UK: Our Lungs Vs. Lobbyists -- Less Than 48 Hours Left!

Big Tobacco spends millions on hip package design to hook our kids, but a new UK policy could save lives and set a new global standard. Send an urgent message to support plain packs before the government consultation closes in just 48 hours!

007 Locations - Follow in the Footsteps of James Bond

This photo was used under the Creative Commons license curtsey of Flickr.com

James Bond celebrates 50 years on the big screen this year, marked by screenings all over the world of the classic films, a car exhibition in the UK and the release of BOND 50, a box-set of all 22 James Bond films on Blu-ray.

The high-flying spy has always inspired location envy, from James Bond Island in Phuket to the idyllic Bahamas and Jamaica. But for James Bond fans hoping to follow in his suave footsteps without breaking the bank, Europe also has plenty to offer. Mr Bond shows a particular affinity for the dramatic vistas of the Alps, the moneyed opulence of the French Riviera and the big, bombastic castles for which France is world famous.

For some Bond inspiration, here's a look at some of the most incredible European locations he loved, killed and smarmed in. An adventurous spirit and good walking boots required; Caddish behaviour and excessive drinking optional.

James Bond and His Cars

Whether or not you are a fan of the genre, there is no denying the importance of the automobiles featured in the James Bond series of films. These films showcase a fifty year history of the automobile in its glory. Along with the magnificence of the actual vehicles that were featured is the knowledge that Bond’s man “Q” had added amazing modifications and gadgets that were sure to assist Bond no matter what trouble came his way. These vehicles are truly a part of the mysterious Bond persona and made him such a popular figure for movie fans.

UK: Darksiders II – Fall of Man (Official Gameplay Trailer)

Today, there's a treat for you guys (well, if you're into video games, that is) as we've got the brand new official trailer for Darksiders II – Fall of Man, courtesy of THQ!

Darksiders II is one of the most eagerly anticipated videogame releases of the summer and this sequel is expected to stand-up pretty well next to the critically acclaimed original release.

But... "Nuff' said."

Have fun watching the trailer!

Loup Dargent

Which Of Your Kids Would You Put Up For Sale?

Before you guys start wondering about the degree of my evilness, you might want to read the following email sent to me by our friends at the Brave New Foundation and watch the embedded video as they will explain the title of today's post.

It looks like Evil has got a name in America after all and it's... ALEC.

Regards

Loup Dargent

How Marion Cottilard Gets Her Look

  
 Since breaking into the mainstream’s collective conscience with her powerful and Oscar winning performance as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, Marion Cotillard has continued to enchant film goers with her incredible talent and natural beauty. Away from the silver screen too, the French born star of Midnight In Paris and Contagion has captivated on the red carpet and in fashion shoots with her fresh blend of Gallic sophistication and elegance. In achieving this look the actress has utilised a number of different techniques.

Batman The Dark Knight Rises | The Legend Ends

Christopher Nolan’s reboot of the comic book hero, Batman has been well received and has quickly become the most successful Batman franchise in Hollywood history. 

Schumacher and Tim Burton have both previously tried their hand at creating a Batman that audiences can relate to by casting George Clooney and Michael Keaton. However, both attempts failed to make a good impression.

Batman the Dark Knight Rises is the third and final instalment of the Nolan adaptation with promotional posters detailing ‘The Legend Ends’. Although it has been promoted as the final instalment, there are talks of another film that will tie in with a Justice League plot.
 
A small number of Batman fanatics who watched an advance screening of The Dark Knight Rises have been expressing their enthusiasm for the film, but are restricted when it comes to publicising their review. Reviews of the Batman the Dark Knight Rises film cannot be made public until the day before 20th July release date. According to The Guardian, the film has received ‘standing ovations’ at the advance preview with one fan, Tom McAuliffe stating: “So much awesome...Can’t wait to see it again. And again.”

Christian Bale has been talking about the cast and British director, Christopher Nolan in the lead up to the Batman the Dark Knight Rises premiere. In a report by the Daily Record Christian Bale admitted that the conclusion of the Batman franchise has left an ambivalent aftertaste, commenting: “It’s bittersweet. I wasn’t sure Chris was going to make a third one. It’s meant a great deal in my life and it had been important but Chris has been so inspirational on each of the movies and he’s saying that it’s time to say goodbye.”

Tom Hardy is the latest villain to come to our screens and will be playing ‘the man who broke the Bat’, Bane. Talking about Hardy’s work and character, Bale was full of praise: “Tom is a phenomenal actor and I think having a mask over most of your face is a terrific hurdle. But he’s got such wonderful eyes and he can give expression through that.”

Catwoman is another character that will be introduced in Batman the Dark Knight Rises played by Anne Hathaway. Following in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer and Lee Meriwether, Hathaway had some impressive boots to fill. Bale said: “Anne did a really great job, she sort of incorporated herself into Chris’s world of Batman – and very quickly. She did that for the first time when we did a reading for it."

“We could all see that she could speak through the costume, which can be a tricky thing. You can look like a bunch of idiots just walking around with silly ears and a rubber suit. She concentrated on how she felt inside the suit rather than being self-conscious about how she looked.”

The film premiere will be coming to cinema screens including the prestigious IMAX theatre on 20th July, with the Leicester Square premier and red carpet appearances taking place on 18th July.

About Today's Contributor:
Batman The Dark Knight Rises |The Legend Ends has been written by Refresh Accommodation, a specialist in providing London visitors with quality serviced apartments on short stay and long term lets. 

UK: Let's Put Those Banksters Behind Bars!

Big banks have been rigging the interest rates on our mortgages and student loans! They've finally gone too far -- the scandal has forced George Osborne to open a public consultation to decide if bank bosses should be charged for such crimes. If 100,000 people say yes now, we can put the banksters behind bars.

Dear friends across the UK,

Big banks have been caught in a massive scam to rig interest rates, ripping off millions of people on their mortgages, student loans and more! We'd go to jail for this, but Barclays bank has only been fined a tiny fraction of their profits! Now the government is asking the public if guilty bank bosses should be locked up.

Bank bosses such as Barclays’ Bob Diamond have pocketed tens of millions in bonuses thanks to this fraudulent behaviour. So far they’ve got off scott free, but the tide is turning. Chancellor George Osborne has just started an official public consultation on whether reckless bosses should be jailed. But the banks are lobbying hard against it, and we need a massive surge of people power to drive these reforms through.

If we can get 100,000 people in the next three days to say yes to criminal charges for bankers, we can get George Osborne to face down the banking lobby and put the bank bosses behind bars. Sign now and share widely -- when we reach 100,000 signers we’ll deliver it to the Treasury's consultation.

=> Click here to sign the petition <=

Great Books Adapted Into Great Films

This photo was used under the Creative Commons license curtsey of Flickr.com

This year sees the long-awaited screen adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s classic 1950’s Beat Generation novel, On the Road.

Aired in Cannes in May, the film has received mixed reviews and anyone who held a copy of Kerouac’s cult classic close to their chest while undertaking their own adventures will no doubt be in two minds whether to see their beloved characters brought to the big screen.

That’s the thing about adapting a moving picture from the written word: you’re going to have to fill in the pictures yourself and they won’t always be how they were first envisaged within a reader’s imagination.

I personally loved On the Road and was incredibly jealous of the bravery and conversational intelligence of the likes of Sal Paradise and his friend Dean Moriarty. In some ways I tried to emulate the pair by going off on my own travels through Europe however, what I encountered was never quite as exciting and yet with my well-thumbed copy of Kerouac’s classic by my side I still felt that I was embarking on a beatific adventure holiday trip of my very own.

Now, with the film being shown to a wider audience and possibly the book being confined to the shelves of the past, I got to wondering what previous adaptations have done a good job of presenting prose on the silver screen.

Below, in my opinion, are three of the best books to grace the big screen and do the written version justice.

Great Holidays Inspired by this summer’s Blockbusters

This photo was used under the Creative Commons license curtsey of Flickr.com

With summer now upon us, the season of hugely hyped Hollywood blockbusters has arrived ready to try everyone’s patience with oversized budgets, wooden acting, over the top special effects and preposterous plots.

However, if nothing else, most of these films at least provide some fantastic eye-candy to enjoy, and whether they’re set in a tropical jungle, vibrant metropolis or alien-infected spacecraft, can offer some great inspiration for that all-important summer holiday. So before you plan your next trip to the Cineplex, take a look at these 5 summer blockbuster options, pick one that best matches your ideal holiday and start taking notes. That way you’ll get something out of the experience, even if it turns out to be as bad as Battlefield Earth.

5 Signs You Are a Total Star Wars Fan

cc licensed flickr photo shared by JD Hancock

Do you live for Star Wars? Is an entire room in your home dedicated to, what many consider, the best space fantasy movies that have ever been made? Just how much of a Star Wars fan are you? Sure, you have the posters, the action figures, the books, the movies and maybe, just maybe, a lightsaber. However, even all this memorabilia does not make you a ‘Total Star Wars Fan.’

If you can answer yes to at least three of the five questions listed below, you fully deserve the title of the ‘Total Star Wars Fan.’

If you answer these truthfully and it is determined you deserve this title, Yoda ensures that, ‘The Force Be with You it Will.’ Now, Let us begin!

The Superhero Reboot: The Story Of A Bat And A Spider...

If there is one type of film that gets 'rebooted' more than any other it is that which concerns itself with the superhero. Arguably a 'reboot' is little more than a euphemism for repackaging the same story, however as long as the public is willing to spend the cash to see them, they'll stick around. And besides, July 2012 has two huge reboots slated for release with action fans and geeks alike drooling in anticipation.

Batman

Well-loved and probably the most famous reboot in the superhero flick world, Batman is super cool. Ok, we're not talking about the shift from Adam West to Michael Keaton, though this was a major step in the genres evolution.