Hollywood Celebrities Gossip

Ideal Body Weight

2008-05-07T10:43:00.001-07:00

When the new year rolls around, most people decide they want to lose weight. If I were to guess, I would say that almost 50% of the New Year’s resolutions that are made involve losing weight and body image. There seems to be a huge problem in today’s society with finding your ideal body weight. There are many who are now obese, and if you look towards Hollywood, you will see many who are severely underweight. It is no wonder that children are so confused when it comes to body image, and it’s no wonder that eating disorders are becoming more and more common.

If you look at Hollywood stars in magazines, you would be led to believe that the ideal body weight for any person is much smaller or less than most people can achieve. When teens grow up believing that weighing 90 pounds is an ideal body weight, they often end up with a seriously distorted view of their own body. Most people who are five foot eight can not safely weigh anything less than 100 pounds. However, Hollywood would have you believe that this is what they are supposed to be. This can be very dangerous for an impressionable teenage girl who is struggling to find her own identity.

Teenagers may also be confused about ideal body weight when they look at the members of their family. So many people are overweight, and there is still a huge stigma associated with this. Though it is not healthy to be overweight, some people are at their ideal body weight, yet they are still considered to be overweight by those around them. For a teenager, this sort of short sighted criticism can lead to a distorted idea of what an ideal body weight really is.

If you think your teenager is confused about what their ideal body weight should be, you should take them and to speak to your family physician, though you may be able to tell them that they are just fine the way they are, they mean need to hear it from a doctor. Teenagers trust their parents more than they will let on, but they will have even more trust in a doctor. Tell your family doctor that your teenager is having issues with understanding what an ideal body weight might be, and that you hope they can explain to your child in simple terms what the reality of the matter really is.

Mario Lanza

2008-05-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

The world of opera has had several superstars but none have crossed over into mainstream entertainment as much as Mario Lanza. He has been described as the voice of the 20th century and was idolized by his fans. Contemporary singers such as Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras have said that they were inspired to become opera singers because of him. He was a tenor with a very passionate delivery.

He was born in Philadelphia in 1921. His vocal skills were soon noticed and he performed in local operatic shows, debuting in The Merry Wives of Windsor at the young age of twenty one. World War II took Mario Lanza away for a while as he served in the US Army Air Corps. After the war had finished, he picked up his career doing radio shows and a long tour of America, Canada and Mexico. He took the coveted role of Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly in 1948.

The successful career of the young singer received a further boost, catapulting Mario Lanza into fame and fortune. Louis B. Mayer heard about Lanza and put him on contract at MGM studios for seven years. He became a Hollywood favorite and introduced movie goers to a style of singing they might otherwise not have had access to. His greatest film triumph came when he played the legendary opera singer, Enrico Caruso in The Great Caruso in 1951. Caruso died in the same year that Lanza was born. Another famous role came in The Student Prince, a great romantic opera where he played opposite Ann Blyth. MGM fired him after a dispute in 1954 but he started making movies again a couple of years later.

He re-located in 1957 to his spiritual home, Rome in Italy. There, he filmed Seven Hills of Rome. He also toured across Europe and the UK. Unfortunately, he began to suffer from a number of health problems. He died in 1959, aged just thirty eight years old, from a pulmonary embolism. He left a wife and four children. Mario Lanza popularized opera but never compromised his singing style. The emotion in his voice is not to everyone's taste but it set a standard for others to follow him. Hollywood has not made stars of today's opera singers, but not many share an excellent voice, charisma and matinee idol looks. He had a short life but one which will never be forgotten

Hollywood FX

2008-03-31T11:59:00.001-07:00

Hollywood FX

Filmmakers have progressed a long way from the early use of those rear projection scenes. We laugh at those now but Hollywood FX had to start somewhere. Today, directors can call on the latest state of the art technology to help them tell their story. Some people think that there is an over reliance on special effects, to the detriment of story and characterization. New techniques have had the most impact on historical epics, science fiction and animation.

Matte painted backgrounds and miniature models served movies well for a long time, enabling futuristic movies such as Fritz Lang's Metropolis. A combination of miniatures and stop motion animation made King Kong from 1933, a landmark in Hollywood FX. Ray Harryhausen was the effects wizard who made the fantastic look real, in movies that included Jason and the Argonauts and The Golden Voyage of Sinbad. War movies that needed sea battle footage used miniature models in huge water tanks. This, and a method known as traveling matte, created the splitting of the Red Sea scene in The Ten Commandments. No miracle was beyond the power of special effects gurus.

Further development came when effects supervisor Douglas Trumball invented new techniques for the final voyage in Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The hallucinogenic images raised the bar for others to follow. Director George Lucas rose to the challenge and astounded audiences with Star Wars in 1977. His team invented a new computer controlled camera that improved repeated camera motion and widescreen shots. Lucas then formed Industrial Light and Magic, the company that has pioneered Hollywood FX ever since.

Today, we are used to the idea of films being shot with a blue screen and the background being added later. Computer Graphics Imaging (CGI) dominates the scene now. Any object or person can be manipulated by the computer and mixed in with the live action. This method was put to great use in Spielberg's Jurassic Park and James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The effects team at Pixar has introduced it to their full length animations, such as Toy Story. The days of laboriously hand painting each frame of animation are just about gone. The Weta workshop in New Zealand has built a reputation as one of the best special effects companies, especially since the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Effects will continue to advance now that the genie of technology is out of the bottle. Hollywood FX has made the return of the epic movie possible. It would have been cost prohibitive to build a mock up of the Coliseum in Gladiator. Russell Crowe fights the lions in a CGI virtual world.

Hollywood California

2008-03-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

Hollywood CA is like many great cities throughout the whole entire world. It is a place that many people would like to visit, but few would like to go and live in. If you do not believe me try spending a month in Hollywood California. I have lived in Hollywood California for several years now, so I know just what I am talking about, and that is no lie. The thing about Hollywood California, is that it is the center of almost everything, but there is no center to it itself. It is all one vast smoggy sprawl spread all over Southern California. There is no place to walk around, no good public transit, and no downtown even. Apartments in Hollywood California are outrageous, and even to stay in a Hollywood California Hotel for just a few weeks can be a huge financial drain for just about anyone there is.

That does not mean that Hollywood California does not have its thrills. It really does, and more than just a few. For example, you can take a tour of the houses of the stars, and see all kinds of sites and hear all kinds of sounds. If you are interested in movies, Hollywood California it is the place to be even more than New York City. And of course there are all kinds of wonderful night clubs to see in Hollywood California, because in fact, there is no shortage of the night life in Hollywood, Los Angeles, or really anywhere around that area. It all makes a great vacation spot in spite of the smog. There are even good beaches around, and if you go early in the year, they should not be too crowded. But before you move to Hollywood California, even if you are going there to make your career in film or music, you should really spend a month or two there just to see if you can handle it.

Of course while you are down in Southern California, you might want to think about taking a trip to Disneyland. I know that most people go there when their kids, but Hollywood California is just a hop skip and a jump away, and so it makes a lot of sense to go down there when it is so convenient. There are plenty of things for adults to do, as well as children, so I think you should find it to be a fun time.

Hollywood Movies Promotion and Public Relations

2008-03-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

It is amazing the amount of money that Hollywood spends promoting its movies and public-relations efforts and it seems they spend more money on public-relations and community goodwill then they actually do in advertising or marketing. Public relations, publicity stunts and getting the actors to go on talk shows very much helps the movie industry promote their flicks. But, public relations for Hollywood movies is not as easy as it looks, in fact, if it is done incorrectly it can actually hurt the movie.

Of course the right amount of controversy also helps sell tickets as long as that controversy does not cross into taboo and thus causing boycotts from family type groups. Public relations specialists for Hollywood movies make much more money than their counterparts in other industries and it is a choice job.

The insiders in Hollywood know what it's all about and if they are able to promote the movie and get free publicity and public relations out properly, then they will win at the box office. Even if the film is not that good it still might reach the $50 million weekend mark simply through good public relations.

Of course if the movie is good there will be word-of-mouth advertising after that and even more people will see it. The goal is to get the first group of people to go see the Hollywood movie and then run around and say how great it was. Please consider all this in 2006.

Weight Loss Followed By Hollywood Celebrities And Stars

2008-03-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

In the early nineties I had the opportunity to work with some of the most famous movie stars in the world. As a manager and personal trainer for Kathy Smith and her health club, I experienced first hand the secrets to the stars. Here are a few things they did to look like they do:

1. They cross trained, putting variety into their workout plans.

2. They never ate a lot of white flour foods. Most of their foods came out of the ground. We call them natural foods!

3. They were more concerned with their body fat levels than their weight: They concentrated more on the balance of muscle to fat, rather than their weight.

4. They did a lot of stretching: Palates and yoga were very popular.

5. They spent a lot of times outdoors working out: You may be surprised at the number of people who are in better shape tend to exercise more outdoors.

6. Their diets consisted of herb and teas. Alot of natural foods were consumed.

7. They had outside help, including support systems, trainers and groups.

With every program you try, remember it's not about the numbers, it's your approach! Movie Stars are just like you and me. They are no different. They have the same challenges you do, but the difference is you are not motivated by money!

For those who are not movie stars, think about this:

Some of you will not like what I have to say, even though it is the truth and that may be where the problem of American’s health problems lies. No one wants to give you the truth. My responsibility as a high profile fitness expert lies not in if you like me, or even if you buy my e books. My responsibility lies in giving you straight talk with no sugar coating it.

You want quick fixes to your health problem that has taken years to develop. You get it by purchasing gimmicks that promise you fast results. Why do you think you are reading this. The title catered to your instant gratification.

You fall for it and at the end of the day you are more frustrated than ever. Why? Because you are denying the root of your problems.

I have counseled thousands of people over my twenty years as a personal trainer, health club consultant and best selling author. And in all my travels, the answers to people’s problems with weight come down to one thing: it’s a matter of choice!

My approach with people is, either you pay a price now or you will pay a bigger price down the road. I am really tired of dancing around and trying to pat people on the back and say, “It’s OK you can do it.” When all the while, most I know are in the least bit serious about their health, and have no idea what they are in for down the road.

If you are on the fence of whether or not to start an exercise and weight loss plan, I suggest you either become hot or cold. None of this luke warm stuff. You and every person in America are on the verge of a health crisis. The longer you wait, the more of chance you have of having a disease.

Characters Of Hero Status In Hollywood

2008-02-24T23:48:00.000-08:00

Fame, fortune, and power stand at the top of the heap when it comes to what we call success. Most peculiar of these is fame. It seems the rule, which is rarely spoken out loud is, anyone who is very well known didn’t get that way because they did everything wrong. Oh really! Who hasn’t heard the names of some famous criminals like John Dillinger or Al Capone or John Wayne Gacy? Many of these criminals were even trusted and held hero status in the minds of some people.

Actors after all only portray the very worst human behavior so they are held above any level of culpability. Ignoring the power of suggestion and the force of example they are generally held guiltless. That thousands of youth, weak minded individuals and those with a penchant for criminal activity may be directly influenced by actors is not supposed to be addressed. How easy it is to portray those who decry this evil influence as extremist, right wing extremist, bible thumpers, self righteous or a few other appellations I can’t mention here. Does fame change the standards of morality, sadly for many Americans the answer is, yes?

Faith in God is among other things a call to get rid of the influence laid upon us by the rich, powerful or famous. It is addressed many times throughout the Bible with admonitions like this one. “Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous.” Deuteronomy 16:19 For those deeply influenced by celebrities, it requires a lot less than a gift but only a glimpse or a word from their favorite star can get them onboard some perverted or twisted secular view or cause in the proverbial New York minute. This is the rape of the mind. These minds are not weak minds but according to the Bible they are blind minds and are easy prey. 2 Corinthians 4:14

In his brazen and irreverent style as a political humorist Bill Maher has caught the attention of millions of American minds. That these minds were largely suspended in mid air by absolutely nothing made them easy prey. His show “Politically Incorrect” which ended in 2002 won several Emmy awards during its run. In the summer of 2006 Mr. Maher appeared on the Jay Leno show and in his usual pompous style espoused a good bit of his liberal hype to the enthusiastic applause of the audience. The most excited applause was elicited from the audience when Mr. Maher decried the resistance to stem cell research that Maher attributes largely to the Bush administrations policies.

He raised the audience to the heights when he said that what stifle the good efforts of stem cell researchers are men like George Bush who have decided all on their own when exactly life begins. He inferred that it was Mr. Bush’s religious persuasions that have brought him to resist the great high priests of the secular world, the scientists. To the average couch potato trying to relax in his own home this may have gone unnoticed but perhaps a few good folks may have wondered how Mr. Maher decided when life does or does not begin. Why should his view of it be any more valid than the presidents?

If the beginning of life takes place at some unknown point after conception that is arbitrarily determined by just anyone then how easy it would be to make a mistake. Those that say it’s after the first trimester could be wrong by a month, a day or even a minute. What reasonable person would like to take a chance on that deadly error? Do the math, those that say life begins at conception could be dead wrong but that would still leave no one dead. The proponents of abortion have no such assuring outcome to their beliefs.

According to Mr. Maher and others who aren’t so sure when life begins, the Chinese who are attributed for stating the following proverb must be wholly incorrect. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” I suppose if we’re really to know if the proverb is true or not we could just start traveling to Hollywood from wherever we are. When we get there we could knock on the door of some celebrity and ask them if our trip started on the first mile of the journey or at some other point along the way. Oh, by no means takeoff for Washington D.C. because we already know what that dumb old president is going to say. He is going to tell us our journey began with the first step and with the first mile. Who could trust that nonsense?

The priests of ancient Baalism offered children as sacrifice to appease their gods. The Bible says these gods were actually no more than demons. Is the offering of our unborn to the priests of science and secularism all that much different? Has the end justifying the means now become an acceptable substitute for doing what is natural, right and obviously moral and humane? Humane? What would the animal rights activist do if they got wind of a group of veterinarians who were pulling out whole litters of puppies from their mothers bodies for some experiment? How many animal hospitals would get picketed, burned or worse?

Mr. Maher and his enthusiastic audience may not be as sure as Mr. Bush about when human life begins but there is one place they may want to visit to help them in their decision. Instead of the Hollywood tour of celebrity stars maybe they should travel to Wichita Kansas to see the building that Operation Blessing recently purchased. The building was formerly used by Central Women’s Services as an abortion clinic. On August 7th of 2006 it was reported by several news agencies that the people of operation Blessing sprayed the walls ceilings and floors of the building with a substance known as luminol. They took both still photos and videos of the inside of the former clinic that would curdle the blood of anyone regardless of how heartless or hardened they may be. The room glowed like something out of the worst horror movie of the decade. From the floors, walls and even the ceilings an eerie glow of death filled the room and one photographer grew so sick they had to flee the room before fainting.

Victoria's Secret - The Store For Hollywood

2008-02-24T23:37:00.000-08:00

Remember fredericks of Hollywood? What in the world happened to this store? Oh wait; I think I have the answer to that one. It's something called "Victoria's Secret." Apparently her secret is utter success, because I think this chain kicked fredericks of Hollywood off the map. Regardless, a few fredericks of Hollywood stores are still in business in shopping malls if you search for them. Better yet, it would make much more sense to just hop online and see what all fredericks of Hollywood currently has to offer. Well, are you in the mood for some lingerie? If you've seen all that the other companies like Victoria's Secret have to offer, why not give this one a shot? It may have just what you're searching for.

I first became aware of fredericks of Hollywood back in junior high school. I spotted one of these catalogs in the mail and thought; WOW, is this for me? It looked like the kind of reading material a teenage boy would enjoy. Regardless, I had to assume it was for my step mother. After all, she was the only female in the house. This of course didn't stop me from flipping through the fredericks of Hollywood catalog. I mean it made sense to see what sales or specials were going on, right? Now, you have to keep in mind that this was around 89. I don't think Victoria's Secret was quite so prominent and popular yet. In other words, fredericks of Hollywood was ruling the lingerie and skimpy night clothing scene. One day I spotted my father flipping through the catalog. He looked rather intrigued by the clothing as well. Suddenly my step mother walked in. This is the funny part. She shook her head at him and said "I see your catalog came." How funny is that? They didn't even order from the fredericks of Hollywood catalog. My father just liked it for the articles. Uh wait, there aren't any articles in there, are there?

In short, you can still acquire merchandise from fredericks of Hollywood on the web. The store is not completely out of business just yet. However, they must find it difficult to compete with Victoria's Secret, which is in virtually every shopping mall nation-wide. Even if you are a big fan of the Victoria's Secret chain, get online and see what fredericks of Hollywood has to offer.