I don’t read magazines. I find them more useless than the newspaper; by the time a magazine is actually published, all the information contained in it is already a good month old. Though when I heard that JJ Abrams was given guest editorial privileges for this months issue of Wired, I figured I’d give it a whirl. Boy am I glad I did.
The entire issue is built around mystery. It’s basically an entire magazine dedicated to the ideas Abrams presented at TED 2007:
Abrams believes in the art of mystery and the magic behind it. Take LOST for example. Knowing the answers to all the question not only kills the mystery, but it also takes all the fun out of viewing the show. It’s this reason I’ve stopped reading my favorite LOST blog, Lost and Gone Forever, it’s been to accurate as of late.
But the Wired issue isn’t solely about LOST and JJ Abrams other works, there are other articles that are extremely captivating. Articles about the CIA’s Kryptos statue, an apartment where there are puzzles built into every wall and piece of furniture, and a bizarre monument dedicated to the end of the world. Literally every article is as captivating as Abrams’ editorial. There’s also a dozen puzzles in the magazine that I could spend days trying to figure out, one involving “the numbers.” I don’t think I’ve ever read an issue of any magazine as captivating as this one.
Will it make me a subscriber? I don’t know. I’m not sure if each issue of Wired is this interesting or if JJ Abrams deserves all the credit. I will keep an eye on it and, who knows, I might actually become interested in a magazine.
Very rarely does an episode of TV cause me to gasp and become completely speechless at what I’m witnessing. The Chuck season finale caused me to do just that and just know from here on out there will be spoilers.
For two years I’ve watched as Chuck Bartowski bumbled his way through his dual career as Nerd Herder and CIA Intersect. Along the way he’s tried to maintain his secret identity while pretty openly falling in love with his handler, Sarah. It all changed when Chuck, determined to finally be the hero everyone already thinks he is, uploaded the new version of the Intersect into his brain and actually turned into a super spy. He knows kung fu. It was just like when Keanu Reeves uploads in The Matrix but way better and far more surprising. Then the screen cuts to a simple “To be continued…” title screen leaving me, and I assume all the other Chuck fans, speechless.
The problem is that Chuck is on the cancelation bubble for the last few weeks. I don’t know anything about ratings or ad sales or whatever the idiotic TV executives look at when they determine what gets canned and what gets renewed, but I tell you one thing, if Jeff Zucker cancels Chuck in favor of some stupid reality show or to make room for Leno’s soon to be epic failure then he’s making a huge mistake. Some people think the writing is already on the wall, but I’m going to hold on to hope that Chuck won’t end with such an epic cliffhanger.
Remember, there are still plenty of ways that you can try to save Chuck so join the Nerd Herd and go buy a Five Dollar Footlong just like Zachary Levi recently did:
And just remember NBC, if you cancel Chuck, I will end you.
I first read this statement in Dan Brown’s Digital Fortress. In the book the phrase, translated to “who watches the watchmen,” was used to question those responsible for keeping our nations secrets secret. Who watches those that watch us? It’s a question that should be asked more often then it is. Those in power — politicians and the like — tend to exist in a bubble where they can do what they like. They’re untouchable.
The question arises again as the closing line in Watchmen. The movie debuts today and so to prepare myself I decided to read the only graphic novel Time Magazine included in it’s 100 Best Novels list. I knew nothing about the story, other than it was about superheroes of some sort. Staying away from internet hype and movie trailers, I dove into the book.
Warning, minor plotline spoilers and viral marketing videos will follow.
It’s an interesting concept: when superheroes first appeared in comic books in the 30’s, it spurred certain people to dawn masks and fight crime on their own terms. Now super powers, just costumed vigilantes. As a result superhero comic books went out of style and time moved on.
As the original group of “costumed heroes” started to fade a new batch came into fashion. This group brought something new to the table, something truly super. As a result from a nuclear accident appropriately named Dr. Manhattan was born and thus had the power of a god. Thanks to Dr. Manhattan, and other members of the Crime Busters, the war in Vietnam was won and President Nixon earned a third presidential term.
Though in 1977 support for the few remaining “adventurers” was waning fast and the Keene Act was was adopted outlawing masked vigilantes. Some costumed heroes exposed themselves, others went into hiding while Dr. Manhattan and The Comedian became employed by the US Government and therefore exempt from the new law.
Fast forward to 1985 — the pinnacle of human civilization (just ask Marty McFly). Someone has killed The Comedian and, it seems, is going after other masked vigilantes. Dr. Manhattan gets bored and decides to head off to somewhere that would better stimulate him and, as a result, the Russians invade Afghanistan. The proverbial doomsday clock is quickly ticking toward midnight and it seems everyone is powerless to do anything.
The book itself is very dark, which fits the storyline, and tells a depressing yet highly interesting tale. It comes across as very ordinary and believable, that the events in the book could actually happen today. While it’s technically about superheroes, there doesn’t seem anything overtly spectacular about it. There are awesome characters, introduced by the director in the video below, ranging from the previously mentioned Dr. Manhattan to the borderline insane — yet fascinating — Rorschach. All that said, it’s a great story with an unsatisfying ending. It’s not to say it’s not a good ending, it just left me wanting.
Despite the ending, I’m looking forward for to the movie. Since I finished the book I’ve gone on to read early reviews and watch trailers, as well as the viral videos shown above. By all accounts, the movie will live up to the books reputation and truly be worth seeing on the big screen.
I can’t wrap this article up without posting this really funny video (Four videos in one post? Yowza!) showing Watchmen as an 80’s cartoon. Pure awesome follows.
Last night, or technically early this morning, the final episode of Late Night With Conan O’Brien hit the air. He and the band will be moving to LA to take The Tonight Show out of Jay Leno’s cold dead hands. It’s a change long in the making and, frankly, one that needed to be made a long time ago.
Conan’s brand of humor is a hilarious one and has been rocking the 1230 time slot for as long as I can remember — 16 years to be exact. Even though he’s moving onto bigger and better things — at least The Tonight Show was a big thing until Leno pooped on it — him leaving Late Night is still a sad thing. Though Conan and the crew has been making the final week as hilarious as possible with his favorite clips, montages, and special guests. Below I’ve embedded the final three episodes, for posterity sake. But really because they’re too funny to pass up and who wants to suffer through Hulu’s horrible search engine anyway?
Episode 2723 featuring Triumph the Insult Comic Dog at the premiere of Star Wars: Episode II, Martha Stewart and a 40 oz, and a hilarious blooper real.
Episode 2724 featuring Conan’s memorable moments, Conan’s trip to Finland and Jerry Seinfeld making fun of Leno’s opening credits.
Episode 2725, the final one, featuring Conan’s favorite Late Night segment, Andy Richter and more memorable moments, the White Stripes reunion, and Conan’s heartfelt goodbye.
A few days ago I asked for suggestions for Valentine’s Day content. Wayne suggested I talk about the strange shinny vest and belt David Maus wears in his new commercial. Who’s David Maus? He owns a bunch of car dealerships in Central Florida and stars in all of his own commercials. In his newest one he’s wearing a very shiny vest. It’s odd.
But here’s what’s even more odd. I was searching YouTube for David Maus videos to show the shinny vest here and came across something completely unexpected. It’s a music video (kinda) about a local radio host’s new David Maus Toureg. Completely random, I know. While it might not be David Maus’s shinny vest, it is… something. It actually reminds me a music video I made in high school to the song “RPM” by Sugar Ray. How baller is that?
Abrams believes in the art of mystery and the magic behind it. Take LOST for example. Knowing the answers to all the question not only kills the mystery, but it also takes all the fun out of viewing the show. It’s this reason I’ve stopped reading my favorite LOST blog, Lost and Gone Forever, it’s been to accurate as of late.