The United States holds a portion of the world's wealth.

United States The United States of America ( USA ) , commonly known as the United States ( U.S. ) or America , is a constitutional federal republic composed of 50 states , a federal district , five major self-governing territories , and various possessions .  Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico . The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America , bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west . The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean . The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea . Nine time zones are covered . The geography , climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse .   At 3.8 million square miles ( 9.8 million km2 ) and with over 324 million people , the United States is the world 's third - or fourth-largest country by total area , third-largest by land area , and the third-most populous . It is one of the world 's most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations , and is home to the world 's largest immigrant population . The capital is Washington , D.C. , and the largest city is New York City ; nine other major metropolitan areas -- each with at least 4.5 million inhabitants and the largest having more than 13 million people -- are Los Angeles , Chicago , Dallas , Houston , Philadelphia , Miami , Atlanta , Boston , and San Francisco .   Paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago . European colonization began in the 16th century . The United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast . Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the colonies following the Seven Years ' War led to the American Revolution , which began in 1775 . On July 4 , 1776 , during the course of the American Revolutionary War , the colonies unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence . The war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain , representing the first successful war of independence against a European power . The current constitution was adopted in 1788 , after the Articles of Confederation , adopted in 1781 , were felt to have provided inadequate federal powers . The first ten amendments , collectively named the Bill of Rights , were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties .   The United States embarked on a vigorous expansion across North America throughout the 19th century , displacing Native American tribes , acquiring new territories , and gradually admitting new states until it spanned the continent by 1848 . During the second half of the 19th century , the American Civil War led to the end of legal slavery in the country . By the end of that century , the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean , and its economy , driven in large part by the Industrial Revolution , began to soar . The Spanish -- American War and confirmed the country 's status as a global military power . The United States emerged from as a global superpower , the first country to develop nuclear weapons , the only country to use them in warfare , and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council . The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the world 's sole superpower . The U.S. is a founding member of the United Nations , World Bank , International Monetary Fund , Organization of American States ( OAS ) , and other international organizations .   The United States is a highly developed country , with the world 's largest economy by nominal GDP and second-largest economy by PPP . Though its population is only 4.3 % of the world total , Americans hold nearly 40 % of the total wealth in the world . The United States ranks among the highest in several measures of socioeconomic performance , including average wage , human development , per capita GDP , and productivity per person . While the U.S. economy is considered post-industrial , characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy , the manufacturing sector remains the second-largest in the world . Accounting for approximately a quarter of global GDP and a third of global military spending , the United States is the world 's foremost economic and military power . The United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally , and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations .


Sean Combs Sean John Combs ( born November 4 , 1969 ) , also known by his stage names Puff Daddy , Puffy , P. Diddy and Diddy , is an American rapper , singer , songwriter , actor , record producer and entrepreneur . He was born in Harlem and was raised in Mount Vernon , New York . He worked as a talent director at Uptown Records before founding his label Bad Boy Entertainment in 1993 . His debut album No Way Out ( 1997 ) has been certified seven times platinum and was followed by successful albums such as Forever ( 1999 ) , The Saga Continues ... ( 2001 ) , and Press Play ( 2006 ) . In 2009 Combs formed the musical group Diddy -- Dirty Money and released the critically well-reviewed and commercially successful album Last Train to Paris ( 2010 ) .   Combs has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards , and is the producer of MTV 's Making the Band . He is the Chairman and CEO of Combs Enterprises . In 2017 Forbes estimated his net worth at $ 820 million .


Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali ( -LSB- ɑːˈliː -RSB- born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. ; January 17 , 1942 -- June 3 , 2016 ) was an American professional boxer and activist . He is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century . From early in his career , Ali was known as an inspiring , controversial , and polarizing figure both inside and outside the ring .   Cassius Clay was born and raised in Louisville , Kentucky , and began training as an amateur boxer when he was 12 years old . At age 18 , he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and turned professional later that year . At age 22 in 1964 , he won the WBA , WBC , and lineal heavyweight titles from Sonny Liston in a big upset . Clay then converted to Islam and changed his name from Cassius Clay , which he called his `` slave name '' , to Muhammad Ali . He set an example of racial pride for African Americans and resistance to white domination during the Civil Rights Movement .   In 1966 , two years after winning the heavyweight title , Ali further antagonized the white establishment by refusing to be drafted into the U.S. military , citing his religious beliefs and opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War . He was eventually arrested , found guilty of draft evasion charges , and stripped of his boxing titles . He successfully appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court , which overturned his conviction in 1971 , by which time he had not fought for nearly four years and thereby lost a period of peak performance as an athlete . Ali 's actions as a conscientious objector to the war made him an icon for the larger counterculture generation .   Ali is regarded as one of the leading heavyweight boxers of the 20th century . He remains the only three-time lineal heavyweight champion , having won the title in 1964 , 1974 , and 1978 . Between February 25 and September 19 , 1964 , Ali reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion . He is the only boxer to be named The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year six times . He was ranked as the greatest athlete of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated , the Sports Personality of the Century by the BBC , and the third greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN SportsCentury . Nicknamed `` The Greatest '' , he was involved in several historic boxing matches . Notable among these were the first Liston fight ; the `` Fight of the Century '' , `` Super Fight II '' , the `` Thrilla in Manila '' versus his rival Joe Frazier , and `` The Rumble in the Jungle '' versus George Foreman .   At a time when most fighters let their managers do the talking , Ali thrived in and indeed craved the spotlight , where he was often provocative and outlandish . He was known for trash talking , and often freestyled with rhyme schemes and spoken word poetry , both for his trash talking in boxing and as political poetry for his activism , anticipating elements of rap and hip hop music . As a musician , Ali recorded two spoken word albums and a rhythm and blues song , and received two Grammy Award nominations . As an actor , he performed in several films and a Broadway musical . Additionally , Ali wrote two autobiographies , one during and one after his boxing career .   As a Muslim , Ali was initially affiliated with Elijah Muhammad 's Nation of Islam ( NOI ) and advocated their black separatist ideology . He later disavowed the NOI , adhering initially to Sunni Islam and later to Sufism , and supporting racial integration , like his former mentor Malcolm X.   After retiring from boxing in 1981 , Ali devoted his life to religious and charitable work . In 1984 , Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson 's syndrome , which his doctors attributed to boxing-related brain injuries . As the condition worsened , Ali made limited public appearances and was cared for by his family until his death on June 3 , 2016 , in Scottsdale , Arizona .


Willow Smith Willow Camille Reign Smith ( born October 31 , 2000 ) , known professionally as Willow , is an American singer , actress and dancer . She is the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith , the younger sister of Jaden Smith and the half-sister of Willard Carroll `` Trey '' Smith III . Smith made her acting debut in 2007 in the film I Am Legend and later appeared in Kit Kittredge : An American Girl alongside Abigail Breslin . She received a Young Artist Award for her performance .   Smith launched her music career in the autumn of 2010 with the release of the singles `` Whip My Hair '' and `` 21st Century Girl '' , and signed to her current mentor Jay-Z 's record label Roc Nation , becoming the youngest artist signed to the label . `` Whip My Hair '' peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 . The video was nominated for Video of the Year at the BET Awards of 2011 . She released her debut album , ARDIPITHECUS , on December 11 , 2015 .


Ray Milland acted in the 1942 film The Major and the Minor.

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 Major and the Minor The Major and the Minor is a 1942 American comedy film starring Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland . It was the first American film directed by Billy Wilder , and launched his `` incomparable '' directing career . The screenplay by Wilder and Charles Brackett is based on the play Connie Goes Home by Edward Childs Carpenter .


Schindler's List Schindler 's List is a 1993 American epic historical period drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg and scripted by Steven Zaillian . It is based on the novel Schindler 's Ark by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally . The film relates a period in the life of Oskar Schindler , an ethnic German businessman , during which he saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories during World War II . It stars Liam Neeson as Schindler , Ralph Fiennes as SS officer Amon Göth , and Ben Kingsley as Schindler 's Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern .   Ideas for a film about the Schindlerjuden ( Schindler Jews ) were proposed as early as 1963 . Poldek Pfefferberg , one of the Schindlerjuden , made it his life 's mission to tell the story of Schindler . Spielberg became interested in the story when executive Sidney Sheinberg sent him a book review of Schindler 's Ark. . Universal Pictures bought the rights to the novel , but Spielberg , unsure if he was ready to make a film about the Holocaust , tried to pass the project to several other directors before finally deciding to direct the film himself .   Principal photography took place in Kraków , Poland , over the course of 72 days in 1993 . Spielberg shot the film in black and white and approached it as a documentary . Cinematographer Janusz Kamiński wanted to give the film a sense of timelessness . John Williams composed the score , and violinist Itzhak Perlman performs the film 's main theme .   Schindler 's List premiered on November 30 , 1993 , in Washington , D.C. and it was released on December 15 , 1993 , in the United States . Often listed among the greatest films ever made , it was also a box office success , earning $ 321.2 million worldwide on a $ 22 million budget . It was the recipient of seven Academy Awards ( out of twelve nominations ) , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay , and Best Original Score , as well as numerous other awards ( including seven BAFTAs and three Golden Globes ) . In 2007 , the American Film Institute ranked the film 8th on its list of the 100 best American films of all time . The Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2004 .


Josh Duhamel is in the film industry as multiple roles.

Josh Duhamel Joshua David Duhamel ( -LSB- dəˈmɛl -RSB- ; born November 14 , 1972 ) is an American actor and former fashion model . After various modeling work , he made his acting debut as Leo du Pres on the ABC daytime soap opera All My Children and later starred as Danny McCoy on NBC 's Las Vegas .   Duhamel then ventured into film , appearing as one of the main protagonists in the first three films of the Transformers film series ; reprising his role in the fifth film , Transformers : The Last Knight ( 2017 ) . He has also appeared in When in Rome ( 2010 ) , Life as We Know It ( 2010 ) , New Year 's Eve ( 2011 ) , Safe Haven ( 2013 ) , and You 're Not You ( 2014 ) . In 2015 , Duhamel co-starred on the short-lived CBS crime drama Battle Creek .


Odin In Germanic mythology , Odin ( from Old Norse Óðinn ) is a widely revered god . In Norse mythology , from which stems most of the information about the god , Odin is associated with healing , death , royalty , the gallows , knowledge , battle , sorcery , poetry , frenzy , and the runic alphabet , and is the husband of the goddess Frigg . In wider Germanic mythology and paganism , Odin was known in Old English as Wōden , in Old Saxon as Wōdan , and in Old High German as Wuotan or Wōtan , all stemming from the reconstructed Proto-Germanic theonym wōđanaz .   Odin is a prominently mentioned god throughout the recorded history of the Germanic peoples , from the Roman occupation of regions of Germania through the tribal expansions of the Migration Period and the Viking Age . In the modern period , Odin continued to be acknowledged in the rural folklore of Germanic Europe . References to Odin appear in place names throughout regions historically inhabited by the ancient Germanic peoples , and the day of the week Wednesday bears his name in many Germanic languages , including English .   In Anglo-Saxon England , Odin held a particular place as a euhemerized ancestral figure among royalty , and he is frequently referred to as a founding figure among various other Germanic peoples , including the Langobards . Forms of his name appear frequently throughout the Germanic record , though narratives regarding Odin are mainly found in Old Norse works recorded in Iceland , primarily around the 13th century . These texts make up the bulk of modern understanding of Norse mythology .   In Old Norse texts , Odin is depicted as one-eyed and long-bearded , frequently wielding a spear named Gungnir , and wearing a cloak and a broad hat . He is often accompanied by his animal companions -- the wolves Geri and Freki and the ravens Huginn and Muninn , who bring him information from all over Midgard -- and rides the flying , eight-legged steed Sleipnir across the sky and into the underworld . Odin is attested as having many sons , most famously the gods Thor ( with Jörð ) and Baldr ( with Frigg ) , and is known by hundreds of names . In these texts , he frequently seeks greater knowledge , at times in disguise ( most famously by obtaining the Mead of Poetry ) , makes wagers with his wife Frigg over the outcome of exploits , and takes part in both the creation of the world by way of slaying the primordial being Ymir and the gift of life to the first two humans Ask and Embla . Odin has a particular association with Yule , and mankind 's knowledge of both the runes and poetry is also attributed to him .   In Old Norse texts , Odin is given primacy over female beings associated with the battlefield -- the valkyries -- and oversees Valhalla , where he receives half of those who die in battle , the einherjar . The other half are chosen by the goddess Freyja for her afterlife location , Fólkvangr . Odin consults the disembodied , herb-embalmed head of the wise being Mímir for advice , and during the foretold events of Ragnarök , Odin is told to lead the einherjar into battle before being consumed by the monstrous wolf Fenrir . In later folklore , Odin appears as a leader of the Wild Hunt , a ghostly procession of the dead through the winter sky . He has also been associated with charms and other forms of magic , particularly in Old English and Old Norse texts .   Odin has been a frequent subject of study in Germanic studies , and numerous theories have been put forward regarding his development . Some of these focus on Odin 's particular relation to other figures ; for example , the fact that Freyja 's husband Óðr appears to be something of an etymological doublet of the god , whereas Odin 's wife Frigg is in many ways similar to Freyja , and that Odin has a particular relation to the figure of Loki . Other approaches focus on Odin 's place in the historical record , a frequent question being whether the figure of Odin derives from Proto-Indo-European religion , or whether he developed later in Germanic society . In the modern period , Odin has inspired numerous works of poetry , music , and other forms of media . He is venerated in most forms of the new religious movement Heathenry , together with other gods venerated by the ancient Germanic peoples ; some branches focus particularly on him .


Iran is a sovereign state that still has a large influence.

Iran Iran ( ɪ , also ɪ ) , formerly known as Persia , is a sovereign state in Western Asia . It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia , the de facto Republic of Artsakh and Azerbaijan ; to the north by the Caspian Sea ; to the northeast by Turkmenistan ; to the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan ; to the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman ; and to the west by Turkey and Iraq . Comprising a land area of 1648195 km2 , it is the second-largest country in the Middle East and the 18th-largest in the world . Officially with 79.93 million inhabitants ( Nov 2016 ) , Iran is the world 's 18th-most-populous country . It is the only country with both a Caspian Sea and an Indian Ocean coastline . The country 's central location in Eurasia and Western Asia , and its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz , make it of great geostrategic importance . Iran has diverse landscapes and geographical conditions . Tehran is the country 's capital and largest city , as well as its leading economic and cultural center .   Iran is home to one of the world 's oldest civilizations , beginning with the formation of the Elamite kingdoms in the 4th millennium BC . The area was first unified and dominated by the Iranian Medes in the 7th century BC . Iran reached its greatest extent during the Achaemenid Empire ( First Persian Empire ) founded by Cyrus the Great in 6th century BC , the largest empire the world had yet seen , stretching from Eastern Europe to the Indus Valley . Persia fell to Alexander the Great in 4th century BC , but reemerged shortly after as the Parthian Empire . Under the Sassanians , Persia became a leading world power for the next four centuries .   In 7th century AD , Arabs conquered Persia and largely displaced the indigenous faiths of Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism with the new religion of Islam . Iranians became major contributors to the Islamic Golden Age that followed , producing many influential scientists , scholars , artists and thinkers . After two centuries , a period of various Iranian dynasties began , although these dynasties were later conquered by Turks and then the Mongols . An Iranian national identity was always reasserted however , developing a distinct cultural entity . The rise of the Safavids in 15th century led to the establishment of Twelver Shia Islam as the official religion , marking a turning point in Muslim history . In the 18th century , Iran arguably possessed briefly the most powerful military at the time under Nader Shah . Conflicts with the Russian Empire in 19th century led to significant territorial losses . Popular unrest culminated in the Persian Constitutional Revolution , which established a constitutional monarchy and the country 's first legislative body , the Majles . Following a coup d'état instigated by the UK and the US in 1953 , Iran gradually became closely aligned with the West and grew increasingly autocratic . Growing dissent against foreign influence and political repression led to the 1979 Revolution and the establishment of an Islamic republic , a political system which combines elements of a parliamentary democracy with a theocracy governed by Islamic jurists under the concept of a `` Supreme Leadership '' . According to international observers , the current Iranian government is oppressive , with human rights abuses commonplace .   A multicultural country comprising numerous ethnic and linguistic groups , most inhabitants of Iran are Shia Muslims and Persian is the official language . The largest ethnic groups in Iran are the Persians , Azeris , Kurds and Lurs .   Iran is a founding member of the UN , ECO , NAM , OIC , and OPEC . Iran is a major regional and middle power , and its large reserves of fossil fuels -- which include the largest natural gas supply in the world and the fourth-largest proven oil reserves -- exert considerable influence in international energy security and the world economy . Iran 's rich cultural legacy is reflected in part by its 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites , the third-largest number in Asia and 11th-largest in the world .


Valkyrie (film) Valkyrie is a 2008 American-German historical thriller film set in Nazi Germany during World War II . The film depicts the 20 July plot in 1944 by German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to use the Operation Valkyrie national emergency plan to take control of the country . Valkyrie was directed by Bryan Singer for the American studio United Artists , and the film stars Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg , one of the key plotters . The cast included Kenneth Branagh , Bill Nighy , Eddie Izzard , Terence Stamp and Tom Wilkinson .   Cruise 's casting caused controversy among German politicians and members of the von Stauffenberg family due to the actor 's practice of Scientology , which is viewed with suspicion in Germany . Because of this , the filmmakers initially had difficulty setting up filming locations in Germany , but they were later given access to film in locations , including Berlin 's historic Bendlerblock . German newspapers and filmmakers supported the film and its attempt to spread global awareness of von Stauffenberg 's plot .   The film changed release dates several times , from as early as June 27 , 2008 , to as late as February 14 , 2009 . The changing calendar and poor response to United Artists ' initial marketing campaign drew criticism about the studio 's viability . After a positive test screening , Valkyries release in North America was ultimately changed to December 25 , 2008 . United Artists renewed its marketing campaign to reduce its focus on Cruise and to highlight Singer 's credentials . The film received mixed reviews in the United States and in Germany , where it opened commercially on January 22 , 2009 .


World War II World War II ( often abbreviated to WWII or WW2 ) , also known as the Second World War , was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945 , although related conflicts began earlier . It involved the vast majority of the world 's countries -- including all of the great powers -- eventually forming two opposing military alliances : the Allies and the Axis . It was the most widespread war in history , and directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries . In a state of `` total war '' , the major participants threw their entire economic , industrial , and scientific capabilities behind the war effort , erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources . Marked by mass deaths of civilians , including the Holocaust ( in which approximately 11 million people were killed ) and the strategic bombing of industrial and population centres ( in which approximately one million were killed , and which included the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ) , it resulted in an estimated 50 million to 85 million fatalities . These made World War II the deadliest conflict in human history .   The Empire of Japan aimed to dominate Asia and the Pacific and was already at war with the Republic of China in 1937 , but the world war is generally said to have begun on 1 September 1939 with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and subsequent declarations of war on Germany by France and the United Kingdom . Supplied by the Soviet Union , from late 1939 to early 1941 , in a series of campaigns and treaties , Germany conquered or controlled much of continental Europe , and formed the Axis alliance with Italy and Japan . Under the Molotov -- Ribbentrop Pact of August 1939 , Germany and the Soviet Union partitioned and annexed territories of their European neighbours , Poland , Finland , Romania and the Baltic states . The war continued primarily between the European Axis powers and the coalition of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth , with campaigns including the North Africa and East Africa campaigns , the aerial Battle of Britain , the Blitz bombing campaign , the Balkan Campaign as well as the long-running Battle of the Atlantic . On 22 June 1941 , the European Axis powers launched an invasion of the Soviet Union , opening the largest land theatre of war in history , which trapped the major part of the Axis ' military forces into a war of attrition . In December 1941 , Japan attacked the United States and European colonies in the Pacific Ocean , and quickly conquered much of the Western Pacific .   The Axis advance halted in 1942 when Japan lost the critical Battle of Midway , near Hawaii , and Germany was defeated in North Africa and then , decisively , at Stalingrad in the Soviet Union . In 1943 , with a series of German defeats on the Eastern Front , the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Allied invasion of Italy which brought about Italian surrender , and Allied victories in the Pacific , the Axis lost the initiative and undertook strategic retreat on all fronts . In 1944 , the Western Allies invaded German-occupied France , while the Soviet Union regained all of its territorial losses and invaded Germany and its allies . During 1944 and 1945 the Japanese suffered major reverses in mainland Asia in South Central China and Burma , while the Allies crippled the Japanese Navy and captured key Western Pacific islands .   The war in Europe concluded with an invasion of Germany by the Western Allies and the Soviet Union , culminating in the capture of Berlin by Soviet troops and the subsequent German unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945 . Following the Potsdam Declaration by the Allies on 26 July 1945 and the refusal of Japan to surrender under its terms , the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 August and 9 August respectively . With an invasion of the Japanese archipelago imminent , the possibility of additional atomic bombings , and the Soviet Union 's declaration of war on Japan and invasion of Manchuria , Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945 . Thus ended the war in Asia , cementing the total victory of the Allies .   World War II altered the political alignment and social structure of the world . The United Nations ( UN ) was established to foster international co-operation and prevent future conflicts . The victorious great powers -- the United States , the Soviet Union , China , the United Kingdom , and France -- became the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council . The Soviet Union and the United States emerged as rival superpowers , setting the stage for the Cold War , which lasted for the next 46 years . Meanwhile , the influence of European great powers waned , while the decolonisation of Asia and Africa began . Most countries whose industries had been damaged moved towards economic recovery . Political integration , especially in Europe , emerged as an effort to end pre-war enmities and to create a common identity .


Dementia Dementia is a broad category of brain diseases that cause a long term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember that is great enough to affect a person 's daily functioning . Other common symptoms include emotional problems , problems with language , and a decrease in motivation . A person 's consciousness is usually not affected . A dementia diagnosis requires a change from a person 's usual mental functioning and a greater decline than one would expect due to aging . These diseases also have a significant effect on a person 's caregivers .   The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer 's disease , which makes up 50 % to 70 % of cases . Other common types include vascular dementia ( 25 % ) , Lewy body dementia ( 15 % ) , and frontotemporal dementia . Less common causes include normal pressure hydrocephalus , Parkinson 's disease , syphilis , and Creutzfeldt -- Jakob disease among others . More than one type of dementia may exist in the same person . A small proportion of cases run in families . In the DSM-5 , dementia was reclassified as a neurocognitive disorder , with various degrees of severity . Diagnosis is usually based on history of the illness and cognitive testing with medical imaging and blood work used to rule out other possible causes . The mini mental state examination is one commonly used cognitive test . Efforts to prevent dementia include trying to decrease risk factors such as high blood pressure , smoking , diabetes , and obesity . Screening the general population for the disorder is not recommended .   There is no cure for dementia . Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil are often used and may be beneficial in mild to moderate disorder . Overall benefit , however , may be minor . There are many measures that can improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their caregivers . Cognitive and behavioral interventions may be appropriate . Educating and providing emotional support to the caregiver is important . Exercise programs may be beneficial with respect to activities of daily living and potentially improve outcomes . Treatment of behavioral problems with antipsychotics is common but not usually recommended due to the little benefit and side effects , including an increased risk of death .   Globally , dementia affected about 46 million people in 2015 . About 10 % of people develop the disorder at some point in their lives . It becomes more common with age . About 3 % of people between the ages of 65 -- 74 have dementia , 19 % between 75 and 84 and nearly half of those over 85 years of age . In 2013 dementia resulted in about 1.7 million deaths up from 0.8 million in 1990 . As more people are living longer , dementia is becoming more common in the population as a whole . For people of a specific age , however , it may be becoming less frequent , at least in the developed world , due to a decrease in risk factors . It is one of the most common causes of disability among the old . It is believed to result in economic costs of 604 billion USD a year . People with dementia are often physically or chemically restrained to a greater degree than necessary , raising issues of human rights . Social stigma against those affected is common .


Inhumans's main character is Black Bolt.

Inhumans (TV series) Marvel 's Inhumans , or simply Inhumans , is an upcoming American television series developed for ABC , based on the Marvel Comics race of the same name . It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) , sharing continuity with the films and other television series of the franchise . The series is produced by ABC Studios and Marvel Television , with IMAX Corporation as a financing partner and Scott Buck serving as showrunner .   The series is centered around Black Bolt , with Anson Mount in the role , and other members of the Inhuman Royal Family . A film from Marvel Studios based on the Inhumans began development in 2011 , before being announced in October 2014 for a November 2018 release as part of their Phase Three slate of films . The species was first introduced to the MCU in the second season of Marvel 's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. , and the film was subsequently removed from Marvel Studios ' release schedule in April 2016 . Inhumans was announced in November , to be partly filmed on IMAX digital cameras and to be the first live-action television series to debut on IMAX screens . Buck joined the series the next month . Mount was cast in February 2017 , with Iwan Rheon , Serinda Swan , Eme Ikwuakor , Isabelle Cornish , Ken Leung , Ellen Woglom , Sonya Balmores , and Mike Moh also starring in the series . Filming began in March 2017 , at the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point airfield in Kalaeloa , Hawaii .   Inhumans is set to debut on IMAX screens on September 1 , 2017 , and run for two weeks , before premiering on ABC on September 22 , and airing eight episodes .


Kirk Douglas has only ever been a plumber his whole life.

Kirk Douglas Kirk Douglas ( born Issur Danielovitch , December 9 , 1916 ) is an American actor , producer , director , and author . He is one of the last living people of the film industry 's Golden Age . After an impoverished childhood with immigrant parents and six sisters , he had his film debut in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers ( 1946 ) with Barbara Stanwyck . Douglas soon developed into a leading box-office star throughout the 1950s and 1960s , known for serious dramas , including westerns and war movies . During his career he appeared in more than 90 movies .   Douglas became an international star through positive reception for his leading role as an unscrupulous boxing hero in Champion ( 1949 ) , which brought him his first nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor . Other early films include Young Man with a Horn ( 1950 ) , playing opposite Lauren Bacall and Doris Day ; Ace in the Hole opposite Jan Sterling ( 1951 ) ; and Detective Story ( 1951 ) . He received a second Oscar nomination for his dramatic role in The Bad and the Beautiful ( 1952 ) , opposite Lana Turner , and his third nomination for portraying Vincent van Gogh in Lust for Life ( 1956 ) .   In 1955 , he established Bryna Productions , which began producing films as varied as Paths of Glory ( 1957 ) and Spartacus ( 1960 ) . In those two films , he starred and collaborated with the then relatively unknown director , Stanley Kubrick . Douglas helped break the Hollywood blacklist by having Dalton Trumbo write Spartacus with an official on-screen credit , although Trumbo 's family claims he overstated his role . He produced and starred in Lonely Are the Brave ( 1962 ) , considered a cult classic , and Seven Days in May ( 1964 ) , opposite Burt Lancaster , with whom he made seven films . In 1963 , he starred in the Broadway play One Flew Over the Cuckoo 's Nest , a story he purchased , which he later gave to his son Michael Douglas , who turned it into an Oscar-winning film .   As an actor and philanthropist , Douglas has received three Academy Award nominations , an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement , and the Presidential Medal of Freedom . As an author , he has written ten novels and memoirs . Currently , he is No. 17 on the American Film Institute 's list of the greatest male screen legends of classic Hollywood cinema , and the highest-ranked living person on the list . After barely surviving a helicopter crash in 1991 and then suffering a stroke in 1996 , he has focused on renewing his spiritual and religious life . He lives with his second wife ( of 63 years ) , Anne , a producer . He turned 100 on December 9 , 2016 .


Here Comes the Sun was recorded in London in EMI Studios.

Here Comes the Sun `` Here Comes the Sun '' is a song written by George Harrison that was first released on the Beatles ' 1969 album Abbey Road . Along with `` Something '' and `` While My Guitar Gently Weeps '' , it is one of Harrison 's best-known compositions from the Beatles era . The song was written at the country house of his friend Eric Clapton , where Harrison had chosen to play truant for the day , to avoid attending a meeting at the Beatles ' Apple Corps organisation . The lyrics reflect the composer 's relief at both the arrival of spring and the temporary respite he was experiencing from the band 's business affairs .   The Beatles recorded `` Here Comes the Sun '' at London 's EMI Studios in the summer of 1969 . Led by Harrison 's acoustic guitar , the recording also features Moog synthesizer , which he had introduced to the Beatles ' sound after acquiring an early model of the instrument in California . Reflecting the continued influence of Indian classical music on Harrison 's writing , the composition includes a series of unusual time changes .   `` Here Comes the Sun '' has received acclaim from music critics . Combined with his other contribution to Abbey Road , `` Something '' , it gained for Harrison the level of recognition as a songwriter that had previously been reserved for his bandmates John Lennon and Paul McCartney . Harrison played the song during many of his relatively rare live performances as a solo artist , including at the Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 and , with Paul Simon , during his appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1976 . Richie Havens and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel each had hit singles with `` Here Comes the Sun '' in the 1970s . Nina Simone , George Benson , Booker T. & the M.G. 's , Peter Tosh and Joe Brown are among the many other artists who have covered the song .


Catherine Tregenna worked in the science fiction genre.

Catherine Tregenna Catherine Tregenna is a Welsh playwright , television scriptwriter and actress .   She wrote the play Art and Guff , co-wrote the series Cowbois ac Injans and four episodes of the BBC 's science fiction drama Torchwood : `` Out of Time '' , `` Captain Jack Harkness '' , `` Meat '' and `` Adam '' . As well as co-writing Meat , she also created the meat props shown in the episode . `` Captain Jack Harkness '' was nominated for the 2008 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation , Short Form .   She has also written episodes for EastEnders , Casualty , and for the first four series of ITV1 crime drama Law & Order : UK , which began transmitting in February 2009 .   She played the character Kirsty McGurk , for several years , in Pobol Y Cwm and a doctor in Satellite City .   In November 2014 , it was confirmed that she would be writing an episode for the ninth series of Doctor Who , later confirmed to be titled `` The Woman Who Lived '' .


Jack Nicholson received the Kennedy Center Honor.

Jack Nicholson John Joseph `` Jack '' Nicholson ( born April 22 , 1937 ) is an American actor and filmmaker , who has performed for over 60 years . Nicholson is known for playing a wide range of starring or supporting roles , including satirical comedy , romance and dark portrayals of antiheroes and psychopathic characters . In many of his films , he has played the `` eternal outsider , the sardonic drifter , '' someone who rebels against the social structure .   Nicholson 's 12 Academy Award nominations make him the most nominated male actor in the Academy 's history . Nicholson has won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice , one for the drama One Flew Over the Cuckoo 's Nest ( 1975 ) and the other for the romantic comedy As Good as It Gets ( 1997 ) . He also won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the comedy-drama Terms of Endearment ( 1983 ) . Nicholson is one of three male actors to win three Academy Awards .   Nicholson is one of only two actors to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s ; the other is Michael Caine . He has won six Golden Globe Awards , and received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2001 . In 1994 , he became one of the youngest actors to be awarded the American Film Institute 's Life Achievement Award .   Other films in which he has starred include the road movie Easy Rider ( 1969 ) , the drama Five Easy Pieces ( 1970 ) , the comedy-drama film The Last Detail ( 1973 ) , the neo-noir mystery film Chinatown ( 1974 ) , the drama The Passenger ( 1975 ) , and the epic film Reds ( 1981 ) .   He played Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick 's horror film The Shining ( 1980 ) , the Joker in Tim Burton 's superhero film Batman ( 1989 ) , and Frank Costello in Martin Scorsese 's neo-noir crime drama The Departed ( 2006 ) . Other films include the legal drama A Few Good Men ( 1992 ) , the Sean Penn-directed mystery film The Pledge ( 2001 ) , and the comedy-drama About Schmidt ( 2002 ) .


The Proposal (film) The Proposal is a 2009 American romantic comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher and written by Peter Chiarelli . The film stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds , Betty White , Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson . The film was produced by Mandeville Films and released on June 19 , 2009 , in North America by Touchstone Pictures . The plot centers on a Canadian executive , Margaret Tate , who learns that she may face deportation from the U.S. because of her expired visa . Determined to retain her position as editor in chief of a publishing house , Tate convinces her assistant , Andrew Paxton , to temporarily act as her fiancé . Initially planning on resuming their lives after Tate resolves her visa issues , they appear to abandon those plans as their relationship intensifies .   Development on the film began in 2005 , when Chiarelli wrote the film 's script . Principal filming occurred over a period of two months from March to May 2008 . The film received mixed reviews from critics , who criticized its script , but praised the chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds . The film was a box office success , grossing over $ 317 million worldwide , becoming the highest grossing romantic comedy film of 2009 .


Maya Rudolph Maya Khabira Rudolph ( born July 27 , 1972 ) is an American actress , comedian , and singer . After becoming a member of The Groundlings improv troupe in the late 1990s , Rudolph joined the NBC television series Saturday Night Live , on which she was a cast member from 2000 to 2007 . She then ventured into film , appearing in 50 First Dates ( 2004 ) and A Prairie Home Companion ( 2006 ) .   Since leaving Saturday Night Live , Rudolph has appeared in Grown Ups ( 2010 ) , Bridesmaids ( 2011 ) , Grown Ups 2 ( 2013 ) and Sisters ( 2015 ) . She has also lent her voice to the animated films Shrek the Third ( 2007 ) and Big Hero 6 ( 2014 ) . In addition to her film appearances , Rudolph also starred as Ava Alexander on the NBC sitcom Up All Night from 2011 to 2012 , and co-hosted her own variety show Maya & Marty .


Just Dance endured just about five months on the Billboard Hot 100.

Just Dance (song) `` Just Dance '' is the debut single by American singer Lady Gaga . The song was produced by RedOne and co-written by RedOne , Gaga and Akon , while also featuring labelmate Colby O'Donis . It was released in 2008 as the lead single from Gaga 's debut studio album , The Fame . The song was written by Gaga in ten minutes as `` a happy record '' . `` Just Dance '' also has influences of R&B and lyrically speaks about being intoxicated at a club .   The song received positive reviews from music critics , who complimented its club anthem-like nature and the synthpop associated with it . The song topped the charts in the United States , Australia , Canada , the Republic of Ireland , the Netherlands and the United Kingdom , as well as reaching the top ten in many other countries . In the United States , `` Just Dance '' was a sleeper hit , spending almost five months on the Billboard Hot 100 before finally reaching the summit of the chart in January 2009 , after being released in April 2008 . The single is among the best-selling singles of all time , having sold over 10 million copies .   The music video of the song portrayed Lady Gaga appearing in a party where she plays the song , prompting party-goers to start dancing in enjoyment . Gaga compared her experience of shooting the video with being on a Martin Scorsese set . `` Just Dance '' was performed by Gaga in a number of live appearances including all of her concert tours . In 2009 , the song received a Grammy nomination in the Best Dance Recording category but lost to electronic duo Daft Punk for their song `` Harder , Better , Faster , Stronger ( Alive 2007 ) '' .


Despicable Me Despicable Me is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated comedy film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment that was released on July 9 , 2010 in the United States . It is the debut film of Illumination Entertainment . The film was animated by the French animation studio Mac Guff , which was later acquired by Illumination Entertainment . It was directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud as their feature debut film , with a story by Sergio Pablos . The film stars the voice of Steve Carell as Gru , a supervillain who adopts three girls ( voiced by Miranda Cosgrove , Dana Gaier , and Elsie Fisher ) from an orphanage ; and the voice of Jason Segel as Vector , a rival of Gru who steals the Great Pyramid of Giza . When Gru learns of Vector 's heist , he plans an even greater heist : to shrink and steal the Earth 's moon .   The film earned positive reviews from critics , and grossed over $ 543 million worldwide , against a budget of $ 69 million . It launched the Despicable Me franchise with a series of films , including the sequel Despicable Me 2 in 2013 , and the prequel Minions released in 2015 featuring Gru 's Minions as the main characters . Another sequel , Despicable Me 3 , is scheduled for release in 2017 .


Seal has sold less than 20 million records worldwide.

Seal (musician) Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel ( born 19 February 1963 ) , better known by his stage name Seal , is an English singer and songwriter . He has sold more than 20 million records worldwide and is known for his international hits , including `` Kiss from a Rose '' , which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1995 film Batman Forever . He was a coach on The Voice Australia in 2012 and 2013 , and returned to Australia to work as a coach in 2017 .   Seal has won multiple awards throughout his career , including three Brit Awards ; he won Best British Male in 1992 , as well as four Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award . As a songwriter , he received the British Academy 's Ivor Novello Award , for Best Song Musically and Lyrically , in consecutive years for `` Killer '' ( 1990 ) and `` Crazy '' ( 1991 ) .


Break on Me was released only through Hit Red.

Break on Me `` Break on Me '' ( stylized as `` Break on Me . '' ) is a song written by Ross Copperman and Jon Nite and recorded by New Zealand-born Australian country music singer Keith Urban . It was released on 23 October 2015 as the second single from his ninth studio album , Ripcord , through Hit Red and Capitol Nashville . The bass-driven ballad was co-produced by Urban with Nathan Chapman and has been deemed a stylistic counterpoint to its funky predecessor `` John Cougar , John Deere , John 3:16 '' . The song is also the second of his career not to have an accompanying music video , after 2010 's `` I 'm In '' .


Mike Love Michael Edward `` Mike '' Love ( born March 15 , 1941 ) is an American singer , songwriter , musician , and activist who co-founded the Beach Boys . Characterized by his nasal , sometimes baritone singing , Love has been one of the band 's vocalists and lyricists for most of their career , contributing to each of their studio albums . He is often regarded as a malign figure in the band 's history , a reputation he acknowledges : `` For those who believe that Brian -LSB- Wilson -RSB- walks on water , I will always be the Antichrist . ''   In the 1960s , Love collaborated with Wilson and was a lyricist on singles including `` Fun , Fun , Fun '' ( 1964 ) and `` California Girls '' ( 1965 ) . During this period , his lyrics primarily reflected the youth culture of surfing , cars , and romance , which helped fashion pop culture 's perception of the `` California Dream '' . Starting in 1968 , Love became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi . The experience influenced his lyrics to take on themes of astrology , meditation , politics and ecology . Following this , Love 's lyrical direction shifted to attempt to recapture the band 's earlier , lighthearted sound . In the late 1970s , Love began working on solo albums , releasing his first and only in 1981 : Looking Back with Love . In 1988 , he , along with the other founding members of the Beach Boys , was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . The same year , the song , `` Kokomo '' , co-written by Love , reached number one in the United States and was nominated for a Grammy .   In 1998 , following the death of cousin Carl Wilson , Love and longtime Beach Boy Bruce Johnston were given an exclusive license to tour under the name the Beach Boys . The other surviving Beach Boys , Brian Wilson and Al Jardine , embarked on solo endeavors . In 2011 , the group reunited to produce a new album and embark on a tour for their 50th anniversary . Following the 50th anniversary reunion shows , Love resumed touring only with Johnston .


My Own Private Idaho premiered at a film festival in 1991.

My Own Private Idaho My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 American independent adventure drama film written and directed by Gus Van Sant , loosely based on Shakespeare 's Henry IV , Part 1 , Henry IV , Part 2 , and Henry V , and starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves . The story follows two friends , Mike and Scott , as they embark on a journey of personal discovery that takes them to Mike 's hometown in Idaho and then to Italy in search of Mike 's mother .   Van Sant originally wrote the screenplay in the 1970s , but discarded it after reading John Rechy 's 1963 novel City of Night and concluding that Rechy 's treatment of the subject of street hustlers was better than his own . Over the years , Van Sant rewrote the script , which comprised two stories : that of Mike and the search for his mother , and Scott 's story as a modern update of the Henry IV plays . Van Sant had difficulty getting Hollywood financing , and at one point considered making the film on a minuscule budget with a cast of actual street kids . After Van Sant sent copies of his script to Reeves and then Reeves showed it to Phoenix , both agreed to star in the film on each other 's behalf .   My Own Private Idaho had its premiere at the 48th Venice International Film Festival , and received largely positive reviews from critics including Roger Ebert and those of The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly . The film was a moderate financial success , grossing over $ 6.4 million in North America , which was above its estimated budget of $ 2.5 million . Phoenix received several awards for his performance in the film , including the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 1991 Venice Film Festival , Best Male Lead from the Independent Spirit Awards , and Best Actor from the National Society of Film Critics .


48th Venice International Film Festival The 48th annual Venice International Film Festival was held on 3 to 14 September 1991 .


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 .


Evan Peters is involved with Elvis & Nixon

Elvis & Nixon Elvis & Nixon is a 2016 American comedy-drama film directed by Liza Johnson and written by Joey Sagal , Hanala Sagal , and Cary Elwes . The film stars Kevin Spacey as President Richard Nixon and Michael Shannon as singer Elvis Presley , and focuses on the December 21 , 1970 meeting between the two men at the White House . The film also stars Alex Pettyfer , Johnny Knoxville , Colin Hanks , and Evan Peters . The film was released on April 22 , 2016 by Amazon Studios and Bleecker Street .


California California ( -LSB- kælᵻˈfɔːrnjə , _ - ni.ə -RSB- , ) is the most populous state in the United States and the third most extensive by area . Located on the western ( Pacific Ocean ) coast of the U.S. , California is bordered by the other U.S. states of Oregon , Nevada , and Arizona and shares an international border with the Mexican state of Baja California . The state capital is Sacramento . Los Angeles is California 's most populous city , and the country 's second largest after New York City . The Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation 's second - and fifth-most populous urban regions , respectively . California also has the nation 's most populous county , Los Angeles County , and its largest county by area , San Bernardino County .   California 's diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the east ; and from the redwood -- Douglas fir forests in the northwest to the Mojave Desert in the southeast . The Central Valley , a major agricultural area , dominates the state 's center . Though California is well-known for its warm Mediterranean climate , the large size of the state means it can vary from moist temperate rainforest in the north , to arid desert in the interior , as well as snowy alpine in the mountains .   What is now California was first settled by various Native American tribes before being explored by a number of European expeditions during the 16th and 17th centuries . The Spanish Empire then claimed it as part of Alta California in their New Spain colony . The area became a part of Mexico in 1821 following its successful war for independence , but was ceded to the United States in 1848 after the Mexican -- American War . The western portion of Alta California then was organized as the State of California , and admitted as the 31st state on September 9 , 1850 . The California Gold Rush starting in 1848 led to dramatic social and demographic changes , with large-scale emigration from the east and abroad with an accompanying economic boom .   If it were a country , California would be the 6th largest economy in the world and the 35th most populous . It is also regarded as a global trendsetter in both popular culture and politics , and is the origin of the film industry , the hippie counterculture , the Internet , and the personal computer , among others . Fifty-eight percent of the state 's economy is centered on finance , government , real estate services , technology , and professional , scientific and technical business services . The San Francisco Bay Area has the nation 's highest median household income by metropolitan area , and is the headquarters of three of the world 's largest 40 firms by revenue , Chevron , Apple , and McKesson . Although it accounts for only 1.5 percent of the state 's economy , California 's agriculture industry has the highest output of any U.S. state .


There are nine games in the Assassin's Creed series.

Assassin's Creed Assassin 's Creed is a franchise centered on an action-adventure video-game series developed by Ubisoft . It depicts in the centuries-old struggle between the Assassins , who fight for peace with free will , and the Templars , who desire peace through control . Featuring historical fiction and characters , mixed with real-world historical events , and figures . The series took inspiration from the novel Alamut by the Slovenian writer Vladimir Bartol , while building upon concepts from the Prince of Persia series .   The franchise began in 2007 with the release of Assassin 's Creed . The main videogame series consists of nine games , developed by Ubisoft Montreal ( single player ) and Ubisoft Annecy ( multiplayer ) , released on PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 , Xbox 360 , Xbox One , Wii U , Microsoft Windows , and OS X platforms . Many spin-off games have been made for Nintendo DS , PlayStation Portable , PlayStation Vita , iOS , HP webOS , Android , Nokia Symbian Windows Phone platforms , the handheld games are developed by Gameloft and Gryptonite Studios , with additional development by Ubisoft Montreal . The series has been well received by the public and critics , and has sold over 100 million copies , becoming Ubisoft 's best selling franchise and one of the highest selling video game franchises of all time .   Additionally from the video-games the series has been expanded into a film , comics and novels ; all of which take place within the same continuity as the main video-games series .


Eliza Dushku Eliza Patricia Dushku ( -LSB- ˈdʊʃkuː -RSB- born December 30 , 1980 ) is an American actress and model known for her television roles , including starring as Faith on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff series Angel . She starred in two Fox series , Tru Calling and Dollhouse . She is also known for her roles in films , including True Lies , The New Guy , Bring It On , Wrong Turn and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back , as well as her voice work on video games .


Death in Paradise has received cast substitutions.

Death in Paradise (TV series) Death in Paradise is a British-French crime comedy-drama television series created by Robert Thorogood , starring Ben Miller ( series 1 -- 3 ) , Kris Marshall ( series 3 -- 6 ) & Ardal O'Hanlon ( series 6 -- present ) . The programme is a joint UK and French production filmed on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe and broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom and France 2 in France . Death in Paradise has enjoyed high ratings , leading to repeated renewals . A sixth series began broadcasting on 5 January 2017 and aired its finale on 23 February , with the subsequent DVD release occurring three days later on 27 February 2017 . The series will return in 2018 for a seventh series .


Kris Marshall Kristopher `` Kris '' Marshall ( born 11 April 1973 ) is an English actor . He has played Nick Harper in My Family , Colin Frissell in the 2003 film Love Actually , Adam in BT Retail adverts from 2005 until 2011 , and Dave in the first series of Citizen Khan ( 2012 ) . He played DI Humphrey Goodman in Death in Paradise , taking over the role April 2013 for the show 's third series and leaving it in February 2017 in the sixth series .


The Muppet Christmas Carol The Muppet Christmas Carol is a 1992 American musical fantasy comedy-drama film and an adaptation of Charles Dickens 's 1843 novel A Christmas Carol . It is the fourth in a series of live-action musical films featuring The Muppets , with Michael Caine starring as Ebenezer Scrooge . Although it is a comedic film with contemporary songs , The Muppet Christmas Carol otherwise follows Dickens 's original story closely . The film was produced and directed by Brian Henson for Jim Henson Productions and released by Walt Disney Pictures .   The Muppet Christmas Carol was dedicated to the memory of Muppets creator Jim Henson and fellow puppeteer Richard Hunt , who died during pre-production .


Children of Men Children of Men is a 2006 British-American dystopian science fiction drama-thriller film directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuarón . The screenplay , based on P. D. James ' 1992 novel of the same name , was credited to five writers , with Clive Owen making uncredited contributions . The film takes place in 2027 , where two decades of human infertility have left society on the brink of collapse . Illegal immigrants seek sanctuary in the United Kingdom , where the last functioning government imposes oppressive immigration laws on refugees . Owen plays civil servant Theo Faron , who must help a refugee ( Clare-Hope Ashitey ) escape the chaos . Children of Men also stars Julianne Moore , Michael Caine , Chiwetel Ejiofor , and Charlie Hunnam .   A co-production of the United Kingdom and the United States , the film was released on 22 September 2006 in the UK and on 25 December in the U.S. Critics noted the relationship between the U.S. Christmas opening and the film 's themes of hope , redemption , and faith . Despite the limited release and low earnings at the box office compared to its budget , Children of Men received wide critical acclaim and was recognised for its achievements in screenwriting , cinematography , art direction , and innovative single-shot action sequences . It was nominated for three Academy Awards : Best Adapted Screenplay , Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing . It was also nominated for three BAFTA Awards , winning Best Cinematography and Best Production Design , and for three Saturn Awards , winning Best Science Fiction Film .


Austin Powers in Goldmember Austin Powers in Goldmember is a 2002 American spy action comedy film . It is the third and final installment of the Austin Powers trilogy starring Mike Myers in the title role . The film was directed by Jay Roach , and co-written by Mike Myers and Michael McCullers . Myers also plays the roles of Dr. Evil , Goldmember , and Fat Bastard . The movie co-stars Beyoncé in her theatrical film debut , as well as Robert Wagner , Seth Green , Michael York , Verne Troyer , Michael Caine , Mindy Sterling and Fred Savage . There are a number of cameo appearances including Steven Spielberg , Kevin Spacey , Britney Spears , Quincy Jones , Tom Cruise , Danny DeVito , Katie Couric , Gwyneth Paltrow , John Travolta , Nathan Lane , and The Osbournes .   In a self-parody of the Austin Powers series , there is a film within the film in the opening . Austin Powers is featured in a bio-pic called Austinpussy ( a parody of the James Bond film Octopussy ) directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise as Austin Powers , Gwyneth Paltrow as Dixie Normous , Kevin Spacey as Dr. Evil , Danny DeVito as Mini-Me , and John Travolta as Goldmember .   Goldmember is a loose parody of the James Bond films Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice , also incorporating elements of The Spy Who Loved Me , Live and Let Die , The Man with the Golden Gun and GoldenEye . The film grossed $ 296.6 million at the box office internationally .


Get Carter Get Carter is a 1971 British crime film directed by Mike Hodges and starring Michael Caine , Ian Hendry , Britt Ekland , John Osborne and Bryan Mosley . The screenplay was adapted by Hodges from Ted Lewis 's 1969 novel Jack 's Return Home . Producer Michael Klinger optioned the book and made a deal for the ailing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ( MGM ) studio to finance and release the film , bringing in Hodges and Caine . Caine became a co-producer of the film . Get Carter was Hodges ' first feature film as director , as well as being the screen debut of Alun Armstrong . MGM was scaling back its European operations and the film became the last project approved before the American company closed its Borehamwood studios . The film is set in north-east England and was filmed in and around Newcastle upon Tyne , Gateshead and County Durham .   The story follows a London gangster , the eponymous Jack Carter ( Caine ) , who travels back to his hometown to discover more about the events surrounding his brother Frank 's supposedly accidental death . Suspecting foul play , he investigates and interrogates , getting a feel for the city and its hardened-criminal element ; with vengeance on his mind , the situation builds to a violent conclusion .   Caine and Hodges had ambitions to produce a more gritty and realistic portrayal of on-screen violence and criminal behaviour than had previously been seen in a British film . Caine incorporated his knowledge of real criminal acquaintances into his characterisation of Carter . Hodges and cinematographer Wolfgang Suschitzky drew heavily on their backgrounds in documentary film . This -- combined with Hodges ' research into the contemporary criminal underworld of Newcastle ( in particular the one-armed bandit murder ) , and the use of hundreds of local bystanders as extras -- produced a naturalistic feel in many scenes . The shoot was incident-free and progressed speedily , despite a one-day strike by the Association of Cinematograph , Television and Allied Technicians . The production went from novel to finished film in eight months , with location shooting lasting 40 days .   Get Carter suffered in its promotion , firstly from MGM 's problems and secondly owing to the declining British film industry of the period , which relied increasingly on US investment . Initial UK critical reaction to the film was mixed , with British reviewers grudgingly appreciative of the film 's technical excellence , but dismayed by the complex plotting , the excessive violence and amorality , in particular Carter 's apparent lack of remorse at his actions . Despite this the film did good business in the UK and produced a respectable profit . Conversely , US critics were generally more enthusiastic and praised the film , but it was poorly promoted in the States by United Artists and languished on the drive in circuit while MGM focused its resources on producing a blaxploitation version of the same novel , Hit Man . On its release Get Carter received no awards and did not seem likely to be well remembered . It was n't available on home media until 1993 , however it always maintained a cult following . Subsequently , endorsements from a new generation of directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie led to a critical reappraisal which saw it recognized as one of the best British movies of all time . In 1999 , Get Carter was ranked 16th on the BFI Top 100 British films of the 20th century ; five years later , a survey of British film critics in Total Film magazine chose it as the greatest British film of all time . Get Carter was remade in 2000 by Warner Bros. under the same title , with Sylvester Stallone starring as Jack Carter , while Caine appears in a supporting role . This remake was not well received by critics in the USA and was not given a UK theatrical release .


Interstellar (film) Use mdy dates | date = May 2016 -RCB-   Interstellar is a 2014 British-American epic science fiction film directed , co-written , and co-produced by Christopher Nolan . The film stars Matthew McConaughey , Anne Hathaway , Jessica Chastain , Bill Irwin , Casey Affleck , Ellen Burstyn , John Lithgow , and Michael Caine . Set in a dystopian future where humanity is struggling to survive , it follows a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity .   Brothers Christopher and Jonathan Nolan wrote the screenplay , which has its origins in a script Jonathan developed in 2007 . Nolan produced the film with his wife Emma Thomas through their production company Syncopy and with Lynda Obst through Lynda Obst Productions . Caltech theoretical physicist Kip Thorne , whose work inspired the film , was an executive producer and acted as scientific consultant . Later , he also wrote a tie-in book , The Science of Interstellar . Paramount Pictures , Warner Bros. , and Legendary Pictures co-financed the film . Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema shot the film on 35 mm in anamorphic format and IMAX 70 mm . Principal photography commenced in late 2013 in Alberta , Iceland and Los Angeles . The film utilized extensive practical and miniature effects , while the company Double Negative created additional digital effects .   Interstellar premiered on October 26 , 2014 in Los Angeles . In the United States , it was first released on film stock , expanding to venues using digital projectors . The film was successful at the box office , with a worldwide gross of over $ 675 million , and received positive reviews , particularly in regards to its science fiction themes , visual effects , musical score , and the cast 's performances . It received several awards and nominations ; at the 87th Academy Awards , the film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects , and was nominated for Best Original Score , Best Sound Mixing , Best Sound Editing , and Best Production Design .


Educating Rita (film) Educating Rita is a British 1983 drama/comedy film directed by Lewis Gilbert with a screenplay by Willy Russell based on his 1980 stage play . The film stars Michael Caine , Julie Walters , and Maureen Lipman . It won multiple major awards for best actor and best actress and was nominated for three Oscars .


Hannah and Her Sisters Hannah and Her Sisters is a 1986 American comedy-drama film which tells the intertwined stories of an extended family over two years that begins and ends with a family Thanksgiving dinner . The film was written and directed by Woody Allen , who stars along with Mia Farrow as Hannah , Michael Caine as her husband , and Barbara Hershey and Dianne Wiest as her sisters .   The film 's ensemble cast also includes Carrie Fisher , Farrow 's mother Maureen O'Sullivan , Lloyd Nolan ( who died in September 1985 , more than four months before the film 's release ) , Max von Sydow and Julie Kavner . Daniel Stern , Richard Jenkins , Fred Melamed , Lewis Black , Joanna Gleason , John Turturro , and Julia Louis-Dreyfus all have minor roles , while Tony Roberts and Sam Waterston make uncredited cameo appearances . Several of Farrow 's children , including a pre-adolescent Soon-Yi Previn ( who married Allen in 1997 ) , have credited and uncredited roles , mostly as Thanksgiving extras .   Hannah and Her Sisters was for a long time Allen 's biggest box office hit ( forgoing adjustment for inflation ) , with a North American gross of US$ 40 million . The film won Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay , Best Supporting Actor , and Best Supporting Actress . It is often considered one of Allen 's major works , with critics continuing to praise its writing and ensemble cast .


Michael Caine Sir Michael Caine , ( -LSB- keɪn -RSB- born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. ; 14 March 1933 ) is an English actor and author . Renowned for his distinctive working class cockney accent , Caine has appeared in over 115 films and is regarded as a British film icon .   He made his breakthrough in the 1960s with starring roles in a number of acclaimed British films , including Zulu ( 1964 ) , The Ipcress File ( 1965 ) , Alfie ( 1966 ) , for which he was nominated for an Academy Award , The Italian Job ( 1969 ) , and Battle of Britain ( 1969 ) . His most notable roles in the 1970s included Get Carter ( 1971 ) , The Last Valley , Sleuth ( 1972 ) , for which he earned his second Academy Award nomination , The Man Who Would Be King ( 1975 ) , and A Bridge Too Far ( 1977 ) . He achieved some of his greatest critical success in the 1980s , with Educating Rita ( 1983 ) earning him the BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor . In 1986 , he received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Woody Allen 's Hannah and Her Sisters .   Caine played Ebenezer Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol ( 1992 ) . Having by that time practically retired from acting on the big screen , he enjoyed a career resurgence in the late 1990s , receiving his second Golden Globe Award for his performance in Little Voice in 1998 and receiving his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for The Cider House Rules the following year . Caine played Nigel Powers in the 2002 parody Austin Powers in Goldmember , and Alfred Pennyworth in Christopher Nolan 's The Dark Knight Trilogy . He appeared in several other of Nolan 's films including The Prestige ( 2006 ) , Inception ( 2010 ) , and Interstellar ( 2014 ) . He also appeared as a supporting character in Alfonso Cuarón 's Children of Men and Pixar 's 2011 film Cars 2 . As of February 2017 , films in which he has starred have grossed over $ 3.5 billion domestically and over $ 7.8 billion worldwide . Caine is ranked as the twelfth highest grossing box office star .   Caine is one of only two actors nominated for an Academy Award for acting in every decade from the 1960s to 2000s ( the other one being Jack Nicholson ; Laurence Olivier was also nominated for an acting Academy Award in five different decades , beginning in 1939 and ending in 1978 ) . In 2000 , Caine was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his contribution to cinema .


Rockefeller University is in New York State.

New York New York is a state in the northeastern United States , and is the 27th-most extensive , fourth-most populous , and seventh-most densely populated U.S. state . New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south and Connecticut , Massachusetts , and Vermont to the east . The state has a maritime border in the Atlantic Ocean with Rhode Island , east of Long Island , as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the north and Ontario to the northwest . The state of New York , with an estimated 19.8 million residents in 2015 , is also referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City , the state 's most populous city and its economic hub .   With an estimated population of 8.55 million in 2015 , New York City is the most populous city in the United States and the premier gateway for legal immigration to the United States . The New York Metropolitan Area is one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world . New York City is a global city , exerting a significant impact upon commerce , finance , media , art , fashion , research , technology , education , and entertainment , its fast pace defining the term New York minute . The home of the United Nations Headquarters , New York City is an important center for international diplomacy and has been described as the cultural , financial , and media capital of the world , as well as the world 's most economically powerful city . New York City makes up over 40 % of the population of New York State . Two-thirds of the state 's population lives in the New York City Metropolitan Area , and nearly 40 % lives on Long Island . Both the state and New York City were named for the 17th-century Duke of York , future King James II of England . The next four most populous cities in the state are Buffalo , Rochester , Yonkers , and Syracuse , while the state capital is Albany .   New York has a diverse geography . The southern part of the state consists of Long Island and several smaller associated islands , as well as New York City and the lower Hudson River Valley , most of which lie within the wider Atlantic Coastal Plain . The large region known as Upstate New York consists of several ranges of the wider Appalachian Mountains , including the Allegheny Plateau and Catskills along New York 's Southern Tier , and the Adirondack Mountains , Thousand Islands archipelago , and Saint Lawrence Seaway in the Northeastern lobe of the state . These more mountainous regions are bisected by two major river valleys -- the north-south Hudson River Valley and the east-west Mohawk River Valley , which forms the core of the Erie Canal . Western New York is considered part of the Great Lakes Region and straddles Lake Ontario and Lake Erie . Between the two lakes lies Niagara Falls . The central part of the state is dominated by the Finger Lakes , a popular vacation and tourist destination .   New York had been inhabited by tribes of Algonquian and Iroquoian-speaking Native Americans for several hundred years by the time the earliest Europeans came to New York . The first Europeans to arrive were French colonists and Jesuit missionaries who arrived southward from settlements at Montreal for trade and proselytizing . In 1609 , the region was claimed by Henry Hudson for the Dutch , who built Fort Nassau in 1614 at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers , where the present-day capital of Albany later developed . The Dutch soon also settled New Amsterdam and parts of the Hudson Valley , establishing the colony of New Netherland , a multicultural community from its earliest days and a center of trade and immigration . The British annexed the colony from the Dutch in 1664 . The borders of the British colony , the Province of New York , were similar to those of the present-day state .   Many landmarks in New York are well known to both international and domestic visitors , with New York State hosting four of the world 's ten most-visited tourist attractions in 2013 : Times Square , Central Park , Niagara Falls ( shared with Ontario ) , and Grand Central Terminal . New York is home to the Statue of Liberty , a symbol of the United States and its ideals of freedom , democracy , and opportunity . In the 21st century , New York has emerged as a global node of creativity and entrepreneurship , social tolerance , and environmental sustainability . New York 's higher education network comprises approximately 200 colleges and universities , including Columbia University , Cornell University , New York University , and Rockefeller University , which have been ranked among the top 35 in the world .


Jane Lynch Jane Marie Lynch ( born July 14 , 1960 ) is an American actress , singer , and comedian . She is best known as Sue Sylvester on Glee . She also gained fame in Christopher Guest 's improv mockumentary pictures such as Best in Show .   Lynch 's television cameos include an appearance in the Nickelodeon situation comedy iCarly and the Showtime dark comedy series Weeds . Lynch had a recurring role in the Warner Bros. situation comedy Two and a Half Men from 2004 to 2014 and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance in 2010 . She has also had other notable roles in numerous mainstream comedies , such as Talladega Nights : The Ballad of Ricky Bobby , The 40-Year-Old Virgin , Role Models and The Three Stooges .   Her portrayal of Sue Sylvester in Glee has won numerous awards , including the Primetime Emmy Award , Golden Globe Award , Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series , TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy , Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress -- Series , Miniseries , or Television Film , and the People 's Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Actress .   On September 4 , 2013 , Lynch received the 2,505 th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of television located at 6640 Hollywood Blvd. . Lynch has lent her voice to multiple animated films , including Space Chimps , Ice Age : Dawn of the Dinosaurs , Shrek Forever After and Wreck-It Ralph . Since 2013 , she has hosted the NBC game show Hollywood Game Night , for which she has won two Emmy Awards .


George Washington George Washington ( -LSB- ˈdʒɔɹdʒ_ˈwɒʃɪŋtən -RSB- -- , 1799 ) was an American politician and soldier who served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States . He served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War , and later presided over the 1787 convention that drafted the United States Constitution . He is popularly considered the driving force behind the nation 's establishment and came to be known as the `` father of the country , '' both during his lifetime and to this day .   Washington was widely admired for his strong leadership qualities and was unanimously elected president by the Electoral College in the first two national elections . He oversaw the creation of a strong , well-financed national government that maintained neutrality in the French Revolutionary Wars , suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion , and won acceptance among Americans of all types . Washington 's incumbency established many precedents still in use today , such as the cabinet system , the inaugural address , and the title Mr. President . His retirement from office after two terms established a tradition that lasted until 1940 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt won an unprecedented third term . The 22nd Amendment ( 1951 ) now limits the president to two elected terms .   He was born into the provincial gentry of Colonial Virginia to a family of wealthy planters who owned tobacco plantations and slaves , which he inherited . In his youth , he became a senior officer in the colonial militia during the first stages of the French and Indian War . In 1775 , the Second Continental Congress commissioned him as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution . In that command , Washington forced the British out of Boston in 1776 but was defeated and nearly captured later that year when he lost New York City .   After crossing the Delaware River in the middle of winter , he defeated the British in two battles ( Trenton and Princeton ) , retook New Jersey , and restored momentum to the Patriot cause . His strategy enabled Continental forces to capture two major British armies at Saratoga in 1777 and Yorktown in 1781 . Historians laud Washington for the selection and supervision of his generals ; preservation and command of the army ; coordination with the Congress , state governors , and their militia ; and attention to supplies , logistics , and training . In battle , however , Washington was repeatedly outmaneuvered by British generals with larger armies .   After victory had been finalized in 1783 , Washington resigned as commander-in-chief rather than seize power , proving his opposition to dictatorship and his commitment to American republicanism . Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 , which devised a new form of federal government for the United States . Following his election as president in 1789 , he worked to unify rival factions in the fledgling nation . He supported Alexander Hamilton 's programs to satisfy all debts , federal and state , established a permanent seat of government , implemented an effective tax system , and created a national bank . In avoiding war with Great Britain , he guaranteed a decade of peace and profitable trade by securing the Jay Treaty in 1795 , despite intense opposition from the Jeffersonians . He remained non-partisan , never joining the Federalist Party , although he largely supported its policies . Washington 's Farewell Address was an influential primer on civic virtue , warning against partisanship , sectionalism , and involvement in foreign wars . He retired from the presidency in 1797 , returning to his home and plantation at Mount Vernon .   Upon his death , Washington was eulogized as `` first in war , first in peace , and first in the hearts of his countrymen '' by Representative Henry Lee III of Virginia . He was revered in life and in death ; scholarly and public polling consistently ranks him among the top three presidents in American history . He has been depicted and remembered in monuments , public works , currency , and other dedications to the present day .


Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe ( born Norma Jeane Mortenson ; June 1 , 1926 -- August 5 , 1962 ) was an American actress and model . Famous for playing comic `` dumb blonde '' characters , she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s , emblematic of the era 's attitudes towards sexuality . Although she was a top-billed actress for only a decade , her films grossed $ 200 million by the time of her unexpected death in 1962 . She continues to be considered a major popular culture icon .   Born and raised in Los Angeles , Monroe spent most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage and married at the age of sixteen . While working in a factory in 1944 as part of the war effort , she was introduced to a photographer from the First Motion Picture Unit and began a successful pin-up modeling career . The work led to short-lived film contracts with Twentieth Century-Fox ( 1946 -- 1947 ) and Columbia Pictures ( 1948 ) . After a series of minor film roles , she signed a new contract with Fox in 1951 . Over the next two years , she became a popular actress with roles in several comedies , including As Young as You Feel and Monkey Business , and in the dramas Clash by Night and Do n't Bother to Knock . Monroe faced a scandal when it was revealed that she had posed for nude photos before becoming a star , but rather than damaging her career , the story resulted in increased interest in her films .   By 1953 , Monroe was one of the most marketable Hollywood stars , with leading roles in three films : the noir Niagara , which focused on her sex appeal , and the comedies Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire , which established her star image as a `` dumb blonde '' . Although she played a significant role in the creation and management of her public image throughout her career , she was disappointed at being typecast and underpaid by the studio . She was briefly suspended in early 1954 for refusing a film project , but returned to star in one of the biggest box office successes of her career , The Seven Year Itch ( 1955 ) .   When the studio was still reluctant to change her contract , Monroe founded a film production company in late 1954 ; she named it Marilyn Monroe Productions ( MMP ) . She dedicated 1955 to building her company and began studying method acting at the Actors Studio . In late 1955 , Fox awarded her a new contract , which gave her more control and a larger salary . After a critically acclaimed performance in Bus Stop ( 1956 ) and acting in the first independent production of MMP , The Prince and the Showgirl ( 1957 ) , she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for Some Like It Hot ( 1959 ) . Her last completed film was the drama The Misfits ( 1961 ) .   Monroe 's troubled private life received much attention . She struggled with substance abuse , depression , and anxiety . She had two highly publicized marriages , to retired baseball star Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller , both of which ended in divorce . On August 5 , 1962 , she died at age 36 from an overdose of barbiturates at her home in Los Angeles . Although Monroe 's death was ruled a probable suicide , several conspiracy theories have been proposed in the decades following her death .


Cyndi Lauper released the song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" in 1987.

Cyndi Lauper Cynthia Ann Stephanie `` Cyndi '' Lauper ( born June 22 , 1953 ) is an American singer , songwriter , actress and LGBTQ activist . Her career has spanned over 30 years . Her debut solo album She 's So Unusual ( 1983 ) was the first debut female album to chart four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100 -- `` Girls Just Want to Have Fun '' , `` Time After Time '' , `` She Bop '' , and `` All Through the Night '' -- and earned Lauper the Best New Artist award at the 27th Grammy Awards in 1985 . Her success continued with the soundtrack for the motion picture The Goonies and her second record True Colors ( 1986 ) . This album included the number one single `` True Colors '' and `` Change of Heart '' , which peaked at number 3 .   Since 1989 , Lauper has released nine studio albums and participated in many other projects . In 2010 , Memphis Blues , became Billboard 's most successful blues album of the year , remaining at # 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart for 13 consecutive weeks . In 2013 , Lauper won the Tony Award for Best Original Score for composing the Broadway musical Kinky Boots , making her the first woman to win the category by herself . The musical was awarded five other Tonys including Tony Award for Best New Musical . In 2014 , Lauper was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for the cast recording . In 2016 , the West End production won Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards   Lauper has established herself as a pop culture icon selling over 50 million records and 20 million singles . She has won awards at the Grammys , Emmys , Tonys , the New York 's Outer Critics Circle , MTV Video Music Awards ( VMAs ) , Billboard Awards , and American Music Awards ( AMAs ) . An inductee into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame , Lauper is one of the few singers to win three of the four major American entertainment awards ( EGOT ) . Lauper won the inaugural Best Female Video prize at the 1984 VMAs for Girls Just Want To Have Fun . This music video is recognized by MTV , VH1 and Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the greatest ever music videos of the era . She is featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum 's Women Who Rock exhibit . Her debut album is included in Rolling Stone '' 's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time , while Time After Time is included in Vh1 's list of the 100 Best Songs of the Past 25 years . VH1 has ranked Lauper No. 58 of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll '' .   Lauper has been celebrated for her humanitarian work , particularly as an advocate for LGBT rights in the United States . Her charitable efforts were acknowledged in 2013 when the singer was invited as a special guest to attend US President Barack Obama 's second-term inaugural .


Girls Just Want to Have Fun `` Girls Just Want to Have Fun '' is a song written by and first recorded in 1979 by American musician Robert Hazard . However , it is better known as a single by American singer Cyndi Lauper , whose version was released in 1983 . It was the first major single released by Lauper as a solo artist and the lead-off single from her debut studio album She 's So Unusual ( 1983 ) . Lauper 's version gained recognition as a feminist anthem and was promoted by a Grammy-winning music video . It has been covered on either an album or in live concert by over 30 other artists .   The single was Lauper 's breakthrough hit , reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming a worldwide hit throughout late 1983 and early 1984 . It remains one of Lauper 's signature songs and was a widely popular song during the era of its release , the 1980s . The `` Rolling Stone & MTV : ' 100 Greatest Pop Songs ' : 1-50 '' , `` Rolling Stone : `` The 100 Top Music Videos '' '' and the `` VH1 : 100 Greatest Videos '' lists ranked the song at No. 22 , No. 39 and No. 45 , respectively . The song received Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance . In 2013 , the song was remixed by Yolanda Be Cool , taken from the 30th anniversary reissue of the album She 's So Unusual .   The song is featured in the 2012 video game Sleeping Dogs , as part of the karaoke tracks .


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


Zach Galifianakis was featured in Puss in Boots.

Zach Galifianakis Zachary Knight Galifianakis ( -LSB- ˌgælᵻfəˈnækᵻs -RSB- born October 1 , 1969 ) is an American actor , writer and comedian . He came to prominence with his Comedy Central Presents special in 2001 and presented his own show called Late World with Zach on VH1 the following year . He has also starred in films , such as The Hangover trilogy ( 2009 -- 2013 ) , Due Date ( 2010 ) , The Campaign ( 2012 ) , Birdman or ( The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance ) ( 2014 ) , Puss in Boots ( 2011 ) , Masterminds ( 2016 ) and The Lego Batman Movie ( 2017 ) .   He currently hosts the Emmy Award-winning talk show Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis on the Funny or Die website and executive produces , writes , and stars in the dark comedy series Baskets on FX .


Warren Buffett is an American business magnate.

Warren Buffett Warren Edward Buffett ( -LSB- ˈbʌfᵻt -RSB- born August 30 , 1930 ) is an American business magnate , investor , and philanthropist . He is considered by some to be one of the most successful investors in the world , and as of March 2017 is the second wealthiest person in the United States , and the fourth wealthiest in the world , with a total net worth of $ 73.3 billion .   Born in Omaha , Buffett developed an interest in business and investing in his youth , eventually entering the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1947 before transferring and graduating from University of Nebraska -- Lincoln . After graduating at 19 , Buffett enrolled at Columbia Business School of Columbia University , learning and eventually creating his investment philosophy around a concept pioneered by Benjamin Graham -- value investing . He attended New York Institute of Finance to specialize his economics background and soon after began various business partnerships , including one with Graham . After meeting Charlie Munger , Buffett created the Buffett Partnership . His firm would eventually acquire a textile manufacturing firm called Berkshire Hathaway and assume its name to create a diversified holding company .   Buffett has been the chairman and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway since 1970 , and his business exploits have had him referred to as the `` Wizard '' , `` Oracle '' or `` Sage '' of Omaha by global media outlets . He is noted for his adherence to value investing and for his personal frugality despite his immense wealth .   Buffett is a notable philanthropist , having pledged to give away 99 percent of his fortune to philanthropic causes , primarily via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . In 2009 , with Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg , Warren founded The Giving Pledge , whereby billionaires pledge to give away at least half of their fortunes .   He is also active in contributing to political causes , having endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the 2016 U.S. presidential election ; he has publicly opposed the policies , actions , and statements of the current U.S. president , Donald Trump .