Terrorist attack..failed attempt to down jet above Detroit! al-Qaeda suspected instigator...

According to a Northwest Airlines spokesperson, there was an attempt to down one of their airplanes on the descent into Detroit, a scant hour or so ago.

Federal Officilas in charge of the ensuing invesigation announced that the alleged terrorist claimed to be acting on behalf of top-ranking members of al-Qaeda.

Although the passenger on route from Nigeria managed to set off an explosive, quick-thinking passengers sprang into action, and apprehended the man.

In response, a White House representative speculated that the unexpected traumatic event, was a failed terrorist attempt.

At press time it was announced that there were 278 passengers booked on Flight No. 253.

Eye-witnesses excitedly reported that they heard a sound - not unlike that of a firecracker going off - which prompted at least one passenger nearby to leap towards the man in a heroic bold-faced effort to subdue him without further incident.

Later, Law Enforcement Officers at the scene identified the gentleman as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab

During the course of his arrest, one officer reported to a media source, that the man claimed to be in league with al-Qaeda - who he asserted - instructed him to use the device in question to blow up the airliner over U.S. territory.

In spite of the potential threat, the jet was able to land safely, without further difficulty.

A GOP member of the House Homeland Security Committee confirmed that the flight originated in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit.

An airline spokesperson acknowledged for the record in a terse statement  that on the approach to Detroit  - a combative passenger caused a disturbance onboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 - but was  immediately subdued without further incident.

The White house responded by vowing to enforce stricter security measures.

Meanwhile, the President - currently on holiday in Hawaii - was briefed on the facts.

According to sources, Mr. Obama stressed that he is monitoring the situation, and receiving regular updates in the island paradise.

Sources who spoke to the media, did so anonymously, in view of the ongoing  investigation.

An official determination from the Attorney General's office (as to the true nature of the attack) is expected to be forthcoming in the next day or two.

Meanwhile, citizens in the throes of travel plans this holiday season, are encouraged to check with their booking agents and airline carriers to keep abreast of the crisis.

For updates on terrorist alerts, travellers are urged to check the following government website.

Info:  http://www.tsa.gov

http://www.julianayrs.com

Sherlock Holmes...robust turkey with lots of stuffing! Ritchie goes off half-cocked...

Jude a sexy sidekick

Today Sherlock Holmes opened in wide release at Theatres around the country.

How fitting that Guy Ritchie and the studio (Joel Silver/Producer) chose to unveil their stab at the detective genre on Christams day.

After all, this big-budget fiasco is one robust Turkey, complete with all the trimmings (heavy on gummy stuffing and basted on the outside to yummy perfection for gawking at on the banquet table).

Unfortunately, Richie's offering leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Was it the work of the Devil?

Or, did too many cooks (four screenwriters toiled on this fruit cake during the course of production) end up spoiling the sauce?

Mind you, as far as period pieces go, this entry is definitely a stunner.

The sets are lush, for example.

And, the whole film is buttressed up by the capable hands of a master cinematographer with a keen discerning eye.

But, as one astute critic noted succinctly, the plot is convoluted.

Golly, at one point - in spite of the fact a posse of villains were tearing up the landscape ad nauseam and making quite a ruckus along the way - I dozed off.

When I turned to apologize to filmgoers on each side of me, I caught them comfortably snoozing in their plush seats, too.

In a nutshell, Sherlock Holmes is a diabolical tale about sorcery and magic and the quest for power.

I confess, mystical tales about satantic rituals and the black arts - carried out with a dash of high drama and style - have the capacity to seduce (and captivate) an audience.

Here, however, Richie has conjured up alot of nonsensical hooey!

Notwithstandng the obvious, his directing style is also nothing short of harried.

In a short film, a handful of the clever techniques he facilitates here - might curry favor.

But,  in a two-hour feature, they  end up being an exercise in repetition - and ultimately - futility

Madonna's ex has a bad habit of painstakingly explaining the obvious (flags a dead horse alot)) - which is an insult to intelligent filmgoers - that won't be long forgotten.

Downey, as expected, manages to go against the tide and rise above the deadweight to the surface - and in the process - turns in an entertaining performance in spite of the shackles that continually attempt to drag him down in this ceremonial barge set adrift without a rudder to keep it on a course worth following.

At one juncture, when Professor Moriarty's name is uttered up casually at the close of the tepid potboiler, it's obvious to any dim-witted fool there will be a sequel sauntering into a theatre near film buffs soon.

If Ritchie signs on the dotted line to helm it, there won't be much to look forward to.

Doesn't take a master sleuth to fathom that out!

Too much stuffing, Guy!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Sexiest Santas ever! YouTube buddy's surprise video gift...

Today, one of my YouTube buddy's (from Germany) gifted me with a visual delight!

I am now an old lech with an eye-popping Video of the Sexiest Santas ever caught on celluloid!

Take a gander:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsXRz3wQP2Q

Yummy, eh?

Happy Holidays!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Federal Trade Commission...seeks stricter content guidelines on web! Young audiences targeted...

Uncut Director's Editions on Internet concerns FTC!

The FTC recently cautioned that entertainment companies need to restrict violent content which may be accessible to young children who access the Internet without parental controls in check.

The Government agency (which recently expanded its reach into the World-Wide-Web) noted for the record recently- that while a handful of film and video-game companies have been more mindful of establishing a ratings system that is effective in this regard - more effort needed be made to self-police the industry-at-large..

The FTC alleges that parents have a difficult time monitoring content since there is a proliferation of unrated (director's cut versions) films on the Internet that are difficult to weed out among the mainstream fodder that is less worrisome.

According to the FTC, one of out every three parents, is unaware of the existence of these "uncut" releases spinning out-of-control on the blogosphere - and elsewhere on the net - unmonitored (or even identified for the most part).

In response to the criticism, a spokesperson at the Motion Picture Association of America (a ratings forum in the film industry arena) assured concerned FTC officials - and parents alike - that they are committed to ensuring that films are marketed truthfully  with the ultimate aim of providing parents with concise information about content so that educated decisions may be made about film choices for their young ones.

On the heels of that issue, the content watchdog duly noted that PG-13 movies were also aco ncern.

Apparently, youths under thirteen years of age are screening the films on the sly on the Internet without adult supervision.

One has to wonder if the FTC's concerns about explicit content in music biz product wasn't perhaps triggered by the recent brouhaha over Adam Lambert's raunchy live! performance on the American Music Awards just a scant few weeks ago.

Enquiring minds want to know!

Adam Lambert risque stage conduct rankled some!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Shepherds...pay tribute to baby Jesus! Praise God...(Luke 2:15-18)

And, it came to pass as the Angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another:

"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

And, they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.

And, when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child.

And, all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

And, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:15-18
The Holy Scriptures

http://www.julianayrs.com

Acinetobacter...Drug Resistant bug alarms medical researchers! Patients in hospitals at risk...

Infection Control and Hospital Epidermiology - a medical Journal - posted a study on their website this week warning about a drug-resistant bug that may put Hospital patients at risk.

The intruder - known as Acinetobacter - causes serious ailments such as pneumonia and bloodstream infections to flourish (and over time has managed to become resistant to a bevy of drugs normally used to treat it).

For example, there has been a 300 %  increase in resistance to a last resort drug, known by the name of imipenem.

The data was collection from over three-hundred hospitals during a seven-year period (1999-2006).

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which financed the study, theorized that only tighter infection-control meausres and new antibiotics could halt the resistance - and ultimately - the disease itself.

In another study earlier this year, Robert A. Bonomo - an M.D. at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center - noted that DNA study may be the key.

"By screening for particular DNA sequences associated with resistance to specific antibiotics, physicians might be able to understand why resistance emerges so quickly and prescribe more effective antibiotics that will be better suited for treating an infection,"

http://www.julianayrs.com

Sherlock Holmes...Robert Downey's sleuth fan of kick-boxing! Elementary, dear Watson...

For many, Christmas will not be all about Turkey, stuffing, and presents under the tree.

The laid-back holiday will afford film buffs the opportunity to saunter off to the local Theatre and catch the release of "Sherlock Holmes" starring respected actor Robert Downey, Jr.

By now, unless they've been living in Siberia, most film enthusiastics are keenly aware that quirky director Guy Ritchie (Madonna's ex) has tried his hand at updating the character of the master sleuth and his once-stuffy sidekick Dr.Watson.

Over the years, a handful of actors have stepped into the role.

Basil Rathbone managed to not only carve out a niche for himself with his characterization - but in the process - conjure up an image of the celebrated Detective that has been long-remembered over the years.

And, a screen persona difficult to shake, until now perhaps.

With Robert Downey, Jr. taking on the task in the latest studio-backed production, Sherlock Holmes may be literally transformed into Detective Cool right before our eyes, for starters.

According to press notices, in-house previews, and snippets of reviews - the new Sherlock is a buffed young man - sure to make hearts go pit-a-patter.

Even once-stodgy Dr. Watson has been overhauled.

With Jude Law breathing life into the character from beneath his skin, Watson has been upgraded from a supporting role, to a force to reckon with in a leading capacity opposite Downey.

When I was driving through Beverly Hills this morning, film critic Kenneth Turan's review of  "Sherlock Holmes" popped up on a local radio station as I was flipping the dial.

According to Turan, a lot of bickering between the two long-time friends, ends up being a bit tedious.

Further, Turan accused the producers of exploiting intense action scenes to the point where they ended  up being  "generic" - thus - rendering the big-budget release into little more than a lot of Hollywood fluff (geared towards generating ticket sales across the demographic, no doubt).

The advertising campaign has been nothing short of a "blitz";  in fact, just today, the morning papers were awash with screaming ads on just about every page in the Calendar section drawing attention to a host of openings at theatres near you and just about everyone else  in the Western Hemisphere.

And, the critics have been raving.

Mark S. Allen at CBS-TV used an eye-catching alliteratiion to get his review across:

"Smart, Sexy, Sensational"

One word say it all for Karen Durbin @ Elle:

"Dazzling"

Although I rarely ever agree with Peter Travers at Rolling Stone (he's so full of himself) I surmise that his assessement of Downey is bang on when he raves:

"Downey is irresistible"

And, Jake Hamilton at Fox TV, is already touting Sherlock Holmes as best film of the year.

Tomorrow, after take it in (this is one film I felt I should screen alongside the movie-going public in an emotionally-charged theatre setting), I'll be tossing in my own two cents worth.

I expect I'll be gushing about both Downey and Law, but underscoring - perhaps - that rank commercialism undermined the true potential of Sherlock Holmes from the get-go.

But, I'm hoping that is not the case.

Though I suspect Guy Ritchie's offering has missed its mark - in large part due to the rumor mill - I'll go into the theatre without bias or preconceived notions - and of course - pray for the best!

Like any regular joe, I always pine for a movie-going experience that is top notch and manages to entertain without flaw.

Elementary, dear Watson!

Guy Richie's Sherlock a fan of kick-boxing!

http://www.julianayrs.com