Category Archives: Video

Razer Blade vies to be “the world’s first true gaming laptop”

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Razer, the maker of high performance gaming products, has announced the Razer Blade–what they’re calling “the world’s first true gaming laptop.” So what makes this laptop stand out and above all of the other gamer-centric portable PCs? The fact that it is designed from the ground up for performance and portability without making any compromises. That’s what. Check out these specs. Inside a full aluminum chassis breathes a 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 2640M processor, a NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M with Optimus Technology, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, 2GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM, 320GB 7200rpm SATA HDD, built-in HD webcam, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, integrated 60Wh battery, and a 17.3″  1920×1080 LED backlit display. All of this is packed inside a managable 0.88 inch thin design that weighs only 6.97lbs. What a magnificent feat! And that’s not all. Razer has also imagined the Switchblade User Interface, a technology built specifically for gamers that is comprised of 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys and an LCD screen. The separate mini-display (480×800) located to the right of the keyboard has two modes: (1) it displays in-game information when a mouse is in use; and (2) it functions as an ultra-sensitive, multi-touch panel designed for gaming on the go. The Switchblade tech was actually born out of the “Razer Switchblade” concept that was previewed earlier this year.

With the Razer Blade the company hopes to reinvigorate the laptop market and set a new standard for portable gaming machines. And by the looks of it, that’s exactly what they’ve done here. When it releases in Q4 2011 it’ll run for an understandably pricey $2,799.99. If you’re a dedicated gamer and need something portable and powerful enough to maintain a desktop experience on-the-go, the Razer Blade is a clear choice. Now look in the gallery below for some press shots and after the break you’ll find Razer “Chief Gamer and CEO” Min-Liang Tan talking up his latest creation.

[Via Engadget]

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Continue reading Razer Blade vies to be “the world’s first true gaming laptop” →

First look: Terry O’Quinn in ‘Hawaii Five-0’

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It was reported back in June that actor Terry O’Quinn would be joining the CBS procedural hit Hawaii Five-0 in season 2, and now we’ve got solid evidence that his “pivotal recurring role” is going to be Bad-ass (that’s right, with a capital B). As previously detailed, “O’Quinn will play a Navy Seal Lt. Commander who trained Alex O’Loughlin’s McGarrett in Coronado, and served with his father in Vietnam. Described as strong, stubborn and a man you want in your corner when things go south, the character holds some of the answers to the mysteries surrounding the respective murders of McGarrett’s mother and father.”

Watch O’Quinn in action above, and get ready for the return of Hawaii Five-0: September 19 at 10PM on CBS.

(Hey Lost fans–how sweet is that reunion between O’Quinn and Daniel Dae Kim? It’s almost as if they never parted ways off the Island.)

‘Locke & Key’ pilot trailer is (probably) all we’ll ever see

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It’s a real shame that FOX passed over Locke & Key, the Joe Hill/Gabriel Rodriguez comic book adaptation from creator Josh Friedman and executive producers Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Steven Spielberg. 20th Century Fox TV screened the pilot directed by Mark Romanek at Comic Con, but the cheers simply didn’t prove loud enough for the studio to pass it along to another network. Due to rising production costs and lack of network/cable interest, Locke & Key has been shelved indefinitely and will likely never see the light of day again.

And so I share with you this sneak peek at the pilot that leaked onto the Internet not too long ago. On Twitter Friedman posted a link to the video saying that it “was made by FOX for advertisers months ago (obviously before they decided not to pick us up).” Mirando Otto, Jesse McCartney, Sarah Bolger, Skylar Gaertner, and Nick Stahl star in the haunting promo that successfully hypes the mystical world set forth by Hill and Rodriguez and imagined for TV by Friedman. Though it’s hard to watch because you know the story will never be told on screen, it’s certainly worth viewing so you can at least experience a glimpse of what might have been.

In June Hill had this to say about the premiere episode: “Mark Romanek and Josh Friedman turned in a hell of a good pilot (says a dude who is, of course, completely unbiased). The finished episode is scary, and lean, and emotionally authentic, and has a similar feel to Super 8; it very much has a kind of early 80s scary-Spielberg vibe. It’s also very faithful to the source material. I’m so, so proud of everyone who worked on it and of what was accomplished.”

[Via TVLine]

TV Reminder: ‘Party Down’ cast reunites tonight on ‘Childrens Hospital’ [Update: clip inside]

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So get this. Tonight on Adult Swim’s Childrens Hospital the Party Down catering service will reunite! Just because the insanely underrated, ill-fated Starz comedy Party Down was cancelled after a two-season run in 2010, that doesn’t mean the gang can’t get back together again. If you watch the irreverent comedy from Rob Corddry then you should know that the show stars two Party Down members–Ken Marino and Megan Mullally. In tonight’s episode Ron Donald and Lydia Dunfree will be joined by fellow caterers Lizzy Caplan, Martin Starr, and Ryan Hansen. Unfortunately, pending any surprises, Adam Scott and Jane Lynch will not be on hand for the scene. Dr. Glenn Richie (Marino) is celebrating his Bar Mizvah and the Party Down crew show up to cater it.

In an interview with EW, Marino shared his initial excitement on shooting day. “I couldn’t believe all the Party Down actors showed up!” he said. “I love the guy who plays Ron. He came in. He was kind of a d—, actually, in real life.” Funny man! He continued, “We had so much fun doing that little scene. And then we were like, goddammit, why is this show not happening anymore?” He went on to describe his hair dilemma. “We had to try to fake my Ron Donald haircut because I had my Glenn Richie haircut,” he said. “It was too long and looked a little ridiculous.”

Childrens Hospital airs Thursday nights at midnight on Adult Swim.

Update: In case you missed it or want to watch it again, jump after the break for the 35-second Party Down cameo. They ended up sticking it all the way at the end between the credits. But boy was it sweet. Continue reading TV Reminder: ‘Party Down’ cast reunites tonight on ‘Childrens Hospital’ [Update: clip inside] →

Short film: ‘Portal: No Escape’

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Whether or not you’ve played the innovative video game from Valve known as Portal doesn’t matter here. This short from LA-based filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg fuses top notch cinematography with a gritty, pulsating score that will blow you away. If you’ve played the game and know your Portal lore, there’s no question that you’ll fully embrace the Chell-like female protagonist and her quest to escape from the shackles of Aperture. The CGI work is fantastic and actress Danielle Rayne will pull you in and never let go for the five-and-half-minute duration. It’s guaranteed that by the end of the film you’ll be foaming at the mouth for more. In less than one day the video has gone viral–it’s nearing 700,000 views. With such a large fanbase formed already, it’d surprise me if Trachtenberg never returned for a second installment.

Portal the movie would be hard to manufacture for mass audiences due to lack of dialogue (GLaDOS is noticeably absent here), but as Trachtenberg has proven it can work wonders in the short film space. Has Valve got wind of this? Do I smell a Portal web series in the works? I’ll keep you posted.

Now flick on HD, turn up the volume, and mash play!

The cast of ‘Glee’ celebrates Fashion’s Night Out (video inside)

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New Directions (sans Naya Rivera, Amber Riley, and coach Matthew Morrison) star in this stylish video celebrating Fashion’s Night Out, the annual shopping event that takes place in NYC’s trendy district SoHo. The idea for the video was born out of Vogue’s Anna Wintour; in it the cast of Glee covers the classic 1980 David Bowie song “Fashion.” Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester pops up to play dress-up, too.

Catch the video after the break.

FNO kicks off September 8; get event details here. Glee returns September 20 on FOX. Continue reading The cast of ‘Glee’ celebrates Fashion’s Night Out (video inside) →

OK Go & The Muppets star in the “Muppet Show Theme Song”

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Are you ready to watch the most sensational, celebrational, inspirational video you’ll seen all day? Well this is it.

Viral video sensation and alt rock band OK Go have teamed with The Muppets to make a music video for the classic opening theme song from The Muppet Show. When something goes terribly awry with their musical time machine, OK Go is sent back to revisit some of their classic music videos. Bunsen and Beaker crash the set of “Here It Goes Again,” Kermit, Monster, Gonzo, and Fozzie make their way into the band’s newest clip “All Is Not Lost,” and Gonzo and Camilla try to recreate the Rube Goldberg-inspired “This Too Shall Pass.” Later on the video pokes fun at the canine-infested “White Knuckles.” In addition to all this music video time travel, the clip also includes the Muppets doing what they do best: wreaking havoc and having a good time. And when Crazy Harry makes everything go boom, a laugh-out-loud dream sequence closes out the video. Mash play and enjoy this colorful rendition of the classic kid’s tune.

The Green Album—a collection of covers of Muppets songs by artists like The Fray, Weezer, and My Morning Jacket–is out now, and the Muppet movie starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams hits theatres November 23.

FX ready to tell ‘American Horror Story’ (poster & teaser inside)

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Earlier this summer FX picked up a 13-episode order for its next original drama series. American Horror Story comes from Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy and his Nip/Tuck and Glee collaborator Brad Falchuk. Deadline reports: “Described as a psychosexual thriller, [the show] centers on a therapist and his wife who, dealing with the aftermath of the husband’s adultery, move along with their kids into a new house that seems to know all about their fears and plays on them.” Now check out this all star cast extracted from a press release:

American Horror Story revolves around The Harmons, a family of three who move from Boston to Los Angeles as a means to reconcile past anguish. The All Star cast features Dylan McDermott (The Practice) as “Ben Harmon,” a psychiatrist; Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights) as “Vivien Harmon,” Ben’s wife; Taissa Farmiga as “Violet,” the Harmon’s teenage daughter; Jessica Lange (Tootsie, Blue Sky, Grey Gardens) in her first-ever regular series TV role as “Constance,” the Harmon’s neighbor; Evan Peters (One Tree Hill) as “Tate Langdon,” one of Ben’s patients; and Denis O’Hare (The Good Wife) as “Larry Harvey.” Guest stars for the series include Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under) and Alexandra Breckenridge (Dirt) as the Harmon’s housekeepers; and Jamie Brewer as Constance’s daughter.

AHS promises to be an extremely chilling TV series with intention to genuinely frighten audiences. Murphy describes it as a “feel-bad” show, as opposed to his “feel-good” show Glee. He and Falchuk were inspired by classic horror films Rosemary’s Baby and Don’t Look Now. Industry members who have seen the pilot were spooked and amazed by its originality.

Says FX president John Landgraf: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ryan and Brad back to their original home. They have shown an uncanny ability to bring original series to the air unlike any that have come before, and to reconcile ’wildly entertaining’ with the ’creatively ambitious.’ Once again, American Horror Story is a wholly unique and original take on its genre with richly drawn characters. The ability to put together a cast of stars such as Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, Denis O’Hare, Frances Conroy and Oscar-winner Jessica Lange speaks to the quality of the writing and storytelling. This series is going to blow audiences back in their seats, and we can’t wait to have it on our air.”

Others who have seen the pilot say that it’s filled to the brim with character and plot development. One critic says, “The first episode has more stuff crammed into it than some shows have in their first season.” This may not be such a great thing because viewers typically don’t like to get suffocated by too much in the very beginning. At the TCAs, Murphy admitted that pilot “has like eight cliffhangers” but he went on to reassure potential viewers that he has “an obligation to the audience in the next two [episodes] to explain a lot of those things that are set up.”

Over the summer FX has been running a super creepy yet intriguing marketing campaign to amp anticipation for the series. Short commercials featuring AHS “clues” can be screened at this YouTube channel. This week the cable network finally released a standard teaser clip featuring the main cast in the haunted (?) mansion. What’s up with Denis O’Hare vanishing up in flames and who’s that stalker-ish man (?) in the black latex suit grabbing at Connie Britton? This same question can be asked about the bizarre poster pasted above. The teaser video is after the break.

I will certainly give this show a try, and I think you should too. I trust Murphy and Falchuk’s creative vision and so I expect AHS will find its groove at some point during its first season run. The cast is stacked and the intrigue is there. Tune in to see what American Horror Story is all about when it premieres October 5 at 10PM on FX.

[Via FX; Deadline 1, 2] Continue reading FX ready to tell ‘American Horror Story’ (poster & teaser inside) →

Symbolyc One talks about his “Excellence” behind ‘Watch The Throne’ beat

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Kanye West called upon producer Symbolyc One (aka S1) to produce the beat behind the second half of Watch The Throne track “Murder To Excellence.” (‘Murder’ was produced by Swizz Beatz.) S1 had previously worked with ‘Ye on the masterful single “Power” off My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and most recently he co-produced Beyonce’s hit “Best Thing I Never Had.” S1 traveled to London and Australia with Kanye and Throne collaborator Jay-Z, and it was Done Under where the “dirty” beat for “Excellence” was conceived. He picked the Indiggo sample because he liked the “African, tribal feel to it.” Watch the video to see S1 in the studio and learn more about the inspiration behind the track.

[Via RapUp; MrBusby]

Tour Iceland in this breathtaking Bon Iver music video

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Indie rock group Bon Iver teamed with famed director Nabil Elderkin to shoot this gorgeous music video for “Holocene,” a cut off the band’s latest album Bon Iver, Bon Iver. The clip follows a youthful Icelandic boy waking up in the morning and exploring everything that the icy island has to offer. Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon allowed Nabil to run free with it. “[Iceland] is the most magical place in the world,” says Nabil. “It looked like Mars to me, so I always wanted to shoot there. When Bon Iver gave me the reigns on this video, I knew it had to be filmed there.” The final product truly is breathtaking; you get lost in scenic cinematography and the soothing sounds of “Holocene.” See for yourself in the video above.

[Via NatGeo]

Teaser 2: The Woman in Black

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Here’s a new look at The Woman in Black, a supernatural thriller starring Daniel Radcliffe in his first theatrical release post-Potter. He plays a young lawyer who travels to a mysterious house to settle the affairs of the spooky mansion’s owner. This trailer is chilling; creepy dolls, an ominous narrator voiced by a young girl, and a lurking ghost known to a small town as The Woman in Black are abound. The film, from director James Watkins (Eden Lake), was adapted from Susan Hill’s 1982 novel of the same name by Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class scribe Jane Goldman.

The Woman in Black hits theatres February 3, 2012. It’s going to be a spooky good time.