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Simian sizzler: <I>King Kong</I> apes earlier versions
A simian the size of "King Kong" has a lot of meat on his bones, even if they would seem to have been picked clean by a succession of filmmakers. The 1933 apeflick, one of the most influential films of all time, has inspired several generations to watch and/or make movies.
One of the latter is Peter Jackson, who doesn't stumble in following The Lord of the Rings with the third incarnation (not counting sequels and ripoffs) of King Kong.
The film is easily but unofficially divided into three acts of about an hour each: The Voyage, The Island, and The Return. Jackson shows us an elaborate recreation of New York in 1932, highlighting the Depression, prohibition, and vaudeville before focusing in on one entertainer, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts).
Her show closes, a couple of paychecks behind, and she's as desperate as almost everyone else on the street. But not as desperate as Carl Denham (Jack Black, probably the best person alive to deliver a snarky line like, "I'm someone you can trust, Ann. I'm a movie producer").
The studio has just red-lighted his planned adventure epic. He's stolen the film and is about to sail for an uncharted island, "a place thought to exist only in myth," to which he's found a map. His assistant's (Colin Hanks) honesty scared off their leading lady, and they can't find another who fits the size-four costumes ("Fay's... doing a picture at RKO").
What sells Ann on the venture is that the screenwriter is her favorite playwright, Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody), who is virtually shanghaied to come along on the crummy ship, captained by Thomas Kretschmann. The crew includes Jamie Bell, Evan Parke, and Andy Serkis (the artist formerly known as Gollum also does his motion-capture thing as Kong).
Love blossoms on board between Ann and Jack, much of it sublimated in his writing and her performing love scenes with vapid action hero Bruce Baxter (Kyle Chandler), whose credits include Rough Trader, Dame Tamer and Tribal Brides of the Amazon.
In this first section, Jackson, co-writing again with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, manages to simultaneously imitate and mock films of the '30s in just the right proportions.
He turns mostly serious as the ship approaches Skull Island and is almost wrecked in a sequence that lasts way too long, especially since not much happens, and the island looks cheesier by night than it will in daylight.
Yada yada, and the natives capture Ann to offer as a sacrifice to the 25-foot gorilla who lives behind a 100-foot wall. Her first scream and his first roar end the first hour.
The second hour is made up of awesome action set pieces with minor lulls between. Ann bonds with Kong by doing her vaudeville routine for him, only to find he's more amused by repeatedly knocking her down and picking her up again. When she stands up to him– well, to about 20 percent of him when he's standing straight– he knows he's in love.
The film crew and boat crew join forces to try to rescue Ann, but are nearly trampled by a herd of brontosauruses in what looks like a prehistoric Pamplona. She escapes on her own but leaves the frying pan for increasingly larger fires until Kong has to save her from a three-rex. Her clothes, unfortunately, hold up much better than Fay Wray's did.
Eventually Kong is subdued, brought to New York, and displayed by Carl in a Broadway theater. He escapes, does a Godzilla on Manhattan, and carries Ann up the Empire State Building like Spider-Ape. The familiar climax is dragged out too long as Ann and Kong stare into each other's eyes like it's Titanic.
Since modern audiences are more aware that this is an interspecies love story, it doesn't hurt that the script makes it more overt, but the downside is that Ann looks like a slut for running into Jack's arms before Kong even hits the street. (Granted, it's a long way down...)
Watts may seem like overkill casting, but remember, most of us got our first look at Jessica Lange in the 1976 version. Playing most of her scenes opposite computer images to be filled in later, Watts does an outstanding job that could earn her a Best Actress nomination, this being a slow year. She's a bit like the wannabe actresses she played in Mulholland Dr. and Ellie Parker, with a hint of Marilyn Monroe thrown in.
Black has the best lines, mainly the ones remembered from the original. (I couldn't help singing along to "...the eighth wonder of the world!" and "It was beauty killed the beast.") Everyone does what's required, but the movie belongs to Watts and the special effects teams.
"Nothing good ever lasts," Ann says in an early scene. King Kong lasts. It's three of the best pictures of the year– you won't complain of not getting your money's worth– but perhaps too much of a good thing.
You'll probably disagree if it's the only movie you see this weekend, but at this time of year critics have to sit through two or three two-hour-plus epics a day, so we're less appreciative. When you get the DVD, you'll find yourself fast-forwarding through certain parts, but you won't forget the theatrical experience.


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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Double Shot Of My Baby's Love
The first two episodes of Kyle Busch: Riding Shotgun aired back-to-back on ESPN2 Tuesday afternoon. The original airing of episode number one was preempted by US Open tennis on Monday.
This series just popped-up on the TV radar screen last week. In a media release, both ESPN and the NASCAR Media Group said a lot of polite things about the sport and each other. What they never explained is where this project originated and why it came about. This is the extent of what fans were told.
"A new and highly innovative five-part television series featuring NASCAR star Kyle Busch will air on ESPN2 to help kick off ESPN's live coverage of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship," said the ESPN media release.
"Whether the fans love him or he's not one of their favorites, this program will present Kyle and his personality in an intriguing manner that will get their attention, just like his driving on the racetrack," said ESPN exec Julie Sobieski.
"Kyle has a very busy schedule that week and we'll be shooting one day and airing the next, something very rarely even contemplated in today's television industry. We appreciate the opportunity and access that Kyle and his team have provided for us," said Jay Abraham, head of the NASCAR Media Group.
Episode one opened with Busch in his motorhome at the track. He was exercising with his fiancee, Samantha Sarcinella. She was telling him what to do and he complied while rolling his eyes. It seemed Busch was a good sport when it came to following directions from this young lady.
Footage from Richmond highlighted Busch in his pink firesuit as he caught grief from Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart for his attire. Sarcinella joined Busch again before the Nationwide Series race, sitting on the pit box . After a top ten finish, Sarcinella and Busch planned their honeymoon online and then browsed through engagement photos. Sarcinella lead the way.
The race highlights from Richmond morphed into the Chasers chatting post-race. Busch expressed an issue with Denny Hamlin to car owner Joe Gibbs, joked around during the photos in Victory Lane and ended the night asleep on the plane next to Sarcinella.
This first show ended with an opportunity for Sarcinella to be featured in her bikini out on the lake with Busch and friends boating. Busch got to do a little wakeboarding, Sarcinella got to do a lot of posing.
Episode two opened with Sarcinella playing to the camera while organizing clothes for a trip to New York. Busch then signed merchandise, made awkward conversation in the JGR shop and finally did a photo shoot where not one word was exchanged between himself and Hamlin.
Sarcinella was then at Kyle Busch Motorsports as she put logos on the charity truck while talking about various topics. SPEED fan favorite Rick Ren was forced to make even more awkward conversation with Busch while supposedly talking about KBM topics.
Busch finally lit up when given the brief opportunity to recap his Bristol, TN weekend as he hosted a crew dinner. He seems sincere in his understanding that it takes a team to help his racing efforts, unlike the infamous "old Kyle Busch."
Viewers were introduced to Busch's 1969 Chevy Camaro which had been fully restored. Clearly a car guy, Busch enjoyed telling the story of its origin. During this segment, Sarcinella from out of the blue offered that she did a bikini photo shoot with another one of Busch's cars.
Sarincella said she lay across the hood for the photo above shot by Charlotte area photographer Kevin Justice. What an interesting way to end a NASCAR TV show on ESPN2.
I certainly don't begrudge Sarcinella one moment of the opportunity to be on national television in a feature program series. The issue is that this project was intended to promote the Chase. Busch never expressed to the viewers his opinions about the sport, about the Chase or really about anything. Like it or not, the focus was on Sarcinella.
The remainder of this mini-series is going to chronicle Busch as he travels to promote the Chase through various media appearances. Ultimately, he will wind-up at ESPN on Thursday along with Stewart and Gordon for a full day of media work.
Perhaps, the hastily thrown together nature of this project resulted in the NASCAR Media Group creating a little bit of entertainment television to get things underway.
This is a very important week for the sport and ESPN got it off to an awkward start with the preemption of NASCAR Now and episode one of the Riding Shotgun series on Monday evening.
Hopefully, both parties will get back on track as the Chasers will be on the ESPN networks all week trying to drum up publicity for the final ten races while Riding Shotgun attempts to profile the most dynamic personality in the sport this season.
Did you watch these two episodes? We invite you to leave your opinion on the programs. To add your comment, just click on the comment button below. This is a family-friendly website, please keep that in mind when posting.
Bonus: Click here for a playback of the original Double Shot Of My Baby's Love by the Swinging Medallions from 1966. For those of you not familiar, that is a record player. Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Daly Planet.
27 comments:
- Ron said...
Yep, not much Kyle there, mostly her, but she is easy on they eyes. Not impressed enough to DVR it.
- September 15, 2010 at 8:26 AM
- GinaV24 said...
Since I'm not a Kyle Busch fan, I didn't watch it or record it.
From what you described of the show and the interaction, obviously she wears the firesuit in the family or at least the bikini version of it.
- September 15, 2010 at 8:47 AM
- Anonymous said...
at least i was able to write down crew chief dave rogers' personal cell, email and office number off the close up of the businees card they showed sitting on his desk. LOL. i'll have to give him a shout and let him know what kind of job he's doing with kyle. haha.
- September 15, 2010 at 9:49 AM
- Anonymous said...
good show regardless. turning something around like that is not an easy task. hats off to them.
- September 15, 2010 at 9:49 AM
- Anonymous said...
ESPN should prescreen this stuff from the NASCAR Media Group, and reserve the right to not air it if it isn't any good.
- September 15, 2010 at 9:51 AM
- Anonymous said...
I watched the 1st episode but missed the 2nd due to ESPN scheduling, after reading the sumation, I would have to say I wish the show was more about Kyle..will have to see what ESPN does on the rest
- September 15, 2010 at 10:01 AM
- Patti said...
WAIT! Fans want access and you get access and now we're complaining it's not about enough racing?
All I have to say is that it's good to see what goes on behind the scenes. You get to see that Kyle really is one downright goofy kid. I swear he looks just like my brother in law too. I never noticed that because you rarely get to see him outside the firesuit. So now you get to see him doing the stuff he has to do as a racecar driver off of the track.
I thought that was the point. To allow the fans to see what happens during this week prior to the Chase starting. Well, they have normal lives.
Sam's cute and it's obvious she's a planner. And I think people fail to realize she's a huge part of his life. If they were doing this with Delana Harvick you'd probably see her as much also.
I can't wait to see if we get to see the Speed's as they are best friends.
I think it's a good show and they should do it each week for a different driver in the chase. But I'm sure as you get to the end of the chase no one will want a camera crew following them around.
If you don't like Kyle it's a good show to watch to see that he has an on track personality and an off track personality. Pretty typical of all of the drivers. Like he said, acting is easy because he's always acting. He understands that racing is also a show and gives it a little spice by acting the way he does on the track.
- September 15, 2010 at 10:07 AM
- Donna DeBoer said...
Kyle's one of my drivers so I set the DVR to have a look at this show, the kids wanted to see it too. I wasn't happy with the show-go-round ESPN did on Mon because of other live sport delays, but the DVR got both episodes on time Tues. & we had a look. First, great job by the NMG filming & turning around an excellent finished product overnight! Understand that they are doing episodes this way all week, kudos, tough hours. Second, I agree that the show, so far, seems to be more showcase for Sam than Kyle, however, I doubt she would ever have gotten this kind of TV attention if not for Kyle. I have no problem with someone making the most of their opportunities (pssst contrary to perceptions, Sam is no dummy!) Third, I'm not sure yet what this has to do with the Chase, except for his being one of the drivers & showing his life as he prepares, I guess we'll get a real answer tonight & tomorrow after yesterday & today's NYC filming. Fourth, kids decided they probably wouldn't be friends with Kyle, said he doesn't seem friendly. I just had to laugh at that! Fifth, I wonder who paid for this & if the intention was mainly for Kyle to attract sponsorship.
PS did I really see a preview showing Kyle & Sam in a bathtub?? Weren't the bikini shots enough? LOL
- September 15, 2010 at 10:14 AM
- Amy in FL said...
I am a person that is looking for a driver this season as my driver went to a severely reduced schedule if not retired after last season. I have been gravitating towards Kyle surprisingly and I am enjoying seeing Kyle off the track. I agree about the hot tub in today's episode as it kind of screams "reality" "bachelor/bachelorette" type of programming. My 8 y/o son happened to see that and thankfully he didn't ask any questions.
Overall, I think that this show is really great as it is showing Kyle in a good light. I am also noticing the love that Kyle has for Sam. That is written all over his eyes everytime that she is in the room. So far, this show is good for Kyle to maybe get some new fans too.
I like the idea of maybe doing this for other drivers as well. I like seeing these type of shows as I liked Nascar 360 too. NMG needs to do these for broadening their fanbase.
Amy in FL
- September 15, 2010 at 11:48 AM
- Mïk said...
Nice fluff thru most of it. Yeah, not much on racing, but it's not about that. There is the possibility that the off-race life of Kyle Busch is wrapped around that bikini
- September 15, 2010 at 1:51 PM
- Anonymous said...
I never watched it, I had a feeling I would not be missing much. I do want more access to the sport, the racing. NASCAR Now has been kicked around like street trash the past few weeks. The only other place to view NASCAR content is Race Hub.
Maybe this show highlights modern NASCAR - since apparently the sport is a show. Maybe ESPN dramawriters will switch the storyline from Kyle to Jimmie for the final 10 races. Instead of watching the cars the last 3 laps of the race, maybe ESPN will fill the screen with team members and spouses anxiously watching the final laps. Maybe the SportsCenter court jesters can tell some more NASCAR jokes under a mystery debris cautions.
- September 15, 2010 at 2:47 PM
- Anonymous said...
I enjoyed both segments. I thought some of the folks were a little harsh on the thread on TDP a few days ago. My opinion is that folks should just lighten up and enjoy any Nascar show that gives us a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes.
- September 15, 2010 at 2:47 PM
- The Mad Man said...
Had they had an episode about Dave Rogers and him discussing why those chose certain engine packages for certain races and stuff more oriented towards the gearheads, I'd be waiting for the next installemnt. But like all the fluff stuff that dominates a lot of these shows about NASCAR, it sort of killed my interest. Can't help it if I like the tech side of racing.
- September 15, 2010 at 3:04 PM
- Anonymous said...
I just watched what I guess was the 3rd episode, day one in New York. Now I am certainly not against kissing, but this episode was all about kissing on a boat, in a hot tub, in the hotel room, etc. At least Sam admitted what was fake about her. :D
- September 15, 2010 at 6:31 PM
- Anonymous said...
OMG - complaining about seeing too much of Samantha Sarcinella? She's one of Kyle's best assets next to his driving talent!
- September 15, 2010 at 6:46 PM
- Vicky D said...
I might have seen just a few seconds of this when she was showing some uniforms that were going to be displayed at his truck series shop? Then she says - he makes suggestions but I don't listen I just do what I want in the end. I think that's what she said. Glad I didn't watch any more of it. Don't quite understand what that has to do with the Chase though hmmmmm.
- September 15, 2010 at 8:51 PM
- Anonymous said...
Kinda like the ill-fated "NASCAR Wives" show.
No thanks,
- September 15, 2010 at 10:01 PM
- Anonymous said...
after having just watched Changing Lanes....makes this look even more pathetic. Bunch of earnest kids trying to work hard & make it on talent, vs Kyle & his...errr...fiance showing off her 'assets'...no comparison. Hope he got a pre-nup.
- September 15, 2010 at 11:06 PM
- The Mad Man said...
@ Vicky D I think NASCAR is trying to make Kyle more likeable to race fans in the event he wins the play-offs. They had a tough time "selling" his brother after he won his championship.It was a total PR disaster for NASCAR.
- September 16, 2010 at 12:28 AM
- sue said...
Cute and fluffy show. Hubby enjoyed the gratis bikini shots a lot. Its kinda fun seeing a different side to Kyle but it did seem as though they were really trying a little too hard. Todays show had more bikini shots. Hubby again was smiling. I laughed thinking what Kyle said to Tony Stewart about being next to heavy guys during the chase photos. Well Kyle is certainly no Carl Edwards. But its mainly fluff. right?
- September 16, 2010 at 2:01 AM
- Pegnancy Miracle said...
I never noticed that because you rarely get to see him outside the fire suit. So now you get to see him doing the stuff he has to do as a race car driver off of the track.
- September 16, 2010 at 3:26 AM
- Anonymous said...
the problem is, it's nothing we haven't seen before (except Sam in the bikini.) I mean, drivers doing the stuff he's doing, even Racehub and Nascar Now have had features where they show guys signing autographs, touring the shop, doing sponsor deals, going to their own race shops, playing with their various toys. Nothing new to see. I think Mad Man might be right, but I think what people will see is that away from the track he's just not particularly interesting. I don't really like him, but the most interesting stuff he says is usually in the heat of the moment--take away the heat, and he's just not that interesting.
- September 16, 2010 at 8:15 AM
- Tracy D said...
I watched all 3 episodes in a row off DVR last night, and found Kyle's fiance to be a gem. He's lucky to have her. Mostly this is about two young people in love, and I found it kind of charming, mostly because she's clearly very nice and truly an asset to him. His self-deprecation was amusing as well.
It makes for a nice change of pace show. Why not have some fun?
- September 16, 2010 at 11:02 AM
- Anonymous said...
I liked these shows. They showed me what Busch's life is like off the track, and obviously that includes his fiancee. I really don't need any more on-track stuff, that doesn't really tell me about Busch.
Jimmie Johnson's wife played a prominent role in his HBO 24/7 program. Granted, she isn't a 20something bimbo type, but she's clearly just as involved in Johnson's off-track activities.
I liked these shows because Busch's personality comes through, and you get a sense of what his life away from the track is like, which includes his fiancee.
I would think that if ESPN did a "reality" show on Jeff Burton or Kevin Harvick, you'd see their better halves just as often as you see Kyle Busch's. That's just the reality of some of these guys lives: they include their women in everything.
- September 16, 2010 at 3:21 PM
- Anonymous said...
She's using him as a stepping stone. This is her claim to fame. It's obviously casting a spotlight on her. I wish they would have chose someone else. It's bad enough Kyle Busch doesn't get the respect he deserves for being one of the best drivers on the track, now his private life will be target for the haters.
- September 17, 2010 at 1:22 AM
- Anonymous said...
anon 3:21...they (not ESPN...I guess it was TNT that showed NASCAR 360?) already DID a reality show with Kevin & Delana, and yes, she did figure into his life. But she was featured as a partner in day to day activities, making decisions, showing some of their travel life; I certainly don't recall any bikini shots. Sam is a pretty girl and obviously likes to show off. That will always turn some people off. But even Kyle said last night he didn't realize it would end up being so much about her. That would be the choice of the producers. But again--they *claimed* it would be 'highly innovative' and it was far from that.
- September 17, 2010 at 8:53 AM
- Donna DeBoer said...
Episode 4 was much closer to what I expected from the series, more about Kyle's prep, obligations, speaking about some personal as well as professional stuff. Plus the footage at JGR with his team. More about racing. I hope episode 5 continues those angles. I like Sam but to me, this isn't about her.
- September 17, 2010 at 9:52 AM

subset: commoncrawl


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SANFORD, Fla. – A private security company is suing George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watchman charged with shooting and killing Trayvon Martin, and his attorney, Mark O'Mara over unpaid security services, WKMG-TV reported.
Zimmerman's first security team, Associated Investigative Services, claims that Zimmerman and O'Mara owe them more than $27,000 plus interest, according to a lawsuit filed at the Orange County courthouse on Friday.
After Zimmerman shot and killed Martin, he received numerous death threats, prompting him to hire bodyguards. Zimmerman already paid the company $40,000 to provide bodyguard services for Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, along with hotel rooms and meals among other expenses, according to the lawsuit.
By phone, Zimmerman's attorney Mark O'Mara told WKMG the security company was "taking advantage of the situation" by providing additional staff and services that were not requested. He points out that the company was paid $40,000 from Zimmerman's legal defense fund. He said he is surprised by the lawsuit but believes it will be dismissed.
The security company says they worked for Zimmerman for about three months.


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RENTON, Wash.- Single-match tickets for the fifth Seattle Sounders FC MLS season will go on sale to the public on Monday, February 4 at 10 a.m. PT. Tickets will be available through SoundersFC.com, all Ticketmaster Outlets, CenturyLink Field Box Office or by calling 800-745-3000. Ticket availability on a match-by-match basis is limited.
Sounders FC 2013 season tickets are available now. To select seats, click here or call 877-MLS-GOAL (877-657-4625).
All Sounders FC league matches not aired nationally will be carried live in high definition on KING-5 or KONG-6/16. All locally broadcast matches will also be aired either live outside of Seattle or on a delayed basis throughout Washington on ROOT SPORTS™. Each match will also be aired live on the radio home of Sounders FC, News Talk 97.3 KIRO FM.
Sounders FC first regular season MLS match is on March 2 versus Montreal Impact on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.


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"The theme of that episode was "Made in America." I used that title not only because Tony's a made guy, and all these guys are made guys, but also because it was about the extreme amount of comfort Americans have, especially people with money. And specifically, it was about the war in Iraq—it was made in America, and as you saw in the show, Tony and Carmela just didn't want their son to go, and they could afford to see that their son didn't go. Like some of our leaders.…Not to get too didactic about it, but it was really sort of about how we are going about our amply fed, luxury-car life here, and the world is going to hell and we're under tremendous threat. And people don't want to see it".-David Chase (GQ Magazine)
The next scene I wish to highlight is to me, one of the strangest of the whole entire show in its cut technique. The technique they use and the way the cut is placed in the pacing of the show is totally bizarre and out of the ordinary, as if to say to the viewer "pay attention". In the episode "Fleshy Part of the Thigh" the Evangelical preacher visits Tony and hands him the book "Born Again" written by Charles Colson, one of the people involved in the Watergate Scandal further invoking said scandal in this episode with the other reference being "Deep Throat" actor Hal Holbrook losing his larynx. After the preacher leaves Hesh and his daughter are talking with Chris and Tony;
Go back and watch the scene or maybe you remember it. Its very oddly placed. It feels to have this sense of foreboding or coming apocalypse. Thats why Ive included it in here. Its adds to this character of terror. While researching the topic, I came across a thread about this scene here on "The Chase Lounge". A poster known as CaliberCutChops makes some very good observations and comments;"What's he saying? There were dinosaurs back with Adam And Eve?"-Chris
"I guess."-Tony
"No way.T rex in the garden of Eden? Adam and Eve would be running all the time, scared shitless. But the bible says it was paradise."-Chrissy
"You can disagree with evangelicals, But they're great friends of the Jews because Israel is the holy land."-Beth Kaplan
"You wait."-Hesh
(Mysterious quick fade to black as if the episode is over)
The next time Chrissy meets up with the Arab guys is in "Mr. & Mrs. John Sacrimoni Request…" where he meets up with them at the Bing. Apparently he has started doing a credit card scam using Vesuvios and Benny. Chrissy's friend Murmur from AA apparently has connections to identity theft and everyone involved seems to be making good money off this credit card theft.Hesh's comments don't have anything to do with the show, but are his opinions about the current events going on in the middle east. His "You wait" is a suspicious feeling towards christian fundamentalists, who need the jews to return to palestine in order to trigger armageddon, which will call for the return of their messiah.
It's like a comment designed to get the user to wake up, and with the ominous edit to the next scene, sort of akin to providing a nugget of information for the viewer to consider. This is akin to when, in season 5, there was a discussion regarding nuclear bombs slipping through cargo containers, and Paulie grumbled how Bush was giving no-bid contracts to his friends, that action being something the mob would do too.
"Ho! Where are the rest of the 40 thieves? You got it?"-Chrissy
"Good week. 120 credit card numbers plus the 3-digit security codes. But I won't charge you no extra."-Murmur
"Don't leave home without it."-Chrissy
"No, we'll use them."-Ahmed
"No, credit cards. The commercial."-Chrissy
"So Tony's out of hospital, please give him our wishes. We brought him some dates.Also, Chris, you know how we can purchase a couple of Tec-9 semi-automatics, extended magazines?'-Ahmed
"Hold on. Tec-9's? What the fuck for?"-Chrissy
"It's a family problem. My former brother-in-law, actually."-Ahmed
"All right, fucking take it easy."-Chrissy
So from what we can gleam here, the credit cards are being used to buy weapons. Weapons for people with questionable motives. Chris seems suspicious himself when he asks what they are for, not your usual question for a mafioso. He obviously is concerned. These two guys seem to be on a mission. When each step is completed they move onto the next phase of their plans. In the next episode "Live Free Or Die" we hear more about 9-11 in a conversation Meadow has about her work with her family;
Pretty stinging commentary on the Bush Administration via Meadow. It also resonates with the 9-11 terrorism theme. Theres more in this episode though. A scene where Tony and Chris have a conversation regarding the Arabs. It appears Tony is having second thoughts or has worried feelings about it too so he asks Chris about them;"You think it's funny? The FBI snatched their son off the street like we're some third world dictatorship.'-Meadow
"Pretty scary."-AJ
"There must have been some reason, Meadow."-Carmela
"Like he's a terrorist, maybe."-Tony
"9-11, 9-11. Bush is using it as an excuse to erode our constitutional protections, and you're falling for it."-Tony
"Well, I voted for him."-Carmela
"Right, well, you don't relate to black people clinging to logs"-Meadow
"Let me ask you something, those two Arabs, with the credit cards, fazool and whatever his name is"-Tony
"You think there's a chance they could be I don't know, AL-QAEDAS, something like that?"-Tony
"Hmm. You know at one point it did cross my mind."-Chrissy
"Yeah, and?"-Tony
"I don't think so. They're gun nuts but the smaller guy Ahmed, when those DANISH CARTOONS got published, he was very upset, but at the protesters.
He said he hated the cartoons but that the rioting shit would just bring bad attention to all Muslims. And the other guy Mohammed, his brother's a GOVERNMENT INTERROGATOR IN LEBANON OR SYRIA. Plus Mohammed and his girlfriend have a dog, a springer spaniel."-Chrissy
I don't know about you but Chrissy's rationelle that everythings cool with these two guys as far as being Al Queda is concerned doesnt make me feel safe. Thank god he's not in charge of Homeland security.What he just told Tony completely admits they are terrorists in my mind, without just outright saying it. Worst part, is they are shitting where Tony eats, literally. By fouling Versuvios ability to use Amex, they directly financially impact the restaurant to the point where Artie has to do the dreaded "two-fers". Once again Tony's life impacts Arties legit life via Benny.
(To Be Continued)


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Homeland's winning streak continued at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards., while Argo won big just days after a huge Oscar snub.
Homeland won its second TV drama series crown and awards for leads Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. Danes is perfect at the Globes, going four-for-four, and is the first person to win two in a row in the drama actress category. Her three trophies in the category are only second to Angela Lansbury's four.
Like Homeland, Game Change also picked up three awards for TV movie/miniseries, TV movie/miniseries actress for Julianne Moore and supporting actor for Ed Harris. Girls won both of its awards for comedy/musical series and actress for Lena Dunham. Other TV winners include Don Cheadle, who won comedy/musical actor for House of Lies and Downton Abbey's Maggie Smith, who was a no-show, for TV supporting actress. It's her third career Golden Globe and her first in 26 years.
Check out the hits and misses from the Golden Globes red carpetIn film, Argo snagged drama picture, while Ben Affleck won directing honors. He is the seventh person to win the directing Globe and not get an Oscar nomination. Les Miserables won three awards: comedy/musical picture, comedy/musical actor for Hugh Jackman and supporting actress for Anne Hathaway.
Check out all the red carpet arrivals from the Golden GlobesLincoln star Daniel Day-Lewis solidified his Oscar front-runner status by winning his second Globe for drama actor. Zero Dark Thirty's Jessica Chastain took drama actress and Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) won comedy/musical actress. Django Unchained won two awards: supporting actor for Christoph Waltz and screenplay for Quentin Tarantino. It's Waltz's second Globe win for a Tarantino film.Watch Golden Globes Fashion Wrap with Ali Landry on Monday at 8/7c on TV Guide Network.
Check out the winners below.TELEVISION
Drama Series: HomelandComedy Series: Girls
Miniseries/TV Movie: Game Change
Drama Lead Actor: Damian Lewis, Homeland
Drama Lead Actress: Claire Danes, Homeland
Comedy Lead Actor: Don Cheadle, House of LiesComedy Lead Actress: Lena Dunham, Girls
Miniseries/TV Movie Lead Actor: Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
Miniseries/TV Movie Lead Actress: Julianne Moore, Game Change
Supporting Actor: Ed Harris, Game Change
Supporting Actress: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Drama Picture: Argo Comedy/Musical Picture: Les Miserables
Director: Ben Affleck, Argo
Drama Lead Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, LincolnDrama Lead Actress: Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty Comedy/Musical Lead Actor: Hugh Jackman, Les MiserablesComedy/Musical Lead Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings PlaybookSupporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Django UnchainedAnimated Feature: Brave Foreign Language Film: Amour, AustriaSong: "Skyfall," SkyfallScore: Mychael Danna, Life of Pi


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I was very excited to read this morning that someone is finally publishing a book on the legendary French decorator, Jacques Grange. And not just anyone, Editions du Regard is the same publisher that brought us the original monograph's of Jean-Michel Frank, Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, as well as the now out of print and incredibly rare and expensive work on Eugene Printz (despite the price tag, I am still longing to get my hands on a copy). Written by Monsieur Grange's life partner, and sometime collaborator, Pierre Passebon, it's due out in September - and I will certainly make sure I get my hands on a copy.
Speaking of collaborations, the power couple in question have come together on a project for the first time, working on New York's soon to be re-launched "The Mark Hotel". The exquisite interiors were created by Monsieur Grange, and Monsieur Passebon commissioned one-off pieces for the hotel collection (which will also be sold in the Hotel's boutique) by some of the contemporary artists he represents with his store, Galerie du Passage. These artists include Ron Arad, Mattia Bonetti, Guy de Rougemont and Vladimir Kagan. Not bad, eh? With interiors by Jacques Grange, and an amazing mix of 20th century and contemporary pieces, this sounds like my kind of hotel! I will definitely have to try and stay there next time I'm in New York...although it's quite likely I'll never leave...
I love the look of this place - I think I could move in right now and not change a single thing!
J'dore this bathroom! It's absolute perfection - but then what else you expect from Jacques Grange!?
All images from "The Mark Hotel" website.


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Allergens, also called antigens, are substances that can trigger an
allergic reaction. Having allergies means that the body reacts to allergens as
a harmful foreign substance.
Allergens may be:
Allergy symptoms may be controlled by avoiding exposure to
allergens. Some people need medicines or allergy shots (immunotherapy) to
control their body's reactions to the allergens.
Last Revised:
June 30, 2011
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Rohit K Katial, MD - Allergy and Immunology
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