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Tamika Catching, MVP in Women's Basketball; Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry Collection For Auction; New Movies To Hit The Theater; Historic Ferry Building In New York City, Now A Commercial Spot; Florida Millionaire Guilty of Murder; GOP Straw Poll; Nyad's New Record Attempt; WNBA MVP Overcame Adversity
Aired September 24, 2011 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A Florida millionaire has been found guilty today of the second-degree murder of his wife. Bob Ward had contended that his wife Diane was suicidal and was fatally shot as they struggled with a loaded gun. Jurors didn't buy it. The jury foreman announced the verdict a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of second-degree murder as are alleged in -
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Prosecutors say that there were too many inconsistencies in Ward's statements and in his behavior as witnessed in this jailhouse video right there. He is seen joking with his sister-in-law and daughter two years ago. Ward is 63. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years.
Overseas in Perugia, Italy, prosecutors say the DNA evidence they used to convict American Amanda Knox of murder is rock solid. Knox is appealing a 26-year prison sentence for murdering a fellow student, Meredith Kercher. The defense contends that the police mishandled the DNA evidence. The appeals case is in its final stages.
And in this country the FBI has shelled out more than $2 million for information that leads to the capture of James "Whitey" Bulger. He and his girlfriend were arrested this summer after alluding police for 16 years. The FBI says the reward money was paid to at least two tipsters. Bulger and alleged Boston mob boss is accused in 19 murders. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
All right. Now that American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer are out of prison in Iran, we're hearing their voices today for the first time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSH FATTAL, FREED U.S. HIKER: We would like to thank Oman for welcoming us and hosting our families and I also would like to thank the American ambassador, Richard (INAUDIBLE) and his wife, Sandy (ph) for their hospitality. We hope some day to return to this wonderful country but for now we're eager to get to home at last.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Fattal and Bauer talked to reporters shortly before boarding an airplane in Oman. The destination, the United States of America. They have been in jail in Iran since 2009 charged and convicted of spying charges after crossing the Iranian border from Iraq.
And live pictures right now of the U.S. capitol in the nation's capital. But Congress isn't working this weekend even though lawmakers only have one week left to pass a new spending bill. If a deal isn't reached by the end of the business day on Friday, some federal agencies will be forced to shut down.
And after the GOP race for U.S. presidency in just over an hour they will be counting votes in a Florida straw poll. Michigan is holding a straw poll as well today. The outcome could be critical to candidates who have lagged behind. Our political reporter Peter Hamby is in Orlando, Florida, two big GOP straw polls in one day. Let's start with Florida. Who showed up?
PETER HAMBY, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Today the main top tier candidates Mitt Romney and Rick Perry went to Michigan for that other straw poll you referenced. The candidates are here today like you said are those lesser known folks. Herman Cain. Newt Gingrich. Jon Huntsman's family came on his behalf because they're kind of desperate for traction. Trying to, you know, these straw polls are good to kind of show that they are still in the race.
I got to tell you Herman Cain's name has come up a lot here especially in the wake of Thursday night's presidential debate. A lot of people thought that Rick Perry stumbled and just talking to some of the activists that are at this event, they seem to think that, you know, in between, they're still deciding maybe between Romney and Perry that Herman Cain's name keeps coming up as somebody they think is offering common sense solutions is the phrase you keep hearing from them. Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Let's talk about the straw poll that will take place in Michigan. How pivotal potentially is that one?
HAMBY: Right. As I said, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney are in Michigan up at Mackinac Island. It's a different kind of event. This event in Florida is about 3,500 Republican activists up there in Michigan. It's a lot more kind of party insiders from around the country. But I think that will be important to watch too. Because these are folks that pay really close attention to the race and they saw Rick Perry kind of on his heels the other night when he was asked about HPV, about illegal immigration, about social security and education policy and so seeing how he finishes in the strong poll could be a test of whether people are sold on Romney or starting to be sold on Perry or whether they are looking elsewhere. Fred.
WHITFIELD: Interesting stuff. All right. Peter Hamby, thank you so much. I know you will be keeping us posted as those straw poll results at least for Florida could come early this evening, right?
HAMBY: That's right. We should be hearing results actually within the next hour. They are already voting right now.
WHITFIELD: All right. Excellent. Peter, thank you so much from Orlando.
The United Nations Security Council has an unprecedented issue before it. Yesterday the president of the Palestinian Authority formally asked for U.N. recognition of an independent Palestinian state. That despite a pledge by the United States delegation to veto that request. And Israel's position that more peace talks are needed.
In a gesture of optimism, the Palestinians brought with them from Ramala a chair colored U.N. blue with the word Palestine printed on it. Earlier I asked our senior state department producer Elisa Labott why Mahmoud Abbas would go ahead with this request knowing that it might fail.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELISE LABOTT, CNN SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT PRODUCER: The U.N. Security Council is meeting Monday and Palestinian officials do tell me that they expect a quick vote at the U.N. security council maybe not two weeks but in the near future and they think that they have enough votes - you need a nine-vote majority in the council to put it to a vote. We know the U.S. is going to veto but they say "U.S. vote be damned, we can't the council to make an action and then we'll decide on our next steps."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: The United States officially supports statehood for the Palestinians but prefers it be created through the peace process and direct talks with Israel.
All right. That satellite that we've been tracking will finally fall to earth overnight. Its re-entry was over the north Pacific Ocean. I-reporter Kris Rakoswki took this photo in Minnesota and thinks that this was a piece of the satellite crashing to earth. Photojournalist Johnny Garcia from CNN affiliate KSAT-12 in San Antonio, Texas, took this video thinking that that might be space junk as well. NASA says so far there are no reports of any injuries or property damage. Good news there. The agency also doesn't know exactly where any of the pieces may have landed.
And of course, you don't want to go away because our Bonnie Schneider will be back. She's got more information on that space junk.
And riot control troops out in force in tiny Bahrain. I'll tell you the reason for the massive security presence and why they also clashed with protesters today.
Plus, no one can forget his role as Lieutenant Dan in "Forest Gump." But Gary Sinise does a whole lot of things. And among them he supports the U.S. military and takes his band all over the world with USO. His reflections on the 101st airborne straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Election day in the small island nation of Bahrain. By the time polls close tonight more than 20 people have been arrested. Protesters have clashed with security forces and were out in large numbers. The election was to fill 18 parliament seats vacated when lawmakers pulled out to protest the government's strong response to demonstrations earlier in the year.
Other international news, the CEO of investment giant, UBS, resigned today. The Swiss bank lost $2.3 billion in a rogue trading scandal.
And in eastern Germany, a man is in custody today. Police say he fired an air gun at some guards working security for the Pope's visit to Germany. No one was hurt and police say the Pope was never in danger.
All right. Voters in Russia go the polls in March to choose a president and the name that will likely on the ballot is a rather familiar one, that name being Vladimir Putin. Former president two terms and he alongside current president there are crafting a plan to keep themselves into power well into the next decade.
Ralitsa Vassileva here from CNN International. So apparently this has been a plan in the making for a long time.
RALITSA VASSILEVA, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well, observers were thinking that this was the plan but now they know for sure. What happened is that Putin served as president two terms from 2000 to 2008. And then because of term limits he couldn't run again. However, he could run for a third term if he waited. So what he did was he handpicked Medvedev, a young guy, liberal but no power base to serve as president. He took over the office of prime minister. So now he has revealed today in a (INAUDIBLE) party convention that he is accepting the nomination, the suggestion by Medvedev to run for president. So he's going to run for a third term.
WHITFIELD: Wow!
VASSILEVA: And in the meantime in the last four years, they amended the constitution to where they expanded the presidential terms to six years from four years.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness.
VASSILEVA: So Fred, get this.
WHITFIELD: What?
VASSILEVA: If he wins these elections and wins another term, he can be in office for 24 years.
WHITFIELD: He's a very confident man. We've seen a lot of Putin. I mean that literally. We've seen a shirtless Putin. We've seen him, you know, riding horses, et cetera. So he's kept himself in the spotlight.
VASSILEVA: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: He's kept himself out there. And now here we are in this opportunity and the world has been able to see a different kind of Putin.
VASSILEVA: Well put.
WHITFIELD: Poising himself for this race again?
VASSILEVA: Well, yes and he's very popular. He's running on his personal popularity. People associate him as a strong leader who brought some order and stability to Russia. Russia has benefited a lot from high oil prices and gas prices. However, now with the global economy going down and oil prices and gas prices going down, they need to diversify their economy so observers say maybe they're going to modernize the economy because they need to. Their popularity comes from economic success and growth so if they can't rely on high oil prices they need to do something about it.
WHITFIELD: So the general populous, do they like this idea? Putin back possibly?
VASSILEVA: It's a very complicated question. He is very popular but again people have no alternative because he has instituted the so- called managed democracy where the opposition is very limited so basically his party dominates everything and dominates TV coverage, very little alternate opinions. So basically the party dominance observers say will secure his next term in office.
WHITFIELD: Wow! What a strategy come to find out.
VASSILEVA: Yes. And his prime minister he suggested would be Medvedev. So that's what we're looking, the tandem continues as they've been called.
WHITFIELD: A little potential job security there.
VASSILEVA: Yes, job swap.
WHITFIELD: There you go. All right. Ralitsa Vassileva, good to see you. Thanks so much.
VASSILEVA: Good to see you too, Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. A research project allegedly exposes young kids to lead poisoning. Our legal guys will be weighing in on that.
Plus a life changing operation turned an amputee into a self- sufficient woman. See the amazing things Sheila Advento is doing a year after her double hand transplant.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Each week our chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta profiles an extraordinary person in a segment we call "The Human Factor." Well, today he introduces us to Sheila Advento, the first woman in the U.S. to receive a double hand transplant. A year has passed since she got her new hand. Sanjay Gupta reports on her amazing progress.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Imagine having to learn how to use someone else's hands as your own.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How about this guy? Pinch. Pinch.
GUPTA: That's a reality for Sheila May Advento. The first woman in the United States to undergo a double hand transplant.
SHEILA MAY ADVENTO, DOUBLE HAND TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT: I just remember being rushed to the hospital in the E.R. and then that's it. I was out.
GUPTA: Advento's hands and feet were amputated eight years ago after she contracted a bacterial infection.
ADVENTO: They were so lifeless, you know, and so black.
GUPTA: She got prosthetics for her hands and her feet but the idea of a possible future hand transplant was always on her mind. When the opportunity came from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, she went for it.
ADVENTO: I'm amazed by my own progress. I had no expectations.
GUPTA: It's been a year since she got her new hand and already Advento has hit several milestones. She can feel temperature, pain. She can feel various textures. It's the result of a lot of hard work. She undergoes six hours of physical therapy five days a week.
ADVENTO: For me to finally feel these things again, my hair, my face or even, you know, my jeans, that's something big for me.
GUPTA: Advento says her ultimate goal is to live as independent a life as possible.
ADVENTO: This is actually my very first painting.
GUPTA: She draws, she paints and she drives. She puts on makeup. Finds a way around her kitchen. Even clips her nails.
ADVENTO: I'm not able to pinch the nail clipper. I was able to figure out how I would do it for myself. That was my other way of figuring out how to be independent.
GUPTA: The last eight years have been difficult but Advento says she has overcome so much by believing that it all happened for a reason. No matter how painful she tries to always be positive.
ADVENTO: I don't give myself much of a choice but to keep going despite whatever obstacles I encounter in my life.
GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: In addition to her physical therapy, Sheila actually works one day every week. She hopes to be able to display her art work at a local gallery soon.
All right. We know athletes are driven to win. Well, coming up, I'm going to be talking to a star of the WNBA Tamika Catchings. She's got an extraordinary story. Wait until you hear her incredible story about what led to this moment of greatness.
And he's an actor and activist. Gary Sinise does all he can to support American military families while working on his hit television show. Do you know what year he joined the CSI New York cast? Was it 2004, 2005, how about 2008? 2009. The answer straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: OK. You know, we've been talking a lot this past week about satellite pieces that would be falling to earth. Well, we have since learned that yes, overnight many of those pieces did come to earth. Bonnie Schneider in the weather center to tell us exactly where they think they may have fallen.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, it's interesting. Because they're not quite sure. We may never know. But we have a general idea of the possibility, it has to do where the satellite was orbiting and where the mid point of possibility is here in the north Pacific in an altitude of 10 kilometers. That's where we anticipated the entry point was.
It's interesting to note that eight kilometers is when of that disintegration happened. So the larger pieces came down obviously inside of the (INAUDIBLE). There are pictures to show you of what (INAUDIBLE) look like re-enter the atmosphere. A little bit, of course, debris continues to - you can see obviously it gets more as it comes down. But remember that on average satellite - one satellite re-entry occurs every day. Although these are much smaller than the UARS. So obviously it didn't get as much attention. So it's not uncommon to see that.
Now we did assume that it would come out somewhere over water because 70 percent of the earth is water and that's exactly what happened. However, when you look at the map of the satellite, it's possible that it could have occurred anywhere here on this loop with the time frame 11:23 to 1:09 a.m.. So pretty much as predicted. It just slowed down at one point due to some solar activity in terms of the rate at which it was falling yesterday but somewhere it disintegrated. And what's also interesting is with all the people who could have been out there in planes or even out in the ocean, nobody saw it. We don't have any visual confirmation. So and nobody was injured by it which, of course, a lot of people were concerned with even though the odds on that were slim. WHITFIELD: Wow! That's incredible. What was fascinating and we all learned a lot in the past week. So there we go.
SCHNEIDER: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: That was our little adventure that we all shared. All right. Bonnie, thank you.
All right. There's a good chance that you watched the season premiere of "CSI New York" last night perhaps. Well it focused on 9/11 10 years later. The episode was inspired by star Gary Sinise since 2004 he's been on this CBS hit show, "CSI New York" and when not filming for the series, Sinise is on the road with his Lieutenant Dan Band. It's named for the character that he played in the movie, "Forest Gump." You may remember that.
That band performs in military bases all around the world and here at home in the U.S.. Well, this week, I asked him about the troops and the family members that he meets all the time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GARY SINISE, ACTOR: These families are resilient. They try to stay strong through these difficult times. We have, you know, consider the 101st Airborne who last year lost a lot of soldiers in their deployment to Afghanistan. If you consider a military base it would be like a small town and it is like a small town. You could have 60,000 people, you know, soldiers and family members on this particular base and if you have a base that loses 130 people killed in action and many more wounded throughout that year, that's a lot to ask of a small town. Just kind of use that comparison and you'll understand just how difficult it can be for some of these military families to get through.
But they, you know, I've met extraordinary, extraordinary people that are staying strong through these difficult times knowing that people care is important.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Gary Sinise set up a foundation and is also supporting the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial and you can learn all about them by going to my blog, my Facebook or also on Twitter.
So is it worth trekking the family to the movie theater to see "Dolphin Tail" this weekend? Straight ahead, a review that is and overcoming adversity to achieve greatness. I'll be talking with WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings in a moment. What's behind her greatness?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Checking your top stories right now. Florida millionaire Bob Ward has been convicted of the second-degree murder of his wife. Her body was found in their mansion in 2009 and at the time Ward repeatedly told a 911 operator that he had shot her. Later he said his wife was trying to kill herself and the two struggled with a loaded gun. Prosecutors say there were too many inconsistencies in Ward's story.
In Florida, ballots for the state's GOP presidential straw poll were handed out just a few moments ago in Orlando. Several of the Republican candidates for president attended the event and we should have straw poll results in about an hour from now. We'll get those to you.
Diana Nyad hopes the third time will be the charm. The 62-year-old endurance swimmer is back in the water heading to Florida. She jumped into the surf in Havana, Cuba, last night and briefly got tangled up with a few jellyfish after being treated for stings she took off again. She's amazing. She could make it to Florida by Monday. Health problems forced Nyad to abandon an earlier attempt last month and she also made an unsuccessful attempt in 1978 but she is determined to do it again.
All right. WNBA player Tamika Catchings talk about determined. Well, she's been named the league's most valuable player of 2011. She's a forward for the Indiana Fever and probably one of the most determined players that you will ever meet. She's been in the WNBA for 10 years now. She is a force to reckon with. Not only is Tamika a world class player, she's also a two-time Olympic gold medalist. No stopping her. Well, she's done it all while overcoming a hearing impairment as well. Tamika Catchings is here with me right now. Wow! Congratulations. MVP.
TAMIKA CATCHINGS, WNBA MVP: Thank you.
WHITFIELD: How does that feel? Has it sunk in yet?
CATCHINGS: Not really. You know, we're in the middle of the Eastern conference finals so I'm still kind of all caught up in that and then you get MVP announcement, OK, I don't want to put so much energy into being so excited that I kind of lose my focus with what we're trying to accomplish.
WHITFIELD: Right. Because you're still in it to win it.
CATCHINGS: Always in it to win it.
WHITFIELD: And try not to be distracted. OK. Where did this come from in you? I mean you've been, wanting to be a professional ballplayer for a long time. You told me you were in seventh grade when you said "You know what? This is it for me" and it actually happened. You started playing ball in, you know, third grade.
CATCHINGS: Yes. Well, actually I was born with a hearing problem. I was born with a hearing problem, had to wear hearing aids, speech problem, the whole nine yards and for me, it was just kind of like I always wanted to fit in. And you know, I remember countless days going to school and coming home crying. All the kids were making fun of me and telling my mom and dad "I don't want to go back. Please don't make me go back in." You know, and they just kind of brush my tears off and pushed me back out there and I think just the determination from that has helped me with my basketball.
WHITFIELD: But it sounds like you made a conscientious an effort where you said to yourself, OK, I have this impairment, but I'm not going to allow it to stop me. I'm not allowing it to handicap me. So, you found this love in basketball and said you know what I'm going to be the best at it.
CATCHINGS: Yes, definitely. You know I think I was so passionate and one of the things and I always tell the kids I talk to, find something that you're passionate about. Sport was my thing. I started with soccer. Went from soccer, basketball, volleyball, ran track and field. I mean we did a little bit of everything. And basketball was the one thing that stood out at the end. But you know it was something for me that I knew OK you can make money of me for looking different and for being different but when we get on the basketball court, I'm going to work my tail off to be better than you. And that was it.
WHITFIELD: Did I read it correctly that you have said that in the end this has become the gift. This has become that thing that made you want to be you know head and shoulders above everybody else.
CATCHINGS: Yes, definitely. You know I think God blessed me with the talent to be on this platform that I'm on and you know I started a catch a star foundation in 2004 that allowed me to use the platform I am on to reach out to boys and girls. And I think there are so many people in my life that helped me coaches, teammates, friends, you know other family members. I mean people helped me get to when I'm at today and I want to be an example for these young boys and girls.
WHITFIELD: And how fitting, catch falling star and catching. I like that. That was a good plan.
OK. So you know you're 32 years old. You are considered - but you know but you look 22. but you've been in the league now for ten years. You know you are considered a veteran but how is your body feeling and how is your body keeping up with that fortitude that you've got?
CATCHINGS: I feel good you know. I really do. I feel good. And one of the things you know that I try to do everybody is like how do you keep motivating and stay passionate and you know in the off-season I do play overseas because I had played overseas in the past but one of the things I always try to do is find something different that I like whether it's swimming. Last year I did this thing called the Buddaka (ph) which is kind of which a mixture of all of the martial art and yes. And then it was a lot of fun you know just being out there, kind a learn how to fight. I've never been in a fight in my life.
WHITFIELD: Is it ever kind a dangerous to kind a cross train like that to try you know to go into unfamiliar territory athletically? I mean do you worry about that impairing your game?
CATCHINGS: Not really. Because with Buddaka (ph) you know my instructor LJ Easley (ph), he was really good at kind a correlating everything to what it means to basketball and my core. You know just being stabilized core wise and being able to do a lot of the things like kicking and boxing. People don't realize a lot of it takes stomach strength and even for basketball. You know if your core is not strong, you get knocked around easily. And I'm determined not -
(CROSSTALK)
(LAUGHTER)
CATCHINGS: They can try. It was happened the last couple of rounds it's happened.
WHITFIELD: Wow. Fantastic. Well, all of the best for you. Congratulations. MVP. I know that feels incredible. Your family has to be incredibly excited for you too.
CATCHINGS: They are. They are you know I mean I got so many great messages and text messages and my mom is on the verge of crying every time she talks to me. But yes, it's definitely you know definitely a blessing.
WHITFIELD: And Indiana Fever up against to, next when?
CATCHINGS: Atlanta Dream tomorrow 3:00 p.m. I know. Here we are.
WHITFIELD: That's going to be tough. But you know we're at Atlanta base, we want to root for Atlanta but at the same time meeting you and your extraordinary story, we're rooting for you too.
CATCHINGS: Thank you. I appreciate it.
WHITFIELD: Fantastic. Nice to meet you, Tamika. All of the best and congrats again.
Alright, you like the movies? You like going to the movies when you get a chance? You may want to stick around. Movie reviews. You heard about "Moneyball" with Brad Pitt. OK. Well, our movie guy is going to tell you after the break whether it scores. It's not going to score as high as you usually score on the court. But we'll see if it's worth your buck or two at the theater.
(LAUGHTER)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm just saying you can't start paying you first.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I am starting him at first.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think so.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He plays for Detroit now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You traded Pena?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to shake things up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Ok. It's all about sports and animals this weekend. But are "Moneyball" and "Dolphin Tale" worth your bucks off this box? And here to tell us, movie critic Matt Atchity with rottentomato.com joining us from Los Angeles. Good to see you, Matt.
Ok, let's begin with "Moneyball" and people are talking Brad Pitt going crazy over this movie and there's even Oscar buzz.
MATT ATCHITY, MOVIE CRITIC, ROTTENTOMATO.COM: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Yes?
ATCHITY: I think we'll see a nomination out of it because it's s a fantastic movie. I really enjoyed it.
WHITFIELD: OK. Let's take a quick peek at "Moneyball."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Billy says he needs $225,000 for Ricardo's income. Please. Yes. I added the please at the end. OK. Hold on one second, please.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tell him I'll pay for him when I sell him back for twice next year I keep the money.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Also Robin Wright is in this flick. OK, did you like it?
ATCHITY: I really liked it, yes.
WHITFIELD: Why?
ATCHITY: This is a story about Billy Bean who was the manager of the Oakland A's and managed to make a competitive team with about a tenth of the budget as teams like say the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox using a different method called saver metric basically they study different statistics and really it's the stat geeks that have taken over baseball.
It takes something that would be a really dry subject and turned it into something really, really interesting and really gripping and the movie is great. It's really fun. The script has been co-written by Aaron Sorkin. He did as fast out of it. If you want to be surprised about how they made a movie out of facebook, this is kind of like that for baseball statistics. It's a really fun movie. I really enjoyed it. One of the best things I've seen all year.
WHITFIELD: Is this kind a pull at the heartstrings in any way too?
ATCHITY: A little bit. A little bit. You know you see this underdog team do some really good work. And you get you know you have a good time even if you're not a baseball fan you're going to enjoy this.
WHITFIELD: Is this kind the quirky Brad Pitt? Because sometimes you see that in some of the roles he plays where it's a completely different kind of guy than the more dramatic or romantic Brad Pitt.
ATCHITY: Right. Right. You know, you definitely see him turn on the charm although you see a bit of vulnerability. And as he getting older he really started to make me think in this movie of Robert Redford. I'm sure he's happy to hear that. But he's really great in this. I really enjoyed watching him. And you know some of the other critics at the theaters I was at. They were saying yes, you know he just gets better and better looking.
WHITFIELD: Wow. If sports is not your thing, maybe you like the animal story. Something tells me this might be you know feel a little bit tear jerker because all movies with animals - wait I'm sorry I didn't ask you a grade. Real quick?
ATCHITY: That's OK. We gave it an A.
WHITFIELD: Of course. Very good. All right. Back to "Dolphin Tale." Whenever there's a movie with animals it means you're going to cry. Are you going to like this one?
ATCHITY: I liked this one not as much as I like "Moneyball" but it's a sweet story. It's based on a true story of a dolphin that lost a tail. You might remember this story a couple of years back about a dolphin that lost its tail and people get together to try to save it.
WHITFIELD: OK. We are going to take a quick peek. Great names in this one. Morgan freeman, Harry Connick Junior, Ashley Judd. Let's look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I've got vacation time coming up. But I'm not making any promises.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Doctor McCarthy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It means she likes you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Imagine my delight.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Cute. OK. Alright, you already said you prefaced is you don't like it as much as "Moneyball" but you did like it.
ATCHITY: I don't like this but it's OK. It's you know it's kind of an old fashioned family movie like we might have got out of Disney in say the late '60s or early '70s. You know it's a really fascinating true story of people coming together to save this dolphin named Winter. You can still see on the web actually in Florida at Clearwater and they saved this dolphin by giving it a prosthetic tail. It's a really interesting story. The problem with the movie is that it starts to fall prey to kind the standard Hollywood Cliche. You start getting kind a silly dialogue and little side track plot lines that really don't put anything to the main story.
WHITFIELD: Your grade?
ATCHITY: My grade is a C. It's definitely worth taking the kids to. And you won't mind sitting through it.
WHITFIELD: Nice. OK. We're going to also share with people, Matt, your grades. Your reviews on some DVDs that will be out as well. We'll share them with folks, right after this. Matt, thanks so much. Good to see you. We're talking about "bridesmaids" coming out on DVD on Tuesday and others including Conan O'Brien can't stop and "Thor." I'll tell you how Matt reviewed them, right after this.
And took at that right there, you know that had to be Elizabeth Taylor's jewel right there. Her collection touring the world and then guess what? Start counting your bucks. It's going up for auction. We'll give you a quick peek at those jewels right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: OK. Remember we promised you some DVDs that will be out and how did Matt actually grade them? Here you go.
All of them he gave them Bs. "Bridesmaids", "Conan O'Brien can't Stop", and "Thor". All of those Bs. So, sounds like you may want to rent them or get them. All right, much more in the news straight ahead with Don Lemon.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: He's a tough grader.
DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There's a bunch of stuff I want to see at the box office. I want to see that "Dolphin Tale"
WHITFIELD: Yes, the "Dolphin Tale." He just reviewed that. He liked that.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: I forgot about it earlier in the spring and people were like tweeting me and go hey, I'm watching "Warrior." There you are.
WHITFIELD: Well, you knew it.
LEMON: Yes, I knew it but I just forgot.
WHITFIELD: That's hilarious.
LEMON: I just forgot in Sanjay's (inaudible).
WHITFIELD: That's right. I feel that you've all the stars around you. New movies stars you. LEMON: You're a star. I saw you last night. Nice work. Speaking of Washington, speaking of Washington, President Obama is addressing the congressional black caucus tonight. I know you've been reporting on it. I have big interviews.
Representative Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas coming up next hour and we'll talk to the chairman of the caucus, Representative Emmanuel Cleaver. He's been very, very vocal about what he calls a jobs crisis for African-Americans and he wants urgency from the White House in dealing with that problem. It is going to be very interesting to see what they have to say about it. They are outspoken all the time and so I'm going to press them on.
What do you want to hear from the president tonight and what can you say to sort of satisfy you?
Also, can you believe this, it's been two years. Also, Conrad Murray trial starts next week in Los Angeles. The jury has been seated. It was seated yesterday. We are going to have details of who they are and we'll talk to Holly Hughes. You know Holly Hughes the former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. I'll be in L.A. for it all next week covering that trial and again as I said, I can't believe it's been so long.
The interesting thing if you hear from family members, most of them believe that he has some culpability if not all of it. And so the family is obviously very distract. There are going to be at the trial you know as they were with every other trial that Michael Jackson was involved with and talking to people around him who say you know he was under so much pressure.
WHITFIELD: This will be different, a different tone too because we're talking here about the jury that is not sequestered.
LEMON: Right. Right.
WHITFIELD: We know how meticulously they tried to select the jury. From pretty extensive pull and the questionnaires involved. So, this really is going to be an interesting thing. Many folks have already predicted that this will be kind of a circus like you have seen in a lot of big high profile cases. But I don't know. Something tells me the tone will be different here.
LEMON: I think you're right. I think this is the chores according to Holly Hughes, they are experienced jurors. Some of them have been jurors before and it is going to be different like people think it will be a spectacle like Casey Anthony. She's saying this jury is a little bit more savvy than that on the talk of the town.
WHITFIELD: Look forward to your reporting on that, all that sweet too. Thanks so much Don.
You don't like cats do you? He doesn't like dogs.
LEMON: Not at all. I do like dogs.
WHITFIELD: No, you don't.
LEMON: I love them. I just don't want to live with them. I think they're harder to take care of kids. I rather have a kid than a dog.
WHITFIELD: OK. Alright, so then cats?
LEMON: Cats are, they easy.
WHITFIELD: They're independent.
LEMON: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Interesting. Well, they are very territorial. Some people don't think they always take kindly to others. I dispute that. Find out how some owners figured out how their cat would react to another cat. Long live cats and dogs. We'll have more after the break.
Alright, but first, CNN reporters, anchors, producers, cover stories all over the world and that means we also get some great tips on best restaurants, hotels, and travel spots. I know you have a few favorites there. OK. So, in this week's travel insider we're off to San Francisco. I love that city.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Dan Simon in San Francisco. One of my favorite places in the city is here, downtown at the historic Ferry building. I love coming out here on a nice day and checking out the views. For more than 100 years, this place has been used to ferry people to different communities across the San Francisco bay. But now the ferry building is used for all kinds of different things.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 33.
SIMON: Inside the major theme is food. High end gourmet food from fruits and vegetables to caviar to olive oil to cheeses, it's a Foodies paradise in here.
But I think I like it outside even better. A few days a week they have a farmer's market and this is the freshest stuff you can possibly imagine. I usually like to grab a sandwich and sit down at one of the picnic table and have lunch.
So, that's the ferry building. Restaurants. Shops. Good people watching. I think it's one of the best places San Francisco has to offer.
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WHITFIELD: Elizabeth Taylor certainly was not short on glamour. She epitomized it. And the actress didn't make any apologies for her love of diamonds and jewels. Well now, if you're like me and have a little bit of jewelry envy, you have a chance to actually buy some of it. That part is not going to be like me. I won't be able to buy it. Erin McLaughlin sneak peek at the Liz Taylor jewelry collection as he makes the tour stop in London.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's a big one.
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's called the Elizabeth Taylor diamond worth millions of dollars, all 33 karats on display at an auction house in London.
JONATHAN RENDELL, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, CHRISTIE'S AMERICA: This is her baby. She called it her baby. She used it on set, off set, at home, in bed.
MCLAUGHLIN: Jonathan Rendell, deputy chairman of Christie's America says the diamond is part of a rare glimpse into the treasure-trove of one of the greatest film stars of all time.
Elizabeth Taylor is to diamonds -
RENDELL: (Inaudible) to fashion.
MCLAUGHLIN: Her collection estimated to be worth over $35 million.
RENDELL: We're known for being quite conservative with our estimates and the enthusiasm of the private collectors who have been in to see things gives us a good indication that it will be a popular sale.
MCLAUGHLIN: And that includes the Bulgaria emerald suite.
RENDELL: They are mouth watering. They look like you could eat them.
MCLAUGHLIN: Richard Burton famously bought the jewels for Elizabeth Taylor in Rome while she filmed "Cleopatra."
RENDELL: A great quite from Richard Burton which was I introduced her to beer. She introduced me to Bulgaria.
MCLAUGHLIN: The exhibit is not just about the so-called crown jewels of Hollywood but also includes a Elizabeth Taylor's couture and art.
RENDELL: She never had a stylist. She never borrowed a jewel in her life. She put her money with her mouth was. She was a star.
MCLAUGHLIN: A star whose collection is center stage.
This is a global tour. London, Los Angeles, Dubai and Hong Kong are just some of the stops until the exhibit's final destination, New York City where it will be on the auction block for all her treasures.
Are diamonds really a girl's best friend?
ELIZABETH TAYLOR, ACTRESS: No.
MCLAUGHLIN: What is?
TAYLOR: People. MCLAUGHLIN: Some of the people who will benefit from the exhibit are those with HIV AIDS. A portion of the ticket sales will go to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation. She was, after all, also someone who put her stardom and her name behind a good cause.
Erin McLaughlin, CNN. London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right. Bonnie back with me now. One last very fun viral.
BONNIE SCHNEIDER, AMS METEOROLOGIST This is a really popular one.
WHITFIELD: Right out of the kitty world. Don, pay attention.
LEMON: OK. All right.
WHITFIELD: He loves cats. He really does.
This is a battle of (inaudible). There's the red cat in the corner and the blue cat.
WHITFIELD: Which one is going to win?
I don't know.
WHITFIELD: The real one or the faux kitty?
Or the balloon.
WHITFIELD: What's it going to be?
Closer.
WHITFIELD: Oh, no. No. That was a quick strike.
One move and down.
WHITFIELD: Wow. You are down.
LEMON: There's your sweet cat. There's your sweet little house cat.
WHITFIELD: Sweet kitty. That's right.
That's a big cat, 21 pounds.
WHITFIELD: Twenty one pounds, that's a big one alright.
But you know what, it might have been OK with another cat but something was kind of peculiar about this balloon cat though.
There you go. Alright, that's one way to end this hour. Bonnie, thanks so much.
We're not going to strike at you though, Don. Much more of the newsroom straight ahead. He's a mild little pussy cat, right?
LEMON: Yes. I thought I saw a pussy cat.
WHITFIELD: All right, Don. Have a good one.
LEMON: Bye.
WHITFIELD: Bye Bonnie.
Bye Fred.
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