Betty White Hoodies

Betty White has teamed up with HoodieBuddie.com to make a line of t-shirts and hoodies, but most importantly this amazing video. A portion of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to the Morris Animal Foundation.

American Idol Season 10 Judges To Be Announced On September 22nd

The American Idol season 10 judges’ panel has been finalized, but you’ll have to wait until Sept. 22nd before Fox executives officially name names. The network announced this afternoon via email that Idol host Ryan Seacrest will make the big announcement at a press conference at The Forum in Los Angeles at noon PT on Wednesday, September 22nd, where he’ll be joined by the panelists in question as well as the “Idol team” (presumably executive producers Nigel Lythgoe, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, and Simon Fuller).

Oprah Picks Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom As Her Latest Book Club Choice

Oprah has surprised us all, choosing Freedom by Jonathan Franzen as her first Book Club pick in nearly a year. While it won’t be officially announced until tomorrow, the Associated Press reports that three separate book-sellers have confirmed the new pick.

For those who don’t remember the literary scandal from nine years ago, Franzen had made somewhat disparaging remarks about the Club after Oprah named his novel, The Corrections, as her latest selection, which then led to Oprah rescinding the invitation to appear on her show.

Read an excerpt HERE.

New Megamind Trailer

After super-villain Megamind (Will Ferrell) kills his good-guy nemesis, Metro Man (Brad Pitt), he becomes bored since there is no one left to fight. He creates a new foe, Titan (Jonah Hill), who, instead of using his powers for good, sets out to destroy the world, positioning Megamind to save the day for the first time in his life. Megamind will be in theaters on November 5th, 2010.

Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible To Air On Encore On November 14th

Since its founding 35 years ago, Industrial Light & Magic has been the movie industry’s undisputed leader in groundbreaking visual effects, thrilling audiences and making hits into blockbusters. On Sunday, November 14 at 8:00 p.m. (et/pt), Encore presents an original documentary celebrating that legacy. “Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible” is directed by Academy Award and Emmy nominated director Leslie Iwerks and is narrated by Tom Cruise. Encore will also present five ILM-effects films starting at 2:00 p.m. with Jumanji, followed by Hook, Jurassic Park III, Twister and Starship Troopers.

The hour-long special has interviews with filmmakers George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, J.J. Abrams and Jon Favreau, actors Samuel L. Jackson and Robin Williams, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and John Lasseter, the chief creative officer at Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. Film and television shows featured in the special include The Abyss, Avatar, Forrest Gump, Jumanji, Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Robot Chicken, Star Trek (2009), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Transformers, Twister, Young Sherlock Holmes and The War of the Worlds (2005), which starred narrator Cruise.

Leslie Iwerks’ documentary takes audiences behind the scenes at ILM with in depth interviews with some of the company’s top talent and showcases never before seen footage highlighting many of their pioneering milestones. From creating the first ever computer generated character in a feature film to the latest advancements in visual effects for film franchises like Transformers and Iron Man, ILM has created some of the most memorable movie moments in recent history.

ILM has worked on nearly 300 films in its 35 year history and has largely been the driving force behind the evolution of modern visual effects. From the liquid metal man in Terminator 2: Judgment Day to the lifelike digital dinosaurs in Jurassic park, ILM has created some of the most iconic moments in cinematic history. (Thanks for the tip D.T.)

Neil Gaiman To Be Animated On Arthur

The award-winning sci-fi novelist Neil Gaiman will be animated for a guest role on the long-running kid’s show Arthur. Gaiman, the creator of Coraline, author of The Graveyard Book and new contributor to Doctor Who will make a Halloween week guest appearance as himself on the animated PBS series. The episode will air on October 25th.

From the press release: “This season, we’re hoping to empower our young viewers to go after their goals and dreams. Whether that means becoming a wheelchair basketball champion, or expressing yourself through writing, drawing, and making movies, Arthur and his friends show kids that determination and hard work really pay off,” said Executive Producer Jacqui Deegan. “Neil serves as a great role model and we’re excited to have him to reinforce these important lessons for our audiences.” The new season premieres Oct. 11th.

Gaiman’s role comes in an episode called “Falafelosophy,” inspiring one of the kids who’s trying her hand at writing and illustrating a graphic novel. It’s paired with what sounds like a suitable companion story, “Tales of the Grotesquely Grim Bunny,” about changes on the shelves at the local comic shop.

The Best Record Stores In The U.S.A.

HERE is Rolling Stone’s list of the top 25 record stores from San Francisco to Boston.  I have been lucky enough to shop at 6 of them. (Thanks for the tip Greg Kirkos)

Amoeba Music located in Hollywood, San Francisco and Berkeley, CA. Even in the days when record-store chains ruled the music world, nothing compared to Amoeba. It was, and is, simply the most thorough and welcoming place a record lover could hope to shop. Each of its three stores features more than 100,000 items — much of it surprisingly high-grade, and with loads of surprises and rarities around seemingly every corner. Which, as anyone who’s been to any of them can tell you, is a lot of corners.

Typography Movie & TV Posters By Jerod Gibson

Jerod Gibson combines typography and illustration to create these eye catching posters. The series incorporates quotes, phrases and dialogue from famous films and television series.

The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Book

For Star Wars fans looking for a way to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the release of The Empire Strikes Back, this book: The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back ($85) will seem heaven sent. J.W. Rinzler follows up his magnificent The Making of Star Wars (2007) with this in-depth account of the production of the second act in George Lucas’ original three-act epic. The author distills information gathered from a variety of sources: interviews with the actors and filmmakers recorded while the movie was in production; archival records; newspaper and magazine articles; new interviews; and books (including the now-rare Once upon a Galaxy, Alan Arnold’s 1980 making-of book).

Rinzler explores every aspect of the production, from the writing of the screenplay to casting to location filming to special effects to composing the score and designing print ads. The book is profusely illustrated with preproduction sketches, on-set photos, excerpts from various script drafts, reproductions of Lucas’ handwritten notes, and more. Even fans who consider themselves quite knowledgeable about the movie might be surprised at some of the information here (Jeremy Bulloch, who played bounty hunter Boba Fett, was the half-brother of associate producer Robert Watts; the design of one of Empire’s classic posters was modeled on a poster for a rerelease of Gone with the Wind). A splendid, comprehensive, and utterly indispensable book. (Thanks for the tip Don)

New Yo Gabba Gabba Epsiode Featuring Angela Kinsey From The Office To Air On Sunday September 19th

Angela Kinsey from The Office visits Gabba Land. Watch an all new episode this Sunday, September 19th, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Ms. Angela teaches Muno and friends all of the great aspects of school, like making friends and show & tell. The Super Music Friends Show guest is The Faint!

The Very Very Best Of Crowded House Due On October 26th

19 of Crowded House’s top hits and fan favorites have been gathered for a new CD and digital collection to be released October 26 by Capitol/EMI.  Celebrating the Australian band’s 25th anniversary, The Very Very Best Of Crowded House features the hits “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” “Something So Strong,” “Better Be Home Soon” and other standout singles and album tracks.  For fans who want more, an expanded digital-only edition features 32 tracks and will also be available on October 26 for download purchase from all major digital service providers.

Originally consisting of New Zealander Neil Finn (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and two Australians, Paul Hester (drums) and Nick Seymour (bass), Crowded House was formed in Melbourne in 1985. The band’s self-titled debut, Crowded House was released in 1986 and reached #12 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, and its breakout single, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” rocketed to #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles chart and became a worldwide smash in 1987. “Something So Strong,” the album’s second single, reached #7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and also cracked the Mainstream Rock Top 10.  1988′s Temple Of Low Men reached Billboard’s Top 50 and its single, “Better Be Home Soon,” reached the Mainstream Rock chart’s Top 20.

Neil Finn’s brother and former Split Enz bandmate Tim Finn joined Crowded House for the writing and recording of Woodface, the band’s third Top 100 album, released in 1991.  Tim Finn left the band later that year and was replaced by the American multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart, who became a permanent member. Crowded House founding member Paul Hester died in 2005; Matt Sherrod joined the band on drums.

The Very Very Best Of Crowded House (Available on CD, Digital)

1 Something So Strong

2 Weather With You

3 It’s Only Natural

4 Chocolate Cake

5 Fall At Your Feet

6 Distant Sun

7 Better Be Home Soon

8 Four Seasons In One Day

9 Don’t Dream It’s Over

10 Mean To Me

11 Locked out

12 Don’t Stop Now

13 Pineapple Head

14 Instinct

15 Fingers Of Love

16 Private Universe

17 Not The Girl You Think You Are

18 Nails In My Feet

19 Pour Le Monde

The Very Very Best Of Crowded House (Available Digital Only)

1 Now We’re Getting Somewhere

2 World Where You Live

3 Weather With You

4 Something So Strong

5 When You Come

6 Fingers Of Love

7 Four Seasons In One Day

8 Distant Sun

9 Don’t Stop Now

10 Sister Madly

11 Chocolate Cake

12 Locked Out

13 Never Be The Same

14 Hole In The River

15 Not The Girl You Think You Are

16 Better Be Home Soon

17 Mean To Me

18 It’s Only Natural

19 Fall At Your Feet

20 Recurring Dream

21 Private Universe

22 Pineapple Head

23 She Called Up

24 I Feel Possessed

25 Instinct

26 Everything Is Good For You

27 Into Temptation

28 Nails In My Feet

29 Don’t Dream It’s Over

30 Pour Le Monde

31 Whispers And Moans

32 Throw Your Arms Around Me (Live) The Roxy, Los Angeles February 26, 1987

The Trailer For The Tourist

Columbia Pictures has revealed the trailer for director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s thriller The Tourist, starring Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Timothy Dalton and Steven Berkoff.

Opening in theaters on December 10, 2010, the film revolves around Frank (Depp), an American tourist visiting Italy to mend a broken heart. Elise (Jolie) is an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path. Against the breathtaking backdrop of Venice, Frank pursues a potential romance but soon finds himself the pursued as he and Elise are caught in a whirlwind of intrigue and danger.

Angry Birds & The Mighty Eagle

Is Angry Birds making you neurotic on a particularly difficult level? Help is on the way…meet the new bird for the game: The Mighty Eagle. The Mighty Eagle itself isn’t much to see – it’s a sort of black blur that sweeps across the screen, obliterating everything in its path.

Mighty Eagle will soon be available later this Fall as an in-game purchase. There is a catch: after you’ve used it once, you’ll have to go back and complete that level properly if you want to use it in the future. Apparently the eagle is a big fan of sardines, so players will need a can of the smelly fish to call upon his help.

Celebrate Free Dessert Day Today

It’s free dessert day! In honor of the premiere new sweets-themed Top Chef: Just Desserts on Bravo restaurants around the country are offering free desserts on September 15. In order to participate you have to book through Open Table. You can get a free dessert for every 2 diners at your table and each person must order a minimum of one entrée. See the list on Open Table for participating restaurants and their meal participation.

The Bravo Dish blog also says that over 200 locations in 20 markets will be sampling free desserts for fans to gear up to watch the premiere that evening. There will also be Top Chef Just Desserts Trucks in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago popping up in spots all over the respective cities throughout the day on September 15 offering treats including Breyers and Extra Dessert Delights Gum. Follow the Bravo TV Twitter or Just Desserts Facebook page to learn more on where to get your free dessert.

DC Comics: The 75th Anniversary Poster Book

Here are 100 of the most important, most incredible, and most bizarre comic-book covers from DC’s incredible archives-all perforated and ready to display in your apartment, dorm room, or cubicle. From Action Comics #1 and Batman #1 to lesser-known heroes like Mister District Attorney, this oversized compilation features every major milestone in DC’s extraordinary history: Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Watchmen, Fables, 100 Bullets, and much more.

On the reverse of each poster are images of related covers and entertaining commentary, often with remarks from the cover artists themselves. Complete with a foreword from longtime DC Comics veteran Paul Levitz, this amazing anthology is a must-have item for any comic-book fan. DC Comics: The 75th Anniversary Poster Book ($40) can be ordered HERE.

Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter Trailer

This Sunday, “Hereafter,” Eastwood’s 32nd feature film as a director, will premiere at 35th Toronto International Film Festival. This is his sixth film in less than four years, the production spanned four countries and it represents Eastwood’s biggest foray into digital visual effects; it also happens to be a startling tale about the afterlife that is spiritual instead of merely supernatural.

“At the age I am now, I just don’t have any interest in going back and doing the same sort of thing over and over, that’s one of the reasons I moved away from westerns,” said Eastwood, who started his career as a later-model John Wayne and will finish it as something close to a modern John Ford. “The question about what happens after we die is something that we all ask, and when I read the script by Peter Morgan it was so intelligent and I knew right away that I wanted to do it.”

“Hereafter,” which opens wide on Oct. 22, is a cinematic triptych with the separate stories of battered souls searching for answers about the afterlife — there’s a reluctant Bay Area psychic (Matt Damon), a London youngster grieving the death of his twin brother (the two roles are shared by Frankie and George McLaren) and a French journalist (Belgium-born actress Cécile de France) who was caught up in a tsunami, killed by the raging water and then revived after a strange, spectral experience.

Book Desk

The new architecture library at Delft University of Technology just opened featuring a spectacular front desk built out of recycled books. After the devastating fire in the Architecture building that took a portion of the library’s reserve, the school set out to establish a new collection that would consist of the salvaged books that went unburned and a bounty of others newly purchased to replace the destroyed volumes. Opened less than a year after the engulfing inferno, the new library is a bright, cheery space of architecturally inspired elements and stacked to the brim with an endless amount of books!

Gary Ross in Early Talks to Direct The Hunger Games

Pleasantville and Seabiscuit writer/director Gary Ross is in early talks to direct The Hunger Games for Lionsgate. The film will be based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling futuristic young adult novel, which is described as follows:

In the story, a dystopic Capitol requires its twelve subjugated districts to pay tribute in the form of a teenage boy and girl who are forced to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. When Katniss Everdeen’s little sister is chosen in the lottery, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Although persevering through hardship is commonplace for Katniss, she must start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love in order to win the games and return home.

Pixar: 25 Years of Animation At The Oakland Museum Of California

Pixar: 25 Years of Animation provides an unprecedented look at the renowned Emeryville-based studio and showcases the creative work behind its wildly successful computer-animated films. After its opening in New York and its five-year international tour, the exhibition is now at The Oakland Museum of California and will run until January 9, 2011.

At the heart of the exhibit are the concept drawings, sketches, paintings, and maquettes created by Pixar artists over the past 25 years. Drawing on work from Pixar’s eleven feature films and many of its short films, the exhibition spans some of the studio’s first short films created in the 1980s; its first feature-length film, Toy Story, the first fully computer-animated feature film ever produced; Pixar’s recent Academy Award-winning feature Up; and its latest film, Toy Story 3. Pixar will showcase more than 500 artifacts, including many of the pencil drawings; paintings in acrylic, gouache, and watercolor; and sculptures that form the backbone of the computer-generated images (CGIs) for which Pixar has become internationally recognized. The exhibition also includes video interviews with artists and behind-the-scenes footage of Pixar’s creative process.

A must-see highlight is the Pixar Zoetrope, a three-dimensional device that displays a rapid succession of images, creating the illusion of motion.

Advanced tickets can be purchased HERE for $12 per adult.

The Boattail Racer from The Auditorium Toy Company

Auditorium Toy Co., the Tucson Arizona based family owned and operated studio has a philosophy about toys. They want to create gorgeous, well made, lasting playthings that can be handed down from one generation to the next.

Their first entry into the toy arena is the Boattail Racer ($350), an exquisitely handcrafted wooden vehicle that looks equally appealing on a shelf amongst cherished collectables or quietly rolling on the kitchen floor.

The durable toy car designed by Brad Denboer is limited to only 100 replicas and is crafted from rugged 13-ply Baltic birch. Adding to its muscular stance are 77.5-millimeter carnelian-core industrial grade wheels which float effortlessly on precision bearings, solid stainless steel axles and fasteners.

The Boattail Racer arrives protected by a custom archive box handcrafted from black-core 4 ply acid-free museum board.

In a time where toys have become disposable throwaways, it’s refreshing to see that the Auditorium Toy Company cares about creating heirloom handcrafted keepsakes that marry both form and function!

Stephen King’s American Vampire, Volume 1

This 200 page hardcover volume ($24.99) follows two stories: one written by Snyder and one written by King. Snyder’s story is set in 1920′s LA, we follow Pearl, a young woman who is turned into a vampire and sets out on a path of righteous revenge against the European Vampires who tortured and abused her. This story is paired with King’s story, a western about Skinner Sweet, the original American Vampire— a stronger, faster creature than any vampire ever seen before with rattlesnake fangs and powered by the sun.

Along with the first five issues of the hit Vertigo series — written by Scott Snyder and Stephen King, with art by Rafael Albuquerque – American Vampire, Volume 1 includes:

- All five variant covers, with art by Jim Lee, Bernie Wrightson, Andy Kubert, J.H. Williams III, and Paul Pope
- An introduction by Stephen King
- An afterword by Scott Snyder
- A sketchbook section featuring Rafael Albuquerque’s cover sketches and character designs
- Sample script pages by Snyder and King, along with the corresponding art by Albuquerque in black and white

Stephen King’s American Vampire, Volume 1 will be available on September 29th in comic stores and October 5th everywhere books are sold!

The Soda Pop Stop

Whether you call it a soft drink, soda or pop, you’ll find every flavor you ever could dream of at Galco’s Soda Pop Stop in Los Angeles, which carries over 500 different varieties of soda.

James Cameron Plans True Lies Series

The original film starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as Harry Tasker, an everyday man leading a double life as a top-level spy. When he learns that his unknowing wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) is unsatisfied with the banality of their life together and, as a result, is planning on having an affair, Tasker accidentally pulls her into his secret battle against Middle Eastern terrorists.

Rene Echevarria, the creator of “The 4400,” will serve as the showrunner with Cameron operating as a producer.

On the television front, Cameron has developed and produced “Dark Angel,” and also took the director’s chair for the series finale.

Toy Story Ultimate 10-Disc Toy Box Blu-ray Collection Arriving On November 2nd

The Toy Story trilogy is coming to Blu-ray on November 2nd to tie in with the home video debut of Toy Story 3 on Blu-ray and DVD. The massive 10-disc set will include three-disc editions of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and a four-disc edition of Toy Story 3. All three Pixar films will include digital copies and the standard DVD editions.

Pre-order the Toy Story Ultimate Toy Box Collection on Blu-ray for $65.99 at Amazon.com. (Thanks for the tip D.T.)

The World’s Most Expensive Cheese Sandwich? Yours For Only £111

Introducing the world’s most expensive cheese sandwich, made with a special cheddar blended with white truffles and sprinkled with gold dust – and carrying a price tag of £111 ($141 US).

The creation was unveiled by the celebrity chef Martin Blunos at the Frome cheese show in Somerset where he is judging a sandwich-making competition featuring less ambitious versions of the lunchtime staple.

Blunos said: “We Brits are known to love our cheese sandwiches, and here’s one that is fit for the banqueting table. The white truffle fuses beautifully with the West Country cheddar and the edible gold gives it a really special look.”

Actually the gold sprinkles are relatively cheap. What makes it so expensive is that white truffle cheese, which itself cost £92 to make. Blunos used a £5 loaf of sourdough dressed with extra virgin olive oil and then layered cheese, slices of quail egg, tomato, apple and fresh figs. He added red mustard frill, pea shoots and the herb red amaranth for a salad layer and topped the whole masterpiece with edible gold dust.