Blog Magazine

Movie Franchises That Need to End

While we’re ecstatic Christopher Nolan et al reinvigorated the Batman franchise, Entertainment Weekly’s list “14 Movies We Think Should Stop” reminds us that not all movie franchises are created equal. Case in point: this week’s opening of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor inspired EW's list. Sure Tomb of Dragon's trailer is cool and the cast includes Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh but we’d rather go see The Dark Knight again.

Top Brangelina Stories This Week in Magazines

While People magazine has won the bidding war for the first Brangelina twin baby photos—the estimated amount is between $10 and $15 million—the rumor mill has cranked out the tidbit that Bono has agreed to be the twins’ godfather. Food & Wine magazine recommends family-friendly restaurants and kid-friendly French recipes for the Jolie-Pitt clan and other large family units. Still, Vanity Fair magazine declared the worldly couple best-dressed.

Fresh From Your Local Farmers' Market

In the U.S. the average distance food travels from farm to consumer plate is at least 1,500 miles. The journey requires a lot of fuel and produces a significant amount of greenhouse gases. One simple way to reduce the distance and pollution—and put money back into your local economy— is shopping at your local farmers’ market. In the July/August issue of Vegetarian Times writer Barbara Tunick lists 10 practical tips on how to make the most of shopping at farmers’ markets. The issue also features fast and easy recipes for your farmers’ market finds.

The Girl in the Shadow of The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight was once again No. 1 at the box office over the weekend—reaching a historical $314.2 million in 10 days—and is closing in on more record-breaking numbers. In the midst of this historical success is actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, who co-stars in the blockbuster as Bruce Wayne/Harvey Dent love-interest (and district attorney) Rachel Dawes. In this month’s issue of Marie Claire Gyllenhaal, who first found success in a handful of quirky indie movies, talks career, motherhood and Heath Ledger.

Good Money Advice

While the current issue of Money boasts the magazine's annual "America's Best Places to Live" ratings, don't miss out on a handful of other must-read articles.

Our picks: "What Price Glory?" Chronicles and compares the financial journeys of two Olympic-bound athletes, one Chinese and one American--an interesting spin on the road to the Olympics.

"An Ikea Field Guide" A practical shopping strategy with tips on how to stick to your list for the world's largest retailer and mastermind at psychological marketing.

"3 Things to Know About Online Health Records" Whether you know it or not this is an increasingly hot topic and one everyone needs to educate themselves on--read about who (Google, Microsoft and WebMD to name a few) is providing online tools for managing your medical records online and the risks.

"The Smartest Advice I Ever Got" Money magazine staffers compiled money lessons learned by 35 successful people--including Author ("The Four-Hour Workweek") Timothy Ferriss, Craiglist Founder Craig Newmark and Harvard University Professor of Economics David Laibson.

Fannie, Freddie and You

Tomorrow the Senate is expected to pass the new housing legislation, which the House passed earlier this week. So what does this mean for the economy? The Economist weighs in on the legislation and the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac panic in an eight-page special section this week chronicling the profoundly imperfect American system of housing finance. U.S. News & World Report also discusses the historic legislation with the article "How the New Housing Legislation Affects You."

People Magazine: Family Campaign

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and his family are the latest political family to grace the cover of People magazine. From Carter to Clinton, several politicians and their families have landed on the cover of the celebrity magazine in the last 34 years.

Road Rage: Fight for the Yellow Jersey Continues

Today Carlos Sastre of Spain took the lead in the 17th stage of the Tour de France. For full coverage of the world's largest cycle race including trivia, history and 20 greatest riders, check out Bicycling Magazine.

21st Century Begins with Flashy Magazine Cover

Esquire magazine turns 75 this year and to celebrate the iconic men's magazine plans to go electronic--a first for magazines--on its cover with the battery-powered flashing headline "The 21st Century Begins Now." While E Ink is the company behind the innovative cover, Ford Motor is the sponsor with its own flashy ad on the inside cover to promote its new minivan-suv. “Magazines have basically looked the same for 150 years,” David Granger, Esquire editor in chief, says in the New York Times. “I have been frustrated with the lack of forward movement in the magazine industry.”

Batman Beats Spider-Man

Yes, in these rough economic times Batman sequel The Dark Knight raked in $158.3 million over the weekend beating 2007’s Spider-Man 3’s $151.1 million, according to Time magazine. In fact, the entire weekend was a record-breaker for the movie biz with a grand total of $253 million. Female movie-goers took a chance on the Meryl Streep ABBA musical Mamma Mia!, which raked in $27.6 million, the best for a musical opening beating out last year’s Hairspray.