Stephen King: The last word on Harry Potter

Now that the dust has settled on ”Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” Stephen King reflects on why no review did it justice, and whether kids (and their grown-ups) will ever read the same way again…

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Beauties With Big Brains

It’s easy to forget, but not every hot female celebrity is a braindead skanked out media whore like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Here are ten gorgeous female celebrities who actually excelled academically and have something going for them apart from their good looks.

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The Position of Jessica Alba’s Boyfriend is OPEN

Bachelors (and anyone else for that matter) take note: Jessica Alba, that bastion of sexual purity and overall desirable hotness, is single. Scrape that jaw off the floor, cowboy. The news is true. Does this mean that you have a chance at getting into her jeans? Perhaps, if you can give yourself over to your innate ATTACK MODE.

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Celebs add star power to ‘08 donor lists

Celebs add star power to ‘08 donor lists

Actor Tony Sirico of “The Sopranos” gave to Giuliani last quarter.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Celebrity donors. You know they’re out there. But finding them in those Federal Election Commission reports buried among tens of thousands of celebrity-impaired Americans can be a royal pain in the Oscar.

But we at the CNN Political Ticker have painstakingly reviewed the latest batch of presidential fundraising disclosures and have compiled that information in convenient list form, complete with bullet points.

Click below for The Ticker’s list of celebrity donors.

HILLARY CLINTON (D)
* Ruby Dee, actress: $250
* Danny DeVito, actor: $2,300
* Fran Drescher, TV’s “The Nanny”: $2,300
* Joely Fisher, actress $4,600
* Tom Hanks, actor: $2,300
* Ed Helms, actor, “Andy Bernard” in NBC’s “The Office”: $250
* Sharon Lawrence, “NYPD Blue” co-star: $1,000
* Tobey Maguire, actor $4,600
* Marla Maples, actress: $1,000
* Paul Newman, actor: $4,600
* Rhea Perlman, actress $2,300
* Pauly Shore, actor $1,000
* Ben Stiller, actor $6,900 ($4,600 is the legal limit)
* George Takei, actor $1,000
* Lily Tomlin, actress $2,000
* Rita Wilson, actress $2,300
* Joanne Woodward, actress $4,600

CHRIS DODD (D)
* John Lithgow, actor: $1000
* Christy Romano, actress, singer, voice of “Kim Possible”: $300

JOHN EDWARDS (D)
* Oliver Stone, director: $500
* Mary Steenburgen, actress: $2300
* Ben Stiller, actor: $4600
* Peter Coyote, actor: $1054
* Sharon Lawrence, actress: $1000

MIKE GRAVEL (D)
* Mark Ruffalo, actor: $700

BARACK OBAMA (D)
* Adam Arkin, actor $250
* Paul Dooley, actor $2,300
* Jodie Foster, actress $1,000
* Jamie Foxx, actor $2,300
* Martha Hackett, “Star Trek” actress $2,300
* Bruce Hornsby, singer $2,300
* Anna Horsford, “Amen” actress $500
* Cedric “The Entertainer” Kyles, actor $2,500
* Eriq La Salle, actor $500
* Paul Newman, actor $4,600
* Tom Skerritt, actor $1,000
* Jean Smart, actress $4,600
* Jada Smith, actress $4,600
* Will Smith, actor $4,600
* David Sutcliffe, “Gilmore Girls” Actor $1,250
* Isaiah Washington, former “Grey’s Anatomy” Actor $2,300
* Joanne Woodward, Actress $4,600

DENNIS KUCINICH (D)
* Shelley Morrison, actress (“Rosario” on “Will and Grace”): $1600
* Alexandra Paul, actress, “Baywatch” co-star: $1300
* Deirdre Hall, “Days of Our Lives” actress: $1000
* Hector Elizondo, actor: $300

BILL RICHARDSON (D)
* Michael Douglas, actor: $3100
* Val Kilmer, actor: $2300
* Paul Newman, actor: $2300
* Edward James Olmos, actor: $2300
* Wendie Malick, “Just Shoot Me” actress: $500
* Steven Spielberg, director: $2300
* Kate Capshaw, actress, wife of Steven Spielberg: $2300
* Jodie Foster, actress: $1000
* Christie Brinkley, self-described as “Model/Mom/Environmental activist”: $500
* Bette Midler, actress/singer: $4600
* Sherry Lansing, former film executive: $2300
* William Friedkin, director: $2300
* James L. Brooks, producer/writer: $1000

RUDY GIULIANI (R)
* Tony Sirico, actor, “Paulie Walnuts” on “The Sopranos”: $1000
* Melissa Gilbert, actress: $4600

– CNN Political Research Director Robert Yoon

Darth Vader’s voice will be the voice of the Declaration of Independence

The voice of Darth Vader will be the voice of the Declaration of Independence.

James Earl Jones, whose rich baritone gave life to the sinister villain of the “Star Wars” movies, will be in Philadelphia on Tuesday to help open an exhibit featuring the Magna Carta at the National Constitution Center.

The Broadway and movie actor who also was behind King Mufasa in “The Lion King” – as well as countless Verizon commercials – will recite the Declaration of Independence at the “Magna Carta: Foundation of Freedom” exhibit one day before the Fourth of July.

“Here’s an opportunity to focus on the declaration itself – besides the holiday, besides the great explosions and bombs bursting in air,” Jones said in an interview that aired Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”

The exhibit, presented by the National Education Association and sponsored by Verizon Communications, will run from July 4 to July 25. The Magna Carta is on loan from Great Britain’s Lincoln Cathedral.

In addition to the Magna Carta, the 1215 document that helped inspire the Declaration of Independence, the center also features a signed Emancipation Proclamation and a printing of the U.S. Constitution.

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Jessica Biel Amazing Photos

80 spectacular photos of former fashion model Jessica Biel!

Jessica Claire Biel (born March 3, 1982) is an American actress and former fashion model best known for appearing in several Hollywood films such as Summer Catch, the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Illusionist, as well as for her early television role of Mary Camden in the long-running family-drama series 7th Heaven.

Early life
She was born in Ely, Minnesota to Jonathan Edward Biel and Kimberly Conroe. Biel, who has a younger brother, Justin, grew up in Boulder, Colorado, where her family had moved when she was very young. She initially trained to become a vocalist with the hope of performing in musical theater and appeared in several musicals at an early age including The Sound of Music, Annie, Beauty and the Beast and Anything Goes.

Career
It wasn’t until Biel attended the International Modeling & Talent Association Convention in Los Angeles in 1994 when her career started to take off as a fashion model. However, her big break came when at 14 years old she landed the role of Mary Camden on the WB TV Series 7th Heaven. The family drama from Aaron Spelling and Brenda Hampton became the most popular (and remains the longest running) series on the fledgling network. Jessica’s film career also began at age 15 when she played alongside Peter Fonda in his Golden Globe winning performance in Ulee’s Gold (1997). Aside from acting, Jessica became a spokesmodel for L’Oreal cosmetics in 2002.

In 2000, Biel posed topless in a layout of Gear magazine. It was controversial because she was only 17 at the time of the shoot. Her frustration and fear about being typecast was one of the reasons that led to her decision. She blamed her saintly image on 7th Heaven for limiting her film career, including losing a lead role in American Beauty, which eventually went to Thora Birch. Jessica also hoped that by posing she would get out of her 7th Heaven contract, which she accomplished. She later said she regretted posing for the magazine and regards it as a learning experience. Jessica returned to 7th Heaven full time for the 2001—2002 season and then focused her attention on her movie career and has made minimal TV appearances since then.

After her departure from 7th Heaven she accepted projects mainly geared to teens and young adults including Summer Catch (2001), The Rules of Attraction (2002) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003). The movies were met with mild reaction from the box office and received mixed reviews. She has also had starring roles in Blade: Trinity (2004) and Stealth (2005), the latter of which was a box-office flop, losing a significant amount of money. Biel was also rumored to be up for the part of Elizabeth in The Fog (a part originated by scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis). Later reports stated Biel did not want to do any more horror films. The part eventually went to Maggie Grace of Lost. Turning down the role proved to be a wise move: the remake was a box office flop, which had been predicted by various critics, as the film was not screened for the press prior to its release. After a nearly three year absence, Jessica surprised her fans by making one final appearance in the series finale of 7th Heaven in May 2006. The series was later renewed, at last minute, for an 11th season. Biel has not made any future appearances as of early 2007. After several indifferent feature films, her film career finally blossomed when she played a turn-of-the-century duchess in The Illusionist (2006), which received good reviews and generated a profit at the box office.

Her latest film, Home of the Brave (2006), about soldiers returning from Iraq, premiered in Los Angeles on December 5, 2006.

She next starred opposite Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore in Next (2007), a science fiction action film based on The Golden Man, a short story by noted author Philip K. Dick. She also appeared opposite Adam Sandler in the comedy I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and will appear in A Woman of No Importance, taking over Lindsay Lohan’s part, since the latter recently dropped out of the project.

Personal life
Jessica attended the exclusive private Lycée Français de Los Angeles for high school. In fall 2000, she enrolled in undergraduate study at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Having attended there during fall 2000, spring 2001 and fall 2002 semesters, she left before completing a degree program to concentrate on her acting career.

Biel’s hobbies include ballet, soccer, running, yoga and hiking. She has a dog named East. She recently bought a house close to her parents in Colorado. Biel is the co-founder of MTDN (Make the Difference Network) and she supports several non-profit groups, including PETA and the home rehabilitation organization Rebuilding Together, as well as GLAAD. She is also a vegan.

Biel currently resides in Los Angeles. She dated fellow actor Chris Evans from 2001 to 2006, with at least one time “off” during that period. Together, they appeared in the films London and Cellular. She also dated another fellow actor, Adam LaVorgna, who portrayed the character of Robbie in 7th Heaven, for about two years. Jessica had been linked to New York Yankees star shortstop Derek Jeter.

On July 18, 2006, Biel auctioned herself for a charity event to help raise money for medical expenses for Colorado teen Molly Bloom, who lost her leg and part of her pelvis in an auto accident. The winning bid for the lunch date with Biel was $30,000 paid by 28-year-old John Schiffner. Biel quipped, “I promise, I’m a cheap date.” The charity event raised $38,000 total. The lunch date was set for August 18, 2006. Biel also donated money to the daughter of actor Rey-Phillip Santos for her appendix operation.

In January 2007, Biel was linked to singer Justin Timberlake when pictures surfaced of the two snowboarding in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival. On May 12, 2007, the gossip was refueled with the release of romantic pictures of Timberlake and Biel on multiple dates, specifically caught kissing while dining in the UK accompanied by producer/mogul Timbaland and the Manchester United footballer Alan Smith. Timberlake has said he is drawn to independent women.

Awards
2007: Rising-star Award – Palm Springs International Film Festival 2007 Gala Awards

2005: ShoWest Award Female Star of Tomorrow – 2005 ShoWest Convention

1998: Young Artist Award – Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress in Ulee’s Gold

Rankings
Ranked #5 by AskMen.com readers in the list “Top 99 Women 2007″.
Esquire magazine named her the “Sexiest Woman Alive” in a 2005 six-part series with each month, revealing a different body part and clue to the woman’s identity. One clue given was that her last name rhymes with what sigillographers are interested in (document seals).
Ranked #98 on VH1’s “100 Hottest Hotties”.
Ranked #99 in Stuff magazine’s “102 Sexiest Women In The World” (2002).
Ranked #1 in Stuff magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women” (2007).
Ranked as #5 on Maxim’s Hot 100 for 2007.

Filmography

Biel on the set of Stealth.Year Movie Role Other notes
1996-2001 7th Heaven Mary Camden television series
1997 Ulee’s Gold Casey Jackson
1998 I’ll Be Home for Christmas Allie
2001 Summer Catch Tenley Parrish
2002 The Rules of Attraction Lara Holleran
2003 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Erin Hardesty
2004 It’s a Digital World voice
2004 Cellular Chloe
2004 Blade: Trinity Abigail Whistler
2005 Stealth Lieutenant Kara Wade
2005 Elizabethtown Ellen Kishmore
2005 London London
2006 The Illusionist Duchess Sophie von Teschen
2006 Home of the Brave Vanessa Price
2007 Next Liz Cooper
2007 I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry Alex McDonough
2007 Hole in the Paper Sky TBA
2008 A Woman of No Importance Hester Worsley
2008 Powder Blue Rose-Johnny
2008 Invisible Monsters TBA

Victoria Beckham Raises Not only the Flag

Stars, Stripes, and Boobies.
Victoria Beckham, of the re-united Spice Girls holds a US flag as they pose for the photographers on the grounds of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, Thursday June 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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Johnny Depp gets serenaded by pirate children

Johnny Depp gets serenaded by a group of pirate children. It actually goes from being wacky to really impressive. http://popoholic.com/pop-video-youtube.php?id=yB0vWOaOjx0&title=Johnny%20Depp

Depp: “I can promise you this: I will never forget this for as long as I live.”

To experiment with sex Actress Jessica Alba wants one-night stands

STUNNING actress Jessica Alba says she is up for a one-night stand – as long as the man leaves the next morning.

The curvy 23-year-old, who was recently romantically linked to Hollywood hunk Mark Wahlberg, likes the idea of getting intimate with lots of different people because she loves experimenting in sex.

She told Cosmopolitan magazine: “I just wanted to see what it was like to be with different people. I don’t think a girl’s a slut if she enjoys sex.

“I could have a one-night stand, and I’m the kind of girl who looks over in the morning and is like, ‘Do you really have to be here?’ I don’t need to cuddle and do all that stuff because I know what it is and I don’t try to make it more.

“I feel like a lot of women try to make it into more, so they don’t feel so bad about just wanting to have sex. I don’t really have a problem with just wanting sex. Never have.

“Even when I was a virgin and wanted to marry the first guy who I slept with, I never passed any judgments about that. But now I’m done with dating around.”

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Woody Allen will make his operatic directing debut

Woody Allen will make his operatic directing debut in September 2008, helming Puccini’s lone comedy, “Gianni Schicchi.” The production will be part of the Puccini “Il Trittico” tryptich of “Schicchi,” “Il Tabarro” and “Suor Angelica,” the latter two being directed by William Friedkin. Placido Domingo, the Broad general director of the Los Ang…

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