Pixar's "Up" Opens Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival broke new ground by opening with a Pixar film. It was the first animated film, the first 3D film and the first Disney film to kick off the festival in its in 62-year history, according to The Australian.

Per CNN, Cannes audiences are notoriously vocal. They'll whistle if they're unhappy -- a French version of a boo -- and a movie that doesn't meet the audience's high standards will be treated to the repeated "whop" sounds of theater seats banging shut as patrons leave."Up," however, received little noise but cheers and stellar reviews from critics.

The Twitterverse buzzed about the film's premiere.

1. 
   mattmcgee Pixar's UP = standing ovation and 10 minutes of applause at Cannes Film Festival.
2. 
   NelsonAspen Pixar's "UP" is a hit at Cannes Film Festival. I loved it soo much! Incredibly original, poignant and funny.
3. 
   FunChannel The Cannes Film Festival entrusted its opening to a Pixar film, and the animation studio did not disappoint.
4. 
   steffanie Standing ovations for 'Up' at Cannes film festival... Pixar deserves it, I can't wait to see the film and check if it does
5. 
   BUTCH_LEAKE Pixar film Up has opened the 62nd Cannes Film Festival - the first time an animation has launched the event on the French Riviera.
6. 
   cvaucher Follow @UP_dates for photos of the Pixar guys from the Cannes Film Festival. Can't wait to see this movie!

"Up" opens in theaters nationwide on May 29. You can follow the Twitter account of the "Up" creators via @UP_dates.

Ashton Kutcher Pranks CNN

Tweeters in Atlanta received a big surprise Wednesday when Ashton Kutcher, along with Demi Moore, invited them to "ding-dong-ditch" CNN founder Ted Turner's restaurant, Ted's Montana Grill.

After the dropping off nearly 800 boxes of ding dongs, Kutcher revealed a second mission: dropping a huge banner with his Twitter name @aplusk over the CNN headquarters.

The prank was the result of a challenge between CNN and Kutcher to race for one million followers on Twitter. Kutcher will also donate 10,000 mosquito bed nets to charity for World Malaria Day.

If you missed the event, CNN.com posted video footage and a story.

Twitter users enjoyed the Kutcher prank:

1. 
   cdconcepcion is watching Ashton Kutcher and his ding dong ditch, FUNNY!
2. 
   jakeowen @aplusk ashton kutcher. definite king of twitter. done deal :P

1. 
   yuwanttono I love that Ashton Kutcher is in Atlanta. Check out the CNN Building.
2. 
   PewterRose Ashton Kutcher aka aplusk, ya gotta love him!!! What next???
3. 
   Laura013180 Ashton Kutcher is the feakin man. That was a long video but so funny
4. 
   da5785 Really wish I was there to help Ashton Kutcher "ding dong" ditch CNN. The article on CNN is funny

Ben Folds Releases A Cappella Album

Alternative pop/rock singer-songwriter Ben Folds released his new album "Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!" on Tuesday, according to CNN.com. The album, produced by Epic Records, is a collaboration of 14 a cappella ensembles from universities across the country and features covers of Folds' greatest hits.

Two out of the 16 songs on the album are sung a cappella by Folds himself.

The idea to ditch his trademark--his piano--hit Folds while he was browsing YouTube and came across videos of university a cappella singers performing covers of his songs.

In the article Folds says he was really moved by what he saw. "I thought it was better than what I had done when I first heard it. That's how it struck me because it was so fresh."

The album is already proving to be a hit among Ben Folds fans--it ranks #10 on iTunes Top Albums.

Twitterers are raving about it as well.

1. 
   mommytiller just went out and bought Ben Folds Presents: UNIVERSITY A CAPPELLA! Ben Folds fans MUST PURCHASE! amazing!
2. 
   KJwrites I'm loving the new Ben Folds Presents University A Cappella album! Talk about a great concept. Check it out Folds/a cappella fans!!
3. 
   koroshiya is listening to 'ben folds presents: university a cappella'. surprisingly awesome.
4. 
   duffcampbell Listening to Ben Folds latest album, University a Cappella, musical pure genius. Ben is a modern day legend.
5. 
   mattChevy Go listen to this - Guaranteed to make you feel good! Ben Folds: University A Cappella! http://www.lala.com/album/504684635190071645
6. 
   gsantamaria creaming myself over Ben Folds Presents University a Cappella!
7. 
   caesar113 Listening to the Ben Folds Presents: University a Cappella! album. Very unique. I like it.
8. 
   BriLeit Bought the new Ben Folds University A Cappella cd! So good! =)

Stephen Hawking Hospitalized

World renowned author and scientist Stephen Hawking was hospitalized today and is "very ill," CNN reports.

Hawking suffers from ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Though he is wheelchair-bound, Hawking has defied the odds and survived much longer than most ALS patients.

Many Twitterers expressed get well wishes:

1. 
   HueinaSu Please #pray4 Stephen Hawking who is very ill. http://tinyurl.com/dbo3hp
2. 
   D4MO “When one's expectations are reduced to zero, one really appreciates everything one does have” - Stephen Hawking. Get well soon, Sir
3. 
   LShay prayers and good vibes for Stephen Hawking, he's only 67 and has much more to bring to the world. #stephenhawking
4. 
   lisa_goodfellow the next celebrity to die?? no, not lindsay lohan, stephen hawking....huh?
5. 
   davidcgordon Get well Stephen Hawking.

The battle for one million Twitter followers

The battle is on to be the first Twitterer with one million followers. Ashton Kutcher is taking on CNN to see who can obtain the most followers on Twitter first. To help him reach his goal, Kutcher upped the ante, saying he will punk CNN creator Ted Turner should Kutcher reach one million first, according to a Washinton Post article.

The article says Kutcher is trailing by tens of thousands of followers, but he hopes also offering the game Guitar Hero to his one millionth follower will help his chances. He promised to donate to World Malaria Day as well, CNN reports.

Many Twitterers are excited about seeing Kutcher reach one million followers, while others find the issue rather ridiculous:

1. 
   mikeburnett Being Ashton Kutcher's 1 millionth fan or being a character in a Sims game - which is more depressing? 16 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   kennethfrank Also is Ashton Kutcher really trying to stay relevant (and kind of succeeding) via a TWITTER POPULARITY CONTEST? Good grief. 16 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   rasmaliI Listened to Larry King about the race with Ashton Kutcher for twitter followers!
   
   Personally, If you want followers, build your followings. 16 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   Percy4 Who should I follow? Aplusk or CNNbrk? I'm thinking CNN over Ashton Kutcher... 16 Apr 2009 from Tweetie
5. 
   sybianmaker If Ashton Kutcher @aplusk makes it to a million followers will we have to rename a million to a twillion? 16 Apr 2009 from web
6. 
   lisa_mcmann But today isn't about me. It's about Ashton Kutcher @aplusk getting 1 mil followers BEFORE CNN does. How boring it wld be if CNN wins this. 16 Apr 2009 from twhirl