Mariah Carey, five time Grammy winner, has announced that she will be the newest “American Idol” judge. After meeting with FOX executives on Monday, July 23, Carey joined in a phone press conference to confirm the news.

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Jennifer Lopez have both already announced that they will not be returning to “American Idol” after being on the show for two years. According to FOX president Kevin Reilly the decision was mutual. Reilly stated, “we both decided it’s time for a change.” During the past two years the show’s ratings have declined a staggering 23%, leaving FOX very unhappy with executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.

According to bestmoviesevernews.com Lythgoe is in danger of losing “American Idol” if he doesn’t revamp the show and up the ratings. Randy Jackson, long-time judge and member of Journey, was also in danger of losing his contract. However, as co-manager of Mariah Carey, he was key in cementing the deal between her and FOX, which also seems to have secured his place as judge. Reilly stated, “Randy has been working with Mariah for a long, long time and is in fact her co-manager. Randy was very instrumental in this deal.”

With several other competitive singing shows out there, “American Idol” is getting lost in time. Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe claimed at the Television Critics Association that one way ratings could be improved is to have new judges on the show each season. This strategy may in fact be necessary with new shows climbing in ratings such as “The X-Factor” which just added Britney Spears and Demi Lavato as judges.

Lythgoe also suggested that there is a chance that J-Lo would return to the show, but Reilly stopped those rumors stating, “I think I can say that’s 100 percent that Jennifer won’t be coming back to the show.” However, everyone at FOX, as well as Carey herself, are very excited about this new addition to the show.

Carey stated in the phone conference, “I am so excited to be joining “American Idol.” I wish I could have been there myself to tell you. This kind of all just happened really quickly. I can’t wait to get started in a couple months… I will see you in January.”

Kevin Reilly, president of FOX also added his support. “It’s the biggest recording artist that any of these shows have ever had. It’s an artist many of these contestants have tried to emulate. [The deal] only concluded only hours ago. Not being the only game in town, we need to keep things fresh.”

Simon Fuller, the creator and other executive producer of “American Idol” stated, “we are proud to have one of the world’s greatest-ever female singers join our show. Mariah defines the word ‘Idol’ and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her.”

Hopefully for FOX and for “American Idol” the addition of Carey will guarantee that the show will go on.

Image Courtesy of  Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

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Taking center stage in ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ is Mother Nature herself, via the filmmakers’ depictions of: the Scrat-induced continental cataclysm, the ocean upon which the herd is swept away, a vicious storm that puts our three heroes at great risk, and the looming threat of the palisades – an 800-foot wall chasing, and threatening to crush Ellie, Peaches and the other creatures remaining on land.

The word “epic” was at the top of everyone’s mind in the design of these environments and natural disasters. “It is epic when you see a mammoth, Manny, look like a tiny dot atop an iceberg being hurtled through an oceanic storm,” says Thurmeier. “With each new ‘Ice Age’ movie, we take major steps forward in putting our characters in larger, more elaborate, and more thrilling environments.”

Chief among those environments is the vast and unforgiving ocean. To maximize the scale of the characters’ peril – and to sweep audiences along for the ride – the filmmakers employed newly developed technologies. They were successful beyond their expectations: when the voice cast saw some early footage of the storm scene, they thought the filmmakers had filmed an actual ocean, which, they assumed was blended with the animated characters.

The ocean is no less compelling when it’s becalmed. Its rich atmospherics – the mist and mystery of being at sea – are an extension of the characters, especially the pirates, as are the vast, open skies punctuated by cloud formations. To capture the environments, the filmmakers, for the first time in the “Ice Age” franchise, shot in the widescreen aspect ratio of 2:35: 1, which enhances the feeling of the characters being dwarfed by their surroundings.

The ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ research and development team also developed new technologies for some spectacular land-based locales, including a cave where trees hang from the ceiling, literally turning the earth under the characters upside-down; the ubiquitous threat of crumbling earth and rocks; and the icebergs serving as the ships, each possessing a unique “personality” and color.

Another key filmmaking tool was 3D. Notes Martino: “Our story takes audiences on an adventure, and 3D further immerses them in the story. When Manny, Diego and Sid ride some giant waves during a storm, 3D allows us to place the audience with the characters on the waves, and have them feel like they’re part of the action.”

“We were always looking for new ways to give the audience a really interesting experience, to bring them into the world of ‘Ice Age,’ adds Thurmeier. “You will feel like you’re experiencing everything with the characters, whether they are swashbuckling aboard a ship, or triggering massive seismic shifts from the center of the Earth.”

Image Courtesy of   Ice Age Movie

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The sound design in ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ is essential to the movie-goers experience. Not only are the sound effects important but so are the songs within the film that continue the message on the importance of family.

As the animation neared completion, the film’s post-production team began its critical work. “Ice Age” veteran and Academy Award winning sound designer Randy Thom created the thunderous sounds of the Earth shearing apart, the concussive force of truck-sized ice chunks slamming into the water, the menacing palisades wall pushing toward the animals, Scrat rattling around inside the Earth’s core, and the charmingly incomprehensible vocalizations of the Hyrax.

John Powell composed the film’s score, reprising some of the themes from the previous “Ice Age” films, as well as creating beautiful new music highlighting the Manny-Peaches emotional dynamic and Manny’s longing to be reunited with his family. Concurrently, finishing touches were put on the songs, including “Chasing the Sun,” performed by the U.K. pop sensation band The Wanted; the the Gutt-centric sea shanty “Master of the Seas,” and “We Are (Theme from ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’).” Ester Dean, who wrote the latter and who made a dual appearance on the soundtrack for “Rio,” notes that the song “sheds a light on the fact that a family doesn’t have to be blood-related or look perfect. But family is family – and that is perfect.”

Indeed, the “Ice Age” extended family is far from conventional, and it’s certainly a distant relative of perfection, but the fact that it is a family is nothing less than ideal. “The message of the importance of family is integral to the ‘Ice Age’ movies,” says Martino. “Audiences around the world enjoy stories about families that work well together. Even though our characters are imperfect, and very different from one another, they always work things out and they’re the better for it.”

So what began in “Ice Age” as the world’s most unexpected herd/family – a prehistoric wooly mammoth, a sloth, and a sabre-toothed tiger – has grown and changed as new members, including a wife, daughter, a pair of “brothers” and a Granny joined the clan. Moreover, Manny, Sid, Diego and the members of their burgeoning group are changing. “They’re all evolving, and we’re along with them for the ride, physically and emotionally,” says Lori Forte. “But however much they change, they’re still the characters we know and love.”

But what of Scrat, whose only family seems to be the cursed nut he’s been after since… forever? “It’s always fun to see how he screws up,” says Steve Martino. “And his screw-ups in ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift,’ of which the global crack-up is only the first, are truly epic.”

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As Manny deals with his parenting challenges, his best pals Diego and Sid are experiencing their own challenges. At first glance, Diego seems to be at the top of his game. He remains a confirmed bachelor and, having battled dinosaurs in the previous “Ice Age” adventure, has reaffirmed his place as the herd’s tough guy. Diego scoffs at the notion that hanging out with Manny’s family has softened him. “I happen to be a relentless assassin!” he roars.

But it wouldn’t be an “Ice Age” film if big changes weren’t in store for our three heroes, including Diego, who meets his match – and maybe more – in a female sabre named Shira, voiced by Jennifer Lopez, one of today’s biggest cross-over stars. Given this important new figure in Diego’s life, it’s not surprising that when asked about the story for ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift,’ Denis Leary, who returns as Diego, jokes: “The story? Diego gets a love interest, played by J-Lo. I think there’s a more intricate plot, but basically that’s the most important thing.”

Leary insists it’s about time Diego found someone to share his life with. “It took only four ‘Ice Age’ movies for me to get a love interest. Believe me, when making the first ‘Ice Age,’ I didn’t look down the road and think, you know, Diego’s going to get a girlfriend and it’s going to be J-Lo. I would have put that in my contract back then if I thought I could have gotten away with it!”

Love is never simple, especially for sabre-toothed tigers. Shira is a member of a pirate crew that has taken Diego, Manny and Sid hostage, so Shira and Diego’s initial encounters are as foes who go toe-to-toe – and sabre-to-sabre – against one another. They are equally matched. “Diego has never encountered anyone like her before,” says Michael Berg. Adds Steve Martino: “Shira is a femme fatale; she’s sharp, fast and intelligent. But they’re more alike one another than either tiger would admit, and from their hostility and attempts at one-upmanship comes a shared point of view and ultimately a relationship.”

According to Jennifer Lopez, who joins the “Ice Age” family as Shira, Diego and Shira are destined to join forces. “The two characters have a similar backstory,” she explains. “Diego left his pack of sabre-toothed tigers in the first film, and Shira had left hers because she didn’t like the pack mentality. Shira felt like she didn’t belong anywhere until she joined the pirates. Eventually she realizes the pirates are out for themselves, and she must make a choice between staying with them or starting a new life with Diego.” And as we all know, Diego can be very convincing.

Lopez was excited about joining the “Ice Age” team, especially as an empowered figure. “’Ice Age: Continental Drift’ is a poignant, fun, exciting and sweet story, and I love playing strong female characters like Shira,” she explains.

The filmmakers were thrilled to get the multi-talented actress-singer-“American Idol” judge onboard. “Playing a character in an animated film is about more than just the actor’s voice,” says producer Lori Forte. “It’s about the attitude, and Jennifer really brings it.”

The film also makes use of Lopez’s singing talents, as she joins her fellow pirates (including Peter Dinklage, Nick Frost, Aziz Ansari, and Alain Chabat) in a sea shanty, “Master of the Seas,” written by Adam Schlesinger (of Fountains of Wayne); and accompanies Nicki Minaj, Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo and Queen Latifah) in the closing song, “We Are (Theme from ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’),” written by Ester Dean.

Image Courtesy of   Ice Age Movie

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The ‘Ice Age’ herd is in a lot of trouble in this latest film of the saga, ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift.’ They’ve been captured by a band of pirates, led by the fearsome orangutan Captain Gutt, voiced by Emmy-winner Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”). A self-styled king of the ocean and pirate of all pirates, Gutt loves being a brigand and living by the strict code of the sea. He’s earned the name “Gutt” from having big claws that he’s not afraid to use. As Gutt proudly boasts, he can turn your innards into your “outards.” You don’t want to mess with him.

That is, unless you’re Manny, who must challenge Gutt because the pirate captain is standing in the way of the mammoth’s return to his family. They are formidable, evenly matched foes. “Manny and the herd beat the dinosaurs in their last adventure, so we knew we had to come up with a bigger-than-life adversary for Manny,” says producer John C. Donkin. Adds Thurmeier: “Gutt doesn’t like being told ‘No,’ and Manny, being a strong personality, isn’t afraid to take him on.”

Gutt is voiced by Peter Dinklage, whose role as Tyrion Lannister in the series “Game of Thrones” has earned superstardom and accolades. The actor’s rich, deep voice conveys Gutt’s power and gravitas, and Dinklage’s comedic and acting skills bring to life the humor and fun. “What appealed to me about Gutt was that I had never before played a pirate orangutan, and I’m not sure I’ll get such an opportunity again, so when these jobs come up, you grab them,” he jokes about making his animated feature film debut. “I enjoyed playing Gutt’s anger management issues. He’s quick to remind everyone who’s in charge.”

Gutt is a dark version of Manny, especially in their views about family. Manny has become the ultimate family guy – married, with a teen daughter, and a father figure to his extended clan, including Diego and Sid. He believes that family gives you strength. Gutt thinks family holds you back and makes you weak, though as Dinklage observes, his “mates and crew are a version of a family.” So let’s take a look at Gutt’s crew/family:

• Shira (Jennifer Lopez) is the aforementioned beautiful and dangerous sabre-toothed tiger who battles Diego – only to lose her heart to him.
• Flynn (“Hot Fuzz’s” and “Shaun of the Dead’s” Nick Frost) is Gutt’s first mate, a jiggly, gelatinous, 4,000-pound elephant seal. When he comes waddling into a scene, and then stops, his belly continues moving forward! He’s easily the biggest member of the crew, but, says Martino, “he’s also like a kid. Flynn has the enthusiasm of a young child, wrapped in an enormous frame.” Adds Nick Frost: “Flynn always sees the best in people, even Gutt, which is quite a difficult thing to do.”
• Squint (“Parks and Recreation’s” Aziz Ansari) is the pirate crew’s smallest but scrappiest member — an over-caffeinated bunny with a Napoleon Complex. “Squint can’t help it that he’s got a cute little bunny nose, tail and ears,” says Thurmeier. Adds Ansari: “Squint’s always ready to fight, but never gets to chop it up with anybody.”
• Gupta (“The Big Bang Theory’s” Kunal Nayyar) is a prehistoric badger whose back is patterned with a skull and crossbones – the iconic pirate flag, the Jolly Roger. So he makes for a perfect ship’s pennant. Unfortunately for Gupta, his underbelly is white, the color of surrender, which angers Gutt. “Gupta always wants to fly his white side, and nothing ticks off Gutt more than surrendering,” says Nayyar.
• Raz (“Bridesmaids’” Rebel Wilson) is an enormous prehistoric kangaroo and the crew’s weapons master. She’s tall, tough, and despite her gender, the epitome of a burly pirate.
• Silas (“Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian’s” Alain Chabat) is an aristocratic French seagull – prim, proper, and possessing a strong posture.
• Dobson is a silent, salty and curmudgeonly seaman – and a mumbling and grumbling complainer. He’s the polar opposite of the cheerful Flynn.

Peter de Sève’s ingenious character designs style the buccaneers to look like they’re wearing classic pirate garb or facial hair (Gutt’s craggly beard, Dobson’s mutton chop sideburns, Flynn’s wily whiskers), all of which is actually fur that is groomed, colored and shaped to create the “costumes” and scruff.

This menagerie of pirates, in addition to taking prisoner Manny, Sid and Diego, has forced into servitude guinea pig-like creatures called the Hyrax – cute balls of squishy love that “could very well become the film’s breakout characters,” says Martino. Realizing that the enemies (the Hyrax) of their enemies (Gutt & Co.) could make for formidable allies, Manny, Diego and Sid make a deal with the Hyrax: if they help steal Gutt’s ship, which Manny hopes will return him to his family, the herd will free the Hyrax from the pirate’s clutches.

Helping to seal the deal is the fact that only Sid can communicate with the Hyrax, who have a unique language. Says Leguizamo: “Sid and the Hyrax speak through a bit of mime and ‘click-clack’ talk,” referencing the creatures’ tongue-clicking speech.

Image Courtesy of  Ice Age Movie

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