Make no mistake: Warner Bros has pulled off a huge coup with its announcement at this weekend's Comic-Con that the next Man of Steel movie will feature Superman battling Batman. Even with rival studio Marvel using San Diego's annual fanboy Mecca to reveal the title (and antagonist) of the next Avengers film, it is the news that Kal-El and the caped crusader will be squaring off that has caught the imagination of public and media alike. That's some feat when you consider that Marvel's comic book ensemble was by far the biggest film of 2012 at the global box office, while Man of Steel hasn't yet passed the haul taken by the fourth Spider-Man movie and got a lukewarm thumbs up from critics.
Director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David S Goyer now face the daunting task of transforming what on paper sounds like a dream superhero smackdown into a movie that not only continues telling the story of the new Superman but delivers a fresh Batman capable of spinning off into his own adventures AND joining Warner's promised Justice League movie (which will unite the pair with Wonder Woman, The Flash and Green Lantern).
Any Superman v Batman story must be handled extremely carefully, not least because of the disparity between the two superheroes' abilities. The Dark Knight might be the more popular cinematic superhero in these more cynical times, but Bruce Wayne cannot hold a candle to the last son of Krypton when it comes to actual superpowers. While Batman has all the wealth of Wayne's billions to help him fight crime, Superman is a godlike creature from another planet whose physical stature is exaggerated a thousand times in Earth's environment. He can fly, is virtually invulnerable, has powerful heat vision and can move faster than sound. A straight fight between the pair would be like a face-off between and elephant and a gnat.
In the comic books where the two characters have battled it out, writers have often imagined a scenario where Wayne used his fortune to get hold of some Kryptonite, Superman's only real weakness. In perhaps the pair's most famous battle, in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, Superman even gets blown up with a nuclear weapon – yet still somehow comes out just about on top.
Snyder has hinted that he will use the antipathy between the pair in Miller's comic as the basis for his new film. The potential problem here is that the Batman of The Dark Knight Returns veers into antihero territory in a way that Christopher Nolan's big screen iteration never did. In his 1986 limited series, Miller brilliantly contrasts a shallow and self-centred, increasingly wrinkly and jaded caped crusader with a Kal-El who remains youthful, noble and good-hearted – yet as boring as dry toast for dinner. Snyder and his team will need to tread a more considered path, giving the spat between the pair enough spiky venom to make for fun viewing without belittling either. Batman, in particular, needs to maintain the vital humanity with which Nolan imbued Christian Bale's version if audiences are to care about his future battles to save Gotham. Moreover, these two are going to have to kiss and make up if Warner's plan for a Justice League movie in 2017 is to come to fruition.
Nevertheless, the studio's decision to start its drive towards an Avengers-like ensemble superhero movie by introducing a new Batman into the Man of Steel universe makes a lot of sense. The other members of the Justice League remain superpowered twinkles in the studio's eye (bar The Green Lantern, who's more of an unattractive snot-like stain after the debacle of Martin Campbell's 2011 non-event). Warner needs at least one film to begin introducing its lineup of masked crime fighters – and doing it this way avoids any accusation that the studio has simply purloined Marvel's hugely successful blueprint (which involved giving each hero his own movie before teaming them up in The Avengers).
Might we also hear rumblings of other members of the team? There are rumours of a Flash film sometime before Justice League arrives, and Superman is in the perfect position to investigate the appearance of other super-powered types via his alter ego Clark Kent's new position as a Daily Planet reporter. Imagine if Wonder Woman et al began popping up on his journalistic radar one by one …
It looks like Nolan will have very little involvement in Man of Steel 2, which is probably a good thing bearing in mind his attachment to the most recent screen incarnation of Batman. But Warner will be throwing everything else in its coffers at the new movie. This weekend's Comic-Con proved that superhero flicks are here to stay, and yet the stakes rise all the time. Superman v Batman has the chance to be the genre's most successful film yet, and might even challenge the likes of Avatar for box office "pow" if Snyder gets it right. In many ways it is too big to fail. In years to come we could be talking about this film as the moment the genre went truly stratospheric – or faced its very own Kryptonite.
2013-07-26
Buy the Perfect Ball Earring for Your Friend
If we have a good pair of ball Earrings in our jewelry box, then we can be a celebrity in any party when we dress up in a nice and different way with the pair of a matching discount ball earrings. perfectly looking ball earrings should be worn everywhere no matter the party or the job, you will be praised by the other people and get jealous by the beauty and the charm of the ball Earrings along with your sheer elegance and style.
cheap ball Earrings can be afforded by the average people and can get stylish designs. The ball earrings in gemstones or the ball earrings in turquoise, like pearl ball earrings, stone ball earrings, turquoise ball earrings,coral ball earrings etc. fashion ball earrings are the best option for any girl if she wishes to make a unique style statement on any occasion.
Not many girls are aware or have ever thought of flaunting a nice pair of handmade ball earrings, so just by deciding to wear the Ball Earrings, you prove out to be unique from others and you will be half way done to look fabulous on the special occasion.
cheap ball Earrings can be afforded by the average people and can get stylish designs. The ball earrings in gemstones or the ball earrings in turquoise, like pearl ball earrings, stone ball earrings, turquoise ball earrings,coral ball earrings etc. fashion ball earrings are the best option for any girl if she wishes to make a unique style statement on any occasion.
Not many girls are aware or have ever thought of flaunting a nice pair of handmade ball earrings, so just by deciding to wear the Ball Earrings, you prove out to be unique from others and you will be half way done to look fabulous on the special occasion.
2013-07-24
Tampa woman swallows diamond at charity luncheon
TAMPA — They say diamonds are a girl's best friend. But a guest at a recent fashion show fundraiser might give that distinction to her gastroenterologist.
Miriam Tucker was one of hundreds of women sipping champagne at Fashionollia on April 20, staged for the 65th year by the Tampa Woman's Club.
It cost $20 for a glass of the bubbly — and a chance to win a 1.03-carat diamond. Continental Wholesale Diamond plunked a single stone, a round brilliant cut beauty appraised at $5,000, into one champagne flute. All the rest got cubic zirconias.
The luncheon concluded without any ecstatic shriek from one of the 280 women in the ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel International Plaza. Event organizers and jewelers Andy Meyer and Joy Pierson were puzzled.
"We knew the winner had to be at one of two tables," Pierson said. She was hovering in that vicinity when Tucker, 80, spoke up.
"I thought I'd drink a bit of champagne so I didn't have to stick my finger so far into the glass," said Tucker, a retired real estate broker. "We were laughing and talking when I realized I swallowed it. What a dumb thing."
Meanwhile, roving jewelers, armed with probes and a loupe, examined each stone. Tucker, assuming event organizers would announce a winner at any minute, chose not to draw attention to herself.
Until the room was near empty. Then she confessed.
"She said she swallowed what was in her glass," Pierson said, "but as luck would have it, she was scheduled for a colonoscopy in two days."
That wasn't good enough for Fashionollia chairwoman Gina Roth who insisted Tucker, who lives in South Tampa, follow her to St, Joseph's Hospital for an X-ray.
The diamond didn't show up on the X-ray, so Tucker prepped for her colonoscopy as planned. But as far as she could tell, the diamond remained stuck in her body.
Early the next morning, she alerted Dr. Bruce Edgerton "to be on lookout," briefing him on the case of the missing diamond.
During Tucker's examination, the doctor struck, well, a diamond. With the stone in a biohazard bag, Tucker's daughter drove straight to the jewelry store.
The jewelers confirmed Tucker's bling was the real thing. She took her prize home, cleaned, polished, sparkling.
As my son says, "All's well that ends well," Tucker said.
Champions for Children was the luncheon beneficiary.
Their motto: Protect Our Precious Gems.
Buy Fashion Crystal Necklaces Let You More Noble And Elegent
Crystal is an ancient gem variety, also known as "water spirit", "water jade" and "Buddha stone". It is colorless and transparent quartz mineral. Natural crystal has been impressing people by its wonderful, colorful appearance and its benefit to human health and psychological effects which even diamond and gold could not compete. Crystal is admired to be a valuable material for making jewelry, especially crystal necklaces. These are reasons why crystal necklaces are quite popular and even become an essential. Crystal necklaces are beautiful and beautiful jewelry for us to enhance our outfit and attractiveness. They are shining like stars.
The playful, charming design of the crystal butterfly necklace is perfect for wearing in the summer or spring. It makes a wonderful Mother's Day or birthday gift. The fluttering butterfly family and the cheerfully colored crystal accents are sure to get plenty of compliments. She will love opening this gift and it will make her smile putting it on every morning. No one will be able to resist wearing this darling crystal butterfly pendant.
All of our jewelry is made from high quality materials and is offered to you for low prices. You can save up to 25% off retail prices by buying with Get Sparkling. We offer low priced shipping with costs starting at $6, and we are able to ship all over the world. You will receive your wonderful gift in about 20 business days. If your necklace is for a gift or special occasion we have optional seven to ten business days shipping available with DHL, UPS, or FedEx.
The playful, charming design of the crystal butterfly necklace is perfect for wearing in the summer or spring. It makes a wonderful Mother's Day or birthday gift. The fluttering butterfly family and the cheerfully colored crystal accents are sure to get plenty of compliments. She will love opening this gift and it will make her smile putting it on every morning. No one will be able to resist wearing this darling crystal butterfly pendant.
All of our jewelry is made from high quality materials and is offered to you for low prices. You can save up to 25% off retail prices by buying with Get Sparkling. We offer low priced shipping with costs starting at $6, and we are able to ship all over the world. You will receive your wonderful gift in about 20 business days. If your necklace is for a gift or special occasion we have optional seven to ten business days shipping available with DHL, UPS, or FedEx.
2013-07-22
16 human body facts – Heart Lungs Blood vessels and Senses
A known phrase amongst medical students claims that the more you know – the more you understand how little you know. And so, hundreds of years in researching managed to discover amazing human body facts. We managed to discovered about the mystery that floats over the non stop working machine. from birth to death, here are 60 human body facts.
Heart, Lungs and Blood vessels:
1. Squirting high: The human heart is pumping with enormous pressure, capable of squirting blood up to 9 meters high. No wonder you can feel your heartbeats. It never stops and sends blood against gravity up to the head, and at the same time down to the rest of your body parts.
2. 100,000km: The length of your blood vessels is about 100,000km. To understand this distance – the circumference of earth is about 40,000km. The distance between the earth the moon is about 300,000km. So if we take the blood vessels of 3 people, and connect them edge to edge – we could easily step where Neil Armstrong did.
3. Women’s heart beat faster than men’s: The main reason for this is that women’s hearts tends to be a bit small than men’s, but needs to pump the same amount of blood to the body parts, in the same amount of time.
4. The left lung is smaller than the right: This is to make room for the heart. most people has a heart that tends to lean to the left, which pushes the left lung.
5. You can live without a significant amount of inner organs: The human body may seem fragile, but it can definitely live without the stomach, the spline, 75% of the liver, 80% of the intestines, one kidney, one lung and any productive organ. It wouldn’t feel so great, and you’ll have to be under medication – but it won’t kill you.
6. Saliva at 160kph: During a sneeze the spit particles can reach up to 160kph. the sneeze is very dangerous while driving – there is no way of sneezing with your eyes open, which caused a few road accidents already.
7. Who snores more?: 60% of men and 40% of women up to the age of 60 snore. In most cases a snore can reach 60 decibels. but some people can even reach 80 decibels – same as a concrete drill.
Senses:
1. Who will blink first?: Women blink twice as much as men. The average person blinks around 13 times a minute. Blinking is very important to the eye’s health: It helps cover the eye with liquid that has enzymes and Lubricating fluid, that protects it.
2. The strongest: The outer muscles that moves the eye ball are the strongest muscles in the body, relative to the amount of strength they require: They are stronger 100 times than needed.
3. Blue, but temporary: Many babies are born with blue eyes, but they wont stay that way for long. The reason for that is the pigment called “Melanin” that sometimes sinks in the eyes cornea after birth. This process require exposure to ultraviolet light, which in the end reveals the child’s real eye color.
4. Remember 50,000 scents: Our nose can remember 50,000 different smells, many of them are burnt into our memory for many years. but that’s nothing compared to men’s best friend – the dog’s nose is sensitive 1,000,000 times more than ours.
5. The last to go: The last sense that disconnects while dying is the sense of hearing. The first one being eye vision, followed by taste, smell and touch.
6. See for a distance: The longest distance that you can gaze into without any help is about 2.4 million light years – 225 trillion kilometers. This is the distance to the Andromeda galaxy, which you can see in bright sky.
7. Noise sensitive: The smallest noise can make our pupils dilate - this is one of the reasons why surgeons are bothered by noise - dilation of the pupil might cause to be blinded with light , that can cause a disaster.
8. From birth to old age: Our eyes stay the same size from the moment we are born until we are old age, but the ears and nose does not stop growing. That is why if someone did a nose surgery when he was young – you can see his nose changing over the years.
9. The strongest organ in our body is the tongue: You may not able to lift weights with it, but relative to it’s size, this is the strongest muscle in body that works almost nonstop by talking, eating and swallowing.
Heart, Lungs and Blood vessels:
1. Squirting high: The human heart is pumping with enormous pressure, capable of squirting blood up to 9 meters high. No wonder you can feel your heartbeats. It never stops and sends blood against gravity up to the head, and at the same time down to the rest of your body parts.
2. 100,000km: The length of your blood vessels is about 100,000km. To understand this distance – the circumference of earth is about 40,000km. The distance between the earth the moon is about 300,000km. So if we take the blood vessels of 3 people, and connect them edge to edge – we could easily step where Neil Armstrong did.
3. Women’s heart beat faster than men’s: The main reason for this is that women’s hearts tends to be a bit small than men’s, but needs to pump the same amount of blood to the body parts, in the same amount of time.
4. The left lung is smaller than the right: This is to make room for the heart. most people has a heart that tends to lean to the left, which pushes the left lung.
5. You can live without a significant amount of inner organs: The human body may seem fragile, but it can definitely live without the stomach, the spline, 75% of the liver, 80% of the intestines, one kidney, one lung and any productive organ. It wouldn’t feel so great, and you’ll have to be under medication – but it won’t kill you.
6. Saliva at 160kph: During a sneeze the spit particles can reach up to 160kph. the sneeze is very dangerous while driving – there is no way of sneezing with your eyes open, which caused a few road accidents already.
7. Who snores more?: 60% of men and 40% of women up to the age of 60 snore. In most cases a snore can reach 60 decibels. but some people can even reach 80 decibels – same as a concrete drill.
Senses:
1. Who will blink first?: Women blink twice as much as men. The average person blinks around 13 times a minute. Blinking is very important to the eye’s health: It helps cover the eye with liquid that has enzymes and Lubricating fluid, that protects it.
2. The strongest: The outer muscles that moves the eye ball are the strongest muscles in the body, relative to the amount of strength they require: They are stronger 100 times than needed.
3. Blue, but temporary: Many babies are born with blue eyes, but they wont stay that way for long. The reason for that is the pigment called “Melanin” that sometimes sinks in the eyes cornea after birth. This process require exposure to ultraviolet light, which in the end reveals the child’s real eye color.
4. Remember 50,000 scents: Our nose can remember 50,000 different smells, many of them are burnt into our memory for many years. but that’s nothing compared to men’s best friend – the dog’s nose is sensitive 1,000,000 times more than ours.
5. The last to go: The last sense that disconnects while dying is the sense of hearing. The first one being eye vision, followed by taste, smell and touch.
6. See for a distance: The longest distance that you can gaze into without any help is about 2.4 million light years – 225 trillion kilometers. This is the distance to the Andromeda galaxy, which you can see in bright sky.
7. Noise sensitive: The smallest noise can make our pupils dilate - this is one of the reasons why surgeons are bothered by noise - dilation of the pupil might cause to be blinded with light , that can cause a disaster.
8. From birth to old age: Our eyes stay the same size from the moment we are born until we are old age, but the ears and nose does not stop growing. That is why if someone did a nose surgery when he was young – you can see his nose changing over the years.
9. The strongest organ in our body is the tongue: You may not able to lift weights with it, but relative to it’s size, this is the strongest muscle in body that works almost nonstop by talking, eating and swallowing.
Beautiful Flower Brooch To Decorate You Fashionable
One design is flower brooches. These are perfect for flower lovers. They are available in various colors and some of the designs available are floral wreaths and bouquets. They are also extremely fashionable regardless of the season. Flower brooches are perfect for different events, especially weddings. They are also very cute and appropriate for church.
Everyone likes to accessorize. One of the best ways to do that is to go with brooches as your jewelry or an added fashion piece. They never go out of style and there are so many flower brooches to choose from that there will always be a fresh piece for every occasion. If someone is in the mood for something whimsical and cute, there are various flower brooches to select from.
The jewelry comes in a variety of styles. For example, a woman that loves collecting butterflies would enjoy receiving a piece of jewelry in the shape of a butterfly. A flower brooch is good for someone who wants to spice up a boring outfit or top. A pearl brooch is a good choice when wanting to go simple and not over the top. The pearl style is a good choice for someone who likes classic jewelry and sophistication. Our website have all kinds of flower brooches to waiting you to chooes,welcme to join us quickly!
Everyone likes to accessorize. One of the best ways to do that is to go with brooches as your jewelry or an added fashion piece. They never go out of style and there are so many flower brooches to choose from that there will always be a fresh piece for every occasion. If someone is in the mood for something whimsical and cute, there are various flower brooches to select from.
The jewelry comes in a variety of styles. For example, a woman that loves collecting butterflies would enjoy receiving a piece of jewelry in the shape of a butterfly. A flower brooch is good for someone who wants to spice up a boring outfit or top. A pearl brooch is a good choice when wanting to go simple and not over the top. The pearl style is a good choice for someone who likes classic jewelry and sophistication. Our website have all kinds of flower brooches to waiting you to chooes,welcme to join us quickly!
2013-07-12
Street protests spread chaos across Brazil
RIO DE JANEIRO, July 11 (UPI) -- Protesters brought Brazil's main highways nearly to a standstill amid persistent public anger over alleged misuse of public funds and neglect of basic services.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff faces a sharp drop in her approval ratings amid allegations the government has lavished funds on controversial prestige projects that should go toward poverty reduction and improving public services.
The prestige projects include multibillion-dollar sprucing up of the country's exterior image before next year's FIFA World Cup tournament and the Olympics in 2016. Critics accuse the government of turning a blind eye to mass-scale misappropriations, delays in projects and cronyism.
The government says the expenditure is necessary to prepare Brazil for the two international events. Media reports cite shortfalls in necessary infrastructural renewal, including hotel room shortages.
Rousseff launched a major anti-corruption drive last year amid charges of misrule by her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and his alleged cronies, but the campaign has been derailed as renewed allegations emerge of widespread graft under her own presidency.
Tens of thousands of protesters turned out for Thursday's demonstrations, with protesters and traffic clogging major highways in at least seven states, officials said.
Protest leaders called the turnout a "national struggle day." Although the main protests were orchestrated by trade unions, many other organizations joined in.
Access to the Santos port, the largest in South America, was blocked by protesters for a second day.
The country's heavily congested ports suffered more setbacks in authorities' desperate bid to clear a backlog that has spread panic among traders. Exporters fear they face huge losses as merchandise remains unshipped.
Disruptions were reported in hospitals and some schools remained shut. Public transport systems in many areas outside Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo were hit, leaving thousands more who didn't join the protests stranded in roads and at railway stations.
As the protests spread, demands have widened, too. Protesters want specific action on improving infrastructure, reducing income disparities and agricultural reforms that can lift farmers out of chronic poverty.
Analysts say income disparities have worsened with rising inflation.
IMF data show emerging markets including Brazil face slowing growth. The IMF cut its global growth forecast for 2013 to a "subdued" 3.1 percent and for emerging economies to 5 percent from 5.3 percent.
The outlook for Brazil has gone down to 2.5 percent from 3.4 percent.
Critics say the slow growth forecast is another reason for the Rousseff administration to be more cautious with public spending.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff faces a sharp drop in her approval ratings amid allegations the government has lavished funds on controversial prestige projects that should go toward poverty reduction and improving public services.
The prestige projects include multibillion-dollar sprucing up of the country's exterior image before next year's FIFA World Cup tournament and the Olympics in 2016. Critics accuse the government of turning a blind eye to mass-scale misappropriations, delays in projects and cronyism.
The government says the expenditure is necessary to prepare Brazil for the two international events. Media reports cite shortfalls in necessary infrastructural renewal, including hotel room shortages.
Rousseff launched a major anti-corruption drive last year amid charges of misrule by her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and his alleged cronies, but the campaign has been derailed as renewed allegations emerge of widespread graft under her own presidency.
Tens of thousands of protesters turned out for Thursday's demonstrations, with protesters and traffic clogging major highways in at least seven states, officials said.
Protest leaders called the turnout a "national struggle day." Although the main protests were orchestrated by trade unions, many other organizations joined in.
Access to the Santos port, the largest in South America, was blocked by protesters for a second day.
The country's heavily congested ports suffered more setbacks in authorities' desperate bid to clear a backlog that has spread panic among traders. Exporters fear they face huge losses as merchandise remains unshipped.
Disruptions were reported in hospitals and some schools remained shut. Public transport systems in many areas outside Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo were hit, leaving thousands more who didn't join the protests stranded in roads and at railway stations.
As the protests spread, demands have widened, too. Protesters want specific action on improving infrastructure, reducing income disparities and agricultural reforms that can lift farmers out of chronic poverty.
Analysts say income disparities have worsened with rising inflation.
IMF data show emerging markets including Brazil face slowing growth. The IMF cut its global growth forecast for 2013 to a "subdued" 3.1 percent and for emerging economies to 5 percent from 5.3 percent.
The outlook for Brazil has gone down to 2.5 percent from 3.4 percent.
Critics say the slow growth forecast is another reason for the Rousseff administration to be more cautious with public spending.
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