Vin Diesel confirms Riddick 4 will be an origins movie

The one man marketing machine known simply as Vin Diesel has been at it again. The actor recently revealed via Instagram that he's working on both a new Riddick TV show and movie, with the latter to be titled Furia. Now the actor has updated his Facebook page - which has close to 100 million likes - with a video that gives us a few more details on his plans for Riddick's fourth cinematic adventure, which will apparently be an origin story for the Furyan antihero.

Posted by Vin Diesel on Tuesday, December 15, 2015

 "I couldn't have done Riddick, because I just had [my daughter] Pauline nine months ago, so whenever I'm a fresh dad, I can't go to that dark place," Diesel said. "But, if you give me a little time, if you let me make sure all my little angels are walking, 12 months to get us all lined up, we could be looking at starting Riddick early 2017."

Although 2017 may seem like a long way away, that doesn't mean audiences will be left wanting when it comes to Diesel on the big screen. The next film on his docket is Fast and Furious 8 - which will be helmed by Straight Outta Compton director F. Gary Gray - and we also know that both he and Samuel L. Jackson will be returning to the xXx franchise.

Both of those franchises will likely be straying on the PG-13 side of things, but that may not be the case for Furia. David Twohy who has directed all the films in the franchise, also appears in the video to confirm that "it will be rated R". We approve!

Images: Universal Pictures

Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne Reunite on the Set of ‘John Wick 2′

Like any other year, the biggest movies of 2016 are already looking to be sequels primarily, from Captain America: Civil War and X-Men: Apocalypse to Bourne 5 and Zoolander 2. Of the few that have a strong possibility of not disappointing, however, very few are in the same wheelhouse as John Wick 2, the anticipated follow-up to one of 2014’s best and biggest surprises. Anticipation for the second installment of the stylish Keanu Reeves-led action series has hit a peak, with Bridget Moynahan and Ian McShane returning to their roles, and new cast members Ruby Rose, Peter Stormare, and Common suiting up to face Wick’s wrath. And now, we have confirmation that the great Laurence Fishburne will be making some sort of appearance in the sequel in an undisclosed role.

Fishburne’s involvement was announced via a picture on Reeves’ Twitter page, in which the former Hannibal co-star seems to be done-up in a homeless-looking wardrobe, with several layers of coats covering him; you can check out the tweet below. Maybe he’s just really cold? There’s no word as to who his character is or what his relationship to the titular hard-to-kill hitman will be, but the reuniting of Fishburne and Reeves is a potent hit of nostalgia for fans of The Matrix, and the two performers in general.

Reeves has seen a major boost in his workload as of late, and 2016 brings not only John Wick 2 but also Ana Lily Armapour‘s The Bad Batch, the talented filmmaker’s follow-up to A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, and Nicholas Winding Refn‘s anticipated The Neon Demon, to name just two. Meanwhile, Fishburne will be appearing in the not-great-looking Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and is currently filming both the upcoming Roots mini-series and Morten Tyldum‘s Passengers, the director’s follow-up to The Imitation Game, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt. These are major-label works by major directors, but it’s just as exciting and reassuring to see both to make time for a compact, all-force B-movie like John Wick as possible Oscar and Golden Globes contenders.

BY CHRIS CABIN

Disney: 'Star Wars' pulls $57M in Thurs previews, now at $130M globally

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" pulled in about $57 million in Thursday evening previews, Walt Disney said Friday.

The figure tops the previous industry record of $43.5 million, Disney said. The $57 million figure brings "Star Wars'" worldwide total to $130 million.

After months of secrecy and anticipation, the movie is thrilling fans and theater owners alike.

The most anticipated film in the galaxy opened globally Thursday, setting international and pre-sale box-office records and delighting moviegoers who've had opening-night tickets in hand for months.

Kelly Andrews, who wears her love of "Star Wars" on her skin in the form of Yoda and R2-D2 tattoos, bought tickets in October for the first showing at Hollywood's classic TCL Chinese Theatre, where the original "Star Wars" premiered in 1977.

It was outstanding," she said as she left the screening Thursday night clutching a shiny keepsake popcorn bin. "I cried happy tears. I cried sad tears. It was beautiful."

She was among thousands of devotees who praised the space saga's latest installment. The film has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and fans internationally.

All over the world, "Star Wars" enthusiasts toted lightsabers and wore character costumes to packed opening-night showings of "The Force Awakens." They laughed and cheered and gasped together, illuminating their sabers in the theater during key scenes.

While domestic box-office returns won't be available until later Friday, the Walt Disney Co. said Thursday the film debuted with $14.1 million from its first screenings in 12 international markets. The largest was France, where the film earned $5.2 million. It set a one-day record in Norway and Sweden.

More than $100 million in tickets have been presold in North America. The movie ticket service Fandango said it has already sold more tickets for "The Force Awakens" than any movie over its entire theatrical run.

Not everyone in the opening-night audience was dazzled, though. Michael Danke of Los Angeles, who said his friend waited in line for 52 hours for their tickets, was disappointed.

"I was kind of looking forward to a futuristic, bitchin' movie, but it was an old 'Star Wars' movie," he said. "They did it old style."

That nostalgia worked for Tony Brennan, who said he "can't get off of that high that I'm on" after seeing the film with the opening-night crowd in Hollywood.

"It's definitely worth all the hype," he said. "I like how they bring back the old quotes and old scenery and old people... It passed all of our expectations. I'm watching it five, six, seven more times."

Pacemaker, our favorite DJ app, just got even better

In early 2014, Pacemaker became the first DJ App that allowed users to play and beat-match two Spotify tracks simultaneously. Although that feature has since been matched by Djay, Pacemaker offers a far more simplified and refined set of tools that allows even the most casual user to try their hand at mixing tracks like a pro. Now as part of its latest update rolling out today, it’s unveiling even more features that allow anyone to take on the role of the DJ.

PACEMAKER IS THE MOST USER-FRIENDLY DJ APP

"DJ is a term that’s very elitist," Jonas Norberg, CEO of Pacemaker told me. "We want to make it possible for anyone to create a great sounding mix. That has always been our ambition." While that idea is seemingly shared by its biggest partner in Spotify, who just launched a somewhat simplified mixing feature yesterday, Pacemaker is pushing forward with a fresh redesign and some new updates that make its mixing capabilities even more user-friendly.

 

Instead of having to wait for one song to end before mixing in the next, users can now pick and choose the moment when one track transitions into the next with a new feature called Mix Transitions. You can also press the lighting icon next to the play/pause button, which Pacemaker calls Mix Now, that will instantly fade in the next song in your mix. This isn’t as full featured a tool as Serato or Traktor, but it isn’t meant to be. Those products don’t easily integrate with Spotify, and Pacemaker is designed to be used by anyone regardless of skill level.

These new features make Pacemaker much more than an app that can handle smooth transitions. When that slow song you forgot you put in your playlist comes on during a party, you can quickly move on to the next one without the entire event coming to a screeching halt. The simplicity with which the tools are available to use is the truly great part. After using the app for a few hours I became quite adept at quickly adding effects, and building shorter, tighter mixes. "Users have been left with whatever the AI gives them, but now they can adjust," Norberg said.

And after you create a great mix, you can save it, a feature that wasn’t available before due to licensing issues. Pacemaker has remedied that issue by saving the metadata from tracks and how they were mixed together in what it calls a Recipe, which can be called up at any time.

Although it’s ambitious, Pacemaker and apps of its ilk won’t completely replace the DJ just yet — there are too many intangible benefits to a great human DJ that just can’t be replicated yet, like looking at an audience of 35-year-olds and knowing that Ginuwine’s "Pony" will set the party off more than that new Justin Bieber song.

But unless you’re going to hire a DJ that really knows their stuff for your event, Pacemaker is likely a better — and far cheaper — alternative. You can use your existing playlists, or let the app run the show, and from my tests it seems well equipped to handle the task. You can download the updated version of Pacemaker from the iOS App Store on your iPhone, iPad, and even your Apple Watch today.

By Micah Singleton  

Final Blow to the Paleo

I have watched as the "Paleo" movement gained popularity, inspiring people to eat an enormous and ridiculous amount of meat. The premise behind this misguided trend is simplistic at best. They claim health problems exploded as a result of people eating crop foods that became popular as agriculture took hold. From their perspective, humans have not evolved with the changing food supply and can therefore not effectively or safely process these "modern foods". Grains, beans, potato and legumes are at the top of the hit list along with refined sugar and oils. Depending on what branch of paleo you follow, dairy may also be removed from the diet.

While some of the principles make sense like reducing intake of poisons commonly found in food such as coloring, additives, HFCS, refined oils, trans fats and of course sugar, they take things too far by recommending as much meat as they do and removing ALL grains from the diet under all circumstances. This approach to eating is too black and white, does nothing to address individuality and most importantly ignores the fact that the microbiome is one of the biggest factors in good health and negatively impacted by excessive meat.

Over the long run, people must start to ask the big questions-how does eating large quantities of meat affect health over time and what are the scientific facts? This becomes especially important to understand when the diet revolves around burgers, sausage, bacon, meat snack bars, cured meats, jerky and meat sticks.

Scientific Data

A report published just this past October by the International Agency for Research on Cancer detailed the findings of 22 scientists on the effects of meat consumption and cancer rates (1). Data from 800 epidemiological studies were analyzed concluding processed meat like bacon, sausage and hot dogs are "carcinogenic to humans" and red meats such as veal, beef, lamb and pork are "probably carcinogenic to humans". The study defined processed meats as products that are preserved through curing, smoking, salting or adding chemicals to improve shelf life. The evidence was strongest for colorectal cancer however cancers of the pancreas, prostate and stomach were also involved.

The good and bad news is the risk is dose dependent, meaning people who ate the most meat were at the highest risk. Eating a balanced diet of plants, whole grains, healthy lean proteins like poultry, fish and organic eggs will be very different than following a diet that mainly revolves around red and processed meats. According to the report, 50g of processed meat per day can lead to an 18 percent increase in cancer where as 100grams of red meat can do the same. To put things in perspective, that is equivalent to just 2 pieces of bacon or a steak. So what happens to someone eating piles of sausage, salami, meat snack bars, bacon, jerky and T-bones?

In a 2011 landmark study on microbial balance, Harvard researches found conclusive evidence that the gut microbiome changes in response to foods eaten and it happens very quickly (2). 9 volunteers were put on 2 extreme diets for just 5 days each to track changes in bacterial levels and populations. The first menu was comprised of meat and cheese with things like pork rinds for snacks. After a break, the same people were then given high fiber plant foods like vegetables, legumes, whole grains and fruits for 5 days. Amazingly, bacterial levels and types shifted-within just 1 day of changing the diet to be in balance with and digest the foods that were being eaten. During the high protein phase, bile loving species were increased like Alistipes, Bilophila and Bacteroides. In particular Bilophila wadsworthia was also increased which has been linked to inflammatory intestinal conditions as well as appendicitis while Firmicutes that normally break down plant compounds were decreased. And, after 3 days the genes expressed by bacteria actually changed as well.

So here is the ironic part. While the paleo community would have us all believe eating lots of meat is safer than eating whole grains because humans lack the genetic evolution to handle them, it turns out we don't need to. There is more and more evidence mounting deepening our understanding of just how interconnected we are with the trillions of bacteria in the gut microbiome. They have the power to change, almost immediately in response to the types of foods eaten. Bacteria are known to break down and ferment plant and fiber molecules producing important compounds like vitamins and SCFA such as butyrate conferring enormous health benefits to humans. On top of that, all of that meat may just be laying the groundwork for cancer.

The paleo diet is a metabolic misfit when it comes to the health and well being of the humans, intestinal microbiome and long-term good health.

So where's the beef?

My approach has always been to focus on intestinal health as the foundation of any real treatment protocol. The microbiome diet is one that focuses on strengthening the numbers and types of bacteria that confer good health on humans. The focus is on plant foods that are prebiotic in nature like jicama, garlic, onion, Jerusalem artichoke and radish. In healthy proportions, high fiber legumes, fruits and whole grains can be beneficial for those who tolerate them. Fermented foods are very important to increase quantity and help our little friends to colonize. Proteins are used in much smaller amounts as a side dish rather than the main course. There is a place for everything, even beef but proportion is key. This is not a one-size fits all approach and is tailored to the specific needs of each individual. The microbiome diet focuses on health and healing from the inside out. It's time for the new Paleo-the true health movement- the microbiome diet.

1) Bouvard Veronique et al. IARC. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat. The Lancet Oncology online, October 26 2015

2) David a Lawrence, et al. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. Nature 505, 559-563 (23 January 2014)

DR. Raphael Kellman

Griselda Blanco, ‘Godmother’ of Cocaine, Gunned Down in Colombia

Griselda Blanco was known variously as the “Queen of Cocaine”, the “The Black Widow” or simply La Madrina—”The Godmother.” And she died in a hail of bullets Sunday in Colombia, dispatched in the same way she had allegedly ordered dozens of others killed during her rise to power as one of the biggest drug traffickers in the Western Hemisphere.

Blanco, 69, was killed by motorcycle-riding assassins as she walked out of a butcher shop in Medellin, according to a report in the Spanish-language newspaper El Colombiano. She had kept a low profile since being deported from the U.S. in 2004, where she’d allegedly ruled a drug empire that first opened trafficking routes between Miami and Colombia, and which shipped as much as a ton and a half of cocaine per month into the United States.

Before the famous Central American cartels took over the illicit drug trade during the 1980s and 90s, Blanco was a pioneer in the game during the 70s and 80s. The drug pipelines she created became the basis for the modern illicit drug industry, while her ruthless war against rival traffickers laid the template for much of the drug violence that followed.

Although she was never tried for all of the killings tied to her, authorities suspected Blanco of being behind 40 murders. Police believed that she was responsible for an infamous 1979 shooting spree at suburban Miami’s Dadeland mall, in which two Colombian drug-traffickers were slain in broad daylight by thugs with submachine guns. Three of her husbands were also killed in drug-related violence, one of them reportedly by her hand.

“It’s surprising to all of us that she had not been killed sooner because she made a lot of enemies,” ex-Miami homicide detective Nelson Andreu, who had been an investigator into Blanco’s case, told the Miami Herald. “When you kill so many and hurt so many people like she did, it’s only a matter of time before they find you and try to even the score.”

Born in 1943 in the slums near Cartagena, Blanco began her life of crime by kidnapping and murdering the son of a wealthy Medellin family at age 11, according to one biography. From there she went on to pickpocketing and prostitution to survive the violent environment she lived in. She graduated from petty crime to major hustling with the help of illegal immigrant smuggler Carlos Trujillo, whom she eventually married and had three children with, but divorced and allegedly later had murdered over a drug dispute.

Her second husband, Alberto Bravo, introduced Blanco to cocaine dealing; in the early 1970s the couple  moved to Queens, N.Y. just in time for the drug to explode in New York City. Prior to the couple’s arrival, the mafia largely controlled drug distribution; but Bravo and Blanco, with their direct connection to Colombia, soon captured a large share of the market and before long were allegedly making millions. However, their operation soon attracted the attention of law enforcement, who busted them in 1975 in a sting called “Operation Banshee,” the largest of that time.

But by the time a grand jury was ready to hand down charges, Blanco had escaped back to Colombia. It was during this temporary exile that she is said to have killed Bravo in a shootout over disputed drug money. Taking full control over the drug empire in the wake of her husband’s death, she made her way back to the states, this time to Miami to solidify her reign as Queen of Cocaine.

“People were so afraid of her that her reputation preceeded her whereever she went,” Abreu said in the documentary Cocaine Cowboys, which featured Blanco’s story. “Griselda was worse than any of the men that were involved in [the drug trade].”

As her wealth and power grew, so did the bloodshed in South Florida. The Dadeland Mall shooting is said to have spawned a cocaine war that went on for years between Blanco and her rivals. Meanwhile, Blanco lived a lifestyle of flamboyance that would rival any kingpin, reportedly once buying diamonds from Argentina’s Eva Peron and developing a fetish for The Godfather movies. (Indeed, Blanco even named her youngest son Michael Corleone Sepúlveda.)

The beginning of the end came in 1982, when she allegedly ordered a hit on another drug traffiker, Jesus Castro, supposedly for an offense against one of her sons. The assassins missed Castro, but his 2-year-old son was killed in the gunfire. About a year later, Blanco allegedly ordered the killings of Alfred and Grizel Lorenzo, a married couple who also dealt cocaine in Miami. The Lorenzos were executed in their home while their children watched television in another room. Jorge Ayala, the Blanco lieutenant who headed the hit squad, refused to kill the children. He later proved to be instrumental in saving her from execution.

In 1985, Blanco was convicted of drug charges and served 13 years in federal prison before she was sent to Florida to face murder charges there. But as the case against her was being built, a scandal erupted at the Miami-Dade District Attorney’s office. Secretaries at the D.A.’s office were caught engaging in phone sex with Ayala. The result was the firing of three secretaries and the resignation of the prosecutor. What had appeared to be a solid death penalty prosecution evaporated amid the scandal; Blanco cut a deal that gave her three 20-year sentences, to be served concurrently; she was deported back to Colombia in 2004.

Blanco spent the remainder of her life living off rental income from the properties she owned, according to El Colombiano. At the time of her death, she’d reportedly been accompanied by a pregnant ex-daughter-in-law, who told police that Blanco had left the criminal lifestyle behind. The newspaper said two suspects rode into an open-air market in Medellin. One got off of the bike, walked up to Blanco and delivered two fatal shots to her head. The other woman was unharmed.

At least one Medellin resident has little empathy for Blanco’s death. As an eyewitness to the murder told Colombia’s El Tiempo, “She was more dangerous than the devil.”

–with Alfonso Serrano

Microbiota Makeup Related to Anorexia Nervosa Behaviors

 

Patients with anorexia nervosa have a different gut microbial makeup than patients without the eating disorder, according to a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina Health Care studied stool samples from 26 anorexia nervosa and healthy patients to analyze the relevance of the gut microbial makeup to psychopathy in anorexia nervosa.

The researchers wanted to determine whether the intestinal microbiota was integral in metabolic function and weight regulation. The all female participant group completed the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories and the Eating Disorder Examining Questionnaire.

The researchers discovered the microbiota might affect the “gut brain axis,” the relationship between the gut microbiome and the brain. The stool samples taken from clinic admissions had fewer types of bacteria, which made for a less diverse bacterial landscape in the anorexia nervosa patients.

By the time the anorexia nervosa patients were discharged from the hospital, their microbial diversity had increased but was still significantly less varied when compared to the healthy patients. Typically, microbial diversity is a sign of better overall health, the researchers added.

“We’re not able to say a gut bacterial imbalance causes the symptoms of anorexia nervosa, including associated symptoms, such as anxiety and depression,” the study’s senior author Ian Carroll, PhD explained in a press release. “But the severe limitation of nutritional intake at the center of anorexia nervosa could change the composition of the gut microbial community.”

Previous studies have established the link between gut bacteria, weight regulation, and behavior, but this study adds particularly to the relationship when discussing anorexia nervosa, the researchers explained. In animal studies, behaviors related to stress and anxiety were changed when germs were introduced to their microbiomes.

“We’re not saying that altering gut bacteria will be the magic bullet for people with anorexia nervosa,” Carroll cautioned. “Other important factors are at play, obviously. But the gut microbiota is clearly important for a variety of health and brain related issues in humans. And it could be important for people with anorexia nervosa.”

Further research is on the horizon – the team will examine the relationship between microbiome and brain in mice models to see how the factors affect biology and behavior. Their research would indicate if healthy, diverse microbiota could be a potential therapeutic route for anorexia nervosa patients in the future.

“If specific alterations in [patients’] microbiota could make nourishment less uncomfortable, help patients regulate their weight, and positively affect behavior, then we might see fewer readmissions and more cures,” researcher Cynthia Bulik, PhD said of the potential new microbiota therapies.

Rachel Lutz

France passes bill banning 'excessively thin' models

French MPs have adopted a bill aimed at banning the use of fashion models deemed to be "excessively thin".

Models will need a doctor's certificate that their health is "compatible with the practise of the profession".

Employers who break the law could face up to six months in jail and a €75,000 fine (£54,000, $81,000).

A previous version of the bill had suggested a minimum Body Mass Index (BMI) for models, prompting protests from modelling agencies in France.

But the final draft approved on Thursday allows doctors to decide whether a model is too thin by taking into account their weight, age, and body shape.

It also says that digitally altered images making a model's silhouette "narrower or wider" should be labelled "touched up".

France is not the first country to legislate on underweight models - Italy, Spain and Israel have all done so.

Anorexia affects between 30,000 to 40,000 people in France, 90% of whom are women.

Alfred Escher

Alfred Escher,  (born Feb. 20, 1819, Zürich—died Dec. 6, 1882, Zürich), dominant figure in 19th-century Zürich politics and legislator of national prominence who, as a railway magnate, became a leading opponent of railway nationalization.

Quickly rising in cantonal political affairs, Escher had by 1848 become president of the Zürich government. Elected the same year to the Nationalrat (national assembly), he was four times its president, notably during the Neuchâtel crisis with Prussia (1856–57). Often a voice for moderation against the advocacy of radical measures by Jakob Stämpfli, he tempered passions in the Neuchâtel affair and urged peaceful accommodation in the controversy arising from the cession of Savoy to France (1860).

Between 1850 and 1870 Escher was probably the most influential of all Swiss legislators. The head of a railway company, he championed private construction of railroads and opposed the nationalization program of Stämpfli (1862). The driving force behind the construction of the Gotthard line, he helped secure the necessary German and Italian cooperation for the project in 1869–71, and in 1871–78 he presided over its direction.

Paris Hilton Wants to Move to Switzerland, Which Sounds Perfect

Ater all that she’s endured, can you blame Paris Hilton—socialite, designer, D.J., actress, reality star, perfumier, probably ageless alien who will leave this planet for another one when she is done with it—for seeking neutral territory? Page Six is reporting that Hilton is looking to make Switzerland, a land dreamed up by fairy tales, her permanent home.

See, Hilton, who is a sought-after D.J. in the sun-soaked party spots of Europe these days (y’know, places like Bucharest, Chișinău, rusty old Brno), is dating an Austrian businessman named Thomas Gross, and together they are looking to settle in Schwyz, a ritzy mountain town in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Apparently Hilton said in an interview with a German-language paper, “I want to be Swiss,” and has lovingly posted about the country on Instagram.

We support this decision! Why shouldn’t Paris Hilton move to a sleepy town in the Alps, population 14,000 or so? Sure, we don’t necessarily encourage Americans to move to a “tax haven,” as Page Six calls it, because Paris Hilton’s tax dollars should be helping to repair our crumbling bridges, roads, foam cannons, and roller-discos here at home, but otherwise? Paris Hilton moving to the Swiss Alps sounds rather idyllic.

Just think of being on a brisk mountain hike, there in the verdant mountains, and walking into a clearing, and there, hauling a milk pail, hair in Heidi plaits, singing a German working song, is Paris Hilton. Doesn’t that sound nice? “Guten Tag” she says in her familiar nasal purr, giving you a genuine smile before tromping off toward the distant sound of cowbells.

Or, winter in Schwyz. You and a friend or lover are enjoying the pristine white scenery on skis, downhill or cross-country. You’ve reached a quiet spot, and have stopped, to feel the tickle of snowflakes on your noses, to listen to the whispering wind, to take in all the hush and peace and beauty of this magical place.

Then you hear the swish of skis and a tinkle of laughter and there is Paris Hilton, arcing toward you, with rosy cheeks and a bobbed wool hat. “Guten Nachmittag,” she calls, gliding up to you, then stopping. “Würden Sie etwas whisky mag?” she asks, producing a little flask from her jacket. So there you stand, the three of you, taking little pulls, making satisfied sighs, there in the bracing mountain air. Then, she nods, waves, and skis off. Paris Hilton, gone just as she arrived.

I think that sounds great. Sure, sure, it won’t all be Swiss pastoral tranquility. Obviously she’ll still be doing glamorous things, like foam parties in Ibiza and dust parties in Minsk, and I’d have to imagine that she’ll spend time in New York and Los Angeles and other American places she likes, like Miami and Waxahatchee. But she will be based in Switzerland, which seems lovely, doesn’t it? Maybe I just want to move to Switzerland. I have been looking at a lot of gorgeous pictures of the landscape while writing this dumb thing.

So. Hm. Actually, Paris? Do whatever you want. Host as many diamond parties in St. Tropez as you want, as many cubic zirconia parties as Zagreb will allow. I’m gonna move to Switzerland, I’m gonna be a milkmaid, I’m gonna be an Alpine St. Bernard with brandy in a little barrel around my neck. And I can’t wait.

Richard Lawson is a columnist for Vanity Fair's Hollywood

Investigation into Mississippi woman's burning death leads to arrests of 17 suspected gang members

The hunt for the killer of a 19-year-old Mississippi woman who was burned alive last year has resulted in the arrests of 17 suspected gang members, authorities said this week, though none have been directly linked to the woman's death.

FBI officials announced the arrests Tuesday of suspected members of the Black Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, and Sipp Mob street gangs, according to The Clarion-Ledger newspaper.

Officials told the paper the investigation, dubbed "Operation Bite Back", was focused on Panola County, in the northwest of the state, and was a byproduct of the investigation into the death of Jessica Chambers.

On the night of Dec. 6, 2014, Chambers was doused with gasoline and set on fire in her car on a road in Courtland. She was found on the road with burns over most of her body and later died at a hospital in Memphis.

Panola County Sheriff Dennis Darby told The Clarion-Ledger authorities have interviewed more than 150 people and sorted through 20,000 phone records in an effort to catch Chambers' killer. Darby said the information that led to Tuesday's arrests was gathered as a result of those interviews.

The Clarion-Ledger reported that authorities have had difficulty finding a suspect or suspects in Chambers' murder due to a lack of street chatter about the crime.

The 17 suspects charged are between 18 and 40 years of age. They are charged with crimes ranging from child endangerment and selling narcotics to possession of stolen firearms and possession of counterfeit currency.

"It's taken eight or nine months, if not a little longer, to get to this point," Panola County District Attorney John Champion said. "And this is not over by any stretch of the imagination."

Ronda Rousey could be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe

For those that don't know, Captain Marvel is the upcoming female-centric entry to the Marvel Universe and one that's been the subject of huge speculation for quite some time.

Charlize Theron, Natalie Dormer, Emily Blunt and a number of actresses have been linked to the role, however because the film isn't due for release until 2018, it's likely that there won't be any casting news for quite some time.

The character, whose real name is Carol Danvers, received superhuman strength, the ability to fly and lots more when she was caught up in an explosion of an alien artefact. In the wake of the explosion, she became Ms. Marvel before she adopted Captain Marvel as her moniker. The character's been around for quite some time, but for whatever reason, she's been left out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Rousey said that she wants the role and, to be honest, we can't think of a better fit. It's all a question of her acting abilities, of course, and whether she wants to continue with the whole UFC thing. She did have a minor role in Fast & Furious 7 and she's due to star in a biopic based on her own life. Not only that, Rousey has serious nerd credentials. She's a huge Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z fan, not to mention she's posting fan-art that has her in Captain Marvel garb all weekend.

Judge finds Meek Mill guilty of probation violation

A judge appears likely to send rapper Meek Mill back behind bars early next year for a steady stream of probation violations, most involving his failure to keep the court aware of his erratic travels.

Mill offered emotional testimony Thursday about his rudderless childhood in gritty North Philadelphia, while girlfriend Nicki Minaj and various managers pledged to keep him on track.

But Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley, who had spared him state prison in a 2009 drug and gun case, had heard it all before.

"How many times am I supposed to give him a second chance?" she asked, concluding that probation may no longer be "appropriate." She ordered him not to work or perform before the Feb. 5 sentencing.

A jail term would presumably stall his career following a year in which the Roc Nation-signed talent has performed with Minaj, Jay-Z and other industry A-listers, and issued his second studio album, "Dreams Worth More than Money."

Mill served short stints in jail and home confinement following his conviction, when he could have gotten five to 10 years in prison.

"The chance you gave me definitely changed my life and changed my family's life," Mill testified Thursday, explaining that he supports his mother, extended family and 4-year-old son. "If you didn't give me a chance, I probably wouldn't be at this place I'm at now."

Mill, born Robert Williams, lost his father to violence when he was 5 and left school in the tenth grade. The 28-year-old now dates one of the most famous women in entertainment.

"He doesn't have a lot of structure. He can be irresponsible," Minaj, 33, testified last week. "Since I've come in his life, I think I've been working on that a little bit. ... He's just getting accustomed to being an adult."

He said he has dropped old friends from his entourage to focus on his family and girlfriend. His lawyer said he and Nicki Minaj were seriously discussing marriage.

The lawyer blamed the problems on the chaos of the music industry. The latest rules required Mill to get travel vouchers before he leaves town and meet with his probation officer in Philadelphia every 60 days.

"He's not a person who knows how to keep schedules. He's not an accountant. He's an artist," argued his latest lawyer, Frank DeSimone. "And those people are notoriously slipshod (at organization)."

The violations include Meek Mill's performances at a New York benefit concert last month and, according to prosecutors, efforts to meet up in various cities with Minaj. Brinkley also raised questions about a suspicious sample during a drug test. Mill denied trying to thwart the test or taking any drugs. He also dissed the case prosecutor in a rap song, a decision he now calls "immature."

Mill told the judge he was so concerned about the rules that he missed being at his mother's bedside after a recent surgery in New Jersey. The state, Brinkley explained, was keeping supervised felons out that day amid heightened security for the Miss America pageant.

"This court has done nothing but try to help the defendant," she said.

How Disney gave the 'Star Wars' brand the Marvel treatment

Since Disney's $4 billion acquisition of "Star Wars" in 2012 the blockbuster franchise has been on the receiving end of the Marvel treatment, as the media giant looks to build a narrative around the release of "The Force Awakens" across many mediums.

Marketers at the media giant are about to feel the force of the blockbuster franchise with its latest entry tipped to make $500 million in merchandising revenues alone in 12 months after its debut. Box-office projections for the latest film are so dizzyingly high that even if it were a critical failure, it would most certainly not be a commercial one — as the widely abhorred prequels prove.

Its status as a cash cow is a testament to the power of the brand but also to the ruthlessly efficient way Disney pulled the "Star Wars" franchise together with one coherent content plan that's miles apart from the schism it had become under Lucasfilm. To date, five movies are scheduled to be released in the next four years.

Disney has taken what it learned from the Marvel franchise and upped the ante. Upon its initial $4 billion investment in 2009, Disney has built the Marvel Cinematic Universe, connecting each Marvel movie giving viewers a sense of familiarity with characters and allowing substantial tie-ins like that of "The Avengers."

The bold move has proved greatly profitable. In the first half of 2015, Disney generated over $8 billion from Marvel-related movies and TV shows alone, excluding merchandising and partnerships. Similarly, it has leveraged the power of "Star Wars" to build a great degree of hype with subtle trailers and a cast and director passionate about the series.

Jacques de Cock, a faculty member at London School of Marketing, told The Drum that Disney's so-called Marvel treatment of "Star Wars" will see "content delivered across a diverse portfolio of businesses including movies, television, consumer products, games, and theme parks."

He said the wider utilization of the movies means that them, "their characters, objects, and events are based on overall appeal not simply on story and film requirements."

"If that makes for good movies or not is unclear, but now the film is both the object of, and also part of, the marketing plan. This is the genius of Disney."

Disney's experience in product marketing will give it a foot up on Lucasfilm's previous marketing efforts he argued claiming its extensive "in house" force helps it "keep more of the revenue through its own toys, shops, theme parks and more."

The commercial partnerships are too numerous to fully document, but here's a taster of just some of the brands on board: Fiat Chrysler, General Mills, Campbell's Soup, Kraft, Walmart, HP, Toys R Us, Duracell, Sphero, Lego, Unicef, Air Hogs, Monopoly, Coffee-Mate, Duck Tape, Subway, Verizon, Google, Target, EA Games, NBA, PS4, ESPN, and Waze.

The force flows through products in almost every imaginable sector as Disney looks to bombard the public with its newly launched franchise. De Cock argues that the extensive bond with top brands actually "enhances the 'Star Wars' brand" as it is "tightly controlled."

Chris Hassell, founder of Ralph, however, disagrees with De Cock to an extent. He says Disney has "gone pretty crazy" with the sheer number of partnerships it has established.

"'Star Wars' practically invented film merchandising, and this is where Lucas really made his cash. 'The Force Awakens' has obviously got all the merchandising across all types of products, some good, some rubbish.

"Marketing directors are now the age of true 'Star Wars' fandom so that probably helps get this stuff signed off, but apparently you can get 'Star Wars' oranges in a major supermarket, perhaps a bit too far."

The buzz permeates into cinema ad-roll too with Davina Barker, head of agency sales at Digital Cinema Media telling The Drum that "Star Wars" will represent "DCM's busiest [launch] yet, with a record number of playlists scheduled — nearly 10,000 for the day of release alone."

During launch week in the UK, from Friday, more than 180 campaigns are scheduled, with almost 100,000 playlists across all films.

She concluded: "Several global brand partners already associated with the film have chosen to feature in the 'Star Wars' ad-reel, however there's a whole range of other brands booked into the film, who are looking to engage 'Star Wars' super fans."

The franchise's appeal has snapped up brands in the automotive, financial, retail, and entertainment sectors in addition to bringing "several new advertisers to the big screen."

Will "Star Wars" maintain its magnetic draw to advertisers with an annual movie entry? It's likely, but "The Force Awakens" will have to dodge the pitfalls George Lucas' ill-fated prequels fell into first.

Earlier this month, The Drum editor Stephen Lepitak caught up with Charles Lippincott, the man who originally marketed the original "Star Wars" movie in 1977 in addition to other science-fiction classics such as "Alien," "Judge Dredd," and "Flash Gordon."

Read the original article on The Drum. Copyright 2015.

Sia: Why She Doesn’t Show Her Face

Of course we know Sia as the voice behind many hits like ‘Chandelier’, but the Grammy-nominated artist is incredibly shy when it comes to showing her face at public events — and she has a perfect explanation as to why she chooses to cover up.

Sia, 39, is one of the biggest musical geniuses in Hollywood. The brains behind many hits from Beyonce, Rihanna, and Britney Spears, Sia is a seasoned pro in the industry. She’s modest, too, as one thing is very apparent — the Australian singer/songwriter hates showing her face, even when she’s nominated for huge awards like a Grammy. Here’s why she hides her visage.

Sia’s Face: Why The Singer Chooses To Hide Her Face

The “Elastic Heart” singer wrote an op-ed for Billboard in October 2013 called “My Anti-Fame Manifesto (By Sia Furler)” where she addressed why she hides her face from the spotlight. Yes, it has everything to do with hating fame.

“If anyone besides famous people knew what it was like to be a famous person, they would never want to be famous,” Sia wrote. “Imagine the stereotypical highly opinionated, completely uninformed mother-in-law character and apply it to every teenager with a computer in the entire world. Then add in all bored people, as well as people whose job it is to report on celebrities. Then, picture that creature, that force, criticizing you for an hour straight once a day, every day, day after day.”

Hollywood Life

Sia readdressed the topic after dropping the music video for “Chandelier”, which stars 12-year-old Maddie Ziegler.

“I don’t want to be famous, or recognizable,” she told Chris Connelly on Nightline in June 2014. “I don’t want to be critiqued about the way that I look on the internet. I’ve been writing pop songs for pop stars now for a couple of years and I’ve become friends with them and see what their life is like and that’s not something I want.”

Sia has been on the music scene since the late 90s, but as she continues to grow more famous and co-write hit songs, she continues to cover up. While promoting “Chandelier” she repeatedly used Dance Moms star Maddie during performances, along with other celebs, such as Lena Dunham.

Whether she shows her face or not, Sia’s got incredible talent that definitely does not go unnoticed.

Sia At The 2015 Grammys

The Grammy nominated artist showed up on the red carpet wearing a huge, shaggy platinum wig, which of course covered everything but her nose and mouth.

She performed “Chandelier” live, while standing in a corner facing the wall. Meanwhile, the performance was brought to life with Maddie and a surprise appearance from comedian Kristen Wiig, 41, who shocked all with her incredible, expressive performance.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Does it bother you that Sia doesn’t show her face? Do you understand her reasoning for not doing so? Let us know your thoughts below!

— Julianne Ishler

JURASSIC WORLD 2’ TO FEATURE 75 MILLION YEARS OLD WEAPONIZED VELOCIRAPTORS?

 ‘Jurassic World 2’ To Feature 75 Million Years Old Weaponized Velociraptors?

It’s not about the mammoth success of this year’s “Jurassic World.” The global fans of all ages have always wanted to see a live demonstration of the dinosaurs that existed millions of year ago on this planet and how the evolution happened. This curiosity was further fueled with the release of “Jurassic Park” in 1993. And now the sci-fi adventure film aficionados are looking for another sequel titled “Jurassic World 2.”

We are over two years away from the release of “Jurassic World 2,” but the upcoming film has already started accumulating rumors at its pool. So far, what we have come to know that the sequel is going to serve as a baseline for future stories, which will probably later evolve in successive sequels. However, the most interesting fact shared by the film director and screenwriter, Colin Trevorrow is that the sequels might bring the peaceful co-existence between human and dinosaurs.

According to Vine Report, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” actress Bryce Dallas Howard will reprise her role as Claire Dearing in “Jurassic World 2” and her onus this time is going to be much bigger as she may get the opportunity to represent main plotlines.

“Claire is the one who evolves the most over the trilogy, it’s her story that mirrors this changing world,” the mysterious man behind the creation of “Jurassic World,” Trevorrow defined Howard’s character in a sentence.

As “Guardians of the Galaxy” actor Chris Pratt will also reprise his role as Owen Grady in the next sequel, Trevorrow discussed about both saying that the two of them opened Pandora’s Box in “Jurassic World” and both of them will be accountable for representing different elements in various ways.

A recent news published by Parent Herald states that “Safety Not Guaranteed’s” director-cum-producer, Trevorrow will not be directing the second installment of “Jurassic World” but he will continue to create magic by writing the sequel alongside Derek Connolly. Connolly is also known for accompanying Trevorrow in generating the script for the original 2015’s superhit movie.

The website also discussed about the possibility of weaponized velociraptors in the second sequel. This plan was shared by Vic Hoskins to Pratt and Howard earlier, but the rumors suggest that fans may be the taken to the era of velociraptors that lived on this planet somewhat around 75 million years ago.

Based on the official declaration, fans expect the premiere “Jurassic World 2” on June 22, 2018.

Agario is a Free Multiplayer Phenomenon

Agar.io and Agario 3D are two browser games featured on Poki. The concept is quite simple; you start out with a small object known as a “cell”. The aim is to then absorb smaller cells which causes your own cell to grow bigger and bigger. The Bigger you are, the stronger you will become.

The challenge comes in by way of other real life players who will also be growing their cells and becoming stronger, eventually you’ll cross paths and the bigger cell must absorb the smaller, while the smaller cell must try and flee to absorb more smaller cells. If you get absorbed by another player it’s game over and you’ll have to start again. You can eventually unlock a few new tricks like ejecting extra mass and splitting into multiple parts to outplay smaller cells.

After dominating the field you can explore what’s called experimental mode and learn how to take advantage of spawners. For extra hilarity and popularity, you can choose a selection of cell skins such as presidents, flags, or internet memes. To do this you’ll need to input specific names when it prompts you for your name at the start of the game, we have a list below.

You also have control over what type of gamers you’ll be facing. You can pick a favourite region (North America, South America, Europa, Russia, Turkey, East Asia, China or Oceania) to join thousands of other players. If online multiplayer isn’t your thing you also have the choice of personal battles that are only against your friends.

As mentioned earlier, there are two versions of Agario. The original is called simply Agar.io and there is a much slower 3D version called Agario 3D. Both are equally as fun but come with their own unique challenges.

At the end of each game you’re given statistics like your number of cells eaten, time lived and number of players eaten. Your best position in the worldwide rankings are all available to boast with.

Each room also has real time Top 10, where you can see who are the biggest cells at the moment.

Written by Gary A. Swaby on December 9, 2015 at 9:18 am