National Treasure: Book of Secrets, despite its flaws and shortcomings, is an action-adventure film worth watching. It is entertaining in the Nic Cage-grabbing-a-quick-buck kind of way, and children will likely forgive the film's faults.
National Treasure, after a 15-year absence, is back in theaters with a sequel. A sequel to the original 2004 film, Book of Secrets features Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates, a treasure hunter. His family holds a secret that has been guarded for centuries. The Founding Fathers believed to have kept this secret. But Ben's father and mother aren't convinced. They want to prove his great-great-grandfather, Thomas Gates, was not a conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Ben's attempt to clear his family name could backfire.
This story is about Freemasonry and connections between ancient secret societies of the past and US history. Gates's great-great-grandfather is suspected of being a conspirator in the assassination, but he has no proof. Ben turns to a researcher, Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris), to help him find proof. Wilkinson does have some grounds to suspect Gates.
The plot of Book of Secrets is complicated. There are many clues. Some are hidden in treasured artifacts. Others are hidden in secret societies. The story is convoluted and requires the viewer to suspend their disbelief. You might even find some far-fetched possibilities.
Book of Secrets is full of funny hijinks. One Black man plays a role in a small role. However, the majority of the cast is made up white dudes. The film has not one Native American actor.
FAQ
Is there a Hollywood blacklist of actors?
There is a Hollywood blacklist.
However, the list isn’t public. The names are not known to us. But here's why it matters.
The reason for the secrecy is that the blacklisted actors and directors wouldn't be able to find jobs. The studios would be out of business as they lose money. That would result in a reduction in spending on movies. This would lead to fewer opportunities and less money for blacklisted directors. They could go bankrupt.
This could mean more victims.
A contract may be required to agree to not speak against employers if someone attempts to make an Oscar winning movie. The same goes for any director or producer who wants to get nominated for an award.
It's no surprise that directors are often forced to take out scenes in their films by producers. Or how directors threaten to walk away from projects that don't fit their vision.
This is why there is a Hollywood blacklist. If you make negative comments about your employer, it's likely that you will be unemployed. That's bad for everyone.
There are many people who have been falsely accused. It's been a struggle to get their names cleared.
We must stop this from happening again. Everybody should be able to freely express themselves.
Also, we must take down the Hollywood blacklist.
What is the most secretive place in the world, and why?
The answer may shock you. This may make you feel uncomfortable as it challenges your perception of reality and the way we live. However, there's a reason for this place to exist. It's not what we would expect.
The City of God was its name by the ancient Greeks. In the Bible, it was known as the City of Destruction.
In India, it's called Kashi (Kashmir). It is also called Novgorod in Russia.
But here in America, it goes by another name - The Town That Disappeared.
One tiny town in western New York State lost its 1,200 inhabitants without trace. No bodies, cars, houses, nothing was left behind except a road sign pointing to its former location.
This tiny community disappeared without leaving any clues as to where it went or when. Some claim the earth swallowed it. Others believe it was destroyed by a meteorite. Some claim that it was destroyed by a meteorite strike. Others still believe it was stolen away by aliens.
Despite what may have happened, the people who lived in this once-thriving area are confident that their town will not be lost forever. They had just moved to another town.
A website is available to track the disappearance and recovery of Zugspitz, which was lost in the Great Depression.
So where is this town? It's actually in Switzerland!
Zugspitze is located on the border between Germany and Austria. Lake Zugspitze lies just above the summit of the mountain.
I have always been fascinated by the fact that so many towns have vanished, but some remain. What is the difference between some towns that disappear and others that survive? I decided to investigate.
I wanted to know more about the mysterious disappearing towns. What is the secret to a town's disappearance? What makes a place disappear?
There are many theories to explain the phenomenon of disappearing towns. One theory suggests that a community disappears when all of its buildings are removed. Another theory states that the town simply moves to another location. A third theory claims that the town never existed at all.
There are many theories, but the truth is that thousands of towns around the world have been submerged by the earth. This video looks into the history of those places and investigates their current status.
What is the most mysterious place on earth?
Antarctica is one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
What is it that makes this place so interesting? Because it is unlike any other spot on Earth.
It is remote, isolated, and extremely difficult to visit. This site has more to it than meets your eye.
You'll also find the strangest species of wildlife in this natural wonder.
Let's find out how this mysterious destination became so famous.
Antarctica: The South Pole
Antarctica is named for no one. Some believe it means "land of ice." Others believe it comes out of Greek mythology.
Antarktis in ancient Greece was the name given the island where Zeus' twin brother brothers were born. According to one source, one of the twins was conceived in winter. Hence, the word antarctic.
Others believe that the name is a combination of the Greek words anti and tropos which mean against and turn. This would be land turned away form the sun.
No matter the reason, Antarctica is a place that has always fascinated people.
It is the coldest, windiest, driest and highest continent. There are no trees, plants, or animals here because it is too cold.
Yet, the frozen desert is alive with life.
Here, 90 percent live of all species of living things. It is home to approximately half of all world's animal and plant species.
What is Antarctica? Here, water is frozen into ice rather than vaporizing into the air.
This results in large masses of ice floating above the ground.
These floating glaciers cover over 80%. They're getting bigger every year.
The Antarctic ice has grown 60 feet so far since 1960.
The sea level will rise up to 200 feet if melting continues. This could lead worldwide flooding.
This does not mean that everyone is wrong. Global warming may be beneficial for some scientists. According to scientists, global warming could be good for us because the melting of the ice sheets will accelerate, which can lead to floods that release toxic chemicals into our soil and bodies.
However, others caution that this theory sounds a lot like a plot in a science fiction movie.
How does the brain control the functions of your body?
The brain sends messages to other organs and muscles to ensure they work together. Your brain controls all that happens in your body. It tells you your stomach to digest food; your lungs to inhale air; and it tells you your arms and legs how to move.
Your brain is made up of billions upon billions of nerve cells that are connected together in groups called neuronal groups. Neurons communicate by sending electrical signals, called action potentials, on axons. Every neuron has an outer cell membrane that surrounds its nucleus. Inside the membrane are channels that allow ions such as sodium and potassium to enter and leave the cell. The neuron fires when there is ion movement.
Neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that release neurotransmitters when a neuron fires up, can be found in the space between the neurons and the next one. Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the second neuron, opening ion channels so ions can pass in and out of the channel. The second neuron also fires.
Neurotransmitter production occurs when a neuron in the presynaptic receives an impulsive signal from another. An impulse travels along a synapse that connects the two neurons. The transmitter binds to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, triggering the firing of the postsynaptic neuron.
Neurotransmitters are important for communication within the nervous system. They coordinate brain activity among different parts.
Statistics
- "It is estimated that 75% of people have at least mild gum disease, with the most common symptoms being bleeding when brushing, bad breath, and dark and swollen gums," Dr. Ron Baise, a London-based dentist, tells Romper. (romper.com)
- Your mouth makes a lot of saliva every day It might seem like way too much, but your salivary glands typically produce anywhere from 0.5 and 1.5 liters a day, according to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Medicine and Life. (romper.com)
- A 2012 paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that people blink about 15 to 20 times each minute, meaning, if you do the math, you spend about 10% of the time that you're awake blinking. (romper.com)
- In one 2014 study published in the Archives of Medical Science that sought to study the prevalence of these mites, research showed that 41% of the people had them hanging out in their eyelashes. (romper.com)
- It might not sound like something that's truly plausible — and it is quite rare — but according to a 2015 study published in the Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals, it's possible to hurt yourself and even break a rib just by sneezing. (romper.com)
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How To
Secret societies and clubs in American history
For many reasons, secret societies and clubs of American History are fascinating. Their mystery is just one reason. Their effect on society is another reason.
American history has seen secret societies and clubs used to promote ideas that were otherwise taboo. Some of these ideas include racism and anti-Semitism. These groups also helped spread political ideologies such as communism and socialism.
The most famous organization in American history is the Ku Klux Klan. This group was created in 1865 after the Civil War. It was created to protect white men against African Americans.
Other organizations established during this period were the Knights Templars and Freemasons. All of these groups shared similar beliefs and goals.
Another interesting thing about secret societies is the fact that membership was often restricted to males. However, some women belonged to these groups. These women included Emma Goldman. Margaret Sanger and Susan B Anthony.
Not only the above mentioned groups, but also other secret societies didn't share the same ideals. In 1832, the Order of Skull & Bones was formed. Their goal was the creation of an elite class in the United States.