Wikipedia Bans Scientology - The website has decided to block all IP addresses associated with the business due to its constant efforts to try and edit any articles that might paint the organization in a bad light. Scientology has had a long war with the internet as it’s tried to have anything "bad" removed from the website using lawyers, harassment, and threats. The church has made it clear that free speech is not a concept they think should apply only to them.
Fan Made Green Lantern Trailer - A new fan made trailer for Green Lantern with Nathan Fillion (Firefly) in the Hal Jordan role. The trailer adapts footage from multiple movies to pull off the trailer that looks pretty damn good.
G.I. Joe Clip - Click the link for a clip in the upcoming movie that shows off some of the action and especially the lovely Sienna Miller as the Baroness. From what little I have seen its look like it might be a fun popcorn flick.
Toy Story 3 Teaser - A cute little teaser trailer for the movie that is coming out next year in 3-D that shows that the entire cast is returning. The trailer is also attached to Up that is in theatres starting today.
The Tonight Show Changes Hands - After tonight, Jay Leno moves to Primetime and Conan O'Brien takes over the Tonight Show, a late night institution that is about 40 years old (I think). Overall this should be an improvement over Leno's rather boring comedy that only an old fart would love. Of course this means that NBC's primetime fortunes are only going to get worse.
Torchwood: Children of Earth Trailer - The new season of Torchwood, a UK based TV show, starts this July. The season is really more of a mini-series of about 5 or so episodes regarding one main plot of all children on Earth somehow being taken over by aliens.
Obama Picks Sotomayor for Supreme Court - In an effort to seat the first Hispanic on the court, Obama picked Sonia Sotomayor has his candidate for the high court. As expected, the GOP objects to the choice saying she allows personal views to dictate her rulings, ironic considering Antonin Scalia does that all the time (see below). I don't know enough about her to know if this good pick but what little I have read suggests her only outstanding trait as a judge is she is a Hispanic as her rulings have not been particularly ground breaking or compelling. Before it’s all over, we will know more then we probably want to about the woman so hopefully that first impression is incorrect.
Supreme Court Reverse Michigan v Jackson - The court overturned the 86 ruling that authorities had to stop questioning defendants once they ask for a lawyer. Now police can pretty much tear into defendants as long as they want until a lawyer is actually on the scene. Scalia's argument for the ruling, "there is little if any chance that a defendant will be badgered into waiving his right to have counsel present during interrogation". Basically it’s the "trust me!" defense, the same used for the Patriot Act (which lead to warrantless wiretapping of Americans), questing defendants (which lead to a need for the Miranda rights), torture and so forth. It would be a rather long list if tried to named abuse of rules by authorities, bosses and pretty much anyone. Once again, Scalia allowed his personal views to dictate his rulings.
Caifornia Supreme Court Upholds Prop 8 - In a surprise to no one that knows even a little about the law, the court upheld that Prop 8 CA constitutional amendment to outlaw gay marriage. On the bright side the 18000 currently legally married remain legal. Considering a Supreme Courts job is to weigh in on the constitutionality of the law, a legally passed amendment by definition is constitutional. At this point the only way to reverse the decision (cause the Supreme Court isn't) would be for another constitutional amendment.
Beware CircuitCity.com - While the stores are defunct, the website will live on due to recent purchase by Systemmax. However, I don't recommend ever ordering anything from the site as their return policy is very rigid. For example, the site can refuse a refund or replace a product at any time. They also refuse to accept return on any Compag, IBM, HP, Toshiba, Epson and other computer vendors. Basically, you by something from them, whether it works or not, you’re stuck with it.
Mike Tyson's Daughter Dies - The once boxing king's four year old daughter died today accidently hanging herself on a treadmill cord at home last night. What makes it tragic beyond the death of a child for me is the Tyson was about to regain some of his fame with a new documentary and summer movie, now tarnished by this loss. Condolences to the family.
The Voice of Mickey Mouse Dies - Wayne Allwine, the voice of Mickey Mouse since 1977, died last Sunday from diabetes at the age of 62. He was married to the voice of Minnie Mouse, Russi Taylor. Below is an interview with the two.
Obama Signs Credit Card Bill - The President has signed into the law the bill that curbs some of credit card companies more questionable choices in an attempt to pad their bottom line with little effort on their part.
1st Use of Assisted Suicide Law - For the first time, Washington's new suicide law has been used by a 66 year old woman with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The question wasn't would she die, just when and in how much pain and misery. I think more laws of this nature should be passed as people should have the right to choose how they die. It isn't just an issue of life...but of quality of life. The act of breathing should not be the only qualifier in these decisions.
Poison Ivy in Batman: Arkham Asylum - This game just gets better and better looking. Now the fear is it may not live up to its hype but until then, enjoy the introduction to Poison Ivy.
Right-winger Waterboards, Realizes the Obvious - What is it with these right wingers and inability to recognize reality without themselves first experiencing it? They are against any healthcare reform because their insurance is just fine. They think the poor are just whiners as they try to figure out which house to spend their weekend in. They are removed from reality while claiming they understand things. And technically that is possible. This practice continues with waterboarding. Intelligent people can come to the conclusion that the illusion of drowning as water is poured down your throat and nose is a form of torture but as right-winger radio host Mancow Muller illustrates, it is only direct experience that leads to the obvious conclusion. Before then he thought getting dumped in water was like laying in a bathtub. What?!? At least he is willing to put action were his mouth was and re-evaluate his conclusions, which is better than some (that coward Hannity).
Special Comment on Cheney - Keith Olbermann aired another commentary on Dick Cheney and his continued fear mongering as he tries to secure his legacy. His speech yesterday on national security, less than an hour after the Presidents was more of the same. He basically spent the entire time claiming that no responsibility for his actions and blaming others for the bad press that has come out over the last few months about the Bush Administration. When not doing that he kept invoking 9/11 as a protective cloak and trying to continue to strike fear. Essentially he was speaking to the Boss Rush audience. The GOP continues to die and it couldn't happen to a worse party. Hopefully whatever emerges from the carcass will do better.
CW 2009-2010 TV Schedule - The last network has finally revealed its schedule. Cancellations include Everybody Hates Chris, Privileged, and sadly Reaper. Renewals for Smallville, Supernatural, Gossip Girl, and 90210. New shows are the usual sexy people without money problems get themselves in trouble while having lots of sex that the network likes called Beautiful Life, Melrose Place, and Vampire diaries. The only major movie is to switch Smallville to the day shows go to die - Friday. Rather odd considering the effort that went into renewing the program. The main thing is Supernatural gets to finish its five year run so I am happy.
Ghostbuster 3 Coming Soon? - It appears a revival of the franchise is in full swing that started off with a video game. Now Dan Aykroyd is saying that the film could start filming this winter with the entire original cast returning to hand off the Ghostbusters job to a new generation. Dan mentioned Alyssa Milano and Eliza Dushku as two people he wouldn't mind putting on the jumpsuit for the movie. Long story short, people are interested but nothing is greelit just yet.
V Teaser Trailer - ABC has released a trailer for their next season show "V" that indicates that at least some of the elements of the original series will be retained such as the lizard insides that the human looking shell is hiding.
Consumerist Tests the Snuggie - Meg Marco (who turns out to be pretty cute) and Ben Popken help test the snuggie. The end result is the thicker hospital gown is cheaply made, causes lots of static and sheds lint like a cat in the middle of summer. At least your butt will be easily exposed when going to the bathroom just like a hospital gown.
Terminator Salvation Reviews - Basically this movie is getting savaged by online critics such as IO9 and AICN. They are actually angry with how bad the movie is, probably due to their disappointment. The problems seem to be numerous, from poorly acted lines, to poorly written lines, bad stage direction (but good action scenes), huge logic holes (why would Skynet bother to build human interfaces into their components), and just a complete failure to give the movie any urgency and concern for any of the characters. Essentially, if you’re going, cut your brain off and just enjoy the action and try not to think about it too much.
CBS 2009-2010 TV Schedule - The number one network has revealed their schedule for next season and their model is to stick with what works by cancelling some cop shows with other cop shows. The network has cancelled Eleventh Hour, The Unit and Without A Trace. Renewals include Amazing Race, the CSIs, Criminal Minds, Numbers, and How I Met Your Mother. Several news shows are in the works. One is NCIS: LA, which follows a unit as they use their undercover skills to take down various criminal and terrorists organizations. Accidentally On Purpose stars Jenna Elfman as an annoying woman (she always plays those) that is preggers after a one night stand. The Good Wife is a legal drama following Julianna Margulies' character becoming a defense attorney again after her husband's sex scandal lands him in jail. Decent cast, could be good if the show doesn't become to full of itself. Three Rivers covers the drama of dealing with organ donation from getting it, to delivering it to putting them in. Considering I find people's refusal to donate to always be an incredibly boring (and stupid) every time it is used, I don't think I could tolerate entire episodes of it. Schedule wise, the biggest change is The Mentalist is moved to Thursday after CSI essentially becoming the new "Must See TV" in TV land. More info at the link above.
Credit Card Bill Passes Congress - While it’s not the usury laws we still need, at least it is a step in the right direction as Congress, in a rare display of bipartisanship, passed the bill designed to curb card companies gouging. Sadly it just makes it more difficult to get screwed, not actually stop the screwing. New rules include ban on rate hikes for bills less than 60 days late, force payments applied on highest rated debt first rather than last, and require 45 day notice for rate increases (rather just doing it and you being surprised on your next bill). Credit card companies say that the changes would force them to charge higher rates (cause 30% isn't enough apparently) and maybe restart annual fees (which would be cheaper then 30% interest rates). Whatever. I have faith the companies will devise new ways to screw consumers considering that most of their gains wasn't based on borrow/payback business arrangement but a series of random nickel and diming schemes that are pure profit and nothing else.
NBC 2009-2010 Schedule - NBC officially announced its schedule which includes Leno on at 10pm for the foreseeable future. Cancellation include American Gladiators (which should have stuck with summers), Kath and Kim, Knight Rider, My Name is Earl and Medium (moving to CBS). Renewals include the Law and Orders, The Office, Southland, Chuck and others. The schedule, overall, seems to be designed to make it easy for NBC to get run over by the other networks. New shows include kind of a mimic of How I Met Your Mother only it uses a questionnaire as the starting point for the episodes. Their high concept show, Day One, follows a group after a global catastrophe that will probably suffer the usually problem of holding to much back thinking it would be needed for future seasons. Since ER is done, NBC is dipping into the medical well with Mercy (follows nurses instead) and Trauma (follows paramedics). Likely the first casualty of the season will be Parenthood, an attempt to be like Brothers and Sisters with a fantastic cast that instead will simply remind people of their own problems rather than allow them to escape from them.
ABC 2009-2010 TV Schedule - Their turn to show and tell. Cancellations include According to Jim, Samantha Who, and According to Jim. Renewals for Better off Ted, Scrubs, Castles, Ugly Betty and more. Following the formula of why fix what isn't broke, few shows get moved around, in most cases the new programs are being slotted to fill in the cancelled programming. Multiple new shows in the works. Cougar Town with Courtney Cox as hot single mom looking for love, likely an earlier casualty, The Deep End which is a law drama that follows four young lawyers (apparently after done doing all the boring grunt work that doesn't involve trials). Eastwick, based on the novel that the movie was based on follows the adventures of three hot witches. Execution will be key but something tells me it will not last long. Day One follows what happens after humanity experiences their individual near future and cast members attempt to avoid (or not) that future. Big concept and another where hiding too many cards just in case could be disastrous. Kelsey Grammer returns to TV in Hank as a once rich powerful guy now out of work and nearly broke. Fan of the very gorgeous Melinda McGraw so will try it out. Honestly though it sounds like another variation of his previous characters and probably will not last long. V returns to television with a re-imaging of the TV series as aliens that attempt to conquer the world not with violence but promises of a better future. The problem is the price...humanity is their food source. The original series was entertaining but suffered from crappy budget and writers running out of ideas. Hopefully this one will focus on the political intrigue and fight for control and less the personal conflicts of the individual heroes. Either way I will watch, if only for the very gorgeous Morena Baccarin (short hair not doing her any favors). For a sneak peak, click here for a few clips.
NBC's Not So Hitmaker - Ben Silverman was hired two years ago to turn around NBC and the result is a network firmly entrenched in 4th that has no abandoned the 10pm in a quest to simply save money. As the upfront schedule shows, turnaround is not even close to coming as the upcoming slates of programs are weak at best. At the link, an article that covers the last two years of excuses as NBC's planned rising star is probably one season away from losing his job.
Huge Lego Corellian Corvette - Click the link for a gallery of images of a fan made 12 foot long, complete detailed interiors of the Corellian Corvette. He has also created the world's largest Millennium Falcon from Lego.
Fox 2009-2010 Schedule Announced - Fox is returning a bunch of series including House, Bones, 24, Fringe, and Dollhouse but cancelled Terminator, Prison Break and others. New shows include "Brothers", Family Guy spinoff The Cleveland Show, Glee, and the Human Target (commercial here) among others. The schedule is getting a little re-arrangement, notable Lie to Me being paired with House on Monday, and Bones and Fringe working together on an already very competitive night. Full details at the link.
Video Game Wallpapers - Click the link for a look at wallpaper inspired by video games, most notably the 8-bit and 16-bit era.
Astro Boy Teaser Trailer - A movie based on the '60 era manga from Japan is coming in August and unlike Speed Racer (which I still think was very entertaining); this one will go the computer animated route. The result looks like an interesting film. Too early to make a final call on watchability.
Starcraft Terran Marine - Amusing video that mixes Starcraft 2 teaser trailer with first Starcraft game footage.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Game Play Footage - Click the link for a demo of an example of the game play for the upcoming game for the next gen consoles. It does look like a lot of fun and also a game I would absolutely suck at.
Extended Terminator 4 Trailer - A four minute long internet only trailer for the upcoming movie. Click the link for the HD version for apple or just enjoy the YouTube embed below.
Blizzard Universe, Lego Style - Click the link for a gallery of Blizzard properties such as Starcraft and Warcraft re-created with Legos.
Kindle DX Announced - Amazon has announced a new version based on the Kindle 2 platform. It’s essentially the same thing but a larger device for a larger 9.7'' screen, more memory (but no SD slot), native PDF support (regular Kindle doesn't have that), auto landscape/portrait rotation (like iPhone does), and keyboard takes up less room. It still lacks color and backlight, costs $489 (about hundred more than regular version), and seems aimed for school books and newspaper readers. Still a pass for me.
Bank of America Needs $33.9 Billion - This is on top of the $45 billion from the US taxpayers via TARP. The bank that pretty much is the creator of every crappy act that banks engage in to screw the customer (that other companies quickly copy) is now asking for more help. This is an easy call...let the company fail. Their business practices are so foul they simple don't deserve to exist.
Family Guy Movie Planned - Still in the early stages, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has indicated that fox wants to make a theatrical movie of the cartoon series. Currently it is in the pre-script stage as the Guy team works on the series.
Old Dr. Pepper Recipe Found - While they are not sure if it is the first recipe for the soda or a tonic, they do believe it is from the same Waco, Texas drugstore that first created the fantastic soft drink. The ledger containing the recipe was found by Bill Waters in an antiques store. The hope is to get around $75,000 at auction.
The Hunt for Gollum - Made for only $5,000 a decent movie based on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Click the link for the film, trailers and behind the scenes stuff.
Dom Deluise Dead at 75 - Sad day in the comedy world as comedian Dom DeLuise, probably after a year plus long fight with cancer. Dom was in multiple movies and TV programs over the years including The Cannonball Run, Smokey and the Bandit II, An American Tail, and many others. "I was thinking the other day about this. As you get older you think about this more and more, I was dreading this moment. Dom always made everyone feel better when he was around. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much," Burt Reynolds says.
AIG Bonuses 3x Bigger - Remember those bonuses that AIG claimed were critical to the company (and mostly going to the division that necessitated the bailout)? Yeah turns out that $120 million was off just a bit. The real value was $454 million. Yep, nothing like corporate America to let you fail forward once you get at a certain executive level.
Wolverine Sequel in the Works - After a healthy world wide opening weekend of around $160 million, Hugh Jackman is ready to move ahead on a sequel. Right now it’s in the idea phrase with Jackman indicating he wouldn't mind doing a story on Logan's Samurai background from the comics.
Auto Tune the News - Funny video that uses new click and Kanye West's favorite music tool to make it seem if footage from news programs is "singing" along with some creative additions.
NBC Upfronts - The last place channel has announced most of its schedule as the goal is to cut costs and no worry about viewers. The result is only a few new shows and emphasis on reality. Cancelled shows include Life, Knight Rider, and Kath & Kim. On the bubble and undecided is Chuck (but prospects are good), Medium (ditto), and Law & Order (50/50, costs being the issue). Now that NBC has ceded the 10pm slot to the competition (it should just follow the Fox model and let the individual stations use 10pm how they see fit), the new shows include Parenthood (yep based on the movie about an oversized family a la Brothers and Sisters), Trauma (think ER only following paramedics), Mercy (Grey's Anatomy from the nurse's perspective), Day One (consequences of everyone one earth seeing their future) and two comedies.
Olympic Cover-Up - Turns out the Beijing Opening Ceremony was going to have a dance from a single girl but an accident involving the floor opening too quickly and prematurely resulted in her getting paralyzed from the waist down. Which the Chinese government quickly covered up as to avoid any bad press. The end result is the girl can't dance and is being used as a figurehead for whatever propaganda they need. Considering the Chinese consider the handicap as nothing more than a drain on resources, she has a tough life ahead of her.
Lego Star Wars Minifigs Gallery - Click the link to view a gallery of all the Lego Star Wars figures created in the last 10 or so years. Pretty cool what they put together for those tiny figures.
Digital Camera Recommendations - A nice tool that helps you choose a digital camera based on basic criteria like use, size, and price. If you’re like me who only wants it to work, it’s a useful way to get pointed in the right direction of a purchase. Still do your research, mainly because not all cameras are reflected in the choices and not sure what criteria are used in making the recommendations.
Denise Richards' Fun Bags - An amusing video with a willing Richards that highlight her "fun bags". Yep, she is fake but still gorgeous and with a sense of humor too.
Credit Card Legislation - A new bill "Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights" has passed the House that might help relieve some of the more harsh credit card practices. Sadly it does not go so far as re-enable usury laws so 30% interest rates are probably going to remain the norm. However, it does offer protection such as banning universal default (late on a different bill increases your CC interest rate), APR can only increase in certain circumstances such as promo rate expired or index increases, bans double cycle billing, and other things. Sad this is something that Republicans never did for their 8 years in power and Democrats are doing it in the first few months.
CEO Perks as Pay Falls - As expected, while CEO's are getting less, they have made it up with perks, bonuses etc. Quite literally too as pay went down 7% but perks increased 7%. Why shareholders put up with this I will never understand as with few exceptions (Apple and Jobs) CEOs are rarely a driving force in a company’s success. Most seem easily replaced with almost little effort, proving how irrelevant they are to day to day operations. It’s also why companies continue to endure problems as the perk system rewards short term improvements rather than long term planning. In effect, including getting "fired" a CEO will make more money improving a company for a year but killing it in the long term then they would building it over the years. Basically it is a system in real need of reform and now is a good time as any to do it.
2009 TV Lands Award Intro - Neil Patrick Harris hosted the awards and met a heck of a reel on why he should probably be in the running for Emmy or Oscar host as he brings a depth of skill, intelligence and humor as the intro shows.
New G.I. Joe Trailer - A new trailer for the movie coming out in August hit the web and the result is a movie that might actually be worth watching.
Condoleeza Rice Admits to Torture? - In an exchange with Stanford students, former Secretary of State Rice might have admitted to breaking the law. The argument, of course, comes down to how you define torture. The Bush administration went through some massive hoops to define it differently than it has been for the last 100 years. So if go by their definition, then she did nothing right. If go by conventional wisdom, she did.
