It seems Star Wars obsession has reached its point to where a film is coming out about the downfall of George Lucas since the prequel trilogy came out. Nerd rants galore about childhoods ruined and a proliferating money-making machine continue to litter the internet since 1999. The documentary, The People vs. George Lucas, is set to release this year and is currently looking for fan interviews on the status of Star Wars and Lucas the last decade. I've been disappointed about it all but seriously, get over it! Change out of that robe and collapse your plastic lightsaber, there's other things to do in life.
I'm not talking about his betrothed. After failing to restructure his contract, Marvin Harrison was cut today by the Colts. Marvin was scheduled to make $9 million this upcoming season but with his drop in production, age, recent injuries, and salary cap both parties agreed to part ways after trying to work something out. Peyton was quoted today as saying "I always will be indebted to Marvin for what he has done for my career." The 13 year veteran has spent his entire career up to today as a Colt and is #2 in career receptions to Jerry Rice. He's been the constant star player for the last 13 years. Manning's been around for 11, James only 7, Faulk only 5. Best wishes to #88 wherever he lands. There's talk of him returning to his hometown of Philly and playing with his college QB McNabb. I hope Marvin returns to Indy to retire a Colt.
Here's a bit from the NFL Network about Manning to Harrison:
If you stayed up late last night to see the last episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, you know that it is the end of something truly special that ran for a miraculous 16 seasons. Conan's moving from New York out to L.A. to take over for Jay Leno on The Tonight Show starting in June while Jimmy Fallon takes over the Late Night slot. I'll miss all the self deprecation and silly characters (Pale Force, Horny Manatee). Due to the late night time slot and true fans, the show was able to do what it wanted and we loved it for that. Moving to The Tonight Show we'll lose some of that character as it's moving to an earlier time slot and thus will most likely be more reserved. So here's to Conan, thanks for all the memories! We look forward to success in L.A., even though it won't be the same. Ok, video blitz - some of Conan's parting videos from this week as well as some of my favs from the show over the years.
Conan's final signoff - thanks to his staff and his promise to keep it goofy:
Conan's ALL TIME favorite clip - Old Time Baseball
If you didn't see my presentation on otoprotectants in my class yesterday or don't even know what otoprotectants are, then you may not know that there's recently been research and supplements in the works to be taken to reduce the effects of noise-induced hearing loss. It's based research using antioxidants, like vitamin C, to reduce toxic levels of cellular bi-products produced in the inner ear when one is exposed to high levels of noise. Dr. Josef M Miller, Ph.D., from Kresge Hearing Research Institute at The University of Michigan has developed a supplement to reduce noise-induced hearing loss. He's started a company, OTO Medicine, to produce AuraQuell - a supplement of antioxidants (Vitamin A,C,E) and vasodilator (Mg). With this supplement, soldiers who are exposed to loud levels of noise where hearing protection may not be sufficient could take this supplement and reduce the risk or amount of permanent hearing loss. The supplement is in the human testing stage, it will be interesting to see what develops.
Here's a couple of videos with Dr. Miller on AuraQuell
So I noticed that SIFF is going to show5 Easy Pieces in March. I just recently saw this film as it was next on the Netflix queue. Interestingly enough, this film about a former piano prodigy fleeing his pedigree of the upper class takes partly in western Washington - unknown where, but it's mentioned and he's on a ferry. Nicholson got his second Oscar nomination for this film.
Here's the iconic scene that's one of Nicholson's best:
Although much hasn't been shown in the couple of teasers released for this summer's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen but the usual Michael Bay fare of explosions, things coming down from the sky, flyovers, and film grain, many of the new characters have been slowly been released over the internet. One of note is Devastator. If you children of the 80's remember having (or for me, remember someone else having) the bright green-yellow and purple robot comprised of six construction vehicles, you can't forget that he was quite the Decepticon. Instead of the upstanding and statuesque figure of the 80's, Bay brings us a hunched over, hulking, and menacing brute. Since we haven't seen footage of how big this thing's going to be on the screen, I think we can get a sense that it'll be humongous - the giant thing in the trailer with the 2 wheels ripping stuff up is just one of the six.
Compare the 2 models below, plus commercials and trailers:
Film and Star Wars geeks (I'm included in both those categories) alike have been waiting years in anticipation for the release of Fanboys. It seems like forever since I posted a comment about the script resolution. It opened last week to a limited release, obviously Seattle was one of those places chosen. A reminder if you don't know what the film is about: a group of friends from Ohio plan to break into the Skywalker Ranch to sneak a peak at Episode 1 before the film is released as one of the guys is going to die of cancer. Penned as a "love letter to Star Wars fans," this film feels more like a store bought Valentine - short, you appreciate the thought into it, but gets you wanting a bit more effort. I think the reason for the limited release for the film is the fact that it's not really a very accessible film, just catering to the Star Wars faithful here. If you're not even remotely close to a devoted fan of the "galaxy far, far, away," this film is not for you. It will just seem like a run of the mill adolescent road trip film (never seen these films, but probably like Road Trip or Sex Drive) or a Kevin Smith work - who ironically makes a cameo appearance. I'd have to say, I was disappointed with the lack of character development and interaction with each other. I never really felt the characters had much camaraderie with each other, even with the whole cancer aspect of the film. What makes this film worth watching you say? I must say that this film was enjoyable for me in the end as I'm quite a nostalgic guy and the movie had enough Star Wars in it to bring back all those memories of the late 90's. I remember all the discussion and hype that brought Star Wars back to life since the 80's. Even though JarJar and the gang were disappointing, I still have fond memories of the anticipation. Fanboys brings that back that fervor for Star Wars, even though it didn't do it for me as a film.
There's not many clips of the film worth posting, but here's the full trailer:
Fanboys isn't for everyone, so here's some quick Star Wars geek humor, Natalie Portman's SNL monologue:
The 39 year old Brett Favre, for the second consecutive season, says he's retiring from the NFL and the game he loves. I think it was not really news this time when he broke the news today. My eyes rolled and I'm looking to next place he tries to sucker into taking him. I must admit this last season I felt bad for Packer fans who worship #4 since his departure from Green Bay. He kept Packer management sleep with one eye open for the last few years only for him to come out of retirement and make such as scene at training camp. I respect the all of his accomplishments as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time as well as all the things he's had to go through with his family, but that doesn't mean you drag a team you've played for 16 seasons with a town full of your acolytes through the mud.
Remember all the fanfare that occurred after this press conference?
After that rolled all his stats and retrospective of his illustrious career...then comes training camp. You know the rest of the story, he goes to the Jets and fall short of the playoffs which lead to the firing of Jets personnel. Had he played for a more forgiving team, he may still be lingering around. Retire his number already!
John Madden and Frank Caliendo will sure miss Brett:
Because The Lonely Island dudes released their first album today titled Incredibad. Not completely familiar with that name? You've probably seen former Channel101 trio's Saturday Night Live Digital Shorts, as they produce the usually out of studio sketches as well as write for the show. I'm convinced they've kept SNL sort of afloat recently since the departure of Will Ferrell. They were responsible for that aweful movie known as Hot Rod - I'm thinking they should stick to short comedy sketches for now. Anyways, Incredibad is comprised of many songs that have been displayed as Digital Shorts in the last few years.
The 2009 Pro Bowl finished today, capping off the 08-09 NFL Season. Peyton led both divisions in passing yards w/ 151 and Reggie was second in AFC reception yards to only Tony Gonzalez. Colts defensive bookends Freeney and Mathis accounted for all of the AFC's 3 sacks. Now I go into football withdrawal until the combine.
Remember those NFL Network Commercials with players and coaches singing "Tomorrow?"
Here's the first one. Big Ben had the last laugh here as the next season he ends up winning his first in Super Bowl XL. Who would've thought Byron Leftwich(sitting in the boat with the fishing pole) would have won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers?
What an exciting game! Although I was hoping the Cardinals could break some history by finally winning one for their franchise, they definitely contributed to a memory making match-up against Pittsburgh. Many watch the big game for the commercials as this is the most watched game of the year. There seemed to be a ton of beverage commercials this year. Many of the movie trailers didn't seem to wow. I don't think there was one this year that completely stuck out as outstanding.
Here's some of my fav's from yesterday (no Polamalu with Coke Zero, I hate those Coke Zero commercials and that one wasn't any better):
Sobe Life Water in 3D Silly commercial with Ray Lewis, Justin Tuck, and Matt Light(BOILER UP!) translated well to 3D with those glasses. Click on the video below and watch in HD with your glasses on youtube.
CareerBuilder.com Upon several watches, this wasn't as funny as when it debuted but the repetition is still mesmorizing.
Audi A6: The Chase Jason Statham plays wheelman to Audi's homage to the car chases of the silverscreen.
Bud Light: Conan's Swedish Commercial Anytime you can get Conan on TV is great TV.
Cash4Gold.com This is how you know this company's making off like bandits if they can afford a Super Bowl commercial - not sure if Ed McMahon or MC Hammer cost that much though.
Lastly, NOT a Super Bowl commercial but a great football related commercial that caps off the season: State Farm's LeBron James joins the Cleveland Browns.
It seems Star Wars obsession has reached its point to where a film is coming out about the downfall of George Lucas since the prequel trilogy came out. Nerd rants galore about childhoods ruined and a proliferating money-making machine continue to litter the internet since 1999. The documentary, The People vs. George Lucas, is set to release this year and is currently looking for fan interviews on the status of Star Wars and Lucas the last decade. I've been disappointed about it all but seriously, get over it! Change out of that robe and collapse your plastic lightsaber, there's other things to do in life.
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