Prequels & sequels better than the original?

Prequels & sequels: Better than the original?
Is the original film in a series always the best? We're not so sure. As the fourth film in the "Spy Kids" franchise, "Spy Kids: All the Time in the World"  comes out Aug. 19, we take a look at how that franchise and other movie series have fared at the box office. Whether the original, prequel or sequel reigns supreme will long be a subject of much debate among film fans. But let's see how the numbers shake out.

 'Spy Kids'
This action-adventure film series follows the children of spy parents as they tackle various missions. It stars one of the leads from "Repo! the Genetic Opera"  and this former judge of "America's Most Talented Kids," and "Spy Kids" fans can look forward to seeing the fourth installment in cinemas this month.

 $147,934,180  Spy Kids worldwide gross income
 $119,723,358 Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams worldwide gross income
$197,011,982 Spy Kids 3D: Game Over worldwide gross income

 'Terminator'
This science fiction series  follows a struggling human race as it fights against the artificial intelligence system Skynet. It stars this Austrian-born actor, bodybuilder and former governor of California.

$78,371,200 The Terminator worldwide gross income
$519,843,345 terminator 2 judgment day worldwide gross income
$433,371,112 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines worldwide gross income
$371,353,001 Terminator Salvation worldwide gross income

'Star Wars' Prequel Trilogy
This trilogy of prequels follows the life of young Anakin Skywalker  as he is trained by Jedi knight Obi-Wan Kenobi.

$924,317,558 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace worldwide gross income
$649,398,328 Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones worldwide gross income
$848,754,768 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith worldwide gross income

 'Star Wars' original trilogy
How do the prequels stack up against the original trilogy? It's good vs. evil in space as Luke Skywalker battles the masked Darth Vadar. With his performance as Han Solo, it marks one of two film franchises to propel this actor to fame.  Another beneficiary was  this "General Hospital" alumnus, who plays hero Luke Skywalker.

$775,398,807 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope worldwide gross income
$538,375,067 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back worldwide gross income
$475,106,177 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi worldwide gross income

 'Harry Potter'
Boy wizard Harry Potter  tries to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort  in this film series, a record breaker at the box office. This Ivy League student and this English actor play Harry's helpful best friends.

$974,755,371 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone worldwide gross income
$878,979,634 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets worldwide gross income
$796,688,549 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban worldwide gross income
$896,911,078 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire worldwide gross income
$939,885,929 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix worldwide gross income
$934,416,487 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince worldwide gross income
$955,417,476 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 1 worldwide gross income
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 2 worldwide gross income
 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
Captain Jack Sparrow's  pirate escapades are documented as he tries to evade capture. The first three films also star this new dad and this Oscar-nominated English actress.

$654,264,015 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl worldwide gross income
$1,066,179,725 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest worldwide gross income
$963,420,425 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End worldwide gross income
$1,032,828,392 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Strang

'Alien'

Space lieutenant Ellen Ripley  must fight against an unruly alien. Watch the eerie trailer for the original.

$104,931,801 Alien worldwide gross income
$131,060,248 Aliens worldwide gross income
$159,814,498 Alien 3 worldwide gross income
$161,376,068 Alien Resurrection worldwide gross income

 'The Matrix'
Computer hacker Neo  must battle a simulated reality called the Matrix.

$463,517,383 The Matrix worldwide gross income
$742,128,461 The Matrix Reloaded worldwide gross income
$427,343,298 The Matrix Revolutions worldwide gross income

 'Spider-Man'
Shy Peter Parker  turns into comic book superhero Spider-Man who must fight against evil villains.

$821,708,551 Spider-Man worldwide gross income
$783,766,341 Spider-Man 2 worldwide gross income
$890,871,626 Spider-Man 3 worldwide gross income

 'Austin Powers'
British spy Austin Powers  seeks to defeat Dr. Evil  in this comedic trilogy. Both characters are played by a Canadian-born actor who was a "Saturday Night Live" alum.

$67,683,989 Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery worldwide gross income
$312,016,858 Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me worldwide gross income
$296,655,431 Austin Powers in Goldmember worldwide gross income

'The Godfather'

This famous trilogy stars this celebrated actor as Michael Corleone  a man whose family plays a prominent role in the Mafia.

$245,066,411 The Godfather worldwide gross income
$193,000,000 The Godfather Part II worldwide gross income
$136,766,062 The Godfather Part III worldwide gross income

 'Back to the Future' trilogy
Teenage Marty McFly  and inventor Doc Brown  time-travel through the decades in this beloved trilogy.

$381,109,762 Back to the Future worldwide gross income
$331,950,002 Back to the Future Part II worldwide gross income
$244,527,583 Back to the Future Part III worldwide gross income

 'Jason Bourne' series
The Bourne series follows Jason Bourne  a former CIA assassin who becomes a target himself after breaking away from the agency. The fourth film in this series, "The Bourne Legacy," is due to be released in 2012.

$214,034,224 The Bourne Identity worldwide gross income
$288,500,217 The Bourne Supremacy worldwide gross income
$442,824,138 The Bourne Ultimatum worldwide gross income
 'Die Hard' franchise
Police detective John McClane  fights criminals and terrorists in this action-heavy film series.

$140,767,956 Die Hard worldwide gross income
$240,031,094 Die Hard 2 worldwide gross income
$366,101,666 Die Hard With A Vengeance worldwide gross income
$383,531,464 Live Free or Die Hard worldwide gross income

 'Jurassic Park' trilogy
An amusement park with cloned dinosaurs goes out of control when the dinosaurs take over. This English actor played the role of park owner in the first two films in the series.

$914,691,118 Jurassic Park worldwide gross income
$618,638,999 The Lost World: Jurassic Park worldwide gross income
$368,780,809 Jurassic Park III worldwide gross income

 'Mission: Impossible' series
Impossible Missions Force agent Ethan Hunt  has to make the impossible possible in this action series. The fourth film, "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol," is due to be released in December.

$457,696,359 Mission Impossible worldwide gross income
$546,388,105 Mission Impossible II worldwide gross income
$397,850,012 Mission Impossible III worldwide gross income

 'Shrek' series
The life and adventures of green ogre Shrek  are depicted in this animated series.

$484,409,218 Shrek worldwide gross income
$919,838,758 Shrek 2 worldwide gross income
$798,958,162 Shrek the Third worldwide gross income
$752,600,867 Shrek Forever After worldwide gross income
 'X-Men' series
The trials and tribulations of a group of superheroes, including Wolverine  are followed in this film series based on Marvel Comics characters. The next film in the series is "The Wolverine," due out in 2012.

$296,339,527 X-Men worldwide gross income
$407,711,549 X2: X-Men United worldwide gross income
$459,359,555 X-Men: The Last Stand worldwide gross income
$373,062,864 X-Men Origins: Wolverine worldwide gross income
X-Men: First Class worldwide gross income

 'Chronicles of Narnia' series
The adventures of a group of children in the mythical world of Narnia are chronicled in this set of fantasy films based on a book series. This young English actor stars as eldest child Peter Pevensie.

$745,013,115 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe worldwide gross income
$419,665,568 The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian worldwide gross income
$415,686,217 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader worldwide gross income

 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy
The mission of hobbit Frodo Baggins and a fellowship of his companions is the subject of this fantasy trilogy set in Middle-earth and based on a book series.

$870,761,744 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring worldwide gross income
$925,282,504 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers worldwide gross income
$1,119,110,941 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King worldwide gross income

 'Indiana Jones' franchise
The adventures of archaeologist Dr. Henry Jones, played by Harrison Ford, are chronicled in this Steven Spielberg-directed series.

$384,140,454 Raiders of the Lost Ark worldwide gross income
$333,107,271 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom worldwide gross income
$474,171,806 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade worldwide gross income
$786,636,033 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull worldwide gross income

 'Superman' series
The adventures of Superman, played by this Juilliard-trained actor in four of the films, are chronicled in this series. Spinoff film "Supergirl"  stars this singer-songwriter-actress as Superman's cousin.

$300,218,018 Superman worldwide gross income
$108,185,706 Superman II domestic gross income
$59,950,623 Superman III domestic gross income
$14,296,438 Supergirl domestic gross income
$15,681,020 Superman IV: The Quest for Peace domestic gross income
$391,081,192 Superman Returns worldwide gross income

 'Rocky' series
This series about boxer Rocky Balboa was written by the actor who also starred as the title character.

225,000,000 Rocky worldwide gross income
$200,182,160 Rocky II worldwide gross income
$125,049,125 Rocky III domestic gross income
$300,473,716 Rocky IV worldwide gross income
$119,946,358 Rocky V worldwide gross income
$155,721,132 Rocky Balboa worldwide gross income
 'Lethal Weapon' series
This set of action films follows police partners Roger Murtaugh  and Martin Riggs.

$120,207,127 Lethal Weapon worldwide gross income
$227,853,986 Lethal Weapon 2 worldwide gross income
$321,731,527 Lethal Weapon 3 worldwide gross income
$285,444,603 Lethal Weapon 4 worldwide gross income
'Beverly Hills Cop' series
This action-comedy series follows Detroit policeman Axel Foley  played by the actor who voices Donkey in the "Shrek" film series.

$316,360,478 Beverly Hills Cop worldwide gross income
$299,965,036 Beverly Hills Cop II worldwide gross income
$119,208,989 Beverly Hills Cop III worldwide gross income

Dumbest celebrity quotes

Famous funny, dumb and stupid celebrity quotes

«Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life.»

- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign. One of the worst celebrity quotes ever. 


«So, where's the Cannes Film Festival being held this year?» Christina Aguilera

«If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.» - Dan Quayle, former U.S. Vice President 

«Fiction writing is great. You can make up almost anything.» - Ivana Trump, on finishing her first novel «I'm convinced the Beatles are partly responsible for the fall of Communism.» - Milos Forman, Film director «When I'm a blonde, I can say the world is purple, and they'll believe me because they weren't listening to me.» - Kylie Bax, Model/Actress, in Stuff magazine. «The internet is a great way to get on the net.» - Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate «You guys, line up alphabetically by height.» - Bill Peterson, Florida State football coach «I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada.» - Britney Spears, on Blender Magazine (April 2004) «I think war is a dangerous place.» - George W. Bush, Washington, D.C. (May 7, 2003) «I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.» - Greg Norman, Golfer «It's nice, it gives you a feeling of security so that if something breaks we know we can always call a guy over and he'll bring a drill or something.» - Brooke Shields, Actress, on why it was is good to live in a co-ed dormitory when she was in college «Rotarians, be patriotic! Learn to shoot yourself.» - Gyrator, Chicago Rotary Club journal «These people haven't seen the last of my face. If I go down, I'm going down standing up.» - Chuck Person, NBA Basketball player «I'm so smart now. Everyone's always like 'take your top off'. Sorry, NO! They always want to get that money shot. I'm not stupid.» - Paris Hilton (December 2003)

«Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I'd love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff.» Mariah Carey, pop singer  Britney Spears: “I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada.”While this wasn’t a one off (Japan’s not in Africa, Britney!) it’s a pretty rookie error from a younger, pre-losing-it Miss Spears. Gwyneth Paltrow: “I am convinced that by eating biological foods it is possible to avoid a tumor.”  What else were you thinking of eating? Arnold Schwarzenegger: “I think gay marriage is something that should be between a man and a woman.” What the Governator probably means here is that, in his opinion, gay marriage simply should not be. David Hasselhoff: “I’ve got taste. It’s inbred in me.” Honestly, that explains everything. Carla Bruni: “When I was having my hair and make-up done backstage at a fashion show, I would sneak in a copy of Dostoevsky and read it inside a copy of Elle or Vogue. But it would be pretentious of me to say I was more intelligent than the other supermodels.” That’s the smuggest thing I’ve ever heard! Victoria Beckham (on her autobiography): “It’s straight from the horse’s mouth. Not that I’m saying I’m a horse.” Good clarification, Posh! Cindy Crawford: “In the studio, I do try to have a thought in my head, so that it’s not like a blank stare.”

Famous celebrity rants

Famous celebrity rants When Al Gore lost his cool about global warming and the normally mild-mannered Jimmie Johnson lit into a rival race car driver, they joined a lengthy list of famous folks who've been recorded saying some infamously not-so-nice things.

Al Gore
The former vice president grabbed headlines for his angry rant against companies that hire researchers -- whose caliber he questions -- to conduct studies that cast doubts on global-warming theories.

Kanye West
The rant-prone rapper unleashed his latest diatribe at a music festival in England, stirring controversy when he compared himself to a murderous dictator. He's made news for his outbursts before. At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, he crashed the stage while a country star accepted an award.He also took to his blog to rant about a popular social network.kanye west rant the big chill

Russell Crowe
This Oscar-winning hothead proved that you can squeeze plenty of vitriol into 140 characters in a Twitter tirade denouncing a common medical procedure as "barbaric and stupid."russell crowe circumcision

Tracy Morgan
The "30 Rock" star issued a quick apology for homophobic comments he made during a stand-up show. Find out what two of his co-stars had to say about it.

Charlie Sheen
Where, oh where, to begin? This famous bad boy unleashed a virtually nonstop stream of rants for weeks while his hit sitcom was put on hold. He had so much to say that he went on tour.

Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson has taken heat for racist and anti-Semitic rants, and was accused of making threats against his ex-girlfriend, who's the mother of his toddler daughter. Find out how his talent agency reacted.

Patty LuPone
This Broadway, big-screen and TV actress has unleashed showstopping tirades when she spots audience members breaking certain unwritten rules during live performances.

Christian Bale
Christian Bale used a morning radio show to apologize for his profanity-laden tirade on the set of this movie.

Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin was caught calling his then-11-year-old daughter an unflattering name in a voice-mail message. He later wrote about the incident in his book on divorce and custody battles.

Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks is usually known for being a sweet person  but when she thought one contestant on "America's Next Top Model" wasn't taking the opportunity seriously, she lost it.

Dennis Green
Former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green's angry rant was turned into a commercial when his players were beaten by this rival team.

Howard Dean
Some blamed Howard Dean's infamous outburst at a campaign event for his failed 2004 presidential bid.

Patrick Kennedy
Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island yelled at the media for covering this congressional scandal more than the war in Afghanistan.

'Network'
Sure, it's fictional, but an iconic scene from the 1976 film "Network" won this actor a posthumous Oscar and is considered one of the best movie quotes of all time.

Casey Kasem
The legendary radio personality sure didn’t sound like his mild-mannered self when he went off on a foul-mouth rant about up-tempo music that played after his on-air dedication to a dog that had died. If only his mic hadn't recorded his tirade for all the world to hear.

Famous Left Handed People

The term left-handedness is used for the people who use their left hand to do most of their work. It is commonly seen that people use their right hand for performing most of their activities, but there are few people who use their left hand for writing, playing, painting and such other activities. Earlier it was considered as the result of some evil or sign of misfortune, but some famous left handed people proved this wrong by their deeds.
Following is the list of people who became famous despite being left-handers:
Alexander the Great, Napolean Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne are some of the names of rulers and generals in the great history who are remembered for their leadership qualities. They all were left-handers.
President Barack Obama, the current president of United States, has become the ninth left-handed US president when he became the forty-fourth president of the country. Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Ronald Regan, Harry Truman and Gerald Ford are other left-handed US presidents.
The leaders of different countries who did a great job by guiding their people when they were in great crisis were Mahatma Gandhi, Otto von Bismarck, Lord Baden Powell, Bertie Ahern and Fidel Castro. They were all left handed.
Queen Victoria along with her successors King George VI, Prince Charles and Prince William are also left-handed.

Leonardo Da Vinci, the well-known painter who painted Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, was also a left-hander along with other famous painters like Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo.
Music composers Mozart, Ludwig von Beethoven, and Beatles' Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were also left-handers.
Authors like Lewis Carroll, HG Wells, Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, and Goethe were also left-handed.
The most recognized comedian worldwide Charlie Chaplain preferred his left hand over the right. Other renowned artists who favor their left hand are Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Whoopie Goldberg, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Keanu Reeves, and Oprah Winfrey.
Sports stars like Diego Maradona, Pele, Mark Spitz, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Mark Brunell, Frankie Albert, Paul McDonald, Yogi Berra, Wade Boggs, George Brett, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Bobby Fischer are all left handed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4475304

Big Name Games Going Free

Big Name Games Going Free.Can’t afford all these fancy games? Then stop paying for them. Strategy hit Age of Empires gets the freebie treatment next week, but loads of other well-known franchises are being turned into free-to-play titles supported by optional in-game purchases. Give your bank account a breather and check out these well-known -- and now free -- games.
AGE OF EMPIRES ONLINE -- With over 20 million copies sold, this long-running strategy series has earned Microsoft respect, cred, and gobs of cash. Perhaps that’s why they’re releasing a new version for the smashing price of zilch. The new free game plays out much like older AoE games – create a city, build an army, deal with your neighbors -- but for a few dollars less.
WORLD OF WARCRAFT -- After six solid years of raking in dough from its millions of subscribers, the biggest name in online gaming finally decided to offer up some free goodies for new players back in June. You can play all the way to level 20 -- a good month or so -- before needing to plunk down any gold for that full membership.

GHOST RECON ONLINE -- Long one of the premier names in squad-based military shooters, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series takes a turn for the free in this upcoming multiplayer effort. Due out later this year on the PC and sometime in 2012 on Nintendo’s Wii U, the online game lets you tinker with cool, futuristic Ghost Recon gear while battling it out in tactically rich, small-scale environments.
TEAM FORTRESS 2 -- First made available as part of EA’s incredible Orange Box retail release (which also contained Half-Life 2, its follow-ups, and standalone phenom Portal), Team Fortress 2 is now free-to-play. That is, in a word, awesome. Packing the same gameplay but adding optional items for those who want a leg up, it’s a great way to get a multiplayer shooter fix without forking over any dough.
EVERQUEST II -- Considering it came out alongside World of Warcraft -- only to get trounced on the charts by Blizzard's behemoth -- it's pretty amazing that this MMO is still going. Last year it added a free-to-play option dubbed Everquest II:Extended, and while you won't get access to everything the game offers, you can take your
character all the way up to level 80 and play through most of the game's expansions without dropping a credit card.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE -- If at first you don’t succeed, lower the price. Such was the thinking behind this online role-playing game, which had a bit of a rough start. But once it went free-to-play, subscriptions took off and it found a new audience of would-be heroes. If you’re looking to take down some pesky bugbears but aren’t swimming in platinum, give it a roll.
CITY OF HEROES -- Gamers will be able to fly around this supercharged online role-playing game for free later this year. And while they won’t have access to the full experience, they’ll be able to pick and choose exactly which features and areas they’ll be able to enjoy and explore.
BATTLEFIELD PLAY4FREE -- Later this year, EA will go toe to toe with Activision as Battlefield 3 takes aim at Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. But if all that noise makes your wallet wince, look into this free version of Battlefield instead. While critics haven’t been very impressed, it’s still in its open beta test – and for the cost of nothing, you can fire off a few rounds and see for yourself.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE -- Like D&D Online, the moment this massively-multiplayer game set in Tolkien’s Middle-Earth went from premium to freemium, its waning popularity rebounded. The game’s revenues tripled, too, lending cred to the free-to-play model.
TRIBES: ASCEND -- One of the most beloved multiplayer shooter franchises of all time, the Tribes games still enjoy a sizable following. That following is sure to grow, however, once this free-to-play take arrives later this year. Bearing the same jetpack-happy gameplay but with only optional costs, it’s one to watch.
LEGO UNIVERSE -- The blockiest MMO out there just launched a new free-to-play option, granting players an unlimited amount of time to romp around in two of the game's zones. No microtransactions, either, though if you want to access the rest of the game, you’ll need to pay up.

Strangest items in America's Attic

Strangest items in 'America's Attic'. It's been 165 years since Congress passed an act to establish the Smithsonian Institution James Smithson. Dubbed the "Nation's Attic", it has since become a prolific entity and even inspired a popular movie.
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But folks at the Smithsonian take issue with the use of the term "attic" to describe its museums. "It implies musty, dusty things you never look at," said chief spokesperson Linda St. Thomas during a phone interview. "We're more relevant than an attic." This fall, the Smithsonian Mobile app will launch to give users a must-see list for many of the museums, including some of the most popular items such as the Hope Diamond or Abraham Lincoln's top hat.
hope diamond smithsonian, lincoln top hat smithsonian, lincoln's top hat smithsonian

Here is a look at some of the more eccentric items collected by the Smithsonian, many of which are currently on view. weird smithsonian artifacts

Crash-test dummies +General Motors donate crash test dummies smithsonian in 2010
Vince and Larry endured countless crashes and made some funny commercials to get people to wear their seatbelts. The gear from the famous duo was donated to this museum.
crash test dummies commercials, crash test dummies, smithsonian national museum of american history , 

Dorothy's ruby slippers +smithsonian ruby slippers donated anonymously 1979
There's no place like home -- at the Smithsonian. The iconic shoes from "The Wizard of Oz", worn by this star, are one of this museum's main attractions. The glittering red slippers are worn around the edges, a reminder of all the clicking and dancing they endured.
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Teddy Roosevelt's teddy bear. smithsonian teddy roosevelt son Kermit donated teddy bear 1964
This prized possession is the original teddy bear, given to this president after a particular bear-hunting story made its way around. The incident also inspired a popular political cartoon.
Theodore Roosevelt, roosevelt bear cartoon

Harry Truman's bowling pin. smithsonian harry truman bowling pins donated 1960
President Harry Truman had a two-lane bowling alley installed in the White House and helped create a White House bowling league. The alley was later turned into a rather boring facility by the next president.
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Warren G. Harding's silk pajamas smithsonian warren harding silk pajamas donated 1954
The National Museum of American History displays a rather odd keepsake: former President Warren G. Harding's monogrammed silk pajamas. He must have loved them, because he had a matching set of red ones.
Warren G. Harding, warren harding silk pajamas.

Cher Ami smithsonian cher ami donated
Despite the increasing use of radio during this war, carrier pigeons were still used to deliver important messages. This particular winged friend saved 200 lives and became a war hero.
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Spotsylvania Stump smithsonian spotsylvania stump donated 1888
This shattered, bullet-ridden stump is nearly all that's left of this fierce Civil War battle, which took place in Virginia. Watch a tour of how the war site looks today.
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Presidential hair +smithsonian president hair 1883
This museum displays locks from the first 14 presidents, a practice of hair preservation that used to be quite common. It's unusual, for sure, but not quite as unusual as this scrapbook.
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Crystal skull smithsonian crystal skull anonymous donor 1992
One of these quartz craniums arrived inexplicably at the National Museum of Natural History. The latest installment of this popular adventure film series makes the mystery surrounding the specimen even greater.
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Shrunken human bodies smithsonian shrunken human bodies donated 1989
The National Museum of the American Indian is home to two of these curios. They were created in the same macabre way in which this ancient tribe shrank human heads.
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'Star Trek' phaser smithsonian star trek phaser donated 1987
Trekkies will delight in seeing weaponry from the classic '60s TV show at this museum. If you want one of your very own, check out the various online replicas.
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Bubble suit smithsonian bubble suit donated 1986
An unusual procurement for the Smithsonian, this isolation suit helped "the boy in the plastic bubble," who had an immune deficiency, avoid germs. This movie, starring John Travolta, was partially inspired by his story.
david vetter, john travolta,

'Howdy Doody' puppet smithsonian howdy doody puppet Rufus Rose bequeathed 1980
The stunt puppet from a groundbreaking children's TV program is proudly on display at the Smithsonian. Take a look at other famous television puppets that have joined the ranks of "Howdy Doody."
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Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves & robe smithsonian muhammad ali's boxing gloves robe donated 1976
The Smithsonian displays some of the gear of this great fighter. Despite some controversy, his prolific career inspired this documentary and a biography with the man cast as himself.
muhammad ali, muhammad ali knockout, muhammad ali controversy, 

$20 gold coin $20 gold coin donated to the Smithsonian in 1967 by Cornelius Van Schaack Roosevelt
This coin is scarce and precious and was minted during a major prospecting period. It is believed that only two pieces bearing the 1849 date were made, one of which is displayed at this museum.
+$20 gold coin worth $20 million, California Gold Rush, california gold rush, smithsonian national museum of american history, 

Soap Man mummy smithsonian soap man mummy donated 1958
The body of this mummified man turned to soap and is being stored and studied at the National Museum of Natural History. He was discovered in the "City of Brotherly Love," which is also home to the soap lady.
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Erector Set heart pump smithsonian acquired the heart pump in 1959 from Sewell's mother
Using a classic children's toy set, two college students built one of the first heart pumps. The contraption is a far cry from technology nowadays; watch the demo videos about this pencil-eraser-sized pump.
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Silly Putty eggs smithsonian silly putty collection 1950s
The "real solid liquid" that has enchanted kids for ages has its own special collection at this museum. Watch a commercial demonstrating its many fun uses, or pick up some of your own goo.
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Pickled mammoth smithsonian pickled mammoth donated 1922
Although not on display, some muscle tissue from the leg of a woolly mammoth resides at this museum. Scientists have been wondering, could the mammoth live again?
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Plastic Surgery Regrets of the Stars

With cosmetic modifications dating back to the ancient Romans and Egyptians, look back at the evolution and modern side effects of body reconstruction.
Plastic surgery regrets of the stars.  Plastic surgery used to be one of Hollywood's biggest taboos, but now it is the worst-kept secret in town.Stars like Lisa Rinna, Dana Delany and Kim Kardashian have come forward to talk about their cosmetic procedures and how much they now regret going under the knife.

6000 to 3400 BC: Natives of India and Egypt tinker around with nose shaping — apparently vanity is the oldest vice.

1700s: British physicians visit India and discover the rhinoplasty techniques that would eventually become the modern-day nose job. They bring these procedures back to the Western world.

1940s: Japanese prostitutes, believing that larger breasts will attract American servicemen, experiment with breast augmentation. They inject themselves with non-medical grade silicon, paraffin, and other substances such as sponges.

1951: Sir Harold Gillies, an otolaryngologist from New Zealand, performs the very first male-to-female sex change operation.

1962: Texas native Timmie Jean Lindsey becomes the first woman to receive silicone breast implants. Lindsey had wanted to have her ears pinned back but couldn't afford the surgery. She agreed to undergo the augmentation in exchange for ear surgery. In 2007, she spoke out saying she regretted the procedure.

1993: Jennifer Grey, who catapulted to fame as Baby in Dirty Dancing, undergoes rhinoplasty to reshape her famous hooked nose. She emerges unrecognizable with a small, delicate nose. She later admitted: "I went in the operating room a celebrity — and came out anonymous. It was like being in a witness protection program or being invisible."

1996: Pamela Anderson, already known for both her skimpy Baywatch lifeguard swimsuits and large set of implants, has her first child and announces that she is able to breast-feed — proving to the world that a pocket of silicon doesn't hinder the mother-child bond.

2003: Nip/Tuck premieres on FX. The show, which ran for seven seasons, portrays the sordid lives of two fictitious cosmetic surgeons in Miami. It quickly becomes the highest-rated basic cable series of all time.

2006: Actress Tara Reid becomes a tabloid sensation after confessing that she underwent multiple plastic surgeries including breast augmentation and liposuction procedures that "went wrong," resulting in deformities.

2009: Reality star Heidi Montag has ten plastic surgeries in a single day, including brow-lifts, ear-pinnings, a chin reduction, and a second rhinoplasty and breast augmentation. In December 2010, she expressed regret over the procedures, saying: “Surgery ruined my career and my personal life... I wish I could jump into a time machine and take it all back. Instead, I'm always going to feel like Edward Scissorhands."

2009: Solange Magnano, an Argentine model and former beauty queen, dies at age 38 when injections from a buttocks-firming procedure traveled to her lungs and brain.

2010: In a grueling 24-hour operation involving 30 professionals, Spanish surgeons complete the world’s first full-face transplant on a 31-year-old man who accidentally shot himself while hunting.

2010: No longer just for the rich and famous, more than 13 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures are performed nationally — a 155-percent increase from when statistics were first pulled in 1997. The top procedures are breast augmentation, liposuction, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, and breast reduction.

Jamie Lee Curtis regrets liposuction and Botox
All of these 'bettering' experiences are not without risk. And there is this illusion that once you do it, then you'll be fine. I looked worse. Worse.
– Jamie Lee Curtis.
Jamie Lee Curtis + Activia yogurt, jamie lee curtis books for children, Jamie Lee Curtis + The Children Affected by AIDS Foundation ,

Dana Delany regrets having Botox injections
I notice it more than anybody else, but I was symmetrical before and now I am not.
– Dana Delany
Dana Delany + Women Move the World, Body of Proof, Freelancers + Dana Delany

Kim Kardashian regrets Botox injections
I think when you're young there are other ways you can look after your skin.
– Kim Kardashian
Kardashian + BotoxKim Kardashian + "Bruce looks better than ever", Kim Kardashian + Vera Wang wedding dress, Kim Kardashian + two-part wedding E! special

Jennifer Grey regrets nose job
I went in the operating theater a celebrity – and came out anonymous. It was like being in a witness protection program or being invisible.
— Jennifer Grey
Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Jennifer Grey

Jane Fonda regrets having eyes
I vowed I wouldn't — I did, and I don't feel proud about it.
– Jane Fonda
chin and neck done, Jane Fonda + Larry King + plastic surgery, Prime Time: Love; Health; Sex by Jane Fonda

Nicole Kidman regrets Botox
I didn't like how my face looked afterward.
– Nicole Kidman
The Paperboy, Trespass, Keith Urban + alleged paparazzo attack

Courtney Love regrets lip augmentation
I just want [what] God gave me back. … It was perfectly cute.
— Courtney Love
Courtney Love + Glorious Goodwood, Courtney Love apartment fire.

Heidi Montag regrets 10 plastic surgery procedures
I would love not to be a plastic girl or whatever they call me. Surgery ruined my career and personal life and just brought a lot of negativity into my world. I wish I could jump into a time machine and take it all back.
– Heidi Montag
VH1's "Famous Food", Heidi and Spencer live with parents, The Hills + Heidi

Tara Reid regrets breast implants and body contouring
If I had to do it again, I never would have done it in the first place.
– Tara Reid
Tara Reid + reconstruction surgery, American Reunion.

Denise Richards regrets breast implants
I just thought because they're a plastic surgeon, they must be good. You have to be your advocate for your own body and ask 100 questions.
– Denise Richards
Denise Richards + Real Girl Next Door, Charlie Sheen + "Your book rocks!!", Denise Richards + Eloise Joni, Denise Richards + Eloise Joni, Blue Mountain State, 

Lisa Rinna regrets lip injections
[It] started to define who I am. That bothered me.
– Lisa Rinna
Lisa Rinna + lip reduction surgery, Harry Loves Lisa, Lisa Rinna + Hollywood Moms Club, 

Kenny Rogers regrets eye lift
I'm the plastic surgery king. I'm a bionic man! I kind of wish I hadn't done it.
– Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers + plastic surgery + married younger woman, kenny rogers tickets, Malaysia company buys Kenny Rogers Roasters,

Tori Spelling regrets breast implants
Well I got [it] done in my early 20s and if I had known it would or could possibly impact … I would never had had [it] done.
– Tori Spelling
Tori Spelling pregnant with third child, Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywoodm, Tori Spelling car crash at school

Mickey Rourke plastic surgery for boxing scars
I went to the wrong guy to put my face back together.
— Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke, Expendables 2