Are Big Studio Mergers Coming?

Right up front we'll admit that for the moment this is nothing more than an intriguing headline driven by high-power speculation, yet it wouldn't be unheard of if some of the big studios were to soon engage in mergers.
It's a theory that veteran investor Mario Gabelli told Barron's magazine recently. Gabelli, it seems, expects a wave of consolidation in the industry over the next few months.
Gabelli told Barron's magazine that he expects Paramount Pictures to soon merge with Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures or another studio as a way to cut costs.
"Today there are seven or eight motion-picture studios. A round of consolidation will occur in the next six to 12 months because of the costs of financing, prints and advertising, the benefits of globalization and such," said Gabelli. "We hear talk of something going on."
It seems perhaps counter-intuitive with some of the current tentpoles seemingly making money hand over fist, plus record annual profits for studios. But if you stop to consider the enormous up-front risks, preposterously high marketing budgets (sometimes as costly as the films themselves), empowerment of independent filmmakers thanks to advancing technology, and lost revenue due to challenges from other forms of media, such a move might make sense from a corporate perspective.
Moreover, with vertical integration and corporate ownership of major studios (Universal Studios owned by GE, Warner Bros Pictures owned by Time Warner, etc.) — and the current economic downturn — corporate owned studios are being left with dwindling advertising budgets.
Quite frankly, this doesn't sound like a good thing to us. Many believe that corporate ownership of the studios has stifled overall creativity as continued emphasis is placed on the reworking of owned properties and FX-driven "event films," which nonetheless offer several irresistible lures for corporate management, including increased profitability from marketing and merchandising tie-ins.
Somewhere along the way, the studios seem to have largely forgotten that at the end of the day, it's all about the story.

PANDORA Unveils Nostalgic Rock Theme and New Necklace Concept

Columbia, MD (September 15, 2011) /PRNewswire/ — PANDORA’s collection for Autumn/Winter 2011 collection has a little edge and a lot of cool. The range of outstanding jewelry features raw, elegant designs inspired by rock style with a hint of vintage and a bit of attitude.The collection features a brand new necklace concept: a unique design that can combine as many as eight PANDORA necklaces into a layered look that is luxurious and interchangeable.
PANDORA bracelets give women the freedom to capture the unforgettable moments that make life extraordinary and the new charms of the fall season offer a twist on what has become the hallmark of the PANDORA brand. Two elegant sterling silver bracelets are also new–one is designed to hold one traditional or new decorative clip, the other as many as five. Mix, match and combine the clips and bracelets in any combination, creating pieces that are unique to your personal style. It’s an idea inspired by PANDORA’s popular charm bracelet.
Create and combine looks with other new additions to the PANDORA universe, including a line of 14k solid gold earrings, pendants and dangle charms with intricate lace details and diamonds; and large cocktail rings, featuring amethyst or grey moonstone, that are perfect for stacking. Stunning earrings inspired by delicate lace patterns in 14K gold with freshwater pearls and diamonds can be worn on their own, layered or combined with other pieces from the Compose collection. Rings in 14K gold, sterling and black oxidized silver have florally inspired designs with an unpredictable twist that is raw yet feminine.
Large cocktail rings in amethyst or grey moonstone are perfect for stacking with this season’s more delicate pieces. New LovePod rings in white, yellow and rose 18K gold with brilliant-cut diamonds or colorful gemstones work beautifully with other pieces of PANDORA jewelry and interlock when stacked together.
The Black Crown Diamond watch collection adds two styles to the collection: the stylish Icon watches with interchangeable bezels and straps and the Liquid Silver watches inspired by PANDORA’s line of bangles, earrings and rings with sculptural silhouettes and pure shapes. Select pieces from the fall assortment will be available in authorized PANDORA retailers and concept stores beginning September 2011.

The spirit of nostalgic rock infuses the collection, especially our new sterling silver decorative clips in raw, sculptural shapes. The other standouts include a star-shaped pendant and charm in black oxidized silver, an alluring finish that runs through the collection.
PANDORA has been making its mark in the international fine jewelry industry for almost 30 years, and is world-renowned for its high-quality, hand finished design. The collections inspire women to embrace their individuality with romantic and feminine pieces that capture the unforgettable moments of life. The strength of the PANDORA charm bracelet is the detailed design, the high quality and the unique threaded bracelet system (U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,507). The affordable luxury collections include customizable charm bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces and watches made from sterling silver and 14K and 18K gold with handset gemstones. Perfect for any occasion, PANDORA jewelry is sold in 55 countries on six continents in more than 10,000 locations, including nearly 500 PANDORA branded concept stores. To view the PANDORA collection, build a bracelet online or locate a jewele

Bill Clinton book on economy out in November

NEW YORK (AP) — For Bill Clinton, it is again the economy, stupid.
The former president has finished writing a new book, "Back to Work," which comes out in November. In a telephone interview Thursday with The Associated Press, he called the 200-page book a guide to the current economic slump, how it was caused and how to recover.
"I actually started thinking about it (the book) after the 2010 election, because I did 130 events and after every event people would come up to me and say, 'I didn't know this,' 'I didn't know that,'" Clinton said.
"It was like the 21st-century version of the 1994 election, in which there was this enormously effective campaign against government, as if the government were responsible for all of this."
"Back to Work" is Clinton's third book since leaving office, following his million-selling memoir "My Life" and a work on philanthropy and community activism, "Giving." As with his previous books, the publisher is Alfred A. Knopf and the editor is Robert Gottlieb, whose other authors include Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Robert Caro and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison. Deals for all three books were negotiated by Washington attorney Robert Barnett.
Clinton said Thursday that he began writing "Back to Work" in the spring, basing it on notes he has been compiling for years. He said he spends about an hour and a half each day studying the economy and wants the book to reinforce President Obama's proposals, including his recent jobs plan and call for raising taxes on millionaires.
Clinton said that Obama had been doing a "good job" communicating his ideas, but that he was up against a "chorus" of opponents who don't like his ideas and don't like government.
"I hope I can do things in this book that a president doesn't have time to do and shouldn't be doing," said Clinton, whose book will cover what he calls a 30-year debate between government and anti-government forces.
Clinton has been especially popular lately, if only because his presidency was a time of economic expansion and low unemployment. He has also been open about his ideas for recovery. In a recent appearance on NBC's "Today," he said focusing on mortgage debt problems was essential.
On Thursday, he cited a "disconnect" between the real world and the current political debate, saying, "If you start with a framework that is intensely ideological, if the government is the source of all the problems, then you don't get to the right questions."
According to a statement issued by Knopf, Clinton's new book will offer "specific recommendations on how we can put people back to work and increase bank lending and corporate investment, double our exports, restore our manufacturing base and create new businesses."
Knopf announced a first print run of 300,000.

After career success, Chenoweth is ready for love

NEW YORK (AP) — Broadway? Check. TV? Check. Films? Check. Music? Books? Check those, too.
Professionally speaking, Kristin Chenoweth is at the top of her game. This year alone, in one week, she sang for President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II and Oprah Winfrey, she said in an interview last week with The Associated Press.
Recently added to that list was a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, which Chenoweth said tickled her Southern relatives.
"If I leave my mark on this world, hopefully people will say, 'Wow, she did a lot of different things,'" Chenoweth said.
But the one thing the 43-year-old Chenoweth says is missing from her list of accomplishments is finding Mr. Right and settling down.
"I want to be married. I feel finally ready for that," she said. "Possibly (becoming) a mom someday, even if it's to animals. My goals might be different than doing all these amazing career things. I think the next chapter will be focusing more on my personal life."
On that note, Chenoweth said she can relate to a song by Dolly Parton called "Sacrifice."
"She talks about how much she's given up. She's given up relationships, being home with her family, missing out with her husband, not having a child, all of that I can relate to," Chenoweth said. "So, maybe this second chapter in my life will be different in that way. But, I'll always sing. Whoever that man is, He's got to accept that music is like my arms. I can't live without (them)."
Chenoweth's latest music endeavor is a country music album called "Some Lessons Learned," released last week.
She moved to Nashville for a couple of months to record the album. Chenoweth, who won a Tony in 1999 for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," said there are similarities between country music and theater.
"They're both story and character driven," she said. "So of course I like both."
Up next for Chenoweth is the TV show "Good Christian Belles." Think: "Desperate Housewives" but in the Bible Belt.
The ABC show, which doesn't yet have a premiere date, is about five Christian women living in Texas.
Chenoweth, a Christian, said there's a misconception about Christianity: "that we don't have any problems, we really judge people harshly." But she said her character is actually the villain on the show.
"She's a very judgmental woman. She stirs it up and then prays for everybody," Chenoweth said. "So these are the characters I grew up with."
Chenoweth also made waves as April Rhodes, a boozy former glee club star on the hit Fox show "Glee." The role earned her two Emmy nominations. If she's invited back and her schedule allows, she said she'd like to reprise the role.
"(The character) is a very fun train wreck. Couldn't be more dissimilar to myself," she said. "And she likes her box of wine. Who can't relate to that?"

The Thing Prequel Poster Wants to Come In Out of the Cold

Not much has been seen of the upcoming prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 masterpiece, The Thing, but what we have seen certainly has got us interested. With only a handful of stills released, it is with rabid anticipation that we lay our eyes on the official movie poster.
Keeping the same title as the earlier movie, The Thing chronicles the events in the doomed Norwegian camp whose aftermath is only glimpsed at in John Carpenter’s movie.
The Thing is due to appear in October 2011, and stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Eric Christian Olsen, Joel Edgerton, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ulrich Thomsen and Kim Bubbs.

Britney Spears Sings, Dances Into Record Books

Her career has seen its share of ups and downs, but pop princess Britney Spears is definitely back on top as she headlines this week's 411 Playlist.
Billboard.com reports that Spears' ' "I Wanna Go" has her dancing all the way to the record books. Her single gives her the distinct honor of being the artist with the longest span of number one hits on Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 chart. Britney's reign started twelve years ago with "Baby One More Time."
The pop diva's 'B In The Mix: The Remixes Vol. 2' is set for release on October 11th.
On to a man who is no stranger to breaking records himself, the late Michael Jackson is to be honored in Wales with "Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert." The star-studded event includes everyone from host Jamie Foxx to Christina Aquilera and Smokey Robinson.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the singer's manslaughter trial is expected to begin in the last week of September. Jackson's former doctor is accused of supplying the King of Pop with a lethal dose of surgical anesthetics.
Whitney Houston has been subject to tabloid fodder for alleged drug-use herself, but the diva may be making a comeback. The singer's publicist confirms that the singer is in talks to return to the silver screen in the remake of "Sparkle." Houston made a name for herself as an actress after her role in the 1992 hit, "The Bodyguard."
And while Houston looks to make a bigscreen comeback, heavy metal is working its way back into the mainstream. September 14th was no ordinary day in New York City because heavy metal rockers, Anthrax, Matallica, Slayer and Megadeath (aka the Big Four) invaded Yankee Stadium. Before the big show, Anthrax sad down with Fox 411 and talked about their first album in eight years, "Worship Music." The band dubbed the new material as a "true heavy metal album." Drummer and guitarist Charlie Benante added that with the return of Joey Belladonna the record sounds like "classic Anthrax."
"Worship Music" is currently available.
To hear more from Anthrax along with "Idol" alum Brooke White, be sure to click play to start this week's 411 Playlist!
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2011/09/16/fox-411-playlist-britney-spears-dances-into-record-books/#ixzz1YAvzjpYx

If you love reading biographies

If you love reading biographies, you will find a lot of good people are very poor during his lifetime.
To talk about the most famous Impressionist painter Van Gogh who right now has one of his paintings sold for several millions of dollars, but, when he was alive, he's a painting with a meal does not return for money and often suffer hungry, impoverished life, and finally insane, committed suicide at the age of 37 shot. To be on the family, his family is Europe's largest art dealer, control almost all the European art market. As a painter, he has unique facilities, like those mediocre artists can cater to fashion as to make money and become a rich man, but he bothered to do so, he said, he may be able to spend his life in the only very stupid people to draw very crappy picture above, do not mean that the artist serves decent price, but try to find an undiscovered New World. Indeed, Van Gogh's works for us with his discovery of a new world, one all things in accordance with the same rhythm in the sun dance in the world.
Another Dutch name go down in history Spinoza is the great philosopher, he in order to maintain freedom of thought, rather reliable grinding lenses to maintain the simplest life income, declined to not violate the University of Heidelberg as a precondition to his religionWhen the professor to hire.
I am not advocating an ascetic philosophy. The problem is, if a person is too much focus on material comforts, they are bound to pay a spiritual price. Person's physical needs are very limited, nothing more than food and clothing, here's is super-luxury, and who is not up to the luxury end. Is a natural need for food and clothing, luxury is the ever-growing desire to stimulate the market up. You have been accustomed to ride a bike, do not think there is regret, but, when you see a lot of people around the opening on the car, you will think you lack car, it is necessary also to buy one. Rich can always be more, in fact, than you must be rich people, so you will never meet, had to earn more money. In this way, money has become your sole purpose. Even if you are a painter, where you also spare some real artistic pursuit? Even if you are a scholar, where you will care about science and conscience?
Therefore, since ancient times, all the sages have advocated a simple lifestyle, physical desire for an improper purpose is a slave, to keep the spirit of freedom. Roman philosopher Seneca said it well: "free people to the hut for the bedroom, the slave was under the shelter in the marble and gold." Plato also said: "The chest of gold who is not living in the Golden Roof, the following . "or words of Confucius:" The gentleman, how ugly can that be? "I really like about Socrates, a legend, the title of" division in the army, "the wandering philosopher in Athens on the market, see After those amazing array of stalls: "There are many things I do not need Oh!" Indeed, a love of spiritual things, people must be indifferent to material luxury, but a person content with a simple life, even if he is not philosopher, pretty close up.

The main year or so

The main year or so

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Meant for following yrs

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Meant for 1 / 3 yrs

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Youth

All the endings have been written

All the tears have also left

Suddenly forget is how one starts

In the past old summer day.

No matter how I go back

The young like you are only passing by

And your smiling face extremely shallow and pale

Gradually disappear in the group behind the LAN

As the Yellow flyleaf is open

It will be the fate of the extremely poor binding

The tears I read and reread

But have to admit

Youth is a book too hasty