photosmidwest

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Nicolas Cage Gets Medieval, National Treasure III (finally) gets the green light

Nicolas Cage on the set of Knowing
while filming in in Australia

Galloping Into Theaters: Nicolas Cage will once again work with Gone in Sixty Seconds director Dominic Sena in Relativity Media's Season of the Witch. Story follows a fourteenth-century knight who must escort on horseback a girl suspected of being "the witch behind the Black Plague" to a distant monastery. The action-loving Sena was presumably hesitant until Cage convinced him that he "could put in some bitchin' horse chases." [HR]

National Treasure 3 is Officially a Go
Written by Stephanie Sanchez

It was certainly an all Disney, all the time kind of day here at IESB. The studios' preview and showcase of upcoming films was full of a lot of good information and surprises.

One surprise had producer Jerry Bruckheimer and actor Nicolas Cage on stage to talk about their favorite Disney franchise, “National Treasure.”
Jerry Bruckheimer, Nicolas Cage and Disney's Dick Cook confirmed that National Treasure 3 was currently in development.

Another installment of the popular history based franchise was expected but had not been officially announced.

No release date was given but rumors have it out during the holiday season of 2010.

Information gathered from Cagefactor, a group of individuals dedicated to the fannery of Nicolas Cage.Thanks Colleen!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Celebrate at Grant Park in Chicago Election Night Nov. 4

WASHINGTON--Barack Obama will celebrate election night in Chicago's Grant Park---providing scenic backdrops of the city--and near where demonstrators gathered during the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.

The Grant Park location is down the street from Obama's national campaign headquarters on Michigan Avenue.

Obama Campaign Announces Location for Election Night Event

CHICAGO - The Obama-Biden campaign today announced that the location for the Election Night event on Tuesday, November 4 will be Chicago's Grant Park on Hutchinson Field.

Grant Park is regularly used as an open-air venue for concerts, charity events and sporting activities such as the Chicago Marathon and Taste of Chicago.
Additional details will be announced as they become available.
This message courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times and columnist Lynn Sweet

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Jamie Foxx stars in "The Soloist"

Due to be released November 21, 2008

The Soloist is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musical prodigy who developed schizophrenia during his second year at Juilliard School. Ayers becomes homeless in the streets of downtown Los Angeles, playing the violin and the cello.[1]

* Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Foxx, who has been classically trained on the piano, is being taught stringed instruments by a Los Angeles Philharmonic cellist for the role.[1]
* Robert Downey Jr as Steve Lopez, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times who wrote about Nathaniel Ayers and developed a friendship with him.[2]
* Catherine Keener as Steve Lopez's editor at the Los Angeles Times.[3]
* Tom Hollander as Peter Snyder, a Los Angeles Philharmonic cellist who attempts to rehabilitate Ayers.[4]
* Lisa Gay Hamilton as Jennifer, a sister of Nathaniel Ayers.[5]
* Rachael Harris as Steve Lopez's co-worker.[6

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Lake County early voting

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Early voting in Gary, East Chicago and Hammond

Monday, October 13, 2008

Vote and be heard!

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

New Spike Lee film angers Italians

Film director Spike Lee has set off a storm in Italy with a movie about black American soldiers fighting alongside Italian partisans in World War Two.
Read more

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Janet Jackson has been hospitalized

Janet Jackson has been hospitalized, a rep said Monday.
The singer "got suddenly ill during the sound check" before her concert in Montreal.
Read more

Monday, September 29, 2008

Nicolas Cage to bewitch in supernatural thriller: report

As found on the NIC newsletter--thanks Colleen!

(AFP) — Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage is to reunite with director Dominic Sena in a supernatural thriller set in the Middle Ages, entertainment industry press reports said Monday.

Cage, whose recent films have included "Bangkok Dangerous" and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," has signed to star in "Season of the Witch," according to Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. The film chronicles 14th century knights charged with transporting a girl suspected of being the witch responsible for spreading the plague. Filming is due to get underway in November at locations in Austria and Hungary. Cage, 44, previously worked with Sena on the 2000 car-racing caper "Gone in Sixty Seconds."

100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. Mourns Death of Chairman and President Terrell L. Slayton, Jr.

Sudden Passing of Community Leader, Youth Advocate and Entrepreneur Will be Felt by Many in Atlanta, the State of Georgia and Across the Nation

ATLANTA, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. regretfully announces the death of Chairman and President Terrell L. Slayton, Jr. He passed away unexpectedly on September 27, 2008, after becoming ill that morning. He was an extremely dedicated member of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and worked faithfully to support the programs of Project Success, a tuition assistance and mentoring program started by the organization in 1987. Throughout last week, Mr. Slayton spoke on behalf of the organization at events associated with the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic, a major funding source for Project Success.

"We are deeply saddened by Terrell's death," said Milton Jones, President Elect, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. and Georgia Market President, Bank of America. "Anyone who ever worked with Terrell Slayton can attest to his inexhaustible passion for a mission and a cause. I benefited greatly from the impact of his energy and passion and he inspired all of us to work harder as he demonstrated every day how committed he was to the work of this organization and to the youth connected with Project Success and BEST Academy."

OBAMA CAMPAIGN ALERT!

Pay attention Hoosiers (and all interested parties!)
Members of the Obama family will be at the Gary,Indiana Barack Obama for President Campaign Office, 201 E. 5th Ave., October 4, at 10 a.m. to kick-off a canvass effort.
Members of the Obama family will canvass with volunteers as well.
Feel free to bring your camera and please, BE FIRED UP!
LET'S TURN IT BLUE INDIANA!

West
Head east on 12/20 which is 5th Avenue, cross Broadway and look right for the Obama sign. The campaign office is across the street from the Fire Station.
East
Head west on 12/20 you will be on 4th Ave. Turn left at Broadway (where City Hall sits) and turn left at 12/20 (first signal) or 5th Avenue and look to the right for the campaign office sign.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Watch over your money, the FDIC insures to 100,000 per customer

Monday, September 22, 2008

Volunteer at your local Obama for President campaign office

I registered people to vote today as I volunteered at my local Barack Obama for President campaign office.
I ran into some youth-two of them- who said to me, "I'm voting for McCain. He gone win anyway!"
I thought the first youth was joking with me but somehow I don't think she was. I urged her to change her mind and bid everyone inside the Laundromat farewell. Everyone else was voting for Obama anyway and said they'd give some thought to volunteering at their local office on Saturday.
I ran into another who said he was "voting for McCain" for the same reasons. Then he said he was joking.
Not that I think anything in this election cycle is a joking matter, I signed the young man up to vote in Indiana anyway, hoping that he really was joking.
I urged them as well to volunteer at the local Obama for President office.
None of the people in my age range 40s were laughing and joking about registering people to vote or volunteering and seemed to give my urgings to volunteer some serious thought.
There are barriers to volunteering.
First, you have to leave your home, your comfort zone and go talk to people you don't know.
People who overcome this, obviously know helping put Barack in the White House is way more important than our personal comfort--especially when volunteering begins and ends when you say it does--it's volunteer work!
Second, expenditures of personal time is an important decision.
Either there are children to attend to or work considerations that make one say either: yes, I will give up X number of hours on this day of this week or I will not. The easiest way is to donate an hour of your downtime after work.
If you workout for two hours, give one of those hours to Obama. If you go to the local tap for three hours, give one of those happy hours to Barack--then return to your normal schedule.
The benefits of volunteering is that you meet new people who can later become business contacts or friends. Another benefit is that you learn stuff when you talk to people who don't live or work with you.
Once you volunteer, you can talk to your friends about the experience--they may want to volunteer too.

Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu Tour Sells Out in Los Angeles and Las Vegas

LL Cool J receives roaring welcome on his first date of the tour

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Music icon Janet Jackson kicked off her highly anticipated Rock Witchu tour to rave reviews, major media coverage and fan adulation during opening week of the smash tour, selling out Staples Center in Los Angeles and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas last week. Adding to the excitement in Los Angeles was the addition of hip-hop superstar LL Cool J, who joined the tour at the Staples Center on September 17th and will continue on the Live Nation produced tour from Chicago on September 25th through the final date at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on October 22nd.

"Janet Jackson still a trend-setter, diva, and marvelous performer -- When she decides it's time for a tour, Ms. Jackson makes sure it's done right. And when she promises fans the show is going to be packed with hits, costumes and dancers, she doesn't disappoint."

What the Reviewers said:

Vancouver Sun

"Some two hours and 35 songs later, Jackson had played all 10 of her No. 1 hits, as well as her other blockbusters ... That's how a true pro gets back to business after a seven-year absence from the road."

Contra Costa Times

"Any show following Janet Jackson into GM Place will find it difficult to match her."

Vancouver Province

"Offering up a lengthy and engrossing song-and-dance spectacle that delivers on every level..."

Variety

"Nine seamlessly executed costume changes are only the beginning. This show is all about dominance, and Jackson held the whip."

Los Angeles Times

Rock Witchu kicked off on September 10th in Vancouver, BC with unparalleled dance routines and stage production featuring more than two hours of music including fan favorites and smash hits "Control," "Rhythm Nation," "Pleasure Principal," "All For You," "Young Love," "Let's Wait A While," "What Have You Done For Me Lately," "Escapade," and more along with new singles "Feedback" and "LUV," spanning three decades of music that have made Janet Jackson one of the most celebrated performers in history.

LL Cool J joins the tour on the heels of 13th album release, Exit 13. More than a hip-hop artist, more than an actor, the author, television producer, two-time Grammy Award winner LL Cool J is an American icon who kicked opened his own doors to music, Hollywood, television, publishing, and along the way created opportunities for countless others. His 20 million album sales worldwide are just the tip of the iceberg for this international megastar, recipient of countless industry awards.

For more information on Janet Jackson and the tour go to www.LiveNation.com, www.JanetFanClub.com or www.janetjackson.com. For additional information on LL Cool J go to www.LLCoolJ.com

ABOUT LIVE NATION:

Live Nation is the future of the music business. With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV." Additional information about the company can be found at www.livenation.com under the "About Us" section.