“You have a moral responsibility when you’ve been given far more than you need, to do wise things with it and give intelligently”.

If your going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk.  The Harry Potter author has done just that to the tune of $15 million dollars.  A huge chunk of coin, even for someone as wealthy as herself.

Having lost her mother 20 years ago to MS,  Jo (JK’s real name) gave the donation to the University of Edinburgh, saying in a statement, “Edinburgh has given me so much that I have been looking for a way to give something meaningful back to the city for a long time. I cannot think of anything more important, or of more lasting value, than to help the university attract world-class minds in the field on neuroregeneration, to build on its long and illustrious history of medical research and, ultimately, to seek a cure for a very Scottish disease.”  (Scotland has one of the worlds highest rates of MS).

Named after Jo’s mother, The Anne Rowling Regnerative Neurology Clinic will also study treatments for such diseases as Parkinson’s and Alzheimers.

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Just in time for Comic-Con, Marvel Studios have signed on the actor to take over the role of Bruce Banner (The Hulk), and of course they trotted him out on stage with the rest of the cast that makes up The Avengers last night.

From left to right, Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth (yum) as Thor, Chris Evans (double yum) as Captain America, Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, followed by Director Joss Wheldon and Marvel Studios Kevin Fiege.

I don’t know about you, but when I first saw this I had a nerdgasim.  Apparently, the geeks in the audience (and there were several thousand) went nuts.

Debate is already raging with fanboys (who can be as fussy as old women when it comes to these things) about Mark Ruffalo taking over the role of Bruce Banner.  Personally, I don’t see a problem with it.  Mark’s a very talented actor and is apparently great to work with, which is what the studio was looking for.

With Joss Wheldon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) on board expect cracking sharp dialogue and a great story.  Can’t wait to see who the big bad is that The Avengers do battle with.

Captain America and Thor will be coming to the screen next summer, and The Avengers is scheduled for a summer 2012 release.

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Everyone’s favorite serial killer of killers is back for a fifth season starting in September 26th on Showtime.  The trailer premiered at Comic-Con in San Diego the other day.

“Sins may be forgiven, but conscience is a killer.”  Great tagline.

I haven’t seen season four myself yet, but heard what happened (the perils of being a pop culture and TV junkie).  However, I’ve found that with most things, it’s all about the journey, not the destination.

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Actually, it’s veteran actress Jackie Hoffman (Hairspray, The Addams Family) doing a spoof of Alejandro for The Battery’s Down, a series of on- line clips starring Broadway actors.

Just as much fun as the real thing and only a third as long.  Sometimes less is more.

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Do you match Mad Men on AMC ?  If not, do yourself a favor and get thee to a video store to rent the first three seasons on disc.  It’s probably one of the best shows on television right now.

When last we left the gang, it was Christmas 1963, and Don Draper and the gang had just…. nah.  I won’t spoil it for those who have yet to see it.

I gather from the poster that the new season will pick up with not too much time having past from when we left off and leave it at that.

July 25th?  Can’t wait.

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Here’s some news you can sink your fangs into.

HBO has confirmed that True Blood will be back for a fourth season in the summer of 2011.  Was there ever any doubt with the show’s ratings continue to climb? 

Showrunner and creator Alan Ball says “this is the most fun” he’s ever had working on a television series. 

If your not watching you should.  It’s like an R rated version of Buffy, with less vamp-fu.

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Winning the “Generation Award”, which was presented to her by Betty White at the MTV Movie Awards last night, Sandra Bullock brought her trademark quick wit, honesty, and naughty streak, planting one on a more than game Scarlett Johannsan, who was there stepping in for husband Ryan Reynolds, who’s busy filming the Green Lantern. 

Sandra ensured everyone that she’s “not going anywhere” (rumours about her retiring from acting have been floating around) and asked, “Can we please go back to normal because therapy is really expensive. Go back to making fun of me, I don’t care, it’s time to get back to normal.”

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Bad news for the MTV Movie Awards, which been bragging about Sandra’s scheduled appearance on their show tonight as her first public one since all that unpleasantness came to light last March.

Sandra showed up on stage to collect an award for the “Troops Choice” for Entertainer of the Year, along with reps from the US Army, Coast Guard and Marines Corps, along with Robert Downy Jr.

Proving her sense of humour has remained intact despite everything she’s been put through, Sandra’s acceptance speech went as follows,   ”Let’s be honest here, just for a moment. We’re all going to be honest, right? Did I win this for being entertainer of the year, or did I win this because of the spectacular I.E.D. [improvised explosive device] explosion that became my personal life?” 

“No, it’s okay. Because I would do it over again if it was to entertain our troops, and our extraordinary troops deserve something much more than some actress in a tight dress talking about herself.  I would sing, but you’ve seen enough pain in your lifetime. I would dance – I’m a pretty good dancer, but as I mentioned, the dress is pretty tight.”

Heh.  Always classy and a little self depricating.  This is exactly why so many people like Sandra.

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Jason Bateman (left) and Dustin Hoffman (right) show everyone up by sharing a lip lock at the Lakers/Celtics game the other night in LA when the kiss-cam zeroed in on them.

To all would be singers looking to shock and awe by locking lips with a member of the same gender, this is how you do it.

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Unless your a fan of Justin Bieber’s music, watch this with the volume off.  The action happens at the 0:05 mark.

Revolving doors, a perfect example of post modern Darwinisim.

Happy Friday!

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