TOP TWELVE BETTER NAMES FOR THE IPHONE

Commentary by Don Rose

The great irony of the iPhone is that the Phone part is now but one small sliver of what this device does. People seem to spend much more time doing the NONphone activities afforded by the iPhone than the phone part. The sprouting of thousands of applications for this device makes it, as Leo LaPorte says, more of a mini superportable computer than a phone, something worthy of a new category of device.

Perhaps, then, the iPhone needs a new name.
At least that is what iThink. Here are my iNitial iDeas:

iRony - see first sentence above.

iVerything - since it does, just about, everything.

iKnow - with the iPhone, you truly can know it all, you know-it-all -- thanks to the net connection and all the apps.

iApps - again, the apps is the haps; they truly make the iPhone the versatile wonder that it is.

iAll - you can do it all, in the palm of your hand (sorry, Palm, if you think I'm Pre-mature).

iT - since this really is the current "it" device. Plus, iT can also stand for "internet technologies" or "integrated tech".

iThink -- therefore, I app. See, I even wrote a new ad slogan for you, Apple.

iThere - the i(nternet) is, like, there! And it takes me there. There, another new name and slogan. You taking notes, Apple?

iDo - since users truly are married to this device, and it lets you do almost anything.

iLoveit - users do.

iDeal - since the device really is ideal for most people, and it is a great deal for what you get.

iFun - my favorite new moniker of them all. Listen: iFun even sounds like iPhone!

There you have it. New names for the iPhone that better fit its awesome, broad capabilities.

And as for Apple itself, well, maybe they need a new name too. A subtle change. Like... APPle.

OBAMA EXPLAINS IT ALL: CAIRO SPEECH DELIVERS BOLD, AMBITIOUS VISION FOR WORLD PEACE AND PROSPERITY BY GETTING PAST THE PAST

The President, Clearly Striving to Improve America's Image in the Eyes of Muslims, Brings Message of Positive Change Overseas; Emphasizes Need for All Religions and Nations To Live and Work Together in Peace, By Finding Common Ground Rather Than Focusing On Differences and Discord

Commentary by Don Rose

President Obama seemed to be, for 54 minutes at least, the World President. While his inspiring speech at the University of Cairo made a special appeal to Muslims in several sections, Obama's message transcended nations, with words undeniable in their logic, delivered with a controlled passion that seemed to be saying, Wake up, world! It's me, Barack, and I believe we're ready for a new way of thinking. Our world can do better. He implored his audience to let go of status quo, and listen to what we know. That we can and should listen and learn from each other. That we all have basic human rights, and no one is more right than others. He gave examples from history showing how numerous nations and peoples have suffered injustices and pain, but we can and must move forward to write a new chapter in history.

Obama often sounded like a kind of world parent, implying that it is time to set aside childish things and grow up on a global scale. For example, he discussed how both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered terribly, but each side must change if there is to be lasting peace. Palestinians must abandon violence, Obama said (pointing out that it was peaceful resistance, not violence, which brought about change for blacks in America) -- but Israel must stop settlements and accept Palestine's right to exist (just as Palestine must recognize Israel). Our President, the man of mixed race, the American with the Muslim middle name, is the one American leader in recent memory who could make such statements with such conviction, imploring Muslims, Christians and Jews to go beyond painful history to a new, peaceful destiny.

Obama ended his exceptional speech with a reference to the Golden Rule, and this seemed to indeed summarize his overarching message. "Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you" are words that transcend borders. The words are ancient, yet transcend time. They still apply here in the 21st century, and are more needed than ever. But perhaps the main accomplishment of Obama's speech was to show how an American President can set out a bold vision to the entire world and challenge all nations to live up to it, without sounding condescending, preachy or demanding. He knows that we are better than we have been.

Sure, some might call Obama's message pollyanna, or criticize him for stating too broad a vision. But that's what I find most endearing about this man who continues to break barriers -- his ongoing, passionate, unwavering Audacity of Hope. He is not afraid to lay out a vision that shoots for the stars. Now we need to build the (international-relations) ship to reach that stellar destination. I just hope the citizens of the world can become as audacious as Obama, because in this time of giant global challenges, audacious thinking may be the best (and only) way to envision the solutions we need to survive as a species.

JUN 2 - JUL 28: KCET WESTSIDE CINEMA SERIES OPENS AT THE AERO, PRESENTED BY THE JAMES AND PAULA COBURN FOUNDATION

Pete Hammond Hosts Weekly Series of First-Run Feature Films Prior to Theatrical Release with Q & A Sessions Immediately Following Screenings at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica

KCET, public television for Southern and Central California, presents a new line-up of films for its KCET Cinema Series, a perennial weekly screening series of Hollywood movies, independent films and foreign pictures shown prior to their theatrical releases, beginning on Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. Hosted by film expert and journalist Pete Hammond, each film is immediately followed by a Q&A giving attendees the unique the opportunity to meet and discuss the film with filmmakers. The series is generously presented by the James and Paula Coburn Foundation, the estate of the late actor James Coburn and his wife, the late actress Paula Coburn.

The KCET Cinema Series takes place Tuesdays beginning June 2 and concludes on July 28. Tickets are $175 per person. For reservations or to charge by phone, please contact KCET Special Events at (323) 953-5800. All proceeds from the series benefit KCET. KCET members receive a 10 % discount.

The schedule of films is included below; however, there are some dates that have not yet been finalized. All films and guests are subject to change without notice. For more information please visit www.kcet.org/specialevents or call 323.953.5800.

JUNE 2 - The Proposal (Touchstone Pictures)

Sandra Bullock plays a highly successful, tough-as-nails boss who forces her young assistant into an engagement so she can get a green card and avoid deportation. Ryan Reynolds and Betty White co-star in this absolutely hilarious and winning romanticcomedy that promises to be one of the surprise hits of summer. Q&A with director Anne Fletcher

JUNE 9 - The Stoning of Soraya M. (Roadside Attractions)

Direct from the Cannes Film Festival where it was sold internationally, this powerful, controversial and gripping true story set in 1986 tells the story of a reporter whose car breaks down in a small Iranian village where a woman proceeds to tell him thestory of her niece Soraya whose arranged marriage to a tyrant ends tragically. Sure to be one of the most talked about films of the year. Q&A with stars Shohreh Aghdashloo (Oscar® nominee for The House of Sand And Fog), Mozhan Marno and director/co-writer Cyrus Nowrasteh.

JUNE 16 - My Sister’s Keeper (New Line Cinema)

Based on the best selling book, this heart-wrenching story focuses on teenage Anna, a young veteran of many surgeries who seeks medical emancipation from her parents who conceived her as a bone-marrow donor to help keep her older sister, a Leukemiavictim since childhood, alive. From Nick Cassavetes, director of The Notebook. Stars Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Jason Patric, and Sofia Vassilieva. Q&A with talent from the film and Oscar® Award- winning producer Mark Johnson (Rainman).

JUNE 23 - The Answer Man (Magnolia Pictures)

A huge hit at the Sundance Film Festival, this romantic comedy about Arlen Faber, reclusive author of the 20 year old self-help phenomenon, Me And God, a cult best-seller that positioned him for two decades as the man who had all the answers. His newfound relationship becomes complicated with a single mom searching for answers, but the truth is he doesn’t have a clue. Stars Tony Award nominated actor, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Taylor Pucci, and Kat Dinnings. Q&A with writer/director John Hindman.

JUNE 30 - Adam (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Soon after moving in to her new apartment, Beth a brainy, beautiful writer emotionally damaged by a past relationship encounters Adam, the handsome but odd neighbor downstairs whose awkwardness is perplexing. The film is a moving and unusual romanticdrama. It garnered the Alfred P. Sloan dramatic film prize at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Stars Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, Peter Gallagher, and Amy Irving. Q&A with writer/director Max Mayer

JULY 7 - 500 Days of Summer (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

The film is an offbeat romantic comedy about a woman who doesn’t believe that love exists and the idealistic young man who falls for her head-over-heels. “It’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s romantic and it’s utterly heartbreaking. Without question one of thebest films to grace the Sundance Film Festival and one of the best films anyone will see all year.” – Cinema Blend. Q&A with stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, and director Marc Webb.

JULY 14 TBD
JULY 21 TBD
JULY 28 TBD

About KCET

KCET, the West Coast flagship station of PBS, is public television for Southern and Central California. KCET is watched by four million viewers a month in 11 counties, the largest broadcast reach of any public television station in the United States. National PBS series produced from the station’s Hollywood studios include three-time NAACP Award winner Tavis Smiley and the Peabody Award-winning series A Place Of Our Own and Los Niños En Su Casa, produced as part of KCEd™, the station’s educationalprogramming initiative. Other KCET productions for PBS include Sid The Science Kid, co-produced for PBS by KCET and the Henson Company. Currently in production are The Time to Care, the third KCEd production, and WWII: Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, theNazis and the West, a six-hour documentary series premiering on PBS in May 2009. Throughout its more than 40-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children’s programs, itsoutreach and community services, and its Web site, kcet.org. KCET is donor-supported community television. More than half of the funds raised to support KCET’s operating budget come from individual support. For additional information about KCETproductions, Web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit www.kcet.org.

About the James and Paula Coburn Foundation

The James and Paula Coburn Foundation (JPCF) is a tax exempt private foundation that supports charitable organizations devoted to the arts and sciences. The foundation is committed to upholding the Coburns’ dedication to local and internationaladvancement through music, art, education, as well as physical and spiritual health.

About Pete Hammond

In his eighth year as host of the KCET Cinema Series, five-time Emmy® nominee Pete Hammond is a writer, producer and film expert whose commentary on the film industry has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, EntertainmentWeekly, New York Magazine, Ocean Drive, Fox New Channel’s The O’Reilly Factor, NBC Nightly News With Tom Brokaw, Evening News With Brian Williams on MSNBC, the CBC, BBC, Bravo Network, Extra, E! Entertainment and many others. Hammond is currently film critic for Maxim magazine and Maxim Online. He has been a contributor to Variety and V Life, including numerous articles on the Cannes Film Festival, AFI Fest and awards season, as well as a longtime contributor and filmreviewer for Leonard Maltin’s Movie And Video Guide. He has also served as coordinating producer for Access Hollywood, where he ran their movie coverage. He had similar posts at Extra and Entertainment Tonight, where he coordinated that show’s filmcoverage for its first decade on the air. In 1996 he was honored with the Publicists Guild Of America’s Press Award, annually given to “an outstanding member of the press who lends credit to the entertainment industry.”

MISSING MARILYN MONROE: LIFE Reveals Exclusive Never Before Published Photos of MM Before She Was Famous

Posted by Don Rose

June 1, 2009 would have been the 83rd birthday of Marilyn Monroe. To celebrate, Life.com released newly discovered photos of the iconic actress . The year was 1950 and she was just 24, spending a day at L.A.’s Griffith Park. The negatives for these photos were recently discovered during the ongoing effort to digitize LIFE's immense and storied photo archive, including outtakes and entire shoots that never saw the light of day.

The photos feature Marilyn early in her career as she'd just begun to grab attention. Three months before the shoot she appeared as a crooked lawyer's girlfriend in "The Asphalt Jungle," and two months after she had a small role as an aspiring starlet in "All About Eve."

"She was unknown then, so I was able to spend a lot of time shooting her," said Life photographer Ed Clark. "I sent several rolls to Life in New York, but they wired back, 'Who the hell is Marilyn Monroe?'"

See and read about the stunning photos at: http://www.life.com/image/88047985/in-gallery/27412.

August 1950: A 24-year-old Marilyn, wearing a simple button-down shirt monogrammed with her initials, leans against a tree in Los Angeles' Griffith Park for LIFE photographer Ed Clark. (Photo: Ed Clark/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

JUN 1: KARE3OKE E3 PARTY AT CAFFE BRASS MONKEY IN KOREATOWN; FREE, NO RSVP NEEDED, OPEN BAR, 21+, 5 GAMER SITE SPONSORS, 7PM-MIDNIGHT

Hey gamers! If you are over 21, there is an open E3 Expo party tonight June 1, 2009 from 7pm to midnight; below is the info from www.gonintendo.com (the address for Caffe Brass Monkey is 659 S. Mariposa Ave., near Wilshire and Normandie, in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles 90005 - (213) 381-7047):

Do you live near Los Angeles? Do you like to party? Are you 21 or older? Come hang with us at the KarE3oke bash!

It's no secret that we're friends with the good guys over at Destructoid. When we heard that they had plans of an E3 bash, we wanted to help out! Now we're co-sponsoring the event alongside Hammersuit, GamersGate and IndustryGamers, and we want you there!
Where - Caffe Brass Monkey
When - 7:00 PM PST on Monday, June 1st
Who - Staff from GoNintendo, Destructoid, Hammersuit, GamersGate, IndustryGamers, gaming personalities and industry members, and you!
Please, PLEASE make sure you show up as early as possible, as space is limited. No need for an RSVP. By the way, those that enjoy drinking will be happy to know that there's an open bar. If you don't drink, you can come toss back some Shirley Temples with me! Yes, both Cort and I will be hanging out and saying hey to any and all that want to talk. Trust me, we aren't that exciting! You can get more details here, as well as bar information here. We'd love to see you!