Shared posts

25 May 12:32

Gear for making cold-brew coffee

by Billy Cadden
Cold Brew Gear

Supplies for keeping your cool (and buzz) all summer long.

Cold-brew coffee is an effective way to keep your cool (and your buzz) all summer long.
19 Apr 15:37

Here Are the Songs in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's 'Awesome Mix'

by Beth Elderkin
Still: YouTube

Marvel has announced the much-anticipated soundtrack for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and it looks like James Gunn and the Guardians crew have outdone themselves, with an impressive and eclectic set list that truly earns the name “Awesome Mix.”

The second film’s mix includes more rock music, including from the 1970s, and several of the songs aren’t really well known. There’s a reason for that. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gunn said many of the songs are personal favorites from his childhood, including “Lake Shore Drive” by Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah (a regional hit from the Chicagoland area), while others were obscure ones suggested by fans (like Silver’s only hit song). Gunn said most of the songs were selected to serve specific scenes or characters— for example, he added “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison to relate to Star-Lord’s father, Ego.

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We already knew about a few of the songs from their use in previous trailers, like “Fox on the Run” by Sweet (which isn’t actually in the movie), but some of the others are pleasant surprises. For example, I’m always happy to see some Electric Light Orchestra representation, even if “Mr. Blue Sky” isn’t my favorite song of theirs (though it’s one of Gunn’s). Surprisingly, David Bowie’s “Suffragette City” isn’t on the playlist, even though it was featured in one of the trailers. It’s especially notable since Bowie was on the first film’s soundtrack. In fact, none of the artists from the first soundtrack are on the second one. That’s likely on purpose.

However, the biggest surprise has to be the final song on the mix: “Guardians Inferno” by The Sneepers... featuring David Hasselhoff. Gunn said this is an original song for the film, co-written by Gunn and score composer Tyler Bates. He called it the Guardians’ version of Meco’s disco Star Wars theme, and said they recruited Hasselhoff for it because he’s one of Peter Quill’s childhood icons. The Sneepers are a race of aliens in the Marvel universe, but it’s unclear whether they’ll actually be in the movie or if it’s just an Easter egg mention for Marvel fans. The soundtrack comes out on Friday. Here’s the list typed out.

  1. “Mr. Blue Sky” — Electric Light Ochestra
  2. “Fox on the Run” — Sweet
  3. “Lake Shore Drive” —Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah
  4. “The Chain” —Fleetwood Mac
  5. “Bring It On Home To Me” —Sam Cooke
  6. “Southern Nights” —Glen Campbell
  7. “My Sweet Lord” —George Harrison
  8. “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” — Looking Glass
  9. “Come A Little Bit Closer” — Jay and the Americans
  10. “Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang” — Silver
  11. “Surrender” — Cheap Trick
  12. “Father and Son” — Cat Stevens
  13. “Flash Light” — Parliament
  14. “Guardians Inferno” — The Sheepers feat. David Hasselhoff

[Twitter]

11 Apr 21:18

How many hours of sleep do you actually need?

by Claire Maldarelli

It depends on how well you want your brain to work

How much sleep do we actually need? And can we train ourselves to need less? Find out.
20 Jan 17:38

Anne Hathaway Plays a City-Crushing Kaiju in the First Trailer for Colossal

by Germain Lussier

Few movies have as original or weird a premise as Colossal. That premise: Anne Hathaway plays a woman who realizes she can occasionally spawn a real-life giant monster halfway across the world that acts as her avatar, mimicking her movements.

If that’s kind of hard to visualize, the distributor Neon has just released the first teaser ahead of the film’s Sundance screenings. Here it is, courtesy of EW.

Colossal is directed by Nacho Vigalando, the filmmaker behind the brilliant Timecrimes. Jason Sudeikis and Tim Blake Nelson also star in the film, which we saw back at its world premiere in September. Here’s our full review.

You’ll get to see the film on April 7 when it begins to roll out in theaters and on-demand, and you definitely should. The crazy premise actually enfolds a very poignant, thought-provoking point, one which would be a sin to spoil at this moment. It’s nice, though, because the original Godzilla films were also about something, mainly a fear of nuclear war. Later films, such as the more recent remakes, got away from that in favor of pure spectacle. Colossal has some spectacle, but thematically it’s much more in line with the earlier films. That could make it a tough sell—but hopefully with Hathaway in the lead, people will actually turn out to see this super weird little movie.

[Entertainment Weekly]

23 Nov 12:45

The science fiction podcasts every nerd should listen to

by Rachel Feltman

To help you ignore your dystopian reality.

Short stories, radio dramas, and fictional docudrama podcasts that will make any science fiction lover turn up the volume.
25 Sep 05:07

Norse Mythology in a Nutshell [Pic]

by Geeks are Sexy
21 Sep 23:16

BEHOLD: Joss Whedon Will Have Mark Ruffalo do A Nude Scene If You Vote Against Trump [Video]

by Geeks are Sexy

As a Canadian and as a member of the country that has the most amazing prime minister/country leader in the world, I don’t have to vote on November 8, but if you do vote against a certain politician, Joss Whedon promises to have Mark Ruffalo do a nude scene in an upcoming movie.

I think he should promise a new season of Firely instead… or maybe have Tom Hiddleston do a nude scene.

With that said, no more politics on [GAS] for a long, long time. I usually stay away from stuff like this, but this video has Joss Whedon in it… along with a few other people I know you guys really like.

[Save The Day . Vote]

The post BEHOLD: Joss Whedon Will Have Mark Ruffalo do A Nude Scene If You Vote Against Trump [Video] appeared first on Geeks are Sexy Technology News.

15 Sep 23:30

Tumblr Came Up With The Greatest Comic Book Character Ever: The Villain Wrangler

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Artwork by Patrick Brown

The beautiful part of Tumblr is that it encourages ongoing, collaborative storytelling - whether through text or illustration or GIFs of those two brothers on Supernatural ALLLLLMOST kissing. And while not all of it is great/comprehensible, sometimes Tumblr lands on something absolutely perfect - like with The Villain Wrangler.

In a post started by oneiriad envisioning a scenario in the world of comic books where a sick kid who was part of the 'Make a Wish Foundation'-equivalent really wanted to meet a villain instead of a superhero, given it would be pretty unlikely that literally EVERY kid in these worlds ONLY worshipped superheroes (some of your favorite action figures when you were a kid were bad guys, admit it). But - how would the foundation actually get in contact with the villains and get them to agree to visit the sick kids? How would the mechanics of that all work - and what would be the fallout for the rest of the comic book world?

Take a minute and read the whole thing - it's worth it:

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And, as Tumblr threads are wont to do, the story has built off tangents and further details from a bevy of users. Dig into the notes on the post above here and see where it leads you.

12 Sep 17:23

Your New Live-Action Marvel Ghost Rider Has Been Revealed

by Germain Lussier
Your New Live-Action Marvel Ghost Rider Has Been Revealed

Ghost Rider, Marvel’s fire-covered, bat-out-of-hell character, is no stranger to live-action. Nicolas Cage played the character in two movies, and now, five years later, Ghost Rider is back in the burning flesh and the first official look is here.

As you probably know, Ghost Rider will soon be coming to ABC’s Marvel show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He’ll be played by Gabriel Luna but not as the original Johnny Blaze version. This is the Robbie Reyes version, which is from a more recent Marvel Comics run. Hence the new look. Here’s the photo.

Your New Live-Action Marvel Ghost Rider Has Been Revealed

Ol’ Flame Head is pictured here with his smoking hot 1969 Dodge Charger, another change from the traditional motorcycle. According to S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jeff Bell, introducing the character “opens up a whole different kind of storytelling for us.” Um, yeah it does.

Ghost Rider represents a character whose origin has no basis in reality. Pretty much every other character in the universe, even Vision, Thor or Hulk, at least attempt to make sense. (One is artificial intelligence, one is from another planet, the other enhanced by gamma radiation.) Even S.H.I.E.L.D’s Inhumans were made that way by science. But Ghost Rider has no “logical” explanation. How that’ll play out in this reality-based world should be interesting to follow.

Here’s another brief glimpse, which you’ve already seen if you read today’s Morning Spoilers.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D returns to TV on September 20.

[Yahoo]

07 Sep 17:03

Deep Space Nine Is Star Trek's Best World, Because It's the Real World

by Beth Elderkin
Janus.node

The perfect reasons of why I like DS9 best of all the Treks.

Deep Space Nine Is Star Trek's Best World, Because It's the Real World

When Star Trek fans fight about the best Trek show, nine times out of 10 they’re arguing about the original series versus The Next Generation. Obviously, both shows are excellent and fundamental to the franchise, but they aren’t the best Trek ever put on television. I believe that honor belongs to Deep Space Nine, and praise the prophets, do I love it.

Yesterday, both Katharine and Rob talked about Star Trek’s inherent optimism and hope. But in those previous series, that often meant characters would land on a planet, deal with a problem, and move on to the next location. But even in a future as bright as the one promised by Star Trek, Deep Space Nine knew that not everything would be—or even could be—perfect.

Deep Space Nine took the world—er, universe—established in the previous shows and opened it up to all the longstanding complexities that would come with it. We got to see how these different species groups lived and worked together over a long period of time. We saw amazing friendships and bitter rivalries developing side-by-side. (It’s why having the show take place on a space station made so much sense.) And while the Federation was still as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as ever, dedicated to making the universe a more peaceful, prosperous place, we also got to see that not everyone has the same idea of what’s best, especially when it came down to different species. Sometimes it went hand-in-hand with humanity’s mission, other times it was completely the opposite. But we had a great crew that knew the value of compromise.

Deep Space Nine Is Star Trek's Best World, Because It's the Real World
“Do you like my head stick?”

For example, in Star Trek: First Contact, Picard tells Lily that there’s no money in the future because people work to better themselves. However, that’s only true for humanity. For many aliens, there’s Gold Pressed Latinum. It may not be used by humans, but it’s almost sacred to other species. For the Ferengi, money is how they better themselves.

In the first episode, we see Commander Sisko utilize Quark’s Ferengian principles in order to keep him working on the space station. He even got the blessing of the Grand Nagus when he needed Quark’s help to find the Founders. And he did that through respect for the customs that his own society didn’t uphold. Sisko’s strength was in his ability to juggle the needs of all those on his station, of finding the best solution for the greatest amount of people, while knowing that not everyone would be or could be satisfied.

Star Trek’s utopia may be great for humans, but it’s not always great for everyone else. Deep Space Nine recognized that. Differences in ideology lead to problems. In the case of the Dominion, it led to war. That’s because perfection is impossible. Deep Space Nine was strong because it shows the cracks in a utopian dream—idealism only goes so far, and everybody’s version of a perfect world will inevitably conflict.

Deep Space Nine Is Star Trek's Best World, Because It's the Real World

But ths doesn’t mean Deep Space Nine is the “darker Star Trek” (I really hate when people call it that). The show has a lot of heart, and a great deal of humor. We saw an entire episode where our heroes got stuck in the most stupid game in the universe. They put a bomb in a Tribble. A bomb in a Tribble.

And let’s not forget that Commander Sisko used the power of his words, not his weapons, to convey humanity, love, even the concept of linear time to a group of aliens called the Prophets. Deep Space Nine was, in its way, just as hopeful as the original series or The Next Generation—it just didn’t hide how much work it would be to achieve that future, and how difficult it would be.

Likewise, Sisko was the first Star Trek captain who wasn’t afraid to show his flaws, often to his own detriment. He was a man who was kind and clever, but made irrational decisions when he was angry or scared. He was even complicit in the murder of a senator to convince the Romulans to fight against the Dominion. Like many captains, he was forced to make questionable decisions that blurred the lines between right and wrong; Sisko simply had to make them a lot more often.

Deep Space Nine Is Star Trek's Best World, Because It's the Real World
Cheers to being an accessory!

We also got our first (and I’d argue only good) portrayal of religion in the franchise. The Cardassian/Bajoran conflict was something that was first introduced in The Next Generation, but Deep Space Nine was what gave it flight. Religion was never much of topic on Star Trek before Deep Space Nine, largely because Roddenberry was an atheist, but I think the Bajorans were an excellent introduction.

The storyline taught religious tolerance and understanding. Sisko was a holy figure to these people, and even though he didn’t agree with their beliefs (at least at first), he still honored them to the best of his ability. At the end of Season 1, when Sisko’s son Jake asks him why Bajorans believe that the wormhole is something sacred when it’s clearly not, Sisko teaches him about the value of compassion and respect to differing faiths. It’s a powerful lesson that still echoes today.

It also showed what happens when religion and politics collide. Throughout their decades of slavery, the only thing that kept the Bajorans going was their faith. Once they were free, their faith fell to infighting, because they were no longer unified against a common enemy. Sects succumbed to religious extremism- to the point where members were committing acts of terrorism, like when Neela blew up the station school in “In the Hands of the Prophets” because it wasn’t teaching what amounted to Bajoran Creationism. But Sisko didn’t let fear and intimidation take over, he continued to embrace his Bajoran allies. Utopia doesn’t always work, but love does.

The biggest message at the end of the day for Deep Space Nine is there are no easy endings. Our heroes don’t conclude their journey playing a friendly game of poker, they’re forced to sacrifice almost everything they have in order to try and make the universe a better place. Because that’s what you have to do in the real world.

But if that doesn’t convince you, all I can say is: Morn. Case closed.

Deep Space Nine Is Star Trek's Best World, Because It's the Real World
31 Aug 10:54

While You Were Fighting: A Thor Mockumentary [Video]

by Geeks are Sexy

Marvel has just released this fun mockummentary revealing what Thor was up to during “Captain America: Civil War.”

[Marvel UK]

The post While You Were Fighting: A Thor Mockumentary [Video] appeared first on Geeks are Sexy Technology News.

18 Aug 17:25

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

by Andrew Liszewski
Janus.node

Not a Harley guy myself, but these are pretty darn cool

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

To help celebrate Captain America’s 75th anniversary down under, Marvel Comics and Harley-Davidson dealers in Australia and New Zealand teamed up to make a series of 25 custom motorcycles inspired by heroes and villains in the Marvel universe. The results are fantastic, and a terrible tease since none of the custom rides are available for sale.

That being said, there is a slight chance you can do more than just gawk at these lovely motorcycles. On the Super Hero Customs website you can vote for your favorite, which gives you a slight chance to actually win one of these creations. The only catch? You do have to live in Australia or New Zealand, or just temporarily move there until the contest is over. Otherwise, you can check them out here!

Black Panther - Harley-Davidson Breakout, a.k.a. Pride

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Black Widow - Harley-Davidson Iron 883, a.k.a. Solitary

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Thor - Harley-Davidson Breakout, a.k.a. Fearless

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Spider-Man - Harley-Davidson Iron 883, a.k.a. Agility

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Wasp - Harley-Davidson Roadster, a.k.a. Fun-Loving

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Iron Man - Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, a.k.a. Boldness

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Ant-Man - Harley-Davidson Street Bob, a.k.a. Heart

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Punisher - Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight, a.k.a. Justice

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Drax - Harley-Davison Fat Bob, a.k.a. Persuasive

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Punisher - Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight, a.k.a. Up-Front

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Captain America - Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, a.k.a. Freedom

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Groot - Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, a.k.a. Devotion

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Black Panther - Harley-Davidson Breakout, a.k.a. Ferocious

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Ant-Man - Harley-Davidson Low Rider S, a.k.a. No-nonsense

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Spider-Gwen - Harley-Davidson Street 500, a.k.a. Alternative

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Iron Man - Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, a.k.a. Courage

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Ultron - Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special, a.k.a. Intelligence

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Thanos - Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, a.k.a. Voracious

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Black Widow - Harley-Davidson Iron 883, a.k.a. Uncompromising

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Ultron - Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special, a.k.a. Rogue

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Spider-Gwen - Harley-Davidson Street 500, a.k.a. Vigilance

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Ghost Rider - Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special, a.k.a. Transformative

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Drax - Harley-Davidson Fat Bob, a.k.a. Unrelenting

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Groot - Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, a.k.a. Big-Hearted

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

Hulk - Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo, a.k.a. Strength

Marvel and Harley-Davidson Made a Bunch of Badass Super Hero Bikes

[Marvel & Harley-Davidson Super Hero Customs via Nerd Approved]

16 Aug 12:47

13 Killer Netflix Picks to Watch Right Now (Other Than Stranger Things)

by Cheryl Eddy
13 Killer Netflix Picks to Watch Right Now (Other Than Stranger Things)
Scene from Trollhunter. Image: Magnet Releasing

As everyone in the universe is aware by now, Stranger Things is amazing and well worth watching over and over. But maybe you need a break from #TeamBarb and the Demogorgon for a spell. There are some surprisingly awesome genre movies on Netflix right now, and we have some recommendations.

1. A Nightmare on Elm Street: Freddy’s Revenge

The second Nightmare movie is not exactly scary—it contains Freddy Krueger’s first (of approximately one zillion) pun-propelled wisecrack, as well as a campy scene involving an exploding canary—but it is a surprisingly evocative movie. Its queer subtext, which went largely unnoticed by mainstream audiences in 1985, is unmistakable today.

Mark Patton, the gay actor who played the ostensibly straight teen lead, has spoken about his struggles within the film industry after the movie’s release. But he’s also proud of his moment in history, telling Fangoria in 2013 that he’s pleased to be known as “the first male scream queen.” Frequently referred to as one of the gayest horror films ever, Freddy’s Revenge has a unique place not just in the Nightmare series, but in the genre as a whole. And it’s full of fun stuff, like this:

2. The Snowtown Murders

There are plenty of horror films based on real-life crimes, but this Australian import takes an artful approach to its gruesome subject matter. You think you’re watching a gritty indie about a kid who falls in with the wrong crowd—then you realize how very, very wrong that crowd is.

Hollywood certainly took notice of this 2011 chiller, even if it didn’t get much theatrical exposure stateside. Director Justin Kurzel went on to make Macbeth and December release Assassin’s Creed, both starring Michael Fassbender.

3. John Dies at the End

Our obsessions with Phantasm and especially Bubba Ho-Tep have been duly noted on io9 before, but Don Coscarelli’s most recent directorial credit is this 2012 mind-meld of comedy, horror, science fiction, and supremely wild drug trips.

Without giving away too much, one of the heroes is a dog, and one of the monsters assembles itself from a freezer full of meat. What’s not to love?

4. Night Watch

This 2004 supernatural action fantasy is notable for several reasons: it was one of the first FX-laden blockbusters made in post-Soviet Russia; it brought international attention to hometown hero Sergei Lukyanenko’s best-selling source material; and it’s batshit insane.

Vampire batshit insane, even. Timur Bekmambetov’s visual flair eventually led him to Hollywood, where he made Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, as well as the forthcoming Ben-Hur. He also produced the recent Russia-US collaboration Hardcore Henry.

5. The Host

13 Killer Netflix Picks to Watch Right Now (Other Than Stranger Things)
Image: YouTube

Korean director Bong Joon-ho (Snowpiercer) directed this 2006 movie about a disjointed family that must work together to rescue its brightest star—a schoolgirl who is snatched by a rogue river monster. Endearing performances make you actually care about the characters as the stakes rise ever higher, and the script’s digs at the movie’s true villain—the United States—are pointed without being heavy-handed.

6. Troll Hunter

Not to be confused with Guillermo del Toro’s animated series, also for Netflix, called Trollhunters, this 2010 faux-doc hails from Norway and is about college kids who stumble into a vast conspiracy involving the not-so-mythical beast.

Comedian Otto Jesperson is a highlight as the title character, a monster expert who spends his days in the forest, just doin’ what needs doin’ to protect people from trolls.

7. Proxy

Be warned: a pregnant woman suffers a brutal assault at the beginning of this movie. But all is not what it seems in a movie that is best experienced by watching it without knowing much of anything about it beforehand. Trust, even the trailer is crammed full of misdirection.

8. Explorers

If Stranger Things has you feeling nostalgic for kid-centric 1980s science fiction, set aside some time to spend with baby Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix and their DIY spaceship. The plot is mostly very different than Stranger Things, but the vibes do intertwine.

13 Killer Netflix Picks to Watch Right Now (Other Than Stranger Things)

9. Stake Land

Stake Land is a road movie set in the aftermath of an apocalypse caused not by zombies—as these things often are—but vampires. Director Jim Mickle, who co-wrote with star Nick Damici, brings dusty realism to the film’s dystopian despair, but doesn’t shrink back from hardcore violence. Kelly McGillis has a small but effective role as a badass nun.

As a side note, one of Mickle’s later films, cannibal-family yarn We Are What We Are, is also on Netflix right now if you want to make it a mini-festival.

10. Upstream Color

Mad genius Shane Carruth’s follow-up to Primer did the impossible by making Primer seem completely simple and easy-to-explain by comparison. Upstream Color is the kind of movie you can’t really explain; you just kind of have to watch it and let it envelop you as a visual and an emotional experience.

13 Killer Netflix Picks to Watch Right Now (Other Than Stranger Things)

The fact that it’s on Netflix means you can watch it as often as you want, from the comfort of your couch, with whatever chemical enhancements you choose. Just watch out for those freaky parasites, man.

11. Room 237

An experimental documentary about all the strangest conspiracy theories and hidden secrets associated with The Shining, explained in voice-over by the theorists themselves, and illustrated with clips not just from Stanley Kubrick movies, but also works like Creepshow, Jesus Christ Superstar, Schindler’s List, and Demons 2.

A movie on a subject this weird has to be weird itself, and Room 237 fits the bill one hundred percent. Director Rodney Ascher’s 2015 doc on sleep paralysis, The Nightmare, is also a Netflix selection right now, and it takes a similarly unusual approach, using reenactments to explore interviewees’ tales of late-night, dream-borne terrors. (None of them are as scary as The Shining, though.)

12. Dead Snow

13 Killer Netflix Picks to Watch Right Now (Other Than Stranger Things)

Dead Snow is the deliciously gory Norwegian horror comedy about unfrozen Nazi zombies. I repeat: unfrozen Nazi zombies. Why haven’t you watched it yet? I will admit I haven’t watched the sequel, though it is also up on Netflix right now. I just feel like all of my questions about unfrozen Nazi zombies have been answered already. (However, if Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead is a must, some fiend please let me know.)

13. Event Horizon

Because hell in space is the best hell.

28 Jul 16:36

How That Crazy Cylinder Illusion Works

by Bryan Menegus on Sploid, shared by Adam Clark Estes to io9
How That Crazy Cylinder Illusion Works

Back in June we spotted a video that had us flummoxed: a few round-looking shapes appear as squares in a mirror. Rotating them 180 degrees produced the opposite result. Was it wizardry? CGI? Almost a month later, we finally have our answer.

Captain Disillusion is a YouTuber best known for debunking viral hoaxes. But much to our—and potentially his—surprise, the ambiguous cylinder illusion isn’t the result of digital effects trickery. The secret lies in perspective cues and some very, very careful planning.

For starters, none of the shapes are truly round or square, they’re somewhere in between. So already your brain has to work a little harder to determine what it’s looking at. The truly clever bit is that the top surfaces of these shapes aren’t flat. Each is composed of rolling, s-shaped hills and valleys that, when viewed from the correct angle, have the effect of lengthening or shortening certain sides. In the original video you can almost make them out, now that you know what to look for.

How That Crazy Cylinder Illusion Works

But these tricks of construction aren’t enough on their own. Proper lightning has to be used to ensure that the shapes’ shadows don’t give the secret away. Even the camera’s specification have to be taken into account, because the exact dimensions of the shapes is determined in part by the focal length of the lens being used to film the trick.

Would it have been easier with digital manipulation? No doubt. That or the illusion could’ve been shot in multiple takes. But knowing that this brain-bending trick is legit makes it all the more impressive.

20 Jul 05:31

Texts From SuperheroesFacebook | Twitter | Patreon



Texts From Superheroes

Facebook | Twitter | Patreon

01 Jul 19:51

Crazy Illusion Somehow Transforms Rectangles Into Circles in the Mirror

by Casey Chan on Sploid, shared by Adam Clark Estes to io9
Crazy Illusion Somehow Transforms Rectangles Into Circles in the Mirror

What in the sorcerous hells is this? Kokichi Sugihara’s ‘Rectangles and Circles’ illusion is a mind-bending visual trip that turns squares into circles and circles into squares right in front of your face. Different shapes are placed at a mirror and what you see in front of you is totally different from what you see in the mirror. It’s like the mirror is actually a portal to another dimension where squares are circles and circles are squares. Seriously ... what the hell?

I imagine it’s a stunning trick of perspective. It’s either that or black magic, right? More shapes are added in to confuse the hell out of you, too. I mean what the hell is this:

Crazy Illusion Somehow Transforms Rectangles Into Circles in the Mirror

And here’s the full video:

SPLOID is delicious brain candy. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

09 Jun 05:11

Skynet Is Bullshit

05 Jun 01:34

This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show

by Germain Lussier
This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Part of a piece by Josan Gonzalez, which is in the Voltron Legendary Defender Art Showcase. All Images: Dreamworks

Voltron fans have been waiting to see their favorite property resurrected for a long time. Rumors of movies have come and gone, but finally, on June 10, a new show is coming to Netflix. To celebrate, Voltron is coming to another new medium: an art gallery.

The Dreamworks Voltron Legendary Defender Art Showcase opens Saturday June 4 at the Hero Complex Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. It’s a wide ranging show featuring posters, paintings, pins, sculptures, and more. We’re excited not only to show you some of the art, but exclusively reveal several brand new pieces as well. Let’s do that first. Names of artists below.

This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Jared Circusbear
This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Craig Drake
This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Craig Drake
This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Alina Chau
This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Cameron Garland
This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Dan Mumford

And here are some equally awesome, but previously revealed, pieces.

This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Josan Gonzalez
This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Joshua Budich
This Voltron Art Gallery Is the Perfect Way to Prepare for the New Netflix Show
Vincent Aseo

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The show opens at 11 am June 4 at 2020 South Robertson Blvd., Studio D, Los Angeles, CA. Online sales will take place June 5. Check out the gallery’s website for all the specifics.

09 May 19:02

The Black Panther’s Debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Is Pretty Much Perfect

by Evan Narcisse
The Black Panther’s Debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Is Pretty Much Perfect

“I will kill him myself.” That’s the moment in Captain America: Civil War when I knew that I wasn’t going to have a problem with the Russo brothers’ approach to my favorite superhero.

Spoilers follow for Captain America: Civil War.

The Black Panther’s Debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Is Pretty Much Perfect

That line up top is one of the first things T’Challa says after his father King T’Chaka dies in a bombing attack supposedly carried out by the Winter Soldier. The razor-sharp threat immediately places him outside the boundaries of the other superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in that he seemingly has no compunctions about killing. Everything his character does in Civil War is about ruthlessly single-minded. The Black Panther is about his prey and pretty much nothing else.

Throughout the movie, the Black Panther feels like a character who serves his own agenda first, aiding Stark’s faction only out of pragmatism. He’s not here to make white characters feel good about themselves, as has sometimes been the case in his comics appearances. In the big fight scenes between Team Cap and Team Iron Man, he’s not helping War Machine or Black Widow with the ol’ tried-and-true, ‘change dance partners’ superhero battle switcheroo. T’Challa is going after Bucky almost exclusively. He’s going to kill that man. It truly feels like his way of life demands it.

Yet, the Black Panther doesn’t come across as a feral Dark Continent savage. Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal is cooly regal when we first meet him. Even as he gets pulled into a plot of ever-escalating drama, his affectation is that of someone who’s unperturbed by the major events happening around him. T’Challa and Wakanda get portrayed as mysterious but not exoticized. Sam Wilson quips at the Panther after he makes his dramatic debut in costume but the king doesn’t respond with snark. He simply says that the Black Panther has protected Wakanda for centuries. This is who he is and what he does.

This is a younger T’Challa than the one who shows up in my favorite Black Panther run, so he’s not the master strategist put forth by writer Christopher James Priest. But he still manages use his country’s undisclosed but considerable resources to sneak into the movie’s climax and capture the mastermind who got Steve and Tony fighting in the first place.

In the end, T’Challa moves from wanting vengeance for himself and his country to ensuring justice will be done. That switch doesn’t feel like it’s motivated by a need to align with Tony or Steve’s moral compass; rather, it’s the thematic endpoint of his arc in the movie. Civil War’s third act has Iron Man become obsessed with killing Bucky as payback for his parents’ murder. Tony Stark almost turns into a villain, an analogue of the kind of people that he and the Avengers usually fight. T’Challa, on the other hand, is able to find his own closure precisely because he’s an outsider who isn’t compromised by the considerations motivating Captain America and Iron Man. In Civil War, the Black Panther begins a wary relationship with the world outside Wakanda and it becomes crystal clear that he’s a force to be reckoned with.

07 May 17:51

The Warship To End All Battles

by Adam Piore

Courtesy/copyright 2015 Startpoint

In 1906, the Royal Navy rendered all other battleships obsolete when it unveiled the HMS Dreadnought: a steam-powered fighting vessel with 12-inch guns and cement-reinforced armor. This past summer, British naval engineers revealed a vision of its successor, the Dreadnought 2050.

The stealthy, semisubmersible ship is designed to move agilely around a battle zone and remain flexible in any type of mission, says Mark Steel, a manager of the Combat Systems Team at BMT Defence Services, a naval design firm involved in the project.

The battleship could function with a crew as small as 50, as opposed to the usual 200. It would serve as a mobile command center, unleashing and directing armies of drones, missiles, and rovers. “Robotics allows us to operate the ship at range to keep people out of harm’s way,” Steel says.

Here are its components:

1. Moon Pool

The moon pool—a floodable dock area at the ship’s stern—would allow for the rapid deployment of unmanned underwater rovers or Royal Marine divers.

2. Drone Launcher

An extendable flight deck and hangar would enable the launch of remotely piloted drones, many of which could be 3-D-printed on board.

Courtesy/copyright 2015 Startpoint

3. Tethered Quadcopter

Above the ship, a hovering quadcopter would provide 360-degree visibility. Its sensors could capture emissions at frequencies across the electromagnetic spectrum to detect enemy ships. A cryogenically cooled tether made of carbon nanotubes would transmit energy from the ship to keep it flying. Also, the quadcopter could be equipped with lasers that could take out close-range threats, such as enemy missiles, craft, or pirates that have slipped past the ship’s other defenses.

4. See-Through Strength

The ship’s hulls would be made of ultra-strong acrylic coated in graphene (the material’s hydrophobic properties cut down on drag). “Smart windows” would change to translucent when a certain amount of voltage is applied, allowing unobstructed views of close-in operations.

Courtesy/copyright 2015 Startpoint

In addition to the main hull, two outrigger hulls, or armas, would contain tubes for launching torpedoes.

5. Stealth Propulsion

To propel the ship, a fusion reactor (or, if that fails to materialize, highly efficient turbines) would drive silent electric motors. Dreadnought would also be the first surface fighting ship able to use ballast to lower parts of the ship below water, making it harder to detect with radar or infrared.

6. Holo-Op Room

Inside the Dreadnought’s control room, commanders could zoom in and out of battles using a holographic command table. This would offer a 3-D view of a battle in real time from any vantage point—in the air, on the ocean’s surface, on land, or even underwater.

Courtesy/copyright 2015 Startpoint

7. Firepower Trifecta

First, the ship would be armed with hypersonic missiles capable of knocking out would-be attackers.

Second, it would have super-cavitating torpedoes. These rocket-propelled weapons move so fast, they vaporize the water around them to create a nearly frictionless air bubble. These could pursue enemy ships at speeds of 300-plus knots.

Third, an electromagnetic railgun could fire projectiles hundreds of miles, comparable to today’s long-range missiles.

This article was originally published in the January/February 2016 issue of Popular Science.

25 Apr 20:14

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Reveals Nathan Fillion's Amazing New Cameo

by James Whitbrook
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Reveals Nathan Fillion's Amazing New Cameo

Nathan Fillion is circling the Marvel universe once more. in the most delightful way. New set pictures from GotG2 have hit the web, revealing an all-new role the Castle and Firefly star plays in the movie—and it has a major reference to the comics. Spoilers ahead!

Fillion, of course, made an uncredited guest appearance in the first Guardians of the Galaxy as the blue inmate that roughs up Peter Quill on the Kyln. His cameo in the sequel, however, is much more noticeable; set pictures posted by Comicbook.com today revealed shooting by an Earth-based street theater, with a series of movie posters outside depicting Fillion’s character in various movie roles (including as Tony Stark in a biopic, which presumably roots this scene reasonably close to present-day Earth).

Obviously Fillion is playing an actor, but it’s the name of that actor that has comics fans excited. The theater is advertisting a movie festival celebrating the work of Simon Williams, better known by his superheroic alter-ego, Wonder Man.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Reveals Nathan Fillion's Amazing New Cameo
Wonder Man and Spider-Man in Wonder Man #29, by Gerard Jones, Ron Randall and John Tartaglione

In the comics, Wonder Man was a former villain who turned away from his criminal past and joined the Avengers (his brain patterns even formed the blueprint for the mind of the Vision—long story). With the power of superhuman strength, speed, and durability, Simon battled evil for years on and off, and at one point he retired from the heroic life to become an actor.

While it’s likely that this is all there is to Fillion’s cameo—a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it nod for die-hard Avengers fans—man, I suddenly want Fillion to show up in Infinity War as Wonder Man for real. That would be amazing.

25 Apr 15:38

Ecto Cooler, That Neon Green Ambrosia of the Gods, Is Officially Coming Back

by Rob Bricken
Ecto Cooler, That Neon Green Ambrosia of the Gods, Is Officially Coming Back

Oh joyous day! Sing, choir of angels! Just do something jubilant, because those kind executives over at the Coca-Cola company have kindly—benevolently allowed us another chance to purchase the greatest non-alcoholic beverage of all time, Ecto Cooler, just in time for the new Ghostbusters movie to premiere on July 15.

This has been rumored for a while now, but for anyone who drank the beverage—sweet, tart, a color that could not possibly exist in nature—knowing that we’ll finally be allowed to shovel wheelbarrows full of our cash to the Coca-Cola company to purchase this product is wonderful indeed.

If you haven’t accepted the glory of Ecto Cooler in your life, chances are you were either too old to be drinking Hi-C “fruit” “drink” when the flavor debuted in 1987 (originally promoted alongside the Real Ghostbusters cartoon), or too young when Coke discontinued it in 2001 (a full 10 years after the cartoon went off the air; that’s how good it was). Since then, lovers of the drink have been trying to recreate the poisonous hue and deliciously artificial flavors to varying degrees of success. But now their work is done.

From the press release:

Hi-C Ecto Cooler will be sold in 10-packs of 6-ounce juice boxes and in 6- and 12-packs of 11.5-ounce aluminum cans. The cans are specially printed using thermal ink that turns an eerie shade of slime green when the product inside is cold.

I DON’T CARE ABOUT YOUR CHEAP MARKETING TRICKS, GUYS. I JUST WANT THE DRINK. WHICH, ADMITTEDLY, WAS ALSO ESSENTIALLY A MARKETING TRICK.

I fully expect this stuff to sell out instantly and ceaselessly, thanks to an insane horde of 30-somethings (myself absolutely included) trying to stockpile the drink in case of another 15-year drought. We can only pray that the Coca-Cola company will make enough product to bestow upon us the great kindness of allowing us to give them our money.

11 Apr 13:15

Illustrated Quotes for Coffee Lovers [Picture Gallery]

by Geeks are Sexy

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Artist Landysh Akhmetzyanova of Lingvistov.com loves coffee, and in honor of the delicious black substance that keeps a lot of us sane and awake during the day, she has illustrated a series of quotes that caffeine lovers can relate to. Check ’em all out after the jump!

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For those interested, all of these are available for purchase as prints via lingvistov.com.

[Lingvistov | Via NA | Bored Panda]

The post Illustrated Quotes for Coffee Lovers [Picture Gallery] appeared first on Geeks are Sexy Technology News.

01 Apr 17:27

This Iron Man Alien Xenomorph Looks Amazing! [Pics]

by Geeks are Sexy

alien1

The folks at Samkwok workshop used a Hot Toys’ 1/4 Iron Man Mark 43 figure to build this amazing Iron Man/Alien Xenomorph mashup that would truly bring a new meaning to the quote: “In space, no one can hear you scream.”

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[Source: Samkwok workshop | Via GT]

The post This Iron Man Alien Xenomorph Looks Amazing! [Pics] appeared first on Geeks are Sexy Technology News.

03 Feb 19:14

Move Over Kylo Ren; Jedi Belle Has the Ultimate Lightsaber [Pics]

by Geeks are Sexy
11 Jan 18:44

The 1904 World's Fair: A Turning Point for American Food

by Robert Moss

The 1904 World's Fair took place at an important historical turning point in American food culture. While there may not be conclusive evidence that any single food item was invented from scratch on the fairgrounds, American foodways were undergoing a radical transformation, and, for a few brief months in a single place, the fair captured an entire culture of eating that was being remade for the modern world. Read More
08 Jan 18:23

A Crashed Interstellar Probe Inspires an Alien Mind

by Katharine Trendacosta

In “Sputnik,” a football-shaped space probe is picked up by an alien. The resulting journey results in a whole new state of mind.

Read more...










28 Dec 16:23

Behold, The First Look At Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange (UPDATED)

by James Whitbrook

By the hoary hosts of hoggoth, it’s the Sorcerer Supreme! We’ve had set pictures, and teasing glimpses through concept art , but this is it: our first official look at how Benedict Cumberbatch will appear as the master of all things mystical in the Marvel universe. That beard. That cloak. That magic! Oh my.

Read more...










24 Dec 23:04

A Young Star Wars Fan in Love: The Most Adorable Ad of the Holiday Season [Video]

by Geeks are Sexy

A young Star Wars fan falls in love with a young lady who moves next door a little before Christmas.

This ad from German supermarket chain Kaufland has to be one of the cutest Christmas ad I’ve ever seen!

[Kaufland]

The post A Young Star Wars Fan in Love: The Most Adorable Ad of the Holiday Season [Video] appeared first on Geeks are Sexy Technology News.

18 Dec 05:51

These New Ghostbusters Character Posters Are Just Badass

by Charlie Jane Anders

The new Ghostbusters movie is still half a year away, but at least now we’re starting to get teased with some pretty sweet images. Yesterday, we saw our first official cast picture . Now feast your eyes on four posters, one for each of our new heroes.

Read more...