15 Awesome Ways To Open A Wine Bottle...Because God Knows You Need Help

July 30, 2014, 11:00 am

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Drinking wine is a favorite pastime of mine (as is eating frosting out of a can while hiding in the closet and crying) but occasionally I can't find my trusty corkscrew and need to find an alternative that will not only allow me to remove the cork without massacring it but will also look impressive to my fellow alcoholics.

And while I loathe the whole Life Hacking craze that is currently dominating my Facebook feed (look people, none of us are ever actually going to do any of that shit so let's go back to cat pictures okay?) these particular hints seem kind of helpful...well, some of them are.

So check out the video after the break and feel free to wow your guests at your next dinner party...or yourself when you drink alone...to forget the loneliness of being a pop culture blogger...not that I do that...yeah, I do.

Video after the break.

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In Memoriam: TRUE BLOOD 2008 - 2014

July 30, 2014, 1:00 pm

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As  True Blood begins to round the bend on its final season, critics are beginning to weigh in on the HBO series. To be fair, it was no The Sopranos , and it was far from John In Cincinnati.

Call it what you will, it was definitely fun.

Silly, charming, sexy, sometimes brutal and sometimes vapid, but always fun.

Since 2008, fans have faithfully followed Sookie the Worst Waitress Ever as she eased into her role as a supernatural superhero with spunky determination and a high amount of nudity. We watched as she fell for Vampire Bill, then Eric Northman the Viking and then Alcide the Men’s Fitness, giving the viewers a harlequin romance story wrapped inside the gooey innards of a weekly HBO bloodbath filled with warped humor.

That was what made the hit cable show both so entertaining and completely trashy in the best possible way. It was completely, utterly, 100% mad.

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Is THE X-FILES Too Dated To Be Rebooted?

July 30, 2014, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: INTELLIGENT LIFE - David Reddick Hits The Cosmic Treadmill

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The most interesting buzz to come out of Hollywood last week was the possibility of rebooting The X-Files.

Twelve years after it went off the air, there’s still be nothing quite like it — it was a high point of TV in the 1990s and it left a void that was never filled.

But I’m skeptical if it can work in the mid-2010’s. If there was ever a show that relied on the zeitgeist of the 1990s, it was The X-Files.

The show debuted in the fall 1993 when we are on the cusp of a new wave of technological innovation — everything from the internet to mapping the human genome to cloning sheep.

What The X-Files did which was so magical, was just at the moment when it felt like there were no mysteries left because of technology, it created a world that was just out of sight where monsters and aliens existed.

As life was seemingly becoming more rational, The X-Files held out hope for fantasy.

The running gag of the show was that Mulder would often get glimpses of this fantasy world, but he could never capture any evidence of it.

All he ever had was his eyewitness testimony, which was worth nothing.

Today, we live in a time when if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to see it, there’s probably a camera there that will record it. Whether it’s the NSA, smartphones or taxi cameras, nothing escapes being seen and documented.


An X-Files show set today would slam up against the panopticon society we live, which undermines the very nature of the show. And TV shows like 24 and Homeland have helped train us into believing that virtually every moment of life is recorded by a camera.

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INTELLIGENT LIFE - David Reddick Hits The Cosmic Treadmill

July 30, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: 26 Unusual Occupations That You Could Be Doing Right Now

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A new comic strip debuts in syndication from David Reddick (The Trek Life, Garfield) for the nerd and geek set! With the popularity of such mainstream shows Big Bang Theory and The Wil Wheaton Project and superhero movies being the Hollywood go-to—perhaps the time is right for the real estate on the dwindling comic page to be geeked out!

David talks to us about his ensemble comic strip Intelligent Life (King Features Syndicate) and how he uses social media to spark life into the characters.

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26 Unusual Occupations That You Could Be Doing Right Now

July 31, 2014, 7:00 am

≫ Next: Backwards Televangelists Listen To 'Stairway To Heaven' Forwards...There's A Certain Irony Here Folks

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Become A Deer Pee Farmer!

I'm lucky that my chosen profession allows me to lay in bed all day and write between episodes of The Office on Netflix, but I realize that a lot of people aren't so satisfied (or lazy) when it comes to making a living. That's why I am going to ply you with career options (via Mental Floss) that will rev up your working life and make you feel like life is worth living.

You know, that might be overstating these careers a bit, I mean, becoming a deer pee farmer or dog food taste tester probably aren't jobs that would equate a life filled with extreme happiness, but I guess if you were stuck working in a cubicle farm and having to put up with group email affirmations all day long, chowing down on some Iames or siphoning urine from a deer would be the pinnacle of good times.

Either way, if you are interested in doing something different in exchange for cash watch the video after the break...I'll be busy taking a nap.

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Backwards Televangelists Listen To 'Stairway To Heaven' Forwards...There's A Certain Irony Here Folks

July 31, 2014, 9:00 am

≫ Next: Watch The Statler & Waldorf Cut of MUPPETS MOST WANTED!

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I Love That The Devil Is Into Led Zeppelin

When record albums were still being bought and sold to the public (instead of to hipsters) religious nuts were prone to listen to them backwards, searching for words or phrases that would be proof positive that Rock-n-Roll was the devil's music. Of course, it's easy to turn gobbledygook into anything you want to hear just by saying that you heard it, so sure, when played backward, Stairway to Heaven might very well contain messages of: "Satan Lives" or "Eat Babies" or even "Save Big At Jim's Chicken Shack", it's all a matter or perspective.

But what happens when the tables are turned on televangelists? What will they say when they are all backwards and Stairway to Heaven is forwards?

 I'm guessing it won't be "Led Zeppelin Rules!".

Video after the break.

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Watch The Statler & Waldorf Cut of MUPPETS MOST WANTED!

July 31, 2014, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Behind the Scenes of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, in theaters this Friday! ​

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With more and more films getting new cuts with their home video release, it comes as no surprise that the upcoming Muppets Most Wanted has an alternate cut floating around as well.

From the cinematically challenged minds of Statler and Waldorf, here is their cut of Muppets Most Wanted.

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Behind the Scenes of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, in theaters this Friday! ​

July 31, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: 10 Words Or Phrases That Confuse Non-Gamers

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Meet the Guardians and see the movie critics are calling the “Best Marvel Movie Ever.” Get tickets and see it in theaters this Friday.

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10 Words Or Phrases That Confuse Non-Gamers

July 31, 2014, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: Indiegogo-GO! Support Nick Bertozzi's RUBBER NECKER #6!

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Words can be confusing, some exist entirely within the parameters of a single language or culture and others have double meanings with each definition having its own unique usage. 

There are also words borne from specific sub-cultures that possess completely different meanings to their original uses.

No wonder the English language is considered one of the hardest to learn for non-native speakers! 

With that mind, it's easy to see why language barriers and misunderstandings occur in life. Gamers are no exception to this and like many other sub-cultures have built their own exclusive language based around one shared activity. 

Pedants among you might call me out for using the term 'gamers', claiming that it is in fact a noun, not a verb. 

However, thanks to the evolving nature of language the word 'gamer' is now also classed as a verb in most dictionaries (including the superior Oxford dictionary). 

That said, one of the very first uses of 'game' as a verb has been cited as early as 1512, fifty or so years before the Shakespearean era when William himself created new language uses by altering words normally used as nouns and adapting them to verbs . 

So, as Shakespeare himself might put it; thou art a gamer, if thou doth play!

Here are some words (and by extension, phrases) from my gaming lexicon that don't make sense to some of my non-gaming friends out of their original context, you might be surprised how many have caught your own friends and family out:

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Indiegogo-GO! Support Nick Bertozzi's RUBBER NECKER #6!

July 31, 2014, 1:00 pm

≫ Next: THINK TANK (GIRL): Pop Culture Gender Swapping

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Nick Bertozzi’s sixth issue of the Ignatz & Harvey Award winning series Rubber Necker is in the fundraising stage over at Indie Go Go.

The first issue (2003) has sold out, and one of the only way you can get a PDF is by donating to the campaign. The anthology book containing his own work, Nick’s first ongoing series, includes the highly praised Drop Ceiling strip, exploring the relationship a young man has with his father and his family business.

Funding goes to printing and shipping hard copies of the book — a limited run — be sure to check out the campaign today.

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THINK TANK (GIRL): Pop Culture Gender Swapping

July 31, 2014, 2:00 pm

≫ Next: THROWBACK THURSDAY: Watch Patrick Swayze Get Drunk on Pabst and Disco Shimmy His Way Into A Girl's Pants...Or Something Like That

≪ Previous: Indiegogo-GO! Support Nick Bertozzi's RUBBER NECKER #6!

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I know in previous columns I have already skimmed over ‘Rule 63’ (for every male character there is a female counterpart, and vice versa, no exceptions) and how it applies to cosplaying.  But recent comic book related news stories have brought this to the forefront of my mind and I thought it would be worth bringing it up again to talk about some of the issues that surround this ‘rule.’

               

At conventions and online, we always see girls (and sometimes dudes too) dressed as female versions of characters that were originally male.

This might just mean giving the character longer hair or switching pants for a skirt, or something more subtle and complex.

Either way, it’s a completely valid form of cosplay and is recognized widely as a costume that has been “Rule 63’d.”


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THROWBACK THURSDAY: Watch Patrick Swayze Get Drunk on Pabst and Disco Shimmy His Way Into A Girl's Pants...Or Something Like That

July 31, 2014, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: FOG! Chats With KAARE ANDREWS About CABIN FEVER: PATIENT ZERO and IRON FIST THE LIVING WEAPON

≪ Previous: THINK TANK (GIRL): Pop Culture Gender Swapping

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Watch a young Patrick Swayze work his solid baby-making moves on a date who doesn't seemed bothered by the fact that all he can afford to buy her to drink is Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Yep, the 70s were a very different time.

Ad after the break.

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FOG! Chats With KAARE ANDREWS About CABIN FEVER: PATIENT ZERO and IRON FIST THE LIVING WEAPON

July 31, 2014, 4:14 pm

≫ Next: INFOGRAPHIC: How America is Watching TV

≪ Previous: THROWBACK THURSDAY: Watch Patrick Swayze Get Drunk on Pabst and Disco Shimmy His Way Into A Girl's Pants...Or Something Like That

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Interview conducted by Stefan Blitz

One thing you can say about Kaare Andrews and his work is that he likes to be involved in every aspect of production.  His second feature, Cabin Fever: Patient Zero definitely has the indication of a potential auteur in training.  And unlike some other filmmaker's who place their name above the title, Kaare's input is less about ego and more about being involved in every facet of the film.  He's also back in comics, writing, drawing, inking and coloring Iron Fist The Living Weapon for Marvel Comics.

Kaare took some time from his busy schedule to discuss the film, star Sean Astin and why Iron Fist's origin story sets itself apart from any other crimefighter.

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INFOGRAPHIC: How America is Watching TV

July 31, 2014, 5:00 pm

≫ Next: MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (review)

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Our culture today seeks constant entertainment. If something is boring or uneventful, people don’t gravitate towards that activity, in fact they tend to avoid it. Regular tasks and activities have to adapt to this relatively recent need for constant, enjoyable mind stimulation. With diminishing attention spans, this task is becoming increasingly difficult (especially for advertisers and marketers). Television seems to be a successful outlet for this need for both entertainment and entertaining advertising!

Season premieres to series finales, everyone relates to that weekly anticipation of the next episode. Reality or drama, sports or news, more people than your probably think have their own reasons for tuning in. Whether TV acts as your entertainment or background filler, do you really know how much television America watches? From age to race, this infographic shows everything you need to know about the viewing habits of Americans. It is interesting and extremely relevant for marketers and advertisers to look at the statistics and facts about how America is watching TV.

Infographic after the jump.

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MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (review)

August 1, 2014, 5:00 am

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Review by Elizabeth Robbins

Produced by Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, Helen Robin

Written and Directed by Woody Allen

Starring Emma Stone, Colin Firth, Hamish Linklater, 

Marcia Gay Harden, Jacki Weaver, Erica Leerhsen, 

Eileen Atkins, Simon McBurney

Magic in the Moonlight is a romantic comedy with Allen’s telltale wit that harkens back to writer/director Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo. Allen seems to have a love and affinity for Old Hollywood and it shows.

Magic in the Moonlight takes place during the roaring 20’s on the stylish French Riviera. Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) plays Stanley Crawford, an arrogant, aristocratic Englishman who who is secretly Wei Ling Soo, a famous, Chinese magician.

As a master of illusion, Stanley sees no real magic in the world. He believes in only cold, pure logic.

To him, magic is all tricks and slight of hand.

And he revels in exposes psychic and mediums as being fakes.

So when his long-time friend and fellow magician, Howard Burkan (Simon McBurney; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), ask for his help in exposing Sophie Baker (Emma Stone, The Help), an American psychic that is plaguing a wealth family, Stanley jumps at the chance to expose her.

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GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (review)

August 1, 2014, 7:00 am

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Review by Clay N Ferno

Produced by Kevin Feige

Screenplay by James Gunn, Nicole Perlman

Based on Guardians of the Galaxy by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Directed by James Gunn

Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, 

Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, 

Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, 

Glenn Close, Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin

Marvel Studios, James Gunn and Kevin Feige have done it.

They’ve taken sci-fi to a new level, brought humor to the game and among the accomplishments too many to list have made unknown characters to the spotlight with great actors to get Marvel Cosmic into movie theaters across the globe.

The ensemble cast, one who is a raccoon, another a tree, spark on the screen and the space battle action triples from the previous epic-scale Marvel movie, The Avengers.

Chris Pratt stars as Peter Quill aka Star-Lord opposite Zoe Saldana’s Gamora and the two lead the ‘unlikely team’ from a bunch of losers to the Guardians of the Galaxy (Dave Bautista as Drax, Vin Diesel as Groot, and Bradley Cooper at Rocket) alongside stars Karen Gillan, John C. Reilly, Benicio Del Toro and Glenn Close.

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PUT ON THE GLASSES: PJ McQuade's Artistic Ode To The Greatest Fight Scene In Movie History

August 1, 2014, 9:00 am

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For those of you who don't know what the title of this post means, let me introduce you to the movie They Live, John Carpenter's 1988 classic sci-fi movie about a guy (played by wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper) who comes to find out (through a pair of sunglasses) that the ruling class are a bunch of aliens interested in keeping the 99% stupid, fat and docile (via consumerism)...hmm, sounds a lot like what's happening today.

Within this masterpiece (and it is, hell, even writer Jonathan Lethem wrote about it's scathing social commentary amid the horribly fun acting) is one of the greatest fight scenes to ever be committed to film...and it's all over one man's (Keith David) refusal to put on a pair of sunglasses.

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HBO Bingo

August 1, 2014, 10:00 am

≫ Next: WTF FRIDAY: Chinese Fruit Vendors Are Selling Peaches Covered In Little Panties Because That's What We've Come To As A Society

≪ Previous: PUT ON THE GLASSES: PJ McQuade's Artistic Ode To The Greatest Fight Scene In Movie History

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There is no doubt that HBO leads the pack in as far as best original programming. Even back in the early days of the cable network when Tales From the Crypt and Dream On were among the offerings, it was clear that its programming was above and beyond what was being offer by the Big Three (it was three at the time, ya know?).


Part of the reason is due to the channel’s ability to give creative freedom to showrunners. This freedom gave the network a leg up on it’s competition to deliver both quality and entertaining shows that were truly originals.

Also, an excessive amount of boobs and blood helped.

Part of what makes the network’s original programming great, in addition to the genius writing and inspired direction, are the actors. Casting on many of HBO’s shows have always been inspired. Just looking back at the last ten years of Emmy noms supports proves the statement.

Perhaps one of the best parts of the any new HBO show is playing the game “Where do I know this actor?”

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WTF FRIDAY: Chinese Fruit Vendors Are Selling Peaches Covered In Little Panties Because That's What We've Come To As A Society

August 1, 2014, 11:00 am

≫ Next: MALEFICENT Arrives on Blu-ray 11/4

≪ Previous: HBO Bingo

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Because peaches tend to look like small, fuzzy asses, some Chinese fruit vendors have taken it upon themselves to sell the glorious fruit covered in tiny panties.

Yep, this is what we've come to as a civilization...sexualizing fruit.

Take a good, long look at that picture people, that's a peach in a thong...A THONG.

Oh, I'm sorry, was that disturbing to you? Well then, perhaps this will make everything better:

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MALEFICENT Arrives on Blu-ray 11/4

August 1, 2014, 12:00 pm

≫ Next: LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES: Sasquatch - The Legend Of Bigfoot

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Arrives On Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack, Digital HD, Disney Movies Anywhere,  DVD & On-Demand Nov. 4, 2014!

Explore the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain in this wickedly fun twist on the classic “Sleeping Beauty.” In an unforgiving mood after a neighboring kingdom threatens her forest, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) places an irrevocable curse on the king’s newborn daughter, the Princess Aurora. But as the child grows, Maleficent finds herself becoming fond of the girl. And as the conflict between the two realms intensifies, Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land. Journey beyond the fairy tale in this soaring adventure that is “visually arresting, brilliantly designed” (Andrew Barker, Variety).

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