Ticking News

David Fincher ’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story, re-teams the director with Brad Pitt, who takes on the title role. [1]

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. [2]

David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story, re-teams the director with Brad Pitt, who takes on the title role. [3]

Benjamin Button Official Movie Site, with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett pictures, links to the Benjamin Button trailer, and an interactive timeline. [4]

Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences. [5]

The film stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages in reverse and Cate Blanchett as the love interest throughout his life. [6]

The movie has a sort of Burtonesque whimsy, though it is textured in a way that none of his films are. [7]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a 2008 American fantasy -drama film directed by David Fincher. [6]

This sweeping film follows the character’s unusual life into the 21st century as he experiences joy and sadness, loves lost and found, and the meaning of timelessness. [...] What makes Button such a curious case is that when he is born in New Orleans just after World War I, he is already in his eighties, and proceeds to live his life aging in reverse. [1]

Sources:
[1] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Information from Answers.com
[2] Amazon.com: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (9781416556053): F …
[3] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button | Moviefone
[4] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
[5] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - IMDb
[6] The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (film) - Wikipedia, the free …
[7] Amazon.com: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (The Criterion …

With a winning blend of power, comfort and fuel efficiency, the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is one of the segment’s top picks. [1]

The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is neither subsonic nor supersonic’but it’s a good, sound choice and a world better than the Aveo it replaces. [2]

The second generation Aveo debuted in January 2011, marketed globally as the Chevrolet Aveo; in North America, the Middle East, Chile, Israel, Japan, Mexico, and South Africa as the Chevrolet Sonic; and in Australasia as the Holden Barina. [3]

For instance, you’ll need to reach to LT or LTZ models to be able to option to the 1.4T engine, and some tech essentials like USB (with full iPod control) and Bluetooth are optional and only offered on the top-of-the-line LTZ model. [2]

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 1.8-liter, I4, 138-horsepower engine. [4]

The Kalos was sold in three available body styles: a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback from the beginning of production in 2002, and a 3-door hatchback available in certain European markets beginning in 2005. [3]

Choose at least two cars (up to 4) to see how they compare on price, features, and performance. [4]

Base versions of the Sonic come with a normally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder, but it’s the turbocharged, 1.4-liter (1.4T) engine that’s the pick of the lineup, for its fatter torque curve and smoother, more refined demeanor. [5]

Hatchback has less maximum cargo capacity than some rivals. [...] A 1.8-liter inline-4 produces a healthy 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque, while the even more desirable turbocharged 1.4-liter matches this horsepower and increases torque to a remarkably robust 148 lb-ft; you won’t find a car with more hp or torque in this segment. [1]

Sources:
[1] 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
[2] 2012 Chevrolet Sonic (Chevy) Reviews and Ratings - The Car Connection
[3] Chevrolet Aveo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[4] 2012 Chevrolet Sonic | New Chevrolet Hatchbacks - Yahoo! Autos
[5] Chevrolet Sonic (Chevy) Photos, Prices, Reviews, Specs - The Car …

The Strait of Hormuz (red arrow) relative to the Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf. [1]

A military personnel participates in the Velayat-90 war game on Sea of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran December 28, 2011. [2]

Iran’s Navy Commander Admiral Habibollah Sayari points at a map during a press conference in Tehran on December 22, 2010, as saying that Iran will launch 10 days of naval drills from December 24, covering east of Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden. [3]

Since it doesn’t have nuclear weapons yet, Iran is playing the lone trump card in its hand: threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz through which Persian Gulf oil flows to fuel much of the world’s economy. [4]

Video: Iran’s navy chief is warning that his country can easily close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf if Western nations go ahead with sanctions, responding to Iran’s nuclear program. [5]

Like many marine chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz has long commanded the attention of empires and their navies. [6]

, a George Washington University professor who has written about the Strait of Hormuz. [7]

The U.S. strongly warned Iran on Wednesday against closing a vital Persian Gulf waterway that carries one-sixth of the world’s oil supply, after Iran threatened to choke off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz if Washington imposes sanctions targeting the country’s crude exports. [8]

Tehran’s threat to block traffic through the crucial passage for Middle Eastern crude suppliers followed the European Union’s decision to tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, as well as accompanying moves by the United States to tighten unilateral sanctions. [2]

Iran’s threat followed European Union foreign ministers’ decision to tighten sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program and leave the door open to the possibility of an oil embargo, and moves by the United States to expand sanctions as well. [7]

Sources:
[1] Strait of Hormuz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[2] Iran warns U.S. over Strait of Hormuz | Reuters
[3] Iran: Strait Of Hormuz, Key Oil Supply Route, Easily Closed
[4] Can Iran Close the Strait of Hormuz? | Battleland | TIME.com
[5] Iran unlikely to block oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz …
[6] Analysis: Saber-rattling in Strait of Hormuz - CNN.com
[7] Closing Strait of Hormuz not so easy for Iran: analysts - Yahoo! News
[8] Strait of Hormuz Topics Page - USATODAY.com

University spokesman John Shibley said he and his colleagues were surprised that “amazing” hadn’t already graced the archive of about 900 banished words. [1]

Last, but not least, on the list of banished words and phrases is “thank you in advance.” [2]

“I chose to transfer to Lake Superior State University because of the personal attention I would receive. [3]

A northern Michigan school on Friday released its 37th annual list of words and phrases that it believes should be “banished” from the English language, and it suggests that some classic — and perhaps hackneyed — should get the ax. [4]

It seemed to bother people everywhere, as nominations were sent from around the US and Canada and some from overseas, including Israel, England and Scotland, according to Lake Superior State University. [...] The word banishment list was created in 1975 by former Lake Superior State Public Relations Director Bill Rabe and his friends at a New Year’s Eve Party. [5]

Michigan’s Lake Superior State University is featuring those phrases in its annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. [1]

Michigan’s Lake Superior State University is featuring those phrases in its annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. [6]

Amazing, occupy, man cave, baby bump are some of the words that are on Lake Superior State University’s annual List of Words Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. [7]

Former LSSU public relations director Bill Rabe and friends created word banishment at a New Year’s Eve party in 1975 and released the first list the following day. [2]

Sources:
[1] “Amazing” tops 2012 list of “banished” words - CBS News
[2] This year’s banished words list is simply amazing - The Sault Star …
[3] Lake Superior State University :: Banished Words List :: Banished …
[4] ‘Amazing,’ ‘baby bump’ among words added to Michigan school’s …
[5] ‘Amazing’ Tops Words Banished List ? CBS Detroit
[6] ‘Amazing’ highlights Lake Superior State’s 2012 banished words …
[7] “Amazing” tops words banished list | wtsp.com

After a mediocre career at light-heavyweight, Alistair Overeem decided to add more muscle to his 6′5″ frame and reinvented himself as a heavyweight. [1]

When it was announced that Strikeforce had decided to remove its Heavyweight Champion, Alistair Overeem, from their World Heavyweight Grand Prix, many fans and insiders pointed to Overeem’s departure as a strong indicator that Zuffa had no plans for Strikeforce after its deal with Showtime ran out. [2]

Join us at Bloody Elbow at 1am ET/10 pm PT for live coverage of the UFC 141 post-fight press conference. [1]

Overeem (35-11), who has held belts in multiple promotions, was released from Strikeforce in July despite having one fight remaining on his contract. [3]

UFC 141 video with Alistair Overeem, going behind the scenes as he prepares to fight Brock Lesnar in the main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Dec. 30, 2011. [1]

My first fight against Badr Hari was also a special accomplishment; people never thought I could win that fight and beat him in the first round via KO. [4]

But he’s also got a fight brewing the court room just to keep the purse he’ll earn for the bout, which is now being held in escrow by a Nevada court. [1]

The smart money is on Brock Lesnar to win the Dec. 30 MMA heavyweight tilt against ex-Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem, writes ESPN.com’s Chad Dundas. [3]

Many people argue over how the main event between Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum went down, with many agreeing that it was a bad fight that proved relatively little for both fighters. [2]

He is the former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, Dream Interim Heavyweight Champion, K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, and made history by being the only fighter in combat sports to hold a world title in both MMA and K-1 kickboxing at the same time. [5]

Sources:
[1] Alistair Overeem Fight News - SB Nation MMA
[2] alistair overeem ? Fighters.com / Mixed Martial Arts News
[3] Brock Lesnar-Alistair Overeem fight set for Dec. 30 in Vegas - ESPN
[4] Alistair “The Reem” Overeem - Official UFC? Fighter Profile
[5] Alistair Overeem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia