The Master (2012 film) The Master is a 2012 American psychological drama film written , directed , and co-produced by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Joaquin Phoenix , Philip Seymour Hoffman , and Amy Adams . It tells the story of Freddie Quell ( Phoenix ) , a World War II veteran struggling to adjust to a post-war society , who meets Lancaster Dodd ( Hoffman ) , a leader of a religious movement known as `` The Cause '' . Dodd sees something in Quell and accepts him into the movement . Freddie takes a liking to `` The Cause '' and begins traveling with Dodd along the East Coast to spread the teachings .   It was produced by Annapurna Pictures and Ghoulardi Film Company and distributed by The Weinstein Company . With a budget of $ 30 million , filming began in June 2011 , with cinematography provided by Mihai Mălaimare Jr. . Jonny Greenwood was the music composer and Peter McNulty film editor . The film was partly inspired by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard , as well as early drafts of There Will Be Blood , drunk Navy stories that Jason Robards had told to Anderson prior , and the life story of John Steinbeck . The Master was shot almost entirely on 65mm film stock , making it the first fiction feature to be shot and released in 70 mm since Kenneth Branagh 's Hamlet in 1996 .   Initially , the film was set up with Universal , but fell through due to script and budget problems . It was first publicly shown on August 3 , 2012 , at the American Cinematheque in 70 mm and screened variously in the same way , and officially premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 1 . where it won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Film . It was released on September 14 , 2012 , in the United States to critical acclaim , with its acting , screenplay , direction , plausibility and realistic resemblance to post-World War II Americans praised . It further received three Academy Award nominations : Best Actor for Phoenix , Best Supporting Actor for Hoffman , and Best Supporting Actress for Adams . In 2016 , The Master was voted the 24th greatest film of the 21st century by 177 critics from around the world .


Followers of asceticism lead an abstinent lifestyle.

Asceticism Asceticism ( -LSB- əˈsɛtɪsɪzəm -RSB- from the -LSB- Wiktionary : ἄσκησις , ἄσκησις -RSB- áskesis , `` exercise '' or `` training '' ) is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures , often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals . Ascetics may withdraw from the world for their practices or continue to be part of their society , but typically adopt a frugal lifestyle , characterised by the renunciation of material possessions and physical pleasures , and time spent fasting while concentrating on the practice of religion or reflection upon spiritual matters .   Asceticism is classified into two types . `` Natural asceticism '' consists of a lifestyle where material aspects of life are reduced to utmost simplicity and a minimum but without maiming the body or harsher austerities that make the body suffer , while `` unnatural asceticism '' is defined as a practice that involves body mortification and self infliction of pain such as by sleeping on a bed of nails .   Asceticism has been historically observed in many religious traditions , including Buddhism , Christianity , Hinduism , Jainism and Judaism . Mainstream Islam has lacked asceticism , except for its minority Sufi sect whose long tradition has included strict asceticism . The practitioners of these religions eschewed worldly pleasures and led an abstinent lifestyle , in the pursuit of redemption , salvation or spirituality . Asceticism is seen in the ancient theologies as a journey towards spiritual transformation , where the simple is sufficient , the bliss is within , the frugal is plenty .


Elementary stars Lucy Liu in the lead role.

Elementary (TV series) Elementary is an American procedural drama series that presents a contemporary update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 's character Sherlock Holmes . The series was created by Robert Doherty and stars Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson . The series premiered on CBS on September 27 , 2012 . The series is set and filmed primarily in New York City .   The show follows Holmes , a recovering drug addict and former consultant to Scotland Yard , as he assists the New York City Police Department in solving crimes . His indifference to police procedure often leads to conflict with Captain Thomas Gregson ( Aidan Quinn ) , although the two still remain mutually respectful of one another . He is accompanied by Dr. Joan Watson ( Lucy Liu ) , who initially acts as his sober companion . She is a former surgeon and was hired by Sherlock 's father to help him in his rehabilitation . They eventually begin to work together on his cases , and she becomes Holmes ' apprentice . The series also features Holmes ' ongoing conflict with his nemesis Jamie Moriarty ( Natalie Dormer ) . Other supporting roles include Jon Michael Hill as Detective Marcus Bell , Rhys Ifans as Sherlock 's brother , Mycroft Holmes , and John Noble as Sherlock 's father , Morland Holmes .   Before the series premiered , it was met with some criticism given it followed closely on the heels of the BBC 's modern adaptation Sherlock . After the premiere , it was picked up for a full season and later an extra two episodes . The season two premiere was partly filmed on location in London . The series has since been well received by critics , who have praised the performances , writing , and novel approach to the source material . On March 25 , 2016 , CBS renewed the series for a fifth season , which premiered on October 2 , 2016 . On May 13 , 2017 , CBS renewed the series for a sixth season .


Bam Margera Brandon Cole `` Bam '' Margera ( -LSB- mɑrˈdʒɛərə -RSB- or ; born September 28 , 1979 ) is an American professional skateboarder , stunt performer , and television personality . He came to prominence after appearing in MTV 's Jackass crew . He has since appeared in MTV 's Viva La Bam and Bam 's Unholy Union , all three Jackass movies , and Haggard and Minghags , both of which he co-wrote and directed .


Shawn Michaels Michael Shawn Hickenbottom ( born July 22 , 1965 ) , better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels , is an American actor , professional wrestling personality , television presenter and retired professional wrestler . He is currently signed to WWE , as an ambassador and trainer , since December 2010 . Michaels wrestled consistently for WWE , formerly the World Wrestling Federation ( WWF ) , from 1988 until his first retirement in 1998 . He held non-wrestling roles from 1998 to 2000 and resumed wrestling in 2002 until retiring ceremoniously in 2010 .   In the WWF/E , Michaels headlined major pay-per-view events between 1989 and 2010 , closing the company 's flagship annual event , WrestleMania , five times . He was the co-founder and original leader of the successful stable , D-Generation X . He also wrestled in the American Wrestling Association ( AWA ) , where he founded The Midnight Rockers with Marty Jannetty in 1985 . After winning the AWA Tag Team Championship twice , the team continued to the WWF as The Rockers , and had a high-profile breakup in January 1992 . Within the year , Michaels would twice challenge for the WWF Championship and win his first WWF Intercontinental Championship , heralding his arrival as one of the industry 's premier singles stars . He would go on to be widely regarded as its finest performer in the 1990s and 2000s , winning the Pro Wrestling Illustrated `` Match of the Year '' reader vote a record eleven times . Michaels was voted the greatest professional wrestler of all time in a 2011 poll of the WWE roster .   Michaels is a four-time world champion , having held the WWF Championship three times and WWE 's World Heavyweight Championship once . He is also a two-time Royal Rumble winner , the first WWF Grand Slam Champion and the fourth WWF Triple Crown Champion , as well as a 2011 WWE Hall of Fame inductee .


Prisoner (TV series) Prisoner is an Australian soap opera set in the Wentworth Detention Centre , a fictional women 's prison . In the United States and United Kingdom it was known as Prisoner : Cell Block H , with the same title and Caged Women in Canada . The series , produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation , aired on Network Ten for 692 episodes between 27 February 1979 and 11 December 1986 . Originally , it was planned as a 16-part series .   The show was inspired by the British television drama Within These Walls , which was moderately successful in Australia . Due to an injunction requested by UK-based ATV , which considered the title too similar to their The Prisoner , overseas broadcasters had to change the series ' name . In March 2012 it was announced that Prisoner would be `` reimagined '' on Foxtel in a new version , Wentworth .


Network Ten Network Ten ( commonly known as Channel Ten or simply Ten , officially stylised as TEN ) is an Australian commercial broadcasting network owned by Ten Network Holdings , and is headquartered in Pyrmont , New South Wales . It first aired on August 1 , 1964 in Melbourne . Network Ten is the one of five national free-to-air networks in Australia . Its owned-and-operated stations can be found in the state capital cities of Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , Adelaide and Perth , while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country .


Mission: Impossible's filming was done by Desilu Productions.

Mission: Impossible Mission : Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller . It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force ( IMF ) . In the first season , the team is led by Dan Briggs , played by Steven Hill ; Jim Phelps , played by Peter Graves , takes charge for the remaining seasons . A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs , followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin .   The series was filmed and financed by Desilu Productions , and aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973 . The series was revived in 1988 for two seasons on ABC , retaining only Graves in the cast . It also inspired a series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise , beginning in 1996 .


The film The Thief featured Ray Milland.

Ray Milland Ray Milland ( 3 January 1907  -- 10 March 1986 ) was a Welsh actor and director . His screen career ran from 1929 to 1985 , and he is best remembered for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of an alcoholic writer in The Lost Weekend ( 1945 ) , a sophisticated leading man opposite a corrupt John Wayne in Reap the Wild Wind ( 1942 ) , the murder-plotting husband in Dial M for Murder ( 1954 ) , and as Oliver Barrett III in Love Story ( 1970 ) .   Before becoming an actor , Milland served in the Household Cavalry of the British Army , becoming a proficient marksman , horse-rider and aeroplane pilot . He left the army to follow a career in acting and appeared as an extra in several British productions before getting his first major role in The Flying Scotsman ( 1929 ) . This led to a nine-month contract with MGM and he moved to the United States where he appeared as a stock actor . After being released by MGM , he was picked up by Paramount , who used Milland in a range of lesser speaking parts , normally as an English character . He was loaned out to Universal for a film called Three Smart Girls ( 1936 ) , and its success saw Milland given a lead role in The Jungle Princess ( also 1936 ) alongside new starlet Dorothy Lamour . The film was a big success and catapulted both to stardom . Milland remained with Paramount for almost 20 years , and as well as his Oscar-winning role in The Lost Weekend , he is remembered for the films The Major and the Minor ( 1942 ) , The Big Clock ( 1948 ) , and The Thief ( 1952 ) , the last of which saw him nominated for his second Golden Globe . After leaving Paramount , he began directing and ended his career moving into television .   Milland , who was at one time Paramount Pictures ' highest paid actor , co-starred alongside many of the most popular actresses of the time including Gene Tierney , Grace Kelly , Lana Turner , Marlene Dietrich , Ginger Rogers , Jane Wyman , Loretta Young and Veronica Lake .


The Thief (1952 film) The Thief is a 1952 American film noir crime film directed by Russell Rouse and starring Ray Milland . It 's the third in a series of six classic film noir productions scripted by Rouse and his writing partner Clarence Greene . The film is unusual because there is no principal actor dialogue spoken .   The principal characters are not `` fleshed-out '' , as they might be in a more conventional film , as this film is more about `` trade-craft '' , not as much about the principal characters and their respective personalities . Not withstanding that observation , the film certainly depends upon the exceptionally strong dramatic performance by Ray Milland , and the equally strong music performance by composer/conductor Herschel Burke Gilbert . The film is nearly fully orchestrated by Gilbert .


The animated film The Incredibles won the 2004 Annie Award for Best Animated Feature.

The Incredibles The Incredibles is a 2004 American computer-animated superhero film written and directed by Brad Bird , produced by Pixar Animation Studios , and released by Walt Disney Pictures . The film follows a family of superheroes who are forced to hide their powers and live a quiet suburban life . Mr. Incredible 's desire to help people draws the entire family into a battle with his longtime enemy -- Syndrome , who was once his fan and now plots to wipe out every single superhuman being on Earth with his killer robot .   Bird , who was Pixar 's first outside director , developed the film as an extension of 1960s comic books and spy films from his boyhood and personal family life . He pitched the film to Pixar after the box office disappointment of his first feature , The Iron Giant ( 1999 ) , and carried over much of its staff to develop The Incredibles . The animation team was tasked with animating an all-human cast , which required creating new technology to animate detailed human anatomy , clothing and realistic skin and hair . Michael Giacchino composed the film 's orchestral score .   The film premiered on October 27 , 2004 , at the BFI London Film Festival and had its general release in the United States on November 5 , 2004 . The film performed well at the box office , grossing $ 633 million worldwide during its original theatrical run . The Incredibles was met with high critical acclaim , garnering high marks from professional critics , and provoking commentary on its themes . The film received the 2004 Annie Award for Best Animated Feature , along with two Academy Awards . It became the first entirely animated film to win the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation .   A sequel , The Incredibles 2 , is scheduled for release on June 15 , 2018 .


Emily Blunt Emily Olivia Leah Blunt ( born 23 February 1983 ) is a British film and stage actress . Blunt made her professional debut in a 2001 London production of the play The Royal Family . Two years later , she appeared on screen for the first time in the 2003 television film Boudica ( Warrior Queen ) . Her performance in the 2004 drama film My Summer of Love garnered her the Evening Standard British Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer .   For her performance in the TV film Gideon 's Daughter ( 2006 ) she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress . The same year , she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress -- Motion Picture and a nomination for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Devil Wears Prada .   In 2009 , Blunt received the BAFTA Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year . She received more acclaim for portraying Queen Victoria in The Young Victoria ( 2009 ) , receiving a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture -- Drama . 2009 also saw Blunt appear in the crime caper comedy Wild Target with Bill Nighy and Rupert Grint . She found commercial success for roles in the romantic science-fiction thriller The Adjustment Bureau ( 2011 ) , the science-fiction action thriller Looper ( 2012 ) , and the science-fiction military film Edge of Tomorrow ( 2014 ) .   Blunt received her fourth and fifth Golden Globe Award nominations for her roles in the romantic comedy-drama Salmon Fishing in the Yemen ( 2012 ) and the musical fantasy Into the Woods ( 2014 ) in the Best Actress -- Motion Picture Comedy or Musical category . In 2016 , Blunt starred in the fantasy-action film The Huntsman : Winter 's War and The Girl on the Train , the latter based on the international best-selling novel of the same name , and a performance that earned her nominations for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role .


Michael Douglas and James Bridges have worked together.

Michael Douglas Michael Kirk Douglas ( born September 25 , 1944 ) is an American actor and producer .   Douglas 's career includes a diverse range of films in independent and blockbuster genres , for which he has received a number of accolades , both competitive and honorary . These awards include the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for `` outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment '' and the AFI Life Achievement Award , which `` honor -LSB- s -RSB- an individual whose career in motion pictures or television has greatly contributed to the enrichment of American culture '' .   Douglas is the elder son of Kirk Douglas and Diana Dill . He received his Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of California , Santa Barbara . His early acting roles included film , stage , and television productions . Douglas first achieved prominence for his performance in the ABC police procedural television series The Streets of San Francisco , for which he received three consecutive Emmy Award nominations .   In 1975 Douglas produced One Flew Over the Cuckoo 's Nest , having acquired the rights to the Ken Kesey novel from his father . The film received critical and popular acclaim , and won the Academy Award for Best Picture , earning Douglas his first Oscar as one of the film 's producers . After leaving The Streets of San Francisco in 1976 , Douglas went on to produce films including The China Syndrome ( 1979 ) and Romancing the Stone ( 1984 ) . He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for Romancing the Stone , in which he also starred , thus reintroducing himself to audiences as a capable leading man .   After reprising his Romancing the Stone role as Jack Colton in the 1985 sequel The Jewel of the Nile , which he also produced , and along with appearing in the musical A Chorus Line ( 1985 ) and the psychological thriller Fatal Attraction ( 1987 ) , Douglas received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of amoral corporate raider Gordon Gekko in the Oliver Stone-directed drama Wall Street , for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor . He reprised the role in the sequel Wall Street : Money Never Sleeps ( 2010 ) .   Douglas 's subsequent film roles included : Black Rain ( 1989 ) ; The War of the Roses ( 1989 ) ; Basic Instinct ( 1992 ) ; The American President ( 1995 ) ; The Game ( 1997 ) ; Traffic and Wonder Boys ( 2000 ) ; Solitary Man ( 2009 ) ; and Ant-Man ( 2015 ) . In 2013 , Douglas 's performance as Liberace in the HBO biopic , Behind the Candelabra , received universal critical acclaim , and the actor won numerous accolades for his role , including Golden Globe , Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Awards .   Apart from his career in the film industry , Douglas has received notice for his humanitarian and political activism , as well as media attention for his marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones , and his tongue cancer diagnosis .


The China Syndrome The China Syndrome is a 1979 American thriller film directed by James Bridges and written by Bridges , Mike Gray , and T. S. Cook . It tells the story of a television reporter and her cameraman who discover safety coverups at a nuclear power plant . It stars Jane Fonda , Jack Lemmon , and Michael Douglas , with Douglas also serving as the film 's producer . The cast also features Scott Brady , James Hampton , Peter Donat , Richard Herd , and Wilford Brimley .   It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role ( Lemmon ) , Best Actress in a Leading Role ( Fonda ) , Best Art Direction-Set Decoration ( George Jenkins , Arthur Jeph Parker ) and Best Writing , Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen . It was also nominated for the Palme d'Or ( Golden Palm ) at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival , and Lemmon won Best Actor for his performance . The film 's script won the 1980 Writers Guild of America award .   The film was released on March 16 , 1979 , twelve days before the Three Mile Island nuclear accident in Dauphin County , Pennsylvania , which gave the film 's subject matter an unexpected prescience . Coincidentally , in one scene , physicist Dr. Elliott Lowell ( Donald Hotton ) says that the China Syndrome would render `` an area the size of Pennsylvania '' permanently uninhabitable .   `` China syndrome '' is a fanciful term -- not intended to be taken literally -- that describes a fictional result of a nuclear meltdown , where reactor components melt through their containment structures and into the underlying earth , `` all the way to China . ''


Nanotechnology is on a supramolecular scale.

Nanotechnology Nanotechnology ( `` nanotech '' ) is manipulation of matter on an atomic , molecular , and supramolecular scale . The earliest , widespread description of nanotechnology referred to the particular technological goal of precisely manipulating atoms and molecules for fabrication of macroscale products , also now referred to as molecular nanotechnology . A more generalized description of nanotechnology was subsequently established by the National Nanotechnology Initiative , which defines nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers . This definition reflects the fact that quantum mechanical effects are important at this quantum-realm scale , and so the definition shifted from a particular technological goal to a research category inclusive of all types of research and technologies that deal with the special properties of matter which occur below the given size threshold . It is therefore common to see the plural form `` nanotechnologies '' as well as `` nanoscale technologies '' to refer to the broad range of research and applications whose common trait is size . Because of the variety of potential applications ( including industrial and military ) , governments have invested billions of dollars in nanotechnology research . Until 2012 , through its National Nanotechnology Initiative , the USA has invested 3.7 billion dollars , the European Union has invested 1.2 billion and Japan 750 million dollars .   Nanotechnology as defined by size is naturally very broad , including fields of science as diverse as surface science , organic chemistry , molecular biology , semiconductor physics , microfabrication , molecular engineering , etc. . The associated research and applications are equally diverse , ranging from extensions of conventional device physics to completely new approaches based upon molecular self-assembly , from developing new materials with dimensions on the nanoscale to direct control of matter on the atomic scale .   Scientists currently debate the future implications of nanotechnology . Nanotechnology may be able to create many new materials and devices with a vast range of applications , such as in nanomedicine , nanoelectronics , biomaterials energy production , and consumer products . On the other hand , nanotechnology raises many of the same issues as any new technology , including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials , and their potential effects on global economics , as well as speculation about various doomsday scenarios . These concerns have led to a debate among advocacy groups and governments on whether special regulation of nanotechnology is warranted .


The Narrows stars only stars male actors.

Monica Keena Monica Keena ( born May 28 , 1979 ) is an American actress . She made her film debut in While You Were Sleeping ( 1995 ) , followed by a supporting role in The Devil 's Advocate ( 1997 ) , and a lead role as Lilli Hoffman in Snow White : A Tale of Terror ( 1997 ) .   She later starred as Lori Campbell in Freddy vs. Jason ( 2003 ) , and has had roles in the films Brooklyn Rules ( 2007 ) and the 2009 remake of Night of the Demons . Keenan has also worked in television , starring as Abby Morgan on Dawson 's Creek , Rachel Lindquist on the short-lived comedy Undeclared , and Kristen on HBO 's Entourage .


The Narrows (film) The Narrows is an American 2008 independent film starring Kevin Zegers , Sophia Bush , Vincent D'Onofrio , Eddie Cahill and Monica Keena .


Michael J. Fox Michael Andrew Fox , OC ( born June 9 , 1961 ) , known professionally as Michael J. Fox , is a Canadian-American actor , author , producer , and activist . With a film and television career spanning from the 1970s , Fox is best known for such roles as Mike Flaherty on the ABC sitcom Spin City ( 1996 -- 2000 ) , for which he won an Emmy , three Golden Globes , and two Screen Actors Guild Awards . Other notable roles have included Marty McFly from the Back to the Future trilogy ( 1985 -- 1990 ) ; and Alex P. Keaton from NBC 's Family Ties ( 1982 -- 1989 ) , for which he won three Emmys and a Golden Globe .   Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson 's disease in 1991 , at age 29 , and disclosed his condition to the public in 1998 . Fox semi-retired from acting in 2000 as the symptoms of his disease worsened . He has since become an advocate for research toward finding a cure ; he created the Michael J. Fox Foundation , and on March 5 , 2010 , Sweden 's Karolinska Institutet gave him a honoris causa doctorate for his work in advocating a cure for Parkinson 's disease .   Since 1999 , Fox has mainly worked as a voice-over actor in films such as Stuart Little and Disney 's Atlantis : The Lost Empire . On the CBS TV show The Good Wife , he earned Emmy nominations for three consecutive years for his recurring role as crafty attorney Louis Canning . Fox has also taken recurring guest roles and cameo appearances in Boston Legal , Scrubs , Curb Your Enthusiasm and Rescue Me . He has released three books : Lucky Man : A Memoir ( 2002 ) , Always Looking Up : The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist ( 2009 ) , and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future : Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned ( 2010 ) . He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2010 . He also was inducted into Canada 's Walk of Fame in 2000 .


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 .


Colin Firth refused to appear in Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Girl with a Pearl Earring (film) Girl with a Pearl Earring is a 2003 drama film directed by Peter Webber . The screenplay was adapted by screenwriter Olivia Hetreed , based on the novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier . Scarlett Johansson stars as Griet , a young 17th-century servant in the household of the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer ( played by Colin Firth ) at the time he painted Girl with a Pearl Earring ( 1665 ) in the city of Delft in Holland . Other cast members include Tom Wilkinson , Cillian Murphy , and Judy Parfitt .   Hetreed read the novel before its publication , and her husband 's production company convinced Chevalier to sell the film rights . Initially , the production was to feature Kate Hudson as Griet with Mike Newell directing . Hudson withdrew shortly before filming began , however , and the film was placed in hiatus until the hire of Webber , who re-initiated the casting process . In this , which was his feature film debut , Webber sought to avoid employing traditional characteristics of the period film drama . Cinematographer Eduardo Serra used distinctive lighting and colour schemes similar to Vermeer 's paintings .   Released on 12 December 2003 in North America and on 16 January 2004 in the United Kingdom , Girl with a Pearl Earring earned a worldwide gross of $ 31,466,789 . It garnered a mostly positive critical reception , with a 72 % approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes . Critics generally applauded the film 's visuals and performances while questioning elements of its story . The film was subsequently nominated for ten British Academy Film Awards , three Academy Awards , and two Golden Globe Awards .


Christian state A Christian state is a country that recognizes a form of Christianity as its official religion and often has a state church , which is a Christian denomination that supports the government and is supported by the government . Historically , the nations of Armenia , Aksum , Georgia , as well as the Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire declared themselves as Christian states . Today , several nations officially identify themselves as Christian states and/or have state churches , including Costa Rica , Denmark , England , Greece , Iceland , Liechtenstein , Monaco , Tonga , Tuvalu , Vatican City , and Zambia . A Christian state stands in contrast to a secular state , an atheist state , or another religious state , such as a Jewish state , or an Islamic state .


Captain America is a Marvel Comics editor.

Avengers (comics) The Avengers are a fictional team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . The team made its debut in The Avengers # 1 ( cover-dated Sept. 1963 ) , created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby , inspired by the success of DC Comics ' Justice League of America .   Labeled `` Earth 's Mightiest Heroes '' , the Avengers originally consisted of Ant-Man , the Hulk , Iron Man , Thor , and the Wasp . Ant-Man had become Giant-Man by issue # 2 . The original Captain America was discovered trapped in ice in issue # 4 , and joined the group after they revived him . A rotating roster became a hallmark of the series , although one theme remained consistent : the Avengers fight `` the foes no single superhero can withstand . '' The team , famous for its battle cry of `` Avengers Assemble ! '' , has featured humans , mutants , Inhumans , androids , aliens , supernatural beings , and even former villains .   The team has appeared in a wide variety of media outside of comic books including a number of different animated television series and direct-to-video films . The 2012 live-action feature film The Avengers , directed by Joss Whedon , set numerous records during its box office run , including one of the biggest opening debuts in North America , with a weekend gross of $ 207.4 million . A second Avengers film titled Avengers : Age of Ultron was released on May 1 , 2015 .


Captain America Captain America is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby , the character first appeared in Captain America Comics # 1 ( cover dated March 1941 ) from Timely Comics , a predecessor of Marvel Comics . Captain America was designed as a patriotic supersoldier who often fought the Axis powers of World War II and was Timely Comics ' most popular character during the wartime period . The popularity of superheroes waned following the war and the Captain America comic book was discontinued in 1950 , with a short-lived revival in 1953 . Since Marvel Comics revived the character in 1964 , Captain America has remained in publication .   Captain America wears a costume that bears an American flag motif , and is armed with a nearly indestructible shield that he throws at foes . The character is usually depicted as the alter ego of Steve Rogers , a frail young man enhanced to the peak of human perfection by an experimental serum to aid the United States government 's efforts in World War II . Near the end of the war , he was trapped in ice and survived in suspended animation until he was revived in the present day . Although Captain America often struggles to maintain his ideals as a man out of his time with its modern realities , he remains a highly respected figure in his community which includes becoming the long-time leader of the Avengers .   Captain America was the first Marvel Comics character to have appeared in media outside comics with the release of the 1944 movie serial , Captain America . Since then , the character has been featured in other films and television series , more recently in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) portrayed by Chris Evans in Captain America : The First Avenger , The Avengers , Captain America : The Winter Soldier , Avengers : Age of Ultron , Captain America : Civil War , and the upcoming Avengers : Infinity War ( 2018 ) and its untitled sequel ( 2019 ) .   Captain America is ranked sixth on IGN 's `` Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time '' in 2011 , second in their list of `` The Top 50 Avengers '' in 2012 , and second in their `` Top 25 best Marvel superheroes '' list in 2014 .


American Horror Story is a television series that aired in 1993.

American Horror Story American Horror Story is an American anthology horror television series created and produced by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk . Described as an anthology series , each season is conceived as a self-contained miniseries , following a disparate set of characters and settings , and a storyline with its own `` beginning , middle , and end . '' Some plot elements of each season are loosely inspired by true events .   The first season , retroactively subtitled Murder House , takes place in Los Angeles , California , during the year 2011 and centers on a family that moves into a house haunted by its deceased former occupants . The second season , subtitled Asylum , takes place in Massachusetts during the year 1964 and follows the stories of the patients and staff of an institution for the criminally insane . The third season , subtitled Coven , takes place in New Orleans , Louisiana , during the year 2013 and follows a coven of witches who face off against those who wish to destroy them . The fourth season , subtitled Freak Show , takes place in Jupiter , Florida , during the year 1952 and centers around one of the few remaining American freak shows . The fifth season , subtitled Hotel , takes place in Los Angeles during the year 2015 and focuses on the staff and guests of a supernatural hotel . The sixth season , subtitled Roanoke , takes place in Roanoke Island , during the year 2016 and focuses on the paranormal events that take place at an isolated farmhouse .   The only actors to appear in all iterations of the show so far are Evan Peters , Sarah Paulson and Lily Rabe .   The series is broadcast on the cable television channel FX in the United States . On November 10 , 2015 , the show was renewed for a sixth season , and premiered , for the first time out of October , on September 14 , 2016 . On October 4 , 2016 , the series was renewed for a seventh season , which is set to premiere in September 2017 . On January 12 , 2017 , the series was renewed for an eighth and ninth season .   Although reception to individual seasons has varied , American Horror Story has been overall well received by television critics , with the majority of the praise going to the cast , particularly Jessica Lange , who won two Emmy Awards , a Golden Globe Award , and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performances . Additionally , Kathy Bates and Lady Gaga won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award , respectively , for their performances . The series draws consistently high ratings for the FX network , with its first season being the most-viewed new cable series of 2011 .


Netherlands The Netherlands , ( -LSB- ˈnɛðərləndz -RSB- Nederland -LSB- ˈneːdərˌlɑnt -RSB- ; Nederlân ) also known informally as Holland , is the main constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands . It is a densely populated country located in Western Europe with three island territories in the Caribbean.designated Bonaire , Sint Eustatius and Saba within ISO ISO 3166-1 . The European part of the Netherlands borders Germany to the east , Belgium to the south , and the North Sea to the northwest , sharing maritime borders with Belgium , the United Kingdom , and Germany .   The four largest cities in the Netherlands are Amsterdam , Rotterdam , The Hague and Utrecht ( collectively known as G4 ) . Amsterdam is the country 's capital , while The Hague holds the Dutch seat of parliament and government . The port of Rotterdam is the world 's largest port outside East-Asia , and the largest port in Europe . The name Holland is used informally to refer to the whole of the country of the Netherlands.Formally ` Holland ' refers only to two of the country 's twelve provinces : North Holland and South Holland .   `` Netherlands '' literally means `` lower countries '' , influenced by its low land and flat geography , with only about 50 % of its land exceeding one metre above sea level . Most of the areas below sea level are artificial . Since the late 16th century , large areas ( polders ) have been reclaimed from the sea and lakes , amounting to nearly 17 % of the country 's current land mass . With a population density of 412 people per km2 -- 507 ( January 2017 ) if water is excluded -- the Netherlands is classified as a very densely populated country . Only Bangladesh , South Korea , and Taiwan have both a larger population and higher population density . Nevertheless , the Netherlands is the world 's second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products , after the United States . This is partly due to the fertility of the soil and the mild climate . The Netherlands was the third country in the world to have an elected parliament , and since 1848 it has been governed as a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy , organised as a unitary state . The Netherlands has a long history of social tolerance and is generally regarded as a liberal country , having legalised abortion , prostitution and euthanasia , while maintaining a progressive drugs policy . In 2001 , it became the world 's first country to legalise same-sex marriage .   The Netherlands is a founding member of the EU , Eurozone , G-10 , NATO , OECD and WTO ; as well as being a part of the Schengen Area and the trilateral Benelux Union . The country is host to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and five international courts : the Permanent Court of Arbitration , the International Court of Justice , the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia , the International Criminal Court and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon . The first four are situated in The Hague , as is the EU 's criminal intelligence agency Europol and judicial co-operation agency Eurojust . This has led to the city being dubbed `` the world 's legal capital . '' The country also ranks second highest in the world 's 2016 Press Freedom Index , as published by Reporters Without Borders .   The Netherlands has a market-based mixed economy , ranking 17th of 177 countries according to the Index of Economic Freedom . It had the thirteenth-highest per capita income in the world in 2013 according to the International Monetary Fund . In 2013 , the United Nations World Happiness Report ranked the Netherlands as the seventh-happiest country in the world , reflecting its high quality of life . The Netherlands also ranks joint third highest in the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index , along with Australia .


Kingdom of the Netherlands The Kingdom of the Netherlands ( Koninkrijk der Nederlanden -LSB- ˈkoːnɪŋkrɛik dɛr ˈneːdərlɑndə ( n ) -RSB- ; Reino Hulandes ) , commonly known as the Netherlands , is a sovereign state and constitutional monarchy with territory in western Europe and in the Caribbean .   The four parts of the kingdom -- the Netherlands , Aruba , Curaçao , and Sint Maarten -- are constituent countries ( landen in Dutch ) and participate on a basis of equality as partners in the kingdom . In practice , however , most of the Kingdom affairs are administered by the Netherlands -- which comprises roughly 98 % of the Kingdom 's land area and population -- on behalf of the entire Kingdom . Consequently , the countries of Aruba , Curaçao , and Sint Maarten are dependent on the Netherlands for matters like foreign policy and defence , although they are autonomous to a certain degree with their own parliaments .   The vast majority in land area of the constituent country of the Netherlands ( as well as the Kingdom ) is located in Europe , with the exception of the Caribbean Netherlands : its three special municipalities ( Bonaire , Saba , and Sint Eustatius ) are located in the Caribbean . The constituent countries of Aruba , Curaçao , and Sint Maarten are located in the Caribbean as well .


The Who's first single was "Look What You Made Me Do."

The Who The Who are an English rock band that formed in 1964 . Their classic line-up consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey , guitarist and singer Pete Townshend , bass guitarist John Entwistle , and drummer Keith Moon . They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century , selling over 100 million records worldwide and holding a reputation for their live shows and studio work .   The Who developed from an earlier group , the Detours , and established themselves as part of the pop art and mod movements , featuring auto-destructive art by destroying guitars and drums on stage . Their first single as the Who , `` I Ca n't Explain '' , reached the UK top ten , followed by a string of singles including `` My Generation '' , `` Substitute '' and `` Happy Jack '' . In 1967 , they performed at the Monterey Pop Festival and released the US top ten single `` I Can See for Miles '' , while touring extensively . The group 's fourth album , 1969 's rock opera Tommy , included the single `` Pinball Wizard '' and was a critical and commercial success . Live appearances at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival , along with the live album Live at Leeds , cemented their reputation as a respected rock act . With their success came increased pressure on lead songwriter and visionary Townshend , and the follow-up to Tommy , Lifehouse , was abandoned . Songs from the project made up 1971 's Who 's Next , which included the hit `` Wo n't Get Fooled Again '' . The group released the album Quadrophenia in 1973 as a celebration of their mod roots , and oversaw the film adaptation of Tommy in 1975 . They continued to tour to large audiences before semi-retiring from live performances at the end of 1976 . The release of Who Are You in 1978 was overshadowed by the death of Moon shortly after .   Kenney Jones replaced Moon and the group resumed activity , releasing a film adaptation of Quadrophenia and the retrospective documentary The Kids Are Alright . After Townshend became weary of touring , the group split in 1982 . The Who occasionally re-formed for live appearances such as Live Aid in 1985 , a 25th anniversary tour in 1989 and a tour of Quadrophenia in 1996 -- 1997 . They resumed regular touring in 1999 , with drummer Zak Starkey . After Entwistle 's death in 2002 , plans for a new album were delayed . Townshend and Daltrey continued as the Who , releasing Endless Wire in 2006 , and continued to play live regularly .   The Who 's major contributions to rock music include the development of the Marshall stack , large PA systems , use of the synthesizer , Entwistle and Moon 's lead playing styles , Townshend 's feedback and power chord guitar technique , and the development of the rock opera . They are cited as an influence by hard rock , punk rock and mod bands , and their songs still receive regular exposure .


Greater London London , or Greater London , is a region of England which forms the administrative boundaries of London . It is organised into 33 local government districts : the 32 London boroughs ( which makes up the ceremonial county of Greater London ) and the City of London ( which is a separate county but still part of the region ) . The Greater London Authority , based in Southwark , is responsible for strategic local government across the region and consists of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly .   The county of Greater London was created on 1 April 1965 through the London Government Act 1963 . Administratively , Greater London was first established as a sui generis council area under the Greater London Council between 1963 and 1986 . The area was re-established as a region in 1994 , and the Greater London Authority formed in 2000 .   The region covers 1572 km2 and had a population of 8,174,000 at the 2011 census . In 2012 , it had the highest GVA per capita in the United Kingdom at # 37,232 . The Greater London Built-up Area -- used in some national statistics -- is a measure of the continuous urban area of London , and therefore includes areas outside of the administrative region .


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 .


The Democratic Republic of the Congo was once a former Belgian colony.

Congo Free State The Congo Free State ( État indépendant du Congo , `` Independent State of the Congo '' , Kongo-Vrijstaat ) was a large state in Central Africa from 1885 to 1908 , which was in personal union with the Kingdom of Belgium under Leopold II . Leopold was able to procure the region by convincing the European community that he was involved in humanitarian and philanthropic work and would not tax trade . Via the International Association of the Congo he was able to lay claim to most of the Congo basin . On May 29 , 1885 , the king named his new colony the Congo Free State . The state would eventually include an area now held by the Democratic Republic of the Congo .   Leopold 's reign in the Congo eventually earned infamy due to the increasing mistreatment of the indigenous peoples . Leopold extracted ivory , rubber , and minerals in the upper Congo basin for sale on the world market , even though his ostensible purpose in the region was to uplift the local people and develop the area . Under Leopold II 's administration , the Congo Free State became one of the greatest international scandals of the early-20th century . The report of the British Consul Roger Casement led to the arrest and punishment of white officials who had been responsible for killings during a rubber-collecting expedition in 1903 .   The loss of life and atrocities inspired literature such as Joseph Conrad 's Heart of Darkness , and raised an international outcry . Debate has been ongoing about the high death rate in this period . The boldest estimate concludes that the forced labour system led directly and indirectly to the deaths of 20 percent of the population . During the Congo Free State propaganda war , European and US reformers exposed atrocities in the Congo Free State to the public through the Congo Reform Association , founded by Casement and the fervent humanitarian journalist E. D. Morel . Also active in exposing the activities of the Congo Free State was the author Arthur Conan Doyle , whose book The Crime of the Congo was widely read in the early 1900s . By 1908 , public pressure and diplomatic manoeuvres led to the end of Leopold II 's rule and to the annexation of the Congo as a colony of Belgium . It became known thenceforth as the Belgian Congo . In addition , a number of major Belgian investment companies pushed the Belgian government to take over the Congo and develop the mining sector as it was virtually untapped .


Belgian Congo The Belgian Congo ( Congo Belge , Belgisch-Congo ) was a Belgian colony in Central Africa between 1908 and 1960 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( DRC ) .   Colonial rule in the Congo began in the late 19th century . King Leopold II of the Belgians persuaded the government to support colonial expansion around the then-largely unexplored Congo Basin . Their ambivalence resulted in Leopold 's creating a colony on his own account . With support from a number of Western countries , Leopold achieved international recognition for a personal colony , the Congo Free State , in 1885 . By the turn of the century , however , the violence used by Free State officials against indigenous Congolese and a ruthless system of economic exploitation led to intense diplomatic pressure on Belgium to take official control of the country , which it did by creating the Belgian Congo in 1908 .   Belgian rule in the Congo was based on the `` colonial trinity '' ( trinité coloniale ) of state , missionary and private company interests . The privileging of Belgian commercial interests meant that large amounts of capital flowed into the Congo and that individual regions became specialised . On many occasions , the interests of the government and private enterprise became closely tied , and the state helped companies break strikes and remove other barriers raised by the indigenous population . The country was split into nesting , hierarchically organised administrative subdivisions , and run uniformly according to a set `` native policy '' ( politique indigène ) . This was in contrast to the British and the French , who generally favoured the system of indirect rule whereby traditional leaders were retained in positions of authority under colonial oversight . The Congo had a high degree of racial segregation . The large numbers of white immigrants who moved to the Congo after the end of World War II came from across the social spectrum , but were always treated as superior to black people .   During the 1940s and 1950s , the Congo had extensive urbanisation , and the colonial administration began various development programmes aimed at making the territory into a `` model colony '' . One of the results was the development of a new middle class of Europeanised African '' évolués '' in the cities . By the 1950s the Congo had a wage labour force twice as large as that in any other African colony .   In 1960 , as the result of a widespread and increasingly radical pro-independence movement , the Congo achieved independence , becoming the Republic of Congo-Léopoldville under Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Kasa-Vubu . Poor relations between factions within the Congo , the continued involvement of Belgium in Congolese affairs , and intervention by major parties of the Cold War led to a five-year-long period of war and political instability , known as the Congo Crisis , from 1960 to 1965 . This ended with the seizure of power by Joseph-Désiré Mobutu .


Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo ( -LSB- ˈkɒŋɡəʊ -RSB- -LSB- kɔ̃ɡo -RSB- ; République démocratique du Congo ) , also known as DR Congo , DRC , DROC , Congo-Kinshasa or simply the Congo , is a country located in Central Africa . The DRC borders the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north ; Uganda , Rwanda , Burundi and Tanzania to the east ; Zambia and Angola to the south ; the Republic of the Congo to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest . It is the second-largest country in Africa by area and eleventh largest in the world . With a population of over 80 million , the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most populated officially Francophone country , the fourth most-populated nation in Africa and the eighteenth most populated country in the world .   The territory of the DR Congo was first settled by humans around 90,000 years ago . Bantu peoples began migrating into the region in the 5th century and again in the 10th century . In the West of the region the Kingdom of Kongo ruled from the 14th to 19th centuries , while in the centre and East of the region the kingdoms of Luba and Lunda ruled from the 16th and 17th centuries to the 19th century . In the 1870s , before the onset of the Scramble for Africa , European exploration of the Congo was carried out , first led by Sir Henry Morton Stanley under the sponsorship of King Leopold II of Belgium . Leopold formally acquired rights to the Congo territory at the Conference of Berlin in 1885 and made the land his private property . He named it the Congo Free State . During the Free State the colonial military unit , the Force Publique , forced the local population into producing rubber , and from 1885 to 1908 millions of Congolese died as a consequence of disease and exploitation . In 1908 Belgium , despite initial reluctance , formally annexed the Free State from Leopold , which became the Belgian Congo .   The Belgian Congo achieved independence on 30 June 1960 under the name Republic of the Congo ( Léopoldville ) . Congolese nationalist Patrice Lumumba was elected the first Prime Minister , while Joseph Kasa-Vubu became the first President . Conflict arose over the administration of the territory which became known as the Congo Crisis . The provinces of Katanga , under Moïse Tshombe , and South Kasai attempted to secede from the Congo . On 5 September 1960 , Kasa-Vubu dismissed Lumumba from office , encouraged by the United States and Belgium after Lumumba turned to the Soviet Union for assistance in the crisis . On 14 September , with U.S. and Belgian support , Lumumba was arrested by forces loyal to Army Chief of Staff Joseph-Désiré Mobutu , who had gained de facto control over the country through a coup d'état the same day , and on 17 January 1961 Lumumba was handed over to Katangan authorities and executed by Belgian-led Katangese troops .   In 1965 Joseph-Désiré Mobutu , who later renamed himself Mobutu Sese Seko , officially came into power through a second coup . In 1971 he renamed the country Zaire . The country was run as a one-party state with his Popular Movement of the Revolution as the sole legal party . Mobutu 's government received considerable support from the United States for its anti-communist stance during the Cold War . By the early 1990s Mobutu 's government began to weaken . Disenfranchisement of the eastern Congolese Tutsi population led to a 1996 invasion led by Tutsi-ruled Rwanda , which began the First Congo War . On 17 May 1997 Laurent-Désiré Kabila , a leader of Tutsi forces from the province of South Kivu , became President , bringing about the end of Mobutu 's 32-year rule . Tensions between President Kabila and the Rwandan and Tutsi presence in the country led to the Second Congo War from 1998 to 2003 . Ultimately , nine African countries and around twenty armed groups became involved in the war , which resulted in the deaths of 5.4 million people . The two wars together devastated the country . President Laurent-Désiré Kabila was assassinated by one of his bodyguards on 16 January 2001 and was succeeded eight days later as President by his son Joseph Kabila .   The Democratic Republic of Congo is extremely rich in natural resources but has had political instability , a lack of infrastructure , issues with corruption and centuries of both commercial and colonial extraction and exploitation with little holistic development . Besides the capital Kinshasa , the two next largest cities Lubumbashi and Mbuji-Mayi are both mining communities . DR Congo 's largest export is raw minerals , with China accepting over 50 % of DRC 's exports in 2012 . , according to the Human Development Index ( HDI ) , DR Congo 's level of human development ranks 176 out of 187 countries .


George A. Romero George Andrew Romero ( -LSB- rə 'm ɛroʊ -RSB- born February 4 , 1940 ) is an American-Canadian filmmaker and editor , best known for his series of gruesome and satirical horror films about an imagined zombie apocalypse , beginning with Night of the Living Dead and notably continuing on with Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead . His other works contributed include The Crazies , Creepshow , Martin , Monkey Shines , and The Dark Half .


The Night Of The Night Of is an American eight-part crime drama television miniseries based on Criminal Justice , a 2008 -- 09 British television series . The miniseries was written by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian and directed by Zaillian and James Marsh . Broadcast on HBO , The Night Of premiered on July 10 , 2016 to critical acclaim . The first episode premiered on June 24 , 2016 , via HBO on-demand .


Larry Junstrom Lawrence E. `` Larry '' Junstrom ( born June 22 , 1949 ) is an American bassist , best known for having been in rock band 38 Special from 1977 until 2014 . He was also one of the founding members of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd .


The fourth season of The Blacklist was in 2016

The Blacklist (TV series) The Blacklist is an American crime thriller television series that premiered on NBC on September 23 , 2013 . Raymond `` Red '' Reddington ( James Spader ) , a former U.S. Navy officer turned high-profile criminal , voluntarily surrenders to the FBI after eluding capture for decades . He tells the FBI that he has a list of the most dangerous criminals in the world that he has compiled over the years and is willing to inform on their operations in exchange for immunity from prosecution . However , he insists on working exclusively with a rookie FBI profiler by the name of Elizabeth Keen ( Megan Boone ) . The series also stars Diego Klattenhoff , Ryan Eggold , and Harry Lennix . The pilot episode was written by Jon Bokenkamp and directed by Joe Carnahan . Executive producers for the series include Bokenkamp , John Eisendrath , and John Davis for Sony Pictures Television , Universal Television , and Davis Entertainment .   On October 4 , 2013 , NBC ordered nine additional episodes , filling out the series ' first season . On December 3 , 2013 , NBC renewed the series for a 22-episode second season . On May 11 , 2014 , owing to the series ' breakout success , NBC decided to air an episode in the coveted post-Super Bowl timeslot in 2015 . On December 5 , 2015 , the series was renewed for a fourth season , which premiered on September 22 , 2016 .  A spin-off series , The Blacklist : Redemption , premiered on February 23 , 2017 . On May 11 , 2017 , the series was renewed for a fifth season , while the spin-off was canceled the following day .   The series has received positive reviews , with many critics praising Spader 's performance in particular .


Andy Warhol Andy Warhol ( -LSB- ˈwɔrhɒl -RSB- born Andrew Warhola ; August 6 , 1928 -- February 22 , 1987 ) was an American artist , director and producer who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art . His works explore the relationship between artistic expression , celebrity culture , and advertising that flourished by the 1960s , and span a variety of media , including painting , silkscreening , photography , film , and sculpture . Some of his best known works include the silkscreen paintings Campbell 's Soup Cans ( 1962 ) and Marilyn Diptych ( 1962 ) , the experimental film Chelsea Girls ( 1966 ) , and the multimedia events known as the Exploding Plastic Inevitable ( 1966 -- 67 ) .   Born and raised in Pittsburgh , Warhol initially pursued a successful career as a commercial illustrator . After exhibiting his work in several galleries in the late 1950s , he began to receive recognition as an influential and controversial artist . His New York studio , The Factory , became a well-known gathering place that brought together distinguished intellectuals , drag queens , playwrights , Bohemian street people , Hollywood celebrities , and wealthy patrons . He promoted a collection of personalities known as Warhol superstars , and is credited with coining the widely used expression `` 15 minutes of fame . '' In the late 1960s , he managed and produced the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground and founded Interview magazine . He authored numerous books , including The Philosophy of Andy Warhol and Popism : The Warhol Sixties . He is also notable as a gay man who lived openly as such before the gay liberation movement . After a gallbladder surgery in 1987 , Warhol died in February of that year at the age of 58 .   Warhol has been the subject of numerous retrospective exhibitions , books , and feature and documentary films . The Andy Warhol Museum in his native city of Pittsburgh , which holds an extensive permanent collection of art and archives , is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to a single artist . Many of his creations are very collectible and highly valuable . The highest price ever paid for a Warhol painting is US$ 105 million for a 1963 canvas titled `` Silver Car Crash ( Double Disaster ) '' ; his works include some of the most expensive paintings ever sold . A 2009 article in The Economist described Warhol as the `` bellwether of the art market '' .


Baywatch Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County , California , starring David Hasselhoff . The show was canceled after its first season on NBC , but survived through syndication and later became one of the most watched television shows in the world . The show ran in its original title and format from 1989 to 1999 . From 1999 to 2001 , with a setting change and large cast overhaul , it was known as Baywatch Hawaii '' .


David Hasselhoff David Michael Hasselhoff ( born July 17 , 1952 ) , nicknamed `` The Hoff '' , is an American actor , singer , producer , and businessman , who set a Guinness World Record as the most watched man on TV .  He first gained recognition on The Young and The Restless , playing Dr. Snapper Foster . His career continued with his leading role as Michael Knight on Knight Rider and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the series Baywatch . Hasselhoff produced Baywatch from the 1990s until 2001 when the series ended with Baywatch Hawaii . On screen , he appeared in films including Click , Dodgeball , The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie , and Hop .   In 2000 , he made his Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde . Following his debut , he starred in other musicals including Chicago and The Producers .


One of Argo's producers was born on May 6, 1961.

George Clooney George Timothy Clooney ( born May 6 , 1961 ) is an American actor , filmmaker , activist and philanthropist . He has received three Golden Globe Awards for his work as an actor and two Academy Awards , one for acting in Syriana ( 2006 ) and the other for co-producing Argo ( 2012 ) .   Clooney made his acting debut on television in 1978 , and later gained wide recognition in his role as Dr. Doug Ross on the long-running medical drama ER from 1994 to 1999 , for which he received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations . While working on ER , he began attracting a variety of leading roles in films , including the superhero film Batman & Robin ( 1997 ) and the crime comedy Out of Sight ( 1998 ) , in which he first worked with director Steven Soderbergh , who would become a long-time collaborator . In 1999 , he took the lead role in Three Kings , a well-received war satire set during the Gulf War .   In 2001 , Clooney 's fame widened with the release of his biggest commercial success , the heist comedy remake Ocean 's Eleven , the first of what became a trilogy starring Clooney . He made his directorial debut a year later with the biographical spy comedy Confessions of a Dangerous Mind , and has since directed the historical drama Good Night , and Good Luck ( 2005 ) , the sports comedy Leatherheads ( 2008 ) , the political drama The Ides of March ( 2011 ) , and the war film The Monuments Men ( 2014 ) .   Clooney won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the Middle East thriller Syriana ( 2005 ) , and subsequently earned Best Actor nominations for the legal thriller Michael Clayton ( 2007 ) and the comedy-dramas Up in the Air ( 2009 ) and The Descendants ( 2011 ) . In 2013 , he received the Academy Award for Best Picture for producing the political thriller Argo . He is the only person who has been nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories .   In 2009 , Clooney was included in Time annual Time 100 as one of the `` Most Influential People in the World '' . He is also noted for his political and economic activism , and has served as one of the United Nations Messengers of Peace since January 31 , 2008 . His humanitarian work includes his advocacy of finding a resolution for the Darfur conflict , raising funds for the 2010 Haiti earthquake , Armenian Genocide recognition , 2004 tsunami , and 9/11 victims , and creating documentaries such as Sand and Sorrow to raise awareness about international crises . He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations .


Argo (2012 film) Argo is a 2012 American historical drama film directed by Ben Affleck . The screenplay by Chris Terrio is adapted from U.S. Central Intelligence Agency operative Tony Mendez 's book The Master of Disguise and Joshuah Bearman 's 2007 Wired article `` The Great Escape : How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran . '' The latter deals with the `` Canadian Caper , '' in which Mendez led the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Tehran , Iran , under the guise of filming a science fiction film during the 1979 -- 1981 Iran hostage crisis .   The film stars Affleck as Mendez with Bryan Cranston , Alan Arkin and John Goodman in supporting roles , and was released in the United States on October 12 , 2012 . The film was produced by Grant Heslov , Affleck and George Clooney .   Upon release , Argo received widespread acclaim , with praise directed towards the acting ( particularly Arkin ) , Affleck 's direction , Terrio 's screenplay , the editing and Desplat 's score . The film received seven nominations at the 85th Academy Awards and won three , for Best Picture , Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing . The film also earned five Golden Globe Award nominations , winning Best Motion Picture -- Drama and Best Director , while being nominated for Best Supporting Actor -- Motion Picture for Alan Arkin . It won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the 19th Screen Actors Guild Awards , with Arkin being nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role . It also won Best Film , Best Editing and Best Director at the 66th British Academy Film Awards and 37th Hochi Film Award for Best International Picture .   Despite its praise , Argo has also been criticized for some specific inaccuracies : in particular for minimizing the role of the Canadian embassy in the rescue , for falsely showing that the Americans were turned away by the British and New Zealand embassies , and for exaggerating the danger that the group faced during events preceding their escape from the country .


All Assyrian people speak only Western Neo-Aramaic.

Assyrian people Assyrian people , or Syriacs ( see names of Syriac Christians ) , are an ethnic group indigenous to the Middle East . Some of them self-identify as Chaldeans , or as Arameans . They speak modern Aramaic , whose subdivisions include Northeastern , Central , and Western Neo-Aramaic , as well as another language , dependent on the country of residence . The Assyrians are typically Syriac-speaking Christians who claim descent from Assyria , one of the oldest civilizations in the world , dating back to 2500 BC in ancient Mesopotamia .   The areas that form the Assyrian homeland are parts of present-day northern Iraq , southeastern Turkey , northwestern Iran and northeastern Syria . The majority have migrated to other regions of the world , including North America , the Levant , Australia , Europe , Russia and the Caucasus during the past century or so . Emigration was triggered by such events as the Assyrian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire during World War I , the Simele Massacre in Iraq in 1933 , the Iranian Revolution of 1979 , Arab Nationalist Ba'athist policies in Iraq and Syria such as the al-Anfal campaign of Saddam Hussein , and the rise of ISIS and its takeover of most of the Nineveh Plains .   Assyrians are predominantly Christian , mostly adhering to the East and West Syrian liturgical rites of Christianity . The churches that constitute the East Syrian rite include the Assyrian Church of the East , Ancient Church of the East , and Chaldean Catholic Church , whose followers mostly speak the Northeastern branch of East Aramaic . Whereas the churches of the West Syrian rite , the Syriac Orthodox Church and Syriac Catholic Church , mostly speak the Central and Western branches .   Most recently , the 2003 Iraq War and the Syrian Civil War which began in 2011 have displaced the regional Assyrian community , because its people have faced ethnic and religious persecution at the hands of Islamic extremists . Of the one million or more Iraqis reported by the United Nations to have fled Iraq since the occupation , nearly 40 % were Assyrians even though Assyrians comprised only around 3 % of the pre-war Iraqi demography . According to a 2013 report by a Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council official , it is estimated that only 300,000 Assyrians remain in Iraq . Due to the Syrian Civil War , however , many Iraqis , including Assyrians , have fled back into Iraq , specifically to northern Iraq and the part of the country controlled by the Iraqi government , with ISIS still in control of much of the Assyrian homeland .


Pan Am (TV series) Pan Am is an American period drama television series created by writer Jack Orman . Named for the iconic Pan American World Airways , the series features the pilots and stewardesses of the airline as it operated in the early 1960s at the beginning of the commercial Jet Age .   Pan Am premiered on ABC on September 25 , 2011 , and ended on February 19 , 2012 . ABC canceled the series on May 11 , 2012 .   In May 2012 , Sony Pictures Television had conversations with Amazon about picking up the series for a second season because of its international success . It won the `` Best Series '' at the Rose d'Or TV awards , Europe 's equivalent of the Emmys . Unable to reach a deal with Amazon , the producers officially ended the series on June 20 , 2012 .


Linux Linux ( pronounced -LSB- - en audio = Linus-linux . oggˈlɪnəks -RSB- or , less frequently , -LSB- ˈlaɪnəks -RSB- ) is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open-source software development and distribution . The defining component of Linux is the Linux kernel , an operating system kernel first released on September 17 , 1991 by Linus Torvalds . The Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to describe the operating system , which has led to some controversy .   Linux was originally developed for personal computers based on the Intel x86 architecture , but has since been ported to more platforms than any other operating system . Because of the dominance of Android on smartphones , Linux has the largest installed base of all general-purpose operating systems . Linux is also the leading operating system on servers and other big iron systems such as mainframe computers , and is used on 99.6 % of the TOP500 supercomputers . It is used by around 2.3 % of desktop computers . The Chromebook , which runs the Linux kernel-based Chrome OS , dominates the US K -- 12 education market and represents nearly 20 % of the sub - $ 300 notebook sales in the US . Linux also runs on embedded systems -- devices whose operating system is typically built into the firmware and is highly tailored to the system . This includes TiVo and similar DVR devices , network routers , facility automation controls , televisions , video game consoles and smartwatches . Many smartphones and tablet computers run Android and other Linux derivatives .   The development of Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free and open-source software collaboration . The underlying source code may be used , modified and distributedcommercially or non-commerciallyby anyone under the terms of its respective licenses , such as the GNU General Public License . Typically , Linux is packaged in a form known as a Linux distribution ( or distro for short ) for both desktop and server use . Some of the most popular mainstream Linux distributions are Arch Linux , CentOS , Debian , Fedora , Gentoo Linux , Linux Mint , Mageia , openSUSE and Ubuntu , together with commercial distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server . Distributions include the Linux kernel , supporting utilities and libraries , many of which are provided by the GNU Project , and usually a large amount of application software to fulfil the distribution 's intended use .   Desktop Linux distributions include a windowing system , such as X11 , Mir or a Wayland implementation , and an accompanying desktop environment such as GNOME or the KDE Software Compilation ; some distributions may also include a less resource-intensive desktop , such as LXDE or Xfce . Distributions intended to run on servers may omit all graphical environments from the standard install , and instead include other software to set up and operate a solution stack such as LAMP . Because Linux is freely redistributable , anyone may create a distribution for any intended use .


Purple (album) Purple is the second studio album by the American rock band Stone Temple Pilots , released on June 7 , 1994 by Atlantic Records . The album , building off the foundations laid by the band 's debut album Core , was a huge success for the band , debuting at # 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and remaining there for three weeks , eventually selling over six million copies . It spawned a number of successful singles -- `` Vasoline '' and `` Interstate Love Song '' both topped the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and hit number 2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart , while `` Big Empty '' also cracked the top ten on both charts . Lesser known album cuts `` Pretty Penny '' and `` Unglued '' were also released as promotional radio singles .


Lilith Lilith ( -LSB- ˈlɪlɪθ -RSB- לִילִית Lîlîṯ ) is a figure in Jewish mythology , developed earliest in the Babylonian Talmud ( 3rd to 5th centuries ) . The character is generally thought to derive in part from a historically far earlier class of female demons ( lilītu ) in ancient Mesopotamian religion , found in cuneiform texts of Sumer , the Akkadian Empire , Assyria , and Babylonia .   Evidence in later Jewish materials is plentiful , but little information has survived relating to the original Sumerian , Akkadian , Assyrian and Babylonian view of these demons . While the connection is almost universally agreed upon , recent scholarship has disputed the relevance of two sources previously used to connect the Jewish lilith to an Akkadian lilītu -- the Gilgamesh appendix and the Arslan Tash amulets . ( See below for discussion of the two problematic sources . )   In Hebrew-language texts , the term lilith or lilit ( translated as `` night creatures '' , `` night monster '' , `` night hag '' , or `` screech owl '' ) first occurs in a list of animals in Isaiah 34:14 , either in singular or plural form according to variations in the earliest manuscripts . In the Dead Sea Scrolls 4Q510-511 , the term first occurs in a list of monsters . In Jewish magical inscriptions on bowls and amulets from the 6th century CE onwards , Lilith is identified as a female demon and the first visual depictions appear .   In Jewish folklore , from the satirical book Alphabet of Sirach ( ca. 700 -- 1000 ) onwards , Lilith appears as Adam 's first wife , who was created at the same time ( Rosh Hashanah ) and from the same dirt as Adam -- compare Genesis 1:27 . ( This contrasts with Eve , who was created from one of Adam 's ribs : Genesis 2:22 ) The legend developed extensively during the Middle Ages , in the tradition of Aggadah , the Zohar , and Jewish mysticism . For example , in the 13th-century writings of Isaac ben Jacob ha-Cohen , Lilith left Adam after she refused to become subservient to him and then would not return to the Garden of Eden after she had coupled with the archangel Samael .   The resulting Lilith legend continues to serve as source material in modern Western culture , literature , occultism , fantasy , and horror .


Watchmen is a division of the Boston police department.

Watchmen Watchmen is an American comic-book limited series published by DC Comics in 1986 and 1987 , and collected in 1987 . The series was created by a British collaboration consisting of writer Alan Moore , artist Dave Gibbons , and colorist John Higgins . Watchmen originated from a story proposal Moore submitted to DC featuring superhero characters that the company had acquired from Charlton Comics . As Moore 's proposed story would have left many of the characters unusable for future stories , managing editor Dick Giordano convinced Moore to create original characters instead .   Moore used the story as a means to reflect contemporary anxieties and to deconstruct and parody the superhero concept . Watchmen depicts an alternate history where superheroes emerged in the 1940s and 1960s and their presence changed history so that the United States won the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal was never exposed . In 1985 , the country is edging toward World War III with the Soviet Union , freelance costumed vigilantes have been outlawed and most former superheroes are in retirement or working for the government . The story focuses on the personal development and moral struggles of the protagonists as an investigation into the murder of a government-sponsored superhero pulls them out of retirement .   Creatively , the focus of Watchmen is on its structure . Gibbons used a nine-panel grid layout throughout the series and added recurring symbols such as a blood-stained smiley face . All but the last issue feature supplemental fictional documents that add to the series ' backstory , and the narrative is intertwined with that of another story , an in-story pirate comic titled Tales of the Black Freighter , which one of the characters reads . Structured , at times , as a nonlinear narrative , the story skips through space , time and plot . In the same manner , entire scenes and dialogue have parallels with others through synchronicity , coincidence and repeated imagery .   A commercial success , Watchmen has received critical acclaim both in the comics and mainstream press , and is considered by several critics and reviewers to be one of the most significant works of 20th-century literature . Watchmen was recognized in Times List of the 100 Best Novels as one of the best English language novels published since 1923 , and placed # 91 on The Comics Journals list of the top 100 comics of the 20th century . The BBC described it as `` The moment comic books grew up . ''   After a number of attempts to adapt the series into a feature film , director Zack Snyder 's Watchmen was released in 2009 . A video game series , Watchmen : The End Is Nigh , was released in the same year to coincide with the film 's release . In 2012 , DC Comics published Before Watchmen , a comic-book series acting as a prequel to the original Watchmen series , without Moore and Gibbons ' involvement .


Howard Hughes worked in the film industry.

Howard Hughes Howard Robard Hughes Jr. ( December 24 , 1905 -- April 5 , 1976 ) was an American businessman , investor , pilot , film director , and philanthropist , known during his lifetime as one of the most financially successful individuals in the world . He first made a name for himself as a film producer , and then became an influential figure in the aviation industry . Later in life , he became known for his eccentric behavior and reclusive lifestyle -- oddities that were caused in part by a worsening obsessive -- compulsive disorder ( OCD ) and chronic pain from a plane crash .   As a maverick film tycoon , Hughes gained prominence in Hollywood beginning in the late 1920s , when he produced big-budget and often controversial films like The Racket ( 1928 ) , Hell 's Angels ( 1930 ) , and Scarface ( 1932 ) . Later he controlled the RKO film studio .   Hughes formed the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932 , hiring numerous engineers and designers . He spent the rest of the 1930s setting multiple world air speed records and building the Hughes H-1 Racer and H-4 Hercules ( the `` Spruce Goose '' ) . He acquired and expanded Trans World Airlines and later acquired Air West , renaming it Hughes Airwest . Hughes was included in Flying Magazine 's list of the 51 Heroes of Aviation , ranked at 25 . Today , his legacy is maintained through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute .


Jensen Ackles Jensen Ross Ackles ( born March 1 , 1978 ) is an American actor and director . He is known for his roles in television as Eric Brady in Days of Our Lives , which earned him several Daytime Emmy Award nominations , as well as Alec/X5 -494 in Dark Angel and Jason Teague in Smallville . He also starred as the lead in the box office success My Bloody Valentine 3D and portrayed Jason Todd in the popular animated film Batman : Under the Red Hood .   Ackles currently stars as Dean Winchester on the CW series Supernatural .


The Prestige is a 2006 British-American mystery thriller film.

The Prestige (film) The Prestige is a 2006 British-American mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan , from a screenplay adapted by Nolan and his brother Jonathan from Christopher Priest 's 1995 World Fantasy Award-winning novel of the same name . Its story follows Robert Angier and Alfred Borden , rival stage magicians in London at the end of the 19th century . Obsessed with creating the best stage illusion , they engage in competitive one-upmanship with tragic results . The film stars Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier , Christian Bale as Alfred Borden , and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla . It also stars Michael Caine , Scarlett Johansson , Piper Perabo , Andy Serkis , and Rebecca Hall . The film reunites Nolan with actors Bale and Caine from Batman Begins and returning cinematographer Wally Pfister , production designer Nathan Crowley , film score composer David Julyan , and editor Lee Smith .   The film was released on October 20 , 2006 , receiving positive reviews and strong box office results , and received Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction . Along with The Illusionist and Scoop , The Prestige was one of three films released in 2006 to explore the world of stage magicians .


Mankatha was released on August 31, 2011.

Mankatha Mankatha is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language black comedy action-heist film , written and directed by Venkat Prabhu . It features Ajith Kumar in the lead role , starring in his 50th film , along with an ensemble cast including Arjun Sarja , Trisha Krishnan , Vaibhav Reddy , Lakshmi Rai , Andrea Jeremiah , Premji Amaren , Mahat Raghavendra and Anjali . It was produced by Dhayanidhi Alagiri 's Cloud Nine Movies while Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the musical score and soundtrack , with Sakthi Saravanan working as the cinematographer and the duo Praveen K. L. and N. B. Srikanth as editors . The story , set in Mumbai , revolves around a heist of cricket betting money , executed by a gang of four thieves , who are joined by a fifth unknown man , and its aftermath.The film became a blockbuster very soon and became the first salt and pepper hit for Ajith after which he continued the same style in all his upcoming films .   The film was formally launched in August 2010 , with its principal photography beginning on 25 October 2010 . Filming was held for more than eight months and took place primarily across Chennai , the Dharavi slum in Mumbai and Bangkok , Thailand . Following speculations regarding the film 's release , Sun Pictures acquired the theatrical rights and distributed the film via Raadhika Sarathkumar 's Radaan Mediaworks . Mankatha released on 31 August 2011 worldwide to generally positive reviews and grossed the second biggest opening of all time after Endhiran at the time of release . The film was also dubbed into Telugu as Gambler and released in Andhra Pradesh ten days later while it was a box-office hit in Kerala as well .


Choir A choir ( -LSB- ` kwaɪ.ər -RSB- ) ( also known as a chorale or chorus ) is a musical ensemble of singers . Choral music , in turn , is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform . Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire , which spans from the Medieval era to the present , or popular music repertoire . Most choirs are led by a conductor , who leads the performances with arm and face gestures .   A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus . The former term is very often applied to groups affiliated with a church ( whether or not they actually occupy the choir ) and the second to groups that perform in theatres or concert halls , but this distinction is far from rigid . Choirs may sing without instrumental accompaniment , with the accompaniment of a piano or pipe organ , with a small ensemble ( e.g. , harpsichord , cello and double bass for a Baroque era piece ) , or with a full orchestra of 70 to 100 musicians .   The term `` Choir '' has the secondary definition of a subset of an ensemble ; thus one speaks of the `` woodwind choir '' of an orchestra , or different `` choirs '' of voices or instruments in a polychoral composition . In typical 18th - to 21st-century oratorios and masses , chorus or choir is usually understood to imply more than one singer per part , in contrast to the quartet of soloists also featured in these works .


Rob Lowe Robert Hepler Lowe ( -LSB- ˈloʊ -RSB- born March 17 , 1964 ) is an American actor . He came to prominence in the 1980s , playing teen and young adult roles in films such as The Outsiders ( 1983 ) , Oxford Blues ( 1984 ) , St. Elmo 's Fire ( 1985 ) , and About Last Night ... ( 1986 ) . However , he continued acting in less prominent film roles , and went on to high-profile roles in television series such as The West Wing ( 1999 -- 2003 ) , Brothers & Sisters ( 2006 -- 2010 ) , and Parks and Recreation ( 2010 -- 2014 ) .   In addition to receiving an Emmy Award nomination in 2001 for his work on The West Wing , Lowe has been nominated for six Golden Globe Awards ; his nominations span four of the seven categories for male actors .


Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( -LSB- ˈroʊzəvɛlt -RSB- ; October 27 , 1858 -- January 6 , 1919 ) was an American statesman , author , explorer , soldier , naturalist , and reformer who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909 . He also served as the 25th Vice President of the United States and as the 33rd Governor of New York . As a leader of the Republican Party during this time , he became a driving force for the Progressive Era in the United States in the early 20th century . His face is depicted on Mount Rushmore , alongside those of George Washington , Thomas Jefferson , and Abraham Lincoln .   Roosevelt was born a sickly child with debilitating asthma , but he successfully overcame his physical health problems by embracing a strenuous lifestyle . He integrated his exuberant personality , vast range of interests , and world-famous achievements into a `` cowboy '' persona defined by robust masculinity . Home-schooled , he began a lifelong naturalist avocation before attending Harvard College . His book , The Naval War of 1812 ( 1882 ) , established his reputation as both a learned historian and as a popular writer . Upon entering politics , he became the leader of the reform faction of Republicans in New York 's state legislature . Following the near-simultaneous deaths of his wife and mother , he escaped to a cattle ranch in the Dakotas . Roosevelt served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President William McKinley , but resigned from that post to lead the Rough Riders during the Spanish -- American War . Returning a war hero , he was elected Governor of New York in 1898 . After the death of Vice President Garret Hobart , the New York state party leadership convinced McKinley to accept Roosevelt as his running mate in the 1900 election , moving Roosevelt to the prestigious but powerless role of vice president . Roosevelt campaigned vigorously and the McKinley-Roosevelt ticket won a landslide victory based on a platform of peace , prosperity , and conservatism .   Following McKinley 's assassination in September 1901 , Roosevelt became president at age 42 , and remains the youngest president . As a leader of the Progressive movement , he championed his `` Square Deal '' domestic policies , promising the average citizen fairness , breaking of trusts , regulation of railroads , and pure food and drugs . Making conservation a top priority , he established a myriad of new national parks , forests , and monuments intended to preserve the nation 's natural resources . In foreign policy , he focused on Central America , where he began construction of the Panama Canal . He expanded the Navy and sent the Great White Fleet on a world tour to project the United States ' naval power around the globe . His successful efforts to broker the end of the Russo-Japanese War won him the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize . He avoided the controversial tariff and money issues . Elected in 1904 to a full term , Roosevelt continued to promote progressive policies , but many of his efforts and much of his legislative agenda were eventually blocked in Congress . Roosevelt successfully groomed his close friend , William Howard Taft , and Taft won the 1908 presidential election to succeed him . In polls of historians and political scientists , Roosevelt is generally ranked as one of the five best presidents .   Frustrated with Taft 's conservatism , Roosevelt belatedly tried to win the 1912 Republican nomination . He failed , walked out , and founded a third party , the Progressive , so-called `` Bull Moose '' Party , which called for wide-ranging progressive reforms . The split allowed the Democrats to win the White House and a majority in both houses of Congress . Following his election defeat , Roosevelt led a two-year expedition to the Amazon basin , where he nearly died of tropical disease . During World War I , he criticized President Woodrow Wilson for keeping the country out of the war with Germany , and his offer to lead volunteers to France was rejected . Though he had considered running for president again in 1920 , Roosevelt 's health continued to deteriorate , and he died in 1919 .