Category Archives: Video

Discover new music: Mark Russell

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Last week a good friend of mine introduced me to a brand new artist whose voice will likely take the industry by storm.  Mark Russell is a singer-songwriter at heart, but he can easily supplement his powerful voice with piano keys and guitar strings.  Back in college his talent afforded him the opportunity to open for renowned acts like Avril Lavigne, One Republic, Hanson, and Robin Thicke.  Since then Russell decided to enter the biz as a solo artist under Wright Entertainment Group management, and the musical content that has materialized thus far is simply superb.

Embedded above is Russell’s most recent music video.  In it he performs “I Believe”, a song originally produced by alternative rock band Blessid Union of Souls in 1995.  One day in the studio he teamed up with another client under his management company and started belting out his own version of the inspiring track.  Russell shares, “In the spirit of sharing charity, I wanted to give away this song in hopes that those of you who have experienced tragedy this year might find some comfort in it, and perhaps the rest of us can be re-inspired to reach out and do something good.”  Download “I Believe” for free here.

What makes Russell stand out is that he sings from the heart, and you can feel his emotions pour out of the lyrics (thanks to his strong voice) and the instruments he plays.  He’s got a very rustic, fresh vibe to his look and sound; artists with qualities like these are always welcome to jumpstart an industry crammed with uniformity.  Russell has the ingredients to become an immensely popular and successful pop-rock musician with his impressive vocal range.  It only takes a few beats in his rendition of “I Believe” to hear it.

Be sure to check out his YouTube page if you like what you hear in this video.  There you’ll find original content plus a notable acoustic cover of Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite”.  Russell is currently bringing his act to locations around the country.  Keep tabs on his official web site and Facebook page to follow his whereabouts and other updates.  If you’re digging his talent as much as I am right now, spread the word and let’s get Mark Russell to start climbing the charts.

[Thanks for the tip, Matt]

Say hello to your 2011 Avengers

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They are: Robert Downey Jr. — Tony Stark; Clark Gregg — Agent Coulson; Scarlett Johansson — Black Widow; Chris Hemsworth — Thor; Chris Evans — Captain America; Samuel L. Jackson — Nick Fury; Jeremy Renner — Hawkeye; Mark Ruffalo — Hulk.  Director Joss Whedon and Marvel head Kevin Feige are up there, too.

Marvel killed it at Comic Con this year.  They literally slaughtered the competition.  After unveiling new footage of Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor (in 3D), the official ensemble cast of The Avengers was announced.  The biggest surprises?  Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) is set in stone as Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo (Shutter Island, The Kids Are Alright) replaces Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/Hulk.  Marvel head Kevin Feige on the Ruffalo decision: “Ruffalo is Joss Whedon’s Banner. He is the Banner that is going to be in that [Bill] Bixby type, wants to help people and is somewhat ashamed of what he goes through but isn’t as strong and angry in his Banner form as he is in his Hulk form, which is something we haven’t really seen in the past films. .. Something like how he was portrayed in the Ultimates, a guy who just wants to be left alone and wear his glasses and do his science.”  Feige also shares that he “hope[s] to develop a standalone franchise” for Renner’s Hawkeye post-Avengers.

During the panel Downey Jr. worked the crowd, naturally.  He invoked the success of Inception, saying it was “just about the most ambitious movie I’ve ever seen.”  He continued, “And then thought wait a goddamn second.  Marvel Studios is going to take all of their top super heros and they’re gonna put them all together in The Avengers?  That’s the most ambitious movie I’ve ever seen.”   He concluded, “If we’re going to make a movie this ambitious [then] the most important thing is that we had to find a person to helm it to get your [the fans’] approval”.  Enter Joss Whedon: “I have had a dream all my life and it was not this good…This cast is more than I could have ever of dreamed of working with. And I am going to blow it…I need your love, I need your support.”  Joss, you got it.

The Avengers is slated for a May 4, 2011 release.  Whet your appetite with Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger on May 6, 2011 and July 22, 2011 respectively.  Bonus!  Look in the gallery below for newly released mini-one-sheets featuring Thor and Cap concept art.  Peek after the break to watch your 2011 Avengers assemble at Comic Con in video form.

[Via IGN, here, here, here & here; Marvel]

Continue reading Say hello to your 2011 Avengers →

Visionaries J.J. Abrams & Joss Whedon spill their guts at Comic Con

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At this year’s Comic Con in San Diego, a panal called “Visionaires” brought my two favorite people together: J.J. Abrams (MI: III, Cloverfield, Star Trek, Lost, Fringe) & Joss Whedon (Serenity, Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse).  The panel, conducted by Entertainment Weekly’s Jeff Jenson, is literally packed with all sorts of intriguing information.  Jenson starts things off with the question, “When did you guys decide you wanted to be storytellers?”  Whedon and Abrams are also asked about their takes on comic books, 3D movies, the current and future states of television (including what it wants and supports, the waning of serialized story format), and the outlook for new media (shooting for the web, web content).  They also delve into their respective past and upcoming projects.  Whedon makes it official that he is directing Marvel’s The Avengers and briefly elaborates on the direction he plans to take the movie; he also talks about his now-on-hold horror flick Cabin in the Woods and what’s up with the impending Dr. Horrible sequel.  Abrams shares an anecdote surrounding his super-secret Super 8 movie (which is set to start production this September) and the collaboration with producer Steven Speilberg.  During the 3D movie discussion, Abrams confirmed that Super 8 will not be shot for 3D; he pans 3D and that it adds an unnecessary barrier between the viewer and film.  Although Joss is “totally into” watching 3D flicks, he hopes that his upcoming Cabin in the Woods doesn’t get the streoscopic treatment.  While going back and forth about the state of the serialized story format for TV, Abrams spilled that his upcoming NBC show Undercovers will be self-contained episodes (meaning you can miss a few episodes and still know what’s going on), but there will be an overall mythology to keep week-to-week viewers satisfied.  Speaking about mythology, Abrams also shares his thoughts on the final episode of Lost (spoiler: he loved it).  Whedon continues the conversation by bringing up the demise of FOX’s Dollhouse.  All in all, it’s a great watch and interesting look into two very successful film and TV artists that shouldn’t be missed.  Head over to EW to access the 5-part stream.  Or click here to watch an abridged interview.

Trailer #2: Tron: Legacy (+ Daft Punk tracks!)

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We’re one teaser and two trailers deep into the expansive world of Tron (catch the others here & here).  This latest one is fresh from its 2010 Comic Con debut.  I really don’t know how they do it, but somehow these Tron sneak peeks get better with every trailer.  I don’t give a damn if you have never heard of Tron or don’t take any interest in the movie/1978 arcade game; you will watch this trailer and like it.  And if you are a Tron fan and are highly anticipating its December 17 release in IMAX 3D like a respectable human being, well then…you’re in for a treat!  Load in HD, turn up your speakers, and let it rip.

Note: You should know that actor Jeff Bridges starred in the original 1982 Tron flick as Kevin Flynn, and that he reprises his role as Papa Flynn in Legacy.  At timestamp 1:08 we are introduced to Clu, a villianous rogue program in the Tron universe, who might look eerily similar to a young Jeff Bridges to you.  Well that’s because it is a young Bridges!  Thanks to advanced CGI technology, a performance-capture suit, and impeccable editing skills, the Tron special FX crew was able to create a Kevin Flynn as he appeared in Tron almost thirty years ago.  Crazy (and a bit creepy), right?!  Moving on…

It was leaked quite some time ago that Daft Punk would compose the score for Tron: Legacy.  And over the course of the last year we were teased with the theme music in the trailers that have been released.  Today that tease disappears!  Online radio station “The End” got their hands on exclusive streams of six tracks from the movie soundtrack, including the epic theme from the trailers.  They’re dark and appropriately cinematic in scope.  Click here to take a listen.  (Bonus note: The electric Daft Punk duo will have cameo roles in the movie–gasp!–sans characteristic helmets!

[Via MTVuk]

Trailer: Saw 3D

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The seventh and final chapter in the highest grossing horror film franchise begins with this first theatrical trailer for Saw 3D.  The tagline?  “This October, the traps come alive.”  After a fantastic start (well II was pretty awful, III was freaking awesome), the Saw movies have steadily drifted downhill in value.  Sure the traps are always fun, but for me it was ultimately the twist endings and the John Kramer mythos that hooked me at the start.  After watching this brief trailer and reading what director Kevin Greutert (Saw VI) has to say about the final Saw, I’m excited to see how it’s all going to end.  “There’s something miraculous about creating a final chapter to the Saw chronology that not only gives the core fans everything they want and deserve, but also serves as a perfect introduction to audiences who are new to the series,” says Gruetart who served a role in every Saw movie.  Thoughts from producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg: “It’s been an amazing ride. As filmmakers it was important to us that Saw was one story in seven chapters rather than just a series of sequels.”  Tobin Bell (Jigsaw), Costas Mandylor (Mark Hoffman), and Betsy Russell (Jill Tuck) will reprise their roles.  Also, Cary Elwes (Dr. Lawrence Gordon), who has not been seen since the original Saw (not including archived/flashback footage), is back for revenge.

Besides the sick traps and inventive twists, if there’s anything I’m going to miss from the Saw franchise it’ll be Charlie Clouser’s fantastic and chilling score.  “Hello Zepp”, the song used in the first movie and recycled in the rest of them, will remain one of my favorite instrumentals of all time.  (FYI, it’s the song featured in the trailer above…and can be downloaded here.)

Saw 3D will duke it out with Paranormal Activity 2 this Halloween.  Look after the break for the movie poster.

[Via IGN] Continue reading Trailer: Saw 3D →

Trailer #3: Machete (red band)

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You’ve seen the “illegal” and first theatrical trailer for Robert Rodriguez’s Machete.  Now it’s time to feast your eyes on the NSFW red band trailer.  (NSFW = Not Stuff For Work = the video contains blood, guts, nudity, and tons of other fun and inappropriate content.)  Due to its NSFW nature, I’ve embedded the trailer after the break, so click through if you dare.

[Via IGN] Continue reading Trailer #3: Machete (red band) →

Trailer: Syfy’s Red (starring Felicia Day)

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Waay back in March news broke that The Guild/Dr. Horrible‘s Felicia Day would star in a Syfy original movie called Red, a dark re-imagining of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood.  This past weekend at Comic Con the trailer for it was finally debuted.  To call this a “dark” version of the tale is an understatement.  There’s guns and blood and creepy CGI wolves.  Ah, I won’t spoil it all for you; check it out in the video above.  Red is expected to air next July.

[Via Syfy]

Amazing Daft Punk helmet took 17 months of labor to complete

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Now is that one of the coolest things you’ve ever seen?  Harrison Krix of Volpin Props set aside 17 months to create to most amazing DIY Daft Punk helmet ever made.  It lights up and everything!  Head over to Krix’s website to find an intensive two-part build archive if you think you’re up for the challenge (or if you’re even slightly interested to see how it was made).  Look in the gallery below for a collection of helmet pics and jump after the break for a brief video that speeds through the construction process and reveals the final result.  I am blown away right now, for realz.

[Via VolpinProps; @ChelseaLoPinto]

Continue reading Amazing Daft Punk helmet took 17 months of labor to complete →

Gary steps into the 8-Bitinator 2000, comes out a better man

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In an attempt to promote their laptop line, Toshiba imagined a new marketing campaign focusing on a character named Gary.  In the extended commercial, lab assistant Gary gets “deresolutionized” into glorious 8-bit form after journeying inside the 8-Bitinator 2000.  The best part of the commercial is the fact the 8-bit costume is not a CGI animation; it’s a suit made from over 3,000 hand-cut foam boxes.  After a viewing I find myself pining for an 8-bit version of myself; a Toshiba laptop–not so much.

[Via Gizmodo]

Advanced physics engine produces the most realistic dirt you’ve ever seen

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Thiago Costa’s  Lagoa Multiphysics 1.0 physics engine simulates real-life physics like you’ve never seen before.  The engine can produce High friction granular materials; Incompressible fluids; Elastic structures; Plastic deformations & more…  Can you imagine how video games would look if they utilized something of this magnitude?  Virtual reality, here we come.

[Via Gizmodo]

FOD: Jewel goes undercover at a local karaoke bar

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Funny or Die approached artist Jewel and asked her if she’d like to have a hand in their latest prank.  Like a good sport she said yes.  Here’s the setup: Jewel gets disguised as a mild mannered businesswoman and gets encouraged to sing some of her most popular tunes at a local karaoke bar.  Her audience is dumbfounded by this amazing voice coming out of a Plain Jane.  Not a single person realizes that behind all the prosthetics is the actual Jewel.  After some time Karen (Jewel’s alter-ego) leaves the stage and Jewel comes back as herself to perform more songs.  To our amazement most of the bar hoppers still don’t realize this is Karen and make the connection.  Watch it all go down in the video above.

[Via EW-MusicMix]