Shawn Christian Joins Days of our Lives

Actor Shawn Christian returns to daytime drama as he now joins the cast of NBC’s longest-running soap Days of Our Lives. Christian plays the role of Dr. Daniel Jonas, a new staff at Salem University Hospital .

The actor previously appeared as Ross Rayburn on ABC’s One Life to Live and as Mike Kasnoff on As the World Turns. Among his other notable TV show stints were on CSI: Miami , Will & Grace, Murder in the Hamptons , Friends, Beverly Hills 30210 and Charmed.

Born December 18, 1965 in Grand Rapids , Michigan , Christian moved to Chicago after graduating from Ferris State University in 1989. His decision to move was largely influenced by his passion for performing. He started with stage productions and commercials until he became the first ever male spokes model on Star Search during the show’s 1994 season. In the same year, he became part of the second–longest running American TV soap opera As the World Turns. He starred on the show for three years.

He met wife Deborah Quinn in 1991, while both of them were auditioning for a Chicago print advertisement. Christian is also step-dad to model and Summerland’s actress Taylor Cole. Christian played the character of Johnny Durant on the mentioned program. He also starred in Last Chance, a recipient of the Audience Award for Best Short Film during the Hamptons International Film Fest.

Among his film line-ups for this year are Meet Dave, which stars Eddie Murphy, Killer Moves, a romantic cop thriller and Small Town Saturday Night, which is written and directed by Ryan Craig. All three movies are currently in post-production.

According to reports, Christian began taping for Days on February 11. He had scenes with Chelsea (Rachel Melvin), Bo (Peter Reckell), Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Victor (John Aniston). His scenes are scheduled to air in early March.

For more resources about Days of our Lives or for the full story of Shawn Christian Joins 'Days of our Lives' please review http://www.buddytv.com

7 Tips for Doing Your Own Home Theater Entertainment Review

So you have decided you want a home theater system. You may even have made the decision of free-standing or in wall-mounted depending on your budget and room- size. Yet there are some many choices. How to you know which system is the best investment for you? Here are seven tips that my husband and I used to make our decision making a bit easier.

Ask yourself if you want to purchase a brand name you know or are the brands online or less known just as reliable? We found brand name did not always mean top-quality nor did it mean high prices.

So what do you need to know before you buy?

Even if you have already purchased a system and found that you should have done your own personal home theater review you can use these tips to make your home theater entertainment the fun-zone in your home.

To find out what style of home theater you want to buy, it's best to do your research and we found that online saved us time and money. You too can spend less time researching online and then looking in your local stores. Doing a home theater review simplifies the research online for you if you desire an easy way to see what is available from brand names to the best pricing start online. For us we found once we knew what we wanted a visit to the local retail store just helped us see the home theater systems up close yet the price online saved us over twenty-five percent so we ended up purchasing online and even got free shipping.

Many local stores may have a great selection and offer online discounts if you buy through the internet with the same warranty. With a little digging I found out there is only a few places that provide the warranty-service for all home theater systems regardless of where you purchase them. The best deals aren't always what are on sale many are the less-known brand online or the close-out only offered online through your local retailers online store.

Your home theater system is not something to purchase spontaneously. While it won't increase the value of your home in most cases it will add to your enjoyment of your home. When you decide to sell your home the right look can increase selling power and a wall mounted system will add dollars.

It is essential to get precisely what you desire for your home theater. Research is the key to a good home theater review. Compare not only major brands of receivers but also the lesser known. Look at speaker packages and will your current TV work or should you include a new TV in the scope of your research and review? Find out what you exactly need, and what best fits for your lifestyle. Many websites give you an opportunity to build your system and see what you really want and what you thought you needed. When we did our home theater review it was surprising to find we missed a few things that would make our system sound better for less. This review can let you know exactly what you should get without having to purchase anything or get in your car and have a sales person 'sell' you more than you really need. By building a system you feel you need you can have a better idea of the investment you would like to make and what you really want without purchasing extras you'll never use.

So ask yourself, what do you need for your home theater?

In order to have a first-class home theater system that meets your budget you will need:

1. To have a screen or television that is fitting to your needs. So ask yourself how big is the room and how many people do you want to seat? Is the room going to be a true theater setting or a home entertainment room like a living room?

2. You want to decide how big you want the picture to be, and whether you should use a television or a screen with a projector based on your answer to the above question. Each choice has benefits and should be found at your local home theater store. A television has more options, while a projector and screen can cover a bigger space.

3. With a screen, you will need to have the projector and get it set up. If you find that a television like a HD or plasma is what you are looking for you will need to have the correct cable and various plug-in types for a DVD, CD and other entertainment.

4. Do you want to add a DVD player or a cable hook up for your input? Be sure to check out the audio wireless home theater systems in your review. You must also use a home theater review for parts like cables to ensure best quality. It is up to you as a consumer to review all of the components you will need and make the best decision for you.

5. Next is our readers' favorite the correct speakers and hook-ups for the speakers. A great screen and receiver are nothing with cheap speakers. Your speakers should provide a surround sound type of atmosphere, so you should be sure to get all of the correct types of speakers that you will need. Most times a minimum of 5 speakers is needed to get the sound dynamics you want.

6. When doing your home theatre review make sure you can find out where you can also purchase home theater pieces. Today you can have a wireless speaker system and a sound expert will be able to help you make these kinds of decisions. You should be able to find someone with sound expertise wherever you purchase your home theatre system even online most stores have a toll-free number to assist you when you are ready.

7. While most people already have their living room ready for entertaining there is a numerous movie-style seats, chairs and so on to add to the experience. You will also want to make sure the lighting works for both theater style movie viewing and perhaps gaming on your system. So in the end you will want to look at your setting and build upon what you have and how you plan to entertain in your home theater.

Entertain and show your new system off!

Finally you have your home theater system setup and ready to go by doing a stellar home theater review, don't forget the most important part. In order to entertain and show off your home theater you will need to load up on pop-corn and other fun foods. Host a pot-luck or even a game night with your favorite concert playing on DVD in back ground. A home theater and how you can now entertain friends or just enjoy your home with a special person are now at fingertips. From watching your favorite movies, listening to music or playing video games in a big way are now up to you!

About the Author:

Debra Arko is a leading expert in lifestyle and health. She contributes to both offline and online magazines and reviews. Her reviews help thousands save time and money on every day so you can enjoy life. Visit for more information

10 of the Most Romantic Movies Ever

The thing about romantic movies is that many of them are not for couples to watch! What women find romantic will usually have guys channel hopping during the commercial breaks on TV and the movies guys find romantic have women rolling their eyes and wondering about what men really think about!

Among the following 10 romantic movies there are a number of romance gems that are cool enough for you have your partner watch with you, and then there are others which are best enjoyed by a group of girls -- and a box of tissues!

West Side Story

Ok, so it's Romeo and Juliet brought into the 20th century, but it's set to an incredible soundtrack and has the rough and tumble street gang lifestyle of two rival New York City gangs. The romance between former Jet (white) Tony and Maria the sister of Shark (Puerto Rican) Bernardo plays between the lines of the racial and social issues in the movie and ends with Maria sending Tony to stop a fight between his ex gang and that of Maria's brother. There's action, story, and music in this movie to complement the romance making it an ideal couple's romance flick.

Notting Hill

When America's girl next door Julia Roberts meets English public schoolboy Hugh Grant, the resulting movie is one that both guys and girls will find entertaining as well as funny and romantic!

Sleepless in Seattle

With an 'ahhhh' factor that can be heard from coast to coast, this romantic movie with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks is a wonderful chick flick -- especially for those who think that they'll never find 'Mr. Right'!

Ghost

This movie deals with one of the worst situations any couple could find themselves -- the violent and unexpected death of their partner -- and yet it manages to be one of the most romantic movies of the past few decades. Light relief to the story comes in the shape of a medium hilariously played by Whoopee Goldberg.

Titanic

Ok, so the ship sinks -- but this movie isn't just about the ship that hit an iceberg. The story is about a fictional old lady who was aboard the Titanic that fateful night and who is taken down under the sea to see what remains of the ship. She tells of a young man she met, a man she fell in love with, who didn't survive, but who she continued to love over the years. The ship may sink, but the heart goes on forever in this movie!

An Officer and a Gentleman

Love lifts us up in this movie as guys as well as girls can enjoy the interplay between the trainee naval cadets and the local ladies. With humor from the training, and romance between the characters, there's something for both him and her in this one.

One Fine Day

True love doesn't always come first time around as this movie shows -- with both Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney both divorced and finding romance and laughter in this romantic comedy that both you and your guy can enjoy.

Gone with the Wind, Casablanca and an Affair to Remember

If you love old movies, then here's top romantic trio. If you're looking to watch one of these with your man, then Casablanca is probably your best choice, but if it's a girls night in, then Gone with the Wind or An Affair to Remember will offer a very different look at romance -- although both of them proving that the path of love never runs smoothly!

About the Author:

Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed. A whole world awaits other dog lovers. Find out how cute the dog in your life is at my website which is at http://www.PicturesOfMyDogs.com

No Country for Old Men Movie Review

Miramax Films presents a film written and directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen. It is a critically acclaimed 2007 film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy. The film features Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, and Javier Bardem.

If you like the kind of film that surprises you and takes away your breath at the same time,this is it. It tells the story of a drug deal gone very wrong and the ensuing cat-and-mouse drama as three men crisscross each others paths in the desert landscape of 1980 West Texas. Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.

The local sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), tells of the changing times as the region becomes increasingly violent. The key character of Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) and his weapon of choice — cattle gun — are introduced as he escapes police custody and steals a car by using the cattle gun to kill the car's driver. But at the same time a hunter hunting pronghorn come across a collection of corpses and one Mexican near death which was the result of a drug deal gone bad. The hunter Llewwlyn Moss [Josh Brolin] also finds two million dollars in a suitcase and decides that he will keep the money and leave the Mexican to die, but has a change of heart and returns with some water for the man.

But this good deed sets off a cat and mouse game in which the hunter and the hunted switch roles as a gang of Mexicans, Chigurh, Moss and Bell chase each other and the two million dollars across the Texas and Mexican landscape. But unbeknown to Moss, Chigurh who was hired to retrieve the money has a transponder hidden in it. And Chigurh, who is a professional hit man, will kill anyone who gets in his way.

In the meantime Moss, not knowing anything about the transponder, sends his wife Carla Jean [Kelly MacDonald] out of town and jumps from motel to motel trying to elude not only Chigurh but also the Mexicans. While all of this is happening, Bell main concern is to try and protect Moss after he finds him. Chigurh is closing in on Moss because of the tracking device.

Chigurh ends up killing some of the Mexicans and a rival hit-man named Carson Wells who is played by Woody Harrelson. Moss arranges a meeting with Carla Jean in El Pasco to give her the money and tries to get her out of danger. All of the action now takes place at the motel when all of the main characters converge there, but not at the same time. Moss is killed by the Mexicans in a bloody shootout. Sheriff Bell shows up and enters a room to discover that the vent covers have been removed and knows that the money had been removed and then leaves, not knowing that Chigurh is hiding in that same motel.

Bell finally gets the opportunity to visit his uncle Ellis [Barry Corbin] and informs him that he is going to retire because he is getting leery of the changing times, but Ellis accuses him of just being vain. Some time later Chiguth confronts the widowed Carla Jean and offers her the same "coin flip"opportunity that he had offered the gas station owner, Carla Jean refuses and in the next scene it shows Chigurh examining the soles of his boots, as if to indicate that he had committed another murder. He ends up in a car accident but he manages to elude the police and escapes again.

At the very end of this story Bell is reflecting on the many choices he had in his life. He tells his wife[Tess Harper] about the two dreams that he has had while heis experiencing an uneasy retirement at home.

Highly praised by critics, the film received several Golden Globe Award nominations. Roger Ebert called it "as good a film as the Coen brothers... have ever made and gave it a four star review and it appeared on many of critics top 10 list of 2007.It took Best Picture at 2008 Critics’ Choice Awards.

Andrew Conway is an avid author,writer and a classic movie buff. If you love watching movies or just listening to great music, then visit: http://www.ultimate-free-downloads.com

Afro Samurai - Hottest Anime Show in Japan

Created by the one and only Takashi Okazaki, Afro Samurai has been destined for greatest ever since its conception. Starring one of the world’s most renowned actors, Samuel L. Jackson is the voice of the Afro Samurai. Produced by GONZO, which is a Japanese animation studio, and directed by Fuminori Kizaki, the hit anime launched its first episode online on January 1st, 2007. Shortly after, Afro Samurai made its appearance on television on January 4th, 2007 around 11:00pm eastern standard time on Spike TV. The anime also aired in Japan on the Fiji Network. Also contributing to the creation of Afro Samurai is no other than the Wu-Tang Clan. The Wu-Tang Clan was responsible for creating a hip-hop based musical score which will be available for sale to the general public on CD. Afro Samurai consists of only five episodes which has an estimated cost of about five million dollars according to GONZO. Namco has also released plans of creating a video game version which will probably be made available for the Xbox 360.

Afro Samurai takes place in feudal Japan around the time of 1185-1568 A.D. The main character, named Afro, is on a quest of revenge to kill his father’s murderer. During this time there are strict rules when it comes to who can fight who. The best known warrior in the land, also known as "Number One", has in his or her possession a special head band which tells everyone that he/her is the best warrior in the known world. Being "Number One" has massive perks, power, and influence, similar to that of a King or a god. No one is allowed to challenge the "Number One" except the "Number Two". The "Number Two" is also identified by a special hand band and has only perk of challenging the "Number One". One major drawback of being "Number Two" is that anyone can challenge you. Which means that you will be constantly fighting just to hold your status. Afro’s father, Rokutaro, was once "Number One" and was killed by Justice, who was "Number Two" at the time. Justice is now "Number One" and Afro is currently "Number Two". Afro, goes through seemingly endless struggles until he finally revenges his father’s death and becomes the "Number One".

Author: Stephan Smith

American Idol and All of the Other Crazy Reality Shows We Become Hooked On

Since day one of American Idol, fans of America have fallen into the ever popular schema behind one of many reality TV series: Road Rules, Survivor, Big Brother House, The Bachelor, and The Biggest Loser are a just a few on the tip of the iceberg. Why do we become so enthralled with these shows? In large part, we are becoming a passive society full of couch potatoes rather than the “do-it-yourselfers” that we used to be. Here are some great tips to help you turn off the tube and become active in your own reality.

After a long hard day at work, one might really be tempted to kick back and relax to the evening news with a cold one, but that one show slowly seeps into two and three and more as we become enticed by entertaining commercials of the ever suspenseful reality show. A good suggestion to those prone to couch vacuum scenario might be to read the news paper rather than turning on the power to the television. In order to keep in touch with what might be going on in your favorite series, read print relative to the reality television shows such as TV Guide and others like it.

Setting a time limit might also help some to remove themselves from the clutches of the black box, although sometimes that is not enough. Planning events that you look forward to around your television time might be enough to get moving. If you can do so effectively, try multitasking while you are watching a show. Then the televisions don’t seem to drain the hours from your day as fast. Great time to flip on the tube as background can be found in times while cooking dinner, folding clothes, or picking up the family room.

No matter what measures you take to ensure you are being an active part of your own reality, remember that keeping touch with the loved ones around you are the true acts that make life worth living. Sitting down to an hour show on your own will not have the same meaning as doing so as a family.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes (PartyThemeShop.com) to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.