Chinese Bridge Collapses

Courtesy AP

I'm sure this will get a lot less press than the Minneapolis bridge collapse for obvious reasons but I thought I would bring to your attention that another major bridge has collapsed. This time in China and with 22 confirmed dead so far. Already worse than the recent American disaster. Read the full story here.

Jennifer Lopez is "Brave"

Image courtesy of LiveDaily

Jennifer Lopez is set to release her sixth studio album Brave on October 9th. This will be her second studio release this year (the first was her first fully Spanish album titled "Como Ama Una Mujer"). The lead single off Brave is "Do It Well," which is already gaining some airplay. Also, Jennifer Lopez is embarking on her first ever tour this Fall with husband Marc Anthony.

Barack Obama's Ad

Just to make things fair, here is Barack Obama's recent campaign commercial ad running in Iowa.

Hillary's First Ad

Here is Hillary Clinton's first campaign commercial ad that will run in Iowa.

Bye Bye Rove!

President George W. Bush's top advisor Karl Rove has resigned effective August 31st, 2007. Praise heaven! Get full details here.

There's Only Room For One Thompson...

...and his name isn't Tommy. GOP presidential hopeful Tommy Thompson ended his presidential bid after low funds and a 6th place finish in Iowa's straw poll. Move aside for Fred.

Chan and Tucker Take Box Office

Terrible reviews (including one from myself right below) never stop a franchise. After 6 years since Rush Hour 2, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker's Rush Hour 3 debuts at number 1. Meanwhile, Bourne Ultimatum and The Simpsons continue to do well in the top 3 both grossing over 100 million. Claire Danes's new film Stardust didn't debut so hot. The film took in just under $10 million and debuted at number 4. Hairspray still strong in the top 10 at 6 and just a few million away from grossing $100 million.

Here is the top 10 weekend estimates courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1. Rush Hour 3 - $50,240,000
2. The Bourne Ultimatum - $33,670,000
3. The Simpson's Movie - $11,125,000
4. Stardust - $9,011,000
5. Underdog - $6,456,000
6. Hairspray - $6,370,000
7. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry - $5,950,000
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - $5,385,000
9. No Reservations - $3,925,000
10. Daddy Day Camp - $3,550,000

Rush Hour 3

John does NOT recommend Rush Hour 3. It was NOT as funny as its predecessors and not as quotable. While not completely unenjoyable...don't waste your money!

Merv Griffin Dies

Entertainer Merv Griffin has died at 82. In addition to many things, Griffin created pop culture game show icons Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

Hillary and Barack: A Choice Still To Be Made for Some

Within the last few months, there has been so much discussion and debate regarding the actions and qualifications of Democratic Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. With the media's help, a "rivalry" between the two front runners has slowly developed, pinpointing their differences as the race for the Democratic nomination quickly approaches.

With all the back and forth jousting between the Clinton and Obama campaigns, how do many people really feel about the two candidates? Joe Klein, author of an opinion section in TIME magazine comments on the Democratic candidates in the 2008 race, specifically analyzing Hillary Clinton as the "Bran-Muffin Candidate," but also comparing her to Barack Obama. For the full article, you can read it here. When comparing both candidates, what I found the most interesting is how Klein quotes a Miami resident saying:

My heart is with Obama, but my brain is with Hillary...I want to be able to vote for him, but I just don't know yet.

As a supporter of Barack Obama, I completely agree with the quote above as being a general sentiment for many voters. For the most part, it is very hard to argue that Barack Obama is not well-liked. His fantastic speaking ability and charisma leaves crowds with the sense that he is truly talking to each person and connecting with them. Yet, there has been continual attacks against his lack of experience when compared to Hillary. In a sense, these accusations are correct. Hillary has served more years in the Senate and has been in the political spectrum far longer than Barack. However, there are many people who dislike Hillary Clinton and find that she rubs people the wrong way. Thus, we have heart and mind.

I, for one, like Hillary Clinton a lot (and her husband Bill, of course). I think the Clintons are quite an intelligent and dynamic duo. My reasons for supporting Barack Obama are not due to any kind of anti-Hillary Clinton sentiment. I am all for breaking the glass-ceiling and having a woman as President of the United States (I can't believe we have not accomplished this earlier). I also think Hillary is strong-willed and very intelligent. However, I truly believe in Barack Obama's message of hope and unity (as idealistic as it may sound), and yes folks, he does have great experience and judgment contrary to what many believe. Yet, if Hillary Clinton were to win the nomination, I would have no problem giving my support to her.

So I think, as of now, there are many voters who are torn between Obama and Clinton, and are taking their time in trying to make their decision. Klein makes a note that the Democratic Presidential race seems to be "static," with hardly any large drops or dramatic increases in the polls. It is still early, and as for voters deciding between Hillary and Barack, the question is whether it will be easier for someone to change their mind or have a change of heart.

Mitt Wins Ames Straw Poll

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney won the Iowa GOP Ames Straw Poll. He may have won the straw poll but we cannot let this man with the White House. Mike Huckabee placed second. Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, and Fred Thompson did not participate in the straw poll.

Because it's just too damn funny...

Check this out America's Next Top Model fans...

New Movie Trailers part 3

Last but not least...

The Jane Austen Book Club
starring Emily Blunt, Maria Bello, Amy Brenneman, Kevin Zegers, Hugh Dancy, Jimmy Smits, and Kathy Baker


December Boys
starring Daniel Radcliffe


I am, of course, still very excited for all the well-publicized movies coming out, like Superbad and the Nanny Diaries. I guess I'm just a sucker for the movie theatre!

New Movie Trailers part 2

Continued from below because I just can't make up my mind...

The Darjeeling Limited
starring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman, Anjelica Houston, directed by Wes Anderson (think The Life Acquatic and The Royal Tennenbaums


Dedication
starring Mandy Moore and Billy Crudup

New Movie Trailers part 1

I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little tired of all the sequels and trilogies floating around Hollywood. I'd love to see Ocean's 14, 15, and 16 as much as the next girl, but I've been looking for something a little more original lately. Here are some movies that grabbed my attention, so take a look at these trailers that seem to stand on their own two feet, and let me know what you think.

Lars and the Real Girl
starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, and Patricia Clarkson

Dan in Real Life
starring Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney

Episode 4

Bored??? Have 24 minutes to spare??? Here is the latest episode of The Green Room featuring special guest Meredith Newman from Tufts University. There's no political discussion on this one and it is simply us having a good time. Find out why Kevin hates Barry Bonds and why we all hate Amber from Big Brother 8. Also, a new segment which brought us A LOT of laughs called overrared and underrated.

Episode 4

Pollspot: New Hampshire is Clinton Country

Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney are polling beautifully in New Hampshire. Many believed Hillary and Obama were tied in NH, but this poll (and hopefully more to follow) shows Clinton up by 17 points.

In New Hampshire, a new survey from Hart Research (D) and McLaughlin & Associates (R) finds Sen. Sen. Hillary Clinton leading the Democratic presidential race among likey voters with 36% support, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 19%, John Edwards at 15% and Gov. Bill Richardson at 12%.

On the Republican side, Mitt Romney leads with 33%, followed by Rudy Giuliani at 17%, Sen. John McCain at 16%, and Fred Thompson at 13%.

Courtesy Political Wire

Pollspot: Still More of the Same

As much as I am ecstatic that Hillary Clinton maintains her lead, I would love to see pollers ask some new questions or something! Please. Anyways, here is a new national poll courtesy of Political Wire.

The latest CNN/Opinion Research poll confirms what most other national polls show: Sen. Hillary Clinton is widening her lead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.In the new survey, Clinton leads with 44%, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 24%, John Edwards at 16% and Gov. Bill Richardson at 5%.

Among registered Republicans, Rudy Giuliani is ahead with 27%, followed by
former Sen. Fred Thompson with 19%, Sen. John McCain is third with 14%, followed
by former Speaker Newt Gingrich at 12%, and former Gov. Mitt Romney at 11%.

While I do not want anyone to mess with Hillary's 20 point lead. I would be a little excited if Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, or anyone else started rising and taking down Obama and Edwards.

Baby's Got A Baby

Emma Bunton aka Baby Spice of the Spice Girls has given birth to a baby boy, Beau. Now it's time to get back into shape quickly for the Spice Girls reunion tour!

Iowa Caucus Will Stay In January

The Green Room reported here that with New Hampshire and South Carolina both moving up their primaries earlier in January. This move caused speculation that the Iowa caucus would need to move into December to still be the first primary state. The Iowa caucus will still move to but Iowa Governor Chet Culver says it will most likely be earlier in January. He vowed to keep the Iowa caucus first in the nation.