Oscar Watch: Benjamin Button Up, Down

When I first saw this commercial, I was a little bit confused as to how a old man could get younger and younger! It really amazed me and I really want to see this movie! Come on, it stars Brad Pitt! How awesome is that. haha These kind of movies really amaze me! And I want to see Seven Pounds as well! (= Anyway, back to this movie, I think this is awesome and Brad Pitt looks even better when it's a vintage kind of setting! haha I hope that this movie goes far and inspires different people in all shapes and sizes! (= What Brad Pitt Needed: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button scored a solid-enough Christmas Day box office debut for a studio prestige picture. No, it wasn't Marley & Me, but, more important, it wasn't Valkyrie.

What He Didn't Need: A fairly scathing review in Oscarville's hometown paper, the Los Angeles Times. For what it's worth, the film's overall Rotten Tomatoes rating stood at 75 percent on Friday.

Why It's Especially Important to Have a Good Weekend This Weekend: Nomination ballots for the 81st Academy Awards were sent out Friday.

Bella's Big Shot? No, Twilight isn't an awards-season player, but another film featuring Kristen Stewart really, really wants to be. The L.A. Times has the story on the indie drama The Yellow Handkerchief, which is getting its Academy-required, weeklong run in Los Angeles (well, Encino) thanks to its producer, who paid for the screen time.

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Fake Marriage between Speidi?!

I don't get why Heidi can't see past Spencer. He's such a jerk and I don't see anything compassionate about him. And I'm sick of it, but I love watching the show. I don't get it. haha I think that the whole marriage ordeal was just to get money out of the publicity if that's possible. Spencer doesn't even do anything! haha He's just living off his 1 year fame. haha Brace yourselves, Hills fans: There's a chance that the Speidi wedding no one bought (unless you count whatever Us Weekly paid for that cover) may end up being legally binding after all.

That is, if Spencer Pratt can be trusted. And that's a mighty big if.

Despite mounting evidence the fun couple's alleged courthouse ceremony, endlessly teased on MTV's latest Hills promos, is shaping up to be as legit as their Mexican marital maneuvers, Pratt himself is trying to set the record straight.

"We checked the confidentiality box, so good luck people," he told E! News' Ryan Seacrest in an interview that will air Monday on his KIIS-FM radio show.

But that's not necessarily the case...

Aside from trying to believe that Pratt and his maybe-missus, Heidi Montag, would ever try to keep anything on the down-low, per California law, every marriage is public record. Pratt's vaunted confidentiality box merely keeps the wedding date private, not the record of the actual blessed event.

And so far there is none.

"We can confirm a confidential marriage if it's one that exists," a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder tells E! News. "We don't have anything for them in the system."





While the preview for next Monday's Hills season finale shows the duo standing before a judge and Montag spouting what appear to be traditional vows, the clip appears to be like much of the show: staged "reality."

Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini confirmed to E! News that MTV was granted permission to film in the Beverly Hills courthouse. But the session took place after regular business hours and, per Parachini, the ceremony that played out in the Hills preview clip is not typical—or, like their Mexican vows—legally binding.

"We can confirm that the wedding, or whatever it was, that occurred in the Beverly Hills Courthouse was Mr. Pratt and Ms. Montag," Parachini told E! News. "What the outcome was or what happened during the ceremony is none of the court's business. It was a private matter. I don't know what transpired.

"All I know is what MTV said...a news-related shoot."

Parachini also noted that the judge seemingly presiding over the affair was not associated with the L.A. court system. He did not know what association the man might have.

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Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

When I moved out on my own about 6 months ago, I had to learned many things, such as paying the bills, water, rent, electric. I had to figure out a means a living. I had to learn to get by without the comfort and cushion of running home at the end of the day to my parents. Learning to live on my own was no joke. To add to my list of "MUST LEARN" was cooking. I knew I had to cook to save money. I also had to learn to cook because I wanted to be in control of the kinds of foods I ate. Learning to cook was one of the more fun things I had to learn. One of the lessons I learned on cooking was the role that spices can play into the flavors of your food.

Not only does spice add flavor, I was even more thrilled when I learned that most spices are actually good for you! It just makes sense. Spices have been around since the beginning of time. Ancient recipes have called for its flavors and health benefits, paprika, cinnamon, chili, and cumin to name a few are such wonderful spices with fabulous flavors. The only catch to using spices is you have to learn how to use it. Where, when, and how much of each spice should be added for a certain recipe.

What is so beneficial about spices? Victor Thomas writes about the Medicinal Importance of Spices. He states, "Scientists have done a lot of research on this and have found out that spices contain more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables." He claims that half a teaspoon of spices can amount to more antioxidants than half a cup of fruit. Cloves, allspice, cinnamon, rosemary, and thyme are some of the spices he lists as having amounts antioxidant.

Don't believe him? Do the research yourself, you'll be happy to find hundreds of articles on the benefits of spices. But the fact that it can add so much flavor and uniqueness to a dish and cut down on the amount of salt and butter is reason enough for me to incorporate spices in my dishes!

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Bring Back Classic Christmas!

It's that time again! You know, the lights, the trees, the bells, the snow, the music, the fat jolly man with all the gifts, it's Christmas time! I love Christmas. In fact, I love all the fall/winter holidays, Halloween, Thanksgving, Christmas and New Years. I may be one of those annoying people who seem to always celebrate too early. People have there reasons for enjoying the holidays. Mine may not be too far off from others. I love spending time with my family, I love the food, the decorations. It always seems like when that time comes around, people get busy(but in a good way). They suddenly have to think about others and what gifts to buy. Uh-oh, suddenly all the holiday cheer stops. Buying gifts means spending money, spending money means grouchy people, and grouchy people equals no Christmas spirit.

This year, it is no suprise to anyone that the economy is in trouble. Talks of recession, unemployment rates at record highs, homes being foreclosed left and right, Christmas may be the last thing on people's minds. In an article by Dan Schaeffer, "In Search of the Christmas Spirit," he writes about a man who looks for Christmas Spirit at the Christmas tree lots, but all he found were mortgage bankers looking for trees for their office. The man continues to look for the Christmas spirit at the local mall. His search leads him to a mall employee. And she tells him, "It's in your Heart. It's warm and glowy...you can't buy it at any store. It's in your heart."

When did Christmas become so commercial? When did department stores and newpapers adds take over? And why have we allowed them? I want to bring back what Christmas was about. Family time, hope, faith, and good spirits and kinds hearts. As a child I enjoyed watching the holiday classics on TV like Roudolph the Red Noise Reindeer, Santa Claus is coming to Town, and Frosty the Snow Man. I even remember the Calico Cat. Now, it's all about the dysfunctional family getting together at Christmas time. To me it gets old, all the fighting the hating. Movies are suppose to take you away from reality, not remind you of it. Especially during the holidays. Show me the magic, the snow, the reindeers, the warmth and love! Bring back the Classical Christmas!


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Into the Wild

Once in a while a movie comes along that actually makes you stop and think. It reaches into your mind and soul and makes you question what you're doing in your own life. I came upon that movie a few weeks ago when I decided to rent, "Into the Wild."

The trailer captured my interest. A boy jaded from the new-aged world, escapes to the wilderness to discover himself. I watched the movie under the impression that I would get some laughs and possibly some suspense. The movie ended with me in silence. I needed a few moments to capture the meaning of it.

After watching this movie, I actually looked at life differently. Maybe not drastically, but it did make me sad for the people speeding along the freeways, or the busy-bodies rushing along the sidewalks of downtown. It made me appreciate and respect nature her power, and her glorious gifts to us.

Ofcourse I won't spoil the ending for those who have not seen it. Don't watch it expecting a light-hearted movie. It's definitely not that kind of movie. But watch it with an open mind and appreciate it's story to us.


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Miley Cyrus: A Real Icon?

In my opinion, I personally love watching Hanna Montana, but I absolutely despise Miley Cyrus. I think that she grew up way too fast and that she is taking her fame for granted. The conver of her on Vanity Fair was not the only "provocative" photo out there. If you take a look at her pictures on her myspace, I mean what kind of example is that for all the kids that look up to her? It's most defintely not a good one. And on to of that, her voice when she is singing live is absolutely horrifying! Miley Cyrus issued a statement exclusively to PEOPLE on Sunday, apologizing for a series of playfully provocative photos that circulated on the Internet last week, as well as those from a racy, as-yet unreleased Vanity Fair photo shoot in which she appears to be nude.

The singer, 15, tells PEOPLE: "My goal in my music and my acting is always to make people happy. For Vanity Fair, I was so honored and thrilled to work with Annie [Leibovitz]. I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed."

A source close to the singer tells PEOPLE that Cyrus is clothed but shown by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz in such a way that that the teen appears to be topless.

In the photos that circulated on the Internet, Cyrus, her midriff exposed, is shown draped over the lap of her then-boyfriend, her producer's son. In another image, a hint of a green bra is evident. (Those photos alone prompted criticism from conservative TV commentator Bill O'Reilly, as well as words of support from the Jonas Brothers and a fellow Disney star.)

Cyrus goes on to say: "The pictures of me on the Internet were silly, inappropriate shots. I appreciate all the support of my fans, and hope they understand that along the way I am going to make mistakes and I am not perfect. I never intended for any of this to happen and I am truly sorry if I have disappointed anyone.

"Most of all," she says, "I have let myself down. I will learn from my mistakes and trust my support team. My family and my faith will guide me through my life's journey."

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Jennifer Hudson's Brother in Law Charged for Family Slayings

I mean who does this? this is pretty sick. And I feel horrible for Jennifer Hudsons family. I don't see why a person who is connected to the family do that! I mean.. that's just a horrible act to pull as a family member. Especially shooting a mother, a son, and a young nephew. they still all had so much life to live! It's been more than a month since the shooting deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew, but the case is picking up steam.

A day after his arrest, Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, was formally charged this morning with three counts of first-degree murder and one count of home invasion by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

The 27-year-old Balfour, who has been the sole focus of the Chicago Police Department's investigation from day one, is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing Wednesday afternoon.

Until then, Balfour's attorney, Joshua Kutnick, is wasting no time in defending his client, telling E! News that while Balfour may be a convenient suspect, he's not a guilty one.

"They were under pressure because William is scheduled for a parole hearing tomorrow and, if successful, he would have been released," Kutnick said.

"The police have built this case on what some people may say...I strongly contend that these witnesses that are giving information to the police are not to be believed. They are self-serving statements."

Among those statements, presumably, are some given by Balfour's girlfriend, who not only told police he owned a weapon resembling the .45-caliber gun tied to the shootings but that he even confessed to her he had committed the murders.

Balfour has been held in custody since Oct. 26, two days after the tragic murders.

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