“The Winter Stalker.” Written and directed by Stephen Reedy. Produced by Alex Pardee.
Nothing says happy holidays like a creepy Santa Claus and anything quite like this. Well, enjoy!
[Via Nerdist]
All posts by Scott Meisner
Watch this “Community Service Announcement”
Although it’s technically a music video for Jonathan Boulet’s “A Community Service Announcement,” please indulge this “inspired call to arms for 21st century dreamers” for its risky art direction and beautiful filmography.
[Via KanyeBlog]
Music video: Black Noise – “Jackin’ My Fresh” (Featuring Lex One)
I like how the animated creatures vibe to the beat of the song. More videos like this are welcome.
[Via KanyeBlog]
Blu-ray Association announces final 3D specification
The Blu-ray Disc Association has announced the finalization of the “Blu-ray 3DTM” specification. So what does this mean? Now the home entertainment industry has the go-ahead to produce and ship full-blown high definition (1080p) 3D experiences to capable television sets for consumers. The specification allows Blu-ray players to display full HD in 3D to each eye. Also, it’s agnostic, meaning that capable Blu-ray players and TVs will be able to display HD 3D images regardless of display type (LCD, plasma, etc.). The spec features enhanced graphics for displaying menus and subtitles in 3D. All Blu-ray 3D-enhanced discs will contain a 2D version of the content, thus making them backwards compatible with standard Blu-ray players. Notice I’ve been careful to label Blu-ray players and TV sets as “capable.” In order to receive the high definition 3D experience, you must own a 3D-capable TV and Blu-ray player. This means that your current entertainment setup likely will not be compatible with the specification. It is worthy to mention that there’s a lone exception; the Sony Playstation 3 will be forwards-compatible with the spec. Sony has stated that it will become 3D ready via a future firmware update. Remember, though, that a new HDTV with IR emitters and those pesky 3D glasses are necessary. Expect all this new tech to release starting in 2010. Full press release is after the break.
What’s to come of all this? No one is certain of the future of 3D tech in the home. For starters, many have been skeptical of this idea, labeling 3D movies a gimmick with silly glasses. However, a number of people have admitted like movies like Pixar’s UP and the freshly released Avatar are better in 3D than 2D because instead of acting as in-your-face gimmicks they are great films that truly immerse you into the environment of the on-screen characters, making the movie experience better. The real question is whether or not manufacturers will have success helping consumers transition from standard HDTV sets to 3D-capable ones.
[Via Engadget]
Continue reading Blu-ray Association announces final 3D specification
Astronomers find a nearby water-rich “super-Earth”
Astronomers have discovered GJ 1214b, a nearby planet that contains (supposedly) a plethora of water. The 40-light years away planet is labeled a “super-Earth” because it’s recorded to be 2.7 times as large as Earth (and technically because it is between one and 10 times as large as Earth). It orbits a star that is much smaller and less bright than our sun. To the surprise of many scientists, this planet was sitting right underneath our noses; it was spotted “using an amateur-sized, 16-inch telescope on the ground.” They never spotted it in the past because researchers don’t normally look for planets that orbit small stars. David Charbonneau, a Harvard professor of astronomy: “Nature is just far more inventive in making planets than we were imagining.” For those of you hoping that GJ 1214b contains life similar to that found on our Earth I have unfortunate news. It’s been reported that its atmosphere is too thick and hot to support life like ours. This being said, Charbonneau describes this as a breakthrough discovery and leaves the possibility of living organisms open due to the fact that the planet does contain water. Now how about giving GJ 1214b a real name; it’s a start.
[Via CNN]
“The Known Universe”
The Known Universe takes viewers from the Himalayas through our atmosphere and the inky black of space to the afterglow of the Big Bang. Every star, planet, and quasar seen in the film is possible because of the world’s most complete four-dimensional map of the universe, the Digital Universe Atlas that is maintained and updated by astrophysicists at the American Museum of Natural History.
It’s true; we are but a speck of beings living in a limitless and expansive universe.
[Via Gizmodo]
Another ‘zine publisher joins the push towards digital media
The publishers at Popular Magazine have joined the digital revolution in print media with their rendition of a concept tablet device displaying their magazine in a digitized form. PopSci publisher Bonnier teamed up with design agency BERG to create this mock tablet called Mag+ that does its best to recreate the magazine in a digital environment. Bonnier joins Time Inc.’s Sports Illustrated and Conde Nast’s Wired in the movement towards a digital future for magazines. If this is indeed the future for magazines and even newspapers, I say bring it on. Technology and interactivity could be long sought solution for keeping print media alive in a digital age ruled by the Internet.
[Via Gizmodo]
Crazy engineers cannonball themselves to recreate the Intel chime
This dangerous stunt by “Intel engineers” to recreate the famous Intel chime from the commercials sounds (and looks) crazy, right? Well, it turns out it is too crazy to be true. This is an viral video promoting Intel; the “engineers” are actors and the cannonball stunt is fake. Hell, at least it’s entertaining.
[Via Engadget]
McD’s installs a steam machine in latest ad for coffee
Fast food giant McDonald’s has gone ahead and put a steam machine inside a transit shelter marquee to promote their hot coffee to freezing cold people waiting for the bus. The ad reads “Your coffee is ready.” Not so sure this will have people running to their local McDonald’s for their gross coffee, but the effect will definitely turn heads.
[Via Gizmodo]
Ice Cream Sandwich bench
Trailer: Iron Man 2 (it’s finally here)
HOT DAMN, this trailer rocks. We’ve seen the initial posters for this highly anticipated sequel, but none of that does justice to the Iron Man blockbuster franchise like this superb trailer has done. Robert Downey Jr. rules as Iron Man, and I can’t wait to see how Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, and Mickey Rourke light up the screen as Black Widow, War Machine, and Whiplash, respectively. Also, did you happen to catch the quick appearance of Samuel L. Jackson’s mysterious Nick Fury? Ahhh, it’s going to be great! Get pumped; Iron Man 2 comes to theaters May 7, 2010.
[Via TrailerAddict]
Trailer: Alice in Wonderland
The first full length trailer of Tim Burton’s take on Alice in Wonderland is here! I am really looking forward to this one. I am betting that amazing visuals and an all-star cast (including Johhny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Alan Rickman, Crispin Golver, and Matt Lucas) will result in one of Burton’s finest movies ever. Burton’s colorful, trippy, and exciting adventure through the looking glass hits theaters March 5, 2010.
[Via TrailerAddict]