When you stop and think about it, it’s amazing any movie ever actually gets made. Many films flounder through the maze of casting issues, constant rewrites, shooting problems, and budgetary constraints. A finished film, even an awful one, is something of a miracle. If you don’t believe me check out Terry Gilliam’s Lost in La Macha which chronilces just how far a film can go off course when the gods are against you.

Easy Virtue isn’t a great film. It just didn’t navigate those treacherous waters with enough skill. Despite several pieces which work well, and a definite style, it’s a deeply flawed film. Much, though certainly not all, of its troubles can be laid at the feet of its young stars.

Continue reading Virtue isn’t as Easy as it looks

Captain America #600 - This over-sized issue, which returns the series to the original numbering, is, when you get right down to it, little more than a tease. That’s not to say it’s not worth picking up, but it’s really only a preview of what’s in store for the many whose lives have been touched by Steve Rogers. Stealing a page from DC’s book, Brubaker and his team give us the death of Cap, One Year Later.

Continue reading Comic Rack - Captain America, Streets of Gotham, & Muppets

Here’s something new. It seems Australia is toying with the idea of Intelligent Speed Adaption. Under this new system cars would be equipped with an ISA which would warn drivers if they were exceeding the speed limit, and, if the driver took no action, would forcibly slow the car down to comply with the legal limit. The system is still in the development/testing phase and would have a on/off switch for those not ready for your car telling you how fast it should drive. You can read more here. I can foresee problems with trying to implement this technology, though I’m sure something like a parental lock might be a very popular selling point for Bobby or Sue’s first car.

This one’s for Toyota owners looking for information on modifications to their cars. ToyotaModifications covers everything from the simple (reverse hood, mirror paint-job, custom gages), to the odd (Ferrari doors, angel eye headlights, floating trunk), to the absurdly awesome (smokescreen, flame thrower, and even transforming into a robot).

As seen in “Batman’s Satisfaction” from the Batman TV-series. Yes, it really does have everything.

Here’s a little Transformers inspired time waster for you this morning. Despite the title Megatron Face-Off isn’t a game where Megatron and Optimus Prime switch faces and pretend to be each other Nicolas Cage-style. Sigh.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to protect Sam (as either Ironhide or Bumblebee) from Megatron. Of course if you’re not a fan of the young Mr. Whitwicky you could always lose just let him die. See, it’s fun for everybody!

Okay, as pranks go making a giant monster out of construction barrels on the side of the road is pretty inventive.

The 22 year-old North Carolina State student responsible for “Barry” (that’s what I’m calling him, let me know if you’ve got a better name) faces charges for damage to property, larceny, and awesomeness. You can find out more about the story here.

Barry was murdered after only a single day of life by a mob of city and state employees bent on destruction who couldn’t fathom the gentle nature that lurked behind his monstrous visage. His memory, however, will remain with us forever.

Barry the Barrel Monster, R.I.P.

That’s the question the good folks at Cracked have asked you to answer. The latest Photoshop contest is looking for you to:

“Show us what everyday, mundane tasks would look like if the entire universe was directed by Michael Bay. Explosions, big boobs, awesome cars, and handsome men with dirt-smeared faces, sweating in slow motion… you know the drill.”

The contest runs until June 23rd. The winner gets $50 and the appreciation of Bay haters everywhere. So far this one’s my favorite, but I know someone out there can do better!

Now what that is? It’s a wireless mouse! No, really? Yes, really!!

The re-imagined computer accessory is a little pricey ($99 on Amazon), but it works for both Windows and Macs along with doubling as a pointer for Power Point presentations and includes a limited on-screen keyboard functionality. It even works with your PS3! And, you must admit, it’s not exactly hard on the eyes. Check out the official site for more.

NPR’s Linda Holmes has taken some flack around the internets for her recent plea to Pixar to make a film which centers around a strong female character:

“So I’m not complaining; I’m asking. I’m asking because I think so highly of you.”

“I want so much for girls to have a movie like Up that is about someone they can dress up as for Halloween, as Anika Noni Rose said about starring as the voice in The Princess And The Frog. Not a girl who’s a side dish, but a girl who’s the big draw.”

“And I’d really, really like it not to be a princess.”

Let’s just say response to her article has been mixed, including those who have trumpeted her cause and some who have diagrammed cliffs for her to jump off. I have to agree she’s got a fair point, which is a bit surprising when you think of how many classic Disney films were centered around female characters (be they princesses or not), and yet Pixar is only now working on its first.