1.
Hereford
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Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately 16 miles east of the border with Wales,24 miles southwest of Worcester, with a population of 58,896, it is the largest settlement in the county. The name Hereford is said to come from the Anglo-Saxon here, an army or formation of soldiers, and the ford, if this is the origin it suggests that Hereford was a place where a body of armed men forded or crossed the Wye. The Welsh name for Hereford is Henffordd, meaning old road, much of the county of Herefordshire was Welsh-speaking, as reflected in the Welsh names of many places in the county. An early town charter from 1189 granted by Richard I of England describes it as Hereford in Wales, Hereford has been recognised as a city since time immemorial, with the status being reconfirmed as recently as October 2000. It is now known chiefly as a centre for a wider agricultural and rural area. Products from Hereford include, cider, beer, leather goods, nickel alloys, poultry, chemicals, hostilities between the Anglo-Saxons and the Welsh came to a head with the Battle of Hereford in 760, in which the Britons freed themselves from the influence of the English. Hereford had the only mint west of the Severn in the reign of Athelstan, and it was to Hereford, then a border town, the present Hereford Cathedral dates from the early 12th century, as does the first bridge across the Wye. Former Bishops of Hereford include Saint Thomas de Cantilupe and Lord High Treasurer of England Thomas Charlton. The city gave its name to two suburbs of Paris, France, Maisons-Alfort and Alfortville, due to a manor built there by Peter of Aigueblanche, Bishop of Hereford, in the middle of the 13th century. Hereford, a base for successive holders of the title Earl of Hereford, was once the site of a castle, Hereford Castle, which rivalled that of Windsor in size and scale. This was a base for repelling Welsh attacks and a stronghold for English kings such as King Henry IV when on campaign in the Welsh Marches against Owain Glyndŵr. The castle was dismantled in the 18th century and landscaped into Castle Green, after the Battle of Mortimers Cross in 1461, during the Wars of the Roses, the defeated Lancastrian leader Owen Tudor was taken to Hereford by Sir Roger Vaughan and executed in High Town. A plaque now marks the spot of the execution, Vaughan was later himself executed, under a flag of truce, by Owens son Jasper. During the civil war the city changed several times. On 30 September 1642 Parliamentarians led by Sir Robert Harley and Henry Grey, in December they withdrew to Gloucester because of the presence in the area of a Royalist army under Lord Herbert. The city was occupied briefly from 23 April to 18 May 1643 by Parliamentarians commanded by Sir William Waller. On 31 July 1645 a Scottish army of 14,000 under Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven besieged the city but met resistance from its garrison
2.
England
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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west, the Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea lies to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by the North Sea to the east, the country covers five-eighths of the island of Great Britain in its centre and south, and includes over 100 smaller islands such as the Isles of Scilly, and the Isle of Wight. England became a state in the 10th century, and since the Age of Discovery. The Industrial Revolution began in 18th-century England, transforming its society into the worlds first industrialised nation, Englands terrain mostly comprises low hills and plains, especially in central and southern England. However, there are uplands in the north and in the southwest, the capital is London, which is the largest metropolitan area in both the United Kingdom and the European Union. In 1801, Great Britain was united with the Kingdom of Ireland through another Act of Union to become the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1922 the Irish Free State seceded from the United Kingdom, leading to the latter being renamed the United Kingdom of Great Britain, the name England is derived from the Old English name Englaland, which means land of the Angles. The Angles were one of the Germanic tribes that settled in Great Britain during the Early Middle Ages, the Angles came from the Angeln peninsula in the Bay of Kiel area of the Baltic Sea. The earliest recorded use of the term, as Engla londe, is in the ninth century translation into Old English of Bedes Ecclesiastical History of the English People. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, its spelling was first used in 1538. The earliest attested reference to the Angles occurs in the 1st-century work by Tacitus, Germania, the etymology of the tribal name itself is disputed by scholars, it has been suggested that it derives from the shape of the Angeln peninsula, an angular shape. An alternative name for England is Albion, the name Albion originally referred to the entire island of Great Britain. The nominally earliest record of the name appears in the Aristotelian Corpus, specifically the 4th century BC De Mundo, in it are two very large islands called Britannia, these are Albion and Ierne. But modern scholarly consensus ascribes De Mundo not to Aristotle but to Pseudo-Aristotle, the word Albion or insula Albionum has two possible origins. Albion is now applied to England in a poetic capacity. Another romantic name for England is Loegria, related to the Welsh word for England, Lloegr, the earliest known evidence of human presence in the area now known as England was that of Homo antecessor, dating to approximately 780,000 years ago. The oldest proto-human bones discovered in England date from 500,000 years ago, Modern humans are known to have inhabited the area during the Upper Paleolithic period, though permanent settlements were only established within the last 6,000 years
3.
New York City
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The City of New York, often called New York City or simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. With an estimated 2015 population of 8,550,405 distributed over an area of about 302.6 square miles. Located at the tip of the state of New York. Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is an important center for international diplomacy and has described as the cultural and financial capital of the world. Situated on one of the worlds largest natural harbors, New York City consists of five boroughs, the five boroughs – Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island – were consolidated into a single city in 1898. In 2013, the MSA produced a gross metropolitan product of nearly US$1.39 trillion, in 2012, the CSA generated a GMP of over US$1.55 trillion. NYCs MSA and CSA GDP are higher than all but 11 and 12 countries, New York City traces its origin to its 1624 founding in Lower Manhattan as a trading post by colonists of the Dutch Republic and was named New Amsterdam in 1626. The city and its surroundings came under English control in 1664 and were renamed New York after King Charles II of England granted the lands to his brother, New York served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790. It has been the countrys largest city since 1790, the Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to the Americas by ship in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is a symbol of the United States and its democracy. In the 21st century, New York has emerged as a node of creativity and entrepreneurship, social tolerance. Several sources have ranked New York the most photographed city in the world, the names of many of the citys bridges, tapered skyscrapers, and parks are known around the world. Manhattans real estate market is among the most expensive in the world, Manhattans Chinatown incorporates the highest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere, with multiple signature Chinatowns developing across the city. Providing continuous 24/7 service, the New York City Subway is one of the most extensive metro systems worldwide, with 472 stations in operation. Over 120 colleges and universities are located in New York City, including Columbia University, New York University, and Rockefeller University, during the Wisconsinan glaciation, the New York City region was situated at the edge of a large ice sheet over 1,000 feet in depth. The ice sheet scraped away large amounts of soil, leaving the bedrock that serves as the foundation for much of New York City today. Later on, movement of the ice sheet would contribute to the separation of what are now Long Island and Staten Island. The first documented visit by a European was in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, a Florentine explorer in the service of the French crown and he claimed the area for France and named it Nouvelle Angoulême. Heavy ice kept him from further exploration, and he returned to Spain in August and he proceeded to sail up what the Dutch would name the North River, named first by Hudson as the Mauritius after Maurice, Prince of Orange
4.
New York (state)
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New York is a state in the northeastern United States, and is the 27th-most extensive, fourth-most populous, and seventh-most densely populated U. S. state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south and Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont to the east. With an estimated population of 8.55 million in 2015, New York City is the most populous city in the United States, the New York Metropolitan Area is one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world. New York City makes up over 40% of the population of New York State, two-thirds of the states population lives in the New York City Metropolitan Area, and nearly 40% lives on Long Island. Both the state and New York City were named for the 17th-century Duke of York, the next four most populous cities in the state are Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse, while the state capital is Albany. New York has a diverse geography and these more mountainous regions are bisected by two major river valleys—the north-south Hudson River Valley and the east-west Mohawk River Valley, which forms the core of the Erie Canal. Western New York is considered part of the Great Lakes Region and straddles Lake Ontario, between the two lakes lies Niagara Falls. The central part of the state is dominated by the Finger Lakes, New York had been inhabited by tribes of Algonquian and Iroquoian-speaking Native Americans for several hundred years by the time the earliest Europeans came to New York. The first Europeans to arrive were French colonists and Jesuit missionaries who arrived southward from settlements at Montreal for trade, the British annexed the colony from the Dutch in 1664. The borders of the British colony, the Province of New York, were similar to those of the present-day state, New York is home to the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of the United States and its ideals of freedom, democracy, and opportunity. In the 21st century, New York has emerged as a node of creativity and entrepreneurship, social tolerance. On April 17,1524 Verrazanno entered New York Bay, by way of the now called the Narrows into the northern bay which he named Santa Margherita. Verrazzano described it as a vast coastline with a delta in which every kind of ship could pass and he adds. This vast sheet of water swarmed with native boats and he landed on the tip of Manhattan and possibly on the furthest point of Long Island. Verrazannos stay was interrupted by a storm which pushed him north towards Marthas Vineyard, in 1540 French traders from New France built a chateau on Castle Island, within present-day Albany, due to flooding, it was abandoned the next year. In 1614, the Dutch under the command of Hendrick Corstiaensen, rebuilt the French chateau, Fort Nassau was the first Dutch settlement in North America, and was located along the Hudson River, also within present-day Albany. The small fort served as a trading post and warehouse, located on the Hudson River flood plain, the rudimentary fort was washed away by flooding in 1617, and abandoned for good after Fort Orange was built nearby in 1623. Henry Hudsons 1609 voyage marked the beginning of European involvement with the area, sailing for the Dutch East India Company and looking for a passage to Asia, he entered the Upper New York Bay on September 11 of that year
5.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
6.
Oakland Technical High School
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It is one of six comprehensive public high school campuses in Oakland. Oakland Techs attendance jurisdiction includes several neighborhoods, including Oakland Chinatown, Rockridge, North Oakland, Tech received the maximum 6-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 2009. Oakland Techs main building was built in 1914 and resembles the main building of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During the 1970s, when many California schools were being demolished and rebuilt for earthquake safety, instead, it was gutted and rebuilt on the inside, while its historic exterior was preserved. The school was declared the 99th historic landmark by the city of Oakland on July 23,1985, while Tech was closed for earthquake retrofitting in the 1970s, the school was displaced to 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. This location is sometimes referred to Old Tech but was actually the campus of the now defunct University High School. That campus had then served as Merritt College from 1954 to 1966 and is considered the birthplace of the Black Panthers. In 1977 a group of students from a U. S. Government class at Tech launched a drive to create a California state holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The idea was not new - about a dozen states already had such holidays, the students formed themselves into a group called The Apollos and lobbied for the holiday for four years, it was finally passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in 1981. In 2008 two students at other Oakland high schools heard about the Apollos and made a short documentary film about their successful quest. Students at Oakland Technical High School have the option of enrolling in one of the schools academies, students take one class within their academies, and spend the rest of the day in normal classes. Paideia is an advanced History and English program, in the sophomore year, students have the option to take English 2 Paideia and World Cultures. In 11th grade, students, based on their grades, have the option to enroll in AP or HP English, in senior year, students, according to grades, are also able to take AP Government and AP English 4. The Engineering Academy focuses on mechanical engineering, starting in 10th grade, the students in this academy study engineering, physics, drafting, etc. Students can be enrolled in the Paideia and the Engineering programs. In 2008, over half of the senior block was accepted to the prestigious UC Berkeley. Students regularly score 4s or 5s for AP classes taken in the Paideia program, - rapper Huey P. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, St. In 1993, Tech, at its current location, was featured in the movie Made in America
7.
Laney College
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Laney College is a community college located in Oakland, California, near the Lake Merritt BART station and the Kaiser Convention Center. Laney is the largest of the four colleges of the Peralta Community College District which serves northern Alameda County, Laney College is named after Joseph Clarence Laney. Laney College originally opened in 1953 as Oakland City College, at the former University High School campus and it offers both certificates and credits for Associate of Arts degree, as well as prerequisites to transfer to four year universities. The college, in addition to the three campuses of the Peralta College District, is accredited by the Western Association of Schools. Laney College traces its history to the Central Trade School by the Oakland Board of the Education in 1927, the trade school was later renamed Joseph C. Oakland Junior College was founded in 1953 with Laney serving as the training center and Merritt hosting the liberal arts. In 1958 the college was renamed Oakland City College, the current campus was opened prior to 1970-71 academic year. Laney is divided into five divisions and sixty-one departments, the buildings are arranged on a rigid grid, with two levels of concrete pathways providing circulation. The square in the center of the complex has been reserved for the quad, surrounding the quad are the student center, theater, library, and gymnasium. On one corner is the triangular Laney Tower, the administration building, on the opposite is another triangular building housing a lecture hall. Academic buildings form the ring of the complex. However, none of the levels are on the same level with each other, they are connected by voluminous stairs. Most of the buildings occupy two or three squares on the grid. The entire complex shares a red brick and concrete theme, with corners, square and triangular shapes. The newest academic building is the art center, which is adjacent to the complex but has its own architectural style. The building opened in the 2006-2007 school year and it was designed by Beverly Prior Architects to be built from prefabricated materials, because of the short time frame between the start of construction and planned opening. The channel that connects Lake Merritt to the Oakland Estuary runs through the center of the campus, the southeastern half of the campus on the other side of the channel is mainly used for athletic and Peralta Community College District facilities. This section was also the site of the World War II Auditorium Housing Project which housed war industry workers from around the United States
8.
Puppeteer
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The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from the audience. Some puppet styles require two or more puppeteers to work together to create a puppet character. The puppeteer might speak in the role of the puppets character, however, there is much puppetry which does not use the moving mouth. Often, in theatre, a mouth is used only for gestural expression. In traditional glove puppetry often one puppeteer will operate two puppets at an out of a cast of several. Very often, though, the puppeteer assumes the joint roles of puppet-maker, director, moose and Mr. Bunny Rabbit Cary Antebi - Sherlock the Squirrel in The Magic Garden Pam Arciero - Grundgetta from Sesame Street. Bob Baker -400 movies, first puppeteer on TV – Los Angeles KHJ in 1939, greg Ballora - Emmett from The Adventures of Timmy the Tooth, Baloney from The Mr. Potato Head Show. Billy Barkhurst - Jennifer Barnhart - Cleo Lion from Between the Lions, Mama Bear from Sesame Street, phil Baron - Bill Barretta - Pepe the King Prawn, Bobo the Bear, and Johnny Fiama from Muppets Tonight. Rowlf the Dog and The Swedish Chef, marjorie Batchelder McPharlin - American puppeteer and authority on the puppet theater. Trace Beaulieu - Mystery Science Theater 3000s Crow T, fran Brill - Zoe, Prairie Dawn, Little Bird, Roxie Marie from Sesame Street. The Chiodo Brothers - Stephen Chiodo, Edward Chiodo, and Charles Chiodo have used their company Chiodo Bros, productions Inc. to create puppets for specific films which they also performed in. They are also known for performing the puppet for Dr. Colosso from The Thundermans, forman Brown - Puppeteer and gay novelist. He was a member of the Yale Puppeteers and the force behind Turnabout Theatre. Warrick Brownlow-Pike - Dodge T. Dog, Oucho T. Cactus Lisa Buckley - Ms. Fluffé from Dog City and she built Noodle McNoodle from Noodle and Doodle. Simon Buckley - British TV and film puppeteer Julianne Buescher - Potato Bug from The Mr. Potato Head Show, Potato Head from The Mr. Potato Head Show. Kevin Carlson helped Dina Fraboni James Murray to create The Adventures of Timmy the Tooth where he performed the title character, leslie Carrara-Rudolph - Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street. Dave Chapman - Dougie Colon from That Puppet Game Show, Otis the Aardvark, Scratch from Nuzzle, Kevin Clash - Elmo from Sesame Street, Clifford from The Jim Henson Hour and Muppets Tonight, Baby Sinclair from Dinosaurs. Lola Cueto - María Dolores Velázquez Rivas, better known as Lola Cueto Mexican painter, printmaker, mireya Cueto - Mexican puppeteer, writer and dramaturg
9.
Filmmaking
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Filmmaking is the process of making a film. Filmmaking takes place in places around the world in a range of economic, social, and political contexts. Typically, it involves a number of people, and can take from a few months to several years to complete. Film production consists of five stages, Development, The first stage in which the ideas for the film are created, rights to books/plays are bought etc. Financing for the project has to be sought and greenlit, pre-production, Preparations are made for the shoot, in which cast and film crew are hired, locations are selected and sets are built. Production, The raw elements for the film are recorded during the film shoot, post-production, The images, sound, and visual effects of the recorded film are edited. Distribution, The finished film is distributed and screened in cinemas and released to home video. In this stage, the project producer selects a story, which may come from a book, play, another film, true story, video game, comic book, graphic novel, or an original idea, etc. After identifying a theme or underlying message, the works with writers to prepare a synopsis. Next they produce an outline, which breaks the story down into one-paragraph scenes that concentrate on dramatic structure. Then, they prepare a treatment, a 25-to-30-page description of the story, its mood and this usually has little dialogue and stage direction, but often contains drawings that help visualize key points. Another way is to produce a scriptment once a synopsis is produced, next, a screenwriter writes a screenplay over a period of several months. The screenwriter may rewrite it several times to improve dramatization, clarity, structure, characters, dialogue, however, producers often skip the previous steps and develop submitted screenplays which investors, studios, and other interested parties assess through a process called script coverage. A film distributor may be contacted at a stage to assess the likely market. All these factors imply a certain appeal of the film to a possible audience, not all films make a profit from the theatrical release alone, so film companies take DVD sales and worldwide distribution rights into account. The producer and screenwriter prepare a film pitch, or treatment and they will also pitch the film to actors and directors in order to attach them to the project. Many projects fail to move beyond this stage and enter so-called development hell, if a pitch succeeds, a film receives a green light, meaning someone offers financial backing, typically a major film studio, film council, or independent investor. The parties involved negotiate a deal and sign contracts, once all parties have met and the deal has been set, the film may proceed into the pre-production period
10.
The Muppets
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The Muppets are an ensemble cast of puppet characters known for their self-aware, burlesque, and meta-referential style of variety-sketch comedy. The Muppets debuted on the television program Sam and Friends, which aired from 1955 to 1961, after appearing on skits in several late night talk shows and advertising commercials during the 1960s, the Muppets began appearing on Sesame Street in 1969. In the late 1970s and into the 1980s, the Muppets diversified into theatrical films, including The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper. The Walt Disney Company began involvement with the Muppets in the late 1980s, Disney acquired the rights to the Muppets in 2004, allowing the characters to gain broader public exposure than in previous years. Under Disneys control, the Muppets enjoyed revitalized success, starring in two films—The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted —as well as a primetime television series on ABC. The Muppets were created by puppeteer Jim Henson in the 1950s, beginning with Kermit the Frog, in 1955, the Muppets were introduced on Sam and Friends, a television program that aired on WRC-TV in Washington D. C. Instead, Henson utilized the natural four-sided frame of a set that viewers would already be watching through as the programs theatre. During the 1960s, the characters—notably Kermit and Rowlf the Dog—appeared on skits in several late-night talk shows and advertising commercials, Rowlf became the first Muppet with a regular spot on network television when he began appearing as Jimmy Deans sidekick on The Jimmy Dean Show. In 1966, Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett began developing a television program targeted towards children. Produced by the Childrens Television Workshop, the show debuted as Sesame Street in 1969, by the early 1970s, the Muppets continued their presence in television, namely appearing in The Land of Gorch segments during the first season of Saturday Night Live. As his involvement with Sesame Street continued, Henson mused about the possibility of creating a television series featuring the Muppets. Two pilot specials, The Muppets Valentine Show and The Muppet Show, Sex and Violence, aired on ABC in 1974 and 1975, respectively. Debuting in 1976, The Muppet Show introduced characters such as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and Animal, as well as showcasing regulars Kermit and Rowlf. Through its syndication, The Muppet Show became increasingly popular due to its sketch comedy variety format, unique brand of humor, the show went on to receive twenty-one Primetime Emmy Award nominations during its run, and winning four awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series in 1978. Altogether, the three films received four Academy Award nominations, by 1983, Henson had introduced another television series, Fraggle Rock, which ran on HBO in the United States until 1987. By the late 1980s, Henson entered discussions with Michael Eisner and The Walt Disney Company, in which the latter would acquire Jim Henson Productions and in turn, Disney was interested in purchasing the company for $150 million. In addition to the company and Muppet characters, Eisner expressed a desire to include the Sesame Street characters as part of the acquisition, Henson, declined the proposal, however, consistently referring to such a motive as a non-starter for the deal. As discussions between the two continued, Henson and Walt Disney Imagineering preemptively began developing Muppet-themed attractions for the Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World
11.
Miss Piggy
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Miss Piggy is a Muppet character known for her breakout role in Jim Hensons The Muppet Show. Since her debut in 1976, Miss Piggy is notable for her volatile personality, tendency to use French phrases in her speech. She was also known for her romantic relationship with Kermit the Frog. Frank Oz performed the character from 1976 to 2000 and was succeeded by Eric Jacobson in 2001, in 1996, TV Guide ranked her number 23 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list. She had to enter beauty contests to survive, as single women do. She has a lot of vulnerability which she has to hide, during development of The Muppet Show, Oz assigned a hook for each Muppet he performed, Miss Piggys hook was a truck driver wanting to be a woman. Oz has also stated that while Fozzie Bear is a two-dimensional character, Piggy is convinced she is destined for stardom, and nothing will stand in her way. She has a nature, at times determined to convey an image of feminine charm. Kermit the Frog has learned this all too well, when she isnt smothering him in kisses, shes sending him flying through the air with a karate chop. Since the debut of The Muppet Show, the relationship between Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog has been subject to substantial coverage and commentary by the media, throughout The Muppet Shows run, Miss Piggys romantic pursuit for Kermit was consistently expressed. Kermit, however, constantly rebuffed Piggys feelings, eventually, in the films, Kermit began returning her affections and even marries her in The Muppets Take Manhattan. However, subsequent events suggest that the marriage was simply fictional and it is mentioned by Miss Piggy, however, in The Muppets, A Celebration of 30 years that Kermit was a happily-married frog. This marriage isnt referenced in Muppets Most Wanted and the two get married again in this film, Miss Piggy and Kermit formally ended their romantic relationship on May 10,1990. The decision was made by Jim Henson Productions and a publicity campaign titled The Pig of the Nineties was scheduled to follow, an autobiography of Piggy was expected to be published as part of the effort. However, shortly after the announcement on May 16, Jim Henson died, the two eventually resumed their relationship. In 2015, Miss Piggy and Kermit ended their relationship for a second time. Some commentators said the relationship should end permanently since she regularly abused him, in the end, its better for everyone that Kermit and Piggy have gone their separate ways. For the frog, it means the end of a long, abusive relationship, on at least three separate incidents, she attempts to coerce Kermit into a relationship, beating him when he refuses
12.
Fozzie Bear
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Fozzie Bear is a Muppet character known for his lack of innate and effective comedy skills. Fozzie is a bear who often wears a brown pork pie hat. The character debuted on The Muppet Show, as the shows stand-up comic, shortly after telling the joke, he was usually the target of ridicule, particularly from balcony hecklers Statler and Waldorf. Fozzies characterization was developed by Frank Oz, who performed Fozzie until 2000, Eric Jacobson has since become the characters principal performer. Though it is thought that Fozzies name is a pun of Frank Oz, the character was actually named after Al Fuzzie. Hensons wife, Jane, was a member of the sorority, Fozzie Bear was originally Ozs main character. The popularity of Miss Piggy overtook Fozzies, but he remained popular, one of his largest roles ever was in A Muppet Family Christmas, where he took all of his friends to his mothers farm for Christmas. In 1988, a video titled Hey, Youre as Funny as Fozzie Bear. was released, during the 1990s, his roles became much smaller, due to the fact that Oz had turned his focus to directing non-Muppet films and reduced his time with the Muppets. Fozzie was only a character in the Muppet films of that decade. However, he returned to prominence when Eric Jacobson took over beginning with Its a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, the original puppet is kept in the teddy bear museum in Stratford-upon-Avon, founded by Gyles Brandreth. Frank Oz first performed Fozzie in 1976 on The Muppet Show and he remained Fozzies main performer until he retired from the role in 2000. In 2001, Eric Jacobson became Fozzies new main performer and has continued to perform the bear since then, kevin Clash puppeteered Fozzie for much of the production of Muppet Treasure Island. Victor Yerrid performed Fozzie for a 2006 Disney Cruise Line stage show, voice actor Greg Berg provided Fozzies voice for the Saturday morning cartoon Muppet Babies, as well as its short-lived spin-off, Little Muppet Monsters. The character regards Kermit the Frog as his best friend, Fozzie and Kermit have also frequently been paired together in many movies, books, and specials. In The Muppet Movie, Fozzie is the first Muppet that Kermit meets on his journey, after Fozzies unsuccessful comedy performance at the El Sleezo Cafe, Kermit invited Fozzie to come to Hollywood with him. The two friends sing the duet Movin Right Along in the film, several episodes show Fozzie as dedicated to Kermit, usually responding to his instructions with a chipper Yes sir. On those rare occasions when Kermit must be away from the theater, he invariably leaves Fozzie in charge of the show, in The Great Muppet Caper, Fozzie and Kermit are portrayed as twin brothers. Fozzies mother, Emily Bear, appeared in A Muppet Family Christmas special, to Fozzies surprise, she was friends with Statler and Waldorf, despite the heckling they inflict on him
13.
Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem
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Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem is a Muppet rock house band that debuted on The Muppet Show. Following The Muppet Show, they appeared in various Muppet movies and television specials, Dr. Teeth and Animal were designed by Jim Henson, while the rest of the original band members were designed by Michael K. Frith. They made their debut in 1975s The Muppet Show, Sex and Violence, the band consists of Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on bass guitar, Janice on guitar, and Zoot on saxophone. In season five of the show, Lips joined the band on trumpet, Animal, Floyd, and Zoot also played in the Muppet Show pit band, performing the opening and closing themes and underscoring most of the Muppet Show performances. Lips and occasionally Janice appeared in the orchestra in later episodes, though Lips made some appearances with the group after The Muppet Show ended production, the group later reverted to its original line-up. Also, the pilot episode featured Jim, a Muppet caricature of Jim Henson on banjo. The bands first film role was performing the song Can You Picture That. in The Muppet Movie and they also performed Saturday Night Life and participated in The Happiness Hotel in The Great Muppet Caper, and performed Jingle Bell Rock in A Muppet Family Christmas. They appeared in The Muppets Take Manhattan, where Dr. Teeth sang You Cant Take No For An Answer, following the deaths of two of the groups puppeteers, Jim Henson, and Richard Hunt, they were limited to brief instrumental background music for years. However, Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem backed Miss Piggy for a song in The Muppets Wizard of Oz and performed alongside Miley Cyrus in the Studio DC, Almost Live television special. They have been a mainstay in the Muppets viral video efforts of the 2010s, in 2015, they released two music videos, for Jungle Boogie and Kodachrome. The band performed a live set at the Outside Lands Festival on August 6,2016. Performed by Jim Henson, John Kennedy, Bill Barretta Dr. Teeth is the keyboard player and he is green-skinned and red-haired with a large grinning mouth of teeth, including a gold tooth supposedly fashioned by melting down his gold records. He sports a red beard with no mustache, a fur vest, a striped shirt. His self-introduction in The Muppet Movie was typically grandiose, Golden teeth and he often misuses long words and mangles verb conjugation. Jim Henson originally performed him, basing the character on New Orleans musician Dr. John and he was designed by Henson and Michael K. Frith and built by Don Sahlin. He debuted in The Muppet Show, Sex and Violence, Dr. Teeth only sings lead vocals on the second Muppet pilot and during the first season and these songs were only written before Rowlf had become firmly established as the regular Muppet pianist. Later performances mostly feature lead vocals by Floyd or Janice and only a few featured Dr. Teeth, Dr. Teeths first major speaking role since Hensons death was in Statler and Waldorfs very own show, Statler and Waldorf, From the Balcony, where Victor Yerrid performed him. Bill Barretta, however, has been performing Dr. Teeth consistently, although being the band leader, Dr. Teeth is never featured in the regular orchestra playing at The Muppet Show like the rest of the group
14.
Sam Eagle
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Sam Eagle is a Muppet character originating from the television show The Muppet Show, where he was performed by Frank Oz. He also appears in the series, The Muppets. Also known as Sammy or Samuel, Sams patriotic spirit distinguishes him from the rest of the Muppet cast, as does his general stuffiness and pomposity. Because of this, it has been a gag in either The Muppet Show, or Muppet movies. In The Muppet Christmas Carol, the wall was broken when Sam informs the young Scrooge that he will enjoy business because Its the American way. The Great Gonzo, who plays Charles Dickens, as well as the narrator, corrects him and says that the line is, Its the British way, since the story is set in Great Britain. Sam often rallied against the low brow entertainment he claimed was on the show, in one episode the other Muppets claimed that Sam had gone on vacation to Moret-sur-Loing, France. However, due to time constraints these scenes found their way to the cutting-room floor, on the show, Sam acts as a censor and comments on his being under-appreciated. He often gives self-important lectures in which he espouses some conservative idea only to find himself forced to stop in embarrassment at risk of sounding like a hypocrite. Throughout the first season of The Muppet Show, Sam introduces his favorite singing duo, Wayne and Wanda, with gushing aplomb, though he claims to be a cultured bird, close observation reveals that Sam knows nothing about culture, especially the culture of his own country. He has mistaken Beethoven for a playwright and thinks The Sound of Music was written by William Shakespeare, when informed that ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev would be the guest star, Sam declared Nureyev as his favorite opera singer. Also when Nureyev arrived, Sam didnt recognize him and ejected him from the theater, Sam is often hostile toward others who do not possess similar views to his own. Sam does not interact with the guest stars of the show as often as the rest of the cast, in one he throws casually dressed guest star Rudolf Nureyev out of the building in a fit of temper, mistaking him for a bum. Although he is forgiven by Nureyev, he is still disheartened because Mr. Nureyev did not live up to his expectations, during the third seasons Halloween episode, Sam confronts Alice Cooper. Railing against the audience and indecency and low humor, Sam calls Cooper a demented, sick, degenerate, barbaric, naughty. Rather than being insulted by these comments as Sam was intending, Cooper takes it as a compliment and thanks Sam, to which Sam despairingly retorts, Freakos one, civilization zero. On Muppets Tonight, Sam periodically hosted a show a la The McLaughlin Group. Unfortunately, the only permanent debaters were Miss Piggys dimwit nephews Andy & Randy and his tagline for the show was Lets talk POLITICS
15.
The Muppet Show
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The Muppet Show is a family-oriented comedy-variety television series that was produced by puppeteer Jim Henson and features The Muppets. The programmes were recorded at ATVs Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, England, the series shows a vaudeville or music hall-style song-and-dance variety show, as well as glimpses behind the scenes of such a show. Kermit the Frog stars as a showrunner who tries to control of the antics of the other Muppet characters. The show was known for physical slapstick, sometimes absurdist comedy. Each episode also featured a human guest star, as the shows popularity rose, many celebrities were eager to perform with the Muppets on television and in film. Many of the puppeteers also worked on Sesame Street, Jerry Juhl and Jack Burns were two of the show writers. The music was performed by Jack Parnell and his orchestra, since 1969, Sesame Street had given Jim Hensons Muppet creations exposure, however, Henson began to perceive that he was pigeonholed as a childrens entertainer. He sought to create a programme that could be enjoyed by young, Two specials were produced and aired on ABC that are considered pilots for The Muppet Show. Neither led to the sale of a network series. However, the prime-time access rule had just been enacted, which took the 7,30 to 8 pm ET slot from the networks and turned it over to their affiliates. CBS suggested it would be interested in Hensons proposal as a series it could purchase for its owned-and-operated stations. According to the pitch reel, Rowan & Martins Laugh-In co-creator George Schlatter was originally going to be involved. Henson put aside his misgivings about syndication and accepted, the Muppet Show Theme is the shows theme song. It is the opening and closing theme for episode of The Muppet Show and was performed by The Muppets in a scene of The Muppets. Each episode ended with an instrumental performance of The Muppet Show Theme by the Muppet orchestra before Statler. Some last laugh sequences featured other Muppets on the balcony, for example, in one episode, the Muppets of Sesame Street appeared behind the duo who told them, How should we know how to get to Sesame Street. We dont even know how to get out of this stupid theater box, every series, the TV version of the song was presented with re-worked lyrics. While the opening sequence evolved visually over the course of the five series
16.
Cookie Monster
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Cookie Monster is a Muppet on the long-running childrens television show Sesame Street. He is best known for his voracious appetite and his famous eating phrases, Me eat cookie. and Om nom nom nom. He often eats just about anything, including ice cream, hot dogs, cake, pizza, doughnuts, lettuce, apples, bananas, watermelon, however, as his name suggests, his preferred food is cookies. Chocolate chip cookies are his favorite kind, oatmeal cookies are his second favorite, in a song in 2004, Cookie Monster revealed that, before he ate his first cookie, he believed his name was Sid. He is known to have a mother, a sister, and an identically-designed cousin. He also has a father, who appeared in a Monsterpiece Theater sketch promoting energy conservation, water conservation, both Cookie Monsters mother and father share his enormous appetite and craving for cookies. He and his Sesame Street friends are popular motifs on T-shirts, each snack was represented by a different monster. The Wheel-Stealer was a short, fuzzy monster with wonky eyes, the Flute-Snatcher was a speed demon with a long, sharp nose and windblown hair. The Crown-Grabber was a hulk of a monster with a Boris Karloff accent and these monsters had insatiable appetites for the snack foods they were named after. Each time the Muppet narrator, a fellow, fixes himself a tray of Wheels, Flutes and Crowns. One by one, the monsters sneak in and zoom away with the snacks, as it turns out, these commercials were never aired — but all three monsters had a future in the Muppet cast. The Crown-Grabber was used in a sketch on The Ed Sullivan Show, known from then on as the Beautiful Day Monster, he made a number of appearances on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. The Flute-Snatcher turned into Snake Frackle, a monster from The Great Santa Claus Switch. In 1967, Henson used the Wheel-Stealer puppet for an IBM training film called Coffee Break Machine, in the sketch, called The Computer Dinner, the monster devours a complex coffee making machine as it describes its different parts. When he is finished, the machine announces the monster has activated the machines anti-vandalism system and this sketch was also performed in October,1967 on The Ed Sullivan Show. It was also performed on the George Burns episode of The Muppet Show using the Luncheon Counter Monster. Two years later, Henson used a similarly-designed and equally ravenous monster for three commercials selling Munchos, a Frito-Lay potato chip and this time, the puppet was called Arnold, the Munching Monster. After the three ads were produced, Henson had the opportunity to renew the contract and he chose not to, because at that point he was working on Sesame Street — and that monster puppet was moving on to the next stage in his career
17.
Bert (Sesame Street)
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Bert is a yellow Muppet character on the long-running childrens television show, Sesame Street. Bert was originally performed by Frank Oz, since 2000, Muppeteer Eric Jacobson has been phased in as Berts primary performer, although Frank Oz still performs Bert occasionally. Bert has also made cameo appearances within The Muppets franchise, including The Muppet Show, The Muppet Movie and he and his roommate Ernie form a comic duo that is one of the programs centerpieces, with Bert acting as the world-weary foil to Ernies naive trouble-making. Bert, though kind and intelligent, is grumpy, boring. His catchphrase is Yes, I do mind and he enjoys activities such as paper clip and bottle cap collecting, cooking oatmeal and watching pigeons. Producer Arlene Sherman has called Bert everyones idea of a blind date, in one sketch, Bert reads a book called Boring Stories and chuckles, Wow. These boring stories are really exciting, in the book Sesame Street Unpaved, Frank Oz says, I was never really happy with Berts character until about a year in, when I realized. That he was a boring character, and Id use that weakness as a strength for him. Bert has very boring foods as his favorites and he loves oatmeal, unflavored fizzy water, and other bland related foods. In addition, Bert has visible eyebrows, while Ernie doesnt, Bert has a pet pigeon named Bernice, and he created a dance called Doin the Pigeon. In one sketch, Bert gets dressed and says he is going to a pigeon lovers party, Bert serves as President of the National Association of W Lovers, a club dedicated to the letter W. Two conventions held by the W Lovers have been shown on the show, Bert has pet goldfish, two of whom are named Lyle and Talbot. Berts favorite number is 6, and he has a song he wrote himself about the number 6 My Favorite Number Is 6 and his favorite instrument is the tuba. All of these interests are opposed to Ernies whose favorite number is 8,243,721, and Ernies favorite instrument is the Saxophone, which he is unable to play because he cant put down the Duckie. In Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, Bert decides to get Ernie a soap dish for Rubber Duckie not to fall in the tub anymore and sink and he offers Mr. Hooper his paper clip collection as a trade but sadly walks off afterward. Then Ernie decides to trade Rubber Duckie for a box for Berts paper clips. Mr. Hooper however can see by their sad expressions that they do not want to give up their possessions so he gives back to them as gifts and lets them keep the cigar box. Others involved Bert preparing a snack for himself and goes somewhere before coming back to find that Ernie has eaten it up, despite Ernies attempts to cover up the crime Bert knows Ernie is lying
18.
Grover
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Grover, also known as Grover Monster, is a Muppet character on the popular television show Sesame Street. Self-described as lovable, cute and furry, he is a monster who rarely uses contractions when he speaks or sings. Grover was originally performed by Frank Oz from his earliest appearances until 2001, eric Jacobson began performing Grover in 1998, he has performed the character regularly since 2001, although Oz still performs him occasionally but not usually. A prototype version of Grover appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in a Christmas Eve appearance in 1967 and this puppet had greenish-brown fur and a red nose. He also had a voice, and was played a bit more unkempt than Grover would later behave. The monster was referred to as Gleep, a monster in Santas workshop and he later made a cameo appearance in The Muppets On Puppets in 1968 with the Rock and Roll Monster. In 1969, clad in a necktie, he appeared in the Sesame Street Pitch Reel in the board room sequences, during the first season of Sesame Street, the character was nicknamed Fuzzyface or The Hairy One, though neither would be used for his actual name. In an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on May 31,1970, the character acquired his present name and his appearance was changed to the more familiar puppet with blue fur and a pink nose. In this appearance, Kermit the Frog tried to sing What Kind of Fool Am I. the true Grover officially debuted in the second season of Sesame Street. Another of the more frequent sketch segments featuring Grover involves him taking a series of service jobs. One of his customers is always Mr. Johnson, a balding, Johnson series of sketches, set at Charlies Restaurant, aired in the early 1970s, here, Grover is employed as a waiter and Mr. Johnson is his customer. Repeats of the Charlies Restaurant series of sketches aired for years on Sesame Street. In the years since, new Grover-Mr, Johnson sketches have been produced, with Grover taking other customer service jobs and Mr. Johnson as his hapless customer. Every time, Mr. Johnson recognizes Grover as that waiter from Charlies, Grovers jobs have ranged from that of a taxi driver and a photographer to a flight attendant and singing telegram artist. One sketch parodied the ABC television series Extreme Makeover, Home Edition in a segment where Grover began remodeling Mr. Johnsons home against his express wishes. In another one, Mr. Grover also has a persona who wears a cap and gown to provide educational context for simple. His lessons are often wrong, leaving himself open to correction by a group of children or Muppets and this, combined with the failings of the Super Grover character, means that Grover can be very self-conscious and timid. He is often a source of humor and often accidentally injures himself
19.
Sesame Street
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Sesame Street is a long-running American childrens television series, produced by Sesame Workshop and created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett. The program is known for its content, and images communicated through the use of Jim Hensons Muppets, animation, short films, humor. The show has undergone significant changes throughout its history, with the creation of Sesame Street, producers and writers of a childrens television show used, for the first time, educational goals and a curriculum to shape its content. It was also the first time a shows educational effects were studied, the show was initially funded by government and private foundations but has become somewhat self-supporting due to revenues from licensing arrangements, international sales, and other media. By 2006, there were independently produced versions, or co-productions, in 2001 there were over 120 million viewers of various international versions of Sesame Street, and by the shows 40th anniversary in 2009, it was broadcast in more than 140 countries. By its 40th anniversary in 2009, Sesame Street was the childrens television show in the United States. A1996 survey found that 95% of all American preschoolers had watched the show by the time they were three years old, in 2008, it was estimated that 77 million Americans had watched the series as children. As of 2014, Sesame Street has won 167 Emmy Awards and 8 Grammy Awards—more than any other childrens show, Sesame Street was conceived in 1966 during discussions between television producer Joan Ganz Cooney and Carnegie Foundation vice president Lloyd Morrisett. Their goal was to create a television show that would master the addictive qualities of television and do something good with them. The program premiered on television stations on November 10,1969. It was the first preschool educational television program to base its contents and production values on laboratory, initial responses to the show included adulatory reviews, some controversy, and high ratings. By its 40th anniversary in 2009, Sesame Street was broadcast in over 120 countries, Sesame Street has evolved from its initial inception. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become an American institution, the cast and crew expanded during this time, with emphasis on the hiring of women crew members and the addition of minorities to the cast. The shows success continued into the 1980s, Sesame Streets curriculum has expanded to include more affective topics such as relationships, ethics, and emotions. After the turn of the 21st century, Sesame Street made major structural changes, for example, starting in 2002, its format became more narrative and included ongoing storylines. After its thirtieth anniversary in 1999 and due to the popularity of the Muppet Elmo, upon its fortieth anniversary in 2009, the show received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy at the 36th Daytime Emmy Awards. In April 2017, Sesame Street will introduce a new puppet called Julia with Autism to the show, and will be voiced by Stacey Gordon, who started Puppet Pie and has a son on the autism spectrum. From its first episode, Sesame Street has structured its format by using a visual style, fast-moving action, humor
20.
Yoda
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Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas, first appearing in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back. In the original films, he trains Luke Skywalker to fight against the Galactic Empire, in the prequel films, he serves as the Grand Master of the Jedi Order and as a high-ranking general of Clone Troopers in the Clone Wars. Frank Oz provided Yodas voice in each film and used his skills as a puppeteer in the trilogy and Star Wars. For some walking scenes in Episodes V and I, dwarf actors Deep Roy, the make-up artist Stuart Freeborn based Yodas face partly on his own and partly on Albert Einsteins. In The Phantom Menace, he was redesigned to look younger and he was computer-generated for two distant shots, but remained mostly a puppet. The puppet was re-designed by Nick Dudman from Stuart Freeborns original design, in Revenge of the Sith, his face appears in several big close-ups, demanding highly detailed CGI work. His performance was designed to be consistent with the limitations of the puppet version. Rob Coleman was responsible for the new incarnation to the series. Yoda was recreated in CGI for the 2011 Blu-ray release of The Phantom Menace, a clip of the new CG Yoda from The Phantom Menace was first seen in the featurette The Chosen One, included in the 2005 DVD release of Revenge of the Sith. The 2012 theatrical 3D release of The Phantom Menace also features the CG version of Yoda, Grand Jedi Master Yoda is among the oldest and most powerful known Jedi Masters in the Star Wars universe. Series creator George Lucas opted to have details of the characters life history remain unknown. Yodas race and home world have not been named in any media, canonical or otherwise, Yodas speech syntax has been analyzed and discussed by academic syntacticians, who found it somewhat inconsistent, but could extrapolate that it has object–subject–verb word order. In the Star Wars prequel films, he instructs several younglings in the Jedi Temple before they are assigned to a master and this was displayed in a scene in Star Wars Episode II, Attack of the Clones. In The Empire Strikes Back he mentioned that he had been training Jedi for 800 years, Yoda makes his first film appearance in The Empire Strikes Back. Luke Skywalker arrives on Dagobah to seek his guidance, having been instructed to do so by the Force ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Yoda does not initially identify himself to Luke and instead tests his patience by presenting himself as a comical and senile backwater individual, Luke is shocked when he finally realizes that this small, elderly creature is the powerful Jedi Master he was seeking. Finding that Luke has the same anger and recklessness which caused his fathers downfall, Yoda is reluctant to teach him in the ways of the Force, and agrees only at Obi-Wans behest. Before finishing his training, however, Luke chooses to leave Dagobah in order to confront Darth Vader, Yoda and Obi-Wan warn him that he is not ready to face Vader and is being lured into a trap, but Luke leaves anyway, promising to return
21.
Star Wars
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Star Wars is an American epic space opera franchise, centered on a film series created by George Lucas. It depicts the adventures of characters a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. The franchise began in 1977 with the release of the film Star Wars and it was followed by the successful sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, these three films constitute the original Star Wars trilogy. A prequel trilogy was released between 1999 and 2005, which received mixed-to-negative reactions, a sequel trilogy began in 2015 with the release of Star Wars, The Force Awakens. All seven films were nominated for Academy Awards and have been successes, with a combined box office revenue of over $7.5 billion. Spin-off films include Star Wars, The Clone Wars and Rogue One, Star Wars also holds a Guinness World Records title for the Most successful film merchandising franchise. In 2015, the value of the Star Wars franchise was estimated at USD $42 billion. In 2012, The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm for $4.06 billion and earned the rights to all subsequent Star Wars films. Walt Disney Studios owns digital distribution rights to all the Star Wars films, the events depicted in the Star Wars franchise take place in an unnamed fictional galaxy at an undetermined point in the distant past. Many species of creatures are depicted. Robotic droids are also commonplace and are built to serve their owners. Space travel is common, and many planets in the galaxy are members of a single galactic government. In the prequel trilogy, this is depicted in the form of the Galactic Republic, at the end of the trilogy and throughout the original trilogy. Preceding and during the trilogy, this government is the New Republic. One of the prominent elements of Star Wars is the Force and it is described in the first produced film as an energy field created by all living things surrounds us, penetrates us, binds the galaxy together. While the Force can be used for good, known as the side, it also has a dark side that, when pursued, imbues users with hatred, aggression. The sequel trilogy introduces the Knights of Ren, an order of practitioners of the side of the Force aligned with the First Order. The first film in the series, Star Wars, was released on May 25,1977 and this was followed by two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back, released on May 21,1980, and Return of the Jedi, released on May 25,1983
22.
Little Shop of Horrors (film)
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Little Shop of Horrors is a 1986 American rock musical horror comedy film directed by Frank Oz. Menken and Ashmans Off-Broadway musical was based on the low-budget 1960 film The Little Shop of Horrors, the 1986 film stars Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, and Levi Stubbs as the voice of Audrey II. The film also featured appearances by James Belushi, John Candy, Christopher Guest. It was produced by David Geffen through The Geffen Company and released by Warner Bros. on December 19,1986. Little Shop of Horrors was filmed on the Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage at the Pinewood Studios in England, the film was produced on a budget of $25 million, in contrast to the original 1960 film, which, according to Corman, only cost $30,000. The films original 23-minute finale, based on the ending, was rewritten. For years only available as black-and-white workprint footage, the ending was fully restored in 2012 by Warner Home Video. Seymour Krelborn and his colleague, Audrey, work at Mushniks Flower Shop in a run-down and they lament that they cannot escape the neighborhood. Struggling from a lack of customers, Mr. Mushnik decides to close the store, immediately attracting a customer, Seymour explains he bought the plant, which he dubbed Audrey II, from a Chinese flower shop during a solar eclipse. Attracting business to Mushniks shop, the plant soon starts dying, worrying Seymour, accidentally pricking his finger, he then discovers Audrey II needs human blood to thrive. Audrey II continues to rapidly and Seymour becomes a local celebrity. Seymour soon attempts to ask Audrey out, but she turns him down because she has a date with her sadistic, despite this, Audrey is interested in Seymour, dreaming of marrying him and escaping Skid Row. After Seymour closes up shop, Audrey II begins to talk to Seymour, the plant proposes that Seymour murder someone in exchange for fame and fortune, Seymour initially refuses, but agrees after witnessing Orin beating Audrey. Orin, who abuses nitrous oxide, puts on a type of mask to receive a constant flow of the gas. Accidentally breaking an intake valve and unable to remove the mask, Orin begs Seymour for help removing it, when Orin asks Seymour what he ever did to him, Seymour coldly replies, Nothing, its what you did to her. Orin dies from asphyxiation and Seymour drags his body back to Audrey II, while dismembering the body to feed to the plant, Seymour is unknowingly witnessed by Mushnik, who flees in fear. After feeding Orins parts to Audrey II, which has grown to enormous size, Audrey, feeling guilty about wishing Orin would disappear, is comforted by Seymour and the two admit their feelings for each other. That night, Mushnik confronts Seymour about what he saw and holds Seymour at gunpoint, Mushnik then attempts to blackmail Seymour, giving the option to flee the country in exchange for the ownership of the plant
23.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (film)
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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a 1988 American comedy film directed by Frank Oz and starring Steve Martin, Michael Caine and Glenne Headly. The screenplay was written by Dale Launer, Stanley Shapiro, and Paul Henning, it is a remake of the Shapiro and it is the story of two men competing to swindle an American heiress out of $50,000. Caine plays the suave, charming British con man Lawrence Jamieson, who believes in conning corrupt, rich people out of their money so he can spend it on culture and a lavish lifestyle. Martin plays his laddish, arrogant American rival, Freddy Benson and it takes place in the French Riviera. Lawrence Jamieson is an intelligent and sophisticated British con artist operating in the French Riviera with the help of manservant Arthur and he seduces wealthy and morally suspect women and steals their money. His only concern is a con artist known as The Jackal who has been preying on other wealthy victims, when underachieving American hustler Freddy Benson searches for easy marks in Beaumont-sur-Mer, Lawrences home base, Lawrence believes the Jackal has shown his face. Worried that Freddys inexperienced antics will scare away his prey, Lawrence has Freddy arrested, however, Freddy meets one of Lawrences former marks and deduces that he is also a crook. Returning to Beaumont-sur-Mer, Freddy forces Lawrence to take him on as a pupil in exchange for his silence, Lawrence attempts to teach Freddy about high culture with limited success. Freddy, tired of not getting paid and the part he has to play. Lawrence believes there are not enough potential victims in Beaumont-sur-Mer for both of them, so a bet is proposed to decide who will stay, the first to con $50,000 out of a selected mark may remain, the other must leave town. The two select Janet Colgate, a naive American heiress, and embark on their separate strategies while ruthlessly sabotaging each other. When Lawrence discovers this scheme he claims to be Dr. Shaffhausen, insisting Freddys condition is one he can cure, Lawrence discovers that Janet is not wealthy but on vacation as a contest winner, she intends to liquidate most of her assets to pay for Freddys treatment. Touched by Janets kindness, Lawrence calls off the bet, Freddy agrees, but proposes a new bet, Janet herself, with the first to bed her declared the winner. Lawrence refuses to bed Janet, instead the bet will be whether or not Freddy can succeed, Lawrence keeps Janet from having any time alone with Freddy in which they might consummate a relationship. With the help of some British sailors, Freddy waylays Lawrence, Lawrence is present and declares Freddy cured of his ailment. Ushering Freddy out of the room he explains that the sailors released him after discovering that he is a Royal Naval Reserve officer, the sailors, angry at being duped by Freddy, keep him occupied at a party while Lawrence puts Janet on a plane to America. Despite his impending loss, Freddy becomes inebriated and enjoys the party, the next day, instead of boarding her flight, Janet returns to her hotel room to find a repentant Freddy there. They kiss, close the door and begin undressing, the news reaches Lawrence and he accepts his defeat with grace
24.
What About Bob?
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What About Bob. is a 1991 American black comedy film directed by Frank Oz, and starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss. Murray plays Bob Wiley, a patient who follows his egotistical psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin on vacation. When the unstable Bob befriends the other members of Marvins family, the film received positive reviews and was a box office success. This film is number 43 on Bravos 100 Funniest Movies, Bob Wiley is a good-natured man with great work ethic, but he suffers from multiple phobias and is divorced. He feels good about the results of a session with Dr. Unable to cope. Leo is annoyed because he does not see patients on vacation but, seeing how desperate Bob is, he gives Bob a prescription telling him to take a vacation from his problems. Bob seems to have made a breakthrough, but the morning shows up at Leos house again. Marvin for purchasing the home they had been scrimping and saving for years to buy. Bob suggests that they start a friendship, although Leo thinks being friends with a patient is beneath him, however, Bob swiftly ingratiates himself with Leos family, who think Bob may have some foibles, but is otherwise a balanced and sociable man. Bob goes sailing with Anna and helps Sigmund to dive into the lake, Leo then angrily pushes Bob into the lake and Leo’s wife, Fay, insists on inviting Bob to dinner to apologize, which Bob accepts. At dinner, Bobs comment on Baby Steps causes Leo to choke, a thunderstorm then forces Bob to spend the night. Leo wants Bob out of the house by 6,30, the next morning, however, the television crew shows up early and, oblivious to Leos discomfort, suggest having Bob on the show as well. Leo is tense and makes an out of himself during the interview while Bob is relaxed and speaks glowingly of Leo. Outraged, Leo throws a tantrum and then attempts to have Bob committed, forced to retrieve him, Leo then abandons Bob in the middle of nowhere, but Bob quickly gets a ride back to Leos house while a variety of mishaps delay Leo until nightfall. Leo is then surprised by the party that Fay has been secretly planning for him. But when Bob appears and puts his arm around Lily, Leo becomes completely enraged, Bob remains oblivious to Leo’s hostility, but Fay explains that Leo has been acting unacceptably as a result of an inexplicable grudge against Bob, and he agrees to leave. Meanwhile, Leo breaks into the general store, stealing a shotgun and 20 pounds of explosives. Leo then returns to the house, gleefully preparing his cover story, a frantic Leo asks Bob where he put the black powder, to which Bob replies in the house just before the Marvins vacation home detonates
25.
In & Out (film)
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In & Out is a 1997 American romantic comedy film directed by Frank Oz and starring Kevin Kline, Tom Selleck, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Debbie Reynolds, and Wilford Brimley. It is a story by screenwriter Paul Rudnick. Joan Cusack was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance, the film became one of mainstream Hollywoods few attempts at a comedic gay movie of its era, and was widely noted at the time for a 12-second kiss between Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck. Cameron does indeed win the award and, in his speech, thanks Howard, adding. Howards family, friends, students, co-workers and Emily are shocked and he angrily reassures those who know him that he is heterosexual. Although the other reporters leave after getting their story, one stays behind, on-camera entertainment reporter Peter Malloy, Howard continues to be harassed and dismayed by the changed attitudes of everyone around him, and decides that he must sleep with Emily in order to prove his heterosexuality. Howard finds he cannot go through with it due to his conflicting emotions, Howard crosses paths with Peter, who reveals he is gay and, trying to provide a helpful ear, narrates his own experience in coming out to his family. Howard insists that he is not gay, prompting Peter to kiss him, although shocked, Howard reacts somewhat positively to the kiss. Howards final measure to restore his heterosexuality is the use of an audio cassette. During the wedding ceremony, Emily recites her vow without hesitation, the wedding is called off, and although Peter is proud of Howard, Howard is angry with himself for hurting Emily. Howard is fired from the school because of his outing, despite no longer being on the faculty, Howard attends the graduation ceremony to support his students. When one student who got into college—thanks to Howards hard work—learns that he was dismissed for being gay, he and his classmates proclaim themselves to be gay as well, Howards family follows suit, as do his friends, and all the townsfolk assembled. Having learned of the media blitz while in Los Angeles. Although Howard does not win Teacher of the Year, Cameron presents him with his Oscar, Howards wedding-crazy mother finally gets a wedding—her own, when she and her husband renew their vows. Howard, Peter and the rest of the townsfolk attend the reception, among the crowd are Emily and Cameron, who appear to have begun a relationship. Everyone dances to the Village Peoples song Macho Man, according to Frank Oz, production had to be stopped temporarily because we all got sick. because we all got the flu. Oz and Wilford Brimley did not get along during production, at first, Frank Oz asked Miles Goodman to do the music for In & Out. Goodman, who composed several of Ozs previous films, died before he could do so, a soundtrack was released on Tuesday, September 23,1997, featuring previously recorded songs as well as Marc Shaimans instrumental music composed for the film
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Bowfinger
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Bowfinger is a 1999 American satirical comedy film directed by Frank Oz. It depicts a down-and-out filmmaker in Hollywood attempting to make a film on a budget with a star who does not know that he is in the film. It was written by Steve Martin, to himself, Eddie Murphy in two roles, and Heather Graham as a vapid, ambitious starlet. The film was released on August 13,1999 and grossed $98 million, z-grade film producer Bobby Bowfinger is extremely eager to direct a B-movie of his own and has saved up for it his entire life — he now has $2,184 to pay for production costs. He has a script penned by an accountant, Afrim, and he manages to extract a promise from a film studio executive, Jerry Renfro, that the executive will distribute the film if it includes currently-hot action star Kit Ramsey. Ramsey — a rather pompous, neurotic, and paranoid actor — refuses, the plan goes well at first, Ramsey ends up starring in the film. However, Ramsey misinterprets the movies dialogue and believes he is being stalked by aliens. He finally goes into hiding in order to maintain his sanity and this puts a hold on the film production, and leaves Bowfinger wondering what to do next. A desperate Bowfinger resorts to hiring a Ramsey lookalike named Jiff, Jiff is kind, amiable and rather clueless. He even runs through a gauntlet of stunt drivers racing along a freeway when asked. Eventually, he becomes depressed about his lack of acting talent, Jiff is not sure how much of a talent that is. I mean, I am his brother. Using this new knowledge, Bowfinger has Jiff find out Kit Ramseys movements, all Bowfinger needs to shoot is the final scene at an observatory, with Ramsey shouting the final line Gotcha suckers. During the filming, Ramsey becomes terrified and thinks that they are real aliens, at this point, Ramseys mentor at MindHead, Terry Stricter, has discovered evidence that Kits aliens may not be just in his head. MindHead officials track Bowfinger to the observatory, and shut down production and it seems Bowfinger will never get his film. That is until his camera crew reveals that they were filming B-roll footage of Ramsey off-set, what they got was footage of Ramsey donning a paper bag over his head and exposing himself to an amused Laker Girl Cheerleading Squad. Bowfinger shows the footage to MindHead, and blackmails them, threatening to take the footage public, knowing that this material could ruin Ramseys career, MindHead advises the star to finish the project. Bowfinger finally gets to sit at the premiere of a film he himself directed, following the arguable success of the film, Bowfinger receives a rare Fed-Ex envelope—an offer to film a martial arts film called Fake Purse Ninjas starring Bowfinger and Jiff Ramsey. Steve Martin as Robert Bobby K. Bowfinger Eddie Murphy as Kit Ramsey / Jiffrenson Jiff Ramsey Heather Graham as Daisy Christine Baranski as Carol Terence Stamp as Terry Stricter Robert Downey, Jr
27.
The Score (2001 film)
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The Score is an American-Canadian crime thriller film directed by Frank Oz, and stars Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett and Marlon Brando in his final film role. It was the time that Brando and De Niro appeared onscreen together. The screenplay was based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from a story by Daniel E. Taylor, after nearly being caught on a routine burglary, master safe-cracker Nick Wells decides the time has finally come to retire from his criminal activities. He is enticed into taking one final score by his fence Max, the job, worth a $4 million payoff to Nick, is to steal a sceptre, a French national treasure stored in the ultra-secure basement of the Montréal Customs House. The sceptre was discovered by Customs agents being smuggled into the US through Canada, Max introduces Nick to Jack Teller, an ambitious thief who has infiltrated the Customs House and gained information regarding security by pretending to be an intellectually disabled janitor. Nicks trusted associate Steven hacks into the Custom Houses security system to obtain the bypass codes, Steven is caught, however, by a corrupt systems administrator who extorts Nick for $50,000 for the information. Nick uses a sewer tunnel to enter the Customs House basement as Jack rigs the cameras to shut off when Nick enters the storage room, a fellow janitor stumbles upon Jack, who locks him in a closet. Nick fills the enormous in-floor safe containing the sceptre with water before inserting and detonating a depth charge to blow off the door and he quickly packs up the sceptre in a carrying case to depart, but Jack double crosses him and at gunpoint demands he hand over the sceptre. Nick reluctantly gives up the case and seconds later the alarm, rigged by Jack. Nick darts for the entrance he came in as Jack heads back upstairs, tucking the carrying case inside his janitor jumpsuit. Nick escapes the security guards chasing him through the sewer tunnels, after making it to a bus station to flee the city, Jack calls Nick to gloat but is shocked to discover that Nick has anticipated Jacks actions. Jack opens the carrying case Nick gave him and finds it contains a steel rod weighed down with various bushings, brushing off Jacks threats of vengeance, Nick advises Jack to flee as every cop in the city will now be looking for him. Nick hangs up and boards a boat with the real sceptre as a shocked Jack broods over his situation, later, Max smiles as he watches a news broadcast reporting a massive manhunt being organized to find Jack, the prime suspect, and an unidentified accomplice. Nick then meets Diane at the airport as she returns from work, during the production, Brando repeatedly argued with Oz and called him Miss Piggy, the Muppet whom Oz played from 1976 to 2001. Oz later blamed himself for the tension and cited his tendency to be rather than nurturing in response to Brandos acting style. Brando eventually refused to take direction from Oz and insisted that De Niro direct his scenes, as a result, Brando had his way with De Niro directing him. There was one scene - two days of shooting - when Marlon was too upset with me to act while I was on the set, I watched from outside, with a monitor, and Bob was very good and acted as mediator between us. The film received positive reviews with a rating of 73% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes
28.
Death at a Funeral (2007 film)
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Death at a Funeral is a 2007 British ensemble black comedy film directed by Frank Oz. The screenplay by Dean Craig focuses on a family attempting to resolve a variety of problems while attending the funeral of the patriarch, the story is set in England and taking place mainly at a family home. Daniels cousin Martha and her fiancé Simon are desperate to make an impression on Marthas uptight father Victor. While on the way to the funeral, Simon begins to feel its effect, an American dwarf named Peter introduces himself to Daniel, who is too busy to speak to him at that moment and suggests they talk later. None of Daniels relatives can identify the man, the service begins and the hallucinating Simon, certain he sees the coffin moving, tips it over, causing the body to spill out onto the floor. During the ensuing chaos, Martha drags Simon outside, where her father forbids her to marry him, when Simon is told why he is reacting as he is, he panics and locks himself in the upstairs bathroom. Martha tries to him to open the door while fending off the unwelcome advances of Justin, with whom she once had a one-night stand that she deeply regrets. When the drug overcomes Simon, he out of the window naked. Thinking what he sees reflects mutual feelings, he proceeds to climb onto the roof, hoping to calm him, Martha reveals she is pregnant with their child. While most of the guests are caught up in Simons seeming insanity, Peter meets privately with Daniel and Robert, unhappy that he was left nothing in their fathers will, Peter reveals photographs that prove his relationship, and attempts to blackmail the family for £15,000. The brothers panic and bind and gag Peter, and to him down they give him the hallucinogenic drug. Peter manages to free himself, but in his state he jumps repeatedly on the sofa before falling and hitting his head on a glass coffee table. Troy and germaphobic family friend Howard cannot feel a pulse, so they believe Peter to be dead, forced to dispose of the body as quickly and surreptitiously as possible, Daniel and Robert decide to place it in the casket with their father. Daniel demands everyone stay calm and declares his father was a man, although clearly one with secrets. Their conversation is interrupted when Jane shows up and tells them that Uncle Alfie will be staying over that night because of his attack after having seen Daniel. She also tells them that she gave him some Valium, which shocks Daniel, the scene cuts to a shot of Uncle Alfie on the roof, naked like Simon had been, complaining about how everything is so fucking green. It opened throughout Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia before going into theatrical release in the United Kingdom on 2 November 2007, thats high praise for Death but no more than it deserves. The humor manages to be sophisticated, supremely silly and very dark
29.
Nazism
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National Socialism, more commonly known as Nazism, is the ideology and practice associated with the 20th-century German Nazi Party and Nazi Germany, as well as other far-right groups. Nazism subscribed to theories of racial hierarchy and Social Darwinism, identifying Germans as part of what Nazis regarded as an Aryan or Nordic master race and it aimed to overcome social divisions and create a homogeneous society, unified on the basis of racial purity. The term National Socialism arose out of attempts to create a nationalist redefinition of socialism, the Nazi Partys precursor, the Pan-German nationalist and anti-Semitic German Workers Party, was founded on 5 January 1919. By the early 1920s, Adolf Hitler assumed control of the organisation, following the Holocaust and German defeat in World War II, only a few fringe racist groups, usually referred to as neo-Nazis, still describe themselves as following National Socialism. The full name of Adolf Hitlers party was Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, the shorthand Nazi was formed from the first two syllables of the German pronunciation of the word national. The term was in use before the rise of the NSDAP as a colloquial and derogatory word for a peasant, characterizing an awkward. It derived from Ignaz, being a version of Ignatius, a common name in Bavaria. Opponents seized on this and shortened the first word of the name, Nationalsozialistische. The NSDAP briefly adopted the Nazi designation, attempting to reappropriate the term, the use of Nazi Germany, Nazi regime, and so on was popularised by German exiles abroad. From them, the spread into other languages and was eventually brought back to Germany after World War II. In English, Nazism is a name for the ideology the party advocated. The majority of scholars identify Nazism in practice as a form of far-right politics, far-right themes in Nazism include the argument that superior people have a right to dominate over other people and purge society of supposed inferior elements. Adolf Hitler and other proponents officially portrayed Nazism as being neither left- nor right-wing, but the politicians of the Right deserve exactly the same reproach. It was through their miserable cowardice that those ruffians of Jews who came into power in 1918 were able to rob the nation of its arms, a major inspiration for the Nazis were the far-right nationalist Freikorps, paramilitary organisations that engaged in political violence after World War I. The Nazis stated the alliance was purely tactical and there remained substantial differences with the DNVP, the Nazis described the DNVP as a bourgeois party and called themselves an anti-bourgeois party. After the elections in 1932, the alliance broke after the DNVP lost many of its seats in the Reichstag, the Nazis denounced them as an insignificant heap of reactionaries. The DNVP responded by denouncing the Nazis for their socialism, their violence. Kaiser Wilhelm II, who was pressured to abdicate the throne and flee into exile amidst an attempted communist revolution in Germany, there were factions in the Nazi Party, both conservative and radical
30.
Royal Netherlands Motorized Infantry Brigade
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Elements of this force became the nucleus of what was originally called the Dutch Legion. e. On 11 February 1941, by approval of Queen Wilhelmina, the Dutch Legion gained a new name, on 6 August 1944, the first troops of the P. I. B landed at Graye-sur-Mer Normandy, in northern France. Later, the force landed and the P. I. B. Served under the 1st Canadian Army until it moved forward with the British Second Army, heavy fighting took place around the Chateau St Come and the brigade liberated Pont Audemer in the progress. In mid September, the P. I. B. became involved in fighting with German forces at the town of Beringen, around this time, the brigade was also involved in combating the Dutch Waffen-SS volunteer formation the Landstorm Nederland. From 26 September, the P. I. B guarded the bridge spanning the River Maas at Grave, the bridge, now called John S. Thompsonbrug, was then the longest bridge in Europe. After Operation Market Garden, the operation to capture bridges across the Rhine at Arnhem, on 24 October, the P. I. B. was ordered to go to Tilburg to attack the town from the south while the 51st Infantry Division attacked from the east. The P. I. B. was unable to get to Tilburg and was stranded at Broekhoven, the Prinses Irene Brigade spent the winter of 1944/45 in the region of Walcheren and North Beveland, losing several soldiers. From Zeeland, the P. I. B. went back to Noord-Brabant, on 31 March 1945, the commander of the P. I. B. I. B. So the brigade would have enough troops participating in the liberation of Europe, on 2 March 1945, the P. I. B. was put under the command of the Netherlands District, under Major General A Galloway, based at the HQ in the town of Tilburg. The P. I. B was involved in fighting in the town of Hedel, north of Den Bosch. The P. I. B. was to link up with the 30 Royal Marines, of the 116th Infantry Brigade Royal Marines, however, the Royal Marines gave up due to German opposition in the town of Kerkdriel, leaving the P. I. B. Stranded at the bridgehead of Hedel, the Prinses Irene Brigade was under command of the 116th Infantry Brigade Royal Marines at this time. Still, they fought the Germans with great gallantry, and were able to hold the town for three days, in these fights, the P. I. B. lost twelve men, around thirty were wounded. Several Gallantry medals were awarded for actions in Hedel. At 11,15 hours on 25 April the order to withdraw from the bridgehead, in Hedel, at 23,30 hours III Independent Company withdrew from the town as the last unit to the south side of the river Maas. This effort was completed at 00,30 hours on 26 April, the Princess Irene Brigade entered The Hague on 9 May 1945 as liberators. After the war, the traditions of the brigade were perpetuated by the Garderegiment Fuseliers Prinses Irene
31.
Belgium
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Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a sovereign state in Western Europe bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and the North Sea. It is a small, densely populated country which covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres and has a population of about 11 million people. Additionally, there is a group of German-speakers who live in the East Cantons located around the High Fens area. Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, the region was called Belgica in Latin, after the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, today, Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance. It is divided into three regions and three communities, that exist next to each other and its two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region is a bilingual enclave within the Flemish Region. A German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia, Belgiums linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in its political history and complex system of governance, made up of six different governments. Upon its independence, declared in 1830, Belgium participated in the Industrial Revolution and, during the course of the 20th century, possessed a number of colonies in Africa. This continuing antagonism has led to several far-reaching reforms, resulting in a transition from a unitary to a federal arrangement during the period from 1970 to 1993. Belgium is also a member of the Eurozone, NATO, OECD and WTO. Its capital, Brussels, hosts several of the EUs official seats as well as the headquarters of major international organizations such as NATO. Belgium is also a part of the Schengen Area, Belgium is a developed country, with an advanced high-income economy and is categorized as very high in the Human Development Index. A gradual immigration by Germanic Frankish tribes during the 5th century brought the area under the rule of the Merovingian kings, a gradual shift of power during the 8th century led the kingdom of the Franks to evolve into the Carolingian Empire. Many of these fiefdoms were united in the Burgundian Netherlands of the 14th and 15th centuries, the Eighty Years War divided the Low Countries into the northern United Provinces and the Southern Netherlands. The latter were ruled successively by the Spanish and the Austrian Habsburgs and this was the theatre of most Franco-Spanish and Franco-Austrian wars during the 17th and 18th centuries. The reunification of the Low Countries as the United Kingdom of the Netherlands occurred at the dissolution of the First French Empire in 1815, although the franchise was initially restricted, universal suffrage for men was introduced after the general strike of 1893 and for women in 1949. The main political parties of the 19th century were the Catholic Party, French was originally the single official language adopted by the nobility and the bourgeoisie
32.
Montana
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Montana /mɒnˈtænə/ is a state in the Western region of the United States. The states name is derived from the Spanish word montaña, Montana has several nicknames, although none official, including Big Sky Country and The Treasure State, and slogans that include Land of the Shining Mountains and more recently The Last Best Place. Montana has a 545-mile border with three Canadian provinces, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, the state to do so. It also borders North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, Montana is ranked 4th in size, but 44th in population and 48th in population density of the 50 United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges, smaller island ranges are found throughout the state. In total,77 named ranges are part of the Rocky Mountains, the eastern half of Montana is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands. The economy is based on agriculture, including ranching and cereal grain farming. Other significant economic activities include oil, gas, coal and hard rock mining, lumber, the health care, service, and government sectors also are significant to the states economy. Millions of tourists annually visit Glacier National Park, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the name Montana comes from the Spanish word Montaña and the Latin word Montana, meaning mountain, or more broadly, mountainous country. Montaña del Norte was the name given by early Spanish explorers to the mountainous region of the west. The name was changed by Representatives Henry Wilson and Benjamin F. Harding, when Ashley presented a bill to establish a temporary government in 1864 for a new territory to be carved out of Idaho, he again chose Montana Territory. This time Rep. Samuel Cox, also of Ohio, objected to the name, Cox complained that the name was a misnomer given most of the territory was not mountainous and that a Native American name would be more appropriate than a Spanish one. Other names such as Shoshone were suggested, but it was decided that the Committee on Territories could name it whatever they wanted, with an area of 147,040 square miles, Montana is slightly larger than Japan. It is the fourth largest state in the United States after Alaska, Texas, and California, the largest landlocked U. S. state, and the worlds 56th largest national state/province subdivision. To the north, Montana shares a 545-mile border with three Canadian provinces, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, the state to do so. It borders North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, the states topography is roughly defined by the Continental Divide, which splits much of the state into distinct eastern and western regions. Most of Montanas 100 or more named mountain ranges are in the western half. The Absaroka and Beartooth ranges in the states south-central part are part of the Central Rocky Mountains
33.
Oakland, California
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Oakland /ˈoʊklənd/ is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. The city was incorporated in 1852, Oaklands territory covers what was once a mosaic of California coastal terrace prairie, oak woodland, and north coastal scrub. Its land served as a resource when its hillside oak and redwood timber were logged to build San Francisco. In the late 1860s, Oakland was selected as the terminal of the Transcontinental Railroad. Following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, many San Francisco citizens moved to Oakland, enlarging the citys population, increasing its housing stock and it continued to grow in the 20th century with its busy port, shipyards, and a thriving automobile manufacturing industry. Oakland is known for its sustainability practices, including a top-ranking for usage of electricity from renewable resources, in addition, due to a steady influx of immigrants during the 20th century, along with thousands of African-American war-industry workers who relocated from the Deep South during the 1940s. Oakland is the most ethnically diverse city in the country. The earliest known inhabitants were the Huchiun Indians, who lived there for thousands of years, the Huchiun belonged to a linguistic grouping later called the Ohlone. In Oakland, they were concentrated around Lake Merritt and Temescal Creek, in 1772, the area that later became Oakland was claimed, with the rest of California, by Spanish settlers for the King of Spain. In the early 19th century, the Spanish crown granted the East Bay area to Luis María Peralta for his Rancho San Antonio, the grant was confirmed by the successor Mexican republic upon its independence from Spain. Upon his death in 1842, Peralta divided his land among his four sons, Most of Oakland fell within the shares given to Antonio Maria and Vicente. The portion of the parcel that is now Oakland was called encinal—Spanish for oak grove—due to the oak forest that covered the area. In 1851, three men—Horace Carpentier, Edson Adams, and Andrew Moon—began developing what is now downtown Oakland, on May 4,1852, the Town of Oakland incorporated. Two years later, on March 25,1854, Oakland re-incorporated as the City of Oakland, with Horace Carpentier elected the first mayor, the city and its environs quickly grew with the railroads, becoming a major rail terminal in the late 1860s and 1870s. In 1868, the Central Pacific constructed the Oakland Long Wharf at Oakland Point, a number of horsecar and cable car lines were constructed in Oakland during the latter half of the 19th century. The first electric streetcar set out from Oakland to Berkeley in 1891, at the time of incorporation, Oakland consisted of the territory that lay south of todays major intersection of San Pablo Avenue, Broadway, and Fourteenth Street. The city gradually annexed farmlands and settlements to the east and the north, Oaklands rise to industrial prominence, and its subsequent need for a seaport, led to the digging of a shipping and tidal channel in 1902. This resulted in the town of Alameda being made an island
34.
Children's Fairyland
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Childrens Fairyland, U. S. A. is an amusement park, located in Oakland, California, on the shores of Lake Merritt. It was the first themed amusement park in the United States, Fairyland includes 10 acres of play sets, small rides, and animals. The park is home to the Open Storybook Puppet Theater. Fairyland was built in 1950 by the Oakland Lake Merritt Breakfast Club, the park was immediately recognized nationally for its unique value, and during the City Beautiful movement of the 1950s it inspired numerous towns to create their own parks. Walt Disney toured many amusement parks in 1950, including Children’s Fairyland and he hired the first director of Fairyland, Dorothy Manes, to work at Disneyland as youth director, in which position she continued from the parks opening until 1972. Numerous artists have contributed exhibits, murals, puppetry, and sculptures to the park, some of the better-known artists are Ruth Asawa and Frank Oz, who was an apprentice puppeteer in the park as a teenager. His hope was to much larger sets that children could climb in. Mott and the Breakfast Club were able to raise $50,000 from Oakland citizens, contributing sponsors included Earl Warren, Clifford E. Rishell, Joseph R. Knowland and Thomas E. Caldecott. Navlet hired fantasy artist and architect William Russell Everritt to design the original 17 sets, Everritt originally presented models which followed a standard fantasy architecture, straight-sided, precious buildings in gingerbread and candy. When told his models were too staid, he destroyed them and came back with buildings with no straight sides and outré colors. It was exactly what Navlet was looking for, the park opened on September 2,1950. Admission was 9 to 14 cents, depending on age, the original guides to the park were a dwarfish married couple dressed in glamorous Munchkin-style costumes. The park was reported on nationally, with numerous newsreels shot in the park, the original sets included Pinocchios Castle, Thumbelina, Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Merry Miller, The Three Little Pigs, Willie the Whale, and several others. The entrance to the park was through the shoe illustrating the Old Woman in the Shoe, the entrance through the shoe was sized for children, so that adults had to bend over to go through. The park thrived, and in 1956, the City of Oakland Parks, mr. Weber created a program for young children called Fairyland Personalities, which is still part of Fairylands Children’s Theater program. Fairyland is also home to the original Magic Key and Talking Storybook Boxes, Oakland television personality Bruce Sedley would often make appearances at the park to tell the stories of the sets. The constant strain of speaking threatened his voice, and he invented a system of talking books with recorded stories on tape, the boxes were activated by a plastic key. Sedley took the system he developed at Fairyland to zoos and childrens parks across the country and you can still use any magic key purchased from Fairyland to this day
35.
Jim Henson
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James Maury Henson was an American puppeteer, artist, cartoonist, inventor, screenwriter, film director and producer who achieved international fame as the creator of the Muppets. Born in Greenville, Mississippi, and raised in Leland, Mississippi, while he was a freshman at the University of Maryland, College Park, he created Sam and Friends, a five-minute sketch-comedy puppet show that appeared on television. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in economics, he produced coffee advertisements. Feeling the need for more output, Henson founded Muppets Inc. in 1958. Henson became famous in the 1960s when he joined the educational television program Sesame Street. He also appeared on the comedy show Saturday Night Live. In 1976, after scrapping plans for a Broadway show, he produced The Muppet Show and he won fame for his creations, particularly Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, and Ernie, and was involved with Sesame Street for over 20 years. Rowlf the Dog was a cast member on the Jimmy Dean Show in the early 60s, during the later years of his life, he also founded the Jim Henson Foundation and Jim Hensons Creature Shop. His involvement in two television programs—The Storyteller and The Jim Henson Hour—led to Emmy Award wins, in the weeks after his death, he was celebrated in a wave of tributes. He was posthumously inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991, and as a Disney Legend in 2011. He was raised as a Christian Scientist and spent his childhood in Leland, Mississippi, before moving with his family to University Park, Maryland, near Washington. In 1954, while attending Northwestern High School, he working for WTOP-TV. After graduating from school, Henson enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park, as a studio arts major. A puppetry class offered in the arts department introduced him to the craft and textiles courses in the College of Home economics. As a freshman, he had asked to create Sam and Friends. The characters on Sam and Friends were forerunners of Muppets, Henson would remain at WRC for seven years, from 1954 to 1961. A marionettes arms are manipulated by strings, but Henson used rods to move his Muppets arms, when Henson began work on Sam and Friends, he asked fellow University of Maryland sophomore Jane Nebel to assist him. The show was a success, but after graduating from college
36.
Animal (Muppet)
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Animal is the fictional wild and frenzied drummer of Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem, the fictional band from The Muppet Show. He is one of The Muppets originally created by Michael K. Frith, on The Muppet Show, his drumming is performed by Ronnie Verrell. Animal has had roles in all Muppet movies, and was the member of The Electric Mayhem to be included regularly on the Muppet Babies cartoons. He was voiced by Howie Mandel in the first two seasons of Muppet Babies, followed by Dave Coulier in subsequent seasons. Animal was performed by Rob Mills in the finale of The Jim Henson Hour. John Kennedy also briefly performed Animal in a 2002 commercial for MasterCard, drew Massey performed Animal in Statler and Waldorf, From the Balcony. In Jim Hensons Little Muppet Monsters, Animal was voiced by Hal Rayle, Frank Oz has stated that Animals character can be summed up in five words, sex, sleep, food, drums, and pain. However, Animal has retorted, Drums are food, Animals vocabulary is generally limited to guttural shouts and monosyllabic grunts, often repeating a few simple phrases, as well as his trademark gravelly laugh. During performances, Animal is usually chained to the set by a collar around his neck. In some episodes, he has summoned to chase off performers who are being annoying. The original Animal sketches point to one Grammy Award-winning drummer named Steve Mitchell, Animal is a savant, versatile session drummer, to back Muppet tunes, capable even of finishing a slow song, if the singer is nice lady. He can match both Buddy Rich and Harry Belafonte in drum-offs on The Muppet Show, and on Questlove on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2011 and he shows a talent for jazz in a television advert for the Renault Clio car with French footballer Thierry Henry. Animal has also run afoul of Muppet Show guests, in 1981, the aforementioned scene with Buddy Rich ends with the seasoned pro learning Animals gonzo style, and performing it with twice the speed and proficiency. Animal throws a drum onto the irascible entertainers head, when he repeatedly interrupted Rita Morenos rendition of Fever with loud drumming outbursts, she became annoyed and slammed his head between a pair of cymbals. In another episode, Animal became hostile toward Dudley Moore when Moore tried to replace the band with a programmable, for example, Jim Nabors once spoke the traditional theatrical good luck wish, Break a leg, whereupon Animal indulged him by trying to break Naborss leg. Another gag would occasionally occur when the plays a slow song, Animal will get about halfway through. Launch into a faster paced version of the song, the band would usually comment that Animal lasted much longer than they thought he would. In The Muppets Take Manhattan, he chases a female co-ed out of the auditorium, while many Animal gags involve a role reversal, or a moment of intellectualism, others are still more innuendo
37.
Labyrinth (film)
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Labyrinth is a 1986 British-American adventure musical fantasy film directed by Jim Henson, executive-produced by George Lucas, and based upon conceptual designs by Brian Froud. The film revolves around 15-year-old Sarahs quest to reach the center of an enormous otherworldly maze to rescue her infant brother Toby, who Sarah wished away to Jareth, the Goblin King. With the exception of Connelly and Bowie, most of the significant characters are played by puppets produced by Jim Hensons Creature Shop. The film started as a collaboration between Henson and Froud, with ideas for the film first being discussed between them following a screening of their previous collaboration, The Dark Crystal. Terry Jones of Monty Python wrote the first draft of the films early in 1984. Labyrinth was shot on location in Upper Nyack, Piermont and Haverstraw in New York, the New York Times reported that Labyrinth had a budget of $25 million. The film was a box office disappointment, grossing $12.9 million during its U. S. theatrical run. The commercial failure demoralized Henson to the extent that his son Brian remembered the time of the release as one of the most difficult periods of his fathers career. It would be the last feature directed by Henson before his death in 1990. Although it was met with a critical response upon its initial release. A four-volume comic sequel to the film, Return to Labyrinth, was published by Tokyopop between 2006 and 2010, in 2012, Archaia Studios Press announced they were developing a graphic novel prequel to the film. In January 2016, it was announced that a reboot was in development, fifteen-year-old Sarah Williams rehearses a play in the park with her dog Merlin but becomes distracted by a line she is unable to remember while being watched by a barn owl. Realizing she is late to babysit her baby brother Toby, she rushes home and is confronted by her stepmother Irene before she, Sarah has many toys that she has grown out of and realizes that Toby is in possession of her treasured teddy bear Lancelot. Frustrated by this and his constant crying, Sarah rashly wishes Toby be taken away by the Goblin King Jareth and she is shocked when Toby disappears and the Goblin King confronts her then transports her to his kingdom. He refuses to return the baby, but gives Sarah thirteen hours to solve his Labyrinth, Sarah meets a dwarfish man named Hoggle, who aids her in entering the Labyrinth. She has trouble finding turns and corners but then meets a talking worm who inadvertently sends her in the wrong direction, Sarah ends up in an oubliette where she reunites with Hoggle. After they confront Jareth and escape one of his traps, the two encounter a large beast named Ludo, Hoggle cowardly flees while Sarah befriends Ludo. After another riddle, she loses him in a forest, Hoggle encounters Jareth, who gives him a peach and instructs him to give it to Sarah, calling his loyalty into question as he was supposed to lead her out of the maze
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David Rudman
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David Rudman is an American puppeteer, writer, director, producer and musician, best known as a performer of many of Sesame Streets Muppets. He originated the role of Baby Bear and has been nominated for four Emmy Awards for his work replacing Frank Oz in the role of Cookie Monster, however, Oz still comes in to record new material with Cookie Monster occasionally, as well as Grover and Bert. Rudman also took over as Richard Hunts half of the Two-Headed Monster after his death, along with Sonny Friendly, and also he took over for Sully to Jerry Nelsons Biff, the construction workers. He has also taken over two roles once held by Richard Hunt, Scooter, and Janice of Dr. Teeth, Rudman has also written for Hocle and Stoty and Curious Buddies. Rudman was the speaker at the 2005 graduation ceremony for the Illinois Institute of Art—Chicago and he attended Highland Park High School and graduated in 1981. He has been a speaker at the schools biennial Focus on the Arts program since 2003 and he attended college at the University of Connecticut. He has written and produced cartoons for MTV, Disney Channel and he also created Spiffy Pictures, which was in 1991. His cousin is Max Joseph, host and cameraman from MTVs Catfish, david Rudman at the Internet Movie Database Spiffy Pictures
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Jedi
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The Jedi /ˈdʒɛˌdaɪ/ are the main protagonists in the Star Wars universe. They are depicted as an ancient monastic and academic meritocratic organization whose origin dates back to c.25,000 BBY. The Jedi Order mostly consists of polymaths, teachers, philosophers, scientists, engineers, physicians, diplomats and warriors, by serving others, the Jedi give of themselves through acts of charity, citizenship, and volunteerism. A Jedis ideology and strict way of life as a challenge to live up to is a recurring theme in the Star Wars universe. Their traditional weapon is the lightsaber, a device which generates a blade-like plasma controlled by a crystal, the fictional organization has inspired a real-world new religious movement, Jediism. As depicted in the canon, the Jedi study and utilize the Force, in order to help, like their counterparts, the Sith, their main weapon is the lightsaber. By training the mind and the body the Jedi seek to improve themselves by gaining unfettered access to the Force while also seeking to improve those individuals, the film Rogue One suggests that it relates to the planet Jedha, source of the kyber crystals used in lightsabers. George Lucas acknowledged Jedi concepts have been inspired by many sources, the work of the mythologist Joseph Campbell, especially his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, directly influenced Lucas, and was what drove him to create the modern myth of Star Wars. The Lost Twenty was the given to a group of Jedi Masters—numbering twenty in total—who left the Jedi Order throughout its history. The first twelve of these ‘Lost Twenty’ left the Jedi Order before the Third Great Schism, these twelve Masters later became Dark Jedi who eventually founded the first Sith Empire. In the years preceding the Clone Wars, Jedi Master Dooku left the Jedi Order as a result of differences with his fellow Jedi, to commemorate these former Jedi, memorial statue busts were displayed at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The prequel films depict the Jedi in their prime, dealing with the presence of the dark side of the Force and determined to fight their mortal enemies. Once corrupted, Vader helps Palpatine hunt down and destroy all of the Jedi, leaving very few left, such as Jedi Masters Yoda. The first person to be issued this order was Clone Commander Cody, Darth Vader led Operation, Knightfall against the Jedi Temple with the 501st Legion while the rest of the clone army around the galaxy carried out Order 66. Palpatine convinced the people of the Republic that Jedi were corrupted warmongers responsible for prolonging the Clone Wars, Darth Vader continued to hunt and execute surviving Jedi by the thousands during the first 10 years of the Empires history. The Jedi are first introduced in the 1977 motion picture Star Wars as an order of monks who serve as the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy. Obi-Wan Kenobi explains that the Galactic Empire had all but exterminated the Jedi some twenty years before the events of the film, Darth Vader is also established as the Jedis main enemy. By the end of the film, Luke is on the path to becoming a Jedi, the third film in the original trilogy, Return of the Jedi, ends with Luke redeeming Vader and helping to destroy the Empire, thus fulfilling his destiny as a Jedi
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George Lucas
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George Walton Lucas Jr. is an American filmmaker and entrepreneur. He is best known as the creator of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, as well as the founder of Lucasfilm and he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm, before selling it to The Walt Disney Company in 2012. Upon graduating from the University of Southern California in 1967, Lucas co-founded American Zoetrope with fellow filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Lucas wrote and directed THX1138, based on his earlier student short Electronic Labyrinth, THX1138 4EB, which was a critical success but a financial failure. His next work as a writer-director was the film, American Graffiti, inspired by his teen years in early 1960s Modesto, California, the film was critically and commercially successful, and received five Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Following the first Star Wars film, Lucas produced and co-wrote the following installments in the trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back, along with Steven Spielberg, Lucas co-created and wrote the Indiana Jones films Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom, and The Last Crusade. Lucas also produced and/or wrote a variety of films through Lucasfilm in the 1980s and 1990s, Lucas also returned to directing with the Star Wars prequel trilogy, consisting of The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. He later collaborated on the story for the Indiana Jones sequel Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, five of Lucass seven features are among the 100 highest-grossing movies at the North American box office, adjusted for ticket-price inflation. Lucas is one of the American film industrys most financially successful filmmakers, Lucas is considered a significant figure in the New Hollywood era. Lucas was born and raised in Modesto, California, the son of Dorothy Ellinore Lucas and George Walton Lucas and he is of German, Swiss-German, English, Scottish, and distant Dutch and French descent. Growing up, Lucas had a passion for cars and motor racing, on June 12,1962, while driving his souped-up Autobianchi Bianchina, another driver broadsided him, flipping over his car, nearly killing him, causing him to lose interest in racing as a career. He attended Modesto Junior College, where he studied anthropology, sociology and he also began shooting with an 8 mm camera, including filming car races. At this time, Lucas and his friend John Plummer became interested in Canyon Cinema, screenings of underground, avant-garde 16 mm filmmakers like Jordan Belson, Stan Brakhage, and Bruce Conner. Lucas and Plummer also saw classic European films of the time, including Jean-Luc Godards Breathless, François Truffauts Jules et Jim, thats when George really started exploring, Plummer said. Through his interest in racing, Lucas met renowned cinematographer Haskell Wexler, another race enthusiast. Wexler, later to work with Lucas on several occasions, was impressed by Lucas talent, George had a very good eye, and he thought visually, he recalled. Lucas then transferred to the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, USC was one of the earliest universities to have a school devoted to motion picture film. During the years at USC, Lucas shared a room with Randal Kleiser. Along with classmates such as Walter Murch, Hal Barwood, and John Milius and he also became good friends with fellow acclaimed student filmmaker and future Indiana Jones collaborator, Steven Spielberg
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The Empire Strikes Back
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The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screenplay, with George Lucas writing the films story, the film is set three years after Star Wars. The Galactic Empire, under the leadership of the villainous Darth Vader and the Emperor, is in pursuit of Luke Skywalker, while Vader chases a small band of Lukes friends—Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, and others—across the galaxy, Luke studies the Force under Jedi Master Yoda. When Vader captures Lukes friends, Luke must decide whether to complete his training and become a full Jedi Knight or to confront Vader, following a difficult production, The Empire Strikes Back was released on May 21,1980. The film ranks #3 on Empires 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time and it became the highest-grossing film of 1980 and, to date, has earned more than $538 million worldwide from its original run and several re-releases. When adjusted for inflation, it is the sequel of all time. The film was followed by a sequel, titled Return of the Jedi, in 2010, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant. Three years after the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebel Alliance has been driven from their base on Yavin IV by the Galactic Empire. The Rebels, led by Princess Leia, have set up their new base on the ice planet Hoth, the Imperial fleet, led by Darth Vader, continues to hunt for the Rebels’ new base by dispatching probe droids across the galaxy. While investigating a meteor strike, Luke Skywalker is injured and captured by a wampa. He manages to escape from its cave with his lightsaber, the ghost of his late mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, instructs him to go to the Dagobah system to train under Jedi Master Yoda. He is found by Han Solo, who kills his tauntaun, Han and Luke make it through the night and are rescued by a search party. On patrol, Han and Chewbacca discover the meteor Luke had planned to investigate is actually a probe droid, the Empire launches a large-scale attack, using AT-AT Walkers to capture the base. Despite heavy resistance, the Walkers destroy the shield generator. Han and Leia escape on the Millennium Falcon with C-3PO and Chewbacca and they hide in an asteroid field, where Han and Leia grow closer, and eventually, kiss. Vader summons bounty hunters, including the notorious Boba Fett, to assist in finding the Falcon, Luke, meanwhile, escapes with R2-D2 in his X-wing fighter and crash-lands on the swamp planet Dagobah. He meets a creature who is revealed to be Yoda, after conferring with Obi-Wans spirit. Yoda trains Luke as a Jedi and raises his sunken ship from the swamp with the power of the Force, after evading the Empire, Han sets a course for Cloud City, a floating colony in the skies of the gas giant planet Bespin
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Return of the Jedi
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This list of characters from the Star Wars franchise contains only those which are considered part of the official Star Wars canon. C-3PO and R2-D2 are the characters to appear in all films to date
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi
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Star Wars, The Last Jedi is an upcoming American epic space opera film written and directed by Rian Johnson. It is the film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy following Star Wars. The film is produced by Lucasfilm and will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyongo, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, new cast members include Benicio del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran in unconfirmed roles. It was Fishers final film role before her death in December 2016, the film was announced after Disneys acquisition of Lucasfilm in October 2012. It is produced by Ram Bergman and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, John Williams, composer for the previous seven films, returns to compose the score. The Last Jedi is scheduled for release on December 15,2017, a sequel, Star Wars, Episode IX, is scheduled for 2019. Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, an immensely powerful Jedi Master who has been in self-imposed exile on the planet Ahch-To, Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa, twin sister to Luke, former princess of Alderaan, and a leading general in the Resistance. The Last Jedi is Fishers final film role, she died on December 27,2016, Fisher had completed her work on the film before her death. Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Supreme Leader Snokes loyal servant who is strong with the side of the Force. He was born Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, nephew of Luke Skywalker, Daisy Ridley as Rey, a highly Force-sensitive scavenger from the desert planet Jakku who joined the Resistance and goes to find Luke Skywalker. John Boyega as Finn, a stormtrooper of the First Order who defected to the Resistance. Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, an X-wing fighter pilot in the Resistance, Lupita Nyongo as Maz Kanata, a pirate and longtime friend of Han Solo and Chewbacca. Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, the head of the First Orders Starkiller Base. Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, a protocol droid in the service of Leia Organa. Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, the commander of the First Orders stormtroopers, Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke, the mysterious leader of the First Order and Kylo Rens master. Tom Hardy will make an appearance as a stormtrooper. Gary Barlow also has an appearance in the film
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Computer-generated imagery
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The term CGI animation refers to dynamic CGI rendered as a movie. The term virtual world refers to agent-based, interactive environments, Computer graphics software is used to make computer-generated imagery for films, etc. Availability of CGI software and increased computer speeds have allowed artists and small companies to produce professional-grade films, games. This has brought about an Internet subculture with its own set of global celebrities, clichés, the evolution of CGI led to the emergence of virtual cinematography in the 1990s where runs of the simulated camera are not constrained by the laws of physics. Not only do animated images form part of computer-generated imagery, natural looking landscapes are generated via computer algorithms. A simple way to generate fractal surfaces is to use an extension of the triangular mesh method, relying on the construction of special case of a de Rham curve. The creation of a Brownian surface may be achieved not only by adding noise as new nodes are created, thus a topographical map with varying levels of height can be created using relatively straightforward fractal algorithms. Some typical, easy-to-program fractals used in CGI are the plasma fractal, modern architects use services from computer graphic firms to create 3-dimensional models for both customers and builders. These computer generated models can be accurate than traditional drawings. Architectural animation can also be used to see the relationship a building will have in relation to the environment. The rendering of architectural spaces without the use of paper and pencil tools is now an accepted practice with a number of computer-assisted architectural design systems. Architectural modeling tools allow an architect to visualize a space and perform walk-throughs in an interactive manner, Architectural modeling tools have now become increasingly internet-based. However, the quality of internet-based systems still lags behind those of sophisticated in-house modeling systems, in some applications, computer-generated images are used to reverse engineer historical buildings. Computer generated models used in animation are not always anatomically correct. However, organizations such as the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute have developed anatomically correct computer-based models, Computer generated anatomical models can be used both for instructional and operational purposes. To date, a body of artist produced medical images continue to be used by medical students, such as images by Frank H. Netter. However, a number of anatomical models are becoming available. A single patient X-ray is not a computer generated image, even if digitized, however, in applications which involve CT scans a three-dimensional model is automatically produced from a large number of single slice x-rays, producing computer generated image
