Disney Buys LucasFilm

After acquiring Marvel for $4 billion, the news has broken that Disney are set to pay almost the exact same amount for LucasFilm, ushering in a new era of Star Wars movies, starting with "Episode 7" in 2015.

Continuing its strategy of delivering exceptional creative content to audiences around the world, The Walt Disney Company has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. in a stock and cash transaction. Lucasfilm is 100% owned by Lucasfilm Chairman and Founder, George Lucas. Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney stock on October 26, 2012, the transaction value is $4.05 billion, with Disney paying approximately half of the consideration in cash and issuing approximately 40 million shares at closing. The final consideration will be subject to customary post-closing balance sheet adjustments. 

"Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas," said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney's unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value." 

"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next," said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm. "It's now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I've always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I'm confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney's reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products." 

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Lucasfilm, a leader in entertainment, innovation and technology, including its massively popular and "evergreen" Star Wars franchise and its operating businesses in live action film production, consumer products, animation, visual effects, and audio post production. Disney will also acquire the substantial portfolio of cutting-edge entertainment technologies that have kept audiences enthralled for many years. Lucasfilm, headquartered in San Francisco, operates under the names Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound, and the present intent is for Lucasfilm employees to remain in their current locations. 

Kathleen Kennedy, current Co-Chairman of Lucasfilm, will become President of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Additionally she will serve as the brand manager for Star Wars, working directly with Disney's global lines of business to build, further integrate, and maximize the value of this global franchise. Ms. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant. Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for release in 2015, with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future. 

The acquisition combines two highly compatible family entertainment brands, and strengthens the long-standing beneficial relationship between them that already includes successful integration of Star Wars content into Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Tokyo. 

Driven by a tremendously talented creative team, Lucasfilm's legendary Star Wars franchise has flourished for more than 35 years, and offers a virtually limitless universe of characters and stories to drive continued feature film releases and franchise growth over the long term. Star Wars resonates with consumers around the world and creates extensive opportunities for Disney to deliver the content across its diverse portfolio of businesses including movies, television, consumer products, games and theme parks. Star Wars feature films have earned a total of $4.4 billion in global box to date, and continued global demand has made Star Wars one of the world's top product brands, and Lucasfilm a leading product licensor in the United States in 2011. The franchise provides a sustainable source of high quality, branded content with global appeal and is well suited for new business models including digital platforms, putting the acquisition in strong alignment with Disney's strategic priorities for continued long-term growth. 

The Lucasfilm acquisition follows Disney's very successful acquisitions of Pixar and Marvel, which demonstrated the company's unique ability to fully develop and expand the financial potential of high quality creative content with compelling characters and storytelling through the application of innovative technology and multiplatform distribution on a truly global basis to create maximum value. Adding Lucasfilm to Disney's portfolio of world class brands significantly enhances the company's ability to serve consumers with a broad variety of the world's highest-quality content and to create additional long-term value for our shareholders. 

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Lucasfilm have approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, and other customary closing conditions. The agreement has been approved by the sole shareholder of Lucasfilm.

Mr Nice Guy Upsets Blues

While some high-profile players continue to give professional footballers a bad name, it's worth paying tribute to one of the good guys - Javier Hernandez. You'd struggle to find a nicer bloke. He's always ready with a smile, always acknowledges your existence and plays with an infectious enthusiasm. Frankly, if your daughter brought him home, you'd be pleased!

It was always going to be a big ask to follow his explosive first season with more of the same and so it proved. Injuries, playing too much football and the simple fact that opposing players were used to him contributed to a slight dip in performances last season - although 12 goals is hardly a bad return. But after a full pre-season, the Mexican appears to be back to his best.

He was superb against Braga in midweek and I was delighted to see him get the winner at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. How Chelsea must be sick of the sight of him! That's five times he's scored against the Londoners now and, even though there was an element of fortune about the goal, you have to say he turned home Rafael's errant shot with great aplomb.

I have to admit I don't feel too sorry for Chelsea after a couple of decisions went against them. Time and again in recent years, we've returned from West London fuming at refereeing decisions that have cost us dear. In fact, I think we've played far better at Chelsea and lost in previous seasons than we did at the weekend. The game itself showed once again why there's nothing to touch the chaotic nature of the Barclays Premier League. Compare that game to the arid wasteland of football we have to put up with during the international breaks. It had everything - great attacking play, dodgy defending, controversy and hostility on and off the field.

One factor that perhaps got a little lost amidst the maelstrom was the performance of David De Gea. He made a couple of really brilliant saves from Gary Cahill and Fernando Torres and, while people are quick to pounce on any errors he makes, it's only fair to point out his stunning shot-stopping ability.

United have come through stiff tests at Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea with maximum points and yet have only played their very best football in relatively short bursts. So we’ve built a platform as we enter a hectic spell of games in three competitions.

The Future Of WWE

We are just hours away from WWE's latest pay-per-view, Hell In A Cell. As things are about to kick off for WWE, there tons of questions being asked around by fans, but the main question is "What the future holds for WWE?"

We've seen a lot of superstars come and go. Those who were once on top of the WWE mountain, they find themselves right back at where they started. Why? The answer is simple. Complacency. I've read numerous reports that the new superstars take things for granted. When you've been given the opportunity to shine, take it with your both hands. 

I've been fortunate enough to witness how WWE started, moved on to the Attitude era (my personal favourite time) and launched to an even greater height with the current PG era. Yes, the PG era has its ups and downs but I personally believe that it opened a lot of doors not just to WWE, but also to a whole lot of wrestlers. 

We've seen those huge, mass muscled men, who basically can kick anyone's ass at any time been given a lot of push. But what about the so called the "little guys"? WWE has made the right choice by giving the so called "little guys" a lot of push and on the other hand, opened the gates for WWE to tap into a lot of other opportunities. 

Skeptical fans asks all this question all the time "Why does it always have to be John Cena?" In a recent interview with current WWE superstar, Dolph Ziggler, he had this to say : "He's been someone that I've looked up to, but also hated for the last five years, because he is the face, he is the franchise of the WWE. And there's been guys that have become World Champion and WWE Champion who are still second fiddle to what John Cena and whatever he has going on in his life. So this guy is the guy to be in the ring with. This is the guy to go toe to toe on the mic with. This is the guy to be in the matches with that you will be in the main event. And instead of everyone going 'Hey you had a great match. You should have been in the main event' people will be telling me 'Hey, it was a great match. There's a reason why you're in the main event out there with John Cena, because you do what you do better than everyone else." I have to admit, I am a Cena fan, but I do give credit where it's due and also critic when I feel I should. This is a guy who always comes to work first and leaves the last (as it was said by many superstars on numerous occasions). This is a guy whose work ethics can never be questioned. This is the guy that Stone Cold Steve Austin passed the Attitude era torch to (actually, he passed his signature beer on his Hall of Fame induction ceremony). Cena's been in WWE for 10 years or more now. He's one of the old guards now along with Undertaker, Kane, Big Show etc. You may also wonder why are these old guards are getting all the attention compared to the new and upcoming superstars? The answer is simple. Hard work. 

As WWE heads to the future, current crop of superstars have a long way to go before they can be considered as legends. And to the WWE fans or now called WWE Universe, do continue to give the support. I believe WWE will take us all to another road of great wrestling matches and great tv. 

Piala Malaysia Final 2012

What's up lads? Where were you all last Saturday night? I bet most of football fans were glued to the tv to catch the Piala Malaysia Final between ATM (Armed Forces) take on Kelantan. It was a thrilling game and I'd have to say, this was one of the best final matches I've seen in a really really long time (great company too). The game blew my mind completely away. It ended with a stunning strike in the extra time at 3-2 and Kelantan completed a historic treble in their campaign. Well done to Kelantan. 

Amazingly, Kelantan weren't the favourites for the title. Around 13 coaches in the Super League/M League were asked to predict the final score and I was shocked when 9 of them predicted that ATM would go on to lift the cup. After watching Kelantan played Selangor in their semifinal en route to victory, it came to my attention that their midfield was really good and had bossed the park in both legs. So it was a similar case during the final as well. 

Led by their ever commanding captain, Badhri Radzi or well known as Piya. 

The suspension of forward Mohamed Ghaddar in the final meant his strike partner, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha had to upped up his game. And boy did he respond to it really well. Scorer of 2 fantastic goals and definitely deserved the Man of The Match award at the end of the game. ATM kept the game alive with 2 equalizing goals from Rizal Zambery and Marlon James and pushed it to extra time. 

Former national player, Indra Putra, scored a stunner in the 95th minute and sent the crowd into wild celebrations. Gotta say, it was and unbelievable strike and when the game needed a touch of brilliance, he definitely brought it. Kelantan held on til the final whistle and history was made. Kelantan are treble winners. Well done. 

A special mention to Norshahrul. During the interview after the game, although in celebratory mood, his mind was already set for the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup. Great professional, I must say. He has another uphill task of leading the Malaysia offensive line in the wake of Safee Sali's suspension from any international tournaments. Let's give the support our Harimau Malaya needed once the tournament begins in November. See you lads soon! 

The Top 10

I've got no idea what to write today, so somebody gave me an idea on this topic. You know who you are and thank you. Hahaha here goes... 

10 criteria to be my wife

1. Pandai memasak

2. Lemah lembut

3. Tak pandai melawan - bagus buat bini nie

4. Jgn cari kaki shopping - habis duit u nanti
5. Carik kaki travel - nanti u pun boleh travel 

6. Cari bini yang cantik - sejuk mate memandang

7. Loyal - kalau cantik tak loyal habis u..nanti u yg nangis kena tinggal

8. Ber-career - baru cun

9. Cari yang pandai urut - supaya u sakit badan, darling please massage me and jgn lupe beli massage oil

10. Kena ada kimia - paling penting sekali supaya u tak bosan dgn dia and dia pun tak bosan

Sekian sahaja dari Dr Love hari nie

What do you think people? Agree to it? Hahaha.. 

Apple Maps-Fail

Users of Apple Maps show why the app's a disaster. Reactions to Apple’s apology for its uncharacteristically disastrous Apple Maps application have been generally warm, but those towards the culpable app continue to be not. 

The tech giant’s CEO Tim Cook said last Friday that he’s “extremely sorry” the attempt to displace Google Maps within its OS has “fell short” of a standard that has come to be expected of Apple.

Still, an open apology has done nothing to improve Apple Maps’ primary function – that of providing locations and directions. Netizens – including a Tumblr dedicated to the app’s failings – continue to share how the app is leaving them disorientated.

First stop: Ohio, spooking us all with a shadow of a clock tower but… the structure itself is nowhere to be found. 

A little up north, this horror image probably discourages people from flying to Toronto. Good luck to the Canadian city’s tourism receipts. People will probably just take the train. 

New York gives us a Roland Emmerich moment by melting away its iconic Brooklyn Bridge in this disaster scenario. The only crisis I'm sure of is happening in the Apple engineering department.

I may have no clue what the other words on this map mean, but I'm sure know Ukraine’s capital is Kyiv, not K-Y-L-V. 

On the same note, I may not know much about Chile, but if the folks at Punta Arenas build roads on water, I need to meet them. Now. 

In Dublin, Apple has irked an Irish minister after identifying a farm named Airfield as, well, an airport. Minister Alan Shatter is worried pilots may mistakenly land their planes on his constituency’s goats and cows. I'm worried if pilots use their iPhones at work. 

There are PR boo-boos, then there are, erm, self-inflicted bodyslams. I am quite sure there’s a store in the vicinity. 

Taking User-Generated Content to a whole new level. Wait a minute, shouldn’t the app be telling me what the place is?

El Classico 2012/2013

Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2: Anything you can do... Messi and Ronaldo share the goals in Clasico thriller. Maybe they should just make a second golden ball when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo contest the Ballon D’Or at the end of the year. Here they battled for Spanish supremacy and the result was a dead heat. 

After both players scored twice as Barcelona and Real Madrid fought out a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp, Real manager Jose Mourinho said: ‘Saying who is the best in the world at the moment should be banned because these two are both such fantastic players.’ His opposite number Tito Vilanova said: ‘Perhaps Ronaldo would have received slightly more recognition if he were not playing at the same time as Messi.’

 They now have 100 goals between them this calendar year and this season Ronaldo leads Messi 14 to 12. Both scored with their first shots on goal and both added a second in the second half as the Clasico lived up to its name once more. 

The promised chants for independence came 17 minutes into the first half but Mourinho had stressed that this game would be about football and not politics. Almost to prove a point, his team almost scored immediately after the protest. Dani Alves was left marking Sergio Ramos at a corner and the Real defender sent Mesut Ozil’s corner just past the post. Ronaldo then became the first player to score in six consecutive Clasicos on 22 minutes when fed by Karim Benzema. It was a goal more in keeping with  Barcelona’s style — Xabi Alonso, Ozil, Marcelo and Sami Khedira all exchanging passes. 

Messi made it 1-1 eight minutes later. Andres Iniesta played the ball out to Pedro and when his cross hit Alonso the Real Madrid player got himself tangled up with Pepe and as neither cleared, Messi scored. Madrid had never lost in La Liga with Ronaldo scoring - Barcelona likewise when Messi strikes — and the record were to remain.  Ronaldo led the charge in the second half and Sergio Busquets was booked for clipping his heels.

The Portuguese hit his free-kick into the wall and on the hour his nemesis had the chance from a similar distance and left Iker Casillas flapping in the wind to make it 2-1 to Barcelona. Ronaldo tried and failed with a bicycle kick as Real pushed for the equaliser.

Then, with 66 minutes gone, he ran on to an Ozil pass, drew Victor Valdes and slotted in the second. It was anything you can do, I can do just as well. 

Kingmaker Scholes Shines as United Falter

Manchester United’s run of playing badly and winning had to end at some point. This result was long overdue for Tottenham, but they only half deserved it in the end. To be specific, they deserved to win the first half. After the break, United murdered them, but to no avail. 

AVB will rightly take some credit for setting up his side in a tactically successful manner and motivating his charges into taking an early 2-0 lead. However, there is no denying that United were absolutely pathetic in the first half. 

After two minutes, Spurs took the lead. Ryan Giggs is the most decorated footballer in English football history; he has a legendary left foot and is a terrific example to every professional player in the game. But he is rubbish in central midfield. That is where he started, and that is why Tottenham controlled the first half.

Half an hour later, the Londoners were 2-0 up and had barely broken sweat. That made it a clean sweep of games this season in which United had been lousy in midfield. If things had continued that way, we could have been facing a battering of Manchester City proportions. 

The crowd were terrific, though, defiantly supportive in the first half. Chants of ‘We love United, we do’ rang out through the ground. This is our team, and this is the show they put on for us. They’re not perfect, but I wouldn’t swap them for the world.

What made that opening period all the more alarming is that United put in a stupendous performance after the break. The discernible change was the introduction of Wayne Rooney for Giggs. Suddenly, we were a different team. 

Perhaps it is Rooney’s competitiveness, his drive, and his will to win. Whatever it was, it infected the rest of the team and lit a fire under our performance. His impact was crucial and, within six minutes, he had set up the goal that opened up the match.

And boy, did it open up. Three barmy goals were scored in 140 seconds. Nani toe-poked home Rooney’s cross, but then Clint Dempsey legged it up the other end and scored. 

The pick of the bunch though, was Kagawa’s strike to make it 3-2. Collecting a stupendous pass from van Persie, he managed to trap the ball, turn and finish past an experienced goalie in an incredibly crowded patch of pitch. It was impressive stuff – exquisite, and showing immense skill. United were back in it. 

Our game seems to be based more on pressure and intensity now. In the first half, this pressure was non-existent, but we applied it with force after the break. Scholes, again, was magnificent in that second half. Whilst it is slightly annoying that we need him to save us every week, you can only admire the majesty of his football: the greatest English player of the last 30 years, without question. 

Liverpool fans can rest easy. United also had three fairly decent penalty appeals turned down. We also hit the woodwork twice, but these are not excuses for our defeat. After a first half in which we would have lost to Accrington Stanley, there can be no complaints. 

The good news is that the front trident of Van Persie, Rooney and Kagawa appears likely to become fearsome. With those three on the field, we looked like a great side. But again Scholes was the kingmaker, and without him we struggle. Fergie will be advised to conduct his half-time team talks before the match from now on. 

The lethargy at the start was appalling, but this breathless game of football will live long in the memory. For all the positives we can draw from the excellence of our forwards, this is a very early juncture of the season and we have lost two games already. In some seasons, that would cost you the league. We can only hope this isn’t one of them.