Get Him to the Greek Trailer

Here is the trailer for Universal comedy Get Him to the Greek which you can watch below. Opening June 4th, the film reunites Jonah Hill and Russell Brand with Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller in the story of a record company intern with two days to drag an uncooperative rock legend to Hollywood for a comeback concert. Produced by Judd Apatow, the film also stars Rose Byrne, Sean Combs and Elisabeth Moss.

Apple Launches ‘Countdown to 10 Billion Songs’ Promotion

Apple has launched its new “Countdown to 10 Billion Songs” promotion in celebration of the lead-up to the 10 billionth song sold on iTunes. In the contest, Apple is offering a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card to the person who downloads the 10 billionth song. No incremental prizes are being awarded, and there is a limit of 25 entries per person per day. As it has in past “countdown” promotions, the company is using a counter graphic on both its countdown webpage and iTunes store graphics, although these have normally been approximations, and not real-time download numbers. The contest begins today and will end once the 10 billionth download is reached; official rules are available here.

T-Shirt War

Meet Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear From Pixar’s Toy Story 3

Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (Lotso for short) is a jumbo, extra-soft teddy bear with a pink and white plush body and a velvety purple nose. This lovable bear stands fuzzy heads and shoulders above other teddy bears because he smells like sweet strawberries! With a smile that will light up your child’s face and a belly just asking to be hugged, Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear is sure to become a bedtime necessity. Stain-resistant. Spot clean plush surface with a damp cloth.

The Full New Toy Story 3 Trailer

Disney Pixar has released the full new trailer for Toy Story 3. Opening in 3D  theaters and IMAX 3D on June 18, the Lee Unkrich-directed sequel features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, R. Lee Ermey, Jodi Benson, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton, Jeff Garlin, Bonnie Hunt, Whoopi Goldberg, Kristen Schaal and Blake Clark.

As Andy prepares to depart for college, Buzz, Woody and the rest of his loyal toys are troubled about their uncertain future. Toy Story 3 is a comical new adventure in Disney Digital 3D that lands the toys in a room full of untamed tots who can’t wait to get their sticky little fingers on these “new” toys. It’s pandemonium as they try to stay together, ensuring “no toy gets left behind.” Meanwhile, Barbie comes face to plastic face with Ken (yes, that Ken).

Dave Eggers Explains the The Name Of His Literary Journal McSweeneys

An eccentric who gave his name to a literary quarterly created and edited by American novelist Dave Eggers has died at age 67. Eggers explains how the unknown letter-writer inspired him.

“Back in 1998, for a journal I was planning to put out, I started collecting fiction, essays and experiments that couldn’t find a publisher elsewhere. Because the journal consisted of work that didn’t fit in mainstream publishing, I decided to name the journal Timothy McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern.”

Read the rest of the bizarre story HERE.

New Line Cinema to Reboot Vacation Movies

New Line Cinema is looking to reboot its “Vacation” franchise and has hired Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley to write the new version, reports Variety.

The franchise started in 1983 with National Lampoon’s Vacation, which starred Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo. The duo would reprise their roles for three more sequels. Chase and D’Angelo played Clark and Ellen Griswold again in HomeAway’s 14-minute short “Hotel Hell Vacation” that was promoted during the Super Bowl. You can watch the video HERE.

Variety says that the new film is being described as more of an update than a sequel and will be closer in tone to Planes, Trains and Automobiles than the previous chapters.

The movie will focus on Rusty Griswold, now a grown man, who decides to take his own wife and kids on a road trip to Wally World before it closes forever. Chase is expected to reprise his role as Clark Griswold, now a grandfather.

Here’s Ken From Pixar’s Toy Story 3

Actor Michael Keaton will lend his voice to the role of Ken, the clean-cut, plastic companion of Barbie in Pixar’s Toy Story 3. The leggy blonde doll will be voiced again by Jodi Benson (Enchanted), who worked on the second film in the series.

Breakdancing Superheroes On Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Tom Cruise Confirmed for Mission: Impossible IV

Paramount Pictures announced today that it is making Mission Impossible IV. The film, which will be produced by Tom Cruise, J.J. Abrams and Bad Robot Productions and will star Cruise, will be released Memorial Day weekend 2011.

“Tom and J.J. are great talents and we are excited to be working with them to re-launch this legendary franchise,” said Paramount Pictures Chairman & CEO Brad Grey.

Screenwriters Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec are attached to write the script, from an original idea by Cruise and Abrams.

The studio, Cruise and Abrams are in now the process of identifying a director for the film. Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible” franchise has grossed over 1.4 billion globally.

The move puts the fourth installment up against The Hangover 2, while Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides opens a week earlier on May 20th.

The iPhone Shoebox Movie Theater

“All you need is a shoe box, a laser printer, a sharp knife and rubber cement,” Gary Katz wrote on his blog. “A snowy weekend can also help.”

The completed “Katz Theater” is whimsical and very creative.  This could be a fun project for a student that is doing a diorama for a school project.

Anne Rice To Release Vampire Video Book

The author of “Interview With a Vampire,” “The Vampire Lestat” and many other favorites has agreed to terms with the video book company Vook on a multimedia edition of “The Master of Rampling Gate,” a vampire story published in Redbook magazine in 1984 and set in an England mansion in the 19th century.

“Vook represents a very exciting combination of new technological elements, that I think is long overdo in publishing,” Rice said in a statement released Wednesday by Vook. “I’m excited that `The Master of Rampling Gate’ is going to have new life in this form, and cannot wait to see the finished product. I’m not sure that my mind can conceive of all the possibilities of this new form. I’m learning. And it feels good.”

Opinions are still mixed among publishers and authors about video books, or vooks, with some calling them a gimmick and others saying new formats are needed for the Internet age. The product integrates text, video and social networking.

Vook, based in Alameda, Calif., has been producing video books for Simon & Schuster and the HarperCollins imprint HarperStudio and also making works out of public domain texts. Vook founder Bradley Inman says “The Sherlock Holmes Experience,” based on two stories by Conan Doyle, has been downloaded thousands of times.

The Rice project begins “a strategic publishing relationship” with Rice’s literary agency, Janklow & Nesbit Associates, according to Vook. No other specific writers were identified, but clients at Janklow & Nesbit include David McCullough, Edward P. Jones and the late Michael Crichton.

“They (Vook) came in about two months ago and showed us some of their wares. I think it’s very interesting and I think the publishing world needs to really start looking for new ways to find readers,” said Lynn Nesbit of Janklow & Nesbit, who said other writers at the agency expressed strong interest in video books, although she declined to provide names.

The Rice video book, which includes an author interview, will be released March 1 and can be purchased through the iPhone, iPod touch and other digital devices. The list price is $6.99.

Meet The Newest Toy Story 3 Character

Here is a first look at Peas-in-a-Pod, a new character in Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3, opening in 3D theaters and IMAX 3D on June 18th. Here’s how the toy is described:

Peas-in-a-Pod will quickly become a parent’s favorite on-the-go toy. The soft, plush pod secures the happy peas inside with a durable metal zipper, making it perfect for the car or stroller. The Peas-in-a-Pod plush toy also develops fine motor skills by catering to a child’s natural grab instinct. Pulling the three peas out of the pod will provide repeated enjoyment for infants and toddlers, and soon they’ll learn to put them back in! Machine washable. Not for human consumption.

14 new toy characters will be introduced in the third Toy Story installment.

New Brandi Carlile Valentine’s Day EP Available Today

Brandi Carlile’s new Valentine’s Day EP, XOBC, is available now exclusively through iTunes for only $3.99! The EP features three new original songs, “Us Again,” “Way To You,” and “Love Songs” as well as two amazing covers, including “All You Need Is Love” (The Beatles) and “Heaven” (Bryan Adams). The EP is only available digitally through iTunes and you can download your copy here.

The Atlantic Records Time Capsule

Founded in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegün and Herb Abramson, Atlantic Records has come a long way in the last sixty-plus years, and the Atlantic Records Time Capsule ($200) chronicles the whole crazy ride. Compiled by a small group of Atlantic employees, the collection — housed in a custom metallic capsule box — includes The House That Ahmet Built on DVD, a 140-page full color book on the label, including exclusive quotes and stories from the artists and characters that make up Atlantic’s past, over 200 images, vintage memorabilia and swag, and, of course, music: 165 tracks spread across nine CDs, covering artists as varied as John Coltrane, Death Cab For Cutie, Iron Butterfly, The Velvet Underground, INXS, and tons of other notable musicians.

Christopher Nolan to Mentor New Superman Movie?

“The Dark Knight” director Christopher Nolan is making room for another superhero franchise — none other than the Man of Steel himself, Superman.

A report from Deadline Hollywood states that Warner Bros. has tasked Nolan with a “godfather” role in shepherding a “Superman” relaunch following the poorly received “Superman Returns.” The site also reiterated its report from yesterday that Nolan is currently working on the third “Batman” screenplay with David Goyer and brother Jonah Nolan.

According to the report, Nolan isn’t likely to direct the new “Superman” film, which won’t be a followup to “Superman Returns.” Curiously, the report mentions that “Returns” collaborators Brandon Routh and Bryan Singer aren’t officially off the relaunch yet.

“We know what we don’t want to do. But we don’t know what we want to do,” an insider reportedly told the site. “We learned a lot from the last movie, and we want to get it right this time.”

The report also indicates that there are still legal troubles plaguing “Superman,” as the character’s rights revert back to creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster in 2013. If production does not begin by 2011, “the Siegels could sue to recover their damages on the grounds that the deal should have contained a clause in which the rights returned to the owners after a given time if no film was in development.”

Exactly what Christopher Nolan plans to bring to the “Superman” table remains unclear at this point, though an insider reinterpreted previous reports of a “darker” reboot to mean a “more sophisticated” relaunch. Interestingly enough, Nolan coming on board the “Superman” franchise echoes Warner Bros’ previous attempt in the 1990s to bring “Batman” filmmaker Tim Burton in on the Man of Steel’s big screen voyage. That attempt never took flight.

Who Is The 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover Model?

Model Brooklyn Decker landed the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover this year. The 22-year-old wife of tennis star Andy Roddick said being chosen for the front is “the news of a lifetime.” The cover photo of Decker smiling in a yellow bikini is a departure from the more sultry look that SI had gone for the past few years, she said. She compared it to covers from the 1980s or ’90s, when Elle Macpherson won her covers with a friendly, sun-loving look.

SI keeps the cover photo a secret — even from the models — until less than 24 hours before it’s revealed.

zoomIt Finally Brings SD Card Access To The iPhone And iPod touch

ZoomMediaPlus has announced its new zoomIt application-enabled accessory for the iPhone and iPod touch. Working in conjunction with the company’s free zoomIt app, the Works With iPhone- and Made For iPod-certified Dock-connecting accessory enables users to access a variety of content stored on any SD card mounted in the zoomIt’s SD card slot. Features include support for all iPhone OS 3.0 file types, including photos, videos, music, and documents, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, PDF and others. The app lets users view, listen and share the files via e-mail, Facebook, and Flickr, and supports the transfer of files from the card to the iPhone or iPod touch for unconnected access. In addition, the app will enable users to save photos and videos from the card to their Camera Rolls, or move media from the Camera Roll onto the SD card. The company also plans future updates to support protected content types enabling the streaming of licensed music, videos, and other forms of protected content. The zoomIT SD Card accessory for iPhone and iPod touch is expected to ship in April for $59.95, and is available for pre-order now. ZoomMediaPlus is offering pre-order customers a $10 discount, and will bundle a free 4GB Kingston SD card with the first 250 orders.

Jon Favreau’s Cowboys & Aliens Coming On July 29th, 2011

Universal Pictures announced on Friday that the Jon Favreau-directed Cowboys & Aliens will be coming to theaters on July 29th, 2011.

The DreamWorks project, based on the Platinum Studios Comics graphic novel written by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley, will star Daniel Craig and Olivia Wilde. Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof wrote the script.

The sci-fi Western explores what would happen if the traditional Old West enemies — cowboys and Native Americans — found the prairie attacked by aliens in mid-1800s Arizona.

20th Century Fox Developing Daredevil Reboot

In order to keep the movie rights to Marvel Comics’ “Daredevil” under their belt, 20th Century Fox and Regency are looking to develop a reboot of the sightless superhero with News Corp VP Peter Chernin producing and David Scarpa (The Day the Earth Stood Still) writing a script, according to Mike Fleming at Deadline Hollywood.

The original movie directed by Mark Steven Johnson and starring Ben Affleck in the title role (and his current wife Jennifer Garner as Elektra) was released almost exactly seven years ago and grossed $179.2 million worldwide.

This probably shouldn’t come as too big a surprise as there has been talk of some sort of reboot ever since Disney bought Marvel last year, but this is the first confirmation that one is being actively developed.

Red Skull Confirmed As The Villain In The First Avenger: Captain America

Joe Johnson, director of the forthcoming The First Avenger: Captain America, has been doing press all day out in Los Angeles for his new movie The Wolfman and ShockTillYouDrop.com Managing Editor Ryan Rotten had a chance to talk with Johnston about the movie and what to expect.

Johnston confirmed at the press conference that the Red Skull will indeed be the villain of the first movie and told Ryan later a bit more about why they decided to set the majority of the movie during WWII:

“Virtually the entire story except the bookends are in World War II because we all recognize we have one chance to tell the origin story of how he became Captain America, you can’t tell a modern story and then go back and tell the origin story. If you’re going to do it, let’s do it. Let’s do it first. Everyone wanted to tell an origin story. There was a version where it was a modern story and it didn’t work.”

Hopefully, we’ll have more word on Johnston’s plans for the movie and answers to some of the many questions that have been on your minds, including the all-important casting of Steve Rogers and what other characters may be appearing in the movie. Johnston did say at the press conference that they definitely are going for an American actor, preferably an unknown, and they hope to have that person by the end of February.

Brand Makeovers

Nothing lasts forever–but some treasured brands make it pretty far. Still, the day comes when even they just don’t fit in anymore: Maybe they’re looking a little gray, perhaps people no longer look on them as favorably as they once did, or possibly there’s an extra dollar to be made by doing an extreme–or not so extreme–makeover. In any case, it’s nothing that a little update can’t fix. Click HERE for a look at how some of America’s most famous logos and pitchmen and -women have adapted to changing times. (From Newsweek)

Ford’s MyKey

Ford Motor Company introduced an innovative new technology – called MyKey – designed to help parents encourage their teen-agers to drive safer and more fuel efficiently, and increase safety-belt usage.

Ford’s MyKey feature – which is standard equipment on the 2010 Ford Focus and will quickly become standard on many other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models – allows owners to program a key that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume. MyKey also encourages safety-belt usage, provides earlier low-fuel warnings and can be programmed to sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 miles per hour.

The MyKey system allows the parent to program any key through the vehicle message center, which updates the SecuriLock passive anti-theft system. When the MyKey is inserted into the ignition, the system reads the transponder chip in the key and immediately identifies the MyKey code, which enables certain default driving modes, including:

- Persistent Ford Beltminder with audio mute. Ford’s Beltminder system typically provides a six-second reminder chime every minute for five minutes. With MyKey, the Beltminder chime continues at the regular interval and the audio system is muted until the safety belt is buckled. A message center display “Buckle Up to Unmute Radio” also appears on the instrument cluster.

- Earlier low-fuel warning. Rather than a warning at 50 miles to empty, MyKey provides a warning at 75 miles to empty.

- If MyKey is in the ignition, features such as Park Aid and BLISTM (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert cannot be deactivated.

Additional MyKey features that can be programmed through the vehicle’s message center setup menu:

- Limited top speed of 80 mph

- Traction control system, that limits tire spin, cannot be deactivated

- Limited audio volume to 44 percent of total volume

- A speed alert chime at 45, 55 or 65 mph

The Gerber Strata Multitool

The Gerber Strata ($104) is an amazing compact 7.4oz stainless steel finished multi-tool that includes 13 different components that any outdoorsman or craftsman would require. This handy multi-plier’s features include needle-nose pliers equipped with a wire cutter, carbide pinch cutters, saw, 1/2-inch fine edge and serrated blade, can and bottle opener, scissors, large flathead driver, large cross driver and small tipped file.

When opened to full length it measures 6 inches and when closed it’s 4 inches. The tool incorporates Gerber’s “Saf.T.Plus” locking system which keeps all the tools secure whether in use or stowed. The Strata also comes with a nylon sheath to protect and carry this tool that you will use everyday!

Hubert de Lartigue’s Origami Star Wars Ships

Hubert de Lartigue is a French artist who makes Origami Star Wars ships out of Parisian subway tickets. You can find the step by step tutorial on how to create the X-Wing Fighter and the Millenium Falcon HERE.