David Sedaris Profile To Be Broadcast On CBS Sunday Morning On Dec. 19th

CBS program Sunday Morning is completing a profile of David Sedaris. They are scheduled to run the piece on the show this coming Sunday (Dec 19th) — subject to last minute changes. Check your listings . . . CBS runs this program at 6AM on Sunday Mornings.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Trailer

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise.  When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more:  Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa, and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.

The film will be released on May 20, 2011.

The Walking Dead Season 1 Due On DVD & Blu-ray On March 8th, 2011

Anchor Bay Home Entertainment has announced DVD ($39.98) and Blu-ray ($49.99) releases of The Walking Dead for March 8th. Extras will include audio commentaries, making of webisodes, and behind the scenes footage.

Think Geek TK-421 iPhone Keyboard Case Review

For those individuals who love the iPhone, but long for the feel of a real keyboard, the best of both worlds can be found in Think Geek’s: TK-421 iPhone Keyboard Case. ($49.99) The TK-421 comes in two different cases to accommodate either the iPhone 4 or the iPhone 3GS (not the 3G). Both cases integrate a full QWERTY keyboard that communicates with your iPhone via a wireless Bluetooth connection. I was able to pair my keyboard and iPhone with ease. The lightweight wraparound plastic design separates into two pieces, allowing you to slide your phone easily into the case. The built in five-row, 49-key keyboard has a magnetic swivel that enables you to flip the keyboard out clockwise when in use or easily tuck it away for easy storage. If you tend to use your iPhone to compose lengthy emails, notes, or journal entries, you will find that your speed and typing accuracy will improve with the responsive keys. The keyboard is powered by a built in rechargeable battery, that comes equipped with a micro-USB cable. If you are looking for the perfect gift, please be sure to check out Think Geek’s wide array of unique products, you are sure to find something for everyone on your shopping list. (Reviewed by Meredith Fire-Hess)

10th Anniversary Blu-ray Release of Memento Due On February 22nd

Lionsgate Home Entertainment has announced a 10th Anniversary Blu-ray release of Memento for February 22nd. Extras will include a commentary with Director Christopher Nolan, an IFC Interview with Writer/Director Christopher Nolan, a “Remembering Memento” feature that takes a 10-year anniversary look back on the making of the film, an Anatomy of a Scene, Memento Mori – a Short Story by Jonathan Nolan, Leonard’s Journal, a Tattoo Gallery, and the Feature Script.

The Thor Trailer

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios have revealed the first official trailer for Thor which you can watch below!

Opening in 3D and 2D theaters on May 6, the Kenneth Branagh-directed adaptation stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard, Jaimie Alexander, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Josh Dallas, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg and Colm Feore.

Paul McCartney & Jimmy Fallon Sing “Scrambled Eggs” (The Original “Yesterday”)

Jimmy Fallon and Paul McCartney sing “Scrambled Eggs,” the original version of “Yesterday” with never-before-heard lyrics.

Mophie Juice Pack Plus iPhone 4 Battery Case

The mophie juice pack plus iPhone 4 battery case is ultra-thin and light-weight, providing protection and a 2,000 mAh charging capacity, offering iPhone 4 power users with more than double the battery life on-the-go.

The juice pack plus for iPhone 4 is now available for purchase on www.mophie.com for $99.95, and will soon be available in AT&T stores nationwide. Key features and benefits include:

Users will experience:

- Up to 8 additional hours talk time on 3G; 16 hours 2G

- Up to 7 additional hours internet use on 3G; 11 hours WiFi

- Up to 44 hours additional audio playback

- Up to 11 hours video playback

Other features include:

Acoustic Sound Enhancement – The juice pack plus design acts as a virtual speaker box, redirecting sound from the bottom of the iPhone 4 to the front, resulting in a richer, fuller sound quality.

Choice of Color – The juice pack plus is available initially in black, but will soon come in three other colors, allowing you to choose the case that matches your style, including cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Pass-through USB – Included USB cable enables you to simultaneously charge and sync your iPhone 4 to iTunes without having to remove it from the juice pack plus.

Standby/Charging Switch: Features a simple toggle switch that allows for standby and charging mode so you only have to use the juice pack plus battery when you need it.

4 Light LED Battery Status Indicator – An integrated LED status indicator tells you exactly how much “juice” is left and also displays how much time remains during the charging process.

Thor Poster Debuts

The first look at the official poster for next summer’s Thor has arrived, courtesy of Yahoo! Movies. Stay tuned for the trailer, coming online tomorrow (Friday) at 4pm Pacific Time!

Part of the filmic Marvel Universe, Thor follows in the footsteps of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk to bring to life Marvel’s Asgardian God of thunder, leading up to the release of 2012′s The Avengers.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard, Jaimie Alexander, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Josh Dallas, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg and Colm Feore, Thor is directed by Kenneth Branagh and will arrive in theaters on May 6th, 2011 in both 2D and 3D.

Proverbial Wallets

We have trouble controlling our consumer impulses, and there’s a gap between our decision and the consequences. This is magnified by the digitization of money. When we pull a product off the shelf, do we know what our bank account balance is, or whether we’re over budget for the month? Our existing senses are inadequate to warn us.

The Proverbial Wallet gives us that financial sense at the point of purchase by un-abstracting virtual assets. Tactile feedback reflecting our personal balances and transactions helps us develop a subconscious financial sense that guides responsible decisions. In addition to providing a visceral connection to our virtual money, tactile output keeps personal information private and ambient. This is a project by the Information Ecology group at the MIT Media Lab. Read more at eco.media.mit.edu/ proverbialwallets/

Best Buy To Offer Free iPhone 3GS On Friday December 10th

Best Buy is planning to run a special one-day promotion in which it will offer the 8GB iPhone 3GS for free on contract, according to a new report. The promotion will run today, Friday December 10th, and will be valid for new lines, additional lines, and qualified upgrades. According to the report, all stores have adequate inventory levels to support the promotion, and that the discount will be applied as an instant rebate. This would mark the second time this month that one of Apple’s retail partners has offered a discount on iPhones, as Radio Shack is currently running a $50 off promotion on all iPhone models.

The Fire Wire 2010 Holiday Gift Guide – Icons: The DC Comics and Wildstorm Art of Jim Lee

Last night I attended the Jim Lee book signing at Barnes & Noble at The Grove in Los Angeles. Almost every week a pop culture celebrity makes an appearance at this 3 level wonderful book store to read passages, sign their latest work and spend time with their supporters. I have to thank the store’s Events Manager, William Brown, one of the nicest guys in the world who always invites me to these gatherings and treats my family with such kindness!

Even though Jim Lee was feeling under the weather, he was a real trouper and took the time to talk with fans of his eye popping comic art.

The acclaimed comic book artist has spent two decades rendering superheroes like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman for DC Comics, where he landed his first job in 1989.

I asked Jim about the upcoming “Dark Knight: Boy Wonder”. DC Comics announced on April 2, 2010, that Frank Miller and Lee would return to the series “All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder” in February of 2011. The re-branded title will run for six issues completing the story Miller originally intended to tell. Although the book will not appear in February as originally announced Lee assured me that it would be a 2011 title.

The signing celebrated Icons: The DC Comics and WildStorm Art of Jim Lee ($28.94 at B&N) which collects his most brilliant work for DC and WildStorm, the indie comics publisher Lee founded in 1992. Besides the 500 color illustrations the book contains an in-depth interview and an unseen 10-page Legion of Super-Heroes story written by Paul Levitz (who Lee replaced as DC Comics co-publisher).

This 296 page coffee table book is a must-have for fans of Jim’s Lee, comic book art and DC characters and would look great wrapped up under your tree this December.

Howard Stern Coming To iTunes Via Sirius XM App

After weeks of speculation, radio talk show host Howard Stern has announced that he has signed a new deal with Sirius XM that will keep him with the satellite radio provider for another five years. Stern announced that under the new deal his show will be available via the Sirius XM app, meaning that his show will be available through iTunes (only to current Sirius XM subscribers). The Sirius XM Premium Online app is available now as a free download from the App Store.

Jenga For iPhone

The official Jenga game is here! Designed in consultation with Leslie Scott, the original creator of Jenga, Jenga for iPhone/iPod touch lets you take the tower building experience anywhere.

Real-time 3D physics simulation, authentically recreating the behavior of a real wooden Jenga tower. Each block is realistically affected by the surrounding blocks, recreating the same strategic depth as the original game. Download it HERE for $2.99.

First Official Teaser Trailer For Transformers: Dark of The Moon

Here is the first official teaser trailer for the third installment in Michael Bay’s Transformers film franchise, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The film, which stars Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel and Patrick Dempsey, is set for release July 1.

Everything That Happened In 2010 (According To Google)

See how the World Searched with Google’s 2010 Zeitgeist. Re-live top events and moments from 2010 from around the globe through search, images, and video.

Fantasia & Fantasia 2000 4-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack

The Fantasia & Fantasia 2000 4-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack ($45.99 SRP) is now available as a perfect gift for the holidays.

The dreams and visions of Walt Disney come to life in Fantasia, which blends music and film magic into an exhilarating movie-going experience. Unforgettable images are brought to life by some of the world’s best music, and highlighted by the comedy of Mickey Mouse as a troublemaking sorcerer’s apprentice, along with the beauty of winged fairies and cascading snowflakes, the majesty of Noah’s ark and even plump hippos performing ballet in tutus.

Motivated by his uncle’s foresight, Roy Disney continued the magic with Fantasia 2000 which begins where its predecessor left off. There are seven completely new segments, and viewers watch a bustling Depression-era metropolis in the style of Al Hirschfeld’s famous cartoons (a personal favorite of mine), a flock of flamingos with slapstick yo-yo talents, an ark full of animals gathered by Donald Duck as Noah’s first mate, and musical life breathed into a family of flying humpback whales.

The Extras

Within the four-disc set are a variety of extras. Fantasia (Disc One) contains an interactive art gallery for both movies with Flow View and Thumb View, an alphabetical Smart View, a personal ratings system, optional music and more. “Disney Family Museum” is a four-minute overview of the San Francisco based attraction and “The Schultheis Notebook: A Disney Treasure” (13 minutes) focuses on the long-lost journal of special effects animation genius Herman Schultheis and its incredible revelations about the revolutionary processes developed for Fantasia and beyond.

There is a new audio commentary by Disney historian Brian Sibley, plus the original DVD commentary with interviews and story note recreations by Walt Disney, hosted by Oscar-winning animator/author/expert John Canemaker as well as the alternate DVD commentary by executive producer Roy E. Disney, conductor James Levine, Canemaker again and film restoration manager Scott MacQueen.

Fantasia 2000 (Disc Three) leads off with “Musicana” (nine minutes) about the proposed, never-realized “new” version of Fantasia. “Dali & Disney: A Date with Destino” tells story behind the dream collaboration project between Walt Disney and surrealist master Salvador Dali. This documentary runs 82 minutes.

Available for the first time ever on Blu-ray, the strange yet wonderful short film Destino is the result of a unique collaboration between Walt Disney and Salvador Dali. The collaboration began in 1946, but was put on hold due to studio financial concerns. In 2003, Roy E. Disney worked with a team of modern day animators to complete the film as a tribute to Walt’s pioneering artistic vision. The disc includes DVD commentaries by executive producer Roy E. Disney, conductor James Levine and producer Don Ernst. Disc Three is also where the BD-Live action is, in the form of “Disney’s Virtual Vault.”

Celebrate the 70th Anniversary of this highly anticipated Hi-Def debut of Disney’s acclaimed masterwork and the modern Magnum Opus it inspired. The imagery and sound have never been clearer or more crisp.

Keurig B155 Brewing System Review

The Keurig B155 Brewing System ($249.95) is a fantastic commercial grade brew station for use in the home or small to medium office. It offers contemporary styling, with a full color, interactive touchscreen display. The B155 makes the perfect single cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or iced beverage in less than 60 seconds. Everyone will be able to find and enjoy their beverage of choice. You can select from over 200 K-Cup varieties including: Green mountain Coffee, Gloria Jean’s Coffee & Tea, Newman’s Own (organic), Caribou Coffee, Emeril’s Gourmet Coffee, Celestial Seasonings Teas, and many more. Keurig makes My K-Cup, which allows you to make a single cup using your own coffee. My K-Cups are compatible with most Keurig brewers, but are not compatible with the B155. The dimensions of this unit are: 13.9″H x 10.4″W x 14.0″D, and has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The brewing system is intuitive and easy to use. Simply pour water into the 90 oz reservoir, which can be accessed by either lifting out the entire water container or by simply lifting the lid to the container for easy filling. Once you turn on the power switch, located on the back of the unit, you are greeted with the interactive color touchscreen. This machine was definitely designed with the user in mind. It is customizable in so many ways. First, you can select your step-by-step instructions in either English, French, or Spanish. You then can choose from 4 different cup sizes: 4 oz., 6 oz., 8 oz. and 10 oz. The unit has a removable drip tray to accommodate taller travel mugs. You can also program the precise brewing temperature that you like. It offers an Energy Savings Mode with an Auto On/Off setting. The large water reservoir heats rapidly, in approximately 4 minutes. Making coffee could not be easier, simply open the lid of the coffee holder, insert your favorite K-Cup, shut the lid, and press brew. The brew process is quick and quiet. In under a minute, your perfectly brewed beverage awaits you.

The B155 comes with an instruction manual as well as a booklet that gives great detailed descriptions of all of the different varieties of coffees, teas, and cocoa K-Cups that are available. A bonus variety box of 12 K-Cups are also included, to assist you in finding the perfect beverage for everyone in your home or office. K-Cups are so convenient, as they eliminate the hassle of grinding coffee beans, calculating the perfect coffee measurements, handling filters and messy clean-up. The Keurig B155 delivers fresh gourmet beverages each and every time with ease. (Reviewed by Meredith Fire-Hess)

Ricky Gervais: Out Of England 2 To Premiere On Saturday, December 18th

HBO presents Ricky Gervais in a new comedy special, “Ricky Gervais: Out Of England 2.” It premieres Saturday, December 18 at 10pm on HBO.

Vintage Comic Book City Travel Posters

These vintage looking comic book city travel posters created by the artist Justin Van Genderen can be purchased HERE for $18.03 each.

The Fire Wire 2010 Holiday Gift Guide: McSweeney’s Quarterly Issue 36

Inside this 275-cubic-inch full-color head-crate ($26), there are all the things you’d hope for: a 100-page annotated fragment of Michael Chabon’s lost novel, incredible new stories from John Brandon and Colm Tóibín, Jack Pendarvis’s “Jungle Geronimo in Gay Paree,” a play by Wajahat Ali—eight  astounding booklets in all, along with some other things on top, enough for hundreds and hundreds of pages of perusal, every bit of it, like we said, contained in a more-or-less-life-size friendly-looking head. It will fit on your shelf, it is compatible with most hats, and the stuff inside is wonderful—order yours today HERE!

To subscribe to McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern (and begin with Issue 36), click HERE. A one year subscription costs $55.

 

So This Happened At A Michael Bublé Concert…

It proves what a stand up guy Michael Bublé is.  I love it when these moments happen!

Jack Black Teams Up With Jason Segel To Create “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy 2010”

Jack Black teams up with his “Gulliver’s Travels” co-star Jason Segel to create “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy 2010,” their wonderful take on the holiday carol in the style of David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s famed 1977 classic.  And in the spirit of the holidays, the duo is offering all their U.S. proceeds from the sale of “Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy 2010” to Blue Star Families (bluestarfam.org).

“Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy 2010” will be sold exclusively on beginning Tuesday December 7. Additionally, a 2-D animated video for “Little Drummer Boy” will premiere on CollegeHumor.com that same day.  “This old chestnut was dying to be rockified…enjoy” explained Black on his choice of song.

Blue Star Families is a nonprofit organization created by real military families, acting as the bridge between the military community, the shapers of policy affecting military life, and the nation.  The American military is the most diverse in the world and our members are equally diverse, including military spouses, parents, and families from all branches of service, including the National Guard and reserves. Blue Star Families seeks to connect, support and empower military families by offering solutions that make military family life more sustainable.

“BSF is extremely grateful for this gift,” explained Mark D. Smith the Executive Director of Blue Star Families.  “This gesture serves as wonderful example of the strong support our military families enjoy for all their sacrifices from the civilian community across the country.  We would like to especially thank Jack Black and Jason Segel for their generosity”

Bid For A Private Tour Of Pixar Studios

Patton Oswalt, best known to Pixar fans as the voice of Remy, has teamed up with the LA Foodbank for an opportunity no Pixar fan will want to pass up. The highest eBay bidder (here) will win a private tour of the studio’s Emeryville campus.

Louis C.K. On The Tonight Show With Jay Leno