Andrew Stewart
Los Angeles
I'd rather have vodka.
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Articles by Andrew Stewart
Kirkwall’s 19th-century ‘eyesore’ goes up for sale
A derelict building in the centre of Kirkwall has been put up for sale after surviving plans which would have seen it flattened. The mid-19th century building at 1 King Street is being sold for offers over £65,000. In 2024, the seller had put forward plans to build two houses on the site. These plans would have seen the building demolished. However, the planning application was turned down by Orkney Islands Council’s planning department.
Council launches investigation into fake planning objections
Orkney Islands Council is launching an investigation into fake objections lodged through its online planning portal. The objections were attached to a planning application for a 92-bed hotel on Kirkwall’s Junction Road. They were submitted using names and local business addresses. However, this was done without the knowledge and consent of the business owners. The bogus objections were removed from the planning application by the council when it was made aware of the situation.
‘When a Witness Recants’ Review: Profound Doc Spotlights the Harlem Park 3
In the fall of 1983, a 14-year-old Baltimore high school student named DeWitt Duckett was shot and killed at point-blank range over a coveted Georgetown University jacket. The ensuing investigation and trial, which became known as the Georgetown Jacket murder, sent three 16-year-old boys to jail: Alfred Chestnut, Ransom Watkins and Andrew Stewart.
Orkney Island Games give major boost to local economy
ORKNEY'S Island Games gave a £4.3 million boost to the local economy, a new report has found. Despite this, the week’s effect on Kirkwall’s businesses was mixed. A recently released impact report has shown the costs and benefits of holding the Island Games in the county. READ MORE: Council objects to wind farm plans as public inquiry in the pipeline It says visitor spending added £4.3m to the islands’ economy while the cost of holding the games was £3.7m.
SIRT2 puts the brakes on human β cell proliferation: therapeutic opportunities and next challenges
Abstract The numbers of insulin-producing β cells in the pancreas are reduced in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, prompting efforts to replace these missing or lost β cells through transplant or regenerative medicine approaches. In this issue of the JCI, Wortham et al. describe a function for the deacetylase enzyme sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) in a novel pathway that acts as a brake on β cell proliferation.
Niche Names Conroe ISD Best School District in Montgomery County for 5th-Straight Year
Conroe ISD was tabbed the Best School District Overall in Montgomery County for the fifth-straight year by Niche, a prominent education ranking and review site, which announced its 2026 rankings Monday. In addition to the best overall, the District was named the Best School District for Athletes in the county, marking the fourth-straight year to claim that distinction. CISD ranked among the top 10 in the Houston area and ranked among the top seven percent both in the state and nationally.
Niche Names Conroe ISD Best School District in Montgomery County for 5th-Straight Year
CONROE, TX -- Conroe ISD was tabbed the Best School District Overall in Montgomery County for the fifth-straight year by Niche, a prominent education ranking and review site, which announced its 2026 rankings Monday. In addition to the best overall, the District was named the Best School District for Athletes in the county, marking the fourth-straight year to claim that distinction.
Conroe ISD Board of Trustees Names Dr. David Vinson as Superintendent of Schools
CONROE, TX -- The Conroe ISD Board of Trustees officially approved the hiring of Dr. David Vinson as Superintendent of Schools during its special board meeting on September 18. “On behalf of the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees, we are excited to welcome Dr. David Vinson as our next superintendent,” said Board President Misty Odenweller. “His student-centered leadership, record of academic excellence, and deep respect for educators align with our priorities for every child in every classroom.
Maverick Systems Taps Industry Innovators to Tackle Brokerage Agent Retention Crisis
Maverick Systems Advisory Board Real estate data analytics company expands to 25 MLS markets, profiling 25% of all U.S. REALTORS® CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, September 3, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Maverick Systems, a leader in real estate data analytics for agent recruitment and retention, today announced the formation of a new Advisory Board composed of three prominent industry veterans.
Truckfest Lincoln 2025
The May Bank Holiday Weekend saw a full-capacity turnout for the headline Truckfest Lincoln 2025 event, taking place in Lincoln for the second year. The size of Truckfest Lincoln is hard to convey without experiencing it in person. It is enormous. Trucks from all over the country descended en masse to the Lincolnshire Showground for the second year and to the delight of all concerned, the recent spell of good weather meant the grass areas were rock solid.
Road Test: Scania 460R Super
We go to work in a Scania 460R Super and find the Swedish marque's new 13-litre engine pushes the boundaries for both performance and economy. There's been such a shift in recent years toward bigger cabs and higher outputs that a truck with a mid-sized cab and mid-400hp is considered 'fleet spec'. Attracting and retaining drivers, along with residual values mean operators are more than likely to go large - even on trunkers that'll never do a night out. What is fleet spec?
‘Pathfinder’ Director Nils Gaup Explores New Documentary About Shamanism -
Renowned filmmaker Nils Gaup, the creative force behind the Oscar-nominated Pathfinder, is set to embark on a new cinematic venture. Following his latest work, The Riot, Gaup is diving into the mystical realm with a documentary on shamanism titled Koven. The documentary revolves around a Sámi man, the film’s protagonist, whose ancestor was Norway’s most prominent shaman. Gaup shared that this character, initially a scientist and skeptic, undergoes a transformative experience he cannot comprehend.
Jim Carrey Pushes Back Retirement With ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Return -
Jim Carrey is set to reprise his iconic role as the eccentric Dr. Robotnik in the upcoming film Sonic the Hedgehog 3, a shocking return to the beloved video game adaptation franchise. This announcement effectively delays the retirement of the famed actor, whom many thought had closed the door on his acting career.
Zendaya On Dune 3: ‘Any Time Denis Calls It’s A Yes From Me’ -
Denis Villeneuve not only dazzles sci-fi moviegoers with his broad storytelling and intricate attention to special effects, but he has also captured the professional attention of his latest star. In a cast interview with Fandango, Zendaya confirmed that whenever the Academy Award-winning director is ready to round out the Dune trilogy, she is in. After the first Dune celebrated $402 million at the box office and six Oscar wins, Villeneuve went to work straight away on a sequel.
Sony Pictures’ Origin Story ‘SNL 1975’ Lands Top Actors To Portray Comedy Legends -
Lamorne Morris, Dylan O’Brien, Cory Michael Smith, and Matt Wood are set to star in Sony Pictures’ SNL 1975, directed by Jason Reitman and inspired by the untold stories behind the inaugural episode of Saturday Night Live. The film, based on interviews with the surviving cast, writers, and crew members, delves into the chaos of the moments leading up to the groundbreaking broadcast on October 11, 1975.
Sexually discordant selection is associated with trait specific morphological changes and a complex genomic response
Abstract Sexes often have differing fitness optima, potentially generating intra-locus sexual conflict, as each sex bears a genetic "load" of alleles beneficial to the other sex. One strategy to evaluate conflict in the genome is to artificially select populations discordantly, against established sexual dimorphism, reintroducing attenuated conflict.
Daisy Ridley Recalls J.J. Abrams Warning Her To ‘Understand The Scale’ of the Star Wars Franchise -
Daisy Ridley, star of the latest trilogy in the now Disney-owned Star Wars universe, recalls a warning from director J.J. Abrams before accepting the role in 2015. Abrams prepared her for the potential passionate fans’ vitriol, saying, “This is a religion for people.” Ridley played protagonist Rey (Palpatine/Skywalker) in The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019), all of which positioned her in the crosshairs of an incredibly fervent fanbase.
In The Blink of An Eye (song)
Song facts “In The Blink of An Eye” is a song written by Paul McCartney and featured on the soundtrack of the animated film “Ethel & Ernest“, released in 2016. The film is based on the 1998 graphic memoir of the same name written by Raymond Briggs, and follows Briggs’ parents, Ethel and Ernest, through their period of marriage from the 1920s to their deaths in the 1970s. Paul McCartney’s song plays over the end credits of the film.
Universal aborts 'Tower Heist' VOD plan
It’s clear that Universal gave in to exhibitors’ pressure when it announced Wednesday that it was scrapping plans to make “Tower Heist” available via premium video-on-demand just three weeks after its theatrical release. What wasn’t quite clear is which exhibitors, or what kind of pressure.
Golden Globes: Animation Category Drawn Without Pixar
While all three Globes nominated animated features –“The Croods, “Despicable Me 2” and “Frozen”– come from the Hollywood majors, there was one conspicuous omission: a Pixar film. The trio muscled past Disney-Pixar’s “Monsters University,” making this the first time that a Pixar entry has not been nominated by the Globes since the animated feature category’s induction in 2007.
What defines casual work? Federal Court ruling highlights a fundamental flaw in Australian labour law
A much-awaited ruling from the Federal Court has confirmed long-term casual workers can dispute their status and seek payments for entitlements such as annual leave. The decision has been attacked by employer groups for allowing casual workers to “double dip” – because they are paid a loading to compensate for the lack of such benefits. In response, federal industrial relations minister Christian Porter, has indicated the government will consider legislation to address these concerns.
Why Movie Theaters Can Ignore NC-17 Ratings
When the Federal Trade Commission released in March a survey revealing that an all-time low 24% of teenagers succeeded in buying tickets to R-rated movies, the results painted a media-friendly picture of the Motion Picture Assn. of America’s movie ratings system and exhibitors’ willingness to enforce it. But as illustrated by recent news of the IFC Center in New York allowing teens to see the NC-17-rated French pic “Blue Is the Warmest Color,” enforcing movie ratings is much murkier.
‘Instructions Not Included’: Hollywood Gets Wake Up Call From Latino Audiences
It seems Lionsgate and Pantelion have finally found the instructions for how to target widespread Hispanic auds. Pantelion’s “Instructions Not Included” is the rare film that started with a medium-sized opening and continues to add theaters and increase B.O. in its fourth week.
Will Smith, Sony exploring ‘Annie’ redux
In his latest keep-it-in-the-family move, Will Smith is exploring with Sony the potential for a remake of the musical “Annie,” with daughter Willow as the star, sources say. Smith, who developed “ The Karate Kid ” starring his son Jaden, would produce through his Overbrook shingle. While details about the “Annie” retooling are still in development stages, rapper Jay-Z, who worked with Willow on her pop hit “Whip My Hair,” is in talks to collaborate on the music.
‘Hangover Part III’ Moves Up to May 23
In an attempt to beat the Memorial Day weekend rush, Warner Bros. has bumped up “The Hangover Part III” to Thursday, May 23, a day before Universal launches its similarly male targeted “Fast and Furious 6.” The showdown between the two tentpoles has been an odd strategy from the beginning, with neither studio willing to give up the lucrative holiday play period. Warners was hugely successful releasing “The Hangover Part II” over Memorial Day weekend 2011.
Global 3D biz looks blurry
From “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” to this past weekend’s “Conan the Barbarian” and “Fright Night,” Hollywood has spent the summer debating the aesthetic gains of 3D. But in the more crucial barometer — how much of a boost 3D upcharges bring to the bottom lines of studios and exhibs — the summer has provided mixed messages. In 2010, 3D’s contribution to a pic’s overall B.O. ranged from about 50% to as high as 80%. This year, the domestic figure is down to roughly 45%.
Team Top Ten: Back to School Edition
It’s hard to think of a genre that gets less respect than the high school film, but try contemplating a list of the best high school films of all time and a never-ending stream of classics seems to rush forward. That’s exactly what our team decided to do this month, and to make things difficult for ourselves, we expanded our horizons to include school films about kids of all ages, from all countries. After all, teenagers aren’t the only ones going back to school next week.
Why Does Minor League Baseball Need a Bailout?
The State of Rhode Island is a viper’s den of graft and glut, a place so politically perfidious Boss Tweed would puke. For decades, the state’s Democratic Party has maintained a stranglehold with a majority that is much closer to a bizarre family reunion of Irish, Italian, and Portuguese inbreds.
Box Office: Fox’s ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Powers Up With $111 Mil Domestic Start
With the dust settled, Fox is estimating “X-Men: Days of Future Past” to have grossed $111 million domestically over the long Memorial Day weekend. The studio, meanwhile, revised the pic’s Friday-Sunday projection, up slightly to $91.4 million. Globally through Monday, “X-Men” amassed $282.1 million, of which a whopping $171.1 million comes from 119 overseas countries, marking the largest international opening ever for Fox, surpassing 2009′s “Avatar” (at $164.5 million).
‘Frozen’ Reaches $1.219 Bil to Become Fifth-Highest Grossing Film Globally
The magic continues at the global box office for Disney’s “Frozen,” which surpassed the studio’s “Iron Man 3″ this weekend to become the fifth-highest grossing film of all time, with $1.219 billion worldwide. Boosted by its $400 million-plus Stateside cume, added to a nearly unheard of $194 million cume in Japan, “Frozen” now stands as the second-highest grossing release for Disney, behind Marvel’s “The Avengers,” which is the No. 3 all-time top grosser, with $1.5 billion globally.
Box Office: ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Sets Franchise Best With $262 Mil Global Bow
Fox’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” stormed the worldwide box office, grossing a boffo $261.8 million, of which an estimated $90.7 million comes from the domestic market in three days.
Academy Hires Exec Architectural Firm for Film Museum
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is hiring an executive architectural firm for its film museum, saying there is “nothing unexpected or untoward” about the exit of Zoltan Pali, whose firm SPF:a was hired by the Academy in 2012 to assist legendary architect Renzo Piano with the execution and completion of the design.
Box Office: ‘Captain America’ Maintains Winning Perch Worldwide, Edging Out ‘Rio 2′
In a tight race for No. 1 at the worldwide box office, Disney-Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” with its estimated $41.4 million domestically, eked out a victory over Fox’s newcomer “Rio 2,” which ended with a projected $39 million three-day Stateside opening. Globally, “Rio 2″ grossed $101.3 million worldwide this weekend, while “Captain America” raked in just under $102 million globally.
Nicolas Cage: Can ‘Joe’ Take Him From Meme Back to Movie Star?
After a string of mid-sized thriller box office disappointments, Nicolas Cage is sorely in need of his own McConaissance, the career resurgence coined for Matthew McConaughey, whose path to Oscar glory began in 2012 with low-budget hits “Mud” and “Magic Mike.” For Cage, who earned his Oscar nearly two decades ago for “Leaving Las Vegas,” Roadside Attractions’ “Joe” — a Southern-set tale of redemption, which launches Friday — could be that necessary launchpad for renewed respect as an actor.
Wes Anderson’s ‘Grand Budapest Hotel’: 5 Ways Marketing Was Key
Sometimes it pays not to follow the recipe. Marketing brainstorms have helped Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” grow impressive box office, with different strategies building on each other like the layers of a Dobos torte. Fox Searchlight co-toppers Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley credit the filmmaker’s unique visual style and meticulous attention to detail.
‘Captain America’ Blows Up Box Office With Boffo $203 Mil Globally, Scores Record $96 Mil Stateside Bow
The Marvel machine continues to be a wonder at the box office, with “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” amassing a whammo $203.3 million worldwide this weekend, of which an estimated $96.2 million came from Stateside plexes, making it the largest domestic debut ever in April. To date, “Winter Soldier” has raked in an overwhelming $300 million-plus global tally, with several overseas territories bowing the pic last weekend.
Award-Winning Play ‘Holding the Man’ Launches Australian Theater Company in L.A.
Australian producers Nick Hardcastle and Nate Jones announced the formation of the Australian Theater Company, which launches April 23 at the Australian Consulate in Los Angeles. The company kicks off with the Stateside premiere of the beloved Aussie book, “Holding the Man,” on May 10 at the Marix Theater in L.A. “Our goal is to harness the huge breadth of Australian creative talent here in L.A.,” Jones and Hardcastle said.
‘Captain America’ Sequel Set to Break April Record at the Box Office
After blowing up on the international scene last weekend, with $75 million-plus from 32 territories, Disney-Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” aims its guns Stateside, targeting a projected $90 million bow or higher. The expected launch for the “Captain America” sequel would make it the largest April bow ever domestically, eclipsing Universal’s “Fast Five,” which bowed to $86 million-plus in 2011.
Box Office: ‘Noah’ Makes Good With $44 Mil Stateside; ‘Captain America’ Scores $75 Mil O’seas
Paramount’s Biblical tentpole “Noah” embarked on what looks to be a successful journey globally this weekend, grossing $77.6 million worldwide, of which an estimated $44 million came from Stateside theaters. As of Sunday, the film has cumed more than $95 million globally, thanks to an early overseas roll out last weekend in Mexico and South Korea. Pic scored $17.2 million Russia, the largest bow for a non-sequel locally.
Box Office: ‘Noah’ Poised to Ride Tide to $40 Million Stateside Bow
The day of reckoning is nigh for Paramount’s Biblical tentpole “Noah,” which looks to ride a wave of recent controversy and solid overseas grosses into Stateside plexes, projected to open at around $40 million in three days. The Darren Aronofsky-directed epic, which has drawn heat from religious groups over some of the liberties taken with the source material, already has seen sizable debuts in certain international territories, including Mexico and South Korea.
CinemaCon: Industry Moguls Gather to Honor Tom Sherak
Hollywood heavyweights gathered Wednesday night at the annual Will Rogers Pioneer Dinner to honor the memory of the late Tom Sherak, who was being awarded posthumously with org’s Pioneer of the Year kudo. Jeffery Katzenberg, who emceed the evening, described the former president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as a devout family man and friend. “He was someone who didn’t see the glass as either half full or half empty,” Katzenberg said.
CinemaCon: Fox Execs, Exhibs Miffed at John Fithian’s ’12 Years a Slave’ Comment
Not one to shy away from ruffling some feathers, John Fithian, prexy of the National Assn. of Theater Owners, may have gone too far when he admitted during his keynote speech Tuesday at CinemaCon to purposefully avoiding Fox Searchlight’s Oscar picture winner “12 Years a Slave” in theaters. Speaking in front of the packed Colosseum at Caesars Palace, full of exhibitors and studio execs, Fithian said “12 Years” was the only Oscar best picture nominee he didn’t watch in the theater.
CinemaCon: Disney Skirts Around ‘Star Wars,’ Spotlights Marvel, Pixar
While Disney chose not to reveal any new details or footage from Lucas Films’ upcoming “Star Wars,” the studio shined the spotlight on its other franchises during its CinemaCon presentation Wednesday, including Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” as well as Pixar’s 2015 release “Inside Out.” In addition to the “Inside Out” sneak peek, Horn and Dave Hollis, exec VP of worldwide distribution for Disney, showed roughly five minutes from another 2015...
Number of Frequent Young Moviegoers Plummets in 2013
The number of frequent moviegoers in the all-important 18-24 age group plunged an unprecedented 21% in 2013, according to MPAA annual statistics released Tuesday at Cinemacon, while attendance in the 12-17 age bracket also saw a precipitous drop off, falling almost 15%. Frequent filmgoers from 12-24 are likely spending much of their previous moviegoing time watching a variety of other screens. But Chris Dodd, head of the Motion Picture Assn.
Number of Frequent Young Moviegoers Plummets in 2013
The number of frequent moviegoers in the all-important 18-24 age group plunged an unprecedented 21% in 2013, according to MPAA annual statistics released Tuesday at Cinemacon, while attendance in the 12-17 age bracket also saw a precipitous drop off, falling almost 15%. Frequent filmgoers from 12-24 are likely spending much of their previous moviegoing time watching a variety of other screens. But Chris Dodd, head of the Motion Picture Assn.
CinemaCon: Hollywood Tested By New Distribution Models
In the world of theatrical exhibition, the struggle between preserving traditional business methods and forging new ways to expand moviegoing has never been more intense. A recent deal by top exhibs with a new production entity to book movies directly into theaters and bypass the studios threatens to put a significant strain on the historically close but uneasy relationship between exhibitors and the Hollywood majors.
Imax Signs 63 Laser Projectors Worldwide (EXCLUSIVE)
Mega-screen company Imax is moving forward with its laser technology, signing 63 laser projectors to be installed worldwide over the next several years, with the majority of the new systems ear marked for Greater China. Imax has made significant inroads into China throughout the last few years, expanding its brand with a growing infrastructure.
Box Office: ‘Divergent’ Jump Starts Franchise With $56 Mil Opening, While ‘Muppets’ Stumbles With $16.5 Mil
With strong support from the youth and female factions, Lionsgate-Summit’s franchise kick-starter “Divergent” launched domestically to a solid estimated $56 million, while Disney’s wide release, “Muppets Most Wanted” came off more sluggish than expected, grossing a projected $16.5 million through Sunday. Internationally, Paramount’s Biblical epic “Noah” set sail in just two markets ahead of its Stateside launch, amassing a stellar $14 million from just Mexico and South Korea.
Box Office: ‘Divergent’ Set to Unite Fans for $60 Mil-Plus Opening
Legions of “Divergent” fans are poised to fuel a $60 million-plus domestic opening for the Lionsgate-Summit film, which will handily win the weekend ahead of Disney’s family-targeted “Muppets Most Wanted,” tracking in the mid-$20 millions range. The projected Stateside start for “Divergent” puts it in the same realm as the first “Twilight” film, which opened to $69 million during fall 2008, though no where near the high-water mark of YA champ “The Hunger Games’s” $152 million start in 2012.
Sony Pictures Classics Buys The Who Docu ‘Lambert & Stamp’
Sony Pictures Classics announced Thursday it has acquired North American and select overseas rights to James D. Cooper’s documentary “Lambert & Stamp,” which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Centered on the pair of eponymous cinephiles in London during the 1960′s, “Lambert & Stamp” follows Chris Stamp and Kit Lambert, who set out to find a subject for their underground movie, leading them to discover, mentor and manage the iconic band that would become The Who.
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