The plot of the film is not very complicated although at times, it borders on the unbelievable. But hey, that’s what makes watching it so much fun! Motown (DeRay Davis) and Darius (Jasper Redd) work in a morgue, trading put-downs and toiling among the most undemanding of customers. Outside of their decidedly dreary jobs, the two dream of bigger and better things. If only they could win the $25,000 prize that will go to the winners of the upcoming 3-on-3 Streetball Tournament. One night, having been demoted to the graveyard shift, they catch their semi-sane colleague Franklin (JB Smoove) in a dark alley using the auto battery of Motown’s precious Gremlin to bring to life a monstrous dead man (Bob Sapp,) whose heart Franklin has just replaced. Now if they can just get their new mutant friend to play basketball, the basketball tournament is theirs! Teach a dead man how to play basketball? Yep, that’s the plan! Now you know why I say the plot is a little unbelievable in places.

Without question, Davis and Redd provide the engine that keeps the film running at top speed. They work smoothly together and their timing is excellent. But in my opinion, Bob Sapp had the toughest role to play; portraying a dead man who is try to relearn the facts of life while mastering the nuances of the fast break and the slam dunk. All these things and more, he accomplishes credibly.

Speaking of the facts of life, there is more than enough love interest to go around, thanks to a bevy of toothsome beauties that include Drew Sidora, the up and coming actress, singer, and recording artist. I assure you that that if anyone would be capable of raising me from the dead it would be her!

The timing for the release of “Frankenhood” couldn’t be better. Spring is in the air and before you know it, summer will be here. Soon it will be time to chill out and enjoy the simpler things in life. “Frankenhood” fits that scenario perfectly; nothing serious, nothing complicated, just plain fun to watch!

CAST
DeRay Davis Semi Pro, The Hit, License to Wed, TV’s “Reno 911″
Jasper Redd Totally Baked: A Pot-U-Mentary
Bob Sapp The Longest Yard, Player 5150, The Breakout
Charlie Murphy TV’s “Chappelle’s Show,” Night at the Museum, Norbit, The Perfect Holiday
Drew Sidora TV’s “The Game,” TV’s “Girlfriends,” TV’s “That’s So Raven”
JB Smoove TV’s “Everybody Hates Chris,” HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Hassan Johnson HBO’s “The Wire,” TV’s “ER,” TV’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”

*DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
· Behind the Scenes Featurette
· Deleted Scenes
*Subject to change

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2009
Title Copyright: © 2008 Content Foundry Partners LP. All Rights Reserved.
Type: DVD Premiere
Rating: R for language, some sexual content and drug use
Genre: Urban Comedy
Closed Captioned: English
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Format: 16X9 1.78 Widescreen
Feature Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Audio Status: 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital

Ron Standerfer is a freelance writer and photographer who is a frequent contributor to Ezine Articles as well as numerous other online news sites. His latest novel, The Eagle’s Last Flight chronicles the life of an Air Force fighter pilot during the Cold War and Vietnam years. Details of his book can be found at http://www.eagleslastflight.com

Author: Ronald Standerfer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital Camera Times

Written and conceived by 28 year old Lin-Manuel Miranda while he was still a student, the show features Miranda taking center stage, bounding around dynamically and punching out the rap-dialogue in a style many musical goers may be unaccustomed. And when taking the stage to accept his award he continued the style telling the audience “I used to dream about this moment, now I’m in it,” “Tell the conductor to hold the baton a minute.” And with a nod to Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, Miranda raps: “Look, Mr. Sondheim, I made a hat where there never was a hat and it’s a Latin hat at that.”

Miranda’s show is a window into modern Latino culture, perhaps with some gloss on it, but a window nonetheless. His first Broadway show, Miranda wrote the score and all of the songs, as well as playing the lead role. He simply lights up the stage with a dazzling display and draws the viewer in. The show played off-Broadway for a season. The orchestration of the show is bright and vibrant and very modern. “In the Heights” also won awards for the score, orchestrations and choreography.

No standout show took all the awards this year, the prizes were shared around. Winners in the recent past such as Jersey Boys and Wicked are still playing to packed houses around Broadway. The revival musical “South Pacific” picked up seven wins including best revival and best actor – for the lead, Paulo Szot – in addition to four design awards and an award for best director, Bartlett Sher.

Some of the other winners were:

Best play: August: Osage County

Best revival of a musical: South Pacific

Best performance by a leading actor in a musical: Paulo Szot, South Pacific

Best performance by a leading actress in a musical: Patti LuPone, Gypsy

The 62nd annual Tony Awards was hosted by comedian and talk show host Whoopi Goldberg. Around 790 people from the theater industry — from actors, to directors to journalists — vote for the Tony Awards. The Tony Awards were established in 1947 and are named after Atoinette Perry, whose nickname was Toni. Perry, who died in 1946, was an actress, stage director and philanthropist.

Author: Martin Paul
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Running Time: 150mins

Based on the Semi-Biography of Guru Dutt

The movie is set in 1950s to 60s and is more or less a tribute to the golden years of Indian Cinema. There are lots of small shots from different films made in the period in this movie. Now you might be wondering how is this film different from lots of other films which tried to depict the golden era period. This is unlike any other film in this genre because of the harsh reality and truth in it. How the Film Industry is so glamorous on the outside and is shameless and filled with injustice and betrayals on the inside.

Nikhat(Soha Ali Khan) is a beautiful dancer who is willing to do anything to be an actress,to be a star. She is compelled to work with Prem Kumar (Rajat Kapoor) who is a superstar in his own right and more importantly has the whole film industry dancing to his tunes. Enter Zafar Ali Naqvi(Shiney Ahuja), upcoming Urdu writer from Lucknow who has the potential to be one of the best writers of his time because he knows he is that good. Zafar comes to Bombay to try his hand in films and is encouraged by his best friend (Vinay Pathak) who is narrating this whole movie. Long story short….Prem Kumar is one calling all the shots, who should act with him, direct his films, write his films everything. Nikhat starts to think that Prem kumar is just using her like a puppet to fulfill his personal needs. Zafar makes her realize what she is doing is brought upon by her own growing ambitions to be a great actress and so no one else is to be blamed for but herself. Eventually, they fall in love and want to get married, BUT the marriage is called off when Nikhat comes to know she will be no value as an actress if she’s married. So, they live together and go about their personal lives.

Month’s Later, Zafar gets a chance to direct his own film based on this novel. When he asks Nikhat to do his film she refuses due to prior commitments. Every film-maker has to make a film when the producer is after him to make one. Ratanbala (Sonya Jehan) was chosen by Zafar to play the female lead. The movie releases but it wasn’t a hit because he made a film for himself, a film he believed in, a film on the story of his life. The events that followed were Zafar trying to make his comeback after a while and the film he made was named “Khoya Khoya Chand” based on the story of Nikhat, Zafar and Prem Kumar.

Sudhir Mishra has made a revolutionary film. Not by way of the storyline but by the way he’s portrayed Zafar’s character as one who wants to show realities of life in films and not of one who shows what happens in films is exactly what happens in life. Few scenes are worth mentioning. When Zafar goes to Noni Ganguly,a great director of his time, when he realizes that Prem kumar doesn’t want his story in the film. The Quote above is exactly what he said to Zafar. Another one is how naturally the director showed a movie Premiere in Bombay. It looked very realistic and made Farah Khan’s movie premiere scene in her film look like it was in some dream world. At no point in the movie will you get bored with any of the characters or the storyline. The film will draw you in totally.

Shiney Ahuja is growing as an actor through every film. Since the character is from lucknow and in reality he’s a lucknowi, he fits in to the role very well. Rajat Kapoor has done full justice to the role as the quintessential star actor. Soha Ali Khan, after a few stupid films in her career has given her career best acting much better than her role in Rang De Basanti. Sonya Jehan and Vinay Pathak have stuck to their character’s behavior and did their best.

This film shows Indian Cinema what it used to be and what it has to be.

Author: Prem Shashi
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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For more coverage you can go to MSN, Entertainment Weekly, People, E! online, TVGuide or USA Today. In the meantime, here are my thoughts.

There were a few surprises in the movie categories. Kate Winslet with her double wins for The Reader and Revolutionary Road. Will this finally be her year at the Oscars? Colin Farrell as Best Actor in a Comedy. Mickey Roarke as Best Actor in a Drama (at least I thought it was a surprise). And the biggest shocker, Slumdog Millionaire taking all the awards it was nominated for: Best Score, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture Drama.

As the Oscars will be announced on the 22nd of this month, that means that ballots have to either be in already or be in by this week. If it’s the latter, I wonder just a little as to how much influence the winners here might have on those who’ve yet to vote.

For television, the drama category was dominated by cable, the comedy by NBC and the mini-series/TV movie by a founding father. Gabriel Byrne won Best Actor Drama for In Treatment, Anna Paquin Best Actress Drama for True Blood and Mad Men took Best Drama for the second year in a row. 30 Rock got Best Comedy and acting honors for Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey.

John Adams took all but one of the mini-series/TV movie awards. Laura Dern took the Supporting Actress statue for Recount.

Most of the fashions I saw were severely lacking or not all that inspired. Eva Mendes has this ruffle/draped/who the hell knows what it was thing hanging off the front of her dress. Maggie Gyllenhall had a poofy one-shouldered dress that for me harkened back to the 80s. Sandra Bullock had ruffles that would have been better had they just been contained to the bottom of the dress.

Eva Longoria Parker however was absolutely GORGEOUS in red. Christina Applegate was understated in yellow. Drew Barrymore should have tamed her heair betterm but her ice-blue dress was stunning.

Overall it was a great ceremony, something the Oscars need to take note of, short and on time. Tune into What’s Hot on the 22nd when I liveblog the Oscar announcements.

Did you know…World-famous musical director Zubin Mehta has worked as a permanent conductor with major foreign orchestras, among them the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Montreal Symphony, in the latter half of the 20th century. “Mehta…has the capacity to control every sound made by an orchestra, and he does this with the simplest of gesture, every one of which has an immediate and perceptible effect”, Winthrop Sargeant wrote in the New Yorker in May 1967. “He has a talent for conveying a mood of serenity, or of serene grandeur, to both orchestra and audience that is rare indeed among the younger generation of conductors”. Mehta was born on April 29,1936 in Bombay,India.

Aerospace

Did you know…India’s cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma became the second Asian to fly in space when he flew aboard the Soyuz T-11 in April 1984. Like America, Russia, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, India was one of the first nations of the world to send an astronaut into space.

Cinematography

Did you know…The real breakthrough for Indian cinema came in 2009 when “Slumdog Millionaire” won a leading eight Oscars –Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing — at the 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, CA.This event was the most successful for India, the birthplace of a number of notable performers, among them Julie Christie and Aishwarya Rai, as well as Engelbert Humperdinck and Ravi Shankar.

America & India

Did you know…During a visit by Hillary Rodham Clinton, at that time First Lady, to India in the mid-1990s, she went to Taj Mahal, the country’s most famous ancient palace and one of the New Seven Wonders of the world.

Nobel Prize

Did you know… Surprisingly, Sir Chandrasekhara V. Raman became the first Asian to be a sole recipient of a Nobel Prize for Physics in the 1930s.Between 1932 and 1948, no other non-American/European had ever won it. C.V. Raman was born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

United Nations

Did you know…Beginning in the 1950s,Madame Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was the first woman to be elected President of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Like several national idols, she has helped elevate the image of India.

Human Development

Did you know…The state of Kerala is one of the most industrialized regions in the Third World. Great social changes have occurred in Kerala in the last decades. Among other achievements, this region has produced thousands engineers, scientists, researches and educators.

World-famous Individuals

Did you know… This Asian nation has a number of world-famous persons: Amartya Sen, Nobel Prize for Economics (1998); Deepak Chopra, the prolific author; Satyajit Ray, film-maker; actress Aishwarya Rai; Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Nobel Prize for Physics (1983); and Abhinav Bindra, the first Indian in history to win an individual gold medal at the Summer Olympics (2008). 

Women & Power

Did you know… Indira Gandhi was one of the first female Prime Ministers in the world. She, daughter of India’s first leader Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-1964),came to power nearly 12 years before the first woman won a democratic election in Britain. By 2007 India took another major step forward when Pratibha Patil, an ex governor of northwestern Rajaltan, became the first female to be elected President of India. “This is a victory of the principles of which our Indian people uphold”, said Patil.

Mahatma Gandhi

Did you know… MahatmaGandhi (1869-1948) is one of the most popular heroes India. Curiously, he, unlike Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, did not win the Nobel Prize for Peace, the world’s highest award.

Universal Wonders

Did you know…India has one of the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the Planet. In the meantime, this Asian nation has more universal wonders than the United States (20) and the Federation of Russia (23). The following are the Universal Heritage Places in India:

1.Agra Fort

2. Ajanta Caves

3.Ellora Caves

4.Taj Mahal

5.Group of Monuments at Mahabaliporam

6.Sun Temple Konarak

7.Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

8.Kaziranga National Park

9.Keoladeo National Park

10.Churches and Convents of Goa

11.Fatehpur Sikri

12.Group of Monuments at Hampi

13.Khajuraho Group of Monuments

14.Elephanta Caves

15.Great Living Chola Temples

16.Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

17.Sundarbans National Park

18.Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks

19.Buddist Monuments at Sanchi

20.Humayun’s Tomb

21. Qutb Minar and its Monuments

22.Mountain Railways of India

23.Mahabpdhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya

24.Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka

25.Champaner-Pavagadh Archaelogical Park

26. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

27. Red Fort Complex

Field Hockey

Did you know…After long periods of “Olympic control”, on September 9, 1960, India was beaten by Pakistan (0-1) in the Olympics in Rome, Italy. It was a “bittersweet day” for India. The Indian National team hadn’t lost a match since 1928;it had won the Olympic tournament for the sixth straight time.

Wars/Conflicts (1944-2000)

Did you know… India has had a number of wars/conflicts in the past century:

Civil Conflicts (periods)

1944-1947; 1956-1964; 1966-1967; 1969

Foreign Conflicts

1947-1948 India-Pakistan

1957 India-Cachemira (Kashmir)

1961 India-Portugal (annexation of Goa, Damao, and Diu).

1962 India-China

1965 India-Pakistan

1971 India-Pakistan

1971 India-Bangladesh

1986 India-Pakistan

1987 India-Sri Lanka

1988 India-Nepal; India-Maldives

Author: Alejandro Guevara Onofre
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Jason Bateman began acting in 1979 at age 10 and in 1981 landed the recurring role of James Cooper Ingalls in the popular drama series “Little House on the Prairie.” Throughout the 1980s, Jason Bateman appeared in many television shows including “Knight Rider,” “Silver Spoons” and “It’s Your Move.” In 1986, Jason Bateman was a bona fide teen idol when he landed the role of David Hogan on a family-oriented sitcom called “Valerie,” which aired on American television from 1986-1991; the show’s title was renamed “The Hogan Family” after the first season. In 1987, Bateman became the Directors Guild of America’s youngest-ever director when he directed three episodes of “The Hogan Family” at the age of 18. During “The Hogan Family” series run, Jason Bateman starred in many movies, most notably “Teen Wolf Too,” the sequel to Michael J. Fox’s hit “Teen Wolf.”

After “The Hogan Family” series ended its run in 1991, his career slowed down for nearly a decade. During this time he continued working, appearing in episodes of various sitcoms, short-lived sitcoms and movies, but no starring roles. During this time Bateman managed to stay out of the tabloids and celebrity magazines like People, OK! magazine and Us Weekly magazine.

In the August 2009 issue of the men’s magazine, Details magazine, Jason Bateman told the magazine that after the end of “The Hogan Family” he abused alcohol and drugs for a decade. It was only in 2001, after his wife, actress Amanda Anka, gave him an ultimatum, did he seek help through the alcohol and drug treatment program, Alcoholics Anonymous.

In 2002, things began to turn around for Jason Bateman’s career. First he landed a role in the movie “The Sweetest Thing,” opposite Cameron Diaz. Second he was cast as Michael Bluth in the offbeat Fox comedy produced by Ron Howard, “Arrested Development.”

“Arrested Development,” which first aired in 2003, proved to be the breakthrough role Jason Bateman needed. Although critically acclaimed, the series never achieved high ratings. After only three seasons, “Arrested Development” ended, much to the chagrin of its fans. In 2005, Bateman was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on “Arrested Development,” and won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy.

While starring in “Arrested Development,” Jason Bateman also landed supporting roles in several successful movies including 2004′s slapstick comedies Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story and Starsky & Hutch. In 2006 he appeared in a supporting role in the box off hit The Break-Up with Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston. Also in 2006, Jason Bateman and his wife Amanda Anka welcomed daughter Francesca Nora Bateman. In 2007, Bateman and his daughter appeared in a Gap holiday ad campaign, which appeared in many fashion magazines.

Despite great critical acclaim, Arrested Development was cancelled and the 2006 season was its last. At this time there was a great uproar among fans and though the television garnered a lot of attention from entertainment magazines and other media, it was not enough to boost ratings. Jason Bateman noted in the aforementioned Details magazine article that there is in fact an Arrested Development movie in the works.

In 2007, he appeared in supporting roles in modestly successful movies The Kingdom and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. That same year he appeared in a supporting role in one of the most successful movies of the year, the Oscar-nominated Juno. In 2008, he starred with Will Smith and Charlize Theron in the action-comedy superhero flick, Hancock.

In fall 2009 Jason Bateman is back on top with several movies set to release. This time around he appears in starring roles. He will be seen next in Extract, a Mike Judge comedy an later in Couples Retreat, with Vince Vaughn; The Invention of Lying, with Jonah Hill and Jennifer Garner; and Up in the Air, with George Clooney.

Author: Jessica Vandelay
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Decorative Contact lenses

You may want your eyes twinkle like your idol superstar but do you know that wearing decorative contact lenses can snatch your eyesight?

Decorative contact lenses carry the same risks as corrective contact lenses, including

• conjunctivitis (pink eye);
• corneal (the eye’s outermost layer) ulcers;
• corneal abrasion;
• and vision impairment or blindness.

Further, sharing of contact lenses prescribed for one person can also lead to infections, abrasions, allergic reaction or blindness.

Food & Drug Administration (FDA) of America has received reports of corneal ulcers associated with the wearing of decorative contact lenses, especially when worn overnight.

Corneal ulcers, an infection of the eye, can progress rapidly if left untreated. Uncontrolled infection can lead to corneal scarring and vision impairment. In the most severe cases, this condition can result in blindness and eye loss.

Anti-Wrinkle Cream

“Age doesn’t bring you wisdom, it brings you wrinkles.” How true the words spoken by American actress, Estelle Getty. For years women all over the world are using the anti-wrinkles creams to look young and stay beautiful – to perennial despair.

Formally, collagen used in anti-wrinkle is crucial to keeping your skin as smooth as silk. Unfortunately as the years go by, collagen also ages and shrinks, contributing to wrinkles.

Lanolin, promoted as being able to ‘penetrate the skin better than other oils’, was found to contain pesticides, dioxins and known carcinogens.

Collagen, lanolin, liposomes, and elastin in the cream cannot get rid of wrinkles. They only help to moisturize and merely “make-up” up the skin to create unconvincingly youthful appearance. They cannot slow down or reverse the skins ageing process.

Just as eating bone would not repair a broken arm, applying an anti-ageing cream on your face won’t repair or remake saggy skin. And vegetarians take note: Most collagen and elastin is waste from the meat industry!

Foundation

Many liquid foundation make-ups contain mineral oil, a suspected human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). Mineral oil (classed as a petrochemical pollutant) can have negative effects on hormones and the skin’s ability to breathe, attract moisture and detoxify.

It can also slow down cell renewal and causes premature ageing. In fact sunscreens produced from mineral oil may promote skin cancer as well as colon and breast cancer. However, no cosmetic manufacturers put health warnings on their products, and in the US, the FDA does not require this information to be on packaging.

Lipstick

The most toxic of all cosmetics.

Some lipsticks contain substances that can cause cancer, deformities and stillbirths. Many women also experience dryness, chapping, cracked and peeling lips from using lipsticks. Other problems that have been reported are inflamed eyes skin rashes, burns, numbness, swollen gums and respiratory problems.

The cause of the problems may be the perfume oils used, any of the colours, indelible dyes, vehicles for the dyes, or some of the other ingredients in the lipstick. It also contains lanolin, which can cause allergic reactions.

Nail Polish

A toxic product which should have a warning label. Contains phenol, toluene and xylene. Its basic ingredient is a formaldehyde resin which can cause discoloration and bleeding under the nails.

Phenol is suspected of causing cancer in humans, it can cause swelling, peeling, burning or breaking out in hives and pimples, if it comes into contact with skin.

Toluene is easily absorbed through the skin but eliminated slowly from the body. It can cause fatigue and weakness. Chronic exposure to toluene may bring in irritation of the mucous membrane, headache vertigo (giddiness) nausea and loss of appetite.

Nail polish removers are just as harmful. Its primary ingredient is acetone, a solvent which can cause your nails to become brittle and split, and can cause skin rashes to develop on your fingers.

The fumes from nail polish remover, when inhaled, can irritate your lungs and make you feel light-headed.

Author: Lydia Ismail
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Chile has many idols: Claudio Arrau (pianist), Gabriela Mistral (writer), Pablo Neruda (writer), Nicolas Massu (sportsman), Fernando Gonzalez (sportsman), Miriam Hernandez (singer), Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Isabel Allende (writer), Jorge Edwards (writer), Christian de la Fuente (actor), Roberto Matta (architect), Hernan Büchi (economist), and Jose Piñera (economist).

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

Michelle Bachelet Jeria is currently president of Chile.She is South America´s second elected woman president.

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

In 1987, Pope John Paul visited Chile.

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

The 1945 Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Gabriela Mistral, a poetess. Her real name was Lucila de Maria del Perpetuo Socorro Godoy Alcayaga. She was the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize for Literarure. Gabriela Mistral is a national heroine of Chile.

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

Santiago de Chile hosted the FIBA 1959 Men´s World Championship.Brazil won the tournament in Chile.

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

Like South Korea and Mauritius, Chile has one of the best democracies in the Third World.

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

UNESCO has declared Rapa Nui National Park (2005), Churches of Chiloe (2000), Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso (2003), Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (2005), and Sewell Mining Town (2006) World Heritage Sites. Like Petra (Jordan), Tikal National Park, and Taj Mahal (India), Rapa Nui National Park is considered among the wonders of the world.

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

Chile is also known for its International Song Festival of Viña del Mar. In the 1980s and 1990s, Many artists went to Festival of Viña del Mar, including Julio Iglesias (singer), Jose Luis Rodriguez (singer), Thalia (singer), Gina Lollobrigida (actress), Lucia Mendez (actress), Celia Cruz (singer and actress), Sting (singer), Bryan Adams (singer), and Maria Conchita Alonso (actress and singer).

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

Different from many Third World countries, Chile has competed in the Winter Olympic Games 14 times (Saint Moritz-1948, Oslo-1952, Cortinad´Ampezzo-1956, Squaw Valley-1960,Innsbruck-1964, Grenoble-1968, Innsbruck-1976, Sarajevo-1984, Calgary-1988, Albertville-1992, Lillehammer-1994, Nagano-1998, Salt Lake City-2002, and Turin-2006).

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

Chile has more Nobel Prizes than Brazil (0), Cuba(0),Venezuela (0), Colombia (1), South Korea (0), Puerto Rico (0), and Bangladesh (1).
Chile has two Nobel Prize winners:
1945:Gabriela Mistral (Nobel Prize for Literature).
1971:Pablo Neruda (Nobel Prize for Literature).

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

Chile has had famous athletes in the past century: Marlene Arehns (track and field), Ivan Zamorano (soccer), Carlos Caszelly (soccer), Elias Figueroa (soccer), Javier Margas (soccer), Marcelo Salas (soccer), Marcelo Rios (tennis), Jaime Fillol (tennis), Alfonso de Irruarrizaga (shooting), Oscar Cristi (equestrian), RicardoEcheverria(equestrian),Cesar Mendoza (equestrian), Ramon Tapia (boxing), Claudio Barrientos (boxing), and Carlos Lucas (boxing).

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

Chile has had spectacular beauties in the past century: Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Margott Montt (Miss Chile World 1986), Jenny Purtho Arap (Miss Chile 1982), Claudia van Sint Jam (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1985), Maria Veronica Sommer (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1976), Marianne Muller Prieto (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1978), Mariana Villasante Aravena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1986), Maria Macarena Mina Garachena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1989), and Urania Haltenhooff (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1990).
Chile has had spectacular beauties in the past century: Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Margott Montt (Miss Chile World 1986), Jenny Purtho Arap (Miss Chile 1982), Claudia van Sint Jam (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1985), Maria Veronica Sommer (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1976), Marianne Muller Prieto (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1978), Mariana Villasante Aravena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1986), Maria Macarena Mina Garachena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1989), and Urania Haltenhooff (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1990).

DID YOU KNOW THAT…
The Chilean metropolis has hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1962

Author: Alejandro Guevara Onofre
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Brazil has many famous actresses, some of them are: Gloria Pires, Fernanda Montenegro, Florionda Bolkan, Sonia Braga, Regina Duarte, Vera Fischer, Xuxa, and Bruna Lombardi.

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

Miss Universe pageant 1982 was held in Lima, Peru, where Karen Diane Baldwin of Canada won. The judges were: Cecely Tyson ( actress), Mario Vargas Llosa (writer), Ron Duguay (sportsman), Franco Nero (actor), Carole Bouquet (actress), Dong Kingman (painter), Ira von Furstenberg (princess), David Coperfield (illusionist), David Merrick (theatrical producer), and Gladys Zender (Miss Peru and Miss Universe 1957).

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

Quito, Ecuador´s capital, is a city which reflects beautiful colonial architecture. It is surrounded by big mountains.

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

“Evita” a film by British director Alan William Parker was inspired in the life of Maria Eva Duarte de Peron, who was first lady of Argentina in the past century.

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

Oswaldo Guayasamin was one of the best painters in South America.He was born on July 6, 1919, in Quito, Ecuador.

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

Colombia hosted the Pan American Games (1971).

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez is one of the best writers in South America. He was born on March 6, 1928, in Aracataca, Magdalena,Colombia.Gabriel Garcia Marquez won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

Rosalia Arteaga Serrano de Fernandez de Cordova had an ephemeral government. She became Ecuador´s first female head of state for only two days in 1997.

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

Brazil has had many famous athletes in the 20th century: Joao Carlos de Oliveira (track and field), Ana Mozer (volleyball), Edson Arantes do Nacimento (soccer), Djan Madruga (swimming), Maria Esther Bueno (tennis), Marcelo Ferreira (sailing), Hortencia Marcari Oliva (basketball),Gustavo Borges (swimming), Robson Caetano da Silva(track and field), Adhemar Ferreira (track and field), Marcia Fu Cunha (volleyball), Oscar Schmidt (basketball), Marcelo Negrao (volleyball), Joaquin Cruz (track and field), and Rogerio Sampaio (judo).

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

UNESCO has declared Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (Bolivia), Rapa Nui National Park (Chile), Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (Colombia), Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Central Suriname Nature Reserve (Suriname) and Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarange (Paraguay) World Heritages Sites.

DID YOU KNOWN THAT…

The Colombian people have two idols: Shakira (singer) and Carlos Vives (singer)…

Author: Alejandro Guevara Onofre
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Home Solar

1952:London, England.Miss Sweden, May Louise Flodin, was crowned Miss World.

1953:London, England. Denisse Perrier became the first French to win the Miss World. Miss Greece was the 1st runner-up…

1954:London, England. Miss Egypt, Antigone Constanda, was elected Miss World. She was the first African woman to win the Miss World.

1955:London, England. Surprisingly, Miss Venezuela, Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga, won the Miss World title. Miss Venezuela was given a heroines´s welcome when she returned to her country.

1956:London, England.Miss Germany, Petra Sussana Schurmann, was elected Miss World.

1957:London,England. Marita Lindahl was the first person from Finland to win the Miss World pageant.

1958:London, England.Miss South Africa, Penelope Anne Colen, was elected Miss World. She was the second African woman to win the Miss World.

1959:London, England.Corinne Rottschafer was the first woman from Holland to win the Miss World.

1960:London,England. Norma Gladys Cappagly became the first Argentinian to win the Miss World.

1961:London, England. Miss United Kingdom, Rosemary Frankland, won the Miss World title. Miss Taiwan, Grace Lee, was the first runner-up…

1962:London,England.Catharina Johanna Lodders became the second Miss Holland to win the Miss World pageant.

1963:London, England. Surprisingly, Miss Jamaica, Carole Joan Crawford, was crowned Miss World. She became the first woman from Caribbean to win the Miss World.

1964:London, England. Miss United Kingdom, Ann Sydney, was elected Miss World.

1965: London, England. Miss United Kingdom, Lesley Langley, was crowned Miss World. The United Kingdom was a dominant force in Miss World in the 1960s.

1966:London, England.Rita Faria became the first Miss India to win the Miss World title.

1967:Miss Peru, Madeleine Hartog-Bell, was crowned as the 17th Miss World in London´s Royal Albert Hall Theater on November 16th.The favourites were South Africa´s Disa Duivestein, United Kingdom´s Jennifer Lewis, Czechoslovakia´s Alzabeta Struckulova, Peru´s Madeleine Hartog-Bell, and Guyana´s Shakira Baksh. Miss World 1967 worked as a fashion model for approximately 10 months in Paris. For the first time, Tanzania sent a delegate named Theresa Shayo to London.

1968:London, England. The winner was Penelope Plummer, Miss Australia. At the onset, Israel´s Mirey Zamir was the favourite. Misses Guyana and Yugoslavia were semifinalists.For the first time, the United States did not qualify for the semi-finals.Africa sent eight delegates to London (Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda).

1969:London, England.Eva Rueber Staier became the first Miss Austria to win the Miss World title.Miss Mexico, Gloria Leticia Hernandez Martin del Campo, was crowned Miss Photogenic. For the second time, Czechoslovakia, a communist republic in Europe, sent a delegate to London. Miss Czechoslovakia, Marcela Bitnarova, was one of the semifinalists at the pageant. Ironically, Peru did not participate at the Miss World.

1970:London, England. Surprisingly, Miss Grenada, Jennifer Josephine Hosten, was crowned Miss World.She became the first black woman to win the pageant. Ms.Hosten put Grenada, a small island in the Caribbean, on the map when she was elected Miss World.
Miss Yugoslavia, a communist state in Europe, qualified for the semi-finals.

1971:London,England.Miss Brazil, Lucia Tavares Petterle, won the Miss World title.Surprises among the top 15 were Misses Guyana (Nalini Moonsar),South Africa (Monica Fairall), Guam (Deborah Bordallo), and Portugal ( Ana Paula De Almeida). Surprisingly, Grenada did not participate at the Miss World.

1972:London, England.Miss Australia, Belinda Green, was crowned Miss World. She was the second woman from her country to win the coveted title.For the first time, Botswana sent a delegate named Agnes Motswere to London. Surprises among the top 15 were Misses Seychelles (Jane Edan Straves) and Mexico (Gloria Gutierrez Lopez).Surprisingly, Miss Belgium, Anne Marie Roger, did not enter the semi-finals.Before she went to England, Miss Belgium competed in Miss Universe 1972, where she was semi-finalist and Miss Photogenic.

1973:London, England. Marjorie Wallace became the first American to win the Miss World title.Miss Philippines, Evangeline Luis Pascual, was the first runner-up.In July, her countrywoman, Margarita Moran, had been crowned Miss Universe 1973. Miss Seychelles, June Gouthier, was semi-finalist and Miss Personality.

1974:London, England.Miss United Kingdom, Helen Elizabeth Morgan, was elected Miss World.Just four days after Miss United Kingdom, Helen Morgan, had ascended the throne she was dethroned by Miss World Organization. Why? She was a single mother. Miss Wales and Miss United Kingdom was the first runner-up in the final Miss Universe 1974. She once said,” I offer the triumph to my son Richard. I will feel proud that when he grow up he can says that his mother is officially one of the most beautiful woman”.She was replaced by Miss South Africa, Anneline Kriel. Miss South Africa 1974 became the third woman from Africa to win the Miss World pageant.Miss Yugoslavia, Jadranka Bajac, was crowned Miss Photogenic.

1975:London, England. Wilnelia Merced Cruz became the first woman from Puerto Rico to win the Miss World title. Miss Yugoslavia,Ladija Verkovska, was the fourth runner-up. Miss Venezuela, Maria Conchita Alonso Bustillo, finished in 7th place. From 1984 to 2004, she became an actress and singer in Latin America, Spain and the United States.
For the first time, Haiti sent a delegate named Joelle Apollon to London.Certainly, Miss Haiti had classical beauty of the black women around the world.She finished in 6th place. Surprisingly,Miss Swaziland,Vinah Thembi Mamba, was crowned Miss Photogenic.Miss United States, Annelise Ilschenko, did not qualify for the semi-finals.

1976:London, England.Miss Jamaica, Cinthya “Cyndy” Jane Breakspeare, became the second woman from Jamaica to win the Miss World title.Miss United States,Kimberley Marre Foley, did not qualify for the semi-finals. In the 1970s, many women from Caribbean won six global pageants:Grenada (Miss World 1970), Puerto Rico (Miss Universe 1971 and Miss World 1975), Jamaica (Miss World 1976),Trinidad & Tobago (Miss Universe 1977), and Bermuda (Miss World 1979).

1977:London, England. The Miss World 1977 title was won by Mary Stavin, Miss Sweden.Ironically, Miss Brazil, Magdalena Sbairini, was the big favourite. Surprisses among the top 15 were Miss Mexico (Elyzabeth Gonzalez) and Miss Peru (Isabel Frias Zavala).Unfortunately, Miss Nicaragua, Beatriz Lacayo Obregon, one of the most beautiful girls, did not qualify for the semi-finals.

1978: London, England. Miss Mexico, Martha Eugenia Ortiz, was a big favourite, but she did not win the Miss World title. She was for many the “Miss World of the night”! However, Miss Mexico was crowned Miss Photogenic.Surprisingly, Argentina´s Silvana Suarez was crowned Miss World. Miss El Salvador, Iris Yvette Mazorra, did not qualify for the semi-finals.She was one of the most popular delegates in Miss Universe 1978.

1979:London, England. The Miss World 1979 title was won by Gina Ann Cassandra Swainson, Miss Bermuda. She was the first runner up in the final Miss Universe 1979.Miss Venezuela, Tatiana Capote, was disqualified by Miss World Organization. What happened? One of her breasts slipped from the side during the dress rehearsal.

1980:London, England.Miss Germany, Gabrielle Brumm, won the Miss World.However, Miss Germany was dethroned by Miss World Organization. On November 28, 1980, in Agana (Guam´s capital), Miss Guam, Kimberley Santos, was elected Miss World.

1981:London, England. Miss Venezuela was crowned Miss World and Miss Americas. At the onset, Venezuela´s Carmen Josefina “Pilin” Leon Crespo was the favourite.

1982:London, England. Miss Dominican Republic was crowned as the 32nd Miss World in London´s Royal Albert Hall Theater.She was the first woman from her country to win the loveted title. For political reasons, Miss Argentina did not participate at the Miss World.The favorites were Misses Trinidad & Tobago and Switzerland.Special awards were given to Lolita Morena of Switzerland for Miss Photogenic, and to Maureen Therese Lewis of the Cayman islands for Miss Personality. Miss Trinidad-Tobago, Althea Ingrind Rocke, was compared to “Cleopatra” by Journalists.

1983:Miss United Kingdom, Sarah-Jane Hutt, won the international beauty Pageant on May 26, 1987, in London.Surprises among the top 15 were misses Hong Kong (Margaret Cheung) and Bolivia (Ana Taboada Arnold).Miss Bolivia made it to the quarter-finals for the second time in a row.Miss Yugoslavia, Bernart Marovt, was elected Miss photogenic.

1984:London, England. Venezuela´s Carolina Astrid Herrera was crowned Miss Photogenic,Miss Americas and Miss World. However, Miss Brazil became a big favourite by experts and journalists.Miss Brazil,Adrianne Alvess de Oliveira, had several years experience as professional model in Paris.

1985: London, England. The final results were: Miss USA (2nd runner-up), Miss United Kingdom (1st runner-up), and Miss Iceland was Miss World 1985. Ironically, Miss Venezuela, Rudy Rosario Rodriguez del Lucia,had the highest semifinal score…

1986:London, England.Giselle Jeanne-Marie Laronde from Trinidad & Tobago became the third black woman to be crowned Miss World. Curiously,Miss United States, Halle Berry (currently famous actress) went to London to enter the Miss World pageant, where she came in sixth place.Miss Ecuador, Alicia Gisella Cucalon Macias,finished in 7th place.

1987:London, England.The winner was Miss Austria.Ulla Weigerstorfer became the second Miss Austria to win the Miss World contest.The first runner-up Miss Venezuela was the crowd favourite. Albany Josefina Lozada Jimenez was one of the most beautiful women in the Miss Venezuela history.Miss Poland, Monika Nowosadko, finished in 4th place. For the first time since 1982, Argentina sent a delegate named Catherine Ciscatto. She came in sixth place.

1988:London, England. The final results were: the 2nd runner up was Miss United Kingdom, the 1st runner-up was Miss South Korea and Miss World 1988 was Miss Iceland. Linda Petursdottir became the second Miss Iceland to win the Miss World.Miss Guatemala,Mariluz Aguilar Rivas, was crowned Miss Photogenic.

1989:Victory City, Hong Kong. Surprisingly, Miss Poland, Aneta-Beata Kreglicka, was elected Miss World. She was the first woman from a communist country to win the Miss World title.The USSR competed at the Miss World pageant for the first time.Miss USSR,Anna Gorbunova, won the Miss Photogenic award.

1990:London, England. The final results were: Miss New Zealand (4th runner-up), Miss Finland (3rd runner-up),Miss Venezuela (2nd runner-up), Miss Ireland (1st runner-up), and Miss United States was Miss Americas and Miss World 1990.Miss Venezuela,Sharon Luenso Gonzalez,won the Miss Photogenic title.

1991:Atlanta,United States. Miss Venezuela, Ninibeth Beatriz Leal Jimenez, was crowned Miss Americas and Miss World 1991.She became the fourth Miss Venezuela to win the Miss World contest.

1992:Sun City, South Africa.For the first time, Africa hosted the pageant.Representatives from 83 countries, territories and dependencies attended the Miss World.Miss Russia, Yuliya Alexandrovna Kurochkina, was elected Miss Europe and Miss World 1992.

1993: Sun City,South Africa. Representatives from 83 countries and territories attended the Miss World.One of the most enthusiastic fans was Nelson Mandela, who was president of South Africa. Miss Jamaica, Lisa Hanna, was crowned Miss World. Miss People´s Republic of China,Wang Yin Tao, did not compete at the Miss World. Miss China pageant has been forbidden since 1950 by the Chinese communists.

1994: Sun City, South Africa.The final results were: Miss Croatia (4th runner-up), Miss Zimbabwe (3rd runner-up),Miss Venezuela (2nd runner-up), Miss South Africa (1st runner-up), and India was Miss Asia and Miss World 1990.Miss India, Aishwarya Rai, also was elected Miss photogenic.

1995:Miss Venezuela,Jackeline Maria Aguilera Marcano, was crowned Miss Americas and Miss World in Sun City´s Entertainment Centre on November 18th.She also won the Miss Photogenic award.

1996:Bangalore, India. Irene Skliva was the first person from Greece to win the Miss World pageant.

1997:Baie Lazare,Seychelles (a small island in Africa). Representatives from 86 countries, territories and dependencies attended the Miss World.India´s Diana Hayden was elected Miss World.She was the third woman from India to win the Miss World title. For the first time since 1989, Miss Venezuela, Christina Dieckmann Jimenez, did not qualify for the semi-finals.

1998:Lake Berjay Mahé Beach Resort, Seychelles. Miss Israel,Linor Abargil, was crowned Miss Asia and Miss World.Linor Abargil was the first woman from Israel to win the Miss World contest.For the second time, Miss Venezuela,Veronica Schneider, did not qualify for the semi-finals.

1999:London, England.Miss India, Yukta Mookhey was crowned Miss Asia and Miss World 1999.At the onset, Venezuela´s Martina Thorogood Heemsem was the favourite. Many people thought that Miss Venezuela was robbed…

2000:London, England. Representatives from 95 countries and territories attended the Miss World. India´s Priyanka Mini Chopra was elected Miss World.She became the fifth Miss India to win the Miss World pageant.

2001:Sun City, South Africa. Miss Nigeria,Ibiagbanidokibudo Asenté Darego, was crowned Miss World. At the onset, Miss Chile, Christiane Balmelli was the favourite.Surprisingly, Miss Chile did not qualify for the semi-finals. The People´s Republic of China competed at the Miss World pageant for the first time.Miss China,Bing Li, was finalist.

2002:Abuja (Nigeria) and London(England). Representatives from 88 countries and territories attended the Miss World. Azra Akin was the first person from Turkey to win the Miss World pageant.Vietnam,a communist country in Asia, competed at the Miss World pageant for the first time.Miss Vietnam,Pham Thi Mai Phuong, was semi-finalist.

2003:Sanya,China. For the first time,the peoples´s Republic of China hosted the pageant.Representatives from 106 countries, territories and dependencies attended the Miss World. Miss Ireland was crowned Miss World and Miss Europe. At the onset,Rossana Davison, was the favourite.

2004:Sanya, China.Representatives from 107 countries, territories and dependencies attended the Miss World.Miss Peru, Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia,was elected Miss Americas and Miss World by internet users. Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia was the second woman from Peru to win the Miss World title.After her victory, she was given a heroic welcome in her country.Currently, she is an idol in Peru such as Teofilo Cubillas (former football player),Cecilia Tait Villacorta (former sportswoman), and Gladys Zender (ex-Miss Universe).

2005:Sanya, China. Representatives from 104 countries and territories attended the Miss World. Unnur Birma Vilhjámsdottir became the third Icelandic to win the Miss World pageant.

2006:Warswaw, the capital city of Poland. Representatives from 104 countries and territories attended the Miss World.Miss Czech Republic, Tatana Kuracharova, was elected Miss World. At the onset, Venezuela´s Federica Alexandra Guzman Diamante was the favourite. Many people thought that Miss Venezuela was robbed…

Author: Alejandro Guevara Onofre
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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