Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
Israeli Archaeologists Unearth Entrance Passage to Herod I’s Palace
A team of archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology has discovered a royal passageway to Herodium, an ancient fortified palace built by King Herod I (73 – 4 BC).
“The main feature of the passageway is an impressive corridor with a complex system of arches spanning its width on three separate levels. These arches buttressed the corridor’s massive side-walls, allowing the king and his entourage directly passage into the palace courtyard,” said team members Dr Roi Porat, Dr Yakov Kalman and Dr Rachel Chachy.
“Thanks to the supporting arches, the 20-m-long and 6-m-wide corridor has been preserved to a height of 20 m.”
The corridor, according to the archaeologists, was built as part of Herod’s plan to turn Herodium into a massive artificial volcano-shaped hill.
“Surprisingly, during the course of the excavations, it became evident that the arched corridor was never actually in use, as prior to its completion it became redundant,” they said.
The corridor was back-filled during the construction of the massive artificial hill at the end of Herod’s reign.
“The upper section of a new monumental stairway stretching from the hill’s base to its peak, constructed during the course of this building phase, appears to have been built over it.”
“The excavators point out that not only was the arched corridor covered over in the course of the construction of the hill-monument, but also all the structures earlier built by Herod on the hill’s slopes.”
“During the excavations, the original impressive palace vestibule, blocked when the corridor became redundant, was also exposed.”
“This entry-room, decorated with splendid painted frescoes, had a magnificent entryway leading into it, and offered evidence of the rebel occupation during the Great Revolt (66-71 CE), including Jewish Revolt coinage and crude temporary structures.”
In addition, the excavations in the arched corridor also turned up impressive evidence from the Bar Kokhba Revolt period (132-135/6 CE): hidden tunnels dug by the rebels as part of the guerilla warfare they waged against the Romans.
“Supported in part by wooden beams, these tunnels exited from the hilltop fortress by way of the corridor’s walls, through openings hidden in the corridor. One of the tunnels revealed a well-preserved construction of 20 or so cypress-wood branches, arranged in a cross-weave pattern to support the tunnel’s roof.
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/science-entrance-passage-herod-is-palace-02366.html”
Aerial view of the Herodium complex. Image credit: Tatzpit Aerial Photography.
“Thanks to the supporting arches, the 20-m-long and 6-m-wide corridor has been preserved to a height of 20 m.”
The corridor, according to the archaeologists, was built as part of Herod’s plan to turn Herodium into a massive artificial volcano-shaped hill.
“Surprisingly, during the course of the excavations, it became evident that the arched corridor was never actually in use, as prior to its completion it became redundant,” they said.
Part of the entrance passage. Image credit: Herodium Expedition / Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
“The upper section of a new monumental stairway stretching from the hill’s base to its peak, constructed during the course of this building phase, appears to have been built over it.”
“The excavators point out that not only was the arched corridor covered over in the course of the construction of the hill-monument, but also all the structures earlier built by Herod on the hill’s slopes.”
“During the excavations, the original impressive palace vestibule, blocked when the corridor became redundant, was also exposed.”
Part of the entrance passage. Image credit: Herodium Expedition / Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
In addition, the excavations in the arched corridor also turned up impressive evidence from the Bar Kokhba Revolt period (132-135/6 CE): hidden tunnels dug by the rebels as part of the guerilla warfare they waged against the Romans.
“Supported in part by wooden beams, these tunnels exited from the hilltop fortress by way of the corridor’s walls, through openings hidden in the corridor. One of the tunnels revealed a well-preserved construction of 20 or so cypress-wood branches, arranged in a cross-weave pattern to support the tunnel’s roof.
http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/science-entrance-passage-herod-is-palace-02366.html”
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
"Fast & Furious" director Justin Lin will take over for J.J. Abrams in the director's chair for the next "Star Trek" film.
So ... we can expect warp-speed drag races between the Enterprise and the Klingons?
Actually, that might be kind of cool.
Lin's rep reportedly confirmed the news Monday to the New York Daily News.
Lin knows franchises, directing several of Universal's "Fast & Furious" films, including the massively successful "Fast & Furious 6," which made more than $788 million worldwide.
Abrams, who is credited with successfully rebooting the "Star Trek" series in directing the first two films, is now busy trying to do the same for the "Star Wars" franchise.
![Zachary Quinto as Spock and Chris Pine as Kirk in "Star Trek Into Darkness."](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_seT1xk1gWSTg9QLrfPN2wUmVESoBIAqenT1xkpNBD0_0jR0Fc5cJfRnp6dZ892gMZeFXFsyqYefFO4D8QokeQfLwgh5SJwbvvNZ6Us3V20OEKg1DCyQvx5vWKbx7igkLhQz07WWP8vAiUI2FXwTy1WzDyThL1NI0Fjy-sAdmz8V4xEZZOfAsk=s0-d "Zachary Quinto as Spock and Chris Pine as Kirk in "Star Trek Into Darkness."")
Zachary Quinto as Spock and Chris Pine as Kirk in "Star Trek Into Darkness." (Zade Rosenthal/Paramount)
Roberto Orci co-wrote the first two rebooted "Star Trek" films and was lined up to direct the third one, but he left the job earlier this month. He will still serve as a writer and producer. The film is scheduled to hit theaters in 2016.
Tony Hicks writes celebrity commentary for the Bay Area News Group. Contact him atFacebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks orTwitter.com/tonyhicks67
http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_27195228/fast-furious-director-taking-over-star-trek
Saturday, December 13, 2014
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens": New Characters' Names Revealed on Trading Cards Source: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-New-Characters-Names-Revealed.
J.J. Abrams has unveiled the latest trick up his Jedi-reviving sleeve: He's revealing the names of the new characters populating "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" via old-fashioned trading cards--which will make for quite the holiday gift for fans, especially those whose collection was founded on the original "Star Wars" Topps trading cards that were all the rage back in 1977.
But of course, as is the case with trading cards--only a handful are being released at a time.
ight cards have been released to start, per a sneak peek obtained by EW.com, including the Stormtrooper (or perhaps an ally disguised as a Stormtrooper) played by John Boyega, one of the few humans to make it into the teaser trailer.
![[NATL] The New Faces of "Star Wars"](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s-zA681H4Vp6W6tLtnthnCfeD2KzHnxLx9pX2FP32cDOXCkBUkxj7lp2N8Cx5MYq7dBLOVpsRBVAE8jkMJWu07C9BD5EUgb4sdtGkfCNDC6rpgjK-iH91IMuV5k4mzBVIC=s0-d)
And his name is Finn.
"Finn on the run" is his card, No. 76. The rest are as follows:
No. 11: BB-8 on the move. (A promisingly adorable baby droid.)
No. 53: Poe Dameron in his X-Wing. (Oscar Isaac takes flight)
No. 67: Kylo Ren ignites his Lightsaber. (The still mysterious hooded figure from the trailer.)
No. 74: Rey on her Speeder. (Daisy Ridley goes for a ride.)
No. 81: Stormtroopers prepare for battle. (You've seen what that looks like before.)
No. 88: X-Wings in formation. (Cool.)
No. 96: The Millennium Falcon. (Cooler.)
Source: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-New-Characters-Names-Revealed-285571071.html#ixzz3LioPeR1a
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
Sunday, December 7, 2014
L.M.A. O this funny You’ve Seen the New ‘Star Wars’ Trailer — But Have You Seen the Old Actors in Their New Roles? Here’s ‘SNL’s’ Take.
Han Solo can’t drive, Luke Skywalker’s on a million medications — ”I have a thyroid problem, like my father before me” — and Leia can’t work R2-D2.
Is this what’s in store for the geriatric cast of the new ‘Star Wars’ movie?
Watch the clip below:
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/jingle-ballerz-special/2832822
Friday, December 5, 2014
Terminator Genisys Movie - Official Trailer
Published on Dec 4, 2014
He's back. Watch the new Terminator Genisys trailer starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.http://TerminatorMovie.com
MINECRAFT STAR WARS: Episode VII- THE FORCE AWAKENS! (Minecraft Animation)
Published on Dec 4, 2014
Thanks for 500 subscribers! Here's to 500 more! *heart*Subscribe For More Animations! ➪ http://bit.ly/JoinTheXKats
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatKastleFilms
Thursday, December 4, 2014
These 50 Behind-the-Scenes Pictures of the Original Star Wars Cast Will Make You Smile/ 46 Thur 50
46. I don't know what's going on on Mark Hamill's t-shirt, but I like it
47. Peter Mayhew and Anthony Daniels, happy as hell to not be wearing their costumes
48. Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker, also happy to be out of his costume (and in a Playboy t-shirt)
49. Irvin Kershner's forbidden love, exposed
50. Mark Hamill, getting ready to film one of the most pivotal scenes in movie history. Or he stuck his hand into a thing of cake batter.
BONUS: This is what Boba Fett ACTUALLY LOOKED LIKE (when he was played by a different actor for reshoots for the Star Wars Special Editions)
These 50 Behind-the-Scenes Pictures of the Original Star Wars Cast Will Make You Smile, 41 Thur 45
41. Throwing snowballs onset with Carrie Fisher (if you have any more cocaine jokes to make, here is the place to do it)
42. Peter Mayhew's probably smiling too, but we'll never know for sure
43. What a nerfherder
44. Mark Hamill, a third wheel in his own movie series
45. Harrison Ford, storyteller
These 50 Behind-the-Scenes Pictures of the Original Star Wars Cast Will Make You Smile, 35 Thur 40, Check out number 40 It Funny/ Carrie Fisher, not takin' the Stormtroopers seriously (which is pretty fair, given....they're Stormtroopers)
36. Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, both looking fabulous
37. Carrie Fisher and Chewie's secret love tryst
38. Carrie Fisher, all tuckered out
39. Mark Hamill, not takin' this stuff seriously
40. Carrie Fisher, not takin' the Stormtroopers seriously (which is pretty fair, given....they're Stormtroopers)
These 50 Behind-the-Scenes Pictures of the Original Star Wars Cast Will Make You Smile 31 Thur 35
31. Well, that's cheaper than hiring extras
32. George Lucas, getting the most out of his actors
33. Carrie Fisher hangin' with 12 year old Ewok Warwick Davis
34. Carrie Fisher and George Lucas, both totally incredulous he ACTUALLY GOT AWAY WITH MAKING HER WEAR THIS
35. Warwick Davis, being a total 12 year old diva on-set (just kidding, it sounds like he was the most polite, delightful kid ever)
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