All Arts & Culture
'The Avengers' sets weekend record. Is there a message for the industry?Hollywood is welcoming the success of 'The Avengers' 鈥� a formula blockbuster with a simple good-vs.-evil story line 鈥� but industry analysts aren't ready to draw too many conclusions.
'First Position' and other documentaries wow at the Montclair Film FestivalThe first annual festival is advised by Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert.
Forget Mother's Day: In China they get the gift of Moon monthMother's Day is one thing --聽 "moon month" in China is another. The tradition keeps a new mother really, really off her feet for the first month after the baby arrives. Waited on hand-and-foot 鈥� allowed to do nothing including lift the baby or take a shower 鈥� women can see it as a gift as well as a penalty.
A Disposition to Be RichThe author's great-grandfather was the Bernie Madoff of his age 鈥� a Ponzi schemer and con man who cheated a US president and kidnapped his own son.
Refugees use Facebook to keep scattered families connectedRefugees use Facebook to keep scattered families connected, despite long distances and hostile borders. Among the Palestinian refugees living in camps along the Lebanon border, social media connects far-flung relatives and friends.
Gwen Stefani juggles motherhood with fashion, singing careerGwen Stefani juggles motherhood with a growing fashion empire and singing career. The busy mother of two sons may be launching a new children's clothing line, while also finishing up a new album, but, she says, mommy duties come first.- George Lindsey remembered as 'Goober' on TV's 'Andy Griffith Show' & 'Hee Haw'George Lindsey, an Alabama native and veteran, was a teacher and coach before turning to acting on the stage, television and films.
Reader recommendation: MatterhornMonitor readers share their favorite book picks.
'The Avengers' actor Clark Gregg and Stan Lee talk about the new film'Avengers' actor Clark Gregg and former Marvel president Stan Lee talk about the new film.
Harry Truman: 7 quotes on his birthdayMay 8, 2012, marks Harry S. Truman's 128th birthday. His folksy sense of humor and political grit are exemplified by a selection of aphorisms in 'Geary's Guide to the World's Great Aphorists' by James Geary.
Hugs and happiness: One family's resolution to greet with loveHugs and happiness: one family's resolution to make coming home a special occasion, and to share their love for each other with warm greetings and farewells. How did the resolution turn out? Read our happiness expert's post to find out.
Mitt Romney brood grows, twin grandchildren born using surrogateMitt Romney welcomes two more grandchildren into the large Romney brood, bringing the total number of grandchildren to 18. The twins were born using a surrogate mother, something discouraged but not forbidden by the Mormon Church.- Six-year-old singing LMFAO song suspended for sexual harassmentOnly in an oversexualized environment could someone attribute adult understanding to the six-year-old boy suspended from a suburban Denver聽 elementary school聽 for singing LMFAO lyrics.
Women and 3D help 'The Avengers' set box office recordWomen bought 40 percent of all tickets to 'The Avengers.' The action movie beat 'Harry Potter' in setting a first weekend box office record with $200 million in聽 ticket sales.
Mother's Day: What happens when mom misses it? Guilt or growth?Mother's Day: A working mom will be on a jet to West Africa, missing the day with her daughters. But, her absence 鈥� part of her job as a journalist 鈥� can be seen as a gift to them.
Meatless Monday: Wild ramp and lemon risottoRamps, the fleeting spring onion, are delicious in a creamy risotto.
Karl Marx: 10 great quotes on his birthdayMay 5 marks the birthday of Karl Marx, who provided intellectual foundation for an array of regimes that at one time governed nearly half of Earth's population.
First Position: movie reviewKargman's documentary dives into the world of young aspiring dancers.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: movie reviewThe impressive cast in 'Marigold' keeps the movie from descending into sappiness more than it may have otherwise.
'Amazing Spider-Man' trailer shows a dark storyThe new 'Amazing Spider-Man' trailer depicts hero Peter Parker trying to discover the truth about his parents.
