Doctor Strange Benedict Cumberbatch Teaser Breakdown
Prior to Benedict Cumberbatchs casting in the lead role of Doctor Strange (out Nov. 4), several other actors were rumored to be in the frame for the part, including Joaquin Phoenix, Ethan Hawke, Matthew McConaughey, Ewan McGregor, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Oscar Isaac. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige admits the company did consider alternative casting options forthe films titular surgeon-turned-sorcerer, but not because he had any doubts about Cumberbatchs thespian abilities.
RELATED: 6 Exclusive Photos of Marvels Mystical, Magical Doctor Strange
He was someone that we were very interested in for a very long time, says Feige, talking on the London set of Doctor Strange. [But] he kept getting more and more popular! [Laughs]Which is not [essential] for us.Chris Pratt was not popular when we cast him in Guardians. Thats not a prerequisite needed for us casting [someone]. But he kept getting more popular, and more popular, and he kept getting busier, and busier, and it looked like the timingwasnt going to work. So we looked at some other actors for a while and ultimately decided, We have to try and make it work with Benedict and with his schedule. Which is why we shifted the production schedule around.He finished Hamlet here in London, and I think had a day off, and then went to Kathmandu, Nepal, to shoot the first day of Doctor Strange.
To continue reading more on Doctor Strange, pick up Entertainment Weeklys First Look issue, on newsstands Tuesday, or buy it here.
Buon anno dalla Juventus - Happy New Year from Juventus
The Dallas Stars look to bring in the New Year in style with four games in the last week of 2015.
What a week it was.
The Dallas Stars stared down four games in the Central Division and took 7 of 8 possible points. The Stars came back against the MinnesotaWild, smashed the ChicagoBlackhawks, and manhandled the St. LouisBlues on Sunday night. The only loss over the stretch the Stars were able to rescue a point Saturday night in St. Louis.
Saturday night the Stars got pummeled, and still took the game all the way to a shootout. That says a lot about the team"s improvement in net and on the blue line.
Stars" fans also have to be encouraged by Kari Lehtonen"s showing on Sunday night. He didn"t have a lot of work to do, but he did it well. There is a long ways to go before the team has "accomplished" anything, but the raw materials of a Stanley Cup winner are on this team.
After a strange schedule last week, the Stars face another four-game week to welcome in 2016. Let"s dive in.
Tuesday 12/29/15 - Dallas Stars @ Columbus Blue Jackets
The Stars overwhelmed the Blue Jackets on December 15th when Columbus visited the American Airlines Center. The shot totals looked like a game that should have been closer, but an overwhelming second period effort by the Stars was too much for the Jackets in a 5-1 defeat.
Ryan Johansen was benched by John Tortorella in the third period of the last meeting. The Blue Jackets looked like they were on an upward trend early in Tortorella"s tenure in Columbus, but they have staggered in the last month and a half.
The Jackets looked frisky against Dallas, but they just couldn"t put enough pucks past Kari Lehtonen. The Stars were probably guilty of sitting back and absorbing pressure after they got out to a huge lead, but the Jackets proved they can be feisty.
Dallas just dusted the Central Division, finishing on an extreme high Sunday night. Nashville comes to town on New Years" Eve to open their season series against the Stars. The Stars will travel to Columbus for the game. This has all of the makings of a trap game.
On New Years Eve, the Stars will host the Nashville Predators as these teams meet for the first time this season. The Preds have had a good year, but can"t seem to string together any prolonged success. Nashville has played 0.500 hockey for over a month.
The problem the Predators present to the Stars is similar to the St. Louis Blues. Nashville plays a slow game with suffocating and physical defense. You saw a case study on playing style Saturday and Sunday night against the Blues. Styles make fights, and whoever can enforce their style typically wins these kinds of games.
Pekka Rinne has been solid and this team has an incredible blue line. Roman Josi, Shea Weber, and Seth Jones make up a pretty intimidating defense. Josi and Jones in particular showed their stuff last year in the playoffs against the Blackhawks.
New Years Eve, Thursday night, and a rocking building should be appointment television.
Saturday 1/2/16 - Dallas Stars @ New Jersey Devils
The Devils have been competitive this year, contrary to popular opinion at the beginning of the season. New Jersey is three points out of a wildcard spot, but they have stumbled to 0.500 level hockey in the last month.
New Jersey have perhaps been the beneficiary of some timely scoring and handstands by Cory Schneider, but they are right in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference. The Devils have struggled to score; their 84 goals are only good for 26th in the league.
It seems that management finally agreed to acomplete rebuild, and the players have rewarded them by performing. The truth is this team is not very deep. If you can slow down Mike Cammalleri, Kyle Palmieri, and Adam Henrique the rest of the roster seems to run out of ideas. This is a young team trying to figure it out.
The Rock in Newark has not been kind to Dallas, and in the past the Devils were able to inflict their style of play on the Stars in Jersey. Dallas will look to take the Devils" great crowd out of the game early, and step on their throat. The longer you let young team hang around, the more dangerous they become.
Sunday 1/3/16 - Dallas Stars @ New York Islanders
Look! Another back-to-back!
Tough draw for Dallas facing an Islanders team early on Sunday after playing the Devils the night before, but this is the NHL. Everyone has their beef with the schedule makers, including the Isles who face the Pittsburgh Penguins the night before.
I guess the way Dallas has played after a back-to-back this season, maybe it isn"t a bad thing?
This figures to be a game with some subtle plot lines. John Tavares probably feels a bit had after Jamie Benn"s heroics for the Art Ross Trophy last year, and will probably be looking to prove a point when Benn and the Stars visit on Sunday.
Of course with Tavares, who can really tell when he is playing with a "point to prove"? Tavares is always awesome. He has fallen off the scoring pace this year, but he is always a handful.
The Islanders have had some struggles at times putting the puck in the net, but the defense has been consistently strong all season. Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss have been lights out in net. No one wants to see either guy wearing the mask on any given night.
My heart tells me this will be a fast paced and up and down affair, but the way the islanders have rebuilt themselves over the last couple of years they may try to grind the game to a halt.
--
As an aside, the atmosphere in the American Airlines Center has been going through a resurgence this year. Slowly and steadily the fans seem to be more electric culminating with games at home against Chicago and St. Louis last week. Watching on television it feels like the fans are starting to create a playoff feel to every home game. It is easy to feel the energy, and I am not even there.
It was a great Christmas week of hockey in Dallas and the Stars look as good as they have all season.
This is a point in the season where it turns into a nightly grind, and the retooled Stars will be tested in entirely new ways. Will they continue to commit to shot blocking? Will the goalies stay hot? How many goals will Jamie Benn score?
This point in the season is where questions get answered. Watching this team grind is going to be fun.
FULL ITUNES VERSION: Denver Weather - David Murphy ft. Katy McAllister (Lyrics in Description)
Denver skies will be sunny and partly cloudy Thursday and through the weekend, according to forecasts.
"It"s a nice little respite from last week"s cold," said Todd Dankers, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Boulder. "There"s going to be plenty of sunshine."
The high temperature Thursday is expected to be 49 or 50 degrees. On Friday, temperatures could rise to 54, Dankers said.
A cold front on Saturday will drop temperatures 10 degrees to a high of 44 in the Denver metro area.
The cold front may bring snow to the mountains on Saturday.
Colorado will warm up again to around 52 on Sunday, Dankers said.
(Kourtney Geers, The Denver Post)
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, kmitchell@denverpost.com or @kirkmitchell or denverpost.com/coldcases
No Cantona Magic For Van Gaal! | Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea | FANCAM
The January transfer window opens in just a few days - and we"ll be bringing you all the gossip right here.
As Arsenal look set to add Mohamed Elneny to their midfield ranks, Premier League rivals are also on the hunt for new signings.
Manchester United lead the way as they seek additional firepower, eyeing Lazio"s starlet Felipe Anderson, while another Brazilian target looks set to stay where he is.
08:33Key event
Man United transfer roundup
Jose Mourinho is on holiday in Brazil and is comfortable about getting another job because he is the best in the world, according to his agent.
Jorge Mendes told Sky Sport Italia:
Mourinho is now in Brazil. Lets see what will happen when he returns.
For more on Man United, walk this way
Cole to MLS
Ashley Cole closing on LA Galaxy move
Ashley Cole is closing on a move to join Steven Gerrard in MLS with LA Galaxy.
Cole, 35, has endured a torrid season with Roma, barely figuring for Rudi Garcias Giallorossi.
The ex-England defender never really recovered from a mauling by Arjen Robben and is unwanted in Rome - losing his squad number to summer signing Lucas Digne.
Now the FA Cups most decorated player looks set to head Stateside to continue his career.
Bruce Arena, LA Galaxy boss, declined to comment on direct speculation on Monday, before declaring suggestions that the player could be joining the 2014 MLS champs as fairly accurate.
Galaxy have already moved on key pair Omar Gonzalez and Juninho to part-fund Coles wage demands.
Tuesday"s transfer round up
Arsenal will need to splash the cash for Brozovic
Arsenal will need to spend 25million (18.4m) to take Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan.
Theyve been heavily-linked with the Croatian international, who has impressed with the Nerazzurri this term.
Roberto Mancini wont want to cash in, but he knows he needs to partly generate his own funds at San Siro, if he wants to build his squad next month.
All the latest of Tuesdays paper round up is here
Chicharito
Selling Hernandez a "mistake" - Ray Wilkins
Ex-Man United and England midfielder Ray Wilkins says his former club should NOT have sold striker Javier Hernandez.
The Mexican didnt fit manager Louis van Gaals requirements, and after being loaned to Real Madrid last term, was shipped off to Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal in August.
Hes since been in terrific form in the Bundesliga, while United have struggled for goals.
I dont quite understand how this guys playing outside this country, Wilkins told talkSPORT.
He was a snip at 8m-10m, 27 years of age, should not have been allowed to leave because hes too talented.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for the Mexican in January, but Mirror Sport believes Bayer Leverkusen will resist any bids for their top scorer, despite their Champions League elimination.
Patrick Bamford
Bamford in demand after ending loan spell
Patrick Bamford called time on his loan spell at Crystal Palace on Monday.
The England under-21 international has failed to make an impression at Selhurst Park under Alan Pardew, and after playing 45 minutes against Swansea on Monday, made the decision to return to parent club Chelsea.
This was my last game for Palace, Bamford announced. It was my decision.
The coaches have just found out I have told them I am going.
If I were being honest, it has been terrible. No one wants to sit on the bench and not play. Obviously things havent worked out for whatever reason.
I would have been more content if I had been given a chance and not taken it. I havent started a game in the Premier League, so for a young player like me that is not what you need. For my development, it is crucial that I play games.
I have got to be open to all options. Ideally I want to stay in the Premier League, and there are a few options to stay, so now it is about assessing which is best and we will go from there.
Hes not expected to be back with the Blues too long however, with another loan deal expected.
A host of Championship sides have already made their interest known, with Middlesbrough - where Bamford shone last season - expected to lead the chase.
After his time at Palace, Premier League clubs may be more wary.
Gerrard
United need experienced striker - Gerrard
My players are fighting for me declared Louis van Gaal after his Man United side drew 0-0 with Chelsea on Monday evening.
But according to ex-Liverpool and England skipper Steven Gerrard, the Dutchman needs more in January - namely an experienced goalscorer.
Manchester United still need something for me, he told BT Sport.
I think they need an extra striker because theres still too much pressure on Wayne Rooney.
Martial is very young, Depay is very young, I think they need an extra striker to come and help Wayne Rooney with the goal burden.
United sold Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez in the summer, while James Wilson has since been allowed to join Brighton on loan.
Fabregas
Cesc to leave Chelsea?
Cesc Fabregas is wanted by AC Milan and Juventus, according to reports in Italy.
Corriere dello Sport claims the Spaniard wants to quit Stamford Bridge after a poor season has seen him targetted by Chelsea fans.
The Serie A clubs tried to sign Fabregas when he left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2011 and the 28-year-old will now cost around 18m.
The speculation about Fabregas future comes shortly after he claimed he enjoyed an exceptionally good relationship with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, following reports the pair had fallen out.
Neymar
Brazil skipper aware of interest
2015 has been a terrific year to be Neymar.
A treble winner with Barcelona last season, two more trophies this, shortlisted for the Ballon dOr and having completed his transition from scintillating virtuoso act into bona-fide world class match-winner, the Brazil captains future looks perhaps brighter than anyone else around.
As such, its little wonder the games elite are keeping tabs - with Manchester City the latest to be linked, (with a player who also sits on Uniteds most wanted list).
Asked about interest on his return to Barca after his mid-season break, Neymar declared himself aware, brushing off speculation with a Yes, yes.
Neymar, 23, is currently in talks with Barca over a new deal - his current contract expires in 2018.
Felipe Anderson
First up - Manchester United
According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Manchester Uniteds quest for more pep in their attack will see them strike for Felipe Anderson in January.
The Brazilian, 22, was on the clubs summer hitlist, but Lazio were asking for 45million.
However, the Roman clubs season hasnt gone to plan this term - theyre off the pace in the race for Italys top three, while they were also knocked out of the Champions League at the play-off phase, before the group stage.
Now they could reportedly be tempted to cash in on their prize asset. With Uniteds attacking woes, could they splash the cash?
06:41Key event
Morning all
Welcome folks to todays latest transfer LIVE blog.
Were fast approaching the start of the January transfer window, with Premier League clubs expected to lead the way in terms of spending once more.
In one of the most open title races in recent years, teams at the top will be looking for additions to make the BIG difference.
At the other end, desperation could lend itself to seeing sides make moves in their quest to try and strike the right balance to keep them safe.
Well keep you up to date with all the latest right here.
2014 / 2015 BMW i8 Start Up, Test Drive, and In Depth Review
5 hours agoby
Jay Cole
One Of The Coolest 51 Cars at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show
Road & Track recently put together a cool car list. Specifically a 51 Coolest Cars listfrom the past half century. Why do that?R&D explains:
Cars dont just appear, they evolve, built on the technology and the style of what came before. Every now and then, its useful to take a step back, appreciate history, and get a glimpse of how todays efforts stand in the pantheon of preceding hardware.
well that, and it sells magazines. And people like to look at pictures of them on the Internets.
Scouring the list we find that only two are currently driven by members of the InsideEVs family, and those happen to also be the only twowhicharent classic fossil fuel abusers (althoughI personallyconfess to perhaps owning a certain car with a large bird on the hood once upon a time):
2014 BMW i8
When is a supercar not a supercar? When it is a carbon-fibred-bodied, three-cylinder hybrid that aims to rethink how we think speed, mass production, and everything that makes an exotic tick. The proportions are borrowed from BMWs awesome M1, a 1970s flop that waited 30 years for the world to appreciate it. Prediction: This wont take nearly as long.
Tesla Model S On A Chicago Night (click for great wallpaper-ready imaging)
2013 Tesla Model S
Beautiful, fast, and the first practical EV from a company that hadnt build a car, ever. Only amazing when you stop and think about it. Which you should.
For a trip down memory laneto seeall the cars you wanted as a young person (before you realized almost everything fun was also bad for you and the environment), check out the full Road & Track list here.
Tags: bmw i8, cool cars, cool electric vehicles, cool evs, Tesla Model S, top electric vehicles
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Carson Palmer"s Unsightly Gift from Matt Barkley | NFL
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals will have something to play for on Sunday, with the Panthers" game being flexed to 4:25. We break down the fantasy implications.
The Arizona Cardinals will not have a meaningless game against theSeattle Seahawks on Sunday, now that the Panthers" kickoff has been flexed to 4:25 p.m.
A Carolina Panthers win would lock the Cardinals into the No. 2 seed in the NFC, but with the Cardinals playing at the same time, they do not have the luxury of resting their starters. It no longer puts head coach Bruce Arians and his staff in a bizarre situation, one that would have him preparing his starters throughout the week only to yank them early on.
Fantasy impact: Arians gave his starters some rest during Week 16"s blowout win over the Green Bay Packers, but it is difficult to envision that scenario happening once again in Week 17. Fantasy owners with Carson Palmer can keep him penned into lineups.
The Seahawks defense poses a tough challenge, but it is one that Palmer and the Cardinals starters have already proven they can overcome. Palmer"s fantasy owners can continue starting him as planned with Sunday"s game having meaning.
Carson Palmer Delivers The Heat To John Brown for 7-yard TD! | Packers vs. Cardinals | NFL
BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Arizona Cardinals had lost dynamic playmaker Tyrann Mathieu for the season. Fellow safety Rashad Johnson, the secondarys quarterback, was sidelined with an ankle injury.
And the Cardinals responded with their best defensive game of the season.
Well, one of their best anyway.
I thought we played better in Seattle, coach Bruce Arians said.
Maybe, but this one was a close second.
Arizona sacked Aaron Rodgers eight times and returned two fumbles for touchdowns in a 38-8 rout of the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Were blessed to play this game, Cardinals inside linebacker Deone Bucannon said. I love each and every one of the players in here, and we just want to keep rocking.
The Cardinals ninth straight victory one shy of the club record set in 1948 clinched at least the No. 2 playoff seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. And thanks to Carolinas loss to Atlanta, Arizona still has a shot at the No. 1 seed Carolina needs to lose to Tampa Bay while the Cardinals beat Seattle next Sunday.
Its all about when you click at the right time and your team is hot going into the playoffs, said cornerback Jerraud Powers, who recovered two fumbles, returning one 7 yards for a score.
By the time Karim Martin leveled Rodgers, the ball popped loose, and 6-foot-4, 318-pound Cory Redding followed a convoy 36 yards for the score, it was 31-0 with 9:34 to play.
I think his feeble jump into the end zone was outstanding, Arians said.
Rodgers stayed in a while more, but finally sat down to watch the inevitable conclusion.
We have a standard that we have set around here, Rodgers said, and we just havent lived up to it consistently.
Here are things to take from Arizonas dominant victory over Green Bay:
SACK CITY: The stars aligned for the onslaught of sacks and near-sacks the Cardinals put on the Packers.
First, Green Bay starting left tackle David Bakhtiari missed the game with an ankle injury. Then starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga left with another ankle injury.
The stage was set for Arizona to bring defenders early and often, and it worked.
Dwight Freeney led the way with three sacks, earning $100,000 for each one of them in incentives. Calais Campbell got 2 1/2.
The nine sacks were the most for Arizona since it had 10 against Philadelphia in 1986, two years before the Cardinals moved to the desert.
VERY MUCH STILL IN IT: The loss didnt mean a whole lot to the Packers in their quest for the NFC North title.
Green Bay dropped into a tie with Minnesota for the division lead when the Vikings cruised to a 49-17 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday night. Green Bay hosts Minnesota in its regular-season finale next Sunday.
Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said the Cardinals were very good, and we played very poor.
FLOYD AGAIN: Arizonas Michael Floyd caught six passes for 111 yards. Its his fifth time over 100 yards receiving in seven games. In his previous 55 games, he did it six times.
Everything is just clicking, Floyd said.
FITZGERALDS MARK: Arizonas Larry Fitzgerald caught four passes to tie his career and Cardinals franchise single-season record of 103 receptions. Its the third time hes been over 100 catches and first since 2007. He caught 63 last season.
REDDINGS RAMBLE: When Redding scooped up that fumble and headed for the end zone, he couldnt help thinking about a similar situation earlier this season.
At Detroit, Redding intercepted Matthew Staffords pass at the 30 but was tackled by Stafford at the 4-yard line.
My boys and teammates gave me a hard time the first one, he said. Letting the quarterback tackle you blah, blah, blah. I said if I get another opportunity, Id have to get it to the end zone and it worked out that way.
___
AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
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