Tuesday, September 8, 2009

HOT : National briefs: Buzz Lightyear action figure to come back after more than year in space


Buzz Lightyear to make trip home
The astronauts aboard the orbiting shuttle and station packed up Buzz Lightyear on Monday for the ride home from "infinity and beyond." The 12-inch action figure has been at the international space station for more than a year. Mission Control asked Discovery’s crew to do a final check to make certain Buzz was safely stowed on the shuttle in advance of the closing of the hatches between the linked spacecraft. The shuttle will depart today. The toy was used for extensive filming over the past week. NASA said the video will be used in educational outreach efforts for children.
— The Associated Press
Man suspected in serial killings
WISCONSIN — A Milwaukee man whose DNA authorities say links him to the slayings of nine women since 1986 has been charged with two counts of homicide, with more charges expected this week, police and prosecutors said Monday. Walter E. Ellis, 49, was taken into custody after a struggle at a motel Saturday, days after police served a search warrant to obtain a DNA sample, police Chief Edward Flynn said. — The Associated Press

NEW : Obama’s Speech to Kids Released


President Obama is doing a planned speech to all the kids at
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school, that are able to recieve it. Already this speech that hasn’t even been aired yet, has recieved a lot of criticism from parents/teachers and news stations around the US. Why? No one knew what he’d say to America’s children and objected to it.
The speech that will be aired on school televisions has been released for all that wondered, you can view it at:   Whitehouse Media
Here’s a sample of the planned speech:
I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a few years, and my mother didn’t have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.   
Now I wasn’t too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I’d fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I’d complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and say, “This is no picnic for me either, buster.”
So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I’m here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year. 
Now I’ve given a lot of speeches about education. And I’ve talked a lot about responsibility.
I’ve talked about your teachers’ responsibility for inspiring you, and pushing you to learn. 
I’ve talked about your parents’ responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and get your homework done, and don’t spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with that Xbox. 
I’ve talked a lot about your government’s responsibility for setting high standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren’t working where students aren’t getting the opportunities they deserve. 
But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. 
And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself. 
There is so much more to this speech, but I’ll let you head over and read it yourselves. I’ll probably touch more on this speech during the week. But I believe the only thing he is doing is trying to encourage our children that staying in school and getting an education is the most important thing for their futures and I agree 100%. Don’t you?

NEW : JaeBum declares leaving 2PM, and sets off for hometown Seattle on 8th


 
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2PM JaeBum will be leaving for the States after he declares that he will be leaving the group officially on 8th Septmber.
JaeBum posted a message on 2PM’s official fancafe on 8th September at 11.59am, with the title to the post “This is JaeBum” informing fans about his leaving of the group.
The incident happened with JaeBum’s Korean-offending messages posted on his MySpace page in 2005 were discovered on 5th September. With that, many Koreans netizens were unhappy and in just 4 days after the incident, JaeBum has decided to leave the group.
JaeBum will be leaving for his hometown Seattle on 8th September. After knowing that JaeBum will be leaving for the states, many fans have stated, “We should prevent JaeBum from leaving Korea. And there are plans for fans to come together at the airport.
After it was declared that JaeBum will be leaving the group, there was a new petition up on Agora to “Stop JaeBum from leaving 2PM”. And it seems that this affection for Korea by JaeBum has came just too late after the incident.
Meanwhile, JaeBum’s message left on the official fancafe on 8th September goes:
Hello. This is JaeBum from 2PM. I’m sorry to give a last farewell with this message. With that very apologetic heart I have, it seems it is hard for me to see everyone on stage again.”
I’m very sorry to everyone. I’m even more sorry to fans who have gave so much love. I will be leaving 2PM from today. I’m so sorry but I have to leave 2PM and you guys because I have been a leader hyung who not only did not give strength but became a burden. I’m once again sorry.”
Meanwhile, it was said that JaeBum has left Korea for the States to evade from being enlisted for military service after the incident, and the case was compared to as the ‘2nd Yoo Seung Joon’ incident.

NEW : Jacory Harris is the real deal


ollege football always is a more interesting place when Miami's in the picture. And it drew a few steps closer Monday night. It didn't just outlast Florida State in a game that went to the final play.
It found a quarterback.
Jacory Harris has been advertised as that, of course. He's why Robert Marve ended up leaving for Purdue, why two other backups transferred out this August. They saw what a national television audience did Monday night.
The kid can play.
Play hurt, too.
You couldn't have drawn up a better scenario for Harris to show who he is and what he's got. he just threw a a go-ahead interception for Florida State early in the fourth quarter. His arm was numb from being hit. Even a half hour after the game, he couldn't feel the fourth and fifth fingers on his hand?
And he didn't just lead a touchdown drive - completing passes of 16, 20 and the TD of 24 to tie the game.
He then led Miami on a game-winning drive, lofting a perfect 40-yard pass to Travis Benjamin to set up the touchdown. Benjamin wasn't the primary receiver, either.
"The tight end was the first look,'' Benjamin said. "When he was covered, Jacory came to me."
After the game, Miami coach Randy Shannon rolled out some greats to compare Harris to: Kosar. Walsh. Dorsey.
We'll see. But after Monday night, no one's arguing against that.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

NEW : Richard Seymour Traded to Oakland


The New England Patriots have confirmed a rather shocking trade that will send defensive end Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders, according to Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that New England will receive a 2011 first-round pick in return.





Seymour, a five-time Pro-Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro is coming off a 2008 campaign in which he tied a career high with eight sacks.

This is the second trade between the Raiders and Patriots involving a defensive lineman in the past month, as Oakland sent pass-rushing end Derrick Burgess to New England in early August.

It appears to be a rather good move for the Raiders in the short-term -- and a very, very questionable one for the long-term -- as Seymour instantly becomes their best defensive lineman this season, and they pick him up without having to surrender their 2010 first-round pick (likely to be a high one). The problem, of course, is that he's scheduled to be a free agent following this season. If he doesn't sign, that's a steep price to pay for one year of a defensive lineman that's not likely to be the difference between a playoff season and a non-playoff season.

The Patriots, meanwhile, continue their trend of stockpiling future draft picks (on Saturday, the Patriots dealt fourth-year tight end David Thomas to New Orleans for a 2011 draft pick.) It also creates some long-term holes on the defensive line, seeing as how nose tackle Vince Wilfork is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following this season.

New England will be filling Seymour's roster spot with offensive lineman Kendall Simmons, according to Schefter.

Labor Day weekend 
promises to be busy Choices range from Renaissance to R&B


Looking to stay in town this Labor Day weekend? Don’t fear: Besides the obligatory backyard barbecue, there’s plenty to do all over town for anyone still on “staycation.”
Check out the Blues Fest at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Centerville’s Stubbs Park Amphitheater. Concert-goers can enjoy three local blues bands and then cast their vote for the best performance. The winning band will be invited to return to Stubbs Park next summer to perform at their own two-hour concert.
The concert will feature the Doug Hart Band, a southwestern Ohio staple for more than a decade; Michael Locke & The Repeat Offenders, a soulful blues group; and Jimmy Baker & Blues Encounter, a high-energy funk and blues band.
Or, head over to Alter Fest at Alter High School in Kettering. Enjoy performances by The Johnsons, Bonneville and Velvet Crush, among others, and stay for their “world famous” chicken dinners.
For those looking for a carnival atmosphere, check out the Montgomery County Fair, which lasts through Monday.
Events include the annual 4-H Club shows, carnival rides and games, a demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls, a Jungle Island Petting Zoo, Ohio Xtreme Fighting and harness racing.
Kettering will host the 51st annual Holiday at Home, a community festival celebrating the holiday weekend. This year’s theme is Backyard Fun, with the weekend spotlighted by an arts and crafts show in the Lincoln Park Pavilion, a car show, a 5K run/walk, the Miss Holiday Pageant and the Holiday at Home Parade on Monday.
For even more music, visit RiverScape MetroPark on Saturday for a performance of Touch, a Dayton-area R&B band, as they perform songs from The Temptations and The Commodores from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Or, if it’s a little ye old fun you’re looking for, check out the 20th annual Ohio Renaissance Festival, which kicks off Saturday. It continues on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25. See some jousting, eat a giant turkey leg and don’t be surprised if you’re heckled by shopkeepers insistent that you peruse their wares. Tights and chain mail are not the required dress, but encouraged.
And since Labor Day signals the end of summer, end it with a bang at the WEBN Fireworks in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, drawing crowds from all over Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Make sure to get there early — it’s a bit of a drive and people stake out prime viewing spots early in the day.

HOT : NFL's Merriman arrested, accused of choking Tila Tequila


(CNN) -- San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of choking and restraining MTV reality show star Tila Tequila, police said.
Shawne Merriman is accused of restraining reality TV star Tila Tequlia as she tried to leave his home, police say.
Shawne Merriman is accused of restraining reality TV star Tila Tequlia as she tried to leave his home, police say.
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Authorities responded to a disturbance call about 3:45 a.m. Sunday from a woman who said she had been choked and restrained by a male, the sheriff's department of San Diego County, California, said in a statement.
When police arrived, "the reporting party identified herself as Tila Nguyen, aka Tila Tequila, and her alleged assailant as Shawne Merriman," the statement said.
"Nguyen told deputies she had been choked and physically restrained by Merriman when she attempted to leave his residence," the statement said.
Nguyen signed a citizen's arrest at the scene, andMerriman was taken into custody on suspicion of battery and false imprisonment, according to the statement.
Nguyen was transported to a local hospital. Her condition was not immediately known.
As Tila Tequila, Nguyen starred on the MTV reality shows "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila" in 2007 and "A Shot at Love 2 With Tila Tequila" in 2008.
On her Twitter account, Nguyen did not mention the incident but tweeted about going to meet Merriman on Saturday.
Merriman is entering his fifth year with the Chargers. The team begins its 2009 NFL regular-season campaign on September 14 in Oakland, California, for a game against the Raiders.



source : http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/06/merriman.arrest/

NEW : Controversy, straight up


Amid scenes of boozy revelry, liquor law infractions have soared in the ByWard Market, a Citizen investigation reveals. Regulators insist 'risk-based enforcement' helps them focus on likely problem establishments. Bar owners say it singles out popular bars. As Glen McGregor reports, relations between the two are on the rocks.

Glen Mcgregor, The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Saturday, September 05, 2009
The man at the bar with two drinks pointed his digital camera in the wrong direction and attempted to shoot a self-portrait. He looked down at the camera, frowned and snapped again.
With eyes half-closed, he made lethargic hand motions, struggled to stand and bumped others walking past. Several times he flashed a thumbs-up sign to friends.
When he tried to pour one drink into the other, red liquid spilled onto the ground. When he raised the glass for a sip, his mouth missed the straw.

Watching the customer was Mark Lambert, an undercover Ontario liquor inspector, who recorded these observations during a February 2007 visit to Tila Tequila, a popular nightclub in the ByWard Market.
Despite the customer's apparent drunkenness, a bartender poured him another vodka, Lambert would later allege in testimony against the club. Under Ontario's liquor laws, it is illegal to serve an intoxicated person or permit a drunken person on the premises.
During that covert visit, Lambert reported seeing seven other intoxicated patrons. Among them, he described a guy in a Canada hoodie who took a shot of tequila and kept falling into his group of friends; a well-dressed male who chugged from a bottle of Heineken and fell back into people behind him; and a red-haired female who lost her balance and elbowed Lambert in the stomach. On her way to the exit, she met a male and, with lethargic movements, groped and grabbed his buttocks, Lambert testified.
Inspection records suggest such scenes are not unusual in the ByWard Market.
More than one in every three bars or restaurants in the Market has been cited for a serious liquor licensing violation during the past five years, a Citizen investigation has found. Of the more than 80 licence holders in the Market, 22 have been served with licence suspensions requiring them to shut off the taps.
Liquor inspectors with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) have repeatedly written up ByWard Market clubs for serving alcohol to underage customers, allowing the use of illegal drugs and overserving, among other infractions.
Bars in the Market are cited for serious liquor violations at nearly three times the rate of licensed establishments elsewhere in the Ottawa area, a Citizen analysis of more than 16,000 liquor inspection records spanning the past five years shows.
In the weeks that followed Lambert's visit, liquor inspectors made more spot checks on Tila Tequila, recording more alleged instances of intoxication and overcrowding on the club patio.
(The reported infractions referred to in this and other stories in the series have not necessarily been proved before an AGCO review board or in court. The charges can be withdrawn or dismissed after they are reported by inspectors.)
The allegations against Tila Tequila would end up before a quasi-judicial review board hearing 14 months later.
During the five days of proceedings, bar owner Abbis Mahmoud said he had seen nothing out of the ordinary that night and couldn't remember the people Lambert described. Dozens of people wear red shirts or hoodies in his bar, he noted. If his staff had seen the man with red drinks acting the way Lambert described, they would be in serious trouble if they did not tell the club management, Mahmoud said.

Glen Mcgregor, The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Saturday, September 05, 2009
The board found that five of the eight patrons noted by the inspector were drunk. The club also exceeded capacity and served intoxicated customers, the board found.
Tila Tequila was hit with a 17-day licence suspension. The penalty is currently stayed as the club appeals the decision to Ontario Divisional Court in a case expected to be heard early next year.
The number of violations found in Ottawa bars jumped in 2007, when inspectors began to focus on likely problem establishments and those in such popular areas as the Market or along Elgin Street.

The "risk-based enforcement" system has led to a sharp spike in licence suspensions in the approximately 1,000 licensed locations in Ottawa and the surrounding areas.
Last year, 44 area bars were docked for a total of 657 days -- an increase of 277 per cent over 2004.
Typically, suspensions are triggered by what the AGCO calls "the big five" infractions with the greatest potential to jeopardize public safety: serving minors, permitting drunkenness or disorderly conduct, having narcotics on the premises, overcrowding and serving after hours.
When less serious offences are included -- failing to post warning signs about fetal-alcohol syndrome, for example -- more than 83 per cent of ByWard Market bars and restaurants have been written up for some kind of infraction since 2004.
While the numbers suggest a degree of mayhem in the Market not seen elsewhere, bar owners say most clubs are run responsibly.
They point to the AGCO's ramped up inspections for increasing infractions.
Tila Tequila is one of the city's largest and busiest nightclubs and one with a young clientele.
Even at the hearing that led to the sanction against the club, one inspector lauded owner Mahmoud for his hands-on management and active interest in complying with the liquor laws. Mahmoud fought the AGCO on another set of allegations of liquor law infractions and this summer, an AGCO review board tossed them out.
Mahmoud complains that the AGCO unfairly singles out Market clubs.
"All risk-based licensing does is target bars that are busy," he says.
Since the allegations based on Lambert's report, Tila Tequila has increased the number of security staff to 14. Still, it is not always easy to spot a single problem in a crowd of customers.
To fight back, Mahmoud and other Ottawa bars owners last year formed the Ontario Restaurant and Bar Association (agcowatch.ca) to lobby over liquor policy and channel complaints about the AGCO and its inspectors.
The AGCO says it is just enforcing rules to protect public safety. It moved to a risk-based approach to better focus resources on areas most likely to have problems. The agency notes that the bars that get suspended make up a small minority of the 17,000 licensed establishments in the province. In Ottawa, only about four per cent of licensed establishments will be suspended in a given year.

HOT : Serena, Nadal advance...Chargers' Merriman arrested...Seymour dealt...

Serena, Nadal advance...Chargers' Merriman arrested...Seymour dealt

NEW YORK (AP) Second seed Serena Williams has breezed into the U.S. Open quarterfinals by winning the last 10 games of a 6-2, 6-0 rout of No. 22 Daniela Hantuchova (hahn-TOO'-koh-vah). Williams has now reached the quarters in 11 of the past 12 Grand Slams and has won the title at three of the previous four. Third seed Venus Williams has begun her fourth-round match against Kim Clijsters (KLYS'-turz).

NEW YORK (AP) Men's No. 3 seed Rafael Nadal (nah-DAHL') has won his third-round match at the U.S. Open in straight sets despite being treated for a stomach muscle problem. He beat No. 32 Nicolas Almagro 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 in an all-Spaniard matchup. No. 9 Gilles Simon of France retired because of a knee injury while trailing No.

24 Juan Carlos Ferrero 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 1-0 in a men's third-round match.

SAN DIEGO (AP) San Diego Chargers star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested today and accused of choking and restraining his girlfriend, reality TV star Tila Tequila. The San Diego County sheriff's office says Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant, charging Merriman with battery and false imprisonment.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour has been traded by the New England Patriots to the Oakland Raiders for a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft. The 29-year-old Seymour started 105 games for the Pats after being taken sixth overall in the 2001 draft. He recorded 460 tackles and 39 sacks in eight years with New England.

NORTON, Mass. (AP) Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson and Kevin Sutherland were tied for the lead and on the back nine in the third round of the PGA's Deutsche (DOY'-chuh) Bank Championship near Boston. Stricker was 5-under through 16 holes today, putting him 12-under for the tournament. Jerry Kelly briefly had the lead before falling one shot back.



source : http://www.kxmb.com/Sports/432713.asp

Saturday, September 5, 2009

NEW : Unexplained phenomenon: Google buzz has a UFO flip side


Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin
Now its own hot click, the mystery Google UFO doodle and the search term 'unexplained phenomenon' are  bouncing around the internet like  pinballs in warp drive. The sudden popularity of the term and the new logo have sparked discussions about driving news via trends and a possible covert action to advertise the new sci-fi movie District 9.
Whether by coincidence or not, LiveScience is running a special feature: Top Ten Unexplained Phenomena.Coming in at #7 on their list: UFOs.
Which leads us to Buzz Aldrin, the Apollo moon landings, and fraudulent claims by UFOlogists that Aldrin reported a UFO during the the mission. Not only did he not see a UFO, he's pointed out that a video that appears to show him saying just that is a badly-edited fraud.
But the urban legend keeps cropping up, as UFO buffs cite the story repeatedly as established fact. In February, I reported how the UFO claim had been totally debunked. NASA Senior Scientist David Morrison debunks the claim, along with the face on Mars as a constructed artifact, in an article for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI).
 Morrison has the real story:
In an interview on the Science Channel..., Aldrin stated that he, Neil Armstrong, and Mike Collins saw unidentified objects that appeared to follow their Apollo spacecraft. To get the story straight, I called Buzz Aldrin, who was happy to explain what happened. He said that his remarks were taken out of context to reverse his meaning. It is true that the Apollo 11 crew spotted an unidentified object moving with the spacecraft as they approached the Moon.
After they verified that this mystery object was not Apollo 11’s large rocket upper stage, which was about 6,000 miles away by then, they concluded that they were seeing one of the small panels that had linked the spacecraft to the upper stage (any part of the spacecraft’s rocket upper stage will continue to move alongside the spacecraft, as both are floating in free-fall). These panels were too small to track from Earth and were relatively close to the Apollo spacecraft.
Aldrin told me that they chose not to discuss this on the open communications channel since they were concerned that their comments might be misinterpreted. His entire explanation about identifying the panels was cut from the broadcast interview, giving the impression that the Apollo 11 crew had seen a UFO.
Aldrin told me that he was angry about the deceptive editing and asked the Science Channel to correct the intentional twisting of his remarks, but they refused. Later, Aldrin explained what happened on CNN’s Larry King Live (left, bottom) but was nearly cut off by the host before he could finish.
So there you have it: no UFO reported by Aldrin on the Apollo 11 flight.
Exploring unexplained phenomena is intriquing, but it's about time that this UFO canard be placed in the "explained" category.
Image/Aldrin PR release

NEW : What to watch for this weekend in college football


More than any weekend, the kickoff of the season brings more questions than any other. It has been eight months since the last game and hundreds of players are gone after using their eligibility while hundreds of others are just starting their college careers.
Here are some of the storylines are worth following in the first week:
By Carolyn Kaster, AP
Bradford under the microscope.
 Being the reigning Heisman Trophy winner should be enough scrutiny for the Oklahoma quarterback. But with his top two receivers off to the NFL and starting tight end sideline with a knee injury, Bradford will be dealing with one experienced target in Ryan Broyles. He also has four new starters on the offensive line when the Sooners meet BYU. Don't expect another 50-touchdown season, though he could be more impressive by leading the Sooners back to the title game.
Inexperience in Atlanta. Alabama is breaking in new quarterback Greg McElroy. Virginia Tech has two talented freshman running backs Ryan Williams and David Wilson. The best performance by the threesome could be decisive in what should be a low-scoring game between top 10 teams.
First step for Matt Barkley. The true freshman quarterback can get his feet wet as the Southern California starting quarterback against San Jose State. The environment will be much tougher a week later in Columbus.
How does Charlie Weis handle pressure? It is almost a given that Notre Dame needs 10 wins to get Weis back on solid footing in South Bend. The home opener against Nevada is the type of game the last two years that has been dangerous for the Irish. The Wolf Pack have the talent to make it close in the second half. Notre Dame and Weis need an easy win to build confidence and quiet doubters.
How does Rich Rodriguez handle pressure? Western Michigan was always going to be tough opponent for Michigan given the Wolverines' disappointing 3-9 year last year. Add a tumultuous week for coach Rodriguez with allegations of NCAA violations and you wonder whether Michigan is focused completely on the opposition. A loss could send Ann Arbor is complete chaos with Notre Dame visiting next week.
Greg Paulus tries to shake off rust. Four years of playing point guard at Duke probably wasn't the best preparation for Paulus to start his football career with Syracuse. Chris Weinke proved a career in minor league baseball could be the start to success as a college quarterback. But Paulus only has one year to get up to speed. His challenge starts against Minnesota.
Old-guy openers. It will be the 44th season at Penn State for Joe Paterno. It will be the 33rd at Florida State for Bobby Bowden. The Seminoles have the tougher task with rival Miami coming to town. Akron should be a good appetizer for the Nittany Lions. Joining those two is 69-year-old Bill Snyder, who returns for his second tenure at Kansas State after "retiring" for three seasons.
New-guy openers. No coach has made more headlines since being hired than Lane Kiffin of Tennessee. Now he has to produce, starting with Western Kentucky. Steve Sarkisian, who was an assistant with Kiffin at Southern California, starts his career at Washington with LSU in Seattle. Both hope to have better starts than Chip Kelly did with Oregon.
Little-guy openers. Opening weekend means lots of cupcakes for FBS teams, but also upsets for teams not prepared to face lower-division opponents. Villanova drew first blood by beating Temple on Thursday. Don't be surprised if defending FCS champion Richmond is the next team to spoil the start of someone's season when the Spiders face Duke. You can be pretty sure that it won't be Charleston Southern, who has the privilege of starting at Florida.

NEW : Movie Review: When a Stranger Calls (2006)

I've never seen the original 1979 film, so I don't have that point of reference. However, there are years worth of films that have taken inspiration, at least in part, from it. The trailers did not instill much confidence in me, it looked like Scream, and had one of the worst line deliveries I have heard in some time. That line being the fear inducing "The call is coming from inside the house!"

The opening credits play while the camera cuts around a small town and a neighboring carnival, while we here a cluster of phone calls with no one on the other end. It ends with a murder and then the police removing the remains in a number of plastic bags. The scene cuts to another town, where we are introduced to Jill Johnson (Camilla Belle). In short order, her life is given a little drama and she is dropped off at the big, creepy, antiseptic home at which she is to babysit. Before long, she is getting hang ups and false scares. We scream towards the conclusion in a brisk 83 minutes.

When a Stranger Calls fails to take off. The tension never builds, I mean, we watch her get these calls, we see as she wanders around the house, but I never get any sense of actual danger, except when we get a music cue. The musical score looks to fill the role of tension builder, it is always there, intruding on the action, informing you how you should feel. It is one of the most obtrusive and annoying scores I have heard in some time.

On top of the score, the script does not allow for any development. It is lean and mean, and while in some cases that is admirable (see Red Eye and Good Night, and Good Luck), that is not the case here. Relationships and issues are set up for Jill to get through, yet there is no payoff to them. I don't get the sense of any desire on the part of the filmmakers to flesh out any of these characters. Granted, the centerpiece and focus is, and should be, on the phone calls and ultimate showdown. It is a shame that we are saddled with a pared down vision with lack of scope. This also extends to the direction, there are some nice shots, but most of it is intent on getting closeups of the leads face, and pretty shots of the cold home.

The acting is no better. Camilla Belle, as lovely as she may be, is just not ready to carry a film. She does not have the strength or presence, nor the range to really make me care about her. The supporting cast is even worse, just a few cardboard characters tossed in to try to flesh out the lead while not adding much in the way of substance.

Essentially, When a Stranger Calls is all setup and no payoff. None of the setup that is gone through so tortuously early on is resolved, or even given a hint that there is a continuing story. Bad guy shows up, they fight and run around for a bit, then it's over. There is no connection between these characters other than blind chance. I know that the idea of randomness in violence can be frightening, here it just flounders and sinks.

Bottomline. Don't bother with this stinker of a thriller. I now plan on taking in the original, perhaps I would enjoy that? In any case, director Simon West should go back to the slick action films, he seems to fare better with them. This film is an 83 minute trailer for a better film which never got made. Avoid the boredom set to annoying music.



source : http://www.criticaloutcast.com/2006/02/movie-review-when-stranger-calls-2006.html

HOT : NFL cuts begin; Ravens on the lookout



More bark than bite:  Frank Walker is no lock to make team
Tomorrow marks the deadline to trim NFL rosters to 53 players.  And, while the Baltimore Ravens have yet to make their final cuts, it's likely that they'll be looking for additional help at several positions.
Before getting into players that may interest the Ravens, let's take a look at who is on the bubble to make the final roster in Baltimore.
ON THE BUBBLE
-Frank Walker: He has not done much to solidify his spot on the roster.  Walker, never at a loss for words or boneheaded plays left a lot to be desired during his pre-season appearances.  However, he knows the systems and proved last year that he's a fairly reliable cornerback when his number is called.  If Walker is cut, it means that Derrick Martin most likely slid his way onto the roster in his place.
-Justin Harper:  If he only had some hands.  Harper looks the part of a big-play receiver with great size and speed.  But last night's multiple drops proved that he just doesn't have the hands to play in the NFL.  He'll either by cut or added to the practice squad for another year.
-Yamon Figurs:  He's not going to make the squad as a receiver.  And it's unlikely he'll make it as a return-man either.
-Jason Phillips:  The fifth-round pick has had a good camp, but he hasn't been great.  He did not do anything special last night during the final dress rehearsal in Atlanta.  Because of the depth that the team has at linebacker, he will more than likely end up on the practice squad.
-Jalen Parmele:  He still has a chance to make the final roster.  Matt Lawrence and Cedric Peerman are all but headed to the practice squad. 
ROSTER MOVES ELSEWHERE
As it stands, the team will most likely be looking to add veteran depth at the tight end, offensive tackle, and wide receiver positions.  Cornerback is also an area of concern, but it's unlikely the team will opt to bring in any castoffs.
Here is a short list of players who have been cut either today or in the last several days and may draw interest from the Ravens:
OT-  Damion McIntosh (Chiefs), Oliver Ross (Cardinals)
WR- Glenn Holt (Lions), Amani Toomer (Chiefs), Will Franklin (Raiders),
TE- Leonard Pope (Cardinals)
Stay tuned for more news as more cuts are made.  There is an outside shot that both Reggie Brown and Deion Branch may be let go by the Eagles and Seahawks respectively.  If that's the case, it's hard to imagine that the Ravens would not give both receivers a long look.

NEW : Ohio State football: Navy answers Pryor TD pass


* Step up and throw. Terrelle Pryor keeps a play alive, avoids the rush but doesn't run, and finds Dane Sanzenbacher on a crossing route at the 20-yard line, and Sanzenbacher goes the rest of the way for a 38-yard touchdown.
So Ohio State goes ahead after a six-play touchdown drive to open the game.
* The Buckeyes ran a reverse on the opening kickoff, Lamaar Thomas to Brandon Saine. You think Ohio State might have saved that for USC. The return went out to midfield.
* Navy answers on its first drive with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that takes nearly seven minutes, QB Ricky Dobbs running the triple option to perfection. He caps it off with a 16-yard run up the middle on third-and-2.

HOT : Former Vol, Titan Jesse Mahelona killed in auto accident


Jesse Mahelona, a former University of Tennessee defensive tackle who was drafted by the Titans, has died in a car accident in his native Hawaii, his agent said today.

Mahelona was 26.
“I spoke to his dad early this morning. Jesse did pass way in car accident in Hawaii,” said his agent, Chad Speck.

“Jesse was a joy to be around, always. He was a guy who was always in a good mood, always funny and laughing, goofy. His relationship with the Lord was strong. He was a guy who always had a smile on his face. He really enjoyed life. That’s how I’ll remember him.”

Mahelona was selected by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He played in 10 games as a rookie, then bounced from the Titans to the Dolphins and Falcons in 2007. He last played in a 2007 game for Atlanta.

Mahelona is survived by his wife, Brandi, and an infant child.

A native of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Mahelona played two seasons at Tennessee after transferring from Orange Coast Junior College.

In 24 games with the Vols, he had 77 tackles and 7 sacks. As a junior In 2004 he was a Sporting News All-American and All-SEC second team after recording 42 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. 

NEW : College Football TV schedule for next week


New Delhi, Sept 5, 2009: College Football TV schedule for next week. College football season has just begun. College football is American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies.
It was the venue through which American football first gained popularity in the United States. College football remains extremely popular today among students, alumni, and other fans of the sport.

Here is the College Football Television Schedule for the next two days. This should help football enthusiasts plan to view the matches of their favorite teams for the next seven days.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Central Washington at Minnesota-Duluth (CBS College Sports, 8:00 PM ET)

Eastern Kentucky at Indiana (Big Ten Network, 8:00 PM ET)

North Texas at Ball State (ESPNU, 7:30 PM ET)
   Charlie Neal, Jay Walker
14 Oregon at 16 Boise State (ESPN, 10:15 PM ET)
   Mark Jones, Bob Davie, Heather Cox
South Carolina at NC State (ESPN, 7:00 PM ET)
   Sean McDonough, Craig James, Jesse Palmer
Utah State at 18 Utah (The Mtn., 7:00 PM MT)

Western Illinois at Sam Houston State (Southland TV Network, 6:00 PM CT)

Friday, September 4, 2009
Tulsa at Tulane (ESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
   Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore


Saturday, September 5, 2009
13 Georgia at 11 Oklahoma State (ABC, 2:30 PM CT)
   Sean McDonough, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews
24 BYU at 3 Oklahoma (ESPN, 6:00 PM CT)
   Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Heather Cox
5 Alabama at 7 Virginia Tech (ABC, 8:00 PM ET)
   Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters
9 LSU at Washington (ESPN, 10:30 PM ET )
   Mark Jones, Bob Davie, Heather Cox
Akron at 8 Penn State (Big Ten Network, 12:00 PM ET)

Baylor at Wake Forest (ABC / ESPN2, 3:30 PM ET)
   Dave Lamont, JC Pearson
Buffalo at UTEP (CBS College Sports, 9:00 PM ET)

Charleston Southern at 1 Florida (FSN, 7:00 PM ET)

Connecticut at Ohio University (ESPN360.com, 7:00 PM ET)
   Michael Reghi, Jerod Cherry
Florida Atlantic at 22 Nebraska (PPV, 6:00 PM CT)

Indiana State at Louisville (Big East Network Local, 7:30 PM ET)

Jackson State at Mississippi State (ESPNU, 3:30 PM ET )
   Todd Harris, Charles Arbuckle
Jacksonville State at 15 Georgia Tech (ESPN360.com, 1:00 PM ET)
   Frank Giardina, Doug Chapman
Kentucky at Miami (OH) (ESPNU, 12:00 PM ET)
   Clay Matvick, Dabid Diaz-Infante
Liberty at West Virginia (Big East Network Local, 12:00 PM ET)

Louisiana Monroe at 2 Texas (PPV, 6:00 PM CT)

Louisiana Tech at Auburn (ESPNU, 7:00 PM ET )
   Eric Collins, Brock Huard, Beth Mowins
Maryland at 12 California (ESPN2, 7:00 PM PT)
   Terry Gannon, David Norrie
Middle Tennessee at Clemson (ESPN360.com, 6:00 PM ET)
   Ryan Rose, Danny Kanell
Minnesota at Syracuse (ESPN2, 12:00 PM ET)
   Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
Missouri at Illinois (ESPN, 2:40 PM CT)
   Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham
Missouri State at Arkansas (Inst. PPV, 7:00 PM ET )

Montana State at Michigan State (Big Ten Network, 12:00 PM ET)

Navy at 6 Ohio State (ESPN, 12:00 PM ET)
   Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Bob Griese
Nevada at Notre Dame (NBC Sports, 3:30 PM ET)

New Mexico at Texas A&M (TBD, 6:00 PM CT)

Northeastern at Boston College (ESPN360.com, 2:00 PM ET)
   Dave Popkin, Jon Ritchie
Northern Illinois at Wisconsin (Big Ten Network, 6:00 PM CT)

Northern Iowa at 21 Iowa (Big Ten Network, 11:00 AM CT)

Prairie View A&M at Texas Southern (ESPNU, 10:30 PM ET)
   Carter Blackburn, Eddie Robinson Jr
Rice at UAB (Comcast / Charter Sports Southeast (CSS), 3:30 PM ET)

San Diego State at UCLA (Fox Sports West, 4:30 PM PT)

San Jose State at 4 USC (FSN, 12:30 PM PT)

The Citadel at North Carolina (ESPN360.com, 6:00 PM ET)
   Bob Picozzi, Paul Maguire
Toledo at Purdue (Big Ten Network, 12:00 PM ET)

Towson at Northwestern (Big Ten Network, 11:00 AM CT)

Washington at 9 LSU (ESPN, 7:30 PM PT)
   Mark Jones, Bob Davie, Heather Cox
Western Carolina at Vanderbilt (CSS, 7:30 PM ET)

Western Kentucky at Tennessee (ERT/SEC Network, 12:21 PM ET )

Western Michigan at Michigan (ABC, 3:30 PM ET)

William & Mary at Virginia (ESPN360.com, 6:00 PM ET)
   Jim Barbar, Sonny Randle
Wofford at USF (BHSN, 7:00 PM ET)



Sunday, September 6, 2009
10 Ole Miss at Memphis (ESPN, 3:30 PM ET )
   Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore
Colorado State at Colorado (FSN, 6:00 PM CT)

Grambling State at South Carolina State (ESPN, 2:00 PM ET)
   Charlie Neal, Jay Walker


Monday, September 7, 2009
Cincinnati at Rutgers (ESPN, 4:00 PM ET)
   Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese
Miami (FL) at 19 Florida State (ESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
   Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Erin Andrews
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Central Washington at Minnesota-Duluth (CBS College Sports, 8:00 PM ET)

Eastern Kentucky at Indiana (Big Ten Network, 8:00 PM ET)

North Texas at Ball State (ESPNU, 7:30 PM ET)
   Charlie Neal, Jay Walker
14 Oregon at 16 Boise State (ESPN, 10:15 PM ET)
   Mark Jones, Bob Davie, Heather Cox
South Carolina at NC State (ESPN, 7:00 PM ET)
   Sean McDonough, Craig James, Jesse Palmer
Utah State at 18 Utah (The Mtn., 7:00 PM MT)

Western Illinois at Sam Houston State (Southland TV Network, 6:00 PM CT)



Friday, September 4, 2009
Tulsa at Tulane (ESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
   Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore


Saturday, September 5, 2009
13 Georgia at 11 Oklahoma State (ABC, 2:30 PM CT)
   Sean McDonough, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews
24 BYU at 3 Oklahoma (ESPN, 6:00 PM CT)
   Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Heather Cox
5 Alabama at 7 Virginia Tech (ABC, 8:00 PM ET)
   Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters
9 LSU at Washington (ESPN, 10:30 PM ET )
   Mark Jones, Bob Davie, Heather Cox
Akron at 8 Penn State (Big Ten Network, 12:00 PM ET)

Baylor at Wake Forest (ABC / ESPN2, 3:30 PM ET)
   Dave Lamont, JC Pearson
Buffalo at UTEP (CBS College Sports, 9:00 PM ET)

Charleston Southern at 1 Florida (FSN, 7:00 PM ET)

Connecticut at Ohio University (ESPN360.com, 7:00 PM ET)
   Michael Reghi, Jerod Cherry
Florida Atlantic at 22 Nebraska (PPV, 6:00 PM CT)

Indiana State at Louisville (Big East Network Local, 7:30 PM ET)

Jackson State at Mississippi State (ESPNU, 3:30 PM ET )
   Todd Harris, Charles Arbuckle
Jacksonville State at 15 Georgia Tech (ESPN360.com, 1:00 PM ET)
   Frank Giardina, Doug Chapman
Kentucky at Miami (OH) (ESPNU, 12:00 PM ET)
   Clay Matvick, Dabid Diaz-Infante
Liberty at West Virginia (Big East Network Local, 12:00 PM ET)

Louisiana Monroe at 2 Texas (PPV, 6:00 PM CT)

Louisiana Tech at Auburn (ESPNU, 7:00 PM ET )
   Eric Collins, Brock Huard, Beth Mowins
Maryland at 12 California (ESPN2, 7:00 PM PT)
   Terry Gannon, David Norrie
Middle Tennessee at Clemson (ESPN360.com, 6:00 PM ET)
   Ryan Rose, Danny Kanell
Minnesota at Syracuse (ESPN2, 12:00 PM ET)
   Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
Missouri at Illinois (ESPN, 2:40 PM CT)
   Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham
Missouri State at Arkansas (Inst. PPV, 7:00 PM ET )

Montana State at Michigan State (Big Ten Network, 12:00 PM ET)

Navy at 6 Ohio State (ESPN, 12:00 PM ET)
   Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Bob Griese
Nevada at Notre Dame (NBC Sports, 3:30 PM ET)

New Mexico at Texas A&M (TBD, 6:00 PM CT)

Northeastern at Boston College (ESPN360.com, 2:00 PM ET)
   Dave Popkin, Jon Ritchie
Northern Illinois at Wisconsin (Big Ten Network, 6:00 PM CT)

Northern Iowa at 21 Iowa (Big Ten Network, 11:00 AM CT)

Prairie View A&M at Texas Southern (ESPNU, 10:30 PM ET)
   Carter Blackburn, Eddie Robinson Jr
Rice at UAB (Comcast / Charter Sports Southeast (CSS), 3:30 PM ET)

San Diego State at UCLA (Fox Sports West, 4:30 PM PT)

San Jose State at 4 USC (FSN, 12:30 PM PT)

The Citadel at North Carolina (ESPN360.com, 6:00 PM ET)
   Bob Picozzi, Paul Maguire
Toledo at Purdue (Big Ten Network, 12:00 PM ET)

Towson at Northwestern (Big Ten Network, 11:00 AM CT)

Washington at 9 LSU (ESPN, 7:30 PM PT)
   Mark Jones, Bob Davie, Heather Cox
Western Carolina at Vanderbilt (CSS, 7:30 PM ET)

Western Kentucky at Tennessee (ERT/SEC Network, 12:21 PM ET )

Western Michigan at Michigan (ABC, 3:30 PM ET)

William & Mary at Virginia (ESPN360.com, 6:00 PM ET)
   Jim Barbar, Sonny Randle
Wofford at USF (BHSN, 7:00 PM ET)



Sunday, September 6, 2009
10 Ole Miss at Memphis (ESPN, 3:30 PM ET )
   Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore
Colorado State at Colorado (FSN, 6:00 PM CT)

Grambling State at South Carolina State (ESPN, 2:00 PM ET)
   Charlie Neal, Jay Walker


Monday, September 7, 2009
Cincinnati at Rutgers (ESPN, 4:00 PM ET)
   Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese
Miami (FL) at 19 Florida State (ESPN, 8:00 PM ET)
   Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Erin Andrews .

source : http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25842&Itemid=60