be any easier to use, and it'll even wirelessly hook into your iCal contacts if you're willing to shell out $100 a year for a MobileMe subscription. But the Droid arrives with the ability to automatically pull in all your Google and Facebook contacts, for free, and you can also use the downloadable Google Voice app (still unavailable for iPhone) to receive calls from a single Google Voice number, as well as send free text messages and place cheap international calls. Then there's the issue of which network—AT&T or Verizon Wireless—you want to be on. Your mileage will vary depending on your coverage area, of course, but if I had a nickel for every call my AT&T-bound iPhone has dropped, well ... Winner: Droid

Music and video:
Yes, the Droid comes loaded with a basic music player, and there's also a free podcast application ("Listen") for download over the Android Marketplace, but neither can hold a candle to the iPhone's best-in-class, touch-enabled iPod player. And while the Droid packs in a streaming YouTube app, same as the iPhone, it doesn't come with a build-in video player—that you'll have to find (and probably pay for) via the Marketplace, (I prefer the 99-cent Act 1 Video player, by the way). Indeed, the Droid doesn't even support the streaming video clips on Verizon's V Cast service. The iPhone, on the other hand, plays video out of the box, and you can also rent movies or buy TV episodes over-the-air via iTunes. This one's a no-brainer. Winner: iPhone

Mapping and navigation:
You can't beat the iPhone's Google-powered Maps app when it comes to ease of use, smooth operation, and overall slickness (slickosity?), but the Droid's mapping features under Android 2.0 pack more punch. Not only do you get the same basic searching and point-to-point direction features, but you also get the digital compass-aided Street View (which automatically changes the Street View perspective depending on the direction in which you're holding the phone), layers for traffic, satellite view, transit lines, and Wikipedia, and—best of all—Google's new Navigation app with voice-aided, turn-by-turn directions, just like you'd expect from an in-car navigation system. Great stuff—and free, to boot. Equivalent GPS navigation apps for the iPhone, on the other hand, all come with either monthly fees, exorbitant price tags, or both. Winner: Droid

Web browsing:
The Droid's solid, touch-enabled Web browser is nothing to sneeze at, and come next year, it's slated to add support for Flash-powered videos and embedded content. But the Droid's browser doesn't support such handy features as multi-touch gestures (for "pinching" or zooming text on a Web page, for example), and it's not immune to sudden crashes, jerky scrolling, or jumbled HTML rendering. Meanwhile, the iPhone's Web browser—Flash-less though it is, for now—makes for the smoothest, speediest, and most seamless browsing experience you'll find on a smartphone. Winner: iPhone

Camera:
The iPhone's middling camera has been its Achilles heel (or one of them, anyway) ever since it launched, and the iPhone 3GS's 3-megapixel, auto-focus snapper is only marginally better. The Droid, however, boasts a 5MP camera with auto-focus, a dual LED flash for night shots, and image stabilization, not to mention sharp (if not quite "DVD quality") video recording. The Droid's snapshots might not measure up to, say, the gorgeous photos you can get from the Nokia N97 or the Samsung Memoir on T-Mobile, but it easily bests the often-murky pictures that the iPhone cranks out, particularly in low-light conditions. Winner: Droid

Messaging:
Pretty much an even playing field here, especially since AT&T finally enabled picture messaging for the iPhone. Both the Droid and the iPhone now support corporate Exchange accounts, not to mention push e-mail, Web accounts (like Gmail, of course, Yahoo!, AOL, etc.), and POP/IMAP mailboxes. Both handsets do threaded messaging for SMS and picture messages, but neither has a unified inbox for all your e-mail accounts and text messages (the Android- and MotoBlur-powered Motorola Cliq does, but the Droid doesn't).Winner: Tie

Apps:
The Android Marketplace is undeniably growing at a steady clip, with about 10,000 free and paid apps now available for download, including some (like Google Voice) that you won't find on iTunes (or at least, not yet). But who are we kidding: Apple's App Store has close to one hundred thousand apps, including a wide selection of cutting-edge mobile games (Real Racing, Doom: Resurrection, F.A.S.T. Modern Combat: Sandstorm, for starters), productivity apps (like DataViz's Docs to Go), communication (Skype, now over 3G), social networking (Facebook, MySpace, Foursquare), sports, weather, navigation ... the list goes on. The Android Marketplace may be gaining momentum, but the App Store has a massive head start. Winner: iPhone

Battery life:
The iPhone's become notorious for its iffy battery life, and for good reason. There are days when my iPhone barely limps past dinnertime, and that's after only moderate use, and since the iPhone battery is sealed inside the case, you can't swap in a fresh one when you're on the road. The Droid, on the other hand, does has a user-replaceable battery, and its battery life is pretty solid; in my tests, it made it though nearly six hours of voice calls on a single charge. Watch out for those multitasking Android apps, though. I unwisely elected to allow IM+, an instant messaging application, to stay connected while the phone was asleep; an hour later, the red-hot Droid was burning a hole in my pocket, and its battery capacity had plunged to just 25 percent. Oops.Winner: Droid

So, which phone is right for you? The Droid? The iPhone? Neither? Let us know.

Orianthi: Jackson's electrifying female guitarist

2009-11-03T01:05:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson's concert documentary This Is It made the King Of Pop the King Of The Box Office this week, as fans flocked to the theaters to catch a glimpse of what might have been, had the late superstar's London O2 Arena dates actually taken place. But the film also offered a glimpse of a young new talent whose career is just starting to explode: Jackson band member and guitar prodigy, Orianthi.

This 24-year-old Australian guitar goddess first captured American audiences' attention at this year's Grammy Awards, when she blazingly accompanied (some might even say upstaged) Grammy performer Carrie Underwood, and she has also been quite vocally championed by six-string legends Steve Vai and Carlos Santana. ("If I was going to pass the baton to somebody, she would be my first choice," Carlos once said of Orianthi.) It was in fact Orianthi's buzzy Grammy performance that made Michael himself take notice, and he quickly hired her to be his guitarist for the This Is Itconcerts. In fact, she was actually supposed to be Michael Jackson's official spokesperson during his much-hyped London residency.

Obviously, that sadly never came to pass, and Orianthi--who was actually with Michael the night before his death--ended up performing at Michael Jackson's Staples Center memorial instead. But still she raves: "Working with Michael was a life-changing experience, one I will never forget."And now as Orianthi--recently named one of the "12 Greatest Female Electric Guitarists" in Elle magazine--releases her debut solo album Believe and lead single "According To You," she is all over This Is It, electrifying the screen.

Below is the new video for "According To You," the first single off Believe. As far as real rock-chick role models go, this is it, people.

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Ugliest automobiles of past 50 years

2009-11-03T01:01:00.000-08:00

Considering how many new cars are rolled out every year, it's no surprise that a few might be just plain homely. There's a chance that certain styles might become fashionable with a dash of retro hip. (Well, maybe not from the 1970s.) But for the most part, the following cars will never be anything but design duds.

Wikimedia/IFCAR

1. Chevrolet El Camino

Introduced: 1959

The front end of a car and the back end of a pickup—convenient but unsightly. The El Camino went through several redesigns, each worse than the one before. This 1982 model seemed to be wearing dental braces, and the chrome accents over its wheel housing only draw the eye to mystifying hub caps.

Wikimedia/MartinHansV

2. Citroën Ami

Introduced: 1961
Design: Flaminio Bertoni

This car has fenders that drop below the tire line and a top that extends from the back like a porch roof. Add some oddly shaped windows and dot-sized brake lights for a uniquely strange-looking vehicle.

Wikimedia/Peripitus

3. Lightburn Zeta

Introduced: 1963

This Australian car was designed by a maker of cement mixers and washing machines, but that might be obvious. There are two grilles, both in a fence-like pattern, with protruding headlights on either side.

Wikimedia/Krokodyl

4. Wartburg 353

Introduced: 1965

Can you find one thing you like about this East German car?

Wikimedia/Sven Storbeck

5. Volkswagen Thing

Introduced: 1969

This is the design philosophy of the Thing: Take the basics of the Beetle—an engine, powertrain, and seats—and plop them in an unfinished metal box. There's no front grille, the bumper is an afterthought, and nobody bothered to round the fenders.

Wikimedia/CZmarlin

6. AMC Gremlin

Introduced: 1970
Design: Richard A. Teague

Introduced on April Fool's Day, the Gremlin was ugly, but it's had its fans. Still, that doesn't excuse the abruptly angled back end, saucer hubcaps, and aborted rear windows. It also came in some nasty colors, like the brown-copper concoction seen here.

Wikimedia/Mikel Ortega

7. Bond Bug

Introduced: 1970
Design: Ogle Design

No, it has nothing to do with James Bond, and yes, it was legally driven on real roads. The Bug defies car design language with three wheels, a boat-like bottom, and zip windows.

8. Ford Pinto

Introduced: 1970
Design: Robert Eidschun

The Pinto doesn't seem so bad—that is, until you remember how sexy Fords from the 1960s were. The design devolved into hexagonal headlight housings, a grille that's only a few inches tall yet wide enough to become the car's focal point, and a rear end that apparently melted from the roof.

Wikimedia/Bull-Doser

9. Ford Mustang II

Introduced: 1973

Somehow, Ford transformed the classic first-generation Mustang into this. Gone are the sleek lines, side intakes, and close-to-the-road profile. Instead, the Mustang II looks like many cars of the '70s: bloated, heavy, bland, and forgettable.

Wikimedia/Thomas Doerfer

10. Bricklin SV1

Introduced: 1974

This ride has a well-earned reputation for being a complete mechanical clunker—and it looked like one, too. The front end is squared like an awful dress shoe, is wider than the driver's cabin, and rises high before sloping down dramatically, giving it a front-heavy, unstable appearance.

Click here to see the full list of Fifty Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years

MelodyCan video converter + YouTube HD Converter

2009-11-02T03:09:00.000-08:00

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MJ - King of POP 4ever!

2009-11-02T01:57:00.000-08:00

We love you Michael....

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-02T01:45:00.000-08:00

Melodycan is a powerful program to help you to:

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This is it!

2009-10-29T09:02:00.001-07:00

Melodycan is a powerful program to help you to:

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DEA agents among 14 Americans dead in Afghanistan

2009-10-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

A U.S. military helicopter crashed Monday while returning from the scene of a firefight with suspected Taliban drug traffickers in western Afghanistan, killing 10 Americans including three DEA agents in a not-so-noticed war within a war.

Four more troops were killed when two helicopters collided over southern Afghanistan, making it the deadliest day for U.S. forces in this country in more than four years.

U.S. military officials insisted neither crash was believed a result of hostile fire, although the Taliban claimed they shot down a U.S. helicopter in the western province of Badghis. The U.S. did not say where in western Afghanistan its helicopter went down, and no other aircraft were reported missing.

The second crash took place when two U.S. Marine helicopters — a UH-1 and an AH-1 Cobra — collided in flight before sunrise over thesouthern province of Helmand, killing four American troops and wounding two more, Marine spokesman Maj. Bill Pelletier said.

The casualties marked the Drug Enforcement Administration's first deaths since it began operations here in 2005. Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium — the raw ingredient in heroin — and the illicit drug trade is a major source of funding for insurgent groups.

The U.S. has decided to target production and distribution networks after programs to destroy poppy fields did little except turn farmers against the American-led NATO mission.

In the past year, the DEA has launched an ambitious plan to increase its personnel in Afghanistan from about a dozen to nearly 80, greatly expanding its role.

NATO said the helicopter containing the DEA agents was returning from a joint operation that targeted a compound used by insurgents involved in "narcotics trafficking in western Afghanistan."

"During the operation, insurgent forces engaged the joint force and more than a dozen enemy fighters were killed in the ensuing firefight," a NATO statement said.

Eleven Americans, including another DEA agent, and 14 Afghan security troops were wounded in the crash, NATO said.

Military spokeswoman Elizabeth Mathias said hostile fire was unlikely because the troops were not receiving fire when the helicopter took off. She said troops had been rushed to the crash site to determine the cause.

The crash came less than a week after a U.N. report found that the drug trade is enabling the Taliban to make more money now than when they ruled Afghanistan before the U.S. invasion in 2001. The DEA sent more agents to Afghanistan this year to take part in military operations against insurgents who use drug smuggling to raise funds for their war against NATO and its Afghan allies.

It was the heaviest single-day loss of life since June 28, 2005, when 19 U.S. troops died, 16 of them aboard aSpecial Forces MH-47 Chinook helicopter that was shot down by insurgents.

U.S. forces also reported the deaths of two other American service members Sunday: one in a bomb attack in the east, and another who died of wounds sustained in an insurgent attack in the same region. The deaths bring to at least 47 the number of U.S. service members who have been killed in October.

This has been the deadliest year for international and U.S. forces since the 2001 invasion to oust the Taliban. Fighting spiked around the presidential vote in August, when 51 U.S. soldiers died that month — the deadliest for American forces in the eight-year war.

President Barack Obama mourned 14 Americans killed Monday and told a military audience he will not be hurried as he evaluates whether to alter U.S. strategy in the war.

"I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary," Obama said during a visit to Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida.

Obama is debating whether to send tens of thousands more troops to the country to curb the burgeoning Taliban-led insurgency. Doubts about bolstering the U.S. force grew after widespread fraud marred the Aug. 20 presidential election, raising doubt whether the U.S. and its NATO allies had a reliable partner in the fight against the militants.

Afghan officials scheduled a runoff election Nov. 7 between President Hamid Karzai and challenger Abdullah Abdullah after U.N.-backed auditors threw out nearly a third of the incumbent's votes, dropping him below the 50 percent threshold required for a first-round win in the 36-candidate field.

Abdullah complained Monday that there were no assurances that the November vote would be fairer than the first balloting. He called for the head of the government's Karzai-appointed election commission chairman, Azizullah Lodin, to be replaced within five days, saying he has "no credibility."

Lodin has denied allegations of bias in favor of Karzai, and the election commission's spokesman has already said Lodin cannot be replaced by either side.

Another flawed election would cast doubt on the wisdom of sending in more U.S. troops.

With less than two weeks to go until the vote, disagreements have emerged between the U.N. and theAfghans on how to conduct the balloting.

Lodin said the commission hopes to open all 23,960 polling stations from the first round. The U.N. wants to open only 16,000 stations to cut down on the number of "ghost polling stations" that never opened but were used to stuff ballot boxes.

Meanwhile, security forces in Kabul fired automatic rifles into the air for a second day Monday to contain hundreds of stone-throwing university students angered over the alleged desecration of Islam's holy book, the Quran, by U.S. troops during an operation two weeks ago in Wardak province. Fire trucks were also brought in to push back protesters with water cannons. Police said several officers were injured in the mayhem.

U.S. and Afghan authorities have denied any such desecration and insist that the Taliban are spreading the rumor to stir up public anger. The rumor has sparked similar protests in Wardak and Khost provinces.

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All-in-one Tool to Rip DVD, Convert Video, Transfer iPod files

2009-10-26T03:59:00.000-07:00

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New Stephen King e-book delayed

2009-10-22T01:35:00.001-07:00

The latest weapon in the publishing price wars: Stephen King.

Scribner announced Wednesday that the digital edition of King's "Under the Dome," a 1,000-plus page novel, would not be released until Dec. 24, virtually the end of the holiday season and a month after the hardcover.

E-books have already been delayed for Sen. Edward Kennedy's "True Compass" and Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue" as publishers try to prevent the cheaper digital editions from taking sales from hardcovers, which, until recently, cost more.

"Given the current state of the marketplace and trends in digital book pricing, we believe that this is the most appropriate publishing sequence for this particular 1088 page work of fiction," said spokesman Adam Rothberg of Scribner's parent company, Simon & Schuster.

Thanks to an online price war among Target.com, Amazon and Walmart.com, the hardcover for "Under the Dome," "Going Rogue" and other popular November releases can be pre-ordered for $9 or less, a strong source of concern among publishers and independent booksellers, who cannot afford to charge so little.

"Under the Dome" will have the same list price as the hardcover, $35. Amazon.com and other online retailers have been offering best-selling e-editions for $9.99, which publishers worry is unrealistically low.

King, ironically, is a pioneer and champion of e-books. In 2000, his e-novella "Riding the Bullet" was initially offered for free and became an online sensation, downloaded so many times that Internet sites offering the book were overwhelmed.

In February 2009, when Amazon.com announced a new edition of its Kindle e-reader, King's novella "Ur" was offered exclusively through the device and incorporated the Kindle into the narrative.

Polanski lawyers split on possible surrender to US

2009-10-22T01:34:00.000-07:00

Lawyers for Roman Polanski split on strategies Wednesday, with one suggesting for the first time that Polanski might voluntarily return to the U.S. to face justice in California for having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Until now the position had been that the Oscar-winning director, who has been a fugitive for 31 years, would not surrender to U.S. authorities.

The new approach emerged a day after a Swiss court dealt the 76-year-old filmmaker a major setback by rejecting his release from jail because of the high risk he would flee again. Polanski, who has until Oct. 29 to appeal the decision, faces lengthy detention if he is unsuccessful in the bail bid and continues to fight extradition.

"If the proceedings drag on, it's not completely impossible that Roman Polanski might decide to go explain himself in the United States, where there are arguments in his favor," one of his lawyers, Georges Kiejman, told Europe 1 radio.

Kiejman could not be reached afterward to elaborate, but fellow Polanski attorney Herve Temime rejected the idea that the director's legal team was now considering waiving extradition. Both lawyers are based in Paris.

Polanski has not set foot in the United States since fleeing sentencing in 1978. He did not even return when he won the Academy Award in 2003 for directing "The Pianist."

"We continue to fight extradition, and for him to be free," Temime told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "There is absolutely no change of strategy."

Beyond challenging the court's Oct. 19 bail denial, his legal team can submit a new proposal, possibly substituting a massive cash guarantee instead of his Gstaad chalet as security. They have also unsuccessfully proposed some form of house arrest and electronic monitoring as further conditions for his release.

The director of such film classics as "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown" was accused of raping the 13-year-old girl, after plying her with champagne and part of a Quaalude pill during a modeling shoot in 1977. He was initially indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molesting and sodomy.

Polanski pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. In exchange, the judge agreed to drop the remaining charges and sentence him to prison for a 90-day psychiatric evaluation. However, he was released after 42 days by an evaluator who deemed him mentally sound and unlikely to offend again.

The judge responded by saying he was going to send Polanski back to jail for the remainder of the 90 days after which he would seek "voluntary deportation." Polanski then fled the country on Feb. 1, 1978, the day he was scheduled to be sentenced to the additional time.

Polanski, a French native who moved to Poland as a child, has lived in France since fleeing the U.S. He was arrested on Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to receive a lifetime achievement award from a film festival.

Swiss officials tipped the United States about Polanski's visit and set in motion his apprehension, according to documents obtained by the AP. On Wednesday, a top Swiss official defended the move.

Justice Ministry spokesman Folco Galli said the e-mails — obtained in Los Angeles by the AP under a U.S. public records request — showed that Swiss officials followed proper police procedure when a wanted individual is expected in Switzerland.

"An arrest is a big operation," Galli told the AP. "If we know a wanted individual is coming, we always ask if the arrest warrant is valid."

According to the e-mails, the Swiss ministry sent an urgent fax to the U.S. Office of International Affairs on Sept. 22 stating Polanski was traveling to Zurich. The director was to be feted at a film festival, and Swiss officials wanted to know if the U.S. would be submitting a request for his arrest since he was the subject of aninternational law enforcement "Red Notice."

"The Americans immediately confirmed that was the case," Galli said.

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Kidman: Hollywood probably contributes to violence

2009-10-22T01:32:00.001-07:00

Nicole Kidman conceded Wednesday that Hollywoodhas probably contributed to violence against women by portraying them as weak sex objects.

The Oscar-winning actress said she is not interested in those kinds of demeaning roles, adding that the movie industry also has made an effort to contribute to solutions for ending the violence.

Kidman testified before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that is considering legislation to address violence against women overseas through humanitarian relief efforts and grants to local organizations working on the problem.

Asked by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., if the movie industry has "played a bad role," Kidman said "probably," but quickly added that she herself doesn't.

"I can't be responsible for all of Hollywood but I can certainly be responsible for my own career," she said.

Kidman appeared before the committee in her role as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Development Fund for Women, known as UNIFEM, to promote the International Violence Against Women Act.

"In the real world, the laws go unenforced and impunity is the norm," she said.

The legislation has stalled in the past, but a sponsor, Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-Mass., said he and others plan to reintroduce it soon.

The Australian star told Congress that the U.N. women's fund needs more resources. "We need the money," she said.

Jackie Chan, Andy Lau to star in new Shaolin movie

2009-10-22T01:31:00.001-07:00

The king of kung fu cinema is set to star in a new movie about China's famed shrine of martial arts, the Shaolin Temple.

Jackie Chan will star in the $29 million production, "Shaolin," the latest screen portrayal of the 1,500-year old temple in central China whose famous fighting monks have featured in films by stars such as Bruce Lee and Jet Li, and in the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" with David Carradine.

Chan's Chinese-language film will co-star veteran Hong Kong actorAndy Lau, actor-singer Nicholas Tse and Chinese actress Fan Bingbing.

The production, said to boast 1,000 real fighting monks and a grand scene in which the temple burns down, will start shooting later this year for release in late 2010. It was announced in a joint statement Thursday by four Chinese film studios: the state-run China Film Group Corp., Emperor Motion Pictures, Huayi Brothers Media Corp. and Beijing Silver Moon Productions Ltd.

Hong Kong filmmaker Benny Chan, who worked with Chan on "New Police Story" and "Rob-B-Hood," will direct and Cory Yuen will serve as action co-ordinator. Yuen's credits include "Lethal Weapon 4" and "X-Men."

"Shaolin" will be an updated version of a 1982 movie, "The Shaolin Temple," in which former Chinese kung fu champion Li made his screen debut, playing a boy adopted and trained by Shaolin monks who seeks to avenge the death of his father.

The new project could draw more heat for Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin, who has been accused of high living and seeking publicity for the famed shrine in the Songshan Mountains of central Henan province. He has also faced criticism for upgrading facilities at the once-austere temple.

Shi has agressively promoted the Shaolin brand, and has threatened to sue companies that use the temple's name or image without permission, but the abbot is clearly on board for Chan's project.

"It's worth cheering that we are now working with the most outstanding production team," Shi was quoted as saying in the statement Thursday.

Judge orders retrial in Travolta extortion case

2009-10-22T01:30:00.001-07:00

The trial of two people accused of trying to extort John Travolta following the death of his son in the Bahamas has ended in a mistrial after a lawmaker suggested the still-deliberating jury had acquitted one of the defendants.

Senior Justice Anita Allen said she was reluctantly ordering a new trial "in the interest of justice" because the politician's statement, in a speech broadcast on television and radio, gave the appearance of an improper leak from the jury room.

"The dilemma that we face is great," Allen told the court. "I am erring on the side of caution. Justice must be transparent."

Ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne and his attorney, politician Pleasant Bridgewater, were accused of threatening to release private information about the January death of Travolta's 16-year-old son Jett at the family vacation home in Grand Bahama.

Lightbourne, who was among the medics who treated Jett, allegedly sought $25 million from the actor with the assistance of Bridgewater, who resigned her seat in the Bahamas Senate after she was charged in the case.

Jurors were still deliberating when lawmaker Picewell Forbes told an audience at a Progressive Liberal Party convention that Bridgewater was "a free woman." He did not go into details.

Immediately afterward, Alex Storr, the party's deputy chairman-elect, said Forbes had misspoken. He said the information was incorrect and no verdict had been issued. He apologized on behalf of the party.

But the judge said that Forbes' comment gave her no choice but to dismiss the jurors. She did not set a new trial date.

The jury, which deliberated about nine hours, had spent a month listening to testimony including from Travolta, who flew to the Bahamas to take the stand. Michael Ossi, one of the actor's attorneys, said his client would cooperate in any way possible and testify again if necessary.

"We are committed to seeing this through, and we are committed to seeing justice served," Ossi said. "And whatever the prosecution asks us to do is exactly what we will do."

Howard Butler, a Florida-based lawyer for Travolta, referred further questions to a publicist who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In closing statements, lawyers for the defendants, who denied the allegations, told the nine-member jury that their clients were set up by lawyers for Travolta. They also said authorities misinterpreted their actions.

The alleged plot centered on a document that would have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance ride to the hospital for Jett, who suffered a deadly seizure at a family vacation home on Grand Bahama island on Jan. 2.

Travolta said he signed the waiver because he initially wanted his autistic son flown directly to Florida for treatment. But he later changed his mind, and the document did not come into play.

The actor testified that Lightbourne threatened to sell stories to the media suggesting that he was at fault in his son's death.

Newspaper column sparks Twitter rage, complaints

2009-10-20T02:01:00.001-07:00

Britain's press watchdog said Monday it had received a record 21,000 complaints about a newspaper column on the death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately after critics used Twitter to brand the article homophobic and insensitive.

Gately died Oct. 10, aged 33, while vacationing on the Spanish island of Mallorca. An autopsy found he had died of natural causes from pulmonary edema, or fluid in the lungs.

Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir wrote in a column Friday that Gately's death was "not, by any yardstick, a natural one" and said he died in "sleazy" circumstances, She noted that Gately, who came out publicly as gay in 1999, had been to a bar and invited a young Bulgarian man back to his apartment the night before he died.

Moir concluded that "under the carapace of glittering, hedonistic celebrity, the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see."

Anger at the column swept social networking site Twitter soon after Moir's piece appeared on the paper's Web site. Actor Stephen Fry urged his 860,000 Twitter followers to contact the Press Complaints Commission. Other prominent Tweeters followed suit, and provided links to the commission's Web site.

Advertisers including retail chain Marks and Spencer asked to have their ads removed from the Mail Web page carrying Moir's column.

In a blog post Monday, Fry called Moir's column an "epically ill-judged piece of gutter journalism."

Moir defended her article, claiming suggestions of homophobia were "mischievous" and suggesting the backlash was a "heavily orchestrated Internet campaign."

The commission said Monday it had received "by far the highest number of complaints ever" about a single article. It said it would write to the newspaper seeking a response before deciding whether to take further action.

Irish boy band Boyzone sold millions of albums in the 1990s and had six British No. 1 singles, including "All That I Need" and a cover of the Bee Gees' "Words."

Under the British media's self-regulatory system, newspapers are bound to adhere to the commission's code of practice, which includes commitments to accuracy, respect for privacy and avoiding "pejorative reference" to an individual's race, color, religion or disability.

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2009-10-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

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2009-10-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

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