A Year In 40 Seconds

Happy New Year, everyone. I'm signing off until January 2, as I'll be on the road a lot until then. But I figured this time-lapse video was the perfect way to close out 2008:


One year in 40 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

(Via Towleroad.)

Transformers II Is Shooting!

Wired reports:

Hollywood action director Michael Bay enlisted the U.S. military to provide realistic props for his 2007 giant-robot epic Transformers. After the Pentagon helped rewrite the script, Bay got access to helicopters, warships and -- for just $25,000 an hour -- F-22 stealth fighters.

As we speak, Bay is shooting a sequel that has even more U.S. military hardware on display, according to USA Today. The director set up shop at White Sands, a test range in New Mexico, standing in for Egypt, where the new movie's climactic battle takes place. "As far as I know, this is the biggest joint military operation movie ever made," said Bay's liaison officer from the Army.

Continue reading.

Beware Of Dried Out Christmas Trees

This video is pretty awesome--so long as something similar doesn't happen in one's own home:



So make sure to keep your Christmas tree well-watered and then throw it out before it's completely dead.

(Via Boing Boing.)

An Environmentalist Analysis Of WALL-E And Quantum Of Solace

Climate Progress' Joseph Romm writes:

The best eco-movie of the year is Disney/Pixar’s Wall-E — easily one of the best movie dystopias ever. It ranks with Blade Runner, Brazil, A Clockwork Orange, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, the Matrix, Planet of the Apes, Soylent Green, and the first two Terminator movies.

Yes, Hollywood loves dystopias. Perhaps because it is one (okay, technically Hollywood is an anti-utopia).

The worst eco-movie of the year for me was Quantum of Solace. I had been somewhat hopeful upon learning the villain was a green-washing “eco-entrepreneur.” But as a huge James Bond fan, I was quite disappointed. The writing and directing were dreadful, among the worst of the entire series. The story line was incoherent. The characters’ motivations were opaque. And the direction of the action scenes suffered from the Jason Bourne syndrome — way too much fast-cutting.

I still like the grittiness of Daniel Craig — his Bond is much more like Ian Fleming imagined in his books than anyone since the Sean Connery of the early movies. Still, the gritty realism is undercut again and again as one guy with a pistol keeps beating a dozen guys with machine guns — not something you find much in the books.

Continue reading.

Random Goodness

First random thing:


Next Nature reports:

Nanotechnology isn’t just protecting your food - it’s in your food. Scientists are manufacturing nano-sized vitamins that are easier for our bodies to absorb. In the future they hope to create ‘interactive’ food - food and drink that could change color, flavor or nutrients on demand.

Meanwhile, top chef Heston Blumenthal is dreaming of Willy Wonka style sweets, with three different tastes in one. Supported by the University of Nottingham, he’s even employed a research student who will investigate how nanotechnology could improve foods’ flavour.

Unfortunately, we're no where close to building functional nanobots like the one pictured. But it is a pretty sweet picture. I suppose that's why Next Nature included it in their post.

Second random thing:


(Via Brand Flakes for Breakfast.)

Third random thing:


(Via Inspire me, now!)

Consider me inspired. To do what exactly, I don't know.

Fourth and final random thing:


(Via Boing Boing.)

Beware of snowmen with mustaches, I guess.

That is all.

Best. Street Art. Ever.

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

See more of this artist's work at blublu.org.

William Burroughs' Christmas Special

Merry Christmas, everyone! Enjoy:


(Via Reason.)

(Cross-posted at The Podium.)

The Mysteries Of American Chinese Food

This is a great exploration of how Americans have radically altered Chinese cuisine. But just because it's not authentic doesn't mean it's not tasty.


(Jennifer 8. Lee: Who was General Tso? and other mysteries of American Chinese food)

Food Is A Wonderful, Terrible Drug

(Via DoseNation.)

These women's concoction is obviously a much greater threat to public health than marijuana.

(Cross-posted at The Podium.)

Make It Rain On Me

This is a great project, bringing the idea of a rain cloud following and tormenting a single person out of the cartoons and into the real world. However, I'd prefer a sun that always kept my surroundings bright no matter how dreary the weather. That would definitely help boost my mood.


Make It Rain On Me (Outdoor) from Paul Outlaw on Vimeo.

(Via Urban Prankster.)