Jason lee

Correction Appended "THEY keep finding new ways to celebrate mediocrity," grumbles Bob Parr, once known as Mr. Incredible, the patriarch of a superhero family languishing in middle-class suburban exile. He is referring to a pointless ceremony at his son's school, but his complaint is much more general, and it is one that animates "The Incredibles," giving it an edge of intellectual indignation unusual in a family-friendly cartoon blockbuster. Because it is so visually splendid and ethically serious, the movie raises hopes it cannot quite satisfy. It comes tantalizingly close to greatness, but seems content, in the end, to fight mediocrity to a draw. By "they" Bob means the various do-gooders, meddlers and bureaucrats -- schoolteachers, lawyers, politicians, insurance executives -- who have driven the world's once-admired superheroes underground, into lives of bland split-level normalcy. "The Incredibles," written and directed by Brad Bird and released under the mighty Pixar brand, … [Read more...] about Being Super in Suburbia Is No Picnic

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 PEBBLE BEACH — As actor Jason Bateman waited on the No. 3 tee, a female spectator good-naturedly asked if he had washed his hair Friday. Bateman paused in momentary contemplation, smirked and replied, “No, but the rain gives it nice texture.” Then the woman wondered about Bateman’s friend Will Arnett, playing one group behind him. Bateman, without missing a beat, said, “No, his hair is glued on.” Bing Crosby would approve of Bateman’s return to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am after a 31-year absence. This is what inspired Crosby to launch the old Clambake, using golf as a way to bring the sports and entertainment worlds together. Bateman, known mostly for his work on “Arrested Development” (with Arnett) and more recently on the Netflix series “Ozark,” came with the right attitude. He clearly cares about golf, but he spent little time bemoaning wayward shots and way … [Read more...] about SmartLess on the golf course? Jason Bateman savors return to Pebble Beach

The United States is increasing its military presence in the Philippines, gaining access to four more sites and strengthening the Southeast Asian nation’s role as a key strategic partner for Washington in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan. The agreement, announced on Thursday, allows Washington to station military equipment and build facilities in nine locations across the Philippines, marking the first time in 30 years that the United States will have such a large military presence in the country. The deal comes as Washington has tried to reaffirm its influence in the region amid a broader effort to counter Chinese aggression, reinforcing partnerships with strategic allies and bolstering relations that have soured in recent years. Fears have also grown over a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the island democracy that China claims as its territory. Among the five treaty allies that the United States has in Asia, the Philippines and Japan are the most geographically … [Read more...] about U.S. to Boost Military Role in the Philippines in Push to Counter China

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jay Kornegay was behind the counter in 2004 when someone approached with $5,000 to bet on the Super Bowl but had no idea how to decide. The man, not a regular sports bettor, thought for a few moments and decided to put it all on the Carolina Panthers to score exactly 29 points at 30-1 odds. Kornegay couldn't believe it, but took the man's money — and later returned it plus the winnings. The bet cashed when the Panthers scored that amount in a three-point loss to the New England Patriots. The Super Bowl draws a larger portion of casual bettors than other American sporting events, and the numerous proposition options each year underscore how the game's mass appeal goes well beyond professional gamblers and hardcore fans. “We’re certainly going to write a lot more tickets on the propositions than the game,” said Kornegay, vice president of race and … [Read more...] about Super Bowl prop betting increasing in popularity

The mystery of who closed two lanes onto the George Washington Bridge — turning the borough of Fort Lee, N.J., into a parking lot for four days in September — exploded into a full-bore political scandal for Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday. Emails and texts revealed that a top aide had ordered the closings to punish the town’s mayor after he did not endorse the governor for re-election. “Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” Bridget Anne Kelly, a deputy chief of staff to Mr. Christie, emailed David Wildstein , a high school friend of the governor who worked at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the bridge. Later text messages mocked concerns that school buses filled with students were stuck in gridlock: “They are the children of Buono voters,” Mr. Wildstein wrote, referring to Mr. Christie’s opponent Barbara Buono. The emails are striking in their political maneuvering, showing Christie aides gleeful about some of the chaos that resulted. Emergency … [Read more...] about Christie Faces Scandal on Traffic Jam Aides Ordered

12 Crime & Safety The early-morning burglary did not result in the five suspects taking any cash and no weapon was used in the incident, police said. Jeff Arnold , Patch Staff Posted Replies OAK FOREST, IL — Oak Forest Police are searching for five suspects who police said smashed the front window of a local 7-Eleven convenience store this week, removed items, and then ran, police said. The burglary took place at 2:51 a.m. on Tuesday at the 7-Eleven on 167th Street just off Cicero, Oak Forest Police Chief Jason Reid said. Five suspects smashed out a window at the store and escaped with items from the store before fleeing the area. No weapons were involved in the incident and no cash was taken, Reid said on Wednesday. The burglary remains under investigation by police and anyone with information about the suspects or that has information about the incident is asked to call the Oak Forest Police Department’s number … [Read more...] about 5 Suspects Smash Out Oak Forest 7-Eleven Window, Escape With Items: PD