The Launch Trailer For 'LEGO Jurassic World' Spares No Nostalgia

Jurassic World finally hits theaters today and, well, it might be a bit of a battle to get a seat. But hey, if you happen to be left out in the cold, you could still console yourself with LEGO Jurassic World, the new game that actually covers the entire Jurassic Park series.

The final trailer for LEGO Jurassic World mostly focuses on the games take on the original Jurassic Park. Dr. Grant seeing the Brachiosaurus for the first time, the velociraptors in the kitchen scene, that d**n sexy, snarky Jeff Goldblum. Its all here. Theres also some new stuff, like a shot of a raptor constructing something out of LEGO blocks. Oh G*d, even our building toys arent safe.

Source: http://uproxx.com/gammasquad/2015/06/the-launch-trailer-for-lego-jurassic-world-spares-no-nostalgia/

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Farewell To Dusty Rhodes, The American Dream

This one hurts.

A pro wrestlers sudden death is by now no more surprising than the passing of another worlds oldest human. But todays news that Dusty Rhodes was gone shook me.

Try as my parents surely did, traditional theater never did anything for me. But d**n if I wasnt awed every time I watched the guy born Virgil Runnels Jr. in character as the wrestler Dusty Rhodes. Here was thislets be honesthideous-looking man with hair and a body type of a sort only found in pro wrestling delivering scripted boasts about his physical and intellectual prowess in an exaggerated Southern drawl and cartoonish lisp, even taunting all ring rivals with claims that he was familiar with their lady friends.

My brother and some buddies and I, none of whom ever were ring obsessives, have been trading impersonations of Rhodes promos for the last few decades: Im jutht a plumberth thon! and Whithkey bent and glory bound! and, my fave, Im bethide mythelf, and thatth five-hundred and sixthty poundth, if you know what Im thayin. Standard wrestling fare, for sure, and nothing as poetic as Ric Flairs If you wanna be the man you gotta beat the man! But to me, everything coming out of the mouth of the American Dream oozed thespian brilliance. I can only hope my folks got as much entertainment out of Laurence Olivier as Richard III.

Rhodess ring persona hit home with me for geographic and cultural reasons, too. He was a star all over the world, but especially for National Wrestling Alliance promoters in the Carolinas and Florida, and that meant a few things to me.

I grew up in the 1970s in Northern Virginia, about seven miles from the Washington, D.C. border, and was always proud that the city was the birthplace of the NWA rival now known as the WWE, which grew out of weekly broadcasts filmed at a downtown gym called Turners Arena, off 13th and W Sts NW. Vince McMahon dominated the D.C. market when I was a kid, and NWA wrestlers had no presence in town before cable television, so I only saw stars like Rhodes and Flair on the covers of wrestling magazines, always bloodied like nothing Id ever seen on McMahons Saturday morning wrestling shows.

Coming from the Virginia side of the Potomac River, though, meant I also grew up a fan of the New South, of bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers and politicians like Jimmy Carter and basically of anything that might make the South cool again for the first time in at least a century. So I found something romantic about these bloodied bottle-blond cover boys, and when the wrestling civil war for ring domination commenced on cable when I was a little older, I rooted hard for the NWA (and, eventually, its cable-friendly successor, WCW). Rhodes made that decision easy.

Beginning in the mid-1980s, despite the efforts of Rhodes and Flair and endless broadcasts on Ted Turners TBS, McMahons organization took the upper hand in the wrestling war. With its USA Network telecasts and Wrestlemania on its way to becoming the Super Bowl of the sport, what is now WWE became a national concern; the NWA troupes, by contrast, were never quite able to overcome their reputation for Southernness. This meant, among other things, that my exposure to Rhodes came almost totally via the TV. That was okay, since his actual wrestling abilities, capped by his finishing move, the Bionic Elbow, werent nearly as otherworldly as his work with the microphone. But I was excited when I heard Rhodes was coming to town for a July 3, 1986 show at RFK Stadium called the Great American Bash.

The card featured Flair vs. Rhodes for the NWA title. The match, and the whole card, was a bust. The crowd was announced as 6,000, but the giant venue didnt even seem to have even that many people inside. But, as I reminded myself again and again today since hearing of his death, I saw Dusty Rhodes battle for the belt! I dug out my ticket stub from the Bash, and was at my laptop guffawing at the above period-piece promo Rhodes cut for that showAnd Ronald Reagan, you and Nansthy better get your seatsth!when my phone rang.

My brother was on the other line. Jutht a plumberth thon, he said. Im bethide mythelf, and thatth five-hundred and sixthty poundth, if you know what Im thayin, I countered. We laughed. Thanks for that, Dusty.

Contact the author at dave.mckenna@deadspin.com.

Source: http://deadspin.com/farewell-to-dusty-rhodes-the-american-dream-1710727229

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Tonight in L.V.: Calvin Harris at Wet at Night; 'Skin Wars'; Ministry; Skrillex

Eric Jamison / Invision / AP

Calvin Harris arrives at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 17, 2015, in LasVegas.

By Robin Leach (contact)

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 | 4:58 p.m.

Skin Wars judge and producer Robin Slonina premieres the first episode of Season 2 on the Game Show Network at Inspire Theater on Fremont Street with a screening party with a living red carpet, body-painted models, photo booth and temporary tattoos for attendees older than 21. Our Q+A with Robin was posted last Friday.

Surrender Nightclub and Encore Beach Club celebrate their fifth anniversaries with DJ Skrillex (be sure to read our esteemed Entertainment + Luxury Senior Editor Don Chareunsys Q+A with Sean Christie, managing partner of Surrender, EBC and the adjoining restaurant Andreas.

DJ Calvin Harris spins at Wet at Night at Wet Republic in Mandalay Bay. Will girlfriend Taylor Swift and her entourage of BFFs accompany Calvin at the late-night pool party?

Ministry headlines at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

Singing tenor Joe Spinella launches his show Illusion Aria of music ranging from Italian opera to Grammy-nominated popera with magical illusions and storytelling at Marriott Springhill Suites near the Convention Center. Lady Gaga songwriter and producer Joe Vulpis has created the musical portion of the unique show.

Nintendos Legend of Zelda plays out with a symphony of The Goddesses Master Quest orchestra concert at the Venetian.

Summerlin artist Dorit Schwartz presents six 3-D, 5-feet-tall sculptures at St. Jude Celebration of Life at Springs Preserve.

TOMORROWS TEASE

Meet banker David Perisset, who invested a multimillion-dollar fortune to bring Exotics Racing to Las Vegas with 200 mph, high-priced cars. Plus, the Venetians Carnival of Cuisine with star chef Mario Batali.

Robin Leach of Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous fame has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past 15 years giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the worlds premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Sun Entertainment + Luxury Senior Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Encore

Encore is nearly a mirror image of the Wynn Las Vegas, from the brown glass exterior to the style and placement of the logo and it's just as luxurious as the original. Some call Encore the younger, hipper sister of Wynn.

Located steps from Wynn Las Vegas, yet under the same roof, Encore's fanciful and intimate atmosphere is unlike anything anywhere, with an environment that is uniquely Wynn and distinctly Encore.

Steve Wynn spared no detail in his newest property when designing Encore. The casino floor is decorated in rich reds, browns and purples with mosaic butterflies embedded into the marble floors and fresh flowers greeting guests in the casino atrium.

Luxury doesn't end of the casino floor. Encore boasts 2,034 impeccable guest rooms and suites. The standard suites resort accommodations are 700 square feet with the larger suites measuring in at 5,800 square feet. Standard suites guest rooms feature plasma screen TVs, high-end bath products, spectacular views of the Strip, and also plush linens and mattresses, which can be purchased in the Encore store, in case you can't get enough.

Dining options include Chef Theo Schoenegger's fine Italian cuisine at Chef Theo Schoenegger's, Sinatra's and the pan-Asian caf creations of Chef Jet Tila at Wazuzu.

Guests can also dine on steaks and chops at star Botero Steak. At Switch, Encore's French restaurant, the walls come to life mid-meal and your surroundings appear to change before your eyes. For decadent, hip Asian dining before or after a night at one of resorts ultra-chic nightclubs, visit Andreas, the newest dining experience at Encore.

XS headlines Encore's nightlife and pool party scene while Danny Gans takes care of humor and entertainment. Encore also features two of the most celebrated nightlife experiences in Vegas, XS Nightclub and Surrender. Both feature main room dance floors that flow outside to pools, patio spaces and gaming areas.

When the temperature rises, dont miss Encore Beach Club, the premier daylife destination that features three tiered pools and luxurious cabanas and bungalows with private infinity pools.

Encore Esplanade features 11 high-end retail stores, with brands like Hermes, Chanel, Loro Piana and Rock, and Republic Piaget luxury watches. The resort also has a Forbes Five-Star spa, a salon and an 18-hole, on-site golf course, which is adjacent to the Wynn.

3131 South Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas,NV 89109

702-770-8000 MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

MGM Grand, a AAA Four Diamond resort, offers 5,044 rooms and suites.

MGM Grand features K by Cirque du Soleil; Brad Garretts Comedy Club; and world-class entertainment at the Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood Theatre.

The resort offers signature restaurants by celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchios Craftsteak, Emeril Lagasses New Orleans Fish House, Wolfgang Pucks Bar & Grill and Michelin three star and Forbes Five Star restaurant, Jol Robuchon.

As part of its ongoing Grand Renovation, MGM Grand has remodeled all rooms and suites in its main tower and is adding several new experiences to its lineup including Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub, a new upscale dining/nightlife concept (coming in April 2013).

MGM Grand also features a state-of-the-art, non-smoking conference center, the Grand Spa, Cristophe Salon, "CSI: The Experience" and an inviting pool complex featuring the tantalizing daylife of Wet Republic.

Upscale accommodations include The Mansion, an exclusive hotel within the hotel; the luxurious two-story SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand; and The Signature at MGM Grand, a luxury all-suite, non-gaming hotel located adjacent to the main resort.

3799 Las Vegas Boulevard S. Las Vegas,NV 89109

702-891-1111

Source: http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/jun/10/calvin-harris-wet-night-skin-wars-ministry-skrille/

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What Evan Mathis' release will reveal about the Giants

A Pro Bowl guard is on the free-agent market after the Eagles released Evan Mathis on Thursday.

The Giants offensive line, as currently constituted, doesn't need a guard. Arguably their two best linemen, Geoff Schwartz and Justin Pugh, are running with the first team at organized team activities this spring.

Yet the availability of Mathis should expose just how the Giants feel about their current offensive line.

The Giants are trying to determine this spring whether their offensive tackles are sufficient without Will Beatty (out until at least mid-October with a torn pectoral muscle). First-round pick Ereck Flowers is being thrown into the fire at left tackle. Veteran journeyman Marshall Newhouse is manning the right tackle spot. The goal was to get through the spring and re-evaluate then, if necessary.

"We'll see what happens," coach Tom Coughlin said several weeks back about the need to add another lineman. "We'll see how we finish the spring here and so on and so forth."

Before the Giants even hold their line mandatory minicamp this offseason, they will be forced to show their hand. Mathis' availability will display just how comfortable they are with their current situation.

Do they seriously make a play for the proven guard and throw Pugh back at tackle? General manager Jerry Reese has always said this team is willing to look at everything and, right now, this could be their top option for this season. If they think that is the case, they will enter the mix.

An argument can easily be made that Pugh, in his third season, or Schwartz are the best healthy tackles the Giants have on the roster, even if their best positions may be guard. Pugh played right tackle his first two seasons in the NFL, and showed signs of being a quality player at that position. A hobbled Schwartz filled in admirably at right tackle for a game when he returned from a toe injury.

More on Mathis' release: What now for the Eagles?

There will undoubtedly be a market for Mathis. Even at 33 years old, he's better than a lot of current penciled-in starters around the league. That's why he was unhappy with his contract in Philadelphia, even though he was scheduled to make north of $5 million this season.

The Giants aren't going to break the bank for Mathis. They're not going to guarantee big money and commit for several seasons to a linemen who isn't an ideal fit (at 6-5, 298 he's not their typical mauling guard).

But if they do anything more than make an exploratory inquiry ‐ which is the norm on almost all free agents ‐ it will be awfully telling. It says the Giants are not content with their first-team offensive tackles.

All offseason the Giants shied away from the "big name" guards. Even after losing Beatty, they never made a play for veteran Justin Blalock, a solid starter for years with the Falcons who was released for salary cap reasons. Blalock remains a free agent. They wanted Pugh at guard and stuck to the plan even with Beatty injured.

But the Giants did bring in veteran tackle Jake Long several weeks back. That alone said they were at least somewhat interested in upgrading that position. They don't seem to have closed the door on that either.

"He's a veteran, he's played a lot of football, and so we brought him in, gave him a physical to see where he was," Reese said last week. "We'll keep an eye on him."

A push for Mathis would speak loud and clear. Despite Reese's hope that the selection of Flowers would put an end to talk about upgrading a questionable line, it would prove that it's still a serious concern. Not just with large contingent of fans who remain skeptical, but with the opinions that matter within the walls of the Quest Diagnostics Training Center as well.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.

Source: http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/06/what_evan_mathis_release_will_reveal_about_the_gia.html

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Ric Flair Remembers Dusty Rhodes, Says He Was The Definition Of Heart And ...

Ric Flair wrote the following on Facebook yesterday about the tragic passing of Dusty Rhodes:

All I wanted to be in 1972 was Rambling Ricky Rhodes. The Dream told me "you can make it on your own." He mentored me and taught me how to be a star. Dusty used to say "If you are going to pass by... why not in a Cadillac??" He's the man who invented A Flair for the Gold and was a genius way ahead of his time. Much love to your family and more respect than can ever be measured. Love you Dream.

Flair also released this statement on Dusty:

Today I lost one of my greatest opponents and greatest friends. He was the definition of heart and soul and I'm honored to have shared the ring with him countless times.

He became the 'American Dream' because wrestling needed a hero they could respect, and he was the man for the job. Dusty Rhodes, I will miss you my mentor and friend.

Got a news tip or correction? Send it to us by clicking here.

Source: http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0612/596190/ric-flair-remembers-dusty-rhodes/

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Ellen Pao's appeal is now about the money

Ellen Paos gender discrimination and harassment case against venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has been heralded as a seminal moment for Silicon Valleys male-dominated technology and investment communities. It highlighted issues of inequity that went far beyond the litigants and, perhaps, will ultimately lead to actual change.

In the process, Pao herself became something of a poster child for gender equality. A lot of it had to do with statements she made during the trial about her motives for bringing the suit, which had a decidedly altruistic bent. A lot of it had to do with others who felt that they had experienced discrimination, and were inspired by a woman who was willing to so publicly take on not just an alleged perpetrator, but one that also was one of Silicon Valleys most storied and powerful investment firms.

Today, I have to wonder if those folks are feeling disheartened.

Following a March jury verdict that found in favor of Kleiner Perkins, Pao said in multiple interviews that she had not yet decided on whether or not she would appeal. In response, Kleiner Perkins said that it would seek nearly $1 million in legal fees from Pao, but would drop the request if Pao waived her right to appeal (a move that was sound in law, but steeped in spite). That was followed by Pao, earlier this week, filing a notice to appeal. The move didnt necessarily mean she would appealnor did it reveal grounds for appeal but seemed to indicate that she had rejected Kleiners officer.

Today, however, it looks more like a negotiation tactic.

Kleiner Perkins this morning filed court paperwork claiming that Pao offered to waive her appeal rights if the venture capital firm agrees to pay her $2.7 million to cover her fees and costs. It also said, in a subsequent statement, that it has no intention of accepting this unreasonable demand.

None of this, of course, should be terribly surprising. Legal disputes related to employment often boil down to money. But this case was elevated to something much grander, due largely to Paos own statements. If Kleiners contention is true, she has either betrayed those words for the sake of financial expediency, or they were largely a ruse in the first place.

To be clear, neither sides motive in this case should ever have mattered. Paos charges against Kleiner Perkins were quite serious on their face, and deserved the open hearing they received.

But for those who focused on the motive over the substance, it must be unsettling to learn about the $2.7 million request. Its one thing to not appeal because your attorneys say that there is little viable pathway to victory, and that youd be throwing good money after bad. Its quite another to publicly keep your options open as a de facto way of saying the cause of gender equality was not well served by the jury, while privately asking for a payout to make the whole thing go away.

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Source: http://fortune.com/2015/06/05/ellen-paos-appeal-is-now-about-the-money/

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Raven-Symone Explains How Her 3-Year 'Early Retirement' Prepared Her for ...

Raven-Symon became the newest co-host of "The View" Wednesday, after not working at all for a few years.

That time, which she calls her "early retirement," was crucial for this new chapter to be possible, she said.

"Those three years took off every single piece of dead skin that had been growing on me that I had not been able to shed because I was still in the public view," she told ABC News Wednesday. "From [ages] 3 to 25 [I worked]. I said, 'That's a lot of gunk on top of me.' Purged it: Sat in my house, went to school, traveled, fell in love. Just did what I needed to do. And now I'm able to be myself, and not a brand that was concocted to sell something. Now I'm who I want to be in the public eye."

The former child star, now 29, is back to working full-time, and not just at "The View." She recently appeared in TV shows including "Black-ish" and "Empire," has begun producing various projects, and is taking online classes at the Academy of Art University.

"One of the reasons I said yes to 'The View' is because the filming schedule is the best job anyone in the industry could ever have," she explained. "I work from 8 or 9 until, what? 12ish? 12:45pm at the latest, and that's on a one-show day. After that, when I start my next semester, I'm going to do my school and homework. Meetings in L.A., that's a Facetime call. Quick. And I have wonderful people out there to help me facilitate any producer credits that I'm going to be working on now."

The entertainer, who admitted her only immediate celebration plans involved a glass of champagne with the "View" crew and a much-needed nap, is also going to have to start the process of relocating to New York City. Since she was little, Raven-Symon has lived on the West Coast, but now that her position at "The View" is official, she said she'll phone her real estate agent in the next few days.

"I'm looking for a loft because I'm a painter and I want a lot of space," she said. "I want to be able to get paint on my ground and the people not to get mad at me. I need space and windows and light for painting, so mostly when I go home, I'll go back to my other life."

-- This embed didnt make it to copy for story id = 31673894.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/raven-symone-explains-year-early-retirement-prepared-view/story?id%3D31673894

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