Madonna Guy Ritchie divorce settlement presented in London court

The divorce settlement of Madonna and Guy Ritchie has been presented in the London court today. The fifty year old singer and forty year old British director has been married for eight years and divorced on the eve of their eighth marriage anniversary.Boston Herald reports:

Yesterday, the case, listed under the names “Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S,” will be heard before a judge in the High Court’s Family Division . Both are entitled to attend the court, although in most high-profile celebrity cases people choose not to.

The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday that Ritchie will not accept any of Madonna’s money and has instead insisted on sharing custody of the couple’s two children.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s sons Rocco and David are going to spend their times in New York City and London. The couple was introduced by famous British pop singer Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, in 1998. Earlier, news of their sour relationship came up in the media but neither Guy Ritchie nor Madonna admitted it. It is said that Madonna’s adopted child and her spending more time in USA created serious problems for the couple. Madonna’s fortune, which is estimated to be about $450 million, will remain intact and Guy Ritchie said that he does not want Madonna’s money but a close friend of Guy Ritchie revealed to People Magazine that Guy Ritchie is in fact going after Madonna’s money.

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Carnival of Light: The unreleased track of "The Beatles"

Finally, the unreleased track of the famous British Pop/Rock band of the 60s,The Beatles, is going to see the daylight. Surviving Beatles member, Paul McCartney, said that the 14 minute track titled “Carnival of Light” was recorded in 1967. At that time, they did not release it because it was strictly an experimental song. The song was recorded by the four members: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were trying out what they could do with their instrument and voices. John Lennon wanted the group to “just wander round all of the stuff and bang it, shout, play it.” efluxmedia.com reports:

it was recorded for an electronic music festival, McCartney told BBC Radio 4’s Front Row in an interview that is to be broadcast later this week. The musician had asked his bandmates to be “indulgent” for ten minutes during a recording session at Abbey Road Studios.

The final product was deemed too adventurous by the other three members and thus it was never released. It was played only once at an electronic music festival in London.

“Carnival of Light” was inspired by veteran artists- John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen. The song contains sounds of electric guitars, church organ, and phrases shout John Lennon and Paul McCartney such as “Are you all right?” and “Barcelona.” Before the song goes on air, Paul McCartney will have to obtain the permission of Ringo Starr, the other surviving member of the Beatles and the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison.

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Gone Baby Gone: A movie on moral dillemma

Title: Gone Baby Gone

Director: Ben Affleck

Writer: Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard (Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane)

Cast:

• Casey Affleck-Patrick Kenzie
  
• Michelle Monaghan-Angie Gennaro
  
• Morgan Freeman-Capt. Jack Doyle
  
• Ed Harris-Detective Sergeant Remy Bressant
  
• Amy Ryan-Helene McCready
  
• John Ashton-Detective Nick Poole
  
• Amy Madigan-Beatrice McCready
  
• Titus Welliver-Lionel McCready
  
• Mark Margolis-Leon Trett
  
• Slaine- Bubba Rogowski
  

Synopsis: A four year old girl named Amanda McCready has been kidnapped from her house at the Dorchester district in Boston. The girl’s aunt comes to Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck), a private detective. Patrick Kenzie and his girlfriend, Angie Gennaro (played by Michelle Monaghan) work as detectives who finds out missing people. In the beginning, they did not want to take the case because Amanda was abducted but Amanda’s aunt, Beatrice McCready (Amy Madigan), persuades them. The detectives then go to Amanda’s and talks with her mother, Helene McCready, who is a drug addict. Helene and Patrick studied in the same school. The two detectives then start their search. Patrick has a rich information source. He knows people who are involved in illegal activities. He uses his connections to get information about Amanda. Their investigation leads them to a local drug runner named Cheese (Edi Gathegi). It was Cheese who kidnapped Amanda because Helene Mc Cready and her boyfriend, “Skinny Ray,” had his money. Police Captain Doyle (Morgan Freeman) shows Patrick a transcript which says that Cheese will return Amanda if they return him his money. The exchange is going to take place at a quarry in Quincy. Unfortunately, the exchange went wrong and Amanda was drowned. The case was closed.

Two month’s later, Patrick goes out with police officer Remy Bressant (Ed Harris) Nick Poole (John Ashton), who worked in Amanda’s case, to catch a child molester. The operation goes wrong and Nick dies in Patrick’s arms. He then goes into the house and finds out that the molester killed a seven year old boy who was abducted few days ago. Patrick killed the molester but he was filled with a sense of guilt. Outside the hospital, Patrick finds Bressant drunk. While talking with Patrick, Bressant told him that he knew “Skinny Ray,” Helene McCready’s boyfriend, who was killed by Cheese. This irked Patrick and he again starts his investigation. He then comes to know that everything was a set up. Remy Bressant and Helene Mc Cready’s brother, Lionel Mc Cready (Titus Welliver), set up the whole thing so that Amanda can get a good life and they end up having the money.    

Now, knowing the truth, Patrick is in a dilemma- Should he return Amanda Helene or Should Amanda stay with her new family?

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James Bond:Quantum of Solace is ruling the theatres in USA

The latest movie of the James Bond series, Quantum of Solace, enjoyed a great opening weekend around the world including USA. The twenty second movie of the Bond movie series, Quantum of Solace is the second movie of English actor, Daniel Craig as James Bond. The movie has become a hit in theatres across USA and analysts are predicting that its gross income is going to exceed Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s first Bond movie.

James Bond: Quantum of Solace first released in UK on October 29, 2008. In the opening weekend, the movie grossed a record breaking $25 million. Till now, it collected more than $160 million around the world. Critics also liked the movie very much. Quantum of Solace received 76% positive rating from the famous movie critic website, rottentomatoes.com. In its opening weekend, Casion Royale collected $40.8 million in US and Canada from ticket sales. Overall, Casino Royale collected $167 million in the U.S. and Canda and $594 worldwide. It is the highest grossing Bond movie ever in USA. Reuters reports:

"This is arguably the most anticipated movie of the holiday season and therefore expectations are quite high," said Paul Dergarabedian of box office watcher Media by Numbers. "I think we are going to see tremendous numbers."

Dergarabedian noted U.S. box offices have been on a roll lately with five of the past six weekends beating year ago comparisons. Last weekend family film "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" opened to an eye-popping $63 million.

James Bond: Bond Quantum of Solace cost $200 million to make. It was jointly produced by Eon Productions and MGM. The movie is distributed by Columbia pictures, subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Quantum of Solace takes off where Casino Royale finished. In his pursuit to find out the killer of his beloved, James Bond faces Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a member of the Quantum organization, posing as an environmentalist. The movie is now at the top charts in Europe and other countries where it released so far.

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Britney Spears' son is doing fine now

Everything is fine in Britney Spears house right now. The two year son of the pop diva, Jayden James, was recently admitted to the hospital on November 9, 2008, after he suffered a terrible allergic reaction. The two year old had hives which was itchy and irritable. Jayden was rushed to the Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. He was released on November 11, 2008. Reuters reports:

Earlier in the day, Spears' family posted a statement on her official website, www.britneyspears.com, saying Jayden James was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, and "doctors concluded he had a reaction to something he ingested."

The statement said the boy would be discharged on Tuesday, but TMZ posted a picture of Spears departing the hospital while holding the child on Monday evening.

The event took place during a family vacation in Louisiana. The Spears family was visiting their childhood home. It is the first time, Britney Spears visited with her two sons after she lost their custody to her husband Kevin Federline in July.

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Miss Alexandra Helga Ivarsdottir will do more charity work after winning Miss World 2008

Iceland 2008

Alexandra grew up in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland and one of the most clean and safest cities in the world. A joyful and ambitious girl, Alexandra is determined to get the best out of life and achieve as much as possible. She is also kind and helpful to others. Alexandra believes that she has a great chance of getting high scores in all the three areas but she believes that she will score high in the interview session because at that time, the judges will know about her character and personality.  

Name: Miss Alexandra Helga Ivarsdottir

Age: 18  

Height: 180cm

Languages: Miss Alexandra speaks Icelandic, English and Danish languages.

Education: A major in Psychology, Alexandra is now in her senior years in college.

Favorite food: Reindeer steak, chicken salad.

Favorite designer: Valentino, the Italian designer.

Favorite three must have songs in her iPod:

- February Song, by Josh Groban;

- Bliss, by Muse

- New Born, by Muse

Favorite motto: "To be the change you wish to see in the World".

Favorite sports and other outdoor leisure activities: Alexandra likes to stay fit. She regularly participates in outdoor activities. She like to travel a lot. 

Hobbies and other interests: In her leisure, Alexandra spends time with her family and takes care of her German shorthaired pointer dog. Alexandra also likes to listen to all kinds of music. She studied ballet dance for seven years and jazz ballet for four years.

Alexandra’s ‘Beauty with a purpose’ project: Alexandra is helping elderly people of her country, trying to make their lives better. She is also helping foreigners who have come t Iceland and to settle down. After winning Miss World 2008, she wishes to take part in more charitable activities.

Message to fellow Miss World 2008 participants:

Despite being competitors, we will be able to spend a great month together in Africa and our friendship will last forever. It will be and unforgettable experience. Looking forward to meet you all.

 

After five nominations now it's time to win an Oscar for Kate Winslet

It really gets you when you are nominated for one of the most prestigious movie awards for five times but winning not even one. Yes, I am talking about none other than the talented actress, Kate Winslet. This year, it looks like the five time Oscar nominee is definitely going to win two Oscars for her performance in The Reader and Revolutionary Road.

The Reader, which is going to release in 2009, is set in post World War II Germany. Kate Winslet played the character of Hanna Schmitz, a 33 year old woman, who falls in love with a teenage boy, who reads book to her. Ralph Fiennes played the male lead.

Revolutionary Road, which is based on the novel of Richard Yates, tells the story of April (Kate Winslet) and Frank Wheeler (Leonardo DiCaprio), a suburban couple in the late 1950s. Revolutionary Road is directed by Kate Winslet’s husband, Sam Mendes. The movie also brings together Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio after a long time. Regarding the two characters, Kate Winslet seems to be very happy. She said:

"I'm so lucky to play both of these women in my lifetime, let alone in less than a year," Winslet says. "It doesn't even add up that one person should have gotten to play both of these parts. It truly rocks my world."

At the age of twenty two, Kate Winslet received two Oscar nominations. By the time she was thirty one, it became five making her the youngest actress to receive the highest number of Oscar nominations. Now, it is time to win one.

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