Qui Gon Jin - Worst Jedi Ever

This 20-second montage is proof that there was a WHOLE lot more wrong with Episode I than Jar-Jar, right? But in posting this vid, I feel like I'm emphasizing an accepted point. Oh, wow, you say. Putting the smack down on Episode I? How ballsy! Yeah, well.

Daybreakers Poster

According to io9.com:

The new poster for futuristic vampire film Daybreakers gives us a closer look at the creepy, Matrix-like blood farm, where the remnants of humanity provide fresh blood for the vampires who run the world.

The film is scheduled for a January 2010 release.

A History of Landmark Destruction in Film

Over at Slate.com, there is a slide show depicting the destruction of numerous landmarks in film, complete with accompanying video. There is something fetishistic about it, I have to admit, especially seeing as how so many of the objects obliterated onscreen are phallic in nature. However, I have to admit that I flipped through the show slack-jawed. Taken separately, the films in question only take down one monument or two, but put them all together and it becomes a nerve-wracking endeavor.

From Slate:

Last summer, Keith Phipps put together a video slide show, accessible below, tracing the history of the destruction of national landmarks, beginning with Deluge, released in 1933, all the way to G.I. Joe and most of Roland Emmerich's oeuvre. "Movies," Keith writes, "have depicted mass destruction almost from the beginning."

I found a Youtube video - posted above - that goes well above and beyond the call in the area of Armageddon porn, showing in great detail much of the carnage you'd find in the Slate slideshow. The video, as opposed to the slideshow, lingers on humanity's desire to see itself end, at least in a cathartic way. It's almost as thought American film-going audiences have an EndTimes obsession. Thankfully its precepts have only played out onscreen and not in real life.

Kevin Smith - A Back-Door Man

Kevin Smith's new movie, 'A Couple of Dicks', comes out in February, and he's already begun the press circuit for it (sort of). Here he is talking about 'Dicks' on WSJ.com. It's the first flick he's directed that he did not write, and I've seen (or heard) in other places that this might be a better deal for him, director-wise. He's said more than once that 'Dicks' is the sort of buddy cop movie he would have envisioned himself writing, which gives him the freedom of making it his own without it being so personal to his life. He also takes a couple minutes to discuss how he's "a back-door man". Namely, he talks about every "in" he's had in various industries has come in a non-traditional manner (i.e. back-door).

Op-Ed: I Miss Bill Hicks

[This post has no point.]

Sometimes I wonder about the dead. Death is a constant source of contemplation in my life, and I can't help but think about people who have already slid off this mortal coil and how they might perceive the world today.

It's not anything particularly enlightening that I mull over. I'm not an existential whiz, by any means, but sometimes I'll be jogging, or watching "the news", or else surfing a web site, and think: "What would so-and-so say about this?"

Mostly, I think about comedians. Oh, sometimes I wonder how Kurt Cobain would see today's rock-and-roll scene, or what would have happened if John Lennon had initiated a long-term bed-in throughout the month of December in 1980. It's interesting to have a bemused moment over situations and how life might or might not have been different if this or that hadn't happened. It's only a natural part of life to envision such things.

But mostly - mostly - I think about comedians. My particular worldview has been irrevocably shaded by their comments, and though I enjoy certain modern comedians - thank God for David Cross - I am more often intrigued by those who have passed on.

Take Bill Hicks, for example. Hicks was, without really knowing it, a visionary of the first order. Well, see, that's part of the problem. I say these things, or I think them, and then I wonder: Is that true? Is praise over Hicks heightened partly because he's no longer with us? Maybe.

But I don't think about that for very long. We can never know a person's potential. Is Keith Richards less influential because he was able to ingest a South American country and persist? [shrugs] I am more concerned with what he might say today, in the midst of Obama's first year as president and all of its surrounding insanity. I also wonder what his thoughts might have been during the presidency of George W. Bush, but that is another post entirely.

It's not even necessarily that Bill Hicks was a visionary, or the funniest, or had his career cut tragically short (even though it was a robust 16-years, which is a lot for a comic). It's what Hicks represents, which relates to his premature death, but also to his place in the world. Hicks was more raw, less packaged, than a majority of even the rawest comics working today. Like artist who takes chances, he wasn't afraid to alienate the audience, or to challenge their sensibilities outright, and then pull them back in with a dick joke. Well, most artists don't pull listeners back in with a dick joke, but you get the idea.

His comedy was less slick but also distinctly his (depending on your opinion about Dennis Leary), and though in being topical some of it doesn't translate to this time and place - his bits on Billy Ray Cyrus, though, have become ironically relevant again - most of it still resonates. Before he died of cancer in 1994, Hicks was able to ponder issues like: gays in the military, the (first) Iraq War, right-wing radio hosts running the Republican party, and drug legalization, all of which are still prescient today. 'Relentless' may be my favorite comic album, and for good reason. It stands out for being more than a comedy album. It's a manifesto, and like 'Rant in E-Minor', encapsulates everything in the man's demented philosophy.

Saw VI Trailer

I know it may be ridiculous to decry the lack of plot in a Saw trailer - especially for a sixth installment - but I do believe the filmmakers have let the last few drops of creativity spill out of the bucket this time. Saw V was atrocious on so many levels, especially considering that Jigsaw "died" all the way back in the 3rd installment, so I should not be surprised to see that the trailer reveals absolutely nothing in the way of story. It feels oxymoronic to actually wonder about story in Saw, but I am curious to know how far they can go to keep Jigsaw alive for these flicks. Opens October 23.

The Dark Knight/Blade Mash-Up

Bam Kapow! posted this wonderfully-done DK/Blade Mash-up. The editing is pretty phenomenal, especially where the dark cityscape scenes are concerned. They blend well together, and it kind of makes me want to see an actual Blade/DK movie, though in my heart of hearts I know it would be absolutely terrible.

Drag Me to Hell - DVD/Blu-Ray

'Drag Me to Hell' comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray tomorrow, and seeing it reminds me just how much I loved that movie the first time through. It's definitely not what you would expect, judging by the underwhelming trailer, but the movie itself delivers in a big way. It's not trendy in the way that most lobotomized remakes and horror porn duds are these days, so don't go in expecting that. It does have Sam Raimi's odd sense of humor/horror - amongst other things - going for it.

I highly recommend 'DMtH'. The casting is wonderful (Alison Lohman is just crazy hot), there is more blood than the PG-13 rating implies, and the star of the film are the sound effects. If you get 'DMtH' (Blu-Ray on Amazon), make sure you turn the volume up WAY loud to watch it. It'll be worth it.

Arden - The Shakespeare Video Game

There are MMORPGs about so, so, SO many things right now. Why not Shakespeare? Researchers interested in making an "educational" MMORPG based on the world and life of the bard from Stratford. From the site:

From June 2006 to May 2008, with funding from the MacArthur Foundation's Digital Learning program, students and faculty in the Indiana University Department of Telecommunications built virtual worlds based on the works of William Shakespeare. Our objective was to build a world in which we could conduct social science experiments

Arden I is our "Shakespeare Game," the complex version that most people did not want to play. We created a village nestled in the countryside where you can talk to Falstaff, play cards with Nym, and ask Shylock about markets. It has a fairly complicated crafting economy. It has a Wheel of Fortune, complete with Fortune's Fool. It has a character who asks questions about Shakespeare and his plays; if you get enough right, you win a prize. In short, it has many things that one might want to see in a Shakespeare teaching environment. The problem is, Arden I was determined by our players to be, well, no fun at all. If you are thinking of building your own virtual world for education, collaboration, marketing, or some other serious purpose, you should download and experience Arden I to review an approach that, whatever its other merits, did not retain the attention of users.

If you have a hankering for Shakespeare, you can download the game on the web site. Enjoy!

NES Casemod Player - Wow

From Gizmodo:

Finally, an NES cartridge casemod I can get behind without weeping uncontrollably. This one houses a complete library of NES games, uses the original buttons, and hides inside the Super Mario/Duck Hunt combo cartridge. But wait, there's more:

There's also an mp3 player, movie player and an FM radio receiver. The video out is also intact, meaning this little guy can be used to play on the big screen.

What Would Happen If We Tried to "Play" This NES Emulator Cartridge Casemod?

Doghouse: The Trailer

From Film School Rejects:

Doghouse is the new film from Jake West (Evil Aliens) and is about a group of guy friends who take a road trip to help one of their own get over his ex. They end up in a town where the women outnumber the men three to one and the ratio keeps growing… because the ladies are killing and eating the dudes. Yes yes, sounds vaguely reminiscent of LVK, but judging by the new trailer Doghouse isn’t going to shy away from the red stuff.

To Catch a Predator: Predator Edition

In lieu of the cast of the new 'Predator' being revealed, I figured posting something snarky and hi-larious re:Predator was in order.

My original intention was to discuss the casting, but Bam Kapow has done such an awesomely thorough job, I won't even try it.

I will say that Danny Trejo is a good choice for the flick, and, though he's no Dutch, Adrien Brody is a good actor so I can get behind him as the lead. He was totally bad-ass in Hollywoodland.

The LA Times has posed a prescient question regarding Brody's box-office muscle, however:

If I were the head guys at Fox, I wouldn't just be wondering about whether Brody is a good fit for the part or not, but whether anyone would pay to see him in the leading role in a commercial film. His track record as a movie star is awfully thin, since most of the movies that relied on him for star power -- including such recent films as "Cadillac Records" and "The Jacket" -- barely made a dent at the box office, not to mention "Manolete," a film shot in early 2006 that stars Brody as the famed bullfighter that still hasn't been released in the U.S.

[Are You Kidding? Is Adrien Brody Our Next Action Hero?]

[New PREDATORS Cast Revealed]

A Shirt I REALLY Want!

While cruising the Blogosphere at a considerably slow pace, I came across the above Ghostbusters t-shirt, depicting a post-slime Peter Venkman. I think it turns green and glows in the dark. I am as close to lusting for a shirt as I have ever been.

Nerdcore Rising - the Trailer

"Nerdcore" is a pretty self-explanatory name for a new-ish type of hip-hop that combines beats with social awkwardness. From the site:

Hilariously entertaining, NERDCORE RISING introduces a new wave of hip-hop to the world called “Nerdcore” where computer obsessed geeks bust rhymes about the hard knock life of nerdom. The gut-busting comedy follows MC Frontalot the “Godfather of Nerdcore” on his first national tour where the roots of the genre, the dorky complexities of its artists, and one MC’s fight for nerd stardom is revealed.

[NerdCore Rising Movie]

Early Elvis/Cash/Perkins/Holly Footage - Classic

Here is (as it says in the video) perhaps the earliest footage of Elvis on record. I'm not a huge fan of Elvis himself, but the time period depicted, along with the key players in it - Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Buddy Holly - really intrigues me.

Cthulu Jesus

Click on the above image to enlarge it, because you simply can't get the level of detail needed to enjoy it by the limited scope here. It's a Photoshopped version of an earlier picture (though this one is obviously much better), and I just couldn't help but post it. Again, the level of detail is just magnificent.

[img source=p3on]

Idle Thumbs: Resident Evil 5 PC Hilarity

A classmate of mine in the English Ed. cohort told me about a video games podcast called Idle Thumbs, and once I have the time, I'm totally going to dive into it. Until then, however, all I've been able to watch is the video posted above, regarding the joy of playing RE5 with a REALLY experienced player.

New Super Mario Bros. for Wii Trailer

The new trailer for the side-scrolling Wii Mario Bros. is out, and it makes the game look phenomenal. I know they're making a Super Mario Galaxy II, but that seems redundant, or wrong, somehow. Every Mario game gets bigger in scope - Brothers, Land, World, 64 (3-D), Galaxy - and to repeat it makes it look like they're out of ways to have Mario transcend humanity. However, the old-school take on the franchise looks like a good way to go. I, for one, am looking forward to it.

Ron Jeremy Was in 'Ghostbusters'

Indeed, Ron Jeremy - you may know him as "The Hedgehog" - was an extra in 'Ghostbusters'. Photographic proof was needed, and now here it is.

The Beauty of Photoshop

Talking about beauty being overrated is hard for me (because I'm so handsome), but I guess the least I can do is post this video, of a young woman - who looks more or less plain in the beginning - being Photoshopped into a state of beauty for an advertisement.

Sci-Fi Burger King

Burger Kings across the nation are trying to go a little more upscale by renovating their nearly 12,000 locations for a more sit-down feel.

According to the Huffington Post,

The company said the new design, called "20/20" at the Miami-based chain, is already in place at about 60 locations around the world. Burger King expects about 75 more redesigned restaurants to be open by the end of next year. But it will take years before all its locations are transformed.

However, based on my observations, the new BK stores look more like approximations of 60s science fiction sets. And I like it! Kind of makes me want to go and get a Whopper right now.

Steampunk R2-D2

Here is a steampunk R2D2, made by Deviant Art user ~amoebabloke.

[img source=~amoebabloke]

Jack the Ripper Identity Revealed?

According to the UK Telegraph:

[Historian] Mei Trow used modern police forensic techniques, including psychological and geographical profiling, to identify Robert Mann, a morgue attendant, as the killer.

There has been no shortage of suspects in the Jack the Ripper case - even Patricia Cornwell has put her two cents in - so it should be noted that the "case closed" notion should be taken with an air of skepticism.

However, the evidence here seems to jibe well with the facts in the case, and also may add two victims to the list.

After the killing of Polly Nichols, Jack's first recognised victim, Mann unlocked the mortuary for the police so they could examine the body and as such, was called as a witness in her inquest to help establish the cause of death.

Most damningly, he undressed Polly's body with his assistant, despite being under strict instructions from Inspector Spratling to not touch the body, and Trow suspects that this was an opportunity to admire his handiwork.

Post-It Note Atari

BoingBoing posted a video Tony Pichotta and Justin Grizzoffi made a few years ago entirely out of Post-It Notes. The result is a surreal approximation of a few notable Atari games.

Related Posts:

• DEADLINE - A Stop Motion Video
  

Star Wars Uncut

Star Wars: Uncut Trailer from Casey Pugh on Vimeo.

From StarWarsUncut.com:

You and 472 other people have the chance to recreate Star Wars: A New Hope. Below is the entire movie split up into 15 second clips. Click on one of the scenes to claim it, film it, and upload it. You can have up to three scenes! When we're all done, we'll stitch it all together and watch the magic happen.

You can go to the site and watch already finished scenes, or volunteer to take on one as-yet unfilmed scene. In addition, you can also follow them on Twitter.