By Aimee Mahmoud

Elephants are something of a perplexity - the world's largest land mammals are mainly a source of entertainment and diversion in the West, but what do we really know about the origins and current state of these massive marvels? Mitochondrial DNA testing and archaeological research proves that elephants are the evolved distant relatives of the Pre-historic woolly Mammoths, a main source of food for early hominids until driven to extinction some time after the Ice Age; and are shown to be native to sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia. Westerners are most accustom to seeing elephants in zoos and circuses, which, aside from the obvious ethical concerns; No where near captures the magic of seeing these magnificent beasts in their native habitats. As astonishing as it seems to us Westerners, it's a little-known fact that many East and Southeast Asians in India and Thailand still use them as modern-day work animals, lavishing attention upon them as one would a prized horse or dog. Journalist Burgess Meredith explores this curiosity in PBS' 1986 documentary, "The Elephant Games", where much of the Thai countryside is experiencing what has come to be known as an elephant "craze." It is reported that half a century ago, there were over 400,000 elephants in Thailand. Today, as a result of the illegal ivory trade and poaching, there are only around 4,000 left. Some domesticated, many wild. In the small town of Surin, elephants are showcased in a competition of size and strength. She and her film crew witness a team of 100 Thai soldiers engaged in a playful tug-of-war with an adult elephant, and surprise, surprise - the elephant wins. A game of "football" between young elephants and their mahouts, or trainers, is also seen. In another town, they get a glimpse of an elderly lady feeding an elephant from the palm of her hand, and then slapping it's trunk away as it pries her for more - almost as if the elephant were a genial Golden Retriever! 

By Aimee Mahmoud

It's no shock that with the tremendous success of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" film trilogies, based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, New Zealand's tourism industry has been booming. After all, all five movies so far have been filmed there, and let's be honest - a good 90% of the world had no idea a country as vibrant and stunning as New Zealand even existed before the. Crystal-clear lakes, lush forests, a diverse mountain range - it's only logical that Jackson and Co. would choose it as the main filming location for the fantasy world of Middle-Earth. As Lord of the Rings becomes a cultural phenomenon, around 2.4 million visitors a year flock to New Zealand, giving rise to what locals call "Tolkien Tourism". Indeed, New Zealand's landscape has much to offer in the way of leisurely Ooohhs-and-Ahhhs; but it's the preserved Lord of the Rings film sets in towns like Matamata and the iconic film shots of Mount Ngauruhoe (better known to film audiences as 'Mount Doom') that draw in tourist dollars. Settled among rolling hills and grazing pastures, the rural town of Matamata in the Waikato region had the unique distinction of being chosen as the filming location for the fictional realm of the Hobbits, The Shire. Visitors are greeted by a familiar-looking sign and statue...

By Aimee Mahmoud

By Aimee Mahmoud

In 2012, the news that a new Star Wars trilogy was in pre-production caused an international stir among fans of the multi-billion dollar Star Wars franchise, when it was announced that Disney Co. had acquired LucasFilms, the production company founded and owned by the franchise's creator, George Lucas, for a sum of $4.6 billion USD. It was later announced that Disney planned a new Star Wars trilogy, Episodes VII, VIII, and IX - taking place several decades after the events of Return of the Jedi. Lucas will continue to serve as a creative consultant, and his long-time collaborator Kathleen Kennedy would produce the films. Also announced were several "stand-alone" films, possibly based on fan-favorite characters like Boba Fett and Han Solo.

By Aimee Mahmoud

Before the rise of popular media culture, American audiences typically associated Witches as ugly, green-faced hags à-la Wizard of Oz. And let's be honest: For most of us, when we hear the word "Witch"; the image of an unattractive, sour old crone is what typically first comes to mind. Witches have pervaded throughout numerous popular works of literature, music, film, and even video games and comic strips - enough to make us wonder why the stereotype of the Wicked Witch of the West persists in our choice of Halloween decor. Indeed, from a psychological perspective, the Elphaba-type witch is an excellent metaphorical example of what a young woman can eventually become if she allows life's misfortunes to turn her into a bitter, unpleasant cynic. On the other hand, and thanks to the success of hit-TV shows like Charmed, the best-selling Harry Potter novels, and New Age spirituality, witches have enjoyed some reformation into symbols of feminine power, extending far beyond the brim of witch costumes. Charming and beautiful enchantresses from the likes of the fictional Halliwell sisters, Willow Rosenberg, and Hermione Granger serve as symbols of what most women strive to become: Strong, beautiful, powerful, independent; With the ability to take complete charge of their lives and create the change they want with just the flick of a wrist. 

By Aimee Mahmoud

While the announcement that Welsh actor Christian Bale would NOT be reprising his role as Batman in any further live-action movies came as a disappointment to legions of Dark Knight fans, reports that a new Batman vs. Superman movie is currently in pre-production sent shockwaves throughout social networking platforms. It was then announced (albeit to slight controversy) that critically-acclaimed director and actor Ben Affleck would be assuming the role in the upcoming film. Henry Cavil, who portrayed Superman in Man of Steel, will be reprising the role. It was also announced that Israeli actress Gal Gadot has been cast in the role of Wonder Woman. The casting announcement was not met without controversy, in which many criticized Gadot's slender frame and hazy resemblance to the classic superheroine. In addition, Joaquin Phoenix and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have been rumored to be contenders for the role of Lex Luthor.

By Aimee Mahmoud

New York Fashion Week, Sochi Olympics, Youtube makeup gurus...it looks like we're starting off the  season with some excellent resources for creative inspiration. What exactly do we mean by "creative inspiration"? We all have an inner artist - be it a passion for books, film, cosmetics, photography, or something as simple as people-watching. Becoming inspired enough to write a poem or novel, a song, paint a picture, create an outfit from scratch, or participate in a public dance recital, can do a world of good for yourself and others - even if you don't necessarily make it public! And if you haven't already discovered your "divine spark", we strongly encourage you to explore. That being said, here are 10 random images that are sure to get the proverbial Muses singing.;

By Aimee Mahmoud

It's that time of the year again when roses are in bloom, grocery shelves are overstocked with mouth-watering chocolates, and we can't help but feel our wallets getting just a bit lighter...the Feast of St. Valentine is upon us once again, and instead of shelling out what could possibly be hundreds on department store jewelry and gourmet sweets, here's a little history lesson that will help you break out of the cycle of mundane Valentine litanies and bring some old-time romance to your 21st-century love life.