Giving Disney Movies More Honest Titles

A pretty good list.

Around the Internets

1. Meet Ethel Hylton, and learn about her extraordinary accomplishments at Harvard. 
2. Good writing advice from the late Iain M. Banks.  
3. It's a big universe out there...
4. Marlon Wayans on Tupac. 
5. Meet Ken Tarr; he's out to expose reality television.  
6. MHP is basically the only cable news host who pays regular attention to economic issues. 
7. Want to guess how some models stay thin? 
8. Celebrities aren't always who you think. 

"The Death & Return Of Superman"

Learn what his "death" really did for the character and comics in general, and why DC Comics have been trying to make Superman relevant ever since.

“Mucus Recovery System" Is Hospital For Tissues

And that little name change is part of the reason they can up-charge you on your bill; most people wouldn't bother to translate. Suffice it to say, it's not the only thing they overcharge patients on.

Rush Limbaugh Still Doesn't Understand How Women Get Pregnant

I guess this explains his own lack of children, despite being married four times.

Al Franken Says NSA Isn't Spying on Americans

So depending on your politics, party-loyalty and trust of the government, he's either a lying sell-out or a much-needed voice of reason.

That said, I can see some liberals dismissing Franken for this...just like they'll dismiss Elizabeth Warren when she'll inevitably support/endorse something that goes against "The Checlklist."

If Some Pervet Keeps Sending You Nude Pics, What Should You Do?

How about this?

I Think I Am -Like Most People Who Try To Pay Some Attention To Politics- At Stage Three

 

(via)

Around the Internets

1. Keeping the bugs out.
2. Cracked.com tackles health care and the economy. 
3. One mother decides to pass on the princesses and use real-life women to inspire her daughter.
4. These will have to do until they decide to make a real Legend of Zelda movie. 
5. Sequestration has impacted domestic violence funding in a bad way.
6. Peter Jackson shoehorns a character (see pic) into his new Hobbits Trilogy, and no, it's not an homage to Link. 
7. If you ever wanted to work for a celebrity, here's your chance. 
8. If it wasn't already clear that Donald Trump isn't a poster child for race relations... 

"Why Privacy Matters Even If You 'Have Nothing to Hide'"

Lengthy, but relevant.

Brain-copter!

Simultaneously cool and frightening.

Having State-Owned Companies Gave China The Edge In Getting Iraqi Oil Contracts

In other words: going to war with Iraq not only didn't address the 9-11 Attacks, it helped to stabilize a country that some thought would sputter out due to their "commie" way of doing things.

Hollywood May Have a Problem With Having More Than One Non-White Star At a Time

At least that's what this writer suggests as a reason for Will Smith's "After Earth" getting less-than stellar reviews.  I think this particular case -like most really- has a few layers:

1. Will Smith is obviously trying to transfer some of his star-power to his son Jaden. Why not? Every good parent wants their child to succeed. However, Jaden isn't Will, and Jaden's "cute kid phase" is pretty much done, leaving him at "awkward teen phase" (see Frankie Muniz). The harsh truth is: unless a cute kid turns into a cute teenager right away, their movie appeal will wane.
2. Will Smith hasn't been making movies on a regular like he used too. Back in the day, I used to wonder why then up-and-coming rap artist DMX was making a new album like every 14 months. But then a strange thing happened: he took about two years off and when he came back, the niche he had created and profited on was filled by others. Then I got it: in the entertainment biz, you basically have to work until you're rich or you retire. Heck even 50 Cent knew this (he was, incidentally, one of DMX's "replacements") although he substituted "die" for "retire." Anyway, the point is Will doesn't have the same clout, and you need mega clout if you're going to try and transition some of your fame to another person.
3. Hollywood does have a problem with having more than non-white star at a time: I was talking to a friend yesterday who simultaneously agreed and justified this theory: he said that it's because there are only so many really talented people out there that it's wrong to assume that say, five black males can be movie draws. The flaw with that thinking is that there are some many white actors and actresses that can headline movies they've essentially cloned themselves. I mean, I don't remember Mark Walberg complaining that he had to wait his turn because Matt Damon was starring in all the movies that needed a white guy from Boston. So imagine telling Kevin Hart, "Hold on man, Chris Rock is still funny; wait until he hits 40 and then you can shine!" Bottom line: Hollywood has a record of being offensive and prejudiced.
4. M. Night Shyamalan directed the movie. Let's be honest here: the guy is still pretty much hated and viewed a one-trick pony.

So add the four elements together (perceived nepotism, declining star power, old Hollywood bigotry, despised director) and you get a better idea as to why the movie isn't doing as well as it should.

On the flip side, supporting a movie starring a minority that isn't a "minority movie" (aka, the story centers around the cast's shared ethnicity) isn't the worst cause to take up. 

No Main Topic

1. After all the whining the Congressional GOP put up (BENGHAZI!) it looks like Susan Rice is getting a key position after all.
2. A gay rights protester confronts Michelle Obama; guess who wins?