Clarifi For iPhone

The Clarifi for iPhone is an attractive iPhone 3G case with a difference. It has a built-in lens that slides into place for taking close-ups. While the normal iPhone 3G can focus up to about 18 inches away from the subject, the Clarifi’s lens can bring you in as close as 4 to 6 inches. The suggested price is $34.99.

 

AirCurve For iPhone

The Aircurve for iPhone is a really cool idea — an amplifier that uses no power adapters or batteries. Instead, it amplifies the sound from the iPhone’s speaker using a coiled waveguide (think of an old-fashioned cheerleader megaphone wrapped around into a helix, and you’ve got the concept). The AirCurve is made of translucent polycarbonate so you can see the curving waveguide. There’s a pass-through slot so you can charge and sync your iPhone. The AirCurve is much less expensive than powered alternatives, selling for $19.99.

 

Dean Kamen Wants You To Invent The Next World Changing Mobile Application

Dean Kamen has teamed up with Forum Nokia to encourage young mobile developers to create the next big application to benefit society. The contest “Calling All Innovators,” which they announced today at Web Expo 2.0 in New York, will award up to $150,000 dollars to the winner, and Nokia will help him or her to distribute the application.

The application must be designed for emerging societies where resources are scarce — so as cool as throwing sheep or poking someone may be on Facebook, those sorts of apps aren’t going to make the cut. They have to be more along the lines of what one developer did in India — he created a business that allows farmers to control their water pumps with handheld devices.

“A lot of people that play with technology in general frankly disappoint me,” Kamen says. “Because they use technology to do what you can do with technology instead of what you should do.”

“We don’t need 3 million kids working on the next great game,” he added.

Seven years ago Kamen unveiled a vehicle that many believed would change the world (Steve Jobs compared it to the rise of the PC), and while the Segway may not quite have lived up to the hype, his other work is having much more of an impact.

He founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) an organization that works with high schoolers around the world to promote the study of science and technology. And in addition to his work with artificial limbs and medical devices, he has also developed relatively inexpensive water purification and electricity generating units for remote villages.  He says the mobile applications could potentially be used to make sure all the issues around the infrastructure of his devices from the bottom up work.  Including micro financing and maintenance. (From Wired.com)

Muppet Roommate

Trivial Pursuit America Plays

On Sept. 22, Trivial Pursuit will become a syndicated game show. If you can think of a good Trivial Pursuit-style question, go to the show’s website and upload a video. If you make it, your clip might be featured on the show with host Christopher Knight. Viewers will also be able to play along with the show and win cash prizes. (From Pop Candy)

That’s What She Said

Here is every single “that’s what she” joke from The Office, conveniently collected in one place. The editing process must have really been long and hard…

 

Zach Galifianakis Set For Two New Projects

Comedian Zach Galifianakis has snagged lead roles in Todd Phillips’ comedy “The Hangover” for Warner Bros. and the HBO pilot “Bored to Death.”In “Hangover,” Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms play best buddies at a wild Las Vegas bachelor party who lose the groom just hours before his wedding. Legendary Pictures is producing with Warners, and filming is set to begin this weekend.

In “Death,” Galifianakis plays Ray, a struggling comic book artist and best friend to Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman), an alcoholic writer who pretends to be a private detective. Ted Danson also stars in the project from writer Jonathan Ames and director Alan Taylor.

The CAA/Brillstein Entertainment-repped actor recently appeared as Ashton Kutcher’s sidekick in “What Happens in Vegas” and will be seen in Disney’s upcoming action-adventure film “G-Force.”

 

The Green Lantern Script Details: Spoiler Alert

The script is good.  REALLY REALLY GOOD. Fanboys are gonna love it. 

There is some very excellent craft in THE GREEN LANTERN.  The 3 writers clearly have writing chops, which is expected from writers who work under tight deadlines in television.  The structure adheres closely to what I call – the “superhero origin movie paradigm.” Our hero, in this case Hal Jordan has a fear, limitation, block, or wound at the beginning of the story which he has to overcome (his character arc) or have some control by the midpoint of the script which is usually the time he becomes the superhero for the first time i.e.: BATMAN BEGINS. In GREEN LANTERN’s case, Hal Jordan has to overcome his selfishness and self pity over the death of his father Martin Jordan which takes place early in the script.  Hal Jordan for the first 20 pages or so is a prick.  The story follows the GREEN LANTERN origin closely and cinematically speaking – IT WORKS.

In a nutshell, ABIN SUR’s ship crash lands in the desert on Gaia aka Earth after his fight with LEGION in space.  LEGION got a serious beef with the Green Lantern Corps and hunts them.  Abin incurs some injuries with Legion which prove to be fatal.  Legion is the biggest menace to the Green Lantern Corps and has already killed three of them. With his dying breath, Abin asks the ring to pick someone honest, someone brave.  The ring passes Clark Kent and Guy Gardner and selects Hal Jordan.

 

Hal Jordan makes it back to Abin’s ship.  Abin dies in Hal’s arms and Hal buries him in the desert. Hal also takes the famous Green Lantern oath by the end of act 1 – the crossing of the first threshold scene.

Also, while Hal is taking the oath, HECTOR HAMMOND at the request of the government, performs an autopsy on Abin Sur.  Abin’s body was recovered at the crash site. During the autopsy, Hector removes a piece of shrapnel which is a piece of LEGION. It infects Hammond who will become the second villain of the script.  LEGION is the the biggest threat to Oa, the Guardians of the universe, and the Green Lantern Corps, and Hector Hammond is the biggest threat to Earth, Hal Jordan and his loved ones. Legion is a bad motherfucker and a Green Lantern terminator, reminds of one of my favorite DC super villains – DOOMSDAY.

 

Also what was not previously mentioned is that ALAN SCOTT aka the first Green Lantern is also in this script and a major character, but I won’t say how.

The first part of the 2nd act, the test, allies, and enemies stage is where Hal Jordan gets accustomed to his new powers and the 2nd half of act 2 is Hal doing his first deeds on Earth as it’s newest hero.  There is also a romantic subplot that Hal has with CAROL FERRIS.  The 2nd half of act 2 has Hal losing his first fight with Hector Hammond.  Green Lantern travels to Oa to ask the Guardians for help because he believes he cannot defeat Hector Hammond alone.

 

The 3rd act is wall to wall action where Hal Jordan joins all the other Lanterns on Oa in fighting Legion and then the other Lanterns like KILOWOG joining Hal on Earth to take on Hammond.   Very cool and if executed as written, the script has the potential to be a HUGE blockbuster with serious franchise potential for further sequels and prequels as the script alludes to.

 

A special effects company will have a field day with THE GREEN LANTERN with all the green shapes and objects that Hal Jordan and his fellow Lanterns conjure up with the ring.

Overall, one of the most solid first draft superhero screenplays EVER.  It turned me into a Green Lantern fan and I already ordered Emerald Dawn and Rebirth to read. (From Latino Review)

 

A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All

Stephen Colbert will host his own Christmas special this year, Comedy Central announced Tuesday.

“A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!” will air Nov. 23 as a one-hour special.

It will be a musical special featuring John Legend, Elvis Costello, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Feist – and “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart, who’s slated to sing a duet with Colbert of a song simply titled “Hanukkah.” (The song Colbert is to sing with Nelson appears to be a version of “The Little Drummer Boy” – called “Little Dealer Boy.”)

Most of the special’s songs have been written by “Daily Show” executive producer David Javerbaum and Fountains of Wayne’s bassist Adam Schlesinger.

Colbert, a practicing Catholic who has taught Sunday school in the past, has repeatedly found occasion to showcase his pipes on “The Colbert Report” – including a duet of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” with Legend and a brief serenade of Michelle Obama with Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.”

A DVD of the special will be released Nov. 25. Part of the proceeds will go to the charity Feeding America.

 

 

The Iconic Logos Of Saul Bass

Most people know Saul Bass by his unique movie posters and opening movie credit design. He forged a new way of thinking about the design and elements relating to film and forever changed the designer’s role in the industry.

However, Bass also worked as an identity designer creating some of the strongest and most important brands, most of which are still in use today such as Exxon, AT&T and The United Way. 

Below are 12 of his most famous logos.

Bell, AT&T, United Airlines, Avery International, Quaker Oats, Kleenex, Exxon, Warner Communications, Continental Airlines, United Way, Minolta and Girl Scouts