Code Red by Monica: Eighth album by the R&B singer and the follow-up to 2012’s New Life; includes songs ‘Just Right for Me’ (featuring Lil Wayne), ‘Code Red’ (featuring Missy Elliott and Laiyah), ‘Love Just Ain’t Enough’ (featuring Timbaland), and ‘Hustler’s Ambition’ (featuring Akon).
* Movies
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Oscar Isaac) – sci-fi fantasy; seventh instalment in the Star Wars series, set thirty years after Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983).
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (starring Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney) – animation; fourth film in the series. After some misunderstandings, the Chipmunks go on a road trip to try to stop Dave (Lee) from proposing to his new girlfriend.
Sisters (starring Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, John Cena, Maya Rudolph) – comedy; a childish (Fey) and an uptight (Poehler) sister throw one last party before their parents sell their childhood home.
Celeb Tweets
Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3): I am ashamed that Pakistan’s former national football captain Abid Ghazi’s son sold all [his] belongings for [his] father’s treatment. Ghazi sahib is on his death bed in the poorest condition. He was Pakistan football team’s captain. Is that how a nation should treat its heroes?
Reham Khan (@RehamKhan): The corrupt are a minority. The majority is tolerating a few people violating their rights perpetually. Complacency is a crime.
Urwa Hocane (@VJURWA): Let’s all practice interfaith harmony from today, from right now! #love
Star William Bradley Pitt
Born on 18th of December 1963 in Oklahoma, U.S.
Has two younger siblings, brother Doug and sister Julie.
Was part of the wrestling and diving teams in high school.
Enrolled in the University of Missouri in 1982 to major in journalism, but left just weeks before earning his degree to pursue acting.
Started his acting career in 1987 with uncredited parts in a few films.
Spotted out after appearances in Thelma & Louise (1991) and A River Runs Through It (1992), before receiving widespread attention for his role in Interview with the Vampire (1994). Has since starred in films including Seven (1995), 12 Monkeys (1995), Fight Club (1999), Troy (2004), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Moneyball (2011), 12 Years a Slave (2013), and the Ocean’s trilogy (2001 – 2007).
Was engaged to Gwyneth Paltrow (1994 – 1997) and married to Jennifer Aniston (2000 – 2005). Is currently married to Angelina Jolie (2014 – present), with whom he has six (three adopted, three biological) children.
The minor planet 29132 Bradpitt was named in his honour in June 2015.
Also born today: Bridgit Mendler, Ashley Benson, Christina Aguilera, Katie Holmes, Sia, DMX, Rachel Griffiths, Steve Austin, Ray Liotta, Steven Spielberg
Spotlight
The Good Dinosaur
Voice cast: Raymond Ochoa, Jack Bright, Sam Elliott, Anna Paquin, A. J. Buckley, Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand, and Steve Zahn
Director: Peter Sohn
Tagline: Little arms, big attitude.
Animation; in an alternative timeline, an Apatosaurus named Arlo (Ochoa) makes an unlikely human friend (Bright).
Had a budget of $200 million; has made around $134 million in its first two weeks.
Has received positive reviews from critics, and has been described as charming albeit a bit too scary for younger viewers.
Suffered from several production issues. Was originally directed by Bob Peterson until summer 2013 when he was removed from the project; Peter Sohn took over the duties in 2014 when the film was reimagined.
Lucas Neff, John Lithgow, Neil Patrick Harris, Judy Greer, and Bill Hader were set to voice the characters before the project was revamped. Frances McDormand was the only member of the original cast who retained her role in the film.
Score composed by brothers Mychael and Jeff Danna.