Friday, February 26, 2010

Links of Interest 2/26


Sure, you might not absolutely need them, but c'mon, they're still essential.

If you're a Maury Povitch fan, you'll probably recognize one or two of these people. And if you're not a Maury fan, well then I have no time for you.

A list of actors possibly heading down the road toward Scientology. I had no idea Janeane Garafalo is potentially a scientologist.

Could you give up a vice for a month?

I'm thinking I probably should get a private army together. For doing awesome shit and stuff.

So Jeff Goldblum was right?

Don Rickles ladies and gentlemen. He's still got it.

This is kind of crazy. The city that never was, only sorta.

A look at the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas. I'll hopefully be writing my own Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in April.

Like this article isn't being hung up in every cubicle in the world right now.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Links of Interest 2/25

Alec Baldwin isn't just an award-winning actor. Apparently he's also an expert on nuclear power.

The new Karate Kid movie sounds interesting.

Athletes are people too. People who screw up.

When you're ready to grow up, start ordering some of these at your local watering hole.

A cool concept in my eyes, though the trailer really doesn't do much for it, it my eyes.

If you're hungry why not mosie over to A Holy Sandwich, and see what people enjoy in their way of a sandwich.

Seriously, what the fuck is up with Claire?

I'm all for the "batshit insane" strategy when it comes to sports, war, heck even life. So were these guys. And look how it worked for them.

So, what does it take to be a border police officer in Afghanistan?

The Chuck Klosterman tribute to the band Pavement.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Trailer to the Greatest Movie Ever


When you're 30, there aren't too many things to get overly excited about. You've pretty much seen and done the things you want to do, and with exceptions, you're set and ready to die.

So when you do hear about something so completely random and awesome existing, your hopes irrationally explode in anticipation.

I'm of course, talking about the trailer to Showgirls 2.

Before we get into it though, let me fill in a little backstory to the magic that was seeing Showgirls...

Friday night, September 22, 1995. A date marked on my friends' and mind calendar for awhile. Opening night for Showgirls. Back then, in the infancy of the Internet, NC-17 movies such as this one had a little more fanfare behind it. Sure, there were AOL chatrooms to trade pics in, but unless you had a smoking 14.4 modem, that would take hours for your porn fix.

No, NC-17 movies still had the free reign to titillate.

And so that's how we found ourselves at the theater that night. It didn't seem strange to us. We were suburban raise, and an event such as this one, no matter how stupid or vanilla it would later turn out to be, still held an aura of mystique for us.

What we did find a little strange is that we kept running into every older male we knew in the parking lot of the theater. The conversation usually went like this:

Us: "Hey Mr. Smith, father of one of my friends, what are you doing at the movie theater tonight?"

Elder Male: "Oh, I decided to come out to the movies. Sure I haven't been to a movie theater in over 15 years, but tonight the idea simply struck me. What are you boys here to see?"

Us: "Showgirls, duh."

Elder Male: "Showgirls, eh? Is that some French film? Sounds interesting. Mayhaps I'll purchase a ticket for that one as well."

And so on.

Anyway, we went in, watched the terrible movie, tittered on at all the racy, stilted sex scenes with a grown up Jesse, and left. Fulfilled? Unfulfilled? Who cares. It was something to do. Once in the parking lot, we got in my car, the sweet '88 Mercury Sable (RIP), and noticed one of the Elder Males (let's refer to him as Mr. Smith from here on out) we'd seen earlier get into his car. As we pulled out, we happened to see him drive over to a pay phone in the parking lot.

Pulling one of those Rockford Files moves where he got close enough to the phone to pick up the receiver and dial without getting out of his car we knew 2 things immediately:

A. He was awesome because he pulled that maneuver;

B. This was a discreet telephone call he was making.

Now, we knew Mr. Smith to be married; the friends I was with even went to school with a his children. So the plot thickened when after 10 minutes of being on the phone (you bet your ass we staked him out. I even referred to myself as Richard Dreyfuss.

Repeatedly.

(Don't you dare suggest I would have been cooler back then to refer to myself as Emilio Estevez either. Yeah, I know he was in the Brat Pack. Yeah, I've seen the Breakfast Club. And yes, I knew Always existed. But I have 2 words for you:

He was motherfucking Hooper in Jaws.)

Mr. Smith casually hung up, turned his car around and drove in the complete opposite direction of his home. Down the way toward the seedy side of suburbia. (How you can tell you're in a seedy part of suburbia. There are places that are open 24 hours/day, and there's a lot of used car lots.)

You know what happens next.

Of course we followed him.

I'd love to finish this story with us pulled up in a dark alley watching him go all Bad Lieutenant on some woman he found in the parking lot of a bar. Or picked up a guy on the corner, drove a block, and let the guy out before revving his engine toward home. But nothing like that happened.

Well, not really.

We followed him to an indistinct neighborhood and watched him pull into the driveway of an indistinct house. And we left. Could we have staked it out and seen this thing through to the end? Sure. But that's where we get into Another Stakeout territory, and none of us wanted a Rosie O'Donnell moment.

That didn't stop us from creating the sordid story of what did go down in that neighborhood house. Remember, we were 22. And we were on a Stakeout high.

What does any of this have to do with the trailer for Showgirls 2?

Very little. I just didn't want you to be so completely underwhelmed when you finally clicked on the link. You see, I just watched it and...yeah. It makes Showgirls look restrained. Please be forewarned: it's graphic with plenty of nudity. Right at the beginning too.

I can't imagine the movie exists and am assuming Geoff Schaff is simply made up - like Alan Smithee but when a director REALLY doesn't want to be known.

Still, I guess technically possible this is a real honest to god film. And to that I say - eh. I'm not 22 anymore.






Links of Interest 2/24

On the one hand, this is cool, because I like Ian McShane. On the other hand, it's terrible, because there's no need for a new Pirates movie.

Want a visual guide to help you better understand the sport of curling? Ask and you shall receive.

I'm not sure chatroulette can ever be addictive, but this article makes a case for it. Don't know what chatroulette is? You're better off.

Here's a look at what ABC has cooking in the way of sit coms for the upcoming 2010 season.

A list of the 50 greatest working directors. Kinda of a copout, simply because I bet there are few people out there that can even name 20 current working directors.

Talking with Bob Newhart.

The Bloom Box. Real or a Stephen King plot device? (via kottke)

The Post Office is dead; long live the Post Office.

Another essay on the awesomeness of The Big Lebowski.

Some Facebook groups are mildly clever. Some are simply annoying. And then there are these.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Links of Interest 2/23

A book looks back at the riot grrrl.

Losing sleep not knowing who Jay Leno is going to open up his new old show with in the first week? Wonder no more.

But wait...will Shatner play the dad or the son?

Sometimes, outakes albums aren't just released because of contractual obligation. Sometimes, they're even good.

Some famous authors offer their 10 writing rules.

If you were an alien, and really interested in the Olympics, this would be your vantage point.

A look at the numbers behind creating the Academy Awards.

I don't understand the problem with Waldi. Who doesn't like rainbow daschunds?

The Proust questionnaire with Martin Scorsese.

I know you might not believe this, but apparently it was rather difficult to make Raging Bull.

You know those round brown things you occasionally get from people after buying things? Well, they're being redesigned!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Links of Interest 2/22

Talking about librarians. And not your stereotypical spinsters.

Real or fake ghost videos. Of course, nothing will top this video. For me it proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, ghosts exist. To entertain me.

Not all cookbooks have recipes you're gonna enjoy.

Crazy happenings at the Olympics.

Speaking of the Olympics, here are some cool images from Vancouver.

Forget about a car accident; you're probably going to die doing something stupid at home.

I had never heard of this. What a diabolical stupid plan.

Cool, interactive map of the size of the universe, in regards to you, and the smallest things in the universe. Getting high and viewing this will probably make your mind explode - or help you reach enlightenment. The risk is yours.

Find out how much that meeting your company is having is really costing them.

The Grateful Dead. Not just for hippies anymore.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Links of Interest 2/19

Really want to know where to start with JG Ballard (author of Crash)? It happens to all of us.

Looking to shorten your lengthy URLs AND give them a slightly suspicious and scary vibe? You've come to the right place.

Photos from Battleship Island.

A look back at Roger Ebert's 1970 Esquire interview with Lee Marvin for Esquire - or as I like to call him, the most awesomest man to ever live.

Don't think death and time sympathizes someone? See how we as a society are making Hitler a punchline!

Just because a movie is good doesn't mean it's going to make a lot of money.

A deeper look into the sport of curling.

HBO has turned the Ricky Gervais podcasts into animated shows.

What did Back to the Future get right in their predictions of the future? Let's take a look back...to...the...future...or just go to this link.

I take no responsibility for anything that happens if you try any of these.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Links of Interest 2/18

Books that really no longer deserve movie adaptations.

Tracy Morgan has some interesting views on stuff.

So where exactly does the U.S. store its nuclear waste?

Images of Pluto. Some of the best ever. Which means they look like my attempts at making marbles with the original Photoshop.

The trailer for the A-Team movie. I assume there will be deaths in this movie. I'm assuming this movie will be bad. I don't have much else to say.

Garbage Island is sitting out there in the Pacific. How far away are we before someone claims ownership and begins to sell it as prime real estate?

Making perfect french fries means double frying. But I could have told you that without any of the science. Have you tried a double fried french fry? Case closed.

Don't think noise pollution is that big of a deal? You will when you run out of quiet places.

I love how each driver pauses, feeling the other out, trying to figure which one is going to do what. In the end? Never a problem!

This article is stupid. If you can't come up with an awesome band name, then really, you probably aren't going to make it big.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Links of Interest 2/17

A pop culture map of time travel references. It's dizzying, if you can believe it.

It's hard to be a movie fan without counting Roger Ebert as an influence. This is a sad, yet inspiring article about the life he now leads after cancer ravaged his mouth, leaving him literally speechless. And yet he communicates now perhaps better than ever.

A visual of just how deep the Mariana Trench is.

Person in a deer costume, wooden acting, horrendous dialog...there isn't much more you need to make an awesome commercial.

Full disclosure: I hated Inglourious Basterds. I thought the plot was tepid, many of the characters had no reason for their behavior (seriously - the main guy simply pulls a 180 after the first 2/3 of the movie has been spent building him up as a total badass) and the theater - don't get me started: both plans to blow it up had nothing to do with one another. I guess that was a coincidence?

I really hate the fact that it's up for best picture.

Anyway, here's an article with Tarantino listing the movies that inspired him to make it.

Taking a look at where the honey bees went. Here's hoping the trees had nothing to do with it.

That Steve Jobs is one sneaky bastard.

Hair items!

I'm fascinated by all things El Bulli.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Links of Interest 2/16


Malcolm Gladwell tackles the subject of why we enjoy drinking with other people.

This is exactly like Deal of the Century, if Deal of the Century was really serious, and not hilarious.

Being an lover of many things frisbee, (Ultimate, Disc Golf) this feature of how the frisbee can to be is interesting to me.

Stay ahead of the toy trends for 2010.

As a rule, figure skating costumes are garish. Here's a look of some of the most garish.

So...have you seen the new We Are the World video? It's...interesting.

Have you been hearing the buzz about Google Buzz? Want to know how to use it, but have no clue? Here you go.

Snow storms might be a nuisance, but you have to admit they make for a great backdrop for filming.

There's more to Woody Allen than films and controversy. A lot more.

Going to a nice restaurant in the near future? Read this and enhance your service.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Links of Interest 2/11

Apologies for lack of posts the past few days. I live on the east coast, or as I have now dubbed it Snowy Snow Snow Land. I have intermittently lost power and cable the past few days. And I was drunk/hungover for one of those days too.

A review of the first season of A Small Wonder.

There are 24 editions of Air Jordans!

Been wondering what Gilbert Gottfried has been up to recently?

Have a one dollar bill on you? Take a closer look at it.

Get ready for the Olympics (opening ceremonies are tonight!) by checking out some of the venues the competitions will be held in.

Sure, sometimes plastic surgery is nice. But sometimes it can go horribly wrong.

The best scenes in football movies.

China might not be a threat to go to conventional war with; but in cyberspace, all bets are off.

Better living through chemistry really can be considered a myth.

Customs agents never know what they're going to find.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Links of Interest 2/9


Gil Scott Heron returns. And we should all be happy about that.

Heroes is still on? I was honestly surprised when I heard that news. Here's an interview with the creator, Tim Kring.

I sometimes wonder how George Lucas feels about the fans' constant trashing of his movies. And then I remember that he's a billionaire and probably doesn't care. Regardless, here's a movie about the obsession people have with the man.

I'm not gonna lie; I wish I could spin a pen on my hand.

If you only have limited time, here are the must sees of the Vancouver Olympics.

First, I hate that Esquire unironically uses the term "man code" in this "guide" to wooing your loved one with music on Valentine's Day. But I will give him a thumbs not just for the Fela Kuti shout out, but also the recognition that Fela Kuti can be clothes-taking-off music. I've been shouting that for years.

However, he commits the ultimate sin by namechecking D'Angelo as the "go to" when all else fails, without even casually mentioning Marvin Gaye. To me, this is offensive. I'm guessing D'Angelo would suggest Marvin Gaye if he were asked. Save for Here, My Dear, you can't go wrong with Marvin Gaye playing in your bedroom.

I will say this article has given me the idea to come up with a nice little setlist for Valentine's Day. Look for it in the coming days.

Seriously, I bowed out when the author started talking about meeting yourself after walking through a time travel gate.

Inside the campaigns, strategies and history of Oscar nominations.

Sure, there's some science in this article, but really it's just cool to look at lightning in slow motion.

I had no idea these two were married.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Links of Interest 2/8

So what do the superbowl ads really say about us?

After reading that cheery dissertation, why not find out how this year's ads did?

And then check out the ten worst superbowl ads of all time.

Would Howard Stern make a good Simon?

New Orleans is still standing. Thankfully, it didn't join these cities.

In case you're in need of a Conan fix.

The book stunk. It read like a cliched movie. So I have no idea what the movie will look like.

Unlike the majority of America, I am excited for the Olympics. Why not check out some facts about them?


Friday, February 5, 2010

Links of Interest 2/5

Pictures from the Tough Guy Competition held in England every year. You have to see it to believe it.

This guy may like Jaws more than me. I stress may. For if I were to try to recreate scenes, I'd at least give some effort to wardrobe choice. If nothing else, an awesome blazer or two like the mayor has. Regardless, any Jaws fan should click on this link.

Care to take a look back at all the Superbowl commercials that have aired over the years?

An interactive timeline of the happenings in Lost. Not sure if it helps anything at this point. But it's cool.

Sometimes the extras on a DVD are underwhelming. But sometimes, they're all sorts of cool. Check out this list to catch the cool ones.

Guessing where the Internet is headed in the next year.

Good discussion topic for a late night bar excursion. Who's your favorite bad ass?

Dirty money - and how it gets into the U.S.

You know, you can learn a lot about life from watching a chicken.

That Lil Wayne sure is crazy!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Links of Interest 2/4



A pro and con look at Twitter.

A look at how conspiracy theories can negatively affect how people think. Or so they would have you believe.

Salt is ok; it's the sodium that will get you.

A new We Are the World gathering for Haiti relief.

I added this review for Kingdom of the Spiders simply because I love this movie.

So what does a military MRE really taste like?

Some of the science in Lost explained. Well, at least an attempt to explain it.

Awesome trick shots in sports.

Just in case you happen to fall out of an airplane.

We like to help people out here at the Popcorn Trick. So, just in case you suddenly come into a large sum of money that you'd like to keep quiet, why not set up an offshore bank account?


Link

Monday, February 1, 2010

Links of Interest 2/1


The Grammys last night were, uh, interesting.

When artists pick a cover and try to kick it up a notch. Sometimes it works. More than not however, it doesn't.

Not a huge hype year for Sundance. Your opinion may vary on whether that's good or bad. Regardless, here's a recap of what happened on the mountain Redford built.

Well this article was a bait and switch. I feel cheated.

The top 10 worst athlete signings of the last decade and no Philadelphia teams? The top 5 alone could have involved the Sixers!

What really goes on at those American Idol auditions?

At first glance, this list of everything John Locke said in Season 5 of Lost seems great. But then, you have to realize (well I think you have to realize) that for the last half of the season, it wasn't John Locke. And so it kind of falls apart. Still, freshen up for the premiere tomorrow.

With the Internet it's easier than ever to find that special someone, regardless of your interests.

Say what you want about Lady GaGa (though honestly, it's probably been already said) but you have to give her credit for spicing up a struggling music industry and succeeding.

A voodoo scholar (one of the better titles I've read in awhile) tries to set the record straight about the religion in the face of the Haiti earthquake.