April 2009
78 posts
April 1, 2009
Get ready for the lamest internet day of the year.
March 2009
55 posts
To The Point
One of the classical yet ingenious rhetorical devices Obama employs comes straight from high school debate: explain what you’re explaining. That is to say, he constantly states what each paragraph of a prepared statement will present and re-states major points as clearly as possible.
Today for example:
So let me discuss what measures need to be taken…
But before I lay out what...
“[Composer Maurice] Jarre won Oscars for ‘Doctor Zhivago’ and...”
– That was a close one, KCRW. And on an epithet no less. (story)
A Company Retreat
The next time you want to foster workplace comraderie or scare off an unwelcomed visitor, get everyone in your office to growl. It really works!
WatchEmbeddable Wild Things.
WatchThe Dirtiest Garage.
Finally, someone nails a mumblecore parody.
Sadly, I wouldn’t not see this movie. (via cinematical)
Official.
Union.
Why Sony Fails
Sony, the world’s second-largest maker of consumer electronics, said it began selling the PRS-700 book reader today for $350 apiece to complement its $300 PRS-505 device. A single charge on the devices allows users to read 7,500 pages continuously, according to the statement.
Is Sony aware of the intentions behind names like THX-1138 and HAL-9000? If anyone creates Skynet accidentally, it...
Three Retired Men Hold Court on a Coffee Shop...
Old Man 2: I’m sick of watching the goddamn news with shit I don’t want to hear about, like the woman with fourteen kids. You know the one I’m talking about. You know the one.
Old Man 1: Octo-mom.
Old Man 2: Yeah, her. I’m sick of her, and then she was on Oprah too. Everyday it's the same thing, and I don't want to hear any of it. Then there’s the guy with the 50 million. You know the guy. You know the one.
Old Man 1: Madoff.
Old Man 2: Yeah, him. I’m sick of hearing about him and how many years he’ll get. He’s 70, what the hell does he care.
Old Man 3 holds his coffee, looking into the distance.
WatchHader > Hammond, I. Hader as John Malkovich.
WatchHader > Hammond, II. Hader as Dateline’s Keith Morrison.
WatchHader > Hammond, III. Hader as Alien.
Whitney always felt bad that Wile E. Coyote never got to eat the “arrogant” Road Runner. She claims “food chain” as part of the reason.
I registered my shock as to how she could want the evil, capitalistic Coyote to eat the poor bird who relies solely upon his wits.
She registered her shock that I disagreed with her as she thought it so obvious that people would root for...
WatchI can’t decide if Jon Hamm really is stiff doing comedy or if it’s part of the act, starting stilted before working up to the crescendo. Either way, between this inspired turn as Lex Luthor and Liz Lemon’s ice cream-loving bf, Don Draper will not only trick you into having sex with him, he’ll make you laugh doing it. (via Vulture)
WatchAfter completing Mysteries of Pittsburgh on the plane ride back to Budapest in January, I was struck how much Chabon’s tale and style (itself inspired by Salinger) had been co-opted and turned into an-almost-genre unto itself: the quirky, outlandish, white male coming-of-age tale. Watching the trailer, Garden State immediately comes to mind, not just in setting and mood but the presence of...
WatchThe trailer for Sam Raimi’s return to horror, Drag Me to Hell, surprisingly plays it straight, lacking any sly winks or Bruce Campbell eyebrows. On the upside, Alison Lohman looks a much better choice for a mild-mannered banker as opposed to the originally cast Hamburger Phone. And maybe Justin Long can act? (via /Film)
I appreciate the dedication to your theater to wear the Rorschach mask, Mr. Movie Theater Manager, but damn that looks uncomfortable.
That's kind of a sad one.
Co-Worker: I put the trash can there so I could toss stuff in there and not stand up, but I'm still getting up.
Me: You failed at that too.
Co-Worker: That's what she said.
Apparently I have the temperament of someone who would throw a telephone at work some time in the future. If anyone else says that, I just may.
WatchMichael Mann brings his digital, up-tempo style right to DePalma’s doorstep: the trailer for the Dillinger epic Public Enemies has dropped. Depp looks appropriately dapper and sprightly while Doctor Serious is kept to a surprising minimum.
And yes, Dan, Marion Cotillard does know English. A little. (via cinematical)
