Are you looking forward to seeing the Dark Knight Rises? Critics would like to throw cold water on your enthusiasm. The Dark Knight, they uniformly declare, is awful! They are doing all they can to halt the tide of movie goers lining up to see the film. The Dark Knight Rises, they argue, is an over worked piece of campy trash!

The Chicago Tribune warns fans of the previous, Heath Ledger driven film, “nothing in the new film, , meets or exceeds the crises of  The Dark Knight“. “What worked beautifully in “The Dark Knight” seems overworked and almost ridiculously grim in “The Dark Knight Rises”. Ultimately, they conclude that “The Dark Knight Rises,” makes “The Dark Knight” look like “Dora the Explorer” and is more of a 164-minute anxiety disorder than a movie”.

What we have noticed about the reviews of the Dark Knight is that they all uniformly confess that the movie is not dull. Their objections seem to center on the notion that the film is ham handed; that the Dark Knight Rises is tasteless in it’s use of exciting elements like explosions and violence. They seem to be arguing that the movie is simply overdone!

These are the kinds of reviews that one might want to ignore. Sometime’s reviewers are a bit snooty. They have a need to pan, perfectly enjoyable films to prove that they have selective visual palettes. We have all had the experience of going to see a film that the critics have panned. You are left in a total state of confusion, as you find yourself thoroughly enjoying a film that “the authorities” have dissed. You might even start asking yourself if there is something wrong with your taste level. It is fair to say that there is a big difference between the  attributes that critics look for in the films that they like and the traits that average movie goers look for in evaluating films.

The Dark Knight Rises may not be great cinema. It may not be an enduring work of epic- art but-from the reviews we’ve read-it should be exciting and appeal to the tastes of most viewers!

Today is Nelson Mandela’s Birthday. The great African leader is celebrating 94 years of life and 67 years of service to the world and specifically to his battered continent. In fact, today is also MANDELA DAY-which is a project spearheaded by the Nelson Mandela Foundation. On Mandela Day, we are encouraged to celebrate the great leader’s birthday by dedicating 67 minutes to community service. The 67 minutes are in honor of Mandela’s 67 years of service.

In honor of MANDELA DAY-Worthy Readers-commit to some form of community service!

Halle Berry was hospitalized Tuesday Night, after hitting her head on concrete, on the set of a new film. After injuring herself on the set of “THE HIVE” Berry was transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

WORTHY PRAYERS GO OUT TO MS. BERRY FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY!

While Target sells music from numerous gay artists, it won’t be selling Frank Ocean’s new Channel Orange. But the move has little to do with Frank’s recent revelations about his sexuality and more to do with the sales impact of his decision to release the album early on ITUNES. Target has decided that it won’t carry the album because debuting Channel Orange on ITUNES conflicts with their emphasis on the sale of physical CD’S. Frank Ocean’s representatives however, were livid. Ocean’s manager, Christian Clancy tweeted: “Target has refused to carry Frank’s album because of iTunes exclusive. Interesting since they also donate to non-equal rights organizations”. He was correct. Target indeed has a history of donating to far right wing causes and politicians. However, Target also carries the work of a number of gay musicians, sells gay pride t-shirts and very likely made it’s decision based on potential sales as opposed to prejudice. After considering the evidence, Ocean’s manager, tweeted: ” Note to self: Take your own advice. Emotional knee-jerk reacting isn’t the move”.

The album will still be on sale at Best Buy and of course, ITUNES! Before the confessions of Mr. Ocean, his album was projected to sell approximately 40-50,000 copies. The increase in publicity however, now has Channel Orange, projected to sell between 100-120,000 copies, which will put him on pace to challenge Chris Brown for the top spot. This is a feat no one would have predicted for Mr. Ocean or his Odd Future comrades prior to the his recent announcement.

K Michelle has the honor of being the first Love and Hip Hop star to drop a mix-tape. The recently released, 0 F***S Given, boasts 24 tracks and covers more familiar samples from Meek Mill’s and Frank Ocean. Fans of the show might be interested to know that K Michelle goes in on Joseline Hernandez and Karlie Redd. K Michelle isn’t holding anything back. She even sports her naked torso on the cover, for her fan’s enjoyment (of course).

Fans can download the Mixtape at www.datpiff.com

The stunningly gorgeous, Sofia Vergara, star of Modern Family is officially engaged to her off and on again, boyfriend Nick Loeb. Nick is the son of a former Reagan administration ambassador. The pair became engaged while visiting the Ruins of Chichen Itza, in Mexico. At 40, Sofia Vergara is still considered to be one of Hollywoods most attractive and recognizable figures.

We wish Mrs. Vergara-soon to be-Loeb a wonderful future with her husband to be.

Frank Ocean has released his new album, Channel Orange, early on ITUNES and the project has been met with rave reviews. It remains to be seen if the revelations about his sexuality will effect album sales but reviews of his album are no less than stellar. Critics seem to be in awe of his lyrical skill, and they have offered Ocean rare and effusive praise. The Washington Post says the album offers a “somber self-awareness rarely expressed so profoundly in song“. Frank Ocean, they argue is “Re­imagining the melodic sensibilities of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and the evaporated song structures of D’Angelo, Maxwell and Erykah Badu, he’s forging his own brand of neo-neo-soul“. In there most meaningful praise, they suggest that “Channel Orange is an album best experienced with your eyes closed. Listen carefully and the plot will unfold on your eyelids”.

Is Scarlett Johanson worth more than Angelina Jolie, or Kirsten Stewart? Apparently the creators of the Avenger’s franchise think so. Scarlett has just signed a record smashing 20 million dollar deal to reprise her role as “Black Widow” in the upcoming Avengers sequal. Johanson certainly made an impression with her portrayal of the comic book heroin. Fans were thoroughly impressed by her and their praise has earned her the title of Highest paid actress in Hollywood. The new pay day means that she is more bankable, in the eyes of Hollywood, then Angelina Jolie.

One week after Katie Holmes filed for divorce, Tom Cruise and the starlet have finalized the terms of their separation. In a Hollywood culture notorious for ugly and protracted post marital litigations, the Holmes/Cruise divorce is remarkably civil and brief. Initially Katie demanded sole custody, which led some to believe that public turmoil was soon to follow. Instead, it seems that Suri-the couple’s daughter will reside with Katie in New York and Tom will get extensive visitation rights.

Tragedy has struck the family of pop Star Usher Raymond. His 11 year old son, is brain-dead after a tragic accident occurred while the youngster was water skiing with friends. Kyle Glover has shown no brain activity since he was admitted to the hospital on Friday. He was struck in the head by the jet ski of a 38 year old male. He us still on life-support as Tameka Foster-Usher’s ex wife, currently sits vigil over her young son in the hospital. Kyle is not Usher’s son, by birth. He is the product of Tameka’s previous relationship with Atlanta clothier-Ryan Glover.

Usher has been embroiled in an unfortunately ugly divorce with his former wife, Tameka Foster. Despite the ugliness of the divorce, in which Usher is suing for custody of their mutual newborn, Usher chartered a plane for Tameka to rush to the bedside of his stepson.

WORTHY PRAYERS for the Raymond Family. Let’s Pray for a miracle.