Based on the popular American Girl series of books and doll line, this first edition focuses on Kit Kittredge (Abigail Breslin), an aspiring young cub reporter who, during the Great Depression, finds her sunny world turned upside down when her father�s (Chris O'Donnell) car dealership goes under, and he must leave Cincinnati to find other work. This leaves Kit and her mother (Julia Ormond) to fend for themselves selling eggs and home-grown veggies and renting out rooms in order to keep the family home. Kit always has time for others, bringing home a stray Basset hound or convincing her parents to let a couple of hobo friends (Max Thieriot, Willow Smith) help out around the house in return for meals. They are among the colorful characters in her life, including the Kittredge�s new tenants, a magician (Stanley Tucci), a man-hungry dancer (Jane Krakowski) and a ditzy librarian (Joan Cusack). Kit also spends a lot of time writing articles, including a glowing one on the hobo community, which she hopes to sell to the craggy publisher (Wallace Shawn) of the local newspaper. When a crime spree suddenly hits, and the Kittredge�s savings are wiped out, blame is pointed at the hobo camp. With the help of her buddies Stirling (Zach Mills) and Ruthie (Madison Davenport), Kit must solve the mystery and save the day.With a part tailor-made for her, Breslin is the perfect Kit, endlessly optimistic, determined and hopeful. Clearly, she is the child star of the moment, walking capably in the footsteps of the Culkins and Fannings of the world. The film, not designed for anyone over 10-years-old, really belongs to the kids with both Mills--as the awkward Stirling--and Davenport--as best friend Ruthie--add a lot of charm to the proceedings. Also doing nicely is Thieriot (Jumper) as one of the young hobo boys, and Will Smith�s daughter Willow, in a surprising turn as his good friend (who may or may not be who she seems). Adult roles are largely one-dimensional but a good supporting cast makes the most of them, particularly Tucci and the colorful Cusack. Shawn is fun as the editor Kit keeps trying to impress, and O'Donnell and Ormond are sympathetic parents.Director Patricia Rozema (Mansfield Park) competently directs this old-fashioned, live-action family film that is so �G� and squeaky clean, it seems out of place with all the hipper CGI-type of fare aimed at younger audiences today. Since this film was obviously designed to sell the enormously popular American Girl dolls, you can�t expect a masterpiece. Still, there is a certain sweetness and longing for a life long ago that makes this more a cousin to something out of the �30s or �40s like Judy Garland�s Meet Me in St. Louis than to Breslin�s previous hits Nim's Island and Little Miss Sunshine. How her fans react will be interesting but clearly the filmmakers (which include executive producer Julia Roberts) are just hoping to move some merchandise and put a smile on the faces of the very youn--and very female--target audience. If Rozema�s pleasant film does that, you can expect a slew of sequels based on other American Girl dolls.
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Monday, 23 June 2008
Bram Stocker
Artist: Bram Stocker
Genre(s):
Other
Discography:
Shizo-Poltergeist
Year: 1972
Tracks: 8
Edward Norton - Report Norton Refuses To Promote Hulk
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Wentz to make 'Californication' cameo
Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz will make a cameo appearance in US TV show Californication, say reports.
The singer will guest in an episode of the David Duchovny drama, which is scheduled to air in September.
According to Perez Hilton, the musician will play himself on the show.
The celebrity blogger said: "Duchovny's character, the troubled writer Hank, will see Pete at a pool party hanging out with the show's resident teen, Mia.
"Pete will tell Hank how much he enjoyed his book."
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The singer will guest in an episode of the David Duchovny drama, which is scheduled to air in September.
According to Perez Hilton, the musician will play himself on the show.
The celebrity blogger said: "Duchovny's character, the troubled writer Hank, will see Pete at a pool party hanging out with the show's resident teen, Mia.
"Pete will tell Hank how much he enjoyed his book."
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Dakini
Artist: Dakini
Genre(s):
Electronic
Ambient
Discography:
Nada Masala (Cd2)
Year: 2001
Tracks: 8
Nada Masala (Cd1)
Year: 2000
Tracks: 5
New Guns N Roses 'Album Tracks' Leak Online
Bonnaroo not quite a sellout
Attendance hits 70,000 for four-day fest
MANCHESTER, Tenn. -- An ambitious lineup helped the seventh Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival overcome inflated gas prices and a more crowded North American festival scene to post attendance of more than 70,000. The festival ran Thursday-Sunday on a 750-acre rural site about 60 miles south of Nashville.
That's shy of a Bonnaroo sellout of 80,000, but enough to please festival producers A.C. Entertainment and Superfly Presents. "Our sales are a little bit off, but not really what a lot of other people seem to be experiencing," said Ashley Capps, president of Knoxville, Tenn.-based A.C. Entertainment. "We feel very, very lucky."
When Bonnaroo began in 2002, major destination music festivals in North America were much more scarce than they are this year, with as many as a dozen new events cropping up in the past year. "With our sales down a little bit, it's hard to say what the impact of (festival growth) has been," Capps said, who adds that he believes the U.S. festival market is still not mature. And, with attendees from all 50 states and some 28 countries, Capps said Bonnaroo clearly remains a destination worth traveling to.
"There has certainly been a tremendous growth in the festival scene in the United States, but I still think it's young," Capps said. "I think there are a lot more opportunities for festival growth out there. The key for a successful festival is to provide the kind of unique experience that makes that festival stand out as a must-do experience. I think that's where Bonnaroo really sets itself apart."
Among the 158 bands on the bill were headliners Metallica, Pearl Jam and Widespread Panic, along with a diverse range of artists that covers virtually all musical genres and comedy. Jack Johnson, My Morning Jacket, Phil Lesh & Friends, Raconteurs, Zappa Plays Zappa, Willie Nelson, Drive-By Truckers, Death Cab for Cutie, Alison Krauss/Robert Plant, Gogol Bordello, Ben Folds, Kanye West, Chromeo, Chris Rock, the Swell Season, Les Claypool and Sigur Ros represent just a few of the acts that performed.
Bonnaroo tickets this year ranged from $209.50 for early purchasers to $244.50. A pair of VIP tickets went for $1,169.50. Capps said the VIP ticket capacity increased 33% and sold out in advance.
Ticket prices were up slightly this year, but Capps said "there's no doubt" expenses were up more than the increase in ticket prices. "It's been a goal of ours from the very beginning to provide value. We've actually been criticized for having ticket prices too low," Capps said. "Our ticket price includes camping and when you factor all that into it, compared to other festivals it is an extraordinary value."
Logistically, Bonnaroo ran smoothly, with intense heat countered by sporadic rain. Local law authorities reported fewer arrests and there were no deaths this year.
"It's becoming almost a cliche, but every year surpasses the last in some really tangible way," Capps said. "I don't want it to sound in any way like we're resting our laurels, but it really had all the characteristics of a finely tuned machine and it was thrilling to see that in action."
MANCHESTER, Tenn. -- An ambitious lineup helped the seventh Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival overcome inflated gas prices and a more crowded North American festival scene to post attendance of more than 70,000. The festival ran Thursday-Sunday on a 750-acre rural site about 60 miles south of Nashville.
That's shy of a Bonnaroo sellout of 80,000, but enough to please festival producers A.C. Entertainment and Superfly Presents. "Our sales are a little bit off, but not really what a lot of other people seem to be experiencing," said Ashley Capps, president of Knoxville, Tenn.-based A.C. Entertainment. "We feel very, very lucky."
When Bonnaroo began in 2002, major destination music festivals in North America were much more scarce than they are this year, with as many as a dozen new events cropping up in the past year. "With our sales down a little bit, it's hard to say what the impact of (festival growth) has been," Capps said, who adds that he believes the U.S. festival market is still not mature. And, with attendees from all 50 states and some 28 countries, Capps said Bonnaroo clearly remains a destination worth traveling to.
"There has certainly been a tremendous growth in the festival scene in the United States, but I still think it's young," Capps said. "I think there are a lot more opportunities for festival growth out there. The key for a successful festival is to provide the kind of unique experience that makes that festival stand out as a must-do experience. I think that's where Bonnaroo really sets itself apart."
Among the 158 bands on the bill were headliners Metallica, Pearl Jam and Widespread Panic, along with a diverse range of artists that covers virtually all musical genres and comedy. Jack Johnson, My Morning Jacket, Phil Lesh & Friends, Raconteurs, Zappa Plays Zappa, Willie Nelson, Drive-By Truckers, Death Cab for Cutie, Alison Krauss/Robert Plant, Gogol Bordello, Ben Folds, Kanye West, Chromeo, Chris Rock, the Swell Season, Les Claypool and Sigur Ros represent just a few of the acts that performed.
Bonnaroo tickets this year ranged from $209.50 for early purchasers to $244.50. A pair of VIP tickets went for $1,169.50. Capps said the VIP ticket capacity increased 33% and sold out in advance.
Ticket prices were up slightly this year, but Capps said "there's no doubt" expenses were up more than the increase in ticket prices. "It's been a goal of ours from the very beginning to provide value. We've actually been criticized for having ticket prices too low," Capps said. "Our ticket price includes camping and when you factor all that into it, compared to other festivals it is an extraordinary value."
Logistically, Bonnaroo ran smoothly, with intense heat countered by sporadic rain. Local law authorities reported fewer arrests and there were no deaths this year.
"It's becoming almost a cliche, but every year surpasses the last in some really tangible way," Capps said. "I don't want it to sound in any way like we're resting our laurels, but it really had all the characteristics of a finely tuned machine and it was thrilling to see that in action."
60 Minute Man and DJ Touch
Artist: 60 Minute Man and DJ Touch
Genre(s):
Drum & Bass
Discography:
Give It Up EP (ICOM024)
Year: 2002
Tracks: 4
Longoria Parker 'Not Pregnant'
Eva Longoria Parker's stylist has laughed off fresh rumours the Desperate Housewives actress is pregnant - insisting if she was with child, it would show in the size of her breasts. The Latina beauty married French basketball star Tony Parker last July and the couple has been plagued by reports they are expecting ever since. The latest rumours were sparked on Monday after Longoria Parker, who was wearing a loose-fitting dress, was snapped shopping in New York City's Ferragamo boutique - with store employees appearing to point at her belly. But stylist Robert Verdi, who had accompanied the actress on her shopping trip, is adamant the star is not about to become a first-time mum. He tells People.com, "I'm not her gynaecologist, but I am her stylist. I see her naked. I see her boobs! That's the first place it would show, and it's not showing!" And he admits the photos are hilarious because it couldn't be further from the truth: "Eva was holding a handbag that she bought in the crook of her arm. "The manager came over and said to her, 'I love that bag.' But in the photos, it looks like the woman is gesturing to her midsection. It's too funny."
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Phantom Planet Calls on Fans to Design Official T-Shirt for Upcoming Tour
crowdSPRING Puts Up $500 And Provides Online Showcase For Hot New Tour Tee
Designs
CHICAGO, June 12 -- crowdSPRING, the online marketplace
for creative services, announced today that rock band Phantom Planet and
its record label Fueled by Ramen will use http://www.crowdspring.com to
find the most compelling t-shirt design for the band's upcoming tour.
Starting today and continuing through June 25, crowdSPRING will be
accepting design submissions on its website for the Phantom Planet tour
commemorative t-shirt. All designs will be reviewed and ranked by both fans
and label execs and the best one will appear on the t-shirt for Phantom
Planet's summer tour. The winning designer will receive a $500 cash award
and a shirt signed by the band members.
Southern California-based Phantom Planet, whose song California became
the theme to "The O.C." television show, released their fourth studio
album, Raise the Dead, this year and begins a new tour in July.
"We're pumped to see what comes in," said Amy Zaglauer of Fueled by
Ramen. "We wanted to open up this t-shirt design to Phantom Planet's fan
base as well as tapping all the world's talent for the best possible
result."
Launched in May, crowdSPRING's online marketplace is a valuable tool
for all small and medium businesses that are able to tap into the company's
global community of designers and review actual work submitted for the jobs
they post to the site. Now, the innovative platform developed by
crowdSPRING allows Phantom Planet fans with talent and a bright idea to
submit a t-shirt design.
"The Phantom Planet t-shirt job is a fantastic showcase for the power
of crowdSPRING," said Mike Samson, crowdSPRING's cofounder. "All of the
band's creative fans will be able to display their talent in the
crowdSPRING marketplace."
Like all crowdSPRING users, Phantom Planet will be able to choose from
actual designs and walk away with the best one.
About crowdSPRING
crowdSPRING is an online marketplace for creative services. For buyers,
crowdSPRING is a place to post a creative project, watch the world
contribute ideas and choose the one they like. For creatives, crowdSPRING
is a global stage for creativity where title and experience don't matter.
crowdSPRING is a privately held company based in Chicago. More information
is available at http://www.crowdspring.com.
See Also
Designs
CHICAGO, June 12 -- crowdSPRING, the online marketplace
for creative services, announced today that rock band Phantom Planet and
its record label Fueled by Ramen will use http://www.crowdspring.com to
find the most compelling t-shirt design for the band's upcoming tour.
Starting today and continuing through June 25, crowdSPRING will be
accepting design submissions on its website for the Phantom Planet tour
commemorative t-shirt. All designs will be reviewed and ranked by both fans
and label execs and the best one will appear on the t-shirt for Phantom
Planet's summer tour. The winning designer will receive a $500 cash award
and a shirt signed by the band members.
Southern California-based Phantom Planet, whose song California became
the theme to "The O.C." television show, released their fourth studio
album, Raise the Dead, this year and begins a new tour in July.
"We're pumped to see what comes in," said Amy Zaglauer of Fueled by
Ramen. "We wanted to open up this t-shirt design to Phantom Planet's fan
base as well as tapping all the world's talent for the best possible
result."
Launched in May, crowdSPRING's online marketplace is a valuable tool
for all small and medium businesses that are able to tap into the company's
global community of designers and review actual work submitted for the jobs
they post to the site. Now, the innovative platform developed by
crowdSPRING allows Phantom Planet fans with talent and a bright idea to
submit a t-shirt design.
"The Phantom Planet t-shirt job is a fantastic showcase for the power
of crowdSPRING," said Mike Samson, crowdSPRING's cofounder. "All of the
band's creative fans will be able to display their talent in the
crowdSPRING marketplace."
Like all crowdSPRING users, Phantom Planet will be able to choose from
actual designs and walk away with the best one.
About crowdSPRING
crowdSPRING is an online marketplace for creative services. For buyers,
crowdSPRING is a place to post a creative project, watch the world
contribute ideas and choose the one they like. For creatives, crowdSPRING
is a global stage for creativity where title and experience don't matter.
crowdSPRING is a privately held company based in Chicago. More information
is available at http://www.crowdspring.com.
See Also
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