Trailer Thursday: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Still stuck in the doldrums of winter, here's another selection to look forward to for the summer. If you like Steve Carrell in quiet, lonely, everyman mode and don't find Keira Knightly too annoying, you may find something in this edge of the apocalypse comedy. Seems like a sweet story, but one we've seen a thousand times over in the last 10 years. On the other hand, you could be watching Ghost Rider. Here is Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.

Presidents' Day: A Virtual Tour

Happy President's Day! What's that you say, "a day to honor US Presidents in which I am forced to find a baby sitter for my children, who have the day off of school and pay my bills late because the financial institutions are closed? That most sacred day of days?" Yep, and traditionally you may also find great deals (ABC News)!

However, if you're in the mood for a real humdinger of a celebration, we are here to help. Pack in folks, little ones in the front. Make sure everyone can see. Hands and arms at a 90 degree angle on your keyboards, and off we go.

Trailer Thursday: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

It's February, which means if you're headed to see a new movie you're sure to be disappointed. Not that there's anything wrong in particular with February movies, just that they're usually a little lacking in plot... and character... and acting... and direction, editing, casting, lighting, photography, sound... heck, it wouldn't surprise me if the craft services was just a bunch of walnuts. So if you're not running out to see one of these masterpieces and have your Oscar Ballot all filled out, here's a trailer to excite you for summer.  I give you Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.

(Disclaimer: This film may also be short on plot, character, etc. but Honest Abe is wielding a hatchet so all is forgiven.)

Trailer Thursday: Rampart

If you aren't planning to dress as your favorite (potentially racist) Gungan for the superfluous re-release of Phantom Menace in 3D this weekend, save yourself 5 bucks and two hours of looking like an idiot in glasses that comfortably fit no one by checking out Rampart instead. Playing in select theaters tomorrow (Feb 10th). Woody Harrelson plays a dirty cop with a penchant for violence in LA, in the same year that George Lucas began ruining your childhood. Looks pretty gritty - maybe not as exciting as pod racing, but gritty.

SSpplL Books of the Month: February 2012

Hey Smartys. We're trying a new series of posts here on the blog. Every month the four of us will each select a book to read and review. We will select new books at the beginning of each month, read them, and then at the end of the month/beginning of the next we will give our review as well as the book we have selected for the following month.

Feel free to read along, or not. And please feel free to continue the discussion in the comments.

Here are our book selections for February 2012:


Ed's pick:

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

The following things are true:

1.) I study psychopathy.
2.) I have never seen the American Psycho (2000) starring Christian Bale
3.) It was recently announced that the movie is being remade

Therefore, I think I am past-due for reading this novel. Plus, I got it in a white elephant gift exchange last month (the party was filled with psychologists).

Dean's pick:

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson

The following things are true:

1.)I like history.
2.)I enjoyed his previous book: The Devil in the White City.
3.) It sounded intriguing when he spoke on Fresh Air.

Therefore, I will see what Berlin was like in the lead-up to World War II.



Jordan's pick:

                                
Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe

The following things are true:

1.) I like pie.
2.) I read this book when I was 18.
3.) I remembered liking it but not knowing quite sure why.

Therefore, I will revisit this novel to see if I still like it, or if it was merely a byproduct of my late high school/early college Objectivist phase.


Ben's pick:

The Information Diet: A Case for Conscious Consumption by Clay A. Johnson

The following things are true:

1.) I sit at a computer for much of my day
2.) I would like to learn of ways to reduce the amount of time that I feel is generally wasted.
3.) I not only want to decrease quantity but increase quality of information.

Therefore, I am going to try applying the concepts introduced in this book into my daily reading and information gathering habits.

Deconstructing December: Love is Misguided and Selfish, Actually

Released in 2003 and featuring the intertwining Christmas stories of love-seeking Londoners, Love Actually has become something of a modern holiday classic. Showcasing a vast line-up of Oscar winning and nominated actors, the film revolves around the thesis that "love actually is all around." Though it's debatable whether “love” is the emotion involved in each relationship, there is one storyline which should appall and offend any married or romantically-involved person watching. Not the Alan Rickman on the verge of an affair with his young, hot secretary story; that one is actually rather nicely developed and layered if one forgives the Emma Thompson public confrontation at their children's school. No, I refer to the unrequited love storyline – ah yes I know, there are several. Not the Laura Linney in love with her underwear model co-worker one, which goes wrong when Co-worker tries to play psychologist suggesting solutions for her institutionalized brother on the first date. Nor is it the one with the kid who's got a crush on the other kid, which completely works. Nope, this tale is the one involving a newlywed husband, his wife (Kiera Knightly) and the husband's best friend who hopelessly pines for Knightly.

Trailer Thursday: The Flowers of War

How long has it been since you've seen a World War II film? Now, how long has it been since you've seen a World War II film featuring Japan's imperial intentions for Asia? Was it a long time ago, maybe the incredible Empire of the Sun? Who was that kid, where's he been? Busy, he's been very busy.

I bring you The Flowers of War. Set during Japan's invasion of China and starring that kid - who grew up to be Oscar-winner Christian Bale. Opening tomorrow in limited release, the film is nominated for the Golden Globes' Best Foreign Language Film. Yes, it's in English. No, no one understands the rules for that category.

Deconstructing December: Chanukah Microbrews

Celebrating Chanukah tonight but wine isn't your thing? No problem, you can get yourself a special beer just for the occasion. According to NPR's Morning Edition, a microbrewery in Oregon has begun to produce a chocolate rye porter specifically for the holiday. Sound like a new idea? Not really, apparently beer has been part of the culture for thousands of years. In fact, American Jews were founding breweries all over the the US before prohibition. So if you're celebrating the Festival of Lights this week, feel free have cold one - it's kosher.
  
This article appears as part of a series. Visit Deconstructing December to see more.

Deconstructing December: Turns Out X-mas is Not a Marvel Superhero

Year in and year out many of us who celebrate Christmas will run into some crotchety old folks who will take us away from our eggnog induced mistletoe lingering to impart upon us a misguided rant (quite literally) for the love of Christ. Well to those surly few, we may return a chortle of superiority, for we, dear friends, now have the means to thwart their self-righteous rage. Requiring only the slightest bit of Googling, we will quickly ascertain that "X" is actually Greek.

Time Magazine's Self-fulfilling Prophecy

I peered around the corner as the voices grew closer. What began as a miffed and nonthreatening few had grown to a sea of pumping fists and rhythmic shouts. They were nearly at the door and I knew I would only get one shot. I hadn't yet been seen, but I knew once I was they would descend upon me like seagulls to bread crumbs, each fighting the other for the chance to take a piece - or in this case to say their peace. To express the disappointment they felt. To say we were wrong. I slipped my hands into my pocket and grasped the can of mace I'd purchased just that morning. I knew there was a possibility that some crazed individual would be waiting, but I had no idea that he would be accompanied by a mass of unbridled dissidents amplifying each others emotions. All it would take was one thoughtless motion and the horde would pounce.

The Expanding Defininition of "Occupy"

One can occupy a space. One who occupies space is an occupant. An activity can occupy time. An activity that occupies large amounts of time is an occupation. Recently many people with and without regular occupations have become occupants of public spaces - in movements labeled Occupy. In fact,  many American minds have become occupied with the occupants of Occupy camps, who are referred to as Occupiers. Occupiers for the record, generally oppose the practices of many people with occupations which they say have contributed to many homes becoming unoccupied. Due to these Occupy occupations, "occupy" has gained a new connotation. It seems that one can now use "occupy" to represent the opposition to anything with which one has discontent. Now a genally passive verb, has become much more active word. Even for the web to choose a side, one only picks which thing to deride. And if your TV show is put on notice, just tweet an "Occupy" to give it focus. It's obvious that "occupy" is getting all the heat, from your neighborhood park to your Sesame Street, so as the term occupies new colloquial reputation, perhaps "Word of the Year" is a most appropriate elevation.

(Sources: DailyTech, Examiner.com, Huffington Post, NPR)

Deconstructing December: It's a Wonderful Life... or is It?

Oh sure, George Bailey, you have a nice house, some cute kids and a beautiful wife, but is that what you really wanted? It's not, according to a piece Wendell Jamieson wrote for the New York Times in 2008. You wanted adventure, excitement and education, but no - you had to fight for the common man lest "the Potters of this world" have their way. Not on your watch they won't. And what did it cost you? Just everything you've always wanted, that's all. Meanwhile you're little brother, Harry is running around being a war hero, going to college (on your dime, no less), and taking a job out of town. Aw, who needs this crummy little town anyway? Might just as well jump off a bridge...

This article appears as part of a series. Visit Deconstructing December to see more.

Ron Paul's Ad Men are Bigger Than Yours!

According to Ron Paul's new ad, crushing federal agencies won't be enough in his Presidency - he'll EXPLODE them. Yeah that' right, EXPLODE! And sure your house may burn down from all the flaming debris settling on your roof, but that's YOUR PROBLEM, because President Paul just blew up HUD. And while your trying to scrape together the cash to get a new place, Paul will guarantee you get gouged at the pump AND at the grocer. What's that you say? What about the Dept of Energy? KA-BOOM! Commerce? KA-BLEWIE! Gone, gone. And don't think new governmental PSA's won't have clever graphics and booming narrators, THEY WILL! 'Cause when you vote Paul, you vote T-N-T! BLAM!

(Source: CBSNews.com)

TED Tuesday: Can we make foie gras foie greatly?

Also featured on a recent episode of This American Life, chef Dan Barber speaks about a gentleman in Spain who has figured out a way to raise geese to create foie gras humanely. The traditional practice involves force feeding geese and as a result the delicacy has begun to be outlawed across the United States.

Who wouldn't want to be a goose on this farm?!

The Evolution of Comedy Marches On - A Rebuttal

When you get five minutes, take a couple of those to read critic Neil Genzlinger's rant about the End of Comedy in the New York Times.

In the piece, Mr. Genzlinger takes new sitcoms from this fall to task, comparing their comedic styles, subjects and premises to those of the past to conclude that we've come to the "End of Comedy". To begin, comedy as art includes not only half-hour television slots, but plays, movies, stand-up, music, improvisation, sketches and commercials - not to mention written forms including comic strips, essays, columns, books and blog posts. And that's just a few of the easily described forms which leaves out things like the Onion, "The Daily Show", dramedy and other commentary-based or cross genre creations which defy category. I'm sure I'm forgetting or don't know about something, point being "End of Comedy" (yes, it's capitalized in the piece) is rather hyperbolic, especially if one focuses on just one form. Genzlinger's larger theme is that "television comedy has ceased evolving."

To make his case, Mr. Genzlinger cites four specific points of failure for the new fall sitcoms of 2011. Each features an episode of a new show paired against an episode of an old program. Below is a point by point rebuttal.

Smart People Debating Smart Subjects, Smartly

If you love debate but hate what passes for debate in the our culture these days take a look at Intelligence Squared US. Billed as" Oxford-style debates live from New York City", this series features teams of subject specific smarties attempting to persuade a live audience to endorse or reject a topic statement. Unlike the debates you may have seen on television lately, these people have some knowledge in their areas and are strictly moderated. None of that Anderson Cooperesque, weak enforcer stuff that politicians like. Just debate. The best part? The audience actually votes both before and after the debate and the team that gains the largest percentage of converts from the first vote, wins. That means a quantitative survey, not a pundit or a journalist or a "guy on the street" or a pundit, determines the outcome - it's actual people!


For a real hot-button topic, check out the most recent episode: The World Would be Better Off without Religion. Who will win? God only knows... or he doesn't exist...

Cain Puns in Danger as Candidate Reconsiders

Has the Cain Train come to a full stop? Or will Cain prove to still be Able? The New York Times reports that pizza chain CEO Herman Cain may be "reassessing his candidacy" following an allegation of a 13 year affair. Herman, say it ain't so! The guy that brought us "9, 9, 9",  "Imagine There's No Pizza" and most importantly an infinte number of name puns, may be leaving the presidential race soon. Come on man, stick around, we want to see you walking softly, but carrying a big Cain. How do you pun Huntsman? Up next, the Hunt...sman for the White House. It doesn't work. Don't leave us... Yes We Cain.

Readers, show your support. Hit us with your favorite Cain puns in the Comments, or better yet make up your own.

TED Tuesday: How to Stop Asteroids from Killing Everything

In honor of our recent near miss, TED presents astronomy blogger Phil Plait and his plan to save the earth from impending doom. Apparently there are some subtle differences between us and the dinosaurs that we can use to our advantage. Take that sharp-toothed exstinct-asaurus!

Kansas Gov's Team Can't Handle the Tweet

According to the NY Daily News, a teen was caught sending a tweet that "wasn't respectful". After hearing Governor Sam Brownback speak, a high school senior tweeted,

"Just made mean comments at gov. brownback and told him he sucked, in person"

Chilling.  Though she did not actually "make  mean comments at gov. brownback," the governor's team quickly relayed the tweet to school officials who in addition to teaching, disciplining, counseling and generally parenting students on school property, have now claimed jurisdiction over the internet. The school has requested an apology letter, however the student in question seems unwilling to recant her statement. The letter, if written, is expected to be devoid of punctuation, capitalization and proper use of prepositions. In a related development, the Governor's administration is yet to comment on the status of the Awwwww, I'm Telling! bill.

Bing to Defeat Google with Claymation

In an apparent attempt to capture the youth of the interneting world, Microsoft has been licensed the use of the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer characters to promote it's search engine, Bing. Looking to steal market share from Google, Microsoft told the rights holders that "the Bing commercials would add an endearing chapter to the reindeer’s story." Because as we all know, Rudolph saved Christmas by lighting the way to Santa's home office, where Santa ordered and shipped all the presents with guaranteed delivery by the 25th. Pretty tough job you got there, Nick...

(Source: Washington Post)