Free music news blog on lingerie, lyrics, free music, and heroes.
The Incredibles by Brad Bird
Finding Nemo** opens today (and it's getting great reviews) but I'm already looking forward to Pixar's next movie, The Incredibles. The man in charge of the film is Brad Bird, Simpsons alum and director/writer of The Iron Giant, one of my favorite movies of the past few years and probably the most underrated children's film ever. More on The Incredibles:
This is the sixth film from Steve Job's production company Pixar, which has also produced Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, and Monsters, Inc. The film, which is about a family of superheroes, is completely CGI and the distributor is Pixar's partner Walt Disney Pictures. Like the Fantastic Four, the film explores the dysfunctional family situations that can result from constantly having to save the world. During the concept stage, the title for this film started out as The Incredibles, then changed to The Invincibles, before finally changing back to The Incredibles. The picture is the brainchild of masterful storyteller Brad Bird, the director of the critically acclaimed animated film Iron Giant, which had mixed results at the box office. Many blamed the distributor of that film, Warner Bros., for poor marketing, and soon after in early 2000 Bird moved on to Pixar.
** We got a new server today at work and the guy setting it up named it "Nemo". When he was testing it over the network later in the day, he got an error message that said, "Cannot find Nemo".
Solar storm warning!. Expected to reach strong to severe levels (G3 to G4)
Nanocrystal quantum dots provide a view from inside capillaries.. Could be used to examine cancer cells within the body.
California landfills filling up with Evian bottles.. Health-conscious water drinkers only recycle 16% of their bottles -- versus 60% overall.
Ted Turner: "It's hard to compete when your suppliers are owned by your competitors.". The FCC vote: Monopoly or Democracy?
Design the Malama Learning Center in Kapolei, Hawai'i.. Wide open architectural competition welcomes all entries.
Jason's rules for the NYC subway
1. Get the hell out of my way, I'm coming through.
2. Do not stop at the top of the stairs to put your MetroCard back into your purse/wallet. You are between me and my train.
3. Act more like a particle and less like a wave. When you're weaving all over the platform like a drunken sinusoidal, energetic particles like myself -- who, in keeping with Newton's first law of motion, like to remain in a uniform state of motion until acted upon by an outside force -- cannot easily get past you.
4. Slower traffic keep to the right.
5. Yield to persons crossing the platform from the express train to the local train (or vice versa). They need the right-of-way more than you do for that 15 seconds of your existance on this earth.
6. Have your MetroCard out of its holster before you get to the turnstile. Before.
7. If you are waiting for your train, suppress the urge to wander the crowded platform aimlessly. Pick a spot and stay exactly there. If you need to move, do so with purpose and well-defined direction.
8. I'm embarrassed that I even need to mention this one because it's so bloody obvious, but get out of the way and let everyone off the train before you attempt to board. (Calling Malcolm Gladwell...why haven't you written a NYer article that explains the particularly brain dead human behavior of people crowding into subway cars and elevators before people have exited them?)
9. Get the hell out of my way, I'm coming through.
iBlog is what Apple should be doing as the "writing" part of their iLife apps. and there should also be a photoblogging component built into iPhoto
Microsoft pays AOL Time Warner $750million -- and lets them keep the lousy browser.. How much would you pay for Netscape Navigator?
"...never pay more than $25 for a web site.". Learning eCommerce with Carpet Boy
In celebration of Bob Hope, some other people also Not Dead Yet.. Whitney Houston's career, notwithstanding.
President precedent.. Belarus leader says the title is his -- and his alone.
Japan on sale at United.com. Roundtrip for two to Tokyo/Osaka from west coast: $549. From east coast: $649. You do the math.
photologgers vs. camgirls on fotolog.net. locked in a photo battle
How the ASRG and the IETF plan to can Spam.. Initial technologies deployed within months.
@ the movies
A Mighty Wind
Guest's latest mockumentary is probably the strongest film of the bunch that includes Best in Show, This is Spinal Tap, and Waiting for Guffman. A Mighty Wind tells the tale of a folk singers reunion show and is funny, genuinely touching in parts (the Mitch and Mickey storyline), and features some great original music (and I'm not a big folk music fan). However, Guest's mockumentary format is beginning to wear a little thin for me; I would have liked it a lot more had I not seen the others first.
Death of a Web Team. "I'm sick and tired of hearing about the users. Who cares? Fuck the users. We need this to be engaging and exciting!"
First it's a Supercomputer, now it's a TiVo.. The Sony PSX is a PS2 with a DVD recorder, 120gb hard drive, TV tuner, Ethernet and USB 2. DVR much?
You'll be ROTFL reading these Microsoft nicknames. macrohard, microcrap, micro$hit, junksoft, LOL! LOL! anti-MS folks are the funniest ever!
A Mighty Wind, Christopher Guest
Guest's latest mockumentary is probably the strongest film of the bunch that includes Best in Show, This is Spinal Tap, and Waiting for Guffman. A Mighty Wind tells the tale of a folk singers reunion show and is funny, genuinely touching in parts (the Mitch and Mickey storyline), and features some great original music (and I'm not a big folk music fan). However, Guest's mockumentary format is beginning to wear a little thin for me; I would have liked it a lot more had I not seen the others first.
Hey kids! It's Skin Irritating Game! Wah-hoo!. Toy patents from hell.
If you build an empty box, people will fill it with words
As of this writing, there are 264 comments attached to The Matrix Reloaded thread -- about 200 more than I thought there would be -- and it's still going strong (14 comments today). The wide array of theories as to what people think the movie is all about and what the next installment holds range from mere speculation on plot points to complex philosophical explanations (some of them quite informed) to disinterested & unimpressed reactions to nutball Kennedy assassination-level theories. Even if you're not interested in the movie, the thread is an interesting look at the various degrees of meaning people get from media.
"Sticky Fingers" The Winona Ryder shoplifting musical.. But will it come to Broadway?
The Meaning of the Matrix. Existential Pop Psych 101.
Can you Survive an Apprenticeship as an American Princess in The Restaurant to Marry My Dad?. NBC's glut of summer reality shows wants YOU!
"We each just practiced our own parts in our homes, listening to the bombs fall.". The story of A. Crassicauda, Iraqi death metal band
Digitally Archiving the Universe. Details about the National Virtual Observatory
@ the movies
Microcosmos
Finally settled in to watch Microcosmos last week after Tivoing it several weeks ago. James Berardinelli sums up how I felt about the film pretty well (4 1/2 stars at least). My favorite scene features a dung beetle trying to roll a bit of dinner up a hill; a more Sisyphean struggle I haven't seen. The producer of Microcosmos, Jacques Perrin, has a film out in American theatres right now called Winged Migration that I'm quite keen on seeing as well.
Microcosmos
Finally settled in to watch Microcosmos last week after Tivoing it several weeks ago. James Berardinelli sums up how I felt about the film pretty well (4 1/2 stars at least). My favorite scene features a dung beetle trying to roll a bit of dinner up a hill; a more Sisyphean struggle I haven't seen. The producer of Microcosmos, Jacques Perrin, has a film out in American theatres right now called Winged Migration that I'm quite keen on seeing as well.
Case wants AOL back. now that he's powerless
Boy Meets Boy. "The Bachelor" meets "Gay for Pay" on Bravo.
Clay should have won!. And the world yawns.
Kottke Stalker
With apologies to Gawker Stalker, here are some NYC celebrity sighting reports I've gotten from my readers:
Anna Wintour leaping Matrix-style from a black Lincoln Town Car on 43rd Street behind 4 Times Square, descending upon four unsuspecting interns. I have never before seen such exquisitely-toned intern ass kicked so completely. Her beatings administered, Lady Wintour flew off into the morning sky, the world flexing behind her.
Samuel L. Jackson standing outside of Madame Tussaud's in Times Square. He was very nice, posing for picture after picture with people.
Everyone doing cocaine. (Ed. note: This is funny because everyone in NYC does coke -- how quaint! -- and it makes us all feel extremely cool to mention it as often as we can.)
Paris Hilton on the subway platform at 135th Street, waiting for the 2 train to the Bronx.
Colin Farrell having sexual intercourse with six famous young women at the same time. Out of respect for their privacy, we won't reveal the names of the six women. Present were Britney Spears, Winona Ryder (boy, did he!), Tanya Harding, Hilary Duff, Kylie Minogue, and Dame Judi Dench. Colin ain't picky.
Graydon Carter riding Tina Brown like a pony through Midtown at 12:15pm. Gray and blonde locks flowed majestically behind. Of course, it may have been an unknown man riding an unknown woman like a pony through Midtown because I have no clue what Graydon Carter and Tina Brown look like and neither do you.
Every actor that has ever been in an independent film in a tiny vegan coffee shop (so hip!) in the West Village (so, so hip!). Seriously, they were all there. I dare you to name someone who wasn't there. When we left, Philip Seymour Hoffman was leading a rousing game of Who's Keeping It Most Real?
Ben Affleck and J.Lo. absolutely nowhere near the block.
Ching Chung!. "Law & Order" at episode 300
Earthquake in Japan
An earthquake and a series of aftershocks hit Japan on Monday evening (local time). Some reactions to the quake from folks on the scene: Cerebral Soup, Toyko Tidbits, AkuAku SF, and Vu Deja?.
Your rights as a photographer
Attorney Bert Krages has compiled a helpful guide of a person's rights as a photographer:
The right to take photographs is now under assault more than ever. People are being stopped, harassed, and even intimidated into handing over their personal property simply because they were taking photographs of subjects that made other people uncomfortable. Recent examples include photographing industrial plants, bridges, and vessels at sea. For the most part, attempts to restrict photography are based on misguided fears about the supposed dangers that unrestricted photography presents to society.
Ironically, unrestricted photography by private citizens has played an integral role in protecting the freedom, security, and well being of all Americans. Photography in the United States has contributed to improvements in civil rights, curbed abusive child labor practices, and provided information important to investigating crimes. These images have not always been pretty and often have offended the sensibilities of governmental and commercial interests who had vested interests in a status quo that was adverse to the majority in our country.
Something to keep in mind while you're snapping away at your local Starbucks.
6,000+ dog pictures. Including over 100 Chihuahuas.
The Absolute Bottom 50 PBS Documentaries. "Everybody Dies, with Bill Moyers"
EPP will change how domains are registered. "Thick" vs. "thin" data, and how and when domain changes propagate.
Happy (Almost) Birthday, St. Petersburg. Russia's old imperial capital turns 300 tomorrow.
An index of famous curves. math, not chicks
An index of famous curves. chicks, not math
Got sunburn?. "Morning after" lotion heals and repairs skin damage.
Sen. Santorum is "major donor" to NYC's biggest gay rights organization.. Though he may not know it.
This message may be worth $500!. California attacks Spam.
MS Tunes?. Would you rather rent music or own it?
Baby chick regurgitates cat.. Film at 11.
Your entire waking life, photoblogged. Forever.. "Casual Capture" from HP. (Not) Coming Soon!
Reebok® Travel Trainers.. Big in Japan.
The sounds from San Francisco.. Commercial free, listener supported, Web only.
The super TVs are coming.. Incl: a transparent vibrating film that functions as a loudspeaker spanned over the display screen.
Hmm, Mr. T or Queen Elizabeth?. You know you want one.
Another guest poster to the remaindered links weblog
As some of you know, kottke.org is actually a subsidiary of Glassdog Heavy Industries & Sewing Supply Depot. I've been getting lots of pressure from corporate lately about "creating opportunities for synergy" and "being a team player". To that end, Mr. Lance Arthur will be posting to the remaindered links weblog (rss) for a few weeks. It is hoped that by doing so, I will get my executive washroom privileges back (and, I guess, some good links).
The must-see hit of the summer!. Take that, Wachowskis!
RUU? URU!. Can Myst succeed where the Sims sucked?
The world's cutest cat picture. take that, MetaFilter!
First good look at TypePad
Six Apart has posted some screenshots and a small list of frequently asked questions about their upcoming TypePad service. Looks like we finally have a weblog service that's easy enough for beginners to use but powerful & flexible enough for power users. Once TypePad launches, Google will have their work cut out for them in trying to catch up with Blogger and Blog*Spot. (And actually, I don't think Google much cares about weblogging software...they're much more interested in the search component, how to help people find information on blogs. Plus, they could easily pull a Microsoft to Six Apart's Netscape, make a free Blog*Spot Pro service, and drive 6A out of the biz...which would totally suck.)
Screenshots of new version of AOL. doesn't say whether or not it comes with 3-D glasses
Footage of LOTR: Return of the King. QT movie, poor quality
And now we go to PizzaFace, live at the Pentagon. Google News screenshot
The economic case for "it's the user experience, stupid"
Gareth Lloyd offers up an economic analysis of online music (mit graphs!) using consumer theory in How to make money from internet music (and make everybody better off in the process):
Moreover, I hope to show that despite our present gains, the internet retains great untapped potential. Apple's new iTunes Music Store is, I believe, an important precursor of what is to come. The strength of Apple's business plan lies in reducing search costs below those of the best file sharing software. If other record companies embrace internet distribution, they can do the same, and music listeners will gain access to a huge library of music. I will show that this gives a way for music companies to make money from the internet while simultaneously increasing the welfare and satisfaction of their customers.
The conclusion seems to be that music listeners have a very bright future. The only way that companies can succeed is to stop trying to exploit search costs and make their customers better off. In addition, a general reduction of search costs will lead to important secondary effects. By making it easy to search for new and better music, the internet will force companies to pay close attention to listeners and improve their products. They've long been able to make large profits on inferior products, but once listeners can find better music with minimum effort, the output of major record labels will have to improve in order to maintain market share.
That's a pretty hopeful view; it would be nice to see it come to pass, if only partially. I wonder if the music companies are doing any of this kind of analysis?
Adaptation on DVD
In case you didn't get the chance to see Adaptation at a theatre near you, it's out on DVD tomorrow. There aren't any special features on the disc, but a features-laden version of the film will be out in a few months.
p.s. The Two Towers is out on DVD in August as well.
Juicy Couture founders have hit the big time. I want me some Juicy Couture
Security at the airport getting better
Airport security finally seems to be stabilizing after the frenzy of new procedures and policies following 9/11. American in Chicago is no longer checking IDs as you board the plane; once at the ticket counter to get your ticket is sufficient. The random bag searches at the gate seem to be a thing of the past as well; there were no announcements about them and no space set aside for searching at Chicago, Newark, or Portland airports. Security is still tight at the entrances to the gates (as it should be), but both travellers and airport personnel are so used to the drill by now (laptops out, coats off, take a swig of your drink, any metal on those shoes?) that everything runs fairly smoothly.
Schroedinger's spam
I'm suddenly receiving twice the amount of spam per day I was getting just two weeks ago. These big jumps in spam volume seem to happen to me every few months. I'll be getting 100 spams per day for 5 months and then one day, it just jumps to 175 per day and stays at that new level for a few months. Somewhere out there, a young Max Planck is busy formulating a quantum theory of spam.
Speaking of, a design I did for kottke.org more than three years ago still won't die. The folks at Peppy Puppy are using it to pretty up their spam. I am honored. (thx Greg)
Chocolate Suite is an exclusive NYC hotel that serves one guest at a time. starts at only $2000/night
Are you seeking the Skinmaker?
I completely forgot about this until the other day, but I have a bit of a link to the Matrix Reloaded. Rob Dougan has two songs on the soundtrack for the film (one of which you can hear during Neo's fight with Merovingian's henchmen) and the creative agency for his record company commissioned me to do a Quicktime skin to promote Rob's music. Here's the skin (download and open directly with QuickTime to get the full effect...you don't get all the nice transparency in the browser). It was a fun little project to do; I enjoyed designing something other than a web site for a change. (Oh, and ignore the scrolling text at the beginning...that was an unfortunate last minute addition by the client after the budget was gone and sorta bodges up the whole thing.)
Continuation of The Matrix Reloaded
This thread is a continuation of the uber-thread about the Matrix Reloaded. My original post is here, but I've archived the thread (containing 931 comments) here.