We've barely one day left before the much-awaited release of Stephenie Meyer's book four in the Twilight Series, "Breaking Dawn." (!!!!!!!!!) I've taken the liberty of drawing up a pre-lease "To-Do" list for all you "Twilight" fans between now and tomorrow, midnight.
Top 5 Things To Do If You Love Twilight As Much As I Do:
#1: Um, you've reserved your copy of the book right? If you haven't, get to your local bookstore ASAP.
#2: Make sure you know which midnight party you are attending. There is a handy-dandy Twilight Series "Breaking Dawn" event locater to help! Click here to find a midnight party near you.
If you're an Olympics junkie like me, then you're probably salivating for the Beijing Games to start on August 8, 2008, at 8:08 pm. Every four years I just can't get enough of the Olympics. Everything about the Games gets my blood pumping--the big-name athletes favored to win, the lesser-known athletes who perform stunning upsets, the heartbreaking losses, the acts of heroic sportsmanship, the heartwarming back stories, and, of course, the inspirational moments that rise forth in every Game to become part of our collective human story.
In the spirit of the Games, Beliefnet has gathered together the 15 most inspirational Olympic moments. There are stories and athletes in this gallery that you won't forget: Kerri Strug and the "Miracle on Ice." There are ones that will jog your memory, like the Jamaican bobsled team and Derek Redmond. And then there are inspirational moments that you may not remember at all, but upon reading about them in this gallery, you'll see why they had to be included.
So check out this gallery and get inspired all over again. And if you think we missed any, leave your comment below.
Well, when you are finished with "Breaking Dawn" (sniff, sniff--what are we going to do when it's over?), you've gotten through all the Buffy DVD's (which, if you are a vampire fan, are a must), you can tune in this fall to HBO's new series "True Blood" premiering September 7th and starring Anna Paquin.
Strange advertisements have been popping up everywhere in magazines for the series--without actually mentioning the series title. My favorite that I've seen so far is the one that says "Vampires Are Immoral" under a photograph of, what I assume is, a vampire (he's quite good looking). The copy underneath reads "Support Human Rights. Say NO to the Vampire Rights Amendment."
Then it directs you to this website (which is a marketing ploy for the show, of course): FellowshipoftheSun.org
You can read an interview with the show's director, Alan Ball (of "Six Feet Under") here. The show is apparently based on a series of vampire novels I have actually not read (and I thought I'd read them all) by author Charlaine Harris. Since the CBS series "Moonlight" got cancelled, I'm hoping that this show will fill the vampire void left in my heart post-"Breaking Dawn"...
While I have been known to disparage shock doc director Michael Moore's films, I have also been quick to praise his efforts in creating a major film festival that has had a huge economic impact for my neck of the woods. Yet after watching a couple of the movies yesterday, I was reminded why I have an issue with the slogan Moore uses for the festival: "Just Good Movies."
The implication-- at least from the local interviews I have seen-- is that though he is a polarizing political figure outside of Hollywood, he really just wants to celebrate quality films at the festival regardless of agenda. Now let's see a show of hands on how many of you actually believe that? Nope, me neither.
The girls from the hit "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" are back for one more summer. America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn play four friends whose bond--and a pair of pants--keep them connected even as they graduate from high school and begin new lives. Watch the trailer below and get nostalgic for the girls all over again.
Almost 40 years ago, some unbelievable events happened that, thanks to current technology, are now being broadcast to millions of people around the world. You'll find this video to be as heartwarming as it is inspiring, reminiscent of rare privileges...
It's that time of year again, when I travel down the road just a bit to attend Michael Moore's cinematic extravaganza, the Traverse City Film Festival. I will be attending numerous film screenings and panel discussions with celebs such as...
I hear there's some book about vampires coming out this week and just a few people are really excited about it. Me, I have never been able to understand the fuss over vampire lore, and the "Twilight" series is no...
The spirit of Bob Dylan, Johnny Carson and political cartoonists everywhere is alive and well in the newest (and best) political satire entertainment on the web. The folks at Jib Jab have again risen to the challenge of creating political...
When the San Diego Comic-Con started in 1979, it was 400 comic enthusiasts gathered in a small section of a local hotel. Three decades later, it's a major pop culture fixture, numbering over 125,000 attendees and filling the San Diego...
First a bit of Jewish education: Shabbat Nachamu, the "Sabbath of Consolation," comes the weekend after the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning and fasting commemorating the destruction of the Temple. There's a special synagogue service that...
Quick! When you think of what married life is in the Middle East, what comes to mind? Women clad in black burkas, abayas (robes), hijabs, and face veils, sticking close to home, raising kids and following the lead of her...
There's still a little bit of summer left, and if you can I encourage you to get out to a John Mellencamp concert, for at least three reasons. First, you won't believe how many of his songs you'll know, and...
In a brief interview with the UK's Daily Mirror, embattled supermodel Naomi Campbell got in a dig at Madonna and her faith, Kabbalah. Naomi said: I knew about Kabbalah before Madonna got involved. Kabbalah is not a religion, it's a...
All those hoping that Britney would trade in her Federline for a Gibson are likely to be disappointed, but that category probably only holds Gibson paterfamilias Mel, who tried to set up the troubled pop star with his son who...
Stop the Presses! It's headline time! Can you believe it?! Fuggettaboutit! USA Today ran two front page stories this week that--get this--involved no controversy, no negativity, no gossip, no political banter, no victims or villains and no one breaking the...
One of the most inspiring people, who wrote one of the most inspiring books, as taken from one of the most inspiring lectures (now you've guessed him, right?) has passed away from pancreatic cancer. Neil should add him to the...
Going to camp is a ritual almost everyone has experienced, but like every other cultural ritual, it sure has changed over time. At least that's the conclusion I came to watching the sweet documentary : "Summercamp!". Swift Nature Camp in...
James Van Praagh is America's most famous medium. He regularly appears on talk shows to help people--famous and nonfamous alike--communicate with loved ones from beyond the grave. Cher once asked him to help her contact Sonny Bono. His new book,...
Gary Oldham may be my favorite supporting actor of any comic book movie franchise.as Jim Gordon in the "Batman" movies. He has also enjoyed a long career playing a variety of interesting roles including the title role in "Bram Stoker's...
The long awaited return of Scully and Mulder is here. First up, Dana Scully made Beliefnet's list of the Top 10 Spiritual Sci Fi Characters. Check out our list and let us know if you agree or disagree with the...
Yes, I know that it looked like Katie Holmes' hands had been involved in some sort of horrible henna accident. And, yes, I know that rumors are swirling that the purple color was a result of Scientology's Purification Rundown, a...
Yesterday fellow Idol Chatter blogger Esther posted about Sherri Shepherd's comments in a magazine interview about her painful past-- including having abortions. But, of course, what's making the rounds on the web today is not the part of the interview...
After declaring it officially Vampire Week on Beliefnet yesterday (even though we really know that it's Vampires 4eva and I will have to continue posting after the release of "Breaking Dawn"--because won't we all want to discuss?), I was happy...
Comedian turned "The View" host Sherri Shepherd has had some darkness in her past, including family involvement in drug addiction, and her experience having had casual sex and the resultant "more abortions than I would like to count." She also...
Look out, Dr. Drew. I am going to start my own celeb rehab series, but it won't be to help stars overcome their substance abuse addictions. My rehab is going to focus on actors who need help to break their...
Okay, so maybe it's a little more than a week and maybe I don't really have the authority to do this, but I am singlehandedly declaring it Vampire Week on Beliefnet. (Or, um, Vampire 10 Days? But don't you think...
I decided that this week's trivia question should: (a) fit in with the buzz around the recent megahit "The Dark Knight" and (b) be a little bit easier than the last trivia questions. So, this weeks question is: Which star...
At the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, the networks trot out their new and returning shows for the press. Days of Q & A are followed by nights of working parties. Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo...
Beliefnet's Catholic blogger David Gibson tackles fear, good, and evil in "Batman: The Dark Knight"--the record-breaking movie everyone is talking about. In "Pontifications," he also links to other posts that really delve into the moral dilemmas that arise in this...
If the candidates' shticks and the talk shows are boring you, why not spice up your election season--and start some smart conversations with those you love--by buying or renting one of my Top Five Election DVDs of All-Time. With respect...
The New York Times Style section devotes an entire article to the question "Tattoo or not Tattoo?" if you are young and Jewish. Reporter Kate Torgovnick investigates what the Torah says about body art: "Jewish law on tattooing is slippery....
With the success of "The Dark Knight" and critical acclaim for Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker, much attention is being paid once again to his tragic death earlier this year. Co-star Aaron Eckhart shared an interesting story on "The...
One of the new summer series on TV is "The Cleaner" on A & E. If you like "The Closer" or "Saving Grace," you will like this series, which premiered last week, about a recovering addict, WIlliam Banks (Benjamin Bratt)....
Whether or not you'll enjoy watching the big screen version of the hit musical "Mamma Mia" will largely depend on your expectations. If you expect it to be as good as last year's adaptation of "Hairspray," you will likely be...
The long-awaited sequel, "The Dark Knight," to Christopher Nolan's wildly popular "Batman Begins," is well over two hours of white-knuckled, grip your seat, hide your eyes, action and suspense. Without going into specifics (I really don't want to spoil anything...
The news that comedian Andy Dick had been arrested for groping a female fan while apparently blind drunk and carrying pot sent us back to the interview he gave us five years ago, when he was starring on the sitcom...
Once again Idol Chatters are about to get a glimpse into the scattered and dissonant nature of my soul as revealed through my movie choices. When thinking of recent DVD releases to pick, I felt obligated to recommend the sweet,...
Every generation has its signature Catholic movie: Bing and Barry Fitzgerald in "Going My Way," Julie Andrews nose-wrinkling her way through "The Sound of Music," the ambivalent faith and flawed priests of 1984's "Mass Appeal," Mel's militant metaphysics in "The...
While Miley Cyrus is on the cover of the latest issue of TV Guide Magazine promoting her new album and new movie--as well as virginity and the fact that God is one of the seven things she can't do without--I...
Earlier this week I posted the trivia question "How many Oscar winners have planned Satan in the movies?" Though Hollywood has featured the Devil in many movies--from the ridiculous Adam Sandler comedy "Little Nicky" to the thriller "End of Days"--...
If you're a sports movie fan, you'll love our new gallery: Top 20 Inspirational Sports Movies of All Time. It includes some of your favorites--like "Rocky I" and "The Karate Kid"--but you may be surprised by some of the other...
The Internet sensation Stuff White People Like has just been released in book form. The items listed on the satirical website receive more detailed treatment, but surely, amidst the affection for organic food (#6), yoga (#15), and public radio (#44),...
If you are like me and you didn't get a chance to see Ben Stein's controversial documentary before it was pulled from theaters due to a lawsuit brought by John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, you may have another chance in...
Are you excited about the Beijing Olympics? Get yourself ready to watch the 2008 games by reliving some of the most inspiring moments of Olympics past. For the documentary "Let It Out: The Movie" Kleenex traveled around the country asking...
The art of Andres Serrano has been derided in the crudest ways. Now it seems those comments, at least the most potty-mouthed, are all true. The artist, who has long experimented with bodily fluids in his photographs, will display his...
I feel a certain amount of pride that I'm one of the folks who jumped on the Mormon Mom Stephenie Meyer "Twilight" bandwagon back when the very first book was still in galleys. I remember getting the bound paperback ARC...
For this weeks summer movie trivia question I thought I'd try the flip side of last week's movie question about angels, and started thinking about the famous actors who have played Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub--you get the idea. So today I'm...
In this exclusive clip from the movie "Henry Poole Is Here"--opening in wide release on August 15th-- a man who's lost his faith (Luke Wilson) is told he has only a short time to live, but is shown a "miracle"...
Just beyond the storied pool at the Beverly Hills Hilton, the television networks are busy parading their new shows to the nation's TV critics. Diverse luminaries from Benjamin Braff to Ludacris to Spike Lee, mill around in the halls and...
I was looking forward to last Friday's "Hellboy" sequel for a number of reasons: 1. Guillermo del Toro directing (I'm a sucker for fantasy flicks and I don't know a single person who didn't enjoy "Pan's Labyrinth"); 2. More Abe...
Writing about family secrets has always been a death sentence for celebrity family ties. Britney Spears is allegedly still outraged about Mama Spears's book coming out later this year. Jennifer Aniston is supposedly still distant from her mom because she...
"The Dark Knight," sequel to "Batman Begins," opens this weekend. Featuring the final performance by the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, the movie is by far the most anticipated of the year and has already started selling out tickets...
You may know Jon Foreman best as the lead singer and guitarist for the incredibly successful rock band Switchfoot ("Meant to Live," "Dare You to Move). But are you familiar with his solo projects? Late last year, Foreman released two...
Okay, there's some cynicism brewing out there about today's sale at a London auction house of John Lennon's scrawled lyrics to "Give Peace a Chance." Gail Renard, a Canadian television writer who lives in London, parted with the scrap of...
Esquire Magazine's August 2008 cover is of none other than the king of comedy (at least according to me), Stephen Colbert, posing as a jolly St. Sebastian! St. Sebastian is the Patron Saint of, among many other things, athletes, and...
Last week, Mata Amritanandamayi, known popularly as Amma, or the "Hugging Saint" sponsored a three-day hugging marathon in New York City as part of her U.S. visit. The lines were astounding--people waited upwards of seven hours for their hug--reports April...
I admit to knowing very little about the "Hellboy" franchise, but one of the more interesting tidbits I found surfing the web this past weekend was on Doug Jones, an actor featured in both "Hellboy" movies as well as other...
True, the wedding had been planned for this summer. But this week a London tabloid reported that actor/comedian/rabble-rouser Sacha Baron Cohen and "Wedding Crashers" actress Isla Fisher are postponing their nuptials until Fisher has had a chance to learn more...
First and foremost, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is *categorically* a movie for the kids. "Journey" has no interest in being taken seriously or leaving behind a single droplet of memorable dialogue. It is only concerned with having...
Watch a sneak peak of boxing legend, ordained minister, and "King of the Grills," George Foreman's new reality show, "Family Foreman"--coming soon to TV Land--in which he encourages his 10 children to follow their dreams and be the best at...
On Wednesday I posted the Idol Chatter movie trivia question for the week: How many Oscar winners have played angels on the big screen? The answer is a little tricky because several actors have played angels and also have received...
I've heard of taking life's lemons and making lemonade, but the award for making the best of a bad situation has to go to the women from the polygamous sect referred to as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of...
From the Old Testament (Yahweh) to Grimm's Fairytales (Rumpelstiltskin), names have always carried power. And now some in the media are suggesting that the name of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's newborn daughter's name is imbued with a similar, power--an...
The sequel to the blockbuster hit, "Hellboy 2: The Golden Army" stars Selma Blair, Doug Jones, and Ron Perlman as the titular hero. Directed by "Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo Del Toro, the movie looks as artistic as it is thrilling....
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