Thursday, April 30, 2015

Cool Shit 4/30

The new Mad Max movie is shaping up to be insane. Here's a look at some of the vehicles that will be blowing each other up in it.

A map of all the executions in United States since 1978. Just in case you're planning to move and have trouble with the law.

A deep dive into the uncertainty of the DC movie universe and how that might spell trouble for the studio (Warner Brothers). It's kinda amazing to me that people don't take enough time to really figure these things out, and it's really not all that difficult.

An off-the-grid houseboat farm in Canada? I'm in.

Whoa - a documentary on what the Earth's response would be if aliens were to land here. Of course I'm a little disappointed I wasn't contacted. I wrote up a comprehensive plan about what we should do back in 2008.

There's a whole generation out there that doesn't understand what David Letterman brought to late night television, and his influence on comedy. And now he's leaving us.


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Cool Shit 4/29

In-depth article about Silk Road, the place on the internet to get drugs and assassins. And other cool stuff!

Neil deGrasse Tyson continues to provide intelligent thoughts and opinions on many different scientific topics. Here's proof.

Russian YouTube. It's like our YouTube but 100% more insane. And also more Russian.

I feel like fictional impregnable castles are written about simply to be stormed.

Want to be able to catch your friends in a lie? Use these helpful tips approved by the FBI!

DC Comics had a lot of movies in the pipelines over the years. They just never got made.

Having trouble figuring out which rappers your kids can listen to? This will help.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Cool Shit 4/28

Some behind the scene photos from Star Wars. The original Star Wars. Meaning New Hope Star Wars. Some of these you might be familiar with, but it's still cool to go back and look at how they made this movie.

A look at the good, bad and other at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival.

Always good information to know in case you find yourself with a bunch of extra land: how to start your own country.

The history of the Joker through the comics and other mediums, as we're about to get another take on him from Jared Leto.

Anyone read the novel Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell novel? If you have, the story comes to television. Here's the trailer:



Enjoy a bunch of Gob Bluth's funnier moments on Arrested Development.

MP3 blogs still exist, and you can still get some crazy music from them.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Cool Shit 4/27

Television shows like the CSI's and Law & Orders' of the world have us believing forensic science is almost infallible. It's not. Not by a long shot.

Ah, New Coke. Where have you gone?

Earthquake in Nepal caused massive avalanches at Mt. Everest, during the beginning of busy climbing season. See a firsthand account of what that means...



A look at a parent's virginal trip to Chuck E. Cheese.

No, I don't know what a rattlesnake rodeo is.

I'm not sure the music business is broken; rather it's broken probably for the record labels, but I don't feel too bad for them since they had a significant hand in making it the way it is now. I have to imagine there are business models that would work, I just am not sure people are willing to work within those boundaries yet.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Cool Shit 4/23

The new Coen Brothers movie sounds... different.

Being on a recent Law & Order kick, I've been enjoying JK Simmons' work, so I'm happy to hear he's signed up for a new series.

A quick recap of the Avengers' universe leading up to the new movie:



Tomorrowland looks really cool and I am excited for it, but I'm still not crazy about the Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged vibe it seems to have. I'm hoping that's not prevalent in the story. Like really, really hoping. The story/plot has slowly been oozing out though, and so far, it's got the John Gault stink ever so slightly on it.

Taking a look at the National Rube Goldberg competition.

Quick, cool time lapse video of a volcano eruption in Chile:




Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Cool Shit 4/22

What it's like to play a character in the dramatic reenactments of television crime shows.

Today's Star Wars news...well this isn't really news, this is an example of just how much excitement and scrutiny this movie is currently going through: how fast is the speeder going in the beginning of the new trailer?

There's a meteor shower tonight. Here's the best way to enhance your viewing so you can see it.

Not sure if Tomorrowland is my most anticipated movie this summer, but it's close. It's one of those rare movies that is not a sequel or a remake. Here's a new trailer:



A different take on the Chernobyl disaster from a Youtuber.

When I was growing up, the rumor about the people selling magazines door to door was that they were part of some sort of religious, fanatical cult.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Cool Shit 4/21

Summer is coming, and that means blockbusters. Check out what you can expect in the theater this year.

I'm still not in love with the controlled raptors idea, but Jurassic World still looks like it's going to be pretty cool:



Have a pocket knife and nothing else to do? It's time to play some Mumbley Peg!



The sad story of Spalding Gray. His podcast would have been amazing.

What the body goes through when you run a marathon.

A supervoid in the middle of space. Well not the middle since technically space is infinite, but you get my point. Also, a supervoid?

Deconstructing JJ Abrams directorial style of the new Star Wars movie.

Monday, April 20, 2015

High Shit 4/20

A human powered amusement park...



Looking to stargaze? Check out these three places to maximize your experience.

Highway 93 out west will soon be no longer, and another part of our country's history will roll off into the desert.

Today's Star Wars news...thoughts on what could have possibly happened to that star destroyer in the new trailer... Boba Fett seemingly survived Return of the Jedi... the next Star Wars movie will be about stealing the Death Star's plans.

Any interest in the new Fantastic 4 trailer? Honestly it looks a little too teenish for me.



Not sure why this isn't a bigger story - meaning the BIGGEST story going right now. FBI basically has been lying when it comes to hair analysis. Awesome.

An oral history of the movie Airplane!


Friday, April 17, 2015

Cool Shit 4/17

Breaking down the latest Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer that came out yesterday.

Ok, so here's the trailer if you just want to watch that. My thoughts? It looks like it has the imagery and adventure feel that the prequels didn't. The Hand reveal was chill inducing. There will always be the disappointment of the prequel trilogy with me, but dang it if this isn't getting me excited to revisit the Star Wars universe all over again...



So...David Hasselhoff has a new music video out...



Images that show just how insignificant we really are in the vastness of space.

More life hacks that will save you time in your life!

The hum, an alleged sound that pops up around the globe occasionally that baffles scientists and non-scientists alike. Until now. Maybe.

Care to watch a blurry, shaky bootlegged version of the Batman v. Superman trailer?



The 25 best Hall and Oates songs. I think I'd have to move "You Make My Dreams Come True" up a bit, but other than that, a solid list.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Cool Shit 4/16

It kind of stinks when your big news about your show is about who is going to be killed off next. I feel like we've created an anticipation of who will die on the Walking Dead, rather than focus on why the show is good/bad.

Latest trailer for Mad Max coming out this summer - quite possibly my most anticipated movie. This trailer doesn't show much, but it does tentatively connect this movie to the old Mel Gibson ones.



An oral history of the Hubble telescope.

What Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme don't want you to know: it IS possible to make donunts at doughnuts at home.

Big fans of David Fincher here at the Popcorn Trick. Which is why we like this look back at his career:



The good news: Planet Earth is getting a sequel, called Our Planet. The bad news: it's going to take about four years to make.

Have a Roku? Then you've got access to these awesome streaming channels.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Cool Shit 4/15

Stupid tax day...

It seems that even though NYC is a burgeoning metropolis, it still has its share of abandoned buildings and spaces.

The discovery of the Higgs Boson, and how that was then translated to music. Heavy metal guitar music.

A simple question with a not so simple answer: What exactly is a wormhole?

This is an early 90s promotional commercial for a company... See how long it takes you to figure out the company watching it blind. I'm pretty sure you'll be surprised.



The many contradictions of Howard Cosell. Ridiculous though it didn't go into his Battle of the Network Stars announcing.

A mild look at celebrities performing stand up comedy. The results are about what you'd expect.


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Cool Shit 4/14

So yeah, this Antman trailer looks good, but I think I have a fundamental problem with the concept of Antman (not the movie) in that while he obviously has a superpower, in a world of absolutely cosmic superpowers, being able to shrink and control ants just doesn't get the ol' engine running. Kinda seems he was last in line when they were handing out the powers. Still, the movie looks cool:



The 6 craziest bank heists in history. Eat your heart out Ocean's 11!

Did you ever notice that there was a lot of stuff that revolved around food on Seinfeld?

A few of the more dangerous (due to radiation and toxicity) areas around the world.

Excited for the new Avengers movie? Here's a bit of a tease as Hulk and Iron Man battle it out...



New Terminator has a new trailer, and it looks atrocious:






Monday, April 13, 2015

Cool Shit 4/13

Tired of dominating another round of Monopoly with your friends? Check out these advanced board games you can play.

Prometheus 2 may turn out to be a decent movie (I doubt it), but there's really no reason for a sequel like this to be made. The original was horrid. Terrible story, awful pacing and it really made no sense. Unless the sequel begins with an apology, I'm not going to go out of my way to see it. Especially with these alleged plot details.

Is this the group that controls matters for the world? I have no idea.

Trailer for HBO's latest, The Brink, a comedy about World War 3:



If you know where to look, you can get ahead with season 5 of Game of Thrones.

Take a sonic journey through the world of Billboard pop instrumentals.


Friday, April 10, 2015

Cool Shit 4/10

Would these be your 100 best films of the decade?

New trailer for True Detective: Season 2...



Mildly nervous about it, not because of the way it's shaping up, but because of the inevitable backlash that it isn't like the first season. Because I remember the tonal shift between seasons 1 & 2 of The Wire. Hoping they keep the sense of dread that was so captivating in the first season, but I also trust the people behind it to deliver something good.

And here's the trailer for the 3rd season of Orange is the New Black:



Never fully caught on to this one, but I know it has its fans. Hoping it can maintain its strength of its concept through another season.

Pacapong? Yes please.

The bowling alley at the southern most point in the world...

Game of Thrones returns this Sunday. Excited? Read this look at the upcoming season.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Cool Shit 4/9

Did you like the Serial podcast? Well, here's a new one called Undisclosed, which will tackle Adnan's case from a legal perspective.

What does it take to be comedian Hannibal Burress?

Navigating the murky depths of the Tokyo sex industry.

25 beers you should try. It seems a little random but hey, if you enjoy beer...

Seems like it's going to be about ten more years before we have an Independence Day-type situation.

Nora Dunn's experience with Saturday Night Live.

The things you should be nervous about when you fly.

A look at the best books of the decade.


Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Cool Shit 4/8

If you're into the Avengers, you might enjoy this short video about cool things you may not have noticed from the movies...



This kind of came out of left field - new Arrested Development episodes! While season 4 was uneven, I'm still excited with the news.

Regardless of who you vote for or what your political leanings might be, you want to believe your leaders are intelligent enough to get the job done. And then you head about memos like this. And you begin to wonder.

Don McLean's song American Pie has intrigued listeners for years, and now we finally might have the answers to some of the questions the lyrics pose.

Every death from Game of Thrones. Spoiler alert!



As a species, our writing skills suck, and are only trending downward. That makes copy editors so mad!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Cool Shit 4/7

Enjoy this map of the United States showing UFO activity. Shocked that the west seems like such a hotbed!

Guy in Alaska wants a view of the mountains but there are trees in the way. So he does what any sane person does...builds a house that is above them. But trees keep growing. So what does the guy do...?

I'm not sure which is more pathetic, that the FBI is only now just returning to enforcing their fitness exam for agents after 16 years, or how seemingly easy said fitness exam is.

The glamorous life of sugarbeet farming, and living the life of a vagabond.

Life as a gigolo. Rob Schneider lied to us!

A good old fashioned spy story.

A list of sitcoms that should be brought back. Basically I included this for the Get A Life shout out.

Monday, April 6, 2015

Cool Shit 4/6

Saturday Night Live documentary coming this summer.

George R R Martin is developing a new show for HBO called Captain Cosmos. You know, because he doesn't have enough on his plate already.

Mad men is back, and here are seven possible scenarios that could end the series.

Easter may be over, but that doesn't mean we'll stop looking for Easter eggs in movies!

While you've probably heard of some of these United States' National Parks, you might not have ever thought to visit them.

The debate about how to eat sushi will never end.

You can learn a lot about filmmaking from Steven Spielberg. Especially if you watch Jaws.




Friday, April 3, 2015

Cool Shit 4/3

Montauk, a supernatural series is coming to Netflix soon. And they're also thinking about bringing back Full House?

A look at some of the more interesting round flying machines humanity has created over the years.

Yesterday we brought news of Pac Man on Google Street Maps and some of the cooler maps to play. Today we bring you some of the more difficult maps to play.

Not sure how much credence I'd put into this article about Spielberg making a documentary about a "Russian UFO lake" but it's a cool story nonetheless.

How they make those ridiculous jelly bean flavors. Just in time for Easter!

So you want to know all the celebrities linked to Scientology. Well, here you go!

Everything you always wanted to know about Max Headroom.

Enjoy this lesson on how to write an opening for a film. Example? Seven:

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Cool Shit 4/2

The notion of living in an isolated paradise is romantic, but now it seems this remote island wants to open its borders some, destroying that notion.

Apparently if you're an astronaut, you're going to get hit in the face with a cross by a Russian Orthodox priest. Hey, it's tradition!

So now you can play Pac Man with Google Maps. Possibly the greatest thing ever. Here are ten places that will test your ability.

What it was like to be Andre the Giant.

Skinner and Cigarette Smoking Man coming back to X-Files: Yay! Doggett and Reyes possibly coming back to the X-Files: Huh?

It's kind of amazing that one of Nature's challenges, summitting Mt. Everest, is treated so capriciously by the people who attempt it so much so that they treat it as little more than a trash can.

A list of the weird in villains from cinematic history.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Cool Shit 4/1

Hopefully, everyone understands that a zombie invasion is impossible and will never happen, I guess it's still fun to think about what one should do in the event of it ever happening.

I had no idea the chronology of the Fast and Furious movies was so out of whack. I also have no idea how these movies got so popular.

New trailer for Mad Max. This movie looks insane:



So in addition to coming back for another round of The X-Files, David Duchovny is apparently releasing an album. Of music.

A buried treasure of cocaine and the quest to find it.

Looking into the death of Tupac.

Ranking the Marvel cinematic universe.