Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Small victory for Greenpeace

I am a sucker for people standing outside supermarkets, malls, gas stations, basically, I am a sucker.  I tend to actually stop and let them "inform" me of the troubles our world faces, whether it be hunger, children, animals, or all of them, I will listen...and many times donate.  Its hard for me to not feel like I can afford $10 here, $20 there, when I know I can easily spend that in a night out drinking with friends.

Enough preaching for now.... I got my weekly email from Greenpeace today briefly mentioning a victory for them in the Japanese Whaling Industry and I thought I would share it with you.  If you have ever seen Whale Wars, then you know of Greenpeace's effort in Japan, and today there was a bit of forward progress.  The Japanese Fishing Agency publicly announced today that they received whale meat as "gifts" from private companies contracted by the government to slaughter whales.  One member of the agency even bowed in an effort to apologize to the public (seen below).  Although only 5 officials were charged with corruption, bringing this to the public will hopefully help to continue the fight.  




DYNO-MITE!, Blaxploitation Posters

When I was in High School my friends and I def enjoyed our fair share of Blaxploitation movies.  We loved us some Shaft, and Dolemite, The Human Tornado .  So it was a nice suprise on this rainy morning in So Cal to find a blog posting a massive image bank of Blaxploitation Posters.  Not to age anyone, but I'm sure many of these movies were made before my time, but somehow they feel so timeless.  The site has movies I was pretty sure they made up they sound so good.  So many with Black in the title;  Black Samson, Black Gestapo, and my personal favorite, Black Shampoo.

So check out a few images I grabbed below, and DEF check out the site to see the whole group of amazing and inspiring movie posters.





Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Travel the Road...less Traveled.


Sweet site with locations around the world of places that are worth exploring but might not be on the top of a travel guides list.  

Urban Ghosts Media, as described on the site as, "a slightly bizarre online magazine about abandoned places, hidden history and alternative travel."

Floyd Bennet Field, NYC 

Skull Chapel, Czermna, Poland

Ok so maybe you wouldn't visit some of these locations, but its a interesting site, and worth a look.  I don't know about you, but when I travel, I def like finding spots that aren't overrun with tourists.  This site will help you find those locations.  Tons more pictures and info on the site

Pouring Beer...Bottoms UP

BottomsUP Beer tap by GrinOn Industries dispenses beer through the bottom of the glass.

Someone posted this on facebook a few days ago, and I just saw it again on another blog...and it still kinda boggles my mind.  I think it has to do with specialty cups, but either way, impressive, def impressive.

Sword Swinging is for the Coolest Kids

With technology driving entertainment these days, this video seems to fit quite nicely into this realm.  Not long, not too mind-blowing, but for some reason, entertaining; watching people swing a sword at high speeds on an HD camera attached to the end of the sword.  Just can't get enough of the wooooshing sound...

So without further ado, COOL kids swinging swords

Monday, December 27, 2010

I Once Loved The Smiths


and this always was one of my favorite songs...

Late Night is a Good Time

As I was up enjoying the night sky before I dozed off, I turned on KCRW, and fell upon this great song. The Zombies, This Will Be Our Year. Just one of those songs, maybe you wouldn't request to hear all the time, but when it comes on, late night, it just feels right:)



enjoy

Monday, December 20, 2010

Cinema Blue Balls

So I went to see Black Swan tonight...and I saw about 3/4 of it.  As we were sitting there, the lights came up, turns out all the main power in the theater and down the street went off.  So i had to leave the theater without seeing the end of the movie.  It was painful, because the movie was really good, and we were just getting into the climax of the film....

The Arclight in El Segundo...strike 2....

Skiing, and Flying...and Fathers...

Last night I found myself hooked to the TV watching a documentary about a family of skiers/mountaineers and the danger that comes with it.  It starts by following Trevor Peterson and his adventures and eventual demise at the hands of Chamonix Mountain in France/Switzerland/Italy (yes it boarders all 3 countries).  But the best part is the movie continues, with his son, Kye, as he grows,  and as a crew of Legends (Glen Plake, Stephane "FanFan" Dan, Ansele Baud, and many others) in the ski world take him under their wing and bring him back to the mountain that took his fathers life.  It was a brilliant coming of age story for anyone, even those that don't ski (I don't ski).  Below is the trailer, seriously a beautiful movie.  Originally based on a book by Bill Kerig, who then helps to create this great film version.


Edge of Never, 2009
Bill Kerig

I think because it dealt with the death of a father I really connected with the film. My own father passed away 7 years ago (Exactly 7 years in 1 week...) Also because I have a love of action sports thanks to a great photographer (Bo Bridges) that took me under his wing for a few years when I was just starting out my design career. It was really interesting to see Kye face this mountain that took his fathers life. Got to me, as do almost any father, son stories...

I drew this in my moleskin as 
I was watching the film. Pics 
not great...its late, will try to 
replace tomorrow. Gonna try 
and put a little more me in this 
blog moving forward.

But don't just watch the trailer, 
go see the movie...It was great

Sweet Mirror Video

Sweet, fluid, trippy video from Japan.  Its the Japanese High Speed Train, Shinkasen.  Nice simple mirror effect.  Enjoy




via Can't Remember....Sorry

Friday, December 17, 2010

Video games Part Duex

(not my friends father....or maybe...it is???)

Ok so I had to post this after a friend (Thanks Charlotte!) led me to it, and mentioned her father was involved in it...didn't get too much detail on how he was involved....but in some ways it doesn't matter, the video really defines early MTV...awesome...made me smile....

On a semi non-related side note; So I turned 29 last week....yes thank you....and this has def got me thinking how the 90s has become hip again...Maybe so, maybe not, but it def makes me feel old when the 90s are coming back in fashion, design, and with the young kids....I mean some of these kids were only born in the 90s....fast comeback.  Just an observation.  Can't wait for a few more years when we can all look back at this time, and laugh at the madness of our lives.   

Stop Motion GONE MAD

These guys had a lot of time on their hands:), a stop motion video shot from high, back onto a floor with a black rug and a lot of coins. Music def adds to the 8-bit feel.

Enjoy




Thursday, December 16, 2010

More people I admire, Jonathan Safran Foer, New SCULPTURAL BOOK


So yesterday I found out, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2005, possibly my one of my top 3 books of all time) by Jonathan Safran Foer is going to be made into a movie.  The book was sooo emotionally therapeutic after my father passed away.  Not only that, the book implored visual additions to the text in the book that made it feel a bit more alive, like a friend had read it before and left clues.  

Today I found out about another amazing project Foer is attached to.  He recently released an amazing new book/project/concept (not really sure what to call it) Tree of Codes that seems to defy normality.  It took a european publisher to take the chance, as the book literally is a collage printing nightmare.  See pics and a lil PR video from the publisher below to see what I mean and def check out his work.  AMAZING.  AMAZING


 (yes the pages are pieces of text)

I'm not even sure how this book is read, but it doesn't matter it looks like it will be a true original, already ordered my copy, will let you all know when I get it.

And a small clip from Everything is Illuminated....Movie is good, book is better

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

JCM and Marion Cotillard for Dior, Ooh La LA

John Cameron Mitchell; artist, director, musician, super interesting fellow; originally stole my heart when my ex-gf showed me Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The mix of musical, rock, drama, and flat out freshness was awesome. The song Origin of Love, is one of my favorite ballads of all time. Anyways he is back at his kick assness again. This year he directed Rabbit Hole, starring Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckart, opening this week in the States set to be quite the heartfelt drama, AND TODAY I came upon another little gem he just released. Its a short film/advertising piece for Christian Dior starring Marion Cotillard and Ian McKellan. There is no dialogue, just music and image, and although its a bit drawn out, I really enjoyed it. Sooo take 5 minutes and enjoy it TOOOO


via Mosiac

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

A Gorey Chistmas

So Edward Gorey, a man among men in the illustrated world.  His slightly off comics and drawings remind me of a darker Shel Silverstein.  He is an illustrator, a surrealist, and definitely an amazing artist.  My brothers girlfriend has a print of The Gashlycrumb Tinies which is a snipet about each letter and a corresponding character.  It always makes me laugh when I'm in the loo (loo just sounds better than saying taking a piss...well i guess thats english too:) )...Anyways I think his work is smart, subversive, and just perfect for a Jew on Christmas:)

So enjoy and check out the flickr set where these came from to see a bunch more Gorey goodness.




wikileaks...join the discussion...educate

everyone is talking about wikileaks...well many of my friends don't care, but most people interested in world politics and life, outside beautiful sunny california; are talking about this in some form. My friend Pete Brook and his blog, Prison Photography has become quite the knowledge base for prison rhetoric, but also good news stories and info on the web in general.  So I was happy to see him mention a few pieces about the madness that has become Wikileaks.  I say madness because its a bit like we are chasing our tail with this story.  Not sure who is leading and who is following...but on that note, he lead me to a great article on the subject, and you should read it.

Check it, written by David Campbell.  Pete highly recommends it, which in turn means I DOUBLE highly recommend it because Pete is smart...and on top of things.  Take 15 min and educate yourself...I def believe in free speech, and transparency, and not vilifying someone who speaks out against a country.

by David Campbell

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Sweet Flyers from Early Hip Hop Days

Check out this amazing collection of Flyers from the early days of Hip Hop.  Just a ton of interesting layouts and graphic elements...and its cool to see who used to play together in backyards and basements and High Schools.  Check a few below, but DEF check out the rest of them at the site below




Check out the rest HERE

Vintage Tokyo Subway, MANNER Posters

Thats right, classic Japan and their manners:)  Find below a few pics and a link to a bunch of posters from the late 1970s, early 1980s helping instruct Subway riders of proper behavior.  Not sure which is my favorite, might be the goofy faced John Wayne squirting out his Cigarette or maybe Jesus with too many umbrellas.  Either way, def AWESOME!




See the rest of the images here, via Pink Tentacle

Slow Motion to the EXTREME

2000 Frames Per Second...that is just insane! Technology sure is making some amazing advances.  Enjoy this bmx short below



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

For the 7th day of Hannukah You Tube GAVE TO MEEEE

a remix of a pop song that makes me smileyyyyy


Not a bad remix...not a magical one either, but worth the watch, especially for all those people who were obsessed with Dynamite by Taio Cruz ( not me of course:) )


Enjoy

via Associated Press

Monday, December 6, 2010

Simple but Beautiful music video from Israel


Cool music video from Karolina, an Israeli musician with a nice sound.  Great technique for the video that didn't require a ton of extra props or something super expensive, but relied on the music and creativity to carry the video.  And it works.  Directed by Kutiman, who became quite famous on the internet earlier last year for his YouTube remix.

Enjoy