tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20945141213597492902024-02-21T19:36:17.400-08:00ALL MANNER OF POSTSthis and that and everything elseJ.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-6513704701054545322012-07-21T22:14:00.000-07:002012-09-25T12:04:42.514-07:00MVOTW - GANGNAM STYLE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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MUSIC & MVOTW</div>
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Acronyms. This one? <i>Music video of the week</i>. Back when <i>AllMoPs </i>first began I would highlight a music video every issue (thus every week). I do not pretend to be a music buff, but being human is loving certain music. And so I do.</div>
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I do not keep up with "pop music," though my wife does a fine job and finds occasion to subject my ears to the drivel. Yes, that is what I consider most of the Billboard toppers to be. Luckily there are occasional surprises. I love listening to soundtracks from films and video games; I can praise those in their respective tomes. That said, I am not fit to compile <i>The Music Tome</i> (or anything close to it), but I desire to highlight certain drops of pop. Because I am so in love with the <i>moving image</i> it makes sense that I would latch onto the idea of <i>music video</i>. After all, music videos are just short films. With a strong 30 years of music videos and more each and every day I am sure I can find one a week I deem worth your time.</div>
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Here is a treat:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9bZkp7q19f0" width="560"></iframe><br />
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My Chinese wife is far more fond of K-pop (the popular music scene of South Korea) than those that grow from the Mainland. As I mentioned before, without her I would not have a respectable diet of pop music in the first place. Besides America's offering I get a far more secular palette with connections from the Far East.</div>
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PSY is a Korean hip hop singer. He is not a particularly pretty face (and more Cee Lo Green than Jay-Z at that), but that is part of the charm of his "Gangnam Style," the hit single from his sixth album. This song has created a wave from its country of origin earlier this month; this week it is infecting our stereos and screens. A beat-heavy diddy indeed, but the music video is the crowning achievement. You will be doing PSY's signature dance all day and the day after. This is a hilarious and stylish video that pokes so much fun at its Western counterparts (while clearly a product of years of American influence mixed with K-pop's own line-dancing staple) that you cannot help but smile at these hopping and popping Koreans.</div>
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J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-65798491976748945392012-05-16T11:30:00.003-07:002012-05-16T11:31:06.929-07:00POTD: CHEWBACCA RIDES AGAIN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img alt="Chewbacca Riding A Giant Squirrel and Fighting Nazis" class="zoomable" height="400" itemprop="contentURL" longdesc="http://1.media.dorkly.cvcdn.com/19/51/4e5146be81f7c371cddf5afadb4c1619-chewbacca-riding-a-giant-squirrel-and-fighting-nazis.jpg" src="http://0.media.dorkly.cvcdn.com/19/51/046624a504ee49717cebbced9a932b53-chewbacca-riding-a-giant-squirrel-and-fighting-nazis.jpg" width="325" /></div>
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(Source: <i><a href="http://www.dorkly.com/picture/38831/chewbacca-riding-a-giant-squirrel-and-fighting-nazis">Dorkly</a></i>)</div>
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There is nothing I can say to possibly add to the sublimeness of this painting. Just look upon it, print it, frame it, and believe.</div>
</div>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-16565728922658979502012-02-13T10:25:00.000-08:002012-02-13T10:25:36.788-08:00BE THANKFUL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;">Over the last 12 months the "First World Problems" meme has lit the Internet on fire and become a household term for myself and millions of others. The best part of these simplistic realizations is that it can lead one to be thankful for what they have.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are reading this post right now you have an internet connection, which probably means you have many necessitates taken care of and luxuries at your disposal.<br />
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This morning the following infographic caught my eye, attention, and left me feeling incredibly grateful for the comforts and opportunities I have in my life. Before you complain this week, count your many blessings, name them one by one...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="pic.twitter.com/l2RUSpFO" src="https://p.twimg.com/AljKJHfCIAAAXT0.jpg" /></div></div>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-45037088940940532692012-01-23T09:50:00.000-08:002012-05-16T11:36:55.701-07:00POTD (1.23.12): A LEGO CHINESE NEW YEAR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy Year of the Dragon!
Dragon’s Breath (by Legohaulic)
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(Source: <a href="http://npr.tumblr.com/post/16354831861/nprfreshair-happy-year-of-the-dragon-dragons"><i>NPR</i></a>)</div>
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Happy Chinese New Year everybody! We are back to the year of the dragon! I was born in such a year (the earth dragon to be precise). This year we ring in the water dragon. NPR posted this picture this morning and I just had to share it with you. It is simple, charming, colorful, and funny. I am also taking advantage of this important day to restart the "Picture of the Day" series here in AllMoPs, one of my blogs that hasn't been getting very much love lately. Here's to new years, resolutions, and dragons.</div>
</div>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-50506718602673358012011-10-29T12:30:00.000-07:002011-10-29T12:30:10.228-07:00A NOT-SO-HAPPY HALLOWEEN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Everyone needs a hobby. It appears one Washington man's was constructing homemade torture devices (like this guillotine seen below).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlEmK7rjdwyXKODR48Sg7UCv5yMH_MMwbwlW64ofpAWtRLEstd_W66tEJOq8P1Gd3Gv08dVDUJxee3hD-rfklf6BzZ2n4hvj_MIKCJ5RPBjbT6pVvC1eFbUlbDsQ5Uw-yq-fQ6DlbNf8/s1600/guillotine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlEmK7rjdwyXKODR48Sg7UCv5yMH_MMwbwlW64ofpAWtRLEstd_W66tEJOq8P1Gd3Gv08dVDUJxee3hD-rfklf6BzZ2n4hvj_MIKCJ5RPBjbT6pVvC1eFbUlbDsQ5Uw-yq-fQ6DlbNf8/s1600/guillotine1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Alberto Pizzoli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The contraption went into operation suddenly when one man had his shoulder in the prime spot and lost an arm. It wasn't said whether or not it was the man who made the device.<br />
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"I hope that's a Halloween costume," was one woman's reaction. It was not.<br />
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The victim has been transferred to Harborview for further treatment. Read the <a href="http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2011/10/28/not-a-halloween-costume-washington-man-cuts-off-arm-with-guillotine/">full story</a> from CBS Seattle.<br />
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Not everyone is going to be having a happy Halloween it seems. At least now they know the guillotine works (for arms anyway).</div>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-9911861086249604982011-10-03T17:19:00.000-07:002011-10-03T17:19:19.738-07:00PRIME PURCHASE: SAMURAI UMBRELLA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikotzfM2hf5SazWPRAk9OiE-jYPjV4zX_54RJ7C-jPIKUvvTxYZxzDCRN9xgemPRJOOilPFYHOKHkAU6_5gx5kejlxPvqrnf0G_g-8A5ryX51lYMUXv-MnV8PLIL00bX6kNLkINKm49sE/s1600/ZZ5C8B574F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikotzfM2hf5SazWPRAk9OiE-jYPjV4zX_54RJ7C-jPIKUvvTxYZxzDCRN9xgemPRJOOilPFYHOKHkAU6_5gx5kejlxPvqrnf0G_g-8A5ryX51lYMUXv-MnV8PLIL00bX6kNLkINKm49sE/s1600/ZZ5C8B574F.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Introducing the Samurai Umbrella! You can be ready for the rain with unmatched speed and deadlier precision than anyone.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not since Mary Poppins has anyone looked so cool with an umbrella.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Everyone will want to be under your umbrella-a-a-a-a.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L8dKSa60XWI" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can purchase the Samurai Umbrella for just $28.95 at <i><a href="http://www.neatoshop.com/product/Samurai-Umbrella?tag=1588">Neatoshop</a></i>.</span></div></div>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-31778955695101899602011-07-09T12:14:00.000-07:002011-07-09T12:14:50.424-07:00THE WIZARD OF AZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwVLqlGwqZueGstOljBnPU3ExxgYHOedHvpaDk-us4t0mMASGLfj1Kgbp17Ogr-j-UzJbGMYe_C3yMXHrJkvK0EtDjdK7ytuSTYcsaEt0fi1LuubrYJ61zbAw2twlFRkkj0TitAP4gtA/s1600/Amazing+Arizona+landscapes+-+CNN.com.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwVLqlGwqZueGstOljBnPU3ExxgYHOedHvpaDk-us4t0mMASGLfj1Kgbp17Ogr-j-UzJbGMYe_C3yMXHrJkvK0EtDjdK7ytuSTYcsaEt0fi1LuubrYJ61zbAw2twlFRkkj0TitAP4gtA/s400/Amazing+Arizona+landscapes+-+CNN.com.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
On the Travel Snapshots section of <i>CNN Travel</i> this morning, I was awed by <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/07/09/snapshots.arizona.landscapes/index.html?hpt=hp_c2">the pictures of one Floyd Yarmuth</a>. He documented the majestic areas of Sedona, Arizona and the Petrified Forest National Park, two places now on my travelog as I walk planet Earth. Credit first, of course, to the Creator and then, of course, to the one who captured it. Both practice art and design. Creation begets further creation in a beautiful circle of development and achievement. For more from both, check out <a href="http://www.yarmuthphotography.com/portfolio.html">Yarmuth's portfolio.</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpsiaPNBDrYLx8l0eD8KZSTqMKJBatKL7kykkkfnxzykKdcOa5g_0U8MjNj-2YvJ9J7HEteC8nyfSzhg8iJA_aGBQsjLgT4gmO6fYbuNq40X_PWZUmq9BbBSF1wugmgzeCauLspKg7_A/s1600/Iphone+Images+-+ScottWoodPhotography.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpsiaPNBDrYLx8l0eD8KZSTqMKJBatKL7kykkkfnxzykKdcOa5g_0U8MjNj-2YvJ9J7HEteC8nyfSzhg8iJA_aGBQsjLgT4gmO6fYbuNq40X_PWZUmq9BbBSF1wugmgzeCauLspKg7_A/s400/Iphone+Images+-+ScottWoodPhotography.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Earlier this week, I beheld <a href="http://www.scottwoodphotography.com/Weather/2011StormChasing/15913598_nN77g#1370278891_RDCLM67-A-LB">an incredible time-lapse video</a> of a sand monster taking over Arizona. This leviathan-of-a-storm belongs to the breed and creed of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haboob">haboob</a> (news to me). As photographer Scott Wood reported, this haboob "engulfed the Phoenix metro area on July 5th." (There is no shortage of other impressive images at <a href="http://www.scottwoodphotography.com/">Scott Wood Photography</a>.) I was traveling through several states that day, including Arizona for some miles; there was something special brewing in the air. I had no idea this was going on until I had returned to Los Angeles and checked Twitter. The dust gale delayed flights and left some 10,000 residents without power. From what I could gather, nobody was hurt. Amazing really, you'd think somebody would have crashed their car with such driving condition abounding. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/06/arizona.dust.storm/index.html?hpt=us_t1">Here</a> is CNN's coverage of the story, which includes more video of the undertaking (or overtaking I suppose). One man, born and raised in Phoenix, said it was "unreal" and "like a movie." It certainly looks like something <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000386/">Roland Emmerich</a> would salivate over having in one of his productions.<br />
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And so, after having two different sources in one week lead me to the spectacles of Arizona, I was pushed to write, post, and share. Having lived in America's Southwest for years, I know the exclusive beauty and mysterious energy lodging in that region. The first time I saw a dust devil while driving through Santa Clara, UT would have left me speechless if it weren't for my teenage tendency to exclaim the likes of "dude... awesome!" I am ever-impressed by the world we live in and the ultimate "powers that be" who made this land for you and me.J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-34307849146651393942011-05-29T22:57:00.000-07:002011-07-31T10:51:02.060-07:00MVOTT - AMERICAN PIE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZPjjZCO67WI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just barely watched <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPjjZCO67WI&feature=player_embedded">this</a> and absolutely had to share it with others. Like many cool and fascinating items, I learned about this from Twitter. Sure, I would have been bound to come across it sooner or later, but getting it sooner (it was posted on Thursday) and the source from which it comes ought to be noteworthy. If you want to know some stellar folks to "Follow," I have a few recommendations. I learned of this music video from Roger Ebert who Tweeted: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">The greatest music video ever made. All done with a single uninterrupted shot. </span><a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/music/the-greatest-music-video-ever.html/" href="http://bit.ly/jTbylH" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/music/the-greatest-music-video-ever.html/">http://bit.ly/jTbylH</a>.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">" </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span>It certainly is done with a "single uninterrupted shot" and it just might be the "greatest music video ever made." The city of Grand Rapids (in Michigan) has come together in a big way: they have done a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lip_dub">lip dub</a> to "American Pie" by Don McClean and apparently set a new World Record in the process.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It may help to have a basic understanding of the recent single-shot lip-dub craze... In November of 2009, the students of Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington made an impressive <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPTd8MgAeqI">lip dub of "Hey Ya!"</a> by OutKast. It was a single take and featured myriad "faces in the hall." A month later, Shorewood High School (Shorecrest's rival in Shoreline) responded with a longer <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7TI-AJi2O8&feature=related">lip dub of "You Make My Dreams Come True"</a> by Hall & Oates (recently made popular by the film "(500) Days of Summer"). What made it all the more impressive was that the entire thing was done backwards! The local news was sure to <a href="http://www.king5.com/news/local/Rival-Shoreline-schools-in-YouTube-music-video-battle-79679497.html">cover the story</a> at that time. Other schools have produceed their own versions. I have not been following that scene as of late, but I will be looking into it because of this. "The Office," always ready to dissect memes of the day, began the Season 7 premier with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac2Cs9bCe6E">one of their own lip dubs</a>. (I apologize for the shoddy quality. If I find a better one, I will certainly replace it.) The group OK Go also deserves to be mentioned. While the songs are their own, they have certainly popularized the single-shot music video, often done with a homemade vibe about them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now back to the latest and greatest! "The Grand Rapids Lip Dub" (as it will be known) was not made by a school, but by the city itself. 5,000 people were involved for the nearly 9-minute extravaganza on a budget of $40,000. The music video was filmed just last week on May 22nd. (You see, these types of projects require very little editing.) Besides setting a World Record, the city was making a statement. Rob Bliss, the director and executive producer of the project, surely says it best, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">This video was created as an official response to the Newsweek article calling Grand Rapids a 'dying city.' We disagreed strongly, and wanted to create a video that encompasses the passion and energy we all feel is growing exponentially, in this great city. We felt Don McLean's "American Pie," a song about death, was in the end, triumphant and filled to the brim with life and hope." </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">suppose we have whoever wrote said Newsweek article to thank.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As Rob Bliss (a fitting name for the man who would produce such a celebratory video) discussed, "American Pie" is a significant song, I'd argue one of the best in our nation's history. It is an anthem of the 20th Century, a tribute to men and women who rock. A reverent text that remains open to interpretation while still surely alluding to some certainties. Don McLean's worship of God and honor of men. Music speaks to our souls.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I did not know the story behind the production when I watched it just now (that realization came with writing this post), but I was still greatly affected by it. This is officially the first lip dub to bring tears to my eyes. They were tears of joy really, an appreciation of the human race as represented by the citizens of this conurbation. I did not know their cause, but could see in the countenances an honest and heartfelt effort. Thank God for it. There is so much good in this world! People joining together in a creative and constructive concept. There is glee and triumph here. A jubilation of group achievement and a healthy pride for their beautiful city! Oh, how I love people! Oh, w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hat a way to sell your town! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you know the breed of laughter that comes from joviality? Not because there is humor, but because there is a poised happiness. I just experienced that. My smile stretched and it felt refined. I love people.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Watching this I wondered how on earth they did it. What a tremendous undertaking! I also wondered how anyone can top this. Then I wondered if I should </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">move to Grand Rapids, Michigan tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have the people of that city to thank.</span></div>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-65396046809467244672011-04-05T09:47:00.000-07:002011-04-05T09:47:37.163-07:00THE SEARCH FOR A NEW DUCK VOICE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Here is a news story in several parts and it is not yet finished. Then again, how many stories are?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA2n6aAkm2nLluXcPSdab2rcSwPaDDpWqh6V795S_8l8mlv7nqXincBbpDXUAcZJCtKExpiqxwSWIRmhE0GkL9uf7dvAC3xzBih7dqgsxokLDGeGJBpJ24B9UTHBZNcKLs671W3Rswoo/s1600/Gilbert_Gottfried_March14newsnea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA2n6aAkm2nLluXcPSdab2rcSwPaDDpWqh6V795S_8l8mlv7nqXincBbpDXUAcZJCtKExpiqxwSWIRmhE0GkL9uf7dvAC3xzBih7dqgsxokLDGeGJBpJ24B9UTHBZNcKLs671W3Rswoo/s320/Gilbert_Gottfried_March14newsnea.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Meet Gilbert Gottfried. Chances are you have seen him somewhere. He is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD86bHyulJA">a comedian</a> (among the most crude). He is an actor. He has also appeared on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8NEnEvgJ1I">"Hollywood Squares."</a> Mr. Gottfried has a very distinct voice: a persistent, grating, screech-like tone. Perhaps that is what he is best known for.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuKE1mz6Lat0xUfmNKPuaJs5I2TwG1YbIXcgHCvqsndXoco9pElmrdlibQJs5bhugaSaE_zQLAXrio8vA-Q4evuDAI6CJjIt2DPR7f7pE3U6c9Jo1y5XAwZlJ_grJO6pIyTDT-B6iWSA/s1600/photo+of+gilbert+gottfried+voice+of+aflac+pictures.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuKE1mz6Lat0xUfmNKPuaJs5I2TwG1YbIXcgHCvqsndXoco9pElmrdlibQJs5bhugaSaE_zQLAXrio8vA-Q4evuDAI6CJjIt2DPR7f7pE3U6c9Jo1y5XAwZlJ_grJO6pIyTDT-B6iWSA/s320/photo+of+gilbert+gottfried+voice+of+aflac+pictures.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
Did you know he provided the voice the Aflac duck? A rather fitting choice for one of the most annoying mascots around. See one of their commercials <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TNHfg6LJnY">here</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv28E3HVYKx2I8VfEv8O32fWtKwAiXjDRc4ODeWKWCJ_4bnTwHFYxjNR5w8_VacqYVqOFqiM9dP0oSuEP5Rntl5sTa1CFq8o-0rOoPKD-KbEgveRBFh_bITBED9nbuRngpkh4nXdOpVc/s1600/japan-tsunami-2011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv28E3HVYKx2I8VfEv8O32fWtKwAiXjDRc4ODeWKWCJ_4bnTwHFYxjNR5w8_VacqYVqOFqiM9dP0oSuEP5Rntl5sTa1CFq8o-0rOoPKD-KbEgveRBFh_bITBED9nbuRngpkh4nXdOpVc/s320/japan-tsunami-2011.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Last month brought tragic natural disasters to Japan. As with any large event, Twitter was positively abuzz. A new trend (#prayforjapan) immediately rose above the rest. Although, not all the tweets were positive or in good taste. Gottfried himself, a joker through and through, thought it was a good time to test some new material:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"I just split up with my girlfriend, but like the Japanese say, 'They'll be another one floating by any minute now."</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Japan is really advanced. They don't go to the beach. The beach comes to them."</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tvSdpj1mE5dIBI-NfmiBMuZsImvGi-DIvH5DKl9Fb8xEZHoghcdtd4Exl9gjt_xgauDxocrcANGpVQLpGI5BGF-05CULbs0PNbUbPhu_aK7AbUicuNTPMN4dyQGOX4_qwYaF4lBbIT8/s1600/Gilbert+Gottfried-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tvSdpj1mE5dIBI-NfmiBMuZsImvGi-DIvH5DKl9Fb8xEZHoghcdtd4Exl9gjt_xgauDxocrcANGpVQLpGI5BGF-05CULbs0PNbUbPhu_aK7AbUicuNTPMN4dyQGOX4_qwYaF4lBbIT8/s320/Gilbert+Gottfried-1.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
He had a dozen tweets in total (which were later taken down). These quips did not fly for the voice of Alfac duck and Gottfried's professional neck was on the line. Alfac <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20473774,00.html">fired him</a> on March 14th.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>So, this morning I open to my browser's (Chrome) homepage (CNN) and I this picture catches my eye:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmBKhp_qtBHTVWCf2lMgOcRdk7YGak4MnExDqTLBUOflsIKHY3y3lSxJBgmIGWBFGmOAWFEWQvwYlJJ024xus-kNoGd255iJYJdjZmUZyLb7S8RpWWkiGDi6TjHyi8PSpanRWa6nTtEw/s1600/They%2527re+quacking+to+be+new+Aflac+duck.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmBKhp_qtBHTVWCf2lMgOcRdk7YGak4MnExDqTLBUOflsIKHY3y3lSxJBgmIGWBFGmOAWFEWQvwYlJJ024xus-kNoGd255iJYJdjZmUZyLb7S8RpWWkiGDi6TjHyi8PSpanRWa6nTtEw/s1600/They%2527re+quacking+to+be+new+Aflac+duck.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
(Sorry, I am unable to copy the larger version of the pic, which appears in a slideshow within the article. Besides, now you are treated to the same picture and same size that caught my eye this morning.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBR1-UN9jLVVukrnYi1PnySI5ceDlSGuKdLof_EwemK23vdAjxz_2Tg5tg3ki6gxQ549JNb8YfODGHnekw_eLVEN5aIE9PjXjd29uDuGurJttrINDU3LApIRocAEk7KBoLNkKc0rPBw8/s1600/Aflac+Logo_full.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBR1-UN9jLVVukrnYi1PnySI5ceDlSGuKdLof_EwemK23vdAjxz_2Tg5tg3ki6gxQ549JNb8YfODGHnekw_eLVEN5aIE9PjXjd29uDuGurJttrINDU3LApIRocAEk7KBoLNkKc0rPBw8/s320/Aflac+Logo_full.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The attached report? You guessed it: auditions for the new voice of Aflac. I suppose the title of this post gave that away eh? You can find that story <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/04/05/aflac.duck.casting.call/index.html?hpt=C2">here</a>. The best/worst part about the article is that there is some audition footage attached. Seriously, did some of these people know they were auditioning for the Aflac duck? Did they really practice and put this date on their calenders? There might be a useable sound or two among this bunch, but it is mostly laughably bad.<br />
<br />
Gottfried was <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20473876,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnn">quick to apologize</a> after being fired. Good for him. That does require some decency and thoughtfulness. If Aflac's casting department cannot find a better flock of voices (than those is said video) I really think they and Gottfried should let bygones be bygones and get back to quacking (which in this case is work).</div>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-35328024540302942582011-03-21T22:55:00.002-07:002011-03-21T22:55:43.211-07:00AllMoPs 23<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 23 (3.21.2011)</span><br />
<span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 13px;"><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;">* * *</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;">Thanks for clicking this open and now thanks for starting to read. This is the 23rd helping of <i>AllMoPs</i>! There have been some changes to the program. For one thing, <i>The Film Tome Report</i> and <i>Gamerain</i> are no longer to be found in this email. They still exist and are now better than ever (including pictures). I will provide links to them in each issue. In fact, here you are: <i><a href="http://thefilmtome.blogspot.com/2011/03/film-tome-report-issue-23_21.html" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">The Film Tome Report: Issue 23</a></i> and <i><a href="http://thevgtome.blogspot.com/2011/03/gamerain-drop-23.html" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">Gamerain: Drop 23</a></i>. The rest of <i>AllMoPs</i> is the same as always and can be found below. Enjoy!</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;">* * *</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJQVlVHsFF8" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">"Hooked on a Feeling" by David Hasselhoff</a></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;">This has been on YouTube for five years? I don't know how I went so long without seeing it until now. Special thanks to members of VGAME for showing me this. I do not know how this video came to be, why Hasselhoff agreed to it, or why more people don't watch it on a daily basis. It is one of the most entertaining MVs I know of.</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;">* * *</div><div><span style="font-size: 13px;"><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b>A LIST</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i>The Hollywood Reporter</i> announces <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywoods-10-stupid-tweets-167752" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">"Hollywood's 10 Most Stupid Tweets."</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Yesterday <i>Cracked</i> published <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_19054_6-insane-uses-animals-in-wartime-that-actually-worked.html" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">"6 Insane Uses of Animals in Wartime (That Actually Worked)."</a> A friend and I actually did a presentation on this topic last year in our Chinese class (learning how to say "incendiary monkeys" in another language has blessed my life). What did I learn? Genghis Kahn is a brilliant strategist. Also, see the related article entitled, <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_17112_7-insane-military-attempts-to-weaponize-animals.html" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">"7 Insane Military Attempts To Weaponize Animals."</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><br />
<b>* * *</b><br />
<br />
<b>MONKEY DO</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I will let the title of the article speak for itself: <a href="http://www.wltx.com/news/watercooler/article/128025/363/Woman-Goes-to-Court-with-a-Monkey-in-her-Bra" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">"Woman Goes to Court with a Monkey in Her Bra."</a> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><strong>* * *</strong></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b>POLICE BEAT</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: #012651; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Assault</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">March 2: A student reported being told to sit down at the basketball game. He did not comply and he was grabbed and hit in the face.</div></span></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: #012651; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Criminal Mischief</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">March 4: Microwaves from Helaman Halls were moved into the hall lounge, where someone destroyed them by running food in them for a considerable amount of time. When officers responded they found the ruined microwaves along with charred remains of a burrito. Police said this has already happened twice in Helaman Halls, and investigation is pending.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Suspicious Behavior</strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Feb. 18: A writing center employee reported a male student often comes to the center to receive help with sexually explicit stories he has written. The male also pushes to spend an hour with tutors even though most students are only allowed 30 minutes. The writing center is taking action while police are monitoring the situation.</span></strong></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">March 2: Officers received a report of a van with fogged windows and seats removed from the vehicle. The caller suspected lewd acts were being committed in the van. Upon arrival, the officers discovered 10 fully-clothed individuals watching a movie.</div></span></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eZBevXohCI" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">This</a> is one of the funniest videos I have ever seen. Well made!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4SqXl9Zj6k" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">Terrifying.</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">* * * </div></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;">Unestimated chinchillas! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" style="color: #0065cc;" target="_blank"><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous <i>AllMoPs</i> are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0065cc;" target="_blank"><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Have a merry week and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 13px;">* * *</div></div>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-42314582622825226012011-03-07T08:53:00.000-08:002011-03-07T08:53:29.438-08:00AllMoPs 22<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 22 (3.7.2011)</span>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Missed the last two week, but like a good boomerang I have returned and like a good pizza boy I am delivering (on a Monday!). Sit down and relax, the links are on me. Well, not on me, but provided by me. You know? No? Here:</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"> <title></title> <meta name="Generator" content="Cocoa HTML Writer"> <meta name="CocoaVersion" content="949.54"> <style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; min-height: 15.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #0007f1} span.s1 {text-decoration: underline} </style> <p class="p1"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"> <title></title> <meta name="Generator" content="Cocoa HTML Writer"> <meta name="CocoaVersion" content="949.54"> <style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; min-height: 15.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #0007f1} span.s1 {text-decoration: underline} </style> </p><p class="p1"><b>MVOTW</b></p> <p class="p2">
<br /></p><p class="p2">
<br /></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMH0e8kIZtE">"Welcome To Heartbreak" by Kanye West</a></span></p> <p class="p2">
<br /></p><p class="p2">
<br /></p> <p class="p1">An interestin' visual to one of the excellent tracks from Kanye's "808s and Heartbreak." It was an experimental mechanical album (entirely done with auto-tune) and this MV seems have the same hard-shelled casing of technology with a flesh and bones message inside. No, your computer is not wigging out, it is supposed to look like that.</p><p class="p1">
<br /></p><p class="p1">
<br /></p></b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div><span style="font-size: 13px; "><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>A LIST</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Forbes presents <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2011/02/23/dumbest-warning-labels-entrepreneurs-sales-marketing-warning-labels_slide.html?partner=msnbc" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"25 Stunningly Dumb Warning Labels."</a> Sadly, there are probably reasons for them.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>* * *</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>NEWS TO ME</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">Tony Mangan from Ireland plans to run a marathon every day for three years... and I thought trying to watch a movie every day was hard. Video news <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/41891756#41891756" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">here</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">At the Game Developers Conference this year, Toru Iwatani (the creator of Pac-Man) spoke on the influences and development of the arcade classic from 1980. Check out IGN's entertaining and informative article, <a href="http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/115/1153679p1.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"7 Things You Never Knew About Pac-Man."</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Xbox Live Arcade is one of the best platforms for gaming today. With new releases every week and with multiple 5-star titles already in the library, it is an easy sale for anyone interested in games. Besides that, every game is required to have a playable demo! Last year IGN posted their <a href="http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/112/1120887p1.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Top 25 Xbox Live Arcade Games."</a> My only grievance is that their placement of "Braid" is much too low... Still, their #1 is a pleasant surprise!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">"Pokemon White" and "Black" for the Nintendo DS hit shelves today (on a Sunday, I know, weird right?). Of course, it is the same tried-and-true formula with some new features slapped on, namely the 3D-ish environments. IGN gave the game a 9 and labeled it "Amazing." Click <a href="http://ds.ign.com/articles/115/1153589p1.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">here</a> for access to their written and video reviews. The game currently has an <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/pokemon-black-version" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">87 on metacritic</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">Before TIm Burton got his hands on the "Alice in Wonderland" franchise (which turned out to be a rather disappointing venture) there was "American McGee's Alice," a macabre and bloody action game based on Lewis Carroll's books. Now, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_McGee" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">American McGee</a> and his team at Spicy Horse are finishing the sequel, "Alice: Madness Returns," due this summer (June 14th). Here is the <a href="http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/03/04/alice-madness-returns-beautiful-insanity-trailer?objectid=14323746" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">trailer</a> and <a href="http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/03/04/alice-madness-returns-gameplay-demo-part-1?objectid=14323746" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">gameplay</a>. I feel the twisted visuals and overall lunacy demonstrated herein surpasses what you may have seen in theaters last year and that is what Alice is all about. Still, no adaptation can surpass the under-appreciated masterpiece that emerged from Disney studios in 1951.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">If I am going to buy one game this year, it is going to be "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim." The <a href="http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/02/24/skyrim-gameplay-trailer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">first trailer</a> (with gameplay!) came out last week. All of the excitement that I had in the months before "Oblivion" released is coming back! It is a grand time to be a gamer. Charles and Ryan from IGN breakdown the trailer in a hearty session of<a href="http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/02/24/skyrim-rewind-theater" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Rewind Theater</a>. There is so much to dissect herein and they do a great job (even managing to point out the nirnroot that I honestly missed!). 11.11.11 is the day.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT
<br /></b><b>
<br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">We have had a teaser, a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl and now finally a full trailer! I speak of <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/dreamworks/kungfupanda2/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Kung Fu Panda 2."</a> I am a fan of the first, which featured one of the most stellar training montages in all of film, and hope this one can match if not surpass it. I think the trailer looks great, more in terms of the visuals than the film as a whole. In any case, Po asks a perplexing question, "How can kung fu stop something that stops kung fu?" We shall be able to find come May 26th.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">It's true, the folks at Dreamworks thought it would be a good idea to give Puss in Boots, the metro-swash-buckling kitty voiced by Antonio Banderas from the "Shrek" sequels, his own film. It is called... <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/dreamworks/pussinboots/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Puss in Boots."</a> This silly teaser tells us little of the narrative, but looks to take place in a Latin setting and methinks it will be an origins story for the Zorro-like feline. The "Shrek" series ended off on a very high note with "Shrek Ever After" (although ANYTHING could be considered very high when compared with the king of tripe known as "Shrek the Third"), so I am justified in being a little hopeful.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/legendofthefist/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Legend of the Fist,"</a> starring kung fu master Donnie Yen as kung fu master Chen Zhen will knock your shoes and socks off! Not since the exceptional likes of "Kung Fu Hustle" have I seen a stylized martial art epic set in a 20th century world that looks so sweet. While we yawn our heads off in the West with one superhero movie after another (not to mention one <i>rebooted</i> superhero movie after another), the East is sharpening a knife to slam in the table of contemporary action films. Hiyah!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">Rainn Wilson, BKA Dwight from "The Office," stars in <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810167552/video/24413102" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Super"</a> (I am a little envious someone officially used that title before me and in a similar way and for a similar reason), not your typical super hero film. I have yet to see last year's "Kick Ass," but this certainly harks back to its likes. After beholding the trailer I must declare my love for it: The confrontation and abandonment of cliches, the hand-drawn comic book effects and use of blunt humor all seem golden. Kevin Bacon, Liv Tyler and the Ellen Page co-star!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><u>Toss of the Week:</u> The namesake for <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/summit/abetterlife/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"A Better Life"</a> seems to be what the father in this film hopes his son will have compared to his own. Father-son relationships are among the most touching to me, add on the situation of a foreigner trying to make a life in America (a situation I have come to intimately learn) and you have a narrative that grips me from the get-go. The lead performances seem promising enough throughout the carefully shot sequences that lend themselves to realism. In this trailer I saw a sort of contemporary retelling of "The Bicycle Thief," a film that reaches greatness on multiple facets. "A Better Life" will hit select theaters on June 24th.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>ENLSITED</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">Will Entertainment Weekly's list of <a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20311937_20346922,00.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"25 Greatest Working Directors"</a> have you shaking your head in disbelief or nodding in agreement? Thankfully, my noggin did more of the latter. <a href="http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=36171" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">JoBlo responds.</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i><span style="font-style: normal; "><i>AND THE WEIRD</i></span></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">The rumors are true... <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/3d-star-wars-phantom-menace-coming-february-10-2012/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Lucas is bringing back "Stars Wars" with a 3D makeover</a>, starting with "Episode 1: The Phantom Menace." It will hit theaters on February 10, 2012. I for one am not planning on being there. On one hand, it will be an interesting experiment and some will see if the conversion works, on the other hand, it seems like business as usual and audiences will surely fill the hungry pockets of some.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">Not sure what I feel about <a href="http://www.moviehole.net/201137478-exclusive-dumb-dumber-sequel-on-the-cards" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">a sequel to "Dumb and Dumber."</a> If it is near as bad as the prequel looked, no thanks. Still, the Farrelly brothers seem to be for it and I must ever remember that few duo can make me laugh like Carrey and Daniels.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">I thought this spoofed trailer was magnificent! I am a big fan of "The King's Speech," but must accept this a spot of well-done fun. Great to see Tyson's acting chops in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnxNnJYziMY" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The President's Speech."</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i><span style="font-style: normal; ">
<br /></span></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Underage jabberwocky! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. March on and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span></span></span></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-83616121131164373172011-02-22T23:20:00.004-08:002011-02-26T12:33:15.035-08:00AllMoPs 21<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 21 (2.20.2011)</span>
<br /><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">I am happy to report this is just a week after our last issue! Prepare to be informed and recommended.</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEILFf2XSrM" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"We Will Become Silhouettes" - The Postal Service</a></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Just a plain nice song with a simple video to showcase it in. The song, band and genre are all pretty new to me. Jared Hess directs.</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div><span style="font-size: 13px; "><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>A LIST</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">Dear readers, whether you were born in the 1920s or the 1930s, have I got a list to share with you: <a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2049243,00.html?hpt=C2" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"All-TIME 100 Greatest Toys."</a></span></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>* * *</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>NEWS TO ME</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Breaking news just doesn't get better than <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/crime/2011/02/18/dnt.fl.naked.sausage.thief.wink?hpt=T2" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"the naked sausage thief."</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">And, in regards to those who break such news, check out <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/offbeat/2011/02/16/moos.anchor.rancor.cnn?iref=allsearch" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">anchors and co-anchors in brief verbal feuds</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></span></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /><b>MONKEY DO</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">Last October a baby gorilla was born in the London Zoo, these days he is just taking his first steps, a <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/nstv/2011/02/baby-gorilla-takes-its-first-steps.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">video</a> of which has just gone viral this week. It is darling. I had no idea that gorilla infants waited months until walking.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>* * *</b>
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>POLICE BEAT</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Disorderly Conduct</b></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Feb. 10: A Heritage Halls CSA reported being followed by a red laser dot while roving the area. Police located the source of the laser, and confronted a female resident who had been shining the laser out her window. Officers warned the student about her actions.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<br /></b></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Suspicious</b></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Feb. 8: Custodians discovered a suspicious-looking male reading magazines in the Maeser building before the building opened in the morning. The man told custodians his wife worked in the ESC and he came to the building in the early morning to read periodicals. He was ushered out of the building</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<br /></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Theft</b></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Feb. 9: A male student was caught on security cameras removing a class packet from the bookstore. The student was followed into the HFAC where he was confronted and confessed to having previously taken an additional class packet. The student was cited and both packets were recovered</p><p></p></span></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">
<br /></b></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><b style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Threats</b></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Feb. 8: A female student reported feeling threatened after she refused to eat with a man who sat next to her on a bus and followed her to the CougarEat. When she told the man that she did not want to eat with him, he reportedly told the woman that she had better watch her back. </p></span></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USzb86CrZgM&feature=fvst" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Ouch.</a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEVaRrWL4Hg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Ouch again.</a>
<br />
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwXmpTuGZ2o" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Cat attack.</a>
<br /><b>
<br /></b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHwfedzUDEM&NR=1" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Cat attack again.</a>
<br /><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">One of the games I am most looking forward to this year (third to "Skyrim" and "Portal 2") is "L.A. Noire." Made by Team Bondi and published by the ever-reliable Rockstar, it is shaping up to look stellar. Check out this <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/adventure/lanoire/video/6299817?tag=topslot;watchlink;1" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">interview with Rob Nelson</a> of Rockstar juxtaposed with plenty of gameplay action. The technology behind the game (especially the secret behind those state-of-the-art facial animations) is legit. The "L.A. Noire" equation in my head? Take "Mafia," set it in Los Angles and you play as a detective instead of a gangster.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">I did not even know of the video game series "You Don't Know Jack" until now. GameSpot gave the latest a 8.0 (for "great") in their <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/youdontknowjack/video/6298250/you-dont-know-jack-video-review" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">video review</a>. It is a trivia game that gets a little a flippant about its duties (as one might suppose from the title). GameSpot is not alone in heralding the zesty game, it currently has an <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/you-dont-know-jack" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">84% on metacritic.</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">Check out the powerful <a href="http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/02/16/dead-island-announcement-trailer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">announcement trailer</a> for yet another zombie video game, "Dead Island." It is beautiful and it is disgusting. That sounds ridiculous, I know, but see it and you will know what I mean. It left me pondering if the only way a zombie tale can have a happy ending is if you are telling it in reverse. Personally, I am sold based on a few words in the description for the game: "open world... survival on a zombie-infested island." Well, I guess the correct phrasing would be it is an "open island" game. Some dedicated journalists at IGN have recut the trailer to chronological order and analyze it in this <a href="http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/02/18/ign-rewind-theater-dead-island-announcement-trailer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">8-minute video.</a> "Dead Island" is made by the folks at Techland who are otherwise noted as the makers of "Call of Juarez" series, which I have not yet played and will therefore not comment on. "Dead Island" is due sometime this year.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT
<br /></b><b>
<br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/apollo18/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Apollo 18"</a> bears the tag-line, "There's a reason we never went back to the moon." I never knew that we had stopped sending men to that rock, but according to the synopsis the last time was 1972. The synopsis goes one to claim that Apollo 18 went to the moon a year later and apparently the two-man crew never returned. The "actual footage" that makes up this film is the reason for that tag-line. Essentially, this looks to be "Paranormal Activity" (a series a really like) on the moon. The '70s look and feel, especially as seen through their myriad cameras, is a nice touch. It is interesting how alike products always seem to emerge at the same time. Compare this with the impressive teaser for "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (which, by the way, got a 30-second spot earlier this month during the Big Game) and Duncan Jones's indie masterwork "Moon" from 2009.
<br />
<br />Ridley Scott's daughter (Jordan Scott) will now get her film distributed in the states. Apparently filmmaking runs in the Scott family. <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/cracks/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Cracks"</a> does not quite seem to be my cup of tea, but it sure looks beautifully photographed. Might it be the "Picnic at Hanging Rock" of our generation?
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">The next trailer comes with a bit of a personal experience attached. I saw <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/isawthedevil/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"I Saw the Devil"</a> at Sundance this year. I knew then it would never merit an "R" rating (it is among the most violent films ever made, making the likes of "Saw" and "Hostel" seem like Saturday morning cartoons in comparison), so it makes sense that they are releasing it as "Not Rated." It is for that reason I cannot recommend "I Saw the Devil." Still, the filmmaking and acting was on another level of excellence that one truly does not see everyday. It is a mixed bag of fruits: wildly disturbing, ever-so-thrilling, sometimes inspiring, usually distressing and ultimately thought-provoking. I still contemplate the film's title and the decent of our protagonist. I took the experience as a self-evaluation and learned a lot about myself that evening in the Egyptian Theater and in the days after.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><u>Toss of the Week:</u> Ever since I first heard of <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/uncleboonmeewhocanrecallhislives/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives"</a> I have wanted to experience it. Uncle Boonmee is on his deathbed and his visited by family members, both living and dead. It looks chilling, bizarre and beautiful. It won the Palm d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival. (For those not in the know, that is the highest prize at one highest regarded film festivals in the world. Past winners include "The White Ribbon," "Elephant" and "Pulp Fiction.") Uncle Boonmee's tale surely will not hit theaters around here and Netflix says the DVD availability date is unknown. It appears I have some patience to implement.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /><i>THE GOOD AND THE WEIRD</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br />I have already addressed the "Spider-Man" reboot (still a bewildering notion), but now there is more news. Sony Pictures has officially announced that it will be called "The Amazing Spider-Man." <a href="http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=35990" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">JoBlo</a> has the story and <a href="http://www.theamazingspiderman.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">here</a> is the film's official site.
<br />
<br />2011 will break the all-time record for most film sequels in a single year with 27. Wow. <a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3063&p=s.htm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Box Office Mojo with the tale</a>.
<br /><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>KEEPIN' IT SHORT
<br />
<br /></i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS-jLM75xuU" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The Monk and the Fish"</a>
<br />Written and Directed by Michael Dudok de Wit.
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i>Excellent use of colors and underscoring of music to match the action in this silly yet poignant tale.
<br /><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * * </div></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">Falling slug cakes! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Have a jolly President's Day weekend and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-13593142689773822011-02-13T21:25:00.002-08:002011-02-26T12:30:39.569-08:00AllMoPs 20<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 20 (2.13.2011)</span>
<br /><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b>an weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">* * *</div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">Twenty down! I have debated changing my description of AllMoPs... should it be "a weekly and sometime every-other-weekly informing and recommending email"? It has been three weeks since I last lambasted your email accounts with more links than you can shake a stick at. Time will tell how much AllMoPs will tell. Enjoy our twentieth issue!</div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">* * *</div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQwWaWFjd0Y" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Gump" - Weird Al</a></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">Al took "Lump" and made it into a brilliant tribute/spoof of "Forrest Gump." If the lyrics do not impress you, Yankovic's physical feats will. I wanted to shed some light on Weird Al after I discovered President Obama follows him on Twitter.</div><div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>* * *</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>NEWS TO ME</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">The world's oldest person died last week. She was 114 (born in the late 1800s!). <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/01/texas.oldest.person.dies/index.html?iref=NS1" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">CNN covers</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /><b>* * *</b>
<br />
<br /><b>MONKEY DO</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">On a somewhat, shall we say somber note, a <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/01/haunting-footage-reveals-how-chimps-mourn-death.php" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">recent study of chimps</a> shows that they too grieve the loss of their own.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>* * *</b>
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>POLICE BEAT</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><p><b>Suspicious Activity</b></p><p><b>
<br /></b></p><p>Jan. 28: An individual was reported to be shouting profanities in Maeser Hall. The campus was searched, but no one was found.</p><p>
<br /></p><p></p><p><b>Traffic</b></p><p><b>
<br /></b></p><p>Feb. 2: A pedestrian walked across the street during a green light on West Campus Drive. An officer honked at the student, who then ran into the Tanner Building to hide. The officer found him and cited him for failure to stop at the command of an officer and ignoring a traffic device.</p><p></p><p>
<br /></p><p></p><p><b>Disorderly Conduct</b></p><p><b>
<br /></b></p><p>Jan. 29: Two bicyclists were reported doing tricks between the HBLL and the Wilkinson Center. When an officer arrived, the subjects rode away.</p><p>
<br /></p><p>Jan. 31: Someone tried to drill out the locks on laundry units to get the money inside. They were unsuccessful.</p><p>
<br /></p></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Hand dancing? </span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iANRO3I30nM" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Hand dancing!</a></span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "> (Thanks to my mum for showing me this.) Also, as a commenter pointed, watch how the guy only blinks once during his whole performance... rather creepy.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">"Stacking," the latest game from Double Fine (the mad team behind "Brutal Legend" and the masterpiece that is "Psychonauts"), just hit the electonic shelves earlier this week. You see, it is only available for digital download on Xbox 360 and PS3. I was looking quite forward to this game and have spent a little time with the demo. You play as Charlie, the smalls Russian nesting doll around. You can jump into dolls bigger than you, taking control of them and utilizing their special abilities to solve puzzles. The cutscenes are novel and the gameplay is jolly. Anything that hearkens to "Space Station Silicon Valley," where you play a hijacking microchip of robotic animals, is a pleasantry. That said, everyone speaking in text boxes left me a little overwhelmed in crowds. Running into frequent identical dolls also was a minor let down. Still, it is </span></span><a href="http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/stacking" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">getting great reviews</a><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">. </span></span><a href="http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/stacking/review.html?tag=tabs%3Breviews" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Here</a><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "> is what GameSpot had to say.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT
<br /></b><b>
<br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">During last week's Bowl of Super proportions there were <a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/07/super-movie-trailer-sunday/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">several TV-spots</a> for some of this year's hottest flicks ("Super 8," "Cowboys & Aliens," and "Captain American" to name a few). Out of all of these, I am the most psyched for "Super 8." If it is about what I think it is about (a child takes advantage of a real alien encounter to make a movie)... it is right up my alley! (No wonder Spielberg wanted to produce this.) Many of these titles look great. Even though I have yet to see a 2011 film, I am starting to believe it can be a good year. To restate and for the record, I thought 2010 was a MARVELOUS year for film.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Here is the spot for <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/adjustmentbureau/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"The Adjustment Bureau"</a>. Firstly, I will behold anything with Matt Damon. Secondly, this high concept is nutty enough. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/limitless/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Limitless"</a> looks like it just might have limits. Then again, it does have De Niro. What does any of this mean? Nothing.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Will </span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/hop/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Hop"</a></span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "> be worth the leap? From the director of "Alvin and the Chipmunks" (oh... no...) and the studio that brought us "Despicable Me" (Hey!) come the best CGI-characters in a live action environment since "Yogi Bear" (ew...)! It could go up or down folks.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">I know nothing about X-Men, I have not seen any of the previous films, but perhaps that doesn't matter. This is <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/xmenfirstclass/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"X-Men: First Class."</a> The visuals are stunning to say the least.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/battlelosangeles/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Battle: Los Angeles"</a> also got a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl. The second trailer came out last month. While offering some new visuals, neither are quite as compelling as the debut trailer set to Johann Johannsson's haunting masterpiece of a song. (Trailer 2 uses the same song eventually, but too eventually IMHO.) In any case, I am excited for 3.11.11.
<br />
<br />I greatly admire the novel quirk found in<a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/beginners/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "> "Beginners."</a> It looks to be well-acted (huge fan of Plummer and Melanie Laurent, who was PERFECT in "Inglourious Basterds") and carefully filmed.
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><u>Toss of the Week:</u> <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/eventherain/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Even the Rain"</a> seems to be rather onerous for audiences, such fair often are our greatest films. The impressive conception of a director making a film about the discovery of America amidst contemporary challenges in his own country. Finally, if I haven't said it before, I swear it now: Gael Garcia Bernal ("Amores Perros," "Y Tu Mama Tambien," "Babel," and "The Science of Sleep") is one of our finest actors. Although, they really should change <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0305558/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">the hombre's IMDb picture</a>. Seriously, that might be the worst picture ever taken of him. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3578367232/nm0305558" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">There</a> you go ladies.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i> </i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>ENLISTED</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">Entertainment Weekly ran a gallery of <a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20458966,00.html?hpt=C2" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"10 Movies that Changed Hollywood."</a> A couple of these are among my all-time faves.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">What better way to get ready for the big night (Feb. 27) than to complain about the nominees? EW here with <a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20311937_20460656,00.html?hpt=C2" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Oscars: 19 Snubs That Bug You!"</a>. IMHO: Nolan should not only have been nominated, he should probably win. Something I will surely address on my "Oscar Preview" article next week.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">Another way to get ready for this year's Academy Awards is to recount <a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20311937_20349402,00.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"16 Memorable Moments"</a> from last year's show. (Again, EW is there for you and for me.)</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>THE GOOD AND THE WEIRD</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">After Christopher Nolan makes his third batman flick ("The Dark Knight Rises") he wants to do a Howard Hughes biopic. But wait... Yeah, of course Nolan is aware of Scorsese's "The Aviator" (a Howard Hughes biopic and a rather recent one at that). Why then? Because Nolan's film will cover <i><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/02/christopher_nolan_howard_hughes_biopic.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nymag%2Fvulture+%28Vulture+-+nymag.com%27s+Entertainment+and+Culture+Blog%29" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">the rest of the story</a></i>. </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Few directors have tackled as many genres as the Coen Borthers (Comedies, Dramas, Thrillers, Rom-Coms, Noir and most recently the Western), so it both surprising and not surprising to hear the two are </span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp?NID=30115" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">working on a script for a horror film</a></span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>KEEPIN' IT SHORT</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsF0Eqs8yQ8" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Love in a Backward World"</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">Directed by Chris Vincze</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">The techniques are nothing revolutionary, but what Vincze and team have crafted is a lovely little picture that is sure to please.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; ">* * * </div></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">Misunderstood raccoons! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Adore this month and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">* * *</div></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-12329369148597043832011-01-23T08:21:00.002-08:002011-01-23T08:23:56.993-08:00AllMoPs 19<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-large;">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 19 (1.22.2011)</span><br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Hello lasses and lads! To make up for the shortage of AllMoPs recently I am delivering a packed issue today! All categories are receiving coverage and lots of it! (Plus, I introduce two brand new segments! At this right, by the year 2027 AllMoPs will be a weekly book of plugs!) Get ready to plug into 28 links! Heck, make that <a href="http://colorvisiontesting.com/plate%208%20%20%20%20%2029.jpg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">29</a>. Hopefully at least one of these will pique your complicated interests. Cheers, merrymake, relish, and all manner of whatnots.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nej4xJe4Tdg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Bob" - Weird Al</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">I am huge fan of the Yankovic. The lyrics to this Bob Dylan parody are entirely made up of palindromes. Impressive eh?</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>A LIST</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://top-10-list.org/2009/04/30/top-10-smartest-dogs/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Top 10 Smartest Dogs</a>. I'm happy that the only dog I've taken part in owning ranks #1.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>* * *</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>NEWS TO ME</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://healthland.time.com/2011/01/21/why-you-should-rethink-snuggling-with-your-pooch-in-bed/?hpt=C2" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Why You Shouldn't Snuggle with Your Pooch in Bed."</a> I could think of several reasons. I am thankful I don't have such a problem. This Time's article explains why pets in bed is "a health risk."</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Have you ever wondered what sorts of items humans have swallowed? Check out <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41130992/from/ET/?beginSlide=4" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"a history of the ingestion of foreign bodies."</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">I oft ponder what our friends in Michigan are up to... I never thought it would be <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/01/13/state/n195206S17.DTL" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">this</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>HONEST HIGHLIGHT*<br /><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">*The <i>Honest Highlight</i> section is also a bit of news, but not bizarre and obscure (like the stuff you get in "News To Me").</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">"Piers Morgan Tonight" debuted this week. Did you see it? Morgan is the replacement for Larry King who retired last year. He is a British journalist, so he asks great questions and sounds great doing it. He interviewed everyone from Condoleezza Rice (pressing her for the reason we went to war with Iraq) to the never-dull Howard Stern. Oprah (who says she'll never get married), Clooney (who's father was bought in the studio to shed more light) and his fellow Brit and recently relevant Ricky Gervais (more on that in <i>The FIlm Tome Report</i>) also got spots this week. CNN recaps the first week </span></span><a href="http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/21/first-week-of-piers-morgan-tonight/?hpt=C2" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">here</a><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">. Next week Piers will peer Collin Firth, unwrap Rod Stewart, try to keep up with the Kardashians and more. I am a fan of the show, so much that I created this part of the issue just to give it a plug.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /><b>* * *</b><br /><br /><b>MONKEY DO</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><strong></strong> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">How could you not want to read a story entitled "<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/01/16/2011-01-16_chimps_bite_zookeepers_fingers_off_in_vicious_ape_house_attack_.html?r=news/national" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Chimps bite zookeeper's fingers off in vicious ape house attack</a>"? (My favorite part is the picture they chose to go along with the article.)</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">In other sober primate news, <a href="http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110118p2a00m0na014000c.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Willy the gorilla passed away</a>. (I really wanted to say "Willy the gorilly.") He spent the majority of his life (over 40 years) in a zoo in Fukuoka. Willy was known for being the gorilla who drank from a cup.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Also, good riddence to the <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hHJ3pl3NuZyAuPc7wt5O_QlPGVZg?docId=9b14a7701d4f41038f8e515221738f48" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">ape killers</a>. I had no idea how prevalent bushmeat was...</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><strong>* * *</strong><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>POLICE BEAT</b>*</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">*BYU's newspaper, The Daily Universe, features a troubling and/or entertaining section in each Wednesday issue: Police Beat. I will be sharing some highlights with all of you in this new section.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(1, 38, 81); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">DOMESTIC VIOLENCE</span></strong></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></strong></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Jan.: A man reported his wife spraying him in the eye with household cleaner. She claimed she had only sprayed him in the arm. The woman was cited. Various weapons were also found in the husband’s possession, including machetes.</span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">DISORDERLY CONDUCT</span></strong></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></strong></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Jan. 14: A woman was driving near the Crabtree building when she stopped at a light. A male using the crosswalk tapped her car with his hand and told her that she should not drive while talking on the phone. The driver saw this same man later and told him not to touch her vehicle. In response he rubbed his hands on the front of her car. Police were called, but the pedestrian was gone before they arrived. </span></p></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Remember <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-aKNzazXp4" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">her</a>?</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">We've all heard how dangerous it is to text and drive. Some have even been so bold to compare it to drinking and driving. Now it seems driving isn't the only method of travel you shouldn't engage in while texting... WALKING can be just as dangerous. Special thanks to those working security at this mall who could and should lose their jobs for posting <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg11glsBW4Y&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">this</a>online. It's funny.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIf5XvFrBFo" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">This dude</a><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "> either deserves an Academy Award OR puts the "p" in "</span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">pansy</span><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">." You decide.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">On a similar note (and because it is sometimes entertaining to see what makes a child weep), I bring you <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh87njiWTmw&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">this</a>.<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>BEDTIME STORY*</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">*Another estranged addition to the AllMoPs family. In this segment I hook you up with a short story ripe for digestion just before you pass out at night.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cat-soup.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Cat Soup"</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">by Richard Schnelzer</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Found from a site where anyone can "publish" their writings, this is a twisted tale with all manner of mistakes (in terms of grammar and spelling) that I still found wildly entertaining and fascinatingly macabre.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">I already have "Plants vs. Zombies" on my iPhone, Mac and Xbox 360 (bought them in that order). Now I can get it for my Nintendo DS too! The graphics are noticeably worse (with a weaker frame rate too), but "PvZ" will always have some of the best gameplay around. The game has an <a href="http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/605448-plants-vs-zombies/index.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">average rating of 82% on gamerankings.com</a>. Here is <a href="http://ds.ign.com/articles/114/1141366p1.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">IGN's review</a>.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Speaking of Nintendo DS, the next iteration (the Nintendo 3DS) has been given an officially release date! It will be available in the United States on March 27th for $250. At that time all Nintendo fanboys will be able to play as Mario, Link or whoever else they showcase, in 3D! Nintendo is also offering a selection of movies to watch on the handheld device. As they do with anything worth awaiting in gamedom, GameSpot has given the 3DS its own <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/special_feature/nintendo-3ds/intro/index.html?tag=topslot;thumb;1" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">launch center</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT<br /></b><b><br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><u>The Headscratcher</u>: <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/scream4/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Scream 4"</a> is listed as both Horror and Comedy. Few filmmakers can pull off both moods (see Bong Joon Ho's "The Host" for an ambitious picture that managed to do just that). Somehow this looks unintentionally funny and void of scariness. Boo.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/rubber/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Rubber"</a> is about- No. I shant tell. You must see for yourself. When the trailer started I began chanting within myself "Yes... Yes... Yes!" It really is what it is! This could be the "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!" of the new decade! (Hopefully it will be better too!) "Rubber" is officially on my radar... I can hardly wait to see this.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><u>Toss of the Week:</u> I have yet to see a Korean film that I do not admire on multiple facets. I'm already appreciating Chang-dong Lee's <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/poetry/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Poetry"</a> from just beholding the trailer. Realistic films often serve as character studies and are among the most personal creations ever made. I realize some people might be as interested in such films as they are into poetry itself. As for myself, I have dipped into <a href="http://euphratespoems.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">euphrates</a> and I look for others who have their own rivers. Asian cinema continues to astound me.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i> </i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>ENLSITED</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://top-10-list.org/2011/01/22/10-sequels-that-did-not-do-well/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Top 10 Sequels That Did Not Do Well.</a> To clarify, this is in terms of box office grosses.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=35362" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Quentin Tarantino's Top 20 Films of 2010</a>. You may be surprised at his #1. I sure was!<br /><br /><i>THE GOOD</i><br /><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Sundance Film Festival started on the 20th and goes to the 30th. I hope to get up there for at least one of those days (I didn't buy tix in advance so I'll have to Wait List it...) If you live in the Slat Lake City area and love films, take advantage of this great opportunity that only comes once a year (the majority of the events take place in Park City, Utah). Here's the <a href="http://sundance.slated.com/2011/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">film guide</a> for this year's festivities. </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /><i>THE BAD</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Have you heard they are making a "Battleship" movie? Yes. Based on the board game. Have you heard <a href="http://www.movieline.com/2011/01/james-cameron-sinks-universals-battleship.php" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">James Cameron bash the idea</a>? (Note: This part is actually GOOD.)<br /><br /><i>AND THE WEIRD</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Some entries at the aforementioned Sundance Film Festival are certainly making a name for themselves. There are thousands of applicants each year, independent filmmakers all hoping for a shot at getting their film recognized. Sundance is one of the biggest film festivals there is. Of all those applicants, just over 100 got selected to be part of the show. You may wonder why <a href="http://sundance.slated.com/2011/films/hobowithashotgun_sundance2011" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Hobo with a Shotgun"</a> is one of them. Another intriguing entry is "The Nine Muses," which has been labeled as a "documentary essay." Few people love docs, even fewer people love essays. I follow Jeff Goldsmith on Facebook and occasionally listen to his podcast (<a href="http://www.creativescreenwriting.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Creative Screenwriting</a>). It was his comments on "The Nine Muses" that brought the film into my existence. He claimed it was "not a film" (an "art exhibit" rather) and admitted it was the third film he's walked out of in seven year. That's saying something from a guy who watches films every single day. This <a href="http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2011/01/20/exclusive_the_nine_muses_trailer_poster_sundance/#" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">article</a> shed some more light on "The Nine Muses" for me. I really like the 3-minute clip on there (again, hooray for poetry!), but do not know how I would feel about watching an hour or two of it.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Clint Eastwood will not have a film coming out in 2011. Instead, he is busy working on two slated for 2012 releases. The first is a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1616195/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">biopic on J. Edgar Hoover</a>, starring Leo DiCaprio as the gay and rumored cross dresser FBI director. The second is a <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/exclusive-clint-eastwood-to-direct-beyonce-in-musical-version-of-a-star-is-born/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">third remake</a> of the 1937 film, "A Star is Born." It stars Beyonce. Eastwood is doing a musical folks.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>KEEPIN' IT SHORT</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpBkc2jK-6w" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Bambi vs. Godzilla"</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Made by Marv Newland</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Enjoy.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Charming lizards! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Go dance in the sun this weekend and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span></span></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-50670964110377761052011-01-11T17:01:00.001-08:002011-01-11T17:01:06.399-08:00AllMoPs 18<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 18 (1.9.2011)</span><br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br />How is your year going so far?<br /><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjsXo9l6I8" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z (feat. Alicia Keys)</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Finally discovered this song and dig it a great deal. What a swell tribute to New York City! Furthermore, it's refreshing to see a hip-hop MV these days that ISN'T all about girls "dancing" in a club. Nice editing to beats. A collage of life.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>A LIST</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Rolling Stone has been busy making lists lately! (See more in The Film Tome Report.) Here's several music-related ones: <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/30-best-albums-of-2010-20101213" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">30 Best Albums of 2010</a>, <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-songs-of-2010-20101214" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">50 Best Songs of 2010</a>, <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-artists-of-all-time-19691231" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">100 Greatest Artists of All Time</a>, and <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">500 Greatest Albums of All Time</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>* * *</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>NEWS TO ME</b><br /><br />Have you heard about the hobo with the golden voice? Better question, have you heard said voice? Here's <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/offbeat/2011/01/04/moos.magic.voice.cnn" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">CNN's coverage</a>. Here's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTysXITBCmk" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">off-news documentation</a>. I hope this guy gets his own podcast!<br /><b><br />* * *<br /><br />MONKEY DO</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Have you ever seen a baby mandrill? Well, if you're in Lansing anytime soon be sure to stop by the Potter Park Zoo and check one out. Or you could just look <a href="http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110106/NEWS01/101060325/1001/NEWS" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">here</a>. Or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adpHTctmio0" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">here</a>.<br /><br /><b>* * *</b><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_N_rjkdcKU&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">This</a> just might be the most intense video on the world wide web.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT<br /></b><b><br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><u>The Head-Scratcher*:</u> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">*Formally know as "The 'Okay...'".</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">"African Cats" is currently one of the few films I'm looking forward to in 2011. (Besides "The Tree of Life" and "Cowboys and Aliens," there are not many films I'm excited about. Many people thought 2010 was a dry spell for great cinema, a preposterous notion IMHO, 2011 looks nowhere as good.) Imagine my surprise (which shouldn't be hard as you may be surprised yourself) when I heard news of <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/thelastlions/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The Last Lions."</a> This is ANOTHER nature documentary about lions in Africa! I refuse to believe this was all coincidental. "The Last Lions" is narrated by Jeremy Irons and comes a whole two months before "African Cats," but may not be receiving as wide a release. Both films look gorgeous and will provide an interesting compare-and-contrast study later this year.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">The Simon Pegg and Nick Frost duo beats just about any other. Case in point: "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz." Perhaps it was the lack of their dynamic-ness that made Edgar Wright's latest, "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," feel so empty. The duo return (without Wright's direction) in <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/paul/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Paul."</a> A lot of it looks lame, but I'm hopeful.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">With a tagline like "Stay in the light" you know you're getting something different with <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/vanishingon7thstreet/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Vanishing on 7th Street."</a> (Make sure you select the trailer.) The trailer is far from subtle and shows FAR TOO MUCH for my liking. There are teasers and there are trailers, then there are revealers (like this). Are there any scary moments in the film this trailer doesn't showcase? Directed by Brad Anderson (who did "The Machinist") and starring Hayden Christensen who you all loved in the lesser "Star Wars" trilogy. Hard to tell if this will rise or fail.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Two more docs: Go green with <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/thelastmountain/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The Last Mountain"</a> and get blown away by <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/tornadoalley/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Tornado Alley."</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><u>Toss of the Week:</u> Maybe I was scared I would get beat up or perhaps this really is what I've been looking for, either way <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/strongman/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Strong Man"</a> is my top pick from the blooming trailers this week. I love character studies and slice-of-life pieces. This looks to deliver truth and a lot of heart.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>ENLSITED<br /></i><br />Here's Rolling Stone's <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/10-best-movies-of-2010-20101216" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">10 Best Movies of 2010</a> (no surprise what number one is... it seems to be topping everyone's list). Also, here is their <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/10-worst-movies-of-2010-20101216" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">10 Worst Movies of 2010</a> (the four of which I saw I quite liked...).<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>KEEPIN' IT SHORT</i><br /><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/10149605" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Logorama</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://vimeo.com/10149605" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); "></a>Directed by <span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; ">François Alaux, </span>Hervé de Crécy and Ludovic Houplain<br /><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">This 16-minute animated film won an Academy Award last year. It looks like a lot of work and lot of asking for permission... the concept is superb!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Finicky porcupine! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Jazz up your January and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-69412680459215058842011-01-01T22:54:00.001-08:002011-01-01T22:54:34.213-08:00AllMoPs 17<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 17 (1.1.2011)</span>
<br /><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Happy New Year! Please excuse the AllMoPs hiatus. After finishing finals I took a vacation from many-a-thing, including my "weekly informing and recommending email" duties. It has been a couple of weeks since Issue 16, but I am here to bring in the New Year with plenty of cheer. Merrymake.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cud_k9f6tqk" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Rabbit In Your Headlights" - Unkle</a></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">The new year deserves one of the greatest music videos of all time. Watch it to the end and then ponder. </div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT
<br /></b><b>
<br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">A near-death experience has made Tom Shadyac (director of several Jim Carrey comedies such as "Bruce Almighty") want to make a documentary about human life. The trailer for <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/iam/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"I Am"</a> starts off looking like something we've seen before, but by the end, I'm not too sure.</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/waterforelephants/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Water For Elephants"</a> - Based on the bestselling novel, this one looks great. Christoph Waltz (who totally deserved his Oscar last year) and Reese Witherspoon are bound to deliver great performances. Robert Pattinson (forever known as Edward) also looks tremendously capable in his role. It looks very pretty and seems dramatic enough. On any other week this would've garnered my toss.</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><u>Toss of the Week:</u> Terrence Malick makes about one film per decade. Nearly each one makes my list of favorite films per decade. <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/thetreeoflife/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"The Tree of Life"</a> looks to be no exception. The stunning visuals (praise be given to one of my favorite cinematographers, Emmanuel Lubezki) and the poetic monologue thoughts (a Malick staple) are the best of this form. Brad Pitt (who I'll defend to the end as a great actor) and Sean Penn star. This is going to be one heavy-hitter! I am predicting the best of 2011 right here. May 27th.</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><i>ENLSITED</i></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">With the end of the year we get many critic's Top Ten of the Year lists. Check out two of the most well-known's: <a href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2010/12/the_best_feature_films_of_2010.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Roger Ebert</a> and <a href="http://www.richardroeper.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Richard Roeper</a>.
<br /><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><i>KEEPIN' IT SHORT</i></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1DvsQ3pF5Y" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Maestro"</a></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">Directed by Geza M. Toth</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">Nominated for an Academy Award back in 2005. You won't know why unless you watch to the end (seems to be a theme this issue). Very amusing!</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">Flying hamsters! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Hope you are having a great year so far, thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-87056312187872684432010-12-19T09:21:00.001-08:002010-12-19T09:21:49.604-08:00AllMoPs 16<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-large;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-large;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-large;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-large;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-large;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; "><div>All Manner of Plugs: Issue 16 (12.11.2010)</div></span><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">How ya doin'? Thanks for doin' what ya do. You're welcome for doin' what I do. Let's both just keep doin' what we doin'. Dude.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Firstly, I want to thank my sister Mandy who gave both <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">AllMoPs</a> and <a href="http://thefilmtome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">The Film Tome</a> a snazzy makeover, including original designs for each blog's title. This is the start for better and better. Thanks sis!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-epKP6YfNc" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Dynamite" - Today Show</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Remember last week when I featured the a cappella covers of "Dynamite"? Well, here's yet another version by the lovable hosts of the Today Show (as part of their "Today Goes Viral" series). It's surprisingly good and just all around light-hearted fun. Al Rocker is the bee's knees! It's worth mentioning that Mike Tompkins help them pull this off. Check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLlkalWTo1M&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">the making of this video</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>A LIST*</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">*My love for lists marches on with this new addition to AllMoPs.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Each year Time magazine unveils their list of the best photos of the year that graced their pages. <a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2036245,00.html?hpt=C2" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">2010</a>. </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>* * *</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>NEWS TO ME</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Think Nativity programs at the local church are a safe and harmless activity? Watch <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/12/10/belief.blog.camel.falls.into.crowd.cnn?hpt=C2" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">this</a> and think again.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br />* * *
<br />
<br />MONKEY DO
<br />
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Late Monday night a baby orangutan was born, a welcome addition to the Melbourne Zoo. See <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/zoo-welcomes-baby-orangutan-20101208-18p53.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">attached story</a>for an adorably silly pic.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br />* * *
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b>If this unsettling video does not exhort you to keep both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel, I don't know what will. It is disturbing. It is dramatic. It is quite beautiful. I apologize for the poor quality, it is the best I could find. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1sQTPMnyNo" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Please drive safe.</a>
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">"Pac-Man Championship Edition DX" is getting a lot of love. I really wanted to know why and after just watching 3-minutes of gameplay during <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/pacmanchampionshipeditiondx/video/6284354" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Gamespot's video review</a> I think I do know. Can't wait to try this one for myself! It has totally reinvented the classic "Pac-Man" in a welcome way. The game currently boasts a <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/pac-man-championship-edition-dx" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">95% on Metacritic</a>. It's available for download on Xbox 360 and PS3.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT
<br /></b><b>
<br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i>
<br />
<br />The third trailer for <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/tronlegacy/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Tron: Legacy"</a> came out a month ago. This link will take you to them and a few clips Disney has released. The trailers make this film look like the coolest thing since "Inception." However, the clips (especially the one with Castor) left me worried, especially about the dialogue. Might we have another "Avatar" on our hands? A gorgeous film with spectacular special effects and exciting action sequences, but a script in need of work (namely the spoken word). "Tron: Legacy" comes out next week.
<br />
<br /><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/transformersdarkofthemoon/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"</a> has an interesting trailer until we actually see the transformer. At that point all excitement left me. I've seen the first and frankly, that was enough. Again, special effects do not make a movie... they make tech demos.
<br />
<br />You've been forewarned, the second and latest trailer for <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/rio/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Rio"</a> decreased my eagerness to see it. It is a little distracting to have who I now associate as Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) voice the main bird. On top of that, movie trailer man rattles off a bunch of other famous people who have donated their voices to the cause. That's dandy and all, but that's not necessarily going to make a fine flick. The narrative will, which has a good enough premise. The animation looks very nice, but that's not hard to come by these days.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">If a baby orangutan wasn't enough... <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/nenette/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Nenette"</a> is a 40-year-old orangutan! She is the oldest resident in a Paris zoo. That could be a fascinating premise of a new Pixar film, but it's not. It is a documentary, but it still looks fascinating! This brings back memories of "Koko: A Talking Gorilla," another primate-y documentary (from 1978) that I love.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Add some testosterone to your weekend with the first trailer for <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810026342/video/23447610" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Thor."</a> This superhero's backstory is especially unique. Anthony Hopkins (who plays Odin) looks great with more hair than ever! Kenneth Branagh, yes, Kenneth Branagh, directs.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">None of these trailers left my jaw dropped or mind bewildered. So, no awards this week.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>ENLISITED</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Stephen King likes putting his <i>Top 10 Films of the Year</i> list out early. He says he considers the years from November to November. He is a compelling writer and this is a compelling list (<a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20446799,00.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">his Top 10 Films of 2010</a>).
<br />
<br /><i>THE GOOD</i>
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<br />This is good news to me because, unlike many humans, I thoroughly enjoyed each installment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy. They were entertaining movies, each with its own grandiose set-pieces. Johnny Depp's performance was a revelation and the antagonists in each film delivered brilliant performances. The stories were wild adventures on the high seas, set against a historical era, but steeped in mythologies. I deem the trilogy a huge success. It is with this forward that I share with you some <a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3750134784/tt1298650" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">production stills</a> from the fourth installment "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." The film is due May 20th and I am optimistic again for one of the better series coming out of Hollywood's gates. the brilliance of Depp and Geoffery Rush (who is making a splash this year with his performance in "The King's Speech") return with some new faces. The biggest change is the man in the director's chair: Gore Verbinski has been replaces with Rob Marshall ("Chicago" and "Memoirs of a Geisha"). Does that mean we can expect a few musical numbers? Bring it on! I'm guessing we can look forward to a trailer in the next or month or so.
<br />
<br /><i>THE BAD</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i></i>I was looking VERY forward to the new Farrelly Brothers film, "The Three Stooges." Unfortunately the three wonderful leads they had casted (Jim Carrey, Sean Penn, and Benecio Del Toro) all jumped ship. I easily imagined the greatness that trio would deliver... Well, the Farrellys aren't giving up. They are looking to cast three new stooges. JoBlo.com covers the story in <a href="http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=35038" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">their humorous "Cast This" segment</a>.
<br />
<br /><i>AND THE WEIRD</i>
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<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Emma Stone (from "Zombieland" and "Easy A") is staring as Peter Parker's initial love interest, Gwen Stacy, in the "Spider-Man" reboot. <a href="http://justjared.buzznet.com/2010/12/09/emma-stone-spider-man-first-look/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Proof</a>. The role was played quite well by Bryce Dallas Howard in the "old" one. It still leaves me scratching my head that we're getting an all new "Spider-Man" film franchise this soon... Do you know the other roles? Andrew Garfield (Eduardo in "The Social Network") is the main man. Martin Sheen is Uncle Ben. Sally Field as Aunt May. Rhys Ifans (?) is going to play the first villain, The Lizard. Of course, his character was once a doctor. Marc Webb (who was pointed out to me as having a fitting last name) snags this as his second feature directing (after "(500) Days of Summer").</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>KEEPIN' IT SHORT</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5MdFdAe_JY&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Sisyphus"</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">This is a powerful animated short. An interesting and inspiring take on the Greek myth.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Fluffy moose! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Keep it chill and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-55867970140134396072010-12-05T22:24:00.001-08:002010-12-05T22:24:22.460-08:00AllMoPs 15<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 15 (12.5.2010)</span><br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Dear one, dear all! Hope y'all had a fabulous Thanksgiving ("And I'm thankful! Are you thankful?") week. You may or may not have noticed that AllMoPs took a well-deserved break last week. Well, we're back now with plugs-a-plenty! Merrymake.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">We got a triple-feature up in here! Raise doz handz 'n keep 'em up!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjCLQaTFXx0" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Dynamite" - Mike Tompkins</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Tompkin's deserves a Grammy for this. The boy's done an a cappella cover Taio Cruz's "Dynamite." He performs every vocal version of various instruments himself. Make sure you watch till the end when it breaks each sound down. An incredible song and production. This is a one-man-show that's going down in the history books fo sho. </span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJCSR4MuhU" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Candlelight" - The Maccabeats</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">A Jewish a cappella group in NY has done a parody of Tompkin's work. That's right, this is a variation on a variation. Some nice Jewish twists here... "spin the dreeeeeeeeeidel" is gonna be the new catchphrase on the streets folks. Eat it up!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfBlUQguvyw" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Hibi no neiro" - SOUR</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">The multiple PIPs (picture-in-picture) MV format reminded me of this gem by SOUR. This has been in my mind ever since I first saw it (thanks to Lyvia, my TMA 102 TA). The song itself is nothing to write home about, but the genius of multiple web-cam interactions is required viewing. Just imagining trying to plan this gives me a headache... Props SOUR & Co. for making one of the neatest MVs I've ever seen.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br />* * *<br /><br />MONKEY DO<br /><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Did you know there is an Annual Monkey Festival in Thailand. Thousands of chimps are presented to a feast with over 3 tons of food, while hundreds humans watch. I hope to witness the festivities for myself someday. Story (with video and pics) <a href="http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2010/nov/29/thailand-celebrates-annual-monkey-festival-ar-575934/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">here</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br />* * *<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Okay. Trust me on this. Plug in your headphones and listen to <a href="http://extra.listverse.com/amazon/audioillusions/virtualhaircut.mp3" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">this</a>. (Thanks Nancy!)</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT<br /></b><b><br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">I remember hearing word about this on the web months ago... I was thrilled to stumble upon the trailer just now. <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/summit/thebeaver/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The Beaver"</a> stars Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster. The film is directed by the latter. It's hard to take the film's ridiculous premise, subject matter, and namesake seriously, but the makers ain't kidding when they declare "Genre: Drama." Something like this is easier to swallow having seen "Lars and the Real Girl," a nice small film (like "The Beaver") about a guy who overcome's personal problems and mental illness through a relationship with a doll. Like a heist plan hatched in a "Ocean's"-movie, this just might be crazy enough to work. It's good to see Gibson again.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Speaking of the "Ocean's" series... here is a doc from the mastermind (Steven Soderbergh) behind the remake and its welcomed sequels: <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/andeverythingisgoingfine/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"And Everything is Going Fine."</a> This is a tribute for and about Spalding Gray, a zealous storyteller. All who tell stories can find something of interest herein. This came as a pleasant surprise.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/marsneedsmoms/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Mars Needs Moms."</a> If you say so. This CGI-adventure from Disney is one of the most realistic looking computer animations I have ever seen. I just hope the narrative and innovations can match the visual detail.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Another good-looking CG-animated feature. This one is appropriately due come Spring. You see, <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/hop/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Hop"</a> is about the Easter Bunny. It comes from the studio behind "Despicable Me," a film I thought I'd deplore and actually quite liked. (Isn't that bunny playing "The Song" by Blur?)</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><u>Toss of the Week:</u> Did you know Earth Day was April 22nd? Well, now we both do. I've missed Disneynature's previous Earth Day releases ("Earth" and "Oceans"), but I'm putting <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/africancats/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"African Cats"</a> on my calender. I've still yet to catch up with the "Planet Earth" series and the aforementioned Disneynature features, but believe I love love love nature docs. "African Cats" looks astounding. Cinematography and documentation at its finest. I'm thrilled!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>KEEPIN' IT SHORT*</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">*In this all-new segment within "The Film Tome Report," I will be delivering a short film for your consideration.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-1aui-wluE" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The Life and Death of a Pumpkin"</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Directed by Aaron Yonda</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">This humorous and clever bit won Best Short Film and Best Concept at the Chicago Horror Film Festival in 2006. I thoroughly enjoy perspective pieces like this. On a somewhat related note, "The Bottle Neck" by Hans Christian Anderson is a personal favorite.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Chubby wombats! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Start making the best of the last month of this new decade and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-41443197742714910832010-11-21T22:40:00.001-08:002010-11-21T22:40:31.735-08:00AllMoPs 14<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 14 (11.21.2010)</span><br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">I'm home this weekend (and next) for Thanksgiving and feel I'm entitled to a sort of vacation. That doesn't mean I'm taking two weeks off from AllMoPs, no siree! Just that I'm giving you a little morsel this time and we'll just have to see about Thanksgiving weekend.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMCJaH_zwyk" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Thankful" - Baron Mak McLean</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">O the fruits of YouTube searches! I think "And I'm thankful! Are your thankful?" will be rotating like a broken record in my mind forever more. Tis the season boys! Props to their choreographer, I'm thankful.</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>* * *<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Here are some interesting compilations of the "Luckiest Guys in the World." <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ_SlRA0b7k&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">One</a> and then <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X6LtdBcdzo&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">another</a>. </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT<br /></b><b><br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Consider <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/borntobewild/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Born To Be Wild"</a> my MONKEY DO this week. A nature doc about an orphan elephant and an orphan chimp. Look gorgeously photographed. Who would you get to narrate? Morgan Freeman, number one answer.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Pixar has now released a trailer that actually tells us something about <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/cars2/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Cars 2."</a> It looks very nice, but I'm actually not all that excited for it.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">"The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" is one of my most beloved film. Well, now Walt Disney Animation Studios is reviving the property with the simply named <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/winniethepooh/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Winnie the Pooh."</a> The animation is almost too clean, the voice changes are jarring, and, aside from a nice montage of possible new tails for Eeyore, I was pretty uninterested. Still, gotta be hopeful for something so cherished eh?</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">The special effects in <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/greenlantern/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Green Lantern"</a> are worth seeing. I know nothing about this superhero, but I'm willing to give it a chance next summer.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">My mother and sister ever ask about <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/thechroniclesofnarniathevoyageofthedawntreader/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader."</a> It's hard to pick a favorite of the brilliant "Chronicles" series penned by C.S. Lewis, but this one would definitely be considered. Here's the latest trailer! It comes out in less than a month (Dec. 10th).</div><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div><br /></div><div><u>The "Okay...":</u> Can you count all the similarities <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/redridinghood/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Red Riding Hood"</a> has with "Twilight"? Good grief. I'll say no thank you now, but predict I'll somehow someday get caught up with this one.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Toss of the Week:</u> <i><span style="font-style: normal; ">Vampires, zombies and aliens! Oh my! Yes... these three are all the rage these days. I've got yet another alien flick to make you aware of, but this time I couldn't be happier. Based on a comic book (of course!) of the same name, </span><span style="font-style: normal; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/cowboysaliens/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Cowboys & Aliens"</a></span><span style="font-style: normal; "> looks possibly too cool. Last month Rockstar proved that adding zombies to the Western genre was a stroke of brilliance with the "Undead Nightmare" expansion to this year's best video game, "Red Dead Redemption". To me, inserting aliens instead could be just as good. An impressive and exciting preview to say the least! Next summer can't come soon enough now. It is a wonderful sight to see Harrison Ford don a cowboy hat again.</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>* * * </div><div><br /></div><div><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Peevish armadillo! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Be thankful and thanks for plugging in!</div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div></span></span></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-35811538007637247202010-11-14T21:08:00.001-08:002010-11-14T21:08:57.458-08:00AllMoPs 13<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 13 (11.14.2010)</span>
<br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly informing and recommending email</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Thirteen has long been my lucky number. Perhaps it is because it has been cast off by the masses, left alone to earn a following. Was it out of pity I embraced what many label "unlucky"? Either way, I've claimed it. It has been a friend to me. It's a dozen and then one (bakers alert). I am primarily drawn by even and sturdy numbers (usually those divisible by five), so it is curious how my relationship with 13 even began. Truth be told, I know not from whence it came.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Welcome to Issue 13 today. November 13th was yesterday. Someone somewhere is turning 13 tomorrow. That's all I got. Merrymake!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">"Wasting My Life" - The Hippos</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">So, he falls in love with an amoeba? This is a fine piece from one of the few ska bands I know (ska: punk with a trumpet?). Definitely not making my Music Video Hall of Fame or anything, but it is a decent vision of a to-the-point song. </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br />* * *
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">The time for reckoning has come! There are those who have seen <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Battle at Kruger"</a> and those who have not. Now is the chance to make sure you fall in the former camp. This is one of the greatest things a camera has ever captured.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">On Monday IGN posted <a href="http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1048874p1.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"The Top 25 Wii Games."</a> I personally haven't spent near as much time with Nintendo's darling as I would like, but have mixed feelings concerning the system as a whole (mainly dealing with the pros and cons of the WiiMote and how such a method of gaming can either delight or infuriate). I've had a lot of fun with the Wii and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_mickey" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Epic Mickey"</a> (coming out November 30th) looks to be the killer app in my mind.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT
<br /></b><b>
<br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Earlier this year I put the UFO spotlight on two alien films. "Skyline" just came out and is only fairing so-so at the box office. Not sure if "Monsters" is going to get a wide release. Well, TWO MORE alien films are now landing! <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/seresgenesis/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Seres: Genesis"</a> is a Mexican invasion film. It looks disturbingly cool. <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/battlelosangeles/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Battle: Los Angeles,"</a> Hollywood's entry, looks just plain cool. (Count how many times we see a spacecraft zoom by overhead.) This film further proves at least one thing: If you need a macho female marine you have to cast Michelle Rodriguez (of "Lost" fame).</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/magnolia/allgoodthings/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"All Good Things"</a> come to an end? Starts off quite chill, but gets quite intense. Again, a reveal I wished I didn't know until I was in the theater. Regardless, this one looks quite effective. Hooray for the under appreciated and largely unknown Philip Baker Hall (he's seen in the trailer for a split second). </span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/seasonofthewitch/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Season of the Witch"</a> is a pleasant surprise. From what I could dig up, this is an original IP and I consider that absolutely marvelous. Hollywood is becoming infamous for its remakes (Their thinking is such: "If it was made here over 25 years ago, it needs an update. If it was made in another country last year and was any good, it needs an American version so we don't have to read subtitles.") and franchises (Their thinking is such: "If the first was any good and made bank, make another."), so it is like unto seeing sunlight through darkening clouds when a novel idea comes around. Besides that, it's a little known fact that I am a sucker for the medieval-era fantasy flings. A CGI bombast to be sure, but I have high hopes for this one. Oh yeah, this stars Nick Cage.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">More olden-timed drama and warfare for my queue! <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/theeagle/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"The Eagle"</a> is yet another example of how key plot twists are so often spoiled in trailers (see "All Good Things"). Still, looks like nothing narratively innovative here. A plus for some good-looking battle scenes.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Is this a documentary? That I even have to seriously ask is a huge measure of success for <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/youwontmissme/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"You Won't Miss Me."</a> Naturalistic filmmaking has always had a lasting effect on me. Perhaps it will on you too. Taking a stab at real life and aiming to touch each of us in one way or another... these types of projects are bold.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/dreamworks/kungfupanda2/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Kung Fu Panda 2"</a> of course. It even sounds great! I was amazed when the ending credits began to roll on the first "Kung Fu Panda." Amazed that I finally finished watching it after several attempts. Amazed how much I genuinely liked an American, non-Pixar, CG-animated feature film. And amazed at the celebrity ensemble involved for delivering the voices. Jack Black was certainly clear, but I had no idea the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan and Seth Rogen. Sure, it's fun, but not at all necessary. I can't help but think how much of the budget was spent on voices of the famous. Anyways, I'm all for another fun-filled adventure with Po and the gang (what grand action scenes the first one had!).</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1465030937/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"The Way Back"</a> is the latest from one of the greatest, Peter Weir. Another POW-escape adventure! (I highly recommend Herzog's "Rescue Dawn.") It seems we've struck a definite theme of "trailers that give away the story" today. Y'know, I think most are like that... I'm just particularly sensitive to the offense today. In truth, I stopped watching this one just over halfway through because I didn't want to know any more. I look forward to seeing this one!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Another trailer for "Little Fockers" has emerged. Notice the lack of a link. Notice my disapproval. Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman are amazing actors, but this is an insult to them. "Meet the Parents" was good enough, but should not have received any return (especially not a second time).</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Departing jaguars! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available on my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Have a lucky day and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-58652906655691961172010-11-07T20:04:00.002-08:002010-11-14T21:09:36.949-08:00AllMoPs 12<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-large;">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 12 (11.4.2010)</span>
<br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly recommendations and information email
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
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<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b>Feelin' good? Feelin' great? Another condensed yet hearty helping in the <i>Film Tome Report</i> this week. In <i>Gamerain</i> we shine the spotlight on Kinect, which hit store shelves today (though they may be all sold out). And then some of the usual chords... rock on!
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<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPhnOKmhbBw" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Ocean Breathes Salty" - Modest Mouse</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">I love this song and am ecstatic about the artsy and creative treatment it has received in music video form. It is youthful in it aspirations and imagination. Check it.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
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<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>NEWS TO ME</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">You've heard the dangers of texting and driving... well, <a href="http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/11/04/5408070-man-reads-book-kindle-answers-phone-while-driving" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">this guy</a> is just a menace to society!
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<br /><b>* * *</b>
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<br /><b>MONKEY DO</b>
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<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Jackson is a mandrill and some people think he's impolite, though he really is not. Read why <a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/845729-cheeky-monkey-cannot-help-showing-the-finger-to-visitors-at-his-zoo" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">here</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
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<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Imagine you live in a costal community and some beached whale carcass is stinking up the joint. Some of the townspeople get together and toss around ideas for removing the blubbery thing. As an anxious conversation takes place you lean behind someone's back and shout, "Let's blow it up!" You were just having a spot of fun of course, but the council immediately goes silent. The next minute is filled with excited chatter and nodding heads. They've taken your brilliant idea seriously! You try to explain it was just a joke, but it's no use. Someone has already ran off to get the dynamite! The only thing you can do now is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkZottYDpEE" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">watch</a>.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
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<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>GAMERAIN
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<br />Microsoft's <a href="http://www.xbox.com/en-US/kinect" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Kinect</a> came out today. For those who haven't the foggiest, this is Xbox 360's answer to the Wii (on a similar note Playstation 3 is getting its Move on, I didn't even know it was already out... don't care though, yes, I'm biased), meaning a retro innovation of how gameplay is controlled. However, Microsoft was not just thinking of how to copy the WiiMote (unlike Sony, which may or may not prove to be a wise choice), they wanted to take gameplay to the next level. Why renovate the controller when the technology is available to scrap the controller all together? You use your body (mainly your hands) and your voice to interact with software. It's been announced for years and ever since then tech and game demos have been leaking out.
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<br />Up to this point the unbiased consensus among gamers has seemed to be, "Cool enough, but where is the killer app?" The original Xbox had "Halo" at launch (can any system ever beat such a way to come out of the gate?). The 360 had "Call of Duty 2," "Kameo," and "Condemned: Criminal Origins." Kinect has... "Kinectimals"? This is a horrifically cheesy and altogether misleading name for the game. It should have just been "Kats" if you ask me (for the only animals featured are those in the feline family). Regardless, that is somehow the game that looks most appealing to me. You get an adorable tiger cub to frolic and play with! Think "the next generation of Giga Pets" or just remember the underrated "Hey You Pikachu!" (a secret relish of mine). I believe the target audience for this game is little girls age 6-12. So, is that saying something about me or the choice of games available? Probably both. It is for this reason (lack of <i>enough</i> compelling software for this gamer) that I didn't shell out $150 to have the device on Day 1 (today). That said, I still want to get my hands on "Kinectimals"! What other "games"? There are a couple fitness titles, "Dance Central," and of course a "WiiSports"-knockoff. When you buy Kinect it comes with
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<br />Overall, the features are appealing. I think it would be radical to commandeer my 360 Dashboard just by moving and rotating my hands or to walk into my living room and say, "Xbox on. Netflix. Play 'The Office,' season 3, episode 14." Okay, I KNOW it would be killa! Remember that opening scene in "Minority Report" where Cruise cycles through menus on a monitor with his hands? That was sci-fi eight years ago, now you can buy it for your living room... There is a minus to this plus however. When utilizing this technology, especially when "playing games," you are at an incredibly high risk of looking like a buffoon. Picture a person jumping, squating and massaging the air in front of their TV for an hour straight to get an idea.
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<br />There was an embargo on journalists and video game reviewers alike, which forbade any reviews/critiques about the games or technology itself releasing until today. Another reason for adding weight on previous decision to not pre-order Kinect. So, this morning, one of the first I things I did at a computer was head over to GameSpot and watch their <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/kinectimals/video/6283513/kinectimals-video-review" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">video review for "Kinectimals."</a> (Watch Kevin's review and you'll see what I mean by looking like a fool.) Again, stupid name, adorable game. They gave it a 7.5/10 which they deem "Good." If Kinect greatly interests you, I recommend reading the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/special_feature/reactions-kinect/image-feature/index.html?image=1" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Gut Reactions: Kinect"</a> from the Editors on GameSpot.
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<br />Other reception: IGN gave <a href="http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/113/1132366p1.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Dance Central"</a> and <a href="http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/113/1132319p1.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Kinect Sports"</a> 8/10s labeling them "impressive," and <a href="http://gear.ign.com/articles/113/1132213p1.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">gave the technology itself a 7.5/10</a>.
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<br />You can be sure Gamerain will keep you Kinect-ed to any developments.
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<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT</b><i>
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<br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Gus Van Sant (director of the near-perfect "Good Will Hunting" and the pretty mess that is "Elephant") is back on the scene with<a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/restless/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Restless."</a> Nice enough. The guy and girl look a lot alike. Huh.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Zack Snyder is a director who you never know what to expect with. His 2004 remake of "Dawn of the Dead" is still a favorite of mine, but "300" proved to be a bitter disappointment overall. Earlier this year he unleashed "Legend of the Guardians" (AKA "that CGI-owl flick") on us. Well, Snyder will strike again in the first quarter of next year with <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/suckerpunch/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Sucker Punch."</a> This looks like utter eye-candy, but sounds so lame (just listen to authoritative man tell the girl about the "five things"... are you serious?).
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<br />Tyler Perry, who I know little about and whose films I know little about, has a new thing: <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/forcoloredgirls/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"For Colored Girls."</a> Something tells me I may not be the target demographic here... This looks more in the vein of "Precious" than say the likes of "Why Did I Get Married?" The trailer came out back in September, but a new clip was released last week. I recommend the trailer, not the clip. I'm shocked to say this looks quite good! I dig the stylish introducing of the cast. Anytime I get a "magnolia"-vibe, as I did here, it should be duly noted.
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<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">I haven't seen either of the "Ong Bak"s (martial-arts extravaganzas <wbr>from Thailand), but have always wanted to. </span></span><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/ongbak3/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; ">"Ong Bak 3"</a><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "> looks like more of the same. Translation: AWESOME!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/regresa/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Regresa"</a> looks like sweet nuts! By that I mean a sentimental flick that gets a little crazy... Beware </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><u>The "Okay..."</u>: Two jolly films about old Saint Nick. <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/navidadsa/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Navidad S.A."</a> looks intriguing and befuddling. If that one isn't to your liking Santa Clause is also coming to town... on a murder spree! Some Finnish filmmakers thought this was good idea? Would you open <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/rareexportsachristmastale/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale"</a><span></span><span></span> or ask your friend if he still has the receipt?</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /><i>NEW IN THEATERS</i></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">127 Hours* - 94%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Due Date - 41%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">For Colored Girls - 33%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Megamind - 66%</span></span></li></ul>
<br /><i style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">NEW IN STORES</i>
<br /></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Centurion - 56%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Going the Distance - 52%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Toy Story 3 - 99%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Winnebago Man - 90%</span></span></li></ul></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Tarnished muscular! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Start making your holiday plans and thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-75360182086800933662010-10-31T22:39:00.001-07:002010-10-31T22:39:05.009-07:00AllMoPs 11<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 11 (10.31.2010)</span><br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly recommendations email</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Happy Halloween everyone! Hope you had a safe and festive holiday weekend. Another quick last hour edition of your favorite weekly recommendations email (maybe?) to keep that midnight oil burning. </span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnGdoEa1tPg&ob=av2n" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Lonely Day" - System of a Down</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Quite possibly System's most mellow tune. Beautifully shot, nearly all in slo-mo, and no doubt symbolic... What think ye?</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br />* * *<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTM0L9aMenU&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Wow.</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">OPRAH! Maybe that got someone's attention... hopefully someone who usually skips over this section of AllMoPs. Oprah sent a thunderbolt in the gamerain when she announced each adult woman in her studio audience would be receiving a XBOX 360 w/ Kinect (it comes out Tuesday and you really ought to know what it is). <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdd9kClR_Tg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Here</a> is the clip from a recent "Oprah." (For whatever reason I couldn't find a decent one with synched audio.) Lots to point out here: Oprah's mispronunciation of the product itself, her awkward raving ("It's your ENTIRE BODY... CONTROLLING... THE VIDEO GAMES... okay?"), and the ridiculous audience reaction. What a show!</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">You really must behold these astonishing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGXZ2VKRpwk" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">ten minutes of gameplay footage</a> for "Bioshock: Infinite." Sure, full of scripted events, but still, when they look this good and feature gameplay that works well, I won't complain a bit. I have only played a demo of the first, which was absolutely amazing. Again, this game isn't coming out till 2012, so I've got plenty of time play through the first two. "Bioshock: Infinite" is pretty different from the first two (or so I hear).</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">"Fable 3" debuted in retail on Tuesday with an impressive <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/fable-iii" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">81% on Metacritic</a>. Here's a <a href="http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/editors-choice-gallery/fable-iii-0" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">particularly praising review</a> from Official Xbox Magazine. </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT</b><i><br /></i><b><br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">"The Descent" - the crazy creatures = <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/sanctum/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Sanctum."</a> Looks pretty enough and interesting enough. Meh. Maybe.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><u>The "Okay..."</u>: <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/paramount/justinbieberneversaynever/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Justin Bieber: Never Say Never."</a> I'm very oblivious to the kid, but props to him never giving up... wait... he's only 16...</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Nothing I'm leaving my lasso around this week folks.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>ENLISTED</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/guides/best_horror_movies_2010/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Top 50 Horror Movies - Rotten Tomatoes</a>: I figured this was appropriate given the season. A lot of people are upset to not find "The Exorcist" on this list. Having yet to see it, I'm not one of them. Couldn't be more pleased with their #1.<br /><br /><i>NEW IN THEATERS</i></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Monsters* - 64%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Saw 3D - 8%</span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; "><br /></span></span></div><i style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">NEW IN STORES</i></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">The Girl Who Played With Fire (</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px; ">Flickan som lekte med elden) - 68%</span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">The Infidel - 62%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Sex and the City 2 - 16%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Winter's Bone - 94%</span></span></li></ul></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Jumpin' Jack-o-Lanterns! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. November now begins... make it a good one. Thanks for plugging in!</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-45797710831145471262010-10-24T20:49:00.001-07:002010-10-24T20:49:15.796-07:00AllMoPs 10<meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 10 (10.24.2010)</span>
<br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>a weekly recommendations email</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Issue number what? That's right... AllMoPs is entering the double-digits. Holla at ya boyz. Another issue-in-the-making with just hours left in the week (cutting back this time where I see fit), but in-the-making nonetheless. Again. Holla at ya boyz. Merrymake.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>MVOTW</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Where is the Love?" - Black Eyed Peas</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">You've heard the song, but have you seen the video? This is one of my favorite diddies of all-time... years ago, when I first saw this video, it sent tingles up and down my spine and then up again. A wonderfully blatant message and an answer to "gangster rap," this is one for the history books kids.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">TRIVIA: Name the video game the kids are playing.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br />MONKEY DO</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Here is proof that open-world video game where you play as a chimp would be suh-weet. Sueko (a 300 pounder) goes on a friendly little rampage in her hometown of Kansas City. Article <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/19/2332892/escaped-chimpanzee-causes-a-ruckus.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">here</a>, make sure you check out both videos.
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<br /><b>* * *</b>
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUer8Dv2HW8" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">HIPPO FIGHT!!!</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">"Fallout: New Vegas," follow-up to the mind-blowing and breath-taking "Fallout 3," hit shelves this Tuesday. Built from the same engine as its critically-acclaimed predecessor, but by a different team this time around (Obsidian instead of the legendary Bethesda), "New Vegas" takes the post-apocalyptic experience to Las Vegas. The game has received a lot of praise with an impressive <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/fallout-new-vegas" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">84% on Metacritic</a> (like Rotten Tomatoes, but for Games, Music, and TV in addition to Movies). The critiques seem to be universally the same: same splendid gameplay and a new and fascinating open-world, but packed to the gills with technical issues (unfortunately glitches galore). Hopefully nothing a few downloadable patched can't take care of, but really... how do they let such a tweaky horse out of the gates? It's a bitter-sweet tale.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">
<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">"Super Meat Boy" has an <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/super-meat-boy" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">outstanding 90% rating</a>! I spent some time with the demo... fun, but very infuriating. It is an arcade-style trial-and-error experience. Interesting enough, but I didn't understand what all the fuss was about. I still dream of "Limbo" (also standing tall with a <a href="http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/limbo" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">90% rep</a>).</span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b> </b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Next week "Fable 3" will rock the house! Any fans out there? You'll eat up the <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/showcases/fable3-lc?tag=promo%3Btitle" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Launch Center</a> (a nice feature they display for the more popular games out there) Gamespot has set up for this one.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>
<br /></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT</b><i>
<br /></i><b>
<br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">The Simon Pegg and Nick Frost duo return! However, this time "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" were easily two of the funniest flicks of last decade. They are returning in February with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3340736793/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Paul,"</a> a comedy with subject matter out of this world.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Apparently what came out last month was not <i>"The Last Exorcism"</i> because come 2011 there is going to be more, this time with Sir Anthony Hopkins in a little freaky picture called <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/therite/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"The Rite."</a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">All hail Pixar! Thus far the practically-perfect-in-every-<wbr>way team has only released sequels to their first and best film ("Toy Story"). It is a strange thing then to hear word of them making <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/cars2/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Cars 2,"</a> a sequel to my least favorite Pixar feature. This lackluster teaser may be the most unimpressive thing I've ever seen to come from their studio. Are times changing?</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><u>Toss of the Week:</u> Generally speaking, losing a child is one of the worst experiences imaginable. <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/rabbithole/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">"Rabbit Hole"</a> is an artsy and gutsy stab at capturing the lives of a couple who had to bury their child. This was easily my top pick for the week.</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>ENLISTED</i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><i>
<br /></i></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/san_diego_comic_con_2010/news/1919534/five_favorite_films_with_tim_burton/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); ">Rotten Tomatoes - "Five Favorite Films with Tim Burton"</a> Pretty self-explanatory. The guy is an absolute visionary. Check out what inspired him!
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<br />NEW IN THEATERS</i></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Hereafter - 51%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Paranormal Activity 2 - 67%</span></span></li></ul></div><div><i style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">NEW IN STORES</i></div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Oceans - 80%</span></span></li><li style="margin-left: 15px; "><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; ">Predators - 63%</span></span></li></ul></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * * </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">
<br /></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; ">Sweet rat monkeys! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Have a splendid new week and thanks for plugging in!</span></p></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">* * *</div></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-25408936589488251182010-10-15T17:38:00.001-07:002010-10-15T17:38:08.607-07:00AllMoPs 9<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; border-collapse: collapse; ">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 9 (10.15.2010)</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div><b>a weekly recommendations email</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PLUG IN<br /><br /></b>This week AllMoPs is firing out of all available canons! All segments I've ever introduced are here this time (and then some; yes, <span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><i>The Film Tome Report</i> grows even more!),</span></span> including<i>Gamerain</i>! It's a wonderful time to bust out the AllMoPs. My only wish is that each of you find something herein to chew on. Keep on chewing.</div><div><br /></div><div>JUST END: Take note of the ultra-exciting news in <i>The Film Tome Report's "The Good."</i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><b>MVOTW</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zJw9varYE" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"WTF?" - OK Go</a></div><div><br /></div><div>OK Go has some of the coolest MVs around. You have all seen "Here It Goes Again" and should have seen their best, "This Too Shall Pass." So that's why I'm endorsing one not a lot of people have seen (only 720K views?! Yeah?! WTF?!). As seems to be their style, this is also a single-shot MV (which incidentally also makes it a long-shot). They do some pretty tricky things with this visual effect... it is a buffet for your retinas!</div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NEWS TO ME<br /><br /></b></div><div>There's a fellow in China who is addicted to eating scorpions... scorpions that are alive! On the plus side, he has developed an immunity to the poisonous creatures. He claims to have consumed over 10,000 scorpions over the past 30 years. I stand impressed (actually, I'm sitting in front of my iMac, but you know what I mean). The origin of his unique custom is quite interesting, <a href="http://www.weirdasianews.com/2010/10/14/scorpioneating-addict-immune-poison/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">read more</a>.</div><div><b><br />* * *<br /><br />MONKEY DO<br /><br /></b></div><div>"Charlie the smoking chimp" (what a title!) passed away earlier this month. This <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39537467/ns/technology_and_science-science/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">article</a> says "of old age." I wonder if smoking had anything to do with it? Then again, Charlie was 52 and had apparently kicked the habit. Rest in peace.</div><div><b><br />* * *<br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>It's very possible you've seen <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ZABV7AQdA" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">this</a> before. The quality sucks, but it is still one of my favorite candid camera pranks of all time. You can do it too! You just need 100 people and a not-so-popular street.</div><div><br /></div><div>These 13 seconds are called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMHaiMzgCNA&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"never scare a black man."</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not entirely sure if Paul Mason is the "World's Fattest Man" (again, what a title!), but he is undoubtedly a large fellow. Watch a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=503TGzrPLYU" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">slice of his life</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you met <a href="http://www.cleverbot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Cleverbot</a>? My roommate introduced me to him/her/it today. It is an AI that learns from real people (which would explain why it is so moronic sometimes). It is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatterbot" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">chatterbot</a> and only lives to chat with humans, so what are you waiting for? The site claims that visitors never talk to a human, which at first I was skeptical about, but after having a few conversations with Cleverbot, I don't find that hard to believe. Here's a real dialogue I had with Cleverbot just hours ago (I am User):</div><div><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">START CHAT</span></div><div><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Good afternoon.</span></div><div><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Good evening.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Evening? What time do you think it is?<br /></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">I know it is 1:13 AM in the middle.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">You're a moron.<br /></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">No you are!</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Nice comeback.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">You are so nice *hugs*.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">*pushes away*.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">*looks surprised* What did I do?</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">You were born.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">You're just jealous, bot.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Jealous of your stupidity? Ha! I don't think so!</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Not quite, jealous of a middle class white woman maybe.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">So, that's what you are?</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">I know you are but what am I?</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">A freaking moron.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Do you really think that?</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">I KNOW that.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">How do you know that for a fact?</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Because your responses are the essence of idiocy.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Well I think my responses are.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">At least we agree on something, moron.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">That's true.</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">User: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">So you admit you're a moron?</span></p><p><span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Cleverbot: </span></span><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Yes. I never told you I wasn't.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">END CHAT</span></p><p>Enlightening eh? Try it out and see if you can have better luck than I did! A link on the page will take you to <a href="http://science.discovery.com/videos/popscis-future-of-cleverbot.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">this interesting video</a> about the future of Cleverbot.</p></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><b>GAMERAIN</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>After a two-week hiatus, <i>Gamerain</i> is back and read to spin all available discs!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYf6mVTIWmg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Arcade Gaming Shrine" - Palette-Swap Ninja</a>: You lucky duckies! This week I've plugged two music videos. I wanted to save this one for Gamerain because it is very much a MV for gamers. I've been following Palette-Swap Ninja for quite some time now. They parody songs in a Weird Al fashion, but all of theirs deal with video games. You may have heard their <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFmtr5SnsWE" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Halo"</a> song (a glorious parody of "Snow" by Red Hot Chili Peppers). "Arcade Gaming Shrine" is an ode to the arcade games of yesteryear. As one line in the lyrics explains, "All these modern games, while they're still fun, future generations should know where they came from." I find this MV a better tribute to arcade video games than a certain overrated film that came out two months ago. Ling live Tapper!</div><div><br /></div><div>"The Sims" would definitely sit comfy on my list of the best video games ever made. I am a sucker for anything medieval-esque. These two statements were tied in a bodacious bow when I learned of <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/thesimsmedieval/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The Sims Medieval"</a> yesterday. I can only imagine how hard satisfying the "hygiene" bar is going to be. It appears to be a standalone game, not one of the myriad expansion packs the series is well-known for releasing. It is scheduled for a Q1 2011 release for your PC or Mac.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another bit of just-plain-awesome news is the latest downloadable content for "Red Dead Redemption." Like "The Sims Medieval," it is a hybrid of two areas I cherish, the western genre and the zombie sub-genre, making for an <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6281942.html?tag=latestheadlines%3Btitle%3B3" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Undead Nightmare Pack."</a> It sounds too good to be true! In two weeks time (Oct. 26th) it will be available on both the Xbox Live Marketplace and the Playstation Store.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just beat "Halo: Reach" this morning. Finally. School was such an interference... what's with that? ;) It is beyond special. The cinematic right before the ending credits should be familiar to "Halo" fans. That's what we saw nearly a decade ago when the saga began. Remember, "Reach" is a prequel. Even though I've conquered through the campaign, there is still a lot of playability left. Online multiplayer has never been better (my new favorite is probably Territories in Big Team Battle) and Forge World is always a tempting way to spend an hour or so. If "Red Dead Redemption" weren't so brilliant I'd be able to declare it as Game of the Year. That said, both games are two of the best I've ever played. Oh yeah, this is <i>All Manner of Plugs</i> huh? I should be plugging something... Have you seen the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L08c3s0JySI" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Halo Reach Mythbusters"</a>? There are several informative episodes available!</div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT<span style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b><b><br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><i><span style="font-style: normal; ">Every year each country gets to submit one film to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to be considered for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards (AKA the Oscars). Of those myriad entrees, five are officially nominated. For the 83rd Academy Awards (sometime Q1 2011), Peru has officially submitted <a href="http://goog_1876807853/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"</a><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><p style="display: inline !important; "> <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/undertow/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Contracorriente (Undertow)."</a> The synopsis calls this a "unique ghost story set on the Peruvian seaside." After watching the trailer I have no idea what is going on. I feel that is a good thing when trailers are concerned, but surely not when the film itself is that way. We'll see.</p> </span></b><br /></span></i></span><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/chicoandrita/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Chico and Rita"</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal; "> is an up and down love story set in the late '40s. Music is a priority in this piece. The mixture of </span><span style="font-weight: normal; ">hand-drawn</span><span style="font-weight: normal; "> animation with the use of CGI looks stunning. In select theaters on November 19th.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">A couple of documentaries emerge from another point of view to things. As an answer to "An Inconvenient Truth" and global warming in general we've got <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/coolit/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Cool It."</a> And for all you Mayans out there who believe 2012 is Earth's last hurrah, <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/2012timeforchange/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"2012: Time For Change."</a> Both are docs about "going green" and how we can do it. They seem to be of a more optimistic variety and confront the FEAR that runs so rampant in our societies. That same issue is among the more interesting themes running throughout Michael Moore's collection.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></b><u>The "Okay..."</u>:*<br />*Here is another <i>Trailer Round-Up</i> reward. This one goes to the trailer that while/after seeing I find myself saying "Okay...." You should know the word and orate-method I'm referring to. If you don't, you should.<br /><br />This weeks "Okay..." goes to <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/dreamworks/iamnumberfour/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"I Am Number Four."</a> Is this based on a previously existing intellectual property? This looks and sounds (I read the plot description) like a mixed bag of fantasy banalities. D.J. Caruso, who's "Disturbia" was a fun contemporary retelling of Hitchcock's "Rear Window," directs this one. Has a film that looks and sounds like this ever succeeded? Not to my knowledge. You've got a lot to prove Mr. Caruso. I hope for the best, but still emit "Okay...."<br /><b><br /></b><u>Toss of the Week</u>: We frequently receive proof of the stock phrase, "Fact is stranger than fiction." <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/marwencol/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Marwencol"</a> is yet another pound of proof to this debatable truth. I love strange docs ("Vernon, Florida," "King of Kong," and anything Herzogian), so this one is like unto a friendly and exotic creature approaching me with a protruding tongue in the grocery store. That is to say, a pleasant surprise. Non-fiction films consistently pack more emotional punch than most of other breeds. It is the most "realistic" aspects of the fiction films that can even measure up. It has been written that "the truth will set you free." Filmmakers who work in accordance to this certitude will be free to influence their audience in powerful ways. "Marwencol" is a true story of a fellow man, one I am eager to notice.<br /><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><i>ENLISTED</i></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><i>Entertainment Weekly</i> - <a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,292135,00.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The 50 Greatest Directors and Their 100 Best Movies"</a> (Here is the <a href="http://www.listal.com/list/entertainment-weeklys-50-greatest-directors" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">same list on a single page</a>.) It's a good list. They've got most of the essentials: Hitchcock, Ford, Keaton, Spielberg, Kurosawa, Scorsese, and my favorite, Herzog. I believe this list was dated 1996, which would explain the absence of modern marvels I'd like to see, including P.T. Anderson, Tarantino, Miyazaki, the Coens and Zhang Yimou. I can think of a few they could replace...</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></b><i>THE GOOD*</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">"The Hobbit" has finally been greenlit! Shooting will begin in February and "Part 1" is scheduled to be among us on December 19, 2012. I'm guessing "Part 2" will come a year later. I, for one, am fine waiting. Take as long as you need Mr. Jackson (that's right, P.J. is directing!) to make us another epic masterpiece. Getting the production for this film to take off has been like coaxing an emu to take flight. Alas, miracles do happen. Read <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/breaking-hobbit-gets-its-greenlight-21749" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">more</a> (including the complications) on </span><span style="font-weight: normal; ">The Wrap</span><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">.</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">Near-unanimous praise is always a delightful thing. There are currently three films in wide release that are being heralded highly (according to the TOMATOMETER on <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); "><i>Rotten Tomatoes</i></a>): "Let Me In" - 88%, "The Town" - 95%, and "The Social Network" - 97%.<br /></span></b></i><br /><i>THE BAD</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><span style="font-style: normal; ">I saw "Vampires Suck." Look for my venomous review on <a href="http://jsfilmtome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">The Film Tome</a> soon!</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>AND THE UGLY</i></div><div><i><span style="font-style: normal; "><i>*</i>Changing "and the Weird" to "and the Ugly" this week. I'll use which ever of the two best suits the news. Cool?</span></i></div><div><i><p><span><span style="font-style: normal; ">Uwe Boll is a notorious filmmaker. I've never seen one of his movies, but those who have love to hate them. In fact, five of Boll's films are on </span>IMDb<span style="font-style: normal; ">'s </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/chart/bottom" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); "><span><span style="font-style: normal; ">Bottom 100</span></span></a><span style="font-style: normal; "> (the opposite of the Top 250). He is largely responsible for the quite-true statement, "Films based on video games blow." If there ever was a video game that shouldn't have been made into a movie, that game was "Postal." And Boll did. Well, now Mr. Boll, a German writer and director, is stirring more controversy than ever with the announcement and teaser of his next film, "Auschwitz." At first glance this seems like a "Passion of the Christ" for the victims of said concentration camp. By this I mean graphically portraying the suffering, torturing, and killing of the victim(s). Mel Gibson's attempt was a powerful success in my book, admittedly one I don't want to frequently behold. I wonder if Boll is capable of such an accomplishment. Then again, after watching the trailer for his adaptation of "Postal," a comedy of the WORST kind, I doubt. Other film gurus are <a href="http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=33763" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">calling it "tasteless."</a> Lastly, I really wonder what the masses would be saying if some other iconic director's name (i.e. one widely acclaimed rather than one widely disdained) was attached to this project. I honestly think the responses would be very different. Enough talk, here's the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1mQAGM3atA&NR=1" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">trailer</a>for "Auschwitz," decide for yourself. (WARNING: This trailer contains graphic images. Think "Schindler's List" in color. Viewer discretion strongly exhorted.)</span></span></p></i></div><div><i><span style="font-style: normal; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div><i>NEW IN THEATERS</i>*<br />*Quite simple. I tell you what films are coming to theaters this week/weekend and their current rating on Rotten Tomatoes.</div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Conviction - 60%</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Hereafter* - 60%</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Jackass 3D - 59%</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Red - 69%</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Samson and Delilah - 97%</li></ul><div>* = Limited Release</div><div><br /></div><i>NEW IN STORES</i>*<br />*Again, a simple piece. I tell what films have come out on DVD/BluRay/whatever this week.</div><div><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">How To Train Your Dragon - 98%</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">lo sono l'amore (I Am Love) - 81%</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Jonah Hex - 13%</li><li style="margin-left: 15px; ">Leaves of Grass - 61%</li></ul></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></span></i></div><div>* * * </div><div><br /></div><div><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div><p>Hot dog! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); "><span>All Manner of Posts</span></a>. Start deciding what you're going to be for Halloween (you could ask Cleverbot for a suggestion) and thanks for plugging in </p></div><div>* * *</div></span></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2094514121359749290.post-13715904359116138612010-10-10T22:46:00.000-07:002010-10-10T22:46:58.533-07:00AllMoPs 8<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-large;">All Manner of Plugs: Issue 8 (10.10.2010)</span><br /><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><b>a weekly recommendations email</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Written by J.S. Lewis</div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PLUG IN</b></div><div><br />Today is 10/10/10. Take advantage of such a cool date! This week <i>The Film Tome Report</i> continues to get bigger and badder (and by that I mean "bigger and gooder"), we explore the songified, and have all sorts of fun. Ch-ch-check it out!<br /><br /></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><b>MVOTW</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcqDjFBGtzk" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Flamboyant" - Pet Shop Boys</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Simply, this music video is a treat to watch. The creators of Japanese televisions set-pieces are some of the most creative Earthlings around. You'll see dozens of these physical feats and tricks throughout the four minutes. The two white guys you'll see are the Pet Shop Boys (Neil and Chris, two English chaps) and their sweet synthy song accompanies the ballad of madness.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>* * *<br /><br />MONKEY DO<span style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; ">I like monkeys. That's why I started this segment. However, sometimes the headlines will reveal a tragic account: On Wednesday a monkey kidnapped and killed an infant (human) in Malaysia. <a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/2010-10/06/c_13544518.htm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Read more.</a></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></span></b></div><div><b><br />* * *<br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>RANDOMONIA</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Okay, so I'm getting around to highlighting the Gregory Brothers, their Auto-Tune the News, and any other "songified" works. Sorry if this is nothing new for some of you, but I feel it is yet another major event in all things gone <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">viral</a> and therefore important and worth documenting. Quite recently a couple of people, first my roommate then my classmate, introduced me to such to these. Perhaps some of you may not know about it. Last year getting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweded#.22Sweded.22" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"sweded"</a> was the rage, now it's all about what folk can "songify."</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>First, watch this: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yJuBipL7Wo" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Original SunnyD and Rum (Yum Yum)</a>. Now, see how they songified it: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdRo2NJJcUU" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">SunnyD and Rum - THE POP SINGLE!</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The stars worth noting here are the Gregory Brothers, a musical group that specializes in songifying. Perhaps now they are most know for what they did with "The Bedroom Intruder." Again, there's the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P7hXbzpk48" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">original</a> and then the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKsVSBhSwJg&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_651006" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">songified version</a> (i<b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "> <span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; ">s that Motab at 1:42?!). There is one version with over 30 million views... it has become an internet phenomenon. I even know someone who is going to be Antoine Dodson (the eccentric bandana-wearing star) for Halloween! Wow.</div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><br /></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; ">Here are some other videos put out by Auto-Tune the News:</div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIoG4PlEPtY&list=SL" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">BACKIN UP SONG!</a></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qizNQKzatXA&feature=related" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Turtles</a></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">and my favorite <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KucV8renOfI" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Swinging</a> (featuring Weezer). This one has a sweet chorus and hooks to boot! Love it!</span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><br /></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div>You can bet on more songified clips being plugged in future AllMoPs!</div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div><div><br /></div><div><b>THE FILM TOME REPORT</b><i><br /></i><b><br /></b><i>THE TRAILER ROUND-UP</i><br /><br /><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/yogibear/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Yogi Bear"</a> - Jared Hess, you were beyond wise to pass this "opportunity" by. The first trailer came out last month and I failed to make an announcement. A second trailer has now been released. I watched them both. My thoughts? Well, if anything, it can serve a a tech demo for which CGI animation is put into a live action world. But really, "Jurassic Park" did a better job at that 17 years ago. I realize I am probably not the target audience (at least I sure hope not!). Having never seen the original cartoon I've nothing invested here. Those of you who are older and have, might take your kidlets and go see it with an optimistic attitude. I just hope you find something to enjoy because these trailers seem void of such a feature. Oh! Oh! Oh! And guess what! It's in 3-flippin'-D! It comes out Christmas Day. Sorry Warner Bros., I'm gonna be seeing "True Grit" instead.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div>I remember <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/fourlions/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Four Lions"</a> making noticeable waves at Sundance earlier this year. It looks like a brilliant satire on terrorism and yes, "funny." November 5th somewhere.</div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b><br /><a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/ipman/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Ip Man"</a> - (Disclaimer: Contains bloodless martial arts violence) I'm sure this film is going to be all right (at least all right), but the preview is so bad it's funny. That movie-trailer-voice is just painful. You gotta see it. Honestly, it seems like a spoof on trailers, but I'm very afraid it is not. It is not fair for this 2008 Hong Kong film to get such a marketing campaign in the United States. The injustice delivered to foreign films through their American releases is a damn shame sometimes. Still, enjoy the unintentional comedy while we have it. A truth to live by: "Whilst in sad times, find the humor in it." I look forward to seeing this one and giving it a fresh start once the opening credits roll (in its intended language of course, dubbing is a form Satanism).</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div>I have not seen a Julie Taymor film. I really want to (namely, "Across the Universe"). She is (as the trailer says) what we call a "visionary director." It's kind of a trite phrase because every director is a visionary in his/her own right. However, it seems to especially fit the bill with her. She is a filmmaker whose products are so stylized that they are as far from generic as could be. Much like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarsem_Singh" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Tarsem</a>. Here is the bewildering and beautiful trailer for her adaptation of another Shakespeare work (she previously made "Titus"), <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/miramax/thetempest/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"The Tempest."</a> In theaters December 10th.</div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The trailer for <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/neverletmego/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"Never Let Me Go"</a> (scroll down to reach the trailer) has been out for months now, in fact, the film is already out in select theaters. It stars Carey Mulligan who was magnificent in last years "An Education," the ever-exquisite Keira Knightley, and Andrew Garfield who was part of "The Social Network"'s knockout cast. It looks inventive, classy, and very pretty. I'm quite excited to see this one!</div><div><br /></div><div>A second and longer trailer for <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810153253/video/22265614" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"True Grit"</a> burst out this week. I have a hard time backing it up because I feel it gives much too much away. Still, it looks splendid. Still, I prefer the first trailer (as plugged in AllMoPs 7).</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Toss of the Week</u>: The second trailer for <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox_searchlight/127hours/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"127 Hours"</a> is even better than the first and gets this week's top prize in The Trailer Round-Up, "Toss of the Week." Just from witnessing the trailer I guarantee James Franco is going to get several nominations for Best Actor. Director Danny Boyle is one of the most diverse filmmakers under the sun (he even took us to the sun in "Sunshine") and I'm always amazed by what he delivers. "127 Hours" looks amazing. You can count on finding this one in a theater near you on November 5th. Less than a month away!</div><div><br /><i>ENLISTED*<br /></i><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">*Lists are always good. I am both a consumer and maker of the lovely things. AllMoPs is about plugging others, so you won't be seeing <i>my </i>lists here, but those that I find and feel ought to be seen/studied. Joy!<br /><br /><i>Entertainment Weekly - </i><a href="http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20429546,00.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">"12 Documentaries That Changed The World."</a> There are several on here that I haven't seen and so I enjoy this nice batch of "To Watch" recommendations. Of the ones I have seen, I full-heartedly agree on their influence to cause change. This week I saw "The Cove" for the first time. It is brilliant. I also re-watched "Fahrenheit 9/<wbr>11" this week. Still brilliant.</span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span><br /><br />IMDb - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/list/el2BvPhVX-M/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Top 20 Horror Films of the Past 20 Years</a>. As part of their 20th anniversary (see "The Good" below), the editors of IMDb have made several lists. This one will surely surprise any cinephile. Having seen most of the films mentioned I have some definite agreements ("The Descent") and some definite disagreements ("Twilight"? Horror? Really?). Any list or ranking is going to stir some controversy. That's one aspect I savor about them.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div><i>THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE WEIRD*</i></div><div>*I've a couple of "inspired by" credits to acknowledge here: <b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "> <span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; ">I was inspired by the magazine <i>Game Informer </i>to have a segment like this. </div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div> </span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; ">This title was inspired by the recent South Korean film of the same name (which was inspired by the epic Sergio Leone film, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," which is what <i>Game Informer </i>uses). Basically, I take recent film news that I deem worth sharing and feature it in one of the three headings.</div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>THE GOOD</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>IMDb (AKA "Best Website Ever") is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary on October 17th. Every day over the next little while they are having a "Star of the Day" talk about movies. They are having a year by year countdown to 2010, each day another year. And there are all sorts of other features. Click <a href="http://www.imdb.com/features/anniversary/2010/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">here</a> to check some of the goodness out for yourself. Congratulations IMDb! Happy anniversary!</div><div><br /></div><div>This semester, as part of the <a href="http://lib.byu.edu/sites/sc/motion-picture-archives-film-series-fall-%E2%80%9910/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Brigham Young University Motion Picture Archive Film Series</a>, Dr. James D'Arc (curator of BYU's Motion Picture Archive) is hosting a series called, "When Hollywood Came to Town: Moviemaking in Utah." This comes in nice conjunction with the release of Dr. D'Arc's book of a similar name. It's been going on for a month now and I've been to each installment. It is a divine opportunity to see older westerns (possibly my favorite genre) shot in Utah the way they were meant to be seen. Hearing the history and seeing a few of the movies so far, I am more and more proud to be a Utahan, born and raised in this amazing place (especially the distinct beauty of Southern Utah). Most of the films are not available on DVD, so it might be one's only chance to see some of these. The next film to be shown will be "Ramrod" (1947) on Oct. 22. If you're in the area, I highly endorse attending. Admission is free. 7:00 PM in the Harold B. Lee Auditorium.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>THE BAD</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Other then "Yogi Bear"... Nope.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>AND THE WEIRD</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Word on the street is that Mel Gibson delivers a home run performance in "The Beaver" and is a possible Oscar contender. The plot synopsis as found on IMDb reads, "A guy walk around with a puppet of a beaver on his hand and treats it like a living creature." I'm intrigued. Jodie Foster, who directs the strange flick, has called it "one of [Gibson's] most powerful and moving experiences." Read more in this <i><a href="http://goog_1560752537/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">Deadline</a></i><a href="http://www.deadline.com/2010/09/will-mel-gibson-become-a-late-player-in-this-years-oscar-race/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); "> article</a>. The question is if Gibson could/would be considered after all the drama surrounding him as of late. Drama. I for one think we should separate the going-ons in any artist's life and let their work be judged fairly for what it is. If his performance in "The Beaver" is as good as we're hearing, he better be nominated!</div></span></b></span></span></span></b><i><br /></i></div><div>* * * </div><div><br /></div><div><b>UNPLUG</b></div><div><br /><b><span style="font-weight: normal; "><div style="display: inline !important; "><span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div style="display: inline !important; "><p style="display: inline !important; ">Oh my giddy aunt! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by <a href="mailto:allmops@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 101, 204); "><span>allmops@gmail.com</span></a>. If you wish to be removed from the AllMoPs send-list, let me know. If you wish to add someone, let me know. Remember, all previous AllMoPs are available at my blog, <a href="http://allmops.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); ">All Manner of Posts</a>. Start enjoying the fresh Fall and thanks for plugging in</p> </div></span></span></div></span></b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>* * *</div></span></span></div></span></b></div></span></span></div></span></b></span>J.S. Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529323933959771172noreply@blogger.com0