A s both parties implode amid charges of sexual harassment and assault , Minnesota may provide a ray of hope for people of color, who have been under attack by the Trump administration. RELATED: Rep. Keith Ellison: ‘We Were Held In Slavery Longer Than We’ve Been Free’ Keith Ellison , 53, the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Congress and the first African-American to represent The North Star State, is said to be under consideration to replace outgoing Sen. Al Franken. Franken resigned this week in the midst of allegations of sexual harassment, according to media outlets. But for those of you who do not know, Ellison is a real one. It's time to #DraftKeith ! Keith Ellison authored legislation to tax Wall St., he's an ardent supporter of #MedicareForAll and he fights for workers! Sign the petition for working-class hero @keithellison to fill the empty Senate seat left by Al Franken: https://t.co/7DitRAFgIR pic.twitter.com/4J0KyYlru1 — RoseAnn DeMoro (@RoseAnnDeMoro) December 7, 2017 He was first elected as a U.S. Representative in 2007, and his name was recently floated to be chair of the Democratic National Committee, but he was named deputy to Tom Perez . “Since coming to Congress, he’s been a reliably liberal Democratic vote — he’s campaigned on his opposition to the Iraq War and his support for universal health care, and he’s been a vocal opponent of voter ID laws,” wrote The Washington Post . Before becoming an elected official, he worked as a lawyer with the law firm of Lindquist & Vennum , specializing in civil rights, employment, and criminal defense law. He then went on to work as executive director of the Legal Rights Center in Minneapolis, a non-profit organization that specialized in representing clients living in poverty. He also supported H.R. 40 , a measure to Study Reparation Proposals for the African-Americans Act, that has been introduced since 1989 by Rep. John Conyers , who recently retired in the widening sexual assault scandal. Under the proposal, Congress examined slavery, its lasting effects, ramifications on future generations, and how the United States should address the issue. He also warned a panel on ABC’s This Week about President Donald Trump, when few people saw it coming. Indeed, Ellison seems poised to take up the mantle of the civil rights movement where Conyers left off. SEE ALSO: ‘Insult To The People:’ John Lewis Skipping Civil Rights Museum Debut Due To Trump Here Is How Black Girl Magic & Hip-Hop Helped Sway Atlanta’s Mayoral Race
Beau Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden, has passed away. He was 46 years old. The father of two had been battling brain cancer for several years. The news of Biden’s death was confirmed via a statement from the Vice President’s office: “It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life. “The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words.” “We know that Beau’s spirit will live on in all of us – especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter.” Biden was hospitalized last week for “an episode of disorientation and weakness.” His doctors stated that they expected him to make a full recovery, however. An attorney, veteran of the Iraq War, and former attorney general for the state of Delaware, Biden had intended to run for governor of his home state in the upcoming 2016 election. Our thoughts go out to his family at this incredibly difficult time, and to the loved ones and friends of all the celebrities that we’ve lost in 2015: View Slideshow: Celebrities We Lost in 2015
Teen Mom 2 stars Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith are still together, despite a series of alleged messages in which he full-on TRASHED his fiancee. Actress Stevie Ryan shared the scandalous exchange she had with Griffith: Nathan Griffith Messages Stevie Ryan 1. Nathan Griffith: I’m Leaving Jenelle! View Photo Nathan Griffith’s direct message to Stevie Ryan reveals that he’s unsure about his future with Jenelle Evans. Based on the way he describes her behavior, we can’t blame him! 2. Nathan Griffith Slams Jenelle Evans’ Mom View Photo Nathan Griffith is no fan of Barbara. He trashed Jenelle’s mom in this message to Stevie Ryan. 3. Stevie Ryan Defends Jenelle Evans’ Mom View Photo Stevie points out that Barbara saved Jenelle’s son from foster care. Nathan Griffith seems unimpressed. 4. Nathan Griffith: I Didn’t Want to Propose to Jenelle! View Photo Griffith expresses his doubts about marrying Jenelle. Looks like he may be coming to his senses. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 5. Nathan Griffith Shirtless Selfie View Photo Nathan Griffith sends a shirtless selfie to Stevie Ryan. We don’t think Jenelle would be too happy about that. 6. Nathan Griffith: I Take Steroids View Photo In one of his weirder texts, Griffith admits to taking steroids. Or did Jenelle just get ahold of his phone? 7. Jenelle Evans is “Flabby” View Photo Nathan and Stevie discuss Jenelle’s physique. It’s not flattering. 8. Jenelle Evans Needs Rehab View Photo Nathan admits that he “choked out” Jenelle. Of course, it could be Jenelle pretending to be him. Gone Girl-y, indeed. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 9. Nathan Griffith: Can I Get Your Number? View Photo Nathan tries to score Stevie’s phone number. It doesn’t work. The End. Did you like Nathan Griffith Messages Stevie Ryan? If so, please share: Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Email a Friend Pin on Pinterest Want more? Get more content like this delivered to your inbox for FREE: Earlier this week, Stevie Ryan put Nathan Griffith on blast , leaking messages in which he flirted with her, admitted to “walking out” on his baby mama and worse. Many understandably believed this incident was the tip of the iceberg and the nail in the coffin for Jenelle Evans and her partner of several turbulent years. Not necessarily. Things haven’t been good, but they’re very much together. The latest drama between Evans and Griffith started when they got into an argument about the their infamous, and explosive engagement trip last month. “Jenelle and Nathan were arguing about the St. Thomas drama with his friends,” the source says, and he acted out, messaging girls to get a rise out of her. Then it turned into Nathan hollering at girls to piss Jenelle Evans off, and getting carried away “being overly friendly with random fans online and girls from high school.” We’ve all been there, are we right THGers? (We hope we’re wrong.) When Evans first learned about his messages to Stevie Ryan – it’s not clear how she and Nathan linked up online – she became angry to say the least. “Jenelle saw those messages before they were posted online,” the source says. “Jenelle stayed at her friend’s house with Kai for the night down the road.” Despite her man’s immature and bizarre behavior, the mother of Kaiser, 7 months (with Nathan), and Jace, 5 (with Andrew Lewis), forgave him, and fast . Jenelle Evans & Nathan Griffith: A TMI, Sometimes Rocky Romance 1. Jenelle Evans Shower Selfie View Photo Jenelle Evans poses for a shower selfie with Nathan Griffith. Too cute or TMI? 2. Nathan Griffith, Jenelle Evans Selfie View Photo Nathan Griffith and Jenelle Evans pose for a cute selfie. Aww. 3. Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith Selfie View Photo Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith in one of about 17 million selfies she’s posted online. She’s a sharer. 4. Nathan Griffith and Jenelle Evans Selfie View Photo Nathan Griffith and Jenelle Evans love taking selfies and putting them on the Internets. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 5. Nathan Griffith and Jenelle View Photo Nathan Griffith and Jenelle Evans have already been through a ton together. 6. Jenelle, Nathan and Jace Photo View Photo Jenelle Evans with Nathan Griffith and with her son Jace … and with child! It’s a boy this time too! 7. Jenelle Evans with Nathan Griffith Photo View Photo Jenelle Evans with her new man Nathan Griffith … and with child! It’s a boy! 8. Jenelle Evans and Nathan Picture View Photo Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith, her latest boyfriend and the father of her unborn baby. Second one, that is. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 9. Jenelle, Nathan and Jace View Photo Jenelle Evans, Nathan Griffith and her son Jace. Good family photo! 10. Jenelle Evans, Nathan Griffith, Jace View Photo Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith are expecting a baby. It’ll be the Teen Mom 2 star’s second. 11. Jenelle and Nathan View Photo Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith in one of about 12 million selfies she’s posted online. 12. Jenelle Evans, Boyfriend Photo View Photo Jenelle Evans and boyfriend Nathan Griffth cuddle up. What a pair. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 13. Jenelle Evans With Nathan Griffith View Photo Jenelle Evans with Nathan Griffith in another photo from Twitter. 14. Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith Photo View Photo Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith make a great couple … well better than her past boyfriends. Don’t you agree? 15. Jenelle Evans, Boyfriend Nathan View Photo Jenelle Evans and boyfriend Nathan Griffith share a nice moment on Twitter. 16. Nathan Griffith Pic View Photo Nathan Griffith and Jenelle Evans. What a cute couple they make … cute or nauseating. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 17. Nathan Griffith Licks Jenelle Evans View Photo Jenelle Evans poses in tube top and Nathan Griffith tries to lick that and grip that butt. 18. Jenelle Evans Bikini, Nathan Griffith Shirtless View Photo Jenelle Evans poses in a bikini with Nathan Griffith in a Speedo right next to her. These two are not shy about their bodies or affection. 19. Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith Photograph View Photo Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith are engaged! The two welcomed their first child together in 2014, and announced their engagement in early 2015. 20. Nathan and Jenelle View Photo Nathan Griffith and Jenelle Evans looking happy on New Year’s Eve. These two have come a long way. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 21. Jenelle Evans, Nathan Griffith Instagram Photo View Photo Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith celebrated her birthday at home recently. There are rumors that Griffith proposed to the Teen Mom star. The End. Did you like Jenelle Evans & Nathan Griffith: A TMI, Sometimes Rocky Romance? If so, please share: Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Email a Friend Pin on Pinterest Want more? Get more content like this delivered to your inbox for FREE: “Nathan never cheated on Jenelle,” the insider insists, adding that she has bigger fish to fry these days. “He just made her mad, that’s all. It’s no biggie.” “Jenelle hates Stevie – not Nathan,” the source continues. The 29-year-old Stevie Ryan, of the online program Stevie TV , notoriously “hates all of the Teen Moms. She’s just an Internet wannabe famous b!tch.” The source also claims that Griffith’s allegations about Evans’ erratic behavior, as made to Ryan in the conversations she published, just aren’t true. “Jenelle didn’t get violent nor did she hit a wall,” the source says. “Nathan just said that because he was mad. Nathan apologized to Jenelle for this.” “Nathan just says things when he’s mad at Jenelle, that’s all. And she told him it would best if he just stayed offline, so he deactivated his Twitter for now.” “They are definitely not breaking up and never did.” Indeed, Griffith’s Twitter is down and Jenelle’s Instagram is stunningly set on private as of this posting, although she is still Tweeting, because Jenelle. Still, any dialing back on social media at all tells you all you need to know from these two. S–t be hitting the FAN in the Evans household this week. Jenelle Evans Baby Photos 1. Jenelle Evans, Daddy and Baby View Photo Jenelle Evans, Nathan Griffith and their newborn baby son Kaiser share a touching moment. 2. Jenelle, Nathan and Kaiser View Photo Jenelle Evans, Nathan Griffith and their baby Kaiser. This photo was taken on the day he was born. 3. Kaiser Griffith Photo View Photo Jenelle Evans and Nathan Griffith’s baby Kaiser. It’s the first photo! 4. Paperwork That’s a big part of any hospital stay. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 5. The Family is Complete Let’s hope it stays that way! 6. Jenelle and Kaiser View Photo Jenelle Evans and her baby son Kaiser at the alligator theme park. AWW! 7. Jenelle Evans and Her Family View Photo Jenelle Evans and her family at the alligator theme park. AWW! The End. Did you like Jenelle Evans Baby Photos? If so, please share: Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Email a Friend Pin on Pinterest Want more? Get more content like this delivered to your inbox for FREE:
Earlier this week, Brian Williams was suspended for six months from the NBC Nightly News after being accused of misrepresenting an incident that occurred while he was covering the Iraq War in 2003. In the weeks since the news of the scandal first broke, the beloved anchor’s credibility has come under attack and Williams has been accused of lying about everything from contracting dysentery to watching bodies float past his hotel after Hurricane Katrina. Now, that the floodgates have opened, new allegations against Williams seem to surface daily, and today, at least three different accusers have come forward claiming that the the iconic newsman fabricated various events: First, the Huffington Post published an interview with former Navy SEAL Brandon Webb, who claims that Williams’ was lying when he claimed to have been embedded with SEAL Team 6: “My initial reaction is that it sounds completely preposterous,” Webb says. “There’s a healthy dislike toward embedded journalists in the SEAL community. And especially at SEAL Team 6.” SEAL officials confirmed that their teams do not work with embedded journalists under any circumstances. One spokesman also expressed doubts about Williams’ claim that a member of Team 6 sent him a piece of the helicopter that crashed during the mission to assassinate Osama bin Laden. In addition to that accusation, Williams has been accused of lying about being “at the Brandenburg Gate the night the [Berlin Wall] came down.” Williams arrived in Berlin one day after the historic event. Since he likely would have witnessed some of the wall’s physical removal, he might be technically able to say he was there when it came down, but the comment still seems like an intentional attempt to deceive. Finally, CNN is reporting that Williams may have embellished an encounter with Pope John Paul II that took place while he was a college student in 1979. Williams first claimed that he “shook hands” with the Pope, but later elaborated that they shared a brief interaction, during which he was blessed by the Pontiff. Again, not the sort of thing that would be terribly incriminating on its own, but considering all when combined with the other accusations against Williams, stories like that may make it difficult for him to ever return to the job that made him a household name: 15 Celebrity Scandals That Rocked 2014 1. Stephen Collins Admits to Molesting Children View Post Stephen Collins gained fame for playing the Reverend Eric Camden on wholesome family series 7th Heaven. In real life, Collins has been accused of molesting several children, and has confessed to at least one sexual assault. 2. Bruce Jenner Sex Change View Photo Is Bruce Jenner transitioning into presenting as a woman? We don’t know. But what we DO know that he’s newly single and he’s been rocking some unusual looks lately. 3. Iggy Azalea Feuds With…Everyone? View Post Iggy Azalea dominated hip hop in 2014. Unfortunately, greatness breeds hateness, and the Aussie emcee feuded with everyone from stoned elder statesman Snoop Dogg to temperamental upstart Azealia Banks. 4. Jason Biggs Gets Inappropriate on Twitter View Post The American Pie star cracked an insensistive joke about the Malaysia Airlines tragedies on Twitter. This was also the year that he talked about peeing on Chelsea Handler and having sex with a hooker while his wife watched. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 5. Sarah Hyland Opens Up About Horrifying Abuse View Post Sarah Hyland broke things off with longtime boyfriend Matthew Prokop and went public with some shocking abuse allegations. She has since received a restraining order against Prokop. 6. Teresa and Joe Giudice: Go Directly to Jail! View Post The Giudices have always had issues, but apparently they’re financial problems were worse than anyone realized. Joe and Teresa were found guilty of lying to the government and creditors while filing for bankruptcy. As a result they were sentenced to 41 months and 15 months in prison, respectively. 7. Willow Smith, Moises Arias Photo Controversy View Post A photo of a then-13-year-old Willow Smith lying in bed with a shirtless, 20-year-old Moises Arias drew criticism for obvious reasons. it was even reported that the Smiths were investigated by Child Protective Services. 8. Hank Baskett: Cheating on Kendra Wilkinson? View Post It’s not so much the fact that former NFL player Baskett cheated on his reality star wife that caught our attention in 2014. Instead, it was whom he cheated with. Baskett was reportedly involved in an affair with transsexual model Ava London, and Ava happily spilled ALL of the details. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 9. Solange Knowles Assaults Jay Z View Post Solange Knowles assaulted Jay Z in an elevator after the 2014 Met Gala. We still don’t know for sure what set her off, but it certainly helps put your own in-law drama in perspective, eh? 10. The Interview: Pulled From Theaters View Post A goofy Seth Rogen-James Franco became the unexpected catalyst for an international incident when a group of North Korean cyber-terrorists decided to exact revenge on Sony for producking a film that mocked their Supreme Leader. Following threats of violence and damaging information leaks, Sony agreed to pull The Interview from theaters. 11. The Fappening: Nude Photos of Female Celebs Go Public View Post Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, and literally hundreds of other young female cekebrities had their most intimate photos stolen and posted online. 12. June Shannon-Mark McDaniel Relationship View Post “Mama June” Shannon was accused of sleeping with the man convicted of molesting her eldest daughter. June denies it, of course. We don’t believe her, but we’re grateful that she turned down the porn offer she received from Vivid Entertainment. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 13. Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Investigation View Post It all started when comedian Hannibal Buress referenced Cosby’s sordid sexual past during a standup performance. After that, dozens of women stepped forward to accuse Cosby of sexual misconduct. The legendary comic has mostly remained silent on the matter, but he’s already been convicted in the court of public opinion. 14. Tori & Dean: Faking an Affair For Ratings View Post Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott had the year’s most uncomfortable realoty show with True Tori. But the question remains: was the drama over Dean’s affair scripted? 15. Tyga and Kylie Jenner: Dating?! View Post Rapper Tyga and reality star Kylie Jenner are rumored to be in a relationship. Which would be fine, were it not for the fact that he’s 25 and she’s 17. The End. Did you like 15 Celebrity Scandals That Rocked 2014? If so, please share: Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Email a Friend Pin on Pinterest Want more? 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So much for the NBC Nightly News… with Brian Williams . In the wake of a controversy over how he misled viewers regarding an incident in the Iraq War, the anchor announced on Saturday that he’s taking a leave of absence from his post. “In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions,” Williams said via statement. He added: “As Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News, I have decided to take myself off of my daily broadcast for the next several days, and Lester Holt has kindly agreed to sit in for me to allow us to adequately deal with this issue. “Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us.” The scandal surrounding Williams began during a January 30 broadcast,, when he erroneously claimed his helicopter was hit by a grenade in March 2003 as he covered the Iraq War. Williams apologized on air last Wednesday. Since then, the network has opened an internal investigation into his coverage of the war and other major events, including Hurricane Katrina. Many have called for Williams to be fired as a result of this lie, despite how attractive his daughter is and despite his ability to rap classic singles . “We have a team dedicated to gathering the facts to help us make sense of all that has transpired,” NBC News President Deborah Turness said in a memo on Friday. 17 Lip Dubs We Loves 1. Brian Williams Lip Dubs “Gin and Juice” View Video It’s lip dub time again for Brian Williams! He sort of sings “Gin and Juice” in this amazing video. 2. Frat Boys Lip-Sync to “Shake It Off” View Video This. Is. Awesome. Watch a bunch of frat boys dance it up and lip-sync to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” 3. Brian Williams “Raps” Rapper’s Delight View Video You go, Brian Williams! The NBC anchor sort of raps “Rapper’s Delight” in this spliced-up video. It’s funny stuff. Watch now. 4. Downton Abbey Lip Dub: “What Makes You Beautiful” View Video The cast of Downton Abbey makes like One Direction in this amazing lip dub. It’s a must-watch. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 5. Team USA Lip Dub View Video The U.S. Olympic Swim Team gets in on the “Call Me Maybe” lip dub action in this video. Sing it, Michael Phelps! 6. Kardashian Lip Dub – “Hypnotize” View Video The Kardashians dance around in this video to Notorious B.I.G.’s classic “Hypnotize.” The lip dub was filmed during a family trip to the Dominican Republic. 7. Call Me Maybe Lip Dub View Video Stars such as Justin Bieber and James Franco pop up in this video, which is a fun lip dub of the REALLY fun song, “Call Me Maybe.” 8. Lip Dub Proposal View Video You lack a heart if you don’t melt over this video of a man, and many others, proposing to his girlfriend via town lip dub. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 9. Grand Rapids Lip Dub View Video Newsweek ranked Grand Rapids, Michigan as numer 10 on a list of America’s “dying” cities this year. The city’s response? This incredibly-executed video. 10. Barack Obama: “Jingle Bells” View Video Barack Obama sings “Jingle Bells” in another classic lip dub video. Peep it! 11. Barack Obama – “Made in the USA” View Video Barack Obama makes like Demi Lovato in this lip dub. Watch him sort of cover “Made in the USA” now! 12. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton “Sing” Timber View Video Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton team up here to sing a version of “Timber.” Sort of. Not really. Watch now. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 13. Brian Williams Lip Dub – “Rollout” View Video It’s another Brian Williams lip dub! This one is to a Ludacris classic. Listen now. 14. Dad, Daughter Lip Dub “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea View Video You gotta see this dad and daughter duo lip dub “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea. 15. Brian Williams Lip Dub – “Baby Got Back” View Video It’s another Brian Williams lip dub! The anchor sort of sings “Baby Got Back” this time around. 16. Barack Obama – Fancy (Iggy Azalea Lip Dub) View Video Barack Obama “sings” Fancy by Iggy Azalea in the latest Lip Dub creation by Baracksdubs. Advertisement A message from our sponsor. 17. Barack Obama – Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson-Bruno Mars Lip Dub) View Video Barack Obama shows off his vocal skills on a lip dub cover of Uptown Funk, the new hit by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. The End. Did you like 17 Lip Dubs We Loves? If so, please share: Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Email a Friend Pin on Pinterest Want more? Get more content like this delivered to your inbox for FREE:
In a rare event, all five living U.S. Presidents converged today for the official opening of George W. Bush’s presidential library in Dallas, Texas. Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter were cheered by a crowd of former White House officials and world leaders. They were joined on stage by their wives – the nation’s current and former first ladies – for this outdoor ceremony on a sunny Texas morning. The leaders were putting aside the profound ideological differences that have divided them for years for a day of pomp and pleasantries for Bush, 66. As the George W. Bush Presidential Center opens, with it comes an unofficial return to the public eye for a man whose presidency was so polarizing. Presidential politics also hung over the event. Before the ceremony even began, former First Lady Barbara Bush made waves by brushing aside the building Jeb Bush 2016 presidential buzz. “We’ve had enough Bushes,” said Mrs. Bush, the spouse of George H.W. Bush and mother of George W. Bush, in an interview with NBC’s Today . Yet the man of the hour George W. Bush, openly talked up the presidential prospects of his brother in an interview that aired Wednesday on ABC: “He doesn’t need my counsel, because he knows what it is: ‘Run.'” What happens then is a topic for another day. This one was about George W. Bush’s presidency and the interactive exhibits housed to commemorate it. Major events such as 9/11, the financial bailout, the Iraq War and the international focus on HIV and AIDS, are all prominently displayed at the venue. Bush says he is comfortable with the decisions he made while in office and hopes history will be a fair judge. His successor will likely reflect similarly one day. For now, though, in a reminder of his duties as Oval Office inhabitant, President Obama is already off to honor members of the Texas fertilizer plant explosion .
Movieline spotlighted filmmakers and trailers from the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival over the weekend and last week . The festival is still underway all this week, so it’s certainly not too late to catch a little Tribeca action. If you’re in New York and want to see some films at the festival (or if you are looking for a taste of Tribeca from afar), here is a sneak glimpse of more of this year’s offerings from the festival’s World Narrative Competition and World Documentary Competition . Tuesday’s spotlights include World Narrative Competition features Nancy, Please and War Witch as well as World Doc Competition contenders The Flat and The List . And in Tribeca’s genre-centered Cinemania section is Rat King . Nancy, Please by director Andrew Semans – U.S. [World Narrative Competition] Synopsis : Paul’s life is good. He is a gifted graduate student at Yale, completing a PhD in English literature, and has finally moved in with his longtime girlfriend, Jen. A bright and promising future seems assured. There’s just one thing. Paul has left an item of great importance at his old apartment: a tattered, personally annotated copy of Dickens’ Little Dorrit, the subject of his dissertation, and he simply must have it back. Doing so will mean recovering it from his casually sinister and inexplicably vindictive former roommate, Nancy, who blithely thwarts Paul’s increasingly frantic attempts at retrieval. His annoyance turns to rage and then to obsession, until his life begins to come undone. Things will get much, much worse before they get better. [Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival] Comments by Andrew Semans … Nancy, Please quick pitch : Paul has recently moved in with his girlfriend. In the process, he has left something of great personal importance behind in his old apartment. Nancy, his casually sinister former roommate, refuses to give it back for reasons unknown. Paul is confused; Paul is frustrated; Paul is doomed. Nancy, Please is a black comedy that explores obsession, self-righteousness, and the perverse allure of victimhood in New Haven, CT. …and why it’s worth seeing at Tribeca : It’s a funny and occasionally ghoulish story that tracks the process by which a seemingly mundane conflict can evolve into something truly absurd and truly destructive. Thoughts about the clip : In this clip, our protagonist (Paul) confronts his former roommate (Nancy) on her doorstep in an effort to retrieve a cherished book that she’s been inexplicably withholding from him. The Flat , by director Arnon Goldfinger – Israel, Germany [World Documentary Competition] Comments by Arnon Goldfinger … The Flat quick pitch : After my grandmother passed away at the age of 98, my family and I went to empty out the flat and soon discover hints to a mysterious and painful past. …and why it’s worth seeing at Tribeca : [It is] an unbelievable story, the secrets that are revealed, the moving characters – and the deep feelings that the film brings up with viewers. Thoughts about the trailer … The trailer is taken from the beginning of the film and is the starting point for a complicated journey that is about to unfold on screen. The flat is still filled with objects, photos and letters that accumulated over a lifetime. Soon this will all disappear, but along the way, secrets that were hidden, will begin to emerge. The List by director Beth Murphy – U.S. [World Documentary Competition] Synopsis : After working for an aid group tasked with improving infrastructure in war-torn cities in Iraq, young American Kirk Johnson returns home to news that his Iraqi co-workers are being killed, kidnapped or forced into exile by radical militias who perceived them as traitors because of their involvement with the U.S. Frustrated by his government’s inability to safeguard its endangered allies, Johnson begins compiling a list of Iraqis seeking refuge and a new life in America — all of them desperately in need of an advocate. [Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival] Comments by Beth Murphy … The List quick pitch : The List is a modern-day Oskar Schindler story about a young American who is working to save Iraqis who are being targeted for death because they worked for the United States government and military to rebuild their country. …and why it’s worth seeing at Tribeca : [The film] shows the human face of the Iraq War, an example of the aftermath of war. And I believe the aftermath of war is something that is all too often forgotten. America has moved on from Iraq, but for Iraqis who worked with our government and military, there is no moving on from the life-threatening reality they and their families face. And in this big picture is a very personal and emotional story of a former U.S. government employee who is single-handedly trying to redeem a nation. Thoughts about the clip : In this scene from The List , Kirk Johnson meets in a cramped Baghdad hotel room with desperate Iraqis who are being hunted down as “traitors” and “collaborators with the enemy.” All of these Iraqis are among the thousands on Kirk’s list. They are all in danger because of their affiliation with America, and they have all been waiting for years for help from the U.S. War Witch by director Kim Nguyen – Canada [World Narrative Competition] Synopsis : Montreal-based filmmaker Kim Nguyen paints a poignant and harrowing portrait of Komona, a 14-year-old girl (wonderfully played by nonprofessional actress Rachel Mwanza) who has been kidnapped from her African village by rebels to become a child soldier. She escapes from the camp with an older albino soldier and experiences for the very first time the joys of a peaceful and loving life, but a fresh tragedy will force her to confront and fight the ghosts haunting her mind. [Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival] Brief comments by Kim Nguyen … The War Witch quick pitch : It’s a love story at a time of war, and it’s also a story of resilience in a world filled with magic, violence and poetry. …and why it’s worth seeing at Tribeca : Definitely, first and foremost, to see Rachel Mwanza, one of the most powerful actresses we have seen on the screen in the last decade. A thought about the trailer : Hope in troubled times! Rat King by director Petri Kotwica – Finland [Cinemania section] (non-English) Synopsis : Eighteen-year-old Juri spends his days absorbed in his computer gaming world, to the exclusion of school, friends, and his exasperated girlfriend. One night his Internet ally “Modred,” actually another student named Niki, turns up at his door, fearing for his life. Niki is caught in the grasp of a mysterious new online game, and Juri, warned of the dangers but with nothing to lose, eagerly follows him down the rabbit hole. Initially unimpressed with a game that seems to be nothing but a series of banal tasks, Juri soon finds himself immersed in an all-consuming race against the clock for his very life. [Courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival] Comments by Petri Kotwica … The Rat King quick pitch : [It is] the story of Juri, 18, who is looking for a way out of his online gaming addiction only to find himself drawn into a deadly psychotic real-life nightmare by net-mate Niki. …and why it’s worth seeing at Tribeca : Cleverly constructed and with outstanding cinematography, Rat King manages to combine contemporary issues, such as the relative dangers of gaming addiction, with a fast paced and entertaining storyline. Thoughts about the trailer : I wanted to show the topic and style of the film. Rat King is a thriller spiced up with horror elements about a high school kid who enters a deadly online game. Read all of Movieline’s Tribeca 2012 coverage here .
President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign released a new ad Thursday hailing the end of the war in Iraq. Titled, “Ending the War in Iraq: A Promise Kept,” the nearly three-minute video features… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Blaze Discovery Date : 16/12/2011 04:25 Number of articles : 2
A judge has set the trial of former presidential candidate John Edwards to begin January 30, a week earlier than when prosecutors and defense lawyers sought. In federal court, U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles signed an order Tuesday setting the schedule for Edwards’ trial on charges of campaign finance violations. Edwards was indicted following an exhaustive investigation in June. John Edwards is accused of asking two wealthy campaign donors to provide nearly $1 million in secret payments used to hide pregnant mistress Rielle Hunter . Making matters even worse is the fact that he was a serious candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the White House in 2007 and early 2008. His wife, the late Elizabeth Edwards, was also battling cancer at the time. Edwards says he knew nothing of the checks, cash and private jets used to fly Rielle Hunter across the country and put her up in luxury homes and hotels. We are not the judge or jury in the case, and every American has the constitutional right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence … but come ON.
Taylor Swift will be featured on tomorrow night’s installment of 60 Minutes and, in a few excerpts released from the upcoming interview, the star makes it clear that she’s open to her status as a role model. “I definitely think about a million people when I’m getting dressed in the morning, and that’s just part of my life now,” Swift tells the news magazine. “I think it’s my responsibility to know it and to be conscious of it.” While other artists may have gotten into trouble over the years for drunk driving or the smoking of substances , Swift won’t ever use her age as an excuse for any behavior of this type. “It would be really easy to say ‘I’m 21 now, I do what I want. You raise your kids!'” Swift says. “But it’s not the truth of it. The truth of it is that every singer out there with songs on the radio is raising the next generation.” Have we mentioned recently how much we adore Taylor Swift? [Photo: WENN.com]
