Italy begin their title defence - 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA

Source: www.fifa.com - Monday 14 June 2010

A cosmopolitan cast is preparing to light up the fourth matchday at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Following an all-European affair between the Netherlands and Denmark, Italy take on Paraguay in a Europe-South America showdown before Asian hopefuls Japan meet four-time African champions Cameroon.

The holders face a litmus test of their title credentials against a Guaraníes outfit who enter the tournament on the back of their best ever preliminary campaign, having racked up ten victories on the road to South Africa. Another European contender hoping to keep up the momentum is the Netherlands. Unbeaten on the qualification trail, the Elftal have hit top gear since Bert van Marwijk replaced Marco van Basten in the driving seat. The former Feyenoord coach has injected a greater dose of pragmatism into the squad, helping them turn performances into points.

"It’s also important to learn to win without playing well," says Oranje centre-back Andre Ooijer. Meanwhile Denmark, the surprise winners of their qualifying group, seem to have taken a step back in their build-up matches, with the probable absence of Nicklas Bendtner unlikely to help the Danish Dynamite make an explosive start.

In the second Group E skirmish Cameroon will attempt to notch their first ever victory over a Japan side who have defeated them twice, including once in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Both of these nations have struggled to hit their stride in warm-up games against fellow FIFA World Cup qualifiers. While Japan came away empty-handed against Korea Republic, England and Côte d'Ivoire, the Indomitable Lions were held to a draw by Slovakia before shipping three goals in successive games against Portugal and Serbia.

The matches
The Netherlands-Denmark, Group E, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 13.30
Japan-Cameroon, Group E, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, 16.00
Italy-Paraguay, Group F, Cape Town, 20.30

The big game
Italy–Paraguay
The defending champions start the tournament as underdogs after a lacklustre run-in to the finals. Nevertheless, with nine veterans from Germany 2006 and a clutch of talented young pretenders to bolster their ranks, La Nazionale look as solid as ever with a backbone consisting of FIFA World Cup winners Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Gilardino. The team's laboured build-up is unlikely to trouble Marcello Lippi, who knows that the Azzurri tend to find their feet as the competition progresses.

The Tuscan-born tactician will nevertheless be wary of Paraguay, who are contesting their fourth consecutive finals with a squad which has come of age. Albirroja coach for the last three seasons, 47-year-old Argentinian Gerardo Martino has instilled some Italian-style consistency into his team, which relies on a watertight defence and lightning counter-attacks. It is no coincidence that the Paraguayans dominated in beating both Brazil and Argentina on their way to the finals.

In focus
Feyenoord v Ajax
During Denmark’s encounter against the Netherlands, Danish forwards Jon Dahl Tomasson and Dennis Rommedahl will be reunited with their respective team-mates at Feyenoord and Ajax, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Gregory van der Wiel. The two Dutch wing-backs form part of an obdurate rearguard which conceded just two goals in eight matches during qualification. The tussle between Tomasson and Van Bronckhorst, two wily old foxes who have respectively notched up 107 and 97 caps, looks set to be particularly interesting.

What they said
"If you want to survive in football, the best strategy is to attack. Our coach is always drumming it into us, he wants to see us play offensive football," Keisuke Honda, Japan playmaker

In the nick of time. Born in Argentina to a Paraguayan mother, 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward Lucas Barrios obtained Guaraní nationality just three months ago. The third-highest scorer in last season's Bundesliga, his inclusion in the squad is a blessing for Martino, who has been without star striker Salvador Cabanas since January. The rest of the team have dedicated their finals campaign to Cabanas, Paraguay's leading scorer in qualification, who is still recuperating from a gunshot wound.

Lion kings. Roger Milla, Cameroon’s all-time leading marksman at the FIFA World Cup with five strikes in ten matches, is also the oldest goalscorer in a FIFA World Cup, having netted against Russia at USA 1994 at the ripe old age of 42 years and 39 days. Both of these records could yet be challenged by Samuel Eto'o, who became the youngest player to represent Cameroon at a FIFA World Cup when he debuted at France 1998 aged 17 years and three months.

A cosmopolitan cast is preparing to light up the fourth matchday at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Following an all-European affair between the Netherlands and Denmark, Italy take on Paraguay in a Europe-South America showdown before Asian hopefuls Japan meet four-time African champions Cameroon.

The holders face a litmus test of their title credentials against a Guaraníes outfit who enter the tournament on the back of their best ever preliminary campaign, having racked up ten victories on the road to South Africa. Another European contender hoping to keep up the momentum is the Netherlands. Unbeaten on the qualification trail, the Elftal have hit top gear since Bert van Marwijk replaced Marco van Basten in the driving seat. The former Feyenoord coach has injected a greater dose of pragmatism into the squad, helping them turn performances into points.

"It’s also important to learn to win without playing well," says Oranje centre-back Andre Ooijer. Meanwhile Denmark, the surprise winners of their qualifying group, seem to have taken a step back in their build-up matches, with the probable absence of Nicklas Bendtner unlikely to help the Danish Dynamite make an explosive start.

In the second Group E skirmish Cameroon will attempt to notch their first ever victory over a Japan side who have defeated them twice, including once in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Both of these nations have struggled to hit their stride in warm-up games against fellow FIFA World Cup qualifiers. While Japan came away empty-handed against Korea Republic, England and Côte d'Ivoire, the Indomitable Lions were held to a draw by Slovakia before shipping three goals in successive games against Portugal and Serbia.

The matches
The Netherlands-Denmark, Group E, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 13.30
Japan-Cameroon, Group E, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, 16.00
Italy-Paraguay, Group F, Cape Town, 20.30

The big game
Italy–Paraguay
The defending champions start the tournament as underdogs after a lacklustre run-in to the finals. Nevertheless, with nine veterans from Germany 2006 and a clutch of talented young pretenders to bolster their ranks, La Nazionale look as solid as ever with a backbone consisting of FIFA World Cup winners Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Gilardino. The team's laboured build-up is unlikely to trouble Marcello Lippi, who knows that the Azzurri tend to find their feet as the competition progresses.

The Tuscan-born tactician will nevertheless be wary of Paraguay, who are contesting their fourth consecutive finals with a squad which has come of age. Albirroja coach for the last three seasons, 47-year-old Argentinian Gerardo Martino has instilled some Italian-style consistency into his team, which relies on a watertight defence and lightning counter-attacks. It is no coincidence that the Paraguayans dominated in beating both Brazil and Argentina on their way to the finals.

In focus
Feyenoord v Ajax
During Denmark’s encounter against the Netherlands, Danish forwards Jon Dahl Tomasson and Dennis Rommedahl will be reunited with their respective team-mates at Feyenoord and Ajax, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Gregory van der Wiel. The two Dutch wing-backs form part of an obdurate rearguard which conceded just two goals in eight matches during qualification. The tussle between Tomasson and Van Bronckhorst, two wily old foxes who have respectively notched up 107 and 97 caps, looks set to be particularly interesting.

What they said
"If you want to survive in football, the best strategy is to attack. Our coach is always drumming it into us, he wants to see us play offensive football," Keisuke Honda, Japan playmaker

In the nick of time. Born in Argentina to a Paraguayan mother, 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward Lucas Barrios obtained Guaraní nationality just three months ago. The third-highest scorer in last season's Bundesliga, his inclusion in the squad is a blessing for Martino, who has been without star striker Salvador Cabanas since January. The rest of the team have dedicated their finals campaign to Cabanas, Paraguay's leading scorer in qualification, who is still recuperating from a gunshot wound.

Lion kings. Roger Milla, Cameroon’s all-time leading marksman at the FIFA World Cup with five strikes in ten matches, is also the oldest goalscorer in a FIFA World Cup, having netted against Russia at USA 1994 at the ripe old age of 42 years and 39 days. Both of these records could yet be challenged by Samuel Eto'o, who became the youngest player to represent Cameroon at a FIFA World Cup when he debuted at France 1998 aged 17 years and three months.

South Africa’s date with destiny

Source: www.fifa.com



The events of Friday 11 June in Johannesburg are set to write a new chapter in football history, in the shape of South Africa versus Mexico: the Opening Match of the first ever FIFA World Cup™ finals to be held on African soil and the 19th overall.

Ahead of the big kick-off, set for 16.00 local time, both of the host country’s national anthems - Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and Die Stem Van Suid Afrika – will be played in front of some 90,000 fans packing the Soccer City Stadium and millions watching across the globe. What is more, as the atmosphere buzzes and anticipation levels reach fever pitch, it will surely cross the minds of those looking on just how much South Africa has changed over the past two decades. Indeed, it was only in February 1990 that Nelson Mandela was released from prison, while it was in June of the following year that Frederik de Klerk’s government abolished Apartheid. The 'Rainbow Nation' had finally returned the world fold.

Yet Bafana Bafana must put all this symbolism and emotion aside and focus purely on the job at hand if they wish to make a positive start to a tough-looking Group A. South Africa have never previously reached the knockout stages at the global showpiece, whereas opening rivals Mexico are taking part in their 14th finals. The other match in the section is equally decisive, with Germany 2006 runners-up France, less than convincing in qualification, taking on a Uruguay side whose last three finals berths have all been sealed via a play-off.

The matches
South Africa - Mexico, Group A, Johannesburg, 16.00 (local time)
Uruguay - France, Group A, Cape Town, 20.30 (local time)

The big game
South Africa – Mexico

As the first African country to host the FIFA World Cup, South Africa will be determined not to go down in history as the first host nation to exit after the first round. Though their fortunes have dipped since winning the CAF African Cup of Nations in 1996, Bafana Bafana’s displays at last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup proved they do have the talent and wherewithal to make an impact.

And though captain and defensive rock Aaron Mokoena has endured a tough season at Premier League strugglers Portsmouth, where he was often deployed in an unfamiliar holding midfield role, midfield dynamo Steven Pienaar has gone from strength to strength at Everton. Under experienced Brazilian boss Carlos Alberto Parreira, the South Africans have grown in stature during recent series of friendlies, including a notable 1-0 win over Denmark, and will be keen to keep that momentum going against Mexico.

El Tri, for their part, have been rejuvenated since Javier Aguirre retook the helm with his country struggling to stay afloat in the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone. Now boasting a blend of top-class veterans such as Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez and youngsters like Carlos Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos, part of the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning ‘Golden Generation’, Mexico have looked an extremely quick and dangerous proposition in recent friendlies against England, the Netherlands and Italy.

In focus
Ignacio Gonzalez (URU) - Franck Ribery (FRA)

Two-time world champions Uruguay and 1998 winners France are familiar foes at the FIFA World Cup, with matches between the pair generally tight and closely contested. That being the case, the creative talents of Ignacio Gonzalez and Franck Ribery could prove key in tipping the balance.

Uruguayan playmaker Gonzalez has emerged as a vital player due to his experience, vision and decision-making. Ribery, for his part, has developed into a driving force for France and club side Bayern Munich since starring at Germany 2006. Both he and Lodeiro are capable of going for goal themselves or supplying such lethal strikers as Nicolas Anelka and Andre-Pierre Gignac, for France, and Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez for Uruguay.

What they said
“Given we’re the host nation, it’s important that we try and win every game we play. We need to take nine points from nine in the first phase. We’ll be fortunate enough to have the fans behind us, but our opponents won’t make it easy for us,” South Africa keeper Itumeleng Khune.

Past meetings
Uruguay and France have been in this situation before, having shared a group with Mexico and the host nation at England 1966. La Celeste sank Les Bleus 2-1 and qualified from the section in second spot, before going down 4-0 in the quarter-finals against eventual runners-up West Germany. France, meanwhile, ended up bottom of the group with just one point to their name. More recently, at Korea/Japan 2002, the two teams shared a 0-0 draw in Busan in their second Group A encounter, with neither side able to progress to the knockout stages.

Brazil wows Dobsonville

Source: www.fifa.com - Thursday 3 June 2010




Young and old packed the newly refurbished Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, as Brazil, who arrived in South Africa on 27 May, took to the pitch for a public training session.

Waiting at the gate for the bus to arrive, hundreds of residents waved a mixture of flags and homemade banners, while a group of girls had photocopied pictures of Kaka with the words, ’Please marry me’, printed on the bottom. Combined with the distinct sound of the vuvuzela and a sea of South African and Brazilian flags, the Selecao were certainly treated to a warm South African welcome, even before their first World Cup match.

Clad in his Brazilian jersey, 18-year-old Thabang Mekgwe stared with disbelief at the team on the pitch. “Brazil is my favourite team, my mother bought me this jersey for the tournament.”

“Their ball game is very interesting, all of these players are great. I believe they are going to the final, I'm watching the winners train here.”

After finishing an exam today, Mekgwe was informed by one of his teachers that tickets were available for the training. “I was too late, when we got to the police station all the tickets were gone, but I came anyway and a very kind woman gave me a ticket outside.”

Mekgwe is amazed by the opportunity of watching Brazil train in his home stadium. “I can't believe they are here in Dobsonville. I thought I would watch them on television until I die and never get to see them in the flesh. It's unbelievable.”

People queued for hours to pick up their free tickets at the local Dobsonville police station. With the rush many fans had to rely on friends to pick up their tickets.

“I had to ask a friend to get mine for me, but I am glad, it's my first time watching VIPs in a training session,” said 26-year-old Jerry Ntamo. “Brazil is one of my best sides and I never imagined I would see them in my lifetime, never mind here in Dobsonville.”

“After arriving here and seeing Brazil on the pitch I feel like the World Cup is really here,” said Ntamo.

In his full kit, with green vuvuzela, and a massive Brazilian flag, Bheki Mwelasa (36) is an ardent fan of the South American team. “I heard about the training session on the news this morning and I went straight to work and begged my boss to let me come, he knows how much this means to me, and here I am.”

“I am a hundred percent Brazil fan. I like their attitude toward the sport, they are true stars,” said Mwelasa. “It is a gift from God to watch the most talented players in the world train here.”

For Mwelasa the training session brought home the reality of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “My best team has arrived and now I am seeing them train and it feels great. For me the World Cup starts today.”

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA

And the Oscar goes to....

The full list of the 2010 Oscar nominees from Oscar.com, the official site of the 82nd Academy Awards

- NOMINATIONS BY CATEGORY - 82ND AWARDS -

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart" (Fox Searchlight)
George Clooney in "Up in the Air" (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Colin Firth in "A Single Man" (The Weinstein Company)
Morgan Freeman in "Invictus" (Warner Bros.)
Jeremy Renner in "The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Matt Damon in "Invictus" (Warner Bros.)
Woody Harrelson in "The Messenger" (Oscilloscope Laboratories)
Christopher Plummer in "The Last Station" (Sony Pictures Classics)
Stanley Tucci in "The Lovely Bones" (DreamWorks in association with Film4, Distributed by Paramount)
Christoph Waltz in "Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company)

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Sandra Bullock in "The Blind Side" (Warner Bros.)
Helen Mirren in "The Last Station" (Sony Pictures Classics)
Carey Mulligan in "An Education" (Sony Pictures Classics)
Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)
Meryl Streep in "Julie & Julia" (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Penélope Cruz in "Nine" (The Weinstein Company)
Vera Farmiga in "Up in the Air" (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Maggie Gyllenhaal in "Crazy Heart" (Fox Searchlight)
Anna Kendrick in "Up in the Air" (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
Mo'Nique in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)

Best animated feature film of the year
"Coraline" (Focus Features) Henry Selick
"Fantastic Mr. Fox" (20th Century Fox) Wes Anderson
"The Princess and the Frog" (Walt Disney) John Musker and Ron Clements
"The Secret of Kells" (GKIDS) Tomm Moore
"Up" (Walt Disney) Pete Docter

Achievement in art direction
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox) Art Direction: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg
"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" (Sony Pictures Classics) Art Direction: Dave Warren and Anastasia Masaro
"Nine" (The Weinstein Company) Art Direction: John Myhre
"Sherlock Holmes" (Warner Bros.) Art Direction: Sarah Greenwood
"The Young Victoria" (Apparition) Art Direction: Patrice Vermette

Achievement in cinematography
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox) Mauro Fiore
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (Warner Bros.) Bruno Delbonnel
"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment) Barry Ackroyd
"Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company) Robert Richardson
"The White Ribbon" (Sony Pictures Classics) Christian Berger

Achievement in costume design
"Bright Star" (Apparition) Janet Patterson
"Coco before Chanel" (Sony Pictures Classics) Catherine Leterrier
"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" (Sony Pictures Classics) Monique Prudhomme
"Nine" (The Weinstein Company) Colleen Atwood
"The Young Victoria" (Apparition) Sandy Powell

Achievement in directing
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox) James Cameron
"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment) Kathryn Bigelow
"Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company) Quentin Tarantino
"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Lionsgate) Lee Daniels
"Up in the Air" (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) Jason Reitman

Best documentary feature
"Burma VJ" (Oscilloscope Laboratories)- A Magic Hour Films Production Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
"The Cove" (Roadside Attractions)- An Oceanic Preservation Society Production Nominees to be determined
"Food, Inc." (Magnolia Pictures)- A Robert Kenner Films Production Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
"The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers" - A Kovno Communications Production Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
"Which Way Home" - A Mr. Mudd Production Rebecca Cammisa

Best documentary short subject
"China's Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province" - A Downtown Community Television Center Production Jon Alpert and Matthew O'Neill
"The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner" - A Just Media Production Daniel Junge and Henry Ansbacher
"The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant" - A Community Media Production Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert
"Music by Prudence" - An iThemba Production Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett
"Rabbit à la Berlin" (Deckert Distribution) - An MS Films Production Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra

Achievement in film editing
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox) Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua and James Cameron
"District 9" (Sony Pictures Releasing) Julian Clarke
"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment) Bob Murawski and Chris Innis
"Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company) Sally Menke
"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Lionsgate) Joe Klotz

Best foreign language film of the year
"Ajami"(Kino International)- An Inosan Production Israel
"El Secreto de Sus Ojos" (Sony Pictures Classics)- A Haddock Films Production Argentina
"The Milk of Sorrow"- A Wanda Visión/Oberon Cinematogràfica/Vela Production Peru
"Un Prophète" (Sony Pictures Classics)- A Why Not/Page 114/Chic Films Production France
"The White Ribbon" (Sony Pictures Classics)- An X Filme Creative Pool/Wega Film/Les Films du Losange/Lucky Red Production Germany

Achievement in makeup
"Il Divo" (MPI Media Group through Music Box) Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano
"Star Trek" (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow
"The Young Victoria" (Apparition) Jon Henry Gordon and Jenny Shircore

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox) James Horner
"Fantastic Mr. Fox" (20th Century Fox) Alexandre Desplat
"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment) Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
"Sherlock Holmes" (Warner Bros.) Hans Zimmer
"Up" (Walt Disney) Michael Giacchino

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"Almost There" from "The Princess and the Frog" (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
"Down in New Orleans" from "The Princess and the Frog" (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
"Loin de Paname" from "Paris 36" (Sony Pictures Classics) Music by Reinhardt Wagner
Lyric by Frank Thomas
"Take It All" from "Nine" (The Weinstein Company) Music and Lyric by Maury Yeston
"The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" from "Crazy Heart" (Fox Searchlight) Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Best motion picture of the year
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox)
A Lightstorm Entertainment Production James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers

"The Blind Side" (Warner Bros.)
An Alcon Entertainment Production Nominees to be determined

"District 9" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
A Block/Hanson Production Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham, Producers

"An Education" (Sony Pictures Classics)
A Finola Dwyer/Wildgaze Films Production Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey, Producers

"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment)
A Voltage Pictures Production Nominees to be determined

"Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company)
A Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures/A Band Apart/Zehnte Babelsberg Production Lawrence Bender, Producer

"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)
A Lee Daniels Entertainment/Smokewood Entertainment Production Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Producers

"A Serious Man" (Focus Features)
A Working Title Films Production Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, Producers

"Up" (Walt Disney)
A Pixar Production Jonas Rivera, Producer

"Up in the Air" (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios)
A Montecito Picture Company Production Daniel Dubiecki, Ivan Reitman and Jason Reitman, Producers

Best animated short film
"French Roast"
A Pumpkin Factory/Bibo Films Production Fabrice O. Joubert

"Granny O'Grimm's Sleeping Beauty" (Brown Bag Films)
A Brown Bag Films Production Nicky Phelan and Darragh O'Connell

"The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)"
A Kandor Graphics and Green Moon Production Javier Recio Gracia

"Logorama" (Autour de Minuit)
An Autour de Minuit Production Nicolas Schmerkin

"A Matter of Loaf and Death" (Aardman Animations)
An Aardman Animations Production Nick Park

Best live action short film
"The Door" (Network Ireland Television)
An Octagon Films Production Juanita Wilson and James Flynn

"Instead of Abracadabra" (The Swedish Film Institute)
A Directörn & Fabrikörn Production Patrik Eklund and Mathias Fjellström

"Kavi"
A Gregg Helvey Production Gregg Helvey

"Miracle Fish" (Premium Films)
A Druid Films Production Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey

"The New Tenants"
A Park Pictures and M & M Production Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Achievement in sound editing
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox) Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle
"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment) Paul N.J. Ottosson
"Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company) Wylie Stateman
"Star Trek" (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Mark Stoeckinger and Alan Rankin
"Up" (Walt Disney) Michael Silvers and Tom Myers

Achievement in sound mixing
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox) Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment) Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett
"Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company) Michael Minkler, Tony Lamberti and Mark Ulano
"Star Trek" (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Anna Behlmer, Andy Nelson and Peter J. Devlin
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (DreamWorks and Paramount in association with Hasbro, Distributed by Paramount) Greg P. Russell, Gary Summers and Geoffrey Patterson

Achievement in visual effects
"Avatar" (20th Century Fox) Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones
"District 9" (Sony Pictures Releasing) Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers, Robert Habros and Matt Aitken
"Star Trek" (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) Roger Guyett, Russell Earl, Paul Kavanagh and Burt Dalton

Adapted screenplay
"District 9" (Sony Pictures Releasing) Written by Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell
"An Education" (Sony Pictures Classics) Screenplay by Nick Hornby
"In the Loop" (IFC Films) Screenplay by Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (Lionsgate) Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher
"Up in the Air" (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) Screenplay by Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner

Original screenplay
"The Hurt Locker" (Summit Entertainment) Written by Mark Boal
"Inglourious Basterds" (The Weinstein Company) Written by Quentin Tarantino
"The Messenger" (Oscilloscope Laboratories) Written by Alessandro Camon & Oren Moverman
"A Serious Man" (Focus Features) Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
"Up" (Walt Disney) Screenplay by Bob Peterson, Pete Docter
Story by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy


- NOMINATIONS BY PICTURE - 82ND AWARDS

(This list does not include Short Films or Documentary Short Subjects)
"Ajami," an Inosan Production (Kino International) (1 nomination)
Best foreign language film (Israel)

"Avatar," a Lightstorm Entertainment Production (20th Century Fox) (9 nominations)
Art direction
Cinematography
Directing
Film editing
Original score
Best picture
Sound editing
Sound mixing
Visual effects

"The Blind Side," an Alcon Entertainment Production (Warner Bros.) (2 nominations)
Sandra Bullock - Performance by an actress in a leading role
Best picture

"Bright Star," a Jan Chapman/Bright Star Films Production (Apparition) (1 nomination)
Costume design

"Burma VJ," a Magic Hour Films Production (Oscilloscope Laboratories) (1 nomination)
Documentary feature

"Coco before Chanel," a Haut et Court Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (1 nomination)
Costume design

"Coraline," a LAIKA Production (Focus Features) (1 nomination)
Best animated feature film

"The Cove," an Oceanic Preservation Society Production (Roadside Attractions) (1 nomination)
Documentary feature

"Crazy Heart," an Informant Media/Butcher's Run Films Production (Fox Searchlight) (3 nominations)
Jeff Bridges - Performance by an actor in a leading role
Maggie Gyllenhaal - Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Original song - "The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)"

"District 9," a Block/Hanson Production (Sony Pictures Releasing) (4 nominations)
Film editing
Best picture
Visual effects
Adapted screenplay

"An Education," a Finola Dwyer/Wildgaze Films Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (3 nominations)
Carey Mulligan - Performance by an actress in a leading role
Best picture
Adapted screenplay

"El Secreto de Sus Ojos," a Haddock Films Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (1 nomination)
Best foreign language film (Argentina)

"Fantastic Mr. Fox," an American Empirical Production (20th Century Fox) (2 nominations)
Best animated feature film
Original score

"Food, Inc.," a Robert Kenner Films Production (Magnolia Pictures) (1 nomination)
Documentary feature

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," a Warner Bros. Production (Warner Bros.) (1 nomination)
Cinematography

"The Hurt Locker," a Voltage Pictures Production (Summit Entertainment) (9 nominations)
Jeremy Renner - Performance by an actor in a leading role
Cinematography
Directing
Film editing
Original score
Best picture
Sound editing
Sound mixing
Original screenplay

"Il Divo," an Indigo Film/Lucky Red/Parco Film/Babe Films Production (MPI Media Group through Music Box) (1 nomination)
Makeup

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," a Poo Poo Pictures Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (2 nominations)
Art direction
Costume design

"In the Loop," a Loop Film/BBC Films and UK Film Council in association with Aramid Entertainment Production (IFC Films) (1 nomination)
Adapted screenplay

"Inglourious Basterds," a Weinstein Company/Universal Pictures/A Band Apart/Zehnte Babelsberg Production (The Weinstein Company) (8 nominations)
Christoph Waltz - Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Cinematography
Directing
Film editing
Best picture
Sound editing
Sound mixing
Original screenplay

"Invictus," a Liberty Pictures Production (Warner Bros.) (2 nominations)
Morgan Freeman - Performance by an actor in a leading role
Matt Damon - Performance by an actor in a supporting role

"Julie & Julia," a Columbia Pictures Production (Sony Pictures Releasing) (1 nomination)
Meryl Streep - Performance by an actress in a leading role

"The Last Station," an Egoli Tossell Film/Zephyr Films Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (2 nominations)
Christopher Plummer - Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Helen Mirren - Performance by an actress in a leading role

"The Lovely Bones," a Wingnut Films Production (DreamWorks in association with Film4, Distributed by Paramount) (1 nomination)
Stanley Tucci - Performance by an actor in a supporting role

"The Messenger," an All the King's Horses Production (Oscilloscope Laboratories) (2 nominations)
Woody Harrelson - Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Original screenplay

"The Milk of Sorrow," a Wanda Visión/Oberon Cinematogràfica/Vela Production (1 nomination)
Best foreign language film (Peru)

"The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers," a Kovno Communications Production (1 nomination)
Documentary feature

"Nine," a Weinstein Brothers/Marc Platt/Lucamar/Relativity Media Production (The Weinstein Company) (4 nominations)
Penélope Cruz - Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Art direction
Costume design
Original song - "Take It All"

"Paris 36," a Galatée Films Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (1 nomination)
Original song - "Loin de Paname"

"Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," a Lee Daniels Entertainment/ Smokewood Entertainment Production (Lionsgate) (6 nominations)
Gabourey Sidibe - Performance by an actress in a leading role
Mo'Nique - Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Directing
Film editing
Best picture
Adapted screenplay

"The Princess and the Frog," a Walt Disney Pictures Production (Walt Disney) (3 nominations)
Best animated feature film
Original song - "Almost There"
Original song - "Down in New Orleans"

"The Secret of Kells," a Cartoon Saloon/Les Armateurs/Vivi Film Production (GKIDS) (1 nomination)
Best animated feature film

"A Serious Man," a Working Title Films Production (Focus Features) (2 nominations)
Best picture
Original screenplay

"Sherlock Holmes," a Warner Bros. UK Services Production (Warner Bros.) (2 nominations)
Art direction
Original score

"A Single Man," a Fade to Black and Depth of Field Production (The Weinstein Company) (1 nomination)
Colin Firth - Performance by an actor in a leading role

"Star Trek," a Bad Robot Production (Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment) (4 nominations)
Makeup
Sound editing
Sound mixing
Visual effects

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," a Don Murphy/Tom DeSanto/di Bonaventura Pictures/Ian Bryce Production (DreamWorks and Paramount in association with Hasbro, Distributed by Paramount) (1 nomination)
Sound mixing

"Un Prophète," a Why Not/Page 114/Chic Films Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (1 nomination)
Best foreign language film (France)

"Up," a Pixar Production (Walt Disney) (5 nominations)
Best animated feature film
Original score
Best picture
Sound editing
Original screenplay

"Up in the Air," a Montecito Picture Company Production (Paramount in association with Cold Spring Pictures and DW Studios) (6 nominations)
George Clooney - Performance by an actor in a leading role
Vera Farmiga - Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Anna Kendrick - Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Directing
Best picture
Adapted screenplay

"Which Way Home," a Mr. Mudd Production (1 nomination)
Documentary feature

"The White Ribbon," an X Filme Creative Pool/Wega Film/Les Films du Losange/Lucky Red Production (Sony Pictures Classics) (2 nominations)
Cinematography
Best foreign language film (Germany)

"The Young Victoria," a GK Films Production (Apparition) (3 nominations)
Art direction
Costume design
Makeup

Source: http://www.oscar.com/

Golden Globe Awards

*Cecil B. DeMille Award: Martin Scorsese
*Best Motion Picture - Drama: Avatar
*Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side
*Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart
*Best Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical: The Hangover
*Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical: Meryl Streep – Julie & Julia
*Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical: Robert Downey Jr. – Sherlock Holmes
*Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Mo'nique – Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire
*Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
*Best Animated Feature Film: Up (Walt Disney Pictures/PIXAR Animation Studios)
*Best Foreign Language Film: The White Ribbon (Das Weisse Band - Eine Deutsche Kindergeschichte) (Germany)
*Best Director - Motion Picture: James Cameron – Avatar
*Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner - Up In The Air
*Best Original Score - Motion Picture: Michael Giacchino - Up
*Best Original Song - Motion Picture: "The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)" – Crazy Heart - Music & Lyrics By: Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
*Best Television Series - Drama: Mad Men (AMC)- Lionsgate
*Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama: Julianna Margulies – The Good Wife (CBS)
*Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama: Michael C. Hall – Dexter (SHOWTIME)
*Best Television Series - Comedy Or Musical: Glee (FOX)
*Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical: Toni Collette – United States Of Tara (SHOWTIME)
*Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical: Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock (NBC)
*Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television: Grey Gardens (HBO)
*Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Drew Barrymore – Grey Gardens (HBO)
*Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Kevin Bacon – Taking Chance (HBO)
*Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Chloë Sevigny – Big Love (HBO)
*Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: John Lithgow – Dexter (SHOWTIME)

Tutorial: felt polaroid christmas ornament

supplies needed:
white felt. [the 9" x 12" rectangles from craft stores are perfect!]
scissors
pencil/chopstick
iron
sewing machine & thread
picture(s) [i used 4x6 inch pictures]
ribbon



***ETA: if you're making these for small children, i recommend adding a piece of thin chipboard [like a piece cut from a cereal box] to your ornament to prevent it from getting bent as easily. just cut it the same size as your photo, glue it to the back of your photo and slip it into the polaroid felt sleeve.


1. cut your felt into a 9 inch by 4 1/4 inch rectangle.


2. fold in half, hamburger way. And sew a straight line 1/8 inch on two sides, creating a little pocket, with the folded edge at the bottom. [i used dark thread to show you which two sides, but you can just use white.]


3. turn it right side out, and poke out the corners with a chopstick or the eraser side of a pencil.

4.iron on the lowest setting on your iron.


5. cut out a square on one side for your picture. mine ended up being approximately 2 3/4 inches. set aside the felt polaroid.


6. trim your photo. [mine ended up being approximately 3 3/8 inches by 4 inches, but it will vary on whether or not you have portrait or landscape photos and where your seams ended up.]

7. insert into your felt polaroid sleeve. if it doesn't fit, trim off 1/16 inch pieces until it does. set felt polaroid with picture aside.

8. trim your ribbon to the desired length. [mine ended up being about 8 1/2 inches, laid flat.]


9. start in the upper right corner, and sew a straight line down to corner, making sure to back stitch at the beginning. turn the polaroid, while the needle is still insterted into the felt and the presser foot is raised, sew along the bottom [folded] edge of the polaroid. turn again, and sew up the other side.


10. when you get to the top left corner, stop you sewing machine, and get your ribbon. cross the cut ends, so that it creates a loop for the polaroid to hang from.




11. insert your ribbon, so it is centered on the ornament. be sure to put it behind the picture, but in front of the back layer of felt on the polaroid.


12. sew across the top of the polaroid. back stitch over the ribbon to make sure it is secure. when you get back to the upper right corner, back stitch again.


13. sew a straight line across the bottom of the picture square and hole, back stitching at the beginning and end.

14. trim strings and enjoy your polaroid ornament!



Just remember, that you polaroids don't need to be perfect. i think that's what gives them their charm, just like real polaroids.



Source: http://katiecupcake.blogspot.com/

Christmas spirit cocktail

ingredients
• Tequila
• 1 or 2 pomegranates

This is so simple to make and just one will definitely raise the Christmas spirits! Just remember, it’s about injecting a little fun and flavour into the party, so don’t get carried away.

Pop a bottle of good-quality tequila in the freezer for an hour, along with a shot glass for each of your guests.

Cut your pomegranates in half and take their seeds out. The easy way to do this is to hold one half of a pomegranate cut-side down in your hand and bash the top of it with a spatula so the seeds come tumbling out – make sure you’ve got a bowl underneath to catch them all!

Fill your shot glasses with pomegranate seeds, pour in your iced tequila and depending on your style either sip it, or knock it back. Don't swallow until you've crunched the pomegranate seeds because they add a real burst of fragrance and flavour in your mouth. Delicious!


SOURCE: http://www.jamieoliver.com

Christmas pud sundae

ingredients
• 150g fresh cranberries
• zest and juice of 1 large orange
• 2 tablespoons caster sugar
• zest and juice of 1 lime
• 250g fresh vanilla custard
• 2 medium bananas, peeled and sliced into 1cm slices
• 2 x 298g tins of mandarin segments in natural juice, drained
• a knob of butter
• 200g cooked Christmas pudding
• a handful of flaked almonds
• a splash (or more!) of whisky
• 1 x small tub of good-quality vanilla ice cream


dressings / sauces | serves 4
Christmas pudding is a leftover that is so easy to use. It doesn’t lose its flavour or texture when you warm it.

Put the cranberries, half the orange juice and all of the sugar in a small pan and bring to the boil. Let it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until you get a lovely thick sauce. Transfer to a bowl and leave to cool.

Stir the zest from the orange and lime into the custard and put the slices of banana and mandarins in a separate bowl with the lime juice and toss.

Melt the butter in a large frying pan and crumble in the leftover Christmas pudding, along with the flaked almonds. Toast lightly, add a good lug of whisky and fry gently until crispy.

Divide most of the mandarins and bananas into the bottoms of four sundae glasses then spoon over some of the zesty custard. Top with a scoop of ice cream, drizzle over some cranberry sauce then sprinkle over most of the Christmas pudding mixture. Finish with the remaining bananas and mandarins and any remaining Christmas pud.

SOURCE: http://www.jamieoliver.com

The best roast turkey christmas or any time

Ingredients
• 50g/2oz butter
• a sprig of fresh sage, leaves picked
• 12 strips of pancetta or thinly sliced streaky bacon
• 1 bulb of garlic, broken into cloves
• 4 medium red onions, peeled
• 2 sticks of celery, trimmed and chopped
• a big handful of breadcrumbs
• a handful of dried apricots
• 300g/10½ oz minced pork
• zest of 1 lemon
a pinch of grated nutmeg
• 1 large free-range or organic egg
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 12 small fresh rosemary sprigs, plus a few extra
• 4–4.5kg/9–10lb turkey, preferably free-range or organic, at room temperature
• 2 carrots, peeled
• 1 large orange
• olive oil
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 1.1litres/2 pints chicken or vegetable stock

main courses | serves 6 - 8
One of the biggest challenges when cooking a turkey is the legs take longer than the breasts. The breasts dry out in the oven while you’re waiting for the legs to cook. I like to push stuffing between the turkey’s skin and breasts, increasing the thickness of the breasts so they take the same time to cook as the legs. The result? Juicy turkey all round!

Preheat the oven to maximum. Heat a saucepan until medium hot and drop in the butter, sage leaves and 6 of the pancetta or bacon strips. Peel and chop 2 garlic cloves and 1 onion. Add the garlic, celery and onion to the saucepan and fry everything gently until soft and golden brown. Take the pan off the heat, add the breadcrumbs and, while the mix is cooling down, chop the apricots roughly and stir them in. When the stuffing has cooled down, add the pork, lemon zest, nutmeg, egg and lots of salt and pepper, and mix everything together well.

Slice the remaining strips of pancetta or bacon in half and slice 1 peeled garlic clove into thin slivers. Place a rosemary sprig and a garlic sliver on one end of a halved strip of pancetta and roll it up tightly. Repeat with the other pieces of pancetta until you have 12 little rolls. Stab the thighs and drumsticks of the turkey in 6 places on each side. Push a little pancetta roll into each hole until it just peeps out. This’ll give your turkey thighs a fantastic flavour and will keep them moist while they cook.

Chop the remaining onions in half and slice the carrots thickly. Give your turkey a good wipe, inside and out, with kitchen paper, and place it on a board, with the neck end towards you. Find the edge of the skin that's covering the turkey's breasts and gently peel it back. Work your fingers and then your hand under the skin, freeing it from the meat. If you're careful you should be able to pull all the skin away from the meat, keeping it attached at the sides. Go slowly and try not to make any holes! Lift the loose skin at the neck end and spoon the stuffing between the skin and the breast, tucking the flap of skin underneath to stop anything leaking out. Pop the orange in the microwave for 30 seconds to warm it up and stuff it into the cavity. Weigh the stuffed turkey and calculate the cooking time (about 20 minutes per 500g/1lb 2oz).

Place the bird on a large roasting tray, rub it all over with olive oil and season well. Surround with the chopped carrots, onions, remaining garlic, cover with tinfoil and place in the preheated oven. Turn the heat down right away to 180°C/350°F/gas 4, and roast for the calculated time, or until the juices run clear from the thigh if you pierce with it a knife or a skewer. Remove the tinfoil for the last 45 minutes to brown the bird. Carefully lift the turkey out of the tray and rest on a board that’s covered loosely with foil for 20 minutes while you finish off the veg and gravy. Skim the surface fat from the roasting tray and add the flour and stock. Place the tray on the hob and bring to the boil on a high heat. When the gravy starts to thicken, strain it into a bowl. Carve your turkey, serve with the gravy and dig in!

SOURCE: http://www.jamieoliver.com

Spiced sugar & christmas popcorn

INGREDIENTS
Makes 1kg of sugar
• 3 fresh bay leaves
finely grated zest of 2 oranges
• finely grated zest of 2 lemons
• 6 whole cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 10 gratings of whole nutmeg
• 1 vanilla pod, halved lengthways
• 1kg unrefined caster sugar

Makes a large bowl of popcorn
• olive oil
• 2 knobs of butter
• 250g popcorn kernels
• 6 tablespoons spiced sugar


snacks and sides
What’s mad about this is that, even though all of these spices and flavours are so pungent on their own, they actually taste like tutti frutti sweets when together. You can use this sugar for so many things; from a sweetener for porridge, sprinkled over baked bananas, or to make a gorgeous Chantilly cream. It will keep for a while, so if you’re going to make it, you may as well make a batch and keep it in an airtight container.

Whack the bay leaves, orange and lemon jest and all of your spices into a food processor and give it a good whiz. Once that’s well blended add your sugar and whiz again so you’ve got a lovely spiced sugar. Because there’s quite a bit of moistness in the zest and vanilla pod it’s a good idea to pour the sugar onto a baking tray, spread it out evenly then leave it to dry for a few hours.

Once the sugar is nice and dry, pass it through a sieve to catch any larger pieces of spices. Discard anything left behind in the sieve then put your sieved sugar into an airtight container, where it will keep happily for ages.

Spiced Christmas popcorn

Popcorn only takes a few minutes to make but it smells, sounds and tastes brilliant; it’s a great thing to have going on in your home. If you’re feeling a bit creative you can divide the popcorn between some little sandwich bags, tie them with ribbons then give them out as a bit of a Christmas treat to adults and kids. If the sugar settles on the bottom of the bag just give the bag a shake before tucking in.

Put a few lugs of oil and your butter in a large pan over a high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the popcorn and stir well to coat the kernels. Put the lid on straight away and leave it for a few minutes. It will take a few minutes to get going so be patient. As the popcorn gets going give the pan a shake every 30 seconds or so to make sure the kernels all get popped. Put your spiced sugar in a large bowl and when the popcorn is ready add it to the bowl and quickly toss it and stir it into the sugar so the hot popcorn picks up those lovely spiced flavours.

Serve the popcorn in a big bowl or in little bowls dotted about the house. I can honestly say, hand on heart, that this is one of the nicest popcorns I’ve ever had. It’s delicious and has to be better for you than caramels, toffees or cheap artificial sweets.

SOURCE: http://www.jamieoliver.com

Inglourious Basterds

Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Daniel Bruhl, Til Schweiger, Melanie Laurent, August Diehl, Julie Dreyfus, Sylvester Groth, Jacky Ido, Denis Menochet, Mike Myers, Rod Taylor, Martin Wuttke, Samm Levine, B.J. Novak

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Screenwriter: Quentin Tarantino
Producer: Lawrence Bender



Inglourious Basterds begins in Nazi-occupied France, where Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema.

Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organizes a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution. Known to their enemy as "The Basterds," Raine's squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich. Fates converge under a cinema marquee, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own.


Site: http://www.inglouriousbasterds-movie.com/

Did the Von Trapp family really hike over the Alps to Switzerland?

Julie Andrews as Maria

In the closing scenes of The Sound of Music, the singing Von Trapp family is seen heading up the mountains to freedom from the Nazis. In truth, though, they walked to the nearest railroad station, where they boarded the next train to Italy. From there, they made their way to London and, eventually, the United States. Broadway came alive with The Sound of Music fifty years ago today, when the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater. Richard Rogers composed the tunes and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the words. The show starred Mary Martin as Maria, the young woman engaged as a governess for the seven children of Capt. Georg von Trapp, played by Theodore Bikel. The musical won five Tonys, including one for Best Actress in a Musical and one for Best Musical. The film version of the story was made in 1965, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The winner of that year's Oscar for Best Movie, it took home another four Academy Awards, including one for Best Director Robert Wise.

Source: http://www.answers.com/

Film: ACROSS THE RIVER (ANSOOYE ROUDKHANEH)

Resume: In the wake of a major battle of Iran-Iraq war, a cameraman finds himself stranded in the wilderness alongside the only other survivors, an Iraqi and an Iranian soldier. With a single gun between them, the soldiers alternatively take each other hostage, marching aimlessly upon the scorched earth to an unknown destination. Realizing that neither has anything left to go back to, they form an unlikely friendship, to which the cameraman is the sole witness.

director: Abbas Ahmadi Motlagh
screenplay: Abbas Ahmadi Motlagh, Mahshad Mokhberi
cinematographer: Massoud Salami
edition: Nazanin Mofakham
music: Aria Azimnejad
cast: Hazem Shahin, Ahmad Sa’atchian, Reza Molai, Razagh Radan
producer: Manouchehr Mohammadi
production:Faradis Barin Film Company
world sales: Iranian Independents
83 minutes/ color/ 35mm
Site: www.acrosstheriver-movie.com

Director: Abbas Ahmadi Motlagh

Born in 1958 in Tehran, Iran. He started his film career as an actor since he was just 11 years old. He made his first short film, With Permission, in 1981. Then, he made seven documentaries and one medium-length film in a period of 20 years. In 2007, he made Bad Pal, his first feature film. Across the River is his second feature film.

Source: http://www.mostra.org/home.php?language=en

What's the difference between a vegetarian and a vegan?

Vegetarians do not eat the flesh of animals — meat or fish. Vegetarians may avoid these foods for humanitarian reasons or dietary ones. Vegans choose to neither eat nor use any animal-derived products — among them, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, eggs, honey, gelatin, leather, fur, lanolin or silk. Theirs is a lifestyle choice founded on a reverence for the wellbeing of all living things. Vegans avoid eating or using anything that was produced through the pain or death of a living creature. November is World Vegan Month.


Source: http://www.answers.com/

Mais um pouco sobre a Língua Portuguesa

- Agora, explicações de algumas expressões que usamos e nem sempre sabemos de onde se originou:

NAS COXAS
As primeiras telhas do Brasil eram feitas de argila moldada nas coxas dos escravos.
Como os escravos variavam de tamanho e porte físicos, as telhas ficavam desiguais.
Daí a expressão fazendo nas coxas, ou seja, de qualquer jeito.

VOTO DE MINERVA
Na Mitologia Grega, Orestes, filho de Clitemnestra, foi acusado de tê-la assassinado.
No julgamento havia empate entre os jurados, cabendo à deusa Minerva, da Sabedoria, o voto decisivo. O réu foi absolvido, e Voto de Minerva é, portanto, o voto decisivo.

CASA DA MÃE JOANA
Na época do Brasil Império, mais especificamente durante a menoridade do
Dom Pedro II, os homens que realmente mandavam no país costumavam se encontrar num prostíbulo do Rio de Janeiro cuja proprietária se chamava Joana. Como, fora dali, esses homens mandavam e desmandavam no país, a expressão casa da mãe Joana ficou conhecida como sinônimo de lugar em que ninguém manda.

CONTO DO VIGÁRIO
Duas igrejas de Ouro Preto receberam, como presente, uma única imagem de determinada santa, e, para decidir qual das duas ficaria com a escultura, os vigários apelaram à decisão de um burrico. Colocaram-no entre as duas paróquias e esperaram o animalzinho caminhar até uma delas.
A escolhida pelo quadrúpede ficaria com a santa. E o burrico caminhou direto para uma delas...
Só que, mais tarde, descobriram que um dos vigários havia treinado o burrico, e conto do vigário passou a ser sinônimo de falcatrua e malandragem.

A VER NAVIOS
Dom Sebastião, jovem e querido rei de Portugal (sec XVI), desapareceu na batalha de Alcácer-Quibir, no Marrocos. Provavelmente morreu, mas seu corpo nunca foi encontrado.
Por isso o povo português se recusava a acreditar na morte do monarca, e era comum que pessoas subirem ao Alto de Santa Catarina, em Lisboa, na esperança de ver o Rei regressando à Pátria. Como ele não regressou, o povo ficava a ver navios.

NÃO ENTENDO PATAVINAS
Os portugueses tinham enorme dificuldade em entender o que falavam os frades italianos patavinos, originários de Pádua, ou Padova.
Daí que não entender patavina significa não entender nada.

DOURAR A PÍLULA
Antigamente as farmácias embrulhavam as pílulas amargas em papel dourado para melhorar o aspecto do remedinho.
A expressão dourar a pílula significa melhorar a aparência de algo ruim.

SEM EIRA NEM BEIRA
Os telhados de antigamente possuíam eira e beira, detalhes que conferiam status ao dono do imóvel.
Possuir eira e beira era sinal de riqueza e de cultura.
Estar sem eira nem beira significa que a pessoa é pobre e não tem sustentáculo no raciocínio.

A Língua Portuguesa agradece (e nossos ouvidos também!)

Nunca diga:

- Menas (sempre menos)
- Iorgute (iogurte)
- Mortandela (mortadela)
- Mendingo (mendigo)
- Trabisseiro (travesseiro) - essa é de doer, hein!
- Cardaço (cadarço)
- Asterístico (asterisco)
- Meia cansada (meio cansada)

E lembre-se:

- Mal - Bem
- Mau – Bom

- Trezentas gramas (a grama pode ser de um pasto). Se você quer falar de peso, então é O grama: trezentOs gramas.

- Di menor, di maior (é simplesmente maior ou menor de idade).

- Beneficiente (beneficente - lembre-se de Beneficência Portuguesa)

- O certo é BASCULANTE e não VASCULHANTE, aquela janela do banheiro ou da cozinha.

- Se você estiver com muito calor, poderá dizer que está "suando" (com u) e não "soando", pois quem "soa" é sino !

- A casa é GEMINADA (do latim geminare = duplicar) e não GERMINADA que vem de germinar, nascer, brotar.

- O peixe tem ESPINHA (espinha dorsal) e não ESPINHO. Plantas têm espinhos.

- Homens dizem OBRIGADO
e mulheres OBRIGADA.

- "FAZ dois anos que não o vejo“ e não “FAZEM dois anos”

- "HAVIA muitas pessoas no local" e não "HAVIAM”

- "PODE HAVER problemas" e não "PODEM HAVER...."
(os verbos fazer e haver são impessoais!!)

- PROBLEMA e não POBLEMA ou POBREMA
(deixe isso para o Zé Dirceu)

- A PARTIR e não À PARTIR

- Para EU fazer, para EU comprar, para EU comer e não para MIM fazer, para mim comprar ou para mim comer...
(mim não conjuga verbo, apenas "eu, tu, eles, nós, vós, eles")

- Você pode ficar com dó (ou com um dó) de alguém, mas nunca com "uma dó"; a palavra dó no feminino é só a nota musical (do, ré, mi, etc etc.)

- As pronúncias: CD-ROM é igual a ROMA sem o A. Não é CD-RUM (nem CD-pinga, CD-vodka etc). ROM é abreviatura de Read Only Memory - memória apenas para leitura.

- E agora, o horror divulgado pelo pessoal do TELEMARKETING:

Não é E sim

“eu vou ESTAR mandando” eu vou MANDAR
“vou ESTAR passando” vou PASSAR
“vou ESTAR verificando” vou VERIFICAR
(muito mais simples, mais elegante e CORRETO).


- Da mesma forma é incorreto perguntar:
COM QUEM VOCÊ QUER ESTAR FALANDO?
Veja como é o correto e mais simples: COM QUEM VOCÊ QUER FALAR?

- Ao telefone não use: Quem gostaria? (É de matar...)

- Não use: peraí, agüenta aí, só um pouquinho (prefira: Aguarde um momento, por favor)
- Por último, e talvez a pior de todas: Por favor, arranquem os malditos SEJE e ESTEJE do seu vocabulário (estas palavras não existem!!)

- Não é elegante você tratar ao telefone, pessoas que não conhece, utilizando termos como:
querido(a), meu filho(a), meu bem, amigo(a)... (a não ser que você esteja ironizando-a(o).
Utilize o nome da pessoa ou senhor(a).

1001 ALBUMS YOU MUST HEAR BEFORE YOU DIE

FRANCIS ALBERT SINATRA & ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM ( 1967)










Label: Reprise

Producer: Sonny Burke

Art Direction: Ed Thrasher

Nationality: USA

Running Time: 28:34



His years at Capitol Records, from 1954 to 1961, are regarded as the zenith of Frank Sinatra's career. Yet although the 1960s found the singer growing audibly complacent, there are joys in the recordings he made for Reprise, the artist-friendly label he founded in '61.

The two albums he made with Count Basie are both treats, for example, but it is this unlikely little record, easily the gentlest of his career, which best shows that when he chose his material wisely, Sinatra remained a peerless interpreter of the popular song.

The fad for bossa nova had evaporated; what had previously been exotic in the hands os Stan Getz and (particulary) the voice of Astrud Gilberto had long since become cliché. But Sinatra was unconcerned by fashion; his only worry, in fact, was the lack of adequate translations available of Jobim's songs, hence the presence of three American standards next to the seven Jobim cuts.

Those who have prosecuted Sinatra for singing marginally flat have often used this set as a Exhibit A. But the flaws in his voice on tender cuts such as "Dindi" are, if not deliberate, then deliberately exposed: Sinatra may have done weary and blue throughout his life, but he never sounded this vunerable. And although he decided only relatively late to invite Jobim to join him, the album is a true collaboration. Claus Ogerman's featherlight orchestra is the first thing you notice, but the heartbeat of the record is provided by Jobim's flexible yet steady guitar.

Track Listing
01- The Grils From Ipanema(Garota de Ipanema)
02- Dindi
03- Change Partners
04- Quiet Nights Of Quite Stars (Corcovado)
05- Meditation ( Meditação)
06- If you never come to me
07- How Insensitive ( Insensatez)
08- I concentrate on you
09- Baubles, Bangles and Beads
10- Once I loved

Source: 1001 Albums you must hear before you die

The Olympic Rings

"These five rings -- blue, yellow, black, green and red -- represent the five parts of the world now encompassed by Olympism and ready to compete against each other. Moreover, the six colours (including the white background) thus combined represent those of all nations, without exception. The blue and yellow of Sweden, the blue and white of Greece, the French, English, American, German, Belgian, Italian and Hungarian tricolours, the yellow and red of Spain are side by side with the new Brazilian and Australian flags, the old Japan and the new China. It is a true international emblem."

Coubertin (Selected Writings II, p. 460, 1913).

Gíria - Wannabe

WANNABE
[pessoa que deseja ter sucesso ou fama]

Wannabe actors usually go to this club.
Quem quer ser ator costuma ir a essa boate.

A palavra wanna reproduz a forma com que se pronuncia want to.
Wannabe é uma corruptela de want to be e designa a pessoa que está tentando alcançar sucesso ou fama, normalmente sem nenhum êxito.
A expressão se tornou popular com o sucesso de Madonna, quando os fãs dela declaravam:

I wanna be like Madonna!
Eu quero ser igual a Madonna!

(www.teclasap.com.br/blog)