Wang Jianlin and Dailan Wanda Group to Build $8.7 Billion Chinese Hollywood

Wang Jianlin of the Dailan Wanda Group

The Dailan Wanda Group want to bring Hollywood to China.

On Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, Wang Jianlin announced that his Dailan Wanda Group will spend 50 billion yuan ($8.7 billion USD) to build the world's largest entertainment district in Qingdao, China. Movie stars in attendance of the announcement were Leonardo di Caprio, John Travolta, Nicole Kidman, and Ewan McGregor.

The Dailan Wanda Group's investment could create the world's most influential film industry in China. If successful, it would trump Hollywood's influence in the film industry. Wang Jianlin also hopes that an annual film festival in Qingdao, China would rival that of the annual Cannes Film Festival.

The Dailan Wanda Group has already signed a preliminary deal with global film and television giants for 30 foreign and 100 local films a year. The new state-of-the-art film complex, called the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis (or Chinese Hollywood), will house 20 studios, movie theaters and its own film museum. It is expected to be fully operational by 2017.

Wang Jianlin made this comment: "The future of the world's film industry is in China because we have 1.3 billion people. We will have the biggest film business in the world by 2018."

He went on to say: "Our cultural [entertainment] business is number one in China, but what about the world? This is our future investment direction. Our goal is to become on of the top 10 cultural companies in the world."

The Dailan Wanda Group has donated $20 million USD to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (host of the Oscars). In return, the academy is now a big supporter of the Qingdao film festival.

The Dailan Wanda Group bought the AMC cinema chain in 2012 for $2.6 billion to add to their portfolio of hotels and department stores. Wang Jianlin already has 75 shopping centers and 40 five-star hotels, among others that currently being built.

Image credit: Flickr Creative Commons by World Economic Forum

Tim Tebow Offered $1 Million to Play for Moscow Black Storm

Tim Tebow playing NFL quarterback for Denver Broncos

Tim Tebow is a wanted man. By Moscow, that is. People in Russia want to see Tim Tebow play football.

After being let go from the New England Patriots on Aug. 31, 2013, Tim Tebow has been without a job. The job he wants is to be an NFL quarterback. He even turned down an NFL football position offered by another NFL pro team.

Tim Tebow played for the Denver Broncos during the 2011-12 post season. He was let go as quarterback after the Broncos signed Peyton Manning. Tim Tebow then had a lackluster performance while playing a season for the New York Jets.

Jacksonville Jaguars Fans Rally for Tim Tebow

Right now, people have started a weekly rally outside of EverBank Field in Jacksonville, FL in an attempt to bring Tim Tebow to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell said back in January 2013: “I can’t imagine a scenario in which he’ll be a Jacksonville Jaguar – even if he’s released.”

Will Tim Tebow Play Football in Moscow, Russia?

Tim Tebow has been offered $1 Million dollars by the Moscow Black Storm to play in two playoff games. The owner of the Moscow Black Storm, Mikhail Zaltsman, has said: “I talked with him personally, and he wanted to go.”

According to Yahoo! News, Tim Tebow’s agents are recommending that Tim Tebow not go to Moscow to play quarterback. Perhaps this could hurt his chances to re-sign with an NFL football team, especially if Tim Tebow were to get injured while in Russia.

If Tim Tebow were to go to Moscow to play American Football, he would fly to Russia to play in the Black Storm’s semi-final game against the Moscow Patriots on Sept. 28, 2013. If they were to beat the Moscow Patriots, then Tim Tebow would also play in the finals with the Moscow Black Storm. 

Do you think Tim Tebow should fly to Moscow, Russia and play for the Black Storm or should he hold out to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars?

Image Credit: Flickr Creative Commons; by Jeffrey Beall

RAD Soldiers Strategy Game Review for iPhone and Google Chrome

RAD Soldiers by WarChest

RAD Soldiers is a free-to-play turn-based Strategy game for both iPhone and Google Chrome.

RAD Soldiers Video Game Review

Each squad of weapon carrying fighters has a Captain, who has the power to call in air-strikes and radio down medical supplies or an item called "Less Harma Pharma" which reduces the damage taken by a soldier.

This game is perfect for the video gamer that likes strategy, and has both campaign modes and an online multiplayer mode.

Each soldier has a unique special ability that can be performed, which makes this strategy game interesting.

RAD Soldiers for iPhone

RAD Soldiers for iPhone is obviously on a smaller scale. The loading time on an iPhone 4 takes a few minutes, and if you are toggling between online multiplayer matches, the loading time can become annoying.

The other annoying thing about RAD Soldiers on iPhone is that it is easy to mispoke the screen, or for your finger poke to not register and then the move is not accepted. After having this happen a lot, it can get frustrating.

If you don't mind the load time and the mis-pokes, then play RAD on your iPhone.

RAD Soldiers for Google Chrome

RAD Soldiers for Google Chrome can be downloaded from the Google Chrome store. If you are playing in several multiplayer matches at once, it loads much quicker on Google Chrome.

There are no loading time issues (other than on boot up) for RAD on Google Chrome. It is much easier to play with a mouse than poking spaces on an iPhone screen.

Tips for Getting RAD bucks

RAD bucks are the in-game currency. There are many ways to earn RAD bucks. 

Here are some tips:

1. Add a friend from an online multiplayer match. This will get you one bonus RAD buck.
2. Win an online multiplayer match. This will get you one courtesy RAD buck.
3. Level up. Each time you level up, you get a RAD buck
4. Beat a campaign mode stage. This will get you one RAD buck.

Locked Air Drops

When playing in Campaign mode on Google Chrome, you may notice some locked crates falling from the sky. RAD gives you three keys for free. There are bonus items you would otherwise have to buy given in the locked crates. After you use up your three free keys, then you have to pay to buy more.

Expansion Maps

Expansion maps are offered in RAD in exchange for either RAD bucks or for payment in real currency. The downside to the free-to-play part is that the cheapest expansion map costs 45 RAD bucks. This means if you are saving RAD bucks, you better save them for an expansion map, since you can purchase recruits with coins, and coins can be won in online multiplayer.

Just by observation, I would like to see more cities and campaigns available to unlock, and some for only 20 something RAD bucks.

Overall Rating for RAD Soldiers

Overall, I give RAD a thumbs up for being an awesome free-to-play strategy video game for both iPhone and Google Chrome. What is even more awesome is that you can log in from either and your account is automatically synced. You can pick up from your iPhone if you want to play on the go.

As long as there is more unlockable content to work towards, then this video game will keep your attention.

Z.Love's Stamp of Approval

Duck Commander Phil Robertson is Speaker at SoCal Harvest 2013

Phil Robertson speaking to the crowd at SoCal Harvest 2013

SoCal Harvest 2013 in Riverside, CA by Don Hayes

Duck Commander Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty on A&E) spoke at SoCal Harvest 2013, which ended on Sunday August 25, 2013. With over 43,000 people in attendance, it truly was a soul harvest at the stadium, where the event took place. Over 9,000 people put their faith in Jesus during the three nights of SoCal Harvest 2013.

Phil Robertson, known as the original Duck Commander, spoke to everyone in attendance about life growing up in Louisiana. Phil Robertson is now a household name, due to the popular show on A&E, Duck Dynasty. Duck Dynasty has broken ratings records for a reality show on cable television.

Phil Roberston Shares on Loving Family Despite Their Problems

At SoCal Harvest 2013 Phil Robertson shared about the reality of his sons straying from God, and that a father still needs to show love to his children, despite their shortcomings in life. Phil Spoke about his oldest son, Alan, almost getting beat to death in New Orleans before making a decision to become a preacher and share the gospel. Phil said that he treated Alan like the prodigal son in the Bible, and showed him love despite his mistakes to go astray. Alan Robertson can be seen on Duck Dynasty, Season 4, episode 1 (link to blog post below).

Phil Robertson also mentioned that one of his other sons, obviously one that is currently on the show Duck Dynasty, got into drinking and drugs before the family intervened. He now has a wife and follows God.

The host of the event and pastor of (Harvest Church in Riverside, California) asked Phil Robertson: "Why should people at the stadium put their trust in Jesus Christ?"

Phil Robertson said, "Listen California, you've got two problems that you cannot fix...you cannot solve it. One of them is sin, and we've all sinned. And the second one is physical death; heart attack, gun shot, car wreck...we are all going to die...all of us are going six feet deep."

Duck Commander Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty Was Saved at 28

Earlier on Phil Robertson shared that he received the gospel of Jesus Christ at 28 years old, after living a lifestyle of drugs, sex, and rock and roll. The first time his sister came to him with a preacher, and the preacher didn't believe Phil was ready. About a year later, Phil sat down and listened to what the preacher had to say, and trusted in Jesus Christ.

Other related Duck Dynasty posts:

Duck Dynasty Season 2 Christmas Episode
Duck Dynasty Season Returns for Season 4 With Vow Renewal Ceremony