Shauna Wright
![New Movie Releases — ‘The Adventures of Tintin,’ ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,’ ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,’ ‘We Bought a Zoo,’ and More](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/newmovies121911.jpg?w=980&q=75)
New Movie Releases — ‘The Adventures of Tintin,’ ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,’ ‘Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,’ ‘We Bought a Zoo,’ and More
It’s a holiday week, and you know what that means — studios realize you’re looking to escape your visiting in-laws, so most are debuting this weekend’s movies a few days ahead of schedule. And without a doubt, there are some surefire winners in the pack.
![‘Send a Call from Santa’ to Keep Kids in Line… or to Have a Little Holiday Fun](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/santacall.jpg?w=980&q=75)
‘Send a Call from Santa’ to Keep Kids in Line… or to Have a Little Holiday Fun
Parents have been using the threat of Santa’s “naughty or nice” list for so long now that it may be losing its strength, so the nice folks at Google stepped in to help.
Enter a little information at Send a Call from Santa and your little one will get a voicemail from the North Pole denizen himself. You can customize it to be as personal as you like, including details like the child’s name, gender
![Walking May Make You Thinner, But Will It Also Make You Stronger? — Health Check](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/pedometer.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Walking May Make You Thinner, But Will It Also Make You Stronger? — Health Check
In recent years, health advocacy groups have recommended walking a minimum of 10,000 steps a day to stay fit.
And although all that pavement-pounding does help keep your weight down, researchers have found it doesn’t make people stronger or improve their balance and agility.
![Ex-Smokers Are Not Just Healthier, They’re Happier Too — Health Check](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/quit-smoking-happier.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Ex-Smokers Are Not Just Healthier, They’re Happier Too — Health Check
If you’ve decided to greet the New Year with a resolution to quit smoking, you may be dreading the stress and jitters often associated with nicotine withdrawal. But take heart! A new study says you’ll be healthier and happier.
![North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il Dies at Age 69 [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/KimJongIl.jpg?w=980&q=75)
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il Dies at Age 69 [VIDEO]
Kim Jong Il, the eccentric leader of North Korea since 1994, has died at the age of 69.
North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency reported that after “great mental and physical strain,” he passed away of a heart attack at 8:30 a.m. Saturday while on a train during a “field guidance tour.”
![Weekend Box Office — ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ Hunts Down First Place](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/sherlockholmes.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Weekend Box Office — ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ Hunts Down First Place
Moviegoers lined up to see Robert Downey, Jr. in ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,’ giving the sleuthing sequel a $40 million showing and the top spot at the box office this weekend.
![Worst Malfunction Ever Cheats Man Out of $57 Million Jackpot](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/slotmachines.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Worst Malfunction Ever Cheats Man Out of $57 Million Jackpot
Most slot machines these days are run on computer chips, which means that just like your trusty laptop, they’re bound to fail on occasion.
That’s what happened to Behar Merlaku, who thought he’d won a $57 million jackpot, only to learn a software error voided his big score.
![Forget Calorie Counting, It’s Now All About Counting Gym Time — Health Check](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/cokes.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Forget Calorie Counting, It’s Now All About Counting Gym Time — Health Check
When it comes to food, would you rather know how many calories you’re ingesting or how much treadmill time it’ll take to burn off the calories?
Think carefully because some now believe displaying the amount of jogging time needed to burn off the calories from a sugary drink — instead of just showing a calorie count — may be more effective in dissuading you from drinking those beverages.
![Is Text Messaging the Newest Cure for Addiction?](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/textmsg.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Is Text Messaging the Newest Cure for Addiction?
It turns out suffers from alcohol dependency might be able to kick the habit by doing what comes natural… texting. Yup, a new study has found actual evidence that there may be a health benefit to text messaging.
Research with young problem drinkers found those who sent and received weekly text messages tracking their alcohol consumption drank less at the end of the 12-week program than they did at
![This Day in History for December 18 – ‘The Nutcracker’ Premieres and More](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/nutcracker.jpg?w=980&q=75)
This Day in History for December 18 – ‘The Nutcracker’ Premieres and More
Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:
1620 – The Mayflower docks at modern-day Plymouth, Massachusetts (More info)
1898 – Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat sets the first officially recognized land speed record of 39.2 mph in a Jeantaud electric car (More info)
![Celebrity Birthdays for December 18 – Brad Pitt, Christina Aguilera and More](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/dec18.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Celebrity Birthdays for December 18 – Brad Pitt, Christina Aguilera and More
Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:
Brad Pitt
Age: 48
Occupation: Actor
Known For: Roles in films like ‘Thelma & Louise,’ ‘Legends of the Fall,’ ‘Fight Club,’ and ‘Moneyball,’ reportedly leaving his former wife Jennifer Aniston for his ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ co-star Angelina Jolie, with whom he now has six children, and being handsome enough to make even the occasion
![Celebrity Birthdays for December 17 – Eugene Levy, Milla Jovovich and More](http://townsquare.media/site/126/files/2011/12/dec17.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Celebrity Birthdays for December 17 – Eugene Levy, Milla Jovovich and More
Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:
Eugene Levy
Age: 65
Occupation: Actor and Comedian
Known For: Beginning his career as a comedian in the sketch comedy series ‘SCTV,’ roles in movies like ‘Splash’ and ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation,’ and starring in all eight ‘American Pie’ films as the clueless but loving dad Noah Levenstein