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Celebrities

The Olympics have been over for forever, but I still want to highlight Olypmian Lopez Lomong, a devout Catholic who was one of the infamous “Lost Boys of Sudan.” Lomong was taken in by an American family and eventually became the running superstar that he is today. You can check out his website here.

It looks like Ali Landry is officially off maternity leave. She’s been hosting a lot of events lately but will be featured on the Nov. 19th episode of Criminal Minds on CBS.

Soccer star Chase Hilgenbrink has decided to enter into the priesthood:

…is it wrong for me to say he’s REALLY cute? On second thought, don’t answer that.

In political news…

Reggaetone star Daddy Yankee endorsed John McCain about a month ago…I have to say my jaw dropped when I read this…

…Eduardo Verastegui has also endorsed McCain for president…I circulated some of the Latino gossip blogs and people are not too happy about it…*blank stare of surprise*…did you hear about the one where his photo was torn up at a press conference?

Actor John Voight has also come under fire for his endorsement of Sen. McCain. His new film Pride and Glory made over $6 million over the weekend debuting at #5 at the box office. Has anyone seen it yet? The reviews are starkly mixed….

In new music, check out 19-year-old singer Marie Miller:

She’s performing at Catholic Underground in Connecticut soon…I’m going to pass this along to the LA core team.

TV/Films

An American Carol is still trudging along at the box office having now grossed almost $7 million dollars…which is a far cry from its $20 million dollar budget…

…by the way I saw Max Payne over the weekend and save your money because it was baaaad…the trailer looked kind of cool with those weird flying demon things in it but believe me when I say it was lame. Why Mark Whalberg, why? First that stupid tree movie now this?

In more positive news…

A Man for All Seasons has hit broadway and is getting good reviews…

The screenwriter of Basic Instinct has come back home to Rome and has written a book about faith…

There’s a new movie in development based on the life of the Blessed Mother. Mary, Mother of Christ is under MGM and being co-written by the same writer as the Passion of the Christ…oh the anticipation…

An Italian media company is producing a a kids cartoon show based on the life of Opus Dei founder St. Jose Maria Escriva…

I’m pitching my Left to Tell adaptation tomorrow morning…I couldn’t get the rights to any other books so I’m cutting my losses and going with this one.

Catholic Media

The Podcast Awards are going on…go vote for your favorite shows! I guess what I really mean is go vote for your favorite SQPN shows as I don’t know of any better ones…

Pilgrims is still in post. I’ve decided not to do a web premiere because of some interest in the series from a Catholic media outlet. If I can’t get a deal going then I will go back to the web premiere…but let’s pray that I don’t. Look for the series in the spring of next year.

…There is a new grassroots movement called the Hollywood Project. Check it out.

In non-Catholic news, my deepest condolences to former American Idol contestant and Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson and her family. JHud’s mother and brother were found shot dead last week, and yesterday it was reported that her kidnapped 7-year-old nephew was found dead in an SUV in Chicago. Hudson’s brother-in-law is in custody for the suspected murders. It’s an absolutely unbelievable story and my heart is with her and her family.

Pax Christi, Rebecca.