5 little-known ways to flirt
When it comes to attraction, there may indeed be a little weird science involved. Seriously, how many times have you looked at a couple and said to yourself,Hmmm…how did a guy like that get a gal like her? Well, we’re not going to say we’ve found the magic elixir, but we did dig up some surprising secret ways men can effortlessly make themselves more attractive to the ladies.
We’re guessing that even if they don’t actually work for you personally, the extra confidence you’ll exude knowing you’ve got these stealth attraction tactics (i.e., “attractics”) in your arsenal may just help you land a date with that gal you’ve had your eye on.
Attractic #1: Wear red
Red is a power color, and that doesn’t just apply to politics and carpets at Hollywood events. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, simply wearing the color red or being surrounded by the rosy hue makes a man more attractive and desirable to women. The fact that women are largely unaware of this color’s arousing quality makes wearing it that much more effective for men who are in the know (unless they’re women who happen to have read this article… in which case, they may be on to you, but they’ll still probably respond to the color anyway).
Adding a touch of red into your wardrobe apparently makes women perceive you as having a higher social status, more likely to make money and think of you as powerful (whether it’s true or not). On a purely animalistic level, for non-human primates — like mandrills and gelada baboons — the color red is an indicator of male dominance and is expressed most intensely in alpha males. Females of these species mate more often with alpha males who, in return, provide them with protection and resources. “When women see red, it triggers something deep and probably biologically ingrained,” says Andrew Elliot, the lead author of this study and professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. In other words, dressing to impress may now mean adding a pop of cherry into your typical black, gray and navy wardrobe staples.
Attractic #2: Eat celery
Real men don’t eat rabbit food, right? WRONG. If you want to reel in the ladies, try increasing your crunches — of celery stalks, that is, not the gym variety. And it’s not just because women tend to congregate around vegetable trays at parties; in fact, eating celery increases the amount of female-attracting pheromones that men emit. Why? It seems that the cytoplasm found in celery contains the same chemicals as those found in human male sweat (specifically, regular sweat that’s responsible for a subtly masculine scent, which may not always be perceptible through clothing); both contain the steroid Androstenone, which makes men more attractive to women.
Why would you want more pheromones oozing out of your pores, you ask? Well, these are the hormones responsible for letting animals know when it’s time to mate, and they’re also how insects attract their mates from up to six miles away. So if you find yourself within flirting distance of an attractive woman and you’re dripping in delicious pheromones thanks to the celery you snacked on for lunch, women may find themselves irresistibly drawn to you. “The effects of celery are almost immediate,” says Judy Gaman, coauthor of the book, Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health. “We recommend that a man work out, have a nice, warm shower, chomp on a few sticks of celery, brush his teeth — and then head out the door smelling good!” Admit it: you’re rethinking the “eat your vegetables” edict now, aren’t you? Just call it “eau de crudité.”
Attractic #3: Play romantic music
Looking to score a gal’s digits or get her to think that you’re Prince Charming? Take a cue from the French and play a little love song first. According to a recent study by researchers Nicolas Guéguen and Céline Jacob from the Université de Bretagne-Sud (along with Lubomir Lamy from Université de Paris-Sud), women who were exposed to romantic music before interacting with eligible males were more likely to hand over their contact information (ostensibly, to set up a date) than those ladies who were exposed to “neutral” music in the same scenario. And while sappy ballads might make more macho guys want to gag, if your goal is to get the lady in question’s email address, it might behoove you to stomach a little Il Divo or Josh Groban in the presence of female subjects (the researchers showed positive correlations between romantic feelings and background music). Or try attending a crooner’s concert performance solo; who knows — you might just find yourself fighting off a whole group of swooning women!
Attractic #4: Order a chocolate dessert
Meeting a lady for coffee? Order some food, too. And if you can, make it something with chocolate in it. Here’s why: when people talk about falling in love, what’s really going on is that you’re participating in activities that promote forming an attachment to each other. Things that facilitate the attachment process raise your oxytocin levels (the love and bonding hormones) in the brain. According to Dr. Alan Hirsch, Neurological Director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, eating and the smell of food increases oxytocin levels in humans. So, by ordering an appetizer or dessert as an accompaniment, your date’s oxytocin levels will spike, thus encouraging a mutual bond to develop. (Who would’ve guessed that love was just an order of nachos away this whole time?) “You may want to be alone with her while eating, however, so she doesn’t bond with someone else at the table,” warns Dr. Hirsch.
To enhance the bonding effect even more, order something that contains chocolate. Eating chocolate increases the serotonin levels in the human body, which can induce feelings of euphoria and chemically improve your mood. “By being around a woman while she’s eating chocolate, you get this sort of ‘halo effect’…she likes the chocolate you ordered her, therefore she likes you,” says Dr. Hirsch.
Attractic #5: Learn some dance moves
So you think you can dance? Go ahead and bust a move, then! Actually, make that a good move (if you are a horrible dancer and you know it, please try options #1-4 above first). Why? The movements associated with men perceived as being skilled at dancing appear to send a subliminal signal to women that you’re in good health and have reproductive potential.
A recent study published in the Royal Society journal, Biology Letters, analyzed the dance moves of 12 non-professional male dancers. Researchers videotaped these men grooving to a basic drum rhythm and then turned their “dances” into computer-generated cartoons (that way, each guy could be judged solely on his moves, not his looks). Women then rated these dancing avatars on a scale of 1 to 7.
The results were clear: if it’s female attention you’re after, don’t flail your arms on the dance floor. Women participating in the study paid more attention to those dancers who were connected with their core body region. In other words, the guys who earned higher ratings had more control over their upper bodies and were twisting, bending, moving and nodding instead of simply pumping their fists in the air. Women scored men whose movements were twitchy and repetitive the lowest — so try to stay on beat and avoid shuffling back and forth aimlessly. And if you know you’re smooth, well...don’t be afraid to show it! You just might have women falling at your feet (but not stepping on your toes).
Kimberly Dawn Neumann (www.KDNeumann.com) is a New York City-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Maxim and more. A frequent online contributor for Match.com’s Happen magazine, she’s also the author of The Real Reasons Men Commit as well as the founder of www.DatingDivaDaily.com.
We’re guessing that even if they don’t actually work for you personally, the extra confidence you’ll exude knowing you’ve got these stealth attraction tactics (i.e., “attractics”) in your arsenal may just help you land a date with that gal you’ve had your eye on.
Attractic #1: Wear red
Red is a power color, and that doesn’t just apply to politics and carpets at Hollywood events. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, simply wearing the color red or being surrounded by the rosy hue makes a man more attractive and desirable to women. The fact that women are largely unaware of this color’s arousing quality makes wearing it that much more effective for men who are in the know (unless they’re women who happen to have read this article… in which case, they may be on to you, but they’ll still probably respond to the color anyway).
Adding a touch of red into your wardrobe apparently makes women perceive you as having a higher social status, more likely to make money and think of you as powerful (whether it’s true or not). On a purely animalistic level, for non-human primates — like mandrills and gelada baboons — the color red is an indicator of male dominance and is expressed most intensely in alpha males. Females of these species mate more often with alpha males who, in return, provide them with protection and resources. “When women see red, it triggers something deep and probably biologically ingrained,” says Andrew Elliot, the lead author of this study and professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. In other words, dressing to impress may now mean adding a pop of cherry into your typical black, gray and navy wardrobe staples.
Attractic #2: Eat celery
Real men don’t eat rabbit food, right? WRONG. If you want to reel in the ladies, try increasing your crunches — of celery stalks, that is, not the gym variety. And it’s not just because women tend to congregate around vegetable trays at parties; in fact, eating celery increases the amount of female-attracting pheromones that men emit. Why? It seems that the cytoplasm found in celery contains the same chemicals as those found in human male sweat (specifically, regular sweat that’s responsible for a subtly masculine scent, which may not always be perceptible through clothing); both contain the steroid Androstenone, which makes men more attractive to women.
Why would you want more pheromones oozing out of your pores, you ask? Well, these are the hormones responsible for letting animals know when it’s time to mate, and they’re also how insects attract their mates from up to six miles away. So if you find yourself within flirting distance of an attractive woman and you’re dripping in delicious pheromones thanks to the celery you snacked on for lunch, women may find themselves irresistibly drawn to you. “The effects of celery are almost immediate,” says Judy Gaman, coauthor of the book, Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health. “We recommend that a man work out, have a nice, warm shower, chomp on a few sticks of celery, brush his teeth — and then head out the door smelling good!” Admit it: you’re rethinking the “eat your vegetables” edict now, aren’t you? Just call it “eau de crudité.”
Attractic #3: Play romantic music
Looking to score a gal’s digits or get her to think that you’re Prince Charming? Take a cue from the French and play a little love song first. According to a recent study by researchers Nicolas Guéguen and Céline Jacob from the Université de Bretagne-Sud (along with Lubomir Lamy from Université de Paris-Sud), women who were exposed to romantic music before interacting with eligible males were more likely to hand over their contact information (ostensibly, to set up a date) than those ladies who were exposed to “neutral” music in the same scenario. And while sappy ballads might make more macho guys want to gag, if your goal is to get the lady in question’s email address, it might behoove you to stomach a little Il Divo or Josh Groban in the presence of female subjects (the researchers showed positive correlations between romantic feelings and background music). Or try attending a crooner’s concert performance solo; who knows — you might just find yourself fighting off a whole group of swooning women!
Attractic #4: Order a chocolate dessert
Meeting a lady for coffee? Order some food, too. And if you can, make it something with chocolate in it. Here’s why: when people talk about falling in love, what’s really going on is that you’re participating in activities that promote forming an attachment to each other. Things that facilitate the attachment process raise your oxytocin levels (the love and bonding hormones) in the brain. According to Dr. Alan Hirsch, Neurological Director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, eating and the smell of food increases oxytocin levels in humans. So, by ordering an appetizer or dessert as an accompaniment, your date’s oxytocin levels will spike, thus encouraging a mutual bond to develop. (Who would’ve guessed that love was just an order of nachos away this whole time?) “You may want to be alone with her while eating, however, so she doesn’t bond with someone else at the table,” warns Dr. Hirsch.
To enhance the bonding effect even more, order something that contains chocolate. Eating chocolate increases the serotonin levels in the human body, which can induce feelings of euphoria and chemically improve your mood. “By being around a woman while she’s eating chocolate, you get this sort of ‘halo effect’…she likes the chocolate you ordered her, therefore she likes you,” says Dr. Hirsch.
Attractic #5: Learn some dance moves
So you think you can dance? Go ahead and bust a move, then! Actually, make that a good move (if you are a horrible dancer and you know it, please try options #1-4 above first). Why? The movements associated with men perceived as being skilled at dancing appear to send a subliminal signal to women that you’re in good health and have reproductive potential.
A recent study published in the Royal Society journal, Biology Letters, analyzed the dance moves of 12 non-professional male dancers. Researchers videotaped these men grooving to a basic drum rhythm and then turned their “dances” into computer-generated cartoons (that way, each guy could be judged solely on his moves, not his looks). Women then rated these dancing avatars on a scale of 1 to 7.
The results were clear: if it’s female attention you’re after, don’t flail your arms on the dance floor. Women participating in the study paid more attention to those dancers who were connected with their core body region. In other words, the guys who earned higher ratings had more control over their upper bodies and were twisting, bending, moving and nodding instead of simply pumping their fists in the air. Women scored men whose movements were twitchy and repetitive the lowest — so try to stay on beat and avoid shuffling back and forth aimlessly. And if you know you’re smooth, well...don’t be afraid to show it! You just might have women falling at your feet (but not stepping on your toes).
Kimberly Dawn Neumann (www.KDNeumann.com) is a New York City-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Maxim and more. A frequent online contributor for Match.com’s Happen magazine, she’s also the author of The Real Reasons Men Commit as well as the founder of www.DatingDivaDaily.com.
Tell President Obama: We Have Your Back on the 14th Amendment
Dear President Obama,
We understand the difficulties you face in reaching a debt limit agreement. Extremists have taken over the Republican Party in Congress. To get their way, they're willing to risk the United States defaulting on its debts for the first time in history. This GOP-manufactured debt crisis threatens a rejuvenated recession, hundreds of thousands of lost jobs, and higher interest rates. You don't want that. We don't want that.
Mr. President, we want you to know that if a reasonable compromise cannot be reached with Congressional Republicans, we have your back if you choose to use your constitutional authority under the 14th Amendment to avoid economic catastrophe.
The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states that the validity of the public debt of the United States "shall not be questioned." Let's stop questioning it.
When we play chicken with radicals willing to drive the economy off the cliff, the entire country loses. That's the lesson we're now learning.
When the situation has stabilized, we can focus on the real issues -- job creation in the immediate term and deficit reduction over the next decade. There is plenty of time for bipartisan debate on these important issues of the day, but we are running out of time to stop an easily preventable financial disaster.
Thank you for your leadership.
Sincerely,
John Garamendi
John Garamendi
Add your name to the letter here.
Pulp Fiction (1994): John Travolta & Samuel L. Jackson
Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino, who cowrote its screenplay with Roger Avary. The film is known for its rich, eclectic dialogue, ironic mix of humor and violence, nonlinear storyline, and host of cinematic allusions and pop culture references. 
The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture; Tarantino and Avary won for Best Original Screenplay. It was also awarded the Palme d'Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. A major critical and commercial success, it revitalized the career of its leading man, John Travolta, who received an Academy Award nomination, as did costars Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman.
Directed in a highly stylized manner, Pulp Fiction joins the intersecting storylines of Los Angeles mobsters, fringe players, small-time criminals, and a mysterious briefcase. Considerable screen time is devoted to conversations and monologues that reveal the characters' senses of humor and perspectives on life. The film's title refers to the pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels popular during the mid-20th century, known for their graphic violence and punchy dialogue. Pulp Fiction is self-referential from its opening moments, beginning with a title card that gives two dictionary definitions of "pulp". The plot, as in many of Tarantino's other works, is presented out of chronological sequence.
The picture's self-reflexivity, unconventional structure, and extensive use of homage and pastiche have led critics to describe it as a prime example of postmodern film. Considered by some critics a black comedy, the film is also frequently labeled a "neo-noir". Critic Geoffrey O'Brien argues otherwise: "The old-time noir passions, the brooding melancholy and operatic death scenes, would be altogether out of place in the crisp and brightly lit wonderland that Tarantino conjures up. [It is] neither neo-noir nor a parody of noir".
Similarly, Nicholas Christopher calls it "more gangland camp than neo-noir", and Foster Hirsch suggests that its "trippy fantasy landscape" characterizes it more definitively than any genre label. Pulp Fiction is viewed as the inspiration for many later movies that adopted various elements of its style. The nature of its development, marketing, and distribution and its consequent profitability had a sweeping effect on the field of independent cinema (although it is not an independent film itself). Considered a cultural watershed, Pulp Fiction's influence has been felt in several other media.
John Travolta as Vincent Vega: Tarantino cast Travolta in Pulp Fiction only because Michael Madsen, who had a major role—Vic Vega—in Reservoir Dogs, chose to appear in Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp instead. Madsen was still rueing his choice over a decade later. Harvey Weinstein pushed for Daniel Day-Lewis in the part. Travolta accepted a bargain rate for his services—sources claim either $100,000 or $140,000—but the film's success and his Oscar nomination as Best Actor revitalized his career. Travolta was subsequently cast in several hits including Get Shorty, in which he played a similar character, and the John Woo blockbuster Face/Off. In 2004, Tarantino discussed an idea for a movie starring Travolta and Madsen as the Vega brothers; the concept remains unrealized.
Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield: Tarantino had written the part with Jackson in mind, but the actor nearly lost it after his first audition was overshadowed by Paul Calderón's. Jackson assumed the audition was merely a reading. Harvey Weinstein convinced Jackson to audition a second time, and his performance of the final diner scene won over Tarantino. Jules was originally scripted with a giant afro, but Tarantino and Jackson agreed on the Jheri-curled wig seen in the film. (One reviewer took it as a "tacit comic statement about the ghettoization of blacks in movies".) Jackson received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Calderon appears in the movie as Paul, a bartender at Marsellus's social club.
Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace: Miramax favored Holly Hunter or Meg Ryan for the role. Alfre Woodard and Meg Tilly were also considered, but Tarantino wanted Thurman after their first meeting. She dominated most of the film's promotional material, appearing on a bed with cigarette in hand. She was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar and was launched into the celebrity A-list. She took little advantage of her newfound fame, choosing not to do any big-budget films for the next three years. Thurman would later star in Tarantino's two Kill Bill movies.
Bruce Willis as Butch Coolidge: Willis was a major star, but most of his recent films had been box-office disappointments. As described by Peter Bart, taking a role in the modestly budgeted film "meant lowering his salary and risking his star status, but the strategy...paid off royally: Pulp Fiction not only brought Willis new respect as an actor, but also earned him several million dollars as a result of his gross participation." Willis's appearance and physical presence were crucial to Tarantino's interest in casting him: "Bruce has the look of a 50s actor. I can't think of any other star that has that look."
Harvey Keitel as Winston Wolf or simply "The Wolf": The part was written specifically for Keitel, who had starred in Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and was instrumental in getting it produced. In the filmmaker's words, "Harvey had been my favorite actor since I was 16 years old."[47] Keitel had played a character similarly employed as a "cleaner" in Point of No Return, released a year earlier.
Tim Roth as "Pumpkin" or "Ringo": Roth had starred in Reservoir Dogs alongside Keitel and was brought on board again. He had used an American accent in the earlier film, but uses his natural, London one in Pulp Fiction. Though Tarantino had written the part specifically with Roth in mind, TriStar head Mike Medavoy preferred Johnny Depp or Christian Slater.
Amanda Plummer as Yolanda or "Honey Bunny": Tarantino wrote the role for Plummer, specifically to partner Roth onscreen. Roth had introduced the actress and director, telling Tarantino, "I want to work with Amanda in one of your films, but she has to have a really big gun." Plummer followed up with director Michael Winterbottom's Butterfly Kiss, in which she plays a serial killer.
Maria de Medeiros as Fabienne: Butch's girlfriend. Tarantino met the Portuguese actress while traveling with Reservoir Dogs around the European film festival circuit. She had previously costarred with Thurman in Henry & June (1990), playing Anaïs Nin.
Ving Rhames as Marsellus Wallace: Before Rhames was cast, the part was offered to Sid Haig, who had appeared in many classic exploitation movies of the 1970s. Haig passed on the role. According to Bender, Rhames gave "one of the best auditions I've ever seen." His acclaimed performance led to his being cast in big-budget features such as Mission Impossible, Con Air, and Out of Sight.
Eric Stoltz as Lance: Vincent's drug dealer. Courtney Love later reported that Kurt Cobain was originally offered the role of Lance; if he had taken it, Love would have played the role of his wife. Tarantino, however, denies that he ever even met Cobain, much less offered him a role in the movie.
Rosanna Arquette as Jody: Lance's wife. Pam Grier read for the role, but Tarantino did not believe audiences would find it plausible for Lance to yell at her.Grier was later cast as the lead of Tarantino's Jackie Brown. Ellen DeGeneres also read for Jody.
Christopher Walken as Captain Koons: Walken appears in a single scene, devoted to the Vietnam veteran's monologue about the gold watch. In 1993, Walken had appeared in another small but pivotal role in the "Sicilian scene" in the Tarantino-written True Romance.
The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture; Tarantino and Avary won for Best Original Screenplay. It was also awarded the Palme d'Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. A major critical and commercial success, it revitalized the career of its leading man, John Travolta, who received an Academy Award nomination, as did costars Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman.
Directed in a highly stylized manner, Pulp Fiction joins the intersecting storylines of Los Angeles mobsters, fringe players, small-time criminals, and a mysterious briefcase. Considerable screen time is devoted to conversations and monologues that reveal the characters' senses of humor and perspectives on life. The film's title refers to the pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels popular during the mid-20th century, known for their graphic violence and punchy dialogue. Pulp Fiction is self-referential from its opening moments, beginning with a title card that gives two dictionary definitions of "pulp". The plot, as in many of Tarantino's other works, is presented out of chronological sequence.
The picture's self-reflexivity, unconventional structure, and extensive use of homage and pastiche have led critics to describe it as a prime example of postmodern film. Considered by some critics a black comedy, the film is also frequently labeled a "neo-noir". Critic Geoffrey O'Brien argues otherwise: "The old-time noir passions, the brooding melancholy and operatic death scenes, would be altogether out of place in the crisp and brightly lit wonderland that Tarantino conjures up. [It is] neither neo-noir nor a parody of noir".
Similarly, Nicholas Christopher calls it "more gangland camp than neo-noir", and Foster Hirsch suggests that its "trippy fantasy landscape" characterizes it more definitively than any genre label. Pulp Fiction is viewed as the inspiration for many later movies that adopted various elements of its style. The nature of its development, marketing, and distribution and its consequent profitability had a sweeping effect on the field of independent cinema (although it is not an independent film itself). Considered a cultural watershed, Pulp Fiction's influence has been felt in several other media.
John Travolta as Vincent Vega: Tarantino cast Travolta in Pulp Fiction only because Michael Madsen, who had a major role—Vic Vega—in Reservoir Dogs, chose to appear in Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp instead. Madsen was still rueing his choice over a decade later. Harvey Weinstein pushed for Daniel Day-Lewis in the part. Travolta accepted a bargain rate for his services—sources claim either $100,000 or $140,000—but the film's success and his Oscar nomination as Best Actor revitalized his career. Travolta was subsequently cast in several hits including Get Shorty, in which he played a similar character, and the John Woo blockbuster Face/Off. In 2004, Tarantino discussed an idea for a movie starring Travolta and Madsen as the Vega brothers; the concept remains unrealized.
Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield: Tarantino had written the part with Jackson in mind, but the actor nearly lost it after his first audition was overshadowed by Paul Calderón's. Jackson assumed the audition was merely a reading. Harvey Weinstein convinced Jackson to audition a second time, and his performance of the final diner scene won over Tarantino. Jules was originally scripted with a giant afro, but Tarantino and Jackson agreed on the Jheri-curled wig seen in the film. (One reviewer took it as a "tacit comic statement about the ghettoization of blacks in movies".) Jackson received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Calderon appears in the movie as Paul, a bartender at Marsellus's social club.
Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace: Miramax favored Holly Hunter or Meg Ryan for the role. Alfre Woodard and Meg Tilly were also considered, but Tarantino wanted Thurman after their first meeting. She dominated most of the film's promotional material, appearing on a bed with cigarette in hand. She was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar and was launched into the celebrity A-list. She took little advantage of her newfound fame, choosing not to do any big-budget films for the next three years. Thurman would later star in Tarantino's two Kill Bill movies.
Bruce Willis as Butch Coolidge: Willis was a major star, but most of his recent films had been box-office disappointments. As described by Peter Bart, taking a role in the modestly budgeted film "meant lowering his salary and risking his star status, but the strategy...paid off royally: Pulp Fiction not only brought Willis new respect as an actor, but also earned him several million dollars as a result of his gross participation." Willis's appearance and physical presence were crucial to Tarantino's interest in casting him: "Bruce has the look of a 50s actor. I can't think of any other star that has that look."
Tim Roth as "Pumpkin" or "Ringo": Roth had starred in Reservoir Dogs alongside Keitel and was brought on board again. He had used an American accent in the earlier film, but uses his natural, London one in Pulp Fiction. Though Tarantino had written the part specifically with Roth in mind, TriStar head Mike Medavoy preferred Johnny Depp or Christian Slater.
Amanda Plummer as Yolanda or "Honey Bunny": Tarantino wrote the role for Plummer, specifically to partner Roth onscreen. Roth had introduced the actress and director, telling Tarantino, "I want to work with Amanda in one of your films, but she has to have a really big gun." Plummer followed up with director Michael Winterbottom's Butterfly Kiss, in which she plays a serial killer.
Maria de Medeiros as Fabienne: Butch's girlfriend. Tarantino met the Portuguese actress while traveling with Reservoir Dogs around the European film festival circuit. She had previously costarred with Thurman in Henry & June (1990), playing Anaïs Nin.
Ving Rhames as Marsellus Wallace: Before Rhames was cast, the part was offered to Sid Haig, who had appeared in many classic exploitation movies of the 1970s. Haig passed on the role. According to Bender, Rhames gave "one of the best auditions I've ever seen." His acclaimed performance led to his being cast in big-budget features such as Mission Impossible, Con Air, and Out of Sight.
Eric Stoltz as Lance: Vincent's drug dealer. Courtney Love later reported that Kurt Cobain was originally offered the role of Lance; if he had taken it, Love would have played the role of his wife. Tarantino, however, denies that he ever even met Cobain, much less offered him a role in the movie.
Rosanna Arquette as Jody: Lance's wife. Pam Grier read for the role, but Tarantino did not believe audiences would find it plausible for Lance to yell at her.Grier was later cast as the lead of Tarantino's Jackie Brown. Ellen DeGeneres also read for Jody.
Christopher Walken as Captain Koons: Walken appears in a single scene, devoted to the Vietnam veteran's monologue about the gold watch. In 1993, Walken had appeared in another small but pivotal role in the "Sicilian scene" in the Tarantino-written True Romance.
Jayalalithaa Seeks Explanation From PM, Chidambaram In 2G Scam
Taking on the UPA government, Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK on Saturday demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P Chidambaram on former Telecom Minister A Raja's charges in 2G spectrum scam of "Himalayan proportions".
"The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have not given any reply even days after the former Telecom Minister had named them in connection with the scam of Himalayan proportions," said a resolution adopted at AIADMK Executive Council meeting chaired by party General Secretary Jayalalithaa in Chennai.
It said the "Congress President and UPA Chairperson has not expressed her opinion," on the issue so far.
"People have a right to know the truth in this matter. The Executive insists that in deference to people's views, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Congress President should immediately reply to Raja's charges," the resolution said.
In his deposition before the court early this week, Raja had dragged the Prime Minister and Chidamabaram, the then Finance Minister, in 2G case, saying the issue of sale of equity by spectrum licencees was discussed with them.
The resolution comes close on the heels of Jayalalithaa asking her party MPs to take on Congress on a host of issues, including 2G spectrum and spiralling prices of commodities, in Parliament session beginning Monday.
"The Prime Minister and the Home Minister have not given any reply even days after the former Telecom Minister had named them in connection with the scam of Himalayan proportions," said a resolution adopted at AIADMK Executive Council meeting chaired by party General Secretary Jayalalithaa in Chennai.
It said the "Congress President and UPA Chairperson has not expressed her opinion," on the issue so far.
"People have a right to know the truth in this matter. The Executive insists that in deference to people's views, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Congress President should immediately reply to Raja's charges," the resolution said.
In his deposition before the court early this week, Raja had dragged the Prime Minister and Chidamabaram, the then Finance Minister, in 2G case, saying the issue of sale of equity by spectrum licencees was discussed with them.
The resolution comes close on the heels of Jayalalithaa asking her party MPs to take on Congress on a host of issues, including 2G spectrum and spiralling prices of commodities, in Parliament session beginning Monday.
Ind vs Eng Live: Raina Departs Post Dravid's 50
India opener Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh are at the crease against England on the second day of the second Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Saturday. Earlier James Anderson scalped Suresh Raina. Live Score
India started the day with an overnight score of 24/1 in reply to England's first innings total of 221. There was some bad news in store for India as paceman Praveen Kumar was fined for showing dissent during the first day's play.
The two got busy eating into a scanty first innings total that England had posted on Day 1. England were clearly frustrated as on Saturday their review against Laxman in James Anderson's over got turned down. With this they have utilised both their reviews and that to unsuccessfully.
Post the drinks breaks Laxman went on to complete his half-century even as England bowlers were struggling to get a wicket. But Laxman's delight was short lived as England paceman saclped him on 54 with an away moving ball that took an edge ofhis bat to land in keeper Matt Prior's gloves when India's total was 93.
Then it was the turn of the Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, to make an appearence in the middle. And Tendulkar, who is still one short of his 100th international ton, started his innings in style, hitting a four off Bresnan on the fifth ball that he faced during the day.
Tendulkar and Dravid were at the crease and India were on 117/2 when lunch was taken on the second day.
Minutes into the second session Sachin Tendulkar was seesn walking back on a scanty 16 on board. And once again it was Stuart Broad who managed to disappoint his fans just like he did during the first innings of the Lord's Test. An away moving ball was edged by Tendulkar and England captain Andrew Strauss made no mistake in the slips. India lost their third wicket on 119.
Rahul Dravid, who has been playing the role of the opener with elan in the absence of regular openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, reached his half-century with precision.
However, his partner in he middle Suresh Raina didn't last long and fell to a James Anderson ball, which would have been better left than played as it was wide outside off. He prodded it and there was virtually no foot movement and Eoin Morgan did the rest at gully. India lost their fourth wicket on 139/4.
India started the day with an overnight score of 24/1 in reply to England's first innings total of 221. There was some bad news in store for India as paceman Praveen Kumar was fined for showing dissent during the first day's play.
The two got busy eating into a scanty first innings total that England had posted on Day 1. England were clearly frustrated as on Saturday their review against Laxman in James Anderson's over got turned down. With this they have utilised both their reviews and that to unsuccessfully.
Post the drinks breaks Laxman went on to complete his half-century even as England bowlers were struggling to get a wicket. But Laxman's delight was short lived as England paceman saclped him on 54 with an away moving ball that took an edge ofhis bat to land in keeper Matt Prior's gloves when India's total was 93.
Then it was the turn of the Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, to make an appearence in the middle. And Tendulkar, who is still one short of his 100th international ton, started his innings in style, hitting a four off Bresnan on the fifth ball that he faced during the day.
Tendulkar and Dravid were at the crease and India were on 117/2 when lunch was taken on the second day.
Minutes into the second session Sachin Tendulkar was seesn walking back on a scanty 16 on board. And once again it was Stuart Broad who managed to disappoint his fans just like he did during the first innings of the Lord's Test. An away moving ball was edged by Tendulkar and England captain Andrew Strauss made no mistake in the slips. India lost their third wicket on 119.
Rahul Dravid, who has been playing the role of the opener with elan in the absence of regular openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, reached his half-century with precision.
However, his partner in he middle Suresh Raina didn't last long and fell to a James Anderson ball, which would have been better left than played as it was wide outside off. He prodded it and there was virtually no foot movement and Eoin Morgan did the rest at gully. India lost their fourth wicket on 139/4.
Yeddyurappa Falls In Line, says Will Quit On Sunday
In signs that he might be relenting after a tense standoff, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday said he would tender his resignation tomorrow, falling in line with the directive of the party leadership which took a tough stand.
As the fresh affirmation by the 68-year-old Yeddyurappa somewhat eased the crisis for the BJP in the first state ruled by it in the South, the party's central observers Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh were locked in hectic consultations in choosing his successor.
According to party sources, Yeddyurappa will have a say in the selection of the new chief minister but he may not get the post of the state BJP president for which he is pushing hard. He is understood to have given three choices for the leadership to consider. (Read: Who is B.S. Yeddyurappa?)
The names doing the rounds to succeed Yeddyurappa are State BJP president K S Eshwarappa, Lok Sabha MP Sadanand Gowda, Ministers Jagadish Shettar, Shoba Karandlaje, V S Acharya and Suresh Kumar S and party national general secretary and MP Ananth Kumar.
In an effort to end the speculation on whether or not he would step down from his post, Yeddyurappa released a press statement that he would quit office on July 31.
In the signed statement that was read out to the media outside the Chief Minister's residence by loyalist Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Yeddyurappa said he had already issued a statement on Thursday that he would tender his resignation on July 31 following the decision of the party's parliamentary board and instruction from BJP central leaders.
But, he said, despite the statement, "even now, some media are misleading the public that I am not resigning".
"I, hereby, again clarify that I am submitting my resignation on the afternoon of 31-3-2011", he said.
Asked if Yeddyurappa's demands were accepted by the party high command, Water Resources Minister Bommai said the Chief Minister had a closed-door meeting with Jaitley and Rajnath and he does not know what transpired between them.
"..but certainly talks are going on in right way...positive way. Every thing will be solved", Bommai said in his comments, which are seen as softening of his stand by the Chief Minister.
As the fresh affirmation by the 68-year-old Yeddyurappa somewhat eased the crisis for the BJP in the first state ruled by it in the South, the party's central observers Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh were locked in hectic consultations in choosing his successor.
According to party sources, Yeddyurappa will have a say in the selection of the new chief minister but he may not get the post of the state BJP president for which he is pushing hard. He is understood to have given three choices for the leadership to consider. (Read: Who is B.S. Yeddyurappa?)
The names doing the rounds to succeed Yeddyurappa are State BJP president K S Eshwarappa, Lok Sabha MP Sadanand Gowda, Ministers Jagadish Shettar, Shoba Karandlaje, V S Acharya and Suresh Kumar S and party national general secretary and MP Ananth Kumar.
In an effort to end the speculation on whether or not he would step down from his post, Yeddyurappa released a press statement that he would quit office on July 31.
In the signed statement that was read out to the media outside the Chief Minister's residence by loyalist Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Yeddyurappa said he had already issued a statement on Thursday that he would tender his resignation on July 31 following the decision of the party's parliamentary board and instruction from BJP central leaders.
But, he said, despite the statement, "even now, some media are misleading the public that I am not resigning".
"I, hereby, again clarify that I am submitting my resignation on the afternoon of 31-3-2011", he said.
Asked if Yeddyurappa's demands were accepted by the party high command, Water Resources Minister Bommai said the Chief Minister had a closed-door meeting with Jaitley and Rajnath and he does not know what transpired between them.
"..but certainly talks are going on in right way...positive way. Every thing will be solved", Bommai said in his comments, which are seen as softening of his stand by the Chief Minister.
Fertile Ground (2011)
Is the After Dark Horrorfest losing its bite? Asking that implies that it ever had a grip to begin with, but after last years' solid line up, we had hope for the future... Of this years entries that we've seen so far, we really liked Prowl, and we really didn't like Husk. Husk played like a Sci-Fi Channel movie for the most part, and just did nothing for us.
Now that we've seen Fertile Ground, we can honestly say that it plays like a like a Lifetime movie of a week, just with boobs and a little bit of blood. It also did nothing for us.
Emily and Nate Weaver leave the city for the rural comfort of Nate's ancestral home in New Hampshire. There, isolated and haunted by inexplicable noises and horrifying visions, Emily learns she's pregnant while Nate is possessed by the homicidal spirit of his forbearers. In a house haunted by past victims, Emily learns that she's the latest target in a murderous tradition.
It's a nice little film, it really is. It's well made, stars the sexy Leisha Hailey, and has a decent story... but as a horror movie, it's just too bland and uneventful. I mean the movie opens up with a shot of Leisha Hailey -and her amazingly amazing boobs- buck naked and rubbing herself in front of a mirror... how do you go wrong with that? Show her having a bloody miscarriage all over the floor, that's how. That will take the wind out of any sail.
Add to that some old genre stand by's such as:
Troubled couple moves to country to make a "fresh start."
The old home the move into has a "mysterious" and "troubled" past.
Odd things begin to happen, which all point to "creepiness."
Our heroine has odd dreams which all point to "creepiness."
Hubby slowly loses his mind and becomes increasingly mean and evil.
*don't forget the jump scares.
There's nothing original at all here, and worse than that is the fact that what is there isn't even compelling to watch. This honestly could be a movie on the Hallmark Channel (nudity aside), for all of it's horror, or even suspense.
Leisha Hailey really does give it a good go with her role, but she's working with very little here. Same with Gale Harold. Nice try, you two. We dig you.
D Fertile Ground isn't atrocious, it's just nothing worth making an effort to see. Catch it when it hits cable if you find yourself bored one afternoon, but other than that, give it a pass.
Unless you like Lifetime movies. Then, watch it.
Amazing Celebrity Makeovers: Lady GaGa and Rihanna
Superstar Lady Gaga was spotted leaving the Chateau Marmont hotel in Hollywood before her performance on the ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live Show’ yesterday. The “Born This Way” star rocked a long, flowing blond lacefront wig that would have made Beyonce proud! Gaga also wore a long black frock with a plunging neckline that was held together by bits of string that barely kept her breasts in check.
Check out Rihanna’s ordinary makeover after the break
Amy Winehouse’s Dad Gives Away Her Clothes
Grieving fans of singer Amy Winehouse who passed away on Saturday were rewarded for their loyalty to the star. The fans, many of whom held a vigil outside Amy’s $4 million flat for 6 days straight, watched yesterday as her parents, Mitch and Janis and her brother Alex, entered Amy’s flat to begin clearing out her possessions.
But instead of putting everything up on eBay, the fans were stunned when Amy’s dad emerged from the flat with an armful of clothes – and began giving the items away.
“These are Amy’s T-shirts. This is what she would have wanted – for her fans to have her clothes,” said Mitch as he distributed the clothing to Amy’s surprised fans.
According to The Sun, Londoner Brigitte Pividal, 52, was left clutching one of the Back To Black singer’s red vests. She said: “I will cherish this for the rest of my life.”
Twitter FAIL: Rihanna Slammed By Fans for Starving Herself for Photoshoot
Rihanna’s Stans turned on her in droves yesterday for admitting she starved herself for a magazine photo shoot.
The troubled 23-year-old singer tweeted the following message to her fans on Wednesday, admitting she gave herself wax treatments and starved herself in a desperate attempt to lose weight for the cover of Esquire magazine, which she shot Tuesday.
This is the same Rihanna who angrily lashed out at another Twitter user months ago for promoting diet pills and urging his female followers to go on starvation diets to achieve a more desired skeletal appearance. Kenneth Tong, who appeared on Big Brother in 2009, later admitted that his tweets were a hoax.
But not before Rihanna tore into him with a series of furious tweets: “This is exactly why girls are doing everything to destroy their bodies!,” she tweeted. Her loyal Stans joined in by bashing Tong for his thoughtless tweets.
Yesterday, it was Rihanna’s turn to feel the wrath of her Stans.
“@rihanna starve?? why?? thats a bad message to your fans ri-ri im dissapointed,” tweeted one Stan.
Another tweeted: “@rihanna what a great role model telling your 6 1/2 million followers that the way to get ready for a magazine cover is to ‘starve’ urself”
Another tweeted: “@rihanna what a great role model telling your 6 1/2 million followers that the way to get ready for a magazine cover is to ‘starve’ urself”
But as usual, the narcissistic singer ignored the criticisms. No one should be surprised that Rihanna is a self-centered jerk! We told you that even her own record label handlers don’t know what to do with her.
Terrence J Leaving 106 & Park
Terrence J has announced he’s leaving BET’s 106 & Park — but only for a month. The popular music countdown show host is taking a hiatus from 106 & Park to work on an upcoming film.
Terrence J, real name Terrence Jenkins, saw his stock rise sharply with the ladies following his acting gig on BET’s “The Game” this past Winter. Terrence’s smooth ladies man role on “The Game” earned him more offers of work, including a starring role in the upcoming film, Think Like A Man.
The movie, which is based on the best selling book written by Steve Harvey, host of the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show, is about a group of women who uses Steve’s book to figure their men out.
Think Like a Man‘s all-star cast includes Gabrielle Union, Michael Ealy, Taraji P. Henson, Meagan Good, Kevin Hart, LaLa Vazquez-Anthony, Keri Hilson, Chris Brown, and Morris Chestnut.
Terrence J explained his role to writer Insanul Ahmed for Complex magazine:
“I play Michael. Michael is a mama’s boy. All of those guys I mentioned, we’re all best friends. We end up discovering that they know about the book and then we use the book against them. So it’s a really hilarious romantic comedy. The way it uses the book with Steve Harvey is really interesting and creative. It’s going to be a great date movie.”
10 Hairstyles Men Love
Men and women don't always see eye to eye — especially when it comes to what makes a lady look amazing. While you might find a blunt and structured 'do incredibly chic, there's a really good chance he just finds it weird. In an effort to demystify what guys find sexy, we polled a handful to find out which hairstyles men really do prefer.
Retro Bangs
"I'll always like that sort of late '60s long bangs with longer hair look. Think Mary Jane, Spider-Man's girlfriend. I've noticed that Rose Byrne, who seems to be in every other movie right now, has been wearing her hair this way, and it has certainly captured my attention.
Tom, 33, Book Jacket Designer
Vivid Hues
"Good hair will get my attention from across the room. I really like warm, vivid colors. The style itself, and whether it looks good, will change with the times and who is wearing it, but a great color will always get me."
Tim, 35, Software Developer
The Ponytail
"I love a simple ponytail and no makeup. I guess that's the sporty look."
Christian, 23, Environmental Engineer
Long and Simple
"Keep it simple! I like women with longer hair. It can be straight — slight curls are okay — but in general girls should keep it long and in good condition. I like it long because it looks more feminine."
Daniel, 31, Financial Consultant
Messy Bob
"My personal fave is a messy bob. I cut my girlfriend's curly red locks this way; it makes the back of her fair neck look so appealing. I've cut most of my past girlfriends hair. They always seemed to like it. I'm a serial bob-ist."
Reid, 30, Illustrator
Short and Punky
"I was always a fan of short, punky and messy black hair look."
Graham, 26, Nanny
Long and Wild
"I love long, messy hair. Mary-Kate Olsen and her messy bohemian look is hot. But I can also get down with a really structured short haircut. The trick is to match your hair with your face shape, and more importantly your persona. This may come as a surprise to a lot of women, but guys are much more perceptive when it comes to visual cues than we're given credit for. Though many of us may not be able to verbalize, we do notice."
Stephen, 28, Fashion Photographer
Classic Coifs
"I like the more classic hairstyles, like Christina Hendricks on Mad Men. Of course, that might also be my preference for redheads."
Jason, 27, Copywriter
Soft Layers
"I like long layers on a girl; it's more interesting than just straight hair. Blunt haircuts make girls look too harsh, and they're not contemporary — if her hair is too structured, it can be distracting and intimidating. Loose, wavy hair makes a girl look relaxed and approachable."
Tom, 28, Longshoreman
Pixie Cut
"I love when a woman feels confident about her face to wear short hair. It's strong and powerful."
Martin, 34, Artist and Entrepreneur
photo credit: Michael N. Todaro/Contributor/Getty Images
Retro Bangs
"I'll always like that sort of late '60s long bangs with longer hair look. Think Mary Jane, Spider-Man's girlfriend. I've noticed that Rose Byrne, who seems to be in every other movie right now, has been wearing her hair this way, and it has certainly captured my attention.
Tom, 33, Book Jacket Designer
photo credit: Julien Hekimian/Getty Images
Vivid Hues
"Good hair will get my attention from across the room. I really like warm, vivid colors. The style itself, and whether it looks good, will change with the times and who is wearing it, but a great color will always get me."
Tim, 35, Software Developer
photo credit: George Pimentel/Getty Images
The Ponytail
"I love a simple ponytail and no makeup. I guess that's the sporty look."
Christian, 23, Environmental Engineer
photo credit: George Pimentel/Getty Images
Long and Simple
"Keep it simple! I like women with longer hair. It can be straight — slight curls are okay — but in general girls should keep it long and in good condition. I like it long because it looks more feminine."
Daniel, 31, Financial Consultant
photo credit: Eric Ryan/Getty Images
Messy Bob
"My personal fave is a messy bob. I cut my girlfriend's curly red locks this way; it makes the back of her fair neck look so appealing. I've cut most of my past girlfriends hair. They always seemed to like it. I'm a serial bob-ist."
Reid, 30, Illustrator
photo credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Short and Punky
"I was always a fan of short, punky and messy black hair look."
Graham, 26, Nanny
photo credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Long and Wild
"I love long, messy hair. Mary-Kate Olsen and her messy bohemian look is hot. But I can also get down with a really structured short haircut. The trick is to match your hair with your face shape, and more importantly your persona. This may come as a surprise to a lot of women, but guys are much more perceptive when it comes to visual cues than we're given credit for. Though many of us may not be able to verbalize, we do notice."
Stephen, 28, Fashion Photographer
photo credit: Christina Hendricks/Getty Images
Classic Coifs
"I like the more classic hairstyles, like Christina Hendricks on Mad Men. Of course, that might also be my preference for redheads."
Jason, 27, Copywriter
photo credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images
Soft Layers
"I like long layers on a girl; it's more interesting than just straight hair. Blunt haircuts make girls look too harsh, and they're not contemporary — if her hair is too structured, it can be distracting and intimidating. Loose, wavy hair makes a girl look relaxed and approachable."
Tom, 28, Longshoreman
photo credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Pixie Cut
"I love when a woman feels confident about her face to wear short hair. It's strong and powerful."
Martin, 34, Artist and Entrepreneur
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