100 Best Companies to Work for 2009

fortune_cover

Fortune Magazine has released their annual 100 Best Companies to Work For in their February 2, 2009 issue. To see detailed profiles of the top 100 employers go to the full article at FORTUNE.

Top 25 of FORTUNE’s top 100 list for ’09

Rank Company Job
growth
U.S.
employees
1 NetApp 12% 5,014
2 Edward Jones 9% 34,496
3 Boston Consulting Group 10% 1,680
4 Google 40% 12,580
5 Wegmans Food Markets 6% 37,195
6 Cisco Systems 7% 37,123
7 Genentech 5% 10,969
8 Methodist Hospital System 1% 10,535
9 Goldman Sachs 2% 14,088
10 Nugget Market 22% 1,536
11 Adobe Systems 9% 4,255
12 Recreational Equipment (REI) 11% 9,780
13 Devon Energy 11% 3,752
14 Robert W. Baird 4% 2,184
15 W. L. Gore & Associates 5% 5,481
16 Qualcomm 19% 11,932
17 Principal Financial Group -1% 13,343
18 Shared Technologies 12% 1,568
19 OhioHealth 7% 11,858
20 SAS 5% 5,381
21 Arnold & Porter 3% 1,296
22 Whole Foods Market 22% 51,967
23 Zappos.com 39% 1,655
24 Starbucks -6% 146,700
25 Johnson Financial Group 4% 1,300
    FULL ARTICLE @ FORTUNE

Adam: A Sundance Tear Jerker

.

Audiences get teary-eyed for “Adam’s” unconventional romance

By Denise Martin, Los Angeles Times

Does Fox Searchlight have another ace up its sleeve in “Adam”?

The film spins an unconventional love story about a man with Asperger syndrome (Hugh Dancy) and an emotionally torn woman (Rose Byrne).

And in the hands of Fox Searchlight, it’s a good bet that many outside Park City will eventually get to see the film. The specialty film label hit it out of the park with its 2006 Sundance purchase, “Little Miss Sunshine,” and also launched “Juno” and “Slumdog Millionaire” to mass and critical fanfare.

“Adam” is decidedly a lower-key endeavor, a quieter story than Searchlight’s previous breakouts and with lesser-known stars. (But watch out for 33-year-old Brit Hugh Dancy, who also appears in February’s “Confessions of a Shopaholic” opposite “Wedding Crashers” breakout Isla Fisher.)

Still, judging by the tear-stained cheeks and thunderous applause that followed the Tuesday-night screening, its potential is palpable…

FULL ARTICLE @ LOS ANGELES TIMES

`

Critic’s pick

As the Sundance Film Festival rolls on, here are six films worth your time

By Sean P. Means

FULL ARTICLE @ The Salt Lake Tribune

VIDEO

“ADAM” Director Max Mayer – Sundance Interview and Clip

“ADAM” Film bio @ SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ’09

Oscar Nominations!

The 81st-annual Academy Awards will be hosted by Hugh Jackman. The ceremony will be televised on Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. (EST) on ABC from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre.
.
`

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Richard  JenkinsRichard Jenkins
THE VISITOR

Frank  LangellaFrank Langella
FROST/NIXON

Sean  PennSean Penn
MILK

Brad  PittBrad Pitt
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Mickey  RourkeMickey Rourke
THE WRESTLER

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Josh  BrolinJosh Brolin
MILK

Robert  Downey Jr.Robert Downey Jr.
TROPIC THUNDER

Philip Seymour  HoffmanPhilip Seymour Hoffman
DOUBT

Heath  LedgerHeath Ledger
THE DARK KNIGHT

Michael   ShannonMichael Shannon
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Anne  HathawayAnne Hathaway
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED

Angelina  JolieAngelina Jolie
CHANGELING

Melissa  LeoMelissa Leo
FROZEN RIVER

Meryl  StreepMeryl Streep
DOUBT

Kate  WinsletKate Winslet
THE READER

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy  AdamsAmy Adams
DOUBT

Penélope  CruzPenélope Cruz
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

Viola  DavisViola Davis
DOUBT

Taraji P. HensonTaraji P. Henson
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Marisa  TomeiMarisa Tomei
THE WRESTLER

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year

BOLTBOLT

KUNG FU PANDAKUNG FU PANDA

WALL-EWALL-E

Achievement in Art Direction

CHANGELINGCHANGELING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHTTHE DARK KNIGHT

THE DUCHESSTHE DUCHESS

REVOLUTIONARY ROADREVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Achievement in Cinematography

CHANGELINGCHANGELING

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHTTHE DARK KNIGHT

THE READERTHE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRESLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Achievement in Costume Design

AUSTRALIAAUSTRALIA

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DUCHESSTHE DUCHESS

MILKMILK

REVOLUTIONARY ROADREVOLUTIONARY ROAD

Achievement in Directing

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

FROST/NIXONFROST/NIXON

MILKMILK

THE READERTHE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRESLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Best Documentary Feature

THE BETRAYAL (NERAKHOON)THE BETRAYAL (NERAKHOON)

ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLDENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD

THE GARDENTHE GARDEN

MAN ON WIREMAN ON WIRE

TROUBLE THE WATERTROUBLE THE WATER

Best Documentary Short Subject

THE CONSCIENCE OF NHEM ENTHE CONSCIENCE OF NHEM EN

THE FINAL INCHTHE FINAL INCH

SMILE PINKISMILE PINKI

THE WITNESS - FROM THE BALCONY OF ROOM 306THE WITNESS – FROM THE BALCONY OF ROOM 306

Achievement in Film Editing

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHTTHE DARK KNIGHT

FROST/NIXONFROST/NIXON

MILKMILK

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRESLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year

The Baader Meinhof Complex The Baader Meinhof Complex

The ClassThe Class

DeparturesDepartures

RevancheRevanche

Waltz With BashirWaltz With Bashir

Achievement in Makeup

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHTTHE DARK KNIGHT

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score)

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

DEFIANCEDEFIANCE

MILKMILK

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRESLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WALL-EWALL-E

Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

WALL-E“Down to Earth”
WALL-E

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE“Jai Ho”
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE“O Saya”
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Best Motion Picture of the Year

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

FROST/NIXONFROST/NIXON

MILKMILK

THE READERTHE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRESLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Best Animated Short Film

La Maison en Petits CubesLa Maison en Petits Cubes

LAVATORY - LOVESTORYLAVATORY – LOVESTORY

OKTAPODIOKTAPODI

PRESTOPRESTO

THIS WAY UPTHIS WAY UP

Best Live Action Short Film

AUF DER STRECKE (ON THE LINE)AUF DER STRECKE (ON THE LINE)

MANON ON THE ASPHALTMANON ON THE ASPHALT

NEW BOYNEW BOY

THE PIGTHE PIG

SPIELZEUGLAND (TOYLAND)SPIELZEUGLAND (TOYLAND)

Achievement in Sound Editing

THE DARK KNIGHTTHE DARK KNIGHT

IRON MANIRON MAN

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRESLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WALL-EWALL-E

WANTED

Achievement in Sound Mixing

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHTTHE DARK KNIGHT

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRESLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

WALL-EWALL-E

WANTED

Achievement in Visual Effects

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

THE DARK KNIGHTTHE DARK KNIGHT

IRON MANIRON MAN

Adapted Screenplay

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTONTHE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

DOUBTDOUBT

FROST/NIXONFROST/NIXON

THE READERTHE READER

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRESLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Original Screenplay

FROZEN RIVERFROZEN RIVER

HAPPY-GO-LUCKYHAPPY-GO-LUCKY

IN BRUGES

MILKMILK

WALL-EWALL-E

From The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences @ OSCAR.COM

VIDEO

Oscar Nominations for the 81st Academy Awards


DAY ONE: A New President Reports to Work

Photos: THE HUFFINGTON POST

Seven reasons for healthy skepticism

By & | Politico.com

Even in a city of cynics, the Inauguration of a new president — and the infusion of new ideas, new personalities and new energy that comes with it — summons feelings of reverence.

Barack Obama, especially, is the object of inaugural good feelings. He has assembled an impressive White House and Cabinet team. The country is clearly in his corner. With the economy gasping, and two wars dragging on sullenly, even many Republicans who ordinarily might enjoy seeing Obama fail now root for him to succeed. The stakes are simply too great.

Amid all these high hopes, it may seem needlessly sour to point out why expectations must be kept in check. But it is also realistic.

Here are seven reasons to be skeptical of Obama’s chances — and the Washington establishment he now leads…

FULL ARTICLE @ POLITICO

Obama.

Courtesy of

the impossible cool.

‘Air and Simple Gifts’ @ Obama Inauguration

The world premiere of Air and Simple Gifts, composed and arranged for the occasion by John Williams, and performed by a quartet comprised of violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, clarinetist Anthony McGill, pianist Gabriela Montero. This marked the first time a classical quartet has performed at a presidential inauguration.

Below are links to articles critical of Air and Simple Gifts:

John Williams’s ‘Simple’ Misunderstanding

By Anne Midgette – Washington Post

Obama takes power classically

By Mark Swed –  Los Angeles Times

Barack Obama Inauguration Speech

VIDEO: Official White House Release

VIDEO: CNN (part 1)

VIDEO: CNN (part 2)

Barack Obama: Made in Motor Oil Series

Title: Color in the Mind’s Eye

Painted with used motor oil

by David Macaluso

Painted with used motor oil.

Title: Warrior Politics

Painted with used motor oil

by David Macaluso

VIDEO: Making of “Color in the Mind’s Eye”