SNL Digs in to Ricky Gervais
Jason Sudeikis had one of the funniest sketches of this weekend's "Saturday Night Live", channeling Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais.
I have to admit, the sketch has actually made me a little bit more excited for seeing Gervais hosting tonight, if only to see just how perfectly Sudeikis nailed it.
Check out the whole clip and let us know if you're looking forward to seeing Gervais at the Globes tonight!
Hunger Games Official Trailer
The Hunger Games movie is being called the next Twilight (and even the next Harry Potter), but will Suzanne Collins' post-apocalyptic movie adaptation live up to the teen juggernaut series before it? Check out the first-ever trailer with footage from the film, including scenes inside the games, at the Capitol, and a look at the down-trodden District 12.
What did you think? Lenny Kravitz certainly makes a great Cinna (the stylist assigned to Katniss to make her appeal to the masses) and Elizabeth Banks looks pretty spot on as Effie Trinket, but what about the others? What about Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy? I always expected Haymitch to be a bit more... bloated? Either way can't wait to see the fire dress Cinna makes Katniss.
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Mario Square?
Mario's coming to a handheld in an all-new game. That's always cause for celebration and Nintendo's going to be mounting some rather athletic festivities this coming weekend. To commemorate the release of Super Mario 3D Land on Sunday, Nintendo will be setting up an obstacle course in New York City's Times Square on the Saturday before the game's debut, complete with trampolines, warp pipes and a flagpole marker. Along with all the frolicking, attendees will be able to take pictures with Mario and, most importantly, buy Super Mario 3D Land for the 3DS early. No word if they'll be handing out Tanooki tails.
9 Google Search Tips
Google users were delighted recently by the discovery of a new Search trick, "do a barrel roll". Here's how it works: Type the command "do a barrel roll" into Google's search bar and watch the Search interface perform a 360-degree somersault before your eyes. And this isn't the only goodie to be found within Google's vast web of Internet properties.
Google engineers are surprisingly committed to injecting otherwise ho-hum internet searches with a bit of whimsy. Their iconic logo alone has been updated over 1,000 times to celebrate holidays, birthdays and historical events. Some of these so-called Google Doodles have featured complex animated videos, such as the epic birthday tribute to Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, while others offered hilarious interactive surprises, like the playful Muppet animations on Jim Henson's birthday.
There are also goodies to be found in other products like Google Maps, Google Earth, YouTube and Gmail.
But not all the weird stuff found in Google products is there on purpose. Incredible and incredibly strange satellite images of bottomless pits, underwater cities and car accidents have been captured by the Google Earth satellites. Similarly odd pictures have shown up on Google Street View, too. (Check out our slideshows of the oddest finds in Google Earth and Google Street View.)
To see intentional goodies, take a look at the slideshow (below) for some of the coolest Easter eggs that users can find within Google Search. Have you noticed any awesome extras in Google Search (or other Google products)? We want to know what they are! Share your finds in the comments.
Best ’80s TV Shows
It may have been the Me Decade, but in TV land, the sisters were doin' it for themselves and finally getting respect as cops, war nurses and working moms; iconic shows like 'Hill Street Blues,' 'St. Elsewhere' and 'L.A. Law' would forever change (for the better) cop, medical and legal dramas; and no idea was too high concept to fill a primetime spot (time-traveling physicist? check; housewife-turned-CIA op? check; New York City beauty in love with a subterranean monster? check).
The bottom line: They all add up to 10 years of fine channel surfing -- and our awesome list of the 15 best series of the 1980s.
#1
#6
Great action show with Hannibal, Face, Murdock and MR. T.
http://www.moviesplanet.com/movies/271753/the-a-team/links
#8
One of the best comedies of all time. Realistic, serious and funny all at the same time. And shot in my hometown.
http://www.moviesplanet.com/movies/13804/the-cosby-show/links
#9
Star Trek: The Next Generation is a science fiction TV show created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Set in the 24th century, about 70 years after the original Star Trek, the program features a new crew and a new starship Enterprise. It premiered the week of September 28, 1987 to some 27 million viewers[1] with the two-hour pilot "Encounter at Farpoint", and, with 178 episodes over seven seasons, ran longer than any other Star Trek series ending with the finale "All Good Things..." the week of May 23, 1994.
http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/series/TNG/index.html
#15
Miami Vice (2006)
http://www.film.fm/movie/miami-vice-2006-3203Top 10 Best Flash Websites of 2011
Here are our our picks for the Top 10 Best Flash Websites of 2011 based on visual artistry, integrated sound, ease of use, and uniqueness.
1 | We Choose The Moon
WeChooseTheMoon.org was designed to celebrate the Fortieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 Lunar landing by developing an interactive recreation of the event. The site uses Flash to mesh archival video, audio, & photos into an experience that will make you feel as if you too had walked on the moon that day.
2 | Moodstream | Getty Images
Moodstream is a hypnotic website brought to you by the folks at Getty Images that offers a brainstorming tool designed to help get your creative juices flowing. By simply tweaking the mood sliders you can adjust a stream of images, footage, & audio that can help inspire your creative direction.
3 | Monoface
Mono is an advertising agency based in Minneapolis, MN that lives by the motto that "simpler is better." The "Mono"face site lives up to that motto by presenting visitors with a fun and simple Flash application that allows them to sculpt a Mr. Potato Head style face that contains 759,375 entertaining possibilities.
4 | Waterlife
Waterlife is a showcase for the documentary film of the same name that offers its audience a wonderful preview of the lush cinematography and rich storytelling found in the film. The true genius of the site, however, is found in its fluid navigation that recalls the gentle motion of a lake.
5 | Louis Vuitton - Greatness
Louis Vuitton’s an Encounter with Greatness website allows users to come face-to-face with three of soccer’s greatest stars; Pele, Diego Maradana, and Zinedine Zidane. Through this experience fans can engage in a one-on-one interview with their hero’s that will surely broaden your appreciation of their talent.
6 | Infinite OZ
Infinite OZ is an artistic collaboration that uses Flash to bring to life the world of the Sci-Fi miniseries event the Tin Man. Visitors are taken on a wonderful journey through the many visually stunning locales that make up the fabled emerald city that may make you want to get lost there forever.
7 | Get The Glass
Get The Glass is the work of the California Milk Processor Board and was designed to encourage increased milk consumption by inviting visitors to participate in a comically entertaining Flash based game whose objective is to Get the Glass--of milk of course. The current design appeared in late 2007.
8 | Marc Ecko
MarcEcko.com is a wonderful example of using the vast possibilities of Flash to accurately reflect the ethos of a consumer brand within a website. Even visitors unfamiliar with the Ecko brand will feel they understand the art & philosophy it symbolizes within a few minutes of touring the site.
9 | AgencyNet Interactive
AgencyNet Interactive is a design studio based in New York City and Fort Lauderdale whose current website design appeared in January of 2010. The depth of the site leaves you feeling like you've really had the chance to get to know the team at AgencyNet and its charm makes you want to work with them.
10 | Dave Werner's Portfolio
Dave Werner uses his Flash skills not only to publish his portfolio, but through the use of well narrated video, he also gives visitors a sense of his personal story which seeks to give stronger voice and context to his featured work. The current version of OkayDave.com went live in mid 2006.
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1 | We Choose The Moon
WeChooseTheMoon.org was designed to celebrate the Fortieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 Lunar landing by developing an interactive recreation of the event. The site uses Flash to mesh archival video, audio, & photos into an experience that will make you feel as if you too had walked on the moon that day.
2 | Moodstream | Getty Images
Moodstream is a hypnotic website brought to you by the folks at Getty Images that offers a brainstorming tool designed to help get your creative juices flowing. By simply tweaking the mood sliders you can adjust a stream of images, footage, & audio that can help inspire your creative direction.
3 | Monoface
Mono is an advertising agency based in Minneapolis, MN that lives by the motto that "simpler is better." The "Mono"face site lives up to that motto by presenting visitors with a fun and simple Flash application that allows them to sculpt a Mr. Potato Head style face that contains 759,375 entertaining possibilities.
4 | Waterlife
Waterlife is a showcase for the documentary film of the same name that offers its audience a wonderful preview of the lush cinematography and rich storytelling found in the film. The true genius of the site, however, is found in its fluid navigation that recalls the gentle motion of a lake.
5 | Louis Vuitton - Greatness
Louis Vuitton’s an Encounter with Greatness website allows users to come face-to-face with three of soccer’s greatest stars; Pele, Diego Maradana, and Zinedine Zidane. Through this experience fans can engage in a one-on-one interview with their hero’s that will surely broaden your appreciation of their talent.
6 | Infinite OZ
Infinite OZ is an artistic collaboration that uses Flash to bring to life the world of the Sci-Fi miniseries event the Tin Man. Visitors are taken on a wonderful journey through the many visually stunning locales that make up the fabled emerald city that may make you want to get lost there forever.
7 | Get The Glass
Get The Glass is the work of the California Milk Processor Board and was designed to encourage increased milk consumption by inviting visitors to participate in a comically entertaining Flash based game whose objective is to Get the Glass--of milk of course. The current design appeared in late 2007.
8 | Marc Ecko
MarcEcko.com is a wonderful example of using the vast possibilities of Flash to accurately reflect the ethos of a consumer brand within a website. Even visitors unfamiliar with the Ecko brand will feel they understand the art & philosophy it symbolizes within a few minutes of touring the site.
9 | AgencyNet Interactive
AgencyNet Interactive is a design studio based in New York City and Fort Lauderdale whose current website design appeared in January of 2010. The depth of the site leaves you feeling like you've really had the chance to get to know the team at AgencyNet and its charm makes you want to work with them.
10 | Dave Werner's Portfolio
Dave Werner uses his Flash skills not only to publish his portfolio, but through the use of well narrated video, he also gives visitors a sense of his personal story which seeks to give stronger voice and context to his featured work. The current version of OkayDave.com went live in mid 2006.
viaTotally Bizzaro! Top 5 Odd Hotels…
Seasoned road warriors know the drill: Indifferent hotel rooms decorated in various shades of drab, boring and sad. Just say "no" to re-circulated air and scratchy sheets, travelers. Change your reservations and check into one of these awesomely odd hotels:
5) Dog Bark Park Inn, Cottonwood, Idaho: Sometimes it's not such a bad thing to be in the dog house -- at least not in Cottonwood, Idaho. The owners take the definition of "dog lover" to new heights: The B&B was built in the shape of ... a beagle. Guests enter through the "belly" and sleep in the "head." There's also a cozy alcove in the "muzzle." Guests can commemorate their stay with a wooden replica of their favorite pooch, hand-carved by owners/artists, Dennis and Frances.
4) Wigwam Village, Holbrook, Arizona: Tired of boxy roadside motels? Go West, road trippers: In Holbrook, Arizona, you can sleep in a snug wigwam at the Wigwam Village Motel #6. Built in 1950, this motel is one of a series built around the U.S. The 15 free-standing wigwams/teepees come with either one or two double beds and feature cable TV and air-conditioning. There are no telephones, though, so you may want to brush up on your smoke-signal skills.
3) Liberty Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts: This luxury hotel has a dark past: It was formerly the Charles Street Jail, built in 1851. Luckily for today's guests, the former residents wouldn't recognize the joint: Jail cells were preserved and are now part of the snazzy hotel restaurant called "Clink." (Get it?) The former exercise yard is now a "private, beautifully landscaped courtyard," and the jail's atrium is now the airy, light-filled center of the hotel -- jailer catwalks included.
2) Quaker Square Inn, Akron, Ohio: There's nothing square about this Ohio inn. Literally. The former silo complex that used to house your favorite breakfast-cereal grains now house guests. But don't fear: The inn features all the modern amenities, including an elevator, so no sliding down a chute to get to the lobby.
1) Kokopelli's Cave Bed & Breakfast, Farmington, New Mexico: If you've ever had one of those days when you wish you could just crawl into a cave, then this B&B is for you. The single guestroom/cave sits 70 feet below the surface, carved into a cliff wall. It faces west, so you can enjoy sunset views of the Four Corners and the La Plata River Valley -- 250 below you. No caveman accommodations here: The Cave boasts a queen bed, waterfall shower, hot tub and a full kitchen.
HTC’s U.S. Smartphone Shipments Top Samsung And Apple In Q3 2011
In a recent report, Samsung had topped Apple to become the world's largest smartphone maker for Q3 2011. Now, in a report studying smartphone sales in individual countries, Samsung has once again shipped more phones than rival Apple inside the United States.
But that only makes them numbers two and three: HTC has taken the lead in the U.S. smartphone market, becoming, for one quarter at least, America's biggest handset maker,
The numbers of handset shipments in America for Q3 2011, according to research firm Canalys:
1. HTC (5.7 million)
2. Samsung (4.9 million)
3. Apple (4.6 million)
The research also confirmed the findings of an earlier report by Strategy Analytics; both companies pegged Samsung as the leader in the worldwide smartphone market for Q3 2011.
It is HTC that is the biggest story here, however, as the Taiwanese handset maker had a huge quarter, with both its high-end and low-end offerings taking the top spots in the States. Perhaps bolstered by its August purchase of Beats by Dre audio -- and by consumers waiting for Apple to release its newest iPhone -- HTC shipped almost 25 percent of all smartphones in America last quarter.
Shipments are different than sales, of course: Shipments refers to the number of devices that the manufacturers send out to re-sellers and not the number of devices that customers actually buy in stores. At least one prominent tech writer has called into question the correctness of declaring a company a "winner" based purely on shipment numbers.
Regardless, Canalys is calling HTC the victor of Q3. Don't expect them to be calling HTC's name in Q4, however: With record-breaking sales of the iPhone 4S already reported, and HTC publicly stating that they are going to ship far fewer phones this winter, HTC's reign atop the American smartphone rankings is bound to be short-lived.
10 Amazing Jack-o-Lanterns
When it comes to pumpkin carving, Ray Villafane is the Michael Jordan, the Tiger Woods, the Edward Scissor Hands of his craft. Villafane’s Jack O’ Lanterns have mesmerized people for years, and they just keeps getting better.
Here are some of the best pumpkin sculptures / Jack O’ Lanterns, that Ray Villafane has created.
1. Shattered Jack O’ Lantern
And Villafne will show you how to push your Jack O’ Lantern limits on his website, where he gives an extreme pumpkin carving tutorial.
3. Gourdanimo Jack O’ Lantern
Ray has been at his craft for more than fifteen years. He used to be a grade school teacher in Michigan, but now he sculpts full time.
5. Extreme Jack O’ Lantern
You can follow Villafane’s work on his Facebook page.
7. Jack-O-n’ Hide
“I also like a pumpkin with character. One with knobbly ridges is good, so that I can utilise that in the carving procedure, like with sculpting noses.” – Villafane
9. Pumpkin Brains
Ray has won the Food Network’s Challenge: Outrageous Pumpkins, twice.
10. Zipper Head Jack O’ Lantern
“If you want to make a good pumpkin you have to push the limits” – Villafane2. Pumpkin Carving Bullet
And Villafne will show you how to push your Jack O’ Lantern limits on his website, where he gives an extreme pumpkin carving tutorial.
3. Gourdanimo Jack O’ Lantern
“To me you carve a pumpkin to transform it into something that’s alive. I’m so obsessive, when I get into something, forget it, I don’t go to sleep. I stay up all night. I keep doing it.” – Villafane4. Nail Bitter
Ray has been at his craft for more than fifteen years. He used to be a grade school teacher in Michigan, but now he sculpts full time.
5. Extreme Jack O’ Lantern
6. Head inside a pumpkin“The most important thing about a pumpkin is its weight. You need to pick the meatiest pumpkin. Sometimes I pick up a beautifully shaped pumpkin but when I do I realize that it is not heavy enough. Its wall is just not thick enough for the carving rigors.” – Villafane
You can follow Villafane’s work on his Facebook page.
7. Jack-O-n’ Hide
8. Extreme Jack O’ Lantern“I used to be an art teacher at a Michigan school and one day I was approached to do some pumpkin carving. I thought why don’t I try and carve the pumpkin like it is a piece of clay as opposed to a large vegetable. It came out alright, but the most important result was that the kids at the school absolutely loved it. I used to arrive at school and there would be a dozen pumpkins just sitting there waiting for me at my classroom.” – Villafane
“I also like a pumpkin with character. One with knobbly ridges is good, so that I can utilise that in the carving procedure, like with sculpting noses.” – Villafane
9. Pumpkin Brains
Ray has won the Food Network’s Challenge: Outrageous Pumpkins, twice.
10. Zipper Head Jack O’ Lantern
This is just a sampling of Ray’s work. You can see more extreme pumpkins at his website, and even learn how to carve your own. If that’s a little too extreme for you, Indyposted has some great Halloween pumpkin carving stencils.“The most intricate pumpkin model that I have designed is the Zipperhead model, which took the best part of a day. Otherwise, the models take a couple of hours.” – Villafane.
‘Walking Dead’ Renewed
"The Walking Dead" will live on for yet another year.
AMC network said on Tuesday that its hit zombie drama, just two weeks into a second season, will be returning for a third season.
Sunday's episode drew an audience of 6.7 million viewers for the early airing and another 2.1 million viewers for the same-night repeat.
That eclipsed the year-ago audience for the series, which emerged as a surprise hit by averaging 5.2 million viewers weekly during that first season.
Based on the popular comic book of the same name, "The Walking Dead" depicts the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse confronted by a group of survivors outside Atlanta. Its cast includes Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Sarah Wayne Callies.
