Category Archives: Entertainment

Arcade Fire teams with Google to create an awesome music video experience

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Arcade Fire, the indie rock band from Canada, just pushed out their latest music video for the song “We Used to Wait” off their recently debuted third studio album The Suburbs.  I’m gonna tell you right now, this music video is unlike anything you’ve seen before.  The band and director Chris Milk collaborated with Google to design a “Chrome Experiment” that showcases the power of HTML5 inside a browser.  Before the music video begins, you are prompted to enter the address of the home where you grew up.  After submitting that information multiple browser windows open up and the music begins.  These windows open and close at different intervals along with the music and at certain parts your childhood home and surrounding neighborhood become an integral part of the music video (thanks to the power of Google Maps and HTML5 rendering).  There is more to the interactive experience, but I don’t want to spoil it for you.  Head over to www.thewildernessdowntown.com (preferably within the Google Chrome browser) and check it out!

[Via EW-MusicMix]

Kanye West announces Jay-Z collab EP, drops “Monster” (Featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver & Nicki Minaj) & “Runaway Love” (Remix) (Featuring Justin Bieber & Raekwon)

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Kanye West promised new music every “G.O.O.D. Friday” and so far he has not broken that promise.  On Friday August 27 Kanye released “Monster” and it features an all-star cast including Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, and Justin Vernon of indie folk band Bon Iver.  All in all the track is tight, but you want to know who really kills it?  Nicki Minaj, that’s who.  She raps, “You could be the king, but watch the queen conquer.”  She’s quick and has tons of spunk.  Female rappers that go hard like this aren’t in abundance these days; I’m excited to see what she’s going to do next.  In fact, all of a sudden I’m anticipating her debut album to drop.  (Its expected release date is November 23, one week after Kanye’s yet-to-be-titled album hits stores.)  Kanye made sure to mention how much he appreciated Nicki’s contribution to the track.  He tweeted, “MONSTER… can we just talk about Nicki’s verse???????!!!!!!!!! I toooooooooooooooold yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallll!!!!!!!!!!!!”  Preview and download “Monster” below.

Download: Kanye West – “Monster” (Featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver & Nicki Minaj)

[audio: Kanye West – Monster.mp3]

Speaking of Twitter… Nearly three hours before he posted the download link for “Monster” he shared this exciting news: “Me and jay bout to drop a 5 song album called ‘Watch the Throne'”.  I guess we can consider this upcoming 5 track EP a mini-prequel to his studio album.  Along with the download link he tweeted, “[This is] the second song off of me and Jay album!”  It would not be too drastic to think that the first song off the EP is the “Power” remix since that song does feature Jay-Z, but ‘Ye left this up in the air for now.

Fast forward to today and now there’s another new song from Camp Kanye.  Yeah I know, it’s not Friday just yet, so I guess we can consider this next song a special bonus.  About two weeks ago Kanye tweeted that he was listening to Justin Bieber’s “Runaway Love” song from My World 2.0.  The Bieb responded with gratitude.  Next Kanye blurted out this: “Maybe we can do something together. Me, You and Raekwon.”  Bieber’s reply?  “Me, u, and the chef 2gether on a song = EPIC. haha.”  Yeah, this collaboration actually happened.  Kanye West, Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan, and teen sensation Justin Bieber (who happens to be signed to Def Jam Records with Kanye) are featured on a remix of “Runaway Love”.  After listening to the track it appears that The Bieb might not have had a hand in making the mix.  Basically Kanye laid Beiber’s vocals on top of the Wu-Tang Clan’s “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ Wit” (1993) beat.  The remix includes one rather short verse from Kanye and two surprisingly explicative-free verses from Raekwon.  And you want to know what?  The song catchy, what with Bieber’s young Michael Jackson-esque sound, the Chef’s old school rhymes, and ‘Ye’s producing.  It’s a nice treat for fans of so many different generations.  Feel free to preview and download the track below.

Download: Kanye West – “Runaway Love” (Featuring Justin Bieber & Raekwon)

[audio: Kanye West – Runaway Love (Featuring Justin Bieber & Raekwon).mp3]

[Via KanyeBlog, here & here; Twitter]

Music video: Caspa & Mr Hudson – “Love Never Dies” (+ new Hudson track “Angel Eyes”)

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Look what we’ve got here.  Two new tracks from UK phenom Mr Hudson.  If you haven’t listened to his debut solo album go ahead and download Straight No Chaser right now.  Got it?  Good.  Moving on… Not too long ago Hudson was approached by Caspa, a well known Dubstep producer from London, who asked Hudson to invent lyrics for his electronic dance track “Back For The First Time”.  After listening to the instrumental beat Hudson immediately agreed to make a hook for the track and, well, take a listen to it in the video above.  After listening to both versions, Hudson’s easily takes the cake; his words perfectly match up with Caspa’s building tempo and make for a great song that can now receive ample radio time.  And apparently “the track has been lighting up dancefloors & airwaves globally”.  The music video was directed by Mo Ali; make sure to peek after the break to watch a making-of video that accompanies the music video.  You can download the track at iTunes; it’s available on a 5-track EP.

Next up is a brand spankin’ new track from Mr Hudson.  “Angel Eyes” carries a unique, dark, gritty sound that we are not used to hearing from Hudson’s repitoire.  The slow vocals and flow are very laid back and Hudson manages to maintain his edge quite effortlessly.  It really sounds like a song fellow G.O.O.D. Music artist Kid Cudi would come up with (it’s not as dark as “Solo Dolo” but that strange, eerie vibe remains).  There’s no word on whether or not this track comes from his next yet-to-be-titled album.  Preview and download it below.

Download: Mr Hudson – “Angel Eyes”

[audio: Mr Hudson – Angel Eyes.mp3]

[Via KanyeBlog, here & here] Continue reading Music video: Caspa & Mr Hudson — “Love Never Dies” (+ new Hudson track “Angel Eyes”) →

Single: Diggy – “Oh Yeah!” (Featuring Lupe Fiasco & Pharrell)

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One mixtape (The First Flight, 2009), two freestyles (“Made You Look“, “Over“), and a prelude music video later, Diggy Simmons is readying his next mixtape Airborne by dropping the first track off it.  It’s called “Oh Yeah!” and features verses from Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell Williams.  I’ve said it from the start–this kid is bringing a fresh sound to the rap community and his style of rap at such a young age (he’s only 15) is really impressive.  Enjoy this track as we anticipate the sequel to his first mixtape due out sometime this year.

Download: Diggy – “Oh Yeah!” (Featuring Lupe Fiasco & Pharrell)

[audio: Diggy – Oh Yeah! (Featuring Lupe Fiasco & Pharrell).mp3]

[Via KanyeBlog]

So “Erase Me” is the first single off Kid Cudi’s next album

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After dropping “REVOFEV” and “Erase Me” on his blog it turns out rapper Kid Cudi has decided to make the less edgy but more rocker track the official first single off his upcoming album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.  “Erase Me” (Featuring Kanye West) is now available to download at iTunes.  MOTM2 is due out October 26.  (And don’t forget another track outted by Cudder called “Mojo So Dope.”)

[Via DatNewCudi]

Single: Sara Bareilles – “Uncharted”

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The second single off Sara Bareilles’ sophomore studio record Kaleidoscope Heart has leaked onto the ‘Net.  “Uncharted” shares a similar vibe to the first single “King of Anything” and her 2007 smash hit “Love Song”  with a piano-infused, pop-tastic rhythm.  Preview and download the new single below, and get ready for Kaleidoscope Heart; it hits physical and digital stores September 7.

Download: Sara Bareilles – “Uncharted”

[audio: Sara Bareilles – Uncharted.mp3]

2010 Emmys results: Modern Family, Mad Men win; Lost emerges empty-handed

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Jimmy Fallon hosted the 62nd Primetime Emmys Sunday night.  Overall the awards show proved to be underwhelming.  Fallon brought his ecclectic musical abilities to the table; the opening Glee-inspired number and the tribute to shows that ended last season (24, Lost, Law & Order) were the most entertaining parts of the show.  There was also a humorous Modern Family segment that coughed up plenty of laughs.  Despite the lack of exciting bits and jokes, 13.5 million viewers tuned into the telecast; that’s the largest audience for any non-sports telecast this year since American Idol‘s season finale in May.  The awards show also saw the highest adults 18-49 rating (4.1) for any telecast since the Glee season finale in June.

But let’s move on to the winners and losers, shall we?  Modern Family and Mad Men took home the top prizes for outstanding comedy and drama series, respectively.  It was certainly a nail-biter between Modern Family and Glee, but the voters made it known that the more grounded sitcom was worthy of the Emmy.  This is the third win in a row for Mad Men in the top category; they beat out the fantastic final season of the beloved Lost.  Speaking of Lost, the show was completely shut out.  Dexter‘s Steve Shill beat out Lost‘s Jack Bender for best directing; Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) topped Matthew Fox for best actor; Terry O’ Quinn (Lost) and Michael Emerson (Lost) likely split the vote and lost against Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) for outstanding supporting actor; and Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse did not win for writing the final episode “The End”–that award went to Matthew Weiner & Erin Levy for Mad Men‘s “Shut the door. Have a Seat.”

Let’s look back at the comedy categories.  Modern Family continued to impress when Eric Stonestreet (he plays Cameron) won outstanding supporting actor against costars Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ty Burrell.  Showrunners Steven Levitan & Christopher Lloyd won outstanding writing for the pilot episode.  Though it did not win best comedy, Glee did have its time to shine.  Jane Lynch won outstanding supporting actress for her awesome portrayal as the snarky Sue Sylvester, beating out Modern Family‘s Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara in the process.  Glee creator Ryan Murphy won for his direction of the captivating pilot episode.  Moving on… Jim Parsons finally won best actor for playing the nerdtastic Sheldon Cooper of The Big Bang Theory and Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie) surprised us all by claiming the best actress award.

Other honorable mentions include: Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) beat out Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) for best actress in a drama; Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife) beat out Mad Men‘s Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss for best supporting actress in a drama; the HBO movie Temple Grandin took home outstanding movie, directing for a movie, lead actress in a movie (Claire Danes), and supporting actor (David Strathairn) and actress (Julia Ormond) in a movie; another HBO movie You Don’t Know Jack won for outstanding lead actor (Al Pachino) and outstanding writing; The Pacific was crowned outstanding miniseries; Top Chef won best reality show over The Amazing Race; and finally, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart won the outstanding variety, comedy, or music series award for the seventh year in a row unfortunately beating out the favorite The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.

That’s a wrap for this year’s Emmys.  Lost lost.  Modern Family, Mad Men, and Glee proved to be worthy contenders.  And Jimmy Fallon sang.  Look after the break for the full list of winners.

[Via EW-HollywoodInsider, here & here] Continue reading 2010 Emmys results: Modern Family, Mad Men win; Lost emerges empty-handed →

Fringe season 3 cast & premiere stills

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Walter.  Walternate.  Olivia.  Bolivia.  Our world.  Their world.  Whose side are we on?  Are we the good guys or the bad guys?  What is Walternate going to do with our Olivia?  How exactly is their Bolivia going to infiltrate our world without getting caught by Walter, Peter, and Astrid?  And what of that doomsday device?  So many questions linger from the amazing alternate world-traveling Fringe season 2 finale it’s hard to wrap your brain around all of it.  But fear not because the season 3 premiere is just around the corner and answers will come.  Check out these cast and season premiere stills (organized in the two galleries below) and let the anticipation and theorizing begin.

“The Box”, the Fringe season premiere episode, airs Thursday, September 23 at 9PM on FOX.

[Via IGN]


Will Forte bids SNL adieu

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“After eight great seasons, Will [Forte] has made the decision to move on from SNL to pursue new opportunities.  He is eternally grateful to [executive producer] Lorne [Michaels] and all of the incredible people he worked with over the years.”

That statement was released last Thursday when it was made official that one of Saturday Night Live‘s brightest cast members is leaving the show prior to the upcoming 36th season.  Forte is best known for his laugh-out-loud characters like MacGruber, The Falconer, Mr. Dillon (in the Gilly sketches), politician Tim Calhoun, and his collaborations with Jason Sudekis as Greg Stink (in the ESPN Classic sketches) and a member of the reverse Bon Jovi band, Jon Bovi.  He was even lucky enough to star in the very first SNL Digital Short, “Lettuce“, alongside Andy Samberg.  Out of all his fantastic performances, there are three that stick out in memory.  They are “Close Talkers” with Steve Martin and “Grapes” with Ashton Kutcher and Andy Samberg, and his rendition of George W. Bush.  They are all embedded after the break.

I am glad that Forte is leaving the show on his own terms to go out and pursue other opportunities.  We all know he star in an action-packed movie (MacGruber) and he has the comedic acting chops to continue to make us laugh no matter where he ends up.  I have no doubt he’ll make his way back to SNL in a guest spot at some point.  And if you’re a Parks and Recreation fan, you can look forward to an upcoming season 3 episode featuring Forte!  Happy trails, Will, and thanks for the laughs.

[Via MTVNews] Continue reading Will Forte bids SNL adieu →

Trailer: The Walking Dead (AMC’s fitting premiere date enclosed)

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I have not anticipated the premiere of a new fall TV series like this in quite some time.  The Walking Dead, the famed comic book series from Robert Kirkman that follows a band of survivors in a zombie-infested world, is being adapted to the small screen with executive producer/director Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) at the helm.  I have attempted to hook you in from the start–reporting cast additions, production stills, and behind-the-scenes looks from the set.  Today the four-and-a-half minute trailer, originally screened at Comic Con in July, has hit the ‘Net and boy does it impress.  If nothing caught your attention in the past surrounding the development of the AMC series, this will.  In it you will meet Rick Grimes, a man who gets shots and wakes up after a prolonged period of time in a hospital to find his home infiltrated by a hoard of flesh-hungry zombies.  Said zombies look horrifyingly spectacular thanks to makeup/special FX extraordinaire Greg Nicotero.  I implore you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the first in-depth peek at The Walking Dead.

We’ve been told that The Walking Dead would premiere in October sometime during AMC’s Fearfest schedule, which will include 14 consecutive days of horror-themed programming.  Today THR reports that the zombie series will premiere on Halloween night, Sunday October 31 at 10:00PM ET.  If you’re planning on spending the night trick-or-treating, don’t forget to set your DVR!  The pilot episode, written and directed by Darabont, will run 90 minutes long.

[Via THR]

Spielberg, Orci & Kurtzman, Friedman & Hill onboard for ‘Locke & Key’ comic book adaptation

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Locke & Key, a comic book series written by Joe Hill, illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez and published by IDW Publishing, follows three teenage brothers, Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode Locke, who move to a Massachusetts mansion where they find the mystical Ghost Door which grants them powers, including the ability to separate his spirit from body and to transport between different worlds.  The modern (2008-present) comic book is about to undergo a transformation with some HUGE names at the helm.  A few months back, writers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (Fringe, Star Trek, Transformers) were approached to write a screenplay for a movie adaptation of the series.  After much speculation, Vulture breaks news that the series will be adapted for television.  In addition to Orci & Kurtzman, Steven Spielberg will serve as executive producer (via DreamWorks TV) and  Josh Friedman, who was the showrunner of the dearly missed Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, will write and exec produce.  Oh and you knnow Joe Hill, the writer of the comic book?  He just happens to be Steven King’s son.  20th Century Fox and DreamWorks TV will back the venture.  Now the wait begins to see which network is willing to scoop up all this talent and greenlight the production process.

[Via IGN; NYMag; Wiki]