Mexico is the third most populous country in Latin America.

Mexico Mexico ( México , -LSB- ˈme.xi.ko -RSB- , modern Nahuatl ) , officially the United Mexican States ( -LSB- Estados Unidos Mexicanos , links = no -RSB- , ) , is a federal republic in the southern portion of North America . It is bordered to the north by the United States ; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean ; to the southeast by Guatemala , Belize , and the Caribbean Sea ; and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico . Covering almost two million square kilometers ( over 760,000 sq mi ) , Mexico is the sixth largest country in the Americas by total area and the 13th largest independent nation in the world . With an estimated population of over 120 million , it is the eleventh most populous country and the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world while being the second most populous country in Latin America . Mexico is a federation comprising 31 states and a federal district that is also its capital and most populous city . Other metropolises include Guadalajara , Monterrey , Puebla , Toluca , Tijuana and León .   Pre-Columbian Mexico was home to many advanced Mesoamerican civilizations , such as the Olmec , Toltec , Teotihuacan , Zapotec , Maya and Aztec before first contact with Europeans . In 1521 , the Spanish Empire conquered and colonized the territory from its base in Mexico-Tenochtitlan , which was administered as the viceroyalty of New Spain . Three centuries later , this territory became Mexico following recognition in 1821 after the colony 's Mexican War of Independence . The tumultuous post-independence period was characterized by economic instability and many political changes . The Mexican -- American War ( 1846 -- 48 ) led to the territorial cession of the extensive northern territories to the United States . The Pastry War , the Franco-Mexican War , a civil war , two empires and a domestic dictatorship occurred through the 19th century . The dictatorship was overthrown in the Mexican Revolution of 1910 , which culminated with the promulgation of the 1917 Constitution and the emergence of the country 's current political system .   Mexico has the fifteenth largest nominal GDP and the eleventh largest by purchasing power parity . The Mexican economy is strongly linked to those of its North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA ) partners , especially the United States . Mexico was the first Latin American member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) , joining in 1994 . It is classified as an upper-middle income country by the World Bank and a newly industrialized country by several analysts . By 2050 , Mexico could become the world 's fifth or seventh largest economy . The country is considered both a regional power and middle power , and is often identified as an emerging global power . Due to its rich culture and history , Mexico ranks first in the Americas and seventh in the world by number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites . Mexico is a megadiverse country , ranking fourth in the world by biodiversity . In 2016 it was the eighth most visited country in the world , with 35 million international arrivals . Mexico is a member of the United Nations , the World Trade Organization , the G8 +5 , the G20 , the Uniting for Consensus and the Pacific Alliance .


Into the Woods received five nominations.

Into the Woods (film) Into the Woods is a 2014 American musical fantasy film directed by Rob Marshall , and adapted to the screen by James Lapine from his and Stephen Sondheim 's Broadway musical of the same name . A Walt Disney Pictures production , it features an ensemble cast that includes Meryl Streep , Emily Blunt , James Corden , Anna Kendrick , Chris Pine , Tracey Ullman , Christine Baranski , Lilla Crawford , Daniel Huttlestone , MacKenzie Mauzy , Billy Magnussen , and Johnny Depp . Inspired by the Grimm Brothers ' fairy tales of `` Little Red Riding Hood '' , `` Cinderella '' , `` Jack and the Beanstalk '' , and `` Rapunzel '' , the film is a fantasy genre centered on a childless couple , who set out to end a curse placed on them by a vengeful witch . Ultimately , the characters are forced to rectify the consequences of their actions .   After several unsuccessful attempts by other studios and producers to adapt the musical to film , Disney announced in 2012 that it was producing an adaptation , with Marshall directing and John DeLuca serving as producer . Principal photography commenced in September 2013 , and took place entirely in the United Kingdom , including at Shepperton Studios in London .   Into the Woods held its world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on December 8 , 2014 , and was released theatrically in the United States on December 25 , 2014 . The film was commercially successful and received generally positive reviews , receiving praise for its acting performances and production merits , but was criticized for its lighter tone compared to the source material and the changes made for the translation . It grossed $ 213 million worldwide . Into the Woods received three Academy Award nominations at the 87th Academy Awards , including a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Streep , as well as three Golden Globe Award nominations , including Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy .


Get Out (film) Get Out is a 2017 American horror film written , co-produced and directed by Jordan Peele , in his directorial debut . The film stars Daniel Kaluuya , Allison Williams , Lil Rel Howery , Bradley Whitford , Caleb Landry Jones , Stephen Root and Catherine Keener , and follows a young interracial couple who visit the mysterious estate of the woman 's parents .   Get Out premiered at Sundance Film Festival on January 24 , 2017 , and was theatrically released in the United States on February 24 by Universal Pictures . The film has grossed $ 241 million worldwide against its $ 4.5 million budget and received universal acclaim from critics and audiences alike .


The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie , first published in June 1926 in the United Kingdom by William Collins , Sons and in the United States by Dodd , Mead and Company on 19 June 1926 . It is the third novel to feature Hercule Poirot as the lead detective .   Poirot retires to a village near the home of a friend he met in London , Roger Ackroyd , who agrees to keep him anonymous , as he pursues his retirement project of perfecting vegetable marrows . He is not long at this pursuit when his friend is murdered . Ackroyd 's niece calls Poirot in to ensure that the guilt does not fall on Ackroyd 's son ; Poirot promises to find the truth , which she accepts .   The novel was initially well-received , remarked for the startling ending , and in 2013 , 87 years after its release the British Crime Writers ' Association voted it the best crime novel ever . It is one of Christie 's best known and most controversial novels , its innovative twist ending having a significant impact on the genre . Howard Haycraft included this novel in his list of the most influential crime novels ever written . The short biography of Christie which is included in 21st century UK printings of her books calls it her masterpiece , although writer and critic Robert Barnard has written that he considers it a conventional Christie novel .


There is an action hero named Casey Ryback.

Casey Ryback Casey Ryback is a fictional character and action hero from the Under Siege films of the 1990s . Played by Hollywood action star Steven Seagal , Ryback is a Chief Petty Officer and former Navy SEAL operator turned chef with top training in martial arts , explosives , special-weapons and tactics . He is a master of unarmed combat , highly skilled with firearms , knives and other forms of combat which enables him to defeat mercenaries/terrorists with ease . He appears in the 1992 film Under Siege and its sequel , Under Siege 2 : Dark Territory , in 1995 .


West Hollywood, California is in California.

West Hollywood, California West Hollywood , occasionally referred to locally as WeHo ( -LSB- ˈwiːhoʊ -RSB- ) , is a city in Los Angeles County , California , United States . Incorporated in 1984 , it is home to the Sunset Strip . As of the 2010 census , its population was 34,399 . It is considered one of the most prominent gay villages in the United States .


Sunset Strip The Sunset Strip is the name given to the mile-and-a-half ( 2.4 km ) stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood , California . It extends from West Hollywood 's eastern border with Hollywood at Havenhurst Drive , to its western border with Beverly Hills at Sierra Drive . The Strip is probably the best-known portion of Sunset , embracing boutiques , restaurants , rock clubs , and nightclubs that are on the cutting edge of the entertainment industry . It is also known for its trademark array of huge , colorful billboards .


Kick-Ass (film) Kick-Ass is a 2010 British-American superhero black comedy film based on the comic book of the same name by Mark Millar and John Romita , Jr. . The film was directed by Matthew Vaughn , who produced with Brad Pitt and co-wrote the screenplay with Jane Goldman . Its general release was on 25 March 2010 in the United Kingdom and on 16 April 2010 in the United States . It is the first installment of the Kick-Ass film series .   It tells the story of an ordinary teenager , Dave Lizewski ( Aaron Johnson ) , who sets out to become a real-life superhero , calling himself `` Kick-Ass '' . Dave gets caught up in a bigger fight when he meets Big Daddy ( Nicolas Cage ) , a former cop who , in his quest to bring down the crime boss Frank D'Amico ( Mark Strong ) and his son ( Christopher Mintz-Plasse ) ( Red Mist ) , has trained his eleven-year-old daughter ( Chloë Grace Moretz ) to be the ruthless vigilante Hit-Girl .   Despite having generated some controversy for its profanity and violence performed by a child , Kick-Ass was well received by both critics and audiences . In 2011 it won the Empire Award for Best British Film . The film has gained a strong cult following since its release on DVD and Blu-ray . A sequel , written and directed by Jeff Wadlow and produced by Vaughn , was released in August 2013 , with Johnson , Mintz-Plasse , and Moretz reprising their roles .


Josh Hartnett Joshua Daniel `` Josh '' Hartnett ( born July 21 , 1978 ) is an American actor and movie producer . He first came to attention in 1997 for his role as Michael Fitzgerald in the television crime drama series Cracker . He made his feature film debut in 1998 in the slasher film Halloween H20 : 20 Years Later , followed by teen roles in films such as the sci-fi horror film The Faculty ( 1998 ) and the drama The Virgin Suicides ( 1999 ) . Hartnett had starring roles in the war film Pearl Harbor , the drama O , the war film Black Hawk Down , the romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights , and other films .   He starred in the Brian De Palma -- directed neo-noir crime thriller The Black Dahlia ( 2006 ) . Next , he appeared in the drama Resurrecting the Champ ( 2007 ) , alongside Samuel L. Jackson , the graphic novel -- based vampire horror film 30 Days of Night ( 2007 ) and the neo-noir atmospheric thriller I Come with the Rain ( 2009 ) . From 2014 to 2016 , he starred as Ethan Chandler in the horror TV series Penny Dreadful , for which he was nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Award .


Frank (Amy Winehouse album) Frank is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse , released on 20 October 2003 by Island Records . Production for the album took place during 2002 to 2003 and was handled by Winehouse , Salaam Remi , Gordon `` Commissioner Gordon '' Williams , Jimmy Hogarth and Matt Rowe . Its title alludes to the nature and tone of Winehouse 's lyrics on the album , as well as one of her influences , Frank Sinatra .   Upon its release , Frank received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earned Winehouse several accolades , including an Ivor Novello Award . The album has sold over one million copies in the United Kingdom and has been certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry ( BPI ) .


Catching Fire has a protagonist named Peeta.

Catching Fire Catching Fire is a 2009 science fiction young adult novel by the American novelist Suzanne Collins , the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy . As the sequel to the 2008 bestseller The Hunger Games , it continues the story of Katniss Everdeen and the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem . Following the events of the previous novel , a rebellion against the oppressive Capitol has begun , and Katniss and fellow tribute Peeta Mellark are forced to return to the arena in a special edition of the Hunger Games .   The book was first published on September 1 , 2009 , by Scholastic , in hardcover , and was later released in ebook and audiobook format . Catching Fire received mostly positive reviews , with reviewers praising Collins ' prose , the book 's ending , and the development of Katniss 's character . According to critics , major themes of the novel include survival , authoritarianism , rebellion and interdependence versus independence . The book has sold more than 19 million copies in the U.S. alone .   A film adaptation , The Hunger Games : Catching Fire , was released on November 22 , 2013 .


Uzbekistan Uzbekistan ( -LSB- ʊzˈbɛkᵻˌstæn , _ - ˌstɑːn -RSB- , -LSB- ʊzˌbɛkᵻˈstɑːn , _ ʌz - , _ - ˈstæn -RSB- ) , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi , Ўзбекистон Республикаси Республика Узбекистан ) , is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world . Located in Central Asia , it is a unitary , constitutional , presidential republic , comprising twelve provinces , one autonomous republic and a capital city . Uzbekistan is bordered by five landlocked countries : Kazakhstan to the north ; Tajikistan to the southeast ; Kyrgyzstan to the northeast ; Afghanistan to the south ; and Turkmenistan to the southwest .   Once part of the Turkic Khaganate and later Timurid Empires , the region that today includes the Republic of Uzbekistan was conquered in the early 16th century by Eastern Turkic-speaking nomads . The area was gradually incorporated into the Russian Empire during the 19th century , and in 1924 what is now Uzbekistan became a bordered constituent republic of the Soviet Union , known as the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic ( Uzbek SSR ) . Following the breakup of the Soviet Union , it declared independence as the Republic of Uzbekistan on 31 August 1991 ( officially celebrated the following day ) .   Uzbekistan is officially a democratic , secular , unitary , constitutional republic with a diverse cultural heritage . The country 's official language is Uzbek , a Turkic language written in the Latin alphabet and spoken natively by approximately 85 % of the population ; however , Russian remains in widespread use . Uzbeks constitute 81 % of the population , followed by Russians ( 5.4 % ) , Tajiks ( 4.0 % ) , Kazakhs ( 3.0 % ) , and others ( 6.5 % ) . A majority of Uzbeks are non-denominational Muslims . Uzbekistan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) , Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) , UN , and the SCO . While officially a democratic republic , non-governmental human rights organizations define Uzbekistan as `` an authoritarian state with limited civil rights '' .   Uzbekistan 's economy relies mainly on commodity production , including cotton , gold , uranium , and natural gas . Despite the declared objective of transition to a market economy , its government continues to maintain economic controls which imports in favour of domestic `` import substitution '' .


United Nations The United Nations ( UN ) is an intergovernmental organization to promote international co-operation and to create and maintain international order . A replacement for the ineffective League of Nations , the organization was established on 24 October 1945 after World War II in order to prevent another such conflict . At its founding , the UN had 51 member states ; there are now 193 . The headquarters of the UN is in Manhattan , New York City , and experiences extraterritoriality . Further main offices are situated in Geneva , Nairobi , and Vienna . The organization is financed by assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states . Its objectives include maintaining international peace and security , promoting human rights , fostering social and economic development , protecting the environment , and providing humanitarian aid in cases of famine , natural disaster , and armed conflict . The UN is the largest , most familiar , most internationally represented and most powerful intergovernmental organisation in the world .   The UN Charter was drafted at a conference between April -- June 1945 in San Francisco , and was signed on 26 June 1945 at the conclusion of the conference ; this charter took effect 24 October 1945 , and the UN began operation . The UN 's mission to preserve world peace was complicated in its early decades by the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union and their respective allies . The organization participated in major actions in Korea and the Congo , as well as approving the creation of the state of Israel in 1947 . The organization 's membership grew significantly following widespread decolonization in the 1960s , and by the 1970s its budget for economic and social development programmes far outstripped its spending on peacekeeping . After the end of the Cold War , the UN took on major military and peacekeeping missions across the world with varying degrees of success .   The UN has six principal organs : the General Assembly ( the main deliberative assembly ) ; the Security Council ( for deciding certain resolutions for peace and security ) ; the Economic and Social Council ( ECOSOC ; for promoting international economic and social co-operation and development ) ; the Secretariat ( for providing studies , information , and facilities needed by the UN ) ; the International Court of Justice ( the primary judicial organ ) ; and the UN Trusteeship Council ( inactive since 1994 ) . UN System agencies include the World Bank Group , the World Health Organization , the World Food Programme , UNESCO , and UNICEF . The UN 's most prominent officer is the Secretary-General , an office held by Portuguese António Guterres since 2017 . Non-governmental organizations may be granted consultative status with ECOSOC and other agencies to participate in the UN 's work .   The organization won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 , and a number of its officers and agencies have also been awarded the prize . Other evaluations of the UN 's effectiveness have been mixed . Some commentators believe the organization to be an important force for peace and human development , while others have called the organization ineffective , corrupt , or biased .


Leonard Cohen released an album in 2004.

Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen ( September 21 , 1934 -- November 7 , 2016 ) was a Canadian singer , songwriter , musician , poet , novelist , and painter . His work explored religion , politics , isolation , sexuality , and personal relationships . Cohen was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame , the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame , and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . He was a Companion of the Order of Canada , the nation 's highest civilian honor . In 2011 , Cohen received one of the Prince of Asturias Awards for literature and the ninth Glenn Gould Prize .   Cohen pursued a career as a poet and novelist during the 1950s and early 1960s ; he did not launch a music career until 1967 , at the age of 33 . His first album , Songs of Leonard Cohen ( 1967 ) , was followed by three more albums of folk music : Songs from a Room ( 1969 ) , Songs of Love and Hate ( 1971 ) and New Skin for the Old Ceremony ( 1974 ) . His 1977 record Death of a Ladies ' Man was co-written and produced by Phil Spector , which was a move away from Cohen 's previous minimalist sound . In 1979 , Cohen returned with the more traditional Recent Songs , which blended his acoustic style with jazz and Oriental and Mediterranean influences . Perhaps Cohen 's most famous song , `` Hallelujah '' was first released on his studio album Various Positions in 1984 . I 'm Your Man in 1988 marked Cohen 's turn to synthesized productions and remains his most popular album . In 1992 , Cohen released its follow-up , The Future , which had dark lyrics and references to political and social unrest .   Cohen returned to music in 2001 with the release of Ten New Songs , which was a major hit in Canada and Europe . His eleventh album , Dear Heather , followed in 2004 . After a successful string of tours between 2008 and 2010 , Cohen released three albums in the final four years of his life : Old Ideas ( 2012 ) , Popular Problems ( 2014 ) and You Want It Darker ( 2016 ) , the last of which was released three weeks before his death .


The Right Stuff's cast excludes Ed Harris.

The Right Stuff (film) The Right Stuff is a 1983 American epic historical drama film that was adapted from Tom Wolfe 's best-selling 1979 book of the same name about the Navy , Marine and Air Force test pilots who were involved in aeronautical research at Edwards Air Force Base , California , as well as the seven military pilots who were selected to be the astronauts for Project Mercury , the first manned spaceflight by the United States . The Right Stuff stars Ed Harris , Scott Glenn , Sam Shepard , Fred Ward , Dennis Quaid and Barbara Hershey . Levon Helm is the narrator in the introduction and elsewhere in the film , as well as having a co-starring role as Air Force test pilot Jack Ridley . In 2013 the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being `` culturally , historically , or aesthetically significant '' .


The Fifth Element was the highest-grossing French film in the international box office until Germany.

The Fifth Element The Fifth Element ( Le Cinquième Élément ) is a 1997 English-language French science-fiction action film directed and co-written by Luc Besson . It stars Bruce Willis , Gary Oldman and Milla Jovovich . Primarily set in the 23rd century , the film 's central plot involves the survival of planet Earth , which becomes the responsibility of Korben Dallas ( Willis ) , a taxicab driver and former special forces major , after a young woman ( Jovovich ) falls into his cab . Dallas joins forces with her to recover four mystical stones essential for the defence of Earth against an impending attack .   Besson started writing the story that became The Fifth Element when he was 16 years old ; he was 38 when the film opened in cinemas . Besson wanted to shoot the film in France , but suitable locations could not be found ; filming took place instead in London and Mauritania . Comics writers Jean `` Moebius '' Giraud and Jean-Claude Mézières , whose comics provided inspiration for parts of the film , were hired for production design . Costume design was by Jean Paul Gaultier .   The Fifth Element received mainly positive reviews , although it tended to polarize critics . It has been called both the best and worst summer blockbuster of all time . The film was a financial success , earning more than $ 263 million at the box office on a $ 90 million budget . At the time of its release it was the most expensive European film ever made , and it remained the highest-grossing French film at the international box office until the release of The Intouchables in 2011 .


Snowpiercer is co-written by Kelly Masterson.

Snowpiercer Snowpiercer ( hangul : 설국열차 ; hanja : 雪國列車 ; RR : Seolgungnyeolcha ) is a 2013 English-language South Korean-Czech science fiction thriller film based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob , Benjamin Legrand and Jean-Marc Rochette . The film is directed by Bong Joon-ho , and written by Bong and Kelly Masterson . The film marks Bong 's English-language debut ; approximately 80 % of the film was shot in English .   The film stars Chris Evans , Song Kang-ho , Tilda Swinton , Jamie Bell , Octavia Spencer , Go Ah-sung , John Hurt , and Ed Harris . The movie takes place aboard the globe-spanning Snowpiercer train which holds the last remnants of humanity after an attempt at climate engineering in order to stop global warming has unintentionally created a new ice age . Evans stars as Curtis Everett , a member of the lower-class tail section passengers as they lead a revolution against the elite of the front of the train . Filming was done on train car sets mounted on gimbals at Barrandov Studios in Prague to simulate the motion of the train .   Snowpiercer was well received by critics , and appeared on many film critics ' top ten film lists of 2014 following its international release . Praise was primarily directed towards its vision , direction , and performances , particularly Evans 's and Swinton 's . Initially planned for a limited-screen showing in the United States , the critical response to the film prompted The Weinstein Company to expand the showing to more theaters and through digital streaming services . Produced at a budget of $ 40 million , it remains as the most expensive Korean production ever .


In 2008, the soundtrack of Tropic Thunder came out.

Tropic Thunder Tropic Thunder is a 2008 satirical action comedy film co-written , produced , and directed by Ben Stiller . Stiller , Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black star as a group of prima donna actors who are making a fictional Vietnam War film . When their frustrated director drops them in the middle of a jungle , they are forced to rely on their acting skills to survive the real action and danger . It was written by Stiller , Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen . The film was an international co-production between Germany , the United Kingdom , and the United States . DreamWorks Pictures and Red Hour Films produced it .   Stiller 's idea for the film originated while playing a minor role in Empire of the Sun , and he later enlisted Theroux and Cohen to help complete the script . After the film was green-lit in 2006 , filming took place in 2007 on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i over thirteen weeks and was later deemed the largest film production in the island 's history . The film had an extensive marketing promotion , including faux websites for the three main characters and their fictional films , airing a fictional television special , and selling the energy drink advertised in the film , `` Booty Sweat '' , directed by Dr. Hemlock .   The film received generally positive reviews , with critics praising the film 's characters , story , faux trailers , and the performances of Stiller , Downey , and Tom Cruise , though the depiction of the mentally handicapped proved controversial . The film 's soundtrack and score debuted on August 5 , 2008 , before the film 's theatrical release . Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks released the film in the US on August 13 , 2008 . In its North American opening weekend , the film earned $ 26 million and retained the number one position for the first three weekends of release . Downey received Academy Award , BAFTA Award , and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for his performance , with both him and Cruise receiving nominations for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor -- Motion Picture . The film grossed more than $ 188 million worldwide before its release on home video on November 18 , 2008 .


Ulysses S. Grant commanded the Union Army in 1868.

Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant ( born Hiram Ulysses Grant ; April 27 , 1822 -- July 23 , 1885 ) was the 18th President of the United States ( 1869 -- 77 ) . As Commanding General ( 1864 -- 69 ) , Grant worked closely with President Abraham Lincoln to lead the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy in the American Civil War . Supported by Congress , Grant implemented Reconstruction , often at odds with President Andrew Johnson . Twice elected president , Grant led the Republicans in their effort to remove the vestiges of Confederate nationalism and slavery , protect African-American citizenship , and support economic prosperity . His presidency has often been criticized for tolerating corruption and for the economic depression in his second term .   Grant graduated in 1843 from the United States Military Academy at West Point , then served in the Mexican -- American War . After the war he married Julia Boggs Dent in 1848 , their marriage producing four children . Grant initially retired from the Army in 1854 . He struggled financially in civilian life . When the Civil War began in 1861 , he rejoined the U.S. Army . In 1862 , Grant took control of Kentucky and most of Tennessee , and led Union forces to victory in the Battle of Shiloh , earning a reputation as an aggressive commander . In July 1863 , after a series of coordinated battles , Grant defeated Confederate armies and seized Vicksburg , giving the Union control of the Mississippi River and dividing the Confederacy in two . After his victories in the Chattanooga Campaign , Lincoln promoted him to lieutenant general and Commanding General of the Army in March 1864 . Grant confronted Robert E. Lee in a series of bloody battles , trapping Lee 's army in their defense of Richmond . Grant coordinated a series of devastating campaigns in other theaters , as well . In April 1865 , Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox , effectively ending the war . Historians have hailed Grant 's military genius , and his strategies are featured in military history textbooks , but a minority contend that he won by brute force rather than superior strategy .   After the Civil War , Grant led the army 's supervision of Reconstruction in the former Confederate states . Elected president in 1868 , he stabilized the nation during that turbulent period , prosecuted the Ku Klux Klan , and enforced civil rights and voting rights laws using the army and the newly created Department of Justice . He also used the army to build the Republican Party in the South . After the disenfranchisement of some former Confederates , Republicans gained majorities , and African Americans were elected to Congress and high state offices . The Democrats and Liberal Republicans united behind Grant 's opponent in the presidential election of 1872 , but were unable to defeat his reelection . In his second term , the Republican coalitions in the South splintered and were defeated one by one as redeemers ( conservative whites ) regained control using coercion and violence . In response , Grant signed the Civil Rights Act of 1875 into law . In May 1875 , Grant authorized his Secretary of Treasury Benjamin Bristow to prosecute the corrupt Whiskey Ring . Grant 's Indian Peace Policy , incorporating Christian missionaries , initially reduced frontier violence , but it is best known for the Great Sioux War of 1876 . Grant 's administration faced charges of corruption more than that of any other 19th Century president . He appointed the first Civil Service Commission and signed legislation ending the corrupt moiety system .   In foreign policy , Grant was uneven , having sought to increase trade and influence while remaining at peace with the world . When Grant relied on his Secretary of State Hamilton Fish , his administration successfully resolved the Alabama claims by the Treaty of Washington with Great Britain , ending wartime tensions . Additionally , Grant and Fish avoided war with Spain over the Virginius Affair negotiating a peaceful resolution . Congress rejected Grant 's own attempted annexation of the Dominican Republic initiative , creating a rift among Republicans . His administration implemented a gold standard and sought to strengthen the dollar . Corruption charges escalated during his second term , while his response to the Panic of 1873 proved ineffective nationally in halting the five-year industrial depression that produced high unemployment , low prices , low profits , and bankruptcies . Grant left office in 1877 and embarked on a two-year diplomatic world tour that captured the nation 's attention .   In 1880 , Grant was unsuccessful in obtaining the Republican presidential nomination for a third term . Facing severe investment reversals and dying of throat cancer , he wrote his memoirs , which proved to be a major literary work and financial success . His death in 1885 prompted an outpouring in support of national unity . Historical assessment of Grant 's legacy has varied considerably over the years . Early historical evaluations were negative about Grant 's presidency , often focusing on the corruption charges against his associates . This trend began to change in the later 20th century . Scholars in general rank his presidency below the average , but modern research , in part focusing on civil rights , evaluates his administration more positively .


William Jennings Bryan is unaffiliated with any political parties.

William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan ( March 19 , 1860 -- July 26 , 1925 ) was an American orator and politician from Nebraska , and a dominant force in the populist wing of the Democratic Party , standing three times as the Party 's nominee for President of the United States ( 1896 , 1900 , and 1908 ) . He served two terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Nebraska and was United States Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson ( 1913 -- 1915 ) . He resigned because of his pacifist position on World War I. Bryan was a devout Presbyterian , a strong advocate of popular democracy , and an enemy of the banks and the gold standard . He demanded `` Free Silver '' because he believed it undermined the evil `` Money Power '' and put more cash in the hands of the common people . He was a peace advocate , a supporter of Prohibition , and an opponent of Darwinism on religious and humanitarian grounds . With his deep , commanding voice and wide travels , he was perhaps the best-known orator and lecturer of the era . Because of his faith in the wisdom of the common people , he was called `` The Great Commoner '' .   In the intensely fought 1896 and 1900 elections , he was defeated by William McKinley but retained control of the Democratic Party . With over 500 speeches in 1896 , Bryan invented the national stumping tour in an era when other presidential candidates stayed home . In his three presidential bids , he promoted Free Silver in 1896 , anti-imperialism in 1900 , and trust-busting in 1908 , calling on Democrats to fight the trusts ( big corporations ) and big banks , and embrace anti-elitist ideals of republicanism . President Wilson appointed him Secretary of State in 1913 . After the Lusitania was torpedoed in 1915 , Wilson made strong demands on Germany that Bryan disagreed with , resigning in protest as a pacifist . After 1920 , he turned to Christian fundamentalism ; he supported Prohibition and attacked Darwinism and evolution , most famously at the Scopes Trial in 1925 in Tennessee . Five days after the conclusion of the Scopes case , Bryan died in his sleep .


History of art The history of art is the history of any activity or product made by humans in a visual form for aesthetical or communicative purposes , expressing ideas , emotions or , in general , a worldview . Over time visual art has been classified in diverse ways , from the medieval distinction between liberal arts and mechanical arts , to the modern distinction between fine arts and applied arts , or to the many contemporary definitions , which define art as a manifestation of human creativity . The subsequent expansion of the list of principal arts in the 20th century reached to nine : architecture , dance , sculpture , music , painting , poetry ( described broadly as a form of literature with aesthetic purpose or function , which also includes the distinct genres of theatre and narrative ) , film , photography and graphic arts . In addition to the old forms of artistic expression such as fashion and gastronomy , new modes of expression are being considered as arts such as video , computer art , performance , advertising , animation , television and videogames .   The history of art is a multidisciplinary branch of the arts and sciences , seeking an objective examination of art throughout time , classifying cultures , establishing periodizations , and observing the distinctive and influential characteristics of art . The study of the history of art was initially developed during the Renaissance , with its limited scope being the artistic production of Western civilization . However , as time has passed , it has imposed a broader view of artistic history , seeking a comprehensive overview of all the civilizations and analysis of their artistic production in terms of their own cultural values ( cultural relativism ) , and not just western art history .   Today , art enjoys a wide network of study , dissemination and preservation of all the artistic legacy of mankind throughout history . The 20th century has seen the proliferation of institutions , foundations , art museums and galleries , in both the public and private sectors , dedicated to the analysis and cataloging of works of art as well as exhibitions aimed at a mainstream audience . The rise of media has been crucial in improving the study and dissemination of art . International events and exhibitions like the Whitney Biennial and biennales of Venice and São Paulo or the Documenta of Kassel have helped the development of new styles and trends . Prizes such as the Turner of the Tate Gallery , the Wolf Prize in Arts , the Pritzker Prize of architecture , the Pulitzer of photography and the Oscar of cinema also promote the best creative work on an international level . Institutions like UNESCO , with the establishment of the World Heritage Site lists , also help the conservation of the major monuments of the planet .


Nick Nolte was in the cast of The Thin Red Line and Hulk.

Nick Nolte Nicholas King Nolte ( born February 8 , 1941 ) is an American actor and former model . He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Motion Picture Drama , and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the 1991 film The Prince of Tides . He went on to receive Academy Award nominations for Affliction ( 1998 ) and Warrior ( 2011 ) . His other film appearances include The Deep ( 1977 ) , 48 Hrs . ( 1982 ) , Down and Out in Beverly Hills ( 1986 ) , Another 48 Hrs . ( 1990 ) , Everybody Wins ( 1990 ) , Cape Fear ( 1991 ) , Lorenzo 's Oil ( 1992 ) , The Thin Red Line ( 1998 ) , Hulk ( 2003 ) , The Good Thief ( 2003 ) , Hotel Rwanda ( 2004 ) , Tropic Thunder ( 2008 ) , A Walk in the Woods ( 2015 ) and The Ridiculous 6 ( 2015 ) . He was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor -- Television Series Musical or Comedy for his role in the TV series Graves ( 2016 -- present ) .


Sora is the protagonist in Kingdom Hearts III.

Kingdom Hearts III Kingdom Hearts III is an upcoming action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One . It is the twelfth installment in the Kingdom Hearts series , sequel to Kingdom Hearts II , and the final chapter in the Dark Seeker saga . Set after the events of Kingdom Hearts 3D : Dream Drop Distance , returning protagonist Sora is joined by Donald Duck , Goofy , King Mickey and Riku in their search for the seven guardians of light and the `` Key to Return Hearts '' as they attempt to thwart Master Xehanort 's plan to bring about a second Keyblade War . Their journey has them cross paths with characters , and visit worlds , based on Disney properties and Final Fantasy .   Concepts for the game began as early as 2006 , after the release of Kingdom Hearts II : Final Mix in Japan , with the game not officially confirmed to be in development until E3 2013 , after years of rumors and speculation . Kingdom Hearts III sees many returning gameplay features from the series , while introducing new `` Attraction Flow '' attacks that incorporate Disney Parks attractions . The game also is the first in the series to utilize Unreal Engine 4 .


Prince (musician) Prince Rogers Nelson ( June 7 , 1958 -- April 21 , 2016 ) was an American singer-songwriter , actor , multi-instrumentalist , philanthropist , dancer and record producer . He was a musical innovator who was known for his eclectic work , flamboyant stage presence , extravagant dress and makeup , and wide vocal range . His music integrates a wide variety of styles , including funk , rock , R&B , new wave , soul , psychedelia , and pop . He has sold over 100 million records worldwide , making him one of the best-selling artists of all time . He won seven Grammy Awards , an American Music Award , a Golden Globe Award , and an Academy Award for the film Purple Rain . He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 , his first year of eligibility . Rolling Stone ranked Prince at number 27 on its list of 100 Greatest Artists , `` the most influential artists of the rock & roll era '' .   Prince was born in Minneapolis , Minnesota , and developed an interest in music as a young child . He signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. at the age of 18 , and released his debut album For You in 1978 . His 1979 album Prince went platinum , and his next three records -- Dirty Mind ( 1980 ) , Controversy ( 1981 ) , and 1999 ( 1982 ) -- continued his success , showcasing Prince 's prominently sexual lyrics and blending of funk , dance , and rock music . In 1984 , he began referring to his backup band as the Revolution and released Purple Rain , the soundtrack album to his eponymous 1984 film debut . It quickly became his most critically and commercially successful release , spending 24 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 and selling over 20 million units worldwide . After releasing the albums Around the World in a Day ( 1985 ) and Parade ( 1986 ) , The Revolution disbanded , and Prince released the double album Sign o ' the Times ( 1987 ) as a solo artist . He released three more solo albums before debuting the New Power Generation band in 1991 .   In 1993 , while in a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. , he changed his stage name to , an unpronounceable symbol also known as the `` Love Symbol '' , and began releasing new albums at a faster pace to remove himself from contractual obligations . He released five records between 1994 and 1996 before signing with Arista Records in 1998 . In 2000 , he began referring to himself as `` Prince '' again . He released 16 albums after that , including the platinum-selling Musicology ( 2004 ) . His final album , Hit n Run Phase Two , was first released on the Tidal streaming service on December 12 , 2015 . Prince died from a fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park recording studio and home in Chanhassen , Minnesota , on April 21 , 2016 , at the age of 57 .


Buddhism Buddhism ( -LSB- pronˈbʊdɪzəm -RSB- or -LSB- ˈbuːdɪzəm -RSB- ) is an Indian religion and dharma that encompasses a variety of traditions , beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to the Buddha . Buddhism originated in Ancient India sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE , from where it spread through much of Asia , whereafter it declined in India during the middle ages . Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars : Theravada ( Pali : `` The School of the Elders '' ) and Mahayana ( Sanskrit : `` The Great Vehicle '' ) . Buddhism is the world 's fourth-largest religion , with over 500 million followers or 7 % of the global population , known as Buddhists .   Buddhist schools vary on the exact nature of the path to liberation , the importance and canonicity of various teachings and scriptures , and especially their respective practices . Practices of Buddhism include taking refuge in the Buddha , the Dharma and the Sangha , study of scriptures , observance of moral precepts , renunciation of craving and attachment , the practice of meditation ( including calm and insight ) , the cultivation of wisdom , loving-kindness and compassion , the Mahayana practice of bodhicitta and the Vajrayana practices of generation stage and completion stage .   In Theravada the ultimate goal is the cessation of the kleshas and the attainment of the sublime state of Nirvana , achieved by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path ( also known as the Middle Way ) , thus escaping what is seen as a cycle of suffering and rebirth . Theravada has a widespread following in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia .   Mahayana , which includes the traditions of Pure Land , Zen , Nichiren Buddhism , Shingon and Tiantai ( Tendai ) , is found throughout East Asia . Rather than Nirvana , Mahayana instead aspires to Buddhahood via the bodhisattva path , a state wherein one remains in the cycle of rebirth to help other beings reach awakening .   Vajrayana , a body of teachings attributed to Indian siddhas , may be viewed as a third branch or merely a part of Mahayana . Tibetan Buddhism , which preserves the Vajrayana teachings of eighth century India , is practiced in regions surrounding the Himalayas , Mongolia and Kalmykia . Tibetan Buddhism aspires to Buddhahood or rainbow body .


Selene serves as a character in at least one 2016 film.

Selene (Underworld) Selene , portrayed by British actress Kate Beckinsale , is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the Underworld film series . More specifically , she serves as the central character in the films Underworld ( 2003 ) , Underworld : Evolution ( 2006 ) , Underworld : Awakening ( 2012 ) , and Underworld : Blood Wars ( 2016 ) .   Beckinsale 's daughter , Lily Mo Sheen , plays the character as a child in a flashback in Underworld : Evolution . In Underworld : Endless War , Selene is voiced by Canadian voice actress Laura Harris .


Guinevere Guinevere ( -LSB- ˈɡwɪnᵻvɪər -RSB- Gwenhwyfar Gwenivar ) , often written as Guenevere or Gwenevere , is , in Arthurian legend , the wife of King Arthur . She first appears as Guanhumara ( with many spelling variants in the manuscript tradition ) in Geoffrey of Monmouth 's pseudo-historical chronicle of British history , the Historia Regum Britanniae , written circa 1136 AD . She is also found in medieval Welsh prose , in the mid-late 12th-century tale Culhwch and Olwen , as Arthur 's wife Gwenhwyfar . In medieval romances , one of the most prominent story arcs is Queen Guinevere 's love affair with her husband 's chief knight , Lancelot . This story first appeared in Chrétien de Troyes 's Lancelot , the Knight of the Cart and became a motif in Arthurian literature , starting with the Lancelot-Grail of the early 13th century and carrying through the Post-Vulgate Cycle and Thomas Malory 's Le Morte d'Arthur . Guinevere and Lancelot 's betrayal of Arthur preceded his eventual defeat at the Battle of Camlann by Mordred .


Patrick Wilson is from the Northern Hemisphere.

Patrick Wilson (American actor) Patrick Joseph Wilson ( born July 3 , 1973 ) is an American actor and singer . He spent his early career starring in Broadway musicals , beginning in 1995 . He is a two-time Tony Award nominee for his roles in The Full Monty ( 2000 -- 2001 ) and Oklahoma ! ( 2002 ) . In 2003 , he appeared in the HBO miniseries Angels in America for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award and Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie .   Wilson has also appeared in feature films such as The Phantom of the Opera ( 2004 ) , Little Children ( 2006 ) , Watchmen ( 2009 ) , Insidious ( 2010 ) , Insidious : Chapter 2 ( 2013 ) , and as demonologist Ed Warren in James Wan 's supernatural horror films The Conjuring ( 2013 ) and The Conjuring 2 ( 2016 ) , the latter four earning him a reputation as a `` scream king '' . On television , he starred in the CBS drama series A Gifted Man ( 2011 -- 2012 ) , and as Lou Solverson in the second season of FX 's anthology series Fargo ( 2015 ) , for which he received a second Golden Globe Award nomination . He has been cast as Orm Marius/Ocean Master in the DC Extended Universe superhero film Aquaman ( 2018 ) .


Unforgiven is a Western film that Clint Eastwood worked on.

Clint Eastwood Clinton Eastwood Jr. '' ' ( born May 31 , 1930 ) is an American actor , filmmaker , musician , and political figure . After achieving success in the Western TV series Rawhide , he rose to international fame with his role as the Man with No Name in Sergio Leone 's Dollars trilogy of spaghetti Westerns during the 1960s , and as antihero cop Harry Callahan in the five Dirty Harry films throughout the 1970s and 1980s . These roles , among others , have made Eastwood an enduring cultural icon of masculinity .   For his work in the Western film Unforgiven ( 1992 ) and the sports drama Million Dollar Baby ( 2004 ) , Eastwood won Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture , as well as receiving nominations for Best Actor . Eastwood 's greatest commercial successes have been the adventure comedy Every Which Way But Loose ( 1978 ) and its sequel , the action comedy Any Which Way You Can ( 1980 ) , after adjustment for inflation . Other popular films include the Western Hang 'Em High ( 1968 ) , the psychological thriller Play Misty for Me ( 1971 ) , the crime film Thunderbolt and Lightfoot ( 1974 ) , the Western The Outlaw Josey Wales ( 1976 ) , the prison film Escape from Alcatraz ( 1979 ) , the action film Firefox ( 1982 ) , the suspense thriller Tightrope ( 1984 ) , the Western Pale Rider ( 1985 ) , the war films Where Eagles Dare ( 1968 ) , Heartbreak Ridge ( 1986 ) , the action thriller In the Line of Fire ( 1993 ) , the romantic drama The Bridges of Madison County ( 1995 ) , and the drama Gran Torino ( 2008 ) .   In addition to directing many of his own star vehicles , Eastwood has also directed films in which he did not appear , such as the mystery drama Mystic River ( 2003 ) and the war film Letters from Iwo Jima ( 2006 ) , for which he received Academy Award nominations , and the drama Changeling ( 2008 ) . The war drama biopic American Sniper '' ( 2014 ) set box office records for the largest January release ever and was also the largest opening ever for an Eastwood film .   Eastwood received considerable critical praise in France for several films , including some that were not well received in the United States . Eastwood has been awarded two of France 's highest honors : in 1994 he became a recipient of the Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres , and in 2007 he was awarded the Legion of Honour medal . In 2000 , Eastwood was awarded the Italian Venice Film Festival Golden Lion for lifetime achievement .   Since 1967 , Eastwood has run his own production company , Malpaso , which has produced all but four of his American films . Starting in 1986 , Eastwood served for two years as Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea , California , a non-partisan office .


Tokyo was the headquarters of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Edo , also romanized as Jedo , Yedo or Yeddo , is the former name of Tokyo . It was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate , which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868 . During this period , it grew to become one of the largest cities in the world and home to an urban culture centered on the notion of a `` floating world '' .


Tokyo Tokyo ( -LSB- toːkjoː -RSB- , -LSB- langˈtoʊki.oʊ -RSB- ) , officially Tokyo Metropolis , is the capital of Japan and one of its 47 prefectures . The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world . It is the seat of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese government . Tokyo is in the Kantō region on the southeastern side of the main island Honshu and includes the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands . Formerly known as Edo , it has been the de facto seat of government since 1603 when Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu made the city his headquarters . It officially became the capital after Emperor Meiji moved his seat to the city from the old capital of Kyoto in 1868 ; at that time Edo was renamed Tokyo . Tokyo Metropolis was formed in 1943 from the merger of the former and the .   Tokyo is often referred to as a city , but is officially known and governed as a `` metropolitan prefecture '' , which differs from and combines elements of a city and a prefecture , a characteristic unique to Tokyo . The Tokyo metropolitan government administers the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo ( each governed as an individual city ) , which cover the area that was the City of Tokyo before it merged and became the metropolitan prefecture in 1943 . The metropolitan government also administers 39 municipalities in the western part of the prefecture and the two outlying island chains . The population of the special wards is over 9 million people , with the total population of the prefecture exceeding 13 million . The prefecture is part of the world 's most populous metropolitan area with upwards of 37.8 million people and the world 's largest urban agglomeration economy . The city hosts 51 of the Fortune Global 500 companies , the highest number of any city in the world . Tokyo ranked third in the International Financial Centres Development IndexEdit . The city is also home to various television networks such as Fuji TV , Tokyo MX , TV Tokyo , TV Asahi , Nippon Television , NHK and the Tokyo Broadcasting System .   Tokyo ranked first in the Global Economic Power Index and fourth in the Global Cities Index . The city is considered an alpha + world city -- as listed by the GaWC 's 2008 inventory -- and in 2014 , Tokyo was ranked first in the `` Best overall experience '' category of TripAdvisor '' 's World City Survey ( the city also ranked first in the following categories : `` helpfulness of locals '' , `` nightlife '' , `` shopping '' , `` local public transportation '' and `` cleanliness of streets '' ) . In 2015 , Tokyo was ranked as the 11th most expensive city for expatriates , according to the Mercer consulting firm , and also the world 's 11th most expensive city , according to the Economist Intelligence Unit 's cost-of-living survey . In 2015 , Tokyo was named the Most Liveable City in the world by the magazine Monocle '' . The Michelin Guide has awarded Tokyo by far the most Michelin stars of any city in the world .  Tokyo ranked first in the world in the Safe Cities Index . The 2016 edition of QS Best Student Cities ranked Tokyo as the 3rd-best city in the world to be a university student . Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics , the 1979 G-7 summit , the 1986 G-7 summit , and the 1993 G-7 summit , and will host the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2020 Summer Paralympics .


Dean Parisot Aldo L. `` Dean '' Parisot is an Oscar-winning American film and television director . He won the 1988 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for The Appointments of Dennis Jennings , which was co-written and starred comedian Steven Wright , with whom he shares the award . Among his television credits are episodes of Monk ( including the two-hour pilot `` Mr. Monk and the Candidate '' ) , Northern Exposure and Curb Your Enthusiasm .   Parisot was born in Wilton , Connecticut , to Ellen James ( née Lewis ) , a painter and art teacher , and Aldo Parisot , a Brazilian-born , well-known cellist and pedagogue .  He graduated from New York University 's Tisch School of the Arts . He took part in the Sundance Institute 's June Lab .   As of 2012 , he was scheduled to direct the third installment of the Bill and Ted franchise .   Dean Parisot was married to film editor Sally Menke until her death in 2010 ; the couple had two children .


Galaxy Quest Galaxy Quest is a 1999 American comedy science fiction film directed by Dean Parisot and written by David Howard and Robert Gordon . Mark Johnson and Charles Newirth produced the film for DreamWorks Pictures .   Parodying television series such as Star Trek and its fandom , the film stars Tim Allen , Sigourney Weaver , Alan Rickman , Tony Shalhoub , Sam Rockwell , and Daryl Mitchell as the cast of a defunct television series called Galaxy Quest , in which the crew of a spaceship embarked on intergalactic adventures . Enrico Colantoni stars as the leader of an alien race who ask the actors for help , believing the show 's adventures were real . The film 's supporting cast features Robin Sachs as an alien warlord and Patrick Breen as another alien . Justin Long makes his feature film debut as an obsessed fan of the television show .   The film received critical praise and reached cult status through the years , becoming popular with Star Trek fans , staff , and cast members for its affectionate parody . It won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation , the Nebula Award for Best Script , 26th Hochi Film Award for Best International Picture and was also nominated for ten Saturn Awards including Best Science Fiction Film , Best Director for Parisot , Best Actress for Weaver and Best Supporting Actor for Rickman , winning Best Actor for Allen . The film was included in Reader 's Digests list of The Top 100 + Funniest Movies of All Time .


Hugh Hefner was a soldier in World War II.

Hugh Hefner Hugh Marston Hefner ( born April 9 , 1926 ) is an American men 's lifestyle magazine publisher , businessman , and a well-known playboy . Hefner is a native of Chicago , Illinois and a former journalist for Esquire . He is best known for being the founder and chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises . A self-made multi-millionaire , his net worth is over $ 43 million due to his success as the founder of Playboy magazine . Hefner is also a political activist and philanthropist active in several causes and public issues . He is a World War II veteran .


Stefan Kapicic was featured in Deadpool 2.

Deadpool (film) Deadpool is a 2016 American superhero film directed by Tim Miller and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick , based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name . It is the eighth installment and a spin-off in the X-Men film series , and stars Ryan Reynolds as the titular character , as well as Morena Baccarin , Ed Skrein , T. J. Miller , Gina Carano , Leslie Uggams , Brianna Hildebrand , and Stefan Kapičić . In the film , antihero Deadpool hunts the man who nearly destroyed his life while also trying to reunite with his lost love .   Development began in February 2004 with New Line Cinema , but moved in March 2005 to 20th Century Fox who bought the film rights . In May 2009 , after Reynolds portrayed the character in X-Men Origins : Wolverine , to the general disappointment of fans , Fox lent the film to writers , and Miller was hired for his directorial debut in April 2011 . Enthusiastic acclaim for leaked CGI test footage by Miller in July 2014 led to Fox greenlighting the film in September . Additional casting began in early 2015 , and principal photography commenced in Vancouver from March to May .   Deadpool premiered in Paris on February 8 , 2016 , and was released on February 12 in the United States in IMAX , DLP , D-Box , and premium large format . Critics praised Reynolds ' performance as well as the film 's style , faithful depiction of the titular character , and action sequences , but criticized its plot as formulaic . It received various awards and nominations , including two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy and Best Actor -- Motion Picture Musical or Comedy , and a Producers Guild of America Award nomination for Best Theatrical Motion Picture . It also won two Critics ' Choice Movie Awards for Best Comedy and Best Actor in a Comedy .   The film was also a significant commercial success , grossing over $ 783million worldwide and breaking numerous box-office records , becoming the ninth highest-grossing film of 2016 , the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time when unadjusted for inflation , and the highest-grossing X-Men film . Shortly after the film 's success , Fox ordered development of a sequel scheduled to be released on June 1 , 2018 .


Tim Rice wrote anything except Jesus Christ Superstar.

Tim Rice Sir Timothy Miles Bindon `` Tim '' Rice ( born 10 November 1944 ) is an English author and Academy Award , Golden Globe Award , Tony Award , and Grammy Award-winning lyricist . He is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber , with whom he wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat , Jesus Christ Superstar , and Evita ; with Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA , with whom he wrote Chess ; for additional songs for the 2011 West End revival of The Wizard of Oz ; and for his work for Walt Disney Studios with Alan Menken ( Aladdin , Beauty and the Beast , King David ) , Elton John ( The Lion King , Aida , The Road to El Dorado ) and Ennio Morricone .   One of the most celebrated lyricists in British popular culture , Rice was knighted by Elizabeth II for services to music in 1994 . He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , is an inductee into the Songwriter 's Hall of Fame , is a Disney Legend recipient , and is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters , Composers and Authors . The 2016 Sunday Times Rich List values Rice at # 150m ; the 15th richest music millionaire in the UK .


IZombie is a loose adaptation of the comic book series.

IZombie (TV series) iZombie ( stylized as iZOMBiE ) is an American television series developed by Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright for The CW . It is a loose adaptation of the comic book series of the same name created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred , and published by DC Comics under their Vertigo imprint . The series premiered on March 17 , 2015 .   The series was renewed for a second season , which premiered October 6 , 2015 , and ran for 19 episodes . On March 11 , 2016 , The CW renewed the series for a third season of 13 episodes , which premiered on April 4 , 2017 .   On May 10 , 2017 , The CW renewed the series for a fourth season .


J. J. Cale was born on Monday December 5, 1938.

J. J. Cale John Weldon `` J. J. '' Cale ( December 5 , 1938 -- July 26 , 2013 ) was an American guitarist , singer , and songwriter . Though he deliberately avoided the limelight ( being temperamentally averse to celebrity ) his influence as a musical artist has been widely acknowledged by figures such as Mark Knopfler , Neil Young , and Eric Clapton , who described him as `` one of the most important artists in the history of rock '' . He is considered to be one of the originators of the Tulsa Sound , a loose genre drawing on blues , rockabilly , country , and jazz .   Many songs written by Cale have been recorded by other artists , including `` After Midnight '' and `` Cocaine '' by Eric Clapton ; `` Call Me the Breeze '' by Lynyrd Skynyrd , John Mayer , Johnny Cash , and Bobby Bare ; `` Clyde '' by Waylon Jennings and Dr. Hook ; `` I Got The Same Old Blues '' by Captain Beefheart , Lynyrd Skynyrd , and Freddie King ; and `` Magnolia '' by Poco , Beck , Lucinda Williams , Iron and Wine , José Feliciano , Ben Bridwell , and John Mayer with Eric Clapton .   In 2008 he , along with Clapton , received a Grammy Award for their album , The Road to Escondido .


Yellow Flicker Beat `` Yellow Flicker Beat '' is a song by New Zealand singer Lorde . Written by Lorde and Joel Little and produced by Little and Paul Epworth , the song was released on 29 September 2014 as the lead single from the soundtrack for The Hunger Games : Mockingjay -- Part 1 by Republic Records . `` Yellow Flicker Beat '' , which features an electronic production , is characterised as an art pop and electropop song . Its style was compared to that of Lorde 's earlier releases such as her song `` Biting Down '' from The Love Club EP ( 2013 ) and her debut studio album , Pure Heroine ( 2013 ) . The lyrics of the track refer to the rise of The Hunger Games heroine Katniss Everdeen .   The track was well received by music critics , who praised its lyrical content for being more mature than that of Lorde 's previous releases . Commercially , `` Yellow Flicker Beat '' peaked at number thirty-four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the record charts of several nations , including Australia , Canada and New Zealand . A music video for the song was directed by Emily Kai Bock and was released on 7 November 2014 . Four days later , the makeover of the song titled `` Flicker ( Kanye West Rework ) '' co-produced by Lorde and Kanye West was released . Lorde performed the song at the 2014 American Music Awards on 23 November 2014 . The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards , and Best Song at the 20th Critics ' Choice Awards .


Tennis is a two to four person sport played with racquets.

Tennis Tennis is a racket sport that can be played individually against a single opponent ( singles ) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles ) . Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over or around a net and into the opponent 's court . The object of the game is to play the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to play a valid return . The player who is unable to return the ball will not gain a point , while the opposite player will .   Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society and at all ages . The sport can be played by anyone who can hold a racket , including wheelchair users . The modern game of tennis originated in Birmingham , England , in the late 19th century as `` lawn tennis '' . It had close connections both to various field ( `` lawn '' ) games such as croquet and bowls as well as to the older racket sport of real tennis . During most of the 19th century , in fact , the term `` tennis '' referred to real tennis , not lawn tennis : for example , in Disraeli 's novel Sybil ( 1845 ) , Lord Eugene De Vere announces that he will `` go down to Hampton Court and play tennis . ''   The rules of tennis have changed little since the 1890s . Two exceptions are that from 1908 to 1961 the server had to keep one foot on the ground at all times , and the adoption of the tiebreak in the 1970s . A recent addition to professional tennis has been the adoption of electronic review technology coupled with a point challenge system , which allows a player to contest the line call of a point , a system known as Hawk-Eye .   Tennis is played by millions of recreational players and is also a popular worldwide spectator sport . The four Grand Slam tournaments ( also referred to as the `` Majors '' ) are especially popular : the Australian Open played on hard courts , the French Open played on red clay courts , Wimbledon played on grass courts , and the US Open played also on hard courts .


Donald Trump Donald John Trump ( born June 14 , 1946 ) is the 45th and current President of the United States . Before entering politics , he was a businessman and television personality .   Trump was born and raised in Queens , New York City , and earned an economics degree from the Wharton School . He then took charge of The Trump Organization , the real estate and construction firm founded by his paternal grandmother , which he ran for 45 years until 2016 . During his real estate career , Trump built , renovated , and managed numerous office towers , hotels , casinos , and golf courses . Besides real estate , he started several side ventures and has licensed the use of his name for the branding of various products and properties , including Trump Entertainment Resorts , Trump Steaks , and Trump Vodka . He was the founder of Trump University . He owned the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants from 1996 to 2015 , and he produced and hosted The Apprentice , a reality television series on NBC , from 2004 to 2015 . His net worth was estimated to be $ 3.5 billion , making him the 544th richest person in the world .   Trump first publicly expressed interest in running for political office in 1987 . He won two Reform Party presidential primaries in 2000 , but withdrew his candidacy early on . In June 2015 , he launched his campaign for the 2016 presidential election and quickly emerged as the front-runner among seventeen candidates in the Republican primaries . His remaining opponents all suspended their campaigns by the end of May 2016 , and in July he was formally nominated at the Republican National Convention along with Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate . Many of his campaign statements were controversial or false , generating much free media coverage .   Trump won the general election on November 8 , 2016 , in a surprise victory against Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton and commenced his presidency on January 20 , 2017 . He became the oldest and wealthiest person ever to assume the presidency , the first without prior military or government service , and the fifth to have won the election while losing the popular vote . His political positions have been described by scholars and commentators as populist , protectionist , and nationalist .


The Void (2016 film) The Void is a 2016 Canadian horror film written and directed by Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie , and produced by Jonathan Bronfman and Casey Walker . It stars Aaron Poole as deputy Daniel Carter , Kenneth Welsh as Dr. Powell , Daniel Fathers as Vincent , Kathleen Munroe as Allison , and Ellen Wong as Kim . The plot follows a group of people who have been trapped in a hospital by a gathering of hooded cultists . The group soon discovers that the hospital has been inhabited by grotesque creatures .   The film was originally crowdfunded on Indiegogo and had raised $ 82,510 . The film was originally shown at the 2016 Fantastic Fest and later at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival . It was given a limited theatrical release in April 2017 , initially opening in 31 theaters and later expanding to 50 . It grossed an estimated $ 55,000 on its opening weekend . The film received generally positive reviews from critics with many citing comparisons to horror films from the 1980s , but audience reception was less enthusiastic .


Will Ferrell established himself as a cast member of a comedy show.

Will Ferrell John William Ferrell ( -LSB- ˈfɛrəl -RSB- born July 16 , 1967 ) is an American actor , comedian , producer , and writer . He first established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live , and has subsequently starred in comedy films such as Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgundy ( 2004 ) , Talladega Nights ( 2006 ) , Step Brothers ( 2008 ) , The Other Guys ( 2010 ) and Anchorman 2 : The Legend Continues ( 2013 ) , all but one of which he co-wrote with his comedy partner Adam McKay . The two also founded the comedy website Funny or Die in 2007 . Other films roles include Elf , Old School ( both 2003 ) , Blades of Glory ( 2007 ) , and the animated films Megamind ( 2010 ) and The Lego Movie ( 2014 ) .   Ferrell is considered a member of the `` Frat Pack '' , a generation of leading Hollywood comic actors who emerged in the late 1990s and the 2000s , including Jack Black , Ben Stiller , Steve Carell , Vince Vaughn , and brothers Owen and Luke Wilson . He received an Emmy Award nomination for his work on Saturday Night Live , and two Golden Globe Award nominations for The Producers ( 2005 ) and Stranger than Fiction ( 2006 ) . He was also named the best comedian of 2015 in the British GQ Men of the Year awards . Ferrell received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 26 , 2015 .


The Avengers (2012 film) had, as a director, Joss Whedon.

The Avengers (2012 film) Marvel 's The Avengers ( classified under the name Marvel Avengers Assemble in the United Kingdom and Ireland ) , or simply The Avengers , is a 2012 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name , produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures . It is the sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . The film was written and directed by Joss Whedon and features an ensemble cast that includes Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans , Mark Ruffalo , Chris Hemsworth , Scarlett Johansson , Jeremy Renner , Tom Hiddleston , Clark Gregg , Cobie Smulders , Stellan Skarsgård , and Samuel L. Jackson . In the film , Nick Fury , director of the peacekeeping organization S.H.I.E.L.D. , recruits Iron Man , Captain America , the Hulk , and Thor to form a team that must stop Thor 's brother Loki from subjugating Earth .   The film 's development began when Marvel Studios received a loan from Merrill Lynch in April 2005 . After the success of the film Iron Man in May 2008 , Marvel announced that The Avengers would be released in July 2011 . With the signing of Johansson in March 2009 , the film was pushed back for a 2012 release . Whedon was brought on board in April 2010 and rewrote the original screenplay by Zak Penn. . Production began in April 2011 in Albuquerque , New Mexico , before moving to Cleveland , Ohio , in August and New York City in September . The film was converted to 3D in post-production .   The Avengers premiered on April 11 , 2012 , at Hollywood 's El Capitan Theatre and was released theatrically in the United States on May 4 , 2012 . The film received positive reviews from critics , as well as numerous awards and nominations including Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for achievements in visual effects . It has set or tied numerous box office records , including the biggest opening weekend in North America . The Avengers grossed over $ 1.5 billion worldwide , and became the third-highest-grossing film during its theatrical run -- as well as the first Marvel production to generate $ 1 billion in ticket sales . The film was released on Blu-ray Disc and DVD on September 25 , 2012 . A sequel , titled Avengers : Age of Ultron , was released on May 1 , 2015 , while two additional sequels , Avengers : Infinity War and an untitled sequel , are currently in development , with Infinity War scheduled for a May 4 , 2018 release date , and its sequel scheduled to be released on May 3 , 2019 .


Richard Gere starred in a film that was created in 1999.

Runaway Bride (film) Runaway Bride is a 1999 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall and starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere . The screenplay was written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott .


Richard Gere Richard Tiffany Gere ( -LSB- ˈɡɪər -RSB- ; born August 31 , 1949 ) is an American actor and humanitarian activist . He began acting in the 1970s , playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar and a starring role in Days of Heaven . He came to prominence in 1980 for his role in the film American Gigolo , which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol . He went on to star in several hit films , including An Officer and a Gentleman , Pretty Woman , Primal Fear , Runaway Bride , Arbitrage and Chicago , for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and a Screen Actors Guild Award for part of the Best Cast .


Cupid (2009 TV series) stopped airing on Tuesday, June 16th, 2009.

Cupid (2009 TV series) Cupid is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on ABC from March 31 to June 16 , 2009 and was broadcast Tuesdays at 10:02 PM Eastern/9 :02 PM Central . The series is a revival of sorts of the network 's 1998 series of the same name , changing its primary setting from Chicago to New York City .  Cupid was canceled on May 19 , 2009 .


Niall Horan Niall James Horan ( born 13 September 1993 ) is an Irish singer and songwriter , best known as a member of the boy band One Direction . In 2010 , Horan auditioned as a solo artist for the seventh series of the British televised singing competition The X Factor . He failed to progress to the `` Boys '' category at the `` judges ' houses '' , but after guest judge Nicole Scherzinger suggested that Niall join One Direction , with Harry Styles , Zayn Malik , Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson , the group became a reality . The five-piece band made it to the final and finished in third place . Even though they did not win , One Direction was signed by Simon Cowell to his record label Syco .   In his career as a member of One Direction , Horan co-wrote many songs , beginning with `` Taken '' , `` Everything About You '' , `` Same Mistakes '' , `` Back for You '' and `` Summer Love '' from their debut albums Up All Night and Take Me Home . In the latter , he also played guitar . He continued to co-write , including the songs `` Do n't Forget Where You Belong '' , `` Why Do n't We Go There '' and `` Story of My Life '' for the album Midnight Memories ; `` Night Changes '' , `` Fool 's Gold '' and `` Change Your Ticket '' for the album Four ; and `` Wolves '' , `` A.M. '' , `` Temporary Fix '' and `` Never Enough '' for the band 's fifth album Made in the A.M. . He released his first single as a solo artist , `` This Town '' , in 2016 .


Luxembourg is about the same size as Rhode Island.

Luxembourg Luxembourg -LSB- ˈlətsəbuərx -RSB- Luxemburg ) , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe . It is bordered by Belgium to the west and north , Germany to the east , and France to the south . Its capital , Luxembourg City , is , together with Brussels and Strasbourg , one of the three official capitals of the European Union and the seat of the European Court of Justice , the highest juridical authority in the EU . Its culture , people and languages are highly intertwined with its neighbours , making it essentially a mixture of French and Germanic cultures . This is emphasised by the three official languages , Luxembourgish , French , and German . The repeated invasions by its neighbor countries , especially in World War II , resulted in the country 's strong will for mediation between France and Germany and , among other things , led to the foundation of the European Union .   With an area of 2,586 km2 , it is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe , about the same size as the US state of Rhode Island or the English county of Northamptonshire . In 2016 , Luxembourg had a population of 576 249 , which makes it one of the least-populous countries in Europe , but by far the one with the highest population growth rate . As a representative democracy with a constitutional monarch , it is headed by a Grand Duke , Henri , Grand Duke of Luxembourg , and is the world 's only remaining grand duchy . Luxembourg is a developed country , with an advanced economy and the world 's highest GDP ( PPP ) per capita , according to the United Nations in 2014 . The City of Luxembourg with its old quarters and fortifications was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 due to the exceptional preservation of the vast fortifications and the old city .   The history of Luxembourg is considered to begin in 963 , when count Siegfried I acquired a rocky promontory and its Roman-era fortifications known as Lucilinburhuc , ′ little castle ′ , and the surrounding area from the Imperial Abbey of St. Maximin in nearby Trier .  Siegfried 's descendants increased their territory through marriage , war and vassal relations . At the end of the 13th century , the Counts of Luxembourg reigned over a considerable territory .   In 1308 , Henry VII , Count of Luxembourg became King of the Germans and Holy Roman Emperor . The House of Luxembourg produced four Holy Roman Emperors at the high time of the Middle Ages . In 1354 , Charles IV elevated the County to the Duchy of Luxembourg . Since Sigismund had no male heir , the Duchy became part of the Burgundian Circle and then one of the Seventeen Provinces of the Habsburg Netherlands .  Over the centuries , the City and Fortress of Luxembourg , of great strategic importance situated between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg territories , was gradually built up to be one of the most reputed fortifications in Europe . After belonging to both the France of Louis XIV and the Austria of Maria Theresia , Luxembourg became part of the First French Republic and Empire under Napoleon .   The present-day state of Luxembourg first emerged at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 . The Grand-Duchy , with its powerful fortress , became an independent state under the personal possession of William I of the Netherlands with a Prussian garrison to guard the city against another invasion from France .   In 1839 , following the turmoil of the Belgian Revolution , the purely French-speaking part of Luxembourg was ceded to Belgium and the Luxembourgish-speaking part became what is the present state of Luxembourg .   The steel industry exploiting the Red Lands ' rich iron-ore grounds in the beginning of the 20th century drove the country 's industrialisation . ArcelorMittal , the world 's largest steel producer with headquarters in Luxembourg City , is still a reminder of these times . After the decline of the steel industry in the 1970s , the country focused on establishing itself as a global financial centre and developed into the banking hub it is reputed for . Since the beginning of the 21st century , its governments have focused on developing the country into a knowledge economy , with the founding of the University of Luxembourg and a national space programme , projecting the first involvement in a non-manned lunar expedition by 2020 .   Luxembourg is a founding member of the European Union , OECD , United Nations , NATO , and Benelux , reflecting its political consensus in favour of economic , political , and military integration . The city of Luxembourg , which is the country 's capital and largest city , is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the EU . Luxembourg served on the United Nations Security Council for the years 2013 and 2014 , which was a first in the country 's history . In 2016 Luxembourgish citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 172 countries and territories , ranking the Luxembourgian passport 6th in the world , tied with countries such as Canada and Switzerland .


Jessica Lange Jessica Phyllis Lange ( -LSB- læŋ -RSB- born April 20 , 1949 ) is an American actress who has received worldwide acclaim for her work in film , theater , and television . The recipient of several awards , including two Academy Awards , one Tony Award , three Emmy Awards , five Golden Globe Awards , one Screen Actors Guild Award , and three Dorian Awards ; in 1998 , Entertainment Weekly listed Lange among the 25 Greatest Actresses of the 1990s . In 2016 , Lange became the twenty-second thespian in history to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting .   Lange was discovered by producer Dino De Laurentiis while modeling part-time for the Wilhelmina modelling agency . She made her professional film debut in his 1976 remake of the 1933 action-adventure classic King Kong , for which she won her first Golden Globe Award , for New Star of the Year . In 1982 , she became the first performer in 40 years to receive two Oscar nominations within the same year ; she won her second Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a soap opera star in Tootsie , and was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the troubled actress Frances Farmer , in Frances . Lange received three more nominations before garnering a sixth Oscar nomination and winning , along with her third Golden Globe Award , the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as a manic depressive housewife in Blue Sky ( 1994 ) . In 1995 , Lange became the second actress in Oscar history , after Meryl Streep , to win Best Actress after winning Best Supporting Actress ; an achievement that was only repeated again after nearly 20 years by Cate Blanchett in 2014 .   In 2010 , she won her first Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis ' famed aunt , Big Edie , in HBO 's Grey Gardens ( 2009 ) . Between 2011 and 2014 , she won her first Screen Actors Guild Award , fifth Golden Globe Award , and second and third Emmy Awards for her performances in the first and third seasons of FX 's horror anthology series American Horror Story ( 2011 -- 2015 ) . In 2016 , Lange won her first Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play , an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for her critically acclaimed performance in the Broadway revival of Long Day 's Journey into Night . During 2017 , Lange portrayed film legend Joan Crawford in the first season of the television series Feud , for which she received universal critical acclaim .   In addition to acting , Lange is a photographer with three published works . She has also been a foster parent and currently holds a Goodwill Ambassador position for UNICEF , specializing in HIV/AIDS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Russia .


Music Music is an art form and cultural activity whose medium is sound organized in time . The common elements of music are pitch ( which governs melody and harmony ) , rhythm ( and its associated concepts tempo , meter , and articulation ) , dynamics ( loudness and softness ) , and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture ( which are sometimes termed the `` color '' of a musical sound ) . Different styles or types of music may emphasize , de-emphasize or omit some of these elements . Music is performed with a vast range of instruments and vocal techniques ranging from singing to rapping ; there are solely instrumental pieces , solely vocal pieces ( such as songs without instrumental accompaniment ) and pieces that combine singing and instruments . The word derives from Greek μουσική #Ancient Greek ( mousike ; `` art of the Muses '' ) .   In its most general form , the activities describing music as an art form or cultural activity include the creation of works of music ( songs , tunes , symphonies , and so on ) , the criticism of music , the study of the history of music , and the aesthetic examination of music . Ancient Greek and Indian philosophers defined music as tones ordered horizontally as melodies and vertically as harmonies . Common sayings such as `` the harmony of the spheres '' and `` it is music to my ears '' point to the notion that music is often ordered and pleasant to listen to . However , 20th-century composer John Cage thought that any sound can be music , saying , for example , `` There is no noise , only sound . ''   The creation , performance , significance , and even the definition of music vary according to culture and social context . Indeed , throughout history , some new forms or styles of music have been criticized as `` not being music '' , including Beethoven 's Grosse Fuge string quartet in 1825 , early jazz in the beginning of the 1900s and hardcore punk in the 1980s . There are many types of music , including popular music , traditional music , art music , music written for religious ceremonies and work songs such as chanteys . Music ranges from strictly organized compositions -- such as Classical music symphonies from the 1700s and 1800s , through to spontaneously played improvisational music such as jazz , and avant-garde styles of chance-based contemporary music from the 20th and 21st centuries .   Music can be divided into genres ( e.g. , country music ) and genres can be further divided into subgenres ( e.g. , country blues and pop country are two of the many country subgenres ) , although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle , sometimes open to personal interpretation , and occasionally controversial . For example , it can be hard to draw the line between some early 1980s hard rock and heavy metal . Within the arts , music may be classified as a performing art , a fine art or as an auditory art . Music may be played or sung and heard live at a rock concert or orchestra performance , heard live as part of a dramatic work ( a music theater show or opera ) , or it may be recorded and listened to on a radio , MP3 player , CD player , smartphone or as film score or TV show .   In many cultures , music is an important part of people 's way of life , as it plays a key role in religious rituals , rite of passage ceremonies ( e.g. , graduation and marriage ) , social activities ( e.g. , dancing ) and cultural activities ranging from amateur karaoke singing to playing in an amateur funk band or singing in a community choir . People may make music as a hobby , like a teen playing cello in a youth orchestra , or work as a professional musician or singer . The music industry includes the individuals who create new songs and musical pieces ( such as songwriters and composers ) , individuals who perform music ( which include orchestra , jazz band and rock band musicians , singers and conductors ) , individuals who record music ( music producers and sound engineers ) , individuals who organize concert tours , and individuals who sell recordings and sheet music and scores to customers .


On October 22, 1969, Led Zeppelin II was released in the United States.

Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin II is the eponymous second studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin , released on 22 October 1969 in the United States and on 31 October 1969 in the United Kingdom by Atlantic Records . Recording sessions for the album took place at several locations in both the United Kingdom and North America from January to August 1969 . The album 's production was credited to the band 's lead guitarist and songwriter Jimmy Page , and it also served as Led Zeppelin 's first album to utilise the recording techniques of the engineer Eddie Kramer . Incorporating several elements of blues and folk music , Led Zeppelin II exhibited the band 's evolving musical style of blues-derived material and their guitar riff-based sound . It has been described as the band 's heaviest album .   Led Zeppelin II was a commercial success , and was the band 's first album to reach number one on charts in the UK and the US . In 1970 , the album 's cover designer David Juniper was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package . On 15 November 1999 , the album was certified 12 × Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) for sales passing 12 million copies . Since its release , various writers and music critics have regularly cited Led Zeppelin II as one of the greatest and most influential rock albums of all time .


London London -LSB- ˈlʌndən -RSB- is the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom . Standing on the River Thames in the south east of the island of Great Britain , London has been a major settlement for two millennia . It was founded by the Romans , who named it Londinium . London 's ancient core , the City of London , largely retains its 1.12 sqmi medieval boundaries . Since at least the 19th century , `` London '' has also referred to the metropolis around this core , historically split between Middlesex , Essex , Surrey , Kent , and Hertfordshire , which today largely makes up Greater London , See also : Independent city § National capitals . governed by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.The London Mayor is not to be confused with the Lord Mayor of London who heads the City of London Corporation , which administers the City of London .   London is a leading global city in the arts , commerce , education , entertainment , fashion , finance , healthcare , media , professional services , research and development , tourism , and transportation . It is crowned as the world 's largest financial centre and has the fifth - or sixth-largest metropolitan area GDP in the world.Rankings of cities by metropolitan area GDP can vary as a result of differences in the definition of the boundaries and population sizes of the areas compared , exchange rate fluctuations and the method used to calculate output . London and Paris are of broadly similar size in terms of total economic output which can result in third party sources varying as to which is the fifth-largest city GDP in the world . A report by the McKinsey Global Institute published in 2012 estimated that London had a city GDP of US$ 751.8 billion in 2010 , compared to US$ 764.2 billion for Paris , making them respectively the sixth - and fifth-largest in the world . A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers published in November 2009 estimated that London had a city GDP measured in purchasing power parity of US$ 565 billion in 2008 , compared to US$ 564 billion for Paris , making them respectively the fifth - and sixth-largest in the world . The McKinsey Global Institute study used a metropolitan area with a population of 14.9 million for London compared to 11.8 million for Paris , whilst the PricewaterhouseCoopers study used a metropolitan area with a population of 8.59 million for London compared to 9.92 million for Paris . London is a world cultural capital . It is the world 's most-visited city as measured by international arrivals and has the world 's largest city airport system measured by passenger traffic . London is the world 's leading investment destination , hosting more international retailers and ultra high-net-worth individuals than any other city . London 's universities form the largest concentration of higher education institutes in Europe . In 2012 , London became the first city to have hosted the modern Summer Olympic Games three times .   London has a diverse range of people and cultures , and more than 300 languages are spoken in the region . Its estimated mid-2015 municipal population ( corresponding to Greater London ) was 8,673,713 , the largest of any city in the European Union , and accounting for 12.5 % of the UK population . London 's urban area is the second most populous in the EU , after Paris , with 9,787,426 inhabitants at the 2011 census . The city 's metropolitan area is the most populous in the EU with 13,879,757 inhabitants , while the Greater London Authority states the population of the city-region ( covering a large part of the south east ) as 22.7 million .  London was the world 's most populous city from around 1831 to 1925 .   London contains four World Heritage Sites : the Tower of London ; Kew Gardens ; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster , Westminster Abbey , and St Margaret 's Church ; and the historic settlement of Greenwich ( in which the Royal Observatory , Greenwich marks the Prime Meridian , 0 ° longitude , and GMT ) . Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace , the London Eye , Piccadilly Circus , St Paul 's Cathedral , Tower Bridge , Trafalgar Square , and The Shard . London is home to numerous museums , galleries , libraries , sporting events , and other cultural institutions , including the British Museum , National Gallery , Natural History Museum , Tate Modern , British Library , and West End theatres . The London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world .


Mayor of London The Mayor of London is an elected politician who , along with the London Assembly of 25 members , is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London . The current mayor is Sadiq Khan , who took up office on 9 May 2016 . The position had been held by Ken Livingstone from the creation of the role on 4 May 2000 , until he was defeated in May 2008 by Boris Johnson , who served two terms before being succeeded by Khan .   The role , created in 2000 after the London devolution referendum in 1998 , was the first directly elected mayor in the United Kingdom .   The Mayor of London is the mayor of the entirety of Greater London , including the City of London , for which there is also the ceremonial Lord Mayor of the City of London . Each London Borough also has a ceremonial mayor or , in Hackney , Lewisham , Newham or Tower Hamlets , an elected mayor .


French Open The French Open , often referred to as Roland-Garros ( -LSB- ʁɔlɑ̃ ɡaʁɔs -RSB- ) , is a major tennis tournament held over two weeks between late May and early June at the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris , France . Named after the French aviator Roland Garros , it is the premier clay court tennis championship event in the world and the second of four annual Grand Slam tournaments , the other three being the Australian Open , Wimbledon and the US Open . Roland Garros is currently the only major held on clay , and it is the zenith of the spring clay court season . Because of the seven rounds needed for a championship , the slow-playing surface and the best-of-five-set men 's singles matches ( without a tiebreak in the final set ) , the event is widely considered to be the most physically demanding tennis tournament in the world .


Bran Stark is a protagonist in novels by George R. R. Martin.

Bran Stark Brandon Stark , typically called Bran , is a fictional character in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels by American author George R. R. Martin , and its television adaptation Game of Thrones . Martin told Rolling Stone in 2014 that Bran 's chapter with Jaime and Cersei Lannister is what `` hooked '' many readers early in the first novel .   Introduced in 1996 's A Game of Thrones , Bran is the son of Ned Stark , the honorable lord of Winterfell , an ancient fortress in the North of the fictional kingdom of Westeros . He subsequently appeared in Martin 's A Clash of Kings ( 1998 ) and A Storm of Swords ( 2000 ) . Bran was one of a few prominent characters that were not included in 2005 's A Feast for Crows , but returned in the next novel A Dance with Dragons ( 2011 ) .   Bran is portrayed by Isaac Hempstead Wright in the HBO television adaptation .


David Angell was a producer of films exclusively.

Frasier Frasier is an American sitcom that was broadcast on NBC for eleven seasons , premiering on September 16 , 1993 , and concluding on May 13 , 2004 .   The program was created and produced by David Angell , Peter Casey , and David Lee ( as Grub Street Productions ) in association with Grammnet ( 2004 ) and Paramount Network Television . The series was created as a spin-off of Cheers , continuing the story of psychiatrist Frasier Crane as he returned to his hometown of Seattle and started building a new life . Frasier stars Kelsey Grammer , David Hyde Pierce , John Mahoney , Jane Leeves , and Peri Gilpin .


Television producer A television producer is a person who oversees all aspects of video production on a television program . Some producers take more of an executive role , in that they conceive new programs and pitch them to the television networks , but upon acceptance they focus on business matters , such as budgets and contracts . Other producers are more involved with the day-to-day workings , participating in activities such as screenwriting , set design , casting , and directing .   There are a variety of different producers on a television show . A traditional producer is one who manages a show 's budget and maintains a schedule , but this is no longer the case in modern television .


David Angell David Lawrence Angell ( April 10 , 1946September 11 , 2001 ) was an American producer of sitcoms . Angell won multiple Emmy Awards as the creator and executive producer , along with Peter Casey and David Lee , of the comedy series Frasier . Angell and his wife Lynn both died heading home from their vacation in Cape Cod aboard American Airlines Flight 11 . This was the first plane to hit the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks .