Friday, February 28, 2014

Cool Shit 2/28

Previously unheard Led Zeppelin tracks!

In honor of the Oscars this weekend, here's a look at the previous 85 Oscar winners ranked overall. Pretty sure there would be no debate about this list!

This alleged video of Supreme Court proceedings isn't exciting in and of itself, but it does raise awareness to the fact that it is illegal to video record the Supreme Court, which I feel is an antiquated law. After all, the proceedings are open to the public, so it's not a case of privacy or security. Perhaps we should allow recordings, to get a better understanding of the laws of this country?

Your True Detective links for the day! First, a theory on the possible ending, which I won't call a spoiler since it's just a theory, but it's decent; second, an interview with the creator of the show; and finally a look at the group behind the song played during the opening credits.

This is an awesome look back at the documentary American Movie. And if you haven't seen it, you definitely should. There's probably no better movie about making a movie in the 90s than American Movie.


Thursday, February 27, 2014

Cool Shit 2/27

This is like a Where's Waldo if Waldo had a huge long range rifle and was actively trying to kill you.

Great breakdown of the brilliance that is The Match Game. I remember when Game Show Network was an infant, and it built its foundation on the back of this show. My friend and I even made a drinking game out of it, and realized the genius of Brett Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly and many of the other panelists. In fact, I remember a Halloween not too long ago, I dressed as CNR and snapped at a woman who mistakenly suggested I was Thurston Howell. But in my defense, how could she be so stupid?

This news that the Red Road television series from Sundance isn't that great is too bad; it was on my radar, but now one poor review can destroy a show, since there are so many other good ones on.

Even if it's just a comic, news that new Jack Burton (he of Big Trouble in Little China) stuff is coming out is extremely good news.

A great look at how to break down the conceptual nature of incomprehensibly large numbers. And I'm talking really big, like ones over 1000!

Reading about the history of Cosmopolitan's weirdest sex tip (involving a donut), made me think there's a blog (and eventual book deal) for a couple to record their thoughts and histrionics attempting ALL of the Cosmopolitan sex tips. And yes, I concede that the idea might already be out there, but I really don't want "Cosmopolitan sex tip blog" in my NSA file.

Careless Whisper as a 30s jazz song? Why not:




Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Cool Shit 2/26

Godzilla trailer. Seems like Bryan Cranston has put himself in a position where now everything he does has some extra gravitas. I assume that has to do more with Breaking Bad and less with Malcolm in the Middle, but I can't be 100% sure:



And if the trailer for Godzilla doesn't get you excited enough, would the potential for other monsters in the movie do it? Check out this sleuthing of the trailer to sniff out that possibility.

More movie news, this from the world of Star Wars. Love the casting rumors of Benedict Cumberbatch and Gary Oldman; not so much that they would be playing the same character. That kind of tom foolery has me worried about the script.

Want to know what the best music streaming service is out there on the web?

Was kind of hoping that possibly the one good thing that may have come from Harold Ramis' death would be that Ghostbusters III would have also died with him. Apparently, that's not the case. At least we have this awesome oral history of the original to always enjoy.

The Museum of Uncut Funk. What a great idea! While I would love to visit, I'm not hundred percent sure there's a brick and mortar version. I've looked for an address, but can't find one anywhere. But then there are pictures that suggest it exists somewhere.

Great directors had to start somewhere. Here's a look at 10 early films by famous directors that you should probably check out.





Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Cool Shit 2/25

Wines are just so complicated; especially when you're talking French wines. Therefore, this map should be crucial for you when wandering through the aisles of the wine store.

RIP Harold Ramis. Sure, you know him from many of his popular movies that he wrote/directed/starred in, but I'll always remember him from SCTV, one of the more underrated sketch television shows.





Hey all you aspiring serial killers! Abandoned amusement park for sale! Perfect for ritual killings and other fun stuff!

More True Detective links for you to enjoy. Here, you can read about the movies that influenced the show.

New HBO show. New Mike Judge show. It's the same show! And it's about Silicon Valley:



And finally, if you have some sort of curiosity about what people search for when they search for porn, here's a look at a live stream of those searches. And if I have to tell you this is not safe for work, well, maybe you shouldn't be on the internet.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Cool Shit 2/24

I love the Voynich manuscript because I believe it's basically one big prank, that was either perpetuated 100 years ago, or possibly even longer than that. And yet there are plenty of people still being pranked by it today.

I didn't think there was any way to make fruit more delicious. But apparently there are at least 14 more ways.

So the treasure room at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark - where the government stores the ark? It's apparently real. Unfortunately this article doesn't explain anything about access for the public.

More True Detective links. If they're out there, I'll keep finding them.

Not only is this news of Diego Maradona coming out of retirement to play professional soccer the best news from the weekend, it also gives me an excuse to post one of my favorite videos:



Not 100% sure what this article about fraternities is uncovering. Though I guess every 10 years or so we have to turn our attention to it and be outraged, and then forget about it for 10 years, and the cycle continues.

Insane. For the first time ever, humans can run a loop the loop. Also, we have GOT to come up with a better term than "loop the loop," as it really doesn't make sense when you think about it, and it sounds  kinda lame.



Sure, we have old west ghost towns, but China apparently has current ghost towns.


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Cool Shit 2/20

What it means to be a professional gambler. Meaning a person that lists "gambles" as his job. Apparently, it can be done.

Not everyone thinks the Oscar nominated films were all that good.

Have a long commute? This list of interesting podcasts could at least give you something to listen to.

I know I know, it's easy to get sick of winter. But these pictures of Alaska show that sometimes winter can be cool too. Though I guess people would like them a lot more if they were looking at them in the summer.

One day we'll all be gone and the only thing left to remember us will be the abandoned buildings.

Just using honey to sweeten your tea in the morning? How much stupider could you be? Check out these alternative uses for the bee-elixir (though I may question the efficacy of this list as it has honey both listed as an energy booster AND a way to help you sleep).

More True Detective links! I'm not entirely caught up so I haven't read these, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't read them. Theories on who the Yellow King is, and a look at how the show came to be.

25 of the best time travel movies. Of course, I'd be hard pressed to name more than 23 time travel movies, so...


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Cool Shit 2/19

So here's what it feels like to luge. Well, visually anyway - I can't control the temperature or anything where you are, and I assume on a luge track it's colder than you're used to.



With the popularity of Google Earth, we don't really have to turn our cameras to the heavens to find more mysteries, we can turn it in on ourselves. I bet that says something really deep about us, but I'm not a sociology professor so I would have no idea.

In Norway apparently it's popular to climb up frozen waterfalls. Enjoy these photos as proof of the previous statement.

Looks like Uncle Milton has the monopoly on crazy toys at this years Toy Fair.

Photographic mysteries. While the headline is misleading (which, on the Internet is shocking to me), there are some cool, weird things going on in some of these photos, while there are some cool weird events documented in others.

Inventions made for a specific reason, that would greatly improve your life. Although the wine resealer seems stupid - doesn't everyone have a "Open the bottle finish the wine" rule in their house?

By now, if you're a True Detective fan (and you should be if you're not) you know that this season is self-contained and McConaghey and Harrelson won't be back. So it's obvious fun to think about actors for next season. While this list from Vanity Fair is mildly intriguing, I also think it's a little boring and cheeky. I wish they had put a little more effort in it other than pairing the biggest stars on the planet with who they perceived as wacky counterpart to them. Personally, I think John Goodman and anyone would work; I honestly think Sandra Bullock would be an inspired choice; I think if Joe Pesci wanted to act again he would hit a grand slam. And that's just off the top of my head. Who are your choices?

Female comedians everyone should know about. And let's stop pretending, or buying into the stupid notion that women can't be funny. Maybe they're not funny to you, but then if that's the case, you've got the problem, not them. Let's base humor on the individual and not the gender.

Guardians of the Galaxy - Marvel's strange screwball of a movie that, while loosely ties in with their main story web they've been creating, is also probably one of the bigger gambles since it involves a walking tree and a talking raccoon. And my reaction after this first trailer? It's not weird enough. It looks like nothing more than a standard, effects-laden summer movie.



Science fiction and fantasy are pretty big right now, which means you're going to be seeing a lot of it in the Fall television season.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Cool Shit 2/18

Let's all listen to the latest Beck album!

I love the fact that there was a possibility of getting a Dune movie with a more fucked up vision than David Lynch had.

Ever wonder why there were exhaust ports on the Death Star to begin with?

Some props for Lipinski and Weir for their great figure skating coverage. I agree wholeheartedly with these sentiments. They offer a refreshing take on the sport, that isn't simply Rah Rah American. And they offer insight, often in a creative and fun way.

The Civil War was full of mysteries. FULL OF THEM!

Pretty sure being buried alive is one of my least favorite ways to think about dying (not that I have a top 10 list of them or anything). So it's even more amazing that these 4 people had it happen to them and survived!

Like long classic rock jams? This link is for you.

More great photos from the Olympics.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Cool Shit 2/17

Really cool idea of pairing food with music. Specifically, a dinner with Radiohead's Kid A. Possibly the first time I've wished I lived in Detroit.

Good God there is such a level of pretentiousness within this article about what constitutes the great American novel, from both American authors and the author of the piece. That people sit around and think that other people actively think about this stuff (I'm talking normal people, not authors and critics) is insanely stupid. If the book is good, it's good. If it has a message that is digestible and intriguing, that will find the surface organically. So stupid.

Do you live in a above normal, normal or below normal area during this winter season?

Look, I love Robocop (the original) as much as the next person, but to place the label "Christ allegory" onto it seems a little heavy handed.

Hacking is still something people don't truly understand. Sure, there's the concept of hacking that we have from skimming news sources, hearing about it on the news and getting notifications about it from your service provider, but the common person on the street doesn't have any idea about how truly damaging it can be. Thankfully, this guy is trying to counter that.

Seems like that story about the real life castaway might be true?


Friday, February 14, 2014

Cool Shit 2/14

This can't be good PR for Under Armour, although it sorta sounds like a weak excuse too. Hey Americans, maybe we're not the best at everything, specifically a sport that is traditionally dominated by other countries!

Looking to finally give up stealing music and have decided to start streaming? Here's a good breakdown of the services you can use.

Yesterday we looked at 5 gallon survival kits, but you're no survivalist if you don't have a bug out bag. And here's a good look at what that bag should carry, though it may be just a tad militia-y.

An all-Nic-Cage cast Expendables 4 directed by Spike Jonze? I'm pretty certain a kickstarted for that would reach its goal in minutes.

Evidence that this blog is not sponsored or owned by big oil (unlike some of the more major news outlets that don't seem to be covering this story) - the largest solar plant in the world has gone online!

David Fincher/Gillian Flynn project at HBO about conspiracies? Someone's been reading my dream journal again!

I liked House of Cards, but thought they went to far with the murder - I didn't think it was in step with what the character would do. But whatever, because it's back for Season 2 starting today. And here are 3 questions that we hope are answered within the new season.


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Cool Shit 2/13

Crazy GoPro camera plane fall and then eaten by a pig?



There's a lot of snow where I live. So this article about how to build an awesome snow fort is especially relevant.

5 Gallon Bucket survival kit ideas: This is completely fantastic and I'm going to get started on mine. Especially as the snow keeps hammering us.

Packing hacks: You'll never travel the same way again.


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Cool Shit 2/12

It's funny...I would imagine with these counterfeit foods, we might not know the taste of the real food. Take olive oil for example: do we have a sophisticated enough palate to tell the difference? And if we don't, then does it matter that much?

Interesting interview with Bill Murray by Charlie Rose. While it's not like Murray lets his guard down, it does seem he is more forthcoming about his life.

I'm sure some of these places routinely show up on lists like this and are therefore not too surprising, but it's always nice to have a reminder about areas around the good that inspire wonder and delight.

Sometimes, one simple idea can turn an already decent product into something that much better.

Stream any Fela Kuti album here! Don't know who Fela Kuti is? Then that makes streaming him even more of a delicious surprise!

The planet Earth has been through 5 mass extinctions. Are we on the verge of the 6th?


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Cool Shit 2/11

So The Hold Steady have a new album coming out soon. Here's a look back at their 10 year odyssey.

Wait, you haven't been listening to The Hold Steady? Don't know who they are? Ok, here you go:



We've all heard how breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But how do we know that wasn't simply propaganda put out there by the all powerful egg and cereal lobby? Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

A fun little theory that links The Usual Suspects with Seven. Based primarily on the fact that Kevin Spacey is in both, playing despicable characters.



50 years since The Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. I guess that means we should be celebrating them, including the songs other people do by them. Here are 10 Beatles covers that aren't so bad.

Before you book that rocket ship to Mars, make sure you know what you're getting yourself into.

The newest lamborghini is as ostentatious as you would expect.


Monday, February 10, 2014

Cool Shit 2/10

The ways the world could end that you should be worried about RIGHT NOW.

Did you know the winter Olympics started? And they're in Sochi? Here are some pictures from the competition over the weekend. And here are a few more.

Check out this slow motion video of a ridiculously large avalanche:



Would you enjoy a 70 minute documentary on Taxi Driver?

Not sure if you know this, but SNL skits sometimes get cut at the dress rehearsal. Here are a few of those skits.

Who wouldn't want to see every iteration of Prince's hair?

Probably the best look any of us are going to get of what Antarctica is really like (unless you're currently reading this from Antarctica).




Friday, February 7, 2014

Cool Shit 2/7

So it looks like the comic book series Preacher has at least been given a green light to be made into a series on AMC. And I can't see how it will stay true to the comics. And I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I'm saying that's just going to be a point of contention after every episode on the internet with people grumbling about it. You know, like every other television show. While Game of Thrones doesn't follow the books religiously, that decision isn't due to "controversial content," it's more to keep the flow best for television. Also, it's HBO and they supplement with nudity. I don't see AMC being able to do that.

Here's a calming article about why the volcano under Yellowstone probably isn't going to erupt soon. Of course, I'm sure there might be some people out there who think this is exactly the type of article that would be released if the volcano was going to erupt soon. So this might not actually be helping. Draw your own conclusions!

Ok, so Amazon is getting into the original content ring and attempting to change the game a little. They have financed 10 new pilots (5 kid shows, 5 adult shows) and then are giving its members an opportunity to vote on the ones they like best. I have no idea if this is going to work or not.

Blue zones. Places on the Earth where people have a higher age expectancy. Either these are places that have mystical properties and we should all flock to them immediately, or people there just have a healthier lifestyle that we could learn from.

Because we, as a society are apparently running out of insane things to do, someone is going to climb Mt. Everest and then jump off in a wing suit. On live television.

Want to see what the networks are developing in the way of comedies for 2014? Then this is your lucky day!


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Cool Shit 2/6

The winter Olympics - if they were held in Manhattan.

Apparently I'm not using Craigslist to its fullest potential, like the guy who orchestrated jewel heists with it.

Not sure what you're Winter Olympic watching plans are, but if you're heading over to Sochi, be prepared to get hacked. Among other things.

Of course, the Olympics are still about competing on a global level, so get pumped up for them by watching this video:



Interview with the directors of the Lego movie, coming out tomorrow, and something I'm abnormally excited about.

I have no idea if these facts are true, but I guess that's kind of the point when you're listing facts that don't sound true. Still I vouch for nothing.


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Cool Shit 2/5

So it seems Sochi might not be as prepared as one probably should be when hosting a global event.

Speaking of the Olympics, here's a look at 8 new events debuting at Sochi. You know, if the Olympics still get pulled off.

Chris Carter has a new show out called The After. Though you will need to be an Amazon Prime member to watch it I think:



The relationship between David Letterman and Jay Leno is more complex than "they hate each other." In fact, it's far from that. Also, Jerry Seinfeld is involved!

Dr. Strangelove is 50 this year. Here's a documentary on it. Basically any documentary on a Stanley Kubrick film is worth watching.




Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Cool Shit 2/4

The best ad of the Superbowl? It's likely one you didn't see. Unless you were in Georgia and recently in an accident and looking for a lawyer who will do anything to get you justice, and also wields a flaming sledgehammer. Welcome to Casino law!



I enjoy lists that are titled "The greatest _____________ of all time" because they are definitive and we can finally stop arguing. Here's the definitive list of funniest Saturday Night Live skits, further validated since it's from Rolling Stone, and they of course know comedy better than anyone.

Hey everyone, there may be a simple explanation for the weird behavior of Justin Bieber recently. He may in fact not be human but a shape shifting lizard creature.

If you ask the internet to develop a new potato chip flavor, I don't care how prepared you think you are, you're not going to be able to predict what you get.

(Probably) The last link about the Puppy Bowl for the year, but this one goes into the history of how it came to be.

Guy found claims he lived on the open water, in the ocean, for about a year. Though National Geographic says it's possible, the story still sounds a little too crazy. Not even because of the energy it would take to physically survive (gathering food and water) but for the emotional and psychological ramifications of isolation on empty water for so long.


Monday, February 3, 2014

Cool Shit 2/3

In honor of Groundhog Day being yesterday, and the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day, here are 10 movies that play around with timelines and the protagonists.

Masturbation and prostate cancer. It's all about hitting the sweet spot.

Stupid Russians with their military fuckups and whatnot.

Sure, it was Howard Stern's birthday, but the best thing out of it might have been getting to learn more about David Letterman.

Sad to hear Philip Seymour Hoffman died. Here's a look at 21 of his roles.

Space photo! With woods like "storm of stars" being used in the description. (Unrelated: remember that weird rock that wasn't there and then there in the Mars photos? Seems like NASA quickly and quietly swept that under the rug! Get your computer viruses ready for the impending alien apocalypse!)

So I know I've written about Big Ass Spider before, but now here's a review of it! And the trailer again: