AllMoPs 20

All Manner of Plugs: Issue 20 (2.13.2011)

an weekly informing and recommending email

Written by J.S. Lewis

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PLUG IN

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!

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MVOTW

"Gump" - Weird Al

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.

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NEWS TO ME

The world's oldest person died last week. She was 114 (born in the late 1800s!). CNN covers.

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MONKEY DO

On a somewhat, shall we say somber note, a recent study of chimps shows that they too grieve the loss of their own.

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POLICE BEAT

Suspicious Activity

Jan. 28: An individual was reported to be shouting profanities in Maeser Hall. The campus was searched, but no one was found.

Traffic

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.

Disorderly Conduct

Jan. 29: Two bicyclists were reported doing tricks between the HBLL and the Wilkinson Center. When an officer arrived, the subjects rode away.

Jan. 31: Someone tried to drill out the locks on laundry units to get the money inside. They were unsuccessful.

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RANDOMONIA

Hand dancing? Hand dancing! (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.

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GAMERAIN

"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 getting great reviews. Here is what GameSpot had to say.

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THE FILM TOME REPORT

THE TRAILER ROUND-UP

During last week's Bowl of Super proportions there were several TV-spots 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.

Here is the spot for "The Adjustment Bureau". Firstly, I will behold anything with Matt Damon. Secondly, this high concept is nutty enough.

"Limitless" looks like it just might have limits. Then again, it does have De Niro. What does any of this mean? Nothing.

Will "Hop" 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.

I know nothing about X-Men, I have not seen any of the previous films, but perhaps that doesn't matter. This is "X-Men: First Class." The visuals are stunning to say the least.

"Battle: Los Angeles" 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.

I greatly admire the novel quirk found in "Beginners." It looks to be well-acted (huge fan of Plummer and Melanie Laurent, who was PERFECT in "Inglourious Basterds") and carefully filmed.

Toss of the Week: "Even the Rain" 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 the hombre's IMDb picture. Seriously, that might be the worst picture ever taken of him. There you go ladies.

ENLISTED

Entertainment Weekly ran a gallery of "10 Movies that Changed Hollywood." A couple of these are among my all-time faves.

What better way to get ready for the big night (Feb. 27) than to complain about the nominees? EW here with "Oscars: 19 Snubs That Bug You!". IMHO: Nolan should not only have been nominated, he should probably win. Something I will surely address on my "Oscar Preview" article next week.

Another way to get ready for this year's Academy Awards is to recount "16 Memorable Moments" from last year's show. (Again, EW is there for you and for me.)

THE GOOD AND THE WEIRD

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 the rest of the story.

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 working on a script for a horror film.

KEEPIN' IT SHORT

"Love in a Backward World"

Directed by Chris Vincze

The techniques are nothing revolutionary, but what Vincze and team have crafted is a lovely little picture that is sure to please.

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UNPLUG

Misunderstood raccoons! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by allmops@gmail.com. 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, All Manner of Posts. Adore this month and thanks for plugging in!

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AllMoPs 19

All Manner of Plugs: Issue 19 (1.22.2011)

a weekly informing and recommending email

Written by J.S. Lewis

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PLUG IN

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 29. Hopefully at least one of these will pique your complicated interests. Cheers, merrymake, relish, and all manner of whatnots.

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MVOTW

"Bob" - Weird Al

I am huge fan of the Yankovic. The lyrics to this Bob Dylan parody are entirely made up of palindromes. Impressive eh?

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A LIST

Top 10 Smartest Dogs. I'm happy that the only dog I've taken part in owning ranks #1.

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NEWS TO ME

"Why You Shouldn't Snuggle with Your Pooch in Bed." 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."

Have you ever wondered what sorts of items humans have swallowed? Check out "a history of the ingestion of foreign bodies."

I oft ponder what our friends in Michigan are up to... I never thought it would be this.

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HONEST HIGHLIGHT*

*The Honest Highlight section is also a bit of news, but not bizarre and obscure (like the stuff you get in "News To Me").

"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 The FIlm Tome Report) also got spots this week. CNN recaps the first week here. 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.

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MONKEY DO

How could you not want to read a story entitled "Chimps bite zookeeper's fingers off in vicious ape house attack"? (My favorite part is the picture they chose to go along with the article.)

In other sober primate news, Willy the gorilla passed away. (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.

Also, good riddence to the ape killers. I had no idea how prevalent bushmeat was...

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POLICE BEAT*

*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.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

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.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

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.

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RANDOMONIA

Remember her?

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 thisonline. It's funny.

This dude either deserves an Academy Award OR puts the "p" in "pansy." You decide.

On a similar note (and because it is sometimes entertaining to see what makes a child weep), I bring you this.

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BEDTIME STORY*

*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.

"Cat Soup"

by Richard Schnelzer

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.

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GAMERAIN

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 average rating of 82% on gamerankings.com. Here is IGN's review.

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 launch center.

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THE FILM TOME REPORT

THE TRAILER ROUND-UP

The Headscratcher: "Scream 4" 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.

"Rubber" 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.

Toss of the Week: I have yet to see a Korean film that I do not admire on multiple facets. I'm already appreciating Chang-dong Lee's "Poetry" 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 euphrates and I look for others who have their own rivers. Asian cinema continues to astound me.

ENLSITED

Top 10 Sequels That Did Not Do Well. To clarify, this is in terms of box office grosses.

Quentin Tarantino's Top 20 Films of 2010. You may be surprised at his #1. I sure was!

THE GOOD

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 film guide for this year's festivities.

THE BAD

Have you heard they are making a "Battleship" movie? Yes. Based on the board game. Have you heard James Cameron bash the idea? (Note: This part is actually GOOD.)

AND THE WEIRD

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 "Hobo with a Shotgun" 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 (Creative Screenwriting). 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 article 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.

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 biopic on J. Edgar Hoover, starring Leo DiCaprio as the gay and rumored cross dresser FBI director. The second is a third remake of the 1937 film, "A Star is Born." It stars Beyonce. Eastwood is doing a musical folks.

KEEPIN' IT SHORT

"Bambi vs. Godzilla"

Made by Marv Newland

Enjoy.

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UNPLUG

Charming lizards! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by allmops@gmail.com. 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, All Manner of Posts. Go dance in the sun this weekend and thanks for plugging in!

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AllMoPs 18

All Manner of Plugs: Issue 18 (1.9.2011)

a weekly informing and recommending email

Written by J.S. Lewis

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PLUG IN

How is your year going so far?

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MVOTW

"Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z (feat. Alicia Keys)

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.

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A LIST

Rolling Stone has been busy making lists lately! (See more in The Film Tome Report.) Here's several music-related ones: 30 Best Albums of 2010, 50 Best Songs of 2010, 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

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NEWS TO ME

Have you heard about the hobo with the golden voice? Better question, have you heard said voice? Here's CNN's coverage. Here's off-news documentation. I hope this guy gets his own podcast!

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MONKEY DO

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 here. Or here.

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RANDOMONIA

This just might be the most intense video on the world wide web.

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THE FILM TOME REPORT

THE TRAILER ROUND-UP

The Head-Scratcher*:

*Formally know as "The 'Okay...'".

"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 "The Last Lions." 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.

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 "Paul." A lot of it looks lame, but I'm hopeful.

With a tagline like "Stay in the light" you know you're getting something different with "Vanishing on 7th Street." (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.

Two more docs: Go green with "The Last Mountain" and get blown away by "Tornado Alley."

Toss of the Week: Maybe I was scared I would get beat up or perhaps this really is what I've been looking for, either way "Strong Man" 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.

ENLSITED

Here's Rolling Stone's 10 Best Movies of 2010 (no surprise what number one is... it seems to be topping everyone's list). Also, here is their 10 Worst Movies of 2010 (the four of which I saw I quite liked...).

KEEPIN' IT SHORT

Logorama

Directed by François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy and Ludovic Houplain

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!

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UNPLUG

Finicky porcupine! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by allmops@gmail.com. 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, All Manner of Posts. Jazz up your January and thanks for plugging in!

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AllMoPs 17

All Manner of Plugs: Issue 17 (1.1.2011)

a weekly informing and recommending email

Written by J.S. Lewis

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PLUG IN

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.

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MVOTW

"Rabbit In Your Headlights" - Unkle

The new year deserves one of the greatest music videos of all time. Watch it to the end and then ponder.

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THE FILM TOME REPORT

THE TRAILER ROUND-UP

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 "I Am" starts off looking like something we've seen before, but by the end, I'm not too sure.

"Water For Elephants" - 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.

Toss of the Week: Terrence Malick makes about one film per decade. Nearly each one makes my list of favorite films per decade. "The Tree of Life" 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.

ENLSITED

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: Roger Ebert and Richard Roeper.

KEEPIN' IT SHORT

"Maestro"

Directed by Geza M. Toth

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!

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UNPLUG

Flying hamsters! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by allmops@gmail.com. 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, All Manner of Posts. Hope you are having a great year so far, thanks for plugging in!

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AllMoPs 16

All Manner of Plugs: Issue 16 (12.11.2010)

a weekly informing and recommending email

Written by J.S. Lewis

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PLUG IN

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.

Firstly, I want to thank my sister Mandy who gave both AllMoPs and The Film Tome a snazzy makeover, including original designs for each blog's title. This is the start for better and better. Thanks sis!

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MVOTW

"Dynamite" - Today Show

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 the making of this video.

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A LIST*

*My love for lists marches on with this new addition to AllMoPs.

Each year Time magazine unveils their list of the best photos of the year that graced their pages. 2010.

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NEWS TO ME

Think Nativity programs at the local church are a safe and harmless activity? Watch this and think again.

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MONKEY DO

Late Monday night a baby orangutan was born, a welcome addition to the Melbourne Zoo. See attached storyfor an adorably silly pic.

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RANDOMONIA

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. Please drive safe.

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GAMERAIN

"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 Gamespot's video review 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 95% on Metacritic. It's available for download on Xbox 360 and PS3.

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THE FILM TOME REPORT

THE TRAILER ROUND-UP

The third trailer for "Tron: Legacy" 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.

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" 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.

You've been forewarned, the second and latest trailer for "Rio" 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.

If a baby orangutan wasn't enough... "Nenette" 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.

Add some testosterone to your weekend with the first trailer for "Thor." 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.

None of these trailers left my jaw dropped or mind bewildered. So, no awards this week.

ENLISITED

Stephen King likes putting his Top 10 Films of the Year list out early. He says he considers the years from November to November. He is a compelling writer and this is a compelling list (his Top 10 Films of 2010).

THE GOOD

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 production stills 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.

THE BAD

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 their humorous "Cast This" segment.

AND THE WEIRD

Emma Stone (from "Zombieland" and "Easy A") is staring as Peter Parker's initial love interest, Gwen Stacy, in the "Spider-Man" reboot. Proof. 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").

KEEPIN' IT SHORT

"Sisyphus"

This is a powerful animated short. An interesting and inspiring take on the Greek myth.

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UNPLUG

Fluffy moose! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by allmops@gmail.com. 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, All Manner of Posts. Keep it chill and thanks for plugging in!

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AllMoPs 15

All Manner of Plugs: Issue 15 (12.5.2010)

a weekly informing and recommending email

Written by J.S. Lewis

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PLUG IN

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.

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MVOTW

We got a triple-feature up in here! Raise doz handz 'n keep 'em up!

"Dynamite" - Mike Tompkins

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.

"Candlelight" - The Maccabeats

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!

"Hibi no neiro" - SOUR

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.

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MONKEY DO

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) here.

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RANDOMONIA

Okay. Trust me on this. Plug in your headphones and listen to this. (Thanks Nancy!)

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THE FILM TOME REPORT

THE TRAILER ROUND-UP

I remember hearing word about this on the web months ago... I was thrilled to stumble upon the trailer just now. "The Beaver" 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.

Speaking of the "Ocean's" series... here is a doc from the mastermind (Steven Soderbergh) behind the remake and its welcomed sequels: "And Everything is Going Fine." 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.

"Mars Needs Moms." 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.

Another good-looking CG-animated feature. This one is appropriately due come Spring. You see, "Hop" 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?)

Toss of the Week: 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 "African Cats" 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!

KEEPIN' IT SHORT*

*In this all-new segment within "The Film Tome Report," I will be delivering a short film for your consideration.

"The Life and Death of a Pumpkin"

Directed by Aaron Yonda

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.

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UNPLUG

Chubby wombats! If you have any comments, questions, requests, complaints or threats please let your voice be heard by allmops@gmail.com. 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, All Manner of Posts. Start making the best of the last month of this new decade and thanks for plugging in!

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