They are making a Crank 2.
Crank 1 was like an issue of Maxim turned into a 90 minute movie. I never thought I would have to call it Crank 1, but here we are.
(via Elephant Larry)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Justin's been taking fantastic pictures of everyone at the office and putting them on Flickr (link). This one's mine, and I love it.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Bryan found my new favorite song, Martian Hop by the Ran-Dells. He writes...
Ten years before Bob Moog invented the voltage controlled synthesizer, The Ran-Dells were manipulating sine waves and splicing tape by hand. Note the sci-fi B-movie blast-off effect at the beginning. Then take in the Doo-wop chorus. If not for the so-called "novelty" content of this song (Don't count me among the naysayers. I watched the X-Files. I want to believe! ) this song might be remembered alongside other vocal group classics.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Notes and Observations on Kid Nation, episode 5 -
(spoilers)
- Not much to say about this episode. Taylor is such a one-dimensional bitch that she eventually just got boring.
- I wish I hadn't seen this picture right before the DK-focused episode.
- We replayed a few times on DVR and I'm pretty sure the home-schooled Guylan said, "I lived in a zoo, so I know how to handle a pig."
- While watching the episode I asked, "Who is more pathetic, Taylor or her friend?" New Kid Nation buddy Matt replied "You."
- Do they have showers? I guess they can't show kids showering, so we'll probably never know. It seems obvious, but last week we found out they had been living without toothbrushes.
- Is this the second challenge that has involved live pigs? Does CBS own a nearby farm?
- Speaking of challenges! Did you catch Olivia's bitter "come on Anjay" as he fruitlessly dugg through beans and pig shit? That rivalry is not over.
- CBS always works in one shot of the adorable little Asian kid with one tooth. You can set your watch to it. Same with the thimble-tiny Christian girl who won a gold star back in week 2.
- Fred Claus looks terrible, and I'm pretty sure it isn't going away until New Years. Just when it starts to fade there's going to be a second wave of "Get the family, and spend the holidays... with Fred" ads.
- PREDICTION: Taylor's no Greg, and she will not redeem herself and earn a gold star.
- The weekly challenges are getting increasingly arbitrary, which I suppose is as good a way as any to decide the upper class.
- I hate the one adult. They should get an 18-year-old to host the show or, at the very least, a cool 13-year-old in a suit.
- The Kid Nation cast page on CBS is full of kids who have received no face time, like Migle and Nathan. I guess they weren't being bitchy or making empty threats to leave Bonanza City.
(spoilers)
- Not much to say about this episode. Taylor is such a one-dimensional bitch that she eventually just got boring.
- I wish I hadn't seen this picture right before the DK-focused episode.
- We replayed a few times on DVR and I'm pretty sure the home-schooled Guylan said, "I lived in a zoo, so I know how to handle a pig."
- While watching the episode I asked, "Who is more pathetic, Taylor or her friend?" New Kid Nation buddy Matt replied "You."
- Do they have showers? I guess they can't show kids showering, so we'll probably never know. It seems obvious, but last week we found out they had been living without toothbrushes.
- Is this the second challenge that has involved live pigs? Does CBS own a nearby farm?
- Speaking of challenges! Did you catch Olivia's bitter "come on Anjay" as he fruitlessly dugg through beans and pig shit? That rivalry is not over.
- CBS always works in one shot of the adorable little Asian kid with one tooth. You can set your watch to it. Same with the thimble-tiny Christian girl who won a gold star back in week 2.
- Fred Claus looks terrible, and I'm pretty sure it isn't going away until New Years. Just when it starts to fade there's going to be a second wave of "Get the family, and spend the holidays... with Fred" ads.
- PREDICTION: Taylor's no Greg, and she will not redeem herself and earn a gold star.
- The weekly challenges are getting increasingly arbitrary, which I suppose is as good a way as any to decide the upper class.
- I hate the one adult. They should get an 18-year-old to host the show or, at the very least, a cool 13-year-old in a suit.
- The Kid Nation cast page on CBS is full of kids who have received no face time, like Migle and Nathan. I guess they weren't being bitchy or making empty threats to leave Bonanza City.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Notes and Observations on Kid Nation, Episode 5
(SPOILERS !)
- I've got two "I told you so"s: 1) Greg finally got his gold star. The producers have been teasing it every week, and I'm glad this storyline is finally out of the way. 2) I thought councilman Mike was in over his head, but I was apparently underestimating the problem. In the past I've criticized Kid Nation for lacking teeth, but the scene where Mike failed to receive a single vote but his own was brutal. He answered his own question when, through tears, he asked why nobody had voted for him.
- Gunyan (Guynan? Something like that) - you kept quiet the first few weeks so I don't have a read on you yet. I'm watching.
- CBS is trying to make "deal with it" a catchphrase. I don't think it's happening. Deal with it.
- If the kids didn't go for the BBQ, they are never going to take the instant gratification prize.
- Why didn't they just let the kids have toothpaste from the beginning? This isn't Survivor.
- PREDICTION: The previously anonymous girl that called George Bush stupid will recede to the shadows and never be heard from again.
- The best shot every week is when the host rings his bell and the kids make a mad dash to get to him first. The whole sequence is equal parts Pied Piper and It's A Mad Mad Mad World.
- Bonanza Creek apparently does have one rule from the adults - always wear a bandanna with your team's color. Doesn't matter how you do it, just get it done.
- This week's challenge was particularly boring, even by reality TV challenge standards.
- I didn't write about Kid Nation last week, but I love it when a kid elects to leave. Everyone acts sad, but I bet after the on-camera goodbye hugs the producers take him behind the barnyard and bury him in an unmarked grave.
- My gold star of the week goes to the kid who pogo sticked all over Taylor's poster.
P.S. - Maybe I watch too many shows starring kids, but have you guys seen the new season of Degrassi? That show's slogan is "It goes there," and they fucking mean it. (vague spoiler) The most recent tragedy to befall a student at Degrassi High is two things they've done before combined, with an additional third thing I believe is new. It's a top 5 "goes there" moment for sure.
P.P.S. Is anyone interested in Notes and Observations on Degrassi? I usually fall behind watching that show, so I'd probably always be a few weeks late. Let me know in the comments or by e-mail. I'd love to do it, so if there's even a passing interest in delayed, in-depth Degrassi coverage I'll probably go for it.
(SPOILERS !)
- I've got two "I told you so"s: 1) Greg finally got his gold star. The producers have been teasing it every week, and I'm glad this storyline is finally out of the way. 2) I thought councilman Mike was in over his head, but I was apparently underestimating the problem. In the past I've criticized Kid Nation for lacking teeth, but the scene where Mike failed to receive a single vote but his own was brutal. He answered his own question when, through tears, he asked why nobody had voted for him.
- Gunyan (Guynan? Something like that) - you kept quiet the first few weeks so I don't have a read on you yet. I'm watching.
- CBS is trying to make "deal with it" a catchphrase. I don't think it's happening. Deal with it.
- If the kids didn't go for the BBQ, they are never going to take the instant gratification prize.
- Why didn't they just let the kids have toothpaste from the beginning? This isn't Survivor.
- PREDICTION: The previously anonymous girl that called George Bush stupid will recede to the shadows and never be heard from again.
- The best shot every week is when the host rings his bell and the kids make a mad dash to get to him first. The whole sequence is equal parts Pied Piper and It's A Mad Mad Mad World.
- Bonanza Creek apparently does have one rule from the adults - always wear a bandanna with your team's color. Doesn't matter how you do it, just get it done.
- This week's challenge was particularly boring, even by reality TV challenge standards.
- I didn't write about Kid Nation last week, but I love it when a kid elects to leave. Everyone acts sad, but I bet after the on-camera goodbye hugs the producers take him behind the barnyard and bury him in an unmarked grave.
- My gold star of the week goes to the kid who pogo sticked all over Taylor's poster.
P.S. - Maybe I watch too many shows starring kids, but have you guys seen the new season of Degrassi? That show's slogan is "It goes there," and they fucking mean it. (vague spoiler) The most recent tragedy to befall a student at Degrassi High is two things they've done before combined, with an additional third thing I believe is new. It's a top 5 "goes there" moment for sure.
P.P.S. Is anyone interested in Notes and Observations on Degrassi? I usually fall behind watching that show, so I'd probably always be a few weeks late. Let me know in the comments or by e-mail. I'd love to do it, so if there's even a passing interest in delayed, in-depth Degrassi coverage I'll probably go for it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Vimeo has HD video! Vimeo has HD video!
Here's two to get you started...
Spinto Band's Trust vs. Mistrust (directed by Matt)
Jake & Amir's Make Believe
Here's two to get you started...
Spinto Band's Trust vs. Mistrust (directed by Matt)
Jake & Amir's Make Believe
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Bill Watterson reviews a new biography of Charles Schultz.
Bill Watterson doesn't write enough. I perk up whenever I hear his name.
Here's an interview where he answered 15 questions.
Bill Watterson doesn't write enough. I perk up whenever I hear his name.
Here's an interview where he answered 15 questions.
Monday, October 15, 2007
I love Zappos.
- Once I ordered shoes from them on a Tuesday night, and they were there Wednesday morning. IT DIDN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE. We spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how they did it, as if it was a magic trick.
- Once I ordered shoes from them, and they sent me an email to let me know my purchase would be delayed because of a train derailment somewhere in Kentucky. They included a link to the CNN story. The shoes were still there the next day.
- Once Jake ordered shoes from them. When asked how he heard about Zappos, he said "from a friend." They emailed to ask what friend, and he told them it was me. That same day I received an email from Zappos customer service thanking me.
Still, nothing beats this one.
The company I work for owns a different e-shoe store. I get a 25% discount there, and I still use Zappos. That's how good they are - they're at least 25% better than the competition.
- Once I ordered shoes from them on a Tuesday night, and they were there Wednesday morning. IT DIDN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE. We spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how they did it, as if it was a magic trick.
- Once I ordered shoes from them, and they sent me an email to let me know my purchase would be delayed because of a train derailment somewhere in Kentucky. They included a link to the CNN story. The shoes were still there the next day.
- Once Jake ordered shoes from them. When asked how he heard about Zappos, he said "from a friend." They emailed to ask what friend, and he told them it was me. That same day I received an email from Zappos customer service thanking me.
Still, nothing beats this one.
The company I work for owns a different e-shoe store. I get a 25% discount there, and I still use Zappos. That's how good they are - they're at least 25% better than the competition.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Streeter and I will be returning to The Rejection Show this Wednesday the 10th (UCB Theater, 8 pm, $5)
From the website:
Streeter and I can't fail and have never been turned down, so we'll be presenting material that was sent into CollegeHumor and didn't make the cut. We've done the show twice before, and it's always really fun. Here's two videos from the first time we did it:
If you think you might go, I recommend reserving tickets.
Should be fun!
From the website:
"The Rejection Show is a comedic based event that embraces the rejected and "turned down" material of professional and amateur writers, comedians, cartoonists, artists, and human beings whom display their creative "failures" live on stage."
Streeter and I can't fail and have never been turned down, so we'll be presenting material that was sent into CollegeHumor and didn't make the cut. We've done the show twice before, and it's always really fun. Here's two videos from the first time we did it:
If you think you might go, I recommend reserving tickets.
Should be fun!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
I love finding chinks in Wikipedia's armor. It reminds you what the site is. From the page on multi-headed animals (polycephaly):
"Modern fiction does not like anatomical variation as much as mythology, perhaps because of the need to give specific detais, which is difficult to do if the thing one is describing is impossible. There is one obvious example: the character Zaphod Beeblebrox, in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Notes on Kid Nation, episode 3 -
(SPOILERS!!!!)
- The kids who are not hamming it up from the camera and falling between the cracks are probably having a blast. They're just avoiding the nonsense. Wasn't there a kid with a mohawk at some point?
- CBS got kids who were old and young, rich and poor, black and white, and everything in between. They were apparently, however, unable to find any ugly children.
- PREDICTION: 15-year-old bruiser Greg will walk out of Kid Nation with a gold star.
- I watched the show with my friend Adam, who theorized that the Indian team leader who never gets any face time is in fact a 30-year-old man with an Andy Milonakis-esque disease.
- I missed episode 2, but I'm pretty sure Taylor use the phrase "President George Bush" both tonight and on the premiere. According to the website, she's from Georgia.
- Speaking of the queen of the yellow team, moments like Taylor crying when everyone said she was doing a bad job are the reason I watch Kid Nation.
- Taylor caught a lot of shit at the town meeting this week, but councilman Mike is obviously in way over his head. Mike talks a big game about building a society, but when forced to choose between 40 pizzas or a microwave he argued "This town NEEDS pizza." When the other leaders pointed out that the town wants pizza but needs a microwave, Mike pointed out that the other kids were chanting for pizza. In a very adult moment, he asked "What are we going to do when we pick the microwave and everyone's groaning?"
- After the kids chose the microwave, the host should have poured gasoline all over the pizza and burned it in front of their eyes.
- PREDICTION: The season finale of Kid Nation will have so many slow motion montages it will slow down time itself.
- I don't think any other kids will elect to go home. Well, maybe Mike. Mike's such a tragic figure. I hate him and pity him at the same time. He wears a cowboy hat well though, I have to give him that.
- I wish there was a shot with a camera man in it, so I could get a real feel for what their world is really like.
- Do you think there was any hooking up in Bonanza Creek? Many of these kids are 14 and 15. Women love a jerk like Greg.
- CBS must think we think the kids are morons. When a kid says something obvious, they treat it like an accomplishment. While debating about the pizza vs. the microwave, CBS helpfully cut to fan-favorite Jared explaining "We can use the microwave to easily reheat things." I know they understand. They're kids, they're not idiots.
(SPOILERS!!!!)
- The kids who are not hamming it up from the camera and falling between the cracks are probably having a blast. They're just avoiding the nonsense. Wasn't there a kid with a mohawk at some point?
- CBS got kids who were old and young, rich and poor, black and white, and everything in between. They were apparently, however, unable to find any ugly children.
- PREDICTION: 15-year-old bruiser Greg will walk out of Kid Nation with a gold star.
- I watched the show with my friend Adam, who theorized that the Indian team leader who never gets any face time is in fact a 30-year-old man with an Andy Milonakis-esque disease.
- I missed episode 2, but I'm pretty sure Taylor use the phrase "President George Bush" both tonight and on the premiere. According to the website, she's from Georgia.
- Speaking of the queen of the yellow team, moments like Taylor crying when everyone said she was doing a bad job are the reason I watch Kid Nation.
- Taylor caught a lot of shit at the town meeting this week, but councilman Mike is obviously in way over his head. Mike talks a big game about building a society, but when forced to choose between 40 pizzas or a microwave he argued "This town NEEDS pizza." When the other leaders pointed out that the town wants pizza but needs a microwave, Mike pointed out that the other kids were chanting for pizza. In a very adult moment, he asked "What are we going to do when we pick the microwave and everyone's groaning?"
- After the kids chose the microwave, the host should have poured gasoline all over the pizza and burned it in front of their eyes.
- PREDICTION: The season finale of Kid Nation will have so many slow motion montages it will slow down time itself.
- I don't think any other kids will elect to go home. Well, maybe Mike. Mike's such a tragic figure. I hate him and pity him at the same time. He wears a cowboy hat well though, I have to give him that.
- I wish there was a shot with a camera man in it, so I could get a real feel for what their world is really like.
- Do you think there was any hooking up in Bonanza Creek? Many of these kids are 14 and 15. Women love a jerk like Greg.
- CBS must think we think the kids are morons. When a kid says something obvious, they treat it like an accomplishment. While debating about the pizza vs. the microwave, CBS helpfully cut to fan-favorite Jared explaining "We can use the microwave to easily reheat things." I know they understand. They're kids, they're not idiots.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)