Roger Munns asked:


The Cannes Film Festival is over for another year. The votes have been tallied, the red carpet was rolled up, and the world’s beautiful people have gone back to looking like the rest of us, or so we can dream. The 61st annual festival drew the eyes of the film industry and movie buffs alike across the pond to France, if only for 10 short days.

At the top of this year’s festival was the French film entitled “The Class,” a real-life depiction of life at a junior high school. It took home the Palme D’or, the festival’s biggest award.

It was the first French film to win the big prize since “Under Satan’s Sun” won the prize in 1987. All of the festival’s winners were selected by jury president Sean Penn and a nine-member jury including such Hollywood power players as Natalie Portman, all of whom voted for “The Class” to take home the Palme. The film was touted for its relevant social commentary and unconventional style.

Some other highlights of the prizes awarded include:

* Italian films by Matteo Garrone (”Gomorra”) and Paolo Sorrentino (”Il Divo”) took home the second- and third-place prizes.

* Benicio Del Toro took home best-actor honors for his role in “Che,” Steven Soderbergh’s epic about Che Guevara.

* Best actress accolades went to Sandra Corveloni for her role in “Linha de Passe,” a film in which she plays a mother of four struggling to make ends meet in a Brazilian slum.

* Best director went to Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylon for the film “Three Monkeys,” which is the story of a father who takes the fall for his employer’s crime in order for financial security for his wife and son.

* Former two-time Palme D’or winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne received the screenplay prize for their film “Lorna’s Silence,” about an immigrant woman who gets married only to gain Belgian citizenship.

* British filmmaker Steve McQueen won the first-time director prize for his film “Hunger,” a piece set in a prison in Northern Ireland where an IRA volunteer leads a hunger strike.

Another jury, the International Federation of Film Critics, awarded a special prize to film legend Clint Eastwood, who directed the competition film “The Exchange,” starring Angelina Jolie. Eastwood has never taken home top honors at the festival despite having made five appearances since 1985.

A film from Kazakhstan entitled “Tulpan” won a lesser competition called “Un Certain Regard.” “Tulpan” is a film about a shepherd who must wed before he can enter his trade, but his only prospect for marriage refuses him because of his large ears!

Other runner-up jury awards went to Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “Tokyo Sonata,” James Toback’s documentary “Tyson,” German director Andreas Dresen’s “Cloud 9″ and Jean-Stephane Sauvaire’s “Johnny Mad Dog,” about child soldiers in Africa.

In general, the festival judges found this year’s films to be somewhat lacking, especially in comparison to last year’s blockbuster hits like Joe and Ethan Coen’s “No Country for Old Men,” which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, proving that it attracted fans of both mainstream and unconventional films.

The festival closed out with the premiere of Barry Levinson’s “What Just Happened?” starring Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis and Sean Penn in a story about a has-been Hollywood producer who tries to revitalize his career while dealing with issues in his personal and professional lives.

With the Cannes Film Festival now wrapped up, Hollywood’s eyes are now turning toward Venice, where many U.S. films are expected to elbow out the competition on the Lido.

Hollywood heavyweights like Brad Pitt, George Clooney and John Malkovich will likely be there in support of the Coen brothers’ film “Burn After Reading,” and the stars of the film “Body of Lies,” Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe will also likely make an appearance. Kiera Knightly and Ralph Fiennes, stars of “The Duchess,” are also expected to make an appearance.

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Janet Martin asked:


Time is of the essence for busy women, especially for working moms. Being busy, however, should not be an excuse for looking haggard, stressed out and simply unkempt. Despite your ultra busy schedule, you need to allocate even a few minutes to look your best, wherever you go.Nowadays, being beautiful doesn’t mean spending hours on end primping your hair and doing your make up. Here are some beauty tricks that can make you feel and look gorgeous in less than five minutes anywhere, anytime.Shiny LocksA hair spa could definitely give your hair a beautiful shine, but it usually takes at least half an hour to finish. Brushing your hair for 100 times could also add shine to your otherwise dull hair. But do you know how time-consuming 100 brush strokes can be? The answer to shinier hair is simple. Just make sure that you apply hair conditioner after shampooing twice. It would also be better if you choose a product that deeply conditions and treats your particular hair problem such as being dull, brittle, heavily colored or damaged hair.Bouncy HairIf you have at least five minutes to spare, you can blow dry your hair using big round brushes. This will surely give your hair some volume. If you have the money to buy one of those battery-operated brushes that roll on their own, get one and you can cut your blow-drying in half the time. However, if you already have dry and brittle hair, you should stay away from hair dryers. Instead, dab on a leave-on conditioner or hair serum on your hair before you go to sleep. Surely, you will wake up with fantastic bounce in the morning.Professionally Done HairTying your hair in a ponytail is sometimes a little boring, especially if this is your do for almost everyday. For a professional looking do without the fuss, simply add a wide or thick headband with your ponytail and you will surely look great, clean and crisp. For special occasions, choose headbands with a little glitter and shine.Slim SilhouetteExercise and dieting can really make you slimmer and leaner. But if you want that instant slim factor, you should wear a push up bra. This will help lift your breasts, giving an illusion of slimmer tummy. If you have some girdles or shape-contouring undergarments, you can use them to look sexier.Shimmering SkinYou can show off your flawless skin without wearing very skimpy clothing. Just use lotions that have a little shimmer and surely people will notice your slim arms or long sexy legs. If you have an evening date with your husband or partner, don’t forget to use the shimmer because it will make your skin sparkle every time it catches some light.Concealed FlawsEverybody has a scar or flaw that needs to be concealed and hidden. You can make your skin problem disappear in a jiffy with the use of airbrush makeup or concealer. It is easy to use and looks natural on your skin. Find one that has moisturizer to keep your skin from drying.Kissable LipsYou can get an injection just to have the lips of Angelina Jolie if you have a strong tolerance for pain. If not, you can simply dab on your lips some translucent reddish pink gloss. This will make your lips look plump and truly irresistible.Clean NailsFind a nail polish that is nude or beige so that your nails will look cleaner and neater. A shade that slightly contrasts your natural skin tone can also do the trick. However, before you polish, make sure that your nails are clean and well trimmed. If you have nail fungus, skip the polish. Make sure you treat your nail fungus first with natural anti-fungal remedy, such as Somasin. If you want to know how this fast-acting product can help you, visit http://www.somasin.com.

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104inc.com asked:


As a movie buff, especially a fan of action, the beginning of May is an exciting time: All of the summer blockbusters hit the multiplexes. I simply enjoy the movie going experience so much that I even drive a long distance, sometimes up to 45 miles, to go to a movie theatre where I will get the optimal sound and picture for the movie I want to see. Now, living in the Los Angeles community, it’s not very hard to find a theatre nearby, but everything has to be perfect for this time of year for me. There’s only one problem: The movies themselves!
It seems as though Hollywood has forgotten the old phrase “quality over quantity.” Producers and movie companies believe that the more they spend on a movie, the better it will be. One of my favorite action movies of all time is El Mariachi, and that cost what, maybe about $5 and a bag of peanuts to make?? Yes, I love the technology and CGI that is being used in some movies today, but that doesn’t cut it. Hello!? Speilberg!? You wait 19 years for a new Indiana Jones movie and this is what you give us? Can I put in my vote? No need for Indie 5!
Look, it’s not that I’m upset at these companies and just start putting in negative reviews as a result of my overall disappointment. On the contrary, I happen to have loved a few movies I have seen recently, like Wall-E and Kung Fu Panda. But do you see my point? Disney / Pixar / Dreamworks - they all know what the viewers want still with animation, but live action movies? We’ll be lucky to get anything that’s one notch above The Incredible Hulk, Hancock, Zohan, Meet Dave (wow!), The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian…should I go on (Iron Man has been the only exception this summer)?
In order to fill the horrible void I feel inside due to the unusually high amount of catastrophic movies being made this century, I go to 104inc.com. Since 104inc has over 2,000 websites, I can automatically just type in 104movie.com or 104flicks.com, or even, 104entertainment.com, just in case I want to find out about Angelina Jolie’s twins (hey, “we all go a little mad sometimes”). 104Inc provides a service, and that service is information. In any 104Inc website, I get my “fix” from movie articles, entertainment news, and am even able to attain company profiles and information for some of these movie studios. Maybe I should just pick up the phone and call them, let them know Hollywood seems to have lost some of its shine and glamour. Oh well…all I can say is, “Batman… Hollywood needs you!”

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GlobeOffer asked:



Kungfu Panda is a 2008 animated film about a bungling panda who aspires to be a kung fu warrior. Kung Fu Panda is directed by Jone Stevenson and Mark Osborne and produced by Melissa Cobb. Although the concept of a kung fu panda has been around since at least 1993,the idea for the film was conceived by Michael Lachance,[a DreamWorks Animation executive. Work on the film did not begin until 2004 and the film premièred at the 61st Cannes Film Festival in May 2008. The film was released internationally on June 6th 2008 and was released in the Kingdom on July 4th,2008.
The film stars the voices of Jack Black,Jackie Chan,Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie,Lucy Liu,Seth Rogen,David Cross,In the United States, it has been rated PG by the MPAA for sequences of martial arts action and mild blood,and in the United Kingdom,PG by the BBFC.Here is some classical actor’s lines below!1. One meets its destiny on the road he takes to avoid it.2.Your mind is like this water, my friend, when it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see, but if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear.3. Quit don’t quit. Noodles don’t noodles.4.Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it’s called the present (the gift).5.There are no accidents.6. There’e no charge for awesomeness or to attractiveness.7. Yes, but no matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree, you may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.8. Maybe it can if you are willing to guide it, to nurture it, to believe in it.9.You cannot leave, real warrior never quits.10. We are Noodle folk, broth runs deep through our veins.11. The secret ingredient of my secret ingredient soup is…nothing.To make something special, you just have to believe it’s special.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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Roger Munns asked:


A good well publicised movie can really have an impact on the location’s tourist industry - and the news that Penelope Cruz had arrived in Lanzarote to film for two weeks was greeted enthusiastically by the Lanzarote holidays industry.

And their enthusiasm is well placed, as they have seen another European holiday island - Malta - benefit from having its locations featured on the big screen, and the Greek island of Kefalonia was made famous by the 2001 film ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ - and Penelope Cruz was the leading actress in that film, with Nicholas Cage co-starring.

Troy, 2004’s blockbuster hit starring Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom, introduced the world to Malta. Most of Troy was filmed at Fort Ricasoli. The massive fort was built by the Knights of Malta sometime between 1670 and 1693. Many people around the world would have never had the opportunity to see Fort Ricasoli if producers had decided to use props in a studio.

A Different Loyalty, starring Sharon Stone was shot in Fort St. Elmo in Valletta, Malta in 2004. Fort Saint Elmo divides Marsamxett Harbor and Grand Harbor and provides a grand entrance to both harbors. The fort doubled for the city of Beirut in the movie. The Golden Sands Beach was also chosen as a setting for parts of the movie.

Alexander, starring Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie and directed by Oliver Stone included shots from Valletta’s Grand Harbor. Grand Harbor is a natural harbor that has been used at least since the Roman times. The harbor doubled as part of the ancient port city of Alexandria in the movie.

The 1995 pirate movie, Cutthroat Island, with Geena Davis and Matthew Modine was filmed primarily in Vittoriosa. The Maritime Museum is seen multiple times in the film. Mdina, Fort St. Elmo and the Dingli Cliffs were also settings for scenes in the movie. Water tanks were provided by The Mediterranean Film Studio for use in the sea scenes.

A nighttime scene from Gladiator with Russell Crowe was filmed at Couvre Port just outside Vittoriosa. The remainder of the film was primarily shot at a replica of the Roman Coliseum. The replica was built at Fort Ricasoli on Malta.

And Lanzarote could perhaps replicated Malta’s success as it is similar in some ways, but has a different landscape.

Lanzarote, at 37 miles long and 12 miles wide, has much to offer visitors of all ages. Due to the location of the island and volcanic eruptions as recent as the 19th century, people often describe parts of the island as lunar. Some say it gives them the feeling of being in another world - ideal for some films!

Families with small children find this an exciting way to teach their children about the planets and how each area of a planet can differ from others.

The wonderful climate throughout the year is conducive to a variety of sports activities. Take your pick of golf, diving, horseback riding, tennis and windsurfing. And the weather could, like the landscape, help sway decision makers that Lanzarote could be an ideal island for making films.

As for getting to Lanzarote for the stars, Lanzarote is home to more than 100,000 people and has its own international airport.

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Rober Ron asked:


It is no secret that people can easily download wallpapers online. There are several reputable sites that allow people to access free desktop wallpapers, and more and more people are taking up on their offer. There are quite a number of wallpaper designs to choose from, but what’s even more interesting to know is that people download different desktop backgrounds for different reasons. The main reason why people download wallpapers is that the wallpapers reflect their interest. A person who is fond of motorcycles may communicate his or her penchant for these rides by downloading an image of a fierce motorcycle. Another person who loves cartoons may opt to display an image of his or her favorite cartoon characters on their computer units. The wallpapers help people in defining who they are and what they are about. People around them will be able to identify a person’s character because it is reflected in his or her choice of wallpaper. The wallpaper thus becomes a stamp of individuality. Another reason why people take advantage of free desktop wallpapers online is that wallpapers may give people inspiration. Among the designs offered are images of celebrities. It is not uncommon that people love looking at celebrities’ pictures because they are gorgeous; thus, they may be inspired to sit in front of the computer because that would mean they would see an image of say, Angelina Jolie for the guys, or Jude Law for the girls. What’s more, the images of celebrities are not the run of the mill tabloid quality. The wallpapers feature beautiful shots of the celebrities, thus upping the giddy ante. Pictures of music stars may also be downloaded for people who are more inspired with the artists in the music industry; wallpapers of Beyonce Knowles have been downloaded by plenty of guys and girls.Wallpapers also help people relax. It can be pretty stressful for a person to sit in front of the computer for most of the day, so a soothing image on the screen helps big time. Nature images may do the trick for those who are stressed-out, as the images provide serenity. Also, images of different places around the world may help people take their minds off the busy world temporarily. The wallpapers of picturesque backgrounds provide an escape for the people, allowing them to rejuvenate their minds even while they are in front of the computer. This trick allows people to mix business with pleasure.Aside from the uses mentioned above, wallpapers also help people to commemorate special occasions. A wallpaper of the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus lends a festive mood to the appropriate occasion. On the other hand, a creepy desktop wallpaper reminds the computer user that Halloween is just around the corner. The people become more excited in anticipation of the holidays because of the wallpapers they download.While people download free desktop wallpapers for different reasons, the common thing among those people is that they find downloading wallpapers pretty easy. One won’t crack a sweat in downloading images and uploading those on the desktop display.

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Marvin Perry asked:


You know weird things happen sometimes on first dates. You get a bad hair day. You trip while walking towards your date. You get up on the wrong side of the bed. And one day you just can’t get anything right no matter how hard you try. These things leave lasting impressions on your dates; some may be good or bad, funny or irritating. But not in online dating where first impression is in your control.

In online dating, you take control of the first shot to initially impress another person. How? Well, by providing a picture in your profile. Physical appearance is really important and it plays a huge role in online dating. Besides, you do not want to talk to ghosts.

Some people may think it is irrelevant to show their online dates how they look. Perhaps, they are embarrassed of how they look. They fear the initial reaction of rejection upon seeing their picture, and they want daters to see within first and ignore physical features. Others may think that it is not a safe thing to do or scared of being stalked by unlikable individuals. Others may also think it is not really important at all. They think their profile can already impress and attract individuals of their preference. Few seem to have no recent picture at all. Besides, would it not be funny to post your high school picture when you’re already past 40?

You must realize that posting a picture in an online dating site is a big leap towards finding your dream date. Physical appearance still matters. I am not saying that you need to have that Angelina-Jolie lips to have a Brad Pitt-like hot date. My point is that a picture is very important because it shows the other person what you look like. You do not have to be the ideal beautiful girl or handsome guy to get a nice picture or to let other daters contact you. A nice picture is any picture that is taken when you look your best. It is something recent, not deceiving and vulgar. It may look simple to you but may exude a certain kind of elegance for other daters.

Even if your profile is outstanding, many people will question why you have not posted a picture. They will start to make speculations, bad judgments, or remove you from their list of prospects. And, of course, you do not want such things to happen.

Deceiving online daters may at times post another person’s picture. This does not sound good, especially when you find yourself falling in love with the other person you have been communicating with already. Worst, if the feeling is mutual, this is definitely a big problem when you meet up.

Any explanation afterwards will not help you get out of the situation or get back to that mutual attraction. Besides your physical appearance integrity also counts in online dating.

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Gregory Smyth asked:


If you are looking for a truly decadent experience for your next holiday, why not learn from the masters of comfort and style -the rich and famous. Celebrities and millionaires definitely do not put up with lost bookings, maids that enter without knocking, less-than-spotless suites - or anything less than the best! You deserve the same perks and benefits that these people get -so why not check out our guide to luxury hotels of the rich and famous in Asia.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo

Lost in Translation was a hit in 2006 for Bill Murray, Scarlett Johanssen and Giovani Ribisi. Most of the action in the movie took place in the hotel -the Park Hyatt in Tokyo. Tokyo lights up like a fairyland at night time, and the Park Hyatt is one of the best ways to take in the view in luxury for your next Asian holiday. You’ll find striking exotic colors, an ethereal atmosphere, space, clean lines and ultimate opulence at the Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Rajasthan, India

To feel like a true priness or prince, you must stay in a palace -the Umid Bhawan Palace gives you the opportunity to do just that. Many celebrities have taken advantage of the opportunity to experience the pampering and preening of the Umid Bhawan Palace on their Asian luxury holidays, including Kate Moss, Kate Winslet, Elizabeth Hurley, Elton John, and Arun Nayar. The palace took 15 years to construct, and has 347 rooms. Renting these out as hotel suites is one of the most sensible ways to ensure they are maintained properly. The royal family of Jodhpur resides here also -so if you are looking a royal soulmate, the Umaid Bhawan Palace is the place to stay in Asia!

Shangri-La, Beijing, China

One of the original locations of the world-famous Shangri-La chain, this hotel in Beijing is frequented by Sean Penn and Al Pacino. If you fancy yourself pitching your script to these acclaimed producers and actors, or would just like the chance to show Sean what he’s missing out on, do it at Shangri-La, Beijing!

Hyatt on the Bund, China

As a daughter of a hotel magnate, Paris Hilton would never stay in anything less than the finest luxury. So you can imagine that the Hyatt on the Bund is one of the most luxurious hotels in Asia. Paris enjoys magical views of the Bund and Shanghai from this hotel, as well as the space and sophistication that the Hyatt offers.

Le Meridien Pune
The beautiful facade of Le Meridien Pune in India glows like a welcoming fireplace for you to come home to at the end of a tiring day of exploration and adventure in India. Travelling through India and Asia can be a luxurious experience, as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie discovered at Le Meridien Pune. It is situated in close proximity to many of India’s natural wonders, as well as some of the country’s most vibrant and exciting festivals and events. If you’d like to imagine yourself as Mrs Brad Pitt … or even Mr. Angelina Jolie, try Le Meridien Pune!

The Grand Hyatt in Tokyo

Another celebrity favorite, the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo combines the golden red and darkly exotic beauty of Japan with sparkling luxury, for your next Asian holiday. The Harry Potter crew has been sighted here, on their promotional touring -Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint all stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo.

Le Meridien Bora Bora

If tropical beaches and white sandy beauty is more your style, you might want to stay at the same hotel as Sharon Stone in French Polynesia -Le Meridien Bora Bora. The hotel features beautiful traditional-style huts perched over a sparkling blue lagoon -but there is nothing traditional or basic about the accommodations inside the huts. There is a restaurant with a different theme of cuisine every night of the week, all delectably executed, as well as a turtle sanctuary, trying to help preserve the beauty of the natural environment in Bora Bora. Your Basic Instincts for luxury hotels will lead you to Le Meridien Bora Bora -just like Sharon Stone.

If you’d like to see what hotels your favorite celebrity stays at, in order to casually position yourself with them (!), you can Google ‘Hotels of the Rich and Famous’.

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