A Dance with Dragons: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Five

By any measure, George R.R. Martin’s “A Dance With Dragons” is one of the Big Books of the summer, and it comes to us trailing a host of outsize expectations.

This massive fantasy is the fifth installment in a projected seven-volume epic titled “A Song of Ice and Fire.” The popularity of the series — powerfully augmented by the recent HBO adaptation of the opening volume, “A Game of Thrones” — has increased exponentially from one book to the next. It’s safe to say that no work of fantasy has generated such anticipation since Harry Potter’s final duel with Voldemort. Adding to the pre-publication furor is the fact that the most recent entry, “A Feast for Crows,” appeared way back in 2005. This gap has fueled a flood of carping and sometimes vicious Internet commentary from an assortment of disgruntled readers.
Well, those impatient souls can finally take a breath. “A Dance With Dragons,” all 1,000 pages of it, is now in bookstores, nearly six years after its predecessor. And it was worth the wait.

The “Song of Ice and Fire” series is a hugely expansive narrative set in a variety of physical locales and told through an array of constantly shifting perspectives. The principal setting for all five novels is the continent of Westeros, home to a group of formerly independent realms that have coalesced into a loosely united entity called the Seven Kingdoms. To the east, across the Narrow Sea, lie a variety of colorful desert cultures featuring, among other elements, a thriving slave trade. To the north, a vast wall 700feet high separates the Kingdoms from a haunted, impenetrable forest and from the various terrors, human and Other, that live within it. A prominent feature of life in the Kingdoms is the protracted nature of the seasons, which can last for years at a time. As the narrative begins, a long, deceptively peaceful summer is coming to an end. And, as the characters repeatedly remind us, “Winter is coming.”

The plots and counterplots that drive this mammoth enterprise take place against a complex backdrop of history, legend and myth. The most recent and relevant historical drama concerns Robert Baratheon’s revolt against the mad King Aerys Targaryen. After successfully deposing the king and scattering or killing most of the Targaryen family, Robert ascends the Iron Throne and finds, as so many kings before him, that power exacts a very steep price. Dissolute and increasingly uninterested in the practical difficulties of running a kingdom, Robert commissions the only man he can trust — Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell — to serve as “Hand of the King,” setting in motion a chain of events with enormous and tragic consequences.

As readers (and viewers) of “A Game of Thrones” already know, Robert dies in what may or may not be a hunting accident, paving the way for a power struggle that forms the centerpiece of the series. A handful of contenders stake their claims to the Iron Throne, throwing the realm into chaos and affecting the lives of every major character in this densely populated saga. And there really are a staggering number of characters, many of whom disappear from view for long stretches.

“A Dance With Dragons” brings back several prominent figures who have not been seen directly since “A Storm of Swords” appeared in 2000. The most welcome of these is Tyrion Lannister, the sardonic dwarf who is perhaps Martin’s most vivid creation. Following a notorious act of parricide, Tyrion flees the Seven Kingdoms and travels to the east, where he hopes to offer his services to the exiled Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys, sole surviving descendant of the deposed King Aerys and legitimate contender for the Iron Throne, currently holds court in the remote kingdom of Meereen, surrounded by enemies and accompanied by a trio of dragons.

Other returning figures include Jon Snow, illegitimate son of Eddard Stark and newly appointed commander of the Night’s Watch, which guards the Northern Wall; the devious and beleaguered Cersei, widow of King Robert; the dour, humorless Stannis Baratheon, Robert’s brother and self-proclaimed heir; and literally dozens of others. All of them play their large and small roles in the ongoing game of thrones. And all of them are vulnerable. Any player, however important, can be removed from the board at any moment. This simple fact lends a welcome sense of uncertainty to the proceedings and helps keep the level of suspense consistently high throughout.

Filled with vividly rendered set pieces, unexpected turnings, assorted cliffhangers and moments of appalling cruelty, “A Dance With Dragons” is epic fantasy as it should be written: passionate, compelling, convincingly detailed and thoroughly imagined. Despite a number of overtly fantastic elements (dragons, seers, shape shifters and sorcerers), the book — and the series as a whole — feels grounded in the brutal reality of medieval times and has more in common with the Wars of the Roses than it does with “The Lord of the Rings.” The result is a complex summer blockbuster with brains and heart, a book with rare — and potentially enormous — appeal.


Sheehan is the author of “At the Foot of the Story Tree: An Inquiry Into the Fiction of Peter Straub.”

Official teaser poster from Christopher Nolan-directed movie "The Dark Knight Rises" has been revealed

Official teaser poster from Christopher Nolan-directed movie "The Dark Knight Rises" has been revealed. The image features skyscrapers in the Gotham city crumbling to the ground, and the iconic Batman logo being formed on the bright-light sky amidst the city-scale destruction.

A follow-up to 2008's critically-acclaimed "The Dark Knight", the action movie is going to be released in theaters across the United States in Summer 2012. Christian Bale is going to reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/the Dark Knight, and Anne Hathaway will play opposite him as Selina Kyle/Catwoman.

Some of the scenes will be filmed at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham, England, and some others will be shot in Carnegie Mellon University. In the latter, a prison break will be staged with "precision stunt driving, gunfire, atmospheric smoke, and controlled pyrotechnic explosions."

"Scenes outside the Fifth Ave. entrance of Mellon Institute include a standoff between two rivals that escalates into a riot. One character drives a motorcycle through the fourth floor lobby, out the front doors and down the steps onto Fifth Ave," it was explained on the university's official blog.

As American millionaire playboy Wayne, Bale will run errands around Gotham city in a Lamborghini Aventador, an upgrade to his 2008's on-screen ride Lamborghini Murcielago LP640. Also, he reportedly will fly a Batcopter, which is built from two attack helicopters in the same design as the Bat Mobile, when donning his Dark Knight costume.

Baseball has always been a game of fathers and sons

PHOENIX -- Baseball has always been a game of fathers and sons. Evidently, so is the Home Run Derby.
Robinson Cano shocked the slugging world last night, capturing the Home Run Derby at Chase Field. It wasn't his mighty swing that won the derby, Cano said.
"It was my dad."
With his father, Jose, throwing perfect pitches inside and low into his son's power zone, the Yankees' second baseman crushed 32 home runs, including 12 in the championship round to beat Boston's Adrian Gonzalez, who hit 11.
MR. 3000
PHOTOS: HOME RUN DERBY
With each home run his son blasted, Jose conducted a countdown, knowing A-Gone had 11 homers. "And I said, '10 more, nine more, eight more,' " Jose said, "and he got [to] the last one. I said, 'Just one, just give me the one, that's it."
Cano delivered the one. He also told his father, "I love you."
After being presented the trophy by his former manager, Joe Torre, Cano and his family celebrated in the corridor of Chase Field that leads to the clubhouse. Along the way, Jose Reyes came from the other side, and the Mets shortstop offered a huge hug.
"That was unbelievable, I've never seen anything like that," Reyes said of Cano's power display.
Cano was supported by Yankees teammates Curtis Granderson, David Roberston and Russell Martin, who offered encouragement and waved towels to cool him down. Cano, who is fast becoming one of the elite superstars of the game, also went into the trainer's room between rounds to stretch out and receive heat treatments for his back.
When he was asked about hitting home runs into the right-field stands, where there is a pool and other unique features, Cano offered that big smile of his and said, "Don't forget the Miller Lite sign."
Cano hit that sign, 472 feet from home plate.
"As a kid you dream to be up here like guys you watched back in the day like Sosa, Griffey, McGwire, Giambi, how much fun they had, it's the same thing," Cano said.
He said he was sad to learn teammates Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, and Mariano Rivera would not be at the All-Star Game, "but I know they have their reasons and I hope fans understand that it's not that they don't want to come."
Cano said he wished the trophy could be cut in half -- half for him, half for his dad.
"These are the things you share with your family, when you retire you can look back and say, 'Wow, I was good in the day," Cano said. "This is something I'm always going to have in my mind and my heart."
Something to share forever with his dad.

Anni Dewani told sister of Dewani's 'sex ban'

Just a week before British millionaire Shrien Dewani's final extradition hearing, British media are reporting that his murdered Swedish bride, Anni, sent SMSs to her sister in which she complained that he refused to sleep with her.

Dewani, whose extradition hearing starts on Monday, also allegedly paid for sex with a man at a fetish club.

According to the UK's The Sun newspaper, Anni sent several messages to her sister complaining about Dewani's refusal to sleep with her on their wedding night.

Anni was murdered in what was claimed to be a hijacking in Gugulethu, Cape Town, while the couple were on their honeymoon in November.

She was found dead with a bullet wound in the neck.

Dewani was arrested after the driver of the vehicle in which they were travelling, Zola Tongo, told a court that Dewani had asked him to hire hitmen to kill Anni.

The Sun reported yesterday that Dewani did not sleep with his 28-year-old bride before their marriage or on their wedding night in Mumbai.

A BBC Channel 4 programme was poised to reveal last night that Anni "cried herself to sleep alone on a sofa on their wedding day following a blazing row".

Anni's sister, Ami Denborg, admitted that she thought Dewani's pre-marriage sex ban was "strange" but said the family assumed he was just being a good Hindu, The Sun reported.

Dewani has denied all the allegations.

The National Prosecuting Authority is confident that the UK court will extradite him to face trial in South Africa.

One of the hitmen allegedly hired to kill Anni, Xolile Mngeni, recently had an operation to remove a brain tumour and is "gravely ill". "All I have heard is that there are grave concerns for his recovery," Tongo's lawyer, William da Grass, said.

Mngeni's grandmother, Zanyiwe, said authorities at Pollsmoor Prison, had denied her access to her grandson.

Mziwamadoda Qwabe is the other accused in the killing of Anni Dewani.

Kylie Minogue’s Aphrodite Live Tour 2011 at Sun City this weekend

Twitter was flooded with gushy tweets on Kylie Minogue’s Aphrodite Live Tour 2011 at Sun City this weekend.

So did it live up to expectations?

Fans exited the Sun City Superbowl tingling with excitement, while belting out (off key, mostly) All The Lovers. Kylie gave them serious fever.

Not to take anything away from her career achievements to date, I must confess that I wasn’t completely bowled over. Then again, I’m more a curious than a die-hard fan.

I was, however, suitably impressed with the jaw dropping Greek-themed décor on stage, the agility of the dancers, the dazzling costumes and the Aussie singer’s amiable disposition.

To say that the pop icon was impressed by her fans would be a gross understatement. In fact, during her fifth act when she serenaded the crowd with an impressive unplugged version of If You Don’t Love Me, she was so overwhelmed by the love she was getting from the crowd that she had to pause during the song. It was a truly poignant moment!

Getting back to the concert, which started on time – kudos to Kylie and her team for being such consummate professionals, the video display of dancers underwater was eye-catching. Taut, beautifully sculptured bodies captured at their acrobatic best left the audience (especially the feather boa-lovers) salivating.

Accompanied by two exceptionally talented backup singers, Kylie aptly opened with Aphrodite and the crowd went wild and whipped out their phones to take out pictures. Her set comprised a melange of current favourites with old hits that brought on the nostalgia.

Spinning Around, Get Outta My Way, Can’t Get You Out of My Head, In My Arms, Put Your Hands Up and On A Night Like This were among the tunes Kylie belted out.

The gorgeous pint-sized actress, dressed in Dolce & Gabbana designer outfits that hugged her frame beautifully and complemented her curves and bust, was also the envy of fashionistas for her sparkling designer stilettos.

She went on to enthral her audience by making eye contact with the fans on the crowd, complimenting several on their sparkly attire and, the cherry on the top, was when she took a personal song request and belted The Loco-Motion to, by this stage, a complete gaga crowd.

Every act of the show boasted a magnificently choreographed dance routine, some with breathtaking high-flying aerial stunts, and props like Kylie poised on horse-god, Pegasus, that gorgeously offset the theatrical feel.

Bottom line – Kylie came, fans went… and they are now reliving her Can’t Get You Out of My Head hit.

Meanwhile, the Mother City is anxiously waiting to host Kylie, who ends her tour there this week.

For the Cape Town Grand Arena, tickets start at R466 and go up to R1570 for the 8pm shows on July 13 and 14. Tickets are available at Computicket outlets.

Two months after putting his Hollywood return on hold following a damaging sex scandal, Arnold Schwarzenegger

(Reuters) - Two months after putting his Hollywood return on hold following a damaging sex scandal, Arnold Schwarzenegger is ready to get back into the saddle.

The former action star turned politician is scheduled to start shooting the Western movie "The Last Stand" in September, a film industry source said on Monday, despite being embroiled in what could be a messy divorce from his wife, Maria Shriver.

"It's an old-fashioned Western specifically designed for a 63 year-old broken-down guy with a moral decision...We always needed an iconic figure for it," an unnamed movie executive told industry website Deadline Hollywood on Monday. Deadline Hollywood first reported the story, and Schwarzenegger's participation was also confirmed by Entertainment Weekly magazine.

Representatives for the former "Terminator" star, 63, declined comment on the reports, as did a spokesman for the Lionsgate film studio that is behind the movie.

But an industry source who asked to remain anonymous confirmed to Reuters that the movie was going ahead as planned with Schwarzenegger in the lead role.

Schwarzenegger said in May that he was halting discussions for a new "Terminator" movie and all other Hollywood projects in order to focus on personal matters following an admission that he fathered a secret child 13 years ago with his family's housekeeper.

The former California governor's wife last week filed for a divorce to end their 25 year-old marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple have four children together.

Schwarzenegger was ridiculed in the media after revealing he had a child out of wedlock that he had kept secret from his family until now.

A Lionsgate executive told Deadline Hollywood that Schwarzenegger was "still a big piece of news".

"The Last Stand", to be directed by South Korea's Jee-woon Kim is expected to be released some time in 2012.

Before the housekeeper scandal broke in May, Schwarzenegger was also working on a movie called "Cry Macho" and had announced plans to voice a superhero with a double life in an animated TV comic book style series called "The Governator."

Production on "The Governator" was halted and "Cry Macho" has been put on hold for the time being.

Schwarzenegger was California governor for seven years until his second term ended in January. He was last seen on screen in a cameo role in the 2010 action movie "The Expendables."

Huge crocodile 'Brutus' thrills tourists in the Northern Territory the Adelaide River, 100km south of Darwin, this week

BRUTUS is missing a leg, but the saltwater crocodile is keen to show he is not lacking power.

The 5.5m giant shocked and delighted a boatload of tourists when he surged out of the Adelaide River, 100km south of Darwin, this week.

Photographer Katrina Bridgeford captured the moment, and said her 11-year-old son Dylan had two words for the awesome sight: "Holy crap!"

The huge crocodile is a favourite with tourists on the Adelaide River Jumping Croc Cruises because he loves his meal of buffalo meat and always puts on a good show for it.

"There was a lot of oohs and aahs and oh my god," Ms Bridgeford said.

"I wasn't expecting anything like this. I couldn't believe how close it got to us. If you put your hand out, you would've touched it."



Jumping crocodile cruises are a major tourist attraction in the territory with several operators providing their services along the Adelaide River.

But Brutus doesn't always get it his own way.

Cruise operator Harry Bowmancom said the 80-year-old crocodile lost his front right leg in a shark attack.

"But Brutus copes pretty well without it," Mr Bowman said.

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Released four days, "Weekly Young Magazine" (Kodansha) stepping-stone idol was announced in the journal "Miss Magazine 2011" won the Prize, and Mr. Toshihiko Tahara Singer (50)

Released four days, "Weekly Young Magazine" (Kodansha) stepping-stone idol was announced in the journal "Miss Magazine 2011" won the Prize, and Mr. Toshihiko Tahara Singer (50) only in the Tokyo-born daughter of Aya Hana (Mika Ayano) I (17) "As everyone more opportunities to meet more and more, to be able to bring a smile to everyone from the TV and cheer thank myself I will try The "and called on the fans with a smile. Drama will be broadcast on stations other television Nagoya in the fall, "each thicker! Valley pc cat!" About starring all the winners "of a respected senior Miss Magazine Ms. Nanami Sakuraba. To become an actress Because the dream, I think drama 挑Mitai luck "and said the enthusiasm.

"Miss Magazine 2011" The winners of the 10th Joypolis Tokyo (Minato-ku, Tokyo) Unveiled event was held at "Tokyo Joypolis Miss Magazine 2011 FINAL in" appeared. Miss magazine, the contest began in 1982 girl, by the City to expand the scale of both young and magazine Weekly Shonen Magazine in 2001 and 2002, Ms. Nakagawa and Misako Yasuda, the threshold in 2005's North 乃East and occasionally produce Amisanwo. KANA's 2006 novel KURASHINA TV series Grand Prix NHK "Well turtle" (broadcast in March to 10 September 2009) served as the heroine, who has worked from many. This year, approximately 15,000 applicants, the grand age of 18 from Oita Prefecture, Eto beauty shine Aya, Mika Akizuki, Tokyo-born 17 year old award-Miss Weekly Shonen Magazine, Young Miss Magazine Award Mr. Mai was chosen to 17 years Asakura Born and raised in Australia, Tokyo.

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Eto's Grand Prix, such as mobile postcards magazine survey, almost all topped with was the Grand Prize. Also, hope shines through and even more photo and video quality, and was a great talent evaluation. Ms. Ayano The Prize is smiling and Internet video, such as collecting the votes Joy sound became widely popular and decisive beyond gravure fans. In addition, tests of reading scripts and shooting just do top 15, the producer of the TBS - were evaluated Ayano's magical atmosphere of a sudden they become mature.

Akizuki's the "Weekly Shonen Magazine" gained popularity in the survey overwhelming. Strong force in the eyes boyish girl Miss Magazine of rare historic, award-winning actress is expected as a transparent feeling. On the other hand, "Young Magazine" popularized by Mr. Asakura is a Japanese returnee unique magical "natural" because it looks, he is expected in other variety shows, has a compelling body Therefore, I hope he got a reputation in the gravure.

The event is excellent love the Grand Prix winner of last year Shinkawa (Yua) as well as I, which appeared from 2010 plus five Miss Fumi Shimizu magazine. As a prize, winners in four other awards were presented Misumaga singer could debut as a singer in the delivery of video produced by a music producer working in smiling, which awards high school rugby tournament official character of the 91th National High School Rugby Mr. Akizuki, and Ayano's Award was given to award Tokyo Joypolis JOYSOUND. (Digital Mainichi)

HT City - Congratulations on the success of your new album ‘Born this Way

HT City - Congratulations on the success of your new album ‘Born this Way’. BTW connects with people regardless of their religion, background, gender or sexual orientation. What does 'Born this Way' personally mean to you? Lady Gaga - Born this Way is about being yourself and loving who

you are. Being proud and celebrating your individuality. Through writing this album what I discovered is that through our differences is what we are united, and that we are the same. For many years I was asked ‘why’ and so many questions about my artistic choices. About why I was a performance artist and also a pop commercial artist. When I arrived upon writing BTW is that I lived half way between reality and fantasy at all times and that’s my destiny. I was destined to follow my artistic visions. I was Born this Way.
HT City - Born this Way has broken many records and has had chart topping releases. Are you currently working on new single to be released from Born this Way or have you started working on a new album?

Lady Gaga - Well, I am always writing music whether or not it will make my next album, we will find out. But right now I am planning my next music video at the Haus of Gaga. It is going to be spectacular!

HT City- You recently tweeted saying Born This Way Ball is to tour in India. What made you decide to come to India and which parts are you most keen to visit?

Lady Gaga - Yes. The BTW Ball will tour in India next year.

HT City- Great! That will make all your Indian fans very happy…

Lady Gaga - It will make me so happy. I have wanted to come to India for so long and I was so disappointed that I couldn’t come at the end of this promotional trip because I have to get back to America to shoot this next video. I am actually coming to India this October as well. And I will do shows and performances.

HT City- What made you decide to come here?

Lady Gaga - Well, why not? India is a beautiful-beautiful country and I actually find that a lot of my philosophies about art are mirrored in the Hindu religion. The idea of reincarnation. I believe in reincarnation in this life. To be reborn in your true living days and not just after death. I am quite fascinated with India and I love my Indian fans. I hear from them all the time on twitter so I am excited to come and visit and perform.

HT City- Which place are you most keen to visit in India?

Lady Gaga - Everywhere. As many places I can go really.

HT City- Any Indian films you have watched and liked?

Lady Gaga - I have seen a few Bollywood films and I love how theatrical they are and that’s my favourite part that they are so surreal and full of fantasy.

HT City- Would you be able to name any one for our readers?

Lady Gaga - I couldn’t name any one in particular, I like so many…

HT City- Any favourite Bollywood actors?

Lady Gaga - Again I have so many actors and actresses that I love in India and I couldn’t just name one. I am just looking forward to getting to know them better...

HT City- If a Bollywood producer approaches you to do a song and dance number for a film, would you be interested in that?

Lady Gaga - Yes, ofcourse.

HT City- Growing up in NYC, were you able to sample Indian food? Indian food you love to eat?

Lady Gaga - I love Indian food. I love all sorts of curries and anything exotic and spicy. I am not very picky as an eater. I am excited to come to India and sample some really authentic Indian food.

HT City- You had once said Deepak Chopra is the most influential person in your life. Are there any other Indians who influence you and your work?

Lady Gaga - Umm… there are quite a few actually. I became friends with Deepak Chopra and he is so wonderful and so inspirational and I was able to get through so much in my career because of his teachings and his friendship.

HT City - Anyone else who inspires you or influences you(Indian)?

He would be the most main one.

HT City-  I read Freddie Mercury has been a great inspiration to you as well..

Lady Gaga - Well Freddie Mercury obviously had a huge huge huge impact on my life and my career. He is an absolutely legendary artist as well as a performer. My name ‘Gaga’ was inspired by the Queen song ‘Radio Gaga’. And actually Brian May(guitarist) from Queen, he played on my recent album BTW on the song ‘You and I’.

HT City- Any other Indian you are influenced from?

Lady Gaga - I am also influenced by Bikram. I do Bikram Yoga very hard core.

HT City-  There are may facets to your persona - style icon, songwriter, producer, activist, singer... which one do you personally relate to the most?

Lady Gaga - They are all equally important. They are all part of who I am. I cannot exist one without the other.

HT City- You have collaborated with Desihits.com to make Desi remixes of Born This Way. What part did you love about the remix and would like to incorporate in your music again?

Lady Gaga - Yes. You know it was such a wonderful experience to be able to translate the works I have done for the album through the ears and the hearts of these Indian producers. They are so talented. I was truly truly moved by all of the music that they made and their interpretations of the song were really genius. And it would be nice to come to India and meet them and talk more about the music in the future.

HT City- Any particular Indian instrument that you would like to use in your music?

Lady Gaga - I have always been a big fan of the Sitar.

HT City- We are very excited to have you visit and perform in India. Hope you will be travelling with the entire Haus of Gaga and perform in some Indian inspired fashion. (Her fashion director) Nicola Formichetti has been incorporating Indian touches to your look lately, will we see more of that?

Lady Gaga - Nicola is wonderful and I am excited to wear some Indian fashion. I can’t wait to get there.

fourth season of the sexy paranormal drama series True Blood at 21:00 today

Vampires, fairies, maenads, metamorphism, witches and werewolves, are the main ingredients of the fourth season of the sexy paranormal drama series True Blood at 21:00 today. The first season was bloodthirsty vampires, the second creatures metamorphism, the third of werewolves muscular, but this time the producer Alan Ball, will incorporate its history a new generation of freaks: morphs, witches and, of course, bloodsuckers of ambiguous sexuality. The plot follows the story between Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), half fairy and a waitress with telepathic powers, and the 174 years of vampire, Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). During this time, Sookie and the rest of the people of Bon Temps will face new dangers with group practicing witchcraft. At the end of the third season, it was revealed the true nature of Sookie and the vampire king Russell Edgington is buried alive in a concrete pit, which seems to have killed his plan to rule the world. In the first chapter, Sookie is in a paradise, where in addition to muscle boys, blonde and beautiful fruit shine as lights in trays, he meets his dead grandfather, who not only fails to recognize it but swears that it only takes a few hours in that heavenly place, when reality is there for twenty years. When you realize that fruits have to do with the loss of sense of time, decide not to eat and escape the portal that will take her back to the world of humans. On his return he discovers that time passes differently in each world, and that of humans she disappeared for over a year. Many things happened in the time it disappeared Sookie, Eric Northman nearly died in the hands of Bill, achieving Sookie escape to tell the real reason which led to the arrival of Bill to Bon Temps. Tara Thornton's best friend Sookie, flees the village looking to recover from the suffering they lived and Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll) succeeded in controlling its tusks and moved with the human Hoyt Fortenberry (Jim Parrack.) "She's Not There" is called the first chapter of the fourth season of a total of twelve, to the addition of new talents, like Irish actress Fiona Shaw, who plays Marnie, a medium possessed by the spirit of a witch, the U.S. Janina Gavankar that will give life to the Moon shapeshifters, Alexandra Breckenridge, who plays an apprentice wicca, Courtney Ford as Andy Bellefleur lawyer sister, and DeHann Dane, who will give life to Timbo, a boy who is in the care of Jason Stackhouse ( Ryan Kwanten).

Alexandre Frota and his girlfriend, Fabiana Rodrigues, were clicked in as the romance on the morning of Monday, 11

Double clicked on the morning of Monday, 11, on the edge of Rio.

Alexandre Frota and his girlfriend, Fabiana Rodrigues, were clicked in as the romance on the morning of Monday, 11. The two exchanged kisses on the seafront at Barra da Tijuca in the western zone of Rio de Janeiro. Fleet also took photos with fans who walked through the sand. Before he had entered the sea with the son of Fabian .

Karan Johar seems to have failed to pull off a casting coup of Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor for his forthcoming production Agneepath.

While rumours suggested that Bebo might be gyrating to an item number in the Hrithik-Priyanka starrer, the truth is that the actress will not be a part of the film, in any way.

The song in question would have been a part of a sequence that takes place in the villain Kancha Cheena's (played by Sanjay Dutt) den. And since the film is a remake of the classic 70s, the villain's den needs to have a Helen.

Kareena, if one recalls has been Farhan Akhtar's choice to replay the veteran item queen in his version of Don earlier, when she danced to Yeh Mera Dil with Shah Rukh Khan.

Though Karan Johar and Agneepath director Karan Malhotra following Farhan's example, had approached Kareena to groove for their remake of Agneepath, the actress has refused the offer.

A source revealed, "It was a tough call for Kareena. She certainly didn't want to refuse KJo who is a very close friend. But she did."

This however, happens to be the second time Kareena has refused an offer from the filmmaker. KJo had approached Kareena for the lead role in the 2003 film Kal Ho Na Ho.

This cost the actress his friendship and also a blockbuster, which was grabbed by Preity Zinta. KJo and Kareena had later patched up in 2006.

Unlike 2003, the filmmaker has taken her refusal in the right spirit, this time around. "Karan is a thorough professional. He understands the intricacies of Bollywood. He has taken it very sportingly," said the source.

Kareena's refusal to do an item number in Agneepath, interestingly, comes in the wake of Priyanka Chopra's acceptance to do a cameo for the former actress' film RA.One.

On July 9, we told you how Priyanka Chopra has agreed to gyrate in Kareena starrer RA.One, produced by Shah Rukh Khan despite the two actresses not being the best of friends. Kareena, however, seems not too interested in payback.

While some speculate that Kareena's refusal may have something to do with Priyanka, it might also be due to the lead actor Hrithik Roshan.

Kareena and Hrithik who were rumoured to have been rather close while working together in Subhash Ghai's Yaadein went on to work together in Karan Johar's Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Mujhse Dosti Karoge (2002 and Rajshri's Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003).

However, the actors chose never to work together post that.

They avoided each other off-screen as well, with Kareena never seen at the several parties thrown at the Roshans' Juhu residence Palazzio.

Despite repeated attempts, Kareena Kapoor, Karan Johar and Karan Malhotra ,remained unavailable for comment.

Mumbai: It’s a well known fact that the goings between Sonam Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor are like chalk and cheese

Mumbai: It’s a well known fact that the goings between Sonam Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor are like chalk and cheese, until recently at the sets of ‘Mausam’ when the two finally opened up.


An emotional number in the film just worked perfect to break the ice between the two.

Though Shahid Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor have been working together in a film and the shooting has been going on for a while the two have kept distance from each other off camera.

A source said to a daily, "Shahid and Sonam are different kinds of actors. Shahid likes to rehearse and get his dialogue and expressions right before the final take. Sonam is more spontaneous, and impulsive in front of the camera. When Raakhee Gulzar worked with Amitabh Bachchan, she faced the same problem. He got better with every take, while she lost her concentration and became laboured with every extra take."


Similarly every retake the actor got left Kapoor agitated. But their differences melted when they shot a separation song. "The location crackled with their chemistry," added the source.

"We don`t know what it was. But something definitely happened to finally break the ice between Shahid and Sonam. While earlier there was a wall of reserve between the two, the judaai song made it okay."

When the two faced the camera, it was like they knew exactly how to complement each other on screen. Sonam was dressed in a simple salwar kameez and Shahid wore an Indian Air Force uniform. And they looked like they couldn`t keep away from each another for a second. Director Pankaj Kapoor was finally able to heave a sigh of relief," the source added to the daily.

Shahid doesn`t deny the chemistry that the crew witnessed. "It just happened, I guess. After shooting together for so many months, we were bound to come around. The song has turned out to be very special. We both got swept into the emotional vortex of the words and tune," said the actor to a tabloid.

Kajal Aggarwal believes all her Telugu films have fabulous remake value and Salman Khan is the best choice for Magadheera's Hindi remake.

Kajal Aggarwal believes all her Telugu films have fabulous remake value and Salman Khan is the best choice for Magadheera's Hindi remake.

Kajal Aggarwal is an addition to the growing list of actresses, who are born and brought up in Mumbai, but have made a successful career in South Indian cinema. She will be seen opposite Ajay Devgn in the upcoming action flick Singham . In an exclusive conversation with Gaurav Malani , she speaks about both, Bollywood and South cinema and how she wants all of her Telugu films to be remade in Hindi.

Wasn't (Ash-Vivek starrer) Kyun Ho Gaya Na your debut film!
I did Kyun Ho Gaya Na when I was in the ninth grade! I was still a kid then. So I would consider Singham as my Hindi debut. At that time acting was never on my mind and education was a priority. I wanted to pursue MBA but I strongly believe in destiny, which I guess, had different plans for me.

After Telugu films, was Bollywood the next obvious step?
I never strategized my career as such. I never planned that I wanted to start in Hindi films after working in a certain number of Telugu films. I am lucky that things have been naturally falling into place so far.

Were Singham makers particularly looking for a South actress for this Tamil remake?
Not really! Rohit Shetty wanted a fresh face for the film but also with an acting background to her. They did not have time to teach anybody. When they saw my film Magadheera , which is a huge hit in South, they felt that I was perfect for the part in Singham .

Considering it's a male-dominated action flick, how much scope do you have?
There is also a sweet romantic story attached to Singham . Though I have a short role in Singham , it is an important part. I do not believe that the screen-space allotted to a character would define their acting ability. And I personally believe that even if the role is short, the impact that the character makes in that time is more important.

Ajay Devgn is known to be a prank-master. Did you fall prey of his jokes?
Ajay is a wonderful actor and pulled a prank on me on the first day itself. I was asked to scream for a scene and later I realized the camera wasn't rolling at all. But I think it was a nice way to break the ice.

What is that one thing you learnt from Ajay Devgn?
The ability to get into the character once the scene rolls and cut-off from it when the director says cut. The ease with which he does that is remarkable.

Which is a better film – the Hindi or the Tamil Singham ?
It is unfair to say that any version is better than the other. But I do think there have been changes made in the Hindi version which would suit the Hindi audience sensibilities. While the female lead (Anushka Shetty) in the original was a Tamil character, we have changed her into a Goan Maharashtrian in Hindi.

How comfortable were you with the Hindi language?
I am born and brought up in Mumbai, so Hindi and Marathi come very easily to me.

In that case how comfortable were you with Telugu language when you started in South?
Initially I had to work very hard over the language but now, after 4 years of experience, I am quite fluent with it. I am still learning Tamil though.

Would you want any of your South films to be remade in Bollywood?
All my films have fabulous remake value but I don't have a say in this. It's more of a director's call. But if you ask me, I would want all my South films to be remade in Hindi.

If Magadheera was to be remade in Hindi, which Bollywood hero can pull off the character?
The male lead in Magadheera has a lot of heroism in terms of his attitude and body language. Many Bollywood actors have the potential to play the lead in Magadheera . Choosing one is difficult but I guess Salman would suit the role best.

Post Singham what would be your focus – Hindi or Telugu cinema?
I would want to strike a balance. While my loyalties remain in South cinema, since I started out there, I would want to work in Hindi films as well.

UTV Motion pictures, the films inked a deal with South Indian film producer-director N Lingusamy's Thirrupathy Brothers

UTV Motion pictures, the films division of Mumbai-based UTV Group, has inked a deal with South Indian film producer-director N Lingusamy's Thirrupathy Brothers film media to co-produce three Tamil movies.
The first film Vazhakku En 18/9 would be directed by director of "Kadhal" and "Kalluri" fame Balaji Sakthivel, while the second film "Vettai" to be released in November 2011, would be directed by Linguswamy himself and a third an "untitled" film in 2012 to be directed by Prabhu Solomon an official release said.
With this association, UTV Motion Pictures has six releases in Tamil cinema, beginning with the Vikram and Anushka starrer "Deivathriumagal", followed by Cheran and Prasanna starrer "Muran", and three films with Thirrupathy Brothers and Mysskin's "Mugamoodi" starring Jiva, it added.
UTV Motion Pictures under its banner has already produced the Hindi flick "No One Killed Jessica", Raajneeti, Udaan, A Wednesday, Jodhaa Akbar, Rang De Basanti, the release added.

ALCATRAZ ISLAND, Calif. -- When night fell on The Rock in San Francisco Bay (PHOTOS)

ALCATRAZ ISLAND, Calif. -- When night fell on The Rock in San Francisco Bay, visitors moved shadow-like through the former prison's lantern-lit hospital rooms, a gloaming against dingy walls with peeling blue paint.

A hard wind whooshed and rattled a window in the hospital cell where Robert Stroud, "The Birdman of Alcatraz," spent 11 of his 17 years when this was the dankest, hardest federal prison in the U.S.

Yet, most of the more than one million tourists who visit the famous former prison annually never get to experience Alcatraz Island at night or see its spooky, decrepit hospital – experiences unique to the night tour. At dusk the island prison that housed some of the nation's most notorious criminals – including Al Capone and the recently rearrested James "Whitey" Bulger, who was on The Rock for bank robbery from 1959-1963 – is often enshrouded by fog, and the lamps on the grounds emit a ghostly glow. (*SEE PHOTOS BELOW*)

The difference from the daytime tour is apparent from the start. The ferry from San Francisco motors slowly around the west side of the isle, passing decrepit buildings surrounded by Alcatraz's new residents: black Brandt's cormorants, Western gulls and the other birds that have made their home there since U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy shuttered the prison in 1963.

"This is a little eerie," said Gerard Lang, 28, who was visiting from Covington, Ky. "You kind of feel like you're heading to prison yourself."

After leaving the boat visitors begin a winding ascent past the prison's official sign, where a faded "Indians Welcome" written in red paint is still visible, remnants of the Native American occupation of the island in from 1969 to 1971. The island became a national park in 1972.

"You're following in the footsteps of every federal prisoner who ever came here," said Eric Knackmuhs, a Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy guide.

Passing the guano- and rust-covered buildings that once housed the families of prison guards, the park's employees tell of a failed Friday the 13th, 1939, escape attempt – one of many escape attempts recited in gripping detail that are not included on the daytime tour.

Once inside the prison, the audio tour features stories from ex-inmates and former prison guards in their own voices.

The tour leads visitors through D Block, or solitary confinement, where you can stand inside a dark cell and listen to the voices of inmates who spent time there. Close your eyes and you can sense the isolation, the desperation.

If you're lucky and find a guide who isn't too busy, you can also ask to take a quick detour into "The Dungeon," another of the usually off-limits areas of the prison that can be accessed at night.

The dungeon is left over from when Alcatraz was a military prison, and has a series of small alcoves where Civil War and World War I-era prisoners were held, said Jim Bradon, a guide. Shining a flashlight on the wall of one dark alcove, the prison inmate numbers of former dungeon denizens can be seen carved into the bricks.

As the sun sets and the lights inside the penitentiary dim, the employees open up the hospital at 8 p.m. Visitors walk through the dark rooms past old metal operating tables, the former X-ray room with windows painted black and the psych ward.

The hospital visit is unique to the night tour, and it is a significant addition to Alcatraz's story.

"You ever see ghosts here?" a tourist asked an employee in the hospital's hallway, shadows dancing on the walls as tourists passed before lanterns.

After a brief pause, she said no.

On the ride back to shore, San Francisco's skyline glowed through the evening fog and many remarked on the unique evening spent on Alcatraz.

"At night it was kind of eerie with the fog and the lights. That was really cool," said Steven Winslade, 26, from London, England.

It was a big weekend for celebrity baby debuts. Victoria Beckham and Kate Hudson gave birth to their children over the weekend.

It was a big weekend for celebrity baby debuts. Victoria Beckham and Kate Hudson gave birth to their children over the weekend.

Kate Hudson and her fiancé Matthew Bellamy of the band Muse welcomed a baby boy. A rep for the actress confirmed the birth to People.com, saying that the couple "welcomed a healthy baby boy." The baby's name has not yet been announced.

It's the first child for the couple, but the second for the actress, who has a 7-year-old son, Ryder, with ex-husband and Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson.

Hudson had incorrectly predicted that the baby would be a girl and laughed that she's much more settled this time around when it comes to family. "This is a totally different pregnancy, completely," the actress said in April, according to Us magazine. "It couldn't be more opposite. ... With Ryder, I didn't even have a nursery. I didn't really have a house until I was seven months pregnant."

And Victoria Beckham and her superstar soccer player husband David Beckham added a baby girl to their already large family. Harper Seven was born Sunday morning. She's the couple's fourth child and first daughter.

"[The couple's sons] Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz are excited to welcome their new baby sister to the family," the couple's spokesperson Jo Milloy told People.com.

Earlier this year, the former Spice Girl announced, "Obviously, we're very lucky to be expecting again, and this is the first time I'm going to say it: It's a little girl." Her husband added, "We're still in shock. Obviously, having three boys, you kind of expect another one, so finding out a little girl is in there is surprising, but, obviously, we are over the moon. Our three boys are happy and excited."

For millions of college football fans and video gamers around the country

For millions of college football fans and video gamers around the country, today is the longest day of the year. You see, it's the day before the newest version of EA's college football franchise, NCAA Football 12, hits shelves, and those of us who pre-ordered the game weeks ago have to sit around for another 24 hours waiting to get our hands on the game.

Unfortunately, if you haven't been lucky enough to get your hands on a preview copy of the game, I can't do much to help you whittle away the remaining hours. You'll just have to keep waiting. What I can do, however, is post this video from Gamespot with one of the creators of the game as they discuss the new features of this year's vintage.

No, it's not the same thing as actually playing the game, but at least you can look at it for a while and pretend you are.

Mass. - Michael Todd, the bassist for rock band Coheed and Cambria, was arrested and charged with robbing a Massachusetts pharmacy

(CBS/WBZ/AP) ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Michael Todd, the bassist for rock band Coheed and Cambria, was arrested and charged with robbing a Massachusetts pharmacy of prescription painkillers just hours before his band played a show.

Investigators in Attleboro, about 40 miles south of Boston, said Todd entered the Walgreen's pharmacy after 1 p.m. on Sunday and showed the pharmacist a note on his phone saying he had a bomb.

Police say the 30-year-old, of Anaheim, Calif., then made off with six bottles of Oxycontin and fled in a cab headed to the Comcast Center in Mansfield, where his band was to open for Soundgarden that night.

According to CBS station WBZ, he was arrested at the concert hall before the show, and the band played without him.

"That is kind of shocking," a Coheed fan said to the station. "I didn't think any of them were like that."

Todd is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Attleboro District Court.

According to the Coheed and Cambria's website, the band says their tour will continue.

FREE Slurpee's at 7 Eleven on Monday, July 11th in celebration of their birthday!!!

Sorry I have been missing in action within the last several weeks.  My pregnancy has been a little bumpy thus far so I've been unable to post.  I knew when I saw this free Slurpee deal at 7 Eleven that I had to share.  Enjoy!!!

  FREE Slurpee's at 7 Eleven on Monday, July 11th in celebration of their birthday!!! 7-Eleven Toasts 84 Years of Convenience with 5 Million Free Slurpee Drinks
Dallas (July 7, 2011) -- They have become summer traditions -- fireworks on the Fourth, Major League ... and Little League ... baseball games, hot dog-eating contests and free Slurpee® drinks at 7-Eleven® stores on July 11, or 7-Eleven Day.

7-Eleven, Inc., the company that invented convenience retailing 84 years ago in Dallas, Texas, invites customers to celebrate its birthday this coming Monday with a free 7.11-ounce frozen Slurpee drink. Participating 7-Eleven stores across the U.S. and Canada will serve up 5 million free 7.11-ounce Slurpee frozen carbonated beverages this day while supplies last.

“Slurpee-brations” and 7-Eleven birthday parties will be held at select stores with music, entertainment, prizes and food sampling, and Slurpee-mobiles will provide free samples at select 7-Eleven stores across the country.

“7-Eleven Day and giving away free Slurpee beverages is our way of thanking customers for their patronage throughout the year and showing appreciation for their support,” said Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, 7-Eleven’s senior vice president of merchandising, marketing and logistics.

”Five million is the most Slurpee drinks we’ve ever given away in a day; just two years ago, we handed out 3 million,” he added. “7-Eleven Day is synonymous with free Slurpee day, because of how popular the Slurpee giveaway has become. We’ve been serving free Slurpees on July 11 since our 75th birthday in 2002, and it continues to be a hit with customers. People start asking about it in the Spring. Even without the 5 million free Slurpee drinks, July is the biggest month of the year for Slurpee sales. What better drink for the hottest month of the year.”

July 11 marks the day that the world’s No. 1 convenience retailer observes its birthday and other company milestones. 7-Eleven, the world’s first convenience store, began its run in 1927 when a Southland Ice Company employee started selling bread, milk and eggs on an ice dock in a Dallas suburb. Since that inauspicious start, “convenience” has become big business. The small ice company has grown into a major international retailing chain with 8,600 7-Eleven stores in North America and approximately 41,500 stores worldwide.

Raica Oliveira "Ultimo" Lingerie PhotoShoot

Tamara Ecclestone "Ultimo" Lingerie Photoshoot