Lady Gaga’s music video for her new single “Applause” is here and get this–it makes the track better. Sure, the song is catchy enough upon first listen, but add in Gaga’s dazzling visuals (that bra made of faux-hands are pretty cool!) and weird metaphors (Gaga’s head on a swan’s body means what now?) and you’ve got a music video that’s hard to turn away from. Check it out in the clip embedded above.
Category Archives: Video
Sign spinning elevates to new level with street dance in “Daft Signz”
Every wednesday at a suburban Los Angeles park in North Hollywood, a group of talented individuals come together to create a form of self-expression you may have never experienced before: a mind-blowing synthesis of sign spinning and street dance.
“Daft Signz,” directed by Nicolas Randall and Joe Stevens and starring extraordinary sign spinners Erik Argote, Kadeem Johnson, Justin Brown, and Ray Rivera, celebrates this California-born phenomenon.
Go on, lose yourself to dance. You’ll never look upon those sign spinners standing outside Cash for Gold the same again.
[Via @timmyjoe]
TV parodies: ‘Breaking Bad’: The Musical, ‘Arrested Development’, the video game, ‘Walking Dead’ bad lip-reading & more!
There’s TV and then there’s the Internet. The two make quite the couple. Here are some fascinating offspring I’ve hand-picked for your viewing pleasure.
The first two videos come from the world of Breaking Bad. Hanging above is “Breaking Bad: The Middle School Musical” starring kids cooking meth blue rock candy. Yes, it is twisted and it is also brilliant and hilarious. It also does a pretty great job at summing up seasons one through five so spoiler freaks beware.
Click after the break for more. Continue reading TV parodies: ‘Breaking Bad’: The Musical, ‘Arrested Development’, the video game, ‘Walking Dead’ bad lip-reading & more!
Rockstar reveals ‘Grand Theft Auto Online’
As we inch closer and closer to the launch of Grand Theft Auto V the game gets even more exciting in its scope. In July gamers were formally introduced to actual gameplay and it was revealed how they will juggle three separate protagonists. Now Rockstar Games sheds light on the title’s online component dubbed appropriately enough Grand Theft Auto Online. It “takes the fundamental Grand Theft Auto concepts of freedom, ambient activity and mission-based gameplay and makes them available to multiple players in an incredibly detailed and responsive online world,” says Rockstar. GTAO is described as “a dynamic and persistent online world for 16 players that begins by sharing gameplay features, geography and mechanics with Grand Theft Auto V, but will continue to expand and evolve after its launch with new content created by Rockstar Games and the Grand Theft Auto community.”
In a video preview embedded above, you can see just how awesome this prospect really is. Imagine jumping into the fictional city of Los Santos with your friends, building a virtual community together and teaming up as a crew to execute major heists and other crimes you couldn’t get away with in the real world. Plus, the ability to create, share, and play across the Internet–an idea pushed by Media Molecule in LittleBigPlanet–is always welcome as it promises new online experiences all the time. And if Rockstar holds up their promise of pushing out new content and missions GTAO has the potential to be loads of fun with much replayability.
Grand Theft Auto Online turns on October 1, two weeks after GTAV‘s September 17 launch on Xbox 360 and PS3. Access to it comes free with every copy of GTAV. Now even though GTAO takes advantage of GTAV‘s performance engine, Rockstar is pressing that it is its own entity that will “grow and evolve into its own thing.” The developer is even toying with the idea of introducing older GTA worlds into GTAO; might the future hold an updated version of Liberty City for online players to roam around?
[Via IGN]
First look: Frank Darabont’s TNT drama ‘Mob City’
Here’s a first-look at Frank Darabont’s upcoming TNT drama Mob City, formally known as L.A. Noir and Lost Angels. It’s an adaptation of John Buntin’s novel L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City that tells the story of an epic battle between a determined police chief and a dangerous mobster inflames set in 1940s Los Angeles. This project is a bit of a Walking Dead reunion as it reunites the AMC series’ executive producer Darabont with stars Jon Bernthal (he played Shane) and Jeffrey DeMunn (Dale). Mob City also stars Neal McDonough (Desperate Housewives), Ed Burns (Entourage), Jeremy Luke (Don Jon), Gregory Itzin (24), Robert Knepper (Prison Break), Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes) and Alexa Davalos (Clash of the Titans). Michael De Luca (The Social Network) and Elliot Webb (Alpha House) serve as executive producers with Darabont. An updated synopsis goes like this:
Mob City opens in post-war Los Angeles, home to glamorous movie stars, powerful studio heads and returning war heroes. But it’s also a city caught between a powerful and corrupt police force and an even more dangerous criminal network determined to make L.A. its West Coast base. Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker (Neal McDonough) has made it his mission to free the city of criminals like Ben “Bugsy” Siegel (Ed Burns) and Mickey Cohen (Jeremy Luke), the ruthless king of the Los Angeles underworld. Parker also won’t hesitate to go after anyone from his own police force who sells out honor and duty for the sake of a big payout. To carry out his sweep of organized crime, Parker sets up a new mob task force within the LAPD. Headed by Det. Hal Morrison (Jeffrey DeMunn), the task force includes Det. Joe Teague (Jon Bernthal), an ex-Marine who holds his cards close to his chest.
The pilot, written and directed by Darabont, airs Wednesday, December 4 at 10PM. Mob City will play out its initial season across six episodes.
Preview NBC’s ‘The Michael J. Fox Show’ with the cast
Michael J. Fox returns to TV in the NBC sitcom The Michael J. Fox Show this fall on NBC. In it he plays Mike Henry, one of New York’s most beloved news anchors who decides to put his career on hold and spend time with his family after he is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The series starts with Mike about to sit back in the anchor seat after being out of the game for five years. His family, led by his wife played by Breaking Bad‘s Betsy Brandt, plays a big part in his recovery and endurance. Check out this extended first look at the show and mark the books: The Michael J. Fox Show premieres September 26 on NBC. (Watch the official trailer here.)
Katy Perry & Lady Gaga face off in battle of the new singles; Eminem reenters the game, too
This week pop divas Katy Perry and Lady Gaga and famed rapper Eminem released new music for the first time in a long time.
Perry’s “Roar,” embedded above, is the lead single off her upcoming fourth studio album Prism due out October 22. Her last album Teenage Dream, which featured numerous radio hits like “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” “E.T.,” “Last Friday Night,” and “The One That Got Away,” released nearly three years ago.
Gaga’s followup to 2011’s Born This Way (which included popular tracks like “Born This Way,” “Judas,” “The Edge of Glory,” “You and I,” and “Marry The Night”) is ARTPOP due out November 11. “Applause” is the first single off her new record and its lyric video is posted after the break.
Both “Roar” and “Applause” are worthy lead singles that will inevitably climb the charts. Though there’s some controversy surrounding Katy’s new tune (listeners quickly picked up that the back track sounds eerily similar to the one used in Sara Bareilles’ “Brave”), it does distance itself away from that other equally catchy and uplifting song enough that both can coexist and be enjoyed. (SoundCloud user MixmstrStel remixed the two songs together to grand effect.) Gaga’s “Applause,” in my opinion, is the weaker of the two singles and yet it still manages to make me anticipate her long-awaited new material.
Lastly, rap legend Eminem is back for another encore. Details are still being kept under wraps regarding Shady’s eighth album and followup to 2010’s Recovery; but fans can get a taste of what’s to come in Em’s new track “Survival.” The song promotes the next Call of Duty game Ghosts and it appears the game’s soundtrack. “Survival” will be part of the new record, but Eminem’s camp says fans can expect the rapper to drop the album’s true lead single soon. Listen to Eminem’s latest after the break. Continue reading Katy Perry & Lady Gaga face off in battle of the new singles; Eminem reenters the game, too
TV reminder: ‘Breaking Bad’ returns
Here we go. The final 8. After four and a half seasons of White White breaking bad, how will it all end?
In an interview with EW, Breaking Bad creator and mastermind Vince Gilligan shares what fans can expect. “As the movie title goes, there will be blood. To my mind, that’s not the most interesting thing. It’s the emotional moments and the character moments. We’ve got some stuff that I think is going to be truly satisfying and truly shocking and jarring. It does not always center on moments of violence…I have surprised myself at how much story there was left to tell and how quickly we tell it. You need to really settle down on the couch and pay close attention because it’s going to come at you fast and furious in the final eight episodes.”
On many occasions, without spoiling a thing, Gilligan has assured people that he and his writing staff are wholly satisfied by the ending. And although this statement may not completely quell your fears about how the series will wrap up, it sets my mind at relative ease because Gilligan has proved time and again that he can be trusted in terms of sheer storytelling.
In the end, Breaking Bad has been about a mild-mannered chemistry teacher afflicted with cancer transforming into a deadly drug kingpin; the protagonist becoming the antagonist. Gilligan has publicly stated that at some point he completely lost sympathy for Walter White. Whether or not you are still cheering for him, you will witness the remainder of his journey to the dark side as the final run of eight episodes begins Sunday, August 11 at 9PM.
Three things: One, a Breaking Bad after-show called Talking Bad hosted by Chris Hardwick will air after every episode. Two, Discovery Channel is airing a special edition of Mythbusters inspired by Breaking Bad where the hosts will test myths straight from the AMC series; it premieres Monday, August 12 at 10PM. And three, videos! Jump after the break to watch new promos, a recap, a gag reel, and sneak peeks at the Mythbusters-meets-Breaking Bad installment. Continue reading TV reminder: ‘Breaking Bad’ returns
‘Homeland’ season 3 gets a somber full-length trailer
Have you been itching to find out what happens next on Showtime’s award-winning Homeland? Here is your first look at the drama’s highly anticipated third season. Carrie is depressed (again), Brody is back sporting a whole new look, Saul is heavily involved with senate hearings following the CIA bombing, Quinn is playing with fire(arms), and Dana makes a bad decision (again) but also surprises with one major revelation revealed. The trailer, set to The Cinematic Orchestra’s “To Build a Home,” is somber in its own right and sets that tone for the season.
Homeland returns September 29.
‘American Horror Story: Coven’ drops two creep-tastic teasers
The third season of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story is coming soon and you know what that means: freaky teasers that are brief yet mesmerizing in their mystery are being released into the wild.
After exploring a murder house and an asylum, AHS: Coven takes us to New Orleans where we’ll witness a battle between Salem witches and voodoo practitioners. As it likes to do, the show will take place in present day as well as flashback to the past–in this case the 1830s. At the summer TCAs, EP Tim Minear shed some light on Coven‘s themes:
“Some of the bigger themes this year are oppression of minorities of all kinds, and within that idea, minority groups going after each other and doing the work of the larger culture. While there is a strong feminist theme that runs throughout Coven, there are themes of race and themes of oppression, and themes of family–especially mothers and daughters.”
Familiar AHS faces take on new characters in the upcoming season. Jessica Lange is a witch named Fiona and Sarah Paulsen is her daughter Cordelia. Newcomers Angelia Bassett and Kathy Bates play voodoo practitioner Marie Laveau and New Orleans socialite and serial killer Madame LaLaurie, respectively. Rounding out the cast are veterans Evan Peters, Lilly Rabe, Francis Conroy, Taissa Farmiga, Denis O’Hare, and Alexandra Breckenridge and newbies Gabourey Sidibe, Emma Roberts, and Patti LuPone.
The first teaser titled “Detention” has numerous women levitating up against white walls as an eerie rendition of “The House of the Rising Sun” plays in the background. (Anyone notice the legs in the fireplace?) After the break, watch the second teaser called “Pins & Needles” and prepare yourself for a nice little scare.
AHS: Coven premieres on FX this October.
Update (8/15): A third called “Staircase” is here, below. Continue reading ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ drops two creep-tastic teasers
‘Phineas and Ferb’ crossover events with Marvel & ‘Star Wars’ coming soon
Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, and Hulk are teaming up with boy-geniuses Phineas and Ferb in a special Disney/Marvel crossover episode airing later this month. The official episode description goes like this:
In Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk stand powerless after being struck by Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s power-draining “inator.” Once the Marvel Super Villains – Red Skull, Whiplash, Venom and M.O.D.O.K. – find out that Dr. Doofenshmirtz is responsible for robbing the Super Heroes of their powers, they seek him out and together create mayhem in Danville. Meanwhile, Phineas and Ferb do everything they can to restore the Super Heroes’ powers before the evil villains take over the world.
If you’re a big fan of Disney’s addicting and mildly sophisticated ‘toon about step-brothers with wild imaginations and Stan Lee’s superheroes, then you’ll definitely want to set your DVRs for Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel set to debut on Disney Channel Friday, August 16 at 8PM. Jump after the break to watch a preview and trailer for the upcoming crossover event.
In other P&F news, the animated series is playing host to Star Wars in 2014; for more details, pop after the break! Continue reading ‘Phineas and Ferb’ crossover events with Marvel & ‘Star Wars’ coming soon
Movie trailer round-up: Spike Jonze’s ‘Her,’ ‘Muppets Most Wanted,’ ‘Jobs,’ ‘Thor: The Dark World’ & ‘Captain Phillips’
HER is set in Los Angeles, in the near future and follows Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a complex, soulful man who makes his living writing touching, personal letters for other people. Heartbroken after the end of a long relationship, he becomes intrigued with a new, advanced operating system, which promises to be an intuitive and unique entity in its own right. Upon initiating it, he is delighted to meet “Samantha,” a bright, female voice (Scarlett Johansson), who is insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny. As her needs and desires grow in tandem with his own, their friendship deepens into an eventual love for each other. HER is an original love story that explores the evolving nature—and the risks—of intimacy in the modern world.
Spike Jonze, who is no stranger to android romance, directs. A melancholic tone permeates the trailer and yet it is spiritually uplifting in nature. A man falls for artificial intelligence; might he learn a thing or two about true love along the way? Her releases November 20.
Jump after the break to view more trailers. Continue reading Movie trailer round-up: Spike Jonze’s ‘Her,’ ‘Muppets Most Wanted,’ ‘Jobs,’ ‘Thor: The Dark World’ & ‘Captain Phillips’