‘The Big Bang Theory’ Season 8 News, Spoilers: NASA Enlists Raj; Penny Torn Between Her Life-Long Dream and Budding Career

The Big Bang Theory Youtube/file

Christian Post Report – The Cast of The Big Bang Theory

This week’s episode of the hit CBS sitcom, “The Big Bang Theory,” will surely bring some interesting things to the small screens. For a start, there’s the talk about some extra-terrestrial beings involving the boys. Meanwhile, there’s also Penny who will be put in a dilemma.

According to Christian Today, the episode titled “The Communication Deterioration” will see Raj (Kunal Nayyar) getting enlisted by the NASA to develop a message which they would use to communicate with the extraterrestrials.

Of course, the ever curious bunch, Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), and Howard (Simon Helberg), hops on the project to help their friend. But apparently, their genius ideas won’t synch in with each other and this creates some disagreement between them.

Trouble consequently ensues when the intergalactic creatures get hold of one Sheldon’s videos. The aliens interpreted it as a message of war.

While the ETs are brewing up their plans to invade Earth, Penny (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting) is in a big dilemma of choosing between her lucrative pharmaceutical job and the chance to pursue her life-long dream of being an actress.

It was revealed earlier that Penny has to give up her dreams of making it big in the Hollywood after she landed a promising job.

However, she will once again be put in a predicament when the news of an audition for a Kevin Smith film reaches her ears.

Will she take on the opportunity to finally fulfill her dreams or will she play it safe in the downside?

Find out when “The Big Bang Theory” Season 8 airs this Thursday, April 16 at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Source : Christian Post

Facebook Updates 2015 News: Trending in Five Categories

Facebook continue to improve its features and update its security protocols to give its users worthwhile experience while updating their statuses on the social media platform. In its latest update, Facebook rolls out its “Trending” section that allows users to see the topics and headlines that might be of interest to them.

Facebook Trending (Photo: Facebook/File)

Facebook Trending section now available in selected countries.

Taking after the “Trending Topics”of Twitter, Facebook launched in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and India their own “Trending” section with the social media’s web homepage sidebar. The sidebar will feature lists of words and phrases highly mentioned. It also includes a brief explanation of why those particular words and phrases are trending. This format frees the users of having to follow through several hashtags to identify the main source of the topic, which is what happens with Twitter’s “Trending Topics.”

“The description next to the topic is actually a headline that provides context around the topic and what is causing it to trend. We have rules in place that work to select concise, accurate, informative headlines,” a Facebook representative said.

The section will have five categories: Sports, Entertainment, Politics, Business, and Science and Technology. According to VentureBeat, Facebook is working on incorporating the update on its mobile apps.

This new addition to Facebook is beneficial for marketers that have contents that match category niches as they can target their audiences who “follow” trending topics included in the list. It would also be home to most news outfits wanting to get more exposure and user engagement.

This is a good addition to the social media app, however, to be able to efficiently maximize this feature, more Facebook users would need to post publicly because Facebook will only show a feed of links and posts according to updates from users who have the “Follow” feature that will allow people (even non-friends) to read public posts.

“Trending” will be accessible to Facebook users in several countries in the next few weeks.

Source : Christian Post

‘Vikings’ Season 3 News, Spoilers: Ragnar’s Name Will Be Made Known in ‘Breaking Point’

Vikings Facebook/ Vikings

Christian Post Report – The official season 3 poster of Vikings

Failure is apparently not included in Ragnar’s (Travis Fimmel) vocabulary. Though the last episode of the hit historical TV drama series “Vikings” saw the demise of many swordsmen and shieldmaidens, the brave King of Denmark has become even more determined to conquer the fabled walled city of Paris.

Followers of the show were able to see the first defeat of the Nordic warriors as they were burned, impaled, shot, and hacked by the equally fierce French soldiers. But the celebration for the successful defense of the city won’t last long.

A synopsis for the episode titled “Breaking Point” was posted by History Channel and it indicates that the brave Vikings will commence on their second wave of assault on Paris.

And from what the short preview clip featured at the end of “To the Gates” suggests, Ragnar, Rollo (Clive Standen), Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), as well as other key Northmen warriors, may have successfully breached the known impregnable city.

The summary went on to indicate that Emperor Charles (Lothaire Bluteau) will make a “difficult decision” when he recognized the “desperate state of affairs” within the city.

Meanwhile, Athelstan’s (George Blagden) lover, Judith (Jennie Jacques) will also be compelled to make a difficult decision of her own in Wessex. Could this involve King Ecbert’s (Linus Roache) proposal about the Kingdom of England?

A report from KDrama Stars also indicated that Ragnar will ask Bjorn a favor which, as said by the website, “could alter the course of Viking history.”

Find out more of these exciting events when “Vikings” Season 3 airs this Thursday, April 16 at 10 p.m. on History Channel.

Source : Christian Post

Bloodborne Patch 1.03 News, Details: New Update Promises Reduced Load Times, Patch Rolls Out End of April

Bloodborne YouTube/Screenshot

Christian Post Report – Bloodborne Title Card

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Studio chief Masaaki Yamagiwa recently offered some updates on the 2015 action role-playing video game, which was developed by the people in From Software.

As indicated in the statement he released via the official PlayStation Blog, Yamagiwa said that the game title “has now sold through over one million copies worldwide.”

He further offered his thanks on the blog post and then said that fans and supporters of the game will finally be able to get their hands on the next patch for Bloodborne sooner than what is expected.

Yamagiwa confirmed that the upcoming Bloodborne Patch 1.03 will see the reduction of “certain load times” as well as a slew of other “performance optimization” features.

It was also indicated that the new patch will seek to address an issue “that resulted in abnormal game behavior after many continuous hours of play.” Additional bug fixes are also coming along the 1.03 update.

He further announced that the team behind the game is “currently working” towards the completion as well as the slated global release of the said patch which will take place “before the end of the month (April).”

“We will try to provide more specific timing as soon as we are able,” Yamagiwa added.

Players were also made wary in Yamagiwa’s post that upon the roll-out of the update, the online mode will temporarily be “disabled for a short period of time to facilitate server-side updates.”

“It has been determined that starting at 1am PT on a non-Friday weeknight will disrupt the fewest players. We will target this time for any necessary future server maintenance downtime, which will only last a couple hours in each instance,” he went on to explain.

Source : Christian Post

‘Batman v Superman’ News, Update: Director Zack Snyder Shares First Glimpses of the Trailer

Batman v Superman Facebook/ Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Christian Post Report – The new logo for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Much to the delight of DC fans all over the world, recent reports pointed out director Zack Snyder dropping the first glimpses of the trailer for Warner Bros. upcoming film “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.”

The incredibly short, trailer teaser was posted on the helmer’s official Twitter account. As described by IGN, the footage “shows off some nice costume detail and is backed by a soundtrack that’ll have the hairs of on the back of your neck standing on end.”

The post’s caption meanwhile confirmed the already rumored “Dawn of Justice” IMAX special teaser screening event. The event will take place next week, April 20, and will only be for select individuals.

Variety said in their report that the “Batman V Superman Imax Trailer Event” will be 15 minutes long and that it might include some “extra footage” as well as an introduction from the director himself.

The “Man of Steel” sequel will feature the actors Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck as the titular characters, Superman and Batman, respectively.

Joining the cast list are Amy Adams, who will play as Clark Kent’s love interest, Lois Lane; Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, and Diane Lane as Martha Kent.

“Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” will also highlight the big screen debut of the Amazonian demigoddess, Wonder Woman, which will be played by Gal Gadot, and the Atlantean hero of the sea, Aquaman, to be played by “Game of Thrones” star Jason Momoa.

“Batman V Superman” is slated to hit the theaters on March 25, 2016.

Source : Christian Post

Science-Backed Weight Loss, Does It Really Work? Debunking Myths with Facts

exercise (Photo: Reuters/File)

Christian Post Report – Clients work out on machines in Arvada, Colorado

Weight management, specifically weight loss is a growing concern for many primarily because as one ages, the body’s ability to metabolize slows down. This has forced many to resort to different kinds of diets, especially the ones endorsed by celebrities.

With the hundreds of diets available in the market, how can one know which works for them? Recent scientific studies give credence to some of the weight loss diets and methods of today.

Here are some of them:

1. Diet is far more effective than exercising in reducing weight.

According to Dr. Samuel Klein of Washington University School of Medicine, “Decreasing food intake is much more effective than increasing physical activity to achieve weight loss.” If you want to achieve a 300kcal energy deficit you can run in the park for 3 miles or not eat two ounces of potato chips.” In a study comparing weight loss through diet and exercise, participants who reduce their caloric intake lost more weight compared to those who exercised alone.

2. Exercise is effective in fixing metabolism.

James Hill of University of Colorado shares that exercise is important in repairing a broken metabolism. Data from the NASA bed-rest studies support the claim that: days of non-activity causes metabolism to become inflexible. As soon as there is resumption of activity, a change in metabolism occurs. This supports that exercise is essential in maintaining weight.

3. Weight training is more effective that cardiovascular exercises in weight loss.

The American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal published in 2013 a scientific seven-minute workout that involves 12 body weight exercises that offers same benefits as 30-minute endurance training. In addition, a study in Obesity, claims that weight training allows one to lose more weight compared to cycling, running, or stair climbing.

Although these weight loss management models are backed by science, experts still advice a visit to the doctor’s office.

Source : Christian Post

Xbox One UK Gets a Price Drop

xbox one (PHOTO: Wikipedia Commons)

Christian Post Report – Xbox One console with controller.

Microsoft has announced it will be dropping the price of Xbox One in the UK from its original price of £329.99.

UK’s retail price for the Xbox One has just gotten a price drop from Microsoft, going from £329.99 to £299.99, a discount of £30.

The new price is a only available in the UK, and there have been speculations the current sale price may be temporary at best.

However, with the manner in which Microsoft handled their Xbox One price drop in the US last January, lowering the price to $350, the UK price plunge for the console may eventually end up becoming a permanent one.

In its bid to undercut its competitor, Sony’s PlayStation 4, Microsoft has had a history of not holding to a single price for its products for an extended period of time. As with the case of the US Xbox One price drop, the company is known to cut its prices aggressively whenever it needs a boost for its console sales.

When the Xbox One first launched in November 2013, it retailed for $430 in the UK and $500 in the US, and Microsoft has instituted a number of cost cutting measures, such as doing away with Kinect as the console’s bundled accessory, and allowing the price reduction as a result.

By announcing a lower retail price, Microsoft is paving the way for its retail partners to make the new price their official number, as well. According to a report by Digital Trends, Microsoft may have lowered the Xbox One price at the request of some retailers.

With some of the highly anticipated games coming in 2015, including”The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,” “Batman: Arkham Knight,” “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, and Xbox exclusives like “Rise of the Tomb Raider,” “Halo 5: Guardian,” and “Forza Motorsport 6,” users may find the console a good item to purchase while its price remains at an all-time low.

Source : Christian Post

‘Kurt Cobain: A Montage of Heck’ News: Insight Into Rock Icon’s Life

Christian Post Report – Over the years, the world has seen countless of documentaries about late Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain. But not even one was able to paint a picture of Cobain as vivid and raw as “Montage of Heck.”

Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (Photo: Wikipedia/File)

“Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck” is a documentary about the life and times of the Nirvana front man. Co-produced by Cobain’s daughter, Frances Bean, Montage of Heck will have a television premiere on May 24, 2015.

Lifted from the title of his unreleased 1988 mix tapes, “Montage of Heck” documents the entirety of Cobain’s life – from his childhood to his untimely death.

Rights to use Cobain’s notebooks, drawings, and mix tapes were given to Oscar-nominated filmmaker Brett Morgen, who also had the opportunity to talk to immediate family members, Cobain’s wife Courtney Love, and daughter Frances Bean.

A large part of the film include never before seen footages such as the Super 8 home videos that shows Cobain’s first three years of life. The start of the film already gives a peek into the family dynamics that the singer grew up in. The audience will see his personal struggles and feelings of rejections that he poured out to his audiotapes.

“Montage of Heck” attempts to show a different Cobain – away from all the fame and glory – the fragile human that he really is.

“People didn’t realize how very funny Kurt Cobain was, or how romantic he was, or what a doting father he was. Ultimately the mythology of the man is that he was in pursuit of fame, and then he didn’t want fame anymore. I hope this film shatters that illusion,” Morgen told BBC.

“I think Kurt, the child of divorce, was in pursuit of family his whole life, and when that became defiled that’s what ultimately led him to take his own life. But I didn’t make this film for fans. I made it for Frances,” he said.

Although Morgen only worked with Cobain through the documentary, he had the opportunity to work with Cobain’s daughter Frances Bean, the film’s executive producer.

“When Brett and I first met, I was very specific about what I wanted to see, how I wanted Kurt to be represented … I told him, ‘I don’t want the mythology or the romanticism,'” the artist told Rolling Stone.

“Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck” premiered during the Sundance Film Festival last January 25, 2015 and will have a television premiere on HBO on May 24, 2015, following a limited theatrical run this April.

Source : Christian Post

‘Beauty and the Beast’ Movie Starts Production, Reveals Stellar Cast

Josh Gad, Instagram (Photo: Josh Gad/Instagram)

Christian Post Report – Josh Gad posts a selfie shot with the cast of Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast. Gad will play Lefou, Gaston’s trusted sidekick.

The production for Walt Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast is coming together. Josh Gad just posted a cast photo in his personal Instagram account, giving fans a delightful update on their upcoming film.

The image, from left to right features:

• Josh Gad as Gaston’s loyal sidekick Lefou
• Dan Stevens as the cursed The Beast
• Emma Watson as the beautiful Belle
• Luke Evans as the vain and arrogant Gaston
• Kevin Kline as Belle’s father Maurice

The film set for a March 17, 2017 release will also feature Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the feather duster Plumette, Emma Thompson as the teapot Mrs. Potts, Audra McDonald as Garderobe, and Ian McKellen as The Beast’s butler.

The film will feature new recordings of original songs such as “Be Our Guest” and “Tale As Old As Time,” along with new songs written by Tim Rice and Academy Award winner Alan Menken who is also responsible for the musical score. Originally written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and rewritten by “The Perks Of Being A Wallflower” author Stephen Chbosky, “Beauty and the Beast” will be directed by Bill Condon who is set to take heavily from the original animated movie.

“Plot details are unknown at this point, but Disney does not seem to be slowing down in mining their animated classics for new, live action-takes,” writes Entertainment Weekly.

One thing is for sure, Watson will sing in the film. The actress confirmed it in an interview with The Telegraph stating it as the challenging part of portraying the bookish Belle:

“I sing, so that’s really unexpected. I’ve never had to do that for a film role before, and I think people will be interested to see me do something very different like that. It gives me a different challenge, really. That’s terrifying in and of itself!”

Disney’s 1991 animated feature of the same title grossed over $375 million and became the first ever animated film to receive an Oscar nomination for best picture.

Source : Christian Post

‘Orange Is the New Black’ Season 3 Release Date: Netflix Trailer Video Shows Stronger Leading Ladies in New Season

Christian Post Report – Now that the trailer for the “Orange Is the New Black” is out, fans can expect the better, feistier, and stronger series as the ladies from the Litchfield Penitentiary are bolder than ever. The Netflix original series will once again feature compelling scenes riddled with wit and humor.

The award-winning series, now its third season, will follow through Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren’s (Uzo Aduba) alien and human encounter that turns out to be something “sexual.”

Orange Is the New Black (Photo: REUTERS/Eric Thayer)

Cast members Laura Prepon and Taylor Schilling attend the season two premiere of “Orange is the New Black” in New York May 15, 2014.

But Crazy Eyes was quick to say, “It’s not just sex. It’s love. It’s two people connecting with four other people and aliens.”

Another surprising twist shown in the season 3 trailer of OITNB is the possibility of a supposed “dead” character making a surprising comeback.

It can be seen during the entrance of Stella (Ruby Rose). Fans did a double take as a vague figure resembling Vee is seen standing behind Stella.

Vee (Lorraine Toussaint) was a compelling addition in season two as the pseudo mama to Taystee (Danielle Brooks). Vee’s character had terrible clashes with Red (Kate Mulgrew) and other notable characters. At season 2, after she escaped from prison, Vee was left for dead at the side of the road. Could she be still alive even after Miss Rose (Barbara Rosenblat) ran over her?

When quizzed by E! News about the “comeback,” Toussaint her character is most likely dead after what she went through, but if anyone could survive, it would be Vee.

“I believe she’s dead. She’s dead. And she’s such a survivor, it wouldn’t surprise me – I wouldn’t be surprised if she wasn’t dead because I don’t have much control over her … she’s pretty dead … but it is Vee.”

“OITNB” will see return performances by Taylor Schilling (Piper Chapman), Michael Harney (Sam Healy), Kate Mulgrew (Galina ‘Red’ Reznikov), Natasha Lyonne (Nicky Nichols), Uzo Aduba (Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ Warren), and Daniella Brooks (Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson).

“Orange Is the New Black” premiers June 12 on Netflix.

Source : Christian Post