Larisa Oleynik joins ‘Hawaii Five-0’

News, Television, , , , , , , , , ,

Larisa Oleynik.  It took me a few seconds to recognize that name.  It’s Alex Mack from the classic Nickelodeon series The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994-1998)!  I grew up watching (idolizing and adoring) Oleynik because she wielded the most awesome superpowers including the ability to instantly morph into a puddle of silver liquid.  Well, now she’s all grown up and ready to star in the CBS reboot hit Hawaii Five-0.  According to TVLine, she will play “Jessica Kaye, an ex-CIA analyst and Harvard graduate with a degree in Political Science and a Masters in Global Security and Intelligence Studies who is fresh off the plane from Langley, Virginia.”  She’s joining the Five-0 team led by McGarrett and Danno because she is in hot pursuit of Wo Fat, McGarrett’s nemesis who had a hand in the murder of his mother (but he doesn’t know this yet).  Jessica “has a personal stake in the manhunt since Wo Fat was responsible for the murder of her fiancé, a well respected CIA field agent.”  Apparently Oleynik’s role will remain recurring for the rest of season one, and there’s an option open for her to potentially become a series regular next season.  Welcome back to the ‘waves, Alex Mack.

[Via TVLine]

Regis Philbin to leave ‘Live with Regis and Kelly’ after 28 years of hosting

News, Television, , , , , ,

Today Regis Philbin announced on his daytime talk show Live! with Regis and Kelly that he will be stepping away from the show later this year.  “I don’t want to alarm anybody … but this will be my last year on the show,” he said. “There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera, especially certain old people … It’s been a long time — 28 years since I’ve been here — and it was the biggest thrill of my life.”  Regis started his daytime run in 1983 back when Live! was called The Morning Show.  Cindy Garvey was his co-host until 1985 when Kathie Lee Gifford stepped into the position. Three years later ABC syndicated Live with Regis & Kathie Lee.  Then soap opera actress Kelly Ripa replaced Gifford in 2001.  One heart bypass and hip replacement later, a lively and spirited Regis made the big decision.  Luckily he assures us that he’s “not retiring. I am just moving on.”  At age 78, there’s nothing stopping Regis from participating in bigger and better things…I mean c’mon!

The network confirms that Live! will remain on the air after Regis leaves.  So the question remains, who will fill his role?  My guess: Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos, who has co-hosted before.

[Via Deadline; TVLine]

Ben Stiller confirms ‘Zoolander 2’

Movies, News, , , ,

You guys ready for some really ridiculously good news?  Ben Stiller has confirmed to Empire Magazine that a sequel to 2001’s Zoolander is well on its way to actually being made!  He’s teaming up with director Justin Theroux again, and Owen Wilson’s Hansel will be back.  The script, written by Stiller and Theroux, is complete and now they’re waiting to hear back from the studio.  It’s not much but here’s what Stiller spilled, plot-wise: “It’s ten years later and most of it is set in Europe. I don’t want to give away too much, but it’s basically Derek and Hansel ten years later – though the last movie ended on a happy note a lot of things have happened in the meantime. Their lives have changed and they’re not really relevant anymore. It’s a new world for them.”  Will the hilarious and villainous Mugatu make a return?  “Will Ferrell is written into the script and he’s expressed interest in doing it,” Stiller shares. “I think Mugatu is an integral part of the Zoolander story, so yes, he features in a big way.”  Woot!  And last, in the rumor mill sits a cameo by Lady Gaga.  She is a prominent figure in today’s fashion industry, so it would make sense for her to appear in the Zoolander universe, so we’ll see.  Keep it right here for the latest Zoolander 2 developments.  Now strike a pose–Blue Steel!

[Via EmpireOnline]

Starz picks Aussie Liam McIntyre to be the next Spartacus

News, Television, , , , , ,

Tough break for the boys of Prison Break.  Starz overlooked Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell, among others, and selected Australian actor Liam McIntyre (The Pacific) to be the next Thracian warrior.  After star Andy Whitfield dropped out of the Spartacus star role due to health issues, the producers came up with an ultimatum: close up shop or recast.  Whitfield gave his blessing to the recast the role, and so the network began its search.

“Since no one can really replace Andy, we realized that we should instead find an actor who can truly lead Spartacus forward,” said Starz’s CEO Chris Albrecht. “It was important to us to have Andy endorse the idea of recasting this part, which he did in the same heroic manner that he’s dealt with his whole ordeal. And that, coupled with our fortune in finding a young actor with the gladiator credentials and the acting ability of Liam, makes it easier for us to keep this hit franchise going.”

And so Spartacus: Blood and Sand will carry on.  Production on season 2 is expected to resume this spring.  The six-part prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena premieres Friday, January 21 on Starz.

[Via Deadline]

‘Lost’ fan? Watch this fan-made short film.

Television, Video, , , ,

The Man Who Brought Us Here is a fan-made short film inspired by the events of Lost.  It’s true, the acting is mediocre but the production value is high.  The short plays out in the same mysterious fashion as the show did, and the classic Michael Giacchino soundtrack adds to that effect.  And yes, the short was filmed on the actual set of Lost, if somehow you didn’t notice.

[Thanks, Rob M.]

2011 Golden Globe winners: ‘The Social Network’, ‘The Kids Are Alright’, ‘Boardwalk Empire’, ‘Glee’

Movies, News, Television, , , , , ,

Honestly, every year the Golden Globes telecast just comes across as drab.  Where are the shiny musical numbers, the high-spirited jokes?  Host Ricky Gervais was funny, but he promoted a rather dreary atmosphere with his harsh jabs at many celebrities.  But let’s move on to the night’s big winners, shall we?

Movies… The Social Network was the night’s big winner.  In addition to winning Best Picture (drama), director David Fincher, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, and composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross were recognized for their contributions to the film.  The Kids Are All Right was named Best Picture (comedy or musical), and Annette Bening beat out her co-star Julianne Moore for Best Actress (comedy or musical).  The Fighter took home a pair of wins; Christian Bale and Melissa Leo won Best Supporting Actor and Actress (drama), respectively.  Other notable mentions: Natalie Portman won Best Actress (drama) for her star role in Black Swan; Colin Firth won Best Actor (drama) for his role in The King’s Speech; Paul Giamatti was Best Actor (comedy or musical) for Barney’s Version; and joining Portman in the “duh!” category was Toy Story 3 for Best Animated Feature.  Quote of the night came from TS3‘s director Lee Unkirk when he described his film as “an animated movie that beat with a human heart.”  No love for Inception‘s brilliant director and soundtrack, unfortunately.

Television… Boardwalk Empire and Glee were the night’s big winners in the TV categories.  The HBO Prohibition-era show won Best Drama and its star Steve Buscemi took home Best Actor (drama); that’s right–Mad Men finally met its match.  Glee won Best Comedy or Musical for the second consecutive year, and Chris Colfer and Jane Lynch were crowned by Best Supporting Actors (comedy or musical).  Fun fact: Colfer and Lynch are the youngest and oldest Globe winners at 20 and 50 years old, respectively.  Other notable mentions: Jim Parsons won Best Actor (comedy or musical) for his fantastic role as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory; Sons Of Anarchy‘s Katey Sagal (surprisingly) beat out Julianna Margulies, Elisabeth Moss, Piper Perabo, and Kyra Sedgwick for Best Actress (drama); and Laura Linney (The Big C) topped Tiny Fey, Collette, Falco, and Lea Michele for Best Actress (comedy or musical).  The Walking Dead and Modern Family will surely be recognized next year, let’s hope.

Click here for the full list of winners.

Light Disc Lamp

Design, Images, , , ,

“Ring” is a futuristic lamp created by Italian designer Loris Bottello and obviously inspired by the world of Tron.  It’s lit by bioluminescent polymers and its intensity can be adjusted by rotating the disc.  By design, the energy is transferred by brush contacts on the outer copper ring.  Aesthetics and functionality aid each other in this bold concept that I want by my bedside stat.

[Via Gizmodo; Designboom]

Short film: ‘3 Minutes’

EXPERIENCE, Video, , ,

3 Minutes, directed by Ross Ching, was inspired by the short story “The Most Dangerous Game.”  Glee’s Harry Shum Jr. stars in this action-packed independent short film that features through the roof production value. Lightsabers play a part, so just watch it and don’t ask questions.  Shum Jr. promises a prequel and sequel are in the works.

Click here to go behind the scenes and learn more about the production process.

The History of Gaming told through a first-person perspective

Design, Technology, Video, , , , , , ,

A gang of game design students hailing from Munich shot this “History of Gaming” piece.  The first-person perspective takes us on a journey spanning from 1958’s Tennis for Two (played on an oscilloscope) through 1996’s Super Mario 64, and up to 2008’s Rock Band.  Although it doesn’t include every video game console invented it does cover the wide gamut.  And as much as this is a tour of video games it also reveals the steady progression of television screen technology (ranging from the old CRTs to the modern LCD flatscreens).  Click the Vimeo source link to learn more about the making of this video.

[Via Kotaku; Vimeo]

FireHero–it’s what it sounds like

Design, Technology, Video, , , , , ,

A fellow by the name of Chris Marion modified a Guitar Hero controller to interface with valves attached to a propane tank.  In his words:

I thought of using a microcontroller to sync the fire to the beat of music – now that would be pretty cool, and the patterns would always be different, so it wouldn’t get as boring as fast. Then I thought of the game Guitar Hero, which uses five frets, and I had my idea! Simply interface a Guitar Hero controller to a microcontroller that would power some relays which would in turn fire off solenoid valves on five individual fire poofers! Now this could be cool; a large fire “sculpture” that is playable by anybody.

Head over to Chris’ website to follow his instructions if you suddenly feel the urge to construct your own FireHero.  For Version 2 he’s planning to introduce color-changing flames, Star Power (“which would boost flame height or fire off additional fireballs”), and play “Through the Fire and Flames.”  But for now, enjoy his inventiveness in the video above.  After listening to AC/DC on fire, hop after the break to watch Motley Crue’s “Kickstart My Heart” in action.

[Via Gizmodo; ChrisMarion] Continue reading FireHero–it’s what it sounds like →

Man invents the glasses-free 3D solution?

Technology, Video, , , , ,

French filmmaker and artist Francois Vogel believes he has discovered the long sought after solution to experience 3D without the annoying and up until now requisite glasses.  In the bizarre demonstration above, Vogel simulates the 3D active shutter process by attaching two modules to the temples on either side of his head.  After being “turned on” by two remote controls, the modules in some way force his eyes to blink at a rapid rate that reproduces the active shutter effect.

I’ve got a few gripes I need to share here.  This demonstration is freaky to say the least, and I’m not really buying into it.  For something so technically natured you’d think that Vogel would back up his invention with some science behind it.  Besides uploading this single video to YouTube (his channel only includes this video), he also created a website that is noticeably absent of anything remotely helpful to his cause.  Besides stating on his YouTube page that the tech requires 120Hz monitor displays to work, he fails to provide any other information regarding how the modules work.  And what about those remote controls that “turn on” said modules?  It just doesn’t sit well with me.  But that could be because the demonstration is downright disturbing.  Whether or not Vogel’s 3D glasses-free solution is fair game is left up in the air until he comes out with more evidence supporting it.

[Via Engadget]