I don’t think it would be a real large leap of faith to guess that the new Katy Perry album will be an artless heap of bubble gum, nor will any limbs be gone out on to guess the new Christina Aguilera album sounds vaguely like the last one… I assure you I am aware that these are blind assumptions, and I’m not even hinting at that fact that I probably have a “friend” who wouldn’t casually enjoy a song or two by either of the girls. The one thing both these albums usher in though, that is more important than a formulaic pop record, is a return of awesome album cover art by acclaimed artists. [click to continue…]
Researchers in Frankfurt, Germany found that, for men, staring at breasts for 10 minutes a day was equivalent to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise and could potentially increase lifespan by five years. Well congratulations every single man on earth, you’ll all be living longer than nature wanted you to. And also, scientists? I have a feeling men are way ahead of you. I’m pretty sure most guys do this for upwards of…um…all day. [click to continue…]
Dreams within dreams within dreams and losing your grip on what’s really, really, really, real. All that combined with mind-bending special fx. It would appear that a certain Piano Man tackled these complex themes all the way back in 1982. Click the link below and see for yourself. Also, if you haven’t already done so, go see INCEPTION 23 times!
As there were no new releases this week in which I was interested, I have decided to give a few recommendations on films that you may have never seen and in turn, I’m asking for your recommendations.
So, in no particular order, here are five films that I enjoy that you may have never seen.
Them – 2006 – Directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud.
This is an example of a simple story that when directed by someone with a talent for creating an eerie atmosphere becomes an unnerving film. This French film was originally marketed as a completely true story, including a mock news reel available on the film’s web site. Clémentine and Lucas, ready for a weekend away from work, retire to their isolated home. Clémentine is awoken in the middle of the night to a strange noise and the film gains speed from there. If you are someone who has a fear of being alone in a large house or if you have a fear of home invasion, skip this one. Otherwise, it is a great example of an atmospheric piece from France. If you enjoy this and want something a little gorier, also check out Frontiers, another French horror film. [click to continue…]
My hilarious and brilliant friend Phil Plait, aka, @badastronomer, has a SUPER kick-ass series coming to a Discovery Channel near you hopefully very soon.
Holy cats! In addition to the Nerdist Podcast Live show at Largo tonight featuring David Koechner, Fred Willard and Tom Kenny singing Spongebob songs, all show attendees will be able to attend a very special and private book signing with Fred Willard immediately following the show. Fred’s new book is entitled “Fred Willard’s Magnificent Movie Trivia: Put Your Knowledge of Movies, Actors, Facts & Firsts to the Test,” but what’s missing from that is YOUR NAME right next to his , hand-written by Mr. Willard himself. Thanks to Book Soup for making this happen!
We’re a few steps closer to the Six Million Dollar Man or the Bionic Woman, people. We can almost rebuild them. We kinda have the technology.
For proof, check out 18-year-old Michael Waldron, who recently became one of just ten people in the U.S. to receive a brand-new bionic hand.
Michael was born with a physical defect on his right hand, essentially leaving him with no fingers…a problem that the bionic hand will solve. The prosthesis works by sensing which muscles in the forearm the user is flexing and responding with a pinch or a full grip. I would’ve hoped that the thing had been made out of titanium, so he could give anyone who ever made fun of him a solid robo-punch to the face. [click to continue…]
All right, I think I’m ready to finish this. I’ve had a good night’s sleep, despite dreaming about enormous red beetles infesting my home that I had to ward off with a tennis racket. Which is ridiculous; I don’t even have a tennis racket. At any rate, where was I? Ah yes, Doctor Who. [click to continue…]
When faced with the insane crowds at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, I did what any professional journalist would do – I ran back to my hotel room and watched Prince of Persia while sipping soothing champagne from the mini bar. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening social parts of SDCC (seeing Hammer Improv live, hanging out with the Guildies, being on a panel of wicked smart lady nerds, meeting John Oliver from The Daily Show and making him laugh OMG) but the Con itself was more than overwhelming-it was panicattackwhelming. A nine out of ten VERY NECESSARY AND PRESCRIBED Klonopins, is what I’m saying.
HOORAY IT’S BOOK DAY! Below are some of the titles new for this Tuesday, but not all of them as I’m sure you’re aware, so if I’ve missed anything: yell! Also, be sure to check back on Friday for my review of Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential: How Teenage Girls Made a Nation Cool by Brian Ashcraft and Shoko Ueda!
Without further ado, here are some of this week’s lovely new titles!
Star Island by Carl Hiaasen
Meet twenty-two-year-old Cherry Pye (née Cheryl Bunterman), a pop star since she was fourteen—and about to attempt a comeback from her latest drug-and-alcohol disaster.
Now meet Cherry again: in the person of her “undercover stunt double,” Ann DeLusia. Ann portrays Cherry whenever the singer is too “indisposed”—meaning wasted—to go out in public. And it is Ann-mistaken-for-Cherry who is kidnapped from a South Beach hotel by obsessed paparazzo Bang Abbott. Now the challenge for Cherry’s handlers (über–stage mother; horndog record producer; nipped, tucked, and Botoxed twin publicists; weed whacker–wielding bodyguard) is to rescue Ann while keeping her existence a secret from Cherry’s public—and from Cherry herself.
The situation is more complicated than they know. Ann has had a bewitching encounter with Skink—the unhinged former governor of Florida living wild in a mangrove swamp—and now he’s heading for Miami to find her… Will Bang Abbott achieve his fantasy of a lucrative private photo session with Cherry Pye? Will Cherry sober up in time to lip-synch her way through her concert tour? Will Skink track down Ann DeLusia before Cherry’s motley posse does?
All will be revealed in this hilarious spin on life in the celebrity fast lane.
Via CarlHiaasen.com!
