With 123 years of history, the French Open has a lot of stories and memories behind it. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable moments that have come about with the French Open.

1891

This was the very first French Open and it was only open to men. They had to be members of the French club. However, the first winner, H. Briggs, was a tennis player from Britain that happened to be living in Paris at the time. 

1897

Only a few years later, women were allowed to compete in the French Open. Adine Masson was the first winner.

YouTube posted their top ten videos of 2012, and while many people may agree with the ones that made the list, there are plenty of worthy videos that didn’t quite make the top. Here’s a look at some that just missed out.

Tired of the Elections

A cute little girl expressed what many people felt during the elections, when she cried and said it was because she was tired of the candidates. Of course, she added her own twist on the names. When asked if that was what she was crying about, she emphatically said it was. 

Magic Arms

For an inspirational video that will tug at your heart strings, this one is about a little girl with a rare disease that left her unable to move her arms.

The post-season history of the NHL is a rich one to say the least. And iconic moments, drive those games and their key players. Here are the top ten NHL playoff performances of all time, as reported by ESPN.

Flyers Keith Primeau, 2000 conference semifinals

In the third-longest game in NHL history, Primeau made the final shot in the fifth overtime for the win against the Penguins.

Sid Smith, 1949 Stanley Cup finals

In the 1949 Stanley Cup finals, Smith was the only player to score three power-play goals in a single game. Smith and his Maple Leafs crew went on to soundly defeat the Red Wings, sweep the rest of the playoffs, and earn their third straight Stanley Cup.

If you’re a musician, forming a band may sound like the ultimate dream. However, this is often more difficult than it sounds, especially if you are looking for longevity and fame. Here are some tips to help you do it right the first time.

Get the Right People

It’s essential that everyone who is a member of the band share a common goal. This may include signing a record deal, touring across the country, or it may be that everyone just wants to play locally. Besides a common goal, members should share a love for the same kind of music, since you will be playing it night after night.

It’s also helpful to find musicians with the same level of talent so that they don’t become frustrated with others who are still learning. You can put up flyers for local musicians or post on websites to find the talent you need.

For many baseball fans, a trip to the stadium is as much a part of summer tradition as barbeques and ice cream cones. The taste of peanuts and ballpark hot dogs and the sounds of the crowd cheering for a home run are always anticipated no matter how old you are. However, there are a few stadiums that are worth the trip itself. Here’s a look at some of the best if you get the chance this year.

Kauffman Stadium

Home to the Kansas City Royals, the Kauffman stadium was built back in the 1970’s and has a unique design to it that isn’t seen anywhere else. The outfield fountains are a thing of beauty and the giant crown will catch your attention. While the team may not impress with their playing, their stadium makes the trip worthwhile. 

Dodger Stadium

The home of the Los Angeles Dodgers is simple with an elegant backdrop at twilight with the San Gabriel Mountains off in the distance. With that kind of natural decoration, what else could you need?

The great thing about March Madness is you never know who is going to end up in the Final Four. Of course, there are the predictions based on the season, but in the end you always have one or two upsets that change the results. There will always be a team everybody expects to make it that just has a bad game or a team nobody pays attention to that quietly moves its way to the top. Since almost everyone likes to root for the underdog, here’s a look at this year’s possibilities.

Colorado State Rams

The Rams play in a conference that fails to get as much attention as the others and is often overlooked. However, you will find some competitive teams that have the skill and potential to make it far during March Madness. The one to watch this year is the Colorado State Rams. They have a 21-4 record with 8-2 for conference play. With an average of 13 points per game, Colton Iverson will be a name to watch.

February is Black History Month, a month devoted to educating people of all races about the history of the culture, and to celebrate contributions made by great African-Americans. It brings awareness about the past, present, and future of this race, and emphasizes racial pride. Here are some ways to celebrate during the month.

Learn About the Past

Many people know about Martin Luther King, Jr., and his contribution to society, but numerous other black pioneers have paved the way for people to get to where they are today. Here’s a look at some of them and the mark they made on society.

-Booker T. Washington, the first African-American to be invited to the White House, was the director of Tuskegee Institute and pleaded for racial equality back in the 19th century.

-Hattie McDaniel, the first to win an Oscar, starred as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. She paved the way for people like Halle Berry, who was the first African-American to win Best Actress.

-Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon with many outstanding accomplishments, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008.

2012 was a landmark year for labor disputes in national sports, starting with the NFL’s replacement referee fiasco. Then, NHL owners locked out their own players while a contract agreement over pay raises and pensions was hammered out. After four months of rancor, the NHL owners and players finally signed a new collective bargaining agreement in the first week of January. But what does this mean for the NHL schedule? 

The Effects of the Strike

As a result of a contentious battle, the regular NHL season was delayed from its usual start in October, to sometime in mid- to late-January. Over 600 games were cancelled due to the lockout. The tentative start date of the new season is January 19, 2013.

Reportedly, massive losses were incurred by the hockey league as a result of the strike. “The league was a growing $3.3 billion business in 2011-12,” writes Jeff Klein of the New York Times, “but the lockout cost almost half a season, alienated fans and sponsors and, according to [Commissioner Gary] Bettman’s estimate, cost $18 million to $20 million a day in lost revenue.”

You may be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of “Gangnam Style.” The Korean pop superstar Psy took the U.S. by storm with his YouTube video, a mash up of pop music and dance. This holiday season, one Texas homeowner took to re-creating the “Gangnam Style” video in his holiday decorations. 

John Storms’ home in Austin is a high-tech musical light show synchronized to the YouTube sensation. With over 25,000 lights covering his home and property, Storms was inspired one day after his kids came home from working out and showed him the video. The rest is history.

“We have [lights] mounted all over the house,” Storms said. “Snowflakes, trees, strings of lights and icicle lights. We have those plugged into the light controllers, which turns the lights on and off in sequence to the music. When we play it back as part of a show, we have it hooked up to an FM transmitter. When we’re planning on having a lights show, we put a sign in the yard that says tune into the station and listen in.”

By Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

When you hear Christmas music, it somehow helps to put you in the spirit of the holiday season. Here’s a look at some of the best new songs to add to your collection.

Lady Antebellum, On This Winter’s Night

The country trio has managed to get in the spotlight at almost every awards show with their songs, and now they bring a new flavor to traditional holiday classics. You’ll enjoy songs such as Silver Bells and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas along with new arrangements on other classics such as Silent Night.

Blake Shelton, Cheers, It’s Christmas

This is another country singer who has received worldwide popularity due to his role as a mentor on The Voice. This album is his first Christmas CD and he has invited guests Michael Buble, Kelly Clarkson, and his wife, Miranda Lambert, to guest star on some of the songs. He includes a balance of sentimental classics and new songs.

There have been some big hits this year at the box office. With movies like The Avengers, The Amazing Spider Man, The Dark Knight Rises, and Brave, there have been plenty of reasons to go to the theater this year. However, there have been some movies that weren’t worth seeing or that you wish you hadn’t bothered to see. For those who might be wondering, here’s a list of some of the biggest flops of the year.

Battleship

While it did end up with a respectable worldwide gross, the movie did not do what its $210 million budget expected. It only grossed $65 million in the U.S., proving that if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s not worth the bother.  

Dark Shadows

This is one of two movies from Tim Burton this year that did not do as well as expected. The movie was an adaptation of the classic soap opera, but it only made $80 million in the U.S. with a budget almost twice that amount. Most people would expect a Johnny Depp and Tim Burton alliance to be a major hit.

Disney’s chairman Robert Iger announced the company’s plan to buy Lucasfilms for $4.05 billion. This is not the first time the company has spent that kind of money. In 2010, they purchased Marvel and made their money back quickly with The Avengers. With the adoring fans of Star Wars, the success of this purchase is likely, too.

The Future of Star Wars

A movie is already in progress and is slated to be released in 2015. There are plans to follow up with a new movie every 2 to 3 years after that.  

This is not the first time Disney has worked with George Lucas and his company. They have a Star Wars ride at several of the parks, which has recently been updated with the help of Lucas. 

It is expected that the revenue for Lucasfilms will increase as Disney looks to expand the brand, especially in gaming. It will also provide Disney with another outlet for toys for boys. 

It’s not too early to begin thinking about Christmas, and for the music lover on your list, you have several music box sets that will be hits. Here is a list of some of the best to choose from.

The Beatles Box Set: Re-mastered in Stereo, The Beatles in Mono

This is a full catalogue of songs from 1963 to 1966 on Part 1, and 1967 to 1970 on Part 2. Since they aren’t available on iTunes, you have to get them the old-fashioned way. The combination of mono and stereo for the box sets will make them the perfect gift for everyone.

Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out – The Rolling Stones in Concert 40^th Anniversary

This is the ideal gift for the rockers who have settled down with families and normal jobs. They can relive their adventurous days with the music of their youth. This box set features the concert in 1969 from Madison Square Garden and includes music by the opening acts, BB King and Ike and Tina Turner.  

With the NBA, what happens in the off-season can often determine much of what will happen during the season. Big moves, like the acquisition of Dwight Howard for the LA Lakers, could have a big impact, while other trades may not be as relevant until the season begins. But the experts have made their predictions, based on what they’ve seen and what they think will happen this season.

Denver Nuggets

Now that the Nuggets have Andre Iguodala, they have the potential to explode in the upcoming season. Last year, they managed to get to the playoffs, and they’re a much better team this season. As great as Iguodala will be for the team, you cannot overlook Wilson Chandler and Ty Lawson. As the first player ever to make all of his first 10 attempts at 3-pointers in starting a game, Ty Lawson has real potential to be an outstanding point guard for the team.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs already had an outstanding season last year with a record of 50-16, and there’s no reason to believe things will change this year. They were second in points per game last season, showing that their offense was serious. With Tony Parker leading the way after being 9^th in points and assists last year, we can expect them to have another great season in 2012.

The deadline of midnight, Saturday, September 15^th, has come and gone, and NHL players are locked out for the second time in a decade. It’s the third time that a lockout has occurred under Commissioner Gary Bettman. This is a trend that began with the NFL in their 2011 offseason, and continued with the NBA when they reduced their regular season in 2011-2012.

No sport has lost as many games to a lockout as hockey though. In fact, it’s the only sport to lose an entire season to a lockout; the 2004-2005 season. It was the first time the Stanley Cup had not been handed out since 1919.

What to Do with the Money

The main issue is what should happen with the increase in revenue. It has grown from $2.1 billion to $3.3 billion, but owners want to cut the amount they pay out in salaries. The players agreed to a cut last time to end the lockout; they don’t want to do it again.

Right now, the payout is at 57 percent and the owners want to drop that to between 47 and 49 percent. Their original intention was a reduction to 43 percent, but players are only willing to drop to 53 percent, causing a huge gap in negotiations.

In June 2012, the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) and the NFL failed to reach an agreement on collective bargaining rights. Since then, the NFL locked out the association referees and hired replacement referees. Meanwhile, the NFLRA filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

The August Memo

On August 29, the NFL sent out a notice to the 32 teams in the league that all games during Week 1 of the 2012-2013 season would be officiated by replacement referees. During the preseason, replacement referees officiated the football games. The replacement referees, many of whom have officiated at only the high school and college levels, are not qualified, says Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO. 

Negotiations between the two organizations are deadlocked. The central issue of the dispute concerns referee pensions and compensation. In 2006, the NFLRA reached an agreement with the NFL on a benefits program. The referees want to extend their pension program for another seven years, but the league insists on replacing the 2006 agreement with a 401(k) package valued at $16,000 to $22,000. Additionally, the referees association is insisting on better pay and fair compensation for full-time referees. The NFL would like to have a larger pool of referee crews, expanding the current number from 17 to 20, and wants referees in full-time positions. Over 90 percent of NFLRA referees want to remain part-time so they can keep their existing full-time jobs.

Michael J. Fox, an actor famous for his roles in the Back to the Future series as well as ABC’s sitcom “Family Ties,” is coming back to television. In 1991, Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and in the early 2000s he went into semi-retirement to battle the disease. As of August 2012, NBC’s head of entertainment Bob Greenblatt gave the green signal to a new show – as yet untitled – starring Fox in a 22-episode sitcom. 

Comedic Twist on Parkinson’s

The new show starring Fox will be loosely based on his life coping with Parkinson’s and finding a balance between work and personal life. Fox will star as a husband and father of three living in New York City. Fox has long been a celebrity favorite, even though he’s been out of the limelight for the major part of the last decade. There is no doubt that fans will be rooting for the success of the show and will be curious to get an inside peak into the life of someone with Parkinson’s. 

Although no other cast members have been announced, writer Sam Laybourne is reported as one of the show’s scriptwriters. Laybourne has a name for offbeat comedy, penning scripts for the cult hit Arrested Development and producing Cougar Town. The director and executive producer for the new series will be Will Gluck, who in the past two years has directed hit comedies Easy A and Friends with Benefits.

If you plan to have a pool party, you may want to look at dressing up your back yard. Recreate the feel of an island resort paradise without spending a lot of time or money. You will have a party that is talked about for months and fondly remembered when the winter snow has arrived.

Use Items You Have on Hand

Look around the house for some fun-colored towels and roll them up. Place them around the pool where they will be useful for guests getting out of the water. They will add pops of color in different places.

Bright flowers in a vase, whether they are real or artificial, work as a great centerpiece. You can always pick up a few at your local craft store for just a few dollars if you don’t have any on hand. A single flower floating in a bowl also adds an island feel. For evening entertainment, votives with candles lined along the pool add a festive touch.

Get out your kid’s sand bucket, wash it up, and serve candy or sodas in it. Any brightly-colored plates, napkins, or plastic ware that you have on hand will be perfect for a pool party. Go for blues, yellows, oranges, and greens to feel really festive.

Several athletes set new records at the 2012 Olympics, which is not unusual because very often someone emerges as the best in the history of their sport. But this year’s feat, with Michael Phelps as the most gold-decorated athlete in the history of the Olympics, leaves you to wonder, “Does that mean he’s the best?” To put things in perspective and to remind everyone that we have always had some heroes to look up to, here are a few of the best.

Carl Lewis

No list of top Olympic athletes is complete without his name. Lewis has 10 medals, 9 of which were gold in track and field. His first Olympics in 1984 saw him take four gold medals. Almost a decade later in 1992, he got his final medals in long jump and relay.

Jesse Owens

There would be no Lewis without Jesse Owens. He paved the way for future stars back in 1936 with four gold medals. In 1935, he set 6 world records in one day, including one that would last for the next quarter century.

Pop albums come and go, but the list of best-selling albums of 2012 thus far proves that some industry stalwarts, pop divas, and kings who sell millions of records year after year, are going to make their mark on culture long past their heyday. Here are the top ten best-selling albums for this year. 

1. Adele “21”

The sophomore album from the soulful British singer Adele combines heartache with artistic maturity. The album has been well-received by critics, offering “the best of Aretha Franklin’s old-school soul with Lauryn Hill’s sass and sense of cynical modern femininity,” wrote one reviewer. The album was released in early 2011, but remains the best-selling album in the United States and the United Kingdom, selling 1 million or more copies of three different songs in the first quarter of 2012. 

2. Lionel Richie “Tuskegee”

It’s been over 25 years since Lionel Richie released a chart-topping album. “Tuskegee” celebrates a long career in the music industry, featuring re-recordings of greatest hits and guest appearances from the likes of country all-stars Willie Nelson, Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, among many others. The album has sold almost 1 million copies, with the hit single “Endless Love” featuring Shania Twain topping Adult Contemporary charts. 

Stand-up comedy is a revered form of art, and one of the most difficult to master. Many comedians have failed in their attempts, while experts have stood the test of time. Here is a list of 10 stand-up comedy specials that could serve as a master class for future comedians.

Kathy Griffin Allegedly

Kathy Griffin may be controversial when placed in the same category as legends like George Carlin, but no one can argue her uniqueness. This one-of-a-kind style has made her a household name. Her comedy special, Allegedly, poked fun at Hollywood’s obsession with status. She says that she never prepares her lines ahead of time, and it’s that unplanned character that puts her in the moment and makes her a star.

Richard Prior Live in Concert 1978

In this show, Prior lays out everything in his life in plain view for the audience. He talks about his drug use, his run-ins with the police, and his relationship with his wife, in blunt honesty. He brings up racial issues with the same kind of directness that he does with everything else in his life. This show would establish him as a comedian to be remembered, as he broke all of the barriers between him and the audience.

As Californians bask in the afterglow of the Kings' first, historic Stanley Cup victory, It's fun to reflect on the greatest moments in Stanley Cup Playoff history…

Game 3 1975

Not every memorable moment happens because of an excellent shot or block. Sometimes, it can be the outside influences of the game that has people talking the next day. Such was the case with the third game of the playoffs in 1975. The Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres were competing for the cup and played in extreme fog conditions. The fog was so thick that fans couldn’t see the players at all.

The fog was not the only memorable part of the game. A bat came down out of the rafters to fly over the players’ heads until Sabre Jim Lorentz killed it with his stick. Ironically, even though the Sabres won that game, they went on to lose amidst talk of the curse of the bat.

You’ll hear those negative advisors telling you that you can’t take your two-year-old to a baseball game. Or, they’ll discourage the idea of packing up the family for an afternoon adventure at the ballpark. “You won’t have any fun,” they’ll tell you.  However, here are a few tips to help you prove them wrong.

Plan Ahead

Choose a game that will be fun and at a time of day that works for everyone in your family. A night game for a toddler might guarantee a meltdown by their normal bedtime. A weekend night game with a big rival will probably include some rowdy fans around you. Instead, think about the time of day when everyone will have the most fun. This is often a weekend afternoon or an early evening game.

Be sure to pack all supplies that you will need. This includes activities for small children and sunscreen for all. Pack some snacks to save money and keep you from spending all of your time in queues at various vendors.

Pick aisle seats so you can get in and out easily for bathroom breaks or to walk your young children around. It will be less embarrassing for you than if you have to excuse yourself constantly as you pass a long line of annoyed fans.

Any film critic (or hardcore movie buff) knows that the best films in any given year often come from other countries. However, foreign films require a level of concentration and intellectual investment that is often more trouble than it's worth. Here are six recent foreign films that are worth the work. 

Pan’s Labyrinth

Filmed in Mexico, this film is a story of Guillermo del Toro’s Spanish fable. It is set in 1944 during the Spanish civil war, when the stepdaughter of an army officer enters a captivating fantasy world. The cinematography is breathtaking and the story line is heartfelt, as the young girl travels through another world to save her mother’s life.

City of God

This Brazilian film will touch many hearts. It is the story of two boys who grow up in a violent part of Rio de Janeiro, and the different paths they take. While one becomes a photographer, the other is a drug dealer. It demonstrates how a person can be shaped by their surroundings, or how they can overcome them. This film received 4 Oscar nominations in 2004, proving to be an unlikely masterpiece.

Has it been a while since you’ve been to a concert? Or are you planning your first ever concert experience? If you are wondering what to expect, it’s best to plan for the unexpected. Here are some tips to help you have a blast.

Don’t Dress Up Too Much

Wear clothes and shoes that you wouldn’t mind getting dirty, muddy, or torn. While not all concerts allow moshing, you will often find someone shoving, pushing, or climbing on you. Your clothing may get the worst end of the experience.

Carry Only Cash

You never know when there will be pickpockets hanging around. Concerts are a prime place for them to find targets, since everyone is busy enjoying the music. It would be impossible to hear or see anything while everyone is pushing and bumping each other. You will probably never notice when and how your purse or wallet disappeared. Limit the damage by leaving credit cards at home.

For aspiring filmmakers and enlightened film buffs, film festivals are the greatest showcase of undiscovered talent. Whether you’re looking to be the next Quentin Tarantino or a New York Times film critic, participating in film festivals can present many opportunities, like being recognized for your talents and jump-starting your career. If you’re looking for exposure, opportunity, and networking, here are the top ten festivals to attend where you can meet Hollywood producers, professionals, celebrities and industry bigwigs. 

1. Cannes Film Festival 

Every summer in Côte d'Azur, the film festival at Cannes caters to the very best of the international cinema scene. Amid celebrity glamour, there is a feverish atmosphere as the festival showcases upscale international films, auterist Hollywood films and re-releases of classics.

2. Sundance Film Festival

Perhaps the most popular festival, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the U.S. and takes place in Park City, Utah. Promising young talent submit features, documentaries, animated and short films to be showcased at the event where top film executives shop around for the next “it” project. 

Hot summer nights bring out some amazing concerts, and 2012 is no exception. It is the year of reunions and returns to tour. While today’s hottest stars are gearing up for a long summer, some of the most memorable tours might just be the veterans that come back to show everyone how it’s done.

A Night at the Beach

The ultimate summer band, the Beach Boys, are set to begin their 50^th anniversary tour with 50 dates. The tour starts on April 24^th in New Orleans. You will hear all of their classics, such as ‘Barbara Ann’ and ‘Good Vibrations’, along with new material that was written just for this tour. This promises to be one of the hottest tickets for the year.

The Material Girl Comeback

It is sure to be one of the most talked about concert events of the year. Madonna gave fans at the Super Bowl half-time show a taste of what they could expect when they see her on tour this summer, as she promotes her new album, MDNA. It has already made it to the number 1 spot on the charts, giving her a number 1 album in 3 out of 4 decades.

For movie and TV fans, there’s nothing more exciting than discovering new talent and watching well-deserved success unfold right before your eyes. These young stars are poised to have a breakout year. Here are the actors to watch in 2012.

Mackenzie Foy

This 11-year old star debuted on the silver screen with Breaking Dawn: Part 1, of the Twilight trilogy. Formerly a child model for Guess, Ralph Lauren, and Gap, Foy takes on the challenge of playing Renesmee Cullen, the vampire child who can read thoughts through her touch. While she had a small role in this film, she’ll have a better opportunity to show off her acting chops in Part 2, due in November.

Andrew Garfield

Garfield is recognized by his stellar performance in last year’s The Social Network, but this year he’s taken on the title role for The Amazing Spider-man. The 3-D film will follow Peter Parker’s high school transformation into Spider-man. Garfield knows it will be a challenge to fill the shoes of Tobey Maguire, the previous star of the web-slinging superhero. Garfield, however, wants “to make it authentic. To make the character live and breathe in a new way.” 

If you are looking for some humor to lighten your day, here are 5 of the funniest podcasts that you will enjoy listening to, over and over.

The Adam Carolla Podcast

You’ve seen him on Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Apprentice. Even if you didn’t already know who he was, you could tell he was a comedian by his quick wit and off-the-wall comments. If you want to see him in his original environment, tune into his podcast.

The show has become one of the most downloaded podcasts on iTunes and features several comedian guests.

The Nerdist

The premise of this show by Chris Harwick is about nerdy things, like video games, movies, and technology. This podcast is popular owing to the celebrity guests and the relaxed, entertaining interviews that Harwick conducts. Former guests of note include Drew Carey, Ozzy Osbourne, and Rob Zombie. The first guest on the podcast was Adam Savage.

Major league baseball has become a pitcher’s game, and most experts will agree that you can’t win divisions without excellent starting pitching. Several teams boast a great lineup that will put them in possible contention in the 2012 season. Here is a quick look at some of the best.

While it is important to have four or five good pitchers in your starting lineup, it is preferred to have at least one superstar on staff. No team has taken home the ultimate prize without an ace pitcher since 2005.

St Louis Cardinals

The loss of Albert Pujols, and the addition of a new rookie manager, makes some people wonder if the Cardinals stand any chance in the 2012 season. Nonetheless, the World Champions have a solid pitching lineup, and it is projected that they will start Carpenter, Wainwright, Garcia, Lohse, and Miller. If everyone can stay healthy, they may have a shot. 

Wainwright missed all of last season, so all eyes will be on him. Carpenter became their ace, leading them to the World Series and pitching outstanding games in the post season. Garcia is expected to have a breakout year after his improvement through the 2011 season.

It was a decade of variety in music, as American Idol became popular and younger generations became famous, while older artists still turned out albums for their fans. Here is a list of ten most popular albums from that decade.

The College Dropout

This was the debut album of Kanye West, the beginning of an incredible career. He took rap to a whole new level and introduced a new group of fans. He combined hip hop and R&B with rap to create a new sound that was unique and popular.

Stankonia

This album by Outkast was released in 2000. The album was their edgiest, and it gave a fresh look to hip hop. The music was fun while the lyrics could often be serious.

Modern Times

With this album, Bob Dylan showed that he was still a force to be reckoned with. The songs kept with his unique style and could have been hits from any part of his career. It proved that if something is great, it doesn’t matter what else is popular.

In the recent Grammy broadcast, pop star Adele stole the show, winning numerous awards for her album 21. Hers' was an unusually meteoric rise to critical acclaim, but generally the Grammys recognize artists with distinguished careers, who have been accumulating accolades for several years. Here are five stars set to release albums in 2012 that could steal the show in 2013. 

Green Day

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard something new from Green Day, but they have started recording their new album. There isn’t a release date set, but they have plenty of material to choose from. They have played 15 new songs in their recent live shows, so it is anticipated that we may get to see something new before the year is gone.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys has been working on her fifth album, which is expected to be completed sometime in the early part of the year. She’s already won a Grammy for her album Songs in A Minor, so it wouldn’t be out of the question for her to take home another one.

The Killers

The Killers exploded onto the scene in 2004 with their first album Hot Fuss, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Album. It’s been four years since we’ve seen anything new from them, but they have promised a new album by the end of 2012. Maybe they can take home that Grammy with the new album. Their two-year hiatus has made their fans anxious for new music.

Basketball fans from everywhere look forward to the Slam Dunk contest during the NBA All-Star Saturday Night. It can be exciting to watch players compete for the title. Here is a list of some of the best slam dunks in the history of the competition.

Gerald Green

Back in 2007, Green put on a Boston Brown jersey and landed a slam dunk over the head of Nate Robinson. Green was also a runner up in the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk contest. He won McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest in 2005. He plays for the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA Development League.

Dwight Howard

Ousting Green for the 2008 title was the center for Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard. He has been a six-time All-Star and has helped his team win three division titles and a conference title. He has been named the Defensive Player of the Year three times.

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival took place in Park City, Utah, from January 19th to 29th. The festival selects and showcases the best short films. Submissions come from all over the world, and this year there were over 7,000 submissions. Each year the festival highlights the best new voices in independent film. 

Drama

Dramatic, documentary, and international films are the three genres featured at the Sundance Film Festival. The dramatic films that received the most praise this year all had dark themes of disaster, violence, and illness in common. Beasts of the Southern Wild, a lyrical film that followed the narrative of a defiant family after a devastating flood, was amongst the most loved films of the festival. It received the award for Dramatic Cinematography as well as the Grand Jury Prize for Dramatic Competition. Another crowd pleaser, The Surrogate, starred John Hawkes as a polio victim who hires a sex surrogate to take his virginity. This film won the audience’s choice award and the prize for ensemble acting. The award for dramatic director went to Ava DuVernay for her film Middle of Nowhere, which follows the personal crisis of an African American woman and her marriage to an incarcerated man. 

For many people, the best part of yesterday's Super Bowl were the ads. Over the years, some of the greatest ads in advertising history have taken place on Super Bowl Sunday. Here's a look at some of the all-time greats.

Apple 1984 “1984” Commercial

In a time when Apple wasn’t a household name and people weren’t attached to their iPods, iPads, and Mac computers, Apple had to actually run commercials to raise their brand awareness. This is considered one of the most inventive commercials of all time. It emulates the classic novel 1984, but then shatters that image both literally and figuratively. The commercial even had a superstar director, Ridley Scott, who directed the movie Blade Runner. In the tradition of Apple’s other famous unveilings, Apple ends the commercial by saying, “On January 24^th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like “1984.”

Tensions run high when the stakes are great, but sometimes, they boil over. That’s when fans witness the craziest sports brawls. Here are the top five craziest scuffles of all time.

5. WNBA Fight Between Detroit and Los Angeles

Men aren’t the only ones who can play basketball, and they aren’t the only ones who can fight, either. Getting in the middle of two fighting people almost never ends well, and sure enough, the person who tried to, got hurt. Pearson and Parker got tangled up, but Ford was the one taken away in a wheelchair.

4. Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche 1997 Fight

There are many epic hockey brawls, but this one makes the list since it involved years of frustration being unleashed all at once. The Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings have long been bitter rivals. However, on March 26, 1997, tensions boiled over and the players did what they sometimes do best. Forsberg started the fight, but then other players just jumped in and started fighting. The referees tried to do what they could, but at a certain point the players just flew across the ice at one another. Patrick Roy got into the action and was immediately bloodied by Mike Vernon. 

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! Today, we celebrate the courage and vision of one of our nation's greatest leaders. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminds us as Americans that our democracy is a constant work in progress, and that we all have the opportunity and obligation to deliver the American Dream to future generations. 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day website encourages citizens to make their day off a day of service. You probably know that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, but you may not know these ten little-known facts about the famous civil rights leader.

1. His name was originally recorded as Michael King on his birth certificate. The mistake was discovered by his family in 1934. His name was officially changed to Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. King sang with his church choir in Atlanta at the gala premiere of Gone With the Wind in 1939.

3. He entered Morehouse College at the age of 15. He skipped the 9^th and 12^th grade, which allowed him to enter college early. He went on to earn Bachelor’s degrees in sociology and theology. He also earned a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Boston University in 1955.

While watching some of the great movies in theaters, you may have seen a preview for one of these hotly anticipated new films. You will want to be sure to mark your calendars and catch these movies when they come out. 

The Hunger Games

March 23, 2012

The challenge for any fantastical movie based on a well-received book is to live up to the expectations of the fans. This movie takes on a difficult challenge to show the dystopia that was so skilfully thought out by author Suzanne Collins. Katniss Everdeen takes her sister’s place as a tribute in The Hunger Games, a game that is played to the death by young adults from different districts. So far, critics and fans alike have been complimentary of the trailer and the casting. The balance between the poor districts and the opulent and futuristic Capitol appears to be true to the book. Jennifer Lawrence will take on the role of Katniss, while Woody Harrelson and Stanley Tucci make excellent choices to play Haymitch Abernathy and Caesar Flickerman.

Critics and listeners have taken off their headphones and spoken about their favorite albums from this year. The best music of 2011 shows just how subjective and diverse the listening experience is for people. The lists of the best music from this year also reflect the changing landscape of music. More and more listeners are listening to music for free (legally) thanks to musicians who self-release their albums for free and applications like Spotify, which came to the U.S. in 2011. Here are the eleven best albums of 2011, presented in alphabetical order:

21 by Adele

Adele released her highly anticipated follow-up to 19, and 21 lived up to the hype. Her beautiful voice and sweet songs have made her a hit. Both of her albums have been named after the age she was when the songs were written.

Bon Iver by Bon Iver

Bon Iver’s songs have crossover power that makes them appealing to those who love Indie Rock and modern Rock. The album has great instrumentation and full of heart that sounds fresh.

If you aren’t quite in the holiday spirit yet, here are the top ten Christmas movies of all time that will put you in a great mood.  

1. It’s a Wonderful Life

This one is at the very top of the list for being the most loved and most watched movie according to the national media. If you’ve watched it, you know why it’s such a winner; if you haven’t, prepare to be enchanted from the beginning to the heart-warming end. Fans of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed count on this Christmas classic as a treasured and integral part of their holiday experience.

2. Miracle on 34^th Street

This movie is a time honored treasure on Thanksgiving Day; it opens with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and follows the journey to Christmas. It stars Maureen O’Hara as a divorced mom with a young daughter, Natalie Wood, the mysteriously wonderful Kris Kringle, and a supporting cast of helpful co-workers and friends.

In any other season, the most logical place to find your favorite NBA stars would be on a basketball court making big plays. However this season, you will have to look harder to find them. The NBA lockout is in its fourth month now, and isn’t showing any signs of abating. Over the summer, this didn’t matter too much. But now that people are gearing up to see their teams in action and the regular season is creeping in, it is starting to matter. The NBA has canceled the pre-season, and said that they would cancel the first two weeks of the regular season if an agreement isn’t reached soon.

Everyone involved with the NBA is trying to resolve the big issues related to the lockout, but negotiations don’t seem to be going very far. Owners and players keep battling it out, pointing fingers at who they think is the problem, and who is making more money. Big name players have started showing up for negotiations, which shows that they are ready to play. A ratified agreement is needed on the issues of Basketball Related Income (BRI) and salary cap structure before players can take their place on the court again. Until this happens, everybody in the NBA is looking for new opportunities.

New NBA rookies may be in the tightest spot when it comes to the lockout. If they have already signed with the NBA out of college, they are no longer eligible to play with their college team. But, they are not able to play in the NBA, or make the big salaries that can sustain them through rough patches like these. Andrew Goudelock who signed with the Lakers is one such player. Now he is continuing his coursework towards a sociology degree at the College of Charleston. Darius Morris is a Lakers rookie making a slightly higher salary than he’s done in the past. He is close to signing a sponsorship deal with Nike. 

Having trouble keeping up with the NBA lockout? Here’s what you need to know. 

The last lockout was in 1998, when the players were locked out and several games were cancelled.  More than thirty games passed that season before the players were back on the court.  Some sports experts believe the 2011-2012 NBA season faces a similar fate.

Surprisingly, this lockout has been expected for the past two or three years.  Despite numerous proposals, counter-proposals, and in-person meetings, the dispute between the team owners and players regarding the pursuit of a new collective bargaining agreement continues.  The problem causing so much drama?  Disagreement between the team owners and the athletes about how to share more than $4 billion annually (what a problem to have!).  The basketball league would like to place a cap on the amount of money athletes can earn.  The players turned down a guaranteed $2 billion per year for the next ten years.  It makes one wonder:  how much more do they need?

Who loses?   

If the NBA lockout continues into the regularly scheduled season, it’s not just the professional athletes and team owners who will suffer.  Consider the hundreds of regular workers who will be negatively impacted.  Maintenance crews, arena attendants, concessions workers, and others will be out of work while the quiet war over money rages. 

Billions of people have lived on this planet we humbly call Earth.   Some of these people have lived fantastic lives, accomplished nearly impossible tasks, overcome insurmountable obstacles, and changed the world for the better.  These people merit a mention – discover five such people (actually four people and one dog) in these insightful biographies that have recently spent time on the list of Top 100 Best Selling Biographies by Amazon.com.  

1.  Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero

by Michael Hingson

It’s fitting that a biography related to the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 spend time on the list of bestselling biographies this year, the tenth anniversary of that tragic day the towers fell.  Patriots and dog-lovers alike will greatly enjoy this inspiring biography.

2.  Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

by Lauren Hillenbrand

As Fall quickly approaches, check out these DVD releases and snuggle in at home for a movie night.

Fast Five, October 4

If you’ve ever wondered who would win in a battle between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, your answer is in this movie.  This movie isn’t all about cars and action though.  The surprisingly sweet movie also looks at loyalties, family, and friends.  Rio de Janeiro has been getting lots of attention lately as it is the location for the 2016 Summer Olympics.  The distinctive landscape of Rio de Janeiro plays a prominent role in this movie as the characters jump over roofs, drive through the streets and look out over the ocean.  With the appearance of Han Seoul-Oh (Sung Kang), we know that this movie is prior to the third installment of the film, Tokyo Drift.  The teaser clip during the credits also assures us that there will indeed be a sixth Fast and the Furious movie.  Pick up this movie so you are up on all the juicy happenings before the new movie is released.

Friday Night Lights: The Complete Series, October 4

Friday Night Lights ended their TV series this summer, but you can catch the entire series when it comes out on DVD this fall.  This series is based on the book of the same name, which is also the basis of the 2004 movie.  The plot focuses on a Texas high school football team.  This series is about so much more than football though.  It is about people’s lives including all the pressures, romances, and social issues involved.  If you can’t get enough of Kyle Chandler (see Super 8 below), you will love seeing him as the high school football coach.  

The start of the NFL season is just hours away. If you only watch five games this weekend, here are the five you want to see. 

New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers

When the last two Super Bowl champions square off on opening weekend, you know it’s going to be a good one. When those two teams are led by Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees respectively, you know you could be in for a legendary game, characterized by some of the most complete quarterback play in the league. 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

If you love smashmouth football, this is the game for you. No two teams are more physical than the Steelers and Ravens. These teams have a bitter rivalry extending over a decade, and this year’s matchup looks particularly explosive. After a lockout, and a shortened preseason, these teams are anxious to lay down some big hits and set the tone for the 2011-12 season. 

The Fall television premiere schedule is quickly taking shape. Here’s everything you need to know about the season’s most eagerly anticipated premieres. 

Two and a Half Men

9/19 @ 9pm on CBS

In perhaps the most anticipated premiere of the season, Two and a Half Men will kill off Charlie Sheen’s character and introduce internet billionaire Walden Schmidt (played by Ashton Kutcher) as the show’s new lead. The premiere will have a few crossover cameo appearances from the stars of Big Bang Theory and Mike & Molly.

Monday Night Football 

9/12 @ 7pm ET on ESPN

This year’s Monday Night Football season kicks off with a double header. First, the Patriots will square off agains the Dolphins in Miami. Immediately after, the Raiders will face the Broncos in Denver. The opening week will feature many fascinating storylines.

Dan Uggla recently had his hitting streak snapped at 33 games--a full 23 games shy of the all-time mark set by Joe DiMaggio in 1941. With only 40 games left on most teams’ schedules this season, DiMaggio’s record is safe for another season. Each time another player reaches the 30-game mark, activating an inevitible frenzy, only to let everyone down just a few days later, it reminds us how epic DiMaggio’s streak is. Many analysts revere it as the most sacred and most improbable of all hitting records. But, why is 56 games such an impossible number? Researchers from Cornell University may have the answer.

The human brain is designed to locate patterns in random chains of information. For instance, if you get a headache each time you eat ice cream too quickly, you will correctly conclude that eating ice cream quickly leads to headaches, even if you have no idea why this is true. In sports, there is so much available information (the pitcher’s career performance, the hitter’s career performance, the pitcher’s pitch count, the umpire’s strike zone, etc.) that this pattern recognition is stretched to its breaking point. This is why we depend on statistical data to differentiate player performance in professional sports. Statistics serve to remind us of patterns we might otherwise forget or never see in the first place. Professional statisticians break down every conceivable data point into useful information. They know who has the best batting average with runners in scoring position after the 7th inning and which pitchers have trouble pitching at Wrigley Field during day games in August. This has always been an important part of baseball, even in DiMaggio’s day. 

Now the NFL lockout is over, teams are falling over themselves to sign new players and cut deals with each other. In the first few days of the preseason, we have already seen more deals than we typically see in several weeks. Here are some of the highlights. 

Randy Moss retires…for now

On Monday, Randy Moss abruptly retired, with a one-sentence statement from his agent: "Randy has weighed his options and considered the offers and has decided to retire." This announcement comes on the heels of reports that Moss was in the best shape of his career and was anxiously waiting the upcoming season. No one would be surprised if Moss reemerged from retirement at some point this season. 

Patriots acquire Chad Ochocinco

The Patriots have a reputation for turning around troubled stars like Randy Moss and Corey Dillon. This year, Chad Ochocinco will present one of the most challenging rehabilitation projects for Belichick. Ochocinco was acquired from the Bengals for two future draft picks. He is expected to fill the void left by Randy Moss. 

It's a great time to be a classic film lover. Through amazing digital re-mastering technology and new distribution formats, audiences are able to rediscover their favorite classic movies over and over again. Here are three fascinating box sets to help you fall in love with the cinema all over again. 

Alfred Hitchcock -- The Masterpiece Collection

Fourteen timeless Hitchock classics, including Psycho, The Birds, Rear Window, and Vertigo are included in this dazzling box set. The set also includes countless documentaries and special features, most notably, a humorous and revealing interview with the master of suspense himself.

Stanley Kubrick: Warner Home Video Directors Series

Perhaps no director lends himself to the box set format quite like Stanley Kubrick. With movies that are just as fun to talk about as they are to watch, Kubrick's box set is full of fascinating analyses and behind-the-scenes documentaries. This box set includes only five of Kubrick's films, but they are all noteworthy: 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, Full Metal Jacket, and The Shining.

J.K. Rowling’s imaginative series first debuted in 1997. Since then, Rowling has written six sequels, each one more popular than the one before. All seven books are available for purchase on a variety of formats including audiobooks. 
 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Movies

Each of the first six books has been made into a movie. The seventh book, ‘Deathly Hallows’ was split into two movies, the second of which debuts today. Each of the first seven movies is available on DVD. The final one is currently only available in theaters. 

The NFL labor dispute is expected to hit fever pitch in the coming weeks as players and owners rush to sign a deal, prior to the start of the NFL preseason. Here's a look at the key issues for each side. 

OWNERS WANT...

More money

Currently the NFL takes in over $9 billion of revenue per season. The first $1 billion is given to the owners for operating expenses. Nearly sixty per cent of the remaining $8 billion is given to the players. The owners would like to increase the amount of money taken up-front to $2 billion. Players would like to renew the existing agreement. 

A longer season

The owners would like to lengthen the regular season from sixteen to eighteen games, and eliminate two of the existing four preseason games. Players oppose this change on the basis that it will increase injuries and shorten player careers. 

Most people look at bungee jumpers and skydivers, and think they're crazy. But, some people view these activities to be as tame as mere gateway hobbies into the true adrenaline rushes. These people are in an elite class of crazy; constantly pushing the limits of the human body, and finding pleasure in cheating death. If falling out of a plane has lost its thrill, here are three hobbies that promise the ultimate adrenaline rush. 

Free climbing

If you are afraid of heights, free climbing is not for you. You know that scene in Mission Impossible 2 where Tom Cruise is hanging from a cliff by one arm? That's free climbing. While you are allowed to use both arms, free climbing differs from traditional mountain climbing in that you are not allowed to use any ropes or equipment. The most avid free climbers deliberately pick mountains with small and sparse footholds in an attempt to demonstrate their absolute lack of fear. A subset of free climbing is urban freestyle; climbing the sides of buildings and structures with no equipment.

Wingsuiting

Think falling out of a plane with a parachute is scary? Try doing it without one. That's what Wingsuiting is all about. Instead of using a parachute, the participant wears a suit made of the same material. 

The standard television season ends in mid-April, which means we are now entering the dreaded re-run season. Fortunately, there are several shows making their début this summer that look interesting. So, get your DVRs ready. Here are five shows worth checking out.

Platinum Hit (Bravo)

Fridays @ 10pm

Twelve aspiring singer-songwriters battle through several different obstacles and competitions to test their creativity, passion, and patience. The series follows the triumphs and failures of each gifted lyricist and performer. The tension is inevitable as they all pursue a single dream. Only one will be crowned the ultimate hit-maker, winning a $100,000 cash prize, a publishing deal with SONY, and a recording deal with RCA/Jive. 

Suits (USA)

Thursdays @ 10pm

Gabriel Macht stars as one of Manhattan's top corporate lawyers. Unable to find an associate that impresses him, he hires brilliant but indifferent college dropout Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams). Although Ross has no law degree, his prodigious wit and street-smart attitude make him an invaluable asset. As the two rebels fight for justice, they must also fight to keep Ross' secret safe. Suits is executive produced by Doug Liman (Bourne trilogy).

Most experts believe the NFL lockout will end prior to the start of the regular season. However, it could have a huge impact on the fantasy football season. With the right moves, you can use the lockout to dominate your league this year. Here are several fantasy football strategies that make sense in a lockout year. 

Draft disciplined players

Some NFL players work out harder in the off-season than they do during the season. Others view the off-season as a vacation, and let themselves get fatter, slower, and weaker until the mandatory training camp rolls around. This year, normal training regimens are being disrupted, and the less-disciplined players may not get into game shape until several weeks into the season, while off-season overachievers will have a huge advantage.