'Guardians Of The Galaxy' At Comic-Con: Zoe Saldana Says She's Happy To Go Green For Alien Role

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"Guardians of the Galaxy" at Comic-Con: Zoe Saldana shines.

SAN DIEGO — How many more colors can Zoe Saldana be on the big screen?

"Well, the rainbow has a lot of colors," Saldana said in an interview at Comic-Con, laughing. "I dig it. I like being in space. I get to play less girlfriends, more female parts, more women. So I find it meaty."

The actress portrays green-skinned alien Gamora in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" after going blue in James Cameron's "Avatar," a role she's expected to return to for sequels. And she recently reprised her other space-bound character, Uhura, in JJ Abrams' "Star Trek Into Darkness."

"It's a testament to how creative the people that conceive supernatural and science-fiction kind of stories," Saldana, 35, said of her love for the genre. "They're able to build something out of nothing by just imagining it. I have a huge fascination with that. Filmmakers like JJ, like ("Guardians" director) James (Gunn), like James Cameron. ... You need to be really, really special to do that. So I like being with special people."

Chris Pratt is among Saldana's co-stars in "Guardians," which had been filming for just a few weeks in the U.K. before its actors dropped in to show fans footage at Comic-Con.

Pratt plays Peter Quill, an interplanetary gunslinger known as Star-Lord who assembles a team of aliens to do battle. His character's wit and rebellious spirit has been compared to another planet-hopper, Han Solo.

"You can make the comparison, that's for sure," Pratt said, acknowledging that like "Star Wars," `'Guardians" – set for release next summer – is "a big space opera."

Saldana was more emphatic: "It's an awesome comparison. Are you kidding me? Harrison Ford!"

But Pratt, 34, said he has more pressing concerns as he returns to set.

"I just feel like, I'm hoping every day that they're not going to fire me," he said. "I'm like, `So you saw dailies yesterday and I still have my job?' They say `Yeah!' So for now I do."

___

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'Anger Management': Brian Austin Green Promoted To Series Regular

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"Anger Management" has promoted Brian Austin Green to series regular status, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The news comes little more than an hour after THR reported that the show was seeking a "male foil" for Charlie Sheen's character Charlie Goodson, an anger management therapist dealing with his own issues in that area.

Instead of casting a new nemesis for Charlie, the FX comedy has chosen to make further use of Green's character, Sean, the boyfriend of Charlie's ex-wife Jen (Shawnee Smith), who has appeared in three previous episodes.

Additionally, the show is looking for a female potential regular to replace Selma Blair, who left following a disagreement with Sheen that reportedly resulted in the actress being fired via text message.

Producers are reportedly seeking a "gorgeous, sexy Latina or Caucasian actress in her 30s or 40s" to play a fellow psychiatrist who will join the sex study research that Charlie and Blair's character Kate were working on before her exit.

According to THR, the new character is described thus: "if Charlie and Kate were like Sam and Diane on Cheers, then you are Rebecca. Tough, career driven, neurotic and you wear your heart on your sleeve. And you hate yourself for eventually becoming attracted to Charlie." The role is thought to be recurring with the possibility of transitioning to regular status.

Are you pleased with the prospect of more Green on "Anger Management"?

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Word to the wise: If your husband is ever cast in a movie opposite the world's hottest woman, encourage him to quit the business. It is widely rumored that Pitt's "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" co-star Angelina Jolie was the driving force behind his 2005 divorce from Jennifer Aniston. (Getty)

2004 certainly wasn't a "good thing" for Martha Stewart. The prim and proper do-it-yourself maven was found guilty of "conspiracy, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and making false statements to federal investigators" and sentenced to five months in jail. Plus side? We're sure that Martha had the swankest cell on the block. (Getty)

Heath Ledger's death was obviously shocking, but the "scandal factor" came into play in the fallout. It was discovered that the masseuse who found Ledger in a New York apartment didn't call 911 immediately, but first dialed Mary-Kate Olsen. (Getty)

In 2005, Michael was a court regular when he was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy. Perhaps his case would have been helped if he didn't wear what looked like children's pajamas to his hearings. (Getty)

The media was certainly pumped up when it was revealed in 2011 that Arnold Schwarzenegger had fathered a love child with his family's housekeeper 14 years previously. What ensued was a split from wife Maria Shriver and one too many "Terminator" jokes. (Getty)

Just one year after her son Daniel died, in 2007 Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in a Florida hotel room. While Smith's death was shocking, the real scandal came with the custody battle over her baby girl, Dannielynn. Husband Howard K. Stern and former lover Larry Birkhead both went to court, fighting for sole custody. In the end, Birkhead, Dannielynn's biological father, won full custody. (Getty)

The world rushed to Rihanna's side in 2009 after reports surfaced that Rihanna was brutally beaten by her then-boyfriend Chris Brown. Brown ultimately pled guilty to felony assault and was sentenced to a hefty helping of community service and five years of probation.

Jesse James became public enemy No. 1 when in 2010 it was revealed that he cheated on his wife -- and America's sweetheart -- Sandra Bullock, with the tattoo-covered Michelle "Bombshell" McGee. #ClassAct (Getty)

In 2002, a sex tape involving R. Kelly and an underage girl emerged. Although the singer was indicted on 21 counts of child pornography, he was later acquitted. (Getty)

Kim and Kris caused quite the commotion when, in 2011, they divorced after just 72 days of marriage. Since their split, Kris revealed that their whole union was a sham -- though Kim still insists that she married for love. (Getty)

In 2006, Mel Gibson was pulled over for suspicion of DUI -- but that's not the headline that dominated news outlets. It was the anti-semitic, racist rant that occurred when he was with police that will follow him for the rest of his career. (Getty)

With more than a few DUIs under her belt, Lindsay Lohan hit the bad girl jackpot when she was charged with grand theft in 2011 for stealing a $2,500 necklace from a Venice, Calif., boutique -- just another tick on her growing wrap sheet. (Getty)

What started with a fender bender turned out to be the scandal of the year in 2009. Golf's golden boy Tiger Woods made headlines when it was revealed that golf wasn't the only game he was a pro at. Woods had a long list of mistresses -- who were more than chatty with the press -- that sent his wife, Elin Nordegren, packing with a hefty divorce settlement. (Getty)

Britney passed Crazy Town and kept driving when, in 2007, the pop princess stopped by a California hair salon -- to shave her own head. (Getty)

Paris Hilton was one of the first celebrities to find fame with a leaked sex tape. Now, we hardly bat an eyelash when a new sex tape hits the Internet, but in 2003 it was pretty scandalous. (Getty)

Thirsting for tiger blood and claiming that he had the power of a warlock, Charlie Sheen was off his rocker in 2011. With a "goddess" on his arm and a briefcase full of cocaine, Sheen was in his own world -- and clearly "winning." (Getty)

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Spurs Top Heat 114-104 In Game 5 NBA Finals: Manu Ginobili, Danny Green Lift San Antonio (VIDEO)

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SAN ANTONIO — With the old Manu Ginobili back, the San Antonio Spurs looked like champs again.

One more victory and their Big Three, not Miami's, will be the one that rules the NBA.

Ginobili broke out of a slump in a big way with 24 points and 10 assists in his first start of the season, and the Spurs beat the Heat 114-104 on Sunday night to take a 3-2 lead.

Tony Parker scored 26 points, Tim Duncan had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Ginobili had his highest-scoring game of the season as the Spurs became the first team to shoot 60 percent in a finals game in four years.

Danny Green smashed the NBA Finals record for 3-pointers with six more and scored 24 points. Kawhi Leonard finished with 16, but the stage was set when Ginobili trotted out with Duncan, Parker and the rest of starters in what could have been the last finals home game for a trio that's meant so much to San Antonio.

The AT&T Center crowd roared when Ginobili was the last Spurs player announced and chanted his name in the second half, a familiar sight and sound in San Antonio but not during what had been a miserable series for the former Sixth Man of the Year.

"He's obviously very popular. He's been here a long time. He's helped us have a lot of success over the years," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade each scored 25 points for the Heat, who host Game 6 on Tuesday. They need a victory to force the first Game 7 in the finals since the Lakers beat the Celtics in 2010.

Miami's Big Three formed a few weeks after that game, with predictions of multiple titles to follow. Now they're a loss away from going just 1 for 3 in finals to start their partnership, while the Spurs could run their perfect record to 5 for 5.

Duncan won his first title in 1999, and Parker and Ginobili were with him for three championships since. They have been the perfect partnership, keeping the Spurs in the hunt virtually every year while teams like the Lakers, Mavericks and Suns have all risen and fallen in the Western Conference during that time.

They remained unbeaten in Game 5s, including two previous victories when the series was tied at 2-2. Of the 27 times the finals have been tied at 2-2, the Game 5 winner has won 20 of them.

Miami was the most recent loser, falling to Dallas in Game 5 in 2011 before being eliminated at home the next game.

San Antonio shot 42 of 70, right at 60 percent. The last team to make 60 percent of its shots in the finals was Orlando, which hit 62.5 in Game 3 against the Lakers in 2009, according to STATS.

"They just absolutely outplayed us," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "At times they were just picking one guy out at a time and going at us mano-a-mano. That's got to change."

Ray Allen scored 21 points on the night for the Heat as Green shattered his finals 3-point record.

The Heat were within one with 3:05 left in the third before Green hit yet another 3-pointer and Ginobili followed with the stretch that turned the game into the fourth straight blowout of the finals.

The crafty lefty plays with a flair developed on the courts of Argentina and perfected in Europe before coming to the NBA. He sees angles other players can't and takes risks few others would, but his style has been the perfect fit alongside Duncan and Parker.

He converted a three-point play, tossed in a floater with his left hand as he drifted right, and found Tiago Splitter under the hoop with a pass to make it 85-74. He flipped in another runner with 2.9 seconds to go, sending the Spurs to the fourth with an 87-75 lead as fans chanted "Manu! Manu!" during the break between the third and fourth quarters.

Ginobili had been averaging just 7.5 points on 34.5 percent shooting in the series, making only three of his 16 3-point attempts. But Spurs Popovich made the finals' second lineup change in two games, after the Heat inserted Mike Miller to start Game 4.

Ginobili didn't make a start this season and certainly hadn't been playing like someone who belonged with the first five. But in the Spurs' biggest game of the season, they remained confident he would break out, and they were right.

It was the first time he scored 24 or more points since having 34 on June 4, 2012, against Oklahoma City, according to STATS.

The AT&T Center crowd roared when Ginobili was the last starter announced, the cheers growing louder when he made a jumper – originally ruled a 3-pointer but later overturned by replay – on the first possession. He assisted on the Spurs' next three baskets, and it was 15-10 when he later hit a 3 that did count.

Parker picked it up from there, dancing his way into the lane repeatedly and scoring seven points in a 12-0 run that made it 29-17. Leonard's 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left, on an assist from Ginobili, made it 32-19 and gave the Spurs 12 makes in 19 attempts (63 percent) in the opening 12 minutes.

Green has 25 3s in the series. Allen made 22 3-pointers in six games in 2008 finals for Boston.

Green's third straight 3-pointer made it 45-28 about 5 minutes into the second quarter, and it seemed the trend of blowouts would continue. But James suddenly got rolling during a 14-2 Miami spurt that cut it to five on his third consecutive Heat basket.

San Antonio made 21 of 34 shots (62 percent) in the first half, opening a 61-52 lead on Parker's drive with 0.4 seconds left.

Miami then ran off eight in a row to start the second half and get within one. They cut it to one again later in the period before Ginobili led the flurry that finished the Heat for good.

It was a fitting finish if it was the last home game in the finals for this San Antonio trio, which has combined for 101 playoff victories together. Ginobili has said he might think about retirement as he turns 36 next month, and Duncan is 37.

Both coaches said it was difficult waiting two days between games – Popovich said it was "like death" – though he did say it was great for the Spurs because they have some older players.

The break seemed to help his team early, particularly Parker, whose energy sagged in the second of Game 4 as he struggled with a strained hamstring that he said could tear at any time and would've had him sidelined during the regular season.

Notes: The last team to lose Game 5 of a 2-2 series and then win the title was the Los Angeles Lakers, when they beat Boston in 2010. ... The Spurs said Sunday that reserve guard Patty Mills had surgery to remove an abscess Friday and would miss the rest of the series. Mills had an infection in his right foot and the abscess developed between his fourth and fifth toes.

___

Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney

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Brad Friedman and Desi Doyen: "Green news report" - June 13, 2013

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R. Kay Green: 6 Key Lessons From an Entrepreneur

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As we've all heard, when it comes to the definition of entrepreneurship, there are varying definitions of what this term really means. Some experts think of entrepreneurs as people who are willing to take risks that other people are not. Others define them as people who start and build successful businesses. According to the Small Business Administration (2013), an entrepreneur is a person who organizes and manages a business undertaking, assuming the risk for the sake of profit. An entrepreneur: Sees an opportunity. Makes a plan. Starts the business. Manages the business. Receives the profits.

Regardless of how we define an "entrepreneur," one thing is certain: becoming a successful entrepreneur isn't easy. In fact, it takes 110 percent of hard work and effort. So, how does one person successfully take advantage of an opportunity, while another, equally experienced person does not? Do entrepreneurs have a different genetic makeup? Or do they operate from a different perspective, which somehow directs their decisions for them?

Having been an entrepreneur for several years now, I can tell you that entrepreneurship is very challenging; however, it is also very rewarding. Throughout the years, I have realized that there are certain strategies that must be implemented in order to achieve success as an entrepreneur. Consider, then, the following strategies that highly increase the likelihood of success for your entrepreneurial endeavors:

1. Find Your Niche

For your entrepreneurial venture to be successful, you must choose a singular path. Nothing stops progress quite like spreading yourself too thin. So before you begin, pick a passion and commit to sticking to it. Figure out how to define yourself as an entrepreneur and determine where your strengths and entrepreneurial aspirations fit into the market, rather than the other way around. The key is to find out what YOU are inherently good at.

2. Understand the Power of You - Sell Your Brand

A brand is the power of you on paper, in person, on the airwaves, or on screen. It is the extension of yourself that your marketing materials try to project. Because it is representing you, it must also differentiate you. A brand must always come from the heart. It must define who you are. If it's inauthentic, it will never get off the ground. Your brand is a direct representation of you as well as your promise about what you will deliver to your customers or clients. You can't achieve if you're not in tune with what you have to offer. Create a brand that delivers!

3. Develop a Strong Online Presence

Any discussion about online presence starts and ends with social networking. I have built up a substantial following on Twitter and Facebook because I offer something that people can identify with. I am authentic, I am honest, I am direct, and I am unique. These are the things that drive followers to your Twitter handle or Facebook page.

Google is King! If you can't Google yourself, you don't exist. If you're not even on the first page of a Google search for key words that describe your business or brand, how can you expect to reach people? It might cost a little money to optimize your search presence, but every dime is well spent if it helps you reach your potential customers.

So a strong online presence is simple. Build your website/s according to the Three C's: Constancy, Consistency, and Clarity. Optimize your website/s on search engines. Then keep your brand consistent and powerful across the landscapes of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and whatever other social networking sites you can access. Your online brand is what people think of you when you're not there. Make sure they're always thinking the right thoughts.

4. Build and Maintain Long-Term Customer Relationships

Customer Relationship Management is the strongest and the most efficient approach in maintaining and creating relationships with customers. Customer relationship management is not only pure business; but, also ideates strong personal bonding within people. Development of this type of bonding drives the business to new levels of success. Remember, like anything valuable in life, business relationships take time. Start slowly.

5. Always craft Contingency Plans

As we know, even the best laid plans have a way of coming unraveled at times. There are just so many variables in life that it is often quite difficult to foresee literally every potential roadblock standing in your way. Sometimes, those roadblocks can be mere annoyances. Sometimes, they can render your original strategy irrelevant.

So that's why contingency planning is so important. I never do anything without first plotting a Plan A, Plan B, and even a Plan C. You have to expect the unexpected in business and in life. So once you have your initial strategy in place, plot out at least one more that takes into account every foreseeable disaster. If you can see them coming, you'll be that much more prepared to overcome them when they're here.

6. Make (and Take!) the Steps

Once you have identified and begun to research your entrepreneurial venture, you may begin creating a detailed, step by step plan to follow over the days, weeks, and years to come. Assemble all of the information you have compiled through your research and your relationships with the key decision makers who will help you along the path. Now, based on that information, set your goals in a reasonable fashion.

Don't set yourself up for failure by expecting to make too much progress at once. Remember, one notch at a time. Don't be the kind of person who does the research, makes the connections, creates the plan, and then doesn't do anything about it. Far too many people have the tendency not to implement their strategy because they're too afraid or too overwhelmed to take that first step. Yes, the first step is the hardest; but once it is behind you, and once you begin checking steps off your list, you'll find that overwhelming initial feeling fading.

As a final point, when you achieve that initial success as an entrepreneur, you have not reached the end point. Life is a constant and ever-evolving journey. Work hard and achieve, and by all means, be sure to enjoy your success along the way. Celebrate your successes, but always look toward the future, never give up on your entrepreneurial aspirations, and be sure to realize your ultimate vision.

Follow R. Kay Green on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@DrRKayGreen

Get Alerts As we've all heard, when it comes to the definition of entrepreneurship, there are varying definitions of what this term really means. Some experts think of entrepreneurs as people who are willing to... As we've all heard, when it comes to the definition of entrepreneurship, there are varying definitions of what this term really means. Some experts think of entrepreneurs as people who are willing to...