Thursday, July 31, 2014

Glen Keane's "Duet" is a wonderful short film

I love a good short film - and I love a good short animated film even more. This short, Duet, from legendary Disney animator Glen Keane (think: Ariel, Tarzan - which you can really see in the male character - Pocahontas, Aladdin, Rapunzel) is simple and beautiful. If you're not an animation lover, you'll enjoy the story and the music. If you are an animation lover, you will see why this guy is a master of the art:



So pure and lovely. And, needless to say, the hand-drawn quality is so refreshing.

Here's a synopsis (though why do you really need one of a short? I have no idea):
Animated in its entirety and directed by Glen Keane (former Disney animator and creator of such beloved characters as Ariel, Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Tarzan and Rapunzel), DUET tells the story of Mia and Tosh and how their individual paths in life weave together to create an inspired duet. The unique, interactive nature of the story allows the viewer to seamlessly follow the journey of either of the two characters from birth to adulthood.
And here's a cool "making of" video:




[via /Film]

Surprise: Homeless People Are People

In this heartbreaking video called "Cardboard Stories" from the group Rethinking Homelessness, homeless people in Orlando share an interesting, hopeful, sad, and sometimes surprising fact about themselves:


You can read more about Rethinking Homelessness' goals and history at their website.

[via Neatorama]

Cosmos-politan and Naked Cosmos = 2 Things I'd Watch

There's been a lot of faux-Cosmos buzz lately and I just want to say that I would read/watch all of them because Neil deGrasse Tyson is such a boss.

Cosmos-politan

Naked Cosmos

Cosmos Drunk/Stoned

Such the boss.

Jane Austen Characters "Against" Feminism

Not sure if you've heard of the anger-inducing meme going around "women against feminism." It's super frustrating, but the blog Mansfeel Park did a fun takedown using Jane Austen characters. You can read more hilariously dumb male commentary-turned-comic at their site. Here's their Jane Austen Characters Against Feminism:



[Via HuffPo]

Go watch "Garfunkel and Oates" NOW!

You can watch the first episode of IFC's new Garfunkel and Oates show on IFC.com RIGHT NOW! Why are you still reading this? You could be watching an amazing musical parody takedown of sports!! And the regular non-musical plot is super funny, too. Yep, I'm digging this show.

Ask a Grown Man: Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert did a "Ask a Grown" segment for Rookie Magazine. In it, he gives advice on talking to your dad about sex, how to let boys know you don't like misogynistic jokes, and how to tell if someone likes you (and therefore, in turn, how to let someone know you like them). Check it out:



For reals - we could all stand to be a little less selfish and bring a little more cookies.

Puppies Rolling Down a Hill

Excellent YouTube curation here, I've got to say. This video is the perfect combination of childhood summertime nostalgia + adorable puppies:



My favorites have to be the dog who's too fat to properly roll and the golden retriever puppies who refuse to let go of their toys while they're rolling. Ah, to be young and also a dog!

[via Jezebel]

Shonda Rhimes #ThankGodItsThursday

Hey! It IS Thursday! Must be why ABC dropped this gem on us:



Can we handle a three-hour block of every-act-break-the-world-blows-up-insanity? Who knows! But we're going to give it a shot! I love that Shonda is owning this. I love that her leads are right there with her. I love that I will get to see Viola Davis chew the shit out of the scenery on my TV every week. That is brilliant. It's so weird. I used to love Thursdays for comedy, but now I'm getting pumped to love Thursdays for drama. So. Much. Drama.

Take me to Shondaland.

[via Jezebel]

Notorious RBG Owns her Notoriety

Ruth Bader Ginsburg knows we adoringly refer to her as Notorious RBG and loves it. She said as much in an interview with Katie Couric for Yahoo News. If you aren't familiar with the meme, check out the Notorious RBG Tumblr and see why we love this boss Supreme Court Justice.

[via Jezebel]

Misty Copeland Dances Like Some Crazy Dream

Misty Copeland judged the So You Think You Can Dance for the last three weeks, and she was pretty harsh. From her resume (American Ballet Theater soloist), you can understand why, but it wasn't until I watched her in action that I was like - holy shit:



That first lift looks like something is literally pulling her up or like she's gently entering into Zero G. And from then her movements are so fluid and her muscles are INSANE - her calves! How do you even make calves look like that!?

You can read more about the ad campaign the commercial was promoting over at Jezebel or whatever, but frankly I'd rather just watch Misty dance. Woman can dance.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Great News! Donating a Kidney Does NOT Affect Lifespan!

I'm pretty sure we already knew this, but another study has confirmed that donating a kidney - even in older patients - does not increase risk of death or heart disease.

Let's all go celebrate by donating a kidney*!

*Unless you already have donated a kidney or have a donated kidney inside of you.

Kristen Bell Deserves a Mary Poppins Reboot

Ok, Mary Poppins isn't getting a reboot (nor should it!), but Kristen Bell is crazy convincing in this parody in favor of a minimum wage increase:




The kids were also scarily on-the-nose. I think we've reached the Uncanny Valley of musical movie parody. Also, it's pretty funny and I love watching KB show off her singing chops.

[via The Hairpin]

NYT's "What's In It?"

Once you get past the hyper-produced graphics, there is some serious shit to be learned in this video series by Michael Moss and the New York Times. The first lesson? Apparently there was a thing called "Cookie Dough Oreos"



Other things I learned: uncooked flour can make you sick (I never knew this one and now I'm somewhat terrified), and this whole "Permissions" marketing strategy. It's creepy and I don't like it, but at the same time I did eat a lot of "banana pudding ice cream" when we were in Pawley's Island, but I think it did have some legit banana pudding, whipped cream, and 'Nilla wafers in it. Then again, maybe I just imagined them?

Ladies Can Write Marvel Movies, Too!?!

Apparently so! The co-writer of Guardians of the Galaxy opening this week is Nicole Perlman. Considering this is her first produced movie, her career is starting off on a pretty high note. The enormous amount of praise the movie's been getting before its release couldn't hurt, either. Let's hope that a) the movie lives up to the hype and b) Marvel takes the hint and continues to invest in this and other writers who happen to be women. Considering that women make up a majority of moviegoers these days, I'd say it's a smart investment. You can read an interview with Nicole at THR.

Awww, "Potterhood"

I saw Boyhood two weeks ago. It really felt like growing up. I don't love every Richard Linklater film (I think Waking Life only works if you're stoned), but I felt like this movie was well-suited to what he does well: capture a mood. The mood was "growing up" for both children and parents. It captured Texas well (nice shout out to the Dallas World Aquarium, even if they were supposed to be in Houston), and sometimes it's nice to have a movie where the biggest conflicts are "just feeling shitty" or "not knowing how to act around my parents" or "frustration at my kids for not appreciating me" and the normal story beats of "kid makes a bad choice > terrible consequence" aren't there. It's a real slice of life film if slice of life films were actually realistic. Of course, there is drama in one sequence, which I won't spoil, but the overall tone is much more subtle.

And all of that is to say that as much as I enjoyed the film in its two hours and forty minutes of nostalgia, I enjoyed this mash-up of Boyhood and the eight Harry Potter movies just as much:



[via /Film]

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Please, Adopt-A-Dude Today

Speaking of incompetent men (re: "just one of the guys"), here's a super fun satire of today's male youth:



I'd say that's about right, except weirdly enough my husband is a WAY more put-together human being than I am. I mean, he wouldn't have to Google "incompetent" just to make sure he spelled it correctly.

[via The Hairpin]

Jessica Williams in: "Operation Black Hair"

Jessica Williams, killing it again:



I was #blessed to be born super white, so I've never had to deal with any of these hair issues, but after watching this segment (and Chris Rock's amazing documentary, Good Hair) I am super pissed at these hairstyle regulations. Nobody should have to spend that much time on their hair unless they really want to or are getting paid gobs and gobs of cash.

Jenny Lewis. "Just One of the Guys"

I haven't been super into music videos since the late '90s, excepting each new OK Go mind-meld, so I was not expecting much when the internet exploded over how fun the new video for Jenny Lewis "Just One of the Guys" was, especially when it seemed all the hype was over gaping at actresses Anne Hathaway, Kristen Stewart, and Brie Larson in drag. I should not have doubted the internet hype.



It really is good, isn't it? Strangely mesmerizing, and by far the best performance I've ever seen Kristen Stewart give. The guy can smile! Clearly, Kristen just need to forever perform as a guy and everyone will love her.

[via HuffPo]

Speaking of Satanists, Tina Fey's a Witch!

Or at least she is set to produce and star in a Disney witch-themed movie. Considering the last, great Disney + witches big screen pair up was Hocus Pocus (which this is not a sequel of), I'd say it's about time for a new Halloween classic. I can't wait to read more about it and then eventually watch the movie!

[via /Film]

Satanists, Pretty Cool People

Satanists are at it again. First, it was erecting a giant statue of Baphomet in the Oklahoma capitol. Now, they're turning the Hobby Lobby ruling on its head, saying that they should be exempt from the restrictive, anti-choice "informed consent" laws all around the country on the basis that their religion is based in scientific fact, and therefore they cannot abide by laws that are based on fear, junk, and political bias. In their words:
 In response to what The Satanic Temple have dubbed a “pernicious encroachment” of “informed consent” laws regarding abortion, the organization is asserting a religious exemption from the burden of state­mandated “informational” abortion materials for those who share their deeply held beliefs. According to their website, “The Satanic Temple believes that the body is inviolable ­­ subject to one’s own will alone.” Further, “we strive to make all decisions regarding personal health based on the best scientific understanding of the world, regardless of the religious or political beliefs of others.” (Full Statement)
It's a simple, powerful argument, and one the Satanists agree that any woman should make when presented with these informed consent requirements. Unlike Hobby Lobby, Satanists are starting to make a lot of sense. Who knew?

[via Jezebel]

Monday, July 28, 2014

Comic Con: Women Who Kick Ass Panel

Well, this is refreshing. How exciting that Comic Con had another "Women Who Kick Ass" panel! EW, which hosted the panel, understandably has a great write-up on it, which included my super favorite Nicole Beharie from Sleepy Hollow, Natalie Dormer and Maisie Williams represented the Game of Thrones ladies (I suppose Gwendoline Christie and Diana Rigg were busy!), and Tatiana Maslany represented her insane string of characters from Orphan Black. That's pretty much the only panel I wish I could have seen in person, if only to be there for comments like these:
Dormer should always be the one to explain Game of Thrones to new fans: “Game of Thrones shows you all the different ways you can wield power: Whether it’s psychological, physical, sexual, dragons,” Dormer said. “I think we’d all go for the dragons if we were given the choice. But that’s the secret of the writing, that’s why it’s such a compelling show—because it shows how different people are given different weapons, physically and metaphorically, and how they use them.”
You can read more at EW! It sounds like it really did kick ass.

Comic Con: Hunger Games Mockingjay Trailer Released!

My favorite part of Comic Con? The trailers! In addition to the new Hobbit trailer, we also got a proper trailer for the new Hunger Games Mockingjay, Part 1 (that's a mouthful of a title) movie, coming out later this year:



That's a smaller, more ragged District 13 than I imagined, but maybe they're saving their money for crazier things down the line? I know I'll be watching.

[via /Film]

Comic Con: New "Game of Thrones" Cast Members!

Looks like we're going to spend some time in Dorne next season on Game of Thrones. Most of the new cast members are from the fictional southern land. Winter may be coming, but down there it still looks pretty hot (though sadly missing its hottest star, Oberyn).



I'm interested to see what they do here. QUASI-VAGUE SPOILERS AHEAD: Trystane is barely mentioned and never really seen in the books, and Myrcella's part in everything is brief, as well, so I'm curious how and why they decided to beef up that storyline. Like others, I'm bummed that Arianne hasn't been cast, suggesting they've cut her storyline entirely. Since her storyline was the majority of the Dorne plot, I'm not really sure what they're going to do down there at all now. On the bright side, no new Greyjoys. Theon and Yara (Asha) are plenty for me.

Comic Con: Stephen Colbert Surprises Everyone! Also the new Hobbit trailer

Guess who popped up to lead The Hobbit panel at Comic Con last weekend? That's right! The split-second scene-stealing Shifty-Eyed Lake-Town Spy himself! Vulture has the full text of Stephen's remarks. As is appropriate for anything relating to Tolkien, it's epic.

Oh, and here's the new trailer for The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies. Or, as I call it, The Hobbit: We Fleshed Out All the Crazy-Enormous Battles that Tolkien Kind of Breezed Over Because, Hey, It Was Supposed to Be a Kid's Book.

Comic Con: Laika Wants to Make a 2D Animated Movie

Laika, of creepy/delightful stop-motion animation, fame, mentioned a their Comic Con panel that they'd like to bring back 2D animation. According to /Film, Travis Knight, the head of Laika, said that they already use a small amount hand-drawn 2D animation in their features (like the upcoming The Boxtrolls), but that he's interested in doing more. I'd love to see more traditional hand-drawn features on the big screen, outside of international films. Laika would be a great studio to do it. Or John Lasseter could demand some of those Avengers profits and do it over at Disney. I'd Dreamworks could give it a shot, too, but that seems unlikely.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

"Dear White People" Trailer!

I am going to love this movie so hard.



Dear White People has everything I want in a movie - satire, social commentary, a cast with more than one black character who gets to be a real person, solid jokes - plus two Veronica Mars actors! Can't beat that. Also, someone should let Lena Dunham know she needs another black friend because just Donald Glover isn't cutting it anymore.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Solid "Game of Thrones" Mix set to Lorde

Oh man, this is super good.



I was actually just listening to Lorde's rendition of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" from the (I'm not ashamed to admit) Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack (which is a really good soundtrack), and it fits SO well here. The cutting is interesting - Uproxx calls it a recap, but it's more a thematic montage or exploration, pairing certain moments together that make you wonder what the overall game is (get it!? Game?!). I am entertained.

[via Uproxx]

Delightful Disney D-Medley

The a cappella group Voices put out this lovely Disney medley, combining three songs about the joy of flight:



Sometimes it's nice hearing a group that performs old-timey songs - really reminds of how that kind of music sounded, since they did so often use choruses in Disney's early musicals. Oddly enough, it makes me want to go watch Lady & The Tramp.

[via HuffPo]

Animated Short: The Legend of the Flying Tomato

To lighten the mood, here's a delightful short about a woman who finds her own way in life through pro-wrestling and fish tacos:



So delightful, right? Go, Flying Tomato, go!

[via Neatorama]

In other news, Texas is down 20 abortion clinics

Just one year after Texas passed one of the harshest reproductive rights restrictions in the country, half of Texas' 40 abortion clinics have closed. By next year, the entire state will be down to six. This is a tragedy, and another reason why we must elect Wendy Davis and other pro-choice candidates to stand up for women's rights.

Besides, if conservatives really wanted to help and protect future generations, they'd embrace the Medicaid expansion. Since they refuse to do that, I can't take the idea that they care about anyone but themselves seriously.

Conan Rips Stephen's "Masturbating Bear" Tweet

So this happened:



And to think all this chaos began with a simple (some might say brilliant?) tweet.