How to get a sweet role on HBO

If you caught HBO's Boardwalk Empire this year, you're probably familiar with Agent Sepso, ie creepy prohibition Agent Nelson's assistant. Or you may have already been familiar with him, from his role on the Sopranos, where he had exactly one line in one episode.

After his stint on the Sopranos he made a video about his experience that went viral and ended up catching the attention of of the creators of Boardwalk Empire (who actually wrote that one line), and got him a sweet role. It's a pretty good story.

I have a soft spot of white guys rapping comically. And if you watch the whole video, the guy who comes in at the end now has his own show on HBO, How to Make It In America, and looks a lot like our own R. Kirby. Not too shabby.



-av

This just in.

In response to AV's post, I wanted to console her by letting her know the MPAA just overturned it's initial NC-17 rating for Blue Valentine, not really citing why. There was a huge outpouring from critics who saw this as an issue larger then just this film, with Ryan Gosling citing their decision as "misogynistic."  The director Derek Cianfrance said:

“To me, that’s censorship. And I respect what the actors are doing in this movie too much to change that. It’s as if to say, ‘Ryan, Michelle, you’re good in this movie, but you’re a little too good. It was never our intention to make a movie that would offend people. It was a moviethat would try to respect people. What you’re left with at end of this movie is emotions. Ultimately, I take it as a compliment that the feeling gave this movie an NC-17.”


Bam. They fought the law and the law realized it was stupid and should just let people watch movies.


-awm    

Found Art

In the last film I worked on, one of the characters was a "found artist" which means they use scraps and trash they find everywhere to make glorious art pieces with. The set decorators used a lot of art from a guy named Tom Deininger who is based out of the town next to me. I've met him a few times and have jammed with him in his giant warehouse studio. He has art pieces as big as walls, and they are all amazing.

For example, this is a shot Courtney Ford (of Dexter fame) took from the side. It looks like all trash and scraps and even some small branches.

But all you do is change the perspective to the front and its amazing.

It's all artwork where you can be really up close and it looks like an entire mess, but standing far away resembles a masterpiece.  This is a screen shot of the film, where you can see Courtney and Brandon Routh (Superman) in front of a piece that looks like an amazing array of colors, but is really hundreds and hundreds of broken action figures.

Check out more of Tom's art here: 

http://www.tomdeiningerart.com/works.html

-AWM

The Patriots Honor Tedy Bruschi

Last night during the Patriots epic win over the New York Jets ESPN, for some reason, didn't air the half time ceremony honoring one of their own broadcasters, Tedy Bruschi, for his 13 amazing seasons as a New England Patriot. THANKFULLY Patriots.com posted the entire ceremony for your viewing pleasure and you can see it here.

Personally I thought Bruschi was completely humbled by the entire experience and looked like he was on the verge of tears a couple times. Bruschi took the high road during his speech, choosing to highlight the coach and other players of those championship teams instead of himself, proving once and for all that he truly is one classy dude!

For those who don't know Tedy Bruschi helped the Patriots win three Super Bowl Championships in his tenure despite suffering a stroke in 2005.  Basically he's a badass, a class act, a family man, and a total cutie! If John Gruden ever decides to coach again Bruschi's got my vote to replace him on Monday Night Football!


-BJK

NC-17 is f***ing up my s***

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star in Blue Valentine, an independent film that is getting tons of press. Firstly because it's supposed to be totally amazing, and additionally for garnering an NC-17 rating, reportedly for a scene lasting less than a minute depicting Ryan performing cunnilingus.

It's kind of a big deal because an NC-17 rating all but guarantees that the movie will make no money and the majority of America will have to wait for the DVD to come out to see for themselves. 

A new side to the controversy has no sprung up as another indie with a lot of buzz, Black Swan, starring a crazed ballerina Natalie Portman, just got an R rating. This movie ALSO features a scene of similar length this time with Mila Kunis performing cunnilingus. So what's the difference? As far as anyone can tell, including the equally confused directors of each film, the only difference is that in the film with an R rating there are two girls, instead of a guy and girl. Or maybe Ryan and Michelle's performance is "too real" ie way too awesome.  You can read all about it here.

Well the Blue Valentine crew has flat out refused to change the movie, but has appealed the rating and is waiting to hear back, though a rating has never been changed without the movie being changed to the MPAA's liking.

I guess we'll just have to be satisfied with this amazing trailer for now, because you'll probably be waiting for the DVD release to see Blue Valentine.

-av
ps. if you like Ryan's singing in the trailer, check out his band Dead Man's Bones. It's like if Johnny Cash and the Supremes got hired to write the soundtrack for Disney Haunted Mansion Ride. In a good way.

Your move, Gaga

Those aren't nipples... they're art.

These dresses from Chinese couture designer Guo Pei's show "The Arabian 1002nd Night" are totally, insanely awesome.

The origami-like detailing reminds me of Gaga circa "Poker Face." Next time she performs, it must be in one of these outfits. -id

A Liddle Riddle

What is this?

Making music though not that good.
Add an "ey" to describe, I would.

Ask for Pop to help you here.
Everyone smells when it is near.

It's a dirty job, to power machines.
But ask the earth, for him it cleans.

Some say our country started this.
And gave it to the European, Chris.

When he sailed back, the ocean blue.
He once ate, and didn’t chew.
And what you ask? What did it do?
Well my friends it appeared, in his poo.

<3TKM

A "Famous Person" We met

When TKM and I were on Venice Beach we took a picture with the Crazy Guy on the beach. Today Kanye put a link to this song on his twitter and Crazy Guy pops up for a second at a minute 24 seconds in. Its a drag that Chris Brown is in the video he does not sing in it, I hate him forever, I like this song alot though.

June 2005

 

-jv

Johnny Cash impersonates Elvis

Also, Poor Willie Nelson
-jv

Shakshuka is Hebrew for Delicious

Okay so that's not true. Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish and no one's really sure where it originated (some say Tunisia, others Israel). All that matters is it's super tasty, quick, easy, and cheap to prepare.

Check out the recipe. I ate it with warm naan and it was perfection. -id

Color pictures from way back when.

We're kind of on a photgraph kick right now, but I can't keep these to myself. These are color photos from 1939-1943 capturing the effects of the Depression on small town America. They are some of the only color photos of that era and they are really striking. I think I've only ever seen sepia or black and white pictures from that time period and it's pretty breathtaking in color.

I'm having a hard time picking pictures because I love so many of them. I picked pictures with lots of people, because in color they are so much more intense than the typical black and white family shots.

A couple of homesteaders in New Mexico, 1940

Performers from the "girlie show" in at Vermont State Fair, 1941

Also, the pictures are from all over America. There are pictures from Massachusetts, Georgia, New Mexico and more, it's a real cross section: farmers, school children, working women, landscapes.  Towards the end you can see original war posters in the backgrounds of pictures.

See all the pictures here
-av

Up Up and Away

For all you aspiring hand gliding, airplaning flying out there or if you just wanna see some cool shit - This guy Yann created all these photos while flying a plane above a bunch of awesome places from anywhere to above cities to above herds of ELEPHANTS!

Apparently some city planners really wanted people to view their spot from up above. And also stuff just looks great from up high!( ;) ) I've been to these two places that Yann snapped:

Most Giant Sand Dune in Australia

                                                 The Beautiful Los Angeles Highway System

-JMN

French Fry Update

while we all hold our breath waiting for bk to release a sweet potato fry

this is pretty awesome
-jv

a little more harry potter

Ever think to yourself, "if there was just one more page of harry potter i would jump all over that shit faster that a speeding snitch."

Well you're in luck, because jk rowling wrote an 800-word prequel adventure of James and Sirius for charity in 2008.

With any luck she'll keep it up every once in a while, we'll try to stay on top of it.

av & id

The Association: The Celtics

If you want more Shrek and Donkey, more big 4, more SHAQ! then you gotta check out The Association which is gonna feature the Boston Celtics. It's a five episode series starting December 3rd on ESPN, I'm excited!

BJK

This is Pretty Damn Cooool

So this guy named Jeffrey Martin took 8,000 pictures of London and stitched them all together to create this insanely detailed picture of the entire city. It's somthing like 80 gigapixels whatever that means. It's very cool.

-BJK

MC Chris and HP fans, this ones for youuuuuu

MC Chris - Neville


I am the chosen one
No need to hold a gun
I take you there like a Double Decker bus does
I am a Gryffindor
Stand up to Voldemort
I break it up like it was horcruxes

Loved by the kitchen staff I'm why the Weasleys laugh
Know my way around in fact I memorized marauders map
If you have to ask what its like and how longs it last
Kinda sorta felt like wearing a flaming sorting hat
Name is Neville, Im a rebel, dont worry about detention
Did I fail to mention that my specialties suspension
As in getting lifted Im a hippy comes to Hogwarts hookups
Im the kid you look up when you feel like getting shook up
I got cockroach clusters I got them chocolate frogs
I got every flavor made by that babe Bertie Botts
I got what you want
I got what you need
I got those wizzy beats so fizzy you say wizard please
Im summoned with a spell cause pagers are prohibited
You can go to hell if you think my times unlimited
Ill meet you by the willow kid if you prefer the forest
Just bring that goblin gold and dont wake Mrs. Norris *what*

I am the chosen one
No need to hold a gun
I take you there like a Double Decker bus does
I am a Gryffindor
Stand up to Voldemort
I break it up like it was horcruxes

They say that I am lacking and I aint up to snuff
Snapes always on my case cause he secretly sucks
Its hard remembering stuff I think my brain has been wiped
Like I might have seen some shit that would scar you for life
So they think that Im a fuck up and its brilliantly clever
So many things I cant remember like wheres my toad Trevor
Can I ask for the password I fear I have forgotten
Call me Neville longbottom I leave every bong rotten
Love treacle, buckbeak elf eye to Ireland
Meet me at the One Eyed Witch or Room of Requirement
Step back catch a cactus blast of my stinksap
Chill Dumbledore is down in fact he likes a fat sack
If you want a break from the stress and the studies
Holler at youre buddy and Ill make you feel funny
Im the pudgy pure blood packin unicorn power
Up in the highest tower where I fire up my flowers

*coughing*
This is stupid guys...
This is stupid...were wasting our money
We should be using magic

I am the chosen one
No need to hold a gun
I take you there like a Double Decker bus does
I am a Gryffindor
Stand up to Voldemort
I break it up like it was horcruxes


<3katiecaff

Thanks Alton Brown, you rock.

Alton Brown used to really annoy me. Can't really tell you why.. I just found his cooking show on the Food Network to be boring, and thought his little jokes and skits on the show were seriously lame.

I am now a total convert because you guys.. his recipes are AMAZING! I made his Curry Chicken Pot Pie a few weeks ago and it was the best pot pie I've ever had.

Last night for the Pats/Steelers game I made his Hot Spinach/Artichoke Dip and it was soooo delicious, easy & cheap. 

So if you're looking for cooking inspiration, browse his 100 Top Rated Recipes at FoodNetwork.com. I promise you won't be disappointed. 

(Except maybe skip his baking stuff.)
(I like his show now-- he's just a food nerd.)
-id

express yourself. or just read other people's letters.

McSweeny's, the publishing house founded by indie golden boy Dave Eggers, has a pretty all right website it turns out, called McSweeny's Internet Tendency, and I just came across the section called Open Letters. Charmingly explained as:

O P E N   L E T T E R S
T O   P E O P L E   O R   E N T I T I E S
W H O   A R E   U N L I K E L Y
T O   R E S P O N D .

These letters are submitted by readers that cover a wide range of topics. From Pumpkin Flavored Seasonal Treats to Undated Yard Sale Signs and the Yard Sale Purveyors Who Make them to The Person in Charge of New Punctuation they are funny, clever and pretty entertaining.  

And they take submissions. So use that anger, frustration or remorse that you couldn't express in person and write your own open letter. I look forward to reading it and suspecting that i know the author.  

-av

ITS A TRICK PLAY

I ♥ This
-jv