Lizabeth Scott, one of the original femme fatales of cinema, is dead at 92

Costar of Humphrey Bogart, Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster died of heart failure
Lizabeth Scott, one of the original femme fatales of cinema, is dead at 92.

With star-making turns in the film-noir classics of the 1940s and ’50s, Scott suffered heart failure at Cedars Sinai Medical Center on January 31, according to media reports.

In 1947, Scott starred in “I Walk Alone” with Burt Lancaster, and opposite Charlton Heston in 1950’s “Dark City.”

Scott often drew comparisons to Lauren Bacall, thanks to her smoky voice, film fans note. Her last credited role was in 1972’s “Pulp,” a sort of parody of the noir genre, alongside Michael Caine and Mickey Rooney.
1953 saw a rare comedic turn in Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis’ “Scared Stiff.”  She also played a publicist who discovers a budding country talent in Elvis Presley, in 1957’s “Loving You.”

Scott, who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was born in Pennsylvania and had roots in the theater. In the 1940’s, she served as understudy Tallulah Bankhead in the Thornton Wilder play “The Skin of Our Teeth.”

Sony Chair Amy Pascal Steps Down in Wake of Hack Attack

The Hollywood ReporterFebruary 5, 2015

Sony Chair Amy Pascal Steps Down in Wake of Hack Attack The Hollywood Reporter February 5, 2015 by Tatiana Siegel Amid the fallout of the ever-widening Sony hacking crisis, Amy Pascal will step down from her post as co-chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

 The move has been widely expected ever since the studio became engulfed in one of the worst cyber attacks in corporate history and certainly the most embarrassing hit ever taken by a major Hollywood institution in the digital age.

 As often is the case with ousted studio heads, Pascal will launch a major new production venture at the studio. Pascal, whose deal was up in March, will transition to the new venture in May. “I have spent almost my entire professional life at Sony Pictures and I am energized to be starting this new chapter based at the company I call home,” she said in a statement.

 “I have always wanted to be a producer. (Sony Entertainment CEO) Michael (Lynton) and I have been talking about this transition for quite some time, and I am grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to pursue my long-held dream and for providing unparalleled support. As the slate for the next two years has come together, it felt like the right time to transition into this new role. I am so grateful to my team, some of whom I have worked with for the last 20 years and others who have joined more recently.

I am leaving the studio in great hands. I am so proud of what we have all done together and I look forward to a whole lot more.” As part of a four-year agreement, SPE will finance Pascal’s venture and retain all distribution rights worldwide to the films. She will be based on the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City. “Amy’s creativity, drive, and bold choices helped define SPE as a studio where talented individuals could take chances and push boundaries in order to deliver outstanding entertainment,” Lynton said.

“The studio’s legacy is due in large part to Amy’s passion for storytelling and love of this industry. I am delighted that Amy will be continuing her association with SPE through this new venture, which capitalizes on her extraordinary talents. In recent months, SPE faced some unprecedented challenges, and I am grateful for Amy’s resilience and grace during this period.

Amy has been a great partner to me in heading the studio and I am looking forward to a continued close working relationship with her in her new role on the lot. Added Kazuo Hirai, president and CEO of Sony Corp.: “Amy has had a truly extraordinary career. In her years at Sony Pictures, Amy worked with some of the best talent in the film industry to create many of our studio’s most beloved and successful films. I want to thank her for her years of dedication and I am pleased that she will continue to work closely with SPE in her new venture.” 

In the two-plus months since Sony first noticed that its servers had been breached by an unknown group dubbing itself Guardians of Peace, the studio watched powerlessly as huge swaths of its most sensitive documents and correspondence were leaked on the Internet. Among the most damaging were the personal information and social security numbers of some 47,000 past and present staffers as well as film budgets, profitability figures and thousands of e-mails sent to and from Pascal.

 Pascal, who also held the title of SPE Motion Picture Group, is exiting the studio that she started at in 1988, rising to the top post that she shared with Lynton. Together, the pair oversaw all of SPE’s lines of business, including film production, acquisition and distribution; TV production, acquisition and distribution; TV networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.

Photos from the Largest Cruise Ship Ever

45 Stunning Photos from the Largest Cruise Ship Ever

Capable of carrying a maximum of 6,296 passengers, Allure of the Seas is by far the largest cruise ship in the world. Well, that’s except for its sister ship the Oasis of the Seas, which is also capable of carrying a maximum of 6,296 passengers. If you think that’s a coincidence, it’s not. Both of the ships were designed to be exactly the same size, and they, in fact, both weigh 225,282 tons.

So, how can Allure of the Seas be the largest cruise ship in the world if Oasis of the Seas is exactly the same size? The answer is a technicality. Although they were designed to be exactly the same size, when construction was finished on Allure of the Seas, it ended up being exactly 50 millimeters longer than its sister ship. That means Oasis of the Seas only got to enjoy the designation of largest cruise ship in the world for about one year.

As you might imagine, there’s a lot to see and do on the largest cruise ship ever built, which is why we’ve collected these 45 stunning photos. Of course, with Allure of the Seas offering so much, it’s impossible to cover everything. But, we’ve definitely hit the grand points, and we’re sure you’ll be impressed. If nothing else, you won’t believe how luxurious the accommodations of Allure of the Sea’s Royal Loft Suites are. You’ll find those at #45.

1. The Order is Placed

Royal Caribbean International ordered the Allure of the Seas from Aker Finnyards in February of 2006. Back then, it was known as “Project Genesis”.

2. Construction Continues

Despite Aker Finnyards being acquired by STX Europe, construction began in Feburary of 2008, and she didn’t make her maiden voyage until December of 2010.

3. Allure of the Sea’s Arrival

At the conclusion of her maiden voyage, Allure of the Seas arrived at her homeport of Port Everglades, Florida. Thousands watched form the shore as she arrived on a November morning.

4. What the Shrek!?!

You probably wouldn’t have guessed it if you didn’t know already, but Princess Fiona of the Shrek movies is Allure of the Sea’s godmother.

5. Beam Me Up, Scotty

If you set foot on the bridge of Allure of the Seas, it’s possible you might think you were aboard the Starship Enterprise and not that largest cruise ship in the world.

6. A Split Superstructure

One of the primary architectural features of Allure of the Seas is its split superstructure, which can be seen in this picture.

7. The Split Superstructure from the Inside

Many of the ship’s cabins have balconies that look into the center of Allure of the Seas’ split superstructure.

8. Double the Pleasure

The split superstructure means that there’s double the fun up on deck. Pictured you can see the Lido Deck.

9. The Beach Pool

If you’re looking for a party atmosphere around the pool, then the Beach Pool up top is where you should go.

10. The Sports Pool

The Allure of the Sea also features a Sports Pool, where passengers are free to get in a round of water volleyball.

11. The Main Pool

Finally, there’s also the Main Pool on deck, which features a more relaxed atmosphere than the Sports Pool and the Beach Pool.

12. Kids’ H20 Zone

Oh, and there’s a pool that’s specifically for kids, with plenty of colorful shapes to capture their young imaginations.

13. Hang Ten!

The pools aren’t the only water-related entertainment above decks. There are also two Flowriders, which simulate a surfing experience.

14. Putt for Dough

Near the Flowriders, you’ll also find a mini golf course that offers a perfect way to spend the day with your family.

15. The Sports Court

For something that requires more athleticism than mini golf, you can try the Sports Court, which features a full-sized basketball court.

16. Rock Climbing

Passengers with a thirst for adventure can avail themselves of Allure of the Seas own rock-climbing wall.

17. Zip Lining

Or, if those adventurous passengers are in the mood for thrill seeking, they can zip line across Central Park, which sits between the two sides of Allure of the Seas’ superstructure.

18. The Solarium

Allure of the Seas’ passengers can also get their poolside entertainment in the glass-covered Solarium.

19. Hot Tub with a View

In addition to the Solarium’s pool, passengers can also soak themselves in one of the hot tubs, which have been cantilevered over the side of the ship.

20. Stay Active

Another good way to stay active on Allure of the Seas is to use the jogging track. To jog one mile, simply make 2.5 laps!

21. Fitness Center

Attached to the Spa, Allure of the Seas’ fitness center has enough machines to keep even the most demanding gym rat satisfied.

22. Speaking of Spas…

After all of that activity, maybe it’s time you pampered yourself? Allure of the Seas’ spa, which is called the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, is truly world class.

23. Plenty of Ways to Relax

From messages to pedicures, from thermal suites to couples steam rooms, there’s nothing you won’t find in the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center.

24. A Grand Entrance

As you might expect on a ship of this size, the grand atrium is nothing short of opulent.

25. Elevators of Glass

When you’re moving from deck to deck aboard Allure of the Seas, make sure you travel in style by using the glass elevators.

26. Not the Only Grand Entrance

In between the two halves of the superstructure, you’ll also find the Central Park, which is lined with shops and restaurants.

27. Beware the Rising Tide

Three decks below, you’ll find Rising Tides Bar. The bar is so named because it actually moves up and down three decks, from the shops and restaurants below to the Central Park above.

28. Always Eat Before Drinking

Before hitting a bar that moves up and down, it may be wise to fill your stomach, which you can do at the nearby reservations-only steakhouse Chops Grille.

29. The Boardwalk

Children will especially enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Boardwalk, which features concessions and kid-friendly shops.

30. Round and Round

And you can bet that when you take your kids to the Boardwalk, they’ll want to take a ride on the carousel.

31. Aquatic Entertainment

Just beyond the carousel in the Boardwalk, you’ll find the Aquatheater, where passengers are invited to take in an entertaining aquatically themed show.

32. The Adagio Main Dining Room

Below the Boardwalk is where you’ll find Allure of the Seas opulent main dining room called Adagio.

33. After Dinner Entertainment

Wherever you decide to eat dinner (there are many more options than the main dining room) you should absolutely take in one of the Broadway-quality productions staged in the Amber Theater.

34. Entertainment… On Ice!

If you crave daring acrobatics for your evening’s entertainment, then you can always take in a family friendly show at Allure of the Seas’ ice rink called Studio B.

35. Casino Royale

Below decks, you’ll find one of the largest casinos on the seas, one that features an abundance of slot machines and table games.

36. Get Carried Away at Karaoke

At the Allure of the Sea’s Karaoke Bar, which is called On Air Club, you can entertain other passengers with your mellifluous (or not) singing voice.

37. Dance the Night Away

Or if singing’s not your thing, you can always dance the night away to Latin music at Boleros, which is right near On Air Club.

38. Jazzy Times

Alternatively, you can skip all of that excitement and enjoy some live music at Jazz on 4 while you’re sipping a generously sized martini.

39. Ocean View Staterooms

While not large, the staterooms aboard Allure of the Seas are generously sized and come appointed with many modern amenities.

40. Balcony Staterooms

For a step up in square footage, you can opt for a balcony stateroom. There are those with ocean views and those that look onto the Central Park.

41. Grand Suite

Allure of the Sea’s Grand Suites are perfect for travelers who are looking for some space in their accommodations but plan on spending the majority of their time out and about.

42. Crown Loft Suite

With two floors to spread out over, you and your traveling companion will never feel pressed for space in these sweet suites – especially when you step out onto the balcony.

43. Aquatheater Suite

When you book one of these balcony suites, you’ll never be that far away from all of Allure of the Seas’ onboard excitement.

44. Presidential Family Suite

If your family is in need of personal space, then you’ll enjoy the accommodations of this suite, which features a generous balcony, a common living space, and separate bathrooms.

45. Royal Loft Suite

For the ultimate accommodations aboard Allure of the Seas, you’ll have to spring for a Royal Loft Suite, which offers an abundance of both space and modern flair.