Waste Not, Want Not

This probably shouldn’t count towards the 40 percent of food the average American wastes each year (the featured “actress” seems to sport a British accent and that’s clearly a left-sided passenger seat, so we can likely chalk this up as UK-based baking abuse):

(Video: YouTube)

But I’ll be damned if I understand how/why this would titillate any rational human being.

–Warren

Tags: fetish, food, Gut Check, Northern Virginia Magazine, video, Warren Rojas, waste

California dreamin’

Hey all! I’m off to San Diego for the better part of the next two weeks, but I wanted to fill you in on what to do in the meantime. Because I know you’re all lost without me. (I kid, I kid.) So…

Go to: Sarah Dunant’s signing at Politics and Prose downtown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. She’s presenting “The Sacred Heart,” a 16th-century historical fiction revolving around a convent and perfect for anybody who was a fan of her “The Birth of Venus.”

Read: “Amazing Spider-Man” No. 600. It’s a milestone issue for Spidey, and to celebrate, Doctor Octopus is back! All eight of those mechanized arms will be in full effect, as will an appearance by Daredevil, a wedding the Webhead never saw coming and a return of someone we haven’t seen in a while. All that and Stan Lee, too.

Watch: One of three movies this week, depending on your interests (and age): the Disney family adventure “G-Force,” starring a bunch of guinea pigs who are crazy good at espionage; the chick flick “The Ugly Truth” pitting Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler in a war of the sexes; or “Orphan,” a horror movie featuring one of the creepiest little girls since those twins in “The Shining.”

Buy: “Watchmen” Director’s Cut on Blu-ray. OK, you can get the standard edition, but this is the kind of thing that makes you upgrade your current home entertainment system. While the movie was good in the theater, Zack Snyder’s director’s cut is 30 minutes longer, features more stuff cut from the Alan Moore masterpiece, and looks INSANE in high definition. Seriously, go now. Turn off the computer. It’ll still be here when you get back.

What are your feelings on standard editions vs. super-duper extended extreme editions of movies on DVD? Let me know what you prefer in the comments, and here’s your video of the next two weeks:

Tags: book signing, comics, dvd, geek, movies, video

Henry Thoreau, John Dillinger and one inspiring golf lover

It’s Fourth of July week, and it’s front-loaded with goodness. So let’s take a quick look at some cool things you can attend, read and see before channeling your inner caveman and being wowed by pyrotechnics.

D.J. Gregory, an inspirational guy with cerebral palsy who walked with a different player during each PGA Tour event, talks about his experience and will sign copies of his book “Walking with Friends” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Baileys Crossroads Borders. At the Politics and Prose downtown, John Pipkin comes to town at 7 p.m. Wednesday to promote “Woodsburner,” his debut tome about the Massachusetts residents affected by a fire inadvertently set by Henry Thoreau.

The big news in the comic book world these days is the return of the thought-dead Steve Rogers just in time for Independence Day, and the original Cap is back in “Captain America: Reborn.” Suck it, Red Skull! Another fan favorite — one who actually never dies — gets a new series with “Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth,” which finds the antihero in the Savage Land seeking out the dangerous severed head of the Marvel Zombies Deadpool. (It’s a lot cooler than it sounds.) Those “Sex and the City” girls have nothing on “Marvel Divas,” which brings together Black Cat, Firestar, Photon and Hellcat all in the same book. I loved the debut issue of Grant Morrison’s new “Batman and Robin” so I’m looking forward to the second issue that pits the revamped Dynamic Duo against the Circus of Strange and the mysterious Professor Pyg. Those getting ready for “Blackest Night” will want to pick up the “Rage of the Red Lanterns” collection, and Vertigo takes ancient gods and tosses them into the back alleys of London town with “Greek Street.”

Because of the holiday, Hollywood’s throwing out its movies early, but Wednesday brings a doozy: Michael Mann’s “Public Enemies.” Love gangster flicks? Love Johnny Depp? This flick is like peanut butter and chocolate, with Depp as legendary most-wanted man John Dillinger in his glory days as a bank-robbing Robin Hood-esque figure. Oscar winner Marion Cotillard as his love interest, Billy Crudup as head FBI guy J. Edgar Hoover and Christian Bale as crack G-man Melvis Purvis.

What are your Fourth of July plans? Let the rest of us know of anything cool brewing in the comments section. Check out this brilliant video of the week, and have a great holiday!

Tags: book signing, books, comics, movies, video

Ready to get your weep on, peeps?

Chances are that a lot of people are going to be flocking to the movie theaters this weekend to see giant robots decimate each other but good. And that’s where the counter-programming comes in with the tearjerking “My Sister’s Keeper.” Based on the Jodi Picoult book, this adaptation tells of a couple (Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric) living a good life with their two kids until their daughter Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) is diagnosed with leukemia. They then decide to have a third child, Anna (played by Abigail Breslin), in order to harvest bone marrow for treatments to possibly help cure Kate.That’s where the family drama begins, as 11-year-old Kate has had enough of that and decides to sue her parents and medically emancipate herself so she can make her own decisions about her body.

Ethical questions are raised, tissues will be broken, but I have it on good authority that the book’s ending was a disappointment and Hollywood-esque. So it’ll be interesting to see what director Nick Cassavetes does with that. And, yes, that’s Nick Cassavetes who did “The Notebook.” So you can go in knowing that this guy can make ANYONE cry.

One of the funniest shows of the year debuts on DVD Tuesday with “Eastbound & Down: The Complete First Season.” Danny McBride, a Fredericksburg native, is a rising comedy genius, and he’s spot-on as a washed-up pitcher who’s forced to take a gym-teacher gig in his North Carolina hometown until he can get called back to the big leagues. It’s raunchy, perverse, insane and wholly fantastic. (And look out for McBride’s pal Will Ferrell as a Ric Flair-esque used car salesman.) Fellow HBO show “Entourage” also gets a fifth season released — see if the boys can resurrect Vinnie’s career after the “Medillin” disaster in time for the next season starting in July. The second season of the exceptional British comedy “The IT Crowd” is also out to tickle your funny bone. Fans of charismatic pro wrestler John Cena can watch their dude throw down with the guy who kidnapped his significant other in “12 Rounds,” and for those who prefer their creatures to be gigantic in sight and legend, there’s “Monster Quest: Season Three, Set One.”

What’s the last flick you cried during? Let me know in the comments. And here’s your video of the week — R.I.P. Mike.

Tags: dvd, movies, Music, video

Pick your comedy: quirky, romantic or biblical

Before I opine about this week’s flicks, I wanted to tell you about the summer reading program hosted by the Laughing Ogres Comics stores in Lansdowne and Fairfax. If you’re a NoVA Popaholic, you know I’m for all things comics-related, and this summer Laughing Ogre’s got a really cool thing going to get struggling and reluctant youngsters reading and loving the art form for a lifetime.

It works thusly: Kids keep a reading list of graphic novels and any other sort of book they want. If they read five books total, they get 20 percent off their next purchase of an all-ages graphic novel. Read six more books, then they get 25 percent off. If they get around to seven more books after that (18 total), they then get 30 percent off! Can’t beat that.

To get the deals, children need to bring in their list to the store of what they’ve read with a parent’s sign-off. Just remember, moms and dads: Sometimes comics can get pretty racy in theme and language, so watch out for “mature” titles. You might also want to read what they’re reading, too, especially in the comics realm — you just might like ‘em!

A bunch of new comedies are out this week, starting with the quirky “Away We Go.” Opening at Cinema Arts Theatre this weekend, the indie film stars John Krasinski of “The Office” and Maya Rudolph as an expectant married couple who go on a cross-country trip to figure out the best place to raise their little one. It’s directed by Sam Mendes, who’s mainly done serious dramas (”American Beauty,” “Road to Perdition,” “Revolutionary Road”), so it’s a humorous tale that’s funny AND well-crafted.

If more mainstream romantic comedy is your thing, Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds play a boss and her assistant who need to get hitched to keep her from being deported in “The Proposal.” The one reason to see this one? Betty White, the 87-year-old “Golden Girl” who steals the movie and is as feisty as ever.

And odd couple Michael Cera and Jack Black team up for the ancient laugher “Year One” as two dudes stumbling their way through Bible stories.

Pretty slim pickens in the ol’ DVD shelves this coming week (although you can find Slim Pickens riding a bomb in the newly released “Dr. Strangelove” Blu-ray). The Brendan Fraser family adventure “Inkheart” is for the little fantasy lovers in your household, the chick flick “Confessions of a Shopaholic” starring Isla Fisher will hold “Sex and the City” fans over till the next movie (or they decide to watch all the TV seasons again), and Steve Martin makes a really bad career decision with “Pink Panther 2,” taking Jeremy Irons and Alfred Molina down with him.

If you’re willing to try an odd little foreign movie, take a chance on the Oscar-nominated, animated Israeli documentary “Waltz With Bashir.”

What’s your favorite summertime comedy? Let me know in the comments. And the video of the week comes from NBC Washington, an interview with comic rapper Remy Munasifi about his viral hit “Arlington Rap” (if you haven’t seen this particular piece of local genius, here ’tis):

Tags: books, comics, dvd, movies, video

Eddie Murphy’s in an iffy live-action kids flick. ‘Imagine That.’

For a second, let’s remember when Eddie Murphy used to have a great career back in the day. He was hilarious on “Saturday Night Live,” quote-tastic in “Coming to America,” ROFL-worthy in “Raw.” I blame “Vampire in Brooklyn,” because ever since that 1995 stinker, it’s been downhill ever since. (With the exceptions of “Bowfinger” and “Dreamgirls,” both of which inspired greatness.) Sure, he’s fantastic as a talking Donkey in the animated “Shrek” flicks, but seriously, what was his last truly major live-action hit? “Dr. Dolittle” in ‘98? Sheesh. In his defense, Murphy’s films have tended toward the family-friendly, including his newest, “Imagine That.” He’s a struggling financial guru who comes out of his slump thanks to his daughter’s imaginary world. Kids will love his mugging and noise-making, but will the older folks? Well, at least we have memories of funnier times. A better bet for this weekend: John Travolta and Denzel Washington facing off in the train-heist remake “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” opening this week at Cinema Arts Theatre and other local multiplexes.

I’m very excited for Tuesday to come because it marks the long-awaited Blu-ray debut of “Ghostbusters,” which is only one of the best movies EVER. With all this talk of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson coming back for an upcoming “Ghostbusters 3,” it’s time to revisit the classic 25 years after it asked us, “Who ya gonna call?” It’s in hi-def and features loads of new featurettes, including a sneak peek at the “Ghostbusters” video game that comes out the same day. (And for those who like to shop online, use the code SONYPIC5 to buy it at Amazon.com for an extra five bucks off.) Also in stores next week: the “Friday the 13th” remake with “Supernatural’s” Jared Padalecki; the Tyler Perry flick “Madea Goes to Jail”; the second seasons of cable TV favorites “Burn Notice” and “Saving Grace”; and the first and second seasons of “Lost,” on Blu-ray for the first time.

Who’s your favorite Ghostbuster: Venkman? Stantz? Spengler? Zeddemore? Let me know in the comments, and here’s your video of the week:

Tags: dvd, geek, movies, video

‘Hang’ with the boys, get ‘Lost’ in the past

Instead of blockbusters, this first weekend of June is chock full of the funny. “The Hangover” looks hilarious, and definitely is for anybody who enjoyed director Todd Phillips’ other works, “Old School” and “Road Trip.” A groom-to-be (Justin Bartha) and his three best friends (Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper) have a bachelor party weekend in Las Vegas before the big day, things go horribly wrong in one crazy night and they have to remember what the heck happened to the groom, why there’s a tiger and a baby in their hotel room, and how Mike Tyson is so good at air drumming to Phil Collins songs. Another comedy, “Land of the Lost” is out but there’s a lot of mixed feelings about the remake of the old 1970s kids’ show with Will Ferrell and Danny McBride. Then again, Danny McBride steals every movie he’s in, so it can’t be that bad.

Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax is rolling out a pair of indies, the first being “Easy Virtue.” The British comedy stars Colin Firth, Jessica Biel and Kristin Scott Thomas in 1920s period piece about a son showing up to a family affair with his impetuous American bride. It’s far better than the other new option, “My Life in Ruins,” an iffy romantic romp that takes “My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s” Nia Vardalos (where has she been for the better part of a decade?) to Greece for love and lameness. And what’s Richard Dreyfus doing in this dreck? You were in “Jaws,” man! Instead, ponder skipping both those and checking out the eccentric con flick “The Brothers Bloom.” Director Rian Johnson’s last film, the insanely good high school noir Brick, was one of the most criminally underseen movies of the past 10 years.

Ever wondered what Dirty Harry would be like if he was a grumpy old man and living near gang members, then “Gran Torino” starring and directed by Clint Eastwood might be your style — if you’re feeling lucky, punk. Also on DVD Tuesday, Clive Owen and Naomi Watts team to take down a nefarious global bank in “The International”; the thriller “Crossing Over” stars Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd; the dudes-turned-cheerleaders flick “Fired Up” isn’t nearly as stupid as you’d think; the second (and possibly final) season of “Reaper” was a disappointment after the first year; and “Macho Madness — The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection” is a three-disc anthology featuring one of pro wrestling’s most flamboyant and entertaining performers (who also happens to be one heck of a Slim Jim pitch man).

What’s your favorite Vegas movie: “Ocean’s Eleven”? “Leaving Las Vegas”? “Swingers”? Let me know in the comments, and enjoy the video of the week:

Tags: dvd, movies, video

Head straight to ‘Up’ or down to ‘Hell’

It’s almost like they scheduled these two cinematic polar opposites together just to throw a bone to headline writers everywhere. But you can’t go wrong whether you see Pixar’s newest family ‘toon “Up” or “Drag Me to Hell,” Sam Raimi’s long-awaited return to the horror genre. Let’s begin with “Up” and facing the fact that the Pixar/Disney team-up seemingly can’t make a bad flick. Even its worst, “Cars,” was pretty darn good. The cartoon giant hit the jackpot with “Wall-E” last summer, and looks to do the same with “Up,” the tale of a 78-year-old grumpy old man who attaches 10,000 balloons to his house and goes on the adventure of his life with a perky kid and a dog when his crib goes airborne and they end in a Venezuelan jungle. This is a must-see for the kiddos. And for the bigger kids, there’s “Drag Me to Hell,” where Alison Lohman gets cursed by an old woman who’s ticked off she can’t get an extension on her mortgage and unleashes, well, hell on her. It’s “Spider-Man” director Raimi’s first horror movie in 22 years, and it’s got the same kind of highly watchable gore and tongue-in-cheekiness that made those “Evil Dead” flicks classics. What can I say, it’s a gotta-see for all those horrormeisters out there. At the very least, you’ll never feel comfortable with a fly around your nose ever again.

On the ol’ DVD shelves Tuesday, Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber fans will want to check out “Defiance,” a World War II period piece about two Jewish brothers leading refugees through Eastern European forests and avoiding Nazis at all costs. Another talented coupling, the “Titanic” pair of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, is featured in “Revolutionary Road,” a well-acted but rather depressing view of 1950s suburbia. “He’s Just Not That Into You” offers an array of A-listers, too — from Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Connelly to Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore and Bradley Cooper — in an above-average romantic comedy that tries a bit too hard to be an American version of “Love Actually.” The iffy summer TV season’s here, so now’s the time to catch up on the fourth and final season of “Prison Break,” the fourth season of Showtime’s “Weeds” and the first season of “Raising the Bar,” a surprisingly good legal drama that’s only downside is Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s weirdly flowing mane.

What’s your favorite Pixar movie? Let me know in the comments section, and then check out your video of the week:

Tags: dvd, movies, video

Everything’s coming up Illuminati

Just as the cinematic version of the Catholic Church had enough problems to deal with during “The Da Vinci Code,” it’s got a whole new one in “Angels & Demons.” Based on Dan Brown’s best-selling book and again starring Tom Hanks as globe-trotting symbologist Robert Langdon (although this time with better hair), the next chapter takes Langdon to Vatican City as the age-old enemy of the Church, the mysterious and underground Illuminati, rears its malevolent head again after a few hundred centuries. It’s up to Langon and a comely Italian scientist to decipher puzzles and symbols and get to the bottom of the conspiracy and save the day. Earnest Hanks looks, explosions and intrigue ensue.

If you’re thinking a tad more small-scale, however, you might want to invest a couple hours with the charming indie comedy “Management,” a new film at Cinema Arts Theatre. It’s kind of strange to think that Jennifer Aniston does anything under the radar, but this kind of is, and is charming to boot. She plays a woman who likes life on the safe side, until she meets a slightly nutty free spirit (Steve Zahn) who takes a shine to her and crosses the country to win her heart. Woody Harrelson is the third piece of the love triangle, as her yogurt-peddling ex.

There is a heap of DVD goodness coming on Tuesday so strap in. If you miss the season finale of “24″ on Monday (or missed the whole seventh season for that matter), pick up the DVD set or Blu-ray. The first season of HBO’s odd and ever-watchable vampire series “True Blood” is also out on both DVD and Blu-ray — that’s for those who like their backwoods weirdos and bloodsuckers in hi-def. The third season of “Friday Night Lights” is out as well, and that’s DEFINITELY a show worth watching in full. Not as good as the first two addictive seasons, the third is still entertaining and nicely sets up the upcoming and recently announced fourth in 2010. I like Kevin James and World War II flicks, so “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” and “Valkyrie” are in my Netflix queue, and “Fanboys” is an above-average paean to all us geeks and “Star Wars” nerds.

For those Jack Bauer lovers out there, what’s been your favorite season of “24″ so far? Spill your thoughts in the comments, and have a great weekend! Play me out, Keyboard Cat:

Tags: dvd, movies, Star Wars, video

The Cinderella generation

Like trickery and transfiguration in your fairy tales but not villainy and rescue? Russian scholar Vladimir Propp boiled fairy tales down to their basic plot points, and this fairy tale generator allows you to pick your storylines and see what you get. For use as templates: “Cinderella,” “Snow White” and “Hansel & Gretel.”

A lot of people think Michael Jackson is a bit creepy. I’m not one to judge, although I also do not choose to wear only one glove at a time. This blogger takes a funny look at the recent Jackson auction collection and makes some entertaining insights.

There’s nothing like watching an animated dude falling down a mountain and hearing “AAAAARRRGH!” set to a techno beat.

I had no idea that Simon Cowell hated owls or was a leader of beavers. I’ve just had some knowledge dropped on me.

Japanese toy companies love reimagining our pop-culture franchises. Here, see what happens when you monkey with “Sesame Street” characters and turn them into tchotchke with suction cups.

This one’s for the time nerds: a graphical representation of minutes passing us all by. Carpe diem!

The geek-friendly site Great White Snark offers a cake of the week as one of its regular features. This week’s treat is a Jabba the Hutt cake that’s really quite cool but looks hella unappetizing.

“Snakes on a Plane” is just not a movie made to be edited for TV. Why? Because then you get problems like this.

I am all about a Twitter, but this post looks at several Tweets that may just get you fired. Lying to your boss, calling him an idiot and publicly hating your job are not great ways to keep it.

This random pic is for fans of Queen and the New Gods: Freddie Mercury vs. Darkseid!

Sure, Earth Day may have passed but that’s no reason to not proclaim both your eco-friendliness and your “Star Wars” geekdom. Throw on one of these shirts, grab your green lightsaber and you’ll be ready to save the world. Or at least the ozone layer.

Got a great link? Send it over to novapoppin@gmail.com. Here’s your video of the week:

Tags: geek, links, Star Wars, video