Cool Shit 3/19

There are a lot of TED talks out there. Almost too many. Don't get overwhelmed... start with these 30 and get inspired.

Sure, these days the Beastie Boys album that gets the most consideration and accolades is probably Paul's Boutique. An album that when initially released was met with shrugged shoulders and poor sales. Because it wasn't License to Ill, an album that took the world by storm, and recently just achieved Diamond status.

There's no photoshop used with these images - they're the real thing, no matter how much you don't want to believe it.

The nostalgic factor of seeing all these 80s video games is fun for a Gen - Xer like myself, and the inclusion of Peter Dinklage raises hopes, but Kevin James and Adam Sandler's track record ultimately trumps all the good will of this trailer and makes me think it will be bad. But maybe you think differently...



I want to like Lip Sync Battle. I'm not one of those people who callously dismiss it as trivial or juvenile or stupid just because. I've watched the battles on the Jimmy Fallon show and enjoyed them, but I'm not sure they can sustain momentum for an entire show. I hope I'm wrong, but this trailer suggests to me that they immediately pull out the stops (huge production numbers) because there isn't a lot of meat on the bone to begin with.



Crazy drone footage of the city of San Francisco. I feel like I don't even have to visit anymore - I got it all right here!



Diving deep into a high school AP test.

Cool Shit 9/9

Burning Man has always been a intriguing event for me, being that I'm over 3,000 miles away from it, and not likely to ever get there. But I enjoy its vision and ideals, and hope it continues without ever selling out, over commericalizing or degrading into something it doesn't stand for. And if you need an idea of what it is all about, these 50 pictures of the best art installations over the years do a great job.

Beastie Boys on Arsenio Hall back in the day (1992). Special appearance by Cypress Hill at the end. Surpringly, it takes about 3 seconds before Cypress Hill makes a weed reference. I think that's actually a long time for them.



Be careful when you decide to run a contest, survey or poll on the internet, because you might not like the results. But let's hear it for Pitbull, for at least abiding by the results.

I loved The Fall Guy as a kid, so the news is bad enough that Dwayne Johnson is on board with the remake. But to hear McG is set to helm? It's a travesty. Also, no word on Doug Barr reprising his role? I can't imagine he's busy. Let's just enjoy the opening credits here and hope this never happens.

(Some people might suggest Kelsey Grammar is the apex of stars singing theme songs to their television shows, but I think you'll agree with me that the dulcet tones of Lee Majors here blows him out of the water.)



Ok, I know the allure of Craigslist is delicious to some of you, taunting you, begging you, seducing you to reply, to explore, to reach out into the semi-unknown...and I know for every ugly transgression there are probably thousands of successful transactions/meetups/whatevers...but seriously, show a little caution. (Also, this story is really well put together, so definitely read it.

If this Hamm's commercial ran today, I think I might actually drink a Hamms. And that's saying something. Actually, if they recast the "cook" with John Hamm, I'd definitely drink a Hamms. Do you hear that Hamms? You've got at least one Hamms customer if you recast John Hamm in the following Hamms commercial!

HAMMS!

Cool Shit 6/17

Unless you're an astronomer, or an alien, you haven't seen these images for Mercury.

I enjoy Patton Oswalt not just because I think he's a funny comedian, but also because he speaks smartly and has a very grounded real-world view. He doesn't force his opinion on everyone, and can look at a subject from different angles. Take this thoughtful (if long) essay on a variety of things including hecklers, joke stealers and rape jokes.

I'm offended that the title of this article makes a poor joke at Michael Winslow's offense. Yeah, I get it not many people would recognize his name (I don't count myself in that number), but why take the pot shot. Regardless, I aim to get a recording of the performance.

HBO has a new show coming out soon called True Detectives. Based on a true story, it looks like the season will follow one case of a murdered girl and the 17 year investigation.

Do you think HBO watched The Killing and were like, "cool concept, let's do it but be successful with it!"



Ok, so it looks a bit salacious, and as far as documentaries go, that's probably a bad thing, but darn it if I'm not still intrigued by the mystery of JD Salinger.



If you told me in 1989 that Mike D. would have a house like this, I'd say you were wrong. In fact, I bet if you told Mike D. he would have a house like that he would say the same thing.

Cool Shit 4/29

I'm not sure how much these 10 spooky videos will scare you on a Monday morning, but you never know.

The (remaining) Beastie Boys are writing a memoir.

For all us wining pairing impaired, here's a handy chart the next time we're at the liquor store.

Great, I can see it now, thousands of craft sake bars popping up all over America.

Ugh. I love the article title: "Why No One Can Stop the Wu Tang," but then the article delves into reporter whining about how the Wu Tang Clan never calls him back.

I've also believed it, but now scientists are looking into whether different alcohols can make you feel drunk differently.

Well, if you ever find yourself a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay, you can at least look forward to these books.

Everything is Better in Slow Motion Part: A million

By now, I don't need to sell you on the awesomeness of slow motion...

Phantom Cocktails from Ty Migota on Vimeo.

Mesmerizing. Hypnotizing. And making me thirsty-izing.

(From Coudal)

Sure Shot Done by Way of Sesame Street

Like the Beastie Boys? Like Sesame Street? If so, then this video is for you...

Sesame Street breaks it down from Wonderful Creative on Vimeo.

[via Kottke]

New Beastie Boys Album, film short coming soon

Hot Sauce Committee: Part 2, The Beastie Boys latest album, is coming out May 3rd. Don't ask me about Part 1, the story is too convoluted to get into. You can listen to the single, "Make Some Noise," here.

In addition to the album, they are also releasing a 30 minute film to go along with it, that possibly tells the story of what happened the day after the infamous party from the music video Fight for Your Right to Party. Here's the trailer...

I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't concerned about what's going on in this trailer. Cameos of famous people are always welcome in my book, but this may prove to be the exception to that rule. Obviously it's just a trailer and can't tell the entire story, but I'm worried too much time was spent casting, and not enough time was spent rehearsing. I mean, I cringed even when Elijah Wood limp-wristed the beer can throw.

From what I can gather (and admittedly could be very wrong), the Beastie Boys leave the party and run into their future selves, who are a bunch of pricks. And then...a dance off is involved?

Silly dancing by famous actors has it's place. I'm just not sure if it's here. I hope I'm wrong; I hope this is awesome; and I also hope everyone doesn't simply slobber all over it because it's the Beastie Boys and they have a stellar track record of producing and creating cool things. There is no bigger fan than I when it comes to the Beastie Boys; I believe I can confidently say that. I was one of the four people that picked up Paul's Boutique the day it came out (red cassette represent). There's no revisionist Beastie Boy history with me, nor did I fall off the bandwagon in the late 80s and climb back on with Check Your Head. I was there at the beginning. The cookie crumbs were making me itch in the 80s and scratched them the entire time. So maybe I'm just adding too much expectation to everything they do.

But it's not a great mystery or secret that concepts can be better than the execution. I'm just really hoping that's not the case here.

The Beastie Boys' Short Film

I am a Beastie Boys fan. Have been since License to Ill came out. And, while I know this sounds like bragging, I can also say I liked them when Paul's Boutique FIRST came out. Not during that time everyone clamored for it in the mid 90s after Check Your Head came out. No, I'm talking about when it first came out, when CDs were the "wave of the future," and cassettes were still rocking. My copy was red.

Anyway, yes, I've fallen off the map a bit with some of their later stuff (meaning everything after Hello Nasty), but I'll always appreciate them as artists, and always argue that Paul's Boutique is one of the top 5 most influential items of all time. So when I hear about some sort of fictional short film based on the song/video "Fight for Your Right to Party," I'm excited. And now that the cast has been announced, I think everyone is about to get excited. Check it out here.

And, just because...

Links of Interest 12/16

The worst films of 2009.

The hottest “women” of Christmas movies. For some reason, the list seems a little lackluster.

While I’m no huge fan of Christmas movies, I have to assume there’s a more comprehensive list someone can put together, no?

And you thought I was lying yesterday about The Kids in the Hall being back!

It’s a question that’s plagued us for almost 30 years – how long could Luke survive stuffed inside a dead Tauntaun carcass?

I think I would live in all these. Except for the shoes. They seem lame.

Read all about the public access show the Beastie Boys debuted on – and see rare footage! So old it has Kate Schellenbach on drums, who would later leave and go onto help form Luscious Jackson. She also probably had the most talent of the 4 on the stage here.

Oh good, the super volcano underneath Yellowstone is bigger than first believed.

Part 2 of The Big Picture’s 2009 photo retrospective.

Awful holiday movies.

Alec Baldwin is not like other actors.

Friday Music Set - Happy Day Songs

Just a quick little post, offering up some of my favorite Happy Day Songs. You know, the types of songs you can't resist rolling down the windows and belting out while you're driving home on a Friday; the types of songs that will get your legs moving even if you're in church; the types of songs that will make you pause before pouring that 4th tumbler of bourbon while analyzing the whole bunch of nothing you've done with your life.

You know what type of song I'm talking about...



Some songs you'll recognize, some you might not. Please feel free to suggest any songs you might think would be a good happy day selection.

(And please don't think I'm depressed, though that might be how this is coming across.)

Links of Interest 2/3

I really have no problem with product placement. In fact, I think it's weird when there isn't a product I know in the shot. I also don't have a problem with products finding their way into shows I watch - as long as it's done in a creative way. I think the MacGruber ads accomplish that.

The Artie Lange expose from Rolling Stone.

Free play is important for your children. Especially for their developing creativity.

Google has its enemies.

Ten things Obama should immediately address left over from the Bush era.

I love me a good boat story full of peril.

Science fiction is that much closer to becoming reality.

Building, and then living on, islands in the middle of Lake Titicaca. Fighting the urge to make joke about nipples.

Google Ocean, so we can now see how the fish people live.

What chain restaurant has the best Buffalo wings?

Fall in love with it all over again - The Beastie Boys' have remastered Paul's Boutique.