Putin's 'Luxurious Life' Set Out By Activists

PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT

At least 20 opulent homes, 58 official aircraft and four yachts may number among the reasons Vladimir Putin refuses to quit as Russia's president, opposition activists have suggested.
In a report published under the ironic title Life Of A Galley Slave, opposition leader Boris Nemtsov detailed how Mr Putin has allegedly expanded the trappings of office since he rose to power in 2000.
Among the extravagancies highlighted are a £48,000 toilet on a presidential jet, 11 luxury watches with a total value of about £440,000 and one yacht that is fitted with a "jacuzzi, barbecue, a maple wood colonnade and a huge bathroom faced in marble".
A huge house on Lake Valdai in northwestern Russia has a cinema, a bowling alley and a "presidential church", the report said. Nine new official residences have been made available to the president since 2000.
Mr Nemtsov, a deputy prime minister in the 1990s, and co-author Leonid Martynyuk wrote: "In a country where more than 20 million people barely make ends meet, the luxurious life of the president is a blatant and cynical challenge to society.
"We absolutely cannot put up with this."
The Kremlin has long portrayed the 59-year-old president, who returned to the post in May after four years as prime minister, as a man of simple tastes and a liking for popular sports and active outdoor pastimes.
But he has repeatedly been forced to deny rumours that he has built up a vast personal fortune, despite declaring a salary that is just a quarter of that of his US counterpart.
Mr Nemtsov is among the leaders of the opposition that have staged a series of protests since parliamentary elections won by Mr Putin's United Russia party were marred by fraud allegations.
Anger at the president has brought the disparate elements of the opposition together, pushing down Mr Putin's popularity.
The report was released as the wife of another prominent opposition activist was reportedly jailed for eight years on drugs charges - twice as long as was recommended by the prosecutors.
Taisiya Osipova and her supporters have maintained that police planted 4g of heroin in her home in 2010 after she refused to testify against her husband, Sergei Fomchenkov of The Other Russia movement.
Eduard Limonov, the leader of The Other Russia party, told Interfax that "this verdict is not only a political one, it's also a terrifying revenge".
Mrs Osipova was one of the most prominent names on a list of people activists described as political prisoners that was submitted to then-president Dmitry Medvedev in February.
Meanwhile, a group of Russian Orthodox Church activists burst into a theatre during a play about the Pussy Riot punk band, three members of which were recently jailed after performing an anti-Putin protest in a Moscow cathedral.
The show - named Khamovnichesky Court: The Sequel after the venue of the trial - by a Moscow theatre with a history of criticising the authorities was interrupted by people shouting "repent and "why do you hate Russians".
"We want to know why you are supporting this protest. Why are you so negative to the Orthodox faith?" one heckler, who gave his name as Andrei Kaplin, demanded to boos and shouts from the audience.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/putins-luxurious-life-set-activists-131516554.html

EVERYTHING OR NOTHING: THE UNTOLD STORY OF 007

EVERYTHING OR NOTHING: THE UNTOLD STORY OF 007

Feature Documentary To Be Released October 5, 2012

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Passion Pictures and Red Box Films are proud to announce their new feature documentary EVERYTHING OR NOTHING: THE UNTOLD STORY OF 007 directed by Stevan Riley (FIRE IN BABYLON), produced by John Battsek (ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER, THE TILLMAN STORY) and Simon Chinn (MAN ON WIRE, PROJECT NIM) to coincide with the 50th anniversary of James Bond films on October 5. Country specific release plans to be announced shortly.

EVERYTHING OR NOTHING focuses on three men with a shared dream – Bond producers Albert R. Broccoli, Harry Saltzman and author Ian Fleming. It's the thrilling and inspiring narrative behind the longest running film franchise in cinema history which began in 1962. With unprecedented access both to the key players involved and to Eon Productions' extensive archive, this is the first time the inside story of the franchise has ever been told on screen in this way. Director Stevan Riley follows a story that begins with a ground-breaking spy thriller and continues six Bonds and five decades later. While Bond was saving the world from chaos and catastrophe on screen, this compelling documentary draws back the curtain to reveal the battles, threats and real stakes unfolding behind the camera.

About Passion Pictures
Passion Pictures - headed by John Battsek - is one of the most prolific independent production companies in the UK and has secured a reputation for working with a line-up of international talent in the feature documentary arena. Starting with Oscar winning ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER in 1999, Passion Pictures has since been responsible for over twenty documentary films, many of which have achieved international theatrical distribution. These include IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON (Audience Award Winner, 2007 Sundance Film Festival World Documentary Competition); SERGIO (Based on the book by Pulitzer Prize winning author Samantha Power, Academy Award shortlisted 2010); Tim Hetherington & Sebastian Junger's Oscar® nominated RESTREPO; FIRE IN BABYLON (Grierson Trust Winner, Best Historical Documentary); THE TILLMAN STORY (Academy Award Shortlisted, 2011); BETTER THIS WORLD (Triple Emmy nominated 2012).

James Marsh's PROJECT NIM (Academy Award® Shortlisted, 2012) was the first project produced under Passion's strategic alliance with Simon Chinn's Red Box Films, and the companies launched two new films together at Sundance Film Festival 2012: THE IMPOSTER, Bart Layton's first feature documentary based on the extraordinary story of serial imposter Frederic Bourdin, and Malik Bendjelloul's directorial debut SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN which opened Sundance Film Festival 2012 and went on to win the Special Jury Award and the Audience Award. Both films were released in US and UK cinemas this summer.

Passion Pictures is currently working on several new feature film projects, including two new films with Greg Barker; Nadav Schirman's THE GREEN PRINCE based on the NY Times Bestselling memoir THE SON OF HAMAS; and a narrative feature adaptation of Meg Rosoff's award-winning dystopian novel HOW I LIVE NOW is currently in post production, with Kevin MacDonald directing for FilmFour.

About Red Box Films
Red Box Films was founded in 2005 by Simon Chinn to produce MAN ON WIRE, which won over 30 international awards including an Academy Award, a BAFTA and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and became one of the highest grossing theatrical documentaries of recent years. Red Box has gone on to become one the world's most successful independent producers of theatrical feature documentaries, winning numerous awards and securing worldwide distribution for its subsequent films, which include PROJECT NIM, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN and THE IMPOSTER. In 2008 Red Box Films formed a strategic alliance with Passion Pictures to co-produce feature documentaries. Forthcoming productions include THE GREEN PRINCE, based on Mosab Hassan Yousef's New York Times bestseller 'Son of Hamas.'

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, and interactive media. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in 159 countries. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com/

About Eon Productions
EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family. Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with MGM, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising. EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company which makes the James Bond films. The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-two films produced since 1962. Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli succeeded Albert R 'Cubby' Broccoli and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including CASINO ROYALE and QUANTUM OF SOLACE. They are currently producing the 23rd film, SKYFALL.

SOURCE Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures; Passion Pictures; Red Box Films; Columbia Pictures


CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations, +1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com, for Sony Pictures Entertainment; or Jayna Zelman, Rubenstein Communications, +1-212-843-8044, for MGM

Web Site: http://www.mgm.com

Shoprite to spend $205 million on property development in Nigeria

Aug 22 - South African supermarket chain, Shoprite, announced on Tuesday, it will be spending $205 million on retail property development in Nigeria to support its expansion in the country.

The company, which is also considered to Africa’s top retailer, said it is looking to add nine new stores in Nigeria by June 2013.

But in order to expand, the proper infrastructure needs to be developed, an issue other major retailers have felt the effect of across the continent, including Wal-Mart stores via a 51 per cent stake in domestic retailer Massmart, who have found their growth hampered by the lack of retail infrastructure in Africa.

Shoprite first entered Nigeria in December 2005 when it opened a store in Lagos, the most populous city in Nigeria.

The retailer recently reported a 20 per cent jump in full-year earnings and is said to be pushing aggressively into fast-growing markets with a lot of opportunity, including Nigeria as well as Angola, where it plans to open 21 new stores.

BEWARE OF SHOCKING MOBILE PHONES

A few days ago, a person was recharging his mobile phone at home.

Just at that time a call came in and he answered it with the charging Instrument still connected to the outlet.

After a few seconds electricity flowed into the cell phone unrestrained and the young man was thrown to the floor with a heavy thud. As you can see, the phone actually exploded.

His parents rushed to the room only to find him unconscious, with a weak heartbeat and burnt fingers.

He was rushed to the nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Cell phones are a very useful modern invention.

However, we must be aware that it can also be an instrument of death.

Never use the cell phone while it is hooked to the electrical outlet! If you are charging the cell phone and a call comes in, unplug it from the charger and outlet.

SHARE+ LIKE+ AND+ TAG YOUR LOVE ONES !!!

Angelina Jolie 'shrugs off wedding talk on cruise around Greece with Brad Pitt'

All eyes have been on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's French chateau amid rumours of a wedding this month.
But it seems the A-list couple have been quietly laying low elsewhere.
The pair were holidaying in Greece last week, according to the New York Post, with sources saying they were spotted in Halkidiki, northern Greece.


And the actress is understood to have shrugged off speculation of an imminent ceremony while visiting a local eatery.
A source the Post: 'Angelina was in white, but she laughed and said "not yet" when the restaurant owner asked if she was getting ready to be married. She also said, "We love Greece too much to leave... we have other islands to go to before heading back to France."

But Brad recently admitted he didn't feel they'd be to wait that long because of mounting pressure from their children.
'It seems to mean more and more to our kids,' he said in January.
'We made this declaration some time ago that we weren't going to [get married] till everyone can. But I don't think we'll be able to hold out … it means something to me, too, to make that kind of commitment.'
Angelina has also said that their children often ask why they aren't married like 'Shrek and Fiona'.
She said just months ago: 'We've explained to them that our commitment, when we decided to start a family, was the greatest commitment you could possibly have.
'Once you have six children, you're committed.'

Roger Federer dominates Novak Djokovic at Cincinnati

Roger Federer dominates Novak Djokovic at Cincinnati
The world's top-ranked player won a record fifth Cincinnati title Sunday, defeating second-ranked Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 7-6 (7).

Roger Federer finds a lot to like about Cincinnati — the big crowds for his matches, the quiet time away from the court, the way his game seems to come together on the fast, blue courts.

It probably helps that he often takes home the trophy too.

Make it five for Federer.

The world's top-ranked player won a record fifth Cincinnati title Sunday, dominating second-ranked Novak Djokovic in an unprecedented way at the start of a 6-0, 7-6 (7) win for the Western & Southern Open championship in suburban Mason, Ohio.

The 31-year-old Swiss star has enjoyed many of his one-week visits. None was better than the latest.

"Looking back, it's just unbelievable," Federer said. "This was probably the best week for me here in Cincinnati. I didn't lose a set. This is very sweet, no doubt about it."

THE HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN

                           THE HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN

At some level in life, we all hunger for meaning in our lives. We 

want to know, 'Who am I, why am I, where am I?' When your 

purpose is clear, your life will have meaning. As believers we are

Heaven bound. Are you on the right road? Apostle Paul declared

that the entrance to the highway to Heaven is not hard to find, it is 

right in front of you, in the Word of God. Psalm 119:

133 - "Direct

my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me." As

the Bible makes us understand here, a good man's footsteps are 

ordered by God. 

                                  PROPHET TB JOSHUA

The way has been made plain, as John 14:6 says, "I am the way, 

the truth and the life…" We just have to step out in boldness and

start to make His Word an integral part of our life. The more you 

read God's Word the more you understand about yourself and this

God who created you. When you learn what God has made you for
and how He treasures your company, you will be content and your 

life will have meaning.

Jackson websites shut down for violating copyright

LOS ANGELES — A Canadian memorabilia dealer who worked with Michael Jackson's mother on a tribute book, and whose websites used the singer's image and music, violated copyrights held by Jackson's estate, a judge ruled on Friday.

Is Carl Lewis Jealous of a fellow black brother Usain Bolt?

Usain Bolt declared himself the greatest athlete in history before launching an astonishing attack on Carl Lewis.

Bolt became the first man to win the sprint double double at the Olympics with a stunning performance in the 200 metres, comfortably beating his friend and training partner Yohan Blake.

But he also took the opportunity to tear into Lewis for comments the American sprint legend is understood to have made before the London Games.

                                                                    Usain Bolt

Lightening Bolt: Usain Bolt celebrates after winning the 200m

Bolt feels Lewis all but accused him of being a drug cheat, casting aspersions on his performances in an interview. ‘It is really annoying that Lewis said those things without any proof,’ said Bolt. ‘Nobody really remembers who he is. I shouldn’t have responded to that question but what he said was really annoying.’ 

That was in the interview mixed zone but he raised the issue again in the main press conference.

                                                                     Carl Lewis

‘I am going to say something controversial,’ said Bolt. ‘What Carl Lewis said has degraded the sport. It was really upsetting and I have lost all respect for him. He was talking about drugs and I can only think he was looking for attention.’ 

The best of the lot: Bolt declared himself a legend after his win

After winning gold in the 100m and 200m in Beijing, the man who is also the double world record-holder followed victory in the shorter distance here in London with another demonstration of his astonishing ability here last night.

He destroyed Blake, easing off because of a sore back but still equalling Michael Johnson’s winning time of 19.32 at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

In a trademark act of showmanship, Bolt looked back across the track to Blake, raised an index finger to his lips, did a couple of press-ups once he had come to a halt and then walked back to  kiss the finishing line. He even borrowed a photographer’s camera to take a picture.

Jamaica 1,2,3: Bolt jumps onto the podium as fellow countrymen Yohan Blake and Warren Weir

When he walked into the press conference room he called for a ‘drum roll’ and then he said: ‘I’m now a legend. I am the greatest athlete to live. To all the people who doubted me, who thought I would lose here, you can stop talking now. I am a living legend.’ 

He was asked if he was now on the same level as ‘Ali, Jordan and Pele’, before someone enquired as to whether he had superseded Bob Marley as ‘the greatest Jamaican in history’.

‘Ali was the greatest in his sport, Jordan the greatest in his, and I am the greatest in mine, so I guess I am at that level,’ he said. ‘I am in the same category as Michael Johnson too. Bob Marley? I’m just carrying on his duty. We have the same goal, to make Jamaica a country that is loved around the world.’ 

Standing tall: Bolt has now won five Olympics gold medals

The questions became more bizarre, more risqué. He was asked about the Swedish athletes he photographed in his room after the 100m final — a picture he posted on Twitter — and then about what kind of woman could live with a ‘living legend’.

‘I used to have a type but I don’t have a type any more,’ he said. ‘It’s all about falling in love. There, I said it.’ 

But there was a moment of embarrassment for a journalist when he referred to ‘the Jamaican drug team’ before correcting himself and asking if the ‘Jamaican track team are drug free’.

‘Drug free?’ responded Bolt. ‘Without a doubt. We work hard. We work every day. We get injured. When people doubt us it’s really hard but we try to show the world we run clean.

Ain't no stopping me now: Bolt crosses the line ahead of Blake

‘Tonight was what I wanted and I got it. I’m very proud of myself. I had a rough season but I came out here and I did what I had to do. It was possible that I could have broken the world record but I guess I wasn’t fit enough. I was fast but I wasn’t fit enough.

‘I came off the corner and I could feel the strain on my back a little so I was trying to keep form. But I stopped running because I knew I wasn’t going to break the world record.’ 

Bolt led two fellow Jamaicans — Warren Weir took the bronze — to victory in a stunning one-two-three. ‘We’ve been working hard all season,’ he said. ‘We pushed ourselves, we pushed each other and we are happy.’ 

The world was watching: Bolt secures his place in Olympic history

Blake, who beat Bolt over both distances in the Jamaican trials, said: ‘Usain is the god of track and field at the moment.’ 

Bolt added: ‘I told Yohan two years ago that it is not his time. It is my time. He will have to wait.’ 

Then Bolt addressed his audience. ‘I have one more thing to say. I am now a living legend. Bask in my glory. If I don’t see that in the paper and on TV in all your countries I will never give an interview again. Tell everyone to follow me on Twitter.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2186341/London-2012-Olympics-Usain-Bolt-declares-legend-attacks-Carl-Lewis.html#ixzz23EAP1o8n

‘Distribution challenge aside, Nollywood needs filmfest to grow’

Festival President and co-founder of the Eko International Film Festival, Hope Obioma Opara, says Nollywood industry needs more film festivals to grow, they open and will still open up Nollywood to the rest of Africa and the world. Opara, publisher of Supple Magazine speaks on preparations for the 3rd Eko International Film Festival, which holds later in the year, hinting that entries for the festival opens as from July 1 to September 30. 

The experience of the maiden edition
We were still trying to introduce the festival to the world with the first two editions and the process is ongoing because a lot of Nigerians still don’t know how it works. We have spent time enlightening those who care to know that a film festival is an industry of its own aside from preproduction, production and postproduction of movies. The festivals are progressive as the years go by; so, the second edition of the film festival was quite easier than the first in terms of film submissions, venue, publicity and attendance.

Tackling the challenges of the 3rd edition
There are not many challenges in terms of film submissions, publicity and attendance because the festival is registered as a global event. For instance, we have started disseminating information to the world through our platform for film submissions. We have been following some corporate organisations for support.
One thing that is clear is that it is tedious to stage an international film festival because it’s usually a weeklong-multitasking event that includes workshops, panel discussions and film markets. More over, we are introducing the first ever Nollywood Divas Award at the 3rd Eko International Film Festival to celebrate the leading ladies in the Nigerian film industry.

We are ready with 3rd Eko filmfest 
The film festival runs from November 5 to10. Entries will open in July and close in September. We are expecting entries from Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. Our programmes include international film market for film distributors and commissioning agents, where they can trade on their films and close deals for co-productions. We are introducing the Nollywood Divas Awards, as a way to celebrate the leading ladies in the Nigerian film industry. It is one of the major highlights of the 2012 edition.
We decided to effect a change in the festival hosting month from July to November because of the heavy rains we experienced last year. Movement in Lagos becomes a major problem whenever it rains. We don’t want our visitors to have the funny experience and chaotic traffic problems associated with heavy downpours.

We need film festivals 
The fact is a film festival is a good platform to foster the growth and development of film business in the world today. We need film festivals to expose our local filmmakers on new developments in terms of producing films that will attract international distribution and co-production to increase the mileage and patronage of our local movies in the global village. A film festival allows cinephiles to have one to one interactions with filmmakers, which gives room for synergy, co-productions and collaborations.
Film Festivals have film markets where movies are traded thus, contributing to the Nigerian economy. Hundreds of thousands of tickets are sold at major international film festivals and thousands of visitors pay for hotel accommodations, transportations and other services, enriching states and countries hosting them.
I don’t agree with the school of thought that we should stop film festivals, because of poor film distribution. Yes, we have the issue of piracy, but I believe that the Federal Government should not allow the stakeholders to fight pirates all alone. Government agencies authorised to handle the issue have been doing their best, but more still needs to be done in terms of modern applications for distribution through digital technology.

The trademark issue
From the inception of the film festival in 2009, Supple Communications Limited has secured the trademark for the Eko International Film Festival and it has, also been registered on the World Film Festival Network. This means that the highest authority governing the activities of film festivals, the International Film Festival Summit (IFFS), recognises Eko International Film Festival.
Our foreign partner is the co-chair of the European section in Paris. He is on the board of European Film Academy and has one of the biggest film festivals networks in the world. That is why it will be an aberration for anyone to duplicate the trademark.

SUNDAY, 17 JUNE 2012 00:00 BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI LIFE MAGAZINE -MOVIEDOM

BROOKE HOGAN {Hulk Hogan the wrestler's daughter) her debut album UNDISCOVERED

                         BROOKE HOGAN(the daughter of the wrestling superstar Hulk HOGAN

"This is my life, these are my songs, this is my time and I'm ready," says the rising young pop star Brooke Hogan whose refreshing blend of R&B, pop, hip-hop and rock make her debut album, Undiscovered, one of the year's most eagerly-awaited new releases.

Although she's only just turned 18, Brooke brings together the seasoned and disciplined assurance of a well-versed performer with the wide-eyed exuberance and excitement of a young woman and artist coming into her own.

As the only daughter of the pro-wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, Brooke grew up in a family familiar with the absurdities of the spotlight and the responsibilities of fame.

As the first artist signed by super-producer Scott Storch (Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, 50 Cent, Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliot) in his label deal with SoBe Entertainment, Brooke Hogan is taking the next step on a musical and artistic journey that's unmistakably her own with Undiscovered.

"I have had the pleasure of producing some of the biggest artists in the music industry," says Scott Storch on the subject of his label's first signing. "Real knows real. And Brooke Hogan is the real deal. She is an accomplished musician, singer, dancer and actress, crossing four artistic disciplines, which is unheard of in the industry today. This is why I selected Brooke as the first act for my label, Storch Music Company (SMC)."

The first single from Undiscovered, "About Us" featuring Paul Wall, is a sly and knowing comeback to the perils of living in the spotlight and dealing with false media rumors. A video for the dance-flavored hip-hop track was shot in Los Angeles under the direction of Malcolm Jones and executive produced by Dave Meyers, with choreography by Hi Hat. Since the “About Us” premiere, both the single and the video have done incredibly well on the 90 million-member portal MySpace. The single has been streamed over 1,000,000 times and the video has made its way to #1, being played over 750,000 times.

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Brooke grew up inspired by the music that filled the Hogan home. "Our household was full of the Isley Brothers, Earth Wind & Fire, disco and Teddy Pendergrass," Brooke remembers. "My mother would play Toni Braxton, Sade, Gloria Estefan and Whitney Houston and I absorbed all of it."

When she was 5, Brooke began studying the piano, later going on to take dance lessons, voice lessons, and cheerleading classes and more. "I wasn't raised with a silver spoon," she admits with a laugh. "I was raised to be resourceful and follow through with everything I set out to do, so that's what I did."

At the age of 10, Brooke took fate -- and the Yellow Pages -- into her own hands as she circled phone numbers and began calling local talent agents. Those calls led to a modeling contract for the budding young star. "I kept telling my parents that I wanted to do this and I begged them to help me," she remembers. "So one day, I slammed the phone book down in front of them and said, 'OK, I don't know how to call these people, but I'm ready.' I think they finally realized I was serious."

She began working up to six hours a day. By the time she'd turned 15, Brooke was rapidly developing her skills as a professional singer, musician and entertainer and had landed numerous high-profile gigs including opening slots on both Hilary Duff's and the Backstreet Boys' tours and singing at Radio Disney's "Jingle Jam" seasonal spectacular.

She recorded her first single, "Everything To Me," in 2004. According to SoundScan, "Everything To Me," peaked at #1 twice ( 9/19/04 & 10/10/04 ) on the Top Single Sales chart. While the track showcased Brooke's multiple influences -- running the gamut from Stevie Wonder to Pink -- it was Brooke's sparkling vocals, effervescent charm, ingénue appeal and undeniable musicality that drove the song to the top of the charts.

That same year, 2004, VH1 broke records when it premiered "Inside (Out): Hulk Hogan Stage Dad," an hour long portrait of family life at the Hogan's. The success of that special led to "Hogan Knows Best," a reality series that chronicles the Hogan's adventures. Brooke's rise to superstardom, under the watchful eye of a loving, but strong willed dad, proved one of the most popular storylines on the show , which delivered the highest ratings in VH1 network history, reaching nearly 90 million viewers per episode.

Shortly after the premiere of her VH1 series, Brooke met producer Scott Storch following a performance at a Miami hot spot. "Scott was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs and said he would like me to record a song of his," she says. "I was on cloud nine."

Storch continued to work with Brooke on new songs and, increasingly inspired by the results, wound up working with her for four months in Miami on what would eventually become Undiscovered . "It was amazing to finally find someone who believed in what I was doing and what I knew was really right for me," she says. "I can see that his heart is in it."

With several songs written by Brooke herself, Undiscovered reveals the heart and essence of the artist who says, "I'm all about having fun and I'm not afraid to try new things. I love this music. It's a dream come true. I worked hard for this. When people hear the album, they will know that I've worked my butt to the bone. I sang all the vocals, all of the harmonies, I played piano and we didn't use Auto-Tune for any of the tracks. This is me, it represents who I am and it's the album that I really wanted to make."

Produced by Scott Storch, Brooke's urban/pop/dance collection features collaborations with some of the top names in contemporary music including Paul Wall (on the album's infectious lead single, "About Us"), Nelly Furtado, Beenie Man and Cam'ron, as well as rapper Jazze Pha.

"I grew up listening to soul music, so I'm all about a groove that you can move your hips to," Brooke offers. "It's sexy and it's fun. I think once people see my personality come through, they will understand what I'm trying to accomplish."

As she begins filming the third season of "Hogan Knows Best," with her debut album ready for release, Brooke Hogan is keeping everything in perspective. "I'm a normal, teen-aged girl and I'm doing what makes me happy," she says. "I bet if you met me, we'd probably be friends."

With the release of Undiscovered , Brooke Hogan, and her fan, are about to head out on a fresh new musical journey together.

TOP ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITIES TURN OUT FOR THE PREMIERE OF LAST FLIGHT TO ABUJA

August 3rd was the official premiere of LAST FLIGHT TO ABUJA an Obi Emelonye  film. It was a great night and a privilege to witness the surge and curious film lovers that besieged Genesis deluxe cinema at the Shoprite at Victoria Island. The director has to use all the cinema halls at the same time and every one that came late was looking for where to squeeze in to watch the film.

  

                      The Director Obi Emelonye at the middle

The event was also graced by many celebrities like Kunle Afoloyan the director of Phone Swap, Chinaeze Anyene the director of IJE the Journey, Omoni Oboli and her amiable hubby, Dr Kiki the Actress /Medical doctor of Married but single, Ego Okoye, The Screen goddess Omo sexy that played the leading role in the movie Last Flight to Abuja and Femi Brainard  . Popular comedians, like Julius “The Genus“ Agu and AY and wife, and Aladin were present at the premier.

                    Omo Sexy and The Director Obi on the red carpet
Some important dignitaries like Olisa Agbakoba SAN, Ernest Ndukwe  and others, including the Diamond bank Staff members, which is the official sponsor of the premier were all in attendance.

     Collins Talker of Galaxy TV and Hope Obioma Opara 

The President of Eko International Film Festival

Coming to the film which I believe has raised the bar in the Nollywood Film Industry is a must to watch.
Don’t wait to be told, step out to Genesis Deluxe Cinemas to watch this entertaining and intriguing film that will keep your heart guessing what will happen next. Obi has once again shown that he is not leaving any stone unturned when doing what he knows best. Kudos to the director and go out there and enjoy yourself.

Award-winners announced at Durban International Film Festival

The 33rd edition of the Durban International Film Festival, with principal funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund,  this evening (Saturday, July 28) announced its award-winners, prior to the closing film. Winner of the Best Feature Film award, Love (Amour) was applauded by the International Jury as “unmissable”, and the film’s director Michael Haneke, as a “contemporary master with an astute understanding of his cinematic world”. The Best Feature Film award carries a cash prize of R50 000.

The international Jury which comprised Zimbabwean filmmaker and novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga, hot South African director Oliver Hermanus, producer and television presenter Kgomotso Matsunyane, and Canadian producer, director Peter Wintonick also awarded the Best First Feature Film prize ( R20 000) to Australian Julia Leigh for Sleeping Beauty (Australia).

Animation Film wins best SA prize

Receiving a cash prize of R30 000, the Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Adventures in Zambezia (South Africa), directed by Wayne Thornley. Of the large number of South African films screened this year, the jury’s unanimous voice lauded this film as one with “strong writing and direction, and beautiful animation infused with the spirit of the continent…” and one that “tells an African story from an African perspective while having clear global appeal”.

The Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award, with a prize of € 2,500, went to Malika Zouhali-Worral and Katherine Fairfax Wright’s film Call Me Kuchu which focuses on attacks on gay  people in Uganda.

The full list of awards is: 

Best Film: Love (Amour) (France, Austria, Germany), directed by Michael Haneke

Best South African Feature Film: Adventures in Zambezia (South Africa), directed by Wayne Thornley

Best First Feature Film: Sleeping Beauty (Australia), directed by Julia Leigh

Best Director: Benh Zeitlin for Beasts Of The Southern Wild (USA)

Best Actress: Deanie Ip in A Simple Life (Tao Jie) (Hong Kong SAR China)

Best Actor: Joseph Wairimu in Nairobi Half Life (Kenya, Germany)

Best Cinematography: Gökhan Tiryaki for Once Upon A Time In Anatolia (Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da) (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey)

Best Screenplay: Ercan Kesal, Ercan Ceylan and Nuri Bilge Ceylan for Once Upon A Time In Anatolia (Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da) (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey)

Special Jury Mention Feature Film: Goodbye (Be Omid E Didar) (Iran), directed by Mohammad Rasoulof

Best Documentary: 5 Broken Cameras (Palestinian Territories, France, Israel, The Netherlands), directed by Guy Davidi

Best South African Documentary: The African Cypher (South Africa), directed by Bryan Little

Documentary Special Jury Mention: Calvet (Costa Rica, France, Nicaragua, United Kingdom, United States), directed by Dominic Allan

Best Short Film: The Bird Spider (La Migala) (Spain), directed by Jaime Dezcallar

Best South African Short Film: Doppelganger (South Africa), directed by Joshua Rous

Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award: Call Me Kuchu (USA), directed by Malika Zouhali-Worral and Katherine Fairfax Wright

DIFF Wavescape Audience Choice Award: The Art of Flight (USA), directed by Curt Morgan

DIFF Documentary Audience Choice Award: Searching for Sugarman (Sweden, United Kingdom), directed by Malik Bendjellou

DIFF Feature Film Audience Choice Award: The Lady (France, United Kingdom), directed by Luc Besson

Sunday is the last day of screenings with film screenings at Suncoast Cinema, Ster Kinekor Musgrave, Cinema Nouveau Gateway, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre (Kwa-Mashu), and the Blue Waters Hotel.

The 33rd Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre For Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) with support by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, HIVOS, City of Durban, German Embassy in South Africa, Goethe Institut of South Africa, French Season in South Africa, and a range of other valued partners.