Thursday, May 7, 2009

Fast & Furious: New Model. Original Parts.



Fast & Furious: New Model. Original Parts. Movie:
Directed by: Justin Lin
Produced by: Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Ricardo Del Río
Written Screenplay by: Chris Morgan
Written Characters by: Gary Scott Thompson
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso, Gal Gadot
Music by: Brian Tyler
Cinematography: Amir Mokri
Editing by: Christian Wagner
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release date: 2 April 2009 (Malaysia)
Language: English

From illegal underground street racing in Los Angeles and money laundering in Miami to drifts on customized rides across perilous Tokyo courses, one series built on speed has become a global sensation since its origins more than nine years ago. Now, in the next chapter, the four original characters reunite for the first time and come home to where it all began.

VIN DIESEL (The Pacifier, xXx) and PAUL WALKER (Flags of Our Fathers, Eight Below) reteam for the ultimate chapter of the adrenaline-fueled franchise-Fast & Furious. Heading back to the streets of L.A., they rejoin MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ (Lost, Resident Evil) and JORDANA BREWSTER (Chuck, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars along the crowded streets of the city and across international lines in a high-octane action-thriller from director JUSTIN LIN (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Better Luck Tomorrow).

It's been eight years since ex-con Dominic Toretto (Diesel) drove across the Mexican border, committing himself to a fugitive existence. Now, holed up in a beach shack in the Dominican Republic, and living on the run with the sole remnant of his past, Letty (Rodriguez), he tries to piece together a new life. But he knows the authorities are always just steps behind him.

When a tragic death of someone he loves brings him back to L.A., Dom reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Conner (Walker). As they are forced to confront a shared enemy, a sociopathic drug kingpin who is flooding the U.S. with lethal product, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him and avenge the tragedy that he caused their small de facto family to endure.

Infiltrating the underground network means earning a spot on a heist squad that moves high-grade heroin across the border from Mexico through almost unnavigable tunnels carved into the caves. Two lieutenants in the cartel, Campos (JOHN ORTIZ, American Gangster, Miami Vice) and Fenix (LAZ ALONSO, Jarhead, Stomp the Yard), are the only ones who can provide the access Dom and Brian need and the answers they're after.

As Dom, his sister Mia (Brewster) and Brian rediscover the family bond that was torn apart so long ago, the unlikely allies again find themselves pitted against one another in a race that takes them to the brink. Now, from convoy heists on the mountainous countryside of the Dominican Republic to precision tunnel crawls across the floor of the Mexican desert, two men will find the best way to get revenge: Push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

Returning to this chapter is a talented production crew of series favorites led by director Lin and producers NEAL H. MORITZ (The Fast and Furious series, I Am Legend, xXx), Vin Diesel and MICHAEL FOTTRELL (Live Free or Die Hard, 2 Fast 2 Furious). CHRIS MORGAN (The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Wanted) writes from characters based on the work of GARY SCOTT THOMPSON (The Fast and the Furious, television's Las Vegas).

Also rejoining the series is an accomplished behind-the-scenes team, including production designer IDA RANDOM (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Suspect Zero), composer BRIAN TYLER (The Fast and the Furious series, Rambo), costume designer SANJA MILKOVIC HAYS (The Fast and the Furious series, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) and executive producer AMANDA LEWIS (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Made of Honor).

Cinematographer AMIR MOKRI (National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Bad Boys II) joins Lin's group for Fast & Furious, along with editors CHRISTIAN WAGNER (Mission: Impossible II, Die Another Day) and FRED RASKIN (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift). SAMANTHA VINCENT serves as an executive producer.


ALL ROADS LEAD HOME
A 1998 Vibe magazine article on street racing clubs set the wheels in motion for what would become one of the most beloved and profitable franchises in Universal Pictures' history. In 2001, we met champion underground street racer Dominic Toretto and his archnemesis, LAPD police officer Brian O'Conner. Over the course of two hours in The Fast and the Furious, we watched two men on opposite sides of the law race stunning machines, brawl together and form an unlikely, begrudging friendship.

Though they went their separate ways at the end of the film-Dom as an illegal ex-pat to Mexico and Brian to work as an FBI agent in Miami-we followed Brian's career in the second episode, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and caught a brief glimpse of Dom at the end of the third actioner of the franchise, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.

With the subsequent movies, the series continued to build an international fan base and rack up impressive box-office grosses. The lasting visual of Dom thundering across the Mexican border at the end of the original, however, left moviegoers wanting more adventures from our antihero... as well as more stories about the two women in his world-Dom's girlfriend Letty and his sister Mia (who happens to be the love of Brian's life).

Eight years after filmgoers first embraced the blistering stunts performed by and passion shared between Dom/Letty and Brian/Mia, producer Neal Moritz wanted to again deliver a film that takes the pulse of pop culture. He knew it was the right moment to bring audiences the fourth installment of the popular series. It was time to come home.

It was not, however, always a given that this chapter would be greenlit. Explains Moritz: "We've had a great time and a very successful run with the first three. But if we were really going to go to the next level, we had to bring back Vin and Paul."

To make that happen would take almost a decade of planning and endless coordination. Says the producer: "We had a lot of conversations over a lot of years. It took schedules meeting up and our coming up with a great story that actually would be worthy of the two of them coming back. We were really lucky to pull it off."

Reuniting the original foursome of Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster began, simply enough, with Diesel's wildly successful cameo in Tokyo Drift, directed by Justin Lin. After seeing a rough cut of the film, Diesel agreed to appear in the final act of the third episode as Han's (SUNG KANG) friend who arrives to challenge LUCAS BLACK's character, Sean Boswell, to a race.

Over the course of several hours on set, the director and Diesel established an easy rapport. Lin's attention to minutiae, coupled with his ability to layer characterization amidst powerful action, appealed to the performer who has made a name for himself by developing characters in additional acting hits such as xXx and the Pitch Black/Chronicles of Riddick series.

Based on the audience response to Diesel's cameo, Moritz knew that fans were eager to revisit the Dom-Brian saga. Of the partnership, the producer notes: "The combination of the two of them and seeing how they approach the same scene together is something we can't invent. That rapport and chemistry either happens on screen or it just doesn't."

Echoes producer Fottrell of the connection Diesel and Walker infused in the characters: "A brotherhood still exists between the two. One is brought up on the bad side of the tracks, the other on the good side. Brian is now blending into Dom's world, and they have each other's backs. That blood ethic exists between the two of them so that they protect one another, no matter who's right or who's wrong."

Recalls Diesel, who returns as both American muscle car junkie Dom Toretto and as a producer of the film: "I like to do sequels that feel like they are a continuation of the original story. This Fast & Furious script met that criteria."

He also listened to fan feedback as they reacted to him back in his signature role. Diesel says: "After doing the cameo in the third film, it became clear to me that people were almost saying, 'Hey Vin, don't be too precious on the story... get in there and do the movie. We want to see it.'" The added incentive of reuniting with old friends didn't hurt. Reveals Diesel: "It's rewarding to make this movie with people who were a part of my introduction to Hollywood."

To bring the series full circle, the filmmakers looked to screenwriter Chris Morgan, who previously worked on 2006's Tokyo Drift and, more recently, 2008's box-office smash Wanted. Like Moritz and Fottrell, Morgan was keen to reunite the brotherhood. "I'm all about the cars and the culture and the action." admits the writer. "but what set The Fast and the Furious apart from its limitations was the relationship between these two guys. To be told that you can go back and play with all that is a dream come true."

What followed was an intense development process in which Morgan was charged with creating the premise that would bring our four heroes together again. As the screenwriter got to work, the filmmakers focused their energy on recruiting Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster to commit to a sequel. It was evident that reassembling the cast was an imperative if the producers were to fully realize their story. Diesel, Moritz and Fottrell commitment galvanized the others into action.

"I didn't think I was going make another one," recalls Walker, of reprising the role of undercover cop/foreign car-aficionado Brian O'Conner for a third time. "And then Neal told me about the master plan. I thought 'Why not? I'll have a good time doing it, and I'll be hanging out with people I like spending time with."

Brian and Dom have different styles that mirror their personalities and perspectives on life. Walker felt those distinctions underscored the real-life dynamic between Diesel and him. "It's a fun contrast," he says. "It's East Coast meets West Coast. He's straight up New York, and I'm as California as it gets. But for some reason, we get along really well. It's the same thing with Brian and Dom."

Director Lin also sparked to the idea of bringing back the core characters. In 2001, he was a film student who enjoyed the ride along with the opening night audience. As a filmmaker, this project gave him the opportunity to make a movie that respected the series he had helped to develop, and to introduce the franchise to a new generation.

On his participation, Lin explains: "It was a no-brainer. Vin and Paul were coming back, and both Michelle and Jordana's deals were about to close. It's exciting to have the opportunity to revisit the past, but at the same time explore and build upon a lot of elements with these characters. There was a generation of kids that embraced The Fast and the Furious. It's exciting to up the ante on something like that."

His approach to the material dovetailed well with Diesel's and Walker's ideas. Because they'd lived with the characters for so long, they both had very specific ideas for the story, cars and action. This shared vision of recapturing and elevating the character-driven action film made Lin the right choice to direct them.

Dom and Brian, who first developed a kinship over a car's engine, are bound by a shared code. This sense of family, complicated by his respect for Dom's freedom, is what Brian has been seeking but has been unable to capture. And though he recognizes the danger of tangling with Dom and facing Mia's wrath, Brian is willing to head down that road again when Dom returns to L.A.

Last seen crossing the Mexican border, Dom has made his way to the Dominican Republic, where the underground car culture flourishes amidst the tropical heat and pulsing beat of reggaeton (a melding of Jamaican dancehall, reggae and Latin hip-hop). With Letty at his side, Dom has a new life... but one filled with the uncertainty of living as an international fugitive.

Rodriguez looked forward to developing Dom and Letty's relationship in the latest chapter. "The stakes are higher," she offers. "Letty and Dom are on the run, breaking the law wherever they go. There's a slight Bonnie and Clyde feel to it. The lingering question now is if Dom will risk his love for her in the name of this rush that they're both addicted to."

For Jordana Brewster, the chance to revisit familiar terrain with old friends was a welcome one. Agreeing to return with her crew turned out to be even more of a homecoming when she learned Lin would be directing. The actor had worked with the director on the drama Annapolis and looked forward to working with him again.

Despite losing both a brother and her lover, the heartbroken Mia has been able to persevere in L.A. Brewster soon realized that reprising the role wasn't as easy as she had anticipated. She expected the character Morgan wrote to be riddled with bitterness when faced with the simultaneous return of Dom and Brian. But her director envisioned Mia differently.

"As an actress, you always lean towards the dramatic," remarks Brewster. "After losing so much, I wanted Mia to hold on to her anger. But Justin intended to keep the women in the film strong and resilient, so Mia has moved on. It's a testament to his ability as a director, because he puts in as much care into these characters as he does with all the action."







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Thanks to Malaysian TODAY (The Borneo Sun Sdn Bhd
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Eternity ( MLTR )



Eternity Album:
Released: 1 October 2008
Genre: Rock
Label: Attack Music

Eternity is the seventh studio album of the Danish pop band Michael Learns to Rock. It was released in 2008.


Track listing
# Title (Length)
01. "When Tomorrow Comes" (3:31)
02. "Its Gonna Make Sense" (3:35)
03. "Shadow Side of Me" (4:00)
04. "You Want More" (4:21)
05. "Sweetest Surprise" (3:10)
06. "Family Tree" (4:04)
07. "I Do" (4:03)
08. "Look Around" (3:48)
09. "The War Is Not Over" (3:00)
10. "Lonely Satellite" (3:26)
11. "Walk With Me" (4:05)
12. "Eternity" (5:58)


The history of Michael Learns To Rock
With global record sales of more than 9 million units since the debut in 1991, the history of MLTR contains not only the story of one of the biggest international successes ever to come out of Denmark, it's also the tale of how exceptions often confirm the rule. As opposed to so many other international names, the road to MLTR's success has never been paved with scandals, divorces, drugs, or even extreme images of life on the edge – It's strictly about music. It's about the formidable talent for writing fine pop songs, about the indisputable qualities contained in the songs, and above all the ability to cut through all the noise with material that has earned the group a faithful following and dazzling record sales.

MLTR's music has been described as a Scandinavian glow that meets the international pop song, something which has been refined through the years by artists such as The Beatles, The Eagles, Elton John and Billy Joel. It's precisely the perfect balance of the two elements described above that has been instrumental in forming the compelling sound of the band and won MLTR millions of fans around the globe.

The whole saga begins quite modestly back in 1987 at a high school in Aarhus, Denmark. The singer and keyboard player Jascha Richter (b. 1963) forms a band with drummer Kåre Wanscher (b. 1969) and guitarist Mikkel Lentz (b. 1968) – a little café band. All three are huge music fans who were virtually fed the history of pop and rock with their mother's milk. They decide to create a more serious band after Jascha plays them a few songs he has written. In the spring of 1988 Søren Madsen (b. 1967), who's otherwise a guitarist, agrees to sit in on bass during a rehearsal one evening. Michael Learns To Rock becomes a reality. The group debuts in Aarhus in May 1988 and later in the summer enters the city's annual talent contest. MLTR scores a resounding victory, and at the same time lands a manager, J.P. Andersen, who is a member of the jury. Andersen immediately falls for the talent radiating out of this sparkling young quartet.

The following two years bring an intensive period of concert touring. The group plays everywhere in Denmark, adds new and better songs to the repertoire, gets tighter and tighter as a band, fine tunes the precise harmonies that give the band its signature sound – and along the way, lands a solid record contract. With the Danish producers Jens Hofman and Oli Poulsen working the dials, MLTR spends several months in the studio preparing for the September 1991 debut of the album MICHAEL LEARNS TO ROCK . Among other tracks, the set contains the hit ballad THE ACTOR a song that in January 1992 secures MLTR the pole position on the Danish album-sales chart. The song travels much faster than the band, and without MLTR even being there, it tops the charts in Norway, Sweden, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. The period marks hectic times for MLTR. In 1992 they frantically tour Denmark – where they are the hottest thing going – and a number of countries in the Far East where their presence is a follow-up force to smashing successes the debut album has already achieved. Along the way Jascha Richter writes songs for a second album that gets a rush release in October 1993 under the title COLOURS .

Once again, it's the knack for creating the classic ballad that generates success. SLEEPING CHILD is the title of the song that sparks MLTR-mania. In the course of the next 18 months, the frenzy launches the band on a journey to many parts of the world and generates album sales far beyond the one-million mark. COLOURS is released in most of Europe and throughout the Far East, while SLEEPING CHILD and the singles that follow, 25 MINUTES and OUT OF THE BLUE land MLTR top slots on countless hitlists and earns the lads innumerable gold and platinum records. Fans in Thailand go berserk when the band arrives in Bangkok in November to perform for 12,000 followers at the Phoebus Concert Hall. And as the jubilant finale to a golden year, MLTR is given the prestigious RSH Award in Germany and at the SEA Grammy Awards in Singapore the band is named “The Best Performing Act of the Year.”

The year 1995 sees the release of MLTR's third album, PLAYED ON PEPPER . The number of international territories MLTR has conquered grows, putting the band is on top-priority lists in faraway places such as Brazil, South Africa, The United Emirates Republic, and no fewer than 11 countries in the Far East. It goes without saying that Scandinavia is on the bandwagon along with other European countries, including Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland where the album is released. In October of the same year MLTR embarks on their biggest tour of the Far East -- with 25 shows in 10 countries – where new hits like THAT'S WHY (YOU GO AWAY) and SOMEDAY become pearls on the string of hits that make up the setlist. PLAYED ON PEPPER ends up selling more than 1.2 million units, while in efforts to curb pirate copying of MLTR material, the band releases the best-of album, PAINT MY LOVE . The album is released exclusively in the Far East. The title track – and the accompanying video which touches the edges of censorship laws in some territories – reinforces MLTR's enormous popularity and indisputably makes the band the biggest name in countries such as Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. Down by the opposite pole, MLTR's popularity explodes in South Africa. Following a hectic four-day promo tour in July 1997, the band lands at the top of the country's hitlists . PAINT MY LOVE sells a whopping 3.4 million units worldwide. MLTR is chosen as headliner for the Celebrate Hong Kong Concert on 6 July 1997, the climax to festivities marking the transfer of Hong Kong to China.

While promoting PAINT MY LOVE on the international highways, MLTR squeezes in some time to record a fourth studio album NOTHING TO LOSE . The set is released in September 1997 while MLTR still has a firm foothold atop hitlists in the Far East as well as South Africa. The rocker SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW helps pave the way for yet another success by the band. NOTHING TO LOSE logs sales of more than one million units and when the band heads off in January 1998 for a tour of South Africa to play sell-outs in Johannesburg and Pretoria, the critics write: “This is as good (if not better) a band as any current big name group out of America or the UK.”

Nine turbulent years takes its toll on the four musicians who decide to take a break from each other and from the world of pop music. But shortly thereafter, in the autumn of 1998, Jascha Richter has some new songs written. The single STRANGE FOREIGN BEAUTY is chosen as the trump card for a new retrospective album released under the fitting title, GREATEST HITS. The set contains a selection of top hits from the four previous albums, but the tracks have either been remixed, re-recorded or fine tuned in some way or another. Upon the album's 1999 release, MLTR once again lands at the summit of the Danish hitlist and opens the ears of music fans in new, untapped areas such as Portugal. Another million seller is added to the band's discography, and the success was achieved without any promotional work done in MLTR's main markets in the Far East.

When MLTR begins initial work for studio album number five in the spring of 2000, Søren Madsen decides to leave the group to try his hand at a solo carrier. Richter, Lentz and Wanscher opt to continue as a trio and that summer they head for the studio. As it has been for previous albums, the band decides once again not to hire a costly international star producer, but allies itself with the incredibly talented Danish musician, arranger and producer Boe Larsen. Uniting with the band, he and MLTR find a new musical direction and set some new challenges for themselves. The outcome is BLUE NIGHT – MLTR in the year 2000. A dozen new, sharply-profiled quality pop songs. The new tracks are a fine extension of what is already an impressive repertoire that may be postmarked in Denmark, but surely demonstrate how the most remote corner of the world is no more than a good song away.

BLUE NIGHT becomes another huge success for MLTR – sales come close to the platinum level at home and score successfully on Asian hitlists as well as the group's new found market in Sweden. In 2001 the band sets out on a five-week-long tour with stops in Dubai, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and China. Just before the tour kicks off, the compilation 19 LOVE SONGS – including the not previously released track GHOST OF YOU -- is released in Southeast Asia. (Danish release 2002). Before setting off on the tour the boys agree they will take a long break upon completion of the tour. The break allows Richter, Lentz and Wanscher a chance to pursue individual projects, one of which leads to Richter's solo album PLANET BLUE.

At the start of 2003, the band members gathered once again and began to plan their sixth album. It was released in February 2004 and titled: "Michael Learns To Rock".

Since this release the band has been concentrating on playing concerts around the world.

In Autumn 2005 Michael Learns To Rock recorded several shows in Asia and have recently released the CD “The Best Of Michael Learns To Rock Live”, containing two new studio tracks and 14 live tracks.

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Thanks to THE BREAKFAST SHOW ( ntv7 )
Rating: 4 / 5

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Star Trek: The Future Begins



Star Trek: The Future Begins Movie:
Directed by: J. J. Abrams
Produced by: J. J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof
Written Screenplay by: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Written Characters by: Gene Roddenberry
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Jacob Kogan, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Winona Ryder
Music by: Michael Giacchino
Cinematography: Daniel Mindel
Editing by: Mary Jo Markey, Maryann Brandon
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Bad Robot Productions
Release date: 8 May 2009 (Malaysia)
Language: English


The greatest adventure of all time begins with "Star Trek", the incredible story of a young crew's maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy, and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind.

The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before!

The film is directed by J.J. Abrams ("Mission Impossible III", "Lost", "Alias") and written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman ("MI: III", "Transformers"). Based upon "Star Trek" created by Gene Roddenberry. The film is produced by J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof. The executive producers are Bryan Burk, Jeffrey Chernov, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. The director of photography is Dan Mindel, ASC. The production designer is Scott Chambliss. The film is edited by Maryann Brandon, A.C.E. and Mary Jo Markey, A.C.E. The costume designer is Michael Kaplan. The visual effects & animation are by Industrial Light & Magic. The music is by Michael Giacchino.

It is the eleventh film based on the Star Trek franchise and features the main characters of the original Star Trek series, who are portrayed by a new cast. It explores the backstories of James T. Kirk and Spock, before they unite aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise to combat Nero, a Romulan from the future who threatens the United Federation of Planets.




JAMES T. KIRK
Student/Starfleet Academy.
Top of his class in survival strategies and tactical analysis.
Assistant Instructor in Advanced Hand-to-Hand Combat.
Treasurer of Starfleet Academy's Xenolinguistics club.
Origin: Iowa - Earth.


CAPTAIN CHRISTOPHER PIKE
Captain of the Starship Enterprise.
Rose to his rank in only four years - the quickest in Starfleet history. Serves as Executive Officer in Starfleet's recruiting division.
Origin: Mojave - Earth.


DR. LEONARD "BONES" McCOY
Student/Starfleet Academy: Medical Officer.
Top of his class in anatomical and forensic pathology.
Organized Starfleet Academy's first Astrophobia seminar.
Attended Earth's University of Mississippi.


U.S.S. KELVIN
Federation starship number NCC-0514.
Single warp nacelle. Used primarily as a survey vessel.
Captain: Richard Robau
First Officer: George Kirk


UHURA
Student/Starfleet Academy.
Specializes in xenolinguistics, tracking toward communications officer.
Proficient in 83% of official Federation languages and regional dialects.
Current Academy aide for Advanced Phonology and Advanced Acoustical Engineering courses.
Vice president of Starfleet Academy's Chorale Ensemble.
Origin: Africa.


SPOCK
Commander at Starfleet Academy.
Current instructor of Advanced Phonology and Interspecies Ethics. Specializes in computer programming, tracking toward Science Officer.
Awarded the title of "Grandmaster" by the Federation's Three-dimensional Chess Organization.
Lineage: Half-Vulcan, half-human.


STARFLEET ACADEMY
Main training facility for Starfleet cadets.
Headquartered in San Francisco.
They typical officer training program lasts between 4 - 7 years.
Sample courses include "Transporter Theory", "Temporal Mechanics" and "Intrasystem Peacekeeping Operations".
Motto: "Ex Astris, Scientia".


UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS
Interstellar union of advanced civilizations ensuring mutual prosperity based on the principles of universal freedom, rights and equality for all types of life.
Founded by Humans, Vulcans, Androrians, and Tellarites in the spirit of enhancing peace and cooperation between worlds.
Current membership includes 120 planets and 700 colonies.
Headquartered in the Alpha Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy.


VULCAN
Class M planet. No moons.
One of the founding members of the United Federation of Planets. Homeworld to the humanoid race of Vulcans. Governed by the Vulcan High Command.
Climate conditions: dry, harsh desert, mountain ranges, scattered, small oceans.
Major cities: Gol and Shi'Kahr.


MONTGOMERY SCOTT
Starfleet Officer.
Specialty: Engineering.
Awarded first in his class at Starfleet Academy, later revoked due to disciplinary action.
Former Academy aide for Admiral Archer's "Advanced Relativistic Mechanics" course.
Origin: Scotland.


PAVEL CHEKOV
Starfleet Officer.
Rank: Ensign.
Specialty: Navigation.
Top of his class in "Stellar Cartography" and "Transporter Theory".
Expert in advanced theoretical physics.
Youngest cadet in history to win the Starfleet Academy Marathon.
Origin: Russia.


HIKARU SULU
Starfleet Officer.
Rank: Lieutenant.
Position: Helmsman.
Top of his class in "Astrosciences" and "Advanced Botany".
Founded Starfleet Academy's "European Swordmanship" club.
Origin: San Francisco.


U.S.S. ENTERPRISE
Federation Starfleet vessel NCC-1701.
Constitution class heavy cruiser.
Maximum speed: Warp 8.
Held in Beta Testing Ward 956 - approved for combat.


NERO
Commander of the Romulan mining vessel "Narada".
His discovery of massive lithium deposits on planet Delta Vega helped end Romulus's long-standing energy crisis.
Current Whereabouts: Unknown.


JELLYFISH
Single-occupancy vessel commissioned by the Vulcan Science Academy.
Maximum speed: Warp 8.


NARADA
Romulan mining vessel.
Class: Unknown.
Weaponry: Unknown.
Defenses: Unknown.
Maximum speed: Unknown.
Captain: Nero.
First Officer: Ayel.


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Thanks to VICTOR WONG W T
Rating: 5 / 5

Monday, April 20, 2009

Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack



Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack Album:
Released: 8 July 2008
Genre: Pop
Label: Decca Records (US), Polydor Records


Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack Featuring the Songs of ABBA is the soundtrack album for the 2008 Universal Pictures musical film Mamma Mia!, based on the stage musical of the same name. It features performances by the film's cast including Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Ashley Lilley, and Rachel McDowall It has been nominated for the Grammy Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.


Track listing
# Title (Length)
01. "Honey, Honey" - Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley & Rachel McDowall (3:07)
02. "Money, Money, Money" - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters & Christine Baranski (3:06)
03. "Mamma Mia" - Meryl Streep (3:34)
04. "Dancing Queen" - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters & Christine Baranski (4:04)
05. "Our Last Summer" - Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård, Meryl Streep & Amanda Seyfried (2:57)
06. "Lay All Your Love on Me" - Dominic Cooper & Amanda Seyfried (4:29)
07. "Super Trouper" - Meryl Streep, Julie Walters & Christine Baranski (3:53)
08. "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" - Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Lilley & Rachel McDowall (3:51)
09. "The Name of the Game" - Amanda Seyfried (4:55)
10. "Voulez-Vous" - Full Cast, Philip Michael, Christie Baranski, Julie Walters & Stellan Skarsgård (4:35)
11. "SOS" - Pierce Brosnan & Meryl Streep (3:19)
12. "Does Your Mother Know" - Christine Baranski & Philip Michael (3:01)
13. "Slipping Through My Fingers" - Meryl Streep & Amanda Seyfried (3:50)
14. "The Winner Takes It All" - Meryl Streep (4:57)
15. "When All Is Said and Done" - Pierce Brosnan & Meryl Streep (3:17)
16. "Take a Chance on Me" - Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, Philip Michael & Christine Baranski (4:01)
17. "I Have a Dream"/"Thank You for the Music" - Amanda Seyfried (8:37)

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Thanks to FACES PUBLICATIONS SDN BHD
Rating: 5 / 5

Friday, April 17, 2009

No Line on the Horizon ( U2 )



No Line on the Horizon Album:
Released: 27 February 2009
Genre: Rock
Length: 53:44
Label: Interscope

No Line on the Horizon is the twelfth studio album by Irish rock band U2, released on 27 February 2009. The album is U2's first since 2004's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, the longest gap between studio albums in the band's career. The material was originally intended to be released as two EPs, titled Daylight and Darkness, but the band later decided to combine them into one album.

U2 began work on a new studio album in 2006 with Rick Rubin but later decided to shelve most of the material from those sessions. The band collaborated with producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois from June 2007–December 2008 for the album, allowing them to be involved in the songwriting process. Writing and recording for the album took place in four different cities. The album was planned for release in November 2008, but the band had written approximately 50–60 songs and wished to continue writing.

Prior to release, the band indicated that their collaborations with Eno and Lanois, as well as the brief time they spent in Fez, Morocco, resulted in a record more experimental than their previous two albums. Upon release, No Line on the Horizon received generally favourable reviews from critics, although many noted the album was not as experimental as previously suggested. The band has indicated plans to release a follow-up record entitled Songs of Ascent sometime in 2009 or 2010. U2 will be supporting No Line on the Horizon with the U2 360° Tour.


Track listing
# Title (Length)
1. "No Line on the Horizon" (4:12)
2. "Magnificent" (5:24)
3. "Moment of Surrender" (7:24)
4. "Unknown Caller" (6:03)
5. "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" (4:14)
6. "Get on Your Boots" (3:25)
7. "Stand Up Comedy" (3:50)
8. "Fez – Being Born" (5:17)
9. "White as Snow" (4:41)
10. "Breathe" (5:00)
11. "Cedars of Lebanon" (4:13)



A Contest for U2
Thanks to Universal Music, AMBP have 10 copies of the album to give away, with a U2 T-shirt each to go with them. Now, once again, how awesomely giving are we? ;-)

1) Answer this question:
What's the name of U2's twelfth studio album?
b) No Line on the Horizon

2) Post up this pic:
Picture located at the top of the post

3) Write something - anything! - about U2.


U2 are a rock band from Dublin, Ireland. The band consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar) and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion).

The band formed in 1976 when the members were teenagers with limited musical proficiency. By the mid-1980s, the band had become a top international act, noted for their anthemic sound, Bono's impassioned vocals, and The Edge's textural guitar playing. Their success as a live act was greater than their success at selling records until their 1987 album The Joshua Tree elevated the band's stature "from heroes to superstars," according to Rolling Stone. U2 responded to the dance and alternative rock revolutions and their own sense of musical stagnation by reinventing themselves with their 1991 album Achtung Baby and the accompanying Zoo TV Tour. Similar experimentation continued for the rest of the 1990s. Since 2000, U2 pursued a more conventional rock sound that retains the influence of their previous musical explorations.

Passengers



Passengers Movie:
Directed by: Rodrigo Garcia
Produced by: Joseph Drake
Written by: Ronnie Christensen
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson, Clea DuVall
Music by: Ed Shearmur
Cinematography: Igor Jadue-Lillo
Editing by: Thom Noble
Distributed by: TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures
Release date: 16 Apr 2009 (Malaysia)
Language: English


After a plane crash, a young therapist, Claire is assigned by her mentor to counsel the flight's five survivors. The survivors’ recollections of the incident appear to be at odds with the airline’s official explanation. While Claire is intrigued by Eric, the most secretive of the passengers, the survivors begin to disappear mysteriously, one by one. Claire is determined to uncover the truth, no matter what are the consequences. She becomes suspicious of Eric and decides to investigate the situation herself.



Passengers Caption Contest
Caption the image of your choice. Be as dramatic, or quirky, or silly as you want to be; first 30 AMBP members to caption something that actually makes sense, end up with an open double pass to the movie. Oh, and keep it clean!


Caption: "Together they're a perfect pair, wonderful wall painting flair."

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Da Vinci Code



The Da Vinci Code Movie:
Directed by: Ron Howard
Produced by: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, John Calley
Screenplay written by: Akiva Goldsman
Novel written by: Dan Brown
Starring: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Sir Ian McKellen, Paul Bettany, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Jürgen Prochnow
Music by: Hans Zimmer
Cinematography: Salvatore Totino
Editing by: Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Distributed by: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures
Release date: 18 May 2006 (Malaysia)
Language: English


Ron Howard and Akiva Goldsman, the Oscar-winning director and writer of A Beautiful Mind, reunite to bring Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, one of the most popular and controversial novels of our time, to the big screen with a cast headed by two-time Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Sir Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina and Jean Reno.

Produced by Oscar-winner Brian Grazer and John Calley, The Da Vinci Code begins with a spectacular murder in the Louvre Museum. All clues point to a covert religious organization that will stop at nothing to protect a secret that threatens to overturn 2,000 years of accepted dogma.




ROBERT LANGDON
Langdon's usually sharp blue eyes looked hazy and drawn tonight. A dark stubble was shrouding his strong jaw and dimpled chin. Around his temples, the grey highlights were advancing, making their way deeper into his thicket of coarse black hair. Although his female colleagues insisted the gray only accentuated his bookish appeal, Langdon knew better. "If Boston Magazine could see me now," he thought. Last month, much to Langdon's embarrassment, Boston Magazine had listed him as one of that city's top ten most intriguing people -- a dubious honor that made him the brunt of endless ribbing by his Harvard colleagues.



SOPHIE NEVEU
At thirty-two years old, she had a dogged determination that bordered on obstinate. Her eager espousal of Britain's new crytologic methodology continually exasperated the veteran French cryptographers above her.



SIR LEIGH TEABING
Despite the aluminium braces on his legs, he carried himself with a resilient, vertical dignity that seemed more a byproduct of noble ancestry than any kind of conscious effort.



MANUEL ARINGAROSA
Manuel Aringarosa had packed a small travel bag and dressed in a traditional black cassock. Normally, he would have wrapped a purple cincture around his waist, but tonight he would be traveling among the public, and he preferred not to draw attention to his high office. Only those with an erudite eye would notice his 14 karat gold Bishop's ring with purple amethyst, large diamonds, and hand-tooled mitre-Crozier applique.



BEZU FACHE
Captain Bezu Fache carried himself like an angry ox, with his wide shoulders thrown back and his chin tucked hard into his chest. His dark hair was slicked back with oil, accentuating an arrow-like widow's peak that divided his jutting brow and preceded him like the prow of a battleship. As he advanced, his dark eyes seemed to scorch the earth before him, radiating a fiery clarity that forecast his reputation for unblinking severity in all matters.



SILAS
He was broad and tall, with ghost pale skin and thinning white hair. His irises were pink with dark red pupils. The spiked cilice belt that he wore around his thigh cut into his flesh, and yet his soul sang with satisfaction of service to the Lord. Pain is good.


Blade
The blade or pyramid is the alchemical symbol for fire. It also symbolizes masculinity and in combination with its complement shape the chalice, the blade forms the Star of David or Solomon's Seal. The blade is also an equilateral triangle, a symbol of the Christian trinity.


Chalice
The chalice symbol alludes to the specific cup that held Christ's wine during the Last Supper, the selfsame Holy Grail which became the point of Sir Galahad's quest. The chalice, an inverted pyramid, is also the alchemical symbol for water.


Ankh
The ankh character is an Egyptian hieroglyph for the word "life" and was often found in tomb paintings near representations of immortal deities and fertility goddesses. Egyptians carried the symbol as a good luck charm and protective talisman.


Greek Cross
Unlike the more commonly-known Latin cross, the Greek cross has arms of equal length, signifying perfection or balance. This symbol is also associated with the four points of the compass, the four alchemical elements, the positive sign and the symbol for addition. It appears on the Greek and Swiss flags, and a red version of the Greek Cross is the symbol for the Red Cross organization.


Fleur-de-lis
The symbol of the fleur-de-lis or "lily flower" is mostly associated with the coat of arms of French monarchs, starting in the 12th century. It can be found earlier on Assyrian jewelry and then Greek, Roman and Celtic coins as a general symbol for royalty.


Cross
One of the most widely recognized symbols in the world, the cross is a symbol for Christianity itself and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are many variants of the cross. Shaped like the capital letter T, the first Tau cross is modeled after the wooden cross the Romans used to crucify Christ.

Angels & Demons (The Sequel to The Da Vinci Code!)



Angels & Demons Movie:
Directed by: Ron Howard
Produced by: Brian Grazer, John Calley
Screenplay written by: David Koepp, Akiva Goldsman
Novel written by: Dan Brown
Starring: Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor
Music by: Hans Zimmer
Cinematography: Salvatore Totino
Editing by: Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Studio: Imagine Entertainment
Distributed by: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures
Preceded by: The Da Vinci Code
Release date: 14 May 2009 (Malaysia)
Language: English


The team behind the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code returns for the highly anticipated Angels & Demons, based upon the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon, who once again finds that forces with ancient roots are willing to stop at nothing, even murder, to advance their goals. Ron Howard again directs the film, which is produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and John Calley. The screenplay is by David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman.

When Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati - the most powerful underground organization in history - he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization's most despised enemy: the Catholic Church. When Langdon learns that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb, he jets to Rome, where he joins forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist. Embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra will follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols that mark the Vatican's only hope for survival.





~ Clashes of faith vs science as we journey to unravel the mysteries of the secret Illuminati alliance, beware the violence of silence... ~


Ambigram: angels & demons


Ambigram: illuminati


Ambigram: earth, air, fire, water


Ambigram: illuminati diamond



ROBERT LANGDON

WORLD-RENOWNED SYMBOLOGIST
Symbols are language. While most symbols are designed to be easily identified, they can often hold a much deeper meaning. To some gifted Renaissance masters, symbols weren't used just to convey messages, but to hide them. Fearing religious retribution from the powerful Catholic Church, these intellectuals displayed messages within their art and architecture.


A REQUEST FOR HELP
Harward symbologist Professor Robert Langdon has petitioned the Vatican numerous times for access to their extensive collection of historical documents and each time his request has been denied. Further, Langdon's recent involvement in high profile Church "mysteries" regarding the true origins of Christ's lineage have not endeared him to the Vatican. However, in the Vatican's true time of need, Langdon may be the only one who can unravel this Illuminati mystery.


THE SEARCH FOR THE PATH
Built by Illuminati masters, the Path of Illumination is said to describe an ancient path through Rome leading to the Church of Illumination, a safe haven where Illuminati scientists and other intellectuals could gather without fear of persecution by the Church.



VATICAN CITY

VATICAN CITY
Vatican City has existed as a recognized city-state since the 1929. However, its roots in Christianity date back to the apostle Peter in the first century A.D. The city-state is ruled by an elected monarch, the Pope, who acts not only as the leader of Vatican City's 900 citizens, but as the spiritual guide for more than one billion Catholics worlwide.


THE PAPAL CONCLAVE
Fifteen days after the death of the Pope, Cardinals from across the globe convene in Vatican City for the sacred process of papal election called conclave. Conclave begins when the College of Cardinals lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel and sealing the doors behind them. After prayer and discussion, the cardinals cast their votes and do not break the seal on the doors again until a new Pope has been elected.

Sometimes the decision can be reached in a matter of hours. Other times, the process can take days or weeks. After each round of voting, the ballots are burned to signal to those waiting outside the conclave's progress. Black smoke means a decision is still pending. White smoke means a new Pope has been elected.


THE CAMERLENGO
The Camerlengo is the Pope's chamberlain and responsible for overseeing administrative matters and fiscal responsibilities for the Holy See. And at the time of the Pope's death, the Camerlengo supervises the Pope's funeral.

During this mourning period, normally a time of prayer and reflection, the Camerlengo is in charge of the office of the Pope. But when news of the Illuminati's return reaches Vatican City, the Camerlengo must take matters into his own hands to protect the Church.


THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD
The Pontifical Swiss Guard has served the Pope and Vatican City for more than 500 years. Dressed in brightly colored Renaissance-themed uniforms, the Swiss Guard stand out, even in crowded St. Peter's Square. But discretion isn't a concern for the Vatican bodyguards. Expertly trained, members serve a higher calling: the protection of the Pope.

Members must be single, Catholic men with Swiss citizenship, and be taller than 5'8". For much of the twentieth century, the Swiss Guard was largely ceremonial. But since the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in 1981, there has been a greater emphasis on military and security training, which they will need when the Illuminati reappear and threaten Vatican City.



THE CRISIS

VITTORIA VETRA
For decades, antimatter was just a theory posed by particle physicists to explain "inconsistencies" in the universe. Skeptics ignored the idea, accusing its supporters of changing the laws of the universe to explain their own scientific methods. All of that changed when scientist Vittoria Vetra created the first controlled samples of antimatter in her lab.

With her life's work being used as a weapon, she must now race to prevent a catastrophe at the Vatican.


THE SEARCH
The Path of Illumination is comprised of four landmarks with hidden markers that lead followers to the next stop along the path. At the end of the Path is the Church of Illumination, secret meeting place of the Illuminati. These markers represent the four Altars of Science: earth, air, fire and water.


CERN
Based near Geneva, CERN is one of the world's premiere scientific research laboratories. Created in 1954, it houses the world's largest particle physics facility where scientists and engineers seek to understand the Laws of Nature.

CERN grabbed headlines in September 2008 with the first tests of its Large Hadron Collider, an underground tunnel spanning more than 17 miles under Switzerland and France. Once fully operational, CERN will be able to replicate the moment of Creation or what's referred to as the "big bang". While proponents of CERN see this research as an opportunity for scientific advancement, many religious groups have condemned the lab of "playing God".



A HIDDEN THREAT

THE ILLUMINATI
Shrouded in mystery for nearly 500 years, The Illuminati began in the 1600's as a secret society of scientists, artists, architects and doctors whose theories and discoveries put them at odds with the dominant Catholic Church. For fear of persecution, members of the Illuminati, which means "enlightened ones", meet in secret while publicly growing in influence and stature by quietly infiltrating governments and major institutions.


REVENGE FOR LA PURGA
The forces of science and faith clashed in the 17th century when astronomer Galileo Galilei declared his findings that the sun, not the earth, is at the center of the galaxy. Church leaders scoffed at his blasphemous claims that God would design a universe without man at the center.

Galileo's discoveries and the theories of other scientists created friction between Vatican City and the scientific community. As a warning to others, the church apprehended four scientists and branded them on the chest with the symbol of the cross to "purge them of their sins" before publicly executing them. Despite significant strides toward reconciliation, the Illuminati never forgot the actions or message of that day.


THE UNKNOWN ASSASSIN
We will destroy your four pillars,
We will brand your preferiti and sacrifice them on the altars of science,
Then bring your church down upon you, Vatican City will be consumed by light,
A shining star at the end of the Path of Illumination.




DO VOTE FOR ME PLEASE!!!
1. Click HERE
2. Please leave a comment at that post with REAL e-mail address. Also please copy and paste this url "http://specialscreening.blogspot.com/2009/04/angels-demons-sequel-to-da-vinci-code.html" at your comment.

eg.
"I vote for this blog post - http://specialscreening.blogspot.com/2009/04/angels-demons-sequel-to-da-vinci-code.html"

Thank you so much for taking time to read this and I hope you like it... (",)

I need all the help I can get to win this.


I'm so excited to go watch "ANGELS & DEMONS" this coming May. Facts and fictions make me richer, but MOVIE completes the picture.

~ Hidden beauty with a hint of mystery; buck up your seatbelt as we travel, where secrets would be unravelled. ~

Advertlets Presents a Special Screening Of Angels & Demons (The Sequel to The Da Vinci Code!)
This May, Advertlets brings you one of the most anticipated movies of the year - the sequel to The Da Vinci Code - Angels & Demons. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. He is shocked to find proof that the legendary secret society, the Illuminati – dedicated since the time of Galileo to promoting the interests of science and condemning the faith of Catholicism – is alive, well, and murderously active.

Angels & Demons Movie Details:
Genre – Thriller
Cast – Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor,
Ayelet Zurer
Director – Ron Howard
Based on the bestseller by Dan Brown (Da Vinci Code)

Screening Details

Movie: Angels and Demons
Media: Advertlets
Date: 12th May (Thurs)
Time: 8.30pm (Ticket Collection)
Venue: Cathay Cineplex Damansara
Hall: 9 (200 seats)

* Yes, you get to watch it TWO days before the world premiere! Please note that security checks may be enforced and you may need to keep your handphone/cameras in storage before entering the movie hall.

How Do I Get Tickets?
A pair of tickets each (that’s two tickets) would be given to the first 75 Bloggers who write a post up in their site how badly they want to watch Angels and Demons before everyone else! The written post MUST link to this post. 25 Tickets are reserved for Advertlets Titan bloggers & guests.

That’s Not All…What Awaits the Blogger Of The Best Blog Post?
The Grand Prize of Sony Cyber-shot™ Skinny-T worth RM 1299 (excellent for camwhoring) to be given away for the blogger with the best page entry (blog page) which encompasses all the ambigrams from the movie: Earth, Air, Water, Fire and the Illuminati Diamond. The best entry would be based on the highest number of votes from their blog readers. And of course, the best entry wins the camera and the limited edition long sleeve shirts! You can download the ambigrams (get both!).

PS: If you can do the math, you have a 1 in 75 chance of winning. Not bad eh?

To Win, Get Your Blog Readers To Vote For You!
Get your blog readers to vote for you by leaving a comment in this post (yes, this post!), with their REAL e-mail address. Your blog reader’s comments should include the blog URL of the person they wish to vote for (so if it’s you, your blog URL must be mentioned by them). Only verified e-mail addresses will be counted.

The Prizes

Grand Prize:
1 x Sony Cyber-shot™ Skinny-T worth RM 1299
1 x Limited Edition Angels and Demons Long Sleeve shirts for Him and Her worth RM 600 each

Door Gift (everyone who attends the screening gets these!)
200 x Limited Edition Angels and Demons Ambigram Tattoos worth RM 10 each

Terms & Conditions / Eligibility
- Bloggers must be registered Advertlets Bloggers serving Advertlets ads throughout the duration of the contest in order to win the Grand Prize.
- Only votes from blog commentators with valid e-mail addresses will be counted
- The Grand Prize winner will be presented the prize at the screening itself. If the Grand Prize winner is not present at the screening, the prize will be given to the Blogger who has the second highest number of votes.
- Contest ends 12PM, 10 May 2009. No comments after that date and time will be counted into the tally.
- The winner will be contacted via e-mail.

So, what are you waiting for? We look forward to you joining us!