Favorite Movie

THE QUESTION What are your favorite movie sequels? So far this summer, there have been several movie sequels including the most noted being Superman Returns and Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Please send your thoughts in a brief note with your name, city and daytime phone number (and Such a Critic in the memo field) to arts@baltsun.com. We'll publish the best answers we receive.

Feb. 6 will feature a dual celebration for Jalen Brooks . The North Gwinnett (Ga.) linebacker will turn 18 that day and sign his letter of intent to play football at Maryland. “It'll definitely be pretty emotional,” Brooks said. “My mom will probably be crying. I don't know if I'll cry, but I'll be happy. It'll probably feel pretty incredible - probably a day I'll never forget.” Playing football for a Football Bowl Subdivision program - and participating in Signing Day - wasn't always a foregone conclusion for Brooks.

Feb. 6 will feature a dual celebration for Jalen Brooks . The North Gwinnett (Ga.) linebacker will turn 18 that day and sign his letter of intent to play football at Maryland. “It'll definitely be pretty emotional,” Brooks said. “My mom will probably be crying. I don't know if I'll cry, but I'll be happy. It'll probably feel pretty incredible - probably a day I'll never forget.” Playing football for a Football Bowl Subdivision program - and participating in Signing Day - wasn't always a foregone conclusion for Brooks.

Before committing to Maryland last June, Derwin Gray considered offers from Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and several others. But playing for a traditional college football powerhouse ultimately didn't appeal to the Terps commitment. “If you're a great player, and you can ball, you don't have to go to Alabama or Florida State,” Gray said. “[I] just showed everyone [that I wanted to] go out on a limb and go to Maryland, stay home and really ball for my city and do big things.” Gray, a four-star prospect from Friendship Collegiate in D.C., called it a “blessing and an honor” to play football for his hometown university.

Before committing to Maryland last June, Derwin Gray considered offers from Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and several others. But playing for a traditional college football powerhouse ultimately didn't appeal to the Terps commitment. “If you're a great player, and you can ball, you don't have to go to Alabama or Florida State,” Gray said. “[I] just showed everyone [that I wanted to] go out on a limb and go to Maryland, stay home and really ball for my city and do big things.” Gray, a four-star prospect from Friendship Collegiate in D.C., called it a “blessing and an honor” to play football for his hometown university.

Donny BradyPos.: CornerbackHeight: 6-2Weight: 195Age: 23Season: SecondHighlights: Started final 13 games at right cornerback last season and finished with 66 tackles. Made first NFL start against New Orleans. Had 58 tackles and seven pass deflections in senior season at Wisconsin. Played two years at Nassau Community College, leading team to 21-1 record with 91 career tackles and five interceptions.Favorite food: PizzaFavorite music: RapFavorite movie: "Martin"Favorite vacation spot: New YorkPub Date: 8/05/97

Ryan SutterPosition: SafetyHeight: 6-1Weight: 203Age: 23College: ColoradoSeason: RookieHighlights: Second of Ravens' fifth-round draft choices, he'll compete for jobs as nickel back and on special teams. Led Big 12 conference with 170 tackles in '97 to earn AP All-Big 12 selection. Walked on at Colorado in 1993 and saw time on special teams before starting all 11 games last season. Was nominated for first award honoring the nation's top special teams player.Favorite food: Mother's lasagnaFavorite TV show: "The Simpsons"Favorite movie: "Pulp Fiction"Memorable college moment: His whole senior year stands out. His favorite play was the "Hail Mary" pass from Kordell Stewart that beat Michigan in 1994, although he was not on the field.

Ravens linebacker and Lubbock, Texas, native Mike Smith is entering his second NFL season. Smith played in six games on special teams during his rookie season before suffering a hamstring injury. What is your favorite movie? I don't really know if I have a favorite movie. I'm a movie person, I like all movies. I'm always at the movie theater. I'll see every single movie at the theater, no matter what it is. What was the last thing you saw? The one with Will Ferrell. There were some funny parts, but it was relatively average.

Sure, skating star and Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski is rich and famous. But what might surprise some people is that she's so much like many of you - only with more frequent flyer miles and a passport instead of a school ID. We recently yakked with Tara. We called her on her cell phone while she was driving around Houston with her mom and dad, trying to decide where to stop for dinner.Here's the 411 on Tara:* Sweet 16: Tara turned 16 on June 10. She celebrated at Disney World with a couple of her girlfriends.

Elvis Dennah took away plenty of lessons as a junior when his Annapolis Area Christian team won the MIAA B Conference championship. But when the Eagles went 0-10 this fall, the Maryland-bound safety might've learned even more. “It was definitely tough, definitely a learning experience,” Dennah said. “Having an 0-10 season, it makes me not quit and keep fighting, all the way up to the last point. … [Going through a winless season] really shows you [the need to] keep fighting nonstop.

Favorite: "Jerry Maguire. " Even after all Tom Cruise's insane outbursts, I still am - embarrassingly - a fan. Least favorite: "Armageddon. " It was difficult to find animal crackers all that romantic in between all the terrible writing. Luke Broadwater, reporter, The Baltimore Sun Fave: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. "Least fave: Pick the Kate Hudson film of your choice. Anne Tallent, editor, b "Definitely, Maybe" is my favorite rom-com, so let's go with that one. Least?

This is part of a series of 2012 Maryland football commitment Q&As leading up to Signing Day on Feb. 1. All answers are provided by the featured player. Name : Joe Riddle Birthdate : Sept. 20, 1994 Birthplace : Olney Hometown : Frederick Height : 6-2 Weight : 200 Position : Running back, returner Nickname : None High School : Linganore Senior statistics : 917 yards and nine touchdowns on 111 carries, plus two catches for 46 yards and one TD in seven games Rankings : Rivals.com -- Two-star prospect.

Each week, we bring you a Q&A with a Ravens player, coach or team executive to help you learn a little more about the team. Today's guest is cornerback Lardarius Webb. What does it mean to you to represent Division I-AA Nicholls State as a starting cornerback in the NFL? It's not just pride, it's privilege to be here. And in my heart, I've always wanted to be the best. So I'm always trying to show my best, and that's on kickoff returns, punt returns or corner or nickel back.

Just like Hollywood actors and actresses of a certain age, popcorn has had a little work done. A little nip here, a little tuck there, and pretty soon Orville Redenbacher is looking like George Clooney. The classic movie theater treat, a natural for Oscar parties this weekend, has gotten so glammed up that it is making cameos on menus in high-end restaurants. Cooked in duck fat and adorned with truffle oil and truffle sea salt at a North Baltimore bistro. Spiced up with sriracha and tossed into a spinach salad in a Canton eatery.

My favorite of all time is Annie Savoy, Susan Sarandon's groupie literature professor in Bull Durham. She's sexy, smart, knows literature and baseball, and even references the Frank Robinson-Milt Pappas trade. I mean, come on. Groupie or not, that's a perfect woman. (For more, go to baltimoresun.com/cornersportsbar)